Chaldean Archbishop Denies Torture Allegations in US Lawsuit

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, is seen during his visit to the U.S. offices of Aid to the Church in Need in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 18, 2022. ( CNS/Gregory A. Shemitz) The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Erbil, in Iraq, Mar Bashar Warda, has denied allegations made in a US lawsuit that he was complicit in the kidnapping and torture of an Iraqi-US businesswoman, Sara Saleem.

Ms Saleem has filed a lawsuit naming Archbishop Warda among 16 defendants accused of being involved in undermining her business interests, and in kidnap and torture.

A spokesman for Archbishop Warda told the US news website the Pillar, which reported the lawsuit's allegations, that he "categorically denies and rejects these defamatory allegations and will contest them vigorously".

The Archbishop is known around the world as a prominent fund-raiser and speaker on the plight of the shrinking Christian community in Iraq.

The 56-page legal document filed in the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has not been seen by the Church Times, but, according to the Pillar, it alleges that Ms Saleen was kidnapped in Basra in 2014, and held for a month, during which time she was tortured, before she managed to escape and flee to the US.

It alleges that the kidnapping followed her refusal to make a $2-million donation to Ahmed al-Maliki, the son of Iraq's then Prime Minister, Nouri al-Malaki. Ms Saleem said that she was targeted after she took out a $1000-million loan with her business partner, Nizar Hanna Nasri, and his brothers, to fund a housing project near Basra.

She filed a criminal complaint about the kidnapping in 2021, and another against the Hanna brothers, regarding the loan, in 2022. The US lawsuit says that the Hanna brothers were convicted of criminally defrauding her in 2023, but were later released and acquitted.

Archbishop Warda is mentioned 16 times in the US legal documents, accused of interceding for the Hanna brothers, including "passing along a bribe", and of being a close associate of Rayan al-Kildani -- the head of the Iraqi political party Babylon Movement -- who is under US sanctions for human-rights violations.

The Chaldean Catholic Church has been involved in conflict in recent years. The Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, Cardinal Louis Sako, filed a complaint against several bishops, including Archbishop Warda, last year, after they did not attend a synod.

Cardinal Sako has also accused the Archbishop of collaborating with Mr al-Kildani to get him removed from his post. Archbishop Warda rejects this allegation, too.
Gaza's thirst: Water crisis deepens during Ramadan under Israeli blockade

Xinhua) 08:29, March 14, 2025

A Palestinian fetches water for daily use among destroyed buildings during Ramadan in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Each dawn during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Emad al-Hadad would station himself at the cracked sidewalks of Gaza City, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

The 43-year-old father of seven is not awaiting family or friends, but a precious cargo: water tankers that trundle through the battered streets, their arrival as uncertain as the flicker of electricity in this besieged enclave.

"Securing clean drinking water has become a daily struggle. This is especially true with the urgent need for water after the Maghrib call to prayer, when residents break their fast after long hours without water," al-Hadad told Xinhua, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

The water crisis, already dire after years of blockade, spiraled catastrophically following the war in October 2023. When power lines supplying Gaza were severed, desalination plants -- which produce fresh water suitable for consumption or irrigation for the over 2 million Gazans -- ground to a halt.

Months of international pressure later, Israel permitted a trickle of electricity to flow to desalination plants in central and southern Gaza. But the reprieve was short-lived. Recent cuts have plunged the enclave back into a deepening emergency, with Ramadan's heightened demand colliding with crippling shortages.

Palestinians fetch water for daily use among destroyed buildings during Ramadan in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

"It's more difficult than ever," al-Haddad said. "During Ramadan, we need water more than at any other time, whether for fasting or for preparing iftar and suhoor. However, desalination plants operate fewer hours, and water tankers arrive in smaller quantities. We don't know how long this will last."

Across Gaza, families now ration every drop. Desalination facilities, operating at less than 20 percent of the usual capacity, strain under fuel shortages and erratic power. Humanitarian aid trucks deliver sporadic supplies, but the math is unforgiving: more mouths to hydrate, fewer resources to share.

A Palestinian fetches water in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

"We are trying to continue (operating the plants), but the lack of electricity and fuel makes it extremely difficult. If this continues, we may have to stop production completely, and that would leave residents without water during Ramadan," Abdul Salam Yassin, an official at one of Gaza's desalination plants, told Xinhua.

"Before the Israeli decision, I could provide enough water to my customers," Fadi Abu Snouna, a 35-year-old water tanker driver in Gaza City's Al-Daraj neighborhood, told Xinhua.

"But now, I only get a quarter of the amount I used to receive. During Ramadan, people need more water for iftar and suhoor, but I have to apologize to my customers because the water isn't available," he said.

The financial toll is crushing. Prices for clean water have more than doubled since the war, with families like Mohammed Abdullah's in northern Gaza now having to spend 20 U.S. dollars weekly -- a small fortune in the enclave where unemployment, according to recent data from International Labour Organization, nears 80 percent.

"This is a huge burden, especially during Ramadan, when we need more water to prepare iftar and suhoor meals," Abdullah, a 29-year-old father of two from Beit Lahia, told Xinhua.

People are seen fetching water in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

For many, even contaminated water is a grim necessity. Laila Abu Hamdan, a 38-year-old mother of four in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, described boiling unsafe municipal supplies to mitigate health risks.

"My children complain of stomach aches, and I know the cause is the contaminated water," she said. "But buying clean water has become too expensive."

Health officials are now warning of a looming catastrophe. Khalil al-Daqran, spokesperson for Gaza-based health authorities, reported spikes in hepatitis and gastrointestinal diseases linked to tainted water.

"The water currently available is not completely safe to drink, but residents have no other choice. If the situation continues, we may face widespread disease outbreaks, further burdening Gaza's already overwhelmed healthcare system," al-Daqran told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (3/7) uoc du bao co the giam tu 6,8 - 7,5% so voi ky ieu hanh truoc o. Cu the, gia ban le xang E5 RON 92 co the giam 1.412 ong (6,9%) ve muc 19.118 ong/lit; xang RON 95-III co the giam 1.440 ong (6,8%) ve muc 19.670 ong/lit. Trong khi o, dau hoa co the giam 7,5% ve muc 17.631 ong/lit; dau mazut co the giam 7,2% ve muc 15.730 ong/kg; dau diesel co the giam 7,1% ve muc 17.977 ong/lit.
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Bilateral trade between Trinidad and Tobago and India reached a record TT$1.2 billion (US$368.96 million) in the last fiscal year, according to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

She disclosed this as she announced that her Government aims to expand exports to tap into Indias market of 1.4 billion consumers, and will pursue a Partial Scope Trade Agreementthe first from a Caricom countrywhile laying the foundation for a new Bilateral Investment Treaty.
ON Thursday night, when hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an experience that has been preserved by the nations diaspora for 180 years.

In images that have since gone viral, Modi was seen eating on the leaves of the sohari (Calathea lutea).

In a social media post to Angelo Bissessarsinghs Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago Facebook page, Patricia Bissessar said the serving of food on the leaves of the sohari is a practice rooted in Indo-Trinidadian cultural heritage, particularly among the Hindu community.
This years Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) results have revealed a concerning learning gap among primary school students, Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath has said.

Speaking at a recognition ceremony for the top five performers in the 2025 SEA yesterday at the ministrys head office in Port of Spain, Dowlath said the data will be analysed for better performance moving forward.
Last Tuesday, Gwynne Dyer headlined his Express column Stupid old men. You could substitute all sorts of adjectives before the words, old men, to describe the characteristics of the cohort that has had the most influence on the world we inhabit. Greedy, self-righteous, racist, arrogant, selfish, a multitude of negative words readily suit the clique.

At first, angrily thinking about the subject of todays column, I was focusing on Caribbean men in leadership positions who have been sleazy lechers, foisting themselves on hapless females and males with impunity.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its disaster relief agency is withholding about $10.4 million in federal grant dollars to reimburse Pima County for services it provided to migrants due to significant concerns that some funding might have been used to encourage their entry into the United States.

In a letter to Pima County this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it will be withholding payments from three grants the county used to operate migrant shelters, through the agencys Shelter and Services Program.

Pima County is owed about $10.4 million from the feds, said Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher. About $5.8 million had already been submitted for reimbursement and about $4.6 million had yet to be sent to FEMA, she said.

The pause hitting Pima County is part of a larger review by FEMA into organizations that provide aid to migrants, the Associated Press has reported.

Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, in a March 12 memo, said the letter from DHS was received earlier in the day.

The letter notified the county that FEMA was temporarily withholding payment for three grants awarded to Pima County through the agencys Shelter and Services Program. Those grants totaled $52.6 million.

The Department of Homeland Security has significant concerns that SSP funding is going to entities engaged in or facilitating illegal activities, said the letter sent by Cameron Hamilton, the interim head of FEMA. The Department is concerned that entities receiving payment under this program may be guilty of encouraging or inducing an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States.

The federal law Hamilton cites is used to prosecute smugglers accused of bringing migrants into the United States.

Hamilton asked the county respond within 30 days. The county was told to send All documents regarding the aliens with whom your organization and your subrecipients and contracts interacted with in carrying out the scope of your SSP award, including their names and contact information, along with what specific services were provided.

The county has 60 days to appeal FEMAs action.

Lesher is set to update Supervisors about the funding pause during their meeting Tuesday.

The Pima County migrant-aid program started in 2019 and grew in 2023, when the number of asylum-seekers increased.

The county has sheltered approximately 518,868 asylum-seekers since 2019 and received more than $117 million from the federal government for temporary sheltering, as previously reported in January, when the county closed its two migrant aid shelters.

The countys program has been entirely federally funded.

FEMAs program awarded over $640 million in the 2024 fiscal year to state and local governments, as well as organizations across the country to help deal with large numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Cities including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver, as well as organizations such as United Way of Miami and several branches of Catholic Charities, received SSP funding, the Associated Press reported.

Lesher, in her memo to county supervisors, said the same FEMA letter was also sent to the state, Maricopa and Yuma counties and an unnamed Maricopa County-based nonprofit.
Following weeks of confusion and online misinformation, Mexican immigration officials in Sonora have agreed to wait until May before more strictly enforcing a long-standing, but often disregarded, tourist permit requirement for foreign tourists headed to Puerto Penasco, local officials said.

Starting in May, all foreign visitors to Puerto Penasco will need to get a tourist permit known as an FMM form, which is free for trips that last less than a week but requires a valid passport, or passport card, to obtain. The cost is about $40 for an FMM, or Forma Migratoria Multiple, thats valid for a stay of up to 180 days.

False information circulating on social media posts prompted Puerto Penasco officials to meet with Sonora-based staff from Mexicos National Migration Institute, known as INM, said Lizette Ybarra, spokeswoman for Puerto Penascos tourism department.

During the peak season of March and April, INM officials are going to support us by not asking for this form, she said in Spanish on Thursday. However, we want to extend the invitation to all foreign people in the U.S., mainly our neighbors in Arizona, that after crossing the border here ... do consider obtaining this form.

INM now has a dedicated assistance team in its Sonoyta office to ensure a seamless process, Puerto Penasco municipal secretary Alejandro Verdugo said in a Thursday statement.

Federal immigration officials in Mexico insist nothing has changed, and the requirement to get an FMM  which is not a visa  has always been in place, allowing Mexico to keep track of how many foreign visitors are in the country.

There is no change nor has there been any change to the immigration law, said Adriana Angeles, deputy director of information for INM, writing in Spanish in a text message to the Arizona Daily Star. Every foreign person who enters Mexico must go to the immigration office to register their entry.

But regular travelers in Sonora and Baja California say enforcement of the FMM requirement has been heightened in recent months.

Weve been traveling down there for 35 years and its never been a problem, but it is now being enforced, said Tempe resident Kendra Carver. She said in late February, she and her husband were allowed to self-deport from Baja California Sur after they stopped in an immigration office north of La Paz and admitted they did not have FMM forms.

The agent gave them 10 days to return to the U.S., but said their self deportation would be on their record and a second offense would have stiffer consequences, Carver told the Star.

Frankly, they are doing the right thing enforcing immigration laws consistently, regardless of (foreigners) country of origin, she said. But U.S. and especially Arizona residents need to be aware.

This years spring-break tourism season has been somewhat dampened in Puerto Penasco, amid tension between the U.S. and Mexican governments, as well as uncertainty over the requirements to visit Arizonas Beach, also known as Rocky Point, business owners say.

Many Americans are accustomed to visiting Rocky Point without a passport, instead carrying a birth certificate or other ID to re-enter the U.S.

Some have been miffed by rumors of new enforcement of the FMM requirement, said Rocky Point travel agent Denise Ackerly.

Ive had so many cancellations from people who dont have passports, or dont want to deal with this hassle, she said Tuesday. Spring break is probably half of what it should be. My phone should be ringing off the hook and its not.

Rocky Point officials say obtaining an FMM is a simple process: Visitors can get their FMM after entering Sonoyta, Sonora, from Lukeville, Arizona, at the INM office just west of the road. Travelers could instead fill out the form online and print it at home, but they must still stop at the INM office for their FMM to be stamped and to pay any required fees. The FMM is only valid for one entry into Mexico.

Tourists should also prepare for a new 114% tax on all imported alcohol, a change first reported by the Rocky Point Times.

Officials also emphasize Mexican car insurance and valid vehicle registration are required to drive in Mexico. But a temporary vehicle import permit, known as a TIP, is still not required to travel to Rocky Point, or anywhere within Sonoras free zone, which stretches south to Empalme. Vehicular travel outside the free zone requires the purchase of a TIP.

Heightened enforcement

Mexicos stepped-up immigration enforcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has pressured Mexico, as well as Canada, to further reduce drug and human trafficking through the U.S.-Mexico border, or face steep tariffs on goods exported to the U.S.

Mexican Consul in Tucson Rafael Barcelo said Mexicos enforcement of its immigration laws is independent of U.S. politics.

There is nothing that is new, he said, and travelers confusion has stemmed from the sporadic enforcement of the FMM in the past. There might be more enforcement at times. ... People should do now what they should have done in the past.

In early February, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to send an additional 10,000 National Guard troops to the northern border, in an effort to forestall Trumps threatened tariffs. Nevertheless, after a one-month delay, on March 4 Trump implemented the 25% tariffs for three days, before delaying the tariffs again for another month, amid a U.S. stock market downturn.

Rocky Point-based tour guide Ruben Cordova said he was surprised by Mexicos heightened enforcement in February, when he took a group of seven Americans and Canadians on a whale-watching trip in Guerrero Negro, in Baja California Sur. In the past, FMM forms havent been needed there, he said, but this time he was stopped at an immigration checkpoint where an agent asked for everyones FMM.

Five of the tourists with Cordova did not have the form, said Cordova, who grew up in Nogales, Arizona and has dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship.

The agent said he could technically deport the five undocumented tourists without their luggage, confiscate Cordovas vehicle and arrest him for transporting illegals, Cordova recounted.

Youre considered a coyote. Thats what he told me, Cordova said. But the agent said he would let it go, since Cordova was unaware of the heightened enforcement.

I asked them, Why are you guys enforcing this now? Cordova said. The agent suggested it had to do with U.S. pressure on Mexico and said, We have orders from the top to start enforcing our laws more intensely now, Cordova said.

In northern Mexico, the border-zone region has traditionally handled the FMM requirement with more flexibility and as of now, short-term visitors to Nogales, Sonora, and those who stay within 21 miles of the Arizona border, arent being asked for an FMM, said Josh Rubin, chairman of the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz County Port Authority.

Likewise, Arizona allows non-immigrant Mexican tourists and shoppers with border-crossing cards to travel 75 miles into the state, as a means to facilitate tourism and commerce, without having to acquire an I-94 form recording their entry into the U.S., Rubin said.

But in the border zone of Baja California, heightened enforcement appears to be affecting day-tourists attending medical or dental appointments in Mexico: Last week, Mexican news outlets reported that on March 6, immigration officials in Los Algodones, Baja California, began requiring foreigners entering the town to first get an FMM card. But with too few staff to issue the passes, that led to lengthy lines, three-hour waits times and canceled medical appointments.

The delays even prompted a call from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official to determine what was going on, reported La Voz de la Frontera. A CBP spokesman declined to comment on the situation to the Star.

A dental clinic in Los Algodones told the Star Friday that all foreign visitors to the border town are now being asked how long theyre staying, and those staying longer than a week must get an FMM. The process has been running more smoothly lately, said Cesar Rivas, patient coordinator for Smile Crafters Algodones Dental Group.

The groups U.S.-based customers used to come in very often without this paperwork, so its like, Whats going on here? he said.

Mexico City-based Angeles of INM said she could not comment on the situation in Los Algodones and repeated that even in Nogales, Sonora, an FMM is technically required.

Wait times improved

Some Rocky Point tourists have been put off this year by longer waits to re-enter Arizona, following the February addition of a National Guard checkpoint where guardsmen have been searching every vehicle before it reaches the Lukeville port of entry.

Tourists report that wait times have improved since last month, following Sonora tourism officials request that the National Guard speed up those searches.

Puerto Penasco Mayor Oscar Castro also said Lukeville port director Peter Bachelier agreed to extend the ports closing time from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays from March to October, and to keep the port open after 8 p.m. on other days when vehicles are still in line.

Tourism in Puerto Penasco had been slowly recovering amid lingering worry since the January 2024 Lukeville port closure, said tour guide Cordova. But that recovery seems to have stalled in recent months, he said. The U.S. temporarily closed the port in 2024 as CBP said its officers assigned to port duties were needed in the field to assist in the processing of migrant arrivals.

People still have in their brain that theyre gonna close (the port) again, making them less likely to plan a visit here, he said. Its the uncertainty of whats going to happen.

At Encantame Towers, business this season is only down about 5%, but restaurants and bars have reported a 15% to 20% drop compared to spring break in 2024, said Keith Allen, director of sales for Encantame Towers. That could also be due to heightened competition, as more bars and restaurants have opened in the last year, he said.

Tourism has also been hampered by safety concerns, following a number of incidents in which U.S. citizens or residents have been attacked while traveling through volatile regions of Sonora, sometimes heading toward Puerto Penasco, he said.

But those travelers were not using the recommended route to reach Rocky Point from Arizona, which is along Highway 8 from the Lukeville port of entry, Allen said.

The U.S. State Department says its employees may not travel through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry; east of Sonoyta, Sonora; and north of Altar, Sonora, on Highway 2.

Highway 2 has been the site of multiple violent incidents involving U.S. citizens or residents in recent years, on more than one occasion following the drivers failure to stop at an unauthorized checkpoint, manned by armed criminal groups.

The State Department recommends stopping at all checkpoints, whether or not one is sure the stop is manned by legitimate law enforcement.

Allen said extended wait times when returning to Arizona can be avoided by leaving early in the day on busy Sundays, or holidays, or waiting until late afternoon. About 1 p.m. seems to be the busiest time at the Sonoyta port, he said.

Ackerly said she hopes Mexican officials will be clear and consistent with their expectations, so tourists can focus on the joy of visiting Rocky Point. With the recent uncertainty, she worries some might opt for a trip to San Diego instead.

Were competing with other places in the States where people can spend their vacation money, she said. I want them to have fun, I want them to come back again and again, and not choose somewhere that they think is easier.
Next week Foreign Correspondent travels to the Philippines as Natashya Gutierrez reports on two clans at war.

A spectacular falling out between the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his deputy Sara Duterte has unleashed a war between two of the countrys most powerful political dynasties. The Marcos/Duterte feud has led to jaw dropping plot twists worthy of a political thriller with claims of drug addiction, corruption and the hiring of a hitman. The arrest of Saras father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, for crimes against humanity, is also linked to the fallout with the President.

On Foreign Correspondent Natashya Gutierrez reports on how this feud has escalated so dramatically. With the two clans at war she travels to the family fiefdoms in Ilocos Norte and Davao City to see how deeply rooted and damaging these political dynasties are to the country.

8pm Tuesday on ABC.
A report has emerged today that suggests the NRL will consider bringing broadcast production of its matches in-house ahead of the next television deal, to entice streaming services to bid for the rights.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports NRLs governing body will start negotiations with potential media partners once it has made a definitive call on the number of teams in the competition.

PNG will enter the league in 2028, while there remains the prospect of another franchise  most likely in Perth  coming in a year earlier.

Negotiations with the WA government will recommence now the state election is done, with a decision on the region expected within two months.

While the existing broadcast deal between Foxtel and Nine doesnt expire until 2027, the NRL wants to get to the table early to consider all the options in an increasingly fragmented media market.

You can read more here.
From Staff Reports

CBS19 this week announced the return of its community-centered Spanish focused newscast  CBS19 UNIDOS.







The show relaunched with its first episode of the spring season at 9 a.m. Friday on CBS19+.

Nayeli Carillo will be hosting the show each Friday on CBS19+, the news stations streaming platform available for download on Roku, Amazon Firestick or Apple TV.

At CBS19, we are putting East Texas first, and with the growing Hispanic community in the area, its essential for Spanish speakers to have access to news in their language to learn and understand what is happening in their community, the CBS19 team said.

This week on UNIDOS, there were two guests who talked about various topics. Kathleen Helgesen with Bethesda Health Clinic spoke about the deadly measles outbreak in West Texas and the importance of vaccination. Helgesen, who works with children in the clinic every day, urges parents at home to take proactive steps because of how dangerous measles can be.

Tony Carrillo, owner of Carrillo Realty, joined the team to discuss the housing market and what people should consider when buying a home in East Texas.

This Spanish show not only includes interviews with members of the Hispanic community but also local news and a weather forecast.
Austin-based Firefly Aerospace recently became the second private company in little more than a year to put a lander on the moon  but its the first to stick the landing without a mishap.

Behind both missions  Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission in February 2024 and Fireflys Blue Ghost Mission 1 in early March  was a East Texas native helping make them possible.







Jason Bates is a Longview High School graduate and avionics and integration specialist at Firefly Aerospace, where he puts electronics on the companys space vehicles through a battery of tests before they tackle the hardest test of all: being catapulted from Earth on a rocket, and, in this mission, landing softly on a rock a quarter-million miles away.

The Blue Ghost lander touched down on the moons surface March 2 carrying a payload of 10 scientific instruments designed to study lunar soil, solar wind, magnetic fields and other research priorities for NASA, which supplied many of the instruments.

NASA awarded Firefly a $93 million contract to develop a lunar vehicle in 2023 as part of the agencys long-term Artemis program, which seeks to have a manned spaceflight return to the moon by 2027 for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Bates spoke with the newspaper about the Blue Ghost mission, how he ended up at Firefly Aerospace and why Texas is leading the nation in private space flight.

The interview has been edited for style and clarity.

Longview News-Journal: What was it like to be at the Blue Ghost watch party with your colleagues the moment your team made history?

Jason Bates: It was a lot of fun, but it was stressful. Theres a moment where you have to hit this button and the vehicle turns totally autonomous. Its running on its own and uses a grid software so it knows exactly where its going to land; its adjusting speed, telling us how many miles per hour its traveling and the distance from the moons surface. You could hear a pin drop.

Theres these sensors on each foot of the lander that turn green when the lander touches the surface. So were just watching and watching, waiting for those sensors to turn green. NASAs there, the press is there and all the people who worked on the project. Then flight control goes on the loudspeaker and says, Were on the moon, yall. We just erupted.

Theres a placard on the vehicle that has every persons name who worked on it, so our names are forever on the moon.

LNJ: The Blue Ghost lander journeyed a quarter-million miles from Earth. Your career hasnt taken you quite that far from home, but how did a Longview High School grad find his way into Texas space industry?

JB: I always loved science and was one of those kids that always wanted to prove people wrong, to prove that I could do things that other people couldnt. So I was very driven and competitive growing up, and it made me want to learn more about things not everybody else wanted to learn about.

I started at Texas State Technical College in Marshall and ended up transferring to TSTC in Waco, where I got a degree in robotics and electrical systems. Then 9/11 happened.

I wanted to do something for my country. My grandparents were both in the military, but I was unable to join the military for medical reasons, so I wound up doing government contracts and got into aviation.

Eventually, I had a job here in Austin I wasnt very happy with. Since I have a wiring and electrical background, I got a hit on Indeed, and it was Firefly Aerospace. I was like, how cool would it be to build rockets? How cool would it be to tell your kids, your grandkids, your friends, I build rockets. I put things in space. So I said, Yeah, Ill give it a shot. Thirty minutes later, I got a phone call. They wanted to interview, and the next day I was hired.

LNJ: Were there educators or role models in Longview who helped cultivate your passion for science early on?

JB: There was. It was a teacher named Judy Grubbs, but she wasnt my teacher. She was the mother of my girlfriend at the time.

I had a lot of learning disabilities and was not able to focus. She tutored me on how to take the state standardized test because I was just not a good test-taker. I was more of a hands-on learner. She just pushed me; she taught me those skills and told me that I could do things when other people said I couldnt. And Judy was also a chemistry teacher, so I would see some of the experiments that the kids would do. It really drove me to want to learn more. She gave me that self-confidence to push myself and know that I can do it and not give up.

LNJ: Intuitive Machines, SpaceX and Firefly Aerospace are all based here in the Lone Star State. Why do you think Texas has emerged as this hotbed in private space flight?

JB: Fore one, you have NASAs Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. I believe theyre trying to make Texas kind of like the Space Coast. I also think that, as Texans, were not afraid to take on any jobs. I mean, we get these contracts. We have to hit certain dates to make our money. We fight hard to try to do the best that we can do.

LNJ: Whats next for Firefly Aerospace?

JB: Our sixth flight is scheduled for March 15. Its going to be at Vandenberg Space Force Base, where our launch facilities are out in California. We also have another rocket right behind that, flight seven, which were currently working on. As of today, were 75% complete on that. Were completing that rocket and getting it out to our test stands where we do static fires. Static fires are where we hold the rocket down and crank the engines and run them through their full duration and make sure everything works.

We have another lunar mission coming up in a couple years as well: Blue Ghost 2. Were going to the dark side of the moon. Were trying to be the first company to get a lander to hit that target because of the communication issues on the backside of the moon.

LNJ: Youve lived outside the Piney Woods for a while now. What do you miss the most about East Texas?

JB: Luckily, I have a daughter that lives there still, and my mom still lives there. I miss the trees, and I miss it being dark and being able to see more of the stars. In the Austin area, you can find places to see the stars, but out in East Texas, standing off my back porch out there and being able to look up and see everything, thats what I miss the most.
Public health officials in Lamar County on Thursday announced four confirmed cases of measles.

Paris-Lamar County Health District officials said the extremely contagious virus had been diagnosed in four patients who range in age from 5 months to adulthood. Officials did not, however, provide any additional information about the patients and their current condition.







The Health District, with the support of (DSHS) Region 4/5, are actively investigating the cases and conducting contact tracing to identify possible exposures and limit further spread of the disease, the agency said in a statement posted on its website. Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases may occur, especially in unvaccinated people.

The health district said the infected patients, who were not vaccinated, had traveled to Gaines County, which is in West Texas and Ground Zero for earlier confirmed measles cases.

The previous measles cases had largely been confined to West Texas and New Mexico, which have logged more than 250 cases total. As of this week, Texas alone has reported at least 259 measles cases.

Lamar County is in northeast Texas, roughly 100 miles northeast of Dallas.

Health officials did not say in their online statement how they learned about the cases.

They did, however, issue a warning to local residents.

Measles is a serious yet preventable disease, said Dr. Amanda Green, of the Paris-Lamar County health office. Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community from this highly contagious illness.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus thats airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

In addition to Texas, measles cases have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases  and there have been three clusters that qualified as outbreaks in 2025.
The Tyler Police Department said on Monday that Adisen Anne Daniels, a 16-year-old girl reported as a runaway at 6 p.m. Feb. 24, has been located and is safe.

In a Monday morning update, Tyler police said Adisen Daniels was found Sunday in West Tawakoni at a friends house, in good condition and unharmed. She has been returned to her parents police said.
From Staff Reports

With little moisture on the horizon for Northeast Texas through March 19, the region is at elevated risk for a wildfire, according to fire forecasters at the Texas A&M Forest Service.







The National Weather Service in Shreveport issued a red flag warning for several counties in the region Friday, indicating that critical fire weather conditions are present or will develop. The warning was issued at 11 a.m. and was set to expire at 9 p.m. The warning was in effect for Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Smith, Gregg and Cherokee counties.

On Friday, Tyler had high fire danger. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue on Thursday night issued an alert, strongly urging residents not to burn Friday.

Smith County experienced very low humidity, low surface fuel moisture, and winds of 15 to 20 mph with gust up to 35 mph which results in unusual and dangerous fire weather conditions throughout the day Friday, Hogue said.

The most effective way to extinguish a fire is to prevent it, Hogue said.

By Saturday, nearly all of East Texas will have moderate fire danger. However, the city of Tyler and parts of Smith County are projected to continue having very high fire danger.

The weather patterns accelerating the chance of a blaze are expected to continue into the middle of next week.

Smith County Emergency Services District 2 said Friday it has deployed firefighters to Amarillo to assist in battling present house-fires in the area. The three firefighters were already in Lubbock to assist in potential upcoming fires, but have been called north to aid in fires currently burning in the Panhandle, according to Smith County EDS2 Spokesperson Nikki Simmons.

Warm, windy and dry weather is driving the potential for wildfires across the state.

Southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph are expected Friday, along with relative humidity between 15% and 20%. Temperatures are project to be in the low- to mid-80s, but regions could have temperatures in the upper 80s.

CBS19 predicts sunrise showers may pop up Saturday morning. Otherwise, the weekend gets off to a breezy, warm start. Temperatures will warm to low 70s Saturday afternoon.

Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended, meteorologists said.

Though the highest-risk areas are in central and Southwest Texas, Northeast Texas and its large stock of timber fuel can produce larger fires that are difficult to control and contain, fire forecasters said.

Texas A&M fire forecasters use a five-tier fire danger scale to assess relative risk: low, moderate, high, very high and extreme.

Four wildfire prevention tips

While Gregg County has not issued a burn ban as of Friday afternoon, wildfire experts suggest East Texans observe these four tips to decrease the risk of wildfires:

1. Notify authorities as soon as you see smoke or fire so responders can arrive on scene as soon as possible.

2. Avoid burning on dry windy days.

3. Avoid activities with open flames or sparks.

4. If mowing or shredding, avoid contact with rocks or metal objects that could create a spark.
Claim:

China canceled all U.S. beef imports in March 2025 and will instead buy from Canada and Brazil.

Rating:

Rating: False

In March 2025, a claim (archived) circulated online that China had "canceled" U.S. beef and would instead buy from Canada and Brazil.

The claim was especially popular on Facebook (archived) but also circulated on X (archived), Threads (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers searched our website and emailed us asking about the claim.

However, we found no evidence that China had stopped beef imports from the U.S. China did raise tariffs on a number of products from the U.S., including beef, on March 10, 2025. The rise came in response to a Trump administration executive order that raised tariffs (taxes imposed by a government on a person or company importing goods) on imports from China by 10%.

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We reached out to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the U.S. about this claim and await their reply.

Joe Schuele, the senior vice president of communications at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said via email that the federation was not aware of China "canceling" U.S. beef or denying access to the market. We also found no credible media reports in English- or Chinese-language media stating this claim. Therefore, we rate this claim false.

Tariff rise came as US exporters awaited export registration renewals

Searches of reputable U.S. sources and Chinese news outlets did not reveal reports about China stopping beef imports from the U.S. Several Chinese outlets did report on China's retaliatory tariffs on beef and other goods following Trump's Feb. 1 executive order, but not on a "cancellation" of imports from the U.S.

According to the USMEF, a looming deadline for export registrations for U.S. meat exporters might have instead fueled the claim.

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According to the USDA, in February 2025, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) allowed 84 registrations for U.S. meat exporters to expire. Four of these were registrations for beef exporters, the USDA said.

The GACC controls exports and imports to and from China. Businesses must register with the GACC to export their products to China.

According to USDA and the USMEF, "several hundred" more registrations were due to lapse in March and April, including some belonging to beef exporters. The USDA noted in its report that the exporters with expired licenses had continued exporting as of late February 2025.

Should the GACC decide to disallow access for exporters with expired registrations and also refuse to renew them, that could amount to a stoppage in U.S. meat exports to China. Given the latest report from the USDA, this does not seem to be the case.

The claim's second assertion  that China would instead purchase beef from Canada and Brazil  is not impossible but unlikely.

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China imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canada in March 2025 after the latter announced a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made electric vehicles starting on Oct. 1, 2024. Though the tariffs imposed by China did not include beef, the retaliatory action could indicate a cooling trade climate between the two nations.

China was the largest recipient of beef from Brazil in 2024. However, in March 2025, Reuters reported that Chinese customs was suspending imports from some factories in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Spanish-language meat industry sites named three Brazilian factories as having lost their registration. The suspensions were unexplained, according to reports, but followed a Chinese government investigation in late 2024 into oversupply that drove up domestic meat prices.

The U.S. exported $1.58 billion worth of beef to China in 2024, making China the third-largest market for U.S. beef exporters.

Beef claim sneaked into popular list of Trump administration effects on US farming

The claim seemed to have originated somewhere between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15. On Feb. 8, a Facebook user named Georgie Lea Smith posted (archived) a summary of claims about the effects of the Trump administration on farming. On Feb. 15, a popular Facebook post (archived) reposted Smith's summary with an added bullet point: "China just canceled all USA beef and will buy from Canada and Brazil instead." Social media users across Facebook and other platforms shared this exact text.

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The Feb. 15 post included text from a separate named user, Dennis Hammac. However, a Google search using the text allegedly written by Hammac did not reveal a post on a profile with a matching name, instead bringing up only reposts of the text.

Smith's Feb. 11 post did not include the bullet point about China "canceling" U.S. beef. It was not clear who added this bullet point to Smith's text.

DeepL.com provided Chinese and Spanish translations for this article.

Sources:

Beef & Beef Products | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/commodities/beef-beef-products.

Cash, Joe, et al. "China Hits Back at Canada with Fresh Agriculture Tariffs." Reuters, 8 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/I5Dvs.

China: Exporter Alert - Lack of Response by China Customs on Establishment Registrations Creates Challenges for United States Protein Exports | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/china-exporter-alert-lack-response-china-customs-establishment-registrations-creates.

Chu, Mei Mei. "China Investigates Beef Imports as Oversupply Squeezes Prices." Reuters, 27 Dec. 2024, https://archive.ph/6NWNk.

Department of Finance Canada. "Surtax on Chinese-Made Electric Vehicles." Government of Canada, 26 Aug. 2024, https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2024/08/surtax-on-chinese-made-electric-vehicles.html.

Dou, Lar. "China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil!! ." Facebook, 12 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/larry.dougherty.18/posts/pfbid02mzmp78k4LU8AAymvayGkrTWKVEQjfyuaRHpUzVckegP1xT5xnP2oDRchaMirLQQal.

Eurocarne. "Siete establecimientos carnicos argentinos, uruguayos y brasilenos pierden la autorizacion para exportar carne de vacuno a China." https://eurocarne.com, 4 Mar. 2025, https://eurocarne.com/noticias/codigo/65853.

Ferreira, Cecilia. "China suspendio importaciones de carne de algunas plantas de Uruguay, Brasil y Argentina." Blasina y Asociados, 3 Mar. 2025, https://blasinayasociados.com/china-suspendio-importaciones-de-carne-de-algunas-plantas-de-uruguay-brasil-y-argentina/.

Fitzpatrick, Shawn. "This from the US." Facebook, 15 Feb. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/iNikonShawn/posts/pfbid028CvhDbDHxcoBuwdNNLhnx7U3EdWK7AfsoFrbsYzhC3D8gq6CU6T4Qe7c2H28GaVwl.

Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22We+have+a+%E2%80%9Cpresident%E2%80%9D+who+is+working+to+DESTROY+US+FARMERS.%22&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&oq=%22We+have+a+%E2%80%9Cpresident%E2%80%9D+who+is+working+to+DESTROY+US+FARMERS.%22&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgcIARAhGI8CMgcIAhAhGI8C0gEIMTQ1OWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Green-Kent, Patti. "China Cancelled All Beef Contracts. Now Buying from Canada and Brazil." Facebook, 1 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/pgreenkent/posts/pfbid0dCetVhGwMY9tuYfEYte6p6dEif3eTSZjShGK9f3e7nmXRaHhZoqc6xPV2Fd6mAivl.

"Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People's Republic of China." The White House, 1 Feb. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/.

jerasikehorn.bsky.social. "BREAKING: China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil." Bluesky, 10 Mar. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/jerasikehorn.bsky.social/post/3lk2lx3khqq2w.

@jfuller1212. "China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil !!" Threads, 6 Mar. 2025, https://www.threads.net/@jfuller1212/post/DG2oG1hS92H/china-just-cancelled-all-usa-beef-and-will-buy-from-canada-and-brazil-this-is-hu.

"Joint Statement on Investigation Regarding Bovine Meat Imports Announced by China." Planalto, https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/latest-news/2024/12/joint-statement-on-investigation-regarding-bovine-meat-imports-announced-by-china. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

@KINGTRUMPUSLIAR. "Dear MAGA FARMERS." X, 7 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/KINGTRUMPUSLIAR/status/1897856235740778640.

NAN, ZHONG. Countermeasures Taken to US' Unilateral Tariff Hikes. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/05/WS67c7271da310c240449d897b.html. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Reuters. "China's Customs Suspends the Import of Beef Products from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay." Reuters, 3 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/sm3aY.

Smith, Georgie Lea. "EDIT: Wow! This Post Has Blown Up! ." Facebook, 8 Feb. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/georgie.l.smith.7/posts/pfbid02XRhsxtbzcS2FZzb8SkVBMUqyVKADDkRHWfUJEY5bSxdUt8Ttxt2mwUhY1smmA9R3l.


HA NOI  Viet Nams debt market has grown to a scale that is highly attractive to foreign investors, but it is in need of a legal framework and incentives to encourage participation, according to economists and industry experts.

A recent report by the State Bank of Viet Nam showed total non-performing loans (NPLs) across the banking sector exceed VN227 trillion (around US$8.9 billion). In recent years, many foreign investors, including OK Debt Trading Co., Welcome Debt Trading Co. and the Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO), have actively explored opportunities in Viet Nams debt trading market.

However, debt transactions mostly take place between domestic institutions such as the Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC), the Vietnam Debt and Asset Trading Corporation (DATC) and debt trading subsidiaries of commercial banks. Although efforts to attract foreign investors to the debt market were introduced early, implementation has remained ineffective.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, secretary general of the Vietnam Banks Association, said that several factors have hindered the growth of the debt trading market. One key issue is the limited participation of market players, as credit institutions mainly sell debts to VAMC and DATC.

Credit institutions also face difficulties in determining whether debts purchased from non-credit entities can be processed under Resolution 42/2017/QH14. Market-supporting tools and services remain insufficient, and administrative hurdles in registering changes to secured creditors after debt sales pose significant risks to investors.

A representative from a bank-affiliated debt trading company stated that information on debts is now clear and transparent. However, the main obstacle to market expansion is the lack of a robust legal framework, which has yet to create strong appeal for foreign investors.

Economist Dr Nguyen Tri Hieu said that successful debt resolution in other countries requires a well-functioning debt trading market with strong foreign capital participation. While Viet Nams debt market is large enough to be attractive to international investors, the current legal framework has yet to offer the necessary incentives.

"Viet Nam must develop a comprehensive legal framework to attract foreign investors to the debt trading market. Providing clear and accessible information on collateral assets and bad debts would enhance market efficiency and boost investor confidence," said Nguyen Quang Huy, lecturer at Nguyen Trai University's Faculty of Finance and Banking.

Currently, VAMCs Debt Exchange has developed a diverse data repository and established connections with multiple investors, including some from foreign countries.

Director of the VAMC Debt Exchange Vu Ngoc Minh said that since its inception, the exchange has actively engaged foreign investors, offering maximum support for evaluating debt opportunities.

Recently, investors from South Korea and China have shown strong interest in Viet Nams debt trading market. We have introduced a large portfolio to Korean investors, and they are currently reviewing several major debt transactions, Minh said.

Through KAMCO, many South Korean investors have expressed interest in Viet Nams debt market. Previously, KAMCO requested that VAMC provide a list of borrowers and collateral assets for South Korean investors to assess within the framework of Vietnamese law.

South Korean investors have been particularly focused on incomplete real estate projects and potentially viable businesses facing short-term liquidity challenges. By acquiring debts, these investors aim to expand their footprint in Viet Nams real estate sector and other industries.

Beyond South Korean investors, those from China and ASEAN have also shown strong interest in Viet Nams debt market.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Trade Office in Australia is actively negotiating with Australian agencies to introduce new Vietnamese products into this market, the office has said.

It said that the office has collaborated with the M-import company and local supermarkets to offer approximately 15,000 processed black chicken products to consumers for tasting in Western Australia and Queensland.

Similarly, for the Ca Mau crab, the office advised Vietnamese companies to focus on quality, processing, and packaging following Australian regulations to build their brand and gradually enter this market.

Nguyen Phu Hoa, head of the Trade Office, noted that mud crabs in Australia are similar to those from Ca Mau but priced very high, and their quality is not as high as Ca Mau's. Therefore, if Vietnamese producers can comply with Australian processing and packaging requirements, this product has significant potential in the market.

Currently, Australia is Viet Nam's largest trading partner in the Oceania, accounting for 88 per cent of Viet Nam's exports to the region. Bilateral trade reached over US$1.5 billion in January, with Vietnamese exports to Australia seeing a remarkable increase of 13.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. This is one of the few large markets to which Viet Nam's exports experienced growth of above 10 per cent, according to Viet Nam Customs.

Hoa emphasised that among the various goods exported to Australia, agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, along with fruits and vegetables, still have much room to grow. Australian consumers favour Vietnamese products. Agricultural, aquatic, and food products from Viet Nam are now widely available in Australia, even reaching remote areas such as the Northern Territory.

He cited statistics as showing that in 2024, Viet Nams agricultural, fruit and vegetable exports to Australia exceeded $111 million, rising over 25 per cent year-on-year. Aquatic shipments topped $343 million, up more than 9 per cent while coffee increased 48.3 per cent, rice over 17 per cent, confectionery over 23 per cent, and rubber over 17 per cent. These impressive growth figures indicate a significant opportunity for the Vietnamese products to boost exports to Australia in 2025.

He noted that free trade agreements (FTAs), especially new-generation ones like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), together with cooperation frameworks have been creating competitive edges for Vietnamese goods in the Australian market.

General Director of Meet & More Coffee Nguyen Ngoc Luan said that FTAs have significantly supported businesses in accessing foreign markets.

Thanks to the CPTPP, Meet & More Coffee's instant coffee products have benefited from a zero per cent tax rate when exported to Australia. This has motivated the company to invest in technology and focus more on product quality. However, to increase the presence of Vietnamese goods in Australia, brand building is a priority for the firm.

Luan said since the company began exporting to Australia in 2020, it has identified the Vietnamese community there as a key potential customer base. They serve not only as consumers but also as a channel for introducing and promoting Vietnamese products to their Australian friends.

Experts agree that while Australia presents a promising market for Vietnamese goods. However, it is also one of the most demanding markets in the world, with high-quality standards and strict import processes. Additionally, there are technical barriers, labelling requirements, and stringent food safety regulations, some of which exceed those of the US and EU.

Furthermore, Australia imposes numerous import regulations, including tax policies, packaging and labelling requirements, food safety and quarantine regulations, intellectual property rights, branding, and business practices. Therefore, for exporters to successfully enter this market, prioritising product quality over price is essential. Australian consumers also pay close attention to packaging, design, and brand reputation.

To help businesses maximise their opportunities in the market, experts recommend that Vietnamese companies thoroughly research and verify information about their Australian partners. Engaging with importers from the outset is crucial to fulfilling all import conditions and market standards, ensuring the highest possible quality and value of products. BIZHUB/VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam and Singapore have significant potential to expand their trade relationship, with numerous untapped opportunities, experts said at a seminar in HCM City on Thursday.

Speaking at the seminar "Promoting Exports to the Singaporean Market," hosted by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City (ITPC) and the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, Ho Thi Quyen, ITPCs deputy director, highlighted the strong strategic partnership between the two nations over the past decade. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remain key pillars of their bilateral relations.

In 2024, trade between Viet Nam and Singapore reached US$10.5 billion, with Viet Nams exports to Singapore accounting for nearly $5.2 billion, while its imports from Singapore exceeding $5.3 billion. Singapore is now Viet Nams fourth-largest trading partner within ASEAN, following Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Quyen said.

She emphasised that the economies of Viet Nam and Singapore complement each other well, with both countries being members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This shared membership presents a valuable opportunity for businesses from both nations to strengthen cooperation for mutual development.

At the local level, Quyen noted that HCM City serves as Viet Nams major economic, financial, and commercial hub, contributing approximately 22 per cent to the national GDP and 27 per cent of the state budget. The city is committed to rapid and robust economic growth and aims to become a leading smart city and digital economy hub in Southeast Asia by 2030. Its goals align closely with Singapores, which is currently the largest foreign investor in HCM City.

A global gateway for Vietnamese goods

Cao Xuan Thang, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, emphasised Singapores outsized role in global trade despite its small size. With a population of just over six million, Singapore is home to more than 427,000 millionaires and serves as a key hub for trade, investment, and connectivity in the region.

Each year, Singapore imports goods worth between SG$400-500 billion (US$299-274 billion), with 60 per cent of these products being re-exported to third countries. This means Vietnamese businesses exporting to Singapore are effectively gaining access to the global market.

Yet, Viet Nams exports to Singapore remain relatively modest at just SG$8-9 billion (US$6-6.7 billion) per year. This indicates a significant opportunity for Vietnamese exporters, particularly in key sectors like industrial products, seafood, and rice.

Thang noted that while Vietnamese rice is highly regarded for its quality, it remains costly. Additionally, much of it is sold under Singaporean brands due to limited investment in large-scale trade promotions by Vietnamese firms.

Similarly, Vietnamese seafood is well-received in Singapore and caters to its diverse ethnic communities. To expand market share, Vietnamese exporters should prioritise obtaining Halal certification, invest in high-quality packaging, and provide detailed product information, he advised.

Singapore is a highly demanding market with strict quality requirements and intense price competition. Imported food products are sampled and quality-checked before distribution. Given Singapores small population, high ethnic diversity, and role as a global trade hub, it often serves as a testing ground for new products and services, he said.

Vietnamese businesses can seize export opportunities by meeting Singapores standards, actively participating in trade promotion programmes, engaging with potential partners and buyers, and leveraging e-commerce channels to boost brand recognition, he added.

Wesley Chua from the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam suggested an alternative approach: instead of solely focusing on exports, Vietnamese enterprises should consider investing in Singapore as a gateway to third-country markets.

Singapore has become a preferred destination for international businesses to establish headquarters, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, abundant financial resources, clear tax policies, and low-risk environment. It also provides seamless access to global markets through its extensive free trade agreements.

Vietnamese enterprises can leverage Singapores advantages to optimise export efficiency. Manufacturing or setting up operations in Singapore grants businesses credibility and easier access to international customers, a potentially game-changing strategy for firms looking to scale globally, he said.  VNS
HA NOI  On March 14, domestic gold prices surged in line with global trends, shattering previous records and reaching VN95 million (US$3,730) per tael.

The Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) listed SJC gold bar prices at VN92.9 and 94.4 million per tael for buyers and sellers.

These figures mark an increase of VN1.1 million per tael for buying and VN900,000 per tael for selling compared to the morning of March 13.

Meanwhile, Bao Tin Minh Chau Co., Ltd. listed the buying and selling price of SJC gold bars at VN93 million and VN94.4 million per tael, respectively.

SJC gold bars have been breaking records continuously for the past three days. Since the beginning of the year, SJC gold bar prices have risen by over VN10 million per tael.

Gold ring prices also continued their strong upward trend, maintaining a higher value than SJC gold bars.

Bao Tin Minh Chau listed gold ring prices at VN93.4 for buying and 95 million for selling per tael, an increase of VN900,000 per tael compared to the morning of March 13.

Other gold trading companies also raised their gold ring prices, nearing the VN95 million per tael mark.

Phu Quy Jewelry listed gold ring prices at VN93.3 and 94.9 million per tael, while DOJI Group set its rates slightly higher at VN93.4 million and 94.9 million per tael for buyers and sellers.

Similar to gold bars, gold rings have continuously set new records and since the start of 2025, gold ring prices have surged by over VN11 million per tael.

On the international market, gold was quoted at $2,986 per ounce, up $61 per ounce compared to the morning of the previous day. The international gold price is equivalent to nearly VN93 million per tael.

Currently, domestic gold prices are approximately VN1-2 million per tael higher than international gold prices.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  Thailand's largest meat producer, Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc. (CPF), is accelerating preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) and major stock listing in Viet Nam.

CPF CEO Prasit Boondoungprasert told media that the company would begin the IPO process as soon as it received approval from Vietnamese authorities.

Viet Nam will be our biggest growth driver for many years to come with its strong economic growth and large population. Listing in Viet Nam will provide us with new sources of financing and also build our recognition in Viet Nam, Prasit said.

According to CPF statistics, Viet Nam is the company's largest overseas market, with a value of about 122 billion baht (US$3.5 billion), accounting for a market share of about 21 per cent. China ranks second with a contribution of about 6 per cent.

CPF has been stepping up its investment in feed, farm and food facilities worldwide amid slowing growth and an ageing population in Thailand. The company is currently operating in 18 markets including the US, Brazil, Russia and China.

In 2024, the firm posted a profit of 19.6 billion baht ($576 million), after reporting a net loss of 5.21 billion baht ($153 million) a year earlier, helped by a recovery in its pork business in Viet Nam and China.

CPF expects total revenue to grow up to 8 per cent in 2025 and also forecasts higher profits this year, thanks to improved earnings from overseas operations, especially in Viet Nam and China.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam possesses many favourable factors to develop a dynamic and strong economy, said Mr. Jens Ruebbert, Chairman of the EU-ASEAN Business Council.

In a recent interview with reporters from the Vietnam News Agency, Mr. Ruebbert, who is also President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region of Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW), emphasised that in terms of opportunities, Viet Nam has a lot to offer as a very dynamic and fast-growing economy. The Vietnamese government has always been open and friendly to investment and has implemented many reforms to integrate into global trade. Additionally, the country's young and eager-to-learn population is a strength.

The most potential areas of economic cooperation are in trade, and luckily, we are talking about free trade, as manifested by the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), he stated, adding that in terms of sectors and investment, green energy/green technology, high-tech & Industry 4.0, med-tech & biotech, as well as mobility & transportation.

Regarding current initiatives, he highly appreciated the following three points. The first is the excellent economic prospects in Viet Nam, with an ambitious 8% GDP growth target for 2025. The second is the most significant governance restructuring since oi Moi, which the National Assembly finalised in February. This will mark the beginning of a new economic ambition. Finally, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated 22 December 2024, by the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, identifies science, technology, and innovation as the driving force for Viet Nam's further economic development.

Assessing the impact of Viet Nam's tax and customs reforms on the business environment and the development of European companies in Viet Nam, Mr. Ruebbert stated that over the years, Viet Nam has implemented many major tax and customs reforms to improve the business environment, attract foreign investment, and integrate more deeply into the global economy. These reforms are particularly important for European businesses operating in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam's tax and customs reforms currently focus on simplifying procedures, increasing transparency, and aligning with international standards. Key reforms include streamlining customs procedures, such as reducing time and complexity in customs processes, implementing national and ASEAN single windows, helping businesses submit documents electronically, and minimising procedures.

In addition, the expert said that since 2021, the General Department of Customs (GDC) has implemented a programme to support businesses in voluntarily complying with customs laws, helping to reduce costs and customs clearance times.

At the same time, it is modernising tax management by implementing e-invoices and electronic tax declaration and payment systems, reducing the bureaucratic burden on businesses. As committed in free trade agreements such as the EVFTA, Viet Nam has reduced tariffs on many products, benefiting European businesses.

He stressed that all of the above reforms have had a positive impact on Viet Nam's business environment. Accordingly, the simplification of customs procedures and electronic systems helps reduce transaction costs and time, especially for businesses that depend on fast supply chains.

Lower tariffs and simpler processes make Viet Nam an attractive destination for European businesses looking to expand production or invest, increasing competitiveness. In particular, improved transparency and compliance with international standards have increased Viet Nams attractiveness for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Mr. Ruebbert highlighted that European businesses have welcomed these reforms in Viet Nam as they have brought many benefits, such as facilitating trade and increasing the volume of exchanges between Viet Nam and the EU; reducing transaction costs through electronic filing and payments; and improving business predictability, which is important for long-term planning and investment.

However, the expert believed that challenges remain, such as the inconsistent implementation of reforms due to differences in administrative capacity at the local level. The regulatory environment in Viet Nam still needs to be streamlined and clarified. With increasing trade volumes, Viet Nams infrastructure, including ports and logistics networks, needs to be further upgraded to meet the demand.

Talking about the EU-ASEAN Business Councils contributions to connecting Vietnamese companies and government agencies with European countries, Mr. Ruebbert said: Personally, I think that the EU-ASEAN Business Council, which works very closely with EuroCham in Viet Nam, has connected European companies with Vietnamese government agencies at a deep level. We conduct mission trips every year, bringing large business delegations from Europe to Viet Nam to work directly with ministries and discuss urgent issues in many fields. Last year, we organised a mission trip with more than 120 delegates from over 50 companies, meeting with Vietnamese ministries.

Regarding LBBWs operations in Viet Nam, Mr. Ruebbert shared that Viet Nam and Singapore were the countries where we took our first steps in the Asia-Pacific region, and to this day, Viet Nam remains a key focus for the bank. Looking back, LBBW takes particular pride in its role in Viet Nam's transition to a greener, cleaner energy landscape.

In recent times, LBBW participated in financing the first-ever LNG-to-power project in Viet Nam. This groundbreaking deal marked a significant step towards energy diversification and sustainability. It also contributed to about 10% of the total number of wind power projects in Viet Nam, promoting renewable energy.

In addition, LBBW has pioneered the development of ECA-covered loan structures in Viet Nam, making it easier for European companies to export equipment to Viet Nam. It has also provided consulting services in M&A transactions, especially in the renewable energy sector, helping to bridge cultural gaps and facilitate sustainable cooperation.

Over the past 30 years of operation, the bank has remained involved in facilitating connections between Vietnamese companies and German and European companies, while providing banking services tailored to the needs of companies in Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA Hanoi) on Thursday hosted a direct business matching event at Lotte Hotel Hanoi, connecting enterprises from Jeonnam and Chungbuk provinces in South Korea with Vietnamese importers.

Fourteen companies from Jeonnam and nine from Chungbuk showcased high-quality Korean products, including cosmetics, fresh fruit, beverages, food, health supplements, fertilisers, auto parts and building materials. The event facilitated over 150 one-on-one meetings, leading to multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

Jeyoung Park, CEO of JINUS International Inc., highlighted Viet Nams potential for Korean cosmetics, stating that exports could grow tenfold.

While we have yet to enter the Vietnamese market, we see significant potential here for Korean cosmetics. In the future, the scale of Korean cosmetic exports to Viet Nam could grow tenfold compared to the present. Therefore, I hope to introduce our products to this promising market, Park said.

Byoung Jin Choi, CEO of OLDAM Co., Ltd., stressed the growing demand for mother and baby products and expressed his companys intent to enter the Vietnamese market. He said he sees Viet Nam as a key potential market in ASEAN and hopes to find a suitable local distributor at the event.

The event marked KOTRA Hanois first trade promotion of 2025, with nearly 30 similar events planned this year, contributing to strengthening trade ties between South Korea and Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  A series of key cooperation agreements were signed between Vietnamese and US businesses on March 13 (local time) during a working trip to the US led by Special Envoy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

The agreements covered various sectors, highlighting efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. Notable agreements included PetroVietnam Gas Corporation (PV GAS) signing long-term LNG contracts with Conoco Phillips and Excelerate Energy corporations.

Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC partnered with Kellogg Brown & Root for a study on sustainable aviation fuel, while PVPower signed a Memorandum of Understading (MoU) with GE Vernova for gas-fired power plant equipment.

Further agreements were made between Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) and top US ethanol suppliers US Grains Council (USGC), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy (GROWTH) to boost biofuel trade, alongside an MoU between Masan Group and the US International Development Finance Corporation for financial support in deep mineral processing projects.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has emerged as the cornerstone driving bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the US. Trade volume between the two countries reached nearly US$150 billion in 2024, with the US becoming Viet Nam's second-largest trading partner and one of its most crucial export markets.  VNS
HA NOI  A joint oil exploration and extraction project in Algeria, involving Viet Nams Petrovietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP), Algerias state-owned Sonatrach, and Thailands PTTEP, has entered its second phase, building on a track record of success.

The project, managed by Groupment Bir Seba (GBRS) - a company formed by the three partners under a production-sharing contract, features an ownership split of 40 per cent for PVEP, 35 per cent for PTTEP and 25 per cent for Sonatrach.

From March 9-12, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh led a delegation to the site, discussing with GBRSs General Director, Vietnamese staff, and local officials to size up progress and plot next steps.

The project stands as the most successful foreign investment by Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) to date. In 2024, it outran production targets, pumping 15,331 barrels daily - 8 per cent above Petrovietnams goal - for a yearly haul of 5.61 million barrels.

Since 2015, cumulative production hit nearly 57 million barrels by the end of 2024. This year, daily output has climbed to between 17,000-17,500 barrels.

Much of the success stems from PVEP engineers, who completed a major overhaul of the processing plant last year. The maintenance, which included pressure testing of equipment after 10 years of operation, wrapped up 10 days ahead of schedule, boosting output by an extra 165,000 barrels and adding US$11.55 million in revenue.

Looking forward, PVEP aims to deepen ties with its partners to speed up new contract packages and tap new wells in the second phase, targeting higher output. The company also plans to pursue new deals in promising Algerian blocks to expand its footprint in the North African nation.

Ambassador Khanh called on Algerian authorities and partners to keep supporting Vietnamese engineers, highlighting their expertise as key to future projects. He addressed challenges in project execution and expansion, stressing the need to bolster oil and gas ties between Viet Nam and Algeria.

He also urged PVEP to seek further agreements with Algerian counterparts, pledging the embassys full political backing to ensure Vietnamese professionals thrive there.

Algeria now ranks among Africas top three oil producers. With reserves estimated at 5.7 billion tonnes (about 38 billion barrels) and daily output nearing 180,000 tonnes (1.2 million barrels), the country holds the 12th spot globally in oil production and ninth in exports.  VNS
HA NOI  Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu on March 14 met with Airbus Executive Vice President International Wouter van Wersch, during which the host official suggested Airbus expand its cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in high-tech industries and human resource training.

Vu noted that Wouter's visit took place amid strong cooperation between Airbus and its Vietnamese partners. He highlighted the growing ties between Viet Nam and key European strategic partners, including the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. In particular, Viet Nam and France elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October last year.

He highly valued Airbus's role and reaffirmed that economic cooperation remains a crucial pillar of relations between Vietnam and the European countries. He urged Airbus to continue promoting economic collaboration between Viet Nam and the European Union (EU) and its member states. This includes maximising the benefits of the UK-Vietnam and EU-Vietnam free trade agreements and actively supporting the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.

Welcoming Airbus's over 40-year presence in Viet Nam, Vu emphasised that its projects with Vietnamese partners have contributed significantly to economic, scientific, and technological development. This collaboration has also strengthened multifaceted relations between Viet Nam and European partners.

For his part, Wouter said he was impressed by Viet Nam's rapid economic growth and advancements in science and technology, saying Viet Nam remains a top-priority partner for Airbus in the region.

He highlighted Airbuss strong desire to expand cooperation with Vietnamese partners in satellite technology, aerospace, helicopters, security and defence, rescue operations, science and technology, and education and training. He also affirmed Airbuss commitment to supporting Viet Nam in connecting with European and global partners in key sectors such as aviation technology, digital transformation, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence.

Both sides acknowledged the vast potential for further cooperation, given Viet Nams dynamic market of nearly 100 million people. They also exchanged views on several potential projects that could be implemented soon.  VNS
LAO CAI  A business networking event was held in Lao Cai province on March 14 to advance the Prime Ministers vision of transforming the northern border locality into a trade and economic hub connecting Viet Nam and ASEAN with southwest China.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son commended Lao Cai and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for their role in holding the event.

He underlined Lao Cais strategic location along the Kunming-Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic corridor, describing it as a strategic anchor facilitating trade, investment and economic flows between Viet Nam, ASEAN, and southwest China.

To turn opportunities into concrete growth drivers, the official urged Lao Cai to fully harness strong relations between ASEAN and China, as well as Viet Nams partnerships with other ASEAN member states and global stakeholders, pushing for stronger cross-border collaboration in economy, trade, investment, and tourism. He also highlighted the need for new growth engines like sci-tech, innovation, circular economy, sharing economy, knowledge economy, green transition, and digital transformation to ensure Lao Cais sustainable, inclusive, and rapid development.

Infrastructure connectivity was also a priority, especially key projects such as the Lao Cai  Ha Noi  Hai Phong standard-gauge railway, a road bridge over the Red River linking Viet Nams Bat Xat and Basa of Chinas Yunnan, and a rail link between Lao Cai station and Chinas Hekou North station.

EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier expressed hope for chances for the EU to further support Lao Cai, particularly in quality human resource training, social welfare and initiatives enabling local communities to access and benefit from EU environmental and climate protection regulations.

Meanwhile, Chinese Minister-Counselor in Vietnam Wu Guoquan described China as Vietnams largest trade partner for years. Conversely, Vietnam stands as as Chinas top trade partner in ASEAN and the fourth-largest globally. Last year, two-way trade exceeded US$260 billion, up 13.5% annually. China ranked first among 114 foreign investors in Vietnam, with 955 projects topping $31 billion.

China is also the largest foreign investor in many Vietnamese localities, including Lao Cai. Wu underlined Lao Cais strategic border location, serving as a crucial point within the Southern Corridor of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the economic corridor linking Yunnan with Viet Nam's Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ha Noi and Lao Cai.

The Hekou  Lao Cai border gate plays an irreplaceable role in securing supply and production chains for both countries. It has also been instrumental in fostering deeper bilateral economic and trade ties.

Looking ahead, the completion of the Kunming  Hekou  Lao Cai  Hanoi railway is expected to further enhance cross-border infrastructure connectivity between China and Vietnam. This project will facilitate the development of seamless supply and production chains, solidifying Lao Cais position as a key gateway linking southwest China with Vietnam and ASEAN markets, he added.

Chairman of the Lao Cai provincial People's Committee Trinh Xuan Truong also pledged all possible support for investors to fulfill the PMs vision.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged Airbus to ramp up investment and deepen its engagement in Viet Nam's aviation industry, supporting the countrys push to expand international air routes and build a robust aviation ecosystem.

During a meeting on March 14 with Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President International of Airbus, PM Chinh praised the aerospace giants cooperation with Vietnamese partners, emphasising its role in boosting domestic and international connectivity and driving Viet Nam's socio-economic growth.

The PM reaffirmed Viet Nam's commitment to strengthening ties with European nations, particularly the founding members of Airbus (the UK, Germany, France, and Spain). He expressed Viet Nam's desire to enhance its strategic partnerships with these countries, especially in economy, trade, and investment, paving the way for deeper collaboration between Vietnamese businesses and Airbus.

Viet Nam is targeting a GDP growth rate of at least 8 per cent in 2025 and aims to reach double-digit growth in subsequent years as part of its ambitious roadmap to become a high-income developed nation by 2045. To realise these goals, PM Chinh said the country is maximising its use of maritime, underground, and aerospace spaces, leading to surging demand for transportation, including aviation. Viet Nam's thriving aviation market, which handled 41.4 million international passengers and 1 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, he noted.

Currently, Viet Nam has four airlines operating 98 international routes to 20 countries and territories. The country has a network of 22 airports and is investing in the development and upgrading of major airports such as Long Thanh International Airport, Gia Binh Airport, and Chu Lai Airport.

PM Chinh underscored Viet Nam's determination to improve its institutional framework, streamline administrative procedures, and reduce compliance costs for businesses. He noted that the government is prioritising large-scale infrastructure projects to lower logistics expenses, enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods, and attract investment. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of high-quality human resource development, innovation, and technological advancements to improve labour productivity, critical factors for both domestic and foreign investors, including Airbus.

Reiterating Viet Nam's commitment to creating favourable conditions for foreign investors, the PM invited Airbus to expand its collaboration with Vietnamese airlines, not only in fleet expansion but also in aircraft component production and supply chain development. He encouraged Airbus to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul centre in Viet Nam, as well as invest in component manufacturing facilities to strengthen the countrys aviation industry.

PM Chinh also called on Airbus to transfer technology to Vietnamese partners, develop a highly skilled workforce, and improve aviation service standards. He urged the company to expedite the delivery of aircraft under existing contracts to meet the growing demand of Vietnamese airlines. Furthermore, he encouraged Airbus to explore deeper cooperation in emerging fields such as air logistics, aerospace technology, satellite development, and e-commerce.

For his part, Van Wersch noted that Airbus has been a longstanding partner of Vietnamese government agencies and businesses, with approximately 200 Airbus aircraft currently in operation by airlines such as Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines, accounting for 65 per cent of Viet Nam's commercial aircraft fleet. Airbus is also working with a Japanese partner to establish an over-wing door component manufacturing plant in Viet Nam.

The Airbus executive praised Viet Nam's aviation market potential and its prospects for becoming a regional aviation hub. He stated that, beyond supplying aircraft, Airbus is ready to support Viet Nam's aviation sector through initiatives such as developing the aviation supply chain, promoting digital transformation, and training the aviation workforce.

Van Wersch said Airbus is not only focusing on its current aircraft models but is also actively researching and developing advanced aviation technologies to meet future demands. Accordingly, the company is interested in collaborating with Viet Nam beyond civil aviation, including projects related to aerospace technology and aircraft component manufacturing. He expressed Airbus desire for continued favorable conditions to collaborate with Vietnamese partners in upgrading and developing sustainable aircraft.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is working to enhance the role and strengthen the connectivity of its national parks that are part of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) network.

The AHP initiative, established through the ASEAN Environment Ministers' Declaration on Heritage Parks in 2003, aims to comprehensively conserve the regions unique and vital ecosystems.

The ASEAN Heritage Parks are designated as protected areas of regional significance, selected specifically to preserve the distinctive ecosystems that define the ASEAN region.

They are designed not only to raise awareness and foster pride in ASEANs rich natural heritage but also to encourage cooperation among ASEAN countries in safeguarding shared natural resources. Through this network, ASEAN nations collaborate to protect biodiversity, preserve cultural and educational values, and ensure the sustainable use of ecosystems.

Viet Nam boasts the largest number of ASEAN Heritage Parks in Southeast Asia, with a total of 12. They are Hoang Lien National Park (Lao Cai, Lai Chau), Ba Be National Park (Bac Kan), Vu Quang National Park (Ha Tinh), Bai Tu Long National Park (Quang Ninh), Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve (Kon Tum), Chu Mom Ray National Park (Kon Tum), Kon Ka Kinh National Park (Gia Lai), U Minh Thuong National Park (Kien Giang), and Bidoup  Nui Ba National Park (Lam ong), Lo Go  Xa Mat National Park (Tay Ninh), Con ao National Park (Ba Ria  Vung Tau), and Bach Ma National Park (Hue).

The ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme has set out three primary objectives.

First, it seeks to establish agreements between the parks and their stakeholders to prioritise and protect areas facing the greatest biodiversity threats. Second, the programme aims to build the capacity of park management agencies to raise awareness about conservation and engage local communities. This includes providing training, networking and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Finally, it aims to increase local community involvement in the management and protection of these parks.

To achieve these goals, Viet Nam's ASEAN Heritage Parks are developing comprehensive management plans and sustainable forest management operations. The parks are also focusing on enhancing the capacity of management teams and stakeholders. This includes implementing monitoring and evaluation systems, increasing community participation and ensuring sustainable financial support for the parks.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments International Cooperation Department launched a project to strengthen the network of Viet Nam's ASEAN Heritage Parks for the 2023-25 period. This initiative, part of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, aims to create stronger connections among Viet Nam's ASEAN Heritage Parks, in line with the Environmental Protection Law 2020 and government decrees designed to intensify efforts to protect natural heritage while fulfilling international biodiversity conservation commitments for the decade 2021-30.

Viet Nam plans to add three more ASEAN Heritage Parks in 2025, aligning with its Biodiversity Strategy through 2030, with a vision for 2050.

This year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will issue a circular on biodiversity inventory and monitoring, along with technical guidelines for localities and national parks. The ministry is also working to establish environmental management criteria, create a network of Vietnamese ASEAN Heritage Parks and facilitate expert exchanges to assess the effectiveness of park management.  VNS
HA NOI  Writer and poet Nguyen Thuy Kha, the author of the anti-American poetry collection Thoi Mau Xanh (Blue Blood Time), passed away on Thursday in Ha Noi at the age of 77.

According to the Viet Nam Writers' Association, the well-known poet, who was also a songwriter and music researcher, succumbed to cancer after a long battle.

In a heartfelt farewell note, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, President of the Viet Nam Writers' Association, stated: I do not think of this as the end of his life. I believe he has completed his journey in this world and has moved on to another place with new work. Therefore, his passing does not leave me with a heavy feeling, even though starting tomorrow, there will no longer be opportunities to drink with him, listen to him reading poetry, or sing together.

Nguyen Thuy Kha was born in 1949 in Thai Binh Province, though his family originated from Ngai Am Village, Hoa Binh Commune, Vinh Bao District, Hai Phong. He composed his first song in 1965 for his high school, Thai Phien, which has since been sung as the schools anthem.

After graduating from the University of Information in 1971, he joined the military and served in the Information Corps until 1990. As a signal soldier during the American War, he was stationed in various locations across the Truong Son mountain range, enduring fierce battles in Quang Tri and the Central Highlands.

From 1979 to 1983, Kha attended the Nguyen Du Writing School. He excelled in multiple fields, including literature, music, cinema and journalism. Over his career, he published more than 15 poetry collections and 10 essays on literature and art, with a focus on poets and musicians.

His most notable work includes Van Cao  Nguoi i Doc Bien (Van Cao  The Sea Walker), Nua The Ky Tan Nhac Viet Nam (Half a Century of Vietnamese Modern Music), Nhung Guong Mat Am Nhac The Ky (Music Faces of the Century), and Huy Du  oi Va Nhac (Huy Du  Life and Music).

In addition, he authored several music collections, biographical film scripts and commentaries for numerous films.

His work earned him several prestigious accolades, including the Van Nghe Newspapers Poetry Award (1981-1982), the Le Quy on Prize (1986), the Nguyen Binh Khiem Prize (1982) and the Viet Nam Musicians' Association Award every year from 1996 to 2005.

He was also honoured with the Viet Nam Union of Literature and Arts Associations Award (2004) and the State Prize for Literature and Art (2023).  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Defence has proposed a new law aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), seeking to strengthen the countrys legal framework in line with international treaties.

According to a draft prepared by the ministry, WMDs are defined as weapons capable of inflicting significant losses on enemy forces, technical assets and economic and defence infrastructure, while also severely damaging the environment, causing profound psychological and emotional impacts on populations.

The category includes biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons.

The ministry warned that such weapons pose a grave threat in the hands of nations with malicious intent, terrorist groups, or other non-state actors.

It highlighted growing concerns over the increasing ease of manufacturing WMDs, noting that individuals with basic knowledge of chemistry or biology could potentially produce them and these weapons could be detonated remotely in crowded streets or concealed in public spaces, no matter how confined.

The ministry also underscored the difficulty of controlling the spread of WMDs and the lack of effective measures to protect densely populated cities from even small-scale attacks, let alone larger assaults.

The United Nations has established several international legal instruments to curb the proliferation of WMDs, including the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which have been ratified by most countries worldwide.

Viet Nam, a signatory to multiple international agreements on WMD non-proliferation, introduced Government Decree 81 in 2019, to address the issue domestically.

The ministry said that, to date, the country has not recorded any incidents related to the proliferation or financing of WMDs. However, the ministry acknowledged that while Decree 81 has yielded positive results, certain shortcomings remain. It argued that enacting a comprehensive law on preventing the proliferation of WMDs is now essential to address these gaps.

The proposed legislation focuses on five key areas: refining general regulations on WMD non-proliferation; enhancing efforts to counter the spread of specific types of WMDs; strengthening border controls and oversight of dual-use goods; improving measures to combat the financing of WMD proliferation; and bolstering the capacity and responsibilities of relevant authorities.

The move reflects Viet Nams commitment to aligning its national policies with global efforts to prevent the spread of some of the worlds most dangerous weapons, amid rising concerns over their accessibility.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam always considers the US a partner of strategic importance, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while receiving US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Evans Knapper in Ha Noi on Thursday.

PM Chinh and Knapper acknowledged the results achieved in the relationship between the two countries recently, especially after Viet Nam and the US upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed priority areas for promoting bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the US.

The PM highly appreciated Knapper's efforts in promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, maintaining stable development momentum with many positive results, including maintaining and promoting high-level contacts, notably the very successful phone talks between Party General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump before and after being elected.

He affirmed the message of Party General Secretary To Lam and senior Vietnamese leaders that they attach great importance to and want to cooperate closely with President Trumps administration to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, maintain a stable and increasingly substantive development momentum, and effectively implement the contents of the Joint Declaration and Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the common interests of the two countries.

In the context that the two countries are organising activities to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, PM Chinh requested the US Ambassador and Embassy to coordinate with relevant Vietnamese agencies to implement measures to deepen cooperative relations, including promoting visits and meetings at all levels, especially high-level ones.

Emphasising the need to continue making economic - trade - investment cooperation a bright spot and driving force of the bilateral relations, the PM said that Vietnamese ministries and sectors are actively addressing the US side's current concerns in economic - trade - investment ties, including sending the Minister of Industry and Trade as a Special Envoy to work in the US to co-chair the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Councils meeting.

According to the government leader, Viet Nam's relevant ministries, sectors and agencies are actively reviewing the tariffs on goods imported from the US, encouraging increased imports of products that the US has strengths and Viet Nam has demand, especially agricultural products, liquefied petroleum gas and high-tech products.

He emphasised that the Vietnamese Government always pays due attention to creating conditions for US businesses and investors operating in Viet Nam, affirming that Viet Nam wants to build balanced, stable, harmonious and sustainable economic - trade - investment cooperation relations with the US for the common interests of the two countries.

The PM also proposed the US continue to take steps towards recognising Viet Nam as having a market economy and creating conditions for Viet Nam to import high-tech equipment from the US.

On this occasion, PM Chinh requested the Ambassador and the Embassy to continue to prompt the US Government and Congress to increase support projects to overcome the consequences of war in Viet Nam, especially the dioxin detoxification project at Bien Hoa Airport, assist people with disabilities and war victims, and support the search for fallen Vietnamese soldiers; transfer technology and improve the capacity to examine the DNA of Vietnamese martyrs.

Thanking the PM for his recognition and appreciation, Knapper pledged to continue to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries and sectors to promote and further deepen the Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Ambassador expressed his joy with the two sides actively implementing the Joint Declaration and Viet Nam - US Action Plan for 2023, affirming that Viet Nam - US relations have achieved many positive results, in accordance with the desires and interests of both sides.

He affirmed that the US prioritises developing relations with Viet Nam based on the principle of respecting Viet Nam's political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Viet Nam. The US wants to expand cooperation in all fields, including cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, defence - security, and education  training; support Viet Nam in training high-quality human resources and human resources in the semiconductor industry, and cooperate with Viet Nam in essential mineral exploitation and nuclear energy research and development, the diplomat said.

Knapper emphasised that 2025 is of important significance in the bilateral relationship, with the two sides celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The US Embassy in Ha Noi will join hands with Vietnamese agencies to build an effective agenda, thereby deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he added.  VNS
BANGKOK  International media have reported on Party General Secretary To Lam's visits to Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Singapore, highlighting that Viet Nam stands ready lead the bloc after three decades of integration and master the ASEAN way.

According to an article published by Thai PBS World under the Thai Public Broadcasting Service corporation, Viet Nam is actively reshaping its diplomatic approach as it works toward becoming a middle power by 2045, and this goal represents the countrys broader ambition to ramp up its international profile through strategic partnerships, economic growth, and diplomatic resilience.

Viet Nam is implementing significant reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing bureaucratic redundancy, and the country has also emphasised its role as a regional stabiliser, given its ability to engage with major powers while preserving ASEANs centrality, the article said, adding that Viet Nam has also utilised its flexible and balanced approach to forge new friendships and diversify its trading partners.

With its aspirations beyond Southeast Asia, Viet Nam is deepening its engagement with major global powers, including the US and China. It has also strengthened economic and defence cooperation to balance its strategic interests, the article noted.

Europe also plays a significant role in Viet Nam's expanding global outreach. As the Southeast Asian nation seeks to enhance its global footprint, it leverages its relationships with both Western and Eastern economic blocs, thus sustaining long-term growth and geopolitical stability, it wrote.

Meanwhile, several Chinese media outlets, including Guangming Daily, China News, Global Times, Phoenix TV News, Knews, Sina, and Sohu, also reported on Lam's visits, noting that they helped reinforce Viet Nam's diplomatic strategy of "taking ASEAN as the centre", as well as strengthening intra-bloc cohesion through bilateral cooperation.

China's social media platforms such as Weibo, TikTok, and WeChat highlighted that the Vietnamese Party chief's visits aimed to boost intra-ASEAN cooperation, focusing on two key areas of strengthening economic and security ties with Indonesia, and promoting rule-building and investment attraction in Singapore. The articles emphasised that ASEAN unity brings benefits and stability to the entire region.  VNS
JAKARTA - Both regional and international public opinion and experts have appreciated the upgrade of Viet Nam's relations with Indonesia and Singapore to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, affirming that this is a significant step forward and demonstrates Viet Nam's proactive stance and readiness to enhance its position in a new stage.

They held that the state visit to Indonesia and official visits to the ASEAN Secretariat and Singapore by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam from March 9-13 achieved all the set objectives at a high level, with the most notable accomplishment being the upgrade of Viet Nams relations with the two countries.

These moves clearly demonstrate Viet Nam's foreign policy of active and proactive integration into the international community, and emphasise the importance of developing its relations with countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

As for Lams state visit to Indonesia and his official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, the regional and international media assessed the potential for cooperation between the two countries as huge in emerging fields such as green economy, circular economy, renewable energy and semiconductor technology. They also highlighted the two nations desire to explore collaboration in other important areas, such as defence, security, and maritime affairs, and promote people-to-people exchanges, particularly between young generations, and enhance tourism cooperation.

Beni Sukadis, Senior Researcher at the Indonesia Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (LESPERSSI), said that Lams visits to Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat have been widely recognised as a landmark diplomatic success between Viet Nam and Indonesia, while serving as a proof of the strong bilateral relationship and solidarity within the ASEAN region.

According to the scholar, the visit has strengthened Viet Nam's position in regional security cooperation, as the two countries reaffirmed their commitments to maritime stability, counter-terrorism, and defence collaboration.

By fostering closer ties with Viet Nam, Indonesia not only expands economic opportunities but also enhances its strategic influence in regional diplomacy, ensuring a resilient future and deeper cooperation, said Sukadis.

Some regional and international newswires praised the timing of the partnership upgrade as the two countries share many similarities as well as challenges, and can act together in numerous fields.

Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dinna Prapto Raharja, Senior Policy Advisor at the Synergy Policies Research and Training Institute, affirmed that with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries can inspire each other to fully capitalise on opportunities in science and technology.

She held that cooperation with Viet Nam can bring benefits to Indonesia. This elevated relationship can help both sides cooperate more closely with other ASEAN member states to ensure regional stability, and strengthen security and defence ties.

Chinese media outlets such as Sohu, Sina, and Baidu Baijiahao noted Indonesias position as ASEANs largest economy and the potential for Viet Nam to make use of high-level interactions to enhance collaboration in the Mekong-ASEAN Economic Corridor and, especially, seek breakthroughs in digital economy and fisheries management. They also highlighted opportunities from combining Indonesias nickel ore resources with Viet Nams battery production capabilities to promote ASEAN's deeper integration into the new energy vehicle industry chain.

Regarding Lams official visit to Singapore, newspapers all emphasised that the signing of numerous cooperation agreements between the two countries demonstrates a stronger connection between their economies. The two nations also made a significant mark by upgrading their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam described the two countries partnership upgrade as an important milestone in the bilateral relations, as it helps deepen their close ties in politics, economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to an article published by Thai PBS World under the Thai Public Broadcasting Service corporation, Viet Nam is actively reshaping its diplomatic approach as it works toward becoming a middle power by 2045, and this goal represents the countrys broader ambition to ramp up its international profile through strategic partnerships, economic growth, and diplomatic resilience.

Viet Nam is implementing significant reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing bureaucratic redundancy, and the country has also emphasised its role as a regional stabiliser, given its ability to engage with major powers while preserving ASEANs centrality, the article said, adding that Viet Nam has also utilised its flexible and balanced approach to forge new friendships and diversify its trading partners. VNS
HA NOI  The Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group has officially been launched by the 10th Parliarment of Sri Lanka.

The March 11 launch ceremony saw the attendance of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker of the Parliarment Jagath Wickramaratne, and Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam participated in the event as an honorary guest and co-patron of the group.

Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, was elected as the groups chairman, while Hasara Liyanage, a member of parliament, was named its secretary. The group includes 15 members from Sri Lankas 10th Parliament.

In his remarks, Speaker Wickramaratne highlighted the long-standing friendship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, calling the groups formation a key milestone in relations between the two countries as well as between their parliaments, especially as Sri Lanka prepares to welcome a high-level delegation from Viet Nams National Assembly. He expressed his hope that the group would foster activities to strengthen ties between the two nations and their legislative bodies.

Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam praised the positive cooperation between the two countries and the key role their parliaments have played in strengthening Viet Nam-Sri Lanka relations over the past 55 years since diplomatic ties were established in July 1970. She highlighted the parliaments role in overseeing government-level agreements and coordination at regional and international mechanisms like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

The ambassador voiced confidence that the group would contribute to consolidating relations between the two parliarments and people-to-people exchanges, affirming the Vietnamese Embassys readiness to support its activities.

Dr. Patabendi pledged to promote meaningful initiatives to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the Viet Nam-Sri Lanka partnership for the shared benefits of both nations. VNS
SYDNEY  Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam visited South Australia from March 1114 to seek stronger cooperation between Viet Nam and the Australian state.

During his visit, Ambassador Tam paid a courtesy call to Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, and held working sessions with South Australia's Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Science and Innovation, Climate Change, Environment and Water, Labour and Population Strategy Susan Close, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Tourism of the state Zoe Bettison, President of the South Australian Legislative Council Terry Stephens, along with member of the Legislative Council Tung Ngo.

He chaired roundtables on agricultural trade and educational cooperation, participated in a meeting with South Australian enterprises, and met with leaders of the University of Adelaide. He also had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community and attended the inauguration of a South Australian branch of the Viet Nam Association of Scientists and Experts in Australia (VASEA).

At the meetings, leaders from South Australias parliament, government, and business community highly valued cooperation with Viet Nam, considering it a priority with significant untapped potential. They expressed a strong desire to further strengthen bilateral relations with Vietnamese localities, contributing to the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership framework between the two countries.

Governor Adamson noted that Viet Nam was one of the first countries she visited after taking office, and she plans to visit Viet Nam again in May 2025. She recommended that the two sides continue to focus on collaboration in trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges, education, and the development of low-carbon agriculture.

The Governor highly valued the Vietnamese community in South Australia, highlighting Vietnamese students who are hardworking, diligent, achieve high academic results, and engage actively in school and community activities. She also welcomed the establishment of the VASEA branch in the state.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Susan Close emphasised the strategic benefits of the countries' cooperation, especially amid global uncertainties. She agreed that both sides must continue to support trade and investment liberalisation, and work together towards building a peaceful and stable region that respects international law.

Close reaffirmed that Australia views Viet Nam as an important and trustworthy comprehensive strategic partner with vast cooperation potential.

The Deputy Premier pointed out that Viet Nam is currently among the countries with the strongest development cooperation with Australia, and South Australia continues to prioritise ties with Viet Nam. Having visited the Sourheast Asian nation twice, Close expressed her hope for enhancing collaboration in education, science, technology, innovation, tourism, culture, and green agriculture.

For his part, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Tourism Bettison praised Viet Nams transformation and expressed her admiration for the fast development of Vietnams economy, as well as the countrys rich culture.

President of the South Australian Legislative Council Stephens expressed his hope for more Vietnamese entrepreneurs to settle down, live, and do business in his state. Meanwhile, council member Tung Ngo said he hopes the friendship and cooperation between the two countries will grow even more, particularly in trade.

At the roundtable on agricultural trade and the meeting with businesses, representatives from South Australian companies expressed keen interest in partnering with Vietnamese firms. They recognised Viet Nam as a vital market for diversifying supply chains and shifting production and investment in the region.

Bodhi Edwards, Trade Director at the South Australian Department of Trade and Development, noted that Viet Nam is South Australias sixth-largest export market, with bilateral trade reaching 837 million AUD (US$526.44 million) in 2024.

Manufactured goods, agricultural, and high-tech products accounted for 17.6 per cent of total imports by the state, which in turn accounted for 6.5 per cent of Australias exports to Viet Nam. The state aims to export red meat, wine, cereals, wool, and dairy-related products to Viet Nam.

South Australian businesses are also eager to establish a wool production supply chain with Viet Nam, as well as export hay for the dairy industry and cereals to Viet Nam, he added.

At the roundtable on education, institutions and universities in South Australia acknowledged the large number of Vietnamese students among the top international student groups in the state, particularly in vocational training. Several South Australian universities also have collaboration programmes with Vietnamese institutions.

Ambassador Tam expressed gratitude to South Australia for its cooperation in hosting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son during the Deputy PM's visit to Australia in October 2024. He praised the robust growth of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

He commended South Australias role in fostering cooperation between the two nations, particularly in science and technology, innovation, information technology, and education.

The diplomat highlighted that Vietnamese entrepreneurs, associations, and students in South Australia have consistently contributed to the states prosperity. He expressed confidence that the newly established VASEA branch will play a crucial role in advancing scientific, technological, educational, and academic exchanges between the two sides.

The ambassador also called for an increase in cooperation with Vietnamese localities, including a Nang, with a focus on training semiconductor engineers, information technology, digital transformation, and low-carbon agriculture. He further recommended facilitating VietJets resumption of a direct air route to boost people-to-people exchanges, trade, and investment between the two countries. VNS
BRASILIA  Brazil highly values its expanding trade relations with Viet Nam, Vice President of the Brazilian Senate Eduardo Gomes has stated, proposing an exhibition on the Southeast Asian nation at the Brazilian Federal Senate.

During a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Van Nghi in Brasilia on March 12, Senator Gomes underscored the importance of raising Brazilian public awareness of Viet Nam and strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and cultural ties to match the strategic partnership established during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs visit to Brazil in November 2024.

For his part, Nghi highlighted Brazil as Viet Nams largest partner in Latin America. Viet Nam currently imports soybeans, corn, and cotton from the country while exporting electronics, tires, clothing, and footwear.

There is a need to accelerate negotiations for a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), said the diplomat.

On the same day, Nghi met with Celso Amorim, Special Advisor to the Brazilian President, to discuss bilateral relations.

In a related move, on March 13, the ASEAN-Brazil parliamentary friendship group officially debuted at the Brazilian National Congress. Speaking at the event, Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho said the Asian market is strategically important to Brazil, particularly in the fields of agriculture, animal protein, and technology.

Waldemar Oliveira, head of the friendship group, assessed that trade relations between ASEAN and Brazil create foundations for market diversification, reducing Brazils dependence on traditional economies, and strengthening its global position. While Brazils main exports to ASEAN currently include soybeans, coffee, beef, and chicken, he anticipated an increase in industrial goods and services trade in the future.

Viet Nam, officially joining ASEAN on July 28, 1995, has played an active and responsible role in shaping the bloc's strategic decisions so far. VNS
JAKARTA  Party General Secretary To Lams state visit to Indonesia has brought tremendous benefits to both nations, resulting in closer and broader cooperation across economy, politics, security, and people-to-people exchange, an Indonesian scholar has said.

Beni Sukadis, Senior Researcher at the Jakarta-based Indonesia Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (LESPERSSI) told the Viet Nam News Agency that the Vietnamese Party chiefs visit, made at the invitation of President of the Republic of Indonesia and Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto, affirms Viet Nams commitment to deepening relations with Indonesia  an important partner and the largest economy in the region.

Strengthening ties with Indonesia helps Viet Nam gain better access to a vast market, increase trade opportunities, and enhance cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation. The visit also strengthens Viet Nam's position in regional security cooperation, especially maritime security, as both nations share concerns about the East Sea, he stated.

Multiple economic agreements were secured during the Vietnamese leaders trip, he highlighted, adding the comprehensive strategic partnership with Viet Nam aligns with Indonesias goals of economic diversification, particularly in manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital economy.

Notably, Vietnamese companies have made significant investments in Indonesia, with that by electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast expected to generate jobs and promote economic development while expanding opportunities for the archipelago nation to develop into an electric vehicle hub in Southeast Asia and globally. He described this as a way to strengthen the already strong bonds between the two countries.

Despite remarkable progress in their cooperation, Viet Nam and Indonesia should work together to resolve challenges to fully realise the potential of this partnership. Trade imbalances and regulatory differences can hinder economic partnerships, requiring both countries to streamline trade policies and reduce non-tariff barriers, he suggested.

Besides, competition in major industries like production and energy could create disagreements, demanding a cooperative approach rather than a competitive one, he said, elaborating effective cooperation will enhance potential advantages of the similarities that the two countries hold.

Expressing his interest in security cooperation between the two nations, Sukadis noted that both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to maritime stability, counter-terrorism, and defence cooperation. By bolstering ties with Viet Nam, Indonesia will not only expand its economic opportunities but also enhance its strategic influence on regional diplomacy, ensuring a resilient future and deeper cooperation.

He said the two countries have a common understanding of how to resolve and deal with East Sea issues, and in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity, both sides will work towards peaceful negotiations and dialogues. VNS
A NANG  A solemn ceremony was held in Hai Chau district of the central city of a Nang on March 14 to commemorate 64 naval officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives on Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef, part of Viet Nam's Truong Sa (Spratly), to defend the nation's sovereignty over seas and islands 37 years ago.

At the ceremony, family members of the fallen soldiers, local officials, war veterans, and former military personnel who used to be stationed in Truong Sa gathered to pay their respects to the martyrs. They observed a moment of silence and offered incense in tribute to the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the Fatherland.

Nguyen Van Tan, head of the liaison committee for Truong Sa soldiers in a Nang in the 1984-1988 period, highlighted Viet Nam's proud history - a history shaped by the relentless struggle for independence, freedom, and territorial sovereignty. He called the Gac Ma naval battle a shining symbol of bravery, embodying the spirit of sacrifice for the nations survival demonstrated by the young naval heroes.

On March 14, 1988, engineering soldiers of the Vietnam Peoples Navy stood resolutely on Gac Ma with a unwavering commitment to protecting the national flag amid the vast sea. They faced death head-on, yet refused to retreat or surrender, creating an immortal circle of pride in the East Sea. The 64 soldiers, including nine from a Nang and one from Quang Nam, laid down their lives.

Le Thi Lan, the mother of martyr Nguyen Huu Loc, shared a heart-wrenching memory of her son. At just 20 years old, he enlisted in the navy, and less than a year later, the family received the devastating news of his death. Though the pain of losing him will never fade, she expressed immense pride in his sacrifice for the nations sovereignty.

Nguyen Van Hien, Vice Chairman of DACINCO Construction Investment Co. Ltd., paid tribute to the soldiers' sacrifice, saying their courage is not only a source of national pride but also a guiding light for future generations. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of every Vietnamese people to honour their memory by upholding the values they fought for and contributing to the nation's prosperity.

The ceremony also saw the attendance of students from Dong A University, who offered incense in tribute to the fallen heroes. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, a student of the university, expressed her emotion when attending the event. This is a reminder of the nations proud history and the unwavering loyalty of the soldiers who risked everything to protect the nations sacred land and sea, she said, vowing to carry this sense of pride and duty in her studies and future endeavours to help build a stronger, more prosperous Viet Nam.

On this occasion, the Dong A University and DACINCO presented gifts to the families of the fallen soldiers. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary To Lam on Friday suggested US-based Pacifico Energy (PE) further expand its cooperation and investment in Viet Nam, including new energy transition projects, while expediting ongoing initiatives.

Hosting PE founder and CEO Nate Franklin in Ha Noi, the Party leader praised PEs contributions to Viet Nam's renewable energy sector and the broader Viet Nam-US partnership.

He affirmed that the US is one of Viet Nam's most important economic partners, and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework between the two countries is creating new opportunities and space for US businesses to invest and operate in the Southeast Asian nation

The Party chief reiterated Viet Nam's vision of becoming an upper middle-income country with a modern industrial base by 2030 and a developed nation with high income by 2045. To achieve these goals, Viet Nam is committed to facilitating investment through institutional reforms. The country also remains steadfast in its pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

He noted that a stable and clean energy supply is essential for Viet Nam's economic expansion. The government has been refining its legal framework to encourage energy firms to invest in the country, catering to domestic demand and the broader Southeast Asian market.

Lam also encouraged closer collaboration between PE and Vietnamese enterprises in technology transfer and capacity building to enhance the nations expertise in wind and renewable energy.

For his part, Franklin said Viet Nam holds vast potential for offshore wind power, adding the group is committed to advancing surveys and project development to support the country's pursuit of double-digit economic growth.

Franklin praised Viet Nam's efforts to improve its business climate and acknowledged the strong support from local authorities for US investors. He highlighted PEs successful projects in Viet Nam as a testament to the growing Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expressed confidence that they will pave the way for increased American investment.

He pledged further investment in offshore wind and renewable energy to drive the nations sustainable economic growth and strengthen ties between the two nations.  VNA/VNS
WASHINGTON DC  The recent working session between Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson L. Greer has taken place in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, and achieved the results expected by both sides.

The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung, who attended the meeting held in Washington DC on March 13 to advance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador noted that Minister Dien his assessments on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and proposed specific and clear solutions to address existing issues in the nations' ties and to deepen the Viet Nam-US comprehensive strategic partnership. He also proposed initiatives aimed at achieving more balanced trade between the two countries.

Ambassador Dung said Greer appreciated Dien's practical proposals, saying that these are practical measures which will significantly contribute to strengthening bilateral trade relations in the right direction. He affirmed that USTR would promptly review the proposals before engaging in further discussions on their implementation.

Both sides agreed to maintain working-level exchanges to advance the solutions discussed.

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, this working session marked the first official ministerial-level meeting between the two countries since the new US administration took office.

During the talks, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of US-Viet Nam relations during 30 years of diplomatic ties, 10 years of comprehensive partnership and two years of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Minister Dien affirmed that Viet Nam considers the US a top-priority partner and seeks to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership in a substantive, profound, and sustainable manner, thus contributing to bolstering mutual understanding and strategic trust between the two countries.

Highlighting the complementary nature of the two economies and their import-export structure, he said two-way trade has been on rapid and stable growth over the years, ensuring major foundations and national interests in the bilateral cooperation.

Viet Nam's consistent policy is to build harmonious, sustainable, stable, and mutually-beneficial economic and trade ties with the US, he stated, adding that Viet Nam has no intention to create any barriers that could harm the USs workers or economic and national security.

He outlined specific solutions that the Vietnamese Government is actively implementing to promote the economic, trade, and investment relations with the US in a comprehensive, harmonious, and sustainable manner. He also proposed that technical teams from both countries continue discussions towards US recognition of Vietnam's market economy status, a decision he described as important and commensurate with the current comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

US Trade Representative Greer appreciated Minister Dien's proactive coordination and straightforward, responsible, and goodwill approach when understanding and directly addressing current US concerns.

He said the USs new trade policy is designed to further promote trade and investment while protecting US economic and national security, and workers, without intending to harm partner countries. However, he said that trade exchanges must achieve rational economic benefits, calling on Viet Nam to implement stronger measures to open its market and improve the trade balance in the coming time.

Regarding concerns about the USs tariff policies, Dien and Greer said this is the right time for Viet Nam and the US to coordinate to create a fair and sustainable business environment, involving review and consideration to remove trade barriers that hinder investment and business activities, as well as the establishment of effective mechanisms to control trade fraud, origin fraud, and illegal transshipment.

Concluding the session, the two sides agreed to conduct regular technical  level consultations to address specific issues, helping build harmonious, sustainable, and stable trade relations in alignment with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.  VNS
Khanh Duong

HA NOI  It's 11.30am at Lien Chau Preschool in Thanh Oai District, Ha Noi, and that means lunchtime.

Meals have been delivered to each classroom, but the children are not rushing to get their hands on them.

Instead, they calmly line up to wash their hands and prepare towels to clean their dining tables.

Tu Anh, a five-year-old student, repeats the five steps she and her classmates have learned by heart before every meal:

Step 1: Get a clean towel ready.

Step 2: Set aside everything that isn't needed.

Step 3: Wash your hands.

Step 4: Clean the table.

Step 5: Wash your hands again.

From preschool

In Thanh Oai District alone, more than 20,000 children from 32 preschools have been introduced to food safety practices through the Safe Food for Growth (SAFEGRO) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada.

Knowledge on food safety has been turned into compelling tales, tunes, poetry, interactive games and entertaining experiential activities.

Food safety has become ingrained in children's everyday routines thanks to the 'Learning through play' approach, encouraging them to adopt positive food safety behaviours and ensuring better hygiene in school and when they are at home.

ao Hai Trang, a five-year-old at Cao Vien Preschool, said: Before eating, we must wash our hands, wash our faces and wipe the table. Our teachers also teach us to wash fruit and separate raw and cooked food before storing them in the fridge.

Beyond basic hygiene, the children also learn to understand how germs spread.

Preschool teachers who have taken SAFEGROs food safety training are passing this knowledge on to their students, helping close the gap in both understanding and practice, and sharing the approach with colleagues in other schools.

Pham Thi Hoa, principal of Cao Duong Preschool, told Viet Nam News: Food safety culture must be instilled from early childhood through to old age. Teachers must set an example and help children build these habits every day.

Preschoolers learn through play, experiencing lessons hands-on. Teachers apply their training to help children recognise safe and spoiled food. And these little learners dont stop there  they take their knowledge home, teaching their families too!

oan Viet Dung, head of Thanh Oai Districts Department of Education and Training, said food safety and hygiene should become routine for all students, teachers and staff.

Children should always think about personal hygiene before they eat or drink to build lifelong habits, he added.

Thanks to SAFEGROs training, food safety awareness has extended beyond the classroom, reaching both teachers and parents, and is contributing to the progression of food safety culture.

Nguyen Thi Nga, vice principal of Cu Khe Preschool, said: I used to put all food together in the refrigerator after shopping. Now, I separate cooked and raw food and store them properly in different containers.

Ta Thi Ngoc, whose three-year-old son attends Cao Vien Preschool, was surprised when he recently reminded her to wash her hands before dinner.

He even washes apples himself and warns me not to keep rotten fruits in the fridge, she said.

After school, he reminds me to change clothes to avoid bringing in germs. He also tells us to wash fruits and soak them in salt water before eating. He shares so much food safety knowledge that he learned in class.

Not just that, my child now tidies up his clothes and shoes neatly. Whatever the teachers say, he passes it on to us, as if he has become our food safety little teacher!

These practical lessons have been structured within a food safety education framework, incorporating key messages on food safety principles, objectives, and methods. Using the Learning through Play approach, food safety education will help preschoolers integrate this topic into the curriculum flexibly. This serves as a great starting point for introducing food safety education into the new preschool curriculum that the Ministry of Education and Training plans to implement in coming time.

To further support these efforts, SAFEGRO has also upgraded kitchen facilities in preschools across Thanh Oai District, installing stainless steel tables, dish dryers and water purifiers, while improving food safety practices and culture through training among kitchen staff.

To university

Food safety education doesn't stop at preschool. It has also been incorporated into university curricula for students majoring in food science, technology and quality management - many of whom will become future leaders in the food industry, promoting organisational food safety culture.

With support from SAFEGRO, practical, updated and internationally-aligned teaching materials have been developed for university courses while short-term in-service food safety training programmes are expected to be applied at businesses, industrial parks and food safety agencies.

The courses cover key topics in risk analysis, food inspection, food autheticity and traceability, hygienic design in food industry, food safety management systems, quality assurance, food safety culture and leadership in food safety.

Last month, around 70 lecturers from universities nationwide gathered in Khanh Hoa Provinces Nha Trang City to review and adopt newly developed lectures, which they are expected to incorporate into their teaching in the coming years.

According to Associate Professor Tran Thi inh from Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, one of the course developers, these are the first nationally-standardised lecture materials on food safety in Viet Nam which align with international standards.

Once finalised, SAFEGRO will distribute the lecturing materials to universities nationwide, enabling them to share resources that meet international standards while remaining tailored to Viet Nams context. These materials will be made available to all universities in Viet Nam as free open-source content through SAFEGROs website in Vietnamese and English.

The next goal is to convert these lectures into e-learning formats, making them accessible not only to Vietnamese students but also learners across the region and beyond, she said.

The teaching materials developers said they support instructors in using active teaching strategies, which incorporate case studies, examples and real-world research in addition to theoretical knowledge to demonstrate the ideas.

Professor Lawrence Goodridge, director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety at the University of Guelph, emphasised the value of using real examples in education.

We know food safety issues happen everywhere, he said.

In Canada last year, we had several foodborne disease outbreaks. I use those cases in my lectures to show students that food safety is not just theory, it applies to real life.

Nguyen Thi Minh Tu, a lecturer at Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, said she was especially interested in the module on food safety culture.

Food safety culture is a new concept for us, she explained.

Its always existed, but we havent emphasised it. This is the first time it has been standardised in university teaching materials, and I hope to add it to my courses soon.

Sustainable food safety culture

SAFEGROs efforts to build food safety awareness from preschool through university have been praised as a sustainable model. The progression of food safety culture in Viet Nam is at an early stage. This curriculum will begin the process to understand and promote the adoption critical food safety behaviours across the full spectrum of the agri-food sector.

Professor Lawrence said: Food safety education must involve everyone, not just students or food producers, but the general public. In Canada, weve seen that foodborne illnesses often start in home kitchens because people dont handle food properly. But parents listen to their children.

When we teach children about food safety, they bring those lessons home. We believe the same will happen in Viet Nam by starting with preschoolers.

As these children grow, their food safety awareness will mature, gradually transforming the broader culture of food safety, he said.

Nguyen Van Thuan, head of the Quality and Organic Agriculture Division, National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, praised SAFEGROs long-term impacts.

The projects name, Safe Food for Growth, reflects its focus on the future, he said.

Viet Nam has over 10 universities offering programmes in food science and technology. Every year, thousands of students graduate in these fields.

"SAFEGROs training materials will give them practical knowledge and experience they can apply immediately in regulatory agencies, research institutes or businesses. We hope these graduates will continue spreading their knowledge, training future generations of workers."

Thats the lasting value and potential of this project," he said.

Dr Fred Unger, a senior scientist and regional representative of International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Asia - one of SAFEGOs partners, said food safety education is a key aspect to improve public awareness, and it may also lead to an increasing demand for safer food by consumers.

He said key food safety messages should be developed with the involvement of various sectors like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Education and involve expertise on social science, behavioral change, risk communication and media in a truly interdisciplinary and sectoral approach. Those efforts can already start in school programmes like the one initiated by SAFEGRO.  VNS
HA NOI  For cities and urban areas with high levels of air pollution, such as Ha Noi and HCM City, it is necessary to apply standards on car and motorbike emissions to limit polluting vehicles, starting with key areas and streets.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha made the statement at a meeting with various ministries to discuss a roadmap for applying standards to vehicle emissions in Viet Nam.

The conference took place on Thursday afternoon in Ha Noi.

At the conference, Deputy PM Ha emphasised that the Government is focused on assessing the multi-dimensional impacts of vehicle emissions standards.

A process to develop these standards must clarify the political, legal and practical implications while at the same time propose socio-economic and scientific solutions to reduce pollution caused by vehicle emissions.

The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) to strictly comply with the laws on environmental protection and road traffic safety when promulgating emissions standards.

Before developing emissions standards for cars and motorbikes, he said the MoAE must first clarify the emission rates of various vehicles operating in areas of interest.

He assigned the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate with the Ha Noi and HCM City people's committees to review and update traffic infrastructure planning to encourage the use of green transport.

Relevant agencies must have policies to support the transition from personal vehicles to public transport, as well as design dedicated traffic lanes for bicycles, pedestrians and motorbikes.

They should also increase communication about the harmful effects of private transport that causes air pollution.

According to a report from the MoAE, Viet Nam's emissions standards for cars and a roadmap to implement them are currently being completed.

Regarding the country's emissions standards for motorbikes, the MoAE believes that there is a very large number and wide variety of motorbikes currently in circulation, directly affecting the majority of people. More time is thus needed to assess potential impacts and set up facilities to conduct emissions testing.

During the conference, leaders discussed the responsibilities and authority to issue Vietnamese standards on emissions from motor vehicles in circulation, problems which need to be carefully researched and assessed.  VNS
HA NOI  International cooperation in training and developing agricultural workers plays a significant role in the face of a shortage of high-quality agricultural labour, said To Viet Chau, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Japan is one of the world's leading agricultural nations, but it is also experiencing a significant labour shortage in the industry.

Accepting foreign workers, especially from Viet Nam, would not only help Japan meet its labour demand but also provide Vietnamese workers with the opportunity to acquire modern skills for domestic production, according to Chau.

The deputy director spoke at an international seminar titled 'Disseminating Information on Agricultural Employment for Vietnamese Workers', which was organised by the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture and Japan's National Agriculture Chamber and took place on Thursday, 13 March in Ha Noi.

The Japanese government has introduced several policies to support Viet Nam in the field of agriculture, notably an internship programme and the Specified Skilled Worker programme, which allows Vietnamese workers to gain work and study experience in a professional environment, thereby improving their skills and expertise.

We highly appreciate the close cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan in agricultural workforce development and hope to continue expanding this collaboration, especially in building training models that combine practical experience and connecting returning workers with Japanese-invested businesses and farms in Viet Nam, Chau said.

Kurotani Shin, director of Japan's National Agriculture Chamber, said that labour shortages and an ageing population are major challenges in Japan. Domestic recruitment alone cannot supply enough workers. Therefore, support from young foreign workers, including Vietnamese, is crucial to sustaining Japans agricultural sector.

"We hope young people will be interested in Japans agriculture industry. They will gain valuable experience working in an international environment, and actively contribute to the agricultural development of both countries in the future. I look forward to meeting you at an agricultural facility in Japan," he told seminar attendees.

During the seminar, Associate Professor Dr Vu Hoc Huyen, vice director of the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, said that over nearly 70 years of development, the university has received valuable support from the Japanese government in various fields, including science and technology, innovation, training and workforce development.

Since 2021, the university has received support from the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), to implement the project "Advisory for Human Resource Development at the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also assigned the university to develop a programme to send agricultural workers and co-operative members to work in developed countries over the next five years under Government Resolution 26.

"Through practical implementation, we have observed that many Vietnamese workers still lack sufficient information about working programmes in Japan, leading to difficulties in preparation, integration and career development abroad. Moreover, upon returning home, only about 2 per cent receive job counselling," Huyen said.

Today's seminar aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information on job opportunities, recruitment conditions and support policies, as well as the requirements and challenges of working in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker visa programme. Through this event, students and workers will have clearer guidance and better preparation for their career journeys in Japan, he added.

Within the seminar framework, representatives from Japans National Agriculture Chamber explained the internship and Specified Skilled Worker programmes, introduced agricultural organisations and facilitated discussions between recruiting companies and participants.

Over the past 20 years, Viet Nams agricultural workforce has undergone significant changes. The proportion of agricultural workers decreased from 65.3 per cent in 2000 to 37.2 per cent in 2020, reflecting a strong shift towards the service and industrial sectors.

However, the quality of agricultural labour remains limited, with only 14.6 per cent of workers in the sector having technical expertise. Most are still unskilled, working based on experience or seasonally, and there is a shortage of highly skilled labourers.

The seminar is part of a series of activities implemented by Japans Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries through the National Agriculture Chamber to introduce and promote cooperation on the Specified Skilled Worker programme for agriculture as part of Japans foreign labour policy since 2023. VNS
HCM CITY  The Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA) and partner associations have recently launched the inaugural moderation week campaign across Asia Pacific (APAC), including a range of educational initiatives to promote responsible alcohol consumption across the region.

More than 18 representatives from trade associations of spirits, wines and beer producers including ones from Viet Nam made their commitment to promoting responsible drinking.

The moderation week brings the industry together to advocate for targeted initiatives and stronger consumer education. The campaign calls for the introduction of a legal purchase age in all markets. The report calls for setting the LPA at 18 years old, aligning with regional standards.

It includes the definition of "standard drink" and development of national drinking guidelines. Many APAC markets lack clear guidelines, exacerbating confusion among consumers about what constitutes responsible drinking.

Also, specific actions to tackle illicit alcohol sales by streamlining taxation, improving enforcement, and supporting local compliant businesses will be enhanced.

Harmful drinking remains a notable public health challenge, and the industry has a significant role to play in a partnership approach to harm reduction. Moderation Week is a testament to the power of partnership, aiming to bring together governments, civil society, and the private sector to deliver meaningful change. Together, we can foster a culture of moderation, empower consumers to make informed choices, and work towards the WHOs goal of a 20 per cent reduction in harmful drinking by 2030, said Tim Wallwork, APISWA chairman,

Throughout moderation week, APISWA and partners will publish educational content to help consumers make informed choices on responsible alcohol consumption.

A new social media campaign, Too Much of a Good Thing also launched, fronted by influential figures across Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam. The video series encourages consumers to make informed drinking choices that align with a balanced lifestyle.

While significant progress has been made on reducing harmful drinking, there remain challenges across the region.

In Viet Nam, according to WHO, alcohol consumption is relatively higher compared with other countries in the Western Pacific Region, with heavy episodic drinking remaining a key issue.  VNS
Nguyen Diep

HCM CITY  The development of the outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) industry in Viet Nam needs more Government support policies to solidify the countrys position in the global semiconductor supply chain, attendees heard at a forum held in HCM City on March 14.

The semiconductor advanced packaging forum was organised at the Viet Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM), with the participation of many local and foreign universities, businesses and experts in OSAT.

The forum focused on discussing the development, workforce demands and technology of the OSAT industry in the country.

As a crucial stage in the global semiconductor supply chain, the OSAT industry not only generates significant added value but also plays a pivotal role in the development of the semiconductor sector.

Speaking at the event, chancellor of VNU-HCM Vu Hai Quan said Viet Nam has significant potential to develop an advanced OSAT industry.

However, to become a crucial link in the global semiconductor supply chain, we must thoroughly understand the workforce and technological demands of the packaging and testing phase, he said.

It also needs to make strategic investments in developing training programmes, faculty teams, teaching and research facilities, and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, such as the government, universities, and businesses.

VNU-HCM has fulfilled its mission as the core driver in workforce development and building a research and innovation ecosystem closely linked to businesses.

Since 2023, the university proactively developed a programme to position itself as a leading training and research centre for semiconductor technology in Asia.

It has also launched key initiatives to enhance the quality of education and research, including developing a talent training programme for IC design and semiconductor technology at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as short-term certificate programmes.

It is preparing for the establishment of the VNU-HCM Semiconductor Research Institute (VSRI) to serve as a hub for research and industry collaboration.

It has strengthen partnerships with top universities and technology giants such as Purdue University, Intel, Synopsys, and NVIDIA, fostering hands-on training and applied research programmes while also investing in specialised laboratories to support practical training and research in IC design, testing, and packaging; and planning a national shared laboratory system, enhancing infrastructure for semiconductor research and development.

With these efforts, VNU-HCM is committed to shaping a highly skilled workforce and solidifying the countrys position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

This event is expected to provide valuable insights to help outline a clear roadmap for the development of the OSAT sector in particular and the semiconductor industry in the country as a whole in the future.

Vo Van Hoan, deputy chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee, affirmed the critical role of the semiconductor industry in driving the economic and technological development of the city and the nation, as well as the important role of VNU-HCM in training high-quality human resources in the industry.

The city is actively implementing Viet Nam's semiconductor industry development strategy and the semiconductor industry workforce development programme until 2030, with a vision toward 2050.

This is an important step to implement the citys goal of becoming a leading high-tech hub in the region," he said.

However, in order to reach this goal, it requires the joint efforts of businesses, universities, research institutes, technology experts and investors, he said.

VNU-HCM not only is a pioneer in semiconductor workforce development, but also plays a crucial role in implementing this goal.

He asked the university to focus on improving the quality of training and promoting cooperation with businesses to provide high-quality human resources for the development of the new industries, including chips and semiconductors.

Tran Kim Chung, chairman of CT Group, said CT Group always identifies technology and innovation as strategic pillars in its development journey due to CT Group's sustainable strengths in the field of scientific research and the Group's creative culture.

In the context of Industry 4.0, the semiconductor industry plays a very important role in many high-tech fields.

Last year, the world sold more than 1 trillion chips, equivalent to 125 chips per person, higher than any other technology product, and the growth rate continues to be double-digit every year.

Viet Nam has about 70 million people under 35 years old with high learning and self-study ability. The country is always in the top 10 in the world in mathematics.

The trend of diversifying the supply system in the global semiconductor industry today and the special geopolitical position of the country creates a great opportunity for this solid triangle (called the Sustainable Triangle - S3).

The Vietnamese Government has put forward very practical strategies for the semiconductor industry.

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, promotes the development of the semiconductor industry, and is a driving force for domestic enterprises to invest and develop.

The National Assembly has also passed Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 on piloting several special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, creating many favourable conditions for the development of technological industries.

"We hope that the Government will quickly promulgate a combined Circular - Decree to shorten the time and progress of implementing Resolution 57 and Resolution 193," he said.

CT Semiconductor also proposed support from the municipal People's Committee to offer it conditions equivalent to those of FDI enterprises, including land leases in high-tech park and other conditions that are and will be applied to FDI businesses.

At the event, VNU-HCM signed MoUs with CT Group and Minghsin University of Science and Technology on cooperation in the field of semiconductors.

The event also featured exhibition booths showcasing businesses in the semiconductor industry.  VNS
DHAKA  Medical facilities and the number of specialised doctors for treating kidney patients remain inadequate even though such patients are increasing.

This is leaving many patients without proper treatment, health experts say.

Only 35 government hospitals offer kidney dialysis at a relatively low cost, while there are just 350 specialist doctors for treating the tens of thousands of patients.

Kidney disease is called a silent killer because it progresses slowly and often has no noticeable symptoms until significant kidney function decline and life-threatening complications, say the experts.

Around 22.48 per cent of the countrys population or around 3.82 crore people suffer from kidney diseases, according to the Bangladesh Renal Association, which cites a review of eight studies published in 2019.

The association, which represents doctors treating the disease, said that 30,000 to 40,000 people suffer kidney failure every year.

Apart from state-run hospitals, private healthcare facilities also offer kidney dialysis but at significantly higher costs, placing a financial burden on patients. Most private facilities are also in towns and cities, leaving many rural patients deprived of the healthcare service.

As a result, a large number of kidney patients either do not receive proper treatment or face delays, leading to higher mortality rates.

Against this backdrop, Bangladesh, along with the rest of the world, today observes World Kidney Day with the theme, Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health.

Katha Majumder (real name withheld) said her mother, now in her mid-50s, has been suffering from kidney disease for a long time. However, her condition worsened after contracting COVID-19 in mid-2020.

She has been undergoing dialysis since then.

After changing hospitals three times, she is now receiving dialysis twice a week at Anwar Khan Modern Medical College Hospital. The hospital charges Tk 4,500 per session, meaning that they have to spend approximately Tk 40,000 per month on dialysis alone.

She said it requires another Tk 40,000 on injections, blood, and medicine, she said. We have to spend Tk 80,000 per month. This is a huge financial pressure.

Responding to another query, she said that they did not consider a kidney transplant due to its high cost, her mothers age, and the possible complications after the procedure.

Farhad Hasan Chowdhury, member secretary of Bangladesh Renal Association, said dialysis and kidney transplant are the only treatment available for kidney patients in the fourth and fifth stages of the disease.

However, only 35 government medical colleges and specialised hospitals currently have dialysis facilities, he said in his written speech at a press conference yesterday.

Although dialysis facilities are available at several private healthcare facilities, around 70 percent of these are concentrated in Dhaka. A very few district towns have these facilities, he mentioned.

For this, patients often have to travel to other cities with their attendants, making treatment costly and burdensome, Farhad added.

Besides, there are only 350 kidney specialists across government and private hospitals, meaning that there is just one specialist for every 5 lakh people.

In contrast, in the US, there is one kidney specialist for every 50,000 people. In India, there is one for every 3 lakh, he mentioned.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Farhad explained that there is a huge cost difference between dialysis at government and private hospitals. While government hospitals charge Tk 400 per dialysis session, the cost at private facilities ranges from Tk 3,000 to Tk 10,000.

However, dialysis facilities at government hospitals are severely inadequate, forcing many patients to seek treatment at private hospitals. But the majority can afford it for only a few months, he added.

Farhad, also an assistant professor at the Mugda Medical College and Hospital, said they can provide dialysis to only 120 patients daily.

However, around 800 patients are currently on the waiting list, and it is impossible to say when they will get the service, he added.

At the press conference, Farhad said that although kidney transplant began in 1982, the country is lagging behind its neighbours due to donor shortage.

He added that the existing capacity of the countrys healthcare system can provide dialysis or kidney transplant facilities to only 15 to 20 percent of patients.

This means around 80 percent of patients die without getting proper treatment or any treatment, he added.

Prevention

Prof Muhibur Rahman, head of nephrology department at Popular Medical College and Hospital, said many do not know that they have kidney diseases.

He said that there may be no symptoms until 80 percent of the kidney is damaged as the harm occurs gradually. By the time it is detected, the damage is often at an advanced stage.

People with diabetic, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease and those who smoke are more vulnerable to this disease, Prof Muhibur said.

Given the high costs of kidney treatment, he stressed that more emphasis should be given on prevention. He recommended that everyone undergo at least two tests  blood (serum creatinine) and urine (albumin-to-creatinine ratio)  for early detection of kidney disease.

Prof MA Samad, head of nephrology department at the Anwar Khan Modern Medical College and Hospital, said 10 per cent of the patients are unable to afford the high cost of treatment.

Prof Muhammad Nazrul Islam, convener of Bangladesh Renal Association, said there is a severe shortage of kidney donors, as the scope for donating kidneys is limited by the law.

The association has called for an expansion of dialysis facilities to every district, increased collaboration among different doctors organisations, and the timely promotion of kidney specialists to address these challenges.

This correspondent could not reach Prof Abu Jafor, director general of Directorate General of Health Services, for comment.

Zainal Abedin Tito, line director of Hospital Services Management, said as the number of kidney patients is rising, there should be a kidney unit at every district hospital.

The government is working on the issue, he told The Daily Star recently.

The DGHS is now implementing a project to upgrade kidney units at government medical colleges to 50-bed units and establish dialysis centres at district hospitals, DGHS source said.  THE DAILY STAR/ANN
PETALING JAYA  The Progressive Wage Policy (PWP) has given median wages the much-needed boost, with the programmes participants earning RM200 to RM250 more than current standards, according to the Economy Ministry.

The pilot run of the PWP, which began in June last year, has yielded the intended results, which is to increase wage growth and achieve a balanced distribution, it added.

In a statement to The Star, the ministry said the median salaries of PWP participants were higher than current standards.

For entry-level employees, the 2024 monthly median salary rate was RM1,950, while the PWP median salary was RM2,200 a month, which was an increase of RM250 a month, or 13 per cent higher, it said.

As for non-entry level PWP employees, the median salary increased by nine per cent or RM200 a month to RM2,400 from the 2024 rate.

Median wage refers to the middle point of salaries where half of the workers earned less than the amount while the other half earned more.

The PWP is meant to see an increase in wages for employees earning between RM1,500 and RM4,999.

Selected companies will receive incentives of up to RM200 per month for each employee in the entry level group and up to RM300 per month in the non-entry level group. The government has set aside RM50mil for the PWP pilot project.

The PWP is meant to see an increase in wages for employees earning between RM1,500 and RM4,999.

Selected companies will receive incentives of up to RM200 per month for each employee in the entry level group and up to RM300 per month in the non-entry level group. The government has set aside RM50mil for the PWP pilot project.

During the Budget 2025 announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said following the pilot programme, the PWP will be fully implemented this year, with a budget of RM200mil benefiting 50,000 workers.

The ministry said between June and August last year, a total of 756 employers had applied to be part of the programme.

This accounted for 76 per cent of the 1,000 employees target.

Of this number, 359 or 47 per cent had increased the wages of employees as per the salary guidelines.

A total of 43 per cent or 154 out of the 369 employers who had increased wages had also sent their employees for training that had gone on for a minimum of 21 hours.

This involved 1,307 employees.

For 2025, the government is targeting 50,000 employees to benefit from the PWP.

According to the ministry, the mechanism of implementation for the PWP this year will be the same as the PWP pilot project.

It is open to all sectors except for civil service and defence, social security firms, family-run businesses and activities involving organisations as well as diplomatic missions and consulate activities.

The incentives will be given to participating employers for three years between 2025 and December 2027.

To qualify for incentives, employers will have to fulfil the minimum 21 hours training a year requirement.

Alternatively, employees can fulfil this requirement through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) method.

The incentives will be paid on a monthly basis.

The ministry will continue to hold PWP roadshows that are slated to take place from February to April this year, where employers can register for the PWP during the roadshow.

Employees and employers appeared to have welcomed the governments move to introduce the PWP on a voluntary basis and both sides have responded to the wage hike incentive offered by the government positively, it said.  THE STAR/ANN
The decision was made on March 11 by Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

The subsidy will support biomass fuel co-firing tests that the company is considering at existing coal-fired power plants in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, electricity demand is growing at an annual rate of about 10 per cent. This has led to an increase in fossil fuel imports, making improvements to energy self-sufficiency an issue.

Vietnam has also announced that it aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. To address the transition from coal-fired power generation, biomass fuel co-firing could achieve both decarbonisation and improvement of energy self-sufficiency.

The company has set out a vision for 2030 to become a pioneer in the new era of electric power with renewable energy at its core. The company will continue to contribute to the realisation of a decarbonised society by promoting businesses that utilise renewable energy, both in Japan and overseas, centreing on the biomass power generation business.

As reported by Japanese broadcaster NHK, Japan has agreed to invest up to $20 billion in low-carbon energy projects in Vietnam. This comes amid a regional push to reach carbon neutrality in the coming decades. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation and private companies will lead the investments in 14 projects, including wind power plants.

"Japan wants to provide maximum support for Japanese firms to take advantage of these opportunities and participate in Vietnam's decarbonisation market," said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki.

JERA inks deal with EVN on decarbonisation JERA Co., Inc.(JERA) has signed an MoU with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) committing to establish a decarbonisation roadmap for EVN.

Vietnam exceeds decarbonisation rate targets set by Nationally Determined Contributions Vietnam is among five Asia-Pacific economies that have exceeded the decarbonisation rate targets outlined by their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), according to PwC's Net Zero Economy Index 2023.
Photo: Hoang Oanh

Specifically, the coffee import tax has been reduced from 30 per cent to 5 per cent, while VAT at 19 per cent and domestic consumption tax at 10 per cent have been abolished. Therefore, the total import taxes and fees for robusta green coffee beans entering Algeria are now only 10 per cent, a significant decrease from the previous 63 per cent. This preferential policy will be in effect until the end of 2025.

The trade office assesses that this is a good opportunity for Vietnamese coffee to enhance its presence in this market. With a population of over 46 million people, Algeria imports around 130,000 tonnes of coffee beans annually, valued at approximately $300 million. Robusta accounts for more than 85 per cent of the total import turnover, while the rest is Arabica.

The main coffee exporting countries to Algeria include Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Among them, Vietnam holds a significant position with more than 34,000 tonnes of green coffee beans exported to Algeria in 2024, worth around $127.4 million, according to data from the Vietnam Customs Department.
Dien made this statement during a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer in Washington, DC on March 13, where they discussed bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

This was the first official ministerial-level meeting between the two countries since the new US administration took office.

US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer and the Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade

Dien declared the US as one of Vietnam's most critical strategic partners and spoke of his eagerness to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations in a practical, in-depth, and sustainable manner.

"The economies of Vietnam and the US are complementary, particularly in their trade structures, which has allowed bilateral trade to grow rapidly and remain stable for many years," said Minister Dien. "This helps establish key foundations and ensures national interests in bilateral cooperation."

Dien emphasised Vietnams consistent policy of promoting a balanced and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship with the US. "Vietnam has no intention of creating obstacles that could harm American workers, economic security, or national security, and our government is implementing measures to encourage comprehensive and sustainable economic, trade, and investment relations between our two countries."

Dien also urged technical teams from both sides to continue discussions so that the US can recognise Vietnams market economy status. "This would be a significant decision, reflecting the status of our comprehensive strategic partnership," he added.

Meanwhile, Greer spoke of how the intent of the new trade policies is not to harm US partners, but rather to ensure that there will be mutual economic benefits in trade relations going forward.

"Vietnam needs to take stronger measures to further open its market and improve the trade balance between our two countries," said Greer.

Vietnam and the US have mutually agreed on the need for close coordination to foster a fair and sustainable business environment. To that end, the two countries pledged to proactively review and address trade barriers that hinder investment and business operations. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of establishing mechanisms to monitor and prevent trade fraud, origin misrepresentation, and illegal transshipment.

Diplomatic relations between Hanoi and Washington were established in 1995, with a comprehensive strategic partnership following in 2023. The US is Vietnams second-largest export market with bilateral trade volume reaching nearly $150 billion last year.

Hanoi seeks ways to bolster investment, trade, and tourism with South Africa Hanoi, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, organised a forum to boost economic cooperation between the city and South Africa.

Australia relationship has never been better The Australia-Vietnam relationship has never been better. Developing over the past 51 years to be firmly set in friendship and trust.
Foodex Japan 2025 saw the participation of companies from 68 countries and territories, with over 3,100 booths covering a total exhibition area of nearly 30,000 square metres.

As part of the National Trade Promotion Programme, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has selected 27 of the top companies in the agricultural sector to participate in showcasing their flagship products.

The Vietnamese booth covered an area of 210 sq.m, featuring popular products with export potential that offer competition in the Japanese market such as vegetables, processed and canned fruits, cashew nuts, pepper, cinnamon, dipping sauces, rice and rice products, dairy products, and confectionery of all kinds such as cocoa and chocolate.

Nguyen Thi Yen, deputy director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre, explained that companies participating in Foodex Japan are those that have already established a certain presence in the Japanese market.

"Through Foodex Japan, Vietnamese firms have the opportunity to penetrate and explore the Japanese market, thereby increasing exports of agricultural, food, and seafood products to this market," said Yen.

The Asia Ingredients Group (AIG) introduced typical products from Vietnam at the event, such as concentrated juices, purees, canned coconut water, and dried fruits. These products are researched and produced by AIG from high-quality agricultural sources grown in renowned regions of Vietnam.

"The AIG booth has attracted the interest of partners and customers from Japan, and many other countries. This is an opportunity for us to bring our products into the supermarket system, retail chains, and food industry in Japan. Meeting the strict standards of Japan will strengthen AIGs reputation, laying a solid foundation for international market expansion plans and contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnam's food ingredient industry," an AIG representative said.

In the Japanese market, AIG has a strategic partnership with Marubeni - a top Japanese trading and industrial group with a supply network in many countries around the world.

The Japanese market, with its immense consumption and crucial role in regional free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, will help AIG connect supply and demand with potential markets in the region and around the world.

AIG has supplied food ingredients to the top brands in Vietnam for the past 23 years and has been researching and developing product systems for the global market.

With a network of over 300 international partners, AIG currently supplies and distributes more than 1,500 types of ingredients and product systems to over 40 countries and territories across five continents. AIG has established its presence in challenging markets such as the US, Europe, Australia, South Korea, China, and Malaysia.

Foodex Japan 2025 is a large-scale food and beverage trade event in Asia with the participation of over 3,000 reputable brands from 68 countries and territories, along with more than 76,000 visitors.
According to a report by the Vietnam Software & IT Services Association (VINASA) released in late February, Vietnams ICT industry is expected to maintain strong growth, targeting nearly $170 billion in revenue this year, contributing over 12 per cent to GDP and increasing Vietnams value-added share in the sector from 32 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

An Ngoc Thao, deputy secretary of VINASA, shared with VIR, With increased investment in emerging technologies such as AI, big data, blockchain, and green technology, along with business support policies regarding breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, Vietnams ICT industry has a strong foundation to continue its growth. The sector is expected to surpass last years estimated revenue of nearly $167 billion and reach $170 billion this year, he said.

To realise this goal and enhance international competitiveness, several enterprises such as Viettel, VNPT, FPT, and One Mount are making bold moves in the semiconductor, GenAI, and blockchain sectors.

As a key player in telecommunications and semiconductors, Viettel announced that it has independently designed and mastered the core technology of two critical 5G base station chips - digital front-end and radio frequency integrated circuits.

Between 2020 and 2030, the group plans to develop chips for telecommunications infrastructure, AI edge computing, and military equipment. We are currently investing in design tools, laboratories, and advanced technologies with smarter algorithms to enhance chip performance and efficiency, a Viettel representative stated, There will be more practical policies allowing us and other companies to expand our participation in the semiconductor industry, including manufacturing, design, and packaging for both the domestic and global markets.

Viettel has also proposed the creation of a venture capital fund and evaluation mechanisms to encourage businesses to invest in new technologies, alongside policies to establish a strategic industrial investment fund and prioritise the use of Made in Vietnam products.

Meanwhile, VNPT has committed to mastering the GenAI model Made in Vietnam across various domains, including language, image processing, information, and data, by 2027. Specifically, its Vietnamese-language large language model aims to reach at least 100 billion parameters, with deep cultural, historical, and geographical knowledge to address Vietnams major challenges.

In the next three years, we plan to develop a digital twin for cities, including a 3D national map, urban infrastructure, environmental monitoring, transportation, logistics, education, healthcare, trade, underground facilities, surface space, and satellite space, a VNPT representative said.

FPT chairman Truong Gia Binh expressed his strong enthusiasm for participating in these initiatives, stating, Our first commitment is to become a global-scale digital technology corporation, achieving $5 billion in international revenue by 2030. Our second commitment is to train 1,500 semiconductor students and expand our training courses to 10,000 semiconductor engineers, 50,000 AI engineers, and provide AI-related skills and knowledge to half a million IT professionals by 2030.

As the key player in blockchain technology development, One Mount CEO Nguyen Thi Diu announced that the company plans to invest $200-500 million to master blockchain technology, deploy blockchain networks, and build "Made in Vietnam" blockchain infrastructure.

She stated, The platform is designed to enable seamless operation, interaction, and interoperability between different blockchain networks in Vietnam, serving regulatory agencies, businesses, and individuals, thereby driving digital technology adoption across all sectors.

In 2025, VINASA will introduce the VINASA Tech Map methodology to position Vietnamese enterprises within the digital technology landscape.

VINASA Tech Map will help position enterprises within the technology ecosystem, strengthening their competitiveness. It will also connect businesses with investment networks and innovation support funds, creating opportunities for growth. Additionally, the initiative aims to boost trade promotion efforts, supporting companies in expanding their presence in international markets.

Furthermore, VINASA will ramp up marketing, networking, and trade promotion initiatives for participating businesses, including publishing specialised reports in Vietnamese, English, and Japanese for distribution to 5,000 domestic and international organisations, as well as hosting conferences and talk shows to showcase solutions and share industry insights.

ICT industry paints a bright picture in first quarter The revenue from the information and communications industry in the first quarter of 2024 rose 11.8 per cent over the same period last year and reached 23.3 per cent of the annual target set by the government.

Testing future predicted for technology startups in Vietnam In recent years, the promising land of technological startups has been getting more barren. These startups see numerous challenges ahead.
Moments ago, at a meeting of the permanent members of the Russian Security Council, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief said:

If the Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region lay down their arms and surrender, we will guarantee them their lives and dignified treatment.

This is a very humane approach by our country, but for the Ukrainian Nazis, there is also a flip sideshould they refuse to lay down arms, they will all be systematically and mercilessly eliminated.

The bloodthirsty Kiev regime still has a chance to save its people. In the coming hours, we will see what they have chosen.

https://t.me/medvedev_telegramE/59

Medvedev

WtR
The Baraboo School Board president and three other candidates are seeking two three-year seats on the board in the April 1 election.

Kevin Vodak, who has been on the School Board for 24 years, is seeking a ninth term. The board president faces Ken Ziegler, a Sauk Prairie elementary school teacher; Karen Nelson, a retired Baraboo teacher and media specialist; and Eleanor Vita, a retired physician and Philippines native.

Current board member Katie Kalish is not seeking another term.

The board election is one of two Baraboo School District items on the ballot.

An elementary school referendum that failed on Nov. 5 is back, but has been reduced to $69.9 million from the $85.7 million proposal in the fall. The April 1 referendum is tax-neutral, according to district officials, which means it would not cause increases to the districts current tax rate, but would extend referendum payments an additional 10 years  to 2045-46  if approved.

Karen Nelson





Nelson, 63, is a former Baraboo School District teacher who retired after the 2023-24 school year, and believes her experience and familiarity with the district and its staff would benefit her service on the board. She wants to emphasize staff retention if elected.

I want the students and the parents to be proud of the quality educational experiences we provide them, Nelson said. In order for this to happen we need to attract and retain great teachers.

Nelson said staff recruitment and retention and professional development are the main issues she wants to address as a board member. When she was hired in Baraboo in 1984, she said, she was selected from about 20 applicants. Now, open positions often have less than five applicants, according to Nelson.

We have to make sure that we are offering a good benefit package in Baraboo, compared to our neighboring districts, Nelson said, adding that hired teachers need to be trained and feel supported by the board and administration.

Along with keeping teachers, Nelson said she wants to maintain communication with students and parents, as well as staff.

One of my main objectives of being a member of the School Board is to be a voice for other people, she said. I decided to run for the School Board because I care deeply about this district, its students, their parents, its staff and this community.

Nelson said the Feb. 21 resignation of former Superintendent Rainey Briggs provides the district a chance to start fresh with a new leader, and gives the staff, administration and board an opportunity to learn from someone with different approaches to district governance.

Steve Considine, the Baraboo High School principal, is interim superintendent. District officials hope to hire a new superintendent by early April.

I have an educational background, and I understand how schools work, Nelson said, adding she has experience with selecting resources for school curriculums and interviewing staff.

Eleanor Vita





Vita, 67, a retired physician and former chemical process engineer whose family came to the U.S. from the Philippines when she was 18, wants to increase parents access to their childrens education, implement a merit-based pay and promotion structure for staff and student achievement, and more strictly enforce anti-bullying policies.

She said she also decided to run for the School Board because of concerns regarding the upcoming $69.9 million elementary school referendum and how capital spending relates to student performance.

Since I am now retired and no longer spending 14 hours a day at work, I believe I can help this school district improve student performance while optimizing cost, Vita said. We all agree our children are our future.

Vita split the upcoming referendum into two halves, additions and renovations. She said the renovations  such as heating system replacements, security upgrades, and replacing windows and doors  are necessary after touring two district elementary schools.

She questions the need for additions, such as new gyms that would not also have to be used as cafeterias, and new 4-year-old kindergarten classrooms. The proposed classroom additions would primarily serve the full-day 4-K program implemented this year, according to Vita.

Mike Pisani, the districts director of elementary teaching and learning, said that claims of the new additions being primarily for the 4-K program are misconceptions and that the classrooms and other spatial additions would benefit all elementary grade levels.

Vita said she has heard community residents refer to full-day 4-K as taxpayer-subsidized free daycare, which she said should not be a school district responsibility. She said subsidized daycare can be provided by the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program, offered in Sauk County through the countys Human Services Department.

Four-year-old kindergarten is not mandated federally or through the state, she added.

Vita also said the potential loss of special education federal funding because of President Donald Trumps plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education has sparked concerns.

This upcoming capital referendum is the fourth phase of the facilities improvement plan for the Baraboo School District (BSD) that was initiated about 12 years ago, Vita said. Let us remember that there have been a lot of changes since then, including a new president this year with a very different view of education compared to the previous administration.

Vita is hosting a presentation and discussion to explain her position on the referendum at 6 p.m. Thursday at Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library.

Kevin Vodak





Vodak, 62, an area property manager, is seeking his final three-year term on the board, as he announced during a Tuesday candidate forum at Baraboo High School that he would not seek another term in 2028 if elected.

He said he is running for his ninth term to oversee possible renovations to the districts elementary schools, which would occur if the $69.9 million capital referendum is approved on April 1.

We have a number of new board members and I believe a few veteran members are beneficial in providing historical context in striving for a better tomorrow, Vodak said.

Board members Joey Rivas and Carolyn Bonanno replaced Alex Schenck and Mike Kohlman after last years spring elections.

The elementary school upgrades constitute the final stage of the Baraboo School Districts Master Facilities Plan, which began with capital referendums in 2016 and 2019 to address needs at Baraboo High and Jack Young Middle schools.

Vodak said strong schools are the cornerstone of a thriving community, and improving educational infrastructure can attract families, support area economic development, and create a more vibrant, educated population.

I have a deep commitment to enhancing our communitys educational system, said Vodak, a Baraboo native who graduated from Baraboo High School. I was born, raised and graduated here. The glass here is more than half full, not half empty.

If elected to his ninth term, Vodak said he would like to improve the districts relationship with the community. He was the subject of a recall effort last year that did not gather enough signatures to force a special election, with petitioners claiming misuse of taxpayer dollars, favorable treatment of administration, and inadequate advocacy for teacher pay as reasons to try and remove him from office.

As a member of the School Board, Ive spent 20-plus years, through tough times and good, supporting and defending the School District of Baraboo students, staff and community, he said. I hope that the community has faith in me for three more years.

Ken Ziegler





Ziegler, 54, has taught in the Sauk Prairie School District, where he also attended school, for 26 years. He said he wants to bring a community-based governance model. He said at Tuesdays forum that he would be more communicative with residents, including asking them questions during public viewpoint sessions at board meetings and calling them individually outside of those meetings.

From simple things like giving call-backs to people who speak at board meetings to larger scale things such as monthly online forums with taxpayers, I would be thankful for the opportunity to use my skills for the school community, Ziegler said.

Following Briggs resignation, Ziegler said he is hoping for Baraboos superintendent to be more active within the district, saying that Briggs spent too much time outside of the district during his tenure.

He lauded the work of Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright, whom he said is always active at district events and greets students at schools throughout the district every morning. Ziegler hopes the next Baraboo officeholder brings a similar approach to the district.

Wright was a candidate in a three-way primary for state superintendent on Feb. 18 but did not advance to the April 1 election.

Ziegler also wants to improve treatment of staff by the Baraboo School Board and administration. He said Baraboos staff turnover rate is much higher than Sauk Prairies, and he wants to change Baraboo School District policy so teachers do not have to seek permission to show materials such as YouTube videos that are reflective of lesson plans.

If I was on the board, I would give just cause to every single employee in this district, Ziegler said, referring to a process that employees can go through to maintain employment after being fired or laid off. If you are working here, and you are sacrificing yourself every day and working hard, you shouldnt be let go just because one administrator says you are cut.

Ziegler and Vita both said they want to better enforce behavior policies and prevent bullying. Ziegler said he and Vita have had many conversations during the election, adding that while they have different views on approaches to education, he feels they can find common ground and work together as board members.
China, Laos pledge stronger ties for a shared future

Xinhua) 08:31, March 14, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday, with both pledging to push forward the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past 64 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two parties of China and Laos and the two nations have stood together through challenges and provided mutual support. The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has become ever more robust and resilient.

China firmly supports Laos in strengthening the leadership of its party and expresses the willingness to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, Wang said.

China's "two sessions" have just concluded successfully, setting a GDP growth target of around 5 percent for 2025. As comrades and brothers, China welcomes Laos to seize the new opportunities of China's development and join hands to march toward modernization, Wang noted.

Wang stressed that China is ready to work with Laos to adhere to the strategic guidance by the leadership of the two parties and nations, strengthen exchanges between the two parties and countries at all levels, deepen and expand practical cooperation, strengthen bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and revitalization.

Thongsavanh congratulated China on the successful convening of the "two sessions" and the significant outcomes, and praised China's leapfrog development amid a complex external environment.

He said that Laos firmly adheres to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with China to make greater progress in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Call for by-elections to replace misbehaving Senedd members

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 14th, 2025

A Labour Senedd member called for voters to be given a say over who replaces politicians removed from office for wrongdoing under a new recall system.

Alun Davies argued the people  rather than political parties  should decide who is returned following a public vote to remove a sitting Senedd member between elections.

Under a system proposed by the Senedds standards committee, and backed by the Welsh Government, the next candidate on a partys list would automatically be returned instead.

In 2026, Senedd elections will move to a fully proportional closed-list system  which will see people voting for parties rather than candidates  with first past the post ditched.

But Mr Davies argued it would be perfectly possible to hold by-elections under a closed-list system using the alternative vote to maintain proportionality in the Senedd.

Accountability

He told the Senedd: I believe we do need to maintain the principle of the electorate being able to pass judgement, not simply on the individual but on who follows them.

Mr Davies pointed to the alternative vote system used in the Republic of Ireland for by-elections in the Dail, the lower house of the Irish parliament.

He said: The role of the electorate comes  in the place of elections and accountability and, for me, that means that we do need to hold by-elections in any system.

The Blaenau Gwent Senedd member added that he fervently hopes the closed-list system to be used in May 2026 will only be in place for a short time.

Mr Davies made the case for the single-transferrable vote  which would give voters a say over the order of candidates on party lists  as a longer-term solution.

Answer to the people

In November, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru similarly backed calls for voters to have a say over who replaces a Senedd member ousted from office.

ERS Cymru director Jessica Blair said automatically replacing someone with the next person on the list could be seen as the party being rewarded for bad behaviour.

Under Westminsters system, most of the by-elections triggered by recall petitions in the UK Parliament have been won by a different party but in Wales the party would retain the seat.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, a former MP who won a by-election following a recall in Brecon and Radnorshire, warned trust in politics is at an all-time low.

The sole Lib Dem in the Senedd said: The power of recall is not just its ability to remove an elected representative, it is the message it sends: that politicians must be held to high standards of conduct  or answer to the people.

Remove or replace

Leading a debate on March 12, committee chair Hannah Blythyn described the report on introducing recall as a significant step to ensure confidence in the political system.

A remove-or-replace vote would be held under the plans, asking the public if they want to retain a politician who committed a serious breach of the Senedds code of conduct.

The ballot would be held on a single day, with postal and proxy voting, unlike in Westminster where a recall petition is opened for six weeks before a by-election is triggered.

The committee similarly diverged from the UK system by not setting out any specific triggers that could lead to a remove or replace ballot, with much of the detail to follow in guidelines.

Samuel Kurtz, a Tory member of the committee, pointed out that the Senedd is bringing forward a recall system far sooner in its history than the House of Commons.

Most democratic institution

Plaid Cymrus Peredur Owen Griffiths raised the need to find a compromise, balancing the characteristics of the new electoral system against effective accountability.

Labours Mick Antoniw, the architect of the new system, said: It is a brave and radical step. It will create, I believe, the most democratic institution in all of the parliaments of the UK..

Julie James outlined ministers formal response to the committees recommendations, committing to bringing forward a bill on recall before the 2026 election.

Ms James, who is Mr Antoniws successor as counsel general, the Welsh Governments chief legal adviser, argued clear-cut triggers should be explicitly listed in the bill.

She said: Public trust in politics is hard-won but easily lost, and its our duty to safeguard it. People rightly expect high standards from their elected representatives and when those standards arent met, they expect consequences.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
North Wales MS urges Welsh Government to address NHS dentistry crisis

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 14th, 2025

A North Wales Member of the Senedd has called on the Welsh Government to admit there is a problem with access to NHS dentists in his region.

Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative MS, said too many people in North Wales are unable to access the NHS dentist care that they need.

His comments came after a letter sent to Health Secretary Jeremy Miles by the British Dental Association Cymru Wales accused the Welsh Government of spin, half-truths or doublespeak on dentistry.

The Association said that despite government claims that investment and patient numbers are breaking records, the reality is that investment in dentistry has stalled, and numbers of patients seen in a year remain depressed by 30 per cent compared to 2019 figures.

The open letter was issued in response to a decision by the health secretary to implement a six per cent pay uplift along with several contract conditions.

NHS dentistry in Wales has long been described as being in crisis, with practices across the country choosing to hand back their contracts to instead focus on treating on private patients.

The shortage has meant some people have been left living in chronic pain, left on a growing waiting list or even forced to carry out their own DIY dentistry.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands asked the First Minister, Eluned Morgan if the first step in making changes was to admit there was a problem.

He said: Far too many people in North Wales are unable to access the NHS dentists and NHS dental treatment that they need.

First Minister, there seems to be a difference between what youre saying and the potential spin and positive rhetoric that youre attempting to share in this Chamber versus the reality of which residents in North Wales are experiencing week in and week out.

They cannot access the NHS dentist that they need, theyre not able to have the treatment that theyre absolutely desperate to receive, and the BDA, the British Dental Association, seemed to be correct when they stated that the Welsh Government are peddling half-truths.

What is the truth, First Minister? And is the truth that the first step to making change happen is to admit that theres a problem there in the first place?

And how will you restore your relationship with the British Dental Association so my residents can access the dental treatment that they need?

The First Minister said she recognised there was a gap which was difficult to bridge in the short term but they could not force dentists to work for the NHS.

We cant force dentists to work for the NHS, and thats the bottom line, said the first minister.

They work independently; that is the way it is.

In relation to the contract, we have given them last year a six per cent increase when it came to their contract, which is not a small amount of an increase.

We are just about to go out to consult them on a contract that weve been working on for a very long time, and we are hoping that we will be able to move on with a new contract next year that will be acceptable to all parties.

Mr Rowlands added: We know dental services in North Wales are broken and they need to be fixed.

Patients are facing unacceptable delays and access to essential care and families who are then accessing private treatment are struggling to afford that treatment.

Sadly, its those who are most vulnerable in our communities who are bearing the brunt of this crisis, and its simply not acceptable.
Investigators from the DMV have arrested a seller they say altered a car's title and odometer on Facebook Marketplace.

Authorities say they got an online complaint about possible odometer fraud and learned that the unidentified suspect bought a 2003 Honda Element with over 260,000 miles for $1,200 and received a Nevada title with the sellers signature. The suspect did not sign the buyers section of the Nevada title. Then one day later, the DMV says the car completed a smog test and received an inspection report showing the vehicle only reported to have 133,292 miles on the odometer.

Further in the investigation, they say it was discovered that the Reno man, title jumped the ownership chain.

They say he used the original sellers name and signature when selling the car just three days after buying it by signing a fake name on the bill of sale and pretending to be the original owner with the transfer of the Nevada title to the victim.

The DMV says the suspect sold the vehicle for $4,500 to the victim using Facebook Marketplace, stating on the ad that the car had over 133,000 miles on it.

It is imperative that we ask buyers to take the extra step and ensure they are purchasing a legitimate vehicle, said CED Chief J.D. Decker. Get a photo of the sellers ID and contact information, and meet at a DMV VIN inspection station, eliminating the possibility of odometer tampering.

The suspect is charged for three felonies, including, unlawful change of mileage, unlawful sale, offer of sale or display for sale of motor vehicle, forgery, and other acts constituting forgery.

If you believe you are a victim of a possible scam, contact the Compliance Enforcement Division at 775-684-4790.

(Nevada DMV contributed to this report.)
A Reno man will spend at least six years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says Juan Flores-Falcon received the maximum of 20 years in prison.

The DA's office says Flores-Falcon was arrested last year following an operation by the Regional Narcotics Unit, who set up a sale for heroin with a dealer in the area. During the investigation, authorities say detectives bought 26 grams of heroin. Later, Flores-Falcon was stopped during a traffic stop and arrested.

They say a subsequent search of his car yielded 45 grams of heroin, and a search of his home uncovered an additional 127 grams.

Plus, they say Flores-Falcon admitted to selling heroin, and told detectives that more heroin was hidden inside a light fixture. Authorities say a second search found more than 630 grams of heroin.

Collectively, the DA's office says he had a total of about 8,280 individual doses.

(The Washoe County District Attorney's Office contributed to this report.)
The 15th annual Shamrock Shave for the St. Baldrick's Foundation is happening this weekend, and the Reno Fire Department is stepping up for the cause.

The event happens on Saturday, March 15 at the Ole Bridge Pub at 50 North Sierra Street, starting at 12:00 noon.

The event is open to the public.

The Reno Fire Department, as well as other fire personnel from northern Nevada, will be participating in the shave to benefit St. Baldrick's, a charity helping in the search for a cure for children's cancer.

Anyone attending is welcome to join RFD in the festivities - all contributions from the shave will go toward the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

If you'd like to support Reno Fire Department in their fundraising efforts, special shirts have been printed for the event and are available online - all proceeds from shirt sales go towards St. Baldrick's as well.

The organizers of the Shamrock Shave are hoping to raise at least $50,000 in donations for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

For more information about the foundation or the Shamrock Shave event, visit the St. Baldrick's website.
With spring breezes comes a fresh batch of movies  from blockbusters to art films  arriving in theaters and on streaming platforms. Keep track of whats coming and when with our critics guide. And well see you at the movies!

Members only

Alto Knights (in theaters March 21)

Robert De Niro, 81, plays two roles: 1950s mafia boss Frank Costello and rival Vito Genovese, who loathed Costello so much he tried to have him killed. Barry Levinson, 82, directs a script by the current godfather of mob movie writers, Nicholas Pileggi, 91 (Goodfellas, Casino).

Holland (in theaters March 27)

An ordinary, meatloaf-loving wife (Nicole Kidman, 57) and her model-railroad-loving optometrist husband (Matthew Macfadyen) are living in what she calls the best place on earth, the Dutch-themed town of Holland, Michigan. Then she thinks she discovers his dark secret, and things get twisty in a way David Lynch fans may enjoy.

Death of a Unicorn (in theaters March 28)

A lawyer (Paul Rudd, 55) and his daughter (Jenna Ortega) hit a unicorn with their car. When his ailing billionaire pharmaceutical magnate boss (Richard E. Grant, 67) discovers its magic blood can cure his cancer, he gets greedy. Early audiences hail satiric performances by Tea Leoni, 59, and Will Poulter as the magnates awful wife and son, and Barrys bald, brilliant Anthony Carrigan as their stressed-out butler.

Eric LaRue (in theaters April 4)

In the directing debut of Oscar nominee Michael Shannon, 50, after their son becomes a school shooter, a couple (Judy Greer, 49, and Alexander Skarsgard, 48) go different ways. The dad is under the sway of a religious leader (Tracy Letts, 59) and his high-strung follower (Alison Pill). The mom is dazed and haunted. Its said to be the peak performance of Greers distinguished career.

G20 (on Prime Video April 10)

When terrorists attack the meeting of the Group of 20 (the globes most powerful nations), only one woman is smart enough to save America, world leaders and her own family: President Danielle Sutton (Emmy winner Viola Davis, 59).
(MUSIC INTRO)

[00:00:01] Bob: This week on The Perfect Scam.

[00:00:04] Suzi Beerman: People want to think that it's never going to happen to them. That they're too smart, they're protected, you know. And there were a lot of comments like, "Well everybody knows that you do this" and "How could you let that happen?" Like how stupid. And it's like, I'm not stupid. I got tricked. It's a multibillion-dollar industry to trick us. They come up with new things to manipulate us and steal our money every day.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:35] Bob: Welcome back to The Perfect Scam. I'm your host, Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:40] Bob: Anyone who's ever lived through a home renovation project knows how stressful that can be, and that goes double when a kitchen is being renovated. There's always delays, disruptions, compromises, not to mention where do you make a cup of tea when your kitchen sink isn't even there? As we've said many times, criminals target victims when they're in high stress situations and today's story shows how vulnerable people going through a renovation can be. It's also a pretty shocking crime that, well, as you'll see, certainly fits the description of a perfect scam. Let's meet today's guests, a charming couple who recently moved from the Seattle area to Arizona with dreams of beautiful sunsets and an amazing kitchen where they'd entertain family and friends and years.

[00:01:31] Suzi Beerman: I'm Suzi Beerman, and I live in Oro Valley, Arizona, just north of Tucson.

[00:01:36] Gary Beerman: Gary Beerman, and I live in the same place as Suzi does, it's Oro Valley, just north of Tucson.

[00:01:41] Bob: That is a crazy coincidence.

[00:01:42] Suzi Beerman: Wait, are you the guy that I saw in the hallway earlier?

[00:01:46] Gary Beerman: Yes.

[00:01:47] Bob: I hope he's an invited guest is all I have to say.

[00:01:50] Suzi Beerman: Yes, he's, he's, he's a, yes, co-owner and uh, chief bottle washer.

[00:01:58] Bob: Gary stole Suzi's heart many years ago by his mastery in the kitchen.

[00:02:03] Bob: I read that, Suzi, there were times when you would just buy ingredients and sort of throw it on Gary and say, make dinner. Is that true?

[00:02:11] Suzi Beerman: Well yeah, 'cause it is, it can be kind of a pain in the butt to try to figure out what you're going to eat every night. Oh gosh, you know, what do we have in the fridge? Do I need to like after work go out and shop, you know? And so there's this thing that we did in college called, "I'll buy, if you fly." So nobody had any food, but if somebody could go out to the pizza shop and pick up a pizza, they would do that effort, and the other person would pay for it. So it's like a division of duties back then. So our version of that was, you know when Gary was kind of like, oh, do I have to figure out what to make? It wasn't the skill that wasn't there, it was just like give me inspiration. So I would go to the grocery story on the way home, I'd pick up some protein, I'd pick up some veggies. I might pick up a sauce, I might pick up a, you know some herbs, and I would come, or some starch, and I would be like, "Hey, guess what, make this into something." And so he would do that and it really mirrored our first meal together where he was trying to figure out something to make from my little, tiny kitchen that was more like a closet, and I was like, "Dude, you're never going to find anything to make ever in there. There's nothing, there's no..." you know so I'd come back out and he's made this beautiful pasta dish with like fresh tomato sauce, and I was like, I think I'll keep you.

[00:03:37] Bob: I'll keep you. Hah. Gary is a physician associate, and Suzi worked in media, but for both of them, entertaining is a real passion. So when they make the big decision to leave Seattle for Arizona, finding a home with a nice kitchen is a real priority, but things don't quite work out that way. They did start out great.

[00:04:00] Suzi Beerman: So we retired in May, we put the house on the market in June. We came down here a couple times to look for houses and actually on the last day of a 10-day house search I found this house, even though our realtor did a fabulous job of getting us this house, but I found this one and I was like, hey, that one looks kinda nice. Let's go take a look. And we were able to close on this house and the sale of our house in Newcastle on the same day, that's how good our...

[00:04:33] Bob: You are kidding!

[00:04:33] Gary Beerman: No, that's unusual.

[00:04:34] Suzi Beerman: Our realtors, we had two amazing realtors and they just, they were, they were the best ever both of them.

[00:04:43] Bob: I mean that never happens, so that's amazing.

[00:04:45] Gary Beerman: That never happens, Bob. That was uh 9 o'clock in the morning on our house in Newcastle, Washington, um, closed, and at noon the one down here closed 'cause they transferred the funds, the majority of them, to paying for this house.

[00:04:57] Suzi Beerman: It was carefully orchestrated.

[00:04:59] Gary Beerman: Yes.

[00:05:01] Bob: The new home in Arizona is perfect except for one thing.

[00:05:06] Suzi Beerman: And moved here in July of 2022, bought this wonderful house in this wonderful neighborhood with amazing views, and just, you know, just loved being here in the sunshine, uh but we knew that the kitchen that was part of this house was, you know, training wheels kitchen, not...

[00:05:26] Gary Beerman: Yes. Basically nonfunctional.

[00:05:28] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, not, not the kitchen that we needed for baking, cooking, entertaining, drink mixing, you know all the...

[00:05:37] Bob: Bet there was a microwave on a wheeled cart is what you're saying.

[00:05:40] Suzi Beerman: Yeah.

[00:05:41] Gary Beerman: Basically that, that's just about it.

[00:05:42] Suzi Beerman: Well yeah, yeah.

[00:05:45] Bob: And Gary, well he'd have trouble working his magic in a training wheels kitchen, and he has a lot of magic to work.

[00:05:53] Gary Beerman: I have 600 cookbooks, more than 600 cookbooks in the collection, so um, ...

[00:05:59] Suzi Beerman: We had to get rid of some of them when we moved.

[00:06:02] Gary Beerman: I had about 800, we had to leave some of them. I donated a whole bunch of them, so...

[00:06:06] Bob: Gary, where does your love of cooking come from?

[00:06:08] Gary Beerman: I think probably both my mom and dad. My dad uh, he was a contractor engineer architect, and but he uh loved to cook. And um, when they got married in New York, they jumped in the car and drove all the way to Los Angeles and never looked back. And so they allowed me to be in the kitchen with them. My mom had me help her, and my dad, I watched him and learned to barbecue, and that's, that's basically it.

[00:06:31] Bob: And what does it mean to you to be able to cook for friends and family?

[00:06:35] Gary Beerman: Oh it's, it's my way of giving something to somebody. It's sharing is I think one of the most important things in the world, and I think that's a lot why people travel. They go to different countries and, and if you look at the different countries of the world and almost every single one of the cultures um, eating together and, and feeding together, drinking wine together is part of the culture. And, and that is just an important part of life, I think.

[00:07:02] Bob: And sharing that is now even more important because Gary and Suzi are essentially starting over in Arizona.

[00:07:10] Bob: Entertaining would be even more important when you're picking up your life and going to a new place, right?

[00:07:15] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, and we also, I mean we just, we, um, Gary has always been the head cook in our family, and I noticed early on in our relationship that he would come home from a day of work, and as much as he loved his work, he would just be just like in this great Zen, you know, disco jazz kind of phase where he would be cooking after work, and he would just be, he'd be happy, you know. And I was happy 'cause I didn't have to cook. Um...

[00:07:48] Bob: You got to eat.

[00:07:49] Suzi Beerman: You know he just, he, he's a great cook, and that's a huge part of, you know his upbringing and my upbringing, and kind of how we live in the world, that we dont, we're not, we're not takeout people. We're, let's make it ourselves people.

[00:08:05] Bob: Okay, so what were the plans for the kitchen?

[00:08:09] Gary Beerman: Well, the kitchen had, it was, the house was built in 1986, and I, I came from a construction family, my dad was a builder. And um, the stove was original stove that had the, the flip-up back as a vent, and if anybody understands physics, um, heat goes up not down. So you, you put this vent up and of course all the smoke goes in the room and only about 1% of it goes down the vent.

[00:08:34] Suzi Beerman: There's really not smoke when you cook, Gary Beerman.

[00:08:37] Gary Beerman: Yeah, right. So it, it had that, it had, the only thing that it had was any good, it had a new dishwasher. The kitchen was pretty much closed off from the great room and so you couldn't hear people. If you were in the kitchen you, you couldn't hear your guests who were out here. It had an old double stove that was electric and it was, well I, you know they, they would say in certain languages POS but I, I don't know, I don't think we're allowed to say that, but... (chuckles) uh, and it was, the, the sink was just a, it was, it was falling down, um, it had an old garbage disposal. It just, the whole thing was poorly designed. The cabinets were horrible. They ...

[00:09:18] Suzi Beerman: Tell us what you really feel.

[00:09:20] Gary Beerman: Yeah.

[00:09:21] Suzi Beerman: How did you really feel about that kitchen?

[00:09:22] Gary Beerman: I mean I can't even tell you, Bob, It was, it's like, oh my God, but the, the view was so great, Bob, that it's like okay, well that's, that's the first thing that we'll fix on this house is the kitchen. And that was exciting. It's like okay, let's, let's do the kitchen.

[00:09:37] Bob: So soon after moving in, Gary and Suzi start interviewing design companies. It takes almost 6 months, but finally crews come in and get to work on remaking the place. It's no small commitment.

[00:09:52] Bob: So, oh God, so just for somebody who hasn't been through this, Suzi, why is it so stressful?

[00:09:57] Suzi Beerman: Oh my goodness, well first of all everything that you've taken for granted like, oh, having a kitchen sink, oh, having somewhere to wash your dishes, oh, having some place to actually make tea in the morning, or you know like hey, I would love to have a slice of toast. Wait I, you know, or you know frying an egg outside in the, on the barbecue grill. So all the things that you take for granted about your kitchen are gone, and you know you're, you're washing dishes in the bathroom tub and you're cooking outdoors, you're, you don't know where anything is. You know it's a mess, but you do it knowing that there's an end goal. You do it knowing that you're going to have a kitchen that you can enjoy with your family and your friends and each other, and you know, make those core memories.

[00:10:46] Bob: But its comp you mentioned using the same teacup for six months basically, right?

[00:10:50] Suzi Beerman: I did. I did. I still when I pull that one out, I'm like, hmm, not you again.

[00:10:56] Bob: (laughs) Okay, so um, and, and of course, as we know, every construction project runs perfectly smoothly and everything happens exactly on time, right?

[00:11:06] Gary Beerman: Yeah, right.

[00:11:08] Bob: As I'm sure you know, things often don't go according to plan, but Gary and Suzi keep their good humor through it all and in fact, they really kind of enjoy the experience.

[00:11:19] Suzi Beerman: Well, you know, Bob, just a quick aside; Gary was cooking for the crew the entire time.

[00:11:25] Bob: Oh, nice.

[00:11:26] Gary Beerman: I'd make them lunch, and...

[00:11:28] Suzi Beerman: You know he just, well that's the kind of person he is, like we were still, we were cooking for these guys and again, they're a different company than the one that you know we were dealing with for the design. These guys knew they could come in, we could, we would make them lunch, we would talk to them, we'd hang out with them, and our love of sharing food never went away even though we were cooking outside.

[00:11:54] Bob: Work on the project ebbs and flows for a couple of months, but then when they're out of town for a quick trip, and why did these things always happen when you're out of town? There's big news. The cabinets come in. That's great, but it also means a big payment has come due for $61,000.

[00:12:15] Suzi Beerman: Um, this payment that was coming due was supposed to be like at the two/thirds mark, and it was supposed to cover the countertops and the cabinetry. Um, so the--, so we knew it was coming but we didn't know exactly how much it was going to be. January, about January 15th of last year, um, they said, "Well you know your cabinets are going to be delivered, your countertop, we need that money." And I said, "Great. Um, we're not in town." And they said, "Well we need it, we have to have it now because we have to pay for the cabinets and the countertop." And we were like, "Sure, okay, well what do you suggest 'cause we're not home." And they said, "Well we can do a wire transfer." And I said, well, yeah, we've done those before. Let's go ahead and do wire transfer.

[00:13:03] Bob: Where were you guys on, on vacation by the way?

[00:13:05] Suzi Beerman: Mexico.

[00:13:06] Bob: You were in Mexico. Okay, so, so you're like another reason, of course there's urgency here is you, we all know if there's a contractor ready to do work, you dont want to have any delays, right? So you want to get them the money as soon as possible so they can move forward, right?

[00:13:19] Gary Beerman: Exactly.

[00:13:20] Suzi Beerman: Of course.

[00:13:21] Bob: So to avoid any delays, they get to work on the wire transfer while they're out of the country.

[00:13:28] Suzi Beerman: And I, we were emailing back and forth and I said, "Can you send me an invoice," because we have to request this money from our retirement accounts, our investment accounts and they take a couple of days to get it out of one account and ready to go to the, to the bank. They sent me the invoice. Then I said, "Okay, I need your account information so that I can process this with my investment group." And then she forwarded me, through her email account but on her cellphone, the account information. So I had already received the invoice and now I was receiving the account information.

[00:14:08] The wiring instructions basically, right?

[00:14:11] Suzi Beerman: Yes.

[00:14:11] Gary Beerman: Yes.

[00:14:11] Suzi Beerman: And so basically all that was, was here's our routing and here's our account.

[00:14:18] Bob: So Suzi takes the wire information and calls her financial institution which calls her back to confirm the transaction.

[00:14:26] Suzi Beerman: "Hey, are these the account numbers that you received?" And I looked at the email and I verbally said, "These are the account numbers." And they said, "Okay, cool." And they said, you know, "The money will be ready in a couple of days." And I was able to track that transaction.

[00:14:45] Bob: The funds are supposed to be sent almost immediately. But a curious note comes a couple of days later.

[00:14:53] Suzi Beerman: And we got an email from them again, and it said, "Hey, we need um, this verification letter from your bank saying that this is in fact money that should be going to us." And I was like, wow, I've never heard of that. I didn't know you needed that. So yeah, we forwarded that letter and they got the money, I mean it did seem weird, but I was like, alright, they've done this before. It's, it's okay.

[00:15:19] Bob: So the funds are delivered. Suzi and Gary enjoy the last couple of days of their vacation and come home expecting there might be real progress on their kitchen, but instead, they get a shocking call.

[00:15:32] Suzi Beerman: And 10 days went by. The designer reached out and said, "Hey, when are we going to get that money?" I was like, well, are you kidding me? "You got it already. You said thanks. I even sent you the letter confirming that it was for you. What do you mean you didn't get it?" So it was at that point that we realized the money was gone, and we didn't know where it was. And our designer didn't know where it was, and our bank didn't know where it was. And so we, we had no idea where to turn.

[00:16:06] Bob: Where is the $61,000? The bank doesn't have it. The designer doesn't have it. It's long gone from their bank account. It's just missing. There must be some mistake.

[00:16:21] Gary Beerman: Oh right, absolutely. It, it's just, it, all of a sudden it slaps you in the face and, well wait a minute, what happened?

[00:16:27] Suzi Beerman: Well what I was, what I was going to say was, I mean at that point when we were like, wait a minute, you guys didn't get the money, wa--, wait. It had, it had to have been... did, did it get stolen? Did it get missent? What happened? And at that point we were still feeling like, wait... I mean we were so naive. At that point we were feeling like, well we're going to get help. Somebody's going to help us.

[00:16:56] Bob: As they search for their money frantically, Gary and Suzi get their first indication the money isn't just missing. There's something wrong with the email that included the wiring instructions. It looked like it came from their design company, but on a second look, the sender's address was strange. Instead of a .net ending, it ended in .pm.

[00:17:19] Gary Beerman: So um, basically we looked at the email and it was a exact copy of their logo and everything.

[00:17:28] Bob: And that's when it becomes clear. The wiring instructions didn't come from the designer. It came from someone else who jumped into the middle of their email thread with the designer which means the money was sent to the wrong bank. It's been stolen.

[00:17:47] Gary Beerman: I felt like I was kicked in the gut. It was a gut kick. I mean I almost threw up. I, I literally almost threw up. And I, I don't throw up very often, in fact I don't even remember that last time I threw up. And I, Bob I, I almost threw up. It was just, it was so, it was like somebody sucked the wind out of me and and kicked me in the gut.

[00:18:07] Bob: And now their problems multiply quickly because not only has $61,000 been stolen but now work on their kitchen project has screeched to a halt. The designer doesn't express much sympathy for Gary and Suzi's situation.

[00:18:23] Suzi Beerman: Their lawyer sent us a letter within days of them finding out that we had been robbed and telling us that we were in breach of contract. All work was stopping until they got paid, and oh, by the way, they didn't do anything wrong and you should stop saying that they did. I'm like, wait a minute. We just, we're laying on the ground stabbed, and you guys are coming along pouring acid in the wound, like can't you just be decent people and say, gosh, we're really sorry this happened to you. Let's work out a payment plan. We realize you just lost $61,000. But no, they went against us at that point and it was shocking. It was like we were already reeling. Yes, so at that point, I mean, like we were literally still shaking, still vibrating from this, this abuse basically, this, this violation, this theft, still vibrating from the theft and then to be treated like criminals ourselves, you know like, you didn't pay us. Well duh, yeah, I didn't pay you. I tried to pay you. I got robbed. But, you know, you're not, you're not empathetic, you're not, they didn't care. They didn't care at all.

[00:19:41] Bob: They also have you over a barrel. I'm thinking...

[00:19:43] Suzi Beerman: Oh yeah, we didn't have a kitchen.

[00:19:45] Gary Beerman: That's a great, great description, Bob. Over a barrel. That's it.

[00:19:49] Bob: I mean if you want to like negotiate back and forth, it's your fault, it's my fault, but you have no standing.

[00:19:53] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, you couldn't. I mean you couldn't. We had already had months and months of no kitchen, and you look at our kitchen at that point and there were cabinets and countertops. There was no sink, there was no refrigerator, there was no stove, no oven. You know none of the, no dishwasher, that's kind of important. It was, I mean everything was, I was like how can we live this way? We can't.

[00:20:19] Bob: How can they live this way? Isn't there any way to recover the stolen funds? No, says the bank. Isn't there insurance?

[00:20:28] Suzi Beerman: Well guess what, typical home insurance doesn't cover it. When we asked the designers for information about their insurance and, and whether or not they had insurance against this, they refused to even acknowledge that we had requested the information.

[00:20:44] Bob: Hmm.

[00:20:44] Suzi Beerman: A lot of things happened along the way that made us feel very alone, you know very isolated, um...

[00:20:54] Gary Beerman: Violated.

[00:20:55] Suzi Beerman: Violated, well violated, yeah. I mean but the violation of the robbery, I mean anybody can relate to that and anybody can expect that when you get robbed of $61,000 you are so angry at the people that, whoever they are that stole from you, that reached into your life and your pocket and your bank account and took money.

[00:21:19] Bob: As they begin to digest the gravity of the situation, their $61,000 has been stolen, their home is in tatters, they have to come up with $61,000 more.

[00:21:31] Gary Beerman: That, that's a lot of money to us. I mean that takes out a chunk of our retirement fund which is not going to get interest on it anymore, and, and it's, you know that's a, that's basically the same as a year's worth, that's more than a year's worth of our Social Security.

[00:21:44] Suzi Beerman: Together. I mean $60,000 was lifted from our lives and it was like it never happened because nobody knocked us over the head. Nobody dragged us in a back alley, you know, and stole our money.

[00:22:03] Bob: After weeks of frustration and dead ends, finally someone seems to care.

[00:22:09] Suzi Beerman: So here we are, we've had $60,000 stolen from us. We have no kitchen. We have the designer telling us that they're going to sue us for breach of contract and stop work. We go to the FBI and we hear absolutely nothing back from them. I had the idea that well, I don't know what to do, but I know that we should probably report it to the police. So we reported it to our Oro Valley Police Department. Thank God for them. They took us seriously. They recognized the loss. They recognized the violation. And they investigated.

[00:22:52] Bob: It's Detective Deren Jackson who investigates. What really happened to the money and can anyone be held responsible? With so many of these stories, victims rarely get answers. But in this case, Detective Jackson isn't ready to give up.

[00:23:10] Det. Deren Jackson: Uh, yeah in January, late January of 2024, I received uh this case. It was assigned to me. The process typically a patrol officer will take the initial report. That report then is assigned to a detective if follow-up is needed. Uh, once I received the report and had a chance to review everything, also included were some uh, copies of the email correspondence between the victim and the kitchen remodel company. Uh, so I reviewed those as well, and then I contacted the victim in this case, Ms. Beerman. So I spoke with her on the phone is how I contacted her, and you know naturally she was very upset and she couldn't believe what, what had happened, in, in particular because she had so much history with this particular company. They had corresponded back and forth on legitimate you know times in the past, and um, so she was just really caught off guard by, you know what, what had happened here.

[00:24:07] Bob: So what did happen here? The money was sent to the wrong bank account, an account controlled by a criminal, or perhaps an unwitting money mule. But how? If Suzi and Gary were corresponding with their design company over email, how did rogue wiring instructions end up getting inserted into their conversation? There's no way to know who or what got hacked, but somehow, the criminals were able to monitor their email conversation and jump in at precisely the right moment with fake wiring instructions. This is sometimes called a business email compromise, and it's a common scam in real estate transactions. We've covered that here on The Perfect Scam. Real estate agents and their email accounts have long been targeted by hackers. With efforts by the real estate industry to thwart those attacks, it seems criminals are branching out.

[00:24:58] Det. Deren Jackson: Oh, so what I can say is the origin of the data breach, for example, was not determined, uh, therefore, I can't speak to how exactly some, you know, somebody's email history was, was obtained. But there was in fact a data breach because the criminal was able to access somebody's email account, and then to clearly see where uh, Ms. Beerman and the cabinet company, where they were in the process of this remodel.

[00:25:24] Bob: But somebody was able to jump into the middle of an existing conversation with godlike knowledge of what was happening and then send that note at just the right time saying, okay, you know, I know you're going to make a payment. Send it here, right?

[00:25:36] Det. Deren Jackson: Exactly. Uh, you know, Ms. Beerman, initially she said that the communication began from the kitchen company with a legitimate email address that she had prior correspondence with. Uh it wasn't until they started to speak, the kitchen remodel company started to speak about financial information and wire transfers that the business account email address changed slightly from uh what was legitimate to something just a couple of characters different. The victim in this case, uh Ms. Beerman didn't realize that information because it is really pretty subtle. It's hard to pick up on, especially when you have prior communication that you knew to have happened attached to now your new conversation with a slightly different suspect email address or criminal email address.

[00:26:26] Bob: I mean gosh, it's almost like the perfect crime, you now?

[00:26:29] Det. Deren Jackson: Correct, and, and it wasn't until the victim in this case sent the money and roughly a week or so after sending that money that she was contacted by the actual kitchen uh remodel company and uh they asked for payment and Ms. Beerman was perplexed. You know she said, "Well I already sent that money and you already gave me confirmation that you received it." It was at that time that Ms. Beerman realized that her money was not sent to who she thought it was sent to.

[00:26:59] Bob: Suzi and Gary did have copious notes on everything that happened to them, and that gave Detective Jackson something to go on.

[00:27:08] Det. Deren Jackson: So Ms. Beerman provided, she, she was provided with a account number and a routing number on where to wire this money, supposedly to pay for the uh, kitchen remodel you know that that was ongoing and, and in process. So she provided that account information to us. I essentially drafted a search warrant, uh, to obtain the account details related to who this particular account belonged to where the wire had been sent. So with that, I drafted a search warrant, um, I sent it to the financial institution to obtain that account information and I was provided with an individual's name and address uh, that was in Midland, Texas.

[00:27:50] Bob: An individual's name... in Texas. The person who received Suzi and Gary's money, at least initially isn't out of the country.

[00:28:00] Bob: So uh, you know, a clear hit like that, how common is that?

[00:28:03] Det. Deren Jackson: I've seen it before where it is in the United States. Sometimes the accounts are overseas, but in this particular case, uh did come back to an individual in Texas, and so with that information I knew my next step which was to contact a particular agency in Texas, and then to send the reports and the financial information I obtained to the appropriate agency in Texas for them to uh, follow-up on.

[00:28:28] Bob: And it doesn't take long before...

[00:28:30] Det. Deren Jackson: After I forwarded the report and the financial documentation to the Midland, Texas Police Department, I essentially was updated by the victim in the case, Ms. Beerman. She indicated to me, in her speaking with the detectives in the Midland, Texas Police Department, that she indicated she was contacted by the Midland Texas Police Department, specifically a detective that was assigned this particular case. That detective was able to locate and interview the subject who actually received the money sent uh the victims.

[00:29:05] Bob: So she called you and said, they found the person, right?

[00:29:08] Det. Deren Jackson: That's correct.

[00:29:09] Bob: Midland prosecutors are still investigating the case, but at least there's a lead that's very rare.

[00:29:17] Det. Deren Jackson: Certainly a lot of times these cases are, lead to a bunch of dead-ends, where we don't have a successful resolution, and uh for one reason or another, but in this particular case it, it's rewarding when we get the cooperation from an agency in another state, and then ultimately, uh, the person responsible is located.

[00:29:37] Bob: If there's a lead, is there any money that can be recovered?

[00:29:41] Det. Deren Jackson: So what I can speak to is when I drafted a search warrant to obtain the individual's account details, it certainly reflected all of the deposits going into his account from Ms. Beerman, however, at that time when I received uh the response from the financial institution, I, I learned that there's less than a dollar uh remaining balance in that account. The money had been transferred from that particular account where it had been sent to another account.

[00:30:12] Bob: In other words, there's very little hope she's going to get any money back, right?

[00:30:15] Det. Deren Jackson: Correct. It, most times it's very difficult once the wire transfer is sent that that money is recovered and returned. It's, it's very uncommon.

[00:30:25] Bob: Knowing that there's potential for some justice does help a little, but Gary and Suzi are still staring at the same torn up kitchen. So they make a big withdrawal from their retirement account. But the bad news keeps on coming.

[00:30:41] Suzi Beerman: We can't live this way with no way to cook and so we had to go back and get more money out of our retirement and Bob, this may be a key point for a lot of people listening, there's no protection for income or any other funds that are lost this way in term... in this case because the money came out of our retirement accounts, that money becomes taxable when you take it out if you put it into a nontaxable account, right? So that $61,000 became part of our income for 2024, and we will have to pay taxes on the money that was stolen.

[00:31:25] Gary Beerman: Well that's $122,000 now on top of our, our um, Social Security now which is $50,000 for our Social Security, so...

[00:31:33] Bob: Oh my God.

[00:31:34] Gary Beerman: So and, and Bob, it's a, there's a third whack in the head, and that is that the money that we're going to need to pay our huge income taxes this year is going to have to come out of our retirement fund. So we're putting...

[00:31:46] Bob: Which will then be taxed again.

[00:31:47] Gary Beerman: Yeah, be taxed again.

[00:31:49] Bob: Oh my God.

[00:31:50] Gary Beerman: Yeah, it's a triple-whammy.

[00:31:53] Bob: And so faced with the triple-whammy, this retired couple makes the difficult decision to go back to work.

[00:32:00] Gary Beerman: Yeah.

[00:32:01] Suzi Beerman: Oh yeah.

[00:32:02] Gary Beerman: And it's not that I wanted to, it's like, I'm retired, you know, but um, yeah, exactly. We're going to get that $61,000 back.

[00:32:09] Suzi Beerman: We're going to work for it, but we're going to get it back.

[00:32:11] Gary Beerman: Yeah, I have to work for it.

[00:32:12] Bob: And Suzi, you're, you're back at work too?

[00:32:14] Suzi Beerman: I am a, an independent travel advisor, so I help book hotels, trips, all kinds of good stuff for people. It's not, it's not a huge moneymaker, but it does keep me out of trouble.

[00:32:26] Bob: And you're slowly getting your $61,000 plus taxes back, right?

[00:32:30] Suzi Beerman: Yes, we'll never get it back.

[00:32:31] Gary Beerman: Very slowly. I will emphasize the word "slowly."

[00:32:34] Suzi Beerman: Bob, the fact is that we will never get that money back. You know there's no, there's no like victim protection fund, there's no, you know trail that they can go and claw the money back. It's, you know it's a lot of money for us. It's just never, it's never going to be back.

[00:32:54] Bob: But Gary, the chef, well he's back.

[00:32:59] Bob: So uh, what's the status of the kitchen right now?

[00:33:02] Gary Beerman: It's, it's done. It's, it's finished, yeah. It is done.

[00:33:05] Suzi Beerman: We're entertaining friends and eating good meals.

[00:33:09] Gary Beerman: Yeah, it's, it's wonderful.

[00:33:11] Bob: Okay, Gary, Gary, what was the first thing you cooked in the kitchen?

[00:33:14] Gary Beerman: Um, wow, that's a good question, Bob. Um...

[00:33:17] Suzi Beerman: Wow, Bob.

[00:33:18] Gary Beerman: I think it was probably a, an omelet. (laughs) I think it was the first morning.

[00:33:24] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, we got to break a lot of eggs (laughs).

[00:33:26] Gary Beerman: It was the first morning, so I think it was an omelet. (chuckles)

[00:33:30] Bob: Do you remember the first uh dinner party or just entertaining you did after...

[00:33:33] Suzi Beerman: We had a party, we had a party um, for our neighbors to uh, celebrate the new kitchen. And...

[00:33:42] Bob: That must have felt good, right? That must have...

[00:33:42] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, that was great, that was really great, and the neighbor that said we should not do the remodel, she was like, "Thank God you didn't listen to me. This place is gorgeous."

(laughter)

[00:33:54] Bob: The experience has been exhausting and scary, but in the end, worth it.

[00:34:00] Suzi Beerman: I will say this, and I don't mean to, like the money that we spent to have a new kitchen was not wasted. We, we love our home, we love our neighborhood, we enjoy having family and friends visit us and we entertain and we cook, and we're, we love our life. We absolutely are blessed. But I don't want this to happen to anybody else. I want people to know how to protect themselves. I want people to know that there really isn't anybody coming to help you. There really isn't. So before you let go of any money, double, triple-check, and don't, not that people necessarily around you have nefarious intent, they just don't know what they're doing. They don't really attend to protecting you. So you have to be suspicious. You have to have that, that protective paranoia. Um, you have to help yourself. You have to take care of yourself. We found the resources that are available to us, there aren't many, and we're really grateful for the investigators that have, have worked on this, and we're grateful to people like you who are talking to us about it so that other people will not be harmed, hopefully.

[00:35:22] Bob: Suzi and Gary have been really surprised how isolating this whole experience has been. Their financial company didn't help, the designer didn't help, even some of the neighbors had a strange reaction when the couple went public with their story.

[00:35:38] Suzi Beerman: Um, so somebody else in the community um, posted the article and said, "Hey" you know for Nextdoor, like "Hey, Oro Valley, this happened to one of our own." And then I read the comments which, you know, never should read the comments, but I read the comments and there was so much victim shaming in the comments. And I was, I was even, even more sad because I get it; people want to think that it's never going to happen to them. That they're too smart, they're too well-informed, they have resources, they're protected, you know, and there were a lot of comments like, "Well everybody knows that you do this" and "How could you let that happen?" Like how stupid. And it's like, I'm not stupid. I got tricked. It's a multibillion-dollar industry to trick us. And just because you saw a text come through and you thought, hah, hah, hah, that's obviously a, a scam, just because you saw an email that come, came through and you identified the misspellings and the Nigerian Prince, ha-ha, that's a scam. I know how to deal with those. Well guess what, they come up with new things to manipulate us and steal our money every day.

[00:36:52] Bob: I find it just so abominable, and it's the worst part of my job, that people can be unbelievably cruel in these situations.

[00:37:00] Gary Beerman: Yeah.

[00:37:00] Bob: But that's, that's what out there, so I'm sorry you went through that.

[00:37:04] Suzi Beerman: Yeah, if I had a black eye they would have had a lot more sympathy.

[00:37:09] Bob: Absolutely, yeah, absolutely and in, in many ways it's, you know you could heal if somebody bopped you over the head, right? But this, no, you know you can't quite heal from.

[00:37:18] Gary Beerman: That's a good, that's a good point.

[00:37:21] Bob: Wiring money does come with risks. Generally once the money is sent, the transaction is irrevocable. It can't be reversed. It's important to know these kinds of things happen.

[00:37:34] Bob: What is it that somebody who's listening to this can, can learn from this story?

[00:37:37] Det. Deren Jackson: I think most importantly, you know a lot of times the criminals are very good at what they do and, and they, they oftentimes follow a script. They seem, you know, they rehearse, they seem legitimate. But there are some um, red flags that somebody may, might notice or pay attention to. And, and oftentimes the criminals, they will provide a sense of urgency; you have to do this now, for example, uh they'll tell you not to discuss what's going on with any other people. For example, if the victim were to go to the bank and try to withdraw some money, the, the criminal might tell you not to tell the bank employees why you're doing this. You know theyll; they'll tell you to lie and say this money is for a car I intend to purchase or you know, some other story. So that, that's a red flag, right? If somebody's telling you not to be honest with your financial institution as to what your intentions are, that's a red flag. One thing I would also strongly suggest or encourage is just call a verified number that you know to be legitimate, uh, maybe um, you know uh call a family friend, you know call the business directly with a number again that you know to be a verified number for the business. Don't just respond to the email that you receive with the phone number attached, because that might not be the correct or accurate phone number.

[00:39:03] Bob: And it actually is pretty tricky to make, uh every time I've done it, I'm nerve wracked about making sure it gets to the right place. Do you have any tips about, specifically about how to make wire transfers more safe?

[00:39:15] Det. Deren Jackson: Um, what I would recommend is, is call your financial, financial institution and have them verify with the business where the money is to be sent. That way there is communication between somebody at the financial institution and somebody at the verified phone number for the business just to confirm that the account number and the routing number are accurate, and that that particular request was in fact sent to begin with. I think that would be really important.

[00:39:42] Bob: Yeah, and then also that sort of takes it out of the virtual chair, right, a human being's talking to another human being. It's a, a verification that, that can't be copied by a criminal or imitated or whatnot, right?

[00:39:53] Det. Deren Jackson: That's correct.

[00:39:54] Bob: Could the system for all these things be improved somehow?

[00:39:57] Det. Deren Jackson: What I would say I think just spending the extra time just to look at the email closely and taking the time to contact the business directly to verify that communication is legitimate or speaking with a family member or a friend about, you know, this information you received. That, I think with you know those factors, I think if you were to do that, that that would drastically cut down on the likelihood of becoming or falling victim to this type of crime.

[00:40:28] Bob: And you know I'm, my mother was a very, uh, she was an accountant, so she as always on me for things like this and, and I think, I think this advice follows in a lot of bill paying. It's always worth checking soon after you've paid a bill to make sure the company got the money 'cause all sorts of mistakes can happen that can lead to late fees or whatnot. So it wouldn't hurt to just call up a few hours after sending a wire and say, okay, I want to make sure everything's okay here, right?

[00:40:52] Det. Deren Jackson: Yeah, exactly.

[00:40:54] Bob: But the way criminals adapt, it's hard to give one bullet proof piece of advice.

[00:41:00] Det. Deren Jackson: Yeah, exactly, you know, one thing that we see a lot of times is, you know we'll patch one hole, for example, but then the criminals, um, are very, you know fluid, and then they'll create three different things that we haven't seen yet, or that we haven't, you know, dealt with. So it's ever evolving and which makes it really difficult to identify one particular thing that you can do. So it's um, you know a lot of times we're kind of behind the uh, the curve so to speak on you know when, when these things happen, uh because the criminals are ever evolving their process and their script, and you know, their knowledge base.

[00:41:34] Bob: I'm really glad you said that, because it makes it very hard to give out one piece of advice that's going to protect people, right?

[00:41:38] Det. Deren Jackson: Correct, exactly. I, you know, again, I think looking at those emails closely, verifying the information through the company or through a person directly who you know to be trusted, uh, those are extremely important things to do.

[00:41:51] Bob: And one more piece of advice, take your time with any major financial transaction.

[00:41:58] Det. Deren Jackson: I think that uh, what I would stress the most is just taking the time. Don't, don't be rushed. Uh, if, if the criminal's trying to rush you, if they're trying to, you know, tell you to do something that just doesn't sound right, take the time to talk to somebody else before you send a wire transfer, or before you provide any account information. Call, call the company directly. You know, talk to somebody. Uh, verify the information before you respond.

[00:42:27] Bob: And if something bad does happen to you, go to the police.

[00:42:33] Det. Deren Jackson: You know, a lot of times there's embarrassment with these types of incidents, right? The victim is embarrassed, they're educated, they're successful, they can't believe they fell for such a thing, and, and that those are normal feelings to have after something like this happens. Because again, these criminals are so good and you know when you have a chance to look at it after the fact, you might notice things more than, than when it's actually occurring. So report, I would suggest to report every uh incident to your local law enforcement agency if you have become a victim of this type of crime. Because sometimes we can have successful conclusions to these investigations. We can identify a suspect, not always, but we do have instances where that is the case. And if it's not reported to police, there's nothing we can do about it.

[00:43:24] Bob: Well here's hoping Gary and Suzi have many delicious, fun meals in that kitchen. And I hope that for you too. For The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:43:43] Bob: If you have been targeted by a scam or fraud, you are not alone. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Their trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on what to do next. Our email address at The Perfect Scam is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org, and we want to hear from you. If you've been the victim of a scam or you know someone who has, and you'd like us to tell their story, write to us. That address again is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org. Thank you to our team of scambusters; Associate Producer, Annalea Embree; Researcher, Becky Dodson; Executive Producer, Julie Getz; and our Audio Engineer and Sound Designer, Julio Gonzalez. Be sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For AARP's The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC OUTRO)

END OF TRANSCRIPT
A tale of money, decadence and longing, F. Scott Fitzgeralds classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, is turning 100 on April 10. Embodying the glamour and excesses of 1920s America, it came to define the Jazz Age through the tragic tale of Jay Gatsby and his elusive American dream.

To mark this seminal anniversary, locations from St. Paul to New York to the French Riviera are going all out to celebrate. You can travel ceaselessly into the past, as Fitzgerald wrote in his landmark work, by stepping into Gatsbys and Fitzgeralds worlds in these places.

Members only

The Great Gatsby has special resonance for boomers, the first generation to come of age reading this masterpiece after it was added to the high school literary canon in the 1960s.

Today, literary-themed vacations are a hot new trend in travel. Reading surged during COVID-19 lockdowns, and hotels and tourism companies have capitalized on that interest by using books to lure travelers.

From elaborate hotel suites to specialized tours and themed exhibits, here are seven places where fans can channel their inner Gatsby.

The Gatsby Suite at The Plaza was created for the 2013 movie, The Great Gatsby. The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

New York

The Big Apple, where Fitzgerald moved in 1919 to pursue his writing career, played a key role in his Gatsby novel. Re-live the storys opulence at The Plaza Hotel, which served as the real-life setting for one of the books pivotal scenes, and where Scott and Zelda were frequent guests. Check into the Gatsby Suite, an Art Deco dream inspired by the glamour of the 1920s. Tour The Plaza and other locations where the 2013 The Great Gatsby movie was filmed via The Great Gatsby tour.

Dive into the Roaring Twenties with a jazzy new musical adaptation of the story  the Tony Award-winning The Great Gatsby at the Broadway Theatre through Sept. 7. Or catch the show during its more than 50-city North American tour starting in January 2026. Enhance the musical with The Plazas exclusive Gatsby Suite Experience, which includes a minimum two-night stay in the flower-festooned suite, two tickets to the show and a complimentary drink at the Broadway Theatre.


Half Yearly Report and Accounts

Perth, Mar 14, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Verity Resources Ltd ( ASX:VRL ) released its interim financial report for the half-year ended December 31, 2024, detailing its exploration activities and financial performance. The company, now trading under ASX code VRL, focused its efforts on the Monument Gold Project in Western Australia, the Pimenta and Caldera rare earths/niobium projects in Brazil, and copper-silver-nickel-PGE projects in Botswana.



Notable progress at Monument's Fred's Well prospect included aircore and reverse circulation drilling that extended the mineralized gold strike to 1.1 kilometers, while surface sampling at Star Well identified a 250-meter anomaly ready for drilling. In Brazil, reconnaissance at Pimenta and high-grade surface results at Caldera underscored rare earth potential, and soil sampling at Padre Paraiso hinted at lithium-bearing pegmatites. Botswana's projects, including Maibele North's inferred resource and high-grade copper-silver intercepts at Dibete and Airstrip, further bolstered Verity's diverse portfolio.



Financially, Verity reported a net loss of $792,548 for the period, a significant improvement from the $3.05 million loss in the prior year's corresponding half, driven by reduced exploration spending ($445,245 vs. $2.07 million) and administrative costs. Cash reserves grew to $351,485 from $271,116 at June 30, 2024, supported by a $596,545 capital raise through a non-renounceable rights issue and shortfall placement. The directors affirmed a going concern basis, citing a cash flow forecast and past capital-raising success.



Corporate developments included a name change to Verity Resources Limited, a 20:1 capital consolidation reducing shares to 158.7 million, and board changes, with Elvis Mosweu appointed and Ian Kiers resigning in November 2024. Post-period, Patrick Volpe assumed dual roles as Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary. The company plans to channel funds into advancing the Monument Gold Project, particularly at Korong and Waihi, alongside working capital needs.



*To view the full report, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/KB8E2Q1S





About Verity Resources Ltd





Verity Resources Ltd (ASX:VRL) owns 100% of the Monument Gold project located near Laverton in Western Australia. This project currently has a JORC-compliant (2012) Inferred resource of 3.257 Mt @ 1.4 g/t for 154,000 ounces Au.

Verity Resources also holds a supply critical metals portfolio via a joint venture that includes rare earth elements, lithium, gold, base and precious metals in Brazil, including licences in the "Lithium Valley" and Pocos de Caldas in the state of Minas Gerais, globally known as prolific lithium and rare earth elements districts respectively. The Company also owns 70% of the Pimenta Project, a potential large-scale REE project in eastern Minas Gerais.

Verity Resources also holds a base and precious metals project in the Limpopo Mobile Belt in Botswana, a district known for hosting major nickel and copper producing operations. The Company's Botswana portfolio contains three flagship projects where high-grade Cu-Ag (Airstrip and Dibete) and a Maiden JORC Inferred Resource (Maibele North) have been discovered. Maibele North currently hosts a JORC (2012) inferred resource of 2.4Mt @ 0.72% Ni and 0.21% Cu + PGE's + Co + Au and is located within 50km of the Selebi-Phikwe mine recently acquired by TSX-listed Premium Nickel Resources Ltd (TSX-V:PNRL).

Related Companies
New research from Phoenix Insights finds around half of UK workers are confident theyll be able to their job by the time they are 70, although widespread under saving means many more may need to work beyond this to support living standards in retirement. Retirement ages have been increasing in recent decades due to changes in health, jobs, and pension age eligibility. People are starting and leaving work later in life but are also living longer than the generations before them. Research from Phoenix Insights, Phoenix Groups longevity think tank, finds around one in three 65 year olds are classified as retired, thirty years ago this was closer to three in four (73%). Phoenix Insights (2024). Analysis of Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey. However, confidence about working in later life is relatively low. The majority (78%) of workers think they will be able to do their job, or one like it, at the age of 60, but this drops to half (49%) by the age of 70. For those who arent confident about remaining in work, the main concerns are around physical and mental health, motivation and a lack of support for older workers. A fifth (21%) of this group say they have worries about age discrimination in the workplace. Working later life and plugging the savings gap

Phoenix Insights modelling suggests around 17 million UK adults are not on track for the retirement income they expect or need, with the saving crisis expect to reach boiling point for new retirees in the 2040s. Combining widespread under saving with an increasing state pension age could mean many more people will have to postpone their retirement to plug gaps in savings. Remaining in work, on reduced hours or full time, has the double effect of reducing the years to fund in retirement alongside the ability to continue to build up pension savings. But not everyone is able to work into their late 60s and 70s. People in their early 60s make up a disproportionate proportion of the total workless population. If current trends continue, there could be an additional 770,000 people aged 60 to state pension age out of work by 2029, totalling 3 million. This is hugely concerning as being out of work pre-state pension age is closely linked to rates of poverty. A quarter of all 60-65 year olds live in poverty, and people out of work aged 60-65 are twice as likely to be in poverty as those in work. Patrick Thomson, Head of Research Analysis and Policy at Phoenix Insights and said: How people enter, stay and leave work has transformed in recent decades. The average retirement age has increased by around five years since the 1990s and more people choose a gradual transition from work rather than having a hard stop. In the future, its possible average retirement ages will rise further alongside the state pension age rises as people want to continue working longer or feel they need to for financial reasons. In the next five years most defined contribution pension savers will enter retirement with savings below expectations or below an adequate level, and this will worsen to a peak in the early 2040s. While people may want to remain in work in their late 60s and 70s, its not always possible for some. Huge numbers drop out of work before state pension age and face barriers to re-entering. Without better support for this group to remain in work, an increasing state pension age and under saving creates a perfect storm for worsening later life poverty. Phoenix Insights recommendations to address over-50s economic inactivity

There are several reasons why the over-50s may struggle to remain in work, including challenges around long-term health conditions, caring responsibilities or disabilities. Phoenix Insights is calling for further action to address this, including: 1. Cross departmental strategy that recognises the unique challenges and opportunities for over-50s, covering policies around retention, recruitment, training, support and health.

2. Promotion of inclusive employment practices such as flexible work, paid carers leave, support for health and wellbeing across workplaces to nurture an age-friendly culture.

3. Active career management which addresses the employment advice gap and supports career moves, job changes and helps people back into work.

4. Focus on lifelong learning, skills and training to close the skills gap and increase adult participation in further education to ensure that we are reskilling all age groups.

5. Government and business should provide better retraining opportunities and age inclusive advertising of green jobs, and for employers to review pay and condition for these roles to attract experienced workers.


Maharashtra Cracks Down on Fake Birth, Death Certificates Amid Illegal Immigrant Concerns 2

Maharashtra has introduced stringent measures to curb the fraudulent acquisition of birth and death certificates, particularly by foreign nationals residing illegally. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in the legislative assembly that producing fake documents to obtain these certificates will now result in criminal charges.

The crackdown follows allegations that thousands of Bangladeshi nationals acquired birth certificates using forged documents. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya recently claimed that 3,997 birth certificates had been fraudulently issued to Bangladeshi nationals, leading to the suspension of two government officials in Malegaon, Nashik.

Birth and death certificates are crucial documents, but they are also prone to misuse. To curb this malpractice, the norms have been tightened. Anyone found guilty of forging documents will face legal action, Bawankule stated.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the issue, and a government resolution (GR) from the Public Health Department outlines a revised verification process for birth and death certificate requests older than a year. Under the new guidelines, applications will require approval from senior district officials, including the district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate, or designated executive officers. A late fee and a thorough verification process will be mandatory before issuing the certificates.

Authorities have received complaints about foreign nationals applying for birth and death certificates long after the actual events. In response, the government has mandated additional scrutiny, requiring supporting evidence such as postmortem reports, FIRs, statements from Anganwadi workers, and hospital records before issuing a certificate.

Moreover, applicants must provide multiple identity and residency proofs, including hospital records, vaccination certificates, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, domicile certificates of parents or relatives, and school leaving certificates. Officials must also evaluate the reasons for any delay in applying and secure a police verification report confirming the applicants address. A talathi or gram sevak report will further validate the claim.

The newly enforced three-step verification process ensures stricter scrutiny, and any attempt to submit fake documents will lead to immediate criminal charges. The SITs ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of fraudulent certifications, reinforcing the governments commitment to preventing document misuse and ensuring a transparent verification system.
Ahmedabad Others Gujarats moras owes its name to Mauritius Many ties between the 2 places emerge during PM Modis visit to the country

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Mauritius, many interesting connections between Gujarat and Mauritius came to light.

Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, narrated one incident where Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the founding father and first prime minister of Mauritius, once mentioned that Vithalbhai Patel was his mentor.

He further noted that Sir Harilal Vaghjee who was the first Speaker of the National Assembly, was of Gujarati origin. In October 1901, Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius while traveling from Durban to Mumbai and stayed there for several days.

On Gandhijis advice, Manilal Maganlal Doctor traveled to Mauritius and spent considerable time there to support their Independence Movement.

Prime Minister Modi during his address to the community in Mauritius, highlighted that Mauritius supplied sugar to the western regions of India, which might explain why it is referred to as Moras in Gujarati. AM
PepsiCo Inc. is in advanced talks to buy healthier soda brand Poppi, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Purchase, New York-based beverage giant could announce the transaction as soon as next week, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. The purchase price under discussion is more than $1.5 billion, the person said.

PepsiCo had planned to launch its own so-called functional soda under the brand Soulboost, but decided to scrap that effort because of early indicators it wouldnt succeed.

While deliberations are at a late stage, they could still be delayed, the people said. A representative for PepsiCo declined to comment. A spokesperson for Poppi didnt respond to a request for comment.

The functional soda category has been growing, especially compared to standard sodas. The lower-sugar beverages can include ingredients not found in standard soda, such as prebiotics, probiotics and added fiber and say they are aimed at improving digestive health.

Functional beverages are on fire with New York-based FreshDirect, said Loan Heilner, the grocers merchandising director. She said sales are up more than 60% over last year, driven by brands like Olipop and Poppi. Big-brand sodas, meanwhile, are up only slightly compared with last year, she said. Coca-Cola Co. recently launched its own prebiotic soda, Simply Pop.

Austin-based Poppi was founded by Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth. It gained notoriety in 2018 when the company - then known as Mother - received an investment from Cavu Venture Partners Rohan Oza on the television show Shark Tank. A slew of celebrities including Nicole Scherzinger and Ellie Goulding have also backed the company.

PepsiCo has been turning to acquisitions of healthier brands recently. In October, it announced plans to acquire Siete Foods for $1.2 billion. The following month, it said it would buy the remaining 50% of Sabra Dipping Co. and PepsiCo-Strauss Fresh Dips & Spreads International GmbH.

Theres a higher level of awareness in general of American consumers towards health and wellness, Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta said in PepsiCos February conference call with investors.
Shunda Milhouse holds a picture of her daughter, April Jamerson, while in her house in Ensley on 12/4/02. Jamerson was murdered on March 22, 2002, by Deandre Stewart who pled guilty to murder and attempted murder today and will serve 25 years. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin)

Interim Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett was a senior at Ramsay High School when 15-year-old April Jamerson was fatally shot during Senior Skip Day in a Southside park in 2002.

Its a day he has never forgotten.

I still vividly remember seeing it on the news, Pickett said. For most seniors, it was supposed to a happy day, a day of fun but it turned into complete sadness and concern.

It was a large, gray cloud over that day, he said. Nobody expected it to take that kind of a turn.

Senior Skip Day is a tradition in the city and is set to take place Friday as Spring Break begins.

With that in mind, Pickett is asking Birmingham seniors, and all students, to prioritize safety.

Your safety is our priority above all things Pickett said. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid risky and illegal behavior, and remember how far you have come.

Sometimes seniors think, Oh nothing will happen, he said. You just never know. Try to be in a space amongst good people and if you see something going on or a situation getting out of hand, go ahead and leave and call 911.

Jamerson, an Ensley High School sophomore and majorette was killed March 22, 2002, in a shooting at Bessie Estell Park. The gunfire erupted about 1:30 p.m. that Friday.

Her sister, Nikki Milhouse, was holding Aprils hand when the shots rang out.

She fell and she let go of my hand, Milhouse said, sobbing during an interview at her home the following day. She said my name and said, Im going to be all right.

I touched her face and told her it was going to be fine, she said. I lied to her.

A second teenager was shot in the leg and was treated and released from Childrens Hospital.

Milhouse said she, April and other friends had just gotten out of a car when a young man called to April.

She told him, No, Im not going anywhere with you, Millhouse said.

The man got angry and threw a beer bottle at April. When Milhouse cursed at him for bothering her little sister, the man grabbed a gun from his car and opened fire.

His cousin told him to put the gun up, Milhouse said. He was grabbing for it while he was still shooting.

She was trying to run, said the cousin, Starr Hullett, who was also with April that day. He shot her in the back because she wouldnt talk to him. I couldnt help her.

The shooter, Deandre Stewart, pleaded guilty mid-trial. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder and 20 years in prison for the attempted murder of the 14-year-old boy who was also wounded that day.

Interim Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett, alongside Sgt. Laquitta Wade on Feb. 10, 2025, outlines steps the Birmingham Police Department has taken to strengthen its response to gun violence in the city. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com

Pickett said he was familiar with the park because of its proximity to Ramsay.

I drove by there a thousand times and hung out there maybe a handful of times, the interim chief said. I wasnt there on that day, but I do remember driving by and it was just a sad day.

Whenever I hear Senior Skip Day, I always think about that because that was my senior year and its always the first thing that comes up, Pickett said.

He said Senior Skip Day always reminds him of April, just as Easter now reminds him of Areyelle Yarbrough, who was killed on Easter Sunday 2021 in a shooting that injured five others - ages 5 to 21  in Birminghams W.C. Patton Park.

While these days and these moments should be joyous and happy and filled with good memories, Pickett said, sometimes unfortunately things go wrong.

Police are coordinating with the schools and school resource officers to find out the known gathering spots so that officers can try to be aware of what is going on and where.

We cant control everyone, and after the age of 16, they can choose whether or not they want to go to school, he said. But we just want to try to make sure the public is aware, and the parents are aware.

We try to have some type of presence and monitor social media so that we can do everything we can to prevent another tragedy like that, Pickett said. We want it to be a safe environment for everyone.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office is seeking help identifying this man and woman suspected of stealing money from a north Alabama church during Sunday service. Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office

Donations and cancer funds were stolen from a north Alabama church during services Sunday, and authorities say they need help identifying a man and a woman who may have committed the theft.

The money was taken during 10 a.m. worship services Sunday at the Church of Christ at Center Hill in Lauderdale County, the sheriffs office said Thursday.

A man and a woman captured on surveillance video may have taken the funds, authorities said.

The sheriffs office released the footage Thursday.

During the service, the pair went into the foyer, where they were met by two men from the church.

The man asked for gas money while the woman went to the restroom and then came back to the foyer, the sheriffs office said.

The pair were asked to stay at the church until the service concluded but they left in an older model medium to light blue Nissan truck with body damage on the passenger side, the sheriffs office said.

The missing funds were noticed after the service, when boxes were emptied of cash and checks.

The incident remained under investigation Thursday.

Anyone with information on the incident or anyone who recognizes the man or woman was asked to contact sheriffs office Investigator Hughes at 256-760-5762 or the sheriffs office at 256-760-5757.

Further information was unavailable.
Birmingham police investigate a shootout on 52nd Street in Ensley that left one man dead and another male critically injured. (Carol Robinson)

An 18-year-old charged in a deadly Birmingham shooting that also left the young suspect seriously wounded should not be charged with murder, his lawyer said.

David Hunter is charged in the Feb. 3 shooting death of 42-year-old Christon Deandre Thorn.

The exchange of gunfire between the two men happened at 4:35 p.m. that Monday in the 1500 block of 52nd Street in Ensley in the Central Park neighborhood. Thorn was in an argument with his girlfriend outside of a house where people were hanging out.

Prosecutors contend Hunter escalated the situation when he came outside with a gun to confront Thorn.

Hunters attorney, however, said the shooting may have been self-defense.

Hunter, who is in a wheelchair and wearing a sling after being shot three times during the confrontation, appeared before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell Thursday to hear the evidence against him.

Hunter was released from UAB Hospital one week after the shooting and booked into the Jefferson County Jail where he remains held.

Bell, after hearing the testimony, bound the case over to a grand jury for indictment consideration on the murder charge.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich is prosecuting the case. Hunter is represented by Malcolm Head of the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office.

Birmingham homicide Det. Gabriel Lacally was the lone witness in Thursdays hearing.

Lacally said Thorn was found in the front yard of a house with a gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet, the detective said, had exited through the victims back, and Thorn was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:53 p.m.

The detective said police recovered shell casings from two guns  a 9mm and a 40-caliber. One of the guns was on the ground next to Thorn.

Lacally said when he got to the scene, he located two witnesses  Adrian Thorn, the victims sister, and Stephanie Johnson, the victims girlfriend.

Adrian Thorn told investigators she was in the area and decided to go to the house to see her brother, who she knew was there that day.

There are two houses next to each other  one that is vacant and the other belonging to Hunters grandmother.

When Adrian Thorn arrived, her brother was sitting on the porch of the vacant house and he and his girlfriend were in a verbal altercation.

Ms. Thorn was talking to her brother, trying to calm things down, Lacally said. She said she noticed Mr. Hunter exit the house holding a firearm.

Hunter, Adrian Thorn said, said to Thorn, Whats that shit you were saying? Youre not the only one with a gun.

Adrian Thorn, the detective said, got between the two men to try to de-escalate the situation, and the next thing she knows, she heard shots being fired. She was unsure who fired the first shot.

The detective said Hunter and Thorn were acquaintances, and that Hunter even referred to Thorn as his uncle, though the two werent blood related.

Adrian Thorn said her brother did have a gun in his waistband. She said she didnt see the initial shooting.

She said everything happened so fast, she could see her brother firing but it looked like he was shooting into the ground, Lacally said. She could see dirt and stuff coming up.

Johnson, Lacally said, told police she and Thorn had been arguing. She said Thorn told her that he was going to call his sister to come fight her but later learned that the call had never been made and Adrian Thorn just happened to show up there.

Johnson said she was talking with Adrian Thorn when Hunter came outside and said, Youre not going to pull a gun on a female, the detective testified.

Neither woman said Thorn had pulled a gun at that point.

People gather at the scene of a Birmingham homicide in the 1500 block of 52nd Street Ensley on Feb. 3, 2025. Carol Robinson

Johnson said she also didnt see the shooting but instead heard shots fired and saw her boyfriend fall to the ground. Hunter ran into another neighbors yard.

She was unsure who fired the first shot as well, Lacally testified.

The detective said he interviewed Hunter at UAB Hospital the following day.

Hunter told him Johnson and Thorn had been arguing that day, and his cousin told him to keep an ear out.

He was inside playing a video game when he heard arguing and looked outside to see Thorn waiving a gun in (his girlfriends) face and pointing it at other people as well, Lacally said. He went and got his gun and went outside to calm Mr. Thorn down and ask him to leave the location.

Hunter said he unloaded his gun magazine and just left one round in the chamber before he went outside.

When Hunter approached Thorn, Thorn stood up and said, What do you want to do? and Hunter said Thorn then started shooting, striking Hunter first in the foot, then the leg and the shoulder.

The defendant said he could see Mr. Thorn shooting into the ground, Lacally said, and thats when he got hit in the ankle. He felt like if he was to fall at that point, Mr. Thorn would shoot him (again).

The citys gunfire detection system  Shot Spotter  recorded 10 rounds fired. The audio showed one round fired, and then several seconds later nine more rounds were fired in quick succession, Lacally said.

The medical examiner, according to the detective, said Thorns wound did not cause immediate death, and would have allowed him to fire his gun after he was wounded and before he died.

Under questioning from Hunters attorney, Lacally said Adrain Thorn told police that when she tried to get in between Thorn and Hunter to intervene, Hunter pushed her arm.

He wasnt shoving her, Lacally said.

Johnson, the detective said, described her boyfriend as being hyped that day, which the detective took to mean loud and boisterous.

She did allude to the fact that they had been drinking, Lacally said. Testimony indicated the alcohol included beer and tequila.

Henrich said Hunter went to the house where Thorn was with a gun in hand, and said the totality of the evidence showed the case should be moved forward in the judicial process.

Any issues of self-defense would be for a jury trial, the prosecutor said.

Head said issues of self-defense should certainly be raised at trial, but said the case shouldnt be sent to a grand jury at all because none of the witnesses could say who fired first.

We know the gentleman who was tragically killed that day, Mr. Christon Thorn, was drinking and acting hype Head said. My client was willing to speak with police. He told them very clearly that Christon Thorn shot him first and that if hed gone down after being struck in the foot that he likely would have been shot and killed and he returned fire with the one shot he had.

He said if the case was to move forward, it should be on a manslaughter charge.

Head also asked that Hunters bond be lowered from $100,000 to $60,000 so that he could be released, especially because of his physical needs while healing but Bell left the bond set as is.
Authorities are trying to identify four men who bound, beat and robbed Montgomery businessman Jim Massey in his office on March 10. (Central Alabama Crime Stoppers)

A search is underway for four suspects who assaulted a well-known Montgomery businessman during a holdup earlier this week.

The attack happened about 6 p.m. Monday at Jim Massey Cleaners in the 500 block of South Street in Montgomery.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers on Friday offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the suspects.

Crime Stoppers Executive Director Tony Garrett, citing published reports, said Jim Massey III was held at gunpoint, assaulted and forced to open the safe.

Massey was reportedly zip tied at the hands and feet as the robbers took an undisclosed amount of money and his vehicle, Garrett said.

Masseys car was found abandoned three blocks from the business.

Massey told WAKA 8 he was alone in his office when he heard a loud crash and then encountered a man rushing toward him.

The man told Massey they had accidentally crashed a car through the front door.

I realized he had on a mask, goggles, and a hat. And about that time, there was a second one behind him. They both grabbed me, and behind them were two more guys, Massey told WAKA. They said, Lets go to the safe. Take us to the safe. And I said, OK. They had a gun. There were four of them. I did not have a gunprobably, thank goodness.

Authorities are trying to identify four men who bound, beat and robbed Montgomery businessman Jim Massey in his office on March 10. (Central Alabama Crime Stoppers)

The suspects were wearing hard hats and reflective construction vests, according to surveillance photos released by Crime Stoppers.

Massey told the television station he was hit, which led to a black eye and a chipped tooth.

One of the assailants, he said, put a gun to his head and said, If you dont tell us the combination, Im going to blow your blankety-blank head off, and Ill do it.

Massey provided them the safe combination and managed to free himself after the attackers left.

Massey, in an interview with WSFA, said hes working to keep busy following the attack.

When Im working, he said, Im not thinking about it.

Jim Massey Sr. started the dry-cleaning business in Montgomery in 1941. Since then it has grown into more than 40 locations in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP (833-251-7867.
Priester's Pecans is a relaxing place to stop and enjoy the front porch, the free samples, the gift shop and much more. (Photos by Michelle Matthews)

This is an updated version of an article from 2017.

In a nutshell, Priesters Pecans -- one of Alabamas most beloved food brands -- got its start with a simple handshake.

Now nearly 90 years later, Alabamians as well as people from all over the country flock to Priesters Pecans to stock up on their sweet treats, snack goods, fresh nuts and more. Though Priesters might have just been a business selling bags of shelled pecans out of a gas station to begin with, it has become one of the states most beloved companies thanks to the quality of its unique goods.

Of course, with nearly a century in business, the company has a long and interesting history.

And with that in mind, you can read 12 things you might not know about Priesters Pecans below.

Priester's Pecans is a popular stop for I-65 travelers. (Photos by Michelle Matthews) Michelle Matthews

Priesters Pecans Fact #1

In a nutshell, Priesters Pecans got its start in 1935 with a simple handshake and a $200 loan between Lee C. Priester and former Fort Deposit Mayor Hense Reynolds Ellis.

Priesters Pecans Fact #2

Priester first started selling pecans at the Texaco gas station he owned has a way to lure in travelers on the busy highway by offering a little something more than just gasoline.

Read more: 11 Alabama foods everyone should try once

A vintage photo of Priester's Pecans. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Priesters Pecans Fact #3

Priester didnt start offering cracked and shelled pecans at his service station until a businessman made a special request for them.

Priesters Pecans Fact #4

Originally, Priester hired a local man named Caesar to knock the nuts down from the trees and bag the pecans, still in shells, for sale. When the requests for shelled pecans grew, Priester contracted local women to crack and shell the pecans on his back porch daily.

Read more: A visit to Priesters Pecans is everything its cracked up to be

Priester's Pecans has been in business for nearly 90 years. (Photos by Michelle Matthews)

Priesters Pecans Fact #5

With nearly 90 years in business, Priesters Pecans is Alabamas largest gourmet handmade candy company.

Priesters Pecans Fact #6

As of 2018, Priesters Pecans is owned by Thomas Ellis, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Ned Ellis, and grandfather, Hense Reynolds Ellis, making Priesters a multi-generational family business.

Read more: Southern Living says this Alabama country store is among the Souths most charming

Priester's Pecans is a relaxing place to stop and enjoy the front porch, the free samples, the gift shop and much more. (Photos by Michelle Matthews)

Priesters Pecans Fact #7

Priesters Pecans began selling its Blue Ribbon Good pecan pies to the public in 1987, and it took 510 pie baking tests to perfect the recipe, which originally came from May Ellis.

Priesters Pecans Fact #8

In November 1996, a fire broke out in the Priesters Pecans kitchen and the building was destroyed. While the holiday season is the companys busiest time, the community stepped in to help fulfill orders by allowing the business to use the kitchens at local schools at night.

Read more: 8 Alabama pit stops youll wanna make on your next beach trip

Priester's Pecans is a relaxing place to stop and enjoy the front porch, the free samples, the gift shop and much more. (Photos by Michelle Matthews)

Priesters Pecans Fact #9

Priesters didnt offer anything beyond shelled pecans until the 1950s, when it began offering a fruitcake that included whiskey-cured pecans as the base, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama. Other pecan confections, like made-from-scratch divinity, pecan logs and pralines, were added shortly after.

Priesters Pecans Fact #10

Priesters Pecans cracks, shells and processes more than 1.5 million pounds of gift quality nuts a year, according to Alfa Farmers Federation.

Read more: Puh-kahn or pee-can: Right pronunciation is tough nut to crack

Priester's Pecans is a relaxing place to stop and enjoy the gift shop. (Photos by Michelle Matthews)

Priesters Pecans Fact #11

At the Priesters Pecans retail store in Fort Deposit, you can try free samples of their most popular pecan candies and baked goods, watch the candies being made and have lunch at the hot food bar. Cant make it to the store? Priesters also ships many of their products year-round.

Priesters Pecans Fact #12

Priesters makes its pie crusts from scratch, as opposed to using a pre-baked pie crust, so that it wont develop cracks or run, and also allows its pie crusts to breathe for 24 hours before baking so it will keep its shape once cut.
Not many Alabama small towns are in the spotlight as much as Monroeville  one-time home to literary greats Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Local developers have been finding new ways to immerse visitors in its history, including overnight stays in the towns 19th century jail.

Billed as The Literary Capital of Alabama and host to a growing literary festival where the prestigious Lee and Capote prizes are awarded annually, Monroeville was quickly outgrowing its visitor accommodations.

Billy Jones of JWJ Investment has been working to create lodging by renovating historic downtown buildings with ties to Lee and Capote. Jones latest project was creating three guest rooms and a two-bedroom suite in the 1859 jailhouse on the square. The Old Jail Inn, located at 29 North Mt. Pleasant Avenue, offers fun, jail-themed rooms on Airbnb.

See photos of the renovated jail in the gallery at the top of this story.

The bathroom in the Sheriff's Suite has striped tiles to resemble prison bars. The one-time jail features themed rooms and some original fixtures. JWJ Investment Properties

With the help of interior designer Robyn Nielsen and property manager Bradley Martens, Jones has also transformed an older jail and a building once owned by Capotes cousins, according to Anne Marie Bryan with the Main Street Monroeville organization.

She said there are more lodging surprises on the horizon from Tonja Carter, local attorney and executor of Lees estate.

Monroevilles growing tourism

After local author Nelle Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, people became curious about the town that inspired the fictional city of Maycomb in the book. Capote has also written about Monroeville in his books, in particular The Thanksgiving Visitor and A Christmas Memory, which are recollections of his childhood. Capote died in 1984; Lee in 2016.

The 1930s Monroe County Courthouse in the center of town houses a gift shop and a museum honoring Lee and Capote.

The Sheriff's Suite in the Old Jail Inn in Monroeville, Ala., has two bedrooms and two baths. The one-time jail features themed rooms and some original fixtures. JWJ Investment Properties

Each year, a local troupe of actors performs the play To Kill a Mockingbird at the courthouse (it has indoor and outdoor sets). This years productions are each Friday and Saturday from March 28 to May 3, 2025. Get tickets here.

The city has only about 6,000 residents so it requires people to work together to handle all of its visitors, Bryan said.

The most recent addition to downtown lodging, the Old Jail Inn, has rooms called the Sheriffs Suite, the Jail Cell, the Bonnie and Clyde, and the Thelma and Louise, Martens said. The decor of the suite is suitably themed with black-and-white striped tile in the shower to resemble jail cell bars and fun touches like wall art of the Monopoly games Get Out of Jail Free card.

The inn retained some of the original jail building, including wooden ceilings and jail doors and fixtures. Bryan said the project won a Main Street Alabama award for renovations in 2024.

Click here for the Airbnb listing and pricing.

Lee and Capote, both lovers of detective magazines as children, would have likely visited the jail with Lees father, a local attorney who had an office nearby on the square. In her lifetime, Lee recalled watching her father try cases at the Monroe County Courthouse, located directly across from the Old Jail Inn.

Other historic lodging

Bryan said Carter is planning to renovate another historic building on the square, transforming the old Monroe County Bank into a multi-use building with lofts, retail and office space. The office of A.C. Lee, Harper Lees father and the inspiration for Atticus Finch in Mockingbird, was located in the bank building. He was a local attorney and newspaper editor.

There are no better hands to be in than hers, Bryan said of the project being helmed by Carter. Bryan did not have a completion date for the renovation of A.C. Lees office.

This building was once the Monroeville, Ala., Bank, where the office of author Harper Lee's father, A.C. Lee, was located. It will be turned into lodging in the historic town billed as The Literary Capital of Alabama. Kelly Kazek

Visitors can search for other historic places to stay by searching Airbnb. Bryan said to search for Towne Square Lofts, the Shop at 66 (the former county shop with lofts upstairs), Lofts at 21 (the former Faulk building where Capotes cousin owned a store) and Lofts at 41 (the first jail from the early 1800s).

Lofts at 41 is not jail themed but Bryan said workers preserved an interesting feature  a former inmates drawing of the late E.T. Short Millsap, a former Monroe County probate judge.

When renovating it, the found that a prisoner had drawn Judge Millsap on the wall, she said. They saved it and covered in with plexiglass for visitors to see.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday morning that she has set the time for the lethal injection execution of death row inmate James Osgood for the 2010 rape and murder of Tracy Lynn Brown in Chilton County.

The execution is to take place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore between 12 a.m. on Thursday, April 24 and 6 a.m. on Friday, April 25.

The Alabama Attorney Generals Office on Feb. 11 had asked the Alabama Supreme Court to approve and issue a death warrant for Osgoods execution. The court approved that request March 6.

Osgood was convicted of two counts of capital murder because the crime was committed during the course of a first-degree rape and during the course of first-degree sodomy, according to court records. A jury unanimously recommended Osgood be sentenced to death and the judge accepted the recommendation.

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals confirmed Osgoods conviction, but remanded the sentencing because of an error in the judges instructions to the jury during the penalty phase of the trial. They sent the case back to Chilton County Circuit Court, and asked the court to hold a new sentencing phase.

But before the resentencing in 2018 Osgood asked that he be sent back to death row. When the judge asked why Osgood wanted to again be sent to death row, the inmate replied he believed in an eye for an eye and said he deserved to be put to death, a prosecutor said.

Brown was found dead in her home in Chilton County on Oct. 13, 2010 after she didnt show up for work.

Brown was attacked in her mobile home and forced to perform sexual acts at gunpoint. Court records state she was beaten, stabbed in the back, and had her thorat slit. Robinson said, This dark and disturbing real-life tale of evil began in October 13, 2010.

This would be the second scheduled execution in Alabama this year.

The first scheduled execution was recently called off after Ivey commuted the sentence of Robin Rocky Dion Myers, a man who has long claimed his innocence in the 1991 killing of a north Alabama woman. It was the first commutation of an Alabama death row inmate in modern history.

AL.com reporter Ivana Hrynkiw contributed to this report
In this 2019 file photo, Jules Woodson, center, of Colorado Springs, Colo., is comforted by her boyfriend Ben Smith, left, and Christa Brown outside the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Birmingham after she described being abused sexually by a Southern Baptist minister. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett, File) AP

The Department of Justice informed lawyers for the Southern Baptist Convention this week that a landmark abuse investigation into the nations largest Protestant denomination has officially concluded, according to a statement the attorneys shared with The Dallas Morning News.

We are pleased that the matter has been resolved without any charges or further expense against the Executive Committee or other SBC entities, SBC attorneys Gene Besen and Scarlett Nokes wrote in the statement.

Were grateful that we can close this chapter in our legal proceedings and move forward, SBC executive committee president and CEO Jeff Iorg said in an email sent to The News.

Matt Queen, a former administrator at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, was convicted in the governments abuse probe. Queen served as a professor and interim provost at Southwestern, the largest Baptist seminary in Texas.

Controversy over Southwesterns former president, Paige Patterson, helped ignite national conversation about abuse in the SBC. In 2018, Patterson came under fire for his alleged mishandling of a rape allegation at Southwestern and comments he made to a woman who was in an abusive relationship.

Following the backlash, Southwestern moved Patterson to an emeritus position as theologian-in-residence and later fired him after receiving information about his handling of an allegation of sexual abuse at another SBC affiliate school.

Southwestern shared an online statement with The News Wednesday commenting on the conclusion of the departments abuse probe.

The Department of Justice has notified Southwestern Seminary that the investigation into the handling of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention has concluded with no actions against the seminary, according to the statement.

For more than two years, Southwestern fully cooperated with the DOJ throughout the investigation and is pleased that there were no findings of wrongdoing against the institution or current employees, according to the statement. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all members of the seminary community.

Around October 2022, the Justice Department subpoenaed Southwestern and required the seminary to give over any documents related to sex abuse at the seminary, according to the departments May indictment of Queen. Queen was accused of fabricating evidence to cover up an alleged lie and his seminarys alleged failure to cooperate with the governments investigation.

A judge sentenced him to a fine of $2,000, six months of house arrest and one year of probation in a hearing last week, according to federal court records. Queen did not immediately respond to phone calls at two numbers listed in public records.

Queen was charged in May with making a false statement to federal agents and falsifying evidence relevant to the departments investigation. The government allowed him to plead guilty only to making false statements and dismissed the other charge, his lawyer Sam Schmidt told The News last year.

Schmidt shared a statement with The News Thursday on Queens sentencing.

Dr. Queens offense had nothing to do with interfering with the sex abuse allegations. Dr. Queens conduct occurred after the alleged perpetrator was arrested with the help of SWBTS staff and he was immediately suspended with Dr. Queen participating [in] the denial of his appeal, Schmidt wrote.

It is unfortunate that the Department of Justices more than two year investigation into allegations that some members of the Southern Baptist Convention used their authority to protect those who were alleged to have committed abuse chose to prosecute Dr. Queen for conduct that did not involve protecting alleged abusers, he said.

No other charges were filed as part of the Department of Justices investigation.

A spokesperson for the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, which indicted Queen, declined to comment Thursday.

The DOJ investigation

In 2019, the Houston Chronicle published an investigation into abuse within the SBC, reporting that more than 700 people were victims of sexual misconduct at SBC churches over 20 years.

Amid pressure from survivors and activists, the denomination commissioned an independent firm in 2021 to investigate abuse within the church.

The firm published a report in 2022 that found the SBC stonewalled, ignored and disregarded survivors of sexual abuse by pastors over a period of almost 20 years.

A few months after the report was released, the Department of Justice began a federal investigation into sexual abuse within the denomination, SBC leaders announced. They said they planned to cooperate with investigators.

Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.

2025 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Severe weather is increasingly likely for the entire state of Alabama on Saturday. Severe storms will also be possible late tonight in part of the state. Above is the severe weather outlook for Saturday. A rare, Level 5 out of 5 risk has been added for part of the state in the latest update on Friday afternoon. Most of the rest of the state is in a Level 4 of 5 risk, which means that numerous severe storms are expected. Storm Prediction Center

Widespread severe weather was looking more and more likely in Alabama on Saturday, and part of Alabama has been added to a rare Level 5 out of 5 severe weather risk.

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center issues nationwide severe weather outlooks and forecasts severe weather categories that run from Level 1 (marginal) to Level 5 (high).

Much of Alabama will have a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe weather on Saturday. A Level 4, or moderate, risk means that numerous severe storms will be expected. Storm Prediction Center

A Level 5 risk means that there is considerable confidence there will be numerous severe storms in the area.

Level 5 risks are issued rarely and only when confidence is high about the probability of severe weather.

And that is the case for Saturday in Alabama. The SPC and the National Weather Service think severe weather is all but assured in the state on Saturday, especially Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning.

Tornadoes, some of them of the strong, long-track variety, as well as large hail and hurricane-force winds will be possible with the strongest storms.

Those could affect Alabama in the form of individual supercells as well as a squall line that will cross the state later in the day on Saturday.

According to the SPC this is only the third time since 2006 and likely the only the third time on record that a Level 5 risk has been added to the Day 2 forecast:

This is only the 3rd time since at least 2006 (when we can easily query our records), and likely only the 3rd time in SPC history based on available data, that a High Risk has been issued on Day 2.



The 2 previous times were:

4/14/2012

4/7/2006 https://t.co/YRW1gVSmG7  NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) March 14, 2025

Alabama has had high-risk severe weather days before, but not often.

Most notably was the super outbreak on April 27, 2011, which spawned 62 tornadoes in this state alone, including several EF-5s.

According to the National Weather Service, since that day there have been three other times Alabama has been included in a high risk or Level 5.

There were two in 2021: March 17 and 25. The other was April 28, 2014.

The March 17-18 storms spawned 25 confirmed tornadoes, including several EF-2s. Here are the storm reports from that event:

More than 20 tornadoes were confirmed in Alabama alone from storms on March 17, 2021. SPC

There were 10 confirmed tornadoes just a few days later on March 25, 2021. Those included four EF-3s:

Here were the tornado reports from March 25, 2021, another high risk day in Alabama. SPC

The March 25 tornadoes were blamed for six deaths.

The third recent high-risk day for Alabama was April 28, 2014:

Here were the tornado reports from April 28, 2014. SPC

There were 29 confirmed tornadoes in Alabama on April 28, 2014, including four EF-3s. The storms were blamed for two deaths.
Guidelines on the safest places to be during severe weather. NOAA

Alabama is expected to be hit with waves of severe weather Saturday.

Tornadoes, some of them long-track strong ones, hurricane-force winds and large hail are possible from Friday night into Saturday afternoon and into early Sunday morning. Saturday is the biggest area of concern with large portions of the state under a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe weather.

READ MORE: Severe weather threat in Alabama, tornadoes possible: Safety tips you need to know now

Experts recommend having safe places in your home identified now ahead of the arrival of severe weather. In some cases, particularly for people who live in mobile homes, community shelters are the best location during a storm.

Alabama Emergency Management Agency maintains a list of community storm shelters for almost every county. Several counties, including Jefferson, Madison and Tuscaloosa also provide interactive maps that show storm shelter locations.

You can go here to see the list for Alabama.

When evacuating to a shelter, you should bring:
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Friday said in an online post that he decided to run for a third term as he felt he had not accomplished all he had set out to do when he first sought office.

I never planned to run for a third term, he said. When I first ran for mayor, my focus was on delivering real change for Birmingham in two terms. That was my honest intent. But once I stepped into office, reality hit.

Woodfin fielded questions from Reddit users in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session that touched on crime, cybersecurity, potholes, wild dogs and other issues.

Third term: According to the mayor, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic upended his immediate plans upon entering office, as the city was tasked with preserving small business, handling educational challenges and economic stress.

The second term was about recovery and getting Birmingham back on its feet, he stated. Weve worked to bring new jobs, make critical investments in public safety and education, and put resources into the neighborhoods that needed them most. But the reality is, I just wasnt able to get everything done that I set out to accomplish. Theres still work left to do.

Woodfin laid out several goals, including education, more job opportunities and eliminating duplicative city services.

So Im stepping up again, because I believe in this city, I believe in the work weve done, and I believe in whats still left to do, he said.

Stopping violent crime: When asked about lowering the murder rate in Birmingham, Woodfin responded by saying it was a top priority. Birmingham ended 2024 with 152 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city in more than nine decades.

Woodfin said he had full confidence in Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett, though he did not refer to him as an interim.

He called attention to the more than 400 arrests made since Jan. 1, a 27% drop in homicides this year and a 75% clearance rate for murder cases.

Thats real progress, but we know were not done, he said. 2024 was rough  we dont shy away from that. But we owe it to the residents of Birmingham and to the victims of crime to keep pushing forward and doing everything in our power to make 2025 a safer year for everyone."

Cybersecurity: The mayor was asked about steps the city has taken to improve cybersecurity since a 2024 cyberattack that derailed the citys budget process. Computer systems were down for roughly two months, forcing the city to keep its budget manually since computers used for the finance department were not operational.

Without giving too many details - citing risks of future attacks - Woodfin said the city has beefed up remote access security, multi-factor authentication and cloud-based security. At the same time, the city is modernizing some systems and hardware and conducting regular training.

Our approach to cybersecurity is proactive and continuous, with 24/7 monitoring, real-time threat detection, and regular testing to identify and address vulnerabilities, he said.

In response to another question, Woodfin denied putting a gag order on city employees regarding ransomware attacks.

Roads: Several questions dealt with roadway lighting, resurfacing and the fate of the City Walk lights. He blamed the Alabama Department of Transportation for many of the problems on state and Interstate highways, including the City Walk display.

I just sent a message to the Director of ALDOTs East Division two days ago about this, Woodfin stated. I text, I email, I call  I have our Department of Transportation send formal letters. We go back and forth with the state constantly about their responsibility to maintain lighting on these highways."

When asked why traffic lights arent synced, he said the city is aware that more significant upgrades are needed to improve synchronization and traffic flow. He said Birmingham is working with ALDOT and UAB on a Traffic Management Center that will allow for better coordination and real-time adjustments.

In response to a complaint about road patches, Woodfin cited a particularly rough job on Crestwood Boulevard.

The problem is that utility companies are constantly cutting into our streets  whether its for a mainline break, underground work, or another issue, he stated. They send a contractor to dig up the road, and then a different contractor comes in to patch it. But too often, that patch doesnt meet our standards, leaving behind the rough, uneven streets youre talking about. What were doing now is holding these utility companies accountable."

Other topics: Fielding other questions, Woodfin said he was open to filling future vacancies on the Birmingham Airport Authority with aviation backgrounds, and that the city has added more animal control officers to respond to issues with stray animals more quickly.

He promised there would be no more cuts to the Birmingham Public Library System, but said some library facilities need to be merged or rebuilt to eliminate redundancies.
Protesters show up with signs to a town hall held by Rep. Chuck Edwards in Asheville, N.C. on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera) AP

As the March 22 town hall in Athens approaches, Sean Phillips hopes his congressman will show up to listen to constituents' concerns.

If Republican U.S. Rep. Dale Strong doesnt make it, Phillips is prepared to leave an empty chair in his place.

We want to make this as serious as possible in a healthy manner that is beneficial to the community itself, Phillips, the town halls organizer, said.

I have friends who are federal employees, and I have never seen them so down, afraid and scared in their life. We need to hear from our leaders who protect us. Were not hearing from them.

Strongs office has not responded to multiple requests for comment by AL.com.

Also not commenting about the fate of town halls heading into next weeks congressional recess are the other Republicans in Alabamas congressional delegation: Reps. Barry Moore of Enterprise, Robert Aderholt of Haleyville, Gary Palmer of Hoover, and Mike Rogers of Saks.

Strongs staff told WHNT-TV last week that the congressman prioritizes making himself accessible to constituents through roundtables, mobile office hours, and telephone town halls.

Silence

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, of La., with House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, from left, Rep. Tim Moore, R-N.C. and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, of La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP

The silence comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson encouraged Republican lawmakers recently to skip town halls. He has criticized them as being filled with protesters decrying the Trump Administrations actions.

The town halls that have occurred have been filled with irate attendees.

In North Carolina on Thursday, Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards was booed and shouted down for over an hour during a town hall attended by over 300 people.

The lack of an in-person session with Strong appears to be especially acute in North Alabama. Alabamas 5th congressional district, which Strong has represented since 2023, trails only a handful of congressional districts in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia for having the most federal government workers.

With the aggressive action taken by the Trump Administration to downsize the federal workforce, worried North Alabama residents are wanting answers. Critics say Strong has been a no-show, and his office isnt responding to their inquiries.

Hes not even making a statement to allay peoples fears, said Susan Griffin, a representative with Indivisible in the 5th Congressional District that has 28,403 federal government workers, or 7.6% of the districts entire workforce.

The number of federal workers within the district that includes Huntsville and Madison is far beyond the aggregate number and percentages of federal workers employed in Alabamas other congressional districts.

If you think about it, Huntsville is a welfare town and we wouldnt have this fabulous standard of living if we didnt have federal dollars flowing in, Griffin said. Its just nuts. And as far as I can tell, hes just silent.

Reactions

(l-r) Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Shomari Figures, Rep. Katie Britt Will McLelland | WMcLelland@al.com; AL.com; AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Of Alabamas GOP members of Congress, only U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is commenting about town halls.

Her office, in a statement, said the Senate has been in session for nine straight weeks since Jan. 3, and that Britt has met with Alabamians in Washington, D.C., making it one of her top priorities.

Britt has also held five events called Coffee with Katie open to any Alabamian who is in Washington, D.C.

At these events, she takes questions from the crowd, provides a lengthy update to her work, and then visits individually with attendees, the statement from Britts office says.

It remains unclear whether the senator will host any events physically in Alabama.

There is nothing more important to Senator Britt than making sure Alabamians are heard as she continues to fight for Alabamas people, priorities, and values, the statement reads.

Alabamas two Democratic members of Congress are hosting town hall events, or other in-person activities. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, has a town hall meeting scheduled Monday at Bishop State Community College in Mobile.

There is an old saying that if you cant take the heat, then get out of the kitchen, Figures said. If Republicans  or any elected official  cant answer questions from their constituents, then they shouldnt be in office.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, said her constituents are frightened over the handling of cuts to the federal government in Washington, D.C., led by Trump and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

They see this administration coming after their health care, Social Security and so many other vital programs, she said. Now more than ever, we as members of Congress need to listen to their concerns, bring them back to Washington, and act accordingly.

Rollicking past events

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, meets with constituents following a town hall meeting at the Prichard city council chambers on Friday, July 19, 2019, in Prichard, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

The last time voters were irate at town hall meetings was during the Trump-era protests of 2017 and 2018, when Republicans tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

Bradley Byrne, president & CEO of the Mobile Chamber, was a congressman in the 1st congressional district at the time. His town halls were filled with crowded rooms and heated exchanges, with him often mediating the raucousness.

The town halls across the country were as controversial as they were now, said Byrne, a former Republican member of the U.S. House until 2021. I continued to do them because I felt they were important.

Byrne was so prolific in holding them, that CBS This Morning held a segment chronicling Byrnes busy town hall schedule  something unheard of after Johnsons request.

While there were some controversies and some people who spoke out (during the town hall meetings), I still thought they were worth doing, Byrne said. So, I did them. I think it was doing as many as anyone in the House. And If I was in Congress, Id still do them today.

Alabama lawmakers have been somewhat prolific with town halls, hosting 480 from 2013-2023, according to research by Columbia University student Daniel Markovits. That ranks Alabama 21st among states, though the figures are neither broken down per capita nor analyzed by congressional district.

Alabamas overall population is 26th in the nation.

Markovits said the number of town halls in Alabama have dropped off in recent years.

Risky politics

Carla Raupp holds a sign during a town hall meeting at the George Culver Community Library Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Sauk City, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) AP

Casey Burgat, a professor at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said Republicans are taking on political risk with a razor-thin House majority by not meeting with constituents.

The Republican Party is making the calculation that they dont need to do this and that more harm can come from these than good, said Burgat. Democrats are absolutely right to question this in saying that if you believe in (the Trump cuts), what are you trying to hide and why are you not bragging about this?

There may be little political incentive for Strong or any Alabama member of Congress to host a town hall meeting. According to early 2026 projections by Cook Political Report, all seven Alabama congressional districts are considered either a Safe Republican or a Safe Democratic seat, meaning they are likely uncompetitive during the midterm elections.

Strong has easily won his past two congressional elections.

However, Burgat said that having the entire Republican House caucus avoid town halls could be problematic in 2026. It also gives Democrats, who have struggled to find a message in the early months of the Trump administration, an issue to pounce on.

Democrats are planning a blitz of town hall meetings nationwide. They are branding them Peoples Town Halls and are planning to target nine House Republicans in battleground districts, according to The New York Times.

Ive never seen this as especially being a party-wide, systematic decision, Burgat said about the lack of Republican town halls. Democrats are loving that fact that they are doing this. Im sure they will capitalize the same way Republicans, including Fox News, counted down the days between (former President Joe) Bidens press conferences and making the same argument  What is he afraid of? Why is he not willing to stand up to questioning?

Phillips just wants some sort of feedback from Strongs office, and not to be ignored.

If he shows he truly wants to hear from the community, he will come, Phillips said. Or he will provide a statement as to why he cant. But I do not want silence. Ive been pushed into action because of the silence.










English News China's economic resilience: overcoming challenges, advancing with confidence

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 14 Mars 2025



China's resilience is also deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The traditional "three friends of winter" - pine, bamboo, and plum - symbolize perseverance and strength in adversity. These botanical emblems, which withstand even the harshest winters, reflect the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.

By Li Haoran, People's Daily China's latest government work report, released during the annual "two sessions" on March 5, has drawn global attention, sending a resounding message of resilience and determination to international markets and policymakers.



Looking back at 2024, China's economic achievements were nothing short of remarkable. Despite mounting external pressures and domestic challenges, the country managed to create 12.56 million new urban jobs, achieve a record-high grain output of 700 billion kilograms, and reduce PM2.5 concentrations in cities at and above the prefecture level by 2.7 percent. These accomplishments not only underscore China's ability to navigate complex hurdles but also reflect the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people in the face of adversity.



Recent technological breakthroughs further illustrate this resolve. The Chang'e-6 lunar probe's first-ever sampling on the moon's far side, the debut of the world's fastest high-speed train prototype CR450, and the production of over 13 million new energy vehicles in a single year all serve as testaments to China's push for innovation-driven and high-quality development.



In response to evolving economic challenges, China rolled out a package of incremental policies last September aimed at enhancing macroeconomic counter-cyclical adjustments - a pragmatic approach that successfully steered the nation toward its annual targets.



Historical figures in Chinese science have long inspired this tenacity. Renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen once asked: "If foreigners can do it, why can't the Chinese?" Late Chinese geologist and founder of geological mechanics Li Siguang posed a similar question: "Is oil only found beneath Western soil?"



These sentiments still resonate today, as China continues to break technological bottlenecks amid external blockades and suppression. Rather than stifling progress, such challenges have only unleashed the country's potential, fueling a new wave of innovation.



At this year's Spring Festival Gala, a group of humanoid robots performed Yangko, a traditional folk dance renowned for its sweeping steps and twirling handkerchiefs. Engineers hailed the performance as a technological feat, declaring, "No one else in the world can achieve this - only the Chinese can."



In Taklimakan Desert, often called the "sea of death," China's first ultra-deep scientific exploration well set a new Asian record by reaching a depth of 10,910 meters.



China's scientific advancements extend to quantum computing as well. Scientists recently developed a superconducting quantum computing prototype named "Zuchongzhi3" with 105 qubits. The machine processes quantum random circuit sampling tasks at a speed quadrillion times faster than the world's most powerful supercomputer - setting a new record in quantum computational advantage within superconducting systems.



These achievements are made possible by a dynamic synergy between industry, talent, innovation, and capital. Such integration is vital for fostering new quality productive forces and unlocking future growth opportunities.



China's resilience is also deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The traditional "three friends of winter" - pine, bamboo, and plum - symbolize perseverance and strength in adversity. These botanical emblems, which withstand even the harshest winters, reflect the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.



Confidence is key to overcoming obstacles. That confidence lies not only in China's present achievements but also in its future potential.



Recently, global financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Deutsche Bank have collectively expressed optimism regarding the prospects of China's burgeoning technology industry, particularly in the light of significant advancements in artificial intelligence.



This renewed interest challenges long-standing skepticism, once again disproving theories of "China collapse" and "Peak China".



The next "China" is still China.



As China charts its path forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and progress, turning what once seemed impossible into inevitable success despite formidable challenges.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
The air in the Oval Office almost visible thickened on February 28, 2025, as President Donald Trump sat next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The stakes were high; the future of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship hung in the balance. For Trump, the meeting wasnt just about aid; it was about one fundamental question: What does America gain? The world was watching, but the message was clear: American interests come first, or theres no deal.

This was the opening act of Trumps second terma second act of the America First doctrine that had made his first presidency anything but ordinary. Under President Biden, foreign policy had been defined by hesitation, indecision, and an unwillingness to forcefully confront allies and adversaries alike. Trumps return in 2025 changed that. No more playing nice with allies who werent pulling their weight, and no more tolerating the cost of endless foreign entanglements. Trump was backand the world was on notice.

During his first term, Trump made it clear: America would no longer be a passive player. From renegotiating trade deals to confronting China and Russia head-on, he made seismic shifts in the worlds power dynamics. Critics, especially from the political elite and mainstream media, decried his approach as reckless, even dangerous. But the results were undeniable: stronger borders, a robust economy, and a military that commanded global respect.

YouTube screen grab.

Trumps second term marks the return of this unapologetic approach to foreign policy. But it wasnt just about economics or military powerit was about demanding more from allies, too. The showdown with Zelensky was a perfect example.

The meeting on that fateful February day wasnt about diplomacy for diplomacys sake. Trump, joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, didnt mince words. Zelensky had received over $180 billion in U.S. military aid since Russias invasion, yet failed to express meaningful gratitude or offer tangible concessions. Trump demanded something moretangible, real, and beneficial to U.S. interests. The deal? A lucrative mineral agreement between Ukraine and the U.S., one that would secure Americas strategic interests in Eastern Europe while offering Ukraine the military guarantees it needed to stave off further Russian aggression.

Zelenskys refusal to sign the deal, despite its promise of significant security guarantees, and his unwillingness to negotiate with Russia, only intensified the confrontation. Trumps patience wore thin. He told Zelensky, Your people are dying, your countrys destroyed. He warned the Ukrainian leader that continuing the war without a clear strategy risked not just Ukraines survival, but the worlds peace. The message was sharp and unmistakable: Were out if you dont move toward peace.

The fallout was immediate and dramatic. Global headlines erupted, European leaders decried Trumps hardline stance, and critics accused him of abandoning Ukraine. They warned that Trumps decision would embolden Putin, giving the Russian president a green light to pursue further territorial aggression, deepening his imperial agenda and destabilizing Eastern Europe. The cries of the media were deafeningbut Trump remained resolute.

Trumps critics missed the point. His approach wasnt about blind support for Ukraine. It was about preventing a global disaster. Trump understood that the longer the war dragged on, the closer the world came to World War III. In his Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, he directly warned, Youre gambling with World War III. He was willing to make the difficult choice to stop the flow of U.S. aid to avoid a greater conflict. It wasnt about abandoning Ukraine; it was about averting a catastrophic escalation.

By March 3, 2025, Trump made the call: military aid to Ukraine was suspended. This was a stark, decisive action that sent a clear message: the U.S. would no longer pour resources into an endless conflict without tangible results. Within days, Zelenskys tone shifted. The Ukrainian president, whose rhetoric just days earlier had been defiant, now signaled his willingness to negotiate under Trumps terms. Without American support, Ukraine couldnt continue the fight. The reality set in.

Zelenskys sudden change of heart was proof that Trumps tactics were working. Americas support was no longer a blank check. The lesson was clear: without progress toward peace, there would be no further assistance. In exchange for peace, Trump demanded one thingclear, mutual benefits for America.

This moment underscored the difference between Trumps foreign policy and Bidens. While the Biden administration hesitated to force hard choices, Trumps leadership has been defined by decisiveness. His actions are grounded in securing outcomes that served U.S. interestsnot just maintaining the status quo. Zelenskys shift in tone highlighted the reality of Trumps foreign policy: it was reshaping global diplomacy, driving real change, and achieving results.

Trumps approach to Ukraine wasnt about isolationism or abandoning allies. It was about securing the best deal for Americaand that meant no more open-ended commitments without clear returns. The days of endless aid were over. The U.S. would lead, but only on its terms.

And it looks as if Trumps strength has paid off, with Ukraine and Russia having agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire, during which they can hash out the terms of a permanent ceasefire (although both sides are fighting hard until the last minute). As predicted, Riyadh played an important role in the talks.

This refusal to back down from putting America first is central to his second term. His leadership is about ensuring the U.S. is treated with fairness and respect on the world stagewhether by confronting adversaries or holding allies accountable. From trade agreements to military alliances, Trumps foreign policy remains focused on one simple principle: America gets what it deserves.

The world may label Trumps tactics chaotic, but the reality is undeniable. His policies have forced the world to take noticeand adapt. Zelenskys shift in tone was just the latest confirmation that Trumps hardline approach works. World leaders, whether they like it or not, must come to terms with Americas strength and the assertive leadership that Trump brings to the table.

In the past, global elites and diplomats clung to complex, convoluted agreements that often prioritized maintaining alliances over practical outcomes. Trumps foreign policy is different. Its direct, its focused on results, and its about making tough calls. Whether confronting NATO allies about defense spending or halting military aid to Ukraine, Trump is reshaping the global order.

The international communityRussia, NATO, even Ukraineunderstands the message: Trumps America will not back down. His leadership isnt about empty rhetoric; its about securing outcomes that benefit the U.S. and ensuring the countrys interests are protected. The world is watching, and Trump is ready to force every nation to adapt to Americas terms. By pausing aid, Trump forced a reality check on Ukrainethere is no more blank check for endless conflict.
One of the first things Donald Trump did when he returned to the White House was return the bust of Winston Churchill to its rightful place in the Oval Office . The Wartime Friends of Winston Churchill had originally given the bust to LBJ in 1965. Barack Obama removed it in 2009, Trump replaced it in 2017, and Biden again removed it in 2021. Its not a surprise that Churchill, a champion of Western civilization, doesnt hold much appeal for modern Democrats.

I love Churchill (I named my dog, Winnie, after him!) and one of the great things about him was that he was so confident. He, like many of us, thought he was right about virtually everything, almost all the time. The difference is, probably more than most of us, he actually was. Everyone knows about his taking over as Prime Minister after Chamberlains Appeasement and his extraordinary speeches that steeled the British people to withstand the Blitzkrieg, but relatively few know about his decade in the  Wilderness .

Between 1929 and 1939 Churchill was a Member of Parliament but held no official position in the government. After a decade of consternation, he was finally returned as the First Lord of the Admiralty in September 1939. A large part of his Wilderness period had to do with his constant and vocal haranguing of the governmenteven of his own partyabout the threat of the Nazis in Germany and his push to prepare the military for war. Mostly his warnings fell on deaf ears and to many he was considered a war monger.

But his warnings on Germany werent the only instance of his prescience. He was equally adamant about the evil of the Soviet Union. From the Russian Revolution until the day he died, Churchill was an adamant anti-communist . Although during WWII a pragmatic Churchill understood the necessity of working with the Soviets to defeat the Nazis, after the war he made his thoughts crystal clear in his famous  Iron Curtain  speech at Missouris Westminster College.

There are two lines from that speech I find particularly compelling and relevant to our modern world. The first comes after he described the darkness overcoming much of eastern Europe: Whatever conclusions may be drawn from these facts- and facts they are-this is certainly not the Liberated Europe we fought to build up. He continued, From what I have seen of our Russian friends and Allies during the war, I am convinced that there is nothing they admire so much as strength, and there is nothing for which they have less respect than for weakness, especially military weakness. Churchill was seeking to animate the West about the emerging malignancy of communist tyranny.

If those two lines from Churchill ring familiar, they should. They were basically echoed last month when JD Vance went into the lions den and gave a speech in Munich .

He said, the threat that I worry the most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, its not China, its not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental valuesvalues shared with the United States of America. A bit later he continued, And unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, its sometimes not so clear what happened to some of the Cold Wars winners.

To this, he added,

If youre running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you. Nor, for that matter, is there anything that you can do for the American people who elected me and elected President Trump. [snip] Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There is no room for firewalls. You either uphold the principle or you dont.

Churchill was warning of an external threat while Vance was warning of an internal threat. And much as Churchill was lampooned for his forceful denunciations of the Soviets and the Nazis, Vances speech about upholding western values was met with shock and disdain across the Continent .

But the reality of Vances argument is sound. The United States has been a partner with most of Europe for a century and with parts of Europe from her very founding. That partnership has stood on a combination of shared values, from Christianity to individual liberty to free markets and democracy. Those values and that partnership have largely served both sides well, with standards of living and individual freedom exceeding anything in human history.

But the reality is, as one side drifts from those bedrock principles, should the partnership continue? To phrase it somewhat differently, why should it continue?

Economics? Sure, American companies sell lots of products in Europe and vice versa, but as is seen by American trade with China, we dont have to share values in order to trade.

Security? Sure, Russia invaded Ukraine, but Europeans havent taken defense seriously , spending on average 1.45% of their GDP on it over the last 25 years. For eighty years the United States has provided an umbrella of security to Europe ( spending 3.83% of GDP over the same period ), allowing European governments to spend an extra 2.4% of GDP on creating cancerously generous social welfare states.

Culture? Peppered with castles, chateaus and extraordinary cathedrals, Europe was the leading light of culture for much of the last millennium, but what extraordinary, game-changing cant-live-without advances has Europe given the world in the last half century?

At the same time, as Vance points out, from free speech to free elections, Europe is becoming a giant police state where insulting politicians , praying at home , sharing memes , reporting facts or calling someone fat can get you arrested or thrown in jail.

And not coincidentally, this is occurring just as the self-loathing Europe is finding itself willinglyat least from the perspective of the elitesoverrun by armies of largely single military-aged men from third world dystopias. It would be one thing if those invaders were somehow contributing to Europe and assimilating the western values that made Europe great in the first place But thats not happening. Just the opposite.

The invaders have to be supported by the taxpayers , theyre committing crimes and are bringing a religion that is largely incompatible with @estern values of free speech, freedom of religion, and equal rights between the sexes. Indeed, in France, a nation that has been Catholic for 1,500 years, three Christian churches and monuments are targeted for arson or some other attack every single day .

In Romania, where the elections in November were thrown out by the elites , the conservative who won has just been banned from running again .

Add to that the draconian green energy laws that handicap European economies and the social program spending that obviates the ability to actually defend themselves, and its not a wonder that Americans question whether Europe is really an ally in the pursuit of prosperity and freedom.

Before the 20th century and two world wars that required American might to win, European history was largely one of near constant war between shifting alliances. With the emergence of an American-imposed peace, the second half of the 20th century brought unparalleled levels of peace and prosperity around the world.

The ironic thing is that that very peace and prosperity have dulled Europes senses and made them forget the very things that made prosperity possible in the first place, with Christianity, freedom of speech and free markets at the top of the list. Hopefully, with Vance, unlike Churchill, it wont take a world war for people to start listening to him.

Image by Vince Coyner

Follow Vince on X at ImperfectUSA
The Never-Ending War crowd wants you to believe three things at once:

NATO expansion deters aggressionand wont provoke retaliation.

Giving Ukraine de facto NATO security guarantees will protect itbut wont require American blood and treasure if war breaks out.

Russia will accept NATO troops or bases in Ukrainebut wont view that as an existential threat.

Their bombast contradicts each of these premises. The war hawks argue that Putin has never complied with any agreementthat he is a liar, a thug, and a geopolitical predator. Yet, they insist that American troops must be a necessary component of any agreement.

What exactly do they believe this will achieve?

A Foreign Policy Without Brake Pedals

If Putin truly views NATO expansion as an existential threat, how will he respond?

And wasnt this one of the causes of the war to begin with? The foreign policy establishment pretends that Russias invasion was unprovoked. Yet, their relentless push for NATO expansion helped ignite this war. Rather than admit their policies provoked conflict, they double downdemanding more of the same, as if the fire can be extinguished with gasoline. Moscow explicitly warned that this would cross a red line, but those warnings were dismissed as mere bluster.

The war hawksso eager to cite history when it suits themignore this inconvenient reality. They believe NATO can plant troops and military infrastructure inside Ukraine without triggering escalation, as if Putinwhom they brand a ruthless expansionistwill suddenly play nice once NATO troops roll up to his border.

The Ukraine as a Tripwire Delusion

The foreign policy establishment is pushing a suicidal contradiction: they believe Putin must be stopped at all costs, yet the only way to stop him is to place NATO troops in Ukraine and dare him to test Article 5.

They arent willing to say the quiet part out loud. Still, we know what it means: If they have their way, American soldiers will die in Ukraine, not because it is vital to our national interest but because the foreign policy elite backed themselves into a rhetorical corner.

They would rather roll the dice on nuclear escalation than admit they never had a coherent strategy beyond blind faith in economic sanctions and wishful thinking. Their arrogance has put Ukraine in a death spiral, and now they want America to clean up their messwith American blood.

The Putin Will Always Break Agreements Paradox

Perhaps the most laughable contradiction is this: the same people demanding NATO expansion into Ukraine insist that Putin has never honored a treaty or international agreement.

They claim:

Putin violated the Minsk agreements.

Putin ignored security assurances.

Putin lies about his intentions.

Yet, these same people insist Ukraine must be under NATOs protective umbrella as if that alone will neutralize Russias territorial ambitions.

But if Putin had never honored an agreement, why would they assume he would respect NATOs red lines or come to any deal he would keep that acquiesces to such a security arrangement?

The unavoidable conclusion: They arent planning for peace. They are preparing for war.

The Fantasy of Ukrainian Sovereignty

The war hawks love to invoke Ukrainian sovereignty as their rallying cry. But when pressed, their definition of sovereignty is nothing short of a euphemism for returning Ukraine to its 2014 borders. This goal is utterly unattainable without full-scale multilateral intervention in the Russo-Ukrainian war. For that matter, simply returning Ukraine to its 2022 borders would also require substantial military intervention.

An evil Putin, as they constantly remind us, is not suddenly going to capitulate to Western demands because hes had a change of heart. He will not simply decide that NATO was right one morning and order a complete withdrawal.

If that happens, Stockholm better reserve a Nobel Prize for Tinkerbellbecause only her pixie dust could make this fantasy work.

Yet the war hawks continue down this path as if their sheer willpower and moral posturing can alter the realities of war.

A Reality Check the War Hawks Wont Accept

It will take hundreds of thousands of troops to remove Russia from Ukraine. Suppose the war hawks genuinely believe Putin is determined to take all of Ukraine. In that case, their logic demands an indefinite NATO occupation of Ukrainian territorywith all the catastrophic consequences that entails.

They live in a fantasy world where actions are disconnected from consequences. They assume that:

Putin will not escalate if NATO moves into Ukraine.

Despite years of preparation, Russia's military will fail to respond effectively.

Western missile defense will work perfectly if Russia retaliates.

They believe that all Russian missiles will fail to function, that Putin will accept defeat with a whimper, and that NATO can dictate terms without firing a shot.

And yet, these are the same people who insist Putin is an irrational madman hell-bent on conquest.

Which is it?

The war hawks claim to revere history, but if Churchill, Truman, Eisenhower, or Marshall were here today and saw their strategy, they would ask: Are you insane?

The Endgame: War Without Limits

This is not a strategy. This is faith-based interventionism, untethered from history, logic, or military reality.

They seek to make Ukraine an extension of NATO while pretending it wont drag the alliance into direct war. They ignore one of the primary causes of Russian aggression in Ukraine: the threat of NATO membership being extended to Kyiv. The very thing they claim is necessary to "protect" Ukraine is what helped provoke the conflict in the first place.

They dont want a diplomatic settlement. At best, they are engineering an irreversible commitment that, once made, cannot be undone without war. At worst, they are gambling on an apocalyptic confrontation with a nuclear-armed adversarywho they argue is led by an evil and unhinged Dr. No. Yet, they expect this same unhinged supervillain to politely accept NATO forces at his doorstep without retaliation? The contradiction is staggering. Either he is a dangerous megalomaniac, or he is a manageable adversary. The war hawks cant have it both ways.

And yet, these same war hawks spew venom at the Trump administrations handling of this crisis, ridiculing the presidents efforts to avert World War III as though restraint is a vice and escalation a virtue. Their blind commitment to endless war reveals their absolute priority: not securing peace but ensuring that America remains shackled to a conflict with no defined victory conditions and no exit strategyno matter the cost.

We should demand of each war hawk:

What are the strategic aims of continued American involvement in Ukraine?

What military force will be needed to implement these strategic aims? Are they prepared to deploy American troops to fight in Ukraine? If not, who fights this war?

What, in your view, is a realistic and just peace in this conflict?

How would such a peace be obtained?

Should Ukraine have to compromise to obtain peace? If not, how would peace be achieved if one sidethe side currently losing on the field of battlerefuses to make concessions?

How would you ensure peace if the parties agreed to end the present conflict?

The war hawks had their way during the prior Biden administration, and it was an unmitigated failure.

America has no obligation to sacrifice its sons and daughters for an ideological crusade masquerading as strategy. If Europe insists on lighting the match, they must live with the inferno they ignite.

Charlton Allen is an attorney, former chief executive officer, and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is the founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc., editor of The American Salient, and the host of the Modern Federalist podcast. X: @CharltonAllenNC

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Way back in 1858, Nongqause, a prophetess of the Xhosa Tribe in South Africa, had a vision telling her that all cattle of the tribe would have to be slaughtered, having been reared by contaminated hands. She said she had met the spirits of three of her ancestors, who had told her that the Xhosa people should destroy their crops and kill their cattle. In return, the spirits would sweep the British settlers into the sea. Then their granaries would fill again, and their kraals would have more and better cattle.

In the frenzy that followed, they killed between 300,000 and 400,000 head of cattle. In the resulting famine, the population of the province dropped from 105,000 to fewer than 27,000.

Neither the cattle nor the Xhosa tribe recovered from this deadly cure.

Every species has its lurking danger waiting to pounce  Hendra virus for horses, Johnes disease in sheep, veroa mites attacking bees, bird flu, swine fever, mad cow disease, monkeypox, wooden tongue, myxomatosis. Even the plant kingdom has its rusts and blights.

The spirit of Nongqause lives on in todays bureaucracy. The bureaucratic instinct is to kill every member in any threatened herd to ensure that all the sick ones die.

There is one fatal flaw in the scorched-earth disease control so loved by the bureaucracy: It fails to encourage the survival and multiplication of resistant individuals. Those individuals who survive, showing that they are resistant to the disease, are also slaughtered. There is no survival of the fittest, no evolution of a resistant strain, under the Nongqause remedy.

For example, a disease was detected in Australian beehives, and it is being managed by a scorched-earth policy of isolating and exterminating all nearby bees. Naturally, honey supplies are dwindling, and there are fears for the pollination of fruit trees and crops.

In our local Woolworths, the long shelves usually devoted to eggs were empty last week. Why? Followers of Nongqause found some sick hens on some farms and then murdered every hen in every flock where bird flu was detected. Entire flocks are culled when even one bird tests positive.

They are forever seeking more efficient ways to select the flocks to slaughter.

In the sad and moving Australian film Rams, modern flock exterminators go after sheep, killing every sheep in the district to eliminate a few with ovine Johnes disease. But one cunning old sheepman, distraught that they planned to destroy his lifes work in breeding better sheep, refused to accept their Nongqause solution. He hid a few ewes and his top-class ram in his cellar, sprouting grass for them in his bathroom. He let them out onto the grass at night. But a diligent visiting inspector noticed fresh sheep poo on his lawn. When discovery threatened, he fled to the hills with his remnant sheep. They all survived. (In real life, the bureaucrats would probably have pursued the refugees with drones and marksmen in helicopters.)

Foot and Mouth is used by politicians everywhere with hidden agendas to crush live exports or local meat consumption.

And in America now, an outbreak of measles is being used to bludgeon Amish people into vaccinations they normally refuse. One recalcitrant Amish parent was fined $118,000.

We need to learn from wild populations. They get diseases, too. The weakest die, but the herd survives and becomes stronger.

Look at wildlife crowded around the shrinking, polluted water holes at the end of a dry season in the Serengeti grasslands in southern Africa. There can be hundreds of animals and many species all drinking from contaminated puddles of water and all adding their germs to the muddy soup via their solid and liquid wastes. All germs get well spread around. The weak may die, but the fittest survive and pass their genes to the next generation. Herd immunity is strengthened without the pain of a single vaccine needle or the scorched-earth policy of the bureaucrats. (They would surround the waterhole, shoot every animal, and then have a huge bonfire.)

Our grandparents understood the value of natural vaccination. Long before we had artificial vaccines, chickenpox parties were valued as a way to get a child protected from chickenpox at an age when the infection is ordinarily less severe.

There are some who believe that the human population needs a Nongqause solution. Prince Phillip of England said, In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, in order to contribute something to solve overpopulation.

To facilitate their population control, they need to herd us into smart cities; keep electronic track of us via smartphones; reduce our food supplies; and limit our access to land, energy, and water. Their latest abomination? Using mosquitoes to vaccinate humans.

The spirit of Nongqause was rediscovered by Chinas Deng Xiaoping, who introduced that countrys one-child policy. It was strictly enforced, with fines for violators and often forced abortions. People risked losing their jobs if they were found to have had more than one child. But, as always, there were unintended consequences: Chinese parents made sure that their one child was a boy to look after them in their old age. Suddenly, China had a generation of angry, lonely young men unable to find a wife. So that policy was scrapped.

Britains King Charles probably supports Deng and Nongqause. He said once, Population growth must be halted if the world is to live within natures benevolence and bounty.

The bureaucracy is forever seeking ways to identify, keep track of, and vaccinate every one of us and our animals. They love electronic tracking  electronic ear tags are already compulsory for Australian cattle, and from now on, all new sheep and goat offspring must also get their electronic tag.

COVID tracking and vaccination were a test run to see how far they could go. Soon they will use 4G to tag and track every human, and electronic car controls will limit travel. Only the privileged will be allowed to travel outside their zone. Smart meters will ration energy, and controls on food and water will soon follow.

Nongqause dreamed a dream, and most of her tribe died.

Net Zero is todays apocalyptic dream, articulated by Al Gore (todays disciple of Nongqause) and his loyal Australian disciple Chris Bowen. Their impossible dream is to power the modern world with green energy. How many people need to die before they are content?

Further Reading

How History will recall our Climate Catastrophists:

https://www.spectator.com.au/2018/04/how-will-history-recall-our-climate-catastrophists/

Vaccines via Mosquitos:

https://newatlas.com/infectious-diseases/mosquito-bite-vaccine-malaria

Measles Media Meltdown:

https://drsircus.com/vaccines/panic-bodies-are-piling-up-manufactured-outrage-with-the-measles-media-meltdown/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Disclosure: Viv Forbes is a scientist and pastoralist. He and his wife have spent a lifetime learning how to raise healthy cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and pastures.

Image via Pixabay.
I got a call yesterday asking me if Id do an interview with the BBCs Rebecca Kesby, a host on the BBC World News program, about the Mahmoud Khalil issue. Hes the Syrian-born green-card holder whom Trump is working to deport. I dont respect the BBC (and why should I?) but I subscribe to the Scott Adams school of doing interviews: Theyre not going to change my mind, but perhaps I can change a few of their listeners minds. So, I said yes. It was an interesting experience, and Im curious to see how they reduce the pre-recorded interview from approximately 20 minutes down to 6.

Going in, I was told that this was supposed to be an open-minded inquiry into the situation on campuses generallysort of the thing that Christopher Rufo might knowrather than the details of Khalils case. Because I like to be overprepared, I didnt take that too seriously, and I read up on the Khalil case, so that Id know as much as possible about anything Kesby asked me. I was wise to do so, because that was her focus.

Image: X screen grab.

Heres what I learned, starting with free speech issues, and then moving to Khalil himself:

Undisputed fact: Our First Amendment states Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech...or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Undisputed fact: We have never had absolute free speech. Instead, there is a long list of limitations on free speech, all of which revolve around speech tied directly to clearly criminal activity. We all know that fraud and defamation are actionable speech. Other actionable speech is threatening the president of the U.S., threatening anyone with harm, conspiring to commit certain types of crime, inducing imminent violence, etc. The First Amendment is about the exchange of ideas, not incitement to crime.

Undisputed fact: While students do not give up their free speech rights, they have no greater rights than other citizens. In other words, they are constrained by the same limitations described in the preceding paragraph.

Undisputed fact: Khalil is a Syrian-born man who came to the U.S. on a student visa but, after marrying an American citizen, became a legal resident (i.e., a green card holder).

Undisputed fact: After October 7, 2023, media sympathetic to Khalils position have consistently assert that he represented Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) in dealings with Columbia University. In other words, he was CUADs spokesman.

Undisputed law: 8 US.C. 1182 (inadmissible aliens) holds that a person is inadmissible in America if he engages in terrorist activities.

Whats relevant here is that a person has committed a terrorist activity if he is a representative...of...a political, social, or other group that endorses or espouses terrorist activity. A representative includes a spokesman of an organization, and any person who directs, counsels, commands or induces an organization or its members to engage in terrorist activity.

That organization doesnt have to be on the designated U.S. terrorist list (which Hamas happens to be). Instead, a terrorist organization exists whenever there is a group of two or more individuals, whether organized or not, which engages in, or has a subgroup which engages in certain defined activities. These activities include, in relevant part, inciting people to cause death or serious bodily injury, soliciting funds for such activities, encouraging membership in an organization that wants to commit or incite terrorist activities, etc.

However, one doesnt have to go down the path of representatives and organizations. An immigrant or wannabe has also committed impermissible terrorist activities if he endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization...

And of course, as Marco Rubio noted, the same statute says that the Secretary of State has the authority to bar the entry of anyone he has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is inadmissible.

If you cannot be admitted to the U.S. for these reasons, you also cannot stay in the U.S. for the same reasons.

Undisputed fact: The organization that the media have stated that Khalil openly representedCUADhas a long history of making public pronouncements via social media about its support for overthrowing the United States government via violent action. You can read the details that Ryan Mauro assembled or follow this thread.

Assumption: Given CUADs openly stated ideology, its difficult to believe that Khalil was unaware of it.

Undisputed fact: Through his lawyers, Khalil has denied any direct links to Hamas, and vigorously asserts that he was merely exercising his right to free speech rather than engaging in criminal terrorist activity of the type that justifies deportation (and that, if proven, should also see American citizens imprisoned).

In sum, Khalil allegedly exceeded the boundaries of legal free speech by acting as a representative for an organization that openly espouses the violent overthrow of the United States government, conduct that if proven fully justifies deportation. Thats my conclusion, and Im sticking to it.

And about that BBC interview. I know Ill probably be sliced and diced beyond recognition because Kesby had a narrative (and I probably misspoke or didnt speak clearly at times, especially because Kesby relentlessly cut me off). Her narrative is that

Khalil has no affiliation with terrorism whatsoever because he denies Hamas ties (something that may certainly be true),

America has no limits on Khalils kind of speech (which I maintain is not true),

January 6 was terrorist activity (irrelevant to the discussion),

Israel has slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians (also irrelevant to the discussion), and

the BBC always tells the truth (a good position for a BBC employee to espouse).

Kesby did not want to hear that

free speech has limits;

one doesnt have to be affiliated with Hamas to have engaged in terrorist activity;

Khalil was affiliated with a group that openly espouses Americas violent overthrow;

most of the people on January 6 were effectively entrapped because signage warning of trespassing was removed, even as the Capitol police welcomed them into the Capitol through open doors (vitiating intent);

Hamas has inflated its civilian casualties;

Israel could easily have seen even more Israeli civilians slaughtered but for the fact that its created a civilian protection infrastructure against Hamass 10,000+ rockets aimed at civilian centers (even as Israel tries to avoid attacks that will harm Gazan civilians);

the BBC does not always tell the truth; and

to understand Columbias failures to protect its Jewish students civil rights under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, one should think about how the situation would have differed if the KKK had set up an encampment.

At the end of the conversation, I surprised Kesby (I think) by thanking her wholeheartedly for helping me consolidate my thoughts via her questions. Im now more certain than before that Khalil has an uphill struggle based on the available facts and laws (and that one assumption) to maintain his green-card status.

UPDATE: I just remembered: She also didn't want to hear about the difference between Jews who look to the Bible versus those who look to Marx to inform their values.
According to progressive jurists, a president trying to stabilize a failing business modelthat is, the federal governmentby the executive power vested in him, is a sham and unlawful. Heres the story, from an item published at The New York Times yesterday:

Two judges ordered federal agencies on Thursday to reinstate tens of thousands of workers with probationary status who had been fired across 19 agencies as part of President Trumps government-gutting initiative.

Judge William Alsup, a Democrat and district judge for the Northern District of California (San Francisco), declared Trumps firings as a gimmick and sham act, stating that the administration exploited a loophole in statutory requirements (the law). Per Alsup:

It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie, he said.

Perhaps Alsup ought to dust off his old law books. First of all, a loophole is a legal course of action, only accessible because the legislature apparently missed something. The constitutional and judicious response is to petition said legislature to remedy the perceived issueyou dont trample all over a defendant just because he outsmarted the system. Well, unless youre a progressive ideologue I guess.

Secondly, Alsup also needs to refresh himself on what a probationary period of employment is:

The employees initial period of employment during which the employer assesses the employees suitability for the role. An employer will quite often specify a probationary period in the contract which could vary from several weeks to six months. It is also often the case that the employer (or employee) can terminate the relationship with a shorter period of notice (often one week) than if they are a permanent employee. It is also possible that an employer will offer less or no benefits during a probationary period.

These probationary employees are not entitled to employment, and considering the employer is upside down in its debtswhich fall on the taxpaying publicthe new salaries that come with these prospective workers are not suitable to the business (government), or its stakeholders (taxpayers). This is a completely reasoned and legally sound conclusion.

Furthermore, it seems like a deficit of $2 trillion, and an overall national debt of $36 trillion, might also emphasize the unsuitability of new hiresno?

Alsups cohort, Judge James Bredar, then ruled that Trump was not allowed to fire anyone else. Thankfully, these idiots arent in charge of our government oh wait, they are!

Hat tip: Jack Hellner

Image from Grok.
It's sad to see just how far TDS will take some people. The once brilliant Mona Charen is a case in point. She just rushed to the aid of the Columbia U. Hamas activist being now being deported, with the missive Mahmoud Khalil has rights, dammit.

I immediately thought of the DA in the movie Dirty Harry, as he explained that an insane killer, just arrested, couldnt be prosecuted: That man had rights!

"Well, I'm all broken up about that man's rights", Clint Eastwood would famously reply.

Granted, in 1971, prosecuting the fictional killer at hand, given the circumstances, would have been difficult, but still possible. Maybe they get him for income tax.

Real-life prosecutors have never been shy about those sorts of things when they really want somebody, like Al Capone or Donald Trump.

In the case of Mahmoud Khalil though, no tricks needed. If poor Mona had carefully read the law professor she quoted, the relevant statute was right there -- 8 U.S.C. 1182 . Any non-citizen who endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization is removable. Khalil is accused of circulating pro-Hamas pamphlets. Hamas has been officially designated a terrorist organization since 1997.

If the judge insists on more, Im sure the government has plenty of instances of this chap supporting and advocating for Hamas. This guy has been on their radar for years.

Khalils defenders mostly understand hes deportable under our strict alien removal laws; they just complain that in the past, they were rarely used. So what?

Times have changed, and there is an army of foreign nationals getting student visas, not to study, but to build a Fifth Column of America haters. The anti-Semites at Columbia are just the first wave.

Mona ended her diatribe furious about Pres. Trump starting an EO investigation of the Perkins Coie law firm. These are the people at the center of all the Obama/Clinton/Biden Russiagate dirty tricks the last nine years.

I only hope this investigation, and those involving James Comey, get far enough that some of the insiders start turning on each other. If not, I guess the native-born who would wreck our system will get off.

Foreign nationals who hate America though, are due a change of scenery. Khalil will even get a chance to explore his legal rights in whichever Middle East sewer he is sent back to.

Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY.

Image: Ted Eytan
Yesterday, I told Republicans that they could relax about this years battle of Democrats to blame Republicans for a so-called federal government shutdown. Hours later, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer validated my advice by surrendering, and announcing that he would not filibuster the continuing resolution funding bill and would in fact vote for cloture. The Democrats house organ summarized:

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, broke with his party on Thursday and lined up enough Democrats to advance a Republican-written bill to keep federal funding flowing past a midnight Friday deadline, arguing that Democrats could not allow a government shutdown that many of them have demanded. During a private luncheon with Democrats, Mr. Schumer stunned many of his colleagues by announcing that he planned to vote to allow the G.O.P. bill to move forward, and indicated that he had enough votes to help Republicans break any filibuster by his own party against the measure, according to attendees and people familiar with the discussion. It was a turnabout from just a day earlier, when Mr. Schumer proclaimed that Democrats were unified against the legislation[.]

The decision was not accepted with unanimous support among his caucus. Reporters overheard shouting through closed doors during a private lunch at the Capitol. But it is among House Democrats that the most public opposition is visible.

Axios, whose headline says it all: House Dems go into complete meltdown as Schumer folds:

House Democrats erupted into apoplexy Thursday night after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he would support Republicans stopgap government funding measure. [snip] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), in remarks to his House colleagues at their annual retreat Thursday, lauded them for standing up to President Trump by voting against the bill, according to multiple sources.

When he praised House Democrats votes, he received a standing ovation. When he mentioned Senate Democrats, members booed. What were hearing: House Democrats text chains lit up Thursday night with expressions of blinding anger, according to numerous lawmakers who described the conversations on the condition of anonymity. People are PISSED, one House Democrat told Axios in a text message.

Several members  including moderates  have begun voicing support for a primary challenge to Schumer, floating Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) as possible candidates, three House Democrats said.

One lawmaker even vowed at the House Democratic retreat to write a check tonight supporting Ocasio-Cortez, said the senior House Democrat.

Another Democrat told Axios the ideation has gone a step further: There is definitely a primary recruitment effort happening right now  not just Schumer, but for everyone who votes no.

Democrat Senators have been more genteel in public, expressing their discontent by announcing their retirements (four, so far), tanking dreams of retaking the Senate and stymying Trump judicial appointments, among other mischief in the second half of his term.

More winning under Trump.

Image: DonkeyHotey, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered.

Retired AT founder Thomas Lifson has also started a Substack page. You can read his first post there here.
A grassroots event at the Vermont Statehouse on March 12, 2025, intended to draw attention to the mental health needs of youth who are often misdiagnosed and treated for gender dysphoria, was ironically disrupted by trans activists. Many youth with autism or other underlying psychological disorders are misdiagnosed as transgender and wrongly administered puberty-blockers or even surgeries. When they regret and seek to reverse their decision, such victims of this medical malpractice are called detransitioners.

The event, hosted by Vermont Family Alliance (VFA) and SPEAK VT (Students, Parents & Educators for Achievement through Knowledge), sought to raise awareness about Detransitioners and the harm done to them by the medical community by airing two short videos, one featuring Chloe Cole and the other Dr. Az Hakeem. The groups duly reserved a room at the Statehouse, only to have their event hijacked by the loud and intentionally offensive gyrations of a small band of what can only be called deranged fanatics opposed to open discussion of these traumas. (I was in attendance and took the event videos linked below.)

VFA and SPEAK VT were not in any way attacking the transgender community. Rather, they were explicitly supporting Detransitioners and Desisters (someone who previously identified as transgender but who re-identified with his true sex prior to any medical intervention). The video of Dr. Az Hakeem, who has compassionately treated many people with gender dysphoria, explains that many youth are suffering not from gender dysphoria but autism or trauma, and that psychotherapy helps them work through this without undertaking gender transition hormones or surgeries. Dr. Hakeem reports that approximately 26% of the patients he treated were post-operative regretters.

In the five-minute video of detransitioner Chloe Coles testimony (that was not screened due to the transruption), the brave young woman strongly expresses her post-operative regret:

I am a detransitioner. Another way to put that would be, I used to believe that I was born in the wrong body, and the adults in my life whom I trusted affirmed my belief, and this caused me lifelong irreversible harm. I speak to you today as a victim of one of the biggest medical scandals in the history of the United States of America. I speak to you in the hope that you will have the courage to bring this scandal to an end and ensure that other vulnerable teenagers, children, and young adults do not go through what I went through.

Tragically, the trans activists who barbarically blocked the proposed film viewing were enabled by Vermonts sergeant at arms, Agatha Kessler, who weakly appealed for those in attendance to coexist without attempting to restore civility, after allowing a boom box, a bullhorn, and the protesters in the room before the event hosts were allowed to enter (according to event organizer Renee McGuiness). Kessler then claimed she was too short-staffed to protect the public and canceled the event while the mirthful ringleader smiled approvingly.

Vermont has been at the forefront of pushing transgender therapies on minors without parental consent, even statutorily shielding health care providers who engage in what Miss Cole correctly characterizes as a medical scandal.

Puberty-blockers and hormone therapies do not have long-term studies to support their safety, and they risk causing cancer, fatty liver disease, infertility, and other traumas. For children and youth who mistakenly undertake these therapies (let alone surgeries!) because of hasty (and legally shielded) medical providers who do not thoroughly assess their mental health needs before proceeding, these therapies and surgeries are the lobotomies of the twenty-first century.

The educational event at the Vermont statehouse was not an attack on transgender-identifying people, but an effort to prevent autistic, traumatized, and vulnerable youth (especially minors) from rashly undertaking therapies and surgeries they will later regret. As VFA and SPEAK VT advertised in their event notice:

Those pushing the transgender agenda are ignoring or downplaying the increasing number of detransitioners. This group needs to have its mental and medical health needs supported. Their stories need to be heeded, as all safeguards against mistakes with transgender medical interventions are being removed. ... Detransition is not as rare as once believed. With younger children and more young adults transitioning, the number of those with regret are increasing at an accelerated rate.

The toxic attacks exhibited by the trans activists (many of whom wore masks to hide their identities) to prevent a simple, civil effort at Vermonts historic statehouse demonstrate hate in the name of opposing hate, and a perversion of free speech liberties accompanied by celebrations of perversion. As seen in the videos of this obscene charade, Vermonts brave forefathers (and attendees concerned for harm to children) looked on in silence as this trans travesty occurred.

Shamelessly, Vermonts leading Democrat legislators applauded this behavior. Representative Lori Houghton publicly announced, Its at times like this that Im proud to live in Vermont. In the ultimate irony, clueless Vermont Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale afterwards proclaimed:

We stand with trans Vermonters and their right to access the medical care, safety, and legal protections they deserve. We reject any efforts to turn their existence into a political debate. Everyone should be free to live authentically and without fear  this is the foundation of a truly free and just society. We will move forward with compassion, respect, and an unwavering defense of the freedoms that belong to all.

Educating legislators about victims of medical malpractice like Chloe Cole, who are by definition not transgender, was verboten by Democrats who exploit these minors for political debate and turn their existence into a living hell in the name of safety and legal protections. Vermonts medical failures and Democrat degeneracy are a profound national disgrace.

President Trump is right to fight such hatefulness, to defend the children whom these people clearly do not care about and exploit as pawns. Vermonts childish trans antics are an SOS for Americas youth  an exhibition of not love and tolerance, but tyranny and hatefulness. Cutting federal funding to Vermont until it stands up for children instead of perversion is an admirable goal, long overdue in the Green Mountains.

Author, pastor, and attorney John Klar raises grass-fed beef and sheep in Vermont. His Substack, Small Farm Republic, is based on his 2023 book Small Farm Republic: Why Conservatives Must Embrace Local Agriculture, Reject Climate Alarmism, and Lead an Environmental Revival. John is a staff writer at Liberty Nation News.

Image via Pixabay.
'Irony' is not a word in the United Nations vocabulary.

According to Blaze Media:

Climate alarmists are planning yet another summit under the auspices of the United Nations to discuss changing weather patterns, wealth redistribution schemes, and ways of regulating human behavior.

Ho, hum, why is this news, you ask?

Because, instead of holding a virtual meeting this November, the conference's more than 50,000 participants will fly around the world, as the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference will be held in person -- in Belem, Brazil, the gateway to the Amazon River -- and the legendary, precious and revered Amazon rainforest.

In fact, COP30 participants will travel through the Amazon Rainforest in cushy motorized comfort while entering and leaving Belem, courtesy of a new four-lane highway being cut through the protected and beloved forest, which allegedly is responsible for one fourth of all the planets carbon absorption.

Eight miles of rainforest has already been deforested to make room for the newly constructed Avenida Liberdade highway, coming soon!

This is quite possibly the most egregious example of hypocrisy in human history. Climate Change Acolytes have decided to hold their virtue signaling religious summit in the Amazon rainforest, with so many attendees jetting there in their private planes that they had to clear-cut a four-lane highway through the rainforest.

What was the thought process? That's right, let's plow under at least eight miles of virgin Amazon rainforest so we can build a four-lane highway to our meeting site!

They couldn't have held the meeting in Rio where they already have four-lane highways? Or someplace like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where no road construction or deforestation whatsoever would be needed?

No, these pseudo-concerned climate clowns had to fly to the edge of the rainforest and level a vast swath of the Earth's air filter, for their convenience, to show that they don't really give a damn about anything of which theyve ever spoken.

If anyones behavior needs to be regulated, it is theirs. This is the mother of all in-your-face actions, truly next-level chutzpah. If any of us ever listen to anything they say ever again, it is on us.

I guess, if youre an elitist and can't see the forest for the trees, you just clearcut down.

Image: Aidenvironment, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0
Ships arent meant to sink, but sometimes you have to wonder what miraculous forces kept a vessel afloat. The SS Baychimo was such a ship. For nearly four decades after it was abandoned, this 1,300-ton cargo ship sailed the Arctic without fuel or crew, until it disappeared just over fifty years ago, but some believe she is still out there drifting among the frozen icebergs.

SS Baychimo was launched in 1914, originally as Angermanelfven, after one of Swedens longest rivers, Angerman. She was designed and built by the Swedish shipbuilders Lindholmens for a German company based in Hamburg. The vessel had a steel hull 230 feet long, and was powered by a triple expansion steam engine. She was also outfitted with schooner rigging.

Angermanelfven was used as a trading vessel by her German owners around the Baltic Sea, sailing between Hamburg and Sweden until the First World War began. Following the Great War, she was ceded to the British government as part of Germany's war reparations and was acquired by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1921, whereupon she was renamed Baychimo. Based in Ardrossan, Scotland, Baychimo made routine trips across the North Atlantic between her homeport and Canada visiting trading posts and collecting pelts.

In 1923, Baychimo was assigned to a different route, this time in the Western Arctic, traveling between Vancouver and the Hudson's Bay Companys posts along the Yukon and Northwest Territories northern coast. Aside from carrying cargo, Baychimo occasionally took passengers, but since she wasnt legally allowed to carry people, these ocean travelers were listed as part of the crew and were required to work on the ship in exchange for a room and a trip back home.

In late September 1931, on her way back to Vancouver, the Baychimo ran into a surprise blizzard near Point Barrow on Alaskas northern coast, where she became trapped in pack ice. It became apparent that the crew will have to overwinter in the Arctic, but since Baychimo couldnt be heated all winter long, the crew decided to leave the ship and set up camp near the town of Barrow, just over half-a-mile away. Throughout the month of October and most of November, some men would return to the ship everyday to clear away ice from the ships rudder and other critical piece of equipment.

Baychimo crew removing supplies from the ice-bound ship.

On 24 November a powerful blizzard struck, and when it cleared, the men found the Baychimo gone. The captain and crew assumed the vessel had sunk, but they soon received word that an Inuk hunter had spotted the Baychimo roughly 72 km south of their encampment. The crewmen tracked the ship down, but deciding she was unlikely to survive the winter, they removed the most valuable furs from the hold and abandoned the ship for the last time.

Captain Cornwell and the remaining crew flew back to Vancouver and the company wrote off the vessel and the negligible cargo it held as a loss. Shortly thereafter, the Baychimo was spotted about 480 km to the east of where she was last spotted. The following year, she was seen again floating near the shores of Alaska. In the decades that followed, numerous people sighted the Baychimo all around the Arctic peacefully adrift in the frigid waters. Many times she was boarded by explorers or crews of passing ships, but each time she eluded capture. Once, a group of Alaska Natives boarded her and were trapped aboard for 10 days by a freak storm. In 1969, 38 years after she was abandoned, she was found trapped in an ice pack in Beaufort Sea between Point Barrow and Icy Cape, off the northwestern Alaskan coast. That was the last recorded sighting of Baychimo.

Crew members clearing ice from the Baychimos rudder.

Nearly four decades later, in 2006, the Alaskan government began work on a project to find Baychimo as well as an estimated 4,000 ships that had disappeared along the coast of Alaska. The search yielded nothing.

Assuming that the Baychimo had sunk shortly after her last sighting, it still makes her one of the longest sailing ghost ships in the world. Ships rarely survive for so long unmanned, especially among the crushing ice packs. Its more than likely that the once unsinkable ghost ship now lies somewhere in the cold, muddy bottom of the Arctic Ocean.

References:

# Amelia Fay, Baychimo: The Adventures Of The Ghost Ship Of The Arctic, Manitoba Museum

# Wikipedia
Whats the reason you would upgrade or buy an iPhone? A better design? More powerful chipset? Camera upgrades? Those seem like good reasons, but if you said Apple Intelligence, theres a good chance youre in the minority here. This is because, based on analyst Ming-Chi Kuos sources, even Apple knows that Apple Intelligence is underwhelming and that it wont drive iPhone upgrades.

Even Apple knows it

Apple officially introduced Apple Intelligence at WWDC last year. While Apple announced its AI-powered suite at the event, it took the company a while to roll it out. Even today, not all of Apple Intelligences features are out yet. For instance, the anticipated AI upgrade for Siri has been delayed even further.

Kuo has cautioned against being too optimistic that Apple Intelligence could drive sales. In a recent post on X/Twitter, he said that Apple is aware of Apple Intelligences underwhelming demand. So much so that the company allegedly provided suppliers with a more conservative iPhone shipment forecast.

Lately, the market consensus has shifted to a more cautious stance on iPhone shipments and Apple Intelligence (Siri), which supports my earlier predictions. Moreover, its clear that when Apple shared conservative shipment forecasts with its key suppliers early this year, they had already factored in Apple Intelligences underwhelming performance, Kuo stated.

Poorly handled crisis

Kuo also expressed his disappointment with how Apple handled the delay of the Siri upgrade. One of the biggest changes users were probably looking forward to was the AI upgrade of Siri. Siri assistant has been a joke ever since its inception, and it hasnt changed. However, reports emerged of Apple working on an improved Siri with AI-powered conversational capabilities like ChatGPT. This seemed like a dream come true for Apple fans.

Sadly, the feature was delayed, and instead of announcing it officially, Apple simply updated its Apple Intelligence page with fine print that reads, This feature is in development and will be available with a future software update. According to Kuo, he thinks Apple should have handled this the same way Steve Jobs did back in the day with the iPhone 4s Antennagate scandal.

In any case, the latest reports claim that we shouldnt expect any major Apple Intelligence features this year. Apple will bake more AI features into existing apps instead of introducing groundbreaking new ones.
Weve already seen some of the changes Google is bringing to Android 16. But in addition to all the new features and improvements, Google could also make some design changes. According to Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, Google could redesign the settings menu in Android 16.

Android 16s settings submenu redesign

Google has been quietly experimenting with a new, more expressive design that enhances navigation and readability. The goal is to create a clearer visual distinction between various menu options. The enhancement will improve the way submenus are displayed in a card-like design.

According to Rahmans report, while exploring Android 16 Beta 3, he spotted signs that Google is working on this updated Settings layout. He enabled the changes, which revealed a fresh new look, and its quite a departure from the current Android 15 design. Based on his observations, four major tweaks stand out in this Android 16s settings redesign.

Google has refined the Material You toggles, giving the on/off switches a more distinct X or checkmark icon inside the handle. This change makes it clear whether a setting is enabled or disabled. Additionally, Google has introduced a new card-based layout, replacing the simple list with more distinctive-looking cards to improve readability and organization. This makes it easier to separate different sections at a glance.

New submenu indicators

There are also new submenu indicators, in the form of small arrow icons, that accompany settings and lead to additional pages. This makes it more obvious when a menu item has further options inside. Lastly, there are improvements for the header placement. Most settings pages now display the header at the very top by default, freeing up more space to show additional options immediately.

However, the main homepage of the Settings app remains largely unchanged from the Android 15 QPR1 update. This could mean that the changes will most likely apply to the submenus instead of the main menu.

That said, its unclear if this Android 16 settings redesign will launch with the stable release later this year. Google may choose to roll it out in a quarterly update post-launch or even hold it back until Android 17. Theres also another possibility that this new look never makes it past the testing phase.

Weve seen Google test out new features in beta builds only to pull them back ahead of launch. Hopefully, Google moves forward with this design, as it makes navigating the Settings app much smoother and more visually structured. Google reportedly plans to release Android 16 in the middle of the year, earlier than previous Android versions.
Artificial intelligence is already the foundation of the present and future of the tech industry. AI-powered technology has enabled great advancements in a short period of timeachievements that would have taken years with more traditional methods. For this reason, confidential information related to AI can be especially valuable. With this in mind, the CEO of Anthropic has warned about spies seeking to steal the United States AI secrets.

Corporate espionage is nothing new. The tech industry has dealt with such situations for decades. However, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, believes the issue can be specifically concerning when talking about AI. In the end, its not just about companies seeking to develop a better product than others to compete in the market. AI also involves developments applicable to the military that could pose a danger to US national security in the wrong hands.

Dario Amodei, Anthropic CEO, says Chinese spies are trying to obtain US AI secrets

Amodei is warning about efforts by spies, primarily of Chinese origin, to gain access to classified information about US AI. He claims that, once they have access to key sections of code, it could be easy for attackers to steal the secrets behind the development. After all, these are algorithmic secrets that may be present in just a few lines of code.

Many of these algorithmic secrets, there are $100 million secrets that are just a few lines of code, he said this week, speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations event. And, you know, Im sure there are people trying to steal them, and they may be succeeding, Amodei added. Anthropics CEO also noted that China has a long history of large-scale industrial espionage.

Amodei advocates for government intervention to keep US AI secrets from US companies safe from spies. He believes potential attackers could target Anthropic and other AI firms, emphasizing that it is very important to have the help of US authorities. However, he did not offer more specific details.

Its noteworthy that this month, Anthropic sent a list of recommendations to the White Houses Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on how intelligence agencies could help AI companies protect AI development from foreign countries. The main concern is that countries like China will use US developments for military purposes.

Other voices advocate collaboration with China to develop AI

There are voices that oppose Amodeis views on the AI industry. Some experts believe that the US should actually collaborate more with China to promote joint development of artificial intelligence. This could prevent a potential race to develop AI that could spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Amodei advocates for the US government to restrict AI development in China.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Microsoft was planning the release of an Xbox handheld thats set to launch sometime in 2025, and it looks like that handheld is going to be manufactured by ASUS.

In the initial report, it wasnt mentioned who would be making this handheld gaming device, just that it wasnt being done in-house by Microsoft and that it would be manufactured by one of Microsofts partners. It was also noted that the device is set to launch sometime this year, as long as everything goes according to plan. Which as of now, seems to be the case.

The report also mentioned that the device was codenamed Project Keenan. Following that report, there is now a little more information about what the device will be like, as well as whos making it. As it turns out, ASUS is said to be the manufacturer. ASUS already has two handhelds under its belt with the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X. This likely makes it easy for Microsoft to trust that ASUS is the right partner for the job.

The Project Kennan Xbox handheld will be made by ASUS

With ASUS being behind the hardware manufacturing, its possible the device could end up looking a little like the ROG Ally family. That being said, theres no information as of yet on what the design will be like. It is said that the device will have definitive Xbox elements, such as the Xbox Guide button. New information on the handheld comes from The Verges Tom Warren. In his report, Warren states that the device is actually codenamed Project Kennan, and not Project Keenan as was previously thought.

Additionally, Warren offers up some information on the design of the user interface. It will reportedly look a lot like the interface on the Xbox consoles. All while running on Windows 11. So while it will be Windows 11, the UI will feel like the UI on Xbox consoles to make things easier to navigate.

One of the major pain points with Windows gaming handhelds has been the user interface. Windows works fine on PCs because you have a keyboard and mouse. However, UI navigation doesnt translate as well to a handheld. Microsoft is working with ASUS to make it simpler to navigate the device UI. Putting the focus on games and making it simpler to jump in and play something. Its also said that this is part of Microsofts larger plan to unify Windows and Xbox.

This is something that Microsoft Head of Gaming Phil Spencer has talked about before. In addition to the Xbox-like UI, games will reportedly come from a single store. Pricing is also speculated to be between $499 and $599. This suggests that performance may be lower than that of the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. Both of these handhelds run on the AMD Z1 Extreme.

Microsoft still plans to launch its own handheld down the line

While this wont be a proper handheld version of an Xbox, Microsoft still apparently plans to launch such a device in the future. The current plan is to reportedly launch an in-house Xbox handheld in 2027. This is also when Microsoft is said to be planning the launch of its next-gen Xbox console.

Theres little information about Microsofts own handheld at the moment, though. So, those wanting an Xbox handheld will have to settle for what ASUS will be offering in the short term.
Which mobile platform has the largest global market share in the world? If you said Android, youd be right. According to the latest data from Counterpoint Research, Android continues to dominate the global smartphone market with a staggering 74% market share in Q4 2024 compared to iOS, which only has a 22% market share.

Huawei beats out Apple in China

However, whats interesting is that in China, Huaweis HarmonyOS actually surpassed Apples iOS. In Q4 2024, iOS had a market share of 17% in China, but HarmonyOS edged past it with a 19% market share. The numbers reflect the rapid growth that Huaweis HarmonyOS has had in the last couple of years.

In Q1 2023, HarmonyOS had an 8% market share, but in about 2 years, it doubled its market share in China. iOS, on the other hand, has been going up and down, dropping to as low as 14% in Q3 2023. Android has also been seeing a steady decline in China. It had a 72% market share in Q1 2023, but in Q4 2024, it dropped to 64%.

We wont say that Android is in any danger of being taken over by HarmonyOS anytime soon in China. However, HarmonyOS does have the added benefit of being a homegrown platform, plus Chinese customers are particularly patriotic, too. Not to mention, Googles services are banned in China. So, for the most part, its not that hard for Chinese users to move away from Android compared to the rest of the world.

Will HarmonyOS become dominant?

Speaking about the rest of the world, HarmonyOS commands only about 4% of the global market share compared to iOS and Android. Although its share has increased over the years, its still only a fraction of Android and iOS. That said, different markets do have different types of users who prefer one platform over the other.

While Android continues to dominate worldwide, iOS leads the US market with a 65% share. Androids market share dropped in the US, going from 48% in Q3 2024 to 35% in the next quarter. It will be interesting to see if Huaweis HarmonyOS eventually becomes a dominant player globally. Wouldnt it be nice to have an alternative to iOS and Android one day?
OpenAI is currently the leading face in the AI segment. Its flagship product, ChatGPT, led to the artificial intelligence revolution that has taken over the tech industry. However, the company has also received lawsuits from publishers for using content available on the internet to train its AI. To avoid these situations, OpenAI is urging the US government to allow the free use of copyrighted material for AI training.

Currently, the United States priority regarding AI is to ensure dominance in the segment. The country sees it as key to establishing itself as the world leader in artificial intelligence development due to its implications. Youre probably familiar with many AI-powered services and even use some daily. However, major powers also consider the technologys potential in the military. AI can provide a competitive advantage in the modern era, where warfare is also digital.

The US should allow free use of copyrighted material for AI training, OpenAI says

In line with this, OpenAI has shared a proposal with the US government urging deregulation of the sector, allowing AI companies to freely use material available on the interneteven copyrighted materialto train their AI products. OpenAI claims that its developments fall under the fair use doctrine. This is because products like ChatGPT are trained not to replicate works for consumption by the public. The fair use doctrine is based on the use of copyrighted content in a transformative way to generate new content rather than simply copying it.

The document also notes that private sector relief is essential for the United States to win the AI battle against China. Without action, the US AI industry could gradually fall behind China. The Asian country has much more permissive copyright laws, which facilitate AI-based developments and the rapid advancement of its industry. OpenAI recalls the case of Europe, where EU regulations have stifled AI innovation.

The private sector relief proposed by OpenAI involves 781+ AI-related bills filed across the US. The company describes many of these as overly burdensome state laws. As a result, they weaken the quality and level of training data available to American entrepreneurs, the document states.

Proposal includes measures to slow Chinas advance

OpenAIs proposal also contemplates the sharing of AI data with other countries. In these cases, the company advocates sharing the technology following a series of democratic principles. This implies limiting access to countries that do not follow these principles, such as China. It also proposes not sharing AI key technology with countries allied to Beijing.

Lastly, OpenAI also urges the government to support the local AI industry. The firm proposes both local investment and seeking foreign capital. The United States is currently working on the StarGate project. StarGate will establish a series of massive data centers to boost AI development in the country.

You can read the full OpenAI document on its official website.
Oracle is emerging as the frontrunner to take control of TikToks US operations. This is according to a new report from The Information (paywalled). The Oracle TikTok lead is significant, given the platforms enormous influence and the political scrutiny surrounding its operations in the US.

Oracle reportedly in the lead

This isnt the first time Oracle has been linked to potentially acquiring TikTok. Trump mentioned Oracles co-founder Larry Ellison during one of his speeches. Trump himself had previously stated that there were four bidders in the running but did not name them directly. However, the latest report suggests Oracle is one of them.

That being said, this deal is contingent on one thing: ByteDance does not intend to give up full control of TikTok. Even if Oracle were to take charge of TikToks US operations, ByteDance says it wants to maintain a hands-on role in the business. This is even if portions of the company end up under American ownership. It sounds like quite a huge ask, but ByteDance believes it has the leverage to do so.

Both Oracle and TikTok have an existing partnership through Project Texas. This multibillion-dollar initiative sees TikTok store US user data on Oracles cloud servers. This partnership also allows Oracle to audit TikToks algorithm source code, providing oversight to address national security concerns. If Oracle does take over TikToks US operations, Project Texas could become the foundation for the transition. This ensures data security while keeping TikToks algorithm intact.

Meanwhile, other groups remain in the race. A consortium led by billionaire Frank McCourt, which includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. YouTube star MrBeast is also linked to a separate bid. However, with the Oracle TikTok lead gaining momentum, these alternatives may struggle to gain traction, especially given Ellisons relationship with Trump.

A bumpy ride towards the finish

TikTok is currently enjoying a temporary 75-day reprieve from a US ban. This ban expires in April, but Trump has indicated he might extend this deadline. However, many questions remain. If an entity were to be formed to oversee TikToks operations in the US, what exactly would it oversee? Would it oversee advertising? Sales? Engineering? Or would it end up controlling user data or TikToks highly coveted algorithm?

With Oracle in the lead position to buy TikTok, this saga could soon end, but it doesnt look like its going to be a smooth road to the finish line.
The Pixel 9 series of phones proved to be a popular lineup. Theyre well-built, powerful, and chock-full of AI. However, there is an issue lying below the surface that has affected several people. What makes this issue worse is the fact that its been going on for six months, and Google hasnt addressed it. Some Pixel 9 units are having severe GPS performance issues.

Several users reported on this issue as early as September last year when Pixel 9 phones started making their way into hands. So, were not sure if this issue just didnt get much traction or if Google is trying to sweep it under the rug. No matter what the scenario, the stories were hearing are pretty scary.

The Pixel 9 phones have some severe GPS issues

This issue might have been buried and over with, but a user reached out to Android Headlines about it. The user told us that she had absolutely abysmal GPS performance with her phone. After looking further into the issue, it looks like this is a pretty big problem with the series.

Other users who bought a Pixel 9 phone reported having awful GPS performance as well. Some users actually replaced their phones for a fresh unit only to run into the same issue. So, this is clearly a bug with the Pixel 9 phones specifically. Many of the users upgraded from phones such as the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a. They found that the performance on the Pixel 9 was much worse.

One user said that when theyre standing still, their phone would think that theyre moving back and forth. This could really mess up your distance calculations if youre keeping track of it. The user said that it could increase distance calculations by 15%. Thats not all, as the user shared a screenshot comparing their Pixel 9s performance with their Pixel 7s on a straightforward trail. The Pixel 7s line (purple) was consistent with the map while the Pixel 9s (black) line had a ton of unexpected loops and spikes.

Another report shows much the same thing. In this one, they upgraded from a Pixel 6 Pro to a Pixel 9 Pro. Again, we see a comparison between both. Both halves of the picture show a hiking trail with the top one being the Pixel 9 Pro. As you can see, theres a stark difference between the two phones performance.

The Pixel 9 Pros graph shows a ton of jumps that resulted in jagged lines and corners whereas the Pixel 6 Pros line is much smoother and more accurate. We can see a long straight line in the middle of the Pixel 9 Pros graph. This indicates the user cutting straight through the trail.

If you think thats bad, how about the phones performance with a straight line? Thats right, one user reported that the Pixel 9 Pro XL struggled with just mapping out a straight line. As you can see, there are the same sorts of spikes and loops that we saw with the other images.

Last, but not least, the user who reached out to us sent a screen recording showing this happening in real-time.

Its clear that this is a pretty severe issue. If these phones cant map a straight line, then Google needs to do something. Were actually pretty surprised that this issue didnt gain traction when people were first reporting on it. There werent any other controversies happening around the time to distract from it.

Why Google is ignoring this issue

Its odd that Google hasnt acknowledged this little hiccup. If were seeing GPS performance like this, youd expect the company to at least say something about it. However, it persisted for six months. Since people rely on their phones quite often for navigation, proper GPS performance is a must.

Google probably didnt prioritize the issue because phones use their cellular data to communicate with services like Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, and others. When a person exits their cell signals range, their phone will fall back to GPS. Since the majority of people live and travel within cell range, this issue probably just didnt get the attention it deserves.

However, there could be a much more worrisome reason. At this point, we dont know if this is a hardware or software issue. Obviously, if its a software issue, then there could be a fix in sight. However, what if this is a hardware issue? That would make things much more complicated. Google could easily announce and own up to a software bug; it could easily be patched.

But, were sure that the company wouldnt want to admit that theres a physical defect in its newest phones that can not be fixed. Right now, Google is focused on the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 10. We dont think that its going to go in and patch up the Pixel 9s issue. So, theres always the chance that it wants to turn a blind eye to this problem and bury it. However, thats only speculation; well need to wait for confirmation for that.

Also, if Google was trying to bury a hardware defect, then it would have likely deleted the support page complaints. In any case, this is a pretty big issue, and we hope that Google comes out and tells us whats going on.
One UI 7.0, the Android 15-based update for Galaxy devices, will arrive on the Galaxy S24 series starting in April. Older models may have to wait months to receive it. Samsung only opened the beta program for the Galaxy S23 lineup this week. However, recent reports already suggested that One UI 8 is already under testing. Now, the company itself has addressed the rumors.

The detected One UI 8 builds are running on Samsungs internal test units

Last week, X user KeepUPwithOneUI spotted alleged One UI 8 builds for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (build number F956BXXU2CYC1) and Galaxy Z Flip 6 (build number F741BXXU2CYC1). This news caused a stir among Galaxy phone users. After all, theyve been waiting for stable One UI 7 for many months. The commotion led to multiple posts on Samsung Community, the official forum of the South Korean giant.

That said, a member of the One UI dev team responded to one of the posts to try to calm the waters. The representative didnt deny that the company is already working on an Android 16-based One UI update. However, the comment says that the spotted One UI 8 builds are likely running in Samsung test units. The response makes it clear that these builds are in early-stage development and are not available for public use.

The first related reports also caused some confusion among the community. Many thought One UI 8 was already available for testing for regular users. However, the Samsung representative clarifies that, in reality, the ROM is only in the early stages of internal testing.

One UI 8 could arrive earlier than previous updates

Even so, some sources suggest that One UI 8 could arrive sooner than usual this year. A report from early March stated that Samsung will skip all intermediate One UI 7 updates. That is, the company could not release updates like One UI 7.1 or One UI 7.0.1. Instead, the next major update after One UI 7 could be One UI 8.

The move makes sense considering all the delays to One UI 7. Many Galaxy devices will receive the Android 15-based update when Android 16 is available for several weeksor monthsbefore. So, Samsung could speed up the development of One UI 8 and prevent its devices from falling too far behind in terms of Android updates.
Samsung is one of the companies that files the most patents. Although many fans of the firm accuse it of being too conservative and continuist, its multiple divisions are constantly experimenting with new technologies and form factors. For example, a new Samsung patent describes a repositionable camera system for smartphones. The design seems ideal for foldable and rollable phones.

Samsung filed this particular patent on January 10, 2022, on the US Designs IP Portal. However, the company just received the approval under the code D1066344, as detected by MySmartPrice. The report states that Samsung has been researching and experimenting with similar designs for several years. More specifically, Samsung has been working internally on this type of repositionable camera system for mobile devices since 2019.

Samsungs patent shows a repositionable camera system for phones or tablets

The patent shows a mobile device with a single camera setup that changes position according to the users needs. It allows you to set the cameras on the front or back of the device. This allows you to use the same sensors both as usual and for selfies. In turn, the system eliminates the need to integrate a separate front-facing camera and improves the quality of the selfies.

The sketches included in the patent show that the repositionable camera system is specifically designed for mobile devices with foldable or rollable screens. It also can work well for tablets. The patent descriptions describe improvements made to the original designs presented in 2019. So, it seems the company has been toying with the idea for quite some time.

That said, this is still a patent. Its not yet certain that the technology shown will ever make it into a commercial device. However, even if that doesnt happen, Samsung may use the progress made during research to improve products aimed at the mass market. Lets hope that the company is encouraged to return to its most innovative timessomething that its fans would surely appreciate.
An actress who was said to have been groped by Noel Clarke has defended the actor in his libel case against the Guardian, the High Court has heard.

Clarke, 49, is suing Guardian News and Media (GNM) over seven articles and a podcast, including an article in April 2021 that said 20 women who knew him professionally had come forward with allegations of misconduct.

He denies the allegations while GNM is defending its reporting as being both true and in the public interest.

At a hearing on Friday, actress Louise Dylan said she heard through a friend that Clarkes former business partner Davie Fairbanks had claimed that he saw her being groped by Clarke at the wrap party for The Knot.

After learning of the current libel case she wrote an email to Clarke, who she described as a friend, in which she said the allegation was untrue, she said.

She told the High Court in London: Someone told the Guardian that he had assaulted me and I wrote this email because it was not true.

A friend called me and I said this did not happen. I told Noel that he has my support because it is a lie.

She also said she never spoke to journalists from the Guardian.

The Guardian did not report the allegations about Ms Dylan.

She said: They are reporters who are supposed to research an article before publishing something.

I was told I had spoken to these journalists to corroborate a story but I had not.

Speaking of the wrap party, she said: We all went out before the party to dinner and Davie was there. My boyfriend was there and there was a joke about me and Davie.

The wrap party, I dont remember too well. I was probably there for an hour, Davie was around.

I dont really recall Davie beyond that.

I was with my friend at the time. I dont remember the specifics of the party other than we had a nice time.

Philip Williams, for Clarke, previously told the court in written submissions that the actor has clearly established the falsity of all of the allegations.

The barrister continued that his client was barely able to reply to the allegations published by the Guardian and was perceived as a criminal by all those who previously trusted and worked with him.

Gavin Millar KC, for GNM, said in his written submissions that the paper did not simply accept what was said to it and that much time and resource was devoted to getting to the truth.

He also said that there is ample evidence that all of the articles were true or substantially true.

The hearing before Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude in April, with a decision expected in writing at a later date.
True animal lovers agree that four-legged friends are better than people, but one thing is even cuter than animals: baby animals! These little sweethearts bring us joy in so many ways, and they don't even realize it. Whether they're asking a friend to play or showing affection to their mama, baby animals like the newest additions at Windy Wild Onion Acres couldn't be any sweeter.

On March 10, Brooke from the Illinois homestead shared the cutest clip of one of her farm's baby goats showing his mama some love. He showered the nanny goat in endless kisses, and it's impossible not to melt! Just one day later, Brooke and the goats welcomed four new babies into the herd, and it's safe to say that this little one is going to be the best cousin and role model to the newborns. He's the most loving little goat!

Aww! This tiny baby goat doesn't even reach the top of his mom's head, even though he's standing up and she's lying down. He can't be over a few weeks old, but he's already so confident and curious. Clearly, Brooke and the herd are doing a great job raising their little ones!

Related: Video of Goat Begging for Kisses Is Too Cute to Resist

Commenters like @savage_auntieheather agree that this baby is "so so precious. I'm so jealous! I'm having serious baby goat withdrawals." Me too! I wish I could reach through the screen and give him a cuddle, but I don't think his mom would be too thrilled. Or maybe she's too busy enjoying her snack! As @bubblynickia pointed out, this adorable baby farm animal may actually have a secret motive behind his sweet kisses.

"I think he's ready for solids," the viewer joked. "He's like, 'what are you eating mama?'" OMG, you're right! The sneaky little guy is trying to get a taste of what she's having, but pretending he's giving her innocent kisses is much sweeter.

When Are Goats Born?

If you spend much time on the farm animal side of TikTok, you may have noticed that baby goats like this cutie patootie tend to be born around the same time each year. That's not a coincidence!

Many goat breeders, homesteaders, and farmers aim to welcome kids (the goat kind) as spring begins to blossom. Warmer temperatures and drier weather are essential for healthy newborn goats, and it certainly makes the farmer's job easier, too.

Because the goat gestation period is about 140 to 150 days, conception happens in the fall. In fact, many farmers introduce bucks and does on Halloween simply because it's easy to remember! While the exact kidding schedule will vary from one farm to the next, most baby goats are expected in early to mid-March.

While this loving little goat arrived a bit early, he's just in time to welcome the rest of his cousins to the herd. If he brings the same affectionate energy their way, he's going to have so many friends!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Australians will be faced with higher power bills just as the governments $300 energy rebate ends and the country goes into winter. Photograph: Olga Dzhoshkuner/Shutterstock

Hundreds of thousands of Australians will be slugged with higher energy prices after 1 July, as authorities warn they will be upping the maximum level energy companies can charge.

The headache for households will come as the federal governments $300 energy rebate ends and the country goes into winter.

As consumers brace for this triple threat of bill pain, experts say there are small things owners and renters can do to help elevate the pressure in their hip pockets.

Related: Coalition criticises Labor over skyrocketing power price rises  but Dutton wont guarantee lower bills

Check your bill

Energy companies are required to tell you if youre not on the cheapest plan, says the Canstar Blue data insights director, Sally Tindall.

It typically is on page one, and it says you could be saving money on a cheaper plan, Tindall says.

If youve got that message on your bill, thats a red flag that you need to haul your electricity provider over the coals and make sure that youre on a competitively priced plan that suits your needs.

Data from Canstar shows Sydney consumers could save $385, Melbourne consumers could save $318 and Brisbane residents could save $475 by switching from the average plan to the most affordable. In Adelaide, the possible savings are $424, while in Hobart its $139 and $444 for Canberra.

Find the best deal

Liz Stephens, Energy Consumers Australias general manager, says people should be savvy and shop around.

The energy market is basically designed to encourage honeymoon deals to acquire new customers  and it then puts the onus on the customer to switch once the honeymoon period ends, Stephens says.

Consumers can check the Energy Made Easy website, a free Australian government energy price comparison service for households and small businesses, she says.

It takes about 5 minutes and can save hundreds of dollars. She recommends people use it once, if not twice, a year.

Insulate your home

Homeowners have the option of investing in solar or insulation, which can save thousands in the long run.

But its harder for renters, Tindall says. If the landlord agrees, renters can use sealant or tape to fix drafts and holes, which can help keep in warm air in winter and keep it out in summer.

Even things like making sure the fridge is in an efficient location can have an impact on how much energy it uses, she says.

Keeping your fridge away from direct sunlight, keeping your fridge away from an oven, theyre really important things to think about.

Throwing rugs over tiled areas; using heavy curtains; closing them to keep the heat out in the day, or opening them in winter; can help too, she says.

Related: Coalitions nuclear plan most expensive option for Australia, former US climate official says

Use appliances well

Small changes to the use of power can make a big difference, Tindall says.

Making sure appliances are turned off at the wall when youre cooking on the stove, putting a lid on, and using an air fryer over the oven where possible, are all small tweaks that can add up.

Having shorter showers, she says. No one likes that idea, but now is a great time to start having shorter showers.

Build that into your routine that theyre shorter while the weather is warmer. Because I think when winter hits, the inclination is for people to just sit in the shower and warm up that way, which can be very expensive.

If youre struggling put your hand up

If youre starting to struggle, Tindall says to contact your retailer straight away. The law requires retailers to help.

Check the different concessions each state offers for bills, especially if you have a pension or healthcare card.

I would strongly recommend calling the national debt helpline, Tindal says. The number is 1800 007 007, they can put you in touch with a free financial counsellor who can look through your finances and help you make a plan.
Captain Caelan Doris insisted there is no sense of anti-climax in the Ireland camp as they fight to keep alive their scant hopes of Guinness Six Nations glory against Italy.

Simon Easterbys side had hoped to be running out in Rome on the cusp of an unprecedented third consecutive title and a second Grand Slam in three years.

But, following last weekends 42-27 hammering against France, Ireland must rely on results elsewhere to snatch the championship crown and are in serious danger of finishing third.

Ireland were well beaten by France (Liam McBurney/PA)

The reigning champions will be roared on by up to 30,000 travelling fans at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico, where retiring centurions Peter OMahony and Conor Murray are poised to make final Test appearances from the bench.

Cian Healy  Irelands most-capped player, with 137 outings  will also bid farewell, albeit he has not been included in the matchday squad.

Asked if there is a feeling of what might have been, skipper Doris said: I dont think so.

Obviously last week was very disappointing and it changes the nature of the end of it, but for us its still about finishing with our best performance. The rest is out of our control.

It is all still to play for! 4 teams will battle it out for the Guinness Men's Six Nations title!  You don't want to miss itSuper Saturday here we come!#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/Thvy2pZJuM  Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 9, 2025

But the three lads, what theyve contributed, the group we have, we really want to finish with our best performance yet and thats been a key theme through the week.

Obviously there was quite a bit of disappointment for 24, 48 hours post-game (after the France loss) and it can be tricky seeing some of the clips back and the images and the frustration around that.

But we turned the page quite quickly and are getting excited about a special weekend over here with our best performance yet in front of 25,000 or 30,000 Irish travelling over, which will be incredibly special.

Ireland must beat the Azzurri  ideally scoring at least four tries in the process to gain a bonus point  to stand any chance of claiming the title.

They would then require England to slip up away to winless Wales and table-topping France to lose at home to Scotland in the other two Super Saturday fixtures.

Leinster back-rower Doris admitted the humiliation at the hands of the French was made more painful due to his position as skipper.

The 26-year-old hopes the chastening experience ultimately proves beneficial.

You look back at the week and take more responsibility and question could you have said different things during the week, he said.

(PA Graphics)

But I think naturally with the group we have, everyone sort of questions their performance and theres always a few moments for each person that you regret and want to change and that you hold yourself accountable for in the performance and the defeat.

Definitely in the position Im in, I feel it more than I did in the past but across the board everyone feels it.

I hope that we can learn lessons from it this weekend but also long term knowing that were not where we want to be consistently at all yet.

Theres still so much growth in us and we really need to chase that down.
Flooding in Newmarket, in Brisbane, on Monday. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

David and Sheridan Skinners old Queenslander near Norman Creek on Brisbanes south side bears the marks of the citys floods, going back more than 50 years.

The pillars holding up the home show where the water came in 1974, 2011, 2022 and again last week, when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred dumped more than 274mm of rain in a single day on the flood-prone suburbs and creeks.

The property floods regularly, but the couple plans to cancel their flood insurance. They say they dont need it.

About 20 years ago, David and Sheridan raised the weatherboard house about three metres off the ground. Underneath is a car park, plus storage for some tools and a few shelves. Anything valuable can be taken upstairs.

After a flood, just get the Gerni [pressure washer] out as its drying off, and clean it off nice and easy, David says.

We know we flood  we usually call it a spring clean.

For thousands of Brisbane residents, the past week has brought a familiar anxiety. The rising rivers and creeks flooded many of the same houses as three years ago, and eight years before that.

With each flood event, the tricky reality of Brisbanes geography becomes more clear. Much of the city is built on floodplain and insurance is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

But the idea of abandoning large suburbs and communities is, for many, still unthinkable.

No-go zones v nimbys

After the 2022 floods the state took steps it said would make the city more resilient  not flood-proof, but better able to cope with a climate where flood waters rise with increasing intensity and frequency.

That includes designing new builds and modifications to existing homes to better withstand flooding. More than $1bn of state and commonwealth funding has been put toward retrofitting, raising, or buying back homes in flood-prone areas.

Andrew Gissing, the chief executive officer of Natural Hazards Research Australia, says while its not enough to retrofit every home, it can help reduce insurance premiums in some cases.

Insurance is clearly an issue being spoken about within the community, its a stress, he says. Because insurance is based on the risk, these things can ultimately [reduce the risk].

The Queensland government has also been identifying no-go zones for future development under an update to regional planning guidelines, but the guidelines are yet to be implemented.

University of Queensland professor of urban planning, Dorina Pojani, says the city ought to undertake a strategic retreat from the worst-affected areas.

The state has adopted a buyback scheme, which targets residential land identified as of extreme flood risk for conversion from housing.

Nicole Bennetts, Queensland and Northern Territory manager for the Planning Institute of Australia, says it was time to talk about what she called back zoning more of the city.

Its a really tricky topic, because it means taking away development rights, or property rights from people that have held property for a long time, she says.

So within that process, we need to talk about compensation  because its not simply planners changing the colour on a map. It has signifiant ramifications, so we need to do it with communities.

In some areas, she says, resilient design is not enough. Just because we can engineer and plan our way around it, can those occupants get insurance?

Natalie Rayment, the co-founder of Yimby Queensland and director of developer Therefor group, said the city needed to allow more people to live on good land by rejecting complaints in high-cost, high-amenity suburbs.

Why should we be blocking everyone else when were all sitting here literally high and dry? she says.

The Brisbane City councils plan for what it calls urban consolidation relies on a small number of carefully chosen sites rather than spreading medium-density development through more suburbs.

Pojani says the selection criteria often rests more on avoiding community opposition than considering flood risk. It often involves areas that were once industrial estates, such as the Kurilpa development in South Brisbane; a riverfront area which regularly floods.

Its easy to upzone a place where no one is living, but there might have been a reason why no one was living there historically, she says. It might be that people, starting with Indigenous people, and then the earlier settlers, they realise that those areas flood. And thats why no one went to live there in the first place.

Greater Brisbane urbanists organiser Rob Lucas said restricting development in wealthy suburbs through character protections and a ban on new townhouses forced new developments into higher-risk areas.

If the council wanted to flood-proof our city, theyd think long and hard about how we get apartments built up in Paddington, Ascot and Highgate Hill as well as down near the river, he says.

Weve got a lot of long-term water damage that is really hard to repair. Siobhan McCafferty

Even the newest estates arent free from the risk of flood.

The newly built estate of Yarrabilba in Logan  a community of about 12,000 people master-planned by the state government to eventually house about 50,000  regularly becomes an island when the one road in is cut off. The estate itself has never flooded.

Logan mayor Jon Raven says people moving to the area often arent aware of the risk. While flood-risk maps for properties are disclosed to new homeowners, the vulnerabilities of the road access may not be as obvious.

They knew it wasnt flood-proof when they did it, Raven says. It runs through some very low-lying areas, very scenic, beautiful low-lying areas along the Logan River.

Yarrabilba was approved in 2010 and the road plan did not change after the 2011 floods. The developer plans to add two additional exits to the suburb, both of which feed into roads that also get cut off in a flood.

Last week the Queensland health department posted paramedics in the community, lest it was cut off. Locals were advised to stockpile about five days worth of supplies and that State Emergency Service boats would be used to resupply essentials in case of a longer disaster.

But once you get a lot of people in there  say 20,000 or 30,000 people  youre not going to be able to use flood boats from SES to take in top-notch supplies, says Raven.

Under-building

Siobhan McCaffertys home in Wooloongabba flooded in 2022 and again this month.

Her house is a traditional Queenslander  a timber home built on posts, designed in part to allow flood water to flow below. Like many similar places over the years, McCaffertys home was built under by a previous owner.

Related: Water, water everywhere: the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred  in pictures

The retrofitted ground floor was built really shoddily  its got a low ceiling, so theres not a lot of airflow going through, so its gonna take two weeks for that to dry out, she says. Weve got a lot of long-term water damage that is really hard to repair.

McCafferty applied for a rebuilding grant after the 2022 floods but was not immediately eligible because the downstairs floor was not up to code.

Weve got plans to raise the house, but thats going to cost us three and a half to four hundred thousand dollars, she says.

Gissing says every dollar spent retrofitting, raising or buying-back homes saves $5 in potential response and recovery costs.

South-east Queensland and Northern New South Wales in the last five years have taken a battering of different events, he says. And were going to see these sorts of things happen more and more into the future.
In the world of parenting, nothing is more contentious than the topic of baby sleep training. (Getty Images) (Image taken by Mayte Torres via Getty Images)

A common point of contention among parents is sleep. Beyond the effects of sleep deprivation, post-partum fatigue and arguments over whose turn it is to get up in the middle of the night in those early stages, the long-standing debate around sleep training for babies continues to rage (just check Mumsnet).

The practise itself can be traced back to the 19th century, but the idea of "self-soothing"  and, indeed, the term  was first coined by sleep researcher Thomas Anders in the 1970s, who analysed the effects of parent intervention when infants awoke in the night.

Part of the controversy surrounding sleep training, which typically takes place around the six-month mark, is that some identify the technique as "cruel", arguing that allowing a child to "cry it out"  should the method you choose include an element of this  can negatively impact their development and attachment. But, there's no been no proof of this in research conducted.

On the flip side, those who do adopt a sleep training method argue that it improves both the sleep and mood of the parents and the child, and introduces structure at an early stage in their lives  the parents are not governed by their child.

This World Sleep Day, Professor Kevin Morgan of Loughborough University explains to Yahoo UK what all parents should know about sleep training techniques  before they adopt (or shun) the method.

1. You are not teaching them how to sleep

Babies already know how to sleep. (Getty Images) (BFG Images via Getty Images)

Sleep training isn't about teaching an infant how to sleep, but, rather, providing certain parameters to get them to sleep, Professor Morgan stresses.

"Babies are wired up to sleep," he explains. "They've been sleeping in the womb since their nervous system developed. The target of sleep training isn't to train the child to sleep, it is to train the child to sleep on its own. That's a really important distinction."

2. It isn't the same as potty training

Sleep training and potty training are very different. (Getty Images) (Reptile8488 via Getty Images)

Professor Morgan is also keen to point out how sleep training differs from, say, potty training or learning how to use a knife and fork, which are a learned behaviours rather than instinctive ones.

He says: "If you're training a kid how to use a potty, the expectation is once they learn how to go to the toilet, that's it  they know how. There are, generally speaking, no episodes of incontinence throughout their early childhood or adolescence. It's binary  they didn't know how to do it, then they did, and that behaviour is then fixed."

"Sleep isn't like that," he continues. "You can adopt a training procedure that aims to get your child to sleep more independently, away from the parental bed, but all children will have wobbly nights where they struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep throughout the night. That's how sleep works  for adults, too."

3. No two babies are the same

Don't compare your child to others'. (Getty Images) (Ariel Skelley via Getty Images)

"There's a lot going on that influences the depth and intensity of sleep. So you can, in theory, stick to the same regime, and do all the 'right' things  but that doesn't guarantee an infant will always sleep well," he says.

"Babies are born with individual differences in sleep propensity and sleep patterns, so one size can be applied to all, but one size doesn't necessarily produce the same results for all."

It's a particularly important consideration for those who may be prone to drawing comparisons between themselves, their friends and their babies. It doesn't mean you are doing the "wrong" thing. At all.

4. Adaptation and flexibility is key

Things don't always go to plan  even if you have a set routine. (Getty Images) (Westend61 via Getty Images)

Similarly, things like regressions (or leaps, as they're often referred to) are very real  and can impact how a child sleeps, regardless of whether they are sleep trained or not.

Professor Morgan says: "If your expectation going into sleep training is that sometimes an infant won't be able to sleep, great. These methods work probabilistically and they are not an absolute."

He adds: "The good thing about sleep regressions is that they are entirely predictable. They are so widely discussed that you oughtn't be surprised that, when you think you've cracked it, suddenly your baby seems to be back where they started."

5. Stick to your guns

If the routine is disrupted, go back to basics. (Getty Images) (Lisa Wiltse via Getty Images)

The key in this situation, according to Professor Morgan, is to not throw out the rule book. While it may seem as though your method isn't working, the worst thing you can do is try something completely new and undo all the work you've already done.

Instead, he says, return to the beginning and go back over the original steps. Consistency is paramount.

6. There have been societal shifts

Families used to sleep in the same communal space. (Paramount Pictures) (Paramount Pictures)

"If we go back to hunter-gatherer times, things were very different," Professor Morgan states. "Communities  men, women, adolescent boys and girls, infants  all slept in the same space in communal areas.

"Just join the dots and think, is that really a healthy set-up? Maybe, if there's opportunity to do so, separating some of these groups out is a better solution. And that's the way things went."

Even less than 100 years ago, due to a number of socioeconomic factors, families typically co-slept and tended to children in very different ways.

"It's almost like a contemporary, post-modern icon to have a child's bedroom or a nursery  a designated sleeping space separate from the parental space," he adds.

7. We don't know how sleep tracks in adults

We don't know if sleeping habits picked up in infancy impact adults later on in life... yet. (Getty Images) (Tetra Images via Getty Images)

Questioned whether these early stages of sleep development impact individuals later on in life, Professor Morgan said that, although this is something he and his colleagues are keen to prove and discuss often, we currently do not know the answer.

"Although we know that individual differences operate in childhood and in adulthood, what we don't know is whether the topography of those individual differences is connected  whether the short-sleeping baby becomes the short-sleeping adult.

"We can, however, draw influences and conclude that probably that is the case. For example, an infant whose height is on the 95th percentile for six months is probably going to be a tall child and adult."

"It's something we're keen to look into further," he adds.

8. Figure out your parent-life balance

Establishing routine and boundaries around the parental space is key. (Getty Images) (BraunS via Getty Images)

Professor Morgan says that there is an applied logic to sleep training regimes, but ultimately it is up to the parent to decide which method  if any  is right for them.

"Whether you're a fan of the 'cry out' method or one of the other techniques of sleep training or not, how you approach your child's sleep reinforces certain behavioural reward structures," he explains.

"If the baby cries and cries and there's no reward, such as a cuddle, they will learn that crying produces no consequences and will go to sleep from exhaustion. And then bit by bit, that exhaustion will be replaced with normal sleep patterns.

"If the baby cries a little and they are comforted, they will learn that in order to receive that comfort, they need to cry. And if the baby cries for longer before they are comforted, they will associate crying for longer with the reward of comfort. Arguably, you are training the child to cry in these scenarios."

That's of course not to say that when there's genuine distress, like when they are ill, that a child should not be comforted  nor that parents shouldn't check in on their babies throughout the night. But each action has a consequence  some of which can take root and last beyond the early stages of childhood, such as sleeping in the parental bed or acting up in order to receive a reward.

"If you can cope with all that, then you're winning," Professor Morgan concludes.

For advice on how safe baby sleep practises, whichever approach you take, use the following guidance by The Lullaby Trust.

Read more about parenting
A Eurovision Song Contest entrant has used the voice of BBC economics editor Faisal Islam on her track, after being forced to redo her song due to a word in the lyrics and title sounding similar to a British swear word.

Islam interviewed Malta representative Miriana Conte on BBC late-night current affairs programme Newsnight about having just a few days to change the words of her song Kant, the Maltese word for singing, following a complaint.

On Friday, the contest put out her official Eurovision music video for the updated track, retitled Serving, and with similar lyrics but without the controversial word.

The video sees lots of commentators appearing to talk about her in a documentary-style, along with the voice of Islam from the Newsnight interview, giving a suggestion of how to re-do her song.

Islams voice says: Serving brunch, maybe, I dont know.

Earlier this month, Conte told Newsnight she was not trying to offend anyone and the word means different things to different people, and to her it means Im serving singing.

She previously expressed her frustration at Eurovision organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, in an Instagram post.

Conte wrote: Weve just been notified that (the EBU) has decided against using the Maltese word Kant in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.

While Im shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on  Diva NOT down.

Local media outlets in Malta reported that the BBC were the ones to lodge a complaint with the EBU.

The word serving, sometimes used with a swear word, has been popularised in the LGBT+ community and reality shows such as RuPauls Drag Race, where contestants use it to refer to stylish outfits.

Faisal reacted to Conte using his voice in her official music video with a laughing emoji and well well well comment on X.

At the close of Fridays Newsnight programme, they played Contes music video over the credits.

Last week, the BBC confirmed that all-female trio Remember Monday will represent the UK at Eurovision 2025 with What The Hell Just Happened?.

Remember Monday are the 2025 UK Eurovision entrant (Ben Whitley/PA)

Last year, the EBU faced controversy over the inclusion of Israel amid the war in Gaza, and complaints from contestants over duty of care.

Israeli entrant Eden Golan was asked to redo her song October Rain, which appeared to be a reference to Hamas launching an attack on Israel in October 2023, and she entered the competition with Hurricane.

The organisers subsequently announced an internal review and a code of conduct that will help protect the wellbeing of artists for this years contest.

Following a win by Switzerlands Nemo with the operatic-dance track The Code, the contest is being held in Basel this year.

The grand final of Eurovision will take place in St Jakobshalle on May 17, with the semi-finals on May 13 and 15.

The EBU and the BBC have been contacted for comment.
Finn Russell challenged Scotland to add some sheen to their Guinness Six Nations campaign in Paris as he lamented the fact they have only a disruptor role to play in this weekends three-way shootout for the title.

The Scots are set to end the championship as also-rans once more after their home defeat by Ireland on match-day two was followed by an agonising 16-15 loss away to England, in which Russell missed all three of his conversion attempts, including a last-minute kick that would have won the Calcutta Cup.

With just two home wins over Italy and Wales to their name, co-captain Russell believes a rare away victory over title-chasing France would go a long way to enhancing how their hitherto underwhelming campaign was viewed by the Scottish public.

If we get a win tomorrow, then wed probably look back at one of my kicks that could have had us winning the title, said Russell, speaking pitchside at Stade de France after some kicking practice on Friday.

I think the England game is probably the one that got away, which for me personally is really frustrating. I think we all know why!

But if we can finish up with a win this weekend  the frustration for the England game would still be there, obviously  I think we could look back at this tournament as a decent enough tournament.

Theres probably a few folk questioning how the Scotland team is going, but if I hit that kick or one of the kicks, then its probably viewed very differently.

At this level, its all about the results. But once you get to the end of the tournament, then you can fully assess how its been and how youve played.

Russell believes victory in Paris  where their only previous triumph this century came behind closed doors in 2021  would give Scotland reason for optimism going forward.

Scotland co-captain Finn Russell is eyeing victory in Paris (Steve Welsh/PA)

If we get a win, itll be brilliant, obviously, to finish on a high, said the Bath stand-off, who spent five years in Paris with Racing 92.

Building for the future as well, if we manage to get a win over here, its a good stepping stone to get the kick-on from there.

We beat Australia in the last game of the November series and it put us in a good place coming into this tournament. Each tournament, whether its gone well or not, you have to look at how you can move on.

Thats probably what tomorrow is for us. Its how we can bounce back after the second half last weekend (against Wales) and also the loss to England and Ireland.

France are in pole position, but a Scotland win in Paris would open the door for England or Ireland  who are away to Wales and Italy respectively earlier in the day  to claim the title.

Itll be a different occasion for us, with it being the last game and depending on the result here, we could change the tournament, said Russell.

I think Blair Kinghorn had a couple of the Toulouse boys messaging him the other way around (winding him up) and Ive had (England centre) Ollie Lawrence messaging me yesterday (asking for a favour).

Id imagine tomorrow well get a few messages from the English boys, maybe the Irish boys, so I suppose its good fun. It shows how exciting a tournament it is that three teams can win at the end.
As a student, Makis Voridis was once caught on camera wielding an axe as he chased leftist peers. Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP

The Greek prime minister has appointed a former far-right student activist to the helm of the migration ministry as part of a broad reshuffle aimed at resetting his government amid public outrage over its handling of a deadly 2023 train crash.

In an attempt to stem declining approval ratings, Kyriakos Mitsotakis placed the self-described nationalist, Makis Voridis, in the sensitive post while selecting a number of younger officials to key portfolios including the transport ministry.

Officials called the shake-up a significant renewal of forces at a time when the centre-right administration has faced unprecedented protests over the rail disaster.

The new transport minister, Christos Dimas, who taught in the UK before going into politics, will supervise the overhaul of a rail network whose safety gaps have been blamed for the crash that left 57 dead and dozens injured when an intercity passenger train collided head-on with a freight train on 28 February 2023. The appointment to the finance ministry of the popular US-educated computer scientist Kyriakos Pierrakakis is also seen as injecting an air of regeneration into a government in its sixth year in office. Pierrakakis, 42, who moves from the education ministry, is from the centre-left.

But commentators said with Mitsotakis confronting growing criticism from supporters of his own centre-right New Democracy party, the reshuffle was also aimed at solidifying his traditional conservative base.

Its as much about reinforcing his control over his own parliamentary group and sending the message that from now on therell be a more conservative, hardline stance on migration, said the European affairs analyst Yannis Koutsomitis. Its also a clear signal to Europe and Washington that were on the same wavelength.

Once caught on camera wielding an axe as he chased leftist fellow students, Voridis, 60, emerged on the political scene as the head of the youth wing of Epen, the far-right party founded by the former dictator Georgios Papadopoulos. With a seat in the European parliament, the group enjoyed close ties with Frances late National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, openly espousing many of his extremist views.

Voridis has long depicted Muslim immigrants as a threat to Europe and the social cohesion of Greece, a frontline EU member state that has seen successive waves of incoming asylum seekers over the past decade.

On Friday the leftwing opposition Syriza party described the reshuffle as an insult to Greek society.

The prominent anti-racist group Keerfa said the appointment of Voridis signalled a far-right turn, and predicted mass deportations at a time when New Democracys appeal had dwindled amid persistent claims that the government had covered up the train disaster. [His] appointment shows that it will try to use racism and an opening to the far right to deal with the anger, it said, arguing that with Donald Trump back in power the ruling party saw opportunities in adopting policies that would help pick up votes lost to parties on the far right.

The changes were announced a day after a veteran conservative, Konstantinos Tasoulas, was sworn in as the countrys president, replacing the liberal former judge and first female head of state Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Once seen as unassailable, Mitsotakiss popularity has dropped dramatically although his government survived a parliamentary vote of no confidence last week over the crash. With general elections not due until 2027, political analysts say there is still time to win back public confidence but few believe Fridays changes will be enough to stem popular anger. It is uncertain whether such changes would alter peoples perception of the government or make it more effective, said the political analyst Costas Panagopoulos.
Gregory Alldritt has urged France to make their mark on history by closing out Guinness Six Nations glory against Scotland in Paris on Saturday night.

The Stade de France will be packed with expectant Les Bleus supporters for the championship finale, with the hosts knowing victory will secure their first title since 2022 and only their second triumph since 2010.

France could even be crowned champions before their match kicks off at 9pm local time in the unlikely event that both England and Ireland  the two other contenders  slip up earlier in the day.

Theres a lot of excitement, it matters to all of us, said La Rochelle back-rower Alldritt, who will captain the side in the absence of Antoine Dupont, who suffered an ACL injury against Ireland last weekend.

Were all motivated and we all cant wait for tomorrow night. It has been a formidable Six Nations so far.

A title would be a further step for us, theres nothing mundane in that. Lifting a title, leaving your mark on history, seeing family members smiling in the crowds, making them proud are unforgettable moments. Thats what you play for.

Our visit to Invalides (war veteran museum and residency) strengthened that, speaking to those war veterans they said they are sensitive to our results. It adds a little more desire to what we do in the week and why we wear the shirt on the weekend.

Frances win over Ireland set them on course for the title (Niall Carson/PA)

France have bounced back emphatically from their match-day two defeat away to England to crush Ireland and Italy and assert themselves in pole position for the title.

Weve progressed, said Alldritt of their ascent to the top of the table. I believe a lot in destiny so asked myself, would we have put in such performances against Ireland and Italy if we had won in England. Well never know.

But weve progressed little by little, compared to other years too. Its the last game of the Six Nations, we have the cards in our hands, which was different to many previous years. Weve matured, become more consistent and I hope well prove that once again tomorrow night.

Alldritt, who has led the team in absence of the talismanic Dupont before, insisted him being captain changes nothing at all in terms of Les Bleus approach.

Were at the end of a Six Nations, the system has been in place since the start, he said. Weve continued with what weve been working for seven weeks. No changes, strictly nothing.

Im captain this weekend but our captain for the Six Nations, and Frances captain remains Antoine. I have a dream in my mind and I hope it will become reality tomorrow.
Yael Alexander holds a poster of her son, Edan, who was taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023. Photograph: Maya Alleruzzo/AP

The Trump administration has accused Hamas of making entirely impractical demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire.

Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not, the office of Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and the US national security council said in a statement. Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes, it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would pay a severe price for not freeing hostages.

A week ago Trump repeated a threat to destroy Hamas in a last warning to release the hostages, but it is unclear exactly to which of several potential deadlines the new statement referred.

The US appears to have brushed aside an offer made earlier on Friday by the militant Islamist organisation to free Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage who was abducted while serving as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces during Hamass surprise raid into Israel in October 2023, and the remains of four other Israeli-Americans who have died in captivity in Gaza.

Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire, the statement added.

The reaction from the US dashed any hopes of sudden progress in continuing indirect negotiations in Qatar over the fragile ceasefire in Gaza but will comes as a relief to the Israeli government.

The initial phase of the ceasefire in the devastated territory came into effect in January but lapsed almost two weeks ago. In recent statements, Hamas has said it wants Israel to implement the second phase of the ceasefire, which was supposed to definitively end the conflict.

Israel has so far refused to move to the second phase, and is calling for an extension of several weeks to the first phase instead, leaving open the possibility of a new offensive in the months to come.

Witkoff has presented a bridge proposal in Qatar to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this bridge would have to be implemented soon  and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately, the statement said.

After the Hamas statement, Netanyahus office said Israel had accepted the Witkoff outline and showed flexibility, but said Hamas is refusing and will not budge from its positions.



At the same time, it continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare  the reports about Hamass willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations, the prime ministers office said.



It added that Netanyahu would convene his ministerial team on Saturday night to receive a detailed report from the negotiation team and decide on the next steps for the release of hostages.

Netanyahu has consistently opposed any permanent end to the war in Gaza, in part due to domestic political considerations. However, the Israeli leader has made it clear that maintaining good relations with the White House is a priority.

After more than 16 months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt, Washington recently opened a direct channel of talks with Hamas with the aim of freeing US citizens abducted by the organisation during its raid into Israel.

Hamas abducted 251 hostages during its attack and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

In a social media post earlier this month, Donald Trump said there would be hell to pay if all the 58 hostages still in Gaza were not released. Fewer than half are thought to be still alive.

In an attempt to pressure Hamas, Israel has cut off all supplies of goods to Gaza and on Sunday stopped any remaining electricity supplies from Israel to the territory.

Almost the entire population of Gaza was displaced by Israels military offensive, which killed 48,500 people, mostly civilians, and reduced swaths of the territory to rubble.

The six-week first phase of the ceasefire led to the exchange of 25 living Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others, in return for the release of about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. It also allowed much-needed food, shelter and medical assistance to re-enter Gaza.

Official reaction from the Israeli government to the news last week of direct talks between the US and Hamas was limited to a single terse statement by the office of Netanyahu acknowledging the negotiations, but the mass-market newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said Israel had been stunned to discover that, behind its back, Trumps envoy had flirted for weeks in Doha with a senior Hamas official.
Danny Jones and Maura Higgins attended the BRITs. (Getty) (Getty)

I'm a Celebrity winner Danny Jones has publicly apologised to his wife Georgia.

It comes as he appeared to briefly kiss his campmate Maura Higgins at a BRIT Awards after-party in the early hours. Jones, 38, and Higgins, 34, were partying among the stars at Universals after-party in 180 Studios on The Strand in central London.

The McFly musician has been married to Georgia since 2014 and they raise their six-year-old son Cooper together, both of whom flew out to meet him while he was starring on I'm a Celebrity in Australia.

What has Danny Jones said?

He wrote on Instagram on Friday: "Hello everyone. Sorry its taken me a while to post this but I've taken some time out to be with those closest to me.

"I want to deeply apologise to my wife and family for putting them in this situation. I love then so much and we'll continue to deal with this privately. I love you guys, thank you for you patience, understanding, and support. See you all soon, Danny."

Danny Jones and Georgia pictured in 2023. (Getty) (David Parry - PA Images via Getty Images)

His wife Georgia Jones pulled out of her public appearance at the Baby Show at London's Excel on a recent weekend where she was due to join her Mum's the Word podcast co-host Kelsey Parker.

Their Mum's the Word podcast still went out as scheduled on the Monday following the news but it was pre-recorded and Jones has stayed silent, choosing not to address the headlines on social media or via her representative.

Higgins is newly single after splitting from former TOWIE star Pete Wicks whom she had been dating while she was in the I'm a Celebrity jungle. The Love Island star managed to avoid an awkward run-in with her ex at the BRITs.

What happened?

Maura Higgins stuns at the BRIT Awards 2025. (Getty) (Jim Dyson via Getty Images)

Footage shared with The Sun showed the I'm a Celebrity stars Jones and Higgins laughing together, Higgins gave Jones a peck on the cheek before the pair appeared to share a brief kiss at around 3am. They were seated at different tables for the BRITs ceremony earlier in the evening at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

At the afterparty, the friends shared a table where Higgins appeared to rest her head on Jones' shoulder in a photograph obtained by MailOnline.

Danny Jones, Calum Scott and Oti Mabuse at the Universal Music BRIT Awards After-Party 2025. (Getty) (Dave Benett via Getty Images)

What we don't know

His wife and Higgins have yet to speak about the reported kiss on social media or via their representatives.

Yahoo UK has reached out to Danny Jones and Maura Higgins' representatives for further comment.

Maura Higgins wore a sheer dress. (Getty) (Jim Dyson via Getty Images)

Danny Jones and Georgia's marriage

Jones told the heartwarming story of how he chased Miss England's Georgia to go on a date for him for a whole year before she finally said yes.

He recalled on I'm a Celebrity last year: "It took me a year to get her because I invited her out for a roast. It was just like clubbing, we couldn't talk.

Georgia and Danny Jones pictured back in 2011. (Getty) (Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)

"I was like "do you wanna go to the pub tomorrow?" and she was like "Yeah". I text her in the morning and she was like "Sorry, I can't make it".' And then weeks went on and she didn't make it, couldn't make it, turning me down.

"And I gave up in the end. Then about eleven months later she text me saying "Do you wanna go out for a drink or get breakfast?" and I was like "Yes!" So I picked her up and took her to the waffle house in St. Albans. That was literally like twelve months later."

Sparks flew when Jones and Georgia began dating in 2009. By 2013, he asked her to marry him.

Danny Jones and Georgia pictured in 2015. (Getty) (David M. Benett via Getty Images)

The couple tied the knot the following year in 2014 and shared their special moment with HELLO! magazine. Jones told the magazine of the moment: "When I saw Georgia, I couldn't really take it... My legs shook. It was the most amazing view I've ever seen."

Four years after their wedding, the couple became parents to Cooper in 2018. Looking back, Jones reflected on his wife's struggle with postnatal depression while on I'm a Celebrity last year.

Danny Jones and Georgia attending an event in 2017. (Getty) (Dave Benett via Getty Images)

"The thing I felt was seeing my wife go through that was kind of new," he said on I'm a Celebrity. "But dads are  were naturally fixers. When a babys crying or wants its mum, its weird, youre like Oh, oh, okay. Its kind of a bizarre place to be because were not really - they dont really need you yet as a dad. So what your job is, really, is to look after the mum."

He added: "Looking back, she had postnatal depression and that is so hard and what made it hard is she didnt know."

Danny Jones and Georgia pictured at the NTAs in 2024. (Getty) (Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)

In January this year, Georgia headed off on a solo cabin retreat in Shropshire after she said she was struggling with burnout. She wrote on Instagram: "I was going into this New Year burnt out. Everything I didnt want to feel entering 2025 I felt. Over a month of solo parenting, moving house on my own, working hard on my career whilst Danny was in the jungle with snakes in his pants was A LOT!"

While in Australia visiting Jones on I'm a Celebrity, the mum decided she wanted to take the leap and do a solo trip for herself in the new year.

She said: "So whilst I was still in Australia I decided I needed to do something for me a solo trip, one to push me out of my comfort zone but also one to give me the break I craved. So I booked a little cabin in the middle of nowhere, somewhere near Shropshire, and found a little nugget of calm in my overwhelmed brain."
Lorraine Kelly has said working-class people are being left behind in TV roles, as broadcasters try to combat issues of diversity.

Kelly, 65, the host of ITV talk show Lorraine, comes from a Scottish working-class background. She became a journalist at a local newspaper, then worked for the BBC and later became a reporter at TV-am.

Kelly was asked by Times Radio presenter Cathy Newman, for The Ladder show and podcast, if there was a focus in the entertainment industry on gender and racial diversity, but less so on socioeconomic diversity.

She said: I couldnt agree with you more. Dont get me wrong, I think its absolutely right that everybody gets a chance.

It shouldnt matter what colour you are, what age you are, all of these things. Its all about can you do the job? Do you deserve a chance?

Lets level the playing field. But I do think sometimes working-class people get left behind. Its almost like, and its so silly because, the majority of my viewers and my readers are working-class people.

Not all of them, but a lot of them are and their voice is really, really important.

Lorraine Kelly (Ian West/PA)

Its kind of like taking the nations pulse in a way and it does worry me that that doesnt happen. Which is why I really try to always give encouragement to anybody, but particularly working-class kids all over the country.

Last year, at the TV Baftas, Kelly called for action to help people from working-class backgrounds break into the industry, and more opportunities outside London, as she collected a special award.

She also said: I dont think they would have the same opportunities that I had, and a lot of it is financial. When I went down to London and they gave me the job its so expensive. Its so obvious, isnt it?

Youre cutting an awful lot of people out. I honestly wouldnt have been able to afford to live in London, but for the fact that TV-am helped me.

Kelly has previously said she was told she would never make it on the screen because of her Scottish accent.

Now one of televisions most recognisable faces, Kelly was told about her Bafta award live on air, by Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid during her weekday show.

She was recognised for her outstanding contribution throughout her 40-year career in broadcasting, which included covering the Lockerbie bombing, since she joined TV-am in 1984.

At the weekend, BBC chairman Samir Shah told the Times the broadcaster needs more variety and diversity of thought as well as more staff who are northern working-class.

Fewer than 10% of people from the TV, video, radio and photography sectors were from working-class backgrounds in 2023, according to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre.

At the 2024 Edinburgh TV Festival, former Countdown star Carol Vorderman and This Is England playwriter and Sherwood creator James Graham called for more working-class stories and people in the industry.
Detectives who investigated the murders of babies, leading to the conviction of nurse Lucy Letby, have launched new probes into whether anyone should be charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Letby is serving 15 whole life orders in prison after being convicted of killing seven babies, and attempting to murder seven more, at the Countess of Chester Hospital nearly a decade ago.

In October 2023, police launched a separate investigation into corporate manslaughter by senior leadership at the hospital, but now say they are focusing on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals.

Anyone considered a suspect has been informed, Cheshire Constabulary says.

Gross negligence manslaughter is a separate offence from corporate manslaughter, the detectives stressed.

It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder, the force said.

Officers said they would not reveal how many people were now suspects or their identity because no arrests or charges have yet been made.

Letby, 35, from Hereford, has protested her innocence and her legal team is appealing against her conviction to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The babies were attacked while she was working as a nurse on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.

A panel of experts and MP David Davis say there is new evidence showing Letby is innocent (PA)

As part of her appeal, a panel of experts has claimed Letby did not commit murder after its chair presented significant new medical evidence, suggesting the deaths and injuries were caused by natural causes or bad medical care.

The former chief executive of the hospital was worried about a wrongful conviction after Letbys arrest, the Thirlwall public inquiry heard last month. Tony Chambers was said to have had the concerns after Letbys initial detention by Cheshire Constabulary in July 2018.

In 2023, the doctor who first raised the alarm over Letby called for NHS managers to be held accountable for ignoring concerns that he raised in July 2015.

Lead paediatric consultant Stephen Brearey called for hospital managers to be regulated in the same way as doctors and nurses.

Police said on Thursday: Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.

Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Womens Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.

Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to support the many families who are at the heart of these.

There is a significant public interest in the reporting of these matters; however, every story that is published, statement made or comment posted online that refers to the specific details of a live investigation can impede the course of justice and cause further distress to the families concerned.
Mahmoud Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped when he was handcuffed and shackled and rushed from New York to immigration detention in Louisiana last weekend, his lawyers wrote in an updated lawsuit demanding that the Columbia University graduate be released from custody immediately.

The activist has told his lawyers that agents who arrested him at his university housing last Saturday night, in front of his eight-month pregnant wife, never identified themselves.

Video of his detention  released on Friday  showed several plainclothes agents arresting Khalil in what appeared to be a residential building.

In the footage, which was taken by Khalils wife, Noor, the agents refused to share their names, speak with the familys attorney or specify for which agency they worked.

At one point in the video, one of the agents raises his voice to Khalil and repeatedly says: Turn around, turn around.

We have you, someone can be heard saying in the video. Youre going to have to come with us. Khalil is then shown being escorted by the agents across the street and into a car.

As Noor asked for the agents names, one asked: Go back please. Go over there. Another person can be heard saying: We dont give our names.

In response to the video, Esha Bhandari, the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, said: What we witnessed in this video should disturb every American. The government is ripping a person away from his eight months pregnant wife and locking him up, all because it disagreed with what he had to say. Referring to the constitutional right to free speech, she added: This action makes a mockery of the first amendment and due process.

Related: Why was Mahmoud Khalil arrested and why is it such a big deal?

Once in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) detention in Louisiana, Khalil was left to sleep in a bunker with no pillow or blanket, as top Trump administration officials cheered the effort to deport a man his lawyers say sometimes became the public face of student protests on Columbias campus last year against Israels military actions in Gaza.

The filing late on Thursday in Manhattan federal court was the result of a federal judges Wednesday order that the lawyers finally be allowed to speak with Khalil.

The Trump administration has not accused the activist of any criminal behavior but has said he is aligned with Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza and is designated as a terrorist organization by the US. It has invoked an obscure legal provision to try to deport him.

One of his lawyers, Donna Lieberman, told CNN on Friday in a TV interview: This is a targeted, retaliatory and extreme attack on the right of free expression and said Khalil was being detained for having ideas.

Theyre not claiming he did anything illegal they just dont like what he has said, she added, warning: Its an attempt to bully students, faculty and the rest of us  this move to quell free speech is absolutely terrifying.

In a press conference on Friday, Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York and one of Khalils attorneys, said: The thing to highlight here is that the Trump administration plainly intends to punish, penalize, silence and suppress speech that it dislikes  and right now it happens to be pro-Palestinian speech of the sort that Mahmoud espoused.

Kassem added: The plan is to start with what the Trump administration believes is the low-hanging fruit of Palestinian activists, and then to apply that template to other issues, other forms of speech that they happen to dislike because of their own political viewpoints, whether its speech in support of our LGBTQ friends and relatives, whether its speech that supports reproductive rights.

Kassem also said that despite the Trump administrations claims that Khalil distributed Hamas propaganda flyers, they have not introduced any flyers in court. That just seems to be something theyre talking about vaguely outside of court.

The reality is that Mr Khalil completely and vehemently denies doing anything like that, distributing any flyers like that. He has absolutely no connections to Hamas whatsoever.

The lawyers said in their filing that his treatment by federal authorities from Saturday, when he was first arrested, to Monday reminded Khalil of when he left Syria shortly after the forced disappearance of his friends there during a period of arbitrary detention in 2013.

Throughout this process, Mr Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped, the lawyers wrote.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump heralded Khalils arrest as the first of many to come, vowing on social media to deport students he alleged engage in pro-terrorist, antisemitic, anti-American activity.

In court papers, federal justice department lawyers said Khalil was detained under a law allowing Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, to remove someone from the country if he has reasonable grounds to believe their presence or activities would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Trump and Rubio were added as defendants in the civil lawsuit seeking to free Khalil.

After Khalil, who is a US green card holder, or permanent resident, and a Palestinian, was arrested on Saturday night he was held for some hours then at some point early on Sunday was taken to the Elizabeth detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a privately run facility where he spent the rest of the night in a cold waiting room for processing, his request for a blanket denied, the lawsuit said.

He was flown to Louisiana and arrived at 1am on Monday and a police car took him to an Ice detention facility in Jena, Louisiana.

He worries about his wife and is also very concerned about missing the birth of his first child, the lawsuit said.

He was denied release during a federal court hearing in New York on Wednesday and his arrest has sparked protests. The government is trying to move his case to Louisiana, where courts are more conservative. Khalil has previously worked for the British government.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
Mahmoud Khalil was arrested on March 8 by immigration agents - Jeenah Moon/REUTERS

Theres an old joke among US immigration officers: the case aint over til the alien wins.

It long reflected the truth: that absurd interpretations of the law and endless appeals made it rare for non-citizens (aliens) to ever be deported, even if they had committed fraud or other crimes.

But the United States now has a president committed not only to securing the countrys borders, but to enforcing the law and deporting those ordered to be removed. Trump has said that those who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity will be held to account.

Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of New York Citys Columbia University, is a test case: can the United States remove non-citizens with views that appear to be antithetical to its very existence, or will the courts force us into pathological levels of tolerance?

Khalil was arrested on March 8 by immigration agents. He is reportedly of Palestinian heritage and from Syria, arrived on a student visa, and then, apparently based on marriage to an American citizen, obtained lawful permanent residence status, aka a green card.

There is much evidence that Khalil has been at the centre of anti-Israel protests on campus  perhaps even organising them. He has been described as belonging to Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and reportedly led students from its campus Gaza Solidarity Encampment in negotiations with administrators.

Under leaders who are at best feckless and at worst sympathetic to the protesters, Columbia has endured two years of disgraceful events, including assaults on Jewish students, sequestering staff, occupying buildings, pro-Hamas propaganda, blocking classes, and vandalism.

CUADs manifesto reminds one of Prairie Fire, a pamphlet published by a 1960s-1970s Leftist college terrorist group, the Weather Underground. It preaches sophomoric, conflated, one-world, half-baked Leftist revolution. CUAD sees Palestine as the vanguard for our collective liberation and believes they are a continuation of the Vietnam anti-war movement and the movement to divest from apartheid South Africa.

CUAD support liberation by any means necessary, including armed resistance. In articles, the group has called Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar a brave man and labelled the October 7 2023 terrorist attack on Israel his crowning achievement.

But thats not all. We are Westerners fighting for the total eradication of Western civilisation, CUAD reportedly posted on Instagram (now deleted). According to a news report, the post stated that CUAD stand[s] in full solidarity with every movement for liberation in the Global South. This umbrella category doubtless includes groups that are formally designated as terrorists by the United States and other countries.

Foreigners who endorse or espouse terrorism are ineligible for US visas, and they are deportable if such behaviour occurs after they arrive. A green-card holder can be deported under the law if he or she violates any number of listed grounds, including national security grounds. Whether Khalils conduct is a deportable offence will be settled  like so much else these days  in US courts. Its about time we got this sorted.

Much of Western Europe seems to be resigned to conduct and speech by non-citizens in sharp conflict with the core values of western civilisation. Leftist activists in the US, and a significant portion of elected Democrats, seem to share that view.

Were in the midst of an ideological struggle between open borders and national sovereignty. The globalist Left believes that anyone, worldwide, should be able to flee to the Western democracy of their choice and gain admittance. They think that all asylum claims should be approved, even if based on poverty, hardship, or other reasons not falling under the 1952 Refugee Convention. Even when claims are denied, they would rather find an excuse not to deport the claimant.

Do Western societies have culturally suicidal levels of tolerance for behaviour from immigrants, legal and illegal?

Recent British cases fit this migrant never loses narrative. Theres the Nigerian woman who was allowed to claim asylum eight times before succeeding on patently bogus grounds; the bizarre asylum approval of a Palestinian family who applied through a programme meant only for Ukrainians, and the Albanian whose deportation was halted in part because his son didnt like foreign chicken nuggets.

Meanwhile in Germany, an Afghan man intentionally drove a car into a crowd in Munich, injuring 28 people, the latest in a spate of attacks by asylum seekers, or failed asylum seekers who had not been deported. Germany received a quarter of a million asylum applications in 2024 but between January and November of that year had deported fewer than 20,000 foreigners.

In Europe, defiant, possibly unassimilable immigrants seem to have the upper hand. In the US, the Trump administration has not only declared them unwelcome, but taken action to send them packing.

Simon Hankinson is senior research fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation
Sam Jones with the baby wombat. The US influencer flew out of Australia on Friday morning. Photograph: samstrays_somewhere/Instagram

A US hunting influencer who caused outrage in Australia after grabbing a baby wombat from its mother has left the country after the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said immigration authorities were checking if she had breached the conditions of her visa.

A government source told the Guardian that Montana-based Sam Jones left the country on Friday morning.

Burke, who is also the immigration minister, said on Thursday that he couldnt wait to see the back of this individual and authorities were working through the conditions on Joness visa to determine whether immigration law has been breached.

That review was still ongoing when Jones made the decision herself to leave the country, the Guardian understands.

Burke said on Friday: There has never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia.

Jones had shared footage on Instagram of herself approaching and then grabbing the wombat joey as it walked with its mother at an unknown location.

Related: Baby wombat-snatching US influencer at risk of losing Australian visa

She then ran with the joey towards the camera, with a seemingly distressed mother wombat following and circling in the background. The joey hissed and screeched as Jones held it up and told the camera: I caught a baby wombat. The joey was then released by the side of the road.

The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Joness actions were an outrage and suggested she should try and take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.

RSCPA Australia said the footage showed a blatant disregard for native wildlife and the distress to the joey and the mother caused by the callous act was clear.

The Instagram account where Jones shared the footage was set to private and a TikTok account also disappeared. The footage sparked thousands of angry comments on social media sites where the clip was widely reshared.

A new TikTok account claiming to have been created by Jones after she was previously banned posted two messages. The Guardian has been unable to confirm if the account was genuine.

In one message the account creator said she was really sorry about the wombat incident and that it was a mistake.

In another message, posted about midnight on Thursday, the creator of the account wrote to fellow fans and haters that the hate was too much for me to handle.

You guys are insane, the account said. I get hundreds of dea** threats for picking up an animal. WT*? Imagine someone just goes up to your child and curses at them? Lets have some respect.
Graphic of ship with bundles of giant cash on top of it

Exactly an hour after sunset on February 10, a weather-beaten tanker named Destan weighed anchor in Russias port of Primorsk and set off across the Baltic.

Inside the ships red and black hull, streaked and discoloured by 17 years of plying the oceans, lay up to 750,000 barrels of Russian oil worth about $50 million.

Before Vladimir Putin launched his onslaught against Ukraine in 2022, this precious cargo would probably have been carried on board a Western vessel, like most Russian oil exports.

Today, Destan, flying the flag of Panama, is one of a rapidly growing armada of 600 shadow fleet tankers, dedicated to breaking sanctions by transporting oil from Russia and other targeted countries to willing buyers, usually in China or India.

Destans latest voyage demonstrates how the shadow fleet allows Putin to evade the toughest sanctions ever imposed on any nation, funding the invasion of Ukraine and exploiting the North Sea and the Channel as vital arteries of Russias war economy.

The port of Primorsk, where Destan set sail from

Every day, about 15 tankers carrying Russian oil steam past the white cliffs of Dover and onwards through the Channel, laden with sanctioned crude worth tens of millions of pounds, destined to pay for the guided missiles, drones and bullets of Putins war machine.

While there is no evidence of foul play by Moscow, the collision between a container vessel captained by a Russian and a US-chartered tanker in the North Sea this week illustrates how British waters are both crucial for global commerce and acutely vulnerable.

Credit: Orca AI

Earlier this year, the Royal Navy challenged a Russian spy ship believed to be gathering intelligence and mapping critical underwater infrastructure. And this month, a British frigate spent three days tracking a Russian warship as it escorted a cargo vessel, believed to have been carrying weapons from Syria, through the Channel.

Destan, however, encountered no visible difficulties on her voyage. After leaving Primorsk, she struck westwards across the Gulf of Finland, making a steady 12 knots, with the Estonian coast to port and Finland to starboard.

Five days sailing brought her through the Baltic to the Danish Straits, where she came within two or three miles of Denmarks island of Langeland, before entering the North Sea early on Feb 17.

By this stage, Destan had steamed past the Baltic coastlines of eight Nato allies. Her transponders were switched on and her position publicly available on marinetraffic.com. Each country had, in effect, looked on passively while another $50 million for Putins war effort sailed by.

Plenty more shadow fleet vessels would have been in the Baltic. Lloyds List, the worlds oldest and most authoritative shipping journal, reported in 2023 that 10 per cent of all the worlds tankers were part of this new armada; other more recent estimates range as high as 17 per cent.

Now Destan turned to port and headed south-west across the North Sea; by 1pm on February 18 the tanker was about 10 miles east of Broadstairs in Kent. As she entered the congested shipping lanes of the Channel, the vessel altered course to starboard and cut her speed below 10 knots.

At 3pm on February 18, Destan passed about six miles from Dover, travelling at 9.8 knots, on a day with minimal cloud cover when she would have been easily visible from the white cliffs. Other tankers carrying Russian oil would almost certainly have passed Dover earlier that day and more would have followed.

Destan spent the next 24 hours steaming along the south coast of England at a steady 9.8 knots. By 7pm she was about 10 miles off Eastbourne; five hours later, she was 25 miles from the Royal Navys biggest base at Portsmouth.

In the early hours of February 19, she passed 15 miles south of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, before leaving the Channel and entering the Atlantic after nightfall.

Lloyds List defines a shadow fleet tanker as one aged 15 years or over, anonymously owned, solely deployed in sanctioned oil trades, and engaged in one or more of the deceptive shipping practices.

As Destan steamed southwards across the mouth of the Bay of Biscay and onwards past the Spanish and Portuguese coasts, the British Government woke up to the fact that she met this definition.

Publicly available information shows that Destan was launched in 2008, engaged in carrying Russian oil, and sheltered by an ownership structure as complex as any matryoshka doll.

On Feb 24, the Foreign Office identified the ship as being involved in activity whose object or effect is to destabilise Ukraine by carrying oil and/or oil products that originated in Russia from Russia to a third country.

From that moment onwards, the vessel was subject to UK sanctions, preventing her from calling at British ports and making her subject to a port barring or detention direction.

Yet on the same day, Destan steamed brazenly past the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, coming within 10 miles of the Rock once known as the impassable fortress of the Mediterranean.

Her voyage continued eastwards towards Sicily and then the Suez Canal before, for the first time, Destan finally felt sufficiently vulnerable to take precautions. On March 5, south of Jeddah in the Red Sea, the tanker switched off her transponders and went dark for the next four days.

This was not because of British sanctions or any other counter-measures arising from her cargo of sanctioned Russian oil. Instead, Destan was passing by the coast of Yemen where Houthi rebels have frequently launched missiles against nearby ships.

After navigating the danger zone, Destans transponders came back to life on March 9 as she steamed eastwards across the Arabian Sea, bound for the Indian port of Vadinar in the state of Gujarat, where she dropped anchor at 7.42pm local time on Thursday having transported her oil over 7,700 nautical miles.

1403 Map of the Destan - one of Russia's Shadow Fleet

Why wasnt her voyage interrupted by the British authorities as she passed through the Channel? Tom Sharpe, who commanded four warships during 27 years in the Royal Navy, points out that every vessel has a right of innocent passage through the territorial waters of a coastal state under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Having largely invented maritime law, Britain has always defended the principle of freedom of the seas, even launching air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen last year after repeated attacks on shipping.

You cant uphold freedom of navigation around the world  in the Red Sea for example  and then board a ship just because you want to, says Sharpe.

There are legal grounds for intercepting a ship but suspecting a tanker of carrying sanctioned oil isnt one of them, he adds. Then theres a numbers problem. What are you going to carry out this boarding operation with? All our warships are either busy on operations or theyre in maintenance.

At present, the Royal Navy is down to just 14 frigates and destroyers, half the number of 25 years ago, and barely sufficient to protect home waters and meet global commitments.

But the daily procession of shadow fleet tankers carrying Russian oil through the Channel poses a constant risk. By definition, these are old ships, laden with hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil, often without double hulls or other modern safety precautions against spillages.

As for whether these tankers are properly insured, providers in Britain and every other G7 country will only cover tankers transporting Russian oil if they observe a price cap for their cargo of $60 per barrel. The idea is to limit Putins revenues without removing Russian oil completely from the market, which would force up world prices and cause huge pain to consumers.

But the point of the shadow fleet is to dodge that restriction and sell their oil above the limit, meaning that none of its tankers has insurance from a reputable G7 provider. If any such vessel were to spill its load in the Channel, Britain would face both environmental disaster and be landed with a huge clean-up bill.

1403 Russia continues to evade shadow fleet sanctions

This ever-present danger creates an opening for action. Under Article 19 of UNCLOS, ships enjoy innocent passage provided they do not prejudice the peace, good order or security of the coastal State.

Transiting British waters without proper insurance might be held to prejudice good order and security, particularly as UNCLOS adds that ships lose the right of innocent passage for any act of wilful and serious pollution.

Last October, Britain began challenging any tankers carrying Russian oil to produce proper insurance and sanctioning those that failed to comply, with 150 ships listed so far, including Destan.

Sharpe says that Britain needs a change of mindset and a new determination to impose a price of some kind on every tanker carrying Russian oil through British waters. Sanctioning the vessel might be one step; others could include environmental or safety inspections or any measures creating delay or inconvenience. So far weve just sat back and accepted this, says Sharpe. Now we need to be more proactive.

Oil spills are not the only danger. On Christmas Day last year, a shadow fleet tanker, Eagle S, dragged its anchor along the Baltic seabed, cutting a series of power and telecommunications cables serving Finland.

The Channel and the North Sea are criss-crossed by pipelines and cables, carrying internet traffic, electricity and gas for millions of British households. There have already been cases of Russian vessels engaged in mapping this vital infrastructure, including the spy ship known as the Yantar, which was confronted by a Royal Navy frigate in January.

But every shadow fleet tanker in British waters is a potential saboteur.

Last November, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, promised to work with our G7 partners and beyond to exert relentless pressure on the Kremlin, disrupt the flow of money into its war chest, erode its military machine, and constrain its malign behaviour.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has promised to exert more economic pressure on Russia to disrupt the war effort - AP

But there is another loophole in this relentless effort. Britain and the G7 have set a price cap of $100 for refined oil products exported by Russia, including diesel. Yet diesel now sells in Europe for less than $90 per barrel, meaning that any tanker shipping Russian diesel through British waters will be complying with the rules and free to buy insurance from any G7 provider.

Even the $60 cap for crude oil is not far below the current market price of $70 per barrel.

So another way of tightening the screw would be to cut the price caps. Reducing the crude oil limit to $30 per barrel would have cost Russia nearly 3 billion in January alone, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent research organisation.

It doesnt help that Western shipowners have taken the opportunity to rid themselves of their oldest tankers by selling them into the shadow fleet and pocketing about 4.8 billion. At least 230 tankers have been disposed of in this fashion, with Greek owners selling 127 and British companies offloading 22, according to an international investigation led by the Dutch outlet, Follow the Money.

For now, Putins unlikely armada of obsolete, rusting, leaking but apparently unstoppable tankers is overcoming the Wests economic war on Russia. The Kremlin still makes about $15 billion from oil exports every month, only marginally below the monthly average for 2021, the year before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Day after day, Destan and hundreds of other sea-scarred vessels are plying their trade and, so far, the Channel remains their highway.

Additional reporting by Meike Eijsberg
The Pakistani migrant's case is to be reheard

A Pakistani who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman was allowed to stay in Britain after he claimed he was gay.

The sex offender had been living in the UK illegally for 11 years but was granted refugee status after arguing he was homosexual and would face persecution in his home country in breach of his human rights.

The unnamed 53-year-old made his asylum claim and insisted he was gay just months after he was convicted of assaulting the woman.

He was allowed to stay in the UK by an asylum court despite there being a lack of evidence that he was homosexual, official judgments show. The Home Office said it did not accept he was living in the UK as a gay man because of his flimsy evidence, the court was told.

However, owing to a legal blunder, his testimony went unchallenged and the man was allowed to stay in April last year.

Now, however, his case will be reheard after an upper immigration tribunal backed a second challenge to the Pakistanis asylum claim by the Home Office.

The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example exposed by The Telegraph where migrants or convicted foreign criminals have won the right to remain in the UK or halt their deportations, often by citing breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

They include an Albanian criminal who avoided deportation after claiming his son had an aversion to foreign chicken nuggets, and a Pakistani paedophile who was jailed for child sex offences but escaped removal from the UK as it would be unduly harsh on his own children.

There are a record 34,169 outstanding immigration appeals, largely on human rights grounds, which threaten to hamper Labours efforts to fast-track removal of illegal migrants. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to close a loophole that enabled a Gaza family to come to the UK after applying under a Ukrainian refugee scheme.

The Pakistani, known only as MR, came to the UK in 2006 as a student but overstayed his visa which ran out in December 2006. He applied for leave to remain on human rights grounds in 2012 but the Home Office rejected it that year.

In May 2017, he was arrested by police and in the same year he was convicted for sexually assaulting a woman by touching. A month later, he claimed asylum  asserting a fear of persecution in Pakistan if he were to be deported.

Despite pleading guilty to the sex assault, he claimed in his asylum application that he was innocent and that he was gay. However, then home secretary Suella Braverman refused him leave to remain. Mrs Braverman said there was no evidence of a substantial relationship being in place despite MR claiming he was in a gay relationship.

He appealed against the decision, claiming to have been in a relationship with a Mr K since 2019 even though there was no evidence they lived together, no shared bills, and no other documentary evidence which supported their relationship. He was also inconsistent as to when he realised he was gay.

Home Office lawyer fails to challenge claims

In his appeal hearing, however, the Home Office lawyer failed to cross-examine him about his homosexuality, even after the judge adjourned the case for her to restart her questioning and challenge him over the claims.

First-tier Tribunal Judge Anthony Cartin said: I made clear that if there was no challenge on these matters, I would make a note to this effect and was likely to allow the appeal.

Due to the lack of challenge, he said he did not need to hear from Mr K and MRs other witness, found that MR was gay, and allowed his appeal to stay in the UK.

The Home Office has since appealed against Judge Cartins decision and an Upper Tribunal found he erred in law.

Upper Tribunal Judge Declan OCallaghan said the Home Office was deprived of the chance to question MRs two witnesses, who they believed would not provide convincing arguments that MR was gay.

As a result, Judge OCallaghan said MRs sexuality was not properly considered in the round which meant the hearing had been procedurally unfair. The only proper course is to set aside the decision in its entirety, the judge said.

A new hearing will take place at a later date.
A rescued black-winged petrel, a species which breeds at Lord Howe Island but was swept over to the mainland by Cyclone Alfred, is cared for at Twinnies Pelican And Seabird Rescue on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Photograph: Andrew Stafford/The Guardian

Most people in Brisbane were battening down the hatches ahead of the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. For a few, though, it was one of the most exciting natural events of their lives.

Over the course of the weekend and into Monday, throngs of birdwatchers lined the shores of Bramble Bay in the bayside suburbs of Shorncliffe, Sandgate and Redcliffe, telescopes and cameras at the ready.

But the excitement of seeing birds that usually spend their lives at sea up close as they were pushed up against the coast  some flopping into suburban back yards, barely able to walk  was tempered by sadness and pity.

Related: In the middle of cyclone preparation I found a baby bird  one tiny, wild life amid the wind and rain | Jessie Cole

While seabirds are highly evolved to survive in extreme environments, cyclones cause mass casualties.

Unable to land or find food in the churning ocean, they become exhausted and quickly lose conditioning. Many are carried hundreds of kilometres inland, where they invariably perish. The lucky ones are found and taken into care.

For Twinnies Pelican And Seabird Rescue, a bird rescue charity run by identical twins Paula and Bridgette Powers, the weeks after a cyclone are hectic, with dozens of birds transferred to their rehabilitation centre in Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast.

Im so glad we never got hit like Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but we were worried about these seabirds out there copping it, they say.

A conversation with the twins is a unique experience. They dont just finish each others sentences; they speak in unison and in stereo. But they are united by a love of all creatures great and small.

They tend to a masked booby, a gannet-like bird lucky to survive the night. Its in a bad way, waterlogged, shivering and infested with bird lice. At one point, it rocks back and forth.

His waterproofing is not the best, they say. When they come in not waterproof, it takes a while to get them ready for release.

Seabirds have an oil gland at the base of their tail, which they first rub their heads against, then over their feathers for waterproofing. As their condition deteriorates, they lack the energy to administer this routine self-care.

Its prospects look grim. Its a bit too early at the moment to say, because hes so exhausted anything can happen, the twins say. Their little hearts can just give in. But at least hes in a nice warm bed, not in the ocean. Well give it our all, wont we darling?

A pelican  recovered after being pushed up against the rocks at Golden beach, Caloundra  is looking better, despite suffering from botulism. It can be caused by many things, like a carcass in the water, but all this rain stirs up everything, they say.

Hes been standing and sitting, which is a good sign. His eyes are a lot more moist  they were really dry and closed when he was brought in.

Prof Richard Fuller, from the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland, says such storms are incredibly disruptive.

Suddenly these birds are on a coastline with which they have no familiarity or real concept of what to do, their usual food sources are gone and the weather conditions are atrocious. So its really kind of a perfect storm, he says  no pun intended, of course.

But, he says, such events also present a rare opportunity. Many seabirds are declining dramatically all around the world. Weve noticed that here in Australia too, so these events give us an insight into whats happening out there in the ocean, and gathering that information is really useful.

To track seabird populations we need to monitor them, and thats usually done at breeding colonies, but this gives us a window into whats happening at sea when birds are away from their nesting areas.

We had a shy albatross, for example, which is incredibly rare in this part of the world; this record shows that there are still some of those birds here.

Some are even rarer. At least two Leachs storm petrels were photographed over the weekend  a species recorded only once previously in Queensland, with fewer than 10 confirmed nationwide.

Related: Expert concerned as large rafts of invasive fire ants seen floating in flood waters after Cyclone Alfred

Storms of course are natural events, and mass mortality during storms is part of the biology of seabirds, Fuller says. Its a massive event, so a lot of birders were awestruck by what was happening.

For 23-year-old Kye Turnbull, it was a lifetime thrill. He spent the entire weekend at Bramble Bay standing in the teeth of the gale, prompting one online friend to inquire jokingly whether he required food drops.

Its the most awesome birding event Ive ever experienced, he says. After [Tropical Cyclone] Oswald in 2013  which I missed out on for being too young, Ive been waiting for this to happen, and its finally happened. Yesterday was probably the best birding experience ever for me.

For some it was an expensive experience too, as their equipment was buffeted by wind and torrential rain. I saw quite a few cameras die yesterday.
The incident happened near the Ormeau Road, in south Belfast - PA / Alamy

Police in Belfast are investigating Northern Irelands first potential Islamist terror incident.

Officers arrested an 18-year-old who travelled from North Africa after a 51-year-old was stabbed earlier in March.

Religious ideology is one of several potential motives being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). If it is confirmed, it would be the regions first Islamist terrorist incident.

Detectives are also looking into whether a mental health episode or hate were motivating factors.

It is understood the suspect entered Northern Ireland after travelling from Heathrow to Dublin in 2022. He arrived in Belfast in September 2023, where he has lived since.

Officers said the stabbing occurred near Ormeau Road in the Holylands area at 7.35pm on March 1.

The suspect, who fled on foot, was arrested soon after.

Believed to be acting alone

Specialist detectives are investigating and working with the security services. Police believe the suspect was acting alone and not as part of a cell.

Davy Beck, the PSNIs Assistant Chief Constable, said: An 18-year-old man, has been arrested, following a stabbing which took place close to the Ormeau Road area of Belfast, on Saturday 1 March, at around 7.35pm.

The suspect had been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, before being detained for the purpose of assessment by mental health professionals.

He has, of today, been arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act upon his release from the facility.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, received treatment in hospital and has since been discharged. He continues to receive support from specialist officers.

It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established.

Our investigation is ongoing and detectives are exploring a number of potential motivating factors, including the possibility that this was a hate crime, a mental health episode or driven by religious ideology.

At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101.

Unlinked with a nearby knife robbery

At the scene, police collected CCTV footage and, according to residents, were taking it very seriously.

There was a nearby knife robbery the same evening, but it was unlinked.

The threat to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is currently substantial, which means an attack is likely.

It was reduced from severe, meaning an attack is very likely, in March 2024. While Northern Ireland is also threatened by the same risks as the rest of the UK, the main threat is paramilitary activity.

After police appealed for witnesses earlier this month, Cllr Gary McKeown asked anyone with information to contact police.

He said: Im concerned to learn of a stabbing at Agincourt Avenue. With worrying regularity were seeing knife crimes occurring in South Belfast, which is understandably causing concern in the community. Anyone with any information should come forward.

It is understood police are working closely with communities in Belfast surrounding concerns the incident could lead to heightened tensions in the area.
As a society, we have the right to demand the protection of our children, Manny Botwe is expected to say. Photograph: PeopleImages.com/Yuri A/Shutterstock/PeopleImages.com - Yuri A

Social media operators must be brought to heel for the misery and disruption they are causing to the lives of students, teachers and parents, according to a senior school leader.

Manny Botwe, the president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), will tell the associations annual conference that teachers are reporting increased bullying, abuse and the malicious use of deepfakes against pupils and staff through social media.

This chaos must end. For too long, tech billionaires have been given immense power without accountability. They hide behind the defence that they are champions of free speech while profiting from platforms that allow harm to fester, Botwe, the headteacher of a state secondary school in Macclesfield, is expected to say on Friday.

But enough is enough. It is time to bring these platforms to heel and force them to police their own spaces.

Related: Teacher vacancy rates at record high in England, report finds

As a society, we have the right to demand the protection of our children, the enforcement of decency and the upholding of standards. That right must be asserted.

A survey commissioned by the ASCL found that online bullying between students through social media was reported by nearly three-quarters of secondary school teachers and half of primary school teachers.

Despite popular social media platforms in the UK requiring a minimum age of 13 to sign up, more than 70% of primary teachers said they were aware of younger pupils using the platforms. Most state primary schools teach children up to the age of 11.

One in 10 secondary teachers said they knew of artificial intelligence-generated deepfake images or audio being used maliciously against students or staff, while a similar number said there were signs of students accessing extremist content through social media.

One in four of the teachers and school leaders surveyed said they were aware of pupils using social media to view pornography or violent content, including 18% of primary teachers.

Botwe said: It leaves a trail of harm: safeguarding concerns, fractured friendships, bullying, anxiety and the spread of extremist ideologies. And, increasingly, it is being weaponised against schools and teachers, with disgruntled parents using it as a platform to target staff.

Botwe said he welcomed the protections offered by the new Online Safety Act, but that it was too soon to know if the act would prove to be effective.

Botwe also uses his presidential speech to criticise the governments failure to adequately fund free breakfast clubs in Englands primary schools.

A daily funding rate of 60p per child is absurd. You cant promise parents a nutritious meal and 30 minutes of childcare, then expect schools to deliver it for less than half the price of a Greggs sausage roll, Botwe said.

Meanwhile, the immense resource challenges we faced under the previous government have not disappeared. Funding shortages, staff recruitment and retention struggles, and an overstretched education system  these issues persist, and tackling them must be a shared priority.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is also to address the ASCL conference in Liverpool.

She will call for old-fashioned graft to overcome the gaps in learning among children who are persistently absent from school.

Phillipson will highlight findings that children in year 11 who miss 10 days of school are only half as likely to get good GCSE grades in English and maths, adding: I wont accept the damage that does to those children. I expect schools to catch up  fast. And I know thats what schools want too, what you are all working so hard to do.

The way we turn this around is through collaboration, partnership and, if were honest, old-fashioned graft.

More than one in 10 children at state schools in England are absent for the equivalent of a day each fortnight.
Tube train

Tube bosses have offered drivers a four-day working week, but trade unions have complained that the offer would lead to longer shifts.

Last week, Transport for London (TfL) offered representatives from Aslef and RMT unions a shorter working week after the policy was put forward by Tube bosses to avoid strikes.

Last year, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, started paving the way for a four-day week in the public sector.

Yet the version of the shorter working week presented to RMT bosses appears to have galvanised them against the idea  because it would compress five days work into four days instead of reducing working hours.

RMT has campaigned for a four-day, 32-hour working week ever since the current 35-hour week was introduced, union leaders wrote in a note to members that was posted on the RMT website this week.

Complaining that TfLs four-day week proposal does not shorten their working hours, they explained: Instead, the current 35-hour week is reorganised with longer shifts. More handle time and the squeezing of walking time and other non-driving time is proposed in order to shoehorn the same amount of driving into four days.

Plans to put forward the controversial working time proposals as part of an anti-strike bargain were revealed by The Telegraph in November.

A letter from a TfL director to Aslef, seen by The Telegraph, pledged to set out a proposal for delivering an average four-day working week by January, on condition that unionised Tube drivers accepted a 3.8 per cent pay rise and called off all pending industrial action.

Aslefs strikes, planned for Nov 7 and Nov 12, were suspended that same day. Yet Tube workers had already been handed a 5 per cent pay rise by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, earlier in 2024, costing the taxpayer 30 million and prompting accusations that he had found a magic money tree.

A TfL spokesman said: We have set out to our unions how a four-day working week might work for train drivers.

The changes would not require any changes to the number of contractual hours worked by drivers or any increase in drivers annual leave, and would improve reliability, improve our ability to flexibly deploy our drivers and enable us to offer a modern and efficient service while creating no additional costs.

This work was a condition of the pay agreement that we came to with our unions last year, and details how we could make the changes to working patterns while ensuring that they benefit our customers as well as our colleagues.

Negotiations with unions are ongoing, The Telegraph understands.

Finn Brennan, Aslefs organiser on the Underground, said: This is an example of management engaging with trade unions so that both staff and passengers get real benefits from the introduction of new technology and working practices.

An RMT spokesman said: We have received a proposal from London Underground and our members are considering its contents.
Smoke billowing from the Solong off the East Yorkshire coast on Tuesday. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/AP

The master of the container ship the Solong, which crashed into another vessel in the North Sea, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Vladimir Motin, 59, a Russian national, was in charge of the ship when it collided with a tanker carrying jet fuel on Monday about 12 miles (19km) off the East Yorkshire coast, leaving one man dead.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that a Filipino national, Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died after the collision between Motins vessel and the Stena Immaculate.

Motin, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, will appear at Hull magistrates court on Saturday, Humberside police said.

A statement from the force said: An investigation by Humberside police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) into the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of East Yorkshire, has resulted in a man being charged.

The captain of the Solong vessel, Vladimir Motin, 59 years old, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and been remanded in police custody to appear at Hull magistrates court tomorrow.

On Monday, 10 March, Humberside police received a report at around 11am that a collision had occurred between the two vessels, resulting in one crew member being reported missing.

Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased. The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

The vessel hit a US-flagged tanker, the Stena Immaculate, carrying jet fuel for the American military, which was anchored while waiting for space at a port in the Humber, having travelled from the Peloponnese region of Greece.

The Solong was sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands at a speed of about 16 knots, equivalent to 18mph, when it collided with the tanker.

Both vessels caught fire after several explosions and 36 crew were rescued, including Americans onboard the Stena Immaculate and members of the Russian and Filipino crew of the Solong.

Earlier on Friday, the chief coastguard, Paddy OCallaghan, said both vessels were stable and salvors had boarded them to continue damage assessments.

He said: There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the Solong which are not causing undue concern.

Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels locations.

Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the Stena Immaculate or from the Solong.
A proposed law requiring the UK to recognise a Palestinian state has attracted support in Parliament, amid warnings it would act as a licence for further terrorism.

Former minister Baroness Northover has tabled the Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill in the hope of pushing the UK Government to act on its ambition for a two-state solution.

The Bill was backed by several peers, including some on the Government backbenches, who pressed for swift action, although it also faced strong opposition in the House.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Northover addresses the House of Lords (House of Lords/UK Parliament)

Conservative former minister Baroness Altmann warned Hamas wants to wipe Israel off the map and said they spent years preparing the surprise cross-border attack on October 7 2023.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants.

Lady Altmann said if one side does not seek peace then there would be a repeat of past failures, adding: This Bill, if passed, would be a licence for further terrorism Im afraid.

A signal that deliberately killing, torturing and murdering Jews and promising to do it again and again and hiding safely in tunnels, under or behind your own civilians, knowingly, cynically inviting retaliation from those youve attacked will bring rewards from civilised countries whose emotions you have deliberately manipulated.

Opening the second reading debate, Liberal Democrat peer Lady Northover told the Lords: My Bill would require the Government to recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state on pre-1967 lines, just as almost 150 of the 193 UN countries have done.

Some say that recognition is merely symbolic, not changing anything on the ground. But recognition has importance  that Palestinians do have the right to self-determination, national rights and the legal benefits of that, just like Israelis.

Lady Northover added: Recognising two states should have happened long ago. My short, little Bill seeks to rectify that.

Labours Lord Dubs, who fled the Nazis on the Kindertransport in 1939, said the UK must work for an immediate two-state solution.

Lord Dubs said: A two-state solution has long been Labour Party policy. It was in our manifesto, it was supported by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Were committed to Palestinian recognition, we hope to work with partners to achieve that when the circumstances are right.

Its that phrase when the circumstances are right which has delayed progress up to now and Id suggest to the Foreign Secretary that the circumstances are right at the present time.

Labours Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay said: The Government needs to move beyond the slogan of a two-state solution, which I know they wholeheartedly believe in, to a situation of actively bringing this about, otherwise they risk not being seen as credible on this issue.

Conservative former Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi said: Tragically as we have failed to recognise Palestine, methodically  and Id argue deliberately  the probability of Palestine existing as a state has been diminished.

Conservative former minister Lord Frost (Jonathan Brady/PA)

On the opposing side of the argument, Conservative former minister Lord Frost said there is nothing approximating to a state for Palestine.

He said: In these circumstances, what is the point of recognition of Palestine? At best its an acknowledgement of the concept of a state for a state that doesnt exist, at worst its just a form of international virtue signalling or even a statement to Israel that we will be rewarding in some way the Palestinians for the chaos and violence of October 7.

Labours Lord Katz described himself as a proud, progressive Zionist who believes both the Jewish people and Palestinians have the same rights to national self-determination.

Lord Katz said the UK needs to be a strong advocate for a two-state solution, before adding: Im afraid given the facts on the ground, and the legacy of Hamass terrorist pogrom on October 7, together with everything that followed, I fear it is simply wishful thinking to say that immediate recognition of a Palestinian state  which this Bill advances  would actually advance the peace process.

Legal opinion differed on the prospects of a Palestinian state, with independent crossbencher Lord Pannick saying it was highly doubtful that Palestine satisfies the required criteria at the moment.

Crossbench peer Lord Pannick (James Manning/PA)

On the need for a state to have a defined territory, Lord Pannick said: Theres plainly no existing Palestinian control within those pre-1967 borders, this is wishful thinking, its a fantasy, its not the recognition of an existing territory.

But Labours Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws countered: No court would acknowledge what Lord Pannick has said when all of those criteria have been prevented by Israel.

President Donald Trump was also criticised for his suggestion that the US could redevelop the war-torn Gaza Strip into the Riviera of the Middle East.

Lady Kennedy, addressing the suggestion of a holiday resort, said: What? On the bones of the many who lie still dead under that rubble? To lie your towel out on the sands which still remain soaked in the blood of women and children?

The Bill received an unopposed second reading, as is convention for private members bills in the upper house, and will undergo further scrutiny at a later stage.

It faces a battle to make progress due to a lack of parliamentary time to consider backbench proposals.
As the end of the tax year fast approaches, savers and investors are being urged to make the most of their tax-efficient allowances before the reset.

Most personal tax thresholds are frozen until at least 2028, meaning millions of Brits will be pushed into higher tax bands this year.

With the 2024-25 tax year ending at midnight on 5 April, heres a checklist of seven strategies by Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, to ensure your savings and investments remain as tax-efficient as possible:

1. Maximise your 20,000 ISA allowance

The Individual Savings Account (ISA) allows savers and investors to shelter up to 20,000 in tax-free investments, including cash or stocks. However, this allowance resets on 6 April, so any unused portion will be lost. Haine suggests that investing in an ISA is a great way to grow wealth without being hit by taxes on income and capital gains.

Haine says: "ISA savers have some additional flexibilities to take advantage of this tax year. This includes being able to subscribe to multiple ISAs of the same type (bar the Lifetime ISA and Junior ISA), such as multiple Stocks & Shares ISAs or multiple Cash ISAs and being able to make partial transfers from an existing ISA to another provider."

Read more:Income tax returns are changing, here's what you need to know

To make the most of this tax-free allowance, consider opening a new ISA or topping up an existing one. For those uncertain about investments, opening an investment ISA with cash and gradually moving funds into the markets over time is a valid option.

2. Boost your pension contributions to lower your tax bill

Contributing to a pension not only helps secure future retirement income but also reduces your income tax liability. The UK government provides tax relief at your marginal rate, so basic-rate taxpayers receive 20%, while higher earners can claim 40% or 45% relief.

Haine says: "This makes pension saving an ultra-tax-efficient way of saving money for retirement," particularly for those in higher tax bands." She also underscores the extended freeze on income tax bands until 2028, which will increase the number of people subject to higher tax rates.

The annual limit for pension contributions is 60,000, or 100% of your earnings  whichever is lower. However, high earners earning more than 260,000 may see their tax relief tapered down to as low as 10,000.

Haines tip: "Pensions have the added benefit of carry forward rules where savers can max out unused allowances from the previous three tax years once they have made full use of their current year allowance.

"A large bonus, for example, can be put to work in a pension, with a saver potentially able to make a gross pension contribution of up to 200,000 before the end of this tax year on 5 April if they have not used any of their pension allowances from the previous three years."

Read more: How to get tax relief on your pension contributions

There are a few rules though: you must have contributed the maximum permissible amount to your pension in the current tax year and have belonged to a UK-registered pension scheme in each of the three tax years before the current tax year  though it does not matter if you did not pay money into the scheme over that period.

The investor also needs qualifying earnings in the current tax year that at least match the total amount they plan to contribute. Someone that wants to use the carry forward rule to contribute 110,000, for example, needs qualifying earnings that at least match that figure this tax year.

3. Consider Bed & ISA or Bed & Pension to shield assets

If you hold assets outside tax-efficient wrappers, consider moving them into an ISA or pension before the end of the tax year. With the reduction in the annual dividend allowance and capital gains tax exemptions, moving investments into a tax-protected account can save you from future tax liabilities.

Haine recommends utilising the 'Bed & ISA' or 'Bed & Pension' strategies, where assets are sold to realise current capital gains exemptions and then repurchased within an ISA or pension.

However, she warns: "There is a limited time window to make use of the current allowances, as providers set early Bed & ISA and Bed & Pension deadlines to ensure the transfer gets processed. At Bestinvest, for example, investments lined up for Bed & ISA must be sold by 1 April 2025. The investor then has until the end of this tax year to transfer the cash."

4. Dont miss interspousal transfers

Married couples and civil partners can transfer assets between each other without triggering a tax event. This allows them to take full advantage of personal savings, dividend allowances, and capital gains exemptions.

Haine said: "As personal tax allowances come under increasing pressure, married couples and civil partners have a very handy tax advantage over their unmarried peers  the opportunity to make interspousal transfers where savings and investments can be switched between spouses without triggering a tax event."

Read more: Why you shouldnt give up on cash ISAs

Couples can also double up on their ISA allowances, meaning they could potentially shelter 40,000 this tax year if they both contribute to an ISA.

Haine advises: "Before transferring shares, funds or cash to your other half, remember they become the full, legal owner of the assets, so this is an unwise move if the relationship is on rocky ground."

5. Drop a tax band with salary sacrifice

For those at risk of moving into a higher tax band due to a pay rise or bonus, a salary sacrifice arrangement can help. By reducing your salary or bonus in exchange for increased pension contributions, you can lower both your income tax and national insurance contributions.

Haine explains: "Employees close to the 50,270 earnings threshold where the higher 40% tax rate kicks in could dip under it by using salary sacrifice pension contributions.

"Salary sacrifice can also be useful for those nearing the threshold for the 45% additional rate of tax at 125,140 as well as those earning above 100,000 who have a very unique tax challenge."

However, Haine cautions: "Salary sacrifice may give your pension a healthy boost, but agreeing to a lower salary could impact your ability to access credit, such as a mortgage, as you will have a lower headline income. Plus, employee benefits such as life cover, and holiday, sickness and maternity pay may also be affected so ask your employer for a personalised calculation of how the scheme will affect your take-home pay and benefits."

6. Dont neglect your childrens tax-free allowances

Parents can help their children take advantage of tax-free allowances, such as the Junior ISA (JISA), which has an annual allowance of 9,000. Haine suggests that parents can open a JISA and contribute to it for their child's long-term savings goals, such as university fees or a first home.

Read more:Best UK mortgage deals of the week

She adds: "Regular bank or building society accounts may work well for a child saving up for a new bit of tech or a bike, but for bigger, longer term financial goals such as funding a gap year, university fees or even a first car or property deposit, a Junior ISA (JISA) is a better option. Children can have a Cash JISA and a Stocks & Shares JISA, but they cannot have more than one of each type."

Haine also highlights that, although children typically dont pay tax unless they have significant income, gifts from parents can trigger tax liabilities if they exceed 100 in interest.

7. Reduce your inheritance tax bill with gifts

Those looking to reduce their inheritance tax (IHT) liability can take advantage of various exemptions, including the annual 3,000 gift allowance and the small gift allowance. By gifting assets to loved ones, individuals can ensure that these gifts dont form part of their estate for IHT purposes.

Haine points out: "A cushion of up to 500,000 per person, or 1m for a couple, might sound generous but increasing numbers of estates are becoming subject to IHT as property and share prices continue to rise. In addition, IHT allowances will now remain at the same level until at least 2030 after the chancellor extended the freeze for a further two years."

Read more: Martin Lewis issues Lifetime ISA warning to MPs

She recommends making use of available exemptions before the rules change and urges individuals to be mindful of the seven-year rule  if the giver dies within seven years of making the gift, the estate may still be subject to IHT.

These exemptions, which sit outside of the usual seven-year rule, allow for substantial gifts to be made tax-free. Among the key exemptions are:

The 3,000 rule: Up to 3,000 can be given away every year tax-free. This allowance can be carried forward for one tax-year which means up to 6,000 can potentially be gifted in a lump sum free from future IHT liabilities. For a couple, those figures double, with up to 6,000 per couple per tax year and up to 12,000 if the allowance is carried forward for a year.

The small gift allowance rule: This means multiple cash sums of up to 250 per recipient can be given without affecting an individuals IHT liability.

The gifts from surplus income rule: People can give away as much money as they want, as long it comes out of their regular income  such as employment or pension income rather than capital  and does not diminish the givers standard of living in any way. Effectively, it must be affordable after they have covered their normal outgoings.

The wedding gift rule: Parents can give 5,000 to a child, while grandparents can gift 2,500 to a grandchild to help cover wedding expenses.

With the tax year closing fast, now is the time to act to ensure your savings, investments, and assets are as tax-efficient as possible.

Read more:

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
The executive chairman of Shein has reportedly confirmed that the fashion firm wants to be listed on the stock market.

Donald Tang told The Times newspaper that the company wants to be in the fish tank for everybody to examine in the public square.

The retailer has been in talks over an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange over the past year.

Mr Tang said: We want to be a listed company.

He also told the newspaper that Shein wanted to embrace the accountability and transparency of being a public company.

However, Mr Tang did not confirm if the capital is the favoured destination.

He said: London has super-high, very respectable regulatory standards. The Prime Minister has said that. Both parties have said that. And we admire that very much.

Mr Tang told the Financial Times that despite the companys IPO plans being the elephant in the room, there has been zero discussion about valuation.

Bloomberg reported last month that investors in the group are pressuring the firm to float with a valuation of around 30 billion US dollars (23.8 billion).

Shein, founded in China and now based in Singapore, has encountered hurdles in its IPO efforts, including political pressure in the UK over alleged supply chain and labour abuses.

The company has been accused of sourcing cotton from Xinjiang, a region in China where the government has been accused of subjecting Uighur minorities to forced labour and genocide.

Mr Tang rejected the allegations, telling The Times that Shein complies with the laws and regulations of each country.

Current efforts to list the company also face further challenges from US President Donald Trumps administration.

The administration is planning to scrap the de minimis rule, which means goods under 800 dollars (635) in value are exempt from tariffs, and would introduce an additional 10% tariff on all goods from China.
TV cook Si King has said it was tough but also very cathartic to put together a Hairy Bikers cookbook while grieving his co-star and friend Dave Myers.

Myers, who found fame alongside King as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo, died aged 66 in February 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer.

King, 58, has released a new cookbook titled The Best Of The Hairy Bikers: Timeless Recipes That Everyone Loves, published on March 13, and reflected on the difficulties of knowing what recipes to include after years of cooking with Myers.

Speaking to Kate Garraway and Robert Rinder on ITVs Good Morning Britain (GMB), he said: The whole process, Rob, was really evocative and nostalgic. It was lovely.

It was really difficult. So weve produced around about 30 cookbooks, so thats a significant amount of recipes.

The hard bit about it was to be representative of what I know Dave loved and his favourite recipes, but also of what to leave out.

So we kept going backwards and forwards to the publishers, going, Can we have 250? They were like, No, you cant. You can have 150. Actually, no, you cant even have 120.

It was really difficult to do, to go through that process.

Its the last of the Hairy Bikers publishing run, because Daves no longer with us, he added.

I was just saying, actually, yesterday, its interesting when youre putting a book together, because food is comfort, isnt it?

And grief is a very interesting emotion in the sense that its as individual as the person that feels it.

It was a tough book to put together, I have to say, because the team and I have been working together for 20 years.

Si King and Dave Myers (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

And we all had those stories, in meetings and on Zoom, and we all had a few tears, and we had huge laughs about what Dave would think of this.

It was lovely. It was a lovely process, very cathartic.

King also spoke about how thousands of motorcyclists travelled from London to Myers hometown in Barrow-in-Furness in June 2024 as part of the first Dave Day.

It was the most wonderful tsunami of love, affection, care, and a sense of belonging and place that was quite remarkable, he said.

In 1995, Myers met his long-time co-presenter King on the set of a TV drama, and they went on to build a friendship and successful career together.

Across their career they published dozens of cookbooks together and presented shows including The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers Food Tour Of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bikers Cook Off and Hairy Bikers Best Of British.
Elon Musk

A taskforce which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia has been scrapped by Elon Musks Doge.

The Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), which was based at Yale University is the latest organisation to fall victim to the tech billionaires evisceration of the federal budget.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped by the Russians since the 2022 invasion.

Researchers at the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) were notified recently that government funding for their work on the war in Ukraine has been discontinued, a Yale spokesman said.

HRL investigates and addresses humanitarian crises worldwide, using data and analysis from open-source and remote sensing.

Campaigners say the children have been indoctrinated to Russian customs and turned against their home country.

The Yale team located hundreds of children who were unlawfully brought to Russia working with Bring Kids Back UA, a campaign launched by Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.

In all, around 1,240 have been repatriated.

Putin knows no humanity

The kidnapping of Ukrainian children has been raised many times on Capitol Hill including by senior Democrat Dick Durbin.

War brings out the worst in humans. And Russia, under the bloody leadership of Vladimir Putin, has committed some of the worst wartime atrocities that a mind can imagine, he said.

But one of the most horrific of these atrocities is Russias kidnapping of Ukrainian children Since Russias full-scale war of aggression started in 2022, the government of Russia has abducted, forcibly transferred, or facilitated the illegal deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children.

The depravity of Putins strategy is hard to imagine. But Putin and his government know no humanity or morality. It is not surprising that Putin would stoop to such a repulsive strategy.

This money does a phenomenal amount of good, helping kids get back to their families,  Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader told The Telegraph. It should be restored immediately.

Trumps dramatic policy shift on Ukraine

The move to scrap the taskforce will be seen as a reflection of the Trump administrations dramatic policy shift on the war in Ukraine, which was laid bare when Mr Zelensky was thrown out of the White House after clashing with Mr Trump and JD Vance, the vice-president.

Last year The Telegraph reported that Ukrainian children faced being detained for refusing to adopt Russian citizenship.

Activists told The Telegraph that some had been tortured and coerced into admitting non-existent crimes.

On reaching 18 many were being lost in the Russian prison system.

The mass abduction of children has been cited in the International Criminal Courts arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, his childrens rights commissioner.

Both the White House and State Department have been approached for comment.
New boss Thomas Tuchel has handed recalls to Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson and named uncapped defenders Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn in his first England squad.

Gareth Southgates permanent successor has selected 26 players for this months World Cup qualifiers at Wembley against Albania and Latvia.

Tuchel has been using a 55-man long list and the England boss has rewarded Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, for his impressive performances since making his senior bow in September.

Its time to reveal Thomas Tuchels first #ThreeLions squad!   England (@England) March 14, 2025

Towering Newcastle defender Burn is the most surprising name in Tuchels squad having received his first call-up at the age of 32.

Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford are the other uncapped players involved, but have previously been selected by the senior team.

Rashford returns to the international set-up having made a promising start to life on loan at Aston Villa after being sidelined at Manchester United.

The 27-year-old was omitted from Southgates Euros squad last summer and the Nations League campaign overseen by interim boss Lee Carsley, as was veteran Ajax midfielder Henderson who also returns to the fold.

Marcus Rashford, in Champions League action against Club Brugge, has revived his form since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United (Nick Potts/PA).

Reece James, who Tuchel managed at Chelsea, is also included in the squad, having last played for England against Italy two years ago.

When we can build this quickly, our fans will notice and this will give us the extra boost, Tuchel said.

The focus is not only on talent and not only on quality, it is what you bring to the group and how you be a good team-mate.

There was no place for Conor Gallagher, Jack Grealish or James Maddison, nor Morgan Gibbs-White, Jarrad Branthwaite and Angel Gomes.

Ollie Watkins and Harry Maguire appeared to miss out through injury.

Ben White was again conspicuous by his absence after the Arsenal defender ruled himself out of international selection under the last regime.

On handing maiden call-ups to Lewis-Skelly and Burn, Tuchel said: Theyve had very different pathways to the first call-up.

We accelerate Myles career again which is already on fast track. Hes a regular starter and a regular player for Arsenal at the moment. Hes nothing but impressive. He will now skip the under-21s which would be a regular pathway for him but due to injuries and due to the flexibility that we want to have in our squad and due to his capability, quality and game time recently, he deserves to be with us.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has been impressed by Myles Lewis-Skellys form at Arsenal (Mike Egerton/PA).

(Burn) has had a very impressive career and hes a very solid player. Hes a very solid defender and a leader in the group. I have spoken to Dan and it was a very impressive phone call with very impressive messages that made me very comfortable in this call-up that we have picked a top team player that will help us build the right team.

Tuchel says the rationale for Hendersons return is similar to his decision to include Burn, noting the values they carry on their shoulders and how they carry their teams.

As for Rashford, the England boss has been impressed by the forwards start to life at Villa.

Hes had a huge impact lately in the matches at Aston Villa, he said. I was delighted to see his effort on the ball and his effort to be the best team-mate possible and his consistent energy.

There is no doubt about his talent and about his quality, but to see him so decisive and so physically involved gave me the impression that it is the right moment to call him up and give him the extra push that he stays on that level.
Thomas Tuchel has defended the surprise selection of serial winner Jordan Henderson in his first England squad and revealed even the veteran midfielder thought his international career was over.

Gareth Southgates permanent successor raised eyebrows with his first squad since taking charge after handing out some eye-catching call-ups, for new faces and familiar ones, along with some surprising omissions.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, and Dan Burn, 32, received their maiden call-ups for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, while Marcus Rashford and Reece James were recalled after long periods out of the international set-up.

But it was 34-year-old midfielder Hendersons inclusion that has caused the most debate, given his England career looked over and he has started only one Ajax match in the last month.

Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows with his England selection (Ben Whitley/PA)

Why (call up) Jordan? I think this is a pretty easy one, Tuchel said. Jordan is, first of all, a serial winner.

What he brings to every team is leadership, his character, personality, energy. He makes sure that everyone lives by the standards.

With this characteristic, he embodies everything we are trying to build.

Henderson last appeared for England in November 2023, which looked likely to be his 81st and final cap having been left out of Southgates provisional Euro 2024 squad.

The midfielder caused controversy that year as the high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights joined Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships are illegal.

Henderson subsequently apologised for any hurt caused, but was booed by some on his most recent Wembley appearances for England and joined Ajax in January 2024.

Its time to reveal Thomas Tuchels first #ThreeLions squad!   England (@England) March 14, 2025

Asked if the midfielder thought he had played his last game for the national team, Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live: Yes, he wondered that himself some weeks ago when I called him, and he was not shy to express that.

If you saw the reaction yesterday when I called him in person to tell him that he should come on Monday to camp, it was then you know instantly that you picked the right person.

The pride to be back for England and to be in an England camp with an age of 30-plus, with 80-plus caps, is one of a kind. Its outstanding.

Henderson posted an image of the squad list with a heart and St Georges cross on Instagram, where Rashford uploaded a photo of himself in an England top reading never stop believing, cant wait to get started.

The 27-year-old forward, like Henderson, was omitted from Southgates provisional Euro 2024 and has kicked on from his unpickable form at Manchester United since joining Aston Villa on loan.

I felt that Marcus had a huge impact since he since he changed to Aston Villa, Tuchel said. He made a huge impact from the bench, mostly from the bench.

Marcus Rashfords move to Aston Villa has helped him earn an England recall (John Walton/PA)

The impact was impressive, the physical impact was impressive and, most importantly, the impact against the ball, his work rate, his defensive effort, his hard work in counter pressing, his tracking back on his position, was impressive.

I had the strong feeling that we should nominate him, we should bring him in, to push him to stay on that level, to not fall back in old routines. It was very impressive.

This camp is to bond with him, to get to know him, and push him to stay on exactly that level.

Tuchel namechecked James Maddison, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jacob Ramsey and Jarrad Branthwaite as players that could count themselves unlucky to miss out.

Jack Grealish also missed out and Tuchel confirmed that Harry Kane will remain England captain ahead of a camp when Lewis-Skelly will be the youngest player.

It feels a little bit like we fast-forward a career that is already on a fast pace, Tuchel said of the 18-year-old.

I can assure you that the talks in the last days and weeks had a kind of a parental vibe, a bit of a protective vibe, to feel like maybe we should not nominate him to protect him a little bit, to not skip the under-21s, to let him go to the under-21s where he is a little bit out of the spotlight.

Is this maybe even our responsibility to not take him? But in the end with injuries and the quality and the maturity he showed in the matches, we decided to take him.
The UK is perilously vulnerable to disruptions in the supply of the likes of antibiotics, vaccines and diagnostic tests, experts have warned.

The Centre for Long-Term Resilience said a dependence on supply chains with critical pinch points overseas in the face of turning geopolitical tides is a potential threat.

It also highlights a reliance on manufacturers in countries such as China for ingredients in certain antibiotics which could be hindered by natural or geopolitical events.

The think tank said the Government now has a critical window to bolster resilience in the UK and mitigate extreme biological risks.

The report, compiled from interviews, a questionnaire and research, explored the UKs ability to deploy medical countermeasures.

This includes utilising vaccines, antibiotics and diagnostic tests to respond to a biological hazard.

It suggests the fact the Covid-19 pandemic did not lead to specific medicine shortages is a lucky accident and that meaningful improvements in the UKs supply chain have yet to materialise following the crisis.

It also claims the UK could actually be in a worse position to respond to biological threats than before.

The report highlights the UKs reliance on China for the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the antibiotic gentamicin, which is used to treat a number of bacterial infections.

One expert told the think tank there is seven dosage forms of the drug available to NHS England, all coming from two API suppliers whose factories are located in the same Chinese city.

The report warned any local or regional disruptions to this city, such as severe weather events, could lead to factory shutdowns and an inability for the NHS to source gentamicin.

It added: In addition, any geopolitical event resulting in API export bans between China and countries downstream in the manufacturing process would also wipe out UK access to gentamicin.

The report also said a number of experts cited a lack of visibility and transparency as the greatest limitation to improvements in supply chain resilience.

It called for a mandate for market authorisation holders to disclose dependency on API suppliers, along with the creation of a national supply chain data-sharing platform.

It also suggests third-party scrutiny of supply chain vulnerabilities should be increased.

Dr Cassidy Nelson, head of biosecurity policy at the Centre for Long-Term Resilience, said: The UK is perilously vulnerable to disruptions in the delivery of critical health supplies.

Perhaps worst of all, the Government has very low cross-departmental visibility of important information about where we source pharmaceutical ingredients.

As the Government seeks to rebuild our defence industrial base, it must also consider our strategic vulnerability in the pharmaceutical space and urgently boost the UKs supply chain resilience ahead of future pandemics.

Elsewhere, the report recommends the creation of a stockpiling taskforce that should publish its finding publicly, as well as measures to bolster life sciences manufacturing in the UK.

Author Dr Paul-Enguerrand Fady, biosecurity policy manager at the Centre for Long-Term Resilience, said: The Government now has a critical window in which it can build the UKs resilience to mitigate extreme biological risks.

The upcoming industrial strategy can provide the means to boost the countrys pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity while the spending review can ensure that the funds are available to make and safeguard vital investments in the sector.

We need smart, joined-up policymaking to create a much more resilient country.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: This Government inherited ongoing global supply problems, but we have robust measures in place to mitigate supply disruption across the health and social care sector, including access to hundreds of millions of vaccines in the event of a pandemic and stockpiles of critical medical goods.

We are strengthening our resilience further by investing up to 520 million to manufacture more medicines, diagnostics, and medical technologies in the UK. In tandem, we are working closely with the NHS, regulators and other key partners to cut red tape to grow our life sciences sector, and working with international partners to bolster supply chains.
Russian soldiers recaptured Sudzha, the biggest town in the Kursk region, on Thursday. Photograph: AP

Under constant attack from drones attached to fibre optic cables, the soldiers scrambled in groups of two or three along hidden tracks or through fields, often walking miles to reach Ukrainian territory.

The Ukrainian retreat from the Kursk region, carried out in stages over the past two weeks, appears to mark the end of one of the most audacious and surprising operations of the conflict, and strips Ukraine of one of its few solid bargaining chips in possible peace negotiations with Russia.

For seven months, Ukraine held on to a chunk of Russian territory, including the town of Sudzha, which had a prewar population of about 5,000. It was the first time a foreign army had occupied Russian land since the second world war.

Russia, with the help of North Korean troops, has been pushing Ukrainian forces back, and in recent weeks the pressure on Ukrainian positions has become overwhelming. On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin donned military fatigues to visit a command post in the region, and on Thursday, Russia announced it had regained full control of Sudzha.

While Ukrainian troops continue to hold a few remaining villages in Kursk, soldiers involved in the operation said it was probably only a matter of time before the retreat was concluded.

The Russians are already pushing into Sumy region [in Ukraine], all the tasks now are defensive, said Serhiy, a special operations commander who recently left the region.

The demand by Putin that troops create a buffer zone close to the border suggests a Russian offensive pushing back into Ukraine may be on the cards, and authorities have already evacuated several settlements close to the border.

The end of the seven-month operation has led to mixed assessments in Ukraine, with some saying it achieved many of its goals, and others wondering if it was a distraction from the main war effort and cost Ukrainian lives for no tangible gain.

Kursk displaced the conflict on to Russian territory, and Russia used some of its best units to fight for it, but it also required a sizeable number of Ukraines elite units to hold the pocket, said Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Now, the Russian offensive may change the dynamic of the war again, at a moment when the US is pushing Moscow and Kyiv to sign a ceasefire agreement. My worry is that this gives the Kremlin and the Russian army a new bout of enthusiasm and adrenaline, the Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said.

The initial incursion into Kursk happened last August. It was planned by a very small circle to retain an element of surprise, and Kyiv did not even brief western allies until after the operation was under way. Troops arrived in nearby Sumy in small groups, and many stayed in rented apartments.

Documents recovered from Russian army positions showed that Moscows military planners had warned of the threat of an incursion for months, but when it came Ukrainian troops were able to overrun Russian positions, taking hundreds of prisoners of war.

In Sudzha, officials and police fled without even destroying or taking away sensitive documents, leaving them for Ukrainian troops to seize and send to Kyiv for analysis.

Those with knowledge of the planning say Ukrainian officials were taken aback by just how well the initial stage of the operation went, as Ukraine took control of about 500 sq miles within a few days.

At the beginning, the idea was just to create a diversion and to draw troops away from Donbas. But it went better than expected and suddenly we were digging in, said one source.

We have no wish to occupy this territory, Zelenskyys aide Mykhailo Podolyak told the Guardian in late August. Our tasks are to push Russian artillery and other systems further away, destroy the warehouses and other military infrastructure that is there, and also to affect public opinion in Russia.

For the first time in the war, the shoe was on the other foot and Ukraine became an occupying power. The Ukrainian army took journalists on tours of Sudzha, where stunned residents could not believe the war they had seen on their television screens had arrived on Russian territory. A historian from Sumy recorded a podcast in Sudzhas small history museum, explaining how Sudzha and the rest of the region was historically Ukrainian land, a nod to Russian claims about Ukrainian territories.

At one point, there were plans to ask Russians who were fighting alongside Ukraine to enter the region and take over police functions. The idea would have been to troll Russia, which masked its 2014 intervention in Donbas as the work of Ukrainian separatists. However, the plans were quickly discarded as unworkable and incendiary.

The capture of hundreds of prisoners allowed Ukraine to offer an exchange for captured Ukrainians held in Russian jails, and the operation was also credited with providing a morale boost to Ukrainian troops and society after months of setbacks.

The longer Ukrainian troops held on to the land, the more it became clear that the endgame of the operation was now the chance to use Kursk as a card at future negotiations. Zelenskyy told the Guardian last month that Kyiv would swap one territory for another.

However, as time went on, Russia upped the pressure on Ukrainian positions in the region. By the beginning of this year, Ukrainian military planners could see Russia making a sustained effort to concentrate forces on Kursk.

Everything is going to Kursk, one military source said in early February. At the beginning they didnt seem to pay that much attention to it, but then the North Koreans came, and then since the beginning of the year they are throwing everything at Kursk, perhaps to try to take it back before negotiating.

Some of Russias best drone units were relocated to the Kursk theatre. Because Ukrainian forces can use radio jammers to block Russian FPV (first person view) drones, Russia has increasingly begun using fibre optic drones, which unspool a thin cable over several miles and are immune to jammers.

The fields we are retreating through are like a spiders web with all the fibre optic cables, said Serhiy, the special operations commander.

He criticised the failure to build nets around the main road between Sumy and Sudzha to protect it from drones, as the Russians have done in part of the front in Ukraines eastern Donbas region. Only in the last two weeks they started trying to do this, but now its too dangerous. They should have done it in September, October, when everything was calm, he said.

Ukrainian officials say that while ultimately the operation will not provide the hoped-for bargaining chip, it was able to change the narrative of the war, at a time when gloominess over Ukrainian prospects for any kind of advance had set in. They say that while the withdrawal may be fraught, it has so far passed without enormous loss of life or stubbornly holding on to undefendable positions.

After seven months, we simply withdrew. There was no encirclement, said one senior security official, painting the operation as a success. There were political goals, military goals, there was getting the Russians to move troops from Pokrovsk [in Donetsk] to Kursk. And we showed how shameful it is for the Russians, that they cant fight Ukraine without North Koreans.

Others had a more mixed assessment, noting that the offensive stretched Ukraines already understaffed forces, and did not slow the Russian advance in the east. Tactically it was successful, but the offensive changed little in the overall dynamic of this war, and failed to achieve its wider operational objectives, Kofman said.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection to Thursday's multi-vehicle crash in Austin, Texas, that left five people dead including children  and several hospitalized.

Solomun Weldekeal Araya has been arrested and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault, a spokesperson for the Austin Police Department told USA TODAY on Friday afternoon.

He is currently held at Travis County Jail. The fatal incident, which also involved a semi-truck, occurred on Interstate 35 in North Austin, and authorities responded to the scene just before 11:30 p.m.

They discovered "multiple patients pinned in their vehicles," Captain Christa Stedman of Austin Travis County EMS said at a press conference.

Stedman added that 17 individuals and cars were involved in the crash. Among the deceased were an infant, another child, and three adults. They were pronounced dead at the location.

More news: Vermont police sergeant accused of watching YouTube in cruiser, fatally hitting cyclist

'Incredibly chaotic': Authorities are probing the cause of the crash

Eleven victims were transported to local hospitals, including several with critical life-threatening injuries.

"This incident was incredibly chaotic. It was spread out about a tenth of a mile," Stedman said. "We were able to get all the critical patients off the scene within about 40 minutes, and considering how complex the scene was, that's pretty impressive."

Austin EMS, Austin Police, and Austin Fire Department, along with other agencies, worked together on this incident.

Austin Police Department public information officer Austin Zarling said limited details are available at this time. He urged the public to use alternate routes due to road closures.

The fire department said the diesel fuel poured out of the 18-wheeler involved in the crash had been contained.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin multi-vehicle crash: Man arrested after 5 dead, several hurt
Depositphotos.com

Are They Really Chefs?

Television has introduced us to countless culinary personalities, but not all of them followed the traditional route. Many, including Gordon Ramsay and Nigella Lawson, achieved fame without formal culinary education. Here are seven celebrity chefs who prove that passion and talent can triumph over formal training.

Depositphotos.com

Rachel Ray

Rachel Ray was born into a restaurant-managing family, and found her way to cooking through that. After working in various restaurant capacities, Ray gained experience through hands-on work rather than formal education.

gordonramsayofficial / TikTik

Gordan Ramsay

17-time Michelin star recipient Gordan Ramsay couldnt afford culinary school, and has been outspoken about the fact that expensive education isnt what makes you a great chef. Instead, he began working in kitchens at a young age, learning the ropes through practical experience and mentorship from seasoned chefs.

Wikimedia Commons

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart originally intended to be a model, and then shifted to stockbroking (shocker). Over time she developed a passion for cooking as part of her homemaker persona, and honed her skills through self-study and experimentation.

DepositPhotos.com

Guy Fieri

The Mayor of Flavortown never actually went to culinary school, instead opting for a career in hospitality management. Hes owned a slew of restaurants, including the ever-expanding Chicken Guy. But look, you dont invent things called Donkey Sauce or Trash Can Nachos unless youre free of the strictures of a formal education, am I right?

Wikipedia Commons/Therealbs2002

Ina Garten

Ina once worked as a budget analyst for the White Houses Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but culinary school never actually happened for her. She apparently learned everything she needed to know while running Barefoot Contessa, her specialty food store.

Depositphotos.com

Tom Colicchio

Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio grew up in kitchens and used his real-world experience to open Gramercy Tavern, and Craft, two of the most lauded New York City restaurants of their time. Colicchio told Bloomberg I was still planning on culinary school, but once I was promoted from line cook to sous chef, that was it.

Depositphotos.com

Nigella Lawson

Nigella Lawson initially began her career pursuing journalism, and worked as a freelance food writer before eventually falling into the role shes best known for, as a TV chef. You can still catch her hosting her own shows and appearing on just about every other cooking show.
Greenlandic leaders reject Trump's annexation remarks

Xinhua) 08:53, March 14, 2025

OSLO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Greenlandic political leaders have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's latest comments on the potential annexation of Greenland, stressing the need for unity and a strong stance against external pressure.

During a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he believes the United States would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Rutte said that any discussion of Trump's intentions regarding Greenland fell outside his purview and that he did not want NATO to be involved in the matter.

Trump's statement was met with swift condemnation from Greenland's political leadership.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of Demokraatit and the leading figure in ongoing negotiations to form Greenland's next government, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate."

In a Facebook post, Nielsen urged Greenlanders to remain united against external pressure. "Trump's statement from the U.S. is inappropriate and once again shows that we must stand together in such situations," he wrote.

Incumbent Prime Minister Mute Egede also denounced Trump's comments, calling for an urgent meeting of Greenland's party leaders. "Once again, the American president has floated the idea of annexing us. I cannot, in any way, accept this," he wrote on social media.

Despite his expected departure from office following recent elections, Egede emphasized his responsibility in addressing the issue.

In Greenland's recent parliamentary elections, Demokraatit secured 29.9 percent of the vote, emerging as the largest party in the Inatsisartut.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
HOUSTON (Reuters) - (This March 13 story has been corrected after Devon Energy amended data to say that it saw a 15% improvement in drilling efficiency, not a 25% improvement in productive life of its oil and gas wells, in paragraph 12, and to remove garble from headline)

Artificial intelligence is speeding up oil and gas drilling and prompting companies to take a second look at places they had viewed as too difficult or expensive to develop, executives detailed during the CERAWeek conference in Houston.

AI took center stage in many sessions at the world's largest energy gathering. Oil producers are seeking ways to remain profitable in an environment of plummeting oil prices and worries that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs could slow global energy demand.

UK oil major BP is using AI to steer drill bits and predict potential problems in wells before they happen, said Ann Davies, BP's senior vice president of wells.

"We are able to drill more wells per year and have a better capital allocation," she said.

BP announced last month it would boost annual spending on oil and gas production as part of a major strategy shift to improve investor confidence.

AI has helped U.S. oil producer Devon Energy drill in areas where it was unfeasible before, said chief technology officer Trey Lowe in an interview.

For example, the company can gather information about a fault in a formation, then drill on the other side to avoid it, he said.

Chevron is using AI-powered drones that fly over its shale operations in Texas and Colorado to remotely monitor potential problems like emissions leaks and alert field workers.

In three months of testing drones through a partnership with autonomous drone company Percepto, Chevron reduced the amount of time that production was shut in for repairs or maintenance, said Russell Robinson, a deputy program manager of facilities and operations at Chevron, in an interview on the sidelines of the conference.

The drones helped workers spend less time criss-crossing the shale field performing routine inspections, he said.

"We've continued to have more assets that are running at a longer time, so this is all around just producing more oil or gas," he said, adding Chevron is evaluating whether to expand use of drones to monitor its refineries.

Devon Energy has machine learning models monitoring each of its oil rigs across the U.S., Lowe said. The company has seen a 15% improvement in drilling efficiency.

AI is also speeding up offshore drilling. BP is evaluating vast amounts of seismic data in the Gulf of Mexico in just eight to 12 weeks with the help of AI, versus six to 12 months previously. This helps geoscientists determine where to drill a well and predict difficulties, a spokesperson said.

While the oil and gas industry has used AI for years, recent advances like large-language models are revolutionizing the sector, said Chicheng Xu, founder of OpenPetro AI, a company building AI tools for the energy industry, and a former petrophysicist at Aramco.

For example, building three-dimensional visualizations of features deep beneath the ocean floor would be time-consuming for humans, he said.

"AI can dig through the data and find the features you want to see and visualize it to you. That's the real difference," Xu said.

Cutting time and costs means gaining a competitive advantage.

"Companies that don't deploy it (AI) will get left behind at this point," said Devon's Lowe.

(Additional reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Editing by Simon Webb and David Gregorio)
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly (C) speaks alongside, from left, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in La Malbaie, Canada, Friday March 14, 2025. (Saul Loeb, Pool Photo via AP)

LA MALBAIE, Quebec (AP)  Top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies agreed Friday on a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine and a U.S. ceasefire proposal in the three-year-old war even as President Donald Trumps trade policies and taunts toward host Canada overshadowed the talks.

Despite the tensions, diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan signed off on a final communique after hours of late-night negotiations. There were concerns that the blocs once solid unity had been thrown into irreversible disarray by Trump's whopping tariffs on steel and aluminum and threats for additional levies if there is any retaliation.

Although the trade war and Trumps repeated comments about turning Canada into the 51st state distracted from the discussions, diplomats were able to rally around his Ukraine peace plan.

What the G7 said about Ukraine and the US plan for peace

G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence," the communique said. G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied after the meeting that the G7 support for Ukraine's territorial sovereignty strayed from the Trump administration's position, including its insistence that Ukraine must be open to ceding control of some land to Russia to get a peace deal.

Ive never heard President Trump say that Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there," Rubio told reporters. "So thats not inconsistent.

The G7 diplomats discussed, but did not detail, imposing further sanctions on Russia  including the possibility of selling seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense  should Russia not accept and respect a ceasefire and providing additional support for Ukraine in that event.

In a significant change from the past, the G7 statement did not contain a specific condemnation of Russia for invading Ukraine. Rubio had said prior to the meetings that the U.S. did not see the value in antagonizing Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was considering Trumps ceasefire proposal.

Putin said Thursday he agrees with the plan in principle, but set out a host of details that need to be clarified before it is accepted.

The G7 statement emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression.

Still, Trumps apparent desire to draw Putin back into the fold  including saying he would like to see Russia rejoin the group to restore it to the G8  continues to alarm G7 members. Russia was thrown out of the G8 after it seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Unity but also division among allies

Despite the agreement on key points, Trump's policies were front and center as the allies gathered for two days of talks at a snowy resort in La Malbaie, Quebec.

All G7 members are affected by the tariffs but perhaps none more so than Canada, the only one that borders the United States and the only one that Trump has personally antagonized with repeated derogatory comments about it becoming the 51st state.

Rubio, on his first official trip to Canada and his first to a G7 event, heard a litany of complaints as he met with his counterparts.

Many of them, notably the Japanese, appealed to Rubio to use what influence he might have with Trump to spare their country from harsh trade treatment. But Trump has said he will not relent.

"We will put maximum pressure on the Americans and, meanwhile, will work on looking for off-ramps," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters Friday. The Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans. Thats our message, thats our approach."

Rubio, who called Joly a friend, said the tariffs are not meant to be a hostile move against allies but are about making trade fair. Those benefiting from previous arrangements likely do feel it is hostile to change the status quo because its to your benefit," he told reporters.

How a meeting between US and Canadian diplomats went

Joly said her discussion with Rubio had been frank  diplomatic code for blunt.

I wanted to be able to have a frank conversation," Joly said. "Of course, Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate and we had a long conversation on tariffs and trade.

After Trump reiterated in the Oval Office on Thursday that "Canada only works as a state, Joly stood firm.

What I said to the secretary is that Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate. Period," she said Friday. There is no argument. There is no conversation about it. She added, as if addressing him, "You are here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you respect our people. Period.

Rubio told reporters Friday that Trump loves Canada and has simply made an argument for why Canada would be better off joining the United States from an economic perspective and the like. Hes made that argument repeatedly, and I think it stands for itself.

Joly noted that many of the allies thought Trump's comments were a joke.

I said to them this is not a joke  Canadians are anxious, Canadians are proud people, and you are here in a sovereign country, and so therefore, we dont expect this to be even discussed, clearly not laughed at, she said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said G7 nations should avoid panic and posted a message of support for Canada on X, featuring a photo of her and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Weve got your back, @melaniejoly, she wrote. #Canada #Solidarity."

Fridays sessions were shortened due to Jolys need to depart earlier than planned to attend Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys swearing-in ceremony and first Cabinet meeting.

The final communique presented common positions not only on Ukraine but on the Middle East, wars in Africa and Chinese activity in the South China Sea.

On the Middle East, the communique did not, as it has in previous years, express support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it did recognize the need for the Palestinians to have a political horizon to reach their aspirations.

All of that has united us, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. So this has been a unified conference in which we have found common ground. And Im pleased at the effort and the sense of warmth that exists across the partners in the G7.

___

Associated Press writers Rob Gillies in Toronto and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO (Reuters) -Canada has resumed imports from the biggest U.S. pork-processing plant, a Smithfield Foods facility in Tar Heel, North Carolina, after suspending shipments for about a week, the company said on Friday.

The halt temporarily limited a market for American pork products at a time when U.S. farmers fear that agricultural exports will suffer from tit-for-tat tariff disputes with major buyers including Mexico, Canada and China.

Smithfield CEO Shane Smith said this week that the facility's suspension centered around a problem with offal products at the border and was unrelated to tariffs. Shares rose slightly on Friday.

"Canada temporarily suspended imports from this facility following an issue with a limited number of certain offal shipments," company spokesperson Jim Monroe said.

The suspension lasted from March 6 to March 12, and pork items produced by the facility after March 12 are eligible for export to Canada again, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

Canada was the fifth-largest export market for U.S. pork last year, with shipments valued at about $850 million, USDA data show.

U.S. pork producers continue to face uncertainty over the impact of trade disputes on demand.

U.S. pork export sales of 20,262 metric tons in the week ended on March 6 were the lowest for the year so far and down 52% from the previous week, USDA said on Thursday.

On Sunday, hundreds of U.S. meat plants granted access to China, the world's biggest pork consumer, in a 2020 trade deal with President Donald Trump are set to lose export eligibility.

"The hog market has been getting blasted over tariff fears and disruption to U.S. pork exports," said Dan Norcini, an independent livestock trader.

"Any sort of news that is friendly towards U.S. pork exports, even if it is offal, helps to take some of the negative sentiment off."

Lean hog futures rose at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Aurora Ellis)
A Canadian entrepreneur - who appeared in the American Pie franchise - was shackled and detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the southern border while trying to get a new work visa, according to reports.

A Canadian entrepreneur and actress  who appeared in the American Pie franchise  said she was shackled and detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the southern border while trying to obtain a new visa, according to reports.

Jasmine Mooney, 35, co-founder of Holy! Water, said shes been held in inhumane conditions since she was nabbed at the San Ysidro border between Mexico and San Diego on March 3, KGTV reported.

Every single guard that sees me is like What are you doing here? I dont understand  youre Canadian. How are you here? she told the outlet from inside the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona.

Jasmine Mooney, 35, was locked up by ICE at the San Ysidro border on March 3. Instagram/jasminemooney

I have never in my life seen anything so inhumane.

Mooney traveled to the border crossing earlier this month after learning in November her three-year TN work visa had been revoked as she was trying to catch a flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles, where she runs her health-focused tonic drink brand, the outlet reported.

The former actress, who appeared in a racy scene in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love in 2009, decided to try her luck at San Ysidro  where she had obtained her first work visa on the advice of her lawyer  with a new job offer and her visa paperwork in hand.

The co-founder of Holy! Water (right) appeared in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love in 2009. Courtesy Universal

Mooney entered the country through Mexico, where border agents initially advised her to visit a US Consulate to apply for legal status to work in the country again. She was then refused re-entry to Mexico and detained, she told the outlet.

She described being kept in a cold room for three days at the worlds busiest land border before she was arrested by ICE and thrown into San Diegos Otay Mesa Detention Center.

I was put in a cell, and I had to sleep on a mat with no blanket, no pillow, with an aluminum foil wrapped over my body like a dead body for two and a half days, she told the outlet, decrying the food inside the facility.

Mooney traveled to the San Ysidro border between Mexico and San Diego to get a new work visa. 4kclips  stock.adobe.com

Brian Todd, a spokesperson for the private company that owns the detention center, denied Mooneys claims about the food, stating the facility provides nutritious meals daily to inmates, the outlet reported.

Mooney claimed that she, along with a group of 30 other women, was then rounded up in the middle of the night and shipped to Arizona.

We were up for 24 hours wrapped in chains, she added.

Mooney, who has not been charged with a crime, is expected to be released from custody Friday following 11 days behind bars, her father, Stephen, told CBC Thursday night.

She will be transported to a detention center in Tijuana, Mexico, and then flown back to Vancouver on Friday night, the outlet reported.

Jasmines a strong girl, but what she has gone through is  no one should do that, the frustrated father told the outlet, adding that hes feeling a lot of relief especially after knowing his daughter was in shackles and handcuffs the majority of the time she was detained.

Just the lack of due process and the lack of communication that weve had through that detention center, I feel for, of course, not only Jasmine, but the many other people that are in there.

He believes political pressure helped secure his daughters release, adding that she appeared to have lost weight while in custody after being shown a photo.

There were conversations at the highest level, and I would like to think that helped get her released earlier, the father said.

She complained of inhumane conditions at San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona. Aaron J Hill  stock.adobe.com

Following his daughters ordeal, Stephen warned other Canadians with similar work visa situations against traveling to the US.

That process down there is terrible, and I believe its worse because of the new administration, because of Trump  I would be cautious for anyone to go into the States, he told CBC.

Mooneys mother, Alexis Eagles, said shes been worried for her daughters wellbeing since the day she was taken  echoing her husbands frustration regarding a lack of communication from the feds.

I havent been able to sleep thinking about what my daughter is being put through. We treat cattle better than this in Canada, Eagles, told the Vancouver Sun.

We have no issue with her being denied entry, we have no issue with her initially being detained. But we have a huge issue with the inhumane treatment she is receiving and that she knows nothing, has not been charged and has not been able to speak with us directly.

Mooney said she was put in chains while being transported. Instgram/entrepreneur & enjoyholywater

Eagles slammed the federal government for wasting taxpayer money to imprison someone who is not a criminal and has no criminal record.

She had a valid three-year TN visa, but when she went back to the States, she was told she was not welcome anymore, the worried mother told the Canadian outlet, noting that no official reason was given for the visas reversal.

She had all the paperwork and everything. It just doesnt make sense.

ICE officials told The Post Thursday that Mooney was detained in accordance with an executive order President Trump signed on his first day back in the White House that grants immigration officials the authority to lock up illegal immigrants.

Jasmine Mooney was detained March 3 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for not having legal documentation to be in the United States, the statement said.

Mooney was processed in accordance with the Securing Our Borders Executive Order dated January 21. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removed from the U.S., regardless of nationality.

British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed concern for Mooney and blasted the US government for violating the very idea that Canadians are safe when they travel across the border.

The nature of our relationships is so fraught right now that this case makes us all wonder, you know, what about our relatives who are working in the States? Eby said, CBC reported.

What about when we cross the border, what kind of experience are we going to have?
Renee Portillos/Facebook Renee Portillos

A Colorado man, caught with the severed hand of a dead woman in his coat pocket, has been convicted of her murder.

Solomon Martinez, 27, was found guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, and abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of 47-year-old Renee Portillos, whose remains were found near a creek in Pueblo in January 2024, the Pueblo County 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, March 13.

The prosecution presented compelling evidence over a 14-day trial, including testimony, phone records, location data, and autopsy results, all of which pointed to Martinez's guilt, the prosecutors office said.

Portillos' decapitated remains were discovered on Jan. 10, 2024, near Fountain Creek after a roommate of Martinezs tipped off police, according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by the Pueblo Chieftain.

Related: Severed Hand Discovered in the Pocket of a Colorado Man Arrested on Suspicion of a Woman's Murder

Pueblo Police Department Solomon Martinez

When Martinez, a security guard, was arrested, authorities found a human hand inside a plastic bag inside the left chest pocket of Martinez's jacket," according to the affidavit.

After being questioned, Martinez allegedly told police that the hand had been in his jacket for two days.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

During the trial, prosecutors said Portillos' DNA was discovered in Martinez's vehicle, the Pueblo Chieftain reported. Authorities also found Portillos' DNA and Martinez's DNA on a condom, per the Chieftain.

Martinez allegedly admitted to killing Portillos in jail calls he made to his mother, prosecutors said, per the Chieftain.

Martinezs defense attorneys alleged at trial that Portillos shot herself while high on fentanyl, prosecutors said.

Martinez was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, per the Chieftain.

Cathy Peralta, Renee Portillos's sister, told the Chieftain that Martinez was an evil man, and hearing all the evidence, I couldn't believe how sick and demented he is."

"It's bittersweet, we can't get her back," she continued. "But we finally got justice. Now, what happens to him in prison, he made his bed and he can lie in it. Now my sister can rest."

Read the original article on People
By Gabriella Borter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrats plan a series of town hall meetings in highly competitive U.S. House of Representatives districts currently held by Republicans, aiming to tap into anger over President Donald Trump's campaign to aggressively slash the federal government.

The move is an attempt to harness momentum from the eruptions at town halls last month against the Trump cost-cutting campaign led by Elon Musk and target some of the roughly two dozen competitive seats that will determine control of the House in next year's midterm elections.

At those meetings, voters decried the Trump administration's firings of federal workers and potential cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and Social Security in the Republicans' budget resolution, which was passed last month.

Americans broadly support the idea of scaling back the federal government but believe Musk is moving too quickly in engineering the firing of tens of thousands of government workers, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

The campaign, organized by the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Association of State Democratic Committees, will kick off next week in 10 competitive districts, a DNC spokesperson said.

It will continue for the rest of the year in all 50 states.

"We're filling a void that's left open by our Republican colleagues who are too scared to show up to town halls in their own districts because they're doing things that are not popular," Democratic Representative Max Frost of Florida told reporters at a gathering of House Democrats this week.

"That's not fair to their constituents."

TARGETING COMPETITIVE SEATS

The town halls will be hosted by local and national Democratic politicians, including former vice presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, the DNC spokesperson said.

The initial round will target competitive district seats currently held by Republicans Juan Ciscomani in Arizona, Gabe Evans in Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna in Florida, Zach Nunn in Iowa, John James in Michigan, Ann Wagner in Missouri, Don Bacon in Nebraska and Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania.

Representative Bacon accused Nebraska Democrats of using the town hall in his district to bring in "the most liberal Governor in America." Walz is expected to speak there next week.

Spokespeople for the other members did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Some of those Republican lawmakers targeted by the Democrats' town hall campaign had expressed hesitation about the House budget resolution before ultimately voting in favor of it.

The resolution outlined spending cuts that would likely slash funding for food assistance, Medicare and Medicaid, a program that covers healthcare for low-income Americans.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson last week advised his members to stop hosting in-person town halls.

The House, where Republicans currently have a 218-213 majority, presents Democrats' best chance of regaining some control of the levers of power in Washington in the 2026 midterm elections.

Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and with a few Democratic senators retiring, the odds of their retaking that chamber have slimmed.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Scott Malone and Joe Bavier)
FILE - Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  A video released Friday shows the moment federal immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student whose detention alarmed free-speech advocates.

The clip begins with at least three agents confronting Khalil in the lobby of his apartment building near the Columbia campus Saturday night. The agents inform him that he is going to be under arrest," then order him to turn around and stop resisting.

Theres no need for this, Khalil replies calmly as they place him in handcuffs. Im going with you. No worries.

As his wife, Noor Abdalla, cries out in protest, asking in Arabic: My love, how can I call you? Khalil assures her that he will be fine and instructs her to call his lawyer.

Abdalla, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, then asks the agents to identify themselves. We dont give our names, one replies.

The video was released by Khalils attorneys the same day the Justice Department announced it was investigating whether the university concealed illegal aliens on its campus.

Khalil is a lawful U.S. resident with no criminal history. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he revoked Khalil's permission to be in the U.S. because of his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, saying they had riled up anti-Jewish sentiment and amounted to support for Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has warned that the attempted deportation will be the first of many of people who joined protests against Israels military action in Gaza

Federal officials announced Friday that they had arrested another woman tied to protests outside Columbia University and revoked the visa of a Columbia University doctoral student, who then left the country.

Khalil's wife, Abdalla, described his arrest as the most terrifying moment of my life in a statement accompanying the video. She said the arrest happened as the couple were returning home from an Iftar celebration.

They threatened to take me too," she said.

The arrests have triggered fear among international students at Columbia and been condemned by free speech groups, which accuse the Trump administration of seeking to criminalize political dissent.

Khalils lawyers have challenged his detention in court.

In court documents, they described how he was rushed from New York to Louisiana last weekend after his arrest.

The experience reminded Khalil of when he left Syria, where he was born, shortly after the forced disappearance of his friends there during a period of arbitrary detention in 2013, the lawyers wrote.

According to the lawsuit, federal agents denied Khalil's request to speak to a lawyer. When he was taken to a federal office building in lower Manhattan, Khalil saw an agent approach another agent and say, the White House is requesting an update, the lawyers wrote.

At some point early Sunday, Khalil was taken, handcuffed and shackled, to a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he spent the night in a cold waiting room. His request for a blanket was denied, the lawsuit said.

Then he was sent back to New York by van.

At 2:45 p.m. Sunday, he was put on an American Airlines flight from to Dallas, where he was placed on a second flight to Alexandria, Louisiana, arriving at 1 a.m. Monday.

Khalil is now being held in an isolated, low-slung ICE detention complex ringed by two rows of tall, barbed wire fences and surrounded by the endless pine forests. The complex, with a capacity of 1,160, is outside the small town of Jena, roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Baton Rouge.

He now worries about his pregnant wife and is also very concerned about missing the birth of his first child, the lawsuit said.

In April, Khalil was to begin a job and receive health benefits that the couple was counting on, it added.

It is very important to Mr. Khalil to be able to continue his protected political speech, advocating and protesting for the rights of Palestinians  both domestically and abroad, the lawsuit said.
An Argentine prosecutor asked a judge on Thursday to issue an Interpol Red Noticea sweeping arrest requestfor Hayden Davis, who claims to be behind the launch of a memecoin that has Bitcoin reserve, launched his own memecoin in January. Trumps cryptocurrency was characteristically called TRUMP.

After Milei endorsed his own memecoin, its value skyrocketed to a total market capitalization of more than $4.5 billion, according to the crypto analytics tool DEX Screener. But LIBRAs price soon plummeted, and its now fallen more than 99% to about $18 million.

Blockchain analysts discovered that insiders, who held tokens before Milei endorsed the memecoin, sold large stashes shortly after he posted about LIBRA. Hayden soon copped to helping Milei launch his token. I am indeed Javier Mileis advisor, he said in a post on X. He also claimed to be behind the launch of Melania's memecoin.

Just days after LIBRA's launch, a federal judge in Argentina opened an investigation into Milei. Both Milei and Hayden have denied wrongdoing.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The CEO of one of Thailands leading conglomerates is keeping her eyes and ears open on changes to U.S. trade policyand expects that Thai exports to the U.S. wont escape new tariffs from the Trump administration.

Currently, the Trump administration has slapped tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, as well as blanket taxes on steel and aluminum imports. The duties are in line with U.S. President Donald Trumps pledge to tax imports on countries that he believes are treating the U.S. unfairly.

The next important date is April 2, when the Trump administration will impose reciprocal tariffs on a country-by-country basis.

Thapanee Techajareonvikul, CEO of Thai conglomerate Berli Jucker, in an interview with Fortune on Wednesday, said she expects the U.S. President will impose tariffs on Thai exports. We will face a little, Thapanee predicted.

In spite of the two countries good relations, Thapanee pointed to Thailands trade surplus with the U.S. as a reason why tariffs may be unavoidable.

Thailands trade surplus with the U.S. totaled $45 billion last year, according to U.S. government data. Thats modest compared to other economies in Southeast Asia: Vietnam, which has benefited from shifting supply chains, enjoys a trade surplus of $123.5 billion with the U.S.

In a conversation with Fortune on Wednesday, Thapanee admitted that her business, which covers everything from glass bottles and aluminium cans to food and personal care products, will need to navigate U.S. tariffs, if they come into effect. Our snack factory produces for the U.S. market, she explained, adding that Berli Jucker also plans to exports glass bottles to the U.S. this year.

She suggested Berli Jucker will expand into more markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East as a way to mitigate any new U.S. tariffs.

But uncertainty reigns when it comes to Trumps trade policy, with new tariffs proposed and then suspended, sometimes within the same day.

Thapannee said shes keeping her eyes and ears open for news out of Washington.

Thailand's private sector is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to start talks with the Trump administration. On Thursday, Paetongtarn met with representatives of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking. The private sector group proposed that Thailand import more from the U.S. while lowering its tariffs in order to reduce the country's trade surplus, according to Reuters.

Even if Thailand escapes tariffs, a U.S. trade war will still have significant effects on Southeast Asian businesses, whether by distorting exchange rates or changing raw material prices. For example, Trumps 2018 tariffs on aluminum led to a global increase in prices of the metal in the months that followed.

Tariffs on China are also likely to further encourage Chinese manufacturers to diversify their supply chains, in the hope of avoiding U.S. tariffs. During Trumps first term, global manufacturers moved their factories to countries like Vietnam and Mexico.

With the U.S. policy, I think a lot more Chinese manufacturers will come to invest in Thailand, to have production in Thailand, so they can send to the U.S., Thapanee predicted. She worries a continued influx of Chinese manufacturers going global, who can sometimes offer products more cheaply, might put pressure on Thai firms.

Governments are worried about a flood of cheap Chinese imports disrupting their economies. Vietnam and South Korea both imposed provisional tariffs on Chinese steel panels in February. HSBC warned in February that a tariff cascade could be dangerous for China, given its reliance on external trade as a way to prop up the economy.

Berli Jucker's 2024

Thapanee isnt just keeping her eyes and ears open for news on tariffs. Shes also paying attention to Thailands aging population and an economy thats still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

Despite those headwinds, Berli Jucker had a good 2024, a result that Thapanee said she was pleased with.

The Thai conglomerate reported revenue of 171 billion Thai baht ($5.1 billion) in 2024, up 1.7% from a year before. Gross profit came in at 32 billion baht ($950 million) with a profit margin of 20.3%, the company's highest ever since it acquired the retail chain Big C in 2016. Operating profit came in at 13 billion baht ($385 million)

Thapanee said the higher profit margins were driven by investments in renewable energy and technology that reduced cost at its factories. The company also entered premium segments of the market to fend off Chinese competition, such as selling three-ply tissue paper rather than try to match Chinese sellers on price.

She also noted that Berli Jucker is hoping to make glass bottles for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Brands are confirmed, though she declined to share names.

Berli Jucker, ranked no. 79 on Fortunes Southeast Asia 500, is a diversified conglomerate that has businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

Berli Jucker also owns the hypermarket Big C, which operates in four markets in Southeast Asia, as well as the Chinese city of Hong Kong. (Thapanees husband, Aswin Techajareonvikul, is the CEO of Big C. He was also previously the CEO of Berli Jucker).

In 2023, Big C said it was considering a plan to pursue a dual listing in both Bangkok and Hong Kong, confirming earlier reports that the supermarket chain hoped to raise $1 billion through an IPO. A month later, the company delayed those plans, citing a wish to wait for better economic conditions.

During an interview with Fortune last October, Thapanee said an IPO could be possible in 2025 if market conditions were right. Yet on Wednesday, she said Berli Jucker is, for now, not moving forward on its plan to list Big C.

If you see the stock market of Thailand, its very disappointing. We wont be expecting [to list] anytime soon, she said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
WASHINGTON  Alan Simpson, an old school moderate Republican senator who helped craft major U.S. immigration reform in 1986 and made friends across the aisle, died on Friday in Cody, Wyoming, his family said in a statement.

He was 93.

Simpson was surrounded by family and friends after struggling to recover from a broken hip in December, the statement said.

The No. 2 Republican in the Senate for a decade, the lanky Simpson was a blunt talker who was not afraid to promote unpopular causes in his party, such as abortion rights and gay equality, yet he remained for years a part of the Republican establishment.

Former Sen. Alan K. Simpson, co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, speaks at the 2012 Fiscal Summit on May 15, 2012 in Washington. The third annual summit, held by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, explored the theme "America's Case for Action."

A six-foot, seven-inch balding giant, the affable Simpson served as a U.S. senator from Wyoming for nearly 20 years, including from 1985 to 1995 as minority whip  the second-ranking Republican post in the Democratic-controlled Senate of the time.

His chief legacy in the Senate was the overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that was signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Some 2.7 million illegal immigrants would eventually win legal status in the United States under the law, which Simpson put together with Democratic Rep. Romano Mazzoli of Kentucky.

The reform was criticized by some Republicans as effectively allowing an amnesty, although it also tightened legal penalties on employers who hired undocumented foreigners.

In 2011, shortly after he retired from the Senate, Simpson lamented how political bi-partisanship had declined.

"Now it's just sharp elbows, and instead of having a caucus where you sit down and say, 'What are you going to do for your country?' you sit figuring out how to screw the other side," he told Time magazine.

Simpson's friendly style helped him form alliances with rivals on the other side of the floor. In 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by Democratic President Joe Biden, his longtime friend and former Senate colleague.

Born on Sept. 2, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Alan Kooi Simpson served in the U.S. Army in West Germany in the 1950s. His father, Milward Simpson, was a Wyoming governor and U.S. senator.

The younger Simpson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1964 through 1977 before himself making the leap to the U.S. Senate in the 1978 election.

While a proud advocate for most conservative causes, Simpson had a strong libertarian streak that supported abortion rights and gay rights.

"Who the hell is for abortion?" Simpson told MSNBC in 2011. "I don't know anybody running around with a sign that says 'Have an abortion, they're wonderful.' They're hideous. But they're a deeply intimate and personal decision, and I don't think men legislators should even vote on the issue."

"We've got homophobes in our party. That's disgusting to me. We're all human beings, we're all God's children," he added.

President Joe Biden presents former US Senator Alan Simpson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 17 recipients, in the East Room of the White House on July 7, 2022.

Simpson was known for his sense of humor, a quick temper and earthy language  some would call it profane  and did not mind using those traits to respond to those he disagreed with.

After reporters used a 1987 White House photo opportunity to shout questions to Reagan about the Iran-Contra scandal, Simpson accused them of sadism.

"You know very well that you're not asking him things so you can get answers," he said in anger. "You're asking him things because you know he's off balance and you'd like to stick it in his gazoo."

Although willing to challenge the establishment, Simpson generally owed his effectiveness to his ability to work within it.

Under Democratic President Barack Obama, the then-retired Simpson formed one half of the Simpson-Bowles presidential commission on deficit reduction that was at the center of raging congressional arguments over the U.S. debt and deficit.

In 2006, he was one of 10 people chosen to form the Iraq Study Group that gave 79 recommendations to Republican President George W. Bush on how to change course in the Iraq War.

When the Republicans returned to power and took control of Congress after the 1994 elections, Simpson lost his leadership role to Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, who led a new conservative revolt within the party.

In 1996, he decided not to run again.

Simpson gave a eulogy at the funeral service for President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in December 2018.

He used the occasion to take a dig at the highly charged political atmosphere in the United States during the first presidency of Republican President Donald Trump.

"Hatred corrodes the container it's carried in," he told the assembled mourners, which included Trump and former presidents.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alan Simpson, former Republican senator, dies in Wyoming
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, center, answers questions about the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa during a news conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A representative for the estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports, especially photographs and police body-camera video, related to the recent deaths of Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after their partially mummified bodies were discovered at their New Mexico home in February.

Authorities last week announced Hackman died at age 95 of heart disease with complications from Alzheimers disease as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease  hantavirus pulmonary syndrome  took the life of his 65-year-old wife.

Hackmans pacemaker last showed signs of activity on Feb. 18, indicating an abnormal heart rhythm on the day he likely died. The couple's bodies weren't discovered until Feb. 26 when maintenance and security workers showed up at the Santa Fe home and alerted police, leaving a mystery for law enforcement and medical investigators to unravel.

Julia Peters, a representative for the estate of Hackman and Arakawa, urged a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records in the cases to protect the family's right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the possibly shocking nature of photographs and video in the investigation and potential for their dissemination by media.

The request, filed Tuesday, also described the couple's discrete lifestyle in Santa Fe since Hackman's retirement. The state capital city is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

The couple "lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle, the petition said.

New Mexico's open records law blocks public access to sensitive images, including depictions of people who are deceased, said Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. Some medical information also is not considered public record under the state Inspection of Public Records Act.

At the same time, the bulk of death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports by medical investigators are typically considered public records under state law in the spirit of ensuring government transparency and accountability, she said.

I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies, Lavin said Thursday. The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done.

There is also a public health concern given that hantavirus was involved, Lavin said.

She said the preemptive request to prevent the release of government records on constitutional grounds is unusual.

Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including The French Connection, Hoosiers and Superman from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.
Harvey Weinstein is sour that he wont get a party for his 73rd birthday at Rikers Island next week, and made the grim prediction that he wont live to see another year.

The convicted sex offender and former movie mogul reportedly called reporters Thursday to whine about jail and not having any birthday plans.

I turn 73 next Wednesday, and Im in a place where I dont think Ill get to 74, Weinstein reportedly told the Daily Mail in an unsolicited phone call.

Harvey Weinstein attended a hearing in Manhattan criminal court Wednesday ahead of his retrial, which is set for next month. Steven Hirsch

Theres never any celebration at Rikers Island, he said, adding that the prison is inhumane and needs to be torn down.

Its absolutely horrifying, he added, saying he speaks also for the other people who dont have a voice there.

He plans to talk to friends on the phone to mark his 73rd.

The call came a day after he was seen in Manhattan criminal court rocking a gap-toothed smile, the result of his teeth likely rotting while behind bars.

Weinstein said Rikers Island is inhumane and needs to be torn down. Joe DeMaria

He addressed the chatter over his teeth on the call, too.

People say, Why did you smile yesterday? The reason I smiled was because Rikers Island, they dont treat your teeth, they just pull your teeth.

Weinstein has complained about his dental issues since 2022, when he allegedly had a medical emergency related to rotten molars while in lockup.

Weinstein has been hospitalized in the last year for a variety of ailments including emergency heart surgery, diabetes, spinal stenosis and a recent cancer diagnosis.

Weinstein remains locked up on a 16-year prison sentence for a 2022 Los Angeles rape conviction and is awaiting a retrial in New York after his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction was overturned in April based on unfair testimony.

Weinstein was seen in court with his lawyers during a hearing about what evidence to allow in his retrial. Steven Hirsch for NY Post

He begged a Manhattan judge in January to move up his trial, which is scheduled for next month, saying he cant hold on anymore.

Another charge against Weinstein was added in September based on allegations from an additional accuser.

Judge Curtis Farber ruled Wednesday that Weinsteins lawyers cannot mention his tossed conviction or his health problems during the retrial.

Weinstein is expected to be transferred back to Los Angeles after his trial here wraps up. AP

The ex-Miramax honcho, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 80 women, said he might testify on his own behalf at his new trial, according to the Daily Mail.

He is expected to be transferred back to California after the New York trial.

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which sparked the #MeToo movement.
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Traveling is simultaneously about planning, then letting go of control. Your flight is delayed? Well, youll need to rebook your connecting flight. You cant get an Uber? Time to look for a taxi stand. Your flight is mid-air and the cabin is freezing and you dont have a blanket or travel wrap? Well, in my experience taking flights to dozens of countries as a travel editor, thats a mishap that you cant really fix in the moment. So dont suffer, instead, follow my road-tested formula for making one of the versatile, stylish and practical travel outfits Ive developed.

What Are Travel Outfits?

Travel outfits get you from point Ayour home or officeto point Byour vacation or work destinationwith maximum comfort and minimal hassle. Stylishness is important, but mostly what you want is to look nondescript and capable. Youre a grown-up, so while you might like to just throw on some sweats like youre headed to the gym, thats not going to get you respect from gate agents, which always comes in handy if and when you need help with any scheduling snafus that might happen in the airport. Keep in mind that your travel outfit needs to work in numerous unpredictable micro-climates. Maybe the car to the airport is overly air conditioned, while the taxi that picks you up has no AC at alland youve landed in 98-degree weather. (And you havent yet donned your summer travel capsule wardrobe.) Perhaps your seat wont recline, making your too-snug waistband extra-uncomfortable. Maybe you have to take your shoes off at the security check. Travel outfits need to be thought through so that you can be prepared for pain points.

With these considerations in mind, this set of separates Im about to share is basically three outfits in onea tank top and pants, a layered blazer outfit andwhen the going gets in-flight frigida long-sleeved top and workout leggings under your blazer outfit. Travel can be a sartorial obstacle course but totally doable with these nine pieces. Heres what to wear and carry on, moving from top to bottom.

How to Travel Using Just a Personal Item, According to a Fashion Editor Who Loves to Overpack

1. Tank Top

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Im not a big fan of wearing tank tops at home, but when Im traveling, they provide the idea base layer that keeps me warm in lieu of an undershirt, yet can be worn on its own in a stuffy plane cabin or once I reach my tropical destination. I prefer a close-fitting mens undershirt style or snug cami so that I dont feel too bulky.

2. Button-Front Shirt

Dana Dickey

Calgary to Mexico, Paris to Sydney, Ive taken a white or powder blue button-front shirt and worn it on the plane and then throughout the trip. Slightly oversized fit is key, and, psst, spring for the best cotton or linen you can manage, since in my experience, this is a capsule wardrobe piece that youll wear again and again, even at home. Layered over your tank top, its lovely and warm.

3. Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

Visual China Group via Getty Images

Frequent Flyer Trick, Part 1: Roll up a long-sleeved T-shirt in your carry-on bag in case you need to put it on during the flight. You may not need it, but youll feel more relaxed just knowing its there, and you can pop it on in the restroom once the planes reached cruising altitude. Lately, Ive been loving technical runners long-sleeve shirts for this purpose, since they are engineered to not only absorb sweat but also temperature regulateand they are so fitted, they dont add bulk to your silhouette.

4. Sleek Jacket

Dana Dickey

A relaxed blazer in a neutral color is your travel wardrobe MVP, starting with how great its going to make you look and feel en route. I swear by my military-inspired blazer in camel. I wear with everything from jeans to dresses once Im at my destination. And pro tip: sleeves that unbutton so that you can comfortably roll them up are so handy.

5. Stretch Pants

Dana Dickey

Kick flares are the new classic travel pant, surprisingly flattering to most figures even if you never thought a pair of elastic-waist trousers could ever actually work on you. A black or navy pair is the most versatile, as well as forgiving when youre sitting in airports, cabs and airline seats where who knows what dropped chocolate bars or spilled soda.

6. Leggings

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Frequent Flyer Trick, Part 2: Along with your long-sleeved T-shirt, roll up a pair of leggings in your carry-on bag. These are to put on under your kick flares in case youre stuck in a terribly cold airplane cabin. I tuck both pieces in a small packing cube and hope I wont need them, however when I was recently trapped in a freezing cabin on a flight to Mexico, I was so snuggly warm once I put them on.

7. Socks

Streetstyleshooters / Getty Images

Ive spent more than a little wasted time stranded in airports, looking down at my footwear situation, feeling sorry that I didnt wear nicer socks. Another bad situation: having chilly feet when I kick off my shoes in flight. Dont let this happen to you. I like a chunky cotton blend, preferably one thats thin enough to wear with both running shoes and sandals.

8. Travel Sneakers

Visual China Group via Getty Images

While I love a red Air Jordan almost as much as my teenage son, the mix-and-match styling of a minimalist traveler cant justify such a loud, sports-specific shoe. I prefer a white or neutral-tone running shoe that is classic enough to wear with everything from shorts to sundresses during my work trip off-hours or vacation sightseeing.

Travel Essentials for a (Somewhat) Organized & Entertained Family
A SWAT team responds to a shooting at a home in Berkeley Township, New Jersey, on Monday.

A dispute between Jersey Shore neighbors ended Monday with a husband and wife hospitalized with critical injuries and another man dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The chaos unfolded around 4:45 p.m. in Berkeley Township, New Jersey. Officers were called to a home on Drake Drive and found the husband and wife suffering from a gunshot wound, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a news release.

A disturbing 911 call obtained by NBC New York reveals the woman's frantic plea for help.

"My neighbor. We got shot by our neighbor," she tells the dispatcher. "Please hurry!"

"My husband I think he's dead outside and my leg is killing me," she says.

The woman begs for the dispatcher to send help quickly.

"Please hurry, it hurts so bad," she says.

At one point, the wife tells the dispatcher that she can't move her leg and there's "blood everywhere."

"Please get the cops here. I'm bleeding to death. I can't leave my kids," she says. "If I do please tell them that I love them."

The couple had allegedly been involved in a feud with their neighbor, John Adamo, 54, for years, NBC New York reported. The couple set up security cameras and posted a sign outside their house that read: "private property no trespassing Mr. and Ms. Adamo!!!!"

Police had been called to the home about six times in the last year, according to NBC New York. It's not clear why the feud escalated.

The prosecutor's office said that Adamo allegedly shot the husband while he was outside and then shot into the couple's home, striking the wife. Adamo then went into his own home.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and a crisis negotiating team responded to the shooting and surrounded Adamo's home in an attempt to have him surrender.

After about two and a half hours, SWAT forced their way into the home. Video obtained by NBC New York showed law enforcement blowing open the front door to gain access to the residence.

Adamo was found dead in an upstairs bedroom. Authorities believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the news release states. A pressure cooker was also found in his bedroom, but it was determined it was non-explosive.

The husband and wife were airlifted to a hospital in Neptune, New Jersey, in critical but stable condition.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Johns Hopkins University said on Thursday it will slash over 2,000 jobs in the U.S. and abroad after the administration of President Donald Trump terminated $800 million in grants to the renowned academic institution.

It marked the biggest layoff in the university's history and involved 247 domestic U.S. workers for the academic institution and another 1,975 positions outside the U.S. in 44 countries.

The job cuts impact the university's Bloomberg School of Public Health, its medical school and affiliated non-profit for international health, Jhpiego.

"This is a difficult day for our entire community. The termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work here in Baltimore and internationally," the university said in a statement shared with media.

Since taking office on January 20, Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk have attempted to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The Trump administration has canceled more than 80% of all the programs at USAID following a six-week review, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday.

In addition to attacks on the U.S. foreign aid agency, the Trump administration is also probing 60 American universities, including Hopkins, over pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.

The Trump administration alleges protesters are antisemitic. Demonstrators deny the allegations and say the U.S. government is conflating their criticism of U.S. ally Israel's military assault on Gaza with antisemitism.

Last week, the U.S. canceled $400 million in grants and contracts to New York's Columbia University.

The Trump administration is also seeking to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who has played a prominent role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Diane Craft)
Investigators are still searching for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing on a spring break trip with her college friends in the Dominican Republic last week.

Multiple international agencies have been searching for Konanki since she disappeared March 6 as the investigation nears its second week.

Here's what we know about the case.

Who is Sudiksha Konanki?

Konanki, 20, is a junior in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff's Office. She is an Indian citizen and permanent U.S. resident who lives with her family in Chantilly, Virginia, which is in Loudoun County.

She traveled to Punta Cana from Pitt on March 3 with five other female friends for their spring break trip, the sheriff's office said.

Konanki is also in the South Asian fusion a cappella group Avaaz at college, according to the groups Instagram account.

Sudiksha Konanki.

When was Konanki last seen?

Konanki was last seen early March 6 after she went to the beach with friends.

She disappeared after 4:15 a.m., after her friends left the beach and she stayed behind with people she met on the trip.

Security video showed Konanki and her friends entering the beach area in the Riu Republica Resort, where they were staying, Dominican Republic National Police said.

Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman told NBC Washington on Monday that Konanki's friends went back to the hotel after about 40 minutes and that Konanki stayed with the others whom she met and who were not friends from college.

One of the last people who had contact with her said that "a wave hit them while they were on the beach and caused some kind of situation," Dominican President Luis Abinader said at a news conference Monday, citing local reports. Abinader said at the time that authorities were still trying to piece together what happened.

Konanki's friends went on an excursion Thursday and did not realize she had disappeared until they returned, about 12 hours later, at which point they told the hotel about their missing friend, National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira said.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office was then notified of her disappearance, Chapman said.

National Police launched a search effort Friday morning after it learned Konanki was missing, using drones, helicopters, divers, boats and canine units. The search effort was expanded Monday.

Konanki's friends were supposed to return to the United States on Friday but stayed back to aid in the search, sheriff's spokesperson Thomas Julia said.

The hotel said that beach access is always open and that security guards are stationed around the hotel and the area.

What do we know about the investigation?

Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, which is being led by Dominican police, the Dominican attorney general's office, the FBI and a U.S. Embassy liaison. The U.S. Coast Guard is also involved.

A person of interest has been identified and was interviewed at length, Julia, the sheriff's office spokesperson, told NBC News. The sheriff's office has no jurisdiction over the case but sent detectives to the island to assist local investigators.

A person of interest is "not the same thing as a suspect, as this is not a criminal matter. It is still a missing person case," Julia said.

National Police said Thursday morning that they do not use the term "person of interest" in their investigations and that no one is considered a suspect at this point.

Military personnel search for Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Monday.

The University of Pittsburgh said it was in contact with Konanki's family and offering support in the investigation. The Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic is also helping in the investigation, Chapman said.

Konankis family had traveled to Punta Cana to aid in search efforts but as of Thursday had returned to Virginia. They declined to comment on the search.

La Altagracia Civil Defense, the local Dominican emergency operations agency, shared photos of multiple agencies searching on the beach over the weekend. The hotel was also assisting in search efforts, it said.

Authorities have said it's not clear whether Konankis disappearance is accidental or whether foul play was involved. No signs of blood or violence were found at the beach, Pesqueira said.

National Police sent teams to monitor the beach overnight at least twice to watch how the water moves to see where a body would drift if someone drowned and to see where the waves crash.

A hotel spokesperson said red flags  which indicate "that the sea had a strong current and very high waves"  were flying when Konanki disappeared.

Dominican authorities said Thursday morning that the search was moving from the Riu Republic Resort to Macao Beach.

Officials said they were interviewing Konankis friends and those who last interacted with her, as well as hotel staff members and a person who was at the beach around the same time she was.

Officials are also looking into Konanki's phone and texts, said Chapman, the Loudoun County sheriff. She did not appear to have a history of excessive drinking, he said.

The sheriff's office said it filed for Interpol to issue a yellow notice, a worldwide police alert for a missing person, which will alert authorities if she travels to another country.

"We are going on the presumption that shes still alive," Chapman said Monday. "We want to make sure that we're exhausting every possible lead that we can, and we feel we're doing that."
Before an Oklahoma grand jury indicted Gateway Church founder Robert Morris on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child, the senior pastor's resignation a year ago caused a stir among his former congregation as his accuser came forward and detailed his alleged years of sexual abuse.

The multi-county grand jury indicted Morris, 63, for alleged sexual misconduct that began in December 1982 and involved a 12-year-old girl, the Oklahoma Attorney General's office said in a statement Wednesday. The indictment says Morris' actions started on Christmas and continued over the next four years.

There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done.

Although the alleged crimes occurred decades ago, the attorney general's office said the statute of limitations is not applicable in this case because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time.

Pastor Robert Morris applauds as, US President Donald Trump (not seen) hosts a roundtable with faith leaders, law enforcement officials, and small business owners at Gateway Church Dallas Campus in Dallas, Texas, on June 11, 2020. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Morris' accuser, Cindy Clemishire, came forward and publicly detailed the allegations in June 2024 with the Wartburg Watch, a blog about sexual abuse within the church.

"After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child," Clemishire said in a statement to the Oklahoman  a part of the USA TODAY Network  after the indictment was made public.

Morris was on President Donald Trumps spiritual advisory board during his 2016 campaign and initial presidential term. He did not have a role in the 2024 reelection effort, Trump's campaign said last year.

Here is what to know about the allegations against Morris and how they led to his indictment.

More news: Sean 'Diddy' Combs accuser might lose her legal team a second time over disagreements

Cindy Clemishire alleged Robert Morris sexually abused her from 1982-1987

In the June blog post, Clemishire said she and her family were introduced to Morris at a youth revival in Tulsa, Oklahoma when he was 20 and she was 11. At the time, Morris was a traveling evangelist with his wife, Debbie.

Morris preached at Clemishire's church on Sundays, and sometimes he, Debbie, and their son would stay at her family's home. She viewed him as "safe and friendly," she said.

Their relationship changed forever on Christmas in 1982 when Morris asked a then-12-year-old Clemishire to "visit him in his room that night," according to the blog post. She recalled thinking nothing of it at that moment, but once in his room, she said he sexually abused her and warned her: "Never tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything."

Clemishire said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987. She eventually told a good friend and her parents about the abuse, leading to Morris reportedly stepping down from ministry for two years, she explained in the blog.

When questioned why she came forward decades later, Clemishire told USA TODAY: "I've always just trusted that God's timing would take it wherever it needed to go. Why hide?"

Cindy Clemishire at 12 years old, left, and her sister.

Gateway Church's initial support of Robert Morris fades

When Clemishire's accusations initially came to light, Gateway Church seemingly supported their then-senior pastor, saying in a statement to WFAA-TV that he had been "open and forthright about a moral failure he had over 35 years ago" and that "there have been no other moral failures."

"This situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of," Morris said in his own statement. "I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady's father. They asked me to stop out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area."

The Texas megachurch's elders would release a later statement after Morris' resignation, saying, "We regret that we did not have the information that we now have."

"For the sake of the victim, we are thankful this situation has been exposed," the elders said. "We know many have been affected by this, we understand that you are hurting, and we are very sorry. It is our prayer that, in time, healing for all those affected can occur."

Following its updated statement, Gateway Church has extensively disassociated itself from Morris, even going as far as to recommend the resignations of the pastor's son and daughter-in-law, James and Bridget Morris.

"Pastor James Morris is a man of integrity, and he has clearly stated that he had no knowledge of the true facts of this situation," the church said in a Facebook post. "However, because Pastor James Morris is related to Robert Morris, Haynes and Boone has recommended that Pastor James also take a temporary leave of absence from the Board of Elders and Pastor James has volunteered to do so to demonstrate his commitment to a truly independent and unbiased inquiry."

Gateway Church removes elders, aids criminal investigation

In November, Gateway Church announced the removal of several of its elders following a law firm's independent investigation into child sex abuse allegations against Morris. This announcement came after the departures of Morris, his son, his daughter-in-law and executive pastor Kemtal Glasgow.

"What happened to Cindy Clemishire was heartbreaking and vile," Tra Willbanks, an elder at Gateway Church, said during a livestreamed service. "We denounce sexual abuse in all of its forms and we feel deep sorrow for those who have been victimized by such despicable actions."

During Haynes and Boone's independent investigation, the law firm collected 780 gigabytes of data, reviewed thousands of pages of documents and interviewed dozens of individuals, except for Morris and five others who denied sitting down with them, Willbanks said.

The law firm did not learn of any other sexual assault allegations against Morris, according to Willbanks. Morris did make "financial demands" following the investigation, leading to pending litigation between him and the church, which Willbanks said they're rejecting.

Willbanks also confirmed that Gateway Church was cooperating with an ongoing criminal investigation, but he did not share any more details at that time. He did add that the church nor its current leadership are subject to this investigation.

What is next for Robert Morris?

The indictment was filed for prosecution on Thursday in Osage County District Court in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Morris is expected to turn himself in there on Monday and surrender his passport. His bond was set at $50,000.

If convicted on all five counts, Morris could face up to 100 years in prison.

The pastor once had a television program that aired in over 190 countries and his radio program aired in more than 6,800 cities, according to his biography on the Gateway Church website.

His YouTube page, which is no longer online, had 80,000 subscribers and included videos titled "Freedom Through Forgiveness" and "Did You Know You're Made Perfect By God's Grace?"

Contributing: Nolan Clay & James Powel/ USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Morris indicted: What led to the pastor's felony charges?
The death toll increased overnight from a powerful storm system that caused havoc in the middle of the country, triggering wind-driven wildfires and blinding dust storms in the Plains before spawning multiple destructive tornadoes in states like Missouri and Mississippi.

Here's what we know so far from overnight:

- Tornadoes and severe storms killed at least three people in Missouri. Two deaths were confirmed in Ozark County and one person was killed in Butler County.

- At least three deaths from dust storm car crashes in Amarillo County in the Texas Panhandle, according to the Associated Press.

- Damage from severe storms and tornadoes in several towns in Missouri, Illinois and Mississippi.

- Winds sparked more than 100 wildfires in the central U.S.; homes and structures were destroyed in multiple fires.

Here were our updates from throughout the day on Friday:

(08:36 p.m. EDT) What Were Watching Overnight

This dangerous storm system will continue brewing in the overnight hours, as todays level 4 risk of severe weather slowly escalates to a high risk (level 5) for tomorrow. The overnight threat, stretching from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, will continue to bring devastating storms, possibly impacting the areas around St. Louis and Memphis late tonight into early tomorrow.

The storms have potential to intensify as darkness falls, so be ready to take action quickly. Nighttime tornadoes are twice as likely to be deadly, and since this system could develop rapidly overnight, the ability to get overnight alerts will be critical. Stay vigilant and prepare to stay in your shelter through the night, as the worst of the danger could hit while youre asleep.

Dont have a storm shelter? Read our advice for what to do here.

(08:09 p.m. EDT) A Check On Radar

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A squall line called a quasi-linear convective system is swiveling through the Midwestern states of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. We just recently had our first tornado of the evening as moisture has become more conducive for thunderstorm growth. This growth should increase as Gulf moisture shoots northward through the Mississippi Valley. This means that the tornado threat should increase in Missouri, Illinois and neighboring states over the next few hours. Strong winds continue to batter the Plains and have recently arrived in parts of the Midwest.

(07:58 p.m. EDT) What To Know About Supercells

A tornado-warned supercell has been observed in Seymour, Missouri, where conditions are reaching a boiling point.

Heres what you should know about supercells:

Supercells, the kings of thunderstorms, can last for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and spawn massive hail, destructive winds, and violent tornadoes. Their eerie "mothership" appearance and signature hook echo on radar often signal extreme weather is brewing. These storms thrive in volatile conditions with strong wind shear, making them the powerhouse behind most of the worlds deadliest tornadoes.

Read more about the four types of thunderstorms here.

(07:45 p.m. EDT) Tornado Captured On Camera In Missouri

A local meteorologist captured an image of the warned tornado outside of Springfield, Missouri.

The area looks to be transitioning slowly toward more of a tornado threat as storms begin to break apart in Southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

(07:30 p.m. EDT) Fire Weather Like This May Become More Rampant

Texas and parts of the Plains may face an unprecedented wildfire threat as fire seasons grow longer and more extreme. Changing weather and more volatile weather events (like the wind and dust storm event in the region today) are driving a massive increase in fire weather days, with parts of west Texas now seeing nearly two extra months of prime wildfire conditions compared to 50 years ago.

Hot, dry, and windy conditions create the perfect storm for wildfires to ignite and spread at dangerous speeds, putting homes, power lines, and entire communities at risk. As flames rage across Texas, experts warn that these extreme fire conditions will only become more frequent and destructive in the years to come.

Click here to read more about which areas face the biggest wildfire threat.

(07:15 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Warning Issued

A tornado warning has just been issued near Springfield, Missouri, where radar indicated an imminent tornado threat. Its time to take cover.

Even if a tornado doesnt touch down in the area, powerful winds remain a serious threat to life and property in the region.

(06:59 p.m. EDT) Watch Wind And Dust Span Texas

The National Weather Service shared a dramatic satellite loop of the dust storm spanning Texas and Oklahoma. The video highlights the vast and intense nature of the storm, showcasing its sweeping impact on the region.

(06:45 p.m. EDT) Firefighters Vs. The Wind

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

One thing that firefighters are going to have to battle this evening is a changing wind. The low pressure system is going to move northeastward, meaning that much of Oklahoma will see winds change from out of the southwest to out of the northwest or west-northwest. This has potential to break firelines and threaten different structures.

(06:32 p.m. EDT) Wind Events Are More Likely In Spring

Spring is the season of wild winds, especially across the West, Plains (as weve seen today), and Southeast. So whats stirring up all that air? Its all about clashing temperatures. Chilly Canadian air fights against warm, tropical air pushing north. When these high and low pressure systems get too close, air rushes between them, creating stronger winds. The bigger the pressure difference, the harder the wind blows - making spring a season of big, and sometimes dangerous gusts.

Read more about springs wind ingredients here.

(06:12 p.m. EDT) Weather Update For The Evening

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A bit of a double-barrelled threat is developing as we moved into the last few daytime hours. To the north, a squall line has developed with strong winds in the Midwest. This squall line should intensify as we darken the skies and a tornado threat should evolve. To the south, a shorter-lived tornado and wind threat could evolve in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee this evening before and after dark. The threat level will continue to increase overall in both areas over the next few hours.

(05:54 p.m. EDT) What Meteorologists Mean By Severe Weather

Severe weather isnt just about thunderstormsit comes in many dangerous forms, from tornadoes and hurricanes to blinding snow and deadly ice. Any weather that threatens lives and property falls into this category, including floods, lightning, and powerful winds, like weve seen today. To officially qualify as severe, a storm must produce quarter-sized hail, gusts of at least 58 mph, or pose a tornado threat (all of which are either confirmed or likely within todays storm system).

No matter the season, when severe weather strikes, staying informed and prepared can be the difference between safety and disaster.

Read more about the different severe weather qualifiers here.

(05:37 p.m. EDT) What To Know About Squall Lines

Were starting to see a squall line form in western Missouri, so its a good time to remind you why these types of thunderstorms can be dangerous.

Squall lines are fast-moving walls of thunderstorms that can unleash destructive winds, blinding rain, and even tornadoes. Stretching for hundreds of miles but only about 10 to 20 miles wide, these storms often appear as fierce, bow-shaped formations on radar. When they last long enough and hit hard enough, they earn the name "derecho"a storm system capable of hurricane-force devastation. If you see a squall line approaching, brace for intense winds, torrential rain, and nonstop lightning.

Read about the five biggest dangers posed by squall lines here.

(05:29 p.m. EDT) Wind-Fueled Fire Prompts Evacuation In Oklahoma

A quickly-spreading wildfire, fueled by powerful winds, has forced the urgent evacuation of the entire town of Velma, in Stephens County Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is closing parts of OK-7 to keep people out of danger as flames tear through dry grass.

Fire crews are battling against the intense winds, but the situation is rapidly unfolding, and officials are urging residents to leave immediately.

(05:18 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Watch Of The Day Now In Effect

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The first watch area for the bullseye of todays severe weather threat has been put into effect for much of Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas. Communities in this tornado watch could see some of the worst impacts from storms into this evening, including strong tornadoes and wind gusts up to 90 mph. You should begin heading to your storm shelter or being near it if youre in this watch area. Make sure you can receive weather warnings through your phone, tv or radio this evening.

(05:08 p.m. EDT) Students At OSU Shelter In Place

Students at Oklahoma State University have been told to shelter in place as a fast-moving wildfire threatens the area near Highway 51 in Stillwater. Thick smoke is filling the air and flames are moving quickly, creating a dangerous situation just outside campus. Emergency crews are working to contain the fire as officials urge everyone to stay indoors and avoid smoke-filled streets.

(04:58 p.m. EDT) Baseball-Sized Hail Expected

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

While the threat of damaging winds and tornadoes is significant in the Mississippi Valley through tonight, NOAAs Storm Prediction Center also notes some severe thunderstorms could contain hail up to the size of baseballs. That hail whipped by wind gusts from 60 to 100 mph can smash windows of homes and vehicles. Its just another reason why you should seek shelter with any severe thunderstorm warning today and tonight as you would a tornado warning.

(04:44 p.m. EDT) Smoke Seen From Fire Near Stillwater

A dramatic video posted to social media captured massive plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky as wildfires rage along Highway 51 near Stillwater, Oklahoma. The fiery scene turned the road into a hazy landscape as the flames crept closer to oncoming traffic.

Our meteorologists point out the combination of wind, smoke and dust have made parts of Oklahoma look like the surface of Mars:

(04:35 p.m. EDT) Strongest Gusts So Far

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

Here are the strongest wind gusts weve seen reported so far today, since before sunrise:

95 mph: San Augustin Pass, New Mexico

87 mph: Northwest of Two Buttes, Colorado

85 mph: Near Arapahoe, Colorado

83 mph: Amarillo, Texas

82 mph: Near Canyon, Texas

81 mph: Lubbock, Texas

75 mph: Frederick, Oklahoma, and Roswell, New Mexico

74 mph: Stillwater, Oklahoma

As a rule of thumb, wind gusts of 75 mph or higher are capable of downing many trees and can peel roofs off some buildings.

(04:25 p.m. EDT) Threat Moves South

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

In the newest update from NOAAs Storm Prediction Center, they increased the threat level for severe weather along the southern end of tonights threat area. The biggest change was to extend the level 4 out of 5 area southward into central Mississippi and far northern Louisiana. Lower threat levels were also extended westward in Louisiana and Texas. The main reason for this change was increased confidence that supercells will develop there this evening. These supercells are expected to produce tornadoes and they could be strong tornadoes that last a long time.

(04:20 p.m. EDT) Sting Jet Prominent On Satellite

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A sting jet is intensifying over western Oklahoma amid already terrible fire weather conditions and a dust storm. Sting jets work to locally enhance wind gusts well above winds nearby. Wind gusts have already surpassed 60 mph this afternoon and these gusts could escalate into this evening. This sting jet could make any firefights in central and eastern Oklahoma and could create new fires.

(04:11 p.m. EDT) Emergency Services In Oklahoma Overwhelmed

Dangerous winds are whipping through Kay County, Oklahoma, creating zero-visibility dust storms and sparking several fires. Emergency crews are responding to multiple crashes, including a rollover accident where a child was trapped. A fire department vehicle rushing to help was hit by another car, sending two firefighters to the hospital. With fires still spreading and crashes piling up, local EMS is running out of resources and requesting help from other counties.

(03:59 p.m. EDT) This Is All The Same Storm

This powerful and sprawling storm system is responsible for extreme weather across multiple regions, leaving a trail of destruction from the West Coast to the Midwest. In Southern California, it unleashed heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and even a rare tornado near Los Angeles, while dumping more than 30 inches of snow in the Sierra. As the system moves east, its fueling fierce winds across New Mexico and Oklahoma, triggering deadly dust storms, a wildfire outbreak from Texas up through Missouri, and hurricane-force gusts that toppled trees and trucks. As the day progresses, this same storm is shifting toward the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and South, where it is set to bring dangerous thunderstorms and a high tornado risk.

(03:46 p.m. EDT) Dangerous Fire Weather Captured On Satellite

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

This visible satellite image shows a pair of impressive features. First, the thick plumes of lofted dust from eastern New Mexico across western and northern Texas into Oklahoma and eastern Kansas. Some of those plumes are over 800 miles long.

The orange dots show areas where the satellite is detecting hot spots, likely new or existing wildfires. Satellite is a key tool for meteorologists to give local fire crews an early heads up on new fires.

(03:36 p.m. EDT) Power Cuts In Texas

Officials in Tulia, Texas are preparing to cut off the power to prevent wildfires from spreading, as the state battles fierce winds and extreme fire danger.

More than 100,000 people are already in the dark across the state, with outages spreading quickly.

(03:26 p.m. EDT) First Thunderstorm Watch Of The Afternoon Issued

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The first severe thunderstorm watch of the day has been issued for parts of Kansas and Missouri, including Kansas City, through 7 p.m. CT. Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are right for destructive wind gusts, a few tornadoes and some damaging hail.

(03:14 p.m. EDT) Latest Wind Damage Reports

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman

Heres a few of the latest wind damage reports received in the last hour by the National Weather Service:

A roof of a supermarket was peeled off in Clovis, New Mexico.

A roof was blown off a portion of an apartment complex in Lubbock, Texas.

Many powerlines were reported down throughout the Wichita, Kansas, metro area.

(03:04 p.m. EDT) One Dead In Texas Dust Storm Pileup

Local media are reporting that at least one person has died in Bovina, Texas, citing the Bovina City Manager. The victim was involved in a multi-vehicle crash that involved three semi-trucks and at least four other vehicles.

Details about any other injuries from the wreck have not yet been released.

(03:00 p.m. EDT) Why High Risk Is Such A Big Deal

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

High risks for severe weather are rare on any day, but they're even more rare when issued for the next day. This requires not just the atmosphere to cooperate 100%, but also confidence in the forecast has to be all in.

These are the days that you should be in or near your storm shelter for the duration of the event with multiple ways to receive warnings.

(02:47 p.m. EDT) Wind Shuts Down Amarillo Interstate

Extreme winds (one gust was clocked at around 85 mph) are flipping trucks and kicking up blinding dust across New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, making driving incredibly dangerous. Amarillo even shut down parts of the interstate as the threat of pileups skyrocketed.

At least one multi-vehicle crash was reported in the Texas Panhandle. Other roads have been closed due to spreading wildfires in the area.

(02:30 p.m. EDT) Why Wind Can Be The Most Dangerous Part Of A Storm

Severe thunderstorm winds are no jokethey account for 70% of all severe weather reports and can be just as destructive as a tornado. These winds can snap tree limbs, knock out power, or even send entire trees crashing through homes and cars.

In some extreme cases, thunderstorms can spawn a derecho, a long-lived windstorm with gusts over 100 mph, strong enough to cause widespread destruction. If a severe thunderstorm warning mentions damaging winds or a derecho, take cover immediatelyjust as you would for a tornado.

(02:16 p.m. EDT) What Do The Severe Weather Threat Levels Mean?

Coming on the heels of the news that tomorrows outlook has been upgraded to a rare "high risk," our meteorologists have this explainer that breaks down the different threat levels, both how youd see them on our app and how theyre worded by the Storm Prediction Center.

(02:01 p.m. EDT) Alabama Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state ahead of the severe weather expected to arrive there this weekend. Alabama is just one of the states in the Deep South facing the highest risk for severe storms on Saturday. Get our detailed forecast here.

(01:49 p.m. EDT) Saturdays Forecast Upgraded To Rare High Risk In South

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has updated their forecast for Saturday in the Deep South by adding a rare high risk severe weather threat from central Mississippi into central Alabama. Long-tracked and potentially violent tornadoes are possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

A tornado outbreak is likely on Saturday across the central Gulf Coast states and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, said the SPC in this afternoons update. Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected on Saturday afternoon and evening.

This highest threat level is only issued two to three times per year. You can see the high risk area in darkest red below. But it should be noted a much larger area from eastern Louisiana to western Georgia and northward to Tennessee also has a serious tornado and widespread wind damage threat, as shown in the other red shadings.

(01:39 p.m. EDT) Some Updates To Severe Storm Forecast

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The Storm Prediction Center has made a minor tweak to their forecast for this afternoon. They are now anticipating a slightly earlier start for the storms, likely in the neighborhood of 3-4 p.m. CDT, maybe a little earlier. This means that the level 2-4 outlooks in Missouri were nudged slightly westward.

Fridays updated severe thunderstorm forecast map is below; click here for the complete forecast.

(01:25 p.m. EDT) Brutal Winds In Texas Panhandle

70-mph wind gusts were recorded in Vega, Texas, west of Amarillo, where dust storms made it nearly impossible to see. One driver shared some scary video as he made his way through the area. He said he experienced more than 150 miles of low visibility on his drive from New Mexico.

(01:15 p.m. EDT) What's Happening Right Now

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

The severe thunderstorm outbreak hasnt begun yet, but strong low pressure is contributing to intense non-thunderstorm winds in West Texas, leading to blowing dust.

Gusts have topped 80 mph this morning in Lubbock and Amarillo, and the peak gust is 87 mph in Pine Springs.

You can see the dust in satellite imagery in this post on X from the National Weather Service.
The stepson of a Connecticut woman told detectives he had been held captive for two decades, beginning at the age of 11. Although his former principal and elementary school reportedly told authorities about the now-grown man's alleged mistreatment, many turned the other way, including his own relatives, according to charging documents.

Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson in captivity and subjecting him to "prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment," Waterbury police said in a Facebook post.

The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable," Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said, per the social media post. "This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury States Attorneys Office. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.

Sullivan remains in police custody with a $300,000 bond on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment, Connecticut Department of Corrections inmate records show.

"She's never been in trouble. She's never harmed anyone," Ioannis Kaloidis, Sullivan's attorney, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. "She denies these allegations, and I would just ask people not to rush to judgment here. We're confident as the facts come out, she will be vindicated."

Here is how Sullivan's stepson was allegedly held captive for 20 years.

Oregon man held woman captive: Negasi Zuberi found guilty of kidnapping, locking woman in cell in garage

Kimberly Sullivan's stepson: 'I wanted my freedom'

Waterbury Police and Fire responded to Kimberly Sullivan's home on Blake Street around 8:42 p.m. on Feb. 17, and once firefighters extinguished the reported active fire, a grisly discovery awaited.

Sullivan was able to evacuate her home, while her stepson remained inside and was later assisted out by Waterbury firefighters, police said. The man was suffering from smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire, according to the department.

While being treated, the stepson told the first responders that he intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room using a lighter, hand sanitizer and paper, stating, "I wanted my freedom," police said. He then alleged that Sullivan held him captive since he was 11 years old, according to the department's Facebook post.

Waterbury police's investigation determined that the stepson was found in a "severely emaciated condition" and had not received medical or dental care throughout his captivity, the department said. Investigators also concluded that the man had been given "minimal amounts of food and water," which contributed to him being extremely malnourished, police said.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by USA TODAY, upon exiting the home, the stepson's hair was matted, "he was very dirty," and all of his teeth were rotten. The stepson told police officers that Sullivan was able to keep him locked inside his bedroom because there was a lock on the outside of his door, the warrant continued.

Stepson's former principal: 'Not a damn thing was done'

At 3 years old, Sullivan's stepson recalled sneaking out of his room at night to look for leftover food and drink, according to the arrest warrant. At this young age, he would begin to be locked in his room during the evenings once wrappings from the food he took were found, the warrant says.

The stepson also remembered drinking water from the toilet because he only drank about two cups a day and had to resort to stealing food from children at school or finding his next meal in the garbage, he told police, per the warrant. A lock was "always" on the outside of the room he was kept in, he added.

Once the stepson was pulled from school in the fourth grade following Department of Children and Families visits at the family's home, his "weekday routine and captivity became brutally consistent for the rest of his life," according to the arrest warrant.

"We knew it. We reported it. Not a damn thing was done. That's the tragedy of the whole thing, Tom Pannone, the former principal of the now-closed Barnard Elementary School in Waterbury, told WNBC.

Pannone, who hadn't seen Sullivan's stepson since he was in the fourth grade, recalled he and his staff noticing him being extremely small and thin, the New York City-based TV station reported. He said when they asked him questions, he told them he wasnt allowed food sometimes at home, according to WNBC.

"Everyone really was concerned with this child since he was 5 years old. You knew something was wrong. It was grossly wrong, Pannone said, per the TV station.

Stepson forced to use a bottle, newspaper to dispose of waste

Sullivan kept her stepson locked away for multiple hours every day, aside from when he was allowed to do various chores that took between 15 minutes to two hours to complete, the warrant states. His only glimmer of normalcy was on the weekends when his father allowed him to watch TV or help him with yard work while Sullivan and his sisters were out of the home, according to the warrant.

When the stepson's father died, the alleged "captivity" and "restraint" worsened, he told police. At this point, he was being fed two sandwiches and given two small water bottles, which he was forced to use alongside newspapers to dispose of his waste, the warrant states.

Relatives, including his sisters, knew about the situation but did nothing to intervene, police said. The stepson told police he worried that Sullivan would withhold the sparse food and "light of day" she provided if he told anyone what he was experiencing, according to the warrant.

"All day, every day, my entire life," the stepson said about his constant hunger, per the warrant.

The stepson also told officers that a lock has always been on the outside of his door, the warrant states. It evolved from a chain lock, to a pad lock and eventually to a slide bolt lock, according to the charging document.

Old and decayed slide lock with shadow on a dirty white door

Where did Kimberly Sullivan's stepson live?

In Sullivan's home, the stepson lived in what police described "as a back storage space on the second floor of the residence," the warrant states. The eight feet by nine feet space had angled ceilings with no heat in the winter and no air conditioning in the summer, the stepson told police.

Following his father's death, Sullivan's stepson would only be let out one minute a day to let the family dog out in the back of the property, according to the warrant. He was locked in his room between 22 to 24 hours a day, he told police, per the charging document.

To bathe himself, the stepson said used the clean water from another bottle he kept in his room other than the one he urinated inside, according to the warrant. He was not provided soap or shampoo to wash the hair he told police he had not cut in three years, the charging document states.

Sullivan's stepson's only real connection to the outside world was a radio that was kept outside of his bedroom, the warrant says. Along with a calendar, he told police that he utilized the radio to keep track of time, the charging document continued.

For education, despite being on a fourth-grade reading level, the stepson was given three to four books a year. He told police that he used the books and a dictionary to ultimately educate himself, according to the warrant. He told police he knew hand sanitizer was flammable because "he read!"

Kimberly Sullivan: Stepson had 'free reign of the house'

On the day of the fire, Sullivan initially told detectives that she did not know what happened and that she woke up to the smoke and went to her stepson's room, according to the warrant. She figured that her stepson ran through the fire because he ended up outside of the room, the charging document continued.

When asked if her stepson was diagnosed with any mental conditions, she responded that, "he has a lot of problems but isn't diagnosed with any conditions" as his father was against using doctors, the warrant states. Sullivan said she took her stepson to a psychiatrist a few times because he mentioned hurting himself in the past, according to the warrant.

Evaluations of Sullivan's stepson following the fire noted a slew of physical limitations, including decreased arm and leg abilities, the warrant states. His mental health assessment also found that he tested positive for PTSD and depression, according to the charging document.

Sullivan was "stunned to hear the allegations that are being made against her," her attorney, Kaloidis, told USA TODAY.

Sullivan told detectives that her stepson was not locked inside his room and that he had "free reign of the house," the charging document states.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Kimberly Sullivan's stepson was allegedly held captive for 20 years
The man who last saw missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki told investigators he tried to save her from the ocean, and that he thought she was OK and had "taken her things and left."

Authorities believe Konanki, a 20-year-old who went missing while on spring break in Punta Cana, died by drowning, officials told ABC News.

PHOTO: A member of civil defense canine unit searches for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, March. 10, 2025. (Francesco Spotorno/AP)

MORE: Missing Univ. of Pittsburgh student believed to have died by drowning in Dominican Republic

On March 5, Konanki was part of a group that went to a nightclub and then for a walk on the beach, three Dominican officials involved in the investigation told ABC News. Most of the group went back to the hotel around 5:55 a.m. One man -- 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a college senior in Minnesota -- stayed with Konanki on the beach, and the two went for a swim, according to a Dominican Republic investigative police report.

Riibe, who met Konanki that night, confirmed he and and the 20-year-old kissed after a night of drinking, he told a prosecutor Thursday, according to a transcript provided to ABC News from two Dominican Republic sources.

"A big wave came and hit us both, then the tide pulled us into the ocean," he told the prosecutor. "When we surfaced, we tried to plead for help, but there was no one there."

PHOTO: Sudiksha Konanki is seen in this undated photo shared to Meta. (Sudiksha Konanki via Meta)

Riibe, a pool lifeguard, said he "held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water."

"I was trying to make sure that she could breathe the entire time -- that prevented me from breathing the entire time and I took in a lot of water," he explained.

When I finally touched the sand, I put her in front of me. Then she got up to go get her stuff since the ocean had moved us," Riibe told the prosecutor. "She was not out of the water since it was up to her knee. She was walking at an angle in the water."

MORE: New details emerge in search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic

"The last time I saw her, I asked her if she was OK. I didn't hear her response because I began to vomit with all the water I had swallowed," he said. "After vomiting, I looked around and I didn't see anyone. I thought she had taken her things and left."

"After I saw her walking away, while she was walking in the water, I never saw her again," he said.

Riibe said he passed out on a beach chair and woke up to the sun and mosquitoes on him. He was seen on surveillance footage returning to his room several hours later.

Authorities said Riibe is not a suspect and is cooperating. But the prosecutors office said it is "conducting multiple investigating steps that extend beyond a possible accidental event."

Riibe is "deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has fully cooperated in the search," his parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, said in a statement Friday.

"His faith and values have guided his path, and those who know him can attest to his integrity and good heart," they said.

"Despite his full willingness to cooperate, Josh has been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday," his parents alleged. "We recognize that this is a complex and painful situation for all parties involved, and we trust that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and justice. Our only interest is that due process be respected and that actions be taken with the fairness that the situation requires."

"We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the family of Sudiksha Konanski during this painful time," the parents said. "Above all, we wish to contribute to the search efforts and understand the anguish and uncertainty they are going through and we share the hope that Sudiksha will be found as soon as possible."

ABC News' Caroline Guthrie contributed to this report.

Man who last saw missing Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki thought she took 'her things and left' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Mark Carney is sworn in as prime minister of Canada in Ottawa on Friday. - Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP

Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canadas prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, as the country faces questions about its sovereignty from US President Donald Trump and a trade war with Canadas largest trading partner, the United States.

Carney, a former central banker who has never held public office in Canada, is stepping in to confront numerous challenges facing the country, including leading the Liberal Party into an election to be held later this year.

In a press conference after his swearing in, Carney addressed Canadas growing tensions with its southern neighbor head-on, saying: We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada.

Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada become the 51st US state.

Carney also said that he currently does not have plans to visit the US, though he said he will have discussions with the leaders of the United Kingdom and France.

Speaking to the countrys most immediate crises, Carney said that his two biggest priorities are protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions, and second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians pockets, by ensuring that government spends less so Canada can invest more by building millions of homes.

Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, was elected Liberal Party leader in a landslide on March 9. During his decades-long career in finance, Carney steered governments through major global crises and periods of upheaval  experience hes hoping to now leverage.

The Liberals have been courting Carney for more than a decade, and he advised Trudeau on Canadas economic recovery from Covid-19. But the banker-turned-politician did not make his official entrance until Trudeau announced his resignation in January. All of his competitors were sitting politicians: Carney is in the unusual situation of becoming Canadas prime minister without holding a seat in parliament.

Carney, who must call an election before October 20, joked that Canadians should expect to go to the polls before November but did not give a date for when the election might be.

A new cabinet

Ministers of Carneys new cabinet, including Chrystia Freeland and Dominic LeBlanc, also took their oaths of office on Thursday in English and French in Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario.

Carney and his cabinet swore allegiance to King Charles III in their oaths. Canada, like some other Commonwealth countries, recognizes the monarch as its head of state.

The first to be sworn in was LeBlanc as Minister for Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs. LeBlanc, who served as Minister of Finance in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government, has been a key interlocutor in the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, and traveled to Washington yesterday for a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Francois-Phillippe Champagne, who succeeded LeBlanc as Minister of Finance, also attended yesterdays meeting in Washington.

Other cabinet members will stay on in their roles they held in Trudeaus cabinet, such as Melanie Joly, who will be sworn in later as foreign minister. Freeland  a former deputy prime minister who resigned from Trudeaus cabinet and lost the Liberal Party leaders race to Carney  joins Carneys cabinet as minister of transport and internal trade.

This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country, Carney said of his new cabinet in a press release posted on the prime ministers office website.

We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster  and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work, he added.

The transfer of power came after outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down earlier Friday, concluding nearly a decade in power. The outgoing Trudeau had announced his resignation in January as polls showed his Liberal Party would likely face defeat in an upcoming election. But the partys fortunes have since improved amid growing Canadian antipathy toward Trump and his policies.

In a farewell message posted on X on Friday, Trudeau said: Thank you, Canada  for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on earth.

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LA MALBAIE, Canada  Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied the U.S. was in a trade war Friday as he wrapped up his trip to a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies.

Theres not a trade war, Rubio said. The United States is resetting its trade relations globally to a level of equilibrium, to a level of reciprocity.

That comment was in direct conflict with Melanie Joly, Canadas foreign minister, who just hours earlier told reporters that the Trump administration was engaging in a trade war against Canada and European countries. On Thursday, President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on alcohol from the European Union after slapping 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada on Wednesday.

Joly said she had a very long conversation with Rubio.

We will put maximum pressure on the Americans, she insisted.

The contradiction between the two diplomats overshadowed the G7 meetings official agenda, which included Russias war in Ukraine and relations with China. Instead, turmoil over tariffs loomed over the gathering. The newly frosty relationship between the longtime allies unfolded as frigid temperatures greeted the foreign ministers when they first arrived for the meeting on Tuesday. On Thursday, Trump once again mocked Canada from the Oval Office as the diplomats met in Quebec.

Canada only works as a state, Trump said. We dont need anything they have.

On Friday, Joly blasted the comments and insisted she did not take them as a joke  but instead, as a serious threat.

Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate, she said. Period.

The diplomatic tussle between the U.S. and Canada also escalated in Ottawa Friday as Mark Carney was sworn in as the new prime minister.

Its crazy. His point is crazy. Thats it, Carney said. We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States.

After initially stressing that the topic did not come up during his conversations with G7 diplomats, Rubio was pressed about whether Trump was serious when he says Canada should become the 51st state.

The Canadian government has made their position, how they feel about it clear. The president has made his argument as to why he thinks Canada would be better off joining the United States for economic purposes, Rubio said. Theres a disagreement between the Presidents position and the position of the Canadian government.

Rubio also noted the president says he loves Canada.

Joly said she was trying to find an off-ramp to the trade dispute, but Rubio claimed there was no need for one because this was about the U.S. resetting its trade policy.

Rubio also said Trumps tariff policy was not hostile to countries around the world, despite Trump calling the European Union hostile and abusive Thursday on social media. In the Oval Office later in the day, Trump added: The European Union is very, very nasty.

The G7 foreign ministers meeting in La Malbaie, Quebec, on Thursday.

During an interview with NBC News, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security policy, said it was an overall good G7 meeting and touted the discussions about Russias war in Ukraine and a variety of issues. But she acknowledged the EUs diplomats didnt like Trumps Thursday comments.

Of course, these kinds of statements come as a surprise because we have long been friends and allies with the United States, she said. Weve done a lot of good things together.

We dont really understand how we have deserved these comments, she said.

Still, on Ukraine, the U.S. drew incrementally closer to its G7 allies Friday  at least for now. The gatherings joint foreign ministers communique supported Ukraines territorial integrity and warned Russia to accept a ceasefire or face possible further sanctions.

Rubio denied it marked any shift in U.S. policy.

Ive never heard President Trump say that Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there, he said. So thats not inconsistent with that statement.

The agreement followed weeks of tension between U.S. allies and Trump over his Ukraine policy.

The agreement among the G7 nations  comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S.  emphasized the need for security arrangements to secure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, although Rubio declined to offer specifics on what those security arrangements might be. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had famously clashed with Trump in the Oval Office over the issue of the U.S. providing security guarantees to move along a peace deal.

Speaking with reporters, Rubio also touted a positive and productive engagement between Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladamir Putin Thursday in Moscow, but he declined to speculate about the next steps in any ceasefire negotiations because Witkoff was still en route back to the U.S.

I think there was reason to be optimistic, Rubio said. By the same token, we continue to recognize this is a difficult and complex situation.

Rubio was asked by NBC News whether he trusted Putin.

I think its an irrelevant question, he responded. I think in foreign policy, its not about trusting. Its about actionYou cant just say you want peace. You have to do peace  and thats true for both sides in any conflict.

This is not about personalities, he added.
Lafayette County Sheriff's Office Wilson Jones (above) is accused of generating child pornography using images of students.

A Mississippi school teacher was arrested and faces multiple federal charges after he allegedly used an AI program to generate child sex abuse material featuring students.

Wilson Jones, 30, allegedly made videos featuring eight former and current students from the Corinth school district between the ages of 14 and 16, according to an affidavit filed by the FBI in Mississippi federal district court, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

"The videos depicted known Corinth students engaging in inappropriate behavior including kissing and exposing themselves," states FBI Task Force Officer Bo Swindle in the affidavit in support of criminal complaint and arrest warrant.

None of the eight students were aware of the videos, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit details the prompts Jones allegedly fed the AI system while generating three of the videos.

"Two girls posing in each other's arms, stopped to kiss. Kissing like they are truly in love," are the commands Jones allegedly entered to generate the first video.

Jones allegedly instructed the AI system to have the girls "disrobe" in the second video and then "explore one another" in the third video.

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The principal at Corinth Middle School, Chris Killough, learned about the videos in November after activity on Jones' school-district-issued computer set off a "severe alert tagged as sexual," according to the affidavit.

After school officials obtained and reviewed the material, Jones met with Killough and allegedly "admitted "admitted he created videos using AI, but claimed it was not sexual," says the affidavit.

Jones also allegedly told Killough that he used images from social media to generate the videos, and upon further search was allegedly found to have "screenshots containing email user names and passwords of students no longer at the middle school campus" stored on his computer "for no legitimate reason," according to the affidavit.

One day after that meeting, on Nov. 21, Jones resigned from his position.

It is unclear why the school waited two months to inform the MDOE of education about the incident, and why the MDOE then waited another month before alerting local police.

The Corinth Police Department wasted little time in notifying the FBI about the incident, and within a few days the federal agency served the school with a subpoena to "get all evidence, documentation, statements, videos, laptops and anything related to this incident."

The Corinth School District said in a statement: "The District investigated the complaint, took action, and reported the matter, as required, to the Mississippi Department of Education Office of Educator Misconduct."

They declined to speak further about the incident though, saying they couldn't comment on an employment matter.

Jones has yet to be formally charged with a crime but the affidavit lists his alleged violations as knowingly producing and possessing child pornography as well as generating child pornography that features an identifiable minor.

On Thursday, a judge agreed to release Jones from custody after he posted his $20,000 bail, but court records show that he will be under house arrest and forced to wear a monitoring device at all times.

He is being represented by a local public defender, but neither he nor Jones responded to requests for comment from PEOPLE.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
By Ryan Woo, Xiuhao Chen and Laurie Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia stood by Iran on Friday after the United States demanded nuclear talks with Tehran, with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats saying dialogue should only resume based on "mutual respect" and all sanctions ought to be lifted.

In a joint statement issued after talks with Iran in Beijing, China and Russia also said they welcomed Iran's reiteration that its nuclear programme was exclusively for peaceful purposes, and that Tehran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be "fully" respected.

In 2015, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions in a deal with the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. But in 2018, Donald Trump, a year into his first term as U.S. president, pulled out of the pact.

"(China, Russia and Iran) emphasised that the relevant parties should be committed to addressing the root cause of the current situation and abandoning sanction, pressure or threat of force," China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told reporters after the meeting.

China, Russia and Iran also emphasised the necessity of terminating all "unlawful" unilateral sanctions, Ma said.

Ma's meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi came days after Tehran spurned U.S. "orders" to resume dialogue over the nuclear programme.

Last week, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing nuclear talks, adding that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal".

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that he would not negotiate with the U.S. while being "threatened", and Iran would not bow to U.S. "orders" to talk.

Iran was further enraged after six of the United Nations Security Council's 15 members - the U.S., France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain - held a closed-door meeting this week to discuss its nuclear programme. Tehran said the meeting was a "misuse" of the U.N. Security Council.

That meeting was also criticised by China, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying on Friday that the "hasty" intervention by the Council was not helpful in building trust.

Despite Tehran's defiant rhetoric, engaging with the U.S. to hammer out a nuclear deal may be the more pragmatic option, with crippling sanctions weighing on the Iranian economy and stoking public unrest, according to Iranian officials.

NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

Iran has long denied that it is working on developing a nuclear weapon. But the International Atomic Energy Agency said last month that Iran was "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to near the roughly 90% weapons-grade level.

In February, Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"The Iranian nuclear programme is peaceful in nature," said Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi on Friday.

"It is under the surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran is receiving huge inspections from the IAEA, and our nuclear programme has never been diverted to non-peaceful purposes."

The main root cause of the current situation is the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 pact, Gharibabadi said.

China hopes all parties will meet each other halfway and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, Wang told the Iranian and Russian ministers separately after the trilateral meeting.

The United States should show "sincerity" and return to talks with Iran as soon as possible, said Wang.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo, Xiuhao Chen and Laurie Chen; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Kate Mayberry and Gareth Jones)
TORONTO (Reuters) - The number of migrants apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol after entering the United States from Canada dropped to the lowest point since 2022 last month, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics published on Thursday.

The number of those apprehended after crossing into Canada, however, appears to be ticking up.

The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 481 people near the Canada-U.S. border in February, down from 616 in January and 3,601 in June, which was a multi-year high.

A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An official had previously told Reuters the agency changed the way it enforced a bilateral agreement under which both Canada and the U.S. turn back would-be asylum-seekers crossing in either direction, leading to a decline in crossings.

Canadian law enforcement agencies have little authority over people crossing southbound into the United States, but Canada has tried to crack down on visa issuances. It is under pressure to beef up its border since U.S. President Donald Trump cited migrants and illicit fentanyl as justification for sweeping tariffs.

Canada announced a C$1.3-billion border plan and installed a fentanyl czar. Trump has persisted with tariffs and repeatedly threatened to forcibly annex Canada.

The number of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S. southern border with Mexico in February was on pace to be at or near a record monthly low.

Meanwhile, the number of people Canadian authorities apprehended crossing north from the United States and turned back rose in February to 126 - the highest single month in one year, according to Canada Border Services Agency data obtained by Reuters.

Canadian authorities had been bracing for a "worst-case scenario" of an influx of northbound migrants fleeing Trump, who has threatened mass deportations from the U.S.

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Eighty migrants from Guatemala are deported on a U.S. military plane at the Fort Bliss facility in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 30.

Four days after President Donald Trump returned to office, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made an announcement: Deportation flights have begun. President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: If you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences."

Trump began using U.S. military planes to reinforce his deportation operation, although Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been deporting immigrants on private airlines since 2010.

But a month and a half after the White House announcement, the pace of deportation flights is a bit slower than those of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. Also, the number of immigrants expelled through flights has decreased and the government has stopped using military aircraft, which according to immigration experts was more expensive and inefficient.

The findings are based on a Noticias Telemundo analysis of data on deportation flights and interviews with Central American government officials and experts who have analyzed these immigration operations in recent years.Para leer en espanol haga click aqui

In Latin American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador  which receive the most deportation flights  authorities say they have not seen major changes in operations compared to previous U.S. administrations. They even predict that, if the current trend of the Trump administration continues, 2025 would end with fewer flights and fewer deportees.

A U.S. Air force flight carrying deported migrants arrives on Jan. 31 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The decline in flights and deportees is partly due to a drop in border crossings since Trump took office, which has left immigration authorities with fewer people eligible for expedited removal, which is used to expel those caught at the border or in an area within 100 miles of the border, and within 14 days of arrival to the country.For the analysis, Noticias Telemundo developed a database of Trump administration deportation flights based on news reports, official government information, websites that record aeronautical information and data collected by Thomas Cartwright of the group Witness at the Border, which has tracked U.S. deportation flights since 2020.

Data shows that in February, 128 flights with deportees took off, including 19 military flights. That figure is lower than Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 137 deportation flights in February 2024.

The main destinations of February's deportation flights were Honduras and Guatemala, countries that for years have received weekly flights with deportees.

Consulted by Noticias Telemundo, the directors of both nations' migration institutes said that so far the only difference in the operation compared to previous administrations was the use of military aircraft. Otherwise, the pace of deportation flights remains about the same, they said.

There is no radical change other than the issue of deportations made by military flights, said Wilson Paz, director of Honduras National Institute of Migration. He agreed with Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reyna, who in mid-February told local media they weren't seeing mass deportations from the U.S. Guatemala had a similar assessment. Compared to the previous year, it's a lower number of returnees (...) on the issue of deportation we cannot talk about radical changes, Danilo Rivera, director general of the Guatemalan Institute of Migration, said.

On average, Guatemala received 5,140 monthly deportees by air during 2024. In February of last year, the United States expelled 6,972 Guatemalans on 58 flights. This year, during the same month, the Trump administration deported a little over 2,000 Guatemalans on 24 flights, according to Guatemalan government data.

Ecuador received 13 deportation flights from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28. Government officials estimate that, at that rate, they could end the year with fewer than 100 flights, a notable difference compared to the 150 flights the South American country received last year, Ecuadorian Deputy Foreign Minister Alejandro Davalos said in a public discussion on social network X on Feb. 25.

Davalos said about 30,000 undocumented Ecuadorians in the U.S. have deportation orders, but he was skeptical that the Trump administration could expel them soon. Those deportation orders have not been executed and will not be executed in the immediate future, they were not in the past and they will certainly not be in the coming months. We are not going to have a massive flow of deported Ecuadorians, the deputy foreign minister said.

On March 9, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said that the country won't receive immigrants deported from the U.S. who are not Ecuadorian, as Panama and Costa Rica have done in recent weeks.

Authorities in Honduras and Guatemala say that the vast majority of the people they're receiving don't have serious criminal records in the U.S. beyond having entered the country without permission or committing traffic violations.

NBC News reported this week that of the people deported by the Trump administration in February, about half had no criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.

We cannot continue to criminalize or treat them as criminals when we are observing that almost all of them are working people, they are people who have dignity, Rivera said.

Maybe less than 1% have any criminal history, Wilson Paz said. Despite that, all deported Honduran adults fly handcuffed on planes hired by ICE, the official explained.

The Honduran government has asked the U.S. to release the restrained deportees once the planes enter Honduran airspace, Paz said. (We request) in a non-negotiable way, respect for human rights, the dignity of Honduran migrants to return to their territory without handcuffs, without shackles, because here they are free, he said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about the decrease in deportation flights from February 2024 to February 2025 and whether it plans to increase the number of flights.

The decrease in deportation flights took place as Trump pressured countries such as Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica to accept planes with deportees of other nationalities and the administration used military aircraft to carry out the deportations.

In early March, the Defense Department suspended the use of C-17 jets to transport undocumented people to the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay and other countries.

In total, the Trump administration conducted 29 military flights to seven countries, mostly Guatemala. But those flights ended up being more expensive and less efficient than the commercial flights usually contracted by ICE to expel migrants.

An hourlong flight of a Boeing C-17 jet, designed to carry cargo and soldiers, costs about $28,500, according to the military's Air Mobility Command. By contrast, the average one-hour flight cost of a regular charter plane hired by ICE is $8,577 and the cost of special high-risk charter flights is $6,929 to $26,795 per hour, according to ICE.

Military flights to Latin America have also been more expensive because aircraft have taken longer routes, avoiding Mexicos airspace, which has not allowed military planes carrying deportees to land. Mexico continues to receive ICE charter flights; between January and Feb. 11, they transported almost 2,000 Mexicans from Texas and Arizona, according to data provided by the Mexican government.

The military flights carried out by the Trump administration since Jan. 24 carried an average of 68 passengers per trip, while regular ICE flights on private airline planes carried an average of 105 passengers, according to data analyzed by Noticias Telemundo.

On Jan. 31, the military flight that transported 17 migrants to Honduras and 34 to Peru lasted about 19 hours round trip, according to FlightRadar data. Deporting those 51 people likely cost U.S. taxpayers more than half a million dollars, about $10,000 for each deportee.

The decrease in deportation flights took place despite the fact that Colombia has been sending planes from its Air Force to pick up deported Colombians following a diplomatic crisis between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who refused to allow military flights to land in the country. Petro decided to use the Colombian planes after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on all Colombian products imported into the U.S. as well as implement a travel ban and immediately revoke the visas of Colombian government officials.

In total, the Colombian Air Force conducted 10 repatriation flights from late January to February. In addition, Venezuela sent two flights to Texas to repatriate nearly 200 Venezuelans on Feb. 10. despite the fact that President Nicolas Maduro had refused to receive flights with deportees from the U.S. the year before.

Venezuela also sent another Conviasa Airline plane to Honduras to pick up 177 Venezuelans expelled from the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Feb. 20.

The Trump administration has released images of immigrants boarding military planes in chains and the administration's border czar, Tom Homan, said in January that Army aircraft with deportees would take off every day.

Experts said they thought the use of military aircraft was publicity strategy to increase the visibility of Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration and persuade immigrants to desist from crossing into the U.S. illegally.

It is neither efficient nor productive (...) but Im not surprised by the use of military aircraft, Ariel Ruiz Soto, a senior analyst at the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute, told Noticias Telemundo.

Its a tactic by President Trump to reduce the incentives to arrive at the border irregularly and also increase a certain sense of fear in the undocumented immigrant community that they could be subject to deportation, even though most of them would not, Ruiz explained.

Fewer deportations  and fewer crossings

The data seems to indicate that the focus on the military flights, along with the deployment of troops to the southern border and the increase in arrests of undocumented immigrants and images of immigrants in chains are working in stopping the flow of people trying to cross into the U.S. without permission. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the government recorded 8,347 arrests of immigrants crossing illegally from Mexico in February, the lowest number in 15 years.

That abrupt drop is reflected in the decrease in deportation flights. Now, with fewer crossings, there are also fewer people to deport immediately, Ruiz said.

During the Biden administration, especially in early 2024, most of the people they deported were those who had just crossed the border with Mexico and the United States, he explained.

To maintain those kinds of high deportations, President Trump has to rely on arrests in the interior of the country, Ruiz said. But detaining and expelling undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for years and who are entitled to a process in overcrowded immigration courts, can take years.

In Central America, the kinds of deportees returning via flights points to a decrease in migration to the U.S. Last year, 8 out of 10 deportees Guatemala received were detained at the U.S. border. Currently, a third of Guatemalans coming back had been living in the U.S. for years, Danilo Rivera said.

Were starting to get a little bit more people who had the experience of living, working and going on with their lives in the United States, he said.

In 2023, an average of 1,500 migrants a day moved through Honduras on their way to the U.S. Today, we are not even reaching 100 or 150 people who transit through our country, said Wilson Paz, the countrys director of migration.

Rather, the migratory dynamic has taken a turn, no longer from south to north, but from north to south, because many of these people are returning to their countries and transiting through Honduras, but in reverse, the official explained.




By Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday announced sanctions against officials from Thailand, a U.S. ally, for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where Washington says the members of the Muslim group will face persecution.

The U.S. is "committed to combating China's efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances," the State Department said in a statement.

The move appeared intended to discourage Thailand and other countries from such deportations.

While the United States has imposed sanctions in the past on Thailand, including by suspending military aid after military coups, and has also targeted Thai individuals and companies for violating sanctions on third countries, a leading Southeast Asia expert said he could not recall sanctions on Thai government officials, who were not named in Rubio's announcement.

Thailand's February deportation of the Uyghurs, held in detention for a decade, came despite warnings from United Nations human rights experts that they were at risk of torture, ill-treatment and "irreparable harm" if returned.

Reuters reported earlier this month that Canada and the United States offered to resettle 48 ethnic Uyghurs, but Bangkok feared upsetting China.

"I am immediately implementing this policy by taking steps to impose visa restrictions on current and former officials for the Government of Thailand responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand on February 27," Rubio said in his statement.

"In light of China's longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we call on governments around the world not to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China," Rubio said.

The restrictions could extend to family members of people sanctioned, the statement added.

Thailand has defended the deportations, saying that it acted in accordance with laws and human rights obligations. Its embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Rubio's announcement.

Murray Hiebert, a leading regional expert with the Southeast Asia program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he could not recall past U.S. sanctions against Thai government officials.

He said Thailand can be very sensitive to criticism, but its reaction could be tempered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats against countries with high trade surpluses with Washington.

"They might want to lay low," he said. "They already have a target on their back by having the 11th largest trade surplus with the U.S. ... it's not clear Thailand is out of the woods yet when Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs in early April."

Analysts say Washington has avoided taking tougher sanctions measures against Thailand in the past due to concerns that this might push its long-time ally closer to China.

The Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs advocacy group commended Rubio's move and the Trump administration in a statement, saying it "sends a strong message that those who enable the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) human rights abuses will face consequences for their crimes."

Rubio, who was a staunch advocate for Uyghurs when he served as a U.S. senator, has reiterated that Beijing's treatment of the group had amounted to "genocide and crimes against humanity," a designation the U.S. first made in the waning hours of President Donald Trump's first term in 2021.

China denies allegations of abuse and forced labor toward Uyghurs, arguing it had established "vocational training centers" in recent years to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism.

(Reporting by Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
(Reuters) -Venezuela's government has agreed to resume flights of deported migrants who unlawfully entered the United States, a senior U.S. diplomat announced in a post on X on Thursday, after an apparent pause in the repatriation flights that kicked off last month.

U.S. diplomat Richard Grenell added in his post that the flights would start on Friday.

Venezuela's communication ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In late January, Grenell visited the Venezuelan capital of Caracas as an envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump to meet with President Nicolas Maduro and discuss the deportation of migrants, among other issues.

Shortly afterwards, a group of Americans held in Venezuela were released and the repatriation flights commenced.

Venezuelans make up a large portion of migrants who have sought entry into the United States in recent years, with many fleeing their home country due to an extended economic and political crisis.

Last weekend, Maduro indicated that scheduled flights to transport deported Venezuelan migrants had been "affected" by the Trump administration's decision to cancel a key oil license that had allowed U.S.-based oil major Chevron to operate in the country.

The U.S. government cited a lack of progress on electoral reforms in addition to the stalled migrant returns to justify the license cancellation, which the Maduro government had relied on to generate much-needed revenue.

Last year, the government-aligned electoral authority and top court declared Maduro the winner of a disputed presidential election, even though authorities never released ballot box-level vote tallies.

Maduro's political opposition did publish thousands of voting machine receipts showing that its candidate won in a landslide, prompting many governments including in Washington to dismiss the official election result as flawed.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Philippa Fletcher)
Joshua Riibe, the American tourist who has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic, gave differing accounts to police over the course of four interrogations, according to a police source close to the investigation.

Riibe, who has not been accused of or charged with any crime, was named a person of interest by the sheriff's office in Loudoun County, Va., where Konanki lives.

Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, was last seen early on the morning of March 6 walking on the beach at Riu Republica, a resort in Punta Cana. She had been part of a group of six female students traveling for spring break.

Konanki's clothes were found on a chaise lounge on the beach, a source close to the investigation said. No signs of foul play were detected, according to Dominican outlet El Nacional.

Related: Footage Shows Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki Walking Arm-in-Arm with Man Toward Beach Before She Vanished

Though Dominican authorities have not publicly named Riibe a person of interest, law enforcement has questioned him, under the belief that he is the last person to have seen Konanki alive. As of Thursday, March 13, he remained in the country.

Hes still at the hotel he was holidaying in and remains at the disposal of the Dominican and U.S. authorities for further clarifications," a source told PEOPLE.

According to a source in the prosecutor's office, Riibe's story changed over the course of four interrogations, though the source did not specify the ways in which his recollections changed.

PEOPLE could not reach Riibe for comment.

Riibe maintains he first met Konanki at the hotel where they were both staying and that they had been "partying" together with a group of friends, a source said.

We are keeping all avenues of investigation open, but at this time we have no concrete elements that could lead us to believe that foul play was involved," the source told PEOPLE.

Handout Sudiksha Konanki

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A source close to the investigation said security cameras captured Konanki and a group of seven others heading to the beach at about 4:15 a.m. on March 6 after having drinks in the hotel. At 5:55, six of the eight are seen on camera returning to the hotel.

Riibe returned to the hotel by himself at 9 a.m., investigators determined through interviews and surveillance footage.

After spending several hours looking for Konanki, her friends reported her missing to hotel staff at 4 p.m. that day.

In a March 13 update, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office told PEOPLE that Riibe is still considered a person of interest to them, "as he may have been the last one to see her," but that he is not a suspect.

Read the original article on People
Today marks National Pi Day in the United States and around the world. The holiday commemorates a timeless symbol beloved by many in mathematical and scientific communities, while making the most of the opportunities it allows for humorous wordplay, dessert and "teachable moments," as some experts have said.

What is pi?

Pi is a special number  so special, in fact, that most laypeople are probably aware of it, even if only as a relic of bygone classroom lectures or geometry textbooks. Represented in abbreviated form by the somewhat familiar sequence 3.14, pi, or the Greek letter , is an iconic symbol seen in mathematical equations and, in more recent decades, merchandise like T-shirts, sweatshirts and coffee mugs.

It's actually a ratio, denoting the relationship between the circumference and the diameter of a circle. If the outline of a circle is traced, unwound and then measured, the length is called its circumference. The length of a line drawn straight through the center of a circle and extending out to its edges is called the diameter. Dividing the circumference by the diameter of any and all circles will yield the same result: pi  and that's true for all circles, regardless of size.

Pi is a constant or "universal" number, which is a value that does not change no matter its circumstances. That means  is always equal to 3.14, more or less. After those three famous digits comes an endless "irrational" sequence without permanent patterns or repeating sections. Even though the sequence continues indefinitely, pi enthusiasts have made hobbies out of memorizing and reciting as many decimal places as possible. The Guinness World Record is 70,000.

Why is pi important?

The ratio is beloved by math and science enthusiasts for a reason: Pi serves critical functions in many of the most basic and the most complex equations. It's necessary to calculate the area and the volume of everything circular and spherical, and it allows humans to measure the sizes of tiny things, like molecules, in a similar way it allows them to estimate the sizes of massive things, like Earth, the moon, other planets and the sun. Pi helps NASA engineers build spacecraft just as it helps scientists study newly discovered worlds. It's also fundamentally related to gravity.

Manil Suri, a mathematics and statistics professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, said pi helps people understand more about the world, the universe and how they work.

"It's quite amazing that there is such a constant that is true for all circles. That's what really gets me. Draw any circle and the circumference divided by the diameter will always be the same number. It's a little chilling in a way," said Suri. "I think, symbolically it just shows that there are certain laws that the universe follows, and these are mathematical, and for me as a mathematician, that's key. Whether we measure it in meters or feet or whatever, whether we exist or not, this number will always be the same. That's the kind of amazing thing."

Pi comes up frequently and often unexpectedly in the answers to "thousands and thousands of different math problems," said Daniel Ullman, a mathematics professor at George Washington University who also called pi "an amazing curiosity."

"My preferred take is not to ask the question, 'Why is pi important?' Because I can try to explain why the number six is important, but it's just another number. Pi is just the name of a particular spot on the number line," Ullman said.

"The question really is, 'Isn't it amazing that this number arises in millions of different settings that seem to have nothing to do with each other?'" he said. "You ask a reasonable question, and the answer turns out to be something with a pi in it. It's the surprising appearance of this same number over and over and over again that makes it interesting."

Why is Pi Day celebrated?

Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14, since the date written numerically corresponds with the first three digits of . (Pi Day was particularly momentous in 2015, when the numerical date corresponded with  up to five digits: 3.1415.) It is also coincidentally the birthday of Albert Einstein.

People and civilizations have known about pi for thousands of years, with evidence indicating an approximated measurement was used by the ancient Babylonians and ancient Egyptians. The first calculation of pi was done by Archimedes, a legendary mathematician of the ancient world, in the centuries leading up to the common era.

But the holiday did not come to be until 1988. It was founded by physicist Larry Shaw, who at the time was on staff at the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco. It began at an Exploratorium staff retreat in Monterey, California, which Shaw and his colleagues took to mark three years since the death of the museum's founder, Frank Oppenheimer, the brother of famed Manhattan Project leader J. Robert Oppenheimer. Shaw drew the connection between 3.14 and March 14 during that retreat, and the first informal Pi Day was celebrated that same year at the museum to honor Oppenheimer's memory.

Pi Day became nationally recognized in the U.S. decades later, thanks to a binding resolution passed by the House of Representatives on March 12, 2009, designating March 14 as National Pi Day.

How to celebrate Pi Day

As an official Pi Day website suggests, eating pie, baking pie and perhaps observing the mathematical principles of pi using a pie are some thematic activities to enjoy. Pizza pies and dessert pies are both appropriate variations. A play on traditional "pie contests," pi contests are common on Pi Day and often involve competitions to recite as many digits of  as possible from memory.

But there are no right or wrong ways to celebrate Pi Day. For people around the world excited by the mathematical significance of pi and the broad potential for honorary puns related to it, there are plenty of ways to pay homage. The same goes for educators and students, although math and science experts do generally recommend using Pi Day festivities as opportunities to make learning more fun. The Children's Museum of Houston, for example, will ring in the holiday with its 20th annual pie fight, inviting kids to throw pies made of shaving cream at one another in a cordoned-off section of the street outside.

Math fans acknowledge that typical Pi Day celebrations have little to do with the mathematical constant. Suri would still encourage educators to take full advantage of the fun holiday, though, and always bring pie to class when teaching on Pi Day.

"Anytime I have a lecture on Pi Day, that's the way to go," he said. "And I'd recommend it for all professors. Get a pie. People will love it. They'll listen to your lectures with much more attention."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct who founded San Francisco's Exploratorium museum. It was founded by Frank Oppenheimer, the brother of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Trump reacts to European Union slapping tariffs on U.S. goods

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Woman charged after allegedly holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years
Room 22, where Sam Nordquist was sexually assaulted and tortured, at Pattys Lodge in Hopewell, N.Y.

Law enforcement officers were called to the hotel where authorities say Sam Nordquist was tortured to death at least eight times throughout his captivity, sheriffs office call records obtained by NBC News show.

Deputies from the Ontario County Sheriffs Office went to Pattys Lodge in Canandaigua, New York, in January to perform two welfare checks at the hotel, respond to three instances of family trouble, address a neighbor dispute, complete a probation check and issue a warrant for an unnamed individuals arrest, according to the call records.

However, none of those calls specifically referenced Room 22, where Nordquist, 24, was allegedly held captive from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2., Ontario County Sheriff David J. Cirencione told NBC News shortly after this story was published. Nordquist was beaten, sexually assaulted and starved by seven people in Room 22 before he died from his injuries, prosecutors said last week.

The call records do not indicate which rooms authorities visited, and its unclear whether anyone heard anything. But anyone on the property would be within several dozen feet of Room 22; the hotel is on a small lot of land with about two dozen rooms grouped by four one-story buildings.

Sam Nordquist.

Pattys Lodge could not immediately be reached for comment.

In recent weeks, the gruesome killing of the 24-year-old transgender Black man has garnered national attention and prompted outrage from LGBTQ advocates across the country.

Prosecutors have said there appears to be no indication that witnesses heard any of the abuse in Room 22, though it went on for weeks and involved multiple people. No one reported any suspicious activity at the hotel, officials said. The Ontario County District Attorneys Office did not immediately return a request for comment regarding the call logs.

Nordquists family, who live in Oakdale, Minnesota, requested a wellness check to Room 22 while Nordquist was still alive in October. New York State Police Troop E confirmed that they completed the wellness check, adding that Sam told the Trooper he was fine and did not need any medical or law enforcement help.

The family again requested a welfare check to Pattys Lodge on Feb. 9 and reported him missing to their local Oakdale police on Feb. 10, the family said. His body was found three days later in a field not far from Pattys Lodge, wrapped in plastic bags, prosecutors said last week.

Payne Road in Yates County, N.Y. Nordquist's remains were found in a field off the road.

Prosecutors detailed last week that seven people  including Nordquists girlfriend  are accused of kicking, punching, starving and sexually assaulting him, and forcing him to consume feces, urine and tobacco juice. Two young children were also coerced to join in, according to the indictment.

The seven were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison without parole if convicted. On Tuesday, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks from his vehicle as he walks to board his airplane prior to departing Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec, Canada, Friday, March 14, 2025. (Saul Loeb, Pool Photo via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africas ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in the country, in the latest Trump administration move targeting the African nation.

Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a race-baiting politician who hates President Donald Trump. Rubio declared the South African diplomat persona non grata.

Neither Rubio, who posted as he was flying back to Washington from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, nor the State Department gave any immediate explanation for the decision.

But Rubio linked to a story by the ultraconservative Breitbart news site about a talk Rasool gave earlier Friday as part of a South African think tank's webinar in which he spoke about actions taken by the Trump administration in the context of a United States where white people soon would no longer be in the majority.

Both Trump and his ally Elon Musk, who grew up in South Africa, have criticized the country's Black-led government over a new land law they claim discriminates against white people.

It is highly unusual for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador, although lower-ranking diplomats are more frequently targeted with persona non grata status.

At the height of U.S.-Russia diplomatic expulsions during the Cold War and then again over Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, allegations of interference in the 2016 U.S. election and the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian intelligence officer in Britain, neither Washington nor Moscow saw fit to expel the respective ambassadors.

A statement from the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said it had "noted the regrettable expulsion" of Rasool and called on its diplomatic officials to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter.

South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America, the statement said.

Rasool previously served as his countrys ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015 before returning to the post in January.

As a child, he and his family were evicted from a Cape Town neighborhood designated for white people. Rasool became an anti-apartheid campaigner, serving time in prison for his activism and identifying as a comrade of the countrys first post-apartheid president, Nelson Mandela. He later became a politician in Mandelas African National Congress political party.

In Friday's webinar, Rasool, speaking by videoconference, talked in academic language of the Trump administration's crackdowns on diversity and equity programs and immigration.

The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white," the South African ambassador said,

He pointed to Musks outreach to far-right figures in Europe, calling it a dog whistle in a global movement trying to rally people who see themselves as part of an embattled white community.

Rasool made no pointed attack on Trump and instead offered tips for dealing with his administration, saying, This is not a moment to antagonize the United States and Lets avoid things that cock a snoot at the United States."

His ouster comes after Trump signed an executive order that cut aid and assistance to the Black-led South African government. In the order, Trump said South Africas Afrikaners, who are descendants of mainly Dutch colonial settlers, were being targeted by a new law that allows the government to expropriate private land.

The South African government has denied its new law is tied to race and says Trumps claims over the country and the law have been full of misinformation and distortions.

Trump said land was being expropriated from Afrikaners, when no land has been taken under the law.

The law allows the government to take land in specific instances where it is not being used, or where it would be in the public interest if it is redistributed. It aims to address some of the wrongs of South Africas racist apartheid era, when Black people had land taken away from them.

Trump also announced a plan to offer Afrikaners refugee status in the U.S. They are only one part of South Africas white minority.

Musk, who heads Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, has highlighted the land law in social media posts and cast it as a threat to South Africas white minority.

Musk, earlier this month, also targeted South Africa's government over business decisions, saying in a post on X that it had opted not to do business with his Starlink because I'm not black.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, walks with Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., as Senate Democrats gather behind closed doors to mount a last-ditch protest over a Republican-led spending bill that already passed the House, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer relented Thursday rather than risk a government shutdown, announcing he's ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats under pressure to impose limits on the Trump administration.

Schumer told Democrats privately during a spirited closed-door lunch and then made public remarks ahead of voting Friday, which will be hours before the midnight deadline to keep government running. The New York senator said as bad as the GOP bill is, a shutdown would be worse, giving President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk carte blanche as they tear through the government.

Trump has taken a blowtorch to our country and wielded chaos like a weapon, Schumer said. For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda.

The move by Schumer brings a potential resolution to what has been a dayslong standoff. Senate Democrats have mounted a last-ditch protest over the package, which already passed the House but without slapping any limits they were demanding on Trump and billionaire Musk's efforts to gut federal operations.

The Democrats are under intense pressure to do whatever they can to stop the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, which is taking a wrecking ball to long-established government agencies and purging thousands of federal workers from jobs.

Trump himself offered to wade in Thursday to negotiate: If they need me, Im there 100%.

But the president also began casting blame on Democrats for any potential disruptions, saying during an Oval Office meeting, If it shuts down, its not the Republicans fault.

Democrats are pushing a stopgap 30-day funding bill as an alternative. But Schumer said Republicans rejected that offer. And while Democrats were split over strategy, they worried about the further chaos they say Trump and Musk could cause if government was shutdown.

Schumer told Democrats at a spirited closed-door lunch that he would be voting to proceed to the bill. His comments first reported by The New York Times, were confirmed by two people familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it.

People have strong views on both sides, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who is opposed to the package.

As the Senate opened Thursday, with one day to go before Fridays midnight deadline, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, Its time for Democrats to fish or cut bait.

Debates over funding the federal government routinely erupt in deadline moments, but this year its showing the political leverage of Republicans, newly in majority control of the White House and Congress, and the shortcomings of Democrats, who are finding themselves unable to stop the Trump administrations march across federal operations.

In a rare turn of events, House Republicans stuck together to pass their bill, with many conservatives cheering the DOGE cuts leaving Democrats sidelined as they stood opposed. The House then left town, sending it to the Senate for final action.

Options for Schumer have been limited, and final passage before the deadline is not guaranteed.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority and would need Democrats to support the package to reach the 60-vote threshold, which is required to overcome a filibuster.

Im in the camp of like, dont ever, ever shut the government down, said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.

Over the next 24 hours, Democrats face this choice: Provide the votes needed to advance the package, which funds government operations through the end of September, or risk a shutdown when money expires midnight Friday.

Theyll cave, predicted Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

Cornyn said the Democrats "have been railing against Elon Musk and the Trump administration over reductions in force of the federal employees, and now they basically want to put all of them out of work by shutting down the government." He added, "I dont know how you reconcile those two positions.

But progressive Democrats, including allies in the House, are pushing Democrats to draw the line against Trump  even if it courts a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on social media that the House GOP bill will supercharge Musk's theft from working people to pay for billionaire tax cuts. Senate Democrats must stop it.

In an highly unusual turn, the House package also required the District of Columbia, which already approved its own balanced budget, to revert back to 2024 levels, drawing outcry from the mayor and city leaders. They warn of steep reductions to city services.

Schumer said he would "work with them to fix it.

Democratic senators are assessing next steps as they prepare for voting.

Both choices that we are being offered are full of despair, said Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.

__

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville, Aamer Madhani, Leah Askarinam and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Television host and surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz was grilled by senators Friday during a hearing on his bid to run an agency that oversees health coverage for more than 160 million Americans.

President Donald Trump said, "There may be no physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again," when he first nominated Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator.

During Friday's hearing, Oz vowed to empower patients to take charge of their health care and crack down on fraud, waste and abuse to safeguard federal health programs.

Oz, a familiar face to Americans from years as a daytime television host, also said he would protect vulnerable Americans while taking on chronic disease that leads to increasing federal health spending.

"I commit to doing whatever I can, working tirelessly, to ensure that CMS provides Americans with access to superb care, especially Americans who are our most vulnerable  our young, our disabled and our elderly," Oz said.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testifies before a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 14, 2025.

But Senate Democrats pressed Oz on potential cuts to Medicaid health coverage for low-income Americans and Oz's past television segments on alternative health remedies.

In his opening statement, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., questioned Oz's record on paying Medicare and Social Security taxes and pitching "some of the most ludicrous wellness grifting that I've heard about to date."

What is the agency Oz is nominated to run?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is led by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The agency oversees Medicare, the federal health program for adults 65 and older and people with disabilities, and Medicaid, the federal-state health program for low income families.

CMS is among the world's largest purchasers of health care with $1.5 trillion in spending during fiscal 2024, according to the agency's annual financial report.

CMS and its contractors process more than one billion Medicare claims each year, monitor health care quality through inspections at hospitals and nursing homes and provide states with matching funds for Medicaid, the federal-state health program that covers low income families.

What would Oz do with Medicaid?

Last month, the House narrowly passed a budget resolution that could result in significant changes to Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income and disabled residents that covers about 72 million people. Medicaid covers low-income pregnant women, 2 in 5 child births and nursing homes for some low-income seniors and others. Some low-income seniors are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

When Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., pressed him about cuts to Medicaid and low-income children potentially losing coverage, Oz said he has not seen any House bill that seeks to cut Medicaid.

"I don't want children losing health insurance," Oz said.

Senators ask about private Medicare plans

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, asked Oz about his thoughts on private Medicare plans' use of prior authorization to deny or delay care. Oz agreed that these insurer approvals are "misused in some cases" and needs to be addressed.

Oz suggested a list of services with clear descriptions in which private Medicare plans could use preauthorization.

Cassidy also noted private Medicare Advantage plans get more federal funds per patient than government-run Medicare. He asked Oz how he would address this funding disparity.

Oz, who has touted private Medicare plans in the past, acknowledged more lucrative payments for these private plans is "upside down" and promised to crack down on practices such as upcoding to collect more lucrative payments from the taxpayer-funded program.

Oz's vow to crack down on upcoding drew bipartisan support.

"Part is this is recognizing there's a new sheriff in town," Oz said. "We have to go after places and areas where we're not managing the American peoples' money well."

What would Oz do with drug-pricing middlemen?

Oz also faced questions about the role of drug pricing middlemen called pharmacy benefit managers. When asked about the role of these pharmacy managers, Oz said he favors "complete and radical transparency" in how these managers operated.

He said such transparency would reveal the "spread pricing" of what these managers pay for these drugs compared to what they charge.

"The lack of transparency into what goes on when that pill leaves the pharmaceutical company and ends up in your home is where a lot of the money is made," Oz said.

During his 2022 Senate bid, Oz disclosed shares in health companies

During his unsuccessful 2022 campaign for Senate in Pennsylvania, he filed a financial disclosure showing he once held up to $33.7 million in shares of companies that are regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The TV talk show host owned between $280,000 and $600,000 in UnitedHealth Group and between $50,000 and $100,000 in CVS Health, which both provide health insurance plans under Medicare Advantage.

He also owned between $5.8 million and $26.7 million in Amazon and between $1.6 million and $6.3 million in Microsoft, two major technology providers for CMS, the agency he would run.

In a letter addressed to Oz, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called on Oz to divest from his financial holdings related to industries regulated by the agency and commit to strong ethics safeguards, Reuters reported.

Oz has offered to divest much of that and resign his advisory posts.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mehmet Oz questioned on Medicare, Medicaid
Lambs are the cutest little things with their soft, sweet muzzles and their fluffy woolit's like they were made for cuddling. So what could be more adorable than a sweet, sleepy little lamb who's completely addicted to cuddling?

Alex is a very cute, very sleepy little lamb born on a family farm in New Zealand. Alex's mom, who is experienced in raising sheep, figured that Alex would be pretty snuggly for a little while shortly after his birth, but she never expected just how long his "snuggling" phase would last!

My heart just can't take this... if I were in this person's shoes, I would pass away on the spot. Alex really is the sleepiest little lamb to ever exist, and though he's gotten pretty big over the course of the past three months, he still expectsno, demandsto be cuddled just as closely as he was when he was three days old and small enough to fit in his mom's arms. His soft, contented smile, those sleepy, snore-y lip twitches...there's not a sheep in the world more blissed-out than little Alex. It's so precious!

Related: Abandoned Lamb Makes Stunning Comeback and Quickly Unleashes Her Spicy Spirit

"He looks like a living stuffy in the best way possible, I cant," cried TikTok commenter @armyforlife17. "Cuteness overload."

"You know how people have soul cats and soul dogs" asked @cayladee. "l think its safe to say thats your soul lamb."

Snuggling With Sheep

Like growing babies from most species, little lambs need plenty of rest for healthy development. According to Sheep 201, lambs spend about 8-12 hours per day sleeping, as opposed to adult sheep, which only spend about 15% of the day (or a little over three and a half hours) snoozing. Lambs generally try to seek out their moms and sleep as close to them as possible, but they're certainly not opposed to snuggles from a warm, cuddly, and friendly human!

Lambs like cuddles because it makes them feel warm and safe while they sleep, but their cuddlers get something out of it too. Cuddling animals can lead to the release of the hormone oxytocin, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. A German farm even made the news during the pandemic for offering sheep cuddling sessions as a safe, socially distanced way to help people feeling lonely and isolated from lack of human contact during the lockdowns. Sheep snuggling is mutually beneficial for humans and sheep alike!

And on that note, you don't have to fly all the way out to Germany to snuggle a sheep. One thing I discovered is that a lot of farms offer lamb cuddling as a paid activity during lambing seasonwhich, according to WLRN, takes place from late February to early April in North America. So yeahthree guesses what I'll be doing this spring!
Tulsi Gabbard testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Jan. 30.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Friday she has ordered an investigation into politically motivated leaks from inside the intelligence community and is also probing internal chat rooms for any misconduct by employees.

Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people and will not be tolerated, Gabbard said in a statement. Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or accountability. That ends now. We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community and will hold them accountable.

In a series of posts on X, Gabbard listed what she said were recent examples of unauthorized leaks from sources in the intelligence community. She referred to news reports  on topics including Israel, Iran and the U.S.-Russia relationship  by HuffPost, The Washington Post, NBC News and The Record news site. But she did not specify precisely which stories she believes were based on leaks or when they were published or broadcast.

Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such, Gabbard wrote.

During President Donald Trumps first term, his administration referred more media leaks for criminal investigation each year than in any of the previous 15 years, according to records released in 2021 by the Justice Department to the independent watchdog group, Project on Government Oversight, in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

The Trump administration also sought to obtain communications records of reporters from CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post, as part of leak investigation efforts in Trumps first presidential term.

When she took over as the top-ranking intelligence official last month, Gabbard said she planned to restore trust in the intelligence agencies, arguing that the spy services had been misused as political weapons against Trump.

Gabbards statement on investigating leaks comes after senators grilled her at her confirmation hearing over her 2020 comments praising Edward Snowden, who leaked a vast trove of secrets about the National Security Agencys electronic eavesdropping operations.

U.S. prosecutors charged Snowden with espionage. Snowden fled to Russia, where authorities have refused to extradite him.

Gabbard had praised Snowden as a courageous whistleblower for exposing extensive eavesdropping by U.S. spy agencies and suggested he should be pardoned. But at her Senate confirmation hearing in January, Gabbard revised her stance, saying she would not seek a pardon for Snowden and that he broke the law. However, she sidestepped questions as to whether she believed he was a traitor.

Apart from probing leaks, Gabbard said Friday she was also launching an investigation into any misconduct or unprofessional behavior on internal chat rooms within intelligence agencies.

Last month, Gabbard fired more than 100 intelligence officers from 15 agencies, saying they used an internal government chat platform for discussions that included topics like polyamory, gender transition surgery and politics.

She said that the fired officers conduct represented an egregious violation of trust and violated basic rules and standards around professionalism.
WASHINGTON  Special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff left Moscow on Friday without a cease-fire deal in hand after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected President Trumps terms to begin winding down the war with Ukraine.

Putin met with Witkoff late Thursday after having kept the American waiting since roughly 12:30 p.m., according to flight tracking data and Russian reports, but ultimately sent him home with signals for Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters.

A lot still needs to be done, Peskov said of the cease-fire agreement, noting that Witkoff presented additional information to the Russian side.

Envoy Steve Witkoff left Moscow on Friday without a cease-fire deal in hand. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Still, the 47th president remained optimistic.

We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end, Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday morning.

Trumps proposal was straightforward: Russia and Ukraine would halt all conflict for 30 days and conduct a prisoner exchange as signs of both parties commitments to finding a peaceful resolution.

The US would also restart sharing intelligence with and delivering aid to Kyiv.

But on Thursday, Putin demanded additional measures  a halt to the aid and intelligence-sharing, as well as forcing Ukraine not to train, reinforce or resupply its forces during the cease-fire  during remarks to the press.

Trump had responded Thursday it would be a very disappointing moment for the world if Putin did not agree to his cease-fire proposal.

Putins attempts to introduce a new cease-fire agreement on terms that asymmetrically benefit Russia ignore Trumps stated intention that the cease-fire set conditions for negotiations toward a more comprehensive peace agreement in the future, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest analysis.

An agreement along the lines Putin appears to be offering would undermine the Trump administrations stated objective of bringing about a sustainable peace in Ukraine, would reinforce Putins belief that Russia can militarily defeat Ukraine, and would incentivize Putin to resume military operations against Ukraine rather than making any concessions in formal negotiations to end the war.

The president told Fox News Brian Kilmeade that he demanded Putin let Ukrainian troops in Kursk leave peacefully. Getty Images

Trump appeared to offer Moscow another chance to show appetite for peace on Friday, saying on Truth Social that he strongly recommended that Putin not slay what he falsely claimed were THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION in Russias Kursk region.

I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared, Trump said. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II, he said. God bless them all!!!

However, multiple US and Ukrainian officials and experts deny that Kyivs troops are in such a position, as their withdrawal from Kursk has been underway for more than a week.

There is no evidence that is true, Foundation for Defending Democracies John Hardie said. There is no evidence Russia has captured thousands of Ukrainian troops during the withdrawal, and there is no evidence that thousands of Ukrainian troops are currently encircled.

A Post reporter was on the Ukrainian side of the border from Kursk on March 5 when Kyivs troops began to withdraw from the Russian territory it had held for seven months prior.

The Post first reported on March 7 that Ukraine would likely pull all its forces from the Russian territory within two weeks, citing a Ukrainian commander in Kursk.

It seems as if most Ukrainian forces withdrew or are finalizing their fighting withdrawal, said George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War. Our team is not tracking significant Russian claims of Russian forces surrounding Ukrainian forces at scale, and certainly not by the thousands.

Still, some amount of Ukrainian forces remain in the region fighting off Russian attacks as Kyiv retreats, according to Hardie. It is possible Trump was referring to them, but had the estimate total wrong.

Some Ukrainian forces apparently remain at Sudzhas western suburbs and in the Guyevo area, Hardie said. The situation is still a bit perilous given Russian efforts to sever their supply routes, but theyre not surrounded.

Russian sources claimed to have retaken roughly 90% of Kursk as of Friday morning, Barros said, noting we can verify theyve seized at least 70% as of yesterday.

Available evidence from the battlefield does not indicate any encirclements, he said.
(Reuters) -The main U.S. immigration agency has told Congress it has a funding shortfall of $2 billion for this fiscal year, Axios reported on Friday citing unnamed sources.

Congress will send the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) an extra $500 million as part of the stop-gap spending bill, although that will not cover the funding it needs to continue work till end of September, the report said, citing two sources familiar with the communications.

The funding shortfall comes as ICE has stepped arrests since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. He has vowed to deport record numbers of people who migrated to the U.S. illegally.

ICE detention facilities are filled to capacity at 47,600 detainees and the agency has been expanding its bed count - the number of beds available for detainees - with support from the U.S. Defense Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons.

The agency has an annual budget of approximately $8 billion, according to its website. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a stop-gap bill to keep federal agencies funded.

The bill would extend government funding until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Increases in defense, veterans' care and border security would be offset by cuts to some domestic programs.

ICE was working with U.S. lawmakers to secure more detention funding, an official from the agency told reporters on Wednesday.

The White House and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Trump's immigration plans, including hiring hundreds of people, more than doubling ICE detention space to 100,000 beds and adding many more planes for deportation flights, would rack up costs even more.

(Reporting by Devika Nair and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams and Angus MacSwan)
North Dakota Republican Rep. Jon Nelson listens during a committee meeting Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A group backed by Trump adviser Elon Musk is running ads targeting conservative Republican legislators in several states over their support of a federal drug pricing program. No one seems as surprised about the effort as the lawmakers themselves.

The video ad by Building Americas Future is titled Trump Underminers. It focuses on the federal 340B program, saying it is now a disaster and to let Trump fix 340B.

The ad groups together five lawmakers in Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee whom it accuses of trying to mandate expansion of the program. It is one of the first signs since Trump returned to the White House of a group linked to Musk going after Republicans in individual states.

The legislators say they want to help rural hospitals and dont understand what is behind the criticism or why the group, of which Musk is a major donor, is singling them out.

Here's a look at the ad's claims and the mystery behind them:

What is the 340B program?

Under the program, drug manufacturers are required to provide discounts to hospitals caring for uninsured and low-income patients, according to the American Hospital Association. The program was expanded to rural hospitals in 2010.

The ad airing on local television says, Some Republicans in your state are undermining Trump and trying to mandate expansion of 340B.

The message goes on to say the program helps fund gender transitions for kids, abortion procedures and health care for illegals.

Nebraska state Sen. Brian Hardin, who is named in the ad, said there is no truth to those claims.

The program has been at a center of a yearslong lobbying battle between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, with each side attempting to enlist lawmakers in maintaining or reforming the benefit.

What do the lawmakers think?

The claims in the ad lead Hardin to wonder whether pharmaceutical companies might be behind the effort.

It only fuels my speculation that somebody brought a modicum of actual information to Musk and said, Please throw your money behind us, Hardin said.

North Dakota Republican Rep. Jon Nelson said the only truthful statement in the ad is the spelling of his name. Nelson said he introduced a bill this session with a goal of continuing the 340B program as it exists.

Nelson said the pharmaceutical industry wants to get rid of the program because long story short, they dont want to sell their drugs at a discount.

It's all puzzling, Nelson said, because he doesn't know of any organized effort to end the program.

Theres absolutely no undermining thats taking place here because theres been no action from Washington to change 340B that Im aware of, Nelson said. Were not undermining anything thats taking place in Washington.

Kentucky Republican state Sen. Stephen Meredith said his legislation is not about the 340B program.

My bill is about the fact Kentucky healthcare providers who serve a disproportionate number of economically disadvantaged people; predominately in rural communities, are being discriminated against by pharmaceutical manufacturers who are arbitrarily and capriciously withholding 340B drugs and 340B discounts which are legally due to these qualifying healthcare providers, Meredith said in a statement.

Like the others, Hardin said he is being targeted for his bill that would preserve Nebraska hospitals access to the program.

Hardin said the ad has been running in Nebraska for about three weeks, but has done nothing to hurt his bill. It advanced last week from the first of three rounds of debate 41-0.

Tennessees Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes said in a statement that the 340B program had helped health care providers all across the state. The Republican dismissed the latest ad attacking her support of the program as a tactic to take attention away from the patients that need assistance.

However, in a move that seemingly acknowledged the Musk-backed ad, Helton-Haynes added to her bill an amendment that stated that her proposal would not conflict with the Republican-led states gender-affirming care for minors ban, abortion ban or any immigration laws.

Lets stay focused and not be misled by deceptive ads, she said.

Why is this group doing this?

That's unclear. Building America's Future didn't respond to an email seeking information about their effort. A spokesperson for another Musk-funded political group acknowledged a phone message but did not respond to questions. Building Americas Future's X profile could not be messaged.

A spokesperson for the PhRMA pharmaceutical trade group said the organization has neither given nor plans to give funds to Building America's Future.

Our position on this issue has been clear: Big, tax-exempt hospitals and clinics are using 340B medicine markups to boost their profits at the expense of patients, employers and taxpayers, said Sarah Ryan, senior manager of public affairs for PhRMA.

The ad has aired in broadcast markets in Nashville, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska, according to media tracking firm AdImpact.

Building America's Future is also behind misleading ads and text messages to voters in a consequential upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The group also was the single funder of a political group that pushed opposing ads last year in Michigan and Pennsylvania on then-Vice President Kamala Harris' position on Israel.

Building America's Future posted a photo to X in February of a large truck outside the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck, bearing the messages "Tell North Dakota Republicans: Stop subsidized gender transitions for kids," and 340B is subsidizing gender transitions for kids.

In 2023, then-Gov. Doug Burgum signed a law banning gender-affirming surgeries and treatments for transgender kids.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Perrone in Washington, Margery A. Beck in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky, contributed to this story.
Waterbury Police Department via AP Kimberly Sullivan posted bail on Thursday.

The Connecticut woman accused of keeping her stepson locked in a room for 20 years is no longer in custody.

Kimberly Sullivan, 56, posted the $300,000 bail set by a judge during an appearance at Waterbury Superior Court on Thursday morning, according to Connecticut court records and her lawyer Ioannis Kaloidis.

Prosecutors argued that Sullivan should be placed on house arrest or be made to wear an electronic monitoring device should she post bail, but the judge declined to make either of those conditions part of her release.

Sullivan will have regular check-ins while out on bail as is standard and is due back in court of March 26, Kaloidis tells PEOPLE.

This comes one day after Sullivan's arrest by the Waterbury Police Department on charges of assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.

She is accused of keeping her stepson locked in a room inside their Waterbury home for over 20 years.

Now 32, the young man made his escape after setting a fire in his bedroom using a lighter, some hand sanitizer and paper.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE, the victim told detectives that his stepmother allegedly began locking him in the room for 22 hours a day or more after pulling him out of school at the age of 11.

The victim told detectives that his father and stepmother allegedly decided to remove him from school after multiple calls were made to the Department of Children and Families about his behavior.

Waterbury Police Department/Facebook

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The man, who has not been publicly identified, arrived at the hospital after the fire weighing just 68 lbs., and later alleged he had not showered in close to two years and had been subsisting on just two sandwiches a day for a decade, according to the warrant.

Both police and DCF spoke about the case on Thursday morning after some questioned if authorities did enough to protect the victim.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said during a press conference that officers had not been to the boy's home since 2005, when DCF requested they do a welfare check.

Meanwhile, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said in a statement on Thursday that the agency was "unable to locate any records pertaining to this family," noting that all unsubstantiated records are expunged after five years.

Through her attorney, Sullivan is maintaining her innocence.

"We would urge the public not to rush to judgment in this case, to please keep in mind that she is presumed innocent unless and until if ever, the state can prove otherwise at trial," Kaloidis said in a statement to PEOPLE. "These allegations are horrific and she intends to defend them vigorously. She is innocent. And we intend to follow this case through until she's vindicated."

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article on People
Today's news: Al-Sharaa signs a constitutional declaration for a five-year transition in Syria; Corruption investigation into Chinese company Huawei: searches and arrests at the European Parliament; Protests in Bangladesh over the death of a raped girl, family members arrested; Millions of Indians are celebrating Holi, the spring festival of colours, fires and religious traditions.

ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN

Armenian and Azerbaijani officials have declared that they have agreed on the text of a peace agreement to end almost 40 years of conflict: a sudden turning point in an uncertain and often uphill peace process. The two post-Soviet countries have fought a series of wars since the late 1980s, when the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with a predominantly ethnic Armenian population, broke away from Azerbaijan with Armenia's support. Armenia's Foreign Ministry has stated: The peace agreement is ready for signature.

SYRIA

Three months after Bashar al-Assad fled, interim president al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration that provides for a transition period of five years. The document states that Islam is the religion of the president, as in the previous constitution, and that Islamic jurisprudence is the main source of legislation. The Constitution also establishes the separation of powers, judicial independence and guarantees women's rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

EU - CHINA

Yesterday, police forces carried out searches at more than 20 addresses - in Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia and Portugal - of people and businesses linked to the European Parliament, as part of a corruption investigation into the lobbying activities of Chinese technology giant Huawei in Europe. Several people have been arrested. The charges are active corruption, falsification of documents and money laundering at the European Parliament, explained a spokesman for the Belgian Public Prosecutor's Office. The alleged corruption is said to have benefited Huawei.

BANGLADESH

An eight-year-old girl who was raped in Bangladesh has died from her injuries, sparking protests across the country. The child was raped on her way to her older sister's house in the city of Magura, between the night of 5 March and the following morning, according to the complaint filed by her mother. The older sister's 18-year-old husband, along with his parents and brother, has been arrested and placed in custody. After hearing the news, an angry mob stormed the house and set it on fire.

INDIA

Millions of Indians are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours. The spring festival symbolises the victory of good over evil and marks the end of winter. People light bonfires and splash each other with colours and water, or paint each other with them, together with friends and family. It is one of India's biggest festivals, with millions of people returning to their home towns to celebrate with their loved ones. The holiday honours the divine love of the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna, and lively celebrations take place in the northern towns of Mathura and Vrindavan.

UKRAINE - USA

The Polish Deputy Minister of Defence, Pawel Zaleski, has announced that the United States has resumed arms deliveries to Ukraine via the logistics hub Polroghab in Jaselka, returning to the level prior to the interruption of the past few days, as was later confirmed by Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, following the peace negotiations in Jeddah. As reported by military analyst Jan Matveev and Ukrainian journalist Jurij Butusov, the Ukrainian army has begun to withdraw from the Russian region of Kursk.

TAJIKISTAN - KYRGYZSTAN

On 13th March the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan reopened after 4 years, with the removal of the guards on both sides in the presence of high representatives of the two States, and with the two presidents, Emomali Rakhmon and Sadyr Zaparov, in remote contact both from Bishkek, where Rakhmon went on an official visit to sign a series of collaboration measures.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an enhanced strategic partnership with Mauritius during a state visit to the Indian Ocean nation, with investments, maritime security agreements, and Indian support for Mauritian sovereignty over the UK-administered Chagos Islands. The visit is part of Indias competition with China for influence in the Indian Ocean.

Port Louis (AsiaNews)  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Mauritius have strengthened their bilateral ties, now raised to the level of an enhanced strategic partnership.

The Indian leader made the statement during an official, two-day visit to the small insular nation in the Indian Ocean, where he met with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

The move is part of New Delhi's efforts to consolidate its influence in the region and contain China's expansion. The two Asian giants have been quietly vying for control of the maritime routes in the western Indian Ocean.

India is historically linked to Mauritius on cultural grounds since about 70 per cent of all Mauritians can trace their roots back to modern India, arriving in the country as indentured labourers during the British Raj.

The two countries recently inked eight bilateral agreements, with particular focus on maritime security and economic cooperation.

Stressing the need for a free, open, secure and safe Indian Ocean, Modi said that 500 Mauritian civil servants will be trained in India, and Hindu travellers will receive assistance for religious pilgrimages.

India also plans to invest US$ 11 million in development projects, including the construction of a new parliament, described by Modi as a gift "from the mother of democracy".

For his troubles, the Indian prime minister received Mauritiuss highest civilian honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.

To underline the importance of maritime security operations, the Indian Navy participated in Mauritius National Day celebrations on Wednesday, with the INS Imphal, a stealth guided-missile destroyer, paying a visit to the capital, Port Louis.

Last year, India completed an airstrip and pier on the Agalega, two outer islands, north of the main island of Mauritius. Although not earmarked for military use, the new facilities are part of attempts to boost ship monitoring in the region and establish a strategic outpost.

India is stepping up its presence in the country to counter Chinas growing influence. Beijing signed a free trade agreement with Port Louis in 2019 (that went into effect 2021) and has a well-established a strong economic presence.

According to Chinas Foreign Ministry, bilateral trade between China and Mauritius topped US$ 1 billion in 2024, up 10.1 per cent over the previous year.

Chinas rise in the island has been quite phenomenal and it is now one of the most important economic players in Mauritius, said Harsh Pant, vice president of studies at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.

So, to offset that, it is necessary for India to have constant engagement with Mauritius and help them build capacities in areas such as health, education, and maritime capabilities.

Another key issue touched during the visit was India's support for Mauritius's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, an archipelago administered by the United Kingdom. Since 1970, Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, has been home to a joint UK-US military base.

Recently, the UK agreed to return the sovereignty of the Chagos to Mauritius, but leased the island of Diego Garcia for 99 years, thus guaranteeing a permanent UK-US military base.

Between 1968 and 1973, the Chagossians were forcibly removed from the island and transferred to Mauritius and the Seychelles to allow the construction of the military facility.

We support Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos, and this is obviously in keeping with our long-standing position with regard to decolonisation and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Despite its stance on sovereignty, analysts note that India is in favour of maintaining the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, as key to strategic stability in the Indian Ocean.

From New Delhis standpoint, it helps if there is some American presence there because it balances out the strategic realities of the region, Pant explained.

India and Mauritius also signed some economic agreements, including a deal to use local currencies in trade, with the aim of promoting the direct use of the Indian rupee and the Mauritian rupee in bilateral transactions. For Misri, the goal is to encourage trade, tourism and other economic activities, extending an Indian rupee clearing centre to COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) countries.

The two sides also signed agreements to combat financial crimes, share maritime navigation information, and create a National Information Sharing Centre to improve trade route security, which, according to Misri, will lead Mauritian authorities to greater maritime domain awareness.

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by Joseph Masilamany

Hostile and derogatory comments inflame the climate in the country during the holy month of Ramadan (and during Lent). For the police, these are events that threaten national security, economic stability and racial harmony. The characteristic rituals of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam and the Kavadi Attam dance are in the crosshairs.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - Confessional attacks obscure the sacredness of Ramadan and Lent in Malaysia, with hostile and denigrating comments towards the faithful that have surprised - and struck - the religious sensibilities of the nation's inhabitants. The controversy was triggered by some viral videos on the internet that mock the Kavadi Attam dance: it is a ritual that symbolises a sacrificial - and purifying - ceremony practised by devotees during the worship of Murugan, the Hindu god of war, and a central part of the Thaipusam festival. Three Muslim disc jockeys from the radio station ERA FM are said to have carried out the act. In the video, two of them shout vel vel, while the third one commits indecent acts mocking the Hindu ritual.

During Thaipusam, Hindus pierce themselves with small replicas of the sacred spear known as a vel, which the Hindu deity Murugan used to defeat the demon Soorapadman. The faithful consider it a sacred object, because it was given to him by his mother, the goddess Parvathy. Hence the anger for the mockery of the ceremonial rite, which took place a few days before the sacred month of Thai. The country's news portals condemned the behaviour of the three radio personalities and internet users who protested against the desecration, calling on the authorities to take immediate action.

In the end the three men apologised to the Hindu community of the Lord Murgan Temple in Kuala Lumpur. And the radio station was ordered to pay a fine of 250,000 RM (almost 52,000 euros), but no criminal charges were brought against the disc jockeys, even though the public clamoured for fines and prison sentences. The Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the central organisation of Hindu organisations in the country, accepted the apology and its president, T Ganesan, emphasised the need for media organisations and content creators to be more careful when dealing with religious and cultural issues.

However, at the level of the faithful, there have been much more critical and even ferocious reactions, so much so that there are cases of people who have insulted the Islamic religion and then retracted, apologising and admitting that they had been overcome by anger. Words that were not enough to avert further drift, with the Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth - a protege of the radical Muslim leader Zakir Naik, an Indian citizen residing in Malaysia and wanted in his country for money laundering - who insulted Hindus and their rituals on his social media page. The devotees, he said, are possessed and seem drunk on alcohol when they engage in the rituals. His remarks have once again sparked resentment from the Malaysian Hindu community.

Appeals to the authorities to take action against the two preachers have so far fallen on deaf ears, although the judiciary has launched an investigation and is awaiting instructions from the Attorney General's Office (AGC). In this regard, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain stated that 894 complaints had been filed against Zamri Vinoth.

Commenting on issues related to race, religion and the royal institution (3Rs) this year, Razarudin noted that the police have so far received 31 complaints, 17 of which involve the monarchy, two relate to race issues and 12 concern religion. This figure shows that they are on the increase in the country and that the appeals of inter-religious groups and institutions asking for an end to debates on controversial subjects have been in vain, at least until now.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, warned citizens against acting insensitively on religious matters, adding that any action or speech that touches on the 3Rs will only undermine harmony. He then invited citizens to support the principles of the Rukun Negara, a social ideology similar to the Indonesian Pancasila, established in 1970 to forge unity among the nation's multiracial communities. Malay Muslims represent about 60% of the country's 35 million inhabitants. The rest is mostly Chinese and Indian, while the Dayak and Kadazan Christians dominate the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak respectively.
by Melani Manel Perera

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the island nation is among 63 countries with the lowest level. No attacks have been reported in the last five years. In South Asia, Pakistan ranks first, followed by Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Five years without terrorist attacks is a great result in Sri Lanka's recent history, as reported in the Global Terrorism Index 2025 (GTI), published by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

After experiencing this scourge for a long time, which included the Easter attacks in 2019 with over 290 victims, Sri Lanka now appears to be one of the countries with a low terrorist threat, ranked 100th and last, with a GTI score of zero along with 63 other countries out of the 163 countries surveyed.

Each year since 2007, the GTI has provided a comprehensive overview of global terrorism trends, with an index based on various factors, including the number of attacks, casualties, injuries and hostages. These factors are combined with data on conflicts and socio-economic conditions to offer a complete picture of the terrorism in the world.

According to the report, the West African nation of Burkina Faso, in the Sahel region, ranks first in terms of terrorism, with more than half of all deaths. Conversely, Sri Lanka, along with Bhutan, ranks lowest in South Asia.

Although the general situation in the region has worsened, mainly due to the escalating violence in Pakistan (ranked second in the world), terrorism has nevertheless decreased significantly in the last decade in many other countries in the region, largely due to the drop in terrorist activity in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and, not least, Sri Lanka itself.

Still, two of the ten countries in the world with the worst GTI are Pakistan and Afghanistan (in ninth position, down three places from the previous report).

In South Asias seven countries, only Bhutan and Sri Lanka have a GTI score of zero, having recorded no attacks in the last five years.

Terrorism in the region is centred mainly in Pakistan, where attacks have increased from 726 to 1,399 and the number of victims has risen from 961 to 1,303.

For the second year in a row, Pakistan ranks as the country most affected by terrorism in Asia, while Myanmar occupies the 11th position and India the 14th.

Nepal also saw improvements, recording no attacks or casualties for the second consecutive year.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In March 1944, accused of collaborating with the Nazis, tens of thousands of people from the Caucasus were forcibly transferred to Central Asia and Siberia. It was only 13 years later that they were able to return to the present-day republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Official commemorations avoided mentioning Stalin and the Soviet oppressors. But local historians invite reflection on the relationship between the Russians and the minor peoples.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - A commemoration was held in Nalchik, capital of the Russian republic in the Caucasus of Kabardino-Balkaria, in honour of the 81st anniversary of the deportation of the Balkars, the Turanian ethnic group that makes up a third of the republic's population, heirs of the ancient Volga Bulgars.

On 8 March 1944, on the accusation of collaborating with the Nazi occupying forces, by order of the head of Stalin's KGB, Lavrentij Berja, the entire Balkan population of the area was deported to Central Asia, the majority (over 37 thousand people) to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and about 500 Balkars were dispersed between Uzbekistan and Siberia. According to official data, around three thousand of them died of hunger, cold and disease. The survivors were only able to return home after 13 years.

The deportation was condemned as unjust during the Khrushchev years, and today there are about 100,000 Balkars living in the republic. The president of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, further recalled the event as a criminal act of arbitrariness and denial of all law and rights, one of the most tragic pages in our history.

Without explicitly naming Stalin and the Soviet authorities as the culprits of this historic infamy, Kokov emphasised that today the Balkars are building their future in the spirit of brotherhood of the single multi-ethnic family of Kabardino-Balkaria and all of Russia, trying to gain a current political advantage from the commemoration.

The ceremony took place at the Memorial to the Balkarian victims of the repressions in Nalchik, with all the senior officials of the local administration and a large crowd of people. The head of the adjacent Caucasian republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, Rashid Temrezov, also sent a message of solidarity on behalf of  the Karachay who have lived through this terrible event, sharing the suffering of their Balkan brothers, and we understand their feelings well, also avoiding pointing the finger at the Soviet oppressors. The president of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, also joined in the general remembrance of this painful page in the common history of the Caucasian peoples.

In Khronika Kavkaza, the historian Majrbek Vacagaev discussed the matter with the journalist and Balkarian dissident Adam Badt, who warns that the question of responsibility for the deportation of the Balkars is not as simple as it may seem, because it is only one of the many episodes of the long Russian domination of the Caucasian peoples, who have always considered us liable to repression and extermination at any moment and for any reason.

In this region the Russians have always been hated as conquerors and tyrants, either with protests and weapons in hand, or simply with resentment in the depths of their souls. According to Badt, this story should serve as a lesson to all the minor peoples who have ended up under the heel of the Russians.

Looking back over Russian history, Vacagaev observes that the Muscovite rulers have always needed to carry out some form of massacre, from the archers of Peter the Great to the uprisings and revolutions, and even the mass deportations, as the backbone of state policy. In particular, with the repression of the Balkans Stalin intended to send a signal to the entire Russian population, tired of the war, which could be considered a form of betrayal.

In fact, there is no historical evidence that the Balkans had collaborated with the Nazis, other than the testimonies extorted by Stalinist commissars under the command of Beria, and this also applies to the other Caucasian peoples, or the Kalmyks and Soviet Germans, who never even came into contact with the invaders, but who in turn suffered repression simply because they shared Hitler's ethnicity.

As the two commentators recall, tens of thousands of Balkars and Turans from the Caucasus lost their lives on the front lines of the Great Patriotic War, but they will not be remembered in this year of celebrations of the Russian victory.

Photo: Marie Ccheidzeova / Wikipedia
Best Questions to Ask Your Partner in a Relationship

10 Questions You Should Ask Your Partner, According to Relationship Experts

In the early stages of dating someone, it can feel like youll never run out of questions to ask. Once youre in a long-term relationship, however, its easy to get complacent  you may assume you pretty much know all there is to know.

The truth is, theres always more to discover in any relationship, and whether youve been dating your current partner for 10 months or 10 years, experts say asking certain questions can build intimacy, spark meaningful discussions, and maybe even uncover some surprising tidbits.

In the beginning of a relationship, curiosity tends to be effortless, says Kiara Luna, LMHC, CEO and founder of Knew You Psychotherapy. You want to know everything about your partner. But over time, as familiarity sets in, that curiosity fades. Partners stop asking, and without realizing it, they stop discovering.

RELATED: The Best Ways to Improve Your Relationship

But according to Luna, questions are bridges that connect us to the parts of our partners that might otherwise go unnoticed  like unspoken needs, evolving dreams, and hidden fears.

Scott Valdez, cofounder and CEO of Ari and founder of VIDA Select, insists that if theres one thing he learned from a decade of matchmaking its this: couples who stay together arent necessarily the most compatible on paper  theyre the ones who never stop being curious.

When couples come to me saying they've grown apart, I usually find they stopped learning about each other somewhere around year two, he adds. They've been operating on assumptions and outdated information ever since. The strongest relationships I see are the ones where both people treat questions like essential maintenance.

1. Whats something youve always wanted to try but havent had a chance to yet?

This question opens the door to adventure, spontaneity, and possibility, says Luna. Its easy to assume you know all of your partners dreams, but people evolve. Maybe theyve always wanted to learn salsa dancing, or travel to a specific country. And their answer to this question might even surprise you. More importantly, it gives you an opportunity to support and encourage them in a new way.

Luna notes that this is a great question to ask a few months into dating, but its also useful in long-term relationships when life starts feeling predictable. Asking can reignite a sense of novelty and excitement, while giving you inspiration for your next date night or shared bucket list.

2. What is your definition of love?

I like broad open-ended questions that just get someone talking, says Dr. Wendy Walsh, relationship expert at DatingAdvice.com. And this is one of my favorites.

As Walsh explains, everybody has an internal working model for love, an idea of what love should be  but many people wrongly assume that their definition is the same as their partners. By asking this question, you unlock the opportunity to identify those discrepancies while also finding common ground in what love looks like to you.

RELATED: What Does True Love Feel Like?

3. What does our relationship look like to you in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years?

Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, says this is a great question to bring up about six to nine months in, once you and your partner have established a serious relationship  or even a few years in when things are feeling a bit stagnant.

According to Trombetti, this question can give you an idea of whether your and your partners goals are aligned, and also to figure out how to merge your hopes and dreams while making any necessary compromises.

4. When youre upset, how should I approach you?

When some people are upset, they like to have some space to process their emotions. Others may want a sounding board to talk through their issue, or some soothing physical touch.

And unless you ask your partner about their preferences, you may not be able to give them what they need in that moment. Thats why Dr. Betsy Chung, a clinical psychologist and relationship expert at RAW dating app, recommends asking this.

This question can help two individuals get past stressful conflict with more direction, which can greatly reduce the building of resentment, she explains.

Without knowing what your partner wants when theyre upset, well-intentioned efforts can create more distance instead of closeness, adds Luna. You may learn that maybe your partner needs a hug instead of advice. Maybe they need to vent without solutions. Maybe they need silence before talking. By asking this question, youre learning how to be their safe space, on their terms.

RELATED: How to Use 'Solve Languages' to Improve Your Relationship

According to Luna, this is a crucial question to ask before moving in together  as well as when life throws your partner a huge obstacle, such as losing a loved one or a job.

5. What do I do that helps you to feel safe with me? (And what could I do better to make you feel safe?)

Security needs are incredibly personal, says Valdez. I had this client whose girlfriend needed him to text when he was out with friends  not because she was controlling, but because her ex would disappear for days without warning and it gave her anxiety.

Another client discovered his girlfriend felt most secure when he remembered details about her work conflicts, he adds. This question gets to those specifics. You basically get your partners security code  those specific actions that either build trust or accidentally damage it.

RELATED: Habits That Erode Trust in Relationships

Your partners response may range from how you handle confrontation with them or how directly you talk about the future, to how you handle communication during busy periods.

Try this around four to five months into the relationship, once you've established some patterns, and then revisit before any major life change, says Valdez. If they have trouble answering, I sometimes tell clients to offer an example: For me, I feel secure when you call instead of text if you're running late. This gives them a model without putting words in their mouth.

RELATED: How to Build Intimacy in a Relationship

6. Whats one thing youd like us to do differently in our relationship?

Sometimes its hard to find the right time to share what youd like to change about your relationship.

By asking this question, youre taking the burden off your partner to bring it up  and offering them an opportunity to share, says Dr. Michael Kane, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Indiana Center for Recovery.

And the beauty of this one is that you can ask it at any point in your relationship  and ideally, continue asking it at least on an annual basis.

Valdez says it can also be helpful to ask what your partner would like to do differently during a disagreement  say, after your first sight, or after a particularly heated talk.

Some people need you to lower your voice during tense moments, he explains. Some need you to stop proposing solutions and just listen. Some need 20 minutes of cool-down time. Some need reassurance that you're not questioning the whole relationship just because you disagree about something.

RELATED: How to Handle a Relationship Argument

Consider following up with, Is there anything I do during disagreements that makes things harder for you? Valdez suggests. This identifies those unexpected triggers that you might not realize are escalating things.

7. Whats your top current stressor, and how can I best help you cope?

This question builds empathy and a sense of teamwork as well as sharing burdens, says Kane.

Kane advises asking this question during big life transitions, or whenever your partner has a lot on their plate.

8. What were your early experiences with money, and what would you like to do the same/different?

According to Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, a licensed clinical professional counselor, certified Imago Relationship Therapist, and cofounder of The Marriage Restoration Project, understanding how your money was dealt with while they were growing up can give you some valuable insight into their current financial habits.

Money can be a charged topic for most couples and it almost always comes from childhood experiences, he explains.

If money was a source of stress during their early years, or their parents spent money frivolously without ever saving for the future, that probably affected how they view and manage money now.

RELATED: How to Tell If You're Financially Compatible With Your Partner

Getting this kind of background information can help you to build empathy for how they handle money, which will likely impact your relationship in the long term  particularly if you pay bills together, own a home together, or plan to have children.

9. What are your goals this week, and how can I support you in achieving them?

Walsh says this is a great question to ask at any point in a long-term relationship, but particularly when your partner seems overwhelmed.

Youre going to learn more specifics about their goals and values as well as your potential role in helping them meet those, she explains.

Remember: The key part of this question is the second part. Dont assume that you know how to help your partner reach their goals. They may only want emotional support, or they may ask for more concrete acts of service, like running an errand for them. Either way, asking shows that you want to show up in the way thats most helpful for them.

RELATED: Signs You're in a Healthy Relationship

10. If you could change one thing about our life, what would it be?

According to Walsh, this seemingly simple question can be surprisingly illuminating.

Sometimes partners havent even stopped to consider what change would help them feel happier in their relationship, she explains. They just have a nagging feeling of malaise that they havent identified nor articulated. And plenty of times, the things they want to change are an easy fix.

This question gives you the chance to shed light on how to increase your partners satisfaction  which, in turn, will benefit your relationship, too.

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14 March 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Baku, Azerbaijan, has firmly established itself as a key global platform for discussing crucial geopolitical, economic, and environmental issues. This reflects the growing trust and confidence that international states place in Azerbaijan's role in shaping world events. The country's strategic position and its ability to host significant global events further underscore its increasing importance in global affairs.

In November 2023, Baku successfully hosted the UN Climate Change Conference, establishing itself as a mediator for global environmental policy decisions that will impact humanity's future. Now, in March 2025, Azerbaijan once again takes center stage with the 12th edition of the Global Baku Forum, a high-level event that gathers leaders and experts from around the world to exchange ideas on pressing global challenges. The theme of this years forum, Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities, reflects the need for fresh perspectives in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Global Baku Forum: A vital platform for dialogue

The Global Baku Forum has become an annual occasion for critical discussions on the worlds most urgent issues. The forums significance lies not only in its rich discussions but also in the diversity of participants it attracts. With more than 300 prominent leaders from over 60 countries, including former presidents, prime ministers, heads of international agencies, and former ministers, the event offers a unique platform for dialogue across generations of political leadership.

This year, the forum will address an array of global challenges, including shifts in the global geopolitical order, multilateralism, the ongoing global health crisis, and regional stability. Discussions will also touch upon global initiatives such as COP29 and how countries can jointly work towards sustainable development and recovery. The gathering of such a wide array of experts and decision-makers in Baku demonstrates Azerbaijans growing role as a bridge between East and West, North and South, and its ability to foster dialogue on vital global issues.

Azerbaijans role in global leadership

Azerbaijan's growing influence on the world stage was emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev in his opening remarks at the forum. The President highlighted Azerbaijans leadership role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), underscoring the countrys commitment to neutrality, peace, and multilateral cooperation. Under Azerbaijans chairmanship of the NAM, the country played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing humanitarian assistance to more than 80 countries. This reflects Azerbaijans broader foreign policy strategy of maintaining active, positive relationships with both the Global South and the Global North.

The NAMs founding principles, which advocate for non-alignment during global geopolitical conflicts, align closely with Azerbaijans approach to global issues. Azerbaijans ability to mediate and provide assistance during the pandemic exemplifies the countrys dedication to peace, stability, and development, particularly in times of crisis. In extending its chairmanship of the NAM until 2023, Azerbaijan reinforced its commitment to these principles, leveraging its position to promote dialogue and cooperation among nations.

Energy leadership: A cornerstone of Azerbaijans influence

Azerbaijans role as an energy supplier has also been a critical aspect of its international stature. President Aliyev spoke at length about the country's responsible management of its energy resources, notably in relation to Azerbaijans role in the global energy market. The country has emerged as a reliable energy supplier, exporting natural gas to 12 European countries through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a key component of the Southern Gas Corridor. The Presidents remarks at the forum on Azerbaijans energy exports, including future plans to expand gas supplies, highlight the countrys central role in European energy security.

The successful hosting of COP29 in Baku further cemented Azerbaijan's reputation as a responsible energy producer committed to sustainable energy solutions. Despite some Western media criticism surrounding the event, President Aliyev emphasized that the decision to hold COP29 in Baku was a testament to the countrys significant contributions to global energy policy and environmental sustainability. This reinforces Azerbaijans growing role not only as an energy supplier but also as a responsible actor in global environmental governance.

Azerbaijans diplomatic outreach: Strengthening regional ties

Beyond energy, Azerbaijan has also fostered strong diplomatic relations with countries participating in the forum. President Aliyev underscored the longstanding economic and infrastructural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Albania, as well as broader efforts to strengthen ties with other regional and global players. Albanian President Bayram Begaj echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the fields of economy and infrastructure for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In a similar vein, the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, praised the Global Baku Forum for becoming a vital platform for sharing ideas and addressing regional and international issues. The Forums importance is especially pronounced in 2025, a year that many view as a pivotal moment of transition for the world. Siljanovska-Davkova noted that multilateralism is increasingly giving way to polarization, underscoring the urgent need for platforms like the Global Baku Forum to facilitate dialogue and collaboration on overcoming global challenges.

Looking ahead: A hub for multilateral cooperation

The 12th Global Baku Forum is a testament to Azerbaijans growing influence in shaping the global discourse. As the world grapples with numerous geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges, the forum provides a vital space for leaders and experts to reflect on the evolving global order and explore opportunities for cooperation.

Azerbaijans role as a facilitator of dialogue and multilateral cooperation is becoming ever more prominent. As the country continues to lead discussions on global challengesfrom energy security and climate change to regional stabilityit is clear that Azerbaijan is not only a key player in its region but also an influential actor on the world stage. The Global Baku Forum serves as a crucial reminder that, despite the polarization seen in other areas of global politics, there remains an urgent need for dialogue and collective action to tackle the worlds most pressing issues.
14 March 2025 13:56 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

In recent days, Armenia has shown increased eagerness to quickly conclude a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. However, actions from Yerevan have yet to reflect this sense of urgency, signaling a gap between rhetoric and reality.

For instance, last week, Armenia took a sudden turn towards military rearmament, shifting its focus during a visit to India. As tensions rise, the government's calls for peace in Yerevan are increasingly being seen as superficial, undermining the potential for genuine progress toward lasting peace.

Armenia has insisted that the draft documents for peace are final, yet according to Bakus stance, the conclusion of the text does not necessarily equate to the signing of a peace agreement. This is a reasonable and logical position. Armenia should not assume that everything can be wrapped up simply on paper, nor should it expect that unresolved obligations will be ignored. A question arises, however: What does Armenia think of its constitution's preamble? After all, the declaration of independence remains in force and is yet to be addressed.

Interestingly, without awaiting an official response from Baku, Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already begun asking about the time and place for the agreements signing, seemingly trying to corner Azerbaijan into a decision. As has often been the case, Yerevan continues to celebrate, while Baku is left uninformed of a ceremony. The Armenian government speaks of restoring relations with both Turkiye and Azerbaijan on two fronts, yet the core issue remains unaddressed: What is the purpose of rearming an occupying state after thirty years?

On the same day, the 12th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Azerbaijans capital, where President Ilham Aliyev addressed the opening session. In his speech, President Aliyev made several key points, including a condemnation of Armenia's rearmament and the countries who still support it in this way. When analyzing these comments, it is clear that Armenias acquisition of the most advanced weaponry poses a real threat to the region, particularly to Azerbaijan, which has only recently liberated its territory from Armenia's occupation.

For those who still consider this an unjust concern, a closer examination of the crimes committed by Armenian forces in Garabagh is recommended. It is no coincidence that the Baku Military Court continues to prosecute Armenian war criminals. Despite the criminals own confessions, Yerevan, with the support of Armenian lobbyists, continues to demand their release. Unfortunately, some European Parliament members, swayed by bribery, have also supported these demands.

In his speech, President Aliyev also made several other clear assertions. Armenias constitution must be amended, and its territorial claims against Azerbaijan must end. Armenia must compensate Azerbaijan for the crimes it committed on Azerbaijani soil. The atrocities of Khojaly and other acts of violence cannot be forgotten.

The presidents rightful demands have hopefully reached the ears of the French government, the European Union Parliament, and other policymakers. As for Armenia, Baku has one more proposal: instead of labeling the ongoing court proceedings a "sham," Yerevan should collaborate with the courts in Baku and hand over those suspected of committing crimes against humanity, who are currently in Armenia.

Without this, the mere agreement on a 15-point document does not automatically mean its signing will follow.
14 March 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

An international scientific and practical conference on the topic "Protection of ancient human settlements: threats and modern approaches" began at Heydar Aliyev Center, organized by the Culture Ministry, Azernews reports.

The two-day conference brought together scientists, researchers, experts, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations and media representatives from a number of countries.

The participants first got acquainted with the exhibition consisting of exhibits discovered from ancient settlements in Azerbaijan.

Welcoming the participants of the international conference, Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli said that the most valuable element of Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage is the prehistoric human settlements located in Azerbaijan. Thus, numerous ancient settlements inhabited by primitive people, especially cave camps such as Azikh, Taglar and Damjili, as well as the Gobustan rock paintings, play an important role in studying the stages of development of human civilization:

"These monuments, in addition to being considered the cradle of civilization and culture, are of exceptional importance in terms of studying the stages of physical and spiritual development of people, the path of perfection, labor habits and lifestyles, as well as their migration routes."

The Culture minister said that the national cultural policy implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is based on the state's protection, restoration and promotion of all the cultural heritage, including historical and cultural monuments located in the country, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation. As the head of state noted in his speeches, multiculturalism has become a way of life for the Azerbaijani people.

The minister, who proposed to consider the issue of establishing a single platform for joint research and promotion of ancient human settlements during the conference, said that multi-level international exchange programs in this area should not only be implemented within the framework of intergovernmental and international organizations, but also between scientific institutes, universities, think tanks, museums, and even NGOs.

As a state that has been subjected to military aggression and part of its lands have been occupied for nearly 30 years, we have experienced this bitter truth in our own experience. In addition to the destruction of historical monuments and the looting of rich and ancient exhibits belonging to our people by the occupying forces, illegal archaeological expeditions have also been observed in the Azikh cave, one of the oldest human settlements in the world. In this regard, I think that during the second panel session, within the framework of discussions, ways to improve the existing mechanisms of international organizations and expand monitoring capabilities should also be touched upon," the Culture Minister emphasized.

Adil Karimli noted that the Azerbaijani government, by the will and instructions of the President, is carrying out large-scale restoration and construction work in the territories liberated from occupation. These measures are also designed to revive our culture.

Noting the importance of the conference, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Isa Habibbayli, said that this event will contribute to the study and promotion of historical monuments in the territory of our country in the future. Providing information about the Azikh cave, which has no equal in the world, the academician said that as a result of the occupation of our lands by Armenians, this monument, along with all our historical heritage in Garabagh, was also greatly damaged.

After the historic Victory we won in the Patriotic War, special importance is attached to the study of monuments in these territories. In the last two years, serious research work has been carried out in the Azikh cave with the participation of Azerbaijani and foreign specialists.

The President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova , the President of the Turkic Academy Professor Shahin Mustafayev, TURKSOY Secretary-General Sultan Raev, the Director of UNESCO for Culture and Emergencies Krista Pikkat and the President of the OIC Institute of Culture Saad S. Khan made speeches at the conference and wished success to the work of the conference.

It was outlined that the conference aims to discuss new ideas and solutions for the protection, promotion, research and promotion of the most ancient examples of cultural heritage.

At the same time, the event aims to take important steps to strengthen international and regional cooperation, develop new strategies for the protection of cultural heritage and create mechanisms for their implementation.

The participants of the opening ceremony watched a video clip dedicated to the theme of the conference.

The international conference has continued its work throughout the day with panel sessions on the topics "Ancient Human Settlements: Cultural Heritage as the Cradle of Humanity ", "Ancient Human Settlements in a Changing Climate and Armed Conflict ", and "Ancient Human Settlements of Azerbaijan as Part of the World Heritage ".

The discussions review existing international mechanisms and national efforts, and identify best practices and areas for improvement.
14 March 2025 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

During the trial at the Baku Military Court on March 14, accused Bako Sahakyan acknowledged that the so-called regimes "army" was directly subordinate to the Armenian Armed Forces.

Azernews reports that Sahakyan stated, "the so-called regimes army was the largest armed formation of the Armenian Armed Forces."

He further noted that the appointment of the so-called regimes "defense minister," "chief of the general staff of the armed forces," and other high-ranking positions was carried out by the Armenian president based on recommendations from the Armenian Ministry of Defense. However, he claimed that he was not involved in these matters, stating: "We did not hide it."

The accused admitted that all division and management issues related to the so-called regimes "military structures" were controlled by Armenia.

Denial of destructive weapons in occupied territories

During the same trial, Sahakyan was questioned about the presence of Iskander-M, Tochka-U, and other destructive weapons in the occupied territories.

Azernews reports that he denied their presence, stating: "These weapons did not exist in the territory of Garabagh. I can say for sure that during my term as President (2007-2020), these weapons were not brought to Garabagh."

He added that although the "head" of the "defense agencies" was not required to report to the so-called regimes "president," the importance of such weapons would have necessitated informing him. "If they were given to us, the army commander should have informed me about it," he said.

Regarding the shelling of civilian objects in Azerbaijan using the mentioned weapons and on whose instructions it was carried out, Sahakyan stated: "I can say that these artillery shots did not come from the territory of Garabagh."

It should be noted that the trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and terrorismincluding the financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimescontinues.
14 March 2025 11:47 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans Ambassador to Germany, Nasimi Aghayev, visited the Saarland region of Germany from March 10-11 to strengthen bilateral ties. During his visit, Ambassador Aghayev held meetings with leading figures in the fields of politics, business, and academia from Saarland to further develop the relationship between Azerbaijan and Germany, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Embassy.

The Embassy noted that Aghayev began his visit by meeting with Saarlands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economics, Innovation, Digitalization, and Energy, Jurgen Barke. In this meeting, Aghayev provided information on Azerbaijans economic potential, emphasizing the vast investment opportunities available for Saarland companies in Azerbaijan. The discussions also covered trade relations, new areas of collaboration, and joint projects.

Next, the Ambassador met with Frank Tome, the CEO of the Saarland Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The discussions focused on the factors that make Azerbaijan an attractive investment destination. Particularly, the opportunities for cooperation in Azerbaijan's rapidly growing economic sectors, as well as large-scale projects in the energy and transportation sectors, were explored.

The visit continued with a meeting with Professor Dominik Brodowski, Vice President for International Relations and Europe at Saarland University, and Professor Mark Bungener, Director of the European Institute. Ambassador Aghayev, who earned a Master's degree in European Law from Saarland Universitys European Institute between 2003-2005, highlighted the long-standing academic ties between Azerbaijan and the university. It was noted that 41 Azerbaijani students are currently studying at Saarland University, with 12 of them enrolled in the European Institute. The meeting also focused on expanding collaboration between Saarland University and Azerbaijani universities.

At the end of his visit, Ambassador Aghayev met with Azerbaijani students studying at the European Institute. He listened to their experiences and emphasized the important role the younger generation plays in strengthening Azerbaijan-Germany relations.
14 March 2025 17:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The European Union has welcomed the recent statements by Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the conclusion of negotiations on the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations.

Azernews reports that the EU published an official statement commending both sides for their efforts in advancing the peace process: We commend both sides for the determined work they have been doing in this direction over the past few years, both bilaterally and with the participation of the international community.

The EU emphasized that these developments mark important steps toward achieving lasting peace and security in the region: For the successful completion of the process, it is important for both sides to demonstrate an equally constructive and compromise-oriented approach. The European Union fully supports the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and is ready to provide additional support and expertise if the parties so request.

It should be noted that the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Armenia have officially announced the conclusion of negotiations on the text of the draft peace agreement, signaling a significant advancement in the normalization process between the two countries.
14 March 2025 15:39 (UTC+04:00)

At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the President of North Macedonia was seen off by Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev and other officials.

Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of the Republic of North Macedonia, has concluded her official visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

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14 March 2025 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

During the period when Azerbaijani territories were under occupation, products manufactured in the Garabagh region were sold abroad under the label "Armenian products," as reported by the defendant, Bako Sahakyan, in a court session held today at the Baku Military Court, Azernews reports.

Bako Sahakyan made this statement while responding to questions from prosecutors defending the state indictment. He explained that the products were sold under the name of Armenian companies.

Sahakyan further revealed that during the occupation, citizens of Armenia residing in the self-proclaimed "republic of nagorno-karabakh" could acquire real estate in Armenia, and were entitled to other rights as well. He noted that for Azerbaijanis, Armenia was considered a foreign country at that time.

It should be noted that the trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and terrorismincluding the financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimescontinues.
14 March 2025 20:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The United States Postal Service (USPS) plans to lay off 10,000 employees, Azernews reports.

This was reported by the Associated Press, citing a letter sent by the leadership of the Postal Service to members of Congress. The reduction is expected to take place within the next 30 days as part of a voluntary early retirement program.

The U.S. Postal Service, which previously employed around 640,000 people, has already undergone significant layoffs, including the loss of 30,000 jobs in 2021.

The letter indicates that the management of the Postal Service intends to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will assist in optimizing costs, identifying challenges, and improving operational efficiency.

Additionally, the Postal Service announced plans to reduce costs by approximately $30 billion over the next decade.

These layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort within the USPS, which has faced financial challenges in recent years due to declining mail volume, increased competition from digital communications, and the rise of private delivery services. The USPS is attempting to modernize its operations, and while cost-cutting measures are essential, the impact on service quality and delivery times remains a concern. This restructuring could signal a shift in the role of traditional postal services in the digital age, as the USPS aims to balance fiscal responsibility with its public service mandate.
14 March 2025 21:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

US President Donald Trump does not want nuclear weapons to spread to Eastern Europe, Azernews reports.

This was stated by US Vice President Jay Dee Vance in an interview with Fox News.

"I have not had a specific conversation with the president on this issue, but I would be surprised if he supported the deployment of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe," Vance said, commenting on Polish President Andrzej Duda's remarks about the potential deployment of US nuclear weapons in Poland as a deterrent.

It should be noted that President Andrzej Duda, in an interview with The Financial Times, emphasized that NATO's borders expanded eastward in 1999, and therefore, 26 years later, the alliance's infrastructure should also move eastward. He also expressed confidence that Donald Trump could facilitate the transfer of nuclear warheads from Western Europe or the United States to Poland. Recently, the Polish president discussed this issue with US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.

The debate surrounding the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe reflects growing tensions between NATO and Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Poland, as a NATO member, has been vocal about its concerns regarding security in the region and has called for greater Western support. The discussion also highlights broader issues of nuclear deterrence and strategic defense in Europe. While the idea of deploying nuclear weapons in Poland is not new, the situation could have significant political and military implications, particularly for NATO's relationship with Russia.
Regarding the recent Israel /Iran Conflict (the "12 Day War"), culminating in the United States Air Force employing seven B2 Bombers to complete a 33 hour flight, dropping 14 fifteen ton bunker busting bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities buried deep under mountain rock, which destroyed Iran's nuclear ambitions against Israel and the United States: Should President Trump have unilaterally made the decision to make such a bold decision to conduct this operation, without first running this prospective operation before the US Congress for their approval?

14.29% No, The War Powers Act prohibitions, which requires NO presidential military action without congressional approval.85.71% Yes, the President has Article 2 Constitutional authority to take unilateral military action to protect the American People, providing he does not break congressional codes, which he did not.0% Don't care, never have.
The health systems are among the pilot sites for a new smartphone app from Microsoft and Epic that ambiently records patient encounters, drafts notes and fills in EHR fields for nurses.

At Stanford, 24 nurses are trialing the Project Nursing technology with a plan to move to 40 next month.

Nurses are excited about the opportunity, Gretchen Brown, MSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing information officer of Stanford Health Care, told Beckers at the HIMSS conference in Las Vegas. Its development, though. Its not a fully formed product, so you have to make sure you have a team of nurses that really understands that.

A Stanford nursing assistant has become one of the top creators and users in the nationwide pilot. A nursing assistant goes down the floor and theyre documenting volumes of what people ate and drank. Theyre emptying lines and drains. And were seeing those numbers more quickly get into the chart. So theyre doing these multiple different short sessions, Ms. Brown explained. Where nurses want to go in and put the phone down and talk to the patient, talk about care, talk about your pain, your knee replacement, etc.

She said the staffers have been invested in developing the countrys roadmap for AI in nursing.

Tampa General Hospital has 54 nurse and patient care technician users at a neuroscience med-surg unit.

Theyre very engaged, and we really wanted to make sure we had that, Amit Patel, MSN, chief nursing informatics officer of Tampa General, told Beckers. Because its very new for the nurses to speak their assessments out loud. Theyre just not used to it.

A lot of nurses have been describing the visits into their phones outside the room after meeting with patients.

My hope is they, one day, will transition back into the room and do it with the patient, Mr. Patel said. Because it helps educate the patient, keeps them up to date and things like that while theyre talking out loud.

Tampa General has also implemented flow sheet automation from Epic, creating a double whammy for documentation alongside ambient AI, Mr. Patel said. Its needed because the health system previously averaged a two-to-three-hour delay in documentation after an assessment.

So many other things are reliant on documentation: EHR alerts, algorithms detecting sepsis, he explained. So if that time is delayed, thats just delaying other things downstream. So thats where Im hoping to really see value from some of this technology.

He hopes patient rooms eventually become ambient AI-enabled themselves, so nurses and other staffers can just walk in and start talking and an Alexa-like technology will pick up the conversation.

Were giving direct feedback to Microsoft, so theyve really made a lot of improvements to the product based on the feedback that the nurses are giving to them, Mr. Patel said. Microsoft is consistently, with Epic, making improvements.
Additionally, a shift in patient volumes and regulatory changes have further strained finances, forcing some hospitals to restructure or close.

Below are 14 hospitals, health systems, and healthcare organizations that Beckers has reported as seeking or exiting bankruptcy protection in 2025:

1. Bradenton, Fla.-based MCR Health, a nonprofit medical group, exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early June after it sought protection in mid-November. Melvin Price, DPM, president and CEO of MCR Health, said in a June 18 statement shared with Beckers that as the group emerges from bankruptcy, it is focused on streamlining operations to restore financial stability.

2. Rite Aid sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time in early May and is looking to sell substantially all its assets. The company is laying off more than 2,000 employees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey amid its bankruptcy process.

3. Jersey City, N.J.-based CarePoint Health exited bankruptcy in early April after it received bankruptcy court approval for Secaucus, N.J.-based Hudson Regional Hospital to take over three of its hospitals.

4. David Stockman, MD, sought Chapter 11 protection for the Michigan Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine, which he owns, in early April. Dr. Stockmans filing delayed the court from entering a $551,800 arbitration award to Russell Bush, MD, who was found to have been intentionally harmed and defamed by Dr. Stockman.

5. Alfred Bonati, MD, founder of Hudson, Fla.-based Bonati Spine Institute, sought Chapter 11 protection in early April. The Gulf Coast Orthopedic Center, the practices business arm, and affiliate All American Holdings were also part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

6. Purdue Pharma submitted a revised Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in mid-March that proposed more than $7.4 billion in creditor cash payments, which included U.S. states and others, to compensate opioid crisis victims.

7. Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based Landmark Holdings of Florida, on operator of six long-term acute care hospitals, sought Chapter 11 protection March 9. The company has struggled with growing financial challenges, like declining Medicare reimbursements, rising labor costs and liquidity constraints.

8. West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Coral Behavioral Services filed Chapter 7 protection in early March. The company, which provided applied behavioral analysis therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder, has debts around 40 times its value. It generated no value and did not operate in 2024.

9. NES Health, a physician-led staffing firm, filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy Feb. 21, marking the companys official collapse following months of financial challenges that left emergency department physicians at multiple hospitals across the nation unpaid. The company has estimated assets worth from $1 million to $10 million and liabilities that range between $10 million and$50 million.

10. Montgomery, Ala.-based Jackson Hospital and Clinic sought Chapter 11 protection in early February to implement financial restructuring and reorganize operations. The nonprofit hospital has dealt with significant financial pressures over the past few years due to challenges such as COVID-19, a difficult payer mix, increased labor costs and stagnant reimbursement rates.

11. Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, sought Chapter 11 protection in January and has been working to offload 10 of its 16 hospitals. The for-profit, private equity-backed system initiated voluntary bankruptcy proceedings to facilitate the timely completion of its planned hospital sales. Prospect plans to restructure and exit the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania hospital markets and focus on California solely.

12. Prospects PHP Holdings, which includes Prospect Health Plan, Prospect Medical Systems and Foothill Regional Medical Center, were not listed in the bankruptcy filings and are expected to be sold to Alhambra, Calif.-based Astrana Health by mid-2025. The system also reached a deal to keep its Upland, Pa.-based Crozer Health open for the immediate future after sharing plans to close in early March.

13. The Bellevue Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, sought Chapter 11 protection and plans to be acquired by Sandusky, Ohio-based Firelands Health. The hospital cited challenges like rising operational costs, regulatory complexity, funding constraints and access to capital. The hospitals restructuring and acquisition will allow it to meet financial obligations while continuing to provide patient care.

14. Elmira, N.Y.-based Southern Tier Orthodontics abruptly closed in early January and informed patients it was declaring bankruptcy due to personal and financial reasons. Jason Horn, DDS, the orthodontist and owner of the practice, told patients he would provide records to new orthodontists for continued care, but would not be able to reimburse patients, even for those that paid in full or advance.
Economic stability, employment opportunities and access to financial resources all play a crucial role in determining an individuals well-being. In St. Louis, three major anchor institutions  BJC HealthCare, SSM Health and the James S. McDonnell Foundation  are leveraging their financial strength to address economic disparities in the communities they serve.

The organizations have collectively invested nearly $15 million into the St. Louis Community Credit Unions Community Impact Deposit program, helping to expand access to business loans for underrepresented entrepreneurs. The initiative is a key way that health systems can use financial tools beyond traditional healthcare to drive long-term improvements in public health.

The connection between economic and physical health

The connection between financial stability and health is well documented. According to the St. Louis Federal Reserve, Black families, on average, own just 23 cents for every dollar of white family wealth. For small business owners, limited access to capital often hurts their ability to expand, create jobs and build generational wealth.

Access to affordable loans, especially for Black- and Brown-owned businesses, can be hard to come by, SLCCU President and CEO Kirk Mills said in a Feb. 18 news release shared with Beckers. The significant deposits we have received from BJC, JSMF and SSM Health are being used to help businesses hire new staff and grow. Our goal is simple: lend responsibly for maximum community impact.

St. Louis Community Credit Union, a Black-owned, minority depository institution and community development financial institution, specializes in offering safe, affordable financial products and services to underserved communities. Since launching the community impact deposit program in 2022, the credit union has attracted more than $30 million in new deposits from private, public and philanthropic entities. These funds have helped issue more than $40 million in business loans, with 90% of those loans benefiting Black-owned businesses.

For BJC and SSM, this initiative aligns with their broader mission of improving public health.

As the largest employer in St. Louis, BJC is committed to addressing the root causes of health inequities inside and outside our walls, BJC CEO Rich Liekweg said. Economic well-being and health outcomes are intertwined. We believe investing in the financial health of our community will create opportunities and progress that will be felt for generations to come.

SSM President and CEO Laura Kaiser, echoed this sentiment: Providing high-quality healthcare services is crucial. But people also need access to nutritious food, safe housing, reliable transportation, and strong, stable employment opportunities in order to thrive. Through this partnership, we are investing in the economic health of our community so that everyone has the opportunity to lead their healthiest life.

Turning dollars into direct community impact

The real impact of this initiative can be seen in businesses like Freddie Lees Gourmet Sauces, a St. Louis-based food brand that struggled to expand due to limited access to capital.

We were able to breathe a little easier and not have those high-interest loans hanging over our heads, said Deborah James, co-owner of the company. This loan allowed us to grow, hire more people, and take our business to the next level. It helped us believe in the banking system again.

For St. Louis health leaders, stories like these reinforce the importance of thinking beyond traditional healthcare models and considering how financial investments can improve community well-being.

Health systems as economic anchors

The move by BJC and SSM reflects a growing trend among anchor institutions  large, place-based organizations such as hospitals and universities that are deeply embedded in their local economies. Hospitals are increasingly recognizing that where they store and invest their money can be a powerful tool for economic change.

We know that community health requires all of us  health systems, nonprofit partners and public health departments  to work together, Christopher Nolan, director of community benefit and anchor initiatives at BJC, told Beckers.

Beyond the credit union initiative, BJC and SSM have long collaborated on various regional efforts. They are active in Greater St. Louis Inc., an economic development coalition focused on revitalizing historically disinvested neighborhoods. They also work jointly on community health needs assessments to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing health disparities.

While we may be competitors in some areas, initiatives like this unite us, Mr. Nolan said. In the end, our patients, communities and even our employees  who also live in these communities  benefit.

Karen Bradshaw, regional director of community health at SSM, emphasized that this work goes beyond charitable contributions.

This isnt about donations; its about making strategic, high-impact investments, Ms. Bradshaw told Beckers. Hospitals and health systems looking to get started in impact investing should begin with a landscape scan to identify financial partners like credit unions or CDFIs that are deeply embedded in their communities.

A call to action for health systems

BJC, SSM and the James S. McDonnell Foundation hope their collaboration will inspire other anchor institutions to follow suit.

At the core of this initiative is the idea of impact banking. Where we choose to deposit our funds matters, Mr. Nolan said. We encourage other anchor institutions  both in St. Louis and beyond  to consider financial partners that serve communities historically lacking investment. These deposits have a direct impact, and wed love to see this model expand.

For hospitals looking to take the first step into impact investing, a community impact deposit or partnership with a CDFI can be a tangible entry point.

We see this as just the beginning  what we hope will snowball into larger efforts over time, Ms. Bradshaw said. For organizations exploring this path, even the decision of where to hold funds can create leverage and new opportunities for community investment. Our experience with the credit union made this first step a smooth and valuable one.

As healthcare continues to evolve beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics, initiatives like these demonstrate how financial investments can be a critical tool for improving public health.

Were seeing innovative programs emerge in this space  whether in housing, refinancing or alternatives to payday lending. Theres a real opportunity to rethink how we do business and leverage our resources to drive change, Mr. Nolan said. At the end of the day, we are large nonprofit health systems with day-to-day operations to manage. But our leadership is committed to our mission of improving health, and initiatives like this allow us to integrate that mission into how we do business.
Four things to know:

1. Administrative costs now account for more than 40% of hospitals expenses, with more than $160 billion spent annually on revenue cycle management, according to a joint March 14 news release from the companies.

2. R37 will drive comprehensive automation in revenue cycle operations, reengineering labor-intensive processes such as coding, billing, and denials management to significantly improve efficiency, accuracy and cash flow for healthcare organizations.

3. By embedding our engineers directly within R1s operations, we can rapidly scale intelligent automation and drive measurable impact at speed  ultimately enabling providers to focus on delivering better patient care, Palantir co-founder and CEO Alex Karp said in the release.

4. R1 expects to deploy comprehensive agentic RCM worker solutions to a group of clients in the second half of 2025.
Ms. Pirrung previously served as chief nursing officer at the hospital since 2020.

She succeeds Arsalan Sheikh, DO, who has returned to his previous role as chief medical officer for the Cecil County Campus, formerly Union Hospital.

ChristianaCare is a three-hospital system based in Wilmington, Del.
The physicians cited a desire to improve both physician well-being and patient care in Minnesota, as well as to address concerns over pay, staffing and working conditions, as key reasons for their unionization efforts. They seek to begin negotiations for a first union contract immediately.

We came to Hennepin specifically because we wanted to work in a safety-net hospital caring for this community, and so all of the residents care so deeply and dive headfirst into our work, Nicole Lund, MD, said in the release. But we are stretched so thin, and the truth is, it doesnt have to be this way. Residents are Hennepin  we know this hospital  so with a voice and input into decisions about our working environment, we hope we can win support to better care for ourselves, our families and our patients.

The physicians at Hennepin join peers at other organizations, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Boston Medical Center, the UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass., Cambridge Health Alliance, and groups in the Philadelphia area who have opted for unionization.

Hennepin shared the following statement with Beckers:

Our institution deeply values our residents and their contributions to patient care, medical education and research. We are committed to providing a supportive learning environment, fair compensation and the necessary resources to help our trainees thrive in their careers. We recognize their legal right to consider union representation, and we respect their right to make this decision.
Mrs Hinch was sent home from hospital despite having a blood clot  only to later undergo emergency surgery after seeking a second opinion.

Mrs Hinch was sent home from hospital despite having a blood clot  only to later undergo emergency surgery after seeking a second opinion

The 34-year-old cleaning influencer, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, recently gave birth to her son, Vinnie and first sought medical help after noticing disturbing symptoms and underwent a CT scan at a hospital.

However, doctors initially dismissed her concerns, telling her there was no blood clot.

When her leg continued to swell, she decided to go to another hospital, where a second scan confirmed she had a significant clot in her groin, pelvis and leg that required urgent surgery.

Mrs Hinch said in an Instagram update on her health scare Im not really sure where to start with this week guys.

Ive actually bumped into quite a few followers in hospital. So I just thought Id update you a bit because I share a lot with you here. The good, the bad and the ugly.

To cut a long story short, I had a blood clot in my groin, pelvis, leg area. I havent had one since 2018 and then another one decides to hit me three weeks postpartum. What a 12 months its been.

She continued in a video posted to her Instagram Stories, which showed her distraught and wearing a hospital gown: I got put through a CT scan and they said theres no blood clot, you can go home.

I went home; my leg got bigger and bigger. I came back to a different hospital and they scanned me and said we need to operate, you've got a big blood clot.

Opening up about her relief she had sought further medical attention, she added: How mad is that? And that keeps playing on my mind. What if I didnt come back? Just trust your gut, guys. Trust your gut. Anyway, over and out from me and blood clot. I cant wait to wake up in the morning and get home.

During surgery, doctors used a procedure to remove the clot and clear her stents.

She added: They managed to go in through my leg. They didnt go through my neck in the end. They hoovered out the blood clot and they hoovered my stents out.

Theyve literally hoovered me, which is ironic, isnt it? I think Ive still got quite a lot of painkillers or anaesthetic in my system, so Im probably not making sense.

Sophie has faced a difficult few months, having lost her father in April, weeks after welcoming her newborn son.

Announcing his death, she said online: 25th April 2024. My precious Dad passed suddenly but so peacefully whilst he slept. My life, our whole world, has been turned upside down.

A deep, unimaginable pain I cannot put into words. My loving Dad, our boys beloved Grandad. Your workshop is locked up and I sleep with the key. I promise to keep your workshop dream going. Until we meet and sing together again. Goodnight Dad.
Four updates:

1. Several scientists have noted a new genetic mutation in infected dairy cows, The Los Angeles Times reported March 12.

The mutation, PB2 E627K, was the same one detected in the first human case in the current outbreak. It is also associated with increased mammal-to-mammal transmission and disease severity, the Times reported.

Although the bird flu sequencing data uploaded by the Department of Agriculture does not include the location, scientists told the outlet they suspect the mutation came from four infected dairy herds from San Bernardino County.

Harvard Medical School interviewed five infectious disease experts across Massachusetts and asked them, On a scale from 1 to 10, how worried are you about H5N1 becoming a major pandemic?

Their answers ranged from 4 to 7, with one expert voicing concerns about a lack of a national vaccine stockpile and another saying, [W]e need to have a healthy worry about H5N1, but the risk to humans at this moment remains low.

2. As of November 2024, the USDA has invested $1.4 billion into combatting the outbreak and has earmarked another $1 billion, but public health experts have said the nations response to the outbreak is lacking.

Concerns include poor coordination among federal authorities, a temporary communications freeze for health agencies, and President Donald Trumps reversal of executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. In the current outbreak, there are 70 confirmed and seven probable human cases, according to the CDC. The organization has also confirmed one human death from bird flu, which Louisiana officials reported Jan. 6. The patient, who was hospitalized in December, was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions that elevated the risk of flu complications.

Thirteen states have reported cases of bird flu since March 2024.

The current risk to the public is low, and there is no known person-to-person spread at this time, the CDC said.

4. Bird flu has been detected in more than 166 million poultry, 12,510 wild birds and 985 dairy cow herds.

Household pets, including cats, dogs and pet birds, can become infected with bird flu if they eat or are exposed to sick or dead birds, dairy cows or other infected animals, according to the CDC. It is unlikely, but not impossible, for a person to acquire bird flu from an infected pet.
A private hospital in Northern Ireland has announced a major extension of its customer base in the Republic.

Healthcare services at Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast are now available to members of Vhi, the largest health insurer in the Republic.

The announcement on Friday follows a 300m investment in Kingsbridge by the Dublin office of private equity firm Exponent last year.

Vhi customers could already use Kingsbridge Healthcare Groups hospitals in Sligo and Londonderry.

The Belfast site includes access to Kingsbridge Diagnostics and Treatment Centre in the same location on Lisburn Road.

The Northern Ireland healthcare company said it had treated more than 60,000 patients from the Republic in the last three years.

It said it had reduced waiting list times under the Irish Health Service Executives (HSE) National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, formerly known as the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.

The firms said that the deal means Vhi members will have faster access to surgeries and medical consultations in Belfast, as well as improved post-surgical care for joint replacements.

They said services were within an hours drive for hundreds of thousands of Vhi members in NI.

They said that in most cases, surgical patients would be offered a consultation within a week and surgery within three weeks of making initial contact with Kingsbridge.

Mark Regan, Kingsbridge Healthcare Group CEO, said: We strive to provide the highest standard of care promptly, efficiently and with the best interests of the patient at the heart of what we do. We pride ourselves on being able to bridge medicine and hospitality to enhance our patients experience.

We are excited to work with Vhi, a dynamic provider of care and the largest health insurer on the island, and we believe this partnership will offer their members greater choice in accessing high quality healthcare on the Island of Ireland.

Mark Byrne, Vhis director of healthcare partnerships said: "We are pleased to further extend our partnership with Kingsbridge Healthcare Group with the addition of Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast .

"This collaboration will provide Vhi members living in the border region with greater access to high-quality medical services in a modern facility. We look forward to the benefits this partnership will bring to our members."

Vhi provides private health insurance to over 1.2 million members in the Republic of Ireland.

In-patient procedures at Kingsbridge Belfast cover all the main specialties including orthopaedics, general surgery, ENT and gynaecology.

Diagnostics and scans are conducted on an out-patient basis.

Mark Regan, Kingsbridge Private Healthcare Group CEO

Watch: Belfast Zoo name baby Meerkats Daffo and Dil for Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Its not something I want to court: Barry Ward on fame, dating rumours and his new ITV crime drama

Dublin actor Barry Ward on his new role in ITVs Protection, starring in the adaptation of award-winning Irish novel Trespasses, working with Sharon Horgan and how he deals with interest in his private life

Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice in Protection (Photo: ITV)

Tanya Sweeney Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 08:00

Not many actors can say that being the school messer landed them a role working with an esteemed screen director like Michael Winterbottom. But thats exactly what happened to Blanchardstown native Barry Ward, who landed his first role at just 13 almost entirely by chance.
Its gloriously silly, devilishly clever and fantastically funny: Murder for Two to transfix audiences at The MAC

Bruiser Theatre Companys founder-artistic director Lisa May discusses her new stage production, an inventive whodunnit crime caper which she is bringing to Belfast and beyond

(From left) The MAC head of marketing Rachel Leitch, Murder for Two actors Rob Gathercole and Will Arundell and Bruiser Theatre Company founder and artistic director Lisa May

Aine Toner Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 08:00







If youre a whodunnit fan, youll want to get involved in an upcoming production at The MAC.
When Ciaran Kelly, founder of Pizza Crew, was invited to visit Lviv by Co Armagh businessman Stephen McGeown, he knew the decision to go wouldnt be an easy one to make. McGeown had recognised Ciarans entrepreneurial spirit and he knew they, plus a team of volunteers, could help hundreds of children and adults.
If the box office was dropping, hed do something outrageous so that people would go and buy tickets: Actor Jared Harris on his father Richards legacy
Charlie Love (inset) has been charged with an attack on police in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane

The former state pathologist for Northern Ireland has told a trial that fragments from explosive devices can result in serious injuries and even fatalities.

Professor Jack Crane was called by the prosecution at Belfast Crown Court to give expert evidence at the trial of Charlie Love (30), who is accused of the attempted murder of two police officers in Strabane.
Contractors work on the new pitch at Lisneal College (Picture Martin McKeown)

A west Belfast man accused of sending malicious emails to Stormonts Education Minister and the former principal of Lisneal College has written letters of apology to them, it emerged today.

John Hendron stood in the dock at Belfast Magistrates Court this morning as he was charged with harassing DUP MLA Paul Givan and the then head of the Londonderry school, Michael Allen.
Pastor facing court for preaching close to abortion clinic at Causeway Hospital

Retired cleric (76) is accused of illegal protest over open-air service at safe access zone

Clive Johnston is being supported by the Christian Institute

Andrew Madden Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 08:00







A retired church pastor is facing prosecution in relation to an incident where he was preaching at a safe access zone outside a hospital in Co Londonderry.
Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff's eldest daughter has filed to be named administrator of her estate.

Taylor Hasselhoff-Fiore wants to administer her mom's estate

The 'Rumble Fish' actress took her own life at the age of 62 earlier this month and Taylor Hasselhoff-Fiore has filed legal documents requesting she be put in charge of handling her late mom's estate because she died without a will.

In documents obtained by TMZ, Taylor estimates the net value of Pamela's estate to be $840,000 but this is not a definitive figure as they may be private trusts in addition to the probate case.

The 34-year-old real estate agent's decision comes shortly after she paid a heartfelt tribute to Pamela - who also had Hayley, 32, with ex-husband David Hasselhoff - on Instagram.

Taylor shared a series of photos of her mom and their family over the years on her Instagram Story and wrote: Id do anything in the world to hug you again, my forever angel.

You are my best friend, my whole heart, my everything.(sic)"

The 'Sharknado 4' actress - who has seven-month-old daughter London with husband Madison Fiore - vowed to "protect" her younger sister and to make her late mom proud.

She continued: "I promise to make you proud + celebrate you every day.

"London will know how incredible you are + I promise I will protect Hayley forever.

Mama, I love you so much  the pain is unbearable but I will be strong for you + hold onto your memory until we meet again, my beautiful.(sic)"

Hayley has yet to speak out about the tragedy but reposted a photo of her parents from 1996 to her Instagram Story with a simple white heart emoji in lieu of a caption.

And their father, 'Baywatch' star David, shared a statement on behalf of the family.

He said: "Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff.

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time but we kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time."
Warm welcome for Education Minister despite his turning down schools request for increase in pupil numbers

Education Minister Paul Givan popped in to several classes during his visit to St Cecelia's College

Education Minister Paul Givan has paid a visit to St Cecelias College in Derry, where he received a warm welcome despite previously turning down the schools request to expand numbers from its current 950 to meet demand.

It said: This week we had the privilege of welcoming Education Minister Paul Givan to our school community.

Accompanied by the mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, Mr Givan had the chance to speak to pupils about the opportunities presented to them throughout their studies, the wraparound care they receive which attributes to their overall academic success, and to hear more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

He was keen to congratulate principal Mrs OCarolan on our recent Dyslexia Friendly Charter Mark awarded by the British Dyslexia Association, and of course he took time to identify some of the challenges facing schools today.

Mr Givan also had the chance to pop into several lessons including government and politics with Miss Boyle, technology with Mr McCafferty and art with Ms McGlinchey, as well as meeting members of our board of governors.

It was a busy visit and Mr Givan was so complimentary of our pupils, our staff, and of the great work we are doing here in St Cecilias College.

Education Minister Paul Givan popped in to several classes during his visit to St Cecelia's College

Last May, in answer to a written Assembly question from SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan on the future of both St Cecelias and St Brigids College, and whether his department will increase the number of places at the oversubscribed schools, he responded: My department allocates additional places to schools where oversubscription arises during the competitive admissions process in order to ensure children can access a school place in their area and in their parents preferred sector.

For the purposes of school admissions my department recognises four school sectors, namely denominational; non-denominational; integrated and Irish-medium. No child can be guaranteed admission to a particular school.

During education questions in the Assembly this week Mr Givan told MLAs he had now visited well in excess of 150 schools across Northern Ireland during his time as Education Minister at Stormont.
Counter terrorism police are investigating Northern Irelands first potential Islamist terrorism attack after a man was arrested following a stabbing incident in Belfast.

PSNI armed response officers arrested the 18-year-old after the incident in the Ormeau Road area close to University Avenue on March 1.

A 51-year-old man from Northern Ireland was stabbed once in the chest while the suspect made off on foot before being arrested by police a short time later.

Police found a kitchen knife when arresting the suspect  who was originally from north Africa.

The PSNI confirmed the man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act.

It is understood he entered Northern Ireland after travelling from Heathrow Airport into Dublin in 2022 before arriving in Belfast from Dublin in September 2023, living here since.

Police believe the man was acting alone.

Specialist detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit are probing the case and liaising with security services and counter terrorism police in England.

Its understood police are working closely with immigrant communities in Belfast surrounding concerns the incident could lead to heightened tensions in the area.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: The suspect was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, before being detained for the purpose of assessment by mental health professionals.

He has, of today, been arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act upon his release from the facility.

It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, received treatment in hospital and has since been discharged. He continues to receive support from specialist officers.

While I would stress that the motive for the attack has not yet been established, detectives are exploring a number of potential motivating factors, including the possibility that this was a hate crime, a mental health episode or driven by religious ideology.

At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101."

Stock Image: Armed police attended the incident

News Catch Up - Friday 14th March
It came after reports that the Israeli ambassador to the US had labelled him an antisemite.

Mr Martin is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Jewish community in the US in Washington DC on Friday as part of his engagements in the city for St Patricks Day.

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter reportedly told Jewish Insider that anyone who cancelled their meeting with the Taoiseach should be commended.

Asked about the comments on Friday, Mr Martin said: In terms of the assertions by the Israeli ambassador to the United States, theyre false and I utterly reject what he has to say.

A number may pull out, but some are coming to meet me, and I will take the opportunity to have an open, informal discussion in terms of presenting the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East.

He said the vast majority of countries back a two-state solution in the region.

He added: It is the UN position, and Ireland has always adopted the principles of the UN in respect to the Middle East. Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East issue.

I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin announced it would close last year (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

He said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

I went to Israel after October 7 in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.

Senior figures in Israels government have accused leaders in the Irish coalition of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin also announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have also criticised Irelands decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who now serves as deputy premier as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin, has rejected the characterisation.
Nathan Gill has appeared in court accused of accepting bribes in exchange for making favourable statements about Russia in the European Parliament (Lucy North/PA)

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has indicated he will deny taking bribes to make favourable statements about Russia in the European Parliament.

Nathan Gill, 51, is charged with eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Gill allegedly made statements in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine, which were supportive of a particular narrative which would benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine.

The defendant is alleged to have been tasked by Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money.

On Friday, Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, appeared for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.

The defendants lawyer Clare Ashcroft indicated he would deny the charges against him but asked that he not be asked to formally enter pleas yet.

Gill is the former leader of Reform UK in Wales

Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC told the court the charges related to the defendants time as a member of the European Parliament.

He said that charges had been authorised against the defendants alleged co-conspirator Voloshyn, who is believed to be out of the jurisdiction.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea hearing for July 18 and a provisional trial before a High Court judge from June 29 2026 at the Old Bailey.

The comments were allegedly made in the European Parliament (Yui Mok/PA)

The defendant stood in the dock wearing a blue striped tie and grey suit, and spoke only to confirm his identity during the hearing.

Addressing the defendant at the end of the hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said: Im going to release you on bail on the same conditions as before.

Gill is bailed on condition that he surrender his passport, is not to obtain international travel documents and not to contact Voloshyn.

Gill is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and with eight counts of bribery (Lucy North/PA)

The conspiracy to commit bribery charge alleges Gill conspired with Voloshyn and others between January 1 2018 and February 1 2020, and that he accepted quantities of money in cash which was improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder of a position in the European Parliament.

The other bribery offences are alleged to have taken place between December 6 2018 and July 18 2019.

Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, the court also heard.

He was first elected as a Ukip member of the European Parliament in 2014 and his role ended when the UK left the EU in 2020  at which point he was an MEP for the Brexit Party.

The defendant led Reform UKs 2021 Welsh Parliament election campaign but is no longer a member of the party.
Hurtling through the air at 30,000 feet, locked into the plane cabin while some stranger has a noisy meltdown Not a great way to start your holiday.

Unruly passengers affect all personnel involved in the process connected with a flight (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Problems linked to alcohol consumption in airports and on planes include passengers being too drunk to board, or being out of control on planes

Problems linked to alcohol consumption in airports and on planes include passengers being too drunk to board, or being out of control on planes

This time, it was an incident on a Jet2 flight from Belfast International Airport to the Canary Islands.

A man began screaming incoherently about the Lord Jesus while being restrained in the cabin. Footage of the disturbance has, inevitably, gone viral on TikTok.

In the video, the man can be heard shouting loudly from his seat while other passengers gather around to try to intervene and calm him down.

The disruptive passenger shouted, You have to fasten your seatbelt... in the Lord of Jesus, before letting out a loud yell.

Airline staff have been praised for going above and beyond to stop the situation descending even further into chaos  and rightly so.

But can you imagine how disturbing it was for people stuck on that flight, especially for the children on board?

Hurtling through the air at 30,000 feet, locked into the plane cabin  already a fairly cramped and claustrophobic space at the best of times  while some stranger has a noisy meltdown.

Not a great way to start your holiday in the sun.

It reminded me of another incident, which happened a few years ago, also on a Jet2 plane.

This time, it was a flight from London Stansted to Dalaman in Turkey.

A 25-year-old woman, Chloe Haines, was presented with a 85,000 bill by Jet2 after she created a terrifying situation on board.

According to an eyewitness, she sent a flight attendant flying across the plane and screamed: I am going to kill everyone.

Haines also tried to open the aircraft door and to force her way into the cockpit. The flight diverted back to Stansted, accompanied by two RAF Typhoon fighter jets.

It wasnt clear if alcohol was involved in this incident  although it was reported that Haines had been banned from the roads for drink-driving just two weeks before the incident.

Neither is it clear whether alcohol was a factor in the agitated mans behaviour on the recent flight from Belfast to Fuerteventura.

But, lets face it, it often is.

Every time you read about the police being called to escort a disruptive passenger from a flight, you think: were they hammered?

Unruly passengers affect all personnel involved in the process connected with a flight (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Alcohol and flying are a crazy combination. Getting thoroughly tanked up before a flight, whether its scheduled for 8pm at night or 8am in the morning, practically guarantees rowdy chaos of one kind or another, even if nobody is yelling about the Lord Jesus or threatening to bring down the plane.

God help the other passengers, who are about to be herded into a flying cattle pen with these boozers, the cabin rapidly filling with the high-decibel roar of a Saturday night at Wetherspoons.

On one occasion, I had the misfortune to be sitting at the back of an early-morning flight during which a drunken man, who was part of a stag party, staggered repeatedly to the loo in order to vomit with what I can only describe as operatic zeal.

He swooped up to the high notes like Pavarotti. I could hear him very clearly through the thin partition wall  but then so could everyone else because he didnt bother to shut the toilet door.

It seems incredible to me that airports can quite legitimately sell glasses of booze to passengers at the crack of dawn.

I mean, who needs to down a double whiskey at 7am?

Airlines have a duty to protect the majority of civilised, law-abiding passengers from the minority of selfish idiots who turn up drunk out of their skulls and still expecting to fly.

If somebody is having trouble making it up the aircraft stairs, then thats a big clue that they shouldnt be allowed to board.

One possible solution, suggested by the veteran travel writer Simon Calder, is for ground staff at the departure gate to breathalyse passengers who are suspected of being over the drink-driving limit (35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath).

As Calder notes, this corresponds to about two pints of beer, or two glasses of wine, or two double-measures of spirits for men, though its less for women.

Apparently this is regarded as a reasonable limit for a passenger.

And why not get rid of alcohol on planes altogether?

It seems incredible that people once lit up cigarettes as soon as the fasten seatbelt sign was turned off, filling the cabin with a carcinogenic fug of smoke.

Maybe one day well marvel that we ever thought that alcohol and flying was a safe and sensible combination.
VisitJordan.com

Jordan is home to the oldest continuous Christian church in the worldthough its rarely remembered as such. As a modern kingdom with a majority Muslim population, Jordan takes pride in its ongoing tradition of tolerance towards Christians (past and present), and in preserving the endless layers of human civilization in the region, going back to even before the time of Mesopotamia. Whether strolling down a Roman road, deciphering a 1,400-year old map on a church floor, or exploring the sandstone splendors of PetraJordan brings the past to life.

As a believer, I can visit the sites and match different placenames with scenes from the Biblebut as a traveler, Jordan shows me what it was really like: the rustling olive groves and the silence of the desert, the mystical smell of actual frankincense and myrrh, or the taste of cold-pressed olive oil, unleavened bread, and sharp briny cheese. Simply driving over the dramatic folds of the dry beige landscape sends me straight into the first few pages of the New Testament.

In Matthew Chapter 3, we read that Jesus traveled to Bethany beyond the Jordan to the barren wilderness where John the Baptist lived. Today, the prophets wilderness still feels wild, with natural caves and rocky outcroppings worn smooth by the wind, flowering shrubs and buzzing bees, and the ancient River Jordan still carving its way through the soft and sandy soil.

We want todays Christian pilgrims to experience it the way Jesus did, says Rostam Mikhjian, Director General of the Baptism Site. The UNESCO World Heritage Site lacks any flashy monuments or some overbearing visitor centerrather, I walk along a humble path that leads to a few stone steps that drop down to the watery pool where Jesus Christ was baptized.

Perhaps its the quiet reverence that I find so moving, along with the great spiritual meaning of this place. Though I am also touched by the archeology left behind, remnants from the waves of early Christians who have come here on pilgrimage since the 1st century A.D.

What strikes me over and over is that Jordan is where it all beganthis is where Jesus was baptized, where he wandered contemplatively in the desert, and where some of the very first Christians began to worship. Early Christians fleeing the intolerance of the Roman Empire found safety, freedom, and refuge in Jordan.

Of the ten Decapolis cities mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 4:25), six are in Jordan, including the poetic stone ruins of Jerash (Gerasa in the New Testament). Few Greco-Roman cities have survived as well as Jerash, and exploring the colonnaded streets feels like walking back two thousand years ago. Aside from Petra, Jerash is the most visited site in Jordan today, and aside from the great history of the place, its what I see and hear that I will never forget. When the sun sets, the ruins turn to gold, and I hear the call of a lone shepherd, standing among the tumbledown temples, gathering his flock.

In Jordan, the Bible comes to life like a slow montage. In present-day Umm Qais (Gadara in the Bible), I witness the sharp landscape where Jesus cast the devils into a herd of swine (Matthew 8:28-34). In the capital Amman (Philadelphia in the Bible), atop the Citadel, I visit the ruins of some of the earliest Christian churches in the world. Even now, Jordan tells the story in stone, how over the centuries, Christianity spread among the Greek gentiles that inhabited these cities along the edge of an empire. Much of what we know of the Decapolis goes back to a single map, painstakingly constructed as a mosaic on the floor of St. Georges Church in Madaba.

Created sometime in the mid-6th century A.D. the mosaic in Madaba represents the oldest map of the Holy Land. Still vibrant with the tiny naturally-colored tesserae that comprise it, the mosaic map in Madaba stands as one of the greatest sources on early Christianity. Under the incense clouds inside St. Georges Church, I can follow the pilgrims path marked out on the floorfrom Jerusalem to Jericho, to Jordan and the Baptism Site and on to the cities of the Decapolis, eventually leading to the holy summit of Mt. Nebo.

Today, the ascent up Mt. Nebo is a remarkable drive, leading up to an unforgettable view thats right out of the Book of Deuteronomy. On a clear day, I can see the mosaic map in real life, only with sweeping drop-offs down to the brilliant blue of the Dead Sea several thousand feet below. Standing atop Mt. Nebo, I take in the very same view as the Prophet Moses, who looked into the Land of Canaan before he died. Moses was buried near this spot, and today, Mt. Nebo is a shared sacred site for all three of the great monotheistic religions.

Early Christian mosaics still adorn the floor below, while overhead, an airy modern chapel protects the past. The beauty of the contemporary Franciscan monastery at Mt. Nebo is the visual reminder that Christianity is alive today, having grown all around the world but with deep roots still in Jordan.

Hiking into the narrow slot canyons of Petraflowing the same path as the ancient camel caravans that carried frankincense up from ArabiaI crane my neck upward in awe, overwhelmed by the gargantuan hand-carved facades built during the Greco-Roman period. Yet even more surprising are the honeycombed labyrinth of caves, tombs, and temples, some of which became churches. The Byzantine Church at Petra is one of the largest and most well-preserved Christian churches in the whole of the Middle East, with the astounding mosaics still intact on the floors and walls.

Like the mosaics pieced together by faithful believers so long ago, Jordan offers the traveler a way to connect the dots from distant scripture to the here and now. From the ancient kingdoms of Ammon, Moab, and Edom, to Old Testament Prophets, to John the Baptist and the ministry of Christ, to the first pilgrims and first Christian congregations to the more established Greek church that is still in place today. In towns like Kerak and Ajloun, I meet flourishing communities of Jordanian Christians, while their respective castles highlight opposite sides in the crusader-era clash from long ago.

But for me, the ultimate experience is going way back in timeto the time of the Book of Genesis and the salt-crusted shores of the Dead Sea. Stepping into the lowest point of Earth, and falling back into the viscous saltwater, I bob like a cork, gazing at the cloudless sky. Like a floating compass, I can point to any direction beyond, and remember what happened there. These experiences and memories have become part of my own faith journey. Indeed, traveling in Jordan has given me my own mosaic map, so that now I know where Christianity comes from and how all the puzzle pieces fit together. It is by far the best souvenir from all my travelsso that now, when I can read the Bible, I see it all in my mind. Because I have walked where Jesus walkedin Jordan.

Read more about Jordan on Beliefnet:

What Does the Bible Say About Jordan?

6 Biblical Sites to Visit in Jordan

Can I Be Baptized Where Jesus Christ Was Baptized in Jordan?
U.S. tariffs highlight unilateralism, protectionism: China's commerce ministry

Xinhua) 09:07, March 14, 2025

BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The accumulation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese products does not contribute to so-called "national security," nor does it assist U.S. domestic industries, but merely highlights the unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying practices of the United States, China's commerce ministry said on Thursday.

"Whether it is the 301 tariffs or the 232 tariffs, they have already been ruled by the World Trade Organization dispute settlement mechanism to violate multilateral trade rules," Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian told the press on Thursday when asked to comment on the U.S. imposing additional tariffs on China.

Regarding the U.S. administration's 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which are already in effect, He stated that China had already expressed its stance on the U.S. Section 232 tariffs.

The spokesperson said that China has always believed that the tariffs on steel and aluminum under Section 232 are unilateralism and protectionism under the guise of "national security."

"China, along with many other countries, strongly opposes these measures and urges the United States to cancel Section 232 measures on steel and aluminum as soon as possible," He said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose 200-percent tariffs on wine, champagne and other alcoholic products from France and other European Union countries in retaliation against the bloc's planned levies on US-produced whiskey.

"If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES," he posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump has launched trade wars against competitors and partners alike since taking office, wielding tariffs as a tool to pressure countries on commerce and other policy issues.

On Wednesday, the European Union unveiled tariffs countering US moves on steel and aluminum, hitting some $28 billion of US goods in stages from April.

Trump on Thursday renewed his criticism of the bloc, singling out a 50-percent levy on US whiskey as being "nasty."

He termed the EU "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World" and said it "was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States."

Uncertainty over Trump's trade plans and worries that they could trigger a recession have roiled financial markets. But US stocks regained some ground Wednesday even as some Asia markets retreated.

US distillers have called the EU's levy on American whiskey "deeply disappointing."

"Reimposing these debilitating tariffs at a time when the spirits industry continues to face a slowdown in US marketplace will further curtail growth and negatively impact distillers and farmers in states across the country," said Distilled Spirits Council head Chris Swonger in a statement on Wednesday.

A 2018 imposition of similar tariffs led to a 20-percent drop in American whiskey exports to the European Union.

The lifting of that measure in 2021 saw US whiskey exports surge by nearly 60 percent, industry data showed.

It was not immediately clear what legal justification Trump would rely on to hike tariffs on European alcohol.

Trump's tariff wars have taken aim at Canada, Mexico and China over allegations they are not doing enough to curtail fentanyl smuggling or illegal immigration into the United States.

He has also taken aim at specific commodities, including steel, aluminum and copper.

Some countries, much like the EU, have imposed retaliatory tariffs on the United States in response to Trump's moves to address what he terms unfair trade imbalances.

China has vowed "all necessary measures" in response to US measures, and has already imposed duties of 10-percent and 15-percent targeting US agriculture products ranging from soybeans to chicken.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday maintained that the EU's retaliation, affecting products ranging from bourbon to motorbikes, was "strong but proportionate."
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China called on Thursday for a "diplomatic" resolution to the Iran nuclear issue as it prepared to host diplomats from Tehran and Moscow for talks.

The United States withdrew from a landmark deal, which had imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, during President Donald Trump's first term.

Tehran adhered to the 2015 deal for a year after Washington's withdrawal but then began rolling back its commitments.

Efforts to revive the pact have since faltered.

Beijing is set to host Russia and Iran -- both key diplomatic partners -- on Friday for trilateral talks on Tehran's nuclear programme.

"In the current situation, we believe that all parties should maintain calm and restraint to avoid escalating the Iran nuclear situation, or even walking towards confrontation and conflict," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

The meeting will be attended by China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Beijing has said.

Iran's foreign ministry has said the meeting would focus on "developments related to the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions".

No details about the timing of the meeting have been shared.

However, Beijing has said the talks would aim to "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".

"China sincerely hopes that all parties can work together, continuously increase mutual trust and dispel misgivings, and turn the momentum of restarting dialogue and negotiation into reality at an early date," Mao said.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has called for a new nuclear deal with Tehran while reinstating his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions.

Iran has officially ruled out direct talks as long as sanctions remain, with President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing on Tuesday that his country "will not bow in humiliation to anyone".

Trump said last week he had sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging negotiations and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.

A quarterly report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity -- a short step from the 90 percent needed to make a nuclear weapon.
Many Americans are frustrated by an unending barrage of scam and spam telephone calls.

Multiple reliable sources note that there are typically over 3 billion unwanted calls each month. Last year, it is estimated that Americans wasted 289 million hours answering these calls  the equivalent of 12 million days.

Are you irritated by spam, scam, and simply unwanted phone calls? Join the crowd! The interruptions come from 7 in the morning to 8:45 in the evening: robocalls from Medicare agents, inquiries about a recent accident, installation of solar panels; the list goes on.

The vast majority of these calls involve spoofed telephone numbers where the actual caller number is replaced by random or targeted numbers such as one using specific area codes. Surprisingly, this practice is not illegal unless it is being used to commit fraud or a conduct otherwise illegal activity.

Since the calls we receive have criminal intent, why arent they stopped? They are placed from countries where law enforcement is non-existent, lax or complicit. Since basically the calls are unstoppable, what can you do? Here are my recommendations:

 Dont pick up the phone unless caller ID displays a familiar number. Allow the calls to go to voice mail; Criminals rarely leave messages. If there is a message, check the caller number before returning the call.

 Use the call blocker technology that is available on most phones, is provided by your phone service company, or can be purchased. Most phones allow you to blacklist or block calls coming from specific phone numbers. For example, you dont want to spend time listening to your cousin Serenity, you can blacklist her number. I dont recommend doing this with all annoyance calls. Scammers generally use a number once and then go to another number. Blacklisting them only results in filling your available phone memory with numbers that will never be used to call you again.

 If answering the phone, listen for a distinct click on pickup or no sound at all. This is due to the call being routed through a computer. Hang up immediately.

 If you answer the phone, beware of calls in which you are immediately asked a seemingly innocent question such as How are you today? The call is likely generated through a form of artificial intelligence that is programmed with responses mirroring your answer. For example, you say Pretty good and the artificial voice responds Thats good to hear! If you are uncertain about the call, answer with a nonsensical statement, Im riding a purple dinosaur. Dont expect a response from the caller.

Another approach is to simply ask a question but dont expect an answer. These, for the most part are robocalls generated by computers. If you realize that this is the case, hang up. Robocalls are illegal unless you have given the caller advanced permission (e.g. a reminder call from your dentists office or a school day delay call).

 If you receive a call from a government or law enforcement agency demanding personal information, immediate payment, or threatening arrest, hang up and notify the agency of the imposter.

 Criminal impersonations are constant. If you answer a call from a bank, business, charity, or special program, tell the caller that you will call back. Ask for the name of the business, the reason for the call, and the name of the caller. If you decide to make a verification call, make sure you use a verifiable number (from a statement, credit card, or personal web search). The caller may say that you need to call a specific number he or she provides because it is a direct line. Dont use that number!

The constant telephone harassment can be stopped. It is created by technology that is available to all of us, including criminals. It can be addressed by technology available to telephone service providers. Contact your representative in Congress and senators urging them to sponsor appropriate legislation to require action and enlist the support of family members, friends and your community.
Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chairman of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
A recent Amazon search for devotionals revealed 90,000 options. Devotionals cover a wide spectrum of audiences, and are in print for women, men, teens, young women, couples, seniors, and more. But what are the pros and cons of devotionals?

Given the sheer number of available devotionals, we have to wonder what purpose they serve. Do people read the Bible along with devotionals, or do they read devotionals only? Do devotionals help or hinder the time we are to spend reading, meditating upon, and studying the Bible?

What Is a Devotional?

A devotional is usually a short, digital or printed book that Christians use for daily meditations. Devotionals range from weekly to yearly and may be undated or correspond to the calendar. They usually reference a Bible verse or passage and then expound on it so the reader can better relate to the lesson and apply what they learn. Devotionals also usually include a printed prayer.

Devotionals are said to help a person grow spiritually and encourage their faith as they go through lifes daily joys and struggles.

Why Do People Read Devotionals?

The reasons vary as to why people read or buy devotionals:

To supplement daily Bible reading

As a substitute for Bible reading

As a prayer guide

To investigate and respond to certain topics

To aid their understanding of the Bible

To follow a particular teachers view on Scripture

As part of Bible study curriculum homework

To investigate how to write one for publication

As a supplement to their daily worship

To use while discipling a new believer

As a gift to another

This list is not comprehensive, but it covers the main reasons people continue to use devotionals. Overall, devotionals can be a great aid to ones meditation upon Scripture. But we should remember, devotionals are meant to be an enhancement to Scripture, not a replacement.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Devotionals?

Pros

Devotionals can be a great source of inspiration and comfort to you. They can aid your requests and expectancies of the Lord regarding a certain issue youre facing, or drive you further into the Bible.

They can also increase your reliance on the Lord.

Devotionals can help in the midst of our busy lives. Life is messy, and there are certainly days where a person will find themselves running late. There are things you cant control. Maybe a family emergency comes up or a drastic, sudden change happened and now your mornings are eaten up. Perhaps theres a special event happening which is super-demanding. In these cases, a quick devotional can help feed the soul and get the mind centered on godly things before the chaos of life seeks to invade and distract a person from God. After all, some sustenance is much better than no sustenance at all.

Longer devotionals open up a broad spectrum of topics. These can familiarize us with some basics of Scripture and also delve into topics we havent yet considered.

Devotionals are very accessible in their simplicity and ease of understanding. If were honest, reading Scripture can at times be discouraging because many biblical passages can be difficult to understand. For a believer who earnestly desires to know Gods Word, it can certainly be frustrating when you dont know what a passage means. Devotionals can help tremendously by pointing believers to the truths affirmed in Scripture in a manner thats easy to understand.

This is a wonderful thing. However, given the elementary nature of many devotionals, hopefully a believer will eventually grow beyond the devotional and be better equipped to directly dig into Gods Word. A Christian who depends on short devotionals for the rest of their life is comparable to a grown-up who continues to eat baby food.

Cons

Reading the Bible is relational because it is Gods very Word to us. Losing sight of this and reading a devotional only and not the Bible will make Bible reading feel cold and impersonal when it really isnt. The Bible is the only written Word through which God speaks. Scripture alone holds this honor.

Devotionals should be a supplement and not a replacement for regular time in the Bible. God speaks with the highest esteem for His Own Word (Psalm 119). To substitute the pure Scriptures with the inferior and lesser writings of men is to show contempt for Gods Word. Yes, we learn from teachers. But a teacher is only worthwhile when they open the Scriptures to us and draw us deeper into the Bible. Nothing they produce can ever replace the Bible.

The mindset behind devotionals can concern us. One of the reasons devotionals are so popular is they are quick, easy, and convenient. Many devotionals are based on practicality and the idea that people just dont have time to read the Bible. They can cater to a lazy mentality of not doing the hard work of wrestling with the Scriptures.

In this way devotionals can actually foster contempt for Scripture. Why spend half an hour wrestling with Scripture when you can read a simple three-minute devotional of an easy-to-understand, predigested message? This can seem like a win-win. A person doesnt have to sacrifice any time out of their chaotic schedule, and they can feel like they tipped their hat to God because they read something religious.

What Should We Look for in a Devotional?

Devotionals can pervert the Scriptures in such a way that readers pay more attention to the word of the human author than they do the divine author.

If a devotional:

Doesnt expand your view and worship of the Lord Jesus

Doesnt drive you into the Bible

Adds or takes away from Scripture

Claims Jesus says something apart from His words as clearly written in the Bible

Doesnt increase your need for the Lord

Throw it out.

Devotionals which are written in the first person, as if God is speaking directly to the reader, are being presumptuous and are assigning to themselves a privilege and honor Scripture alone has. Regardless of whether the motives for such a style are good or not, this is a major concern and devotionals such as these should be avoided.

Christian devotionals should serve as a supplement to Bible reading, never a replacement. This does not mean people arent to be shown grace for days where they read only their devotional because they are pressed for time. Bible reading should not be approached or presented in a legalistic, burdensome manner. However, every Christian with personal access to Gods Word should make sure the Bible is the primary and dominant source to which they go.

7 Things to Ask Yourself before Starting a Devotional

We should read the Bible regularly. If we are reading a devotional more than the Bible, we need to ask ourselves:

Am I giving the Lord the attention He deserves?

Am I being lazy?

How am I growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through this devotional?

Does this devotional challenge me to be more like Jesus?

What is this devotional giving me that the Bible doesnt?

Why am I avoiding reading the Bible?

Am I satisfied with milk when the Lord calls me to the solid food of Scripture?

Devotionals (except for those listed above) can be wonderful tools to help us continue to grow in Christ. Quick, daily topics can help encourage us for the day ahead. Good ones are based directly on Scripture, but nothing can replace the power of the Bible. Have a look and be encouraged by these passages:

Deuteronomy 33:9

Psalm 119

John 17:6, 14, 17

Acts 4:29

Our charge as Christians is to prioritize the Bible as our premier intake of the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 tells us, Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. When we treasure Gods Word in our hearts, it stays there as one of our guards against sin. We are commanded to share the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16), and when we share the gospel with others, it comes straight from the Bible.

And so, enjoy good devotionals, but regard them for what they are, a human authors attempt to steer you to our glorious and perfect divine Author  the Lord Jesus Christ.

Photo credit: Getty Images/andreswd

Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers mentor and is part of a critique group. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis.
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H.E.L Group signs research agreement with the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai

March 14, 2025 | Friday | News

Collaboration with ICT Mumbai will focus on advancing process safety and chemical synthesis in India

H.E.L Group, a global developer and manufacturer of innovative laboratory tools for process optimisation, safety, and scale-up, has announced a research agreement with the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai to advance process safety in the chemical synthesis industry.

The three year strategic alliance will focus on H.E.Ls Process Safety Hub combined with ICT Mumbais academic leadership and research acumen in the field of chemical sciences, engineering and allied fields.

As part of the agreement, H.E.L will provide ICT Mumbai with a Simular Process Development Reaction Calorimeter, designed for applications including adiabatic calorimetry, autocatalysis, and batch and semi-batch reactors. By leveraging the derived thermodynamic and kinetic information of a reaction, the system enables optimization of process conditions, determination of safest conditions, and provides accurate and reliable measurements for precise process control.

The Simular Reaction Calorimeter will be installed in ICT Mumbais research lab, where it will be integrated into chemical synthesis workflows as part of the Institutes educational, mentoring and research programs enabling the development of safe processes to address real-world challenges.

Professor Virendra Rathod, former Head of Chemical Engineering at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, said: Process optimisation is a critical part of developing safe chemical synthesis workflows. H.E.Ls Simular Reaction Calorimeter offers a highly flexible approach to process development, making it applicable across many of our focus areas Integration of the system into our research and academic programmes, combined with access to H.E.Ls wider expertise in process safety, will be invaluable as we look to develop cutting edge solutions now and in the future.

Rajeev Kumria, General Manager, H.E.L India commented, Through this collaboration, we look forward to driving innovation and education in process safety, enabling development of efficient, safe chemical synthesis protocols, supporting both parties in our mission to increase focus on sustainability in the chemical technology industry."
George Institute for Global Health partners with ACCESS Health International to build workforce

March 14, 2025 | Friday | News

To build a healthier workforce, enhance health systems, and improve patient care quality

ACCESS Health International hosted the 3rd Annual Conclave of the Global Learning Collaborative for Health Systems Resilience (GLC4HSR) in New Delhi on 11th and 12th March 2025.

With the theme, Collaborative Learning to Coordinated Action: Policy and Practice for Resilient Health Systems, the conclave brought together global health leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss innovative strategies for strengthening health systems resilience.

With a global shortage of 18 million healthcare workers expected by 2030, concentrated in low and middle-income countries, the need for joint action is more required than ever. Challenges like stress, burnout, and mental health risks are affecting healthcare workers well-being, decision-making abilities, and work-life balance.

These challenges are more impacted by humanitarian crises, conflicts, pandemics, and ongoing problems like poor infrastructure and uneven access to healthcare. The conclave focused on resilience assessments, digital healthcare solutions, climate change impacts, and new funding strategies to address these concerns.

A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a strategic partnership between The George Institute for Global Health and ACCESS Health International. The two organizations are coming together through The Resilience Collaborative and the Global Learning Community for Health Systems Resilience (GLC4HSR) to advance health worker resilience at both systemic and individual levels.

A Collaborative Approach to Strengthening Healthcare Resilience, ACCESS Health International specialises in system-wide resilience, while The George Institutes The Resilience Collaborative emphasises on health worker well-being at an individual level and advances avenues to build on connections across systems for health. Through evidence-based approach, community engagement, and practitioner-oriented solutions, this collaboration aims to build a healthier workforce, enhance health systems, and improve patient care quality.
Social media giant Meta on Thursday announced it would begin testing its new "Community Notes" feature across its platforms on March 18, as it shifts away from third-party fact-checking toward a crowd-sourced approach to content moderation.

Meta's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the new system in January as he appeared to align himself with the incoming Trump administration, including naming a Republican as the company's head of public policy.

The change of system came after years of criticism from supporters of US President Donald Trump, among others, that conservative voices were being censored or stifled under the guise of fighting misinformation, a claim professional fact-checkers vehemently reject.

Meta has also scaled back its diversity initiatives and relaxed content moderation rules on Facebook and Instagram, particularly regarding certain forms of hostile speech.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking scheme.

The initiative, similar to the system already implemented by X (formerly Twitter), will allow users of Facebook, Instagram and Threads to write and rate contextual notes on various content.

Meta said approximately 200,000 potential contributors in the United States have already signed up across the three platforms.

The new approach requires contributors to be over 18 with accounts more than six months old that are in good standing.

During the testing period, notes will not immediately appear on content and the company will gradually admit people from the waitlist and thoroughly test the system before public implementation.

Meta emphasized that the notes will only be published when contributors with differing viewpoints agree on their helpfulness.

"This isn't majority rules," the company said.

Moreover, unlike fact-checked posts that often had reduced distribution, flagged content with Community Notes will not face distribution penalties.

Notes will be limited to 500 characters, must include supporting links and will initially support six languages commonly used in the United States: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese.

"Our intention is ultimately to roll out this new approach to our users all over the world, but we won't be doing that immediately," the company said.

"Until Community Notes are launched in other countries, the third party fact checking program will remain in place for them," it added.

Meta said that it would not be "reinventing the wheel" and will use X's open-source algorithm as the basis of its system.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month warned that the rollbacks to fact-checking and moderation safeguards were "reopening the floodgates" of hate and violence online.


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Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced significant concerns over a 30-day ceasefire proposal in the ongoing Ukraine war during a press conference on Thursday.

While technically "in favor" of the ceasefire, Putin stressed that there were unresolved "nuances" and "serious issues" that must be addressed before any agreement could move forward.

During the joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin outlined that any ceasefire must "lead to an enduring peace, and remove the root causes of this crisis," suggesting that Russia's broader security demands in Eastern Europe, particularly concerning Ukraine and the United States, remain a key factor in any negotiations.

Putin emphasized the importance of preventing any ceasefire from being exploited to rearm Ukraine for future conflict. "The ceasefire should not be used to rearm Ukrainians, mobilize more troops, and prepare for further confrontation," he said. He also raised concerns over practical issues, including the status of the Ukrainian "incursion" in Russia's Kursk region and how any potential violations would be monitored.

The Russian president indicated that he would need to discuss these unresolved issues with "our American colleagues and partners," suggesting a possible phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin praised the U.S. push for peace as "great and correct," but emphasized that many details still needed to be worked out before a ceasefire could be agreed upon.

The uncertainty surrounding the U.S. ceasefire proposal has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials. Volodymyr Omelyan, a major in the Ukrainian armed forces, told Al Jazeera that Putin's strategic goals have already collapsed. "His plans to capture Kyiv, Ukraine, and get NATO out of Eastern Europe have all collapsed," Omelyan stated. "Trump is doing a favor for Putin with the call for negotiations, because otherwise, I would say that Russia would stand for another year or so and then it would be a collapse of the whole Russian economy," he added.

Despite Putin's support for a ceasefire in principle, it remains clear that multiple critical issues must be resolved before any lasting peace can be achieved.
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The threat of US tariffs on alcoholic drinks from the EU is a very serious issue, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned.

The Taoiseach said Irish whiskey products had benefited from extraordinary growth in the US market, and that a tariff dispute could damage parts of the Irish economy.

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He warned Europe has to be strategic in how it responds in the tit-for-tat trade dispute with US president Donald Trump.

Irish whiskey has enjoyed an extraordinary growth into the American market, Mr Martin said on Friday.

Were going to engage strongly now with the Commission in respect of that issue, because it is a serious issue, not just for Ireland, but indeed for other European member states as well.

Mr Martin was speaking on the last full day of the annual US trip to Washington DC for St Patricks Day.

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The diplomatic event this year was overshadowed by the looming threat of an EU-US trade war.

There is heightened concern in Ireland that the new US administrations protectionist approach could pose a risk to an Irish economy which is significantly sustained by long-standing investment from US multinationals.

Micheal Martin speaking to the media in Washington DC. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

During a meeting with Mr Martin at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Trump both shared his love for Ireland and said Dublin is of course taking advantage of the US.

The US president said he does not want to do anything to hurt Ireland, but added that the trade relationship between the countries should be focused on fairness.

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As the Taoiseach met Mr Trump on Wednesday, the European Commission announced its retaliation against 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US.

Previously suspended tariffs would affect a range of US goods including boats, bourbon whiskey and motorbikes from April, it said.

Vice president JD Vance joins Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Mr Trump responded with the threat of a 200 per cent tax on imported alcoholic drinks from the EU, which has caused concern among the Irish drinks industry.

I think Europe has to be strategic in this, because Europe actually enjoys a surplus in these products, in terms of the trade in spirits, Mr Martin said.

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I stand to be corrected, but it could be a three-to-one in favour of the European Union products. So Europe needs to be strategic in terms of how it approaches this.

He added: None of this is easy, in the sense that once tariffs and counter tariffs start, its not good, and it can damage certain sectors of the economy.

Given the strength of Irish spirits in the market, that is a concern for us, and I know for other countries, they will have other products for whom it will be a big concern.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US president Donald Trump. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

In relation to domestic issues, Mr Martin also called for a step up in investment on artificial intelligence (AI) in Ireland as he said there needed to be less demonisation of data centres.

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Mr Martin said surges in AI created a requirement to have a more mature debate around data centres.

While acknowledging there are challenges in pursuing that goal in a way that is consistent with the Governments climate agenda, Mr Martin said significant numbers in Dail Eireann are completely disconnected from the reality of economic life.

He told reporters: I understand the data centre issue  its consuming huge amounts of energy and we have a problem between 2025 and 2030. I think our problems will ease with the offshore wind that will come on stream in significant critical mass in the early 2030s.

We can see where the end game or the promised land is in respect of offshore wind, and that would give us really a sufficiency of energy to deal with the AI revolution, to deal with the energy demands that would come from that.

He added: We have a challenge in the intervening period between 2025 and 2030, but I think we need to stop the demonisation of data centres.

Fridays engagements wrap up a week of diplomatic efforts in the US by Mr Martin, along with other Irish ministers, to coincide with St Patricks Day.

The Taoiseachs visit included a Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol and a breakfast meeting with JD Vance at the US vice-presidents official residence.

At the start of the week, he took part in a fireside chat at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Mr Martin attempted to emphasise the two-way nature of trade between Ireland and the US during the trip, as he sought to develop positive relations with the new US administration.

The biggest disruption of the trip came at the Ireland Funds gala dinner on Thursday night where members of the Burke family, Evangelical Christians from Co Mayo, briefly disrupted proceedings before being ejected from the venue.

Mr Martin also rejected comments reportedly made by Israels ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, who labelled the Taoiseach as antisemitic and commended Jewish leaders who cancelled a meeting with him.

Ireland EU needs strategic approach over alcohol tariff... Read More

Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East, the Taoiseach said.

After meeting the Jewish representative groups, Mr Martin travelled to offices of Enterprise Ireland client company Hanley Energy in Virginia.

Following a series of remaining private engagements in Washington, DC on Saturday, the Taoiseach will return to Ireland.
TV presenter Eamonn Holmes has said he is determined to have a life as he deals with constant pain due to ongoing back issues.

The Belfast-born broadcaster (65) has long battled issues after dislodging discs in his back which he said previously impinged on his sciatic nerve and affected the mobility of his right leg.

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He has opened up about going through spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and his struggles walking and using a mobility scooter.

In an Instagram post on Friday, the former This Morning host wrote: Even when The Sun shines theres pain. Sometimes I feel Ill never beat this disc immobility but Im determined to have a life .. so pray for me.

He also criticised what he called social media haters.

Holmes told The Sun newspaper in 2022 that his health problems caused issues in his marriage to then wife, Loose Women star Ruth Langsford.

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Even my own family are bored of my moaning, he said. It has caused some strain and Ruth is fed up of hearing about it and of me saying I cant walk the dog or tidy up, but I cant help it. Its agony.

ITV confirmed in November 2020 that Holmes and Langsford would be replaced on daytime programme This Morning by Dermot OLeary and Alison Hammond.

Last year, Langsford and Holmes announced their split, after tying the knot in 2010 following more than a decade of dating.

Entertainment Ruth Langsford extends leave from Loose Women amid... Read More

A spokesperson for the couple shared a statement, saying: Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.

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The former couple have one son, Jack, born in 2002.

According to the doctors, a slipped disc can cause numbness, lower back, leg and neck pain and muscle weakness, and can get better with rest and exercise.
A convicted rapist who had only been in Ireland for a few days before he raped, sexually assaulted and falsely imprisoned a young woman has been jailed for 10 years.

Randi Gladstone (41), formally from Guyana, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury earlier this year of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25th, 2023.

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Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. Gladstone has been in custody since August 2023.

Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said this offending has had a profound impact on the young woman and her family. He noted that she has suffered significant emotional distress and is nervous and anxious when out.

Judge McGrath agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that this offending falls in the 10 to 15 year sentencing category and said Gladstone preyed on this young vulnerable woman.

He said: This is a very serious offence with a considerable breach of trust. The defendant took advantage of this young woman's young age, vulnerability and inexperience.

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The judge rejected the defence claim that this was opportunistic and said Gladstones actions clearly show cunning and planning.

The judge said, I cannot ignore the defendants appalling previous convictions. He noted that Gladstone has no migrating factors except that he is a foreign national serving time in an Irish prison.

There is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence

Judge McGrath sentenced Gladstone to 10 years in prison and said, there is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence.

Judge McGrath said, I was particularly impressed in the manner in which the young woman gave her evidence and how she and her family approached the case.

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Detective Garda Carol Corrigan told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the victim, who was aged 18 at the time, had been staying in the accommodation for several days prior to the assault.

Gladstone had interacted with her and members of her family. On the day in question, the victim stood outside her hotel room dictating a message to her friend when Gladstone approached her. He asked her what she was doing and what age she was, and she told him she was 18.

The court heard that Gladstone asked the girl to step into his room so he could ask her something.

She did so but immediately knew something was not right. He asked her if she had a boyfriend and told her she was beautiful. He then asked her to hook up. She did not know what that meant, and when he explained it to her, she said no. He told her that he would take care of her and that he loved her.

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Det Gda Corrigan said Gladstone then asked if he could kiss her and also offered to give her money, and again she said no. The victim then went to leave, and Gladstone kissed her.

The girl then froze, and Gladstone began to kiss her body and unbuckle and remove her shorts and underwear. He told her to relax before digitally penetrating her and then raping her.

The court heard the young woman did not fight back due to fear. When Gladstone was finished, he told her, to come back later for more.

He then looked up and down the corridor before the young woman ran to her room. She took a shower in the dark and then called her mother and told her what happened. Her mother was extremely angry and confronted Gladstone, who denied all misconduct.

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A short time later, the young woman and her family visited St Vincent's Hospital. Some 30 minutes after the family left to attend the hospital, Gladstone appeared at reception looking anxious and nervous and enquired where the family had gone.

He then left the accommodation and, at 7.30 a.m. the following morning, bought a ferry ticket to the UK. However, he was unable to board the ferry as he was barred from entering the UK, and was refunded the cost of the ticket.

Gladstone was arrested a short time later. He was questioned but denied the allegations and said that the activity was consensual.

A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim's brother, which described the profound effects this crime has had on my life, my family and my future.

It describes the emotional stress, nightmares, depression and anger that the girl has suffered.

I would get so angry about every little thing. I wanted the pain I felt to be felt.

I hurt myself with a lighter for a while, but I still hurt inside. That was when I thought about not being alive anymore.

The statement concluded with the young woman saying she was grateful for justice and expressed her gratitude to the judge, jury, legal team and the gardai.

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The Director of Public Prosecutions placed this offence in the ten to 15 year bracket on the grounds of the young age of the woman, the breach of trust and the facts and nature of Gladstone's previous convictions.

Det Gda Corrigan agreed with John Peart SC, defending that Gladstones previous convictions for rape in the UK are from the same case and date back to 2001.

Mr Peart said his client still maintains that the activity was consensual. He said the injured party was not injured.

Counsel said his client is a foreign national, and serving time in an Irish prison would be difficult. He also said, I respectfully say that this falls below the ten-year level.
The square at Trinity College in Dublin's city centre was awash with coloured powder on Friday at students and the wider Indian community - along with others looking to join in - marked Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours.

Holi, celebrated worldwide as a symbol of spring, unity, and the triumph of good over evil, is a cherished occasion that brings together diverse communities through music, dance, and, of course, the iconic throwing of coloured powders.

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The "Rang de Trinity" event, hosted by the Trinity Indian Society at Front Square, Trinity College Dublin, on Friday, was open to students and the wider community.

Alongside the boisterous events in the square, Trinity also hosted events and talks to explain the background to the festival.

For those seeking a more family-friendly celebration, the VHCCI Holi Festival of Colours takes place on Saturday at the Adamstown Youth & Community Centre in Lucan.

Running from 11:30am to 2:30pm, the event will feature vegetarian Indian cuisine, music, plus the usual Holi array of coloured powders. Attendees are encouraged to dress in full-sleeve attire and wear protective eyewear for a safe and fun experience.

(LtoR) Ananya, Nidhi, Arya and Evanka join Trinity College Indian Society and friends

The tradition of using coloured powder, known as "gulal," during Holi is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and cultural practices, symbolising joy, love, and the celebration of life.

The festival's origins can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology and agricultural traditions, symbolising the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

Beyond its religious roots, Holi heralds the end of winter and the start of a fruitful harvest season. It serves as a joyful occasion to forgive past grievances, foster unity, and welcome new beginnings.
A father has been jailed and his wife is awaiting sentencing in a multigenerational insurance claim fraud.

Patrick Lawrence (54), his wife Eileen (52), and sons Tom (24) and John (26), who were children at the time, made personal injury claims for road traffic accidents and falls using false names on dates between 2010 and 2016. The family all have addresses at Moyglas Glade, Lucan in Dublin.

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The family instructed solicitors, attended doctors and swore affidavits using the false identities in order to pursue the claims. Most of the claims were unsuccessful but a number were paid out.

The offending came to light after an insurance company hired a private investigator.

Another member of the family, grandmother Winnifred Lawrence (74) was jailed last year for three-and-a-half years with the final 18 months suspended for making similar claims between 2012 and 2014. She had fraudulently received 23,150 after legal expenses for her claims.

Patrick Lawrence pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2013 and 2018. Eileen Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2010 and 2016.

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Tom Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of attempted deception in 2016, while his brother John Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2014 and 2016.

Judge Martin Nolan said Patrick Lawrence had his difficulties but he was satisfied that he knew right from wrong. He acknowledged his medical and mental health issues but said this was serious wrongdoing which merited a prison sentence. He imposed two years' imprisonment.

He noted that Tom and John Lawrence were children at the time and there was some evidence they were used as conduits and under pressure to some degree to commit the crimes.

The judge said they were now getting on well and it would be unjust to imprison them. He imposed one-year suspended sentences on both men.

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In relation to Eileen Lawrence, Judge Nolan said there was no doubt she was involved in a serious way in the offending and he thought she did deserve to go to prison. He said the only thing stopping him was the effect her imprisonment would have on third parties.

The court had heard she was the glue that holds the family together and had a caring role for family members with additional needs.

He said he would reflect over the weekend on Eileens case and impose sentence on Monday.

Detective Garda Ivor Scully of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that the family had submitted the personal injury claims under false names to disguise the fact that they had all made previous claims and not to draw attention to the claims.

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He outlined that some of the claims were paid out but the majority were not successful.

He said one insurance company engaged a private investigator to look into certain claims and the investigator took photos of the family attending medical appointments under their false names.

Gardai were alerted and the investigation unearthed correspondence from the false identities at the accused persons' address and claim money paid into a bank account of one member of the family.

The family were arrested and interviewed in 2019.

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Patrick Lawrence made four false claims under two false names for road traffic accidents and falls, with just one claim successfully resulting in pay out of 9,370. He has six previous convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Eileen Lawrence made five claims under two false identities. Only one claim was successful, with 15,000 being paid out to her in 2014. Another claim was withdrawn after she was identified in court by gardai. Eileen Lawrence has no previous convictions.

Tom Lawrence made an unsuccessful claim for a trip and fall in 2016 under a false name. He was 16 years old at the time. He has convictions for road traffic offences and theft.

John Lawrence made four claims under false names, with one being successful and netting a pay out of 6,155 in 2015. John was also under 18 at the time of the offending. He has convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Roderick OHanlon SC, defending Patrick Lawrence, said his client had a number of medical and mental health issues, which required medication and occasional hospitalisations. He handed in medical reports and said he was vulnerable to severe deterioration in his mental health.

He said his client regrets the offending and has not re-offended since. He asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, which avoided a potentially difficult trial having to take place.

John Berry SC, defending Eileen Lawrence, said his client was the glue that holds the family together and was the primary carer for a son with additional needs. He handed in letters from multiple agencies outlining her sons difficulties and her caring role in relation to him.

He said she also had a caring role in relation to her husband and other family members.

Mr Berry said regarding her mother-in-laws offending, it was possible that Eileen had seen what she was doing, thought that she could do similar and it opened a door for her into this type of crime.

He asked the court to take into account the need for stability for family members she cares for.

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Hugh Hartnett SC, defending Tom Lawrence, asked the court to take into account that he was 16 years old at the time. He is now married and a father himself. Counsel handed in medical references.

The garda agreed with Mr Hartnett that his client would not have had the guile or intelligence to set up the fraud himself as he was a child at the time. He was interviewed and made admissions.

Maurice Coffey SC, for John Lawrence, submitted his client was also a minor at the time of the offending and may have been used as a conduit. He said his client was not the brains of the operation and followed instructions.

He said his client has also married and settled down. His daughter has some medical issues.
A leading addiction specialist and consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist has expressed concern that cannabinoid product Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) remains legal in this country.

HHC is available in vapes  also known as e-cigarettes  and edibles, which can include gummy bears or cake.

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It is a chemically modified or semi-synthetic version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis, with effects similar to THC in cannabis plants. It first emerged in Europe in 2022.

Dr Bobby Smyth told The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk that HHC is being used by a growing minority of young people who seem to buy it with impunity.

There is zero regulations or rules around its content, who can sell it, who can buy it. Its completely unregulated. It has been on sale for the last year and a half," he said.

Dr Smyth said he and his colleagues have been worried about the damage being caused by HHC for well over a year.

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My main job is in adolescent addiction services. HHC just began featuring as a component part of lots of presentations within our service back in 2023.

"At this stage, its probably on the list of problem substances for about 20, 25 per cent of the young people attending the service - and thats the same nationally. Its been that way pretty much, I guess, for the last year or so," he said.

"Young people attend our services (adolescent addiction services) because they have lost control of their relationship with whatever drug they are using. Normally, that is cannabis. It can be alcohol. But it is HHC now with increasing frequency. We deal with HHC addiction issues way more commonly than, say, cocaine issues in the adolescent age group.

Dr Smyth said that the drug needs to be banned in this country.

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I dont have a good answer to that (why it isnt banned in Ireland). There is two mechanisms by which it could be banned in Ireland. It could simply be added to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which bans most other illegal drugs.

"Lots of European countries have certainly already taken that step. The other piece of legislation we have in Ireland is called the Psychoactive Substances Act; its actually a criminal offence to sell a psychoactive drug - whether or not its listed in that act.

Given that this drug has been advertised by its sellers as having similar effects to THC - which is the active drug in cannabis  they are advertising it as having psychoactive effects, why that legislation wasnt used, Im not really sure. This is sold in high street stores."

Dr Smyth said that the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is meeting this week in Vienna with HHC being one of the issues on the agenda.

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I saw a press release which said that HHC has now been added to Schedule 2 of the list of prohibited substances. What that means is Governments who sign up to the UN Convention on Drugs will now be required to ban it basically.

"What is frustrating and disappointing is that I thought we had a reactive and responsive system already in Ireland," Dr Smyth said.

But it hasnt worked on this occasion, and young peoples lives have been damaged. Its now the second most common cause of drug-induced psychosis in Ireland and has been for the last year or so. So, second to cannabis. So again it is causing more episodes of psychosis that require hospital admission than say cocaine.

Dr Smyth said that HHC can derail the normal development of the brain in young people.

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So for some young people that can tip them into a psychosis. There has been a disconnect from the concern that doctors have been expressing quite loudly for a year. It is not doctors have been quiet about the problems we are seeing.

"It is just that the powers that be seem to be waiting for someone else to make a decision. It has been frustrating to watch.

Meanwhile, in February 2024, a Sinn Fein representative asked then-Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly for an update on legislation pertaining to the use and supply of products containing HHC.

Speaking in the Dail, Mr Donnelly said that HHC was first identified in Europe in May 2022 and was put under intensive monitoring at the end of that year by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA ).

Early warning in Ireland is co-ordinated by the EMCDDA National Focal Point and the Early Warning, Emerging Trends (EWET) working group chaired by the Department of Health. EWET continues to monitor the emergence and use of this substance in Ireland.

"HHC has been reported as a drug of concern by HSE and adolescent service providers. HHC can be contained in vaping products. There is growing concern on the potential impact of using this substance on young peoples mental health, including the possible link with psychosis. Young people report adverse effects such as loss of consciousness after use," Mr Donnelly said.

"The HSE will add content about HHC to its website, drugs.ie. Evidence in relation to harms associated with HHC will be carefully monitored, and appropriate responses will be considered.

Mr Donnelly said that the HSE will continue to liaise with the EMCDDA and the Early Warning and Emerging Trends (EWET) group for further direction on this substance.

This is an area currently being monitored by the HSE and the EU Drug Agency as there is limited information on the health impact of this substance.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has utterly rejected claims that he is antisemitic.

It came after reports that the Israeli ambassador to the US had labelled him an antisemite.

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Mr Martin is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Jewish community in the US in Washington DC on Friday as part of his engagements in the city for St Patricks Day.

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter reportedly told Jewish Insider that anyone who cancelled their meeting with the Taoiseach should be commended.

Asked about the comments on Friday, Mr Martin said: In terms of the assertions by the Israeli ambassador to the United States, theyre false and I utterly reject what he has to say.

A number may pull out, but some are coming to meet me, and I will take the opportunity to have an open, informal discussion in terms of presenting the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East.

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He said the vast majority of countries back a two-state solution in the region.

He added: It is the UN position, and Ireland has always adopted the principles of the UN in respect to the Middle East. Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East issue.

I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin announced it would close last year. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA

He said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

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I went to Israel after October 7th in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

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It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.

Senior figures in Israels government have accused leaders in the Government of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin also announcing last year that it would close.

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Israeli politicians have also criticised the States decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

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In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who now serves as Tanaiste as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin's Fianna Fail, has rejected the characterisation.
A judge has directed the Probation Services to carry out an assessment of a man who attempted to abduct a five-year-old child from an apartment building in Dublin last September.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the boys older sister managed to push Visak Rajesh Leela (26) away from her brother before both children ran away.

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Leela, with an address in South Dublin, pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction on September 14th last from an apartment block in Dublin.

The defendant told gardai he did not remember the incident as he was intoxicated after attending a party. He said that he did not know why he ran after the child and pushed him out of the building. However, he suggested that perhaps he thought that he knew the children.

After hearing the facts of the case on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to Friday when he directed the preparation of a report by the Probation Services.

'Troubling aspects' to case

The judge said there were troubling aspects to the case, and the court required the preparation of the report, which includes an assessment of Leela's risk of re-offending.

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He adjourned the case to April 28th, and remanded Leela on bail to that date.

Garda Laura McDermott told his sentence hearing on Thursday that Leela was leaving a party at the apartment block at nine oclock that evening, when he encountered two children, playing outside their block.

The children then went inside and the defendant signalled for the young boy to let him inside, which he did. Leela then ran after the child and pulled him towards the door. He managed to then push the boy out the door. Footage of this incident was shown to Judge Nolan.

Gda McDermott explained that the boys sister ran out after her little brother and managed to push the defendant in the back into bushes. This was not captured on the CCTV footage, but came to light during the girls specialist interviews.

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The children then returned to the doorway, and the footage showed the defendant following them and crouching down to speak to them.

The girl buzzed her parents and the children managed to get inside, return home and tell their parents what had happened. Within minutes, CCTV footage was obtained from the security hut and gardai arrived.

Party at apartment complex

Gardai ascertained that Leela had attended a party at the apartment complex; the party host phoned him and suggested he return and he did so.

Gda McDermott said that when the defendant returned, he was steady on his feet, did not slur his words, there was no smell of alcohol and she did not believe he was intoxicated.

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However, she agreed that a doctor did suspend his detention for a number of hours after finding he was intoxicated.

Leela told gardai that he couldnt remember the incident, but accepted that it was him in the footage. He explained that hed had one ounce of Jameson and three shots of Jager over several hours.

He told them that he was from India, and had come here in October 2023 on a student visa. He was due to complete his MBA at Dublin Business School and he also worked part time.

A victim impact statement prepared by the children's parents was handed to the court and not read aloud.

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Under cross examination by the defence, Gda McDermott agreed that this was a short incident and that the children returned to their parents within minutes.

She also agreed that gardai had never asked him to return to the scene, and that when he did so, he wasnt wearing any shoes.

What did he say when you asked him why he did it? asked the judge.

He couldnt remember why he had done it, she replied. He said he was thinking of his relatives and cousins back home.

The court also heard that Leela voluntarily handed over his phone and other devices, which were analysed and returned to him, with no material found.

His barrister told the court that although four drinks might not seem a lot, his client never drinks.

Hes of the belief that he thought he might have known these children, he said. When he sobered up and was told what he did, he had the shock of his life.

Counsel explained that his parents live in Qatar and that he has no siblings, and he does not come from any means.

However, he has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Marketing. He had also lined up in a MSC in Marketing, and is devastated that he will now not be able to pursue that.

Counsel said that he had spent three months in custody following this incident and that his mental health is in dire straits.

Hes on his own house arrest, he said, explaining that Leela doesnt go out and spends his time in his bedroom. That is his safe space.

He was bullied and assaulted in custody, he continued. Threats have been made against his life. He has found this a very tough challenge. He doesnt see much of a future.

Counsel said that the defendant has a plan to deal with a psychologist in Qatar.

He has been struggling to eat since, he said, explaining that his parents had to sell their ceremonial wedding garments to help him financially.

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He cant sleep with the remorse and pain, he said. He says that two minutes of a mistake he made has ruined his life.

Counsel said that Leela offers his sincere apologies to the parents and the children involved. He doesnt know if hell move on with his life, said counsel, but he hopes they will.

Counsel said that Leela has no family here. His uncle arrived once to see him, but he has told his family not to come, as he doesnt want to put his hardship on them.

He had a whole life planned ahead of him in Ireland, which is now gone, he said. If the court gives him the chance, hell be on a plane tomorrow He fully accepts that his life in Ireland is over.
A man who rented out properties across rural Ireland under false pretences and used them as brothels was found with child abuse material on his phone when he was arrested at Dublin Airport.

Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro (54) was arrested by investigating gardai from the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit when he returned to Ireland from his native Brazil after a period of time abroad, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

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Ribeiro, of Rua Nely Augusta Gomes, Goais, Brazil, had been under investigation after a number of rental properties being used as brothels around the country were linked to him, along with nearly 800,000 in proceeds of crime across multiple Irish bank accounts.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 19 sample counts, including using false instruments, inducing landlords to rent properties to him, and possession of the proceeds of crime.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on his phone when he was arrested at Dublin Airport on November 16th, 2023.

The offending on the 60-count indictment spanned from 2010 to 2023, the court heard. Ribeiro has been in custody since his arrest.

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Detective Garda Vanessa Stafford of the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the charges against Ribeiro were part of a wider investigation after two women came forward to gardai with allegations of trafficking.

These two women identified some rental properties around rural Ireland which were being used as brothels while others were linked to Ribeiro's email address and phone number, the court heard.

When investigating gardai knocked on the doors of some of these properties, the women who answered identified themselves as sex workers, the court heard.

Gardai linked 10 rental properties to Ribeiro, who used a different name from a fake Italian passport and fake utility bills to rent out the property from unsuspecting landlords and, in one case, a property agent.

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The court heard the landlords told gardai that they would never have rented the property to Ribeiro if they had known what it would be used for.

The properties which were used as brothels were located in Longford town, Kildare town, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, Ballymahon in Co Longford, Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, Carrick on Shannon in Co Leitrim, and Tullow, Co Carlow. A further two were located in Roscommon town.

The properties were rented out for varying periods of time between 2018 and 2023.

Bank accounts in Ribeiro's name or under his control were forensically analysed and found to contain a total of 788,982 which was deemed to be the proceeds of crime.

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The court heard Ribeiro was out of the country for some years between 2021 and 2023, but was arrested upon flying back in November 2023.

The child abuse material on his phone comprised nine images and 16 videos, mostly of pre-pubescent girls and boys being made to engage in sexual activity with adults.

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, told the court his client arrived in the country in 2009.

The case was adjourned to March 21st, when a plea of mitigation is expected to be heard.
Inside Airbnb data indicates that 20,000 homes are being advertised as short-term lets across Ireland whilst just 2,300 homes are available nationwide in the private rental market, according to the housing charity Threshold.

Inside Airbnb collects and collates figures from around the world from the popular lettings and homestays website.

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Threshold says that the most recent data from Inside Airbnb goes back three months. At that time the number of properties listed in Ireland, excluding home share listings, was 20,176.

While hosts can short-let a principal private residence for 90 days without a change in use in planning permission, there are almost 8,000 full properties on the popular short stay website, where the host operates more than one property.

Threshold said that this compares to figures by Daft.ie last month, which showed that there were less than 2,300 homes advertised to privately rent nationwide.

In addition, in 2024 there were only 167 requests for change of use planning permission to local authorities in the 26 counties combined  which is legally required for properties operated as short-term lets of more than 90 days a year.

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Threshold is asking the Government to urgently pass legislation to create a register of short-term lets to ensure the return of some of these homes to long-term use, without further delay.

Meanwhile, Threshold chief executive John-Mark McCafferty said the bottom line is that many homes could be brought back to the long-term market.

Existing planning regulations are not enforced and short-term let regulations are not yet passed into law.

"This is resulting in thousands of homes being advertised for short-term lets in this lucrative market, while the housing and rental crisis escalates nationwide. This is within the Governments gift to solve.

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Even though Failte Ireland has created the infrastructure for a register of short-term lets, the Government is yet to pass the legislation to bring the short-term market into line with the rest of the hospitality sector.

"Given this, and an EU Directive that must be applied by next year, what is the issue here? Its a straightforward measure that could free up much needed housing.

Dublin has the highest number of hosts who have at least two full properties for short term lets  with 856 hosts advertising 2,287 properties. Cork is the second highest county where this is the case, with 312 hosts advertising 616 properties.

Mr McCafferty said that issue is particularly acute in Galway where 292 hosts are advertising 1,009 properties across the city and county. Waterford had 83 hosts advertising 185 properties, while Limerick had 53 hosting with 97 properties lists.

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A deeper dive of this Inside Airbnb data by Threshold shows that one couple who are described as private hosts has 189 live listings.

A private individual host had 92 live listings  with one for example, a three-bed home in Ranelagh in June for two weeks, at a cost of 3,885. Another individual private host in Dublin 24 was advertising a 3-bed home, from Saturday March 15th to March 22nd, 2025 for 1,330 with a 7-day minimum stay.

Mr McCafferty added that the government claims housing is the number one issue.

And yet directly under their noses is a way in which to address that, and free up some of the huge pressure in the housing market  yet they keep kicking this issue down the road. We need action now to address this important issue.

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In an emailed statement, Airbnb said the data is not reflective of what the company sees on its platform.

A spokesperson said a typical host in Ireland shares one home for less than four nights a month and nearly nine in 10 entire home hosts share only one listing.

"The majority of listings are outside Dublin and part of the rural tourism economy, and almost half of hosts say the extra income helps them afford to stay in their home.

"While Airbnb is not the cause of longstanding housing challenges, we will continue to work with the Government as it looks to bring in new regulation. We have long called for Ireland to introduce proportional short-term let rules, including a host register, that protect the families, communities, and businesses that depend on tourism.
A six-year-old autistic boy who was finally promised a place at a national school has had to return to pre-school because of what his parents say is an apparent delay in providing a modular classroom to hold 12 extra pupils.

Germaine and Alan Colgan were relieved and elated when their son Daniel was enrolled at Danu Special Community School in Dublin's Blanchardstown, after spending two years searching for an available place.

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However, the six-year-old who is pre-verbal and has autism with additional needs, had to return to pre-school due to what they believe is an apparent delay in the provision of the modular classroom.

"Last September, I was anxiously waiting for that phone call which never came, to tell me that a place had been found," said Germaine.

"Before the election, the government promised that every child would have an appropriate school place. This now just seems like another empty promise to families with children with additional needs that we are sick of hearing.

"If you don't send a child to school, Tusla would usually be knocking down the door demanding to know why they are not at school, but it's okay to stay at home or be without an adequate school place if they have a disability.

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"Alan and I were overjoyed when Daniel was offered a place at Danu and enrolled last year. It was explained to us that they could offer 12 more places at the school as they were told by the Department of Education that a modular classroom would be put in place and we believed this would be within a few months.

Alan and Germaine Colgan

"We went to a parent meeting with the school last week so excited in thinking that we were going to get a start date. We thought all our birthdays had come together. Instead we were told that nothing is happening. Not a shovel has been put into the ground.

"The school has been brilliant and so supportive, but the delay as I understand it is with the Department.

"I am devastated. Daniel will be seven in May and he needs to be in a proper school place. Instead, we had to put him back in an autism specific pre-school which was so good to take him for what I thought would be temporary.

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"He is a forever pre-schooler at the moment.

"I just feel these places were given to the school as a pre-election ploy to shut us up. Why is it that modular homes can be built in no time for other reasons, but not for our children and if there is no funding, where is the nine million euro coming from for these school pouches?

"Education is a basic right and that's all we want for our son. His basic rights. But it is a constant battle to get him even that.

"Every year it is the same story. Special needs families have to take to the streets to protest that there aren't enough adequate places for their children. There needs to be a proper plan put in place because we are not going away. We will continue to fight for all our children's rights"

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According to the DDLETB (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board) : ""As Patron of Danu Community Special School, DDLETB is pleased to support the expansion of special education provision, increasing the school's capacity to 48 students.

"The Department of Education has appointed a project manager for the delivery of a new large two-story modular under the Department's Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.

"The project is currently in the pre-construction phase. This is a priority project for the Department of Education and DDLETB.

"The NCSE is actively engaging with parents to extend current school placements, while the Patron and school staff are preparing to welcome the new students.

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"DDLETB remains committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive education while ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive both academically and socially."

In a statement, the Department of Education said plans for a permanent purpose-built educational facility for children with special educational needs in the Blanchardstown area is at an early stage of developed design and until the project is at a stage where statutory approvals are secured, it is difficult to provide timings or phases for construction and delivery.

"For the immediate need, the school was approved for the provision of a new large two-storey modular under the Department's Devolved Educational Needs (SEN) Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme and the project is currently in delivery

"This programme involves the use of Project Management supports, which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.

The school authority has received their 1st tranche of funding and this project is currently in the pre-construction stage. The assigned Project Manager will keep the School Authority updated regularly as the project progresses. "
Health officials were privately anxious over a mass rebellion to Irelands smoking ban, the Taoiseach has said.

Ireland became the first country to implement a workplace smoking ban in 2004 during Micheal Martins time as health minister.

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Now Taoiseach, Mr Martin counts the ban as among his proudest achievements.

However, he has revealed there was a lot of anxiety around introducing the measure.

Mr Martin made the remarks while being interviewed by US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Clark in Washington DC.

He said: Many years ago, we managed to bring in a smoking ban into Ireland. I was Minister for Health at the time.

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As New York state had implemented a similar measure one year prior, he met with then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his health officials.

Because theyd done the New York equivalent, we asked what would they do if they were doing it all over again?

And they said: We wouldnt have worried as much.

Because we were really worried  youre sort of saying what happens if theres mass rebellion?

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He added: So privately, there was a lot of anxiety. So they say they wouldnt have worried as much.

The second thing they said was: What are you doing on compliance? And they said: Youve got to prepare your compliance piece.

Mr Martin said his officials didnt actually have a plan for compliance at the time.

He said it was a simple example of where the sharing of knowledge can make a success story out of something.

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Ultimately, Mr Martin said the implementation of the smoking ban was well received by the public.
Friday's front pages focus on a range of stories from the Government not opening new asylum seeker accommodation centres in certain parts of the country to Irish whiskey producers fearing job losses over possible US tariffs.

The Irish Times reports the Government has stopped opening new asylum seeker accommodation centres in certain parts of the country, including north inner-city Dublin, due to local and political feedback,

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The Irish Examiner reports Ireland's Whiskey industry said jobs, investments and businesses are at risk if tariffs are implemented by the US.

The Echo report on over 100 prisoners waiting for addiction services in Cork prisons.

Friday's front page pic.twitter.com/Zp5d7KIGvg  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) March 13, 2025

Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/i2a6ko1g0o  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) March 14, 2025

British Prime Minister Keir Starmers decision to abolish NHS England takes centre stage on several of Fridays front pages.

The Guardian, Metro and the Financial Times splash on the Prime Ministers plans to slash bureaucracy and bring the health systems management back into democratic control.

The Guardian: Streeting scraps NHS England in

high-stakes push to improve care #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/2v4UpPExYa  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 13, 2025

 Tomorrows Papers Today



Starmers shock NHS takeover

 PM targets flabby, unfocused quangos#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/UXfTdexnSn  Metro (@MetroUK) March 13, 2025

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Friday 14 March https://t.co/5XnNkX534n pic.twitter.com/sLeDImhUds  Financial Times (@FT) March 13, 2025

Meanwhile, the i Paper labels the move as an NHS revolution, while the Independent calls Sir Keirs decision astonishing.

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#TomorrowsPapersToday - Independent



PM's bonfire of the bureaucrats: NHS England scrapped



Support journalism - #buyapaper

More newspapers at: https://t.co/GfQBHXDwjj pic.twitter.com/tlcuHOsPXh  The Sentinel Current (@sentinelcurrent) March 13, 2025

The Daily Mails front page celebrates the end of what it calls the worlds biggest quango in a bid to improve care.

Daily Mail: FINALLY! PATIENTS TO BE PUT BEFORE

NHS BUREAUCRATS #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/BDgTGocLxZ  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 13, 2025

The Times and Daily Telegraph report Vladimir Putin has told Donald Trump he would be open to the idea of a ceasefire deal, but would only agree to it on his own terms.

The front page of Friday's Daily Telegraph:



'Peace on my terms, warns Putin'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/STEL0q57Kk  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 14, 2025

The Times: Putin backs ceasefire in

Ukraine but on his terms #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/e2FSuZ1s1D  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 13, 2025

But the Daily Express says the Russian leader has warned there are nuances to him backing the 30-day ceasefire proposal.

Daily Express: PUTIN: I WILL AGREE TRUCE BUT ONLY

ON MY TERMS #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/dTQB8oPwEd  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 13, 2025

The Daily Mirror leads on an appeal from the family of stabbing victim Elianne Andam, who have begged teenagers to put the knives down.

Lastly, the Daily Star alleges AI chatbots cannot tell the time.
A woman who was repeatedly raped by her uncle when she was a little girl, Thursday, called on the State to electronically tag him and other known sex offenders order to protect children from them.

Sonya Stokes told a demonstration held at City Hall on Thursday evening, that her paedophile uncle Joseph Hogan, and all other convicted sex offenders, should be housed on Spike Island, a former island prison located off the Cork coast, to prevent them harming other victims.

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Hogan, (71), Rose Court, Keyes Park, returned to Stokes native Treaty City after he was freed from prison last Thursday, after serving a ten-year sentence for raping her over a four-year period, from 1984-1988.

Ms Stokes, who presently lives in Portaloise, said she returns to Limerick three days-a-week providing support to other victims of sexual abuse.

Seeing or bumping into Hogan in the street in their home city fills her with dread and more trauma, Ms Stokes explained.

Calling on law makers to make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to live or work in the same city, town, village or area as were their victims reside or work, Ms Stokes said: I should feel safe in my home town, and I dont want to be booking into a hotel and meet him in a lift while Im in there, because I cant say what my reaction would be.

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I, as the victim, should not be put in that position and I should not have to fight this fight.

Speaking out is my duty to protect other children, and the State needs to make this change and thats the bottom line.

[caption id="attachment_1740336" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo: Brendan Gleeson[/caption]

Ms Stokes said that, after his release from jail, Hogan was initially residing at a Limerick hotel, where vulnerable women and children were staying.

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She said Hogan vacated the hotel after she informed the premises about his horrific child sex crimes. Hogans last known whereabouts were in a building located very near a school.

I spoke with the manager, who was flabbergasted. He (Hogan) was booked into the hotel under a different name. Its just not acceptable, its just not good enough, said Ms Stokes.

There are a number of convicted sex offenders, including several convicted paedophiles, living in Limerick City, however Ireland, unlike other countries does not have a publicly accessible sex offenders register.

In 2015 Hogan was jailed for 15 years after a jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty of raping Ms Stokes when she was a child. What the jury did not know at the time was that Hogan had previous convictions in 1973 and 1974, in Ireland and in England, for indecently assaulting young girls.

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Ms Stokes was accompanied at Thursdays protest by fellow Limerick woman, Leona OCallaghan, who was raped by Patrick Whacker ODea, Pike Avenue, Limerick, when she was 13; and by Shaneda Daly, Shannon, Co Clare, who as a child was raped daily by her prison officer father, Harry Daly.

Ms Stokes said: This is very important to me and other victims. My happiest days were when he (Hogan) was locked up, and now he is out and living in Limerick and I am not even sleeping.

Ok, he is out and he is entitled, as a human, to live somewhere, but he should not have his freedom in our home town, he should not have rights to live in the same town where he offended.

To prevent paedophiles going underground if outed, Ms Stokes said: Put them in an institution, open up the likes of Spike Island and put them there, they shouldnt be around a school or a creche.

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Ireland Girl injured in Dublin stabbing communicating on... Read More

Last night he (Hogan) was spotted in a premises across the road from where I go when I come into Limerick every week.

Calling for a change in the law, Ms Stokes said: Enough is enough, what is happening is wrong, it is just wrong.

Ms Stokes also called for increased garda supervision of known sex offenders.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Iran increasingly relies on electronic surveillance and the public to inform on women refusing to wear the countrys mandatory headscarf, a United Nations report found.

The investigation comes as hard-liners in Iran push for harsher penalties on those protesting against the law in the wake of Mahsa Aminis death in 2022.

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The findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran come after it determined last year that the countrys theocracy was responsible for the physical violence that led to the death of Ms Amini.





The @UN Fact-Finding Mission on #Iran said in a new report today that the Government continues to ramp up efforts to restrict the rights of women, girls and others demanding human rights, as part of a concerted effort to crush dissent.



 https://t.co/4gyLTLRiuw #HRC58 pic.twitter.com/dUX3v1pVDe  UN Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) March 14, 2025

Her death in Tehran led to nationwide protests against the countrys mandatory hijab laws and public disobedience against them that continues even today, despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment.

The report said: Two and a half years after the protests began in September 2022, women and girls in Iran continue to face systematic discrimination, in law and in practice, that permeates all aspects of their lives, particularly with respect to the enforcement of the mandatory hijab.

The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility.

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UN investigators outlined how Iran increasingly relies on electronic surveillance. Among the efforts include Iranian officials deploying aerial drone surveillance to monitor women in public places.

At Tehrans Amirkabir University, authorities installed facial recognition software at its entrance gate to also find women not wearing the hijab, it said.



Mahsa Aminis death in 2022 sparked outrage and protests around the world (Alamy/PA)

Surveillance cameras on Irans major roads also are believed to be involved in searching for uncovered women.

UN investigators said they obtained the Nazer mobile phone app offered by Iranian police, which allows the public to report on uncovered women in vehicles, including ambulances, buses, metro cars and taxis.

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Users may add the location, date, time and the licence plate number of the vehicle in which the alleged mandatory hijab infraction occurred, which then flags the vehicle online, alerting the police, the report said.

It then triggers a text message (in real-time) to the registered owner of the vehicle, warning them that they had been found in violation of the mandatory hijab laws, and that their vehicles would be impounded for ignoring these warnings.



Enforcement of hijab laws have been dialled up (AP)

Those text messages have led to dangerous situations. In July 2024, police officers shot and paralysed a woman who activists say had received such a message and was fleeing a checkpoint near the Caspian Sea.

Ms Aminis death sparked months of protests and a security crackdown that killed more than 500 people and led to the detention of more than 22,000 others.

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After the mass demonstrations, police dialled down enforcement of hijab laws, but ramped it up again in April 2024 under what authorities called the Noor  or Light  Plan.

At least 618 women have been arrested under the Noor Plan, the UN investigators said, citing a local human rights activist group in Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran executed at least 938 people last year, a threefold increase from 2021, the UN said.

While many were convicted of drug charges, the report said the executions indicate a nexus with the overall repression of dissent in this period.

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As Iran continues its crackdown over the hijab, it also faces an economic crisis over US sanctions due to its rapidly advancing nuclear programme.

While US President Donald Trump has called for new negotiations, Iran has yet to respond to a letter he sent to its 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Social unrest, coupled with the economic woes, remain a concern for Irans theocracy.
More Andrew Tate podcasts could be removed from Spotify after the streaming platform took down content about pimping hoes, the PA news agency understands.

Several of Tates podcasts were recently removed from the audio streaming service including a pimping hoes degree course, although others remain available, such as a podcast on how to get girls fast and easy.

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The move comes days after prosecutors in England said triple killer Kyle Clifford searched for one of the controversial social media influencers podcasts less than 24 hours before he murdered his ex-partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother Carol Hunt.

Tate, alongside his brother Tristan Tate, is facing criminal proceedings in both Romania and the UK on charges such as human trafficking and rape  which both men unequivocally deny  and a criminal investigation has recently been launched into the pair in Florida.

According to technology website 404 Media, the pimping hoes podcast disappeared after Spotify employees raised concerns about the streaming giant hosting Tates content on a company Slack channel.

Kyle Clifford searched for one of Andrew Tates podcasts less than 24 hours before he murdered his ex-partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother Carol Hunt (Hertfordshire Police/PA)

Spotify does not remove content based on an individuals off-platform behaviour or reputation, and the removal process was already underway prior to the messages, PA understands.

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It is also understood the platform constantly reviews content and more of Tates podcasts could be removed if they violate Spotify policy.

Distributors can re-upload Tates content but it will be removed again if found to be in violation.

The Spotify website says: Some content on our platform may not be to each individuals liking or is content that Spotify endorses.

A petition demanding Spotify remove Tates content has reached more than 100,000 signatures and claims his courses actively teach men how to manipulate, control, and profit from the exploitation of women.

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Spotifys platform rules say it does not allow for a variety of dangerous content, including that which praises, supports, or calls for violence against a person or group of people based on protected characteristics, or incites or threatens serious physical harm or acts of violence against a specific target or specific group.

At Cliffords sentencing hearing on Tuesday, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said the killers decision to turn to Tates podcast the night before the murders was no coincidence.

Cambridge Crown Court previously heard the killings were fuelled by the violent misogyny promoted by Tate, with Ms Morgan labelling the influencer as the poster boy for misogynists.

In Romania, the Tate brothers are facing allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering.

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A separate case against them, in which they are accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, has been sent back to prosecutors.

World Alleged Andrew Tate victims call for his extraditi... Read More

In the UK, Bedfordshire Police secured a European arrest warrant for separate allegations of rape and human trafficking.

Those allegations, which the two brothers unequivocally deny, date back to 2012-2015.

Earlier in March, Florida attorney general James Uthmeier said on social media he had ordered a criminal inquiry into the Tate brothers after the pair flew to the US state from Romania when their travel ban was lifted.
The Russian captain of the container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea has been charged over the death of a crew member.

The Solongs master Vladimir Motin (59), of Primorsky, St Petersburg, in Russia, will appear at Hull Magistrates Court in England on Saturday charged with gross negligence manslaughter, police said.

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The Crown Prosecution Service said that Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia (38) died following the collision between Motins vessel, the Solong, and the Stena Immaculate off the east coast of England.

Thirty-six people from both vessels made it ashore.

A statement from the force said: An investigation by Humberside Police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) into the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of East Yorkshire, has resulted in a man being charged.

The US oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate which was struck by the Solong container ship (Danny Lawson/PA)

Officers received reports at 11am on Monday that two vessels had collided and one crew member was missing.

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Humberside Police said: Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased.

The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

Earlier on Friday the force confirmed magistrates had granted a further extension to the time detectives could hold the captain due to the complexities of the incident.

World North Sea crash vessel failed safety checks in Ire... Read More

He had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Monday evening, hours after the collision.

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The UK's Crown Prosecution Service said: The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
Tens of thousands of people swarmed the streets of Serbias capital Belgrade on Friday, staging a joyful prelude to a major anti-government rally at the weekend and dealing a blow to populist President Aleksandar Vucic.

The citizens of Belgrade came out to welcome thousands of university students from across the country for the rally on Saturday that is expected to draw even more people.

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Saturdays protest is seen as a culmination of months of anti-corruption demonstrations that have posed the biggest challenge so far to Mr Vucics decade-long firm grip on power in Serbia.

Flares, fireworks and flag-waving crowds filled the streets in stark contrast to weeks of fear-mongering spread by Mr Vucics populists to dissuade people from attending the rally.



People welcome protesters from the provinces (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The autocratic leader has repeatedly warned that violence is planned at the rally and threatened arrests over any incidents.

His supporters have been camping in the city centre, fuelling fears of clashes with the protesters.

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At a news conference on Friday, a defiant Mr Vucic again said that authorities have received multiple reports of alleged planned unrest and described Saturdays rally as illegal.

He reiterated claims that western intelligence services were behind the protests with the aim of ousting him from power.



A large group led by students wave flags as they arrive at a protest (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP)

I do not accept blackmail, I will not agree to pressure, I am the president of Serbia and I wont allow the street to set the rules, Mr Vucic said.

Students have led the nationwide movement, which started after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station and killed 15 people in Serbias north more than four months ago.

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Earlier, police detained six opposition activists on suspicion of preparing actions against the constitutional order and security a day after an alleged recording of their meeting was broadcast on pro-government television stations on Thursday.

The Serbian state will do everything to secure peace, Mr Vucic said. Those disrupting peace will be arrested and severely punished.

The protesters did not seem to care. Marko Vukovic, a student from Belgrade said he went to support my friends, colleagues and all the citizens who think for themselves, to fight for a more just Serbia.



People celebrate as the university students arrive (Marko Drobnjakovic/AP)

Many people cried, laughed and screamed with joy. Protesting students have struck a chord among the citizens who are disillusioned with politicians and have lost faith in the state institutions.

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Previous student-led rallies in other Serbian cities have been peaceful while drawing huge crowds.

The European Unions mission in Serbia said on Friday that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right and the safety of participants and institutions must be ensured.

Violence must be avoided, the EU said.

Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but the governing populists have been accused of stifling democratic freedoms while strengthening relations with Russia and China.
US President Donald Trump used a triumphant visit to the Justice Department on Friday to air a litany of grievances about the criminal investigations that threatened to torpedo his political career.

He decried his adversaries, often in profane terms, and cast himself as a victim of unfair and biased prosecutions.

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The speech was meant to rally support for Mr Trumps tough-on-crime agenda.

But it also functioned as victory lap after he emerged legally and politically unscathed from two federal prosecutions that were dismissed after his election win last year.



Attorney general Pam Bondi speaks before President Donald Trump at the Justice Department (Pool/AP)

The venue underscored Mr Trumps keen interest in the department and desire to exert influence over it, after criminal investigations that shadowed his first four years in office and subsequent campaign.

The visit, the first by Mr Trump and the first by any president in a decade, took him into the belly of an institution he has disparaged in searing terms for years

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It is also one that he has sought to reshape by installing loyalists and members of his personal defence team in top leadership positions.

We will expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government.

We will expose, very much expose, their egregious crimes and severe misconduct, of which was levels never seen anything like it, Mr Trump said in a wide-ranging speech that touched on everything from Russias war against Ukraine to the price of eggs.

Its going to be legendary. And going to also be legendary for the people that are able to seek it out and bring justice.

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We will restore the scales of justice in America, and we will ensure that such abuses never happen again in our country.



President Donald Trump arrives with attorney general Pam Bondi (Pool/AP)

Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the department of injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back and never coming back.

So now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred.

Although there is some precedent for presidents to speak to the Justice Department workforce from the buildings ceremonial Great Hall, Mr Trumps trip two months into his second term was particularly striking because of his unique status as a onetime criminal defendant indicted by the agency he is now poised to address.

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It was also striking because his remarks are likely to feature an airing of grievances over his exposure to the criminal justice system  including an FBI search in 2022 of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, for classified documents.

Mr Trumps visit also comes at a time when attorney general Pam Bondi has said that the department needs to be depoliticised, even as critics say agency leadership is injecting politics into the decision-making process.

The relationship between presidents and Justice Department leaders has waxed and waned over the decades, depending on the personalities of the officeholders and the sensitivity of the investigations that have dominated the day.

The dynamic between Joe Biden, a Democrat, and his attorney general, Merrick Garland, was known to be fraught in part because of special counsel investigations that Mr Garland oversaw into Mr Bidens mishandling of classified information and into the firearms and tax affairs of his son Hunter.

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When it comes to setting its agenda, the Justice Department historically takes a cue from the White House but looks to maintain its independence on individual criminal investigations.

Mr Trump has upended such norms.





He encouraged specific investigations during his first term and tried to engineer the firing of Robert Mueller, the special counsel assigned to investigate ties between Russia and Mr Trumps 2016 campaign.

He also endured difficult relationships with his first two handpicked attorneys general  Jeff Sessions was fired immediately after the 2018 midterm election, and William Barr resigned weeks after publicly disputing Mr Trumps bogus claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

Arriving for a second term in January fresh from a landmark Supreme Court opinion that reaffirmed a presidents unshakable control of the Justice Department, Mr Trump has appeared determined to clear from his path any potential obstacles.

These include the appointment of Ms Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who was part of Mr Trumps defence team at his first impeachment trial, and Kash Patel, another close ally, to serve as his FBI director.

At her January confirmation hearing, Ms Bondi appeared to endorse Mr Trumps false claims of mass voter fraud in 2020 by refusing to answer directly whether Mr Trump had lost to Mr Biden.

She also echoed his position that he had been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department, despite the wealth of evidence prosecutors say they amassed.

She regularly praises him in Fox News Channel appearances and proudly noted that she had removed portraits of Mr Biden, Mr Garland and former vice president Kamala Harris from a Justice Department wall.

We all adore Donald Trump, and we want to protect him and fight for his agenda. And the people of America overwhelmingly elected him for his agenda, Ms Bondi said in a recent Fox interview with Mr Trumps daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

Even before Ms Bondi had been confirmed, the Justice Department fired department employees who served on special counsel Jack Smiths team, which charged Mr Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election and with hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Both cases were dismissed last November in line with longstanding Justice Department policy against indicting sitting presidents.

Officials also demanded from the FBI lists of thousands of employees who worked on investigations into the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol, when a mob of Mr Trumps supporters stormed the building in an effort to halt the certification of the electoral vote, and fired prosecutors who had participated in the cases.

And they have ordered the dismissal of a criminal case against New York mayor Eric Adams by saying the charges had handicapped the Democrats ability to partner in the Republican administrations fight against illegal immigration.
The United Nations food agency said on Friday that more than one million people in war-torn Myanmar will be cut off from food assistance because of critical funding shortfalls.

A statement from the World Food Programme said that most food rations currently distributed in Myanmar will be cut off in April, even as the country faces a desperate humanitarian crisis caused by bitter fighting between the military government and powerful militias opposed to its rule.

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The WFP said it would need 60 million dollars (46 million) to continue food assistance in Myanmar and called on its partners to identify additional funding.

It was not immediately clear if the WFPs decision was directly related to the moves by the Donald Trump administration in the US to stop most foreign aid and dismantle the US Agency for International Development, which have had wide-ranging effects on humanitarian efforts around the globe.



A man carrying food wades through a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Aung Shine Oo/AP)

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked whether the Myanmar funding cuts were a result of the US cuts, told reporters at UN headquarters in New York: Its all co-mingled, stressing that the US is a big funder of WFP.

He said all UN agencies are actively engaging with US authorities to explain to them the damage, the immediate damage thats been done.

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A 90-day freeze on foreign assistance programs announced by Mr Trump has led to other cuts in services for refugees from Myanmar, including the shutdown of hospital care in camps in neighbouring Thailand where more than 100,000 are living, according to activists and Thai officials.

The US has been a core contributor in the food security and livelihood sector in Myanmar and there was already a shortfall last year with humanitarian needs only about 40% funded, said a senior leader in the aid sector based in Asia.

The new cuts, she said, have created a devastating situation, forcing NGOs to abandon many programmes, hitting vulnerable populations like people with disabilities, women and children the hardest, she said.

The lifesaving work must continue, she said.

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Its just not possible for us to stop that because if we stop it means people will not survive. But the funding gap were facing has forced us to close programmes that are the lifeline, I think, for many people, in Myanmar.

The nationwide armed conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

In Fridays statement, the WFP said 15.2 million people, nearly one-third of the total population, are unable to meet their minimum daily food needs, and some 2.3 million face emergency levels of hunger.

The WFP said it will only be able to assist 35,000 of the most vulnerable people, including children under the age of five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with disabilities.

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The impending cuts will have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable communities across the country, many of whom depend entirely on WFPs support to survive, said Michael Dunford, WFPs representative and country director in Myanmar.

WFP remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Myanmar, but more immediate funding is crucial to continue reaching those in need.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of the American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, and asked him to convey Moscows thoughts to Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Mr Putin asked Mr Witkoff late on Thursday to give additional messages to US President Donald Trump, Mr Peskov told reporters, after the Russian leader said at a news conference that he supported a truce in principle but set out a host of details that need to be clarified before it is agreed.

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Ukraine, under severe military pressure on parts of the front line three years after Russias full-scale invasion, has already endorsed the proposal.

Russias army has gained battlefield momentum, and analysts say Mr Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage.





I have just signed a decree honoring our warriors with state awards. 301 service members from various brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Five Heroes of Ukraine. Nearly every day, such decrees are issued, and this is a well-deserved expression of gratitude and respect from pic.twitter.com/DEjpP1lobf  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 14, 2025

The Russian army, backed by North Korean troops, are now close to completely driving Ukrainian forces from their foothold in Russias Kursk border region in what would be a major setback for Kyiv.

A possible phone call between Mr Putin and Mr Trump to settle outstanding ceasefire issues could be arranged after Mr Witkoff delivers the messages in Washington, Mr Peskov said.

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There is an understanding on both sides that such a call is needed, Mr Peskov said.

There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism, he added of the ceasefire proposal.

A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trumps position.

US officials have said Washington is set to discuss technical issues related to a possible ceasefire next week.

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Russian attacks continue in Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Given the range of issues on the table, and the sharp differences between what Moscow and Kyiv want, it could potentially take weeks or months for the guns to fall silent.

Mr Trump vowed during his election campaign to settle the war in 24 hours, but in January he changed that timeframe, voicing hope that peace could be negotiated in six months.

Mr Putins apparently amicable tone toward the White House reflects the remarkable shift in US relations with Russia and Ukraine since Mr Trump returned to office in January. Former President Joe Biden had sought to isolate Mr Putin.

Mr Trump has threatened both Russia and Ukraine with punitive measures if they do not engage with his peace efforts.

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The US leader briefly cut off critical military aid and intelligence sharing in an apparent effort to push Kyiv to enter talks on ending the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a tense meeting at the White House on February 28 in which Mr Trump questioned whether Ukraine wanted to halt the war.





 FM Sergey #Lavrov's full interview to @MarioNawfal, Larri Johnson and @Judgenap



 What's going on in the US is a return to normalcy.



The fact that a normal administration came to power & the reaction was an explosion in the media is very telling.https://t.co/gJKQbgUzR4 pic.twitter.com/GEync7xZ6M  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) March 12, 2025

The US President has raised the possibility of tightening sanctions on Russia, though his administration has also repeatedly embraced Kremlin positions on the conflict, including indicating that Ukraines hopes of joining Nato are unlikely to be realised and that it probably will not get back the land that Russias army occupies, which amounts to nearly 20% of the country.

Meanwhile, Russian air defences downed four Ukrainian drones attacking the Russian capital early on Friday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

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One damaged the roof of an apartment building a few miles from the Kremlin.

Several other buildings were lightly damaged by drone fragments, but there were no injuries, according to emergency officials.
The Sherubainura River in Kazakhstans Karaganda region is 281km long and sourced from the western slopes of the Kyzyltas range in the central Kazakh uplands. It is fed by rain and snow, seasonal meltwater and groundwater.

The river has an average discharge rate of about 5.04 cubic metres per second at Sherubainura and it is the principal tributary of the Nura River.

Three dams - the Zhartas, the Krasnopolyanskoye and the Sherubaynura have been constructed along the river.

Sarytogan Graphite managing director Sean Gregory said: Water is a critical resource for any mining project. We are fortunate at Sarytogan to have identified a plentiful fresh water source near the project. Securing the water allocation will be another de-risking step towards realising the value of our extraordinary project.

The company is drilling two more bores and pump-testing seven of its 11 bores, with a full spectrum of chemical and radiological testwork to be undertaken.

When the work has been completed, the company will be able to prepare its water extraction licence application.

This work, along with power and transport studies, metallurgical testwork and preparation of customer samples, will be used to form the companys definitive feasibility study.

Sarytogans graphite project contains an estimated total mineral resource of 229 million tonnes with a total graphitic content of 28.9 per cent, translating to a total graphite content of 66mt. Its current estimated probable ore reserves amount to 8.6mt at 30 per cent total graphite content.

The company says its ore reserves amount to about 4 per cent of the total resource over a 60-year mine-life, pointing to a potentially multi-generational expansion capacity.

In contrast to most graphite projects in production or development, particularly those in East Africa, Sarytogans graphite is notable for its unique micro-crystalline nature.

This quality was identified early in the development of the project when the companys ore material was found to break down readily to yield a premium micro-crystalline size of less than 15 micron with a very low bond work index.

The index is a key metric in mining and mineral processing and defines the resistance of ore to crushing and grinding. It helps to determine the power required for grinding and appropriate process-feed sizing.

Sarytogans ultra-fine graphite flake material can be seen in SEM images of flotation concentrates as highly crystalline, with x-ray diffraction examination showing it to be characterised by exceptionally close interplanar crystal spacing.

The material suits most advanced industrial uses, which usually demand ultra-fine sizing, including almost all battery types.

The majority of these demands can be met directly by Sarytogans ultra-fine graphitic products. Other manufacturers would typically incur higher costs due to the need for competing coarse graphitic flake products to be ground to finer specifications, often at higher work indices.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
Guenther Steiner has never watched the show that made him famous.

I never watched Drive to Survive, he says. No, no, I do not watch it.

Despite being surrounded by Formula 1 superstars such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, Steiner somehow became the Netflix hits biggest star  a 59-year-old Italian who lost a lot, swore often and was eventually dumped from his job as Haas team principal.

Former Haas team principal and Netflix star Guenther Steiner is in Melbourne to commentate for the Australian Grand Prix. Credit: Luis Enrique

It is a little bit strange, especially in the beginning, Steiner says. I needed to get used to it because I wasnt used to people recognising you at the beginning. The biggest thing is people start to know your name and call you by name, and you dont know [them]. But after a while you learn that not everybody [who] knows your name knows you. It takes a bit of time to adjust to that one.
The glasses on your face, the device in your hand and components in the bike you ride  plastic is everywhere, and so is its embryonic form: nurdles.

Every year, more than 2.5 billion nurdles  lentil-sized plastic resin pellets  enter Port Phillip Bay through stormwater drains. Most are discharged from manufacturing sites along or near the Yarra River and Maribyrnong River. Litter is also increasing in both rivers.

Port Phillip EcoCentre executive officer April Seymore with nurdles found in the area. Credit: Penny Stephens

Once you notice it on a clean beach you cant unsee it, said Port Phillip EcoCentre executive officer April Seymore.

They look like a little lentil or a little bead, and theyre very camouflaged with the sand, which is part of what makes them dangerous to animals. They look like a little egg or something delicious, but they actually are a little toxic bomb of chemical that go into the food chain.
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Eating outFood Brisbane restaurants becalmed post-Alfred Operators want to start a discussion about handling extreme weather in the future, after one reckons he lost close to two weeks worth of revenue. Matt Shea March 14, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Some of Brisbanes best restaurants want diners to know theyre open and ready for business, after sitting mostly empty this week in the wake of the chaos caused by Cyclone Alfred. One restaurateur described as a bit eerie the Fortitude Valley streets that surround her popular Italian restaurant. Martin Boetz outside Short Grain. Morgan Roberts The call comes after a week in which the city grappled with limited public transport and schools that were slow to reopen. On Tuesday, trains ran to a Sunday timetable, leading to crowded carriages and platforms as commuters attempted to return to the CBD. Most schools were reopened by Wednesday but a handful remained closed at weeks end.

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Short Grain is one of Brisbanes top Thai restaurants. Chef-owner Martin Boetz said the venue had essentially lost a week of trade from the Wednesday before Alfred hit. We had 70 people booked [that Wednesday] and we ended up doing 15. Related Article Craft beer icon Newstead Brewing Co closes permanently But [given Alfreds delayed arrival], we could have done a normal Wednesday night and Thursday night. Saturday night, we decided to open and ended up doing 80 people, before the wind and the storm started again, and we closed Sunday because no one could get to work.

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Im glad everyones safe, but the aftermath of people being in recovery mode means weve had a week of taking very little. Short Grain in the heritage-listed Stewart and Hemmant building in Fortitude Valley. Morgan Roberts Essa chef-owner Phil Marchant said his restaurant, just off James Street, had also lost trade. We were down early in the week, but Wednesday was close to what we need to do, Marchant said. Today [Friday] lunch is dead, but the weekend is looking strong. The late arrival [of the cyclone] was massively frustrating. I think the riverside restaurants were mobilising to prepare to get thumped and that then put the seed into everyones mind. We pretty much lost everything on Thursday and Friday last week.

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Baja Modern Mexican owner Dan Quinn. Peter Wallis Baja Modern Mexican owner Dan Quinn said his Fortitude Valley restaurant had one of its strongest Februarys ever, but Alfred would wipe out close to two weeks of solid revenue. Its huge to try and get that back, Quinn said. They said it was going to come last Wednesday, and so its understandable that everything stopped, but I went from a stack of bookings to nothing. The days after the weather cleared have been patchy, with the restaurants usually popular Taco Tuesday night relatively quiet, and Wednesday quiet also, although sittings bounced back on Thursday night. Essa is located just off James Street in Fortitude Valley. courtesy of Essa

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I was talking to a friend, and he made the point that everyone spent so much on alcohol and food last week that theyre staying put for a few days, Quinn said. Alfred came at an inopportune time for the restaurant industry, which operates on notoriously tight margins, with March often marking an uptick in business after the traditionally quiet months of January and February. Brisbane: people are starting to come here as a destination, which is great, but its not like Sydney, which always attracts people, and Melbourne, which has the [Australian Open] and other events in January, Boetz said. Marchant agreed. It definitely came at a bad time, he said. It extended that January and February feel, and they already felt longer this year for us. It definitely came at a bad time. It extended that January and February feel, and they already felt longer this year for us. Essa chef and owner Phil Marchant.

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Not everyone struggled. One operator said his inner Woolloongabba restaurant continued to do strong numbers while its CBD counterpart was relatively quiet. Supernormal chef Jason Barratt said business had been slow during the week but picked up on Thursday. Boetz said his weekend, like Marchants, was looking busy, but restaurants could not survive on Fridays and Saturdays alone. He reckoned that if weather events like Alfred were to become more frequent, the city and its restaurant industry needed to adapt. I just want to have a conversation around how these things work going forward, Boetz said. People need to be safe but if this happens more frequently, we cant just hide in our houses  it will only be a day or maybe 48 hours that it will be severe. Maybe as these things happen more, were going to have to react in the moment a bit better rather than pre-empting doom, Marchant said. But at the same time, what do you do? Youre damned if youre do, damned if you dont.
The driver of the truck involved in a fatal collision in which a sports journalist died has been fined $1500 and had his licence suspended for 30 months after pleading guilty to refusing to do a blood test.

A doctor yelled at Herald Sun reporter Sam Landsberger to stop walking as a heavy truck was moving through a Richmond intersection on August 20, 2024, a court was told on Friday.

Truck driver James Latchford pleaded guilty to refusing a drug test Credit: Eddie Jim

Landsberger was on the phone when he walked into the wheels of the truck as it turned on a green arrow at the intersection of Bridge Road and Church Street, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told.

The truck driver, James Latchford, stopped to help Landsberger, who was seriously injured and died in hospital.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia supports a United States proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but has sought a number of clarifications and conditions that appear to rule out a quick end to the fighting.

Putins heavily qualified support for the plan looked designed to signal goodwill to Washington and open the door to further talks with US President Donald Trump. But Putin said many crucial details needed to be sorted out and any agreement must address the root causes of the conflict.

So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it, Putin told a news conference in Moscow. But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says any ceasefire needs to remove the root causes of the crisis. Credit: AP

He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, was whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to rearm.
Washington: An American Airlines jets engine has caught fire after diverting to land in Denver, forcing the evacuation of passengers using the planes slides, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The airline said all 172 passengers and six crew members on board had been able to exit the plane, though six passengers were taken to a local hospital afterward for further evaluation.

American Airlines Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs on a Boeing 737-800 landed in Denver around 5.15pm (11am AEDT), diverting from its planned destination of Dallas after the crew reported engine vibrations, the FAA said.

Several dramatic videos of passengers standing on the wing of the plane before evacuating as smoke poured out the engine were posted on social media.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that American control of Greenland is necessary to enhance international security, escalating his campaign to annex the strategic Arctic island.

You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security  international  we have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful, Trump told Rutte as they sat side-by-side in the White House Oval Office for talks. Well be talking to you.

President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte meet in the Oval Office. Credit: AP

Asked directly about the prospect of annexation, Trump said: I think that will happen.

Trump has made annexation of Greenland a major talking point since he took office on January 20. His latest comments suggested he might want NATO involved in his attempt to take over the island, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
China's mega commercial satellite constellation reaches new heights

Xinhua) 09:08, March 14, 2025

The Long March-8 Y6 carrier rocket carrying 18 low Earth orbit satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

WENCHANG, Hainan, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched the fifth batch of low Earth orbit satellites for its first commercial satellite constellation from a seaside spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province on Wednesday.

The accomplishment has solidified the constellation's progress toward its goal of global connectivity, Lu Ben, senior vice president of Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co., Ltd, developer of the satellite constellation, Spacesail, told Xinhua on Thursday.

Noting that the latest launch marks the inaugural mission from the No. 1 launch pad at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site, Lu said that the development and operationalization of the launch site have enhanced China's capacity for space launches.

"The use of commercial launch facilities will significantly support the speed and quantity of our low Earth orbit satellite constellation development, facilitating a faster establishment of this constellation," Lu stated.

The Spacesail Constellation is China's first mega-constellation to enter the formal networking phase.

According to Lu, the project aims to deploy over 15,000 satellites in three phases. The first phase focuses on 648 satellites that are designed to achieve regional coverage. The second phase expands this network to 1,296 satellites, which allows for global coverage, while the third phase envisions a comprehensive network that offers diversified services.

The latest launch, which deployed 18 satellites in a single mission, underscores China's mastery of the "one rocket, multiple satellites" technology, said Lu.

This innovative approach involves stacking flat-panel satellites, significantly optimizing the use of rocket space and enabling high-frequency launches.

Internationally, Spacesail has been actively promoting the constellation's commercial applications. In November 2024, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazil's state-owned telecommunications company, TELEBRAS, to provide satellite internet services in remote areas across Brazil, according to Lu.

In January this year, Spacesail partnered with Malaysia's satellite operator, MEASAT Global Berhad, to explore collaborative opportunities in satellite management, technology development, and emerging applications like IoT and Earth observation.

The Spacesail Constellation has already demonstrated its capabilities in real-world scenarios.

In January 2025, it successfully supported a maritime communication test on a cruise ship in Hong Kong, showcasing its ability to enhance internet connectivity for vessels at sea.

This marks the first application test following the deployment of the constellation's commercial network, said Lu.

The application testing also demonstrated that the low Earth orbit broadband network based on the constellation can significantly enhance the internet service quality for various marine vessels, including cruise ships, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A WOMAN who admitted to stabbing her friend twice in the breast appeared before Carlow Circuit Court last week for finalisation of the case. Sandra Doyle, Church Street, Graiguecullen had pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman, causing her harm and to producing a knife during a dispute at New Oak Estate, Carlow on 10 September 2021.

Ms Doyle (51) was before Judge Eugene OKelly in November last year, when he heard that an altercation arose after Ms Doyle accused the injured party of stealing her phone and had gone to New Oak Estate to get it back.

The injured party told gardai that Ms Doyle pushed her and that she turned away from her, but when she turned back Ms Doyle had a knife and stabbed her twice with it.

A witness told gardai that Ms Doyle threatened to kill the injured party if she didnt give her back her phone and that after Ms Doyle stabbed the injured party, she saw her breast tissue hanging out.

The court heard that the woman sustained a 7cm laceration to her left breast and a 10cm wound under her right breast.

Ms Doyle admitted to gardai that she hit the injured party once or twice with the knife, using a swinging motion rather than a stabbing motion.

Ms Doyle had initially pleaded not guilty to the offences and had alleged that the injured party had brought the knife to the dispute, but later changed her plea.

Tara Geoghegan BL told Judge OKelly in November that her client was drinking a bottle of vodka a day at the time of the offence and had little recollection of what happened. Ms Geoghegan told Judge OKelly that criminality was entrenched in Ms Doyles family and that she was now working hard to address her issues with alcohol. She asked Judge OKelly to adjourn finalising the matter so that her client could continue getting help by engaging with the appropriate services and he agreed, on condition that Ms Doyle would continue to address her addiction issues, adjourning the matter until this month.

Last week, Ms Doyle was back before the court when Ms Geoghegan handed updated medical and probation reports to the judge.

Ms Geoghegan said that Ms Doyle had lost her mother in the interim but had coped well and that she was engaging well with the services. She said that her client was attending AA and other appropriate meetings and that she had a key worker with the de Paul services.

She continued that Ms Doyle was very remorseful and apologised to the injured party and that she could now understand the gravity of her offence.

After reading the reports and listening to Ms Geoghegan, Judge OKelly said he acknowledged that Ms Doyle had suffered terrible bereavements and tragedies in her life but that she had caused very serious injuries with a knife to the victim of the assault. Judge OKelly said that he could give very little benefit to Ms Doyle because there was very little in mitigation and that the offence was on the upper end of the scale.

When Ms Geoghegan said that the Probation Service had agreed to work with Ms Doyle for 12 months and that Ms Doyle was fearful of losing her home, Judge OKelly replied that if he gave the defendant a fully suspended sentence, it would no doubt be appealed for leniency by the DPP.

Instead, he adjourned sentencing for a year, calling it a two-edged sword, because he will impose an appropriate custodial sentence if she gets into trouble.

Ordering Ms Doyle to continue engaging with the Probation Service, Judge OKelly adjourned sentencing until the first sitting of Carlow Circuit Court next year.
Ellen O'Donoghue

An Garda Siochana has announced the St Patrick's Day policing plan for Dublin city, which came into effect at 7am on Friday morning.

This is in anticipation of thousands of people visiting the city for St Patrick's Day festivities during the bank holiday weekend.

Around 1,000 members of An Garda Siochana will be out on the beat throughout the long weekend.

Monday's St Patrick's Day parade through Dublin city centre is expected to draw large crowds into the capital.

The parade will start at 12pm at Parnell Square North and finish at Kevin St Lower, assembling beforehand at Western Way, Dublin 7, before dispersing afterwards at St Stephen's Green West, Dublin 2.

Those attending the parade are advised to pick an area along the route to view the parade ahead of time, to arrive early, to plan the journey into the city in advance, to use public transport or Park and Ride facilities where possible, to keep children under close supervision to avoid being accidentally separated in the crowd, to pack sensibly and mind personal belongings, and to follow gardai and stewards instructions.

Any motorist planning on making their way into, or through, the city are advised that parking will not be allowed along the parade route. Any vehicles on the route will be towed.

All traffic will be diverted through the North and South Circular Roads for the duration of the St Patrick's Day parade. Local access and egress to streets affected by closures will be facilitated.

No vehicles can enter the parade route while closures are in place.

Gardai have advised motorists and those that must commute by car into or through the city over the weekend and on Monday in particular to plan journeys in advance, follow road signage, adhere to instructions of gardai and/or parade stewards, to park and lock your car in a secure place if legally parking, and to not block access which may make it difficult for emergency servicese or residents.

For those who plan to go out socialising this St Patrick's Day weekend, gardai have advised people to plan the nights out by telling someone where you are going and when you will be back, to be careful of personal belongings, especially in crowded areas or busy premises, not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs under any circumstance, and to be mindful of driving the morning after too.

Gardai have further advised not letting any friend or family member walk home alone, as there is safety in numbers, and if one must walk home, only walk in well lit, populated areas where you can be seen by traffic.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said, ahead of the bank holiday weekend in Dublin, that it is a vibrant city and that An Garda Siochana are looking forward to helping welcome thousands of visitors to the capital to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

"With dozens of exciting family-friendly events due to be held, we have a carefully planned and fully co-ordinated plan in place to ensure that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time. An Garda Siochana has worked very closely with the St. Patricks Festival organisers in the lead up to this years schedule.

"We are on-hand 24-7 so please contact us or stop us on the street if there is anything that we can do," he said.
Natasha Reid

A judge has directed the Probation Services to carry out an assessment of a man who attempted to abduct a five-year-old child from an apartment building in Dublin last September.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the boys older sister managed to push Visak Rajesh Leela (26) away from her brother before both children ran away.

Leela, with an address in South Dublin, pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction on September 14th last from an apartment block in Dublin.

The defendant told gardai he did not remember the incident as he was intoxicated after attending a party. He said that he did not know why he ran after the child and pushed him out of the building. However, he suggested that perhaps he thought that he knew the children.

After hearing the facts of the case on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to Friday when he directed the preparation of a report by the Probation Services.

'Troubling aspects' to case

The judge said there were troubling aspects to the case, and the court required the preparation of the report, which includes an assessment of Leela's risk of re-offending.

He adjourned the case to April 28th, and remanded Leela on bail to that date.

Garda Laura McDermott told his sentence hearing on Thursday that Leela was leaving a party at the apartment block at nine oclock that evening, when he encountered two children, playing outside their block.

The children then went inside and the defendant signalled for the young boy to let him inside, which he did. Leela then ran after the child and pulled him towards the door. He managed to then push the boy out the door. Footage of this incident was shown to Judge Nolan.

Gda McDermott explained that the boys sister ran out after her little brother and managed to push the defendant in the back into bushes. This was not captured on the CCTV footage, but came to light during the girls specialist interviews.

The children then returned to the doorway, and the footage showed the defendant following them and crouching down to speak to them.

The girl buzzed her parents and the children managed to get inside, return home and tell their parents what had happened. Within minutes, CCTV footage was obtained from the security hut and gardai arrived.

Party at apartment complex

Gardai ascertained that Leela had attended a party at the apartment complex; the party host phoned him and suggested he return and he did so.

Gda McDermott said that when the defendant returned, he was steady on his feet, did not slur his words, there was no smell of alcohol and she did not believe he was intoxicated.

However, she agreed that a doctor did suspend his detention for a number of hours after finding he was intoxicated.

Leela told gardai that he couldnt remember the incident, but accepted that it was him in the footage. He explained that hed had one ounce of Jameson and three shots of Jager over several hours.

He told them that he was from India, and had come here in October 2023 on a student visa. He was due to complete his MBA at Dublin Business School and he also worked part time.

A victim impact statement prepared by the children's parents was handed to the court and not read aloud.

Under cross examination by the defence, Gda McDermott agreed that this was a short incident and that the children returned to their parents within minutes.

She also agreed that gardai had never asked him to return to the scene, and that when he did so, he wasnt wearing any shoes.

What did he say when you asked him why he did it? asked the judge.

He couldnt remember why he had done it, she replied. He said he was thinking of his relatives and cousins back home.

The court also heard that Leela voluntarily handed over his phone and other devices, which were analysed and returned to him, with no material found.

His barrister told the court that although four drinks might not seem a lot, his client never drinks.

Hes of the belief that he thought he might have known these children, he said. When he sobered up and was told what he did, he had the shock of his life.

Counsel explained that his parents live in Qatar and that he has no siblings, and he does not come from any means.

However, he has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Marketing. He had also lined up in a MSC in Marketing, and is devastated that he will now not be able to pursue that.

Counsel said that he had spent three months in custody following this incident and that his mental health is in dire straits.

Hes on his own house arrest, he said, explaining that Leela doesnt go out and spends his time in his bedroom. That is his safe space.

He was bullied and assaulted in custody, he continued. Threats have been made against his life. He has found this a very tough challenge. He doesnt see much of a future.

Counsel said that the defendant has a plan to deal with a psychologist in Qatar.

He has been struggling to eat since, he said, explaining that his parents had to sell their ceremonial wedding garments to help him financially.

He cant sleep with the remorse and pain, he said. He says that two minutes of a mistake he made has ruined his life.

Counsel said that Leela offers his sincere apologies to the parents and the children involved. He doesnt know if hell move on with his life, said counsel, but he hopes they will.

Counsel said that Leela has no family here. His uncle arrived once to see him, but he has told his family not to come, as he doesnt want to put his hardship on them.

He had a whole life planned ahead of him in Ireland, which is now gone, he said. If the court gives him the chance, hell be on a plane tomorrow He fully accepts that his life in Ireland is over.
High Court reporters

The operators and owner of a wind farm in Co Wexford have admitted liability in a High Court action taken by a married couple who claim the facility has destroyed the use and enjoyment of their home.

Raymond Byrne and Lorna Moorheads case, taken against ABO Wind Ireland Ltd, ABO Wind OMS Ireland Ltd and Wexwind Ltd, claims the defendants caused or permitted noise, vibration and shadow flicker to be emitted from Gibbet Hill Wind Farm, located close to Bunclody.

This nuisance has caused the couple  who live just over 1km from the facility  stress, anxiety and sleep disturbance, and destroyed the use and enjoyment of their property, they allege.

The couple, who brought their action in 2018, seek various reliefs, including an injunction requiring the defendants to discontinue the operation of the wind farm.

On Thursday, Mr Justice Oisin Quinn was told by lawyers for the defendants that an admission of liability was being made to the claims of nuisance made by Mr Byrne and Ms Moorehead.

The admission came on the 11th day of a trial hearing in the case.

The wind farm has been in operation since 2013. ABO Wind Ireland Ltd and ABO Wind OMS Ireland Ltd are the operators of the wind farm, while Wexwind Ltd is the owner.

All three companies have a registered address at Aspen Court, Cornelscourt, Dublin 18.

The case had been contested by the defendants. In the proceedings, they had denied that they wrongly caused or permitted the nuisance alleged.

In their statement of claim, Mr Byrne and Ms Moorhead allege that defendants wrongfully caused or permitted and continue wrongfully to cause or permit noise, vibration and shadow flicked to be emitted from Gibbet Hill Wind Farm.

The chronicity and severity of this nuisance has meant that their use and enjoyment of their home and lands has been wrongfully interrupted, prevented, and destroyed.

Mr Byrne and Ms Moorhead further claim that the nuisance has devalued their property, and thus they had suffered loss and damage.

The couple allege they have suffered stress and anxiety allegedly caused by the permanently unpleasant environment on account of the wind farm, and have suffered sleep disturbances because of the noise emitted.

The case will return before the court next week.
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Five Star Breaktime Solutions, a leader in unattended food and beverage solutions, has announced the acquisition of the Canteen franchise of Wilmore Snack Sales. This expansion extends Five Stars presence into northern Louisiana and eastern Texas.

Wilmore Snack Sales, a second-generation family-owned and operated vending service provider based in Shreveport, La., has been serving northern Louisiana and eastern Texas since 1969. Owner Jimmy Wilmore took over the business his father started and grew it into the successful regional operation it is today with over 100 micro markets and 2,000 vending machines. As the areas leading micro market provider, the company also offers top-quality vending, office coffee, and foodservice to local businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other industries.

"Expanding our geographic footprint is always an exciting opportunity," said Mike McLean, Five Star's chief financial officer. "Jimmy and his family have built a legacy business with deep community ties and lasting relationships. We are grateful to have earned their trust and look forward to continuing to grow this business locally."

Five Star will now begin service to the areas of Monroe, Ruston, Shreveport and Natchitoches in Louisiana along with Longview, Nacogdoches, and Marshall in Texas.

As a commitment to Five Stars core value of Community, the companys foundation, Feeding the Future, will be donating $10,000 to Shreveports local food bank, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. This donation will be earmarked for the benefit of ending childhood hunger locally through its sack pack program.
Three Israeli cultural emissaries will present their life stories at a dinner open to the community on Sunday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. The dinner and program is $15 per person and will include a question and answer discussion.For more information or to register, visit www.jewishchattanooga.com, or call 423-493-0270.Officials said, "The Shlichim (Cultural Emissary) Program is run by the Jewish Agency for Israel and facilitates a cultural exchange between Israeli and Diaspora Jews.Shlichim are Israeli young adults who travel to North America to work in Jewish summer camps and local communities. The program aims to increase Jewish awareness, knowledge, and pride, and promote an understanding of Israel and its ideals. The visiting shlichim are currently serving the Nashville and Richmond communities, in addition to Ofer Musan who continues to serve in Chattanooga."The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga is proud to be part of this program for over 13 years. During these years we have brought young adults from very diverse backgrounds to Chattanooga for a period of one to two years. They visit churches, schools and community organizations in addition to participating in key parts of the Jewish community, said Michael Dzik, president and CEO.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry will host an event to celebrate the dedication of Tennessees 16th state forest, Wolf River State Forest. The event is on March 21 at 9:30 a.m. Central at Bryan Hall at the Ames Plantation, 3890 Buford Ellington Road in Grand Junction. Brunch will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. A guided tour of the forest is at 11 a.m.The land, which is a portion of the historic Ames Plantation, boasts extensive natural resources and has a long legacy of active forest management, educational demonstration and research, as well as a rich cultural history.Officials said, "The acquisition of Wolf River State Forest ensures the continuation of multigenerational research and secures the University of Tennessees long-standing use of the forest to train future natural resources management professionals.It also supports the sustainable management of the 5,477 acres of forest land and the conservation of more than 30 miles of streams."TDF advanced this project in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization that works to protect natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas, and working forests and farms across the United States."Funding for the purchase was made possible with grant funds from the USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, supported by Tennessees federal Congressional delegation, State Appropriations, and Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund. Matching funds were provided from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys Wetlands Funds, The Conservation Fund, and the seller."
The Hamilton County Board of Education, along with community partners Bowers Automotive Group, the Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union, and the Hamilton County Schools Foundation, recognized Hamilton County Schools 2025 Teachers of the Year during a ceremony on Thursday.

Sally Warm, a first-grade teacher at Red Bank Elementary; Jamie Petty, a sixth-grade teacher at Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper; and Candice Clark-Smith, a welding instructor at Sequoyah High School, were honored for their outstanding work as the districts top teachers for the year. In addition to public recognition, the teachers received the use of a car for a year from Bowers Automotive Group and a $500 check from the Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union.

Bowers Automotive Group President Bradley Cobb reflected on the importance of teachers in the community as he announced that the Teachers of the Year would be offered the use of a car for the coming year in recognition of their achievement.

Other than family and church, there is not a more important group of people who can help shape our children in a positive way than teachers, Mr. Cobb said. Bowers Automotive Group, along with many local businesses, want to help recognize and reward these three incredible teachers for all their hard work and dedication to our children. Our goal is to help enhance this program to get more applications and involvement from all the Hamilton County teachers who make a daily commitment to our community by helping educate our kids

Chattanooga Area Schools Credit Union President and CEO David Siatkowski presented each of the teachers with a $500 check in recognition of their achievements and thanked them for their dedication.

Chattanooga Area Schools Credit Union is proud to partner with Hamilton County Schools, and we are proud to present $500 to each of these teachers to honor their achievements and thank them for their outstanding performance, Mr. Siatkowski said. It is our honor to recognize them as teachers

of the year and for their dedication to their students.

According to HCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Justin Robertson, the involvement of community partners highlights the importance of high-quality teachers to the community.

Every day, teachers are shaping the future by inspiring and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed, said Dr. Robertson. Candice Clark-Smith, Jamie Petty and Sally Warm exemplify the commitment, passion and innovation that define the best in education. We are proud to recognize their contributions and grateful for the lasting impact they have on students, schools and the broader Hamilton County community.

Sally Warm  Elementary School Honoree (Red Bank Elementary)

A first-grade teacher with seven years of experience, Ms. Warm is a trailblazer in outdoor education. She played a key role in expanding Red Banks Forest School Program, helping to develop a first-grade curriculum that integrates Tennessee state standards with nature-based learning. By using the outdoors as a classroom, Ms. Warm creates hands-on, student-driven learning experiences that build foundational math and literacy skills while fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship. She also connects her students to the broader community through projects like student-led food drives and mock-government activities that bring civic lessons to life. At the end of the year, students present their final project to the school and broader community at the annual Outdoor Night.

"Students gain important public speaking skills through this process, learn meaningful habits of character that are applied to scenarios throughout the rest of the year, and gain a sense of pride in showcasing their accomplishment to the school community and their family, said Ms. Warm.

Jamie Petty  Middle School Honoree (Normal Park Museum Magnet)

With 24 years of teaching experience, Mr. Petty is dedicated to making social studies come alive for his students. He emphasizes inquiry-based learning, helping students connect historical events to the modern world through debates, primary source analysis, and interactive projects. One of his most impactful lessons involves challenging students to evaluate the legacy of historical figures like Shi Huangdi through written arguments, verbal debates, and creative projects such as calligraphy art and Great Wall of China models.

One of my favorite markers of student success is when students get excited about learning social studies and decide to read and research on their own, sharing what they learn with me, said Mr. Petty.

Mr. Petty is also a leader in professional development, supporting teachers across the district in using technology and inquiry-driven instruction to enhance student engagement.

Candice Clark-Smith  High School Honoree (Sequoyah High School)

A welding instructor with eight years of experience, Ms. Clark-Smith is passionate about preparing students for real-world success in the skilled trades. Her students engage in hands-on learning that connects industry standards with practical applications, such as building custom projects for the community and participating in structural bend tests that mirror professional certification requirements.

Beyond the classroom, she has fostered a school-wide culture of excellence through the Annual AWS Welding Competition, which brings together students from across the region to showcase their skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and connect with local employers.

The impact of the AWS Welding Competition resonates throughout our school, fostering a positive environment that encourages students to excel not only in welding but also as engaged and responsible members of their community, she said.
Dr. Robert Burkich of Chattanooga and Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc., his practice in Ringgold, have settled claims under the False Claims Act to resolve allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary chelation therapy.

Dr. Burkich and his practice will jointly pay $700,000 to the United States to be used as restitution to Medicare.

By falsely certifying that services provided to patients are medically necessary, healthcare providers deplete the resources available to Medicare beneficiaries who are actually in need of care, said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. In coordination with our law enforcement partners, our Office will continue to identify and pursue individuals who commit acts of waste, fraud, and abuse against the Medicare program.

Providers who knowingly submit unreasonable and medically unnecessary claims prioritize personal profits over their duty to patients and federal health care programs, said Kelly J. Blackmon, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. HHS-OIG, in partnership with our law enforcement allies, remains committed to investigating fraudulent billing practices that undermine the integrity of federal health care programs and jeopardize the well-being of beneficiaries.

We must assure patients and taxpayers that the care provided by federally- funded healthcare programs is dictated by clinical needs, not fiscal greed, said Paul Brown, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. The FBI and our partners are committed to combining resources to investigate and hold providers accountable for billing the government only for necessary services.

The United States alleges that between September 2009 and January 2017, Dr. Burkich billed Medicare for administering the chelation drug edetate calcium disodium to Medicare beneficiaries who were not suffering from lead poisoning. EDTA is a rarely used drug that is indicated for use only in individuals suffering from lead poisoning and lead encephalopathy.

Medicare has several long-standing rules preventing reimbursement for EDTA when not used for cases of lead poisoning or lead encephalopathy. The United States alleges that Dr. Burkich falsely represented to Medicare that his patients suffered from lead poisoning or other heavy-metal-related diseases to avoid Medicares restrictions and obtain reimbursement.

Based on these allegations, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia filed suit against Dr. Burkich and his practice, accusing them of violating the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729, et seq. That statute prohibits, among other conduct, the knowing submission of false claims for payment to government agencies. The case is titled United States v. Burkich et al., No. 1:19-cv-03510-MLB (N.D. Ga.).

The settlement was reached under the Department of Justices ability-to-pay guidelines, which can be used to settle cases where defendants lack the financial ability to pay a merits-based settlement. The guidelines require defendants to submit to a rigorous financial analysis to determine their ability to pay a settlement.

This matter was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paris Wynn.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.




hydrogen is a much-debated option in terms of CO-neutral energy production. Electrolyzer units that split water into its constituent oxygen and storable hydrogen are supplied with electricity from renewable resources, mainly generated by wind and solar energy. However, catalysts are necessary to facilitate this process. To date, noble metal oxides such as ruthenium dioxide and iridium dioxide are being used as benchmark catalysts. These metals, however, are expensive, rare, and unstable in both acidic and alkaline environments.

Dr. Dandan Gao, a junior group leader at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and holder of a Walter Benjamin Fellowship sponsored by the German Research Foundation, and her team have managed to devise an alternative form of catalyst using cobalt and tungsten, elements that are readily available at low cost. "What's so unique about our catalyst is that it actually enhances its performance over time, while conventional catalysts either maintain their performance at a consistent rate or even lose some of their performance because they are insufficiently durable," stated Dr. Dandan Gao. "After the process of optimization, activity is even higher than that of benchmark catalysts." The results of Gao and her team have recently been published in the international edition of the journal "Angewandte Chemie".

What causes the self-optimization process? The researchers undertook experimental and theoretical investigations to find an explanation for the extraordinary self-optimization of their catalyst. They were able to determine that the chemical nature of the catalyzing cobalt-tungsten oxide changes during the process of water-splitting. While the cobalt is initially largely present in the form of Co, it is increasingly converted to Co. At the same time, the proportion of the original tungsten W ion to the W ion shifts in favor of the latter. "There are two reactions during the splitting of water. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which produces hydrogen gas, and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which produces oxygen gas. The OER represents the bottleneck for the whole reaction," explained Gao. "That's why we are so committed to developing a catalyst that can promote the OER half reaction."

While the OER is initially induced by the tungsten active site, this process is transferred with time to the cobalt active site. Moreover, the electrochemically active surface area of the catalyst also increases over the course of time. The research team also observed alterations to the hydrophilicity of the surface. Its affinity for water increases progressively, which is particularly beneficial in the context of electrochemical water-splitting. "In general, we recorded notably reduced overpotentials and increased current densities accompanied by a substantial increase in OER kinetics," concluded Gao. All this is positive news for the hydrogen production of the future.

Funding by the Walter Benjamin Program of the German Research Foundation Dandan Gao has been sponsored through the Walter Benjamin Program of the German Research Foundation (DFG) since June 2023. This program enables early career researchers to pursue their own research project at an institution of their choice. The host research institution  Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in this case  provides support for the project in question.
The headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention, located in Nashville, Tennessee. | Photo Credit: Southern Baptist Convention Official Website

The U.S. Department of Justice has officially concluded its investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), having not filed any sexual abuse-related charges.

The announcement of the investigation's conclusion came from the Baptist Press, the official news organization of the SBC, which reported on Wednesday that the DOJ had informed SBC attorneys of its decision.

SBC attorneys Gene Besen and Scarlett Nokes said, Earlier today, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York informed us that the investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention and Executive Committee has officially concluded.

They added, We are pleased that the matter has been resolved without any charges or further expense against the Executive Committee or other SBC entities

The DOJ's investigation began in August 2022 after allegations surfaced that the SBC had inadequately responded to sexual abuse accusations within its member congregations.

According to the Baptist Press, by December, the SBC Executive Committee had already incurred legal costs exceeding $2 million related to the DOJ's investigation.

The report from the external firm Guidepost Solutions, commissioned by the SBC's Executive Committee, outlined instances in which some leaders allegedly mistreated abuse victims and mishandled abuse allegations.

The executive summary of the Guidepost report emphasized, For almost two decades, survivors of abuse and other concerned Southern Baptists have been contacting the [SBC Executive Committee] to report child molesters and other abusers who were in the pulpit or employed as church staff.

In late February 2024, the DOJ completed its investigation specifically into the SBC Executive Committee, ultimately filing no charges. However, the broader denomination and its entities remain under investigation.

While no sexual abuse-related charges were brought against the executive committee or the SBC at large, former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Matthew Queen was charged with lying to federal authorities. Queen pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months of home confinement earlier this month.
Paul Washer, HeartCry Missionary Society founder and preacher. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ Paul Washer

At the Shepherds Conference last week, Paul Washer, founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society, emphasized the need for churches to adopt a more militant approach to missions.

During a Q&A session, Washer highlighted the historical significance of past missionary movements, such as those that produced figures like Amy Carmichael, stating, I think that when we go back to some of these missionary movements...the church was militant to take the Gospel.

Washer observed that contemporary worship often centers around individualism, remarking, It was reflected also in its worship. Ive noticed that a lot of worship today is more about me, where a lot in the great missionary movements, the hymns reflected lets go, lets go.

He urged pastors to emphasize the importance of this calling to young men, saying, Pastors need to really work at putting this battle before young men. To put it before them and tell them, we can live and die for something.



He added, We can serve a King incorruptible; we can build a Kingdom that is eternal and will never fall. Theres a reason to be alive. We need to constantly have this mindset of warfare.

Theres great deeds to be done, and men were made to fight. I think it's very appropriate to say a soldier wants to die by the last bullet of the last battle, because thats what soldiers do.

Washer emphasized the critical role of the pulpit in inspiring men to take action in their faith. He articulated that preaching should convey a higher calling, stating, Its the preaching in the pulpit about this higher calling thats going to inspire men to get off their phones and to get to the field.

Abner Chou, associate professor of biblical studies at the Master's College and Seminary, also participated in the Q&A, discussing the importance of energizing seminary students to engage in missions.

He underscored the necessity of putting into action the activity of evangelism, asserting that the love for that can only be gained as you do it.

Chou emphasized that seminaries need to help give our students perspective, noting, Theres a greater plan that goes beyond you. We must energize our young people, who are often tempted by this world to focus only on themselves, to recognize that there is a larger commission, a noble global endeavor.

The panel also featured other notable members, including Conrad Mbewe, author and pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, and Joel Beeke, chancellor and professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, with Mark Tatlock serving as the moderator.
Photo Credit: PCA Official Webiste

A permanent committee of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) issued a statement earlier this week amid multiple politically and racially charged controversies arising from its North American missions arm, known as Mission to North America (MNA).

The MNA publicly repented after facing media scrutiny for posting guidance on its website that advised illegal immigrants on how to evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment; this guidance has since been removed.

The links on the website directed users to left-leaning resources for illegal immigrants, including the American Civil Liberties Union, which raised concerns among some PCA members about a leftist political agenda infiltrating the denomination.

Shortly after the MNA's apology regarding its immigration guidance, Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham highlighted a Black Fellowship Dinner at Resurrection Oakland Church, a PCA congregation in Oakland, California, which was open only to Black worshippers.

The dinner, held to commemorate Black History Month, sparked further debate among those concerned that it exemplified racial segregation and DEI-like initiatives infiltrating the denomination under the guise of affinity groups.

Basham questioned whether affinity groups for minorities within the PCA would be welcomed if the minority in question were white.

Drawing a parallel to the early church, she posed, If it had been the Gentiles in Galatians 2 separating from the Jews because as minorities in a majority culture derived from Jewishness they needed an 'affinity group' to reflect their unique background and interests, do you think the Apostle Paul would have been okay with that? Or would he rebuke that too?"

Despite the controversy surrounding the illegal immigration guidance, which led to MNA's backtracking and repentance, the recent statement from the MNA Permanent Committee condemned racism while affirming fellowship gatherings or events that center on the shared cultural experiences of ethnic minority brothers and sisters.

The committee clarified that the organizers of ResOak's Black Fellowship Dinner, which required attendees to register, did not prohibit or turn away anyone from attending.

They asserted, Affinity ministries equip and encourage minority members who worship in so many of our churches. These ministries support shared cultural experiences for the edification of the whole body. We affirm affinity gatherings as a part of rejoicing in our unity and diversity.

MNA also highlighted its specific ministries for various ethnic minorities, including one for Hispanics, which claims that recent demographic changes in the U.S., amid loosened immigration policies, were orchestrated by God Himself to provide an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission.

The focus of MNA's statement was on Irwyn Ince, elected by the MNA Permanent Committee to serve as coordinator in 2021. As the head of the MNA, Ince authored the public apology regarding the immigration guidance and was the featured speaker at the contentious ResOak dinner.

He called for spaces and times where you just don't have to work so hard, arguing that black people may be subject to trauma in predominantly white situations and advocating for some places of affinity space.
Home News Judge orders Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil to remain in detention, can't be deported yet

An anti-Israel activist and Columbia University graduate facing deportation under President Donald Trump's administration will remain in detention for his role in organizing campus protests.

Mahmoud Khalil, who finished the requirements for a master's degree at Columbia in December, will remain in detention in Louisiana until at least next week.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman determined during a Wednesday hearing that the U.S. government must allow the 30-year-old activist's lawyers to speak with him privately on the phone, The Associated Press reported. The judge also gave Khalil's attorneys and prosecutors until Friday to submit a joint letter outlining when they plan to submit written arguments about the legal issues in the case.

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The hearing mainly focused on jurisdictional issues, according to The AP. The lawyers for Khalil, a green card holder from Syria, want the activist to return to New York and be released under supervision. Wednesday's hearing took place after the judge temporarily blocked authorities from deporting the protest organizer.

Khalil was not present at the hearing on Wednesday, as he remains at an immigration detention center in Louisiana, where he has been held after a brief stint in New Jersey. At the time of reporting, Furman determined that Khalil can remain in Louisiana, according to The AP.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced earlier this month that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Khalil in coordination with the U.S. Department of State. The DHS noted that the arrest took place "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism."

"Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization," the department stated. "ICE and the Department of State are committed to enforcing President Trump's executive orders and to protecting U.S. national security."

In response to the news of Khalil's arrest, several Columbia University professors canceled in-person classes in solidarity.

According to emails shared by The Washington Free Beacon on Monday, three faculty members  English professor Joseph Albernaz, philosophy lecturer Ruairidh MacLeod, and an unnamed third  emailed students to cancel class, with Albernaz stating that he would give every student an "A" on an upcoming midterm.

The professor wrote in his email that he is "sickened" by the news of Khalil's detainment, writing that he does not believe "this is acceptable at a university or in a society."

"I cannot see how I can hold a typical class right now under these current conditions, nor how you can be expected to prepare for an exam, so I am cancelling in person class tomorrow and cancelling the mid-term scheduled for Thursday (everyone will receive an 'A' on the midterm)," Albernaz wrote.

Columbia University did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment about the faculty member's actions.

Last year, activists at academic institutions throughout the country set up protest encampments and organized demonstrations in opposition to Israel's war against the terror group Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Columbia University was the site of one of these encampments, which resulted in activists taking over a building on campus. Jewish students also reported that they experienced antisemitic harassment from the protesters, and that they did not feel safe on campus.

Khalil told reporters that activists planned to continue protesting despite the arrest of more than 2,000 activists among the encampments set up on college campuses, as The Hill reported in August.

"What we will see [is] the students will continue their activism, will continue doing what they've done in conventional and unconventional ways," Khalil said, acting as a student negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest. "So not only protests, not only encampments, kind of any  any available means necessary to push Columbia to divest from Israel."

"And we've been working all this summer on our plans, on what's next to pressure Columbia to listen to the students and to decide to be on the right side of history," he added.

Canary Mission, a group that works to expose antisemitism, shared a video to its social media page on March 6 that showed Khalil among the activists who took over a library at Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate.

Activists at the protest handed out pamphlets from the "Hamas Media Office" that reportedly justified the terror group's invasion on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the massacres of over 1,200 people in southern Israel and sparked Israel's military operation in Gaza.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed Khalil has personally handed out Hamas materials.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration canceled about $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing the anti-Israel encampments and harassment of Jewish students that have gone unaddressed. Trump had previously threatened to stop federal funding for schools that permit "illegal protests" and deport foreign nationals who help lead such demonstrations.

"All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests," the president wrote on his TruthSocial page earlier this month. "Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS!"
Home News Episcopal bishop denounces Trump's attempt to deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil

An Episcopal Church bishop has denounced the Trump administration's attempt to deport a Palestinian activist tied to an organization that supports terrorist attacks against Israel.

Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University known for his anti-Israel political activism, was detained by federal authorities last Saturday and is facing possible deportation, drawing protests.

Bishop Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese of New York said in a statement posted to Facebook earlier this week that his regional body "rejects the detention and threat of deportation of Mahmoud Khalil."

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"In accordance with our faith and civic creed, we uphold the belief that difference and dissent should be safe. We reject deportation based on political viewpoint  whether we agree or disagree," Heyd continued.

"Today, we stand with our neighbors at Columbia University. We also encourage Columbia to protect its students when they are threatened. Higher education depends on the ability to speak honestly and freely, without fear of retribution; and on attracting people of diverse and international viewpoints."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced earlier this month that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Khalil, a native of Syria who was in the United States via a green card and recently completed his master's degree requirements, in coordination with the State Department. He is married to a U.S. citizen who is pregnant with their first child.

According to the DHS, Khalil's arrest occurred "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism."

"Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization," the department alleged. "ICE and the Department of State are committed to enforcing President Trump's executive orders and to protecting U.S. national security."

While supporters like Heyd claim that Khalil shouldn't be deported based on political viewpoint, Secretary of State Marco Rubio contends that the case is not about "free speech."

"When you come to the United States as a visitor, which is what a visa is and how this individual entered this country, you are here as a visitor. We can deny you that visa," he said when questioned by a reporter on Wednesday.

"If you tell us when you apply, 'Hi, I'm trying to get into the United States on a student visa, I am a big supporter of Hamas, a murderous barbaric group that kidnaps children, that rapes teenage girls, that takes hostages and allows them to die in captivity, that returns more bodies than live hostages,' if you tell us that you are in favor of a group like this, and you tell us that 'by the way, I intend to come to your country as a student and rile up all kinds of anti-Jewish student, antisemitic activity, I intend to shut down your university,' if you told us all these things when you apply for a visa, we would deny your visa."

"If you actually end up doing that once you are in this country on such a visa, we will revoke it," he vowed.

Last year, activists at academic institutions throughout the country set up protest encampments at Columbia University and elsewhere in opposition to Israel's war against the terror group Hamas in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas' October 2023 attack that killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to the abduction of around 240 others.

In addition to the encampment, pro-Palestinian activists took over a building on campus, and Jewish students reported experiencing antisemitic harassment from the protesters.

Khalil was part of the activism on campus, serving as a student negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups whose leaders have at times voiced support for terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

"What we will see [is] the students will continue their activism, will continue doing what they've done in conventional and unconventional ways," Khalil stated last year. "So not only protests, not only encampments, kind of any  any available means necessary to push Columbia to divest from Israel."

"And we've been working all this summer on our plans, on what's next to pressure Columbia to listen to the students and to decide to be on the right side of history."

Canary Mission, an antisemitism watchdog group, shared a video to its social media page earlier this month showing Khalil among the activists who took over a library at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia.

Activists at the protest handed out pamphlets from the "Hamas Media Office" that reportedly justified the Gaza Strip-based terror group's attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Khalil has handed out Hamas materials.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman stopped the Trump administration from deporting Khalil for now, though he remains in detention in Louisiana at least until next week.

The Trump administration has canceled about $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University over its response to the encampments and harassment of Jewish students. The president had earlier threatened to halt funding for schools that he said permit "illegal protests."
Home News Lakewood Church Christmas Eve threat suspect indicted on federal terrorism charge

A homeless man alleged to have threatened a deadly gas attack on Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Eve has been indicted on a federal terrorism charge.

A grand jury in Harris County indicted 33-year-old Aaron Suppes earlier this month on one terroristic threat count for his alleged actions against the megachurch.

The indictment states Suppes "threaten[ed] to commit an offense involving violence" against the church's head of security "with the intent to place a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury," reported Houston Chronicle.

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A district court set Suppes' bail at $15,000 and gave instructions that he could not go near any church property, including Lakewood, the newspaper added.

Suppes was initially detained at the San Jacinto Jail in Harris County, then transferred to the LaSalle Correctional Center in Louisiana.

During a candlelight service at Lakewood attended by around 5,000 people on Dec. 24, Suppes called an FBI tipline and said he would release sarin gas  an extremely toxic chemical weapon  during the gathering.

Worship continued uninterrupted as security confirmed that there was no actual threat to the property, as the duffel bags that Suppes had left at the church property were found harmless.

Authorities later tracked down Suppes, who was identified through security camera footage and was still within the vicinity of the church. They arrested him without incident.

Lt. Willkens with the Houston Police Department later told the press that Suppes had placed another call on Christmas Eve, making strange claims that implied a mental health issue.

"Called dispatch, called 911 stating that him and his sister were being microwaved from overseas, whatever that means, so obviously having some mental issues," stated Willkens, as quoted by WLTX.

"Inside those bags, there was some clothing and some electronic devices, there was nothing immediately that alarmed the officers or the security detail. At the end of the day the threat was fake."

According to court documents, Suppes had been unemployed and homeless for at least six months leading up to the Christmas Eve incident. Initially, he falsely identified himself to the court as a pastor from Florida.

The threat came months after a woman named Genesee Moreno entered Lakewood with a 7-year-old boy and a firearm, then opened fire in a February 2024 attack.

Moreno was killed by off-duty police officers while the child was seriously injured, and a 57-year-old bystander was shot in the leg.
Home News Migration to US through Darien Gap plummets 99% while Trump cracks down on illegal immigration

Migrants attempting to reach the United States through the dangerous jungles of the Darien Gap have dropped by 99%, a dramatic decline that the White House celebrated in praise of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

According to Migracion Panama, an immigration and naturalization service in Panama, only 408 migrants crossed the Darien Gap from Colombia into Panama in February, the lowest since November 2020, when 365 traveled the path during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 408 total is down from the more than 37,000 reported last February and 24,000 in February 2023.

In January, 2,229 migrants crossed the Darien Gap into Panama from Colombia. For the year 2023, Migracion Panama recorded a total of 520,085 instances of irregular traffic through the Darien Gap. In 2024, the Panama agency recorded a total of 302,203 instances of irregular transit through the region.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned the drop in Darien Gap traffic in a press release.

"America is roaring back," the press secretary stated.

The Darien Gap is a 60-mile-long roadless jungle on the border between Colombia and Panama, and those who journey through it are typically migrants looking to reach the United States. Traveling through the Darien Gap is considered dangerous, not only because of the wildlife and harsh terrain but the presence of criminal gangs that expose migrants to violence and sexual assault.

As Bloomberg reported Monday, the decline in traffic through the Darien Gap follows Panama President Jose Raul Mulino's administration closing several of the jungle's paths and increasing security patrols in September.

There has also been a sharp decrease in traffic at the U.S. southern border in recent months. During the first full month of Trump's second presidency, monthly border encounters between law enforcement and migrants reached the lowest point in three years, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In February 2025, 11,709 encounters occurred between illegal immigrants seeking entry into the country and immigration law enforcement officials. There were 61,465 encounters in January and 96,035 encounters recorded in December 2024, the last full month of the Biden administration.

President Trump has vowed to crack down on immigration and improve border security, which includes increasing deportations of illegal immigrants.

Senior officials with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told reporters on a press call Wednesday that ICE has arrested more than 32,000 illegal migrants in the U.S. within the first 50 days of Trump's second term.

"I want to be clear that the ICE arrests in the first 50 days of President Trump's administration are outpacing those that were under the Biden administration," Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said during the call, according to The Washington Examiner. "As of yesterday, ICE arrests have surpassed all of last year's at-large criminal arrests. Doubling ICE arrests is just the start."

The 32,000 arrested since Jan. 20 included 14,111 convicted criminals, according to Lyons. Another 9,980 had pending criminal charges, 1,155 were suspected gang members and another 8,718 had other immigration violations. The acting ICE director said the 8,718 "violated U.S. immigration law, which is also a crime."

"We ended catch [and] release, and we have returned ICE to its core mission, which is arresting people who violate our immigration law," Lyons said. "Secretary Noem and I are changing the culture of ICE to one of action and accountability."

The ICE official said the agency expects arrests and removal numbers to increase throughout the current presidential administration.

Earlier this week, CBP and the DHS announced a new feature through the CBP Home App that allows illegal migrants or aliens whose parole has been revoked to inform the U.S. government about their intent to depart the country.

The application's self-deportation function is part of a $200 million nationwide and international ad campaign urging illegal immigrants to leave the U.S. or face deportation, according to a Monday statement from the DHS.

"The Biden Administration exploited the CBP One app to allow more than 1 million aliens to illegally enter the United States," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated. "With the launching of the CBP Home app, we are restoring integrity to our immigration system."

"The CBP Home app gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream," she added. "If they don't, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return."
Home News Robert Morris bond set at $50K, faces up to 100 years in prison for child sex abuse

A day after being indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma, the bond for disgraced Gateway Church founder Robert Morris was set at $50,000 on Thursday as he faces a possible 100 years maximum in prison if convicted on all counts.

The indictment stems from allegations made by 54-year-old grandmother Cindy Clemishire last June that the Southlake, Texas, megachurch founder sexually abused her over multiple years in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12.

Current penalties in Oklahoma for lewd acts or indecent acts with a child under 16 committed by an adult is three to 20 years in prison and at least 25 years in prison if the child is under 12. Repeat offenders can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office told The Christian Post that since the charges against Morris stemmed more than 35 years ago, his punishment would be limited by the law in effect at the time.

"At that time, the range of punishment was 1-20 years in prison. These other restrictions were not in effect in the law that existed at the time of Morris' alleged crimes," explained Carrie Burkhart, deputy press secretary for Oklahoma's Office of the Attorney General.

While a date has not yet been set for Morris' initial court appearance, he is expected to surrender to authorities early next week. He will also have to surrender his passport.

Oklahoma places a "big incentive" for defendants to accept a plea bargain, according to Tulsa-based criminal defense attorney Kevin Adams. He writes that if the defendant proceeds to trial and is convicted, the "custom of most judges is to order the sentences to run consecutively (one after the other)."

In Morris' case, if he were to receive a maximum of 20 years on all five counts and a judge ordered them served consecutively, he could face up to 100 years in prison. If all five sentences were to be served concurrently, he would face up to 20 years in prison.

In a statement Wednesday, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who previously served as Clemishire's attorney, described the case against 63-year-old Morris as "despicable."

"In December 1982, Morris was a traveling evangelist visiting in Hominy with the family of the alleged victim, who was 12 at the time. The indictment alleges Morris' sexual misconduct began that Christmas and continued over the next four years. In all, Morris faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child," the OAG's office stated Wednesday.

"There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children. This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done," Drummond added.

Board-certified civil trial attorney Spencer T. Kuvin of GOLDLAW, who represented victims of late financier Jeffrey Epstein and is currently representing 10 victims for civil lawsuits against a former youth pastor at Duluth Vineyard Church, said churches should treat the news of Morris' indictment as a warning to become more vigilant against abuse.

"Churches should be focused on training and educating their leadership to be sensitive and alert to any potential for inappropriate activities. Oftentimes, in the religious setting, leaders will excuse what appears to be inappropriate behavior and hope that it goes away or does not continue to occur. Burying your head in the sand and failing to address problems seriously will almost always result in a tragedy," Kuvin said in response to a series of questions from CP.

He said that Morris' indictment didn't come as a surprise for him despite being committed long ago because society has "determined that some crimes are so heinous that they have no statute of limitations for prosecution."

"Churches that face issues regarding abuse by leadership, or even members, should search out organizations that can help them investigate the extent of the abuse and offer full and complete support to the victims of the abuse. The accused perpetrator should immediately be separated from any and all activities with the church until the full investigation is complete," he advised.

"It is important to understand that no one should be beyond criticism and review. Oftentimes we see in the religious setting that the harmful abuse occurs for years because people do not want to 'believe' that this person or that person could commit such awful acts. What we find in these cases is that unfortunately it is often those that are closest to us, that we can even trust the most, who end up betraying us," he added.

Gateway Church officials stated that they were unaware of all the facts last June when Morris resigned after Clemishire went public with her allegations. She insisted, however, that she had confronted Morris in 2005, according to selected emails she shared with CP.

"The leadership at Gateway received actual notice of this crime in 2005 when I sent an email directly to Robert Morris' Gateway email address. Former Gateway elder Tom Lane received and responded to my email, acknowledging that the sexual abuse began on December 25, 1982, when I was 12 years old," Clemishire said in a statement released by her attorney Boz Tchividjian.

"Again in 2007, my then attorney Gentner Drummond (the current Attorney General of Oklahoma) sent a letter to Robert Morris with the hope that he would help reimburse me for the thousands of dollars I had expended in counseling as a result of this abuse. His attorney acknowledged the dates as well and then attempted to blame me for the abuse," she insisted.

Morris reportedly accused her of attempting to blackmail him, then asked her to name her price after she demanded he pay for what he had done to her as a child. Clemishire ultimately said she wanted Morris to pay $2 million in restitution to help pay for her counseling and other services, but he refused to offer any assistance unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement.

When asked if Morris would have been wiser to help Clemishire back then, Kuvin said it would have been helpful but not enough to settle the crime.

"Agreeing to help victims is always a good start, but this should not be the end of any help. Merely paying for someone to obtain counseling without some measure of justice and public acknowledgement by the church for the abuse that occurred, is hollow. Victims want everyone to believe and support them, as well as take action against the person who committed these crimes," Kuvin said.

"Sadly, in this type of environment some people will end up siding with the abuser and accuse the victims of lies. It takes a huge amount of bravery and resolve to come forward, especially in a religious environment. The overwhelmingly vast majority of these accusations are truthful. No one wants to voluntarily put themselves through this process if it did not actually occur to them."
Home Opinion Should religious charter schools be funded by public tax money?

A recent New York Times opinion piece titled The Urgent Supreme Court Case Thats Not Getting Enough Attention, penned by Linda Greenhouse, a Pulitzer Prize-winning, longtime U.S. Supreme Court reporter, has a headline that should arrest the readers attention because it is, if anything, an understatement.

The Supreme Court case in question, Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, is scheduled to be considered by the Supreme Court between April 22 and April 30. I have written about this case previously in The Christian Post, Is a Catholic charter school the answer?

I was extremely concerned by the implications of this case then, and I am even more concerned now. This case breaks new ground concerning church-state issues. In this present case, the Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a state that allows charter schools as alternatives to traditional public schools, as nearly all states do, must agree to fund those that are explicitly religious, writes Greenhouse.

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A positive decision in this case would break revolutionary new ground in the debate over separation of church and state. The school in question, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, is a proposed virtual public charter school operated and administered by the Diocese of Tulsa and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and would, among other things, fulfill the evangelizing mission of the [Catholic] Church.

Ever since the Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002) decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that vouchers or tax credits used by parents to help defray the costs of private education did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment because the aid went to the parents and they then chose whether to spend the money at a religious or a secular school.

In the present Drummond case, public funds would be directly funding a charter public school, a school operated by Catholic officials to propagate the Catholic faith. While non-Catholic students could apply and attend this school, they would be taught within a framework that promoted the Catholic faith. (Let me be clear that I would oppose a Baptist charter school just as vehemently as I oppose a Catholic charter school. Indeed, I would oppose it because I am a Baptist and I believe in separation of church and state.)

What is being proposed is a public school paid for with public tax money. Consequently, all taxpayers, whatever their faith commitment or lack thereof, would be forced to subsidize that which they believe violates their faith affirmations. As Thomas Jefferson explained long ago in A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom (1786) in Virginia:

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

Jefferson identified this bill establishing religious freedom in Virginia, along with the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the University of Virginia, as the three things to be preserved on any memorial after his death.

This is why the Oklahoma state Supreme Court ruled 6-2 against St. Isidore as a charter public school last year, declaring that it violated both the federal and state constitutions church-state separation edicts. As the Oklahoma Supreme Court observed:

St. Isadore will be acting as a surrogate of the state in providing free public education as any other state-sponsored charter school ... What St. Isadore requests from this court is beyond the fair treatment of a private religious institution in receiving a generally available benefit, implicating the Free Exercise Clause. It is about the states creation and funding of a new religious institution violating the Establishment Clause.

If the Supreme Court finds a Roman Catholic, publicly funded charter school does not violate the First Amendments Establishment Clause, the result will be revolutionary and I believe catastrophic.

Within a remarkably short time, most of the states that have charter public schools (and most states do) will be flooded with applications for Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. public charter schools.

Ms. Greenhouse suggests that if the Supreme Court rules St. Isidore is constitutional, they will have invited further fragmentation of public education. In other words, she believes it will cause more and more parents to avail themselves of charter schools that will teach their children more in accord with their worldviews and their values than a generic public school would do and that public schools would be greatly vitiated by the loss of students and financing being transferred to charter schools.

And she is right. It will devastate traditional public schools in many states. However, it will also have a big impact on private schools and the homeschool movement. For example, if Catholic, Baptist, or Jewish parents have the opportunity of sending their children to: A. a public school that denigrates and mocks their values, or B. a private school that incorporates their values but charges them a minimum of $1,000 a month tuition per child, or C. home schooling which requires one parent to forgo employment income to teach the children, or D. a free charter public school that incorporates their religious values  which education option do you believe increasing numbers of often cash-strapped parents will choose?

I believe it is very possible that if the Supreme Court upholds St. Isidore as constitutional, it could very well devastate traditional public schools, private religious schools, and the homeschool movement.

And by the way, if traditional secular public education is devastated, as Ms. Greenhouse fears, it will be the fault of the liberal educational establishment. Why are Christian schools proliferating across the land? Why is the homeschool movement growing exponentially? Why are parents clamoring for charter schools?

The answer to all these questions is the same. The transformation of the public school system in much of the country into institutions that indoctrinate (LGBTQ+ dogma, Critical Race Theory perpetuating racism, etc.) rather than educating (producing subpar education and semi-literate graduates) has created a critical mass of public dissatisfaction.

Basic skills scores for our nations children are scandalously low and mediocre (Asian high school students are approximately five years ahead of their American counterparts on basic literacy and math tests). Too many of our public schools give evidence of being run for the benefit of the teachers unions, not the students. And too many of them have viewed themselves as primarily institutions for radical social change rather than for imparting basic literacy and math skills and the great values of Western Civilization.

I attended public schools in blue collar neighborhoods in Houston (1952-1965) and received an education that enabled me to compete successfully for a full scholarship to Princeton University and to graduate from there magna cum laude four years later. Such a public education is rarely available to millions of American students today. The big loser is America as we continue to under educate our most precious resource, our young people.

I want desperately to reform our public education system and to return it to educating, not indoctrinating.

I also want desperately to maintain the wisdom of our Establishment Clause and to protect religion from public money which will lead inevitably to government interference with religion (with the governments shekels, sooner or later come the governments shackles!).

I hope and pray the court rules against St. Isidore, but if they dont, one major reason will be the publics collective revolt against underperforming public schools, that too often seek to undermine millions of parents deeply held beliefs.

By the way, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett has recused herself since St. Isidores legal team has worked closely with Notre Dames legal scholars, which is where she used to teach. So the decision will be made by eight rather than nine justices, which greatly increases the possibility of a 4-4 tie vote.
Home News Hamas claims its ready to release US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, 4 bodies for increased prisoner release

The Hamas terrorist organization announced on Friday that it is willing to agree to a deal that would see the release of American-Israeli IDF soldier Edan Alexander (20) and four bodies of deceased hostages  all of whom held dual citizenship.

In his first reaction just hours before the start of the Jewish Sabbath, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) indirectly rejected the ostensible offer.

The statement affirmed that Israel had accepted the latest proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, while Hamas insisted on its demands and continued with psychological warfare.

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Hamas stated that it received a proposal yesterday from the mediator brothers to resume negotiations. The movement dealt with it responsibly and positively, and delivered its response to it at dawn today.

The movement affirms its full readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase, calling for the occupation [Israel] to be compelled to fully implement its commitments.

In response, the PMO stated: "While Israel has accepted the Witkoff outline, Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal and has not budged a millimeter. At the same time, it continues to engage in manipulation and psychological warfare."

"The Prime Minister will convene the ministerial team on Saturday night to receive a detailed report from the negotiating team, and to decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages."

"Hamas's ostensible 'offer' to release hostages with American citizenship is intended to sabotage negotiations and is merely manipulation," an Israeli official told Israeli news outlets.

"Hamas has not changed its position in the slightest, despite the efforts of the Americans and mediators, and despite our willingness to be flexible," the official emphasized.

Throughout the hostage negotiations, Israel has maintained its stance against granting special treatment to dual citizens.

In addition, a source involved in the negotiations told i24 News that the "Witkoff proposal," discussed in recent days, had outlined the release of five living hostages along with several bodies.

Furthermore, Israel had demanded an increase in the number of released hostages to eight living captives.

In conclusion: Hamas says 'yes' to Boehler's proposal, although it is actually Witkoff's proposal that is currently on the table, commented i24 diplomatic reporter, Amichai Stein.

After causing consternation in Israel with several recent statements, Adam Boehler, who had conducted direct talks with Hamas, was pulled off the hostage file, according to reports on Thursday.

Hamas, meanwhile, claimed that new criteria had been agreed for Alexanders release, including an increase of Palestinian prisoners set to be freed by Israel.

In response to Hamas's announcement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum reiterated its stance that a potential hostage release should be a first step toward a broader agreement that will return all remaining hostages.

"Otherwise, this is a selection that separates Zionism from its values and continues the abandonment of Oct. 7 on the basis of a foreign passport," the forum stated.

According to Channel 12, the Alexander family and the families of the four deceased hostages have not been informed of any changes or progress in the talks.

In November, Hamas released a video of Alexander in captivity. During the three-and-a-half-minute video, he pleaded with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to forget the hostages and called on citizens to pressure the government through negotiations.

Alexander was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, he chose to return to Israel and enlisted in the IDF as a lone soldier. He was abducted from the Kissufim military post on the morning of October 7, 2023.

Alexander's family resides in New Jersey. His mother, Yael, visited him just days before he was captured by Hamas terrorists.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News High court judge caught falsely charging Christians with blasphemy in entrapment ring resigns

LAHORE, Pakistan  A high court judge in Pakistan resigned last week after a media report exposed his alleged close ties with a criminal gang falsely charging Christians and others with blasphemy, sources said.

Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on March 6 sent his resignation to President Asif Ali Zardari citing personal reasons for stepping down and requesting its immediate acceptance. He was appointed as an LHC judge in November 2016.

Several lawyers, including Christian attorneys involved in defending persons accused of blasphemy, expressed relief at the judges resignation as they shared with Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News how he pressured them during cases.

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A Muslim attorney said on condition of anonymity that just days before the controversial judge sent his resignation, Aziz had issued a stay order against any possible adverse action based on a report of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) on blasphemy cases.

Sajid Iqbal Lashari, an office-bearer of the Tahaffuz-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwwat Forum (Movement for Protection of Finality of Prophethood) had challenged the NCHR report in Azizs court. The report pointed to the lack of due process in blasphemy cases, including significant procedural violations at multiple stages.

It recommended formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) through the Ministry of Human Rights comprising of officials from the Special Branch of the Police, Intelligence Bureau, Ministries of Law, Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other relevant departments to deal with the blasphemy cases. The NCHR report called for stern disciplinary proceedings against the FIA officials involved in illegal arrests or soliciting bribes while noting the apparent leniency of the FIA toward the private entities and individual complainants behind multiple blasphemy cases.

I think that Aziz was forced to step down due to the mounting international pressure on the countrys civil-military establishment to take measures against the blatant violations of human rights in Pakistan, particularly the steep rise in false blasphemy cases in the last couple of years, the anonymous Muslim attorney told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

The judges alleged link with the blasphemy business gang was revealed in an investigative report by Fact Focus, a website banned by authorities in Pakistan. According to the report, Aziz had a long history of blasphemy activism with attorney Rao Abdul Rahim, alleged mastermind of the blasphemy business group.

The two lawyers were involved in fabricating a blasphemy case against 11-year-old Rimsha Masih, a Christian girl from Islamabad, in August 2012, according to Fact Focus. Despite the fact that a judicial inquiry proved the case against Rimsha was entirely false, Aziz was appointed as a high court judge within four years, the report added.

The Fact Focus report asserted that many blasphemy-related cases were assigned to Aziz in the Lahore High Court. Citing a blasphemy case of a Muslim suspect, Ahmed Satti, the report stated that Aziz unnecessarily held the bail rejection order for four months before finally rejecting Sattis bail. Eventually the Supreme Court ruled on the same case that no material had been presented to link the petitioner to the alleged offenses and granted him bail.

In April 2023, Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) noted the malicious and suspicious activities in the Cybercrime Wing of the FIA and ordered it to cease work on the cases falling under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and focus solely on matters related to electronic crimes, according to the report.

Instead of challenging this order in the IHC or taking it to the Supreme Court, the blasphemy business gang once again brought the matter before Justice Aziz who, as expected, directed the FIA to resume work on PPC cases, effectively bypassing the judgment of the IHC without providing any clear rationale, it added.

The report went on to reveal that when Islamabad police were nearing the conclusion of their investigation against attorney Rahim in the murder case of falsely accused Abdullah Shah, Rahim filed a petition before Aziz complaining that the FIA, which had already been working closely with him, was not properly investigating blasphemy cases. Rahim requested that appropriate actions be taken by the FIA.

In response, Justice Aziz ordered the creation of anti-blasphemy cells in the FIA across the country, the report noted. The proceedings of this case by Justice Aziz was clearly meant to give a media hype to Rao Abdul Raheem and to pressurize Islamabad Police officials.

Christian attorney Aneeqa Maria recalled a blasphemy case in which her team had filed an application for grant of post-arrest bail to two Christians, Sunny Waqas and his cousin Noman Masih, who were booked by the Bahawalpur police and the Bahawalnagar police in two blasphemy cases related to the same incident.

Justice Aziz was serving in the Bahawalpur Bench of the Lahore High Court, and the bail petition was fixed in his court, Maria told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Instead of judging the grounds for bail, Aziz pressured the police to add Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the case and investigate the matter afresh. Its good that such a religiously prejudiced judge is not part of the bench now.

Another Christian attorney, Lazar Allah Rakha, said that he had filed an appeal against the death sentence given to two Muslim blasphemy suspects, Muhammad Riaz and Ejaz Ahmed, which was heard by a two-judge bench including Aziz.

Just when the other judge was about to announce the acquittal order for the two convicts, Aziz recused himself from the bench to prevent his colleague from acquitting the appellants, Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

The attorney, who along with Maria also represented Sunny Waqas and Noman Masih, said that during a hearing of the bail petitions, Aziz lost his temper and accused him of defending the blasphemy suspects just to make some money.

The judges harsh remarks turned the courts environment very hostile and provoked some emotional lawyers to surround me, Rakha said. He repeatedly pressurized the investigations superintendent of police to conduct a fresh investigation who eventually prepared a new challan [charge sheet] and added the section related to terrorism in the cases.

Pakistan is ranked No. 8 on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
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Home News Texas Pastor Joel Webbon claims there's 'no place' for non-Christians in American leadership 'Right Response Ministries' host says US 'belongs to Christians'

A Texas pastor and YouTuber has claimed that the United States belongs exclusively to Christians, and that means non-Christians shouldn't hold public office.

Joel Webbon, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist and leader of Covenant Bible Church in Georgetown, made that assertion during the March 7 episode of his "Right Response Ministries" podcast, in which he explained his understanding of how the Founding Fathers viewed non-Christian Americans in the late 18th century.

Webbon said while the Founding Fathers largely held positive views of Jewish Americans in the colonial era because of the Bible and their knowledge of the Hebrew language, "they were pretty adamant about [] no mistreatment or anything like that, and yet, simultaneously, without racial animus, they also were just able to say, No, America is for Americans and it is predominantly an Anglo-Protestant project.

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Read Christian nationalism: What it is, what it isnt and why it matters  a guide for people of faith

He continued: Jews cannot hold public office. They can live here, and they can live here peacefully, and all these kinds of things, but, no, this is a Christian nation, and those who reject Christ and hate Christ, they can be in the car, and we shouldnt mistreat them, but they dont get to drive.

He continued: "Its OK to have a country. Listen to me, Christian, you are allowed to have a country. You are. It is OK to say No, this country, this nation is for us and our posterity.' It's not for Hindus. It's not for Muslims. And it's not for Jews. It belongs to Christians."

Webbon argued that while Reformed theologians historically believed in a future spiritual revival for the Jewish people and that they would eventually be saved, they did so while simultaneously recognizing that the Jews were against Christ, and that they were not Christians. They were very much anti-Christ and that they had no place in leadership in America.

The pastors comments come amid growing scrutiny of Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to fuse Christian identity with American governance, often at odds with the First Amendments prohibition on establishing religion.

According to positions he has articulated in sermons and podcasts over the past year, Webbons vision includes amending the U.S. Constitution with the Apostles Creed and outlawing abortion, pornography and no-fault divorce, as well as restricting voting rights for women.

CP reached out to Pastor Webbon for comment on Thursday. This article will be updated if a response is received.

Webbons comments on non-Christians in government point to a complicated historical record in the U.S., particularly in its infancy.

Throughout the 18th century, most American colonies enacted statutes that required office holders to swear an oath to affirm some form of Protestant Christianity, which effectively prevented Jews in most colonies from holding public office.

Georgia's first constitution in 1777, for example, explicitly barred Jewish Americans from high office, and similar requirements existed in other states, such as Massachusetts, which required officeholders to swear belief in the Christian religion.

But beginning in the early 19th century, a number of states passed laws that removed such restrictions, including Maryland, where lawmakers in 1827 passed the Jew Bill which eliminated any restriction against Jewish people from holding public office.
Home News PCUSA approves amendment barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity

Presbyterian Church (USA) has approved an amendment to its constitution that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The LGBT advocacy group Covenant Network of Presbyterians announced Wednesday the passage of Amendment 24-A in a statement posted to the PC(USA) 's official website through the Presbyterian News Service.

Amendment 24-A amended the PC(USA) Book of Order to include gender identity and sexual orientation to the antidiscrimination statement found in F-1.0403, which read in part that "God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction."

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Initially passed at the 226th PC(USA) General Assembly last year, the amendment needed to receive yes votes from at least 84 of the denomination's 166 presbyteries.

According to the CNP, Amendment 24-A recently passed the threshold, having recently garnered the official support of 87 presbyteries, while dozens of other regional bodies have yet to vote.

CNP Executive Director, the Rev. Brian Ellison, said in a statement that "we're still a long way from equity in many areas of church life" for LGBT individuals.

"Still, this vote marks a significant milestone aligning our governing documents with our stated values, and demanding that all who would serve as leaders in our midst take seriously their responsibility to avoid discrimination and honor all people," Ellison stated.

Amendment 24-C, a proposal initially coupled with Amendment 24-A that would require PC(USA) clergy candidates to answer questions about their views on LGBT issues, is still being considered.

The CNP's tracking of Amendment 24-C, accessed by The Christian Post on Thursday morning, shows that it currently has 57 yes votes and 34 no votes, with 75 presbytery votes still to be held.

The two amendments were originally known collectively as the "Olympia Overture," named after the presbytery from which they originated.

Although the antidiscrimination amendment passed the General Assembly by a vote of 389-24, the amendment requiring the questioning of clergy passed by a closer margin of 297-130 and garnered considerable debate.

Young Adult Advisory Delegate Chase White of the Utah Presbytery told those at the 2024 assembly that he felt it undermined the "big tent" of the PC(USA), citing the past policies of the denomination when it barred the ordination of openly gay individuals.

"I believe that this section of the overture threatens our witness to Christ, because it allows us once again to be gatekeepers, but now just to a different group of people that we have decided belong on the outside," White said. "Everyone belongs inside, even those we disagree with."

Teaching Elder Benjamin Fitzgerald-Fye of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery defended the amendment, claiming that it "doesn't ask anyone to do anything" and "doesn't stop anyone from doing anything."

"We cannot have a conversation if we keep giving ourselves permission not to talk about things," said Fitzgerald-Fye at the time. "It is not nice to set aside the rights of others because it is uncomfortable to talk about it."

"It is not nice to exclude people knowingly and then not have to talk about it. What this does is to ask us to begin having a conversation so people know where we stand as leaders."

The PC(USA) ratified an amendment allowing ordination of openly LGBT pastors at the discretion of each congregation in 2011.

Before last July's General Assembly, over 100 clergy signed an open letter opposing any requirement that clergy candidates be asked about their views on sexual orientation and gender identity, saying it appears to "introduce an ordination question that is deeply at odds with our core Reformed tenet of freedom of conscience."

"This amendment would immediately disqualify and exclude many faithful and dedicated Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders, and Deacons from serving due to their convictions," the letter reads. "Moreover, it risks imposing a non-negotiable and rigid standard on an issue where faithful Christians hold differing views."
Home News Pro-life group can offer counseling, protest within 15 feet of abortion clinics: NY judge

A judge in New York has ruled that a pro-life group can engage in sidewalk counseling within 15 feet of abortion clinics and not be in violation of an earlier court order.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas ruled from the bench on Monday that Red Rose Rescue could protest or offer counseling in close proximity to abortion clinics, rejecting a previous request by New York Attorney General Letitia James to ban the pro-life group's activities.

The Thomas More Society, which is helping to represent Red Rose Rescue, released a statement Wednesday celebrating the bench ruling that allows the pro-life group to demonstrate.

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We are very pleased with the courts thorough and well-reasoned opinion, denying Letitia James attempt to further silence our pro-life clients, stated Thomas More Society's Senior Counsel Christopher Ferrara.

The evidence we provided in defense of Red Rose Rescue clearly demonstrated that that there was no violation of the injunction, including the bodycam footage showing that every claim of misconduct made by the AGs two partisan witnesses was demonstrably false, he added.

James had filed a lawsuit against Red Rose Rescue in June 2023 in an attempt to ban members of the pro-life group from coming within 30 feet of any abortion clinic.

"Defendants have been arrested multiple times for their unlawful acts, but despite multiple convictions across the country and within New York state, they continue to repeat their criminal misconduct," the lawsuit claimed.

"Red Rose Rescue is an anti-abortion group whose members conspire to illegally trespass into private medical facilities that perform abortions and shut down or physically obstruct the provision of all reproductive health services, refusing all requests to leave by staff and law enforcement."

The suit also alleged that "other anti-abortion groups have distanced themselves from Red Rose Rescue and have characterized the latter's conduct as 'haranguing,' 'aggressive' and 'intimidating.'"

In December 2023, the state attorney general got a court order barring Red Rose Rescue from coming within 15 feet of abortion facilities in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

Last August, James asked the court to hold the pro-life group in contempt, claiming that it had harassed women outside a Planned Parenthood in Manhattan, thus violating the court order.

The Thomas More Society intervened on behalf of Red Rose Rescue, successfully arguing that the pro-life activists were engaging in constitutionally protected activities while near the abortion clinic.

Recently, there has been considerable debate over the extent to which pro-life activists can protest at abortion clinics, with some jurisdictions enacting buffer zones that bar such demonstrations within a certain distance of a facility's entrance.

Supporters of such zones have argued that they are necessary to protect access to abortion, while critics charge that they violate constitutionally-protected rights.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a legal challenge to a buffer zone law implemented by Carbondale, Illinois, that prohibited protests within 100 feet of abortion clinics.
Home News School district pays thousands to settle with teacher fired for not using preferred pronouns

A Wisconsin teacher has reached a settlement with his former school district after facing termination due to his religious objection to referring to trans-identified students by their preferred names and pronouns.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty announced Monday that the Argyle School District has agreed to pay a $20,000 settlement to Jordan Cernek. The teacher was fired in May 2023 for opposing a requirement that all district staff use the preferred names and pronouns of trans-identified students.

The law firm filed a lawsuit on Cernek's behalf in July 2024, alleging that his termination violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 18 of the Wisconsin Constitution.

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The settlement brings the litigation against the school district to a close.

"To avoid acting contrary to his religious convictions, Mr. Cernek made the District aware of his religious objection to this requirement and agreed not to use any names when referring to students," the WILL announcement reads. "But ultimately, the District warned him that refusing to refer to students by preferred names and pronouns would result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Six months later, the District kept its promise and did not renew Mr. Cernek's teaching contract."

Cernek contends the district attempted to coerce him into betraying his "religious convictions and commitment to God."

"I am grateful that there was some resolution to this matter and will continue to encourage teachers to stand up for their beliefs," Cernek said response to the settlement.

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Associate Counsel Nathalie Burmeister said religious freedom is a "core liberty that our nation and state were founded upon."

"Jordan's victory is critical to advancing the cause of religious freedom across the country," Burmeister said.

Cernek is one of several teachers who have faced professional repercussions for declining to use the preferred names and pronouns of trans-identified students due to religious objections.

In 2021, Kansas math teacher Pamela Ricard, a devout Christian who "holds sincere religious beliefs consistent with the traditional Christian and biblical understanding of the human person and biological sex," was suspended for calling a trans-identified female student by her given name and addressing her with female pronouns.

Ricard reached a $95,000 legal settlement with her school district in 2022.

In Virginia, French teacher Peter Vlaming was fired because he declined to use a male name and pronouns to address a female student because of similar religious beliefs about gender and sexuality. Vlaming reached a $575,000 settlement with his former school district last year that also awarded him attorney's fees and the removal of termination from his record.

Several states have passed laws protecting teachers who do not wish to refer to trans-identified students by their preferred names and pronouns. Wyoming enacted legislation designed to protect all state employees last month, while a measure implemented in Idaho last year specifically mentions public school teachers.
Home News Woman who fatally shot Pastor Ricky Floyd outside bar reportedly on suicide watch

Samantha Marion, the woman who has been charged with the fatal shooting of prominent Memphis, Tennessee, Pastor Ricky Floyd on Wednesday morning, is now reportedly on suicide watch in jail as her mother insists she was defending herself after she was attacked.

"Anybody in any situation, when you become afraid, you become afraid," Marion's mother, who was not identified by name, told WREG at the home she shares with her daughter. "And you know fear will drive you to that, and she had to be awfully scared."

Police say Marion, 42, called police to Momma's Bar and Kitchen, located at 855 Kentucky Road in Memphis, at about 1:17 a.m. Wednesday and confessed to shooting Floyd, who served as the senior lead pastor of Pursuit of God Church in Frayser.

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Before the shooting, Floyd, 58, and Marion, who were with two others at the time, had an argument inside Momma's Bar and Kitchen, according to police records cited by Fox13. Witnesses allege the argument led the two outside the business, where the pastor became "irate and aggressive."

Video surveillance footage reportedly shows Floyd throwing Marion's phone and a beer can before hopping into his vehicle and driving away. Marion then allegedly walked into the roadway and appeared to record the pastor's vehicle with her phone. Floyd is then shown returning to the scene and confronting Marion before a witness separates them. As Floyd backed away, police said Marion walked toward the pastor, who was then seen falling to the ground and never getting up again.

Marion was charged with voluntary manslaughter and currently remains in jail on a $100,000 bond after pleading not guilty at her first court appearance on Thursday morning, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

"This is not my daughter's character, and she was defending herself," Marion's mother told WREG. "Maybe in her mind she was defending the two friends she was with."

It was unclear Friday what the nature of the relationship between Floyd and Marion was. When asked why the married pastor was at a bar with Marion after 1 a.m., Floyd's media liaison, Telisa Franklin, told The Christian Post that she was unable to comment on the relationship and preferred to focus on his achievements as a respected leader of the Memphis community.

"We would love for people to remember him as a true servant. He was a transformative leader. He transformed the Frayser community," Franklin told CP, noting that his church and family were still processing his death.

Floyd leaves behind his wife, Sheila, three adult children, one daughter-in-law and two granddaughters, according to the church's website. The pastor is also listed as the driver behind several community initiatives.

He served as the president of Eden Estates Apartments, a 52-unit complex in the Frayser community, and president of The Husband Institute, Inc., a boys-to-men mentoring program. He was the founder of the School of Marriage Enhancement.

"You know, this (Frayser) is a very poverty-stricken community. He created what we call Black Street Wall Street, with the strip mall," Franklin told CP. "He made sure he owns the apartment complex where we are able to house people with affordable housing.  He was truly a leader that cared about God, his family, and the people. ... He would always go out of his way to see and to serve someone else."

Marion's mother said she is sorry the pastor died, but she is also heartbroken about what is happening with her daughter.

"I am sorry that there has been a death," she told WREG. "I am sorry for the family."
West Virginia Passes Trans Law, Robert Morris Indictment, Dallas Jenkins On The Chosen Season 5

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 09:43 09:43

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Top headlines for Friday, March 14, 2025

In this episode, we begin with West Virginia's decision to prohibit trans-identified males from accessing women-only spaces, a move sparking debate nationwide. Next, we delve into the troubling news of Gateway Church founder Robert Morris, who has been indicted for the alleged childhood sexual abuse of Cindy Clemishire. We also explore the conclusion of the Department of Justice's investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention, which wrapped up without any sexual abuse-related charges. Finally, we offer a glimpse into the upcoming season of The Chosen, as creator Dallas Jenkins promises that season five will be the most impactful yet, focusing on the final days of Jesus.
Home Opinion This Purim, we should remember our enemies  but especially our friends

There is only one passage in the Torah that we as Jews are commanded to hear  not the Ten Commandments, not the parting of the Red Sea, not the giving of the law  but a simple, haunting imperative: remember what Amalek did to you. Hundreds of years ago, the rabbis advised everyone to listen to this one verse of the Torah being read in synagogue  not just to read it, not just to know it, but to hear it aloud, to take it in as a living command.

Every year, on the Sabbath before Purim, men, women, and children gather silently in the sanctuary to hear these haunting words: Remember what Amalek did to you. We listen, we remember. But why?

Amalek was the embodiment of hatred for its own sake. No provocation, no reason  just an attack on the weak, the weary, the vulnerable. And yet, of all the lessons in the Torah, this is the one we are told never to forget.

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This year, standing in the synagogue, hearing the words read aloud, I understood them in a way I never had before. Before October 7, we believed the world had changed, that humanity had learned, that never again was not just a phrase, that the Jewish people, scattered across the world, could finally exhale.

And then, that Shabbat morning  the bloodshed, the brutality, the massacre of innocents. And the chilling realization: we had forgotten Amalek.

We forgot that there will always be those who hate us simply because we exist. We forgot that security can breed complacency, that prosperity can dull our vigilance. We forgot that evil does not sleep, even when we do.

This past week, I stood in Eilat, about to inaugurate the first MRI machine in Israels southern Arava region, a project made possible by the Fellowship. A moment of healing, of hope. I had been here a year ago too. That time, a siren  missile incoming from Iran  running for shelter like so many times before. This year, another siren. But this time, an earthquake warning.

And it made me pause. Was this a message? A reminder that disaster can strike at any moment? That even when we think we stand on solid ground, the earth beneath us can tremble?

And then it hit me. It wasnt about fear. It was about readiness.

To remember Amalek is not just to remember our enemies; it is to be prepared, to stand guard, to ensure that when hatred comes, as it always does, we are strong enough to face it. But that is only half the story. The Torah does not just teach us what to resist; it teaches us what to embrace.

For every command not to steal, there is an unspoken call to respect anothers dignity. For every command not to murder, a call to cherish life. And for every command to remember Amalek, there is an equal and opposite imperative: remember those who love you.

I was reminded of this last month when, after pledging not to leave Israel until the war was over, I traveled to Texas for a Fellowship event. I braced myself for hostility  the protests, the campus disruptions, the rising tide of antisemitism. But what I found was something else entirely. Thousands of people lined up to shake my hand, to offer their unwavering support, to say again and again: We stand with Israel. We love the Jewish people.

And in that moment, I understood something crucial.

Yes, we must remember those who seek our destruction. But even more, we must remember those who stand with us in our time of need, those who give, those who lift us up, those who, when the world is darkest, bring light.

Because remembering Amalek is not just about the past  it is about the future. And it is not just about the Jewish people  it is about anyone who believes in good and evil, anyone who understands that justice does not defend itself, anyone who knows that silence is complicity, that forgetting is surrender, that evil only triumphs when good people stand aside.

This is why the Fellowship exists. Christians and Jews together, we are the people who remember. We are the people who refuse to look away. We are the people who know that history does not change unless we change it. That righteousness is a choice. That standing with Israel is not about politics  it is about moral clarity.

Because Amalek is not just a Jewish story; it is a human story. Hatred does not limit itself to one people. Evil does not stop at borders. And so, the question is not just, will the Jewish people remember? But will the world remember? Will our friends stand with us, not just in words but in action? Will they speak when it is unpopular? Will they fight against hatred when it is easier to stay quiet? Will they refuse to let history repeat itself?

Because if they do, then maybe for the first time, remembrance will not just be about the past. It will be about changing the future. It will be about ensuring that what happened before can never, never happen again.

This week is Purim, the festival that recounts another Amalekite enemy  Haman  another plot to annihilate the Jewish people, another moment in history when we stood on the brink of destruction, and another time when we survived. But the way we mark Purim is not through vengeance, not through power, but through radical generosity, through giving, through kindness.

We are commanded to send gifts to friends, to feed the poor, to celebrate not just our survival, but the world we choose to build in response. Because that is our answer to Amalek  not just to fight hatred, but to drown it in goodness. Not just to mourn destruction, but to strengthen those who build. Not just to remember our enemies, but to hold close our friends.

And if there is a message for this Purim, for this moment in history, it is this: the story of the Jewish people is not just a story of survival. It is a story of purpose. Of choosing light in the face of darkness. Of choosing to remember not just the harm done to us, but the good done for us. To see not just those who curse us, but those who bless us.

And that is what the Fellowship stands for  Christians and Jews together. In a world that is uncertain, in a world that still shakes beneath our feet, we stand for goodness, for hope, for faith, for the certainty that even in a world of Amalek, we will choose to be Esther. We will choose to be Mordechai. We will choose to be the people who do not just survive history but shape it.

Because yes, we remember Amalek. But even more, we remember those who stood with us, who stood for us, who stood beside us. Because that is how we endure. And that is how we prevail. Together.
In 2016, Andrew Ng, one of the best-known researchers in the field of AI, wrote about the benefits of establishing a chief AI officer role in companies, as well as the characteristics and responsibilities such a role should have.

At the time, the idea seemed somewhat far-fetched, that enterprises outside a few niche industries would require a CAIO. But the increase in use of intelligent tools in recent years since the arrival of generative AI has begun to cement the CAIO role as a key tech executive position across a wide range of sectors.

With generative AI on the rise and modalities such as machine learning being integrated at a rapid pace, it was only a matter of time before a position responsible for its deployment and governance became widespread. In a survey from September 2023, 53% of CIOs admitted that their organizations had plans to develop the position of head of AI. Of this percentage, almost half expected this position to be a member of the C-suite team.
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Workers at the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) are set to protest this weekend as the charity plans its second round of redundancies in five years.

The RA is pushing ahead with proposals for job cuts, with 60 potential redundancies announced earlier this month . The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) told Civil Society that almost one hundred roles are under scrutiny.

The charity said it must make savings because of increasing costs and changing visitor behaviours, which have put its financial position under strain.

Over 100 workers are expected to demonstrate against the redundancies outside the RA offices on Saturday 15 March.

Lack of confidence among RA workers

In a vote organised by the IWGB, 78% of 118 RA staff said they did not feel confident in RAs president, interim chief executive and treasurer to steer the charity through its restructure.

Meanwhile, 98% said they did not believe that there had been appropriate accountability, with RA undergoing its second round of redundancies in under five years. In 2020, it cut 150 jobs.

Almost nine in 10 (89%) said they did not believe the charitys consultation process had been genuine and meaningful, such as RAs management listening to staff, considering alternatives and trying to reach an agreement. An identical proportion said they did not believe the proposed redundancy package was fair and equitable.

According to its latest annual accounts, the RA recorded a more than 8m deficit for the financial year ending August 2024, while its income fell by over 5m to 38.1m and its costs increased by almost 10m to 46.6m.

The charity said in its accounts that it expects to make a net loss of 7.1m in 2024-25.

RAs leadership should be valuing staff

Hana Nihill, a worker at the charity said: Over my six years working at the RA, I have learned an immeasurable amount from my colleagues.

Their passion, knowledge and willingness to be bold and open have been the bedrock of years of inspiring programming.

Its this kind of creativity and vision that the RA needs more of as we face uncertainty, not less.

Im so disappointed that so many of my colleagues are facing hugely challenging futures, when its their work that makes the RA a place worth visiting.

Nihill said that rather than calling for redundancies, RAs leadership should be valuing staff and working collaboratively with us to protect jobs to create a truly sustainable organisation.

A spokesperson for IWGB members at the charity said: Management are making their second round of redundancies in under five years, and lining their pockets by refusing to engage meaningfully with the possibility of pay cuts for themselves.

They added that with fewer staff, institutions such as the RA would be unable to perform their work, leading to a reduction in access to art for the public.

We call on RAs management to immediately halt all mandatory redundancies. They only lead in one direction  a depleted institution, poorer quality of output, and diminished access to art for those who need it the most.

RA: We are facing a serious financial challenge

A RA spokesperson told Civil Society: All levels of the organisation will be affected with different impacts on different departments. No decisions have been taken and this is subject to consultation. Of the 60 roles that could be made redundant, almost half are currently vacant, therefore by not recruiting these roles, the number of redundancies may be mitigated.

The RA Council, our main governing body on which a number of Royal Academicians serve as members, have approved the redundancy plans. The wider membership of Academicians has been informed.

Natasha Mitchell, interim secretary and chief executive of RA said: Together with many in the arts sector, we are facing a serious financial challenge.

We have a robust plan to improve the RAs financial position and the proposal to reduce our workforce has been put forward after careful consideration. We understand the profound impact these proposed changes will have and we are committed to supporting affected employees through this transition.

This is a challenging time for all involved, however it is our belief that these steps are critical for ensuring a sustainable future for the RA.

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Not since Banksys Girl with Balloon unexpectedly self-destructed on the Sothebys auction floor has a work of art made such a sensation as the duct-taped banana.

When Italian-born, New York-based artist Maurizio Cattelan debuted Comedian at Gallery Perrotins booth at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, it drew such a massive crowd it had to be removed from the wall. It immediately went viral and stimulated worldwide discussions and debates about the nature and value of art. It caused equal parts outrage and intrigue and left many asking  how is this conglomeration art?

For the small portion of the population that may be unfamiliar, Cattelans ironically tilted Comedian consists of a ripe yellow banana and a strip of duct tape. It is displayed on the wall with the duct tape slanted upwards to the right, adhering the banana to the wall.

The piece was created in a limited edition of three plus two artists proofs and comes with detailed instructions on a certificate of authenticity on how to display the piece. The banana and the duct tape are to be replaced as needed per the discretion and responsibility of the owner.

One of the editions of Comedian was recently sold at The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction on November 20, 2024, at Sothebys New York for $6.2 million, which put the artwork back in the headlines. The Sothebys auctioneer chuckled as he brought down the hammer, so perhaps Comedian is the perfect title.

How can a banana and a strip of duct tape, which cost a pittance, amount to a seven-figure sale? The answer is, Comedian is a work of conceptual art, and the value is in the concept rather than the physical manifestation of the assembled objects.

Conceptual art, as described by The Museum of Modern Art, is a movement originating in the 1960s and 1970s in which artists experimented with art that emphasized ideas over objects and materials traditionally associated with art making. Rather, as explained in MoMAs Art Terms, conceptual artists used their work to question the notion of what art is, and to critique the underlying ideological structures of artistic production, distribution, and display.

Some famous works from the origin of the movement include Yoko Onos book containing event scores with the confusing title of Grapefruit (1964) and John Baldessaris I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971), a lithograph where the artist repeated the title statement over and over in handwritten script. Simply stating, conceptual art is not a new concept, though the exposure to it via social media is, and so is the public response.

The influence of social media has significantly shaped the value of art, as it has for designer handbags during the pandemic. Many people now desire to own pieces that have gained popularity online or be part of a popular movement in art. The duct-taped banana, with its anti-art and absurd nature, has sparked widespread interest on social media. Its driven many to share their opinions online and led a fortunate few to make a purchase.

Collector interest, market demands and trends also heavily influence the value of art. As originally reported by Anny Shaw in The Art Newspaper, the artwork Comedian gained such widespread notoriety that in 2022, British contemporary artist Damien Hirst proposed exchanging any of his pieces for the famous duct-taped banana, only to be declined. Originally priced at $120,000 at Art Basel in 2019, its value skyrocketed following its viral fame. By the time it was auctioned at Sothebys in 2024, its estimated value had soared to $1 million to $1.5 million, ultimately selling for a staggering 316% above the estimate.

Justin Sun, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur who purchased Comedian for $6.2 million at Sothebys, understood the meaning behind the art well. At a press conference in Hong Kong shortly after purchasing the work, he ate the banana and stated that the idea (behind the art) exists as intellectual property as opposed to something physical, and that eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artworks history, according to a report filed by senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins for The Guardian.

When art surpasses its physical form, valuing the tangible aspect of conceptual (and edible) art for insurance purposes can be complex. The approach varies depending on the piece. For Maurizio Cattelans Comedian, a certified fine art appraiser would focus on the value of the signed certificate that accompanies the artwork. This certificate, rather than the temporary banana, is the insured item. Owners of editions of Comedian and similar works are advised to store the certificate in a fire-proof, locked safe or a bank safety deposit box.

Art as an asset has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with its value now extending far beyond the traditional appreciation of physical work itself. This expansion into second-order intellectual property rights has transformed the art market, enabling pieces like Maurizio Cattelans Comedian to generate immense value in ways that transcend their physical form.

A primary mechanism through which art accrues additional value is copyright, which grants the artist exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute and create derivative works based on the original piece.

For instance, the iconic image of Comediana duct-taped bananahas been reproduced in countless media formats, from commercials and merchandise to memes and satirical adaptations. Each instance represents an opportunity for licensing revenue. Beyond the initial sale price, artworks such as Comedian often see exponential increases in value through licensing deals for commercial advertisements and NFTs. Brands seeking to align themselves with avant-garde, conceptual messaging may license the image for campaigns, further elevating the pieces cultural significance and market value.

The advent of blockchain technology has introduced new ways for artists to monetize their works. By tokenizing Comedian, for example, Cattelan or a future owner could create limited-edition digital versions, providing a new revenue stream while maintaining authenticity and scarcity.

In addition to copyright, the brand value of the artist and the named piece itself can significantly enhance the financial worth of an artwork. Comedian has become a global symbol of the absurdity and irony in contemporary art, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. Artists like Maurizio Cattelan, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons have cultivated strong personal brands, where the association of their names alone adds immense intangible value to their works. Similarly, the name Comedian functions almost as a trademark, signifying a blend of humor, critique, and artistic rebellion.

This branding enables secondary commercial opportunities, including museum and gallery exhibitions as well as related merchandising. Institutions may pay substantial fees to display works of such renown, further increasing the pieces prestige. Products bearing the image or name of Comedianfrom clothing to coffee table booksgenerate additional income streams for rights holders.

The shift toward intangible value creation also involves patents and trade dress in some cases, particularly for artworks that incorporate unique methods, materials, or designs. While Comedian itself does not fall into these categories, the broader conceptual art market increasingly incorporates intellectual property protections for innovative techniques or installation methods.

In Comedians case, the artworks certificate of authenticity, which dictates how the piece is to be displayed, could itself be considered a unique form of intellectual property. The meticulous instructions for replacing the banana and tape underscore the artists intention to control the narrative and presentation of the work, further tying its value to the intellectual concept rather than the physical materials.

The trajectory of Comedian exemplifies how the value of a tangible piece of art focused on its display can quickly escalate due to indirect intellectual property value. Its viral fame, driven by social media, created a feedback loop where every mention, meme, or commentary added to its cultural cachetand by extension, its monetary worth. Owners of such works are no longer mere custodians of physical artifacts but stewards of valuable intellectual properties with global recognition.

For example, the $6.2 million hammer price at Sothebys reflects not just the perceived artistic merit of Comedian, but also the potential for ongoing revenue from licensing, public exhibitions, and derivative works. Future owners stand to benefit from these rights, effectively turning the initial investment into a recurring income stream.

As the art world increasingly intersects with technology and commerce, the lines between physical and intellectual property continue to blur. The market is now as much about leveraging rights as it is about acquiring objects, and artists like Maurizio Cattelan are at the forefront of this paradigm shift. Comedian may appear simple in form, but its value lies in the conceptual framework it representsan idea that can be endlessly reproduced, discussed, and monetized.

In this way, works like Comedian highlight the future of art as an asset class, where the intangible value derived from intellectual property rights often eclipses the traditional worth of the tangible artwork itself. This evolution not only redefines what art is but also ensures its continued relevance and profitability in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

As the art world undergoes irreversible changes and our understanding of the art market evolves, it is essential for brokers, insurance agents, and high-net-worth family practices to collaborate with a team that possesses both a profound knowledge of art history and an understanding of intellectual property as an asset class.

Hollenbankis a senior fine art appraiser at J.S. Held. Malackowski is a senior managing director, Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio 

Trespassing: Rosbough Drive

A Gainesville, Florida man, 38, was arrested at about 9 p.m. March 6 after he failed to pay his bill and refused to leave Sonesta ES Suites, 17525 Rosbough.

Sonestas front desk clerk called police at about 8 p.m. to report the man. Police went to his room and advised him to leave.

The man told police he had paid for his room through March 10. Police said Sonesta had no record of him paying and again told him to leave. They said the man could call Sonestas corporate office in the morning to resolve the issue.

Police warned the man that he would be arrested for trespassing if he didnt leave in two hours. They told the hotel clerk to call back if the man didnt leave.

One hour later, the hotel clerk called police again, saying that the man was calling the front desk and harassing her. Police returned to the hotel and used a key card to unlock the door of the mans door.

However, the man refused to unlock the door latch. Police received permission from hotel management to force open the door.

Police forced their way into the room and ordered the man to gather his belongings and get out. He walked out of the building and onto the sidewalk at the hotel entrance.

Police told the man he had to leave the hotel property entirely but he refused.

Harassment: Sprague Road

A Sprague man called police at about 12:15 a.m. March 6 and said that a BB hit the side of his apartment building while he was outside smoking a cigar.

When police arrived, the man said he suspected another man who was in the parking lot. Police interviewed the suspect, who said he was not carrying a BB gun.

Police asked the suspect for permission to search his car. The man said OK, but police did not find a BB gun in the car.

Police searched the ground but did not find a BB.

Fraud: Robert Drive

Someone stole the identify of a Robert Drive man and used it withdraw $10,000 from his bank account.

The man reported the incident at about 8:30 p.m. March 11. The bank is investigating.
Olmsted Township is planning a streetscape project at the Bagley Road and Stearns Road intersection. (John Benson/cleveland.com) John Benson/cleveland.com

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- Proving in a professional sense you can go home again, Gary Yelenosky late last month returned as Olmsted Township administrator.

It was the same position he held for nearly a year before leaving the community last fall for a leadership position with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).

I guess things happen for a reason, Yelenosky said.

It is funny but, to be honest, its like I never left. I just picked up right where I left off. Obviously, I wasnt gone for that long, so its been an easy transition.

The township administrator admitted he initially took the NOACA position in hopes of branching out for more of a regional perspective.

However, pretty early in his tenure, he realized it wasnt a good fit.

Yelenosky left the Northeast Ohio transportation and environmental planning agency in early December.

I maintained a good relationship with the trustees, he said.

Then the previous administrator went back to his previous employer, so I thought, hey, I really like Olmsted Township. I liked what we were doing, I liked the outlook of it, so I decided to come back.

As for Yelenoskys replacement Jeffrey M. Jerome, the former township administrator resigned in early February and returned to the city of Garfield Heights as chief of staff.

Its kind of been a whirlwind but Im here for the long haul, Yelenosky said.

If anything ever comes up, my door is always open, my phone is always on. Im just looking forward to being back in the saddle here.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here.
DENVER, Colorado  Twelve people were hospitalized Thursday after an engine on an American Airlines plane caught fire while sitting at the gate at Denver International Airport, reports say.

ABC News reports the plane, a Boeing 737-800, was diverted to Denver not long after it took off from Colorado Springs, Colo. The flight was bound for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

NBC News reports the planes crew reported engine vibrations before landing safely in Denver. As the plane was taxiing to the gate, an engine caught fire.

Photos and videos posted by news outlets showed passengers standing on a planes wing as smoke surrounded the aircraft. The FAA said passengers exited using the slides. The 172 passengers and six crew members were taken to the terminal, airline officials said.

KDVR Channel 31 reports the 12 people hospitalized had minor injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, reports say.
GREENVILLE, Ohio  A man shot another man Thursday in Darke County, then pursued the wounded victim in a high-speed chase in which both vehicles eventually crashed in a field, killing the suspect, authorities say.

Investigators later found a woman dead in the suspects residence, where the male victim was shot before the chase, according to a news release from the Darke County Sheriffs Office.

At about 2:23 p.m., the male victim called 911 and told the dispatcher he had been shot by a friend at a residence on Ohio 571. The man told dispatchers he was in his vehicle and was being chased by the suspect, who was continuing to fire at him.

The suspect reportedly rammed the victims vehicle several times before both lost control and crashed in a field. The suspect was thrown from his vehicle when the SUV rolled several times.

Authorities say the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The male victim, who had multiple gunshot wounds, was flown by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital. No information was provided on his condition.

Authorities did not say how the woman died inside the residence. The shooting remains under investigation.
President Donald Trump, while meeting Thursday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, said he believes the United States will eventually annex Greenland, despite the Arctic island being part of the kingdom of Denmark. AP

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Thursday said he expects the United States will eventually annex Greenland, discounting that the Arctic island is part of the kingdom of Denmark.

Trump, answering questions in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, was asked by a reporter, What is your vision for the potential annexation of Greenland?

Trump didnt hesitate to respond.

Well, I think it will happen, Trump said. Looking at Rutte, he suggested NATO could have a role to play, too.

We need that for international security, not just security, international, Trump said. We have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast and we have to be careful.

The United States already has military installations on Greenland. And Rutte affirmed its strategic importance and cautioned that China and Russia already are interested in routes past Greenland.

When it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are totally right, Rutte told Trump. The fact that the seven, outside Russia, there are seven Arctic countries working together on this under U.S. leadership is very important to make sure that that region, that part of the world, stays safe.

Later in the conversation, Trump again emphasized the security issue.

We have to have protection, so, were going to have to make a deal on that, Trump said, again reinforcing the need for security.

Denmark is not able to do that. You know, Denmark is very far away and really has nothing to do with it, Trump said.

He then questioned whether Denmark had any right to claim the worlds largest island as part of its kingdom.

What happens? A boat landed there 200 years ago or something? Trump said. They say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually.

Greenlands outgoing and incoming prime ministers both pushed back on Trumps statements. Greenland previously has said its not for sale.

Enough is enough, Mute Egede, the current prime minister, said, vowing to unify opposition in his country, CNN said.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenlands pro-business which won parliamentary elections Tuesday  also rejected the comments.

Trumps statement from the U.S. is inappropriate and just shows once again that we must stand together in such situations, Nielsen wrote on Facebook, CNN said.
A team of sled dogs led by former reality TV star Jessie Holmes, the winner of this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the longest in event history. Holmes finished the 1,128-mile course with a winning time of 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman) AP

NOME, Alaska -- Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star on National Geographics Life Below Zero, won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race on Friday in Alaska.

Holmes crossed the finish line in Nome, Alaska, with a winning time of 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds  the longest winning time since Jeff King in 1993 (10d, 15h, 38m, 15s). This years Iditarod, which began in Fairbanks on March 3, was extended from its usual 1,000-mile race to 1,128 miles as a lack of snow in Southcentral Alaska forced changes to the starting point and route.

Its hard to put into words, but its a magical feeling, Holmes said moments after winning his first Iditarod race in eight tries, AP reports. Its not about this moment now. Its about all those moments along the trail.

Its been a truly amazing 10 days, and I soaked in every part of it -- the lows, the highs, the in-betweens. Im really proud of these dogs, and I love them. And they did it. They deserve all the credit, he added.

Holmes previously finished in the top 10 of the Iditarod race on five different occasions, including third place last year and in 2022. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2018 after finishing in seventh place in his inaugural Iditarod race.

We fully extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessie Holmes, Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach said in a news release. He has exhibited incredible resilience, an unbreakable esprit de corps and extraordinary care for the dogs. Moreover, his stamina is inspiring; and its fitting that after 1,128 miles (the longest race in history) his energy on Front Street in Nome was felt by all of Iditarod Nation as he joyously claimed victory under the New Arch christened earlier today.

Holmes, who lives in Nenana, Alaska, was a cast member of Life Below Zero from 2015-2023, appearing in 132 episodes, according to his IMDb page. The reality show documents the everyday struggles of living in the secluded state of Alaska, per IMDb.
Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, with members of his government standing behind him, speaks during a press conference following the swearing-in ceremonies for Canada's new government in Ottawa, Ontario, March 14, 2025.

Canada's new prime minister, shortly after being sworn in to office Friday, quickly rebuked President Donald Trump on the idea that the U.S.' northern neighbor would become its 51st state.

"I've been clear. The ministers behind me, I think, to an individual, when asked, have been clear," Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Ottawa.

"We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States," Carney said.

"America is not Canada," said the prime minister, who is a member of the Liberal Party and former head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

Carney also responded to a question about U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who earlier Friday had said Canada would be better off as a U.S. state.

"It's crazy," Carney said. "It's crazy. It's very simple. That's all you can say."

But Carney also said he looks forward to speaking with Trump, adding, "We respect the United States. We respect President Trump."

Carney's comments came after weeks of suggestions by Trump that Canada  which is a top U.S. ally and trading partner  would be absorbed into the United States, and as the president imposes stiff tariffs on the neighboring country.

On Thursday, Greenland's outgoing prime minister sharply rejected Trump's call that his country  which is a territory of Denmark  become U.S. property.

"The U.S. president has once again aired the thought of annexing us," Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede wrote in a Facebook post as he called for a meeting of the nation's political party leaders to address Trump's argument.

"Don't keep treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough," Egede wrote.
(From left) CNBC's Steve Sedgwick moderates an IoT panel with Cenk Alper, CEO of Sabanci Holding, Christina Shim, chief sustainability officer of IBM, and Mitesh Patel, interim CEO and COO of SunCable International, at CONVERGE LIVE on March 13, 2025.

Renewable energy companies can shorten the long approval process needed for their projects by communicating better with stakeholders, according to experts.

Christina Shim, IBM's chief sustainability officer, said sponsors need to focus on the business value  in addition to the environmental benefits  when discussing their projects.

"That being said ... there are some triggering words now, depending on where you sit around the world, and I think the more that you can quantify business value for what you're doing and tie it to, again, the business operations and business decision making, it's only going to be more and more important," Shim said Thursday.

"As long as the outcomes are the same, you just need to make sure that you're communicating in an appropriate way with the right stakeholders."

She compared it to how one might talk to a CFO, versus an investor, versus someone in procurement. "You kind of have to talk about things a little bit differently."

Mitesh Patel, interim CEO and COO at SunCable International, agrees that adjusting communication for the right audience is crucial.

"For politicians, the voters are their constituency, not your project or not your company. You have to help them translate what benefits your project will bring to the constituents," said Patel, whose company is developing a project to deliver solar energy from Australia to Singapore via undersea cables.

The project, called Australia-Asia PowerLink, is valued around $24 billion and expected to supply Singapore with 1.75 gigawatts of electricity  or around 15% of its electricity needs, according to the company.

The comments by Shim and Patel, who were speaking to CNBC's Steve Sedgwick on a panel in Singapore, come as renewable energy projects often take many years to get off the ground.

A report from the Global Infrastructure hub, which is part of the World Bank's Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, noted the complex nature of preparation needed before an infrastructure project gets underway. It put the average project preparation time at 6 years but said it can take up to 14 years if the project is not planned properly.
You have to know when to trust your gut if you want to be successful, according to billionaire investor Mark Cuban.

The lesson is especially important for anyone launching a small business: To succeed, entrepreneurs need the conviction to focus on their own goals while filtering out bad or irrelevant advice, Cuban told CNBC Make It earlier this week before a SXSW panel announcing ABC's "Shark Tank's" partnership with payment processing platform Clover.

"When you're just getting started in a small business, it's easy to drown an opportunity if you let yourself get pulled by different ideas," Cuban, 66, said. "People tell you, 'Oh I love your product, but I would buy more if you only did this [or] if you change just one little thing.' You have to sell to them versus them selling to you."

It doesn't mean ignoring all feedback, Cuban added. If customers are telling you the product or service is falling short of expectations, you'll have to readjust to survive. But more often than not, your sales will reflect whether you're on the right track, he said.

DON'T MISS: How to start a side hustle to earn extra money

"When you see there's no money coming in," that's a sign to change strategies, to lean toward or away from that customer feedback, Cuban said.

Strengthening your conviction

Confidence isn't necessarily something you're born with, and there are several ways to build it, experts say. When Cuban was younger, he built his own by learning how to dance, he said on NBC's "TODAY" in 2022.

After chipping his two front teeth at age 12, his mother taught him the box step by letting him stand on her feet, he recalled. Picking up the steps made him feel competent and like he could easily learn new skills, Cuban added.

"It really did [help with confidence]," Cuban told CNBC Make It in 2022. "I didn't have much of a dating life in high school, but as I grew up, when I got to college I was able to ask a girl to dance when most of my friends couldn't and wouldn't."

The billionaire isn't the only CEO who touts the importance of trusting your instincts. When Tiffany Masterson founded skincare brand Drunk Elephant, her friends and family thought the company's name would kill the business, she recalled on a 2024 episode of NPR's "How I Built This." But, she trusted her gut and later sold the company to Japanese beauty company Shiseido for a reported $845 million in 2019.

"I couldn't listen to other people, because then where do you go with that?" said Masterson. "Then, I wouldn't trust any choices I made ... So I just went with it."

Some experts say confidence is one of the greatest assets at work, whether you're an entrepreneur or have a 9-to-5 job. It's key to making "very impactful decisions," Bonnie Low-Kramen, author of "Staff Matters: People-Focus Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace."

"Confidence is serious business, and the single most important differentiator in the workplace," Low-Kramen wrote. "It will be the person with high confidence and lower abilities who will get the job over the person with low confidence and higher abilities."

Being able to juggle your opinions with others is a crucial skill for success in entrepreneurship or in any job, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said on the platform's "The Path" podcast in 2023.

"Take all the input, take what everyone's saying and be aware of the situation around you," said Roslansky. "But you've got to come from your own heart when you make a decision."

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Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.
A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility.

Senior diplomats from Iran, Russia and China gathered in Beijing on Friday for talks on Tehran's nuclear issues, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported, days after Tehran rejected U.S. "orders" to resume dialogue over the Iranian nuclear program.

In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany and agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. But in 2018, Donald Trump, a year into his first term as U.S. president, pulled out of the pact.

Last week, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing nuclear talks, adding that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal".

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that he would not negotiate with the U.S. while being "threatened", and Iran would not bow to U.S. "orders" to talk.

Iran was further enraged after six of the United Nations Security Council's 15 members - the U.S., France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain - held a closed-door meeting this week to discuss its nuclear program. Tehran said the meeting was a "misuse" of the U.N. Security Council.

In the run-up to the Beijing talks on Friday - attended by the vice foreign ministers of China, Russia and Iran - China said it hoped the trilateral meeting would help create "conditions" for the early resumption of dialogue and negotiations.

Iran has long denied that it is working on developing a nuclear weapon. But the International Atomic Energy Agency warned last month that Tehran was "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to near the roughly 90% weapons-grade level.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.

If the Senate passes the bill, it would then go to President Donald Trump's desk for a signature. A shutdown occurs after 11:59 p.m. ET Friday if no law is enacted by then.

Schumer informed his colleagues in a closed-door meeting that he would vote for the procedural motion to advance the funding bill when it comes to the Senate floor Friday, according to a source familiar with his remarks. The New York Times first reported Schumer's private comments .

"For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR [continuing resolution]. It is deeply partisan. It doesn't address far too many of this country's needs. But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option," he added. "I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down."

"There are no winners in a government shutdown," Schumer said in a floor speech. "It's not really a decision; it's a Hobson's choice: Either proceed with the bill before us or risk Donald Trump throwing America into the chaos of a shutdown.

The move is a major concession from Schumer, yielding to the GOP measure just one day after he vowed that Democrats wouldn't allow it to pass. It means the bill is likely to find enough votes to clear the 60-vote threshold and eventually pass with a simple majority, even as a growing number of Senate Democrats came out in opposition to it Thursday.

WASHINGTON  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., indicated Thursday he would vote to advance Republicans' six-month funding bill that passed the House to avert a government shutdown Friday night.

It's unclear what, if anything, Schumer got in return for his decision to allow the House bill to proceed. He told reporters after his Senate speech that Democrats would "try to get some amendments on the bill."

Before his comments, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., hinted that Democrats could try to secure a vote on an amendment to the House bill to turn it into a 30-day, rather than a six-month, stopgap measure. But he didn't commit to dropping opposition to the bill if the amendment were voted down.

John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, is the only Senate Democrat who has said he'd vote to advance the House bill; several others have stayed quiet about how they would handle a procedural vote. Schumer told reporters that "members are making their own decisions right now."

Earlier in the day, a growing number of Senate Democrats vowed to oppose the legislation. They included John Hickenlooper, of Colorado, who called the bill "dangerous"; Mark Kelly, of Arizona, who said it would "give unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk"; Ruben Gallego, of Arizona, who blasted it as "a grab bag of extreme policies"; and Mark Warner, of Virginia, who called it "a terrible deal" that would hurt Virginia.

"One thing is certain: If we pass this continuing resolution for the next half year, we will own what the president does," said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. "I am not willing to take ownership of that."

From outside the Democratic lunch meeting, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., could be heard yelling about devastating impacts of a government shutdown, particularly now.

Senators have faced heavy pressure from House Democratic colleagues and liberal advocates outside of the Capitol to hold the line against the funding bill, which was crafted by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and the White House.

Earlier this week, just one House Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, voted for the bill, which party leaders in the chamber railed against.

After Schumer spoke on the Senate floor, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters there is a "deep sense of outrage and betrayal" from House Democrats.

"There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States, who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people, in order to defend Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. ... Just to see some Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think it is a huge slap in the face, and I think that there is a wide sense of betrayal if things proceed as currently planned," she said.

Yet even as some Democrats were rallying against the House GOP bill, they struggled to offer a plausible endgame to avert a shutdown  or reopen the government if funding lapses after Friday night. They demanded a 30-day stopgap measure to continue funding at status quo levels to reach a full funding deal for fiscal year 2025.

That discombobulated approach clashes with the fact that Trump and Johnson have said they don't want an appropriations deal for a fiscal year that is already half over, as they want to move on to their party-line budget bill to address taxes, immigration and other priorities.

"We're trying to convince them. Now, they can be convinced or unconvinced," Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said about the GOP's rejection of a new appropriations deal.

Democratic senators have cited numerous objections to the House bill.

First, they had no input in developing it  some in the party fear that voting for it would empower Johnson and Trump to dictate outcomes without negotiating with Democrats to earn their votes.

Second, they object to provisions that would cut nondefense domestic spending by billions of dollars, including a hit to Washington, D.C.'s budget, while boosting military spending  a move they see as sacrificing Democratic priorities for GOP priorities.

Third, they worry that voting for the measure without guardrails on executive power would green-light Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk's moves to dismantle parts of the federal government or refuse to spend money directed by Congress.

A new memo Thursday from the Center for American Progress Action Fund, led by longtime Democratic adviser Neera Tanden, called on the party to hold the line against the House Republican bill, making the policy and messaging case for it.

"While the consequences of a shutdown are real, Democrats bear no responsibility in fact or in public perception if they continue to support a clean CR or clean 30-day CR. However, supporting the MAGA plan will sap momentum that is building against Republicans," said the memo, which NBC News obtained from a congressional Democratic source who received it. "Lawmakers must focus on connecting the so-called CR to how the Administration and DOGE are actively causing radical harm."

Some Democrats believe voters will blame Republicans in the event of a government shutdown. In a new Quinnipiac University national poll, 53% of registered voters said they would blame Trump or Republicans in Congress if the government shut down; 32% said they would blame Democrats. Another 15% didn't know or wouldn't say.

"Jiminy Christmas! Republicans control the House, Senate and White House," said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M.

But Senate Republican leaders say it's time to dispense with the debate over fiscal 2025 funding, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday on the floor that the House bill was the only path to prevent a shutdown.

"Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House or if they're going to shut down the government," he said.

Schumer told reporters after his floor speech that he's convinced he made the right decision because of how difficult it would be to reopen the government.

"There is no off-ramp," he said. "Anyone who thinks there might be an off-ramp knows it depends on the Republicans, and I don't trust them at all. I think they want a shutdown, and I think they want to use the shutdown to decimate the federal government."
U.S. President Donald Trump sits next to Crypto czar David Sacks at the White House Crypto Summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7, 2025.

David Sacks, the Trump administration's AI and crypto czar, sold over $200 million worth of digital asset-related investments personally and through his firm, Craft Ventures, before starting the job, according to a memo from the White House.

Of the the assets sold, the documents said that at least $85 million "is directly attributable to Sacks." The memo, from White House counsel David Warrington, added that Craft remains an investor in some other funds that have digital assets in their portfolios.

The disclosure, dated March 5, is 11 pages long, compared to the two-page document from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly installed secretary of Health and Human Services. Sacks' divestments mark a stark contrast to the behavior of others in the administration, and follow the first Trump term, during which conflicts of interest were routinely disregarded.

President Trump, in addition to his many real estate assets, currently maintains a major stake in Trump Media & Technology Group , the publicly traded parent of Truth Social, and has launched multiple crypto projects that can rise or fall in value based on various government policies. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also controls SpaceX, social media company X and AI startup xAI, is in position, as one of the president's top advisers, to shape regulations in a way that potentially favor his businesses.

Three days before his inauguration, President Trump launched a memetoken dubbed $TRUMP through his company, CIC Digital LLC, which owns 80% of the coin's supply. The Trump family also receives 75% of proceeds from a separate crypto bank launched last year called World Liberty Financial.

Musk, meanwhile, who is heading up the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, counts on government contracts, particularly at SpaceX. The company, for example, has a $1.8 billion contract with the National Reconnaissance Office to build a network of spy satellites.

Beyond Trump and Musk, reports indicate that several cabinet members hold substantial investments in various cryptocurrencies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who recently departed his role leading Cantor Fitzgerald, has reportedly made hundreds of millions of dollars from its ties to tether.

Representatives for Musk, the White House and from the Commerce Department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Deutsche Telekom pavilion at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Angel Garcia | Bloomberg | Getty Images

BARCELONA  Europe's telecommunication firms are ramping up calls for more industry consolidation to help the region compete more effectively with superpowers like the U.S. and China on key technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence. Last week at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show in Barcelona, CEOs of several telecoms firms called on regulators to make it easier for them to combine their operations with other businesses and reduce the overall number of carriers operating across the continent. Currently, there are numerous telco players operating in multiple EU countries and non-EU members such as the U.K. However, telco chiefs told CNBC this situation is untenable, as they're unable to compete effectively when it comes to price and network quality. "If we're going to invest in technology, in deep know-how, and bring drastic change, positive drastic change in Europe  like other large technological companies have done in the U.S. or we're seeing today in China  we need scale," Marc Murtra, CEO of Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica , told CNBC's Karen Tso in an interview. "To be able to get scale, we need to consolidate a fragmented market like the telecoms market in Europe," Murtra added. "And for that, we need a regulation that allows us to consolidate. So what we do ask is: please unleash us. Let us gain scale. Let us invest in technology and bring upon productive change."

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Christel Heydemann, CEO of French carrier Orange , said that while some mega-deal activity is starting to gather pace in Europe, more needs to be done to guarantee the continent's competitiveness on the world stage. Last year, Orange closed a deal to merge its Spanish operations with local mobile network provider Masmovil. Meanwhile, more recently, the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority approved a 15 billion ($19 billion) merger between telecoms firms Vodafone and Three in the U.K., subject to certain conditions. "We've been actively driving consolidation in Europe," Orange's Heydemann told CNBC. "We see things changing now. There's still a lot of hope." However, she added: "I think there's a lot of pressure in Europe from the business environment on our political leaders to get things to change. But really, things have not yet changed." During a fiery keynote address on Monday, the CEO of German telco Deutsche Telekom , Tim Hottges, said that other telco markets such as the U.S. and India have condensed in size to only a handful of players. The American telco industry is dominated by its three largest mobile network operators, Verizon , AT&T and T-Mobile . T-Mobile is majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon A chart comparing the share price performance of T-Mobile, America's largest telco by market cap, with that of Germany's Deutsche Telekom and France's Orange.

"We need a reform of the of the competition policy," Hottges said onstage at MWC. "We have to be allowed to consolidate our activities." "There is no reason that every market has to operate with three or four operators," he added. "We should build a European single market ... because, if we cannot increase our consumer prices, if we cannot charge the over-the-top players, we have to get efficiencies out of the scale which we created." "Over-the-top" refers to media platforms such as Netflix that deliver content over the internet, bypassing traditional cable networks.

Europe's competitiveness in focus

From AI to advances to next-generation 5G networks, Europe's telecoms firms have been investing heavily into new technologies in a bid to move beyond the legacy model of laying down cables that enable internet connectivity  a business model that's earned them the pejorative term "dumb pipes." However, this costly endeavor of modernization has happened in tandem with sluggish revenue growth and an inability for the sector to effectively monetize its networks to the same degree that technology giants have done with the emergence of mobile applications and, more recently, generative AI tools. At MWC, many mobile network operators talked up their usage of AI to improve network quality, better serve their customers and gain market share from competitors. Still, Europe's telco bosses say they could be accelerating their digital transformation journeys if they were allowed to combine with other large multinational players. "There's this real focus now around European competitiveness," Luke Kehoe, industry analyst for Europe at network intelligence firm Ookla, told CNBC on the sidelines of MWC last week. "There's a goal to mobilize policy to improve telecoms networks."

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In January, the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, issued its so-called "Competitiveness Compass" to EU lawmakers. The document calls for, among other things, "revised guidelines for assessing mergers so that innovation, resilience and the investment intensity of competition in certain strategic sectors are given adequate weight in light of the European economy's acute needs." Meanwhile, last year former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi released a long-awaited report that urged radical reforms to the EU through a new industrial strategy to ensure its competitiveness. It also calls for a new Digital Networks Act that would look to improve incentives for telcos to build next-generation mobile networks, reduce compliance costs, improve connectivity for end-users, and harmonize EU policy across the network spectrum, or the range of radio frequencies used for wireless communication. "The common theme and the mood music is certainly reducing ex-ante regulation and to foster what they would call a more competitive environment which is an environment more conducive of consolidation," Ookla's Kehoe told CNBC. "Moving forward, I think that there will be more consolidation." However, the telco industry has some way to go toward seeing transformational cross-border mergers and acquisitions, Kehoe added.

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U.S. fentanyl crisis: Cutting weeds without removing roots

09:11, March 14, 2025 By Chen Zi ( People's Daily Online

Cartoon by Ma Hongliang

Recently, the U.S. government once again used fentanyl as a pretext to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the United States.

By twice imposing tariffs on Chinese goods under the excuse of fentanyl, the United States is engaging in blatant blame-shifting. China has one of the world's strictest and most comprehensive anti-drug policies. The fentanyl crisis in the United States is fundamentally a result of its own issues, including drug abuse and regulatory failures. The root cause lies in domestic governance deficiencies, which should be addressed through reforms in the healthcare system, pharmaceutical regulations, and border controlnot through trade sanctions.

Turning a blind eye to its own problems while recklessly wielding the tariff stick will only harm U.S. businesses and consumers and undermine the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A plane takes off from Reagan National Airport after the crash last night of an American Airlines plane on the Potomac River as it approached the airport on Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it is imposing permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around Washington's Reagan National Airport and eliminating helicopter and passenger jet mixed traffic.

The FAA is permanently closing one key route and evaluating alternative helicopter routes after the National Transportation Safety Board this week made two urgent safety recommendations following the Jan. 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

The FAA will also prohibit use of two smaller runways at the airport when helicopters conducting urgent missions are operating near the airport.

In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA temporarily barred most helicopters near the airport - located in Arlington, Virginia - until it could review the NTSB's initial findings.

The NTSB cited the "intolerable risk" of collisions and noted that helicopters transiting near the airport at the maximum authorized altitude of 200 feet could have only about 75 feet of vertical separation from an airplane on landing approach.

Since 2011, there were 85 recorded events involving a potentially dangerous near miss between a helicopter and plane - a lateral separation less than 1,500 feet and vertical separation less than 200 feet, the NTSB said.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz is holding a March 27 hearing on the incident that will include the NTSB and FAA. "The data was there and we should have seen action to prevent this," Cruz said, calling the 85 incidents "very disturbing."

Airlines for America, a group representing American Airlines and other U.S. carriers, last week urged the FAA to permanently reduce helicopter traffic around the airport. The group called on the FAA to suspend some nearby helicopter routes with limited exceptions for essential military or medical emergencies.

The FAA also said it will limit the use of visual separation to certain Coast Guard, Marine and Park Police helicopter operations outside the restricted airspace.

The FAA is conducting an assessment of helicopter traffic near airports including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said on Friday he had secured the crucial backing of the Greens for a massive increase in state borrowing, clearing the way for the outgoing parliament to approve it next week.

Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats, who are in negotiations to form a government after an election last month, had proposed a 500 billion euro fund for infrastructure and sweeping changes to borrowing rules to bolster defence and revive growth in Europe's largest economy.

With the Greens, they now have the two thirds majority necessary to pass constitutional amendments, with a vote scheduled for next week.

Merz has justified the need to push the package through the outgoing parliament after recent shifts in policy in the United States under President Donald Trump, warning that a hostile Russia and an unreliable U.S. could leave

the continent exposed.

"It is a clear message to our partners .. but also to the enemies of our freedom: We are capable of defending ourselves," Merz, whose conservatives won the election, told a news conference.

"Germany is back. Germany is making a significant contribution to the defence of freedom and peace in Europe," he added.

News of the deal lifted euro zone government bond yields, shares and the euro on expectation the borrowing plan would boost the wider European economy.

Germany's benchmark DAX stock index was up almost 2%, while the mid- and small-cap indexes rose over 3% each. The euro rose 0.5% - taking its gains so far this month to 5%.
My top 10 things to watch Friday, March 14 1. We're looking at a higher open today after the S & P 500 closed in correction territory. New tariff threats from President Donald Trump weighed on stocks yesterday. It's no longer that Trump is not focused on the market. He seems intent on breaking it with mercurial postings when we have an otherwise decent set of circumstances. 2. Elon Musk's Tesla warned the U.S. Trade Representative in an unsigned letter that it is exposed to retaliatory tariffs. Could that be a turning point in this trade war? Separately, Wells Fargo lowered its price target on the EV maker, citing a "shocking" sales decline in Europe. 3. Stifel upgraded Club name Danaher to a buy from hold and kept its price target at $260 a share. Analysts say shares appear to have found their footing. The stock and the company's leadership have been disappointing. We're holding on for now. 4. DocuSign shares are up more than 8% this morning after the software maker's better-than-expected quarterly results. Wells Fargo kept its underweight rating on the stock, but acknowledged some top-line reacceleration and early progress with its new "Intelligent Agreement Management" platform. 5. Piper Sandler lowered its price target on Accenture to $396 a share from $429, though analysts maintained their overweight buy rating. They question whether the company can deliver upside to its guidance. This has been a dependable stock over time. 6. Baird upgraded American Express to neutral from a sell-equivalent underperform. The stock has been hit hard during the recent sell-off. Analysts say it's hard to stay negative on such a high-quality franchise. 7. Wells Fargo upped its price target on McKesson to $691 a share from $641 based on modest increases to estimates and a higher multiple. Shares of the health-care middleman have trounced the S & P 500 over the past five years. 8. Citigroup is the latest shop to lower its lower price target on Adobe , which tumbled almost 14% yesterday. Citi, which went to $430 a share from $490, is worried about increasing competition and slowing growth. Is the momentum gone? 9. Canaccord upgraded Peloton to buy from hold with a price target of $10 a share. The stock is jumping almost 8% this morning. It's been a rough few years for pandemic darling, but analysts say the company is at a "turning point" with the potential for meaningful upside ahead. 10. Wells Fargo lowered its price target on Ulta Beauty to $310 a share from $360 and kept its underweight sell rating on the stock after earnings. Analysts said the direction of same store sales and margins is unclear. Ulta factored "consumer uncertainty" into its guidance. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Mark Carney signs documents during his swearing-in ceremony as Canada's next Prime Minister at an event in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, March 14, 2025.

Ex-central banker Mark Carney was formally sworn in as prime minister of Canada on Friday, putting him in a position to fight tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump that could devastate the trade-dependent Canadian economy.

In the presence of Governor General Mary Simon, the personal representative of King Charles, who is Canada's head of state, Carney took the oath of office.

The moment capped a momentous rise for the 59-year-old, who becomes the first Canadian prime minister without any serious political experience.

Carney plans to travel to London and Paris next week, said a diplomat aware of the plans. Canada has sought to shore up alliances in Europe as its relations with the United States sink to unprecedented lows.

Carney has reshaped his cabinet with a view to dealing with Washington. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc is moving to the international trade portfolio and will be replaced by current Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Carney crushed his rivals on Sunday in a race to become leader of the ruling Liberal Party. He replaces Justin Trudeau, who spent more than nine years in office.

Carney, a former head of both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, successfully argued his position as an outsider with a history of tackling crises meant he was the best person to take on Trump, who has repeatedly talked about annexing Canada.

On Wednesday, Carney told reporters that he was ready to meet Trump when "there is respect for Canadian sovereignty."

He also said he would keep in place retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods until the United States showed Canada some respect.

Efforts are underway to arrange a call between Trump and Carney in the next couple of days, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters on Friday.

Carney is due to name a cabinet that will likely not be in office for long, since Liberal insiders say he will call a snap election within the next two weeks.

If he changes his mind, opposition parties say they will unite to bring down the minority Liberal government in a confidence vote at the end of March.

Once the election is called, Carney will be very limited in what he can do politically because convention dictates he cannot make major decisions when running for office.

Opinion polls currently suggest it will be a close race with the official opposition Conservatives, with neither party gaining enough seats for a majority government.
Linda McMahon, President Donald Trumps nominee to be Secretary of Education, testifies during her Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.

More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump's campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning America's schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over "race-based preferences" in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

"Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. "We will not yield on this commitment."

Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges' partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are "engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs."

The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A message sent to the PhD Project was not immediately returned.

Six other colleges are being investigated for awarding "impermissible race-based scholarships," the department said, and another is accused of running a program that segregates students on the basis of race.

Those seven are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota, the University of South Florida and the University of Tulsa School of Medicine.

The department did not say which of the seven was being investigated for allegations of segregation.

The Feb. 14 memo from Trump's Republican administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

In the memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, had said schools' and colleges' diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been "smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline.

The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nation's two largest teachers' unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday hailed the "very good chance" of Russia and Ukraine striking a 30-day Washington-led ceasefire, after the Kremlin endorsed the "idea" of the truce with caveats.

"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social media platform, in a likely reference to the Moscow meeting of his envoy, Steve Witkoff, with Kremlin leader Putin.

The engagement came after the Russian president on Thursday appeared to warm to a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has already backed.

"The idea [of a ceasefire] itself is correct and we are certainly supporting it, but there are issues that need to be discussed," Putin said Thursday, urging further discussions with Washington and a potential call with White House leader Trump.

Putin has expressed concerns that a temporary truce would bide Kyiv's forces the time to "supply weapons" or "train newly mobilized units" and questioned how the ceasefire would be enforced.

Trump, who has defrosted Washington's relationship with Moscow since the January start of his second term in office, on Thursday said that Kyiv and the White House had discussed elements of an agreement including territorial concessions, the fate of an unnamed power plant  likely the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility  and Ukraine's future accession to NATO.

"Now we're going to see whether or not Russia is there, and if they're not, it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world," Trump said. "[Putin] put out a very promising statement, but it was incomplete. And yeah, I'd love to meet with him, or talk to him."
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) holds a press conference following the Senate Democrats weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., November 19, 2024.

The Senate passed a six-month funding bill Friday to avert a government shutdown hours ahead of the midnight deadline, sending it to President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The vote was 54-46, with two Democrats joining all but one Republican in voting yes. Earlier Friday, the bill cleared a key procedural hurdle with the help of 10 Democrats in a 62-38 vote. Sixty votes were needed to defeat a Democratic filibuster.

The votes came after a dramatic 48-hour period during which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., broke with most House and Senate Democrats, announcing he would support moving forward on the bill one day after he declared it didn't have the votes. Schumer ultimately voted no on final passage of the legislation.

The bill, which cleared the House on a party-line vote earlier this week, will keep the government funded through Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year.

Under pressure from his left flank and House Democrats to block the GOP funding package, Schumer had kept his cards close to the vest about his shutdown strategy throughout the week.

But on Thursday, Schumer said he would vote to advance the funding bill, giving cover to other Democrats to do the same and significantly lowering the threat of a catastrophic shutdown amid broader economic uncertainty.

Defending his decision in a floor speech Friday, Schumer warned that a shutdown would be far worse than passing the GOP bill. He argued that a shutdown would give Trump, his billionaire adviser Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) even more power to slash the federal workforce and government services. They could do that, Schumer said, by dictating who are "essential" and non-essential workers in a shutdown.

"Clearly, this is a Hobson's choice; the CR is a bad bill. But as bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option," Schumer said.

"A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive. ... It would give Donald Trump and DOGE the keys to the city, state and country," he continued.
Docusign rose more than 14% after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings after the bell Thursday.

"We've really stabilized and I think started to turn the corner on the core business," CEO Allan Thygesen said Friday on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "We've become much more efficient."

Here's how the company performed in the fourth quarter FY2025 compared to LSEG estimates:

Earnings per share: 86 cents vs. 85 cents expected

86 cents vs. 85 cents expected Revenue: $776 million vs. $761 million

The earnings beat was boosted in part by the electronic signature service's new artificial intelligence-enabled content called Docusign IAM, a platform for optimizing processes involving agreements.

"It's tremendously valuable," Thygesen said. "It's opening a treasure trove of data. ... We're seeing excellent pickup."

Looking to fiscal year 2026, Thygesen said Docusign expects IAM to account for low double digits of the total growth of the business by Q4.
President Donald Trump signed several executive orders at the start of his second term that lay out a blanket 25% tariff on Canadian goods imported into the United States, with some exceptions such as energy. Canadian energy will carry a lower tariff of 10%.

The bulk of these tariffs went into effect at midnight on Tuesday, March 4, sending U.S. markets into a dramatic sell-off.

It's unclear which tariffs will last; Trump has since altered, paused or canceled some of the tariffs.

The tariffs have prompted a strong response from Canadian leadership, including implementing retaliatory tariffs of 25% on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods that began on March 4.

"Should these tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several nontariff measures; measures which will demonstrate that there are no winners in a trade war," then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on March 4, after the U.S. tariffs went into effect.

"I think there's a very good case to be made that across all of these tariff threats, not just with Canada, but with what we're seeing him say about the EU, about trading partners writ large as that he's in search of a reason to impose tariffs," said Erica York, a vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation. "It doesn't really matter what the reason is because the goal is to get a tariff. The goal is not necessarily some type of specific negotiation on a really clear ask and really clear outcome."

"President Trump will again use tariffs to level the playing field for American workers and reignite America's industrial might," said White House spokesman Kush Desai in a statement to CNBC.

"Trade policy is going to change, and we're going to make it fair to Americans," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on March 4. "I know people worry about short term, but we are going to bring jobs [back to America]."

In 2020, Congress passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, and was one of the Trump administration's economic and political priorities of his first term.

Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Canada, despite having negotiated the deal himself, raises concerns about the U.S.' reliability as a trading partner, York said.

"I think that just sets the stage for a new era of trade policy, and one where the U.S. may not be as reliable as a trading partner as we used to be if a deal that you negotiate with the U.S. can just be potentially tossed out a few years later," York said.

"There has been this huge uptick in a national sense of pride in Canada, like: how dare our best friend do this to us?" Riaz Kara, vice president of policy at the Ottawa, Canada-based think tank the Public Policy Forum.

Kara says the tariff dispute has prompted reflection on the country's reliance on the U.S. and the need for greater economic independence.

"We are beholden to this unreliable neighbor to the South now, and the whims of that neighbor are making us finally ask the questions of what do we need to become?" Kara said.

Watch the video above to learn more about how this trade dispute will impact consumers and what this could mean for the future relationship of the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump could push allies to forge closer relationships with other countries like China and India, according to former U.S. diplomat Wendy Cutler.

It comes amid the U.S. president's threat to levy steep tariffs on European alcohol products, after the European Union said it would impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.33 billion) worth of U.S. goods starting in April.

The 27-nation bloc's tariff measures followed U.S. duties on all steel and aluminum imports.

Trump's trade policies, which appear designed to rebalance the economic order in America's favor, include targeted tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China.

Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Thursday, Cutler, who formerly served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, pointed out that traditional U.S. allies, such as the EU had announced "a very ambitious negotiating strategy."

Cutler said "the EU had concluded a big deal with the Mercosur countries. The EU and India are going to restart their negotiations."

Mercosur is the Spanish abbreviation for the Southern Common Market, a regional trade bloc made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The EU finalised negotiations with the Mercosur countries in December, a political agreement that the Center for Strategic and International Studies described as a "landmark deal" and the only one Mercosur has with a major trading bloc.

CSIS estimated that the deal eliminates tariffs on over 90% of bilateral trade, saving European exporters 4 billion euros annually while granting South American products preferential access to European markets. It added that this means "European products will enter its market under much better conditions than U.S. or Japanese products."
Making a blockbuster film can be stressful, so its important to keep things light sometimes. To that end, its not uncommon for actors, directors and other on-set personnel to prank each other, but the true legends go far beyond whoopie cushions and snakes in a can. Were talking psychological warfare, or at least impressive automotive relocation.

5 Michael Gambon and Alan Rickman Terrorized Daniel Radcliffe With a Fart Machine Being surrounded by teenagers can turn even the most British of seasoned actors into children. In a Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban scene where all the Hogwarts students are supposed to be sleeping in bags in the Great Hall, Gambon and Rickman planted a fart machine in Radcliffes sleeping bag, setting it off with the comedic timing that only those two could pull off. They did it specifically because they knew Radcliffe had sidled up next to a girl he liked, too. More like Professor Cockleblock.

4 Brad Pitt Made Everyone Terrified of George Clooney Clooney is known as a legendary prankster, but Pitts prank on him on the set of Oceans Eleven topped them all. When Clooney arrived on set in Italy, he was bewildered that everyone he met refused to look him in the eye or address him as anything other than Mr. Clooney or his character, Danny Ocean. It turned out Pitt had warned the entire town that Clooney was a serious method actor, and they would be in deep poppa if they didnt respect his process. So all the newspapers were like, Il Divo! George Clooney is Il Divo! Clooney recalled. To be fair, thats a great tagline.

3 Willem Dafoe Convinced Mark Ruffalo He Was Getting Fired On the set of Poor Things, Dafoe had little patience for Ruffalos self-deprecating jokes. Hes brilliant in this movie, Dafoe said, but Ruffalo kept on belly-aching that he wasnt a good enough actor for the role and felt certain hed be replaced. When Ruffalo noticed Oscar Isaac hanging around the studio in Budapest, where he was actually just shooting a different movie, he jokingly asked if Isaac was there to replace him, so Dafoe decided to confirm his worst fears. He even got Isaac to visit the set to break the bad news. It only lasted for about a second, Dafoe insisted, but it was a good joke.

2 The Where the Wild Things Are Crew Hid Spike Jonzes Vespa (In the Ceiling) If youre any kind of prankster, youve probably hid someones car. Its a classic. Well, the crew on the set of Where the Wild Things Are got a little more creative than across the parking lot. They loaded director Jonzes Vespa into straps and hoisted it up into the rafters of the soundstage. When he finally found it, they doused him in yogurt and rice, which is the Southern California equivalent of tar and feathers.
The White House was terrified of Chevy Chase.

Gerald Ford had just walked an unlikely path to the presidency, first taking over for the disgraced Spiro Agnew and then for Richard You cant fire me, I quit! Nixon. The new leader of the free world had the advantage of simply not being Nixon, but that didnt last long, thanks to a new comedy show called Saturday Night (so new that it wasn't yet Saturday Night Live).

One of the surprise hits first recurring characters was Chases unkind imitation of Ford. Though Ford was a real-life college athlete, this cartoon version was a clumsy oaf, falling off ladders and tumbling down stairs. The caricature stuck to Ford like tar, and his team believed the best way to fight back was to prove that they were in on the joke.

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Ron Nessen, who passed away this week at age 90, was Fords press secretary. He made nice with writer Al Franken at the 1976 White House Correspondents Dinner and said he was a fan  which was somewhat true. But Nessen really was trying to do damage control, according to Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live. When Franken told Lorne Michaels about Nessen, an invitation to host soon followed.

It was an out-of-the-box move for Saturday Night, inviting a political wonk with no comedy background to host an edgy late-night comedy show. It would get a lot of publicity, but Michaels knew they had to keep the jokes coming hard so that viewers wouldnt think the show was pandering. Nessen swore he was fine with that. He even persuaded his boss to pre-tape a bit in which he woodenly proclaimed, Im Gerald Ford and youre not.

But any hopes that Nessen might have had about using the show to boost Fords image were misguided. The shows writers sharpened their knives for Nessens arrival. According to Rosie Shuster in Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live, the attitude that week was: The Presidents watching. Lets make him cringe and squirm.

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That weeks jokes werent all at Fords expense, but Nessen presided over what was Saturday Nights raunchiest episode to date, with fake ads for feminine hygiene products, a jelly-naming sketch with ideas like Painful Rectal Itch and Gilda Radners Emily Litella talking about the upcoming presidential erection.

Nessen thought the show went great, partially because his sketches werent as crass and got big laughs. According to the Lorne biography, Nessen even got high with Paul Simon and the cast after the show.

The good feelings didnt last long, however. By Monday, Fords former press secretary had written an op-ed calling Nessens stab at comedy a gross error in judgment. Betty Ford worried that her husbands pre-taped bit made it seem like he endorsed all the dirty stuff. Nessen got a note from the presidents son Jack, which read: If you get a min., Id be happy to explain to you that your job is to further the Pres. interests, not yours or your familys.

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Nessens appearance was a disaster for the Presidency but a big success for Saturday Night. It brought new viewers to the first-year show, and people were impressed that it had the nerve to figuratively extend a middle finger to the White House.

As for Fords reelection bid against upstart Jimmy Carter? Maybe the most damning comment came from a voter who spoke to Washington Post columnist Bill Gould. If Ford agreed to let Nessen host Saturday Night, the reader said, I dont see how I can vote for a man who could be so dumb.
How it works: Egregor follows the double extortion trend of both encrypting data and threatening to leak sensitive information if the ransom is not paid. Its codebase is relatively sophisticated and able to avoid detection by using obfuscation and anti-analysis techniques.

Targeted victims: As of late November, Egregor victimized at least 71 organizations across 19 industries worldwide.

Attribution: Egregors rise coincides with the Maze ransomware gang shutting down its operations. Maze group affiliates appear to have moved on to Egregor. It is a variant of the Sekhmet ransomware family and is associated with the Qakbot malware.

Current status: Egregor emerged shortly after the Maze ransomware group announced its shutdown. The ransomware was most active between September 2020 to early 2021 before being taken down by the FBI and Ukrainian authorities.

FONIX

History: FONIX is an RaaS offering that was first discovered in July 2020. It quickly went through a number of code revisions, but abruptly shut down in January 2021. The FONIX gang then released its master decryption key.

How it works: The FONIX gang advertised its services on cybercrime forums and the dark web. Purchasers of FONIX would send the gang an email address and password. The gang then sends the customized ransomware payload to the buyer. The FONIX gang takes a 25% cut of any ransom fees paid.

Targeted victims: Since FONIX is RAAS, anyone could be a victim.

Attribution: An unknown cybercriminal gang

Current status: Never reaching the heights of a major player, FONIX has been defunct since 2021.

GandCrab

History: GandCrab might be the most lucrative RaaS ever. Its developers claim more than $2 billion in victim payouts as of July 2019. GandCrab was first identified in January 2018.

How it works: GandCrab is an affiliate ransomware program for cybercriminals who pay its developers a portion of the ransom fees they collect. The malware is typically delivered through malicious Microsoft Office documents sent via phishing emails. Variations of GandCrab have exploited vulnerabilities in software such as Atlassians Confluence. In that case, the attackers use the flaw to inject a rogue template that enables remote code execution.

Targeted victims: GandCrab has infected systems globally across multiple industries, though it is designed to avoid systems in Russian-speaking regions.

Attribution: GandCrab has been tied to Russian national Igor Prokopenko.

Current status: GandCrab was a dominant ransomware threat between January 2018 to May 2019. Researchers suspect the group behind it shifted its focus to developing a ransomware strain called REvil or Sodinokibi. Sodinokibi/Revil remains active.

GoldenEye

History: Appearing in 2016, GoldenEye appears to be based on the Petya ransomware.

How it works: GoldenEye was initially spread through a campaign targeting human resources departments with fake cover letters and resumes. Once its payload infects a computer, it executes a macro that encrypts files on the computer, adding a random 8-character extension at the end of each file. The ransomware then modifies the computers hard drive master boot record with a custom boot loader.

Targeted victims: GoldenEye first targeted German-speaking users in its phishing emails.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: GoldenEye resurfaced in June 2017 with attacks in the Ukraine, but appears to be inactive today.

Grief

History: The Grief ransomware, also known as Pay or Grief, is considered the successor of DoppelPaymer and appeared in May 2021. Between May and October, the group claimed to have compromised 41 companies and other organizations, the majority of them in Europe and the U.K. Its estimated that the group made over $11 million in that time frame. In late October, the group claimed it compromised the US National Rifle Association (NRA) and stole data that it held for ransom.

How it works: Grief is an RaaS operation working with affiliates who perform the intrusions and installation of the ransomware program in exchange for a commission from the ransom payment. The group engages in double extortion by stealing data from compromised organizations and threatening to release it if the victim doesnt pay. Grief maintains a leak site where it publishes information about the victims and more recently, it has started warning victims that if they contact law enforcement, ransomware negotiators or data recovery specialists, they will wipe the systems they have access to, leaving victims unable to recover their files even if theyre willing to pay for the decryption key.

The code differences between DoppelPaymer and Grief are minor. The embedded ProcessHacker binaries, which DoppelPaymer used to terminate various processes, have been removed and the RC4 key used in the encryption routine has been increased from 40 to 48 bytes. Otherwise, the encryption algorithms remain the same: 2048-bit RSA and 256-bit AES.

Targeted victims: Grief has compromised various manufacturers, pharmacies, food services and hospitality providers, educational institutions, as well as municipalities and at least one government district. The group has not published the identities of all the victims it claims to have made on its leak site.

Attribution: The Grief ransomware is believed to be operated by Evil Corp, a cybercriminal group previously known for running the Dridex botnet as well as the WastedLocker and DoppelPaymer ransomware operations. Evil Corp is one of the cybercriminal groups on the Department of Treasurys sanctions list and two individuals associated with it are on the FBIs most wanted list.

Current status: Grief remains active to this day.

Jigsaw

History: Jigsaw first appeared in 2016, but researchers released a decryption tool shortly after its discovery.

How it works: The most notable aspect of Jigsaw is that it encrypts some files, demands a ransom, and then progressively deletes files until the ransom is paid. It deletes a file per hour for 72 hours. At that point, it deletes all remaining files.

Targeted victims: Jigsaw appears not to have target any group of victims.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: Jigsaw is no longer active in its original form but its source code is openly available, allowing threat actors to modify and adapt the malware.

KeRanger

History: KeRanger, discovered in 2016, is believed to be the first operational ransomware designed to attack Mac OS X applications.

How it works: KeRanger was distributed through a legitimate but compromised BitTorrent client that was able to evade detection as it had a valid certificate.

Targeted victims: Mac users

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: KeRanger is no longer believed to be active.

Leatherlocker

History: Leatherlocker was first discovered in 2017 in two Android applications: Booster & Cleaner and Wallpaper Blur HD. Google removed the apps from its store shortly after discovery.

How it works: Victims download what appears to be a legitimate app. The app then asks for permissions that grant the malware access needed to execute. Rather than encrypt files, it locks the device home screen to prevent access to data.

Targeted victims: Android users who download the infected apps.

Attribution: An unknown cybercriminal group.

Current status: Leatherlocker appears no longer to be active.

LockerGoga

History: LockerGoga appeared in 2019 in an attack targeting industrial companies. Although the attackers asked for a ransom, LockerGoga seemed intentially designed to make paying a ransom difficult. This led some researcher to believe its intent was disruption rather than financial gain.

How it works: LockerGoga used a phishing campaign with malicious document attachments to infect systems. The payload were signed with valid certificates, which allowed them to bypass security.

Targeted victims: LockerGoga victimized European manufacturing companies, most notably Norsk Hydro where it caused a global IT shut-down.

Attribution: Some researchers say LockerGoga was likely the work of a nation-state.

Current status: LockerGoga caused severe disruption and financial losses for industrial companies, including an attack on Norsk Hydro in March 2019. Europols arrest of suspects behind the LockerGoga, MegaCortex, and Dharma ransomware attacks curtailed the threat.

Locky

History: Locky first began spreading in 2016 and used an attack mode similar to the banking malware Dridex. Locky has inspired a number of variants including Osiris and Diablo6.

How it works: Victims are usually sent an email with a Microsoft Word document purporting to be an invoice. That invoice contains malicious macro. Microsoft disables macros by default due to the security dangers. If macros are enabled, the document runs the macro, which downloads Locky. Dridex uses the same technique to steal account credentials.

Targeted victims: Early Locky attacks targeted hospitals, but subsequent campaigns were broad and untargeted.

Attribution: Its suspected that the cybercriminal group behind Locky is affiliated to one of those behind Dridex due to similarities between the two.

Current status: Locky was a significant threat between 2016 and 2017 but is no longer active.

Maze

History: Maze is a relatively new ransomware group, discovered in May 2019. It is known for releasing stolen data to the public if the victim does not pay to decrypt it. The Maze group announced in September 2020 that it was closing its operations.

How it works: Maze attackers typically gain entry to networks remotely using valid credentials that might be guessed, default, or gained through phishing campaigns. The malware then scans the network using open-source tools to discover vulnerabilities and learn about the network. It then moves laterally throughout the network looking for more credentials that can be used for privilege escalation. Once it finds domain admin credentials, it can access and encrypt anything on the network.

Targeted victims: Maze operates on a global scale across all industries.

Attribution: The people behind Maze are believed to be multiple criminal groups that share their specialties rather than a singular gang.

Current status: Maze shuttered its operations in 2020.

Mespinoza (a.k.a. PYSA)

History: First identified in 2019, the Mespinoza group has a reputation of being cocky and quirky. According to a report from Palo Alto Softwares Unit 42, the gang refers to its victims as partners and provides advice to convince management to pay the ransom. Mespinoza uses its own tools with names like MagicSocks and HappyEnd.bat.

How it works: Despite its quirks, Mespinoza is quite disciplined in its approach according to Unit 42. The gang does its homework on potential victims to target those with the most valuable assets. Then they look for keywords such as SSN, driver license, or passport in documents to identify the most sensitive files. The attack uses RDP to gain network access and then use open-source and built-in system tools to move laterally and gather credentials. It installs malware called Gasket to create a backdoor. Gasket has a feature called MagicSocks that creates tunnels for remote access. The gang uses the double extortion approach that includes a threat of releasing sensitive data if the ransome is not paid.

Targeted victims: Mespinoza operates on a global scale and targets large enterprises across many industries. It recently attacked K-12 schools, universities and seminaries in the US and UK.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: Mespinoza appears to still be active but its level of activity is much diminished from its 2020-21 peak.

Netwalker

History: Active since 2019, Netwalker is another ransomware operation that uses the double threat of withholding decryption keys and selling or leaking stolen data. In late January 2021, however, the US Department of Justice announced a global action that disrupted the Netwalker operation.

How it works: From a technical standpoint, Netwalker is relatively ordinary ransomware. It gains a foothold using phishing emails, encrypts and exfiltrates data, and sends a ransom demand. Its the second threat of exposing sensitive data that makes it more dangerous. It is known to have released stolen data by putting it in a password-protected fold on the dark web and then releasing the key publicly.

Targeted victims: Netwalker targets primarily healthcare and educational institutions.

Attribution: The Circus Spider gang is believed to have created Netwalker.

Current status: Netwalker gained notoriety during the COVID-19 pandemic after attacks targeting healthcare, education, and government organizations. A law enforcement operation in January 2021 disrupted Netwalkers infrastructure, leading to arrests and seizures of cryptocurrency. A new ransomware variant called Alpha, displaying marked technical similarities to Netwalker, surfaced in February 2023.

NotPetya

History: First appearing in 2016, NotPetya is actually data destroying malware, called a wiper, that masquerades as ransomware.

How it works: The NotPetya virus superficially resembles Petya in that it encrypts files and requests a ransom in Bitcoin. Petya requires the victim to download it from a spam email, launch it, and give it admin permissions. NotPetya can spread without human intervention. The original infection vector appears to be via a backdoor planted in M.E.Doc, an accounting software package thats used by almost every company Ukraine. Having infected computers from Medocs servers, NotPetya used a variety of techniques to spread to other computers, including EternalBlue and EternalRomance. It can also take advantage of Mimikatz to find network administration credentials in the infected machines memory, and then use the Windows PsExec and WMIC tools to remotely access and infect other computers on the local network.

Targeted victims: The attack primarily focused on Ukraine.

Attribution: The Sandworm group within Russias GRU is believed to be responsible for NotPetya.

Current status: After launching the most destructive cyber assault to date, NotPetya appears no longer to be active.

Petya

History: The name derives from a satellite that was part of the sinister plot in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. A Twitter account suspected of belonging to the malwares author used a picture of actor Alan Cumming, who played the villain, as its avatar. The initial version of the Petya malware began to spread in March 2016.

How it works: Petya arrives on the victims computer attached to an email purporting to be a job applicants resume. Its a package with two files: a stock image of young man and an executable file, often with PDF somewhere in the file name. When the victim clicks on that file, a Windows User Access Control warning tells them that the executable is going to make changes to your computer. The malware loads once the victim accepts the change and then denies access by attacking low-level structures on the storage media.

Targeted victims: Any Windows system is a potential target, but Ukraine was hardest hit by the attack.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: Most noteworthy for its similarities to the far more destructive NotPetya wiper, Petya is no longer active today.

Purelocker

History: The PureLocker RaaS platform, discovered in 2019, targets enterprise production servers running Linux or Windows. It is written in the PureBasic language, hence its name.

How it works: PureLocker relies on the more_eggs backdoor malware to gain access rather than phishing attempts. Attackers target machines that have already been compromised and they understand. PureLocker then analyzes the machines and selectively encrypts data.

Targeted victims: Researchers believe that only a few criminal gangs can afford to pay for PureLocker, to its use is limited to high-value targets.

Attribution: The malware-as-a-service (MaaS) provider behind the more_eggs backdoor is likely responsible for PureLocker.

Current status: Little or no reported attacks linked to Purelocker have appeared over the last five years.

RobbinHood

History: RobbinHood is another ransomware variant that uses EternalBlue. It brought the city of Baltimore, Maryland, to its knees in 2019.

How it works: The most unique feature about RobbinHood is in how its payload bypasses endpoint security. It has five parts: an executable that kills processes and files of security products, code to deploy a signed third-party driver and a malicious unsigned kernel driver, an outdated Authenticode-signed driver that has a vulnerability, a malicious driver to kill processes and delete files from the kernel space, and a text file with a list of applications to kill and delete.

The outdated, signed driver has a known bug that the malware uses to avoid detection and then install its own unsigned driver on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.

Targeted victims: Local governments such as the cities of Baltimore and Greenville, North Carolina, seem to be hardest hit by RobbinHood.

Attribution: An unidentified criminal group

Current status: RobbinHood gained notoriety in 2019, but little has been seen of the malware over recent years.

Ryuk

History: Ryuk first appeared in August 2018 but is based on an older ransomware program called Hermes that was sold on underground cybercrime forums in 2017.

How it works: It is often used in combination with other malware like TrickBot. The Ryuk gang is known for using manual hacking techniques and open-source tools to move laterally through private networks and gain administrative access to as many systems as possible before initiating the file encryption.

The Ryuk attackers demand high ransom payments from their victims, typically between 15 and 50 Bitcoins (roughly $100,000 to $500,000), although higher payments have reportedly been paid.

Targeted victims: Businesses, hospitals and government organizationsoften those must vulnerableare the most common Ryuk victims.

Attribution: First attributed to the North Korean Lazarus Group, which used Hermes in an attack against the Taiwanese Far Eastern International Bank (FEIB) in October 2017, Ryuk is now believed to be the creation of a Russian-speaking cybercriminal group that obtained access to Hermes. The Ryuk gang, sometimes called Wizard Spider or Grim Spider, also operates TrickBot. Some researchers believe that Ryuk could be the creation of the original Hermes author or authors operating under the handle CryptoTech.

Current status: A sophisticated ransomware strain, Ryuk remains active as of February 2025.

SamSam

History: SamSam has been around since 2015 and targeted primarily healthcare organizations and ramped up significantly in the following years.

How it works: SamSam is an RaaS operation whose controllers probe pre-selected targets for weaknesses. It has exploited a range of vulnerabilities in everything from IIS to FTP to RDP. Once inside the system, the attackers escalate privileges to ensure that when they do start encrypting files, the attack is particularly damaging.

Targeted victims: Hardest hit were US-based healthcare and government organizations including the Colorado Department of Transportation and the City of Atlanta.

Attribution: Initially believed by some to have an Eastern European origin, SamSam mostly targeted US institutions. In late 2018, the US Department of Justice indicted two Iranians that they claim were behind the attacks.

Current status: SamSam first emerged in December 2015 and remains active as of February 2025.

SimpleLocker

History: SimpleLocker, discovered in 2014, was the first widespread ransomware attack that focused on mobile devices, specifically Android devices.

How it works: SimpleLocker infects devices when the victim downloads a malicious app. The malware then scans the devices SD card for certain file types and encrypts them. It then displays a screen demanding a ransom and instructions on how to pay.

Targeted victims: Since the ransom note is in Russian and asks for payment in Ukrainian currency, it is assumed that the attackers originally targeted that region.

Attribution: SimpleLocker is believed to have been written by the same hackers who developed other Russian malware such as SlemBunk and GM Bot.

Current status: SimpleLocker is not believed to be currently active.

Sodinokibi/REvil

History: Sodinokibi, also known as REvil, is another RaaS platform that first emerged in April 2019. Apparently related to GandCrab, it also has code that prevents it from executing in Russia and several adjacent countries, as well as Syria. It was responsible for shutting down more than 22 small Texas towns, and on New Years Eve 2019 it took down the UK currency exchange service Travelex. Most recently, REvil ransomware was used in the attack on meat processing company JBS, temporarily disrupting meat supply in the US. It was also responsible for the attack on Kaseya, which supplies software to MSPs. Thousands of MSP customers were affected. Shortly after the Kaseya attack, REvils websites disappeared from the internet.

How it works: Sodinokibi propagates in several ways, including exploiting holes in Oracle WebLogic servers or the Pulse Connect Secure VPN. It targets Microsoft Windows systems and encrypts all files except configuration files. Victims then receive a double threat if they dont pay the ransom: They wont get their data back and their sensitive data will be sold or published on underground forums.

Targeted victims: Sodinokibi has infected many different organizations globally outside the regions it excludes.

Attribution: Sodinokibi rose to prominence after GandCrab shut down. An alleged member of the group, using the handle Unknown, confirmed that the ransomware was built on top of an older codebase that the group acquired.

Current status: Sodinokibi/Revil remains active today.

TeslaCrypt

History: TeslaCrypt is a Windows ransomware Trojan first detected in 2015 that targets players of computer games. Several newer versions appeared in quick succession, but the developers shut down operations in May 2016 and released the master decryption key.

How it works: Once it infects a computer, typically after a victim visits a hacked website that runs an exploit kit, TeslaCrypt looks for and encrypts gaming files such as game saves, recorded replays and user profiles. It then demands a $500 fee in Bitcoin to decrypt the files.

Targeted victims: Computer gamers

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: No longer active as of May 2016

Thanos

History: The Thanos RaaS is relatively new, discovered in late 2019. It is the first to use the RIPlace technique, which can bypass most anti-ransomware methods.

How it works: Advertised in underground forums and other closed channels, Thanos is a customized tool that its affiliates use to create ransomware payloads. Many of the features it offers are designed to evade detection. The Thanos developers have released multiple versions, adding capabilities such as disabling third-party backup, removal of Windows Defender signature files, and features to make forensics more difficult for response teams.

Targeted victims: As an RaaS platform, Thanos can victimize any organization.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: The Thanos RaaS remains active today.

Wannacry

History: The WannaCry worm spread through computer networks rapidly in May 2017 thanks to the EternalBlue exploit developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and then stolen by hackers. It quickly infected millions of Windows computers.

How it works: WannaCry consists of multiple components. It arrives on the infected computer in the form of a dropper, a self-contained program that extracts the other application components embedded within itself including:

An application that encrypts and decrypts data

Files containing encryption keys

A copy of Tor

Once launched, WannaCry tries to access a hard-coded URL. If it cant, it proceeds to search for and encrypt files in important formats, ranging from Microsoft Office files to MP3s and MKVs. It then displays a ransom notice demanding Bitcoin to decrypt the files.

Targeted victims: The WannaCry attack affected companies globally, but high-profile enterprises in healthcare, energy, transportation and communications were particularly hard hit.

Attribution: North Koreas Lazarus Group is believed to be behind WannaCry.

Current status: WannaCrys spread was halted when security researcher Marcus Hutchins accidentally activated a kill switch by registering a domain associated with the malware.

WastedLocker

History: One of the more recent to appear, the WastedLocker ransomware began victimizing organizations in May 2020. It is one of the more sophisticated examples of ransomware, and its creators are known for asking high ransom fees.

How it works: The malware uses a JavaScript-based attack framework calle SocGholish that is distributed in ZIP file form via a fake browser update that appear on legitimate but compromised websites. Once activated WastedLocker then downloads and executes PowerShell scripts and a backdoor called Cobalt Strike. The malware then explores the network and deploys living off the land tools to steal credentials and gain access to high-value systems. It then encrypts data using a combination of AES and RSA cryptography.

Targeted victims: WastedLocker focuses on high-value targets most likely to pay high ransoms, mainly in North America and Western Europe.

Attribution: A known criminal gang, Evil Corp, is responsible for WastedLocker. The group is also known for operating the Dridex malware and botnet.

Current status: WastedLocker remains active as of February 2025.

WYSIWYE

History: Discovered in 2017, WYSIWYE (What You See Is What You Encrypt) is an RaaS platform that targets Windows systems.

How it works: scans the web for open Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) servers. It then executes sign-in attempts using default or weak credentials to access systems and spread across the network. Criminals who purchase WYSIWYE services can choose what types of files to encrypt and whether to delete the original files after encryption.

Targeted victims: WYSIWYE attacks first appeared in Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Spain.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: WYSIWYE appears to bedefunct.

Zeppelin

History: Zeppelin first appeared in November 2019 and is a descendent of Vega or VegasLocker RaaS offering that victimized accounting firms in Russia and Eastern Europe.

How it works: Zeppelin has more capabilities than its ancestors, especially when it comes to configurability. Zeppelin can be deployed in multiple ways, including as an EXE, a DLL, or a PowerShell loader, but it some of its attacks came via compromised managed security service providers.

Targeted victims: Zeppelin is much more targeted than Vega, which spread somewhat indiscriminately and mostly operated in the Russian-speaking world. Zeppelin is designed to not execute on computers running in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, or Kazakhstan. Most of its victims were healthcare and technology companies in North America and Europe.

Attribution: Security experts believe that a new threat actor, likely in Russia, is using Vegas codebase to develop Zeppelin.

Attribution: Unknown

Current status: Zeppelin remains active as of February 2025.

Editors note: This article, originally published on February 16, 2021, has been updated to include more recent information about the listed groups, including current status.
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Finally, some good news. That was my first instinct on hearing of Sir Keir Starmer's intention to scrap the overblown bureaucratic folly that is NHS England with immediate effect.

Why? Because as someone qualified in medicine for 50 years - far longer than NHS England, which was formed in 2013 by former Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley, has been in existence - I am well-placed to testify to its utter lack of effectiveness.

I can tell you that it has not made a single positive impact on my patients or hospital, or indeed had any impact at all  other than consistently striking me as a complete waste of vast amounts of money.

On paper, its remit was to oversee the budget, planning, delivery and day-to-day operation of the NHS in England.

In practice, well, Sir Keir summed it up nicely when he called it the 'world's biggest quango' which took decisions at 'arm's length' from those at the frontline.

I'd put it in blunter terms, though.

The reality is that over the course of its 12-year existence, NHS England became an almost impenetrable, bloated bureaucratic shroud beneath which the NHS itself became utterly buried.

As for 'arm's length' decisions, that phrase suggests some(itals) connection with the organisation it serves.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer gestures during a Q&A session after delivering a speech on plans to reform the civil service, during a visit to Reckitt Benckiser Health Care UK Ltd in Kingston upon Hull on March 13

Professor Karol Sikora is a consultant oncologist and has been qualified in medicine for 50 years (stock image)

In fact, whenever I visited NHS England's rather grand and populous south-London offices (their headquarters are in Leeds) , I was always struck by how entirely disconnected it felt  both literally and metaphorically  from the hospitals it was meant to oversee.

It was rather like being inside a railway signal box with a dashboard showing rows of impressive shiny levers - only to find that when you pull one, they're not connected to anything.

This sense was only enhanced when, on one occasion, I had a 5pm appointment to see the medical director to talk about cancer services, only to find I could barely get through the front door because of the sheer volume of clock-watchers rushing out to get home.

As Good Health columnist and A&E consultant Professor Rob Galloway points out, these officials have also presided over a series of disasters.

The first being workforce planning: we have now a crisis where, although the NHS desperately needs more doctors, thousands of medical graduates do not have training jobs to go into.

Even worse, there are patients up and down the country unable to get GP appointments while there are plenty of fully qualified GPs who aren't in a job.

The second is that they oversaw the dangerous fiasco of allowing many more physician associates - healthcare workers with only two years' training - to effectively work as doctors without regulation, putting patients' lives at risk.

Meanwhile, up to 50 people a day are dying because of delays in A&E - and NHS England has failed miserably to de-liver the reforms we need.

Karol Sikora believes NHS England 'has not made a single positive impact on my patients or hospital, or indeed had any impact at all' (stock image)

Many of those employed behind that headquarters' marble and glass facade are on very handsome salaries: I know several colleagues there who are earning over 200,000 - a sum that even a full-time consultant in a very busy hospital can only dream of.

Little wonder, given the inflated salaries it pays some of its own staff, that the organisation has signally failed to curb the staggering 200 billion a year it spends on running the NHS.

So thank goodness Sir Keir has had the sense to cut it down at its root and plough that money back into the people working at the coal face - in other words the nurses, doctors and consultants who are treating patients and saving lives.

Obviously, on a personal level, I feel saddened for those who will lose their jobs.

But I can guarantee that not a single person on the frontline will shed a tear for the abolition of this overblown supervisory body which, for all its grand proclamations and self-righteous press releases, had almost zero knowledge of the practical issues faced by patients, doctors and nurses and did almost nothing to make a positive difference to their day to day lives.

That's why I was delighted to hear its death warrant had been issued yesterday (Thurs) - good news in itself, but also significant in a broader sense too.

It shows a laudable willingness to take a knife to an institution long seen, particularly by those on the Left, as a sacred cow that is beyond criticism and reform. It is not.

And for the real reform than the NHS so desperately needs, that knife now has to plunge even deeper.

Professor Karol Sikora is a consultant oncologist.
So now we know. Frankly, I could have told you months if not years ago that this would be the answer  but at least we now have it from the mouth of the Russian tyrant himself.

No, folks, Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace. He doesn't want to stop the slaughter in Ukraine  or at least, he doesn't want to stop until he has won. He wants to keep bombing and killing.

He wants to keep murdering and maiming innocent Ukrainian civilians  like the kids he bombed last night in Kharkiv  until he has achieved his objectives. Those war aims remain unchanged.

He wants to destroy Ukraine as an independent country. He wants to turn Kyiv into a satellite of Moscow. He wants to rebuild the Soviet empire, defeat Nato and humiliate the West.

Above all he wants to turn the United States of America into a laughing stock, and undermine American hegemony. I can understand why the White House was last night claiming the talks between Putin and Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, were 'positive' and 'productive' (even though Putin kept Witkoff waiting for eight hours).

But the facts speak for themselves.

Unlike the Ukrainians, Putin has not agreed an unconditional ceasefire. He has not stopped his vicious attacks. It is obvious that he doesn't want peace  because the conditions that he is setting for that peace are not just ludicrous, but reeking of positive contempt.

After weeks of anguished negotiations, the Ukrainians and the US have put forward a joint plan to stop the carnage. Think what the Ukrainians have accepted  just to get to this point.

Think of the baloney they have endured from their American partners in the hope of coaxing the Russians to the table. They have been forced to listen to a complete mangling of historical reality  the assertion that Ukraine was somehow responsible for 'starting' the war.

I can't think of any war in recent memory that has been so unnecessary, and where responsibility has so blatantly belonged to one side rather than another. Putin chose this war. He is to blame, and he alone.

Vladimir Putin wants to turn the US into a complete laughing stock, Boris Johnson writes

And yet the Ukrainians have watched the US undergo an apparent moral lobotomy and temporarily refuse to condemn Russian aggression.

Ukrainians have seen their brave soldiers suddenly deprived  by Washington  of crucial battlefield information, with immediate consequences for their ability to fight. Imagine what it has been like in the past ten days to be in those Ukrainian trenches, seeing your instruments go dark, knowing that you are more vulnerable  watching your friends get killed and injured, because your most important ally, the United States, has decided to pull the plug.

Is it any wonder that the Ukrainians have been under such pressure in Kursk? It makes one weep. Many Ukrainians are so furious that they want to fight on  regardless of America.

The Zelensky government has had the wisdom and bravery to compromise  and their concessions have been enormous. They have accepted that Nato membership is off the table for now, in the sense that the US will no longer be pushing for it  even if it was the US, under George W. Bush, that began the campaign for Ukraine to join in 2008.

Most painfully of all, they have accepted  for the sake of peace  that they must allow Putin at least temporarily to hang on to some of the Ukrainian land he has conquered. That is a momentous and dreadful thing for any leader to have to say to his country  that a foreign aggressor has been able to take and keep land, with temporary impunity. But that is what Zelensky has done, for the sake of peace.

What has Putin offered, by way of comparable statesmanship? What compromises is he prepared to make? Zero.

On the contrary, he is actually demanding that the Ukrainians hand over even more territory  big chunks of land that he has not been able to occupy. He wants militarily to emasculate Ukraine, which currently has the largest land forces in Europe, and cut the Ukrainian army to below 85,000.

He wants the Ukrainians to agree to neutrality; that is, to abandon any hope of eventual Nato membership. He wants effectively to run Ukraine's security arrangements, and among other things to forbid the deployment of any European reassurance force on Ukrainian soil.

Putin wants to keep murdering and maiming innocent Ukrainian civilians  like the kids he bombed last night in Kharkiv, Boris Johnson writes. Pictured: A Kharkiv hospital in flames

Most insultingly of all, he wants Ukraine to recognise his constitutional right to the land he has taken. After three years of violence against Ukrainians, he wants them meekly to accept that their boundaries have indeed been changed by force. No Ukrainian leader can conceivably agree to these terms, and nor can Donald Trump.

Apart from anything else, Putin's demands are in flagrant contradiction of the minerals agreement Trump has just done with Zelensky, which has at its heart a vision of a free, sovereign and secure Ukraine. We have therefore come to the moment of truth  because this is binary.

I know that in his heart Donald Trump truly wants a sovereign Ukraine; Putin wants a slave state. There is simply no way of reconciling these positions.

There are no blandishments that Putin will accept. We can offer him a return to the G7, tickets to the Super Bowl, membership of White's  none of it will work.

He will remain locked on to his objective, the subjugation of Ukraine, until he is forced  like Zelensky  to compromise. Putin will only join Zelensky in calling for peace when Trump lights a fire beneath him so crackling hot that the Russian leader has no choice.

Trump knows that he has the military and economic power to do it. He can arm the Ukrainians to the teeth, as he has promised to do in these circumstances. He can slam secondary sanctions on anyone buying Russian hydrocarbons.

He can push down the oil price, he can take Putin's frozen assets, and he knows that Putin's position  economically, politically, militarily  is far weaker than many suppose.

Will he do it? Will Trump have the guts to really put the squeeze on Putin? I believe he will; and one of the reasons I was always more positive than many about a Trump presidency is that I believe he has the right toughness and negotiating aggression to pull it off.

Will Trump have the guts to put the squeeze on Putin? I believe he will

It is not as though he lacks boldness when it comes to economic warfare. He is being positively beastly to the poor Canadians, long-term allies of the US and more or less blameless. He is threatening punitive economic sanctions  200 per cent tariffs  on French champagne, for reasons that are not entirely clear.

How utterly crazy it would be if Trump now failed to hit Putin with every shot in his locker, when Putin is flagrantly thumbing his nose at the White House, and continuing his cruel and unnecessary war. How bonkers to clobber America's friends  and let Putin continue literally to get away with murder.

I trust and believe Trump will hit Putin hard, and take further steps to protect a free Ukraine, because he knows in the end he can't betray the legacy of Ronald Reagan. He can't allow a new Iron Curtain to descend on eastern Europe, and a new Russian 'sphere of influence'.

He knows that would mean a general global puncturing of confidence in America  with especially disastrous consequences in the South China Sea.

Above all, he can't allow the world to think Putin has beaten him  and the one thing we all know about Trump is that he doesn't like to lose.
The universal mockery over Netflixs With Love, Meghan had barely died down before Mrs Sussex (as she now demands to be called) launched her podcast modestly titled Confessions Of A Female Founder.

The eight-parter will be released next month and Meghan promises a sneak preview behind the scenes of her new business venture, As Ever, making jam and candles. Or, as some in the media have dismissed it, Whatever.

Ive been having candid conversations with amazing women who have turned dreams into realities, she gushes in her new breathless baby-voice.

Theyre opening up and sharing their tips, tricks (and tumbles) and letting me pick their brains as I build my own business.

The Duchess of Sussex's latest venture is a podcast called Confessions Of A Female Founder

The eight-part series will be released next month, and it comes following her recently released Netflix show With Love, Meghan

So now we have Meghan presenting herself as a businesswoman offering us advice.

But before we take it, shouldnt we have a brief frolic through Megs business successes.

Like the $20 million deal with Spotify that was cancelled early  with her Archetypes podcast deemed a snooze-fest.

And the $100million Netflix deal thats hanging by a thread following the thumbs-down reception of With Love, Meghan.

Not forgetting her previous jam making business American Riviera Orchard which was canned with copyright issues.

To think she is launching this podcast portraying herself as a business founder after the years shes spent living off her royal connections is laughable.

Shes a flounderer, not a founder!

A more honest podcast would be one with the title Confessions of A Serial (Business) Failure.

Ta-ta Donatella

Jennifer Lopez on the catwalk for Versace in 2019, wearing a dress reminiscent of an iconic green gown she wore in 2000

Much lamenting after Donatella Versace steps back from the fashion brand after 30 years at the helm. What will happen to the empire now? Perhaps without her they will stop dressing women like high-end hookers  think of Liz Hurley in that infamous safety-pin dress, Angelina Jolie as a tacky dominatrix in black leather and how they made even the eternally elegant J-Lo look like a green salad, without the dressing.

Ahead of the Oasis world tour, Liam Gallagher is hauled back into court in the US because the mother of a love child born after a brief fling in 2012 is seeking additional child support. Liza Ghorbani says hes paying her a measly 3,000 a month. He retorts its 300 grand a year, and shes nothing but a gold digger. Whatever, instead of looking back in anger, how much cheaper it would have been if hed just used a one dollar condom.

Westminster wars

Keir Starmer announces the abolition of NHS England, the worlds largest quango, with the loss of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds redirected into frontline services. Hell also take a chainsaw to the benefits bill and force the 500,000 or more workshy claiming sickness benefits into jobs. Blink and you might have thought Lady T was back in charge!

The Princess of Wales and deputy PM Angela Rayner both wore red for the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration  the only difference was that Kate looked like a Ferrari and the fulsome Angela like the back end of a London bus.

Depressing that Speaker Lindsay Hoyle  hailed as a breath of fresh air after his odious predecessor John Bercow  is having to justify spending more than 250,000 on 19 foreign jaunts since coming to office. We thought Hoyle was a good guy.

Joke helped writer Lee hit heights

Sonya Cassidy stars as Susan Duffy alongside Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in the Amazon Prime show Reacher

The 6ft 4in author Lee Child says the name of the tall hero in his Reacher books  played on Amazon Prime by 6ft 3in Alan Ritchson  came from a chance encounter in Asda when he was asked by a short elderly lady to reach up to a high shelf for her. His wife said: If the writing gig doesnt work, you could be a reacher in a supermarket. Tall tales, but true for once.

Much consternation after George Clooney appears with his thick grey hair dyed brown for a theatre role, especially when it somehow makes him look older. Ironic when we women of a c ertain age cant go a week without a dye job  in our vainglorious attempts to make us look younger!

Kate Moss's daughter Lila, who has followed in her mother's modelling footsteps, attends a dinner during Paris Fashion Week

Supermodel Kate Mosss daughter Lila, 22,  also a model  captures attention wearing her mums old clothes and having her hair cut and coloured like her. Its all a bit sad really. Why cant this nepo-baby try at least for one moment to be herself and step out from under mums shadow? But then if she did she wouldnt have already made 4million as Kates mini-me.

After Stella McCartneys fashion empire is hit with 25million losses, some are asking if green fashion for which she is famous has lost its appeal. And whether customers once happy to pay over a thousand pounds for an It bag made of recycled plastic bottles feel thats now, with all apologies to her dad Paul, just so Yesterday.

Cruel twist to Letby legacy

Police say individuals who worked at the same hospital as baby killer Lucy Letby are being investigated for gross negligence manslaughter, the maximum sentence for which is life in jail. Will it be welcome news for the parents who lost their babies? Or more suffering with years of long court cases?

BBCs Comic Relief 2025 line-up includes ITVs Jonathan Ross, Alison Hammond, Davina McCall, Alesha Dixon and Rylan Clark.

Crikey, why should we pay Auntys licence fee for these ITV third-raters?

On the 70th anniversary of her hanging, Ruth Elliss grandson, the author Stephen Beard, is seeking a posthumous pardon for her from the King.

Ellis aged 28 was the last woman to be executed in Britain and his lawyers claim it was a miscarriage of justice.

Probably true, but why rake over historic injustices when she put four bullets into her lover David Blakelys body with one motive  to kill him  as she admitted in court.

Name is a shame

They are head over heels in love and cant believe they have created this tiny person.

So said a pal of TV stars Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright after the birth of their daughter Palma, named in a nod to their love affair with Mallorcas capital.

Oh do get over yourselves! Couple have child, as do nearly 700,000 in the UK every year. The difference is most parents dont give their kids stupid names. Palma? Not to be confused with ham. Its almost child cruelty.
Owners have been filming their cats looking tired and confused at Suhoor

It's no secret that cats are creatures of habit and enjoy a routine, often pestering their humans when it's time to be fed.

Apart from when they have the zoomies, domestic felines often sleep between 12 to 18 hours a day and cuddle up for an undisrupted snooze when their owners are in bed.

But since the first day of March, kitties have become increasingly more confused as Muslim households have started getting up early for Ramadan.

Ramadan is a holy month where Muslims partake in fasting and prayer, which allows them to devote themselves to their faith.

They have to abstain from eating and drinking during the hours of daylight and instead have two meals a day, one before dawn, which is called Suhoor, and another after sunset called Iftar.

Muslim families have therefore started waking up at around 4.30am in the morning before sunrise to tuck into a massive meal to help them get through a day of fasting.

But every year, social media sites are full of disorientated cats who look as though they would have preferred a lie in.

Zaina, who works in London, has been taking sweet videos of her cat Mili visibly looking exhausted as she woke up to join them for Suhoor.

One woman from Melbourne shared a videoed her cat Miso struggling to stay awake during her first Suhoor, which got 6 million views

Zaina, who works in London, has been taking sweet videos of her cat Mili visibly looking exhausted as she woke up to join them for Suhoor

In a TikTok on her account, @zaina_mirza, she said: 'She fasted for an hour before begging for more food,' while filming Mili yawning as she woke up from her sleep.

Mili got her own seat at the family table before she was fed some water out of the bottle which adorably managed to spill all over her furry face.

The heartwarming video racked up more than three million views and half a million likes on TikTok with users commenting on the video.

One wrote: 'Confused Ramadan cats are one of my favorite things on tiktok. I have learned so much about the Muslim (Meowslim) religion and I appreciate it! Meowshallah friends.'

Another penned: 'Am I Muslim? No. Do I watch every Ramadan cat and laugh? Yes ofc.'

A third said: 'Im LIVING for the Ramadan cats. Ramadan Mubarak.'

Mili got her own seat at the family table before she was fed some water out of the bottle which adorably managed to spill all over her furry face

The heartwarming clip racked up more than three million views and half a million likes on TikTok with users commenting on the video of Mili

Another account posted a video of their exhausted pet Billy and said he 'forced himself' to wake up with the rest of the family

Two cats Momo and Appa, from the Netherlands, were also confused about their change in routine

Some had questions about the situation, asking if cats also fasted with their owners

A fourth commented: 'I have no idea how I ended up on cat Ramadan tiktok but I want to stay... Ramadan Mubarak!'

Another account, @straighttosabr, posted a TikTok video of their exhausted pet Billy and wrote: 'My Muslim cat forcing himself to wake up at 4am whilst he's half awake to join us for Suhoor.'

One feline actually started getting into another routine by curling up on a dining room chair for his nap because of Suhoor.

User @fluffyncoco, wrote: 'Ramadan cat update: Guys my cat has started sleeping in the kitchen because he knows we will be having Suhoor there in a few hours.'

This year Ramadan is expected to end on Sunday March 30, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Fasting is thought to help Muslims reaffirm their religion but also teach them self-discipline as those who are less fortunate often go without food for many hours.

However, children, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are ill or travelling don't have to partake in the fast.

Coal, a white and ginger cat, was also filmed sat at the family dinner table surrounded by fried eggs and berries.

Coal, a white and ginger cat, was also filmed sat at the family dinner table surrounded by fried eggs and berries

One cat cottoned on to the routine and instead of snoozing in his original place, he decided to sleep on the dinner table so he could be up in time

Videos of cats during this time have racked up several million views as they admit they can't wait to see clips of them every year

He was also seen trying to get his owner's attention by tapping him on the arm with his fluffy paw.

Coal then had his cravings satisfied as he was fed some food. The TikTok by @mishmish.coal was uploaded with the caption: 'That time of year when your cat is wondering why everyone is eating at 4.30am without him.'

It was also viewed by millions, with one person joking: 'Ramadan cats suhoor at 4.30 am and iftar at 4:33 am,' referring to cats not being able to fast and having both of their daily meals within three minutes of each other.

Another asked: 'Do cats fast with their owners during Ramadan?' Another person replied: 'No they don't. But they love extra treats because we wakes up for our meals.'

Two cats Momo and Appa, from the Netherlands, were also confused about their change in routine.

In video by @appamomoragdolls, the cute pair were seen sat on a chair observing their family eating earlier than usual, while trying to decide whether they wanted to partake in Suhoor or not.

Momo decided to eat early whereas Appa was seen waking up and adjusting to the new morning time.

One woman from Melbourne (@themiraah) shared a videoed her cat Miso struggling to stay awake during her first Suhoor, which got 6 million views.

'I love Ramadan cats so much, I wait every year for them,' a person wrote, while another said: 'Ramadan cats trend is soooo cute. All of this could be avoided if they didn't have the biggest fear of missing out.'
The sound of children crying on public transport is part and parcel of travelling - but a woman travelling on the bus has gone viral after deciding enough was enough.

A passenger has captured the hilarious moment one woman - fondly nicknamed 'Nigerian Aunty' by fans - scolded a young boy for throwing a tantrum on the bus.

In a video shared to TikTok, the woman, believed to be in her 50s or 60s, sat directly in front of the youngster who had partly removed his jacket while screaming at the top of his lungs.

Though the child appeared to be standing next to his mother, the unknown woman turned around and savagely warned him 'not to give me unnecessary headache' before threatening him with the stuff of nightmares.

Seemingly shocked, the boy ceased crying and looked at his mother, who didn't intervene.

The short clip has attracted more than 20 million views in just two days, with fans thanking the unnamed woman for ending the 'whining'.

She has since become somewhat of a folk hero due to her ruthless ways, while some have called on her 'services' to tame the perceived unruly behaviour of Gen Z.

The video was shared by the account nevergaveaviaf*k whose caption was simply 'periodt aunty'.

A passenger has captured the hilarious moment one woman - fondly nicknamed 'Nigerian Aunty' by fans - scolded a young boy for throwing a tantrum on a London bus

Seemingly shocked, the boy ceased crying and looked at his mother, who failed to intervene, perhaps also tired from the stress of his weeping

The comical scene unfolded on a Transport for London bus, as evidenced by the famous TfL logos embedded in the red and grey seats.

In the clip, a boy, possibly aged around six or seven, began screaming while his presumed mother - who was partly out of shot - sat calmly with her hands folded.

Within a few seconds a woman sporting a khaki-coloured hooded coat and matching head scarf turned around and shouted hotly at the boy, 'hello!'

The kid stopped dead in his tracks and immediately locked eyes with the stranger.

The woman began waving her index finger as she admonished the boy, telling him: 'Don't give me unnecessary headache!'

Her eyes stayed focused on the boy as she passionately threatened: 'Unless I will get you inside my nose for two minutes!'

Not sure what to make of her words and appearing fearful, the boy turned towards his mother who stayed silent and barely moved an inch.

All the while other passengers continued to load onto the bus seemingly unperturbed by the hilarious scene unfolding before them.

The woman began waving her index finger as she admonished the boy, telling him: 'Don't give me unnecessary headache!'

The short clip has attracted more than 20 million views in just two days, with fans thanking the unnamed woman for ending the 'whining'. Many have speculated the woman's country of origin to be Nigeria due to her accent and stern scolding style

Ensuring her message was heeded, the woman concluded: 'Believe what I say.

'If I hear anything...' she threatened while continuously waving her finger.

Nearly 50,000 reactions have poured in, with viewers mostly praising the woman, while others thought the entire event was sheer comedy.

Commending her efforts to discipline the youngster, one person wrote: 'Auntie made him quiet real quick'.

'Thank you Aunty, your services are much appreciated,' chimed another.

'African aunties are necessary for this Gen Z' declared one.

Another person commented: 'Clap for aunty because these kids be doing too much'.

Though no one can definitely pinpoint the woman's nationality, many speculated her country of origin to be Nigeria due to her accent and stern scolding style.

'She is definitely a Nigerian,' joked one person.

'It's either this Aunty is a Ghanaian or Nigerian,' debated another.

Someone else added: 'I just love how Nigerians speak. Its too poetic'.

One parent thanked the woman, and admitted that sometimes children needed an extra push: 'I would appreciate this so much as a parent' they wrote. Sometimes they just don't listen to us and a stranger is scary enough to get them to listen'.

'It takes a village to raise a child,' agreed another.

Meanwhile one user said it was wrong, writing: 'This is not ok guys!! You cant discipline other people's children'.
Baby boomers had prawn cocktails, millenials had avocado toast and now it seems a new generational food has emerged - as Gen Z have gone wild for all things cinnamon.

Once kept as a topping for an apple crumble or Christmas cakes, British palate's are now going wild for all things cinnamon, with dozens of cafes launching their own sweet treats and Waitrose reporting a surge of 381 per cent on searches for cinnamon buns on their website.

The upmarket retailer has launched own-brand cinnamon products than any other supermarket, with their new cinnamon bun ice-cream becoming a top five best-seller on it's first week on shelves.

Meanwhile, the it-item of the high street among cinnamon lovers is undoubtedly Ole & Steen's cinnamon social pastry filled with sweet vanilla custard and cinnamon sugar paste and topped with an icing glaze.

The product is a bestseller and has built up a cult following, with the coffee shop even offering merchandise such as cinnamon social socks for 9.95.

Meanwhile, perennial gentrification marker Gail's lists its cinnamon roll among its best sellers while last autumn, Caffe Nero also joined the long list of stores offering the popular baked good, finally putting cinnamon buns on their menu.

Supermarket aisles are now filling up with products centred around the spice, which has been described as 'comforting' and 'really versatile'.

Krispy Kreme released their cinnamon swirl doughnut which is rolled in spicy sugar while still hot and finished off with a swirl of white icing

Little Moons also released their cinnamon bun mochi at the end of last year, which has already become a hit on TikTok

In autumn, Caffe Nero also joined the long list of stores offering the popular baked good, finally putting cinnamon buns on their menu

Waitrose since expanded its range to include a new cinnamon bun ice cream, which has already gained a cult following.

'Bought this last night and ended up having half the tub before lunch timeits so nice,' said one fan.

Emilie Wolfman, Trend Innovation Manager at Waitrose told Femail, 'Cinnamon is having a real moment with customers, and our insight shows its very much being associated with a growing desire for warmth, comfort and nostalgia when it comes to those 'treat yourself' moments throughout the day or week.

'Cinnamon is very much a hug in food form.

'It's also a really versatile ingredient, working well across a range of sweet and savoury dishes, from curry to croissants.

'The fragrant scent of warm cinnamon is aromatic and soothing, so it's not surprising customers are looking for more ways to enjoy it and seek it out across our wide range of products and recipes.'

Cinnamon is also taking over TikTok, with Waitrose reporting that in the past week, searches for 'cinnamon raisin sourdough' surged by 142 per cent, 'cinnamon sweet potato' by 84 per cent, and 'cottage cheese cinnamon roll' by 64 per cent, revealing a powerful appetite for cinnamon-infused creations.

Brands such as Krispy Kreme and Little Moons have also hopped on the hype, introducing new products to keep up with the demand for spicy products.

Bella Hill also made a video of herself trying the 'viral' cinnamon bun mixture from Marks and Spencer

The delicious sweet treat is a staple on many menus of chain bakeries - with Gail's (left) and Ole & Steen (riht) becoming famous for their take on the sugary, buttery pastry

The cinnamon social is a bestseller and has built up a cult following, with the coffee shop even offering merchandise

The dessert chain released their cinnamon swirl doughnut which is rolled in spicy sugar while still hot and finished off with a swirl of white icing.

While it made an appearance in 2021 as a limited edition product, Krispy Kreme have now added it to the menu permanently, due to its popularity.

A TikToker, who goes by the username @theflavourdiary, tried the new fried snack and said: 'It tastes like Cinnabon in doughnut form, it's really nice. This is a ten out of ten.'

Little Moons also released their cinnamon bun mochi at the end of last year, which has already become a hit on TikTok.

Many fans of the flavour flocked into supermarkets in a bid to find the limited edition flavour, with some ranking the flavour a ten out of ten and describing the flavour as 'perfection'.

Darcie Ratcliff reviewed the new Little Moons flavour and said: 'The ice cream is delicious, it's a 10 out of 10,' before saying she wished it had been covered in white chocolate instead.

A woman who posts under the handle @curlyscooking said: 'These are good, if you like cinnamon you will like these. They're very, very nice.'

Darcie Ratcliff reviewed the new Little Moons flavour and said the ice cream was 'delicious'

Waitrose since expanded its range to include a new cinnamon bun ice cream, which has been on the shelf for a week and has already made it into their top five best selling tubs

Shoppers also went wild for All Things Butter's cinnamon bun butter, which was created by Great British Bake-Off finalist Ruby Bhogal.

Co-founder Toby Hopkinson said in January: 'The cinnamon flavour is outselling all our other products, and we're working hard to keep up with demand.

'We've seen a huge appetite for cinnamon this year.

'Our sweet butter captures that nostalgic, comforting taste and has been created with foodies in mind who love trying bold, exciting flavours as part of their everyday routines.'

The butter is made with cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of lemon and fans have been raving about the product, with some adding it to toast, pancakes and even their cinnamon buns.

'I kept seeing this all over my For You page on TikTok and I thought this sounded amazing,' said foodie Hannah Marling, as she added it to a grilled crumpet before rating it an eight out of 10.

Shoppers also went wild for All Things Butter's cinnamon bun butter, which was created by Great British Bake-Off finalist Ruby Bhogal

The butter is made with cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of lemon and fans have been raving about the product

Upon her first bite of the M&S buns Bella described the dessert as 'bussin,' a popular slang word among Gen Z which translates to 'extremely good or excellent'

Another person, who goes by the username @bintzoor, posted a clip of them enjoying the spread on their toast before writing: 'Cinnamon bun butter, I'm in love.'

Bella Hill also made a video of herself trying the 'viral' cinnamon bun mixture from Marks and Spencer.

Upon her first bite, Bella described the dessert as 'bussin,' a popular slang word among Gen Z which translates to 'extremely good or excellent.'

However, it's not just cinnamon flavoured food products that have become viral this year, as 'cinnamon roll makeup' also became a trend popularised by Hailey Bieber.

During autumn last year, using eyeshadow that had caramel and chocolate hues were on trend, along with wearing nude lipsticks and warm tone makeup.

Hailey's beauty brand Rhode also launched the Cinnamon Roll Peptide Lip Tint at the end of November.
When six young influencers were given the opportunity to live together in a 5million mansion during the Covid pandemic, it was a no-brainer.

The idea was that the social media stars  who were then struggling to create their regular TikTok and Instagram videos due to restrictions on socialising  would move in together to create content for their personal profiles as well as a group account. In doing so, they hoped to attract millions of new followers, not to mention the lucrative brand deals that come with them.

It was branded 'The Wave House' and the luxury digs in Dunmow, Essex, boasted 13 acres of land, a swimming pool, a gym, spa and an orchard.

Young, naive and desperate for success, British influencers Spencer Elmer, 25, Eloise Fouladgar, 27, Jimbo H, 26, Millie Taylforth, 24, Kate Elisabeth, 25, and Carmie Sellitto, 26, all of whom were then in their early 20s, moved into the luxury pad in late 2020, funded by their management company Yoke.

The project instantly went viral. The influencers teased their arrivals in videos wearing metallic masks. The Wave House account racked up two million followers in five days and Eloise's launch video received an unheard-of 60 million views.

But within a matter of months, the Mail can reveal, what seemed like an excellent career move for the six ambitious influencers ended in tears and trauma - with claims of an unhealthy work environment made 'toxic' by their management company - leading to their separation. Not that this was made public at the time. Instead, TikTok fans of the group were left in the dark as to why the Wave House had split up.

A source told me: 'What started as a dream for the young creators quickly turned into a nightmare with severe consequences.' While the group were signed to secrecy with water-tight NDAs in place, insiders have now told me what really happened inside The Wave House.

What was supposed to be a six-month project fell apart within just three. Its residents felt exploited by the management, became victims of stalkers - and one even had a breakdown. Another source familiar with the group told me: 'It was like being in prison for them. They had curfews, wake-up calls and a live-in house manager acting like a warden. And anyone else who came to visit had to present ID.'

The creators' dream soon turned into a nightmare, as, from left, Spencer Elmer, Eloise Fouladgar, Carmie Sellitto, Millie Taylforth, James Hall and Kate Shillitoe, soon found out

Millie films some more snippets during the social media experiment

From left, Eloise Fouladgar, private chef Aron Lane, James Hall and Carmie Sellitto in the house

With wake-up calls at 9am, the stars would meet daily to plan their 'content' for the day, which ranged from 10,000 calorie-eating challenges to driving military army tanks or filming scenes. They would then embark on hours of creating TikToks, YouTube videos and Instagram posts.

Meanwhile, they received bootcamp training from Yoke on how to produce successful content with hopes of becoming the 'biggest influencers in the UK'.

The group were baffled. They'd signed up under the impression that they'd be required to do a 'couple of dances' - but demands from their producers became ever more intense, pushing them to create content they simply weren't comfortable with.

I'm told management would regularly shout and swear at the group.

Blonde TikTokker Millie Taylforth, who began posting gymnastic videos online when she was 12, wisely refused to sign an NDA before entering The Wave House and has been able to speak candidly about her time in there.

'They had a lot of rules,' she said.

'I got shouted at by management and I just thought, 'I'm not about to be shouted at by this man, you can't treat us like this, we're working for you.'

On another occasion, an influencer was chastised for bringing his cat into the house to visit.

Spencer Elmer, then 20, could be seen creating new music in the house, and is now a successful musician with more than seven million likes on his TikTok account

TikTokker Millie Taylforth, who began posting gymnastic videos online when she was 12, wisely refused to sign an NDA before entering The Wave House

As the weeks wore on, fans spotted signs that all was not well in the house.

'The excitement in their eyes seemed to diminish,' says a friend.

Indeed, behind the scenes the reality was bleak. The Wave House was rife with mental health issues and members struggling with 'being someone's puppet'.

YouTube star Carmie admits he had a breakdown during his time in the house: 'I feel bad on all my followers that had to witness me go through what I went through,' he said.

His friend Jimbo reveals he was also forced to work whilst poorly.

'I was ill and they were telling me do this, do this, do this,' he said.

Towards the end of the three months it was apparent even to fans that the influencers were being forced to work against their will. The Wave House started haemorrhaging followers and comment sections on videos were being flooded with hate as the content became ever more ridiculous - and as a result, the influencers started turning on each other.

A source told me: 'They became isolated from one another in the short space of time, with management raising the pressure even more once views started diminishing.'

Things only got worse when online news website Vice broadcast a documentary that revealed the Wave House's address.

Days after the release of the documentary, the group noticed mysterious comments on their videos predicting their upcoming videos with eerie accuracy.

It transpired that someone had broken into the grounds, looked through a window and spotted a whiteboard on which video ideas had been written.

Other TikTok users began breaking in and filming members of the Wave House in their bedrooms.

Eloise said: 'Our address got leaked online and we were basically stalked. The cracks in our relationship with our manager began to show. Two members of the Wave House in particular had a problem with the management and that caused arguments. We went into it being best friends for years, we were arguing and it was really unlike us.'

The tensions grew so sour that the project was eventually cut short by management  leaving them all completely blindsided by the decision.

Surrey-native Kate Elisabeth, who left university to become a social media influencer, told her followers at the time that getting 'kicked out' came as a complete shock.

'There was a lot that happened behind the scenes, way more than you realise,' she teased.

'I don't know why we are moving out. Our management just told us we were leaving with a week-and-a-half's notice and that was it.'

Meanwhile, the charming YouTuber-turner-rapper Spencer Elmer reveals joining the house was 'one of the worst things' he has ever done.

Why, might you ask, did the idea for the Wave House ever come about? It was Eloise's idea after pausing her degree in Politics at City University to pursue social media. She was inspired by 'content creator houses in the US such as the infamous Hype House, a collective of TikTok personalities based in Los Angeles, California.

'The US collective was formed during Covid in December 2019 and was made up of rising Gen Z influencers, including Addison Rae, 24, a close friend of Kourtney Kardashian and now one of America's biggest creators.

Eloise made the pitch to Yoke - a management company founded in 2018.

Yoke found the red-brick manor house just outside London and pitched it to the other content creators on their roster.

'The wackier the better,' was their motto. And they lived by it - hiring helicopters, huge ice rinks and race cars to entertain its residents.

One manager at Yoke said in 2022: 'I spent two months trying to find the craziest house in the UK. We knew we had to pioneer and create new content.

'Every video had to be something TikTok had never seen before. We created The Wave House to make a statement and to expand the business.'

After the first Wave House project fell apart, Yoke tried to put together a 'season two' with new creators in March 2021. After two videos, it was never heard of again.

Yoke Management has since shut down. Those involved have removed any mention of The Wave House has been removed from their social media profiles. The Daily Mail made efforts to get comment from representatives of Yoke before publication but received no response

Yet, although the Wave House's TikTok account is now a graveyard of old videos, all six of its influencers have thrived since being struck off from Yoke.

Spencer is now a successful musician with over seven million likes on his TikTok account. Jimbo and Eloise are in a relationship and have a combined following of 300,000. Millie still regularly posts to her 1.4million YouTube subscribers.

Kate has released her own line of bikinis and documents her life to her 700,000 followers and Carmie has found his own niche reviewing new restaurants and food spots for his 800,000 fans.

Since the Wave House days, the group have managed to patch things up and still post together, calling each other their 'family'.

A source said: 'After everything they went through at the hands of that management, no wonder they're so close.'
When Botox first gained FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002, it was primarily used by women in their 40s and 50s.

Now, women in their twenties are getting 'baby Botox,' or smaller amounts for more subtle results, as a preventative way to prevent aging.

But can getting Botox too frequently lead to becoming immune to the treatment?

Women flock to social media to figure out the next steps if they fear they've become immune, questioning why it seemingly stopped working and seeking answers  especially if they're spending hundreds of dollars on a treatment that doesn't seem to be doing the trick.

They blame everything from Covid vaccines to switching to a different injectable, like Daxxify or Xeomin, or start trying fillers instead.

Theories include building up antibodies against it after repeated use to metabolizing it more quickly from frequent hardcore workouts.

Sometimes people aren't actually immune, but the neurotoxin is just wearing off more quickly because of surprising factors, including intense stress.

DailyMail.com spoke to experts about how a number of women are becoming resistant to the tweakment, and how they can prevent it.

When Botox first gained FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002, it was primarily used by women in their 40s and 50s

Can getting constant Botox lead to becoming immune to the treatment? And more importantly, what can prevent that from happening? (stock image)

New York City-based plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Bassiri-Tehrani explained that patients don't become immune and develop antibodies  instead, they just become resistant.

It's at risk of happening 'the more often you're exposed to the product in higher doses,' the doctor explained from his luxurious Upper East Side office.

'People who will dose or touch up Botox in between the regular three month sessions might be at risk.'

'Another thing that people don't fully realize about Botox is that once it goes into the neuromuscular junction it binds to the nerve endings that are powering the muscle, and it doesn't just come off in three months, and everything's fine,' Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani said.

'It permanently attaches to those nerve endings, and what happens is new nerve endings go into the muscles,' the surgeon continued.

'So the reason it wears off in three months isn't because the Botox disappears. It's because new nerve endings are now innervating those muscle units, and when they reinnervate the muscle units, they're not reinnervating the exact same muscle units exactly the same way.'

Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani suggests waiting every six months for new nerve endings to fully take root and heal.

Lisa Chevalier, the founder of SoVous Medical Spa, has been injecting Botox for 17 years on many of the same patients. The Manhattanite has seen 'a small number of patients who get higher doses that have built a resistance to Botox and over time also to other neuromodulators.'

Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani suggests waiting every six months for new nerve endings to fully take root and heal before getting Botox again (stock image)

Lisa has had patients come in and tell her they're 'immune' to Botox or that 'it just doesn't work well for them when it previously did.' She then finds out they've visited multiple practices and weren't sure if they had Botox or another similar substance.

'Botox is the household name of neuromodulators like Kleenex and in advertising and discussion practitioners often refer to it because it's just what people know, when in reality the patient is consented for and injected with a sister product,' Lisa explained.

Lisa Chevalier, the founder of SoVous Medical Spa, has been injecting Botox for 17 years

'If the product is improperly handled or diluted, it may be less effective, leading to the false impression of resistance,' Lisa warned.

It also depends on whether the practitioner you're visiting is sketchy. 'Some practices may charge by area and essentially give clients subclinical doses because it falls in line with their pricing,' Lisa said.

Lisa said to look for practices that instead charge by unit, which tend to be more fair and transparent.

Lisa has seen true Botox immunity only twice in her 17 years of practicing, which leads to trying another product.

Many women can become so obsessed with the effects that they want to come back too often which can lead to resistance.

If someone starts Botox young preventatively, Lisa suggests spacing between treatments to avoid resistance.

Lisa advised that people who are worried about resistance can rotate brands, avoid excessive doses by sticking to the lowest effective amount, and space out treatments appropriately.

Facialist Jade Haifa told DailyMail.com that throughout her career she's 'had clients who over time developed immunity to Botox'

Many people think they've become immune to Botox when their results are just wearing off faster.

Real Botox resistance, where the body produces antibodies to neutralize it, is far more rare.

Factors that break down the longevity of neuromodulator treatments include a faster metabolism, working out intensely, smoking, drinking alcohol, workout frequency, sun exposure and high stress.

Facialist Jade Haifa Oueslati, based in New York City, told DailyMail.com that throughout her career she's 'had clients who, over time, developed immunity to Botox and as a result sought alternative facial treatments to achieve similar outcomes.'

While 'these treatments do not directly replace Botox, they can provide comparable benefits such as skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and overall facial rejuvenation.'

Jade, who boasts a whole slew of models and influencers as clients, suggests microneedling, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, microcurrent, which works by exercising and strengthening the facial muscles, and buccal facials, which use deep muscle relaxation, sculpting, and circulation to deliver a subtle rejuvenating effect.

Jade also recommends using retinoids, which accelerate skin turnover, Vitamin C to protect the skin from oxidative stress and Peptides to help strengthen the skin's structure.

'While immunity to Botox is rare, it can occur under specific circumstances, such as with repeated high doses of Botox that may trigger the development of antibodies, genetic predispositions, or certain medical conditions,' the skincare expert confirmed.
There's no better Easter treat than a hot cross bun, whether it's enjoyed as it is with a brew or toasted with lashings of butter for breakfast.

But with every major supermarket offering its own version of the classic snack, it can be difficult to know which one is the best to snap up for the Spring-time festivities.

To find the most delectable of the bunch, Which? asked 65 consumers to blind taste eight variants, including ones from Aldi, Sainsbury's and Waitrose to crown the UK's favourite.

The luxury buns from M&S proved a hit with tasters, while one budget outlet proved to be only place behind in customer satisfaction.

Shoppers praised both baked goods as being 'well spiced' with an appropriate smattering of dried fruit in the dough.

However, taste testers were less enamoured with ones from other shops.

Buns from Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons were ranked firmly in the middle of the pecking order with a common complaint being that they were too dry.

Here, FEMAIL lists Which?'s selections - from best to worst...

1. M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns

Marks & Spencer topped the scoreboard for the second year running, winning over the Which? panel with its flavoursome buns

Marks & Spencer topped Which?'s scoreboard for the second year running, winning over the testers with its flavoursome buns.

Fruity and well-spiced, their hot cross buns were rated a cut above most of the other supermarkets with the blind tasters giving them a score of 73 per cent.

The majority thought the sweetness, spice levels and amount of fruit were spot on, while nearly three quarters were impressed with the moist texture.

Although they cost 2 a pack, or 50p per bun, making them the joint most expensive on the market, customers decided they were worth paying for to indulge over Easter.

2. Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns

Taste testers loved the enticing aroma and moist texture of Co-op's buns.

Customers enjoyed the sweetness and strength of spice, with the majority finding they had well-balanced flavours.

As well as being ranked among the tastiest, they have a lower sugar content compared to most other supermarket options and were given an overall score of 69 per cent.

Which? tasters loved the enticing aroma and moist texture of Co-op's buns, scoring them an impressive 69 per cent over all

3. Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns

These budget-friendly buns from Aldi impressed the panel, and earned the Which? Great Value recommendation in the process.

They weren't quite as moist as some of the buns tested, with just over 40 per cent of blind taste testers finding them too dry.

But despite being marked down for juiciness, customers enjoyed the flavour and appearance.

Most also thought Aldi's hot cross buns had the perfect amount of fruit, earning them an overall score of 66 per cent.

At less than 40p a bun, they're one of the cheaper Easter buns on offer as well.

These budget-friendly buns from Aldi impressed our panel, earning the Which? Great Value recommendation

3. Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns

Waitrose hot cross buns finished in joint third place overall, alongside Aldi with a score of 66 per cent.

Most Which? tasters liked with the amount of fruit and soft texture, but half thought they lacked flavour and were a little bland.

At 1.95 a pack, or 49p for each bun, they're are one of the more expensive hot cross buns on the market but customers thought they were relatively good value for money for a pricier Easter treat.

Waitrose hot cross buns finished in joint third place overall, alongside Aldi with a score of 66 per cent

The Big Four

While the competition's front runner was once again luxury high street brand M&S, Aldi proved that more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better and came a close second.

Alternative supermarkets came up trumps this year which saw a poor showing from the four major shops in the UK.

Most of their hot cross buns scored similarly overall (and cost the same), but some lost marks for being too dry and lacking in spice flavour.

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns  65 per cent

Sainsbury's buns were rated fairly well, with comments complimenting the amount of fruit.

According to the site, these are 'packed with juicy sultanas and plump raisins, pre-soaked for extra succulence'.

But not everyone was impressed with more than a third finding them lacking in spice and sweetness and many turned off the 1.80 packs.

Sainsbury's was rated fairly well overall with a good amount of fruit, but more than a third found them lacking in spice and sweetness

Asda Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns  64 per cent

Testers loved the moist texture of Asda's buns, but, like Sainsbury's, customers thought they were on the plain side and lacking in spice.

A pack of four costs 1.80 or (45p per bun).

The supermarket boasts that these are 'prepared with plump vine fruits and vostizza currants with a delicately spiced flavour'.

Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns  64 per cent

Tesco's finest failed to deliver. Despite being priced the same as Sainsbury's and Asda and being part of the chain's luxury range, customers weren't convinced and thought the treats were too dry.

'Our Tesco Finest hot cross buns are made from a lightly spiced, butter enriched dough which our bakers prove until it reaches the perfect rise,' the shop claims.

'We add plump, orange soaked sultanas, raisins, currants, flame raisins and a delicate touch of honey. Batch baking the buns together keeps each one lovely and soft.

'Packed with plump, orange soaked sultanas, raisins, currants and flame raisins.'

Morrisons The Best Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns  61 per cent

Morrisons had the lowest scoring sweet treats overall with half of taste testers deciding there wasn't enough delicious spiciness and 45 per cent complaining the buns were too dry and not even the 1.80 price tag could change their minds.

According to the supermarket, it's 'crafted by their expert bakers, rich and buttery, made in their own bakery with juicy vine fruits, orange zest and spices and suitable for vegetarians'.

Most liked the moist texture of these buns from Asda, although half found the spice flavour too weak

Despite being just 45p per bun, customers weren't impressed with Tesco's finest, giving them a measly 64 per cent rating

The lowest scoring hot cross buns were from Morrison's with half of blind taste testers deciding the spice flavour was too weak and 45 per cent said they were too dry

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: 'Whether you opt for a classic lightly toasted hot cross bun with a generous amount of butter or you're a more adventurous type who plans to eat hot cross bun bacon butties this Easter, our taste tests reveal which supermarket buns are worth snapping up.

'Fruity, moist and well-spiced, M&S hot cross buns were rated a cut above most other supermarkets but those looking for a budget-friendly bun could do worse than head to Aldi where both flavour and appearance were also well liked.'

All the hot cross buns were blind-tasted and rated by a panel of 65 people in February 2024 at Which?'s specialist test lab.

Testers were said to 'broadly represent the demographic profile of adults in the UK' in regards to age range, gender split and more.

The buns were toasted according to pack instructions, and ranked on flavour, aroma, appearance and texture.
Bonnie Blue is going from the bedroom to the boardroom.

The notorious porn star - who slept with over 1,000 men in 12 hours - has landed a lucrative endorsement deal with software company Air.

Sources tell DailyMail.com that Bonnie bagged a high five-figure sum for the half-day shoot.

In the social media ad, Bonnie sits in a robe - much like the one she wore in her infamous orgy - and introduces herself to the camera.

'I know what people say about me online, and you'll think I have a nerve saying what I'm about to say, because of, well, my history, but I've only just found out what Dr****x is doing, and I think it's disgusting,' she says, with Dropbox's name being hilariously bleeped out.

'There's having fun, and then there's f***ing 18 million creative people. There's no tagging. Finding your assets is a disaster. I think it is sickening.'

In another clip, an agitated Bonnie is freaking out about someone else holding a higher record than her.

'You said no one had f***ed that many people at once,' she snaps at somebody off camera.

Porn star Bonnie Blue has landed a lucrative endorsement deal with software company Air

In the social media ad, Bonnie wears a robe that is strikingly similar to the one she wore in her infamous orgy video (pictured), which saw her sleep with over 1,000 men in 12 hours

'So how did you not know about this? They're called D*****x and apparently 18 million people a year pay to get f***ed by them. That's 49,315 a day. How the f*** did we not know about them?'

The ad ends with a tagline: 'Don't get f***ed. Get Air.'

The campaign has already reached close to a million views on Instagram alone, but it's received a mixed reception from the tech community so far.

'It's not smart for a brand to create this ad,' wrote one user on Linkedin.

'Absolutely zero interest in anyone that uses this woman to market their brand,' wrote another.

However, others were more complimentary, heaping praise on Air for taking a risk with the OnlyFans sensation.

'As a someone who operates in the same space as Air, I actually love seeing this ad,' gushed one marketing head.

'We're talking about it... I didn't know who Air was before,' wrote another.

The campaign has already reached close to a million views on Instagram alone, but it's received a mixed reception from the tech community so far

'It's not smart for a brand to create this ad,' wrote one user on Linkedin

A third commented, 'Whether you love it or hate it, few in this thread have ever attempted something this divisive in their career.'

When reached for comment, Air's head of creative Ariel Rubin told DailyMail.com that the company had no regrets about working with Bonnie.

'She was worth every cent. Viral marketing doesn't get any better than this,' he said.

'Bonnie was a dream to work with. I've spent my career doing ads and campaigns with politicians, world leaders, influencers, and content creators - and Bonnie was one of the kindest, most self-effacing, funny and ego-less,' he continued.

'You can knock her all you want, but at the end of the day she works her a** off - and she's laughing all the way to the bank.'

Rubin also opened up about the mixed reception that the campaign has received so far.

'The reaction's been electric. We sell b2b software and we've got posts with over one million views of people in tears of both rage and laughter,' he said.

'That does not happen. And it's all about a very simple and frankly silly double entendre: watch what happens when creative teams get f***ed by bad software.'

When reached for comment, Air's head of creative Ariel Rubin told DailyMail.com that the company had no regrets about working with Bonnie

According to Rubin, Air's campaign with Bonnie isn't just a one-off stunt.

It includes a number of digital ads, a viral content push, and an edgy new billboard erected in the heart of San Francisco.

Bonnie's campaign was filmed shortly before she flew to Mexico to film OnlyFans content with barely-legal Spring Breakers.

Last year, Bonnie was able to bed 122 men in two weeks during Spring Break.

The English content creator has made sleeping with school leavers one of her signature stunts.

She first did it on Australia's Gold Coast for Schoolies, and then to Mexico for Spring Break and then the UK for Freshers Week.

Speaking to DailyMail.com in January, the 25-year-old said that she's now making 'one million a month' on OnlyFans.

'I'm proud of my earnings but I'm prouder of the volume of people I'm able to pleasure,' she said.

Bonnie became a household name earlier this year when she broke the world sex record by bedding over 1,000 men in just 12 hours.

Sharing in graphic detail for the first time how she broke the record for the most amount of sex had in a day, the OnlyFans star revealed the shocking tale of her stunt in a 30-minute video posted on YouTube.

She stated that 'everybody had a great time' - and insisted she'll continue 'pleasuring' as many men as possible.

The video shows footage of Bonnie welcoming a line of men wearing balaclavas standing patiently in a queue to enter a large room where she was waiting for them.

She admitted that at times she bedded groups of between 15-20 men at the same time, and that the whole event was 'like a rotating circle.'

'Me sleeping with a thousand people... allows me to say thank you to all the people that have got me to where I am,' she gushed.

She later added, 'My family are so proud of what I do.'
If you're on the birth control pill, you've likely heard that you should be wearing compression socks on flights.

This is because women on hormonal birth control are often at higher risk of blood clots.

And when you're on a long flight, you're typically experiencing lengthy periods of immobility.

This, coupled with the high altitudes, can cause a venous thrombosis (VT), or specifically a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) - a blood clot within a vein.

These DVTs typically form in the legs.

There is extensive research that shows that compression socks or stockings reduce the risk of VT (or more specifically, DVT), hence the suggestion of compression socks for people - especially if they're on birth control.

But 33-year-old Emily Jansson recently posted a TikTok that may have led some to believe the opposite.

In her video, she explains that she was on a 13-hour flight from Toronto to Dubai when she felt a pain in her chest and suddenly collapsed.

Emily Jansson made a TikTok video explaining how she almost died on a 13-hour flight (stock image)

When she fell, she hit her head and arm, leaving a black eye and a bruise.

She later found out that she had a saddle pulmonary embolism (PE).

'Saddle pulmonary emboli are amongst the most deadly,' hematologist and oncologist Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, MPH tells the DailyMail.com

He explains that in Emily's case, she developed a DVT from the flight and it embolized.

This means it broke off and travelled to the lung, where it then lodged into the pulmonary artery (or the main artery to the lungs).

Emily was lucky, as she was rushed to the hospital after and treated.

She explained to her followers that her doctors said her PE was likely caused by her not moving around on the flight as well as because of the compression socks she was wearing.

But Dr. Khan says that this is rare, and most likely has something to do with the specific compression socks.

There's substantial research that compression stockings can help prevent deep venous thrombosis (stock image)

'There is anecdotal experience in the field that ill-fitting and inappropriate use of compression stockings can be harmful,' he says.

So while it may be confusing choosing which route to go, Dr. Khan suggests talking to your doctor.

Whether you have many risk factors (having previous clots, being a smoker, estrogen hormone use, etc.), or none, your doctor can help you figure out how to properly wear compression stockings and what medications (aspirin and anticoagulants) you should be taking.

Dr. Khan advises that if you take anything away from Emily's story it shouldn't be that compression socks are the enemy, but that you should be making sure you're talking to a medical health professional to make sure you're taking all of the precautions you can to be safe on a flight - and taking those precautions correctly.
A violent children's book based on an R-rated horror film is sparking outrage among some parents.

The book, titled Z is for Zombie, is written by musician and director Rob Zombie, and is based on his 2003 cult horror film, House Of 1000 Corpses.

It teaches children and toddlers to spell using the murderous and terrifying characters from the film.

In the film, two couples on a road trip encounter a bizarre, sadistic family of serial killers in the backwoods of Texas, who torture and maim them throughout the night.

The characters include a killer clown, a psychotic prostitute, and a sickening surgeon named Dr. Satan.

While horror fans have thrown their support behind the publication, others have been shocked at the prospect of it being read by children.

'This is an honest question, is it problematic to expose children and glorify characters who are depicted committing murder, torture, sexual assault, body mutilation, necrophilia etc?' one commented.

Another wrote, 'I'm not giving that to my kid!'

A violent children's book based on an R-rated horror film is sparking outrage among some parents

The book teaches children and toddlers to spell using the murderous and terrifying characters from the film House Of 1000 Corpses

A third added, 'If this is ACTUALLY for kids, the author can f**k himself. If it's for adults, and just a little parody, then kudos.'

Many others pointed out that the book is most likely satirical and aimed at adults, not children.

'The amount of people that think this book is actually for kids,' one fan laughed.

Another wrote, 'Personally I don't think people are going to actually show it to kids. Us nerd adults will collect it.'

On Amazon, Z is for Zombie is currently ranked No. 1 on the best-selling horror movie books list.

It's also ranked No. 1 in Performing Arts and No. 40 in Humor, and has entered the top 800 in overall book sales.

The book's back blurb reads, 'House of 1000 Corpses friends are ones to grow with. They entertain, they inform, they stretch the boundaries of the imagination.

'Their wide variety of enriching stories and subjects and their colorful, inviting illustrations have made them favorites with children and parents for more than twenty years. Because children love them, House Of 1000 Corpses books are an ideal introduction to the world of reading,' it continues.

The book, titled Z is for Zombie, is written by musician and director Rob Zombie

Originally released in 2003, House Of 1000 Corpses marked the directorial debut for shock rocker Zombie

In the film, two couples on a road trip encounter a bizarre, sadistic family of serial killers in the backwoods of Texas , who torture and maim them throughout the night

'Written and illustrated by some of the best children's book authors and artists, House Of 1000 Corpses books are known by their fun friends - and by the pleasure they bring to children.'

Originally released in 2003, House Of 1000 Corpses marked the directorial debut for shock rocker Zombie.

Despite a mixed response from critics, it eventually grossed more than double its budget and went on to become a cult classic.

Despite its success, Zombie would go on to call the film 'a calamitous mess'.

'Well, when it came out, it seemed like everyone hated it. Now, everyone acts like it's beloved in some way. All I see is flaw, upon flaw, upon flaw upon flaw,' he told Screen Rant.

It spawned the 2006 sequel The Devil's Rejects and a third instalment, 3 from Hell, in 2019.

Zombie also directed 2007's Halloween remake and its 2009 sequel.

In 2002, Zombie directed The Munsters remake for Netflix.
Bargain hunters looking to save on big-ticket household items are in luck as thousands of appliances are now up for auction - with bidding starting at just $1.

Lloyds Auctions is auctioning off $6million dollars worth of appliances from popular major brands - including Samsung, Dyson, Apple, Smeg, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Sony, Rolex, Weber, Sunbeam and more.

If you've been eyeing a new fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, BBQ or a smart TV, there will be 11,000 household items discounted by up to 80 per cent.

'It is the entire contents of a major appliance retailer, so it has everything from televisions all the way down to air fryers and everything in between and all of your major brands as well,' Lloyds Auctions' chief operations officer Lee Hames told 9News.

'We have this Hi-Sense TV at $2,500 retail, I think you'd pick that up for anywhere around $1,000 at auction so lots of money to be saved.'

The new and ex-display models are being auctioned off after a fire broke out in a major retail warehouse in Queensland, leading to all stock being written off as part of the insurance claim.

'Some smoke had gone into one of the major appliance retailers locally and all stock had to get out of the warehouse within about five days,' Mr Hames explained.

It took 50 truckloads to transport 11,000 items from the warehouse to Lloyds Auctions.

Bargain hunters looking to save on big-ticket household items are in luck as thousands of appliances are now up for auction - with bidding starting at just $1

The household appliances are located on the Gold Coast, but buyers from interstate can still bid on the new boxed items, with delivery available upon checkout.

Ex-display products are only available for pick up on the Gold Coast.

'Everything that's in a box we will be shipping Australia wide. Then everything that's on display will be pick up only,' Mr Hames added.

Brand new washing machines and dryers are expected to be priced lower than retail - with savings of up to 30 per cent.

If you've been eyeing a new fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, BBQ or a smart TV, there will be 11,000 household items discounted by up to 80 per cent

Lloyds Auctions is auctioning off $6million dollars worth of appliances from popular major brands - including Samsung, Dyson, Apple, Smeg, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Sony, Rolex and Weber

There are plenty of kitchen gadgets going up for auction, including a Ninja woodfire electric grill and smoker, Weber BBQ, Smeg kettles and toasters, Tefal airfryers, NutriBullet blenders, Sodastreams, pizza ovens and more.

With more than 500 coffee machines available for a fraction of the price, shoppers could snap up a $700 Nespresso model for just $200 or a $1,299 Smeg 50s-style version with a built-in grinder, with bids starting from $100.

If you've been in the market for luxury watches, you can expect to find Rolex

The household appliances will be sold across 25 auctions over the next few days, with the massive sale ending on Sunday, March 23.
The best snags in the country have been named, with Australia's most talented butchers battling cleaver-to-cleaver for the chance to take out the esteemed Sausage King title.

Hundreds of independent butchers competed in state competitions throughout 2024, submitting thousands of entries before the winners met for the final sizzle in Launceston, Tasmania.

Entries were then judged and scored based on raw and cooked presentation, texture, flavour and overall liking across six categories: lamb, beef, poultry, pork, gourmet and continental.

Run by the Australian Meat Industry Council, the National Competition Weekend is the culmination of months of state events for the Sausage King, Best Butchers Burger and Apprentice of the Year Program.

The former is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year, with passionate snag fans keen to hear if their beloved local scored a mention.

'To have butchers from right across Australia, be it metro or regional, is great to see,' AMIC's General Manager Retail Business Stuart Fuller, said, describing the award as 'most prestigious'.

'This year's flavour combination varieties are again a testament to our members who continue to serve customers across the country, day in day out, with an exceptional range, quality, customer service and point of difference.

'We encourage all Australians to Love their Local Butcher.'

The best snags in the country have been named, with Australia's most talented butchers battling cleaver-to-cleaver for the chance to take out the esteemed Sausage King title

Best Traditional Australian Beef Sausage

Described as the 'original from day one', this category was all about simple, well-crafted beef snags.

The honour went to the team at The Corner Butcher in Morley, Perth for their juicy, high quality offering.

The store has fostered long-standing relationships with both retail and wholesale customers across the state and has worked hard to build a reputation renowned for offering the freshest and finest quality meat products.

'As an award-winning butcher, we take pride in delivering exceptional quality and service,' they said.

'We present an impressive selection of the finest meats, including stand out gourmet offerings, alongside classic continental cuts, and handcrafted smallgoods.'

In 2020, the butcher was also inducted into the Australian Meat Industry Council Hall of Fame.

The traditional beef sausage honour went to the team at The Corner Butcher in Morley, Perth for their juicy, high quality offering

Best Traditional Australian Pork Sausage

Known as the 'sister sausage to beef' this was another highly competitive division.

And for those after a traditional Australian pork sausage, the Butchers of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is the place to go.

It's not the first time they've won awards for their sausages, which are famously free of fillers, preservatives and artificial flavours.

The secret? High quality grass-fed and pasture-raised meat from sustainable farming partners Bangalow Sweet Pork and Vadals Butcher Supplies.

'We are so thrilled to receive first place. What a spectacular weekend, making new friends and connecting with the best. Tasmania you are UNREAL,' the chuffed team wrote.

For those after a traditional Australian pork sausage, the Butchers of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is the place to go

Best Poultry Sausage

The chicken sausage division was introduced 20 years ago to recognise the volume of chicken and other poultry we consume.

And this category saw a more unique offering come out on top, with Marsh Butcheries in Stratford, Cairns winning over the judges with their butter chicken and cashew snags.

'We are so blessed and humbled to be crowned in national finals three times in five years,' they said.

'We believe our shop is up there with the best in the country and our business model is second to none - a traditional butchery with a modern twist.

'Thank you to all our wonderful customers who support us weekly and help us to grow continually.'

Marsh Butcheries in Stratford, Cairns won over the judges with their butter chicken and cashew snags

Best Australian Lamb Sausage

This category was introduced in 2009 to recognise the high volume of lamb used in sausages and celebrate unique flavour variations.

This honour was awarded to Rollbusch Quality Meats in Waikerie, South Australia for their Mexican lamb, jalapeno and cheddar creation.

The team also won third place in the continental category for their Italian sausage.

'Wow, what an incredible night with having only two entries in the competition and wining trophies for BOTH,' they raved.

'Thank you to everyone who continues to support us.'

This honour was awarded to Rollbusch Quality Meats in Waikerie, South Australia for their Mexican lamb, jalapeno and cheddar creation

Best Gourmet Sausage

This diverse category gives free rein to butchers to get creative and experimental.

So for those who like to spice up their sausages with a bit of fancy flair, Perry's Quality Meats in Smithton, Tasmania is the spot with their Venison, jalapeno and feta creation winning the gold.

'Well what a night,' the team wrote.

'We have had the AMIC national sausage competition in our home state of Tasmania and we finally got first place in Australia.

'Just made a fresh batch of our Australian award-winning sausages... come in and give them a try!'

For those who like to spice up their sausages with a bit of fancy flair, Perry's Quality Meats in Smithton, Tasmania is the spot with their Venison, jalapeno and feta creation winning the gold

Best Continental Sausage

Finally, South Nowra Meats won the best continental sausage category for their pork, fennel, chili and garlic range.

This division was for more dense, meat heavy options and also included sausages such as the Bratwurst and Chorizo.

'We travelled to Tasmania for the National Sausage King Awards, taking with us our NSW winning, Pork Fennel Chilli and Garlic Sausage,' the delighted team wrote.

Finally, South Nowra Meats won the best continental sausage category for their pork, fennel, chili and garlic range

'Were blown away with the result, taking out first place in Australia in the Continental category.

'This is our fourth National Title in 10 years since taking over the business.'

The butcher has previously won awards for their Peking duck sausages, chicken curry coconut burger and thick Aussie beef sausages.
Target shoppers are obsessing over a new $40 item that's a 'dupe' of a luxury French brand costing more than $500.

The crochet knit jumper, made from Australian cotton, has been compared to the sell-out 'Gardy' cropped sweater by luxury French brand Ba&sh, which costs $517.

Both black-and-white styles come with similar features, including a striped V-shaped design pattern, a round collar, and long, cuffed batwing sleeves.

Fashion blogger, known as Kmart Insider, spotted the dupe, saying: 'I can't even deal how cute this new Target jumper is.'

'It's basically identical to the "Gardy" jumper by Ba&sh.'

She pointed out the white frill blouse with a bow tie, as seen underneath the model's affordable sweater, is actually sold separately at Target for $40.

Despite this, the blogger was impressed with Target's choice of outfit.

'Frill shirt underneath sold separately - hot damn, next level styling right?!' she said.

Target's crochet knit jumper (left), made from Australian cotton, has been compared to the sell-out 'Gardy' cropped sweater by luxury French brand Ba&sh (right), which costs $517

Made from a blend of Australian cotton and acrylic, the jumper is best styled over skinny jeans and sandals or sneakers for a casual look or paired with a leather skirt with heels or boots.

The regular fit ensures relaxed comfort, while the ribbed crew neckline and long cuffed batwing sleeves add a modern flair.

Finished with a thick ribbed straight hemline, this jumper will make a versatile addition to your everyday wardrobe.

Many shoppers were impressed with the affordable alternative to the designer buy.

'I love it,' one said.

'Wow,' another shared, alongside an emoji face with hearts.

However, not everyone agreed, with one sharing their brutally honest thoughts, saying: 'It is ugly in my opinion and will be a one season wear.'

Earlier this week, a budget-friendly trench from Target made waves in the fashion world, with shoppers calling it the perfect alternative to a designer leather coat costing more than $1,400.

Target's clothing ranges have been praised as some of the best value for money pieces on the market with thousands raving about the superior design and quality

The Lily Loves PU Trench Coat ($80) is being compared to St Agni's $1,459 Leather Trench due to its sleek long-line design, double-breasted cut, and classic belted waist.

While the designer version is crafted from buttery-soft lamb leather, Target's more affordable option is made from a leather-look polyurethane blend - giving it a luxe aesthetic without the hefty price tag.

The coat, available in deep chocolate and burgundy, is quickly becoming a winter wardrobe staple, with shoppers raving about its quality, fit, and versatility.

Fashion content creator Sharna Isabella was among the first to spot the hidden gem, sharing her excitement in a viral video.

'Who was going to tell me that Target has seriously stepped up their jacket game?' she said.

'You can't tell me that you wouldn't find these cute options in places like Zara or even Dissh for double the price.'

She was so impressed that she bought the piece immediately, adding: 'I couldn't resist the long coat, and as I was walking out, I noticed they had it in a burgundy as well - so I bought it.'
A chef was invited and the Aussie-born Queen, 53, joined his table

A Danish Michelin star restaurant owner was starstruck after having the opportunity and honour to dine with Queen Mary of Denmark.

Queen Mary and her husband King Frederik hosted a gala dinner to celebrate Danish art and culture on Friday, February 28.

A selected few restaurant owners were invited to join the party, among them were Eric Vildgaard, head chef and owner of Jordnr, and his wife Tina.

Mr Vildgaard was surprised to receive an invite and was even more shocked when told Queen Mary would be joining his table.

'I felt a pang in my stomach. It's one thing to be invited to a ball at the castle, it's another thing to have the Queen of Denmark as your maid of honour,' he told B.T. News.

He revealed as soon as Aussie-born queen, 53, sat down she praised those at the table for their work.

'She said that the royal couple were so proud of Danish gastronomy and what we meant to Denmark abroad, and that made me really proud on behalf of the entire restaurant industry,' he added.

'We had a lot of good conversations around the table. The Queen is incredibly eloquent, and very knowledgeable about all the things we talked about. From architecture to acting and gastronomy, she talked to us.'

Queen Mary and her husband King Frederik hosted a gala dinner to celebrate Danish art and culture on Friday, February 28

A selected few restaurant owners were invited to join the party, among them were Eric Vildgaard (pictured), head chef and owner of Jordnr, and his wife Tina.

'We had a lot of good conversations around the table. The Queen is incredibly eloquent, and very knowledgeable about all the things we talked about. From architecture to acting and gastronomy, she talked to us,' he said

Mr Vildgaard described the evening as 'tremendously enjoyable' and one he'll remember for years to come.

The mother-of-four oozed glamour as she arrived at Christiansborg Palace in a sequinned dress, which featured silver beading and embellishments of clear crystals in the shape of flowers.

Mary added touches of glitz to her already chic ensemble with a jewelled diadem, which she matched with vintage-look earrings and a show stopping diamond ring.

She wore her brunette locks pushed back from her face with the tiara, and opted for a natural make up style for the evening in Copenhagen.

Also in attendance was Queen Margrethe, who abdicated from the Danish throne last January, handing the throne to her son King Frederik X.

Queen Mary of Denmark (pictured with King Frederik at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on January 6, 2025) was rejected at the door of Danish restaurant Kiin Kiin when she was a Princess

Earlier this year another royal insider has recalled the embarrassing moment Queen Mary was turned away from a popular Danish restaurant.

The awkward encounter occurred before the Australian-born royal took over the throne.

For years Dak Wichangoen was the head chef at the Michelin star restaurant Kiin Kiin and had the pleasure of serving members of the Royal Family.

'I cooked for Mary and Frederik when I worked at Kiin Kiin. She loved a good Pad Thai. They love coming there,' she told B.T. News.

While the restaurant staff usually knew when the Royal Family were coming, on one occasion the Princess, now Queen, showed up unexpectedly and was rejected at the door.

'She had been past the takeaway and then came in and asked if there was room. We had foreign staff in the kitchen and at the door, and they might not have known who Mary was,' Dak said.

'Then she came in and said, 'Hey, they said they didn't have any space?' I said, 'Who said there wasn't any space? You just sit down.''

The restaurant is only a 10-minute drive away from Amalienborg Palace and has an average 4.5 star rating on Tripadvisor.

For years Dak Wichangoen was the head chef at the Michelin star restaurant Kiin Kiin and had the pleasure of serving members of the Royal Family .

While the restaurant staff usually knew when the Royal Family were coming, on one occasion the Princess now Queen showed up unexpectedly and was turned away. 'She had been past the takeaway and then came in and asked if there was room. We had foreign staff in the kitchen and at the door, and they might not have known who Mary was,' Dak said

In January royal watchers claimed Queen Mary could secretly be planning another trip Down Under without her husband, King Frederik.

Her last visit coincided with the one-year anniversary of her 56-year-old husband's 'night out' with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in November.

She appeared happy as she frolicked with friends at Manly Beach, and spent time in the sun with her youngest daughter Princess Josephine in the Eastern Suburbs.

The Queen was seemingly shrugging off cruel rumours and speculations about her 'fairytale' marriage and looked relaxed as she bobbed around in the salt water.

She had made another dash Down Under in December 2023, just weeks after photos showing her husband spending time with his friend Ms Casanova were released.

During that trip the then Crown Princess took her two youngest children on Sydney's famous bridge climb, one of the mum-of-four's favourite activities.

Now, fans speculate, she could be planning a 'women only' trip to Melbourne - a city where the monarch lived and worked as an account manager in advertising before meeting her husband.

The speculation comes after the Women Deliver conference revealed Melbourne to be the next destination for its tri-annual conference.

Queen Mary of Denmark could secretly be planning another trip Down Under without her husband, King Frederik

Queen Mary headed to Sydney in December, 2023, weeks after photos of her husband having a night out with Genoveva Casanova surfaced

The conference which celebrates women and feminism will be held between April 27 and 30, 2026.

Queen Mary has supported the conference, and attended as an honoured guest since it was kickstarted in 2007.

In 2013 she was pictured alongside Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Dutch Princess Mabel at the conference in Malaysia.

She then acted as Patron in 2016 when the conference headed to Copenhagen, and attended the Canadian conference in 2019.
Despite being the Queen of Spain's mother, Paloma Rocasolano is known for being 'very discreet'.

So, perhaps it's no wonder that the retired nurse's romance with British businessman Marcus Brandler, 68, has largely gone under-the-radar in the UK.

The 72-year-old struck up a relationship with the Nigerian-born entrepreneur in 2021 and Letizia and her sister Telma 'warmly welcomed him', according to local media reports.

Marcus has long been associated with Spain after previously marrying a Catalan woman from Banyoles in 1991. They went on to have three sons, Maximilian (1991), Joachim (1993), and Benjamin (1996).

He first settled in Barcelona before moving to Madrid, where he worked alongside his two UK-based brothers as the director of their family company, which was founded in Leeds 15 years ago and focused on the sale of coffee, tea, cocoa and other spices.

The jet-setting businessman frequently dealt with companies in Asia, 'having had several companies dedicated to import and export', according to magazine Semana.

But his family firm, Tillbrook, hit headlines this month after being dissolved following the passing of Robert Guy Mobolaji Brandler, the youngest of Marcus' four siblings. He died aged 53 in Kano, Nigeria, after a brief but serious illness, reported Vanitatis.

The newspaper claimed the business move shows Marcus - who had reportedly been living between the UK and Spain for years - is 'paving the way for retirement' as he enjoys a quieter life with King Felipe's mother-in-law.

Despite being the Queen of Spain 's mother, Paloma Rocasolano is known for being 'very discreet'. So, perhaps it's no wonder that the retired nurse's romance with British businessman Marcus Brandler (pictured together in 2021 in Madrid), 68, has largely gone under-the-radar in the UK

Paloma and Marcus first went public together at the annual Princess of Asturias Awards in 2022 - and the businessman has since enjoyed dinners at the Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid.

Their romance was further cemented when Paloma moved from the Spanish capital last summer to be with her partner in the wealthy and modern village of Los Belones in Murcia, which is known for its sizeable English community and relaxed beaches.

The couple have apparently settled into the local community, enjoying visits to the town centre and relaxing at the beach.

Their relationship was discovered in 2021 by magazine Semana, and seems to have only gone from strength to strength, with Marcus organising a surprise 70th birthday party for his partner. Paloma's whole family apparently attended.

Born in 1957 in Ibadan to British-African couple J.L. Brandler and Pamela Margaret, Marcus was one of five siblings.

He had been director of Tillbrook Products since 2019, after taking over the role from a family member, according to local reports.

But the partners, all Brandler family members, began liquidating the firm in 2023 and last February it was finally dissolved, reported Ok Diario. Marcus' name no longer appears on any company, according to Vanitatis.

The last recorded activity of the firm - which was said to still be making a profit - was reportedly in June 2023, when they presented their full accounts.

Marcus (pictured) has long been associated with Spain after previously marrying a Catalan woman from Banyoles in 1991. They went on to have three sons, Maximilian (1991), Joachim (1993), and Benjamin (1996)

Paloma largely tries to stay out of the spotlight - however she does attend some Royal Family gatherings, including her granddaughter Infanta Sofia's confirmation on May 25, 2023 (pictured with Letizia and Sofia)

Debts were completely settled, all its assets were sold and profits were split between the two brothers, according to E-noticies.cat.

Meanwhile, Paloma, who was previously married to Letizia's father Jesus Ortiz, is known for her discretion.

For instance, her hairstylist Maria Jose Perez Bolumar told Lecturas that King Felipe's mother-in-law is 'simple, kind, and very discreet'.

Paloma largely tries to stay out of the spotlight - however she does attend some Royal Family gatherings, including her granddaughter Infanta Sofia's confirmation on May 25, 2023.
The New York-based chain has hit the streets of Stratford

Foodies are delighted after discovering that a popular American burger restaurant chain has launched in the UK.

The New York-based burger joint, Black Tap, has now landed in Stratford in East London, leaving fans salivating over the dishes dubbed 'out of this world' by its customers.

Known for serving up mouth-watering fast-food, the venue's expansive menu boasts dozens of delectable bites, from deep fried pickles to a juicy craft burger, loaded fries and eye-popping 'crazy' milkshakes.

The restaurant chain was first founded in 2015 in Soho, New York, by burger moguls, Chris Barish and Julie Mulligan.

The chain has humble beginnings, with the duo of burger masters transforming their tiny 15-seat burger bar into a thriving multinational franchise.

It now has multiple venues dotted across the states, including in Disneyland in California, with plans to set up shop in destinations across Europe in the future.

Now, the chain has hit the streets of Stratford, having opened its doors in Westfield shopping centre in November.

The restaurant has proven so popular that owners have plans to open a second branch in London.

The New York based burger joint, Black Tap, has now landed in Stratford in London , leaving fans salivating over the scrumptious cuisine dubbed 'out of this world' by it's customers (pictured)

And to wash it all down, foodies can slurp up a selection of delicious milkshakes. The venue boats seven varieties of shake, including a cookie drink with a vanilla frosted rim, chocolate chips and cookie crumble

Black Tap boasts a sprawling menu with countless mouth-watering treats shipped all the way from the US.

With something to satisfy everyone's craving, the restaurant has a whopping 13 different burgers on their menu, including one gluttonous pizza burger with marinara sauce, fried mozzarella, shaved parmesan and parsley, priced at 17.50.

And Black Tap doesn't just dish up beef-based burgers, with the American-based company also serving a crispy chicken bap, fish and chip sandwich and a cauliflower corn sarnie for vegetarians.

For those who enjoy the finer ingredients in life, the restaurant also serves a wagyu steakhouse burger with pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, a special sauce and roasted garlic mayo for 20.

All of its burgers come served with a side of fries but can be substituted for a salad at no extra charge, or swapped for onion rings for 2, sweet potato chips for 50p, or special spuds for 3.50.

There's even something for the health-conscious diner with a range of four salads including a classic crispy chicken Caesar for 16 and an indulgent burger chopped salad with beef patty pieces, smoked salt & black pepper rub, bacon, cherry tomato, red onion, all the greens and black pepper parmesan dressing.

To top it all off, hungry patrons can top off their order with a portion of special fries. For fromage lovers, there is an ultra cheesy loaded spud dish with zesty cheese sauce, parmesan, bacon, scallion, sour cream and onion for 10.50.

Elsewhere, the venue offers malt vinegar fries which are coated in a tasty pairing of vinegar, black pepper, dill and tartar sauce for 9.50.

Black Tap boasts a sprawling menu with countless mouth-watering treats shipped all the way from the US

With something to satisfy everyone's craving, the restaurant has a whopping 13 different burgers on their menu, including one gluttonous pizza burger with marinara sauce, fried mozzarella, shaved parmesan and parsley, priced at 17.50

Customers searching for a sauce to dunk their spuds should look no further than Black Tap's house dips - with the venue serving up truffle mayonnaise, house buttermilk-dill dressing, salsa verde and creamy horseradish, just to name a few

Since it's launch in London in November, the venue has received rave reviews on Google, racking up an enviable 4.8 rating

For condiments, Black Tap offers house dips including truffle mayonnaise, house buttermilk-dill dressing, salsa verde and creamy horseradish, to name a few.

And if there's room for more, customers can browse the milkshake menu, which offers seven different flavours costing between 12.50 and 14.50.

The Brooklyn Blackout milkshake is the star of the show as it's topped off with a chocolate brownie.

Since opening in New York in 2015, the venue has amassed rave reviews from hungry patrons, with more than 500 five star reviews on TripAdvisor.

Writing on the restaurant review website, one wrote: Actually have gone here twice for food. First time my mind was blown! Burger was fantastic but the dessert was unbelievable. Second time we went it did not disappoint.

A second said: 'A very good burger place. I had the Tennessee burger. The fries were fresh and tasty and spicy mayo was so food. They also have beer on tap.'

Another penned: 'Classic American burgers that taste out of the world!

One food blogger took to Instagram to share their the exciting news of the London opening, writing that 'New Yorks best burgers and shakes' had arrived.

'Finally Black Tap have come to London and in anticipation of their flagship opening I visited their new Stratford store where I tried out some of their halal food range and their (non halal) cake shake which was mind blowing! Black tap are claiming back the fat patty and are leading the anti smash revolution,' penned @fat_boi_ldn.

Since its launch in London in November, the venue has received rave reviews on Google, racking up an enviable 4.8 rating.

One reviewer complimented the 'delicious food', noting that they had struggled to decide what to choose.

'The starters were so good, they got eaten before I could get any photos! Burgers were really tasty, especially washed down with their range of different beers,' they added.

The customer also advised patrons to 'leave room for the famous CakeShake which tastes as amazing as it looks', after sampling the Brooklyn Blackout variety.

Others praised the 'generous' portion sizes and 'outstanding food, adding that it was 'a slice of authentic America that cannot be missed.'
It's Gold Cup day at Cheltenham - and eager revellers were determined to go all out, donning extravagant headgear and heeled boots to witness the festival's spectacular grand finale.

Alongside classic spectator attire - including neutral macs, check suits and wide-brimmed fedoras galore, there were plenty of racegoers determined to get themselves noticed in the style stakes.

The last day of the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860, saw one male spectator in a dazzling gold suit, clearly a nod to the famous Gold Cup that will be handed out later today.

Not to be outdone, several ladies commanded attention in daring thigh-high hemlines and vibrant prints as they arrived at the racecourse in Gloucestershire.

Fur and tweed were the order of the day for many, as revellers opted for chic suits and fur-lined coats to keep out the early Spring chill.

When it came to headwear, there was a sea of stylish trilby hats coming through the festival's doors, with others opting for striking feathered fascinators.

Many racegoers opted to brave the cold for the event, donning thigh-skimming mini skirts for the big day out, while others plumped for the trouser suit, in bold patterns, in a bid to marry style with comfort.

Others made a statement in tweed ensembles, embracing the country chic look that's been the star of the show at this year's festival.

That Friday feeling!It's Gold Cup day at Cheltenham - and eager revellers were determined to go all out, donning extravagant headgear and high heels to witness the festival's spectacular grand finale

Stepping into the weekend! This trio of beauties put on a fashionable display in statement coats and boots

Picture perfect! Two friends posed and smiled for the cameras as they showed off their statement headwear

It comes after a supercomputer predicted which horse will win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2025 ahead of the race taking place.

The festival has delivered drama all the way through the week, with unfancied outsider Golden Ace winning the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday ahead of favourites Constitution Hill and State Man who both fell out the race.

But the supercomputer's analysis has a different suggestion for the highly-anticipated Gold Cup, predicting a number of favourites to be in contention for the trophy.

Galopin Des Champs - who is trained by Willie Mullins - will seek a third successive total in the festival's top race.

Should he take home the cup, it would mark only the third time in history that this feat would be achieved.

Galopin Des Champs is looking to emulate the successes of Best Mate from 2002 to 2004 and Arkle from 1964 to 1966.

A supercomputer powered by bet365 has used data going all the way back to 1990 to determine the winner of the race.

An algorithm then attributes a score of between 1 and -1 depending on how well each horse matches the winning characteristics.

Princess Anne looks sophisticated in a dark green coat as she attends the last day of Cheltenham Festival

Henry Cavill, Natalie Viscuso and Zara Tindall pose with one another after arriving at the races

Zara and Mike Tindall appeared just as in love as ever as they were snapped gazing adoringly at one another while attending the final day of the Cheltenham Festival

The King's niece, 43, and her former rugby player husband, 46, appeared reluctant to take their eyes off of each other as they posed up a storm at the Gloucestershire racecourse

Georgia Toffolo (pictured left) and Sam Quek (pictured right) arrives for the final day of Cheltenham Festival

Jodie Kidd and Jade Holland Cooper pull out all the stops in fabulous ensembles from Holland Cooper as they enjoy day four at the festival

Nick Knowles and his fiancee Katie Dadzie, 34, dress to impress in Holland Cooper as they attend the event today

Jilly Cooper (pictured left) and Mary Berry (pictured right), wearing a smart check coat and matching navy hat from Holland Cooper, on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Henry Cavill, Natalie Viscuso and Zara Tindall (left) on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Going for gold! The last day of the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860, saw one male spectator in a dazzling gold suit, clearly a nod to the famous Gold Cup that will be handed out later today

Neutral but nice! One couple brings fashion to the festival as they arrive for the last day of the festival

Thrice as nice! These elegant ladies showcased their fashion prowess for the fourth day

Cheers! A couple dressed in gold appear to celebrate a win as they attend the races

Prints charming! Two friends made sure they didn't blend into the background with their bold ensembles, ranging from a zebra patterned coat to a feathered headpiece

Here come the girls! Glamorous revellers pose for a photo as they arrive at the racecourse

Suits you! A stylish duo put their best fashion foot forward to attend today's event

Say cheese! Racegoers pose up a storm as they arrive on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Having a ball! Racegoers pose with a person dressed as the gold cup on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Looking good! Racegoers arrive for day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

The computer gave Galopin des Champs a similarity score of 0.807 - which gives him a 17.5% chance of winning the Gold Cup for a third year in a row.

Should the favourite win, he would become the first ever horse to notch a hat-trick of wins at the Gold Cup.

Others with a strong chance according to the supercomputer includes the likes of Banbridge, Monty's Star, and Corbetts Cross.

Former jockey Aidan Coleman also backs Galopin Des Champs to create history. He said: 'Galopin Des Champs is by far the best horse in the race. I think he should be 1-10, I really do!

'You're pretty much backing him to jump around, which isn't always straight forward but if he does that, he'll win.'
Queen Letizia of Spain rocked business casual today as she stepped out in a stylish beige suit to host the Princess Girona: Arte 2025 awards in Almeria.

The Spanish royal, 52, looked beautiful in a beige shirt and trousers, paired with a dark jacket, on Friday as she arrived in the southeastern city of Almeria, Spain, to host the winner of the Princess of Girona 'Arte 2025' Award.

The wife of King Felipe VI sported a cream button down blouse with floral embroidery which was tucked stylishly into a pair of burnt orange parachute pants.

She finished the chic ensemble with a pair of beige kitten heels and an oversized black blazer.

She arrived to the event in her native Spain with a typically glamorous brunette blown-dry and tasteful makeup look.

The Queen of Spain wore a burgundy smoky eye, pairing it with a flawless foundation base and nude pink lip.

Letizia finished the look with a thin black leather belt wrapped neatly around her slender figure, and an elegant charcoal handbag.

The mother-of-two attended the awards ceremony in the Maestro Padilla Municipal Auditorium in the centre of Almeria.

Queen Letizia of Spain stunned today as she stepped out in a stylish beige suit to attend the Princess Girona: Arte 2025 awards in Almeria

The Spanish royal, 52, looked beautiful in beige on Friday as she arrived in the southeastern city of Almeria to host the winner of the Princess of Girona 'Arte 2025' Award

On Friday, Letizia announced the winner of the art award from five finalists, two of whom are from Andalusia in the southernmost peninsular of Spain.

The Princess of Girona 'Arte Award is the second stage in the 2025 Talent Tour, which is currently taking place in Spain, with the programme running in Almeria from 10th-16th March, focusing on art and culture.

Letizia appeared in good spirits as she arrived at the event, strolling into the centre while accompanied by venue staff.

The five finalists for the award are Galician architect, teacher, and curator Manuel Bouzas Barcala; Catalan populariser Enric Fernandez Gel; Guillermo Hernandez Barrocal; the Malaga-born writer Alberto Ramos Vicari and Quan Zhou Wu.

It comes after it was revealed that the Queen's mother, Paloma Rocasolano, is dating British businessman Marcus Brandler, 68.

The 72-year-old struck up a relationship with the Nigerian-born entrepreneur in 2021 and Letizia and her sister Telma 'warmly welcomed him', according to local media reports.

Letizia's mother is known for being 'very discreet', making it no surprise that her new romance has largely gone under-the-radar in the UK.

Marcus has long been associated with Spain after previously marrying a Catalan woman from Banyoles in 1991. They went on to have three sons, Maximilian (1991), Joachim (1993), and Benjamin (1996).

The wife of King Felipe VI sported a cream button down blouse with floral embroidery which was tucked stylishly into a pair of burnt orange parachute pants

The mother-of-two attended the awards ceremony in the Maestro Padilla Municipal Auditorium in the centre of Almeria

Paloma largely tries to stay out of the spotlight - however she does attend some Royal Family gatherings, including her granddaughter Infanta Sofia's confirmation on May 25, 2023 (pictured with Letizia and Sofia)

Despite being the Queen of Spain 's mother, Paloma Rocasolano is known for being 'very discreet'. So, perhaps it's no wonder that the retired nurse's romance with British businessman Marcus Brandler (pictured together in 2021 in Madrid), 68, has largely gone under-the-radar in the UK

He first settled in Barcelona before moving to Madrid, where he worked alongside his two UK-based brothers as the director of their family company, which was founded in Leeds 15 years ago and focused on the sale of coffee, tea, cocoa and other spices.

The jet-setting businessman frequently dealt with companies in Asia, 'having had several companies dedicated to import and export', according to magazine Semana.

But his family firm, Tillbrook, hit headlines this month after being dissolved following the passing of Robert Guy Mobolaji Brandler, the youngest of Marcus' four siblings. He died aged 53 in Kano, Nigeria, after a brief but serious illness, reported Vanitatis.

The newspaper claimed the business move shows Marcus - who had reportedly been living between the UK and Spain for years - is 'paving the way for retirement' as he enjoys a quieter life with King Felipe's mother-in-law.

Paloma and Marcus first went public together at the annual Princess of Asturias Awards in 2022 - and the businessman has since enjoyed dinners at the Palace of Zarzuela in Madrid.

Their romance was further cemented when Paloma moved from the Spanish capital last summer to be with her partner in the wealthy and modern village of Los Belones in Murcia, which is known for its sizeable English community and relaxed beaches.

The couple have apparently settled into the local community, enjoying visits to the town centre and relaxing at the beach.

Their relationship was discovered in 2021 by magazine Semana, and seems to have only gone from strength to strength, with Marcus organising a surprise 70th birthday party for his partner. Paloma's whole family apparently attended.

Marcus has been director director of Tillbrook Products since 2019, after taking over the role from a family member, according to local reports.

Paloma largely tries to stay out of the spotlight - however she does attend some Royal Family gatherings, including her granddaughter Infanta Sofia's confirmation on May 25, 2023.
Zara and Mike Tindall appeared just as in love as ever as they were snapped gazing adoringly at one another while attending the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The King's niece, 43, and her former rugby player husband, 46, appeared reluctant to take their eyes off of each other as they posed up a storm at the Gloucestershire racecourse.

Proving their fashion prowess, the loved-up pair even coordinated their ensembles, with Zara look glamorous in a turquoise V-neck coat and a matching statement headpiece.

Taking style tips from his stylish wife, Mike wore a similar coloured tie with his smart grey suit and striped shirt.

Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara teamed her vibrant coat with a navy turtleneck, as well as 435 high heeled Regina boots and the 345 Loxley Navy Croc Handbag, both from Fairfax & Favor.

Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, Princess Anne's daughter opted for a set of delicate pearl earrings, while keeping the sun from her eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

The royal equestrian and former Olympian kept her makeup to a minimum, allowing her flawless complexion to shine through a sheer layer of foundation while opting for a swipe of pink lipstick.

Mike and Zara, in her role as Cheltenham Racecourse Director, have attended everyday of the festival, joining Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal and Princess Eugenie on the various days.

Zara and Mike Tindall appeared just as in love as ever as they were snapped gazing adoringly at one another while attending the final day of the Cheltenham Festival

At today's event, Princess Anne also stepped out at the racecourse, alongside Andrew Parker Bowles, whom she briefly dated in the 1970s, at the races. Mr Parker Bowles is the ex-husband of Queen Camilla.

The couple's outing today comes after Mike revealed his hilarious 'liver management' hack for 'surviving' four days of Cheltenham.

The former rugby player shared some drinking wisdoms with Raceday.rtv - while attending day three of the prestigious event.

He explained that while it's easy to get caught up in the excitement, there is one way to stealthily keep yourself above ground.

'It's not easy,' he admitted. 'All it takes is bumping into an old friend to push you over the limits. But with like, Guinness - you get a little Zero and no one knows! A little Guinness Zero in the middle when no one knows. It goes a long way.'

A Guinness Zero is an alcohol-free alternative of the famous stout, and according to the brewers 'boasts the same beautifully smooth taste, perfectly balanced flavour, and unique dark colour of Guinness, just without the alcohol'.

The father-of-three, who appeared dapper in a stylish suit, had attended all three days of Cheltenham prior to the interview, calling the event 'amazing'.

'It's always the atmosphere, the atmosphere's so relaxed,' he continued. 'Everyone's here for a good time and I can get on board with that.'

The King's niece, 43, and her former rugby player husband, 46, appeared reluctant to take their eyes off of each other as they posed up a storm at the Gloucestershire racecourse

Proving their fashion prowess, the loved-up pair even coordinated their ensembles, with Zara look glamorous in a turquoise V-neck coat and a matching statement headpiece

Taking style tips from his stylish wife, Mike wore a similar coloured tie with his smart grey suit and striped shirt

Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara teamed her vibrant coat with a navy turtleneck and knee-high boots, as well as a pair of leather gloves and a fashionable square handbag

Princess Anne looks sophisticated in a dark green coat as she attends the last day of Cheltenham Festival

The Princess Royal and Andrew Parker Bowles, whom she briefly dated in the 1970s, at the races. Mr Parker Bowles is the ex-husband of Queen Camilla

The Princess Royal with broadcaster John Inverdale (left) and Andrew Parker Bowles on day four of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

Mike and Zara led the royal arrivals as they joined Princess Anne for yesterday's festivities.

The trio stepped onto the concourse in thick wintery coats as they prepared to brave the temperamental British weather on what is traditionally celebrated as St Patrick's Thursday.

King Charles's niece sported a casual ensemble with a moss green long jacket with a waist cinching material belt.

Beneath her stylish jacket, the 42-year-old wore a paisley navy shirt and complimented the autumnal green with a handful of statement black pieces.

The royal equestrian sported a stylish pair of black leather gloves, which she paired with a fedora hat and gold chain bag in the same charcoal shade.
Kristin Davis has revealed that there was one storyline from Sex and the City that she couldn't stand - and even tried to get out of filming it.

Davis, 60, who starred in the original 1998 series as art dealer Charlotte York, recalled the plotline during a recent episode of her podcast Are You a Charlotte?

She explained that during the sixth season of the show, the script called for York and her second husband, Harry Goldenblatt, played by Evan Handler, to come down with a bout of bad food poisoning, according to Us Weekly.

The pair were supposed to be out at a fancy dinner, enjoying dishes like French cheese, only for the both of them to then get hit with food poisoning and end up on the toilet.

'I just hated that storyline so much,' Davis admitted on the podcast, per the outlet.

Davis disliked it so much that she even went to the episode's writers, Elisa Zuritsky and Julia Rottenberg, and questioned why they had to do this.

'They were like, "It's so funny,"' Davis remembered.

'I think it was based on a story where someone went to France and had a similar experience with their decadent cheeses, which we're not used to here,' she continued.

Kristin Davis has revealed that there was one storyline from Sex and the City that she couldn't stand - and even tried to get out of filming it

She explained that during the sixth season of the show, the script called for York and her second husband, Harry Goldenblatt, played by Evan Handler, to come down with a bout of bad food poisoning

'I didn't like that. I didn't want to lay on the floor of the bathroom with Evan in stained T-shirts. Ick.'

However, the two ended up acting out the scene, and it made the cut on the 14th episode of season six.

Sex and The City ended that season in 2004, but was revived in 2021 as the ladies returned for a spinoff, called And Just Like That, about life in their 50s.

The spinoff stars Sarah Jessica Parker Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York, and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes.

Samantha Jones, who was played by Kim Cattrall in the original series, did not participate in the revival.

However, it looks like there will be some new characters for fans to look forward to meeting this year, as And Just Like That is set to premiere its third season on HBO sometime this year.

During an on-stage talk at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia late last year, Parker teased some new additions to the cast.

'There is growth with new faces,' Parker said, per Variety.

Sex and The City ended that season in 2004, but was revived in 2021 as the ladies returned for a spinoff, called And Just Like That, about life in their 50s

The spinoff stars Sarah Jessica Parker Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York, and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes

'Carrie has a wonderful storyline,' she continued.

'The story takes some big swings and we fold some big ideas into those big swings. Some of the male characters are back, and there are some new men.'

She also shared that the third season took over seven months to shoot and involved 'crazy long hours.'

'It feels really big, really robust and exciting,' Parker shared.
Wendy Williams has publicly hit out at her temporary financial guardian Sabrina Morrissey, declaring that she wants to be freed and that she wants her life back.

On Friday, the former queen of daytime, 60, gave a rare, pre-recorded interview on The View were she repeatedly said that she wanted to get away from Morrisey, who was assigned to her in 2022 amid ongoing health issues.

Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, with her guardian filing documents in 2024 that stated she was, 'cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated.'

Speaking to hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro, Williams said: 'I don't want a guardian. I don't want put it this way, I don't want Sabrina, period. You know what I'm saying?

'I don't want a guardian. I want to get out of guardian.

'It's been over three years. You know what I'm saying? It's time for my money and my life to get back to status quo.'

She added: 'I can't do it with these two people again. I can't. And I'm speaking of the guardian and the judge. I need a new guardian.'

Morrissey's attorneys previously sent DailyMail.com an expansive statement in which she said that media coverage of the guardianship drama surrounding Williams has been 'untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.'

Wendy Williams has publicly hit out at her temporary financial guardian Sabrina Morrissey

The former queen of daytime, 60, gave a rare, pre-recorded interview on The View were she repeatedly said that she wanted to get away from Morrisey

Morrissey's lawyers in her statement said that 'consistent with general practice in New York, guardianship proceedings are kept confidential to this case.'

The letter read: 'Recently, however, the court determined that misinformation circulating in the media is harmful to Ms. Williams interests and the Guardianship.'

It continued that 'contrary to many media reports, Morrissey, as guardian, did not declare Wendy Williams to be legally incapacitated' as no guardian has that power.

Lawyers for Morrisey said 'the decision to declare a person legally incapacitated rests solely with the court' - which the Supreme Court of New York County did for Williams in August 2024, in declaring her 'to be legally incapacitated' after two years of observation and consideration of medical information.

The court conducted multiple hearings 'based on three separate petitions for guardianship' involving witnesses and papers filed in the case, attorneys for Morrisey said in the statement.

Morrisey's legal team said that 'the court heard from multiple witnesses and considered the papers filed in the case.

'The first petition for guardianship was filed by Wells Fargo, a bank where Ms. Williams holds accounts, because became aware of multiple attempts by a person known to Ms. Williams improperly to access Ms. Williams's accounts, as well as an uncharacteristically large charge on Ms. Williams credit card.'

Morrisey (pictured) was assigned to Williams in 2022 amid ongoing health issues

Lawyers for Morrisey said in the letter that a second guardianship petition Williams's business manager filed requested the court 'appoint a guardian based on Ms. Williams' multiple illnesses and cognitive impairment.'

Attorneys for Morrisey in the statement said the third petition was a cross-petition filed by Ms. Williams' son.

They noted that Ms. Williams appeared at every hearing, represented by counsel.

Further, Morrisey's lawyers make clear that she did not seek out or apply for the guardianship.

The judge selected her, based on her experience. And they say she has done her best in fulfilling the function of assisting the Court in protecting Ms. Williams.
One invite suggested bringing at least $10 if your child wants to play and eat

If you already feel that tipping is creeping into all parts of your life, then be prepared for the next infiltration - kid's birthday parties.

In a now viral video posted to social media, professional baker Victoria Perry explained that guests at kids' parties are now expected to leave a tip for parents - and 'if you're not bringing at least $10, you should not bring your child.'

Although the baker herself doesn't feel as though this is necessary, she noted that several of her clients have shown her the invitations for their child's birthday parties, and many of them have asked for a tip.

'On those invitations, at least three that I've seen so far, there is a little spot on the bottom that says "tipping is encouraged,"' she shared.

She shared one note, which read: 'If you plan to bring your child and they plan to eat and play, please send along cash with your child for the tip bucket to go towards party expenses.'

'How are we feeling about this?' she asked, before sharing she thinks it's 'not appropriate.'

Users were outraged at the idea of inviting children to a birthday party - and expecting their parents to foot the bill.

'Don't throw the party if you can't afford the party,' declared one user.

Professional baker Victoria Perry explained that guests at kids' parties are now expected to leave a tip for parents - and 'if you're not bringing at least $10, you should not bring your child'

'What?!? You bring a gift to the party. That's the whole point. They throw a party with food and drinks and you bring a gift,' one astonished user wrote.

'Abso-frigging-lutely NOT,' someone else wrote. 'There are plenty of low cost options you can choose that are still wonderful for littles. During Covid when we weren't allowed to have parties we went toboganning with our daughter and friends and brought hot chocolate and donuts. It cost me $20 and she said it was her best party ever.'

Another wrote that if they're bringing a tip, then they're 'not bringing a present.'

'My RSVP would be a NO. If you need to be tipped for hosting your child's party, maybe don't have a party,' advised another.

Recently, an old post went viral after children were invited to a party at Build-A-Bear - but asked to give their bears to the birthday girl after.

The story, which was originally shared to Reddit, resurfaced and went viral on TikTok with furious users chiming in with their thoughts.

TikTok user Unplugged Moments, who often shares wild stories she finds on Reddit, delved into a story about the controversial kid's party, explaining it was originally posted by an aunt who was taking her seven-year-old niece to attend.

Labeling the party as 'pretty straightforward,' the woman picked up her niece and took her to mall to go to Build-A-Bear. Afterwards, they were to meet at the birthday girl's house for cake and ice cream.

The baker noted that several of her clients have shown her the invitations for their child's birthday parties, and many of them have asked for a tip (stock image)

Users were outraged at the idea of inviting children to a birthday party - and expecting their parents to foot the bill

'On the invite, it said, [every] child will be able to build a Build-A-Bear,' she explained.

'So I told my niece, "let's be mindful, keep it at $35, and then anything else aunty will chip in for at my own expense."'

The party had been going smoothly, and the mom of the birthday girl paid for everything, with the aunt noting she paid for anything extra her niece purchased.

The group snapped a pic, before the mom said, 'Okay, thank you everyone, but if you could now hand your bear over the Sarah, thank you so much for building a personal bear so that Sarah can remember you by.'

Recalling that everyone at the party was visibly shocked by this, the woman admitted she didn't know whether she was entitled to think the kids would be keeping the bear, deciding to leave the party, with the other moms and kids following suit.
A 21 year-old was left unable to walk, talk and see after a patch of 'sunburn' turned out to be a deadly infection she'd contracted from a mosquito bite.

Lucy Slawson, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, assumed a swollen rash that had appeared while holidaying in Turkey was the result of spending too much time in the sun, and the odd bug bite.

However, minutes after she landed back in the UK, the international business management student noticed the angry rash had tripled in size.

On the drive home from the airport, Ms Slawson noticed her vision beginning to fail.

Still, she assumed this was the result of exhaustion after catching a 5am flight home, and pulled into a hotel in Sheffield to get some rest.

Four hours later she awoke to find that the rash on her arms and legs was now burning and terrifyingly, her legs had turned blue.

She went to a nearby pharmacy where staff urged her to call 999 immediately, and she was quickly rushed to hospital.

Shortly after arriving, Ms Slawson's condition deteriorated rapidly and she slipped into a semi-comatose state for a week.

Lucy Slawson, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, had never been abroad and naturally assumed a rash and some swelling she experienced in Turkey were a simple result of a mosquito bite, too much sun and indulgent holiday dining

When she awoke, she found she had lost her ability to move and communicate, as well as control her bladder.

She had to spend the next month in hospital, relearning how to talk and walk.

Doctors eventually diagnosed Ms Slawson with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional neurological disorder, which medics believe were triggered by an infection carried by the mosquito that bit her.

'I remember feeling so heavy and exhausted and I was getting annoyed because the doctors wouldn't let me out of bed because I couldn't walk or use my arms or anything,' she said.

'Their (the doctor's) best guess was that it was because of a bug bite.'

Ms Slawson also learned that she was suffering from a bacterial infection called Strep A  which medics suspected may have struck before the mosquito bite.

Doctors eventually diagnosed Ms Slawson with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional neurological disorder, with medics believing the mosquito bite, combined with weakness from prior infection, were to blame

She had to spend the next month in hospital, relearning how to talk and to walk with a frame.

'I thought "damn I've gained so much weight on this holiday,' said Ms Slawson.

'It's comical because if I was to look back now the swelling alone would have been a red flag.'

In hospital, she said her condition initially got 'worse and worse and worse' to the point where her legs began to turn blue.

'My body basically shut down because it didn't know how to fight the infection,' she said.

Now in recovery, Ms Slawson is still living with the impact of her life-changing ordeal.

She experiences occasional seizures and still struggles to walk long distances.

Her condition meant she was forced to surrender her driving licence and to stop work.

'My life has never ever been the same,' she said.

Now in recovery, Ms Slawson is still living with the impact of her life-changing ordeal

She experiences occasional seizures and still struggles to walk long distances

However, she said she had recently been seeing some signs of a recovery recently re-taking up pole dancing

'I'm sick of not being able to go up and down stairs and do all these simple things that everyone else can do.

'I lost my driving licence which was the biggest gut-wrenching thing ever because I had put myself through my driving lessons and bought my own car.'

However, she said she had recently experienced some signs of recovery.

'I've spent the last year-and-a-half building up my walking so now I can walk around the block,' she said.

'I previously did pole dancing before I got ill and I recently started that again.'

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a poorly understood and incurable condition that causes a wide range of symptoms including extreme tiredness.

What causes it to develop is unknown, though some experts suspect it can be triggered following an infection.

Functional neurological disorder meanwhile is a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body, leading to limb weakness and seizures.

What triggers this miscommunication is unknown, but cases are known to occur after physical injury, an infection, panic attack or migraine.

How long patients suffer from functional neurological disorder can vary.

Some experience symptoms for a short period of time while others will have issues for years.
A London man has revealed his heartache after a 'silent' cancer that caused barely any symptoms killed his partner 'as quickly as ripping off a plaster'.

Father-of-one Austen Ham-Howes, 45, told of how Nicolette Richardson, 41, died 13 days after her diagnosis of a deadly brain tumour.

The 'healthy' mother had suffered virtually no symptoms, apart from a headache that struck just 24 hours before doctors spotted the disease.

Within a week, she was undergoing emergency surgery to remove the cancer, which ultimately left her paralysed, blind and comatose.

'One minute, we were viewing houses where we planned to build a future together and the next Nicolette was taken ill,' said Mr Ham-Howes, a business owner from Twickenham, southwest London.

'Suddenly, I was thrust into a world where the mother of my child was fighting for her life.

'Nicolette had zero symptoms, yet our whole lives were turned upside down in just weeks and we were cheated of the chance to have a fair fight against this disease.

'I know it was wrong, but I felt so jealous of people who had time to come to terms with this devastating disease.

Nicolette Richardson died less than two weeks after suffering the only symptom of her lethal brain tumour.

'For us, it felt as quick as ripping off a plaster.'

The headache struck on November 16, 2020 and, when it hadn't vanished the following day, Ms Richardson  who was mum to eight-year-old Isabella  visited her GP for guidance.

The doctor told her it was a migraine and she put it down to the stress and physical demands of her osteopath business.

She was told to go to A&E if her migraine didn't improve with painkillers within the day.

With the pain becoming increasingly unbearable, she travelled to Charing Cross Hospital near the couple's home, where she received an MRI scan of her brain.

Devastatingly, doctors spotted an ultra-lethal stage four glioblastoma brain tumour.

Only around five per cent of those with this type of brain tumour survive longer than five years.

The average survival time after diagnosis is between 12 to 18 months, with those at later stages of the illness often at the lower end of the scale.

She left behind a daughter, Isabella, who is now aged eight.

Glioblastomas are among the deadliest of all cancerous tumours, with just 5% of those diagnosed surviving five years or more.

Ms Richardson was rushed into emergency surgery to remove her tumour six days later, but the procedure resulted in catastrophic injuries including paralysis on the left side of her body, blindness in one eye and partial sight loss in the other.

Doctors placed Nicolette into a coma after her surgery but she never recovered, and was taken off life support on November 30.

Five years on, Mr Ham-Howes and his daughter have been fundraising for the charity Brain Tumour Research, in memory of Ms Richardson.

He has been donating 2 from every treatment carried out at Richmond Osteopaths, Ms Richardson's business, during March  which is brain tumour awareness month.

Mr Ham-Howes and his daughter are now trying to 'live with positivity' and honour his partner every day.

He added: 'Isabella is Nicolette's mini-me and she is now eight years old.

Austen Ham-Howes has vowed to honour his partner and Isabella's mother every day

Just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this type of brain cancer since records began in 2002, according to Brain Tumour Research

'We have both supported each other to get to where we are today.

'We try to live with positivity, and we try to honour her mum every single day.

'I'd love for there to one day be a cure for all types of brain tumours so that no-one has to experience what we went through."

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said the family's story is 'a stark reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age'.

'Yet just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002,' he added.

'It's only by working together that we can change this.'
Buying pre-chopped fruit and vegetables at the supermarket could put you at risk of a potentially lethal infection, top food safety experts have warned.

Packets of diced mangoes, melon and pineapple are far more likely to be teeming with harmful bacteria like E.coli than whole fruits, according to US food chemist Dr Bryan Quoc.

This is because the protective skin has been cut, exposing the flesh, which is a hotbed for pathogens due to the moist, soft texture.

Meanwhile Professor Kali Kniel, a microbiologist at the University of Delaware, warned of the dangers of raw sprouts  tiny cress-like greens that are added to salads, soups and sandwiches.

Like pre-cut fresh fruit, these sprouts may harbour dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, listeria and salmonella.

Prof Kniel explained that the intricate growing process makes it difficult to 'adequately disinfected to kill all the salmonella that could be there.'

That's because the plant germinates in an environment that is ideal for bacteria to thrive.

'Sprouts are basically grown in the warmest, most moist humid, wet environment that you can imagine, and guess what bacteria love it,' explained one US food scientist in a video posted to her TikTok channel.

Dr Quoc also advised shoppers to steer clear of pre-cut fresh produce  especially those sliced in supermarkets  such as pre-cut melon over its vulnerability to bacteria

Unless you are blanching them or 'cooking them into submission' there is a food poisoning risk, she added.

One US study reported that the number of microorganisms on a sprouting seed can reach up to 1 billion within three days of the sprouting process.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that infects the gut of farm animals.

Symptoms of infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever.

But if you become seriously ill, you may need hospital care because the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening.

E.coli, meanwhile, usually causes a fever, sickness and diarrhoea. In the majority of cases, symptoms fade naturally within days.

However, for vulnerable populations, the infection can get into the blood and travel to the organs, causing catastrophic damage.

A handful of Brits die from complications of an E.coli infection every year.

Dr Bryan Quoc, a US food chemist and industry consultant advised shoppers to consider how the food they pick affects their body, warning three were 'not worth the risks'. First on his list was unpasteurised milk, also known as raw milk

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes.

It poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.

Dr Quoc also warned of the risks of drinking certain types of milk  specifically products that are unpasteurised, also known as raw milk.

The Washington state-based scientist told The Mirror: 'There are a lot of people who tout [raw] milk as having all these health benefits.

'But it's just not worth the risk because there are a lot of pathogenic organisms that are still alive in that milk, especially if it's coming straight from a processing facility.'

The majority of the milk we drink in the UK is pasteurised and heat-treated to kill off harmful bacteria.

Advocates claim raw milk, which is fresh from the cow and has not been pasteurised or heat treated, is high in important enzymes, vitamins and beneficial gut bacteria.

They even suggest it can reduce children's risk of suffering allergy-related conditions such as eczema and hay fever.

Professor Kali Kniel, a microbiologist at the University of Delaware, also warned of the dangers of raw sprouts, such as radishes, alfalfa, and clover

But removing the heat treatment, which is designed to kill dangerous bugs such as E.coli, campylobacter and listeria, means the milk is inherently risky, according the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

In the UK, food that's sold, sourced, distributed and stored must adhere to FSA regulations.

Under the government body's guidelines, Brits can buy raw milk in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but only directly from registered producers at the farm, farmers' markets, online or through milk delivery rounds.

It's illegal to sell raw milk anywhere else and is banned completely in Scotland.

In the US, around a dozen states including California and Texas allow the sale of raw milk in retail stores.

Food safety specialists have previously told MailOnline of tips to prevent bacterial infections when eating out.

According to Dr Darin Detwiler, a food safety expert at Northeastern University in Boston, diners should avoid buffet bars, oysters and fish on a Monday, when it's least likely to be fresh.
When Nancy Loera was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer, there was one devastating side effect she wasn't prepared for.

The 50-year-old from Texas who was very sociable and enjoyed meeting an array of people through her work as a Zumba and yoga instructor, suddenly found herself hit by crippling loneliness.

Ms Loera was the victim of cancer ghosting - when friends and loved ones cease all contact after someone receives a lifechanging diagnosis.

The loss of friends and some relatives was distressing, and completely unexplained.

After losing her long hair, Ms Loera says the isolation got worse as people she was previously close to were afraid to look at her, because she didn't look the same.

'My hair was 17 inches long, and all of a sudden I don't have hair,' Ms Loera explained.

Adding to her pain, both her parents died after she found out she had cancer, while her sister was also diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

Ms Loera, who is now eight months into remission, says the issue is that many people are 'so afraid to talk about cancer.'

When Nancy Loera was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer, there was one devastating side effect that she wasn't expecting: ghosting

Her experience of losing relatives during the most challenging time of her life is not an uncommon one.

In fact, one survey of cancer patients found 75 percent had seen their friends and relatives cut contact after revealing their diagnosis.

Karen Selby, a registered nurse at the Mesothelioma Center in Orlando, Florida, told DailyMail.com of a cancer patient she cared for who said that after his diagnosis 'all but one of his friends have stopped communicating with him altogether.'

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Luckily, Ms Loera found a source of support through the Cancer Support Community North Texas (CSCNT) group, which holds regular social events.

She attended a lunch gettogether and said it was so uplifting after spending months dining alone.

The Texan recalled: 'I remember one day I was feeling so down about everything going on and the CSCNT group had lunch with me.

'I received nothing but love. Everybody at CSCNT makes you feel like you are so important, and you dont have to go through this alone.'

The group's CEO, Michelle Louis, told NBC 5 that it is often difficult for loved ones of patients as they feel overwhelmed by the situation.

Offering some tips on how best to navigate the situation, she said: 'Here's how you can support your friend without it being overwhelming. Just be honest and just say, "You know, I'm afraid. I don't know what questions to ask."

Luckily, Ms Loera (pictured third from left) found a source of support through the Cancer Support Community North Texas group, which holds regular social events

'I think if you can talk about ever normalizing a conversation around cancer, I think maybe, that's what Cancer Support Community does.'

Often, when relatives or friends sever contact with a sick person, it has nothing to do with the sick person.

Instead, the 'ghosting' is borne out of fear of or trauma from similar previous experiences and may be a person's way of protecting themselves.

Another patient who goes unnamed described on Reddit the feeling of being ghosted after their cancer diagnosis as 'shocking and confusing' and 'just not something I could even imagine doing.'

They said: '[My close friend group] also collectively ignored my 30th birthday which was just a few months after my diagnosis... This for me nullifies the 'they didn't know what to say' excuse. It doesn't take much eloquence to text a friend 'happy birthday.''

They said that now, around three years after starting treatment, the abandonment still hurts and even angers them.

They added: 'I'm honestly not confident that me telling them now that ghosting me was superbly hurtful would generate any productive outcomes. But at the same time it feels wrong that they are taking absolutely zero accountability.'

Ms Selby was surprised to find out, after hearing about it for the first time from her current patient, how pervasive this problem is. She said that, since she works in the medical field, patients are more likely to talk to her about their physical problems than emotional ones.

She said: 'This is not just someone's imagination of feeling neglected. It is happening to patients across the nation during a time when they are frankly in real need of both physical and emotional support from their friends and family.'
Seven in ten British women will experience 'debilitating' period pain for almost four solid years of their life, according to researchers.

And an overwhelming 78 per cent of those will have been told by a medical professional that it is completely normal to have discomfort every month.

A study of 5,000 women found the average sufferer will have three days of pain a month, equivalent to 1,350 over 450 periods.

They will have visited a doctor at least twice, but 49 per cent were told the only option to calm symptoms was birth control.

One in ten (9 per cent) say their period pain is excruciating, while 24 per cent describe it as an intense, sharp, stabbing feeling.

And 47 per cent find their periods particularly debilitating  with 31 per cent calling them unmanageable and 48 per cent admitting they lack any energy.

The average woman will experience three days of period pain a month, a new study has found (file photo)

Research found that 37 per cent of those who suffered pain have been forced to spend hours in bed, while 34 per cent couldn't even leave the sofa (file photo)

Ashley Florestal, for period pain supplement firm monthlies, which commissioned the study via OnePoll, said: 'Severe period pain is not normal, and women shouldn't be left to navigate their pain alone without support, investigation or solutions.

'What they experience may be common, but that doesn't mean they have to accept it as their only option.'

The study found of those who have ever suffered period pain, 37 per cent have been forced to spend hours in bed, while 34 per cent couldn't even leave the sofa.

Just under a third (32 per cent) have cancelled social plans, 28 per cent have avoided exercise and a fifth (19 per cent) have booked time off work.

A quarter admit their monthly cycle has also led to a lack of confidence (26 per cent) and feeling less able to concentrate in meetings (23 per cent).

Meanwhile, an aversion to physical contact is a symptom for 21 per cent  with one in ten admitting that their period pain has led to an unsatisfactory sex life.

But just 17 per cent know exactly what period pain is  cramps due to tightening of the womb's wall. And 73 per cent don't fully understand their cycle.

Geneva Sade, nutritionist for monthlies, added: 'Period pain should never feel like a life sentence.'
Disgraced hip hop mogul Diddy shocked a New York City court room on Friday with his stark white hair and beard, displayed to the public only in a sketch.

The court room sketch set the internet ablaze, with some speculating that the stress of his ongoing legal saga, potentially anywhere from 15 years to life in prison, and the undivided attention of the world has turned his hair white.

Diddy is due to go on trial on May 5 and until then he is being held at the grim Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

They may not be far off, according to mental health experts. Colleen Marshall, a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, told DailyMail.com that prolonged stress can definitely impact your hair.

His hair turning white can be directly related to stress, she added.

Stress triggers the release of norepinephrine, a chemical that plays a key role in the bodys fight-or-flight response.

When under stress for prolonged periods of time, such as six months, the body is continuously exposed to high leves of norepinephrine, cortisol, and other stress hormones, which can lead to long-term changes in hair pigmentation as well as a whole host of other health markers.

But recent research has found that graying can begin at the cellular level within a week. Over the course of just five days, the fur on the backs of mice exposed to extreme stress turned gray. For human hair, the graying process could take a couple of months, but the underlying mechanisms may be similar.

Diddy shocked a New York courtroom after dramatically changing his appearance with his new white hair and white beard as he denied an updated set of allegations against him

The fur on the backs of mice turned grayish-white after they were kept in isolation for five days. The emotional stress caused pigment-producing stem cells to die

Extreme stress can manifest noticeably all over the body: eczema or psoriasis flare-ups, puffy eyes, brittle nails, and graying hair.

To better understand how stress affects changes in hair pigmentation, Harvard University researchers isolated mice for five days, inflicting significant emotional distress.

Over the course of five days, stress triggered a depletion of melanocyte stem cells, which produce pigment in hair. When those stem cells died out, they could not be regenerated, causing all of the mices fur to turn gray or fully white.

Chronic stress can lead to the loss of melanocyte stem cells in humans, too, resulting in graying or white hair.

The process in humans generally occurs over a longer period of time.

Mice hair cycles are much shorter than in humans  around two to three weeks.

They experience rapid hair growth and shedding, so changes in their fur pigmentation, such as turning gray, can happen within just a few days.

Human hair cycles are much longer. The growth phase lasts about two to three years followed by six months in a resting phase, which means that changes in hair color, such as graying, take much longer to become visible.

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Stress may not cause an immediate change in hair color like it does in mice, but it could lead to gradual changes over the course of months or even years, depending on how intense and prolonged the stress is. Rapid greying could occur when hair naturally sheds and regrows.

The effect that stress levels has on hair also varies from person to person, depending on a range of factors including genetics, age, and the persons overall health.
CALL ME ISHMAELLE by Xiaolu Guo (Chatto 18.99, 448 pp)

Call Me Ishmaelle is available now from the Mail Bookshop

The hot genre right now is the reboot: from Percival Everetts James (his take on Huckleberry Finn) to Barbara Kingsolvers Demon Copperhead (an update of David Copperfield), were awash with classic retellings, often addressing blind spots of race and gender.

Chinese-British author Guo follows suit in this beguiling remix of Moby-Dick, Herman Melvilles 19th-century whaling epic  this time narrated not by the original novels Ishmael, but Ishmaelle, an orphaned Kentish girl who runs away in disguise as a boy for a life at sea during the US Civil War.

Amid a welter of incident, the storys jeopardy and heart-wrenching hardship mingle with a sense of glee as Guo challenges Melvilles assumptions, as well as our own, by giving Ishmaelle a cosmopolitan cast of colleagues on deck. If youve not read the original, fear not  this rollicking escapade stands alone.

TILT by Emma Pattee (Borough 16.99, 240 pp)

Tilt is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Blame Cormac McCarthys 2006 hit The Road for another trend that shows no sign of drying up: novels that splice the tumult of parenthood with the kind of apocalyptic disaster found in science fiction (think Diane Cooks The New Wilderness or Paul Lynchs Prophet Song).

Set over one day in Portland, Oregon, it kicks off when an earthquake hits just as the narrator is in IKEA to buy a cot for her unborn baby.

As she seeks shelter from the chaos, the novel unspools as a frantic mix of high-octane escape narrative and downtempo reflection on how pregnancy altered her relationship with her husband, now missing in the wreckage.

Its a killer set-up. But while theres no shortage of drama, much of it runs on familiar lines  which I didnt mind, until the cop-out ending.

THE ASSAULT by Harry Mulisch (Serpents Tail 10.99, 208 pp)

The Assault is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Mulisch, who died in 2010, was a titan of Dutch literature, admired by JM Coetzee and John Updike. Here, in a fresh printing, is his best-known novel, The Assault, a knotty tale of post-war guilt, first published in 1982.

Opening in German-occupied Holland, it turns on the killing of a Nazi collaborator outside the home of the books young protagonist, Anton, whose family are swiftly murdered in reprisals.

The rest of the story navigates the aftershocks of that startling violence, following Anton down the decades into middle age as he encounters various people connected to the bloodshed.

Their crisp exchanges are at the heart of a philosophical thriller, with new light continually cast on the pivotal trauma until the very last pages.

Its a brilliant, bracing novel that, for good and ill, seems unlikely to lose relevance any time soon.
There Came A-Tapping by Andrea Carter (Constable 22, 336pp)

There Came A-Tapping is available now from the Mail Bookshop

documentary producer Rory disappears en route back to the Dublin flat he shares with his partner Allie after filming in Galway.

His two colleagues are back safely.

So begins this beautifully written thriller that turns increasingly menacing when  with Rory officially a missing person  Allie leaves Dublin for the isolated Raven Cottage they had planned to move to in the eerie Slieve Bloom Mountains.

There she finds herself in a home that the locals insist is haunted.

This dark tale never loses its grip  part mystery, part ghost story  with the terrified Allie at its heart. Best not to read it at night.

A missing partner and a haunted house

Retreat by Krysten Ritter with Lindsay Jamieson (Sphere 22, 272pp)

Retreat is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Liz is a con artist, an expert at assuming peoples identities and extorting money.

Shes young, sexy and free of inhibitions, but her past crimes are starting to catch up with her in Chicago.

So when the chance to escape to a socialites villa on the Mexican coast presents itself, Liz jumps at it  only to find herself impersonating the real owner, who is holidaying in Bali.

But then the owner is found dead.

Written with enormous verve by actress and director Krysten Ritter, this effervescent story featuring the resourceful  if amoral  Liz glitters like the diamond on her finger.

The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey (HQ 9.99, 304pp)

The Crime Writer is available now from the Mail Bookshop

five years ago on a late November evening Leona Walsh, the 34-year-old wife of crime author Matthew, goes out for a run with their dog on the edge of Exmoor and never returns.

A distraught Matthew calls the police and a manhunt is launched, but Leona is never found.

Inevitably, the shadow of suspicion falls on Matthew. Has he planned the perfect crime  one he described in one of his own novels?

When remains are found at a house that belonged to Matthews mother, reporter Gabriella Conti investigates.

But is she getting too close to a monster? This is compelling storytelling.
Stories of Ireland By Brian Friel (Penguin 12.99, 192pp)

Stories of Ireland is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Best known as the author of the moving, melancholy play Dancing At Lughnasa, Brian Friels funny, heartbreaking stories are equally wondrous. Set in a vanished Ireland, the landscape here is beautiful.

It is peopled by woebegone men nursing whiskey and bitter regrets, alongside mothers, wives and aunts who attempt to keep everyones spirits up with scant resources.

Friel has the canny knack of conveying the look of a character in quick, vivid strokes, and just as efficiently captures their inner worlds  from the lively grandmother in the sublime Mr Sing My Hearts Delight, to the mortification of Nelly Doherty when a bitter truth is revealed about her husband and his death in the bog-black water of Lough Keeragh in The Diviner.

Show Dont Tell By Curtis Sittenfeld (Doubleday 16.99, 320pp)

Show Don't Tell is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Reading Curtis Sittenfeld is like eavesdropping on a conversation between long-standing friends.

The chatty tone may be breezy but whats being discussed is often painful, dark and difficult.

Its clear that Sittenfeld cares about their fates  but theres biting honesty here, too, a willingness to show their failures and foibles.

In White Women LOL, a socially inept woman goes viral for all the wrong reasons, earning the moniker of Vodka Vicky and an accusation of racism.

Elsewhere a woman dispenses reassuring sex tips to her less experienced friend while considering the breakdown of her own marriage (The Patron Saints of Middle Age).

A Beautiful Lack of Consequence By Monika Radojevic (Merky Books 16.99, 288pp)

A Beautiful Lack of Consequence is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Fuelled by rage, these fiery, staunchly women-centred stories are frighteningly real, but given a surreal slant that makes them all the more memorable.

The 30 tales range from short feminist takes on the likes of Snow White, Medusa and Eve, whose bitingly funny voices offer a different perspective on their fables, to flash fiction palate cleansers which suggest a more optimistic alternative.

The longer stories often play out as revenge fantasies. Young girls run amok in F*** Your Lexicon, inspired by a banned dictionary which gives new meanings to everyday words.

Older women embrace bad behaviour as they become increasingly invisible in society (Harmless, But Profoundly Irritating), while a girlfriend considers some very drastic action in the domestic drama of Weaponised Incompetence.
ABC News has granted a veteran a massive promotion that has left staffers fuming after recent layoffs 'gutted' their newsrooms.

The network named Audrey Taylor to vice president of talent strategy and development on Monday.

Taylor, who has been with the company for 35 years, previously served as director of bureau planning and strategy in Washington, DC.

She will relocate to the network's New York City office, where hundreds of staffers were laid off last week.

ABC News boss Almin Karamehmedovic commended Taylor's lengthy career with the network, but outraged staffers told Page Six her promotion has left them reeling.

'No one knows who she is! She doesn't know the talent. The hire was shocking to everyone,' one worker told the outlet.

Critics say Taylor will have a difficult learning curve moving to the Big Apple offices, where staffers are recovering from another painful round of layoffs.

'She doesn't know the talent and she's running talent?' one ABC News insider said, pointing out, 'their agents don't know her either!'

ABC News veteran Audrey Taylor (pictured) was promoted to vice president of talent strategy and development on Monday

Critics say Taylor will have a difficult learning curve moving to the Big Apple offices (pictured), where staffers are recovering from another painful round of layoffs

Karamehmedovic praised Taylor for her 'extensive history working closely with and nurturing talent in our Washington, DC, bureau,' when he announced her promotion.

'She has long demonstrated the highest level of dedication and commitment to ABC News' journalistic integrity. That winning combination, along with her keen intuition for spotting and developing the best new talent, makes her the perfect person to fulfill this role,' he said.

Taylor's new position has been vacant since 2023 when the network laid off several executives.

'It's crazy it took them two years and this is the only person they could find,' the insider said. 'All they do is twiddle their thumbs.'

At least 200 staffers across ABC News and other Disney-owned divisions received pink slips on March 5, with GMA3 said to be 'entirely gutted' by the consolidation of the Good Morning America teams.

Tears flowed though ABC's Manhattan offices as panicked staffers made frantic phone calls figuring out who was next on the chopping block, according to Status's Oliver Darcy.

Karamehmedovic conceded it will 'undoubtedly be difficult for our organization' as he delivered the news.

The show has been subject to a series of name changes, formats, hosts and a major scandal - one that saw co-anchors Robach and Holmes benched and then ousted, after DailyMail.com exposed their affair with photographs in late 2022.

ABC News boss Almin Karamehmedovic (pictured) commended Taylor's lengthy career with the network

About 200 staffers across ABC News and other Disney-owned divisions received pink slips on March 5

At the time, Robach was married to actor Andrew Shue, while Holmes was married to attorney Marilee Fiebig.

Today, the show is hosted by Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan - two of the three stars installed to replace Robach and Holmes.

Neither Pilgrim nor Morgan were affected by the cuts announced Wednesday, the majority which will go into effect on May 10.

New York-based employees - who recently relocated from ABC's longtime studio on the Upper West Side to Disney's new digs downtown - represented the 'vast majority' of staffers affected, people familiar with the matter further told Darcy.

Staffers will be provided a severance package that includes normal pay for 60 days as well as an additional week per year served.

Sources told Darcy how there's been 'some frustration' with those packages, due to staffers being given 'two weeks per year served' in previous firings.
Weary MSNBC star Lawrence O'Donnell has slammed Donald Trump and announced he is taking a week-long break from reporting on his presidency.

O'Donnell told his colleague Rachel Maddow that he will be off work next week because reporting on the Trump administration has taken an enormous toll on him.

'I'm exhausted at day 52,' he conceded.

'This is day 52. I thought it was day 92. It turns out it's day 52, Rachel... and so I'm going to take next week off.'

O'Donnell said he was giving Maddow a heads up about his scheduled leave because he knew she wouldn't like it if he just 'drifted away' without an explanation.

'Then I'm going to come back and go with you all the way to the 100 days,' he promised.

Maddow said she understood O'Donnell's exhaustion, saying: 'You have to take care of yourself. You got to pace yourself.

'You got to be in this for the long haul, so I can't hold it against you. But I'm very sad.'

O'Donnell told his colleague Rachel Maddow that he will be off work next week because of the toll reporting on the Trump administration has taken on him

O'Donnell had to offer one final parting shot at Trump before his break, accusing him of having a brain that 'does not work'

O'Donnell had to offer one final parting shot at Trump before his break, accusing him of having a brain that 'does not work.'

'Donald Trump's brain is broken, badly damaged, as he exhibits every day,' he said.

'Once again today Donald Trump said something that would have gotten any other president rushed to the hospital for a neurological examination and an evaluation for dementia, for starters. That's where they would have begun. It was a vile, anti-Semitic outburst.'

He was referring to Trump's comments about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Trump said Schumer 'used to be Jewish' and called him a 'Palestinian' - in an apparent reference to Schumer's vocal criticism of his ally Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

He has made the comment previously, including during the campaign, and has called him a 'proud member of Hamas.'

Schumer is Jewish and is not of Palestinian descent.

O'Donnell's excuse for his break sparked swift backlash on X, with critics pointing out that it's a 'privilege' to be able to take a break.

Maddow pouted at O'Donnell's announcement but said he had to 'take care of himself'

'This guy is the face of privilege,' one critic said. 'He can take a week off because politics make him sadface.

'Meanwhile, millions of Americans work despite sickness, hunger, poverty, and many other real stressors because they need to feed their families. This guy is just an overpaid entertainer.'

Others theorized that he's either quit or been fired from the network, but is hoping to save face by slowly 'drifting away.'

'He's gone. Gonna have an announcement later, something like, 'I'm happier being out of it,' or, 'have to work on myself/health,' or 'spend more time with family''.'

Another X user agreed, asking: 'Is this a backdoor exit for him after being told that they no longer need his services?'

O'Donnell was a proud advocate of former president Joe Biden, and was one of the final journalists to interview the then-president.

'You combined domestic policy and foreign policy in a way that I've never heard another president do,' O'Donnell told Biden.

He said Biden had the 'largest list of domestic achievements' he could think of.

O'Donnell was a proud advocate of former president Joe Biden, and was one of the final journalists to interview the then-president

O'Donnell's announcement comes as Maddow's show suffers a ratings slump, dropping from 2.3 million viewers to 1.8 million since Trump won the election.

Maddow signed a $25million contract with the network which would see her host just one show per week.

But following Trump's return to the White House, she agreed to cover the first 100 days of his presidency.

She will return to her one on-air shift a week in April.
Returning to your car to find a yellow parking ticket attached to the window is a moment of dread.

But just because you've been issued a dreaded yellow PCN doesn't mean you've been 'fined'.

That's because there's a major difference between receiving a penalty charge notice and being presented with a parking charge notice.

So what's is this difference between these two types of parking tickets?

And equally importantly, if you believe you've been given an unfair parking ticket, how do you go about challenging it?

Here's our guide to parking tickets and appeals.

While many people think PCNs are always penalty charge notices, they can also be parking charge notices - these are issued by private companies and are not fines

What is a parking ticket and who can issue them?

A parking ticket is a notice presented to drivers who have breached parking regulations.

These parking tickets can be issued by councils' civil and parking enforcement officers, or by private car park operators and attendants.

What types of parking tickets exist?

Penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued by councils and local authorities. These are legal fines.

These can also be issued for other driving violations such as yellow box misuse or driving in a bus lane when prohibited.

Parking charge notices are issued by private companies. While they are demands for money, they are not fines.

How can I tell the difference between a penalty charge notice and a parking charge notice?

Both types of ticket are yellow stickers with black lettering.

Because they look very similar, you must make sure to check the wording carefully where it is stipulated as to whether it is a penalty charge notice or a parking charge notice.

Quite often in private car parks, they use ANPR cameras - and as such, there is no yellow sticker. The private firms use your registration plate and pay the DVLA 2.50 to access the keeper details.

It means the first you often know about it is when you receive a parking charge notice through the post, with 'proof' of your offence.

While both a penalty charge notice and parking charge notice will look very similar, it's very important to check the wording

What happens if you get a penalty charge notice?

If you're give a council issued PCN then you have 28 days to pay it. The amount will be reduced by 50 per cent if you pay within 14 days.

You can challenge it, but if unsuccessful you'll need to pay up because they're backed by law and you could end up in criminal court.

Overstaying a supermarket maximum stay window could land you with a parking charge notice - of up to 100

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What happens if I get a parking charge notice? What are they usually issued for?

Parking charge notices are generally issued by the parking operators because the driver has - allegedly - breached a contractual term for using the car park, resulting in a 100 charge.

An example would be for staying for three hours in a supermarket car park when the maximum stay is two hours.

The private company doesn't have the power to fine you and often the parking tickets are outsourced to third parties.

While this often makes challenging them harder, it does mean that the company has no legal right to demand payment from you.

However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't pay up if the ticket is justified because the issuer can take you to court if they decide to apply for a County Court Judgement.

What should I do if I receive a penalty charge notice? How can I challenge it? Who do I complain to?

Challenging this kind of PCN is generally a lot easier because the local authority will make it more transparent.

The PCN issued will give you information on how to appeal 'informally' on the back of the PCN, as well as the discount information if you pay within the first 14 days.

For more details on what informal appeals might be successful check the RAC's guide.

The next stage of appeal requires you to be the registered owner/keeper of the vehicle and you will need to await the Notice to Owner (NTO).

Information on this will be found on the NTO and also on your local council's website.

Always remember to take photo evidence if you wish to appeal. This could be machines that are out of use, weather conditions or even your car that's broken down

What should I do if I receive a parking charge notice? How can I challenge it? Who do I complain to?

Check that the parking charge notice is from a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) or IPC Approved Operator Scheme (AOS).

On the rare occasion the operator isn't they can't keep your data.

If you think it's unfair then take any relevant evidence. For instance, if a machine isn't working, take a photo of this.

It's the same if bay lines are unclear or if your car has broken down so you overstay your time slot.

The RAC suggests that if you're in a private car park with an actual human then first show them the evidence because they might be able to cancel the charge for you there and then.

After that, try ringing or emailing the property agent to complain.

There are extensive guides online as to how to appeal a ticket, but it's helpful to remember that parking is a hot topic with Members of Parliament because of imminent statutory regulation coming in, so your local MP might be surprisingly helpful.

Scott Dixon, also known as the Complaints Resolver, specialises in appealing parking charges.

He says you should always check the dates on a parking charge notice as many are issued more than 14 calendar days after the parking event and are therefore in breach of Schedule 4 of The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, meaning there is no keeper liability and you are only invited to disclose who the driver is.

Private parking operators knowingly omit any reference to this legislation when parking charge notices are issued late to trick the keeper into paying an invoice for an alleged breach of contract they are not liable for.

'I reviewed Rosey Hudson's high-profile court paperwork before her case was dropped and found the one and only parking charge notice she paid was issued more than 14 calendar days after the parking event with no reference to Schedule 4 of The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

'She put that to Excel and they donated 60 paid to a cancer charity of her choice.'

You can appeal a charge using the independent Popla appeals process - recent data suggests roughly half of appeals are successful.

What happens if I ignore a penalty charge notice?

Because this is a legitimate fine, it can be registered as a County Court debt if not paid within 28 days.

What happens if I ignore a parking charge notice?

Some operators may request that debt collection firms try to seize your property and can take the case to a county court.

The RAC warns that drivers credit rating will be affected if they fail to defend a claim and receive a judgment they do not pay.

Scott Dixon says that if a parking charge notice has been issued later than the 14-day allowance, you still cannot ignore it. However, you can appeal as keeper with the following wording:

Date:

Reference: PCN xxx

Dear Sir / Madam,

Many thanks for your recent correspondence.

Since your Notice to Keeper did not arrive until (x) days after the parking incident, it does not therefore comply with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA 2012) and as such there is no keepers liability.

I am sure you are aware with ANPR camera systems the Notice to Keeper (NTK) has to be received within 14 days.

You may not assume that I, the keeper, was the driver on the day.

There is no need to place this PCN on hold as I am not obliged to name the driver and will not do so.

You can issue a code for accessing a suitable appeal process if you choose to persist in this manner. This will be utilised in full.

Please forward an appeal code or cancel the invoice if you wish.

Yours faithfully,

Name

Registered Keeper

Scott adds that if a claim against you does go to hearing, make sure you question their representatives 'right of audience'.

He explained: 'Private parking companies often do not use solicitors or barristers to represent them, and instead send a legal advocate from a third party firm.

'Since they are not qualified solicitors or barristers, then they may not have right of audience.

'This means that the case could get struck out before even arguing it.'
A Kent motorist realised her car registration plate was cloned after her insurance company said shed been in an accident 280 miles away, in a case highlighting the increasing menace of car cloning.

Shelli Birkett, of Herne Bay, fell victim to number plate fraud  when plates are copied or stolen  when she was accused of being involved in a crash in Liverpool, despite actually being in her home town at the time.

Ms Birkett told the BBC shed never been to Liverpool in my life and that shed had to fight to prove she hadnt been in the city at the time.

The 'scary' turn of events left Ms Birkett having to prove she was in Herne Bay the day it happened, until eventually her case was closed.

This is Money readers have also been targeted by fraudsters after the alarming rise in plate cloning. In a recent case we investigated a cloning victim paid 708 to a debt collection agency off the back of a huge pile of fraudulent ULEZ penalties.

A Freedom of Information request by CarWow found that number plate cloning rose 26 per cent last year resulting in car owners receiving nearly 10,000 unexpected notifications.

Shelli Birkett from Herne Bay had her plate cloned and had to prove she wasn't involved in an accident 280 miles away in Liverpool

Ms Birketts not the only person this has happened to in her area, with Kent Police saying reports of number plate cloning have been going up in recent years.

Birkett told the BBC she was 'minding her own business at home' at the time of the incident in Liverpool: 'I said it wasn't me but they asked me to prove my whereabouts and to send photos of the condition of my car, and they continued to investigate.

'Then I remembered I could use my Google locations and luckily on that day I was in Herne Bay and I posted some videos on my business page on social media, proving I was at work that day.'

Not only had her number plate been cloned, but Birkett reported the scammers had even gone so far as to put it 'on the same make car'.

She told BBC South East she also received letters from the insurance company's lawyers asking for settlement money when the case had closed.

Figures obtained by the BBC show reports of number plate thefts in Kent up 37 per cent over four years. There were 1,120 cases reported in 2024 compared with 815 in 2020, according to a Freedom of Information request.

Ch Supt Rob Marsh from Kent Police told the BBC: 'If someone wakes up in the morning, and their number plate is missing, they know they've been a victim of crime.

'If the number plate has, unbeknown to the victim been cloned, we've got to wait for it to trigger an ANPR camera linked to another incident and then it would come to our attention and we would then start our investigation.'

Fraudsters are using cloned plates to escape fines, having no tax or insurance, driving stolen vehicles or engaging in criminal activity

What is plate cloning?

Cloning is when someone uses the number plate that's registered to your car to avoid fines, road tax, insurance or engage in unlawful activity.

Fraudsters copy legitimate registration plates and create fake identities for similar cars - usually the same colour - that may have been stolen or are being used for criminal activity.

The criminals can then use the fake plates to avoid paying costs including car park fees, congestion charges and speeding penalties.

In the case of Ms Birkett criminals can even get away with causing accidents.

One This is Money reader paid 708 to a debt collection company after his plate was cloned and a fraudster racked up a massive amount of London ULEZ penalty charges, despite the car being sold and the driver never even going to London in that car.

After This is Money stepped in, a TfL investigation was satisfied that the vehicle was cloned and have cancelled the PCNs and issued a full refund to the reader.

 Slide me  Similarity: Criminals look for similar car models in order to get away with parking charges, speeding tickets and ULEZ penalties

The rise of plate cloning in recent years and why?

As well as the 26 per cent increase in number plate cloning in 2023 , Carwow's FOI also revealed a 689 per cent increase since 2013.

In 2013 a total of 1,248 people contacted the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about correspondence, fines or penalties for their vehicles they did not accept responsibility for and was due to cloning. By 2022, that number had jumped to 7,837 cases.

One year later it had increased by over a quarter again to 9,850 cases - a near 700 per cent increase in 10 years, although the DVLA did point out that a proportion of potential cases of number plate cloning could be due to human error.

Ch Supt Rob Marsh from Kent Police told the BBC: 'In relation to number plate thefts, people are clearly using them to commit other crimes such as whether it's to avoid congestion charging, other road toll fees, whether it's to do with making off without paying for fuel.

'With the increases in the cost of living that can sometimes be a reason for people to engage in criminality of this type.'

Motorists warned to be cautious about sharing photos of their number plate on social media and online advertisements
EXCLUSIVE

An Indigenous man who identifies as a plumber has been found guilty of ripping off customers while working in the building industry without ever holding the necessary licence.

Fake tradie Duanne Hevers has repeatedly failed to face court to answer a swathe of criminal charges, and on Thursday a fed-up magistrate issued an arrest warrant.

Hevers, from Sydney's western suburbs, was named the Master Plumbers Association of NSW's Indigenous Apprentice of the Year in 2018.

Five years later, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann warned consumers: 'Do not deal with Duanne Hevers.'

Ms Mann revealed in March 2023 that Hevers had been trading without a licence under the business name Fairwater Plumbing.

'Mr Hevers does not and has not ever held a NSW contractor licence,' she said.

'Based on complaints received from consumers, NSW Fair Trading is concerned that Mr Hevers may be seeking to trade without a licence.

'Consumers have complained that Mr Hevers seeks residential building work for which a licence is required and makes false and misleading statements to obtain money from them.'

An Indigenous man who identifies as a plumber has been found guilty of ripping off customers while fraudulently operating as a tradie without ever having held the necessary licence. Duanne Hevers (above) was found guilty of 24 criminal charges on Thursday

Duanne Hevers was presented with a certificate and Makita cordless drill when he was named the Master Plumbers Association of NSW's Indigenous Apprentice of the Year in 2018

In NSW, a licence is required for all specialist work such as electrical, plumbing and air conditioning regardless of the cost of the job.

Furthermore, a licence is required for all other residential work valued at more than $5,000.

Hevers was subsequently charged with 25 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, after clients and former bosses went to police.

He was accused of operating without a licence, practising deception by pretending to be employed, and ordering materials using a business account that belonged to a former employer.

He was also accused of failing to complete agreed-upon repairs and providing false and misleading bank details not authorised to by his employer.

The 25-year-old pleaded not guilty to 21 of the charges in July last year but since then has routinely failed to show up for scheduled court appearances.

Hevers was supposed to face a hearing at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday, defending two charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Instead, he emailed the court saying he was unable to be present due to pain which required scans and sought an adjournment.

Hevers has repeatedly not turned up to court to answer a swathe of criminal charges and on Thursday a fed-up magistrate issued a warrant for his immediate arrest

That request was denied and the two fraud charges were joined with 22 others listed in the same court the next day - one for mention and 21 for sentence.

Thursday was a big day for Hevers, with appointments at both Parramatta and Hornsby Local Courts.

First, he was due to appear at Hornsby at 9am on one charge of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one of destroying or damaging property.

The Hornsby matters were adjourned until April 17 after Hevers provided a medical certificate to explain his no-show at court.

Hevers was supposed to make his way across town to Parramatta by 9.30am but dodged that appearance and this time was not given the benefit of the doubt.

Having been told the previous day he would need a medical certificate to explain why he could not meet his commitments, Hevers again came up short.

At 9.43am Hevers sent an email which provided only a recitation of what he had told a doctor about his medical history. That document did not state he was unfit to attend and was not addressed to the court.

At 9.55am Hevers sent another email saying he was going to hospital get scans and requesting another adjournment.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann warned consumers in March 2023: 'Do not deal with Duanne Hevers.' Hevers is pictured on holiday in the Whitsunday Islands

That was enough mucking around for magistrate Kate Thompson, who found Hevers guilty of 24 charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and issued an arrest warrant.

The Hills police area command later posted a wanted notice for Hevers on its Facebook page with a mugshot and brief description of his crimes.

The post stated Hevers was known to frequent the Westmead, Northmead and Parramatta areas of western Sydney and called on anyone who saw the fugitive to call Crime Stoppers.

Some of Hevers's victims told Fair Trading the fake plumber chased residential building work which required a licence and then made 'false and misleading statements to obtain money from them'.

Text messages obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Hevers hassling a former client for money over a period of several months.

'I've asked you multiple times to get my personal belongings and to finalise my pay... If it's not sorted out by 8pm I'll be taking further action,' one text read.

'Hi mate usually I wouldn't do this and I do apologise for any inconienience but for monday I have to order in some gear for the concrete slabs and stuff is there any chance you can please pay/ transfer $950 asap so I can continue the work,' he wrote in another.

A message to the same customer requested funds for a purported order of tanks and pumps.

Text messages obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Hevers (above) hassling a former client for money over a period of several months

'Will have to get you to make a bank transfer deposit of $980 if possible asap just to cover the material cost would be much appreciated thanks a lot and we will see you tomorrow,' Hevers wrote.

Hevers's former bosses made a raft of allegations against him, with some claiming they and their customers were tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Daily Mail Australia previously approached Hevers for comment with detailed questions, but did not receive a response.
He's the only US federal agent to have survived a targeted attack from a Mexican cartel - and he could be Donald Trump's next director of ICE.

ICE special agent Victor Avila, Jr., was ambushed by Los Zetas cartel members in February 2011 on Highway 57 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, while he was driving with fellow ICE Special Agent Jamie Zapata .

Men armed with AK-47s and handguns surrounded the pairs vehicle and started shouting orders.

In a chilling call made to the US embassy in Mexico, Avila is heard pleading for help after the gangsters opened fire and tried to hijack them.

'We've been shot and attacked on the highway! I am an ICE special agent,' Avila can be heard shouting into the phone as Zapata clung to life in a bullet riddled SUV.

Avila survived despite his serious injuries, but Zapata didn't make it.

In 1985, DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, the only other agent to be targeted by Mexican mafia, died after he was kidnapped and tortured by the Guadalajara Cartel.

Avila is now being considered to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency in charge of carrying out President Donald Trump plans for the largest mass deportations in US history.

ICE is currently without a director, after Trump reassigned acting director Caleb Vitello over frustrations that not enough illegal immigrants were being rounded up.

Multiple candidates have applied for the top job at ICE, including Avila, several federal law enforcement sources confirmed to DailyMail.com.

The department has yet to confirm if Avila is being considered for the position.

While Avila wouldn't talk about a possible future role with the agency, the El Paso, Texas native did share his survival story after being attacked by the infamous cartel Los Zetas.

Mexican federal police and army soldiers guard a U.S. Embassy vehicle after it came under attack by Los Zeta cartel gunmen on Highway 57 between Mexico City and Monterrey on Tuesday Feb. 15, 2011

Former ICE Special Agent Victor Avila was flown to a hospital in Houston to recover from the 2011 cartel attack on him and another ICE agent, Jaime Zapata who tragically died during the ambush in Mexico

Avila became a federal agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2004 and rose through the ranks, eventually getting assigned to work at the ICE office in Mexico City-- the busiest in the agency.

On Feb. 14, 2011, he was ordered to go to Monterrey with another agent to pick up equipment from a different ICE office in Northern Mexico.

'At that time, we were prohibited from driving on that road,' Avila explained about Highway 57.

'The US ambassador had sent out an alert saying you can't go on there because of the violence from Los Zetas. They control that whole area.'

Once the most feared cartel in Mexico, Los Zetas raised the level of violence and bloodshed in Mexico.

Zetas had been members of an elite Mexican military unit that had trained with US forces and turned bad.

The dangerous deserters were originally hired by the Gulf Cartel to be their hitmen, but eventually, Los Zetas formed their own criminal organization-- shattering norms long held by cartels with brutal violence.

'Probably the most violent cartel. They're the ones that started beheading people and skinning people alive to intimidate the other cartels, but then the other cartels started retaliating by doing the same thing. Now you have this out-of-control violence,' Avila added.

(Left) ICE Special Agent Victor Avila and (right) ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata were ambushed by members of Los Zetas cartel in Mexico in 2011. Zapata did not survive the attack and Avila was shot three times

Victor Avila (right) making an arrest during his career as an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

While assigned to Mexico City for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Avila wrote government reports detailing the state of Mexico's border with Guatemala

Avila worked as as special agent in Mexico for several years

Despite safety concerns, Avila and the other agent, ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata, met the next day and headed to Monterrey in an armored, black Chevy Suburban with license plates that designated them as US diplomats for their own protection.

US law enforcement operating in Mexico do not openly disclose they are cops, as that could make them a target.

Instead they carry US government IDs that list a nondescript job title.

Even for the ruthless Mexican cartels, US government workers have always been untouchable, fearing that any violence against American officials would lead to unleashing the wrath from Washington, D.C.

After picking up the equipment, the pair started to head back to the Mexican capital when they were forced off the road by two SUVs with Zeta cartel members.

'There were about eight gunmen with AK-47s, one guy with a hand gun just ordering us out,' he described.

The two ICE agents disclosed that they were US diplomats, but still the ambushers tried to force them out by opening their doors and pushing guns into the passenger window of the Suburban where Avila was sitting.

'They didn't care. There was a false sense of protection from all the US federal agencies that Mexico and the cartel didn't want the wrath of the US. Los Zetas didn't give a crap. They knew that we were Americans and they didn't care,' Avila said.

After being ambushed by members of Los Zetas cartel, the armored SUV the US agents were riding in was damaged from taking in gunfire from AK-47s

Mexican federal police guard a U.S. Embassy vehicle after it came under fire by cartel gunmen on Highway 57 between Mexico City and Monterrey in 2011

Even though they were injured, the agents desperately tried to get away from the cartel members, crashing the SUV in the median of Highway 57

'Before we knew it, they introduced an AK-47 and a handgun right by my head. They just opened fire into the cabin, striking Agent Zapata multiple times. I got hit three times.'

The agents desperately tried to save themselves, with the wounded and dying Zapata in the driver's seat.

'We tried to get out of there. Jaime, I pushed his foot on the gas. I pushed his knee. The Suburban went from the far right shoulder, crossed the highway into the median and it was disabled there at that point.'

But still the onslaught continued, with cartel members firing over 120 rounds the SUV- equipped with bullet-proof glass and reinforced body plating.

The wounded agent watched as the cartel members left but then returned.

'Two of the shooters got out and got in front of the Suburban and right in front of me, looking at me. They opened fire with AK-47s and were trying to penetrate the bullet-proof glass and it almost gave way. They ran back into their SUV and left, and I think they thought they left me for dead,' Avila stated.

Avila then placed a harrowing call for help to the US embassy in Mexico.

In 2024, Avila ran for Congress as a Republican and is a supporter of President Donald Trump

Avila tweeted his thanks to Trump's border czar Tom Homan who campaigned for Avila in 2024 during his failed Congressional run in Texas

Victor Avila is retired from ICE currently and lives in the Dallas area

It took 40 minutes for help to arrive, all while Avila tried to keep Zapata alive and remain alert in case the cartel members returned.

Avila was airlifted out of Mexico to a hospital in Houston, Texas where he was treated for gunshot wounds in his chest and once in each leg.

In 2017, two Los Zeta hitmen were found guilty in US federal court for killing Zapata and wounding Avila. Five other cartel members also pleaded guilty.

After years of recovering, Avila came back with a vengeance, running for the US House of Representatives in Texas last year.

While his congressional bid failed, he remains active in politics and is a frequent guest of President Donald Trump at Mar-a-logo.

He considers Trump's border czar Tom Homan a good friend, with Homan campaigning for Avila.

'I'm here by the grace of God,' he shared. 'No one's gone through what I've gone through. I think it gives me an tremendous amount of advantage and respect for what our agents do. I know, first-hand the dangers and threat that we face from the cartels.'
En espanol

As Daddy Yankee and Mireddys Gonzalez's divorce has become official, emotional wounds remain as they reel from a painful battle that seems to have begun in private years ago.

This sentiment was conveyed by Gonzalez in a deeply emotional message shared on social media after signing the documents that ended their nearly 30-year marriage.

Judge Eva Soto of the Puerto Rico Court of First Instance ruled the divorce was due to an "irreparable breakdown," highlighting the complexity of their relationship, which was built on years of love and professional collaboration.

While both have remained publicly silent on the details, Mireddys posted an emotional Instagram story that resonated with her followers.

In Mireddys' words

In her post, she wrote: "I'm proud of myself. No one knows how hard it was to let go of people I loved, to say NO when I was dying to say YES... Thank you, but I don't want to go back anymore."

Daddy Yankee, whose real name is Ramon Luis Ayala Rodriguez, has been a reggaeton icon for decades. Alongside Mireddys, whom he married at the age of 18, he built a music empire that includes El Cartel Records and Los Cangris Inc. However, their relationship has also faced tensions and legal disputes.

Daddy Yankee publicly announced his intent to divorce last December after several unsuccessful attempts to save the marriage.

The virtual hearing was a crucial step in the legal process, which now involves dividing their multimillion-dollar assets. While the marriage is officially over, legal disputes over their business ventures continue, adding another layer of complexity.

The impact on their kids

Their childrenYamilette, Jeremy, and Jesaaelys Ayala Gonzalezare also navigating this major life change. The family has been under public scrutiny since news of their marital issues broke. The transition has been challenging, particularly for their children, who have grown up in the spotlight.

As they move forward post-divorce, both Daddy Yankee and Mireddys appear to be taking separate paths while staying focused on their respective careers. Mireddys has made it clear that she is ready to face whatever comes next.

Her Instagram message not only reflects her personal strength but also serves as encouragement for others going through similar struggles.

Meanwhile, Daddy Yankee remains a dominant figure in the urban music scene. Despite the emotional toll of the divorce, he continues to release new music and maintain his status as one of the genre's most influential artists, although is now focused on his religious path.

Originally published in The Latin Times
EXCLUSIVE

A driver who fled a crash scene after killing two teenagers while travelling more than 45km/h over the speed limit has finally admitted his guilt.

Nicholas Thew had recently been released from jail and had never held a licence when he slammed a Ford Falcon sedan into a power pole and a tree in Sydney's south-west on November 6, 2023.

Two of 28-year-old Thew's passengers - best friends aged 13 and 14 - were killed in the crash which occurred about 10.50am outside a home on Maxwells Avenue at Ashcroft.

One boy's body was thrown about 5m upon impact while the other remained in the back half of the car, which had been torn in two.

Thew and a third passenger, 23-year-old Anthony Morris, were captured on CCTV leaving the site on foot before emergency services arrived at the scene.

The boys had known both Thew and Morris but cannot be named due to NSW laws which prevent identifying juvenile victims of crime.

CCTV footage showed Thew pulling himself from the wreckage of the car and walking past the body of one of the boys' bodies on the ground.

He pulled the second boy from the separated back half of the vehicle and left him lying on the lawn.

Nicholas Thew (above) had recently been released from jail and had never held a licence when he slammed a Ford Falcon sedan into a power pole and a tree in Sydney 's south-west on November 6, 2023. Two passengers aged 13 and 14 were killed

Thew helped Morris climb out of the Falcon and checked on the boy who had been thrown across the yard. He then fled the crash site with Morris.

One of the men could be heard yelling to the other 'I wanna go home'.

A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia they saw the Falcon being driven erratically in the moments leading up to the crash.

'They were speeding,' the witness said. 'Doing skids and handbrake turns.'

Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden had urged Thew and Morris to present themselves to a police station at the time.

'The absolute destruction that has taken place... and the loss of two young lives, being ejected from that vehicle,' Mr McFadden said.

'Anyone who would have witnessed that crash would have no doubt been traumatised by it.'

Thew and Morris were arrested a day after the crash and taken to Liverpool Hospital.

Thew was captured on CCTV (above) leaving the scene of a fatal car crash he caused before emergency services arrived at the scene

'Anyone who would have witnessed that crash would have no doubt been traumatised by it.,' said Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden

The dead boys' families released a brief joint statement statement that evening.

'Both of our families are still in shock and devastated over yesterday's tragic crash,' they said.

'We are continuing to come to terms with the loss of our much-loved son and brother.'

Thew, from Sadleir in Sydney's south-west, was charged with 10 offences and has been refused bail since his arrest. Morris was not charged and is not accused of any wrongdoing.

When Thew faced Campbelltown Local Court last September members of the dead boys' families attended the proceedings wearing T-shirts calling for justice.

Thew pleaded guilty in December to two counts of aggravated driving occasioning death while speeding at more than 45km/h over the limit.

He will also be sentenced for two counts of failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, and driving without ever having held a licence.

Two charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, two of negligent driving causing death and one of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle were withdrawn and dismissed.

One boy's body was thrown about 5m upon impact while the other remained in the back half of the car, which had been torn in two. The crashed Ford Falcon is pictured

Thew has long criminal history and has served prison terms for rape and domestic violence offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In September 2022 he was sentenced in Campbelltown District Court to 13 months behind bars for two counts of contravening a restraining order and one of resisting arrest.

He was released in June 2023 at the end of his minimum nine-month term, just five months before killing the boys.

In November 2021, Thew was convicted in Campbelltown Local Court of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and jailed for a year with a minimum seven months.

At the same time he was sentenced to five months in prison for being armed with the intent of committing an indictable offence and fined $500 for possessing drugs.

Thew had previously been jailed for six months in August 2017 after being convicted in Parramatta District Court of assault.

Five months earlier he was sentenced in Gosford District Court to four years and six months in prison with a non-parole period of three years for having sexual intercourse without consent.

Thew pleaded guilty in December to two counts of aggravated driving occasioning death while speeding at more than 45km/h over the limit. A memorial at the crash site is pictured

In September 2016, Thew was jailed for a year with a minimum eight months after he was convicted in Orange Local Court of common assault.

In December 2015 he was convicted in Campbelltown District Court of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

For that offence Thew was jailed for two years and five months with a non-parole term of one year and two months.

Thew will face a sentencing hearing at Campbelltown District Court on March 18.
'I don't give a s*** whether you f***ing kill him or what you f***in' do. You can maim him completely so it ruins his life. I don't care.'

The wire undercover cop Nick Kaldas was wearing while posing as a hitman captured every word of North Coast criminal Robert Ernest Neville's instructions for the hit.

Neville wanted Kaldas to kill a young male love interest who had spurned his advances, had taken out a restraining order and instigated defamation proceedings.

'Neville's main motive for wanting me to kill the younger man was financial: he feared losing a lot of money in the defamation case,' Kaldas tells me.

It was early 1998 and Kaldas had been asked to do the job by the NSW Armed Hold-Up Squad.

As he writes in his new book, Behind the Badge, he dressed casually for the drive to Coffs Harbour, prepared to do a lot of swearing and believed he could play the part of a member of Sydney's criminal milieu, potentially even aided by his ethnic background.

On meeting, Neville gave him a $500 down payment on the $5,000 job and suggested he run the intended victim off a mountainous local road as he travelled by motorcycle to work.

But, as Kaldas writes, 'In the end it would be up to me. "I don't really care," Neville told me. "That isn't my f***in' worry any more... if you don't get him I'll f***in' get him myself."'

Nick Kaldas as an undercover cop had to dress down and swear when he was pretending to be Sydney hitman, but dressed up and wore flashy jewellery when trying to catch drug dealers

Nick Kaldas has written a gripping account of his 35-year career as a top cop working in homicide, gangs, hostage negotiation and anti-terrorism

Nick Kaldas reveals the highs and lows of a remarkable career, all achieved since he arrived in Australia as a refugee from Egypt aged 12

The men shook hands, Kaldas took the $500, and Neville was arrested shortly afterwards. He was eventually sentenced to just over seven years' jail.

It was one of the few undercover jobs for Kaldas - who used the name 'Mick' and often decked himself out in smart clothes and jewellery - 'that didn't involve posing as a high-level drug dealer'.

And he was so good at it that big-time traffickers, even after their arrest, often refused to believe that 'Mick' was anything but a fellow criminal, with one insisting Kaldas come into the interview room and tell him himself.

Behind the Badge, a gripping account of Kaldas' 35 years as a cop, working in homicide, gangs and counter-terrorism, charts the wins and losses of his highly decorated career.

As a detective and squad commander, this has included locking up murderers such as Phuong Ngo, the nation's first political assassin who killed MP John Newman, and Sef Gonzales, who bludgeoned his entire family to death.

Kaldas chased down postcard robber escapee Christopher Dean 'Badness' Binse to a hair transplant clinic, put away Crime Commissioner investigator turned multimillion-dollar drug czar Mark Standen, and tricked Rebels bikie gang leader Alex Vella into being blackballed from Australia.

Outside of the NSW Police, as a senior police adviser alongside the FBI he helped secure order in the chaos of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq.

Nick Kaldas (second left) during his undercover years with fellow cop Mick Kennedy (right)

Kaldas has worked as a senior police adviser alongside the FBI he helped secure order in the chaos of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq

In Homicide, Kaldas locked up Australia's first political assassin Phuong Ngo (left), who murdered MP John Newman, and saw Sef Gonzales (right) off with life without parole for the brutal murder his mother, father and 18-year-old sister

He also worked for the UN to nail the assassins of ex-Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was murdered by a Hezbollah truck bomb in Beirut in 2005.

All this has been accomplished since arriving in Australia as a refugee from Egypt after his family was forced to flee the Soviet-era Nasser regime when Kaldas was 12.

And while his achievements have sometimes been despite his ethnic background - one very senior cop routinely called him 'A-hab the A-rab' to other officers' laughter - many have been because of it.

Kaldas' selection by the United Nations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement agency and others to carry out delicate operations in the Middle East are due to his unique set of skills.

He is fluent in Arabic, French and English, is an experienced hostage and crisis negotiator and terrorism expert, and is adept in many cultures.

But you could say that these talents and experience have been just as useful for comfortably slipping into his undercover persona as Mick the crim.

Embarking on his career as an undercover officer, Kaldas says he bought 'some nice suits' and arranged to borrow from a licensed dealer very expensive watches and a variety of gold jewellery.

Kaldas explains he didn't just borrow the gold chains and pendants; he had to learn what they were and how much they cost, just in case the drug seller wanted to know for himself.

Nick Kaldas bought 'some nice suits' and borrowed expensive jewellery to wear in some of his guises when working as an undercover cop

Kaldas has worked as a hostage negotiator and as a senior advisor to the FBI

One of his biggest fears was getting rumbled as a cop 'when you would be worried about your own safety as you could be beaten or killed'.

As it turned out, in one operation with a Turkish drug dealer who operated a modelling agency in Sydney's eastern suburbs and sold high-end cocaine, that would be the last of his worries.

After several meetings over lunch and dinner, the man trusted Kaldas enough to offer him a kilo of cocaine.

They met at a flashy Italian restaurant in inner-city Surry Hills, with the plan to do the drug and cash exchange at the nearby petrol station and return to lunch.

The deal was done, Kaldas gave out a signal and cops descended, arresting the Turkish trafficker and pretending to arrest Kaldas too.

At the police station, the dealer refused to believe he had been lunching with a cop, forcing Kaldas to enter the interview room to tell him, 'I really was a police officer... he looked absolutely shattered.'

Nick Kaldas' book has many other rollicking reads about his life as a police officer over 26 chapters, in which he also discusses his own tribulations and the vulnerabilities of officers, well, behind the badge.

Kaldas himself 'bottled things up' to cope with the vicissitudes of his own career, which included being one of 114 people subjected to an illegal police bugging operation, and then being punished and passed over for promotion for speaking out about it.

Nick Kaldas' new book includes many stories of the highs and lows of his remarkable career

But he says it made him aware of the psychological fallibilities of people when he chaired the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the hardest thing he says he's ever done.

'It took the stuffing out of you,' he says.

Between 2021 and 2014, there were 1,250 hearings, 900 in closed court.

Kaldas states the facts: 20 times more personnel die from suicide than are killed in combat, up to 80 per cent have never been in a war zone, and the defence forces have an 'alarming prevalence of bullying, harassment and abuse'.

As Kaldas writes of those who took their lives: 'They've often gone where angels fear to tread.'

Below the title on the cover of his book, is the motto of Nick Kaldas' life: Do Good Work. Live By Your Beliefs. Fear No One.

Behind the Badge by Nick Kaldas, The remarkable and compelling true story of a boy from Egypt who became one of Australia's most senior police, with Roger Joyce, Harper Collins.
A former New York City banker has been charged with rape and sexual assault after he allegedly attacked a woman in her apartment.

Mark Harris, 35, is accused of raping the 25-year-old victim on February 25 after he allegedly told her that she deserved the attack, prosecutors have claimed.

The banker, who recently worked at international banking company Investec, was arrested and charged last Thursday with rape and sexual abuse, NYPD told MailOnline. He appeared before Manhattan Criminal Court the same day.

The victim has claimed that Harris pulled down her pants, held her on a mattress and raped her, despite her repeatedly trying to kick him off, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The New York Post.

Prosecutors say the victim pleaded with Harris to stop to no avail and allege that as Harris left her home, he called the victim a 'f****** bitch' and told her 'you had this coming'.

His attorney has branded the allegations against Harris as 'outlandish and demonstrably false' and says he expects the charges to be dropped.

Harris has been freed on a $150,000 cash bail, which the Post reports was requested by the prosecution.

Mark Harris walks out of Manhattan Criminal Court after he was arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman inside her Midtown apartment on February 25

Prosecutors told the court that Harris (pictured in court) pulled the victim's pants down before he held her down on a mattress and raped her. His attorney has branded the allegations against Harris as 'outlandish and demonstrably false' and says he expects the charges to be dropped

Harris was arrested on March 6 and charged with rape in the 1st degree, rape in the 3rd degree, and sexual abuse in the 3rd degree, according to the NYPD.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed that Harris appeared in court last week, but told MailOnline that 'nothing significant occurred' during the hearing.

The banker is due back in court on May 1. His attorney Jason Goldman has denounced the allegations, claiming his client is innocent.

'[The court] appearance confirmed what we already knew  that Mr. Harris has not been indicted on these outlandish and demonstrably false allegations,' he told MailOnline.

'It's unfortunate that someone of Mr. Harris' character can even be arrested and subjected to recklessly sanctionable articles based on a fictious rape claim.'

He added: 'We expect this matter to soon be dismissed.'

Goldman told the Post that their investigation has already discovered evidence that he says 'exonerates' Harris and that he hopes his client's 'reputation will not be ruined by this sanctionably false report'.

Harris has been freed on a $150,000 cash bail, which was reportedly requested by the prosecution. The banker is due back in court on May 1

Harris was employed by SMBC Bank for 11 years, serving as the director of structured and project finance, the newspaper reports.

He worked at SMBC Nikko Securities in 2022, before joining Investec, where he worked in energy and infrastructure finance.

He is understood to have last worked for the firm in November 2024.
A man wanted for murder while posing as cop in 2006 was arrested this week - after he was caught brazenly taking an entrance exam at the police academy.

Cristiano da Silva, 40, even managed to earn passing marks in different phases of the testing process to join the force in Sao Paulo, Brazil, including a 'conduct' exam meant to uncover any red flags.

The would-be cadet performed well on the written exam and then moved on to the 'suitability and conduct' portion, which is considered the hardest part of the test.

The exam is given to identify any 'inappropriate and reprehensible behavior... incompatible with the exercise of the function of Police Investigator.'

Cops eventually got wise and learned that that a warrant had been issued for da Silva's arrest in 2007.

He was on his way to take the oral test at the police academy Monday when waiting police officers arrested him.

Da Silva had been wanted since November 2006, when he and his cohort, Ricardo Coutinho, approached pizza shop worker Jose Ferreira on a street in the eastern Sao Paulo neighborhood of Cidade Lider.

The used a car designed to look like a police vehicle and identified themselves as detectives before handcuffing Ferreira. They then forced him into the vehicle and stole his car as well.

Cristiano da Silva evaded captured since the alleged robbery and murder of a pizza shop worker that took place on November 9 ,2006 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Authorities finally arrested him Monday when he visited a police academy to take the oral exam as part of the process to enter the Civil Police

Cristiano da Silva managed to earn passing marks in different phases of the testing process to join the force in Sao Paulo, Brazil, including a 'conduct' exam meant to uncover any red flags

Cristiano da Silva excelled in the early phase of the process to enter the Civil Police academy before he was finally arrested after 17 years on the run for the robbery and murder of a pizza shop owner

Ferreira was taken about 40 miles north to the town of Mairipora, where he was shot and killed.

His car was found burned in Guarulhos, about 12 miles northeast of Sao Paulo.

Residents who witnessed Ferreira's abduction were able to take down the car's license plates, which allowed cops to track it down.

The fake police car was eventually found at a parking lot rented by Countinho, leading to his arrest.

Coutinho was found guilty of robbery and homicide, and was sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison
China is building landing barges which could be used to transport tanks and troops for a full-scale invasion of Taiwan, defence analysts have warned.

As many as five of the vessels have reportedly been observed at Guangzhou, with each of the huge barges taking just a few months to complete.

They have been in development since 2022 but the larger barges have only appeared recently, according to Naval News, whose analysis first brought to light this build-up of maritime capabilities earlier this year.

Now footage shared on Chinese social media shows what appears to be one of the ships in action, with its bridge connected to a beach.

Each barge is said to be fitted with a 400ft road extended out from the front, long enough to span over a beach onto a hard surface or coastal road for easy access.

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been rapidly building up its capabilities over the past decade, with assault ships and eight Type 071 landing docks used to haul soldiers and supplies added to its armada.

As it stands, the Chinese navy's amphibious flotilla could be capable of transferring up to 6,000 soldiers in a single movement, The Telegraph reports.

But analysts have suggested that the number of troops needed to guarantee victory in Taiwan could be around two million, and the building of new ships could be one way to expand its capacity.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Pictures shared on Chinese social media appear to show a barge with a long connecting bridge

The Chinese army takes part in a live practice drill in Zhangzho province

The PLAN is also bolstering its forces through a mandate - The National Defence Transportation Law of 2017 - which dictates that all of Chinas transport infrastructure, including ships, be made available for military use if requested.

Dr Emma Salisbury, Sea Power Research Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, said in January that she expected to see a build-up of ships 'as preparation for an invasion, or at least to give China the option as leverage.'

The analyst told Naval News: 'China is constructing a huge fleet of dual-use ships  commercial vessels that could be easily requisitioned for military use when needed.

'These include in particular roll-on/roll-off ships that would be perfect for transporting military vehicles  and have indeed been built with military specs in mind.'

Since the 2017 law was passed, naval engineers been modifying ships to make them more adept for warfare.

Measures have reportedly included the reinforcement of ramps on car ferries so they can transfer heavier vehicles, but to connect these to a beach rather than a dock for the purposes of an invasion still requires a bridge.

The barges appear to work by beaching itself on sand, locking the end of the bridge to dry land, allowing other ships to pull up to it, drop their ramps and offload vehicles to get them to shore.

Complete with long road bridges, the barges are said to be reminiscent of the Mulberry Harbours used by the Allied forces during the Normandy landings in World War Two.

China's president Xi Jinping says he wants to be in a position to invade Taiwan by 2027

Taiwanese soldiers with machine guns train during an Army Preparedness Enhancement Drill ahead of the Chinese New Year, amid escalating Chinese tensions to the island

They have also been compared to the the US militarys Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system, or JLOTS, a system which the Biden administration proposed to use to deliver aid to Gaza.

Its success was blighted by a combination of bad weather in the eastern Mediterranean and lack of security on land.

Taiwan only has a small number of beaches which would be suitable for amphibious landings, each of which would be heavily defended.

Beijing considers the self-governed island as part of its own territory and has not ruled out utilising military force to claim it.

Taiwan's authorities have received increasing pressure from China in recent years by way of military drills and persistent dispatch of fighter jets and naval vessels around the island.

The Chinese military vowed in recent days to tighten its 'noose' around Taiwan if separatism on the island escalates and warned independence advocates to step back from the 'precipice'.

And a global tensions have been soaring in recent weeks, Beijing announced a 7.2 per cent increase to its 2025 defence budget last week.
This is the moment police board a packed holiday jet after it was diverted mid-flight from Britain to Egypt due to an unruly female passenger.

The woman, who has not been named and is thought to be in her late 40s, had been drinking for most of the flight according to eyewitnesses, with her family.

Trouble flared two hours after the Wizz Air flight took off from Gatwick to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

The woman swapped seats with another passenger on the plane and then became unruly, swearing to flight crew who had asked her to calm down.

Passenger Micheal Hands, 58, who was onboard the Airbus A321 with his girlfriend Catherine Roberts, told MailOnline:' It was absolute bedlam, I've never seen anything like it.

'This woman had clearly been drinking all flight and maybe the crew shouldn't have carried on serving her as it probably led to her kicking off.

'She was sitting behind me and then she moved seat but she wasn't happy and started arguing with the cabin crew.

'By this point we were two hours into the flight and somewhere over Greece and she kept saying 'Call the police, call the police'.

A woman who forced a flight to Egypt to be diverted was escorted off a plane by police due to disruptive behaviour

The woman is said to have been drinking for most of the flight

'To be fair to the crew they did their best but in the end it just got too much and the captain came on the tannoy and said: 'If the unruly passenger doesn't return to hers eat in two minutes we are making an emergency landing.'

'Of course, there was some booing and jeering at the woman, but nothing happened and in the end we landed at Athens and the police came onboard and took her off  much to everyone's delight.'

Flight tracking apps show flight W95777 taking off 20 minutes late from Gatwick at 14.26 on Wednesday afternoon with a scheduled arrival of 21.25 local after a five-hour flight.

Around two and half hours later just as the flight crosses into Greek airspace it carries on southwards towards Egypt before making a U turn and heading back towards Athens.

After a two hour delay on the ground while the woman is dealt with the plane then takes off and lands at Hurghada just over two hours later than scheduled.

A video obtained by MailOnline shows two police officers boarding the plane and walking down the aisle towards the woman, who is dressed in a black hoodie, as other passengers film on their phones.

One holidaymaker is heard to shout:' Too late to cry now,' as the woman is escorted off the plane.'

While another shouts: 'Sorry, doesn't really cut it,' as she is taken down the aisle and the woman replies: 'Shout your mouth.'

The flight was forced to make a U turn and headed back towards Athens

A video obtained by MailOnline shows two police officers boarding e plane and walking down the aisle towards the woman

After a two hour delay on the ground while the woman was dealt with the plane then took off and landed at Hurghada just over two hours later than scheduled

In another clip after the woman is taken off the captain is heard announcing the plane to thanks passengers for 'their understanding adding they will 'hopefully get them to the right destination as quickly as possible.'

Greek police and Wizz air have been contacted for comment.

In a statement to MailOnline, Wizz Air said: 'We can confirm that a passenger aboard our W9 5777 London Gatwick - Hurghada flight on the 12th of March had to be removed from the flight due to inappropriate behaviour towards our crew.

'This passenger's inexcusable conduct forced this flight to divert to Athens where it was delayed for a short time before going on to the destination.

'This then further disrupted the return flight from Hurghada back to London because of crew duty time limitations.

'The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. Wizz Air has a strict policy against harassment and passenger misconduct and will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to ensure the safety and security of everyone aboard our flights.

'Wizz Air will be looking to take legal action against this passenger due to the unnecessary disruption caused to our customers.

'It is completely unacceptable that passengers who work hard to enjoy a trip away are negatively impacted due to one passenger's failure to behave.'
Jerry Oppenheimer is a bestselling biographer whose subjects have included political icons like the Clintons and the Kennedys, popular figures like Martha Stewart and Barbara Walters, and dynasties like the Hiltons and the Kardashians

Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's hoping to be the Big Apple's next Democratic mayor, is the current patriarch of a powerful political dynasty that has often-faced allegations of having Mob ties.

Rumors surrounding the 'mobster' skeletons in the Cuomo family political closet, which have been always adamantly and often angrily denied, begin with Andrew's father, the late family patriarch, Mario Cuomo  himself a three-term governor of the Empire State.

Among the various accusations, Mario, while governor, took campaign contributions from 'mob fronts'.

And Mario himself was once the reputed target of a planned Sicilian 'Mafia hit' ordered by Cosa Nostra while on a vacation in Italy.

The planned hit involved a dozen gunmen armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles who planned to kill Cuomo in broad daylight in the main square in the city of Messina, according to testimony brought to authorities by one of the would-be assassins, Mario Avola.

But the hit was canceled when it was learned that Cuomo had a security detail of heavily armed bodyguards and was chauffeured in a bulletproof car  considered major artillery for a routine visit by one of America's governors to the homeland of his parents.

During the visit, an Italian reporter asked Cuomo whether it was damaging for an American politician to have an Italian surname.

'Of course,' Cuomo responded. 'Any Italian-American politician risks being associated with the Mafia, not least because the media continuously plays on this image.'

Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's hoping to be the Big Apple's next Democratic mayor, is the current patriarch of a powerful political dynasty that's often-faced allegations of having Mob ties, Dailymail.com can reveal

His father Mario Cuomo, a three-term governor of New York, was plagued by mob-tie rumors during his political career but attributed it to discrimination against Italian-Americans

One of the most publicized instances of these rumors against the Cuomo family was when calls between then-President Bill Clinton were leaked by his alleged girlfriend Gennifer Flowers where it was revealed Bill said Mario acted like a mobster

But Mario, billed as a 'liberal beacon' of the Democratic Party and depicted as a virtual 'choirboy' by the mainstream media also claimed, 'The Mafia doesn't exist.'

As a well-informed source told Daily Mail exclusively: 'Like the Russia, Russia, Russia refrain that has followed Donald Trump for years by his political enemies, the Cuomos have been haunted for decades by accusations of  the Mob, the Mob, the Mob - followed by a slew of denials from the Cuomo side.

'But, yes, there's always been lots of smoke. Lots.'

The stories of alleged Cuomo family mob connections have often travelled far, wide and mostly quietly  particularly in high political circles.

In the early 1990s, for instance, when then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton was seeking the presidency, the issue of Mario Cuomo's reputed connections surfaced in a secretly taped conversation the married Clinton had with his longtime girlfriend, Gennifer Flowers.

During their recorded chat, made public at a press conference in January 1992, the two were talking about Governor Cuomo and Clinton's need to win New York voters.

Flowers said she didn't like Cuomo's 'demeanor,' and Clinton agreed, responding, 'Boy, he is aggressive,' at which point she declared, 'I wouldn't be surprised if he [Cuomo] didn't have some Mafioso major connections'.

Clinton responded, 'Well, he acts like one.'

Mario Cuomo with Donald Trump in 1984. There were two instances where the Democratic Party wanted the then-NY governor to run for president but he turned them down

Mario, who was billed as a 'liberal beacon' of the Democratic Party and depicted as a virtual 'choirboy' by the mainstream media also claimed multiple times that the Mafia didn't exist

Gennifer Flowers, the former long-time girlfriend of Bill Clinton, aired her recording phone calls with the president at a press conference

The release of the tape ignited a political firestorm.

Cuomo held a news conference, declaring that Clinton's comment was 'part of an ugly syndrome that strikes Italian-Americans, Jewish people, blacks, women all different ethnic groups.'

Regretting what he had said on the tape 'if' it was perceived as offensive, Clinton offered to call Cuomo and apologize. But the New York governor, wise guy-like, told him to 'save himself a quarter' - the cost of a payphone call.

Mario's first-born son, Andrew, now 67, who announced his run for New York City mayor in a video released earlier this month, resigned in his third term as governor in August 2021 when he faced a barrage of sexual harassment allegations involving at least 11 women.

At the height of the #MeToo movement, the so-called 'Love Gov' was accused of groping breasts and buttocks, inappropriately stealing unwanted kisses and creating a workplace environment 'rife with fear and intimidation', according to a report by the New York's attorney general.

Beyond the sex scandal, his administration  at the height of the Pandemic  was also accused of concealing thousands of COVID-19 deaths among elderly nursing home patients. Cuomo denied any cover-up.

Because none of that was known publicly before the scandals broke, Cuomo, like his father before him, was talked up as a future presidential candidate. Now, he's traded that lofty goal for being mayor of the country's largest city.

Mario Cuomo, who served as New York's liberal Democratic governor in the 1980s and '90s, died of a heart attack on New Year's Day, 2015, at the age of 82, only hours before Andrew was inaugurated for his second term as governor.

Andrew, now 67, resigned in his third term as governor in August 2021 when he faced a barrage of sexual harassment allegations involving at least 11 women

Mario Cuomo, who served as New York's Democratic governor in the 1980s and '90s, died of a heart attack on New Year's Day, 2015, at the age of 82

Former CNN news star Chris Cuomo is the brother of Andrew and was fired when it was revealed he attempted to aid his brother during his sexual harassment controversy

The senior Cuomo, a lawyer and the son of nearly illiterate immigrants, surprised his party by stepping back from running for the presidency in 1988 and again in 1992.

The latter reason, he claimed, was because of the state's severe fiscal problems and slow progress in negotiating a solution, the former was announced out of the blue on a radio call-in show after he had been implored to run by party leaders.

A New York Times headline called his decision, 'The Mystery Of Mario Cuomo.'

But to others, there was no mystery.

As a knowledgeable source told Daily Mail: 'Even though Mario was asked to run for the presidency a number of times, he never threw his hat in the presidential ring because it was feared the Cuomo family's reputed connections, direct or indirect would become public.

'Mario was considered a liberal beacon of the Democratic party, and he must have surely feared that if he ran for the highest office in the land, those connections would have become embarrassingly and scandalously public.'

As an attorney, before Mario even became governor, one of his law firm clients was a member and capo of the Lucchese crime family, Joseph 'Joey Narrows' Laratro.

The Lucchese family was infamous for its labor racketeering, extortion and drug trafficking.

Andrew married Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. and Ethel Kennedy, further deepening the Cuomo family's political connections. They divorced in 2005 after 15 years of marriaage

Matilda Cuoomo's father Carmelo 'Charles' Raffa allegedly had mob ties and was almost beaten to death by what authorities said was a 'mob hit'

The Cuomo dynasty's family tree sometimes reads like a cast list and with storylines from episodes of the Sopranos.

One character was Andrew Cuomo's maternal grandfather, Carmelo 'Charles' Raffa, a Sicilian immigrant in the 'supermarket equipment business.' He was nearly beaten to death in broad daylight in May 1984 outside his vacant store on Stanley Avenue, one of the mean streets in the East New York section of Brooklyn.

Raffa was the father of Mario's wife, Matilda Cuomo, the 93-year-old one-time first lady of New York, and the mother of five, including Andrew, his brother, former CNN news star Chris Cuomo and three daughters.

Raffa, 84, who lived in Queens, was critically beaten in the attack  a mob hit authorities were certain  to the point that his head was so sliced open his scalp covered his eyes like a blindfold, according to reports.

He pleaded with witnesses, 'don't call the cops,' and refused to identify his attacker, or attackers, vaguely claiming they were 'white, black and Hispanic.'

On the day of the attack, Raffa's grandson Andrew was spotted at the police precinct and at the hospital where his grandfather had been taken.

Raffa had a previous police record dating to 1973 on charges of offering an illegal gratuity, a misdemeanor, that was dismissed in 1974. In the 1950s and '60s, a confessed arsonist claimed that Raffa helped businesses cheat on electric and gas bills by illegally turning back utility meters for which he received compensation.

When Raffa died he left an estate worth millions in real estate, igniting a Cuomo family court battle challenging his will.

Andrew with his mother Matilda and his three daughters he shares with Kerry, Cara (center), Mariah (right) and Michaela (left)

Andrew driving a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette with World War II veteran Armando "Chick" Gallela, during a dedication ceremony for his father's namesake Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

Meanwhile, mob connection rumors mounted for Mario.

In 1985, a congressional committee investigating gasoline tax fraud heard testimony from a government witness, Lawrence Iorizzo, who was tied to the Colombo Crime Family, that Cuomo accepted campaign contributions from what was described as tax scam funds.

The governor's son, Andrew, then his father's campaign manager, said he 'checked all 16,000 names,' and the contribution list failed to find Iorizzo, or Colombo crime family capo Michael Franzese, described by Vanity Fair as one of the Mob's biggest earners since Al Capone.

It was later revealed by law enforcement that the checks were for representation at a Thanksgiving 1984 fundraiser for Cuomo at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, in Manhattan.

NBC Nightly News reported at the time, 'At least five companies now identified by authorities as mob fronts have made contributions to a campaign fund for New York governor Mario Cuomo'

Andrew called the report 'unfair' and 'wrong.'

In 1985, when Mario Cuomo was in his first year as governor, a Mob boss was fatally shot in Manhattan, and there was chatter that the victim was connected to Cuomo.

An indignant Cuomo claimed that his political enemies 'almost always mention The Godfather in relation to him.'

He called it 'an ugly stereotype.'
Suchir Balaji does not look like a suicidal man.

Carrying a bag of take-out rice, meat and vegetables, he can be seen strolling through the lobby of his San Francisco apartment building dressed casually in jeans, sneakers and a zip-up sweater. His wireless earbuds are planted firmly in his ears.

To passersby he has the appearance of any tired, young professional ready to relax on the couch with his dinner.

Yet this newly uncovered surveillance image from 7.30pm on November 22 is believed to be the last photograph of the 26-year-old tech engineer alive.

Just hours later he died by a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was found four days later on November 26.

The medical examiner concluded his death was a suicide. Police agree. But the young man's parents are convinced he was the victim of foul play.

They believe he was punished for daring to speak out against the dangers of the world-changing technology he'd been working on.

A month earlier, Balaji had revealed OpenAI's dubious methods of training ChatGPT and warned of its dangers to the internet.

The last image of Suchir Balaji alive as he pressed the elevator call button in the lobby on the day he died, his other hand clutching a bag containing his last meal. His parents say the camera in the elevator itself had been disabled

Ramarao posted another CCTV image of Balaji arriving home from his birthday holiday, six hours earlier at 1.33pm, carrying his luggage over his shoulder

His mother, Poornima Ramarao, now claims the final photo of her son proves he did not kill himself.

'[The medical examiner] saw this video and still concluded he was depressed and called it suicide,' she wrote.

Balaji spoke to his father, Balaji Ramamurthy, from 7.12pm until a few minutes before he arrived home.

He told him him he was getting dinner and they discussed his recent holiday, and tentative plans to meet in January.

There were no signs of what was to come.

Balaji's exact time of death remains unknown, but police and the medical examiner said he likely died on the night of November 22.

His body was not found until four days later when a welfare check was requested by his worried parents.

Ramarao added that security cameras in the elevator, building garage, and neighbors were not working.

'His murder conspiracy was executed over long term planning and watching Suchir,' she claimed.

Ramarao posted another CCTV image of Balaji arriving home from his birthday holiday with friends to Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, at 1.33pm.

His luggage, a large canvas bag, hung from a strap slung over his left shoulder and he was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and black shoes.

Like the final picture just six hours later, he was walking towards the elevators in the lobby of his apartment building.

'Does he look stressed?' Ramarao asked, rhetorically.

His last meal, a half-eaten ready-meal with brown rice still in the plastic tray, sits on his cluttered desk with a fork and a restaurant receipt

Balaji, 26, was found in his apartment in San Francisco on November 26 with a gunshot to the head and his death ruled a suicide

Despite the family's pleas, the San Francisco Chief Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the police suicide ruling with the release of Balaji's autopsy report last month.

The report included some shocking new findings including that Balaji was drunk and had multiple drugs including GHP in his system when he shot himself.

The report also noted the only way into Balaji's fourth-floor apartment number #404 was via his front door.

'The apartment windows are stories above the shared courtyard and street and are equipped with devices that restrict the window opening to approximately four inches,' it read.

'There was no evidence of forced entry to the unit or disturbance within the unit.'

Security camera footage and key fob records also showed that no one else entered the apartment during the time he could have died.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott wrote a joint letter with the ME's office to Balaji's parents, accompanying the report, further explaining the ruling.

'These facts, taken together, support that Mr Balaji was alone at the time of the incident,' it read.

'The SFPD found no evidence or information to establish that Mr Balaji died of means other than a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.'

Photos obtained by DailyMail.com show blood was pooled next to the bathroom door where his head lay, but also splattered around the bathroom far from the body

Balaji's parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy (pictured with him) insist he was murdered and have spent more than $100,000 trying to prove it

Scott wrote that his investigation, along with that of the ME's office, found 'there is insufficient evidence to find Mr Balaji's death was the result of homicide'.

'We realize that this information is difficult to receive, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Balaji family,' he added.

'We hope that this response may help bring some amount of closure to his grieving parents, friends and family.'

Police now consider the case closed and will only reopen the criminal investigation if there is a basis for a chargeable offense and the statute of limitations has not expired.

The autopsy report appeared to confirm one of Balaji's parents' claims: That the gunshot wound would not have instantly killed their son.

Instead, the bullet entered through his forehead at a downward angle and missed his brain entirely, before lodging in the back of his neck.

The autopsy report noted the bullet passed through his facial bones, skull sinuses, cervical vertebra C1, and cervicomedullary junction of the spinal cord.

Balaji's parents argued he would have been alive for some time after he was shot and bled to death on his floor.

Balaji had just returned from a holiday to Los Angeles with some friends, who were former colleagues or worked in tech, for his birthday a day earlier

His apartment sits frozen in time - never cleaned, and touched as little as possible since police left it on November 26

However, the autopsy found a medulla/high cervical spinal cord injury and a fracture of the C1 vertebra, both of which cause death if not immediately treated.

A toxicology report found Balaji had a blood alcohol level of 0.178 and amphetamine, norephedrine/norpseudoephedrine, and GHP were present in his blood.

The report concluded Balaji was an otherwise healthy young man and was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, a black belt, black underwear and black socks.

Balaji's parents claimed there was a blunt force injury to their son's head, indicating a struggle before he was murdered, but no such injury was recorded in the autopsy.

The autopsy report also examined the gun found next to Balaji's body, a Glock pistol that he bought on January 4, 2024, with one spent casing in the chamber.

The report noted that police found gunshot residue on both of Balaji's hands, and his DNA on the gun. The bullet was confirmed to have been fired by that gun.

Medical examiners did not find soot and unburned gunpowder particles on the skin around the wound, which 'may be obscured by changes of postmortem decomposition'.

Recent searches for brain anatomy including 'Total Gray Matter Volume' and 'White Matter' were found on Balaji's desktop computer.

Balaji lived in this high-end building on Buchanan Street in San Francisco's Mint Hill neighborhood

Blood both inside the bathroom, and pooled on the floor outside the door where his head was found

The report noted that the deadbolt was engaged on Balaji's door and entry was made by the building manager. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 1.20pm.

'Our counsel and we disagree with their decision. There are tons of inconsistencies in their decision,' Ramarao said of the autopsy's conclusion.

'Underlying assumptions are not supporting the facts in reports. We continue our investigation.'

Ramarao referenced two tufts of synthetic hair found next to Balaji's body, one of the unexplained factors she has long claimed point to foul play.

'We have sent the hair found in apartment for testing. We are fighting for justice and [will] not back up,' she said.

She insisted police wrote 'inaccurate information in autopsy and police report' when they concluded no one else could have entered his apartment.

'They have never retrieved CCTV footage from [the] leasing office,' she said.

Ramarao also pointed to a report revealing that none of Balaji's neighbors were contacted by police or the medical examiner's office during their investigation.

Their lawyer, Kevin Rooney, who is suing the city of San Francisco for the full police incident report, added that the family would continue its own probe.

The bachelor pad is relatively orderly through the entrance and lounge area, but rapidly changes as you get closer to where he died

The kitchen table, strewn with clutter, some of which spilled onto the floor along with pieces of chocolate

Rooney said they would take up the SFPD offer to request bodycam footage and 'any other information' they sought, as the investigation was closed.

'We intend to do so forthwith, because, while we appreciate receiving some of the information Suchir's parents have asked for since his death, we believe the investigation is far from complete,' he said.

'We disagree both with the conclusions the city has reached and with some of the underlying assertions and assumptions upon which those are based.'

Balaji's parents hired Joseph Cohen, former chief forensic pathologist of Riverside County, California, to conduct a second autopsy in December, but are yet to reveal the report.

A lawsuit filed by Balaji's parents, demanding the city release the police incident report and other case files to them, listed some of the results.

'Significantly, Dr Cohen also noted a contusion to the back of Suchir's head,' the lawsuit detailed.

But it did not reveal the second report's findings on whether Balaji took his own life, or if it determined another manner of death.

Photos obtained by the Daily Mail show blood was pooled next to the bathroom door where his head lay, but also splattered around the bathroom far from the body.

Lying on the bloodstains were one of Balaji's wireless earbuds and two mysterious tufts of what appeared to be synthetic hair, like from a wig.

Inside the bathroom were drops of blood across the tiles, on the cabinet next to the sink, and on the cabinet handle, on the other side of the room

Also on the floor was a knocked over trash bin and a plastic floss pick

The stock layout of Balaji's apartment with the bathroom where he was found on the left

His home, in a high-end building on Buchanan Street, was also ransacked, 'like someone was searching for something'.

'After seeing there is so much blood everywhere, I don't know how they think it's a suicide, it doesn't look close,' his father, Ramamurthy, told the Daily Mail.

His apartment sits frozen in time - never cleaned, and touched as little as possible since police left it on November 26.

The family are also yet to hold a proper funeral or bury his body, instead raising $85,000 to pay lawyers, investigators, and forensic experts to prove he was murdered.

One of these experts was Professor Dinesh Rao, who wrote a preliminary report on the scene obtained by Daily Mail.

The report includes dozens of photos showing the condition of Balaji's one-bedroom apartment, along with earlier images taken by his family.

Rao wrote that the disturbed scenes were 'more likely seen in homicidal death scene and rarely observed in alleged suicidal cases'.

Splattered blood extended up the door and the doorframe about 18 inches, dripping down to the floor, and a splash extended just past the threshold on the bathroom tiles

Blood drops inside the bathroom looking inside from the door

A splash of lighter blood next to a red shopping bag that was stuck to the biggest blood pool

Blood on the other side of the doorframe to the vast majority of the blood splatter, as seen from inside the bathroom

Balaji's parents theorize their son was attacked from behind while he was listening to music and cleaning his teeth, and his head smashed into the wall or cabinet.

After fighting back, he was pulled up onto his knees or sitting down, and shot in the head. As the wound wasn't fatal, he survived for some minutes and got out of the bathroom before dying from blood loss.

'A 10-minute struggle, probably,' his father claimed.

His parents believe the apartment was ransacked because the killer was looking for a storage device that had damning evidence on it.

Balaji never expected to become a lightning rod for those wary of the emerging power of artificial intelligence - or his boss, OpenAI founder Sam Altman.

He joined the company in November 2020, having previously spent four months interning there two years while studying at UC Berkley.

But from as early as 2022 he began to question the work he was doing, training GPT-4 - the engine behind ChatGPT - with reams of data from the internet.

Balaji had justified his work by treating it like a research project, but after it was launched in late 2022 and sold commercially, he began to rethink this.

Balaji worked for OpenAI founder Sam Altman until last August, when he quit and and wrote his findings in a detailed essay on his personal website, then spoke to the New York Times

Ramarao berated him for speaking out by himself instead of joining forces with other whistleblowers, and for posing for photos so everyone knew what he looked like

Balaji (center) with friends. His parents said he had a very active social life

He came to the conclusion that OpenAI was grossly violating copyright laws to such an extent that it was not only illegal, but unsustainable for the internet itself.

Eventually he quit last August and wrote his findings in a detailed essay on his personal website, then spoke to the New York Times.

Balaji's NYT interview was published on October 23, shocking his parents and even his friends - none of whom he told in advance.

Balaji told his mother not to worry  he wasn't giving away confidential secrets, just expressing his opinion on the work, and he had enough money from his OpenAI stock.

'He said he wasn't looking for another job, he said he was planning to found a startup,' his mother said.

Then a week before his death, the NYT named him as a 'custodian witness' in its copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft.

His mother believes that implied he had more damaging information up his sleeve, and was targeted for it.

It also appeared Balaji wasn't finished going public.

Days after his death, his phone rang and his parents picked it up.

On the other end was an Associated Press reporter who didn't know Balaji was dead, and was calling to schedule an interview he agreed to do.

'Maybe he had some new information to share with AP and somebody doesn't want that liability, so they targeted him,' Ramamurthy said.

Balaji's parents have three main reasons they believe he couldn't have killed himself - the crime scene, the timing of his death after going public, and that he had too much to life for

A second autopsy was done in early December at the cost of thousands of dollars, and Ramarao insisted it called the suicide explanation into question

'This doesn't seem like a suicide,' Elon Musk, arch-nemesis of Sam Altman, wrote when reposting one of Ramarao's tweets, and also shared other articles and posts about the case

Balaji's parents have three main reasons they believe he couldn't have killed himself: the crime scene, the timing of his death after going public, and that he had too much to live for.

'There's no depression, he didn't have a suicide note or anything, he was financially stable, he has a good friends circle, going around having a good time,' his father said.

Conspiracy theories about Balaji's death started almost immediately after it became public in news reports on December 13.

Social media provocateurs and true crime buffs quickly began sharing and debating the story, declaring that the AI industry had him killed.

The online avalanche became so intense that it reached the attention of Altman's arch-nemesis Elon Musk.

'This doesn't seem like a suicide,' he wrote when reposting one of Ramarao's tweets, and also shared other articles and posts about the case with comments like 'hmm' and 'concerning'.

Musk has had a longstanding feud with OpenAI and Altman since they refused his offer to buy them out in 2018.
Lismore mayor Steve Krieg says the city has been flooded by squatters in search of a 'free holiday' and lambasted the local Greens member for having the tenacity to defend them.

The mayor's fiery spray comes after NSW Premier Chris Minns revealed he wanted to rip down at least eight flood-prone properties the state government purchased in the inland northern NSW city as part of a buyback scheme after the devastating 2022 floods.

The homes had initially been left to sit vacant before squatters moved in, with their presence causing a bitter divide among the tight-knit community.

But local Greens MP Sue Higginson went on Ben Fordham's 2GB breakfast show on Friday morning to accuse the Premier of 'punching down on the community'.

She claimed the Lismore locals who had moved out of the bought-back houses were unfazed by squatters moving into their former homes.

'They are homeless people that are currently occupying an area of land and are occasionally sleeping under a roof,' Ms Higginson said.

'It's really important to remember that this particular street has residents in it still living in their street. They are loving having the community around them.'

She then called it the 'smallest issue in our community'.

But Mr Krieg disagreed completely and said Ms Higginson and her party were making the squatting problem worse.

Greens MP Sue Higginson has gone after Premier Chris Minns after he said he wants squatters removed from Lismore

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg says the Greens are contributing to the squatting crisis

'This is the biggest issue, sadly, in Lismore at the moment and she's made it the biggest issue by promoting it,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'The state government owns the houses. They can do what they want with them.

'This is not the homeless crisis that the Greens are making it out to be. These squatters have come from all over the country to get free accommodation and enjoy the good life.'

Mr Krieg claimed there was more than 50 people 'who have just come for the free holiday'.

'They've got a setup like you wouldn't believe,' he said.

Ms Higginson told Fordham that the squatting was 'not criminal'.

Fordham asked Ms Higginson, who was practised extensively as a lawyer, whether a squatter could sue the state government if they injured themselves in one of the taxpayer bought back properties.

'No one is going to sue,' she claimed.

Squatters Tyson and his mother Tina are pictured in a house owned by the NSW Government in flood-ravaged Lismore

'Oh, come on, Sue,' Fordham replied.

'The fact is they're living in a property owned by the NSW government and if they hurt themselves in there they can sue the NSW government.'

Ms Higginson replied: 'As a lawyer of decades, what I can say is the chances of success are incredibly low.'

She then added: 'Imagine being the Premier that bulldozed beautiful old, 100-year-old timber houses that are still being loved for.'

But Mr Kreig said if the Greens truly wanted to save the old homes, they would insist on kicking out the squatters 'within the week'.

'It's so the Reconstruction Authority gets chance to go in an assess these houses, but no one can even get in there,' Mr Kreig said.

Ms Higginson also claimed on 2GB that the recent flooding was a 'climate-induced weather event'.

But Mr Kreig said that was all Greens propaganda and that the history of Lismore, back to the 19th century, was reguarly hit with floods.

The squatters had been living in eight houses near the Lismore city centre and the Premier wants them out

'We've had 160 recorded floods in the 150-year settlement of Lismore,' Mr Kreig said.

'They (Greens) try and make it so dramatic like the world's going to end but the reality is Lismore was settled known full well that our river will rise and fall.

'It's not uncommon to any other inland town settled on a river. The only thing we have to change is coming up with an engineering solution to flood mitigation.'

Ms Higginson told Fordham that it was important to remember the few homes that were occupied by squatters were surrendered to the buyback program on the basis they would be relocated.

'And can we remember this was never just a squatting, freeloading exercise,' she said.

'These are people who said: "we know the government program is to relocate these homes, we will occupy until you relocate and we will assist in any relocation that you want".'

Fordham told her: 'Vulnerable people should not be living in these homes which have been earmarked for demolition. They have been bought back by New South Wales taxpayers because they were deemed to be dangerous.'
Smartphones and social media are 'being weaponised' against schools and teachers, a headteachers' union leader will say.

Manny Botwe, president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), will say technology has a 'darker side' and leaves a 'trail of harm'.

In a speech at the union's annual conference on Friday, Mr Botwe will warn that 'disgruntled parents' are using online sites to target school staff.

Mr Botwe will call for an end to the 'chaos' caused by social media and he will say it is time to bring social media platforms to 'heel'.

His comments come as a survey for ASCL found that 71 per cent of teachers said pupils were using social media below the minimum age requirement.

The poll by the Teacher Tapp app asked 6,409 teachers and leaders in schools in England in February what social media-related issues they had noticed since September.

More than two in five (43 per cent) teachers - in primary and secondary schools - said parents had made negative comments about their school or staff online.

Three in 10 (30 per cent) of secondary school teachers noticed signs of students having accessed pornographic or violent content, while 18 per cent noticed signs of students accessing extremist content.

Manny Botwe (pictured), president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), will say technology has a 'darker side' and leaves a 'trail of harm'

His comments come as a survey for ASCL found that 71 per cent of teachers said pupils were using social media below the minimum age requirement. Pictured: File photo

Almost half (46 per cent) of secondary school teachers said students had recorded teachers or other pupils without their permission.

More than one in 10 (11 per cent) of secondary school teachers said deepfake imagery or audio had been used maliciously against staff or students.

Nearly three in four (73 per cent) secondary school teachers reported that students had been bullied by peers on social media.

The president of the ASCL will call the survey findings 'deeply troubling' on Friday.

Addressing around 1,000 school and college leaders at the Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) in Liverpool, Mr Botwe will say young people's worlds are shaped by smartphones, social media, memes and influencers.

Mr Botwe is expected to warn: 'It leaves a trail of harm - safeguarding concerns, fractured friendships, bullying, anxiety and the spread of extremist ideologies.

'And increasingly, it is being weaponised against schools and teachers, with disgruntled parents using it as a platform to target staff.'

Mr Botwe, head of Tytherington School in Macclesfield, Cheshire, will add: 'For too long, tech billionaires have been given immense power without accountability.

More than two in five (43 per cent) teachers - in primary and secondary schools - said parents had made negative comments about their school or staff online. Pictured: File photo

'They hide behind the defence that they are champions of free speech while profiting from platforms that allow harm to fester.

'But enough is enough. It is time to bring these platforms to heel and force them to police their own spaces.

'While we welcome the Online Safety Act we have yet to see its protections come into force and or how effective they prove in practice.'

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Ofsted's chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver are also due to address school and college leaders at ASCL's annual conference in Liverpool on Friday.

Mr Botwe will criticise the Government's proposed Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill for being 'fragmented' and he will describe it a 'smorgasbord of policies' which lacks a clear, overarching vision.

On the Government's plans for free breakfast clubs in primary schools, he will say that a basic daily funding rate of 60p per pupil is 'absurd'.

Mr Botwe will add: 'You can't promise parents a nutritious meal and 30 minutes of childcare, then expect schools to deliver it for less than half the price of a Greggs sausage roll.'

The ASCL president will also highlight concerns about teacher shortages, the funding 'crisis' facing schools, a lack of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and a 'punitive' accountability system.

Almost half (46 per cent) of secondary school teachers said students had recorded teachers or other pupils without their permission. Pictured: File photo

Last month, Ofsted announced plans to grade schools across a variety of different areas using a colour-coded five-point scale.

In his speech, Mr Botwe will say the planned changes for the new report card system 'feel like a kick in the teeth' and he will call on the Government and Ofsted to 'rethink' their consultation proposals.

He will add: 'More high-stakes accountability is not the answer.

'We need a system that is genuinely supportive, a framework that helps schools and colleges improve rather than simply judging them.

'Inspection must be about collaboration and support, not fear and punishment.'
California's wrath of disasters continues as Los Angeles was hit with a rare tornado on Thursday morning.

The terrorizing tornado landed around 3:15am in a Pico Rivera neighborhood - 11 miles from Los Angeles - and lasted about two minutes with winds topping 85 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The damage spanned across four blocks near Glencannon Drive and Church Street, which included several toppled trees and downed power lines.

At least a dozen uprooted trees were toppled over onto cars and front lawns, and debris strewn across the affected streets, ABCNews7 reported.

The devastation comes on the heels of one of California's most destructive wildfire rampages, as the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires scorched nearly 60,000 acres and claimed the lives of 29 individuals.

The ruinous fires destroyed over 16,000 structures and resulted in an estimated $250 billion worth of damages, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Unlike the catastrophic fires, for residents of the Pico Rivera signifigant damage to homes was minimal.

One Pico Rivera resident, Edgar Reynoso, said that a brick wall collapsed in his backyard, but his the rest of him home remained virtually untouched by the powerful winds.

'I heard like a big old bomb. It's my first tornado,' Reynoso told the Los Angeles Times. 'It's my first time living through it and...it was pretty scary.'

Another resident, Cuba Garcia, said he thought somebody was hitting the side of his home overnight, but when he looked at his home surveillance footage he realized that the strong gusts had flipped a metal canopy from his backyard onto his roof.

The terrorizing tornado landed around 3:15 am in a Pico Rivera neighborhood - 11 miles from Los Angeles - and lasted about two minutes with winds topping 85 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Pictured: A storm uprooted a tree, damaging a vehicle, on March 13 in Pico Rivera, California

The damage spanned across four blocks near Glencannon Drive and Church Street, which included several toppled trees and downed power lines. Pictured: Workers clear a tree after it fell on a street

After the heavy rain came to an end, Garcia said he planned to climb onto the roof with some friends and try to break apart the structure, which sat on his home like an upside-down turtle.

'Earthquakes we can go through in our daily lives and be fine, but a tornado? Tornadoes are just something totally different,' Garcia said.

No injuries were reported were reported in the extreme weather event.

The NWS said the fierce tornado occurred as another powerful storm dropped heavy rain and winds across Southern California.

'This is a part of a larger Pacific storm system that brought significant rainfall and flooding impacts, as well as strong winds to a large portion of coastal California,' Ariel Cohen a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said.

However, the destructive tornado, which traveled roughly a mile through the residential area, measured as the lowest level on the Enhanced Fujita Scale - a rating used by meteorologists based on estimated wind speeds and related damage.

'The twister was on the upper end of the lowest rating,' the meteorologist said.

Though an uncommon weather event to devastate the Golden State, the NWS said the area surrounding the Los Angeles basin displays 'enhanced frequencies of tornadoes.'

At least a dozen uprooted trees were toppled over onto cars and front lawns, and debris strewn across the affected streets. Pictured: Resident Nicole Hiromoto stands under a damaged awning

A vehicle is parked on a street after being damaged by a fallen tree during the devastating storm on March 13

'They can happen here, they can happen anywhere in the country at any time,' Cohen said. '...In this part of LA, especially East (and the) LA basin area, we do have a relative maximum in the frequency of tornados that effect the region.'

'This is a localized area of enhanced frequencies of tornadoes that actually rival some parts of the midwestern United States,' he said.

Several flood and severe thunderstorm warnings - as well as winter weather advisories in the mountains - remained in effect on Thursday morning as bands of heavy precipitation moved through the region.

Reports of debris flows in burn areas - from the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that burned over 50,000 acres in January - were also noted on Thursday, along with some scattered hail.

Intense bouts of rain caused minor street flooding and several closures from southern Santa Barbara County all the way down into Orange County, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In the mountains around Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, several inches of snow piled up - with some areas reporting up to 18 inches - triggering numerous school closures.

'It's safe to say this storm was the biggest snowmaker,' Ryan Kittell, another meteorologist with the National Weather Service said.

Work crews remove downed trees and debris along Glencannon Drive in Pico Rivera after a tornado touched down in the area Thursday morning

Several flood and severe thunderstorm warnings - as well as winter weather advisories in the mountains - remained in effect on Thursday morning as bands of heavy precipitation moved through the region. Pictured: Tiles appear to be stripped from the roofs of homes in Pico Rivera

Reports of debris flows in burn areas - from the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that burned over 50,000 acres in January - were also noted on Thursday, along with some scattered hail. Pictured: A burned car sits next to the remains of a home destroyed during the Palisades Fire on January 8

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire around a burned structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 8

The San Bernardino Fire Department also said it had several reports of power outages.

Besides major delays in the morning commute, forecasters said the worst of the storm had made its way through Los Angeles County by 8 am, though residents south and east should remain on high alert.

'The main storm passed, we're kind of in a showery regime [the rest of the day], with off and on showers and maybe some thunderstorms,' Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the NWS in Oxnard said. 'It's moved into San Bernardino and Orange County.'
A Kentucky daycare worker has been arrested after she was caught on surveillance footage pulling a handful of hair out of a toddler's scalp, leaving the young boy with a wide bald spot.

Leitchfield police said they received an alert on Tuesday that a one-year-old had been injured at The Play Zone and was taken to a local hospital, and began investigating what had happened when they determined the child's injuries were of a 'suspicious nature.'

During the investigation, police obtained surveillance footage that shows Keshia Cochran, 24, approaching the 16-month-old boy as he was busy playing, according to court documents obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

'We don't pull hair,' Cochran allegedly admonishes the child, though it is unclear whether the young boy was misbehaving before she became involved.

The toddler was then left 'screaming uncontrollably,' while Cochran walked over to a trash can and brushed the child's hair off her hands, police allege.

Prosecutors now contend that Cochran pulled 'a substantial amount of hair' from the boy's head, leaving him with 'a complete bald spot over six centimeters.'

The toddler was then taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Keshia Cochran, 24, was allegedly caught on camera pulling a handful of hair out of a toddler's scalp, leaving the child with a large bald spot

The incident occurred Tuesday at The Play Zone in Leitchfield, Kentucky (pictured)

Police questioned Cochran about the incident just one day later, at which point she allegedly admitted that she intentionally pulled out the toddler's hair - but did not provide a motive for doing so.

Cochran is now charged with first-degree criminal abuse.

She was set to be arraigned on Thursday, though it is unclear whether she has retained an attorney who could speak on her behalf.
A Florida flight attendant was arrested after a shocking attack on her boyfriend at a brewery.

Annie Bryn Flaherty, 36, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after the couple got into a fight at Funky Buddha Brewery on Friday.

The former Spirit Airlines flight attendant told police her unnamed boyfriend hit her after making an insulting joke.

'While conversing, [her boyfriend] make a joke calling her a "junkie," Annie took the joke personally and became upset starting to cry," the police report said.

'Annie stated [he] "beat me up" leaving bruises, however did not explain om detail how the alleged battery occurred."

While the boyfriend admitted to calling her a 'junkie,' he told police a far different version of events that led to Flaherty's arrest.

He said the two were having a conversation inside the brewery when Flaherty suddenly became erratic and he decided to go to the parking lot.

'Annie followed behind arguing with him while the two was in the car. At this time, [he] called Annie a "junkie,"' police said.

Annie Bryn Flaherty (pictured), 36, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after the couple got into a fight (image credit: Broward County Sheriff's Office)

The boyfriend called her a 'junkie' in the parking lot of Funky Buddha brewery and she hit him in the head with a beer bottle

'Annie then picked up a can of beer and attempted to pour it on him, however [he] was able to redirect her hand.

'After such failed attempt of trying to pour beer on [him], Annie picked up a glass beer bottle from the car and hit [her boyfriend] on the right side of his head.'

Police determined Flaherty 'unlawfully and intentionally' struck her boyfriend in the head against his will with a beer bottle 'likely to cause death of series injury.'

She was arrested and booked into the Broward County jail where she has since been bonded out on an undisclosed amount.

The affidavit listed Flahertys employment as a Spirit Airlines flight attendant, but the airline told Local 10 News that she has not worked for the company in several years.
A major Australian law firm has revealed hackers broke into its computer network and took troves of potentially sensitive data.

Brydens Lawyers, which has offices in Sydney and throughout regional NSW, said the attack happened last month and it has since re-secured its network and patched the security hole.

'Brydens Lawyers experienced a cyber incident in late February 2025, which resulted in unauthorised access to some data on its servers,' principal Lee Hagipantelis said.

'We are taking this breach very seriously and have reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

'We are working with specialist advisors to determine what information may be involved and the scale of the impact.

'Once our investigations are complete, we will work with the relevant parties to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken and will notify individuals as required to provide guide and support.

'We can confirm that security of our IT system has been restored.'

Aussies might recognise the firm's logo from its NRL sponsorships of the Wests Tigers - of which Mr Hagipantelis was also chairman - and the NSW State of Origin side.

Brydens Lawyers principal Lee Hagipantelis who also served as chairman of Wests Tigers

Mr Hagipantelis pictured at last year's Dally M awards with 2016 Olympics modern pentathlon gold medal winner Chloe Esposito

The firm said it had plugged the security hole and was reviewing what data was taken

The firm also has partnerships with many other footy teams including the Newcastle Knight, Maitland Pickers and North Tamworth Bears.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the data is being used by a foreign hacking group to extort a ransom from the firm which it has not paid.

Just last month, Australia imposed financial and travel sanctions on ZServers and five of its Russian employees for their roles in providing infrastructure to host and disseminate data stolen from Medibank Private in 2022.

The government said sanctions are the result of close collaboration between Australian Signals Directorate, Commonwealth agencies and key international partners to 'identify and disrupt cybercriminals who prey on Australia'.

'Malicious cyber actors continue to target Australian governments, critical infrastructure business and individuals.,' the ASD said in a statement.

'ASD discourages businesses and individuals from paying ransoms or extortion claims to cybercriminals.

'Australian businesses can help protect themselves from ransomware by updating devices, regularly backing up files and ensure staff know to never visit suspicious websites, open emails from unknown sources or click on suspicious links.'
Australia's Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has revealed a new tactic designed to force Donald Trump to rethink his punitive tariffs.

Mr Rudd, a former Labor prime minister, said Australia had critical minerals the US needs, and suggested these could be used as leverage in trade negotiations, with more American tariffs on agricultural and pharmaceutical imports planned for April.

'Australia has a range of advantages to bring to the table on the question of how to assist the United States given certain of its own national strategic vulnerabilities,' he told ABC 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson.

Critical minerals are needed to manufacture mobile phones, computers and defence equipment.

Australia has deposits of cobalt, graphite, nickel, titanium and tungsten, which the US regards as critical.

Mr Rudd said the Australian government would make this point with the President Trump, as it did unsuccessfully with his more sympathetic Democrat predecessor Joe Biden.

'We can do the same with this administration. If you do the maths, it's pretty interesting,' he said.

'America designates itself as having 50 categories of critical minerals, which it needs for the future, 50 priority categories.

Australia's Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has revealed a new tactic designed to force Donald Trump to rethink his punitive tariffs

'They see themselves as being vulnerable in 12 of those, and they are import dependent in 40 of those.

'For Australia, if you look at those 50, we are currently supplying 28 and can supply 36 of them. You see, Australia equals the periodic table.'

Australian is also home to mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto, and mining billionaires Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest.

'We also have the biggest and best mining companies in the world, so we stand ready to assist, as we did with the Biden administration,' Mr Rudd said.

'We didn't get there in the end with them, but of course, that remains on the table from us.

'Also with this administration, we are uniquely positioned to be able to do this.'

Mr Rudd defended his boss, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, against the suggestion he had little sway with President Trump, who didn't take his phone call before new 25 per cent tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium were imposed on Wednesday.

'I formed the judgment that it was then useful to make a further request for a further follow up call by the Prime Minister with the President, and by the time the decision was taken, however, on Tuesday of this week, late Tuesday, we had not been able to secure that time,' he said.

Mr Rudd, a former Labor prime minister, said Australia had critical minerals the US needed and suggested these could be used as leverage in trade negotiations, with more new American tariffs planned (pictured is Donald Trump)

Mr Rudd said the second Trump Administration appeared unlikely to grant exemptions to countries it had a trade surplus with, like it did in 2018 for Australia on those grounds.

'We're up against a deep, ideological, strategic view of this Trump administration that they intend not to produce qualifications from the positions on tariffs that they undertook in the last administration because of their deep view of their relationship with the rest of the world and the global economy,' he said.

US Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday accused Australia dumping aluminium on the American market, at below cost, without evidence.

'It's really important just to step back a little bit and understand that the America we're dealing with since the 20th of January, is a vastly different America from the past, and in fact, significantly different from the period of Trump 1.0, the first Trump administration,' Mr Rudd said.

'This administration is more nationalist on questions of foreign policy, more protectionist on trade policy, and much more transactional in its overall approach to international negotiations.'

Trade Minister Don Farrell, a Labor Right faction powerbroker who was instrumental in bringing down Rudd as PM in 2010, revealed on Thursday the Trump Administration was planning new tariffs on agricultural and pharmaceutical imports on April 1.

Unlike steel and aluminium, meat and medicine exports from Australia are worth a lot more, which means tariffs of up to 25 per cent would be more damaging.

'Well, we sell a lot of agricultural products to the United States. We sell a lot of pharmaceutical products to the United States,' Senator Farrell said.

'There's $30billion worth of products that we sell to the United States. We don't want any of those products that haven't yet been subject to the tariff to be subject to the tariff.

'And that's the argument that we're putting to the United States, and that's the argument we will continue to put to the United States.'
A drunk Jet2 passenger who threatened a frightened air hostess by telling her he'd 'smash [her] face in' during a wine-fuelled rant has been jailed.

Jason Roddis, a 37-year-old, made the threats to the cabin crew of a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Leeds Bradford Airport last summer after getting into an argument with his partner.

Prosecutor Ben Sayers told Bradford Crown Court that Roddis, who had already 42 previous convictions for 89 offences, was loudly swearing, and was found with a nearly-empty bottle of wine he brought onto the plane.

Though this was taken from the Bradford man, he continued swearing and shouting.

After another passenger made a complaint, Roddis was found with a second bottle of wine which was also taken from him.

The court was told that a third cabin crew member tried to give the drunk man a 'disruption notice', but he ripped it up and threw it back at them.

He then began threatening the crew, telling one woman he would 'smash her face in', before telling another: 'I'll smash your head in.'

While the pilot had considered diverting the plane to get Roddis off, he decided to carry on back to the UK, as the plane was only 30 minutes from landing.

Jason Roddis, a 37-year-old from Bradford, (pictured) made the threats to the cabin crew of a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Leeds Bradford Airport last summer

He threatened a frightened air hostess by telling her he'd 'smash [her] face in'

Upon arrival, police officers were waiting to arrest him.

But as he was being arrested, he was racially abusive to an officer and caused damage to a police van.

Cops also said he was heavily intoxicated, and was unsteady on his feet.

Barrister Rebecca Young, representing Roddis, told the court that he had been to Turkey to look after his mother who had undergone a hip replacement surgery.

She claimed that Roddis suffered from severe anxiety and depression, and was away him medication while abroad.

Young said that as a result, his mental health had deteriorated and he decided to drink on the plane.

Roddis was jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to being drunk on an aircraft, two offences of common assault in relation to the cabin crew, racially aggravated harassment and criminal damage.

Roddis was jailed for 14 months following the incident

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court (File image)

He was also given an additional four months after he admitted to stealing a woman's handbag from a parked car in Bradford in December.

Recorder Patrick Palmer said Roddis had to understand that it had been very serious offending on the plane.

The judge added was quite plain that the staff were very frightened and Roddis could also imagine the fear of other passengers trapped on the aeroplane with him when he was obviously out of control.
The UK should consider introducing laws to confiscate the homes of people who commit online child sexual exploitation, a senior police chief has said.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Welch, the National Police Chiefs' Council's economic crime coordinator, said he was open to the UK following the example of Australian federal officers, who have started seizing the property of convicted paedophiles and those involved in online abuse.

Last year Australia's Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce successfully applied to the Supreme Court to have a 34-year-old paedophile's home - worth 375,000 Australian dollars, or around 180,000 - forfeited.

The home was then sold and used for crime prevention, law enforcement and community initiatives, although the move was also intended as a deterrent to other offenders.

DCI Welch said the UK should consider whether UK law - which typically allows for the forfeiture of property under the Proceeds of Crime Act - should be updated to allow for criminals' assets to be confiscated, even if they do not appear to be making money from their offending.

The City of London Police officer told the Daily Mail: 'The Australian model is an interesting one. And in the right circumstances I am not against it (house possession).

'If it is a serial offender and you take things off them, why not?

'There is massive caution around it but we need to look at what we can do to control them.

'We should explore if it is a possibility for the highest level of offenders to counter the criminality.

The UK should consider introducing laws to confiscate the homes of people who commit online child sexual exploitation, a senior police chief has said (stock image)

Emma Reynolds (pictured), the Treasury minister responsible for tackling economic crime, told the summit in London that it was crucial for the private sector to identify suspicious activity and uncover victims of online sexual exploitation

'If we have got high-level, prolific offenders, to what extent can we pursue them to make examples of them?

'This (online child sexual exploitation) is such a problem. There must be consequences for this sort of behaviour.'

He was speaking in London following a landmark report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) international money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, which called for the illicit funds that drive online child exploitation to be stopped.

Around 300 million children across the world - roughly one in eight - is reckoned to be affected by online sexual abuse and exploitation every year, with sophisticated criminals exploiting encryption, anonymous financial transactions, and weak international cooperation to evade detection.

The report identified ways that governments, financial institutions, and technology companies can take to disrupt these financial networks and prevent the exploitation of children.

Emma Reynolds, the Treasury minister responsible for tackling economic crime, told the summit in London that it was crucial for the private sector to identify suspicious activity and uncover victims of online sexual exploitation.

She told delegates: 'Our message is clear - to those who seek to harm our children, we are closing the net in on you. We will identify you, we will find you, and you will face justice. We have issued a united commitment to acting... but this is just the start.'
The uncle of a Connecticut man who was allegedly held captive by his evil stepmother for more than two decades revealed the shock he felt when he was finally reunited with his nephew.

Kurt Sullivan, 55, had not seen the boy in more than 20 years as his sister-in-law Kimberly Sullivan, 56, allegedly kept him in an 8-foot-by-9-foot room with no heat or air conditioning and with very little food, as she pushed away relatives who started to ask too many questions.

Eventually, Kurt said he became so concerned with the child's well-being that he 'spoke with a private investigator who suggested going to vital statistics to look for a death certificate,' according to an affidavit obtained by the New York Post.

He told police he went to brother and sister-in-law's Waterbury home 'for Christmas Eve for a few years in a row until the family pushed him and his wife away,' describing the boy as 'skinny, meek and mild-mannered.'

But when he tried to ask the boy some questions, Kurt said his sister-in-law 'intervened.'

It wasn't until after the boy set a fire inside the home on February 17 in a desperate attempt to escape that Kurt was able to reunite with his nephew.

'I was shocked, he looks like a Holocaust survivor,' he told police of his reaction, echoing a prosecutor's sentiment that the unidentified man was 'without exaggeration, akin to a survivor of Auschwitz's death camp.'

Kimberly is now facing a slew of disturbing charges, including assault and kidnapping, but was released from prison on Thursday after posting a $300,000 bail.

Kimberly Sullivan, 56, is accused of holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years

She allegedly kept him in an 8-foot-by-9-foot room with no heat or air conditioning and with very little food at their Waterbury, Connecticut house

Authorities say she had held her stepson captive since he was in the fourth grade, during which time he endured 'prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect and inhumane treatment.'

He even had to devise ways to dispose of his own waste because he was given no access to a bathroom, according to a newly-released arrest warrant.

This included him using a series of straws that led to a hole in a window. It also said that his teeth would frequently break when he did eat due to his lack of dental care.

The man also told police that he was constantly hungry. When he was in school, he would ask classmates for food, steal food and eat out of the garbage.

In later years, when he was out of school and confined to the house, he would get two sandwiches a day and some water while locked in his room.

The victim's living conditions only deteriorated when his father died last year, telling police he was given just two cups of water a day and was sometimes forced to drink out of the toilet.

When he finally got free last month and was brought to a local hospital, medical personnel said he was near starvation and had wasting syndrome - a condition of weight loss and muscle deterioration.

He weighed only 69 pounds, 31 kilograms, while standing at 5 feet, 9 inches, according to authorities.

Kimberly's brother-in-law, Kurt, recounted how she pushed away family members who asked too many questions

According to medical personnel the man was near starvation and had wasting syndrome a condition of weight loss and muscle deterioration. The inside of the home is seen here

The man now faces a long road of physical and mental health treatment, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said at a news conference on Thursday, adding that police are trying to support the man by taking up a collection to buy him clothes and other necessities.

He noted that the police's only interactions with the family were in 2005.

At first, police conducted a welfare check after children who attended school with the boy expressed concern about him.

The second and final time police interacted with the Sullivans was after they made a harassment complaint against school officials for reporting them to state child welfare officials.

Officers who went to the home said that they spoke to the man, then a child, and reported there was no cause for concern.

But the former principal of the now-closed Barnard Elementary School said he was not surprised when he heard of Kimberly's arrest, noting that 'every year, every teacher had concerns.'

The alleged victim's elementary school principal Tom Pannone told DailyMail.com he repeatedly contacted officials

Neighbor Zeffney Guarnera, pictured, told DailyMail.com his daughter once saw the victim and mistook him for a ghost

He recalled how the boy used to share horror stories about his home life starting at the age of five, when he already looked way too small for his age.

'A teacher reported to me that he said the mother bought pizza one night, but he could not have any. It was only for the sisters and the rest of the family,' Tom Pannone told DailyMail.com.

'So this is when he was like five years old, and the red flags were flying at that age and reports were made.'

Eventually, Pannone said he even caught the boy 'in the urinal flushing it to drink water, because I don't think he could reach the water fountain at the time.'

Pannone said he repeatedly contacted authorities about the clearly malnourished boy with rotten teeth, but was repeatedly told that he was OK.

He has always felt that the authorities dropped the ball on the case, and now feels guilty about what happened.

Neighbor Zeffney Guarnera also told DailyMail.com how his daughter once spotted the victim in a window around 14 years ago - but was so stunned by his appearance she mistook him for a ghost.

Kimberly has denied any wrongdoing, and was released from prison on Thursday. She is pictured at her arraignment on Wednesday

But Kimberly has denied any wrongdoing.

'She completely maintains her innocence, from our perspective. These allegations are not true. They are outlandish. She was blown away when she heard these allegations,' her attorney Ioannis Kaloidis told NBC Connecticut.

'We look forward to being able to vindicate her and show that shes done nothing wrong.'

The lawyer added: 'He was not locked in a room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food, she provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations. It is shocking and what's more shocking to me? It's how somebody can (be) falsely accused of such a thing.'

Kimberly is due back in court on March 26.
Billionaire climate change warrior Mike Cannon-Brookes admits he is 'conflicted' by splashing out on a new private jet but insists he has only done it so he can be 'a constantly present dad'.

Mr Cannon-Brookers, who is co-founder of Australian software company Atlassian, has opened up about his challenging decision to purchase a multimillion-dollar Bombardier 7500 jet following a messy split from his US-based ex-wife Annie.

'Im not denying I have a deep internal conflict on this,' the tech entrepreneur told his followers on social media.

'Personal security is the primary reason (an unfortunate reality of my world), but also so I can run a global business from Australia, and still be a constantly present dad.

'So, this is a hard, continual trade-off Ive decided to make.'

The Australian Financial Review reported on Thursday that Mr Cannon-Brookes had purchased the Bombardier jet, which is worth up to $116million.

The website Air Charter Service says it is 'one of the worlds largest and longest-range business jets', equipped with four living areas, a full kitchen and a dedicated crew zone.

Not only is Mr Cannon-Brookes juggling his Australian software company Atlassian and partnering with the floundering British Formula One team Williams, but he is still in the midst of a fraught divorce.

Michael Cannon-Brookes (pictured) has a fortune of around $24.38billion, according to the latest Financial Review Rich List

Michael Cannon-Brookes married Annie (both pictured) in 2010

The tech mogul, who has amassed a staggering fortune of about $24.38billion according to the latest Financial Review Rich List, split from Annie, his wife of 13 years, in 2023.

The news of the separation raised questions about how the pair would carve up their fortune, in addition to a $300million property empire.

This included the 1.1 hectare Fairwater estate, the home of the late Lady Mary Fairfax, which they acquired in 2018 for $100million.

Just before the pair split, in June 2023, they also forked out $14.25million to buy a home in Newport, on Sydney's northern beaches, neighbouring the $24.5million estate they purchased in 2020.

But court proceedings for the settlement have been significantly heated.

The Australian Financial Review newspaper reported in February that Mr Cannon-Brookes had accused a former company secretary of secretly emailing confidential information about his private companies to his ex-wife.

The estranged couple have not spoken publicly about their divorce and it is not known how they have divided their property empire.

Mr Cannon-Brookes has long been an avid climate warrior and has been backing Australia's biggest solar farm Sun Cable.

Michael Cannon-Brookes said he was trying to be more 'open' on social media

In 2021, he and his then-wife announced they were donating $1.5billion, including $1 billion in financial investments towards cutting carbon emissions.

They also said they were donating $500million in philanthropic endeavours, all aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5C .

It might be seen as controversial then that this philanthropic tech billionaire would choose to not only sponsor a Formula One team but buy himself a huge private jet.

Mr Cannon-Brookes addressed both issues in his Thursday LinkedIn post, in honour of 'trying to share more openly'.

'I can appreciate the double-take on Atlassians F1 sponsorship because...cars = fuel,' he said.

'Ive had conversations with the FIA, and am impressed with their plans to get to net zero.

'F1 can set a global example for sustainability in sports - and I believe it will.'

He acknowledge that private air travel is also 'carbon-intensive' and 'one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise'.

A Bombardier Global 7500 private jet is worth up to US$73million ( AU$116million) (stock image)

But Mr Cannon-Brookes said that, while his 'extremely rigorous carbon regime' may not be practical on commercial flights, it is viable on private ones.

'This means my flights actually have a net negative carbon footprint.'

Mr Cannon-Brookes leaves his followers with the promise he is as committed to the climate as ever.

'Im still pretty damn focused on making an impact at a large scale, removing huge volumes of emissions through active investments and philanthropyand have the proud, scars to prove it.'
Australia's youngest-ever murderer who killed a three-year-old girl will walk out of jail as a free man within 24 hours after a judge dismissed a bid to keep him locked up.

SLD was 13 when he murdered toddler Courtney Morley-Clarke in January 2001 on the NSW Central Coast.

He has now been granted lifetime anonymity to prevent the public from being able to identify him despite his horrific crime.

After serving a 20-year sentence, SLD was briefly released in Wollongong NSW in September 2023 before he swiftly returned to custody after breaching conditions.

But with the current interim detention order ending this Saturday, an official bid to keep the 37-year-old in jail was heard in NSW Supreme Court this week.

On Friday, Justice Mark Ierace sparked confusion when he delivered a two word verdict that sparked chaos: 'Application denied.'

It was initially unclear exactly what was meant by the decision, triggering chaotic scenes as officials clarified that he had refused the NSW Government's application for extended detention, and was setting SLD free, subject to his original supervision order.

While SLD, whose identity will continue to remain shrouded in mystery, did not speak during proceedings in the two-day hearing, he did send a chilling warning to his lawyer from his Long Bay holding cell.

Courtney Morley-Clarke was just three-years-old when she was murdered

Murderer SLD, who later boasted about the killing, will be released on Saturday

On Wednesday morning, his lawyer wished SLD a happy birthday as the killer sat solemnly in front of the video link.

After a brief pause, he bowed his head towards the microphone.

'Better get out,' he replied ominously, before returning to the same expressionless pose he maintained throughout the day.

During the hearing, psychiatrists noted that the killer, who is fixated with getting revenge for perceived wrongs, could act violently if he felt he was unfairly treated.

However they also agree that keeping him incarcerated would be detrimental to his mental health and ability to assimilate into the community at a later date.

On Tuesday, Justice Ierace noted that the situation was out of the ordinary.

'It goes without saying this is a very challenging case, he has been out only in the community for four months since he was only 13 years old,' he said.

Justice Ierace had options to impose a continuing detention order to keep him behind bars for another 12 months, or granting the extended supervision order.

Aged 13 years and 10 months, SLD snatched Courtney in the middle of the night and stabbed her through the heart before leaving her body in long grass 300m from her home (pictured)

SLD breached his parole by approaching mothers with children at Bulli Beach (pictured) near Wollongong

While there are conditions around his release, SLD has previously admitted that he would be prepared to kill again if something 'big' took place.

In a chilling warning, he added: 'If I kill someone, it won't be a child.'

His frightening confession and string of violent offences, which includes choking a nurse while jailed, were all considered by Justice Ierace.

After SLD was last released in September 2023, he was back behind bars after just a few weeks later after he was caught approaching women with young children at Bulli Beach in Wollongong, NSW claiming he wanted a date.

He was also found to be accessing pornography online and psychologists warned he had become obsessed with losing his virginity after growing up in jail.

SLD had been adopted at the age of four by a family in Point Clare on the Central Coast, but his murder trial heard he remained 'disturbed' despite his new home.

At age 13 years and 10 months, he snatched Courtney from her bed in the middle of the night and stabbed her through the heart before leaving her body in long grass 300m from her home.

He was caught after it was noticed that he had gone missing from his home on the morning the three-year-old vanished.

He initially lied about the crime, leading police on a wild goose chase before later admitting he killed her.

Psychiatric assessments of the teen determined he'd never become a functioning social adult.

He was sentenced in August 2002 to 20 years behind bars but was first released in September 2023.

Justice Mark Ierace refused the states application for detention reverting to his original supervision order

On October 25, SLD went to Bulli Beach near Wollongong with a supervisor and was spotted by an off-duty prison officer who noticed his electronic monitoring anklet.

The officer witnessed SLD approach a woman with a young girl, and then approach another mother washing an infant at the beach showers.

Both women picked up their children and walked away from SLD.

He then entered the Bulli Beach Cafe and struck up a conversation with a woman feeding an infant.

He allegedly said to the woman: 'I just got out of jail. Do you come here often?', followed by: 'I've only been here twice.'

Police came and arrested SLD, who told Wollongong Local Court the next day the encounters were 'incidental'.

SLD was found guilty of one count of failing to comply with an extended supervision order, which barred him from having contact with children.

He had also tried to access the internet, dating sites and encrypted chat apps.
11 dead in separate road accidents in India

Xinhua) 09:13, March 14, 2025

NEW DELHI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people died and nearly five others were injured in two separate road accidents in India over the past 24 hours, confirmed the police.

A gas tanker hit two vehicles in the Dhar district of the central state of Madhya Pradesh early on Thursday, killing seven people and injuring three others.

The victims were traveling in a car and a jeep. The injured were rushed to a local hospital where their condition was said to be stable.

In another road mishap, a speeding car mowed down as many as four people in the northern hilly state of Uttarakhand. Besides, two people riding a two-wheeler were seriously injured.

The accident occurred in the state capital Dehradun late Wednesday night.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Donald Trump said he hopes that Russia will 'do the right thing' after Vladimir Putin rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.

Although Putin said he was in 'favor' of the proposal during a press conference on Thursday, he added that Trump and the Americans needed to answer some 'serious questions' before he agrees.

Speaking later in the day, Trump said 'we know where we are with Ukraine' before confirming Russia hadn't yet accepted the proposal.

'At this moment we have people talking in Russia, we have representatives over there, Steve Witkoff and others. They're in very serious discussions,' Trump added.

Trump reiterated that he and the rest of his administration 'want it to stop' in reference to the three-year old war.

'Hopefully theyll do the right thing,' Trump added, in a message to the Russians, saying Putin's statement was 'promising' but 'incomplete.'

Putin said that he would try to reach out to the president himself to see if they could get to a proposal that worked for his side.

'I think we need to talk to our American colleagues... Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him,' he told reporters.

Donald Trump said he hopes that Russia will 'do the right thing' after Vladimir Putin rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine

Putin said in a Thursday press conference that he was in 'favor' of the proposal but would not say yes to it unless Trump and the Americans could answer some 'serious questions'

His problems with the deal include his inability to have a say over any possible betrayals by Ukraine and whether his adversaries in Kyiv would use the break to re-arm themselves and mobilize.

'We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis,' Putin said.

The Russian president added that any ceasefire must lead to 'long-term peace'.

But this stands in opposition to comments made by his aide, Yuri Ushakov, who earlier said the proposed ceasefire deal was 'hasty' and would give breathing space to Ukrainian forces at a time when Moscow is close to fully retaking territory in its Kursk region from Kyiv's forces.

Meanwhile, Russia is advancing across 'practically' entire front line, Putin claims, adding that he will determine the 'next steps' on the ceasefire based on the success of the Kursk campaign.

Putin said that Ukrainian soldiers tried to leave in large groups, but this is now impossible. If a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all.

There will be only two options: surrender or die,' he added, according to Russian media.

The Russian president noted that while it appeared that the US persuaded Ukraine to accept a ceasefire, Ukraine is interested in that because of the battlefield situation, noting that Ukrainian troops that launched an incursion into Russia's Kursk region would be fully blocked in the coming days.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine speaks to the press duringt a special European Union summit at the European headquarters in Brussels

'In these conditions, I believe it would be good for the Ukrainian side to secure a ceasefire for at least 30 days,' he said.

Referring to the Ukrainian troops in Kursk, he said: 'Will all those who are there come out without a fight?'

Putin thanked Trump 'for paying so much attention to the settlement in Ukraine.'

He also thanked the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa for their 'noble mission to end the fighting to casualties,' a statement that signaled those countries' potential involvement in a ceasefire deal.

Ushakov said during a live TV interview shortly before the Russian despot's comments: 'I have stated our position that this is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more.'

The foreign policy advisor said Moscow sees its goal as being a long-term settlement 'that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country and our known concerns,' rather than a temporary truce.

'It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation,' he said dismissively.

Asked by TV host Olga Skabeeva - also known as Putin's 'Iron Doll' - if this meant an outright rejection of the Trump ceasefire by Moscow, he replied ominously: 'The President will probably [soon] make more specific and substantive assessments.'

The Russian president added that any ceasefire must lead to 'long-term peace'

Putin thanked the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa for their 'noble mission to end the fighting to casualties,' a statement that signaled those countries' potential involvement in a ceasefire deal

Ushakov, who previously served as Moscow's ambassador to the US, added that he had outlined Russia's position on the ceasefire to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

The Russian Defense Ministry's claim that it recaptured the town of Sudzha, a Ukrainian operational hub in Kursk, came hours after Putin visited his commanders in Kursk. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment.

The renewed Russian military push and Putin's high-profile visit to his troops unfolded as Trump seeks a diplomatic end to the war, which began more than three years ago with Russia's full-scale invasion.

The US on Tuesday lifted its March 3 suspension of military aid for Kyiv after senior US and Ukrainian officials reported making progress on how to stop the fighting during talks in Saudi Arabia.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Thursday that Trump is 'willing to apply maximum pressure on both sides,' including sanctions that reach the highest scale on Russia.

But it appears that this pressure may not be effective, as an advisory document written for the Kremlin has revealed.

Vladimir Putin plans to fight on in Ukraine and weaken Donald Trump's negotiating position in any peace deal by stoking tensions between the US and the rest of the world.

As Washington continues to push for a truce, documents from an influential Kremlin-linked thinktank, obtained by the Washington Post, suggest that Russia has been working to undermine a possible peace deal since at least February.

It appears that some measures in the document, reportedly written by an influential Moscow-based thinktank the week before the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia in late February, have already informed the thinking of the Russian state.

The document, written for the FSB's Fifth Service, the security service division that oversees operations in Ukraine, lays out the ways in which Russia could boost its standing by inflaming tensions between the US and both China and the EU.

The US has twice sided with Russia at UN votes, in a stark reversal of Washington's foreign policy which has worried allies.

The first instance was at the General assembly where it opposed a European-drafted resolution condemning Moscow's actions and reaffirming Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The second was at the Security Council where the US drafted and voted for a resolution that called for the end of Russia's invasion without criticising Russia.

The pro-Kremlin thinktank's document argues that against this backdrop, Russia should be working towards 'the complete dismantling' of the current Ukrainian government.

Putin has skirted the issue of a ceasefire ahead of talks with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff - whose plane was mapped heading to Moscow today - and has instead set his troops the task of grabbing back territory in Kursk.
After going around in circles for years, the government has finally committed to fixing the most hated roundabout in the country - by splurging $150million on an upgrade.

The notorious installation, locally referred to as the 'DFO Roundabout, in Sydney's west, frequently frustrates motorists while being overrun by more than 5000 an hour during the peak weekday traffic rush.

Not only that, the intersection - which links Homebush Bay Drive, Australia Avenue and Underwood Road - often becomes an even worse bottleneck at the weekends as shoppers converge on the nearby Direct Factory Outlet (DFO).

The roundabout is also the main gateway to the suburbs of Homebush, Wentworth Point and Newington, and stadium shows and sporting events at Qudos Bank Arena and Accor Stadium often make traffic a nightmare at the intersection.

The federal government will tip in $100million for the upgrade while the state government chips in $50million.

NSW Roads Minister John Graham said it would fix 'one of Sydney's most notorious' intersections.

'Whether it's going to a big event or getting home from work, Homebush Bay Drive has become a big-time waster for millions of people,' he said.

The roundabout outside Sydney Olympic Park is one of the worst in the city

This is one of the most notorious roundabouts in the country and has has plenty of cash pumped into its upgrade to ease congestion

But social media users said they were astonished by the expense of the overhaul.

'150 million? Are they putting a high rise in the middle?' one baffled critic wrote online.

Mr Graham admitted the cost of the upgrade could seem staggering but that it was essential to ensure the intersection was fixed once and for all.

'The public can be surprised that it could take $150million to fix a roundabout. That's how difficult this roundabout (has) been,' he said.

'That's why it's known as Australia's worst roundabout, famous for all the wrong reasons.'

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King slammed the previous government for its inaction on the intersection.

'This project was promised for seven years by the Coalition but they never committed the funds that were required,' she said.

'This community has been promised this upgrade for years, and I know they're looking forward to have their say on the proposed upgrades.'

In December, the state government completed safety upgrades, including moving pedestrian crossings, the installation of pedestrian fences and advanced warning signs on the Homebush Bay Drive off ramps.
A crooked Halfords store manager who swindled 90,000 from the retail giant has been ordered to hand back just 1.

Gary Ridgewell was jailed for 30 months after operating a customer coupon scam over a five-year period.

After he was sentenced in September a proceeds of crime action was then raised in order to try to claw back the cash he stole.

But Perth Sheriff Court heard yesterday that lawyers had agreed the fraudster would only have to pay back 1.

His original trial at the same court was told Ridgewell had been hooked on betting since he was aged 13 and he had constantly struggled to fund his addiction.

Jailing him for two-and-a-half years, Sheriff Alison McKay said: You embezzled the sum of 90,000 from your employers over a period of five years.

That is a significant breach of trust.

Halfords embezzler Gary Ridgewell, who was ordered to pay back just 1

Ridgewell was pocketing cash from the tills and then doctoring customer coupons to balance the books while managing Halfords branches in Perth and Dumbarton

The court heard Ridgewell  who was originally charged with embezzling 178,000  had not paid back a penny of the money he had taken.

He was pocketing cash from the tills and then doctoring customer coupons to balance the books while managing Halfords branches in Perth and Dumbarton.

The 51-year-old was caught when the firm launched a nationwide investigation and found suspicious activity at both his stores.

Ridgewell admitted embezzling the reduced sum from the company between January 2013 and March 2018.

Fiscal depute Callum Gordon said Ridgewell discovered an anomaly in the procedure for registering customer coupons.

He added: The accused realised that by artificially increasing the value of the coupon, the cash balance would be higher than the physical cash balance in the till.

He realised that cash could be removed from the till and the total recorded balance would match the physical balance.

Perth Sheriff Court (pictured) heard yesterday that lawyers had agreed the fraudster would only have to pay back 1

CCTV taken from the Perth store in March 2018 showed the accused taking money from the till and placing it in his pocket.

Ridgewell, from Doune, Perthshire, was interviewed by bosses and confessed.

Mr Gordon continued: The accused said he had a gambling problem and had used some of the money to support it.

He was sacked after a disciplinary hearing in March 2018.

David Holmes, defending, said: Mr Ridgewell is someone who, unfortunately, was taken to gambling from the age of 13 and it has been a problem for him through most of his life.
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EXCLUSIVE

The American tourist who manhandled a baby wombat and enraged the world has fled Australia - as new details emerge about her chequered past.

Samantha Strable, 24, shared a now-deleted video of her laughing as she grabbed a wombat joey from its distressed mother and ran off with it dangling in her arms.

Government sources revealed on Friday she has departed Australia, and is now believed to be on her way back to the US.

'There's never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia,' Immigration Minister Tony Burke told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.

The wombat stunt infuriated Australians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who urged the influencer to try her luck with some other Australian animals.

'Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday.

'Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.'

The federal government began working to deport her after wildlife service WIRES said Ms Strable had violated Australia's biosecurity and animal welfare laws, but she jumped before being pushed.

Samantha Strable, 24, shared a since-deleted video to her Instagram account on Tuesday of her grabbing a wild wombat joey

Ms Strable's adventures included killing a wild pig with a knife in New Zealand

But despite being an avid wildlife hunter - who has posted multiple selfies with wild creatures she had killed - Ms Strable tried to get a job with animal rights group PETA.

They rejected her application after a background check discovered she was an 'avid hunter and carnivore'.

A second controversial video of Ms Strable also resurfaced on Thursday, sparking further outrage.

The clip shows her handling an echidna, which appeared to be in the wild, and showing it off to her almost 100,000 followers last month.

American hunting influencer Sam Strable (pictured) was previously seen picking up a wild echidna

Ms Strable fell in love with chasing game after doing a hunting mentor program

Despite admitting in a 2023 newspaper interview that she thought hunting was 'pretty gross' when she was a child, Ms Strable went on to fall in love with it.

She changed her mind after doing a hunting mentorship program when she shot a deer and then tasted some of the cooked tenderloin from her kill.

Raised in Great Falls, Montana, Ms Strable was born into a Christian family with four siblings, all of them home-schooled but high achievers.

Samantha's younger sister, Kimberly, stepped away from California Intercontinental University with a doctorate in Business Administration at just 17 years old.

'We Strables are high performers by nature,' Samantha's mother Adria Strable said at the time.

'And Kimberly embodies that work ethic, "Whatever your hand finds to do, work at it with all your might as working for the Lord."'

Raised in Great Falls, Montana, she didn't grow up around hunting - telling a Wyoming paper in 2023 that she initially thought the sport was 'pretty gross'

By 2020 Ms Strable was basing herself in Pinedale, Wyoming, for seasonal work during the northern summers, and then flying to the southern hemisphere to hunt during the northern winters.

Her adventures included killing a wild pig with a knife in New Zealand and stalking red deer with a bow in Chile.

Two years later, Ms Strable applied for a job at the animal rights group PETA, according to the Hustead Law Firm based in Denver, Colorado.

She didn't get the job and lodged a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau alleging age discrimination.

Samantha's younger sister, Dr Kimberly Strable, has received about $350,000 USD in settlements from 300 discrimination claims, according to US court documents.

Hustead Law Firm was retained to represent PETA, and after doing a background search on Ms Strable, discovered that she was an 'avid hunter and carnivore, characteristics expressly prohibited by PETA's policies'.

Her complaint to the Human Rights Bureau about the failed job application was dismissed

In the footage released on Tuesday, Ms Strable was seen running towards her car with a wombat joey swinging in her arms.

Despite being an avid wildlife hunter - who has posted multiple selfies with wild creatures she had killed - Ms Strable tried to get a job with animal rights group PETA

The joey's mother was seen desperately chasing her while an Australian man laughed as he filmed the scene.

'I caught a baby wombat,' Ms Strable said as the joey shrieked and wiggled trying to free itself from her grasp.

She initially defended her actions, claiming she did not harm the joey and only held it for one minute.

'For everyone that's worried and unhappy, the baby was carefully held for ONE minute in total and then released back to mum,' she wrote.

'They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed. I didn't think I would be able to catch it in the first place, and took an opportunity to appreciate a really incredible animal up close.

'I don't ever capture wildlife that will be harmed by my doing so.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Strable for comment.
A well-known San Francisco street preacher hardly flinched after a transgender woman held a gun to his face after he said: 'God made men to be men.'

Kevin Kihara, 37, a pastor of Christian Forgiveness Ministries in San Francisco, was preaching 'the love of God' near 4th & Market Streets on Wednesday, when a person, believed to be a transgender woman, threatened him with a gun.

While standing beside a table with a microphone in hand the sermonizing pastor delivered his blunt message.

'You need to try being less like somebody you are not and start to humble yourself and be somebody God made you to be,' he said.

'He didn't make a man to be a woman, he made the man to be a man!' he exclaimed before adding, 'he didn't make the woman to be man, he made the woman to be a woman and this is the truth!'

Kihara then paused, looking into the distance - outside of the camera's view - before pointing at a person hurriedly walking into the frame.

Calmly, Kihara asked the individual, who was dressed in a bobbed white-gray wig, denim overalls, a black-and-white striped T-shirt, similarly patterned fingerless gloves and heeled boots, if they were 'going to attack him.'

'What are you going to come attack me now?' the pastor said as the emotionally charged person pulled a large black gun out of their purse, pointing it right at Kihara's face.

Kevin Kihara, 37, a pastor of Christian Forgiveness Ministries in San Francisco, was preaching 'the love of God' near 4th & Market Streets on Wednesday, when a person, believed to be a transgender woman, threatened him with a gun

The pastor asked if the woman was going to attack him as the emotionally charged person pulled a large black gun out of their purse, pointing it right at Kihara's face

'I should,' the alleged transgender person replied as they held a gun just inches from Kihara's head.

The unnamed pedestrian eventually lowered the deadly weapon and walked away in what appeared to be a fit of rage.

Unphased, the pastor then reacted to the terrifying threat.

'Hey man, it's up to you if you want to pull that on me. God bless you,' he said as the gun-wielding individual can be heard yelling profanities at the church leader.

'Shut the f*** up!' the wig-wearing individual screamed as they fled the scene.

'So you just threatened me with a gun. You just pulled a gun on my face,' he said nonchalantly.

'Man, Lord have mercy on you,' he continued. 'This means you don't even know who you are. I still love you though. Even you pulled a gun on me, I still love you, I still bless you.'

Onlookers on social media have since commented on the unbelievable event with some expressing fears over the future of America.

After threatening the preacher, the woman put her gun back and stormed away

She was seen leaving the area what appeared to be a fit of rage after the intense ordeal

'We have a problem in America. And I assure you, it is not Trump and Musk,' they added.

Others called for punishment for the weapon-wielding citizen.

'That's assault with a deadly weapon. This guy needs to be arrested. @SFPD' one user wrote on X.

'Lock that man-pretending-to-be-a-woman up,' wrote another.

Another chimed in: 'Thats wild. Hes wearing a costume and carrying a gun like that! This person is a deranged psychopath. This is not proper firearm etiquette, hes clearly a psychopath looking for problems.'

Kevin Kihara, 37, is a pastor of Christian Forgiveness Ministries in San Francisco

Another offered an alternative approach to the evident difference of opinion between the two street-side individuals.

'[The pastor is] kind of a public nuisance but on the other hand, instead of a gun she should have bought a speaker and microphone setup, rolled it out by that guy and start debating and debunking all his points,' the user wrote.

The high-trafficked area also saw another grisly display of violence as right beside the preaching pastor, a hot dog vendor charged another vendor with a large knife.

The dangerous dispute was allegedly about territory, according to scanner audio.

Scanner audio said it was a return 911 call and that was substantiated by the preacher saying that's the second time the other vendor had been attacked on Wednesday.
The decision to cut the winter fuel payment was made in the full knowledge that 150,000 pensioners would be plunged into poverty, a court was told yesterday.

The Court of Session is hearing a legal challenge brought by Florence and Peter Fanning, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, against last years decision to remove the universal element of the winter fuel payment.

The change was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on July 29.

The Fannings are being represented by former Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry, KC, and Govan Law Centre.

Ms Cherry told the court the UK Governments failure to carry out an equality impact assessment into the decision to cut the benefit rendered it unlawful.

She said her clients are elderly pensioners and have disabilities. Like most pensioners, they live on a fixed income and they struggle to afford to heat their home in the winter. They are exactly the sort of people the winter fuel payment was designed to help.

Ms Cherry said that as a result of last years change, the Fannings had lost their entitlement to the benefit which would have been paid in Scotland this year.

She asked the court to consider whether the UK and Scottish governments had failed to exercise their duty to carry out an equality impact assessment of the decision, or to consult people of pension age who may be affected by it.

Rachel Reeves' decision to cut the winter fuel payment was made in the full knowledge that 150,000 pensioners would be plunged into poverty, a court hears

Florence (L) and Peter Fanning arrive at the Court of Session to begin their legal challenge

The change was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on July 29 (file image)

Ms Cherry added that the decision may be unlawful for reasons of irrationality and unreasonableness because the UK Government knew it would cause significant excess winter deaths and jeopardise the health of vulnerable pensioners.

She said the decision was also taken in the knowledge it would result in 100,000 pensioners falling into relative poverty, and 50,000 into absolute poverty. She told the court it could also be in breach of the Human Rights Act.

She said the UK Government was bound by its obligations under the 2010 Equalities Act, and the Scottish Government had similar requirements under regulations dating from 2012.

The UK Governments representative, Andrew Webster, KC, said there had been a fiscal driver for the change, noting the Chancellor had been seeking to fill a 22billion black hole.

However, he pointed out that as residents in Scotland, Mr and Mrs Fanning had no entitlement to the winter fuel payment, as this is available only to people in England and Wales.

Scotland, he said, has its own winter fuel benefit, called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

He therefore questioned whether the couple can be said to have been directly affected by the UK Governments decision at all.

The hearing, which is expected to last two days, continues.
Donald Trump has been accused of charging 'the world's most powerful company' a $100billion fee in exchange for 'protection.'

Trump celebrated the $100billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company during a surprise White House ceremony earlier this month.

He boasted that it would create thousands of jobs for Americans, primarily in the swing state of Arizona.

But Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou blasted the deal this week, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of 'selling TSMC' to Trump as a 'protection fee.'

Ma described the deal as 'a major national security crisis' which will have 'a negative impact on the confidence of the Chinese people... and Taiwan's future geopolitical position.'

He accused the current government of bowing down to US requests for investment in the hopes that it will result in protection as they 'continue to fight for Taiwan independence outside and internally.'

'Taiwan is facing a more serious crisis. Three years after the Russian-Ukrainian war, Ukraine's situation is obvious to all; now there are rumors that the United States is going to cut off all military aid to Ukraine.'

He said there are legitimate concerns that 'Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow' will become a reality, in which after Ukraine is defeated by Russia, China will feel emboldened to target Taiwan.

Trump celebrated the $100billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company during a surprise White House ceremony earlier this month

Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou blasted the deal this week, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of 'selling TSMC' to Trump as a 'protection fee.'

'Don't forget, USA President Trump is a businessman,' he said.

'All interests come first. Is it enough to sell a TSMC? What else to sell after?'

Ma called on the DPP to 'protect TSMC' due to its 'national security strategic importance. Anti-China cannot protect Taiwan.'

China's Community Party has long claimed Taiwan is part of its territory, vowing to take control of the island.

Beijing has increased hostilities in recent years by conducting military exercises in waters near Taiwan and flying fighter jets through the skies.

In order to maintain its sovereignty, Taiwan has relied on military and political support from the United States.

But Trump's rhetoric suggests that support may not be guaranteed.

He has accused Taiwan of 'stealing' the semiconductor industry which it now heavily relies upon - and which this deal is based on - and has also called on Taiwan to 'pay' for the protection it receives.

Ma called on the DPP to 'protect TSMC' due to its 'national security strategic importance. Anti-China cannot protect Taiwan'

It will go into 'building five cutting edge fabrication facilities,' Trump said during a White House event flanked by TSMC's chief executive, C.C. Wei (pictured together)

In celebrating the investment deal, Trump said the chip-making giant will invest 'at least' $100 billion in the United States.

It will build 'cutting edge' chip manufacturing facilities.

It was the latest blockbuster financial pledge by a private company since his return to office in January.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's new investment will come on top of their existing commitments of around $65 billion.

It will go into 'building five cutting edge fabrication facilities,' Trump said during a White House event flanked by TSMC's chief executive, C.C. Wei.

He added that much of the funding would be invested in the US state of Arizona, where TSMC - the world's largest chipmaker - has already invested heavily, and would create 'many thousands' of high-paying jobs.
QUESTION: Was 'the Kurgan', the bad guy in the film Highlander, based on a real person?

The Kurgan from the movie Highlander wasn't based on a specific person but on a real-life people: the Kurgans, an ancient nomadic people from the Pontic-Caspian steppe (parts of modern Ukraine, southern Russia and Kazakhstan).

They were named after their burial mounds (kurgans), which were constructed over a grave.

Marija Gimbutas, a Lithuanian-American archaeologist, identified a Kurgan culture in 1956.

She postulated the Kurgan hypothesis; that Kurgan culture expanded over a vast geographical area through hostile military incursion, led by an aggressive warrior culture. This is visible in the appearance of fortified settlements, hill forts and the graves of warrior-chieftains across Europe. Gimbutas believed that Kurgan culture was crucial in spreading Indo-European languages through Europe.

Highlander (1986) follows Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), a 16th-century Scottish warrior who discovers he is an Immortal  one of a select group fated to battle each other through the centuries until only one remains. The film had the tagline 'There can be only one'.

The writers drew on a number of pseudo-historical figures for their story; for instance, Ramirez (Sean Connery) is an Ancient Egyptian Immortal who adopts a Spanish persona and mentors MacLeod. Other characters include Iman Fasil, a Syrian Immortal born in the 12th century, and MacLeod's friend Sunda Kastagir, an 18th-century Ethiopian adventurer.

The Kurgan from the movie Highlander (left) wasn't based on a specific person but on a real-life people: the Kurgans

The subsequent TV series featured a whole host of ancient Immortals from different cultures.

The main antagonist, 'the Kurgan', is magnificently hammed up by Clancy Brown. The film uses the historical reference to the Kurgans to give the character a sense of ancient and savage menace, fitting his role as an immortal warlord.

Mr T. P. Cowley, Esher, Surrey

QUESTION: Why is it that we 'boot up' a computer?

An old idiom, 'pulled himself up by his own bootstraps', means making something of oneself having started out with little or nothing, and refers to the loops sewn into the back of boots to help pull them on.

Many early computers, including the likes of the PDP series 11 that I had the joy of using in the 1970s, had no non-volatile (permanent) memory in which to retain instructions with the power turned off. So, once switched on, it basically knew nothing. The operator had to tediously load a program into memory using an array of switches, manually, and then start the computer running that program, a process known as 'bootstrapping', from the idiom.

An old idiom, 'pulled himself up by his own bootstraps', means making something of oneself having started out with little or nothing, and refers to the loops sewn into the back of boots to help pull them on. Pictured: A shelf of Doc Martens boots in 1994

Modern computers, including the original IBM PCs from the 1980s, have a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) in a non-volatile memory chip, which kick-starts the computer to read the operating system from mass storage as soon as it is turned on. 'Bootstrapping' has since been abbreviated to 'booting'.

Ken Wood, ex-Ferranti Computer Systems Ltd, Newport, Gwent

QUESTION: In modern passenger aircraft, how are the tyres made and how much do they cost?

Aircraft tyres are very similar in construction to road vehicle tyres, made with rubber, steel and canvas, but the rubber used to make aircraft tyres is known as 'conductive rubber', which is different from that used in car or lorry tyres.

Tomorrow's questions: Q: Who were the first soap stars to have chart hits? Jane Richards, Wolverhampton, West Mids Q: The term 'Big Bang' was coined by Fred Hoyle as a dismissive term for the then-new theory of the Universe's origin. What other terms have been coined in jest yet widely adopted? Mike Challoner, Northwich, Cheshire Q: Whose idea was it to create plaster casts of the citizens of Pompeii? Mary Lancaster, Lichfield, Staffs Advertisement

Conductive rubber is designed to be a good conductor of electricity. Normal rubber compounds act as an insulator, preventing the flow of electric currents. This is why metal tools used by electricians have rubber hand grips.

Conductive rubber is used for aircraft tyres because of static electricity build-up created by friction between the tyres and the runway. By using conductive rubber, the static is discharged safely through the tyres to the ground.

Aircraft tyres are surprisingly inexpensive. For light aircraft, they start at around 160.

A main wheel tyre can be used safely for between 300 and 450 landings, depending on aircraft type, while a nose wheel tyre, which is usually smaller, lasts for between 200 and 350 landings.

However, when a tyre is no longer fit for use on an aircraft, its life isn't over. Their broad 'footprint' makes them ideal for use on construction and agricultural equipment.

Many aircraft tyres are re-used in this way, and their relatively cheap price makes them popular in the world's poorer countries.

Bob Cubitt, Northampton
Accused murderer Karen Read suffered a devastating blow in her effort to get charges against her dropped when a federal judge ruled on Thursday that retrying her for her police officer boyfriend's death would not amount to double jeopardy.

Read, 45, had petitioned a federal court to toss charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident for the January 29, 2022 death of her boyfriend John O'Keefe.

She had claimed that jurors' comments that they unanimously agreed to acquit her on the charges meant she was 'actually acquitted' of the two charges and Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone improperly declared a mistrial, according to the Boston Herald.

At the very least, her attorneys asked that the federal court bring in the jurors who have made such comments for questioning - to find out whether they had, in fact, acquitted her, NBC Boston reports.

But Judge Dennis Saylor disagreed, ruling that comments the jurors have made since the trial's end in July do not qualify as a verdict, meaning 'as a matter of federal constitutional law, [Read] was not actually acquitted of any of the relevant offenses' and therefore retrying her would not amount to double jeopardy.

He went on to call any hearing of the former jurors 'probably unlawful and certainly ill-advised,' noting that even if it were to be held, their comments would not qualify as an acquittal under state law.

The ruling comes just weeks before Read is set to face a second murder trial.

Karen Read, 44, had petitioned a federal court to toss charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident for the January 29, 2022 death of her boyfriend John O'Keefe

She has been accused of murdering O'Keefe after a night out, but she instead claimed he was beaten by those inside the house his body was found on the front lawn of

Read stands accused of ramming her O'Keefe with her SUV while drunk in January 2022 before leaving him to die in a snowstorm in the driveway of retired officer Brian Alpert's home after a heavy night of drinking.

O'Keefe ultimately died from hypothermia and blunt force trauma, according to autopsy results.

Read's attorneys have portrayed her as the victim, saying O'Keefe was actually killed inside Alpert's home and then dragged outside.

They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a 'convenient outsider' who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects.

Read's defense said their theory that she was framed in a vast police conspiracy was supported by texts Trooper Michael Proctor - who led the investigation into O'Keefe's death - wrote about Read, which he was forced to read aloud in court last summer.

In the messages, Proctor called Read a 'whack job' and a 'c**t' and referred to her as a 'babe' with 'no a**,' while also making light of her 'Fall River accent'.

In other messages, he joked about rummaging through her phone for nude photos during the investigation.

Proctor claimed that 'these juvenile, unprofessional comments had zero impact on the facts, the evidence and the integrity of the investigation'.

Read faces a second murder trial starting April 1 for O'Keefe's death

Read's attorneys have portrayed her as the victim, saying O'Keefe was actually killed inside Albert's home and then dragged outside



Thursday's ruling is just the latest victory for prosecutors in her case, after Cannone agreed last week to issue a gag order to limit what Read's lawyers could say outside of the courthouse.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan had asked for the gag order, arguing that Read's lawyers were disparaging witnesses and improperly undermining his case.

He took specific issue with Read, herself, being allowed to disclose what happened during grand jury proceedings, which are secret.

Brennan said 'the ongoing, deliberate, purposeful poisoning of the potential jury pool is not only wrong and unfair, it needs to be stopped'.

Cannone agreed.

'Based, on these interviews and defense counsel's consistent, publicly-reported interactions with reporters and bloggers throughout the first trial, the court agrees with the Commonwealth,' she ruled.

'An order limiting extrajudicial statements of counsel is both appropriate and necessary to ensure a fair and impartial trial and finds that no reasonable, less restrictive alternative to the order is available.'

Yet Read hinted that the public is not done hearing from her, saying: 'I like talking. I like to reveal the truth.'

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan asked for the gag order to limit what Read's lawyers said outside court after complaining they were disparaging witnesses and improperly undermining his case

Read has said she is ready for her second trial and isn't worried about who's on the prosecution team

But a bombshell in the case came last month when special prosecutor Hank Brennan revealed in court that Read's defense team had communicated with accident reconstruction experts from ARCCA Inc., who were hired by the FBI about their testimony, ahead of Read's first trial last year.

Brennan read what appeared to be emails between the defense and ARCCA and pointed out a $23,925 bill that he said the ARCCA sent to the defense.

'The commonwealth, as I understand it, was not aware of any promised rewards or inducements or payments,' Brennan said. 'They relied on a reciprocal discovery order of this court for that information.'

Calling out the bombshell payment request, Cannone, who was visibly trembling as she spoke, said: 'The commonwealth just provided the court with information that causes me grave concern.'

Still, Read says ready for her second trial and isn't worried about who's on the prosecution team.

'I don't care who I face,' she told Boston 25 News. 'I have the truth. I have the best attorneys. Do your worst.'

Read could end up in prison  a fate she said she 'thinks about that every day,' but she said, 'It doesn't frighten me the way it did three years ago.'
A cheeky Outback tradition has been labelled 'inappropriate' after a group of Darwin locals bared their backsides to passing passengers - including children - on a luxury train heading into the northern capital this week.

As The Ghan neared Livingstone Airstrip on the outskirts of Darwin on Tuesday, a crowd of people formed alongside the tracks and flashed their bottoms at those on board.

The 'mooning of The Ghan' began as a joke on the train's inaugural journey in 2004, on which then-Prime Minister John Howard travelled as guest of honour, but it has grown into regular event with a '21 bum salute' done this year for its 21st birthday.

While the crowd this year might not have been as big as the original event, where some 400 people turned up to give the PM and tourists the special Northern Territory welcome, those in attendance made up for it with enthusiasm.

Regulars and first-timers alike gathered from 3pm near the airstrip 50km outside Darwin, which has been unofficially dubbed 'Badlands Siding', to join in the party atmosphere before the train passed through a couple of hours later.

A poster advertising the event shared on the socials of nearby pub Noonamah Tavern invited attendees to either bare their bums or, for those a little shy, to bring along two pink balloons on a stick.

It is usually held every decade - in 2004, 2014 and 2024 - but Tuesday was the first time it has been done in consecutive years.

'It was so much fun last year we thought ''bugger it'' let's have a 21st birthday,' regular mooner Narelle, also known as Ralph, told Nine News.

Aussies have lined up to partake in the tradition of mooning iconic train The Ghan as it neared its destination of Darwin on Tuesday

The event marked 21 years since the train's first journey into the NT, at which hundreds of people gathered to moon those on board, including then-Prime Minister John Howard

First-time participant Nicole Howard said she 'brought out the Bridget Jones pants' for the event.

'I'm too upper class to show my bum,' she laughed.

She along with dozens of others displayed their derrieres as the train rumbled through about 5pm.

'It was definitely a rush, I've got a little tear in my eye,' she said afterwards.

Shawn Bergquist said he found out about the tradition while he was a passenger on the train and returned this year to see it from the other side.

'It was poking fun at the politicians that were on that train 21 years ago so that's a good reason to keep doing it,' he said.

But not everyone was up for the full moon party, with people taking to social media to slam the tradition, pointing out there was nothing funny about flashing child passengers.

'Adults with their pants down. And kids around? Not approp!' one user decried.

'People need to grow up. If you do that anywhere else you would get done for it,' another added.

'With kids there!? what the heck,' a third said.

Yet another added: 'So it's ok for adults to expose themselves in front of children now?'

And the flood of criticism kept coming with others saying 'imagine the kids on that train who're looking out the window', 'just an embarrassment for Australia'.

However, others were quick to fire back, with one user saying: 'All the commenters really need to look at their own lives and how boring they must be not to allow people to have some fun. Come on Karens, settle down and live a little.'

The Ghan was just this week named in Time Magazine's 2025 Worlds Greatest Places to Stay list.

The 53-hour journey spanning the 2,979km between Adelaide and Darwin crosses some of the most remote, rugged and picturesque landscapes on the planet.

Local radio station Hot100 sponsored the event, with one woman saying she opted for the 'Bridget Jones' pants instead of baring her backside

The train journey was this week named on Time Magazine's list of the best places to stay

Guests enjoy fine dining against the backdrop of Australia's red centre on the three-day trip

Passengers see it all from luxuriously appointed sleeping cabins and dining cars, stopping along the way for experiences such as a formal dinner in the desert at sunset.

Its moniker is a shortened version of 'The Afghan Express' which was its original title to honour the camel drivers who arrived in Australia during the late 19th century to assist explorers in traversing the country's vast, dusty interior.

Formerly owned by the government it is these days is operated by tourism company Journey Beyond, which also runs two other iconic luxury train routes, the Indian Pacific and the Great Southern.

The company is owned by New York based equity firm Crestview Partners.

It will unveil two new suites next year, 'Australis' and 'Aurora', which it said will include a 'next level' of service including dedicated butlers, pillow menus and private bars along with in-room dining.
Vice President JD Vance defended the strength of the American economy on Thursday, even as President Donald Trump's tariffs continue rocking the stock market.

'You never can predict the future, but I think the economy, the fundamentals of the economy are actually quite strong right now,' the vice president said during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Thursday.

Vance defended Trump's tariffs as a way to convince American businesses to invest more in American workers, by bringing economic supply chains back into the United States.

'We are going to make this economy stronger over the long haul and that is the presidents ultimate goal,' he said.

Vance defended President Trump's threat earlier Tuesday to raise tariffs as high as 200 percent on European wines, champagnes, and liquors, if the European Union moved forward with a planned 50 percent tariff on American whiskey and bourbon.

The United States buys 50 percent of its wine from the European Union, including $2.5 billion of wine from France in 2024.

The vice president was defensive about Trump's economic aggression toward Europe, accusing them of mistreating American companies for decades.

'Of course, we care about European security, Laura, but they don't treat us like an ally when it comes to economics,' he said. 'They actually hammer American consumers and American workers in the process.'

US Vice President JD Vance speaks as US President Donald Trump meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin

aoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael Martin of Ireland, right, and his wife Mary O'Shea, left, present United States President Donald Trump, center, with the traditional shamrock bowl during a St Patrick's Day reception

Vance accused the European Union of imposing 'ridiculous tariffs' on American products noting that the president was finally ready to retaliate.

'If Europeans do something to us, we're actually going to fight back economically for the first time in 40 years we have at who is standing up for America,' he said.

The vice president said that some industries would move quickly to retool their manufacturing but that certain industries would 'take a while' to reorganize their supply chains.

'We're not going to do this anymore, we cannot run an economy where Americans borrow, go into debt that other people make for us we're going to make it in America again, we have to,' he said.

During the Oval Office meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin on Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration that Ireland had lured American pharmaceutical companies into Ireland.

'We do have a massive deficit with Ireland, because Ireland was very smart,' Trump said. 'They took our pharmaceutical companies away from presidents that didn't know what they were doing  and, you know, it's too bad that happened.'

The European Union leveled tariffs on $28 billion of American imports in retaliation for Trump's decision to level a 25 percent tariff on aluminum and steel from Europe.

During remarks in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump called the European Union 'one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States.'

'We've been ripped off for years and we won't be ripped off anymore,' he continued. 'I'm not going to bend at all. Aluminum or steel. Or cars. We are not going to bend.'
She is considered one of Australia's most dangerous women in prison. A ticking time bomb, ready to explode.

Serving 21 years and seven months for manslaughter, Jessica Camilleri decapitated her own mother Rita, 57, before carrying her severed head outside and dropping it on the footpath in July 2019.

While her traumatised family hoped the deeply disturbed woman would get the help she needed behind bars, insiders say Camilleri, now 30, is terrorising her prison wing and authorities don't know what to do.

'She has become an ongoing problem,' a prison insider tells Daily Mail Australia.

'She has to be monitored at all times because she will use any opportunity to cause harm.

'There has already been time added to her sentence for attacks involving extreme hair pulling.

'She has scalped people with her bare hands and anything can set her off.'

Camilleri was a troubled child. After being relentlessly bullied, she became obsessed with horror movies and making hoax calls threatening to decapitate the unsuspecting strangers who answered.

Jessica Camilleri (pictured) is terrorising her prison wing, according to a jail insider. She has already had time added to her sentence for incidents involving pulling out prison guards' hair

Friends, family and neighbours were all worried about her escalating behaviour, even warning her mother Rita it was only a matter of time before she killed someone.

'Not my Jessica,' Rita reportedly replied. 'She wouldn't hurt a fly.'

Two weeks after that chilling conversation, Jessica stabbed Rita more than 100 times.

Multiple knives were used and four of them broke during the frenzied attack.

Police found Camilleri covered in blood alongside her mother's head. She asked officers if they could reattach it.

The rest of Rita's body was found on the kitchen floor in their St Clair home, alongside her eyeballs and the tip of her nose.

A trial heard the then-27-year-old was in a fit of rage and was impaired by multiple mental disorders at the time.

Her sister, Kristy Torrisi, fought back tears as she told a court of the anxiety, pain, depression and anger she feels after her mother was taken by the 'selfish hands' of her own sister.

'She was killed and butchered like she was nothing,' Ms Torrisi told a sentencing hearing at the NSW Supreme Court.

Rita Camilleri, 57, was stabbed 100 times by her daughter. Just weeks earlier, she had told a neighbour she wasn't worried about Jessica hurting anyone

The crime scene where Rita's head was found on the path. The rest of her body, including her eyes and nose, were found inside the house

Other family members said they hoped Camilleri would receive the help she needed behind bars.

But just two years into her sentence, she violently attacked two prison guards, ripping the hair from their heads.

The first assault happened during a search for sharps in August 2021, when Camilleri moved 'hastily' towards her cell door, slipped through the opening and was ordered to get back inside.

As the prison guard turned away, Camilleri seized her opportunity, ripping her hair out.

Camilleri later told police, she didn't like the guard, 'so I just wanted to give them a little bit of the taste of their own medicine'.

The second incident, in October 2021, occurred when Camilleri was in the prison yard and refused to put her hands through a hatch to be handcuffed.

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American Airlines passengers were forced to evacuate their plane after it caught on fire at Denver Airport on Thursday following mid-air engine trouble.

Terrified passengers were seen fleeing via the wing of the aircraft as smoke billowed from the plane.

The flight, AA 1006, had departed Colorado Springs Airport at 4:52pm (local time) and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was diverted to Denver shortly after takeoff when the crew reported engine vibrations, according to Federal Aviation Administration.

'After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides,' said the FAA.

The frightening tarmac escape is the latest in a series of crashes and near misses involving US passenger jets, including the American Airlines flight which collided with a helicopter, killing 67 people in January.

The incidents have shaken the public's trust in the aviation sector amid Donald Trump's FAA purge which cut a swath through staff weeks after the fatal collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Footage from Thursday's fire on the tarmac showed the fire has caused significant damage to the plane, with one area on the right side above the wing charred black.

American Airlines passengers were forced to evacuate after their plane caught on fire at the Denver Airport on Thursday

Flames erupting from under the plane were doused with water

Horrifying footage shared on social media showed the passengers fleeing to the tarmac and exiting from the plane wings

Emergency slides were activated and people were seen walking around the tarmac near the aircraft being ushered to safety.

Denver International Airport told KDVR there was an aircraft fire 'to an American Airlines plane' that was sitting at gate C38 on Thursday evening, producing 'visible smoke.'

'Passengers were evacuated and the slides were deployed,' the airport said. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

A video taken from inside the airport looking out to the plane showed ladders being assembled by ground crew beneath the wing to help escort people down.

Portable stairs were eventually stationed at the end of the wing and passengers were helped down to the tarmac where they gathered back inside the airport.

Thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing into the air in videos shared online.

Emergency services were seen dousing the plane in water while the plane was still stationed at Terminal C of the airport.

One man was seen clutching onto a woman as they carefully navigated the wobbly wing of the aircraft.

ABC News reported only a few minor injuries incurred during the evacuation and six passengers were transported to the hospital for evaluation.

It was diverted to Denver shortly after takeoff when the crew reported engine vibrations. The plane caught fire after landing

American Airlines said no one was injured and thanked the Denver Airport for their quick response

Emergency slides had been activated and people were seen walking around the tarmac near the aircraft being ushered to safety

Denver International Airport told KDVR there was an aircraft fire 'to an American Airlines plane' that was sitting at gate C38 on Thursday evening

'After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,' the company said.

'The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.'

The American Airlines Washington, DC crash marked the deadliest US air disaster in 24 years, and the first major US commercial passenger flight crash in more than 15 years, following the Colgan Air Flight crash in 2009.

Less than a month later, on February 17, a Delta passenger plane crashed-landed upside down in chaotic scenes at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.

Miraculously, everyone on board survived after being suspended upside-down by their seatbelts for several minutes until they tentatively began evacuating.

The plane had been heading to Toronto from Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport with 76 passengers and four crew members on board.

Some 21 people were taken to the hospital for treatment to minor injuries, and Delta has offered each person a no-strings $30,000 payout in compensation.

And the plane carnage is ongoing - on Sunday, yet another jet crash-landed, this time in a parking lot of a suburban Pennsylvania retirement home.

In February, a Delta plane crash-landed and flipped over at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Dramatic footage showed the Beechcraft A36TC erupt in flames in the parking lot of Brethren Village in Manheim Township. Five people were rushed to hospital.

Medics, ambulances, and emergency vehicles rushed to the scene in Lancaster County as flames engulfed the plane and nearby vehicles.

The plane took off as scheduled on Sunday afternoon, but quickly requested to land back on the tarmac because its door had opened.

Horrifying air traffic control audio revealed the pilot telling ground agents that they needed to turn around - but at one point he said that he couldn't hear the radio because of all the wind noise, caused by the unlocked hatch.

The air traffic controller can be heard saying: 'Pull up... the aircraft is down just behind the terminal in the parking lot tree area.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, an FAA spokesperson said five people were on board the plane. They have all been transferred to local hospitals with various injuries.

Other recent plane horrors include a mid-air collision over Arizona's Marana Airport on February 19 which killed two people.

One of the planes was left in a pile of rubble and ashes after it crash-landed next to the runway, while the other aircraft landed safely, according to the Associated Press.
Elon Musk-owned Tesla has sent an unsigned letter to Donald Trump's top trade representative warning that the company could be harmed by the president's tariff war.

The Tesla CEO has earned the nickname of 'First Buddy' since joining Trump on the campaign trail in July, with the president rewarding Musk's presence - and millions in donations - with a special White House role.

However, Musk's company appears to have informed US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that the president's trade war with Canada and Mexico is bad for business.

The tariffs will likely drive up costs for American companies that use the metals, such as automakers.

The unsigned missive was uploaded to the public comment portal for Greer by one of Tesla's in house lawyers.

Tesla often leaves its public comments unsigned, though many will speculate if Musk had anything to do with it given his tight relationship with Trump.

The automaker said it is important to ensure that the Trump administration's efforts to address trade issues 'do not inadvertently harm U.S. companies.'

Elon Musk-owned Tesla has sent an unsigned letter to Donald Trump 's top trade representative warning that the company could be harmed by the president's tariff war

The Tesla CEO has earned the nickname of 'First Buddy' since joining Trump on the campaign trail in July, with the president rewarding Musk's presence - and millions in donations - with a special White House role

It said it was eager to avoid retaliation of the type it faced in prior trade disputes, which resulted in increased tariffs on electric vehicles imported into countries subject to U.S. tariffs.

'U.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions,' the letter reads.

'For example, past trade actions by the United States have resulted in immediate reactions by the targeted countries, including increased tariffs on EVs imported into those countries.'

Trump is considering imposing significant tariffs on vehicles and parts made around the world in early April.

Tesla warned that even with aggressive localization of the supply chain, 'certain parts and components are difficult or impossible to source within the United States.'

The automaker added that companies will 'benefit from a phased approach that enables them to prepare accordingly and ensure appropriate supply chain and compliance measures are taken.'

'As a U.S. manufacturer and exporter, Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices,' the EV maker said in the letter dated Tuesday.

DailyMail.com has reached out to both the White House and Ambassador Greer for comment.

It comes as Musk and Trump's bromance appears stronger than ever after Trump turned the White House into a Tesla showroom earlier this week.

Trump was making good on a his promise to purchase one of the pricey electric cars to support Musk, who is leading his Department of Government Efficiency efforts to cut back the size and scope of the federal government.

The model Trump bought, which he said his staff at the White House would use, has a starting price of $76,880.

He and Musk sat in the car. Trump started the engine and Musk showed him the features. Alas, the president didn't take it for a test drive, saying the Secret Service wouldn't let him.

Trump defended Musk repeatedly.

'This man is a great patriot and you should cherish it,' he said of him.

However, despite a brief rise in stock price after the White House event, Tesla stocks continued to slide the rest of the week.

Tesla stock is now down 36% year to date in the market.

His company appears to have asked US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to be careful how the president goes about its trade war with Canada and Mexico

Wall Street's sell-off hit a new low Thursday after President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10 percent below its record - set just last month.

A 10 percent drop is a big enough deal that professional investors have a name for it - a 'correction' - and the S&P 500s 1.4 percent slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023.

The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding.

The S&P 500's plunge from its February 19 high took just 16 trading sessions, making it the seventh-fastest correction since records began after the crash in 1929 that caused the Great Depression, according to Bloomberg data.
Almost half a million Aussie children are skipping school on a regular basis as they struggle to readjust to full-time study loads in the classroom in the wake of coronavirus lockdowns.

New figures, released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, showed more than 483,000 children enrolled in school last year went to class less than 89 per cent of the time.

The statistics also revealed that 20 per cent of teenagers were leaving school before completing Year 12.

Public schools were more affected and the Northern Territory had the worst stats with 33.5 per cent of its students with lower than recommended attendance rates.

It wasn't great news on the east coast either with New South Wales (19.6 per cent), Queensland (18.5 per cent) and Victoria (16.9 per cent) all recording lower than desired attendance figures.

Former teacher Richard Crawshaw is helping tackle the issue and wants to get kids back in the classroom though his Can't Face School organisation.

Mr Crawshaw explained to the Daily Mail Australia that many students refusing to go to school weren't doing it because they're bad kids with poor attitudes.

He said while the public didn't realise how big the issue was, there was a way to deal with it.

Richard Crawshaw is helping get kids back in the classroom though his Can't Face School organisation

'It (lockdowns) definitely played a big role. There are families and kids who are struggling and they don't have to. There's a way out of this,' he said.

'It's about having someone to work with these young people who can find out what the problem is before throwing solutions at it.

'You can't just put together return to school plans without understanding the issue first.'

Mr Crenshaw said he was virtually forced to start his Can't Face School organisation due to the demand for support from worried parents.

'After the lockdowns I got contacted by so many parents and it just made sense to formalise what I was doing because so many people needed help,' he said.

'We can get things moving at a good pace. We've had kids who haven't been to school in two or three years who are now attending again.

'Once a positive relationship is happing again it's easier to get some by-in.'

One parent News Corp spoke to was Karina Harcourt whose son Sam was nine during the first major lockdown.

New figures have revealed 500,000 Aussie children are skipping school on a regular basis

She said he went from the typical sport-loving child, who was popular among his peers, to a 'very introverted' young boy who refused to go to school.

'The nice approach. The tough approach. The empathetic approach. I've tried everything and nothing is working,' she said.

Ms Harcourt said many parents like her were left to deal with the effects of Covid lockdowns without any help.

'It's heartbreaking,' she said.

The University of Melbourne's Megan O'Connell has been researching the impacts of Covid lockdowns and school attendance.

She said there was a huge number of kids out there who hadn't gone back to school after the lockdowns and described them as 'ghost children'.

'There's an estimated 80,000 children currently not enrolled in the education system,' she told The Advertiser.

Education minister Jason Clare said the attendance rate goal was 91.4 per cent by 2030.
The Amazon rainforest is often described as 'the lungs of the earth' although, usefully, it does the exact opposite: breathing in carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen.

It is also a treasure trove of biodiversity. Nowhere else on the planet teems with so broad a variety of life, with rosewood, mahogany and rubber trees jostling for position with orchids, ferns and lilies.

Not to mention several million species of insects, plants, birds, and other forms of life, many still unrecorded by science.

Not surprisingly, its fate has long been championed by the environmental movement, which mounts campaigns against anyone who seeks to despoil it, from illegal loggers to cattle ranchers.

Which is why it is so stupefying to witness the desecration being wreaked upon the rainforest by contractors hired by the organisers of the COP30 climate summit to be held this November in Brazil.

Hundreds of acres of virgin rainforest are being felled to make way for an eight mile, four-lane road to speed some 50,000 politicians, officials and campaigners in limousines to the conference centre in the Amazonian city of Belem.

But the environmental destruction doesn't end there. The city's airport is being expanded to cope with 14 million passengers a year, twice as many as at present.

The attendance of our own pied piper of net zero, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, at this absurd jamboree has not yet been confirmed. but, having swallowed his objections to the new runway at Heathrow, we can probably assume that he won't feel much compunction about using infrastructure built at the cost of such vast amounts of Nature's riches.

A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belem

The road will be used to ease traffic in and out of the city of Belem, which will host a staggering 50,000 people

The state government of Para had previously shelved plans for the highway, known as Avenida Liberdade, due to environmental concerns

But is anyone surprised by such hypocrisy any more? COP summits, designed to bring together the world's great and good to discuss climate change, have become mass celebrations of flawed morality, with each one worse than the last.

In moves that are beyond parody, the rights to host the most recent two were awarded to fossil fuel-hungry petro-states. Dubai put on the 2023 summit and last year's was held in Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

Both cities were accused of using the events to shamelessly tout their oil and gas industries.

The CEO of Baku's COP29, Elnur Soltanov, was secretly filmed offering business opportunities to a campaigner posing as an oil investor.

Leaked documents from COP28, meanwhile, revealed that UAE officials were planning to use the Dubai event to do oil and gas deals.

Interest in the Dubai summit was more intense than ever before if the number of private jets it attracted was anything to go by. An analysis of flight radar systems showed that 644 flights touched down at airports close to the venue where the conference was taking place  more than double the 315 private flights recorded for the previous COP in Egypt.

Indeed, the carbon footprint of COP conferences has exploded since the events began in 1995. And the excuses of the COP apologists get more pathetic by the year.

One environmental blogger dismissed concerns about the CO2 belching into the atmosphere as a result of the Glasgow summit in 2021 because levels were too negligible to worry about.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives at a ceremony to announce investments in the portuary sector at the Itaguai port, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, on February 21

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) and Para Governor Helder Barbalho visit the area of Parque da Cidade, the venue that will host the activities of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Belem

Those emissions, we were told, amounted to just two millionths of the Earth's total carbon output for that year. If all the measures agreed at the event were put into effect, it was claimed, some 70,000 times as much CO2 would be saved.

But that all rather misses the point. Attendees should set an example, for moral authority is quickly lost in the choking jet exhaust of a Dassault Falcon 10X business jet. And if these luxury sorties only account for a tiny proportion of total global emissions, why should any of us change lifestyles that create comparatively trivial carbon footprints by comparison?

The Glasgow event, COP26, especially, was a chance for the world's wealthy, and for our own government, to set an example not least because of the Covid pandemic.

Some wondered whether the summit could be held online to reduce the risk of a global event further spreading the disease and, of course, to cut those carbon emissions.

But ministers dismissed the idea. It was imperative, they said, for the world to travel to Glasgow. They wouldn't have their day in the global spotlight ruined.

Too many people are trying to have their cake and eat it: prophesying the End of Days while carrying on with their brazen, carbon-rich lifestyles.

The sensible way forward on climate change lies somewhere between these two extremes. No, we shouldn't be impoverishing the world's population in order to reach net zero targets  we have to accept that economies need to grow, that people have legitimate aspirations to improve their lives.

And all this will involve carbon emissions until affordable, clean technology arrives to replace what we have now. But, neither should we be indulging in rampant wastes of energy and resources.

A new four-lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit

Debris from the hundreds of trees which were felled in the Amazon to make a road for a climate summit

It is vital that we preserve natural environments as much as possible. You don't have to be an Extinction Rebellion activist to think it is right to tax private jets to encourage the world's wealthy to take scheduled flights instead.

Or that if you need to build a new road it would be better routed around, rather than through, virgin rainforest.

As it happens, there is already a multiple-lane motorway from Belem airport to a location close to the COP 30 conference venue. Why couldn't the organisers free up space on that by laying on buses for the duration of the event, or build a metro system?

Instead, they have chosen the most destructive option, a construction operation that required a special exemption from Brazil's strict laws on deforestation.

Not that any of this will be mentioned in the no doubt smug communique organisers will issue after the conference, extolling how precious the Amazon is to the world, and how it is endangered by all our ghastly lifestyles.

COP conferences are doing more harm than good because they create an 'us and them' atmosphere. The 'us' ask why, if you world leaders and hangers-on really think the Earth is in such a desperate state, don't you practise what you preach?

When the final private jet takes off from Belem's expanded airport and the heavy conference traffic on the pristine motorway that cleaves a rainforest in two declines to a trickle, might the people there come to regret the destruction that one two-week summit has wrought on their homeland?

The COP organisers certainly won't  they will be too busy plotting where the circus rolls on to next. (Australia, if you're interested.)

It is only right that the world co-operates on environmental matters and finds a way of cleaning up our energy system.

But overblown COPs are showing exactly how not to do it because they inspire nothing but ridicule.
Police have arrested three people after a body was found partially buried in a Sydney backyard.

The discovery was made about 11:35am on Friday in the yard of a property on Gleness Place in Glenorie, in the city's north-west, NSW Police said.

Officers were making inquiries about a missing man when they found what is believed to be human remains.

A short time later, three people  two men and a woman  were arrested near the area and are assisting police with inquiries.

Multiple police vehicles were at the site, which was cordoned off and residents told to keep indoors.

Among the officers in attendance are homicide squad detectives who are looking into the circumstances surrounding the macabre find.

The incident is being treated as suspicious and anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Terrified students were ordered to shelter in place at their college campus after police received a call from a person claiming to be holding someone hostage with a bomb.

Police arrived at Claremont McKenna College in Southern California about 5pm local time after the unknown caller also vowed to 'walk around with a rifle and shoot anyone they saw on the campus.'

After an extensive search which included locking some terrified students down and evacuating others from their classrooms, authorities deemed the call a hoax.

'The caller told dispatch they were in a restroom on the Claremont McKenna College campus, holding someone captive and threatening to harm them,' Claremont Police Department said in a statement.

'They also stated they had a bomb.

'Law Enforcement personnel did not locate anyone with a weapon, and no victims were located.

'There were no signs of any active shooter. Extensive resources were used in response to the call for service, which was later determined to be a false report or 'swatting call.'

Terrified students have been evacuated from their college campus as police investigate a possible active shooter

Classes for Pomona College were canceled due to the ongoing police activity, the school said earlier.

'A potential threat on CMC's campus was reported to the Claremont Police Department. A shelter in place order has been issued while police and public safety ensure the campus is secure,' the school said in a statement.

The latest statement from the school reads: 'Thank you for your continued patience as police continue to ensure the campus is safe.

'The shelter in place remains in effect we will keep you informed.'

According to the LATimes, Claremont Mckenna College Dean of Students Jimmy Doan sent an all-student email at 6.18pm urging them to log their location in order for staff to locate all students.

'We are thinking about each and every single one of you,' he wrote.

'Please fill out this short form to let us know your current location. We may use this information to help us track our student community.'
A Utah vlogger tragically passed away just one week after sustaining severe burns in a 10-car pileup while traveling to a friend's wedding in Mexico.

Elise Caffee, 45, known for her relatable family content, died days after she and her husband, Dan Caffee, were involved in a scorching car wreck which saw a 'truck full of hot asphalt' hit them, flip their car and trap the mom-of-three underneath.

The pair were reportedly headed to a Cancun wedding venue to celebrate a close friend's nuptials when the devastating accident occurred.

'Elise and Dan arrived in Mexico for a wedding on March 6th and on the way to their hotel they were involved in a 10+ car pileup on a freeway in Cancun,' a post on Instagram, shared by Elise's loved ones reads.

'A truck full of hot asphalt hit them, flipping their car, trapping Elise underneath, and dumping steaming hot asphalt on top of her as well as the people in front of the other cars,' the post continued.

The harrowing incident 'miraculously' happened 'right in front of a hospital' as the travel influencer, who ran the travel blog '3 Kids Travel', was immediately tended to.

'Hospital workers rushed out and immediately started trying to help get people out from under cars as did Dan, but were getting burned through their protective gloves because the asphalt was so hot.'

Her family continued to provide updates on her recovery, creating a new Instagram account, 'EliseCaffeeUpdates,' aimed to keep her nearly 47,000 followers in the loop as the Sandy-native was treated in Mexico.

Elise Caffee, 45, known for her relatable family content, died days after she and her husband, Dan Caffee, were involved in a scorching car wreck which saw a 'truck full of hot asphalt' hit them, flip their car and trap the mom-of-three underneath

'Elise and Dan arrived in Mexico for a wedding on March 6th and on the way to their hotel they were involved in a 10+ car pileup on a freeway in Cancun,' a post on Instagram, shared by Elise's loved ones reads. Pictured: Scenes from the deadly March 6 accident in Cancun

In her time as a vlogger, Elise shared many unique and beautiful experiences traveling with her family.Pictured: Elise Caffee with her husband Dan and their three daughters

'Elise is currently stable and is intubated and sedated with a neck catheter to help her get fluids and medicine,' the family wrote on Instagram the day following the accident.

The post also confirmed that medical staff were 'working to clean the asphalt from her burn wounds and help her get stable so that she can be transferred with a ICU medic plane to the University of Utah burn unit.'

The beloved mommy blogger was eventually transferred and flown to the University of Utah's burn unit in Salt Lake City for further treatment.

Two days before her death, the update page explained that the mom was recovering from surgery to remove damaged tissue, but remained in critical condition.

'She's fighting for her life right now. She continues to need your prayers,' the post's caption read.

In one of the final posts before announcing her death, the family posted that they had a 'calmer day' than the previous.

'...a truck full of hot asphalt hit them, flipping their car, trapping Elise underneath, and dumping steaming hot asphalt on top of her as well as the people in front of the other cars,' the post continued

Elise's family continued to provide updates on her recovery for her followers, creating a new Instagram account, 'EliseCaffeeUpdates ,' aimed to keep her nearly 47,000 followers in the loop. Pictured: Elise Caffee (left) with her husband Dan and their three daughters

Her daughters were able to see their mom in the hospital room and braid her hair, while Dan serenaded his wife with his guitar.

Much of her family continued to gather in the Utah medical center to support their injured loved one, however, on Wednesday, around 11pm, the distraught family provided an agonizing update.

'We are absolutely heartbroken to share the news of Elise's passing tonight,' they shared in a post. 'She held on so long and fought so hard against an impossibly difficult set of circumstances.

'Absolutely everything that could have been done for her was done and we are so grateful she was able to make it back home to say goodbye to her family before leaving us.'

The driver tasked with escorting the couple to the lavish Mexican retreat was unable to be rescued in the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.

'Our driver was killed and Elise was severely burned [and] I was uninjured,' Dan wrote on Instagram.

The driver, who was only referred to as Luis, leaves behind his wife, Alejandra, as well as his twin daughters, 15, and son, 12, without their family's main provider.

The Caffee family has since organized a GoFundMe fundraiser asking for donations for their 'friends in Mexico' who have been impacted by the horrible accident.

She believed 'you can take your kids everywhere,' encouraging her followers not to wait for specific circumstances to travel, especially with their kids

Her daughters (pictured with parents, Elise and Dan) were able to see their mom in the hospital room and braid her hair, while Dan serenaded his wife with his guitar

Much of her family gathered in the Utah medical center to support their injured loved one, however, on Wednesday, around 11 pm, the distraught family provided an agonizing update - Elise had died

'We are asking you to take the love and generosity that you feel towards our family during this time of crisis, and direct it to helping our friends in Mexico who have also been impacted by this horrible accident,' the fundraising page reads.

'We hope to help them cover Luis' funeral costs, potential legal fees, and provide for their needs their family will have during this difficult time and in the days ahead.'

The donation campaign raised a total of $64,692 as of Thursday morning.

In her time as a vlogger, Elise shared many unique and beautiful experiences traveling with her family.

She believed 'you can take your kids everywhere,' encouraging her followers not to wait for specific circumstances to travel, especially with their kids.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The Iranian Government has continued to ramp up efforts to restrict the rights of civilians including young children as part of a concerted effort to crush dissent, investigators mandated by the UN Human Rights Council said on Friday
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being encouraged to mount a primary challenge against the Senate's top Democrat Chuck Schumer after he agreed to vote to continue funding the government.

The 'squad' member who represents parts of New York City in Congress slammed Schumer for going along with what even the Senate Minority Leader says is a 'deeply partisan' bill.

'Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think is a huge slap in the face,' AOC said Thursday night.

Pennsylvania's John Fetterman has also announced he will vote yes on the funding bill.

'I think there is a wide sense of betrayal if things proceed as currently planned,' Ocasio-Cortez added.

She noted that the Senate - which requires 60 votes to pass a bill, meaning seven Democrats must flip - was cowardly compared to 'members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts' being willing to hold out.

A member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus told CNN after Schumer announced he was voting yes that 'even centrist Democrats were 'ready to write checks for AOC for Senate.'

Schumer is not up for re-election until 2028, meaning Ocasio-Cortez would have a little over three years to mount what would be an underdog campaign during the next presidential election.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being encouraged to mount a primary challenge to the Senate 's top Democrat Chuck Schumer after he agreed to vote to continue funding the government

The 'squad' member who represents parts of New York City in Congress slammed Schumer for going along with what even the Senate Minority Leader says is a 'deeply partisan' bill

The anonymous Congressmember also told CNN that some House Democrats have privately asked AOC to primary the long-time leader of the party in the Senate, though most are in the far left progressive caucus.

One even said they would write her a check at the party's retreat in Virginia later Thursday night.

When asked for comment on the possibility, Ocasio-Cortez said she's focused on the funding bill.

'We still have an opportunity to correct course here, and that is my number one priority.'

If she were to challenge Schumer, it would mirror Ocasio-Cortez's rise to power, when she successfully defeated Joe Crowley, then one of the House's most prominent Democrats, in 2017.

Schumer told Democrats privately during a spirited closed-door lunch and then made public remarks ahead of voting Friday, which will be hours before the midnight deadline to keep government running.

The New York senator said as bad as the GOP bill is, a shutdown would be worse, giving President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk 'carte blanche' as they tear through the government.

'Trump has taken a blowtorch to our country and wielded chaos like a weapon,' Schumer said.

More than a thousand people march against efforts to dismantle and defund the healthcare system

The anonymous Congressmember added that some House Democrats have privately asked her to primary the long-time leader of the party in the Senate, though most are in the far left progressive caucus

'For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda.'

The move by Schumer brings a potential resolution to what has been a dayslong standoff.

Senate Democrats have mounted a last-ditch protest over the package, which already passed the House but without slapping any limits they were demanding on Trump and billionaire Musk's efforts to gut federal operations.

Republicans were able to pass the CR through the House on Tuesday along nearly party lines 217 to 213.

The bill slightly increases defense spending by $6 billion while cutting domestic spending by $13 billion. It also includes provisions that would give President Trump more leeway on how to spend money without congressional approval.

Only one House Democrat, Congressman Jared Golden of Maine voted for it. One Republican, Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against it.

Hakeem Jeffries, Schumer's fellow New Yorker and the House Minority Leader, put out a statement demanding Democrats vote no.

'We strongly oppose the partisan and harmful Republican spending bill,' he wrote on social media.

If she were to challenge Schumer, it would mirror Ocasio-Cortez's rise to power, when she successfully defeated Joe Crowley, then one of the House's most prominent Democrats, in 2017

Senate Democrats have mounted a last-ditch protest over the package, which already passed the House but without slapping any limits they were demanding on Trump and billionaire Musk's efforts to gut federal operations

Republicans in the Senate need 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. They only have a 53-47 majority and one GOP Senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, has already come out against it.

It means Senate Republicans need more than a handful of Democrats to cross the aisle and vote for the Trump-backed GOP bill to keep the government open.

Some Democratic lawmakers have slammed the GOP bill because it was rammed through by Republicans who did not make any effort to obtain bipartisan input.

As the bill went before the House for a vote, Senate Democrats remained tight-lipped on how they would handle the CR should it pass, telling reporters they would wait and see.

Some House Democrats who voted against the bill have urged their supporters to make calls to their Democratic senators to push them to reject the bill.

They argue it gives Trump and Republicans a blank check to move forward with their plans to pass massive tax cuts for the wealthy.

Some Senate Democrats have made it clear they believe it's time to stand their ground. Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren said she would vote no.

On Thursday, Senator Mark Warner also said he was no on a procedural vote to overcome the filibuster and no on the legislation.

Fetterman has pushed back on his own caucus' approach and accused Senate Democrats of 'theater' to save face.

'Shut the government down, plunge the country into chaos, risk a recession,' Fetterman posted on X. 'or Exchange cloture for a 30 day CR that 100% fails.'

'The House GOP CR will then pass the Senate because it only needs 51 votes. Total theater is neither honest with constituents nor a winning argument,' the senator added.
The American man last seen with missing spring breaker Sudiksha Konanki claims he saved her from drowning after they kissed in the water at a Dominican Republic beach.

Joshua Riibe, 22, was seen on camera with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana.

The former high school wrestling champ has not been named a suspect or a person of interest in the case, and is legally free to fly back to the US whenever he wants.

Konanki's week-long disappearance has baffled officials and prompted cries from her parents to widen the frantic search for the pre-med student.

The complete transcript from Riibe's police interview has now emerged, detailing his final moments with Konanki and the chaotic aftermath to her mystery disappearance.

But he refused to answer several critical questions, remaining silent when cops asked if Konanki could swim, if she cried for help and what he confided in friend after the tragic night.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, claimed he had only just met the young woman when they decided to head to the beach, according to the transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN.

He revealed they had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away by a wave. He said he saved her from drowning while almost losing consciousness.

'We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit,' Riibe said. 'A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea. As soon as we were able to surface, we tried to call for help.'

Joshua Riibe (pictured), 22, detailed his final moments with the 20-year-old missing student to investigators from the Ministerio Publico, but refused to answer several critical questions

Sudiksha Konanki (pictured), 20, vanished last week. Her case has baffled officials and prompted cries from her Indian immigrant parents to widen the frantic to search

Riibe was caught on camera with the University of Pittsburgh student in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort

He explained that he previously worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool and tried to bring them both to safety when he started to feel sick.

'I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired of swimming too. I've been a lifeguard. I grabbed her and pulled her out. I held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water,' Riibe said.

'It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult. I was a lifeguard in a pool, not at sea. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didn't let me breathe the whole time and I swallowed a lot of water. I could have lost consciousness several times.'

The 22-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but claims Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her.

'When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn't out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water,' he said.

'The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn't hear her reply because I started vomiting all the water I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around. I didn't see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.'

He told investigators that he then passed out on the beach and did not hearing anything about Sudiksha until the next day when her friends texted his friend.

'I felt really bad and tired. I laid down on a beach chair. I fell asleep because I couldn't go far,' Riibe said.

Drones, divers, sniffer dogs and hundreds of officers have been deployed in one of the biggest searches in the history of the Dominican Republic

Riibe claimed they had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away and had to save her from drowning. Riibe (pictured the next day) said he passed out and woke up on the beach

'Then I woke up because of the sun and because mosquitoes were biting me. I went to my friend's room to get my phone and then went back to my room to sleep.'

While assisting authorities, Riibe refused to answer at least eight different questions into Sudiksha's disappearance.

When asked if he can verify his statements, what he told his friend, if Sudiksha knew how to swim, if she made any cries for help, if he told authorities what happened on the beach and how he feels about the situation - he had the same response.

'My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice,' Riibe told investigators before going silent.

The somber-faced Rock Rapids, Iowa native declined to answer questions when DailyMail.com encountered him walking through the lobby with his father Mike, 46, and a police chaperone.

'I'm sorry, I can't say anything, not right now,' Riibe told DailyMail.com when we located him inside the five-star Riu Republica hotel in Punta Cana.

Riibe's distraught family said the former high school athlete 'wouldn't hurt a fly.

Josh and his dad, who flew in this week to support his son, have also been in communication with Sudiksha's distraught Indian immigrant parents Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Riibe, a former high school wrestling star, refused to answer at least eight different questions claiming his lawyers told him not to talk

The 24-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her

Riibe was seen on hotel CCTV with his arm draped around Sudiksha as they headed to the resort's beach around 4am last Thursday.

The cameras spotted him walking back alone at 9.55am. Sudiksha's pals reported her missing at around 4pm.

The 'adults only' Riu Republica was still teeming with cops, soldiers and officials Thursday as the hunt for pre-med student Sudiksha entered a second week.

Drones, divers, sniffer dogs and hundreds of officers have been deployed in one of the biggest searches in the history of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the FBI and Interpol, which issued a 'yellow notice'  a global missing person alert - for the Chantilly, Virginia resident.

Government officials revealed Thursday that the search will carry on at full intensity through at least Sunday, according to Noticias SIN.

Searches are typically stood down after ten days but it could last for as long as six months in a scaled down capacity, the Dominican outlet reported.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Peter Dutton of 'walking away' from a united front supporting Ukraine as speculation grows over whether a ceasefire in the years-long war is tenable.

The opposition leader said on Friday that he was opposed to Australia joining roughly 30 nations in a 'coalition of the willing', a potential international security force for Ukraine.

'It just doesn't make any sense,' Mr Dutton told reporters.

'Our job is to take care of our country and to make sure that we're safe in our region, and to keep peace in our region, we're going to have to invest in defence.'

The opposition leader said he supported Ukraine 'from day one' and opposed 'Russia's evil invasion of Ukraine and the slaughter of innocent men, women and children'.

'We should continue to support Ukraine, but not with troops on the ground.'

Mr Dutton's statement seems to have ended, at least in the Prime Minister's eyes, cross-bench support of Ukraine.

'[We] did have a bipartisan position, it appears that Mr Dutton has walked away from that. That's a decision for him, but we stand for Ukraine,' Mr Albanese told the ABC.

Peter Dutton (pictured) told reporters on Friday that supporting boots on the ground in Ukraine 'doesn't make sense'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) is due to join a call with 30 nations to discuss a 'coalition of the willing', which would create an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine

The Prime Minister spoke to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, where he said he would 'consider contributing to a coalition of the willing for Ukraine', according to a statement from Downing Street.

Mr Albanese confirmed that on Sunday, saying 'both of our nations are very clear about our support for Ukraine. You can't have peacekeeping forces without having peace'.

Russia has issued a blunt warning to Australia in response to the Prime Minister's tough stance.

'Once again, Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers,' a statement from the Russian Embassy said.

'Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the Special Military Operation.'

The stern statement added said that the presence of military from NATO members and western countries within a likely peacekeeping zone in eastern Ukraine was 'totally unacceptable'.

'Canberra remains firmly on the side of war, along with those in Europe who are betting on continuing and escalating the conflict despite encouraging shifts towards peace negotiations.'

On Wednesday Ukraine had agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

The Kremlin refused a proposed ceasefire deal, with an aide of President Vladimir Putin calling the agreement 'hasty'

But hopes for a pause in the years-long war were dissolved after the Kremlin slapped down the Donald Trump-led agreement.

Putin aide Yuri Ushakov expressed his opposition to the proposed US deal, saying that it was 'hasty' and would give breathing space to Ukrainian forces at a time when Moscow is close to fully retaking territory in its Kursk region from Kyiv's forces.

At least 30 countries are involved in discussions surrounding the idea of a united peacekeeping force that would be placed in Ukraine.

Mr Albanese remains open to considering a Australian troops on the ground and is due to take part in the call, arranged by Sir Keir Starmer, on Saturday night Australian time, the ABC reports.
Elon Musk's DOGE celebrated more government slashing including hundreds of 'wasteful contracts' to trans farmers worth over $400million - but for one Fox News host the cuts hit a little too close to home.

The Department of Government Efficiency announced on Thursday that they'd 'terminated' another 239 government contracts. DOGE claimed that the cuts had a total ceiling value of $1.7billion.

Jesse Watters, a pro-Trump Fox News host, said that now his sister is likely to be affected by the slashings.

'I just saw some news that Trump took some grants away from Johns Hopkins, where my sister works, now my mom is upset, texting me,' Watters said.

'It'll be a whole family thing. We will have to deal with it over the weekend.'

Johns Hopkins University will be losing 2,200 jobs after USAID funding was cut, according to Axios.

The elimination of the contracts represents a savings of $400 million, according to DOGE.

Earlier this week, Trump's Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said one of the canceled deals included a $379,000 grant to educate transgender, BIPOC and queer farmers about food justice.

They also listed several National Institute of Health grants that were thrown in the trash.

Elon Musk 's DOGE celebrated canceling hundreds of 'wasteful contracts' worth over $400million, though one Fox News host is worried the agency will ruin his weekend at home

The Department of Government Efficiency has been tasked by Donald Trump with looking at ways to shrink the size of the federal government , with the billionaire earning the nickname of 'First Buddy'

Vanderbilt University lost a $100,000 grant to study 'social networks' involving 'sexual and gender minorities.'

Another $37,000 was canceled that had been earmarked for the University of Houston to study 'fear of deportation' among 'Latinx young adults.'

The University of Pennsylvania has lost $681,000 for 'social media anti-vaping messages' meant for 'sexual and gender minority teens.'

Also, $225,000 is taken from the University of Colorado to study the 'effects of hormones on headaches in transmasculine adolescents.'

Another vaguely-written contract included $8.5million for consulting on 'fiscal stewardship to improve management and program operations in order to drive innovation and improve efficiency and effectiveness of business services.

The deal was allegedly meant to 'rethink, realign and reskill the workforce; and enhance program delivery through a number of transformational initiatives.'

Jesse Watters, a staunch pro-Trump Fox News host, seemed to strangely bemoan some of the cuts

Musk's DOGE has already slashed staffing at several federal agencies, cut federal spending and in an unprecedented move emailed federal employees asking 'what they got done last week'.

Trump and Musk have argued that the government is wasteful and bloated. DOGE claims it has saved $105 billion in cuts, but it has only publicly documented a fraction of those savings, and its accounting has been plagued by errors.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has led the charge to slash the federal workforce under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but its chief spokesperson appears to be completely off-message.

DOGE has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks for its chaotic handling of layoffs, particularly its firing of key federal employees only to attempt to rehire them later.

Among those affected were workers responsible for maintaining nuclear weapons sites across the US, a move that has raised serious national security concerns and Musk and his allies are now face mounting pressure to reassess their approach.

Some terminations are part of the Education Department's 'final mission,' alluding to Trump's vow to eliminate the department, which oversees $1.6 trillion in college loans, enforces civil rights laws in schools and provides federal funding for needy districts.

The layoffs would leave the department with 2,183 workers, down from 4,133 when Trump took office in January.

Similar closures served as a precursor to shuttering the headquarters of the US Agency for International Development, the humanitarian aid agency, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects Americans against unscrupulous lenders.

DOGE's blunt-force approach has frustrated several White House officials and Republican members of Congress

Trump and Musk have argued that the government is wasteful and bloated. DOGE claims it has saved $105 billion in cuts

So far, DOGE has cut more than 100,000 jobs across the 2.3 million-member federal civilian bureaucracy, frozen most foreign aid and canceled thousands of programs and contracts, despite dozens of lawsuits challenging the legality of those moves.

DOGE's blunt approach has frustrated several White House officials and Republican lawmakers, some of whom have confronted angry constituents at town halls.

Trump told department heads last week that they, not Musk, have the final say on staffing, his first notable public move to restrain the Tesla CEO.

All US government agencies have been ordered to come up with large-scale layoff plans by Thursday, setting up the next phase of Trump's cost-cutting campaign.

Several agencies have offered employees payments to retire early to fulfill Trump's demand.

Affected Education Department employees will be placed on administrative leave starting on March 21, the department said.

Other agencies have offered lump-sum payments of up to $25,000 before tax to workers who agree to leave their jobs.

Among these are the Office of Personnel Management, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, including its Food and Drug Administration.
Mexican authorities have been left scrambling trying to figure out exactly what transpired on a two-acre drug cartel 'training camp' that has been dubbed the 'Mexican Auschwitz' after disturbing photos were posted online.

The images from Rancho Izaguirre in the western state of Jalisco show hundreds of discarded shoes, backpacks, shirts and other items, according to the Los Angeles Times.

There were also pictures of charred bones, skulls, fingers, teeth, bullet casings and clips from high-powered rifles, as well as handwritten entries in a notebook - comprising numbered columns of nicknames and a farewell letter that read: 'My love, if some day I don't return, I only ask you to remember how much I love you.'

Inside one cinder-block building was a shrine to Santa Muerte, a female folk saint whose cult is often associated with organized crime.

The gruesome discovery was made last week when a search group called the Warrior Searchers of Jalisco decided to act on a tip in their search for loved ones who are among the country's more than 120,000 'disappeared.'

'It was a tremendous shock,' Raul Servin Garcia told the LA Times. 'The first thought that occurs to you is to hope that no relative - a son, a husband, had ever been in this place, had ever been tortured or murdered there.

'The sensation that runs through your body when you see hundreds and hundreds of shoes piled up like that is indescribable. And of course you imagine the worst.

Images from Rancho Izaguirre in the western state of Jalisco show hundreds of discarded shoes, backpacks, shirts and other items

Clothes were left scattered from those who were killed at the site

There were handwritten entries in a notebook - comprising numbered columns of nicknames and a farewell letter that read: 'My love, if some day I don't return, I only ask you to remember how much I love you'

'You see the clothing, the shoes and you can't control yourself,' said Servin, who has been looking for the remains of his son, who disappeared in 2018 at the age of 20.

'The tears come running down your eyes just thinking of the suffering that those poor people endured,' he said. 'One can only pray to God that your loved one was not in that place.'

It remains unclear exactly how many people were killed at the site in Teuchitlan, just 37 miles from downtown Guadalajara - Mexico's second largest city.

But investigators now believe the ranch was used as a 'tactical' training area and a physical conditioning zone, along with burial lots, for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel - one of Mexico's major and most violent crime syndicates.

Photos of one area even showed an obstacle course, crafted of wires lashed onto logs and another site with tires lining the ground.

The group likely recruited young men from a bus station in a Guadalajara suburb.

'They met these young people at the bus terminal with phony promises of work,' Servin explained. 'Many had no idea what they were getting into.'

Anyone who tried to escape or didn't measure up to physical training faced death, according to Indira Navarro, the head of the searchers' collective.

Mexican National Guard agents arrive to Izaguirre Ranch where skeletal remains were discovered in Teuchitlan, Jalisco state

Authorities had already raided the training camp in September, when they found one body

Authorities did not find any other bodies at the time, with search crews now questioning how they were able to uncover what federal agents could not

The ranch is in Teuchitlan, just 37 miles from downtown Guadalajara - Mexico's second largest city

One of the anonymous survivors even told her that prisoners were sometimes forced to kill their fellow captives, Navarro said in a radio interview.

Recruits were also forced to dig holes, then build makeshift ovens out of bricks and stones, according to the Washington Post.

The Jalisco state prosecutor's office says investigators have now found six groups of charred human bones, some of which were buried underground or hidden in bricks.

Forensics teams have not yet identified any of the deceased.

In an effort to match the items found at the ranch with the thousands of missing people, prosecutors released photos of almost 500 personal effects such as jeans, T-shirts, blouses, skirts, backpacks and bags.

'We've received various calls from families saying "I think that T-shirt was my son's,"' Servin said. 'But we have to tell them: "Remain calm. Don't jump to conclusions." Because it's very hard to think your loved one was murdered in this way or passed through such profound pain.'

Meanwhile, state and federal authorities are continuing to investigate, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters on Thursday.

'We have some isolated photos, but we don't know exactly what was found, how it was found,' she said.

'We have to determine responsibilities based on the information and the investigation.'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters state and federal authorities are continuing to investigate

But the federal attorney general's office has taken the lead in the investigation, Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus announced Wednesday as Mexico Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero suggested there may have been collusion between the cartel and local officials.

He told reporters it was 'not credible' that a 'situation of this nature wasn't known by local authorities.'

In fact it was revealed that the National Guard entered Rancho Izaguirre last September but state officials failed to follow up aggressively with the raid.

Salvador Gonzalez de los Santos, the state attorney general, said 10 government workers combed the site at the time using backhoes and dogs.

They arrested 10 suspects who remain in custody, though it is unclear what charges they face.

Investigators also found a body wrapped in plastic and liberated two captives, among whom was reportedly the author of the love letter/last testament found in the notebook, who is now back home.

Forensic technicians classify items discovered in a room on a ranch that is part of the crime scene where a mass grave was found in the western state of Jalisco

In an effort to match the items found at the ranch with the thousands of missing people, prosecutors released photos of almost 500 personal effects such as jeans, T-shirts, blouses, skirts, backpacks and bags

But they did not find any other bodies, with de los Santos noting that they 'couldn't examine the entire ranch' because it was too big.

Yet the civilian searchers were able to find the mass graves by simply inserting metal rods into the Earth and smelling the tops to detect the stench of decomposing bodies - prompting Navarro to ask how state investigators with technology and training could have failed to find what her group did 'with a pic, shovel and metal bar.'

The state authorities now concede that their earlier efforts were 'insufficient' and suffered from 'possible omissions' which are now under investigation.

Still, they insist there has been no criminal activity at the ranch since September. It had reportedly been active since at least 2018.
James Murdoch has sold his stake worth more than $21million in electric car maker Tesla as the company sees a dramatic a stock market slump.

Tesla's share price has plunged more than 40 per cent this year amid concerns founder Elon Musk is becoming consumed by his role in US President Donald Trump's administration.

Musk is heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which is tasked with cutting back bureaucracy and has earned the nickname 'First Buddy' due to his close friendship with Trump.

On Monday, Murdoch, who has been on the Tesla board since 2017, cashed out of Tesla following other insiders such as chair Robyn Denholm, Elon Musk's younger brother Kimbal and finance chief Vaibhav Taneja.

James' left-leaning views are no secret having publicly lashed out at Fox News over its rightwing content and refusal to acknowledge climate change.

It's a tension that has been simmering for years with James pledging to take News Corp's UK and Ireland operations 'carbon neutral' when he stepped in as boss in 2008.

Just last month, James gave an interview in The Atlantic in which he called his father a 'misogynist' who never considered his sisters as successors in the family business.

Rupert Murdoch's audacious bid to cement his eldest son Lachlan as heir to one of the world's most influential media empires failed in December.

Married couple James and Kathryn Murdoch are pictured here at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, in March last year

James Murdoch has sold his Tesla shares as the car makers sees a stock market drop amid founder Elon Musk's friendship with Donald Trump

The Murdochs command a stable that includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and a host of British and Australian media and had been the inspiration for the hit TV series 'Succession.'

Like the fictional version, this real-life fight pitted the children of a powerful patriarch against each other for who should be the face and the voice of the empire after the old man dies.

Murdoch, now 93, had long intended that his children inherit the empire, and jointly decide its direction.

The eldest daughter, Prudence, has had little involvement in the family business, but at various times the other three - Lachlan, James and Elisabeth - have all been considered as successors.

But in recent years Murdoch senior had reportedly grown concerned that Fox News -- the crown jewels of the collection - might drift away from its lucrative right-wing moorings after his death, to reflect the more centrist views of James and Elisabeth.

He had therefore sought to designate Lachlan - who currently heads Fox News and News Corp - as the controlling player in the wider business.

That had required rewriting the terms of an irrevocable trust that passed power to the four siblings jointly, stripping three of them of voting power, while allowing them to continue to benefit financially.

Rupert Murdoch had argued that giving control to Lachlan - who is understood to share his father's worldview - was in the financial interests of the whole brood.

Rupert Murdoch (C), 93, in December lost his bid to ensure Lachlan Murdoch would control his media empire

Siblings Prudence (left), James (centre) and Elisabeth (right) Murdoch are seen attending a court hearing in Reno, Nevada, last September as part of the family trust dispute

The family intrigue played out behind closed doors in a Nevada courtroom, where Murdoch senior and his four children were understood to have given several days' evidence in September.

In a decision filed at the weekend, probate commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr. said the father and son had acted in 'bad faith' in trying to rewrite the rules, The New York Times reported, citing a copy of the sealed court document.

The plan to alter the trust's structure was a 'carefully crafted charade' to 'permanently cement Lachlan Murdoch's executive roles.'

'The effort was an attempt to stack the deck in Lachlan Murdoch's favor after Rupert Murdoch's passing so that his succession would be immutable,' the Times cited the ruling as saying.

'The play might have worked; but an evidentiary hearing, like a showdown in a game of poker, is where gamesmanship collides with the facts and at its conclusion, all the bluffs are called and the cards lie face up.

'The court, after considering the facts of this case in the light of the law, sees the cards for what they are and concludes this raw deal will not, over the signature of this probate commissioner, prevail.'

Murdoch's lawyer, Adam Streisand, did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment.

The ruling is not final, and must now be ratified or rejected by a district judge. That ruling could be challenged, perhaps provoking another round of legal arguments.

The Murdoch family's in-fighting has inspired the hit TV series Succession starring (left to right) Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Brian Cox, Sarah Snook and Alan Ruck

The complicated structure of the irrevocable trust reflects the colourful familial relationships that shaped Rupert Murdoch's life as he built the multibillion-dollar empire.

The trust was reported to have been the result of a deal agreed with his second wife -- mother of Lachlan, Elisabeth and James - who wanted to ensure her offspring would not be disenfranchised by children Murdoch had with his third wife, Wendi Deng.

The Murdoch empire has transformed tabloid newspapers, cable TV and satellite broadcasting over the last few decades while facing accusations of stoking populism across the English-speaking world.

Brexit in Britain and the rise of Donald Trump in the United States are credited at least partly to Murdoch and his outlets.
Anthony Albanese is under pressure to explain why he allowed cabinet ministers to criticise Peter Dutton for attending a fundraiser as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached landfall when he had also attended one on the same day.

The Opposition Leader was lashed by Labor for leaving his Brisbane electorate to attend a fundraiser at the Sydney harbourside mansion of hospitality billionaire Justin Hemmes on Tuesday March 4.

When asked about Mr Dutton's priorities, the Prime Minister simply said it was 'a matter for him' to explain, telling journalists he was focussed on 'fulfilling' his own commitments.

But Employment Minister Murray Watt said Mr Dutton 'owes Queenslanders an explanation', as the Labor frontbencher repeatedly accused him of prioritising 'money bags' over 'sandbags'.

Mr Dutton was grilled about the fundraiser this week, insisting it was 'not a party' but a fundraising event and accused Labor for using the event as 'political leverage to push out a negative campaign'.

Now it has emerged that the Prime Minister attended a fundraiser on the same day, after dodging direct questions about it on at least two occasions.

Mr Albanese finally admitted on Friday he had also attended a fundraiser on March 4 before flying to Queensland at 8.30pm.

'On that day, Peter Dutton flew out of Queensland and I flew in,' Mr Albanese told Nova.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) was lashed by Labor for leaving his Brisbane electorate to attend a fundraiser at the Sydney harbourisde mansion of hospitality billionaire Justin Hemmes on Tuesday March 4

He added: 'I did have a fundraiser during that day.

'But then flew up, had a meeting with Premier Crisafulli that night and then attended the meeting of the disaster coordination authority that took place the next morning, and then canceled everything else.'

At the joint press conference the following day, Mr Albanese referenced how he had arrived late at night in Queensland.

'I met with Premier Minns yesterday morning and I travelled to Queensland late yesterday and we had a very late meeting, I've got to say, Premier, last night to receive the first briefing,' Mr Albanese said on the Wednesday morning.

Questions are now being asked about whether Mr Albanese forced Queensland Emergency Services staff to wait until late on the Tuesday night to brief him.

Details about his fundraiser remain unclear. Daily Mail Australia approached the Prime Minister's office for comment.

The major difference between Mr Albanese and the Liberal leader was that Mr Dutton left Queensland for a night for the fundraiser.

The Opposition Leader began last Tuesday in his northern Brisbane electorate, in the suburb of Kedron, urging residents to start preparing 'now' because the cyclone was a 'very serious event'.

Now it has emerged that the Prime Minister attended a fundraiser on the same day, after dodging direct questions about it on at least two occasions

'We need to make sure that we listen to the advice, that people prepare, and now is the time to listen to the authorities... about actions that you need to take in terms of preparation in your own yard, around your own business premises, in relation to supplies that you need to provide for you and your family,' he told locals.

After receiving a Queensland police briefing on the cyclone alongside the state's Liberal premier David Crisafulli, he flew to Sydney later that morning.

There he reportedly attended a lunch put on by property developer Fouad Deiri, which was held at the home of a Greek Orthodox bishop in Sydneys south.

A spokesperson for Mr Dutton told media that it 'was not a fundraising event, it was a luncheon meeting with Antiochian Archdiocese Church representatives and no other political donors were present'.

But news.com.au revealed on Monday that Mr Dutton's office had previously discussed a potential donation with Mr Deiri.

'While a potential donation was discussed in February, it was in no way linked to the meeting with His Eminence,' a spokesperson for the property developer told the publication.

'The sole purpose of the meeting was for Mr Deiri, who is a board member of the Archdiocese, to introduce Mr Dutton to The Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop.'

That evening, Mr Dutton attended the fundraiser at Mr Hemmes' $100million harbourside mansion in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Hospitality mogul and Rich Lister Mr Hemmes, 52, is boss of the Merivale Group which owns around 100 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Australia.
EXCLUSIVE

Police will take no further action after investigating reports of a street altercation between two prominent Byron Bay businessmen outside a landmark hotel on NSW's far north coast.

The alleged dispute pitted 57-year-old regional media mogul Antony 'The Cat' Catalano against 68-year-old local jeweller-to-the stars Giovanni D'Ercole.

Mr Catalano is executive chairman and co-owner of Australian Community Media as well has having property interests including Byron Bay's famous Raes Hotel.

Mr D'Ercole is the founder of luxury jewellery brand Love & Hatred and has created custom pieces for rock stars such as Alice Cooper, Chrissy Amphlett and Michael Hutchence.

Mr Catalano is trying to build a $55million home amid rainforest up the road from Raes, just off Wategos Beach, but his plans have been rejected by Bryon Shire Council.

In 2017, Mr D'Ercole paid $4.3million for a two-bedroom house with ocean views on on 833sqm of land next to Mr Catalano's block.

Mr Catalano's proposed development features two houses which he intends to be a family home for him, his wife Stefanie and some of their nine children.

According to the Australian Financial Review, Mr Catalano was sitting at the coffee cart outside Raes about 7.45am on February 26 when he was approached by Mr D'Ercole.

Police will take no further action after investigating reports of a street altercation between regional media mogul Antony Catalano and Byron Bay jeweller Giovanni D'Ercole outside Mr Catalano's Raes Hotel. Mr Catalano is pictured with wife Stefanie

Giovanna Mr D'Ercole (above) is the founder of luxury jewellery brand Love & Hatred and has created pieces for rock stars such as Alice Cooper, Chrissy Amphlett and Michael Hutchence

NSW Police confirmed on Wednesday they were called to the Marine Parade business after reports of a disturbance.

'Police have been told an altercation took place with members of the public intervening to separate the men with [Mr D'Ercole] leaving the scene,' a spokeswoman said.

Officers from the Tweed/Byron Bay district spoke to Mr Catalano at the hotel and later interviewed Mr D'Ercole at Byron Bay police station.

'Inquiries are ongoing by police,' the spokeswoman said.

On Friday afternoon, police revealed those investigations were complete.

'Following inquiries, no further police action is required,' they said in a statement.

Mr D'Ercole did not wish to discuss what had occurred between the two men when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

'I don't really want to comment,' he said. 'I will get back to you.'

Mr D'Ercole did say he believed CCTV footage of the incident taken from a property not owned by Mr Catalano had been circulating around Byron Bay.

Mr Catalano's development plans would make his proposed home the most expensive on the north coast.

According to police, Mr Catalano was sitting at the coffee cart outside Raes (above) about 7.45am on February 26 when he was approached by Mr D'Ercole

The two houses would sit on a 4,230sqm site which was once a banana plantation and was transferred in 2006 to the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation.

The land was then sold to a developer for $12.65million in 2020 and later bought by Mr Catalano for $24.74million.

Mr Catalano's plans include a main house spread across four levels with an underground six-car garage, cellar, gymnasium and music room with a sound booth.

On the upper levels would be six bedrooms, a library, rooftop spa, dining room to seat 22 people and two swimming pools.

A second, three-level house at the back of the block would have its own swimming pool.

Construction construction costs have been estimated at $28.8million, leaving the total bill from land purchase to completion likely to top $55million.

In rejecting Mr Catalano's application Byron Shire Council found the development was 'not sympathetic to the environmental constraints of the land'.

The council also found the proposed structures did not comply with planning controls and were unsuitable for the block because of the 'bulk scale'.

Mr Catalano, pictured with wife Stefanie, is trying to build a $55million home amid rainforest just up the road from Raes but his plans have been rejected by Bryon Shire Council

While construction would mean clearing rainforest, Mr Catalano had submitted revised plans which involved replanting 9,909 trees but that was also rejected.

Mr Catalano has appealed the shire's decision in a case before the Land and Environment Court.

Nine Newspapers reported in September last year that Bryon Bay Council had received 135 objections to the application from 151 submissions.

The objections cited the project's size, the earthworks required and other concerns about traffic and stormwater.

Among those to support the project were neighbours including art collector Steve Nasteski and F45 gym founder Adam Gilchrist as well as former JB Hi-Fi CEO Richard Uechtritz.

Mr Catalano resigned as chief executive of the Domain real estate classifieds group in 2018 and bought Australian Community Media with billionaire investor Alex Waislitz the following year.

ACM's titles include the Newcastle Herald, Illawarra Mercury, Canberra Times and The Examiner in Launceston.

Mr Catalano was contacted for comment.
Russell Brand is reportedly being sued for 200,000 after failing to write two self help books, in a deal that was signed before he was accused of sex abuse by four women.

Book magnates Pan Macmillan are said to have commissioned two self-help books from the disgraced comedian in 2021, offering him a total of 575,000 for 'two original literary works of non-fiction'.

Brand, 49, is said to have received 75,000 upfront for his first book and 142,000 for his second - with the remaining 179,500 due after he had finished the manuscripts and completed the surrounding promotional work.

But the publishing giant reportedly terminated his contract after a series of women accused him of sexual assaults. He denies the allegations and claims the relationships were consensual.

Now Pan Macmillan has filed to reclaim 220,000 of 'wasted expenditure' from Brand and his company, Pablo Diablo's Legitimate Business Firm, The Times report.

His first book was due to have been submitted in May 2021, with the second set to be delivered that October.

Brand, 49, is said to have received 75,000 upfront for his first book and 142,000 for his second - with the remaining 179,500 due after he had finished the manuscripts and completed the surrounding promotional work

His first book was due to have been submitted in May 2021, with the second set to be delivered that October

When it did not materialise they even paid a ghostwriter 3,000 for a draft even though the legal claim states the controversial comedian 'did not engage'.

The publisher said that he had 'failed to produce the typescripts for the books at all'.

When, in 2023, the allegations of sexual abuse came to light, his representative claimed a 'longer deadline would be needed'.

And Curtis Brown, the agency that negotiated the original book deal, went on to terminate their relationship with Brand, the papers state.

The left-wing comedian turned-Trump supporter's contract stated, according to The Times, that he: 'absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Macmillan  the full and prompt performance and observance of all the obligations required.'

And if he were to default he would: 'personally fully perform and fulfil such obligations and pay to Macmillan all damages that may arise in consequence of any such default'.

Brand's profile continues to remain on Macmillan's website, describing him as a 'comedian and an addict'.

It continues: 'Even now as a father, more than fifteen years into recovery he still writes about himself in the third person and that can't be healthy.

Brand's profile continues to remain on Macmillan's website, describing him as a 'comedian and an addict'. Pictured: With wife Laura Gallacher

'He has two cats, two dogs, a wife, two daughters, ten chickens and sixty thousand bees in spite of being vegan curious.

'He is certain that the material world is an illusion but still keeps licking the walls of the hologram.'

Working with the company before, he had previously published bestselling books including Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions and Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped. In December last year Pan Macmillan was due to publish Recovery: The Workbook: a Practical Guide to Finding Freedom From Our Addictions, The Times reports.

It comes as Brand is reportedly being sued over allegations of sex abuse in the first ever known lawsuit brought against him in the UK.

An individual, said to be a woman, has allegedly filed a 'personal injury sex abuse' case against Brand at London's High Court.

He is also facing civil sexual assault claims in the US, where a woman claimed the star exposed himself and assaulted her in 2010.

The newest case was filed in London on February 6, according to The Sun, with legal firm Remedy Law said to be acting on behalf of the anonymous individual.

It comes after the Metropolitan Police gave evidence to the CPS following allegations of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse by Brand.

The comedian has previously denied all allegations against him, claiming he has never had non-consensual sex.

It comes as Brand is reportedly being sued over allegations of sex abuse in the first ever known lawsuit brought against him in the UK. Pictured: Leaving the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London in 2023

In 2023, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches revealed four women had accused Brand of sexual assault between 2006 and 2013.

After the publication of those allegations, officers then received a report of an alleged assault said to have taken place in 2003.

Last month, it was disclosed that Brand is now living in America full-time, with his wife and children. However, he could be extradited to the UK to face allegations of sexual abuse.

The star has reinvented himself as a social commentator, recently recording a video chat with Only Fans star Lily Phillips, who claims to have had sex with 101 men in 24 hours.

Brand told Phillips she was a 'child of God' and offered her his 'service' and 'protection' in the bizarre interview.

The former actor also told the adult content creator that she 'deserved to be cherished and treasured in every aspect of your life'.

Their conversation was broadcast on Brand's Rumble channel and was his first public appearance since the BBC apologised to staff over the former presenter's conduct during his time at the Corporation between 2006 and 2008.

Brand said he was interested in the 'impact of sex' on Lily's 'precious soul and spirit', before quoting a Bible reference and asking her: 'Did you not know that your body is a temple?'

MailOnline has contacted Brand for comment.
Ukraine staged major drone strikes on Moscow overnight just hours after Volodymyr Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin of seeking to thwart Donald Trump's ceasefire plan.

A major oil refinery just 55 miles from the Kremlin dictator's 1 billion clifftop palace on the Black Sea was also hit in a strike triggering ten explosions followed by a massive inferno.

There were even claims that Kyiv's forces managed to drop a drone 'virtually in front of Putin's nose - 400 metres (1,312ft) from his route from Novo-Ogaryovo [his official residence outside Moscow] to the Kremlin'.

Meanwhile Vnukovo airport - used by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to depart Moscow on his Gulfstream G650ER business jet after meeting Putin and his top officials - was closed due to the intense drone bombardment just hours after he left.

The barrage was the second concerted Ukrainian attack on Moscow in three days, and appeared to be a direct response to Putin setting multiple conditions for any ceasefire.

The Russian dictator said that Moscow 'agrees with the proposal to cease hostilities,' but only if it 'led to enduring peace' that 'removed the underlying causes of this crisis'.

The Ukrainian President condemned Putin's response as 'highly predictable', declaring in his nightly address that 'Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians.'

He added that his country was ready to work 'quickly and constructively' to bring about an end to the war.

'We are not setting conditions that complicate the process - Russia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia,' he said. 'They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day.'

Ukraine hit Tuapse Oil Refinery in Russia with a drone strike, triggering a massive inferno at the key facility, according to reports

The inferno at Tuapse Oil Refinery came after ten deafening explosions. Most reports said drones were used but locals questioned whether it was a missile strike

Smoke rises after an explosion in Balashikha, Moscow region, early this morning

A house in the Moscow suburbs destroyed after a bombardment on the Russian capital by Kyiv

A fireball is seen in a clip shared online amid the Ukrainian bombardment of Moscow and nearby areas last night

Meanwhile Trump said Putin's statement on a ceasefire was 'promising' but incomplete.

Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybil posted: 'This is the difference. Ukraine said 'yes' to [the] US ceasefire proposal. Because Ukraine wants peace. Putin, rather than saying 'yes', puts forward various conditions.

'Ukraine seeks an end to the war. Putin seeks to continue the war. The rest of his words are just a smokescreen.'

The war continued in full force last night, with Moscow launching a relentless barrage of drones on Ukrainian homes and a hospital in the Kharkiv region.

Meanwhile Kyiv hit back, launching drone strikes deep into Russia.

In Moscow, an area close to Kievskaya station, named after the Ukrainian capital, reportedly came under fire.

This is across Moscow River from both the to the Russian White House, the seat of Putin's government, and the British Embassy.

An explosion was heard in the area of main avenue Kutuzovsky Prospekt at approximately just before 7am.

'After the explosion, car alarms went off en masse,' said an eyewitness.

This was close to Putin's usual highway route from his official Novo-Ogaryovo residence in Moscow to the Kremlin.

Another hit close to Shabolovskaya metro station, near Leninsky Prospekt.

One strike damaged the roof of a residential block on Kievskaya Street, and the windows of a residential building on Lesteva Street were shattered.

A piece of a misfiring Russian Pantsir air defence system was filmed by a passerby in Balashikha, Moscow region.

A two-storey private house in Rosinter-2 cottage village southwest of Moscow was also hit by a drone, with pictures showing a gaping hole in its roof.

A black-and-white video reportedly shows a drone being hit by air defences in Bitsa, south of Moscow.

Khristina Nestoyanova, the wife of a Russian diplomat, summed up the mood as the capital was under siege as 'that feeling when you wake up in Moscow to the loud sounds of air defence systems amid talk of a 30-day truce'.

The inferno at Tuapse Oil Refinery came after ten deafening explosions.

Most reports said drones were used but locals questioned whether it was a missile strike.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire at a civilian hospital following a Russian drone attack in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, Ukraine

Firefighters put out the fire at a civilian hospital following a Russian drone attack in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, Ukraine

In a possible warning to Putin, one strike pounded an area near Putin's vast Black Sea palace in Gelendzhik.

The lavish residence includes a 16-storey underground complex and bunker - built inside the cliff - and likened to the lair of a James Bond villain.

Huge flames and thick black smoke rose after the strike and the fire spread to more than 10,765 square feet.

A desperate bid to bring the blaze under control involved more than 120 firefighters.

Krasnodar regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said: 'The Kyiv regime attacked the oil complex in Tuapse.

'One of the gasoline tanks caught fire.

'The area of the fire is more than 1,000 square metres, and emergency services are working.

'According to preliminary data, there are no casualties.

'121 people and 39 units of equipment are involved in extinguishing the fire.

'The head of the Tuapse municipal district Sergey Boyko is at the scene of the emergency, reporting on the situation.'

Meanwhile, Putin is not only pushing to expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk region, but is also making inroads across the border into a Sumy region.

Sabotage and reconnaissance groups are seeking to enter Sumy region along a large stretch of border, said the Ukrainian regions military administration chief.

Putin has previously indicated he wants a buffer zone here.

A Russian strike set fire to the roof of a hospital in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, according to Ukrainian reports.

Fire engines are seen in the Moscow region, where numerous buildings were hit by drone strikes overnight

Flames rising from a building in western Russia after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes overnight

Debris is seen on the ground in a car park near Moscow after a missile and drone barrage

Witkoff's entourage was seen driving into Vnukovo airport shortly before he left Russia for the US after his talks.

Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said after special envoy Witkoff's talks in the Kremlin that the White House is 'cautiously optimistic' about the Ukraine peace process.

'I'm not going to announce or discuss anything on national television, especially before the president. But we have some cautious optimism,' he said.

'I spoke with my colleague Witkoff, who is there and is providing information for us to evaluate and for President Trump to make decisions about next steps.'

Meanwhile, the US revealed it is ready to supply Ukraine with GLSDB upgraded long-range 'winged bombs' as Kyiv's stockpile of ATACMS missiles runs low.

Putin is also under pressure from a fall in oil prices to a level which poses a 'headache' to Kremlin revenues and war-funding.

On top of this, the US imposed additional restrictions on Russia's oil, gas and banking sectors, further limiting Russia's access to U.S. payment systems.
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A Pakistani man who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017 was allowed to stay in Britain after claiming he was gay.

The sex offender had been living in the UK illegally for 11 years but was granted refugee status after arguing he was homosexual and would face persecution in his home country.

The unnamed 53-year-old made his bid for asylum and insisted he was gay only a month after he was arrested for groping a woman - a crime he was convicted of later the same year.

However, he was allowed to stay in the UK by an asylum court despite there being a lack of evidence that he was homosexual, official judgements show.

The Home Office 'did not accept he was living in the UK as a gay man' because of his flimsy evidence, it was heard.

But due to a legal blunder, his testimony went unchallenged and the man was granted permission to stay in April 2024.

However, the case will now be heard afresh after the Home Office successfully appealed the decision.

The Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the Upper Tribunal heard the Pakistani - only named as 'MR' - came to the UK in 2006.

A Pakistani man who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017 while in Britain was allowed to stay in the country after claiming he was gay and could not return to his home nation due to fear of persecution (stock photo)

He was granted entry as a student and had leave to remain status until December 2006 but overstayed his visa, the tribunal heard.

He applied for leave to remain on human rights grounds in 2012 but the Home Office rejected it that year.

In May 2017, he was arrested by police and in the same year he was convicted for sexually assaulting a woman by touching.

In June of 2017, he claimed asylum - asserting a 'fear of persecution' in his home country if he were to be deported.

It was heard that MR had pleaded guilty to sex assault at a court but when his asylum bid was underway he denied the offence and said he is gay.

In January 2023 then home secretary Suella Braverman refused him leave to remain.

'The Secretary of State [Braverman] did not accept that the appellant was living in the United Kingdom as a gay man', an asylum court judgement said.

Braverman said there was 'no evidence of a substantial relationship being in place' despite MR claiming he was in a gay relationship.

In January 2023 then home secretary Suella Braverman refused him leave to remain as she said there 'was 'no evidence of a substantial relationship being in place'

MR said he has been with a man only named as 'Mr K' since 2019 and appealed.

It was heard letters from Mr K and another of MR's witnesses do not mention his stated sexuality and added 'little weight' to his claim.

He said he was 'reliant' on Mr K but there was no evidence they lived together, no shared bills, and no other documentary evidence which supported their relationship.

He was also 'inconsistent' as to when he realised he was gay.

An appeal hearing was heard in April last year, however first-tier tribunal judge Anthony Cartin was 'surprised' when the Home Office's representative did not challenge MR's testimony.

Judge Cartin wrote in his judgement: 'At the end of cross-examination, I raised with the presenting officer [the Home Office representative] that she had omitted to challenge the assertions of the appellant that he was gay and that he was in a relationship with a man in the UK.

'She indicated that she had asked all the questions she wished to about the claim. I pointed out that it was my understanding that [the Secretary of State] did not accept the truth of the claim he made.

'This was the basis for their rejection of it as I understood matters.

The man - only named as 'MR' - came to the UK in 2006, but overstayed his visa. He applied for leave to remain on human rights grounds in 2012 but the Home Office rejected it that year

'If this was [the Secretary of State's] position, then I took the view that fairness dictated that their case should be put to the appellant. He must be given an opportunity to respond to that position.

'I made clear that it there was no challenge on these matters, I would make a note to this effect and was likely to allow the appeal.

'I was asked to rise so that the presenting officer could take further instructions.

'This was somewhat surprising as the questions of challenge did not strike me as needing to be numerous or complex, but it was necessary that the Home Office position should be put to the witness, and he should be challenged on assertions made which were not accepted.

'I rose for around 10 minutes. Upon resuming, [the Home Office representative] remained steadfast in her position.

'Nowhere in the cross-examination was there any suggestion that this claim was a fabrication.

'In fact, the questions asked gave tacit acceptance of the claim to be in a relationship with and living with another man. As I made clear during the hearing, in these circumstances, there is consequently unchallenged evidence that the appellant is gay and in a relationship with a man.'

Judge Cartin ruled that due to the lack of challenge, he did not need to hear from the Mr K and MR's other witness, found that MR was gay, and allowed his appeal to stay in the UK.

The Home Office 'did not accept he was living in the UK as a gay man' because of his flimsy evidence, it was heard. But due to a legal blunder, his testimony went unchallenged and the man was allowed to stay in April 2024

Judge Cartin said had his sexuality been challenged he could have considered the fact that he was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman.

Since, the Home Office has appealed Judge Cartin's decision and the Upper Tribunal has found that he erred in law.

Upper Tribunal Judge Declan O'Callaghan said the Home Office were deprived of the chance of questioning MR's two witnesses, who they believed would not provide convincing arguments that MR was gay.

As a result, MR's sexuality was not properly considered 'in the round'.

Judge O'Callaghan said: 'I consider, on the facts arising, that it was wrong in principle for the Judge to conclude that he was required to find the appellant credible as to core elements of his case and so deny the Secretary of State the opportunity to cross-examine the appellant's two supporting witnesses as to credit.

'I conclude that the failings identified are such that it was not reasonably and lawfully open to the Judge to adopt this course on the particular facts arising.

'Consequent to the unlawful direction, the Judge did not lawfully consider the evidence before him in the round.

'His reasoning is fatally infected by the procedurally unfair approach adopted.

'The Judge's reasoning is adversely impacted by procedural unfairness, and the only proper course is to set aside the decision in its entirety..'

A new hearing will take place at a later date.
Rachel Reeves warned Labour must 'get a grip' on benefits today as she faces Cabinet resistance over plans for 5billion of cuts.

The Chancellor voiced defiance despite half of Keir Starmer's top team apparently voicing alarm at the welfare proposals at their weekly meeting on Tuesday.

The PM allowed the meeting to run longer than scheduled as concerns about curbs to welfare and departmental spending were so intense, according to Bloomberg.

But asked about the mounting Labour revolt on a visit to Scotland this morning, Ms Reeves said it was 'absolutely clear that the current system is not working for anyone'.

'It is not working for people who need support, it's not working to get people into work so that more people can fulfil their potential, and it's not working for the taxpayer when the bill for welfare is going up by billions of pounds in the next few years,' she said.

Asked about the mounting Labour benefits revolt on a visit to Scotland this morning, Rachel Reeves said it was 'absolutely clear that the current system is not working for anyone'

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'So, we do need to get a grip. We need to spend more on national defence, but we need to reform our public services, and we need to reform our broken welfare system.'

Ms Reeves is struggling to fill an estimated 20billion black hole in the government's finances, after slumping growth and rising debt interest costs wreaked havoc with Budget plans.

The problems were underlined today as official figures showed the economy unexpectedly shrinking by 0.1 per cent in January.

That does not factor in the massive national insurance hike due next month, and the impact of Donald Trump's trade war.

Ms Reeves has made clear she does not want to increase taxes, leaving the government scrambling for ways to reduce expenditure.

Unprotected departments have been asked to model eye-watering 11 per cent cuts as part of the Spending Review.

But the benefits announcement was delayed from this week to next - likely Tuesday - as furious Labour MPs were called into Downing Street in a bid to quell opposition.

Speaking on a visit to Hull yesterday Sir Keir reiterated the 'moral' argument for reforming welfare.

'The welfare system as it's set up, it can't be defended on economic terms or moral terms,' he said.

'Economically, the cost is going through the roof. So if we don't do anything, the cost of welfare is going to go to 70billion per year. That's a third of the cost of the NHS.

'That's more than the Home Office and our prisons combined. So we're making choices here.'

He went on: 'We've set up a system that basically says, 'if you try the journey from where you are into work and anything goes wrong, you'll probably end up in a worse position when you started'.

'And so understandably, many people say, 'well, I'm a bit scared about making that journey'. Therefore we're baking in too many people not being able to get into work.'

He denied that the proposals together with civil service job cuts amounted to a return to the 'austerity' of the Coalition government.

'There is no return to austerity. I said that to you before the election, and we're not going to austerity,' the PM said.

The PM allowed the meeting to run longer than scheduled as concerns about curbs to welfare and departmental spending were so intense,

However, ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who sits as an independent MP after rebelling against the Labour whip, told Times Radio: 'There are a number of people and I can understand their concerns completely to say, actually, we're not operating like a Labour government.

'And that by introducing cuts in welfare, some people are saying, well, we're going back to austerity. They say it's almost like George Osborne all over again.'

His predecessor Ed Balls added: 'Cutting the benefits of the most vulnerable in our society who can't work to pay for that - is not going to work. And it's not a Labour thing to do... It's not what they're for.'
An 'aggressive' sausage dog has killed a newborn baby after vets ignored the concerns of the child's parents and refused to euthanise the animal.

The dachshund jumped into the baby's crib and silently strangled the child to death with its jaws while her parents slept soundly.

The shocking attack occurred just a month after the family welcomed their second child in the Russian city of Seversk in Siberia.

On the night of March 10 the pet clenched its jaw firmly around the baby's neck and killed her without barking or growling.

The parents only discovered what had happened the following morning.

According to a family member the parents had seen the canine become more aggressive since the arrival of their second child.

This led them to try to get the dog euthanised, but vets refused because the animal was healthy.

Fearing a possible attack, the parents decided to keep the dog on a leash during the night.

A dachshund (file image) similar to the pet in question

Despite their cute appearance, dachshunds have traditionally been used as hunting dogs and have been trained for generations to smell, chase and flush out badgers and other animals that live in burrows (file image)

However, on that night, the father forgot to tie it up for the night.

Speaking to local media, the family member said: 'The baby's mother blames herself. But it was a tragic accident.

'It was the middle of the night. The girl was sleeping, and everyone else too, the dog strangled her very quietly.

'This dachshund that lived with them, an eight-year-old dog. It behaved aggressively towards adult owners.

'And when the second child was born in the family in February, the aggression only increased.

'The parents understood the danger, decided on euthanasia. And they brought the dog to several clinics, but they were refused, because the animal was physically absolutely healthy.'

The dog has now reportedly been euthanised.

The Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Tomsk Region said in a statement: 'The daughter's body was discovered in the morning by her mother.'

Despite their cute appearance, dachshunds have traditionally been used as hunting dogs and have been trained for generations to smell, chase and flush out badgers and other animals that live in burrows.

Investigators are looking into the circumstances of the baby's death and have initiated a criminal case for 'causing death by negligence'.

The investigation is ongoing.
An investment banker has claimed she was left 'scarred for life' after undergoing a laser hair removal procedure and is now suing the beauty salon for 50,000.

Sunna Firdaus, 31, says that she suffered from burns during the treatment which have now left permanent scarring to her chin.

The BNP Parabas product developer claims that 'excessive heat' was applied to her face during the procedure at a beauty salon in Preston Park, Wembley, in September of 2020.

Ms Firdaus says this heat from the laser left her with a 'visible wound' which lead to 'scabbing, itching and oozing'.

She is now seeking 50,000 in damages from salon owners Skintology Ltd over the alleged physical and psychological impact of her injuries.

However, Skintology are fighting the claim, and state that Ms Firdaus was given 'fair warning' that burns were a possible risk of her chosen treatment.

In papers filed to Central London County Court, Ms Firdaus' barrister Moshin Malik detailed her claims against the north London beauty salon.

'The claimant experienced discomfort and pain during the procedure and a visible wound was caused', he said.

Sunna Firdaus (pictured) says that she suffered from burns during the treatment which have now left permanent scarring to her chin

'She suffered personal injury as a result. There were liquid secretions and scabbing soon afterwards.

'The claimant reattended the defendant's salon for further treatment on the assurance that this injury would improve as a result.

'This proved futile and healing proved only partial. Scarring has emerged and proved permanent.

'The claimant suffered permanent facial scarring as a result of the accident. This followed a burning sensation during the treatment followed by scabbing, itching and oozing, which lasted for an extended period.

'Once the injury healed, scarring ensued,' Mr Malik added.

The document goes on to blame 'excess heat' for the injury, adding that Ms Firdaus has been left with two areas of scarring, both 'noticeable at a conversational distance'.

'These are mature facial scars which are not amenable to further treatment, though the cosmetic appearance might be somewhat improved with surgery,' the papers state.

She has also suffered a 'degree of psychological reaction', it is claimed.

The botched procedure took place at Skintology beauty salon in Preston Park, Wembley, in September of 2020

At a pre-trial hearing before Judge Alan Saggerson, Mr Malik added: 'My client was only young at the time of the injury...The scarring was wholly and exclusively caused by a burn as a result of the hair removal'.

He then asked the judge for permission to rely on plastic surgery and psychiatric experts to explain the physical and emotional impact on her at trial.

Judge Saggerson agreed, saying: 'It seems to me that the reports of both are necessary.'

He added: 'On liability, the issue is whether what happened to this lady was an inherent, albeit minor risk, of the procedure of which she was duly warned and therefore whether informed consent was given - whether this was an unavoidable risk in a minority of cases'.

Daniel Tresigne, for Skintology, added: 'The core issue is whether or not the treatment was administered negligently'.

The case is set to return to court for a three-day trial next year.
A British national has been killed after being hit by a vehicle in the President of Kenya's motorcade while crossing a busy road.

The man, named as 79-year-old Edgar Charles Frederick, died yesterday after being knocked down by a vehicle in President William Ruto's convoy, according to reports.

Police arrested the driver of a support vehicle and have launched an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run.

The driver failed to stop after the incident, police said, and is expected in court later today.

The victim's next of kin have been informed of his death, the BBC reports, and a post-mortem will likely be conducted in due course.

A police spokesman told that the man had been a regular visitor to Kenya and had come to see his sister and nephew, who are residents of the country.

Footage circulating online appears to show the motorcade speeding along Ngog Road in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, with screams reportedly heard following the incident.

Other videos show a crowd gathering around the man, with onlookers visibly shocked by what had happened.

Pictures show shocked onlookers gathering around the man after the crash

Police arrested the driver of a support vehicle and have launched an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run

Witnesses in the popular shopping area gasped as they took in the shocking scenes on Thursday

Graphic images have been circulating on social media showing the deceased man bleeding on the road in the aftermath of the collision.

It happened near Adams Arcade, a busy shopping area near the city centre.

President Ruto had been travelling along the main road as part of a tour of the capital after carrying out engagements in the vicinity of the crash.

Police told reporters that the vehicle involved in the collision belonged to the regional administration and was providing support to the President's security detail.

A statement from Kenya's National Police Service said: 'Following a road accident that occurred at Adams Arcade along Ngong Road involving a government vehicle, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian who is is a foreign national, the NPS is now handling the matter and investigations have commenced.'

The spokesperson also urged road users and pedestrians to 'exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents'.

A FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Kenya and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz have been pictured in public for the first time with their newborn son.

In an exclusive set of images obtained by Daily Mail Australia, the new parents were seen taking their son out in Queensland to celebrate the birthday of Brittany's mother, Kelly.

Cradling her newborn while holding a baby bottle, Higgins appeared to be holding court while her mother dazzled in a bright red dress.

In one image, the new mum smiled affectionately over the lowered hood of a stroller when leaving the Brisbane restaurant where they lunched.

Soon after, Sharaz packed the stroller into the boot of a car while Higgins stood by holding a bouquet and a takeaway box.

Both were dressed casually for the occasion with Higgins in a flowy white gown and sandals and Sharaz in a maroon t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

The outing took place on Kelly's birthday, which Higgins also celebrated on social media.

In a Instagram post on Friday, Higgins praised the 'world's most supportive mum (and now grandma)'.

Brittany Higgins (centre) was seen out and about on Friday with her baby son, husband David Sharaz (left), and mother Kelly (right)

The family is believed to have attended a lunch to celebrate Kelly's birthday, which Higgins soon paid tribute to on social media

This was the couple's first public appearance since announcing the birth of their child on March 2 and they were joined by a friend of Kelly's (right)

In a Instagram post on Friday, Higgins praised the 'world's most supportive mum (and now grandma)'.

'She's been our unsung hero and the ultimate rock behind-the-scenes for the past few years.

'My mum has shown up and been there - every court case, every time I was admitted to hospital, to celebrate every win and has been the most hands on grandparent ever since our baby boy was born.

'Thank you for everything you do.'

The former political staffer and her ex-journalist husband were flooded with high-profile messages of support after announcing the birth of their son on March 2.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Marie Claire editor Georgie McCourt, The Block judge Shayna Blaze and Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones were among the well-wishers.

The heartfelt messages were well-earned, following what Higgins in October described as an 'acutely stressful' pregnancy.

At the time, Higgins shared the results of a second trimester blood test which, she said, revealed a 'high possibility of a genetic disorder'.

The former political staffer and her ex-journalist husband were flooded with high-profile messages of support after announcing the birth of their son on March 2

The heartfelt messages were well-earned, following what Higgins in October described as an 'acutely stressful' pregnancy

Higgins and former journalist Sharaz tied the knot on the Gold Coast in mid-2024

Higgins said the genetic disorder itself wouldn't have concerned the couple, but meant the baby might be 'incompatible' with life beyond the pregnancy.

Compounding the stress were an ongoing defamation trial brought against Higgins by her former boss, Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds, and the death of her grandmother.

After moving into a French chateau in late 2023, the couple were forced to list the property for sale to cover the costs of the defamation suit.

In January, the couple lowered the listing price for their French chateau to 367,500 (AUD $620,000) from an initial listing price of 420,000 (AUD $722,000).

Higgins and Sharaz bought the three-bedroom estate after settling a suit against the federal government for $2.4million.

Higgins said she held onto about $1.9million after fees and taxes.

The couple now reportedly plan to live in Melbourne's east after marrying last year on the Gold Coast.

The payout came after the rape trial of her former colleague and fellow ex-political staffer Bruce Lehrmann was thrown out in response to juror misconduct in 2022.

The new parents reportedly plan to live in Melbourne pending the sale of their French chateau

Kelly dazzled in a bright red dress on the sunny stroll while her daughter kept her newborn son close at all times

In a Instagram post on Friday, Higgins (pictured above with her mum) praised the 'world's most supportive mum (and now grandma)'. 'She's been our unsung hero and the ultimate rock behind-the-scenes for the past few years'

'My mum has shown up and been there - every court case, every time I was admitted to hospital, to celebrate every win and has been the most hands on grandparent ever since our baby boy was born,' Higgins said in the Instagram post. Kelly and Sharaz pictured hugging above

The charges were later withdrawn altogether following concerns relating to Higgins' mental health.

Last year, Lehrmann lost a multimillion-dollar defamation suit against presenter Lisa Wilkinson and the Ten Network over a 2021 interview with Higgins.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee dismissed the case after finding that Lehrmann had, on the balance of probabilities, raped Higgins.

As a result, the 29-year-old was ordered to pay $2million in costs to the Ten Network.

Earlier this month, within days of the birth of Higgins' child, Lehrmann filed submissions with the Federal Court in which his lawyer laid out the grounds of his appeal of Justice Lee's decision.

Lehrmann has since been committed to stand trial in a Queensland rape case surrounding an incident alleged to have taken place in Brisbane's west in 2021.

He has always maintained his innocence in both matters.
A heartbroken man was left with no choice but to choke his Staffy to death after it mauled him for 45 minutes.

Matt Porter, 34, had been shaving at his home in Illinois, United States, when his 'sweet and caring' adopted dog, Karma, pounced on him out of the blue.

During a 45-minute mauling last month, Matt was bitten more than 70 times and left hospitalised and fearing for his life.

'Karma jumped on me, I pushed her off, she came back and bit right into my arm,' he said.

'There was blood spraying everywhere. It was terrifying. I don't know what was wrong with her. She didn't stop and she was chewing on my arm for 45 minutes. I was in agonising pain.'

After losing the ability to use his hands, Matt was eventually able to wriggle free of the Staffy's grip before making the heartbreaking decision to choke the out-of-control mutt to death.

'I grabbed her by the neck and tried to talk to her and calm her. I told her she was hurting me and to stop but she wouldn't,' he added.

'She was trying to go for my neck and I couldn't get a grip on my feet because of all the blood.

Matt Porter (pictured) only adopted his pet Staffy, Karma, four months ago after she was found malnourished behind a shop

Matt had been encouraged to take the dog in by his family to help him recover from a breakup

The American, however, was left suffering serious injuries after Karma lunged at him out of the blue

'I was bleeding to death and I didn't want to die so even though I'd lost the use of my hands, I used sheer willpower and choked her to death with my forearms - there was no other option.

'I passed out in a puddle of blood that was around seven foot wide and woke up in hospital.'

Graphic images show the extent of the injuries Matt suffered during a mauling in which the 'dog ate so much muscle that could see the bone and tendons.'

The dog owner spent a week in an Illinois hospital where he underwent three reconstructive surgeries on both of his arms.

Unfortunately, Matt has now lost the use of his right hand and was left with no choice but to quit his job as a tree surgeon.

'Surgeons had to put my muscle back in,' he added.

'I won't be able to go back to work, I'm still in pain and my arms look disgusting.

Matt was bitten more than 70 times during the attack and left lying in a pool of blood

The 34-year-old has lost the use of his right hand and been forced to quit his job as a tree surgeon

The American has been left suffering 'vivid nightmares' and is only able to sleep for an hour a night

'Everything is a struggle. My fingers don't work so I can't do my shoes up, I can't write or make food and it's very frustrating.

'I sleep one hour a night and I have vivid nightmares.'

The 34-year-old had only adopted Karma four months ago after she was found malnourished behind a shop.

Matt had been encouraged to take the dog in by his family to help him recover from a break up.

He said: 'My fiance left me a few months earlier so my mum thought it would be a good idea for me to get an animal to help me get through things.

'Karma was so thin that you could see her ribs so I fed her up until she was four stone.

Despite the savage attack, Matt insists that he doesn't 'hold it against' and still loves his former pet

Karma has since been cremated, with her ashes kept at Matt's home

'She was so sweet and caring. She was there for me and never left my side but there were signs of aggression.

'I noticed a few times that if I tried to grab her by the collar to take her outside, she would try and bite me.

'I just thought she didn't like it and I didn't think that much of it.

'She would jump on my body and leave scars but it didn't bother me.'

Karma has since been cremated, with her ashes kept at Matt's home.

Despite the attack, however, the former tree surgeon 'doesn't blame' his beloved former companion.

'I love her and I just feel like she had a bad day.

'I don't hold it against her.'
President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to draw up plans to seize the Panama Canal in his bid to 'reclaim' the waterway, insiders have claimed.

The US Southern Command has developed an array of potential plans to ensure the America has full access to the Panama Canal, two military sources confirmed to Reuters.

Draft strategies reportedly range from partnering closely with Panamanian security forces to using American troops to forcibly seize the waterway, which officials say is the less likely option.

Officials allege Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of US Southern Command, presented the proposals to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Hegseth is reportedly visiting Panama next month.

Trump has asserted that the US needs to take back the canal because China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests.

In his inaugural speech in January, Trump repeated accusations that Panama has broken the promises it made for the final transfer of the canal in 1999.

Any move by a foreign power to take the canal by force would almost certainly violate international law.

A US invasion of Panama is unlikely, the insiders cautioned, telling NBC News that such a move would only be seriously considered if increased presence of American troops in the area did not achieve Trump's goal to 'take back' the canal.

President Donald Trump (pictured yesterday) has ordered the US military to draw up plans to seize the Panama Canal in his bid to 'reclaim' the waterway, military insiders have claimed

The US Southern Command has developed an array of potential plans to ensure the America has full access to the Panama Canal (pictured yesterday). Draft strategies reportedly range from partnering closely with Panamanian security forces to using American troops to forcibly seize the waterway

The Panama Canal, which is located at the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America and is considered one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

Trump has said repeatedly he wants to 'take back' the waterway, but has not offered specifics about how he would do so, or if military action might be required.

One US said a document, described as an interim national security guidance by the new administration, called on the military to look at military options to safeguard access to the canal.

A second official said the US military had a wide array of potential options to safeguard access, including ensuring a close partnership with Panama's military.

The Pentagon last published a National Defense Strategy in 2022, a document which lays out the priorities for the military.

An interim document sets out broad policy guidance, much like Trump's executive orders and public remarks have done, ahead of a more considered policy document like a formal NDS.

'We have no announcements regarding force posture changes in Panama. The Department is fully prepared to support the President's national security priorities including those surrounding the Panama Canal,' Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot told MailOnline in a statement.

'To support the President's regional security initiatives, we are working with Panama on several exercises and events throughout the year. These exercises will involve troop movements in the region and will strengthen our excellent military relationship with Panama. The United States and Panama share a strong security partnership built on mutual respect and trust.'

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Officials allege Adm. Alvin Holsey, (right) commander of US Southern Command, presented the proposals to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Holsey is pictured with Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez (left) during a tour of the canal's facilities at the Miraflores Locks near Panama City, on February 20, 2025

The US and Panama are treaty-bound to defend the canal against any threat to its neutrality and are permitted to take unilateral action to do so.

America acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century.

In a treaty signed in 1979, during President Jimmy Carter's Administration, the US agreed to turn over control of the canal to Panama at the close of 1999.

Trump on Thursday also seemingly hinted at sending American troops to Greenland to take control of the island.

The president reiterated that the US 'needs' Greenland for national security purposes and indicated he's willing to send in American forces.

'I think it'll happen,' Trump said of annexing the island during his Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

'We really needed for national security. I think that is why NATO might have to get involved anyway,' he added.

Trump then noted the US already has a military base on Greenland.

'We have a couple of bases on Greenland already and we have quite a few soldiers. May be you will see more and more soldiers go there,' he threatened. 'We have bases and we have quite a few soldiers on Greenland.'

Hegseth, who was sitting on a couch in the Oval Office during the conversation, nodded in agreement. The US has Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operation, on the island.

President Donald Trump wit NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office yesterday

Trump added he'd talk to Rutte about it, but the NATO secretary declined to get involved.

'When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the US, I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion, because I don't want to direct NATO in that,' Rutte said.

It's not the first time Trump mulled using military force to take control of territory he wants to add to the American map.

In early January, after he was elected but before inauguration, Trump indicated he was willing to use force on both Greenland and Panama, where he wants control of the canal.

Greenlanders, however, voted to rebuff Trump's effort to bring their island into the United States.
A British traveller suffered the six-hour 'flight from hell' after he ate 'smelly' pasta on the plane which he blames for giving him diarrhoea and causing him to vomit every five minutes.

Cameron Callaghan was flying from Manchester Airport to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi on January 6 ahead of a trip around South East Asia.

However, before his adventure across Asia had even began he became violently ill on the plane and had to be rolled off the flight in a wheelchair.

Mr Callaghan, 27, ate an egg sandwich three hours before boarding the plane then was served a tomato and chicken pasta dish after take-off.

He says that 20 minutes after eating the 'smelly' plane food he began feeling unwell, and later suffered from diarrhoea.

He then threw up 'every five minutes' for the rest of the six-hour journey.

The former delivery driver was then left lying in 'the foetal position' on the bathroom floor and when he wasn't spewing he was sat with an air hostess who kept the cubicle free.

He claims he was carefully ushered off the flight in a wheelchair and given an urgent medical assessment.

Cameron Callaghan (pictured) was taking a flight from Manchester Airport to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi on January 6 when became violently ill

He claims it was Etihad Airways' in-flight meal that caused the violent bout of sickness, explaining the meal 'smelled a bit'

The 'flight from hell', as Mr Callaghan described it, left him bed-bound for his first few days in Thailand.

He claims it was Etihad Airways' in-flight meal that caused the violent bout of sickness, explaining the meal 'smelled a bit' but the airline say the food was prepared and stored under strict temperature-controlled conditions and they received no reports of illness from other passengers who were served the same meal.

The flight had been delayed for five hours and Cameron says he believes the food hadn't been stored properly during that time.

Mr Callaghan, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, said: 'It was a flight from hell.

'When we finally got on, they offered us some food so I ate that and put a movie on. It was a tomato, cheesy, chicken pasta.

'It did smell a bit weird but all plane food kind of does.

'Then 20 minutes later, I had diarrhoea twice and ten minutes after that I was just constantly throwing up for the duration of the flight.

Mr Callaghan was flying out to Thailand to start a holiday in South East Asia. However, before his adventure had even begun he struggled with diarrhoea and vomiting on the 'flight from hell'

An Etihad Airways plane at Manchester Airport (stock image). The airline insist they 'prepared and stored the food under strict temperature-controlled conditions' and no other passengers who had the same food reported issues

'I threw up probably about 30 times. I had to sit at the back of the plane with an air hostess while she kept the toilet free for me.

'I was going to the toilet every five minutes, laying in the foetal position and towards the end of the flight, I'd emptied my body so much that I couldn't even stand up.

'I couldn't lift my head up so they had to get a wheelchair and they wheeled me to the medical room in Abu Dhabi's airport.

'I believe the food had been sitting out since the original time the plane was supposed to take off and not been stored properly.

'Before the flight, I ate an egg butty and was sat in the airport for three hours after that and felt completely fine. That definitely wasn't the cause.

'I didn't even eat the night before because I was stressed because of the delayed flight.'

He was assessed by a doctor at Zayed International Airport where he was given an IV and anti-sickness drip.

Mr Callaghan said the incident ruined the start of his holiday because he was too weak to walk.

Mr Callaghan ate an egg sandwich three hours before the flight before he tucked into the inflight meal of tomato and chicken pasta

He said: 'I was so weak, I couldn't walk. I just felt like I was going to pass out. I'd fully dehydrated my body by being sick that much.

'The next two or three days after arriving in Bangkok I was just bed bound. It was only on the third day I actually left the hotel and started exploring.

'After what I've been through, I don't really want to get on a plane so I'm stuck in Thailand at the minute.

'I'd like a refund for the flight if not full then partial. I want acknowledgement about the food poisoning and for them to say sorry.

'I wouldn't be sick 20 minutes after eating their food if it didn't come from their food.

'This holiday has been planned for three years and I couldn't enjoy the journey at all. people coming to the toilet and seeing me lying on the floor being sick was embarrassing.

'It ruined the first few days of my holiday. I'm going to starve myself on the flight back so this doesn't happen again.'

Departures at Manchester Airport where Mr Callaghan flew to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi (stock image)

An Etihad Airways spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the recent report of a passenger falling ill on board our flight from Manchester on 06 January, 2025.

'We take all such matters very seriously and investigate thoroughly.

'Our food on this flight, as with all our flights, was prepared and stored under strict temperature-controlled conditions to ensure safety and quality.

'We did not receive any reports of illness from other passengers on this flight who were served the same meal. Our first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew.'
A man who paid child maintenance for twins for 16 years has won a court battle to stop the payments - after a judge found his name was put on their birth certificates by mistake.

Mr Justice Cobb made the decision in London's Family Court, despite the mother's protests that the children would be harmed by a ruling that they had 'no legal father in the world'.

The children, now 16, were conceived using IVF fertility treatment during a short-lived relationship between the man - identified only as 'Mr J' - and the twins' mother.

While the mother's own eggs were used to create the twin embryos, the sperm came from a donor and there was no genetic link between them and her now ex-husband.

And while the pair were married at the time of the twins' birth, they had not been married when the babies were conceived.

However Mr J's name was entered on the birth certificate as the twins' father and he has paid child maintenance of 240 per month towards their upkeep for the whole of their lives.

But in that time he had 'no contact with the children of any kind since the parties separated more than fifteen years ago  no visits, no cards, no letters, no photographs', the court heard.

Last month, he applied to be legally removed as the twins' father in a bid to stop paying child maintenance as he has now been forced to retire through illness.

But Mr Justice Cobb, allowing Mr J's application, said that, under the law at the time the twins were conceived, he was not legally their father and should not have been on their birth certificate in the first place.

A man who paid child maintenance for twins for 16 years has won a court battle to stop the payments - after a judge found his name was put on their birth certificate by mistake

Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, a man who engaged in IVF treatment not involving his own sperm is only legally deemed the parent of any child that results if the IVF takes place at a registered UK clinic.

Because the procedure took place abroad and he had no genetic link with the babies, he never had been their legal father, the judge said.

'Mr J has had no contact with the children of any kind since the parties separated more than 15 years ago  no visits, no cards, no letters, no photographs,' the judge noted.

'But throughout the whole period, it is agreed that he has maintained them financially...over the last sixteen years.

'Mr J states that he has now retired from working on grounds of ill-health, and now cannot continue to pay.

'Mr J contends that, as he is not the biological father of A and B, his legal status should reflect this.

'He refers to the lack of relationship with A and B, and observes that his only link with them over the years has been a financial one through his payment of maintenance.

'Importantly he told me that he had 'written off' the money which he had paid to the mother for the children over the last 15 years; he has no wish to recover it. He simply wishes the liability to end at this point.

'The mother opposes the application, asserting that Mr J had been fully involved in the assisted reproduction process and they had embarked on this course on the basis that he would become the father to A and B.

Because the procedure took place abroad and he had no genetic link with the babies, he never had been their legal father, the judge said. Mr J has had no contact with the children of any kind since the parties separated more than 15 years ago (above, stock image)

'She was concerned about the negative impact on B, in particular, of any declaration that Mr J is not in law her parent, adding that she could not understand 'how declaring that [the children] have no legal father in the world is ever in the children's best interests, especially when [B] clearly feels very rejected'.

'Mr J and the mother were not married at the time of A and B's conception.

'The conception took place otherwise than in a clinic licensed in the UK; and...the conception was achieved using sperm which was not that of Mr J.

'The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 does not treat Mr J as A and B's father.

'The fact that Mr J was erroneously registered as the children's father on their birth certificates does not itself confer legal parentage on him,' said the judge.

He went on to make the declaration of non-parentage, despite the mother's protests, saying: 'Clarification as to A and B's legal parentage should promote their true identity...this will, in my judgment, be to their benefit throughout childhood and adulthood.

'Specifically, the mother will no longer be required to obtain formal consents from Mr J in relation to formal processes such as passport renewal.'

The judge added that both, 'are obviously bright and engaging young people. They have completed their GCSEs with good results.

'They are now in secondary education studying for A-levels. They are both aware that they were conceived through donor fertility treatment.'

He concluded that expert reports suggested that the impact of losing Mr J as their legal father on the children 'is likely to be...minimal.'
Fans of the Disney classic Snow White have hit back at the 'woke' remake of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves after star Rachel Zegler branded the original as 'weird and sexist', saying there is 'nothing wrong with dreaming of marriage'.

Mothers were left outraged after learning the iconic 'Someday My Prince Will Come' song will not be included in the remake amid a backlash over star Rachel Zegler's comments about the tale's storyline.

Zegler, 23, has caused controversy after hinting in an interview that the live action version of the film, which is set to hit UK cinemas on March 21, will be radically different from the original.

The actress will sing 'Waiting on a Wish' in the potential blockbuster, which is expected to see Snow White take on her own destiny, rather than waiting for the prince to save her with a true love's kiss.

Disney are reportedly treading carefully with Zegler after she criticised the original 1937 classic for its 'sexist' traditional romance plot and 'dated' love story.

'Disney's lead actress is out of control,' a source told Page Six. 'They don't know what to do.'

Speaking in 2022, Zegler said: 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time. I was scared of the original version. I think I watched it once and never picked it up again.

And last summer, she told the annual Disney expo D23 that Snow White is 'not going to be saved by the prince. She's not going to be dreaming about true love. She's dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.'

Now fans of the classic have slammed the remake for excluding the iconic song, and accused Disney of criticising marriage and true love.

Zegler, 23, has caused controversy after hinting in an interview that the live action version of the film, which is set to hit UK cinemas on March 21, will not be the same as the original

A source told Page Six the company 'doesn't know what to do' with Zegler, 23, because of her repeated insistence on airing her progressive views and distaste for the original movie

Taking to Mumsnet, women hit out at the remake and stood up for those who choose to stay at home and look after their children.

'There's nothing wrong with a female dreaming of marriage,' Sarah said. 'I am in my mid 20s and a lot of my friends' current conversations are guessing when our partners will propose, wedding planning, talking about dating apps etc.

'But we also talk about jobs, university, aspirations. I just wish this narrative of "we don't need no man" would stop as if it's wrong to want marriage.'

Another mother, Maggie, added: 'It's obvious when you read Mumsnet every day that a tonne of women rate their success by having a man and babies and a happy home. Ain't nothing wrong with that.'

A third said: 'Sneering about marriage also hides it's true purpose, protecting women when they are financially vulnerable after having children.'

TikTokers were also left divided by Zegler's comments, with one user writing: 'The original movie is great. Since when is the prince a stalker?'

Wives echoed their support for the sentiment, with one replying: 'My husband used to come see me at work and wait for an opportunity to talk to me. Been married 30 years now.'

A second said: 'Mine was in love with me for two years while I wouldn't talk to him. He finally came to my country to see me and I fell in love with him'.

Rachel Zegler jetted off to a remote castle in Segovia, Spain, to perform for around 100 select 'VIPs' which included influencers and families, though the event raised eyebrows

Zegler has criticized David Hand's 1937 original animated film as 'extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power and what a woman is fit for in the world'

TikTokers took to social media to share their horror at the 'woke' remake, and to defend true love and marriage

Young women were equally outraged, with one commenting: 'Who tf cares if her story is based on love? Newsflash most women want that! Most women still hope for love and not every woman wants to say f*** it to men.'

Another said: 'Growing up I loved those movies because I'm such a sucker for true love and love movies! I don't understand why a man loving a woman is bad at all!'

And a third added: 'Every woman doesn't have to be a leader. Some of us are ok with falling in love and being happy.'

Relatives of the original movie's makers have also been left fuming. David Hale Hand, whose late father, Disney animator David Hand, was the supervising director for Snow White, said he is boycotting the new film.

'The original was the way it should be. From what Ive read, [the new film] bears no reflection to the original story,' he told Page Six.

His wife Sandra Hand also said: 'Theyve taken it and moved into the politics of what is woke  Theyre taking a beautiful and beautifully drawn story and destroying what was Snow White.

'Why cant they just leave it alone instead of coming up with a different story  make it a totally different character?'

It comes after Disney held a secretive film premiere for the movie at a castle in Spain this week, without any of the usual red carpet interviews, as the firm seeks to rescue the movie's prospects.

Speaking in 2022, Zegler said: 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird'

The new film will still feature a love interest, Jonathan (pictured left) but is expected to divert from the traditional storyline

The scaled-back press tour has not only left fans baffled, as Martin Klebba (pictured in 2018), who voices the dwarf Grumpy, has slammed Disney for its decision to scale back the film's premiere

AT A GLANCE: ALL THE CONTROVERSIES TO HAVE ENGULFED THE SNOW WHITE REMAKE Snow White's skin colour Since casting Hispanic actress Zegler as Snow White, Disney fans have highlighted the woke deviations from the classic fairytale. While reflecting on comments made on social media about her casting as Snow White, Zegler insisted she doesn't even try to wrap her head why 'Disney adults' would have a problem with someone Latina portraying the beloved princess. Zegler revealed the line describing her character's 'skin as white as snow' will reference 'another version of Snow White that was told in history'. Depiction of the Seven Dwarfs Disney sparked backlash after they announced that 'magical creatures' would replace the seven dwarfs to 'avoid reinforcing stereotypes' after Peter Dinklage criticised the 'f****** backwards story'. 'It makes no sense to me,' he told Mark Maron's WTF podcast. 'You're progressive in one way and you're still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I'm not loud enough.' Zegler pans original over 'sexism' Zegler criticised David Hand's 1937 original animated film as 'extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power and what a woman's fit for in the world.' 'The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so,' she told Extra TV in 2022. 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time.' Hollywood-style premieres ditched for 'tightly controlled' press events Film bosses had originally planned to stage a Hollywood soiree worthy of the staggering $269.4million spent on the movie - with events planned in Los Angeles, London and globally Yet amid the series of scandals and PR nightmares, Disney scaled back the planned lavish premieres to a 'handful' of tightly controlled Press events. Advertisement

Rather than the usual list of major news outlets flocking to the event, local Spanish influencers and families from the small city of Segovia, which boasts a population of just 51,000, were among the chosen 'VIPs' in attendance.

Zegler's co-star Gadot was also absent, with only director Marc Webb accompanying Zegler to the event.

The scaled-back European event replaced the glitzy London premiere that had been expected for the high-budget release. An LA event is also said to have been scaled back.

Earlier this month, an insider told the Mail: 'Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled Press events.

'That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimising the amount of Press questions that Rachel Zegler gets.'

Zegler has drawn particular controversy for her outspoken support of Palestinians.

Disney bosses are said to have repeatedly called her and her agents to try to get her to tone down her social media posts on the issue.

Martin Klebba, who voices the dwarf Grumpy, has slammed Disney for its decision to scale back the film's premiere.

Klebba, 55, expressed his disappointment, with TMZ reporting that the actor is 'seriously bummed and a bit p**sed' at the situation as he argued it should have got better red-carpet treatment.

He argued that Zegler and Gadot's political opinions should not 'have overshadowed everyone else's hard work'.

Meanwhile, actor Peter Dinklage, who played Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones, questioned the decision to include the dwarf characters at all.

'They were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you're still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what you're doing there,' Dinklage told podcaster Marc Maron last year.

Zegler was recently forced to apologize after she shared an Instagram post in which she wished that President Trump and his supporters would 'never know peace' after he won the election.

As well as contending with Zegler's views, bosses are having to tread carefully after another of the film's stars, Israeli actress Gal Gadot, was hit with a petition to bar her from the Oscars over her outspoken support for her homeland amid Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

And while Disney has been patting itself on the back over its diverse cast, it has also come under criticism for its presentation of the Seven Dwarves.

In trailers it has since emerged that the Seven Dwarfs have been generated using CGI, a decision director Marc Webb insists he made right from the start.
An Aussie fashion company has gone into administration as customers claim they're owed thousands of dollars.

Dubbed the 'Airbnb' of designer dresses, Designerex, run by Sydney couple Kirsten Kore and Costa Koulis, connects renters of high-end clothes with lenders.

It had been touted as a global success story after expanding into the US market - but last month Daily Mail Australia revealed that many lenders on the site are owed money.

Ms Kore and Mr Koulis blamed a legal battle with the Aussie app developer Pixelforce as the cause of the delayed payments.

The company announced on Thursday that it had collapsed and bookings through the website were 'paused'.

'Unfortunately due to a legal dispute with a technology provider, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to appoint an administrator,' it said in a statement on Instagram.

'This step allows us to reassess our position, minimise further disruption caused by this provider issue, and explore the best way forward for you - our customers, as well as our investors and stakeholders.

'The company is working towards any remaining dress supplier payouts and customer refunds to be paid in full, and updates will be provided as they become available.'

Designerex, run by Sydney couple Kirsten Kore and Costa Koulis (pictured), connects renters of high-end clothes with lenders

Natasha Furner said previously that she was owed $3,000 for dress rentals dating back to August

Among the lenders who claimed they were owed money was Brisbane woman Natasha Furner, who said last month that she was owed $3,000 for dress rentals dating back to August.

'It's so stressful because at the end of the day I'm a mum as well,' said the 45-year-old.

'I started a small business. I'm trying to build my business and I just don't have the cashflow. All I'm asking is for them to pay what I'm owed.

'I think they need to take accountability for not paying and come through with action. And to remember that their clients, who are the lenders - their business doesn't exist without us. Their business will fail without us.'

Five other women also claimed they were owed money - some said they were chasing the company for as much as $4,000.
A group of teenage boys have been arrested over the alleged gang rape and blackmailing of a female Austrian school teacher.

The teacher, 29, was allegedly raped by three young men 'for several hours' on two separate dates last year, prosecutors told local newspaper Kronen Zeitung.

The alleged victim is understood to have entered into an 'intimate relationship' with one of the accused, aged 17, roughly one year ago.

She fell pregnant by the teen, who was her former student, and claims he pressured her into having an abortion, the prosecution claimed.

Recordings were allegedly made of the pair's sexual encounters, which the teacher claims were used by the youths to blackmail her into buying and using drugs, the newspaper reports.

The woman was then allegedly gang-raped by three members of the group, which included an Iraqi, two Austrians, two Afghans and a Romanian. It is not known which of the group are the three accused of rape.

Her Vienna apartment was also set on fire, according to reports.

A total of seven young men, ages 14 to 17, are being investigated on suspicion of rape, extortion, and arson. Five of them are currently in custody.

The teens vehemently deny the rape allegations.

A group of teenage boys are being investigated in connection to the alleged gang rape of a 29-year-old female Austrian school teacher A total of seven young men, ages 14 to 17, are being investigated on suspicion of rape, extortion, and arson. The teens vehemently deny the rape allegations (File photo of the Landesgericht fuer Strafsachen Wien courthouse in Vienna)

The teacher kept quiet about the alleged assault for almost a year because she felt ashamed and feared losing her teaching job, the newspaper reports.

The teens have largely exercised their right to remain silent during interrogation or legal proceedings.

Prosecutors say one teen admitted to the drugs deals, but denied having knowledge of any other wrongdoing.

Another claimed the sexual intercourse was 'voluntary' and confessed to photographing the alleged victim's ATM card, the newspaper reports.

Officials say the suspects include an Iraqi, a Romanian and two Afghani nationals, as well as two Austrian teens.

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) issued a dire response to the alleged assault, suggesting that Vienna has become a hotspot for asylum seekers and an unsafe place for women.

'Vienna is increasingly becoming a no-go zone for women due to such imported violence,' the party said in a statement to Heute.

'We finally need tough consequences: deportation of criminal foreigners and an end to the asylum madness! The FPO demands a full investigation, maximum penalties for the perpetrators, and finally safety for our citizens!'
Keir Starmer urged ministers to take back control as he scrapped the 'world's biggest quango' yesterday.

NHS England is being merged back into the Department of Health, with ministers arguing that more than 9,000 jobs can be cut by removing 'duplication'.

The process - intended to boost 'democratic control' as well as saving 'hundreds of millions of pounds' by making the system more efficient - will take around two years to complete.

But the move has raised questions about what other arms-length bodies could be for the chop. Together they oversee 350billion of spending and employ nearly 400,000 staff.

The second largest quango has already been slated for abolition, with Bridget Phillipson having announced last Autumn that the Education and Skills Funding Agency will disappear at the end of this month.

That is responsible for more than 67billion of taxpayer resources.

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Keir Starmer will launch a striking assault on the 'flabby, unfocused and over-cautious' state today as he vows an AI revolution in the civil service to save 45billion

Other major players in the 'quangocracy' include HM Revenue & Customs, a spin-off from the Treasury that administers some benefits as well as collecting taxes.

Network Rail, which oversees infrastructure, UK Research & Innovation, HS2 and National Highways are also big-ticket bodies.

The HM Prison & Probation Service, Homes England and the UK Health Security Agency complete the top 10 in terms of the resources they manage - although none comes close to NHS England.

No10 has been forced to deny that the Whitehall efficiency initiative has been privately nicknamed 'Project Chainsaw'.

Downing Street dismissed the reference to Donald Trump adviser Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw to represent his cuts to government spending was 'juvenile'.

Sir Keir said yesterday that abolishing NHSE will reduce 'duplication', saving money that can then be spent on frontline services.

Answering a question from a cancer patient on how the decision would improve the situation, the premier said: 'Amongst the reasons we are abolishing it is because of the duplication.

'So, if you can believe it, we've got a communications team in NHS England, we've got a communications team in the health department of government; we've got a strategy team in NHS England, a strategy team in the government department. We are duplicating things that could be done once.

'If we strip that out, which is what we are doing today, that then allows us to free up that money to put it where it needs to be, which is the front line.'

He added that the Government wanted to push power to frontline workers 'and away from the bureaucracy which often holds them up'.

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On Tuesday, Sir Keir instructed ministers to stop a 'trend' of 'outsourcing' decisions to 'other bodies' begun under the previous government and assess whether regulations contributed to Labour's agenda.

Later the same day, the Government announced that the Payment Systems Regulator will be abolished and merged with the Financial Conduct Authority in what Sir Keir said was 'the latest step in our efforts to kickstart economic growth'.

Ministers appear to have grown increasingly frustrated with the role of regulators as they attempt to boost the UK's economy, with the Chancellor urging them to focus more on encouraging growth.
A petrol station worker who hounded a successful law firm boss with scores of Instagram messages after becoming besotted when she bought fuel has been jailed.

Over a five-day period, Nicholas Romain sent 86 messages declaring his love for Zoe Dowthwaite, who regularly filled up her car and collected parcels from the Esso garage where he worked.

The 58-year-old found her Instagram account and then messaged her to say her profile picture 'did not do her justice'.

He sent further posts asking her to visit the garage again as he had 'prepared a speech for her'.

Frightened by her unwanted admirer's 'extremely distressing' obsession, she had to get a panic alarm and spent 'thousands' of pounds updating the security on her home, a court heard.

Ms Dowthwaite, who is head of marketing and communications for law firm Hill Dickinson, said she was left feeling 'vulnerable'.

As a result she had not renewed her gym membership as 'there were simply too many males' and she was worried her actions might be 'misinterpreted by men.'

She had even felt compelled to stop attending church and had locked down her social media over the trauma, she added.

Police mugshot of Nicholas Romain who hounded successful law firm boss Zoe Dowthwaite

The Esso garage where Nicholas Romain worked in Knutsford

Zoe Dowthwaite installed a panic alarm and spent 'thousands' of pounds updating the security on her home

'Most of all, I feel sad that my warm-hearted nature and my motto to treat everyone with kindness has led me here,' she said.

'The world seemed a safe place - but this reality of this came down with a sudden bump.'

Representing himself, Romain claimed that the episode had been 'twisted and taken out of context', referring to Ms Dowthwaite as the 'so-called victim'.

But he admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress and was jailed for 12 months.

Ms Dowthwaite, aged in her 40s, visited the Esso garage in Knutsford, Cheshire on August 3 last year having regularly picked up parcels in the past, Crewe magistrates court heard.

On that occasion she and Romain had a 'normal interaction', prosecutor Gabriella Orthodoxou said.

'But one day later, she received a follow request on Instagram with a profile belonging to the defendant.

'He stated that they have a connection and requested for her to attend to collect further parcels.'

Over the space of less than five hours on August 9 he contacted her 20 times through Facebook Messenger, she added.

In a statement, Ms Dowthwaite said: 'I was taught as a child and by my church to always see the best in people and treat people kindly but what happened was extremely distressing.

'I am head of marketing for an international law firm and work across the country in several offices but since this ordeal has occurred, I have stepped back from networking groups.

'I struggle speaking to men and I think do not laugh too loud, do not smile too much, do not ask questions, do not seem too interested, do not stay long.'

Saying she had just gone through a relationship break-up, Ms Dowthwaite said she now has parcels delivered to locations outside Knutsford and avoids 'having to divulge my name to strangers'.

In court, Romain claimed the allegation had 'completely wrecked my life'.

'Everything I say seems to fall on deaf ears,' he said.

'Everything the so-called victim said seems to be gospel.'

He claimed he was intending to deny the allegation at a trial but decided to plead guilty in order to receive a lesser sentence.

But jailing him, JP Sandra Verity said his 'lack of acceptance of your behaviour' meant there was 'not a realistic prospect of rehabilitation'.

'She has been intimidated and there is an impact on her that you do not appear to understand,' she added.

Romain, from Knutsford, was issued with a five-year restraining order requiring him not to contact his victim by any means.

He was also ordered to pay 547 in costs.
Former Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick has appeared in court accused of raping a woman and sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

The 50-year-old, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, appeared via video link from prison at the Old Bailey today.

The former Scotland Yard protection officer has previously denied two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour in relation to the woman between 2014 and 2019.

He has also denied five counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16.

The charges are alleged to have taken place between 1989 and 1990.

David Carrick, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, appeared via video link from prison at the Old Bailey today

The former Scotland Yard protection officer has previously denied two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour in relation to the woman between 2014 and 2019

Carrick appeared in the London court today for a case management hearing.

He spoke only to confirm his identity.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC confirmed the progress of the case ahead of a trial at the Old Bailey from November 3.

The judge set a further hearing for June 27 and remanded the defendant back into custody.
A 14 year-old school bully was knocked out by a boy of the same age after attacking him with a metal bottle, police say.

The girl, whose identity has not been released, allegedly hurled the bottle at the boy multiple times at Jehue Middle School in San Bernardino, California, on March 13.

Footage of the incident - which has since gone viral - begins after the scuffle had started.

It shows the alleged victim, a Latino boy, restrain the girl police say is a bully, who is black.

When he releases her, she grabs a laptop and throws it at.

He then grabs the girl and slams her head first into a table, knocking her out.

The girl collapses on the floor before another student tries to help her.

One student in the background is heard saying, 'she's knocked out, bro,' before the boy who slammed the girl picks up his glasses, smiles and walks away.

The video has gone viral after being shared online on various platforms this week.

Viral footage showed a male eighth grader slamming a female classmate against a desk, knocking her out. The girl allegedly started the fight by throwing a metal bottle at the boy

Both students have been cited after the viral brawl. They were also arrested but have been released

Jehue Middle School in San Bernardino county has about 1,460 students

Colton Police have described the girl as the bully and the boy as the victim.

Both have been charged - although she's been accused of felony assault, while he's facing a misdemeanor battery charge.

But local community activists have claimed the incident was an example of anti-black racism and have called the boy an aggressor, while demanding he is expelled.

The two students had no history of issues before the fight, according to Colton police Sgt. Mike Sandoval, who said the brawl was not racially motivated.

Both students were freed after being charged and are due back in court at a later date.

A spokeswoman with the Rialto Unified school district told The Sun action has been taken against the substitute teacher who was present during the fight.

'This disturbing and unfortunate incident is under investigation by the district and local authorities,' the district said in a statement, adding that it 'acted promptly and contacted the parents of the students involved, and medical aid was also provided.'

The middle school has about 1,460 students - 91 percent are Latino, 4.6 percent black and 1.9percent white.

Some activists have claimed the girl was the victim of the incident and stages a press conference outside the school on Thursday demanding the boy's arrest.

'What happened to her should not happen to anyone,' said social justice activist Najee Ali. 'Expel him.'

Meanwhile pastor Samuel Casey asked the citations be rescinded.

'Were calling immediately for those citations, especially to the young lady, to be rescinded,' he said.
Anti-tourism activists in the Canary Islands have started torching and smashing the windows of hire cars as backlash against mass tourism in the Spanish archipelago turns violent.

In the shocking video a group of vandals can be seen prowling around a car park for multiple rental cars in the southern Tenerife resort of Costa Adeje.

The clip starts with the cameraman zooming in on the boots of rental cars which bear the logo of Cicar - a Canary Islands-based car rental company - while the suspenseful theme tune from Jaws is playing over the video.

Then the music abruptly changes to Edith Piaf's 'Non, Je ne regrette rien' (No, I do not regret anything) as the group begins aggressively smashing up the windows of the rental cars.

It appears as though the cars are from multiple car rental companies as the filmer continues to zoom in on the vehicles' rental badges.

One person then pours what appears to be a flammable liquid across the ground before seemingly setting fire to a car which can be seen ablaze as the video comes to a sudden end.

No group have taken responsibility for the attack, but the video has been shared by by various environmental and anti-tourism social media accounts in Tenerife, according to Canarian Weekly.

The video was posted with the following statement: 'We have received this video from Canary Islands activists, exhausted by mass tourism, overpopulation in their neighbourhoods, and the complete lack of redistribution of the so-called wealth generated by tourism.'

In the shocking video a group of vandals can be seen prowling around a car park where multiple rental cars are kept before they start smashing up the cars

One person then pours what appears to be a flammable liquid across the ground before seemingly setting fire to a car which be seen ablaze as the video comes to a sudden end

Anti-tourism portesters in Spain holding a sign which says 'Tourists go home you are not welcome'

Since the distressing video was posted on social media, Spain's National Police have launched an investigation into whether the damage to 20 rental cars was indeed the work of activists.

This is the latest instance of anti-tourism protests in the Canary Islands becoming more violent.

In another incident in February arsons attacked construction equipment at the Cuna del Alma development in the south of Tenerife.

The controversial luxury housing project on undeveloped beachside land has sparked opposition from locals.

Roberto Mesa, an activist who shared the most recent video online, said: 'Peaceful means have been exhausted.'

Mr Mesa, who claims to have no direct knowledge of the perpetrators, said that locals feel ignored and have had their peaceful protests disregarded.

With their year-round warm weather and golden beaches, the Canary Islands have long been a mecca for sun-seekers - with over six million Brits travelling to the archipelago yearly.

However, in recent years resent has been growing amongst the local population against what is perceived as mass tourism.

Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on April 20, 2024

Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on April 20, 2024

Protesters march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024

This is despite Canary Island officials warning residents that 'tourismphobia' could cause a slump in the islands' economy - which has grown heavily dependent on the 16million tourists who visit annually.

Despite this, last year saw an explosion in anti-tourism protests.

In July 2024, 200,000 people took to the streets of Tenerife to demonstrate against tourism.

The protests, organised by various groups including 'Friends of Nature of Tenerife (ATAN)' aimed to discourage foreign holidaymakers while also compelling councils to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting the islands from the effects of an ever-expanding tourism industry.

A recent protest erupted in October after hundreds of demonstrators stormed Tenerife's Troya beach, where sun-seeking holidaymakers were stunned to be disrupted by a placard-waving mob yelling slogans such as 'More tourists, more misery' and 'the Canary Islands are not for sale'.

Protests were also reported on neighbouring Gran Canaria.

Anti-tourism graffiti telling tourist to 'go home' has also been spotted across the islands.

The most shocking graffiti read 'kill a tourist' and was spotted on a house in Tenerife by a concerned resident who admitted to being worried that the mass protest movement against overcrowding was going too far.

Graffiti reading 'kill a tourist' has been spotted on a wall in Tenerife amid Spain's anti-protest movement

Steve Heapy, Jet2's CEO, warned the Canary Islands to stop playing a 'dangerous game' and end the ongoing anti-tourism protests

Last year, when the Canary Islands were the focus of anti-mass tourism protests hotel bosses there admitted British holidaymakers were calling to ask if they would be safe.

The rise in opposition to tourism prompted Jet 2's CEO to warn the Canary Islands to stop playing a 'dangerous game' and end the ongoing anti-tourism protests in Spain before holidaymakers take their money elsewhere.

Steve Heapy issued the alert at Spain's International Tourism Trade Fair in January, saying: 'Anti-tourism protests and derogatory comments from local administrations make tourists feel unwelcome.

'People don't come to the Canaries to be mistreated or to witness protests'.

'Anti-tourism protests and derogatory comments from local administrations make tourists feel unwelcome,' Mr Heapy added.

'People don't come to the Canaries to be mistreated or to witness protests'.

He warned that such incidents tarnish the region's image and push tourists toward destinations like Turkey and Morocco 'where they feel valued'.

'Not everyone is rich, and many tourists simply want an affordable and relaxing holiday. If they feel unwanted, they'll look elsewhere,' he said.

A group of Lanzarote locals launched their own pro-tourism march to cheers and applause from British holidaymakers

Not all the locals support the demonstrations, in October when protestors stormed a Tenerife beach and surrounded holidaymakers in their swimwear they were branded 'd***heads' by furious locals.

Canary islander Veronica Quintero said of the Tenerife beach revolt: 'What they did was a d***head thing to do.

Canary Islands brings in sex ban at beach beauty spot with 2,500 fines for offenders A beauty spot in the Canary islands has brought in a sex ban which could see offenders handed a 2,500 fine. Beaches along the Agaete coastline in Gran Canaria have announced the new laws this week. The most eye-catching new measure bans people from engaging in activities in the water, bathing areas, or any public 'maritime-terrestrial domain'. Canarian Weekly reported that as well as the sex ban, beach goers will be barred from smoking any devices, playing music and cooking on the shores. On top of this, camping, using traditional umbrellas and misusing public showers have also been banned. Advertisement

'We have to fight for quality tourism but not against those who come here.'

'We shouldn't f*** the tourist who is on the beach because they have paid for an offer.'

Another local raged: 'I don't understand, countries competing, innovating to get money in the form of tourist investment or whatever because things are getting tough and these ignorant people with good telephones, well-fed thanks to the investments that have been made on this island.'

In Lanzarote, a group of locals launched their own pro-tourism march to cheers and applause from British holidaymakers.

This came after a march in October last year saw protesters take to the streets of Puerto del Carmen, which is popular with both Brits and Irish tourists, on the same day simultaneously demonstrations took place in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro.

But once the demonstrators had dissipated, dozens of other locals donned t-shirts that read 'Lanzarote loves tourism' and turned out for a march of their own, banging drums and hoisting their own signs - much to the delight of British travellers.

Augusto Ferreira, a restaurant owner from Puerto del Carmen, said fears of mass tourism were being stoked by politicians 'playing political games' and pointed out that thousands of locals in Lanzarote rely on holidaymakers for their livelihoods.

He told local news programme A Buena Hora: 'I have walked many streets visiting businesses and talking to people. I have heard very nice stories from people who say their family live off tourism, and that thanks to tourism they are what they are.'

Activists are continuing to demand the government make a change to prevent the number of tourists visiting the holiday hotspot amid soaring rents.

It comes as Spain is also set to impose a 100 per cent tax on non-EU citizens buying homes in the country as it moves to prioritise housing availability for locals.
Displaying Egyptian mummies and other human remains in museums and universities should be banned as it may offend the 'wishes of the ancestors', MPs have claimed.

The all-party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations branded the continued displaying of human remains 'unethical' and said mummies had been 'looted' from Egypt and subject to 'racist pseudo-scientific research'.

Led by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the group of 16 parliamentarians have called for the return of all human remains held by British institutions to their country of origin.

Returning human remains would assist the African diaspora in 'healing from the traumas of enslavement and colonial violence', a report titled Laying the Ancestors to Rest said.

The report stated mummified bodies and other remains were 'looted' before being brought to the UK, 'often as trophies and as commodities to be traded and displayed as curiosities'.

It cites the British Museum, Natural History Museum and several universities among the offenders, and claims they represent 'continuous acts of displacement and objectification of human beings.'

'In the UK the mummified person has been excavated and brought back to the UK as an object of racist pseudoscientific research, including in efforts to evidence that Egyptians were white Europeans,' they wrote.

Remains held in the UK include Australian Aboriginal and Native American skeletons, South American shrunken heads and bog bodies, as well as the famous Egyptian mummies.

The all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan Reparations branded the continued displaying of human remains 'unethical' and said mummies had been 'looted' from Egypt (Pictured: A mummy on display in the British Museum)

Returning human remains would assist the African diaspora in 'healing from the traumas of enslavement and colonial violence', a report titled Laying the Ancestors to Rest said (Pictured: A display of mummies in the British Museum)

In a foreword to the report, Ms Ribeiro-Addy said: 'The continued presence of these remains in British institutions causes profound distress to diaspora communities and countries of origin, particularly when they are displayed or sold at auction.

'In the context of ongoing debates about restitution and reparations, the need for decisive action has never been more urgent.

'I was recently alarmed and deeply distressed to learn that it is still possible to purchase African ancestral remains through auction houses.

'This underscores the urgent need to improve the legislative and regulatory framework governing the storage, display and sale of ancestral remains.

'The committee made multiple recommendations to government and museums, including making the sale of human remains illegal and stopping the display of any remains in museums, cultural and educational institutions.'

The committee wants to instigate changes to the Human Tissue Act 2004, which regulates the storage and display of remains - but largely applies only to those that are under 100 years old.

It said there is a need for the utmost transparency in the holding of remains, similar to that seen in hospitals.

The committee states its aim as to 'promote parliamentary and public understanding of the issues of reparations and restitution', most notably by advocating for compensation for slavery fuelled by British colonialism.

Led by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy (pictured), the group of 16 parliamentarians have called for the return of all human remains held by British institutions to their country of origin

High-profile discourse has also taken place around the fate of the Elgin Marbles, a series of statues from Ancient Greece, also held at the British Museum

The British Museum alone currently owns 900 of the Benin Bronzes, with a rotating public display of around 100

A 2023 report co-authored by a United Nations judge concluded that the UK owes more than 18 trillion to 14 countries in reparations.

The group's members include former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, MP Diane Abbott and Conservative Lord Ed Vaizey.

Lord Simon Woolley, the current principle of Homerton College at the University of Cambridge, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, are also on the panel.

The report into the return of human remains is far from the only debate to take place around objects removed from their homelands by Britons, in recent years.

Debate has included the fate of the Benin Bronzes, plaques featuring sculptures of humans and animals, taken from the ancient Kingdom of Benin.

The British Museum alone currently owns 900 of the bronzes, with a rotating public display of around 100.

Thousands of the carvings were stolen during the violent destruction of Benin City in modern-day Nigeria's Edo state in 1897.

Just last month, the Netherlands announced it would return more than 100 of the bronzes - not all of which are actually carved from bronze - three years after Germany returned 20 which it held.

High-profile discourse has also taken place around the fate of the Elgin Marbles, a series of statues from Ancient Greece.

The Marbles are made up of more than 30 ancient stone sculptures from Greece held in the British Museum, dating back more than 2,000 years.

They were taken from the country in the early 1800s.

Greece has long campaigned for the return of the Marbles, but no formal agreement has yet been reached.
Once a fireman, always a fireman. Joanne Fenton half jokes about her husband's ability to stay calm in a crisis. You can retire from the job, it seems, but only to a point.

'I'd have been running around like a headless chicken, not knowing what to do, but Ade went the opposite way,' she says.

Adrian Fenton, 58, nods, and embarks on the sort of forensic analysis a professional first-responder would give, explaining what he did, and the thinking behind it.

What he's unpicking is the shocking moment they discovered a stowaway hiding in their campervan, on a return trip from France last October.

Adrian's not on trial here, but he feels he is. And he absolutely, resolutely, believes he did the right thing  the thing any public servant, retired or not, would do.

'I was very methodical. The first thing I did, when I saw those trainers, and then the legs attached to them, was to shout to Jo to call the police,' he explains.

'There were two things going on  thinking of the guy's welfare, and of our safety. You contain the situation. You try to avoid confrontation. I didn't know whether he was on drugs, whether he had a weapon. This was our home. We were literally up the driveway, with the garage doors open, offering access to our house.

'I established he was OK. Jo brought him a bottle of water then some fruit.'

It was the first trip abroad that Joanne and Adrian Fenton had taken in their campervan

Within about 20 minutes, the police arrived, at which point Adrian stepped back and started videoing proceedings on his phone.

'It was purely for evidential reasons,' he says. 'I knew that if it went forward, and I was asked questions about it, I could bounce back and refer to the video.'

That video went viral this week, and what an extraordinary piece of footage it is: two police officers standing in Adrian and Joanne's suburban garage in Heybridge, Essex, having just helped a young, Sudanese migrant unfurl himself from the bike rack on the back of their campervan.

The footage would have been troubling anyway, but the reason the story went viral was because of what happened next.

Although the officers at the scene treated Adrian and Joanne, 55, as the victims of crime  right down to establishing a crime incident number should they need to make a claim about damage to property  things took a frankly ludicrous turn.

Instead of being thanked by the authorities for their civic mindedness, the Fentons were contacted by the Home Office, and told they were going to be fined 1,500.

Citing asylum and immigration legislation  legislation introduced in 2023 that the Fentons knew applied to lorry drivers, but had no idea was relevant to them  they were told it had been their responsibility to 'check that no clandestine entrant was concealed' in their vehicle.

They immediately drafted an appeal, pointing out that this man wasn't 'in' their vehicle at all, and were furious when the Home Office response was to double down, insisting that penalties were 'designed to target negligence rather than criminality'.

The Sudanese migrant had 'moulded his body around the bike frame and the bikes themselves', and clung on for dear life - for more than six hours

It beggars belief, says Joanne in this, their first in-depth account of what happened.

They think it happened like this: at some point  and they are utterly baffled as to when, but they believe it must have been when they were queueing in traffic in Calais  the man crept up to the campervan, unzipped the tight plastic cover designed to keep rain off their bicycles, and climbed inside.

He then 'moulded his body around the bike frame and the bikes themselves', and clung on for dear life - for more than six hours, and at speeds of 60mph on the rain-swept M25 - all the way to Essex.

'At any point, he could have fallen off. Or if a lorry had gone into the back of us, he wouldn't have stood a chance,' says Adrian.

'We were negligent? Seriously?! Most other campervanners and caravanners we've spoken to have no idea about this law. This migrant wasn't inside our vehicle, which was alarmed up to the hilt. He was clinging to the bike rack outside it.

'And the border patrol people  the professionals - had walked round the vehicle doing their own checks before we got on the ferry. No-one has said they were negligent. The whole thing is mad.'

The Fentons' story has sent shockwaves around campervan and caravan communities, and sparked global comment.

On Tuesday, Adrian was bemused to find himself speaking to the Washington Post. 'Illegal immigration is a huge global issue,' he observes.

A huge domestic one, too. On Wednesday, their case was raised by their MP in the Commons. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'concerned' about this case, and it was 'important' that it was looked into.

Let's hope some urgency is applied here. Because having listened to the Fentons' full story, the politest thing we can say here is that the Home Office has picked on entirely the wrong retired couple.

Not only are these two clearly responsible campervanners  the four-day trip to France last year was the first they had made abroad in their new vehicle, and they were meticulous about the planning - but it is the background to what led them to buy it in the first place that makes their treatment nothing short of shameful.

Because it emerges that Adrian Fenton was not just a rank and file firefighter during his 28-year career with the London Fire Brigade. By 2017 he was the Assistant Deputy Chief Commissioner. On the night of the Grenfell fire, which claimed 72 lives, he was the man at the helm in the control room  the most senior officer on duty.

He has not shared this part of their story thus far  'because just thinking about Grenfell is triggering', he says  but in explaining why he retired, and why he bought a campervan, the awful truth emerges.

'I was diagnosed with PTSD after Grenfell,' he says. 'I was retired early, and we bought the campervan for recreation, and for my recovery. I found it very difficult to be at home. I felt caged when I was inside the house. The campervan represented freedom, a new start.'

He won't go into the detail of what happened in that control room, but the very fact that he has flashbacks and panic attacks to this day tells its own story.

Buying a campervan 'represented escape for me,' Adrian says. 'It represented flip-flops, freedom... the phone doesn't ring. There are no reminders. You can disappear'

In fact, it was Adrian who took one of those life-and-death decisions that does get scrutinised by public inquiries afterwards.

He was the one who made the decision to reverse the devastating 'stay-put' policy which kept victims in their flats and ultimately claimed so many lives.

A colleague in the control room had ordered television screens to be turned off because they didn't want emergency operators  who were facing unprecedented calls from those trapped inside - to be distracted. But Adrian had gone down to a lower floor and seen the TV footage there, showing the fire spreading up the building at an alarming rate.

His actions doubtless saved further loss of life, but he is candid about how the stress changed him.

'I wasn't the same person afterwards. I didn't deal with stress  any stress  in the same way,' he says.

And, of course, it affected Joanne, too. 'We had to work out what came next,' she says. 'It was a hard time. He has struggled to refind himself.'

What came next was a life that was carefully designed to be as stress-free as possible. The Fentons have three children and three grandchildren (with a fourth on the way) but their daughter lives in Australia.

Shortly after Adrian retired, three years ago, they went to visit. 'And we hired a campervan,' he explains, breaking into a smile at the memory.

Joanne and Adrian bought their campervan (he couple are pictured inside it) just over a year ago, and threw themselves into being responsible owners

'It was the best experience ever. It represented escape for me. It represented flip-flops, freedom... the phone doesn't ring. There are no reminders. You can disappear.'

They bought their own campervan just over a year ago, and threw themselves into being responsible owners.

'There is so much to learn,' says Joanne. 'A lot of it is computerised so you need to know so much.'

They talk me through the logistics: Adrian stresses that 'because of my background', his focus was always on safety.

'Securing the vehicle is a big thing so we had this state of the art alarm system, linked to an app on our phones. It means that if someone tries to get in the campervan when we aren't there, we get an alert. In fact, if it moves at all, we know about it. Even if you rattle the bike rack, the sensor will detect it.

'That's why we think he must have climbed in when we were in traffic because if it had been, say, when we were in the supermarket loading up, that alarm would have been triggered.'

After 13 trial runs in the UK, last October they felt confident enough to head abroad, arranging a four-day trip to the Champagne region of France with some neighbours who are also campervanners.

All went swimmingly  until that fateful return journey, when they hit Calais. The pair were shocked to see gangs of youths as they approached the ferry dock.

'As you drive up to the Shuttle on every street corner there are groups of young lads, loitering. I've discovered since that there are some campervanners who say they won't even stop at a traffic light because of this, but I don't even know how that's possible.'

They sailed through the obligatory border checks, with immigration officials walking around their van. No drama. Nothing untoward, and arrived home at around 9.20pm.

'It was cold and dark and wet and we just wanted to get into the house and get to bed,' remembers Joanne.

When Adrian went to unzip the bike cover, however, he got the shock of his life.

'I unzipped the bottom and saw these two white trainers. I thought immediately "Why are my trainers in here?"' He unzipped some more  and was confronted by two legs, then a torso.

He still struggles to explain the position the young man was in - 'completely contorted around the bike. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing.'

As Joanne was on the phone to the police, telling them to hurry, Adrian was asking the young man questions.

'The first thing he said was that he was 16 and that he had no ID and no passport. He said he was from Sudan. He was speaking in broken English.'

Adrian is '100 per cent sure' he was older than 16. 'He looked early 20s, maybe late teens, but the police explained to us that if they are under 18, they are classed as missing persons and it won't go to court.'

The stowaway had a mobile phone - a brand new iPhone. 'Better than mine,' quips Adrian.

Shortly afterwards, their neighbours who'd been travelling with them drove past, and Joanne yelled for them to come and help.

'Our friend was running around her van with a torch, trying to check that they didn't have any migrants too, and checking if there were any others in ours.'

Shortly afterwards, the police arrived.

Both Joanne and Adrian insist they did the morally correct thing. They are horrified that anyone in their shoes would let a stowaway simply walk away.

'What if we'd just let him go and he'd gone down the road into a little old lady's house? He had nothing, save for his phone. He was desperate and desperate people do desperate things. And we were also concerned for his wellbeing. It's heartbreaking to think what he had endured,' Joanne says.

As for the Fentons, they were left deeply shocked by what had happened.

'I was searching all over the house in case someone had got in,' says Joanne. 'It does make you paranoid. We realised from upstairs that we could see the roof of the van  which we couldn't search from the ground without ladders. What if there had been someone there? Would that have been our fault, too?'

Adrian asks another question. 'Maybe the Home Office expects us to take ladders with us?'

They believe the man was taken to hospital to be checked out but were given no updates - not even a call to let them know he was OK.

'We heard nothing,' says Joanne. 'Not a single thing  until we got that email saying we were going to be fined.'

To add insult to injury, the Home Office notice of the fine  brought under the Carriers Regulation Liability legislation of 2023 - contained inaccuracies.

'First, they got the date of when it happened wrong. Then they said "a clandestine" had been found when "an authorised officer" searched our vehicle. That is simply wrong. We called them. But even when I wrote back to them saying we don't think we were negligent, and detailing all the checks we made, it's still apparently our fault. Madness.'

The worrying thing is that millions now will have read of the Fentons and their predicament  and may well be swayed to take very different action in the event of finding their own stowaway.

'The Home Office has just given people licence to park up at a services on the M25 and turn a blind eye, letting the person abscond,' says Adrian. 'How is that right? It is not right.'

Who'd head abroad in a campervan now? After our interview the Fentons are off on their travels again, to Poland for a short break.

This time, purely by chance, they are flying. It suddenly seems very sensible.
Cheryl Tweedy's stalker who turned up at her house as she grieved for Liam Payne can today be unmasked for the first time.

Convicted killer Daniel Bannister, 50, was today jailed for 16 weeks for breaching a restraining order he was handed in September.

He was said to have become 'fixated' with the Girls Aloud star, 41, who was left 'fearing for her life' by his obsessive behaviour.

Bannister, who served a two-and-a-half-year sentence for manslaughter after kicking and punching a neighbour to death in 2012, repeatedly tried to contact Tweedy.

He was already the subject of a restraining order when he rang the video intercom outside the Buckinghamshire mansion she shares with her seven year old son Bear.

The 'frightening' incident took place in December while she was grieving the loss of her former partner Liam Payne.

Tweedy, who was not at High Wycombe Magistrate's Court today, did not provide any victim impact statement to be read out at her stalker's sentencing.

But in an earlier statement provided to the Crown Prosecution Service she said his repeated attempts to contact her left her feeling 'violated' and in fear of her life. She also said she feared for the safety of her son.

The court was told Bannister turned up at her home on three occasions in January, July and December of last year.

Tweedy told police she 'immediately panicked' when she spotted Bannister outside her home.

Convicted killer Daniel Bannister, 49, was today jailed for 16 weeks for breaching a restraining order he was handed in September

Cheryl Tweedy, 41, attends her ex Liam Payne's funeral in Buckinghamshire on November 20, 2024

Bannister was jailed for four months in September, The Sun reported, given a three year restraining order and banned from entering Buckinghamshire

'I knew this was Daniel because I have had previous incidents where Daniel has come to my property,' she told police at the time.

'I was concerned he was looking for a way into the property.'

The singer told officers her son was due back from the cinema, and did not want him to see the stalker, the court heard.

'I want to protect my child from any harm.'

Having spent almost three months on remand, Bannister is likely to be released within weeks.

District judge Arvind Sharma told Bannister he had to impose an immediate custodial sentence and said a new indefinite restraining order meant he could never contact Tweedy.

He was banned from entering any building where he suspects Tweedy to be present and could not contact her on social media.

Bannister, who wore a prison issue grey tracksuit, smiled in the dock when the court was told he had asked Tweedy for a glass of wine when he called at her home.

Prosecutor Datta Ryan said Tweedy had recognised Bannister as he stood outside her home in December having pressed the entry intercom.

She said she feared he was going to scale the gate and called her personal security.

Bannister did not manage to get into the grounds of the mansion in Buckinghamshire.

In her statement to the CPS Tweedy said:' I feared for my safety and my child's safety.

'It causes me to panic. He is not allowed to be at my home.'

Bannister was said to have become 'fixated' with the Girls Aloud star, 41, and showed up at the mansion she shares with her son Bear

Cheryl has had to secretly endure being stalked while she is grieving for Liam. She published a heartbreaking tribute following his death in October

Bannister has been in custody for over three months at Bullingdon prison in Oxfordshire

Bannister, of no fixed abode, had been jailed for four months last September and given a three-year restraining order and banned from entering the county of Buckinghamshire for stalking Tweedy.

But on December 10th  weeks after grief-stricken Tweedy attended Payne's funeral  he showed up at the home she shares with her seven-year-old son Bear.

He admitted to three offences  two of harassment and a breach of restraining order  and was remanded in custody at an earlier hearing.

Bannister was due to be sentenced in January, but the case was adjourned by the judge for medical reports.

His solicitor Colin Mackerell told the court a psychiatrist said he was not suffering from any mental illness.

Bannister has been in custody for over three months at Bullingdon prison in Oxfordshire.

In 2012 he had been jailed for manslaughter for killing his neighbour Rajendra Patel at a YMCA hostel in Croydon where they both lived.

The court heard both men suffered from mental health problems, with Mr Patel diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The pair had a history of conflict after moving into adjacent rooms at the hostel for the homeless and vulnerable.

Bannister brutally punched and kicked Patel as he was walking towards a lift, breaking his ankle and nose and causing swelling to his face.

Patel died 15 days later after the assault from a pulmonary thromboembolism.

Jailing him, Judge Nicholas Price told Bannister he had not intended to cause serious injury or death but the assault was sustained.

He said he was not a danger to the public, but had no choice but impose a prison sentence.

The former X-Factor judge shared a black and white snap of the 1D favourite and little Bear and a statement following his death

Kathleen O'Callaghan of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'The unwanted attention of offenders like Daniel Bannister can leave victims feeling alarmed and fearful.

'Bannister plainly disregarded a previous restraining order, and the Crown Prosecution Service argued these deliberate breaches were made more serious by the fact that they were committed so shortly after the order was made.

'As a result, Bannister now faces a longer prison term with an indefinite restraining order placed on him.'

Prosecutor Datta Ryan had said Tweedy felt 'violated' by his repeated attempts to contact her.

Tweedy stepped up her personal security in March 2023 while appearing on the West End stage.

Her nightly appearance in 2.22 Ghost Story was ruined by 'disgusting'. notes being left with flowers at the London theatre.

Tweedy had led mourners at former One Direction star Payne's funeral in November in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

He died after plunging from a balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aries, Argentina following a drink and drug binge.

Cole, who was in a high-profile relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018, said in a statement on Instagram that their son has to 'face the reality of never seeing his father again'.

Sharing a black and white picture of Payne in bed with his son, she said: 'As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.

'Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.'
Hamas will release the last living American-Israeli hostage and the remains of four other dual-national hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to continue negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Edan Alexander, 21, will be released along with the bodies of four other hostages who died in captivity, Hamas has claimed.

Hamas said in a statement today that it responded 'positively' to the proposal that was presented on Thursday to resume negotiations.

The group did not immediately specify when the release of soldier, who has been held hostage for 525 days, or the bodies would occur. Other countries party to the agreement did not immediately confirm the terror group's statement.

Alexander, who was just 19 when he was abducted during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, is thought to be the last living American hostage.

He appeared in a Hamas propaganda video in November 2024. Israel says four other American hostages died in captivity.

Although he grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander decided to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces after he graduating high school.

Hamas' statement comes as talks continue in Doha to try to broker the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the first phase of which ended two weeks ago.

Edan Alexander, 21, will be released along with the bodies of four other hostages who died in captivity, Hamas has claimed. The terror group did not immediately specify when the release of soldier, who has been held hostage for 525 days, or the bodies would occur

Alexander is thought to be the last living American hostage. He appeared in a Hamas propaganda video in November 2024 (pictured)

'Yesterday, a Hamas leadership delegation received a proposal from the brotherly mediators to resume negotiations,' a Hamas spokesperson said in a statement.

The group added its reply 'included its agreement to release the Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, along with the remains of four others holding dual citizenship.'

Hamas official Husam Badran, in a separate statement, reaffirmed what he said was the organization's commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases, warning that any Israeli deviation from the terms would return negotiations to square one.

American President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a 'top priority'.

For weeks, the soldier's mother Yael Alexander has been watching the release of hostages from Gaza, hoping she soon might see her son's name on a list of those to be freed.

'This is a critical time,' Yael said last month. 'I know my son is probably in tunnels, so I understand that he's not seeing sunlight, and the air is very thin underground.'

She added: 'It's very, very difficult for me to even think about it.'

Yael Alexander, center in grey scarf, holds a poster of her son Edan during a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 for the families and supporters of hostages held in the Gaza

Hamas is seen handing over an Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross on February 22, 2025 during the seventh exchange of the ceasefire deal

Since his abduction, Alexander's relatives have divided their time between Israel, Washington, DC, where they meet frequently with politicians, and their New Jersey home.

Yael, who has participated in rallies demanding for the hostages to be released, previously said that Trump's commitment to her son's release sparked hope.

'Every time they say Edan's name, it's like they didn't forget. They didn't forget he's American, and they're working on it,' she said.

The US, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to bridge differences between Hamas and Israel to restart negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal in order to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza and facilitate the entry of aid into the war-torn enclave.

Israel is pressing the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire.

Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on March 2 as a standoff over the truce escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene.

US President Donald Trump, pictured meeting with released hostages in the Oval Office earlier this month, has previously said gaining the release of Alexander was a 'top priority'

Hamas says it wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace.

Fighting in Gaza has been halted since January 19 under the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire accord.

Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The second phase involves talks over an agreement for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave. Israel demands that Hamas free the remaining hostages without beginning phase two negotiations.
A female radiographer who left colleagues astonished at her incompetence had claimed to have 23 years of experience, but she had actually been working on a reception desk.

Smitha Johny applied to join the Health and Care Professions register in 2021 after moving to the United Kingdom from her native India, claiming that English was her first language and that she had more than two decades of experience in radiography.

But suspicions soon arose when she began working at the North Downs Hospital in Caterham, Surrey, in January 2023.

Colleagues expressed astonishment at her lack of knowledge as given on her CV she claimed to have 23 years of experience in the speciality.

However, it later transpired she had actually been working on a hospital reception desk in her home country.

Ms Johny was assigned a 'buddy' to support her for the first few weeks but it soon 'became clear' she would need to be supervised for longer.

Her manager, Fernando Pinto, told a tribunal this week that the way Ms Johny was interacting with patients showed she was not following correct procedures but when confronted, Ms Johny claimed she had worked with a CT scanner in India, not an x-ray.

In one instance, Mr Pinto had presented himself as a patient to the radiographer asking for a hip x-ray, but Ms Johny pointed the machinery towards his knee.

Smitha Johny began working at the North Downs Hospital in Surrey in January 2023 but only lasted a couple of months

He told the tribunal this could lead to 'unnecessary exposure', known as a radiation breach, which would risk patient safety by increasing their chance of developing cancer.

Mr Pinto added that during the review Ms Johny showed 'no knowledge' about the X-ray machine and did not know what each of the buttons on it did.

He then asked her to perform a foot X-ray, the 'most basic' procedure, and she could not do it. Ms Johny was apparently unaware how to position the foot or the machine correctly.

Just three months after beginning at the Surrey Hospital, run by private health group Ramsay Healthcare, Ms Johny was told she could not practice as a radiographer anymore during her review and handed her notice in.

The hospital then referred her to the Health and Care Professionals Council, raising concerns about her 'lack of professional knowledge' and her command of English.

Ms Johny had too failed her mandatory immediate life course, a tribunal heard, designed to help medical professionals recognise cardiac arrest in February of that year.

The course organiser told Mr Pinto that he did not believe Ms Johny could understand what he was saying and would be 'completely unable to react' in an emergency situation.

In another review carried out by manager Mr Pinto, he purposefully gave her the wrong date of birth during a clinical scenario and she failed to check it against her notes.

Ms Johny was apparently completely unaware how to carry out 'the most basic procedure,' a foot x-ray

The radiographer was also told to do a specific kind of X-ray scan on the foot but she could not do it and was asked to identify a specific bone in her wrist but she pointed to the wrong one, despite Mr Pinto advising her to review that before the meeting.

Mr Pinto said it was concerning that Ms Johny could not recognise 'basic anatomy' and he would have expected better knowledge from someone at her level.

The manager then showed her an X-ray of a fractured femur and asked her to identify the problem, which she could not do despite it being 'very obvious' what the problem was.

At the end of the review Mr Pinto asked Ms Johny 'are you really a radiographer?' and she said she had been 'more like a manager' in her previous role, working on the reception desk to check in patients who would then be assessed by nurses.

The panel found that Ms Johny had misrepresented her level of experience when applying for the job with Ramsay Healthcare and there was a 'clear disconnect' between what she said she could do and her actual skill level.

However, they concluded that her actions were 'naive' as opposed to dishonest and that the expectations were 'very different' from the remote part of India she had worked in before and she had at some point been trained in radiography.

In terms of her English skills, they found she had not misrepresented her ability by saying it was her first language but did note that her test score was below the level required for fluency.

In deciding to suspend Ms Johny, the panel determined that her actions reflected a 'lack of competency' rather than misconduct.

They said: 'There was a clear pattern of repeated failures by [Ms Johny], even after she was shown what to do and provided with a significant amount of support.

'There was some progress noted in both [Ms Johny's] clinical skills and language, but nowhere near that necessary to be able to qualify as competent in her role.

'However, the evidence suggested she was eager, cheerful and friendly and it was clear to the panel that these were matters of competency, rather than misconduct.

'By not being able to demonstrate her competency as a radiographer, patients were put at unwarranted risk of harm, that was only avoided because she was being constantly supervised.

'The panel thus decided to impose a suspension order for a period of six months. This would mark the seriousness of the failings, whilst allowing [Ms Johny] a period of time to reflect and hopefully re-engage with the process..'
A Wetherspoon worker who was sacked after sending a complaint email about his boss to 180 other pubs has won more than 12,000 after a judge ruled it was a mistake 'anyone could make'.

Thomas Batsford mistakenly sent the email containing 'serious allegations' to every Wetherspoon in the east of England rather than just his regional manager, an employment tribunal heard.

The kitchen shift leader at the Swan and Angel in St Ives, Cambridge, immediately asked for it to be deleted when he realised his error, but the message had already been irretrievably dispatched.

An employment judge said it was 'a mistake that any employee might have reasonably made' but Mr Batsford was accused of a 'defamatory' data breach, gross misconduct and sacked without notice.

And after appearing at the tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, he has successfully sued the pub chain for unfair dismissal and won 12,502 in compensation after it was found that the company carried out a flawed investigation into him.

Mr Batsford started working in the pub in September 2018 but frictions arose when new manager Theresa Temperley arrived in December 2022 after replacing previous boss Michael Loveridge.

Immediately taking something of a new broom approach to management, Miss Temperley clashed with Mr Batsford after he lied about his reason for absence one day in April 2023.

Thomas Batsford (pictured) mistakenly sent the email containing 'serious allegations' to 180 Wetherspoons pubs rather than just the regional manager as he had intended

The complaint was in relation to the behaviour of his boss at The Swan & Angel, St Ives, Cambridge (pictured) and another female colleague who he said had been sending 'unprofessional' WhatsApp messages

After appearing at the tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, he has successfully sued the pub chain for unfair dismissal and won 12,502 in compensation after it was found that the company carried out a flawed investigation into him

When questioned by Miss Temperley, the kitchen worker said he hadn't come in because he felt he was being 'mistreated and bullied' by the manager and another colleague, Jess Lent.

He said he 'had been reduced to tears by the treatment he had received' the day before and 'couldn't face coming into work the following day'.

Miss Temperley had previously taken issue with his work including the cleaning of the canopy in the kitchen, a problem which had been noticed on the day he said was 'bullied'.

Mr Batsford claimed the way he worked was down to 'the way he had been trained' under the previous boss.

However, Miss Temperley decided to suspend Mr Batsford and hold a disciplinary hearing about the issues in May.

But before it was held, Mr Batsford sent the grievance email complaining about how he'd been treated by the two women, making reference to WhatsApp messages 'of a highly unprofessional nature' which they had sent him.

This was received by almost 200 regional Wetherspoons pubs.

The tribunal heard: 'In essence, the grievance included serious allegations against Miss Temperley and Miss Lent about their behaviour.

Miss Temperley decided to suspend Mr Batsford (pictured) and hold a disciplinary hearing about the issues in May but before it was held he sent the grievance email

'Unfortunately, Mr Batsford sent the email to Jedd Murphy, who is a Regional Manager but also to the entire pub region that he manages rather than just to Jedd Murphy himself.

'He sent it from a personal device at home in the early hours of May 5.

'He immediately realised his error and sent a following email asking for the original email to be deleted and explaining that it was only meant for Jedd Murphy and not the entire region.

'Sadly, the email had, by that time, been disseminated to some 180 pubs.'

Mr Batsford was found to have not deliberately sent the email to the whole region, and that it was 'a mistake any employee might have reasonably made when sending an email late at night from a personal device'.

It continued: 'He was using a personal device as he was at home, having been suspended.

'He used the email that the search threw up and, of course, it turned out to be the email for the whole region.'

Wetherspoons continued with the disciplinary process, including new accusations that he had breached the companies internet, email and data policies at a rescheduled hearing when he was sacked without notice.

Mr Batsford was found to have not deliberately sent the email to the whole region, and that it was 'a mistake any employee might have reasonably made'

The hearing was told that the investigating officer admitted that his mind was 'already made up' as Mr Batsford had 'disseminated defamatory material about other members of staff and that this amounted to a breach of those policies'.

Employment Judge Kevin Palmer concluded that Mr Batsford's dismissal was unfair, finding that the two women had an 'animus against him and treated him poorly compared to others'.

The judge said: '[Wetherspoons] failed to investigate issues properly which fed directly into the issues which were the subject of the disciplinary process.

'The issues raised in the grievance were very pertinent as were issues raised by [Mr Batsford] at the investigation meetings and at the disciplinary hearing itself.

'These merited further investigation as part of the disciplinary hearing but they were ignored.

'The grievance was treated separately despite being highly relevant.'

Mr Batsford's claims for age discrimination and sex discrimination were dismissed.
A pregnant 16-year-old was butchered for her unborn baby by a barbaric killer who slashed the girl open to steal the child and claim it as her own.

Emilly Sena, who was nine months pregnant, was found Thursday buried in the backyard of a home in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba.

She had been lured to the residence with the promise of receiving baby clothes donated by Nataly Pereira, 25, who later confessed to the horrific murder.

Once inside the home, Sena was attacked and killed by hanging before a sharp object was used to remove the baby from her womb.

An expert told Brazilian outlet G1 that Sena had cuts that resembled a 'T' on her stomach and that she was alive when her baby forcibly taken.

Sena was found buried in a shallow grave in the home's backyard with wires wrapped around her neck.

Pereira's husband, Christian de Arruda, 28, reportedly believed his wife was pregnant and was unaware of the murder.

He even posted a photo of the child on social media - with a caption that read 'be well my daughter' - to announce he had become a father.

Emilly Sena, 16, who was nine months pregnant, was found buried in the backyard of a home in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba

Nataly Pereira, 25, lured the pregnant teen to a home with the promise of donating baby clothes. She later confessed to the horrific murder

A photo of the baby girl was posted on social media by Christian de Arruda after he arrived at the hospital to meet his wife, Nataly Pereira, to registered the child as their own without even knowing that Pereira had murdered a 16-year-old girl and ripped the unborn child out of the womb

De Arruda met Pereira Thursday at Santa Helena Hospital, where they attempted to register the child as their own.

Hospital staff became suspicious when they noticed that Pereira was clean and not bleeding after claiming that she had gone into labor at her home.

Medical personnel took in the baby and then provided care to Pereira, who underwent testing that exposed her lie.

Pereira, already a mother-of-three, told investigators that she had suffered two consecutive miscarriages.

'She had lost a baby about six months ago. This would be the second time she had had a miscarriage and so she decided to maintain this false pregnancy,' her lawyers said, according to G1.

'According to calculations, this daughter she had lost would have been born during this period.'

Pereira had invited the pregnant teen her brother-in-law's home on Wednesday, offering to donate baby clothing and a crib accessory. Pereira told Sena not to bring the unborn child's father, text messages showed.

The teen's mother, Ana Meridiane, told the outlet that her daughter had communicated via social media with Pereira, who claimed to be a mother who was expecting another child.

'She said she had received a lot of clothes and wanted to donate some to Emilly,' the mother said.

Emilly Sena was attacked and killed by hanging before a sharp object was used to remove the baby from her womb

Pereira's husband, Christian de Arruda, 28, reportedly believed his wife was pregnant and was unaware of the murder. He even posted a photo of the child on social media to announce he had become a father

Emilly Sena was found buried in a shallow grave

Authorities initially arrested Pereira's husband, her brother-in-law and another man, but all three were released from custody Friday morning after Pereira confessed to acting alone.

Caio Alexandre, chief of Mato Grosso Civil Police Homicide and Persona Protection Department in Cuiaba, told reporters that the three individuals were still under investigation.

'The investigation is still on site to find out the dynamics of what happened, where the mother was restrained inside the house, to see traces of the blood, so we can understand where the aggression against her began until it escalates to the dumping point,' Alexandre said.

He noted that knives were found at the scene.
The U.S. Postal Service is the latest to go forward with implementing DOGE-inspired cuts.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy signed an agreement for Elon Musk's DOGE to help USPS in 'identifying and achieving further efficiencies.'

'The DOGE team was gracious enough to ask for the big problems they can help us with,' DeJoy wrote in a letter to Congress.

Asked if their plans to cut 10,000 jobs and billions from its budget has anything to do with DOGE's initiatives, Vice President of USPS Communications Jeff Adams told DailyMail.com: 'Nothing at all.'

The latest move comes as Musk insists America is not a true democracy if judges who attempt to block President Donald Trump's cost-cutting agenda are permitted to keep their spot on the bench.

Another federal judge ordered probationary government employees laid off in this year's mass firings be rehired.

And Trump clarified earlier this month that Musk's job at DOGE is to recommend areas where the federal government can slash waste and save taxpayers money.

The president told his Cabinet officials during an impromptu meeting that they would be in charge of implementing these recommendations at their respective departments and agencies to bring them into compliance with his agenda.

As part of its decade-long Deliver for America plan initiated in 2021, USPS is looking to reduce its workforce by 10,000 in the next 30 days after already cutting 30,000 jobs from the start of the program to now.

The U.S. Postal Service is the latest to go forward with implementing DOGE-inspired cuts

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy signed an agreement for Elon Musk 's DOGE to help USPS in 'identifying and achieving further efficiencies'

Instead of through layoffs, USPS is seeking to make the latest round of cuts through a Voluntary Early Retirement program.

'Today we operate with 50 million fewer work hours annually than we did just 3 years ago, representing $2.5 billion in savings,' he noted.

The plan also reduced air and ground transportation and terminal handling and excess facilities to save 2.2 billion every year by implementing 'better routing practices, operating contract terminations, and lease cancellations.'

Specifically, the memorandum of understanding includes having DOGE look into mandates imposed by legislation but not funded by the federal government since USPS is a self-funded agency.

USPS says this costs them between $6 billion and $11 billion every year.

DeJoy's letter to members of Congress this week informed them of the agreement with DOGE and the General Services Administration (GSA).

'Fixing a broken organization that had experienced close to $100 billion in losses and was projected to lose another $200 billion, without a bankruptcy proceeding, is a daunting task,' he wrote.

The Postmaster General added: 'Fixing a heavily legislated and overly regulated organization as massive, important, cherished, misunderstood and debated as the United States Postal Service, with such a broken business model, is even more difficult.'

USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said he signed an agreement with DOGE and GSA to cut 10,000 jobs and billions from its budget

Courts are trying to stop Musk from continuing his rampage through the federal government as thousands of workers lost their jobs in the last two months.

Judge William Alsup, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, has ordered the Trump administration to rehire 30,000 probationary hires who were included in mass indiscriminate layoffs.

'Without judicial reform, which means at least the absolute worst judges get impeached, we don't have real democracy in America,' Musk wrote in response to a tweet on the judge's action.

Elon Musk has railed against judges for blocking President Donald Trump's agenda and has called for their impeachment to protect American democracy

Meanwhile, Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) is targeting Judge Paul Engelmayer for halting the ability for DOGE to access Treasury Department systems.

And Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) took aim at Judge John McConnell Jr. for pausing federal funding freezes.'

In response to these actions in Congress, Musk wrote on X: 'Momentum is growing rapidly to impeach activist judges who repeatedly fail to follow the law.'

Last month, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introduced articles of impeachment against District Judge John Bates for attempting to block Trump's executive order.

He called for the removal of government web pages containing resources for 'gender-affirming care.'
Vladimir Putin has agreed to a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine after meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The tyrant Russian leader asked Witkoff to convey Moscow's thoughts to Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Putin asked Witkoff late on Thursday to give additional messages to Trump, Peskov told reporters, after the Russian leader said at a news conference that he supported a truce in principle but set out a host of details that need to be clarified before it is agreed.

A possible phone call between Putin and Trump to settle outstanding ceasefire issues could be arranged after Witkoff delivers the messages in Washington, Peskov added.

'There is an understanding on both sides that such a call is needed,' the Kremlin spokesman said.

'There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism,' he added of the ceasefire proposal. 'A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trump's position.'

On Thursday, Putin said that Russia backed the US proposal for a Ukraine ceasefire, but had 'serious questions' that he needed to discuss with the United States.

Putin said he was in 'favour' of the proposal of a 30-day ceasefire 'but that there are nuances' and that he had 'serious questions' about how it would work.

Vladimir Putin (pictured) has agreed to a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss the 30-day Ukraine ceasefire

Putin said he was in 'favour' of the proposal of a 30-day ceasefire, but that he had 'serious questions' about how it would work. 'I think we need to talk to our American colleagues... Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him,' he said

US envoy Steve Witkoff was asked by Putin to convey Moscow's thoughts to Washington after the pair met

'I think we need to talk to our American colleagues... Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him,' he told reporters.

He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, is whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to continue mobilisation and rearmament.

'We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis,' Putin said.

The Russian president said any ceasefire must lead to 'long-term peace'.

Now, US officials have said Washington is set to discuss technical issues related to a possible ceasefire next week.

Given the range of issues on the table, and the sharp differences between what Moscow and Kyiv want, it could potentially take weeks or months for the guns to fall silent.

Ukraine, under severe military pressure on parts of the front line three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, has already endorsed the proposal.

Russia's army has gained battlefield momentum, and analysts say the Russian leader likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage.

The Russian army, backed by North Korean troops, are now close to completely driving Ukrainian forces from their foothold in Russia's Kursk border region in what would be a major setback for Kyiv.

This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on March 12, 2025, shows a destroyed building at the site of a strike in Kryvyi Rig

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, 12 March 2025

Russia escalates overnight attacks on Ukraine, killing and wounding crew and port workers in Odesa grain ship strike, destroying homes in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy and hitting Krivyi Rih

It comes after Trump vowed during his election campaign to settle the war in 24 hours, but in January he changed that timeframe, voicing hope that peace could be negotiated in six months.

Putin's apparently amicable tone toward the White House reflects the remarkable shift in US relations with Russia and Ukraine since Trump returned to office in January.

Former President Joe Biden had sought to isolate Putin.

Trump has threatened both Russia and Ukraine with punitive measures if they do not engage with his peace efforts.

The US leader briefly cut off critical military aid and intelligence sharing in an apparent effort to push Kyiv to enter talks on ending the war but on March 3 lifted the suspension after senior US and Ukrainian officials reported making progress on how to stop the fighting during talks in Saudi Arabia.

Trump said Wednesday that 'it's up to Russia now' as his administration presses Moscow to agree to the ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also had a tense meeting at the White House on February 28 in which Trump questioned whether Ukraine wanted to halt the war.

Tempers flared on all sides during the Oval Office showdown. Trump threatened to abandon Ukraine completely if Zelensky did not agree to his peace terms. He also accused Zelensky of not being grateful.

Zelensky held his own, even showing Trump photos he brought of the devastation to his country, and arguing he had thanked the American people.

Firefighters work at a damaged building after a Russian strike in Akhtyrka, Ukraine on March 13 2025

The yelling match was unlike anything ever seen publicly in the Oval Office. And it played out on TV screens across the world.

'You're gambling with World War III,' Trump bellowed Zelensky at one point.

After the contentious meeting Trump announced he had asked Zelensky to leave.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:. 'Its amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved.

'Because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I dont want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.'

The US President has raised the possibility of tightening sanctions on Russia, though his administration has also repeatedly embraced Kremlin positions on the conflict, including indicating that Ukraine's hopes of joining NATO are unlikely to be realised and that it probably will not get back the land that Russia's army occupies, which amounts to nearly 20 per cent of the country.

Meanwhile, Russian air defences downed four Ukrainian drones attacking the Russian capital early on Friday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

One damaged the roof of an apartment building a few miles from the Kremlin.

Several other buildings were lightly damaged by drone fragments, but there were no injuries, according to emergency officials.
President Donald Trump vowed to get a 'completed and signed' ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine, warning 'millions' will die if the fighting doesn't end.

Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff held a late night meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday after the Russian president showed resistance to a ceasefire.

Witkoff 'presented additional information to the Russian side' and Putin 'passed along information and additional signals for President Trump,' in that meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said.

Trump made his stance clear. He called the situation a 'real' mess but vowed to 'get us out.'

'Millions of people are needlessly dead, never to be seen againand there will be many more to follow if we don't get the Cease Fire and Final Agreement with Russia completed and signed,' the president wrote on his Truth Social account on Friday morning.

In a second post he revealed that the U.S. had a 'very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.'

He also noted Russian gains in ground and attacks on Ukrainian troops, adding: 'I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!'

President Donald Trump is pushing for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia

Ukraine said it would adhere to a ceasefire - but only if Russia does the same. And Peskov said there was 'certainly' reason to feel 'cautious optimism' about the prospect.

Russia also indicated it wanted direct talks between Trump and Putin.

The Kremlin spokesman said Russia and the U.S. would work out the timing of a phone call between the two leaders once Witkoff had briefed Trump.

'After Mr. Witkoff passes along all of the information he received in Moscow to his head of state  we'll determine the timing of the conversation after that,' Peskov said. 'There's an understanding on both sides that such a conversation is necessary.'

Trump, on Thursday, indicated he was willing to speak to Putin.

'I'd love to meet with him and talk to him,' he said.

It's estimated around 500,000 people have died in the three year war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin's response 'highly predictable' and 'manipulative words' aimed at dragging out the process by setting unworkable conditions.

Putin raised eyebrows on Thursday when he signaled hesitation about a deal as his troops continue to march across Ukraine, taking more territory.

He told reporters in Russia he was in 'favor' of a 30-day ceasefire 'but that there are nuances' and that he had 'serious questions' about how it would work.

'I think we need to talk to our American colleagues... Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him,' he said.

He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, is whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to continue mobilization and rearmament.

'We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis,' Putin said.

Ukrainian drones stuck ten regions in Russia, including Moscow, hitting an oil refinery in the Oryol region and targeting the nuclear town of Kurchatov

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff (right) held a late night meeting in Moscow

Trump has indicated he'll hit Russia with sanctions if they don't agree to a deal.

Putin, meanwhile, wants a wide-range of concessions from Ukraine and its western allies.

He wants Ukraine to drop its desire to join NATO, Russia to control the entirety of the four Ukrainian regions it has claimed as its own, the size of the Ukrainian army to be limited, Western sanctions eased on the Kremlin, and a presidential election to be held in Ukraine, which Kyiv says is premature while martial law remains in force.

Trump is pushing to end the war as soon as possible, issuing dire warnings of a World War III while Putin appears to be in no rush.
The haunting words of an American Airlines pilot moments before the plane burst into flames revealed how suddenly flight AA 1006 escalated into an all-out emergency.

Air traffic control recordings released Friday showed the pilot wasn't too worried when asked to confirm that mid-air engine trouble was 'not an emergency'.

'Nah, we just have a high engine vibration so we are cruising slower than normal,' the pilot responded, according to a Live Air Traffic recording.

The pilot's nonchalance quickly changed when the plane made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport shortly after 5pm on Thursday.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday!  engine fire! someone on the radio can be heard yelling.

Terrified passengers were seen fleeing via the wing of the aircraft as smoke billowed from the plane.

The narrow escape is the latest in a series of crashes and near misses involving US passenger jets, with 67 people killed when another American Airlines and a helicopter collided over Washington DC in January.

This week's flight AA 1006 was only in the air for a short period of time after departing from Colorado Springs Airport at 4:52pm heading to Dallas.

Passengers were seen exiting the plane via the emergency doors and standing on the wings waiting to be evacuated

The engine caught fire after the plane emergency landed in Denver, Colorado

Horrifying footage shared on social media showed the passengers fleeing to the tarmac and exiting from the plane wings

The crew had initially reported engine vibrations before the pilot landed the aircraft at 5:15pm.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the engine caught fire as passengers evacuated the aircraft.

Emergency slides were deployed and passengers were seen standing on the edge of the plane's wings while smoke billowed around them.

Emergency services were seen dousing the plane in water while the plane was still stationed at Terminal C of the airport.

One man was seen clutching onto a woman as they carefully navigated the wobbly wing of the aircraft.

Some passengers escaped the plane by climbing down a ladder. Fortunately, there were no deaths and only 12 individuals were transported to a local hospital, according to the Denver Fire Department.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was carrying 172 passengers and six crew members.

'After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue,' American Airlines said in a statement

'The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.'

The flight was diverted to Denver shortly after takeoff when the crew reported engine vibrations

In February, a Delta plane crash-landed and flipped over at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

This incident marks the latest headline in a string of stories related to aviation crashes this year.

Less than a month after 67 people died on an American Airlines flight in DC, a Delta passenger plane crashed-landed upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.

Miraculously, everyone on board survived after they were suspended upside-down by their seatbelts for several minutes.

The plane had been heading to Toronto from Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport with 76 passengers and four crew members on board.

Around 20 people were taken to the hospital for treatment to minor injuries, and Delta has offered each person a no-strings $30,000 payout in compensation.

And the plane carnage is ongoing - on Sunday, yet another jet crash-landed, this time in a parking lot of a suburban Pennsylvania retirement home.

Dramatic footage showed the Beechcraft A36TC erupt in flames in the parking lot of Brethren Village in Manheim Township. Five people were rushed to hospital.

Medics, ambulances, and emergency vehicles rushed to the scene in Lancaster County as flames engulfed the plane and nearby vehicles.

The plane took off as scheduled on Sunday afternoon, but quickly requested to land back on the tarmac because its door had opened.

American Airlines said no one was injured and thanked the Denver Airport for their quick response

Emergency slides had been activated and people were seen walking around the tarmac near the aircraft being ushered to safety

Horrifying air traffic control audio revealed the pilot telling ground agents that they needed to turn around - but at one point he said that he couldn't hear the radio because of all the wind noise, caused by the unlocked hatch.

The air traffic controller can be heard saying: 'Pull up... the aircraft is down just behind the terminal in the parking lot tree area.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, an FAA spokesperson said five people were on board the plane. They were all transferred to local hospitals with various injuries.

Other recent plane horrors include a mid-air collision over Arizona's Marana Airport on February 19 which killed two people.
Twelve clients of a high-class brothel network are being named and shamed in court...including one sheepish man who showed up in person.

Mark Zhu, 28, was told there was probable cause to charge him with visiting a brothel at Friday morning's hearing in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The hearing is ongoing and Zhu is one of only two men so-far named to have showed up in person alongside his attorney.

He appeared in court in a smart navy suit with a green tie complete with a dinosaur tie pin.

The court heard how Zhu had allegedly paid $840 for two hours of unsafe sex, known as 'bb', with a prostitute. He remained silent throughout.

All of those named in court, including Zhu, had also expressed an interest in their 'gfe' or 'girlfriend experience' services.

Officials say this experience involves a service that 'blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship'.

Radiologist Jason Han, 29, also appeared in court on Friday, with authorities saying he paid for one hour of 'gfe', according to text messages read in court.

The others involved in the case have been named as Kerry Wu, John Doran, David LaCava, Boya Zhou, Peter MacGillivray, Yihong Zou, Pablo Domingo Maceira, Jonathan Lanfear, Pinhao Chao and Patrick Walsh.

Clerk-Magistrate Sharon Casey is overseeing the hearings and found sufficient evidence of probable cause in all of the defendants cases.

Mark Zhu, seen here, was told there was probable cause to charge him with visiting a brothel at Friday morning's hearing in Cambridge

Radiologist Jason Han, 29, also appeared in court on Friday alongside his attorney

Two of the prostitutes whose wealthy and powerful clientele are set to be named and shamed by a court in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Friday morning

The brothel ring, which operated across six locations in Massachusetts and suburban DC, required extensive documentation and references from prospective clients, handing prosecutors a goldmine of information about the men who used it

The remaining are due to appear before the hearing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to determine whether they should face charges.

Prosecutors in the case have said that the accused are all successful and powerful individuals, who are public officials and captains of industry.

A total of 28 alleged johns will appear in court over the coming weeks. The other 16 men will be hauled before a judge in Cambridge next Friday and the Friday afterwards.

On Friday, there was also a demonstration held outside the courthouse with attorneys and their clients having to run the gauntlet as they shouted at them.

The demonstration had been organized by several anti-exploitation organizations, according to the Boston Globe.

All are said to have patronized a brothel ring that operated out of six luxury apartments in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as DC's suburbs, whose clientele have been described as 'rich and powerful.'

Prosecutors say these stringent checks revealed that the brothels' visitors included public officials, military officers, high-level government contractors, doctors, professors and CEOs.

Some of those powerful figures are now just hours away from being dragged before a court to face career and marriage-ending allegations.

Prosecutors say they paid up to $600 per hour for sexual encounters with predominately Asian women who were being exploited through sex trafficking.

On Friday, there was also a demonstration held outside the courthouse

Millions of dollars of cash and stacks of payment cards were among the items discovered when the brothels were raided by feds in late 2023 (some of the items seized are pictured above)

The original affidavit shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a 'menu'

This included sharing details of employment and even providing references. Those in charge of the brothels also made monthly memberships available to repeat visitors.

No details of the men's private lives have been shared, but it is highly likely many are married, have families and are considered pillars of their wealthy communities.

Three pimps who ran the prostitution ring have already admitted their crimes after being charged in November 2023.

The original affidavit in the case said that the women were advertised for commercial sex via two websites under the guise of professional nude photo shoots.

The affidavit also shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a 'menu'.

According to the document, the 'menu' listed sexual services available, the hourly rate and the women available.

The affidavit states that the term 'BB' is a term used in the prostitution industry to refer to unsafe sex, and that 'GFE' relates to a 'Girlfriend Experience'.

The document states that this involves a service that 'blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship'.

One of the websites was focused on the Boston area, and directed customers to numerous addresses, while another was aimed at areas in Virginia.

Four of the brothels were run out of luxury apartment buildings in the suburbs of Boston, with the city a magnet for high-powered pharmaceutical executives

Another two brothels were run out of luxury apartment buildings straddling the Washington Dc-Virginia border, close to the world's most important center of power

Investigators have since vowed to seek 'accountability' by exposing the men whose lavish spending kept the brothels open.

They sought indictments against 28 men accused of using the brothels at a court hearing in December 2023.

One of the sites seen here, which was aimed at the Massachusetts area, asked customers to not 'knock on the door'

Predictable fury ensued as those men sought to keep the hearings closed to the public in a bid to conceal their identities.

They claimed they had a right to privacy. All face misdemeanor charges and none of the men have been arrested.

Such crimes are normally dealt with in Massachusetts by 'show-cause' hearings, which are usually private. That has sparked anger over a lack of transparency.

Multiple media outlets challenged requests to hold the hearings in private, with Massachusetts' State Supreme Court ultimately ruling they should be held in public.

Those accused face a charge of paying for sex, which is unlikely to result in jail time if they're convicted.

But advocates for the prostitutes say naming the men can help shame them and others into not paying for sex and lower the demand for sex workers, many of whom are trafficked.
Sunseekers who stayed at the same hotel where three American women were found dead in suspicious circumstances last month believe they suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at the luxury beachfront resort within days of the tragedy, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, were found dead in their room by staff at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22, having each suffered acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs.

What caused the fatal condition has yet to be determined; local police quickly suggested the women may have suffered a drug overdose, but their outraged families insisted otherwise and urged officials to conduct a full, thorough, and transparent investigation.

Following the news closely was a woman DailyMail.com is referring to under the pseudonym Jane, who, along with a group of her friends, had booked a $1300-per-person week-long stay at the Royal Kahal beginning March 1.

On February 25, a concerned Jane reached out to the hotel on Facebook asking, Is it safe to come? messages shared with DailyMail.com show.

In response, a representative identified as Daniel assured her there are no safety issues at the Royal Kahal and the sad incident involving Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar was out of their control.

While we are still waiting on the authorities to formally release their findings, all signs indicate that this was a drug overdose, wrote Daniel.

As unfortunate as these circumstances are, there is nothing the hotel couldve done to prevent these deaths.

Janes concerns were quickly assuaged by the hotels explanation, so she and her friends decided to proceed with their booking.

But Jane said that five days into the trip, she awoke in the morning and her left leg was completely numb. She said she was also experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, and a headache.

Three women were found dead in the above hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22. DailyMail.com's source 'Jane' arrived just over a week later

The victims: Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26. A source close to one of their families says preliminary autopsy results show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

Excepts from a text exchange between Jane and a representative of Royal Kahal show the hotel assuring Jane's safety, insisting the women's deaths were caused by a drug overdose

When she attempted to get up to go to the restroom, Jane said she collapsed to the ground.

I laid on the ground for, Id say, at least 30 to 40 minutes because I could not pull myself up, I just had no strength in my body, it was the weirdest thing, shared Jane.

Ive never experienced anything like that in my life. I couldnt figure out where it was coming from.

Jane eventually gathered the strength to get up. She spent the next three hours seated in a chair by an open window before she was finally able to walk uninhibited again.

Five days after returning home to California, Jane says she is still struggling with headaches, a cough, brain-fog, and blurred vision.

Jane said that one of her friends on the trip has also been suffering from recurring migraines.

All of the symptoms described by Jane are textbook side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

It was only after reading a report by DailyMail.com earlier this week about Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arars deaths possibly being caused by carbon monoxide poisoning that Jane connected the dots.

It all started to make perfect sense because I was completely out of it, and I did not feel right, she said.

Every morning after that, I felt like I was in a fog. And I still dont feel right now, everything feels off.

Jane is seeking medical treatment and plans to reach out to Royal Kahal and the U.S. Embassy to report her story.

One of Jane's friends on the trip was told by embassy officials that initial tests found some rooms at the hotel contained high levels of carbon monoxide.

Royal Kahal and the U.S. Embassy have not returned requests for comment.

A recent review on Royal Kahals Trip Advisor page, dated March 1, complains of critical safety concerns during a visit to the resort in February.

I had a wonderful stay at Royal Kahal Beach Resort from February 17th-21st. The staff was exceptional - [the] front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, bartenders, and beach staff went above and beyond. The beauty of San Pedro, Belize, and the warmth of its people made this trip unforgettable, wrote user Naquana H.

However, I cannot, in good faith, rate the hotel highly due to serious safety concerns. On February 18th, our carbon monoxide detector went off with levels above 400.

Despite informing the front desk, the staff seemed unfamiliar with the issue. Maintenance suggested turning off the gas, but the CO levels remained dangerously high. We were left feeling uneasy. The next morning, a friend reported dizziness, which we now suspect was from CO exposure.

While the hotel is beautiful, the lack of CO detectors is concerning. I urge management to address this for the safety of future guests.

The women's families paid tribute to each of them in a heartfelt statement on Monday

A review posted on Trip Advisor just over a week ago complained of carbon monoxide exposure and 'critical' safety concerns at Royal Kahal

Though it remains to be seen whether Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arars deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, Jane said shes furious the hotel lured her into a potentially dangerous situation with false promises of guaranteed safety.

She said her heart breaks for the womens families and feels remarkably lucky to have avoided any serious harm herself.

They told us everything was safe, and we believed them. We had no reason not to, said Jane.

And I cant get the girls and their families off my mind. Its heartbreaking. But its also frightening knowing the same thing couldve happened to us.

Who knows what wouldve happened if I was left to sleep in my room for another few hours, or if when I fell on the ground I couldnt get up and nobody came to check on me.

Its just so sad those girls werent afforded the same luck.

Jane said she realized all was not well at Royal Kahal almost immediately after she and her friends arrived.

Though she says the staff were incredibly welcoming and the property was serene, there were signs plastered all over saying the hotel would be conducting smoke detector tests the following day between 9 am and 3 pm.

Then all the weird stuff started happening, said Jane.

The next morning at 9 am, Jane said maids let themselves into her room and asked her if she was ready for house cleaning after shed just emerged from the shower.

Though she thought it odd at the time, what really stands out to Jane now is the fact that Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar had been dead for more than a day before hotel staff raised the alarm.

They were in our rooms every single morning, Jane said. So I dont know if they changed their policy after [the three women died] or if they knew more Americans were coming to make sure nobody else got sick - I dont know.

I just found that really odd.

Jane left the hotel that morning and didnt hear any alarm tests being carried out before she left.

When she returned, she found a worker with a ladder inside who was removing all of the smoke detectors from her room and her friends rooms.

The worker left the smoke detectors on the counter. One of Jane's friends called the front desk to ask whether they should reinstall them but were told no and instructed to leave them on the counter where they remained for the rest of their stay.

Then, on Wednesday March 5th and for the majority of the 6th, the gas and hot water were switched off. The gas was cut off for a second time on March 8th.

Jane claims they were offered no explanation for the inconvenience.

I just find it incredibly odd that it was switched off twice when we were there,' she said.

It was a text message from the U.S. Embassy on March 7th, the last night of their trip, that really unnerved Jane and her friends.

She said the text message urged them to call ASAP.

A male friend of Jane's called and was told that it was in their best interest to leave the hotel and find somewhere else to stay for the night.

The Embassy official didnt elaborate any further, according to Jane.

Jane and her group returned to the hotel to find several individuals wearing suits standing in the lobby of the hotel.

One of the individuals, who Jane believes was Royal Kahals general manager, informed them the hotel would be shutting down for the week - but they had the option to stay for their final night if they felt safe to do so.

Fresh off a sunset cruise and with nowhere else to go at such short notice, Jane and her friends reluctantly stayed and flew back to the U.S. the next day.

One of Jane's friends called the U.S. Embassy after returning home and was allegedly informed that several of the hotels rooms were found to contain high levels of carbon monoxide.

This is so frightening because, I mean, this is happening within days of three people dying, said Jane.

When that happened, they should have closed the hotel immediately. We never shouldve been allowed to stay there, and they shouldnt have been allowed to stay open.

They fed us all this bulls**t about it being safe, but they didnt even know themselves.

I want to make sure that hotel never opens its doors again.

A second autopsy is currently being carried out on each of the women back in the U.S.

The Royal Kahal Beach Resort is a luxury hotel on Ambergris Caye, located in San Pedro, Belize (file photo)

Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar's remains were transported back to the U.S. earlier this month, where a second autopsy is being conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in their home state of Massachusetts.

The examinations are not expected to be completed for another month. However, a source close to one of the girls families told DailyMail.com earlier this week that a preliminary report indicated signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The source further stated that investigators have discovered other non-fatal incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Royal Kahal and have made contact with at least one other American victim.

The Royal Kahal, Belize Commissioner Williams, and Belize Fire Chief Colin Gillett have all been contacted for comment.

Gillett previously told Belizean media that carbon monoxide poisoning had been ruled out following an investigation.

A spokesperson representing the families of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar declined to comment, sharing only that the bereaved were eagerly awaiting the results of the state Medical Examiners second autopsy.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts confirmed they have custody of the womens remains but declined to share further details, with a spokesperson saying only that the 'cause and manner of death for the descendents remains pending.

On Monday, the womens families shared their first public statements about their deaths, calling them mysterious and suspicious.

It is with unimaginable pain and heartbreak that we share the devastating news of the passing of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, Wafae El Arar, each a beloved light in the world lost too soon, began the statement.

Our families and all who loved these women are shattered, struggling to comprehend this profound and sudden loss.

An individual tribute was then paid to each of the victims.

Mallah was remembered as a beacon of kindness who embraced life wholeheartedly; Naqqad was the light of her familys life whose kindness and warmth touched everyone she met; and El Arar was honest, kind, and deeply devoted to the people she loved.

Their families added: The circumstances surrounding this tragedy remain unclear and suspicious, and we are seeking answers to understand what happened in Belize.

We urge the authorities in Belize and in the United States to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation so that we may find the truth and justice for Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae.

Our families are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this heartbreaking time. We ask for continued prayers, patience, and privacy as we navigate this profound sorrow.

May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace. We will forever love and miss you, Kaoutar, Imane, and Wafae.

El Arar (above) was remembered as honest, kind, and deeply devoted to the people she loved

Naqqad, 23, (left) had aspitations to become a police officer. Imane Mallah, 24, (right) was remembered as her family's 'greatest love'
A career criminal who murdered an Amazon delivery driver who was trying to stop him stealing his van has been jailed for life.

Mark Ross snuck into the vehicle as Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, stepped away from it while carrying out his usual delivery rounds on August 20 last year.

Mr Kondor was captured on harrowing video footage hanging onto the van as Ross deliberately crashed into stationary cars to knock him from the vehicle.

Ross, 32, hit speeds of almost 60mph on residential streets and swerved erratically from side to side, hitting cars, in an effort to get rid of the victim as he clung from the open passenger door.

Determined not to let Ross steal his livelihood, Mr Kondor clung on for half-a-mile despite Ross' brutal attempts to dislodge his hold. Mr Kondor died from head and chest injuries.

Mr Kondor's devastated fiancee told the court he had dreamed of owning his own van and bought it just three weeks before he was killed.

Ross had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denied murdering Mr Kondor, claiming he was unaware of him hanging onto the van and speed bumps had caused him to lose control of the vehicle. He was jailed at Leeds Crown Court for a minimum term of 30 years.

Sentencing him today, judge Mr Justice Goss said: 'Claudiu Carol Kondor must have been terrified in the last 45 seconds of his life as you ignored his pleas to stop and drove faster, dragging him along the road, causing him mental and physical suffering.'

Footage released by West Yorkshire Police shows the moment Ross speeds through residential streets, with Mr Kondor clinging onto the passenger side door

Mark Ross, pictured, has been jailed for 30 years for murdering Amazon delivery driver Claudiu-Carol Kondor

Amazon delivery driver Claudiu-Carol Kondor, pictured, died after being flung from his van as he tried to stop it being stolen, a court heard

Mr Kondor's fiancee Mariana Gheorghe described Mr Kondor as a 'man of integrity and hard work' and said she had been 'forced to return to Romania with a broken heart' after his death.

She shared details about Mr Kondor's upbringing in her victim impact statement, revealing that he had a difficult upbringing in Romania and moved to Italy at the age of 19, doing various jobs and working as a volunteer to help earthquake victims in 2009.

Ms Gheorghe said her fiance came to England in 2019 and worked as a delivery driver and security guard, realising his dream of owning his own van in July 2024.

'Of all his jobs he liked delivering the most. He enjoyed meeting people, delivering parcels on time and correctly,' she said.

'When he finished work each day he was happy to say he had done his best.'

Ms Gheorghe went on to say: 'I don't know how I will live without him, everything seems so difficult to me. I'm still shocked and confused about everything that happened.

'Both me and Claudiu were the kind of people who like to work, who built a life on dreams and honest work on their own.'

Mr Kondor's family listened to the verdict via a video link to court.

Mariana Gheorghe told the court she had been 'forced to return to Romania with a broken heart' after the death of her fiance

This is the moment Ross calmly smokes as he is told he is being arrested on suspicion of murder

Haunting footage from the passenger side shows Mr Kondor clinging onto his van door while it is being stolen

Jurors heard Mr Kondor was delivering parcels for Amazon in the Armley area of Leeds on August 20 last year using his own silver Transit van - which was full of parcels he had collected from an Amazon depot.

While he was away from his vehicle delivering a parcel, Ross, who lived nearby and had gone out to buy cannabis, climbed into the driver's seat and started to drive the van away, the court heard.

Mr Kondor tried to stop him by opening the front nearside passenger door of the van and attempting to climb in.

The court heard this did not stop Ross driving away, with Mr Kondor hanging onto the moving van through an open door.

Witnesses described Mr Kondor's legs dragging on the ground as he clung onto the inside of the open door, with one woman saying she heard him shouting 'Help'.

Prosecutor John Harrison KC told jurors: 'After speeding and swerving failed to get rid of Mr Kondor, the defendant deliberately drove into collision with two parked cars.'

He said Ross turned the steering wheel towards a black car parked on the side of the road, and when that did not knock Mr Kondor free from the van, he 'tried again'.

The scene in Leeds, West Yorkshire, after Mr Kondor was found fighting for his life

Forensics officers at the scene investigating after the driver was killed

CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Kondor hanging onto the moving van through an open door as Ross drove away along Wingate Road.

'The evidence suggests Mr Kondor tried to stop him by opening the front nearside passenger door of the van and attempting to climb in.

'Unfortunately his actions did not prevent the defendant from driving away, with Mr Kondor hanging on to his van.'

He added: 'The second collision was with a blue car which caused damage to the van, to the parked car and most significantly, caused fatal head and chest injuries to Mr Kondor,' Mr Harrison said.

Mr Kondor, who lived in Sheffield, was pronounced dead at the scene.

'It appears Mr Kondor did not wish to or perhaps could not let go of his van, he did not want the defendant simply to steal it,' Mr Harrison said.

The court heard after driving away, Ross met up with some other people and the contents of the van were removed.

Ross, of Conference Road, Armley, told the jury how he had been a daily cannabis user since he was a child and had been out buying drugs and cigarette papers when he came across the van with no driver.

Mr Kondor's Ford Transit Cargo van (pictured) was stolen as he made a delivery on August 20 2024

He said: 'It wasn't 'til I got the van I saw it was unattended, and keys were in it, and the engine was running.'

Ross said: 'I basically jumped in it and drove it off.'

His barrister Simon Kealey KC asked him if he was 'ever aware of anyone on the passenger side of the vehicle, on the door on the outside' to which he replied 'no'.

Ross said he later found out about the death of Mr Kondor through the internet.

He admitted stealing vans previously, but said he had 'never been involved in anything like this before', adding: 'I would have stopped the van and run off if I had known he was there.'

But in his closing speech, Mr Harrison said 'career criminal' Ross must have realised Mr Kondor, who was wearing a high-viz jacket, was there, but made the choice that the driver was 'expendable'.

He was given a concurrent sentence of six months for a separate offence of theft after stealing cashmere jumpers from a lorry.

Opening an inquest into his death last year, senior coroner Kevin McLoughlin said Mr Kondor was 'a Romanian gentleman who was contributing to society'.

He added: 'He was here, he was working hard, when he found someone stealing his vehicle.

'He's commendably tried to prevent the crime taking place but he's paid an immensely high price for this.'

In his closing speech, Mr Harrison said Ross showed a 'complete disregard and even contempt' for Mr Kondor's life

Mr Kondor was employed by a company called SP Transport Group, who described him after his death as 'more than just a colleague - he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team'.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said Mr Kondor was 'a decent hard-working man' and was 'determined not to let Ross take his livelihood'.

He continued: 'For half a mile he bravely clung to the open door as Ross swerved the van around at speed before deliberately crashing leaving him fatally injured.

'Claudiu came to the UK from Romania to make a better life for himself. He was described by his work colleagues as being not just a dedicated and valued member of their team but a friend and a confidant. He was also a familiar friendly face to the many people he delivered to.

'His partner, who had also come to the UK for work, has since returned to Romania now seeing no future here. She and Claudiu's family have been left utterly devastated by his death.

'It is truly heart-breaking that the life of an honest hard-working man has been snatched away by the cruel and callous actions of Mark Ross.

'Through the hard work, dedication and commitment of everyone involved, from those initial attending officers, the public providing information and CCTV, to the analytical and support staff and the detectives there throughout the investigation to its conclusion at court, we have been able to provide justice for Claudiu and his family.'
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul now rotting behind bars, will spend his birthday next week at Rikers Island and offered a grim prediction that this may be his last.

'I turn 73 next Wednesday and I'm in a place where I don't think I'll get to 74,' the convicted sex offender told DailyMail.com Thursday in an unsolicited phone call to DailyMail.com from the notorious New York jail.

'I'll talk to my friends on the phone,' he said in revealing his pathetic birthday plans. 'But there's no celebration here. There's never any celebration at Rikers Island. It's absolutely horrifying.'

A day earlier, the poster boy of the #MeToo movement flashed a gap-toothed smile in a criminal courtroom at a hearing ahead of his upcoming rape retrial in New York City.

Back at Rikers, Weinstein brought up his tooth problems to DailyMail.com as he lamented the sorry state of his health.

He has been plagued by numerous health problems including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart issues and diabetes, and his lawyers have filed a legal claim accusing the facility of 'ongoing medical negligence.'

'People say why did you smile yesterday?' said Weinstein, who obviously had been reading news reports describing him 'yucking it up' in court. 'The reason I smiled was because Rikers Island, they don't treat your teeth, they just pull your teeth.

'And that's just dentistry,' he continued. 'They get the medicine wrong. The nurses change every five minutes. I've caught so many mistakes. I had four emergency trips to Bellevue (Hospital), including a heart operation that if they didn't get right away, I would die. I mean, I've had double pneumonia.

Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul now rotting behind bars, will spend his birthday next week at Rikers Island and offered a grim prediction that this may be his last

A gap in his teeth was plainly visible when he appeared in court in New York on Wednesday

Weinstein has been plagued by numerous health problems including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart issues and diabetes, and his lawyers have filed a legal claim accusing the facility of 'ongoing medical negligence'

Rikers Island where Weinstein is being held. He said he's hopeful he'll be able to get out and spend the rest of his years as a free man

'The conditions here are unbearable and I speak not just for me but for the other people who don't have a voice,' he said. 'This is inhumane, horrifying and needs to be torn down.'

But he remains hopeful that he'll get out of Rikers and be able to live out the rest of his years a free man.

He returned to Rikers from state prison last April after a New York appeals court overturned his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction. The retrial is expected to begin next month.

He also has an appeal pending in California, where he received a 16-year-sentence for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022.

He said he may testify on his own behalf at the retrial in New York.

'My lawyer's talking about me testifying and it's certainly not out of my purview to take that serious because I'm innocent and every act with these women was consensual,' he said.

On that front, he lavished praise on an unlikely ally, far-right provocateur Candace Owens, who has recently been defending him on her YouTube channel.

She argues he got railroaded by the #MeToo movement, which erupted in 2017 when women began going public with accounts of his behavior.

Weinstein has an appeal pending in California, where he received a 16-year-sentence for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022

The disgraced movie producer reached out to DailyMail.com in hopes the media would do more reporting like Candace Owens who's said on her platform that she believes he's 'innocent'

This was his primary reason for his wanting to call DailyMail.com, hoping other media will follow Owens's 'reporting' and help shift public opinion in the lead-up to his retrial.

'We disagree on almost everything, but her level of reporting is unbelievable,' he declared. 'She is not treating me like a hero. She is treating me like a guy who cheated on his wife and was amoral, but didn't sexually assault anybody.

'I believe she's convinced I'm innocent, and I am innocent,' he argued. 'And I got caught up in this turmoil of a movement.'

Weinstein co-founded the film and television production companies Miramax and The Weinstein Company and was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, having produced films such as Pulp Fiction and The Crying Game.

He has long maintained that any sexual activity was consensual.

He is being retried on charges that he forcibly performed oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006 and raped an aspiring actor in 2013.

An additional charge, filed last September, alleges he forced oral sex on a different woman at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
A Royal Navy warship has delivered a massive blow to drug gangs after it seized 5.4million worth of class A drugs from two boats in the Arabian Sea.

HMS Lancaster launched its Wildcat helicopter after crew spotted suspicious activity from two boats operating side-by-side in the northern Arabian Sea at night.

Having observed the vessels' movements, the crew witnessed packages being transferred from a small speed boat to a dhow - a traditional fishing vessel.

The Portsmouth-based frigate, which operates out of Bahrain, then scrambled a team of Royal Marines and sailors to intercept.

Upon reaching the dhow, Marines and sailors uncovered a total of 340kg of heroin and a further 83kg of methamphetamine.

The operation was the first of this nature in which the Royal Navy utilised their new drone capabilities.

Speaking to the seizure, a Royal Navy spokesperson said: 'The actions were the clear sign of a drug-smuggling operation.

'As the transfer continued, HMS Lancaster charged down on the scene at full speed'.

The crew of the HMS Lancaster witnessed the passing of drugs from a small speed boat to a larger dhow in the Arabian Sea

Sailors and Royal Marines fish dumped narcotics out of the Arabian Sea

Crew members of the HMS Lancaster evaluating their 5.4million drug seizure

The view from the HMS Lancaster's wildcat helicopter cockpit during the seizure operation

'The smugglers did not surrender but attempted to get rid of their illegal haul, dumping the packages overboard - all under the gaze of the helicopter and crew on the frigate's bridge.

'The crew of the warship's sea boat fished the packages out of the water, then ferried them back for testing on board', the spokesperson added.

Lancaster's commanding officer Commander Sam Stephens said: 'I am extremely proud of my whole team for their professionalism and dedication in achieving this success.

'We have removed 5.4 million of class A substances from the black market and disrupted those who threaten our interests'.

Able Seaman Tom Urie said: 'It is hugely rewarding to get a bust, it makes the long deployments and time away from family really worthwhile, knowing I'm making a difference back home'.

HMS Lancaster is working as part of the international Combined Task Force 150 which targets illegal activity in the Middle East region.

Following the completion of inspecting the narcotics seized, which also led to the gathering of new intelligence on further illegal activity in the region, crew members of the HMS Lancaster destroyed the class A substances.
A missing student's Venmo payments have revealed her final movements before she vanished from a resort in the Dominican Republic.

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, made two payments to an unspecified user on the app on March 5 - hours before she disappeared from the five-star Riu Republica hotel in Punta Cana.

Venmo allows users to send money or request it from anyone else who has the app with a few simple taps.

The first transaction was made at 2.54pm to an unnamed 'new user,' and Konanki used a sailboat emoji to describe it.

The second was made at 3:38pm and the description was Coco Bongo, which is a renowned nightclub in Punta Cana, as first reported by The US Sun. It was to Ananya Chilakamarri, one of the students on the trip. There's no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Chilakamarri's part.

Investigators continue to search for the the University of Pittsburgh student from Virginia who vanished while visiting the Caribbean with five other people during spring break from classes.

The American man who last seen with her reportedly claims he saved her from drowning after they kissed in the water at the beach.

Former high school wrestling champ Joshua Riibe has not been named a suspect or a person of interest in the case, and is legally free to fly back to the US whenever he wants.

Konanki's week-long disappearance has baffled officials and prompted cries from her parents to widen the frantic search for the pre-med student.

The complete transcript from Riibe's police interview has now emerged, detailing his final moments with Konanki and the chaotic aftermath to her mystery disappearance.

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared from a five-star resort in Punta Cana on Thursday while on Spring Break from the University of Pittsburgh

The missing student made two payments on Venmo just hours before she vanished

Surveillance video footage obtained by Dominican Republic news outlet Noticias SIN showed Joshua Riibe (left) and Sudiksha Konanki (second from left) following their friends to the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel before Konanki disappeared March 6

But he refused to answer several critical questions, remaining silent when cops asked if Konanki could swim, if she cried for help and what he confided in friend after the tragic night.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, claimed he had only just met the young woman when they decided to head to the beach, according to the transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN.

He revealed they had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away by a wave. He said he saved her from drowning while almost losing consciousness.

'We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit,' Riibe said. 'A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea. As soon as we were able to surface, we tried to call for help.'

He explained that he previously worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool and tried to bring them both to safety when he started to feel sick.

'I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired of swimming too. I've been a lifeguard. I grabbed her and pulled her out. I held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water,' Riibe said.

'It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult. I was a lifeguard in a pool, not at sea. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didn't let me breathe the whole time and I swallowed a lot of water. I could have lost consciousness several times.'

The mystery hunk seen with his arm draped around missing spring breaker Sudiksha Konanki on the morning she vanished has been named by police sources as Joshua Steven Riibe

The 22-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but claims Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her.

'When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn't out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water,' he said.

'The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn't hear her reply because I started vomiting all the water I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around. I didn't see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.'

He told investigators that he then passed out on the beach and did not hearing anything about Sudiksha until the next day when her friends texted his friend.

'I felt really bad and tired. I laid down on a beach chair. I fell asleep because I couldn't go far,' Riibe said.

'Then I woke up because of the sun and because mosquitoes were biting me. I went to my friend's room to get my phone and then went back to my room to sleep.'

Riibe's distraught family said the former high school athlete 'wouldn't hurt a fly.

Josh and his dad, who flew in this week to support his son, have also been in communication with Sudiksha's distraught Indian immigrant parents Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Riibe was seen on hotel CCTV with his arm draped around Sudiksha as they headed to the resort's beach around 4am last Thursday.

Joshua Riibe was seen talking to law enforcement at beach next to the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on Monday

The cameras spotted him walking back alone at 9.55am. Sudiksha's pals reported her missing at around 4pm.

The 'adults only' Riu Republica was still teeming with cops, soldiers and officials Thursday as the hunt for pre-med student Sudiksha entered a second week.

Drones, divers, sniffer dogs and hundreds of officers have been deployed in one of the biggest searches in the history of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the FBI and Interpol, which issued a 'yellow notice'  a global missing person alert - for the Chantilly, Virginia resident.

Government officials revealed Thursday that the search will carry on at full intensity through at least Sunday, according to Noticias SIN.

Searches are typically stood down after ten days but it could last for as long as six months in a scaled down capacity, the Dominican outlet reported.
Egos are swinging inside the Versace fashion house as Donatella and her new tough-talking American CEO are at odds over the iconic brand's vision, according to a bombshell report.

Donatella Versace, 69, walked her last runway as creative director in Milan after debuting the brand's latest fall/winter collection, which was full of sleek black garments, fun pops of color, and of course, the brand's instantly recognizable silk prints.

But what fashion lovers watching the show didn't know was that the new collection showed a sharp contrast between the new guard and the old - or more transparently: Donatella versus John Idol.

Idol acquired the brand in 2018 for a whopping $2billion, making the bombshell Italian label the centerpiece under his company, Capri Holdings.

However, his vision to make Versace a bigger staple in women's fashion by toning down the pieces to neutral colors like brown and black and ditching the brand's bold prints clashed with Donatella and her brother and founder Gianni's style.

And it reportedly rubbed Donatella the wrong way.

The platinum blonde strongarm has been the brand's creative director for three decades, after taking over the label following the 1997 murder of Gianni.

The designer, known for her heavy black eyeliner, has created some of the brand's most talked about pieces and helped curate an audience that was bold, powerful and stood out - just like the designs.

Egos are swinging inside the Versace fashion house as Donatella and her new tough-talking American CEO, John Idol, are at odds over the iconic brand's vision

Idol wants the brand to focus on craftsmanship and elegance, rather than the bold styles the label is known for

Donatella has been the brand's creative director for three decades, after taking over the label following the 1997 murder of Gianni. She has created some of the brand's most talked about pieces and helped curate an audience that was bold, powerful - just like the designs

But Idol, who built Michael Kors into a global brand, wanted to focus on craftsmanship and elegance, leading to Versace executives giving him the not-so-flattering moniker 'American cowboy,' according to The Wall Street Journal.

Idol saw 'huge potential' when he bought the brand, as it has a 'much bigger name than its annual sales,' he told WSJ at the time.

But since the takeover, Versace sales have plummeted, many long-time fans are disgusted with the newer options they deem bland, and now Idol is considering selling the brand, with Prada - an Italian rival - eyeing the deal, sources told WSJ.

Some of the brand's most iconic looks, such as the green chiffon dress Jennifer Lopez wore Grammy's in 2000 or Liz Hurley's safety pin dress she wore to a 1994 movie premiere with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant, don't fit into Idol's vision.

Instead, he wanted Donatella to create a logo design that was similar to Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, and Chanel, all of whom use monograms of initials, instead of Versace's Medusa logo.

The blonde bombshell complied and the design team came up with a baroque V, which was then featured on handbags, coats and more. The brand also raised its prices.

The move made Donatella feel as if Idol was overstepping her design authority and she began leaving meetings, insiders told the WSJ.

'Being told what to do, being told whats going to sellIf you try to please too many people, too many managers, creativity is gone,' Donatella told Vogue in February.

Some of the brand's most iconic looks Liz Hurley's safety pin dress she wore to a 1994 movie premiere with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant

It also includes the green chiffon dress Jennifer Lopez wore Grammy's in 2000. But those designs would no longer fit into Idol's vision, who took the brand more toward neutrals, losing the label 20 percent in sales

'Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart,' she said in a written statement following her exit as creative director. She will now be the brand's chief ambassador.

But the divide between Donatella and Idol goes further back than just the latest runway show.

After the fall/winter show in 2023, Idol was quick to call the show a success after it debuted a lot of black outfits.

However, its retail base wondered if Versace was allegedly ripping off Balenciaga. The company's sale dropped nearly 20 percent, according to WSJ.

Since running Versace into the ground, Idol's Capri Holdings has lost value too, standing at roughly $2.3billion total, even with Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo under its belt, according to WSJ.

Its value is barely above the price it paid to acquire Versace.

Despite the loss, Idol told WSJ that he's confident in his vision for the Italian brand and its 'refined focus on luxury and craftsmanship,' which he claims is 'resonating with our customers.'

'We recognize that brand evolutions take time and that challenges are inevitable along the path to success,' he told the outlet.

Donatella walked her last runway as creative director in Milan after debuting the brand's latest fall/winter collection (pictured)

Pictured: Donatella with runway models in 2017

So for her final show, despite the sea of black that would make Idol happy, Donatella also equally showed up for herself. 'With this collection, I am not following any rules,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Only the rules of the Versace DNA.'

Versace understands the financial struggle itself. After Gianni's death, the family went on to sell his Miami Beach mansion, artwork and more to salvage losses.

So when Donatella met Idol in 2018, despite the business not being for sale, the designer saw the appeal of having a company help bankroll them.

Now, she might just be regretting it.

So for her final show, despite the sea of black that would make Idol happy, Donatella also equally showed up for herself.

'With this collection, I am not following any rules,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Only the rules of the Versace DNA.'

Since her exit as creative director, Idol has brought on Dario Vitale, who designed for Miu Miu beforehand.

Versace and Capri did not immediately respond to the DailyMail.com's requests for comment on behalf of Donatella and Idol.
A Republican lawmaker was mercilessly interrupted and chided and sworn at by his North Carolina constituents during another embarrassing town hall Thursday evening.

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., held a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina, Thursday evening in a bustling 360-seat auditorium.

The Republican began by mentioning Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE effort cutting government spending when the audience first erupted in boos.

Republican leadership has warned rank-and-file members against hosting town halls after some have led to members getting roasted, like Rep.Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., who was ripped as a 'nazi' and 'fascist' by an unhinged activist.

Edwards decided to buck the advice of his leadership, and immediately suffered the consequences.

'You're not allowed to cut our jobs,' one angry attendee interrupted.

'Do your job,' chimed in another. 'Stand up to Trump!'

The room steadily grew louder and the residents more unruly. Edwards struggled to keep control over the hundreds as he stood at the front of the room, stammering at times, listening to the cacophony of complaints.

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-NC, speaks to a crowd during a congressional town hall meeting on March 13, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina

Edwards planned the event despited Republicans having faced protestors at town halls recently. Many of the loud outbursts are critical of the Trump administration slashing federal jobs

Protestors screamed, yelled, swore and mocked Edwards throughout the event

'Bootlicker!' another yelled.

Another in the audience yelled out: 'What do you plan to do to make sure North Carolina does not get taken over by dictatorship and fascism?'

Edwards had enough, admitting at one point: 'And you wonder why folks don't want to do these town halls.'

'I feel like this is not productive with everybody yelling at me,' he admitted.

The Republican spent a long time defending Congress' recently passed funding bill and the president's agenda.

'That framework provides for Congress to secure the border, to promote American energy independence, to lower taxes and to make America more competitive.'

The audience was still roiling with boos and unruly outbursts

'There's also much that the President can do under his article two authority provided by the Constitution to rein in the size of government, the scale of government, which, over the decades, has become unwieldy.'

A man holds up a sign reading 'That's a LIE!' during a congressional town hall meeting with Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) on March 13, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina

Several people were removed from the event, including an older man claiming to be a veteran.

'I'm a veteran and you don't give a f*** about me,' he screamed. 'F*** you!'

'You don't get to take away our rights,' he continued, before repeating more f-bombs.

The police had to get involved the man was so wound up.

Four officers were seen walking the man out as he continued to unleash on the lawmaker.

'But let's be real. We have some differing opinions here,' Edwards noted at one point.

Towards the end of the night Edwards joked, 'now that was fun.'
Horrifying footage shows the moment a crocodile emerged from a river with a woman in its jaws after dragging her beneath the water and mauling her to death.

Tarti Kolengsusu, 43, had been gathering water spinach from the Air Biak River in Indonesia with her friends when the huge reptile latched onto her leg on Wednesday.

The terrified mother screamed for help during the attack, waving her arms as she desperately battled to stay above the water.

She grabbed her friends' hands and they tried to pull her back onto the riverbank, but the powerful beast yanked her from their grasp.

Her friends managed to escape and ran to their village to raise the alarm, but by the time rescuers and local residents rushed to the scene Tarti was dead in the beast's jaws.

Footage shows the predator seemingly taunting the onlookers as it swam near land while holding the villager's lifeless body.

It continued circling the river, weaving up and down with the woman's long hair flowing eerily underwater as people are heard screaming and shouting in horror.

Locals were only able to collect her body around two hours later after the crocodile released her.

Gruesome footage has shown the moment a crocodile emerges from a river with a dead woman in its mouth

The crocodile continued circling the river, weaving up and down with the woman's long hair flowing eerily underwater

Horrified locals tried to prize the dead woman's body from the beasts jaws for two hours

Tarti Kolengsusu, 43, had been gathering water spinach with her friends when the huge reptile latched onto her leg on Wednesday morning

The local police chief reportedly said in a statement: 'The victim and her three friends picked water spinach on the other side of the river.

'An hour later, they were crossing the water to go home when she suddenly shouted.

'She was screaming "help me, I'm in danger!" At that time she was behind the group and drowning in the middle of the river.

'One of her friends, Wati, tried to pull the victim to the edge of the river, but she let go because she was afraid of also drowning.

'After searching for more than two hours, the victim was found dead. She has been taken back to her home for a funeral.

'The South Buru Police will convene with the local government and related agencies to discuss mitigation efforts.

'It is hoped that in the future there will be no more fatalities caused by crocodiles.'

The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 types of crocs - with a large population of extremely large and violent estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate.

Locals were able to collect her body around two hours later after the crocodile released her

Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland closer to villages due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms.

Widespread tin mining has also caused villagers to encroach on the crocodiles' natural habitats, pushing them closer toward people's homes.

With locals continuing to use the rivers for bathing and fishing despite the dangers, this deadly combination of factors has led to rising numbers of crocodile attacks.

Indonesia sees the most saltwater crocodile attacks in the world, with around 1,000 in the decade up to 2023 killing more than 450 people.
Friends of a mum on the run who fled the UK four years ago for a dream life in Thailand say they fear for her life after concerning new videos showed her detained with her toddler in a filthy Thai prison cell.

Ellis Matthews, 32, who once appeared on reality show Judge Rinder after claiming to have squandered a 6million fortune, posts bikini-clad videos on TikTok claiming her life in South Asia is funded by 2,300 monthly British benefits.

But friends back in the UK say they havent heard from her since she posted a video of her in a Thai jail 10 days ago.

Kama Clark, who formed a close bond with Ellis after meeting on the app, said her friend started posting guides to claiming benefits after losing her job as an English teacher because of abuse from online trolls.

Kama, 40, who had been planning to fly out to Thailand to visit Ellis, told MailOnline: Im really worried for her because shes been targeted by these trolls who have paid a Thai person to follow her and take photographs of her son.

Shes in a detention centre but its not because of a visa - we believe its because trolls have contacted the Thai authorities and said something.

I fear for her life if she comes out without that little boy, I really do.

Ellis Matthews, 32, who once appeared on reality show Judge Rinder after claiming to have squandered a 6million fortune, posts bikini-clad videos on TikTok claiming her life in South Asia is funded by 2,300 monthly British benefits

Ms Matthews, who has previously gone by the name of Ellise May Matthews, says shes now being forced to endure bleak conditions inside the Thai detention centre where the mother is apparently being held

In one of the photos on TikTok, an image shows a fellow inmate behind bars in the filthy lock-up

Until she was arrested and jailed by Thai police, many of her posts on @mumontheruninasia offered insight into how she supposedly claims 2,300 a month in benefits because of her six mental disorders.

Ms Matthews, who has previously gone by the name of Ellise May Matthews, says shes now being forced to endure bleak conditions inside the Thai detention centre where the mother is apparently being held.

In one of the photos on TikTok, an image shows a fellow inmate behind bars in the filthy lock-up.

Apparently referencing her young son Cairo, Matthews has written the caption: I dont care about me but please pray for my son.

Kama set up a GoFundMe page to help Ellis, with donations currently at 150.

She wrote: Ellis still remains in the detention centre as it stands as no one has been able to make direct contact with her after two days of her being taken to the police station no one has heard anymore.

Anyone who knows anything about detention centres abroad knows they arent nice places for an adult, let alone a child.

Any money raised in this GFM will all go towards Ellis and Cairo as soon as someone has contact with her.

Appearing on an episode of Judge Rinder, Ms Matthews told TV barrister Robert Rinder that she'd been awarded a sum of 6million after failings by the local authority that cared for her in childhood

Judge Rinder said Ms Matthews childhood experiences were amongst the worst he'd come across in litigation

Previous videos have seen Ms Matthews, who says she ran away from the UK while pregnant with her son, helping others to negotiate the UK benefits system while living in the sunshine.

In one video, Matthews, holding a fistful of notes and wearing a string bikini, tells her audience: I picked up my Disability Living Allowance today and Ive been doing so for the past four years of not living in the UK.

She explains: I am diagnosed with around six mental disorders that without in-house treatment, without me being put into a hospital for a minimum of one year, my prognosis is quite poor therefore I need ongoing treatment costs to be met by the NHS by the taxpayer, thank you very much.

The former charity worker adds: So, I receive around 2,300 per month undisputable [SIC] money and that pays for my lifestyle out here in Thailand.

Ms Matthews then goes on to share tips that could help others in similar situations claim for such benefits and how to avoid attending UK-based meetings.

Prior to her apparent incarceration, she says she lived in a one-bedroom bungalow with rent and bills paid for by the British benefit system.

In another video though, she claims she lives in a two-bed villa on private land with a communal pool and 24h security.

Prior to her apparent incarceration, she says she lived in a one-bedroom bungalow with rent and bills paid for by the British benefit system

Kama set up a GoFundMe page to help Ellis, with donations currently at 150

According to the UK Governments website, Gov.co.uk, British citizens living overseas may still be able to claim some benefits, saying what youre entitled to depends on where youre going and how long for.

Thailand isnt listed on the countries that currently have a UK benefits arrangement.

According to the Thai embassy, British nationals can stay in the country for three-months on a tourism visa, which may be extended by another month upon request.

Those overstaying a tourism visa will be fined 500 Baht (11.40) for each day they overstay in Thailand.
An American Pie actress sobbed and spoke of her terror after being hurled in jail by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for illegally entering the US.

Jasmine Mooney, 35, bawled in a video call from the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona Thursday night while awaiting deportation to her native Canada.

'I've never seen anything like this,' she told ABC10.

'I feel like we have been kidnapped, and we are in some sort of insane social, psychological, social experiment.'

Welling up, Mooney added: 'I really want to be a voice for the women in here, because what is happening is so unjust and I know that there's a better way to do this.'

Mooney, a health water entrepreneur who starred in 2009's American Pie: The Book of Love, was detained at the San Ysidro border crossing between Mexico and San Diego on March 3 after trying to enter California without a valid visa.

She claims her US work visa was revoked in November 2024 while trying to travel from her Vancouver to Los Angeles, where she lives and runs a drink firm called Holy! Water.

The entrepreneur says a customs officer at Vancouver Airport voided that visa over a paperwork issue, but did not elaborate further on why.

Mooney said that her lawyer told her to fly to Mexico and go to the border there with proof of a new job offer, then ask for paperwork for a new work visa.

Jasmine Mooney is seen sobbing from her ICE custody center. The Canadian actress-turned-entrepreneur was taken into custody earlier this month after trying to cross from Mexico into the US without a visa

Mooney says her previous work visa was revoked in Vancouver in December. She says she was told she could

But that plan backfired when a border worker told Mooney she'd need to obtain paperwork for a new visa at a US consulate, not the border.

She was deemed an illegal alien and ordered into custody.

Mooney says her time in custody has left her confused, weak and and has forced her to meditate to keep calm.

'Its been 11 days now, and I have no idea what is going on, they don't tell you anything, and I have lost so much weight. I'm truly, physically, weak.'

ICE officials confirmed Mooney was detained because she didn't have the legal right to be in the United States.

Her arrest is part of a clampdown that has seen a slew of tourists detained in similar circumstances, including a German tattooist and a British comic artist.

It was green-lighted by President Donald Trump as part of his 'Securing Our Borders' executive order signed hours after his inauguration on January 21.

Mooney has not been brought before an immigration judge during her time in custody.

Her frantic family have hired lawyers and say they're pressuring the Canadian government to help free her.

Mooney had one scene in 2009's American Pie Presents: The Book Of Love, where she is seen, on the right, lifting her top and exposing herself

Mooney had been living in Los Angeles before her work visa was revoked in November

Mooney was detained while trying to cross the US-Mexico border in San Diego

'I'm desperate to have her home where she is safe, loved, and surrounded by friends and family to help her heal from this senseless trauma,' Jasmine's mother Alexis Eagles said.

On Thursday night, Eagles shared an update suggesting her daughter's ordeal may soon be over.

'Potential good news!' she wrote.

'We are cautiously optimistic that Jasmine will be home within the next couple of days.

'A flight has been purchased and we're waiting for ICE to approve it, and then cross our fingers that they get her to the airport in time.

'I have been told that flights are often not approved until just hours prior to departure. Keep up the positive thoughts please and thank you!'

Eagles didn't offer any further detail on how she'd apparently been able to get the wheels of justice turning for her daughter.

It is also unclear if Mooney will ever be able to return to the US after entering the country illegally.

Crossing the border illegally is a crime and a civil offense. First time crossers can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $250.

Anyone caught coming in illegally can also be banned for three years, 10 years, 20 years or even permanently depending on the length of stay and whether they committed other crimes while in the country.
The heartbroken wife of a snowboarder who died after falling from a faulty chairlift at a Montana ski resort is now raising awareness about organ donation.

Jeffrey Zinne, 37, was riding alone in a three-person chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain resort Monday morning when he plummeted to the ground.

He was transported to a nearby Billings hospital, where he died two days later from injuries he suffered in the fall. His cause of death was accidental blunt force injury, the coroner's office confirmed to KTVQ.

His wife Meghan, with whom he shares a two-year-old son, is now encouraging others to become organ donors in wake of the tragedy.

'Jeff spent his final moments donating his precious organs,' Meghan and her family revealed in a post on a GoFundMe account established on their behalf. His heart and kidney were among the organs donated, according to reports.

She thanked her community and the hundreds of donors who contributed to the crowdfunder for their 'astonishing' display of 'outpouring love and support'.

Meghan has also urged Zinne's loved ones to pay tribute to him by taking 'your most beloved' and 'go for a drive to the mountains'.

Jeffrey Zinne, 37, died after falling from a faulty chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain resort in Billings, Montana. He is pictured with his wife Meghan and their two-year-old son

His wife Meghan, with whom he shares a two-year-old son, is now encouraging others to become organ donors in wake of the tragedy. Jeff (pictured with Meghan) 'spent his final moments donating his precious organs', according to his wife

The lift - known as the Triple Chair (pictured) - had experienced a mechanical problem at the time Zinne fell. It has been closed since Monday's tragic accident

'The outpouring love and support that we've received is astonishing. Jeff was so loved,' Meghan wrote. 'Please know I am seeing your comments and texts. I cannot respond to everyone but it is so appreciated.'

She thanked everyone for their donations, flowers and contributions to the family's meal train. The crowdfunding page had raised more than $34,000 as of Friday.

'In lieu of more flowers I ask that you just take your most beloved and go for a drive to the mountains. Nye was always our favorite spot,' she concluded.

Zinne has been described by his loved ones as being a 'devoted husband' and 'caring father' who had a 'passion for life, infectious laughter, and kind-hearted nature'.

Meghan and Zinne, both residents of Billings, were 'devoted local business owners'.

Zinne owned the Montana Air Cartage, a freight hauling company that services customers in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Washington.

Meghan, who previously worked as a nurse in a local hospital, has worked as an account manager at the firm since 2020, according to her LinkedIn, which touts Montana Air Cartage as being 'family owned and operated since 1991'.

'He was more than just a boss for many people here. He was a friend, a mentor,' said Jessice Sande, a manager at Zinne's company.

Zinne has been described by his loved ones as being a 'devoted husband' and 'caring father' who had a 'passion for life, infectious laughter, and kind-hearted nature'. He is pictured with his two-year-old son

Meghan has thanked her community and the hundreds of donors who contributed to the crowdfunder for their 'astonishing' display of 'outpouring love and support'. She says it is obvious that 'Jeff was so loved'. Jeff is pictured with their son

Esther Jensen, who organized the online fundraiser, added that Zinne was a 'man who always put others first, whether it was supporting his family, being there for his friends, or bringing joy to those lucky enough to spend time with him'.

'This unexpected loss has left his family, friends, and all who knew him heartbroken and in disbelief,' said Jensen.

Zinne was snowboarding Monday prior to his accident, which occurred just before noon at the ski area southeast of Billings in the Beartooth Mountains.

The lift - known as the Triple Chair - had experienced a mechanical problem at the time Zinne fell, resort spokesperson has Troy Hawks said, adding that the lift was stopped after the accident.

Hawks declined to comment further stating the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.

Weather conditions and the victim's actions also were being looked at, he added.

Red Lodge Mountain interim general manager Spencer Weimer told KRTV on Tuesday that 'we ended up in an unseated passenger situation', but also declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

More than 100 people who were on the lift at the time were evacuated by ski patrollers who used ropes to lower them to the ground

Guests were reportedly stuck on the lift for over half an hour as ski patrol rappelled each person down from their chair one by one. One individual is pictured during the rescue

More than 100 people who were on the lift at the time were evacuated by ski patrollers who used ropes to lower them to the ground.

Wind gusts of about 50mph were recorded in the area shortly before and after the accident, according to the National Weather Service.

Robert Tambo, a local skier who was on the lift with his son when it shut down, said that he had 'never seen it that windy before'.

He claims that he and many other guests were stuck on the lift for over half an hour as ski patrol rappelled each person down from their chair one by one.

'I'm not too fond of heights and then shaking around was not a fun experience,' he told the news outlet.

Hawks said the Triple Chairlift, which is almost a mile long and was built in 1983, was operating within safety parameters.

It will remain shut down until an engineer fully assesses it, Hawks said.

Staff at the ski area inspect its chairlifts daily, the resort spokesman added.

A professional inspection is conducted annually as required by Red Lodge Mountain's insurance carrier and the US Forest Service, which leases land to the ski area.

The Triple Chairlift, which is almost a mile long and was built in 1983, will remain shut down until an engineer fully assesses it

Fatal lift accidents at ski areas are relatively rare, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Between 1956 and 2024, 35 people died in accidents involving chairlifts and aerial ropeways.

Sixteen of the deaths were linked to mechanical malfunctions, according to data collected by the group.

The latest death during that time period was in 2020, when a man died at Colorado's Vail resort after his clothing got entangled in part of the chairlift, making him unable to breathe.
Ashley Biden's nonprofit is facing an official IRS complaint after failing to publicly disclose its $250,000 donation from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

A watchdog has contacted the tax agency after the Women's Wellness Spa(ce) didn't reveal that it had received the money in 2023  when her father was still President  from Archewell, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's own nonprofit.

The conservative National Legal and Policy Center said Ashley's organization, which is based in Philadelphia and calls itself a 'trauma-informed wellness center,' was in 'clear violation' of the reporting rules.

Its legal counsel, Paul Kamenar, also questioned how Ashley could claim a salary of just $12.75 per hour and said that her workload could be 'exaggerated'.

He demanded that Ashley be deposed and the IRS determine 'what civil and criminal penalties' should be appropriate.

Ashley, 43, a former social worker who is the only child of Joe and Jill Biden, opened the Women's Wellness Spa(ce) in 2023.

The center offers resources like guided meditation and therapy including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which Prince Harry has done and Ashley herself turned to after her half-brother Beau died in 2015 from a brain tumor.

According to Kamenar, she made an error while filling out her 990 forms, which are the tax forms nonprofits have to file to the IRS.

Ashley Biden's nonprofit is facing an official IRS complaint after failing to publicly disclose its $250,000 donation from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The donation came from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's non-profit Archewell. This large sum came to light when it was disclosed in the ex-Royals' non-profit 2023 tax filings

The National Legal and Policy Center is the watchdog group that sent the complaint to the IRS about Ashley's failure to disclose the donation

The donation was disclosed in the 2023 Archewell tax filings, which is how it became public  it was the largest grant for that year from the organization.

The donation listing says it was to 'create a safe space focused on wellness for women who have experienced trauma'.

Neither Archewell nor Ashley Biden's group returned requests for comment.

It added: 'Ms Biden failed to report the receipt of a grant of $250,000 made in 2023 by the Archewell Foundation, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

'In addition, there are other reporting violations by Ms Biden.'

Paul Kamenar, the legal council for The National Legal and Policy Center, said that it was a 'clear violation' of the reporting rules by Ashley's organization

The complaint notes that Ashley only recorded $170,296 in total revenue for the 2023 tax year, meaning that the Archewell donation easily eclipsed all the others to the Women's Wellness Spa(ce) that year.

The center recorded $115,138 of expenses meaning that, as of the end of 2023, it had $55,158 in assets.

In his letter, Kamenar said: 'The large contribution raised eyebrows because of the political implications of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's attempts to ingratiate themselves with President Biden and his family.'

IRS filings are submitted under penalty or perjury, meaning the filer attests that they are true and accurate.

The $250,000 donation from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex came in 2023 when her father Joe Biden was still president

According to Kamenar, she made an error while filling out her 990 forms, which are the tax forms nonprofits have to file to the IRS

The complaint notes that Ashley only recorded $170,296 in total revenue for the 2023 tax year, meaning that the Archewell donation easily eclipsed all the others to the Women's Wellness Spa(ce) that year

Prince Harry chatting with Joe and Jill Biden at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017

'A full audit of Ashley Biden's group is warranted to determine where the $250,000 cash grant was deposited and its disposition,' the letter states.

Kamenar told DailyMail.com that he had 'no idea' why the money was not publicly recorded.

He said that the 'innocent' explanation might be an accounting error but regardless it was a 'red flag' that warranted further inquiry.

The IRS complaint outlines other inconsistencies in the Women's Wellness Spa(ce) filing, including claiming there were eight members of the board but only listing seven.

The 990 forms state that Ashley worked 40 hours a week but only earned $11,250 between July and the end of the year, the reporting period for the nonprofit.

But that works out at $511 a week, or $12.75 per hour, around the same as a McDonald's worker's hourly wage in Philadelphia.

The complaint states: 'While Ms Biden's pay is low for her educational and work experience (we) believe that her reported 40-hour work week may have been exaggerated since she was engaged in politically related and other activities, including foreign travel with her mother (Jill Biden).'

Ashley previously worked at the Delaware Center for Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for communities impacted by incarceration.

Kamenar said that while criminal prosecution was an enforcement option for nonprofits that did not file the correct paperwork, the most likely outcome was that Ashley would have to refile the forms and possibly pay a fine.

Kamenar told DailyMail.com that he had 'no idea' why the money was not publicly recorded and that it raised eyebrows because of the 'political implications of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's attempts to ingratiate themselves with President Biden'

The letter stated that the 990 forms list Ashley as working 40 hours per week, but argued that this could be misleading, as she was frequently traveling with her mother, Jill Biden, for politically-related purposes

Despite the long work hours, Ashley only earned $11,250 between July and the end of the year, which would mean she was getting paid $12.50 hourly

Another issue the watchdog group pointed out was only seven board members were listed on the 990 form while claiming there are eight in total

The Women's Wellness Spa(ce) has few details online apart from its Instagram account, which includes a link for users to donate to a baby registry for one of its participants.

One post talks about how the site offers a Clearlight infrared sauna which it claims are 'great tools for relieving chronic pain associated with trauma and PTSD, by helping to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol'.

Other supposed benefits include 'detoxification, better sleep, joint pain and stiffness, and fatigue reduction'.

The model in the post appears to be the Clearlight Sanctuary I which retails for around $6,600 per unit and comes with an ergonomic bench, color light therapy and full spectrum heaters.

The $250,000 donation to the Women's Wellness Spa(ce)featured heavily in the most recent 'Impact Report' from Archewell, where the organization touted its biggest achievements.

It said: 'Drawing from her experience with the criminal justice system, (Ashley) Biden's initiative is inspired by her work with Mural Arts' Women's Reentry Program, providing support and opportunities for formerly incarcerated women.

'The center aims to offer a safe haven and community for women impacted by trauma, providing resources such as nutritious food, exercise, meditation, and therapeutic interventions.'

An article in People magazine announcing the partnership added that the space is closely aligned with Meghan's 'mission to elevate mental health'.

Ashley's non-profit is located in Philadelphia and aims to provide a 'safe haven and community for women impacted by trauma'. Very little information, besides its Instagram page, is available

The Women's Wellness Spa(ce) offered a Clearlight infrared sauna to help with 'trauma and PTSD'. One unit costs $6,600 and comes with a bench, color light therapy and heaters

The IRS complaint comes after the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, said that the Sussexes should face an investigation for their donation to Ashley, which came when her father was President

The IRS complaint comes after the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, said that the Sussexes should face an investigation for their donation to Ashley, which came when her father was President.

Nile Gardiner, Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, called for 'significant scrutiny' of the money paid to Ashley Biden.

Gardiner said he said there should be 'full transparency and oversight', apparently suggesting it could have been a way to gain influence.

A person familiar with the matter said that the $250,000 donation to the Womens Wellness Spa(ce) was being distributed across two years.

The Archewell Foundation reported the entire $250,000 in 2023 but the Womens Wellness Spa(ce) was getting it in two payments: $150,000 for 2023 and $100,000 for 2024.

The person said it was due to accounting practices and said that as a nonprofit the organization would have to be nonpartisan.
Pirate Bay co-founder Carl Lindstrom has died in a place crash at the age of 64.

The controversial Swedish businessman was killed when the small plane he was flying crashed in Slovenia, according to The Independent.

Lundstrom, a member of the far-right Alternative for Sweden party, was the only occupant of the plane.

He was reportedly traveling from Croatia to Switzerland when his plane crashed.

'Lundstrom, a legend and veteran of Swedish nationalism, died in a on Monday,' the party wrote on Facebook.

Officials said the plane likely crashed due to spatial disorientation in 'extremely' bad weather.

Harrowing images from the crash location show a cabin was completely destroyed by the aircraft, which had its propeller split in two after the crash.

'Based on the findings so far, it can be concluded that the cockpit could be located in the building itself or its basement. The wooden hut is practically cut in half and is therefore extremely unstable, so entry into the building is not possible, as there is a possibility of collapse at any moment,' officials said.

Pirate Bay co-founder Carl Lindstrom was killed in a plane crash in Slovenia

Images from the crash location show a cabin was completely destroyed by the aircraft

The Velika Planina mountain in the north of Slovenia, where the plane crashed Monday

'Due to the complexity of access to the building, it has not yet been possible to provide the necessary machinery and other equipment on site to secure the building at least enough for rescue teams to enter the building and find the pilot.'

Lindstrom was one of the early financers of Pirate Bay, a file-sharing website founded in 2003 to allow users to skip copyright fees.

Swedish authorities, however, raided its servers in 2006 and Lundstrom was among those charged with being an 'accessory to breaching copyright law.'

Lundstrom and the other founders was sentenced to prison and fined as a result.

He only served four months, instead of a year, after filing a success appeal.

Lundstrom has participated in Sweden's far-right nationalist movement since the 1980s.

He called for mass deportations of migrants, withdrawing from the European Union and bans on same-sex adoptions and same-sex marriages.
Greenland's Prime Minister has declared 'enough is enough' in response to President Donald Trump's threat to dispatch soldiers to annex the island.

Mute Egede summoned fellow political leaders to discuss a plan to beef up their rejection of Trump's plan.

'The U.S. president has once again aired the thought of annexing us,' Egede said in a statement.

He added: 'Enough is enough.'

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who will be the next prime minster after his Demokraatit party won Greenland's parliamentary election Tuesday, also turned on Trump.

'Trump's statement from the US is inappropriate and just shows once again that we must stand together in such situations,' he said.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede declared 'enough is enough' about President Donald Trump's wish to annex the island

On Thursday, Trump reiterated the United States 'needs' Greenland for national security purposes and indicated he's willing to send in American troops to take control of the island.

'I think it'll happen,' the president said of annexing Greenland during his Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

'We really needed for national security. I think that is why NATO might have to get involved anyway,' he added.

Trump then noted the U.S. already has a military base on Greenland.

'We have a couple of bases on Greenland already and we have quite a few soldiers. May be you will see more and more soldiers go there,' he threatened. 'We have bases and we have quite a few soldiers on Greenland.'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was sitting on a couch in the Oval Office during the conversation, nodded in agreement. The U.S. has Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operations, on the island.

Trump added he'd talk to Rutte about it, but the NATO secretary declined to get involved.

'When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the U.S., I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion, because I don't want to direct NATO in that,' Rutte said.

It's not the first time Trump mulled using military force to take control of territory he wants to add to the American map.

In early January, after he was elected but before inauguration, Trump indicated he was willing to use force on both Greenland and Panama, where he wants control of the canal.

Greenland party leaders Mute Egede from Inuit Ataqatigiit; Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen from Atassut; Erik Jensen from Siumut; Jens-Frederik Nielsen from Demokraatit; and Pele Broberg from Naleraq gather on the day of the party leader debate

President Donald Trump wit NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office

Greenlanders, however, voted to rebuff President Trump's effort to bring their island into the United States.

Voters gave first place in Tuesday's elections to Demokraatit, a center-right party that has never held power but is strongly opposed to an American takeover of the island, which is a Danish territory.

Nielsen, the incoming prime minister, criticized Trump's call for Greenland to become a U.S. territory.

'We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future,' Nielsen said.

'And we want to build our own country by ourselves.'

The election in Greenland wasn't just a rejection of Trump. Citizens of the island are also in favor of independence in general, including a split from Denmark.

Second place went to a political party who wants independence from Copenhagen within the next three years.

The Greenland flag flying Nuuk, the capital city

Colorful houses in Nuuk, Greenland

Trump is interested in the island's strategic position in the North Atlantic and its wealth of minerals. It also is believed to have natural gas and oil off its shores.

There are already fears on Greenland that Trump could take the island by force.

'I think most of us have been scared since the new year because of (Trump's) interest,' Pipaluk Lynge, a member of parliament from the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit, or United Inuit party, said.

'So we're really, really looking to Europe right now to see if we could establish a stronger bond with them to secure our sovereign nation.'

Greenland is the world's largest island and also one of the most sparsely populated. It is home to about 56,000 people.

It has been controlled by Denmark for almost 300 years. It became a formal territory in 1953 and gained home rule in 1979.

Copenhagen, however, still defends the island.

Greenlanders have Danish passports and healthcare. The island also benefits from Denmark's memberships in NATO and the EU.
Ukrainian troops forced out of Kursk fear Vladimir Putin knew the US would cut military aid and intelligence sharing, a top commander has said.

Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze cannot shake off the feeling as Moscow appeared primed and captured key villages in the territory within hours of the decision.

But despite the setback, Volodymyr Zelenskys popularity has sky rocketed on the front since his showdown with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

The special forces officer also vowed that Ukraine will fight on with or without US aid as he slammed Elon Musk as not stable and widely hated.

Lt Col Nadiradze and his men were among 1,000 soldiers who took swathes of the Russian region in a daring counter-offensive last August.

They forced Russia to divert its best fighters and employ North Korean troops to try and eject them from the 390 square miles they seized for over seven months.

It relieved pressure from the rest of the front and it was hoped the land would be a key bargaining chip in the peace negotiations.

But after President Trump paused military aid and intelligence sharing two weeks ago, Russia has now forced them to retreat from most of the territory.

Your browser does not support iframes.

A Ukrainian soldier in the Donetsk region on March 13 2025

An explosion erupts from an apartment block in Mariupol in March 2022

Lt Col Nadiradze told the Mail: I could not shake off the feeling and impression that they knew beforehand that Trump would cut off military aid and intelligence sharing - the latter of which was a huge detriment to our efforts.

The very day Trump announced his decision, the Russians got two villages  Zhuravka and Novenke, giving them logistical access to Sudzha, the biggest town in Ukrainian-controlled Kursk, which the Russians have now all but taken, their flags are in the town centre.

There was a real danger of being encircled there, so the command decided to vacate.

Explaining the damage done by Washingtons decision, Lt Col Nadiradze, who commands a reconnaissance special ops group, said it had hurt my unit the most.

We didnt have the data about their movements, no satellite images, he said.

We controlled Kursk for seven months and could have held for some more, if not for the cutoff of the intelligence sharing in real time from the U.S.

Lt Col Nadiradze did not mince his words when it came to Musk, who has acted as a cheerleader for Trump posting anti-Ukraine messages on his social media platform X.

Musk is widely hated not only in the Ukrainian army, but in the entire Ukraine, after things he has said and done, he said. He has only himself to blame for it.

Elon Musk outside the White House earlier this month. A top commander in the Ukraine forces said that the tech billionaire widely hated in the country

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky arguing in the Oval Office. Zelensky s popularity has sky rocketed on the front since his showdown with Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a press conference in Moscow. Ukrainian troops forced out of Kursk fear Vladimir Putin knew the US would cut military aid and intelligence sharing, a top commander has said

The officer claimed Musk had previously cut off Starlink, his satellite link that allows Ukrainians to operate on the front line.

Right before we were to carry out a very serious operation in Crimea, he cut it off and we couldnt do it then, he said.

So I dont trust him, he is not a stable man and I would be surprised if he stays in the Trump team for long.

But Starlink, while the best option currently, can be replaced, perhaps not fully, but adequately enough, there are alternatives, including the state intelligence shared by France and UK, which was a huge help during the week that the US intel was cut off.

Lt Col Nadiradze said morale is in fact now high after their President stood up to Mr Trump in the Oval Office last month.

Zelenskys popularity in the army skyrocketed, he was seen as someone unafraid to defend the states interests, their interests, he said.

Nothing could have won him more hearts here, among soldiers, than his unwillingness to back down and be bullied. The motivation has doubled overnight.

While manpower is a problem, it is not catastrophic, he said, and the firm belief is that Ukraine will fight on, with or without US aid. They hope that the UK and the Europe will step up as Russia is a threat to the entire West.

A Ukrainian soldier is placed in trenches retaken from the Russian army on the front line as the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Donetsk Region

A damaged apartment block following Russian bombing in the city of Kostiantynivka in March 2025

Despite the reversal, he said the mission to take Kursk was still a success as it prevented a huge Russian offensive on Zaporizhzhia and stopped them taking the key town of Pokrovsk.

We fought on Russian soil and they turned their own cities and buildings into rubble this time, not Ukrainian, he said.

He estimated Russia accounted for 70 per cent of losses in Kursk before the intelligence blackout but in recent days Ukraine has suffered heavy casualties.

The officer said the enemy are now executing a number of Ukrainian troops taken prisoner which goes against everything that can be considered as rules of war.

As Putin rejected Trumps ceasefire deal and laid down his own set of onerous conditions, Lt Col Nadiradze said he is sceptical either side will break the impasse.

I really dont believe it will happen, Lt Col Nadiradze said. Russia has put forward conditions that equal capitulation and nobody in their sane mind would accept them. Ukrainians will reject them  and Americans too, hopefully.

They will try to use every ceasefire for their interests, to renew the hostilities with greater efforts, as they have done a million times back in Ukraine.

He said he favours a Turkish, British and French led peacekeeping force in Ukraine, but warned Russia will never accept this unless absolutely forced to.

And they wont be forced to, he added, unless the current situation on the front changes - and we need help to make that happen.
David Lammy demanded Russia accepts a Ukraine ceasefire with 'no conditions' today as he attended a G7 summit in Canada.

The Foreign Secretary said the allies were united that Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to shift the goalposts.

The meeting comes ahead of Keir Starmer convening a video call tomorrow with the 'coalition of the willing' - countries prepared to contribute to enforcing any peace deal with Moscow.

Putin looked to be deploying delaying tactics yesterday as he responded to Volodymyr Zelensky agreeing to a 30-day full ceasefire without any conditions.

As Russian troops make progress regaining territory in the Kursk region, Putin suggested there were a number of issues he still wanted to resolve.

David Lammy demanded Russia accepts a Ukraine ceasefire with 'no conditions' today as he attended a G7 summit in Canada

The Foreign Secretary said the allies (pictured holding talks) were united that Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to shift the goalposts

Speaking after meetings in Canada, Mr Lammy said there would be a 'detailed statement' from nations outlining a joint position on the crisis.

'I think that there is a unified approach that we need an enduring peace that lasts, I think that there is unity that now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions,' he said.

'Ukraine has set their position out. It is now for Russia to accept it. I think that there is a coalition of the willing emerging to give Ukraine the security architecture and arrangements that they need, and to get into the detail of any monitoring of that ceasefire, going forward.

'On all of that, there was common ground, and the G7 family came together.'

Earlier, Downing Street condemned Russia's 'nebulous response' to the ceasefire proposal.

Asked when there would be more clarity about what the 'coalition of the willing' plans might involve, a No10 spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister's intent is crystal clear.

'I think the nebulous responses are coming from Russia, the ball is in their court.

'There is a proposal there and in the mean time we are concentrating with our international partners on the best way to drive progress to secure that just and lasting peace.'

Putin looked to be deploying delaying tactics yesterday as he responded to Volodymyr Zelensky agreeing to a 30-day full ceasefire without any conditions

Mr Zelensky has been working to forge a united front with Donald Trump again after their White House bust-up

Keir Starmer is due to convene a call with the so-called 'coalition of the willing' tomorrow

The spokesman added: 'You've seen the last few weeks how quickly events can move.

'So we're not putting a timescale on things, but we are prioritising working with our partners to drive progress further forward towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and that's the objective of the Prime Minister and the objective of our partners.'

There have been claims that around 25 countries are ready to be part of the coalition, with France and the UK already having committed to boots on the ground if there are US security guarantees.

However, while Australia and Canada are rumoured to be willing, Italy might not participate. Giorgia Meloni has been pushing a rival idea of extending Nato's Article 5 collective defence to Ukraine even though it is not a full member.
Meghan Markle was today plunged into a fresh copycat row after it emerged a series also called 'Confessions of a Female Founder' has existed for more than a year.

The Duchess of Sussex yesterday confirmed the title for her new podcast - but Kady Meite, owner and founder of hoodie-hijab clothing firm Veil Street, already has a series of YouTube videos with the same name, about her business achivements.

The 24-year-old from Philadelphia, who has 45,000 followers on TikTok, posted her first episode in October 2023 about how to have a successful 'drop' launch event.

A second episode followed in November 2024 about 'where it all started', in which Ms Meite spoke about her life story having been in business since the age of 16.

Then a third episode released about six weeks ago on February 3 saw the successful Muslim entrepreneur discuss 'six things I wish I knew before building a business'.

Meghan's new podcast is also close in its name to entrepreneur Kelci Borges's popular 'Confessions Of A CEO' podcast which focuses on female founders; and another called 'Confessions of a Founder' by businesswoman Alysha M Campbell.

Back in the 1970s, the 'Confessions Of' series was a run of four British sex comedy films, starring Robin Askwith, beginning with Confessions Of A Window Cleaner.

Episodes of Ms Meite's podcast began being shared on social media in the hours after Meghan's new podcast was unveiled, with one X user writing: 'Meghan couldn't even come up with an original title. She had to copy it! Unreal!'

Another said: 'Is she serious? She can't think of a single original idea!' However, the YouTuber has defended the Duchess, saying that she 'understands coincidences'.

The Duchess of Sussex is launching a new podcast called 'Confessions Of A Female Founder'

Kady Meite has a series of videos on YouTube also called 'Confessions of a Female Founder'

Kady Meite is a successful entrepreneur who has tens of thousands of TikTok followers

Philadelphia-based Ms Meite is the owner and founder of hoodie-hijab clothing firm Veil Street

Ms Meite told Yahoo Lifestyle: 'I completely understand why people are drawing connections, and I truly appreciate the support and understand their intention.

'But I also understand coincidences as well. It is highly unlikely Meghan even came across my channel but I am flattered by the thought.

'What does concern me is how quickly this is turning into another reason to drag a woman down. That's not something I want to contribute to. I know firsthand what it feels like to have my work actually copied... this isn't that.'

MailOnline has contacted Ms Meite and Meghan's representatives for comment.

Ms Meite created the world's first hoodie-hijab combination  known as the 'Hoodjab' - which was inspired by 90s hip-hop and 2000s street fashion. She has also described the clothes as falling within a new category of 'modest streetwear'.

She has secured design patents for her products, and says on her website that the clothes aim to help Muslim women like her 'stay stylish, comfortable and modest'.

Lemonada Media co-founders Jessica Cordova Kramer (left) and Stephanie Wittels Wachs

Meghan's Spotify contract ended in 2023 after one series of her first podcast Archetypes

Ms Meite has a communications and media studies degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and launched her first business KYM Cosmetics in 2019,

Introducing the first episode of her podcast, she said: 'Hey guys, my name's Kady, I'm founder and owner of Veil Street. So excited to kick off today's video and I want to give you guys a grand welcome to episode one of Confessions of a Female Founder, a tell-all series where I share my experiences and advice as a 23-year-old entrepreneur.

'I've been in business since the age of 16, I know I'm a pretty seasoned business owner with eight years under my belt but I still feel like it's a never-ending learning process and I'm just excited to be here to share all the things that I do and don't know and basically be your guys' business bestie.

'So today's episode is going to be the key steps that I take in order to ensure that I have a successful drop or successful launch and sell out every single time I feel like I've done every sort of business tactic whether it's just buying product, releasing when you have it and just having items in stock all the time.'

The Duchess of Sussex's new show 'With Love, Meghan' came out on Netflix on March 4

Prince Harry makes just one appearance at the end of the first season's final episode

She added: 'One of the biggest reasons why I created the series in the first place is that when you're a business owner there is no one true guide book. Every person's journey is going to look incredibly different.

'There's no such thing as seeing someone's formula and deciding you're going to copy it and you're just going to have the exact same success. That's pretty much impossible in the world of business and there's no one telling you every day what there is that you need to do and you pretty much have to get good at being your own boss.'

She also said that her cosmetics brand earned $20,000 in sales in one day on her 20th birthday, adding: 'I have learned that every day that you wake up it is a blessing because you still have the opportunity to pursue your dreams.'

It follows a series of copycat rows after the Duchess's new show 'With Love, Meghan' was released on Netflix on March 4 and was compared to Pamela Anderson's new cooking show that launched on Canada 's Flavour Network earlier this month.

And in one clip from the kitchen of the rented $5million reality TV Montecito mansion where the show is set, Meghan, who tells viewers she'll share 'some little tips and tricks', makes a 'Ladybug'-themed appetiser.

Meghan's new show 'With Love, Meghan' was delayed from January due to the LA wildfires

The show was compared to Pamela Anderson's new cooking show that launched this month

However, viewers noted that recipes for the dish have been around since 2015 on dozens of food blogs and Pinterest pages. They also feature in the US lifestyle magazine First For Women in 2018 and the popular TikTok account Home Cooks World in 2023.

Another part of the show saw Meghan try beekeeping  but some royal fans pointed out that this is also one of her sister-in-law Kate's longtime hobbies.

The Princess of Wales was pictured happily tending to a hive at Anmer Hall in Norfolk in an image released in May 2023 to mark World Bee Day.

Other viewers compared scenes from Meghan's new programme to those in the YouTube cooking show 'Emma's Kitchen' hosted by marchioness and chef Emma Weymouth .

The Celebrity MasterChef contestant  formally known as Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath - posts videos of her creations after launching the brand in 2015 using the backdrop of the original kitchens within Longleat House.

Meghan with actress Mindy Kaling in the trailer for 'With Love, Meghan', released in January

Some viewers have compared scenes in Meghan's new Netflix series to those in the YouTube cooking show 'Emma's Kitchen' hosted by Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath (above)

Meghan's new podcast was announced yesterday, just over a year after her deal was confirmed with Lemonada Media in February 2024.

The Duchess described the venture as 'candid conversations' with 'amazing women' about the success and struggles of their businesses.

She wrote on her Instagram account that she was 'so excited' to share the news, describing recording the series as 'absolutely eye-opening, inspiring...and fun!'

The former Suits actress added: 'Because what's the point if we can't have some fun on this wild adventure?'

She said the women had shared their 'tips, tricks (and tumbles)' as well as 'letting me pick their brains as I build out my own business, As ever'.

It comes after With Love, Meghan, which has already filmed a second season, faced savage criticism in reviews after premiering on Netflix last week.

Another part of the trailer for 'With Love, Meghan' showed the Duchess trying beekeeping

The Princess of Wales was pictured tending to a hive at Anmer Hall in Norfolk in May 2023

The Duchess's Archetypes podcast about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series, and was part of the Sussexes' previous multimillion pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after.

The new podcast has been created as part of a deal Meghan signed last year with Lemonada Media, which said listeners would hear 'unfiltered stories behind the successes of notable female founders'.

It also said the series would also be 'sneaking a peek behind the curtain of Meghan's own entrepreneurial journey launching As ever'.

The Duchess launched her lifestyle brand As Ever in tandem with her With Love, Meghan show. Her first products, which are not yet on sale, are a small selection of jams, herbal tea, ready-mix baking mixes and flower sprinkles.

Lemonada added: 'As Meghan herself navigates the world of entrepreneurship with the upcoming launch of her brand As ever, be inspired by the real, unfiltered stories and lessons learned from notable female founders-from knowing your worth, to trusting your gut, securing investors, and investing in yourself.'

Viewers said some of Meghan's ideas are unoriginal such as the 'Ladybug Caprese Bruschetta'

Dozens of food blogs have posted the same recipe, including Diary of a Mad Hausfrau

The US lifestyle magazine First For Women also published a similar recipe in 2018

Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Lemonada's chief creative officer and co-founder, said: 'Listeners can expect conversations that are way more break room than boardroom.'

The US podcast firm's chief executive and co-founder, Jessica Cordova Kramer, described the series as 'the exact podcast we needed when we started Lemonada'.

She added: 'Meghan is such a warm and welcoming person, and you feel that in her interviews.

'She creates a comfortable space for her guests to bring fascinating personal stories to the table and open up in a way they likely haven't before publicly.'

A trailer for Meghan's new podcast will be released on March 25 and the first of eight weekly episodes will be launched on April 8.
Toronto Police have been slammed for an official podcast between two cops who made light of Hamas' terror attack against Israel and praised the 'unbelievable' number of converts to Islam after October 7.

The episode was deleted and the police department apologized for the podcast after major backlash from the Jewish community, which says the tepid response has not gone far enough.

Constables Farhan Ali and Haroon Siddiqui made the shocking remarks on the official Olive Branch Podcast, a project launched to supposedly 'engage' Toronto's Muslim communities.

The clip, which quickly went viral on X, began with Siddiqui telling Ali that social media has elevated the beliefs of Islam since the attacks on October 7, 2023.

'A lot of people, after October 7, started learning about Islam. And they said, "Ok well what is it with the religion - why is it so hated? Why are they being attacked all the time?'' Siddiqui said.

He went on to say that the number of 'reverts' to Islam since the attacks was 'unbelievable', using the Islamic framing that everyone was born following Allah and new followers are returning rather than converting.

'They're actually educating themselves,' Siddiqui concluded.

The term 'revert' instead of 'convert' is used by those who claim Islam is everyone's natural faith and that Christians, Jews or Buddhists are created only through parents and society.

Constables Farhan Ali (left) and Haroon Siddiqui (right) pictured in uniform hosting the Project Olive Branch Podcast

Farhan Ali (left) and Haroon Siddiqui (right) are partners on the force and serve as Muslim liaison officers

Siddiqui explained that he's seen a rise of 'reverts' to Islam since October 7, 2023

The clip received a slew of negative comments, with one user writing, 'Cops should not be preaching politics or religion. That's not part of their job description. These talks are divisive.'

'It's totally inappropriate! The uniformed Canadian police officers on what appears to be a police related stream?' another added.

The episode also discussed Islamophobia in Toronto and how anti-Israel protests can be misconstrued.

'When we have somebody labelling a certain group as something they're not, all of a sudden now an Islamophobic undertone,' Ali said.

He added that it was important not to confuse Palestinian rallies with rallies for Hamas, noting that people may mistake protests against Israel's actions for support of a terrorist organization.

'However, the people that are there protesting, they're there for a different cause altogether,' Ali explained.

In response to the backlash, Toronto Police released a statement apologizing for the remarks and acknowledging that the podcast 'caused significant upset and concern in the Jewish community and beyond.'

Siddiqui (left) and Ali (right) received backlash for comments they made on an official police podcast

Chief Myron Demkiw said he ordered a review of procedures and will ensure further content aligns with the department's commitment to respect and inclusion.

'We recognize the Jewish community's profound pain and anguish as a result of October 7th and the ensuing rise of anti-Semitism,' Demkiw said in a statement.

'I have personally heard from the community about the impact of this podcast, and I'm truly sorry. Our commitment to protecting our Jewish communities remains unwavering.'

However, the statement didn't seem to appease critics, with the Ontario Vice President for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs writing a public letter expressing further concern to the police chief.

'His [Siddiqui] comments suggest a positive outcome stemming from the atrocities of that day, an idea that, given the highly politicized nature of the issue and the fact that he is in police uniform, is especially concerning,' Michelle Stock said.

Stock criticized the officers' ability to express their religious beliefs on an official police podcast and questioned whether the remarks represented the department's stance.

She added that the remarks were 'deeply troubling' and went on to cite a rise of anti-Semitism in Toronto.

People pictured on October 4, 2024 visiting the site of the Nova festival where the attacks occurred a year before (file photo)

Protestors gathered outside of Canada's Deputy Prime Minister's office to rally in support of a ceasefire in Gaza on October 20, 2023 in Toronto (file photo)

'Constable Ali's comments fails to acknowledge the intimidation associated with these protests, thus misrepresenting the menacing nature of the demonstrations,' she added.

Stock claimed that the officers were in breach of the Community Safety and Policing Act, which requires police to only engage in political activity if they are off-duty and not in uniform.

The Toronto Police has not announced if the officers were penalized or if they were in breach of the law when discussing religion on their podcast.

Dailymail.com reached out to Constables Ali and Siddiqui for comment but didn't immediately hear back.
Disabled people will feel forced to end their lives under assisted dying laws if benefit cuts make their lives 'intolerable', one of Britain's greatest paralympians has warned.

Tanni Grey-Thompson, the holder of 11 paralympic gold medals, said the combination of a welfare squeeze and assisted dying legislation was 'extremely worrying'.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aims to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with less than six months to live, to legally end their lives.

A committee of MPs are currently continuing their line-by-line scrutiny of the Bill before it returns to the House of Commons for further debate and a vote.

At the same time, the Government is next week expected to unveil plans for 5billion of welfare cuts - despite a mounting revolt among Labour MPs and some ministers.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, a crossbench peer, expressed her fears about the combined impact of slashing benefits and assisted dying legislation.

'If you are disabled and terminally ill and your benefits are cut, making life intolerable, it's obvious more people will feel forced down this route to end their lives early,' she told Times Radio.

'And when you understand that we live in a relatively able society, there will be people who sit on the panel who will decide that a disabled person has nothing to offer society and will allow them to end their lives.'

Tanni Grey-Thompson, the holder of 11 paralympic gold medals, said the combination of a welfare squeeze and assisted dying legislation was 'extremely worrying'

Baroness Grey-Thompson, a crossbench peer, expressed her fears about the combined impact of slashing benefits and the passing of assisted dying laws

Chancellor Rachel Reeves today doubled down on the need to reform the welfare system, saying it was 'broken' and 'not working for anyone'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves today doubled down on the need to reform the welfare system, saying it was 'broken' and 'not working for anyone'.

'It is not working for people who need support, it's not working to get people into work so that more people can fulfil their potential,' she told broadcasters.

'And it's not working for the taxpayer when the bill for welfare is going up by billions of pounds in the next few years.

'So, we do need to get a grip. We need to spend more on national defence, but we need to reform our public services, and we need to reform our broken welfare system.'

But Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP leading a rebellion against cuts to welfare, also expressed fears about disabled people feeling pressure to end their lives.

She said: 'I'm deeply concerned about the intersection we have about hearing that the social security is going to be cut for people whilst at the same time we're talking about legislation.'

Sarah Olney, a Liberal Democrat MP who sits on the committee currently scrutinising the assisted dying legislation, warned cuts to welfare and a new law on assisted dying risked a 'perfect storm' for the disabled.

She said: 'Of course it's a concern that if some of those people are now facing cuts to their everyday living costs  that might well contribute to their feelings that they might be a financial burden on their relatives and that will influence them in terms of how they feel about assisted dying.

'It's absolutely a concern of the committee that people might be seeking an assisted death for that reason and this news about potential cuts to welfare can only  intensify that feeling for some people.'

Disabled people and supporters gathered outside Parliament to demonstrate their opposition to assisted dying legislation in November last year

But supporters of the assisted dying bill, which was introduced to Parliament by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, dismissed the concerns.

Jake Richards, who also sits on the bill's committee, said the proposed law had 'incredibly strict criteria' when it came to who could end their life.

The Labour MP said: 'To conflate the issue about choice at the end of life with the profound challenges that disabled people have in day-to-day life would be wrong and inappropriate.'

Earlier this week, opponents of the assisted dying bill reacted with fury after the scrapping of a requirement for a High Court judge to approve applications to die.

A majority of MPs on the 23-member scrutiny committee opted to make the major change to the Bill from when it was first introduced to Parliament last year.

It had initially been said assisted dying applications would only be allowed with the approval of two doctors and a High Court judge.

But Ms Leadbeater later proposed scrapping the High Court oversight in favour of an assisted dying commissioner and expert panels.

Under her new plans, the panels will feature a senior legal figure, a psychiatrist and a social worker who will decide on assisted dying applications.

The change has seen her accused of backtracking on pledges that saw supporters of the Bill boast the legislation in England and Wales would be the strictest in the world.
A violent dispute between two rich Jersey Shore neighbors descended into chaos and gunfire that ended with the shooter dead and two people in critical condition.

Jill and Tom Kwatkoski were gunned down outside their million dollar home on Drake Drive in Berkeley Township on Monday afternoon by their next-door neighbor John Adamo, 54.

Adamo shot the husband while he was doing some outside work on his residence, then fired into the house striking the wife.

He then fled to his home and barricaded himself in an upstairs room before turning the gun on himself, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Major Crime Unit and Berkeley Township Police Department.

Jill was heard screaming during the 911 call pleading for help. 'My neighbor! We got shot by our neighbor! 11 Drake Drive. Please hurry,' according to the chilling audio obtained by NBC4.

'Please get the cops here. I'm bleeding to death. 'I can't leave my kids. If I do, please tell them that I love them,' she told the dispatcher.

The couple were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune listed in critical but stable condition.

The Kwatkoski's had recently installed new security cameras and a 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property' signs that called out Adamo and his wife by name. The signs and camera faced their home.

An eyewitness told The New York Post that before the shooting occurred there was a fiery argument that saw Adamo ripping off one of the surveillance cameras from the wooden pole where it was placed.

Jill (pictured) and Tom Kwatkoski were gunned down outside their million dollar home on Drake Drive in Berkeley Township on Monday afternoon by their next-door neighbor John Adamo, 54

The shooter barricaded himself inside his two-story $1 million Jersey Shore home before the SWAT team blew his front door off and found him deceased

According to the audio the frantic mother-of-four is heard telling the dispatcher that at least three rounds of ammunition was fired.

'My husband, I think he's dead outside and my leg is killing me,' she said.

When the dispatcher asked where she was shot, the female victim replied: 'I'm in the left leg  my husband I think  at least 3 rounds. Oh my God.'

Despite being in excruciating pain, Jill managed to share details about the terrifying moments leading up to the shooting.

She told the operator that her husband was working outside near their home at the corner of Drake and Amherst Drive when Adamo walked over to him and open fired.

The panicked wife told the dispatcher 'there's blood everywhere,' and then told her the type of gun he was using.

'It looks like a f****** rifle. It looked like a rifle,' she said. 'Please hurry.'

Monday's dispute was one of many feuds the couple and Adamo has had that has been going for years.

Those who knew the dueling homeowners described, Adamo as an alcoholic and a 'nut job' while others called him a 'nice guy' particularly when 'sober.'

The 'Private Property' 'No Trespassing' sign that had their names Mr. and Ms. Adamo written on it may have been the motive for the shooting, but police has not yet confirmed

Two 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property' signs and a security camera facing Adamo's house had been recently installed by the couple

Police were first alerted to the crime when a 911 call came in regarding two gunshot victims around 4.45pm Monday.

When Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Ocean County Regional SWAT-Crisis Negotiating Team arrived on the scene, they surrounded the shooter's home.

Both teams waited nearly two-and-a-half-hours giving Adamo the chance to surrender, but after the hours long standoff, they blew open his front door and found him dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Amid the chaos, the New Jersey State Bomb Squad was called in when a pressure cooker was found inside one of the bedrooms which prompted neighboring residents to evacuate.

The bomb squad later determined that the pressure cooker was not an explosive device.

Over the last year, police have responded to the homes at least a half a dozen times, NBC NY reported.

The SWAT team entering the home after the door was blown off - Adamo was found in an upstairs room with a self- inflicted gunshot wound

Adamo's home mansion is situated on the bay

A view of the Kwatkoski home (left) and John Adamo's two-story home

Many expressed shock and surprise when they learned about the tragedy on their block that left them shaken.

The Kwatkoski's were described as 'extraordinarily nice people,' as per the news outlet.

One neighbor shared that one of their children is a cancer survivor and that the family is very active in volunteering and fundraising for childhood cancer.

'We're all friends in the neighborhood and, you know, we have parties together,' Louie Pascalli told CBS News. [There was] always friction, but never anything serious like this."

Neighbor Joe Spicciatie explained, 'they've been in a longtime dispute. I don't know what brought it to that point.'

'They have the cameras aimed at each other's houses, but in my book they were all nice.'

According to reports, Adamo, who was originally from Staten Island, had been cut off from his family due to his issue with alcoholism and his deceased fathers estate.

Police are continuing to investigate, a police spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Jill Stuart, a family friend created a GoFundMe to help raise money to go towards the couple's recovery and medical expenses.

'We are reaching out to ask for your support for Tom and Jill, a loving couple and devoted parents to four boys, who are facing unimaginable challenges after a tragic shooting at their home,' Stuart wrote.

'Both Tom and Jill were victims of gun violence and are currently in the process of recovery. While the physical wounds will eventually heal, the emotional and financial toll on their family is significant, and their journey toward recovery is just beginning.

'Tom and Jill are always the first to help others, whether its supporting their community or raising their sons with love and care. Now, they need our help,' she wrote, in part.

As of Friday afternoon, nearly $16,000 has been raised towards their goal of $40,000.

A wake will be held for Adamo on Monday at Scarpaci Funeral Home of Staten Island and a funeral on Tuesday at Holy Child Church.
Five Russians were on board the Solong container ship when it rammed the Stena Immaculate  which was carrying supplies for the US military  off the English coast, triggering a fire on both ships.

The Russian captain, 59, was arrested by Humberside police after the incident on Monday, with his detention extended today to give officers have more time to question him.

The sailor, who has not been named, has been permitted to talk to the Russian embassy in London, it emerged today.

State news agency TASS revealed that Russian diplomats 'spoke with the detained captain of the Solong and are in contact with his lawyer and family'.

He 'feels well' even though he was arrested 'on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision'. They confirmed he was a Russian citizen.

All five Russians involved in the North Sea drama are 'alive', according to Russian sources.

The crew of the 459ft Solong were reported to be Russian and Filipino, and one person is known to be missing, presumed dead after the incident.

A total of 36 crew members from the two vessels were brought safely ashore, with no major injuries.

Smoke is seen billowing from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast earlier this week

MV Stena Immaculate exploded into a 'massive fireball' after being hit by MV Solong yesterday

Water can be seen flowing through the damaged hull of the Immaculate on Tuesday

The US-flagged 50,000-ton MV Stena Immaculate was engulfed by a huge fireball after Solong 'came out the blue' and ploughed into it.

Solong sliced through the hull of the tanker, causing thousands of litres of jet fuel to spill into the sea and forcing sailors from both vessels to abandon ship.

The Russian embassy in London earlier said: 'The embassy has been monitoring the situation around the collision of two ships in the North Sea on March 10 from the very first minutes .

'Consular staff are in close contact with the British competent authorities.

'During this time, local authorities have not received any information about the presence of Russian citizens on board these vessels, or about other Russians injured as a result of this accident.'

The Russian embassy in London said: 'As of March 14, additional information has emerged regarding the Russian citizens from the crew of the Solong vessel, flying the Portuguese flag, which collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker flying the US flag in the North Sea on March 10.

'According to the ship owner, the Solong crew includes five citizens of the Russian Federation.

'Among them is the ship's captain, who was detained by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom and is currently under investigation.

Pictured are the charred remains of cargo ship MV Solong was completely destroyed by Monday's fire. The ship was captained by a Russian national

Pictured is the thick black plume of smoke punching through the sky on Monday as the fires raged on both ships

'All crew members from among Russian citizens are alive, they did not receive injuries as a result of the incident, and the sailors' condition does not cause concern.

'On the evening of March 13, diplomats from the consular section of the Embassy held a detailed telephone conversation with the captain of the vessel.

'According to him, he feels well.

'The Russian citizen has been provided with an interpreter and a lawyer, with whom our employees also maintain constant contact.

'The Embassy is in close contact with the British competent authorities, including with the police station where the ship's captain is currently being held, as well as with the wife of our compatriot.'

Citing the complexity of the case, police said a court had granted them a further 24 hours to keep the Solong's captain in custody, on top of the previous 36-hour extension.

Salvage companies boarded the two vessels on Thursday and were carrying out initial damage assessments, the coastguard said, adding that small fires were still being reported on the Solong's top deck.

Police said extensive lines of inquiry were continuing but it was taking time given the vessels were still at sea and there were a large number of witnesses involved.

A handful of the American crew of the Stena Immaculate spoke about what happened but asked not to be identified.

They were so close to the flames as they boarded the lifeboat that some suffered singed hair. Thankfully all survived without serious injury. One member of the Solong crew is missing presumed dead.

One crewman said: 'Yesterday was a bad start to the day, but it ended gloriously. Why? All 23 of us got off the ship without anybody being in it.' Adding that he was 'pleased to be alive.'

Asked about his actions immediately after the tanker carrying a cargo of jet fuel burst into flames, he said: 'I did have time to think. I ran through the procedures. Because if I hadn't had time to think, we wouldn't have survived.

'We drilled, we trained, we prepared for the unprepared. We do emergency prep non-stop. Regardless of outside uncontrollable forces.'

Marine experts have speculated that the Portuguese-registered Solong was on autopilot when it veered into the tanker with devastating results.

The survivor commented: 'You have to be watching the autopilot. And no one is watching the autopilot.

'It would be like if you were sitting in a car park on Sunday morning, reading a newspaper or playing with your phone, right? And a car enters on the other side of the car park. He's heading for it, but then he falls asleep or he's doing something, and the car just goes careening into the other one.

'Who's at fault? It's clear they are the ones at fault. That's all I can say.'

Another American crewman told CBS news how the other ship 'came from out of the blue.'

He said he was near the section of the Stena Immaculate where the Solong made its impact and that he had only seconds to react when he heard shouts to brace before impact.

All of a sudden 'a massive ship came from out of the blue,' he said.

Other crew members from the Stena Immaculate described how it appeared as if no one was on the bridge of the Solong at the moment of impact, he said.

The Solong continued to drive into the ship for about 10 minutes after initial impact.
The Senate passed a short-term funding bill Friday just hours before a potential government shutdown after Democrats caved and voted with Republicans in a massive controversy.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stoked the rage of his liberal allies after initially telling his members to oppose the GOP-led funding bill before turning on his heels.

A closed-door meeting on Thursday was filled with Democratic senators screaming at each other as they sought to chart a path forward on the shutdown dilemma.

Democrats, under Schumer and House leader Hakeem Jeffries, initially said they would oppose the bill because it gives Trump more leeway to spend money without congressional approval. They wanted Republicans to pass a different bill.

But Schumer folded, and instead he decided against having his party vote 'no' on the government funding measure moving forward.

His capitulation with the Republican plan even earned the New York Democrat praise from Trump, who celebrated Schumer's 'guts and courage' in backing the plan.

The Senate voted to pass the continuing resolution 54 - 46. It will now head to the president for him to sign and approve before funding runs out at midnight.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. On Wednesday Senate Democrats, not in line with the continuing resolution passed by House Republicans providing a six-month funding extension to avert a government shutdown, proposed an alternate plan that would fund the government in the short term through April 11

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has vocally opposed Schumer's decision to drop his opposition to the GOP bill

'Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took 'guts' and courage!' Trump posted on Truth Social before the vote. 'We should all work together on that very dangerous situation.'

'A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning!' Trump's note continued.

Progressive 'Squad' leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called Schumer's play an 'outrage and betrayal.' Calls for AOC to run against the veteran New York Democrat senator have increased sharply in the last 24 hours.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement 'this damaging legislation only makes matters worse' and urged Democrats 'not to buy into this false choice.'

The bill slightly increases defense spending by $6 billion while cutting domestic spending by $13 billion. It funds the government through September 30, 2025.

It also includes provisions that would give President Trump more control over how to spend money without the Capitol's approval.

Democrats were forced to accept the bill Republicans were able to pass the CR through the House on Tuesday along nearly party lines 217 to 213.

Many of the House lawmakers fled town after the vote, making it impossible for the Senate to weigh other legislative options to fund the government, which is what most Democrats wanted.

Schumer initially said from the Senate floor he was advising his caucus to oppose the Republican plan before reversing course

Fetterman was always supportive of the funding bill, continuously noting that forcing a government shutdown would be a bad idea

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., split with her friend Schumer on the matter

Republicans in the Senate needed 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.

But in the end 10 Senate Democrats voted to end the filibuster and allow the bill through.

Senate Republicans needed more than a handful of Democrats to cross the aisle and vote for the Trump-backed GOP bill to keep the government open.

Sen. John Fetterman , D-Pa., predicted the embarrassing scenario would play out yesterday after ridiculing the party on social media, where he wrote that Democrats will ultimately opt to keep the federal engine running.

Other Democrats, meanwhile, expressed fury and have complained Schumer's strategy is a mistake because the bill was rammed through by Republicans who did not make any effort to obtain bipartisan input.

'I will NOT vote to let Elon and Trump pick winners and losers with your taxpayer dollars,' Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a Schumer ally, posted on X. 'Senators were not elected to beg Trump for federal resources.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters: 'I cannot support a Republican budget to grease the skids for tax giveaways to billionaires.'
The BBC has agreed a settlement with four of its female broadcast news presenters over claims including age and sex discrimination after they agreed to drop their case.

Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh were due to begin the latest round of proceedings on Monday after claiming they had lost out on a top flight job in a 'rigged' recruitment process.

But a source at London Central Employment Tribunals court confirmed their discrimination case was withdrawn at the last minute and the hearing vacated.

MailOnline understands a settlement has been reached with no admission of liability - averting a three-week tribunal that had been due to start on Monday.

Karin Giannone confirmed to MailOnline the case has been dropped, saying in a statement on behalf of the four: 'We can confirm that we have reached a resolution with BBC management that avoids the need for a tribunal hearing in respect of our employment-related claims.

'A protracted process lasting almost three years is now over. We've been deeply moved by the support we've received.

'We look forward to contributing further to the success of BBC News, especially to live programming and the growing streaming services that are so important to our audiences.'

The row centred on plans announced in July 2022 to merge its domestic and international news channels - BBC News and BBC World News - and began a search for five chief presenters.

(Left to right) Annita McVeigh, Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone and Kasia Madera pictured in May last year. The four have reportedly agreed to drop a discrimination case against the BBC

The presenters had been among the BBC's best-known presenters before they claimed they were effectively sidelined after failing to secure top jobs in its newly merged news channels

The BBC is reported to have reached a settlement with the four presenters after an appeal due to be heard next week was called off (file picture of Broadcasting House)

But the women alleged that ahead of the merger announcement, Jess Brammar, then-BBC TV channels manager, privately assured four other chief presenters - two men and two younger women - their jobs were safe.

In court documents which were filed ahead of a two-day preliminary hearing in May last year, the women claimed: 'We were put through a predetermined job application process in February 2023.'

All four applied to be chief presenter but were instead offered roles as correspondents, a real terms demotion and pay cut.

The successful candidates were Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Lucy Hockings, Maryam Moshiri, and Yalda Hakim - now of Sky News.

An internal BBC HR investigation concluded in 2023 that no private assurances were made to the successful applicants before the recruitment process.

The corporation insisted its application process was 'rigorous and fair'.

Despite this, the women branded the hiring process 'a sham' and said they were forced off-screen for a year after allegedly being harassed as a result of the process.

The BBC, however, said five other applicants scored more highly than the four women and were appointed following an 'objective assessment'.

Croxall, 56; Giannone, 51; Madera, 49; and McVeigh, 46, also made claims about gender pay discrimination.

They alleged they had not been paid equally compared with an equivalent male presenter since February 2020.

Last year a judge threw this claim out because salary settlements had already been reached - a victory for the BBC.

But Croxall, McVeigh and Madera continued to allege discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, being a union member, and wages. Giannone also maintained she had been discriminated against based on age, sex and wages.

(From left) Kasia Madera, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Annita McVeigh, Karin Giannone and Martine Croxall pictured enjoying a drink together on April 5 last year

The four alleged Jess Brammar (pictured), then BBC TV channels manager, had assured four others their jobs were safe in a 'rigged' recruitment process

Karin Giannone shared this image of herself, Madera, McVeigh, and Croxall on Instagram last week

The women claimed they were left to suffer victimisation, harassment and reputational damage, and were granted approval to have their cases heard jointly.

Croxall was told that she could also make a claim on being a union member as well as on wages.

These claims would have been heard in the hearing that taking place next week had a settlement not been reached.

A BBC spokesperson said tonight: 'After careful consideration we have a reached a resolution which brings to an end protracted legal proceedings with four members of staff and avoids further costs for the BBC.

'In doing so we have not accepted any liability or any of the arguments made against the BBC. We are simply bringing to a close all of the actions brought against us so that all involved can move forward.

'The BBC successfully launched a single BBC News channel in 2023, bringing the best live and breaking news on TV and online both here and around the world.

'We welcome this opportunity to now look to the future, and to work together on delivering for our audiences - which is our first priority.'

In a post last week Croxall, who has worked for the BBC since 1991, paid tribute to her three colleagues 'for their unstinting friendship and support' throughout the legal battle.

Sharing a selfie with her fellow complainants, she said: 'On #InternationalWomensDay I want to thank @KasiaMadera @AnnitaBBC and @KarinBBC for their unstinting friendship and support. Three women of absolute integrity. I could not wish for finer colleagues x.'
The American man last seen with missing spring breaker Sudiksha Konanki refused to answer several key questions when pushed by authorities.

Joshua Riibe, 22, was seen on camera with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana.

Konanki's week-long disappearance has baffled officials and prompted cries from her parents to widen the frantic search for the pre-med student.

The complete transcript from Riibe's police interview has now emerged, detailing his final moments with Konanki and the chaotic aftermath to her mystery disappearance.

Riibe told cops they had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away by a wave. He said he saved her from drowning while almost losing consciousness.

He refused to answer some questions however, with officers probing him over how they could be sure what he was saying was truthful.

Riibe was also asked about what he told his close friend about Sudiksha and what he thought about her disappearance.

Riibe was also asked if he knew if Sudiksha was able to swim, if she made any gestures or cries in the sea, if he called the cops or told the hotel, if he had told his friends about what happened and was also asked how he felt about the situation.

To all of those questions, he said: 'My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice', before going silent.

Joshua Riibe, 22, was seen on camera with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha in the early hours of March 6

The 22-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her

The full transcript of his exchange with detectives is below.

How can we verify that everything you have said corresponds to the truth?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Could you tell us what you told your friend Carter Joseph, when he asked about the missing girl Konanki  Sudiksha?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

What do you think about Sudiksha's disappearance?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Did young Sudikscha know how to swim or not?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Do you remember if young Sudikscha made any gestures or cries while she was in the sea?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Did you inform the authorities or the hotel what had happened to you and the girl on the beach?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Did you tell your friend what had happened with you and the girl on the beach?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

How do you feel about this situation?

My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

Sudiksha Konanki (pictured), 20, vanished last week. Her case has baffled officials and prompted cries from her Indian immigrant parents to widen the frantic to search

Riibe was caught on camera with the University of Pittsburgh student in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort

The former high school wrestling champ has not been named a suspect or a person of interest in the case, and is legally free to fly back to the US whenever he wants.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, claimed he had only just met the young woman when they decided to head to the beach, according to the transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN.

'We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit,' Riibe said. 'A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea. As soon as we were able to surface, we tried to call for help.'

He explained that he previously worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool and tried to bring them both to safety when he started to feel sick.

'I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired of swimming too. I've been a lifeguard. I grabbed her and pulled her out. I held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water,' Riibe said.

The 22-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but claims Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her

'It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult. I was a lifeguard in a pool, not at sea. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didn't let me breathe the whole time and I swallowed a lot of water. I could have lost consciousness several times.'

The 22-year-old said he was able to make it to shore, but claims Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her.

'When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn't out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water,' he said.

'The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn't hear her reply because I started vomiting all the water I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around. I didn't see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.'

He told investigators that he then passed out on the beach and did not hearing anything about Sudiksha until the next day when her friends texted his friend.

'I felt really bad and tired. I laid down on a beach chair. I fell asleep because I couldn't go far,' Riibe said.

'Then I woke up because of the sun and because mosquitoes were biting me. I went to my friend's room to get my phone and then went back to my room to sleep.'

Drones, divers, sniffer dogs and hundreds of officers have been deployed in one of the biggest searches in the history of the Dominican Republic

The somber-faced Rock Rapids, Iowa native declined to answer questions when DailyMail.com encountered him walking through the lobby with his father Mike, 46, and a police chaperone.

'I'm sorry, I can't say anything, not right now,' Riibe told DailyMail.com when we located him inside the five-star Riu Republica hotel in Punta Cana.

Riibe's distraught family said the former high school athlete 'wouldn't hurt a fly.

Josh and his dad, who flew in this week to support his son, have also been in communication with Sudiksha's distraught Indian immigrant parents Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Riibe was seen on hotel CCTV with his arm draped around Sudiksha as they headed to the resort's beach around 4am last Thursday.

She made two payments via her Venmo to an unspecified user on the app on March 5, just hours before she disappeared.

The first transaction was made at 2.54pm to an unnamed 'new user,' and Konanki used a sailboat emoji to describe it.

The second was made at 3:38pm and the description was Coco Bongo, which is a renowned nightclub in Punta Cana.

The cameras spotted him walking back alone at 9.55am. Sudiksha's pals reported her missing at around 4pm.

The 'adults only' Riu Republica was still teeming with cops, soldiers and officials Thursday as the hunt for pre-med student Sudiksha entered a second week.

Drones, divers, sniffer dogs and hundreds of officers have been deployed in one of the biggest searches in the history of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the FBI and Interpol, which issued a 'yellow notice'  a global missing person alert - for the Chantilly, Virginia resident.

Government officials revealed Thursday that the search will carry on at full intensity through at least Sunday, according to Noticias SIN.

Searches are typically stood down after ten days but it could last for as long as six months in a scaled down capacity, the Dominican outlet reported.
A fugitive suspect wanted for the murder of a British businessman has stabbed himself to death while on the run in Kenya.

Campbell Scott was found dead in a forest in February after he went missing in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

Police in the country then launched a manhunt with Samuel Musembi being one the suspects law enforcers were searching for.

Musembi is believed to have stabbed himself multiple times after he first attempted to poison himself, the Kenyan publication Nation reported.

He was believed to have been in hiding where he was staying at a friend's house who was unaware of what he had done.

Once he learnt of his crime he reported him to the police.

On Tuesday evening when the friend returned home from work he discovered the front door was locked.

Once he managed to force his way inside he discovered Musembi unconscious on the bed.

Campbell Scott was killed during a business trip to Kenya

Samuel Musembi, a suspect in the killing of Mr Scott, is believed to have stabbed himself to death after he first attempted to poison himself

He was rushed to hospital where he later died from his injuries.

An autopsy will be carried out to conclude the exact cause of death.

Musembi was one of three men wanted for the murder of Mr Scott.

Kenyas Directorate of Criminal Investigations said it is hunting the men who have fled and gone into hiding following the heinous crime and subsequent dumping of his body.

The directorate named the other suspects as Benard Mbunga Mbusu and Alphonse Munyao Kilewa, alias Edu as the other two suspects.

They were arrested a year ago for abducting and blackmailing a church pastor.

Last February the Directorate of Criminal investigations said Mbusu, Musembi and Kilewa targeted a pastor as he walked to a restaurant in Nairobi.

It was claimed they kidnapped him, tore his clothes off and threatened to embarrass him by releasing photographs of him online.

Alphonse Munyao Kilewa and Benard Mbunga Mbusu are wanted in connection with Mr Scott's death

Two other people have also been arrested in connection with the crime.

Detectives revealed the gang managed to extort 55,000 Kenyan shillings - around 330 - from him during the attack.

The directorate said: The suspects are linked to the brutal murder of 58-year-old Briton Campbell Scott, whose partially decomposed body was found on February 22, 2025 in Makongo Forest, Makueni sub-county.

Scott had arrived in the country just days earlier to attend a business conference.

It has posted images of them on social media site X and urged anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact them.

Mr Scott was last seen attending a conference at the JW Marriot Hotel in Nairobi on February 16.

His body was found in a sack in a forest around 66 miles south-east of Nairobi over the weekend of February 22, with his hands tied.

Earlier this week a court in Kenya ruled two suspects in the murder inquiry can be held for 21 days for further police investigations.

Campbell Scott, 58, vanished from a hotel in Nairobi while he was in the Kenyan capital to attend a conference. His body was reportedly found in a sack more than 80 miles away

Reports indicate the pair appeared in court in Milimani on Monday, after being arrested in connection with the death of Mr Scott.

Mr Scott, from Dunfermline, Fife, was a senior director at credit-scoring firm Fico.

After his death was confirmed, a Fico spokesperson said: We are devastated by this tragic news. Campbell was a leader in our international scores business.

He joined Fico in 2014 and was instrumental in introducing scores to new markets and growing our business with existing partnerships.

We mourn his passing and will miss his humour and kindness.

Our thoughts are with Campbells family and friends.

A spokesman for the National Police Service of Kenya described it as a heinous, heinous crime and said it is an intricate and complex investigation being led by the countrys homicide unit.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said previously: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Kenya and are in contact with the local authorities.
A group of over 100 protesters welcomed Vice President JD Vance to Bay City, Michigan on Friday.

The vice president traveled to Vantage Plastics to promote American manufacturing with Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

'Every opportunity I get to get the hell out of Washington, DC that is a good day,' Vance said after he took the stage.

But left-wing protesters felt differently, holding signs protesting the vice president's visit outside on the side of the road.

'Fascists not welcome in Michigan' one sign read.

'Fascists are not welcome in Bay City,' read another sign.

Other protesters held signs protesting Elon Musk and proclaimed 'This is not normal,' and others simply featured the 'resist' slogan coined by activists.

Other signs demanded Trump's impeachment and for he and Trump to support Ukraine.

'Wrap Vance in plastic ship to Russia,' another sign read.

Vance took on the protesters during his speech, mocking them for not being at work.

'I can't be the only person wondering it's a little after noon on a Friday ... Don't you all have jobs?' he asked with a chuckle as the crowd applauded.

'We want to get those people off of the streets and back to work, it would be good for them, and good for us too,' he added.

Vance defended President Trump's tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and European Union, even though they have shocked the stock market this week.

'We have an American media that says, how dare Donald Trump stand up for the American worker,' he said. 'I speak for the American worker when I say, Thank God for President Trump for finally standing up for the American worker!'

Loeffler also noted the protesters during her remarks at the manufacturing facility.

'I've got bad news for them, this administration will never apologize for standing behind the hard working Americans who power this great nation,' she said as the audience applauded.

The vice president got a much more friendly audience at the plastics manufacturing factory where workers applauded his remarks and chanted 'USA!' after he celebrated the expansion of American manufacturing jobs.

On the other side of the road, Trump/Vance supporters waved flags supporting the vice president's visit.

'When we have foreign countries who use slave labor that undercuts the wages of American workers why haven't we had leadership to help us fight back?' he asked.

Vance also blamed former Vice President Joe Biden for borrowing trillions of dollars during his first and only term as president.

'What did Joe Biden buy with all our borrowed money? And the answer is not a damn thing.'

The vice president hinted about the visit from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, during his remarks.

'It's kind of funny to see some of our Democratic governors in various parts  I won't mention which states exactly  coming the Oval Office and begging for economic development under Trump's leadership they knew they would never get under Biden's leadership,' he said.
Police are investigating a possible arson attempt at the New Jersey home of a Bayer executive amid growing fears for the safety of pharma bigwigs following the assignation of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Authorities descended on the home in Madison, about 15 miles west of Newark, to investigate a fire that broke out about 7.30am on March 4.

While the fire was extinguished without any substantial property damage or injury to the occupants, the investigation has escalated to include multiple local and stage agencies, as well as the transit police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

It comes after the arrest of Luigi Mangione, 26, on charges of allegedly murdering Thompson, 50. The high profile case led to a bizarre wave of support from the accused killer's devoted fans - including over $720,000 in donations to his legal defense fund.

Nicole Hayes, a spokesman for the German pharmaceutical company, confirmed that the incident took place at the 'private home of one of Bayer's U.S. executives' and stated that the 'family is safe and unharmed.

'The safety and security of our employees are of utmost importance to Bayer,' Hayes told the Daily Record.

'The incident is under active investigation. The company is cooperating fully with the investigation. We appreciate the quick response of local law enforcement.'

Bayer has been lobbying US lawmakers for stronger legal protections over the past year, with Reuters reporting last week that the company threatened to stop selling popular products like Roundup.

A Bayer executive's New Jersey home is under investigation by federal and state authorities for a possible arson attempt.

Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson (pictured), 50, on December 4 outside of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan

Accused UnitedHealth care CEO shooter Luigi Mangione received his largest defense fund donation yet from a mystery donor

The company has faced thousands of claims alleging that exposure to glyphosatethe active ingredient in Roundup for home use until 2023caused non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Bayer has already paid approximately $10 billion to settle disputed claims, but around 67,000 cases remain pending. The company has set aside $5.9 billion in legal provisions to address ongoing litigation.

The timing of this suspected arson raises larger concerns as it follows closely on the heels of the murder of Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024.

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside of the Hilton hotel while the CEO made his way to an investor conference.

Mangione, who is currently locked up at Brooklyn's infamous Metropolitan Center, pleaded not guilty to the 11 charges in his indictment, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorism.

The Maryland native has also been charged in the Big Apple with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third-degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth-degree, and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree.

He has attracted a cult following as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills, with one anonymous supporter donating $36,500 via GiveSendGo.

The 26-year-old faces life in prison without parole if convicted of the state charges.

On March 4th, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a fire occurred at an occupied home in Madison, New Jersey, about 15 miles west of Newark, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office

He has been fiercely backed by a slew of fans who have praised Mangione for his alleged actions

One of his federal charges, murder through use of a firearm, is eligible for the death penalty.

Authorities have not linked the Bayer attack to the shock murder of Thompson.

Bayer, a company with roots in Germany dating back to 1863, operates globally in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

According to information provided on their official website, their initial focus was on the manufacturing and distribution of synthetic dyestuffs

Today, Bayer is a major global pharmaceutical company, producing well-known products like aspirin, Alka-Seltzer, Claritin, and Aleve.

In 2013, Bayer invested $250 million to consolidate its U.S. operations into a new headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey, a project incentivized by a $35.1 million state grant.

The opening ceremony was attended by former Governor Chris Christie. However, Bayer's reputation has been challenged since its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018, primarily due to the acquired Roundup herbicide.
An unruly woman who forced a packed holiday jet to make an unscheduled landing is set to be hit with a 15,000 bill.

The woman, who has not been named and is thought to be in her late 40s, was onboard with her family and had been drinking for most of the flight according to eyewitnesses.

Trouble flared two hours after the Wizz Air flight took off from Gatwick to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada last Wednesday afternoon.

The woman swapped seats with another passenger on the plane and then became unruly, swearing to flight crew who had asked her to calm down.

Eventually the pilot decided to divert the plane midway through the five-hour flight and the A321 landed at Athens airport in Greece where it was met by police.

Video footage obtained by MailOnline shows three officers marching the passenger off the plane while other holiday makers clap and cheer.

Wizz Air is now looking at recouping the extra costs it incurred as a result of the diversion in fuel, staff hours and hotel costs as well as timetable disruption, through the courts.

It follows on from an announcement in January when low-cost carrier Ryanair said it would be suing an unruly passenger who caused a Dublin to Lanzarote flight to make an unscheduled stop in Portugal last April.

An unruly British woman is escorted off a flight from the UK to Egypt which had to be diverted to Greece

The woman swapped seats with another passenger on the plane and then became unruly, swearing to flight crew who had asked her to calm down

Video footage obtained by MailOnline shows three officers marching the passenger off the plane while other holiday makers clap and cheer

It is thought a replacement plane and crew had to make the return trip to Gatwick and the flight back was delayed 24 hours as a result of the delay, incurring further costs.

When asked what possible action Wizz Air would take, a spokesperson told MailOnline: 'It would involve filing legal proceedings against the passenger seeking damages owing to the substantial disruption it caused to other passengers, our crew and Wizz Air's operations more generally.'

An earlier statement said: 'We can confirm that a passenger aboard our W9 5777 London Gatwick - Hurghada flight on the 12th of March had to be removed from the flight due to inappropriate behaviour towards our crew.

'This passenger's inexcusable conduct forced this flight to divert to Athens where it was delayed for a short time before going on to the destination.

'The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. Wizz Air has a strict policy against harassment and passenger misconduct and will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to ensure the safety and security of everyone aboard our flights.

'It is completely unacceptable that passengers who work hard to enjoy a trip away are negatively impacted due to one passenger's failure to behave.'

An airline source said: 'These stops due to unruly passengers are getting more and more frequent and people need to know the consequences of their actions.

'Unscheduled stops cost money, and they also cause disruption to passengers and to crew and plane rostering, it's not right that airlines and passengers should suffer.'

It follows on from an announcement in January when low-cost carrier Ryanair said it would be suing an unruly passenger who caused a Dublin to Lanzarote flight to make an unscheduled stop in Portugal last April

In a statement on Friday, Greek police told MailOnline: 'On Wednesday March 12, a British national passenger under the influence of alcohol, and with a child, was causing problems on a flight.

'An emergency landing was made after the captain was informed and she was arrested for obstruction. She was taken to the prosecutor's office and has now been released. No further detail will be forthcoming.'

Passenger Micheal Hands, 58, who was onboard with his girlfriend Catherine Roberts, told MailOnline: 'It was absolute bedlam, I've never seen anything like it.

'This woman had clearly been drinking all flight and maybe the crew shouldn't have carried on serving her as it probably led to her kicking off.

'She was sitting behind me and then she moved seat, but she wasn't happy and started arguing with the cabin crew.

'By this point we were two hours into the flight and somewhere over Greece.

'To be fair to the crew they did their best but in the end it just got too much and the captain came on the tannoy and said: 'If the unruly passenger doesn't return to hers eat in two minutes we are making an emergency landing'.

'Of course, there was some booing and jeering at the woman, but nothing happened and in the end, we landed at Athens and the police came onboard and took her off  much to everyone's delight.'

Flight tracking apps show flight W95777 taking off 20 minutes late from Gatwick at 14.26 on Wednesday afternoon with a scheduled arrival of 21.25 local after a five-hour flight

Flight tracking apps show flight W95777 taking off 20 minutes late from Gatwick at 14.26 on Wednesday afternoon with a scheduled arrival of 21.25 local after a five-hour flight.

Around two and a half hours later just as the flight crosses into Greek airspace it carries on southwards towards Egypt before making a U-turn and heading back towards Athens.

After a two-hour delay on the ground while the woman is dealt with the plane then takes off and lands at Hurghada just over two hours later than scheduled.

One holidaymaker is heard to shout: 'Too late to cry now,' as the woman is escorted off the plane.

While another shouts: 'Sorry, doesn't really cut it,' as she is taken down the aisle and the woman replies: 'Shut your mouth.'

In another clip after the woman is taken off the captain is heard announcing the plane to thanks passengers for 'their understanding' adding they will 'hopefully get them to the right destination as quickly as possible'.

Sources at Wizz Air said the costs incurred included seven visas for the crew of the plane who had to remain in Egypt overnight because of hours worked, plus their accommodation.

While 100 rooms, as well as meals had to be found for passengers who were waiting to catch the return flight to Gatwick which eventually took off the next day.

A source said:' 'All in all this could prove to be very costly for the passenger concerned, it's not right passengers and the airline should foot the bill for someone's misbehaviour.'

* Do you know the woman passenger? E-mail tips@dailymail.co.uk.
This is the dramatic moment a heroic female tourist saved a man from drowning after spotting him struggling underwater at a Sri Lankan beauty spot.

Farah Putri Mulyani was enjoying a swim at Diyaluma Falls last month and capturing the experience on her GoPro camera for a travel vlog when she heard screams nearby.

The frightening footage shows the 39-year-old rushing to help, pulling the nearly lifeless man, who had been struggling underwater, to the surface.

She can be seen diving underneath the water, grabbing the man by his wrist and using her free arm and legs to quickly swim upwards.

Farah, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, now wants to use her terrifying experience to push for change, urging authorities to implement safety measures at natural attractions in a bid to avoid similar incidents in future.

'I don't want this to just be another heroic story where people applaud me and that's the end of it', she said. 'This has to lead to real change. The government has a duty to warn people about potential dangers.'

Recalling the rescue, she added: 'With my left hand I grabbed his left wrist then I locked my elbow under his armpit and I started kicking.

'He was almost lifeless so it was easier to kick and move upwards.'

Farah Putri Mulyani wants to use her terrifying experience to push for change, urging authorities to implement safety measures at natural attractions in a bid to avoid similar incidents in future

The 39-year-old was enjoying a swim at Diyaluma Falls last month and capturing the experience on her GoPro camera for a travel vlog

She was filming at the beauty spot when she heard screaming nearby and rushed to help

The footage captured the moment she spotted the man underneath the murky waters

She described how she grabbed him and used her free arm and legs to frantically reach the surface

The footage captured the man hugging his friends after the terrifying ordeal

Farah could be seen supporting the man as he caught his breath at the surface

She then turned back to her viewers to discuss the terrifying incident

Farah is now preparing a proposal to hand over to the Sri Lankan government, calling for better safety measures at waterfalls

She added that she has seen similar incidents happen around the globe, and believes they happen because there are gaps in safety measures and the individual preparedness of tourists.

She is now preparing a proposal to hand over to the Sri Lankan government, calling for better safety measures at waterfalls, starting with signs which outline the depth levels, currents and safe swimming areas.

'In many places swimming isn't encouraged or accessible, leading to a lack of water survival skills and awareness of natural hazards', she said.

'When you combine that with a lack of safety measures at high-risk locations, it creates the perfect storm.

'Drowning isn't just about 'bad luck. If people knew where the deep areas are, if there are clear visible warnings many of these incidents wouldn't happen at all.

'This rescue showed the problem first hand. But the real test is what happens next.

'I hope this story sparks a conversation, and I'd be happy to work with authorities to develop clear, intuitive safety measures that could save lives.'

'If Sri Lanka acts now, it has the chance to set a global example in waterfall safety, showing the world, it values human life.'
Three bungling kidnappers lured an Israeli musician to a remote cottage in Wales with financial, political and religious motives, a court heard.

Faiz Shah, 23, Mohammad Comrie, 23, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20, carefully planned the kidnap of Jewish composer Itay Kashti who described the ordeal as 'my own personal October 7.'

Falsely claiming to be a Polydor Records executive, the three friends invited Mr Kashti to a music event which would be attended by music producers and other musicians.

They paid for a taxi to take him to an AirBnB in Ceredigion where they were waiting in face masks and gloves and enough supplies to keep him captive for a week.

But after attacking the married composer they handcuffed him to a radiator, failing to notice he could slide along a pipe and get free.

The trio came up with a kidnap plan, described in court as 'highly sophisticated in its planning but highly amateurish in its execution.'

Prosecutor Craig Jones said: 'A Telegram group chat was set up by the defendants in which they discussed many aspects of the plot.

'They called themselves Banger, Paul Graham and Fly Adam and referred to the kidnap operation as The Lick.'

Mohammad Comrie, 23, alongside two other men have been sentenced to eight years for kidnapping an Israeli musician at a remote cottage in west Wales

Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 30, was also a part of the trio. They kidnapped the Jewish composer Itay Kashti who described the ordeal as 'my own personal October 7'

'There are many messages between the three defendants about how to make their dealings with Mr Kashti seem realistic and professional.'

Swansea Crown Court heard the three kidnappers made a shopping list which included handcuffs, a blinfold, gag, zip ties and ketamine to drug their intended target.

Mr Jones said: 'They emailed Mr Kashti claiming to be a fictitious A&R man from Polydor Records by the name of Lucas Winslow inviting him to a recording camp in Wales.

'They told him it was a gathering of a group of producers and songwriters for a collaboration.

'He would be picked up by a driver, given a remuneration package and they requested an invoice.

'Mr Kashti responded and said he would be happy to participate - as far as he was concerned he was attending a legitimate music recording event.'

Mr Jones said it was a 'careful and deliberate plot' to secure his attendance and the trio made their dealings with their intended victim 'realistic and professional'.

Under the made up name of James Sullivan, they rented Gate House cottage, near the town of Llanybydder for a week and stocked it with enough supplies to hold Mr Kashti until a ransom was paid.

Mr Jones said: 'Their motivation was two-fold. Firstly they intended to extort money from the individual who they perceived to be wealthy.

'But there was a clear political and religious motivation. In the discussions between the defendants they refer to him attending pro-Israeli marches in London and one of them said:"I know this guy is involved in West Bank settlements, taking Palestinians land."

Faiz Shah, 23, was also sentenced to eight years behind bars. The trio's kidnap plot was described as 'highly sophisticated in its planning but highly amateurish in its execution'

They rented Gate House cottage, near the town of Llanybydder for a week and stocked it with enough supplies to hold Mr Kashti until a ransom was paid.

The three kidnappers, who met online, planned to launder the ransom money by converting it into crypto-currency.

One message on an encrypted Telegram group stated: 'All three of us have complete, 100 per cent faith in Allah so we can't fail.'

But the kidnap on August 25 last year went badly wrong when the taxi driver who took the composer to the cottage helped him inside with his guitar and luggage and found they had walked into a 'well-laid' trap.

The driver was attacked by the gang but managed to escape and raise the alarm. By that time Mr Kashti had also been taken to the floor where he was kicked and punched and threatened with death if he tried to escape.

Mr Jones said: 'They handcuffed him to a radiator but he was able to lift himself up and free himself from a pipe.

'He took his mobile phone from a table , escaped and hid in bushes where he called his wife to tell her what had happened to him.'

The gang was rounded up in nearby fields and police found cash, mobile phones and fraudulent bank cards issued in the name of James Sullivan inside the cottage.

Comrie, from Leeds, Shah from Bradford, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime from Wallington, London, all admitted kidnap. They were each given sentences of eight years and one month with Ogunnubi-Sime serving his time in a young offenders' institution.

An air pistol recovered from the rural cottage where the three men kept the victim hostage

A rubber face mask which was a part of the trio's 'shopping list' was also found at the property

Mr Kashti was held at the property with the three men using cable ties to tie him to a radiator. He managed to escape and call his wife

In his personal impact statement Mr Kashti said: 'As an Israeli, this was my own personal October 7.' He added that as he was lying on the floor he thought of the six million Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

He said: 'I don't know how I can go on working in the music industry, it has left me with anxiety and feelings of isolation and loss of confidence.'

Judge Catherine Richards said the offence 'involved significant and highly sophisticated planning' and they targeted Kashti 'based on your understanding of his wealth, his Jewish heritage and your racial hostility'.

Mr Kashti was supported by the Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from terrorism and antisemitism.

It issued a statement afterwards from Mr Kashti  whom it did not identify  in which he said: As an Israeli, this incident felt like my own personal October the 7th.

I was kicked to the head several times, handcuffed to a radiator and forced to lie down on the floor.

I was threatened and told if I were to try and escape, Id be killed.

The awful attack of 7th of October was flashing through my mind as I lay restrained on the floor in handcuffs.

I cant deny the strong and devastating impact this brutal and unnecessary attack has had on my life.

'The awful attack of 7th of October was flashing through my mind as I lay restrained on the floor in handcuffs,' said in a statement via the Community Security Trust

My physical injuries lasted for weeks, and I have been suffering with anxiety, which I have never experienced before.

I am so grateful to CST for all the support they have given me.

Thanking police and prosecutors for bringing the kidnappers to justice, CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner said The combination of criminality and anti-Jewish hatred could easily have resulted in a far worse, perhaps even fatal outcome.

We will continue to work with the police and all other partners to ensure the safety of our Jewish community and to bring perpetrators of antisemitism to justice.

Inspector Gareth Jones of Dyfed Powys Police said: This sentence today reflects the severity of this offence and the ordeal the victim suffered  and we hope it gives the victim a sense of justice.

We thank him for his strength, bravery and patience whilst we carried out a thorough investigation into what was an extraordinary crime.
The parents of American Joshua Riibe have hit out at authorities in the Dominican Republic for 'detaining' their son under 'irregular conditions' as the hunt for missing spring breaker Sudiksha Konanki enters its second week.

The 22-year-old college student was the last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha alive at the five-star Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana in the early hours of March 6.

He has not been named a suspect nor a person of interest in the Dominican Republic, and is legally free to fly back to the US whenever he wants.

But Riibe remains holed up in a private corner of the sprawling party complex - a virtual prisoner in paradise - while he continues to cooperate with police and search agencies.

In a lengthy statement shared with DailyMail.com on Friday, parents Tina and Albert 'Mike' Riibe expressed their 'deep sorrow and solidarity' with Sudiksha's family and said their son is 'deeply dismayed' by her disappearance.

They also revealed they have now retained legal counsel after learning Joshua has been subjected to 'extensive questioning' and placed under police surveillance since last week.

'We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the family of Sudiksha Konanski during this painful time. Above all, we wish to contribute to the search efforts and understand the anguish and uncertainty they are going through and we share the hope that Sudiksha will be found as soon as possible,' the letter states.

'Joshua Riibe is deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has fully cooperated in the search and clarification of the facts from the very beginning.'

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who disappeared during a Spring Break trip in Punta Cana on March 6, was last seen alive by fellow American college student Josh Riibe (right)

The surveillance video footage showed Riibe and Sudiksha together the night she vanished. When DailyMail.com found him in the hotel he said: 'I'm sorry, I can't say anything, not right now'

They added: 'Despite his full willingness to cooperate, Josh has been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday, March 12.

'He has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6, where he has been interrogated for long hours.

'This situation has raised serious concern within his family, which has led us to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process.'

The parents described their son, a former high school wrestler, as a 'kind', humorous, and dedicated young man who is committed to his community.

They also expressed their gratitude for the support they have received and reiterated their hope that Sudiksha will be found safe.

'We recognize that this is a complex and painful situation for all parties involved, and we trust that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and justice,' the parents added.

'Our only interest is that due process be respected and that actions be taken with the fairness that the situation requires.'

Riibe looked stressed and exhausted as he waited for yet more talks Friday with Dominican officials.

Riibe, 22, a college senior at the St. Cloud University in Minnesota, reportedly told cops that he and Sudiksha went into the sea and were swept away by a wave

Riibe was seen talking to law enforcement at beach next to the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on Monday. He has changed his story about what happened that night, authorities said

At one point he lay down on a couch close to managers office and slept as a dozen or so unformed officers from the police, military and various agencies kept a close eye on him and his father Albert, who goes by the nickname Mike.

He cut a dejected figure as half-dressed tourists filed past clutching cocktails and beers, cackling with laughter as they looked forward to yet another big night of partying.

Riibe was seen on hotel CCTV with his arm draped around Sudiksha as they headed to the resort's beach around 4am last Thursday.

The cameras spotted him walking back alone at 9:55am. Sudiksha's pals reported her missing at around 4pm.

Earlier on Friday, Konanki's Venmo payments emerged, revealing her final movements before she vanished from a resort in the Dominican Republic.

Her transactions show she made two payments to an unspecified user on the app on March 5 - hours before she disappeared from the five-star Riu Republica resort where she was staying with friends.

Venmo allows users to send money or request it from anyone else who has the app with a few simple taps.

The first transaction was made at 2:54pm to an unnamed 'new user,' and Konanki used a sailboat emoji to describe it.

Joshua Riibe (pictured) was seen leaving the prosecutor's office for the province of La Altagracia after he was peppered with over 50 questions about the disappearance of Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki

Sudiksha's week-long disappearance has baffled officials and prompted cries from her parents to widen the frantic search for the pre-med student

The second was made at 3:38pm and the description was Coco Bongo, which is a renowned nightclub in Punta Cana, as first reported by The US Sun.

It was to Ananya Chilakamarri, one of the students on the trip. There's no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Chilakamarri's part.

Investigators continue to search for the the University of Pittsburgh student from Virginia who vanished while visiting the Caribbean with five other people during spring break from classes.

Riibe has reportedly claimed he saved her from drowning after they kissed in the water at the beach.

Konanki's week-long disappearance has baffled officials and prompted cries from her parents to widen the frantic search for the pre-med student.

The complete transcript from Riibe's police interview has since emerged, detailing his final moments with Konanki and the chaotic aftermath to her mystery disappearance.

But he refused to answer several critical questions, remaining silent when cops asked if Konanki could swim, if she cried for help and what he confided in friend after the tragic night.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, claimed he had only just met the young woman when they decided to head to the beach, according to the transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN.

The University of Pittsburgh student vanished while visiting the Caribbean with five other friends

Powerfully built Riibe was an all-around athlete in high school. He even made the Iowa State Championships for wrestling

He revealed they had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away by a wave. He said he saved her from drowning while almost losing consciousness.

'We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit,' Riibe said. 'A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea. As soon as we were able to surface, we tried to call for help.'

He explained that he previously worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool and tried to bring them both to safety when he started to feel sick.

'I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired of swimming too. I've been a lifeguard. I grabbed her and pulled her out. I held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water,' Riibe said.

'It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult. I was a lifeguard in a pool, not at sea. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didn't let me breathe the whole time and I swallowed a lot of water. I could have lost consciousness several times.'

He said he was able to make it to shore, but claims Sudiksha was still wading in the water when he last saw her.

'When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn't out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water,' he said.

'The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn't hear her reply because I started vomiting all the water I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around. I didn't see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.'

He told investigators that he then passed out on the beach and did not hearing anything about Sudiksha until the next day when her friends texted his friend.

'I felt really bad and tired. I laid down on a beach chair. I fell asleep because I couldn't go far,' Riibe said.

'Then I woke up because of the sun and because mosquitoes were biting me. I went to my friend's room to get my phone and then went back to my room to sleep.'

Riibe's distraught family said the former high school athlete 'wouldn't hurt a fly.

Josh and his dad, who flew in this week to support his son, have also been in communication with Sudiksha's distraught Indian immigrant parents Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, DailyMail.com previously revealed.
Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk have been urged to surrender by Vladimir Putin after Donald Trump urged Russia to 'spare' their lives.

Moscow has recaptured the vast majority of territory seized by Kyiv in its cross-border assault into Kursk last August, including in a rapid counteroffensive over the last week.

Putin insisted that Ukrainian forces in Kursk would be 'guaranteed life and dignified treatment' if they laid down their arms.

He said in a televised address: 'We are sympathetic to President Trump's call.

'If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment.'

But he added: 'In order to effectively implement the US president's call, (there needs to be) a corresponding order from Ukraine's military-political leadership to its military to lay down their arms and surrender.'

In a social media post, the US President had called on Putin to avoid a 'horrible massacre' and spare the lives of 'thousands' of vulnerable Ukrainian soldiers who he said were 'completely surrounded'.

Mr Trump wrote: 'I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II.'

Kyiv denied Mr Trump's claims that units had been encircled. However Volodymyr Zelensky admitted the situation in Kursk was 'very difficult'.

In a televised address, Vladimir Putin said he would spare Ukrainian forces in Kursk if they laid down their arms

Donald Trump called on the Russian President to avoid a 'horrible massacre' and spare thousands of soldiers he said were 'completely surrounded'

Russian forces walk down a street in Kursk region, which was recently retaken from Kyiv

Russian soldiers in Kursk. Moscow has retaken control of the region, which was seized by Ukraine last August

But the Ukrainian president insisted that Russia had been forced to pull troops from other embattled areas, allowing Kyiv to keep control of the logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

He said: 'I think the situation in the Pokrovsk sector is now stable, and it will be very difficult to find an opportunity to occupy Pokrovsk again.'

It comes as a top commander said that Ukrainian troops forced out of Kursk fear Putin foresaw the US would cut military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze cannot 'shake off the feeling' as Moscow appeared primed and captured key villages in the territory within hours of the decision.

But despite the setback, Volodymyr Zelensky's popularity has 'sky rocketed' on the front since his showdown with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

The special forces officer also vowed that Ukraine will fight on with or without US aid as he slammed Elon Musk as 'not stable' and 'widely hated'.

Lt Col Nadiradze and his men were among 1,000 soldiers who took swathes of the Russian region in a daring counter-offensive last August.

They forced Russia to divert its best fighters and employ North Korean troops to try and eject them from the 390 square miles they seized for over seven months.

It relieved pressure from the rest of the front and it was hoped the land would be a key bargaining chip in the peace negotiations.

But after President Trump paused military aid and intelligence sharing two weeks ago, Russia has now forced them to retreat from most of the territory.

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An explosion erupts from an apartment block in Mariupol in March 2022

A Ukrainian soldier in the Donetsk region on March 13 2025

Lt Col Nadiradze told the Mail: 'I could not shake off the feeling and impression that they knew beforehand that Trump would cut off military aid and intelligence sharing - the latter of which was a huge detriment to our efforts.

'The very day Trump announced his decision, the Russians got two villages  Zhuravka and Novenke, giving them logistical access to Sudzha, the biggest town in Ukrainian-controlled Kursk, which the Russians have now all but taken, their flags are in the town centre.

'There was a real danger of being encircled there, so the command decided to vacate.'

Explaining the damage done by Washington's decision, Lt Col Nadiradze, who commands a reconnaissance special ops group, said it had 'hurt my unit the most'.

'We didn't have the data about their movements, no satellite images,' he said.

'We controlled Kursk for seven months and could have held for some more, if not for the cutoff of the intelligence sharing in real time from the U.S.'

Lt Col Nadiradze did not mince his words when it came to Musk, who has acted as a cheerleader for Trump posting anti-Ukraine messages on his social media platform X.

'Musk is widely hated not only in the Ukrainian army, but in the entire Ukraine, after things he has said and done,' he said. 'He has only himself to blame for it.'

Elon Musk outside the White House earlier this month. A top commander in the Ukraine forces said that the tech billionaire 'widely hated' in the country

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky arguing in the Oval Office. Zelensky 's popularity has 'sky rocketed' on the front since his showdown with Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a press conference in Moscow. Ukrainian troops forced out of Kursk fear Vladimir Putin knew the US would cut military aid and intelligence sharing, a top commander has said

The officer claimed Musk had previously cut off Starlink, his satellite link that allows Ukrainians to operate on the front line.

'Right before we were to carry out a very serious operation in Crimea, he cut it off and we couldn't do it then,' he said.

'So I don't trust him, he is not a stable man and I would be surprised if he stays in the Trump team for long.

'But Starlink, while the best option currently, can be replaced, perhaps not fully, but adequately enough, there are alternatives, including the state intelligence shared by France and UK, which was a huge help during the week that the US intel was cut off.'

Lt Col Nadiradze said morale is in fact now high after their President stood up to Mr Trump in the Oval Office last month.

'Zelensky's popularity in the army skyrocketed, he was seen as someone unafraid to defend the state's interests, their interests,' he said.

'Nothing could have won him more hearts here, among soldiers, than his unwillingness to back down and be bullied. The motivation has doubled overnight.'

While manpower is a problem, it is not 'catastrophic', he said, and 'the firm belief is that Ukraine will fight on, with or without US aid'. They hope that the UK and the Europe will step up as Russia is a threat to 'the entire West'.

A Ukrainian soldier is placed in trenches retaken from the Russian army on the front line as the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Donetsk Region

A damaged apartment block following Russian bombing in the city of Kostiantynivka in March 2025

Despite the reversal, he said the mission to take Kursk was still a success as it prevented a 'huge Russian offensive' on Zaporizhzhia and stopped them taking the key town of Pokrovsk.

'We fought on Russian soil and they turned their own cities and buildings into rubble this time, not Ukrainian,' he said.

He estimated Russia accounted for 70 per cent of losses in Kursk before the intelligence blackout but in recent days Ukraine has suffered 'heavy casualties'.

The officer said the enemy are now 'executing' a number of Ukrainian troops taken prisoner 'which goes against everything that can be considered as rules of war'.

As Putin rejected Trump's ceasefire deal and laid down his own set of onerous conditions, Lt Col Nadiradze said he is 'sceptical' either side will break the impasse.

'I really don't believe it will happen,' Lt Col Nadiradze said. 'Russia has put forward conditions that equal capitulation and nobody in their sane mind would accept them. Ukrainians will reject them  and Americans too, hopefully.

'They will try to use every ceasefire for their interests, to renew the hostilities with greater efforts, as they have done a million times back in Ukraine.'

He said he favours a Turkish, British and French led peacekeeping force in Ukraine, but warned Russia will never accept this 'unless absolutely forced to'.

'And they won't be forced to,' he added, 'unless the current situation on the front changes - and we need help to make that happen.'
A Florida honors student who allegedly stabbed his mother to death in her sleep when he was 13 years old could pin the crime on his mental health at trial, attorneys said on Friday.

Derek Rosa, 14, awaits trial for first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to stabbing his 39-year-old mother Irina Garcia over 40 times with a kitchen knife in October 2023.

As attorneys prepare for trial, state attorneys have been left in the dark if Rosa's defense would be bringing in mental health experts as witnesses, NBC 6 reported.

Defense attorneys stated they were not ready to provide names of the mental health experts, but would be soon, according to the outlet.

Presiding Judge Richard Hersch asked if Rosa's attorneys would be using an insanity defense, why they waited almost two years to do so.

Hersch told Rosa's attorneys that should they be planning on using the insanity defense, they must provide the proper paperwork as soon possible. The judge also added that they have had ample time with Rosa to do so.

Meanwhile, this isn't the only piece of contention in the case between the prosecution and defense.

A former officer declined showing up to his most recent deposition, according to state attorneys. And while prosecutors have said they won't need the officer for the trial, defense attorneys disagreed and want to sit down with Hialeah for further questioning, NBC reported.

Rosa was also, once again, denied a transfer from Metro West County Jail, an adult facility, to a juvenile facility.

Derek Rosa, 14, awaits trial for first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to stabbing his 39-year-old mother Irina Garcia 46 times and slashing her throat with a kitchen knife in October 2023

The 13-year-old was seen in eerie black and white images looming over his mom with a time stamp at 11 pm. Rosa called 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm

Defense attorneys stated they were not ready to provide names of the mental health experts, but would be soon

Since being incarcerated, Rosa's defense attorneys have claimed that the adult jail has violated his rights.

They alleged the jail had not been allowed Rosa enough time outside of his cell nor for school hours.

According to records obtained by NBC, Rosa had been kept in solitary confinement at the jail for the most part. In March 2024, the records showed he had been allowed out of his cell for only 119 hours with five allotted for educational purposes.

Hersch said in trial on Friday that he wanted Rosa's case to go to trial as soon as possible and set June as a tentative date, NBC reported.

The teen entered a not guilty plea in December 2023 after his arrest in October.

However, interrogation footage showed the teen describing the size and color of the knife he allegedly used to commit the crime.

He was further questioned by detectives who asked: 'Your mom was sleeping?'

Rosa went on to confirm: 'Yeah, she was sleeping.'

Judge Richard Hersch told Rosa's attorneys that should they be planning on using the insanity defense they must provide the proper paperwork as soon possible. The judge added that they have had ample time with Rosa to do so

Rosa is also accused of taking a smiling selfie to a friend directly after the killing, where he was sticking his tongue out with what appears to be blood smeared on his hands

The video showed the teenager showing detectives his bloody hands and pointing to his neck when asked where he stabbed his mother.

He also told the detective that his mother screamed when he attacked her, before he then asked for an attorney.

On December 15, 2023, a pre-trial hearing saw prosecutors playing a recording of Rosa allegedly speaking to a detective directly after the stabbing, where he said: 'I woke up, I grabbed one of the kitchen knives and I went to her room... I killed her.'

After hearing the disturbing tape, Miami Dade Circuit Judge Richard Hersch ordered the teen to be held in an adult jail until his trial commences.

At a separate hearing, baby-cam footage showed Rosa standing over his sleeping mother in her bed, moments before he allegedly stabbed her 46 times.

The 13-year-old was seen in eerie black-and-white images looming over his mom with a time stamp at 11 pm. Rosa called 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm.

Officers detailed finding a grisly scene when they arrived at the home, with Garcia left splayed on the floor with dozens of knife wounds, including a slashed artery in her neck.

Lying near to the deceased mother was her two-week-old baby still in her crib.

Rosa is also accused of taking a smiling selfie to a friend directly after the killing, where he was sticking his tongue out with what appears to be blood smeared on his hands.

Rosa's family expressed shock over the charges and said he was a 'good kid' and that 'no one could imagine this would ever happen'

The video showed the teenager showing detectives his bloody hands and pointing to his neck when asked where he stabbed his mother. He also told the detective that his mother screamed when he attacked her, before he then asked for an attorney

Interrogation footage showed the teen describing the size and color of the knife he allegedly used to commit the crime

Police said after taking the pictures, Rosa asked a dispatcher if the move was 'bad'.

He also allegedly claimed that he found two guns owned by his stepfather after the stabbing and planned to commit suicide but didn't go through with the plan.

Rosa's family expressed shock over the charges and said he was a 'good kid' and that 'no one could imagine this would ever happen'.

The detective who interviewed Rosa after he allegedly carried out the murder, Hialeah Police officer Joseph Elosegui, said that investigators found additional evidence after looking through Rosa's internet activity.

He claimed the 13-year-old researched the best way to kill someone and whether a small knife would be able to cut through bone.

The teenager has also had a flock of outside support from women, many unrelated to Rosa, from across the country.

The women held a protest earlier this year outside the Metro Justice building, NBC reported.

Hersch said in trial on Friday that he wanted Rosa's case to go to trial as soon as possible, and set June as a tentative date

On December 15, 2023, a pre-trial hearing saw prosecutors playing a recording of Rosa speaking to a detective directly after the stabbing, where he said: 'I woke up, I grabbed one of the kitchen knives and I went to her room... I killed her'

Laying near to the deceased mother was her two-week-old baby still in her crib

Ariana Reyes from Chicago was at the protest and said it was her ninth trip to Miami to protest for Rosa.

'We want Derek Rosa's freedom. We want justice for Irina Garcia. We want the real person who committed this passion crime to be charged fully. Derek Rosa did not do it. He's a child,' Reyes told the outlet.

'I got really, really touched about the case of Derek Rosa and what happened to his mom,' she said, after stating she learned about the case on social media.

The other women who were at the protest were reportedly chanting 'free Derek,' outside the courthouse, WSVN reported.

The protests are not event the full extent of his support as a Change.org petition was also generated.

The petition argues that Rosa is a 'young boy who has autism and looks very disorientated at what is happening around and to him.'

'His maternal grandmother and his father have spoken about the young boy, that he is a good boy, and they want him in juvenile, but the Judge wants to sentence him like an adult,' the petition says.

It further argues that the figure seen on the baby-cam footage is too 'heavy set' to be that of a teenage boy.

The petition has garnered more than 26,600 signatures as of March 14.
The SNPs Westminster leader and 15 ousted MPs who were rejected by voters are bidding for seats at Holyrood  as another current Cabinet minister joined the exodus of current MSPs.

Stephen Flynn and fellow current MPs Dave Doogan and Stephen Gethins have all put their names forward for vetting and been approved by the party as potential candidates for next years elections.

In addition, 15 former MPs who were defeated in last years general election - including Alyn Smith, Patricia Gibson and Alison Thewliss  have been approved and are in the running to seek nomination to Holyrood constituencies.

Shamed former Health Secretary Michael Matheson  who was suspended from the Scottish parliament for 27 sitting days and had his wages docked for 54 days in what was the biggest sanction ever handed out by the Scottish parliament after running up 10,936 of data roaming charges on his parliamentary iPad during a festive family holiday in Morocco  has also reportedly been approved as a potential candidate.

It comes as Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon yesterday became the third member of John Swinneys Cabinet to announce they will not stand in next years election.

It means that 20 out of the 62 current SNP MSPs have confirmed they will not seek re-election next year.

Mr Flynn had initially intended to stand for selection against current MSP Audrey Nicoll as the partys candidate for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine candidacy and, if elected, would continue as MP for Aberdeen South.

But he dropped the double job bid following a major backlash within the SNP against his plan.

Stephen Flynn has put his name forward for vetting and been approved by the SNP as a potential candidate for next years Scottish Parliament elections.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has become the third member of John Swinney s Cabinet to announce they will not stand in next years election

He is seen as a potential successor to Mr Swinney if he secures a seat at Holyrood, and many of his close allies are also seeking seats in the Scottish parliament.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: Is this really the best the SNP have to offer Scots next year?

'A list of MPs who were turfed out of the Commons last year and their erstwhile leader who is clearly bored now that he has a lower profile at Westminster.

Stephen Flynn thought nothing of trying to bulldoze past a sitting female SNP MSP last year in search of a Holyrood seat.

'Rather than standing up to his ruthlessly ambitious colleague, John Swinney has caved into him.

On Ms Gougeons decision to step down next year, Ms Hamilton said: John Swinney must be wondering who will be next, as sitting MSPs continue to desert the SNP ahead of next years election.

It is becomingly increasingly clear that a number of nationalists, including senior figures, simply do not want to defend the SNPs appalling failures over the last 18 years when speaking to voters up and down Scotland.

Details of the list of current and former MPs approved as potential candidates were disclosed by Holyrood magazine.

The three current MPs on the list mean that the SNP could lose one-third of its current group of nine at Westminster.

Other former MPs who lost their jobs last year and are now on the approved candidates list include Hannah Bardell, Steven Bonnar, Deidre Brock, Alan Brown, Amy Callaghan, Allan Dorans, David Linden, Anne McLaughlin, Kirsten Oswald, Anum Qaisar, Tommy Sheppard, Alyn Smith, Alison Thewliss and Richard Thomson.

Although each current and former MP is approved as a potential candidate, they still need to decide whether to put their name forward for nomination in specific constituencies in the coming weeks.

Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesman Christine Jardine said: One thing is for sure, with the nationalists expected to slip backwards in the Scottish Parliament too, its going to be a bitter bunfight for seat selections.

Nominations for SNP candidates in local constituencies are expected to open on Monday.

An SNP spokesperson said: We look forward to fielding a strong selection of candidates who are ready to stand up for their communities and move Scotland towards independence.

Announcing her decision not to stand in next years election, Ms Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, told the Courier: Come 2026, I will have been in an elected position for just about half of my life and the time has come for me to take a step back from frontline politics and pursue new opportunities.
A brutal wildfire is raging 'unchecked' across the Panhandle of Texas with the entire population of Alanreed evacuated as first responders fight to stop the small town being wiped from the map.

Social media posts claiming that Alanreed burned to the ground quickly went viral but Gray County officials confirmed to Dailymail.com that fire fighters were actively working to stop the blaze and that it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage.

Alanreed, about 340 miles north west of Dallas in the corner of Texas wedged between New Mexico and Oklahoma, is only about 0.5 square miles and had a last reported population of 16 people, according to recent Census data.

The fire in Alanreed has been named the Rest Area Fire and is currently estimated to be ravaging around 1,000 acres, Erin O'Connor, a program leader in the Fire & Emergency Response Division with Texas A&M Forest Service told Dailymail.com.

Another fire in a nearby Roberts County, called the Windmill Fire, is an estimated 750 acres and is 0 percent contained.

The evacuation notices comes as Texas A&M Forest Service warned residents in the northern part of the state of 'extreme wildfire danger.'

Officials warned that high winds between 30 and 40mph with gusts over 60mph and low humidity has created the perfect storm for wildfires.

The evacuation notice comes as Texas A&M Forest Service warned residents in the northern part of the state of 'extreme wildfire danger.'

'Stay WILDFIRE ALERT today! If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property,' Texas A&M Forest Service said in a statement.

This is a breaking story, check back for updates on the latest news

Texas Storm Chasers shared a radar view of severe storm warnings across the state

Alanreed is a small town in Texas that only spans about 0.5 square miles

A new fire has started right on I-40 near McLean, TX#txwx  WW3 Monitor (@WW3_Monitor) March 14, 2025
At the click of a mouse button the essay writing begins. It is happening much faster than I can read it. By the time the author is penning the conclusion, I have barely digested the opening sentences of the introduction.

If youd like any sections expanded or refined, let me know! adds the writer at the bottom of the thesis.

Examining its contents proves both sobering and galling. As a sixth-year pupil in the 1980s, it took me weeks to produce a dissertation on the subject at hand here.

Before putting pen to paper, I had to read six plays and familiarise myself with a wealth of literary criticism on all of them.

Now a competent study, comparing and contrasting the use of menace as a dramatic device in the plays of Harold Pinter and Joe Orton, has been produced in seconds by an artificial intelligence (AI) program.

It finds apposite quotes from the work of both dramatists to support its points. It correctly identifies the distinct strains of menace in which each playwright specialised, noting that Pinters was psychological while Ortons was rooted in casual brutality.

There is just one problem. The essay has a section on the Pinter play The Homecoming, which was not on my reading list, and says nothing about The Dumb Waiter, which was.

It's feared the rise of AI could have a detrimental impact on education

I inform the writer and, seconds later, it produces a revised draft, deleting reference to The Homecoming and inserting a credible reflection on menace in The Dumb Waiter.

I experiment further, ordering an essay analysing the varying moods in the early verse of French poet Arthur Rimbaud  the theme of my senior honours dissertation. Again, it arrives within seconds and is disconcertingly competent.

For those whose student years are long behind them, testing AIs essay-writing ability can prove an education. But for our current crop of students, could AI be allowing them to bypass education almost entirely and still gain degrees?

Days ago, a freedom of information inquiry revealed a 700 per cent increase in academic misconduct cases at Scottish universities involving the use of AI to produce course work.

The politician who obtained the data, Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs, believes that the 1,051 cases of AI cheating during 2023-24 are the tip of the iceberg.

And, given that a report last month found 92 per cent of students are using AI as a study aid, few in academia are minded to challenge his claim.

Indeed, many acknowledge that the implications for both secondary schools and further education are seismic. Simply put, if a tool can do students course work for them, how can they be assessed?

And how truly indicative of their academic abilities are the degrees they leave with?

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs, believes that the 1,051 cases of AI cheating during 2023-24 are the tip of the iceberg

The biggest worry, perhaps, is AI is improving the standard of its work far more rapidly than universities are finding ways to defend the integrity of their courses. As one academic puts it, AIs efforts are starting to cross into pass territory. It is getting cleverer, its writing noticeably crisper than even a year ago.

Were probably at the point at which the written essay is no longer a viable manner of assessment, concludes Andres Guadamuz, an intellectual property law expert at the University of Sussex.

The methods by which students can lighten their academic load are alarmingly simple. First they install an app such as ChatGPT on their phones  or even just go to its website. What can I help with? it says on its welcome screen. I typed in: Write an academic essay on the theme of menace in the plays of Harold Pinter and Joe Orton. Discuss how the playwrights use menace to create drama.

That question was simply handled. The tougher question schools and universities must grapple with is this: what would stop any student passing any essay task on any subject over to AI?

For now, perhaps, the biggest disincentive may be the fear of discovery.

Academics with experience of marking AI-generated work passed off as a students own point out the technologys tendency to hallucinate. It can invent quotes  even make up entire texts and, most unhelpfully, insert them in bibliographies.

For a clear reading on its competence, suggests Andrew Moran, professor of politics and international relations at London Metropolitan University, ask it to expound on a subject or person you know a lot about and count the errors.

It will often create things that are simply not true, or it will match information from different people, he says.

University of Edinburgh, Professor Lindsay Paterson believes the widespread use of AI by students makes continuous assessment wholly unreliable

The problem is AI is steadily correcting its own mistakes. How long before it is practically infallible?

The supreme irony is that Turnitin, the AI detection software used by Scottish universities to unmask the cheats, uses elements of AI and machine learning techniques to do so.

Thus, in an absurdist technological arms race, AI is deployed to police itself.

At Abertay University  which dealt with a record 351 cases of unacceptable AI use last year  sociology and criminology lecturer Dr Stuart Waiton reports that, in his department, AI wrote an excellent academic project stretching to 30 pages only this week.

He says: AI could be a brilliant tool for postgraduates and researchers. If you already have a level of expertise and knowledge, AI can be used to enhance research.

The problem is that if it is used by undergraduates, it becomes a way of avoiding having to become an expert in the first place  a cheat  that means you never have to read a book or think.

A key potential problem with universities is whether or not they take AI cheating seriously or simply ignore the cheating dimension of using it.

Dr Waiton adds: Personally, I think any use of AI should be classed as plagiarism and the essay failed  I suspect no institution relates to it in this way.

The issue is exacerbated by the fact that, in recent decades, universities have moved towards a continuous assessment model, placing less emphasis on end of term exams. This only enhances the scope for AI use.

Dr Waiton points out that some institutions are even ditching in-person exams in favour of online ones.

He says: This means that students sat in their bedrooms can use AI even here, and the idea of a degree potentially becomes a mockery.

Of course, having proper exams is the obvious solution to this and again, personally, I would be happy to see degrees awarded based largely on exams, but universities, nervous about the student experience or, indeed, putting real pressure onto students, are unlikely to adopt this even though it would largely solve the AI issue.

And that is really the issue. Do our universities still believe in standards and are they

prepared to do what is necessary to make Scottish universities the best, potentially, in the world? Im not holding my breath.

At the University of Edinburgh, Professor Lindsay Paterson believes the widespread use of AI by students makes continuous assessment wholly unreliable.

He says: There is literally no way of telling whether a piece of written work was genuinely produced by the student or was generated by AI.

He sees only two possible solutions. The first is to add an oral examination to every piece of written work  a massively labour-intensive exercise which would result in weeks of extra work for university staff.

Professor Paterson adds: If oral assessment is mostly not feasible, then the only alternative that could safeguard standards would be to return to using invigilated examinations, which most university courses have dropped in recent years.

I think this would be a good idea for all sorts of reasons, not just dealing with AI.

If there is an upside to AI-generated essays, it may be that they signal the death knell for the unscrupulous essay mill industry which encouraged students to pay to have their course work done for them by anonymous academics, often based overseas.

But Professor Paterson says universities lack of urgency in dealing with that problem does not encourage optimism that they will deal effectively with AI.

He adds: If they wont, then governments at Holyrood and Westminster must, for the sake of the international reputation not only of UK universities but also of the UK as a society.

Is the Scottish Government, then, on top of the issue? According to MSP Mr Briggs, who uncovered the latest shocking data: I dont think they really know what to do, is the truth of the matter.

They havent done the deep dive into what is happening in schools and universities on this and what it means to the grading system.

The reality, he suggests, is that the genie is already out of the bottle. He adds: There is no point in us just clutching our pearls on this. Weve got to look towards how are universities going to move with the times and accept this is happening  and start to assess what level young people are at in a different way. Academics such as Professor Moran now fear a certain inevitability in their students using AI.

In practice, he suggests, most will not submit the AI essay word for word but edit and expand it.

Yet he says the process is in danger of turning knowledge into a convenience food.

It is available at the touch of a button online, is effectively delivered to your door and there are so many outlets to choose from.

Professor Moran adds: We are rapidly losing ground to profound societal changes that could have unimaginable consequences for universities if we do not respond quickly.

The consequences are, of course, being felt well beyond the realm of education.

Britains creative industries are under threat from AI as tech giants hoover up artists online content  songs, writing, pictures, the lot  to improve their AI models.

And, under Labour government plans, they will be able to do so while ignoring the copyright laws which ensure creators get paid.

Is this ill-gotten content now to be deployed by students to con their way to degrees they do not deserve?

Opinions differ on the acceptable ways for students to use AI in their studies.

Feedback from undergraduates in last months Student Generative AI Survey 2025 finds that, besides the 18 per cent who admitted using it in submitted work, others use it to explain concepts, suggest research ideas, make grammatical improvements and crunch down lengthy articles into a summary of key points.

But, asks, Professor Moran: How can you know that AI has generated the correct information if youve not actually read it yourself?

He makes a point of telling his first-year students to walk across to the library and breathe in the books.

I say to them people have spent years researching the information in those books for you, for you to use, and you must do that.

He fears that, for too many students, knowledge is a thing on your phone rather than something to be sought out in the world of books.

And how are former students supposed to feel? The ones who sweated for weeks or months over dissertations, starting with a blank sheet of paper, when AI can now write reams of intelligent insight in seconds?

Well, suggests Professor Paterson, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that we engaged in true learning.

He says: The process of discovering information, and then collating, analysing and writing about it is the truly educative task.

Thats why we remember these things so well  not necessarily what we found, but the mental and emotional processes by which we found it. That is a character-creating experience.

Students who think they can skip this by using AI are deluding themselves. I hope that employers realise that too, and make some effort to find out whether a students apparently brilliant grade was due to their own work.

Universities Scotland, the umbrella body for the nations higher education, says universities are vigilant regarding the use of AI and will continue to evolve methods of assessment to uphold academic integrity.

A spokesman adds: Whilst the use of AI does bring challenges in certain contexts, it also brings some benefits to the learning environment in a university.

Not least the fact that employers increasingly expect graduates to have AI skills, as its use also becomes more prevalent in the workplace.

A Scottish government spokesman says: The Scottish Funding Council and Quality Assurance Agency are continuing to work with universities to address the risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence software, and its potential impact on assessments, academic integrity and standards.

Naturally, ChatGPT has a line on this too. Asked whether the use of AI threatens the integrity of students degrees, the answer it generated allowed that it can do if it leads to over-reliance on automated tools, bypassing critical thinking and personal effort.

This, it said, undermines the learning process and may devalue the degree.

Clear guidelines should be encouraged, it stated, to ensure that AI complements rather than replaces student effort.

It seems as if the software may not entirely approve of itself. However, its invitation to students  and, indeed, everybody  remains an open one.

Ask anything, it urges.
The Kremlin kept Donald Trump's special envoy waiting for eight hours before he left just hours later, in a 'classic Putin power play'.

Mr Trump's chief negotiator Steve Witkoff spent two thirds of his just 12 hours in the Russian capital waiting before he could deliver the US President's proposals for a 30-day ceasefire.

Pictures showed his motorcade arriving at Moscow's Vnukovo airport at around midday on Thursday, before he was kept hanging around for up to eight hours.

Such a move is considered highly disrespectful in international diplomacy.

Sky News reported that Mr Witkoff's meeting was delayed while Mr Putin was meeting Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko who arrived on Thursday for a hastily arranged state visit.

Mr Witkoff was finally seen by the Russian leader behind closed doors well after nightfall.

He then departed four hours later at 2am - just before Vnukovo airport was closed due to a Ukrainian drone strike.

Commenting on the visit, Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett said that the decision to keep Mr Witkoff waiting was a clear signal from the Kremlin about who 'sets the schedule'.

He added the timing of Mr Lukashenko's visit, which was arranged only on Wednesday, was less likely to be a coincidence than a 'classic Putin power play'.

Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was kept waiting for eight hours by the Kremlin as he visited Moscow to present plans for a 30-day ceasefire

Mr Witkoff pictured leaving the US embassy in Moscow. He reportedly spent all of 12 hours in the Russian capital

Mr Putin has insisted on several conditions before signing any truce deal, including elections in Ukraine and the easing of western sanctions on Russia

The Kremlin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov said Mr Putin gave Mr Witkoff 'information and additional signals' for the US President.

Mr Putin told reporters on Thursday he would have a phone call with President Trump to discuss a ceasefire. Mr Trump has also said he would 'love' to meet and talk to the Russian president.

'There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism,' Mr Peskov added of the ceasefire proposal.

'A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trump's position.'

The Russian president added that any truce must lead to 'long term peace' but noted that issues remained including the development of a mechanism to control possible breaches of the ceasefire and the possibility that Ukraine could use the 30-day pause to rearm and continue to mobilise.

He said: 'We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis.'

Analysts have warned the Russian leader will likely be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while his troops have momentum on the battlefield and he feels he has an advantage.

Ukraine has already endorsed President Trump's proposals under severe pressure.

Mr Witkoff left Moscow shortly before a Ukrainian drone attack closed the city's Vnukovo airport

Mr Putin was reportedly busy hosting Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko (left) who arrived for a state visit on Thursday

Mr Putin has agreed to a phone call with Mr Trump to discuss a ceasefire deal

Russian troops in Kursk region, which has been recaptured after being seized by Ukraine last August

The US leader briefly suspended critical military aid and intelligence sharing in an apparent effort to push Kyiv into entering talks on ending the war.

On March 3 he lifted the ban after US and Ukrainian officials reported progress during talks in Saudi Arabia.

Despite labelling the situation a 'real mess', Mr Trump said on Friday that many more people would be 'needlessly dead' if Ukraine and Russia failed to agree on a ceasefire deal.

He wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'Millions of people are needlessly dead, never to be seen againand there will be many more to follow if we don't get the Cease Fire and Final Agreement with Russia completed and signed.'

The US President also directly called on Mr Putin to spare Ukrainian troops he said were 'surrounded' in the Kursk region, which Russia has retaken after it was seized by Kyiv last August.

'I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!', he said.

An estimated 500,000 people have died since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.

Mr Trump has also threatened to cripple Russia's economy with sanctions if it doesn't agree to a deal to end the fighting.

Firefighters work at a damaged building after a Russian strike in Akhtyrka, Ukraine on March 13 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Mr Putin's response 'highly predictable' and said the Russian president aimed to drag out the process by setting out unworkable conditions

However Mr Putin has demanded a wide range of concessions before committing, including for Russia to control territory it has captured thus far and for Ukraine to abandon any plans to join NATO.

His conditions also include the easing of western sanctions on Russia and for elections to be held in Ukraine - a demand Kyiv says is impossible to fulfil while martial law is in force.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Mr Putin's response 'highly predictable' and 'manipulative words' aimed at dragging out the process by setting unworkable conditions.

On Thursday the Kremlin showed few signs of bowing to any pressure. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said the US deal would serve a 'temporary respite' for the Ukrainian military.

He said that Moscow sought a ceasefire that 'takes into account the legitimate interests of our country and our known concerns,' rather than a temporary pause in fighting.
Canada's newly instated Prime Minister Mark Carney has put US President Donald Trump in the dog house just seconds after taking office following Justin Trudeau's exit.

After taking on his new role, Carney made it his duty to stick up for the Canadian people and cemented that he won't be joining America in its 'crazy' idea of making its northern neighbor the 51st state.

'Ive been clear, that we will never, ever, in any way, shape, or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada,' he declared at a press conference on Friday.

'We are very fundamentally [a] different country,' he said, before forcibly stating: 'We're the masters in our home. We're in charge.

'Look at the ceremony we just had, you could not have had that ceremony in America. Look at the cabinet behind me, you could not have that cabinet in America.'

He also sternly reminded Trump that Canada was nothing to step on, especially as they proved to be valuable economic partners and demanded Trump treat the country appropriately.

Although Carney called Trump a 'successful business maker,' he was quick to remind the Commander-in-Chief that Canada is his 'largest client in so many industries.'

'Clients expect respect,' he admitted, before saying he expects America to work with them in a 'proper commercial way.'

Canada 's new Prime Minister Mark Carney has put US President Donald Trump in the dog house just seconds after taking office. 'We're the masters in our home. We're in charge,' he said on Friday

After taking on his new role, Carney made it his duty to stick up for the Canadian people and cemented that he won't be joining America in it's 'crazy' idea of making its northern neighbor the 51st state

His comments come after Trump has repeatedly threatened high tariffs on Canadian goods, which followed with Ontario Premier Doug Ford's proposal to cut off three US states' electricity.

Ford eventually folded after Trump postponed the high tariff until April.

Carney inherited the ongoing trade war between the two North American countries from his liberal predecessor Trudeau, and he made it clear on Friday that Canada will seek new endeavors abroad for the good of their own citizens.

Additionally, Carney made it crystal clear that the move was also to make a blatant jab at the US president.

'That will reinforce the point,' Carney said. 'Eventually, the truth will out [itself] and the Americans will understand as well.'

In another bold-faced swipe at Trump and his Administration, Carney leaned into the stereotype that Canadians are kind.

'Canadians know that negativity isn't strength,' Carney said.

The Trump Administration has recently faced backlash for its treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently visited the White House.

Carney inherited the ongoing trade war between the two North American countries from his predecessor Trudeau (pictured)

Vice President JD Vance angrily asked the Ukrainian: 'Have you said thank you once?'

'A lot of times,' Zelensky replied.

After the disastrous meeting, Trudeau took to X - alongside several other world leaders - to pledge Canada's continued support toward Ukraine.

'Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace,' he wrote.

In turn, Zelensky replied: 'Thank you for your support.'
Newly released video showed missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki vomiting at a bar inside her Dominican Republic resort shortly before she disappeared.

The disturbing clip also shows Joshua Riibe, the Iowa man who was last seen with Konanki, 20, throwing near an entrance to bar at the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana where they had both been staying.

The footage emerged as it was revealed that Riibe, 22, changed his story several times during a series of interrogations by authorities, People reported. He has not been named a suspect in Konanki's disappearance.

The new footage, obtained by CDN television, showed the 20-year-old Konanki vomiting at 4:05 am on March 6 before walking back to the bar.

Riibe remained in the background vomiting while two men stood near him.

Konanki and three of her friends then went to the beach with Riibe and his friend.

Separate security camera from the all-inclusive resort showed Riibe holding a cup and placing his arm around Konanki back as they trailed the group at 4:15 am.

At about 4:55 am, the hotel security camera system showed two of her friends returning to the hotel.

The same camera picked up another female friend accompanied by Johnson walking into the building at 5:05 am.

University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki disappeared from the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6

CDN television obtained surveillance video that showed Sudiksha Konanki vomiting outside a bar at the Riu Republica Hotel the early morning of March 6 before she went to the beach next to the resort and disappeared

After vomiting, Sudiksha Konanki went back to the bar and mingled with her friends before the group walked over to the beach, where she was last seen

The surveillance camera would show Riibe, barefoot and shirtless, as he slowly walked back to his room at 8:54am with Konanki nowhere in sight.

The new resort footage comes just days after Riibe was questioned at the prosecutor's office.

Riibe told a prosecutor that he and Konanki had kissed in the ocean before they almost got swept away by a wave. He said he saved her from drowning while almost losing consciousness.

However, Riibe, who was flanked by two lawyers, refused to answer some questions, with the prosecutor probing him over how they could be sure what he was saying was truthful.

Riibe was also asked about what he told his close friend about Sudiksha and what he thought about her disappearance.

Joshua Riibe was also picked up by a surveillance camera vomiting moments in front of a bar at the Riu Republica Hotel. The 22-year-old Iowa resident was the last person who saw University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before she went missing after the went for a swim at a beach next to the resort

Joshua Riibe, 22, was seen on camera with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha in the early hours of March 6.

Riibe was also asked if he knew if Sudiksha was able to swim, if she made any gestures or cries in the sea, if he called the cops or told the hotel, if he had told his friends about what happened and was also asked how he felt about the situation.

To all of those questions, he said: 'My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice', before going silent.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, claimed he had only just met the young woman when they decided to head to the beach, according to the transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN.

'We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit,' Riibe said. 'A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea. As soon as we were able to surface, we tried to call for help.'

Joshua Riibe (pictured) was seen leaving the prosecutor's office for the province of La Altagracia after he was peppered with over 50 questions about the disappearance of Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki

He explained that he previously worked as a lifeguard at a swimming pool and tried to bring them both to safety when he started to feel sick.

'I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired of swimming too. I've been a lifeguard. I grabbed her and pulled her out. I held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water,' Riibe said.

Riibe turned over his passport to Dominican authorities earlier this week and is not allowed to leave the country, according to El Nuevo Diario newspaper.

Renowned criminal defense lawyer Felix Portes told CDN that Riibe's lawyers were expected to appear before a judge and file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus to determine if he being legally detained.
City walls from China's earliest dynasty discovered in central China

Xinhua) 09:24, March 14, 2025

This undated diagram shows the partial excavated area of the Liuzhuang relic site in Taikang County, Zhoukou City, central China's Henan Province. (Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology/Handout via Xinhua)

ZHENGZHOU, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Ancient city walls unearthed in central China's Henan Province have been identified as dating back to the early Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 B.C.), offering new evidence for the study of this period, according to archaeologists.

The rammed earth walls were found at the Liuzhuang relic site in Taikang County, Zhoukou City. The county was named after an emperor of the Xia Dynasty, and the site spans over 80,000 square meters.

According to Li Shiwei, a researcher with the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology overseeing the excavation, four walls were discovered in the east, west, south and north directions, measuring between 2.6 and 3.4 meters in width. The outer sides of the walls feature multiple layers of slope protection.

Li said that the four walls formed a closed rectangular city measuring 126 meters in length and 100 meters in width. A gap in the middle of the south wall is believed by archaeologists to have been a gate or entrance.

"The latest Carbon-14 dating indicates that the walls were built, used and abandoned between 1964 B.C. and 1833 B.C., coinciding with the early Xia Dynasty in China," Li added.

At the Liuzhuang relic site, archaeologists also found the remains of 16 houses dating back to the late period of the Longshan Culture, a civilization that thrived in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. They also unearthed pottery kilns, wells, as well as various artifacts, including pottery, bone wares and stone tools.

"The findings provide new data for exploring the architectural techniques, layout, and evolution of settlement patterns at small urban sites during the late Longshan period," Li said.

The Liuzhuang relic site is among several Xia Dynasty sites discovered in eastern Henan in recent years. According to the researcher, these findings also contribute to the study of settlements, society, and the regional civilization process of the early Xia period.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A Democratic lawmaker is so traumatized by Elon Musk, Donald Trump and DOGE that he announced he will be getting rid of his Tesla.

Driving around in the electric vehicle has become too much of a burden for Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who announced he will be selling his black model.

He blamed Musk and DOGE for cutting jobs and garnering a bad reputation, saying he does not want to be driving a car built by an 'a*****.'

Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy veteran, called out the Tesla CEO in a video posted to his X account, which is also owned by Musk.

The senator's selfie video showed the Democrat looking conflicted as he paced back and forth with his car in the background. The stunt instantly earned Kelly backlash online as social media users slammed the stunt.

'Hey folks. Mark Kelly, here in Washington, driving to work for the last time in my Tesla,' Kelly, 61, says in the clip.

'When I bought this thing, I didn't think it was going to become a political issue.'

But now, the EV formerly popular among liberals and environmentalist is no longer in vogue with those crowds who have since moved on from all things Musk.

Sen. Mark Kelly standing in front of the black Tesla he got rid of this week

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., announced he got rid of his Tesla because he does not like Elon Musk

U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk depart after looking at Tesla vehicles on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

'Every time I get in this car in the last 60 days or so reminds me of just how much damage Elon Musk and Donald Trump is doing to our country, talking about slashing Social Security, cutting health care benefits for poor people, for seniors, it's one bad thing after the next,' Kelly lamented in his selfie.

'You know, Elon, Musk kind of turned out to be an a**hole. And I don't want to be driving the car built and designed by an a**hole. So, looking forward to my new ride,' Kelly continued.

He was spotted later driving around in a white Chevrolet Tahoe SUV.

Social media users erupted after the clip went viral.

'Senator Mark Kelly just replaced his old Tesla Model S with a gas guzzling 2025 Chevy Tahoe Z71, which gets 17 mpg combined and has half as many American parts (37%) as a 2025 Model S (65%)' one X user remarked.

'This entitled prick is half way blocking the side road in a no-parking zone just so he can stomp his feet about Elon Musk,' one X user wrote. 'I know that exact spot where his car is sitting. Lmfao.'

Another user noted how the stunt made Kelly look entitled.

'He is accomplishing nothing by doing that. Tesla loses ZERO dollars from him selling. He just looks like a cry baby,' they wrote.

Kelly looked like he was in pain during the video

Trump and Musk at a Tesla event earlier this week hosted at the White House

Earlier this week Trump hosted an event outside of the White House to show off Tesla's latest fleet of vehicles as protests have broken out at the car maker's locations worldwide and its stores and chargers have been vandalized.

Trump, who had evidently never been in one of the cars before, quipped when he hopped in 'everything's computer' as he sat shocked at the large screens in the driver seat.

Democrats ridiculed the White House event as a stunt meant to bail out Musk whose company has been taking a hit recently as Trump's floated tariffs roil markets.

'I think it's time for an upgrade today,' Kelly said. 'So this is going to be my last, last trip in this car.'
The government acted 'unlawfully' over its detention of vulnerable migrants at an ex-RAF base, a High Court judge has ruled.

Four former residents of RAF Wethersfield brought legal action against the Home Office for their stay between July 2023 and February 2024.

In a 136-page ruling today, Mr Justice Mould found there had been 'a most serious and inexplicable omission' in failing to assess the impact on disabled asylum seekers and those with serious mental health issues when changing the asylum accommodation policy.

This meant vulnerable asylum seekers with special needs or disabilities could be judged suitable to be accommodated at Wethersfield, the judge said.

Four men who stayed at the base near Braintree, Essex, argued the Home Office acted unlawfully by housing them at the site when it was 'not suitable' because of characteristics which included being victims of torture and human trafficking or being disabled.

The Home Office opposed the challenge, saying its allocation system was 'not incapable of being operated lawfully'.

But Mr Justice Mould found the Home Office was in breach of its duty in failing to assess the impact of policy change on asylum seekers with special needs.

He said: 'In my judgment, the claimants' case is plainly well-founded.'

Boarded up former RAF military accommodation units pictured at what is now the MDP Wethersfield Ministry of Defence facility on July 24, 2024 in Wethersfield

Temporary accommodation units housing migrants are pictured on the MDP Wethersfield Ministry of Defence facility on July 24, 2024 in Wethersfield

The village has a population of 707 people, the Home Office plans to boost the number of migrants at MDP Wethersfield to 800

The judge made reference to the equality impact assessment saying it 'makes no attempt to assess the equalities implications' of the proposed policy change, which means asylum seekers with disabilities or serious mental health issues may be judged to be suitable for accommodation at Wethersfield.

He said: 'In this case, the only conclusion I am able to reach on evidence is that the defendant did not attempt to assess the equalities impacts of the proposed policy change.'

The judge also found the Home Secretary acted unlawfully and in breach of her duties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in relation to three of the men.

Barristers for the men had claimed the accommodation was 'seriously inadequate' and there was a 'structural and systemic failure' to identify vulnerabilities which would exclude people from being housed there.

However, the High Court in London found the Home Secretary's updated policies and procedures for identifying asylum seekers unsuitable for Wethersfield, was now capable of operating lawfully.

He added: 'I do not accept that the conditions of accommodation provided for asylum seekers at Wethersfield as described in the evidence before the court have been shown to be so deficient as to be incapable of providing adequate accommodation for asylum seekers.'

In respect of one of the men, a 25-year-old Eritrean national who cannot be named, the judge found he had been 'unlawfully accommodated' at Wethersfield as the home secretary failed 'to have regard to credible evidence that he was the victim of human trafficking'.

The then-Conservative government announced plans to house migrants at Wethersfield, as well as RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, in March 2023.

The quiet picture-postcard village in the Home Counties is home to the UK's biggest facility for asylum seekers based at a former RAF HQ

Migrants began to be housed at Wethersfield last July, with capacity currently capped at 580 despite initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people.

Clare Jennings of Gold Jennings, who represented one of the men, said: 'We are delighted that the High Court has acknowledged the significant failings in the treatment of our client, TG, by the home secretary, and the detrimental impact that being in Wethersfield had on his already fragile mental health.

'We are concerned that the continued use of large, ex-military sites, to house asylum seekers remains highly problematic and puts vulnerable people at risk.'

Emily Soothill of DPG, who represented another of the men, said: 'People seeking asylum, especially victims of torture and trafficking, are more vulnerable to physical and mental illness.

'They have the right to be treated with dignity and should not be accommodated en masse in military barracks.'

Previously the four migrants also claimed they were caged in 'prison-like' conditions at the base which they said was plagued by scabies and where inhabitants would fight one another in food queues.

Barristers representing the four men, who all stayed at the former airbase between July 2023 and February 2024, claimed the block was 'seriously inadequate' and that gunfire from a nearby shooting range had triggered 'traumatic' memories for some.

The Home Office admitted housing one of the men at the site was unlawful but said this was an 'individual error', and that the base 'reasonably appeared adequate' for the other three.

Since the base began to take asylum seekers in July 2023, house sales have all-but dried up in Wethersfield. Pictured are two migrants walking towards their former RAF base

Angus McCullough KC, representing three of the men, said: 'Our case is not that Wethersfield is necessarily unsuitable for all, but that it is unsuitable for those who are vulnerable.'

Migrants began to be housed at Wethersfield in July 2023, with capacity currently capped at 580 despite initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people.

The site has since proved controversial with residents saying they would soon be outnumbered by asylum seekers housed at a former RAF airfield next door.

While the village has a population of 707 people, the Home Office plans to boost the number of migrants at MDP Wethersfield to 800, which locals complain is far too many for the local infrastructure to bear.

Those living nearest the base, which was previously the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) HQ, and before that a WW2 RAF and US airbase, say their houses are now unsaleable.

Retired decorator, William John, 72, who has lived in Wethersfield for more than 40 years, agreed the village cannot manage the influx.

'It's a tricky subject, because if you raise any objection, people say you are racist, but I'm really not.

'They're going to raise the number of people to 800 which is more than the population of the village, and we just can't cope with it.

Villagers say they don't feel safe at night with the asylum seekers roaming the streets

'There was an incident recently where some of the young men from the centre were sitting watching the children's playground, which made the mums feel nervous.

'And when they left, some of the asylum seekers appeared to follow them in which made people feel even more uncomfortable.'
King Charles has privately contacted Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney as he was sworn in as the country's leader, it is understood.

The new Prime Minister, who was a former Bank of England governor, swore allegiance to His Majesty - also the King of Canada - in a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday.

Following the ceremony, Mr Carney paid tribute to the country's 'proud British heritage', where he highlighted how the country was built on 'the bedrock' of 'Indigenous, French and British' people.

He added: 'The Office of the Governor General links us through the crown and across time to Canada's proud British heritage.'

He also announced that he would be discussing trade, economic and security issues with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Paris over the next few days.

Responding to a question from reporters, Mr Carney said: 'Security is a priority for this government, reinforcing our security, as is diversifying our trading and commercial relationships, of course, with both Europe and the United Kingdom, there are many opportunities.'

Earlier this week, it is understood that King Charles III welcomed officers from the Canadian parliament to Buckingham Palace where they discussed several pressing national and international topics.

The 30-minute audience, which was a long-standing arrangement, came shortly after Donald Trump threatened historic financial devastation for Canada amid an escalating and erratic trade war.

King Charles has privately contacted Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney as he was sworn in as the country's leader, it is understood

The new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney swore allegiance to the His Majesty in as he was ushered into the leading role in a ceremony today

It comes amid a bitter tariff war between the US President Donald Trump and Canada in recent weeks

On Wednesday Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports immediately drew reciprocal measures from Canada and the European Union , prompting a fiery response from America's northern neighbour.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly hit out at Trump for levelling 'unjustifiable' tariffs against Canada and trying to 'annex our country through economic coercion'.

'If the US can do this to us, their closest friend, then nobody is safe,' Joly warned as she delivered a searing speech in Ottawa, Politico reports.

Joly criticised Trump for his regularly changing and 'exaggerated' justifications for the tariffs, noting that threats of 'further and broader' measures on April 2 still loom.

In his speech on Friday, Prime Minister Mr Carney addressed the ongoing trade war and said Canada will 'never, ever, in any way shape or form be part of the United States'.

The 59-year-old replaces Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader, and is widely expected to trigger a general election in the coming days or weeks.

On Monday the weeping former Canadian Prime Minister took one last swipe at Trump during his final speech as head of the country.

Trudeau, who was forced to step down following a wave of resignations from his cabinet in the final months of 2024, was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue during a conference to his Liberal party.

King Charles previously welcomed Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau to his private Sandringham estate in Norfolk at the beginning of the month

The pair were pictured as they met and chatted in a saloon at the royal property

The King welcomed and shook hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 2, 2024

Charles's show of solidarity came 48 hours after President Trump's meltdown with Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office

Sir Keir Starmer greeting Mr Zelensky in Downing Street on Mach 1, 2025. The PM announced plans to send 5,000 British air defence missiles to Ukraine

Trudeau said during his emotional speech: 'Don't get me wrong, I'm damn proud of what we've done over these past 10 years. But tonight is about our future as a party, as a country.'

Referencing the ongoing threat of massive economic tariffs from US president Donald Trump that could cripple the country's economy, the outgoing PM said that Canada is 'a country who will fight when we must, elbows up.'

He added that Canadians are now showing 'what makes us... by proudly embracing who we are' amid existential challenges.

Trudeau then told the gathered members of the Liberal Party conference: 'Your country needs you maybe more than ever. And I have no doubt that you will answer the call, because you've done it before. Liberals will meet this moment.'

He describes the current moment of history as a 'nation-defining moment', adding: 'Democracy is not a given, freedom is not a given, even Canada is not a given.'

None of those happened by accident or will continue without effort, Trudeau said, adding: 'It takes courage, it takes sacrifice, it takes hope and hard work'.

Mr Trudeau had met with the King at Sandringham earlier this month, shortly after His Majesty had welcomed President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The monarch was hailed for offering a show of solidarity to Mr Zelensky by warmly welcoming him after the president's dramatic Oval Office clash with Mr Trump.

The challenges Canada faces with its nearest neighbour were said to be high on the agenda, as was support for Ukraine, when the King met Mr Trudeau on March 3.

A weeping Justin Trudeau (pictured) has taken one last swipe at Donald Trump during his final speech as Prime Minister of Canada

The 53-year-old leader has been replaced by former Bank of England boss Mark Carney (pictured)

Carney had earlier weighed in on the standoff between Trump and Trudeau

Sources previously told the Mail not to underestimate the significance of the meeting between the monarch and Mr Trudeau at his private Norfolk estate.

The Canadian leader had made clear before the meeting that he wanted to discuss matters of importance to Canadians with the monarch.

He said: Nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.

Charles appeared to give a hearty laugh as Mr Trudeau gestured towards him with a pointed figure and shook the monarch's hand.

While Buckingham Palace declined to comment at the time, a well-placed source told the Mail: As is often the case with the Royal Familys role, the pictures speak for themselves.

MailOnline has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
The Russian captain of a container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker and killed a 38-year-old crew member has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter, police confirmed tonight.

Five Russians were on board the Solong container ship when it allegedly rammed the Stena Immaculate  which was carrying supplies for the US military  off the English coast, triggering a fire on both ships.

Master of The Solong, Vladimir Motin, 59, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, will appear at Hull Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with gross negligence manslaughter, Humberside Police said.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died following the collision between the Solong and the Stena Immaculate off the east coast of Yorkshire.

A statement from the force said: 'An investigation by Humberside Police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) into the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of East Yorkshire, has resulted in a man being charged.

'The captain of the Solong vessel, Vladimir Motin, 59 years old, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and been remanded in police custody to appear at Hull Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

'On Monday, 10 March, Humberside Police received a report at around 11am that a collision had occurred between the two vessels, resulting in one crew member being reported missing.

'Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased.

'The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.'

The Russian captain of the Solong container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker Stena Immaculate has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter

Smoke is seen billowing from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast earlier this week

Water can be seen flowing through the damaged hull of the Immaculate on Tuesday

News of the captain being charged comes as the crew member who is presumed dead following the collision has been named as Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'We have authorised Humberside Police to charge a Russian national in relation to a collision involving two vessels in the North Sea off the east coast of England.

'The Portuguese-registered cargo ship, the Solong, collided with the American-registered oil tanker, the Stena Immaculate, just before 10am on Monday, 10 March 2025.

'Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died.

'Vladimir Motin, 59, from St Petersburg, Russia, who was the vessel's captain, is due to be charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter.'

Earlier on Friday the force confirmed magistrates had granted a further extension to the time detectives could hold the captain 'due to the complexities of the incident'.

He had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Monday evening, hours after the collision.

Ernst Ross, the company that owns the Solong, said earlier this week that Motin had been 'actively assisting with the investigations.'

All five Russians involved in the North Sea drama are 'alive', according to Russian sources.

The Stena Immaculate is still at anchor at the point where the collision happened, which is about 12 miles off the East Yorkshire coast, near Withernsea.

Meanwhile the Solong drifted south of this location, to a point where it could be seen off the Lincolnshire coast.

Also on Friday, chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said the vessels are 'stable' and salvors have boarded them both to continue damage assessments.

He said: 'There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the Solong which are not causing undue concern.

'Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels' locations.

'Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the Stena Immaculate or from the Solong.'

Mr O'Callaghan said: 'The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and continues to advise that any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low.

Pictured are the charred remains of cargo ship MV Solong was completely destroyed by Monday's fire. The ship was captained by a Russian national

'The UKSHA will keep risk assessments under continual review as further information becomes available.'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday the situation was 'reasonably contained'.

Pressed on calls for a Cobra meeting to assess the potential environmental damage, he said: 'We are absolutely monitoring this 24/7 and I've got teams doing that and assuring me of what's going on.

'At the moment, the situation is reasonably contained. And, obviously, we will do whatever is necessary.'

The CPS said it 'reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'

A total of 36 crew members from the two vessels were brought safely ashore, with no major injuries.

The US-flagged 50,000-ton MV Stena Immaculate was engulfed by a huge fireball after Solong 'came out the blue' and allegedly ploughed into it.

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Solong sliced through the hull of the tanker, causing thousands of litres of jet fuel to spill into the sea and forcing sailors from both vessels to abandon ship.

The Russian embassy in London earlier said: 'The embassy has been monitoring the situation around the collision of two ships in the North Sea on March 10 from the very first minutes .

'Consular staff are in close contact with the British competent authorities.

'During this time, local authorities have not received any information about the presence of Russian citizens on board these vessels, or about other Russians injured as a result of this accident.'

The Russian embassy in London said: 'As of March 14, additional information has emerged regarding the Russian citizens from the crew of the Solong vessel, flying the Portuguese flag, which collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker flying the US flag in the North Sea on March 10.

'According to the ship owner, the Solong crew includes five citizens of the Russian Federation.

'Among them is the ship's captain, who was detained by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom and is currently under investigation.

All crew members from among Russian citizens are alive, they did not receive injuries as a result of the incident, and the sailors' condition does not cause concern.

'On the evening of March 13, diplomats from the consular section of the Embassy held a detailed telephone conversation with the captain of the vessel.

'According to him, he feels well.

'The Russian citizen has been provided with an interpreter and a lawyer, with whom our employees also maintain constant contact.

'The Embassy is in close contact with the British competent authorities, including with the police station where the ship's captain is currently being held, as well as with the wife of our compatriot.'

Salvage companies boarded the two vessels on Thursday and were carrying out initial damage assessments, the coastguard said, adding that small fires were still being reported on the Solong's top deck.

Police said extensive lines of inquiry were continuing but it was taking time given the vessels were still at sea and there were a large number of witnesses involved.

A handful of the American crew of the Stena Immaculate spoke about what happened but asked not to be identified.

They were so close to the flames as they boarded the lifeboat that some suffered singed hair. Thankfully all survived without serious injury. One member of the Solong crew is missing presumed dead.

The captain of the cargo ship has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after it smashed into an oil tanker (Pictured: Billowing smoke emerging from the MV Solong cargo ship)

US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by the Portugal-flagged container ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull

One crewman said: 'Yesterday was a bad start to the day, but it ended gloriously. Why? All 23 of us got off the ship without anybody being in it.' Adding that he was 'pleased to be alive.'

Asked about his actions immediately after the tanker carrying a cargo of jet fuel burst into flames, he said: 'I did have time to think. I ran through the procedures. Because if I hadn't had time to think, we wouldn't have survived.

'We drilled, we trained, we prepared for the unprepared. We do emergency prep non-stop. Regardless of outside uncontrollable forces.'

Another American crewman told CBS news how the other ship 'came from out of the blue.'

He said he was near the section of the Stena Immaculate where the Solong made its impact and that he had only seconds to react when he heard shouts to brace before impact.

All of a sudden 'a massive ship came from out of the blue,' he said.

The Solong continued to drive into the ship for about 10 minutes after initial impact, according to witnesses.
This is the story of the most successful counter-attack Ukraine has ever mounted that devastated Russia and clawed back 5,000 square miles of land in less than a month.

In the latest episode of Daily Mail's Battle Board YouTube videos, Chris Pleasance visually maps the ins and outs of how Ukraine managed to gain back so much land so quickly.

In the late summer of 2022, Russia was trying to surround and destroy Ukraine's main force in the Donbas in a grand encirclement from north, south and east.

Ukraine wanted to stop this, so planned a two-stage assault to break up the northern flank. First, a diversionary attack was launched on the city of Kherson, in the south.

That drew in some of Russia's best units, before a second assault was launched eastwards out of the city of Kharkiv.

A force of 18,000 would wreak havoc behind enemy lines before spreading out into poorly defended areas in the north east in September 2022.

The Kharkiv offensive took place just seven months after the the country had been invaded by Russian troops in February 2022.

Ambushes, blockades and hot pursuits allowed paratroopers to capture a number of major cities.

In the latest episode of Daily Mail's Battle Board YouTube videos, Chris Pleasance visually maps the ins and outs of how Ukraine managed to gain back so much land so quickly

A map indicates the state of Ukraine in August 2022 - the red parts being areas occupied by Russia

During the offensive, Ukraine would go on to re-take over 500 settlements and the blitzkrieg disrupted Russian supply lines significantly, hindering Russia's operations in the war

It took Ukraine just a week to recapture more than 2000 sqm of land - about the size of the state of Delaware.

But they were not done yet.

Russia had somewhere in the region of 7,000 and 10,000 men spread out along their new front line.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces likely numbered more than 20,000 having suffered few casualties during the first attack.

They managed to break through.

During the offensive, Ukraine would go on to re-take over 500 settlements and the blitzkrieg disrupted Russian supply lines significantly, hindering Russia's operations in the war.

The whole state of affairs also served as a morale boost for Ukraine.
President Donald Trump laid into Joe Biden for using a so-called autopen to fill-in his signature on documents.

Speaking from the Justice Department building in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Trump bragged that he always signs executive orders and other official documents by hand.

It comes after an investigation by the conservative Oversight Project revealed that Biden frequently used autopen  a device often used by celebrities to automatically stamp their signature.

'Crooked Joe Biden got us into a real mess with Russia and everything else he did, frankly. But he didn't know about it and he, generally speaking, signed it with autopen, so how would he know that autopen is a big deal,' Trump said in a speech at the Department of Justice on Friday.

'When my people come up' to have him sign an executive order, Trump said 'you don't use autopen.'

'No. 1  it's disrespectful to the office,' he claimed. 'No. 2  maybe it's not even valid because who's getting him to sign? He had no idea what the hell he was doing.'

Trump, 78, was at Main Justice on Friday to deliver remarks on the fentanyl epidemic and southern border crisis.

But the speech quickly turned into a victory lap, where he rubbed the noses of his adversaries into the fact that he won in 2024 and is now back in charge of the country despite efforts to derail his attempts for a second term.

Biden, who at 82-years-old is four-years Trump's senior, was lambasted toward the end of his presidency and during the 2024 campaign for his mental and physical decline.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice

President Donald Trump laid into Joe Biden for using a so-called autopen to fill-in his signature on documents

Pro-MAGA figures and supporters often questioned on social media who was 'controlling' or 'pulling the strings' behind-the-scenes as they insisted there was no way that Biden was running the show at the White House.

'WHOEVER CONTROLLED THE AUTOPEN CONTROLLED THE PRESIDENCY,' the Oversight Project, created buy the Heritage Foundation, wrote in a post on X on Thursday.

'We gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year,' the group added

The project shared two examples from documents it claims showed the use of the autopen.

This includes a document from August 2022 as well as one from December 2024. It appears that the signatures are identical in the two examples.

The Oversight Project also posted an image of Biden's signature in comparison from when he announced he was dropping out of the race in July. That image shows a variation from the other shared documents.

DailyMail.com examined more than 25 Biden executive orders documented in the Federal Register's office between 2021 and 2025. It found the same signature on each.

A separate examination of 25 Trump signatures on orders on the Federal Register's website from his first and second administrations also found the signatures were all the same.

Use of an autopen allows for a mechanical device to sign documents rather than an individual taking pen to paper or transmitting an original e-signature. It has been used by presidents and lawmakers for decades.

'For investigators to determine whether then-President Biden actually ordered the signature of relevant legal documents, or if he even had the mental capacity to, they must first determine who controlled the autopen and what checks there were in place,' the Oversight Project claimed.

The president on Friday announced a 'proud new chapter' of the Justice Department that would end the 'weaponization' of government in rambling speech that revisited his old wounds and allowed him to gloat.

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at the Department of Justice before boxes of evidence

President Donald Trump admitted he was breaking a promise to Melania Trump when he swore during his speech at the Justice Department - above the couple on inauguration day

'We are turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals and we are restoring fair, equal and impartial justice under the law,' Trump said, standing before the seal of the Department of Justice.

But the main point of his speech was to declare victory over his political rivals and the federal officials who tried to prosecute him.

It was yet another setting for him to repeat his complaints about the cases against him and to mock his vanquished rival, Joe Biden.

Trump described the federal cases against him as 'bulls***,' admitting he was breaking a promise to wife Melania Trump in using the word.

'I will not use a bad word. I promised my wife I would never use a bad word,' he said before going on to use an expletive: 'The case against me was bulls***.'

From the campaign onwards, Trump has demonstrated his interest in having control over the department and which investigations it pursues.

The visit is the first by Trump and the first by any president in a decade. The last president to visit the department was Barack Obama, who attended then Attorney General Eric Holder's departure ceremony.

President Donald Trump used his speech at the Justice Department as a victory lap

Attorney General Pam Bondi escorted President Donald Trump into the Justice Department and showed him his official portrait on the wall

There was an anti-Trump protest on the National Mall at the same time as Trump's speech
Nine in ten headteachers had pupils skip lessons for family holidays this year amid concern that parents regard school as 'optional'.

They say there has been a change in societal attitudes to taking children out of classes since the Covid pandemic.

The travel industry is now being urged to address the excessive cost of holidays outside term time.

A survey of 9,000 heads found 93 per cent had pupils take time off for holidays this academic year  a rise from 87 per cent in the previous one.

And 61 per cent saw pupils kept home because they were tired after an event the night before, compared with 51 per cent previously.

Some 81 per cent had pupils taking time off for family events  up from 76 per cent last year.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which commissioned the poll, warned that unauthorised absence is getting worse.

General secretary Pepe Di'Iasio is due to say today: 'We all know something changed in society after the Covid-19 pandemic.

'For some families, school seems to have become  at least in part  optional. And that mindset persists.'

They say there has been a change in societal attitudes to taking children out of classes since the Covid pandemic (stock image)

A survey of 9,000 heads found 93 per cent had pupils take time off for holidays this academic year (stock image)

Last year, 443,000 penalty notices were issued for unauthorised family holidays (stock image)

Last year, 443,000 penalty notices were issued for unauthorised family holidays  an increase of 87,000 from the previous year.

Mr Di'Iasio will say fines are a 'blunt instrument' which 'deepen tensions between schools and parents' rather than 'solve the problem, and will call on ministers to 'engage with the travel industry' to 'address the excessive cost of holidays during school breaks'.

'Beyond that, we need a broader cultural shift,' he will say, adding that parents, schools and the Government must work together to 'refresh and renew the social contract'.

He will explain that this means 'setting out clear expectations' and 'the importance of following the rules for the collective good'. The poll, conducted by survey service Teacher Tapp, also found pupils were kept home due to anxiety, disputes with the school or simply because they wanted to work at home.

Addressing the ASCL's annual conference in Liverpool, Mr Di'Iasio will also highlight the 'increasingly strained relationship' between teachers and some parents, with schools 'feeling under siege from a growing culture of complaints'.

This comes after Sir Martyn Oliver, head of Ofsted, warned yesterday's conference that teachers would not get an easy ride with the new 'report cards' for inspectors.

The system does away with an overall grade for schools but introduces more sub-categories, which will be graded  sparking criticism from teachers saying it will be too tough.

He said yesterday the cards are 'not going to bring about the end of grading' because that is not 'what parents want'.

The wide-ranging conference also had an appearance from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who warned smartphones have 'no place' in schools.

She said while she would not legislate for a ban, she had tasked officials to explore how to 'more effectively monitor' whether schools are stopping phones from being used in classrooms.
Two men who prosecutors say frequented a high-class brothel network were hounded by a demonstration group as they were named and shamed in court.

Mark Zhu, 28, and Jason Han, 29, were forced to run the gauntlet outside of the Middlesex Juvenile Courthouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Friday.

The two men were the only out of 12 individuals to appear at the court for their show-cause hearings, to decide if criminal charges should be brought against them.

Anti-exploitation organizations had organized demonstrations outside of the courthouse as the hearings went on.

Attorneys who had appeared on behalf of their clients, as well as Zhu and Han, were heckled and shouted as they went to and from the building.

The Boston Globe reported that there was shouts of 'shame on you' and 'people are not products'.

Mary Speta, who runs one of those groups, told the outlet she was grateful to see the men being pulled in front of a judge.

She added: 'We keep assuming at some point power would protect power. Is this actually a shift in approach, or is this just a moment?'

The court heard how Zhu had allegedly paid $840 for two hours of unsafe sex, known as 'bb', with a prostitute. He remained silent throughout.

Mark Zhu is seen here alongside his lawyer as he is being chased by a demonstrator

Jason Han and his lawyer are seen here leaving the courthouse, those demonstrating can be seen in the background

Anti-exploitation organizations had organized demonstrations outside of the courthouse as the hearings went on

All of those named in court, including Zhu, had also expressed an interest in their 'gfe' or 'girlfriend experience' services.

Officials say this experience involves a service that 'blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship'.

The court heard that Han, a radiologist, had paid for one hour of 'gfe', according to text messages read out in court.

The others involved in the case have been named as Kerry Wu, John Doran, David LaCava, Boya Zhou, Peter MacGillivray, Yihong Zou, Pablo Domingo Maceira, Jonathan Lanfear, Pinhao Chao and Patrick Walsh.

Clerk-Magistrate Sharon Casey is overseeing the hearings and found sufficient evidence of probable cause in all of the defendants cases.

The remaining are due to appear before the hearing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to determine whether they should face charges.

Prosecutors in the case have said that the accused are all successful and powerful individuals, who are public officials and captains of industry.

A total of 28 alleged johns will appear in court over the coming weeks. The other 16 men will be hauled before a judge in Cambridge next Friday and the Friday afterwards.

The Boston Globe reported that there was shouts of 'shame on you' and 'people are not products'

Attorneys who had appeared on behalf of their clients, as well as Zhu and Han, were heckled and shouted as they went to and from the building

Clerk-Magistrate Sharon Casey is overseeing the hearings and found sufficient evidence of probable cause in all of the defendants cases

All are said to have patronized a brothel ring that operated out of six luxury apartments in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as DC's suburbs, whose clientele have been described as 'rich and powerful.'

Prosecutors say these stringent checks revealed that the brothels' visitors included public officials, military officers, high-level government contractors, doctors, professors and CEOs.

Some of those powerful figures are now just hours away from being dragged before a court to face career and marriage-ending allegations.

Prosecutors say they paid up to $600 per hour for sexual encounters with predominately Asian women who were being exploited through sex trafficking.

This included sharing details of employment and even providing references. Those in charge of the brothels also made monthly memberships available to repeat visitors.

No details of the men's private lives have been shared, but it is highly likely many are married, have families and are considered pillars of their wealthy communities.

Three pimps who ran the prostitution ring have already admitted their crimes after being charged in November 2023.

The original affidavit shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a 'menu'

Millions of dollars of cash and stacks of payment cards were among the items discovered when the brothels were raided by feds in late 2023 (some of the items seized are pictured above)

The original affidavit in the case said that the women were advertised for commercial sex via two websites under the guise of professional nude photo shoots.

The affidavit also shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a 'menu'.

According to the document, the 'menu' listed sexual services available, the hourly rate and the women available.

The affidavit states that the term 'BB' is a term used in the prostitution industry to refer to unsafe sex, and that 'GFE' relates to a 'Girlfriend Experience'.

The document states that this involves a service that 'blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship'.

One of the websites was focused on the Boston area, and directed customers to numerous addresses, while another was aimed at areas in Virginia.

Investigators have since vowed to seek 'accountability' by exposing the men whose lavish spending kept the brothels open.

They sought indictments against 28 men accused of using the brothels at a court hearing in December 2023.

Predictable fury ensued as those men sought to keep the hearings closed to the public in a bid to conceal their identities.

Another two brothels were run out of luxury apartment buildings straddling the Washington Dc-Virginia border, close to the world's most important center of power

Four of the brothels were run out of luxury apartment buildings in the suburbs of Boston, with the city a magnet for high-powered pharmaceutical executives

One of the sites seen here, which was aimed at the Massachusetts area, asked customers to not 'knock on the door'

Predictable fury ensued as those men sought to keep the hearings closed to the public in a bid to conceal their identities.

They claimed they had a right to privacy. All face misdemeanor charges and none of the men have been arrested.

Such crimes are normally dealt with in Massachusetts by 'show-cause' hearings, which are usually private. That has sparked anger over a lack of transparency.

Multiple media outlets challenged requests to hold the hearings in private, with Massachusetts' State Supreme Court ultimately ruling they should be held in public.

Those accused face a charge of paying for sex, which is unlikely to result in jail time if they're convicted.

But advocates for the prostitutes say naming the men can help shame them and others into not paying for sex and lower the demand for sex workers, many of whom are trafficked.
Vice President JD Vance declared on Friday that a deal to save the wildly popular TikTok app from being banned on US soil is 'almost certainly' within reach - but the clock is ticking fast.

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News aboard Air Force Two, Vance, who has been tasked by President Donald Trump to lead the delicate negotiations, projected cautious optimism but underscored the high-stakes nature of the effort.

'There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I think satisfies our national security concerns, allows there to be a distinct American TikTok enterprise,' Vance said, signaling for the first time that a framework may be near.

TikTok's future in America has been teetering on the brink ever since then-President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation last year, requiring TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American buyer or face an outright ban.

But when Trump returned to power, he issued an executive order on his first day in office, effectively pausing the ban for 75 days, giving ByteDance until April 5 to ink a deal.

'A lot of people want it, and it's up to me,' Trump said cryptically aboard Air Force One on Sunday, hinting at the massive stakes involved without disclosing the four bidding groups reportedly under consideration.

Yet, the pressure is mounting as ByteDance remains publicly silent on whether it will sell the app - a platform used daily by over 150 million Americans and estimated to be worth up to $50 billion.

Vice President JD Vance declared on Friday that a deal to save the wildly popular TikTok app from bring banned on US soil is 'almost certainly' within reach - but the clock is ticking fast

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States

Vance, a former venture capitalist, described the negotiations as a race against time, noting that the complexity of the deal, potentially involving billions of dollars, multiple investors, and intricate legal frameworks.

'Typically, some of these deals that are much smaller and involve much less capital take months to close,' Vance said.

'We're trying to close this thing by early April. I think that the outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done.'

Despite the legal and bureaucratic hurdles, Vance remains hopeful that an extension won't be necessary, though he stopped short of ruling it out.

'We'd like to get it done without the extension,' he said, before warning, 'The deal itself will be very clear, but actually creating those thousands and thousands of pages of legal documents, that's the one thing that I worry could slip.'

Although Vance declined to identify specific bidders, the battle for TikTok is no secret. Among the known suitors:

Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner, CEO of Omnivest Financial, who claims to have made a $47.45 billion bid.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who joined a consortium led by billionaire Frank McCourt, offering $20 billion in cash with plans to rebuild TikTok on blockchain technology to enhance user data control.

Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley, backed by Roblox's CEO, offering over $30 billion.

AI startup Perplexity AI, which reportedly proposed a merger to combine operations with TikToks U.S. arm.

Microsoft, and former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, have also been floated as potential players.

President Donald Trump said that Microsoft is among the US companies looking to take control of TikTok to help the popular app avert an effective ban that could kick-in come April

'We're dealing with four different groups,' Trump told reporters, without offering specifics, adding pointedly, 'It's up to me.'

As the self-proclaimed ultimate decision-maker, Trump's stance remains pivotal - and unpredictable.

Though he fought tooth and nail to ban TikTok on national security grounds during his first administration, his tone has softened since, even crediting the app for helping him gain youth votes in the 2024 election.

'We're dealing with four different groups,' Trump told reporters, without offering specifics, adding pointedly, 'It's up to me.'

Still, Trump hasn't ruled out a ban if ByteDance refuses to budge.

Trump has floated one idea that the US government itself might own a stake in TikTok via a public investment fund, although no details have been officially released.

China's government, once openly hostile to US attempts to force TikTok's sale, appears to have softened its rhetoric, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning recently stating that such business decisions should be 'independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles.'

Still, serious questions remain about whether ByteDance will part with its crown jewel, particularly given the app's closely guarded algorithm, a source of tension in national security circles.

If a deal is not closed by April 5, the bipartisan ban law would snap back into place, effectively cutting TikTok off from users in the US - although Trump could extend the deadline again.

'I think whether it's through an extension, or whether it's through actually just getting the deal in place that satisfies national security concerns, I think we're going to be in a place where we can say TikTok is operational, and it's also operational in a way that's protective of Americans' data privacy and America's national security,' Vance said, attempting to reassure the millions of US users concerned about the fate of the platform.
The wife of a British diving instructor who was gunned down on their Bahamas yacht is still fighting for justice a decade later, as the alleged killer's trial is put on hold once again.

Gary, 51, and Kat Vanhoeck sold their home in the UK in exchange for their dream life on a 36-foot yacht - called 'Lucky Break' - around 15 years ago.

The couple had worked for Stuart Cove's diving school, which is located on the south west tip of New Providence, where the James Bond films Thunderball and Casino Royale were filmed.

They fully embraced their new lives in the dreamy picturesque coastlines of the Caribbean, taking groups of keen scuba divers down to the watery depths.

But after five years of pursuing their dream life it was torn apart when two armed robbers boarded their yacht in the middle of the night.

During the incident, Gary was ordered by the masked men to alight the boat and was shot in the back of the head nearby the diving school where they worked.

Elsewhere, Mrs Vanhoeck was below deck not able to see or barely breathe as they men had covered her head in silver duct tape.

After some time, Mrs Vanhoeck, now 55, removed layers upon layers of tape, making a bid for freedom, running away from the boat to a friend's house down the road.

Only when they returned with police did they tell her what happened.

Now in a new interview, she had recounted the ordeal more than a decade later as she continues to fight for justice for her late husband.

Mr Vanhoeck, who spent 10 years working for the RAF after leaving home at the age of 16, had recently celebrated his third wedding anniversary with his wife before his death

Gary Vanhoeck (pictured) was ambushed and shot by two men as he and his wife Kathryn during the night on their yacht in the Caribbean island

Now Mrs Vanhoeck recounted the ordeal more than a decade later as she continues to fight for justice for her late husband

Reliving the tragic night, she told the Sun: 'As I walked in, I could see Gary. I started to run over to him but they pulled me back and said, "don't let her go near him, they're working on him". '

Describing the life-changing moment she was told her husband had been gunned down, Mrs Vanhoeck broke down in tears and began to have a physical reaction.

Even though she believes police officers initially suspected she was involved in her husband's death, CCTV later backed up her story, having caught the two balaclava-clad men on camera.

During a probe, it was uncovered that the men had also swiped 6,000 worth of jewellery as well as the grieving widow's iPhone.

Following her husband's death, police found a bullet casting from the scene which later led to Brian Miller Jr being charged with his murder as well as armed robbery, burglary and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

But over a decade later, Mr Miller Jr remains on bail as the trial is delayed time and time again due to admin errors - and proceedings have yet again been postponed for the 11th time earlier this week.

And while Mr Miller Jr remains on bail, back on British soil in Warminster, Wiltshire, Mrs Vanhoeck says she serving her own life sentence without her beloved husband.

Recalling their Bahamas life filled with 'blue seas' and 'white sands', the 55-year-old reminisced about how the pair used to enjoy a beer beneath the trees together.

While his alleged killer Mr Miller Jr remains on bail, back on British soil in Warminster, Mrs Vanhoeck (pictured with Gary Vanhoeck) is serving a life sentence without her beloved husband Gary

Recalling their Bahamas life filled with 'blue seas' and 'white sands' with The Sun, the 55-year-old remembered how the pair used to enjoy a beer near a tree together

Now she lives in continued limbo as the trial for her husband's murder is postponed for the eleventh time (Pictured: Mr Vanhoeck's boat, the Lucky Break, in Nassau)

The idea of the sailing the world had been thought of by Gary's, after spotting a job advert in the Caribbean.

After some time in the British Virgin Islands they set up a live in the Bahamas later in 2010, anchoring their yacht in the New Providence area.

However what was once everything the pair had 'ever dreamed of' living on the sunny paradise has turned turned into a 'nightmare'.

'I have the memories, but life, you can't bring back life, and that's the biggest thing they took from me,' she told the publication.

Adding how she never believed she would still be waiting for justice 10 years later, she said: 'You're playing with someone's life. Every time we get a court date, I have to relive it to prepare myself.'

Adamant on getting justice for her late husband, Mrs Vanhoeck said she could not move on until those responsible were held to account.
Lindsay Hoyle was last night embroiled in a new row after recruiting a former lobbyist who gave him several all-expenses-paid junkets.

The Commons Speaker appointed Albert Poggio as an adviser and gave him a parliamentary pass, allowing him access to Commons libraries, bars and restaurants and the highest-ranking politicians and officials in Westminster.

While Gibraltar's representative in London, Mr Poggio, 79, arranged several trips for Sir Lindsay and other MPs to 'the Rock'.

It comes amid deepening questions about the Speaker's other foreign jaunts, which have left taxpayers to pick up a 250,000 bill in the past two years alone.

The appointment of Mr Poggio, a Gibraltarian businessman and political consultant, was never publicly announced but he is listed as the 'Speaker's Adviser on OTs (overseas territories)' in pamphlets produced by Sir Lindsay's office and unearthed by the Mail.

The Speaker's office confirmed Mr Poggio was made an adviser in 2021 and that it provided him with a pass, which he is said to use regularly.

It is not suggested that Mr Poggio has done anything wrong.

Critics last night said it was 'hard to see' why the appointment was necessary and questioned whether it was 'payback' for the lavish jaunts.

The Commons Speaker appointed Albert Poggio (pictured) as an adviser and gave him a parliamentary pass

Pictured: Sir Lindsay Hoyle (far left) and Albert Poggio (far right)

Mr Poggio was given access to Commons libraries, bars and restaurants and the highest-ranking politicians and officials in Westminster (stock image)

A spokesman for the Speaker said: 'We absolutely refute any suggestion or implication of impropriety.'

One four-day trip Sir Lindsay and nine other MPs attended in February 2002 included 'dolphin safaris' and tax-free shopping. It was part of a 1million lobbying campaign lavished on MPs and peers by Mr Poggio, who was the Gibraltar government's representative in London for 28 years before retiring in 2016.

He invited MPs to 'the Rock' to push the case for it to remain British, without interference from Spain.

Sir Lindsay enjoyed 11 trips to the territory as an MP, dating back as far as 1998, before becoming the Commons Speaker in 2019.

Former Tory Cabinet minister David Jones said: 'It is hard to see why the Speaker should need an adviser on the Overseas Territories. There is a fund of support available within the Overseas Territories Association, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as the Commons Library.

'The Speaker should therefore explain precisely what Mr Poggio's duties are, the terms of his contract and the benefits he enjoys under that contract.'

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The Speaker's activities only grow more dubious with each new revelation.

'The Speaker must surely realise that the only way to put these issues to bed is to be open and transparent.'

Sir Lindsay enjoyed 11 trips to Gibraltar as an MP, dating back as far as 1998, before becoming the Commons Speaker in 2019

The official portrait of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Figures obtained by the Mail revealed Hoyle (pictured) spent an extraordinary 180,000 on airfares

The Mail last week revealed how Sir Lindsay has billed taxpayers more than 250,000 in foreign travel expenses since October 2022. This included 180,000 on business and first-class flights because he won't fly economy.

He has claimed nearly 16,000 in expenses for four trips to the Rock since becoming Speaker as he is the chancellor of the University of Gibraltar.

Sir Lindsay's office has said all expenses incurred come as part of his 'responsibility to explain and promote the work of the House'. But, amid calls for an investigation, critics say his chancellor role has nothing to do with his Commons job and taxpayers should not foot the bill.

Mr Poggio's X social media profile featured several pictures of himself with Sir Lindsay, including campaigning for him to win his Chorley seat in Lancashire during several elections.

He has also been snapped alongside several prominent politicians, including former Tory leaders David Cameron and William Hague.

Mr Poggio's profile picture was apparently taken in the Speaker's House, Sir Lindsay's grace-and-favour home on the Parliamentary estate. The profile was deleted after the Mail put several questions to the Speaker's office this week.

In January 2006, Sir Lindsay tabled a motion in the Commons which celebrated Mr Poggio receiving an OBE for the 'huge amount of time and energy' he spent fostering UK-Gibraltar relations and for establishing 'excellent relations' with MPs.

He is a long-standing friend of Sir Lindsay and his ex-MP late father Lord Hoyle, who also provided a 'research assistant' pass to Mr Poggio in the noughties.

The Speaker's office confirmed Mr Poggio (pictured) was made an adviser in 2021 and that it provided him with a pass, which he is said to use regularly

On his trip to Australia, for a January 2023 conference, Hoyle (pictured) was billeted amid the 'exquisite rooms and spacious suites' of the five-star Hotel Realm

The Mail's revelations about Hoyle's spending have outraged MPs. Pictured: Hoyle

Staff at the haunts in Gibraltar frequently visited by Sir Lindsay and Mr Poggio said they appeared to be close friends.

The Speaker's favourite hotel is The Rock, and he is a familiar face at the Caffe Botega  a short taxi ride away in Parliament Lane off Main Street.

A member of staff, anxious not to lose the trade of his influential customers, said on being shown Sir Lindsay's picture: 'He's a good customer  I've served him several times when he's come in with Albert Poggio.

'I assume they're discussing tourism to Gibraltar, but the Englishman is clearly a good friend of Poggio.'

A staff member at The Rock Hotel said: 'They'd have some meals here at Alfred's [restaurant], and drinks in the bar  but they go out a lot too, being wined and dined by the Gibraltar government even when not having bills paid by the UK.'

A spokesman for the Speaker said yesterday: 'In 2021, Mr Poggio became an unpaid adviser to the Speaker on Gibraltar and the British Overseas Territories, due to his long-standing expertise in this area.

'He has never been remunerated for this role or claimed any expenses from the Speaker's office. In order to carry out these duties, the Speaker sponsored a parliamentary pass for Mr Poggio.'

Mr Poggio was unavailable for comment.
President Donald Trump has declared that World War III could 'very easily' erupt and would prove to be 'a war like no other' with catastrophic nuclear weapons if peace talks over Ukraine failed.

The US president issued the stark warning on Friday night, while revealing ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are progressing - but devastation could yet be unleashed if the two nations cannot agree peace terms.

Speaking to the Justice Department he said: 'I think we have it, I think we have it, but this could lead to World War III, very easily, could very easily lead to World War III.

'But I think we're in pretty good shape, a lot better than where we were before we got involved.

'That was heading into World War III territory, that would've been a war like no other because of nuclear weapons, and other types of weapons that you don't even wanna know about.'

Claiming much of the progress had been made since he became president, Trump went on to say that he had been speaking with the Russian premier 'to get the war over'.

He said: 'I think we're doing well with Russia, we're speaking with President Putin, we want to get the war over.'

Trump also told his audience that 'maybe' $350billion had been sent to Europe - a figure that analysts believe to be higher than accurate - and that he was on the pathway to a deal where he would be 'getting that back'.

President Donald Trump hinted World War III could 'very easily' erupt and would prove to be 'a war like no other' with catastrophic nuclear weapons if peace talks over Ukraine failed

The US president issued the stark warning on Friday night, while revealing ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are progressing - but catastrophe could yet be unleashed if the two nations cannot agree peace terms

Trump's comments come as Russia continues to pound Ukraine. Pictured: The rubble of destroyed buildings in the frontline city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region

He added: 'We've had some very good calls today with Russia, and with Ukraine, they've agreed to a ceasefire if we can get it with Russia. And it's not easy. It's a tough one.'

The US President continued to claim that at one point 'there would have been no war had I been president. It just 100 per cent would not have happened.'

His appearance at the Justice Department is the first by Trump and the first by any president in a decade.

The last president to visit the department was Barack Obama, who attended then Attorney General Eric Holder's departure ceremony.

Trump's comments on Friday come as Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk were urged to surrender by Vladimir Putin after Donald Trump urged Russia to 'spare' their lives.

Moscow has recaptured the vast majority of territory seized by Kyiv in its cross-border assault into Kursk last August, including in a rapid counteroffensive over the last week.

Putin insisted that Ukrainian forces in Kursk would be 'guaranteed life and dignified treatment' if they laid down their arms.

He said in a televised address: 'We are sympathetic to President Trump's call.

In a televised address, Vladimir Putin said he would spare Ukrainian forces in Kursk if they laid down their arms

Russian forces walk down a street in Kursk region, which was recently retaken from Kyiv

Russian soldiers in Kursk. Moscow has retaken control of the region, which was seized by Ukraine last August

'If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment.'

But he added: 'In order to effectively implement the US president's call, (there needs to be) a corresponding order from Ukraine's military-political leadership to its military to lay down their arms and surrender.'

In a social media post, the US President had called on Putin to avoid a 'horrible massacre' and spare the lives of 'thousands' of vulnerable Ukrainian soldiers who he said were 'completely surrounded'.

Mr Trump wrote: 'I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II.'

Kyiv denied Mr Trump's claims that units had been encircled. However Volodymyr Zelensky admitted the situation in Kursk was 'very difficult'.

President Trump's comments on Ukraine and Russia came as he announced earlier on Friday a 'proud new chapter' of the Justice Department that would end the 'weaponization' of government in rambling speech that revisited his old wounds and allowed him to gloat.

'We are turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals and we are restoring fair, equal and impartial justice under the law,' Trump said, standing before the seal of the Department of Justice.

But the main point of his speech was to declare victory over his political rivals and the federal officials who tried to prosecute him.

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It was yet another setting for him to repeat his complaints about the cases against him and to mock his vanquished rival, Joe Biden.

Trump described the federal cases against him as 'bulls***,' admitting he was breaking a promise to wife Melania Trump in using the word.

'I will not use a bad word. I promised my wife I would never use a bad word,' he said before going on to use an expletive: 'The case against me was bulls***.'

From the campaign onwards, Trump has demonstrated his interest in having control over the department and which investigations it pursues.

The visit is the first by Trump and the first by any president in a decade. The last president to visit the department was Barack Obama, who attended then Attorney General Eric Holder's departure ceremony.
For more than a century, royal women have upheld the St Patrick's Day tradition of presenting shamrocks to the Irish Guards.

Since marrying Prince William, Kate Middleton has embraced this role, regularly attending the annual parade - and establishing it as a key event in the royal calendar.

The Irish Guards was founded in 1900 by Queen Victoria, and the custom of handing out shamrocks began in 1901, introduced by her daughter-in-law, Queen Alexandra.

The shamrock, with its three heart-shaped leaves, is particularly associated with Ireland and said to symbolise the Holy Trinity - representing both faith and country.

Each year on St Patrick's Day shamrocks are distributed to the Irish Guards who serve in the British Armed Forces.

During times of war shamrocks are sent to troops on active duty, often placed inside their Kevlar helmets for good luck.

For those stationed at home, the highest honour is to receive the shamrock directly from a senior royal.

This duty became a hallmark of the Queen Mother until her death. Princess Anne continued the tradition for some time, but since 2012 it has been carried out by Kate, as William served as the Royal Regiment Colonel.

Since marrying Prince William, Kate Middleton has taken on this role of presenting shamrocks to the Irish Guards

The Queen Mother pictured with officers of the Irish Guards at Chelsea Barracks

Princess Anne poses with guards as she visits the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Victoria Barracks, Windsor, in March 2009

However, in 2023, Kate became the Honorary Regiment Colonel of the Irish Guards, succeeding her husband.

Dressed in his Irish Guards Frock Coat, William delivered a heartfelt speech in which he expressed his sadness for stepping aside and described the role as 'one of the great honours of my life'.

'I may be stepping aside, but in Colonel Catherine you have a committed, focused and already incredibly loyal 11th Colonel,' he said.

'As you serve together over the years ahead, know that I will continue to watch you, with huge pride in having been one of you.'

Each year, around 400 soldiers march across Parade Square, followed by a traditional group photo with William and Kate, who then attend a special reception.

In 2019, the couple appeared delighted to be reunited with Domhnall, the Irish wolfhound mascot they had met on several occasions.

Domhnall, whose name means 'world leader' in Gaelic, traditionally led the soldiers during the parade.

Queen Elizabeth ll and Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg pose with the Irish Guards for a St Patrick's Day celebration in 1995

However, in 2023, Kate became the honorary Regiment Colonel of the Irish Guards, succeeding her husband

The shamrock, with its three heart-shaped leaves, symbolises Ireland and the Holy Trinity - representing both faith and country

Kate meets with members of the Irish Guards and enjoys a Guinness during the St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in 2023

Kate attends the parade for the first time as Colonel of the Regiment succeeding William, the outgoing Colonel

In 2019, Kate appeared delighted to be reunited with Domhnall, the Irish wolfhound mascot they had met on several occasions

William and Kate attend the annual parade at Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow, in 2018

The royal couple enjoy a pint of Guinness, adding a personal and memorable touch to the occasion

The royal couple laugh as Lieutenant Colonel Rob Money puts a bearskin hat on his 20-month-old daughter Gaia Money's head in 2022

Kate is presented a posy of flowers by 20-month-old Gaia Money

Kate and William attend the 1st Battalion Irish Guards St Patrick's Day Parade at Cavalry Barracks in 2019

William and Kate attend the St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in 2015

The Princess of Wales presents the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen in 2023

Kate enjoys a pint of Guinness with officers and guardsmen of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards after the St Patrick's Day parade in 2019

Kate was seen warmly patting the dog as she presented him with a shamrock, showing her affection for the beloved canine, who officially retired from his ceremonial role that September after nearly seven years of service.

During the reception, William presents medals to officers and guardsmen of the 1st Battalion, and the couple spend time speaking with soldiers and their families.

They also enjoy a pint of Guinness, adding a personal and memorable touch to the occasion.

In a nod to Ireland's national day, Kate typically wears outfits in varying shades of green, breaking from tradition only once in 2015 when she opted for a chestnut brown ensemble.

Her most recent look was perhaps her most striking yet, as she chose head-to-toe teal, subtly reflecting the Irish Guards' plume.

Her bespoke Catherine Walker coat featured a stand collar and distinctively spaced buttons, mirroring the official uniform.

At every parade, Kate adorns her outfit with a delicate gold shamrock brooch by Cartier, loaned by the Irish Guards.

The piece was previously worn by both the Queen Mother and Princess Anne, adding historical significance to her appearance.
A little-known town in southern New Jersey has been named among the most charming small towns in the US.

The historic area, which sits on the Delaware River and has a population of around 4,000, used to be mainly a weekend getaway for people looking to escape Philadelphia or New York City, but it now draws full timers who love its artsy scene.

It tends to be a very polite place. It's a place that is sometimes shocking to people because everybody says hello, local realtor and town resident Brad Sanford tells Daily Mail.

People who move here want that small town feel. They want people to be kind. It's a very kind place. And the architecture is sweet.

Sanford says many of the towns residents are artists or musicians of some kind who enjoy the main streets restaurants and shops that are all run by locals. The only chain store in town is a CVS. All the restaurants and shops are locally owned.

'Its like Gilmore Girls, it's a little Stars Hollow in that way, he says.

Lambertville residents can often be spotted enjoying bike rides and runs along Delaware and Raritan Canal State or strolling with their dogs on Main Street.

The river is wonderful. I mean, people use nature around here. Very often, everybody's walking their dogs and you know the name of the dog, which is kind of wonderful, Sanford says.

Many of the towns residents are artists or musicians who want a small town feel

Local realtor and town resident Brad Sanford

The town covers one square mile and many of its homes are on the National Register of Historic Places, with Sanford saying there arent many modern homes within its borders.

Lambertville connects to New Hope, PA, which is just over a bridge that connects the two towns.

New Hope has become a popular destination for celebrities like Bradley Cooper, who purchased a 33-acre farmhouse for $6.5 million there in 2024.

Coopers girlfriend Gigi Hadid and her mom have separate houses in New Hope, and Bob Dylans musician son Jakob Dylan own homes there.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Hailey Bieber have been spotted shopping separately in the area.

New Hope just sort of compliments Lambertville. In my personal opinion I think Lambertvilles better because I love it, Sanford says.

Hollywood is also discovering Lambertville. Last summer, Echo Valley, a movie starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney could be seen filming all over town.

In the past few years, homes for sale in the community have doubled, with some homes on desirable streets going for nearly $1 million.

Last summer, Echo Valley, a movie starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney could be seen filming all over Lambertville

Homes for sale in the community have doubled, with some homes on desirable streets going for nearly $1 million

Antique shops can be found in town, along with locally owned coffee shops and restaurants

Lambertville Station, housed inside a beautifully restored train station, offers fine dining on the Delaware River

A path for running and walking runs alongside the town's old canal

Lambertville residents can often be spotted enjoying bike rides and runs along Delaware and Raritan Canal State

Lambertville, named most charming in the US, sits in southern New Jersey on the Delaware River

The schools have high ratings, with students in prekindergarten through sixth grade attending Lambertville Public School. The towns middle school is housed at South Hunterdon Regional High School.

Lambertville is about one square mile, so most of the kids can walk or ride their bikes to school, Sanford says.

There are also plenty of restaurants ranging from cafes to Pad Thai. Lambertville Station, housed inside a beautifully restored train station, offers fine dining on the Delaware River.

Lambertville has always been a sort of foodie town, Sanford says.

You can get a good burger or you could get Pad Thai in town. There's a new Mediterranean restaurant opening up. There's Bells Tavern, which is the local joint, it has great food. All the locals hang out there. Its kind of wonderful.

Sanford says the town has a few 'great' coffee shops, that are all individually owned by locals.

The arts scene is lively, especially in the spring. Lambertville often has community gallery crawls and small parades, along with live music and outdoor festivals, like ShadFest, which celebrates local businesses.

Its sort of like Brigadoon. It's a, it's a place that really shouldn't exist,' Sanford says.
A glamorous Houston suburb has been named Texas's richest zip code, as homes continue to be snatched up for jaw-dropping prices.

Hunters Creek Village took the top spot for the state's wealthiest town with around 75 percent of households earning more than $200,000, according to a report from Stacker, a digital content distribution firm.

With a median household income of 232.7 percent more than the US median, the village of only two square miles was also found to have only 1.6 percent of families earning an income below the poverty level.

Stacker utilized the most recent Census data and ranked the locations by median household income.

Hunters Creek Village's median household income of $250,000 sits at the top end of the data range. Stacker noted that data of median earnings above $250,000 were not available.

Hunters Creek Village also saw some of the most expensive home sales in Houston for the month of May last year, including a stunning 17,192-square-foot estate that sold for an eye-watering $14.8 million.

The gorgeous four-bed, 12-bath home sits on a four-acre lot and became the most expensive sale in the Houston area last year.

Hunters Creek Village took the top spot for the state's wealthiest town with around 75 percent of households earning more than $200,000 according to a report from Stacker, a digital content distribution firm

The gorgeous four bed, 12 bath home sits on a four-acre lot and became the most expensive sale in the Houston area last year at $14.8 million

Currently another three-story home is listed for $12,750,000. With four bedrooms and six bathrooms, the impressive mansion sits on almost three acres of manicured land

Two other impressive homes sold for more than $6 million, one five-bedroom and eight-bath mansion sold for $6,150,000.

Another home, with windows from floor to ceiling, sold for $6.9 million.

The eight-bedroom and 13-bath contemporary-modern custom home sits on 3.14 acres hidden among trees.

Currently another three-story home is listed for $12,750,000. With four bedrooms and six bathrooms, the impressive mansion sits on almost three acres of manicured land.

Along with the high price tag, the extravagant country French manor home also comes with full-time private security 'for peace of mind,' according to the listing.

Another home in the highly sought after area is listed for $8.2 million.

The property has a six-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom guest house, as well as a fitness center and parlor bar for a combined total of 9,935 square feet.

One of the village's most expensive current sales also includes a $6.9 million property sat on a 27,950-square-foot lot.

One of the village's most expensive current sales also includes a $6.9 million property sat on a 27,950-square-foot lot

The vibrant community consists of about 4,400 residents who are able to take advantage of the villages 6.33 miles of hiking and bike paths

Another home in the highly sought after area is listed for $8.2 million. The property has a six-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom guest house, as well as a fitness center and parlor bar for a combined total of 9,935 square feet

The rustic-contemporary home has six bedrooms and ten bathrooms, as well as a wine room, a pool and a jacuzzi.

Hunters Creek Village is part of the area's Memorial Villages, which were formed between 1954 and 1955, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Memorial Villages were formed after efforts to create a single consolidated Spring Branch municipality failed, the outlet reported.

Residents were looking to protect the community's rustic charm, as the area at the time was mostly rural, as Houston's borders grew.

The vibrant community consists of about 4,400 residents who are able to take advantage of the villages 6.33 miles of hiking and bike paths.
Americans are no strangers to natural disasters. Each year, the US endures extreme storms, raging wildfires, earthquakes and more.

In 2024, there were 27 billion-dollar catastrophes in the US - and those were just weather and climate-related events.

But scientists have long warned that the worst is yet to come.

From a megaquake to a supercharged hurricane and a devastating volcanic eruption, research has shown that certain exceptionally dangerous disasters are bound to occur.

Any one of these events could lay waste to entire cities - resulting in mass death, the destruction of thousands of homes and the complete collapse of regional infrastructure.

It's not a matter of if they will strike, but when.

Even with state-of-the art technology and research methods, forecasting natural disasters is extremely challenging. And in some cases, it's impossible.

That's why scientists have urged Americans to prepare for these worst-case scenarios to strike at any time.

Even though disaster preparedness has increased in recent years, experts say the looming threat of these 'inevitable' crises keeps them up at night.

From a megaquake to a supercharged hurricane and a devastating volcanic eruption, research has shown that exceptionally dangerous disasters are bound to happen at some point

'The Big One'

The West Coast is overdue for a massive earthquake along the San Andreas fault, a fracture in the Earth's crust that spans 800 miles in California.

The anticipated magnitude-8 quake would wreak havoc upon the state's famous cities, causing roughly 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries and $200 billion in damage, according to the Great California Shakeout. And experts say this is an underestimate.

It's impossible to predict exactly when 'The Big One' - or any earthquake - will occur. But experts are fairly confident that a large quake could strike California within the next 30 years.

That's because geologic studies suggest a large-magnitude quake occurs along the San Andreas fault every 150 years - and the last one was 167 years ago.

'We want people to know that this could happen at any time,' Christie Rowe, director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, told the Daily Mail.

'It could be another 300 years, or it could happen tomorrow,' she said.

When 'The Big One' inevitably hits, high-intensity ground shaking will begin within the first 30 seconds.

Cities and towns within a 60-mile radius of the epicenter and located directly on the fault line - such as Palm Springs - could have shaking up to intensity level 9.

'The Big One' would wreak havoc across California in a matter of minutes

This level of ground movement is considered 'violent' and could cause significant damage to buildings - even making some collapse or shift off their foundations, according to the United States Geological Survey.

If the epicenter is located near the Salton Sea, intensity level 2 to 3 shaking would reach Los Angeles about 45 seconds after the initial rupture, according to the Great California Shakeout.

By the 75-second mark, high-intensity tremors would be rolling in, steadily increasing ground movement until the most violent shaking - up to intensity level 9 - hits at about 90 seconds.

Violent shaking could rock LA for at least a minute, according to the Shakeout.

In that time, extensive damage will likely have occurred - leading buildings to crumble and shifting them off their foundations. As infrastructure is destroyed, many residents will likely be injured or killed.

Although scientist's can't predict exactly when 'The Big One' will strike, 'the magnitude of damage is so great that it's not trivial to prepare for it,' Rowe said.

Category 6 Hurricane Danielle

Sometime around the year 2100, an 'ultra-intense Category 6' hurricane could unleash itself upon the US.

This grave forecast is part of the book Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans That Feed Them, in which author Porter Fox featured scientific calculations and testimonies from sailors who have dealt with extreme weather first-hand.

While this is a theoretical weather event, Fox called it 'the most powerful storm ever seen on Earth,' predicting it will form at the turn of the century and be named Hurricane Danielle.

Multiple studies have shown climate change is ushering in a dark new era of 'mega-hurricanes,' prompting scientists to call for a unprecedented Category 6 hurricane designation.

An 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' storm would bring winds of 192 miles per hour or higher and cause a rise in sea water exceeding 25 feet. While this is a theoretical weather event, experts called it 'most powerful storm ever seen on Earth' (stock image)

A Category 6 storm would bring winds of 192 miles per hour or higher and cause a rise in seawater exceeding 25 feet, experts predict.

In his book, Fox says Hurricane Danielle would head straight for New York City, trekking through the slim channel between Staten Island and Brooklyn's Dyker Heights, which weathered Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

'Destruction will be on a scale never seen in the Northeast,' Fox wrote, 'more like a cyclone on the floodplains of India or Bangladesh than wind events in the tristate.'

Fox's hypothetical 'Hurricane Danielle' would enter New York Harbor first, rattling the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with brutally intense winds.

The wind would snap the span's three-foot-thick suspension cables and 'send both levels of the roadway into the lower bay.'

As the hurricane enters New York Harbor, the whole of Governors Island would be inundated by 'a wall of whitewater.'

'Most windows in the Freedom Tower, built to withstand gusts up to two hundred miles per hour, will blow out,' according to Fox, ironically 'reducing its windage and likely saving the building.'

As flood waters rise, the city will quickly lose power, internet and cellphone service. Fox estimated that the death toll of Hurricane Danielle hitting the most populous US city would be around 42,000.

'Thousands of families torn apart,' he writes. 'Hundreds of neighborhoods erased.'

Mount Rainier Eruption

Mount Rainier, arguably the most dangerous volcanos in the US, looms over Olympia, Washington

Volcanologists say it is only a matter of time until Mount Rainier, arguably the most dangerous volcano in the US, unleashes on the Pacific Northwest.

The huge, active stratovolcano looms some of the region's biggest cities. Nearly 90,000 people live within its danger zone, including residents of Seattle, Tacoma, and Yakima in Washington, as well as Portland, Oregon.

Mount Rainier has not produced a significant eruption in more than 1,000 years, but experts keep a very close eye on it due to its potential to blow at any time and wreak widespread destruction.

'Mount Rainier keeps me up at night because it poses such a great threat to the surrounding communities,' Jess Phoenix, a volcanologist and ambassador for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said during an appearance on CNN.

When the volcano eventually blows, it won't be lava flows or choking clouds of ash that threaten surrounding cities, but lahars: violent, fast-moving mudflows that can tear across entire communities in a matter of minutes.

A village on Indonesia's Java Island was inundated by a lahar after the Semeru volcano erupted in 2022

Large lahars can crush, bury, or carry away almost anything in their paths, according to the US Geological Survey.

'Tacoma and South Seattle are built on 100-foot-thick ancient mudflows from eruptions of Mount Rainier,' Phoenix said.

This is a strong indication that these populous cities lie within the path of potential lahars generated by a future eruption.

Over the last 20 years, scientists have been upgrading and expanding lahar monitoring stations around the volcano, collectively known as The Mount Rainier Lahar Detection System.

These new technologies have significantly improved the effectiveness of the system, allowing it to operate in real-time.

Cities near Mount Rainier are also honing emergency response strategies to prepare for a potential eruption.
A US military aircraft fitted with sophisticated radar technologies was caught traveling 1,300 miles across the country to a UFO hotspot.

The Boeing E-3B Sentry, dubbed 'America's ultimate spy plane,' left Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma Thursday around 7am ET.

The plane flew off the coast of North Carolina, where it made two circles around Pamlico Sound and returned to base at 2pm ET.

The the bay has been a place for bizarre sightings such as glowing orbs, pulsating white lights and encounters with 'greys.

In 2019, a man captured a video showing 14 glowing orbs hovering above the water while aboard a ferry in Pamlico Sound.

However, there are also military installations in the area.

Sentry primarily takes flight for airborne surveillance, command, and control of air operations, and to detect, identify and track targets in the skies. But the purpose of yesterday's mission is unknown.

The aircraft features a 30-foot-wide rotating radar dome that scans a wide area for threats. The Air Force has 30 Sentry planes in active service, 26 of which are stationed at Tinker.

A flight tracker spotted Boeing E-3B Sentry, dubbed 'America's ultimate spy plane,' travel from Oklahoma to off the coast of North Carolina

Sentry primarily takes flight for airborne surveillance, command, and control of air operations, and to detect, identify and track targets in the skies. But the purpose of yesterday's mission is unknown

The eastern coast of North Carolina has had its fair share of UFO claims.

William Guy was out on ferry moving through the Pamlico Sound in September 2019. Guy, from Indiana, was one of many workers sent to repair damage caused by Hurricane Dorian on Ocracoke Island, The Charlotte Observer reported.

He shared a video of the trip on YouTube, capturing more than a dozen circular lights in the sky. 'Anybody tell me what that is?' Guy says in the 31-second video. 'We're in the middle of the ocean, on a ferry, nothing around. Look. Nothing around. No land, no nothing.'

Other passengers on the ferry can be heard marveling at the sight.

'A lot of people I have talked to here on the island said it was flares, but they also said they have never seen anything like what I captured,' Guy shared in the video caption.

And one year later, a tugboat operator reported seeing a pulsating white light over Pamlico Sound that emitted a smaller light moving at high speed before disappearing.

He shared the experience on the National UFO Reporting Center, saying: 'I brought the light to the attention of another crew member and we watched it for about 10 minutes before it just disappeared.

'The light stemmed to pulsate getting dim then bright. For a few seconds it turned green. The objective was stationary the entire time.'

In 2019, William Guy captured a video showing 14 glowing orbs hovering above the water while aboard a ferry in Pamlico Sound

The plane then flew off the coast of North Carolina , where it made two circles around Pamlico Sound and returned to base at 2pm ET

Along the shore of Pamlico Sound is the town Oriental where Sev Tok claimed she 'came face-to-face' with an alien.

'They're what we call The Greys, the small ones with the big eyes,' Tok told Greenville's WNCT in 2023.

'I was paralyzed on this bed and I was lying on my side and I could feel there was something behind me. When I moved my head and turned around, there was a Grey standing behind me doing something to my back.'

This area is also home to military installations like Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, which many people believe are associated with the strange sightings.

But Sentry did not land while circling the coast. It made two trips around Pamlico Sound and headed back to Oklahoma.

Engineering, testing and evaluation began on the first E-3 Sentry in October 1975.

In March 1977 the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing (now 552nd Air Control Wing), received the first E-3s.

NATO also has 17 planes, the UK has seve, France has four and Saudi Arabia has five.

Sentry boasts navigation, communications, sensors (radar and passive detection) and identification tools, along with interior consoles that display computer-processed data in graphic and tabular format on video screens.

'Mission crew members perform surveillance, identification, weapons control, battle management and communications functions,' according to the Air Force.

The radar and computer systems are capable of gathering detailed battlefield information.

'This includes position and tracking information on enemy aircraft and ships, and location and status of friendly aircraft and naval vessels,' the Air Force shard.

'The information can be sent to major command and control centers in rear areas or aboard ships. In time of crisis, this data can also be forwarded to the president and secretary of defense.'
UFO whistleblowers have testified that aliens are not only real but are already among us here on Earth.

In a new documentary titled 'The Age of Disclosure', 34 American military and intelligence veterans claim to have direct knowledge or experience of extraterrestrials.

These experts allege that the United States has orchestrated an elaborate coverup campaign to hide the worldwide race to capture and reverse-engineer alien technology.

Former senior intelligence official Luis Elizondo, the film's lead subject, claims this has been 'the most successful disinformation campaign in the history of the US government, representing 80 years of lies and deception'.

The documentary even features a group of bipartisan politicians including Trump's new Secretary of State Mark Rubio and the Democratic senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand.

As the title suggests, these figures argue that it is time for 'disclosure' from the US government, revealing the alien secrets that have supposedly been hidden.

Directed by filmmaker Dan Farah, the film has caused a stir after its premiere at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas last week.

While many have welcomed the new evidence, others remain unconvinced that Farah has succeeded in proving anything new about aliens.

The documentary's main subject is former senior intelligence official Luis Elizondo (pictured). He claims this has been 'the most successful disinformation campaign in the history of the US government, representing '80 years of lies and deception'.

The documentary discusses the infamous 'Tic Tac' video (pictured) which was filmed over San Diego in 2004. The documentary claims that this was an alien craft

The Age of Disclosure's core argument is that UFOs, or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), are not only real but a subject worthy of serious concern.

The documentary's participants jointly allege that the US has been engaging in a decades-long secret war against China and Russia to capture alien technology and alien lifeforms.

They argue that secretive figures within the government believe that the first country to unlock the secrets of this mysterious technology will become the leading global power for years to come.

However, these speakers are not the normal collection of paranoid conspiracy theorists you might expect from an alien documentary.

Instead, they represent a wide range of leading scientists, military, and government officials.

That includes Jay Stratton, former Director of the Government UAP Task Force, who claims: 'I have seen with my own eyes non-human craft and non-human beings.'

Likewise, Christopher Mellon, a former Department of Defense official, opines that the truth about aliens represents 'the biggest discovery in human history.'

Speaking at the Q&A after the film's premiere, Farah said: 'This is a very real situation, and the stakes are incredibly high, and its clearly the most bipartisan issue of our time  leaders from both political parties made it clear to me how serious it is.

Senior military and intelligence officials claim that aliens are not only real but already walk among us (stock image)

'But the public has no idea. The average person on the street is just completely in the dark.'

While the existence of aliens has supposedly been hidden from the public for years, this documentary rides a wave of growing support for more transparency.

In 2017, a New York Times investigation found the existence of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) which Luis Elizondo claims to have been a member of.

Increasing public pressure then led to the disclosure of several Pentagon reports confirming hundreds of UAP sightings by military personnel.

Critically, in 2023 this led to a major congressional hearing in which David Grusch, who led the analysis of UAP within a US defence agency, claimed that the government had taken possession of alien craft and 'biologics'.

Last year, Mr Elizondo and several other documentary participants testified before Congress about the existence of a secret UAP retrieval programme.

Mike Gold, another key source in the film, testified before Congress alongside Elizondo.

Gold previously served as NASA's associate administrator of space policy and partnerships and as a member of the organization's independent UAP study team in October 2022.

In November last year, Mr Elizondo (second from left) and other participants in the documentary such as former NASA administrator Michael Gold (right) testified before Congress. During the hearing, they claimed to have evidence of a secret UFO retrieval programme

During the November hearing, he spoke to the seriousness and reality of UFOs as an unsolved mystery worthy of large-scale scientific investigation.

'NASA personnel stepping forward and participating in such discussions would make a powerful statement to the scientific community that UAPs should be taken seriously and researched accordingly,' Gold said.

Whether aliens are real or not, calls for disclosure are now an undeniable political reality which cannot simply be written off as a crack-pot theory or fringe interest.

Speaking in the documentary, Mr Elizondo calls this 'the greatest paradigm shift in human history'.

The documentary also discusses some of the best known UFO sightings including the 'Tic Tac object' which was recorded during a flight over San Diego in 2004.

We learn that this object supposedly hit speeds ten times greater than America's best aircraft are capable of before stopping on a dime - a feat deemed impossible by most.

The object also appeared to make other impossible manoeuvres such as dropping 80,000 ft in a second and changing direction without losing speed.

Combined with an apparent lack of wings, markings, or exhaust plumes, the documentary concludes that this must be an alien craft.

However, with the stakes so high, the documentary stumbles on the same hurdle that trips up so many other alien documentaries.

If what the participants say is true, then any real information they could provide is too classified for them to openly share.

This leaves the documentary's participants making some pretty wild assertions without actually providing any evidence in support.

As IndieWire's Christian Zilko wrote in a review, The Age of Disclosure presents 'the most convincing argument you can make without showing any actual evidence.'

What little evidence they do offer is either old, such as the Tic Tac video, or so vague and classified that it could never be meaningfully challenged.

As Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter puts it: 'My problem with The Age of Disclosure isnt the lack of opposing voices. Its that there couldnt be experts debunking anything here. Nothing is proven, and thus nothing can be refuted.

'This is just a basic cable exploitation doc done up with a fancy gloss.'

Critics have also pointed out that many of the 'reputable' sources put forward in the documentary have previously made highly questionable claims.

Alongside UFO advocates the documentary also features senior politicians such as Trump's new Secretary of State Mark Rubio (pictured) who argues that the UFO phenomenon is a topic worthy of serious attention

Steven Greenstreet, an investigative reporter for the New York Post, points out in a post on X that Luis Elizondo claimed the Pentagon trained him to spy on terrorists with psychic powers.

In one incident described in his recent book, Mr Elizondo claimed that he psychically transformed into an angel to scare a terrorist in his bed.

However, regardless of how convincing the documentary actually is, it has been seen by many as an important legitimisation of the disclosure movement.

Having a key political figure such as Mark Rubio speak alongside UAP advocates like Mr Elizondo lends their claims some serious weight.

Ultimately, the documentary's goal is not necessarily to convince the viewer that aliens are real, but rather to push for more transparency from the Government.

As Mr Stratton, a key figure in the documentary, says in the film: 'Push your representatives, push the executive branch, push the president to make this come to light, make the transparency happen, so the world can understand what weve been dealing with is real.'
Global sea levels rose by an 'unexpected' amount last year, NASA has warned.

The space agency had predicted the water level to rise by 0.17-inches (0.43cm) in 2024.

But measurements show that last year's rate of rise was actually much higher than this, with sea levels increasing by 0.23-inches (0.59cm).

According to NASA, this 'unexpected' increase was due to an unusual amount of ocean warming, combined with meltwater from land-based ice such as glaciers.

'The rise we saw in 2024 was higher than we expected,' said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

'Every year is a little bit different, but what's clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster.'

Since 1993, global sea levels have risen by a staggering 3.97-inches (10.1cm).

And if they continue to climb at this rate, hundreds of densely populated cities around the world could be plunged underwater.

The space agency had predicted the water level to rise by 0.17-inches (0.43cm) in 2024. But measurements show that last year's rate of rise was actually much higher than this, with sea levels increasing by 0.23-inches (0.59cm)

According to NASA, this 'unexpected' increase was due to an unusual amount of ocean warming, combined with meltwater from land-based ice such as glaciers

In recent years, about two-thirds of sea level rise has come from melting ice sheets and glaciers, while a third comes from ocean warming.

However, in 2024, those contributions flipped, according to Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, head of physical oceanography programs and the Integrated Earth System Observatory at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

'With 2024 as the warmest year on record, Earth's expanding oceans are following suit, reaching their highest levels in three decades,' she explained.

Using a series of ocean-observing satellites, NASA has been recording sea levels around the world since 1993.

Since then, the rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled - and things are only set to get even worse.

Based on the current rate, NASA has also projected sea level rise over the next 15 years.

Worryingly, their projections suggest that we could see another 2.7-inches (7cm) of sea level rise by the year 2040.

Using Climate Central's Coastal Risk Screening Tool, MailOnline set out to understand the impact this amount of sea level rise would have around the world.

Using a series of ocean-observing satellites, NASA has been recording sea levels around the world since 1993. Since then, the rate of annual sea level rise has more than doubled - and things are only set to get even worse

Using a series of ocean-observing satellites, NASA has been recording sea levels around the world since 1993

And it suggests that hundreds of towns and cities are at risk of being plunged underwater.

Here in the UK, huge parts of London - including Canning Town, Canary Wharf, the Southbank, and Abbey Wood - would fall below the water line, along with Skegness, Hull, and Great Yarmouth.

Over in Europe, much of the Netherlands would be plunged underwater, along with Venice in Italy.

While most of the US would be safe, several parts of the south and east coasts would be at risk, impacted densely populated areas including Galveston, New Orleans, adn Charleston.

Elsewhere, Bangkok in Thailand, Basra in Iraq, and Navi Mumbai in India, are also at risk of being submerged.

Professor Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, has described sea level rise as a 'catastrophe'.

'Sea level rise is a catastrophe emerging slowly and inexorably now that will worsen substantially into the far future,' he said.

'Low lying coastal regions that including many populous cities such as Miami, Mumbai, Shanghai and Tokyo will be affected during this century and many centuries in the future.

'For the far future it seems inevitable that massive adaptation to rising seas will be essential and only by rapidly achieving net zero carbon emissions can the costs and scale of adaptation to the creeping ocean be tempered.'
The moment that Black Mirror fans have been waiting for finally arrived last night, as Netflix released the highly anticipated trailer for Season 7.

From virtual reality headsets to killer video games, the trailer showcases several futuristic technologies.

However, it was a 'mind-expanding' brain chip that really caught fans' attention.

In the trailer, several characters can be seen sporting a small, white chip on the side of their faces.

'They call it mind expanding. It alters your neuronal structure,' Peter Capaldi's character ominously explains.

Viewers were quick to point out the resemblance to a real-life technology - Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip.

This implantable device is said to enable people with paralysis to control computers and mobile devices with their thoughts, and potentially restore vision to those born blind.

'This is a warning show of how bad Elon Musk's Neuralink will become,' one user commented on the YouTube video of the trailer.

The moment that Black Mirror fans have been waiting for finally arrived last night, as Netflix released the highly anticipated trailer for Season 7. From virtual reality headsets to killer video games, the trailer showcases several futuristic technologies. However, it was a 'mind-expanding' brain chip that really caught fans' attention

The brain chip in the Black Mirror trailer sits on the wearer's temple, and is studded with small, blue lights

The brain chip in the Black Mirror trailer sits on the wearer's temple, and is studded with small, blue lights.

While Neuralink's brain chip is fully implanted, this hasn't stopped fans from drawing comparisons.

'black mirror now is just, what if neuralink has apps?' one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter).

Another added: 'Elon, it appears that a new episode of Black mirror is doing a neuralink concept. Have you seen the trailer yet?'

Neuralink was founded by Musk back in 2016, and is on a mission to 'create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow.'

The Neuralink device contains 1,024 electrodes which are implanted into the patient's brain tissue by a sewing machine-like robot.

Those electrodes record the brain's electrical activity which is then streamed to a computer which converts the signal into commands such as clicking or moving a mouse.

Neuralink claims that this technology will allow those with physical disabilities such as quadriplegia to use computer-controlled devices and regain their autonomy.

Neuralink's brain chip is fully implanted, but this hasn't stopped fans from drawing comparisons

Neuralink was founded by Musk back in 2016, and is on a mission to 'create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow'

However, it hasn't been without its controversy.

Neuralink's first human trial nearly came to an end after the patient endured a potentially life-threatening condition shortly after the implantation surgery.

A report about the incident claimed that air became trapped inside Nolan Arbaugh's skull during the operation, a condition known as pneumocephalus that can cause seizures, brain abscess and death if untreated.

Meanwhile, DailyMail.com revealed last year that there was horrific animal testing being performed to bring Musk's brain chip project to life.

Black Mirror writer, Charlie Brooker, has not commented on his inspiration for the brain chip, although he did call some of the new episodes 'deeply unpleasant.'

'You can expect a mix of genres and styles. We've got six episodes this time, and two of them are basically feature-length,' he said.

'Some of them are deeply unpleasant, some are quite funny, and some are emotional.'

'Its back to basics in many ways. Theyre all sci-fi stories  theres definitely some horrifying things that occur, but maybe not in an overt horror-movie way. Theres definitely some disturbing content in it.'

Black Mirror will return to Netflix on April 10
The tomb of a perfectly preserved saint is set to be unsealed as part of an ancient Catholic ritual.

Saint Teresa of Avila's tomb will be unsealed and her 700-year-old remains left on display in Spain from May 11 to 25.

People are free to come and pray to the saint during this period of veneration, a form of respect and reverence given to saints.

Saint Teresa was a Spanish nun and the patron saint of chess players, lace makers, loss of parents, people in need of grace, people in religious orders, people ridiculed for their piety, and those who are sick.

But she made headlines last year when a team of researchers discovered her remains were 'incorrupt' and had not decayed like they would expect.

And Christians called it a true 'miracle.'

The veneration will also allow experts to continue unraveling the mystery of how St Teresa's remains have not decayed and find similar methods to preserve future saints.

Ancient text states veneration came about after the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, who was burned alive and stabbed for not worshiping the Roman Emperor 1,870 years ago.

Saint Teresa's tomb will be opened for the public in May, marking the first display of her remains in 110 years

His bones were collected and treated with great reverence by other Christians, leading to the tradition of the Church paying respect to those who devoted their lives to Catholicism.

St Teresa's tomb, which sits in a basilica in Spain, was last opened in 1914 and only one other occasion since she died in 1582.

On May 11, 10 keys will be brought forth to open the outer gate, marble tomb and silver coffin that holds the remains.

St Teresa became the first woman to be elevated to doctor of the church in 1970, an honor given to deceased saints for their significant contribution to the church's doctrine.

She was canonized - meaning she was declared a saint - in March 1622. She was 67 years old when she died.

The first time her coffin was opened was in 1750 and priests found that her body had not decomposed.

Marco Chiesa, involved with managing remains of saints, peered into the tomb last year to compare the saint's body to photos from 1914, finding nothing had changed.

Upon opening the tomb, a team of doctors compared photos of St Teresa's face and foot in 1914, and the postulator said it was 'difficult to make a comparison' because the images are in black and white.

St Teresa's tomb, which sits in a basilica in Spain , was last opened in 1914 and only one other occasion since she died in 1582

Other saints like St Paula Frassinetti have also showed no signs of decay

Church officials shared the news on social media, where Catholics said: 'Her body is still incorrupt. Look for God's miracles.'

Chiesa explained that 'there is no skin color, because the skin is mummified, but it can be seen, especially in the middle of the face. It can be seen well. The expert doctors can see Teresa's face almost clearly.'

The 10 keys needed to open St Teresa's tomb are scattered among four people.

Three of the keys are held by the Duke of Alba, another three are possessed by the city of Alba de Tormes and the Discalced Carmelite Father General in Rome has an additional three.

And the king of Spain, Felipe VI, has the one that unlocks the silver casket.

Veneration was done in secrecy during the early years of Christianity as followers of the faith would have been killed if they were found out.

Not only was it done to show respect, but the early Church believed that relics of saints held spiritual power.

This belief was reinforced by biblical stories like 2 Kings 13:21, where a dead man came back to life when he touched the bones of the prophet Elisha.

It was not until Emperor Constantine 1 legalized Christianity in 313 that veneration became a more common practise.

And that was when churches started to be built over the remains of saints.
NASA's beleaguered mission to rescue two stranded astronauts has finally launched, setting the stage for a happy ending to the nine-month-long saga.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully took off Friday night from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, on a mission to deliver four new astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

The new team is scheduled to arrive at the station on late on Saturday. Once there, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will finally be able to return to Earth at some point on or shortly after March 19.

The pair have been stranded in orbit since June 5, with SpaceX owner Elon Musk and many others claiming Williams and Wilmore were left on the ISS for political reasons.

The duo were initially scheduled for an eight day mission.

Musk said he offered to bring the astronauts home eight months ago, but the Biden Administration shot it down because it would've made Donald Trump 'look good' in the presidential race against former vice president Kamala Harris.

The successful takeoff comes after the Crew-10 mission was scrubbed on the launch pad due to mechanical issues just minutes before launch on Wednesday.

Crew-10 includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi, and Russia's Kirill Peskov.

'Spaceflight is tough, but humans are tougher,' McClain said minutes into the flight.

NASA 's beleaguered mission to rescue two stranded astronauts finally successfully launched on Friday

NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission will replace Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and two other astronauts aboard the International Space Station with four new crewmembers

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were original scheduled for an eight-day mission, but were forced to stay after technical issues plagued the Boeing's Starliner that brought them to the ISS

The launch was initially scrubbed on Wednesday due to a hydraulic system issue with the SpaceX rocket carrying the new astronauts to space

The new crew will spend the next six months at the space station, considered the normal stint.

Alongside Williams and Wilmore, NASA's Nick Hague and Russia's Aleksandr Gorbunov will be returning home on board SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule that is already docked at the ISS.

Last year's presidential race seems to be at the heart of why the astronauts have been stuck in space so long.

Musk backed Trump during the 2024 presidential race, donating $288 million to his campaign and appearing at several MAGA rallies

During a recent press briefing, Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of the NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, admitted that there 'may have been conversations' in the Biden White House about delaying the return for political optics of having Trump's most famous donor save the day, but he was not part of the discussions.

Wednesday's Crew-10 launch was called off due to a hydraulic system issue with the Falcon 9 rocket. NASA said teams were working to address the problem.

NASA had moved up the return mission by two weeks after after President Trump told Musk to 'go get' Williams and Wilmore.

Before the president's request, the astronauts were not coming back earlier than March 26.

'It's been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us,' Williams said of her family.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off, carrying NASA's Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station

NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 crew members Cosmonaut Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos of Russia, Pilot Nichole Ayers and Commander Anne McClain of U.S., and Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of Japan's JAXA

'We're here, we have a mission - we're just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we're up in space and it's a lot of fun.'

When the new crew arrives aboard the station, Wilmore, Williams, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov can return to Earth in the capsule that has been attached to the station since September.

Wilmore and Williams flew to the ISS as the first test crew of Boeing's Starliner, which suffered propulsion system issues in space.

NASA deemed it too risky for the astronauts to fly home on the Boeing craft. This led to the current plan to bring them home in a SpaceX capsule that arrived in September.

The space agency gave Boeing $4.5 billion contract to develop Starliner in a bid to compete with Musk's SpaceX.

Bowersox said that SpaceX 'helped with a lot of options' for bringing Williams and Wilmore back earlier, but the final decision came down to costs.

He explained that they discussed adding a mission or bringing the currently docked capsule home early, 'but we ruled them out pretty quickly just based on how much money we've got in our budget.'

NASA's budget for the fiscal year 2024 comes in at just under $30 billion.

President Donald Trump helps A A-Xii, the son of White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, up the stairs of Marine One on the South Lawn

White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller walk towards Marine One on the South Lawn to join U.S. President Donald Trump

It comes after a report found the agency spent millions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants and contracts while Williams and Wilmore have been stuck in space.

Bill Gerstenmaier, vice president for SpaceX, also said that NASA's delayed plan allowed the agency 'to use Sunny and Butch in a very productive manner' and 'keep the science going.'

Returning the astronauts early would've meant fewer bodies on the International Space Station (ISS) to continue research.
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Adolescence (Netflix)

Rating:

Whats most frightening is how plausible it seems. When 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested in his bedroom and charged with murder, in the opening scene of Adolescence, its obvious what police expect to find.

Theyre looking for a knife.

Knife crime among Britains teens, a rare and shocking occurrence just 25 years ago, has become endemic. When Damilola Taylor, aged ten, was stabbed to death with a broken bottle on a south London estate in 2000, the national reaction was one of disbelief. His name still resonates.

But the awful truth is that, though every violent death is just as tragic, few young knife victims today are as well known. There are so many of them.

In a grimly cynical prelude to Jamies arrest, we see how commonplace the crime has become for police. The two detectives at the centre of the drama, DI Bascombe and DS Frank (Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay) are checking their phones and bickering, as though the fatal stabbing of a schoolchild is just part of an ordinary days work.

But thats the only moment of levity in the opening hour of this four-part drama. After armed police smash down the Millers front door and force Jamies parents and sister to the floor at gunpoint, the tension is unrelenting.

Stephen Graham (pictured), who created and wrote the show with Jack Thorne, plays Jamies father, Eddie  determined to believe in his sons innocence until confronted with CCTV footage that appears to show the boy stabbing a girl to death in a car park

When 13-year-old Jamie Miller (left, with his father Eddie, right) is arrested in his bedroom and charged with murder, in the opening scene of Adolescence, its obvious what police expect to find. Theyre looking for a knife

We see the boy weeping and shaking as hes held in a cell, searched and interrogated. Stephen Graham, who created and wrote the show with Jack Thorne, plays Jamies father, Eddie  determined to believe in his sons innocence until confronted with CCTV footage that appears to show the boy stabbing a girl to death in a car park.

The emotional impact is heightened by virtuoso camerawork that records each episode in a single, flowing sequence. There are no cuts or breaks  we zigzag between characters, following them in and out of rooms, as their paths cross.

Its a dizzying technique, which adds to the sense of disorientation shared with Eddie and his wife, Manda (Christine Tremarco), who have no idea at first whats going on or what their child is supposed to have done.

The second episode, set in Jamies school as Bascombe and Frank quiz pupils to uncover a motive for the killing, is even more technically brilliant  a sort of television tag, where the focus is passed from police to children to teachers and back to police without a slip.

The strong cast includes Mark Stanley (left) as a solicitor well out of his depth, but the most exceptional performances come from the teenagers  especially Owen Cooper (centre) as Jamie and Fatima Bojang as the dead girls bereaved best friend

Its effectively a live performance without retakes. This sometimes gives the production a theatrical air, as if the action is taking place on a revolving stage. But the effect is always impressive and never distracting.

The strong cast includes Mark Stanley as a solicitor well out of his depth, but the most exceptional performances come from the teenagers  especially Owen Cooper as Jamie and Fatima Bojang as the dead girls bereaved best friend.

Adolescence paints our schools, police and an entire generation in a grimly unforgiving light. Watching it is a gruelling experience. But no drama has ever depicted the nightmare of knife crime better.
Panicked BBC Breakfast fans asked 'where is Naga Munchetty' after the host missed two shows in a row without explanation this week.

The 50-year-old usually presents the BBC show alongside Charlie Stayt, 62, Thursday to Saturday.

On Friday's instalment of the news show, Nina Warhurst - who has recently revealed her new hosting role - stepped in to take over presenting duties for Naga.

It's not the first time that Naga has disappeared from our screens this week.

Thursday's episode of BBC Breakfast also saw Nina take to the sofa with Naga's co-star Charlie between 6am and 9:30am.

Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their concern.

Panicked BBC Breakfast fans ask where is Naga Munchetty?! as Nina Warhurst stepped in for Thursday AND Friday's instalment of the programme

The 50-year-old usually presents the BBC show alongside Charlie Stayt, 62, Thursday to Saturday

One said: 'Anyone seen Naga Munchetty? I think Im actually missing her today. #BBCBreakfast.'

Another brutally said: '#bbcbreakfast There's no chemistry between Charlie and Nina... It's like an awkward first date that your friends have set up.'

Naga has been a main presenter of the show since 2014, while Charlie has been a host for the past 17 years.

Monday to Wednesday's instalments of BBC Breakfast are presented by Jon Kay, 55, and Sally Nugent, 53.

Sunday is presented by two of the regular stand-in presenters.

Those include Roger Jonson, 56, Rachel Burden, 50, Ben Thompson, 41, Tina Daheley, 43, Luxmy Gopal, Ben Boulos, Sarah Campbell and Nina.

Naga has had a successful career with the Beeb since joining the channel in 2008, but before that worked for Channel 4 News.

Prior to that, she was a reporter for Reuters Financial Television, and then joined CNBC Europe.

Naga's first show with the Beeb was Working Lunch and later went on to work on Radio 4's Money Box.

She also has her very own BBC 5 Live radio show.

BBC Breakfast has recently been involved in a huge presenter shake-up.

Naga's co-star Nina recently revealed that she's bagged herself a new job.

Beloved BBC Breakfast presenter Nina Warhurst has quit the show for a new hosting gig - and fans will be gutted to know her final appearance is just days away.

The 44-year-old joined the team as a freelancer in 2016, but later became business reporter in 2020, after taking over from Steph McGovern.

Nina also steps in for the main presenters Jon Kay, 55, Sally Nugent, 53, Charlie Stayt, 62, and Naga Munchetty, 50, when they are not available to work.

But today the journalist announced that she's bagged herself a new job - as a regular presenter of News At One.

Sharing her new colleague News At One's editor Richard Frediani's post about joining his team, Nina wrote: 'Hanging up the high-viz & hairnet as I join the BBCs News At One.

'Our London team built a gem of a programme & its a privilege to be on the Salford team taking it forward.

Beloved BBC Breakfast presenter Nina Warhurst has quit the show for a new hosting gig - and fans will be gutted to know her final appearance is just days away

The 44-year-old joined the team as a freelancer in 2016, but later became business reporter in 2020, after taking over from Steph McGovern

'(The teenaged me who lived half a mile from here & dreamed of journalism would NOT believe it).'

Richard's tweet read: 'Delighted to welcome Nina Warhurst as a regular presenter of the News at One from April.

'Congratulations - a brilliant addition to the team in Salford.'

Nina's fans rushed to X to share their love and support over the big move.

One said: 'Congratulations but will miss you on the Breakfast show.'

Another added: 'Such a clever, beautiful, happy young woman.....Keep it up girl.'

'Well done Nina hard work pays off,' a third chimed in.

A fourth added: 'The best news,' with four clapping emojis.

Steph pictured with Charlie Stayt on BBC Breakfast

Nina also took to her Instagram to share some words about her time on the programme.

She wrote: 'Ill be hanging up the high-viz and hairnet for a wee while as I join the BBCs News at One.

'The second photo was almost exactly seven (!) years ago.

'I was heavily pregnant, very nervous, and unbelievably excited to be offered a few shifts on the national broadcast treasure that is @bbcbreakfast @stephlunch took time to show me the ropes and help me feel at home.

'The job was made permanent as we came out of a lockdown and began looking around and wondering how we might pick up the pieces to heal and live again

'Its been a privilege to help support our audiences through this tumultuous time. I am always amazed by those who invite us in to share their stories

'When I was a teenager hoping to work in journalism, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine thered be all these opportunities half a mile from my Salford home

'Our London colleagues built a gem of a lunchtime programme and I cant wait to work with our amazing team as we take it forward.

'Ps - Ill still be popping up on the red sofa - if only to continue torturing Roger with my stories of air frying and washing lines 

Nina joined the Beeb in 2010 to present East Midlands Today as part of BBC East Midlands.

The same year she started joining BBC North West Tonight and Sunday Politics North West for BBC North West.

Then in 2014 she landed the role of political editor at BBC North West.

Then four years later she joined the BBC Breakfast team.

MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment.
Stephen Graham has shared the harrowing reason for making chart-topping new Netflix show Adolescence - and itll send shivers down parents spines.

The crime drama, written by Stephen and Jack Thorne, hit our screens on the streaming service on Thursday and has already become a huge hit.

Stephen has taken on the role of Eddie Miller, the dad of a young boy called Jamie (Owen Cooper) , who is suspected of stabbing one of his classmates Katie.

The show also stars the likes of Ashley Walters as DI Luke Bascombe and Christine Tremarco as Manda Miller.

Viewers may be shocked to know what heartbreaking real-life incidents that resulted in the programme being made.

Speaking with Radio Times, Stephen said: 'Where it came from, for me...

Stephen Graham (pictured) shares harrowing reason for making chart-topping new Netflix show Adolescence - and it'll send shivers down parents' spines

The actor has taken on the role of Eddie Miller, the dad of a young boy called Jamie (Owen Cooper, pictured), who is suspected of stabbing one of his classmates Katie.

'Is there was an incident in Liverpool, a young girl, and she was stabbed to death by a young boy.

'I just thought, why? Then there was another young girl in south London who was stabbed to death at a bus stop.

'And there was this thing up North, where that young girl Brianna Ghey was lured into the park by two teenagers, and they stabbed her.

'I just thought, whats going on? What is this thats happening?'

16-year-old Brianna, who was transgender, was killed on February 11 2023 in Culcheth, Warrington.

Those who have watched the series have rushed to share their praise.

The show has received 100% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as 95% on the Popcornmeter.

Many have rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how amazing they think the show is

Many have also taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the positive reviews.

One wrote: 'The new Netflix show #Adolescence is a must watch in 2025.'

Another added: '@ashleywalters82 feel sick to my stomach ,first10minutes in! Never expected it to hit so hard already ! #Adolescence #parenting #Netflix.'

A third chimed in: 'Netflix Adolescence. Just got through the series laying in bed sick. Steve Graham has absolutely captured today's teenagers in school. If you've sat through this and thought my kids aren't affected, you need to wake up & check in with your kids.'

'OMG!!!#Adolescence on Netflix is the most INCREDIBLE camera work Ive ever seen! ONE CAMERA.ONE SHOT??? Can you imagine.NO ONE can mess up! For so many hours!! Its amazing!!.' a fourth wrote.

A fifth tweeted: 'Oh my ! #Adolescence simply wow ! Made all the better by the whole one shot only thing. Truly an incredible watch. Well done Stephen Graham and all involved.'

Meanwhile others others have called for youngster Owen Cooper to be nominated for a BAFTA just hours after series dubbed the 'best since Baby Reindeer' hit our screens.

And Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens has given the programme a whopping five stars.

He wrote: 'Its effectively a live performance without retakes. This sometimes gives the production a theatrical air, as if the action is taking place on a revolving stage.

'But the effect is always impressive and never distracting.

'The strong cast includes Mark Stanley as a solicitor well out of his depth, but the most exceptional performances come from the teenagers  especially Owen Cooper as Jamie and Fatima Bojang as the dead girls bereaved best friend.

'Adolescence paints our schools, police and an entire generation in a grimly unforgiving light.

'Watching it is a gruelling experience. But no drama has ever depicted the nightmare of knife crime better.'

Stream Adolescence on Netflix now.
Kate Garraway has discussed the 'triggering' stages of grief during a moving segment with Hairy Bikes star Si King on Good Morning Britain on Friday.

The TV presenter, 57, was joined by Si, 58, on the ITV morning show and discussed the things that trigger her after her husband Derek Draper's death.

Kate's husband of 18 years Derek passed away at the age of 56 in January last year after suffering a heart attack following a long battle with Covid.

She spoke about the difficulties of grief live on-air with Si, who lost his friend and Hairy Bikers co-star Dave Myers in February 2024 after a battle with cancer.

Kate emotionally spoke about how she often thinks about Derek when she is cooking as she asked Si what his 'triggers' are amid his grief.

She said: 'Grief isn't linear, is it? We talk a lot, don't we, about the stages of grief and you go back and forth with it. I find often one of the triggers because Dave sadly passed away not long after my husband.

Kate Garraway has discussed the 'triggering' stages of grief during a moving segment with Hairy Bikes star Si King on Good Morning Britain on Friday

Kate's husband of 18 years Derek passed away at the age of 56 in January last year after suffering a heart attack following a long battle with Covid

'You and I have talked about this together, but one of the triggers is actually smells, sights and sounds.

'Do you find yourself, when you're making a recipe, that you devised together, just having a little moment and thought of him?'

In a touching response, Si told how his longtime co-star Dave has not stopped being his 'best friend' after his death.

He said: 'You know Kate, I've often said just because Dave's passed doesn't necessarily mean he stops being my best friend.'

Kate replied: 'That's a lovely thought.'

Derek passed away on January 3, 2024, aged 56, nearly four years after he became ill with multiple complications due to Coronavirus.

After his passing, Kate shared a heartbreaking announcement on Instagram, writing: 'I'm sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away.'

'As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.'

She spoke about the difficulties of grief live on-air with Si, who lost his friend and Hairy Bikers co-star Dave Myers in February 2024

Dave died at the age of 66, with his family and co-star Si (both pictured) by his side following a lengthy battle with an unspecified cancer

'Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.'

'I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible.'

'Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.'

On the anniversary of his death this year, Kate opened up about her 'excessive, unpayable debt' from her late husband's care.

During a segment on Good Morning Britain, presenter and co-host Adil Ray, 50, spoke to Health Secretary Wes Streeting about the plans for a new National Care Service - which might not be available in England until 2028.

When Derek wasn't in hospital throughout his four-year battle with the virus, he was looked after 24/7 at home by his wife and carers.

With the subject being very close to her heart, Kate told the politician: 'I'm thinking about the situation with Derek. It actually happens to be the one-year anniversary of his death today. A day that is only relevant to me.

'But over the last few weeks, the family and I have been talking about the challenges we faced this time last year, one of the overriding ones, he went back into intensive care before he passed away was dealing with the funding of care.

Kate's comments about her loss come after, on the anniversary of Derek's death this year, she opened up about her 'excessive, unpayable debt' from her late husband's care

'At the time of his death, there were two appeals that hadn't been heard for funding. It kept being pushed back and pushed back.

'In the meantime, I'm lucky I have an incredible job which is well paid. I was having to fund the situation. Now I've got excessive unpayable debt because of it.

'If I'm in that position what else are people going to be? People can't afford four more years of this!'

Politician Wes Streeting replied: 'Firstly Kate, I know lots of viewers will feel the same, having followed your anniversary that you're going through, yourself and your family. All of us are with you.

He added: 'I think that's why your story connected with so many people.

'You're not just a familiar face on screens, your viewers feel they've got a relationship with you as a presenter.'

'It's also because your experience with Derek, and your family's experience resonates with so many people across the country who are struggling with the same costs or the same unmet needs or similar experiences.'

Over the past year, Kate has revealed that she's ended up in debt of between 500,000 and 800,000 after trying to care for her late husband.

In March 2024, the presenter revealed that she spent 16,000 a month on care for her late husband.

Good Morning Britain continues on weekdays at 6am on ITV and ITVX.
Fans have rejoiced as a legendary film finally gets a sequel after 40 years and it's just months away from being released.

This is Spinal Tap was first released in 1984 and starred Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer.

Directed by Rob Reiner, who also starred in mockumentary comedy, it followed a heavy metal group Spinal Tap, dubbed as one of England's loudest bands on their American tour.

Now, decades after the 80s satire film first hit screens, a second instalment is set to launch with the original stars returning too.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will be released in September and cheering crowds can be heard in a 30-second teaser trailer for the sequel.

There is a brief reference to the first film when a guitar speaker turns from 11 to infinity.

Fans have rejoiced as a legendary film finally gets a sequel after 40 years and it's just months away from being released

This is Spinal Tap first released in 1984 and starred Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer

Directed by Rob Reiner, who also starred in mockumentary comedy, it followed a heavy metal group Spinal Tap dubbed as one of England's loudest bands on their American tour

Bleecker Street has gained the rights to both movies and the new film will also feature cameo appearances from several music icons including Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

It will follow Spinal Tap as they perform one last time after reuniting after 15 years.

Director Rob Reiner said: 'So happy to be working with the folks at Bleecker Street who are passionate about keeping Tap's legacy alive and happy to give Marty DiBergi another shot at relevancy.'

While Bleecker Street's CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson said: 'We feel privileged for the opportunity to work with Rob Reiner and the brilliant minds behind the original This Is Spinal Tap and to be part of a film that has resonated with so many.'

They described the first movie as a cultural touchstone' and added: 'This Is Spinal Tap isn't just a movie  it's a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music.

Now, decades after the 80s satire film first hit screens, a second instalment is set to launch with the original stars returning too

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will be released in September and cheering crowds can be heard in a 30-second teaser trailer for the sequel

This Is Spinal Tap has a whopping 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised by many

'Returning to this world through Spinal Tap II is an extraordinary chance to celebrate its legacy while creating something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.'

This Is Spinal Tap has a whopping 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised by many.

In 2002 it was chosen for preservation by the National Film Registry, as the Library of Congress declared it was 'culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.'

Some fans have taken to social media to express their excitement of the new release, one posted on X: 'WAIT THEY'RE MAKING A SPINAL TAP 2???';

'Cant wait for Spinal Tap 2.';

A brief reference to the first film is shown in the trailer when a guitar speaker turns from 11 to infinity

Some fans have taken to social media to express their excitement of the new release

'A 'Spinal Tap 2' is crazy. I'm watching it.'

Rob Reiner discussed a sequel back in 2022 when he told Deadline that he hadn't decided to move forward with it until they conceived a strong concept.

'The plan is to do a sequel that comes out on the 40th anniversary of the original film and I can tell you hardly a day goes by without someone saying, 'Why don't you do another one?'' he said. 'For so many years, we said, 'Nah.'

'It wasn't until we came up with the right idea how to do this. You don't want to just do it, to do it. You want to honor the first one and push it a little further with the story.'
Prue Leith has official been replaced on The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

Channel 4 confirmed that Caroline Waldegrave OBE will be taking over from Prue temporarily, after the TV star, 84, confirmed last year that she'll be taking a break from the specials due to the demands of back-to-back filming.

And now Caroline's debut has been revealed as the Sun's first look sees the new presenter stood alongside legend Paul Hollywood.

In one of her first opening remarks, Caroline can be seen giving her opinion on a batch of scones baked by TV personality Scarlette Douglas

After biting into the treat, Caroline says: 'Bit hard on the outside and soft on the inside, aren't they.'

'The taste is really good, absolutely delicious', she concluded.

Prue Leith has official been replaced on The Great Celebrity Bake Off. Channel 4 confirmed that Caroline Waldegrave OBE will be taking over temporarily, after she confirmed a specials break

And now Caroline's debut (pictured) has been revealed as the Sun's exclusive first look sees the new presenter stood alongside legend Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood agreed and told her: 'I actually think the bake's well. I love the ginger in there, I think the ginger works really well and the rum comes through beautifully.'

Bake Off viewers will see Caroline make her debut during The Great Celebrity Bake Off this Sunday at 7.40pm on Channel 4.

The full line-up for the Stand Up To Cancer 2025 celebrity specials have been revealed alongside the hosts and judges.

And while Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding and Paul will step back into their usual roles, a new face in the form of Prue's close friend can be seen alongside them in the promotional image.

Caroline, 72, who is the former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine, first met Prue in the 70s when she applied for a job at the latter's catering company before they went on to become firm friends.

Caroline looked delighted to be filling in for her pal as she beamed alongside Alison, 49, Noel, 51, and fellow judge Paul, 58.

Meanwhile, the full line-up of celebrities taking part in the show has been revealed, with 20 famous faces set to battle it out in the kitchen.

The full line-up for the Stand Up To Cancer 2025 celebrity specials have been revealed alongside the hosts and judges

Prue, 84, confirmed last year that she'll be taking a break from the specials due to the demands of back-to-back filming [pictured with co-stars Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding and Paul]

Each episode will see four celebrities take on the Signature, Technical and Showstopper rounds in a bid to impress the judges and be crowned Star Baker.

Among the stars taking part are Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway, TV presenter Sarah Beeny, author Ellie Goldstein, Loose Women's Gloria Hunniford and actress Meera Syal.

There is also a husband and wife duo in the form of comedian Chris Ramsay and his wife Rosie, while a sibling duo will also feature as I'm A Celebrity's Scarlette Douglas takes part with her brother Stuart.

Comedian Adam Buxton, Ghosts actor Jim Howick, radio star Roman Kemp, writer Jamali Maddix, Bafta winner Gbemisola Ikumelo and Dinnerladies favourite Maxine Peake will also be cooking up the storm.

While completing the 2025 lineup is musician Self Esteem, Derry Girls star Tommy Tiernan, actress, Sophie Willan, Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg and comedian Phil Wang.

Last year, Prue was quick to clear up rumours that she'd quit the Channel 4 show permanently and instead confirmed that her absence would only be temporary.

Speaking during an appearance on This Morning back in March, she told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: 'It's absolutely not true at all! [that she's quit the show]. What I'm not doing this year is the celebrity one.

While Alison, Noel and Paul will step back into their usual roles, a new face in the form of Prue's close friend Caroline can be seen alongside them in the promotional image

Caroline, 72, who is the former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine, first met Prue in the 70s when she applied for a job at the latter's catering company [Caroline pictured centre alongside daughter Harriet and son Jamie in 2018]

Last year, Prue was quick to clear up rumours that she'd quit the Channel 4 show permanently and instead confirmed that her absence would only be temporary

'These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's' (pictured with Paul Hollywood)

'These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's.'

Prue previously told MailOnline about the decision: 'I absolutely love working on Bake Off and am looking forward to filming the next series and meeting our new bakers.

'I am only stepping back from the Celebrity series, which is just a question of the filming commitment involved as we make these shows back to back.'

A spokesman for Bake Off creator Love Productions said: 'Prue will be stepping back from The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.'

'Prue absolutely loves working on Bake Off but filming two series a year can be punishing on top of her other commitments,' a source told The Sun.

'She has already filmed the normal series, which will air this year but she will not appear on the celebrity version.

Kate Garraway will be showing off her skills in the tent this year

Meera Syal will be hoping to win Star Baker

Chris Ramsay will be competing alongside his wife Rosie this series

Sarah Beeny is set to take part

Ellie Goldstein will be donning her apron this spring

'Prue has made it clear she adores the show and would like to come back in 2025. She will turn 85 next year, so it's not surprising that she wants to take time off.

In 2017 Prue, who was made a Dame in 2021 for her services to food, broadcasting and charity, replaced Mary Berry as a judge.

It comes after Prue admitted that she is 'conscious this is nearly the end' of her life in an emotional discussion about her health.

Joining the Loose Women panel on Wednesday for a special edition of the show named 70 plus, the Great British Bake Off judge candidly said there were 'all sorts of things wrong' with ageing.

Opening the show, host Janet Street-Porter said: 'Old age isn't something to fear it is something to celebrate!' as they celebrated 70 years of ITV.

However, Prue disagreed and exclaimed: 'Well, I think old age stinks.

'It takes me 10 minutes to get myself out of bed in the morning. If I don't do the exercises I can't move. There's all sorts of things that are wrong with old age.

It comes after Prue admitted that she is 'conscious this is nearly the end' of her life in an emotional discussion about her health

Joining the Loose Women panel on Wednesday for a special edition of the show, the Great British Bake Off judge, 84, candidly said there were 'all sorts of things wrong' with ageing

'You know, you are very conscious that this is nearly the end, though I agree that you then decide that you're going to make the most of it and have fun.'

She added: 'I think what we're all saying is that we don't care what people think as much as we did and to be honest I don't even really care if I'm cancelled.'

'So what?' Prue shrugged while Janet agreed with her.

Recently Prue said she is taking life in her stride as she revealed that she has become 'more reckless' as she ages.

The Bake Off star joked she is 'so near the end' that if something 'sounds like fun' she is happy to give it ago.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's wills have been revealed a month after their deaths.

The Oscar-winning actor, 95, left his $80 million Hollywood fortune to his wife Betsy, 65, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It's unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will.

The possible omission of his children, who he was once estranged from, has raised the possibility of a legal battle over his fortune.

A legal expert told DailyMail.com 'If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it wouldve been World War III.

'His kids would've probably gone crazy.'

In her will, Betsy designates her assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organizations and the settlement of medical debts.

Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, seemingly signed the most recent copy of his will on June 7, 2005. It's unclear exactly when he was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Gene Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa's, 65, wills have been revealed a month after their deaths; the duo seen in 2003

The actor left his $80 million Hollywood fortune to his wife Betsy, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It's unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will; seen with Betsy, Leslie and Elizabeth in 1996

Details of the investigation into the curious deaths of Gene and Betsy were released Friday by Santa Fe, New Mexico officials. The couple was found deceased in separate rooms of their home on February 26.

Arakawa died around February 11 from a rare virus spread by mice, while Hackman likely died on February 18 from heart disease.

Attorney Julia Peters has been appointed as executor of both wills, though it's unclear how the estates will be divided without a copy of the Trust.

Gene initially had another trust (GeBe Revocable Trust), but in 1994 he exercised his power of appointment and made Betsy the Successor Trustee, which was then put into effect on Sept. 22, 1995.

At some point, Gene made another change, and the Avalon Trust was made the Successor Trustee.

The prior trust agreement is crucial, as it may have included his children as beneficiaries before he amended it in 1994, making Betsy the successor trustee.

The source further noted that Gene's son Chris' decision to hire Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, is notable.

'By hiring Katzenstein, it shows that he [Chris] is definitely trying to protect his interests.'

'The fact that Chris got a high-powered lawyer indicates to me something is going on. I dont know why the girls [daughters] are not represented. That tells me that there must be some trouble brewing.

'Whatever they collect from the estate will be managed by Avalon,' the source added.

In her will, Betsy states: 'If my spouse does not survive me, I give the residue of my estate to my personal representative, as trustee, to hold and administer in a charitable trust to achieve purposes beneficial to the community, consistent with the charitable preferences and interests expressed or indicated by my spouse and me during our lifetimes.'

The possible omission of his children, who he was once estranged from, has raised the possibility of a legal battle over his fortune; Elizabeth and Leslie pictured in February

In her will, Betsy designates her assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organizations and the settlement of medical debts; the pair seen in 1991

A legal expert told DailyMail.com 'If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it wouldve been World War III! His kids would've probably gone crazy'; seen with his three kids in 1978

The source further noted that Gene's son Chris' decision to hire Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, is notable. 'The fact that Chris got a high-powered lawyer indicates to me something is going on. I dont know why the girls [daughters] are not represented'; Gene seen with his kids

'All my legally enforceable debts will be paid as soon as practicable after my death,' the document specifies.

As for her personal belongings  which could be items like furniture, jewelry, artwork  Betsy's will states she might provide a separate list for their distribution.

Hackman's commitment to the glamorous Hollywood scene caused a rift in his family life. His marriage to Faye ended in divorce and Hackman became somewhat absentee while the trio were 'growing up'.

He 'lost touch' with Christopher, openly admitting that he was 'gone so much' while his son was at an 'age where he needed support and guidance'.

He seemingly maintained contact with Leslie and Elizabeth, who were both spotted on occasion accompanying him to film screenings and Hollywood events.

But Hackman has acknowledged his children had a difficult upbringing and struggled with having his 'success always hanging over their heads'.

It wasn't until he married his second wife in 1991 that the family began to heal. Arakawa was keen on helping Hackman reconcile with his children and encouraged him to invite them and his grandchildren over to their Santa Fe home.

At the end of his life, Hackman was reportedly 'close with his children and their kids', but he still had gone months without seeing Leslie, the one family member who had the most contact with both him and Arakawa.

Betsy was found in a bathroom with one of the couple's three dogs, which was dead in its crate.

Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, seemingly signed the most recent copy of his will on June 7, 2005. It's unclear exactly when he was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease; seen with Leslie in 1991

After his divorce from Faye in 1986, he 'lost touch' with Christopher, openly admitting that he was 'gone so much' while his son was at an 'age where he needed support and guidance'; seen with Chris in 1973

He seemingly maintained contact with Leslie and Elizabeth, who were both spotted on occasion accompanying him to film screenings and Hollywood events; seen in 1978

These conclusions from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and Santa Fe Sheriff's office answered many of the questions that were swirling after the couple's bodies were found by a caretaker of their gated community.

They may also play a role in divvying up the couple's property  the $3.8 million home in Santa Fe and other assets that amount to some $80 million, according to celebritynetworth.com.

This could have implications for any inheritance that Hackman's son and two daughters receive. Arakawa, a pianist from Hawaii, had no children.

The timing of the couple's deaths is important because, under New Mexico law, had they died within 120 hours of each other, their deaths would have been classified as 'simultaneous.'

This may have impacted how the estates of Hackman and Arakawa were divided.

But given that investigators found Hackman lived for seven days after his wife, based on his pacemaker activity, those provisions would not apply, and his estate may be divided among his beneficiaries other than Arakawa, experts said.

'In a lot of states, including New Mexico, there's a kind of presumptive triggering deadline of five days before you're considered having survived under the terms of most wills,' Kevin Holmes of Holmes Law Firm told DailyMail.com.

There are many unknowns that could come into play in the coming weeks, said John Budagher, an attorney at Budagher & Tann.

'It's your money,' says Budagher. 'You're allowed to give it to whomever you want, including a donkey sanctuary in Connecticut.'

Another important factor could be the date on which any will or legal documents were signed, he added. That's especially true for Hackman, given his deterioration from Alzheimer's, as any recent updates to his papers could be queried.

'If it's more recent, that doesn't mean it's invalid, it just means it's riper for a potential challenge  especially if it's doing something like leaving everything to a caretaker,' said Budagher.

The couple was found deceased in separate rooms of their home on February 26. Arakawa died around February 11 from a rare virus spread by mice, while Hackman likely died on February 18 from heart disease (Pictured: The couple in 1991)

Arakawa is said to have died first due to her infection, which initially presents with flu like symptoms. Hackman is believed to have died in the home (pictured) about a week later

Their 12-year-old dog Zinna was found dead along with them in the home. She is believed to have died from starvation and dehydration after being left to fend for herself in a crate after her owners died (Pictured: Hackman and Arakawa with their old dogs in 2005)

Other unknown factors include whether Hackman and Arakawa made any pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements, and if any children or other potential beneficiaries will make claims on the estate.

And though there is likely to be some action in the coming days, the whole process could take much longer  under New Mexico law, family members and others have up to three years of a person's death to file a probate case.

Hackman's two daughters and granddaughter Annie, have released a statement saying they were 'devastated' by his death.

'He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa,' said the statement.

Leslie told DailyMail.com that she was 'close' with her dad but that they had not spoken for a 'few months' before his passing.

While Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza says he's confident of the timeline of what occurred at the couple's property, he told reporters on Friday that the case remains open until they 'close the loopholes.'

Despite each of the deaths being ruled as natural, with no signs of internal or external trauma, Mendoza has insisted authorities are not done with the investigation.

Specifically, the sheriff said officers are waiting to see the couple's cell phone records, as well as the results of a necropsy, or autopsy, that is set to be conducted on their deceased dog.

According to a search warrant obtained by DailyMail.com detectives listed two cellphones among the items taken from their home.

Hackman and Arakawa met in a gym in California in the mid-1980s and moved to Sante Fe shortly after, before getting married in 1991. They were active in the city's art community and culinary scene.

In recent years, they were seen less often in town as his health deteriorated. They lived a very private life before their deaths, Mendoza said.

Both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor and neither showed signs of blunt force trauma.

Arakawa was found lying on her side in the bathroom, an apparent victim of the rodent-borne hantavirus, a rare disease in the US.

Most US cases are concentrated in the West. In northern New Mexico, the virus is mostly spread by droppings and urine of deer mice.

It is often transmitted through the air when people sweep out sheds or clean closets where mice have been living.

It begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to heart and lung failure, with around 38 percent to 50 percent of cases resulting in death.

The couple's 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, Zinna, was found dead inside a crate in the same room.

Hackman's life until 2004 was lived in the Hollywood glare - he is pictured with friend and Unforgiven co-star Clint Eastwood at the 1993 Oscars

Arakawa had picked up Zinna in a crate on February 9 from a Santa Fe veterinarian, which may explain why the dog was found dead in the crate, Mendoza said. It may have died of starvation.

Their two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, survived and were found roaming around the couple's Southwestern-style ranch.

Hackman was discovered lying on the ground of a mud room just off the kitchen with his sunglasses and cane nearby, indicating he may have fallen, officials said.

There was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple, despite many thinking they were poisoned initially.

Hackman, a former Marine known for his raspy voice, appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during a lengthy career that started in the early 1960s.

He earned his first Oscar nomination for his breakout role as the brother of bank robber Clyde Barrow in 1967's 'Bonnie and Clyde.'

He won an Oscar for best actor in 1972 for his portrayal of detective Popeye Doyle in 'The French Connection,' and in 1993 won an Oscar for best supporting actor for 'Unforgiven.'
Kristin Cavallari served up another juicy Hollywood anecdote on Sunday, adding to her trove of celebrity encounters from nearly two decades in the spotlight.

The reality star, 38, who has mingled with A-listers since her Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County days in 2004, shared a wild throwback during a live taping of her Lets Be Honest podcast.

Joined by former Laguna Beach co-stars Talan Torriero and Lauren Alexandria Hooser (Alex H), Cavallari recalled the time Lindsay Lohan allegedly had a dramatic reaction to her and Talan sharing a bed during their teenage years.

'We go up to L.A. to stay with Talan and were all sleeping. Im sleeping in bed with Talan. We did not hook up this night,' Cavallari recounted, per USWeekly.

She continued, '[Lindsay] comes in, sees that Im in bed with Talan  nothing has happened  [but] she sees that theres a girl in bed with Talan and she freaks the f out.'

Cavallari claimed that 'obviously something happened' between Lohan and Torriero.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Lohan's reps for comment.

Kristin Cavallari served up another juicy Hollywood anecdote on Sunday, adding to her trove of celebrity encounters from nearly two decades in the spotlight; (seen in 2023)

Cavallari recalled the time Lindsay Lohan (seen in March) allegedly had a dramatic reaction to her and Talan sharing a bed during their teenage years

Cavallari claimed that 'obviously something happened' between Lohan (seen left in 2004) and Torriero (seen right in 2005)

Cavallari continued, per the outlet: 'She sees that Im in bed [and] she goes upstairs, her and her girlfriends, [and] into the kitchen. Shes taking glasses out and throwing them!'

Torriero chimed in, saying Lohan wasnt hurling drinking glassesbut plates.

'He was trying to calm her down, and you guys, were in high school still, Cavallari added. 'Were 18, like, What the f is going on with Hollywood? Like, Hollywood is crazy."'

Alex H recalled the chaos, adding, 'What woke us up  you just heard, like, s going on, like, bashing and screaming.'

In 2022, Laguna Beach alum Lauren Conrad joined former co-star Stephen Colletti on Dear Medias Back to the Beach with Stephen and Kristin podcast, where she helped set the record straight on some long-standing misconceptions about the hit MTV reality series, which aired from 2004 to 2006.

While the show framed Conrad and Cavallari as love rivals competing for Collettis attention, the two revealed that behind the scenes, it was actually their castmate Talan who was at the center of their off-screen flings during season one.

The producers were pulling us in all different directions. I think Talan just decided to step up and be that guy, Cavallari said, referring to Torrieros reputation as a ladies man.

Cavallari continued: 'She sees that Im in bed [and] she goes upstairs, her and her girlfriends, [and] into the kitchen. Shes taking glasses out and throwing them!' as Torriero chimed in, saying Lohan wasnt hurling drinking glassesbut plates; (Talan and Kimberly Stewart in 2005)

'He was trying to calm her down, and you guys, were in high school still, Cavallari added. 'Were 18, like, What the f is going on with Hollywood? Like, Hollywood is crazy"'

Lindsay and her husband, Bader Shammaswhom she met in 2019 and married in 2022welcomed their first child, a son named Luai, in July 2023; (seen in 2024)

'And honestly, thats what makes it so funny.'

He did, Conrad confirmed. But I have to admit  this is awful. They kept pushing the idea that everyone is after Stephen, but in reality ... I was hooking up with Talan.'

Cavallari added, 'We all were.'

Almost 20 years after Laguna Beach first hit TV screens, Torriero has settled into family life with his wife, Danielle, and their two children.

Conrad is now a mother of two sons with husband William Tell, while Cavallari shares three kids with her ex Jay Cutler.

Meanwhile, Lindsay and her husband, Bader Shammaswhom she met in 2019 and married in 2022welcomed their first child, a son named Luai, in July 2023.
Mesmerised Netflix fans have unleashed lavish praise on the young star of a brand new psychological drama that centres around a schoolboy accused of murdering his female classmate.

Adolescence aired on the streaming service yesterday and has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, as well as calls for its protagonist to be nominated for a BAFTA.

Executive producer Stephen Graham said the idea for the four-episode mini-series came to him from looking at the epidemic of knife crime in the UK.

Hopes were high as the show earned a perfect 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and it seems to not have disappointed with a now-wider audience.

A lot of the praise is being directed at actor Owen Cooper who plays 13-year-old Jamie Miller.

One person said on X, formerly Twitter: 'If you work with young people then this is the one thing you need to watch this year!

'Stephen Graham - superb acting.'

She then added: 'Take a bow Owen Cooper. I've worked in a children's secure unit and your acting was on the money.'

Adolescence centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper, left), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl, and is the brainchild of Stephen Graham who plays the boy's father

Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. There have been calls for the young star to get 'all the awards'

If you work with young people then this is the one thing you need to watch this year! #Adolescence #netflix is a compelling watch. @AshleyWalters82 Stephen Graham - superb acting. Take a bow Owen Cooper. Ive worked in a childrens secure unit and your acting was on the money  pic.twitter.com/mHX4kY5nXs  Charlotte (@jugglingmum2011) March 13, 2025

Another added: 'Adolescence on Netflix is a stunning piece of work.

'Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper are absolutely amazing.

'Give them all the Emmys. I hope it will have the same success as Baby Reindeer.'

Someone else said: 'Watching Adolescence - brilliant and a star is born in the form of Owen Cooper. Wow an amazing performance, hopefully a TV Bafta for best newcomer or some other award - it would be well deserved.'

Cooper's dynamic acting in the film takes on multiple forms as the young actor manages to appear confused, scared, angry and indifferent throughout.

Jamie Miller is the brainchild of Stephen Graham, who plays the boy's father while Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe.

The critically acclaimed four-part production is uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes.

Its opening two episodes track Jamie's arrest and follow the efforts of DI Bascombe and DS Frank (Faye Marsay) in getting to the bottom of the stabbing.

Its outstanding rating on review website Rotten Tomatoes has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, with some even comparing it with Netflix's 2024 triumph Baby Reindeer.

Someone said: 'I hope Owen Cooper has room for all the awards he's gonna be getting'

Another added: 'Adolescence is one of the best dramas I've ever watched, Ate it up in one go. Give Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper all the awards'

(L to R) Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston, Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production

Stephen said the idea for the series came to him from looking at the epidemic of knife crime in the UK and that it is uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes

One viewer wrote: 'By far one of the best British drama series I have ever watched it was such a good representation a British family culture. Absolutely gripping, I couldnt keep my eyes away from the TV.'

Meanwhile on X, a hooked fan said: 'Highly recommend #adolescence starting today on @netflix.

'Compelling storyline, excellent cast, shot in real-time one-take eps - especially stressful plot/themes when my son turns 13 today. Must-see TV.'

Another added: 'First impression of Adolescence on Netflix: Holy Bloody S***e.'

A third posted: 'The boy who plays Jamie he does creepy little f***er extremely well. What a star. Excellent find. He's in for a brilliant career if he sticks at it.'

Another user said: 'Wow what an emotional rollercoaster. I feel this should be shown in high schools. A very strong message is being made. Incredible cast and brilliantly produced/directed. #adolescence #ToxicMasculinity'

One posted: 'I have never ever seen anything like #Adolescence on Netflix.

'Stunningly acted. Each episode shot in ONE take!!! It's insane.'

Its rating on Rotten Tomatoes has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, while viewers have also been raving on X

And a sixth said: 'Is there any part that Stephen Graham cant play? #adolescence'

The Mail's own Christopher Stevens has been among those raving about the new crime drama, giving Adolescence a perfect five stars out of five.

He said: 'It's effectively a live performance without retakes.

'This sometimes gives the production a theatrical air, as if the action is taking place on a revolving stage. But the effect is always impressive and never distracting.

'The strong supporting cast includes Mark Stanley as a solicitor well out of his depth, but the most exceptional performances come from the teenagers  especially Owen Cooper as Jamie and Fatima Bojang as the dead girl's bereaved best friend.

'Adolescence paints our schools, police and an entire generation in a grimly unforgiving light. Watching it is a gruelling experience.

'But no drama has ever depicted the nightmare of knife crime better.'

All episodes of Adolescence are available to stream on Netflix now.
Teddi Mellencamp braced for the worst ahead of her brain tumor diagnosis in February.

The 43-year-old former reality television personality reunited with Tamra Judge, 57, for a new episode of their Two Ts In A Pod podcast on Thursday and spoke in detail about her health crisis.

Judge remembered Mellencamp texting her after doctors discovered multiple tumors on her brain just weeks ago: 'You said to me, 'You all thought I was mental, but actually I'm on my deathbed.''

Teddi confirmed, 'I remember feeling like this is actually it.'

Tamra responded to Mellencamp's text message by telling her, 'No, you're not [on your deathbed], because if you're on yours, then I'm on mine because I can't live without you.'

The effects of the growing tumors were present for six months before the star, who is the daughter of musician John Mellencamp, finally sought medical attention.

Teddi Mellencamp braced for the worst ahead of her brain tumor diagnosis in February

The 43-year-old former reality television personality reunited with Tamra Judge, 57, for a new episode of their Two Ts In A Pod podcast on Thursday and spoke in detail about her health crisis

She'd been suffering from migraines but ignored the pain and kept pushing forward as she dealt with other things happening in her life.

Teddi announced her divorce from her husband of 13 years, Edwin Arroyave, in November.

'I didn't want to face any of it. And I was like, I just need to keep moving forward. And if I keep moving forward, then everything's going to be fine,' she explained about her mindset at the time.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star then detailed her difficult recovery as she spoke about being discharged from the hospital after her February 12th brain tumor surgery.

She told viewers that she was forced to take 'disgusting sodium pills' because, in order to be discharged, she had to urinate.

'I couldn't pee, guys. I do not know why I could not pee,' Teddi said.

The sodium pills proved tough on Teddi's system as she revealed that they made her throw up profusely.

'One day, I remember I had just thrown up, like, 85 times from the stupid salt pills,' she confessed to Tamra.

Judge remembered Mellencamp texting her after doctors discovered multiple tumors: 'You said to me, 'You all thought I was mental, but actually I'm on my deathbed.'' Teddi confirmed, 'I remember feeling like this is actually it'

While 'things were a lot better' once she was out of the hospital and staying at a hotel with full-time nurses there to assist her, Teddi said that she 'got really, really sad' from the severity of the situation.

'Once I understood, then I got really sad,' she told Judge.

Elsewhere in the episode, Teddi continued: 'I can say I've had some of my darkest, saddest days since [February] 12th when this happened.'

She recalled, 'I was at a horse show. I remember going to my friend Nicole like, 'I have the worst migraine I've ever had in my entire life.' I remember not being able to remember how to say certain words.

'I started shaking really bad and I didn't know where I was.'

Despite taking migraine medication, the symptoms persisted and even got worse.

'I remember being in such extreme pain. I could barely walk. I couldn't see. I didn't wanna do anything,' the mother-of-three told listeners.

Teddi was active on Instagram on Thursday, posting a clip from the desert, where she said it was 'f***ing freezing out'

Last week Mellencamp used Instagram to give her one million followers an update on how she's faring in the weeks since her emergency operation.

Sharing a selfie, she wrote, 'Update from my scans today: I have multiple tumors in my brain that weren't able to be removed via surgery. I also have 2 tumors in my lungs. These are all metastases of my melanoma.

'The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them.'

Showing a touch of humor, she added, 'I am feeling positive that I will win this battle, that I got this wig (I like the short hair, just not the bald spots), and that I can remember all of Angelina's kids' names.'
Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming has revealed the astonishing call she got from a 'very prominent doctor' as she nurses her husband amid his dementia decline.

The Die Hard star withdrew from Hollywood in 2022 after being diagnosed with the brain condition aphasia, which causes the patient's language abilities to deteriorate.

In 2023, his family announced that his illness had 'progressed' and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

As her husband copes with his illness, Emma has been frank on social media about the strain she experiences in looking after him.

While unfailingly expressing her love for Bruce, she has also pointed out that 'caregivers need care too' as they tend to their charges.

Now she has shared her story of the conversation she had with a doctor that showed her how little assistance is offered to people in her shoes.

Bruce Willis ' wife Emma Heming has revealed the shocking call she got from a 'very prominent doctor' as she nurses her husband amid his dementia decline; Emma pictured in October

The Die Hard star withdrew from Hollywood in 2022 after being diagnosed with the brain condition aphasia; Bruce and Emma pictured in 2018

'I received a call from a very prominent doctor the other day, letting me know that he has a family whos just been diagnosed with young onset Alzheimers, and they have three children aged 10, 12 and 14, and that he needs all of my resources, any contacts. And I was like: Huh?' she said in an Instagram video.

'And I have the contacts, and nothing makes me happier than to be able to be of service and to support the next caregiver, which I happily passed on,' she added.

'The thing that just boggles my mind is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of ways to support caregivers?' Emma marveled.

She added: 'The other thing that just is so upsetting to me is, when I receive messages from families that have just been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia or some type of dementia, and theyre asking me for my resources.'

Emma noted: 'Im not even in the same state as them, same city. Its very hard to sort of pass on those resources, except to like the Association For Frontotemporal Dementia or things like that. But its just like, they need to do better. Doctors need to do better. Doctors really do need to have a road map of just some support.'

She explained that this issue contributed to her decision to write her book The Unexpected Journey: Finding Hope And Purpose On The Caregiving Path, which is scheduled for publication this September.

When Bruce received his diagnosis, Emma 'was handed a pamphlet,' she recalled. 'I was not handed one resource and we gotta put an end to that.'

One day earlier, she had confessed that Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths hit home, amid her own husband's deterioration.

This past October Emma posted a throwback shot of herself with Bruce, quipping in the caption: 'Doing selfies before they had a name'

One day earlier, she had confessed that Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths hit home; Gene and Betsy pictured at the 1994 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Autopsies have revealed how Gene and Betsy died, solving the mystery that hung over the couple after their corpses were discovered at home earlier this month.

Betsy, 62, succumbed to a rodent-borne disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) on February 11 - and then lay in their Santa Fe house decomposing as Gene, 95, suffering from advanced Alzheimer's, wandered about the luxury property confused and possibly unaware she was even dead.

Gene himself eventually lost his life to a cardiovascular disease exacerbated by his Alzheimer's, several days after his wife, with officials noting that the final activity on his pacemaker occurred on February 17.

Emma said the news 'made me think of this broader story, and that is that caregivers need care too, and that they are vital, and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.'

She continued: 'I think theres this common misconception that caregivers, they got it figured out, they got it covered, theyre good.'

Emma declared: I dont subscribe to that. I think that we need to be showing up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.'

Bruce has been surrounded by his close-knit blended family, who have rallied around him to help him cope with his health struggles.

He and Emma have been married since 2009 and are the proud parents of two daughters, 12-year-old Mabel and 10-year-old Evelyn.

The Red star also shares a friendly rapport with his ex-wife Demi Moore, the mother of his elder three daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31

The Die Hard star also shares a friendly rapport with his ex-wife Demi Moore, the mother of his elder three daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31.

In late December, Emma candidly discussed the complicated feelings she was grappling with on her 17th anniversary with Bruce.

'Anniversaries used to bring excitement - now, if Im honest, they stir up all the feelings, leaving a heaviness in my heart and a pit in my stomach,' she wrote.

'I give myself 30 minutes to sit in the "why him, why us," to feel the anger and grief. Then I shake it off and return to what is. And what is is unconditional love.'

Emma warmly continued: 'I feel blessed to know it, and its because of him. Id do it all over again and again in a heartbeat.'

In October, Demi shared an update on Bruce's condition while speaking onstage at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival.

'You know, I've said this before. The disease is what the disease is. And I think you have to be in real deep acceptance of what that is. But for where he's at, he's stable,' Demi said in a conversation with moderator Alina Cho, according to People.

Demi had seen Bruce two days prior to her film festival appearance, when he enjoyed a visit with Rumer's daughter Louetta, one - his first grandchild.

Bruce has been surrounded by his close-knit blended family, including both his wives and all his daughters, who have rallied around him to help him cope with his health struggles

She makes a point of finding quality time with Bruce, holding onto the idea of 'being able to share with whatever we have, for however long we have.'

Demi also shared her advice on having a loved one with dementia, saying: 'What I always encourage is to just meet them where they're at.'

She added: 'When you're holding on to what was, I think it's a losing game. But when you show up to meet them where they're at, there is great beauty and sweetness.'

Glenn Gordon Caron, who created Bruce's star-making 1980s sitcom Moonlighting, observed last October that he was losing his 'joie de vivre' and 'language skills.'

'My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am,' said Glenn in a devastating interview with the New York Post.

'Hes not totally verbal; he used to be a voracious reader - he didnt want anyone to know that - and hes not reading now.'
Justin Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman addressed using the word 'victim' amid the ongoing lawsuit between his client and Blake Lively.

Freedman appeared on The Town podcast Thursday to discuss the legal battle sparked by Livelys allegations of sexual harassment and retaliationclaims Baldoni denieswhile also addressing his countersuit against Lively, which she also denies.

During a pre-trial hearing on March 6, Freedman told the court that no one 'has any intent of harming Ms. Lively in any way' and defended Baldoni, saying, 'My clients have a right to defend themselves. That is in no way abusing the victim.'

On the podcast, Belloni pressed Freedman on his wording, asking, 'Does that mean you agree that Blake is a victim here?'

Freedman responded, 'I actually think that a lot of people are victims here.'

He continued, referencing other parties named in the various complaints, 'I think Justin is a victim here, I think Melissa Nathan is a victim. I think Jed Wallace is a victim. I think Jen Abel is a victim.'

Justin Baldoni 's attorney Bryan Freedman addressed using the word 'victim' amid the ongoing lawsuit between his client and Blake Lively; (seen in 2023)

On the podcast, Belloni pressed Freedman on his wording, asking, 'Does that mean you agree that Blake is a victim here?' (seen in August)

The latest development follows reports that while Lively has secured a protective order in the case, it wont fully shield the legal battle from public scrutiny.

Despite the Gossip Girl star, 37, receiving a modified protective order by a federal judge on Thursday, DailyMail.com has learned the court limited the scope of the restrictions she sought.

While both the former It Ends With Us costars' teams will have the option to designate some sensitive material to be restricted to 'attorneys' eyes only' (AEO), ultimately, if the case goes to trial, it's unlikely the court will 'seal or otherwise afford confidential treatment' for any documents that end up as evidence.

This means that as long as the actress and Baldoni, 41, do not settle out of court, 'very few secrets' will stay hidden and 'everything will come out at trial anyway.'

According to People, Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that the materials protected by Attorneys Eyes Only designation 'can only be applied if their disclosure is 'highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury.'

In regards to the latest legal update, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told DailyMail.com: 'We are fully in agreement with the Courts decision to provide a narrow scope of protections to categories such as private mental health records and personal security measures that have never been of interest to us as opposed to Ms. Livelys exceedingly over broad demand for documents for a 2.5 year period of time which the court rightly quashed.'

He continued: 'We remain focused on the necessary communications that will directly contradict Ms. Livelys unfounded accusations.'

Freedman (seen in February) responded, 'I actually think that a lot of people are victims here.'

Despite the Gossip Girl star, 37, receiving a modified protective order by a federal judge on Thursday, DailyMail.com has learned the court limited the scope of the restrictions she sought (Baldoni seen in 2024)

Freedman also stated that he and his team will continue to 'oppose any efforts by Ms. Lively and her team to hamper' his clients ability to defend against her attacks by incorrectly categorizing important information as trade secrets," especially considering there were no issues in providing these communications willingly to The New York Times.

Meanwhile. a spokesperson for Lively told DailyMail.com: 'Today, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties' objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individuals security. With this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court.'

Last week, Lively's attorneys claimed that without proper protections, Baldoni might tell the press about her security arrangements and her medical information

She also feared her conversations with celebrity friends and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, could be leaked as well as details about her children.

Baldoni's attorneys hit back and said that the idea they would do this was 'offensive' and said that Lively was asking for a 'different law' to protect their powerful and famous friends.

Just weeks earlier, Lively asked a judge for a stronger protective order after receiving 'violent' messages.

Both Baldoni and Lively previously agreed to a protective order (PO), but the actress has now asked for more protection instead of the court's 'model' order.

In Lively and Reynolds' letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman in New York, obtained by People, the couple requested 'additional protections.'

This includes 'an Attorney's Eyes Only ('AEO') category.'

It applies to 'Confidential Discovery Material of such a highly confidential and personal, sensitive, or proprietary nature that the revelation of such is likely to cause a competitive, business, commercial, financial, personal or privacy injury.'

The attorneys that submitted the letter for Blake and Ryan claimed that [there is] 'good cause exists for the Court to adopt the Proposed PO' and referenced to the star's recently amended complaint.

'As detailed in Ms. Lively's Amended Complaint, Ms. Lively, her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications.'

Justin's legal team responded to Blake's new protective order request in a statement and said, 'We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.'

Last month, Lively and Reynolds (pictured in February 2024) asked Judge Lewis J. Liman in a letter for 'additional protections'

They also alleged to have received similar communications amid the ongoing lawsuit.

'Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent,' his team continued in the statement.

'When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside

'No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail.'

Upon filing her lawsuit in December, Blake not only sued Baldoni but also producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios co-founder Steve Sarowitz, crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan, Jed Wallace and his publicist Jennifer Abel.

Along with his $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Justin is also suing the New York Times $250 million in a libel lawsuit after the publication reported on Lively's allegations.

Baldoni (seen in 2024) and Lively have sued each other for defamation and claimed they both tried to destroy each other's reputation

In February, Blake amended her complaint and claimed two actresses from It Ends With Us will provide additional evidence to support her own allegations.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jenny Slate - who played the role of Allysa in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel - had lodged a complaint against CEO of Wayfarer Studios Jamey Heath.

However, in her amended documents, Blake notably did not reference Slate by name.

Slate had allegedly held a conversation with Heath over her dissatisfaction of the apartment she was renting in NYC amidst filming It End With Us.

Jenny, who has a four-year-old daughter, had explained that the space wasn't working out but felt like she couldn't find a different residence due to already putting down a $15,000 deposit.

Health allegedly offered to reimburse the actress her lost deposit through Wayfarer Studios so she could move into a new place.

Lively was the first to sue at a court in New York and Baldoni retaliated with a $400 million defamation case against Lively, 37, and her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48 (pictured in August 2024)

But Slate claimed that he used 'language' that made her feel 'uncomfortable,' and sources alleged 'he focused intensely on the sanctity of motherhood and Slate's role as a mother.'

Following the alleged interaction, Jenny filed a complaint to Sony - the distributer for It Ends With Us.

A separate source informed The Hollywood Reporter that Jamey recalls the communication to be very different from Slate's recollection.

He has also stated that the production company offered assistance - which was then 'weaponized against them.'

Lively notably filed an amended complaint late Tuesday night, claiming the two actresses on set also had uncomfortable experiences with her It Ends With Us director and co-star.

Baldoni is also suing the New York Times for defamation for publishing a lengthy story about Lively's claims last December

According to a spokesperson for Blake, the complaint does not name the alleged victim-witnesses or include their texts or screenshots in order to protect their privacy.

'Importantly, however, these victim-witnesses have given Ms. Lively permission to share their communications in the Amended Complaint as they are laid out, and they will testify and produce documents in the discovery process,' the spokesperson said.

The complaint is said to contain 'significant contemporaneous evidence' that Blake was not alone in raising allegations of on-set misconduct, along with 'corroboration of her original claims.'

It also reportedly claims 'evidence detailing the threats, harassment, and intimidation' of not just Blake, but 'numerous innocent bystanders.'

In January, a judge scheduled a trial date for their lawsuits in March of 2026, and both parties have already decided to skip any attempt at mediation.

Meanwhile, Justin's lawyer has claimed the allegations have cost his client 'a substantial amount of work.'
Glamorous Debra Messing linked arms with Robert De Niro as the duo attended the London premiere of their new movie The Alto Knights on Thursday.

Based on true events, the film is set in 1950s New York, with two-time Oscar winner Robert, 81, portraying two roles - rival Italian-American mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.

Meanwhile, Debra, 56, will star as Costello's wife Bobbie in the upcoming thriller movie.

The Will & Grace actress commanded attention as she graced the red carpet of the movie's premiere in a classy black strapless ballgown, featuring a subtle pattern.

She exuded Hollywood glamour as she accessorised in a sparkling silver choker necklace, paired with matching droplet earrings.

Debra wore her brunette tresses in a voluminous curled style and opted for a glamorous palette of makeup to elevate her natural beauty.

Glamorous Debra Messing linked arms with Robert De Niro as the duo attended the London premiere of their new movie The Alto Knights on Thursday

The Will & Grace actress, 56, commanded attention as she graced the red carpet of the movie's premiere in a classy black strapless ballgown, featuring a subtle pattern

She seemed to be in incredible high spirits as she posed up a storm with acting legend Robert, who wrapped up warm in a smart black trench coat layered with a grey scarf.

At times adapting a documentary film-style approach, The Alto Knights recounts the old friends' shared past, the events leading to their rift and a failed assassination attempt on Costello.

Their power struggle plays out in tense scenes, some of which see Costello and Genovese clash face to face.

The movie is directed by Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam and Wag the Dog filmmaker Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, known for Goodfellas and Casino.

It is produced by De Niro's long-time collaborator Irwin Winkler, and the actor said working with the trio convinced him to return to the mobster genre.

'I wasn't planning on going back to it, but when Irwin Winkler sent me the script, I said 'let me consider,' De Niro said at the film's London premiere on Thursday.

'When we were talking about who'd play the other part, they wanted me for Costello, he (Winkler) said 'well, what about if you play the other part?' I said 'that's an even better reason to do this, if I do it,' the 81-year-old actor added.

Winkler, 93, said he couldn't think of anyone else better suited for the roles.

'We didn't do it with any visual effects. It was all really makeup and just him,' Winkler said. 'Even after seeing the film so many times, I see two different characters. I don't see one man playing them.'

Based on true events, the film is set in 1950s New York, with two-time Oscar winner Robert, 81, portraying two roles - rival Italian-American mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese

Meanwhile, Debra, 56, will star as Costello's wife Bobbie in the upcoming thriller movie

Debra wore her brunette tresses in a voluminous curled style and opted for a glamorous palette of makeup to elevate her natural beauty

She seemed to be in incredible high spirits as she posed up a storm with acting legend Robert, who wrapped up warm in a smart black trench coat layered with a grey scarf

The movie is directed by Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam and Wag the Dog filmmaker Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, known for Goodfellas and Casino

Later in the evening, the pair were mobbed by fans as they stepped out to celebrate at an afterparty following the premiere

Huge lines of fans gathered in a bid to get autographs from Robert as he was flanked by security while exiting the venue

Debra was seen being given a helping hand out of her vehicle in her very glamorous ensemble

She took the time to pose for selfies with fans and sign autographs as they all waited for her arrival

Debra was joined by members of her security team as huge crowds of fans all tried to get her autograph

She made sure to turn heads in her very glamorous ensemble as she rocked the same look as on the red carpet

She showed off her stunning features with a high-glamour make-up palette and flashed a huge smile while meeting fans

De Niro enlisted a co-star to act out scenes featuring both of his characters.

'I settled on one guy I thought would be good. He played the Gambino part and he learned both parts. So, I did it with him and he was a tremendous help.'

As well as Debra playing Costello's wife, Shogun actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays gangster Vincent Gigante.

Asked if the experience had inspired him to challenge himself further, De Niro, who has several new film projects lined up, said: 'Now I'm just trying to keep up with everything I'm doing.'

It comes after Debra and Melanie Lynskey were shocked to discover they had famous  if distant  relatives on an episode of Finding Your Roots last month.

Debra learned that she was related to a famous American politician and former presidential candidate, while Melanie, 47, was ecstatic after finding out that she shared a small connection to an influential musician.

In fact, both distant cousins had previously appeared on the PBS series, the host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., revealed.

Toward the end of the episode, Debra was aghast to learn that she is related to Vermont's independent United States senator, Bernie Sanders.

The 83-year-old politician, who is the longest serving independent in congressional history, previously ran for president in the 2016 and 2020 cycles while seeking the Democratic nomination.

'What! Are you kidding me? Bernie Sanders?' Debra reacted after learning that she shared some key portions of her DNA with the senator, via People. 'No way! Oh my gosh... That is mind-blowing.'

The Alto Knights' begins its global cinematic rollout on March 19
Daisy Edgar showcased her impeccable and daring sense of style on Thursday night as attended the SXSW premiere of On Swift Horses South in Texas.

The actress, 26, ensured all eyes were on her on the red carpet in a lime green lacy bodysuit that boasted a very racy plunging neckline.

She teamed the revealing number with a shimmery pearlescent midi skirt that hugged every inch of her svelte figure.

The Twister star drew attention to her cleavage with a chunky gold statement necklace and boosted her height with black patent heels.

Daisy completed her striking look with her hair down and her signature bangs framing her face, and a smoky black eyeshadow.

The Normal People sensation beamed as she was captured hugging and larking around with her co-star Diego Calva.

Daisy Edgar showcased her impeccable and daring sense of style on Thursday night as attended the SXSW premiere of On Swift Horses South in Texas

The actress, 26, ensured all eyes were on her on the red carpet in a lime green lacy bodysuit that boasted a very racy plunging neckline

She stars in the romantic drama as Muriel, while Diego plays casino worker Henry, opposite Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter and Sasha Calle.

The film is directed by Daniel Minahan and is an adaptation of Shannon Pufahl's bestselling novel of the same name.

Daisy, who recently signed as the face of Zara Hair, is the daughter of leading British TV executive Phil Edgar-Jones.

Branded the new English It Girl, the actress has set the internet ablaze in recent years, after earning Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Normal People.

Since then she has starred opposite Andrew Garfield in the crime drama Under The Banner Of Heaven, and was the lead in the film Where The Crawdads Sing.

Speaking to Elle UK earlier this week, Daisy admitted that she had struggled for years before landing her breakthrough role in Normal People.

Describing her experience on the hit series, she confessed: 'I was so spoiled by Normal People, just with how wonderful the team was, and how much I felt I learned from it.

She teamed the revealing number with a shimmery pearlescent midi skirt that hugged every inch of her svelte figure

The Twister star drew attention to her cleavage with a chunky gold statement necklace and boosted her height with black patent heels

Daisy completed her striking look with her hair down and her signature bangs framing her face, and a smoky black eyeshadow

The Normal People sensation beamed as she was captured hugging and larking around with her co-star Diego Calva

She stars in the romantic drama as Muriel, while Diego plays casino worker Henry, opposite Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter and Sasha Calle

'Now, in every job I've done since, that's the kind of standard I want to be working with.'

While recalling how challenging it had been before she landed the part, Daisy said: 'I was auditioning for years without getting much movement, and it was only through kind of sheer belief that I kept going.'

Giving advice to others who want to make it in the industry, she added: 'I think that's what I would say to young people who are wanting to pursue the arts: be open to failure and learning from it. It's a really valuable part of the process.

'The most difficult jobs I've done, or the things that have been the most trying, I have valued the most in my later life, as they've taught me the most.'
The Golden Bachelor Australia has begun filming in Sydney and glamorous senior ladies from across the country have jetted in to win the heart of Barry 'Bear' Myrden.

The inaugural 50-something silver fox of the series was spotted filming scenes for the show on Wednesday, and was seen piloting a retro Italian speedboat across the Harbour.

Now his leading ladies have arrived on set, and they are pulling out every trick in the book to woo the infrastructure engineer.

Among the gaggle of gals was a famous face many viewers may recognise from TV and radio - award-winning star Bianca Dye.

Bianca, 51, shot to fame in the 1990s when she hosted the 92.5 Gold FM radio show The Nitemix Across Australia with Bianca Dye.

After decades of working across the industry in Sydney and Brisbane, with several stints in television, Bianca now hosts a breakfast program on Sea FM 90.9.

The Golden Bachelor Australia has begun filming in Sydney and glamorous senior ladies from across the country have jetted in to win the heart of Barry 'Bear' Myrden, including radio host Bianca Dye

The inaugural 50-something silver fox of the series was spotted filming scenes for the show on Wednesday, and was seen piloting a retro Italian speedboat across the Harbour

Now his leading ladies have arrived on set, and they are pulling out every trick in the book to woo the infrastructure engineer

With a long and successful career under her belt, it would now seem she is ready to settle down and find love.

Bianca made sure to stand out on set when she made her arrival, slipping into a colourful purple maxi dress with a plunging neckline.

She tied a pink flannel shirt around her waist and added a soft curl to her short blonde tresses.

But her love rivals weren't to be outdone, as many could be seen wearing rollers and heavy makeup, including one woman believed to be Queenslander Lauren George.

Another contestant could be seen with a Gucci scarf slung over her arm as she hauled her luggage behind her.

Meanwhile, one blonde put on a very busty display as she poured her figure into a low-cut white tank top and pinned her locks up into several curlers.

Another woman wore a printed frock and accessorised with a dramatic black choker necklace.

The Golden Bachelor Australia season one will see the women compete for the heart of Barry, a father-of-three and respected professional in the tech industry.

Bianca made sure to stand out on set when she made her arrival, slipping into a colourful purple maxi dress with a plunging neckline

Bianca shot to fame in the 1990s when she hosted the 92.5 Gold FM radio show The Nitemix Across Australia with Bianca Dye

But her love rivals weren't to be outdone, as many could be seen wearing rollers and heavy makeup, including one woman believed to be Queenslander Lauren George

Barry currently works in Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group.

With decades of experience in his field, he has held senior roles at major companies like Macquarie Bank and the NSW Port Authority.

But while his career has flourished, sources close to Daily Mail Australia have revealed his personal journey has been marked by tragedy, as Barry is widowed.

'Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,' one friend revealed.

'We were always saying that he needs to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.'

Despite his corporate background, Barry is far from your typical office-bound executive.

A passionate sailor, he has competed in high-profile races like the Sydney to Hobart.

In one photo captured during one of his recent sailing ventures, Barry looked handsome and rugged as he manned a yacht.

Another put on a very busty display as she poured her figure into a low-cut white tank top and pinned her locks up into several curlers

She tucked her top into a pair of blue jeans

Another contestant wore a very chic ensemble with bedazzled jeans and a loose woven shirt

She went makeup free ahead of filming

Another woman wore a printed frock and accessorised with a dramatic black choker necklace

She could be seem chatting with her fellow co-stars

One woman arrived looking very casual in a blue button-up

One woman could be seen with a Gucci scarf slung over her arm as she hauled her luggage behind her

Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, which feature young men and women, The Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience.

'Bear is not your usual reality TV type,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He's been through love, loss and now he's ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.'

Fans of the The Golden Bachelor have been calling for an Australian version since the US rendition premiered last year to critical acclaim.

In November, it was reported The Golden Bachelor has been scouting for contestants in a very unusual way.

A talent scout for the show was spotted handing out business cards to attendees at Royal Randwick racecourse in Sydney.

Casting agent Ivanna Tang opted for the unusual method of attempting to recruit racegoers to the upcoming spin-off show.

Nine secured the rights for The Golden Bachelor in Australia and Samantha Armytage has been signed up to host the reality dating show.

Samantha got involved with the casting call, urging people to give their family members a 'nudge'.

The outgoing Farmer Wants A Wife host shocked fans when she stepped down from Seven after 21 years, sparking wild rumours about her next step.

Her new TV gig on The Golden Bachelor was finally revealed at Nine's Upfronts in November, where the network's schedule of 2025 programming was unveiled.

Yet another contestant had her brunette locks twisted up into curlers

She clutched a water bottle to her chest

One lucky lady looking for love had her fringe twisted back into a roller

She clutched her jacket in one arm

A brunette, who is believed to be Sydney-based interior designer Catherine Kirwan, flashed her toned abs as she stepped out in a white crop top

She tied a jumped off around her waist

Another woman opted for a loose black shirt and brown slacks

She happily chatted with the other women on set
Marcus Graham has revealed why both history buffs and fans of great Australian storytelling will love watching series two of the Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms.

The veteran Australian actor, 61, told Daily Mail Australia the show was so engaging because it presented a rarely-seen look at Australia in the 1950s.

'It is interesting to look at Australia through a British lens. If you're a fan of anything from the '50s, you are going to like this show,' Graham began.

'The actors are really good and there are so many storylines going on! It is just a good value, high-quality Australian co-production with Britain, a Stan-BBC production.

'It had top people working on it and I am just so pleased to be a part of it. In the past Ten Pound Poms would have been a film but now it is a six-part series. As a series, you can just do so much more with it.'

Graham joined the show for its second season and plays the villainous slumlord Benny Bates.

Marcus Graham (pictured) has revealed why both history buffs and fans of great Australian storytelling will love watching series two of the Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms

The veteran Australian actor, 61, told Daily Mail Australia the show was so engaging because it presented a rarely-seen look at Australia in the 1950s

Ten Pound Poms is now streaming only on Stan.

The Perth-born actor revealed he had to do extensive research to prepare for such a challenging, and fun, role.

'There's a lot of newsreels I watched on YouTube that are authentic for the time... the poverty that people were living in!' he said.

'When I looked at the reality of it, and what my character did, the gap between those two things was my character... what does it take for a person to do what Benny does, in such extreme circumstances?'

The series, which first screened in 2023, dramatises the famous Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which brought more than a million people to Australia after World War II.

Ten Pound Poms returned for a brand new season on March 10, and its storylines shine a light on the restrictions women endured, specifically in the 1950s - the era in which the series is set.

From bikini bans to being barred from pubs, mirroring historical protests that fought for women's rights in Australia, the show covers it all.

The series also stars Stephen Curry, Tina Bursill, Cheree Cassidy, Maya Stange and Grant Lyndon.

Graham also broke his silence on if he would consider reprising his star-making role as Stanley 'Wheels' Kovac on the Channel Ten drama series E Street, which he appeared in from 1989 - 1992, and answered with a resounding yes.

All episodes of Ten Pound Poms stream exclusively on Stan from March 10

'Oh sure! Good old Wheels living in some derelict warehouse somewhere... sure, why not? That was such a great show to work on,' he said.

He also revealed two of the favourite people he has ever worked with - late US film director David Lynch, on the 2001 movie Mulholland Drive, and Shannen Doherty, on the TV series Charmed.

'David Lynch was a highlight for me, he is one of the great filmmakers, legendary status. I was a real fan of his work, it was kind of an out-of-body experience working with the guy,' he said.

'He seemed to be exactly how he came across... That "crazy" guy who smokes cigarettes all the time and wears the same clothes... He really is that guy! It was refreshing because in Hollywood a lot of people are not what they are projecting.

He revealed who two of the favourite people he worked with were - Late US film director David Lynch and Charmed actress Shannen Doherty

'I worked Shannen Doherty on Charmed. She was great, a head-trip. You never knew what you were going to get. Some days she was warm, other days she was like, "Get away from me".'

Ten Pound Poms is produced by Eleven (Sex Education, Red Rose) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK and is a co-production between BBC and Stan.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) will distribute the series worldwide.

All episodes of Ten Pound Poms stream exclusively on Stan from March 10
Hollywood star Nina Dobrev has shared some snaps from a recent getaway spent in Sydney while taking a break from filming the new Russell Crowe drama Bear Country.

The Canadian-born Vampire Diaries actress took to her social media to post a gallery of photos in which she could be seen enjoying some of the top eateries around famed Bondi Beach.

In one snap, the 36-year-old dark-haired beauty is seen getting ready to tuck into a delicious meal of guacamole.

In another picture, Nina is soaking in the ocean view at Bondi Beach from the balcony of the upscale Icebergs restaurant.

She also posted a photo of herself dining on a healthy-looking breakfast with a gal pal.

'Eating our way through Bondi,' Nina joked in the caption of the post, which also featured some of the meals she has sampled including a scrumptious looking gourmet burger and a seafood feast.

Hollywood star Nina Dobrev has shared some snaps from a recent getaway spent in Sydney while taking a break from filming the new Russell Crowe drama Bear Country.

The Canadian-born Vampire Diaries actress took to her social media to post a gallery of photos in which she could be seen enjoying some of the top eateries around famed Bondi Beach

Nina also posed for a snap in which the star could be wearing a stylish pair of blue jeans she paired with a white top and woollen cardigan.

Accessorising with a pair of black designer shades she completed her look with a set of white runners.

Nina is currently Down Under to film the Russell Crowe crime drama Bear Country.

Though set in Los Angeles the movie is being produced in Queensland on locations around the lower Gold Coast including Coolangatta.

Based on the novel Strip, Crowe plays an LA night club owner who is robbed by gunman.

Nina co-stars alongside Australian actress Teresa Palmer and Hollywood actor Luke Evans.

She has also starred in the series Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Let's Be Cops, Flatliners, XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Dog Days and Then Came You.

It comes after Hollywood star Luke Evans delighted fans last week with a series of photos shared on social media, showcasing his downtime under a Melbourne palm tree.

Pictured: Nina soaks up the ocean view at Bondi Beach from the balcony of the upscale Icebergs restaurant

Nina shared this 'foodie' shot of a delicious seafood dish

Sporting a casual yet stylish ensemble of a plain purple jumper, trendy sunglasses, and earbuds, the Fast and Furious actor soaked up the last rays of summer sun.

He captioned the photos with some revealing words: 'Catching the last bit of summer down under #happysoul #happysaturday #weekend #weekendvibes.'

Evans has been working in film and television since for over a decade and previously appeared with Russell Crowe in the 2010 movie Robin Hood.

His new Australian movie also stars Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul and is set to be filmed on the Gold Coast in Queensland over the next few months.

Unfortunately, the film's production may be delayed for some time as the state deals with the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred - which was later downgraded tropical low.
Hollywood heartthrob Chris Hemsworth and his stunning wife Elsa Pataky landed in Sydney on Friday, trying to keep a low profile as they ditched their typical private jet travel for Qantas.

The golden couple opted for stealth wealth streetwear ensembles, but the Spanish actress, 48, betrayed her multi-millionaire status by toting almost $10,000 worth of accessories on her person.

Chris, 41, cut a stylish figure in a long grey T-shirt and Nike pants, as he steered his glamorous wife and three children through arrivals at Sydney Airport.

Elsa wore a lightweight pair of black track pants and plain black singlet, but let her accessories do the talking as she finished her look with a $4350 (AUD) Louis Vuitton New Wave Pochette chain bag slung across her body and a $2700 Gucci Ophidia back pack.

The mini of Lous Vuitton's limited edition New Wave bag is quickly joining the ranks of handbag classics, and is sold-out online.

With its eye-catching design and chic detailing, the distinctive V-shape quilted leather purse is hard to ignore.

Hollywood heartthrob Chris Hemsworth and his stunning wife Elsa Pataky landed in Sydney on Friday, trying to keep a low profile as they ditched their typical private jet travel for Qantas

The golden couple opted for stealth wealth streetwear ensembles, but the Spanish actress, 48, betrayed her multi-millionaire status by toting more than $10,000 worth of accessories

Elsa wore a lightweight pair of black track pants and plain black singlet, but let her accessories do the talking as she finished her look with a A$4350 Louis Vuitton New Wave chain bag slung across her body and a A$2700 Gucci Ophidia back pack

Elsa tied the ensemble together with a pair of black and gold shades and a smattering of gold jewellery, while the Thor actor opted her silver dog tags and bracelets that matched his wedding band.

The famously down-to-earth superstars made a pit stop at the airport book shop, patiently waiting as their twin boys Sasha and Tristan, 10, and daughter India Rose, 12, browsed the children's section.

Radiating their signature A-list glow, Chris and Elsa appeared relaxed and ready for some Aussie sunshine despite the long-haul flight from Europe.

The parents of three will, no doubt, be heading back to their Byron Bay mega-mansion to unwind after their travels, which saw Chris indulge in 'an epic little getaway with the fellas' in the Swiss Alps after wrapping the second season of his health and fitness docuseries, Limitless.

The glamour couple purchased their sprawling 4.2 hectare estate back in 2014 for $7million, eventually constructing a $50million compound on the site.

Speaking to News Corp, Elsa said that the couple found their previous home of Los Angeles too 'restricting'.

'When you're in Los Angeles, work suffocates you,' she said.

The famously down-to-earth superstars made a pit stop at the airport book shop

Elsa and Chris are pictured waiting as their twin boys Sasha and Tristan, 10, and daughter India Rose, 12, browsed the children's section

Elsa Pataky tied her travel ensemble together with a pair of black and gold shades and a smattering of gold jewellery, carrying her iPhone in her hand

Elsa kept a close eye on her three children as the family made their way out of the airport

In a recent interview, the Spanish beauty confirmed that she and her husband have no intentions to move their family back to Los Angeles, or her native Madrid

Elsa added that Byron Bay was far removed from the constant industry chatter that plagues the City Of Angels.

'There, all the conversations, even the billboards you see on the street, have to do with the world of cinema and its industry,' she said.

'It can make you lose perspective.'

Equally, the Madrid-born actress said that she had no desire to uproot her family to make a return to her native homeland.

'Living in Madrid is complicated when you've already lived in the countryside, in the middle of nature, it's hard,' she added.

It was a sentiment that Chris also shared in an interview with Modern Luxury back in 2020.

'I love what I do as an actor, but when you are surrounded by it constantly, it becomes a bit suffocating' he said.

'Its nice to have conversations with people and be a part of a community that doesnt live and breathe that world.'

Hemsworth added that Byron Bay provided a calmer environment in which to raise children India 12, and twin boys Sasha and Tristan, 10.

'L.A. is a tough place to get around with kids. Theres not a whole lot of foot traffic. It was all about loading up the car and car seats,' he said.

'Here, we just walk out the door and head to the beach down the street. Its a much more simple life.

The couple completed their mega-mansion in 2021, and the monolithic home skyrocketed in price since the family moved in.

Radiating their signature A-list glow, Chris and Elsa appeared relaxed and ready for some Aussie sunshine despite the long-haul flight from Europe

The entire Hemsworth-Pataky clan sported fresh sneakers, with the couple's twin boys still wearing their neck pillows from the long-haul flight
Wendy Williams is fighting back against claims that she is incapacitated after the NYPD were called after a seemingly innocent dinner outing.

The 60-year-old talk show host stepped away from her syndicated talk show amid growing health concerns.

She was assigned a guardian - Sabrina Morrissey - in 2022, and she was placed in a facility to treat her ongoing health issues.

Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and frototemporal dementia in 2023, with Morrissey filing documents in 2024 that stated she was, 'cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated.'

Now Williams is fighting back against the assertion that she's incapacatated, called in to The View in a taped phone interview segment that will air on Friday, via Page Six.

'Ive been doing important things all of my life and these two people dont look like me. They dont talk like me. They dont act like me. They will never be me. I need them to get off my neck!' Williams said in the interview.

Wendy Williams is fighting back against claims that she is incapacitated after the NYPD were called after a seemingly innocent dinner outing

'Ive been doing important things all of my life and these two people dont look like me. They dont talk like me. They dont act like me. They will never be me. I need them to get off my neck!' Williams said in the interview

She was assigned a guardian - Sabrina Morrissey - in 2022, and she was placed in a facility to treat her ongoing health issues.

She revealed that not only did she pass her psych evaluation, but that it was her choice to get the evaluation in the first place, not Morrissey's choice.

Williams added she also went to the doctor to get some blood work done for her thyroid condition.

'I needed a breath of fresh air. I needed to see the doctor, so thats why I went to the hospital,' Williams said.

She added, 'it was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I dont have it. How dare they say I have incapacitation. I do not!'

Williams has been making various press rounds of late, calling into The Breakfast Club and Good Day New York.

She also made headlines for a dinner date with her niece Alex Finnie.

'It was great at first They got me at the hospital, and then  with permission from the guardian, of course  we left the hospital by ambulance, and we stayed [at the living facility] for about an hour, because we knew were going out to eat, just to celebrate life,' Williams said of the outing.

She was seen posing for paparazzi after the dinner, adding of the encounter, 'We went to Tucci, great dinner! There were paparazzi, so we stopped. Thats what I do.'

She revealed that not only did she pass her psych evaluation, but that it was her choice to get the evaluation in the first place, not Morrissey's choice

'I stopped, posed, and these two people that work here theyre downstairs waiting for me. Im not permitted to do anything, but stay on this floor, memory unit,' she said.

An insider added of Williams' appearance on The View, 'Shes a longtime friend of the show and everyone is wishing the best for her'

'I stopped, posed, and these two people that work here theyre downstairs waiting for me. Im not permitted to do anything, but stay on this floor, memory unit,' she said.

She added that 'memory unit' is typically reserved for much older patients in their 80s or 90s, as she added, 'I'm 60! Why am I here?'

The View's Sunny Hostin - who Williams gave her media start to when she was younger - asked if she would return to broadcasting, though it seems unlikely under this guardianship.

An insider added of Williams' appearance on The View, 'Shes a longtime friend of the show and everyone is wishing the best for her.'
Sister Wives star Janelle Brown took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal that one of her family's chickens had died by a hawk.

The 55-year-old reality star - who was married to Kody Brown on Sister Wives from 1993 until 2022 - shelled out $289K for a property in Chocowinity, North Carolina (via InTouch).

The home is less than a 30-minute drive from her daughter Maddie, her husband Caleb and their three kids in Greenville.

Brown took to Instagram on Thursday to share a new video where she revealed a hawk swooped down and killed one of the family's chickens, after recently opening up about whether or not she'll date again.

'So yesterday we discovered that we lost a chicken to a hawk,' Brown began, adding that her daughter Maddie, 'has this cute little flock' in the backyard.

The reality star added that the chickens, 'don't have names, because I know better, and so do they,' adding that they're, 'really well taken care of.'

Sister Wives star Janelle Brown took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal that one of her family's chickens had died by a hawk.

'So yesterday we discovered that we lost a chicken to a hawk,' Brown began, adding that her daughter Maddie, 'has this cute little flock' in the backyard

'They're well-protected. There are these trees that keep the aerial predators out, but this one loves to get out, or did love to get out, and wander in the backyard,' Brown said of the late chicken.

'We discovered her yesterday morning and I'm just kind of sad. I'm like, OK, so this is the reality of my life now, keeping animals,' Brown said.

She added, 'Everyone was so surprised that they haven't lost more chickens than they have, because chickens I guess are susceptible to the predators.'

'But a hawk got her, and yeah, just kind of like, OK, this is my life now,' Brown said in the video, which garnered nearly 13K likes in nine hours.

'You love them, you take care of them, but sometimes these things happen, so, welcome to agriculture, Janelle,' she concluded.

Brown recently appeared on TLC reality star told Oliver Hudson's Sibling Revelry podcast last month that she wasn't sure if she'd start dating again.

'I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm not really interested in getting married again or even really dating at this stage,' she admitted on the podcast.

'So I'm not even thinking about, like, "Oh, what do I need to do?" Because I'm just like, I am over [it]. I am done. I love my single life,' she admitted.

Though she added, 'if something presents itself in the future' to Janelle, she said she'd 'consider what I need to do.'

She also revealed on a recent episode that ex-husband Kody Brown spent 'lots' of the family's money toward the end of their marriage.

She added, 'Everyone was so surprised that they haven't lost more chickens than they have, because chickens I guess are susceptible to the predators.'

'You love them, you take care of them, but sometimes these things happen, so, welcome to agriculture, Janelle,' she concluded.

On Sunday night's episode of the long-running TLC series, the 55-year-old mother-of-six said, 'I never felt like I had much control over my own money because everybody was pulling from the same [account].'

On Sunday night's episode of the long-running TLC series, the 55-year-old mother-of-six said, 'I never felt like I had much control over my own money because everybody was pulling from the same [account].'

Kody was once simultaneously married to Janelle as well as three other women  Robyn, Meri, and Christine  but now, the father-of-18's sole remaining partner is Robyn.

On the latest episode of the reality show, Janelle shared that the blended family used to thrive by pouring their finances into one pool. 'We set our family up that way. But, like, toward the end, it was just really hard,' she said of the arrangement.

She lamented, 'The last several years, Kody would just take out funds and I dont know what for. And the money was just being spent  and lots of it.'
The estate of the late actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa is reportedly trying to keep the public from seeing potentially disturbing photos of the scene where they died.

The two were found deceased in separate rooms of their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, but investigators later determined that Arakawa died around February 11 at age 65, while Hackman died days later on February 18 at age 95

Now his estate is attempting to stop the release of the results of their autopsies, as well as the investigation notes, according to documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

Hackman's estate is reportedly particularly determined to stop the release of any photos of the scene, as well as police bodycam footage.

The photos and video would potentially include images of Hackman and Arakawa's dead bodies, as well as the state of their home in the weeks after their deaths.

Investigators ultimately determined that Arakawa likely died first as a result of pulmonary symptoms caused by the rodent-borne hantavirus.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's estate is trying to block the release of photos and bodycam footage of their bodies and death scene, the AP reported Thursday; seen in 1991

The estate is attempting to block the release of autopsy results and the investigation notes, including the audiovisual elements; police are seen outside Hackman's home on February 27 in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Though the condition, which produces flu-like symptoms, is rare, it can also be deadly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has a 38 percent death rate.

Hackman is believed to have died around a week later, likely from heart disease.

He also showed 'evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease.'

Julia Peters, a representative for Hackman and Arakawa's estate, asked a Santa Fe state district court on Tuesday to keep records related to the investigation sealed to protect the privacy of their family.

She cited protections under the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, and emphasized the potentially shocking nature of any photos and videos from the investigation.

In the request, Peters said that Hackman and Arakawa 'lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle.'

The images may already be blocked from the public, as New Mexico's open records law prevents dissemination of sensitive images.

The images may already be blocked from the public, as New Mexico's open records law prevents dissemination of sensitive images; pictured together in 2003 in Beverly Hills

According to Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, that includes images of dead people; seen in 1992

According to Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, that includes images of dead people.

New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act may also allow the couple's estate to prevent the release of certain medical details.

Despite that, Lavin told the AP that most of the records a death investigation, as well as autopsy report, are considering public records in the state, so the estate may not be able to block the release of every detail.

'I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies,' Lavin told the AP on Thursday. 'The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done.'

She also noted that there may be a 'public health concern' for the release of the information since Arakawa reportedly died of the deadly but rare Hantavirus.

Also on Thursday, the couple's wills were revealed.

The Oscar-winning actor left his $80 million Hollywood fortune to his wife Betsy, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It's unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will.

The possible omission of his children, who he was once estranged from, has raised the prospect of a legal battle over his fortune.

Also on Thursday, the couple's wills were revealed; the duo seen in 2003

The actor left his $80M fortune to his wife Betsy, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It's unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will; seen with Betsy, Leslie and Elizabeth in 1996

A legal expert told DailyMail.com, 'If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it wouldve been World War III.

'His kids would've probably gone crazy.'

In her will, Betsy designates her assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organizations and the settlement of medical debts.

Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, seemingly signed the most recent copy of his will on June 7, 2005. It's unclear exactly when he was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Details of the investigation into the curious deaths of Gene and Betsy were released Friday by Santa Fe, New Mexico officials. The couple was found deceased in separate rooms of their home on February 26.

Arakawa died around February 11 from a rare virus spread by mice, while Hackman likely died on February 18 from heart disease.

Attorney Julia Peters has been appointed as executor of both wills, though it's unclear how the estates will be divided without a copy of the Trust.

Gene initially had another trust (GeBe Revocable Trust), but in 1994 he exercised his power of appointment and made Betsy the Successor Trustee, which was then put into effect on Sept. 22, 1995.

The possible omission of his children, who he was once estranged from, has raised the possibility of a legal battle over his fortune; Elizabeth and Leslie pictured in February

In her will, Betsy designates her assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organizations and the settlement of medical debts

At some point, Gene made another change, and the Avalon Trust was made the Successor Trustee.

The prior trust agreement is crucial, as it may have included his children as beneficiaries before he amended it in 1994, making Betsy the successor trustee.

The source further noted that Gene's son Chris' decision to hire Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, is notable.

'By hiring Katzenstein, it shows that he [Chris] is definitely trying to protect his interests.'

'The fact that Chris got a high-powered lawyer indicates to me something is going on. I dont know why the girls [daughters] are not represented. That tells me that there must be some trouble brewing.

'Whatever they collect from the estate will be managed by Avalon,' the source added.

In her will, Betsy states: 'If my spouse does not survive me, I give the residue of my estate to my personal representative, as trustee, to hold and administer in a charitable trust to achieve purposes beneficial to the community, consistent with the charitable preferences and interests expressed or indicated by my spouse and me during our lifetimes.'

'All my legally enforceable debts will be paid as soon as practicable after my death,' the document specifies.

A legal expert told DailyMail.com 'If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it wouldve been World War III! His kids would've probably gone crazy'; seen with his three kids in 1978

The source further noted that Gene's son Chris' decision to hire Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, is notable. 'The fact that Chris got a high-powered lawyer indicates to me something is going on. I dont know why the girls [daughters] are not represented'; Gene seen with his kids

As for her personal belongings  which could be items like furniture, jewelry, artwork  Betsy's will states she might provide a separate list for their distribution.

Hackman's commitment to the glamorous Hollywood scene caused a rift in his family life. His marriage to Faye ended in divorce and Hackman became somewhat absentee while the trio were 'growing up'.

He 'lost touch' with Christopher, openly admitting that he was 'gone so much' while his son was at an 'age where he needed support and guidance'.

He seemingly maintained contact with Leslie and Elizabeth, who were both spotted on occasion accompanying him to film screenings and Hollywood events.

But Hackman has acknowledged his children had a difficult upbringing and struggled with having his 'success always hanging over their heads'.

It wasn't until he married his second wife in 1991 that the family began to heal. Arakawa was keen on helping Hackman reconcile with his children and encouraged him to invite them and his grandchildren over to their Santa Fe home.

At the end of his life, Hackman was reportedly 'close with his children and their kids', but he still had gone months without seeing Leslie, the one family member who had the most contact with both him and Arakawa.

Betsy was found in a bathroom with one of the couple's three dogs, which was dead in its crate.

Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, seemingly signed the most recent copy of his will on June 7, 2005. It's unclear exactly when he was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease; seen with Leslie in 1991

After his divorce from Faye in 1986, he 'lost touch' with Christopher, openly admitting that he was 'gone so much' while his son was at an 'age where he needed support and guidance'; seen with Chris in 1973

He seemingly maintained contact with Leslie and Elizabeth, who were both spotted on occasion accompanying him to film screenings and Hollywood events; seen in 1978

These conclusions from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and Santa Fe Sheriff's office answered many of the questions that were swirling after the couple's bodies were found by a caretaker of their gated community.

They may also play a role in divvying up the couple's property  the $3.8 million home in Santa Fe and other assets that amount to some $80 million, according to celebritynetworth.com.

This could have implications for any inheritance that Hackman's son and two daughters receive. Arakawa, a pianist from Hawaii, had no children.

The timing of the couple's deaths is important because, under New Mexico law, had they died within 120 hours of each other, their deaths would have been classified as 'simultaneous.'

This may have impacted how the estates of Hackman and Arakawa were divided.

But given that investigators found Hackman lived for seven days after his wife, based on his pacemaker activity, those provisions would not apply, and his estate may be divided among his beneficiaries other than Arakawa, experts said.

'In a lot of states, including New Mexico, there's a kind of presumptive triggering deadline of five days before you're considered having survived under the terms of most wills,' Kevin Holmes of Holmes Law Firm told DailyMail.com.

There are many unknowns that could come into play in the coming weeks, said John Budagher, an attorney at Budagher & Tann.

The couple was found deceased in separate rooms of their home on February 26. Arakawa died around February 11 from a rare virus spread by mice, while Hackman likely died on February 18 from heart disease (Pictured: The couple in 1991)

'It's your money,' says Budagher. 'You're allowed to give it to whomever you want, including a donkey sanctuary in Connecticut.'

Another important factor could be the date on which any will or legal documents were signed, he added. That's especially true for Hackman, given his deterioration from Alzheimer's, as any recent updates to his papers could be queried.

'If it's more recent, that doesn't mean it's invalid, it just means it's riper for a potential challenge  especially if it's doing something like leaving everything to a caretaker,' said Budagher.

Other unknown factors include whether Hackman and Arakawa made any pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements, and if any children or other potential beneficiaries will make claims on the estate.

And though there is likely to be some action in the coming days, the whole process could take much longer  under New Mexico law, family members and others have up to three years of a person's death to file a probate case.

Hackman's two daughters and granddaughter Annie, have released a statement saying they were 'devastated' by his death.

'He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa,' said the statement.

Leslie told DailyMail.com that she was 'close' with her dad but that they had not spoken for a 'few months' before his passing.

Arakawa is said to have died first due to her infection, which initially presents with flu like symptoms. Hackman is believed to have died in the home (pictured) about a week later

While Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza says he's confident of the timeline of what occurred at the couple's property, he told reporters on Friday that the case remains open until they 'close the loopholes.'

Despite each of the deaths being ruled as natural, with no signs of internal or external trauma, Mendoza has insisted authorities are not done with the investigation.

Specifically, the sheriff said officers are waiting to see the couple's cell phone records, as well as the results of a necropsy, or autopsy, that is set to be conducted on their deceased dog.

According to a search warrant obtained by DailyMail.com detectives listed two cellphones among the items taken from their home.

Hackman and Arakawa met in a gym in California in the mid-1980s and moved to Sante Fe shortly after, before getting married in 1991. They were active in the city's art community and culinary scene.

In recent years, they were seen less often in town as his health deteriorated. They lived a very private life before their deaths, Mendoza said.

Both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor and neither showed signs of blunt force trauma.

Arakawa was found lying on her side in the bathroom, an apparent victim of the rodent-borne hantavirus, a rare disease in the US.

Hackman's life until 2004 was lived in the Hollywood glare - he is pictured with friend and Unforgiven co-star Clint Eastwood at the 1993 Oscars

Most US cases are concentrated in the West. In northern New Mexico, the virus is mostly spread by droppings and urine of deer mice.

It is often transmitted through the air when people sweep out sheds or clean closets where mice have been living.

It begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to heart and lung failure, with around 38 percent to 50 percent of cases resulting in death.

The couple's 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, Zinna, was found dead inside a crate in the same room.

Arakawa had picked up Zinna in a crate on February 9 from a Santa Fe veterinarian, which may explain why the dog was found dead in the crate, Mendoza said. It may have died of starvation.

Their two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, survived and were found roaming around the couple's Southwestern-style ranch.

Hackman was discovered lying on the ground of a mud room just off the kitchen with his sunglasses and cane nearby, indicating he may have fallen, officials said.

There was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple, despite many thinking they were poisoned initially.

Hackman, a former Marine known for his raspy voice, appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during a lengthy career that started in the early 1960s.

He earned his first Oscar nomination for his breakout role as the brother of bank robber Clyde Barrow in 1967's 'Bonnie and Clyde.'

He won an Oscar for best actor in 1972 for his portrayal of detective Popeye Doyle in 'The French Connection,' and in 1993 won an Oscar for best supporting actor for 'Unforgiven.'
Mrs Hinch has issued an update to fans after being rushed to hospital with a blood clot in her leg, just three weeks after giving birth.

The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, 35, took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to film a video from her hospital bed explaining what had happened.

In a new update, Mrs Hinch revealed she will be discharged from hospital on Friday and heading back home to recover while surrounded by her family.

Alongside a sweet picture of her and her kids, Mrs Hinch explained: 'Hurry up tomorrow. When I'll be back home to this. Just a reminder... ALWAYS trust your gut. You know your own body.'

She signed off by saying: 'Goodnight everyone. Love you lots xx'

In the original post, Sophie was dressed in a hospital gown and she told the camera: 'I'm not really sure where to start with this week guys.

Mrs Hinch has issued an update to fans after being rushed to hospital with a blood clot in her leg, just three weeks after giving birth

n a new update, the cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, 35, revealed she will be discharged from hospital on Friday and heading back home to recover while surrounded by her family

'I've actually bumped into quite a few followers in hospital. So I just thought I'd update you a bit because I share a lot with you here. The good, the bad and the ugly.

'Anyway to cut a long story short, I had a blood clot in my groin, pelvis, leg area. I haven't had one since 2018 and then another one decides to hit me three weeks postpartum. What a 12 months it's been.'

She got emotional as she continued: 'But I can only imagine what's going on in this hospital above me, below me, and I'm just, I'm not moaning.

'I'm just sort of updating because I bumped into some really lovely followers in A&E. They were helping me, they were like Soph what are you doing here?'

'I was like girls I think I've got a blood clot in my leg. I was right. But keeping positive, the operation went well. They managed to go in through my leg. They didn't go in through my neck in the end.

Sophie explained: 'They hoovered out the blood clot, hoovered my stents out, they've literally hoovered me which is ironic isn't it.

'I think I've still got quite a lot of painkillers or anaesthetic in my system because I'm probably not making much sense but I've had a few messages saying Soph, why are you in the hospital?'

She reassured: 'I just wanted to say I'm alright, all good. I can hopefully go home tomorrow. I can go home tomorrow, they've said I can and I cannot wait to smell my boys. Pick up Vinnie, that newborn smell.

Dressed in a hospital gown, she told the camera: 'I'm not really sure where to start with this week guys'

Sophie welcomed her third child with her husband Jamie in February and announced the news in a sweet Instagram post

The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, announced in a sweet Instagram post on Thursday that she welcomed her third child with husband Jamie on Tuesday

'Oh my God, I swear I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from him like, my boobs.'

Sophie added that she's had a 'lovely Facetime' with her boys and should be back home in her 'newborn bubble' tomorrow.

In another clip, she said: 'Can I add, to the followers that I bumped into, can I just say thank you? What a lovely bunch of people you are. And I was right. Because I was put through thr CT scan, had all that done.

'They said there's no blood clot, you can go home. I went home. My leg got bigger and bigger so I came back to a different hospital.

'They scanned me and said we need to operate, you've got a big blood clot. How mad is that?'

The social media star admitted: 'And that's playing on my mind really bad. What if I didnt' come back? Do you know what I mean, just trust your gut guys.'

Sophie then shared a sweet clip of one of her sons running towards here and emotionally quipped: 'Hurry up tomorrow when I'll be back home to this.

Captioning the post, she wrote: 'Welcome to the world. Vinnie Alan Barker Hinchliffe. Born 18th February at 12:21pm, 6lb7oz'

She later shared a sweet video of Jamie walking through the hospital as they headed home with their newborn

The influencer, who goes by Mrs Hinch on social media, are already proud parents to sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three

'Just a reminder. ALWAYS trust your gut. You know your own body. Goodnight everyone. Lots of love xx.'

Sophie welcomed her third child with her husband Jamie in February and announced the news in a sweet Instagram post.

The cleaning guru shared adorable photos of the new tot just minutes after his delivery, while revealing his cute name.

She later shared a sweet video of Jamie walking through the hospital as they headed home with their newborn.

Captioning the post, she wrote: 'Welcome to the world. Vinnie Alan Barker Hinchliffe. Born 18th February at 12:21pm, 6lb7oz.

'Our beautiful little heart healer entered the world In the month we needed him most, February.

'February is my Dads birthday month my birthday month  And now, its our Vinnies

'The signs, the comfort ,the joy, you really are just everything we have needed and more Vinnie. Now its time to meet your beautiful big brothers, and start the next chapter in our Hinch story

'@mrhinchhome I love you beyond words ILYD , I feel you Barker always xx'

In a separate video she shared on her stories, walking out of the hospital, she wrote: 'Home time'.

The couple are already proud parents to sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three.

In September 2024, Sophie sobbed in an emotional social media video a s she appealed to her fanbase for support during her ongoing battle with grief after losing her father.

In September 2024, Sophie sobbed in an emotional social media video a s she appealed to her fanbase for support during her ongoing battle with grief after losing her father (Mrs Hinch and her father pictured together)

She said: 'When youve been through something like this, its a bit like an out of body experience.

'The world looks different, feels different, smells different, just everything is different,' she said in her stories in August.

Sophie announced her father's death on Instagram in May, writing that he 'passed suddenly but so peacefully whilst he slept.

'My life, our whole world, has been turned upside down. A deep unimaginable pain I cannot put into words.'

Sophie continues to struggle with her grief as she told her fans: 'I thought I was doing alright or managing a bit yesterday.

'And then I had a dream last night... I don't understand how we have this grief that is with us all the time but when you try and do better you're sort of knocked back on the floor again.'

'I really want to do better but I can't. I don't know if anyone's got any advice on starting again every few days it seems.'
Simone Biles turned up the heat with her latest Instagram post on Friday.

The Olympic icon, 28, is currently soaking up the sun in the Bahamas, treating herself to a well-deserved tropical escape with her pals.

Lounging on a sunbed, Simone sizzled in a barely-there burgundy bikini that flaunted her toned physique.

The dazzling two-piece, adorned with rhinestones, caught the sunlight as she accessorised with a silver necklace and a pair of chic glasses.

She then switched into a vibrant pastel bikini layered under a yellow shirt as she posed for a stunning selfie.

The gymnast also gave fans a glimpse of her luxury retreat, sharing snaps of her delicious cocktails and the incredible ocean views from her hotel room.

Simone Biles turned up the heat with her latest Instagram post on Friday as she shared a glimpse at her luxurious Bahamas getaway with her pals

Lounging on a sunbed, the athlete sizzled in a barely-there burgundy bikini that flaunted her toned physique

She captioned the snaps: 'Where I belong.'

Just days earlier, Simone offered fans another glimpse into her getaway, flaunting her incredible figure in a black sheer lace dress layered over a black bikini.

The beauty shielded her eyes with a pair of black sunglasses and accessorised with silver jewellery.

She then stunned with a sizzling mirror selfie in a chic white co-ord before capturing a moment on a jet ski in the ocean.

Rounding out the series, she shared a joyful snap with her friends, captioning it: 'Quick trip w/ the girls.'

The girls trip comes just a month after Simone and her husband Jonathan Owens enjoyed their honeymoon to South Africa.

In a snapshot of the pair surrounded by their luggage, Simone wrote: 'Off to our honeymoon. Two years later.'

Heading out from the U.S., she posted a selfie of the two sharing a kiss as they sat side-by-side on their flight in first-class seats.

She then switched into a vibrant pastel bikini layered under a yellow shirt as she posed for a stunning selfie

The gymnast also gave fans a glimpse of her luxury retreat, sharing snaps of her delicious cocktails

She also shared a snap of the incredible ocean views from her hotel room

Just days earlier, Simone offered fans another glimpse into her getaway, flaunting her incredible figure in a black sheer lace dress layered over a black bikini

She then stunned with a sizzling mirror selfie in a chic white co-ord

The beauty captured a moment on a jet ski in the ocean

Once they landed safely, the two were welcomed to their hotel suite with champagne.

The beauty uploaded an image of them clinking champagne flutes and wrote: 'Made it to South Africa.'

She also posted videos from an exciting guided tour through a wildlife reserve complete with giraffes, leopards, lions, and elephants.

The star athlete wrote along with one outtake featuring an up-close lion, 'Not gonna lie, I almost s*** myself.'

The pair crossed paths in 2020 and by February 2022 they were engaged.

They got married in Houston, Texas in April 2023, which was followed by a second ceremony, where they hosted loved ones in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

For nearly a year, Simone has defended her husband, Chicago Bears' player Jonathan, over his past comments,.

She has stood by him, even after he admitted he didnt know who she was before they started dating and later got married.

Many fans found his comments hard to believe because he is also an athlete.

The blowback only got worse when he called himself the 'catch' in their marriage, which Simone also saw no problem with.

In her Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist stood by her stance and shared how the comments affected her personally.

Rounding out the series, she shared a joyful snap with her friends, captioning it: 'quick trip w/ the girls'

The girls trip comes just a month after Simone and her husband Jonathan Owens enjoyed their honeymoon to South Africa

'Social media gives (followers) this false sense of reality that they really know who you are and how you function,' she said. 'Most of the time they dont understand the mental toll that it takes, especially going into an Olympic year.'

'I know we signed up to be judged in the gym but when you guys are going to talk about him or my family, yeah, Im gonna come at you guys.'

'Most of the time, I bite my tongue but now, yeah, I have a voice, Ive always had a voice. Just because you didnt think I wouldnt see it doesnt mean Im not obligated to respond its crazy.'

In April, Simone revealed exactly what she thought of her husband making the 'catch' comments on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast.

'He said he was a catch because he is! Ive never met a man like him.'
Debra Messing showed off her impeccable sense of style as she was joined by Robert De Niro at the afterparty for their latest movie, The Alto Knights, in London on Thursday.

The American actress, 56, cut a glamorous figure in a classy black strapless ballgown featuring a subtle pattern.

She added inches to her frame with pointed black court heels and styled her brunette tresses in a voluminous blowout.

Debra exuded Hollywood glamour as she accessorised with a sparkling silver choker necklace paired with matching droplet earrings.

The beauty took the time to pose for selfies with fans and sign autographs as they all waited for her arrival.

Meanwhile, Robert, 81, looked sharp in a grey turtleneck, black coat, and matching tailored trousers.

Debra Messing, 56, cut a glamorous figure in a classy black strapless ballgown as she attended the afterparty for her latest movie, The Alto Knights, in London on Thursday

The American actress was also joined by Robert De Niro, 81, who looked sharp in a grey turtleneck, black coat, and matching tailored trousers

He completed his look with yellow-tinted glasses and sported a pair of smart shoes.

Lines of fans gathered in a bid to get autographs from Robert as he got flanked by security while exiting the venue.

Based on true events, the movie is set in 1950s New York, with two-time Oscar winner Robert portraying two roles - rival Italian-American mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.

Meanwhile, Debra will star as Costello's wife Bobbie, in the upcoming thriller movie.

At times adapting a documentary film-style approach, The Alto Knights recounts the old friends' shared past, the events leading to their rift and a failed assassination attempt on Costello.

Their power struggle plays out in tense scenes, some of which see Costello and Genovese clash face-to-face.

The movie is directed by Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam and Wag the Dog filmmaker Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, known for Goodfellas and Casino.

It is produced by De Niro's long-time collaborator Irwin Winkler, and the actor said working with the trio convinced him to return to the mobster genre.

For the glitzy bash, Debra teamed her chic ensemble with pointed black court heels and styled her brunette tresses in a voluminous blowout

She exuded Hollywood glamour as she accessorised with a sparkling silver choker necklace paired with matching droplet earrings

The actress completed her look with a radiant palette of makeup and looked in great spirits as she arrived at the venue

She took the time to pose for selfies with fans and sign autographs as they all waited for her arrival

However, the star was soon joined by members of her security team as huge crowds of fans swarmed to try and get her autograph

'I wasn't planning on going back to it, but when Irwin Winkler sent me the script, I said 'let me consider,' Robert said at the movie's London premiere on Thursday.

'When we were talking about who'd play the other part, they wanted me for Costello, he (Winkler) said 'Well, what about if you play the other part?' I said 'That's an even better reason to do this, if I do it,' the actor added.

Irwin, 93, said he couldn't think of anyone else better suited for the roles.

'We didn't do it with any visual effects. It was all really makeup and just him,' Irwin said.

'Even after seeing the film so many times, I see two different characters. I don't see one man playing them.'

Robert enlisted a co-star to act out scenes featuring both of his characters.

Meanwhile, two-time Oscar winner Robert, layered up from the cold with a grey and black striped scarf as he arrived at the venue with his security

He completed his look with yellow-tinted glasses and sported a pair of smart shoes as he was greeted by fans

Based on true events, the movie is set in 1950s New York, with two-time Oscar winner Robert portraying two roles - rival Italian-American mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese

He said: 'I settled on one guy I thought would be good. He played the Gambino part, and he learned both parts. So, I did it with him, and he was a tremendous help.'

As well as Debra playing Costello's wife, Shogun actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays gangster Vincent Gigante.

When asked if the experience had inspired him to challenge himself further, Robert, who has several movie projects lined up, said: 'Now I'm just trying to keep up with everything I'm doing.'

The Alto Knights' begins its global cinematic rollout on March 19.
Dua Lipa showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she modelled a slew of racy Versace outfits in an Instagram tribute to the brand's exiting boss Donatella Versace on Thursday.

The songstress, 29, who is a brand ambassador and released her own Versace collection last year, looked sensational as she modelled a string of abs flashing co-ord as she reflected on her time working with the designer.

In one image Dua held her hands over her ample assets to avoid an awkward mishap while Donatella, 69, laced up her skimpy hot pink metallic bustier.

The Houdini hitmaker later posed up a storm in a silver cropped jacket and matching mini skirt which she teamed with a belly chain around her tiny waist.

Dua also shared a glimpse behind the scenes from her appearance on the Versace runway and put on a very busty display in a daring cut-out black gown.

She captioned the post: 'Noone does it like you @donatella_versace !!!!!'.

Dua Lipa, 29, showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she modelled a slew of racy Verscace outfits while paying tribute to exiting boss Donatella Versace, 69, (pictured left) on Thursday

The songstress is a brand ambassador and released her own Versace collection last year

Dua looked sensational as she modelled abs flashing co-ord in snaps from her time working with the designer

It comes after MailOnline revealed that Donatella had left her role as the boss of the fashion giant founded by her brother Gianni amid a 'issues' between her and the company which bought the label out in 2018.

The Italian fashionista has stood down as creative director, a job she has held since Gianni's death in 1997 and has been replaced by Dario Vitale seven years after Capri Holdings purchased Versace.

They announced her departure on their Instagram on Thursday and revealed that the designer, who is the flamboyant face of the firm, will assume the role of chief brand ambassador from April 1 - a far lesser role, say fashion observers.

'In her new role she will dedicate herself to the support of Versace's philanthropic and charitable endeavours and remain an advocate for the brand globally.'

Speaking of her exit, Donatella said: 'Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me. It's been the greatest honour of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius but I hope to have some of his spirit and tenacity.'

Sources close to both parties say that things have been 'very difficult' between Donatella and Capri for some time despite her being hailed as the saviour of the brand by attracting A list celebrities to wear her clothes and post about them on Instagram.

In the last year alone Taylor Swift, BeyonceOlivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter have worn the designs, as well as Anne Hathaway and Lady Gaga.

Her following consists of new talent like Lil Nas X, Taylor, Miley Cyrus, K-Pop Stars as well as Hollywood legends who she continues to work with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Sir Elton John and Cher.

She modelled blonde locks and slipped into a quirky gown which boasted the brand's infamous belt design

The Houdini hitmaker posed up a storm in a silver cropped jacket and matching mini skirt which she teamed with a belly chain around her tiny waist

Dua also shared a glimpse behind the scenes from her appearance on the Versace runway and put on a very busty display in a daring cut-out black gown

Another snap saw the pair sat poolside with a string of scantily-clad models

Dua and Donatella shared a giggle in the sunshine

She captioned the post: 'Noone does it like you @donatella_versace !!!!!'

She also designed the iconic green Versace silk chiffon dress which Jennifer Lopez wore to the 42nd Grammy Awards ceremony on February 23 2000 and rewore it in 2019.

Donatella is the most followed fashion designer in the world on social media with over 12 million followers

A fashion insider told the Mail: 'Versace now faces an enormous risk without her. Versace is now Donatella-less Versace and that now begs the question that without her designs and relationships with talent, who will wear the brand now?

'She has had a huge cultural impact in the fashion world that she has even watched her own creations have a rebirth, like JLo's green dress

'Donatella has always been the curator of talent around Versace - she brought in Madonna, Whitney and others during the Gianni era and continues to do that to this day - truly a pop culture barometer. How many female designers have grown a company that is worth $2.1 billion dollars?

'No one can dispute that Gianni was a genius - but also no one can dispute Donatella's success with Versace after her brother's passing.'

It comes after MailOnline revealed Donatella had left her role as the boss of the fashion giant founded by her brother Gianni amid a 'issues' with brand's new owners

She has stood down as creative director, a job she has held since Gianni's death in 1997 and has been replaced by Dario Vitale seven years after Capri Holdings purchased Versace

Speaking of replacing Donatella, former Miu Miu design director said: 'I am truly honored to join Versace as the chief creative officer and to be a part of this special and powerful fashion luxury house created by Gianni and Donatella.

'The House of Versace has a unique heritage that has spanned decades and has shaped the history of fashion.

'I want to express my sincere thank you to Donatella for her trust in me, and for her tireless dedication to the extraordinary brand that Versace is today.

'It is a privilege to contribute to the future growth of Versace and its global impact through my vision, expertise and dedication.'

Gianni died in July 1997 after being shot in the head while climbing the steps of his Miami Beach mansion aged 50.
She may have turned 54 in February, but Amanda Holden has made sure the celebrations haven't stopped - just days after revealing she enjoyed a bath with her dog.

The radio host took to her Instagram Stories on Friday to share a snap from the night before, where she marked her belated birthday with friends.

Amanda stunned in a leopard print dress with a daring thigh-high slit as she beamed for a snap.

Posing with one arm in the air, Amanda looked happier than ever as a massive chocolate cake, topped with sparklers, was presented to her.

Captioning the snap, she penned: 'Rinsing my birthday (a month later). Looks like I'm wearing a cake dress.'

It comes after Amanda left her Heart Radio producer stunned when she revealed she had taken a bath with her dog.

Amanda Holden looked happier than ever as she enjoyed VERY belated birthday celebrations with her pals on Thursday night

The presenter joined co-star Jamie Theakston, 54, on their Breakfast show where she recounted her idyllic weekend in which she spent time at West Wittering beach in West Sussex with her loved ones.

She told how her adorable puppy Minnie, whom she rescued in September, enjoyed her very first trip to the beach, but was left covered in sand following the excursion.

The Britain's Got Talent star then revealed that she later drew herself a warm bath after returning home, before deciding to bring her pet pooch in with her for a good scrub down.

And while Jamie didn't appear to be fussed by her revelation, the same couldn't be said for their producer, with Amanda clocking that he was sitting with his 'head in his heads' as she told her story.

Recalling her weekend, Amanda told how Minnie 'went nuts' on the beach and had 'loved the sea', as did her other dog Rudie.

But instead of giving Minnie a bath of her own, the star decided to allow her pet to join her in her bath.

She shared: 'I looked at Minnie the moocher, who's my dog, and I just thought, I'm gonna put her in with me!

It comes after Amanda left her Heart Radio producer stunned when she revealed she had taken a bath with her dog (pictured in December)

The presenter had joined co-star Jamie Theakston , 54, on their Breakfast show where she recounted her idyllic weekend in which she spent time at West Wittering beach in West Sussex

'I need to wash her anyway because she's covered in sand, so I took her collar off and we had a little bath together!'

Amanda continued: 'I used all her doggie shampoo, so there were no products in the bath so please don't write in. Minnie was loving it, she was living her best life. Then I got the dog conditioner and got a brush... why has our producer got his head in his hands?'

After observing the producer's reaction to the news, Amanda went on with her story, adding: 'I started brushing out her - because she got a little bit matted from her halter under her armpits - so I gave her a good brush, a good clean, and then I got out, but then I put Rudie in the bath water.

'I just thought it saves a bit of bath water and then I gave him a good old scrub as well so everyone was clean and fluffy and lovely!'

Amanda and Jamie then put forward the question whether it is appropriate to have a bath with your dog, with Amanda adding: 'What a phoner!'

As Jamie urged people to text in with their thoughts, Amanda revealed she believed it was appropriate to bathe with your pets before insistingthat she didn't want complaints.

It comes after Amanda was snapped looking back on fine form last week after injuring her foot.

The star was all smiles as she wore a long, yellow coat over a matching yellow blouse and dark, floral skirt as she left Global Radio studios.

It comes after Amanda was snapped looking back on fine form last week after injuring her foot

The presenter looked very much back to her usual, cheerful self after she sustained a foot injury last weekend that left her 'struggling to walk'.

Amanda said she believed her foot was not broken at the time and this appears to be the case as she was back in modestly-sized heels today.

The Britain's Got Talent presenter told fans that the injury was the result of trousers that were too long and 'massive heels'.

She explained: 'Remember when Naomi Campbell fell over on the catwalk? Well that happened to me, but I've ripped.... it's the leg that I broke.

'You know when I first joined Heart and I managed to break my leg? It's that leg and I have got nan foot

'So, all weekend I've had a blue foot and I've been in my slippers, so I'm trying to [go for] either an MRI or an X-ray.'

But while Amanda did not break her foot, she admitted the pain she was in was 'even worse than breaking it'.
Vogue Williams has become the latest celebrity to tear into Meghan Markle over her new show, With Love, Meghan.

The takedown is close to home given the Irish TV and radio presenter is connected to the royal family. Her husband, Made in Chelsea alum Spencer Matthews, is brother-in-law to the Princess of Wales's sister, Pippa.

'I saw a bit where she was making her kids a rainbow platter of fruit,' Vogue began.

'First of all, I thought I was doing well mixing Rice Krispies and Cheerios - like, you can have two cereals in one! And she's there like... did you see the rainbow [platter]? I personally like that, but who does that?'

Vogue was dishing out her views on the former Suits star's Netflix series on a new episode of her podcast, My Therapist Ghosted Me.

At one point, co-host Joanne McNally said of Meghan's outfit: 'I can't bear a jumper round the shoulders,' to which Vogue responded, laughing: 'Yeah, yeah - it's disgusting.'

Vogue Williams has become the latest celebrity to tear into Meghan Markle over her new show, With Love, Meghan (pictured with husband Spencer Matthews in 2021)

The takedown is close to home given the Irish TV presenter is connected to the royal family - her husband, Spencer Matthews, is brother-in-law to Pippa Middleton (Meghan pictured)

Vogue added: 'I love the idea of being a tradwife - I was dabbling in it - remember, I made that chicken pie a while ago?

'I am obsessed with that level of perfection. But I'm like, how is she doing that? I just think it's like that bl***y Angel perfume - it's so sickly sweet.'

'I bet you she wears Angel. Sorry to anyone who wears Angel, I just wear men's aftershave and that's very sweet to me.'

Vogue said of her own aspiration to become a domestic goddess: 'I'm on a journey to be a tradwife. I want to be like Lucky Blue's wife Nara. She's glam.

'I'm just going to dip the toe in. I'm not going to go full tradwife because I've got other bits that I need to do that don't involve being a tradwife.'

It comes as Katherine Ryan publicly laid into Meghan - after previously defending her - in the wake of her new Netflix series.

'I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle... though she is very Hollywood - even for me - and I don't like that in people,' she admitted.

'I see now, and maybe it's just the projects she's choosing, it does feel like she has lied about whether she knew who Prince Harry was, and these details about her childhood change and don't add up.'

At one point, co-host Joanne McNally said of Meghan's outfit: 'I can't bear a jumper round the shoulders,' to which Vogue responded, laughing: 'Yeah, yeah - it's disgusting'

Vogue's husband, Made in Chelsea alum Spencer, is brother-in-law to the Princess of Wales's sister, Pippa (pictured together in 2018)

The Irish model has been married to Spencer Matthews since 2018 and they share three children together - Theodore, six, Gigi, four, and Otto, two

Katherine defended the former actress in 2022, commenting on her position in the Royal Family: 'I love Meghan Markle's voice and her confidence to challenge the norm and what's expected of her in that role.'

However, speaking on an episode of her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, Katherine added: 'She said on her new Netflix show that they ate TV dinners growing up.

'But then in an old interview, she was like, "we would eat farm fresh". Her whole act just seems very manicured and very forced.'

Katherine is a familiar face on Netflix with her stand-up specials Glitter Room and In Trouble currently available to stream on the platform.

She also wrote and starred in Netflix sitcom The Duchess but it was axed after one series with the comedian in 2021 telling Vicky Pattison on her podcast The Secret To... that 'not enough people watched it'.

Vogue added: 'I am obsessed with that level of perfection. But I'm like, how is she doing that? I just think it's like that bl***y Angel perfume - it's so sickly sweet'

It comes as Katherine Ryan publicly laid into Meghan - after previously defending her - in the wake of her new Netflix series (Katherine pictured in February)

In her brutal takedown of Meghan, Katherine said: 'I've known a lot of Hollywood people - they're not bad people. I don't think she's a bad person, but I think she likes cosying up to celebrities and she wants the hundred million dollar deal and she likes the fact that she's married to a prince.

'Of course. But I would rather someone lean into that and be like, oh my God, I used to be on Suits and now I'm married to a prince! I would rather that than this act of: Oh, I'm just so humble.'

Canadian-born Katherine, who lives in London with her three children and civil partner Bobby Kootstra, said she found Meghan's 'flower sprinkles' particularly galling.

'I have seen this, I have seen it from chefs - they like to put wild flowers on a meal. And I'm not about it. I also don't think it constitutes an entire cooking show.'

She added: 'People are hate-watching it though. Who knows what Netflix are doing? They are smart - whether they love something or hate something, whatever keeps them watching more episodes.'
Simone Ashley has revealed she's 'defying the social' expectations' of women feeling pressured to settle down and marry once they hit their 30s.

The Bridgerton actress, 29, recently declared that she's in her 'single era' after her split from boyfriend of three years - Constantin 'Tino' Klein.

And in a new interview, Simone told how she's not going to adhere to the stereotypical pressures that women face once they hit a certain age, and instead will focus on the things in her life that she's 'grateful' for.

Speaking to DEFINED magazine, in which she also stuns in a striking photoshoot for, she remarked: 'I am just really trying to focus on everything that I am grateful for in my life right now. I kind of defy any social expectations for women to have pressure to settle.'

Indeed, the actress is very much focused on her upcoming rom-com Picture This in which she plays lead character Pia, who like Simone, is about to enter the next decade of her life.

Pia is a struggling photographer whose quest to find love and career success is thrown into jeopardy with the arrival of her ex, and in addition, she has added pressures from her family to find the one after her younger sister gets engaged before her.

Simone Ashley has revealed she's 'defying the social' expectations' of women feeling pressured to settle down and marry once they hit their 30s

Simone told how she's not going to adhere to the stereotypical pressures that women face once they hit a certain age, and will focus on the things in her life that she's 'grateful' for

The Bridgerton actress, 29, recently declared that she's in her 'single era' after her split from boyfriend of three years - Constantin 'Tino' Klein [pictured in 2023]

Amid her lead role in the film, which she executive produces, Simone spoke of being influenced by classic rom-coms of the 90s.

She shared: 'I grew up watching all the 90s rom-coms. Picture This was influenced by that world  films like Bend it like Beckham and Bridget Jones  and the fact that she (the character) was South Asian and also the heroine of this film was important to me.'

On the importance of demonstrating a realistic and nuanced portrayal of British-Indian family life of which films like Bend It Like Beckham is praised for, she continued: 'I wanted to make sure that the culture was celebrated and any stereotypes were defied or twisted, so theres a surprise for the audience.'

The Sex Education star added that she wanted to ensure her character Pia as 'humanised' as much as possible, while wanting other brown women to realise that they too can 'belong' in the 'world of rom-com'.

As well as acting, Simone is preparing to also embark on a music career.

And it appears that the actress is channelling her recent heartbreak into music for her forthcoming debut pop album following her split from Constantin, the boss of a company that organises ice races in Austria.

The Surrey-born star told Daily Mail's Richard Eden: 'Sometimes I feel a song is storytelling and sometimes songs that were maybe written from a place of heartbreak end up being a dance cry banger.'

She added: 'One of my songs has been influenced by heartbreak. There was one song that was written from a place of heartbreak.

She told Defined magazine: 'I am just really trying to focus on everything that I am grateful for in my life right now. I kind of defy any social expectations for women to have pressure to settle'

Indeed, the actress is very much focused on her upcoming rom-com Picture This in which she plays lead character Pia [pictured], who like Simone, is about to enter the next decade of her life

'I grew up watching all the 90s rom-coms. Picture This was influenced by that world... and the fact that she (the character) was South Asian and also the heroine of this film was important to me'

'I wanted to make sure that the culture was celebrated and any stereotypes were defied or twisted, so theres a surprise for the audience'

'It was a really grey weekend when I was writing it, then when we went to the studio, the sun came out and I had a few months of distance from the song and it turned into something really positive.'

Elsewhere, earlier this month, Simone confirmed her relationship status to People as she embraced single life, defining her 'single era as a time that I don't wanna waste away.'

She added: 'It's about self-growth, and I am looking for someone who is so confident in themselves and is really ready to have an open heart in the same way I do. And I think that's hard to find.'

The film star went on to insist that she's 'not in a rush' to find someone new, explaining: 'I want to take my time to find the right person for me and to work on myselfto grow, and to focus on my work.'

Cute! Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley has confirmed her relationship with boyfriend Tino Klein

Simone then looked toward her 'incredible year ahead' full of 'exciting' things, noting that she has the love of the 'most amazing family and friends'.

She added that she is now focused on 'working on my heart' and confidence.

Earlier this year, Simone also joked about the 'irony' of starring in a rom-com having just gone through a break-up.

Speaking on an episode of the BBCs Women's Hour podcast, she said: 'Its kind of ironic Im promoting a rom-com, and as of January this year, Ive been entering my single era.'
When it comes to business, they tend to steer clear of working with one another despite being together for 16 years.

But Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and fiance Jason Statham finally broke this trend on Thursday, taking to Instagram to promote a new collaboration for Falconeri.

The model, 37, cut a sophisticated figure in a series of outfits including a v-necked thin white dress with cut-out sleeves, adding large brown boots.

She then changed into an all-white ensemble featuring a turtle-necked folded long-sleeve jumper and white trousers, as the runway icon let her blonde locks loose for the shoot.

Rosie also modelled an all-brown v-neck top in a snap where she was joined by Jason, 57.

The Hollywood star looked laid-back in a thick brown shirt over a stone T-shirt, adding some beige trousers to the outfit.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and fiance Jason Statham took to Instagram on Thursday to promote a new collaboration for Falconeri

The pair wore muted tones as they appeared alongside one another for the images

The model, 37, cut a sophisticated figure in a series of outfits including a v-necked thin white dress with cut-out sleeves, adding large brown boots

Captioning the pictures, which were taken in the seaside area of Melides in Portugal, Rosie said: 'Soft textures, timeless moments. A story of grace and strength, captured by @lachlanbailey for @falconeriofficial. #AD #Falconeri #PureCashmere #UltrafineCashmere'

In December, The Fast & Furious star dutifully accompanied his Victoria's Secret model Rosie wife on a shopping trip in London, stepping in to place a protective arm around his long-term girlfriend whenever they were approached by passers-by.

The low-key British couple, who live in Los Angeles, first began dating in 2009 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called 'instant chemistry'.

They became engaged in 2016, and have a son Jack, seven, and daughter, Isabella, two.

Speaking about their plans to marry after Jack was born, Rosie said: 'I think the time will come. It's also not a huge priority for us.'

She has also addressed the couple's 20-year age gap, saying: 'His knowledge and strength are really inspiring and attractive, and that can come with a man who's had a bit of time.'

Rosie has recently been making waves at Paris Fashion Week, showing off her incredible figure as she shared stunning new snaps last week from her trip to France.

The British model took to Instagram to document her trip, where she has been socialising with models including Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell.

She then changed into an all-white ensemble featuring a turtle-necked folded long-sleeve jumper and white trousers

When it comes to business, they tend to steer clear of working with one another despite being together for 16 years

The Hollywood star looked laid-back in a thick brown shirt over a stone T-shirt, adding some beige trousers to the outfit

Captioning the pictures, which were taken in the seaside area of Melides in Portugal, Rosie said: 'Soft textures, timeless moments. A story of grace and strength, captured by @lachlanbailey for @falconeriofficial

The runway icon let her blonde locks loose for the shoot which was promoted on Instagram

The low-key British couple (pictured, in December) first began dating in 2009 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called 'instant chemistry'

Rosie has recently been making waves at Paris Fashion Week, showing off her incredible figure as she shared stunning new snaps last week from her trip to France

The supermodel - who was amongst models Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell in the city for Paris Fashion Week - showcased her custom gowns with her Instagram followers

She put on a very leggy display in the short sequinned dress, adding a pointed stiletto heel to complete her runway ready look

She looked picture perfect in a figure-hugging sequinned gown during a fitting with Balenciaga before she headed to the Louvre Museum for the luxury fashion brand's dinner.

Rosie shared a series of mirror selfies showing off her custom garments - including two floor-length dresses and one mini-dress.

The model posed in a strappy black gown, which she paired with pointed black heels and simple earrings for a chic look. Her hair was styled in soft waves, falling over one of her shoulders as she looked downwards.

In another shot, the supermodel made sure to attract attention in a sparkling floor-length silver gown.

In the third photo, she put on a very leggy display in a sequinned mini dress, which she styled with a pair of pointed black stilettos.

Rosie also revealed how she added some further glitz to her glamorous looks as she shared another snap of her high-end jewellery to accessorise.

The items including a pair of earrings and a clutch bag, while Rosie also gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her time the fashion house.

She captioned the photos: 'Fittings w @balenciaga.'
Blake Lively's embattled movie Another Simple Favor has been hit with fresh controversy after Sharon Stone claimed she was 'unexpectedly' dropped from the cast.

The Basic Instinct icon, 67, lashed out at the production team of the upcoming film, which has been hit by claims of a 'feud' between leading stars Blake and Anna Kendrick.

Sharon reportedly left a now-deleted comment beneath a post from E News which analysed Blake's alleged feud with Pitch Perfect star Anna, 39.

She fumed: 'I LOVED being cast and removed from my role unexpectedly for no reason at all LOVED it [clapping emojis].'

MailOnline has approached Blake's representatives and Amazon MGM for comment.

The shock remark comes amid swirling rumours of tension between Blake - who has also been locked in a legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni - and Anna ahead of the May release of the A Simple Favor sequel.

Blake Lively's movie Another Simple Favor has been hit with controversy after Sharon Stone (pictured, in January) claimed she had been 'unexpectedly' dropped from the cast

The shock remark comes amid swirling rumours of heightened tension between Blake (pictured, last week) and co-star Anna Kendrick

Its South By Southwest premiere last week was overshadowed by controversy including a protestor brandishing a 'Justice for Justin Baldoni, Blake lied' sign and a seemingly icy reunion with co-star Anna.

Despite the drama, the Gossip Girl star gushed about the event, comparing it to a 'rock concert' on in an Instagram post.

In the caption she wrote: 'Watching @asimplefavor opening night @sxsw felt like a rock concert. Thank you to the very best audience. Texas turns it out.

'Making this movie was already the gift, every element of it. To share it with you all and feel the love returned to us was the best feeling. Thank you for having us Austin.'

Last week, Blake was accused of beefing up the crowd at the premiere after she was seen posing for a selfie with Laurie Feig, the wife of Another Simple Favor director Paul.

Some of the star's critics became convinced based on photos that Laurie was pretending to be a fan in the crowd, despite being married to the filmmaker.

'Why is the director of Another Simple Favors wife pretending to be a fan in the crowd waiting for Blake on the red carpet to take a selfie?' wrote a YouTuber critical of Blake.

'Watch how many PR bots reply that this is normal, internalized misogyny, and why do you care?' the poster added.

The Basic Instinct icon, 67, lashed out at the production team of the upcoming film, which has been hit by claims of a 'feud' between leading stars Blake and Anna Kendrick

The film's South By Southwest premier last week was overshadowed by controversy including a seemingly icy reunion with co-star Anna

The premiere also started off on the wrong foot, as Blake was greeted by a protestor.

Proving that the PR disaster of It Ends With Us is far from over, a woman was seen wearing a shirt that said 'Blake lied' and held a sign that read: 'Justice for Justin Baldoni. Blake lied,' as the star walked the red carpet nearby.

To make matters worse, there were more excruciating moments as Blake's co-star Anna had an awkward response to a question about working with her on the film.

'Oh you know,' Anna cryptically said on the red carpet when asked what it was like to work with Blake again.

There were also no photos of Blake and Anna posing solo together, aside from a picture with their director.

Inside the event, the stars were pictured awkwardly standing next to each other, with Anna holding her head down as she listened to the Gossip Girl star speak.

Blake excitedly recounted the filming of the movie in Capri, Italy, as her colleague stood by and only glanced over once in a video shared by Variety.

The pair have reunited for the much-anticipated film, which follows Stephanie Smothers (Anna) and Emily Nelson (Blake) as they 'head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman,' per IMDB.

The leading stars have been hit by rumors of a 'secret feud' after reuniting on set - five years after the original movie came out.

On Monday, Lively was also accused of beefing up the crowd at the premiere after she was seen posing for a selfie with Laurie Feig, the wife of Another Simple Favor director Paul

It was previously reported that Anna is less than thrilled that her co-star's legal drama is overshadowing their film

The actress previously filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in December against the film's director, who also co-starred in the hit romantic drama

It was previously reported that Anna is less than thrilled that her co-star's legal drama is overshadowing their film.

Last month, Blake unleashed a new salvo in her ongoing legal back-and-forth with Justin by claiming that she was not the only woman he made uncomfortable on the set of It Ends With Us.

An amended version of her complaint filed late in New York federal court alleged that she has corroboration of her original claims, and a spokesperson for the actress claimed that 'other women confided in Blake about their discomfort,' according to People.

Blake previously filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in December against the film's director, who also co-starred in the hit romantic drama.

Justin followed up by launching a $400million defamation lawsuit against the actress, her publicist and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

He also filed a $250million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on Blake's allegations.

Despite the escalating legal battle between the two parties, there's no end in sight for the feuding Hollywood stars.

In January, a judge scheduled a trial date for their lawsuits in March of 2026, and both parties have already decided to skip any attempt at mediation.
The 'feud' between Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot behind the scenes of the Snow White remake is said to have begun as a result of the pair's opposing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

American star Zegler, 23, plays the lead while Israeli actress Gadot, 39, is the Evil Queen - but their on-screen feud appears to have spilled out into real life, owing to their polarising stances.

Zegler has been vocal about her support for Palestine amid the devastation in Gaza, while Gadot - who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel.

From a 'secret' European premiere held in Spain with Zegler the only star in attendance to rumours of cast feuds, its promotional tour has so far been a bumpy one.

Eyebrows were raised when Disney skipped a UK premiere in favour of a VIP event in a remote Spanish castle with limited press, at which Gadot was noticeably absent.

Zegler jetted off to a remote castle in Segovia, Spain, to perform for around 100 select 'VIPs' which included influencers.

The live action of Disney's Snow White has been shrouded in controversy amid its chaotic press tour - and it seems tension is also brewing between its stars (Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot seen earlier this month)

From a 'secret' European premiere held in Spain with Zegler the only star in attendance (Pictured) to rumours of cast feuds, its promotional tour has so far been a bumpy one

Rather than the usual list of major news outlets flocking to the event, local Spanish influencers and families from the small city of Segovia, which boasts a population of just 51,000, were among the chosen 'VIPs' in attendance.

Zegler's co-star Gadot was also absent, with only director Marc Webb accompanying Zegler to the event.

Later this week, the cast will return to the States, with Zegler and Gadot expected attend a pre-party and screening at Los Angeles' El Capitan Theatre on March 15, where 'coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew'.

'Disney is leaning towards having influencers to interview Rachel and Gal for promotion days on Sunday and Monday,' an industry insider told Page Six. 'They want to concentrate on the content.'

Rumours of a feud between Zegler and Gadot was sparked after the pair were both vocal in their support for opposite sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

It came to a head when the Snow White teaser trailer was released last summer and some fans took issue with the casting.

Some were baffled by the decision to cast a Latina actress to portray the famously 'fair-skinned' character who is known for being 'as white as snow'.

Others took issue with casting Jewish-Israeli actress Gadot amid the current war - with pro-Palestine viewers claiming her inclusion calls for a boycott while conversely pro-Israel viewers claimed it was offensive to cast her in an 'evil' role.

American star Zegler, 23, plays the titular lead in the remake while Israeli actress Gadot, 39, plays the Evil Queen

Eyebrows were raised when Disney skipped a UK premiere in favour of a VIP event in a remote Spanish castle with limited press - with Gadot noticeably absent

Later this week, the cast will return to the States, with Zegler and Gadot expected attend a pre-party and screening at Los Angeles' El Capitan Theatre

Flames were then fanned when Zegler shared the trailer on her own social media channels and thanked fans for sending her support.

In a follow-up tweet, she penned: 'and always remember, free Palestine.'

Zegler has publicly taken a pro-Palestinian stance since 2021, sharing several tweets and posts urging fans to donate to emergency aid for Gaza.

Speaking to Variety, Zegler previously said: 'I can't watch children die. I dont think that should be a hot take.'

Yet some Israeli publications took exception to Zegler's plea for a 'free Palestine' and suggested she had insulted Gadot.

While Gadot - who served in the IDF for two years, including during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war - did not respond publicly to Zegler's comment, she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released.

She posted on her Instagram story a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. with his quote: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'

Above the image, she wrote: 'Only love can save the world.'

Flames were then fanned when Zegler shared the trailer on her own social media channels and thanked fans for sending her support, adding: 'and always remember, free palestine'

While Gadot - who served in the IDF for two years, including during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war (pictured) - did not respond publicly to Zegler's comment, she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released

While Gadot did not respond publicly to Zegler's comment she raised eyebrows with a post of her own after the trailer was released, posting about love 'driving out hate'

Gadot appeared to make a pointed dig at Zegler with her X account briefly reposting a tweet that read: 'Trying to campaign on the head of your co-star, who actually lives through war, just so you'll look cooler with the kids, is really pathetic'

Days later she appeared to make a pointed dig at Zegler.

According to Times of Israel reporter Amy Spiro, Gadot's X account briefly reposted a tweet that read 'Trying to campaign on the head of your co-star, who actually lives through war, just so you'll look cooler with the kids, is really pathetic.'

While Gadot and Zegler have made it clear they have opposing views on Israel-Palestine they have not spoken out about any supposed feud between the pair.

Miss Israel 2004 said of the conflict earlier this month: 'None of us can ignore the explosion of Jew hatred around the world anymore.

'We have had enough of Jew hatred we will confront anti-Semitism. We will call it out, but but we will never let it, not only, defeat us but define us because our love is stronger than their hate.'

Hours later, Gadot wrote that this moment is about everyone 'refusing to be silent in the face of anti-Semitism.'

'October 7 was a wake-up call, but it also reminded us of our resilience and unbreakable bond,' the Israel Defense Forces veteran wrote on Instagram.
Jennifer Garner is still going strong with her boyfriend of seven years, John Miller.

DailyMail.com has learned that earlier this week they went on a cuddly date together.

The lovebirds were 'holding hands and kissing' and acting 'very cute with one another' when walking through the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles.

The PDA session took place earlier this week in the evening, said the eyewitness.

'They are still going strong and appear to be doing really well,' the source told DailyMail.com. 'They looked happy and at ease like they were a married couple that is thriving. They laughed and smiled at each other. Very cute.

'Both were dressed casually and she had no makeup on, her hair down. He had on a coat and jeans.'

Garner has been in Los Angeles to shoot season two of the Reese Witherspoon-produced series The Last Thing He Told Me with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Jennifer Garner is still going strong with her boyfriend of seven years, John Miller. DailyMail.com has learned that earlier this week they went on a cuddly date together. Seen in 2023

The source added that there was plenty of affection between the two of them. 'They held hands and kissed and looked like a very normal couple with no Hollywood weirdness.'

This comes after Jennifer's ex-husband Ben Affleck was seen with his arms around her waist at a paintball session to celebrate their son Samuel's birthday.

The 47-year-old businessman works as the CEO of CaliBurger.

Garner and Miller quietly began dating after she finalized her divorce from Affleck, with whom she shares her three children, Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13.

The pair, who briefly split in 2020, have managed to keep their relationship largely out of the spotlight, apart from a small handful of outings in Los Angeles over the years.

Affleck and Garner tied the knot in 2005 and announced they were separating in 2015. They finalized their divorce three years later.

After photos of Affleck tenderly embracing his ex-wife sent the internet into a frenzy, a source told DailyMail.com that Miller was a bit bothered seeing them 'being touchy-feely.'

'It would get to anyone, but this is nothing new,' the insider said. 'Ben and Jen have a unique relationship, especially for exes.

This comes after Jennifer's ex-husband Ben Affleck was seen with his arms around her waist at a paintball session to celebrate their son Samuel's birthday on March 4

Last month, insiders shared that Miller struggles with her relationship with Ben, and avoids talking about the actor where possible.

Garner had adopted the role of 'marriage counsellor' to her ex-husband and Lopez in the wake of their shock split last year, with some friends fearing she had been forced to 'play mediator.'

The role did not sit well with Miller, who understands they have children, but reportedly doesn't like sharing her.

'John is trying to deal with Ben and Jen's relationship by mostly staying quiet, but it's very hard to do that,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'He knows that Ben has to be around as a father and he is more than OK with that, but he wants to be the man in the relationship.

'John only talks about Ben when Jen talks about Ben or when their kids talk about him. He doesn't bring him up unprompted.'

'John respects Ben, but less is more because John wants Jen for himself,' the insider continued. 'He still needs to figure out how to compartmentalize it all.'

Affleck and Garner tied the knot in 2005 and announced they were separating in 2015. They finalized their divorce three years later (seen in 2014)

Meanwhile Ben's ex Jennifer Lopez is said to be on good terms with Garner, People reported this week. Lopez and Affleck settled their divorce on January 6, however, court documents confirmed the marriage wasn't legally dissolved until February 21. Seen in 2021

Meanwhile Ben's ex Jennifer Lopez is said to be on good terms with Garner, People reported this week.

Lopez and Affleck settled their divorce on January 6, however, court documents confirmed the marriage wasn't legally dissolved until February 21.

The exes rekindled their romance in 2021 and got married in 2022, but called it quits in 2024.

Jennifer filed for divorce on August 20 - the date of their second wedding anniversary  and cited 'irreconcilable differences.'
Rachel Zegler has landed her second shot at Hollywood after being cast in Jamie Lloyd's new production of iconic musical Evita in London's West End later this year.

The actress, 23, is currently engulfed in controversy amid the release of Disney's 'woke' Snow White and claims the studio 'doesn't know what to do' with the outspoken actress.

But Rachel's fortunes could soon see a career reassurance much like Nicole Scherzinger who starred in director Lloyd's 2023 reimagined version of Sunset Boulevard, which won her plaudits and transferred to Broadway.

The West Side Story star will make her West End debut as Former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Rachel will take to the stage at London's Palladium from June until September 2025 and sing classic songs like Don't Cry For Me Argentina.

Following the announcement Rachel she gushed: 'Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio'.

Rachel Zegler, 23, has landed her second shot at Hollywood after being cast in Jamie Lloyd's new production of iconic musical Evita in London's West End later this year

The actress is currently engulfed in controversy amid the release of Disney's ' woke ' Snow White (pictured) and claims the studio 'doesn't know what to do' with the outspoken actress

'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.'

Meanwhile Jamie Lloyd said: 'I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Peron'.

An offical announcement for the show read: 'Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd'.

'Featuring an iconic score including Dont Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me'.

'Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Peron rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nations heart and divided its soul'.

Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg's Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021.

Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version.

It comes after Disney's Snow White remake added to the mystery after they failed to roll out the red carpet for global press.

Rachel's fortunes could soon change and see a career reassurance like Nicole Scherzinger who starred in director Lloyd's 2023 reimagined version of Sunset Boulevard, which won her plaudits and transferred to Broadway (pictured winning 2024 Olivier)

She star will make her West End debut as Former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (pictured in West Side Story with Ansel Elgort)

Rachel will take to the stage at London's Palladium from June until September 2025 and sing classic songs like Don't Cry For Me Argentina (Madonna pictured in 1996 movie version)

Leading lady Rachel stepped out at a remote castle in Segrovia, north-west of Madrid, to perform for select 'VIPs' after Disney scaled back the event following a series of scandals and PR nightmares surrounding the divisive remake.

Notably, her co-star Gal Gadot - who has also come under the spotlight for her casting as the evil queen - was not in attendance and director Marc Webb was the only other named person involved with the movie who attended.

AT A GLANCE: ALL THE CONTROVERSIES TO HAVE ENGULFED THE SNOW WHITE REMAKE Snow White's skin color Since casting Hispanic actress Zegler as Snow White, Disney fans have highlighted the woke deviations from the classic fairytale. While reflecting on comments made on social media about her casting as Snow White, Zegler insisted she doesn't even try to wrap her head why 'Disney adults' would have a problem with someone Latina portraying the beloved princess. Zegler revealed the line describing her character's 'skin as white as snow' will reference 'another version of Snow White that was told in history'. Depiction of the Seven Dwarves Disney sparked backlash after they announced that 'magical creatures' would replace the seven dwarves to 'avoid reinforcing stereotypes' after Peter Dinklage criticized the 'f****** backwards story'. 'It makes no sense to me,' he told Mark Maron's WTF podcast. 'You're progressive in one way and you're still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I'm not loud enough.' Zegler pans original over 'sexism' Zegler criticized David Hand's 1937 original animated film as 'extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power and what a woman's fit for in the world.' 'The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so,' she told Extra TV in 2022. 'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time.' Hollywood-style premieres ditched for 'tightly controlled' press events Film bosses had originally planned to stage a Hollywood soiree worthy of the staggering $269.4million spent on the movie - with events planned in Los Angeles, London and globally Yet amid the series of scandals and PR nightmares, Disney scaled back the planned lavish premieres to a 'handful' of tightly controlled Press events. Advertisement

Though it was one of the first events marking the movie's March 21 release, it wasn't described as a premiere, but was carefully referred to as an 'European event' after its glitzy global premieres were ditched in favor of 'tightly controlled' press events.

Rather than the usual list of major news outlets flocking to the scene, local Spanish influencers and families from the small city of Segovia, which boasts a population of just 51,000, were among the chosen 'VIPs' in attendance.

Zegler and Webb, 50, were the only stars who posed for photographs on the modest red carpet with the absence of other cast and crew members very apparent as a crowd gathered outside the castle.

The event - which took place thousands of miles away from the gaze of global press - featured a performance from Zegler of Waiting upon a Wish, with 'VIPs' standing in a crowd to watch, as well as a lavish meal with guests.

Select guests were given the chance to get a special exclusive screening of the movie itself as influencers gave a glimpse inside the cinema room on social media, though they have to remain mum on their thoughts on the release for now.

According to Disney, unnamed 'press', 'content creators' and families involved with local Spanish charities were among those who gathered outside the medieval castle.

However, there didn't appear to be many big names from influencer circles in attendance as the Spanish content creators in the crowds boasted mere thousands of followers, rather than millions.

A Spanish Snow White movie fan account, which has 3,735 followers on Instagram, shared photographs and videos from the event as they nabbed one of the very select invites.

Spanish make-up artist Nuria Adraos, who boasts 815,000 followers on Instagram, was also among the guest list, as well Valencia influencer Almu Carrion.

Carrion, who has a reach of 257,000 accounts, described the event as one of the best experiences of her life after she was wined and dined and gifted with freebies as part of the festivities.

TikTok star Liv Marks-Howarth, who describes herself as a celebrity interviewer and has 79,000 TikTok followers and 9,500 on Instagram, posted an array of pictures and videos from the event.

She shared a glimpse inside the formal meal offered as part of the event on Instagram, where guests were served an array of banquet dishes with wine and gifted freebies from Pandora.

The place settings featured bunches of red roses while apples were also laid on the red tablecloth in reference to the storyline of the original fairytale.

Guests were seated at two long candle-lit tables and served a themed red apple dessert among the dishes, while they also had the chance to pose for photographs on a regal silver throne chair afterwards.

Sat on each plate was a free gift from Pandora, a necklace and ring featuring the iconic red apple which the Evil Queen uses to poison Snow White in the classic movie.

Before the meal, Zegler, who plays Snow White, was photographed greeting and signing autographs for the children, who all made up the front row as the leading star took to a simplistic pared-back stage to sing.

It comes after Disney's Snow White remake added to the mystery after they failed to roll out the red carpet for global press

A modest crowd of around 100 people stood behind red rope to watch Zegler as the event appeared to be a very small-scale affair - far from a usual Hollywood premiere

Notably, her co-star Gal Gadot (pictured in the movie) - who has also come under the spotlight for her casting as the evil queen - was not in attendance

Video footage of her performance showed a modest crowd of around 100 people standing behind red rope to watch Zegler, while a small camera crew immortalised the moment on film.

Families involved with charities including Fundacion Aladina, Fundacion sin dano, Juegaterapia, Pequeno Deseo and CEMU nabbed the prime front row position to watch Zegler's solo number in a sweet gesture.

A notice revealed that the public have been banned from entering the Alcazar of Segovia on both Wednesday and Thursday as it remains closed for the 'private event'.

In a further sign that Press have been held away from the event, the date of the premiere was not confirmed on media calendars before it got underway on Wednesday.

Instead, Spanish Zegler fan accounts shared evidence of the premiere coming into town while Zegler herself also documented her arrival on her Instagram Stories.

While the premiere was held away from typical Hollywood-style haunts one would expect for a movie of such grandeur, there was some significance in its choice.

The Alcazar of Segovia was the inspiration behind the castle in Disney's 1937 original animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with its distinctive shape, turrets and steep roofs all seen in the feature.

However, amid a series of scandals and PR nightmares surrounding the remake, Disney scaled back the planned lavish premieres to a 'handful' of tightly controlled Press events.
Henry Cavill and his new fiancee Natalie Viscusso made a loved-up appearance as they attended the last day of Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

The couple, who first sparked engagement rumours in January, cosied up together as they were seen enjoying their day alongside Zara Tindall and her husband Mike.

The Man of Steel actor, 40, looked dapper as he opted for a tweed khaki and orange suit and matching flat cap.

The star added a bright orange waistcoat to his ensemble before completing the look with a pair of brown shoes.

Meanwhile Natalie looked stunning in a off-white linen waistcoat and tailored trousers as she beamed beside her husband to be.

The reality star, 34, kept to neutral tones with a matching coat and hat, before completing the look with a scarf and stylish pair of sunglasses.

Henry Cavill looked dapper in a tweed khaki suit and flat cap as he cosied up with his new fiancee Natalie Viscusso at Cheltenham Festival on Friday (pictured with Zara Tindall, right)

Natalie looked stunning in a off-white linen waistcoat and tailored trousers as she beamed beside her husband to be

Henry and Natalie, who went public with their relationship in April 2021, keep their personal lives largely private.

The couple welcomed their first child last year, after revealing they were expecting a baby together back in April.

News of the pair becoming engaged first broke in January when they arrived together in Australia.

They were spotted taking a stroll on the Gold Coast in Queensland as Natalie pushed along a baby pram and sported a huge diamond ring.

The couple are yet to confirm wedding plans, but speculation is rife that a big announcement could be on the horizon.

Henry had earlier asked fans for some parenting 'tips' in a sweet Father's Day post last year.

The Superman star took to Instagram at the time as he asked for some parenting 'tips' ahead of becoming a dad for the first time.

Henry lay beside a baby cot as he wrote: 'Oh yeah... and Happy Father's Day ye dads out there.

The star added a bright orange waistcoat to his ensemble before completing the look with a pair of brown shoes

The reality star, 34, kept to neutral tones with a matching coat and hat, before completing the look with a scarf and stylish pair of sunglasses

The pair enjoyed their day with Zara and her husband Mike

Henry was later seen watching the JCB Triumph Hurdle as he cheered with pals

Henry and Natalie, who went public with their relationship in April 2021, keep their personal lives largely private

'Turns out I shall be joining your hallowed ranks soon! Any tips??

'And don't worry, pillows won't be in the crib when the wee one arrives, just glue and scalpels so he or she can build Warhammer miniatures.'

Back in April, Henry revealed that he was 'very excited' to be expecting his first child with Natalie, admitting that he can't wait to become a dad for the first time.

The Man Of Steel star shared the news at the premiere of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare in New York City.

Henry told Access Hollywood: 'I'm very excited about it. Natalie and I are both very excited about it. I'm sure you'll see much more of that.'
Katherine Ryan has claimed audiences are 'revolting' and turning their backs on the 'woke movement' and grown tried of the 'peoplekind' mentality.

The outspoken Canadian comedian, 41, has also hit out at her country's former PM Justin Trudeau who popularised the phrase, which is a gender-neutral alternative to 'mankind' and said her fans were now gagging for more 'edgy' comedy.

Speaking on Times Radio she said: 'I think that audiences have really turned on the woke movement, and is really nice to be awakened to issues in society and to be motivated towards social justice and you don't want to hurt anyones feelings,'

'I don't think any comedian sets out to be hurtful or hateful or spiteful at all because thats not funny but certainly after having done a little stint in Canada under our c-minus Obama Justin Trudeau over there...'

'They are revolting over there, they are really up for some edgy comedy, they are so tired of the 'peoplekind' mentality over there and I think it's the pendulum effect and it's going to start happening everywhere'.

It comes after Katherine laid into another famous face, Meghan Markle, who she previously defended, in the wake of her much-derided Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.

Katherine Ryan, 43, has claimed audiences are 'revolting' and turning their backs on the ' woke movement' and grown tried of the 'peoplekind' mentality

The outspoken Canadian comedian, 41, has also hit out at her country's former PM Justin Trudeau who popularised the phrase, which is a gender-neutral alternative to 'mankind' and said her fans were now gagging for more 'edgy' comedy

They are so tired of the peoplekind mentality effect over there. And I think its just the pendulum effect, and its going to start happening everywhere.



Audiences have turned on the woke movement, comedian Katherine Ryan tells #TimesRadio @Kathbum | @GeoffNorcott pic.twitter.com/6R9xU1xSbj  Times Radio (@TimesRadio) February 28, 2025

'I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle... though she is very Hollywood - even for me - and I don't like that in people,' admitted Katherine, 41.

'I see now, and maybe it's just the projects she's choosing, it does feel like she has lied about whether she knew who Prince Harry was, and these details about her childhood change and don't add up.'

Katherine defended the former actress in 2022, commenting on her position in the Royal Family: 'I love Meghan Markles voice and her confidence to challenge the norm and whats expected of her in that role.'

However, speaking yesterday on the latest episode of her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, Katherine added: 'She said on her new Netflix show that they ate TV dinners growing up.

'But then in an old interview, she was like, "we would eat farm fresh". Her whole act just seems very manicured and very forced.'

Katherine is a familiar face on Netflix with her stand-up specials Glitter Room and In Trouble currently available to stream on the platform.

She also wrote and starred in Netflix sitcom The Duchess but it was axed after one series with the comedian in 2021 telling Vicky Pattison on her podcast 'The Secret To...' that 'not enough people watched it'.

In her brutal takedown of Meghan, Katherine said: 'I've known a lot of Hollywood people - they're not bad people. I don't think she's a bad person, but I think she likes cosying up to celebrities and she wants the hundred million dollar deal and she likes the fact that she's married to a prince.

Speaking on Times Radio she said: 'I think that audiences have really turned on the woke movement, and is really nice to be awakened to issues in society and to be motivated towards social justice and you don't want to hurt anyones feelings,'

'I don't think any comedian sets out to be hurtful or hateful or spiteful at all because thats not funny but certainly after having done a little stint in Canada under our c-minus Obama Justin Trudeau over there'

She said: 'They are revolting over there, they are really up for some edgy comedy, they are so tired of the 'peoplekind' mentality'

'Of course. But I would rather someone lean into that and be like, oh my God, I used to be on Suits and now I'm married to a prince! I would rather that than this act of: Oh, I'm just so humble.'

Canadian-born Katherine, who lives in London with her three children and civil partner Bobby Kootstra, said she found Meghan's 'flower sprinkles' particularly galling.

'I have seen this, I have seen it from chefs - they like to put wild flowers on a meal. And I'm not about it. I also don't think it constitutes an entire cooking show.'

She added: 'People are hate-watching it though. Who knows what Netflix are doing? They are smart - whether they love something or hate something, whatever keeps them watching more episodes.

'If this was Netflix's intention, to be like, let's throw Meghan under the bus where even people who really liked her are turning... not against her, but... she just doesn't seem to be the kind of gal I would want to be friends with. It's too manicured, it's too beige.'

It comes after Katherine laid into another famous face, Meghan Markle , who she previously defended, in the wake of her much-derided Netflix series, With Love, Meghan

'I liked Meghan Markle. I was rooting for Meghan Markle... though she is very Hollywood - even for me - and I don't like that in people,' admitted Katherine, 41

Katherine adds of Meghan's decision to change her surname to Sussex: 'I think less of women who change their name anyway, to match their husband's name - unless you have had a chat about it and unless you have approached that decision with equality.

'Let's be honest about why you're choosing Sussex. It's a way to hang on to the Duchess of Sussex.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Meghan for comment.

It follows the news that Netflix bosses don't consider Meghan Markle's new show a 'runaway success' as TV viewing figures revealed that subscribers much prefer her on screen when it is with her husband Prince Harry, MailOnline revealed.

With Love, Meghan brought in barely a quarter of the viewers hooked by the documentary series Harry & Meghan in 2022.

It came as Netflix's own data showed that With Love, Meghan has been more successful in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia than in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

'It's not a runaway success', MailOnline's insider at Netflix has admitted.
Rachel Riley has revealed that she has nearly paid off her mortgage thanks to her Countdown gig.

The maths graduate and TV presenter, 39, has been in charge of the number on Countdown since 2009 - but it was revealed last month she is being temporarily replaced.

And thanks to her high profile presenting gig, which saw her replace show OG Carol Vorderman, Rachel is close to financial independence.

Rachel has been married to former Strictly pro dancer Pasha Kovalev, who she met on the show, since 2019 and the couple have two children.

Speaking to The i, Rachel revealed her work on TV has meant she is close to paying off the mortgage on the home she and Pasha share - but admitted her salary when she first joined Countdown 'wasn't huge'.

She also gushed over her life with husband Pasha, as she praised him for being 'solid' and declared she is 'so lucky' to have him.

Rachel Riley has revealed to The i that she has nearly paid off her mortgage thanks to her Countdown gig

Speaking to The i, Rachel revealed her work on TV has meant she is close to paying off the mortgage on the home she and Pasha Kovalev share (Seen in 2016)

'Pasha is really solid,' she said. 'I'm so lucky. We respect each other. We find each other interesting. We make each other laugh and we talk about all sort of different things.

'We come from completely different backgrounds, so we have a different outlook, and we bounce off each other.'

Speaking about how her TV gigs have helped her financially, Rachel added: 'My Countdown salary wasn't huge to start with. I've built up my career as it's gone on.

'I've nearly paid off my mortgage, which for me is a really grounding thing. Were in a really fortunate position.

'Sometimes an offer comes in and it doesn't even get to the money phase, because I'm just like, "I don't want to know. That's just not for me at the moment," but if people want to offer me crazy amounts of money, they can go ahead as we're looking at mortgages for bigger properties and stamp duty, so I'm open to all offers. Not Indecent Proposal type offers though.'

Rachel and Pasha met when they were paired together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013.

Rachel's confession comes a week after she looked incredible in a series of bikini-clad snaps as she shared an insight into her first nature trip with Pasha.

In celebration of World Wildlife Day, the TV presenter uploaded some photos from Brazil in 2016, with the Strictly Come Dancing star, 45.

The maths graduate and TV presenter, 39, has been in charge of the number on Countdown since 2009 - but it was revealed last month she is being temporarily replaced

Rachel has been married to former Strictly pro dancer Pasha Kovalev, who she met on the show, since 2019 and the couple have two children

She also gushed over her life with husband Pasha, as she praised him for being 'solid' and declared she is 'so lucky' to have him (Seen on Thursday)

The couple could be seen enjoying a bike ride, hiking, scuba diving and kayaking after visiting a conservation project in the worlds largest wetlands.

Rachel wrote: 'Its World Wildlife Day today, which gives me a good excuse to post this pic taken just as Pash was getting bitten by ants when we were in India a few years back!

'Youre supposed to tell wildlife conservation success stories today, so it made me think of our first nature trip together, which sparked a whole load of others and is pretty much our favourite way to spend our time.

'Back in 2016 we went to Brazil, and one of the highlights was visiting the Oncafari jaguar conservation project in the worlds largest wetlands - The Pantanal.'

Rachel continued: 'It was in its infancy then, conservationists had visited Africa, and brought techniques back like staking (already killed in nature) prey out in open spaces vs dense forest.

'So, tourists have more chance of spotting cats returning to the carcass to eat at nightfall, in order to boost eco tourism, collecting data showing jags werent the culprits eating cattle, and generally that jaguars are more valuable alive than dead.

Rachel's confession comes a week after she looked incredible in a series of bikini-clad snaps as she shared an insight into her first nature trip with Pasha

'As is so much in life, the financial arguments often have more sway than anything else.

'Since then weve been to The Galapagos, Napo Valley in the Amazon Basin, Sri Lanka, India, The Maldives and can honestly say wildlife trips are where our happiest memories are.

'Hopefully more trips to follow when the kids are a bit bigger! (Any suggestions on where and when with them for future are much appreciated!)

'PS sorry for the terrible home videos at the end (Pantanal capybaras, jaguar, giant anteater), Ive definitely not missed my calling as a wildlife camerawoman but happy memories nonetheless!'
Graziano Di Prima is set to return to British soil for the first time this year to teach dance classes at a London studio.

The professional dancer, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during the 2023 series.

He fled the UK when the scandal broke to his native Italy with his wife Giada Lini - who is a professional dancer on the Italian version of the series.

But he took to Instagram on Thursday to share that he was coming back to London in April to teach Jive and Salsa.

He said: 'Ciao everyone, I finally got a beautiful news. The 27th of April I will be in London at the Dance Attic teaching you two incredible classes, jive and salsa.

'I cannot wait to see you all and most of all to dance with you. We're going to have fun.

Graziano Di Prima is set to return to British soil for the first time this year to teach dance classes at a London studio, he announced on Instagram on Thursday

The professional dancer, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during the 2023 series (Pictured together)

'If you want to check your spot, if you want to book your spot, the link is below and literally I'm so excited, so happy. I cannot wait to dance with all of you. [blows kiss].'

Graziano was last spotted on British soil to teach a dance class in December as he returned for the first time since leaving after the scandal.

Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.

The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue and Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly .

It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Ms McDermott  nine months after their initial complaint  that he was fired.

Graziano later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Graziano wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.

'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.'

But he took to Instagram on Thursday to share that he was coming back to London in April to teach Jive and Salsa

Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him (Seen with Zara)

'While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

'There's more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.'

Breaking his silence following his sacking last year, teased his return to the spotlight as he shared that he was raring to get back on the stage.

Alongside the clip, Graziano wrote: 'Dance has always been the center of my life, my greatest passion, the path I chose and dedicated years of study, sacrifice, and love to.

'After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing.'

He continued: 'The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I'm excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration.'

Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Graziano wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly' (Seen in February 2023)

Speaking to his fans, Graziano added: 'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is always there for me. I'm thrilled to dance again with the same enthusiasm and dedication as always.

'See you soon, whether on stage or through new projects that I will be very excited to share with you.'

Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with the former Love Island star but they were eliminated in week six.

He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 and he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.
Brenda Song has confessed that her fiance Macaulay Culkin destroyed her enjoyment of Home Alone after she 'forced' them to watch it together.

During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the 36-year-old actress revealed that she begged her husband-to-be, 44, to watch the classic Christmas film  in which he starred as the lead character Kevin McCallister  with her early on their relationship.

However, Brenda quickly regretted her plea shortly after she pressed play.

Speaking to host Jennifer, the mom-of-two said: 'Christmastime came around  and it's a tradition, I've always watched Home Alone every Christmas.

'He hadn't seen the movie in almost a decade  he didn't want to watch it  and I forced it. I was like, "We have to".'

But disaster soon struck when Macaulay got carried away with spilling secrets from the set.

Brenda Song confessed her fiance Macaulay Culkin destroyed her enjoyment of Home Alone

The actress revealed she begged her husband-to-be to watch the classic Christmas film with her early on their relationship

'[He] started telling me all the behind-the-scenes stories. And I was like, "Stop. Stop. You're ruining it for me."'

'The movie holds such a special place in obviously so many people's hearts, it's just hard for me, that's all.'

Home Alone debuted in 1990, starring Macaulay as Kevin, a child left to fend for himself after his family mistakenly left him behind and hopped on a flight to Paris.

Kevin was left to fight off criminals Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, who tried to break into his family's sprawling home.

Using clever booby traps and sneaky tactics, the youngster was able to protect himself and his house all while being home alone.

The sequel, Home Alone 2, came out in 1992. Trouble arose when Kevin's family lost track of him once again - this time at an airport.

Kevin boarded a flight to New York while the rest of his family flew to Florida.

After finagling his way into a luxurious one-night Plaza stay, he recognized Harry and Marv, who were plotting to rob an old man's toy store. For a second time, Kevin took matters into his own hands to stop them.

Macaulay, who starred in the film, seized the opportunity to share all the film's secrets

Brenda admitted: 'The movie holds such a special place in obviously so many people's hearts, it's just hard for me, that's all'

Elsewhere during her appearance on the show, Brenda revealed how Macaulay has not learned how to drive.

'I always say Mac is a very unique human, being the most famous child actor in the world,' she began.

'He still doesn't know how to drive! I took him out to drive in our neighborhood. I was terrified, let me tell you. This 44-year-old man driving for the first time? I gotta hire someone to do that.'

The Running Point star added: 'He lived and grew up in hotels, he had just never really done laundry, and I was shooketh...

'I've been doing laundry since I was 10 helping my mom. It's funny, teaching him how to do laundry.'

Brenda originally met Macaulay through a mutual friend around 2014 before reconnecting in 2017 on the Thailand set of Seth Green's feature directorial debut, Changeland.

On April 5, Song and Culkin will celebrate the fourth birthday of their son Dakota Song Culkin, who was named after his sister who died - age 29 - in 2008 after being struck by a car.

The Cali native and the New York native - who got engaged in January 2022 - are also proud parents of two-year-old son Carson Song Culkin.
Dolly Parton made her first public appearance less than two weeks after her husband Carl Dean's death.

On Friday, the country music icon, 79, took the stage at Dollywood to surprise her fans while kicking off the theme park's 40th season.

She attended the preview for season passholders in a sparkly, magenta dress and put a smile on her face while mourning the death of her husband of almost 60 years.

She began by thanking her supporters for sending her flowers and cards, according to local news outlet WSPA, before adding that he would want her to be there, per WVLT.

Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee  where they first met in 1964 and went on to tie the knot two years later.

'Of course I will always love him, and I'll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you,' she told the audience while referring to her 1974 classic song.

Dolly Parton made her first public appearance less than two weeks after her husband Carl Dean's death

Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee  where they first met in 1964 and went on to tie the knot two years later

Then, she gave a preview of what the amusement park will look like for the coming season as she explained they had been wrapping up several upgrade projects and developments.

She wrapped up the event by performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You.

Earlier this month, she shared the tragic news of her husband's death with her 7.4 million followers on Instagram.

'Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,' she wrote in a statement.

'He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.'

She continued: 'Carl and I spent many wonderful years together.

'Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,' she added. 'The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.'

In the following days, she shared another statement, a 'love note to family, friends and fans.'

Opening day at @Dollywood! Dolly said she appreciates all the condolences from fans about her late husband and that he would want her to be here today.  @wvlt pic.twitter.com/vSlmlnTpTz  Casey Wheeless (@WVLTCasey) March 14, 2025

On Friday, the country music icon, 79, took the stage at Dollywood to surprise her fans while kicking off the theme park's 40th season; pictured November 2022 in Los Angeles

She attended the preview for season passholders in a sparkly, magenta dress and put a smile on her face while mourning the death of her husband of almost 60 years

She began by thanking her supporters for sending her flowers and cards, per local news outlet WSPA , before saying that she will 'miss him'

'Of course I will always love him, and I'll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you,' she told the audience while referring to her 1974 classic song

Then, she gave a preview of what the amusement park will look like for the coming season

She explained they had been wrapping up several upgrade projects and developments

She wrapped up the event by performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You.

Earlier this month, she shared the tragic news of her husband's death with her 7.4 million followers on Instagram. 'Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,' she wrote in a statement

Last week, she released a song, If You Hadn't Been There, dedicated to her late husband

She wrote in her caption: 'I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. 'Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song,' she continued. 'He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him'

'Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you've sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl,' she wrote.

'I can't reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God's arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.'

Last week, she released a song, If You Hadn't Been There, dedicated to her dearly departed and shared a throwback photo of her and Dean early in their marriage as the cover.

She wrote in her caption: 'I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together.

'Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song,' she continued.

'He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.'
Lorraine Kelly has admitted that she would struggle to survive in London if she was starting out in television today.

The presenter, 65, has hosted her name-sake weekday show since 2010 and is typically on screens Monday to Thursday.

She confessed that she wouldn't be able to afford to live in the capital city if ishe wa starting out now and dubbed the situation 'awful'.

In an interview with Times Radio, she said: 'I don't think they [working class people] would have the same opportunities that I had, and a lot of it is financial.

'When I went down to London and they gave me the job, it's so expensive.

'It's so obvious, isn't it? You're cutting an awful lot of people out.

Lorraine Kelly has admitted that she would struggle to survive in London if she was starting out in television today

The presenter, 65, has hosted her name-sake weekday show since 2010 and is typically on screens Monday to Thursday

'I honestly wouldn't have been able to afford to live in London, but for the fact that TV-AM helped me.'

Lorraine is used to taking Fridays off and is often replaced by other presenters including Christine Lampard or Ranvir Singh.

And recently a viral account on X that tracked Lorraine Kelly's absence from her own show has shut down after two years.

The satirical social media page called @LorraineKWatch made its debut back in February 2023 and was dedicated to documenting the presenter's attendance on her ITV morning programme.

The light-hearted X account often makes comments stating the percentage of episodes Lorraine has appeared in so far this year.

One of its recent posts said: 'Lorraine Kelly did not host her own show this morning, with Ranvir Singh stepping in.

'#Lorraine has hosted 32 episodes out of 47 (68.1%) this year. Ranvir has hosted 6 episodes, Christine Lampard has hosted 9 episodes.'

The account quickly gained a substantial amount of attention and amassed more than 26,000 followers who enjoyed the humorous posts.

She confessed that she wouldn't be able to afford to live in the capital city if it was now and dubbed the situation as 'awful'

And recently a viral account on X that tracked Lorraine Kelly 's absence from her own show has shut down after two years

Lorraine has recently spoke out about the account and afterwards, LorraineKWatch made an official statement and closed the account down

But the fun has now come to an end after Lorraine spoke out about the account in an interview with The Guardian and revealed she finds it 'really hurtful'.

She said: 'I've not spoken about it before. I'm a grafter and I work really hard and I've had to take Fridays off for the past year. I just thought it was weird to care so much.'

Lorraine revealed she originally started taking Fridays off because her mother has been ill, 'And it sort of brings you into line with everyone else because if you look at This Morning, everybody else does four days.'

The presenter went on to add: 'Maybe it just started off as a wee joke, but it's the way that everyone piles on. It starts off as a wee tiny thing and it gets bigger and bigger. I find it really sad.'
Abbie Chatfield's glamorous mother Laura is set to make her reality TV debut on The Golden Bachelor Australia, competing to win the heart of Barry 'Bear' Myrden.

On Wednesday, Abbie's 65-year-old mum was spotted filming scenes for the upcoming Channel Nine dating series in Sydney.

Dressed in a chic ensemble that rivalled her daughter's famed style, Laura exuded sophistication in a low-cut white tank top paired with jeans and fashionable open-toed shoes.

Her blonde hair was elegantly pinned up in curlers, complemented by a subtle application of nude makeup that accentuated her timeless beauty.

She accessorised with a designer cream carrybag which looked to be filled with stylish outfits.

Laura's journey to the small screen follows a public campaign by Abbie in 2023, advocating for her mother to become Australia's first Bachelorette over 60.

Abbie Chatfield's glamorous mother Laura is set to make her reality TV debut on The Golden Bachelor Australia, competing to win the heart of Barry 'Bear' Myrden

On Wednesday, Abbie's 65-year-old mum was spotted filming scenes for the upcoming Channel Nine dating series in Sydney

Audiences have already glimpsed Laura's charismatic presence on her daughter's popular podcast, It's A Lot, where her witty banter and impressive Abbie impersonations captivated listeners.

Based on her appearances on The Bachelor, Bachelor In Paradise and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, Abbie Chatfield is a seasoned reality TV star.

And it appears she wants to pass on her crown to her mother.

The 29-year-old shared a number of posts to social media in 2023, suggesting her stunning mum should be the first Bachelorette over 60.

While away on vacation for her mother's birthday, the podcast host shared images and video of her gorgeous mother, turning heads in a flirty blue dress.

In her captions, Abbie she said she'd enjoy seeing her mother as the next 'Bachelorette at 61.'

One photograph showed her mum in front of a smoke-free zone sign, and Abbie cheekily described Laura as a 'smoke show.'

Laura has supported her daughter's reality television endeavours in the past.

Dressed in a chic ensemble that rivaled her daughter's famed style, Laura exuded sophistication in a low-cut white tank top paired with jeans and fashionable open-toed shoes

Laura's journey to the small screen follows a public campaign by Abbie in 2023, advocating for her mother to become Australia's first Bachelorette over 60

In 2023, Laura took to the streets of Bondi, Sydney in a bid to get people to vote her daughter as the winner of I'm A Celebrity, in the hours leading up to the Channel Ten finale.

Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, which feature young men and women, The Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience.

'Bear is not your usual reality TV type,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He's been through love, loss and he's ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.'

Fans of the The Golden Bachelor have been calling for an Australian version since the US rendition premiered last year to critical acclaim.

In November, it was reported The Golden Bachelor has been scouting for contestants in a very unusual way.

A talent scout for the show was spotted handing out business cards to attendees at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

Casting agent Ivanna Tang opted for the unusual method of attempting to recruit racegoers to the upcoming spin-off show.

Nine secured the rights for The Golden Bachelor in Australia and Samantha Armytage has been signed up to host the reality dating show.

Samantha got involved with the casting call, urging people to give their family members a 'nudge'.
Southwest Airlines is making one of its most controversial changes in decades  and its CEO just made a fortune from the unpopular move.

Southwest shocked its loyal customers by announcing it would start charging for checked bags, a major reversal for an airline that branded itself with a 'two bags fly free' for over 50 years.

Investors, however, loved the move. The share price jumped 21 percent in the minutes following the announcement.

And that was great news for Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, whose nearly 153,000 shares soared in value by an estimated $871,126, according to DailyMail.com analysis.

Southwest hasn't revealed how much customers would pay for the checked bags, but told flyers that they will start paying for their luggage on tickets purchased on or after May 28.

'Even to the most loyal Southwest flyers, this leaves a sour taste in their mouths,' Colin Waters, a Denver-based director of customer experience, told Daily Mail.

'No traveler has ever said, This is a great airline, but you know what would make it better? Having to pay more.

The bag fee introduction comes after Southwest execs fought through tense c-suite meetings about its 50-year policy.

Southwest customers will pay for checked bags if they purchase tickets after May 28

Some executives argued the airline was losing money hand over fist. Delta, United, and American pocketed a collective $33.3 billion in baggage fees in 2023.

But internal surveys showed that Southwests free bag policy was a key factor in customer loyalty, ranking third behind price and schedule as a reason travelers chose the airline over competitors.

Strategic communications and brand marketing professionals told Daily Mail that the airline has bungled its public response to the policy changes.

'Southwest Airlines announcement that it will end its free checked baggage policy was a disaster. The company was hit with almost entirely negative media coverage, which resulted in angry customers who expressed their disappointment on social media,' Eric Wein, a California-based communications executive, said.

'Every company is focused on the bottom line. But its surprising that Southwest seemed to have lost sight of its customer loyalty and brand appeal in making some of these rather necessary financial moves.'

For customers, the only thing taking off was another reason to switch airlines. Many have taken to Reddit to voice their discontent with the policies.

'They have literally no advantage over any airline now,' one angry customer wrote on the social media app.

'Their stock is surging, but it's gonna be funny when their sales decline rapidly cause their economy fare has like a million restrictions.'

The company's CEO, Bob Jordan, made nearly $1 million in a day off the stock's jump

Southwest's stocks saw a massive jump on March 11, right after the bag policy was announced

Southwest's stock has bucked the trends of other major airliners with Wall Street tickers.

Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines are all in the red after the companies raised fears that America is inching closer to a recession.

Southwest has largely stayed in the green since the bag announcement, largely on investor optimism around the company's broadening its revenue streams.

But the immediate stock jump after the bag change announcement was the largest increase in months.

On March 10 at 8pm, Southwest shares were trading at $27. By the time news spread about the bag change at 9.30am on March 11, the stock had surged to $32.70  a $5.70 jump.

Bob Jordan, the company's CEO, owns about 152,795 shares of the company, according to GuruFocus.

Southwest didn't respond to several requests for comment from Daily Mail.

Charge changes

The bag policy is the latest major shift from a company that has been dealing with activist investors.

Southwest has been facing heat on social media since the bag decision

In July 2024, the company said it was ending its first-come-first serve seating policy.

For five decades, the company didn't assign seating when passengers purchased the tickets. But Southwest's change allowed the company to launched tiered pricing models used by other brands.

Southwest also went through its first mass layoff event in its history this year, slashing 1,750 jobs from its workforce.

And flight credits now have an expiration date. Southwest axed use-by dates during the pandemic.

The turbulent changes come after activist investors at Elliott Investment Management gobbled up around $2 billion in stake of the airliner in June 2024.

Elliott's investors loudly argued Southwest lost out on billions in revenue as the brand clung to decades-old business practices.

But Eric Schiffer, a PR and brand expert, told Daily Mail that the company's late co-founder, Herb Kelleher, was 'spinning in his grave' after the seismic changes.

'But Jordan is right to align with activist investors on ending open seating as customer data supports that move,' he said.

'Those worried the combined moves risk brand suicide for Southwest can rest assured brand equity and the soul of the brand remain intact through Southwest people and remaining policies.'
Investigation unveils fungal diversity in China's Qinghai

Xinhua) 09:25, March 14, 2025

XINING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- A three-year comprehensive investigation of macro fungal diversity in northwest China's Qinghai Province has yielded fruitful results, providing scientific basis for ecological conservation and sustainable utilization of resources on plateau region.

This comprehensive and systematic investigation of macro fungal diversity, recently completed in Qinghai, found a total of 807 species of macro fungi, among which, the top three species in terms of family groups were Tricholomataceae with 75 species, 42 species of Agaricaceae, and Polyporaceae contributing 35 species.

Qinghai is a global biodiversity hot spot. It has complex terrain spanning large altitude fluctuations and featuring diverse habitats -- as well as unique weather conditions combining low temperatures with strong ultraviolet rays, which together result in specialized fungal communities. However, there was a prolonged lack of systematic fungal diversity investigation and research in this region.

The investigation is the first comprehensive and systematic investigation of macro fungal resources in Qinghai, filling knowledge gaps in many parts of the province, according to Zhang Yu, director of the wildlife conservation department of the provincial forestry and grassland bureau.

Starting in 2022, the Qinghai provincial forestry and grassland bureau and more than 20 scientists from multiple research institutions of the country carried out this joint investigation across the province.

Over the past three years, this joint scientific team conducted around 300 days of field investigations. In this process, scientists obtained 5,653 macro fungal specimens, 25,632 photos of their habitats, and 3,852 sheets of gene segment sequences.

Currently, details of 10 new species of macro fungi found in this investigation have been published. Moreover, there are a batch of new species in need of further description, as well as species newly recorded in China.

Through the evaluation of macro fungi resources in Qinghai, the investigation has identified 109 edible fungi, 77 medicinal fungi and 76 virulent bacteria, while also selecting macro fungi that have economic value or potential. This has laid a solid foundation for further development and utilization of macro fungi resources, according to Zhang.

The outcomes achieved by this investigation will support further research concerning macro fungal species diversity in Qinghai Province and on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Qinghai provincial forestry and grassland bureau said.

Next, the bureau will extend investigation and research endeavors regarding macro fungal resources by collaborating with scientific institutions -- targeting the development of a diversified food supply system for the country, the bureau revealed.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Northern Ireland businesswomen leading in a broad range of sectors including finance, fashion and manufacturing were recognised at a special awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

Jayne Taggart, Chief Executive of Enterprise Causeway, was named 2025 Businesswoman of the Year at the 13th Women in Business Awards, which last night celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of women business leaders across 14 categories at Belfasts Crowne Plaza Hotel, where close to 500 delegates came together to champion the very best of local talent and hear from First Minister Michelle ONeill, who opened the event as keynote speaker.

The highly acclaimed Business Woman of the Year 2025 was presented to Jayne Taggart for her ingenuity and vision in creating a thriving business ecosystem on the north coast, culminating in a major 8m investment and the opening of the Court House Shared Creative Hub in January this year. Jayne is not only an exceptional business leader but also a trusted mentor having spent almost 30 years helping others to start and scale their businesses.

Sponsored again by Virgin Media O2 Business, this years Awards welcomed a record number of entrants and on the night 18 inspiring women were honoured for their year-round excellence.

Commenting on this years winners, Women in Business Managing Director Lorraine Acheson said: It is our privilege to bring together this roster of exceptional businesswomen who each have demonstrated continued innovation and their positive impact on the Northern Ireland economy.

Tonight wraps up our 13th year of the Women in Business Awards which has become a fantastic fixture on the local business calendar to champion the truly amazing talent pool on our doorstep. On behalf of the Women in Business team, a warm congratulations to all the 2025 winners and finalists. We cant wait to see what the future holds for you and your businesses.

Jo Bertram, Managing Director of Business at Virgin Media O2 Business, added: Virgin Media O2 Business is committed to breaking down barriers to empower and invest in women, enabling them to thrive as leaders of the future. In our eighth consecutive year as sponsors of the Women in Business Awards, I could not be prouder of the partnership weve built together, providing a platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in business. Huge congratulations to these inspiring winners and nominees who are paving the way for future generations of female leaders.
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For the first time in the North, the construction industry is preparing to open its doors for a week of workplace tours and interactive sessions designed to inspire the next generation and encourage young people to pursue careers in the sector.

Open Doors Week runs from Tuesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 22.

In the Derry and Maghera areas, major local projects such as the Maghera Public Realm Environmental Improvements Scheme, developed by CiviCo Ltd, Drumahoe Beech Hill View Housing Development, by Braidwater, and the Foyle Road Housing Project run by GEDA, will provide exclusive behind the scenes access to students.

Open Doors, co-ordinated by Construction Futures NI, is part of Build UKs nationwide initiative to help schools and colleges showcase careers in construction, at a time when 5,000 new workers are needed by 2028 in Northern Ireland, and 50,000 across the UK.

Open Doors Week will see schools, colleges, universities, and those considering a career change invited to explore construction sites and offices across Northern Ireland. The initiative offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the industry, showcasing the diverse range of career paths and training opportunities available.

With demand for new homes and infrastructure continuing to rise, the construction industry is seeking more skilled workers to meet growing needs.

Many young people are often surprised to learn about the diverse range of careers and skills they can bring to the sector. By offering behind-the-scenes insights, the industry is showcasing the exciting and varied opportunities available, inspiring the next generation to consider a future in construction.

Fionnuala McKenna, Head of Strategic Development, Construction Futures said: Open Doors really is a great way to see what its like to work in construction. For obvious safety reasons, its not usually possible to give young people direct access to busy sites, so its hard for them to imagine what these roles look like. By making it easier for the education sector to arrange visits and inspire future talent, we can help more people see the possibilities and pathways into the industry.

There is a career for everyone in construction, male and female, whatever their background, skills or interests. Planting the seed in peoples minds now is crucial - especially for young people and those considering a career change. If they can be inspired to see themselves in these roles, they could be training or even working in the industry in a few months time.

The most inspiring thing about Open Doors is seeing people visiting a construction workplace for the first time and hearing the words.

Construction companies will be opening their doors for strictly pre-booked site visits across the week.

Schools and colleges who havent yet booked a slot are advised to check the final availability at Construction Futures NI

Mark Spence, Chief Executive, Construction Employers Federation NI said: One of the biggest challenges holding back the construction sector in Northern Ireland is the availability of skilled workers. Through Construction Futures, were working together as an industry to make sure that jobs in this sector are front of mind when young people are making important decisions about their further education, training or apprenticeships.

"While professionals like designers, engineers, marketers, and accountants are essential to the industry, nothing happens without boots on the ground. We need more skilled tradespeople and site workers, as they are the backbone of construction, shaping the world around us.

Open Doors is a great way for the next generation to see what they could be in the future. Huge thanks go to all industry partners who are facilitating this initiative to showcase the world of opportunity that exists in the construction sector.
A man sentenced to five months in prison for posting threatening messages about Derry's Mayor has had his appeal against the sentence rejected today at Derry County Court.

Kevin Barry McIntyre (31) of Miller Street in Derry had contested the two charges of improper use of communications network to send messages that were menacing on May 2 and May 4 last year.

After being found guilty by District Judge Barney McElholm and sentenced to five months in prison McIntyre appealed against the sentence.

In his judgement today Judge Gerry McNamara said the offending had been made more serious by the fact it was aggravated by hostility based on race.

The judge quoted from the messages that the Mayor 'will be removed from the city dead or alive' and in the second post he referred to the Mayor and Colum Eastwood, the then SDLP leader, and added 'his and her death is near.'

The court heard that the posts 'caused distress to the victim and her family and the post caused her to fear for her personal safety and that of her family'.

The judge said McIntyre claimed to be expressing his views as a comedian and did not intend to threaten anyone.

A pre-sentence report prepared after McIntyre's conviction was referred to where the defendant accepted the posts 'would have impacted on the victim in a negative way' but further in the same report he stated 'the victim herself was a racist'.

In mitigation the judge said he had been told that McIntyre had 'belatedly learned his lesson and that he underestimated the consequences'.

The judge said that in his opinion 'both posts fall into a bracket of a threat of physical violence'.

Judge McNamara went on: "In relation to both posts they both mention death. This is no accident. The second posts mentions the victim's colour. That was no accident."

He said McIntyre 'trampled all over the rights of the victim' and his posts 'were designed to intimidate and strike fear into the victim.'

The judge pointed out that these posts 'generated others to send further racist and threatening posts to the victim'.

He said the victim was 'someone trying to do her civic duty for society'.

Judge McNamara said that after considering all matters he affirmed the five month sentence and McIntyre was taken into custody.
PICTURED ABOVE: Speakers at the Marian Hotel Digital Exhibition launch event, from left: Jim McCreevy, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Patricia Byrne, Artistic Director, Sole Purpose Productions, Deputy Mayor of Derry, Alderman Darren Guy, Mairead Nic Bhloscaidh, Heritage Development officer, and John McQuaide, chairman, Sole Purpose Productions.

A major digital exhibition showcasing the harrowing stories of young women forced to give up their babies at Northern Irelands mother and baby institutions will ensure that the thousands of those impacted will never be forgotten.

Professor Phil Scraton, from the Truth Recovery Design Panel which produced a report into the Mother and Baby institutions, said it was vital that the stories and experiences of those who had suffered during those terrible times were preserved and fully accessible to the public.

Speaking at the exhibition launch in Derry, he said: The breadth and depth of testimonies received by our Truth Recovery Panel led to an Independent Panel, an eventual statutory Public Inquiry, access to personal records, and processes for redress and reparation.

While lives and futures lost through the cruelty within these institutions cannot be recovered, the inter-generational pain and suffering inflicted on victims, survivors and families finally has been recognised. The Marian Hotel Digital Exhibition will contribute to preserving this heritage so that all those impacted will not be forgotten.

The Marian Hotel Digital Exhibition, a creative heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, brings together the real life experiences of young, unmarried mothers through oral history recordings, filmed readings of creative writing and personal photographs.

The online exhibition was launched at Derrys Playhouse Theatre attended by an invited audience of the participants and their families, project funders, partners and local supporters, including Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Darren Guy.

This will provide a living resource for people who want to learn more about this terrible time in our history. It may also encourage some people who have been traumatised by their experiences in one of these institutions to come forward and tell their stories and maybe find some peace of mind, explained Mairead Nic Bhloscaidh, Sole Purpose Productions Development Officer, who is leading on this project since it began in July 2024.

All of the vast material compiled during the project - oral histories, creative writing, old photos of families separated and reunited, documents and letters from adoption agencies, and images of the crumbling and derelict Marianvale house in Newry  have been put together in the dedicated digital exhibition on the Sole Purpose website.

The project gave mothers the courage to tell their stories, shed tears for torn apart lives and give voice to all of the women and children impacted by this cruel practice. The initiative was supported by WAVE Trauma Centre, who provided wellbeing support and safeguarding guidance throughout.

One of the project participants, Caitriona Cunningham, wrote the acclaimed play The Marian Hotel, produced by Derry theatre company Sole Purpose Productions, which had a highly successful tour, reaching out to audiences last year.

During the tour many more women from Derry, Belfast, Newry and Armagh, were encouraged to tell their stories and explore their memories of the institutions through a series of oral history recordings and creative writing workshops.

One of those who came forward, Mary Nolan, said: I have found a lot of encouragement and support within this project. My aim is to write a book about my experience and that of the girls and women who are no longer alive. I feel I have been given a voice through the project.

Participants and guest speakers at the launch. Left to right Back Row: Sole Purpose Heritage Officer Mairead Nic Bhloscaidh, Deputy Mayor DCSDC Alderman Darren Guy, Attracta McGuigan, Professor Phil Scraton, Carmel McCallion, Sole Purpose Chair John McQuaide, Deborah McGinn, National Lottery Heritage Fund Committee Member Jim McGreevy, Sole Purpose Artistic Director Patricia Byrne. Left to right Front Row: Marie Arbuckle, Crionna Cunningham, Mary Nolan, Fiona ODoherty, Donna Hunter.

Another, Fiona ODoherty, added: The workshops brought up a lot of emotions that I had buried. Im so glad they came to light as I was able to talk about my feelings. I have been able to shed my tears, and I had no fears of being judged. I felt safe and secure being honest about what I said.

There is a resources page on the Sole Purpose website, including links and contact information for support services, as well as information on the ongoing Truth Recovery Independent Panels investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses in Northern Ireland.

This project was made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Sole Purpose receives core funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Thanks to National Lottery players. Further funding was contributed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Stella Byrne, Head of Investment for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland said: Weve been able to support The Marian Hotel: Memories from Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Homes heritage project thanks to National Lottery players. This exhibition creates a space to explore and understand the important stories of the birth mothers, adopted children and families affected by mother and baby homes here.

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"Activities such as The Marian Hotel play and reminiscence workshops, with support from the Wave Trauma Centre have also provided the opportunity to preserve memories, gather authentic narratives and ensure that these hidden histories are recorded and archived as part of our social history.

Lizzie Devlin, Community Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Sole Purpose, thanks to The National Lottery players.

"National Lottery funding is a game changer in supporting their important work which demonstrates the healing power of the arts in shining a light on and creating discussion around important societal issues. Well done to all involved.
A woman has been jailed at Derry Magistrates Court charged with assaulting police, possession of drugs and making threats to kill.

Charlene Coyle (41) of Mimosa Court in Derry was initially arrested on March 31 last year after police were called to Sunrise 24/7.

The shop owner said that Coyle had been acting aggressively from the moment she walked in and had been shouting racial abuse and throwing stock items.

When police arrived she spat in the eye of an officer and claimed she wasn't racist, alleging that she had been assaulted herself prior to their arrival.

When interviewed, she further claimed that she had been assaulted by police prior to her spitting and apologised to the officer.

A Diazepam tablet was also found when she was searched by police.

Coyle was also in court for an incident that occurred on August 22 2022 when she threatened to cut the throat of a neighbour.

Regarding this charge, Coyle again claimed to have been assaulted and said she may have had a concussion at the time.

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Defense barrister Sinead Rogan said that Coyle had been complying with her bail conditions since the most recent incident and had not taken alcohol or drugs in that time.

She added that Coyle claims to suffer from mental health issues.

District Judge Barney McElhom called Coyle's behavior in March last year 'absolutely scandalous', telling her that he 'sees no remorse' for her shouting racial abuse at the shop staff. Instead, he said, she continues to deny that she is racist and continues to make counter allegations.

She was sentenced to five months in custody and fined 100.
A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court for disorderly behaviour in Altnagelvin Hospital and 'racist' abuse in a Turkish barbers.

Seamus Cahill Doherty (47) of Brookview Glen in Eglinton outside Derry admitted a charge of disorderly in Altnagelvin on March 15 last year as well as a charge of disorderly in a Turkish barbers on August 22.

The court heard that police were called to the hospital to a report of a male 'kicking off'.

Doherty was being restrained and then began swearing and shouting at police.

He was warned about his behaviour but continued and then 'lashed out' at police.

Doherty continued to be aggressive and abusive while being taken into custody.

At interview the defendant said he couldn't remember anything.

The court also heard about an incident on August 22 where Doherty entered a Turkish barbers and began shouting at staff and customers.

Two Romanians who were speaking in their own language were told by Doherty 'speak English this is Norther Ireland.'

He also shouted at staff to go back to their own country.

Defence counsel Grainne McAnaney said it was 'a sorry set of circumstances' and there was no excuse for Doherty's behaviour.

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She said that alcohol was behind the offending and the defendant had been compliant with an enhanced combination order.

District Judge Barney McElholm said the offences were 'absolutely appalling' and told Doherty 'this was completely and utterly disgraceful you should be ashamed of yourself.'

He told the defendant he deserved to go to prison.

Doherty was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for 3 years, had a Restraining Order imposed as regards the Turkish barbers and ordered to pay 1,000 in total in compensation.
A teacher who groomed and sexually abused a teenage pupil has been described as a cold, calculating child predator.

Judith Evans was jailed for two years at Belfast Crown Court on Friday for a series of sexual offences against a schoolboy and placed on the sex offender register for life.

The court heard that when Judith Evans was confronted with her crimes by police, she had falsely claimed that her teenage victim had threatened and raped her.

Judge Patricia Smyth said there had been close to 10,000 text messages exchanged between the teacher and pupil.

The judge said the teacher had basked in her victims adolescent attraction towards her.

Evans, 33, from Elmwood Grove in Newtownabbey, was a teacher at Belfast Boys Model School when the offences occurred.

Following sentencing, PSNI detective chief inspector Jill Duffie said: Evans is a cold, calculating child predator who was in a position of trust and abused that position by taking advantage of a young boy who was her pupil at the time.

She preyed on his vulnerabilities and built an inappropriate friendship with the boy before then further grooming him and sexually exploiting him.

The messages exchanged between her and her underage pupil were highly sexual and nothing short of sickening.

Evans had initially denied the charges but the mother-of-two later pleaded guilty to a total of eight sexual offences committed against the teenage boy.

The charges she admitted include sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child involving penetration and possessing indecent images of the schoolboy. These offences were committed between March 1 and May 17 2024.

She further admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Delivering sentence, Judge Smyth told the court Evan had groomed the child who was vulnerable because of family circumstances.

After giving him her email address and mobile phone number text communications followed.

The judge said: From an early stage they contained inappropriate sexual suggestions.

She told the court that during the Easter holidays in 2024 the communications escalated to sexual photos being sent to the boy.

She added: Within a matter of weeks the defendant was inviting the victim to meet her.

The defendant met the victim on two occasions outside school where sexual activity occurred.

She said on a third occasion the boy would not get into a car with Evans because it belonged to her husband and did not have blacked out windows.

The judge said there were also references within text exchanges to sexual contact at school, but said this had not been proven.

The court heard that Evans phoned the victims mother on a regular basis to discuss his demeanour and said she wanted to keep him after class for revision.

The judge added: The mother recalled her son returning home looking dishevelled on one occasion with his tie undone and his shirt buttons opened after apparently having stayed behind for revision.

After the schoolboys girlfriend found a text message on his phone, he admitted that he had cheated on her and said he wanted to run away and kill himself because he knew police would be involved.

The court was told his father took him to hospital where he disclosed the sexual activity with his teacher.

When interviewed by police, Evans claimed the boy had threatened and raped her and that his dad was connected to the UDA.

The judge said: Every aspect of that account was false.

She added: There is no question that the defendants behaviour and the aftermath of the discovery of these offences have had a profound effect on this young victim and his family.

Judge Smyth then told the court that sexual communication had last over five months with nearly 10,000 texts sent over a period of a month.

The judge said Evans is a mother of two and she accepted that she is suffering distress because of the offending.

Evans was sentenced her to four years, with half of the term to be spent in custody.

The judge said Evans would be disqualified from working with children and would be on the sex offender register for life.

Speaking outside court, Ms Duffie added: As a result of the abuse he was subjected to, the victim has suffered greatly with mental health struggles and has shown immense bravery to bring her to justice today.

There is still a societal stigma surrounding male victims of abuse, especially that of a sexual nature.

I hope todays court outcome will showcase that young boys are just as vulnerable and that there is no shame for them to carry.

Suffering in silence is never the answer, abuse is never the victims fault.

We will continue to work around the clock to bring child predators before the courts and would encourage anyone who may have been abused in a similar way to come forward. The passage of time doesnt matter.

Child abuse cannot continue in Northern Ireland, we will do everything in our power to stop predators in their tracks and get victims the justice they deserve.

If there are any young people out there who have been targeted and abused in a similar way, please come forward to us. We will help and support you.

A spokesperson for Belfast Boys Model School said: Following todays sentencing, we recognise what a difficult and distressing time this has been for the young person and their family and our sincere thoughts go out to them.

We fully understand the impact that this has caused throughout the wider school community and would reassure all pupils and staff that the protection, safety and wellbeing of our pupils continues to be our highest priority.

We have robust safeguarding processes in place and, where concerns are raised, appropriate action is taken in conjunction with the relevant authorities.
Japan doubles down on Rapidus as semiconductor ambitions face funding hurdles

Japan's 2025 budget proposal is on the verge of approval, paving the way for government investment in Rapidus, a project focused on the mass production of advanced semiconductors. This legislative session is also set to introduce legal changes allowing debt guarantees for bank loans, thereby strengthening governmental support. Although public funding is progressing steadily, private investment is noticeably slow, placing a significant financial responsibility on state resources.

Semiconductors have emerged as a strategic linchpin for economic security, a shift catalyzed by the supply shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic. The US, Japan, and Europe have deployed substantial government subsidies to entice corporate investment, striving to bolster domestic chip production.

Unlike TSMC, which Japan successfully lured to Kumamoto Prefecture, Rapidus lacks a proven track record. With uncertainties surrounding product performance and customer acquisition, private capital has been slow to coalesce. The government's intent is clear: to leverage public support to propel Rapidus onto a viable trajectory.

State funding surges while private capital lags

According to Nikkei, the state financial support for Rapidus has reached JPY920 billion (approx. US$6.23 billion) so far. In the fiscal budget for 2025, an allocation of JPY100 billion is designated for further investment in the company, scheduled for the latter part of the year. This funding is anticipated to come from the proceeds of selling government-owned shares in the Shoko Chukin Bank.

However, progress on this front has been sluggish, as successful bids have only accounted for 10% of the state's total holdings. Government regulations mandate that the entire stake must be sold by June, a deadline that necessitates the creation of alternative revenue resources. According to trading prices at securities firms, the complete sale of these shares could surpass JPY170 billion, with Shoko Chukin permitted to buy back up to JPY158 billion of its own shares. Any revenue exceeding JPY100 billion is intended for further investment in Rapidus.

The government has submitted amendments to the Information Processing Promotion Act and the Special Accounts Act to parliament. These revisions would endow the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA), overseen by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), with financial functions, enabling direct investments or debt guarantees for private lenders. In November 2024, a framework was established to channel over JPY10 trillion into semiconductors and artificial intelligence by 2030, with these legal changes forming a critical pillar of that ambition.

Industry hesitation clouds public-private partnership

The influence of public funds in spearheading these efforts is evident. Currently, private-sector investment in Rapidus amounts to JPY7.3 billion from eight companies, including NTT and Sony Group. The government aims to secure an additional JPY100 billion in private sector investment to match its own contributions.

Alongside existing shareholders, companies such as Fujitsu and several major banks are reportedly contemplating further investments. Nonetheless, there are hesitations within the industry. Some executives, including one from manufacturing, have expressed reluctance, noting, "We have no choice but to consider investing due to government requests, but we would not normally want to invest actively in a company that does not even have prototypes." It remains uncertain whether the public and private sectors will achieve true collaboration in this initiative.

The ongoing skepticism from Japan's opposition parties shows no sign of diminishing, as they remain critical of the government's approach to funding Rapidus. Unlike the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has no formal alliance with these dissenting groups, the opposition warns that the administration will eventually turn to taxpayer funds to support Rapidus

Their concerns are informed by historical precedent: the government previously provided financial backing to Elpida Memory, a major DRAM manufacturer, only to see its downfall due to mismanagement. The continuous financial support for Rapidus is being met with apprehension, as critics fear it could lead to a repetition of past failures.

Ishiba's high-stakes wager on global competitiveness

Such concerns have surfaced repeatedly since 2022, when the Japanese government began incrementally channeling funds into Rapidus. The attendant controversy has yet to subside. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has candidly acknowledged that deploying taxpayer money demands a clear and cogent strategy. At the same time, he underscores the ferocity of global competition, cautioning that any lag could prove irreparable.

It is precisely this sense of urgency that has compelled successive Japanese administrations to funnel resources into Rapidus, unwilling to relinquish the endeavor despite the risks.

Article edited by Joseph Chen
Global server shipment poised to rise on year in 2025, but much weaker than before, says DIGITIMES

Global server shipments are anticipated to pick up by 2.3% in 2025, surpassing 15 million units, according to DIGITIMES' latest report covering server market shipments and performance in 2025. However, the growth rate will be lower than in 2024 as intensifying global tariff wars and escalating geopolitical tensions will lead to more conservative enterprise investments, with a focus on increasingly mature large language model (LLM) applications.

While demand for high-priced, high-end AI servers will continue to grow significantly, the pace of growth will slow. Major North American cloud service providers (CSPs) will remain the primary drivers of server shipment growth in 2025, but US-based brands' shipment growth is expected to face pressure.

Taiwanese server ODMs are projected to underperform the overall global server market in 2025. This is mainly due to the relatively low shipment base of Chinese ODMs in 2024 and aggressive procurements from Chinese server brands such as Lenovo in 2025, allowing the Chinese ODMs' shipments to improve, data from DIGITIMES' report shows.

Among the top-6 ODMs worldwide, Foxconn is anticipated to see the largest increase in shipment share, driven by strong growth in general-purpose server orders from its second-largest customer, Microsoft, as well as orders for Nvidia GB200 NVL72 server cabinets. Wiwynn is also expected to benefit from general-purpose and AI server orders from Meta and Amazon.

Regarding major brand and CSP rankings, among the four leading North American CSPs, Meta and Amazon are expected to perform the best in procurement. Microsoft, having already reached a high procurement base in 2024, is expected to experience slower growth in 2025, while Google is forecasted to see a slight decline.

Click here to visit the 2025 server market report for more data and information.

Demand for servers are expected to be stimulated by the price reduction of DDR5 and SSDs as both DDR5 and SSD supplies are expected to be sufficient, resulting in their prices likely to have room for decline.

Article edited by Joseph Chen
Subscriber content preview

By ZUZANA PAAR

Associated Press

iStock image [enlarge] Carmel-by-the-Sea has an impressive array of restaurants and wines, with eateries that feature a range of international, regional and local cuisines.





American travelers planning a European vacation dropped from 45% in 2024 to 37% in 2025, a staggering decline since 2021. The European Travel Commission, or ETC, reports cost as the main factor of this sinking interest. People now seek destinations offering similar experiences without compromising their budget.





. . .
Irish premier Micheal Martin has utterly rejected claims that he is antisemitic, reportedly made by the Israeli ambassador to the US.

Mr Martin met Jewish leaders in Washington DC on Friday as part of a series of engagements for St Patricks Day.

Ahead of the meeting on Friday, Yechiel Leiter reportedly told Jewish Insider that anyone who cancelled their meeting with the Taoiseach should be commended.

Mr Martin said he utterly rejected the ambassadors false comments.

Speaking on Friday before the meeting, he said it was possible a number may pull out but that some representatives of the Jewish community in the US would meet him.

I will take the opportunity to have an open, informal discussion in terms of presenting the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East, he said.

After the meeting a spokesman for the Taoiseach said he welcomed the chance to discuss the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish communities around the world, including in Ireland.

It was a very positive engagement and we agreed a number of actions we can follow up on in the coming time.

Speaking earlier on Friday, Mr Martin said the vast majority of countries back a two-state solution in the region.

He said: It is the UN position and Ireland has always adopted the principles of the UN in respect to the Middle East.

Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East issue.

I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

He said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

I went to Israel after October 7 in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.

Senior figures in Israels government have accused leaders in the Irish coalition of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin also announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have also criticised Irelands decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who is now deputy premier as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin, has rejected the characterisation.
The threat of US tariffs on alcoholic drinks from the EU is a very serious issue, Irish premier Micheal Martin has warned.

The Taoiseach said Irish whiskey products had benefited from extraordinary growth in the US market, and that a tariff dispute could damage parts of the Irish economy.

He warned Europe has to be strategic in how it responds in the tit-for-tat trade dispute with US president Donald Trump.

Irish whiskey has enjoyed an extraordinary growth into the American market, Mr Martin said on Friday.

Were going to engage strongly now with the Commission in respect of that issue, because it is a serious issue, not just for Ireland, but indeed for other European member states as well.

Mr Martin was speaking on the last full day of the annual US trip to Washington DC for St Patricks Day.

The diplomatic event this year was overshadowed by the looming threat of an EU-US trade war.

There is heightened concern in Ireland that the new US administrations protectionist approach could pose a risk to an Irish economy which is significantly sustained by long-standing investment from US multinationals.

During a meeting with Mr Martin at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Trump both shared his love for Ireland and said Dublin is of course taking advantage of the US.

The US president said he does not want to do anything to hurt Ireland, but added that the trade relationship between the countries should be focused on fairness.

As the Taoiseach met Mr Trump on Wednesday, the European Commission announced its retaliation against 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US.

Previously suspended tariffs would affect a range of US goods including boats, bourbon whiskey and motorbikes from April, it said.

Mr Trump responded with the threat of a 200% tax on imported alcoholic drinks from the EU, which has caused concern among the Irish drinks industry.

I think Europe has to be strategic in this, because Europe actually enjoys a surplus in these products, in terms of the trade in spirits, Mr Martin said.

I stand to be corrected, but it could be a three-to-one in favour of the European Union products. So Europe needs to be strategic in terms of how it approaches this.

He added: None of this is easy, in the sense that once tariffs and counter tariffs start, its not good, and it can damage certain sectors of the economy.

Given the strength of Irish spirits in the market, that is a concern for us, and I know for other countries, they will have other products for whom it will be a big concern.

In relation to domestic issues, Mr Martin also called for a step up in investment on artificial intelligence (AI) in Ireland as he said there needed to be less demonisation of data centres.

Mr Martin said surges in AI created a requirement to have a more mature debate around data centres.

While acknowledging there are challenges in pursuing that goal in a way that is consistent with the Governments climate agenda, Mr Martin said significant numbers in Dail Eireann are completely disconnected from the reality of economic life.

He told reporters: I understand the data centre issue  its consuming huge amounts of energy and we have a problem between 2025 and 2030. I think our problems will ease with the offshore wind that will come on stream in significant critical mass in the early 2030s.

We can see where the end game or the promised land is in respect of offshore wind, and that would give us really a sufficiency of energy to deal with the AI revolution, to deal with the energy demands that would come from that.

He added: We have a challenge in the intervening period between 2025 and 2030, but I think we need to stop the demonisation of data centres.

Fridays engagements wrap up a week of diplomatic efforts in the US by Mr Martin, along with other Irish ministers, to coincide with St Patricks Day.

The Taoiseachs visit included a Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol and a breakfast meeting with JD Vance at the US vice-presidents official residence.

At the start of the week, he took part in a fireside chat at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Mr Martin attempted to emphasise the two-way nature of trade between Ireland and the US during the trip, as he sought to develop positive relations with the new US administration.

The biggest disruption of the trip came at the Ireland Funds gala dinner on Thursday night where members of the Burke family, Evangelical Christians from Co Mayo, briefly disrupted proceedings before being ejected from the venue.

Mr Martin also rejected comments reportedly made by Israels ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, who labelled the Taoiseach as antisemitic and commended Jewish leaders who cancelled a meeting with him.

Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East, the Taoiseach said.

After meeting the Jewish representative groups, Mr Martin travelled to offices of Enterprise Ireland client company Hanley Energy in Virginia.

Following a series of remaining private engagements in Washington, DC on Saturday, the Taoiseach will return to Ireland.
The principal of a Dublin school has said it will have to close because it can no longer afford to pay basic bills.

Sacred Heart Junior School in the Killinarden area of Tallaght is said to have suffered massive underfunding for many years due to cuts from the Department of Education.

In a letter to parents, principal Orla McLoughlin outlined what she described as the schools major financial crisis.

She said the school had informed the Department of Education that it no longer has money to pay our basic bills from April 1.

Ms McLoughlin said the school will have to close and teach remotely if it does not receive emergency funding.

Local People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said he had spoken to a number of parents about the lack of funding at the school.

He said: The responsibility for this crisis lies with the government who have massively underfunded our schools, to the point where they are now on the brink of having to close their doors.

Parents, teachers and the community deserve better. The Governments priorities are all wrong, they are talking about tripling military spending yet refuse to provide schools with enough funding to keep the lights on and the doors open.

We need emergency action from the minister now to guarantee funding for the schools.

I met this morning with the principals and some parents of the school to discuss how we can fight for the funding we need to save our schools.

Mr Murphy said he will raise the matter in the Dail next week.

The Department of Education said it was committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to the school.

However, it said it first requires additional information from the school before assistance can be provided

A spokesman said:The department will continue to liaise with the school and the patron so that support can be provided as quickly as possible to the school.

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) can offer support and advice to school boards of management in relation to school accounts and funding generally.
The Dutch Ambassador today visited the Dundalk Grammar School and met with the Dundalk students who will represent the Netherlands in the upcoming EU Model Council debate.

Ambassador Maaike van Koldam took part in the schools annual Culture Day event, which saw students colourfully celebrating the diversity of a school community which includes representatives from more than 50 nationalities.

Ambassador van Koldam visited the school in the company of her Benelux diplomatic counterparts, the Ambassador of Luxembourg, Florence Ensch, the Deputy Ambassador of Luxembourg, Andre Flammang, and the Deputy Ambassador of Belgium, Katrijn Coppens.

As well as taking part in Culture Day, the Dutch Ambassador met with the three students who will be flying the Dutch flag in the EU Model Council debate in Dublin Castle on March 28th.

The Dundalk Grammar School debate team is being prepared by their Politics teacher, Paul Brady, and Ambassador van Koldam had the opportunity to discuss with them the impact of digital policy on young people, which will be the topic on the big day.

It was wonderful to have this opportunity to take part in Culture Day, and to meet such enthusiastic students, who are so eager to learn more about the issues facing society, and the crucial role the European Union plays in all our lives.

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We in the Embassy of the Netherlands are honoured to be represented by these students, and we look forward to cheering them on in-person in Dublin Castle, Ambassador van Koldam said.

The Headmaster of Dundalk Grammar School, Enda Murphy, praised the efforts of his schools students in preparing for the visit.

Our students have been very proactive over the recent years in inviting delegates to Dundalk Grammar School. We are most grateful to the team at the Embassies for their enthusiasm and energy in adding to our vibrant Culture Day, he said.

Paul Brady, the Politics teacher who is preparing the Dundalk Grammar School team for the upcoming EU Model Council debate, said that the visit was a special moment.

It greatly added to our celebration of Culture Day to have the Dutch Ambassador and the Luxembourg Ambassador attend along with the Belgian Deputy Ambassador. To have one Embassy represented is wonderful, but to have three is amazing. Our Politics students are really looking forward to representing the Netherlands at the forthcoming EU Model Council Debate on March 28 in Dublin Castle, he said.

Following on from the school event, the Benelux diplomatic teams visited the Dundalk Chamber for an event aimed at boosting the already strong links between the three Benelux countries and Louth, as well as the wider north-east region.
The very best of the food and hospitality sector in Louth were honoured last night at the Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final 2025, marking the first regional event of this years prestigious awards season. The ceremony took place at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where county winners from across the province were revealed.

Over 1000 attendees gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafes and food service providers across Leinster. Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times - the official media partner of the awards.

The Louth winners for each category are as follows:

Best Restaurant  Sponsored by San Miguel - Square Restaurant

Best Chef - Sponsored by BWG Food Service - Brendan Mulligan, The Spotted Dog

Best Restaurant Manager - Sponsored by Elavon - Aine Stanley, Square Restaurant

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Sponsored by Frylite - Scholars Townhouse Hotel

Best Use of Social Media - Rocksalt Cafe

Employee Excellence Award - Sponsored by Peninsula - Sarah McGarry, The Bay Tree Restaurant

Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace - The Valley Inn

Best Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Paynt - The Glyde Inn

Best Cafe - Strandfield

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine - Sponsored by FBD Insurance - Number One Jocelyn Bistro

Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Square - The Cathedral Restaurant

Pub of the Year - Sponsored by istil.38 - Sarsfields Bar

Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Bibendum - No. 3 Winebar & Restaurant

Best Customer Service - Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen - Social Bar and Restaurant

Best World Cuisine - Sally Cinnamons

Best Sustainable Practices - Sponsored by Familia Torres - The Gateway Hotel

Innovator of the Year - Sponsored by Diageo - Mo Chara

Local Food Hero - Sponsored by Sugar Snap - Adam Murray, Biddo's Street Food

Speaking at the ceremony, Sean Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: "Tonight is about recognising the outstanding efforts of those who bring Irelands culinary reputation to life every day. In a challenging business environment, it is more important than ever to honour the people whose hard work, passion and creativity shape our hospitality sector."

"The Leinster Regional Final once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation that define this regions culinary landscape. I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. It is their hard work that makes Irelands food scene truly exceptional."

Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Leinster can now secure their tickets for this highly anticipated event.
On Thursday 13 March, the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk was alive with energy and enthusiasm as local secondary school students and their teachers gathered for the Louth Student Enterprise Awards 2025. This years event saw an impressive 130 students, representing 51 innovative enterprises, present their entrepreneurial ideas and showcase their hard work.

Chair of the Judges Garrett Duffy commented: The standard of entries was incredibly high. We saw a diverse range of innovative businesses and creative thinking, which made the judging process both challenging and rewarding. Its truly inspiring to witness so many young people in Louth engaging so passionately with entrepreneurship and considering it as a real career path.

The Louth Student Enterprise Programme is a collaboration between Local Enterprise Office Louth and local secondary schools, delivered by Francis Verling and Paula Stapleton. More than 1,500 students from 19 schools across the county took part this year.

They learned what it takes to develop a business idea, launch it, and bring it to market. The programme culminates in the County Final  a much-anticipated opportunity for students to present their businesses to a panel of expert judges and compete for an award.

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An intense morning of judging saw the finalists present their business idea and answer tough questions from the judges. The Junior and Intermediate categories were judged by Lavina McGahon of DkIT and Laura Kealey of LK Consultancy. Garrett Duffy of DkIT, Fionnula Rogers of the Drogheda Digital Innovation Hub and Hubert Murphy of Drogheda Chamber judged the Senior category.

A huge cheer erupted as Squeak Shield from Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer was named winner of the Senior category. Riley Finegan, supported by teacher Martina Farrell, developed an eco-friendly rodent deterrent using organza bags filled with natural herbs and spices.

Oran Cassidys business, OCE Darts, was named winner of the Intermediate category. Hailing from St. Josephs Secondary School Drogheda, and supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, Orans business produces custom 3D printed darts camera mounts.

Below: Winner of the 2025 Intermediate Enterprise Award for Louth is Oran Cassidy (OEC Darts) from St.Josephs Secondary School, Drogheda.

The winner of the Junior category for 2025 was Darragh Grimes of Darragh Grimes Drones, whose business produces superb drone-shot aerial video and photography with a special focus on agricultural content. This was another win for Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer, and Darragh was supported by teacher Martina Farrell.

Below: Winner of the 2025 Junior Student Enterprise Award for Louth is Darragh Grimes Drone of Scoil Ui Mhuiri.

Sarah Mallon, Programme Manager at Local Enterprise Office Louth, praised the winning enterprises, saying: We are so proud of the 3 category winners and will be cheering them on when they represent Louth at the National Student Enterprise Finals in May.

Lumen Lather from St. Josephs Secondary School Drogheda was announced runner up in the Senior category. Business founder Peter Connor, supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, has created handmade, high quality self-care products for sensitive skin.

While Abby Gray of St. Josephs Secondary School Drogheda, scooped the runner up award in the Junior category. Supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, Abbys business Bunches of Buttons sells creative button wall art pictures.

While the judges deliberated, the finalists were inspired by ground breaking young entrepreneur David Kieran of Dundalk-based branding and digital media agency ZOMA. In addition to all of his other achievements, David was named Regional Winner at the National Enterprise Awards in 2024.

Awards were presented to each winner by Niall Gallagher, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with Local Enterprise Office Louth. Winners received a beautiful award, created by master craftsman Joe Lawlor. The handcrafted wooden pieces were entitled Reaching for the Stars.

Winners of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior categories, will go forward to represent Louth in the Student Enterprise Awards national final in Mullingar in May.

Special congratulations also to teacher Nicole Kiernan, St. Josephs Secondary School, Drogheda who received the Enterprise Educators Award. Winning this award is testament to her work and dedication in promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship in the school environment.

There were also nine category award winners, recognising the expertise and skills demonstrated by Louths young entrepreneurs.

The Innovation Award winner was First AI-d, a mobile phone First Aid app, created by Dearbhla McArdle, from St. Vincents Secondary school and supported by teacher Eimear McCreesh.

The Best Social Media & Marketing Award was won by Gloss Co, a truly customisable lip gloss experience, created by Gabriella Hrynko, Cara Miele, Sophie Kelly Madigan and Kayla OHanlon, from Colaiste Chu Chulainn and supported by their teacher Declan Curran.

Sustainable Spins, scooped the Sustainability Award for their versatile stands made from repurposed vinyl records. Set up by Nora Gilligan and Tegan Semple, and supported by their teacher Alma Carney, they represented Drogheda Grammar School.

The team from St. Brigids School Dundalk won the Best Display Award for their business Marvellous Makers. Simon Cranny, Sean Griffin, Luke Kenny, Nicky Mackin-Brennan, Tadgh McConville, Jack McManus Todd, and Kevin Trainer, supported by their teacher Olive Byrne, created bespoke home decorations from wood and wool.

Molly OCallaghans creation Roll Seamrog won the Best Creative Business Award. Her product is a fun and unique boardgame for children to learn Irish and enhance their language skills. Supported by teacher Shane McDonnell, Molly represented St. Marys College Dundalk.

The award for Best Creative Product was taken home by The Business Boys, who created Christmas decorations from upcycled and recycled farm products. The team was made up of Christopher Malone, Ethan McCrory and Otis Madden of Dundalk Grammar School, supported by their teachers Sara Rankin and Elizabeth McCabe.

Inclusive Imaginations was the brainchild of Niamh McGrane, Catriona Daly, Allanah Hynes and Edith Murphy from Our Ladys College Greenhills. Their product True Colours is a book that educates children about neurodiversity. They won the Special Award for Education, supported by their teachers Susan Tarrant and Bettina Weurdinger.

The Special Award for Wellness went to Safe Haven with team members Erin Gray, Caitlin Clifford and Michelle Gartland Kerr, from St. Louis Secondary School Dundalk, supported by their teacher Roisin Mallon. They created aromatherapy roll-ons using infused essential oils.

And finally, Ellen Roddy, Ava Boyle and Aine Gallagher won the Sales Award with their enterprise, Deanta Le Gra. Their wonderful cookbook is filled with family favourite recipes from the people and businesses of the Cooley peninsula. Supported by their teacher Martina OConnor, they are pupils at Bush Post Primary.

Sarah Mallon of Local Enterprise Office Louth concluded: We are so proud of all the students that took part in this years awards and all that they have achieved. We wish our three fantastic winners all the best as they fly the flag for Louth at the National Student Enterprise Finals in May. Follow their journey and all the latest updates using #StudentEnterprise on social media or by visiting www.StudentEnterprise.ie.

"And remember, whether youre a student starting out or an established business owner, your Local Enterprise Office is here to support you at every stage. To explore the full range of supports and services available, visit www.localenterprise.ie/Louth.

Photo gallery of all the winners and runners up to follow.
Cork is set to celebrate the St Patricks Festival with plenty of events right across this weekend.

Organised by Cork City Council, the weekend will culminate with the St Patricks Day Parade on Monday. The parade will begin at 1pm on St Patricks Day and will feature over 3,000 participants and 57 groups.

Cork will welcome international groups including the High School Spartan Legion Marching Band from Colorado, and Batala, an international collection of local samba groups from several areas in the UK and further afield.

The Kabin Studio, whose iconic song The Spark has just won the RTE Choice Music Song of the Year, will lead out the parade as grand marshals. The MC for the parade this year is Corks Red FM presenter KC. Orla Carroll, director of product development at Failte Ireland, said that the organisation is pleased to support the St Patricks Festival in Cork.

Festivals and events are a key component of Irelands tourism offering and they provide unique and compelling reasons for a visitor to choose a destination. They also have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, supporting jobs and revenue generation.

Failte Ireland is working closely with the festival organisers and the local community to develop and promote a compelling programme of events and experiences that celebrate both our national holiday, and all that Cork has to offer.

The Cork parade will begin at the junction of South Mall and Parnell Place, before it makes its way along South Mall and Grand Parade. Then the parade will go up Patrick Street and finish up on Merchants Quay.

For people heading into Cork city for the parade, wheelchair users and those with special needs will be accommodated in a special area in front of Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street.

There will be ISL Interpreter services available beside the grandstand, which this year is situated near the Tourist Information Office on Patrick Street.

Information on road closures and diversions, bus re-routing, and park and ride bus facilities will be posted on corkstpatricksfestival.ie, along with a full listing of festival events. The parade will be streamed live from 12.45pm on March 17 on corkstpatricksfestival.ie/parade.
There are currently over 100 people waiting for addiction services from just two addiction counsellors in Cork Prison, leading to concerns that people will be released without accessing any support.

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan has said that it is the policy of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification and are offered treatments including stabilisation on methadone.

Mr OCallaghan went on to say that the prison addiction service also provides counselling and intervention skills, including interviewing and enhancement therapy, a 12-step facilitation programme, cognitive behavioural therapy, and harm reduction approaches and people in custody are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions.

However, as of January this year, there are just 18 counsellors nationally, and 953 people on waiting lists to access addiction treatment, including 103 on waiting lists in Cork Prison with only two counsellors available.

Mr OCallaghan added that nationally, the current sanctioned quota for addiction counsellors is 20, with attempts underway to recruit additional counsellors.

'HIGHLY DAMAGING'

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould said that the wait time meant many people were likely getting out of prison before ever accessing services: The purpose of addiction counselling and addiction services in prison is to give people the best possible opportunity at rehabilitation and recovery.

We heard last year from the Irish Prison Service and others about the negative impact short sentences have on individuals. Their lives in the community are uprooted but they are not in prison for a long enough time to access supports. This can be highly damaging for people who are in the early stages of a recovery journey and it serves no benefit to society.

I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it is for the two addiction counsellors in Cork Prison given the overwhelming levels of need. What we need to see is an increase in addiction counsellors and addiction nurses in prisons alongside a review of the short-term sentences.

James Leonard, known for The Two Norries podcast, previously told The Echo: The prison service is a terrible option for people in addiction, saying that waiting lists for psychological services were routinely more than twice as long as addiction service lists.

If youre in prison under 12 months, you get out before you get off the waiting list for any services. In my case, all my sentences were less than 12 months, but I was in and out  you can go your whole life constantly slipping through the cracks. Overcrowding just makes everything more complicated.

On Thursday, there were 356 people in Cork prison, 60 more than the prison had capacity for. Last month, there were 376 people in the prison, representing a record breaking 76 inmates sleeping on floors.

The Irish Prison Service said that it must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts so has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time
A twin threat has emerged to two of Corks most significant industries following the White House meeting this week between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Mr Trump, after the US president recently threatened a 200% tariff on alcoholic products from the EU.

On Thursday, in a post on his own social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on alcohol products from the EU in response to an announcement on Wednesday by EU Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen that the EU would be imposing 25% on a range of American products, including bourbon whiskey.

Following this, Mr Martin said that the Irish Government would engage with the EU Commission on the matter.

Our view is that there needs to be a more strategic position, said Mr Martin.

The Taoiseach said that he had seen some patterns emerge from the USs engagement with Mexico and Canada on tariffs.

He called for increased dialogue between trade negotiators.

Irish Distillers based in Midleton produces a significant portion of the 450m worth of whiskey that is exported to the US annually.

The Taoiseachs comments were welcomed by Irish Whiskey Association director Eoin O Cathain, who said the sector would need strong advocacy for the weeks ahead.

We are confident that the Taoiseach and Government can provide that, he said.

Mr O Cathain told The Echo that whiskey exports to the US were the industrys largest export market.

He pointed out that, while the tariffs were threatened, they had yet to be implemented.

He described as very concerning the possibility that 200% tariffs would be imposed on Irish whiskey being exported to the US.

It would be very detrimental to the people that produce our products and to those who enjoy them, Mr O Cathain said.

He expressed optimism, however, that negotiations between now and April 2  when the tariffs are expected to be implemented  would lead to a favourable resolution to the issue.

He pointed out that many US-based companies have interests in companies producing liquor in Ireland, adding that a Kentucky company owned the firm producing Carolans Irish Cream.

He also said that tariffs would have a double impact on them as they would be hit by tariffs on their products being exported to Europe and additionally imported from the EU.

PFIZER CONCERNS

The CEO of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer suggested the company might relocate its overseas production plants in the US if it faced tariffs.

Pfizer employs 820 in its plant in Ringaskiddy, almost 20% of its 5,000-strong Irish workforce.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has also been reported as suggesting that the company, which devised drugs such as Viagra, would consider moving its overseas plants to the US if it faced tariffs or other restrictions.

His comments were cited in a press briefing given earlier this week by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

The uncertainty provoked by the comments by the US president and the Pfizer CEO, against a backdrop of escalating tensions and uncertainty around a possible trade war between the US and EU, has prompted Cork South Central Fianna Fail TD Seamus McGrath to express confidence that the US pharma giant remained fully committed to its Cork production facilities.

Cork and Ireland has a very strong relationship with Pfizer. I believe that will continue for the long term, said the Cork South Central TD.

Ireland is an extremely attractive base for FDI [foreign direct investment] companies.

While we should never take anything for granted, we must also be confident about our competitiveness internationally as a base for inward investment.

Commenting on the wider picture regarding a crossfire of tariff announcements between Washington and Brussels, Mr McGrath acknowledged that there was a lot of uncertainty.

I think this will settle down and common sense will prevail, as tariffs are counter productive and will only damage economic activity, he said.

Comment has been sought from Pfizer Ireland about the reported comments of its CEO, Albert Bourla.

In comments reported on the Fierce Pharma website, Mr Bourla said: We have all the capabilities here [in the US], and the manufacturing sites are operating in good capacity right now.

If something happens, we will try to mitigate by transferring from manufacturing sites outside to manufacturing sites here.

Menwhile, Mr Martin has said that the oppositions criticism to his comment on housing in the White House was over the top.

During the meeting between Mr Martin and Mr Trump, the US president was asked about Irelands housing crisis.

Mr Trump replied that the housing crisis was because Ireland is doing so well.

They cant produce houses fast enough, the US president remarked.

Thats a good problem, not a bad problem.

Leaning back in his chair and laughing, Mr Martin said: Thats a very good answer, president.

Asked about the comments yesterday, Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said people had said they felt insulted by the Taoiseach.

Its not a good look for the Taoiseach to be laughing about a housing crisis when we have record numbers of homelessness, including child homelessness, when we have such a scandal that hasnt transpired because of the booming economy, it has transpired because the Government has deliberately decided not to build houses during much part of the previous decade.

Mr Martin said yesterday that, during the Oval Office press conference, he was also asked what he would wish for Ireland.

He said: I equally said in the press conference, very emphatically, when I was asked what was the number one issue or what would I really wish for Ireland, and I said: The number one issue in Ireland is housing, and we need to build as many houses as we can, as quickly as we can, for young people in Ireland to be able to afford to buy or affordable rent.

Its classic [for the] opposition to do that, and I think that was an over the top reaction.
A man got into a row over paying a fare in advance with a taxi driver and when it continued outside the Bridewell Garda Station, he shouted at gardai: I want my f***ing tenner back.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer told Judge Aine Clancy at Cork District Court that 25-year-old Kevin Buckley of 5C Shanakiel Pl, Blarney Rd, Cork, was upset at being asked for money upfront when he got into the taxi.

Mr Buttimer stated that the passenger and driver argued and then the taxi was driven to the Bridewell station  where there was more arguing.

Mr Buttimer said the gardai arrived and the taxi driver drove off.

Kevin Buckley pleaded guilty to being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others and also engaging in threatening behaviour.

Judge Clancy fined him 200 on the threatening charge and took the drunkenness into consideration.

Mr Buttimer said: He is very sorry he ended up verbalising so loudly in front of guards. He had been socialising.

The taxi driver wanted payment upfront and Mr Buckley took offence at that.

If he wanted to make a complaint, he should have made it the next day at the PSV [public service vehicle] office at Anglesea St, but he did not have the sense to do that at the time.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the incident occurred on Cornmarket St, Cork, at 2.45am on January 18, when gardai observed a man outside Bridewell Garda Station.

The man became irate following a disagreement with a taxi driver, Sgt Kelleher explained.

The taxi driver left the area and Mr Buckley began repeatedly shouting at gardai: I want my f***ing tenner back.
A Sinn Fein front-bench spokesperson has said it would not be prejudicial for Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould to make a Dail statement about a garda investigation into an alleged 150,000 business fraud almost a decade ago.

Mr Gould was arrested by arrangement and, after questioning in relation to alleged financial irregularities in a company where he previously worked, was released without charge last Friday.

In a statement released through his solicitor, Mr Gould said: I am entirely innocent and reject the complaint which my former employer has made against me.

He added that he was confident that his position would be vindicated. Gardai have said that investigations on the matter are ongoing, with a file expected to be sent to the DPP.

Mr Goulds party colleague Kenneth Collins, a councillor for the citys North West ward, was also arrested by arrangement in January and released without charge in relation to the same case.

Earlier this week, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Gould had contacted the ceann comhairle seeking the opportunity to address the Dail on this matter.

Speaking to The Echo, David Cullinane, the partys health spokesperson, said he did not believe a Dail statement by Mr Gould might prejudice a garda investigation.

I would imagine that Tommy is acting on the advice of his own legal team, Mr Cullinane said.

He has requested time, as I understand it, to make a very brief statement and thats a matter for Tommy and obviously his legal team.

Tommy, more than anyone, will be conscious of the fact that there is a live investigation.

He very strongly refutes the allegations which have been made.

Its now up to Tommy to deal with that, which he is doing with his solicitor.

The Waterford TD said the garda investigation needed to be allowed to conclude, but he believed Mr Gould should be allowed to make a statement to the house.

Dail Eireann is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, March 19.
The recently elected president of the Cork Business Association (CBA) has said the citys retail industry is set for an exciting year ahead following a positive 2024.

Dave OBrien was elected president of the CBA last month, having held a number of roles within the association over the past five years, including serving as secretary, treasurer and, most recently, vice-president.

Mr OBrien is head of tax at Xeinadin Ireland, an accountancy group based in Ireland and Britain, which acquired Quintas in 2023. He oversees tax planning, company restructures, succession planning, and Vat matters across 30 offices in Ireland.

We are really looking forward to seeing who comes into Debenhams and what flows from that  once we have a few big tenants, smaller businesses will evolve from that, Mr OBrien told The Echo.

Thats likely to be the biggest thing in Cork retail this year, but theres also the Penneys redevelopment, so theres a lot of positives, he added.

However, the outlook is less certain for hospitality, which has had a better start to 2025 than the year previous, with January 2024 seeing a series of restaurant closures including Cork institutions Nash 19 and Tung Sings Patrick St establishment.

It looks like the Vat rate will reduce in the next budget. This is a positive, but the hospitality sector will be waiting to see what the repercussions are, there may be cost increases coming elsewhere as the Government looks to balance that Vat reduction, said Mr OBrien.

Mr OBrien said Donald Trumps presidency could affect the Cork hospitality sector as well as US multinationals and indigenous Irish exports.

Theres good and bad in hospitality at the moment. One of the risks they have is we are pretty reliant on the US market, US tourism coming over.

With the way the US economy is going and what Donald Trump is doing, is there a potential that market will reduce in size? Thats a risk for the hospitality sector for the year, but we wont know until the summer.

As well as the potential risk to Cork hotels, bars and restaurants, there is also the threat of tariffs, or US businesses being lured back to the States, as Cork has benefitted from foreign direct investment, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.

The tariffs could impact exports coming out of Cork, but as of now we just dont know whats in Donald Trumps mind, so its hard to give an answer for whats going to happen, said the CBA president.

The politicians have gone over this week, and I am sure they are going to do their best to make sure we are not subjected to too many tariffs.

The pharmaceutical sector would possibly be most affected by those tariffs, and we have a lot of US multinationals, we dont know what the effect is going to be on those types of businesses.

Cork priorities

Speaking at the AGM following his election, Mr OBrien said he aimed to prioritise a continued focus on two key areas: Cork city as the safest and cleanest city, and the long-term vision of Cork city to 2030.

Over the past year, the CBA set up an active safe and clean committee, advocating for and securing increased Garda presence and a new community safety van.

The organisation also launched successful initiatives such as Leave a Light On and Coffee House Lates, aimed at creating a safer, more vibrant nighttime economy.

A major achievement for the CBA in 2024 was securing funding for community safety wardens, with implementing this initiative set to be Mr OBriens top priority for 2025, through working closely with key stakeholders such as the Department of Justice, Cork City Council, An Garda Siochana, Tusla, and the HSE.

He also plans to work closely with the CBAs Cork city 2030 committee this year to develop a strategy and initiatives for the future of Cork, including housing, transport, and infrastructure.

Housing and safety have a massive impact on business, said Mr OBrien.

If the city isnt safe, people dont come into the city. If its not getting a good reputation worldwide, tourists dont come, and businesses thinking of setting up here may consider an alternative location.

Safety is really important, and what were planning to do with the wardens will no doubt help make the city feel safer and be safer.

Companies wont come to Cork if theres no housing for their employees either, so its vital for attracting businesses that we have housing available  we are definitely planning to push this, he added.

Mr OBrien will be looking at what the CBA can do to improve the housing situation in Cork, including putting pressure on the Government to influence policies.

Planning rules on multiple apartments above shops need to be addressed too, he said.

Other European cities manage this, so why cant we?

Mr OBrien explained that getting a framework in place for their Cork City 2030 pillar will be another big task for this year.

Thats things like transport  the good news is that Bus Eireann now has a full roster of drivers, which is excellent.

What we need is for people to be able to come in and out of the city without too much hassle, and preferably leave the car away at home.

Were still a bit away from that, but were hopefully getting there.

Well be pushing for more park and ride facilities, as the city is not well provided for in that regard.

Alongside housing and transport, the CBA will also be pushing for infrastructure, with Mr OBrien identifying apartments as something they would like to see more of.

Wed like to see more apartment buildings getting built, the gap between getting planning permission and building is too long at the moment, often due to costs.

They would also like to see more diversity of offerings in places like Patrick St, if the alternative is empty units  again, this requires changes to planning regulations so that more change of use permissions can be granted.

Patrick St in particular is currently used almost exclusively for retail, with just one pub on the street, Le Chateau, which has been there since 1793.

Maybe more hospitality could get into the city centre, its all about making it an attractive place for people to come, a more modern city akin to other European cities, Mr OBrien said, adding that currently, almost all businesses on Patrick St are closed in the evenings.

Retailers have warned that new licensing rules around the sale of e-cigarette products might cause several vape shops to go out of business, and Mr OBrien said that if there are closures in Cork, the focus has to be refilling vacant units.

Its a worry if people working in vape shops are losing their jobs, their livelihoods, so were all for trying to keep all types of businesses open.

If they do close down, we need to see can they be turned into another retail premises, or hospitality or even residential.

More people living in the city is more people visiting the shops and hospitality places, it makes it viable for more businesses to open  the key is just getting units filled, one way or another.
Cork City Council is encouraging businesses and service providers to use cupla focal today to celebrate La na Gaeilge.

While La na Gaeilge is usually celebrated on St Patricks Eve, the council said they decided to bring it forward as this years bank holiday falls on a Monday.

The council said that the decision came as they were looking to host the celebration on a date that would have maximum impact.

To assist participating businesses and service providers, Grupa Forbartha Gaeilge has prepared a laminated A5 card with common phrases, which is available for collection in Cork City Councils network of 10 libraries, through the councils public offices, and online via the councils website.

Speaking to The Echo, the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, said that the initiative is an opportunity to boost the use of the Irish language in everyday conversation.

What weve done is we have printed up a card that we are trying to widely distribute to people; it has seanfhocail on it for people to repeat, said Mr Boyle.

It marks out everyday phrases that can be used, from greetings and phrases that can be used on St Patricks Day to phrases you would use as general pleasantries, or phrases you would use at work.

They are common phrases and simple statements that are easy to learn.

Its to encourage the use of the Irish language and about dropping small bits of Irish into peoples every day speaking.

I think most of us do know Irish but its about having the opportunity and confidence to use it, he added.

Other events taking place across Cork city during Seachtain na Gaeilge include more than 35 Irish language or bilingual events throughout the councils library network; An Ceili Mor in Millennium Hall tomorrow; and the launch of the Gradam Phadraig Ui Chuanachain awards by Gael-Taca, celebrating and acknowledging companies using the Irish language in public signage and service provision.
A 51-year-old man punched himself repeatedly in the face at the height of a disturbance in Cork city.

Now at Cork District Court the accused man, Marius Inta of St. Vincents hostel, Anglesea Street, Cork, has pleaded guilty to charges of being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others and that he engaged in threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said, It was unusual behaviour to say the least.

Mr Burke said the accused had been living in Ireland for 30 years but returned to Romania for a few weeks prior to this.

Mr Burke said that before this incident last July the last time the accused came to the attention of gardai was back in 2017.

Judge Aine Dorgan asked if the accused had apologised to An Garda Siochana. Mr Burke said that he was apologising now but that unfortunately, on the night, he was not in a fit stage to apologise.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the incident occurred on July 6 2024 when gardai attended Gerald Griffin Street where it was reported that a man was kicking and spitting at passing cars.

He was screaming incoherently at members of the public who were walking across the road from him.

He called gardai f***ing c***s. He was repeatedly screaming loudly and punching himself, Sgt. Murphy said.

Judge Clancy fined him 200 for being drunk and a danger and 250 for being threatening and abusive.
Eimear Dodd

A man who targeted a vulnerable young woman, controlling her movements for two hours and forcing her to give him money and a phone, has been jailed for four years.

Sinore Iosca (25) of Sheephill Green, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to false imprisonment on May 14th, 2018. He has no previous convictions.

Detective Garda Cathal Feeney gave evidence on Wednesday that the then 23-year-old woman, who has Down syndrome, encountered Iosca (then 18) on Aungier Street on the afternoon of May 14, 2018.

He told her he'd been robbed and had no money. He walked her to a nearby ATM where she withdrew 20 and gave it to him.

Iosca then walked her to another ATM, where she withdrew 400, which she also gave to him.

He then took the woman and led her onto a bus before they got off at College Green. He then took her to the CompuB store, where she purchased an iPhone X, costing around 1,349.

Iosca then brought the victim to Weirs on Grafton Street, where they looked at Rolex watches. Iosca and the woman left the store. The victim returned a short time later, after which her mother and gardai were alerted.

Grainne O'Neill BL, prosecuting, told the court the State's case is that the woman was targeted, directed, and controlled by Iosca and she was unable to use her free will from the moment she encountered him during her ordeal, which lasted for around two hours.

An extract from the woman's interview with specialist gardai was played to the court during the sentence hearing. During this clip, the victim said Iosca told her he'd been robbed, but she noticed his coat pockets were full.

CCTV stills were handed to the court. Iosca was identified from this footage and arrested a few days later.

The victim's parents and sibling were in court.

A victim impact statement prepared by the woman's parents was read to the court by her father.

He said their cherished and beautiful daughter had suffered deep and distressing psychological injuries as a result of this incident and is now fearful for her safety.

He said the family alongside other services had worked hard to help the woman enjoy as much independence as possible, but these efforts were undermined and negated by this targeted and predatory attack.

He said his daughter has withdrawn socially, become isolated and has trust issues.

The woman's father noted that she had been a victim of a serious crime years before this incident, and that trauma had resurfaced for her and her family.

He said the family are fearful for her and her future. He added that the woman was not safe that day in the city and it saddens the family that this cruelty was inflicted on the woman while she was walking the streets in daylight.

When interviewed, Iosca denied stealing from the woman, saying that she gave him the money and the phone as presents. Iosca identified himself on CCTV and told gardai that he didn't notice the woman had Down syndrome and she looked beautiful and normal to him.

He said he didn't force her or tell her to buy anything, and she wanted to buy it to help him.

A property was searched and the phone was recovered, where Iosca said it would be found.

Michael Hourigan SC, defending, noted this was a distressing and mean incident, for which his client is apologetic.

Imposing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said We Irish think we live in civilised society, but one burden of any court system is to protect the vulnerable.

He said the woman was minding her own business when Iosca took advantage of her. Judge Nolan said the court had to infer Iosca did this to gain materially.

He said the court regarded this as serious wrongdoing and people are entitled to enjoy their liberty and freedom.

Judge Nolan said he was satisfied Iosca knew the difference between right and wrong.

Having considered Iosca's personal circumstances and the mitigation, Judge Nolan handed him a four-year prison sentence, backdated to October 9th last when he went into custody.

The judge said the court's view is that compensation was not appropriate in this case.

Addressing the woman's family, he said this was a sad situation, which must have been devastating for them and wished her well for the future.
By David Young, PA, in Washington, DC

The penny has dropped over the need for a reduction in EU regulations, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin said the winds of change were blowing towards innovation and reduction of regulation.

Theres a move within the European Union now to simplify regulation. I think the penny has dropped. The message has got home.

He made the comments as he attended an event at the US Chamber of Commerce on the penultimate day of his week of engagements in the US.

Mr Martin, who told the event that France was his favourite European country, added: [French President] Emmanuel Macron held a very good AI action summit in Paris about a month ago and [US] vice president JD Vance was there, he gave a very strong message.

A hard message, but he gave it very clear that the US were going to go innovation, innovation, innovation.

Emmanuel Macron and [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen was saying Europe has to become more innovation-focused.

Mr Martin said Ireland was committed to working with the D9+ group of countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic) to advocate for the simplification of regulations in the EU.

Its not been satisfactory. We in Ireland understand that, because a lot of the companies are located in Ireland.

He said there was growing recognition across Europe for the need for a reduction in regulations, but added: That has to be matched by action and real concrete development.

Mr Martin said it is inarguable that European defence spending will increase.

French President Emmanuel Macron (Toby Melville/PA)

He said it is very clear that Ireland will have to play its role in European security, while taking its traditional military neutrality into account.

I can predict that the next multi-financial framework, which is the European Union budget, which will come for the Irish presidency, will involve a significant increase in European Union spending on defence capability, which will be focused on increasing opportunities and capacities from member states to increase their expenditure.

The Taoiseach added that Ireland will become a net contributor to defence capability across Europe through a collective debt instrument.

He added: But Ireland in itself will have to increase, and we are doubling our defence  coming from a very low base  defence expenditure.

But again, we have to do it in a targeted way. Cyber security, sub-sea cables, maritime security  those are probably the most immediate vulnerabilities.

Mr Martin heard that the US Chamber is committed to the trade relationship with Ireland.

Its chief executive and president Suzanne Clark told the Taoiseach: Were such firm believers in the indivisible connection between our countries.

Micheal Martin talking to US Chamber of Commerce chief Suzanne Clark (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Martin said the relationship between Ireland and the US is an enduring partnership.

He added: We do genuinely see this as a two-way street. Ireland is a small, open economy, we depend on trade. We would argue that free trade has lifted prosperity in the world, the era of free trade greater than any other era.

Mr Martin was asked what more the US could do to bring more Irish investment.

In general, he said the feedback about the US was very positive but the issue of visas between the two countries can be particularly problematic.

However, he revealed he found ways around it during his time as minister for enterprise.

Mr Martin said: Flexibility around inward movement of people into the United States is problematic, it is a very restrictive environment in terms of a mobility of visas that are granted from one company to another.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump (Niall Carson/PA)

He said flexibility would benefit the US as it would allow qualified people to work for its companies.

He added: We should be imaginative and weve tried this on a number of occasions that wed be creating a legal channel between America and Ireland, that Americans can come to Ireland through us offering visas to Americans to reside and work in Ireland.

And when I was in Enterprise a long time ago, it used to always pain me, but I did find ways around it.

When Americans fell in love in Ireland, we had to find they developed specialties in certain areas of work and got work permits, and they were happily married ever after.

But, I mean, you know, there was too much to navigate in all of that.

Mr Martin said President Donald Trump was very well disposed to such a mechanism.
David Raleigh

A woman who was repeatedly raped by her uncle when she was a little girl, Thursday, called on the State to electronically tag him and other known sex offenders order to protect children from them.

Sonya Stokes told a demonstration held at City Hall on Thursday evening, that her paedophile uncle Joseph Hogan, and all other convicted sex offenders, should be housed on Spike Island, a former island prison located off the Cork coast, to prevent them harming other victims.

Hogan, (71), Rose Court, Keyes Park, returned to Stokes native Treaty City after he was freed from prison last Thursday, after serving a ten-year sentence for raping her over a four-year period, from 1984-1988.

Ms Stokes, who presently lives in Portaloise, said she returns to Limerick three days-a-week providing support to other victims of sexual abuse.

Seeing or bumping into Hogan in the street in their home city fills her with dread and more trauma, Ms Stokes explained.

Calling on law makers to make it a crime for convicted sex offenders to live or work in the same city, town, village or area as were their victims reside or work, Ms Stokes said: I should feel safe in my home town, and I dont want to be booking into a hotel and meet him in a lift while Im in there, because I cant say what my reaction would be.

I, as the victim, should not be put in that position and I should not have to fight this fight.

Speaking out is my duty to protect other children, and the State needs to make this change and thats the bottom line.

[caption id="attachment_1740336" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo: Brendan Gleeson[/caption]

Ms Stokes said that, after his release from jail, Hogan was initially residing at a Limerick hotel, where vulnerable women and children were staying.

She said Hogan vacated the hotel after she informed the premises about his horrific child sex crimes. Hogans last known whereabouts were in a building located very near a school.

I spoke with the manager, who was flabbergasted. He (Hogan) was booked into the hotel under a different name. Its just not acceptable, its just not good enough, said Ms Stokes.

There are a number of convicted sex offenders, including several convicted paedophiles, living in Limerick City, however Ireland, unlike other countries does not have a publicly accessible sex offenders register.

In 2015 Hogan was jailed for 15 years after a jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty of raping Ms Stokes when she was a child. What the jury did not know at the time was that Hogan had previous convictions in 1973 and 1974, in Ireland and in England, for indecently assaulting young girls.

Ms Stokes was accompanied at Thursdays protest by fellow Limerick woman, Leona OCallaghan, who was raped by Patrick Whacker ODea, Pike Avenue, Limerick, when she was 13; and by Shaneda Daly, Shannon, Co Clare, who as a child was raped daily by her prison officer father, Harry Daly.

Ms Stokes said: This is very important to me and other victims. My happiest days were when he (Hogan) was locked up, and now he is out and living in Limerick and I am not even sleeping.

Ok, he is out and he is entitled, as a human, to live somewhere, but he should not have his freedom in our home town, he should not have rights to live in the same town where he offended.

To prevent paedophiles going underground if outed, Ms Stokes said: Put them in an institution, open up the likes of Spike Island and put them there, they shouldnt be around a school or a creche.

Last night he (Hogan) was spotted in a premises across the road from where I go when I come into Limerick every week.

Calling for a change in the law, Ms Stokes said: Enough is enough, what is happening is wrong, it is just wrong.

Ms Stokes also called for increased garda supervision of known sex offenders.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Olivia Kelleher

Inside Airbnb data indicates that 20,000 homes are being advertised as short-term lets across Ireland whilst just 2,300 homes are available nationwide in the private rental market, according to the housing charity Threshold.

Inside Airbnb collects and collates figures from around the world from the popular lettings and homestays website.

Threshold says that the most recent data from Inside Airbnb goes back three months. At that time the number of properties listed in Ireland, excluding home share listings, was 20,176.

While hosts can short-let a principal private residence for 90 days without a change in use in planning permission, there are almost 8,000 full properties on the popular short stay website, where the host operates more than one property.

Threshold said that this compares to figures by Daft.ie last month, which showed that there were less than 2,300 homes advertised to privately rent nationwide.

In addition, in 2024 there were only 167 requests for change of use planning permission to local authorities in the 26 counties combined  which is legally required for properties operated as short-term lets of more than 90 days a year.

Threshold is asking the Government to urgently pass legislation to create a register of short-term lets to ensure the return of some of these homes to long-term use, without further delay.

Meanwhile, Threshold chief executive John-Mark McCafferty said the bottom line is that many homes could be brought back to the long-term market.

Existing planning regulations are not enforced and short-term let regulations are not yet passed into law.

"This is resulting in thousands of homes being advertised for short-term lets in this lucrative market, while the housing and rental crisis escalates nationwide. This is within the Governments gift to solve.

Even though Failte Ireland has created the infrastructure for a register of short-term lets, the Government is yet to pass the legislation to bring the short-term market into line with the rest of the hospitality sector.

"Given this, and an EU Directive that must be applied by next year, what is the issue here? Its a straightforward measure that could free up much needed housing.

Dublin has the highest number of hosts who have at least two full properties for short term lets  with 856 hosts advertising 2,287 properties. Cork is the second highest county where this is the case, with 312 hosts advertising 616 properties.

Mr McCafferty said that issue is particularly acute in Galway where 292 hosts are advertising 1,009 properties across the city and county. Waterford had 83 hosts advertising 185 properties, while Limerick had 53 hosting with 97 properties lists.

A deeper dive of this Inside Airbnb data by Threshold shows that one couple who are described as private hosts has 189 live listings.

A private individual host had 92 live listings  with one for example, a three-bed home in Ranelagh in June for two weeks, at a cost of 3,885. Another individual private host in Dublin 24 was advertising a 3-bed home, from Saturday March 15th to March 22nd, 2025 for 1,330 with a 7-day minimum stay.

Mr McCafferty added that the government claims housing is the number one issue.

And yet directly under their noses is a way in which to address that, and free up some of the huge pressure in the housing market  yet they keep kicking this issue down the road. We need action now to address this important issue.

In an emailed statement, Airbnb said the data is not reflective of what the company sees on its platform.

A spokesperson said a typical host in Ireland shares one home for less than four nights a month and nearly nine in 10 entire home hosts share only one listing.

"The majority of listings are outside Dublin and part of the rural tourism economy, and almost half of hosts say the extra income helps them afford to stay in their home.

"While Airbnb is not the cause of longstanding housing challenges, we will continue to work with the Government as it looks to bring in new regulation. We have long called for Ireland to introduce proportional short-term let rules, including a host register, that protect the families, communities, and businesses that depend on tourism.
A West Cork woman is the first female to be honoured with a prestigious award that marks her 20-year contribution to the intricate craft of plastering.

Dolcie Ross Keogh, 37, was recently certified a Master Plasterer at a ceremony in Londons Mansion House, which she said was possibly one of the most special days in her life.

The mum-of-one, who lives in Ballydehob, travels all over Ireland and the UK with her work, in which she routinely scales 20ft high scaffolding to work on intricate ceilings  one of which recently took 364 days to complete  as well as a wide range of other decorative installations.

Dolcie started her plastering career at the tender age of 16, and said she was hooked from the get-go.

Dolcie says its a privilege to be able to work on such a range of buildings.

I got a summer job working on a building site when I was 15 and I met Kevin Holbrook who owned Living With The Past, a restoration and conservation company and who I now refer to as my plasterer dad.

He offered me an apprenticeship while I was still at school. I took a month off to try it on a trial basis but my love for the craft was instantaneous.

The decision must have been a surprise to Dolcies parents?

It was a difficult decision to make, especially as its such a male-dominated industry, so yes, they were a little daunted at the thoughts of me leaving formal education after doing my junior cert, but they were very supportive.

She started out learning the basic elements of plain plastering, but naturally moved towards decorative plastering and conservation, which is her area of expertise.

That might involve working on cornices, removing and replacing a ceiling in a castle, putting in a decoration in the centre of a ceiling in a regular home, whatever the customer wants!

Working as a freelancer, Dolcie describes herself as a wandering plasterer, but frequently collaborates with dad Kevin, and the two were recently involved in a massive project decorating ceilings at Castlefreke Castle, near Clonakilty.

All the ceilings there are unique and based on Irish and Welsh myths and include dragons and gothic images. There was no architect involved so we had to put pen to paper and come up with the designs ourselves, then make the maquette, thats a three-dimensional object made as a preparatory study for a full-sized sculpture, and then create and install them.

Dolcie started out learning the basic elements of plain plastering but naturally moved towards decorative plastering and conservation, which is her area of expertise.

The iconic Castle Howard in the UK, Strancally Castle in Waterford, Shandon Church, Blackrock Convent, Gloster House in Offaly, LAS American School, and Leysin in Switzerland are some of the many places that have benefited from her incredible talent.

Dolcie is also working on a conservation project at St Finbarres Cathedral in Cork with Kevin Holbrook.

Were restoring the original maquettes that were used for the cathedral. They are 150 years old and were kept in a basement for years, where they didnt see the light of day. Its a really cool project which Im very excited about, she said.

Outside of that, she works on private homes, and says programmes like RTEs The Great Home Revival are helping to ignite peoples appetite for something different, with a move away from carbon copy homes.

People are going back to spending money on their homes, I think, and personalising them. I think after spending so much time at home during covid, people have more of an appetite to make their spaces their own.

Dolcie Ross Keogh started her career at the age of 16

Dolcie says that its a privilege to be able to work on such a range of buildings.

I find a real peace when Im creating. The amount of people Ive met through work over the years too is incredible, and its a joy to be able to create personal things, that will be there for generations, leaving little traces of me around the place. At the end of the day, Im sure no-one will remember Ive made them, but who knows, someone might spot a flower or a cherub and recognise it as one of mine!

Sustainability is important to Dolcie, shes passionate about it, and for that reason, where possible she prefers to work free-hand rather than relying on silicone moulds which can only be used once.

Craft, she says, is such a human thing, adding: Were the only species that creates for no other reason than to create.

Dolcie always sketches by hand, rather than using computer.

I like to make things hard for myself! But I always give my clients the sketches afterwards and they really appreciate that, she said.

Dolcie is also an accomplished musician, playing mainly the violin, and has performed with several bands over the years, Music has taken a bit of a back seat but its still a big love of mine, she said.

Dolcie teaches on an All Ireland Heritage skills course run by the Heritage Council and The Kings Foundation.

Her fiance is Robert Collender, former owner of restaurant Mews in Baltimore, and they are parents to six-year-old Elodie.

Along with my parents, they are my biggest supporters. Plastering is definitely a male-dominated industry and I definitely felt I had to work harder to prove myself, even if that was something I felt I had to do myself. All the plasterers Ive worked with over the years have been really supportive, but coming up through the ranks, I never once came across another female.

Thats why shes now so committed to mentoring and supporting other females entering the industry.

Dolcie teaches on an All Ireland Heritage skills course run by the Heritage Council and The Kings Foundation.

There are so many girls coming on stream now through apprenticeships, and thats lovely to see, and I think its very important to be able to encourage and support them, particularly as I feel that plastering is something thats being deskilled in the apprenticeship system.

With her Master Plasterer Certificate, which recognises those who have achieved the highest level of skills in the industry over a number of years and can demonstrate excellence in the art, craft, science and practice of plastering, Dolcie is keen to do more work like this.

She doesnt hold lightly the fact that shes the first female to be honoured by the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers. And she said it was even more special to be recognised alongside Kevin, who also received the Master Plasterer Cert.

Through plastering, shes certain that shes found her calling.

I just loved it as soon as I got my hands on the materials  I knew it was for life. Heres to the next 20 years!
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Lee Zeldin speaks during his Senate Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Jan. 16, 2025. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

In what United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin called the most consequential day of deregulation in American history, on Wednesday the EPA chief announced 31 deregulation actions that will roll back Biden-era environmental rules, including those concerning climate change, electric vehicles (EVs) and pollution limits for coal-fired power plants, reported The Associated Press.

If approved, Zeldin said the actions will lower prices for common expenses like home heat, purchasing a car and operating a business by eliminating trillions in regulatory costs and hidden taxes.

Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more, Zeldin said in a press release from the EPA. Alongside President Trump, we are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, and work hand-in-hand with our state partners to advance our shared mission.

Of the dozens of environmental regulations set to be rolled back is an EPA finding from 2009 that greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. The Clean Air Act determination is the basis for a large number of climate regulations for power plants, automobiles and other sources of pollution.

Climate scientists and environmentalists consider the Obama-era endangerment finding a cornerstone of U.S. law, saying any attempt to reverse it is not likely to succeed.

In the face of overwhelming science, its impossible to think that the EPA could develop a contradictory finding that would stand up in court, said David Doniger, senior attorney and strategist with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in an NRDC Expert Blog post. Indeed, the courts have repeatedly rejected attacks on the finding. Even Trumps first-term EPA administrators understood that reversing it was a fools errand, in the words of one conservative former agency official.

Among the other regulations set to be reconsidered by the EPA are regulations throttling the oil and gas industry; mercury standards that the agency said improperly targeted coal-fired power plants; the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program; and regulations for wastewater from coal plants.

From the campaign trail to Day 1 and beyond, President Trump has delivered on his promise to unleash energy dominance and lower the cost of living, Zeldin said in a video. We at E.P.A. will do our part to power the great American comeback.

Zeldin spoke of the changes without mentioning the EPAs guiding principles: to protect the environment and public health.

In an explanation of the EPAs mission, the first Administrator of the EPA William D. Ruckelshaus said the agency has no obligation to promote agriculture or commerce; only the critical obligation to protect and enhance the environment.

Weeks following the creation of the EPA by former President Richard M. Nixon in 1970, Ruckelshaus said its focus would be on research, as well as five areas of standards and enforcements: air and water pollution, pesticides, waste disposal and radiation, The New York Times reported.

Zeldin said limits on smokestacks linked to respiratory issues and premature deaths would be overturned, along with the Clean Air Acts Good Neighbor provision requiring states to be responsible for their own pollution when it is blown into neighboring states. The EPA would also do away with enforcement efforts prioritizing the safety of predominantly poor and minority communities.

When environmental policy is created by the agency, Zeldin said it will no longer take into consideration the societal costs of storms, wildfires, droughts and other disasters that could be worsened by pollution connected to the policy.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on March 13, 2025. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

The EPAs announcements are not legally binding, and in nearly every case the agency would need to undergo a lengthy public comment process, as well as formulate economic and environmental justifications for each revision.

Environmentalists and democrats accused Zeldin of deserting the responsibility of the EPA to safeguard the environment and human health.

Today is the day Trumps Big Oil megadonors paid for, said Democratic Senator from Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse, as reported by The New York Times. Administrator Zeldin clearly lied when he told us that he would respect the science and listen to the experts.

Jackie Wong, NRDCs senior vice president for climate change and energy, said weakening the rules would result in increases in health problems like heart attacks and asthma.

At a time when millions of Americans are trying to rebuild after horrific wildfires and climate-fueled hurricanes, its nonsensical to try to deny that climate change harms our health and welfare, Wong said.

Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator during the Obama administration, called it the most disastrous day in EPA history. Rolling these rules back is not just a disgrace, its a threat to all of us. The agency has fully abdicated its mission to protect Americans health and well being.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

A resident of Springdale, Pennsylvania looks out her window at the smokestack of the Cheswick coal-fired power plant on Oct. 27, 2017. Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images

The Trump administration plans to reconsider an official finding by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2009 that greenhouse gases harm public health.

The endangerment finding for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act forms the foundation of the countrys climate regulations.

Ive been told the endangerment finding is considered the holy grail of the climate change religion, said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, as Inside Climate News reported. For me, the U.S. Constitution and the laws of this nation will be strictly interpreted and followed, no exceptions. Today, the green new scam ends.

During his confirmation hearing, Zeldin acknowledged the threats caused by sea level rise and climate change, but has been viewed as backtracking on his promise to respect the science and listen to the experts.

The announcement was part of dozens of environmental regulation rollbacks made public by Zeldin on Wednesday.

The 2009 endangerment finding followed a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases and is the basis for all pollution reduction rules, reported The Guardian.

Zeldin said the EPA would reconsider the finding over concerns that it had resulted in an agenda that throttles our industries, our mobility, and our consumer choice while benefiting adversaries overseas.

Since its creation in 1970, the EPAs main mission has been to protect public health and the environment.

Zeldin is rewriting that mission, saying the aim of the rollbacks is to lower the cost of buying a car, heating a home and running a business.

Zeldin called it the most consequential day of deregulation in American history, adding that we are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion and ushering in Americas Golden Age.

Environmentalists denounced the EPAs plans and promised to defend scientific findings, as well as the countrys ability to tackle climate change through the court system.

The Trump administrations ignorance is trumped only by its malice toward the planet, said Jason Rylander, legal director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity, as The Guardian reported. Come hell or high water, raging fires and deadly heatwaves, Trump and his cronies are bent on putting polluter profits ahead of peoples lives. This move wont stand up in court. Were going to fight it every step of the way.

Pollution from cars, power plants and industry causes many health problems, while greenhouse gases are responsible for the global heating that fuels disastrous heat waves, wildfires, storms and flooding, among other impacts.

Zeldins EPA is dragging America back to the days before the Clean Air Act, when people were dying from pollution, said Dominique Browning, director of Moms Clean Air Force. This is unacceptable. And shameful. We will oppose with all our hearts to protect our children from this cruel, monstrous action.

Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator during the Obama administration, called Wednesday the most disastrous day in EPA history.

Rolling these rules back is not just a disgrace, its a threat to all of us. The agency has fully abdicated its mission to protect Americans health and wellbeing, McCarthy said.
(Photo: Vatican News)Children from a school in Rome left an expression of their prayers for Pope Francis outside the city's Gemelli hospital on March 13, 2025

In the twelfth year of his papacy, Pope Francis marked several key events for the Catholic Church in his 88th year while receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

The Pope continues to alternate between non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygenation with nasal cannulas during the day, Vatican News reported on March 13.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 to receive treatment for bilateral pneumonia.

"The clinical condition of the Holy Father has remained stable in the context of an overall complex medical picture," according to the statement published by Vatican News.

"The chest X-ray performed [on Tuesday] has radiologically confirmed the improvements observed in the previous days."

Francis, was elected on March 13, 2013.

- Video Link

In recent days, the Pope has joined spiritual exercises of prayers and meditation held at the Vatican via video link, without being seen.

In a break with tradition, the Holy See has provided daily updates at Francis's own request, the BBC reported.

Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, in Argentina and is the first pope from the Americas.

The Pope has been known to work himself to exhaustion, reported the BBC and he is likely to face a long road to recovery.

There has been speculation he could choose to follow his predecessor, Benedict XVI, and step down.

"But his friends and biographers have insisted he has no plans to step down," said the report

Some 32 million pilgrims are expected to come to Rome in 2025, a Catholic Holy Year.

Francis has also been planning at least one foreign trip to Turkiye for the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of a major Christian council of bishops in ancient Nicaea.

In his native Argentina, churches across the country will hold masses of thanksgiving to mark the anniversary. The services will also include prayers for his health.

He has been receiving non-invasive oxygen therapy, administered by nasal tubes during the day and via a mask at night.

"Gemelli Hospital has become a second Vatican, a Vatican 2, one might say, because Francis continues to govern the church from there," America, the Jesuit Review commented on March 13.

"He receives top Vatican officials, reads briefs, approves decrees to declare new saints and blesseds, nominates bishops for dioceses worldwide, responds to Jubilee events and expresses concern for the world's conflict situations, including in Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan and Myanmar and for the flood victims in his homeland."
March 13, 2025: Military leaders, when faced with peacetime decisions on how to fight the next war, can never predict what will happen if there is a war. Wartime experience is something few countries seek. Russia is one of the few and deliberately invaded Ukraine in 2022.That decision was a lot more expensive in terms of Russians killed, economic damage and becoming a pariah state to most of the industrialized nations in the world. Some of these nations are seeking answers to what would happen to them if they were invaded from the last war they or others fought. For many nations there are important lessons in the Ukraine War and the Russian failure to win against its smaller opponent.

One of the only positive things to come out of the Ukraine war was the emergence of drone warfare. Implementing lessons learned from the Ukraine war, especially the widespread use of drones, is forcing military leaders worldwide to rethink how their forces are organized, armed and trained. For example, a few thousand dollars worth of drones can and have destroyed multi-million dollar M1 tanks. The U.S. has over 5,000 M1s available for use.

The Americans are not trying to develop and build cheap air-defense drones like those which are already being used in Ukraine. The United States could buy them from Ukraine or build them under license in the United States. There are some other issues. In wartime drone designs evolve rapidly. Stockpiling thousands of drones produced in 2024 and 2025 would create a problem when using them a year or more after 2025. The enemy may have built more advanced drones in anticipation of offing them in a surprise attack. The American stockpiled drones would then be less useful because they are older designs. This is especially true with anti-drone drones, a recent development that is still evolving rapidly.

Meanwhile American defense manufacturers resist converting to drone production. There is less profit in cheap drones compared to multi-million dollar aircraft, tanks and air defense systems. It would take a wartime situation to force the defense firms to adapt to producing a lot of cheap drones.

American attempts to adopt the new drone tactics and technology developed, and still developing, in Ukraine have encountered problems. First, the U.S. is not at war and the military bureaucracy has a peacetime attitude towards any new technology. This includes the use of drones in Ukraine and the flood of practical experience and solutions passed by Ukraine. Current U.S. Army drones, when used in Ukraine, often encounter problems the Ukrainian drones dont. In a wartime situation, Ukrainians have been quick to make changes until they get the results they need. This includes quickly designing and building long range drones that can attack targets deep inside Russia. These attacks have done noticeable damage to Russian military abilities. As impressive as these attacks are, can other nations reproduce the Ukrainian success?

The American military may want to implement the lessons of drone use in Ukraine, but American defense contractors and manufacturers feel compelled to modify and improve what the Ukrainians have done while they adapt Ukrainian drone tech to something new which United States forces can use and Congress will pay for. This process tends to lower the effectiveness of what the Ukrainians have created, while delaying the product and enriching the contractors and manufacturers. The lesser effectiveness is usually revealed the first time American troops use the U.S. version of Ukrainian drone tech. Something is lost in the tech translation. This is nothing new. Its been happening for over a century.

Adapting and adopting Ukrainian drone technology means there will be new drone modifications and upgrades for as long as the fighting in Ukraine lasts. These changes come quickly in wartime and always have. In Ukraine, drone designs can be changed in less than a week. This is usually because the Russians have gained an edge with one of their recent tweaks.

While Ukraine has been in the forefront of developing and upgrading drone technology, the Russians have kept up. In war time you either keep up or become an inept underdog that falls farther and farther behind. The Russians have kept most of the time and, when they fail to keep up, suffer heavy losses.

The peacetime American military has no such wartime feedback loop. If someone in the defense procurement establishment says the current American drone tech is good, it is considered officially adequate. Sending U.S. drone adaptations to Ukraine for testing takes place, but often over the objections of some U.S. manufacturers. When tested in combat, some of the U.S. drones fail to deliver. When the Ukraine war ends, there will be no way to adequately test American drones. There may be other wars where American troops are involved and able to test the new drones. But it wont be in the intensely competitive atmosphere the Ukrainians and Russians created.

Ukraine has been writing the book on drone technology since 2022, with Russia contributing edits in real time. When that atmosphere is not present, the speed of developing new tech or maintaining current drones slows down a lot. This process is at work now as the U.S. Army orders drones based on Ukrainian designs. The American military procurement bureaucracy is infamously slow in adopting and manufacturing new weapons. This is especially true if a weapon was not invented by an American weapons manufacturer. It is feared that the Ukrainian drone revolution will be equally slow in actually reaching Americans soldiers and marines. Many military and Defense Department civilians are aware of this problem and see the drone development and procurement program as an opportunity to show that the United States can do it right and quickly. It is said that the Ukrainians suggested that the Americans have a toy company manufacture their drones because they are more efficient than the usual defense firms. Also, the toy companies have spare capacity for months before they have to start making toys for the holidays. Early in the war Ukraine relied on civilians in home workshops to design and build drones. Now that Ukraine is building millions of drones a year, most are built in underground factories. Drone manufacturing is a prime target for Russian drones and ballistic missiles.

In early 2024 Ukraine created a new branch of their military, the Unmanned Systems Force or USF. This is in addition to the army, navy and air force. The USF does not control the drones which Ukrainian forces use regularly but instead contributes to developing new drone models and organizes mass production for those new models that are successful. The U.S. military took note of this but acting on it takes a lot longer for a peacetime military.

Drones were an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine's current war are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable. Modifications and upgrades could be implemented quickly and inexpensively Both Russian and Ukrainian forces were soon using cheap quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers a few kilometers distant using First Person Viewing or FPV goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. These drones cost a few hundred dollars each with the most complex models going for about a thousand dollars. Most of these drones carry half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. Some drones carry more explosives depending on what is needed to deal with a target.

These drones are awesome and debilitating weapons when used in large numbers. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the drones can supply, one of the drone operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. A major limitation to the expansion of drone operations is the need for trained drone operators. As operators spend more hours operating drones in combat, the number of new lessons learned and applied increases. Fortunately, adults or kids who play video games a lot are already trained. Ukrainian drone operators tend to use commercial game controllers. This is why, when Ukraine recruits new drone operators, they favor those with video game experience.

The small drones are difficult to shoot down so most of these drones are able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or reconnaissance and surveillance. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the drone to be reused. All these drones are constantly performing surveillance, which means that both sides commit enough drones to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers. Longer range drones can track Russian operations hundreds of kilometers behind the front lines.

This massive use of FPV-armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Russia initially produced its own drones now after briefly using imported Iranian Shahed-136 drones that cost over $100,000 each. Ukraine demonstrated that you could design and build drones with similar capabilities at less than a tenth of that. The Iranian drone was more complex than it needed to be, and even the Russians soon realized this and turned from the Shahed-136 for more capable drones they copied from Ukrainian designs or their own.

Military leaders in other nations have noted this and are scrambling to equip their own forces with the most effective drones. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These drones are still evolving in terms of design and use and are becoming more effective and essential.

One countermeasure that can work for a while is electronic jamming of the drones control signal. Drone guidance systems are constantly modified or upgraded to cope with this. Most drones have flight control software that sends drones with jammed control signals back to where they took off to land for reuse. The jammers on the ground can be attacked by drones programmed to home in on the jamming signal. Countermeasures can be overcome and the side that can do this more quickly and completely has an advantage. That advantage is usually temporary because both sides are putting a lot of effort into keeping their combat drones effective on the battlefield.
SEMI Europe announced the winners of the SEMI European Award and Special Service Award for 2024 at the SEMI Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe) 2025: Kurt Sievers/NXP Semiconductors and Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen/Okmetic.

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Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors, was honored with the SEMI European Award and Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen, Chief Commercial Officer of Okmetic, received the Special Service Award. For over 30 years, these prestigious awards have celebrated influential figures within the semiconductor industry, recognizing their exceptional leadership and strategic contributions that push technological progress forward.

Kurt Sievers has been recognized for his exemplary leadership in driving NXP Semiconductors' expansion. A key milestone in his career was the successful merger of NXP and Freescale Semiconductor, which strengthened the companys position as a global leader in automotive semiconductors and secure edge processing.

Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen has been recognized for her dedicated contributions to the semiconductor industry. She has played a vital role in understanding the needs of device manufacturers and developing pioneering substrate solutions. Her achievements have enabled advancements in multiple areas including the development of cavity SOI wafers for MEMS devices, high-resistivity wafers for RF applications, and specialized templates for III-N on silicon growth.
OpenAI is calling on the Trump administration to give AI companies an exemption to train their models on copyrighted material. In a blog post spotted by The Verge, the company this week published its response to President Trump's AI Action Plan. Announced at the end of February, the initiative saw the White House seek input from private industry, with the goal of eventually enacting policy that will work to "enhance America's position as an AI powerhouse" and enable innovation in the sector.

"America's robust, balanced intellectual property system has long been key to our global leadership on innovation. We propose a copyright strategy that would extend the system's role into the Intelligence Age by protecting the rights and interests of content creators while also protecting America's AI leadership and national security," OpenAI writes in its submission. "The federal government can both secure Americans' freedom to learn from AI, and avoid forfeiting our AI lead to the [People's Republic of China] by preserving American AI models' ability to learn from copyrighted material."

In the same document, the company recommends the US maintain tight export controls on AI chips to China. It also says the US government should broadly adopt AI tools. Incidentally, OpenAI began offering a version of ChatGPT designed for US government use earlier this year.

This week, Google also published its own list of recommendations for the president's AI Action Plan. Like OpenAI, the search giant says it should be able to train AI models on copyrighted material.

"Balanced copyright rules, such as fair use and text-and-data mining exceptions, have been critical to enabling AI systems to learn from prior knowledge and publicly available data, unlocking scientific and social advances," Google writes. "These exceptions allow for the use of copyrighted, publicly available material for AI training without significantly impacting rightsholders and avoid often highly unpredictable, imbalanced, and lengthy negotiations with data holders during model development or scientific experimentation."

Last year, OpenAI said it would be "impossible to train today's leading AI models without using copyrighted materials." The company currently faces numerous lawsuits accusing it of copyright infringement, including ones involving The New York Times and a group of authors led by George R.R. Martin and Jonathan Franzen. At the same time, the company recently accused Chinese AI startups of trying to copy its technologies.
A pair of human rights groups are challenging the UK government's shockingly intrusive order for Apple to create a backdoor into its encrypted user data, as first reported by Financial Times. Privacy International and Liberty have filed a legal complaint with the country's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which is reportedly scheduled to hear Apple's appeal on Friday.

The complaint argues that Apple's appeal to the order should be publicly heard. In addition, the groups' challenge contends that the government's move violates customers' free expression and privacy rights by forcing the company to neuter its product security.

"The UK's use of a secret order to undermine security for people worldwide is unacceptable and disproportionate," Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at Privacy International, told The FT. "People the world over rely on end-to-end encryption to protect themselves from harassment and oppression. No country should have the power to undermine that protection for everyone."

UK media outlets (including the BBC, Reuters, Financial Times, The Guardian and more) have also filed complaints with the IPT, arguing that the case should be heard publicly. Ditto for the advocacy organizations Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship and the Open Rights Group.

Apple

The UK order requires Apple to give the government blanket access to private user data encrypted through its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature. Introduced in iOS 16.2 in 2022, ADP applies end-to-end encryption to iCloud data like device backups, Messages content, notes and photos. Even Apple can't access it.

Apple removed ADP in the UK in response to the order before issuing its own legal challenge. But since the backdoor would also apply to users outside the UK, the private data of anyone with an Apple account would be vulnerable. Security experts (and common sense) warn that the backdoor would needlessly expose anyone with an Apple Account to foreign spying, hackers and adversarial countries.

We only know about the UK order because of a leak last month. That's because it was issued under the country's Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which expanded the surveillance powers of British intelligence agencies and law enforcement (earning its, uh, term of endearment, the "Snooper's Charter"). The rules also prevent Apple from commenting on or publicly acknowledging the existence of the privacy-eviscerating order  or using its appeal to delay compliance. Apple said last month, "We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products or services, and we never will."
The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee is looking into whether the Biden administration tried to "censor" artificial intelligence. Representative Jim Jordan has sent subpoenas to sixteen different tech companies that work with AI in some capacity to ask for any and all communications from the previous administration about limiting "harmful bias" and "algorithmic discrimination."

Subpoenas were sent to Adobe, Alphabet, Amazon, Anthropic, Apple, Cohere, International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), Inflection AI, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Open AI, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI and Stability AI, and each requests an extensive amount of information, covering five years from January 1, 2020 to January 20, 2025. Essentially any and all documents and communications "referring or relating to the moderation, deletion, suppression, restriction, or reduced circulation of the content, input, or output of an AI model, training dataset, algorithm, system, or product," need to be included, whether between the companies and the previous administration, internal communications about those discussions or discussions with third-parties.

Jordan and the committee are alleging that the former President's executive order calling for regulations on algorithmic discrimination and guidelines for how the federal government will use AI pressured private companies to censor speech. Digging up old documents and communications is an attempt to connect those seemingly distant dots.

Pestering tech companies is not exactly new for Jordan. Just last week he subpoenaed Google over separate censorship concerns, and over the last few years he's regularly made a show of bringing in tech CEOs to testify about moderation. The main difference now is that companies that don't even run speech platforms like Adobe or Nvidia are receiving scrutiny, too.
March 13, 2025: With all the personnel, ship building and deployment problems the U.S. Navy has, arguments over what to name ships should not be a problem. But it sometimes is. In the beginning the first president, George Washington, named the first six American frigates Chesapeake, Constitution, President, United States, Congress and Constellation. These ships were expensive, as in nearly $20 billion in 2025 currency. From then until the 1970s battleships were named for states, aircraft carriers for American Revolution battles Lexington or Saratoga, as well as military terms like Ranger, which refers to a form of elite infantry. Bonhomme Richard honored a successful warship of the American revolution. Cruisers were named for cities and towns, destroyers in honor of American Navy and Marine Corps heroes and submarines after fish. Many of the first American submarines built before World War II were given names consisting of a letter and a number, like L-3. These subs quickly acquired informal names used by the crew. Eventually U.S. submarines were all named after fish, in addition to a letters-number designation like SS-168 for the USS Nautilus. This sub served in the Pacific and was decommissioned and scrapped right after the war.





The first nuclear powered sub was the Nautilus, which entered service in 1954 and was decommissioned in 1980. Nearly all subsequent nuclear powered attack subs, or SSNs, were named after fish. The larger ballistic missile carrying SSBNs were named after famous Americans like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. In 1984 an SSN was named after Admiral Rickover, the man behind the nuclear submarine program. Rickover was still alive when his namesake submarine entered service. Rickover was the first to be so honored. In 1974 Carl Vinson, a member of Congress had a ship named after him, but he died before the ship was commissioned. So far 21 US Navy ships have been named after people still alive. The navy had banned that practice in 1969 but in 1974 President Nixon revived the practice. Most recently a SSN was named after the still living former President Jimmy Carter, who was scheduled to serve on one when his father died and he left the Navy to take over his familys business.

Ship naming practices continue to be controversial. Many navy personnel, active and retired, believe ships should be named after American heroes, not politicians. All this goes back to the period right after World War II, when the military procurement system became more corrupt, largely the result of so much more being spent on defense. One aspect of that corruption was the growing custom of naming major warships after influential politicians. This was a way for the navy, and warship builders, to curry more favor and money from Congress.

The worst example of this was the Nimitz class carriers, which could also be called the Politician Class. All but one of the ten carriers was named after political figures that helped the navy. The sole exception was the lead ship, which was named after the World War II Pacific commander, Admiral Chester Nimitz. The successor to the Nimitz class continues the tradition, being named after President Gerald Ford. But at least Ford served with distinction on light carrier USS Monterey during World War II.

The most debased example of using warship names to attract political favor, and defense dollars, was the 2010 U.S. Navy decision to name an amphibious ship, LPD 26 after a recently deceased member of Congress, John Murtha. This really angered the troops, especially marines. That was ironic, as Murtha had spent 37 years in the marines, 33 of them in the reserves. He served a year in Vietnam as a staff officer. He parlayed that military experience into a political career, first at the state level then in Washington.

Murtha was known as a particularly easy guy to do business with and a supreme opportunist. He was nicknamed the King of Pork for his ability to get projects, often useless but lucrative ones, approved for his district. What made Murtha especially unpopular with the marines was his willingness to join the chorus of accusers condemning seven marines accused of murdering Iraqis in 2005. All but one of the accused eventually had the charges dismissed or were acquitted. It was a witch hunt and marines saw Murtha as one of the more eager hunters. Murtha had also been in trouble before on ethics issues and was known to play dirty when it suited his purposes. But people like Murtha loved to spend federal money, especially for the navy and marines. So while most sailors and marines loathed the man, the brass were more respectful and held firm on the decision to name an amphibious ship after him.
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Even if Punxsutawney Phil was correct, warm weather is still right around the corner. That means its time to prepare your outdoor space for maximum relaxation when temperatures begin to rise. Since this will likely include flexing your culinary muscle on the grill, nows the time to do a deep clean so youre ready for action.

I dont blame you if you opted to let your grill hibernate during the winter months, but if thats the case, itll probably need a tune-up before spring arrives. If you did keep the grill in working order over the last few months, this is a good time for a scrub and polish before warmer temperatures inspire heavy use. Here are a few tips and tricks that will hopefully make things easier.

Disassemble, scrub, reassemble

Billy Steele/Engadget

A good rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning anything you havent used in a while is to take it apart as much as you feel comfortable and give it a thorough wipe down. For grills, this means removing the grates and any bars or burner covers  basically, anything you can take out thats not the heating element. This gives you a chance to inspect the burners of your gas grill or the fire pot of a pellet model for any unsightly wear and tear. If those components are worn out or overly rusted, most companies offer replacements that you can easily swap out with a few basic tools.

Once all the pieces are out, start by scraping excess debris off all sides of the interior  with the help of some cleaner if needed. For a gas grill, this likely means pushing everything out through the grease trap. On a pellet grill, youll want to scrape the grease chute clear and out into the catch can, but youll also need to vacuum the interior with a shop vac  just like you would after every few hours of use. And while youre at it, go ahead and empty the hopper of any old pellets that have been sitting since Labor Day. Fuel thats been sitting in the grill for months wont give you the best results when it comes time to cook so you might as well start fresh.

Thankfully, pellet grill companies have made easy cleaning a key part of their designs. Webers SmokeFire has a set of metal bars on the inside that can be removed quickly to open up the bottom of the chamber. This is also a design feature of the companys gas grills. Simply vacuum or push the debris out the grease chute. The catch pan where all of the garbage ends up is also easy to access from the front of the grill, and you can remove the aluminum liner and replace it with a new one in seconds.

Traegers most recent pellet grills were also redesigned to improve cleaning. Most notably, grease and ash end up in the same keg thats easy to detach from the front of the grill. The company also allows you to quickly remove all of the interior components, though theyre larger than what you find on the SmokeFire. Lastly, Traeger moved the pellet chute to the front of the Timberline and Ironwood, making it a lot more convenient to swap out wood varieties or empty an old supply.

Youll want to get as much of the food leftovers out of your grill as possible for a few reasons. First, that stuff is old and lots of build-up over time can hinder cooking performance and might impact flavor. The last thing you want is old food or grease burning off right under an expensive ribeye. Second, in the case of pellet grills, not properly clearing out grease and dust can be dangerous. Its easy for grease fires to start at searing temperatures and if theres enough pellet dust in the bottom of your grill, it can actually ignite or explode. Thats why companies tell you to vacuum it out after every few hours of use.

All of that dust, grease and debris should be removed before you fire the grill back up. (Billy Steele/Engadget)

To actually clean the surfaces, youll want to get an all-natural grill cleaner. There are tons of options here, and it may take some time to find one you like. I typically use Traegers formula since its readily available at the places I buy pellets and Ive found it works well cutting through stuck-on muck. You want an all-natural grill cleaner over a regular household product as its safe to use on surfaces that will touch your food. Theyre also safe to use on the exterior of your grill without doing any damage to chrome, stainless steel or any other materials.

Spray down the inside and give things a few minutes to work. Wipe it all clean and go back over any super dirty spots as needed. Ditto for the grates, bars and any other pieces you removed. I like to lay these out on a yard waste trash bag (theyre bigger than kitchen bags) so all the stuff I scrape or clean off doesnt get all over my deck. You can use shop towels if you want to recycle or paper towels if not, but just know whatever you choose will be covered in nasty black grime so you wont want to just toss them in the clothes washer when youre done. A pre-wash in a bucket or sink is needed to make sure you dont transfer gunk from your grill to your business casuals.

In terms of tools, you dont need much. Ive tried that grill robot that claims to do the job for you, but Ive found sticking to the basics is more efficient. And honestly, when you get the hang of it, it doesnt take all that long. Its a good idea to have a wire brush specifically for the grates that you dont use to clean anything else. After all, this will be touching the same surfaces you put food on. I recommend another, smaller wire brush  the ones that look like big toothbrushes  for cleaning the burners on a gas grill. If you notice the flame isnt firing through one of the holes, you can use this to clean the pathway. Lastly, plastic is the way to go for a scraper, anything else and you risk scratching the surfaces of your grill. Sure, any damage done would be on the inside, but its still not a great feeling to knick up your previous investment.

Traeger

If you have a smart grill from the likes of Traeger, Weber or another company, youll want to plug it in and check for software updates well in advance of your first grilling session. Chances are you havent cooked much since last fall, which means companies have had months to push updates to their devices. Trust me, theres nothing worse than spending an hour trimming and seasoning a brisket only to walk outside to start the grill and it immediately launches into the update process. This could extend the whole cooking time significantly depending on the extent of the firmware additions and strength of your WiFi.

Thankfully, checking for updates is quick and easy. All you need to do is turn on your grill and open up the companys app on your phone. If theres a download ready for your model, the mobile software will let you know and its usually quite prominent. If theres not a pop-up alert that displays immediately, you can check the settings menu just to make sure. Sometimes for smaller updates, a company might not beat you over the head to refresh. However, starting a fresh slate of firmware is always a safe bet and will ensure your grill is running at its best when it comes time to cook.

For a good time every time, clean after each use

Billy Steele/Engadget

Ill be the first to admit I dont adhere to my own advice here, but its nice to have goals. I will also be the first to tell you every single time I smoke a Boston Butt or some other super fatty cut of meat that I wish I wouldve done at least a quick cleaning right after the meal. Grease buildup is not only highly flammable but its much harder to clean once it cools and solidifies. Ditto for stuck-on sauce or cheese thats left on your grates after chicken or burgers. Its best to attack these things while the grill is still warm, but cooled down from the cook.

You dont necessarily have to break out the shop vac each time for your pellet grill or empty the grease bin. But youll want to make sure that stuff is away from the main cooking area for safety and so any burn off wont impact the flavor of your food. A few cups of hot water can cleanse the grease run-off while that wire brush I mentioned is best for the grates. It also doesnt hurt to do a light wipe down with an all-natural cleaner so everything is ready to go when you want to cook again.

New grills for 2025

A number of grill companies have already announced their 2025 product lineups. If youre looking for new gear for the summer, some of them are already available while others will be arriving over the next few weeks. Of the big names, Weber jumped first, introducing its lower-cost Smoque pellet grill in early January. Starting at $699, this model offers the same connected grilling tools as the companys pricier Searwood, but a simplified controller and other design changes bring the price down. Weber also revamped the materials inside the cooking chamber to promote better air (and smoke) circulation. The Smoque grills should be available later this spring.

Traegers 2025 models are already available, and they offer three all-new designs to choose from. The new Woodridge line has a similar concept as Weber: balancing features and performance at lower prices. The base model starts at $800 and offers Wi-Fi connectivity, but youll have to splurge for the Woodridge Pro or Woodridge Elite for things like Super Smoke mode, enclosed storage, pellet level sensor or a side burner. Even without all the bells and whistles, the entry-level Woodridge is a workhorse, and its a huge upgrade over the aging Pro Series.

Middleby Outdoors also announced 2025 models for both its Masterbuilt and Kamado Joe brands. First, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1150 expands the smart, gravity-fed charcoal lineup with an option that offers more cooking space and better storage. Then theres the Kamado Joe Konnected Big Joe thats a larger version of the Konnected Joe I reviewed in 2023. Here, you still get Wi-Fi tools, an automatic charcoal starter and all the benefits of a ceramic, kamado-style grill.

Lastly, the Brisk-It Zelos 450 packs in the companys Vera AI cooking platform for just $399. This smaller, simplified model follows the companys debut in 2024 with the Origin series. Its still a versatile smart pellet grill, but changes like a more basic onboard controller show that the Zelos 450 is designed to offer an AI sous chef at a lower price. Were sensing a theme there.

Check out more from our spring cleaning guide.
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Functional Tests As A Tree Of Continuations

By Evan Miller

June 15, 2010

One of the most essential practices for maintaining the long-term quality of computer code is to write automated tests that ensure the program continues to act as expected, even when other people (including your future self) muck with it.

Test code is often longer than the code that is being tested. A former colleague estimates that the right ratio is around 3 lines of functional test code for every line of real code. Writing test code is often mindless and repetitive, because all you do is trace out all the steps a user could take and write down all the things that should be true about each one.

A great deal of test code simply exists to set up the tests. Sometimes you can abstract out the logic into setup() and teardown() functions, and put the fake data needed for tests into things called fixtures. Even then, youll often have a subset of tests that requires additional setup, and test code often becomes littered with miniature, unofficial setup functions.

The problem

Its a wonder to me that most testing environments are structured as lists of tests. Lists of tests are sensible for unit tests, but theyre a disaster for functional tests. The list structure is one of the main reasons that functional test suites are so repetitive.

Lets say you want to test a 5-step process, and test the Continue and Cancel buttons at each step. You can only get to a step by pressing Continue in the previous step. With the traditional list of tests paradigm, you have to write something like

test_cancel_at_step_one() { Result = do_step_one("Cancel"); assert_something(Result); } test_cancel_at_step_two() { Result = do_step_one("Continue"); assert_something(Result); Result = do_step_two("Cancel"); assert_something(Result); } test_cancel_at_step_three() { do_step_one("Continue"); # tested above Result = do_step_two("Continue"); assert_something(Result); Result = do_step_three("Cancel"); assert_something(Result); } test_cancel_at_step_four() { do_step_one("Continue"); # tested above do_step_two("Continue"); # tested above Result = do_step_three("Continue"); assert_something(Result); Result = do_step_four("Cancel"); assert_something(Result); } test_cancel_at_step_five() { do_step_one("Continue"); # tested above do_step_two("Continue"); # tested above do_step_three("Continue"); # tested above Result = do_step_four("Continue"); assert_something(Result); Result = do_step_five("Cancel"); assert_something(Result); }

As you can start to see, the length of each test is growing linearly in the number of steps were testing, so the length of the total test suite ends up being O(N2) in the number of steps.

The solution

A more appropriate data structure for functional tests is a testing tree. The tree essentially maps out the possible actions at each step. At each node, there is a set of assertions, and parent nodes pass a copy of state down to each child (representing a possible user action). Child nodes are free to modify and make assertions on the state received from the parent node, and pass a copy of the modified state down to its children. Nodes should not affect the state of parents or siblings.

Lets take a concrete example. In a 5-step process, the tree would look like:

Step 1 Cancel Continue to Step 2 Cancel Continue to Step 3 Cancel Continue to Step 4 Cancel Continue to Step 5



Here, the first Cancel and Continue to Step 2 are like parallel universes. Rather than repeating Step 1 to test each of these, we want to automatically make a copy of the universe at the end of Step 1, then run child tests on each parallel universe. If we can write our tests as a tree in this way, the length of the total test suite will be O(N) in the number of steps, rather than O(N2).

For modern web applications, all the state is stored in a database. Therefore to make a copy of the universe, we just need a way to make a copy of the database to pass down to the child tests, while preserving older copies that tests further up the tree can copy and use.

The solution is to implement a stack of databases. As we walk down the testing tree, we push a copy of the current database onto the stack, and the child can play with the database at the top of the stack. After weve finished with a set of child nodes and ascend back up the testing tree, we pop the modified databases off the stack, returning to the previous database revisions.

An example

I wont go through the details of writing a testing framework or the database stack, but heres how youd test a multi-step process with Chicago Bosss test framework. This is a tree implemented as nested callbacks in Erlang. Each node is an HTTP request with a list of callbacks that make assertions on the response, and a list of labeled continuation callbacks  these are the child nodes. Each child node receives a fresh database copy that it can thrash to its hearts content. Managing the stack of databases is all done under the hood.

The resulting test code is surprisingly elegant:

start() -> boss_test:get_request("/step1", [], [ % Three assertions on the response fun boss_assert:http_ok/1, fun(Res) -> boss_assert:link_with_text("Continue", Res) end fun(Res) -> boss_assert:link_with_text("Cancel", Res) end ], [ % A list of two labeled continuations; each takes the previous % response as the argument "Cancel at Step 1", % First continuation fun(Response1) -> boss_test:follow_link("Cancel", Response1, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], []) % One assertion, no continuations end, "Continue at Step 1", % Second continuation fun(Response1) -> boss_test:follow_link("Continue", Response1, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], [ "Cancel at Step 2", % Two more continuations fun(Response2) -> boss_test:follow_link("Cancel", Response2, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], []) end, "Continue at Step 2", fun(Response2) -> boss_test:follow_link("Continue", Response2, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], [ "Cancel at Step 3", fun(Response3) -> boss_test:follow_link("Cancel", Response3, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], []) end, "Continue at Step 3", fun(Response3) -> boss_test:follow_link("Continue", Response3, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], [ "Cancel at Step 4", fun(Response4) -> boss_test:follow_link("Cancel", Response4, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], []) end, "Continue at Step 4", fun(Response4) -> boss_test:follow_link("Continue", Response4, [ fun boss_assert:http_ok/1 ], []) end ]) end ]) end ]) end ]).

If the indentation ever gets out of hand, we can simply put the list of continuations into a new function.

Conclusion

There are several benefits to structuring functional tests as a tree of continuations:

Eliminates code duplication. We dont need to repeat steps 1-3 for each action that can be taken at step 4. This reduces the code base, as well as time needed for execution.

Eliminates most setup code. As long as the setup actions are associated with an HTTP interface, all setup can be done as part of the testing tree with no performance penalty.

Pinpoints the source of failing tests. If assertions fail in a parent node, we can immediately stop before running the child nodes. By contrast, lists of tests usually produce long lists of failures for one bug, making it harder to find the source.

Tests are well-structured. There is a 1-1 mapping between nodes and something the user sees, and a 1-1 mapping between child nodes and something the user can do next. The tests appear in a well-structured hierarchy, instead of a haphazard list of everything I could think of.

The trail of previous responses are all in scope. This benefit is unique to a callback implementation in a language that supports closures  its handy if you need to compare output from two requests that are separated by several intermediate requests. With a list of tests, you would have to pass around data in return values and function arguments, but here all previous responses are at our fingertips in Response1, Response2, etc.

Why havent I been able to find anyone else using this approach? My guess is that all of the side effects of OO languages encourage a wrecking-ball mentality when it comes to unit tests  destroy all possible state after each test. But for functional tests with many steps, this approach is grossly inefficient  if you want to test every rung on a ladder, its pointless to climb all the way down to the ground and trudge back up for each test.

To write your own testing framework based on continuation trees, all you need is a stack of databases (or rather, a database that supports rolling back to an arbitrary revision). I dont know what databases support this kind of revisioning functionality, but adding the feature to Chicago Bosss in-memory database took about 25 lines of Erlang code.

Once you start writing functional tests as a tree of assertions and continuations, you really will wonder how you did it any other way. Its just one of those ideas that seems too obvious in hindsight.

Youre reading evanmiller.org, a random collection of math, tech, and musings. If you liked this you might also enjoy: Why I Program in Erlang

Elixir RAM and the Template of Doom

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March 14, 2025: China has been declared the new technology threat to the United States and the West. American politicians claim that Chinese science is far ahead and the U.S. has to spend a lot more money to catch up. This plea ignores the problems China is having with its scientific Research and Development as well as the education of scientific and technical personnel. These claims fall apart when you get into the details.

It has also been noted that China openly boasts in unclassified military publications that the most effective way to overcome the American military advantage is by obtaining, stealing, if need be, American technology, mastering it and improving on it. This effort is multi-pronged and advancing in over a dozen areas. Here are some of the most important ones.

Operations Research, also known as OR, is the analytical application of mathematical solutions for many problems. OR first appeared in the 1930s and became crucial during World War II. OR is used for developing more effective ways to use new technology. This became particularly useful in anti-submarine warfare but eventually led to improvements in just about all aspects of naval warfare. This increased the capabilities of the US navy, playing a major role in making the USN the most powerful navy in history. OR continues to perform largely unheralded miracles by identifying elusive solutions and detecting well concealed flaws. China is trying to catch up but has a long way to go. The U.S. Navy and various intelligence agencies monitor Chinese progress and find that there isnt much.

Then there is naval technology like the gyroscopic compass. The earliest versions of this were developed by ancient Chinese navigators. The problem was that until the 20th century Chinese ships rarely left coastal waters. The gyroscopic compass was an early 20th century invention that had a far reaching impact on naval warfare. Initially it made navigation more efficient for all ships. But the gyroscope technology led to vast improvements in fire control and, eventually, inertial navigation systems. This made possible all manner of anti-ship missiles. So, if you're wondering why all the guns went away, this is the main reason why. Even the development of satellite navigation didnt completely replace gyroscopic navigation. Gyroscopic systems cant be jammed and still serve as a less accurate backup system for GPS guided weapons. Four decades ago, Chinese firms began to manufacture gyroscopic compass equipment for recreational and commercial shipping. China sought to offer the cheapest gyroscopic compass and grab as much of the market as they could.

Gas turbines are a western technology seen most commonly in military and commercial aircraft. A decade or so after jet aircraft began to replace piston powered warplanes on aircraft, the first hydrofoil ships began to use gas turbine power plants. By the late 1960s, the huge TF39 jet engine developed for the C-5 aircraft was being reworked as a LM2500 maritime power plant. Over three decades later this gas turbine ship engine is common not only in merchant ships but warships as well. The LM2500 is efficient, reliable, and capable of providing quick bursts of speed not possible with older steam or diesel power plants. Just as the revolutionary small tube steam plants went unnoticed early in the 20th century, the LM2500 also dramatically changed what a warship could expect from its power plant. Only in the last few years have the Chinese been able to build reliable gas turbine marine engines. Before that their main source of these engines was Ukraine. This was because during the Soviet period the Ukraine region was where most gas turbines were built. When Russia turned hostile in 2014, Ukraine cut off the supply of gas turbines. Russia had to design and build its own, which took about a decade to accomplish. Russia built gas turbine engines for warplanes and their commercial aircraft, but not to world standards. China is making more progress than Russia and will soon surpass Russian gas turbine tech. China still has a way to go if they want to match or surpass Western gas turbines, but at least they are making progress. Russia is not. Ukraine still manufactures this equipment in the form of helicopter and ship engines.

Battery technology made major strides in the latter third of the 20th century. This heavily influenced the design of naval weapons and equipment. Weapons like missiles, in particular, became smaller, more reliable, and deadlier because of smaller, more powerful, and longer lasting batteries. Try and run today's fleet with 1960s era battery technology and you'll find that you can't. A major aspect of this was the use of lithium based batteries and the search continues for even more efficient and safer battery materials. This is one area where China excelled as the major designer and manufacturer of lithium batteries. Currently, most of these batteries are produced in China, which has large local lithium deposits.

Servron, or Service Squadron, supply techniques were developed out of necessity during World War II because of a lack of sufficient forward bases in the vast Pacific. These service squadrons became a permanent fixture in the U.S. Navy. Ships now normally stay at sea for up to six months at a time, being resupplied at sea by a Servron. New technologies were developed to support the effective use of the seagoing supply service. Few other navies have been able to match this capability, mainly because of the expense of the Servron ships and the training required to do at sea replenishment. What made Western naval experts pay attention to the Chinese Navy expansion was the appearance of Servron type ships in the later 1990s. That trend has accelerated because China wants to eventually challenge the U.S. Navy throughout the Pacific and needs efficient Servrons to do it.

Merchant ship automation is another Chinese goal. Throughout the 20th century merchant ships have become less labor intensive. This has been due largely to market pressures. Warships have been resistant to this trend, largely because of tradition, the availability of many sailors, and damage control concerns. Lower manning will become more of a factor in the 21st century but the trend is a 20th century one. China was slow to adopt this technology because until the 1980s they did not have much of a merchant shipping fleet. Now China is the major manufacturer of merchant shipping and is seeking to become dominant in ship automation as well.

Oceanography is the study of how oceans operate and how that knowledge can help or hinder navies and commercial shipping. Navies have always taken the lead in charting the details of coastal areas, where ships operate most frequently and are in most danger from uncharted objects. But the 20th century saw an enormous growth in the study of the high seas and what lay beneath. Much of this was in support of submarine operations and anti-submarine warfare. Greater understanding of the oceans has made naval operations more effective in many ways that often go unnoticed but never unappreciated. By the end of the 20th century cheap, robotic, survey devices appeared, revolutionizing oceanography by providing more data and in a timelier manner. China is a late comer to oceanography and is trying to catch up by training more oceanography specialists and custom equipped ships for them to operate from.

Worldwide weather forecasting was never a Chinese objective until their commercial and naval ships began to operate around the globe. For centuries unpredictable weather was the greatest danger to fleets at sea. Dramatic improvements in weather forecasting, especially weather satellites, have greatly reduced the risk of weather related damage for fleets and made operations more effective. China has put several generations of weather satellites into orbit and invested heavily in weather forecasting technology and automation.

Personnel screening is something China has been interested in since the 1980s. The Chinese approach is more 1984 and Big Brother than just trying to be helpful. These practices did not help the Chinese navy to more effectively recruit sailors and officers. As warships have become more complex, so have the number and complexity of the jobs sailors have to do. The ancient practice of signing any warm body and later deciding who was trainable for complex tasks crumpled under the pressure to get the right sailor for the right job before you sent people aboard a ship full of complex and expensive gear. As navies became more of a high tech enterprise, personnel selection routines borrowed heavily from those developed in the commercial sector to solve similar problems. Without this shift in personnel policies the modern U.S. Navy would not be possible.

Unmanned vehicles, otherwise known as drones, are a work in progress for the Chinese. Unlike aircraft, which were a new vehicle, aerial, naval and underwater drones are radically new technologies. There are already examples of all three in service. There will be more and they will change everything by incorporating more powerful artificial intelligence or AI and new weapons. That said, drones were first developed in the 19th century as the torpedo and the 20th century as guided missiles. But these two weapons were not flexible enough to change as many aspects of naval warfare as unmanned vehicles will be doing. While China is the major manufacturer of quad-copter drones, they have not made a lot of progress in military applications. For this they are carefully observing what the Ukrainians are doing with drones. So are the Russians.

Super sensors like sonar which used sound detection to detect objects underwater appeared during World War I, while radar, using radio signals to detect objects in the air, was developed during the 1930s and widely used during World War II. More powerful computers and transmitting technology has since produced several generations of cheaper, more reliable, and more powerful sensors. This is continuing and the power of new sensors will make it much more difficult to hide. Stealth is still important for spoiling the aim of long range guided weapons. But the super sensors make it much more difficult to achieve surprise by coming out of nowhere. China builds a lot of the sonars used by recreational and commercial fishermen but is still catching up in military sonar and radar technology.

Artificial Intelligence or AI is a 20th century development that is expected to become pervasive in the 21st. Current examples include AI assistants built into a lot of software. For aircraft designers a long-sought goal was to be an AI assistant for pilots. Thus the computer's memory contains the experiences of numerous more experienced pilots as well as instant information on the rapidly changing situation. You can ask your electronic assistant what the options are and which one has the best chance of success. The pilot can then make decisions more quickly and accurately. When enemy aircraft are sighted the electronic assistant can suggest which of the many maneuvers available are likely to work. If the aircraft is damaged the electronic co-pilot can rapidly report what the new options are. One becomes quite fond of computers once they have saved your bacon a few times. Many of these capabilities are being installed piecemeal, as part of electronic countermeasures or radar systems. And, bit by bit, these thinking systems are being merged, producing an electronic co-pilot. Systems that completely replace pilots are in development as well. This is not radical but part of a trend. By the early 21st century many commercial and military aircraft were more effective because they used so much AI. The same applies to ground vehicles. China is making some surprising progress in laboratory demonstrations but has yet to put a lot of useful AI tech on the market.

All-electric ships have been a goal for warship builders. Commercial ship builders are more concerned with less expensive and more efficient power plants. Coal-powered ships appeared in the 19th century and oil-powered ones came early in the 20th, along with nuclear power for a few experimental vessels. The big revolution now is maximizing the amount of electrical power a ship can generate. That means an all-electric ship where the engines produce just electricity and all ship equipment is electric powered. Such a ship makes possible more powerful sensors and electrically powered weapons like lasers and electromagnetic rail guns. An all-electric ship also means more efficient use of power and lower fuel costs. There's no mystery in this technology, as commercial ships began using it in the 1980s. But for warships this will be a 21st century innovation. China is already developing commercial applications for their merchant ships and, like other navies, is trying to install this tech in warships.

Stealth is what sensor technology tries to nullify. No matter how much better sensor technology becomes, there is always an advantage to having ships that are a bit harder to detect. In the last few decades stealth technology has developed faster than sensor capabilities. The big limitation with stealth capabilities is that they tend to get very expensive. But if you can afford it, you get an edge in combat. China is not on the leading edge in this area but is waiting for someone to make a breakthrough worth copying.

Composites are what happened when materials science went on a roll in the late 20th century, and more new, non-metallic materials able to replace steel and other metals are in the works. Composites began showing up in warships in the last few decades but as the use of these materials spreads to all parts of a vessel it will increase protection, fuel efficiency, and stealth.

Networking is already underway but is becoming faster, more reliable, and increasingly includes more distant ships and shore stations. This kind of communications can give the side with faster and more completely networked forces a major edge. China seeks to become the leader in this category.

Space-based services became crucial in the late 20th century as navies began using space satellites for weather forecasting, communications, and reconnaissance. It was good, and the sailors wanted more, a lot more. To get it your space satellites will have to play defense against efforts to shoot them down. The U.S. Navy is seeking to equip its ballistic missile subs with warheads containing mini-sats to replace those shot down. American warships already have missile systems that can knock down low orbit recon satellites. China is competitive in the satellite destruction department.

Nanotech is all about ultra-tiny carbon structures that are revolutionizing everything from batteries to computers and just about every aspect of warship construction and operation. Nanotech might still turn out to be perpetually just around the corner, but so far it is a strong contender as the source of big changes. China is trying to take the lead and keep it.

Laser weapons seem ideal for warships, especially those with all-electric drive. While showing much promise, laser weapons may also perpetually be just around the corner. That's where they've been for several decades now. China is stuck in just around-the-corner land like everyone else.

Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles or ABM is a concept that existed in theory since the late 20th century. Since 2005 China has had an anti-ship ballistic missile, the DF-21D, in development. As far as anyone knows the complete system was only recently tested with interesting results. Everyone agreed it would happen once the components were available and integrated with many other technologies into a workable weapon. That means something that could attack American aircraft carriers. It's an expensive way to hit a carrier, since each of these missiles costs over $20 million. But if you have to get it done that's a reasonable price. In the future the price will come down a bit and anti-missile systems available to warships will be better at dealing with them. Guided warheads could also be launched from space satellites. You can see where this is going and there will be a lot more of it this century because so far the Chinese have been making detectable progress.
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in 2019 at a town hall with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Tempe. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva has died at the age of 77, his office announced Thursday.

The Democrat, who represented Arizonas 7th District, died March 13 from complications of cancer treatment. Grijalva announced his lung cancer diagnosis last April, and said he planned to pursue a vigorous course of treatment.

Grijalva, of Tucson, spent more than 50 years in public service representing the people of southern Arizona, including more than 20 years as a U.S. Congressman.

In a statement, the Pima County Democratic Party praised Grijalvas dedication to education, the environment and civil rights.

Providence demands us bid farewell to our friend, but Arizonas appreciation for Raul Grijalva is undying  his work endures, the Pima County Democratic Party wrote. His spirit is on our landscapes, our communities, and in the hearts of all who believe in a more just and compassionate world.

With a passion for his community as well as for the planet, Grijalva was the former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said in a statement that the organization was mourning Grijalvas death while also celebrating his legacy with the hope that it will serve as an inspiration for future conservation leaders.

He combined passion, advocacy, and leadership that resulted in preserving some of this countrys most treasured landscapes for generations to come, Jealous said. His work with Tribal Nations incorporated the voice of those who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial into public lands management policy.

One of the congressmans major accomplishments was his part in the drafting of the Environmental Justice for All Act, which aimed to empower people to stand up for their communities.

His strong belief was that no matter where youre from, one truth unites us all: Everyone deserves the freedom to live a healthy life, and every child deserves a safe and fair chance at their future, his office wrote.

Grijalvas other successes in Congress included his work to protect the Grand Canyon for future generations, to fight climate change and to fund conservation programs.

Grijalva advocated for student loan forgiveness, protections for farm workers and other laborers exposed to heat and expansion of early childhood education.

Some of these victories seemed out of reach when he first came to Congress, but with support from community, colleagues, allies, and staff, he helped make them real, his office wrote.

Grijalva began his political career in 1974 when he was elected to the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, where he served until 1986. He was elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1988 and held a seat on the board until he was elected to Congress in 2002.

Grijalva leaves behind his wife Ramona; daughters Adelita, Marisa and Raquel; and five grandchildren.

Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton said in a statement that Grijalva will be rightly remembered as one of the most consequential leaders in Arizona political history.

Raul never lost sight of the values he learned as a young community organizer, tirelessly advocating for immigrant families, education, and social justice, Stanton said. But perhaps his biggest accomplishment is his mentorship of a generation of young people in Southern Arizona.

While Grijalvas colleagues said in the statement that they were heartbroken by the news of his death, they said they are determined to carry on his legacy.

From Tucson to Nogales and beyond, he worked tirelessly for transformational improvements, Grijalvas office wrote in the statement. Rep. Grijalva pushed for new public parks, childcare centers, health care clinics, local businesses, and affordable housing have breathed new life into neighborhoods across Southern Arizona.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego described Grijalva as not only a colleague but a friend.

As another Latino working in public service, I can say from experience that he served as a role model to many young people across the Grand Canyon State, Gallego wrote. He spent his life as a voice for equalityI am praying for his family during this time of grief, and I hope that they find comfort knowing his legacy is one that will stand tall for generations.

Grijalvas seat in Congress, in an overwhelmingly blue district, will be filled via a special election. Gov. Katie Hobbs is tasked with setting a special primary election for a date within the next 90 days and a special general election within the following 60 days.

In its statement Grijalvas office said it will continue to offer constituent services in the meantime.

To his last day, he remained a servant leader who put everyday people first while in office, Hobbs said in a statement. I join every Arizonan in mourning his passing. May he rest in peace.

This story was originally produced by the Arizona Mirror which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Almost half a million schoolchildren across the UK learnt more about the farming industry thanks to a series of live lessons during British Science Week.

The interactive lessons, spearheaded by NFU Education, brought farming and science to life in classrooms, setting a new record in terms of participation in them.

The 'Science Farm Live' lessons, which took place from 10-13 March, showed how agriculture plays a major role in tackling climate change while feeding the nation.

Following this years British Science Week theme, Change and Adapt, the lessons explored how animals and crops have adapted to thrive in their environments.

They also showcase how farmers across the country are using innovation to meet the challenges of a changing climate.

Across the lessons, children were introduced to farmers and food producers, learning how science plays a crucial role within the industry.

One lesson, for Key Stage One, involved children attending a farm to learn how it was helping to tackle climate change, support biodiversity and reduce waste.

A Key Stage Two lesson saw students explore selective breeding and genetic adaptation in livestock and crops.

Throughout all three lessons, pupils also joined chef Tom Hunt to learn about zero-waste cooking, creating a seasonal and sustainable dish using British ingredients.

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said the initiative was 'incredible' as it showed a 'huge appetite' among schoolchildren to learn more about farming and science.

Agriculture plays a vital role in tackling climate change and ensuring food security, and its fantastic to bring these important topics into classrooms in such an interactive way," she said.

We want to inspire young people to see farming as a future career and to understand where their food comes from.

"The engagement weve seen has been phenomenal, and we cant wait to build on this success."
New requirements aimed at combatting Johnes disease in dairy herds across the UK will be rolled out at the end of this month.

National Johnes Management Plan (NJMP) will enter its third phase, after the first two sought to control and reduce the incidence of the disease.

Johne's is a chronic, contagious bacterial disease of the intestinal tract that primarily affects dairy cattle. There is no known treatment.

The NJMP's objective for phase 3 is unchanged, requiring regular vet/farmer dialogue focusing on risk management and implementation of an appropriate control strategy.

Launching on 31 March 2025, the third phase of the plan will continue to be backed up by annual certification.

Key changes include obtaining an average test value (ATV) for all herds to help assess the level of disease present and allow progress to be tracked over time.

The minimum requirement to generate an ATV will be a 60 cow random screen, as the 30 cow targeted screen will no longer an acceptable option.

The third phase will also see the creation of a national Johnes Control Index target of ATV 5.5, with a goal to achieve this by 2030.

And vets and farmers will have the ability through the creation of a national Johnes Tracker database to track progress nationally using ATV, % incidence and other drivers of infection within herds.

From 31 March, any farm undergoing their annual NJMP review must adhere to phase 3 requirements and a new declaration form signed. This remains a Red Tractor requirement.

The British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) will host a webinar on the changes on 25 March at 8pm, with an AHDB webinar for farmers on 31 March.
Promoting the national importance of farming  as well as tackling misinformation  has led to the creation of the UKs first ever courses in agricultural communications.

Students will be taught on how to tailor their messages for different audiences and to track their impact, including how to get the most out of social media.

According to Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), one of the keys to strengthening the farming industry in the UK lies in communicating about its national importance.

Agricultural communications courses have been established in the US for a number of years, but SRUC says it is now needed in the UK.

Craig Davidson, programme leader for agriculture at the college, says effective communications are just as important in agriculture as they are in other industries.

"The demands on the industry are always changing and becoming more complex," he explained.

"Knowing how to reach the right audience, how to tailor your message and how to track your impact is really important nowadays.

"Theres also a lot of misinformation out there so understanding audiences and looking ahead is more important than ever before.

Among other disciplines, the courses will teach students how to write press releases, create crisis communications strategies and develop integrated marketing plans.

The micro-credentials have no entry requirements and can be taken in any order and at the learners own pace, the land-based college says.

Current available modules are Agriculture Communications and Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications in Agriculture.

Modules in Issues Management and Crisis Communication in Agriculture, Science Communications and Digital Media in Agriculture will be available at a later date.
UK food export volumes to the EU have dropped by a third compared to 2019 levels, according to a report that blames Brexit 'complexity and bureaucracy'.

The report, by the the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), warns that British businesses are struggling to navigate trading arrangements with European neighbours.

It reveals that other European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, have seen their export volumes increase since 2020, despite global trends like Covid and the Ukraine war.

The 2024 Trade Snapshot report also shows that globally, UK export volumes fell by more than a tenth (12.6%) last year, compared to 2023.

This reflects a longer-term trend, with the UKs global food and drink export volumes down a fifth on average between 2020 and 2024, compared to between 2015 and 2019.

Meanwhile, food and drink imports from the EU to the UK grew 3.3% last year to 44.7 billion compared to 2023.

The report says that EU firms benefited from a more advantageous trading environment, even after new border checks for EU food and drink products were introduced in April 2024.

Food and drink imports to the UK are subject to fewer checks compared to British businesses exporting equivalent products to Europe, helping drive this growth.

This has contributed to total food and drink imports to the UK reaching their highest ever level, worth 63.1 billion in 2024.

On the other hand, many UK exporters, particularly SMEs, are struggling to meet the EUs more stringent requirements, the FDF warns.

With the data revealing a concerning gap between UK food and drink imports and exports, the body is calling for a strategic approach to EU trade relations to help reverse this trend.

Balwinder Dhoot, director of industry growth at FDF, says the UK government must prioritise working with the EU, and the British food and farming industry, to remove as many of these barriers as possible.

These latest figures show the stark reality for the UKs 12,500 food and drink businesses who are struggling to deal with the complexity and bureaucracy that comes when trading with Europe.

Its important that we dont just get a quick fix, but the right fit for the UK when it comes to our relationship with the EU."
Dairy co-operative Arla have been criticised by a union for 'swerving' a crucial meeting over the proposed closure of its North Yorkshire plant.

GMB Union met with Arla in the first formal consultation over plans to move production away from its Settle site to Lockerbie, Scotland at a cost of 130 jobs.

However, the union said key figures from the co-op were absent, meaning critical questions about GMBs alternative business case went unanswered.

As a result of its new Lockerbie investment proposal, unveiled last month, Arla said it was looking to close down its Settle site and a 'collective consultation' would launch.

However, GMB has now called on the co-operative's key decision-makers to "engage properly with the process", as "many livelihoods are at stake".

Deanne Ferguson, the union's regional organiser, noted that Arla "doesnt seem to be taking it seriously".

"Many livelihoods are at stake and the Settle community is on the brink of devastation if Arla workers lose their jobs," she warned.

GMB is committed to finding a solution; weve worked with key stakeholders and presented a viable alternative business case to keep the site open.

We now expect Arla to show the same level of commitment by ensuring decision-makers are in the room with us, so we can have a meaningful consultation."
Farm leaders have called on the Welsh government to remain focussed on a 'structured, consultative approach' to support schemes following 'turmoil' in England.

Defra announced that Englands Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) had reached its application limit, with 37,000 agreements signed for funding, and the total budget subsequently allocated.

As part of a shock announcement made earlier this week, it confirmed that the UK government would stop accepting new applications for the post-Brexit scheme.

With agriculture a devolved matter, the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has urged the Welsh government to avoid a similar scenario.

The union argues that any replacement farm support scheme in Wales must be built on "robust economic analysis, thorough piloting, and long-term planning to prevent such instability".

FUW President Ian Rickman said: When we hosted a panel discussion at last years Royal Welsh Show on how agricultural support policies are being developed across the UK, three of the four speakers expressed a preference for farming in England.

Yet, just eight months later, the reality in England has changed drastically. The UK governments erratic approach of announcing and adjusting payment rates without thorough economic modelling has left farmers in the lurch, highlighting the dangers of short-sighted policies.

Mr Rickman called England's SFI an 'unsustainable model', with Wales' post-Brexit scheme - the Sustainable Farming Scheme - shaped through rigorous consultation and input from farming communities.

Following lobbying by Welsh farming unions, the scheme will include an area-based Universal Baseline Payment, ensuring more stable support for farmers.

Unions have also advocated for capping payments to maximise the amount of money going to typical family farms and those who make the greatest contribution to rural communities and the economy.

As discussions continue over the finer details of the SFS, the lessons from England must not be ignored," Mr Rickman said.

The Welsh government must remain committed to its structured, consultative approach and ensure the transition from the Basic Payment Scheme provides certainty for farmers.

"It is crucial that any new scheme is workable, affordable, and prioritises those who sustain our rural communities.

Dai Miles, FUW deputy president, said the "turmoil" in England was "a clear example of why Welsh farmers need strong representation".

"Without a union advocating for fair policies and financial stability, farmers risk being subjected to ill-conceived government schemes that fail to address their real needs," he said.
Free preschool education, China's gift to the future

09:33, March 14, 2025 By Wang Aihua and Li Yue ( Xinhua

BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- If you ask Chinese parents with young children what news concerns them most lately, the answer would likely be: the rollout of the free preschool education policy.

The 2025 government work report, which was approved by national lawmakers during the recent annual legislative session, has for the first time included a commitment to "promote free preschool education in a phased way." This marks a significant step in honoring previous policy commitments.

China's first preschool education law, adopted late last year, will take effect this June. It mandates that localities with suitable conditions provide free preschool education to lessen financial stress on families.

To advance the effort, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng recently revealed plans for preparatory policies that will coordinate the accessibility and affordability of kindergartens, as well as teacher training.

"Qualified kindergartens are also encouraged to provide childcare services for children aged two to three to better integrate childbirth, parenting, and education," Huai stated.

Ms. Tan, a working mother with a two-year-old child in Beijing, said she fully embraced the policy, calling it a timely "gift" as her daughter is about to start kindergarten this September. "I'm also very concerned with affordable daycare services for children before the age of three," she told Xinhua. "It is a key factor in my decision about whether to have a second child."

Kindergarten fees in China vary from region to region. In Beijing, public kindergartens charge less than 10,000 yuan (about 1,394 U.S. dollars) a year, but parents often complain about intense competition for slots. Costs for private kindergartens range from several hundred to several thousand U.S. dollars per month.

For children under three years old, parents currently have limited options for childcare. They can only choose private daycare centers, which charge around 1,000 U.S. dollars or more a month, while a live-in nanny usually costs around the same price.

At the annual legislative session, national lawmakers approved the 2025 budget report for central and local governments, which allocates a 5 percent increase in education expenditure this year, focusing on issues including gradually implementing free preschool education, and optimizing the distribution of educational resources among regions.

Experts say the latest policy is a proactive response to public concerns and an acceleration in China's efforts to develop a high-quality education system, which is essential for reaching the country's ambitious goal of becoming a leader in education.

Shen Danyang, director of the Research Office of the State Council and leader of the group that drafted this year's government work report, stated that advancing the policy will help reduce childcare and education costs for families and support the long-term, balanced development of the population.

At a time when many parts of the world are grappling with the challenge of declining birth rates, China is no exception -- the country's birth rate and number of newborns both dropped for seven consecutive years before reporting rises in 2024. The rebound last year was believed to be buoyed by a baby boom in post-COVID Year of the Dragon and a slew of birth-friendly policies.

China has in recent years implemented various measures to support childbirth, childcare, and education, including subsidies, expanded insurance coverage, extended maternity leave, and increased public childcare facilities.

After years of consistent effort, China's gross enrollment rate for preschools topped 90 percent in 2023, according to the Ministry of Education. Since 2018, the country has focused on expanding the coverage of inclusive kindergartens, which charge tuition and accommodation fees that align with government guidelines. By 2024, over 90 percent of preschoolers were enrolled in these reasonably charged kindergartens.

However, experts noted that preschool education still has significant weaknesses, including uneven and insufficient development, a shortage of resources, and inadequate institutional mechanisms related to funding support, workforce development, and regulatory standards.

Ma Youyou, a new mother in Anhui Province, east China, voiced her hope that the free preschool education policy will promote educational equity and narrow the gap caused by economic disparities. "Free preschool education must not come at the expense of quality," she emphasized.

Experts are confident that the free policy will enable efforts by relevant authorities to standardize the industry ecosystem through funding support, the establishment of standards, and teacher training, thus help reshape the industry.

Dai Liyi, vice president of East China Normal University, indicated that the policy will enhance the quality of early childhood education, fostering a positive cycle from inclusive access to free services.

Tuo Qingming, a middle school principal in Sichuan Province, suggested a phased implementation of the policy, starting with pilot programs in developed regions and gradually expanding nationwide. "A tiered funding mechanism should be established, with both central and local governments sharing responsibilities," Tuo added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
March 14, 2025: In late 2024 the United States imposed a sixth round of sanctions on a Pakistani firm and three Chinese companies involved in building more of the Shaheen 3 long-range ballistic missile. This system has been operational since 2015 with a range of 2,700 kilometers. Shaheen 3 can hit any military target in India. This was the sixth round of sanctions against Pakistan and the main target is Chinese support for Pakistani weapons programs. The sanctions are ignored by China and Pakistan. The ballistic missile program continues, as does American military aid to Pakistan.

For such a small and economically weak country Pakistan has many ballistic missile types in service. Their current defense budget is $7.6 billion. Defense now consumes 12.5 percent of the government budget and 1.7 percent of GDP. Pakistan uses deceptive budget practices, like not including military pensions and research efforts in the defense budget. To compare Pakistani spending to other nations, you must apply the same accounting standards. Doing that increases the official defense spending by 50 percent. The reality is that the military gets about a quarter of the government budget and over three percent of GDP. The military also owns a growing portion of the economy and Pakistan is often described as an army with a country attached.

Pakistan is one of the top ten military powers on the planet and the only Moslem majority country with nuclear weapons. Pakistans primary foe is India, which has more than six times the population and a much stronger economy and military

Decades of large defense budgets have made it possible for Pakistan to develop, manufacture and maintain a large and diverse ballistic missile force that includes:

Hatf 1 entered service in 1992 with a range of 70 kilometers and was upgraded three years later with a better rocket motor and range of 100 kilometers.

Abdali entered service in 2002 with a range of 150-190 kilometers, later upgraded to 280-450 kilometers depending on warhead size. Only uses non-nuclear warheads. Apparently based on the Chinese M11 missile which Pakistan bought a few of to study and improve the design of Pakistani solid fuel ballistic missiles.

Nasr entered service in 2013 with a range of 90 kilometers and is carried on a TEL vehicle that holds four of these 1.2-ton missiles.

Ghaznavi entered service in 2004 with a range of 300 kilometers.

Shaheen-I entered service in 2003 with a range of 750 kilometers, later upgraded to 1,000 kilometers. Weighing ten tons, it is launched from a TEL or from fixed locations.

Ghauri entered service in 2003 with a range of 1,400 kilometers and later upgraded to 1,800 kilometers. Uses a liquid fuel motor based on North Korean technology. A few are still in service as part of a program to develop longer range ballistic missiles.

Ababeel entered service in 2017 with a range of 2,200 kilometers and can carry a warhead with three or more nuclear warheads. Only a few were built and are used mainly to develop longer range ballistic missiles.

Shaheen 2, a solid fuel missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers, also entered service in 2015.

Shaheen 3, a solid fuel missile with a range of 2,700 kilometers, also entered service in 2015.

Ghaznavi and other short-range solid fuel missiles are basically replacements for older liquid fuel Scud missiles. Solid fuel makes it possible to quickly launch the missile. Solid fuel missiles are also cheaper to maintain and use smaller crews that do not require a lot of training.

Pakistan has also developed and put into several cruise missiles since 2007. These have ranges of up to 750 kilometers. India has acquired new air defense systems with some Ballistic Missile Defense or BMD capability as well as being more capable detecting the low and slow cruise missiles. India does not have enough BMD systems to protect more than a few major cities. Pakistan still has a lot of unprotected Indian targets for the ballistic missiles.
Turkiye has successfully penetrated Azerbaijan's apparel market as its garment exports to the latter surged by 520 per centmore than five-fold over the past six years. Shipments reached $211.633 million in 2024, with Turkiyes exports rising by over 54 per cent in just one year.

Turkiyes apparel exports to Azerbaijan were recorded at $34.710 million in 2019. Despite COVID-related disruptions, exports increased to $38.890 million in 2020 and $87.620 million in 2021, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro.

Turkiye's apparel exports to Azerbaijan have surged by 520 per cent in six years, reaching $211.633 million in 2024. Despite a dip in 2022, exports rebounded strongly. Dresses led exports at $29.555 million, with cotton garments dominating the total share (40.64 per cent). Women's apparel made up the largest segment. Turkiye has significantly expanded its presence in Azerbaijan's apparel market.

However, outbound shipments declined to $68.355 million in 2022 before rebounding by 101 per cent to $137.620 million in 2023 and further surging by 54 per cent to $211.633 million in 2024. Turkiye has strengthened its presence in Azerbaijan's apparel market, a landlocked country spanning both Europe and Asia.

Dresses were the most dominant garment category exported from Turkiye to Azerbaijan. In 2024, dress exports amounted to $29.555 million, accounting for 13.97 per cent of total apparel exports. Exports of trousers and shorts were valued at $28.450 million (13.44 per cent), jerseys at $26.885 million (12.70 per cent), T-shirts at $24.214 million (11.44 per cent), and shirts at $23.460 million (11.09 per cent) last year, as per TexPro.

In 2024, Turkiyes exports of cotton garments were valued at $86.018 million, representing 40.64 per cent of total apparel exports. Shipments of man-made garments stood at $67.299 million (31.80 per cent), while garments made from other fibres amounted to $53.510 million (25.28 per cent). The value and share of womens garments were $84.182 million (39.78 per cent), unisex garments $75.868 million (35.85 per cent), and mens garments $47.480 million (22.44 per cent).

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
A new regulation in Vietnam on tax management for business activities conducted via e-commerce and digital platforms scheduled to take effect on April 1 has left businesses worried over the draft decree's timeline, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

It feels businesses need additional time to develop information technology systems, allocate human resources and educate sellers on compliance requirements.

The chamber has proposed postponing its enforcement to July 1.

A new regulation in Vietnam on tax management for business activities via e-commerce and digital platforms has left businesses worried over the timeline, an industry chamber said. It feels businesses need additional time to develop IT systems, allocate human resources and educate sellers on compliance needs. The chamber has proposed postponing its enforcement to July 1 instead of April 1.

Tax collection is necessary, but a well-structured tax framework that minimises administrative burdens and compliance costs for both businesses and individual sellers is needed, VCCI emphasised.

Additionally, the chamber stressed the need for clear definitions of responsibilities among stakeholders to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of the new tax system, domestic media outlets reported.

The draft decree requires individuals conducting regular business on e-commerce and digital platforms will to declare taxes monthly, while household businesses must report their revenue, tax payable and business expenses.

This effectively removes the option of lump-sum tax payments for individual sellers, VCCI said.

VCCI said this approach would be impractical for small-scale sellers, as many lack the capital to invest in business management software and may struggle with complex tax declarations.

To address this, he proposed allowing lump-sum tax payments for individuals with a limited number of transactions, making compliance more feasible.

The decree mandates online sellers to declare business expenses, a requirement deemed unnecessary, as taxes are already calculated based on revenue.

Detailed reporting on costs such as inventory, labour, utilities, shipping and marketing would be unrealistic, the chamber noted.

Concerns have been also raised over the proposed decrees definition of taxable revenue as the total amount paid by the buyer, which e-commerce platforms collect during transactions. This means that a sellers revenue would be calculated based on the full payment made by the buyer.

VCCI suggested that the taxable revenue should instead be based on the amount the e-commerce platform intends to pay to the individual seller, rather than the total transaction value.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 13, 2025) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D) (the "Company" or "FendX"), a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings, announces the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), which was fully subscribed for, and has issued 4,176,500 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.17 per Unit raising gross aggregate proceeds of $710,005.

Each Unit is comprised of one common share (each, a "Share") in the capital of the Company and one transferable share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of three years after the closing date (the "Closing Date"), subject to an acceleration right, whereby the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated if the daily closing price of the Shares equals or exceeds $0.60 on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") (or such other recognized securities exchange on which the Shares may then trade) for 20 consecutive days, in which event the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by given notice via news release and, in such case, all of the then unexercised Warrants will expire on the 30th day after the date on which the news release is disseminated.

In connection with the closing, the Company paid finders fees to eligible finders comprised of $11,927.20 in cash and an aggregate of 157,960 finder's units in lieu of cash fees, with each finder's unit comprised of one Share and one Warrant. In addition, an aggregate of 228,120 finder warrants were issued to the eligible finders under the Offering, with each finder warrant exercisable into one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.17 per Share for 36 months from the Closing Date.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to advance the Company's R&D projects, and for working capital and general corporate purposes, including marketing and investor relations.

Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including from the CSE. All securities issued in relation to the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing date, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The securities issued under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Further to the Company's press release on March 12, 2025, where the Company announced the engagement of a marketing firm to provide consulting services, the budget for the services is US$200,000 which are anticipated to commence on or about March 19, 2025.

About FendX Technologies Inc.

FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people's lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has an exclusive worldwide license to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

"Carolyn Myers"

Carolyn Myers

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; the Offering and its terms; the proposed use of funds of the Offering; statements regarding the anticipated commencement date of the marketing services; statements regarding the Company's intentions and the Company's belief that REPELWRAP film will have applications in healthcare settings and other industries. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Offering may receive final approval; that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; risks that the Company will not complete future financings or raise sufficient funds to complete all of its planned activities; risks related to research and development activities; risks that the Company's products may not be accepted and adopted by the public; the risk that the Company will not obtain necessary approvals and/or clearances as anticipated or at all; the effects of government regulation on the Company's business; risks associated with the Company's ability to obtain and protect rights to its intellectual property; risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's ability to raise additional capital; product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other factors beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of such factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Readers should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure outlined in the Company's filings with the British Columbia Securities Commission on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244542

SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc.
DOHA, Qatar, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SOUEAST Motor has launched its "Lighting Up the Middle East" campaign, a grand light show event illuminating some of the region's most iconic landmarks. This initiative highlights the brand's commitment to redefining urban mobility and reflects its core philosophy, "EASE YOUR LIFE".

A Multi-Nation Spectacle

Since its launch on February 17, SOUEAST has brought stunning light displays to Aspire Tower (Qatar), Erbil 1 Tower (Iraq), and Avenues Mall (Kuwait). Each activation transformed these landmarks into showcases of SOUEAST's 'Ease Orange' lighting, featuring the brand's slogan and flagship SUV models. The dazzling displays have captivated over a million viewers, reinforcing SOUEAST's presence in the region.

"Our light show covers five landmarks across the Middle East, each representing the modern urban life," said Mr. Alex Tan, Vice President of SOUEAST International."This is more than a display-it's a connection between the brand and users."

Lighting Up Qatar: A Grand Beginning

The Aspire Tower in Doha served as the first stage. Its history of hosting the Asian Games flame made it the ideal site to represent SOUEAST's new era of mobility. The "Ease Orange" glow, alongside the S09, S07, and S06 SUV models, turned the tower into a beacon of innovation.

Erbil 1 Tower: A Vision in Orange

On February 20, SOUEAST's activation at Erbil 1 Tower in Iraq introduced a full-building LED showcase, projecting the brand's models and messaging. The Erbil 1 Tower symbolizes economic growth and urban vibrancy, which is the perfect stage for SOUEAST's vision of connected, effortless mobility.

Kuwait's Skyline Shines Bright

By February 24, the light show reached The Avenues-Kuwait. The illuminated SOUEAST branding and model animations added a dynamic touch to the cityscape, reflecting SOUEAST's ambition to integrate modern mobility with urban life.

A Continuing Celebration

Since January, SOUEAST has strengthened its presence in the Middle East through model launches, sales expansions, and brand activations. With more illuminations planned over the next month, the campaign continues to engage millions, inviting users to embrace an effortless, connected urban mobility.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641286/SOUEAST.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/soueast-illuminates-middle-east-landmarks-showcasing-a-new-urban-mobility-vision-302401495.html
Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie.



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A ransomware attack on Tata Technologies has taken a new turn, with cybercrime group Hunters International leaking sensitive data reportedly stolen from the company.

More than a month after the Indian multinational tech firm acknowledged the cyberattack, the hackers have released a part of the stolen data. This has alarmed the company regarding the safety of its data.

Hunters International Leaks Tata Technologies' Sensitive Data

As TechCrunch discovered, the disclosed data, posted on the ransomware gang's dark website, comprises intimate information about active and former workers at Tata Technologies.

The breached data also encompasses sensitive company papers, including orders for purchases and agreements with Indian and American clients.

As per Hunters International, the leaked dataset holds more than 730,000 files, encompassing Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs. What's even more alarming is that it's not only a set of simple data: about 1.4 terabytes of sensitive data were published on the dark web.

Is the Previous Tata Hack Connected to the Current Ransomware Attack?

Tata Technologies made a public announcement of a ransomware attack that had impacted some IT assets two months ago. Then, the company assured stakeholders that their client services were "fully functional and unaffected throughout." Nevertheless, the most recent data leak by Hunters International generates concerns over the full scope of the breach.

Even after repeated requests for comment from TechCrunch, Tata Technologies has not responded yet, leaving it unclear if the leaked information is connected to the previously reported attack.

What is Tata Technologies?

Started as an automotive engineering division of Tata Motors in 1989, Tata Technologies evolved into an independent company in 1994. Today, it is a Tata Group subsidiary and one of India's largest multinational conglomerates.

Tata Technologies is a product engineering, research, and development services company across various industries, such as the automotive, aerospace, and engineering sectors. Tata Technologies has a presence in 27 countries with 20 delivery centers and employs over 12,500 personnel.

Who Is Hunters International? The Ransomware Group's Shady Origins

Rising in late 2023, Hunters International is a fairly new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) threat group. This cybercrime group makes money by renting out its infrastructure to affiliate hackers who carry out ransomware attacks, for a cut of the ransom payments.

Security researchers have associated Hunters International with the notorious Hive ransomware group, which was largely disbanded by law enforcement authorities in 2023.

Hive perpetrated several high-profile cyberattacks, such as a 2022 attack on Tata Power, another Tata Group subsidiary. The patterns of similarity in attacks indicate that Hunters International might be exploiting Hive's remaining network and resources.

The Growing Threat of Ransomware Attacks on Cross-Continental Enterprises

Tata Technologies hack is another reminder of rising ransomware group threats. Hacking has intensified over the past few years, with corporations, government entities, and healthcare organizations being increasingly targeted.

Of course, if the companies can invest millions or even billions in their resources and products, they should also invest in cybersecurity to avoid huge losses of company and financial assets.

Cybercrooks are always adapting their modus operandi. In return, companies must intensify their cybersecurity measures.

Without an official word from Tata Technologies on the leaked information, it is not certain if the company will pursue legal action or negotiate with the hackers. If the breach is confirmed to be connected to the January ransomware attack, it could mean a more serious security failure than initially reported.
Allschwil, Switzerland, March 14, 2025

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections, announced today that the continued strong sales performance of the antifungal Cresemba (isavuconazole) by its license partner Pfizer Inc. in the Asia Pacific region and China exceeded the sales threshold triggering a USD 2.5 million milestone payment.

David Veitch, Basilea's Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with the strong sales performance from our partner Pfizer, resulting in this first sales milestone for the Asia Pacific and China region this year, which significantly surpasses previous sales milestones for the region. This underscores the continued progress in making Cresemba available to increasing numbers of patients suffering from life-threatening invasive mold infections in this region."

The license agreement between Basilea and Pfizer for Cresemba covers Europe (excluding the Nordic countries) as well as China and 16 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Cresemba is marketed in more than 70 countries. According to the latest available market data, total global in-market sales of Cresemba in the twelve-month period between October 2023 and September 2024 amounted to USD 533 million, a 20 percent growth year-on-year, making it the largest branded antifungal for invasive fungal infections worldwide.1

About Cresemba (isavuconazole)

Cresemba, with the active ingredient isavuconazole, is an intravenous (i.v.) and oral azole antifungal. Basilea has entered into several license and distribution agreements for Cresemba covering approximately 115 countries. In China, the oral and intravenous formulations are approved for the treatment of adult patients with invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis. Isavuconazole is also approved in the European Union2, the United Kingdom3, the United States (US)4 and several additional countries including in the Asia Pacific region.5

About Basilea

Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with severe bacterial or fungal infections. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, we have preclinical and clinical anti-infective assets in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd, Allschwil

Hegenheimermattweg 167b

4123 Allschwil

Switzerland Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com)

investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com)

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

References

IQVIA Analytics Link, September 2024. In-market sales reported as moving annual total (MAT) in US dollar. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR) Cresemba: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/cresemba (https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/cresemba) [Accessed: March 13, 2025] Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) Cresemba: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/search?q=cresemba (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/search?q=cresemba) [Accessed: March 13, 2025] Full US prescribing information: https://www.astellas.us/docs/cresemba.pdf (https://www.astellas.us/docs/cresemba.pdf) [Accessed: March 13, 2025] The registration status and approved indications may vary from country to country.

Attachment
Enrolled first cohort into SENS-501's Phase 1/2 clinical trial, Audiogene, and received a positive DMC recommendation; enrollment of second cohort and KOL event to present new data expected during H1 2025

Primary and secondary endpoints achieved in SENS-401's Phase 2a Proof of Concept study for the preservation of residual hearing following cochlear implantation; business development discussions ongoing

End of enrollment in SENS-401's Phase 2a Proof of Concept study in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity, NOTOXIS; topline data to be reported by end of Q4 2025

Strengthened balance sheet and shareholder registry via capital increases raising 65.5m from top tier U.S. and European healthcare dedicated institutional investors

Cash and short-term deposits of 77m finance the Company until end of Q1 2026

Regulatory News:

Sensorion (FR0012596468 ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent hearing loss disorders, today reported its full-year 2024 results, provided a corporate update, and announced the availability of the full-year report.

"This past year has been an exceptional period of progress on clinical and corporate development fronts," commented Nawal Ouzren, Chief Executive Officer of Sensorion. "Our portfolio of next generation treatments for hearing loss disorders achieved important development milestones highlighted by the first cohort being enrolled in Audiogene, our first gene therapy clinical trial, and with SENS-401's Phase 2a POC study meeting its primary and secondary endpoints in preserving residual hearing following cochlear implantation. On the operational side, we executed two successful financings totaling over 65 million which enabled us to maintain development pace for the entire pipeline of programs while welcoming some of the healthcare sector's leading institutional investors to the registry. We head into 2025 well positioned to execute on our clinical and corporate growth plan and on behalf of the entire team, I extend gratitude to our longstanding shareholders, to the patients and to the doctors for their continued support as we remain steadfast in bringing to market disruptive treatments for hearing loss disorders."

Pipeline Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Gene Therapies for Hereditary Monogenic Hearing Loss

In 2024, Sensorion advanced its portfolio of gene therapies developed in collaboration with the Institut Pasteur. The Company achieved several notable milestones with lead candidate SENS-501, for the treatment of hearing loss caused by otoferlin deficiency.

SENS-501: Gene therapy program to restore hearing in OTOF patients

Sensorion's SENS-501 dual vector AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene therapy development product aims at restoring hearing in patients with mutations in OTOF gene who suffer from severe to profound sensorineural prelingual non syndromic hearing loss. Otoferlin related hearing loss is responsible for up to 8% of all cases of congenital hearing loss, with around 20,000 people affected in the US and Europe1

On January 19, 2024, Sensorion announced the approval to initiate the Phase 1/2 gene therapy clinical trial of SENS-501, Audiogene. The study design consists of two cohorts of two doses followed by an expansion cohort at the selected dose. Safety will be the primary endpoint for the dose escalation cohort, and the auditory brainstem response (ABR) will be the primary efficacy endpoint of the dose expansion cohort. Audiogene will also assess the clinical safety, performance, and usability of the administration device system developed by Sensorion. Additionally, Sensorion received the European Medicines Agency's decision agreeing on a Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for SENS-501, in September 2024.

In September 2024, Sensorion reported the injection of the first patient recruited in the Audiogene trial, and, during the symposium it held during the World Congress of Audiology, reported initial safety data of the first patient.

On December 27, 2024, Sensorion announced the patient recruitment completion of the first cohort of patients in the Audiogene study, with all first three toddlers and infants having received an injection of the gene therapy product, SENS-501.

On February 21, 2025, Sensorion received a positive recommendation from the Data Monitoring Committee of Audiogene, after reviewing the first cohort tolerability and safety data. Sensorion plans on completing the recruitment of the second cohort of patients and on hosting a KOL event to present new data in H1 2025.

GJB2-GT: Gene therapy program to restore hearing in GJB2 patients

Sensorion's AAV-based GJB2 gene therapy program developed in collaboration with the Institut Pasteur, has the potential to address three pathologies related to GJB2 mutations: pediatric congenital deafness, progressive forms of hearing loss in children, and early onset of presbycusis in adults.

The Company provided GJB2-GT Proof-of-Concept data at the European Society of Cell Gene Therapy (ESGCT), which took place on October 22-25, 2024, Rome, Italy. Sensorion is advancing the candidate into CTA/IND-enabling activities for anticipated submission in Q1 2026.

SENS-401, Sensorion's small molecule for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss

SENS-401 (Arazasetron) is a small molecule that Sensorion develops in three indications: (i) to treat Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss SSNHL (Phase 2b completed), (ii) to preserve residual hearing following cochlear implantation (Phase 2a completed), and (iii) to prevent Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (Phase 2a ongoing). SENS-401 is an orally available small molecule that aims at protecting and preserving inner ear tissue from damage, responsible for hearing impairment. SENS-401 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in Europe for the treatment of SSNHL, and in the U.S. for the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in pediatric population. The Company is conducting strategic business discussions to partner it small molecule, SENS-401.

SENS-401 to preserve residual hearing after cochlear implantation

Sensorion's Phase 2a Proof of Concept clinical trial of SENS-401 in patients scheduled for a cochlear implantation was a multicentric, randomized, controlled open-label trial aimed at evaluating the presence of SENS-401 in the cochlea (perilymph) after 7 days of twice-daily oral administration in adult patients prior to cochlear implantation due to moderately severe to profound hearing impairment. Patients started treatment with SENS-401 7 days before implantation and continued to receive SENS-401 for a further 42 days. This study was developed in collaboration with Cochlear Limited, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions.

On February 1, 2024, Sensorion announced the completion of patient inclusion in the Phase 2a POC clinical trial.

On March 11, 2024, Sensorion announced that the primary endpoint of assessing the presence of SENS-401 in the inner ear perilymph at a level sufficient to elicit a therapeutic benefit was met in 100% of the patients sampled, 7 days after the start of the treatment.

On September 20, 2024, study investigator Professor Stephen O'Leary, M.D., Ph.D., during a symposium organized by Sensorion at the World Congress of Audiology, and Professor Christophe Vincent in a dedicated session on auditory implants for adults, reported analysis of Sensorion's final data of SENS-401. After 7 weeks of treatment with SENS-401 (and 6 weeks after cochlear implantation), the reduction in residual hearing loss was systematically better at the 3 frequencies 250, 500 750Hz in the group treated with SENS-401. This protective effect was maintained 8 weeks after cessation of treatment (14 weeks after cochlear implantation). The results show that patients treated with SENS-401 have 'complete' hearing preservation (40% of patients) compared with the control group (0% of patients) according to the Skarzynski index. In addition, the favorable safety profile of SENS-401 has been validated, in line with previous studies on SENS-401.

SENS-401 to prevent Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO)

Cisplatin and other platinum-based compounds are essential chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of many cancers. A serious side effect of these therapies is ototoxicity, permanent and irreversible hearing loss, which occurs in 40 to 60%2 of adult and pediatric patients treated. This indication represents a significant unmet medical need for patients and constitutes a potential large global market.

The Phase 2a Proof-of-Concept (POC) NOTOXIS trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study, designed to evaluate the efficacy of SENS-401 to prevent ototoxicity induced by cisplatin in adult patients with a neoplastic disease 4 weeks after the completion of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The trial assesses several outcome measures, including the rate and severity of ototoxicity, the change from baseline in Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) (dB) throughout the study and the tolerance.

On July 23, 2024, Sensorion announced a positive recommendation from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) regarding the continuation of NOTOXIS.

On September 20, 2024, Professor Yann Nguyen reported preliminary safety and efficacy data in Sensorion's NOTOXIS trial, during the World Congress of Audiology. The preliminary data show that a cumulative dose of cisplatin is a key factor of ototoxicity severity. A good safety profile of SENS-401 is confirmed in the long term, with the drug being administered for the first time for an average duration of up to 23 weeks. The preliminary results suggest a trend toward an otoprotective effect of SENS-401 beyond a cisplatin dose of 300 mg/m2. Despite significant exposure to cisplatin in the treatment group, most participants showed only mild ototoxicity.

On March 7, 2025, the Company announced the end of patient enrollment in NOTOXIS, its Phase 2a POC clinical trial of SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity. Sensorion plans on reporting the topline data by the end of 2025.

Strengthening the Board of Directors and senior leadership

On January 25, 2024, Sensorion announced the nomination of Dr. Federico Mingozzi as board member. Dr. Federico Mingozzi has previously worked at Spark Therapeutics, where he served as Chief Science and Technology Officer. Federico brings over 25 years of experience in gene therapy, immunology, as well as biochemistry and molecular biology in academia and industry. He is well known for his significant contributions to the development of gene therapies for the treatment of various diseases. Furthermore, he has played a key role in advancing the understanding of the interactions between gene therapy vectors and the host immune system, as well as in the formulation of strategies to overcome immune responses to anti-AAV vectors.

On June 27, 2024, Sensorion appointed Laurene Danon as Chief Financial Officer. Laurene brings to Sensorion more than 15 years of experience in investment banking and international equity capital markets. A graduate of HEC, she began her career in London with the investment bank J.P. Morgan in a corporate finance advisory capacity, before specializing in equity capital markets at J.P. Morgan and later at Jefferies International. Prior to joining Sensorion, she founded the strategic advisory firm Concorde Advisory, where she supported and managed the execution of strategic corporate finance projects for her clients. In total, Laurene has led executions for 70 transactions totalling over $35 billion raised.

Expected future milestones and estimated timelines

H1 2025 SENS-501: Enrollment completion of the second cohort of patients in Audiogene trial and KOL event to present new data

H2 2025 SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity: Topline results

Q1 2026 GJB2-GT: Clinical Trial Applications filing

Full Year 2024 financial highlights

Cash Position

Cash Cash Equivalents, and short-term deposits, amounted to c. 77m as of December 31, 2024, compared to 37.0m as of December 31, 2023.

Research And Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses increased by 13 from 22.8 million in 2023 to 25.7 million in 2024.

General And Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses were 9.4 million for 2024, compared to 5.3 million for 2023.

Net Loss

Net loss was -26.0million for 2024, compared to -22.1 million for 2023.

Financial guidance

Based on cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposit classified in other current assets of 77.0 million at 31 December 204, the Company has sufficient net working capital to meet its cash requirements until the end of Q1 2026.

Financial results

The annual accounts as at December 31, 2024, were prepared according to IFRS standards and approved by the Board of Directors on March 13, 2025.

The simplified income statement as of December 31, 2024, is as follows:

In thousands of Euros IFRS standards 31.12.2024 31.12.2023 Operating income 6,653 5,698 Research Development expenses -25,664 -22,755 General Administrative expenses -9,390 -5,253 Total operating expenses -35,054 -28,009 Operating loss -28,401 -22,310 Financial result 2,555 544 Corporate Income Tax -126 -297 Net loss -25,972 -22,063

The simplified balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, is as follows:

In thousands of Euros IFRS standards 31.12.2024 31.12.2023 Non-current Assets 3,574 3,236 Other Current Assets 18,934 6,292 Of which short term deposit 10 214 Cash cash equivalent 66,769 36,974 Total Assets 89,277 46,502 Equity 72,138 33,275 Non-current Liabilities 3,486 3,646 Current Liabilities 13,653 9,581 Total Liabilities 89,277 46,502

2024 certified accounts

On March 13, 2025, the Board of Directors approved the Company's full year results as of December 31, 2024. The Full Year Report can be found on Sensorion's website(https://www.sensorion.com/en/home/) in the investor section under financial information. The full year accounts of 2024 have been subject to a limited review by the Company's statutory auditors and an unqualified report is being issued.

About SENS-501

SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) is an innovative gene therapy program developed to treat a specific form of congenital deafness linked to mutations in the OTOF (otoferlin) gene. This gene plays a key role in the transmission of auditory signals between the hair cells of the inner ear and the auditory nerve. When this gene is defective, affected individuals are born with severe to profound hearing loss.

The aim of SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) is to restore hearing by introducing a functional copy of the OTOF gene directly into hair cells via viral vector technology (AAV). This therapy aims to restore the normal process of converting sound into electrical signals, enabling patients to regain their hearing ability. Currently in the clinical research phase, this gene therapy program represents significant hope for families affected by this rare form of genetic deafness. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) embodies a commitment to scientific innovation in the field of hearing, with the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life of patients suffering from genetic deafness. This gene therapy for patients suffering from otoferlin deficiency has been developed in the framework of RHU AUDINNOVE, a consortium composed of Sensorion with the Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, the Institut Pasteur, and the Fondation pour l'Audition. The project is partially financed by the French National Research Agency, through the "investing for the future" program (ref: ANR-18-RHUS-0007).

About the Audiogene Trial

Audiogene aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of intra-cochlear injection of SENS-501 for the treatment of OTOF gene-mediated hearing loss in infants and toddlers aged 6 to 31 months at the time of gene therapy treatment. By targeting the first years of life, when brain plasticity is optimal, the chances of these young children with pre-linguistic hearing loss acquiring normal speech and language are maximized. The study comprises two cohorts of two doses followed by an expansion cohort at the selected dose. While safety will be the primary endpoint of the first part of the dose escalation study, auditory brainstem response (ABR) will be the primary efficacy endpoint of the second part of the expansion. Audiogene will also evaluate the clinical safety, performance and ease-of-use of the delivery system developed by Sensorion.

About SENS-401

SENS-401 (Arazasetron), Sensorion's clinical stage lead drug candidate, is an orally available small molecule that aims to protect and preserve inner ear tissue from damage responsible of progressive or sequelae hearing impairment. Sensorion developed SENS-401 in three Phase 2 clinical trials: (i) for the prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity, (ii) to prevent residual hearing loss in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation, and (iii) to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The last two studies are completed. SENS-401 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the EMA in Europe for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and by the FDA in the U.S. for the prevention of platinum-induced ototoxicity in pediatric population.

About Sensorion

Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat, and prevent hearing loss disorders, a significant global unmet medical need. Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases, enabling it to select the best targets and mechanisms of action for drug candidates.

It has two gene therapy programs aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness, developed in the framework of its broad strategic collaboration focused on the genetics of hearing with the Institut Pasteur. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) currently being developed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, targets deafness caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin and GJB2-GT targets hearing loss related to mutations in GJB2 gene to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses.

Sensorion's portfolio also comprises programs of a clinical-stage small molecule, SENS-401 (Arazasetron), for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss disorders. Sensorion's small molecule progressed in three Phase 2 proof of concept clinical study: firstly, in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO) for the preservation of residual hearing, for which the recruitment is completed and the follow-up is ongoing. Secondly, with partner Cochlear Limited, a study of SENS-401 for the residual hearing preservation in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation, completed in 2024. Thirdly, a Phase 2 study of SENS-401 was also completed in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in 2022.

www.sensorion.com

Label: SENSORION

ISIN: FR0012596468

Mnemonic: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2023 full year report published on March 14, 2024, and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

1 Rodriguez-Ballesteros M, Reynoso R, Olarte M, Villamar M, Morera C, Santarelli R, Arslan E, Meda C, Curet C, Volter C, Sainz-Quevedo M, Castorina P, Ambrosetti U, Berrettini S, Frei K, Tedin S, Smith J, Cruz Tapia M, Cavalle L, Gelvez N, Primignani P, Gomez-Rosas E, Martin M, Moreno-Pelayo MA, Tamayo M, Moreno-Barral J, Moreno F, del Castillo I. A multicenter study on the prevalence and spectrum of mutations in the otoferlin gene (OTOF) in subjects with nonsyndromic hearing impairment and auditory neuropathy. Hum Mutat. 2008 Jun;29(6):823-31. doi: 10.1002/humu.20708. PMID: 18381613.

2 JCO Oncology practice, ASCO, volume 19, Issue 5/ CIO: a concise review of the burden, prevention and interception strategies, May 2024 Chattaraj.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313648327/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Noemie Djokovic, Investor Relations and Communication Associate

ir.contact@sensorion-pharma.com



Press Relations

Ulysse Communication

Bruno Arabian 00 33(0)6 87 88 47 26

barabian@ulysse-communication.com

Nicolas Entz 00 33 (0)6 33 67 31 54

nentz@ulysse-communication.com
Former Adidas and Henkel CEO Kasper Rrsted joins the Circus SE Board of Advisors to support the global scale-up of the CA-1 robot, the world's first Embodied AI robot for the food service industry.

With decades of experience leading DAX companies and globally recognized brands, Rrsted brings strategic expertise to accelerate Circus SE's mission of redefining food production through robotics and AI.

Next to his role at Circus SE, Rrsted currently serves on the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, Lenovo Group Ltd (HK) and the Board of A.P. Mller-Mrsk, bringing his strategic expertise to the world's most respected technology and logistics companies.

Circus SE (XETRA: CA1), a global leader in AI software and embodied AI-robotics for the food service industry, proudly announces that Kasper Rrsted, former CEO of Adidas and Henkel, is joining its Board of Advisors. Rrsted will contribute his extensive experience in leading some of the world's most iconic brands and managing complex, high-growth businesses at a global scale.

Circus SE is driving a radical shift towards intelligent systems with AI-robotics based, fully autonomous systems, delivering a future where nutritious, high-quality meals are produced without humans involved at unmatched efficiency and sustainability by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

Kasper Rrsted is one of Europe's most accomplished executives, with a proven track record in steering DAX-listed companies and global technology businesses through transformation and growth. As CEO of Adidas (2016-2022), he led the company through a period of significant digital acceleration, operational excellence, and brand elevation, solidifying its place as a global leader in sportswear. Prior to Adidas, Rrsted served as CEO of Henkel (2008-2016), where he drove record performance by globalizing the business and strategically optimizing its portfolio. Earlier in his career, Rrsted held senior leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, and Oracle, bringing decades of experience at the intersection of technology, innovation, and consumer industries.

"Technology is fundamentally reshaping industries-and the food sector is next," said Kasper Rrsted. "Circus SE is at the forefront of this transformation, building scalable, intelligent systems that can address urgent global challenges like food waste and labor shortages. I am excited to support their mission and help guide this next chapter of growth as they redefine the future of AI basedfood production."

Claus Holst-Gydesen, Co-CEO of Circus SE, welcomed Rrsted's appointment: "We are incredibly proud to have Kasper join our Board of Advisors. His exceptional leadership across some of the world's most recognized brands and his experience running DAX companies will be invaluable as we scale Circus into a global category leader. Kasper's strategic insight and operational expertise will help us accelerate our mission of building a world powered by autonomous, AI-driven food production."

Kasper Rrsted's appointment underscores Circus SE's commitment to assembling a world-class board of visionary leaders across industries to support their mission of building a category leader in AI-robotics, made in Germany. As the company expands globally and advances its commercial rollout, Rrsted's experience in scaling complex organizations and his deep understanding of both technology and consumer markets will be pivotal in shaping Circus' future.

About Kasper Rrsted

Kasper Rrsted is one of Europe's leading business executives with over 30 years of experience managing global companies across technology and consumer industries. He served as CEO of Adidas (2016-2022) and Henkel (2008-2016), driving digital transformation, global expansion, and record performance. Before that, he held leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, and Oracle.

Rrsted currently serves on the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, Lenovo Group Ltd (HK) and the Board of A.P. Mller-Mrsk, bringing his strategic expertise to the world's most respected technology and logistics companies. He is widely recognized for his leadership in scaling complex organizations and building some of the world's most renowned brands.

About Circus SE

Circus SE (XETRA: CA1) is one of the global leaders in Embodied AI and AI-Software, driving innovation and autonomy in labor-intensive industries. With its flagship product, the CA-1 robot, Circus pioneers Embodied AI applications that integrate advanced technology into real-world operations, transforming the food-service industry. By combining state-of-the-art robotics, AI-driven software, and a commitment to solving global challenges, Circus is shaping the future of autonomy and redefining human-AI collaboration. Headquartered in Germany, Circus continues to expand its presence globally, leading the next wave of AI.

Language: English Company: Circus SE Hongkongstrasse 6 20457 Hamburg Germany E-mail: ir@circus-group.com Internet: https://www.circus-group.com/for-investors ISIN: DE000A2YN355 WKN: A2YN35 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich (m:access)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250314281314/en/

Contacts:

Circus SE

Hongkongstrasse 6

20457 Hamburg

press@circus-group.com



Investor Relations Contact:

Maximilian Hartweg

VP Corporate Strategy Affairs

ir@circus-group.com
LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AI to Replace Civil Servants and Save 45 Billion: What Does This Mean for Insurance?

The UK government is betting big on AI. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to replace civil servants with artificial intelligence, calling the state " overcautious and flabby " and promising sweeping reforms. The goal? To cut inefficiencies and save taxpayers 45 billion through automation.

With thousands of government jobs under review and AI well-suited for routine tasks, the civil service could unlock unprecedented efficiency - saving an estimated 45 billion while empowering its workforce

Will the Government's use of AI legitimise its use in wider industry? Are their parallels within insurance?

The insurance industry faces the same challenges as a market that's burdened with time-consuming, manual data entry and administrative tasks. AI is poised to change that by automating these processes, allowing underwriters to focus on higher-value decisions, resulting in faster, more accurate quotes, better risk management and a more competitive insurance market.

Much like in government, AI can reduce operational costs in insurance by eliminating repetitive tasks such as keying (and re-keying) submissions, document analysis, and manual risk evaluations. By leveraging AI, insurers can significantly speed up the quote process, improve efficiency and lower premiums.

Rewriting the Underwriter job description

However, AI isn't replacing underwriters; it's redefining their roles. As Starmer put it, "No person's time should be spent on a task where AI can do it better, quicker, and to the same high quality."

For underwriters, this signals a shift from administrative work to strategic decision-making, portfolio expansion, and coverage innovation. Instead of spending time on data entry or outsourcing submissions for manual processing, underwriters will be free to focus on evaluating complex risks and maximising capacity deployment.

AI won't make you obsolete; but your competitors using it might

As the government leads the charge in AI-driven reform, the insurance sector must follow. AI is not just a tool for cost-cutting, it's a powerful driver of efficiency, customer experience, and competitive advantage.

The question is no longer if AI will reshape underwriting but how quickly insurers will adopt it. Those who embrace AI may well outpace their competitors. Those who don't? They risk being left behind, because AI won't replace underwriters - but underwriters who use AI will replace those who don't.

About Concirrus

Concirrus revolutionizes underwriting in specialty and commercial insurance with AI-driven solutions that turn hours-long processes into decisions made in seconds. Founded in 2012, it serves sectors like aviation, transportation, marine, surety, construction, political violence, and terrorism. Trusted by leading insurers, its AI analytics streamline operations, optimize risk assessment, and empower smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. To learn more, visit: https://concirrus.ai

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2638210/5216092/Concirrus.jpg

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Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost.



Milliarden stromen aus den USA  und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an.



Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen.



Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter.



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JZ Capital Partners Ltd - Compulsory Redemption of Shares and Total Voting Rights

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 14

JZ CAPITAL PARTNERS LIMITED (the "Company")

(a closed-ended investment company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 48761)

LEI 549300TZCK08Q16HHU44

Compulsory Redemption of Shares and Total Voting Rights

14 March 2025

Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the announcement of the Company released on 26 February 2025.

Completion of Compulsory Redemption of Shares

Further to the announcements made by the Company on 7 November 2024 and 26 February 2025, the Company today announces that, on 13 March 2025 (being the Redemption Date), it effected a compulsory partial Redemption of 7,352,941 Ordinary Shares, which will result in the return of an aggregate amount of US$29,999,999.28. On this basis, approximately 10.87% of the Company's total issued share capital has been redeemed pursuant to the Redemption.

The Redemption was effected at a Redemption Price of US$4.08 per Ordinary Share from all Shareholders pro rata to their existing holdings of Ordinary Shares as at the close of business on 13 March 2025 (being the Redemption Record Date). The Redemption Price, which was determined by the Board, represented the NAV per Ordinary Share as published on 21 February 2025 (being the most recently published month-end NAV of the Company prior to the announcement made by the Company on 26 February 2025).

Following the Redemption, the Company now has 60,320,352 Ordinary Shares in issue and, with effect from today, the Ordinary Shares will trade under the new ISIN number: GG00BPNZ7G17. Shareholders' existing share certificates for the Ordinary Shares subject to the Redemption will be cancelled and new certificates will be issued for the balance of their holding of Ordinary Shares. It is expected that new share certificates will be dispatched by 1st class post at the risk of Shareholders by 27 March 2025.

It is expected that payments of Redemption monies will be paid either through CREST (in the case of Ordinary Shares held in uncertificated form) or by cheque (in the case of Ordinary Shares held in certificated form) by 27 March 2025.

As mentioned in the announcement made by the Company on 26 February 2025, with respect to any potential further returns of capital in the longer term, Shareholders should note that the Board retains absolute discretion as to the execution, extent and timing of any further potential returns of capital. Further, the Company remains committed to its investment policy and specifically the strategy of realising the maximum value of investments and, having repaid all debt, returning capital to Shareholders, subject always to retaining sufficient funds to cover existing obligations and support certain existing investments to maximise their value. To that end, the Company will continue to assess its ability to make further returns of capital to Shareholders (as well as the manner in which they are made), and will seek to do so as and when it has sufficient cash reserves that are not otherwise required to support its existing investments to maximise value and/or to meet its existing obligations such as operational expenses.

Total Voting Rights

In accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules the Company also notifies the market of the following:

The total number of Ordinary Shares in issue as at 8.00 a.m. on 14 March 2025 was 60,320,352 with each Ordinary Share carrying the right to one vote.

The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 60,320,352.

This figure may be used by Shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

___________________________________________________________________________________

For further information:

Kit Dunford / Ed Berry

FTI Consulting +44 (0)7717 417 038 / +44 (0)7703 330 199 David Zalaznick

Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers, Inc. +1 212 485 9410 Emma-Jayne Wherry

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited +44 (0) 1481 745 724

Important Notice

This announcement contains a number of "forward-looking statements". Generally, the words "will", "may", "should", "continue", "believes", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "forecast", "plan" and "project" or in each case, their negative, or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the relevant company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks, assumptions and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the companies' abilities to control or estimate precisely, such as future market conditions, changes in general economic and business conditions, introduction of competing products and services, lack of acceptance of new products or services and the behaviour of other market participants. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Shareholders should not, therefore, place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.


EQS Newswire / 14/03/2025 / 16:26 UTC+8



(14 March 2025, Hong Kong) Novautek Technologies Group Limited ("Novautek", stock code: 519.HK) is pleased to announce that Novautek's "Smart Housing Estate" AI robot solution has received high recognition from Legislative Council member and inter-departmental government officials for Hong Kong's first intelligent public housing project.

On 13 March 2025, Dennis Leung Tsz-wing, a member of Legislative Council of Hong Kong, along with representatives from three government departments, conducted an on-site inspection of Hong Kong's first intelligent public housing project. Located in Queen's Hill Estate, this project serves as an innovative pilot for the smart public services development in the region, featuring Novautek's "Smart Housing Estate" AI robot solution, which introduces two types of robots: intelligent cleaning and security patrol robots.

Councilor Dennis Leung is committed to promoting the application of innovative technology and facilitating the government's blueprint for smart city development. During the inspection, Councilor Dennis Leung accompanied the inter-departmental government team to understand the core technology operations of the two types of robots:

Novautek's Intelligent Cleaning Robot: Equipped with an all-round dynamic patrolling system, enhancing community environment maintenance efficiency; and Novautek's 24-Hour Security Patrol Robot: Featuring real-time monitoring and environmental perception technology, strengthening community safety and security capabilities.

Representatives from the government departments expressed high appreciation for the project's outcomes and will further explore expanding the application of related robots to more public facility scenarios, promoting smart city development.

In response to the needs of public housing estates, Novautek will continue to deepen technological applications and integrate them with various scenarios, supporting the intelligent transformation of public services.

- END -

About Novautek Technologies Group Limited

The principal businesses of Novautek Technologies Group Limited include autonomous driving, property development, property investment, and investment holding. The Group successfully established Novautek Autonomous Driving Limited in 2023 and set up an autonomous driving business in 2024, focusing on developing products and services related to autonomous driving technology for specific scenarios such as cleaning, security, warehousing, logistics and transportation. Based in Hong Kong, the Group not only serves the local market but also promotes its high-tech products to the world.

This press release is issued by DLK Advisory Limited on behalf of Novautek Technologies Group Limited.

DLK Advisory ????

pr@dlkadvisory.com

Tel: +852 2857 7101

Fax: +852 2857 7103

14/03/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Core Nickel Corp. (CSE: CNCO) ("Core Nickel" or the "Company") announces that it has changed its auditor from Deloitte LLP (the "Former Auditor") to Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP (the "Successor Auditor"). The change of auditor occurred at the request of the Company. The Company's board of directors accepted the resignation of the Former Auditor as of March 10, 2025, and appointed the Successor Auditor as the new auditor of the Company effective March 10, 2025, and to hold office until the close of the Company's next annual general meeting of shareholders.

There were no reservations in the Former Auditor's audit reports in connection with the audits of the Company's two most recently completed financial years. There are no "reportable events" (as the term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations) between the Company and the Former Auditor.

In accordance with National Instrument 51-102, the required letters from the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor have been reviewed by the audit committee and the board of directors, the Notice of Change of Auditor has been approved by the audit committee and the board of directors, and these documents have been filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

About Core Nickel

Core Nickel Corp. is a junior nickel exploration company that controls 100% of five projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB), a prolific nickel district located in Northern Manitoba, Canada. The five projects consist of approximately 27,000 hectares of land that is proximal to existing infrastructure, including highways, railways, major hydroelectric transmission lines, and operating mills.





Map: Core Nickel's Thompson Nickel Belt Properties



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10145/244507_9478169f94c8182a_001full.jpg

Core Nickel has a large contiguous land package in the northern part of the TNB, situated approximately 15-20 km from the City of Thompson. Core Nickel's northern TNB land package consists of three projects: Mel, Hunter, and Odei River. The Mel project encompasses the Mel deposit, which is characterized by a historical mineral resource consisting of an indicated resource of 4,279,000 tons grading 0.875% Ni, plus an inferred resource of 1,010,000 tons grading 0.839% Ni, at a cut-off of 0.5% Ni.1 The target stratigraphy (Pipe Formation) that hosts the Mel deposit, and other deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt, extend onto the Hunter and Odei River projects and drillhole intersections into the target stratigraphy on the Hunter project have successfully intersected anomalous nickel.

The Company also holds two projects in the central TNB near the community of Wabowden: Halfway Lake and Resting Lake. Both projects host the target Pipe Formation associated with known elevated nickel mineralization and are proximal to existing nickel deposits, mills, and other infrastructure.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Caitlin Glew, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Core Nickel Corp., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

References

1 (n.d.). https://www.canickel.com/satellite-depositssatellited

2 "Technical Report on the Mel Deposit, Northern Manitoba" prepared for Victory Nickel Inc, Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc., March 9, 2007

Mel Historical Mineral Resource

Core Nickel Corporation is treating the 2007 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared for Victory Nickel Inc. by Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc. as a "historical mineral resource" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource. Core Nickel has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The historical MRE summarized above has been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Mel deposit and the Mel project. Core Nickel considers the 2007 MRE to be relevant to the further development of the project; however, is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical MRE was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019).

To upgrade or verify the 2007 historical estimate as current, Core Nickel will need to complete a thorough review of all the 2007 historical MRE information and drill data, along with the incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which includes some drilling around the edges of the historical MRE subsequent to the publication of the resource. Additionally, a full review of the economic parameters utilized to determine current Reasonable Prospectus for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) would be required in order to produce a current MRE for the Property. Any future mineral resource will need to evaluate the open pit and/or underground potential taking into consideration the current cost and pricing conditions or constraints, along with continuity of the resource blocks.

Technical Disclosure

The historical results contained within this news release have been captured from Manitoba Integrated Mining and Quarrying System ("iMaQs") as available and may be incomplete or subject to minor location inaccuracies. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Misty Urbatsch"

Misty Urbatsch

CEO, President and Director

Core Nickel Corp.

Also find us online:

www.corenickel.com

https://x.com/CoreNickel

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244507

SOURCE: Core Nickel Corp.
bd-capital Fund 2 closes more than 20% above 350 million target

Raised in under a year despite difficult market conditions

bd-capital AUM reaches over 800 million

bd-capital, the pan-European, operator-led investment firm, is pleased to announce the final closing of its second fund, bd-capital Fund 2 ("Fund 2"), at 430 million. The fund closed more than 20% over its target of 350 million after less than twelve months in the market. With the closing of Fund 2, bd-capital's assets under management have increased to over 800 million.

Commitments to Fund 2 were secured from a diverse cohort of institutional investors, including insurance companies, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and family offices. In addition to Europe and the Middle East, a significant proportion of capital came from North American investors.

bd-capital's Managing Partners, Andy Dawson and Richard Baker, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the continued support we have received from our existing limited partners and are delighted to have welcomed such a fantastic group of new investors into Fund 2. To have exceeded our fundraising target in a relatively short timeframe is a validation of our distinctive, operator-led, pan-European multi-sector specialist strategy. The firm continues to expand and with this new fund, we are well positioned to capitalise on the exciting opportunities in our target sub-sectors as we move onwards."

bd-capital brings a highly differentiated investment approach to the European mid-market, utilising an operator-led strategy where its team of private equity investors and experienced business leaders work together in full partnership across all aspects of sourcing, diligence, execution and value creation.

bd-capital was supported by its partners at Houlihan Lokey (exclusive global placement agent), Weil, Gotshal Manges (legal counsel), and Langham Hall (fund administration).

About bd-capital

Founded in 2019 by Andy Dawson (former Partner at Advent International), and Richard Baker (former FTSE 100 CEO and Chairman, and Advent Operating Partner), bd-capital employs an operator led investment strategy, making control investments in mid-market businesses headquartered in the UK, BeNeLux and Iberian markets which operate in subsectors that are experiencing enduring structural growth across Healthcare, Services and Consumer. bd-capital has offices in London, Amsterdam and Madrid.

Visit www.bd-cap.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311630133/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

Fergus Wheeler Consulting

+44 7710128347

fergus@ferguswheeler.com
Announcement no.4-2025

14 March 2025

North Media's Group CEO Lasse Brodt commented on the performance in 2024:

"In 2024, we were fully focused on executing our business strategies, and this affected our financial performance. Our efforts were primarily centred on integrating SDR, Sweden's largest private distributor of printed matter and local newspapers, the continued transformation of BoligPortal, the establishment of MineTilbud as an independent company and the divestment of the commercial activities of Ofir. The integration of SDR proved more complex and costly than originally assumed. Coupled with a significantly lower print volume in the annual agreements signed for 2025, this has resulted in a write-down of the value of SDR by DKK 155m. This is obviously unsatisfactory, however, we remain confident that our long-term plan for SDR, including the implementation of automated packing, is the right one."

Financial highlights:



DKKm Q4 FY 2024 2023* 2024 2023 Revenue 340.0 239.7 1,301.4 915.1* EBITDA 32.6 47.7 153.5 181.9* Ordinary depreciation -11.7 -73.4 -26.9* EBIT, ordinary operation 20.9 41.1 80.1 155.0* Impairment, SDR -155.0 - -155.0 - EBIT after write-down -134.1 41.1 -74.9 155.0*

As reported in Announcement no. 3 of 7 March 2025, North Media's revenue and EBIT fell short of the most recent guidance for 2024, which included Ofir, and resulted in a revenue of DKK 1,315-1,340m, EBITDA of DKK 140-160m and EBIT of DKK 65-85m. Based on the results for the year, the Board of Directors proposes to the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting that no dividend be paid for 2024.

Performance by business area in 2024

The Last Mile business area (FK Distribution and SDR) reported revenue growth, positively impacted by SDR, while the performance in FK Distribution was flat, driven by a smaller-than-expected decline in the volume of printed matter. Earnings were affected by integration costs, increased payroll costs for deliverers, the development of MineTilbud's new technical platform as well as the write-down of the value of SDR. By the end of the year, approx. 20% of all Swedish households receiving printed matter were included in the automated packing in Denmark. The roll-out of automated packing is still expected to be fully implemented in the second half of 2025.

Within the Digital Services business area, BoligPortal delivered revenue growth of 4%, driven by additional income streams in the Danish market. Earnings declined, however, as a result of increased costs relating to the continued development of a single universe for tenants and landlords. The performance in Bekey was unsatisfactory, and the company's structure, business foundation and market approach are being reviewed.



Guidance for 2025

North Media presented its guidance for 2025 for the Group in Announcement no. 3-2025. The below outline includes the business areas:

DKKm Revenue EBITDA EBIT Group 1,280 - 1,337 80 - 115 25 - 60 Last Mile (FK Distribution, SDR Svensk Direktreklam) 1,110 - 1,155 89 - 116 49 - 76 Digital Services (BoligPortal, MineTilbud, Bekey) 170 - 182 -3 to 5 -6 to 2 Unallocated costs - -6 to -6 -18 to -18

Conference call

Group CEO Lasse Ingemann and Group CDO Martin Tobberup will present the Annual Report at a conference call (in Danish) on HC Andersen Capital's platform today at 13:00 (CET). Please use this link to register for the conference call.

For further information, please contact:

Group CEO Lasse Brodt, tel. +45 20 24 32 92



North Media develops and operates platforms for transactions that bring businesses and consumers together. These platforms help consumers find the right products, whether they are looking for groceries, rental housing, jobs or digital access management solutions. North Media has two core business areas: Last Mile: FK Distribution and SDR Svensk Direktreklam are among the leading distributors of leaflets and local newspapers in Denmark and Sweden, respectively. Digital Services: Three businesses with the potential for growth, rising earnings and scalability: BoligPortal is Denmark's leading home rentals platform, offering services to both landlords and tenants. MineTilbud is a leading digital offer platform. Bekey provides digital access solutions for secured stairwells and private homes for the use of homecare services and companies delivering parcels, groceries, meal services, etc.
China Eastern Airlines (CEA) just announced the launch of a new direct route between Shanghai Pudong and Abu Dhabi. The service, set to commence on April 28, will make CEA the first Chinese airline to connect the two cities. The flights will be operated under a joint partnership with Etihad Airways.

The new route, designated as flight MU237/238, will operate four times a week, departing from Shanghai every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The outbound flight leaves Shanghai at 15:10 local time and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 21:20 local time. The return leg departs Abu Dhabi at 23:20 local time and arrives in Shanghai at 12:40 local time the following day.

The service will be operated by an Airbus A330, which is equipped with high-speed in-flight connectivity, enabling passengers to enjoy seamless internet access throughout the journey.

Abu Dhabi offers strategic advantages for Chinese businesses, with its free trade zone policies and strong energy and financial sectors. The launch of this direct route is expected to strengthen economic ties and facilitate greater business and cultural exchanges between the Yangtze River Delta and the Gulf. Additionally, the new route is anticipated to boost tourism, allowing Shanghai travelers easy access to Abu Dhabi's iconic landmarks, while offering Emirati visitors an opportunity to experience China's blend of modernity and rich cultural heritage.

The Shanghai-Abu Dhabi route of CEA marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between CEA and Etihad Airways. In December 2023, the two airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining collaboration in areas such as codeshare agreements, frequent flyer programs, cargo operations, and sustainability initiatives.

In June 2024, the carriers formalized a joint venture agreement to promote the opening of the Shanghai-Abu Dhabi route, with a commitment to shared operations on the service. CEA's flights will utilize the newly opened Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport, where Etihad Airways also operates, enabling seamless connectivity for passengers traveling onward to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

CEA now operates five routes to the Middle East, offering a total of 20 weekly departures. The airline's existing routes include Shanghai-Dubai, Shanghai-Riyadh, Xi'an-Dubai, Qingdao-Dubai, and Kunming-Dubai.

Tickets for the Shanghai-Abu Dhabi route are now available for purchase.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250314187847/en/

Contacts:

Company: China Eastern Airlines

Website: http://www.ceair.com/

Contact: fangying

TEL: 00862122331470

Email: fangying@ceair.com
Paul Duffy Appointed Executive Chairman of the Board

Peter Kendall Joins Board

Seasoned Advisors Mark Orsmond and Michael Nemirow to Support AIML's Corporate Development Initiatives

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. ("AIML" or the "Company") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB) is pleased to announce key updates to its Board of Directors ("Board") as the Company enters an exciting new phase of growth and commercialization.

Paul Duffy, AIML's Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Kendall, AIML's President and Chief Commercialization Officer, have both been appointed to the Board. Mr. Duffy has also assumed the role of Executive Chairman, Simultaneously, Mark Orsmond, outgoing Executive Chair of the Board, and Michael Nemirow have stepped down from the Board and continue their involvement as strategic advisors.

These changes reflect AIML's strategic commitment to aligning with the Company's forward-looking focus on commercial execution, market penetration, and strategic partnerships. As AIML continues to advance its innovative portfolio of AI-driven healthcare technologies, this Board realignment ensures the Company is structured to accelerate growth, provide direct industry experience, and drive shareholder value.

Paul Duffy, CEO and newly appointed Chairman of the Board, commented:

"We are entering an exciting new chapter at AIML, one defined by focus, execution, and scalable impact. Strengthening our Board with more industry participants to enhance a commercialization lens is a key part of our strategic evolution, and I'm honored to now serve in a governance capacity alongside Peter Kendall. I would like to express my deep gratitude to both Mark and Michael for their dedication, insights, and leadership during a foundational period for the Company. In particular, we are very grateful to Mark for the top-tier medical and professional team that is now part of our Company, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new advisory role."

As part of this transition, Mark Orsmond and Michael Nemirow will continue to play a pivotal role in the Company's growth trajectory, supporting corporate development initiatives, strategic partnerships, and commercialization strategies.

AIML remains steadfast in its mission to deliver breakthrough solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human health. These leadership transitions mark a meaningful step forward in realizing that vision.

For more information about AIML :

For detailed information please see AIML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca .

Contact:

Blake Fallis

(778) 405-0882

info@aiml-innovations.com

About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/

AIML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence: (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Quantum Sciences Ltd. and NeuralCloud Solutions Inc, strategic partnerships with Health Gauge Inc. (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 11.11% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML), and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AIML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Paul Duffy, Chairman

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will be issued as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will be issued in a form that will be advantageous to us. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time at sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of third- party websites.

SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations, Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD. (TSX: OBE) (NYSE American: OBE) ("Obsidian Energy", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") today provides an update on the previously announced offer (the "Offer") to purchase for cash, up to an aggregate amount of $3.0 million of our outstanding 11.95 percent Senior Unsecured Notes due July 27, 2027 (the "Notes"). The Offer expired on March 11, 2025, and was made on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated February 26, 2025.

There were no Notes validly tendered prior to the deadline at 5:00 p.m., EDT, on March 11, 2025. The Company currently has $114.2 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding.

Computershare Investor Services Inc. served as the tender agent for the Offer.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Obsidian Energy shares are listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the NYSE American exchange in the United States under the symbol "OBE".

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244456

SOURCE: Obsidian Energy Ltd.
First tranche of $0.25 warrants ratcheting to $0.40 on April 25, 2025

Over 22 million $0.25 warrants exercised since free trading was announced raising more than $6 million

Remaining $0.25 warrants could bring over $2 million in additional funds

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), a global cybersecurity services and solutions provider, provides the market with an update on the exercising of the first tranche of warrants which were issued upon closing of the oversubscribed private placement in April 2024.

Management is pleased to announce that as of March 13, 2025, warrants were exercised to purchase 22,502,494 of the Company's common shares at an average price of $0.27, generating $6,089,936 in gross proceeds. Plurilock's Board and management have also exercised warrants for this series to purchase over 1.7 million common shares for a value exceeding $440,000, demonstrating their confidence in the Company's future.

This is an increase from prior updates, including the October 7, 2024 announcement that 13,627,613 warrants were exercised at an average price of $0.26, raising $3,595,644, and the August 28, 2024 announcement that 8,038,946 warrants were exercised at an average price of $0.27, adding $2,190,949 to the Company's Treasury.

First Tranche of $0.25 Warrants Ratcheting to $0.40 on April 25, 2025

With the first tranche of $0.25 warrants set to ratchet to $0.40 on April 25, 2025, the Company encourages shareholders to exercise their warrants before the deadline to maximize their value.

Plurilock remains focused on driving operational efficiency, expanding its commercial and federal cybersecurity footprint, and delivering long-term shareholder value. The Company expects continued momentum in 2025, supported by strong demand for its cybersecurity services and strategic growth initiatives.

About Plurilock

Plurilock sells cybersecurity solutions to the United States and Canadian Federal Governments along with Global 2000 companies. Through these relationships, Plurilock sells its unique brand of Critical Services, aiding clients with our expertise to defend against, detect, and prevent costly data breaches and cyberattacks.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244532

SOURCE: Plurilock Security Inc.
The former UK Labour Party General Secretary David Evans will reveal the key strategies behind multiple election victories - lessons that apply beyond politics

DAVOS, Switzerland, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of the most influential voices in strategic communication - Baron Evans of Sealand andPaul Holmes, will take center stage at the Davos Communications Summit & Awards 2025 on April 10 at the Davos Congress Center. With decades of experience shaping communication victories, global PR trends, and corporate strategies, they will deliver game-changing insights into leadership, messaging, and what's next in the AI era. Secure your seat now at wcfasummit.com .

Baron Evans of Sealand, member of the House of Lords, former UK Labour Party General Secretary, and Senior Advisor to the Washington DC based Progressive Policy Institute, will deliver a keynote speech on "Win '24 - The Great Journey from Defeat to Victory," offering key takeaways of his electoral success applicable to business, politics, and global communications. Joining him is Paul Holmes, founder of PRovoke Media and one of the most respected voices in public relations. His keynote, "AI and 2025 Trends in Public Communications", will explore how AI is revolutionizing corporate messaging and brand engagement, shaping the next era of strategic communication.

"Successful communication isn't just about delivering a message - it's about understanding the people who need to hear it. Reconnecting with key parts of our voting coalition required more than just messaging - it demanded deep insight, a sharp strategic focus, and clear, consistent communication. At Davos Communications Summit 2025, I'll break down the practical strategies behind this success and how they apply far beyond politics - to anyone looking to influence, engage, and lead effectively," commented Baron Evans of Sealand.

The Davos Communications Summit & Awards 2025 , hosted by the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA), will take place in Davos on April 9-11 and welcomes business and communication professionals to join for a two-day conference and gala dinner.

Among the distinguished speakers, representing Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, are also: Guntram Kaiser, Founder of KaiserCommunication GmbH, Stuart Bruce, PR Futurist & Co-Founder at Purposeful Relations, Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Independent Board Director, Chetna Krishna, Communications Officer at CERN, Iryna Zolotarevych, Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Kateryna Doroshevska, Founder & CEO, BECOME PR agency, Katja Fasink, CEO, key7 Communications, Kirsty Leighton, Founder & Group CEO at Milk & Honey PR; Laura Baxter, CEO of Castle Mount Media GmbH; Mary Beth West, Senior Strategist, Mike Southon, Entrepreneur Mentor, The Beermat Entrepreneur, Paul Holmes, Founder at PRovoke Media, Sanjiv Winayak, Senior Client Director/Head of AI at Milk & Honey, Sophie Reymond, Public Relations Consultant and Founder at SRPR, Syed Bukhari, Senior Manager Strategic Communications & Visibility at American University of Sharjah, Tatevik Simonian, Director Communications & International Relations, SPRING PR, Thabisile Phumo, Executive Vice President Stakeholder Relations at Sibanye-Stillwater, Viroslava Novosylna, CEO & Founder at SLOVA PR.

For the first time, the Davos Communications Awards Ceremony will be held in person during the Gala Dinner on April 10, recognizing excellence in public relations, corporate communications, and industry innovation worldwide. All communication experts, agencies and in-house teams are invited to submit their work at www.davosawards.com .

The Davos Communications Summit & Awards 2025 is in cooperation with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and is proudly supported by The PREthics Community as the gold sponsor and Brain 4 Strategy as the silver sponsor. The official media partner is PR Newswire, part of Cision Group Ltd.

About World Communications Forum:

Founded in 2010 in Davos, Switzerland, the World Communications Forum Association is a premier global platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry development, focused on upgrading its members' expertise and to be an active voice in business, society and politics. WCFA's flagship event, the World Communications Forum, has been hosted in major cities worldwide, including Istanbul, Prague, Moscow, New York City, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Mexico City, Lusaka, Cape Town, and Geneva. In 2020, the association launched the Global Communications Summit on Zoom, bringing together over 450 global experts to establish the Tenets for Ethical Communications, endorsed by 135 industry leaders from 36 countries.

For more information, contact:

Maxim Behar, WCFA President

mainoffice@wcfaglobal.com

+359 888 50 31 13

www.wcfaglobal.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641849/WCFA.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2633362/5216646/WCFA_Logo.jpg

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SWISSto12, one of the world's fastest-growing satellite companies and a leader in Radio Frequency communications solutions, announces that CEO and Founder Dr. Emile de Rijk has won the most prestigious award in the satellite industry, Via Satellite's 2024 Satellite Executive of the Year Award. The announcement was made at the Via Satellite Annual Awards Luncheon, held during SATELLITE 2025 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313627864/en/

SWISSto12 Founder and CEO Dr. Emile de Rijk accepting the Via Satellite '2024 Satellite Executive of the Year' Award (Photo: Business Wire)

Emile was one of six nominees for this year's award, based on contributions to global satellite markets, technologies, business practices, services, innovations, advocacy, or any combination of the aforementioned. A combination of the Via Satellite editorial team and votes directly from the industry decided the winner.

Founded in 2011, SWISSto12 developed with a bottom-up approach: growing from a university spinoff with patented 3D printing technology to disrupt the design and manufacturing of Radio-Frequency (RF) antennas, to an established and growing RF systems manufacturer with satellite user terminals including active electronically steered antennas (AESAs) developed and deployed on hundreds of airborne, maritime and ground platforms for Tier 1 customers including SES, Thales, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In addition, the company now has thousands of products operating in space across LEO and GEO, with zero failures.

With its proven heritage in RF solutions established, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, SWISSto12 developed HummingSat a small and agile satellite that defines a new category for geostationary telecommunications, helping global network operators including Intelsat, Viasat+Inmarsat, Astrum Mobile and sovereign nations use smaller assets in GEO to better address secure sovereign connectivity use cases, replacing ageing assets, servicing regional markets and supporting a variety of emerging payloads.

SWISSto12 has grown a strong team of over 200, with over 100% CAGR revenue growth over the past years, and a global footprint spanning Switzerland, Europe and the USA. Last year, the company was recognized as a Global Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and one of Via Satellite's "10 Hottest Companies in Satellite 2024".

Already in 2025, SWISSto12 has continued its strong momentum with:

A new HummingSat customer deal with Astrum Mobile, which will deliver Satellite-to-Device (S2D) communications to the APAC region for the first time;

Being selected by SES to develop innovative large aperture electronically steered antenna for its customer user terminals for its second generation medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation, O3b mPOWER.

Announcing former SES and O3b Networks CEO, Steve Collar as Chair of the SWISSto12 board.

Dr. Emile de Rijk, CEO and Founder of SWISSto12 said: "It is extremely rewarding to receive the Via Satellite's 2024 Satellite Executive of the Year Award knowing that only a decade ago we were a startup entering the space industry. This recognition would not be possible without the incredible talent, passion, and hard work of the entire SWISSto12 team as well as our partners and customers who entrusted us. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of SatCom innovation to better connect and protect users worldwide. Warm thanks to the Via Satellite panel and all those who voted."

Notes:

About SWISSto12

SWISSto12 is a leading manufacturer of advanced satellite RF products, payloads and systems, including the HummingSat: a small yet powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private-partnership program. The company's RF products benefit from unique and patented 3D-printing technologies and associated Radio Frequency (RF) product designs that deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF functionality.

Besides its space portfolio, the company is also active in the telecommunications and aeronautic industry. SWISSto12 has developed commercially with success in Europe and in the USA, and is amongst the fastest growing aerospace companies in Europe. SWISSto12 spun off in 2011 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors.

About Via Satellite

Via Satellite provides essential news and expert business analysis on the global satellite communications marketplace, including current and evolving applications, infrastructure issues, technology, and business and regulatory developments around the world and reaches the most engaged community of satellite professionals and qualified industry decision makers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313627864/en/

Contacts:

Gavin Kelly

gavin@thoughtldr.com
Friday, March 14, 2025

Dear Shareholders and Investors,

As previously communicated, we recently acquired a Sungdong (South-Korea) built suezmax tanker from a first-class owner. The vessel is expected to be delivered to NAT at the end of this month (March 2025).

Sungdong was controlled by the Samsung group at the time.

The vessel has been owned by the same company since it was built in 2016.

We have now agreed to acquire a sister vessel, from the same owner, also built in 2016 at the same South-Korean yard. This vessel will be delivered to NAT within April this year.

The price to NAT is in the mid/high USD 60s.

Both vessels are fully financed and will provide additional earnings and dividend capacity.

Following these transactions , the NAT fleet will consist of 21 well maintained suezmax tankers.

We follow the plan to acquire ships and sell a few units.

2025 is expected to be an active year for NAT, which is in a strong position.



Sincerely,

Herbjorn Hansson

Founder, Chairman & CEO

Nordic American Tankers Ltd. www.nat.bm

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.

Contacts:

Bjrn Giver, CFO

Nordic American Tankers Ltd

Tel: +1 888 755 8391

Alexander Kihle, Finance Manager

Nordic American Tankers Ltd

Tel: +47 91 724 171




TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or the "Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) is pleased to announce its management information circular (the "Circular") in connection with the Company's upcoming special meeting (the "Meeting") of the holders (the "Shareholders") of common shares of Converge (the "Shares") is now available under Converge's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) as well as on the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/special-meeting-vote/. The mailing of the Circular and related materials for the Meeting, to Shareholders, has also commenced.

Further, the Company announced today that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) has issued an interim order in connection with the Arrangement (as defined below), authorizing the calling and holding of the Meeting and other matters related to the conduct of the Meeting. The Company also announced that the waiting period applicable to the Arrangement (as defined below) under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (United States) (the "HSR Act") has expired. The expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions necessary for completion of the Arrangement.

The Arrangement and Meeting Details

On February 6, 2025, the Company entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with 16728421 Canada Inc. (the "Purchaser"), an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), in respect of a proposed statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Canada Business Corporations Act under which, among other things, the Purchaser will acquire all of the outstanding Shares for cash consideration of C$5.50 per Share (the "Consideration"), other than certain Shares held by certain Shareholders who entered into rollover equity agreements (the "Rollover Shareholders"). The Consideration values the Company at an enterprise value of approximately C$1.3 billion. At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to vote on a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") to approve the Arrangement.

Converge will hold the Meeting on April 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) in a virtual-only meeting format, online at https://meetnow.global//MWUKHQ6, with the ability for participation electronically in the virtual Meeting as explained further in the Circular. Only Shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 10, 2025 are entitled to receive notice of, attend, participate and vote at, the Meeting. The Arrangement is expected to be completed on or about April 17, 2025.

The Board of Directors of Converge unanimously (with an interested director abstaining) recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.

Reasons for the Arrangement and Board Recommendation

In the course of their evaluation of the Arrangement, a special committee (the "Special Committee") of the board of directors of Converge (the "Board"), comprised of independent directors of the Company, and the Board consulted with the Company's legal counsel and the Special Committee's and the Company's respective financial advisors and the Company's management, and considered a number of factors including, among others, the following:

Significant Premium. The Consideration represents a premium of approximately 56% to the closing price of the Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the " TSX ") on February 6, 2025 and a premium of approximately 57% to the Company's 30-day volume-weighted average price of the Shares on the TSX for the period ending on February 6, 2025, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Arrangement.

The Consideration represents a premium of approximately 56% to the closing price of the Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the " ") on February 6, 2025 and a premium of approximately 57% to the Company's 30-day volume-weighted average price of the Shares on the TSX for the period ending on February 6, 2025, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Arrangement. Certainty and Immediate Liquidity. The Consideration provides certainty, immediate value and liquidity to the Shareholders (other than the Rollover Shareholders) while eliminating the effect on the Shareholders of any further dilution, long-term business and execution risk or to financial markets or economic conditions.

The Consideration provides certainty, immediate value and liquidity to the Shareholders (other than the Rollover Shareholders) while eliminating the effect on the Shareholders of any further dilution, long-term business and execution risk or to financial markets or economic conditions. Other Available Alternatives. The Special Committee and the Board believe the Arrangement is an attractive proposition for the Shareholders relative to the status quo and other alternatives reasonably available to the Company, taking into account the current and anticipated opportunities and risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, affairs, operations, industry and prospects, including the execution risks associated with its standalone strategic plan, the Company's competitive position, the current and anticipated macroeconomic and political environment, the current and anticipated risks with Canadian equity markets and the sensitivity of the technology solutions provider sector to trends impacting key technology partners and vendors. There is no assurance that the continued operation of the Company under its current business model and pursuit of future business plan would yield equivalent or greater value for all Shareholders compared to that available under the Arrangement.

The Special Committee and the Board believe the Arrangement is an attractive proposition for the Shareholders relative to the status quo and other alternatives reasonably available to the Company, taking into account the current and anticipated opportunities and risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, affairs, operations, industry and prospects, including the execution risks associated with its standalone strategic plan, the Company's competitive position, the current and anticipated macroeconomic and political environment, the current and anticipated risks with Canadian equity markets and the sensitivity of the technology solutions provider sector to trends impacting key technology partners and vendors. There is no assurance that the continued operation of the Company under its current business model and pursuit of future business plan would yield equivalent or greater value for all Shareholders compared to that available under the Arrangement. Result of a Comprehensive Process. Under the supervision of the Board and the Special Committee and guidance of its financial advisors, a broad group of potential counterparties were contacted since the beginning of the initial strategic review process in 2022, including global strategic parties and financial sponsors with a focus on the IT services/solutions industry. This ultimately resulted in four parties actively participating in the most recent stage of the process, and three submitting offers and subsequent revised offers. None of the other parties offered to transact at a competitive level to the Consideration and deal terms proposed in the Arrangement.

Under the supervision of the Board and the Special Committee and guidance of its financial advisors, a broad group of potential counterparties were contacted since the beginning of the initial strategic review process in 2022, including global strategic parties and financial sponsors with a focus on the IT services/solutions industry. This ultimately resulted in four parties actively participating in the most recent stage of the process, and three submitting offers and subsequent revised offers. None of the other parties offered to transact at a competitive level to the Consideration and deal terms proposed in the Arrangement. Negotiated Arrangement. The Arrangement Agreement is the result of a comprehensive negotiation process with H.I.G. that was undertaken by the Company and its legal and financial advisors with the oversight and participation of the Special Committee and the Board. The Arrangement Agreement includes terms and conditions that are reasonable in the judgment of the Special Committee and the Board with the advice of the Company's legal and financial advisors, including customary "fiduciary out" rights that would enable the Company to enter into a superior proposal in certain circumstances.

Additional details with respect to the Arrangement, the reasons for the unanimous recommendation of the Board and Special Committee, as well as its potential benefits and risks are described in the Circular.

Shareholders are encouraged to read the Circular in its entirety and vote their Shares as soon as possible ahead of the proxy voting deadline on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time).

Shareholder Questions

Shareholders who have any questions or require assistance with voting may contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, Converge's proxy solicitation agent and Shareholder communications advisor:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group

Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for Shareholders in North America)

International: +1 416-304-0211 (for Shareholders outside Canada and the US)

By Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

About Converge

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is reimagining the way businesses think about IT-a vision driven by people, for people. Since 2017, we've focused on delivering outcomes-driven solutions that tackle human-centered challenges. As a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider, we combine deep expertise, local connections, and global resources to deliver industry-leading solutions.

Through advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud platforms, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and workplace transformation, we empower businesses across industries to innovate, streamline operations, and achieve meaningful results. Our AIM (Advise, Implement, Manage) methodology ensures solutions are tailored to our customers' specific needs, aligning with existing systems to drive success without complexity.

Discover IT reimagined with Converge-where innovation meets people. Learn more at convergetp.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding Converge and its business. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected" "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts". "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Specifically, the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement for the Company, its employees, business partners, shareholders and other stakeholders and the anticipated timing of the Meeting, completion of mailing of the Circular and Meeting materials and completion of the Arrangement and other statements that are not statements of historical facts are considered forward-looking information. The forward-looking information are based on management's opinions, estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to: assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, court and shareholder approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions for the completion of the Arrangement, and other expectations and assumptions concerning the Arrangement. The anticipated dates indicated may change for a number of reasons, including the necessity to extend the time limits for satisfying the other conditions for the completion of the Arrangement or the ability of the Board to consider and approve, subject to compliance by the Company of its obligations under the Arrangement Agreement, a superior proposal for the Company. While these opinions, estimates and assumptions are considered by the Company to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this press release, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

The forward looking information are subject to significant risks including, without limitation: the failure of the parties to obtain the necessary shareholder, regulatory and court approvals or to otherwise satisfy the conditions for the completion of the Arrangement; failure of the parties to obtain such approvals or satisfy such conditions in a timely manner; H.I.G's ability to complete the anticipated debt and equity financing as contemplated by applicable commitment letters or to otherwise secure favourable terms for alternative financing; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; the ability of the Board to consider and approve, subject to compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Arrangement Agreement, a superior proposal for the Company; the failure to realize the expected benefits of the Arrangement; the effect of the announcement of the Arrangement on the ability of Converge to retain and hire key personnel and maintain business relationships with customers, suppliers and others with whom they each do business, or on Converge's operating results; the market price of Shares and business generally; potential legal proceedings relating to the Arrangement and the outcome of any such legal proceeding; the inherent risks, costs and uncertainties associated with transitioning the business successfully and risks of not achieving all or any of the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement, or the risk that the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement may not be fully realized or take longer to realize than expected; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Arrangement Agreement and general economic conditions. Failure to obtain the necessary shareholder, regulatory and court approvals, or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions for the completion of the Arrangement or to complete the Arrangement, may result in the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms or at all. In addition, if the Arrangement is not completed, and the Company continues as an independent entity, there are risks that the announcement of the Arrangement and the dedication of substantial resources by the Company to the completion of the Arrangement could have an impact on its business and strategic relationships, including with future and prospective employees, customers, suppliers and partners, operating results and activities in general, and could have a material adverse effect on its current and future operations, financial condition and prospects.

If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the Company's expectations as of the date specified herein, and are subject to change after such date. However, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of those statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.

For further information contact: Converge Technology Solutions Corp., Email: investors@convergetp.com, Phone: 416-360-1495

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Forstrong Global Asset Management Inc. ("Forstrong") today announced a notional non-cash reinvested distribution (the "Non-Cash Distribution") for the Forstrong Global Growth ETF (the "Forstrong ETF"). This is an amendment to the press release dated December 19, 2024. Cash distributions for December 2024 have been distributed and reported separately.

All unitholders of record on December 30, 2024, will receive a notional distribution for the Forstrong ETF for the 2024 tax year. The non-cash distributions were reinvested in additional units of the respective Forstrong ETF at the year-end and will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution.

ETF Name Trading Symbol Final Reinvested Capital Gains Distribution Amount (Per Unit) Forstrong Global Growth ETF FGRW $0.22529

About Forstrong Global Asset Management Inc.

Founded in 2001, Forstrong is a trusted global macro investment manager with specialized international expertise. Our active macro investment process is used by the firm's clients to meet the challenges of today's new economic and geopolitical realities. Forstrong is an independently owned firm with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Kelowna.

Forstrong Global and the Forstrong Global logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Forstrong Global Asset Management Inc. in Canada.

Management fees, brokerage fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the prospectus, which contains detailed investment information, before investing. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. ETFs units are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on the TSX or another exchange or marketplace and may only be bought and sold through licensed dealers. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. There can be no assurance that ETF units will trade at prices that reflect their net asset value per unit. If ETF units are purchased or sold on the TSX or another exchange or marketplace, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of an ETF and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There can be no assurance that an active public market for ETF units will develop or be sustained. There is no guarantee that the ETFs will achieve their stated objectives and there are risks involved in investing in the ETFs. Before investing you should read the prospectus or relevant ETF Facts and carefully consider, among other things, each ETF's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. A copy of the prospectus and ETF Facts of each ETF is available at www.forstrongetfs.com or www.sedarplus.ca.

Certain statements may constitute a forward-looking statement within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect our current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that is contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the securities referred to herein. This press release is not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to U.S. news wire services.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244526

SOURCE: Forstrong Global Asset Management Inc.
Grand Rapids, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids has achieved a significant customer service milestone, surpassing 250 reviews on Google. This achievement underscores the company's dedication to exceptional service and customer satisfaction in the appliance repair industry.

Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids

"Reaching this milestone is a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to quality appliance repair service," said Christy Reid, Office Manager of Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids. "We are deeply thankful to our dedicated technicians who consistently deliver excellence and to the Grand Rapids community for their continued trust and support. Their feedback has been invaluable in helping us grow and improve over the years."

Since opening in November 2007, Mr. Appliance has established itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive Grand Rapids appliance repair solutions throughout West Michigan. The company's experienced appliance repair service professionals specialize in repairing refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and other major household appliances.

Customer reviews frequently highlight the company's professionalism, technical expertise, and prompt service. The business has built a loyal customer base by consistently delivering reliable repairs with transparent pricing and exceptional workmanship.

Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids serves numerous communities, including Ada, Belmont, Bradley, Byron Center, Comstock Park, Forest Hills, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Shelbyville, Wayland, and Wyoming.

Homeowners in need of appliance repair in Grand Rapids can visit www.mrappliance.com/grand-rapids/ or call 616-202-3327 to schedule a service appointment.

About Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids

Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids is a locally owned and operated business providing professional appliance repair services since 2007. As part of the national Mr. Appliance franchise, the company combines the reliability of a trusted brand with personalized local service. Every technician is fully trained, insured, and background-checked, ensuring peace of mind with every service call. The company is dedicated to making appliance repair experiences stress-free for homeowners throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Press inquiries

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244482

SOURCE: Mr. Appliance of Grand Rapids
'To Finding More' celebrates the joy of travel and appeals to the shared curiosity of Silversea's guests with emotion and authenticity

MIAMI, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has unveiled its new brand positioning, To Finding More. Now live across the company's channels and platforms, the reimagined brand expression establishes new codes of luxury.

Prioritizing emotion and authenticity, To Finding More positions Silversea guests as the creators of their own stories. A new visual language and distinctive tone of voice speak to their innate curiosity and inspires exploration. Through vivid imagery, it captures genuine connections and unforgettable moments, creating stories travelers are drawn to and eager to experience.

"Beyond reflecting our new brand positioning, To Finding More embodies the joy of travel as a tribute to our guests, whose curiosity leads them to the farthest corners of the Earth," said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. "It is a celebration of the places that give?us a new perspective?and?the?people we meet who inspire that perspective. It embraces the spirit of immersive discovery, engaging travelers as they uncover hidden wonders with us - all in uncompromised comfort."

Silversea's new brand positioning reflects its guests' worldly curiosity, while uniting travelers through a shared mindset. Affectionately known as Eternal Wanderers, these discerning explorers seek cultural discovery, crave new adventures, and are dedicated to self-enrichment. To Finding More embodies Silversea's commitment to fulfilling these desires through its unparalleled global selection of immersive experiences, such as its groundbreaking S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) culinary program, and its unmatched service excellence. Its two pioneering Nova-Class ships, Silver Nova and Silver Ray, and the development of the world's southernmost hotel, highlight Silversea's dedication to unlocking the best in exclusive travel, leadership in luxury expedition travel, and polar exploration.

"Guests choose Silversea for the unparalleled experiences that can't be found anywhere else, and our new brand positioning brings them even closer To Finding More," said Annette Diaz, interim chief marketing officer, Silversea. "Designed to inspire a sense of discovery, To Finding More will be seamlessly integrated across our channels, redefining luxury advertising. This new positioning marks a shift in what luxury travel can be - grounded in discovery, deeply connecting our brand and guests to the stories, cultures, experiences, and moments that only Silversea can offer."

Learn more about Silversea's new brand positioning, To Finding More:

www.silversea.com/lp-to-finding-more.html

About Silversea ??

Silversea is the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, offering guests immersive experiences on all seven continents, personalized service, and an innovative culinary offering aboard its 12 intimate ocean and expedition ships. Silversea's itineraries encompass an unparalleled range of destinations worldwide, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating places in between. Set to strengthen its destination leadership in late 2025, the brand is developing the southernmost hotel on Earth in Puerto Williams, Chile - offering guests a uniquely seamless journey to Antarctica. Silversea brings its likeminded guests closer to their destination in uncompromised comfort, championing the joy of travel, an enriching spirit of discovery, and an enduring commitment To Finding More?. ??

Silversea?is owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). For more information, visit?www.silversea.com.???

About Royal Caribbean Group -

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and an expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at?royalcaribbeangroup.com?or?rclinvestor.com. -

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641960/Silversea_To_Finding_More.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1488683/Silversea_Cruises_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/silversea-unveils-new-brand-positioning-honoring-guests-enduring-commitment-to-finding-more-302401948.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Arya Resources Ltd (TSXV: RBZ) ("Arya" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter K. Deacon and Andrew Cormier, CPA as Directors to the Board.

The Company wants to announce that Lance Morginn has stepped down as a Director and Audit Committee Chair. Andrew Cormier, CPA will assume the role of Audit Committee Chair. The company would like to thank Lance for his sincere efforts with the Company's RTO and his contributions to the Audit Committee.

Rasool Mohammad, President and CEO, says, "We are pleased to work with Peter and Andrew. Peter and his group of investors were instrumental in financing our projects in the past; including the early success of the Sandtown project in Arkansas, USA. Andrew brings a wealth of experience working with Tier-1 companies across the globe. I look forward to the strength these two members bring to the table as we advance the Company's projects and strategic growth plans."

Peter Deacon is currently the CEO of River Birch Global Water Inc. and Deacon Global Capital Corporation. Prior to founding River Birch and Deacon Global, Peter and the Deacon Family have been highly involved in the securities industry in Canada since his great-grandfather, Col F.H. Deacon founded F.H. Deacon and Company in 1897. Most recently Peter worked with Dundee Securities (formerly Deacon Capital Corporation) until 2015.

Andrew Cormier has more than two decades of experience in senior finance and accounting roles, including presently as Chief Financial Officer of River Birch Global Water Inc. He is a Canadian CPA with extensive experience in global transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate strategy.

The Company is also pleased to announce the grant of 310,000 stock options to certain of its officers and directors, exercisable at a price of $0.06 for a period of 36 months.

About Arya Resources:

Arya Resources is a mining and mineral exploration company focused on its Wedge Lake Gold and Dunlop Nickel, Copper, and Cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" that are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, expectations, or beliefs. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244554

SOURCE: Arya Resources Ltd.
Reorganization Reflects Evolution into a More Diversified Investment Firm

JAB has strengthened and reorganized its team to support its strategic transformation, building on the firm's success in pet insurance with the addition of a global life insurance platform. Together with its lasting commitment to consumer goods and services, this new strategy will further diversify JAB's portfolio and position the investment firm for sustainable long-term growth.

Under the leadership of Managing Partners Peter Harf, Joachim Creus, and Frank Engelen, JAB Holding is now organized as one team across three segments, including JAB Consumer and JAB Insurance.

As part of this reorganization, JAB is pleased to announce several new joiners and promotions.

Peter Harf, JAB Chairman and Managing Partner, commented: "Over the last 40 years, we transformed from a family office into a global investment firm focused on consumer goods and services. Now, Joachim and Frank are delivering our next generational transformation, including the addition of a global life insurance platform. Alongside our enduring commitment to the consumer sector, JAB Insurance will add multiple layers of diversification to our portfolio, and we've assembled a world-class team to drive JAB's next phase of long-term value creation."

JAB also announced that two partners will leave the firm.

NEW JOINERS

Lauren Aguiar, Partner, Chief Legal Officer Global General Counsel, JAB Holding, New York

Lauren will join JAB Holding in April 2025 following 30 years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher Flom LLP and Affiliates ("Skadden"). At Skadden, she was a member of the Policy Committee and served as President of the Skadden Foundation. In addition to JAB, Lauren serves on the Board of Covenant House International and is the incoming chair of the Board of Directors of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.

Sanjeev Doss, Office of the Chairman of the Board, JAB Insurance, Miami

Sanjeev joined JAB Insurance in June 2024 with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Previously, he was Senior Vice President, Head of Tax and Assistant General Counsel at American Equity. Sanjeev has also held roles at MetLife and Brighthouse Financial and began his career as a litigator for Cigna Group.

Adam Hodes, Managing Director, Head of Business Development Integration, JAB Insurance, New York

Adam joined JAB Insurance in November 2024. He has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance sector as an advisor and finance executive, including as a Managing Director at Bank of America, Executive Vice President-Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at MetLife, and Managing Director in the investment banking department at Credit Suisse. Adam has also held leadership roles in strategic planning and M&A at WellChoice, Inc. and CNA Financial Corporation. Earlier in his career, he worked in the financial institutions groups at Donaldson, Lufkin Jenrette Securities Corporation and Salomon Brothers Inc.

Mark Reilly, Managing Director and Chief Actuary, JAB Insurance, Miami

Mark joined JAB Insurance as Managing Director in June 2024. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and product development roles, most recently as Chief Client Solutions Officer at American Equity. Mark also served as Deputy CFO, leading the reinsurance and FP&A areas of the business. Previously he led the team responsible for financial projections and capital management at Brighthouse Financial.

SENIOR PROMOTIONS

Gordon von Bretten, Senior Partner, JAB Consumer, London

Gordon joined JAB as Partner in April 2024, bringing 30 years of value creation and performance enhancement experience. He joined from Coty, where he was Chief Transformation Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. Previously, Gordon was as an operating partner at KKR Capstone and held a variety of leadership roles in industry and management consulting.

Patricia Capel, Senior Partner, JAB Holding, London

Patricia joined JAB as Partner in 2021. Previously, she spent 25 years at AB InBev and Ambev, including leading AB InBev's commercial operations in Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay. Before AB InBev, Patricia worked at Cargill Agricola and PwC.

Rafael Cunha, Partner, JAB Holding, Amsterdam

Rafael joined JAB in 2019. With approximately 15 years of investment and finance experience, Rafael previously served as CFO of JAB and Interim CFO of Espresso House (2023/24). Before JAB, he held various finance roles in consumer and healthcare private equity and was a consultant at McKinsey Company. Rafael earned an MBA from Stanford University.

Philippe Chenu, Managing Director and General Counsel, JAB Consumer, New York

Philippe joined JAB in Luxembourg as Legal Counsel in 2016. In July 2023, he moved to the United States as Legal Counsel and was appointed General Counsel for JAB Consumer in 2024. Previously, Philippe was a Senior Associate at Loyens Loeff and an Associate at Jones Day.

DEPARTURES

David Bell Senior Partner retiring

Lubomira Rochet Partner joining Societe Generale

"David has been with JAB since 2012 and, during his more than 12 years with the firm, led many of our most significant portfolio transactions. Among other deals, David's vision to build a modern beverage company, combining cold and hot beverages at scale, resulted in the formation of Keurig Dr. Pepper," Harf added. "Lubomira's experience in global digital business transformations helped deliver meaningful value creation across our portfolio. On behalf of the entire JAB team, I'd like to thank David and Lubomira for their contributions to the firm. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors."

About JAB

JAB is an investment holding company that invests in insurance and consumer-focused industries with attractive long-term dynamics, including strong growth prospects, attractive margin and cash flow characteristics, and proven resiliency. JAB is the controlling shareholder of Coty Inc., a global leader in beauty, and JDE Peet's, the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company. It is the anchor shareholder of Krispy Kreme, Inc., a global leader in freshly delivered doughnuts, and a significant shareholder of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., a leader in the North American beverage industry. Together with JAB Consumer Partners, JAB is the controlling shareholder of National Veterinary Associates, one of the world's largest animal care services platforms; Independence Pet Holdings, a leading provider of pet insurance in North America; Pinnacle Pet Group, a leading provider of pet insurance in Europe; Panera Brands Inc., one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the United States, which includes Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels; Pret A Manger, a global leader in the ready-to-eat fresh food market; and Espresso House, the largest branded coffee shop chain in Scandinavia.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313023704/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA CONTACT:

The One Nine Three Group (193) for JAB

Zach Siegel: zach@the193.com
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is proud to welcome Gen. Paul E. Funk II to its Board of Advisors. After serving in the United States Army for 42 years, Gen. Funk retired in 2022, with his most recent position as Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). As TRADOC commander, Gen. Funk was responsible for 32 Army schools organized under eight Centers of Excellence that recruit, train, and educate more than 500,000 soldiers and service members annually.

The Chairman of MEMRI's Board of Directors, Oliver "Buck" Revell, stated: "We are proud to have General Funk join the MEMRI Board of Advisors, given his outstanding background and dedication to American security. We are grateful that he is joining MEMRI's group of distinguished leaders."

Gen. Funk previously served as Commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, and Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR), where he deployed and led a 72-nation coalition in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Gen. Funk's additional combat and operational experience includes five other deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

MEMRI Vice President Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez commented: "We are delighted to welcome General Funk, a distinguished, innovative figure in both the recent past and the future of innovation in warfighting."

Gen. Funk holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Montana State University and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses and the Command and General Staff College, and completed his Senior Service College as a fellow attending the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Texas at Austin. He was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal - the nation's fourth-highest honor - for outstanding leadership in combat.

In addition, Gen. Funk currently serves on the board of Red Cat, a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations.

Brig.-Gen. (Ret) and Partner of Governance Risk Global and senior MEMRI board member Tom Cosentino added: "General Paul Funk is an outstanding addition to the MEMRI Advisory Board. He is not only an accomplished combat leader who led the destruction of ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq, but he is also an outstanding strategist who has helped shape American security strategy for decades. We are truly fortunate to have this great American leader join our team!"

The MEMRI Board of Advisors and Board of Directors include distinguished figures from government, media, law, and academia from around the world. Among them are former prime ministers, attorneys-generals, justice ministers, legal and counterterrorism experts, senior military officers and diplomats, and recipients of the most prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal. Members of the MEMRI Board of Advisors are bipartisan and have honorably served Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.



ABOUT MEMRI

Exploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.

Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.

MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org

MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv

Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm

Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab

MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/

MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos

MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/

Contact Information:

MEMRI

media@memri.org

202-955-9070

www.memri.org

SOURCE: Middle East Media Research Institute
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - CLAREN ENERGY CORP. (TSXV: CEN.H) (OTC: CNENF) (the "Company"), at the request of the Market Surveillance group of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, advises that the Company is not aware of any material undisclosed information that may be contributing to the level of trading activity of its shares on the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Claren

Claren is a company continued under the laws of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Claren is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and has been actively evaluating and seeking alternative business.

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Claren cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Claren's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties described in its continuous disclosure filings filed by Claren on www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Claren undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244581

SOURCE: Claren Energy Corp.
Inogen Alliance:

Environmental and social justice are becoming central to discussions on sustainable development. As infrastructure projects and corporate initiatives expand worldwide, the need for responsible engagement with local communities and ecosystems has never been greater. Experts from different regions bring unique perspectives on how to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social equity. This Q&A from our podcast episode, Perspectives on Social & Environmental Justice, explores how businesses, governments, and communities can work together to drive meaningful change, ensuring long-term benefits for all stakeholders.

Our Social and Environmental Justice experts include Erica Olesson, Sustainability Leader, Tonkin + Taylor in New Zealand, Scott Recker, Environmental Remediation Practice Leader at Antea Group USA, and Valentina Vieri, Sustainability Specialist for HPC Italy.

Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Q: What does environmental and social justice mean in different regions?

Valentina Vieri (Italy): Environmental and social justice is about looking beyond the implementation of a project and considering the broader impact. It's about ensuring that land use, resources, and ecosystems are managed responsibly while also taking care of vulnerable communities. Every project must account for environmental effects, biodiversity, and social aspects such as the rights of local communities.

Scott Recker (USA): In the U.S., environmental justice has been embedded in legislation, ensuring equal treatment of all communities, regardless of race, income, or location. It's about acknowledging historical pollution and its impact on marginalized communities and taking steps to address those disparities. Globally, the definition shifts, but the core idea remains the same: engaging local communities and ensuring that infrastructure projects benefit rather than harm them.

Erica Olesson (New Zealand): In Australia and New Zealand, we often use the term "social license to operate." It's about how organizations maintain trust and legitimacy with communities. For indigenous communities, social and environmental justice can't be separated because of deep cultural connections these communities have with the environment. In New Zealand, the Maori people have a whakatauki (proverb) 'Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora nga tangata' - 'If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy'. This means environmental change impacts their well-being. Projects must be developed in harmony with these cultural and environmental values.

Q: How do infrastructure projects balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility?

Valentina: Context analysis is key. Every location is different, so understanding the specific needs and vulnerabilities of a community before beginning a project is crucial. A road, for example, isn't just about transportation-it affects biodiversity, local economies, and social structures. Identifying these impacts helps mitigate negative outcomes and enhance positive contributions.

Scott: It's not just about completing a project; it's about how it's done. That means integrating local knowledge, ensuring clear communication with affected communities, and designing solutions that provide long-term benefits. Many communities in the U.S. were built around manufacturing plants, leading to localized pollution. Redeveloping these areas for sustainable energy or housing can transform these sites into economic assets while addressing past injustices.

Q: How do businesses and governments navigate different definitions of environmental justice?

Scott: Relying on local expertise is crucial. Our teams work with community leaders to ensure that definitions and expectations align with cultural and regional realities. Different places have different challenges, and organizations need to be adaptable. Clear, transparent communication helps build trust and ensure alignment with local values.

Q: What trends are shaping corporate approaches to sustainability and social justice?

Erica: Community expectations are driving change. Companies are under increasing pressure to align with sustainability goals because consumers and employees demand it. Organizations that prioritize environmental and social justice are more likely to attract top talent and maintain public trust. Additionally, regulatory frameworks-such as EU sustainability disclosures-are pushing businesses to be more transparent about their impacts.

Scott: Social media has played a huge role in raising awareness. Companies can no longer operate in isolation; they need to actively engage with communities. New technology allows us to measure air, water, and land quality in real time, making it easier to demonstrate positive impact and hold businesses accountable.

Q: How do companies measure and communicate their impact?

Scott: We use tools to map project benefits against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By quantifying reductions in emissions, improvements in water quality, or employment opportunities created, companies can show tangible results. This data is essential for corporate leadership, community engagement, and regulatory compliance.

Erica: A theory of change model helps bridge the gap between outputs (e.g., jobs created) and long-term impacts (e.g., community resilience). Understanding how immediate actions lead to broader societal benefits makes it easier to communicate the true value of sustainability initiatives.

Q: What advice would you give to companies navigating environmental and social justice challenges?

Erica: Meet people where they are. Different stakeholders have different priorities-some care about reputation, others about regulatory compliance, and some about long-term sustainability. Tailoring the conversation to their perspective makes it easier to drive meaningful change.

Scott: Listen more than you speak. Communities have valuable insights, and collaboration is key. The business community has moved away from an adversarial approach to a more cooperative model, recognizing that long-term success depends on genuine engagement and shared benefits.

Valentina: Keep communication simple. Sustainability is complex, and technical jargon can alienate stakeholders. Breaking it down into relatable, tangible terms helps people understand its importance and benefits.

Q: How would you explain this work to a young person or family member?

Scott: It used to be about fixing problems. Now, it's about improving our world. Every day, we take steps to make our planet healthier and our communities stronger.

Erica: It's about stepping back, seeing the bigger picture, and making choices that create a positive future.

Valentina: Sustainability means integrating different perspectives to find solutions that benefit people, the planet, and businesses alike.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

Environmental and social justice are no longer just about correcting past harms; they are about shaping a sustainable, equitable future. The discussion highlights several key takeaways:

Community engagement is critical - Understanding the cultural, social, and environmental contexts of a region ensures that projects deliver lasting benefits. Businesses must integrate sustainability into operations - Companies that proactively address environmental and social justice concerns build stronger reputations and long-term resilience. Regulation and stakeholder expectations are driving change - Organizations must stay ahead of evolving policies and consumer demands to remain competitive. Technology enables better measurement and accountability - From real-time environmental monitoring to SDG mapping, businesses can now demonstrate their impact more effectively. Clear and positive communication is key - Using simple, meaningful language ensures that sustainability goals resonate with all stakeholders.

By embracing these principles, businesses and governments can create solutions that not only drive economic growth but also foster environmental stewardship and social equity. The path forward requires collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to building a better world for future generations.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Inogen Alliance on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Inogen Alliance

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/inogen-alliance

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Inogen Alliance
Keeping a Seat at the Leadership Table, Influencing Without Authority, and Advancing EHS in the Age of AI

As organizations navigate an increasingly complex business environment, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals play a critical role in risk management and operational resilience. The February 2025 EMEA London EHSxTech meeting, highlighted essential strategies for positioning EHS as a key contributor to business productivity and resilience. Discussions centered around influencing leadership, demonstrating business value, and leveraging AI for safety advancements. Below are more details on the key themes and takeaways from the presentations and discussions.

1. EHS: A Strategic Partner in Crisis Management

By Eithne Clinton, Google EMEA EHS Lead

In today's volatile landscape, with challenges ranging from geopolitical instability and civil unrest to the increasing impact of severe weather events, crisis management and preparedness are more important than ever. Eithne emphasized the critical role of EHS in this context. Google's Crisis Management Framework, encompassing preparation, response, and recovery, was detailed, highlighting EHS's vital contributions at each stage. This includes proactive risk assessment and planning before a crisis, effective communication during, and thorough recovery, including conducting thorough post-crisis reviews, afterward. Preparedness for events like CBRNE incidents, through programs such as Shelter-in-Place, was also discussed.

Key takeaways underscore that EHS is a vital partner in supporting business crisis management. Proactive planning is paramount, and continuous improvement through collaboration and training is crucial. Ultimately, EHS serves as a trusted advisor in navigating crises, solidifying our position at the leadership table in the post-COVID era.

2. Influencing Without Authority

Facilitated Discussion

EHS professionals often need to drive internal change without having direct authority. The key to influencing leadership and stakeholders lies in strategic engagement, financial justification, and personalizing risks.

Effective Strategies for Influence

Engage Key Stakeholders Early: Secure buy-in from decision-makers by aligning EHS goals with business objectives.

Establish Realistic Budget Expectations: Understanding financial constraints upfront strengthens credibility.

Highlight Legal and Reputational Risks: Work with legal teams to clarify the regulatory and liability repercussions of non-compliance.

Use Stories to Make It Personal: Help executives understand how EHS initiatives directly impact employees' well-being and productivity.

Leverage Employee Insights: Frontline workers' experiences provide powerful evidence for why safety measures are essential.

Takeaway: By linking EHS initiatives to business risk, employee well-being, and legal compliance, professionals can drive change even without direct authority.

3. EHS in the Age of AI

Presented by Karl Huntzicker, Salesforce

As AI continues to shape industries, EHS leaders have an opportunity to integrate new technologies for better risk management, compliance, and employee well-being.

"As EHS professionals we need to steer how AI will be used in the field, the future is what we make it" - Karl Huntzicker, Salesforce.

AI's Role in EHS Management

AI Augmenting EHS Teams: AI tools can automate tasks, improve data analysis, and enhance stakeholder engagement.

Addressing EHS Pain Points: AI solutions tackle inefficiencies, such as excessive communication and time wasted on document retrieval.

Other Key AI Applications in EHS: Conversational chatbots, generative AI for content creation, and predictive analytics for risk management enhance efficiency and decision-making.

AI as an Empowerment Tool: Rather than replacing humans, AI enhances efficiency, reduces budgets, improves bandwidth, and strengthens organizational resilience. AI is an Enabler, Not a Replacement.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember "it's not AI replacing humans, it's humans using AI." By automating routine tasks, AI allows EHS professionals to focus on high-level decision-making and strategy.

Takeaway: We are in the early days of AI, and the future is bright. We expect AI to be a game-changer in EHS by reducing administrative burden, improving crisis response, and providing actionable insights into workplace safety risks.

4. Proactively Addressing Occupational Health (OH) for a Healthier Workforce

There is often a lack of understanding around Occupational Health (OH) in the tech industry. Think of approaching it through two perspectives: risk management and long-term strategy. Risk mitigation is taking care of the employees today, and the strategy component is how we improve things for tomorrow and provide that healthy working space. Proactive health management in the workplace is not just about compliance-it's about creating an environment where employees can thrive.

Best Practices in Occupational Health

Localized Rollouts : Implement OH programs tailored to specific regions and operational needs.

Stakeholder Engagement: Gather insights from employees, leadership, and regulators to align programs with actual workplace risks.

Strategic Data Collection: Understand regulatory requirements and leverage data to uncover root causes of health issues, such as burnout.

Future-Ready OH Programs: Shift from reactive health screenings to a more holistic approach, considering chronic disease prevention and mental health.

Workforce Well-Being as a Competitive Advantage

ROI of On-Site Clinics: A case study from India showed that providing occupational healthcare on-site reduced absenteeism, improved morale, and enhanced productivity.

Regulatory Compliance vs. Business Needs: Regulations often focus on traditional industries like manufacturing, but modern workplaces need a more strategic approach to health management.

Takeaway: A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. Organizations that invest in employee well-being position themselves as employers of choice while mitigating long-term business risks.

Final Thoughts: The Future of EHS

Across all discussions, a few central themes emerged:

EHS is a Strategic Business Function: Beyond compliance, EHS plays a pivotal role in crisis management, risk mitigation, and workforce well-being. Influence Matters: Even without direct authority, EHS professionals can shape decisions by aligning safety initiatives with business priorities. Technology is Transforming EHS: AI and data analytics are reshaping safety management, allowing for more proactive and efficient risk prevention. Employee Well-Being is a Business Imperative: Companies that prioritize occupational health and safety gain a competitive edge in talent attraction, retention, and operational efficiency.

Moving Forward: EHS leaders must continue to advocate for proactive safety strategies, embrace innovation, and reinforce their role as essential partners in business success. By doing so, they ensure safer workplaces, stronger organizations, and a more resilient future.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Antea Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/antea-group

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Antea Group
LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 13th, the global footwear brand and inventor of the footbed continues its expansion in London with the opening of its fourth store in London, in the vibrant Chelsea district. Located at Blacklands Terrace on King's Road, the new 85-square-meter store is a testament to BIRKENSTOCK's dedication to craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation.

King's Road, renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture provides the perfect backdrop for BIRKENSTOCK's new store. The light-filled space brings the brand's unparalleled walking experience and timeless footwear designs to Chelsea's cultural landscape. Known today for its boutiques, eclectic mix of high-end and independent shops, and trendy cafes, Chelsea seamlessly aligns with BIRKENSTOCK's heritage-where quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design come together in a way that transcends trends. With this opening, BIRKENSTOCK strengthens its retail presence in the UK, deepening its connection with local communities and welcoming loyal footbed enthusiasts and new fans alike.

The London, Chelsea store marks BIRKENSTOCK's sixth retail location in the UK. In Europe, the company operates 37 stores, across eight countries, including London King's Road. With further openings planned in key cities to bring the footbed experience directly to consumers, foster community engagement, and make the brand's values more tangible.

A HISTORIC AND CULTURAL ICON IN LONDON

A cultural hub for centuries, King's Road has been at the forefront of style and counterculture, from its aristocratic roots in the 18th century to its role in the fashion revolution of the 1960s and 70s. The street was home to iconic movements such as Mod and Punk, as well as legendary boutiques. Today, its blend of Georgian and Victorian architecture, artistic heritage, and creative energy cements its status as one of London's most vibrant shopping destinations-making it the ideal home for BIRKENSTOCK's newest store.

INSPIRED BY CHELSEA. A STORE DESIGN ROOTED IN TRADITION AND INNOVATION

The store's design pays homage to the cultural heritage of King's Road, blending historical and modern influences with BIRKENSTOCK's 250-year-old shoemaking tradition. Architectural elements such as glazed ceramic tiles echo Chelsea's Victorian and Edwardian buildings, while natural materials like cork and leather-core components of the brand's iconic footbed-reinforce its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Earthy tones and rugged, minimalist forms embody the brand's ethos, while the contrast of concrete flooring adds a modern urban touch.

A visual highlight of the store is the neon sign "Walking as Nature Intended," reflecting BIRKENSTOCK's purpose-driven approach to product innovation. An interchangeable graphic gallery behind the cash desk adds a dynamic, seasonal element to the space. Every detail, from ceramic-tiled displays and brutalist cork elements to aluminum display accents and leather seating, is thoughtfully designed to create an immersive and tactile shopping experience.

The store's prominent corner location features expansive shop windows, inviting passersby to step into the world of BIRKENSTOCK. The 85-square-meter, light-filled retail space showcases a curated selection of the brand's most iconic styles, including the ARIZONA, BOSTON, and MADRID, alongside closed-toe designs such as the UTTI SUEDE, PASADENA, and HIGHWOOD LOW LACE. Seasonal highlights and the newly launched BIRKENSTOCK Care Essentials foot care line further expand the offering-ensuring there's something for every footbed lover.

OPENING EXPERIENCE

To celebrate the new store, BIRKENSTOCK invites Londoners to discover its timeless designs and experience the legendary footbed firsthand on March 13th, from 11am.

BIRKENSTOCK welcomes its most loyal customers and valued community members, along with new guests, for an exclusive opportunity to personalize their BIRKENSTOCK footwear. This unique in-store shoe customization service, led by South London-based artist Mark MacDonald, a specialist in hand-painted lettering and monogramming, will offer visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. Please note that the service will be available only within the artist's capacity during the day, and access to it cannot be guaranteed for all attendees. In addition, attendees will receive a limited curated gift bag featuring a handmade limited edition by designer and ceramist Srirat Jongsanguandi, created exclusively for the occasion.

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA

Store Address: 68 King's Road, London SW3 4UD

Opening Times: Mondays - Saturdays; 10am - 7pm, Sundays 12pm - 6pm

Open from March 13th

Store Imagery: Download

Photocredit: BIRKENSTOCK/MaartenWillemstein

ABOUT BIRKENSTOCK

BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income and which is committed to a clear purpose-maintaining foot health. Deeply rooted in studies of the biomechanics of the human foot and footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774, BIRKENSTOCK is a timeless super brand with a brand universe that transcends product categories and ranges from entry-level to luxury price points while addressing the growing need for a conscious and active lifestyle. Function, quality and tradition are the core values of the lifestyle brand which features products in the footwear, sleep systems and natural cosmetics segments. BIRKENSTOCK is the inventor of the footbed and has shaped the principle of walking as intended by nature ("Naturgewolltes Gehen").

With around 6,200 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is convinced that how things are made matters as much as the product itself. To ensure these quality standards, the Group operates a vertically integrated manufacturing base and produces all footbeds in Germany. In addition, BIRKENSTOCK assembles over 95% of all products in Germany and sources over 90% of materials and components from Europe. Raw materials are processed to the highest environmental and social standards in the industry. For materials testing BIRKENSTOCK operates state-of-the-art scientific laboratories.

Headquartered in Linz am Rhein, the BIRKENSTOCK Group also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Dubai, Singapore and India.

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG

Burg Ockenfels, Linz am Rhein, Germany

For further information, please visit www.birkenstock-group.com.

You can find our online shop at www.birkenstock.com.

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LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International risk management firm Forward Global launched its UK Corporate Contests Practice on Tuesday in response to what is described as "all-time high of shareholder activism" in London and Paris.

Speaking ahead of the launch on Tuesday night, Brendan Foo, Partner and Global Head of Corporate Contests at Forward Global, said "As activism gains currency as an asset class, savvy investors are looking toward the UK and Europe to generate alpha. Indeed, in 2025 alone, we have seen an unprecedented demand for our services not just in our traditional strongholds of the US and Canada, but also in the UK and Europe. This reflects the surge in activist (and active) engagements, with which our team is uniquely well-placed to assist."

Forward Global's Corporate Contests Practice was established to meet demand from law firms, investors, and advisers to provide a comprehensive suite of services to support companies in high-stakes shareholder engagements. In keeping with the firm's established activism practice in the US, the new London offering will deliver investigative and intelligence work such as vetting board nominees, relationship mapping, scrutinizing the track records of both incumbents and challengers, and conducting deep-dive reputation analyses. In Europe, Forward Global's Patrice Lambert-de Diesbach offers clients battle-tested expertise in investor relations and financial communications.

Shareholder activism in the UK has expanded significantly, with campaigns becoming more frequent and sophisticated. In 2023, the number of new public activist campaigns in Europe surged by 68%, with the UK remaining a primary target. US-based activist investors have also increased their focus on UK firms, launching 40% of all UK activist campaigns in 2024. With contested boardroom battles and regulatory shifts on the rise, the expansion of Forward Global's Corporate Contests practice into the UK is well-timed, equipping issuers with the intelligence and strategies needed to navigate this evolving landscape.

The firm launched the new practice at an exclusive gathering at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, bringing together leading voices from the shareholder activism space to discuss the evolving landscape of transatlantic shareholder activism.

The panel discussion, featuring Brendan Foo, Patrick J. McHugh of Okapi Partners, and Sebastian Fain of Freshfields, explored critical considerations for US investors entering the UK market and vice versa, differences in engagement styles across jurisdictions, and strategies for issuers to proactively engage with both activist and active investors. Panelists also examined the impact of anti-DEI and ESG sentiment on investor relations in the UK, as well as how issuers can adapt to evolving regulatory and institutional expectations.

John Watts, Managing Partner of Forward Global UK, added, "Forward Global's new UK Corporate Contests Practice is designed to provide companies with the strategic intelligence and investigative depth needed to navigate an increasingly complex activist landscape. Our team is committed to equipping clients with the tools to engage proactively with investors, safeguard their strategic interests, and strengthen shareholder relations across Europe."

Notes for Editors

Forward Global is an international group, with its historic headquarters in France, boasting five main offices in Paris, Brussels, London, Miami, and Washington. As a leading player in risk management with over 450 employees and 30 partners, Forward Global offers an integrated approach across the three major risks: digital, economic, and informational.

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View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/forward-global-responds-to-surge-in-uk-shareholder-activism-with-launch-of-uk-corporate-contests-practice-302402058.html
The Kentucky legislature has overwhelmingly passed a new sound money bill, sending the measure to Gov. Andy Beshear for his signature.

The Kentucky legislature has overwhelmingly passed a new sound money bill, sending the measure to Gov. Andy Beshear for his signature.

House Bill 2 aims to prevent the collection of sales taxes on gold and silver and would enable taxpayers to sue the state for recovery of improper tax collections since a similar bill became law last summer.

Last year, Gov. Beshear purported to have exercised a line-item veto deleting a gold and silver sales tax exemption that had been included in a 2024 revenue bill. At the time, he sneered at Kentucky savers, saying, "if you own gold, you can afford to pay sales tax."

In response, the legislature deemed Beshear's line veto invalid and directed the provision to be formally codified by the Revisor of Statutes (which it was). The state attorney general also declared the governor's veto invalid because the line-item veto power only exists in the state constitution with respect to appropriations bills, which this was not.

Ignoring state law, the governor directed the Kentucky Department of Revenue to continue collecting the tax, threatening businesses and investors with legal action.

Introduced by freshman legislator Rep. T.J. Roberts in January, House Bill 2 passed the state House, 76-17 and subsequently cleared state Senate by another overwhelming vote of 30-6.

The bill reads, "any aggrieved taxpayer who has had taxes collected from them in any purchase that are exempt under KRS 139.480(37), may maintain an action for a refund on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, without need to resort to any administrative process, against any person collecting or holding such tax funds, including the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue."

This bill is supported and sponsored by leaders of the Republican majority and was assigned a single-digit House Bill number, a designation usually assigned to priority bills with strong support.

In an interview with the Sound Money Defense League today, Rep. Roberts said, "The Kentucky state legislature has again affirmed that purchases of gold and silver should not be taxed. Gov. Beshear's blatant abuse of power ends with the passage of House Bill 2."

"Citizens of Kentucky, or of any state in the United States, for that matter, shouldn't be taxed for trying to use, buy, or transact in honest, sound money," said the freshman legislator from District 66 who has already become known for his pro-liberty views.

If HB 2 becomes law - whether signed by the governor or by veto override, aggrieved taxpayers will be entitled to reimbursement of their attorney's fees and legal costs.

Rep. Roberts says he expects a veto from the governor, but that he's committed to rallying the votes required to override it.

The Sound Money Defense League and Money Metals Exchange have worked for years in Kentucky to pass sound money legislation. Kentucky aims to become the 46th state to end this tax on purchases of gold and silver.

CONTACT:

Jp Cortez, executive director

Sound Money Defense League

jp.cortez@soundmoneydefense.org

15720 Brixham Hill Avenue, #205

Charlotte, NC 28277

Tel: 208-258-2528

www.soundmoneydefense.org

SOURCE: Sound Money Defense League
Four years ago, Fanfix launched with a bold vision: to give creators a sustainable, empowering way to monetize their content. Today, the platform isn't just competing-it's leading. With over 15 million users, an astonishing 750 million messages sent, and projected revenue nearing $175 million in the coming year, Fanfix has not only ascended but thrived in an increasingly competitive market.

As it celebrates its fourth anniversary, Fanfix is proving that its rapid growth is no accident. The platform has strategically positioned itself as more than just a subscription service-it has become a true partner to creators, guiding them through the complexities of running their own businesses, from setting up LLCs to providing financial guidance and strategic growth tactics. This hands-on approach, combined with a keen focus on Gen Z creators, has set Fanfix apart in a landscape crowded with alternatives like Patreon and OnlyFans.

"Fanfix is a great choice for Gen Z influencers looking for a safe-for-work platform," says co-founder, Simon Pompan. "And, I think it's been our focus on this generation of creators that has not only carved out a great space for us but gives us so many reasons and ways to innovate."

How Fanfix Became the Gold Standard for Creators

Fanfix was founded in 2020 by college students Harry Gestetner and Simon Pompan, who identified a gap in the creator economy. Social media influencers, particularly those with smaller but still significant followings, lacked effective tools to monetize their content. This led them to develop a platform that would enable creators to earn from their most engaged fans.

In August 2021, Fanfix officially launched and generated revenue on its first day. However, the founders faced significant challenges in securing funding, often pitching investors between college classes. Their determination paid off when they secured $1.3 million in pre-seed funding from Antler, Day One Ventures, and Rough Draft Ventures. That same year, viral internet personality Cameron Dallas recognized Fanfix's potential and joined as a co-founder. His involvement brought increased visibility and credibility to the platform, helping to onboard major influencers and accelerate adoption.

Less than a year after its launch, Fanfix was acquired by SuperOrdinary, a global growth partner specializing in creator-driven brands, for an eight-figure sum. This acquisition in 2022 provided the resources needed to scale rapidly and expand its suite of monetization tools for creators. Over the next year, the platform grew exponentially, reaching millions of users. New features like the pay-to-message function allowed creators to earn directly from fan interactions, and the company also introduced SuperLink, a link-in-bio tool designed to enhance creator monetization.

By 2023 and into 2024, Fanfix expanded its influence beyond traditional social media influencers. It became a hub for premium content, hosting exclusive material from major media properties like the Roommates (NY Knicks) and Love Island podcasts. The platform also cultivated a strong community presence, including hosting one of the largest Taylor Swift fan clubs, Swifties ForEternity.

As of 2024, FanFix has surpassed 5,000 creators and is on track to generate $175 million in revenue in the coming year. The platform remains profitable, with an expected eight-figure EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), proving that a creator-first approach can yield long-term business success.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Fanfix

In just four short years, what started as a simple idea between two high school friends has blossomed into a powerhouse in the creator economy. From the initial spark of inspiration to today, Fanfix has gone from a small startup to a global platform with millions of users and a thriving business model. Their journey is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and staying true to the mission of supporting creators.

Pompan also emphasizes the attention Fanfix pays behind the scenes to the fans that populate the platform.

"Without the unwavering support and engagement from fans, none of this would be possible," says Pompan. "They are the heart of these communities. That's why we're always working to improve how creators can connect with their fans, whether it's through exclusive content or direct interactions. Fans are not just followers; they are part of a creator's journey, and we value their role in making these communities thrive."

As Fanfix embarks on its fifth year, the company shows no signs of slowing down. With an emphasis on scaling its technology, refining user experiences, and further embedding itself in the creator ecosystem, Fanfix is positioning itself for long-term Gen Z resonance in the subscription-based creator economy.

CONTACT:

Andrew Mitchell

media@cambridgeglobal.com

SOURCE: Cambridge Global
Konzern-Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung



Die Ergebnisprasentation wird ebenfalls live mittels Webcast ohne Ton ubertragen. Bitte nutzen Sie den Link https://www.webcast-eqs.com/demire-2024-fy/no-audio

Fur die Tonubertragung nutzen Sie bitte die Einwahl uber den o.g. Registrierungslink. Eine Prasentation der Ergebnisse wird zum Download auf der Website https://www.demire.ag/publikationen/ bereitgestellt. Uber die DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG

Die DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG erwirbt und halt Gewerbeimmobilien in mittelgroen Stadten und aufstrebenden Randlagen von Ballungsgebieten in ganz Deutschland. Die Gesellschaft hat ihre besondere Starke im Realisieren von immobilienwirtschaftlichen Potenzialen an diesen Standorten und konzentriert sich auf ein Angebot, das sowohl fur international agierende als auch regionale Mieter attraktiv ist. Die DEMIRE verfugte zum 31. Dezember 2024 uber einen Immobilienbestand von 51 Objekten mit einer Vermietungsflache von rund 0,6 Million Quadratmetern. Unter Berucksichtigung des anteilig erworbenen Objektes Cielo in Frankfurt/Main belauft sich der Marktwert auf rund EUR 1,0 Milliarden.

Die Ausrichtung des Portfolios auf den Schwerpunkt Buroimmobilien mit einer Beimischung von Handels- und Hotelobjekten ist der Rendite- / Risikostruktur fur das Geschaftsfeld Gewerbeimmobilien angemessen. Die Gesellschaft legt Wert auf langfristige Vertrage mit solventen Mietern sowie das Realisieren von Potentialen und rechnet daher auch weiterhin mit stabilen und nachhaltigen Mieteinnahmen und einer soliden Wertentwicklung. Das Portfolio der DEMIRE soll mittelfristig deutlich ausgebaut werden. Bei der Entwicklung des Portfolios konzentriert sich die DEMIRE auf FFO-starke Assets mit Potentialen, wahrend nicht strategiekonforme Objekte weiterhin gezielt abgegeben werden. Operativ und prozessual wird die DEMIRE mit zahlreichen Manahmen weiterentwickelt. Neben Kostendisziplin wird die operative Leistung durch einen aktiven Asset- und Portfolio-Management-Ansatz gesteigert. Die Aktien der DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG (ISIN: DE000A0XFSF0) sind im Prime Standard der Deutschen Borse in Frankfurt notiert. Pressekontakt: DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG

Julius Stinauer, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Finance

Robert-Bosch-Strae 11

D-63255 Langen

Telefon: +49 (0) 6103 - 372 49 - 44

Fax: +49 (0) 6103 - 372 49 - 11

ir@demire.ag www.demire.ag

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DEMIRE Unternehmen / Aktien Kurs % DEMIRE DEUTSCHE MITTELSTAND REAL ESTATE AG 0,625 -4,58 % Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Fairchild Gold Corp (TSXV: FAIR) ("Fairchild" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its previously announced transaction disclosed on February 11, 2025, with Koba Resources Ltd. ("Koba"), has successfully completed on March 12, 2025.

Strategic Acquisition Completed

Having secured all necessary approvals and with all conditions satisfied, the Company's transaction with Koba has been completed. Fairchild has begun the process of integrating the extensive database received through this acquisition, which includes thousands of rock and soil samples as well as geophysical surveys.

"This is a significant acquisition for Fairchild," said Luis Martins, Chief Executive Officer of Fairchild Gold Corp. "The completion of this transaction represents an important milestone in our growth strategy and positions us as the dominant claim holder in the historic Goodsprings mining district. The acquired database which covers most of our enlarged and consolidated claim package will allow the company to collapse the timeframe it originally anticipated would be required prior to drilling."

Expanded Land Position

With the completion of this transaction, Fairchild's Copper Chief Project now covers a total of 300+ claims, spanning approximately 6150 acres in the Goodsprings mining district of Nevada. This substantial land package consolidates a significant portion of this historically productive region.

See FIGURE#1: Map of Fairchild Gold's Koba Acquisition

DATA PACKAGE

Fairchild Gold received a substantial package of historical geological, geochemical, and geophysical data from Koba Resources that were summarized in an analyst's publicly disclosed report by Ian Spence of Peloton Capital Pty Ltd. dated June 7, 2022. These data were originally acquired from work conducted by Koba's predecessor company New World Resources, starting in 2019. This work was conducted by geologists and geophysicists who were qualified persons as defined by Instrument NI 43-101, and Fairchild Gold is confident that this historical work and these historical data and descriptive maps and interpretive summaries are of high quality and are an accurate representation of the work conducted by Koba and New World Resources.

Historic Goodsprings Data Highlights:

1361 Rock samples and 2653 Soil samples

Copper Assays : up to 25% Copper in multiple locations. Confirming Copperside Mine anomaly. (Sample PS0014) Top 25 sample average 13.7 %

Gold Assays: Up to 151 g/t (sample 2645) Top 25 sample average 18.11 ppm

Silver Assays: Up to 1565 g/t (sample 212) Top 25 sample average 651.2 ppm

Cobalt Assays: Up to 5.9 % (sample PS0004)

Lead Assays: Up to 40% (Sample RLGS-6)

Zinc Assays: Up to 30% (Sample 9378)

Antimony Assays: Up to 9104.4 g/t (Sample GS09RW-45)

IP/Mag surveys:

See Figure 2: ZONGE IP Survey (~2019)

These data will be carefully analysed and, in some cases, reprocessed, giving a much more robust basis for preparation of the next exploration steps. Updates will be coming soon.

Next Phases of Exploration

Comprehensive review and integration of the newly acquired database Detailed geological mapping and innovative geophysical surveys to rank numerous high-priority targets already identified Targeted drill program

"We are extremely excited about the potential of the Copper Chief Project and the broader Goodsprings district, The historical production in this area only scratched the surface. Modern exploration techniques, combined with our large, consolidated land position and comprehensive database, give us a unique opportunity to unlock substantial value for our shareholders." -Luis Martins (CEO).

The Company believes the Goodsprings district has the potential to host a large-scale, district-wide mineral system with multiple deposit types, including:

High-grade copper-lead-zinc carbonate replacement deposits

Structurally controlled precious and PGE metal veins

Potential for porphyry copper-gold-related mineralization

Fairchild's strategic position in this historically productive yet underexplored district represents a compelling opportunity to make significant discoveries using modern exploration techniques.

Annual General and Special Meeting Results

The Company is also pleased to announce the voting results of its annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders ("Shareholders") held on February 26, 2025. Shareholders holding 17,071,085 shares or 23.15% of the outstanding shares of the Company were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The Shareholders received the financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2024, August 31, 2023, August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021 together with the auditor's Reports. As nominated by the Company's management information circular dated January 23, 2025, the shareholders elected Luis Martins, Robert Rosner, Geoffrey Baker, and Diane Mann as directors of the Company for the ensuing year.

The shareholders also voted to appoint Manning Elliott LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting and approved the Company's new equity incentive plan (the "Incentive Plan"). The Incentive Plan is a 10% rolling plan in respect of options and a 10% fixed plan in respect of restricted share units.

Finally, the shareholders approved the resolution to amend the Company's name to "Fairchild Copper & Gold Corp." as authorized by the board of directors of the Company, acceptable to the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable regulatory authorities.

QP statement

Richard R. Redfern, MS, CPG No. 10717, and Consulting Geologist for Fairchild, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has examined the Copper Chief property on the ground numerous times since 2003 and reviewed the geological information available from private and public sources related to the property and is responsible for approving the technical contents of this press release.

About Fairchild Gold Corp

Fairchild Gold Corp is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing high-quality mineral properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company's flagship Copper Chief Project is in the historic Goodsprings mining district in Nevada, USA.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the exploration and development potential of the Copper Chief Project. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244592

SOURCE: Fairchild Gold Corp.
PU Prime , a globally recognized fintech leader in trading and investment services, proudly claimed three top honors at the 2025 Brands Review Magazine (BRM) Awards in Brazil. The company was named Best Brokerage Firm Brazil 2025, Best CFD Brokerage Brazil 2025, and Best Online Trading Platform Brazil 2025, reinforcing its position as an industry innovator dedicated to excellence and client success.

The BRM Awards, hosted by the esteemed Brands Review Magazine, celebrate exceptional performance across industries like finance and technology. This year's event spotlighted PU Prime's remarkable achievements, emphasizing its growing influence in Brazil-one of Latin America's most dynamic markets-and its ability to stand out in a competitive global landscape.

Best Brokerage Firm Brazil 2025: This award recognizes PU Prime as a trusted partner for Brazilian traders, offering a secure, regulated platform and a client-first approach that delivers a reliable and rewarding trading experience.

Best CFD Brokerage Brazil 2025: PU Prime's expertise in Contracts for Difference (CFD) trading shines with competitive spreads, rapid execution, and a diverse asset lineup, including forex , commodities , indices , and shares , tailored to meet local traders' needs.

Best Online Trading Platform Brazil 2025: The company's state-of-the-art trading platform , lauded for its user-friendly design, advanced tools, and mobile accessibility, has been further improved with recent updates, making it a top choice for Brazil's trading community.

These wins reflect PU Prime's ongoing commitment to innovation and empowerment. As the company looks forward, it aims to continue breaking barriers and providing traders worldwide with the tools to succeed. For media inquiries, reach out to media@puprime.com.

About PU Prime

Founded in 2015, PU Prime is a leading global fintech company providing innovative online trading solutions. Today, we offer regulated financial products across various asset classes, including forex, commodities, indices, and shares. Committed to providing advanced technology and educational resources, PU Prime supports traders and investors at every stage, from beginner to professional. With a presence in over 120 countries and exceeding 40 million app downloads, PU Prime is dedicated to enabling financial success and fostering a global community of empowered traders. Discover PU Prime's latest promotions and join us for a fruitful trading journey today.

Company Information

Organization: PU Prime

Contact Person Name: Qianyi Hong

Website: https://www.puprime.com/

Email: media@puprime.com

SOURCE: PU Prime
The Paramount Veterans Network hosted an inspiring and profound virtual coffee with vets chat with writer/director of the award-winning film, MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, whom the film is based on. The chat was also joined by the film's co-star Sonequa Martin-Green who plays an Army Afghanistan veteran, Merit (based on Kyle). The session was moderated by CBS' Beyond The Gates' Maurice P. Kerry, Actor and Marine Corps Veteran.

Additionally, on March 7th, the Paramount Veterans Network and The New School Center for Military-Affiliated Students, hosted a free screening for veterans and their families of MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE, followed by a Q&A with Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and Sonequa Martin-Green. The Q&A session was moderated by CBS New York's Alice Gainer. CBS New York also covered the special screen during Friday's 11pm News and again on the Saturday Morning News.

About The Paramount Veterans Network

The Paramount Veterans Network offers Veterans, Active-Duty service members, National Guard, Reserve employees, their families and the community at large a forum for connecting, networking, and for personal and professional development. Paramount VetNet operates on the pillars of appreciation, resilience, action, and impact, demonstrating a profound commitment to honoring and supporting those who have served our country. By fostering a culture of accessibility, community, camaraderie and empowerment, Paramount continues its unwavering dedication to our nation's veterans and their families, ensuring they continue to thrive long after they leave the service. For more information, please follow @ParamountVetNet on social platforms.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Paramount on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Paramount

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/paramount

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Paramount
From FUBU to Shark Tank and countless ventures in between, Daymond John's phenomenal entrepreneurial journey has spanned more than 25 years. Through his many successes as well as failures, he has learned a few things about getting the best out of business and life.

Speaker: Daymond John

Star of ABC's Shark Tank

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother's house and moving his business operation into its basement. John is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with billions in product sales world-wide. Former President Barack Obama appointed Daymond John a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) to harness his energy, ideas, and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs both at home and abroad.

John is an award-winning entrepreneur and has received 100s of awards including the Brand Week Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, Ernst & Young's New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was named #2 on LinkedIn's Top 20 Voices, a list of the top influencers. Most recently, Real Leaders Magazine named Daymond John one of the Top 20 Keynote Speakers in the World in 2024 as one of the leading voices driving change.

His marketing firm The Shark Group offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world's top celebrities for everything from endorsements to product extensions.

John is also an author of 6 best-selling books including his New York Times best-sellers, The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). He released his fifth book, Powershift in 2020 that walks through his tried-and-true process of how to transform any situation, close any deal and achieve any outcome. John's most recent book, Little Daymond Learns to Earn (2023) is his first for kids, reached the New York Times and Amazon best-seller list the first week of its release.

Finally, John is celebrating his 16th season on ABC TV's critically acclaimed business reality show Shark Tank, which has has now gone on to win five Emmy Awards in the US. Millions of weekly viewers world-wide tune into the show, as John demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

1-2 PM ET | 12 CT | 11 MT | 10 PT

During this event, hear first-hand, how a man, with no formal business training whatsoever, went from driving cabs and waiting tables to achieving global product sales exceeding $6 billion, and starring on ABC's hit reality business show, Shark Tank.

Daymond will share what he believes are the keys to success including how to learn to establish the right mindset and following a few fundamental principles Daymond calls his "S.H.A.R.K Points" .

This industry leader, best-selling author, and ground breaking entrepreneurial expert will share his unique goal setting and achieving strategies, which will empower audience members to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives.

Join PNC for this special event featuring "The People's Shark" Daymond John, where he will reveal how you too can live the American Dream.

Register here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from PNC Financial Services Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: PNC Financial Services Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/pnc-financial-services-group

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: PNC Financial Services Group
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (BVL: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") announces that it has today filed a Technical Report (as defined in National Instrument 43-101) regarding the Company's Mercedes gold and silver mine in Sonora, Mexico, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mercedes Gold - Silver Mine, Sonora State, Mexico" (the "2024 Mercedes Report"). The 2024 Mercedes Report is dated effective September 30, 2024 and was prepared on behalf of the Company by Global Resource Engineering Ltd. ("GRE").

The 2024 Mercedes Report supports the updated Mercedes Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates announced by the Company on January 29, 2025 (the "January 29, 2025 News Release"). There are no material differences between the scientific and technical disclosure contained in the 2024 Mercedes Report and the January 29, 2025 News Release, both of which are available to the public on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.bearcreekmining.com).

National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Disclosure

The 2024 Mercedes Report was prepared on behalf of the Company by Global Resource Engineering Ltd. and the following Qualified Persons ("QP", as defined in NI 43-101): Terre Lane, MMSA and SME Registered Member, Principal Mining Engineer at GRE; Todd Harvey, PhD, PE and SME Registered Member, Principal Metallurgist at GRE; Hamid Samari, PhD, MMSA, Principal Geologist at GRE; Larry Breckenridge, PE (Colorado, USA), Principal Environmental Engineer at GRE; Luis Quirindongo, SME Registered Member, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at GRE; and Donald Mc Iver, FAusIMM Member and FSEG Member, Vice President Exploration and Geology at Bear Creek Mining Corporation. Sections of the 2024 Mercedes Report for which each QP was responsible are provided in the 2024 Mercedes Report. Each of these individuals has read, certified their participation in and consented to the use, public disclosure and filing of the 2024 Mercedes Report.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The 2024 Mercedes Report and the January 29, 2025 News Release may contain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements. Please refer to the January 29, 2025 News Release for cautionary statements related to forward-looking information contained therein. Forward-looking information contained in the 2024 Mercedes Report reflects information, estimates, predictions, expectations, assumptions or beliefs regarding future events that were current on the effective date of the document. Although reasonable at the time, the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements were made may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates used to make such forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect or that one or more risks described in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form come to pass. When relying on forward-looking statements, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244647

SOURCE: Bear Creek Mining Corporation
Regulatory News:

MotorK PLC (AMS: MTRK) ("MotorK", the "Group" or the "Company"), a leading SaaS provider to the automotive retail industry in the EMEA region, today announced a reserved capital increase of 4.8 million.

Major strategic investors, including 83 North and Lucerne Capital Management, participated in this round, reaffirming their commitment to the Group's strategy and long-term vision. This capital injection is aimed at strengthening the Group's financial position, supporting MotorK's commitment to reach a Cash EBITDA positive position by the end of FY25.

The reserved capital increase, based on a price per share of 3.00, results in the issue of 1,614,333 new ordinary shares. In addition, these newly-issued shares will be subject to a 12-month lock-up period, underlining the investors' long-term vision and dedication to the Group's success.

Amir Rosentuler, Executive Chairman of MotorK said: "Our long-term investors' continued support is a strong signal that we are on the right track towards our profitability and growth targets. We are grateful for the trust placed in us, and we remain focused on delivering value while staying true to our objectives".

About the Investors

83North Ltd: 83North is a global venture capital firm with over $2.2B under management. The fund invests across all stages in exceptional entrepreneurs focused on building global category leading companies.

Lucerne Capital Management LP: Lucerne is an investment firm specializing in fundamental, bottom-up stock selection with a focus on European markets. The firm manages approximately $500 million in assets. Lucerne's expertise is a combination of four decades of experience in European equity research and a repeatable private equity investment style with tactical trading around value dislocations.

Next Publication

MotorK will now publish its Annual Report on 11 April 2025, instead of 4 April 2025, as originally stated in the Financial Calendar published in December on the Company's website.

Forward-looking information and disclaimer

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Other than reported financial results and historical information, all statements included in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding our financial position, business strategy and management plans and objectives for future operations, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets", "plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "anticipates", "estimates", "projects", "will", "may", "would", "could" or "should", or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, projections and key assumptions about future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond MotorK's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market conditions, the behavior of other market participants and the actions of governmental regulators. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to change without notice. Other than as required by applicable law or the applicable rules of any exchange on which our securities may be traded, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Important information

This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014).

ABOUT MOTORK PLC

MotorK (AMS: MTRK) is a leading software as a service ("SaaS") provider for the automotive retail industry in the EMEA region, with approximately 400 employees and ten offices in seven countries (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the UK, and Israel). MotorK empowers car manufacturers and dealers to improve their customer experience through a broad suite of fully integrated digital products and services. MotorK provides its customers with an innovative combination of digital solutions, SaaS cloud products and the largest R&D department in the automotive digital sales and marketing industry in Europe. MotorK is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 5th Floor One New Change, London, England, EC4M 9AF Company Registration: 9259000. For more information: www.motork.io or investors.motork.io.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250314381019/en/

Contacts:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

MotorK Investor Relations

Boaz Zilberman

boaz.zilberman@motork.io

+972 532 819 810
Regions Branch Manager Nancy Lancaster utilizes tailored products and resources to serve the autistic and neurodivergent community in Raleigh.

By Candace Higginbotham

When the Regions MagnusCards app was launched, Raleigh Branch Manager Nancy Lancaster put her own personal focus group to work to provide feedback.

"I have an adult son with autism," Lancaster said. "When MagnusCards came out, I shared the app with him, and he was excited. His reaction let me know that this tool could be very impactful for the neurodivergent population."

MagnusCards is an app that provides visual how-tos called Card Decks to help autistic and neurodivergent people perform home and community activities. The technology is produced by Magnusmode, a company that creates practical tools to improve everyday experiences for the neurodivergent population.

I have an adult son with autism. When MagnusCards came out, I shared the app with him, and he was excited.

Nancy Lancaster, Raleigh Branch Manager

The app uses a well-known concept called social stories - a learning tool that provides written or verbal stories that help autistic people understand what to expect in certain social situations and how to respond, cope and learn.

Last year, Regions collaborated with Magnusmode to offer the Regions MagnusCards app, which provides visual, audio and step-by-step instructions for bank transactions. Users can consult the app for assistance with activities such as using a debit card, opening a checking account, depositing a check, withdrawing cash at a Regions ATM and using online banking.

The app and cards allow people to practice before visiting the bank, making them more comfortable and confident before they even interact with a Regions banker.

The launch of MagnusCards was an important step in executing our priority to better serve customers with neurodiverse abilities.

Schiela Pena, Disability Services and Outreach Manager for Regions.

MagnusCards is the most recent addition to Regions' efforts to accommodate people with autism, which include sensory packs in bank branches and quiet areas in Regions facilities that guests can use during sensory episodes.

"The launch of MagnusCards was an important step in executing our priority to better serve customers with neurodiverse abilities," said Schiela Pena, disability services and outreach manager for Regions. "We've received positive feedback from customers and want to continue to raise awareness with our associates and community members about this useful tool that makes banking easier for many of our customers."

Lancaster is doing her part to spread the word in Raleigh. "I know the importance of social stories to help prepare for big steps in life," she said. "So, I introduce the app to all the teachers that come into the branch and to the parents of anyone in the neurodiverse community. One teacher I shared the app with was so excited to pass it along to her team and students."

"Everyone that's familiar with social stories loves the idea of MagnusCards. The more tools and information out there that allow this community to bank independently is good for everyone."

Understanding the needs of all customers is an important part of serving our clients and communities, according to Jimmie Lawrence, Regions Consumer Banking leader for North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

"Nancy's passion for helping individuals with special needs, particularly those who are neurodivergent, is not only commendable but also essential in fostering a more inclusive banking experience," Lawrence said. "Financial literacy and independence are universal necessities, and by recommending tools like the MagnusCard app, we empower customers with the resources they need to confidently manage their finances."

Financial literacy and independence are universal necessities, and by recommending tools like the MagnusCard app, we empower customers with the resources they need to manage their finances confidently.

Jimmie Lawrence, Regions Consumer Banking leader for North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Lancaster's support for the autistic and neurodivergent community doesn't stop when she leaves the bank each day. It's also a personal passion. She and her son are actively involved with Triangle Disability & Autism Services. According to Lancaster, her son takes part in the Triangle Self Advocacy Network (TSAN) program there, which is a group of self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also participates in First Friday, a social time for fun, games and hanging out with friends.

Recently, Lancaster organized a financial wellness session at Triangle Disability & Autism Services, where the local Regions team delivered the Money Basics for Life course, part of the Regions Next Step financial education curriculum.

The Money Basics for Life course is tailored for people with disabilities and includes two learning modules, Managing Your Money and Credit and Identity Theft. These financial wellness lessons enhance independent living skills and help participants learn to make good financial decisions.

Lawrence took part in the session, his first time delivering financial education to an audience of people with disabilities.

"What stood out most was the eagerness of the participants to learn and take steps toward financial independence," he said. "They did not see their disability as a limitation but rather embraced financial literacy as a means of empowerment. Witnessing their joy and determination underscored why we do what we do, and that's serving the community in a way that truly makes a difference."

Pena is thrilled about the Raleigh team's enthusiasm and dedication - and all the great work going on throughout the Regions footprint to support the disability community.

"At Regions we want to ensure everyone has access to the tools and knowledge they need to succeed financially, regardless of their circumstances," Pena said.

Lancaster agreed, saying, "This kind of inclusivity and increased access to banking is directly aligned with our mission at Regions to make life better," she said. "We're able to live our values and deliver a personalized path to financial confidence and well-being from someone who cares."

In this short video, Lancaster talks about the importance of inclusive banking.For information about downloading and using the Regions MagnusCards app, go to regions.com. Learn more about Regions Next Step Financial Wellness resources.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Regions Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank
Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 3 April 2025



Board of Director Nominees Ellen Lord and John Shaw to provide critical expertise and U.S. perspective



Board of Directors unanimously decides to reduce Its size and change Its composition



Company reiterates Its strategy and opportunities to deliver long-term shareholder value



Board of Directors unanimously supports the Non-binding Agenda Item received from Atlas

SES S.A. ("SES" or the "Company") today issued the following statements in relation to the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting ("AGM"), taking place on 3 April 2025:

Proposed Additions to SES's Board of Directors

The Company is pleased to propose the addition of two new members, Ellen Lord and John Shaw, to its Board of Directors.

Ellen Lord is the former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the United States Department of Defense and has board experience with listed and non-listed companies, including Voyager Space Holdings Inc., National Defense Industrial Association and Defense Technology Initiative.



John Shaw is a former Deputy Commander of the U.S. Space Force and first Commander of the USSF Space Operations Command and Combined Forces Space Component Command.

The Company believes that adding the unique and valuable experience and skillsets of Ellen and John to its Board, both of whom bring direct experience in U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Space Force and a wealth of experience in the U.S. market, will have significant benefits for the Company. The Board is confident that Ellen and John will contribute to the Company's success as the market continues to evolve.

Ahead of this year's AGM, SES thoroughly reviewed its board composition to ensure the right balance of skills and experience are present to meet the evolving landscape of the satellite industry. Throughout this review, the Board recognised the need to enhance its collective expertise by appointing individuals with a deep-rooted understanding of the U.S. market and the space economy evolution to help position the Company to effectively navigate this rapidly changing landscape.

As part of the Company's commitment to maintaining a strong and effective board, the Company, with help from the Nomination Committee, initiated a search process aimed at identifying well-qualified and suitable candidates to enhance the overall skillset and experience of the Board to better align with the Company's strategic direction. Through this careful process the Company identified Ellen and John as excellent candidates to join its Board of Directors, and the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the Company's proposed Agenda Item to approve their appointments. The appointment of John is subject to final clearance.

As highlighted in the Company's Full Year 2024 results release on 26 February 2025, the Board expects to review its composition regularly and make necessary adjustments, including evaluating the tenure of existing Board members, to ensure it remains highly effective and strategically positioned for future growth.

Taking into account views expressed by shareholders to the Company, the Board has unanimously decided to reduce its size to 9 members, including adding further capital markets experience to the Board, prior to or at the Company's 2026 AGM, in a process led by the Nomination Committee to commence immediately. Until such changes take effect, the Company proposes to maintain its current board size of 11 members.

Non-binding agenda item received from Atlas

The Company notes that it has received the non-binding agenda item from Atlas Infrastructure Partners ("Atlas") set out in the Appendix to this announcement for reference, which the Company intends to include in the updated agenda for its forthcoming AGM.

SES appreciates the constructive engagement from Atlas around the Company's previously announced position relating to shareholder remuneration as set out in the Company's Full Year 2024 results release on 26 February 2025, and is supportive of Atlas' proposed agenda item. The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of Atlas' proposed agenda item.

Response to Appaloosa LP's non-binding Agenda Item (Resolution 21) and the non-voting Discussion Items

SES appreciates the perspectives of all our shareholders and their constructive ideas about our business. While the Company is committed to maintaining open and constructive dialogue to deliver long-term shareholder value, the Board believes that Resolution 21 proposed by Appaloosa LP ("Appaloosa"), and Appaloosa's proposals contained in the non-voting Discussion Items, are not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and unanimously recommends shareholders vote against Resolution 21.

Paragraph 1 explains why the Board is unanimously recommending that the shareholders vote against Appaloosa's non-binding proposal (Resolution 21). Paragraphs 2 to 5 explain why the Board believes that Appaloosa's proposals set out in Discussion Items 1 to 4 are not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Appaloosa's non-binding voting Agenda Item (Resolution 21) and Appaloosa's proposals set out in the Discussion Items are set out in the Appendix to this announcement for reference.

1. Company's Current Plans to Return Capital to Shareholders are Aligned with SES's Long-Term Goals (Resolution 21)

Appaloosa has proposed Resolution 21 in the Company's AGM Agenda. The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote against Resolution 21.

In summary the Board believes that Resolution 21 is unnecessary and seeks to deny essential flexibility for the Board and management of the Company to manage the affairs and liquidity of the Company in the best interests of the Company, its shareholders and other stakeholders. The proposal in Resolution 21 may jeopardise the Company's investment grade credit rating and burden the Company with significant uncertainty.

SES has already confirmed a clear intent to prioritise shareholder remuneration while maintaining investment grade metrics and driving sustained, profitable growth and value creation.

As announced in the Company's Full Year 2024 results release on 26 February 2025, in terms of capital allocation, the Company remains committed to investment grade metrics, profitable investments, and a stable to progressive dividend policy. The Company also confirmed that as it meets its net leverage target (Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA) of below 3 times within 12-18 months after closing the Intelsat transaction, the Company intends to increase the annual base dividend and then prioritise shareholder remuneration when allocating any future exceptional cash flows of the combined company.

SES's total cash returns to shareholders since 2021 have been approximately EUR 1.2 billion, which is over 100% of its Adjusted Free Cash flow over the same period. SES continues to prioritise shareholder remuneration and remains sector leading in terms of returning capital to its shareholders.

The Board believes that it is in the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders that SES retains a healthy balance, as per its current financial policy, between shareholder returns, maintaining investment grade metrics and keeping some flexibility for accretive growth investments to support the Company's competitive position in the market.

It should be noted that Resolution 21 sets a gross debt to EBITDA threshold of 3.75 times, which is likely to put the Company's investment grade credit rating at risk, and detract from the flexibility the management and Board of the Company would otherwise have to manage the affairs of the Company to avoid this negative outcome. In Moody's report dated 26 February 2025, it updated its investment grade ratings gross debt to EBITDA threshold range for the Company from 3.25-3.75 times to 2.75-3.25 times.

Resolution 21 artificially constrains the Board's ability to allocate capital to the items listed in Resolution 21 only. It prioritises increased shareholder remuneration in the short term and ignores the necessity for the Board to have agility to respond to a changing macro-economic and competitive environment which could jeopardise the Company's trajectory and long-term future growth. Our strategy balances strategic investments, which are expected to drive long-term growth and sustainable cash flow generation in-line with our established IRR threshold of 10%, with an approach to shareholder remuneration that appropriately addresses the company's capital allocation priorities.

Resolution 21 is proposed as a non-binding Agenda Item, and it would not be binding in accordance with Luxembourg laws as it entirely fetters the Board's discretion regarding all future capital allocation decisions. However voting in favour of the resolution would nonetheless leave the Company burdened by significant uncertainty, and be neither in the short or long term interests of shareholders.

2. Reorganisation of the Share Capital Structure of the Company (Discussion Item 1)

The non-voting Discussion Item 1 in the Company's AGM Agenda was proposed by Appaloosa. The Board has unanimously decided that it does not support Discussion Item 1.

The Luxembourg Government is an anchor shareholder of the Company since inception, and its holding in the Company is viewed as important to its strategic national interests. Its holding of B Shares gives it valuable rights which pursuant to Luxembourg law cannot be taken away from it by a vote, whether binding or non-binding, of other shareholders.

In any event, SES considers the Luxembourg Government to be a valuable shareholder and stakeholder in the Company and the Luxembourg Government has on numerous occasions confirmed its strong support for the Company.

The Board also wishes to note that as these rights are fully disclosed and form part of the Articles, all investors would have invested in the Company on the basis of the existing shareholding structure and these rights.

The Board also notes that the Class B Shareholders are entitled to appoint such number of directors which comprise no more than one third of the total number of directors on the Board, and as such the Class B shareholders cannot dictate strategy and do not in practice inhibit management's ability to execute on the Company's profitable growth strategy. The Board also notes that the economic interests of all shareholders are already fairly and proportionately aligned.

3. Reorganisation of the Board (Discussion Item 2)

The non-voting Discussion Item 2 in the Company's AGM Agenda was proposed by Appaloosa. The Board has unanimously decided that it does not support Discussion Item 2.

As explained above, the Board considers that its current composition and its approach to carefully planned refreshment of its membership, in accordance with the recommendations of its Nomination Committee, ensures a good balance of skills, experience, and continuity in the Company's leadership body. The composition of the Board, which has reduced in size from 18 members in 2016 to 11 members in 2024, is also broadly aligned with the Company's competitors and peers, as well as governance and market standards.

As noted above the Company has already proposed two highly qualified new candidates to its Board, Ellen Lord and John Shaw.

Furthermore, as explained above, the Board is committed to continuously improving its composition over time, including evaluating the tenure of existing Board members. The Company's goal is to ensure the Board is equipped with diverse range of skills, perspectives and experiences that will guide the Company towards its next phase of success.

The Board has carefully considered feedback received from shareholders and, as noted above, in any event proposes to reduce its size and further refresh its composition prior to or at the Company's AGM in 2026.

Discussion Item 2, among other items, calls for the removal of the entire board, the replacement of the Board with a smaller number of directors, who are unspecified, including two new members of the Board, who are also unspecified. It also calls for the removal of the current procedure for Board appointments as between the A and B shareholders, including the existing involvement of the Nomination Committee. This would be a chaotic and unnecessary approach, in contrast to the Company's own careful approach to identifying highly skilled new Board members, and ensuring it has an appropriate balance of skills and experience in its Board composition over time.

4. Ownership and Transfer of Shares (Discussion Item 3)

The non-voting Discussion Item 3 in the Company's AGM Agenda was proposed by Appaloosa. The Board has unanimously decided that it does not support Discussion Item 3.

As noted above, the Luxembourg Government is an anchor shareholder of the Company since inception, and its holding in the Company is viewed as important to its strategic national interests. The Company's Articles were established in consultation with the Luxembourg Government and Article 5 of the Articles is intended to safeguard Luxembourg's national strategic interests in SES.

These rights are fully disclosed and all investors would have invested in the Company on the basis of the existing shareholding structure and these rights.

In any event, SES considers the Luxembourg Government to be a valuable shareholder and stakeholder in the Company and the Luxembourg Government has on numerous occasions confirmed its strong support for the Company.

5. Amendments to the Articles (Discussion Item 4)

The non-voting Discussion Item 4 in the Company's AGM Agenda was proposed by Appaloosa. The Board has unanimously decided that it does not support Discussion Item 4.

This Discussion Item proposes to make changes to the Company's Articles to reflect Appaloosa's other proposals. For the reasons noted above, the Company does not support Discussion Item 4.

Documents for the AGM can be found here.

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) fleet and medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high-performance services. By using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The Company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com

APPENDIX: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

PART A: ATLAS NON-BINDING VOTING ITEM

1. Non-binding resolution on capital returns to shareholders

ATLAS supports the company announcement on the 26th of February 2025 regarding the intention for a stable to progressive dividend and capital return policy in the future, as the company meets its leverage targets, including the intention with regards to any proceeds from any future exceptional cashflows of the combined company. ATLAS would support a determination by the board in these circumstances that at least a majority of such future exceptional cashflows will be prioritised for return to shareholders.

PART B: APPALOOSA NON-BINDING VOTING ITEM

2. Resolution 21 Non-binding resolution on capital return to shareholders.

The Shareholders' Meeting requests the board of directors of the Company (the Board) to implement an annual capital return to the shareholders of the Company, which shall amount to the surplus capital of the Company, defined as the sum of (a) cash and short-term investments in excess of Euro 200 million at the beginning of the fiscal year; (b) cash from operations during the fiscal year; and (c) proceeds from asset sales (including spectrum proceeds) during the fiscal year; less (i) debt repayments necessary to reduce the ratio of gross debt-to-EBITDA (excluding ongoing transaction-related expenses) to a threshold of 3.75x; (ii) capital investments made during the fiscal year to maintain the Company's GEO satellite network; (iii) the equity component of funds expended during the fiscal year to complete the build-out of the Company's existing MEO network; and (iv) the funds needed to complete the Intelsat stock purchase transaction pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement dated April 30, 2024.

PART C: APPALOOSA NON-VOTING DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Reorganisation of the share capital of the Company.

Discussion on the conversion of all the outstanding class B shares in the Company (the "Class B Shares") into new class A shares in the Company (the "Class A Shares"), based on a ratio of zero point four (0.4) new Class A Shares for one (1) Class B Share and suppression of classes of shares within the share capital of the Company, and conversion of all outstanding Class A Shares into ordinary shares in the Company.

2. Reorganisation of the Board.

Discussion on (i) the amendment of the articles of incorporation to limit the size of the Company's board to a maximum number of 9 members, each of which shall be elected annually, (ii) the revocation of all current members of the Board with immediate effect, (iii) the appointment of up to 9 members to the board, of which at least two shall be new members with no prior service on the board, and (iv) the amendment of (a) article 9 of the articles of association of the Company to delete the existing nomination process and grant the Government the right to nominate a number of Board members proportionate to its shareholding for appointment, and (b) articles 11 and 12 of the articles of association of the Company to delete the requirement and existence of vice-chairpersons.

3. Amendment of article 5 of the articles of association of the Company to remove restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares in the Company.

Discussion on the amendment of article 5 of the articles of association of the Company to remove any restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares in the Company.

4. Amendment and full restatement of the articles of association of the Company, without changing the corporate object of the Company, to reflect the proposed changes referred to under discussion items 1, 2 and 3 above.

Discussion on the amendment and full restatement of the articles of association of the Company, without changing the corporate object of the Company, to reflect the proposed changes referred under items 1, 2 and 3 above.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250314080117/en/

Contacts:

For further information please contact:

Christian Kern

Investor Relations

Tel: +44 7780 291 340

christian.kern@ses.com

Suzanne Ong

Communications

Tel. +352 710 725 500

suzanne.ong@ses.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing, with ThreeD Capital Inc. as its lead investor, by selling 72,983,340 units to "accredited investors" within the meaning of NI 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and under the applicable securities laws, with each unit priced at $0.05 for gross proceeds of $3,649,167 (the "Financing"). Tenet plans to use the proceeds of the Financing to develop macroeconomic data indexes for the Company's recently launched ie-Pulse platform, to prepare the expansion of the Cubeler Business Hub to the U.S. and for general working capital purposes.

Each unit (a "Unit") of the Financing is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance thereof (the "Expiry Date"). After a period of 6 months from the date of their issuance, if at any time the price of the Common Shares closes at or above $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days, the Expiry Date of the Warrants will be reduced to thirty 30 days (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the Accelerated Expiry Date will be cancelled.

Certain qualified individuals and registered investment dealers ("Finders"), who assisted the Company with respect to the Financing, received from the Company, in compliance with securities laws, a cash finder's fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised and a number of finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units placed. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to subscribe for one Common Share at a price of $0.15 during the 24 months following its issuance, subject to the Accelerated Expiry Date conditions.

The securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Financing.

Shares for Service Settlement

Tenet also announced today, in compliance with the policies of issuing shares for services of the Canadian Securities Exchange, that it issued 912,968 common shares of the Company at deemed prices per share ranging from $0.05 to $0.10 to settle $56,500 worth of debt to strategic advisor Altitude Capital Consultants Inc.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com.

Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media:

X: @Tenet_Fintech

Facebook: @Tenet

LinkedIn: Tenet

YouTube: Tenet Fintech

THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL, INCLUDING ANY JURISDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE 1933 ACT) UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE 1933 ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IS AVAILABLE.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

***** NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES *****

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244664

SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc.
High school students deeply engage in an AI-driven exercise in a Pearls Africa classroom in Yaba, Nigeria. They craft carefully structured prompts to generate unique images inspired by Wole Soyinka's Forest of a Thousand Demons. The energy in the room is palpable as students experiment with language to manipulate AI outputs, discovering the creative potential of artificial intelligence firsthand.

For Abisoye Ajayi , a globally recognized STEM education innovator and leading advocate for expanding AI access, this moment signifies more than just a classroom activity. It is part of a more significant movement she has spearheaded over the past decade-one that has trained over 10,000 students across multiple African countries, addressed systemic digital exclusion, and influenced AI adoption in education at both national and international levels.

This transformation is gaining momentum with Prompt Magic, a groundbreaking book and AI learning platform created by Abisoye Ajayi, a CNN Hero and BBC 100 Women honoree recognized for her exceptional contributions to STEM education and digital empowerment. After years of leading STEM, AI, and coding literacy initiatives across Africa, she is now bringing her mission to the United States, focusing on the Midwest, where AI education remains significantly behind national trends.

A Global Leader in AI Education and Digital Inclusion



Ajayi's AI and STEM education expertise has been recognized at the highest global leadership levels. As the founder of Pearls Africa Youth Foundation, her pioneering programs have received endorsements from major international institutions, including ONE, BBC, CNN, and leading multinational tech companies.

Her work has led her to collaborate with top educators, policymakers, and researchers in shaping AI curricula that are now being tested in school districts across Nigeria. Her first book on the same topic, released three years ago, offered guidance to parents and educators on introducing AI to young learners. Now, with advancements in AI capabilities, she is equipping young people with the necessary tools to engage with AI actively, nurturing creativity and productivity. Her research on AI literacy and digital access has been cited in global discussions on inclusive AI education, and her insights have been featured at prestigious international forums, including the World Economic Forum and Harvard Kennedy School's Social Innovation + Change Initiative.

Addressing AI Education Gaps in the United States



Artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries, redefines workforce skills, and shifts how businesses operate. Yet, in the United States, many communities remain critically disconnected from this technological revolution. While innovation clusters like San Francisco and New York have integrated AI into school curricula, much of the Midwest struggles with access, funding, and educator training-a challenge Ajayi-Akinfolarin is passionate about solving. Ajayi moved from Massachusetts to Oklahoma specifically for this mission.

Drawing from her experience bridging the gender gap in tech education across Africa, she recognized the same structural barriers preventing students in the U.S. from engaging with AI tools. Her response? A platform that democratizes access to AI education, breaking down complexity and making AI literacy mainstream.

Innovating AI Learning Through Competition-Based Education



One of the biggest challenges in adopting AI in education is the perception that it is too costly or too complex. Many educators remain hesitant due to a lack of technical training. To address this, Ajayi published Prompt Magic, a simple guide to introducing young people to artificial intelligence using prompting engineering as a low-entry barrier. This book makes AI education accessible to all students without requiring teachers to have prior AI expertise.

The accompanying online platform to the book, learnPromptMagic.com, allows students to participate in structured AI competitions. Students sharpen their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in these competitions by crafting and refining AI prompts. The platform, which is open source and free, is already being piloted in multiple school districts in Nigeria, and a Midwestern economic development organization is in talks to expand its reach in the US.

A Vision for the Future of AI in Education

Beyond expanding Prompt Magic, Ajayi continues to drive global policy discussions and strategic collaborations on AI inclusion. She envisions a future where AI literacy is a fundamental right, not a privilege. By making AI education engaging, interactive, and widely accessible, her work prepares students to use AI-it equips them to shape, innovate, and lead the future of AI itself.

Final Thoughts



As AI continues to reshape the workforce and global economy, it is critical to ensure that students from all backgrounds are not left behind. With Prompt Magic, Ajayi is leading that charge, providing the next generation with the essential tools to become AI-literate and AI-empowered.

Her groundbreaking contributions, global recognition, and direct impact on policy and education systems place her at the forefront of AI and technology internationally, championing broader accessibility and participation in the field.

With the launch of Prompt Magic, she cements her legacy as a trailblazer in STEM and AI education, bridging global divides and shaping the future of digital learning.

Prompt Magic

learnpromptmagic.com

617 6825295

SOURCE: Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - SBD Capital Corp. (CSE: SBD) (the "Company") announces that, further to its press releases of January 13, 2025 and March 7, 2025, the Company is pleased to announce that it has settled an aggregate of $418,571.82 of indebtedness owed to certain creditors of the Company through the issuance of 1,550,263 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.27 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement"). The Company will continue to work towards settling its outstanding trade payables in order to remediate its working capital deficiency.

The Debt Settlement is considered a "related party transactions" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as some of the creditors are insiders of the Company. The Company is relying on the exemption from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(g) of MI 61-101, as the Company's securities are not listed on one of the markets specified in section 5.5(g) of MI 61-101. The Company did not rely on an exemption the minority shareholder approval under MI 61-101, as minority shareholder approval for the Debt Settlement was received at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on January 24, 2025.

The Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement shall be subject to a four-month hold period and completion of the Debt Settlement remains subject to final acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Prior to the completion of the Debt Settlement, Irwin Lowy LLP ("ILL") held an aggregate of 38,333 Common Shares, representing approximately 4.886% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and on a partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Acquisition, ILL held an aggregate of 551,768 Common Shares, representing approximately 23.59% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and on a partially diluted basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, ILL may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Prior to the completion of the Debt Settlement, Mr. Contardi held, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 78,822 Common Shares, representing approximately 9.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and on a partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Debt Settlement, Mr. Contardi held an aggregate of 423,773 Common Shares, representing approximately 18.12% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and on a partially diluted basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Mr. Contardi may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca

For further information, please contact:

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244692

SOURCE: SBD Capital Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2025) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") announces it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") in its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") by issuing 3,815,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") at CAD$0.25 per Common Share for gross proceeds of CAD$953,750. The First Tranche had one insider subscribe, David Stein, President, CEO and a director, which is considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) in respect of such insider participation as the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves the interested party, will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general working capital. All securities issued under the First Tranche, will be subject to a hold period expiring July 15, 2025, in accordance with the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws, except for those issued to investors in foreign jurisdictions. In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid $35,500 in finder's fees to certain eligible finders.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Reader Advisory

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favourable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statements, any discussion regarding the proposed use of the proceeds of the Offering, is forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the CSE nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244703

SOURCE: Kuya Silver Corporation
Apoorva Mukhija appeared in the now-deleted episode alongside Ranveer Allahbadia, and after that, she stayed away from Instagram because of the backlash last month read more

Apoorva Mukhija aka The Rebel Kid has finally made an appearance on social media and broken the silence on Indias Got Latent controversy. The social media influencer appeared in the now-deleted episode alongside Ranveer Allahbadia, and after that, she stayed away from Instagram because of the backlash last month.

On Thursday, March 13, Apoorva shared a cryptic message via her broadcast channel, Rebellions and wrote, Diwaaro ke bhi kaan hote hain" (Even walls have ears). This message from Mukhija created curiosity among the netizens.

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She expressed her gratitude to the supporters during this testing period and shared, So thank you," which marked her first direct communication with her audience after the controversy.

Apoorva Makhija is also part of the Nadaaniyan cast but she has been kept away from the promotional activities and not been tagged in the films social media posts either. This comes amid her Indias Got Latent controversy.

Apoorva Mukhija is a computer science engineer turned content creator. The social media influencer, who goes by The Rebel Kid on Instagram, has 2.7 million followers on the photo and video sharing platform.

Mukhija did her BTech in Computer Engineering from Manipal University, Jaipur. She has also worked as a web developer, marketing intern, and sales engineer analyst.

Hailing from Delhi, she moved to Mumbai reportedly after her undergraduation.

Mukhija, also known as Kaleshi Aurat, gained fame during the COVID-19 lockdown with her relatable content. She has since come to be known for her mini vlogs, candid storytelling, and fashion and travel vlogs.

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She was among Forbes Top 100 Digital Stars 2023 and bagged the eighth spot on Forbes 2024 Creator List. She wrote after the 2024 honour, Look maa I am on Forbes India again. This is my second year of being on this list and a lot has changed in the past one year, in fact my most difficult year professionally was the last one year.
Canada has faced multiple annexation attempts by the United States since the 18th century. From the failed American invasion of Quebec in 1775 to the War of 1812, the US repeatedly sought to capture Canada, often using force. Today, amid Trumps renewed interest in merging the country with the US, Mark Carneys firm rejection highlights the longstanding resolve of Canadians to maintain sovereignty read more

Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape or form, said Canadas new prime minister-in-waiting, Mark Carney, after winning the race to lead the countrys Liberal party. Carneys message was a response to repeated statements from Trump in the past few months that he wanted Canada to become part of the US, and for the border between the two to be erased.

There is historical precedent to the idea of this specific land grab. Since its founding, the United States has frequently expressed an interest in merging with its northern neighbour.

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Even before the United States had been formed, article 11 of the precursor to the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, stated that: Canada  shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union.

When the founding fathers signed the US constitution in 1787, Canada consisted of just Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The vast majority of the population was Catholic and French speaking. So, the idea of being absorbed into a new nation which had come into being driven by Puritan New Englanders was not appealing.

For Canadians it was bad enough to have been overseen from London, but at least the British parliament had guaranteed their rights with the Quebec Act of 1774. That tolerant measure allowed free practice of Catholicism, protected the use of the French language and even restored French civil law.

Tom Green - I'm A Canadian - (Official Music Video) https://t.co/Jnz1Oa8QzO via @YouTube  Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) March 4, 2025

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In addition, at the time Canadas fur, timber and fish trade was almost all with Britain, which had used a mix of tariffs and legislation to ensure the dominance of British ships.

Canadian traders could also take advantage of Britains Caribbean colonies importing cotton, rum and sugar in a circular trade. By the outbreak of the US revolution, Canada was well and truly sewn into Britains trading orbit, so Canadians resisted the siren song of the American revolutionaries.

But this did not stop American patriots from attempting to rally support for their cause in Canada. In May 1775 the American capture of Fort Ticonderoga, in upstate New York, spurred an invasion of Quebec. However, poor leadership, insufficient numbers and bad planning led to the defeat of the invasion in December 1775.

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Another attack the following year had been rebuffed by the time the US had declared independence from Britain in July 1776. Americans would not attempt another invasion of their northern neighbour until their next war with Britain, in 1812.

How the 19th century wars unfolded

The 1812 invasion of Canada was a far more serious affair. Hoping to capture Canada in order to use it as a bargaining chip in their maritime disputes with Britain, US forces launched a three-pronged attack.

It met with stiff resistance from the British and their Canadian and Native American allies. The invading US forces were comprehensively defeated. They surrendered at Detroit on the western edge of Lake Erie. But even this would not be the last invasion by Americans.

During the US civil war (1861-1865) there was talk of forceable American annexation of Canada because of British support for the Confederacy, but it remained just talk. The year after that war ended, in June 1866, a group of 1500 Irish-Americans crossed the Niagara River into Canada.

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There had been a precursor to this invasion when small bands of Irish-Americans launched a dozen or so raids on what was then the province of Upper Canada (today the southern half of Ontario) in the so-called patriot war of 1837-1838. However, the 1866 raid was arguably more like the 1812 invasions, in that the objective of the raid was to take Canada and use it as a bargaining chip for Irish home rule.

Initially the raid went well. The Americans defeated a small force of Canadian militiamen, but they were forced to withdraw back over the border when the British mobilised far larger forces. Undeterred, days later, the Irish launched another unsuccessful raid south of Montreal.

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They would attempt another two invasions in May 1870 and a final raid in Manitoba in October 1871. All met with overwhelmingly superior Canadian forces, and never represented a serious threat.

While Canada would never experience another invasion from the US it was seen as a possibility in US strategic planning in the inter-war years. In 1927 the US department of war modelled a hypothetical conflict with Britain.

War Plan Red included invading Canada and devastating Nova Scotia using poison gas, as well as cutting Britains submarine cables to Halifax. Luckily, that war never happened, and invasion plans were shelved.

Since the US recognition of the Dominion of Canada in the Anglo-American treaty of Washington (1871) there hasnt really been any serious talk of annexation until Trump renewed interest in 2024.. But there have been regional Canadians groups that have advocated joining the United States.

When a few Canadians wanted to be American

In the 1840s, republican conservatives in Upper Canada sought to join the US as a way to improve democratic representation. The 1850s also saw American immigrants in Quebec advocate annexation to get away from French-Canadian dominance. Some British Columbians signed petitions to become Americans before it became a Canadian province in 1871.

The most notable movements of the 20th century were the Economic Union Party of Newfoundland in the 1950s and the short-lived Unionest Party in Saskatchewan in the 1980s. Both of these small parties saw advantages to some kind of union with parts of Canada and the United States, for economic reasons.

More recently, starting in the 1980s, a small political party, Parti 51, advocated that Quebec become part of the US, but failed to win much backing over the years. Its five candidates won 689 votes in Quebec in 2022. The party has now been dismantled.

An Ipsos poll of January 16 2025 found that nearly 80% of Canadians polled would never vote for Canada to become part of the US.

Maybe the current mood is best summed up by the Canadian New Democratic Party leader, Jagmeet Singh, who : Cut the crap Donald. No Canadian wants to join you.

Kristofer Allerfeldt, Associate professor US History, University of Exeter

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
On 14 March 1950, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took a major step in crime fighting by publicly releasing its first-ever Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. It was also a day when one of the greatest scientific minds in history Albert Einstein was born in the southern German city of Ulm read more

March 14 has been a significant date in American history. It was on this day that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made a major move by releasing its first-ever wanted list, naming the top 10 most dangerous fugitives. This marked a turning point in the way the agency publicised high-profile criminals.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

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March 14 also gave the world one of its greatest scientific minds. In 1879, Albert Einstein was born in the southern German city of Ulm, forever changing the course of physics with his groundbreaking theories.

This day also holds significance in American financial history. On March 14, 1923, President Warren G Harding became the first US President to file an income tax return. He reported earnings from his presidential salary of $75,000 (Rs 64 lakh today) and paid approximately $17,000 (Rs 14.8 lakh) in taxes.

Heres a look at everything that happened on this day in history.

FBI releases its first top 10 most wanted list

On 14 March 1950, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took a major step in crime fighting by publicly releasing its first-ever Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The move was designed to enlist the publics help in capturing particularly dangerous criminals who had evaded law enforcement.

The idea for the list stemmed from a conversation between then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and a journalist who had asked Hoover about the toughest guys the FBI was pursuing, and the discussion sparked the idea of a dedicated list to draw national attention to these fugitives.

On 14 March 1950, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took a major step in crime fighting by publicly releasing its first-ever Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Image courtesy: FBI

The first-ever list, released in 1950, featured criminals wanted for a range of serious crimes, including murder, robbery, and espionage. Among them was Thomas James Holden, a notorious bank robber and escape artist who had been on the run after killing his wife and her two brothers. Thanks to the publicity, Holden was captured within a year.

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Since then, the list has proven to be an effective tool. Over the decades, hundreds of criminals featured on it have been arrested or located, with more than 150 captures directly credited to tips from the public.

It is a force multiplier. So, where you cant have a tremendous amount of people in one place to look for somebody, you can use this list to go after  who the government or the FBI believes [are] the most dangerous, former FBI special agent and Navy SEAL Jonathan Gillam told Fox News Digital.

How does the FBI pick its top 10? The process is straightforward.

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The FBIs Criminal Investigative Division (CID) invites all 56 field offices to nominate candidates. The CID, along with the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, then shortlists finalists for approval by the FBIs Deputy Director.

To make it onto the list, a fugitive must have a long criminal record with outstanding charges that make them particularly dangerous. The FBI must also believe that public awareness will significantly aid in their capture.

Once added, fugitives typically remain on the list until they are caught or confirmed dead. In rare cases, names have been removed if the person no longer poses a serious threat. Interestingly, only ten women have ever made it onto the list, with Ruth Eisemann-Schier becoming the first in 1968.

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The birth of a science genius: Albert Einstein

On 14 March 1879, one of the greatest scientific minds in history, Albert Einstein, was born in the southern German city of Ulm.

Einstein was born into a middle-class Jewish family. His father, Hermann Einstein, was an engineer and businessman, while his mother, Pauline, nurtured his early curiosity for music and learning. As a child, Einstein showed a deep fascination with science and mathematics, though he was often perceived as a slow learner due to his quiet nature and delayed speech development.

In 1894, Einstein dropped out of school and moved to Switzerland, where he resumed his education. He later gained admission to the Swiss Federal Polytechnic Institute in Zurich. While working as a clerk at the Swiss patent office in Bern, he developed the first of his groundbreaking theories.

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Albert Einstein. Reuters

One of his most significant discoveries was the Special Theory of Relativity, which introduced the famous equation E = mc, proving that mass and energy are interchangeable. This discovery played a crucial role in the development of nuclear energy and weaponry.

Einstein gained worldwide fame for his General Theory of Relativity, which revolutionised the way we understand gravity. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, a discovery that contributed to the foundation of quantum mechanics.

A strong advocate for peace, Einstein was also publicly associated with the Zionist movement. When the Nazis rose to power in Germany before World War II, he emigrated to the United States. He spent the rest of his life living and working in Princeton, New Jersey.

A US president paid income tax for the first time

On 14 March 1923, President Warren G Harding made history by becoming the first sitting US president to file an income tax return. He paid approximately $17,000 in taxes on his $75,000 presidential salary for the year 1922.

At the time, the Revenue Act of 1921 required all Americans, including the president, to pay taxes on their earnings. While previous presidents had been subject to taxation, Harding was the first to formally file a return under the newly established federal income tax system. His public filing was seen as a move to promote transparency and civic responsibility among American citizens.

President Warren G Harding made history by becoming the first sitting US president to file an income tax return. File photo/AP

The foundation for federal income tax had been laid in 1913 with the ratification of the 16th Amendment to the US Constitution. However, the courts later ruled that taxing a sitting presidents salary could be unconstitutional, as it might violate Article II, Section 1, which states:

The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected 

This ruling meant that Hardings predecessor, Woodrow Wilson (19131921), had been exempt from paying income tax while in office. Hardings decision to file his tax return, despite this legal debate, set a precedent for future presidents of the United States.

This Day, That Year

1. Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte becomes the first Native American woman to graduate from medical school

2. Mikhail Gorbachev elected president of the Soviet Union

3. John Jack Mack, who co-founded Mack Trucks, Inc.then known as the Mack Brothers Company was found killed in a car crash

With input from agencies
Its Holi in India time for a riot of colours and joyful reminder that spring is here. Countries the world over have their traditions to celebrate the changing of seasons. Thailands Songkran is about water fights; Poland celebrates Drowning Marzanna, where the effigy for Marzana, a Slavic goddess, is burned and drowned in the river read more

Holi is celebrated On a massive scale in India, especially in the Northern parts of the country. Pixabay

Spring is here. And with it comes a riot of colours as flowers bloom all around. In India, this time of year is synonymous with Holi.

While in most places Holi is celebrated by playing with colours and water, some cities have their own traditions. In Varanasi, gulal is replaced by pyre ashes and the celebration, which takes place a few days before Rang Panchami, is called Masan Holi.

Like Holi, other countries usher in spring with festivities. Thailand rings in the Thai New Year with Songkran, where water is sprayed onto each other to wash away bad luck. Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar also celebrate similarly.

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In Poland, the first day of spring begins with Drowning Marzana. Marzanna or Morana was a Slavic goddess, representing death, winter, and disease. An effigy made of straw is drowned in a river.

Be it Poland or Thailand, you cannot miss the similarities.

Cimburijada, also known as the Festival of Scrambled Eggs, is celebrated in Bosnia. People gather by the banks of the Bosna River to prepare a communal meal which is then feasted on.

Japan, Spain, and Switzerland are among other nations that welcome spring with joy.
Mark Carney is set to take the oath as Canadas 24th prime minister today, ending Justin Trudeaus tenure of over nine years. He assumes office at a challenging time as Canada faces a trade conflict with the Donald Trump administration in the United States. Meanwhile, a rare total lunar eclipse, commonly known as Chandra Grahan or the Blood Moon, will turn the moon a deep red hue today read more

Mark Carney is set to take the oath as Canadas next prime minister. AP/File Photo

Happy Holi! Today is expected to be a busy day, not just because of the festivities and celebrations.

Several important events are scheduled for today.

Mark Carney is set to take the oath as Canadas 24th prime minister.

ALSO READ | Will Mark Carney be able to restore India-Canada ties?

Meanwhile, China will hold a meeting with Russia and Iran regarding nuclear energy.

In Mexico City, the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians will take place.

A rare total lunar eclipse, commonly known as Chandra Grahan or the Blood Moon, will cast a red hue over the moon.

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The Tamil Nadu government will present its budget for the financial year 2025-26.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a three-day visit to Assam.

Lets take a look at these events:

Mark Carney to be sworn as Canada PM

Mark Carney is set to take the oath as Canadas next prime minister today, bringing an end to Justin Trudeaus tenure of over nine years.

Carney is a former central banker who previously led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Reuters/File Photo

Canadas Governor General Mary Simons office confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony for the prime minister and his cabinet will be held at 11 am local time (around 8:30 pm IST).

Carney, a former central banker who previously led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, was elected as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on Sunday.

He takes charge at a challenging time as Canada faces a trade conflict with its longstanding ally, the United States led by Donald Trump, and the need to hold a general election soon.

China, Russia, Iran to hold key meeting

China host discussions in Beijing today with Russia and Iran concerning nuclear energy and imposed sanctions.

According to Chinas foreign ministry, the countrys Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will lead the meeting, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in attendance.

This meeting follows a recent initiative by Trump to revive negotiations with Iran, as the US president sent a letter to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week and proposed discussions on a revised nuclear agreement.

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Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, Iran and Russia have strengthened their ties, culminating in a strategic cooperation treaty signed in January. Both nations also maintain strong relations with China.

Global conference of women parliamentarians in Mexico

Jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Senate of Mexico, the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians is set to take place today in Mexico City.

The events theme is From Mexico to the World: Lets mobilise for gender parity!

In June 2024, Mexico made history after electing Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo as its first female President. She is set to inaugurate the conference.

Claudia Sheinbaum is the first female president of Mexico. Reuters/File Photo

Notably, Mexico is among just six nations worldwide that have successfully attained gender parity in parliament.

This conference will provide an exciting new platform for women members of parliament to come together, exchange experiences, learn from each other, and define common and innovative strategies to advance gender equality and womens rights and empowerment, the website reads.

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A blood moon will appear

A rare total lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as Chandra Grahan or the Blood Moon, will turn the moon a deep red hue today.

The eclipse will occur in the afternoon, with the total phase starting at 11:57 AM, peaking at 12:29 PM, and concluding by 01:01 PM.

This astronomical event will coincide with Holi festivities in India.

A lunar eclipse takes place when the moon, Earth, and sun align in a way that causes the Earth to cast a shadow, either partially or completely obscuring the moon.

A rare total lunar eclipse will cast a red hue over the moon. AP/File Photo

During a partial eclipse, Earths shadow appears to take a portion of the moon. In a total eclipse, the moon is completely covered and glows a reddish hue due to sunlight filtering through Earths atmosphere.

Tamil Nadu to present its budget

The Tamil Nadu government will present its budget for the financial year 2025-26 today. State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu will deliver the Budget speech when the Assembly begins at 9:30 am.

Even before its presentation, a controversy erupted over the MK Stalin-led governments decision to replace the rupee symbol  with the Tamil letter Ru in the state Budget logo. This comes amid an ongoing language dispute between the State and the Central government.

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At the centre of the issue is the National Education Policys three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu fears will impose Hindi on the state. Stalin has argued that the policy places greater emphasis on Hindi over regional languages.

ALSO READ | Why is Tamil Nadu at row with Centre over NEPs three-language formula?

Amit Shah to begin 3-day Assam visit

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a three-day visit to Assam today, during which he will attend the annual conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar and inaugurate the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon.

He is scheduled to inaugurate the police academy on March 15 before travelling to Mizoram. He will then return to Guwahati for an overnight stay.

On the following day, Shah will address the 57th annual conference of ABSU before flying back to Delhi, officials said.

With inputs from agencies
Orthosomnia is the obsession with chasing perfect sleep, usually triggered by wearable devices like sleep trackers. People get so consumed with sleep performance that it disrupts their slumber and makes them anxious read more

Imagine you wake up and feel well-rested after a nights sleep. But before even getting up from bed, you take a look at your sleep tracker that says you did not complete your nighttime goal, which upsets your mood for the rest of the day.

Now, you might be cranky about not getting the right amount of shuteye. This unhealthy obsession to attain the perfect sleep is known as orthosomnia.

On World Sleep Day, lets understand what it is and how it harms us.

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Whats orthosomnia?

Orthosomnia is a concept used to describe obsession with sleep data to get a perfect score, usually triggered by a wearable device.

The term was coined by US researchers in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

With the advancement of technology, there are now devices that let us track sleep. They help interpret data with charts and summaries, telling how long we slept, woke up and spent in each sleep cycle. They also give a sleep score.

But monitoring your daily sleep and worrying about achieving a perfect score could be counterproductive.

Why is orthosomnia harmful?

Orthosomnia is not a medical diagnosis, but gamifying our sleep every night to attain the highest score could lead to sleep disorders like insomnia and mental health issues such as anxiety.

For some people, it really can create an anxiety spiral that makes things worse, New York University (NYU) Langone Health clinical psychologist Thea Gallagher, told GQ magazine last year. Were a data-informed culture now, and it can be helpful, but then sometimes it can become obsessive and exacerbate anxious thoughts that are already there.

Chasing perfect slumber could not only ruin your day but also make you too stressed to sleep at night.

Speaking to CNET, Meredith Broderick, sleep neurologist and Ozlo Sleep medical advisory board member, said, A fixation on sleep data obsession can exacerbate mental health issues such as depression, and the stress of achieving perfect sleep can result in insufficient sleep, which can pose health risks like glucose intolerance and obesity.

Obsessing over sleep performance is likely to trigger anxiety, disrupting your sleep.

People may feel frustrated or even exhausted by their sleep-tracking routines, trying to adjust bedtime habits in ways that ultimately make sleep feel more stressful, Dr Michael Genovese, physician and chief medical advisor at Ascendant, said to Toms Guide.

Since the pandemic, we have seen a rise in orthosomnia cases as more people began tracking their health and sleep. While this awareness is often positive, for some, it has led to an unintended cycle of anxiety and restless nights, he added.

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People using trackers to monitor their slumber can develop unhealthy sleeping patterns if they obsess over perfect performance. Representational Image/Pixabay

Another downside is that to strive for perfect sleep, people develop unhealthy habits like staying in bed longer. A study on orthosomnia also found that preoccupation with sleep data can result in self-diagnosed sleep disorders.

However, experts say that for those who have lost track of how much sleep they are getting, sleep trackers help them monitor the amount and quality of sleep.

Whats the point?

There is nothing you can do with your sleep data. While most devices are accurate at predicting the amount of sleep you got, experts say the claims of each stage of sleep are questionable.

These things can just about measure how much sleep youve had, and how long it took you to get there. But the only accurate way of distinguishing between light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep is by observing the brain," Dr Neil Stanley, the author of How to Sleep Well, told The Guardian.

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A 2023 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that only 77 per cent of those who have sleep trackers said they were useful. Other 33 per cent users said they were unable to sleep well because of stress from getting the perfect sleep score.

The data recorded by these trackers about sleep stages like REM sleep or deep sleep is not reliable.

We sleep in cycles of roughly 90 minutes and we transition between light, deep and REM phases. For most people, deep sleep will only account for 13-23 per cent of the night. Time awake is also a normal part of sleep. We can have between three and six rousings a night; often were not even aware of them. Most people have no idea what normal sleep looks like, so they panic when they see stats with lots of awakenings and not much deep sleep, Katie Fischer, a behavioural sleep therapist, told The Guardian.

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What if you have orthosomnia?

If you are obsessively chasing perfect sleep, it is time to put your sleep tracker to rest. It is also time to ask yourself why you are doing it in the first place.

Perfect sleep doesnt really exist. Theres no foolproof recipe, and micromanaging data only creates stress. What matters is: how do you feel? Do you have enough energy to get through the day and feel as if youre functioning well with a good quality of life? The best way to keep tabs on it is to look at patterns over a week or two rather than obsessing over one or two individual nights, Fischer said to the British newspaper.

A good enough sleep is a better option than getting anxious over attaining perfect performance. Going to bed nightly at a fixed time, keeping your phone at a distance while sleeping and focusing on relaxing yourself before bed could help avoid orthosomnia.

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With inputs from agencies
The Modi government aims to build Indias defence capabilities by continuing to pursue gradual reformsits time to accelerate the speed read more

China announced its defence budget for 2025 at $245 billion, an increase of 7.2 per cent. It continues to build a larger, more modern military to assert its territorial claims and challenge the US defence lead in Asia. Chinas military spending remains the second largest behind the US, and it already has the worlds largest navy.

Beijing also has a huge inventory of fifth-generation fighter aircraft and has already flown the sixth-generation aircraft. The Pentagon and many experts say Chinas total spending on defence may be 40 per cent higher or more because of items included under other budgets.

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India faces a huge capability gap with China. In recognition of this, the government had set up various committees to assess the same and suggest remedial measures to improve the performance of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), defence public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private industry.

Clearly there is a need to drive all stakeholders to produce much more in India and simultaneously acquire urgently needed platforms and weapon systems from abroad. Also, the government has declared 2025 as the Year of Reforms.

Russia-Ukraine War Budgeting Dynamics

Moscows military spending was $48.4 billion in 2020. As a buildup towards war, it increased to $65.9 billion in 2021, the fifth highest globally, behind the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. Last year it grew 24 per cent to $109 billion.

Russia has recently announced defence spending for 2025, a hike of 25 per cent from the previous year. At $145 billion, it will be 6.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It will be close to a third of all government spending. Russia has thus become the third largest defence spender after the US and China.

Ukraine plans to spend $53.7 billion, or about 26 per cent of its GDP, on defence and security in 2025. All taxes of citizens and businesses will be directed to the defence and security of our country. Ukraine is now the eighth largest military spender.

Interestingly, it had spent $5.94 billion in 2021. Ukraine also received nearly $250 billion as military and economic aid in the last three years. European NATO members had formally committed to targeting spending 2 per cent of GDP on the military. In 2024, 23 out of 32 NATO members had spent at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence.

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Indias Defence Budget 2025-26

The Union Budget 2025-26 estimates the GDP to be Rs 3,56,97,923 crore ($4.11 trillion), an increase of nearly 9 per cent. The total annual national budget was Rs 50,65,345 crore ($584 billion), up 5.08 per cent. The Ministry of Defences (MoD) allocation was Rs 6,81,210 crore ($78.57 billion), up 9.53 per cent from the current financial year. It was nearly 13.44 per cent of the total budget and 1.9 percent of the GDP.

The total defence budget (excluding defence pensions) was Rs 5,20,415 crore ($60.16 billion). The capital outlay for modernisation, at Rs 1.8 lakh crore ($20.76 billion), saw an increase of 4.65 per cent. Rs 3,11,732 crore ($36.03 billion) was allocated for revenue expenditure, and it saw an increase of 10.24 per cent over FY 2024-25 (BE) for day-to-day operational running and training of the armed forces.

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Year of Reforms

The MoD has taken a decision to observe 2025-26 as the Year of Reforms, which will further strengthen the resolve of the government for modernisation of the armed forces and is aimed at simplification of the defence procurement procedure to ensure optimum utilisation of the allocation.

There will be a strong focus on joint & integration initiatives amongst the armed forces, the establishment of the integrated theatre commands, and a focus on new domains such as cyber and space, artificial intelligence, hypersonic, and robotics.

Capital Budget: A Closer Look

In the current geopolitical scenario where the world is witnessing a changing paradigm of modern warfare, the Indian Armed Forces need to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and have to be transformed into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force.

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Rs 1,48,722.80 crore is planned to be spent on capital acquisition for armed forces, and the remaining Rs 31,277.20 crore is for capital expenditure on research & development and the creation of infrastructural assets across the country.

During FY 2020-21, MoD took a decision to strengthen the domestic industries and to make the forces self-reliant. Since then, a substantial share of the modernisation budget is being earmarked for the capital procurement from domestic industries.

In order to encourage the private sector for manufacturing and technological development in the defence sector, in FY 2025-26, Rs 1,11,544.83 crore, i.e., 75 per cent of the modernisation budget, has been earmarked for procurement through domestic sources. And 25 per cent of the domestic share, i.e., Rs 27,886.21 crore, has been provisioned for procurement through domestic private industries.

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Greater allocations have been made for aircraft and aero-engines. There is also increased focus on new domains such as Cyber & Space and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Robotics, etc.

Some major acquisitions planned in the next year, such as long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft of high and medium altitude, stage payment of deck-based aircraft, and next-generation submarines/ships/platforms, will be funded out of this allocation.

Operational and Sustenance Budget (Revenue)

Revenue expenditure takes care of sustenance & operational preparedness and pay & allowances of the armed forces. Rs 3,11,732.30 crore ($36.03 billion) allocated includes Rs 1,14,415.50 crore non-salary expenditure, which will facilitate procurement of fuel, ordnance stores, maintenance/repair of equipment, etc. In rupee terms, the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) have witnessed the highest increase of 16 per cent in the revenue budget. There is an increased allocation of 8 per cent for the Indian Army.

The allocation will address the requirement due to the additional deployment of the forces in the border areas, hiring of vessels, increase in expenditure on longer sea deployment of ships, and increase in flying hours for the aircraft.

Capital Budget of Indian Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been allotted a total of Rs 9,676.70 crore, which is 26.50 per cent more than the allocation for FY 2024-25 at the BE stage. This increase is primarily in line with the focus of the government on the capability development of ICG and equipping them with modern equipment. ICG not only strengthens coastal security but also provides assistance to neighbouring countries and commercial ships during emergencies through faster response.

Boost for DRDO Allocation

The budgetary allocation to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been increased to Rs 26,816.82 crore, which is 12.41 per cent higher than the BE of 2024-25. Out of this, a major share of Rs 14,923.82 crore ($1.72 billion) has been allocated for capital expenditure and to fund the R&D projects. Further, support for prototype development under the Make procedure witnessed a 13.27 per cent increase.

The budgeting focus remained on indigenous research & development (R&D) and procurement of major defence platforms such as aircraft and aero-engines. This will financially strengthen the DRDO in developing new technologies with a special focus on fundamental research and hand-holding of the private parties through Development-cum-Production Partner. It will support the flagship scheme of DRDO, i.e., the Technology Development Fund, and will assist the development of deep technology in the defence sector.

Boosting Start-up Ecosystem for Innovation in Defence

For making the Armed Forces self-reliant in defence technology and encouraging innovation, it is imperative to engage the private players and strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the country for technological development and innovation in the defence sector. For this purpose, Rs 449.62 crore has been allocated to the iDEX scheme, including its sub-scheme, Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), to be utilised for funding the projects to be taken up under this scheme. Allocation in this head shows a jump of almost three times in two years.

Strengthening Border Infrastructure

In order to further improve the border infrastructure and facilitate the movement of armed forces personnel through tough terrains, Rs 7,146.50 crore has been allocated to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the capital head, which is a 9.74 per cent increase. BRO will not only promote the strategic interest of the nation in border areas by constructing tunnels, bridges, and roads such as LGG-Damteng-Yangtse in Arunachal Pradesh, Asha-Cheema-Anita in J&K, and Birdhwal-Puggal-Bajju in Rajasthan, but will also boost socio-economic development, provide employment opportunities, and encourage tourism. BRO has created substantial employment opportunities by employing 70,000 local youths and has contributed to the local economies, fostering long-term employability and skill development.

Defence Exports

Indias defence exports touched a record Rs 21,083 crore as of the end of FY 24 with a growth of 32.5 per cent over the last fiscal. The same is expected to cross Rs 25,000 crore ($2.88 billion) at the end of this FY, and along with an estimated Rs 100,000 crore ($11.5 billion) in defence production, is well on its way to meet the annual defence production target of the government to reach $35 billion and exports worth $6 billion, respectively, by FY 2028.

To Summarise

The projected growth rate for India is slightly lower than 6.5 per cent. India stands very tall amongst the leading economies of the world. The Union Budget continues to be a step towards fulfilling the Prime Ministers resolve of Viksit Bharat by 2047 with technologically advanced and Aatmanirbhar armed forces, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said. This allocation of 13.45 percent of the Union Budget is the highest among all the ministries.

The pattern of allocation is a clear signal that the domestic industrial complex is prioritised and will be encouraged. There is a significant order for LCA Mk1A aircraft that got delayed because of a delay in the supply of GE 404 engines. There are contracts for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) for the IAF and Indian Army; maritime fighter aircraft, tanks, artillery guns, and submarines are also expected to be finalised.

There is a clear challenge to spend the capital outlay of the defence budget as the MoD surrendered Rs 12,500 crore allocated as part of the capital outlay under the interim budget of July 2024 to the Ministry of Finance. This can be linked to sanctions against Russia, a major arms supplier, and also because of large oil imports from Russia that had to be acquired through rupee payments.

With a significant modernisation gap, such non-spending indicates the need to review procurement procedural delays. The pace of acquisitions of weapons systems and platforms needs a stronger push at all levels. MoD must ensure the timely execution of contracts. Rolling capital budget is the desired way.

Of course, some supply-chain bottlenecks from Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs) are beyond the control of the government. But these need to be anticipated, and alternative next priority systems acquired.

Being a lead importer for decades, India has now been ranked among the top 25 exporters of arms. From 1,414 export authorisations in FY 23, the number has risen to 1,507 in FY 24. About 100 domestic companies are exporting a wide range of defence products such as aircraft DO 228, artillery guns, BrahMos missiles, Pinaka rockets and launchers, radars, simulators, and armoured vehicles.

The increase in allocations for capital acquisition remains the challenge. The real effect of the Agnipath scheme will start showing up 8-10 years from now.

Revenue expenditure at 71.75 percent of the total remains very significantly high. The pension bill under the revenue head of Rs 1.60 lakh crore alone constitutes roughly 23.49 per cent of the 2025-26 defence budget. But that is also true for all civilian government employees of the country. To single out defence pensions as a burden is unfair. One school of thought is that the government should have a consolidated code head of all civil and defence pensions.

If one looks deeper into indigenous content, there are many items or subsystems still sourced from abroad that get covered under indigenous content. This needs a realistic assessment. The Positive Indigenisation List and 75 per cent domestic capital procurements paths are good and highly desirable. Establishing regulatory sandboxes for testing and validating new defence technologies can help accelerate innovation and adoption of cutting-edge solutions.

The sizeable allocation for aircraft and aero-engines demonstrates the gravity of the problem the IAF and, to a little lesser extent, the Indian Navy face in depleting fighter combat aircraft strength.

Finally, India remains a highly threatened nation, with China pulling ahead in both capability and numbers. Military-led Pakistan will remain a spoiler. Capability-based defence budgeting is required. The defence budget does send a clear signal that the Modi government aims to build the nations defence capabilities by continuing to pursue gradual reforms its time to accelerate the speed.

The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Instead of falsely blaming external forces like India for its failures, Pakistan must confront its internal problems. If history is any indication, continued oppression in Balochistan and Sindh may eventually lead to Pakistans disintegration read more

Pakistans failure to protect its own citizens, even during the holy month of Ramadan, exposes the irony of a country founded in the name of Islam but struggling with its own moral and governance crisis. Representational Image.

The recent hijacking of a train (Jaffar Express) in Balochistan once again underscores the deep-seated issues plaguing the region. Instead of addressing its internal governance failures, Pakistans Foreign Office has predictably resorted to blaming India without any proofa recurring pattern that reflects the states inability to resolve the Balochistan crisis, which has persisted ever since 1947.

Historical Context of the Baloch Struggle

The Baloch resistance dates back to the forced annexation of the independent State of Kalat into Pakistan in 1948. Since then, Balochistan has remained one of the most unstable and restive regions, with its people continuously resisting Pakistani rule. From Kalat to Quetta, from Gwadar to Bolan, the core issues remain unresolved.

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Successive Pakistani governments, backed by the military establishment and intelligence agencies, have relied on brute force rather than addressing legitimate Baloch grievances. Prominent Baloch leaders such as Allah Nazar Baloch and Nawab Akbar Bugti have either been assassinated or imprisoned. This iron-fisted approach has only fuelled further discontent and insurgency.

The Role of CPEC in Balochistans Crisis

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), instead of bringing prosperity, has worsened the situation in Balochistan. The project, controlled by the Punjabi-dominated military and elite, has led to the marginalisation of local Baloch communities. Their resources are exploited, yet they remain deprived of basic rights, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.

The Gwadar Portonce projected as a game-changerhas become a failure, with even pigeons using Gwadar Airport for breeding due to its inactivity. The Chinese influence in Balochistan has only deepened resentment, as the majority of job opportunities under CPEC have been given to Punjabis, sidelining the local population.

Punjabi Domination and the Imminent Disintegration of Pakistan

One of the major factors behind Pakistans instability is the overwhelming dominance of Punjab in political, military, and economic affairs. This hegemony played a crucial role in the secession of East Pakistan in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Today, a similar pattern can be seen in Balochistan and Sindh, where resentment against the central government is at an all-time high.

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The Pakistani military and ISI deliberately maintain instability in Balochistan to justify increased defence budgets. Rather than addressing core issues, they manipulate the situation to sustain their dominance.

The Punjabi-controlled establishment has also systematically weakened other political entities:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has been fractured into multiple factions, such as MQM-Haqiqi, MQM-90, and Mustafa Kamals Pak Sarzameen Party, diluting its influence.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), once a dominant force, has been pushed to the sidelines.

Political killingswhether through assassinations or judicial meanshave become commonplace, as seen in the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Shia Killings: A Pakistani Problem, Not a Baloch Issue

The targeted killings of Shia Muslims in Pakistan are a nationwide problem, not limited to Balochistan. However, Balochistan plays a crucial role due to the Taftan border, which serves as the primary route for Shia pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq for religious rituals.

Shia pilgrims are frequently attacked along this route, yet the Pakistani state does little to protect them. This reflects the broader sectarian violence that Pakistan has failed to control. Balochistan is not the problemPakistan is the problem, just as in Kashmir, where Pakistan, not India, fuels instability.

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Pakistans Moral and Governance Crisis

Pakistans failure to protect its own citizens, even during the holy month of Ramadan, exposes the irony of a country founded in the name of Islam but struggling with its own moral and governance crisis. The deteriorating law-and-order situation, continued suppression of ethnic minorities, and unchecked military rule suggest that Pakistan is moving toward further fragmentation.

Instead of falsely blaming external forces like India for its failures, Pakistan must confront its internal problems. If history is any indication, continued oppression in Balochistan and Sindh may eventually lead to Pakistans disintegration, leaving it confined to Punjab alonea fate eerily similar to 1971.

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The author is National Working President of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Until Pakistan breaks free from the web of deceit, it will continue to be a nation where truth is subjugated, dissent is silenced, and reality is dictated by those in uniform read more

By controlling the flow of information, Pakistans military and intelligence apparatus ensures that the public remains ignorant of the truth. Representational image/ AFP

The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has once again exposed the Pakistani establishments habit of distorting reality to fit its carefully crafted narratives. On March 11, 2025, BLA fighters intercepted the Jaffar Express in the Bolan area of Balochistan, taking around 450 passengers hostage, including Pakistan Army soldiers and intelligence personnel.

The BLA, in its official statement, claimed to have released all civilian hostages while retaining military personnel, emphasising that their struggle is against the Pakistani state, not innocent civilians. Even the released hostages admitted to this fact as videos went viral on social media of their release.

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However, the Pakistani establishment immediately launched a propaganda campaign, falsely claiming that its security forces had conducted a successful operation to rescue the hostages. This blatant misinformation follows a well-worn pattern of deception designed to mislead the domestic populace and international community alike.

In the same case, Pakistan accuses Indias hand behind the train hijacking, which has been denied by New Delhi, asking Islamabad to introspect, calling Pakistan the epicentre of global terrorism.

This incident is not an isolated case of Pakistans deception to hide the facts of events. It is merely the latest chapter in Pakistans long history of manufacturing falsehoods to cover up its failures. The Pakistani military and intelligence apparatus have repeatedly misled their own citizens, downplaying defeats, disowning their own soldiers, and manipulating media to project a facade of strength and control.

The 1999 Kargil War serves as one of the most egregious examples of the Pakistani militarys disinformation tactics. Pakistani soldiers, primarily from the Northern Light Infantry, were sent to infiltrate Indian positions in the Kargil region under the guise of Kashmiri militants. Despite clear evidence of its military involvement, Pakistans leadership, including then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Pervez Musharraf, vehemently denied any role in the conflict. This lie persisted for over two decades within the Pakistan establishments discourse that was aimed at deceiving not only the world but also the families of the soldiers who had perished.

It was only in September 2024 that finally Pakistans Army Chief, General Asim Munir, finally acknowledged the militarys direct involvement in the Kargil War, posthumously honouring the soldiers who had died. The delayed admission, however, did little to heal the wounds of the families who had long been denied the recognition and compensation they deserved. Many soldiers were buried in unmarked graves, and their families were left in the dark, illustrating the extent of the Pakistani establishments betrayal of its own people.

Similarly, the US Navy SEAL operation in Abbottabad in 2011, which resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden, was one of Pakistans greatest humiliations. The fact that the worlds most wanted terrorist had been living in a secure compound less than a mile from a major Pakistani military academy raised serious questions about whether the countrys intelligence services were complicit or simply incompetent. The Pakistani establishment, instead of addressing these concerns, launched a cover-up operation. They suppressed media coverage, arrested informants who had helped the US and attempted to rewrite history by portraying themselves as unwitting bystanders.

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The embarrassment was further compounded when a 2013 leaked report by the Abbottabad Commission accused the military and ISI of gross incompetence and a deliberate failure to act. Despite these findings, the establishment refused to take responsibility, instead blaming US forces for the raid.

Another recent glaring example of the Pakistani militarys information manipulation occurred during the recent Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attack on an army cantonment in the Bannu region of Khyber Pakhtunwa province on March 5, 2025. Official reports from the military-controlled media claimed that only five soldiers had died in the attack.

However, independent reports and eyewitness testimonies exposed the ISPR lies, as the actual number of casualties was significantly higher, exceeding a dozen. This deliberate underreporting was meant to maintain the illusion that Pakistans security forces had the situation under control, even as insurgency and militancy continue to thrive within its borders.

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Perhaps the most damning evidence of Pakistans propaganda machinery is its stranglehold on the press. There is no true press freedom in Pakistan; independent journalism is virtually non-existent. The country ranks among the worst globally in press freedom indices, with journalists routinely harassed, abducted, and even killed for reporting facts that contradict the official narrative.

Pakistans mainstream media operates under the tight grip of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the militarys media wing. Journalists are reduced to reporting directly from ISPR handouts, unable to investigate or challenge official claims. Any attempt to diverge from the state-sanctioned narrative results in swift repercussions, including censorship, dismissal from jobs, or even forced disappearances.

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The ongoing Jaffar Express hijacking coverage, thereby is no exception. Pakistani media parroted the ISPRs version of events without questioning its validity, reinforcing the fabricated narrative that security forces had conducted a heroic rescue. Independent journalists and analysts who dared to present alternate perspectives are either being silenced or ignored.

Baluchistan remains one of the most heavily militarised and repressed regions in Pakistan. Reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systematic oppression of Baloch activists, journalists, and students are well-documented by human rights organisations. However, the Pakistani government continues to deny these allegations, branding them as foreign propaganda.

Families of missing persons routinely hold protests demanding answers, yet the state remains silent, offering no transparency or justice. Instead of addressing the genuine grievances of the Baloch people, the Pakistani establishment resorts to outright censorship, intimidation, and violence to quell dissent.

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The Pakistani establishments reliance on propaganda and deception is not just a strategy; it is a fundamental characteristic of its governance. From abandoning its own soldiers in Kargil to covering up militant attacks and suppressing media freedom, Pakistans ruling elite has built an empire of lies designed to maintain its grip on power.

By controlling the flow of information, Pakistans military and intelligence apparatus ensures that the public remains ignorant of the truth. This systematic misinformation not only betrays the trust of the Pakistani people but also perpetuates a cycle of instability and repression. Until Pakistan breaks free from this web of deceit, it will continue to be a nation where truth is subjugated, dissent is silenced, and reality is dictated by those in uniform.

For the international community, recognising and exposing Pakistans propaganda tactics is crucial in holding the country accountable. Without transparency, accountability, and press freedom, Pakistan will remain a state that thrives on deception while its people suffer under the weight of misinformation and unfulfilled promises.

Raja Muneeb is an independent journalist and columnist. He can be reached at raja.muneeb@gmail.com and tweets @rajamuneeb. The views expressed in this article are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.
Terrorism has no justification whatsoever. Use of violence to kill or persecute another human being is something that no civilised society must ever tolerate. Yet one cannot isolate terrorists from the social-political milieu under which they operate. This is because ones understanding of their surroundings and the grudges that forced them to pick up arms can go a long way in securing a lasting peace.

It is with this intent that the Baloch Liberation Army that has hijacked an entire train in Pakistan must be approached. The whole world watched them as they took hundreds of civilians as well as military personnel hostage. Now the Pakistani military operation against them may have ended with a large number of casualties on both sides. But where did it all begin?

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The BLA or the Baloch Liberation Army is a terror outfit that mainly operates in Pakistans Balochistan province. It was first established in the year 2000 with an aim to secure independence from Pakistan and has since targeted military personnel, sometimes even civilians as well as foreign nationals to achieve its goal. It rose to prominence in the 2000s only when it started carrying out certain high-profile attacks to secure international attention.

In 2013, it was involved in abduction and killing of bus passengers in Balochistan, half of whom belonged to the Pakistani security forces. In fact, Jaffar Express, the train which they have hijacked this time around, is one of their regular targets. In the past also there have been many attacks and blasts targeting this train that runs between Quetta in Balochistan and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In recent times, BLA has become an even more dangerous threat to Pakistans security owing to the consolidation of various Baloch separatist factions into one groupthe Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar or BRAS. BRAS comprises many other Baloch separatist organisations besides BLA and is soon planning to form a Baloch National Army with a unified military structure.

On its target are not only the personnel serving in the military or the Pakistani government officials but Chinese nationals as well who are part of the multi-million-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Project. This is because of their grudge against the CPEC which has accrued several economic benefits for all parties involved but has systematically excluded the welfare of Baloch people from its purview.

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Today, China has invested close to $65 billion in the initiative with a seaport in strategically located Gwadar, an airport as well as multiple mining projects having come up in the last decade in Balochistan province but all this has come at the cost of excluding indigenous Baloch people from the benefits. Not only the local workforce has been completely sidelined but also the heavy military deployment to secure the corridor has led to their human rights abuse with enforced disappearance, sexual abuse, extrajudicial killings being the norm.

One may say that Colonialism may have ended for the rest of the world but the Baloch are still living in an era of double colonisation by not only Pakistan but by China as well. It is for this reason that they have started targeting CPEC infrastructure and the Chinese experts who are working there with even the $240 million worth New Gwadar International Airport lying dysfunctional because both the Chinese and the Pakistani government are fearful of a possible attack from Baloch separatists.

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While China has come on the radar of Baloch nationalists only recently, their resentment with the Pakistani state goes much back in time. The Baloch people who today form an ethnic minority in the country had lived as semi-autonomous princely states for a very long time during the colonial era. The British had signed a treaty with them in 1876 to secure the north-western frontier of their own empire which has over time become the foremost basis for the Baloch separatists to seek independence. In 1947 when partition of the Indian subcontinent took place, Baloch nationalists used the same treaty to declare their independent status but Pakistan forcefully occupied their territory leading to the very first round of armed rebellion by them.

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In the subsequent decades, they faced the exact same kind of repression by the Pakistani state as the ethnic Bengalis did. It is a well-known fact that the dominance of Punjabis in the government as well the military has led to marginalisation of every other ethnic group in the country. The Baloch also faced the effects of the same when not only they became one of the highly underrepresented groups in the power echelons but even their cultural identity was also sabotaged with the imposition of Urdu language.

In the late 1950s, there was a second round of insurgency in the province when the Pakistani government imposed a One Unit policy bringing all four provinces of West Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab, North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan) under one single administrative division. The goal was to have just two divisions in Pakistan West and East Pakistan for ease of administration but Baloch separatists opposed this due to decimation of their political identity through unification with other provinces. Although the One Unit policy was later dropped, the grudge that it left in the hearts of the Baloch people was deep-seated.

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A lot of this was reflected in the first full-scale insurgency that erupted in Balochistan between 1973 and 1977. The liberation of East Pakistan in 1971 was seen by the Baloch separatists as an encouraging sign for their own freedom. This led an anxious Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government to suspend the provincial government of Akbar Khan Bugti in Balochistan. It also dispatched a large contingent of Army to the province for a mega military operation that killed thousands of innocent Baloch people. At that time, Pakistan had even received air support from Iran as well that had a fear of the spillover of insurgency into its own Baloch population.

Between 1940 till today, Baloch separatism has witnessed many phases till date but one reality that has remained constant is the economic apartheid that Baloch people have faced. Balochistan is a sparsely populated province in Pakistan but it is also its largest with a land area that accounts for almost half of the entire countrys territory. It is also its most blessed province in terms of natural resources with huge untapped reserves of natural gas, copper, gold and oil.

Yet, it is also the poorest province in the country because all these riches have been exploited by the successive Pakistani governments for their own parochial interests. For instance, the gas pipelines to transfer natural gas out of the province have been fully developed but the local infrastructure to transport the same to Baloch people so that they can meet their own energy needs are missing even today. Also, as per the available data only 36 per cent of the province is electrified while the rest is still struggling to get proper power supply. In fact, if Pakistan is an undeveloped country today then Baloch are placed even worse. In comparison to the national per capita income, their per capita income is not even half of that.

Even in Human Development Indicators, if Punjab and Sindh rank higher than the rest of the country then Balochistan is at the bottom with negligible literacy, highest incidence of poverty and the most inadequate access to healthcare. No wonder that they detest exclusionary politics of the Pakistani state. Their resentment with state of affairs is bound to strengthen further because even the game-changer CPEC scheme has excluded their economic interests. Picture this, out of the thirteen mega energy projects that have been jointly initiated by Pakistan and China, six are in Punjab, six in Sindh, one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and none in Balochistan.

Stories of this economic apartheid that Baloch people face are widely shared in the media by activists, members of Baloch diaspora as well as many scholars and journalists. Yet all these sagas of persecution and repression have never got the attention that they truly deserve. Even the instances of Baloch diaspora being murdered in foreign countries have been totally ignored by the otherwise proactive western governments.

The train hijack episode has brought back the plight of Baloch people on the international platform in a big way. In the coming days, the state in Pakistan will use this incident to persecute ordinary people in the province even more. Although like I said at the outset that terrorism has no justification and taking people hostage or using violence is an unacceptable move by all means. But the world should not forget what the Baloch are facing on a regular basis in that country. This is the least of the hopes that they can have today.

The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Hours after US President Donald Trump publicly pleaded to the Russian leader, President Vladimir Putin doubled down on his demand of Ukrainian soldiers surrender in Kursk read more

President-elect Vladimir Putin arrives for his inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 7, 2024. (Photo: Kremlin)

Hours after US President Donald Trump pleaded the Russian leader to spare Ukrainian soldiers lives in Kursk, President Vladimir Putin on Friday asked Ukrainian forces in the province to surrender.

We are sympathetic to President Trumps call. If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment, said Putin in televised remarks, according to AFP.

Reiterating his demand previously stated on Thursday, Putin said that Ukraines surrender in Kursk was a must for the 30-day ceasefire proposal to be considered.

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In order to effectively implement the US presidents call, (there needs to be) a corresponding order from Ukraines military-political leadership to its military to lay down their arms and surrender, said Putin.

ALSO READ: As Putin dictates terms, Kremlin says Russia remains cautiously optimistic in peace talks

Around the same time that Putin sought Ukraines surrender in Kursk, senior Russian official Dmitry Medvedev said that if Ukraine wouldnt surrender in Kursk, the countrys soldiers would be methodically and mercilessly destroyed.

In near identical statements, Trump and Putin said on Friday that Ukrainian soldiers are encircled in Kursk. Independent commentators as well as Ukrainian government have refuted the claim. They maintain that while Russia has advanced in Kursk in recent days, Ukrainian troops have not been encircled and do not face imminent massacres as Trump and Putin have claimed.

Earlier in the day, Trump in a post on Truth Social made a nearly-unprecedented plea to Putin. He said he had requested Putin to spare Ukrainian soldiers lives in Kursk who, as per him and Putin, stood encircled and faced imminent deaths at scale worse than World War II.

At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all! said Trump.

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Putins demand of Ukrainian soldiers surrender is in line with the list of maximalist demands he listed on Thursday. At a press conference, he said that that while he accepted the idea of a 30-day ceasefire in principle, there were nuances that needed to be figured out. He then went on to list the nuances he wanted in place: Ukrainian troops in Kursk would not be allowed to withdraw, they would need to surrender; Ukraine would not receive weapons during the ceasefire; and Ukraine would neither mobilise or train soldiers during the ceasefire.

While Russian forces supported by North Korean soldiers have advanced in Kursk in recent days, independent commentators and Ukrainian military have refuted the claim that Ukrainian forces are on the verge of being massacres.

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In a post in Ukrainian on X, the Ukrainian General Staff said in Ukrainian that accounts of encirclement in Kursk are untrue and are being created by the Russians for political purposes and pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

The Ukrainian General Staff further said, The situation has not changed significantly over the past day. Combat operations in the operational zone of the Kursk group of forces continue. Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine have regrouped, withdrawn to more advantageous defense lines and are carrying out their assigned tasks in the Kursk region. Our soldiers are repelling the enemys offensive actions and inflicting effective fire damage with all types of weapons. Since the beginning of the current day, there have been 13 combat clashes in the Kursk direction. There is no threat of encirclement of our units.

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Signs and a photograph of Edan Alexander, the American-Israeli and Israel Defense Forces soldier taken hostage during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, stand outside a Jewish community center in Alexanders home town of Tenafly, New Jersey, U.S., December 14, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to free an American-Israeli dual national if Israel begins the next phase of ceasefire talks towards a permanent end to the war, an offer Israel dismissed as psychological warfare.

Hamas said it had made the offer to release New Jersey native Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army, after receiving a proposal from mediators for negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal, which has halted major fighting since January 19 but has been in limbo for two weeks.

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The group said its exiled Gaza chief, Khalil Al-Hayya, was due to arrive in Cairo later on Friday for further ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators.

Since a temporary first phase of the ceasefire expired on March 2, Israel has rejected opening the second phase of talks, which would require it to negotiate over a permanent end to the war, the main demand of Hamas.

Israel says it wants to extend the ceasefires temporary first phase, a proposal backed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas says it will resume freeing hostages only under the second phase.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhus office called the offer to release Alexander manipulation and psychological warfare.

While Israel has accepted the Witkoff proposal, Hamas stands by its refusal and has not budged a millimeter, his office added. It said he would convene with his cabinet on Saturday night to discuss the hostage situation and decide on the next steps.

Israel has imposed a total blockade of Gaza since the first phase of the ceasefire expired without an agreement to begin the second phase on March 2.

Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a top priority. U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler met with Hamas leaders in recent days to seek Alexanders release.

Two Hamas officials told Reuters their agreement to release Alexander and the four bodies was conditional on beginning the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire, opening crossings, and lifting the Israeli blockade.

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We are working with mediators for the agreement to succeed and to compel the occupation to conclude all phases of the agreement, Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua, the Hamas spokesperson, told Reuters.

Hamas approval to release Edan Alexander aims to push towards the conclusion of the phases of the agreement, said Qanoua.

Underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire, Gaza medics said four Palestinians were killed on Friday by an Israeli airstrike in the Zeitoun neighbourhood in Gaza City.

Palestinian media said the four men had been collecting firewood needed for cooking in the absence of gas under the blockade. The Israeli military said it had struck several militants attempting to plant a bomb near its forces.

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The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to bridge the differences between the Islamic militant group and Israel to restart negotiations in order to release remaining hostages held in Gaza and lift the blockade.

The war began when Hamas carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israels subsequent assault on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.
A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin dictated maximalist terms in response to the proposal for a temporary ceasefire, the Kremlin has said that Russia remains cautiously optimistic in peace talks and has sent signals to US President Donald Trump via his envoy read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov as he visits the army command centre in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Kursk region, Russia, March 12, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Kremlin.ru via Reuters

A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin dictated terms in response to the 30-day ceasefire proposal, the Kremlin has said that Russia remains cautiously optimistic in US-mediated peace talks.

In the US-Ukraine talks earlier this week, a proposal for a 30-day partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia emerged. Ukraine has accepted the proposal and the ball is in Russias court.

While Putin accepted the idea of a ceasefire, he junked the terms and dictated his own. He said the proposal that emergedout of US-Ukraine talks will be good for the Ukrainian side.

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The idea itself is the right one, and we definitely support it, but there are nuances that we need to discuss and I think that we need to talk them through with our American colleagues and partners, said Putin at a press conference on Thursday.

Russia is cautiously optimistic, sent signals to US, says Kremlin

A day after Putins remarks, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin has sent a message to Trump via his envoy Steve Witkoff about the ceasefire propsoal, according to Reuters.

ALSO READ: Trump wants Ukraine deal to be based on Istanbul Protocols, heres why that will be Russian victory

Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday and held talks late in the evening with Putin. Peskov said that Witkoff provided details of the ceasefire proposal and Putin sent signals to Trump with his message, as per the news agency.

Peskov further said, There are certainly reasons to be cautiously optimistic. You heard a very important statement yesterday from President Putin He said that he supports President Trumps position in terms of a settlement, but he voiced some questions that need to be answered together. So, yes indeed, there is still a lot to be done, but nevertheless, the president expressed solidarity with Mr. Trumps position.

Putin responds to truce proposal with maximalist demands

Even though the United States expects Russia to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal, Putin on Thursday sought to dictate the terms.

Among Putins demands were some longstanding maximalist demands, such as the addressal of what Russia calls root cause of the conflict, and several tactical demands, such as how the ceasefire would be implemented on the ground and how it would be monitored. Critics of Putin have said that, in the guise of figuring out such details, Putin is delaying talks to maximise gains of the battlefield.

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After saying that nuances need to be addressed, Putin went on to list his demands: Ukrainian troops in Kursk would not be allowed to withdraw, they would need to surrender; Ukraine would not receive weapons during the ceasefire; and Ukraine would neither mobilise or train soldiers during the ceasefire.

ALSO READ: Ukraine cornered, Russia gets upper hand as Trump primes Saudi talks for peace in Europe

In an apprent reference to longstanding maximalist demands, Putin further said that he wanted a such terms that lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis.

Putin has long demanded that Ukraine should abandon the desire to join Nato, enshrine neutrality in its constitution, limit the size of its military, recognise the territory under Russian occupation as Russian sovereign territory, include Russian language in formal business, among other demands. Critics of the demands have said that accepting such demands would mean Ukraine ceding sovereignty to Russia.

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The tweet added to one of the many disturbing instances when Musk sided with Hitler and appeared to excuse his draconian actions read more

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. The billionaire has been receiving flak for the gesture that many have compared with the Nazi salute.

Union workers slammed Tesla CEO Elon Musk after he reposted a startling message on X declaring that Hitler didnt murder millions of people. Public sector employees did.

Lee Saunders, union president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees of the AFL-CIO, issued a furious response, saying: Americas public service workers  our nurses, teachers, firefighters, librarians  chose making our communities safe, healthy and strong over getting rich. They are not, as the worlds richest man implies, genocidal murderers.

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Elon Musk and the billionaires in this administration have no idea what real people go through every day. Thats why hes so willing to take a chainsaw to peoples jobs, Medicaid, Social Security and Medicare," he added.

The tweet added to one of the many disturbing instances when Musk sided with Hitler and appeared to excuse his draconian actions.

Musk retweeted the Hilter post just days after the Trump administration announced that it was withholding some $4 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University for failing to squelch pro-Gaza protests at the expense of Jewish students.

Musk, who was born and raised in apartheid South Africa, triggered an early uproar when he notoriously performed what appeared to be a Nazi salute during Trumps inauguration ceremony.

He later mocked outrage over the gesture with a series of unfunny Nazi puns featuring Hitlers top aides, including: Dont say Hess to Nazi accusations! The billionaire also wrote: Stop Goring your enemies! His pronouns wouldve been He/Himmler! Musk concluded: Bet you did nazi that coming, with a laughing-to-tears emoji.

Union workers were not the only ones outraged by Musks antics. The head of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League ripped Musks Nazi jokes, noting that Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropriate and offensive to make light of it.

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From Balochistans insurgency to Islamist terrorism to political turmoil, Pakistans ruling elite has repeatedly built its own threats through policies of suppression, militarisation, and political manipulation read more

The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, en route from Quetta to Peshawar in Pakistan by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has garnered widespread media attention.

The incident has shed light on the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, a region rich in resources yet plagued by a longstanding insurgency seeking greater autonomy.

But it is not just Balochistan that is a major internal threat for Pakistan. Theres terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and political instability due to regular protests over politico-economic issues.

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Apart from being part of a major existential crisis for Islamabad, there another common thread connecting these issues: Like Mary Shelleys tragic scientist, Pakistan has built its own Frankensteins creations forces it can no longer rein in.

For decades, Pakistans own policies have sown the seeds of its current internal crises. From separatist insurgencies and Islamist militancy to political upheaval, the countrys ruling establishment has repeatedly created and then lost control of its own monsters.

The Balochistan insurgency

Balochistan, Pakistans largest and most resource-rich province, has been plagued by a separatist insurgency for decades. But far from being a simple rebellion, this crisis is a product of Pakistans own oppressive policies.

The tale stretches all the way back to 1948. Balochistans contested accession to Pakistan that year sowed the seeds of discontent.

The province has since endured five armed uprisings.

And Islamabads response has remained unchanged through all of them: paramilitary operations, enforced disappearances, and a near-total security state.

Economic exploitation has only inflamed the problem further.

Despite being the largest province in the country, and home to Pakistans vast natural gas and mineral reserves, Balochistan remains its most underdeveloped region.

Villages near gas fields lack access to their own resources, and the province receives a mere fraction of the billions in revenues it generates.

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The Baloch people see the state extracting their wealth while leaving them in poverty a grievance that has become a rallying point for separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) to mobilise support.

In response to protests, Islamabad or specifically, the Pakistani military never sets the stage for meaningful dialogue or negotiation. It believes responding with force is the way to go fighting fire with fire.

With at least 7,000 activists and civilians allegedly abducted or killed since 2003, the Pakistani militarys iron-fisted approach has only deepened the resentment fueling the insurgency.

Pakistans own policies have made its rule in Balochistan appear less like governance and more like occupation.

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The TTP and the jihadist blowback

If Balochistan represents a monster of economic and military repression, the insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a textbook case of policy blowback.

Pakistans decades-long flirtation with jihadist militancy has now turned against it with full force.

Pakistans support for Islamist fighters began in the 1980s during the Soviet-Afghan War, when it armed and trained mujahideen with US and Saudi backing. This strategy continued into the 1990s, when the Pakistani military helped the Taliban seize power in Afghanistan, believing a compliant regime in Kabul would provide strategic depth against India.

After 9/11, Pakistan publicly aligned with the US in the War on Terror while simultaneously shielding Taliban elements. This double game cracking down on some militants while nurturing others backfired big time. By 2007, militant factions in Pakistans tribal areas, angered by Islamabads selective counterterrorism, unified under Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and declared war on the state.

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The TTP launched a campaign of terror, bombing schools, security forces, and civilians. The 2014 Peshawar school massacre, which killed 132 children, was one of its deadliest attacks. Military operations weakened the group, but the fall of Kabul to the Afghan Taliban in 2021 reignited its strength. Attacks in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, surged once again.

Now, Islamabad faces a monster it createdone that even airstrikes and border security measures have failed to suppress.

Imran Khan crisis: The establishments political monster

Beyond insurgencies, Pakistan is now battling a political crisis of its own making. The ouster and imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have triggered mass unrest, exposing deep fractures within the countrys fragile democracy.

Pakistans military has long controlled the countrys political landscape, toppling civilian governments when they become inconvenient. Khans rise to power in 2018 was widely seen as engineered by the military, which viewed him as a pliable alternative to traditional political dynasties.

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However, when Khans relationship with the generals soured in 2021, the same establishment that had once backed him orchestrated his removal through a no-confidence vote in 2022.

The backlash was swift. Khans supporters launched nationwide protests, some of which turned violent. His arrest in 2023 only intensified the crisis, as security forces cracked down on thousands of PTI members, journalists, and activists. The militarys attempt to silence dissent through mass arrests and media censorship has only fueled greater public resentment.

By attempting to manipulate politics, Pakistans establishment has created a monster of public discontent. The states crackdown on Khan and his party has triggered one of the most widespread and sustained protest movements in the countrys history. With institutions losing credibility and mass protests becoming routine, Pakistan is staring at political instability of its own making.
As talks continue to reach the next phase of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has decided to release a US-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, and bodies of four other dual-national hostages read more

Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are released by Hamas militants as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Reuters

Hamas on Friday said it has accepted a proposal to release a US-Israeli hostages and bodies of four hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

The development comes at a time when Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks for the next phase of ceasefire in Gaza mediated by Egypt and Qatar and facilitated by the United States.

The Associated Press has reported that the US-Israeli hostage to be released is Edan Alexander, a soldier, four deceased hostages to be released are also dual nationals.

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Hamas did not specify any timeline for their release and Israel or the mediating countries did not immediately confirm Hamas statement.

Separately, Hamas official Husam Badran reaffirmed what he said was Hamas commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases, warning that any Israeli deviation from the terms would return negotiations to square one, according to AP.

Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire deal agreed upon by the two sides in January. In this stage, all hostages are to be released and Israeli is supposed to withdraw from Gaza. However, the deal is under strain as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have indicated that there would be no withdrawal. Instead, Trump has said that Israel would hand over Gaza to the United States and then all native Palestinians would be expelled and the United States would develop the strip into a resort town.

After Hamas announced the release of hostages, The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu is scheduled to hold security consultations later in the day.

Separately, Walla reported that the four deceased hostages to be released are Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judy Weinstein Haggai.

The newspaper further reported that Steve Witkoff, Trumps Special Envoy to Middle East, had conveyed a proposal to Hamas on Wednesday and the group had responded positively to it.

Under the proposal passed on to Hamas in talks in Qatar, the newspaper reported the sources as saying that the ceasefire in Gaza would be extended by several weeks in exchange for the release of at least five living hostages and bodies of several others.

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In a nearly-unprecedented public plea, US President Donald Trump has requested Russian leader Vladimir Putin to not kill Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk read more

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. (Photo: Reuters)

In a rare public plea, US President Donald Trump made requested Russian leader Vladimir Putin to not kill Ukrainian troops in Kursk.

In Russian Kursk province, Russia is currently conducting an offensive to free large swathes of territories captured by Ukraine in an incursion last year. In recent days, Russia has claimed to have freed around 86 per cent of the area captured by Ukraine, including the key town of Sudzha.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that thousands of Ukrainian troops have been encircled by Russia and he has pleaded to Putin to spare their lives.

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At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all! said Trump.

The nearly-unprecedented public request comes at a time when US-backed, Ukraine-endorsed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire awaits a response from Putin. While he has said the idea of a ceasefire was acceptable in principle, he has dictated his own maximalist terms for such a ceasefire. Irrespective of such demands, Trump said that talks with Putin on Thursday were very good and productive discussions.

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of Trump, held talks with Putin on Thursday.

ALSO READ: As Putin dictates terms, Kremlin says Russia remains cautiously optimistic in peace talks

Even though Russian forces backed by North Korean troops have been advancing in Kursk, independent commentators as well as Ukrainian military have refuted Trumps assertion that thousands of Ukrainian troops are encircled such that their massacre would be imminent.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian General Staff said in Ukrainian that reports of encirclement in Kursk are untrue and are being created by the Russians for political purposes and pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

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The Ukrainian General Staff further said, The situation has not changed significantly over the past day. Combat operations in the operational zone of the Kursk group of forces continue. Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine have regrouped, withdrawn to more advantageous defense lines and are carrying out their assigned tasks in the Kursk region. Our soldiers are repelling the enemys offensive actions and inflicting effective fire damage with all types of weapons. Since the beginning of the current day, there have been 13 combat clashes in the Kursk direction. There is no threat of encirclement of our units.

Separately, George Barros, the Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), said on X: Available evidence from the battlefield does not indicate any Russian encirclements of Ukrainian forces at scale, and certainly not by the thousands.

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Even as Putin has not yet accepted the truce proposal and has continued to dictate maximalist demands, Trump said that there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.

ALSO READ: From Russian invasion to Zelenskyys election, Trump rewrites Ukraine wars history with lies

Trump echoing Russian claims regarding Kursk is in line with Trumps longstanding trust in Putin. For years, Trump has trusted Putins statements over the assessment of his own agencies. In his first term, Trump rejected the assessment of the US intelligence community about Russian interference in US elections and exonerated Putin publicly.

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As he dictated terms for the short-term truce, Putin on Thursday said that he would not allow Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw from Kursk and only their surrender would be acceptable.
Maulana Abdullah Nadeem, the district chief of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), has been injured along with three others in a blast at a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas South Waziristan district read more

Days after a suicide bombing inside a police headquarters, Pakistani policemen stand guard along a street in Peshawar on February 1, 2023. (Photo: AFP)

Within weeks of a blast that killed a prominent cleric, a blast at a mosque in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday injured an Islamist leader and three others.

Pakistani police said a blast rocked the Maulana Abdul Aziz Mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas South Waziristan district during Friday prayers at around 1:45 pm.

Jamiat Ulema Islams (JUI) district chief Abdullah Nadeem and three others were injured in the blast, according to the police.

District Police Officer Asif Bahadar said that Nadeem was intended target of the attack and has suffered serious injuries, according to The Express Tribune.

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On February 28, a blast had similarly struck a mosque at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Nowshera. The blast killed six people, including the Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, a cleric close to the Afghan Taliban and chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The police said that Haqqani was the target of the bombing that also injured at least 15 people.

However, unlike in the blast at Nowshera where a suicide bomber was said to be involved, the police have said that the blast at South Waziristan involved an improvised explosive device (IED).

ALSO READ: Frankensteins monster: How Pakistan handcrafted its own biggest internal security threats

District Police Spokesman Habib Islam told Dawn that no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Islam further said that Nadeem had been receiving death threats for quite some time and was attacked about seven or eight months ago as well.

In recent years, Pakistan has been rocked by violence with groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State (Isis) conducting numerous attacks. Many of these attacks have targeted mosques where clerics and Islamists leaders along with military and police personnel have been targeted.

In one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, a blast at a mosque in Peshawar on Jan. 30, 2023, killed 101 people, mostly police personnel, and injured 300-400 people.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is prone to violence as it is home to an Islamist insurgency against the Pakistan state as well as infested by sectarian violence that often leads to death. As per the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 346 people, including 22 civilians, had been killed in the province in terrorism-related incidents till Feb. 25.

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Days after his election as the Leader of the Liberal Party, Mark Carney has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Canada read more

Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney speaks following the announcement of his win at the party's announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario. AP

Mark Carney has been sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada.

Days after his election as the Leader of the Liberal Party, Governor Mary Simon presided over a ceremony in which Carney and his 23 Cabinet ministers were sworn in.

Carney has retained some of his predecessor Justin Trudeaus ministers, such as Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.

In a message after taking over as the prime minister, Carney said on X: Today, were building a government that meets the moment. Canadians expect action  and thats what this team will deliver. A smaller, experienced cabinet that moves faster, secures our economy, and protects Canadas future.

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Carney, a former head of Bank of Canada and Bank of England, has taken over at a time when Canada is facing unprecedented economic and territorial aggression. US President Donald Trump has mounted a tariff war to decimate Canada economically and has made it clear he wants to annex Canada and make it the 51st US state.

Canada and the United States are locked in a worsening trade war. Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods (except for oil thats tariffed at 10 per cent) and has additionally imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium that hit Canada hard as the country is the biggest supplier of these metals to the United States. Despite the monthlong pause under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, most Canadian goods face tariffs as exemptions under the agreement are limited.

At such a crucial time, Carney is more of a placeholder prime minister as the country is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections later this year. With his economic and territorial aggression, Trump has reshaped Canadian politics. Until seven weeks ago, a landslide victory of the Conservative Party was a foregone conclusion but polls now show that the Liberals and Conservatives are pitched closely and the Liberals have a real chance of victory.

Reuters has reported Liberal Partys insiders as saying that Carney is expected to call snap elections within two weeks.

If Carney changes his mind, Opposition parties are expected to unite to topple his government, according to the news agency.
The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal released a statement on the issue, calling all the allegations baseless. He said that Pakistan should instead look inwards, calling the country the epicentre of global terrorism read more

India on Friday rejected accusations made by the Pakistan Foreign Office that New Delhi had a hand in the devastating Jaffar Express hijacking incident. The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal released a statement on the issue, calling all the allegations baseless. He said that Pakistan should instead look inwards, calling the country the epicentre of global terrorism.

We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others, Jaiswal said in a statement on Friday.

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Our response to media queries on the remarks made by the Pakistan side 



 https://t.co/8rUoE8JY6A pic.twitter.com/2LPzACbvbf  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 14, 2025

Indias remarks on the matter came after Pakistans Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafaqat Ali Khan alluded that the rebels involved in the attack on the Jaffar Express were in contact with ring leaders in Afghanistan and claimed that India had its hands in it. India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on Jaffar Express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ring leaders in Afghanistan, Khan said during a weekly press briefing on Thursday.

Taliban also condemned Pakistans assertion and made it clear that the Afghani regime had no hand in the attack.

Taliban also rejects Pakistans allegations

A spokesperson from the Taliban said that the accusations by Pakistan were unfounded, AMU TV reported. These claims are baseless, said Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman. In the past, the Taliban has rejected similar accusations from Pakistan, which has repeatedly claimed that militant groups operating in its territory have safe havens in Afghanistan.

As of now, Pakistan security forces claimed that they had eliminated all 33 Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) rebels who had hijacked the Jaffar Express with 400 passengers onboard. However, the Pakistani Army have not released photographs or any video evidence to support their claims, raising speculation.

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Meanwhile, the BLA claimed that ISPR wants to cover up its defeat. The militant group insisted that the battle is still ongoing across multiple fronts. BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch alleged that the Pakistani Army has neither achieved victory on the battlefield nor managed to save its hostage personnel.

He went on to accuse the state of abandoning its own soldiers and leaving them to die as hostages. The BLA has also challenged Pakistani authorities and said that independent journalists and impartial observers must be allowed in what they called the conflict zone.

With inputs from agencies.
Measles is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets and lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area read more

Measles cases in Europe have surged to their highest level in 25 years, driven by declining vaccination rates, according to a United Nations report released Thursday (March 13).

The virus caused 127,352 infections across the continent in 2024, with Romania reporting the highest number of cases, the report from the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisations Europe office said.

Children under 5 accounted for 43 per cent of all recorded cases in Europe and Central Asia last year. The increase follows a significant decline in immunisation coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a resurgence of measles in 2023 and 2024, Politico reported.

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Vaccination rates in many countries are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of outbreaks, the report said.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania, less than 80 per cent of eligible children received their first measles vaccine dose (MCV1) in 2023 well below the 95 per cent coverage needed to maintain herd immunity, the report found.

Europe and Central Asia accounted for 35 per cent of the global measles total, which reached 359,521 cases in 2024, the report said.

Situation in the US

The US is facing a surge in measles cases, with an outbreak in West Texas.

The virus has also spread to eight other counties and into New Mexico, with additional cases recorded in Georgia, Alaska, New Jersey, and California.

Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. In the years that followed, cases were sporadic and often linked to individuals who had travelled abroad and brought the virus back. However, in recent years, declining vaccination rates have contributed to a rise in large outbreaks.

Measles is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets and lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. The disease causes fever, respiratory symptoms, and a rash  but can also lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death.

Most deaths from the disease result from complications such as encephalitis, kidney failure, and hepatitis.

UNICEF said one measles case can lead to 12 to 18 additional infections.

With inputs from agencies
The order is for an unspecified number of new Aster 30 B1 missiles, to enter into service next year. They are to be capable of reaching a target flying at an altitude of 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) within a range of 150 kilometres read more

UK, France, and Italy have ordered new Aster missiles produced by MBDA. Image courtesy: MBDA

Paris, Rome and London said Friday they had ordered new air defence missiles after a shock US policy shift in ties with Europe.

European governments are under pressure to step up on defence after US President Donald Trump questioned whether the United States  the guarantor of Europes security since World War II  should continue its central role in Nato.

France, Italy and United Kingdom, confirm the order of 218 additional Aster missiles and the acceleration of delivery of already ordered Aster missiles, the countries said in a joint statement.

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The deal underscored the unwavering commitment of France, Italy and United Kingdom to bolster their air defence capabilities, they said.

It would also ensure speedier delivery, from 2025, of 134 missiles previously ordered in December 2022, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on X.

Aster 15 and 30 missiles are produced by pan-European manufacturer MBDA.

The order is for an unspecified number of new Aster 30 B1 missiles, to enter into service next year, that are to be used in the future French and Italian SAMP/T land-to-air defence systems as well as the navy ships of the three nations.

They are to be capable of reaching a target flying at an altitude of 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) within a range of 150 kilometres (93 miles).

They are to be able to intercept planes, but also medium-range ballistic missiles as well as hypersonic weapons travelling at above five times the speed of sound.

A single Aster 30 missile is estimated to cost more than 2 million euros ($2.1 million), according to the French Institute of International Relations.

The order also includes an unspecified number of new Aster 15 missiles to be used by the French navy.

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While the junta has suffered significant territorial losses, analysts say it still retains control of Myanmars heartland and maintains an air force capable of inflicting heavy damage on its opponents read more

Mynmar army personnel fled to Thailand in the face of KNLA's onslaught. Representational image. Reuters

A group of Myanmar soldiers fled across the Thai border on Friday (March 14) after an assault by an ethnic armed group forced them from their base, Thailands military has said.

Myanmar has been gripped by civil war since the military seized power in a coup in 2021, facing resistance from an array of ethnic armed organisations and pro-democracy fighters.

Fighters from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) attacked the Pulu Tu frontier military base in the early hours of Friday, the Thai military said in a statement.

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Myanmars soldiers turn tail

The Myanmar military defended the base but ultimately the KNLA successfully seized control, the statement said.

Several Myanmar soldiers were killed and some fled across the border into Thailand.

The Thai military did not specify how many troops had crossed into Tak province but said they had been provided humanitarian assistance.

A spokesman for the political wing of the KNLA, the Karen National Union, said its fighters took control of the base at about 3 am on Friday (2030 GMT Thursday), after Myanmar soldiers abandoned their guns and ran into Thailand.

Crucial trading hub

The Pulu Tu base is about 80km (50 miles) north of Myawaddy, a crucial trading hub that became a battleground last year between anti-junta fighters and the military.

The area is also notorious as a centre for Myanmars booming online scam industry, where thousands of foreign workers, many trafficked into the country, have been forced to participate in elaborate fraud schemes. In recent weeks, thousands of trafficked workers have been repatriated via Thailand under growing international pressure.

The KNLA, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people along Myanmars southeastern border for decades, is one of dozens of ethnic armed groups that have proved to be some of the most effective forces resisting the military junta.

While the junta has suffered significant territorial losses, analysts say it still retains control of Myanmars heartland and maintains an air force capable of inflicting heavy damage on its opponents.

In a bid to bolster its embattled ranks, the junta introduced a conscription order last year, requiring all men aged 18-35 to serve in the military.

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With inputs from AFP
In his inaugural address as the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney defied US President Donald Trumps threats of annexation and vowed to never let the country come under US occupation read more

Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney, with members of his government standing behind him, speaks during a press conference following a swearing-in ceremony of the new Canada's government in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, March 14, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

In his first speech as the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney has vowed to never let the nation become a part of the United States.

At a time when US President Donald Trump has waged an unprecedented economic and territorial aggression against Canada, Carney dubbed the treat to make Canada the 51st state of the United States crazy.

Canada will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States, said Carney.

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Days after his election as the Leader of the Liberal Party, Governor Mary Simon on Friday presided over a ceremony in which Carney and his 23 Cabinet ministers were sworn in. Carney, a former head of Bank of Canada and Bank of England, has taken over at a time when Canada Trump has mounted a tariff war to decimate Canada economically and has made it clear he wants to annex Canada and make it the 51st US state.

In the wake of Carneys swearing-in, the Trump administration has not toned down its rhetoric. Just ahead of the swearing-in, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Canadian soil that Trump loves Canada and has simply made an argument for why Canada would be better off joining the United States from an economic perspective and the like". Rubio was in Canada for a meeting of G-7 nations.

Rubio added, Hes made that argument repeatedly, and I think it stands for itself.

Canadian leaders have maintained that Trumps threats of annexation are not a joke. They have maintained that the trade war that Trump is pursuing on Canada is a tool to bring the nation to its knees so that its easy to annex the nation.

The excuse that hes giving for these tariffs today of fentanyl is completely bogus, completely unjustified, completely false. What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because thatll make it easier to annex us, said Justin Trudeau, Carneys predecessor, earlier this month.

ALSO READ: Who is Mark Carney, ex-governor of Bank of Canada, who wants to take over from Trudeau?

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Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods (except for oil thats tariffed at 10 per cent) and has additionally imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Tariffs on these metals hit Canada hard as the country is the biggest supplier of steel and aluminium to the United States. Despite the monthlong pause under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, most Canadian goods face tariffs as exemptions under the agreement are limited.
In Iraq, years of conflict including the rise and fall of the Islamic State (IS) and earlier waves of violence forced millions to flee their homes. Even now, over 1 million people remain internally displaced and nearly 5 million face precarious conditions as returnees. Women, in particular, encounter unique challenges read more

Returnee women displaced by the conflict in Iraq face numerous challenges from lack of housing to money issues and safety concerns. Image used for representative purpose/AFP

The homes were never meant to be permanent. Built quickly, with whatever materials could be found corrugated metal, clay, unfinished bricks many offer little protection from the heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter.

For thousands of women returning to Iraqs war-ravaged towns and villages, these makeshift shelters are all they have.

In Iraq, years of conflict including the rise and fall of the Islamic State (IS) and earlier waves of violence forced millions to flee their homes. Even now, over 1 million people remain internally displaced and nearly 5 million face precarious conditions as returnees. Women, in particular, encounter unique challenges.

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Always on the move

As the government pushes to close displacement camps, women who once sought refuge elsewhere are being sent back to areas that remain hostile or uninhabitable, according to a joint report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Justice Center Iraq (JCI) and Hawa Organisation Danish Refugee Council.

One woman in Diyala said in a focus group discussion that she has moved six times in two years. Another mentions she has been forced to move thrice in just six months because the accommodation that she was renting was eventually sold off.

Across Iraq, displaced women many of them widows or the sole providers for their families are struggling to rebuild their lives in communities where they are often unwelcome.

Some return to homes that have been destroyed. Others are accused of ties to extremist groups, making them targets of suspicion and discrimination.

I own a house, but unknown people damaged it because my husband is an ISIS member and I cannot return to the house or restore it, says Sara*.

Even local authorities Mukhtars are often not sympathetic to the plight of women suffering due to the scourge of conflict. Aaliyah* says, I am threatened with eviction by the Mukhtar [local authorities] from where I currently live and forced to return to my area of origin. She is forced to return, but there is no place to go back to. My house is completely destroyed, she rues.

No jobs

Many of the returnees once relied on agriculture and livestock, but those livelihoods have vanished. Farmland has been taken over by armed groups or left barren.

Government aid is nowhere near enough help. Many rely on Iraqs social welfare program, but the payments are meager barely enough for a weeks expenses. We live on a social welfare salary, which is not enough for one person. The social welfare salary is a salary of humiliation, one person interviewed by DRC said.

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Some women described trying to restart their businesses, such as sewing and selling small goods, only to find they lack the money or materials.

The few who manage to find work often face stigma or outright hostility. Sajda* mentioned how her family disowned her when she began working as a cleaner. I have orphans, and I work as a cleaner. My family disowned me because I am doing this job. I have no other solution. How can I live with the orphans, since I am displaced and a widow with no income? I must provide for a living, no matter how hard the work is, she says.

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Another woman hid her employment from relatives, fearing they would forbid her from leaving the house.

No safety

Intertwined with these socio-economic challenges are very visceral threats to safety.

In Iraq, navigating life without a male guardian is no mean feat. One woman said she was being harassed by a man who lives next door to her. [He] justifies his behaviour by saying I am a Daesh wife. He uses bad words to describe me, he thinks he has the right to do so.

In some communities, returnees especially those suspected of militant affiliations fear for their safety. A woman in Salah al-Din said she was regularly followed by a man who took photos of her without consent and threatened her.

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Even the police is of little help in such cases. I am subjected to harassment, discrimination and violence by everyone in the area because I am a woman, I have no man behind me, Farha* says. I have complained to the police, but to no avail.

Reports of discrimination, especially between the families of those affected by ISIS and the families of ISIS members, are plenty. They cast a long shadow over positive interactions, such as neighbours being helpful to displaced women and assisting them in settling in.

An unhelpful bureaucracy

Even the process of applying for aid is fraught with obstacles. Many women reported not submitting any compensation claims because they lack funds to pay a lawyer or lack certain documents. Others said officials demanded bribes before processing their paperwork.

I have three children without any identification documents, and my husband is missing. I was subjected to harassment and was asked to bribe the official to obtain legal documents, one woman said. Another said, I swear I had to pay bribes to be able to get my martyr husbands salary. One feels that life has become ugly. Everyone wants to eat each other.

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Lifetimes between hope and uncertainty

Despite the hardships, many women remain determined to rebuild their lives. Some spoke of wanting to start businesses if given the right support: small bakeries, tailoring shops, or women-run grocery stores. Others said they wished they could return to farming but lacked the resources to reclaim their land.

But even as they look to the future, uncertainty remains. Without secure housing, steady employment, or a clear path to reintegration, many feel trapped displaced not by war, but by the conditions of their own country.

We dont want to return, one woman said. We got used to being here, after all. Our life became better despite the difficulties. Before, we had crops and orchards. Now, everything is gone. Why would we go back?

A lifetime passes everyday for Iraqi women wrestling with this question.
In spite of the Portuguese Air Forces recommendation to purchase F-35 jets, Portugals outgoing defence minister has rejected the idea and confirmed that the government is considering other options read more

US Air Force fighter aircraft F-35 performs aerobatic maneuvers in Bengaluru. Each F-35 costs approximately $36,000 per flight hour, making it one of the costliest jets to operate. File image/AP

Portugal needs to replace its fleet of US-made F-16 fighter jets. The countrys Air Force had recommended purchasing the Lockheed Martins F-35s well-known as one of the most advanced warplanes on the planet.

However, Portugal has ruled out buying newer F-35s, citing concerns about geopolitical uncertainty under President Donald Trump, according to outgoing Defence Minister Nuno Melo said.

In spite of the Portuguese Air Forces recommendation, Melo told local newspaper Publico that the government must consider the reliability of its allies when making defense acquisitions.

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A concerning geopolitical environment

We cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices. The recent position of the United States, in the context of Nato [North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]  must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account, Melo said, according to Politico.

The world has changed  and this ally of ours  could bring limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios, Melo added.

The Portuguese defence minister is understood to be making a reference to US President Donald Trumps stance on Nato, which has raised concerns across Europe.

While there have been rumours of a kill switch put in the F-35s that American manufacturers make, the real concern for Portuguese officials is that a future US administration could restrict access to software updates and spare parts needed to keep the F-35s operational.

Portugal considering several options

Melo further said that Portugal is considering several options, including European-made fighter jets.

The Netherlands, which has already committed to the F-35, said it has no plans to cancel its contract, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said earlier this week. However, Portugal has yet to sign a deal.

The decision comes as Portugal prepares for a snap election following the collapse of its center-right government.
The Kremlins request to exclude Kellogg comes as some former high-ranking Russian officials have accused Trumps envoy of being too sympathetic to Kyiv read more

Keith Kellogg, the US envoy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, has been accused of leaning towards Kyiv too much. File image/Reuters

Russian officials have told their US counterparts they do not want Keith Kellogg, the US envoy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, involved in high-level discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters cited a US official and another source familiar with the matter as saying.

Kellogg has been absent from key diplomatic meetings in recent weeks, including a Tuesday gathering in Saudi Arabia between US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a Ukrainian delegation. He was also not present at a high-level U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia in February.

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It was unclear whether Kelloggs absence was linked to the Russian request or when the request was made. However, a US official said the request had not been honored, noting that Kellogg sent a senior staff member, Eli Rosner, to attend the latest Saudi meeting in his place.

White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said Kellogg remained a key figure in US efforts to end the war.

President Trump has utilized the talents of multiple senior administration officials to assist in the bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution, Hewitt said Thursday (March 13).

The Russia-Ukraine war has killed or injured hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated cities, leading to the most serious confrontation between Moscow and the West in decades.

The US and Ukraine agreed in principle to a 30-day ceasefire during the Saudi talks, but Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Thursday that the proposal needed significant revisions.

The Kremlins request to exclude Kellogg comes as some former high-ranking Russian officials have accused Trumps envoy of being too sympathetic to Kyiv.

A retired lieutenant general, Kellogg has at times been more outspoken in condemning Russian aggression than other US officials. Following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities on Christmas Day, he wrote on social media:

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Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas DayLaunching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lords birth is wrong.

Despite his criticism of Moscow, Kellogg has consistently defended Trumps policies on Ukraine, including a recent decision to pause some intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

With inputs from Reuters
The new constitution says Islam is the religion of the countrys president, the same as the previous constitution. The document also believes Islamic jurisprudence is the main source of legislation rather than a main source, according to the drafting committee read more

Syrias Interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed a constitutional declaration that leaves the country under Islamist rule for the next five years during a transitional phase. The temporary constitution came into the picture just three months after his Islamist group led the rebel offensive that overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The new constitution says Islam is the religion of the countrys president, the same as the previous constitution. The document also believes Islamic jurisprudence is the main source of legislation rather than a main source, according to the drafting committee.

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It also calls for the separation of powers and judicial independence. The temporary constitution guarantees womens rights and safeguards freedom of expression and media freedom, BBC reported. We hope it will be a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice, Sharaa said after signing the document.

UN welcomes the constitution

UN special envoy Geir Pedersen welcomed the move towards restoring the rule of law and noted that this development potentially fills an important legal vacuum. However, the Kurdish-led administration in north-eastern Syria condemned the constitutional declaration, noting that it contradicts the reality of Syria and its diversity.

In January this year, commanders of rebel military groups agreed to make Sharaa the interim president of Syria for the transitional period. Soon after coming to power, Sharaa cancelled the Assad-era 2012 constitution and dissolved the former regimes parliament, army and security agencies. Ten days before signing the declaration, Sharaa announced the formation of seven-member committee to draft the constitutional declaration, which he said would serve as the legal framework regulating the transitional phase.

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One member of the constitutional committee, Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a constitutional law expert who teaches at a Turkish university, told a news conference on Thursday that the declaration aimed to create a balance between a security society and rights and freedoms. He said that the document stipulates absolute separation of powers, highlighting how Assad used to encroach on other branches of government during his rule.

The Constitution amid chaos

The new document states that the president would have executive authority during the transitional period but would have only one exceptional power  the ability to declare a state of emergency. Apart from this, a new Peoples Assembly will be formed, which will be responsible for the full legislation process.

Two-thirds of its members will be appointed by a committee selected by the president, and one-third will be chosen by the president himself. A committee will be formed to draft a new permanent constitution. Meanwhile, Sharaa has pledged to ensure an inclusive government that will run the country until a new permanent constitution is finalised and elections are held in Syria.

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Sharaa signed the temporary document at a time when he facing significant challenges following the overthrow of the Assad regime. Last week, gunmen supporting Sharaas Sunni Islamist-led government were accused of carrying out revenge killings against members of Assads minority Alawite sect in the western coastal region following a deadly ambush on a security patrol by gunmen loyal to the former president. Syria War Monitor has claimed that almost 1,500 civilians were killed in these clashes.

Amidst the chaos, Sharaa vowed to hold the perpetrators to account and ordered the formation of a committee aimed at preserving civil peace. However, many Alawites and members of other religious and ethnic minorities often claim that they are being discriminated against.

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Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that nothing could justify the killing of civilians and warned that Syrias much-deserved brighter future hangs in the balance. The caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to building a new Syria based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians. Now is the time for action, he furthered.

With inputs from agencies.
Amid negotiations for the next phase of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trumps Special Middle East Envoy, has warned Hamas that the time is not on its side read more

Steve Witkoff speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 27, 2024. (Photo: AP)

The White House accused Hamas on Friday of making entirely impractical demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire.

Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not, a statement from the office of President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and the US National Security Council said.

Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes, it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would pay a severe price for not freeing hostages.

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Hamas said earlier on Friday it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Witkoff presented a bridge proposal in Qatar on Wednesday to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this bridge would have to be implemented soon  and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately, the statement said.

Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire, it added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked if the United States was prioritizing the release of the American hostage, said: We care about all the hostages.

Were acting like this is a normal exchange, this is a normal thing that happens. This is an outrage. So they should all be released, Rubio told reporters after Group of Seven talks in Canada.

Im not going to comment on what were going to accept and not accept, other than that all of us  the whole world  should continue to say that what Hamas has done is outrageous, its ridiculous, its sick, its disgusting, he said.

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US President Donald Trump has vowed to annex Panama Canal and has not ruled out invading the country for that read more

US President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md.. AP

US President Donald Trump has asked the military to draw plans to reclaim Panama Canal, according to a report.

Panama Canal is among the territories across continents that Trump has vowed to annex even with the use of military force. Other places that he has vowed to annex include the nation of Canada, the Greenland island of Denmark, and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip, one half of the envisioned Palestinian state.

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NBC News has reported that the Trump administration has asked the US military to draw plans to reclaim Panama Canal and Southern Command has been tasked with this. The exact meaning of the world reclaim remains unclear.

Mostly recently, Trump repeated the vow to annex Panama Canal during the address to Congress. He said that to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and weve already started doing it.

US military drawing range of options for Trump: Report

At the orders of Trump, the US military is drawing a range of plans regarding Panama Canal, according to NBC News.

These plans range from sober plans to enhancing military presence in Panama and partnering closely with the countrys forces to secure the canal to extreme plans of invading and seizing the canal, as per the report.

Officials told the outlet that whether force is used depends on how Panama cooperates with the Trump administration.

Officials told the outlet that following plans are being drawn:

Enhancing presence to ensure US ships have safe passages through the Panama Canal

Using force to totally control and operate the Panama Canal

Using force to secure ports along the canal, build new ports, or use army engineers to operate canals locks

Positioning US forces near Panama so that they could respond in response to a regional war or threat to the United States

In the last option, the US forces would aim to to secure the canal and eliminate Chinas access to Panama Canal, as per the report.
The Panama Canal is touted as the worlds most strategically important waterway. While Trump has often claimed he wants to take back the canal. However, he never offered specifics about how he would do so or if military action might be required read more

US President Donald Trump has called on the Pentagon to provide military ideas and options that would ensure the United States gains full access to the Panama Canal. The revelation was made months after Trump threatened to take over the waterways, ensuing a diplomatic row with Panama. Two US officials who spoke to Reuters on Thursday revealed these manoeuvrings.

The Panama Canal is touted as the worlds most strategically important waterway. While Trump has often claimed he wants to take back the canal. However, he never offered specifics about how he would do so or if military action might be required. One US official who asked to remain anonymous told Reuters that the Trump administration asked the military to look at options to ensure unfettered access to the Panama Canal.

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A second official said that the Pentagon has a wide range of potential options which would guarantee that the US has full access to the canal. One of the options includes a partnership with Panamas military. It is pertinent to note that the Department of Defence last published a national defence strategy back in 2022.

The struggle over the Panama Canal

Ever since he came back to the White House, Trump has asserted that the US should take back the canal. Without providing evidence, he argued that China controls the waterway and could eventually use it to undermine American interests in the region. In his inaugural speech in January, Trump accused the Latin American nation of Panama of breaking a promise for the final transfer of the canal back in 1999.

Meanwhile, Ilya Espino de Marotta, the canals deputy administrator, told the Guardian in January: The canal is run by Panamanians 100%. We are an autonomous entity." There is no Chinese management of the canal," Marotta furthered.

It is important to note that any move by a foreign power to take over the canal is most likely to cause a violation of international law. The US and Panama are already treaty-bound to defend the canal against any threat to its neutrality.

Also Watch:

Both countries are permitted to take unilateral actions to defend the waterways. The US acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century. However, in a treaty signed in 1979, under former US President Jimmy Carter, the US agreed to let Panama have control over the canal. The Latin American nation had complete control over the waterway by 1999.

With inputs from agencies.
I think it will happen, the POTUS said when asked by a reporter about USs plan of taking over Greenland. The two leaders were sitting in the Oval Office when the American leader made the proclamation read more

US President Donald Trump reiterated his intentions of acquiring Greenland on Thursday. This time, he repeated his ambition while sitting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisations Secretary-General, Mark Rutte. I think it will happen, the POTUS said when asked by a reporter about USs plan of taking over Greenland. The two leaders were sitting in the Oval Office when the American leader made the proclamation.

Im sitting with a man that could be very instrumental  you know, Mark, we need that for international security, Trump continued while turning to the NATO chief. Rutte, on the other hand, tried to get out of the awkward situation, insisting that he did not want to drag NATO into a conversation about the US acquiring Greenland. However, he acknowledged the importance of Arctic security and northern countries working together under US leadership to combat China and Russia.

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It is pertinent to note that Greenland is part of Denmark, another NATO ally, but is an autonomous territory with its own government. Shortly after Trumps remarks, Greenlands probable new prime minister has rejected the American leaders effort to take control over the island.

Greenland says no

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, whose centre-right Democrats won a surprise victory in this weeks legislative elections, said that the Arctic island must be allowed to decide its future as it heads towards independence from Denmark. We dont want to be Americans. No, we dont want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future, Nielsen, 33, told Sky News. And we want to build our own country by ourselves," he added.

Meanwhile, Greenlands outgoing prime minister, Mute Egede, said he would convene a meeting of party leaders to jointly reject Trumps threats, warning: Enough is enough. This time, we need to toughen our rejection of Trump. People cannot continue to disrespect us, Egede wrote on Facebook. Egede will lead Greenland until a new government is formed.

The American president has once again evoked the idea of annexing us. I absolutely cannot accept that the Greenland premier wrote. I respect the result of the election, but I consider that I have an obligation as interim head of government: I have therefore asked the administration to summon the party heads as soon as possible," he added.

Also Watch:

While sitting with Rutte, Trump pointed out that Denmarks very far away from Greenland and questioned whether that country should still have the right to claim over the worlds largest island. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it, the American president said. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually," he added. Meanwhile, several pre-election polls have indicated that Greenlanders are not interested in being taken over by the US.

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With inputs from agencies.
Assyrian Party Rejects New Syrian Constitution

An Assyrian Christian from the Assyrian Church of the Virgin Mary, which was destroyed by the Islamic State group, in the village of Tal Nasri in northeastern Hasakah province, on November 15, 2019. ( AFP) A Christian political party on Friday rejected the constitutional declaration adopted by the interim authority in Damascus, calling it a tool to entrench the "exclusion and marginalization of Syrian components."

"The constitutional declaration does not pave the way for the required transitional phase in Syria, but rather for an unstable period," the Syriac Union Party said in a statement.

The party is affiliated with the Kurdish administration in northeast Syria (Rojava). It holds three seats in the Rojava government and maintains its own police force, Sutoro (meaning "security" in Syriac).

The interim constitution, which emphasizes Islamic jurisprudence, stipulates that Syria's president must be a Muslim and establishes a five-year transitional period. It also retains the country's official name, the Syrian Arab Republic, a point of contention for non-Arab communities.

During a ceremony on Thursday to sign the document, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed hope that it would mark "a new chapter in Syria's history, one where ignorance is replaced with knowledge and oppression with justice."

However, the Syriac Union Party contended that the constitutional declaration is a continuation of the policies adopted by the former Bashar al-Assad regime. The party said that the transitional phase "must be based on the principles of true participation" of all ethnic and religious groups in Syria.

The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), which is recognized as the oldest Christian party in Syria established in the 1950s, said in a statement on Friday that the constitutional declaration "reflected a continued approach of exclusion and marginalization." "We reaffirm that the current constitutional declaration is unacceptable, and we call upon all national forces to unite in drafting a constitution that truly reflects the aspirations of all Syrians in building a democratic, civil state based on equal citizenship and the rule of law," their statement read.

The main Kurdish groups and organizations also oppose the new constitution.

The Rojava administration condemned the document for "mirroring measures imposed by the Assad regime and alienating Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities."

The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), declared their "complete rejection" of any attempt to "recreate dictatorship under the guise of a 'transitional phase,' reinforcing authoritarianism, granting unchecked power to the executive authority, and constraining political activity."

An umbrella group of Kurdish opposition parties, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC), also voiced objections to the temporary constitution, stating that it "ignored Syria's pluralistic nature and its reality as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state." They further argued that it "failed to guarantee the national and religious rights of its communities, reinforcing a singular national identity in the state's name, explicitly excluding other components."
Cambodian experts laud effectiveness of China's democracy

Xinhua) 09:42, March 14, 2025

PHNOM PENH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's democracy, distinguished by its people-centered approach, has proven effective in addressing social issues and enhancing people's well-being, experts said at a themed event here Wednesday.

China's democracy is unique as it ensures the primacy of the people, Cambodia-China Friendship Association Vice President Lau Vann, who is also secretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said at a seminar titled Silk Road Heart-to-Heart.

China's latest annual "two sessions" are the real example of China's whole-process people's democracy, he said at the event, which attracted some 100 participants, including officials, scholars and researchers.

The value of democracy is determined by the people, he said, adding that the effectiveness of China's democracy should be measured by the country's peace, stability, development and the well-being of its people.

China's democracy suits Chinese conditions, and it's an effective way to address and resolve issues, Vann said.

"China's whole-process people's democracy fully reflects the will of the Chinese people, as it engages people in law-based elections, consultations, decision-making, grassroots-level governance and management," he added.

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, said the whole-process people's democracy is a democracy in its broadest, most genuine and most effective form, providing real benefits to the people.

Munyrith said every country has its own style of democracy, and a country's democracy should be evaluated in terms of its ability to protect people's interests and whether it is supported by the people.

"The Chinese-style democracy is unique because it is people-centered, allowing people to engage in real democracy to efficiently address and resolve issues," he said.

Liu Zhanguo, director of the China Foundation for Peace and Development Office in Cambodia, said the representatives at the "two sessions" fully convey the suggestions and opinions of the different industries and fields they represent.

"In China, the full coverage of the whole-process people's democracy is reflected not only in the country's top-level design, but also in the services provided by grassroots departments to the people," he said.

Wu Chuanbing, counselor of the Chinese embassy in Cambodia, said that when talking about a country's democratic situation, one should look into the country's actual situation.

"Countries should respect the diversity of global civilizations and the rights of each country to choose a democratic path independently," he said.

Wu said China resolutely opposes any country interfering in the internal affairs of other sovereign countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
As US-led efforts for a ceasefire with Russia have picked up pace, Ukraine is preparing plans to monitor any ceasefire that is reached read more

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attends a press conference with Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (not seen), after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Kyiv has begun examining how to monitor any ceasefire along the frontline of its war with Russia, which runs for over 1,300 km (800 miles), Ukraines foreign minister said on Friday, as a survey suggested half its citizens oppose ceding land for quick peace.

US President Donald Trump is urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire proposal that Washington negotiated with Ukraine.

Putin on Thursday welcomed the plan in principle but laid out a list of conditions, suggesting there would be no rapid agreement from Moscow, and prompting scepticism in Kyiv.

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In order to avoid possible provocations from the Russian side, we need to be prepared, Andrii Sybiha told journalists on Friday, announcing that a team would be set up to consider how to monitor any truce.

On Thursday, he had posted on X that Putin seeks to continue the war. The rest of his words are just a smokescreen, echoing the response of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Sybiha was part of the Ukrainian delegation that met with American representatives in Saudi Arabia and said Kyiv supported Washingtons proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the full-scale invasion launched by Russia three years ago.

He said the monitoring would be complex, recalling Ukraines negative experience with truces under the German- and French-backed Minsk process with the insurgency that Russia backed in eastern Ukraine from 2014 onward. Russia now controls around a fifth of Ukraine.

In a survey published on Friday by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 50 per cent of respondents opposed ceding any territory in exchange for peace and a guarantee of independence, compared to 51 per cent in December, while 39 per cent were in favour.

(This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)

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The demonstrators were demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian Columbia University student held by US immigration authorities over his involvement in the pro-Palestinian protests at the university read more

At least 100 people were arrested after protesters, mostly progressive Jewish activists, barged into the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City on Thursday. The demonstrators were demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian Columbia University student held by US immigration authorities over his involvement in the pro-Palestinian protests at the university.

Chanted slogans included: Free Mahmoud, free them all and: Fight Nazis, not students. Others chanted, We will not comply, Mahmoud, we are on your side and Bring Mahmoud home now. More than 250 people involved in the protests wore red T-shirts bearing the message Jews say stop arming Israel. By the afternoon, protests were showing multiple police officers beginning to arrest the demonstrators.

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Trump Tower is US President Donald Trumps signature Fifth Avenue building, which is also seen as the Republican firebrands New York home. The group behind the demonstration was Jewish Voice for Peace, which describes itself as the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organisation in the world and has staged protests at New York landmarks, including Grand Central Station.

Happening now: demonstrators invade Trump Tower.and call for release of student pro-Palestinian organizer Mahmoud Khalil. pic.twitter.com/hlb1WEMvN8  Kristen Saloomey (@KSaloomey) March 13, 2025

Group condemns Khalils arrest

The progressive Jewish group released a statement over the matter, condemning Khalils arrest. The detention of Mahmoud is further proof that we are on the brink of a full takeover by a repressive, authoritarian regime."

As Jews of conscience, we know our history, and we know where this leads. Its on all of us to stand up now. Many of us are the descendants of people who resisted European fascism, and far too many of our ancestors lost their lives in that struggle. We call on the strength of our ancestors, and we call on our tradition, which teaches us we must never stand idly by.

Interestingly, actress Debra Winger also participated in the protests and was arrested by the authorities. While speaking to the Associated Press, she accused the Trump administration of having no interest in Jewish safety and co-opting antisemitism. Im just standing up for my rights, and Im standing up for Mahmoud Khalil, who has been abducted illegally and taken to an undisclosed location. Does that sound like America to you? she told the American news outlet.

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30-year-old Khalil was the lead organiser of the protests and encampment at Columbia University, which started soon after Israels military operation in Gaza. Having completed a masters degree, Khalil was due to graduate from Columbia in May. He is a green card holder and married to an American citizen, who is currently pregnant with his child.

He is now in custody in Louisiana, without charge but held under a rarely used immigration law provision that allows the US Secretary of State to approve the detention of anyone deemed a threat to US foreign policy. Meanwhile, Jewish Voice for Peace said descendants of Holocaust survivors were among the protesters as well.

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Sonya E Meyerson-Knox, director of communications for Jewish Voice for Peace, told NBC News: My grandmother lost her cousins in the Holocaust. I grew up on these stories. We know what happens when authoritarian regimes begin targeting people, begin abducting them at night, separating their families and scapegoating.

And we know that its one step from here to losing all right to protest and then further horrors happening, as we have seen too well in our history. Were calling on everyone to speak up today because, otherwise, we wont be able to tomorrow, she added.

With inputs from agencies.
The order, which Trump signed shortly after taking office in January, has been blocked by district judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington. It is currently suspended nationwide read more

Birthright citizenship guarantees that anyone born in the United States automatically acquires American citizenship. Reuters/File Photo/Representational Image

The Trump administration is urging the US Supreme Court to permit restrictions on birthright citizenship, even as legal challenges continue against President Donald Trumps efforts to curtail what has long been considered a constitutional guarantee.

In an emergency application filed on Thursday (March 13), the administration asked the court to allow officials to deny citizenship to children born in the US after 19 February if their parents are in the country illegally.

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The order, which Trump signed shortly after taking office in January, has been blocked by district judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington. It is currently suspended nationwide.

Birthright citizenship grants automatic US nationality to anyone born in the country, including children of undocumented immigrants. The principle was enshrined in the US Constitutions 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War.

Trump and his supporters have long argued that citizenship should be harder to obtain, with the president calling it a priceless and profound gift in his executive order. Legal experts, however, say the 14th Amendment makes it exceedingly difficult to overturn.

A long-standing target for Trump

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end birthright citizenship, calling it ridiculous and falsely claiming that the US is the only country in the world to offer it. In reality, dozens of nationsmostly in the Americasrecognise the right.

Opponents argue that ending birthright citizenship would have far-reaching consequences, forcing millions to prove their nationality and undermining Americas identity as a nation of immigrants.

Eliminating birthright citizenship could eventually place every single person in America in the precarious position of having to prove American citizenship, Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute, warned after Trumps order.

The Migration Policy Institute estimated in 2019 that 5.5 million children under 18 lived with at least one undocumented parentaccounting for 7% of all children in the US. The vast majority of them are US citizens.

The 14th Amendment and its limitations

Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

Yet throughout history, its protections have not always been universal. Native Americans, for example, were only granted birthright citizenship in 1924.

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Trump and other immigration hardliners argue that the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof allows the government to deny citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants. Legal scholars have overwhelmingly rejected that interpretation, pointing to Supreme Court rulings affirming birthright citizenship.

A battle over executive power

The Trump administrations appeal does not directly challenge the constitutional basis of birthright citizenship. Instead, it seeks to limit the power of individual federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions, a legal tool frequently used to block presidential orders.

The Justice Department argues that district courts should not have the authority to suspend policies on a national scale. Five conservative justices on the Supreme Court have previously expressed concerns about the widespread use of such injunctions, but the court has never issued a definitive ruling on the matter.

If the Supreme Court sides with the Trump administration, it could mark a major shift in how legal challenges against executive orders play outpotentially making it harder for courts to block controversial policies in the future.

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With inputs from AP
Under US President Donald Trumps plan for the post-war Gaza Strip, all Palestinians would be expelled and resettled in three African nations of Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, and the United States would take control of the strip read more

People walk amidst the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, February 24, 2025. File Image/AP

The United States and Israel have approached three east African countries for resettling Palestinians expelled under US President Donald Trumps plan for Gaza Strip, according to a report.

Under Trumps plan, the United States would take over Gaza once the war ends and would expel all Palestinians from the strip. Once under US occupation, Trump has said the region would be developed into the Riviera of the Middle East.

The Associated Press has reported that the United States and Israel have approached Sudan, Somalia, and Somalias breakaway region Somaliland to resettle expelled Palestinians in exchange for a host of incentives, including financial aid and recognition in case of Somaliland.

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Trumps plan, which has been endorsed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, essentially kills the two-state solution and the idea of Palestinian nationhood. The plan, which amounts to state-sponsored ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, has been rejected by the Arab world.

ALSO READ: Netanyahu has now joined Trump to kill 2-state solution, heres how his stand evolved over years

As Trump had said that Palestinians would be settled in beautiful places, the report puts that approach in question as Sudan and Somalia are both war-torn countries. Sudan has some of the worlds worst humanitarian crises in the midst of a yearslong civil war and Somalia has a severe terrorism problem.

US, Israel offer financial, security incentives

Despite all-round rejection in the Arab world, US and Israeli officials have confirmed contacts with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, according to AP.

Officials from Sudan told the news agency the country rejected the US proposal.

The agency reported that US and Israels outreach to these three countries began last month.

The report said that the United States has offered a variety of incentives, financial, diplomatic, and security, to woo the three countries to come on board.

As for Sudans response, an official said, This suggestion was immediately rebuffed. No one opened this matter again.

ALSO READ: Trumps Gaza plan may sound death knell to two-state solution, push West Asia closer to disaster

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Separately, Sudans military chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan at an Arab leaders summit last week in Egypt that his country categorically rejects any plan that aims to transfer the brotherly Palestinians from their land under whatever justification or name.

As for Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia of 3 million, a US official said that the United States was having a quiet conversation with Somaliland about a range of areas where they can be helpful to the US in exchange for recognition.

In the case of Somalia, an official said that the country had not been approached.
The deportation programme between US and Venezuela hit a roadblock last week, when Nicolas Maduro claimed the flights had been affected by the Trump administrations decision to revoke a key oil license read more

Venezuelans living in Colombia take part in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's disputed victory in Venezuela's presidential elections during a rally in Medellin, Colombia. Image used for representative purpose/AFP

The United States and Venezuela have agreed to restart deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants, senior officials from both countries confirmed on Thursday (March 13), following what appeared to be a temporary halt in the controversial repatriation programme launched last month.

Richard Grenell, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, announced on social media that flights would resume on Friday.

Hours later, Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez, who has led negotiations with the US on migration, sanctions, and other matters, issued a statement saying the deal would protect the rights of deported migrants.

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Grenell visited Caracas in late January for talks with President Nicolas Maduro, including discussions on migrant returns. Shortly after his visit, Venezuela released a group of detained Americans, and deportation flights began.

Venezuelans fleeing economic crisis

Venezuelans have made up a significant share of those seeking entry into the US in recent years, fleeing a prolonged economic and political crisis. But the deportation programme hit a roadblock last week, when Maduro claimed the flights had been affected by the Trump administrations decision to revoke a key oil license, which had allowed US-based Chevron to operate in Venezuela.

Washington justified the decision by pointing to the lack of progress on electoral reforms, as well as the apparent delay in returning migrants. The Maduro government, which had relied on the Chevron deal for crucial revenue, condemned the move as part of a broader economic war waged by the US through sanctions.

Maduro was declared the winner of last years disputed presidential election by Venezuelas electoral authority and top court.

However, the government never released detailed vote tallies from ballot boxes. The opposition later published its own figures, showing its candidate had won by a landslide, prompting the US and several other governments to dismiss the official results as fraudulent.

The resumption of deportation flights is likely to reignite criticism from human rights groups, who have warned that many returning migrants face persecution or economic destitution upon arrival in Venezuela.

With inputs from Reuters
A Philippine police general said that the 79-year-old refused to have his fingerprints taken after the arrest and even threatened Police Major General Nicolas Torre with lawsuits read more

Former President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, got involved in a 12-hour standoff with the countrys police, saying, You will have to kill me to bring me to The Hague. The whole saga played out shortly after he was arrested under the order of the International Criminal Court.

A Philippine police general said that the 79-year-old refused to have his fingerprints taken after the arrest and even threatened Police Major General Nicolas Torre with lawsuits, Sky News reported. The whole tussle unfolded before the former president was bundled onto a government-chartered jet at a Philippine air base and was taken to The Hague in the Netherlands.

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Duterte has been detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity. He was being investigated over his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during his war on drugs. He is currently placed at a courts detention centre near the Dutch North Sea coast after he underwent medical checks.

Duterte to make his first appearance at ICC

Duterte will be making his first appearance at the ICC on Friday. During his time in office, Duterte ran a brutal anti-crime crackdown and made several colourful outbursts, calling Pope Francis a son of a bi**h. He also garnered backlash for saying US President Barack Obama could go to hell.

His arrests have divided the opinions of human rights groups celebrating, and his supporters, blaming the government for surrendering a  key political rival to a court. The former Philippine premier was arrested on Tuesday after he arrived at Manilas international airport from Hong Kong with his partner, daughter and friends.

A heavy police guard escorted him to a nearby presidential lounge at a Philippine air base. According to The Associated Press, for 12 hours, Duterte and his family, lawyers and friends blocked him from being placed on a flight to The Hague. It was very tense, Maj Gen Torre told the news agency.

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One of my officers sustained a head injury after being hit hard with a cellphone by Dutertes partner and his daughter was cursing me with expletives, but I kept my cool, he added. Maj. Gen. Torre noted that the ex-president refused to undergo the police booking procedure. We wanted to have him fingerprinted, but he resisted, Maj Gen Torre said.

The Philippine general said that he had to arrest and handcuff the former presidents executive secretary to prevent Duterte from being moved to the plane. Meanwhile, Dutertes lawyers have alleged that Philippine authorities did not show any copy of the ICC arrest warrant and violated his constitutional rights.

It is pertinent to note that Duterte will be the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC. The Philippine police said that more than 6,200 people were killed in what they describe as shootouts while he was president from 2016 to 2022. Human rights groups and prosecutors of ICC allege that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed.

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With inputs from agencies.
by Mark Harvey

To tear something down is infinitely easier than building something of benefit or beauty. Constructing an elegant house that will last through the ages, can take years. From a dream, to design, to approvals, to construction means gobs of money, skilled designers, and dedicated builders. When you see that handsome house perched just so on a hill, with its cedar siding, cased windows, and tidy balconies, know that dozens of men and women labored and strove to get it just righthundreds of mornings planning, sawing, hammering, painting, plumbing and polishing.

But give me a forty-ton excavator and a couple of dump trucks, and I will demolish that house and clear the site in one day. To a person of evil intent and ill mind, tearing down so much effort in so little time will be a thrill.

Thats what makes vandalism so attractive to people with festering resentments. Destroying something precious to someone else in the dark of the night is the sort of sugar rush that thrills degenerates.

When the richest man in the world takes hammer and tongs to our government and delights in tearing down agencies central to our economy, farms, public health, environment, and foreign policywhen a man-child of his accidental consequence recklessly fires thousands of public employees without knowing the first thing about government, its time for anyone who does love this country to stand up and call out a flat NO!

Watching Elon Musk with his strange gothic uniforms of black jackets, t-shirts and ball caps, and reading his inane tweets sprinkled with juvenile humor, brings to mind a deeply insecure adolescent. And yet, that puffed-up adolescent is tearing apart the lives of thousands of Americans directly, and millions of people worldwide as a consequence.

Some Americans assume that because Musk is good at piling up money, he must be smart at governing. Sociologists have a few terms for that assumption: the Halo Effect or Domain Specific Overconfidence. We see it throughout American life: the ex-athlete who assumes he would naturally be a good senator or the celebrity with no science degree weighing in on virology. And its a hard notion to shake.

Ive never been a Musk fan, but I had assumed he had read something of world history and the formation of American institutions. Watching him operate and listening to his declarations about how government should work, I seriously doubt that hes ever read The Federalist Papers, knows a thing about the causes of The Great Depression, or has read anything substantive about Pax Americana and The Western Alliance. Its sobering to consider that depth of ignorance in someone given so much power.

Of course the greatest vandal and the man allowing Musk to run rampant is President Trump. Whats to be written about the ignorance and recklessness of Trump that hasnt already been written? That he opened up a California water reservoir to help with the fires in Los Angeleswhen the water from that reservoir had no conveyance to get anywhere near Los Angeles? That the billions of gallons of water released will be sorely needed by farmers in the Central Valley this summer?

Is it possible that the President of the United States has so little understanding of the electric grid and renewable energy that he believes a setting sun or a dying wind would kill the power to our televisions and refrigerators?

Is it possible that the President never read about the Smoot-Hawley tariffs and the role they played in aggravating The Great Depression?

It feels like we have entered a dystopian world in just the seven weeks since Trump took office. One reaches for the dystopian literature to understand whats happening and some of the classics1984, Brave New World, The Trialdont capture the bizarre era as well as some obscure novels rarely discussed. Take The Sheep Look Up, a book written by John Brunner in 1972. In the science fiction novel, the earth has been so decimated with pollution and abuse that the water is largely undrinkable, the air too toxic to breathe, and the beaches of the world strewn with garbage. The President, called Prexy, has no solutions, just cute sound bites. As the world deteriorates to the point of collapse, he blames everything on communist rebels from Honduras. Sound familiar.

It would be one thing if Trump had a carefully thought-out plan to reduce government spending and reduce any corruption. But he is powered only by a thirst for vengeance and a need to destroy. His efforts to tear apart Bidens Infrastructure Bill will hurt farmers in the reddest states and professors driving EV cars in the bluest states. Yes, his (and Musks) dismantling of USAID initially thrilled the MAGATS (most of whom know nothing about USAID). Then they learned that USAID was a major customer of grain-belt farmers, buying a million metric tons of commodities like wheat, rice, sorghum, and chickpeas every year. Thats a few billion dollars that states like Nebraska and Kansas wont see anymore.

Then theres the firing of so many men and women who manage public lands. As of this writing, 3,000 people have been fired from The Forest Service and 2,000 people have been fired from The Department of the Interior. I live near the White River National Forest and I know that it was understaffed before the firings. The Forest Service heavily relies on volunteers to patrol trails and campsites because they dont have enough paid staff to do it. The BLM and Park Service never have sufficient staff to manage the millions of acres under their control. The National Park Service contributes about $55 BB to the US economy every year, so the savings of a few million dollars in salaries and what will consequently result in summer chaos is whats called bad business.

The list goes on. Its shocking. Its discouraging. Its disgusting.

Always tempting to throw out some tepid suggestions like, Call your senator or Sign a Petition. But the usual forms of protest seem quaint with whats going on in todays world. And I may be too optimisticI often ambut it seems like there is a groundswell of opposition and anger to the wholesale vandalism of our countrys institutions and the world order.

There are raucous townhall meetings in the reddest states where congresspeople are shouted into silence after giving craven speeches supporting Musk and Trump. There are protests organized overnight in our greatest cities supporting Zelenski and Ukraines fight to survive the senseless invasion by Russia.

Most hopeful of all, perhaps, are the European nations, along with Canada, demonstrating a united front in support of some of the principles many of us still value: the sovereignty of free nations, trust in good science, a free press, and protection of the environment.

Watching those still sane nations meet in plenary forums can give an American conflicting emotions: the hope that they are strong enough to lead the world out of this dystopia; and a melancholy feeling that we are no longer a member of that group. It seems like a long time ago, but we were once the nation that beat the Nazis, helped rebuild Europe, eradicated polio, and wrote the Magna Carta of environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act.

In a recent speech observing the third anniversary of the Ukraine-Russia War, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen demonstrated a quality of leadership so badly needed in this country. She expressed Denmarks admiration for Volodymyr Zelenskys courage in defending Ukraine and its repulsion for Putins aggression. The contrast of her moral clarity to our craven president abandoning seventy years of supporting the Western Alliance couldnt be starker.

In her speech she said something that we have to believe if were to get through this dreadful time. She said, The best thing about heroes is that they always win at the end. And if they arent winning, then its not the end. Were not winning yet, and if we are to win, it will take the same sort of determination and courage shown by the prime minister of Denmark and the leader of Ukraine. If were to stop the complete vandalism of our nation by the reckless men and women who dont care a wit about anyone besides themselves, well need to be lion-hearted in our dissent, heroes in fighting for our land.
DBG was also talking about the possibility of a 10" deck version down the road which would be great...imo think even a 9.750"or 9.850" deck like the 351 rpm/avg block would be plenty tall for max ci...im looking to do another 451ci square eng... > 451CI SuperMaxx

I also noticed there are a few different versions of both 351 blocks being cast now offered by different foundriesalso just found these$2050 usdreally wish these 351c blocks would of been cast with a 9.550" deck

Oh yeah! That`s what I`m talkin` about.I was just reading about this in Racerpages. It`s sure to be a winner!

Seems like the Cleveland aftermarket is catching up with the Windsor. Finally people are seeing the light. -Johnboy
The announcement that white nationalist Jared Taylor would speak at Colorado Mesa University later this month immediately sparked campus-wide and community-wide debate over free speech.

Among the responses has been the organization of a protest event for CMU students and faculty taking place at the same time as Taylors event.

CMU Student Body President Leilani Domingo said that students have organized an event called the Mav Unity Party Celebrating Diverse Community, taking place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 27.

Domingo told The Daily Sentinel that the event will take place in the school plaza and surrounding areas, hopeful that it will be a campus-wide event. She plans for the event to include food trucks, inflatable houses and even a mechanical bull.

Our values  love, dignity, courage, humility, resiliency, curiosity, power  drive me in all of my actions throughout the day and many students on our campus, Domingo said. I truly think putting on an event that represents our values is super important, especially in times like this.

Taylor was invited to speak March 27 by the CMU Western Culture Club, a student organization.

WHO IS JARED TAYLOR

Taylor does not self-identify as a white supremacist, but many of his publicly held views  often espoused through his American Renaissance magazine and website  align with white supremacy, as one of the cornerstones of his work is the belief that intellect and value is directly tied to race.

His statements include saying that western civilization disappears when blacks are left entirely to their own devices, said Black people and Hispanics are more likely to be illiterate and have AIDS, which makes their presence in America a disadvantage, and said that more Black people than white people are psychopathic.

Taylors magazine also frequently promotes eugenics, the practice of selective breeding to improve genetics.

While Taylor does not call himself a white supremacist, watchdog groups and even his own Wikipedia page reference Taylor as one.

TAYLOR, CMU ALREADY CLASHING

Ahead of the event as well as the all-day protest, tempers are already flaring, as Taylor has clashed with CMU President John Marshall over email, prompting a reply from Domingo on students behalf.

After the event was announced, Marshall sent an email to students, saying he would not attend Taylors event, saying Taylors values are at odds with our campus values and describing Taylors views as abhorrent and filled with vileness. He referred to Taylors ideas as denigrating human beings.

Marshall referenced CMUs self-applied identity as a Human Scale University, which he defines as a model of the world we want to create.

Taylor took offense to Marshalls statement in an email he sent to Marshall and others on March 10.

I am sorry to learn that you think my views are abhorrent and vile. You write that you will be there to peacefully and respectfully demonstrate our values, but that you will not attend my talk. You encourage students to attend, and to take the opportunity of your life ... to carefully deconstruct [my] dehumanizing ideas, Taylor wrote.

As architect of the Human Scale University, would it not be appropriate for you to take the lead in defeating my bad ideas? One of the defining values of a Human Scale University that you promote is courage. I invite you to take the stage after my talk and explain why I am wrong.

Domingo replied:

President Marshall need not reply because he has already accepted a better invitation to attend a better event focused on love, dignity and TRUE courage. An event that, by the way, we will be hosting and will occur at the same time as yours. You dont defeat ignorant, hateful ideas by sharing a room with them; we WILL defeat them by showing them what our campus, community, and the world can do when we unite.

Taylor responded, expressing frustration that Marshall has agreed to take part in the students event designed to draw students away from my talk. He said Marshall and Domingos plan is the exact opposite of an education by deliberately trying to keep your fellow students ignorant.
Nathan graduated with his journalism degree from Auburn University in 2017. After growing up in the flatlands of rural Alabama with his parents and older sister, Nathan enjoys Western Colorado's natural resources and recreational opportunities. He currently covers education and business for The Daily Sentinel.
More Military Training, Less Bureaucracy - Poland Ramps Up National Security

Republic of Poland - The Chancellery of the Prime Minister

11.03.2025

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced an increase in the number of trained volunteers and new mechanisms to support national security. The government is working on expanding the voluntary military training program so that by 2027, 100,000 volunteers can participate annually. The Prime Minister also informed about the acceleration of work on a special law that will streamline the construction of military fortifications and investments in the defense industry. During today's meeting, the Council of Ministers also adopted the first deregulation bill, which includes nearly 40 changes to facilitate business operations in Poland.

Publicly Accessible Military Training

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the expansion of the voluntary military training program, making it widely available. This follows the initiative he previously announced in the Sejm. Currently, basic military training lasts one month, ending with a military oath, and participants receive a salary of 6,000 PLN.

The program aims to increase the availability of training spots and introduce new incentives for volunteers so that everyone interested can participate. The goal is that by 2026, every willing volunteer can undergo training, and by 2027, the number of trained individuals reaches 100,000 per year.

"These voluntary military training sessions should be as widely accessible as possible. This is a task we must focus on. There is no shortage of people willing to serve the Homeland. We must significantly increase the state's capacity to allow all interested individuals to participate in such training," Donald Tusk said before the Cabinet meeting.

The training will include both basic military preparation and specialized courses tailored to different social and professional groups. Particular emphasis will be placed on modern technologies and skills related to civil defense.

"The war in Ukraine has made it clear - there is a need for a whole range of specialists. This applies primarily to the most advanced technologies, but also to local threats, where more civil defense specialists are needed," the Prime Minister said.

The government also plans additional incentives, such as allowing participants to obtain a professional driving license, including for heavy vehicles. This could be useful not only in wartime but also in the professional lives of those who undergo such training. The Prime Minister also announced that every person aged 18 to 60 will receive detailed information on how to participate in the training.

"Beyond the professional army and beyond the Territorial Defense Forces (WOT), we must build, in effect, an army of reservists, and this is what our actions will support," the Prime Minister stressed.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that these training programs must be developed in cooperation with allies, drawing on the combat experience of the Ukrainian army. The training will also leverage the knowledge and skills of Polish veterans.

"We constantly talk about excellent soldiers who have completed their service - for example, from GROM or the commandos from Lubliniec. We will use their knowledge and skills to create a center that someone has tentatively named 'Second Mission.' They will be invaluable in these training programs," stated the Prime Minister.

Donald Tusk assured the full commitment of the government to implementing the military training program, including increasing participant limits and securing proper funding.

Deregulation for Defense and Business - Faster Investments, Less Bureaucracy

The new special law will shorten the investment process by eliminating bureaucratic barriers to constructing military fortifications. The new regulations will simplify investment procedures in the defense sector, including for the construction of the "Eastern Shield" defense system.

"The military is waiting for this special law, just as we are waiting for the day when soldiers say: finally, 100% of the state is responding to the needs of the army and defense investments," Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

During today's meeting, the Council of Ministers also adopted the first bill from the deregulation package, aimed at easing business operations for small and medium-sized enterprises. One example of the changes is reducing the duration of planned inspections in companies from 12 to 6 days.

The Ministry of Development and Technology has prepared nearly 40 changes to relieve entrepreneurs and improve business conditions. The Prime Minister also announced that on March 24, a meeting will be held with interested groups to summarize the first phase of the government's deregulation efforts.

A Strong Poland in Europe and the World

Poland continues to strengthen its international position, ensuring independence and stability amid global tensions. The security of our region must be based on cooperation with allies in NATO and the European Union. At the same time, while building its strong international position, Poland must maintain its independence.

"We are an independent state that makes its own decisions. Dignity is an essential part of every nation's life. [...] I want to remind everyone that while protecting the dignity of the Polish state and our national interests, we should always act with common sense, moderation, and avoid seeking conflicts in the international arena" the Prime Minister emphasized.

Regarding international policy, the Prime Minister recalled upcoming key visits. Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz will travel to Paris on March 12 for a meeting of defense ministers, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk will visit Turkey for talks with President Recep Erdogan. The main topics of discussion will be security and ensuring peace in our region.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all those involved in strengthening Poland's security, emphasizing that their work contributes to building a strong and resilient state.

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Armenia/Azerbaijan: Speech by Commissioner for Housing and Energy, Dan Jrgensen, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP plenary

European External Action Service (EEAS)

12.03.2025

Strasbourg

EEAS Press Team

President, Honourable Members,

Like this House, the Commission is following the trials against the sixteen Karabakh Armenian defendants that are taking place at the Baku Military Court since 17 January of this year.

We are aware that human rights organisations have expressed concerns over the fairness of the trials and treatment of the accused. Many of you have expressed similar concerns here today. We take these concerns very seriously and are closely following the developments. The right to a fair trial must be ensured and respected. The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus is also closely following related issues and relaying our concerns to the authorities in Baku.

Our relationship with Azerbaijan is founded on principles both sides have committed themselves to - first and foremost the respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The European Union will therefore continue to call on the government of Azerbaijan to abide by its international obligations, which include the right to due process and a fair trial. We will use every opportunity to urge Azerbaijan to ensure dignified and safe conditions for detainees. The reports of torture and ill-treatment should be promptly and impartially investigated.

The trials of Baku Military Court touch on the much larger question of achieving lasting and sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Caucasus.

We therefore continue to call on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to build on their achievements and to continue making progress on their path towards full normalisation of relations. It is important that the governments of both countries take their societies along on this path. The European Union will continue to support this process with all the tools at our disposal: we stand ready to help the parties in their dialogue aimed at achieving lasting and sustainable peace.

Honourable Members,

I am grateful for this House's persistence in drawing attention to the situation in Azerbaijan and the wider region. It is an expression of our shared commitment to human rights and the rule of law as guiding principles in our engagement with Azerbaijan and other partners around the world.

Thank you.

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Poland and Turkey Strengthen Cooperation for Peace and Security

Republic of Poland - The Chancellery of the Prime Minister

12.03.2025

Poland is launching a diplomatic offensive to strengthen security and stability in the region. On the 26th anniversary of Poland's accession to NATO, Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled to Ankara for a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, allied cooperation within NATO, and bilateral relations, focusing primarily on economic and security matters.

Polish-Turkish Relations

Poland and Turkey share a common history and over 600 years of diplomatic traditions. Both nations also have similar symbols of struggle for sovereignty, independence, and a strong position in the world.

"Today, we confirmed that Polish-Turkish friendship and close cooperation in defense, economy, and resolving geopolitical dilemmas have very strong and lasting foundations," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a joint statement with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He also emphasized that his long-standing friendship and mutual trust with the Turkish President play a crucial role in geopolitics.

"We have built this trust over the course of several years of cooperation. Today, it is worth utilizing it, as trust is a priceless asset in politics when nations and leaders who have never let each other down can work together," the Polish Prime Minister stated.

President Erdogan also highlighted the traditionally strong ties between Poland and Turkey.

"Rooted in over 600 years of tradition, we are now allied and strategic partners, able to openly discuss any issue," emphasized the Turkish President.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his plans to visit Poland in April.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk thanked the Turkish President for a valuable and symbolic gifta letter from Poland to the Grand Vizier from 1745, finalizing peace efforts in Europe between Poland and Turkey.

Breakthrough in US-Ukraine Talks

Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Erdogan commented on yesterday's U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia and the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

"We view the initial outcome of the meeting as a clear success. We are both pleased that both the American and Ukrainian sides have expressed full satisfaction with these first steps," stated the Polish Prime Minister.

The only remaining question is Russia's response. The world awaits Moscow's decision on whether it is ready to seriously consider the ceasefire offer and engage in peace talks.

"I have also made a clear proposal to President Erdogan that Turkey take on as much responsibility as possible for the peace process, ensuring stability and security in our region," said Donald Tusk.

President Erdogan reminded that Turkey and Poland command the two largest land forces in NATO and Europe. They are also key allies on the alliance's eastern and southern flanks.

"Our countries hold an irreplaceable place in building Europe's security network. Together with my friend Donald Tusk, we also assessed the future of the continent's security," the Turkish President stressed.

Like Poland, Turkey wants a ceasefire and a just peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is also ready to host peace negotiations and provide any necessary assistance.

Polish-Turkish Cooperation

Poland and Turkey are dynamically developing economic cooperation. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $12 billion, with both sides aiming for further growth.

"Today, our Ministers of Finance confirmed that we have the ability to quickly reach a trade volume of $15 billion [...]. We will get there, we will achieve it," assured the Polish Prime Minister.

Poland and Turkey are also prepared to collaborate in defense, the defense industry, and security. Both countries will also work towards the swift reconstruction of Syria.

"We also have ambitions to cooperate on important civilizational projects, such as the construction of high-speed railways. We are ready to exchange experiences and work intensively in this area," said Donald Tusk.

President Erdogan also expressed readiness for economic cooperation.

"Poland is one of the key markets for our construction sector. The growing number of projects undertaken by our companies is very encouraging," emphasized the Turkish President.

Polish-Turkish economic cooperation will bring benefits to both nations.

Poland's Diplomatic Offensive

Prime Minister Donald Tusk's visit to Turkey is not the only diplomatic initiative undertaken by Poland in response to the rapidly changing international situation. Alongside EU and NATO partners, Poland is working to establish a common framework that will ensure Europe's and the world's security.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz is meeting today in Paris with defense ministers from Europe's largest countriesFrance, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski spoke this morning with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybih, who participated in the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia regarding an end to the Russian invasion. The Polish foreign minister also met with ambassadors of the EU's "Big Five" countries.

Before departing for Turkey, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized Poland's key role in stabilizing the region and strengthening alliances. He also called on the opposition to act responsibly and show solidarity in the face of international challenges.

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Talks in Paris on European security, Ukraine and developing the defence industry

Poland - Ministry of National Defence

12.03.2025

- We in Poland recognize three lines of action, and I am pleased to hear that they are shared among us. To keep Russia as far away from here as possible. As far away from our countries as possible. That means supporting Ukraine, and we all agree on that. Wedeclare our continued support for Ukraine when it is fighting, and when the desired, just peace arrives. The second line is building trans-atlantic relationships. We are willing and ready, and confirm our strategic trans-atlantic partnership. The third line is building a strong Europe. This is what we have focused on today. Not just the military strength of Europe, but the strength of its infrastructure related to arms production - deputy prime minister W. Kosiniak - Kamysz said in Paris.

On Wednesday, 12 March, the deputy prime minister - minister of national defence took part in Paris in a meeting of the Group of 5 defence ministers - together with the ministersfrom France, Germany, Italy and Great Britain, and invited guests: the defence minister of Ukraine and NATO and EU representatives.

- Europe, understood as the European community, activates for the first time a programme of building a strong industrial base, investing in the defence industry, arms production. It considers defence spending a priority, as the resolution of the European Parliament that was passed today confirms, pointing to key defence projects like Eastern Shield or Baltic Defence Line. It loosens the financial restrictions that made it impossible for some states to invest in defence. Defence expenditures will not be part of the deficit. These are the intentions that we welcome as ministers of defence, that we have been talking about for a long time, that have been raised many times in the E5 format. (...) 500 million Europeans deserves the strength that will bring peace to Ukraine. This is our serious commitment

- said the minister of defence.

The meeting of the defence ministers concerned the current security situation in Europe. Among the issues were increasing the interoperability of European militaries and cooperation of defence industries, rearming Europe and continuing efforts towards achieving a just peace that ends the war in Ukraine started by Russia.

- We need to act together when it comes to the mobility of our militaries. We need simplicity in decision-making and courage in our parliaments to meet the historic expectations of defence spending, operational capabilities, the strength of our troops, resilience of our communities. Today we have devoted much time in our talks to cybersecurity and investing in new technologies. I support common European developing of capabilities to build artificial intelligence (...) Citizens of Europe are counting on our cooperation. Everyone can play their own role. Everyone will have a part in this proces that I believe will result in a peaceful, just solution for Ukraine, for all of Europe. But peace will always need our strength, the strength of deterrence and defence. Our five countries are so strongly united, so strongly cooperating and their defence ministers, together with the five largest European armies, are determined to see this through and will do everything to ensure stability, security and peace in our homelands, in Europe and the world

- the defence minister noted.

During the meeting, the ministers have also discussed defence spending and lessons learned for European defence stemming from the war in Ukraine. The minister salso talked about joint venture initiatives - European-Ukrainian, using Ukraine's experiences, including their drone expertise. The role and objectives of the logistical hub in Jasionka were also on the agenda, as was strengthening the eastern flank of NATO, including developing infrastructure for allied troops.

The meeting in Paris follows discussions held in Warsaw, Berlin and Brussels.

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B-52s conduct first live weapons drop in Sweden since nation joined NATO

The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden's accession to NATO.

By USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs , U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Ramstein Air Base, Germany Mar 13, 2025

On March 11, two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses participating in Bomber Task Force Mission VIKING NEBULA conducted the first live weapons drop in Sweden since the nation joined NATO.

During the mission, the aircraft were escorted by two Swedish JAS 39 Gripens to the Vidsel Test Range, where they released GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions. Ground support was provided by U.S. and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. The mission reinforced coordination between air and ground units, refining precision strike capabilities in a new, complex training environment.

The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden's accession to NATO.

The B-52s and aircrew are currently deployed with the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, where they continue to execute operations alongside NATO Allies and partners across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, bolstering collective lethality and improving integration.

VIKING NEBULA marks the eleventh operation completed during this BTF iteration.

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Iran condemns Israel's blockade on Gaza, calls it 'crime against humanity'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has strongly condemned Israel's move to block food supplies and cut electricity to the Gaza Strip, calling it a "crime against humanity" and part of an ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday that the Israeli regime's actions, aimed at imposing famine and starvation on Gaza's population, constitute blatant violations of international humanitarian law.

Baqaei also censured Israel's repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and called on the United Nations Security Council and other international bodies to break their silence and hold the occupying regime accountable.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to the besieged Gaza Strip on Sunday after rejecting calls for negotiations with Hamas on the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.

On Tuesday, Hamas warned of an impending famine in Gaza due to Israel's continued blockade of aid for the 10th consecutive day.

The closure of crossings and the restriction of essential supplies have exacerbated the suffering of over two million Palestinians in Gaza, with food prices soaring and medical supplies running critically low, it said.

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Remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump at the White House

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

13 Mar. 2025

First of all, thank you so much, Mr President, dear Donald again for hosting me and also for taking time in Florida a couple of weeks after you were re-elected. And of course, our phone call a couple of weeks ago.

And I must say, Trump 45 you basically, you originated the fact that in Europe, we're now spending, when you take it to aggregate 700 billion more on defence than when you came in office in 26 and 27 [2016 and 2017]. But that was Trump 45. But then when you look at Trump 47 what happened the last couple of weeks is really staggering. The Europeans committing to a package of 800 billion defence spending. The Germans now potentially up to half a trillion extra in defence spending. And then, of course, you have Keir Starmer here - the British Prime Minister - and others all committing to much higher defence spending. They're not there. We need to do more. But I really want to work together with you in the run up to the Hague Summit to make sure that we will have a NATO which is really reinvigorated under your leadership, and we are getting there.

We'll also discuss defence production, because we need to produce more weaponry. We are not doing enough, and not in the US, not in Europe, and we are lagging behind when you compare to the Russians and the Chinese, and you have a huge defence industrial base. Europeans buying four times more here than the other way around, which is good, because you have a strong defence industry, but we need to do more there to make sure that we ramp up the production and kill the red tape. So I would love to work with you on that.

And finally, Ukraine. You broke the deadlock, as you said - all the killing, the young people dying, cities getting destroyed. The fact that you did that, that you started the dialogue with the Russians and the successful talks in Saudi Arabia, now with the Ukrainians, I really want to commend you for this. So, well, The Hague is my hometown. I'd love to host you there in the summer and work together to make sure that it will be a splash. A real success - projecting American power on the world stage.

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Hamas and Islamic Jihad delegations discuss ceasefire implementation in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 11:49 PM

A delegation from the leadership of Hamas has met with a delegation from the Islamic Jihad Movement in the Qatari capital, Doha, and discussed the progress of implementing the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime.

The Hamas delegation was headed by Mohammed Darwish, Chairman of the Leadership Council, the Islamic Jihad Movement delegation included the resistance fighter Ziyad Al-Nakhaleh and his deputy, Dr. Mohammed Al-Hindi. They met on Thursday in Doha, according to a statement issued by Hamas.

The attendees reflected on the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, their sacrifices, and their resilience, and recalled the martyred leaders who sacrificed their lives in this battle and the bravery of the resistance in confronting the occupation and its crimes, the statement said.

"The two delegations discussed the progress of implementing the ceasefire agreement, the occupation's repeated violations, and the meetings held over the past two days to resume negotiations," it said.

The attendees emphasized the necessity of full adherence to the terms of the ceasefire and its various stages, particularly the withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, the opening of the crossings, the implementation of the humanitarian protocol, the entry of all essential supplies into Gaza, and the initiation of the second phase of the agreement without any restrictions or conditions, according to the statement.

They reaffirmed the resistance's commitment to faithfully implementing what was agreed upon in the ceasefire and its full readiness to complete this implementation.

The resistance leaders condemned the crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Al-Quds and the occupied West Bank.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The regime has killed at least 48,515 Palestinians there.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

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UN rapporteur: Israel engaged in 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 8:32 PM

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory says what is happening in the West Bank is the "litmus test" of the Israeli regime's ethnic cleansing campaign against Palestinians.

Referring to the displacement of 40,000 Palestinians in a single month, Francesca Albanese told journalists Thursday that forced displacement has been a constant in occupied Palestine since the Nakba.

"Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced. More than 350,000 were displaced in 1967, and Israel destroyed everything they left behind, preventing their return," she said.

"Genocidal violence has been happening since before October 7, 2023."

Albanese said the ethnic cleansing occurring in Palestine "should be on the front pages of newspapers," adding "the fact that it isn't reflects their racist bias."

She disclosed her communications with journalists regarding the matter, saying that truth and accuracy are "missing" from coverage of the occupied Palestinian territory.

"I have spoken to journalists who have been told not to mention genocide and what is going on."

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, the UN official also pointed a finger at Arab countries, expressing her surprise at their limited ability to mitigate the ongoing atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Moreover, she accused some Arab countries of conspiring against the Palestinians.

Albanese urged Arabs to unite in defense of the Palestinians rather than just talking about the reconstruction of Gaza, even as "genocide is continuing."

The UN envoy said the entire world knows the Israeli regime is currently repeating in the West Bank what it has done in Gaza and that it wants all Palestinians to leave their land, while Arab countries and the international community do nothing.

"How many warnings does the international community need to receive?" she asked.

She also condemned Israel restrictions during Ramadan, saying there is no justification for banning Palestinians under the age of 55 from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Albanese applauded South Africa, Spain, and Namibia for taking responsive measures against Israeli crimes.

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'Nobody is expelling any Palestinians': Trump walks back on plot to ethnically cleanse Gaza after backlash

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:49 AM

In his latest statement about the war in Gaza, US President Donald Trump seems to back down on his previous plan to forcibly relocate the population of the Gaza Strip, claiming, "Nobody is expelling any Palestinians."

The statement was made in response to a reporter's question about the ethnic cleansing plan during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Wednesday.

It was embraced by Hamas, with the resistance group's spokesman Hazem Qassem stating, "If President Trump's statements represent a reversal of the plan of displacing the people of Gaza, they are welcomed."

"We call for this stance to be followed by holding the occupation accountable for implementing all ceasefire agreements," Qassem added.

Trump first unveiled his plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza of its native population in February.

Under the plan, the people of Gaza will be forcibly relocated to Jordan and Egypt, regardless of the consent of either the Palestinians or the governments of Jordan and Egypt.

Since the beginning of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, many Israeli officials have also been calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, including ministers of the current Israeli administration.

Most recently, Israeli Minister Idit Silman reiterated calls for expelling the people of Gaza in an interview on Tuesday, stating the "only solution for the Gaza Strip is to remove its Palestinian population."

The plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza has been widely condemned by human rights groups and governments around the world, including even some of Israel's allies such as Germany.



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Iran blasts Israel's move to halt food, aid deliveries to Gaza as 'crime against humanity'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 6:53 AM

Iran has denounced the Israeli regime's move to stop aid deliveries and cut off electricity supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip as an example of crime against humanity.

In a statement on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Israel's blockade of food and aid deliveries to Gaza is in line with the regime's policy of imposing famine and hunger on the oppressed people of Palestine, which amounts to "crime against humanity and a continuation of genocide."

He criticized Israel for repeatedly violating its obligations and the ceasefire agreement it reached with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

He emphasized that all governments shoulder a shared, collective responsibility to "stop the blatant violation of international humanitarian law."

The Iranian spokesperson urged the United Nations Security Council and other responsible international bodies to end their inaction in the face of the occupying regime's crimes and the continuation of its genocidal war in Gaza.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza on Sunday, in the latest move to tighten a stifling blockade on the Palestinian territory despite a ceasefire and captive/prisoner exchange agreement.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), warned on Monday that the situation in Gaza is "deteriorating very, very quickly."

He said another hunger crisis will threaten the survival of two million Palestinians living in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip if Israel continues blocking the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The regime has killed at least 48,515 Palestinians there so far.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.





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Hamas hails Yemen's resumption of retaliatory operation against Israeli ships

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 6:45 AM

The Hamas resistance movement has praised Yemen for resuming its maritime operation against Israeli vessels, saying the move shows the nation's "genuine commitment" to continue supporting Palestine.

Hamas made the announcement on Wednesday, a day after the Yemeni Armed Forces said they would resume a ban on Israeli ships blocking their crossing waters off the Arab country's coastline following the expiration of a deadline for the occupying regime to reopen aid crossings into the war-wrecked Gaza Strip.

The measure "reflects the authentic stance of the Yemeni people and their leadership. It also demonstrates their genuine commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their resistance, while exerting real pressure to break the unjust siege on Gaza," the Palestinian resistance group said in a statement.

It also called on regional nations and the world's freedom-seeking people to "pressure the Zionist occupation and its supporters, until the aggression ends, the siege on Gaza is lifted, and humanitarian aid reaches our besieged people."

The Yemeni Armed Forces began targeting ships heading to or departing ports in the occupied territories, or those linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea in November 2023.

The campaign came a month after Israel waged a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip following a historic Hamas operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Yemen halted its attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians in January, when Israel accepted Hamas's longstanding negotiation terms under a three-phase Gaza ceasefire.

Later, Israel refused to move forward to the second stage of the truce and blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza in violation of international law.

On March 7, Yemen gave Israel four days to open Gaza's crossings and let humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. The deadline passed on March 11, and Yemeni forces announced the resumption of their naval campaign against Israeli ships.





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Cambodian defense ministry defends appointment of navy commander

New commander Tea Sokha is son of US-sanctioned Gen. Tea Vinh and cousin of defense minister

By RFA Staff 2025.03.13 -- Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense has dismissed suggestions of nepotism in the appointment of new navy commander, Tea Sokha, insisting it is in compliance with the kingdom's law.

Tea Sokha is the only son of former navy commander Tea Vinh, who he succeeded after being appointed in February at the request of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

"There have recently been some posts on social media that have caused confusion regarding the appointment of Vice Admiral Tea Sokha as commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy," the ministry said in a statement.

After Tea Sokha was appointed last month, there was online criticism that his promotion was a case of nepotism but the ministry strongly denied that.

It said that Article 23 of the Law on the Organization and Conduct of the Council of Ministers dated June 28, 2018, stipulates that the prime minister is entitled to propose to the king to "appoint, change and terminate the duties by Royal Decree" of senior civil and military officers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and National Police officers including the navy commander.

"The appointment of Vice Adm. Tea Sokha ... is in total accordance with the law, there is nothing wrong with it," it said.

As the new navy commander, Tea Sokha has been seen attending international events and on Feb. 22, conducted an inspection at the China-developed Ream naval base in Sihanoukville, southwest Cambodia.

His father, four-star general Tea Vinh, left the commander's post in early February to become a Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense.

Father on U.S. sanction list

Tea Vinh, 73, is the younger brother of former defense minister Tea Banh, whose own son, Tea Seiha, is now defense minister.

In 2021, as the commander of the navy, Tea Vinh and Chau Phirun, the director general of the defense ministry's material and technical services department, were placed on a sanction list by the U.S. Treasury for "significant corruption."

The Treasury said that the two, and other Cambodian government officials, "likely conspired to inflate the cost of facilities at Ream naval base and personally benefit from the proceeds."

Being on the list means all their properties and interests in properties that are in the United States are blocked and they, as well as their immediate family members are subject to U.S. visa restrictions.

The Cambodian government dismissed the U.S. accusation as a groundless smear campaign.

In the same year, then-U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman expressed concern about China's construction of new facilities at Ream to Cambodia's leader Hun Sen.

U.S.-Cambodia relations were strained over the past decade amid allegations of corruption, human rights abuse and repression of political opposition, as well as Phnom Penh's close ties with China, but it has recently shown some signs of improvement after West Point-educated Hun Manet, the eldest son of Hun Sen, became prime minister.

A U.S. warship visited Sihanoukville last December - the first in eight years - and the Cambodian military is reportedly seeking to renew the Angkor Sentinel joint drills with the U.S. which Phnom Penh cancelled in 2017.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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What's next for Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court?

The ICC website lists procedures covering trials, appeals and enforcement of guilty sentences.

By John Bechtel for BenarNews 2025.03.13 -- Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday, about 24 hours after Filipino authorities dispatched him there on a warrant from the International Criminal Court to face a murder charge linked to his past deadly crackdown on drugs.

Prosecutors had sought three charges against Duterte - murder, torture and rape as crimes against humanity - but a three-judge ICC chamber ruled there was insufficient evidence for the torture and rape allegations, according to the warrant.

While the Philippine government claims at least 6,800 were killed in the counter-narcotics campaign carried out by the Duterte administration (2016-22), activists allege that thousands more were victims.

The ICC warrant homes in on 19 killings during Duterte's term as mayor of southern Davao city and 24 when he served as president.

"Taking into account the totality of the information before it, the Chamber finds reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte is individually responsible for the crime against humanity of murder," said the warrant dated March 7 and signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc and judges Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera.

Shortly after Duterte's flight left Manila, the ICC responded to a BenarNews request for information about what Duterte would face before the world court based in The Hague.

"Once a suspect is in ICC custody, an initial appearance hearing will be scheduled. Further information will be communicated in due course," it said in a statement.

Outlining what is next in the case, the ICC explains on its website how the pre-trial, trial and appeals stages of prosecutions work along with how enforcement of a conviction would be handled, should Duterte be found guilty.

Pre-trial: During the initial appearance, the three-judge panel will confirm the suspect's identity (in this case, Duterte) and ensure that he understands the charges. After hearing from prosecutors, defense lawyers and legal representatives of the victims, the judges will decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial - this usually occurs within 60 days.

During the initial appearance, the three-judge panel will confirm the suspect's identity (in this case, Duterte) and ensure that he understands the charges. After hearing from prosecutors, defense lawyers and legal representatives of the victims, the judges will decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial - this usually occurs within 60 days. Trial: The judges consider all evidence, then issue a verdict and, when there is a verdict of guilt, issue a sentence. The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. If guilty, the judges can sentence a defendant to up to 30 years in prison or life under exceptional circumstances. They also can order reparations for the victims. Verdicts are subject to appeal by both the defense and the prosecution.

The judges consider all evidence, then issue a verdict and, when there is a verdict of guilt, issue a sentence. The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. If guilty, the judges can sentence a defendant to up to 30 years in prison or life under exceptional circumstances. They also can order reparations for the victims. Verdicts are subject to appeal by both the defense and the prosecution. Appeals: An appeal is decided by five judges of the Appeals Chamber, who are never the same judges as those who gave the original verdict. Those judges decide whether to uphold the appealed decision, amend it or reverse it. This is considered the final judgment, unless a re-trial is ordered. In addition to the defense and prosecution having rights to appeal, victims and the guilty person can appeal a reparation order.

An appeal is decided by five judges of the Appeals Chamber, who are never the same judges as those who gave the original verdict. Those judges decide whether to uphold the appealed decision, amend it or reverse it. This is considered the final judgment, unless a re-trial is ordered. In addition to the defense and prosecution having rights to appeal, victims and the guilty person can appeal a reparation order. Enforcement: Sentences, for those found guilty, are served in countries that have agreed to enforce ICC rulings.

BenarNews is an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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EXPLAINED: What might change when Vietnam amends its constitution?

The constitution will be revised in May for the first time in 12 years.

By RFA Vietnamese

2025.03.12

Updated on March 13, 2025 at 12:45 p.m. ET

When Vietnam's National Assembly meets in May, parliamentarians will be asked to study, review and amend the Communist country's 2013 constitution at the request of the politically powerful Politburo.

Officials have not specified which articles of the constitution are under consideration, but experts expect changes to reflect and codify Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary To Lam's plans to dissolve local governments and reorganize the council that handles ethnic minorities.

Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 there have been several amendments of the constitution. It was changed in 1980 and again in 1992. It was amended and supplemented in 2001 and most recently amended in 2013.

Deliberations on any proposed changes could reveal differences between the ruling CPV, which is usually intent on consolidating its powers, and reformers seeking a more open society.

What will be amended?

According to Carl Thayer, an Australian expert on Vietnamese politics, Lam's planned abolition of district-level government and the reorganization of the nationalities council suggest that Article 110 and Articles 75-77 will be amended.

Article 110 states that provinces are divided into counties, and centrally governed cities are divided into urban and rural counties. These references will be deleted, he said.

Articles 75-77 set out the structure, organization and tasks of the nationalities council. The council was reorganized in February and it is likely that the wording of these articles will be revised.

What is Article 4 and will amendments to it be debated?

Article 4, which enshrines the Communist Party as "the vanguard of the working class [and] the Vietnamese people," tops the list of amendment targets of human rights activists and reformers.

Although Article 4 does not prohibit people from forming other political parties, according to Human Rights Watch, the provision effectively restricts the right to participate in freely held multi-party elections.

Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai, who went into exile in Germany in 2018 after receiving 15 years in prison for activities defending human rights and promoting democratic ideals, said Article 4 needs changing or removing to achieve Lam's state goal of removing bottlenecks to modernization.

Lam's government overhaul is set to "only strengthen the party's role in Vietnam's political system," says Thayer, who believes an Article 4 amendment is unlikely to come up in May and notes it has not been mentioned by officials.

Which laws do reformists and critics want changed?

Lawyer Dai says the constitution needs radical amendments with the phrase "according to the provisions of law" removed, because this allows the party to crack down on any attempts to introduce a democratic political system.

He said there should also be a constitutional court which could annul laws and documents that are issued unconstitutionally or contain unconstitutional provisions.

Germany-based democracy activist Nguyen Tien Trung says Article 4 is in conflict Article 2, which states that "the people are the masters of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," and other articles that set out how power is distributed.

Trung said Vietnam's 2018 Cybersecurity Law, condemned during its passage as a tool to suppress expression, violates the right to freedom of speech enshrined in Article 25 of the constitution.

"The Communist Party needs to hold a referendum and let the people approve the new constitution as they have always claimed that 'the people are the masters,'" he said.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Paul Eckert.

Updated to add background and to cut length.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Armenia, Azerbaijan Finalize Peace Agreement But Hurdles Remain

By Merhat Sharipzhan, RFE/RL's Armenian Service and RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service March 13, 2025

Armenia and Azerbaijan, have fought a series of wars since the late 1980s, have finalized the text of a long-awaited peace agreement aimed at establishing formal relations, marking a significant step toward ending decades of hostilities.

Armenia's Foreign Ministry confirmed on March 13 that Yerevan has accepted Azerbaijan's proposals on two remaining uncoordinated articles of the agreement, effectively concluding negotiations on the text. It has proposed consultations with Azerbaijan on a signing date and venue.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian told journalists in Yerevan shortly after the ministry's announcement that the draft peace treaty is a compromise and that his country is ready to start consultations on the timing of signing the treaty.

"We have no secrets from our society in that text which, in fact, article by article was published separately. I don't think it can be said that the society is not familiar with the content," Pashinian said, stressing that Armenia and Azerbaijan will not deploy foreign forces along the border after signing the treaty.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov told reporters on March 13 that "the negotiation process over the peace treaty text has officially concluded," adding that "the last two unresolved clauses have been addressed, with Armenia accepting Azerbaijan's proposals."

Despite the breakthrough, Azerbaijan maintains that the treaty cannot be signed until Armenia revises its constitution and legal framework to remove any references to territorial claims over regions inside Azerbaijan, a reference mainly to Nagorno-Karabakh.

"This is a necessary precondition for signing the peace agreement," Bayramov said.

Years Of Negotiation

The latest development follows years of negotiations over a lasting peace deal.

Nagorno-Karabakh, home to a significant Armenian population, had been under the control of ethnic Armenian authorities since the early 1990s following a devastating war between the two neighbors after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

After a brief but intense Azerbaijani military offensive in September 2023, the separatist leadership surrendered and the region, now officially called Karabakh, was reintegrated into Azerbaijan.

The war led to the mass exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the region, effectively ending decades of separatist rule.

In the wake of the latest war over the region, Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed negotiations on a peace treaty to formally recognize each other's territorial integrity and establish diplomatic relations.

One of the key stumbling blocks in the negotiations has been Armenia's legal position regarding Nagorno-Karabakh's status as an Azerbaijani territory.

Baku has long argued that Armenia's constitution includes implicit territorial claims over Nagorno-Karabakh, and Azerbaijani officials insist that this must be amended before the treaty can be signed.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-peace- agreement-karabakh-hurdles-obstacles/33346732.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Kyrgyzstan And Tajikistan's Border Agreement: Deal Of The Century?

By Chris Rickleton and RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service March 13, 2025

While the world has been watching talks aimed at ending Russia's three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine, two Central Asian countries have been quietly working to consign a long and sometimes bloody border dispute to the past.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's agreement over their roughly 1,000-kilometer frontier seems to deserve the "historic" billing given to it by both countries' presidents -- and not just because the disagreement dates back to early Soviet times, when the two countries were ultimately Moscow-controlled entities.

Instead, the scale of the achievement lies in the fact that just under half of the frontier was disputed as recently as three years ago, with the worst clashes between the two countries happening in 2021 and 2022, leaving scores dead on both sides and a lasting mark on the national psyches.

Weeks after the second conflict, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sadyr Japarov, did not even shake hands at a meeting mediated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seemed barely interested.

But on March 12, there was both a long handshake and three hugs between the two men after Rahmon touched down in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, where he was greeted by traditional dancers and musicians, as well as a billboard bearing his image and welcoming "his excellency" in the warmest terms.

The two leaders signed the agreement the following day, as two border crossings connecting the countries were reopened for the first time in nearly four years.

With ratification expected to be a formality in both parliaments, despite signs of unease in Kyrgyzstan, it is now a question of how life changes on the ground for long-suffering communities in a water-scarce, densely populated stretch of the region.

Bridging The Gaps

Prior to 2021, incidents at the border were mostly low-level conflicts. They occasionally blew up between the Kyrgyz and Tajik communities over perceived trespassing and access to water resources, drawing the young border guards of the two countries into hostile engagements.

But incidents before 2021 were mere shoot-outs.

The use of heavy artillery and then foreign-made drones -- Kyrgyzstan boasted of its acquisition of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2, for instance -- in the 2021 and 2022 conflicts raised both the stakes of the dispute and its death toll.

In a review of the four-day conflict in 2022 that saw over 100,000 people displaced in Kyrgyzstan alone, the New York-based Human Rights Watch cited "serious violations of the laws of war by both sides."

Incidents highlighted in the report included attacks on civilian vehicles and ambulances, the "indiscriminate" use of explosives, extrajudicial killings by military forces, and arson attacks on homes and civilian infrastructure, culminating in dozens of civilian deaths.

The growing devastation, allied with the prospect of a mini-arms race with no decisive victory in sight for either party, might have given added impetus to talks between the region's two poorest countries.

But that does not make them easy, especially given the hazy nature of frontiers between republics that the Kremlin never intended to become independent.

So far, the information on the agreement has come from Kyrgyzstan, where officials tend to say more.

In a detailed rundown in parliament last month, Kyrgyz national-security chief Kamchybek Tashiev said that talks building up to the February 21 protocol that he signed with opposite number Saimuddin Yatimov had been "very difficult."

The amount of pasture land to allocate to Tajikistan in the surroundings of the Vorukh -- a chunk of Tajikistan de facto surrounded by Kyrgyz territory -- had been one sticking point, he said.

Another was the status of a strategic bridge just 20 meters in length, which allows for unimpeded movement between two districts in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern region of Batken.

That took fully six months to resolve in Kyrgyzstan's favor, Tashiev revealed.

A Village Called 'Friendship'

Kyrgyzstan was also able to persuade Tajikistan not to use maps from the 1920s -- when Stalinist border-drawing in Central Asia was at its peak -- as a negotiating position, Tashiev said.

But Bishkek has made some pretty big concessions at the same time.

The village of Dostuk, translating as "friendship" is a case in point.

Under the agreement, this Kyrgyz village has been completely transferred to the Tajik side.

In the Kyrgyz parliament, lawmaker Sultanbay Aizhigitov said the transfer would bring Tajikistan a step closer to its long-held goal of joining troublesome Vorukh -- a territory which Tajik authorities never considered to be an "exclave" -- with Tajikistan proper.

"If it was only the road that was neutral, with the land remaining ours, that would be one thing," said Aizhigitov, homing in on another concession that he said had benefited Vorukh and its population of some 40,000 people.

"But [under the agreement] the road will be neutral and the land will be neutral. And neutral land can be taken by whoever is stronger," he warned.

Aizhigitov was subsequently expelled from his pro-government party, Yiman Nuru, whose leader Dinara Ashimova said his comments were not her party's line.

President Japarov accused Aizhigitov of demagoguery in remarks to state media.

But what of the roughly 70 households that lived in Dostuk?

In the 2021 conflict, about a dozen houses in the village were destroyed before being rebuilt.

In 2022, the village was hit even worse.

Both the houses and vital social infrastructure, however, were rebuilt again.

Talks between residents and Batken governor Aibek Shamenov proved to be tense, especially after Shamenov responded irately to a request for more land per household in Buzhum, the village where Dostuk residents are getting relocated to.

Japarov has since reprimanded the governor, and Shamenov has apologized, pledging that Dostuk residents will get extra land.

Sharing Water, Boosting Trade

Ensuring that any dissatisfaction over the agreement is contained will be a key priority of the Kyrgyz government ahead of ratification.

But it has had some practice on this front.

In 2022, opposition to a theoretically less contentious border deal with Uzbekistan marked the first real challenge to Japarov's regime, which took a decidedly authoritarian turn thereafter.

Dozens were arrested in that crackdown, demonstrating a new "red line" for political opposition.

In Tajikistan, a challenge to the ruling Rahmon family over something like a border agreement seems almost impossible. Over the last decade, political opposition there has been completely wiped out.

But if deepening authoritarianism is one trend in Central Asia, an increasing emphasis on cooperation between the region's countries is a more positive one, generally occurring without any outside assistance.

Along with "neutral roads" in no-man's-land, the Kyrgyz-Tajik border agreement has created a framework for sharing water from the Golovnoi intake facility that draws water from a river known as Ak-Suu by Kyrgyzstan and Isfara by Tajikistan.

Tajiks and Kyrgyz already share water from the sluice, but it was another site of contention, most notably during the three-day border war of 2021. Under the new agreement, each side will have a gate each at the intake and split the third one.

How these and other shared infrastructure are managed in practice remains to be seen.

But the intent is there, and the two countries' transition from foes to friends is likely to be further cemented at an unprecedented trilateral summit with Uzbekistan in the Tajik city of Khujand on March 31.

For both countries, Uzbekistan was once a nightmare neighbor.

That has completely changed ever since President Shavkat Mirziyoev replaced the late Islam Karimov as leader of the region's most populous country, viewing the neighborhood through the prism of opportunities, rather than threats, and moving quickly to end his own country's border disputes.

Calling the summit an "important step in strengthening regional cooperation" at a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov paid tribute to a "historic triumph of diplomatic and political will" on the part of his country and Tajikistan.

For once, in regional diplomatic speak, that doesn't seem like an exaggeration.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan- border-deal-historic-peace-agreement/33345668.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Greenland Votes For Change: Pro-Business Party Wins, Trump Rebuffed, Independence Slows

By Rikard Jozwiak March 13, 2025

The much-anticipated parliamentary elections in Greenland on March 11 delivered a surprise winner and two clear messages: a pushback against US President Donald Trump's interest in the Arctic territory and a signal that independence from Denmark may come -- but at a slower pace.

The opposition Democrats, a liberal pro-business party, finished on top with nearly 30 percent of the vote, ahead of the staunchly pro-independence Point of Orientation party, which got 24 percent.

Surprisingly, the governing coalition of sitting Prime Minister Mute Egede's Community of the People party and the Forward party -- both of which favor independence but at a slower pace than Point of Orientation -- finished a disappointing third and fourth, respectively, leaving them with no chance of continuing to rule in this constellation.

The likely new premier will now be the leader of the Democrats, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who has been the one of the most outspoken Greenlandic critics of Trump's desire to make the world's largest island American.

Ever since entering the White House, the US president has expressed an interest in taking control of the strategically located and resource-rich territory -- sparking unease, particularly notably in NATO ally Denmark.

A Slow Breakup With Copenhagen

The Democrats were previously skeptical about severing ties with Copenhagen, which still controls Greenland's foreign and monetary policy.

In recent years, however, they have shifted their stance, viewing independence as a long-term goal, provided that the island becomes more economically self-sufficient. Currently, nearly half the population works in the public sector, which is largely funded by Danish grants.

To achieve this, Nielsen hopes to reverse political decisions that restricted oil and gas exploration and banned uranium mining in Greenland.

However, this also complicates coalition negotiations.

The most likely governing partner, the Community of the People party, is strongly environmentalist and firmly opposed to such moves, having made this a hallmark of its platform in recent years.

Still, with a narrow majority in the 31-seat parliament, the two parties are expected to agree on keeping Washington at arm's length while maintaining closer ties with Denmark -- at least for now.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/greenland-election- pro-business-party-wins-independence-slows -trump-rebuffed/33346839.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

13 March 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 13 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you to our briefers UNICEF and MSF.

As you have made clear, women and girls in Sudan continue to face the worst horrors of this conflict.

Almost two years since the fighting began, more than 12 million people are now at risk of sexual and gender-based violence, according to UNICEF reports.

And Sudan's healthcare system has been decimated by the conflict, making it even harder for survivors to access support.

The UK's Foreign Secretary travelled to the Sudan-Chad border in January and met survivors of sexual violence who shared their harrowing stories of rape and torture.

And the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has reported that rape and gang rape is widespread in the context of the conflict in Sudan.

Acts of sexual violence constitute crimes under international law.

And it is the responsibility of this Council to act.

President, it is clear that greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan. The United Kingdom is committed to playing its part.

This week I joined a meeting of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, convened by Ukraine, to discuss the urgent need for joined-up, survivor-centred responses.

Through the UK-funded Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme, we are providing sexual and reproductive services to women and children in Sudan.

We are also working with UN and NGO partners to provide safe spaces, mobile clinic treatment, dignity kits and psycho-social services for survivors.

But to have most impact, it is important that the international community comes together to address sexual violence in Sudan by taking 4 key steps.

First, by continuing to press the warring parties to comply with the commitments they made to protect civilians in the Jeddah Declaration.

Second, by giving support to civil society organisations on the ground who are playing a crucial role in assisting survivors of sexual violence.

Third, by supporting the International Criminal Court and the UN Fact-Finding Mission to carry out impartial investigations.

And fourth, by ensuring that the protection of civilians remains at the top of this Council's agenda.

President, looking ahead, in April, the UK's Foreign Secretary will convene Foreign Ministers in London to help end the conflict and to improve the humanitarian response.

Bringing an end to the conflict will be a critical step towards ending sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.

Colleagues, we must continue working together closely until we achieve that goal.

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UK Reaffirms Support for Geneva International Discussions and Georgia's Sovereignty: UK Statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland welcomes the latest round of the Geneva International Discussions and calls on Russia to comply with its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.

13 March 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 13 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Mr Chair.

The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs including in the 63rd round of discussions held on 4-5 March. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict and to address its consequences following the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement.

The UK reaffirms its full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We continue to call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

We welcome continued discussion on core issues such as the non-use of force, humanitarian, human rights and international security arrangements and we encourage further efforts to make tangible progress on these issues.

We remain concerned by the ongoing militarisation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian Federation and the announcement of intent to recommence flights to Sokhumi Abkhazia without consideration of international air agreements. We again call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, and its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderisation tactics.

The UK does not recognise the so-called Presidential elections in Georgia's Abkhazia region that took place on 15 February and 1 March 2025.

We note the importance of re-establishing the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in the Gali region of Georgia "without pre-conditions" and ensuring that the mechanism operates regularly in both Gali and Ergneti in accordance with founding principles.

We regret that, due to walk-outs during working groups, discussions on returning internally displaced persons and refugees could not be addressed.

The UK looks forward to the next GID meeting expected to take place later in June 2025.

Thank You.

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UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's remarks at UN Security Council meeting on Sudan

UNICEF

Checked against delivery

13 March 2025

NEW YORK, 13 March 2025 - "Excellencies, colleagues, thank you for inviting me to speak here today.

"I'd like to express my appreciation to Denmark and to the United Kingdom for convening and hosting this briefing during Denmark's presidency of the Security Council. I'd also like to acknowledge my colleague from MSF who do such great work in Sudan and other very difficult places around the world.

"The need for this discussion could not be more urgent.

"Nearly two years into the conflict, Sudan is now the largest and the most devastating humanitarian crisis in the world.

"With its economy and social services system and infrastructure in near collapse, and no end to the conflict in sight, we estimate that nearly two thirds of Sudan's total population -- more than 30 million people -- will require humanitarian assistance this year.

"16 million of them are children -- and they are paying a terrible price.

"Famine is occurring in hotspots in at least five locations in Sudan, with an estimated 1.3 million children under five living in these areas.

"Over 3 million children under five are at imminent risk of deadly disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and dengue, due to a failing health system.

"16.5 million school-aged children -- nearly an entire generation -- are out of school.

"This is not just a crisis, it is a poly-crisis affecting every sector, from health and nutrition to water, education, and protection.

"Excellencies,

"Children in Sudan are enduring unimaginable suffering and horrific violence. The last time I was in Sudan I met with families and children who are living through this nightmare. Their stories are heartbreaking -- and demand immediate action.

"The fighting is happening right at their doorsteps, around their homes, their schools and hospitals, and across many of Sudan's cities, towns, and villages.

"UNICEF continues to receive alarming reports of grave violations against children trapped in this conflict, including their recruitment and use by armed groups.

"Between June and December 2024, more than 900 incidents of grave violations against children were reported -- with a staggering 80 per cent involving the killing and maiming of children, primarily in Darfur, Khartoum, and Al Jazirah States. Sadly, we know these numbers are just a fraction of the reality.

"Over the course of just two days in February, 21 children were reported killed and 29 children maimed by shelling in Kadugli, South Kordofan State ... another 11 children were reported killed when a livestock market was shelled in El Fasher, North Darfur State ... and 8 more children were reported killed and 6 maimed when a market was shelled in Khartoum.

"The widespread use of explosive weapons also continues to proliferate -- with a devastating impact on children.

"These weapons will not disappear when the conflict ends. Weapon contamination will continue to threaten children and all civilians, especially internally displaced people and those returning to their homes, their schools and their communities. We estimate that 13 million civilians are at risk.

"And the proliferation of these weapons also prevents safe access for humanitarians trying to reach them.

"Excellencies,

"In this conflict, we are also seeing a breakdown of the rule of law and outright impunity for horrific harm to children.

"In Sudan today, sexual violence is pervasive. It is used to humiliate, dominate, disperse, forcibly relocate, and terrify an entire population.

"Right now, an estimated 12.1 million women and girls -- and increasingly men and boys -- are at risk of sexual violence. This is an 80 per cent increase from the previous year.

"According to data analyzed by UNICEF and collected by service providers in Sudan, 221 cases of rape against children were reported in 2024 in nine states. We estimate that 67 per cent of these children are girls and 33 per cent are boys.

"In 16 of the recorded cases, the children were under the age of five. Four were babies under the age of one.

"The data only gives us a glimpse into what we know is a far larger, more devastating crisis.

"Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges in accessing services, fear of social stigma, or the risk of retribution.

"Their powerful stories demand action. One girl told us how, when alone in Khartoum after the death of her parents, she was raped by four armed, masked men. Even after enduring so much other horror, she described this as "the greatest hardship" she had faced.

"The trauma these children experience and the deep scars it leaves behind do not end with the signing of a ceasefire or a peace agreement. They will need ongoing care and support to heal and rebuild their lives.

"Excellencies,

"The scale and gravity of this crisis requires urgent conflict de-escalation and unrestricted humanitarian access, both across borders and conflict lines, to fight and mitigate famine, and to meet the immediate needs of millions of vulnerable people.

"Humanitarian actors face frequent impediments in obtaining the necessary permits for the delivery of supplies in areas affected by armed conflict. The frontlines continue to be fluid. Avenues that are open today, may be closed tomorrow.

"Humanitarian actors must be ready to seize all crossline, cross-border opportunities to be able to deliver lifesaving supplies across the country.

"Unfortunately, parties have not mutually agreed on common routes through conflict lines for the delivery of aid, especially to the areas most impacted by the conflict. This lack of agreement means that aid organizations can seek safety and security guarantees only on an ad-hoc basis, reducing aid flow and preventing children and their families from accessing the basics they need to survive.

"It should come as no surprise that food insecurity and malnutrition are spiking in all the places cut off from humanitarian aid.

"More than 770,000 children are expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition this year -- many in areas that we struggle to reach. Without lifesaving aid, many of these children will die.

"And humanitarian workers in Sudan, as they are all over the world, are at risk of attack, injury, and death themselves.

"Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, more than 110 aid workers have been killed, wounded, kidnapped or remain missing or unaccounted for. We need your voices to ensure the protection of aid workers and community-based groups working in Sudan.

"Despite these enormous challenges, UNICEF continues to respond wherever and however we can -- delivering lifesaving supplies and services in conflict hotspots, supporting displaced people and host communities, and building resilience.

"To share only a few examples of our ongoing efforts to meet escalating humanitarian needs, in 2024, UNICEF and our partners reached over 9.8 million children and families with safe drinking water.

"We screened 6.7 million children for malnutrition and provided lifesaving treatment to 422,000 severely malnourished children.

"We delivered mental health counseling, education, and protection services to 2.7 million children and caregivers.

"These interventions are critical, but they are by no means enough to protect the children of Sudan -- and the future of Sudan.

"The scale and gravity of this crisis require an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of a political dialogue that can finally bring an end to the conflict, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2724.

"If this cannot be achieved immediately, temporary humanitarian pauses and localized ceasefires must be pursued urgently so we can reach children in conflict hot spots and hard-to-reach places, address famine and respond to protection needs.

"Excellencies,

"I want to close with four urgent requests to this Council:

"First, the world must stand united in calling for the protection of children and the infrastructure they depend on to survive -- in line with international humanitarian law, human rights law, and basic humanity.

"Parties must stop the violence, including sexual violence against children -- putting in place measures to hold all perpetrators accountable and committing to action plans with the UN to end and prevent further grave violations against children.

"Documenting cases of violence and sexual violence is a critical step towards justice and remedy. But humanitarian actors, Sudanese civil society, and local volunteers face threats for denouncing or documenting human rights violations. These heroes must be protected.

"Second, we call on this council to engage with and pressure all parties to ensure rapid, unimpeded, and safe movement of humanitarian workers and supplies across conflict lines and cross-border through all entry points.

"We cannot reach children in desperate need and reverse famine when bureaucratic and administrative impediments stand in our way.

"For example, humanitarian access via the Aweil border crossing to reach East Darfur and West Kordofan is critical. We need your voices to ensure the UN can safely re-establish its offices in Zalingei, Central Darfur and Kadugli, South Kordofan.

"We also call on this council to re-establish and facilitate the permanent presence of the UN and partners in areas of most critical need.

"Third, we urgently call for the halt of all military support to the parties -- and we again call on all Member States to leverage their power and influence to prevent further escalation of violence.

"Ensuring that parties respect and comply with international laws and facilitating political dialogue are the only way to put an end to this conflict -- and to give hope for a lasting peace to the millions of Sudanese devastated by this war.

"Finally, we ask this Council to call on donors to ensure that UNICEF and all other humanitarian organizations can stay and deliver for children in Sudan. Only a massive mobilization of resources can save their lives and futures. UNICEF Sudan estimates that it will need US$1 billion in 2025 to deliver lifesaving support to 8.7 million vulnerable children.

"Now, more than ever, flexible funding is essential to ensure humanitarian actors' ability to respond quickly during emerging crises, and to sustain the services children need to survive, especially nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection, health, and education.

"These investments are urgently needed to prevent the further collapse of critical social service systems in Sudan.

"Without these urgent actions, this crisis will further overwhelm Sudanese society and the suffering will increase exponentially, resulting in a generational catastrophe that threatens the future of Sudan, the region, and beyond.

"Excellencies,

"As a neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian actor, UNICEF remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance and protection to all children in need across Sudan and in neighboring countries. We are counting on you to help us in this critically important work. And the children of Sudan are counting on all of us.

"I thank you again for the opportunity to address you today"

#####

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Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces used as 'method of war'

13 March 2025 - Senior human rights investigators reporting to the UN Human Rights Council alleged on Thursday that sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians - including children - have been increasingly used "as a method of war" following the 7 October 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war.

"Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination," maintained Chris Sidoti from the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

'Increasingly used'

Speaking in Geneva, the human rights lawyer said that "the frequency, prevalence and severity of sexual and gender-based crimes perpetrated across the OPT leads the Commission to conclude that sexual and gender-based violence is increasingly used as a method of war by Israel to destabilize, dominate, oppress and destroy the Palestinian people".

Established by the Council in May 2021, the Commission has a mandate to investigate and report on alleged violations of international law in the OPT, including East Jerusalem - and in Israel.

Terror attacks in Israel

Previous reports have covered in detail the terror attacks on Israeli villages and towns on 7 and 8 October by Hamas-led Palestinian armed fighters that killed around 1,250 people and left more than 250 taken as hostages back to Gaza.

Publication of the Commission's report followed two days of public hearings held in Geneva from 11 to 12 March, featuring victims and witnesses of sexual and reproductive violence and medical personnel who assisted them, as well as civil society representatives, academics, lawyers and medical experts.

Mr. Sidoti said that the Commission had made several requests to the Israeli authorities for information on specific, serious cases of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinian prisoners taken from Gaza.

But no information has been provided about prosecutions of members of the Israeli security forces or Israeli settlers for sexual and violence committed since October 2023, he told journalists.

Explicit orders and 'implicit encouragement'

In a statement accompanying the release of the Commission's report, it asserted that "forced public stripping and nudity, sexual harassment including threats of rape, as well as sexual assault" were "standard operating procedure" of the Israeli Security Forces toward Palestinians.

"Other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and violence to the genitals, were committed either under explicit orders or with implicit encouragement by Israel's top civilian and military leadership," the report maintained."

"We heard evidence - you would have heard it if you were looking at our hearings during the last two days - where men and boys were forced to strip wholly or almost wholly, that is down to underpants and then were kept in that condition, often having to sit on stones on the ground in the cold in winter for up to three days."

Embryos destroyed

The Commission also asserted that Israeli forces had systematically destroyed sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities across Gaza, including Gaza's largest fertility clinic, Al Basma centre, in December 2023.

Tank shelling destroyed about 4,000 embryos at the clinic that reportedly assisted 2,000-3,000 patients a month.

"There is a question about whether those who were firing the tank shell - because our conclusion is that it was destroyed by a tank shell - knew at that time that it was a fertility clinic," Mr. Sidoti said.

"But certainly, their commanders knew and the commanders would have known that there were tanks operating within that vicinity and firing on buildings and fired on a healthcare facility that was clearly marked."

The Commission's report finds that the destruction amounts "to two categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, including deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians and imposing measures intended to prevent births".

Head of the Commission, Navi Pillay, said in a statement that the targeting of reproductive healthcare facilities including "direct attacks" on maternity wards and the IVF clinic, "combined with the use of starvation as a method of war, has impacted all aspects of reproduction."

She added that the violations "have not only caused severe immediate physical and mental harm and suffering to women and girls, but irreversible long-term effects on the mental health and reproductive and fertility prospects of Palestinians as a group."

Israel 'categorically rejects' allegations

In a press release published on Wednesday, the Israeli mission in Geneva said their Government "categorically rejects the unfounded allegations" made in the commission's report.

Israel accused the COI of instrumentalising sexual violence "to advance its predetermined and biased political agenda, setting back the important work of international institutions to combat the perpetration of these abhorrent acts as a weapon of war."

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UN chief hails Kyrgyz-Tajik border treaty breakthrough

13 March 2025 - The UN Secretary-General warmly welcomed the presidential signing of the State Border Treaty by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Thursday following decades-long negotiations.

The presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, signed the agreement at a meeting in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, earlier today, according to media reports.

Closed since 2021, two checkpoints on the nearly 1,000-km-long Tajik-Kyrgyz border have now resumed operation, and flights from Bishkek to Dushanbe and Khujand will begin on Friday.

'Historic achievement'

UN chief Antonio Guterres "congratulates the two countries on this historic achievement and commends their leadership, determination and political will to bring the decades-long negotiation process to a successful conclusion", his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General looks forward to sustained constructive engagement between the two countries to strengthen mutual trust, good-neighbourly relations and a peaceful future for their peoples and the region as a whole," Mr. Dujarric said.

Resolving past violence

Border tensions between the two neighbours have erupted in the form of skirmishes over the past decade, according to news reports.

In 2022, an escalation of deadly violence emerged along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border culminating in a six-day conflict in September. At the time, the UN chief had called on the leadership of the two countries to engage in dialogue for a lasting ceasefire.

Previous flare ups at the border had reportedly displaced thousands of people.



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Sexual Violence Used as Weapon of War in Sudan, Humanitarians Warn, Demanding Security Council Action

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9878th Meeting* (AM)

SC/16018

13 March 2025

World's Largest Humanitarian Crisis Calls for Ceasefire, Unhindered Aid Access

Horrifying, systemic sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan  including against children  the Security Council heard today, as its members underscored the need to protect civilians, assist survivors, and ultimately, end the war causing this suffering.

"Nearly two years into the conflict, Sudan is now the largest and the most devastating humanitarian crisis in the world," said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Today's meeting took place as ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces further worsened an already-dire humanitarian situation.

Entire Generation of Children Out of School

With the economy and social services in "near collapse", Ms. Russell reported that nearly two thirds of Sudan's population  more than 30 million people  will require humanitarian assistance in 2025. Of these, 16 million are children. She also pointed to 1.3 million children under five living in famine hotspots, 3 million children under five at imminent risk of deadly disease and 16.5 million school-aged children  "nearly an entire generation"  out of school.

"In Sudan today, sexual violence is pervasive," she continued. It is used to humiliate, dominate, disperse, forcibly relocate and terrify an entire population, and there are currently an estimated 12.1 million women and girls  and increasingly, men and boys  at risk of such violence. This is an 80 per cent increase from 2024. "The trauma these children experience, and the deep scars it leaves behind, do not end with the signing of a ceasefire or a peace agreement; they will need ongoing care and support to heal and rebuild their lives," she observed. However, humanitarian actors face frequent bureaucratic impediments, and humanitarian workers themselves are at risk.

She added that  if a ceasefire cannot be achieved "immediately"  temporary humanitarian pauses and localized ceasefires must be urgently pursued. Further, the world must call for the protection of children, and the Council must pressure all parties to ensure the rapid, unimpeded and safe movement of humanitarian workers and supplies. "We cannot reach children in desperate need and reverse famine when bureaucratic and administrative impediments stand in our way," she stressed. Also calling for the halt of military support to the parties and a massive mobilization of humanitarian funding, she warned that  without these urgent actions  a "generational catastrophe" will result.

Two Years of Violence Met with Two Years of Inaction

Further detailing the situation on the ground was Christopher Lockyear, Secretary-General of Medecins Sans Frontieres, who said that two years of unrelenting violence, devastation, displacement and death have plagued Sudan  "met with two years of indifference and inaction". Parties to the conflict are not only failing to protect civilians  "they are actively compounding their suffering", he stressed. While the Sudanese Armed Forces have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas, the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias have unleashed a "campaign of brutality" marked by systematic sexual violence, abduction, mass killing, the looting of aid and the occupation of medical facilities.

"From the very start, the violence has been merciless," he said, noting that it reached "unthinkable levels" in West Darfur. His teams in Chad treated over 800 wounded people in just three days as thousands of Masalit civilians fled El Geneina after the Rapid Support Forces seized the city. "Survivors told us how simply belonging to the Masalit community had become a death sentence," he recalled. In South Darfur, throughout 2024, his teams provided care to 385 survivors of sexual violence. The vast majority  including some younger than five  had been raped, often by armed men. "Women and girls are not merely unprotected; they are being brutally targeted," he stressed.

The devastating impact of the war is compounded by restrictions on humanitarian access, and he underscored that "assertions of sovereignty cannot continue to be weaponized to restrict the flow of aid". He also stated that the Council's repeated calls to end the conflict, protect civilians and ensure unimpeded aid delivery "ring hollow" as "civilians remain unseen, unprotected, bombed, besieged, raped, displaced, deprived of food, of medical care, of dignity". Calling for a new humanitarian compact that guarantees aid organizations the operational space they need, as well as full redeployment of UN humanitarian agencies in Darfur and across Sudan, he stated: "The crisis in Sudan demands a fundamental shift away from the failed approaches of the past  millions of lives depend on it."

Delegates Express Shock

As Council members weighed in, many expressed shock at what they had just heard. "The most recent UNICEF report on the situation of children in Sudan is simply horrifying," said Algeria's representative, also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia. He therefore demanded an immediate end to violence against women and girls in Sudan, also underlining the need to explore "all possible ways" to enhance protection and provide adequate support  including comprehensive mental-health services and safe spaces. He urged: "As we engage in the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Sudanese women must not be forgotten."

Children are enduring "unimaginable horrors", said the representative of the Republic of Korea, pointing to a sharp increase in grave violations, including the appalling rape of four one-year-old infants. "In Sudan, some children have endured unbearable horrors that would break an adult, let alone the body of a fragile infant," echoed his counterpart from Slovenia. Stressing that "these horrors go beyond human comprehension", she condemned the weaponization of conflict-related sexual violence. "Gender-based violence is not just the collateral damage of a conflict," observed Panama's representative  "it is one of the most destructive weapons used to disrupt resistance and dash the hopes of the Sudanese people".

"It is clear that greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan," said Ray Collins, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom. For its part, London is providing sexual and reproductive services to women and children in Sudan. However, he stressed that the international community must continue to press the warring parties to "comply with the commitments they made" in the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. That point was echoed by other Council members, including the representative of France, who suggested the creation of a mechanism to monitor and verify those commitments.

The representative of Denmark, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to also express support for a monitoring mechanism aligned with commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration. And pointing to "an insidious cycle of impunity" fuelling atrocities in Sudan, she stressed that accountability instruments  such as the resolution referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court  must be followed. "At this critical moment, Sudan needs more than words  it needs action by the international community," underscored Greece's representative, calling on all actors to implement clear directives to prevent further violations and engage with the UN to develop action plans to protect children from this conflict.

Hostilities Must End

Council members also stressed the need to end that conflict, with China's representative observing that "the dawn of peace has not emerged" despite almost two years of hostilities. He therefore called on all parties to implement relevant Council resolutions, establish a ceasefire during Ramadan and create conditions to improve humanitarian access. Similarly, the representative of Pakistan called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stressing that "the conflict will not be resolved on the battlefield [and] war will only bring more death and destruction to the Sudanese people". He also condemned the signing of a charter by the Rapid Support Forces and their allies to establish a parallel governing authority in Sudan.

On that, the representative of the Russian Federation recalled that the Council issued a press statement on 5 March that contained a "negative assessment" of the Rapid Support Forces' attempts to create "parallel bodies of power". (See Press Release SC/16012.) Now, anti-Government forces are planning to issue passports and mint currency, and he underscored that the Government's exclusive prerogative to do such actions should "never be questioned". Further, he urged those present to "acknowledge that the authorities are doing a lot to stop violence against women and children". However, he said that "serious improvements" will only be possible if hostilities end.

United States Waives Foreign Aid Cuts for Life-Saving Assistance

"Allowing this conflict to continue is a threat to the security and stability of the region and beyond," stressed the representative of the United States, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access. Turning to President Donald J. Trump's executive order on re-evaluating and re-aligning the United States' foreign aid, she said that the Secretary of State approved a waiver for life-saving humanitarian assistance, covering emergency food, medicine, shelter and subsistence assistance, including for Sudan. Additionally, she said that the violence against women and children in Sudan is "unconscionable".

For his part, Sudan's representative said that the Rapid Support Forces use sexual violence as a weapon of war, and that allied militias have employed "systematic mass rape to humiliate and subjugate men in targeted areas". He also detailed cases of forced marriage, sexual slavery and forced displacement by the Rapid Support Forces. While spotlighting the State's efforts to combat this violence and support survivors, he said that Sudan requires the United Nations' support to facilitate women's access to justice; establish temporary shelters for victims; strengthen reproductive-health services; and create effective protection mechanisms to combat all forms of gender-based violence and ensure that no perpetrator enjoys impunity.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates then called for robust mechanisms to protect civilians and an enhanced UN presence throughout Sudan. He also urged the Council to include conflict-related sexual violence as a stand-alone designation criterion in the relevant sanctions regime, underscoring that all perpetrators must be held accountable. Relatedly, he stressed that international pressure should be increased on the parties to reach a permanent ceasefire and return to a comprehensive political process. "The devastation is clear and caused by the reprehensible choices of the two warring generals, who remain hellbent on continuing this war  regardless of the cost to the Sudanese people," he stressed.

As the meeting drew to a close, the representatives of Sudan and the United Arab Emirates each took the floor two additional times, with the former pointing to the "sabotage played by the [United Arab Emirates] in my country" and the latter stating that "these baseless allegations do not warrant any attention".

__________

* The 9877th Meeting was closed.

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Constitutional crisis shakes Bosnia

By Aid Mrsic March 13, 2025

The national assembly of Bosnia's Serb-controlled Republika Srpska on Thursday adopted the draft of the new Republic Constitution, introduced by the autonomous republic's president, Milorad Dodik, that includes articles that violate Bosnia's constitution.

Bosnian state prosecutors on Wednesday had ordered the arrest of Dodik and his aides for ignoring a court summons for allegedly trying to undermine Bosnia's constitution. Republika Srpska is an entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Last month, a Bosnian court sentenced Dodik to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years over his separatist activities and for defying decisions by the international High Representative that oversees the 1995 Dayton Accords.

That agreement ended an ethnically rooted war that lasted more than three years and killed 100,000 people.

Dodik rejected the arrest warrant, telling journalists in the regional capital, Banja Luka, on Wednesday that it was politically motivated and that he would ask Russia to veto an extension of the presence of EUFOR, the European Union's peacekeeping force in Bosnia, at the U.N. Security Council.

In an interview Thursday with VOA's Bosnian Service, Dodik's lawyer, Anto Nobilo, said Dodik does not recognize either the Bosnian court or state prosecutor's office, and thus does not need legal defense.

"I do not believe there will be Dodik's arrest," Nobilo said. "Mr. Dodik will not cooperate, or name his defense team, because he does not consider the proceedings legitimate. ... Bosnia needs this situation defused immediately. This is a huge constitutional and legal and political crisis and has to be resolved politically."

Nenad Stevandic, president of Republika Srpska's national assembly and a close ally of Dodik, denounced the moves against the Serb-controlled autonomous republic as an attack on the constitutional order.

"We are absolutely right," he said Wednesday. "However, to be right in Bosnia and Herzegovina means to be persecuted."

Meanwhile, in Washington, three members of the U.S. Senate  Chuck Grassley, Jeanne Shaheen and Jim Risch  led a group of nine other members of the U.S. Congress in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prevent further deterioration in Bosnia.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent actions of Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Republika Srpska entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina," they wrote in a letter to Rubio. "For years, he has engaged in secessionist activity, challenging Bosnia and Herzegovina's state institutions, undermining the constitution and threatening the territorial integrity of the country."

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Dodik and his "patronage network" in 2023 and again in January of this year.

Asked by VOA while en route Monday to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, if the U.S. was considering "any punitive action against Dodik," Rubio said the Trump administration did not want to see a partition of Bosnia.

"The last thing the world needs is another crisis, and we've spoken out about that already," he said. "As far as what we maybe do next, we're reviewing those options. But it's been abundantly clear that whatever differences may exist internally there, this cannot lead to a country breaking apart, and it cannot lead to another conflict."

Experts say the actions of Dodik and the Republika Srpska national assembly have precipitated Bosnia's most serious constitutional crisis since 1995.

"First of all, it is a reflection of [Dodik's] disrespect for fundamental state institutions, meaning, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all those fundamental postulates on which the constitutional-legal order rests," Milos Davidovic, professor of law at the University of Sarajevo, told VOA's Bosnian Service.

Ahmed Kico, a political and security expert, told VOA the actions of Dodik and the Republika Srpska national assembly were among "hybrid operations ... realized at the behest of the Russian Federation and Serbia ... therefore, it is a really dangerous situation where they are trying to show and prove that Bosnia and Herzegovina's survival is not possible as a democratic state."

Amid the growing crisis, additional European peacekeepers arrived in Bosnia on Wednesday to bolster those of EUFOR.

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Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European spirits

By Ken Bredemeier March 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened the European Union with 200% tariffs on wine, champagne and other spirits produced in the 27-nation bloc after the EU levied what he said was "a nasty 50% tariff" on American-distilled whiskey.

Trump contended in a post on his Truth Social media platform that the EU is "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World." He said it was formed in 1993 "for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States" economically.

Later, asked by a reporter at the White House whether he might back off his heightened tariff threats against America's geopolitical allies, Trump said, "We've been ripped off for years, and we're not going to be ripped off anymore. No, I'm not going to bend at all  aluminum or steel or cars."

In the past month, Trump has been waging a tit-for-tat tariff fight with the United States' biggest trading partners  Mexico, Canada, China and the EU  in what he says is an effort to stanch the flow of drugs, especially fentanyl, into the U.S. from Mexico and Canada, and to persuade manufacturers to close their operations overseas and move them to the U.S. to create more American jobs.

On Wednesday, Trump levied 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. from 35 countries, including the EU bloc.

Europe quickly retaliated with its own tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. exports to countries that have long had close relations with the U.S., while Canada imposed new tariffs on $20.7 billion worth of U.S. exports to its northern neighbor.

Canada also requested World Trade Organization dispute consultations with the U.S. over its imposition of import duties on certain steel and aluminum products from Canada, the trade body said Thursday.

The new EU measures will apply not only to steel and aluminum products but also textiles, home appliances and agricultural goods. Motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans also will be hit, as they were during Trump's first term that ran from 2017 to 2021.

The EU duties aimed for political pressure points in the U.S. while minimizing additional damage to Europe. EU officials have said its tariffs, which are paid by importing companies and the cost of which is then mostly passed on to consumers, are targeting products from states dominated by Republicans like Trump, such as beef and poultry from Kansas and Nebraska, wood products from Alabama and Georgia, and liquor from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Spirits producers have become collateral damage in the steel and aluminum dispute.

Chris Swonger, head of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, called the EU move to tax U.S.-produced spirits "deeply disappointing and will severely undercut the successful efforts to rebuild U.S. spirits exports in EU countries."

The EU is a major destination for U.S. whiskey, with exports surging 60% in the past three years after an earlier set of tariffs was suspended.

On Thursday, Swonger said in a statement, "The U.S.-EU spirits sector is the model for fair and reciprocal trade, having zero-for-zero tariffs since 1997." He urged the end to a tariff fight over spirits between the U.S. and Europe, saying, "We want toasts not tariffs."

Trump's tariff wars have led to a broad Wall Street stock selloff, with the three major U.S. stock indexes plunging in recent days. The S&P 500 finished Thursday more than 10% below its record high reached last month.

But Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC he was not worried.

"We're focused on the real economy," he said. "I'm not concerned about a little bit of volatility over three weeks. I can't tell you the market is going to go up today, tomorrow, next week."

He dismissed concerns about Trump's threat to impose bigger tariffs on European spirits.

"One or two items with one trading bloc  I'm not sure why that's a big deal for the markets," he said.

Trump said in his social media post that if Europe follows through on its 50% tariff on U.S.-distilled whiskey, he will impose the 200% tariff on "all wines, champagne & alcoholic products coming out of France and other E.U. represented countries. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S."

Trump also attacked The Wall Street Journal newspaper, the country's leading business publication, for refusing to support his tariff plans. A Journal editorial said this week that "most Americans understand that tariffs are a tax on consumers and businesses."

The U.S. leader said the newspaper "has no idea what they are doing or saying. They are owned by the polluted thinking of the European Union." He said the newspaper's "thinking is antiquated and weak, and very bad for the USA."

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Publisher Zamora reimprisoned in Guatemala in move lawyer calls 'inhumane'

By Liam Scott March 13, 2025

A Guatemalan judge ordered prominent journalist Jose Ruben Zamora back to prison this week in a move that the leader of his legal team called "inhumane."

Zamora on Monday returned to Mariscal Zavala prison in Guatemala City on the orders of Judge Erick Garcia, whose decision came after another court revoked house arrest from the elPeriodico founder.

The publisher is awaiting another trial in a money-laundering case that press freedom groups say is politically motivated.

"We're very troubled by what's happening in Jose Ruben Zamora's case, because what we're seeing here is a total breakdown of rule of law in Guatemala," Caoilfhionn Gallagher, who is leading Zamora's international legal team, told VOA.

"He obviously shouldn't have spent a single day in prison. This latest revocation of his house arrest terms is legally problematic, grossly unfair and inhumane," Gallagher added.

Zamora, 67, attended the hearing on Monday. Near the end of his appearance, he called the ruling "arbitrary."

During the hearing, the judge said he and his staff had been threatened by unnamed individuals, but he did not elaborate.

"They left him cornered with no way out," Zamora said in court.

Zamora founded elPeriodico in 1996. The newspaper was known for its investigations into corruption across multiple governments in Guatemala.

But in 2022, authorities arrested Zamora and later froze the newspaper's assets. The publication was forced to shutter in 2023.

A court later sentenced Zamora to six years in prison on money-laundering charges. An appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial for 2025.

Zamora's legal team has rejected all the accusations. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also determined that Zamora's detention is arbitrary and called for his release.

The publisher spent more than 800 days in prison before a court in October granted him house arrest while he awaited his new trial. Another court in November revoked Zamora's house arrest, but his lawyers were able to postpone the order for a few months.

Artur Romeu, director of the Latin America bureau of Reporters Without Borders, called the decision to reimprison Zamora a "blatant case of judicial weaponization."

In response to a request for comment, Guatemala's Washington embassy directed VOA to comments made earlier this week by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo about Zamora.

"This is an absolutely baseless case that exposes the worst of the crisis in our judicial system and highlights the criminalization strategies being implemented by the Public Ministry," Arevalo said Monday.

The Public Ministry is Guatemala's Justice Ministry. It is led by Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras, who was sanctioned by the European Union in 2024 for "undermining democracy," including by targeting journalists and trying to prevent Arevalo from assuming office.

During Zamora's previous time in prison, the publisher was subjected to conditions that Gallagher characterized as "inhumane and degrading" and "a violation of international standards."

Zamora's health was better while under house arrest, Gallagher said, but now his legal team is concerned about the environment he returned to.

"Being returned to those conditions is horrifying and unacceptable," Gallagher said.

Nine press freedom and rights groups this week called for Zamora's immediate release.

"We urge Guatemalan authorities to guarantee his right to a fair and impartial trial, free from undue interference and pressure," they said in a joint statement.

Zamora's case underscores a global trend in which politically motivated legal proceedings and trials against journalists are drawn out over a long time, according to Gallagher.

Gallagher's other clients include jailed pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; Nobel laureate Maria Ressa from the Philippines; and the family of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in Malta in 2017.

"What we're seeing in Jose Ruben Zamora's case in Guatemala, or Jimmy Lai's case in Hong Kong, are these very prolonged proceedings which actually keep the person in prison and try to hold the international response at bay for as long as possible," Gallagher said. "That's a real problem."

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Russo-Ukraine War - 13 March 2025 - Day 1114

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to withhold the pressure of the occupation troops. The Russian enemy is most actively in the Intercession direction.

So far, there have been a total of 128 combat clashes.

Today, Russia carried out 76 airstrikes using 101 controlled bombs. In addition, the Zagarbniks engaged 1043 kamikaze drones for strikes and carried out about five thousand shells of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces attacked five times towards the settlements of Vovchansk, Krasne Pershe and Doroshivka, three clashes are still ongoing. Air strikes were suffered by Graniv and Cossack Lopany.

Three times the Russian enemy tried to go ahead on Ukrainian positions in the Kupyans komu direction, near Golubivka, Zagrizovy and Boguslavka.

In the Lyman direction for today, Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 Russian attacks in the area of Torsky, Yampolivka and in the direction of Green Valley, Grigorivka, New, Novomikhailivka. Four attacks are still going on.

Seven offensive actions of the Russian enemy repelled Ukrainian defenders in the area of Verkhnyokamiansky and Bilogorivka in the Siversky direction.

At the moment, one Russian attack has taken place in the Kramatorsky direction. The Russian enemy is attacking in the area of the temporary yar. Ukrainian defenders gave a decent cut.

In the Toretsky direction, Ukrainian military repelled 13 Russian attacks in the areas of Toretsk and Friendship, 11 attacks stopped by the Defense Forces, two are ongoing.

On the Pokrovsky direction during this day the Russian aggressor 41 times attacked Ukrainian positions in the areas of the settlements of Elizavetivka, Beam, Fox, Kotline, Udacne, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novosergiivka, Kotlyarivka, Oleksiivka, Andriyivka. The six clashes are still ongoing. The Russian enemy's aviation launched KABAMA air strikes in the areas of poprovsk, Oleksandropil, Hrodivka, Sukhi Yar, Novopavlivka, Novoukraina, Zvirove, Leontovichi, Oleksiyivka.

According to preliminary calculations, today the Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsky direction lost 344 people killed and wounded. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed three mortars, two cannons, eight vehicles units, 11 motorcycles, a self-propelled artillery rig, eight satellite terminals, four control points of BPLA and two trenches REB of the Russian occupiers. Also Ukrainian defenders hit three points of control of the bpla and the Russian enemy's cannon.

In the Novopavlivs komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian attacks. Russian forces tried to break through near Constantinople. Voskresenka suffered an air strike.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks in the areas of Novosilka and Novopol, in one location the fight is still ongoing. Novopil, Zaliznychne, Gulyaipole, Shevchenko and Vilne Pole suffered aviation strikes.

In the Orihivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders have successfully repelled six Russian attacks in the area of Stepovoye, Pyatihatok, Vilny Pol, Rivnopol, Scherbakov, Kamiansky and in the direction of Novoandriivka, eight more clashes are still ongoing. Russian forces caused air strikes in the areas of novoandrivka and small tokmacki.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces did not carry out active offensive actions, however, caused an air strike around the area of the settlement of Lviv.

The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue its operation in Kurshchyna, where Ukrainian troops have repelled 14 Russian attacks to date, seven more clashes continue so far, Russian invaders have launched 29 air strikes, using 45 controlled air bombs and carrying out 183 artillery shelling.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces inflicted damage on a mechanised brigade and a motorised infantry brigade of the AFU near Kazachya Lopan and Volchansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU lost up to 35 troops, a tank, five motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and an electronic warfare station. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, an assault brigade of the AFU, and a territorial defence brigade close to Kopanki, Novoyegorovka (Kharkov region), and Redkodub (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to more than 220 troops, four U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, three motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit formations of four mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, an assault brigade, and an unmanned aerial vehicles brigade of the AFU close to Aleksandropol, Aleksandro-Kalinovo, Verolyubovka, Konstantinovka, Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka, and Krymskoye ( Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 225 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, and a field artillery gun. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depths of enemy defences. Russian troops hit formations of two mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, an assault brigade, an unmanned aerial vehicles brigade of the AFU, a marine brigade, and two national guard brigades close to Dimitrov, Novopavlovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Shevchenko, Sribnoye, Udachnoye, Ulyanovka, Mirolyubovka, and Uspenovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost more than 475 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, a UK-made Spartan armoured personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and an electronic warfare station.

The Vostok Group of Forces engaged an infantry brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades close to Otradnoye, Bogatyr, Fedorovka, and Konstantinopol (Donetsk People's Republic) during active operations.

The enemy losses amounted to more than 180 troops, a tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, four field artillery guns including two Bogdana self-propelled artillery systems.

The Dnepr Group of Forces units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a coastal defence brigade of the AFU and two territorial defence brigades close to Nikolskoye, Burgunka, Tyaginka (Kherson Oblast) and Pavlovka (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 55 troops, eight motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station were neutralised.

Operational-tactical aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops, and artillery crews of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on military facilities of airfield infrastructure, the unmanned aerial vehicles and storage facilities as well as clusters of AFU manpower and hardware and foreign mercenaries in 158 areas.

Russian air defence systems shot down four JDAM guided aerial bombs and two HIMARS projectiles as well as 147 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the AFU losses amounted to: 657 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 46,508 unmanned aerial vehicles, 600 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,144 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,526 MLRS combat vehicles, 22,521 field artillery guns and mortars, 32,745 units of support military vehicles.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region.

The Sever Group of Forces liberated Melovoy, Podol, and Sudzha during offensive operations.

Moreover, Russian units hit formations of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, an assault brigade, an air assault brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and an assault regiment of the AFU near Gogolevka, Goncharovka, Guyevo, Zaoleshenka, Zapselye, Oleshnya, Rubanshchina, and Sudzha. One AFU counter-attack was repelled.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery strikes engaged AFU manpower and hardware near Gornal, Oleshnya, Aleksandriya, as well as Basovka, Belovody, Varachino, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Miropolye, Novenkoye, Sadki, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka in Sumy region.

The AFU losses were over 340 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured personnel carriers, five armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, four artillery guns, two mortars as well as two UAV CPs.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU lost more than 67,150 troops, 392 tanks, 316 infantry fighting vehicles, 278 armoured personnel carriers, 2,196 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,428 motor vehicles, 549 artillery guns,52 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 120 EW stations, 16 counter-battery warfare radars, ten air defence radars, 56 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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March 13, 2025

By Army Maj. Wes Shinego, DOD News

Securing the Southern Border: Two Months of Decisive Action

In the two months since President Donald J. Trump's inauguration Jan. 20, 2025, the administration has launched a multi-front campaign to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, targeting cartels, transnational criminal organizations and illegal immigration.

The 52-day period marks a shift in national security priorities, with the administration designating cartels as terrorist threats, deploying thousands of troops resulting in a 94% reduction of unlawful border crossings. Backed by executive orders, military resources and international cooperation, these efforts signal a change in border enforcement aimed at restoring sovereignty and protecting American communities.

A New National Security Framework

On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order designating Mexican cartels and transnational criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists, elevating them to the same threat level as ISIS or al-Qaeda.

That move, long advocated by national security experts, reframes cartels as existential dangers rather than criminal enterprises. Attorney General Pam Bondi's subsequent Department of Justice memo operationalized this shift, directing prosecutors to pursue terrorism charges under 18 U.S.C.  2339B alongside traditional drug trafficking and racketeering offenses.

By streamlining processes  suspending National Security Division approvals and fast-tracking terrorism-related warrants  the DOJ has empowered law enforcement to act swiftly against cartel leaders with penalties now including life imprisonment or the death penalty.

That legal overhaul complements a broader strategic pivot. While the administration continues to prioritize near-peer competitors like China and Russia, it has closed the gray area that cartels exploited for decades. The result is a unified approach that marshals the full weight of U.S. national security resources to dismantle these organizations that control over 80% of illegal drugs such as fentanyl entering the U.S. and earn billions from human trafficking.

Military Mobilization and Operational Control

Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department has matched this policy shift with unprecedented action. Within 36 hours of Trump's Jan. 20 executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern border, Acting Secretary Robert Salesses announced the deployment of 1,500 active-duty troops, making the total 4,000 alongside 2,500 reservists already in place.

By March 1, 2025, the Pentagon deployed a 4,400-soldier Stryker brigade combat team and a 650-troop general support aviation battalion, bringing Title 10 forces to approximately 9,000. Equipped with Stryker vehicles, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, these units enhance detection, logistic and aerial support for Customs and Border Protection.

During Hegseth's visit to the Laredo, Texas, Feb. 3, 2025, he defined "mission accomplishment" as "100% operational control" of the southern border. Troops have installed physical barriers, provided real-time surveillance and freed CBP agents for interdiction, while U.S. Northern Command coordinates a joint task force with DHS.

An agreement with Mexico added 10,000 Mexican troops to patrol their side of the border. Meanwhile, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be used to detain criminal migrants. The first detainees are 10 Tren de Aragua members  a newly designated terrorist group  who arrived at Guantanamo Bay Feb. 5, 2025.

Measurable Results

Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks reported March 4, 2025, unlawful crossings have decreased from 4,800 to 285 daily apprehensions. Executive actions, including the closure of the asylum system for illegal entrants and the cancellation of Biden-era policies, have halted migrant releases into the U.S. interior.

Since Jan. 20, 2025, only two migrants have been released from custody  both as witnesses in criminal cases. Banks credits the "greater punishment, larger deterrent" strategy, bolstered by troop surges and Texas National Guard soldiers deputized as immigration officers.

Reinforcing Legislative Efforts

The administration is also pressing Congress to act. The Halt Fentanyl Act, passed by the House Feb. 9, 2025, aims to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, though it awaits Senate approval. Proposals to schedule xylazine  a deadly sedative mixed with fentanyl  as a Schedule III substance and designate large-scale fentanyl trafficking as a weapon of mass destruction are gaining traction.

These measures would enhance interdiction and grant agencies like DOD and DEA authority to counter the opioid epidemic as a whole that has claimed thousands of American lives since 2000.

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Russian-Belarusian talks

Vladimir Putin held talks at the Kremlin with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who has come to Russia on an official visit.

March 13, 2025

17:40

The Kremlin, Moscow

It is the first international visit by Alexander Lukashenko since his re-election as the head of the Belarusian state.

The talks began in a face-to-face format, and then continued with the participation of delegations.

The agenda includes key aspects of the further development of the strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Belarus, the outlook for their integration cooperation within the Union State, as well as current international issues.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Lukashenko, I am delighted to see you.

It is gratifying that you have come to Russia on your first international visit after your re-election as President of Belarus. On the other hand, this seems logical because relations between Russia and Belarus are special, allied and truly fraternal.

We always say this, but in the context of your official visit it would be appropriate to reiterate that there are historical ties between our nations and family ties between many of our people. Our relations are currently developing in a way that many other countries could see as an example to emulate in the spheres of the economy, national security and cooperation on the international stage, in particular, at the UN and the SCO, which Belarus has joined as a full member, as well as BRICS, where Belarus has received the status of partner country.

Our economic ties are progressing in the best possible way, despite all the difficulties of an external nature. Bilateral trade has grown by about 5.7 percent, reaching a record level. According to your statistics, it is over $51 billion, while the Russian estimate is slightly more modest, just over $50 billion. Nevertheless, it is still a record level according to both sides. Moreover, apart from cooperating in a routine mode, we are taking forward-looking steps and opening up new areas for cooperation.

At your suggestion, we started considering a few projects in aircraft construction, and have got them actively underway. For example, joint ventures and Belarusian projects catering to the needs of the aviation industry have been launched in Minsk and elsewhere.

Our ties are growing closer when it comes to culture, education, and sports. I know that this year, Belarus will host the Days of Russian Culture as well as the Days of Russian Cinema. Our musicians regularly take part in the Slavonic Bazaar, a highly successful project you launched years ago. Over 80 Russian regions maintain relations at the regional level with their Belarusian counterparts.

In general, we have been making active progress in almost every field. We have numerous events planned for today's visit including joint statements, and several interdepartmental documents prepared for signing that will facilitate cooperation at the level of specific enterprises and industries.

Overall, work is underway and in progress. We are very much looking forward to seeing you on May 9, and before that, a major forum dedicated to the end of the Great Patriotic War is scheduled to be held in Volgograd, which many of our colleagues from other countries are expected to attend. So, we are delighted to see you.

Once again, I congratulate you on your re-election as President of Belarus. I wish you every success, and I wish the brotherly Belarusian people all the best. I am confident that today's visit will be productive and rewarding, and produce good outcomes. Welcome!

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: Mr Putin, thank you very much.

I spent much time thinking what I can say about our relations. As you have noted, they have indeed reached a very high level. We are creating a unique entity named the Union State, the only one of its kind in history. We are travelling an unbeaten path, which is an uphill road. But as you have said, we have a good mirror that reflects our advance, which is the economy and our trade and economic relations. We are growing stronger every year despite problems, which will always be with us. This means that we are moving in the right direction.

Do you know what is really important? We have held elections, but they were not the first elections held in Belarus, and there was nothing new about them. But there is one thing we must never overlook because elections have two sides to them. The other side has dispersed, as it was said in a popular film. Some have fled to the West, and others - they are not numerous but they exist - have gone to earth and are keeping quiet.

Nevertheless, over 90 percent of our people have come to the polling stations despite the headwinds. Efforts have been taken, including by the media, to stop our people from voting. But over 90 percent have done this, and 87 percent of them cast their votes for the incumbent president. In fact, it was a choice between being with Russia and keeping on the eastern path, which is our cradle, and choosing something else. You know the answer. Our people have provided it.

This question has always been on our agenda, even if not loudly or openly. It is the specific feature of all our elections. Therefore, you should have no doubt that not only I but also my colleagues, members of our Government and our deputies, stand for close relations with Russia. We have reaffirmed this in our joint struggle today, the hottest part of which is the conflict in Ukraine.

It is extremely important that we have always remained on this path, and it is extremely important that our people have demonstrated this. Our people know very well where our friends are and where our adversaries, enemies and rivals are.

You have spoken about all aspects of Belarusian-Russian relations. I see by far fewer problems between us than there are on the global scale or even in our region. We have been working successfully to settle problems. Of course, there are some issues still, but I think that we will talk about them in the expanded format, when our experts join us.

We know what these issues are. We would like to deal with them quicker, but we cannot always do so, and it does not always depend on us but on the external circumstances, as we are well aware. Yet we find solution to every issue we address, be it import substitution or resistance to sanctions. Everyone thought that we would collapse within a year, but we are alive and kicking, and I am confident that we will live on. We need a bit more time, and we could probably use a bit more persistence, which we have plenty of. It is something we have in our blood.

Mr Putin, thank you for the way this official visit has begun. Just like you, I prefer working meetings and talks, of course. But this official visit is important too, as a way to show Belarusians and Russians that we stand together, that we are sovereign and independent states, but we are also a family, which we will continue to promote during all our talks and in the course of our relations.

Vladimir Putin: Tomorrow will also be a busy day for you, as you will speak at the Federation Council.

<...>

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National Defence announces $29.5 million investment to upgrade facilities at Saint-Jean Garrison

National Defence

News release

March 13, 2025 - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

On January 6, 2025, the Department of National Defence (DND) awarded a $29.5 million Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for the St-Jean Garrison, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

This EPC will primarily see upgrades at the General Jean-Victor Allard building, known as the "Mega" complex, the central heating plant, and approximately 20 other, smaller buildings on the Garrison. Once implemented, these upgrades are expected to reduce the Garrison's energy costs by approximately 27%, amounting to an estimated $870,000 saved on energy costs annually. Energy retrofits will also lower the Garrison's current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by almost 5,500 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

Under this EPC, improvements at the Garrison will include:

modernizing the central heating plant with partial electrification and heat recovery;

modernizing garrison lighting;

optimizing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls;

enhancing airflow and ventilation;

reducing hot water consumption; and

improving building envelope performance.

The contract for this work was awarded to Johnson Controls International of Saint-Laurent, Quebec. Construction is planned to begin in 2026, and we anticipate all retrofits and upgrades will be complete by 2028. St-Jean's facilities will remain fully functional during construction with no impact on military operations.

EPCs are being implemented at DND buildings across Canada as an efficient and innovative way of reducing our energy consumption, operating costs, and to contribute to the federal government's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Quotes

"It is imperative that we provide the Canadian Armed Forces with modern, energy-efficient infrastructure at Defence installments across the country. Energy Performance Contracts are not only an investment in Canada's green industry, but they also provide important infrastructure upgrades that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. We are committed to reducing our overall energy consumption and working toward a greener future for Canadians." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

Quick facts

Since 2015, DND has implemented 16 EPCs, and alongside our energy service company partners, have invested almost $548 million in energy and GHG reduction improvements.

An EPC is a contract with an energy service company, where the company finances energy retrofits at DND and the Canadian Armed Forces installations and guarantees the savings. The savings from the reduction in energy costs are used to pay back the company over a five-to 15-year period, limiting upfront costs for the government.

EPCs have been completed in Valcartier (2), Petawawa, Esquimalt, Greenwood, and Bagotville. In addition to St-Jean, EPCs are currently in-place in Shilo, Borden, Kingston, Halifax, Comox, Gagetown, Edmonton and Alert.

Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is a Crown Corporation that provides contracting, contract management and related infrastructure services to DND.

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Chinese, Lao FMs meet in Beijing, pledge stronger ties

Global Times

MOU to jointly promote Global Security Initiative co-op signed

By Liu Caiyu and Shen Sheng Published: Mar 13, 2025 10:28 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday, with both pledging to push forward the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Chinese analysts described the meeting as highly productive, instilling greater confidence and laying a promising foundation for future collaboration between the two countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past 64 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two parties of China and Laos and the two nations have stood together through challenges and provided mutual support. The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has become ever more robust and resilient.

China firmly supports Laos in strengthening the leadership of its party and expresses willingness to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, Wang said.

Thongsavanh praised China's leapfrog development amid a complex external environment. He also said that Laos firmly adheres to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with China to make greater progress in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.

Phomvihane is visiting China from March 12 to 15. Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee also met with Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday.

"The talks between the two sides were highly productive, as it not only reaffirmed their past experiences of bilateral cooperation but also established a promising foundation for future collaboration in the coming years," Zhou Shixin, director of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, told the Global Times.

In their meeting, Wang said China is willing to work with Laos to further deepen and expand practical cooperation, advance the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, enhance the China-Laos Railway's operational capacity, accelerate comprehensive development along the railway line, and expand collaboration in energy, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and other fields.

Wang also told Thongsavanh the two sides can strengthen bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation to combat telecommunications fraud, gambling, and other cross-border criminal activities with full force.

"The areas of deepening cooperation with China align with Laos' national vision and need for more robust economic development," Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at the Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times.

Zhou emphasized the development of the flagship project between the two countries, the China-Laos Economic Corridor, with the China-Laos Railway as an important part, has already laid a solid foundation. The meeting has instilled confidence that further practical cooperation regarding the railway's expansion can be anticipated.

China's two sessions have just concluded successfully, setting a GDP growth target of around 5 percent for 2025. As comrades and brothers, China welcomes Laos to seize the new opportunities of China's development and join hands to march toward modernization, Wang told Thongsavanh.

The between China and Laos is not limited to bilateral relations. Previously known as a landlocked country, Laos has now become a land-linked nation. As a result, Laos plays a significant role in connecting China with other ASEAN countries in the Southeast Asian region in many aspects, Zhou added.

After the meeting, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting Cooperation on the Global Security Initiative.

This collaboration sets an example, potentially encouraging more ASEAN nations to join China to promote and cooperate on the Global Security Initiative, Zhou believed.

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China's first Type 054B frigate makes training debut in Yellow Sea

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Mar 13, 2025 04:30 PM

After its commissioning into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in January, China's first Type 054B frigate made its first public appearance with a training exercise in the Yellow Sea on Thursday. An expert described the rapid development of the warship's capabilities as astounding and predicted it would become combat-ready soon.

A combat support ship detachment affiliated with the navy of the PLA Northern Theater Command recently organized challenging training exercises, including maritime VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), navigating under simulated complex weather conditions, as well as search and rescue, in a move to hone the unit's round-the-clock, all-domain combat capabilities, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

During the exercise in an undisclosed location in the Yellow Sea, the replenishment ship Dongpinghu was tasked with refueling multiple vessels. The frigate Luohe sailed to the Dongpinghu's port side while the destroyer Xining sailed to the Dongpinghu's stern, as the three vessels started a series of procedures to conduct maritime replenishment, according to the CCTV report.

The 5,000-ton-class Luohe, which is the PLA Navy's first Type 054B frigate, was officially commissioned at a naval port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on January 22, with the hull number of 545, the PLA Navy announced at the time.

The maritime replenishment exercise marked Luohe's first public appearance since commissioning, according to publicly available information reviewed by the Global Times.

The Luohe began maritime training exercises in under two months after commissioning, and this represents an astounding speed of combat capability generation for China's first Type 054B frigate, Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Typically, destroyers and frigates require about one year to reach initial operational capability, as they must undergo a series of basic training exercises, Wang said.

The Luohe is likely in this trial exercise phase, undergoing a series of training tests. Further training in far-seas voyages, defensive operations and offensive missions is expected before the vessel reaches full operational capability, Wang said, expecting this to take about less than two years if everything goes smoothly, considering the ship being the first hull in its class.

As a new-generation frigate independently developed and built by China, the Luohe features advancements in stealth technology, combat command systems and integrated firepower control, among other aspects. The ship boasts strong combat capabilities and versatility in military missions, which are of great significance for improving the overall combat effectiveness of naval warship formations, the PLA Navy said when the vessel was commissioned.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 13, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: March 13, 2025 19:16

CCTV: We noticed that a series of major foreign investment projects have arrived in China this year, with a total investment volume of US$33 billion. Commentators say foreign companies are increasing their investment in the Chinese market with concrete actions. However, some say statistics show that foreign investment in China has dropped in recent years, indicating a trend of "foreign capital leaving China". What's your comment on this?

Mao Ning: We have received similar questions from other journalists recently. Here I would like to share some of the latest statistics from authorities with you. By the end of last year, foreign enterprises have invested and established nearly 1.24 million companies in China, with paid-in foreign capital reaching RMB 20.6 trillion. Last year, there were nearly 60 thousand new foreign-funded companies, up by 9.9 percent year-on-year. In the past five years, the rate of return on FDI in China is nearly 9 percent, ranking among the top across the globe. Statistics show that China remains an ideal destination for foreign investment and many foreign companies are optimistic about China's growth prospects.

Last month, China issued the 2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment, putting forward 20 new measures on expanding self-initiated opening-up in an orderly manner and improving the level of investment promotion. It is put forward clearly in this year's government work report that we will ensure national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises in fields such as access to production factors, license application, standards setting, and government procurement, thus enabling foreign-funded enterprises to achieve even greater business success in China.

Partnering with China will bring more opportunities. No matter how the external environment may evolve, China remains firmly committed to high-standard opening up and always welcomes companies from all countries to keep investing in China and explore the Chinese market to enjoy benefits and development together.

DPA: According to German media report, the German foreign intelligence service concluded based on their evidence that the outbreak of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic in 2020 could well have been triggered by an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan, China. What's your comment? What's China's position on the COVID pandemic?

Mao Ning: We have stated China's position on this issue for many times. We believe the COVID-19 origins-tracing is a matter of science, and the judgement should be made by scientists and the science-based spirit should be upheld. It is "extremely unlikely" that the pandemic was caused by a lab leakthis is the authoritative conclusion reached by the experts of the WHO-China joint mission based on science following their field trips to the lab in Wuhan and in-depth communication with researchers. The conclusion has been widely acknowledged by the international community, including the science community.

On the COVID-19 origins-tracing, we firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation.

Beijing Youth Daily: The Report on the Work of the Government noted that China offered unilateral visa waivers to more countries in 2024, thus bringing about a sustained surge in inbound tourism. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also pointed out when he met the press during the two sessions that more countries may join our visa-free "circle of friends", sustaining the popularity of "China Travel" around the world. Can you give us more details on that?

Mao Ning: So far, China has granted unilateral visa-free entry to 38 countries and extended the transit visa-free period to 240 hours for 54 countries. In 2024, over 20 million foreign travelers entered China visa-free, up by 112 percent year-on-year. Among them, over 3.39 million came to China under the unilateral visa-free policy, up by 1200 percent year-on-year. Having been to China, many foreigners who thought of China as mysterious now find the country fascinating.

We will take more steps to make it easier to visit China and make foreign visitors feel more at home during their stay here. Some policies have been put in place. For example, Chinese embassies and consulates worldwide no longer require online appointment for visa application and now provide walk-in visa application services instead. Many cities are now piloting the policy of "Buy Now, Refund Now" for efficient departure tax refunds and provide easier payment access which allows foreign users to link their international credit cards to Chinese digital payment platforms.

Spring is a perfect time to visit China as it brings warmth and blossom of flowers. We welcome foreign friends to come and visit China and get a first-hand experience of this beautiful and open country as it is.

AFP: China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue tomorrow. Can you brief us on China's expectation on the meeting? Is the meeting open to foreign media? If not, why?

Mao Ning: As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), China calls for an appropriate resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and efforts of safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. The Beijing meeting will be China's latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination and creating conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation at an early date.

Under current circumstances, we believe that relevant parties need to remain calm, exercise restraint, and prevent the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue from escalating or even descending to confrontation and conflict. China sincerely hopes that all parties can work in the same direction, continue to build trust and clear up misgivings, and turn the momentum of resuming dialogue and negotiation into reality at an early date.

On whether the meeting will be open to media, let met check and get back to you.

Reuters: Taiwan president Lai Ching-te said today that China has deepened its influence campaign and infiltration against the island. He also said that China has used Taiwan's democracy to absorb various members of society. How does the Ministry respond to this?

Mao Ning: First, Taiwan is part of China. There is no so-called president in Taiwan. What you mentioned is not a question on foreign affairs. What I can tell you is that no matter what they say, the DPP authorities cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, and the trend that China must achieve reunification.

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China's exports to be hit hard by US tariffs: businesses

Exporters will struggle to make a profit as costs rise and some have shifted output to Vietnam and Thailand.

By Qian Lang for RFA Mandarin 2025.03.13 -- Chinese exports look set to take a battering from an escalating tariff war with the United States, business executives and economists say.

The United States has imposed tariffs of 20% on Chinese goods since President Donald Trump took office -- 10% last month and a further 10% coming into effect on March 4.

"Export volume has shrunk, and business has been snatched away by competitors from other countries," according to the head of an electronics trading company in Shenzhen, just north of Hong Kong, who gave only the surname Ge for fear of reprisals.

China's exports grew 2.3% year-on-year in January and February, lower than the expected 5% rate, according to the latest government figures. That's down from the 5.4% growth rate for all of last year.

Previous tariffs imposed during the first Trump administration from 2017-2021 have already prompted many businesses to move production to other countries such as Vietnam.

'Workshop of the world' is quieter

Once the "workshop of the world," Guangdong province in the south has become quieter and is now home to fewer factories and more trading companies, which handle orders but don't actually make anything, Ge said.

"There are no factories in Guangdong hiring workers right now, and many factories have moved to Vietnam, Thailand and other places," she said.

"Trading companies mainly receive orders and place them with factories, which then fulfill them, so the operating costs aren't too high, but the factories are in the most trouble," she said.

"It's hard for them to keep going with no orders, because they have so many fixed costs like their premises, equipment, wages and materials."

The United States is still the biggest market. "There are orders from Europe, but demand isn't as high as from the United States," Ge said.

Zhu Zhiqiang, an exporter based in the eastern city of Jiangsu, said China's manufacturing industry relies on exports, particularly from the United States, he said. "If we don't resolve this problem, we are doomed."

Guizhou-based economist Wang Ting said manufacturers are still reeling from the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods during the first Trump administration.

"The increase in tariffs in his second term has made things worse, accelerating the relocation of manufacturing outside of China," Wang said.

"China's economy is now in recession, the unemployment rate remains high, and all sectors are in a state of internal competition," he said.

Meanwhile, business confidence remains at a low ebb.

"Most Chinese people are waiting and watching," Wang said.

The impact of tariffs is two-fold, according to Wang, with manufacturers of furniture, electronics and clothing likely to raise prices to cover the cost of tariffs, reducing their appeal for consumers in the United States.

E-commerce companies could also seek to reduce their reliance on the American market and expand into Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America via platforms like Lazada and Shopee.

"This trend could accelerate in future," Wang said.

Even in e-commerce, former business owners are staying on the sidelines in the hope that things improve.

"This year, a friend of mine stopped doing [e-commerce] and is now just staying home," Zhu said. "Some e-commerce operators can no longer sell their products overseas because of the increase in tariffs."

He said part of the problems is that Chinese exporters have typically competed on price rather than quality.

"Increasing tariffs eliminates that advantage, making us unable to compete," he said.

Financial commentator Cai Shenkun said the tariffs come amid a boom in cross-border e-commerce from China.

"Once a trade war breaks out, including the cancellation of the tax-free quota for small packages in the future, this will have a huge impact, and mid- and low-end manufacturing will be affected," Cai said.

He said e-commerce businesses typically run on profit margins of less than 10%.

"If tariffs rise to 25%, e-commerce will no longer be profitable," he said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Beijing meeting between China, Russia, Iran set to start; a step signaling expanded strategic synergies: expert

Global Times

By Li Yawei Published: Mar 13, 2025 10:00 PM

China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on Friday, which Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described on Thursday as "China's latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination."

A Chinese expert said that the meeting is a step signaling the three nations' pursuit of expanded strategic synergies. Almost at the same time, Iran rejected a US' move that proposed nuclear talks. Expert noted that the stalemate in US-Iran talks persists due to a deep lack of mutual trust.

China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on Friday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi will attend the meeting in Beijing. The three parties will exchange views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of mutual interest, said the spokesperson.

In response to a media question about China's expectations for the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Thursday that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), China calls for an appropriate resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and efforts of safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Beijing meeting will be China's latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination and creating conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation at an early date, Mao said.

Under current circumstances, we believe that relevant parties need to remain calm, exercise restraint, and prevent the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue from escalating or even descending to confrontation and conflict, the spokesperson noted.

With the Iran nuclear deal in stalemate, the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran seeks to explore new possibilities and might discuss the establishment of a new negotiation platform for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue in the future, Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

With China, Russia, and Iran about to hold the meeting, the US government also said last week it had sent a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, proposing nuclear talks. This move, however, has reportedly been rejected by Iran.

According to Reuters, Khamenei on Wednesday rejected holding negotiations with the US over a nuclear deal. "When we know they won't honour it, what's the point of negotiating? Therefore, the invitation to negotiate ... is a deception of public opinion," Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media, reported the Reuters. Khamenei said he had not yet seen the letter, per Reuters.

Liu noted that though the US and Iran have a desire for negotiations, there is a severe lack of mutual trust. He said that on issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue, the US' approach comes with blackmail, attempting to force Iran into making significant concessions. However, Iran holds a tough stance.

Currently, the priority lies in all parties involved adopting a clam and restrained approach to handling the issue, Liu said, noting that blackmail or unilateral action won't solve the problem.

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Iran will not negotiate with the U.S. under 'maximum pressure:' Foreign minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 13, 2025

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Iran will enter direct talks with the United States only in equal conditions and free from threats, emphasizing that the other side should realize that the pressure policy is ineffective.

Araqchi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Iran Newspaper, which was published on Thursday.

Early last month, U.S. President Donald Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which he initially launched against the country in 2018 when he withdrew Washington from the Iran deal. Trump, who is now serving his second term, has also spoken of his willingness to negotiate a new deal with Iran.

The top diplomat said in the interview that Iran's entering negotiations while the "maximum pressure" exists would mark a weak position, and "we will not have any achievement."

"It is not a matter of stubbornness or seeking ideals. This is an expert issue. It should be proved to the other side that the pressure policy is ineffective so that we can come to the negotiating table in equal conditions," said Araqchi.

He also said that Iran's "strategy of patience" is not based on "passive patience", rather is accompanied with taking initiatives.

"We do not have a passive policy at all to sit and look what decisions they make for us," the top diplomat said, adding that Iran has made planning for possible nuclear negotiations, including those with Europe.

According to Araqchi, Iran will continue negotiations with Europe, and consultations with Russia and China as well.

At the end, he emphasized, the U.S. should remove sanctions against Iran, but "we will enter direct negotiations when we are in equal conditions, free from pressure and threat, and when we are sure that our people's national interests are served."

4208**4194

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Iran slams UNSC meeting as an 'unwarranted interference' in its cooperation with the IAEA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 13, 2025

New York, IRNA -- Iran has strongly objected to a United Nations Security Council meeting on the country's nuclear program, calling it an "unwarranted interference" in Tehran's ongoing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We consider this meeting as an unwarranted interference in the ongoing, constructive engagement between Iran and the IAEA," Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Sa'eed Iravani, said in a statement at a Security Council private meeting on Wednesday.

He said that the move was aimed at prolonging the "failed and unlawful policy of maximum pressure against Iran." He warned that such actions risk undermining the credibility of the Council.

The Iranian envoy argued that the meeting misused the Security Council to push specific political agendas rather than engage in a legitimate discussion on nuclear non-proliferation.

"The issues raised for this meeting are purely technical and fall exclusively within the mandate of the IAEA," Iravani said.

He further said that the same matters had already been discussed at last week's IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. "There is no legitimate basis for Security Council involvement," he added.

The following is the full text of the statement:



In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Thank you, Madam President,

We thank Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, for his briefing.

At the outset, we strongly object to this provocative and unwarranted meeting. This is not a legitimate discussion on non-proliferationit is a blatant political maneuver and a misuse of the Security Council to advance narrow agendas. Such actions set a dangerous precedent that undermines the Council's credibility.

The issues raised for this meeting are purely technical and fall exclusively within the mandate of the IAEA. These matters were just discussed last week at the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna. There is no legitimate basis for Security Council involvement.

We consider this meeting as an unwarranted interference in the ongoing, constructive engagement between Iran and the IAEA. It serves only one purpose: to continue the failed and unlawful policy of maximum pressure against Iran.

We appreciate those Council members who adhere to a principled and impartial approach, grounded in facts, rejecting any attempt to exploit this body for political purposes, opposes interference in the work of the IAEA, and upholds diplomacy as the only viable path forward.

Madam President,

We categorically reject the baseless claims made by the United States, the United Kingdom and France. These countries have conveniently ignored the reality that they themselves are responsible for the current situation. It was the United States that unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, in direct violation of Security Council Resolution 2231. It was the United States that reimposed illegal sanctions, defying international law and punishing the Iranian people. And it was the United Kingdom, France and Germany, European parties to the JCPOA that, instead of upholding their obligations, chose to appease Washington by failing to implement their commitments.

These are the facts. And they cannot be ignored.

Madam President,

Let's refresh our memories again; In May 2018, the United States not only abandoned a legally binding agreement endorsed by this Council, but also violated Article 25 of the UN Charter by refusing to implement Resolution 2231. It then embarked on a reckless campaign of coercion, pressuring other nations to violate the resolution as well. Even worse, certain European states, rather than resisting this unlawful pressure, have aided, and abetted it, first by indirectly enforcing U.S. sanctions and later by unilaterally extending restrictions that were legally set to expire in October 2023. The United Kingdom went even further, incorporating illegal EU sanctions into its own domestic law.

These actions are flagrant violations of international obligations and the principles of good faith diplomacy.

Iran, in contrast, exercised strategic patience for over a year after the U.S. withdrawal. We fully complied with our commitments under the JCPOA, including the Additional Protocol and Modified Code 3.1, while exploring all diplomatic avenues to resolve the crisis caused by Western unilateralism. Even after Washington's withdrawal, Iran continued its cooperation with IAEA in good faith. Only when all diplomatic pathways were exhausted did we begin a phased, reversible response, fully in line with our rights under Paragraph 26 of the JCPOA.

Let me emphasize: Iran has not violated the JCPOA. It is those who abandoned their commitments, first and foremost the United States, who bear full responsibility for the current situation.

Yet today, we see an effort to repackage the same failed strategy of 2020, when the United States attempted to misuse this Council for its unilateral objectives. That attempt failed then, and it will fail again now. Repeating a failed approach will not yield a different result.

Madam President,

Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful. We have not breached the JCPOA. We have not violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). We have not deviated from our Safeguards commitments. Those who claim otherwise are distorting reality to serve their own political narratives.

Let us be clear about the legal framework: The NPT imposes no limits on Iran's level of uranium enrichment. This is an undisputed fact. The only restrictions that ever existed were within the JCPOA, an agreement that the United States deliberately sabotaged.

Even today, despite the suspension of certain JCPOA provisions, Iran's nuclear program remains under continuous IAEA monitoring. In fact, by the agency's own admission, Iran's nuclear program is the most heavily inspected in the world. No other nation has subjected itself to such scrutiny. And yet, this Council is being dragged into a discussion that has no legal or technical basis.

Madam President,

It is particularly outrageous that the very country leading this charge, the United States, is the primary violator of Resolution 2231. Washington has openly declared, in its own official documents, that it seeks to weaponize the Security Council as part of its strategy to intensify economic warfare against Iran. This is a dangerous abuse of this body.

We call on all responsible members of the Council to reject this manipulation. The Security Council must not be exploited by those who openly defy its resolutions while demanding that others adhere to them. Resolution 2231 must be implemented as agreed, and it must expire on schedule, as mandated by the text.

Madam President,

Iran remains committed to its obligations under the NPT and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. However, we firmly reject the politicization of technical issues. Certain states have sought to pressure the IAEA into taking politically motivated positions, this is unacceptable. The agency's independence must be safeguarded against political coercion.

Let me be unequivocal: Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, and it will remain so. We have no intention of changing our defensive doctrine. We categorically reject Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), including nuclear weapons. These weapons are criminal, inhumane, and a real threat to global security.

However, our commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy is firm and unwavering. No country, no matter how powerful, can deprive Iran of its inalienable right to peaceful nuclear technology.

At the same time, Iran has always believed in negotiation and diplomacy as the only viable path to resolving concerns about sanctions and nuclear issues. We remain committed to this principle. But what is truly regrettable is the continued reliance on threats, coercion, and economic pressure to force Iran into submission.

As part of Iran's commitment to diplomacy, Iran is engaged in negotiations with the three European countries. The fourth round of these talks was held in Geneva on 25 February. The parties exchanged views on nuclear issues and sanctions relief, reaffirming their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution. It was agreed that the talks would continue.

At the same time, Iran remains in constant consultation and dialogue with other key JCPOA members, namely Russia and China. A trilateral meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and China is scheduled to take place in Beijing on March 14.

Let me be clear: Iran will not negotiate under pressure. We will not surrender to threats. We will not accept dictates. Any attempt to coerce Iran into an unjust agreement will fail. Diplomacy must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, not extortion.

Madam President, Members of the Council,

The responsibility for the current situation lies squarely with those who violated the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. If there is to be any path forward, it must begin with accountability, accountability for those who abandoned their commitments, accountability for those who imposed illegal sanctions in violation of Resolution 2231, and accountability for those who have repeatedly undermined diplomacy.

Iran will continue to defend its rights. We will continue to stand firm against coercion. And we will continue to demand that this Council uphold the very principles it was created to protect.

Thank you.

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UN Security Council meeting on Iran 'blatant political maneuver': Envoy

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 8:04 PM

Iran's ambassador to the UN has condemned the Security Council meeting on Tehran's nuclear program as a "blatant political maneuver" which misuses the world body in an attempt to "advance narrow agendas."

In a statement on Thursday, Amir Saeid Iravani said the meeting was an "unwarranted interference" in Iran's ongoing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We strongly object to this provocative and unwarranted meeting. This is not a legitimate discussion on non-proliferationit is a blatant political maneuver and a misuse of the Security Council to advance narrow agendas," he said.

"Such actions set a dangerous precedent that undermines the Council's credibility," he added.

The closed-door meeting on Tehran's nuclear program, initiated by the UK, France and German at Washington's request, came a few days after the IAEA Board of Governors made its observations about Iran's nuclear issue.

"We categorically reject the baseless claims made by the United States, the United Kingdom and France. These countries have conveniently ignored the reality that they themselves are responsible for the current situation,

Iravani said the Security Council meeting had been held for discussing purely technical issues and thus fall exclusively within the mandate of the IAEA, which were just discussed last week at the Board of Governors in Vienna.

"There is no legitimate basis for Security Council involvement," the statement said, calling it "an unwarranted interference in the ongoing, constructive engagement between Iran and the IAEA".

"It serves only one purpose: to continue the failed and unlawful policy of maximum pressure against Iran," Iravani said, referring to US President Donald Trump's policy of targeting the Islamic Republic since taking office.

Iravani said it was the US that unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018 in direct violation of Security Council Resolution 2231 and reimposed illegal sanctions, punishing the Iranian people.

"And it was the United Kingdom, France and Germany, European parties to the JCPOA that, instead of upholding their obligations, chose to appease Washington by failing to implement their commitments," he added.

"The Security Council must not be exploited by those who openly defy its resolutions while demanding that others adhere to them," Iravani said.

On Thursday, Iran summoned the diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom, France and Germany to convey its "strong protest at the irresponsible and provocative approach" of the three countries in convening the closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Tehran's nuclear program.

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US imposes new sanctions day after Trump's letter delivered to Iran

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 7:26 PM

The US Treasury Department has issued sanctions against Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, and some vessels that are part of a fleet involved in the Iranian crude oil exports after the Trump administration sent a letter to the country.

The letter from US President Donald Trump was delivered by Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

But on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement that the sanctions designated Paknejad and three entities engaged in the Iranian oil trade in China, and named three shipping vessels as blocked property for their use in the transactions.

Paknejad "oversees the export of tens of billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and has allocated billions of dollars' worth of oil to Iran's armed forces for export," the Treasury said.

The designated vessels include the Hong Kong-flagged Peace Hill and its owner Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited, the Iran-flagged Polaris 1, the Seychelles-registered Fallon Shipping Company Ltd, and the Liberia-registered Itaugua Services Inc.

"Today's action advances President Trump's policy of maximum pressure" on the Iranian government, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

Iran has long been subjected to Western sanctions over its nuclear activities and other pretexts.

The new administration at the White House has escalated these measures since taking office in January, reinstating the so-called maximum pressure policy, a campaign of hybrid warfare targeting the Islamic Republic.

The latest sanctions come after the Trump administration sent the letter and warned of possible military action if Iran refused.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal in his first term renders diplomacy with him pointless, dismissing fresh overtures by Washington for a new agreement.

"The US president saying 'we are ready to negotiate with Iran' and calling for negotiations is a deception aimed at misleading global public opinion," he told a group of students visiting him in Tehran.

What this means, the Leader said, is that the US wants to portray itself as open to negotiations and making peace and Iran as not willing to accept it.

"What's the point of negotiating when we know he won't stick with it," Ayatollah Khamenei said, referring to a 2015 international nuclear deal from which Trump withdrew.

In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers. However, the US's unilateral withdrawal in 2018 and its subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the deal in limbo.

"We sat down and negotiated for several years, and this very person took the completed, finalized and signed agreement off the table and tore it up," Ayatollah Khamenei said Wednesday.

Negotiations with the current US administration, the Leader said, will not lead to the lifting of sanctions, but "will make the knot of sanctions even tighter".

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Iran summons EU3 envoys over 'provocative' meeting on its nuclear program

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 5:08 PM

Iran has summoned the diplomatic representatives of the UK, France and Germany to convey its "strong protest at the irresponsible and provocative approach" of the three countries in convening a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Tehran's nuclear program.

The French and German ambassadors as well as the British charge d'affaires were summoned Thursday to the Foreign Ministry in Tehran where the ministry's Director-General for Peace and International Security Mohammad Hassannejad Pirkouhi upbraided the three countries for "abusing Security Council mechanisms".

"Holding a closed-door Security Council meeting on Iran's nuclear program lacks any technical or legal justification and is considered a provocative and political move in line with unilateral US approaches to stoke tensions," he said.

"The compliance of the three European countries with the unjustified US request to hold a Security Council meeting is tantamount to supporting a party whose unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the JCPOA and gross violation of Security Council Resolution 2231 in 2018 is the cause and agent of subsequent undesirable developments related to this document," he added.

Pirkouhi stressed that Iran's peaceful nuclear program is fully consistent with its rights and obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Safeguards Agreement.

"Iran's nuclear activities do not conflict with the JCPOA - as a document containing Iran's voluntary confidence-building measures in exchange for the lifting of oppressive and illegal sanctions against Iran - because according to the JCPOA, Iran is allowed to partially or completely suspend the implementation of its obligations in response to the violation of the other parties' covenants."

The JCPOA is the nuclear deal's official acronym for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action under which the US, the UK, France and German undertook in 2015 to lift sanctions on Iran in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear program.

The Security Council meeting came a few days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors met in Vienna where world countries expressed their positions concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, Pirkouhi said.

"Holding a Security Council meeting on Iran's peaceful nuclear program is a destructive and discrediting interference in the Agency's technical mission and puts the normal process of Iran-Agency cooperation at risk," he said.

The three European envoys said they would convey Iran's protest to their governments.

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Pezeshkian: Enemies' conspiracies against Iran will lead nowhere

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 2:51 PM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says oil sanctions by enemies against Iran cannot harm the Islamic Republic as long as Iranians rely on the country's internal capacities, resources and assets.

Pezeshkian made the remarks at a meeting with artists and artisans from southeast Tehran province on Thursday, stressing that the enemies' conspiracies against the Iranian people will lead nowhere.

"As long as we have the national assets of specialists, elites, producers, industrialists, and artists, we will not be worried about oil sanctions," he emphasized, referring to the capabilities of Iran's scientists, specialists, artists, and producers.

"We face problems when we lose our assets. Any nation dependent on its material resources will eventually face ruin; therefore, we must focus on human capitalproducers, artists, traders, and scientists. If we support them and do not hinder their activities, threats and sanctions will be ineffective," Pezeshkian further stressed.

The Iranian president further noted that the United States is pressuring Iran since "we made ourselves reliant on oil and gas."

"As long as we depend on the resources beneath our feet, if those resources are taken away or their sale is blocked, we will be in trouble. But if we create art and produce, no power can stop us," Pezeshkian said, stressing that the government gives unconditional support for artists and is committed to providing a platform for their work.

The Iranian president highlighted human capacity for innovation, stating, "If we believe that we can solve problems with our own hands, intelligence, and abilities, no power can bring us to our knees."

"We are sitting on treasure in Iranthis land is full of treasure. It is not befitting for us to be in the state we are in now. To overcome these conditions, we need a fresh outlook, unity, and renewed support. We must envision new possibilities for ourselves, and only in this way can we live together with dignity and pride," Pezeshkian added.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have significantly worsened since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018.

The JCPOA, reached in 2015, required Iran to implement confidence-building measures to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Following the withdrawal, the Trump administration launched a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at crippling Iran's economy through severe sanctions targeting its oil exports, banking sector, and other critical industries.

American officials openly admitted that the policy was designed to weaken Iran economically and politically.

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Iran rejects talks under US 'maximum pressure,' vows 'maximum resistance'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 9:25 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not engage in talks with the United States unless negotiations are free from pressure and threats.

Speaking in a recent interview with Iran newspaper, Araghchi said that Tehran will achieve nothing if it enters the talks under US President Donald Trump's so-called maximum pressure campaign.

The ineffectiveness of the policy of pressure must be proven to the US before the Islamic Republic can sit at the negotiating table on equal terms, he said, adding that Iran's strategy to counter the "maximum pressure" policy is "maximum resistance."

The top diplomat further expressed his satisfaction with the mediating role played by the Europeans in the last round of discussions aimed at lifting anti-Iran sanctions, saying the country will continue the talks with the Europeans in parallel with close consultations with Russia and China.

"But ultimately, the US must lift the sanctions. We will enter direct negotiations when we are on an equal footing, free from pressure and threats, and confident that the people's national interests will be secured," he emphasized.

Araghchi also said that Iran has a plan for possible nuclear negotiations while it engages in the ongoing indirect talks and cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its chief Rafael Grossi.

Last week, Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News that he had sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, warning Iran to open talks on a nuclear deal or be handled militarily.

Iran said for several days that it had not received such a letter.

On Wednesday, Araghchi said the letter had been delivered to him via Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates.

In the same day, Ayatollah Khamenei said Trump's proposal for negotiations is "a deception" that is only meant to create the impression that Iran refuses to negotiate.

He said Iran negotiated with the US for several years in the past but "this same person (Trump) threw off the table and tore apart the concluded, finalized, and signed negotiations."

He was referring to Trump's decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw Washington from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and impose a series of illegal sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Since 2021, the remaining parties to the deal have been conducting on-again, off-again talks on the removal of anti-Iran sanctions and issues about the country's nuclear program.

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No enemy can defeat us if we commit to our martyrs' ideals: Pezeshkian

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 3:23 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed that national unity and adherence to the ideals of the martyrs were the key to overcoming any enemy, warning that internal divisions served only to embolden adversaries.

"If we stand together, if we remain loyal to the ideals for which our martyrs sacrificed their lives, no enemy will be able to defeat us," the chief executive said, speaking at a ceremony honoring the National Martyrs' Day on Wednesday.

The country, he said, had to honor the blood and sacrifices of its martyrs, and "not allow internal differences to give hope to our enemies."

The president, therefore, urged that personal and political disputes should never hinder the government in its efforts to live up to its duty to serve the people.

"The United States imposes sanctions, European countries issue threats, and different factions engage in verbal clashes [around the world], but none of these can halt our progress unless we ourselves turn against each other from within."

Leader's advice towards unity

Pezeshkian echoed repeated warnings by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei about the dangers of internal discord, asserting, "The Leader has clearly shown us the path forward, but what matters is our commitment to implementing this guidance, not merely chanting slogans while allowing division and discord to weaken us."

Accordingly, the president identified national unity as the only means to deter foreign adversaries.

Upholding martyrs' values

"The values for which our martyrs gave their lives must be preserved in society. We must not forget them," Pezeshian emphasized.

"They fought for Islam, for faith, for justice, for truth, for fairness, and for freedom. These principles must remain alive in our society. It is our responsibility to implement these values and ensure they are never forgotten."

The president emphasized that continuing the martyrs' path was the true measure of honoring their legacy. "Our greatest duty is not only to remember them, but to institutionalize the values they stood for. This is not an easy task, but it is a path we must pursue with all our strength."

Power of faith and determination

Highlighting the role of unwavering belief in Iran's resilience, Pezeshkian said, "What has upheld this nation [since the victory of the country's Islamic Revolution in 1979] is not wealth or political ambition, but the deep faith and pure determination of a people who sacrificed everything for their country, without seeking fame, fortune, or power."

He cited the example of the early years of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic's defending itself in the face of an eight-year-long imposed war imposed by Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein, who was being heavily armed and supported by the West and its allies, during the 1980s.

"Back then, the entire world united against Iran to destroy the Islamic Republic and take over this land. Saddam claimed he would capture [the southern Iranian city of] Ahvaz in three days and conquer Iran shortly afterwards." The president also reminded that the world's major powers, whether in the Eastern part of the globe or the West, had stood behind him.

"Yet they failed. Why? Because our people stood firm, despite having no material motives, and being driven solely by faith and conviction."

Pezeshkian further recalled that, throughout the course of the warfare, the Iranian nation's resistance ensured that not a single inch of its soil would be lost, unlike past conflicts in Iran's history, where foreign invaders would seize parts of its soil.

"This remains our greatest national honor," he underscored.

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US seeks to weaponize UN Security Council to step up econ. warfare against Iran: Envoy

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 1:10 AM

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the United States' latest efforts to manipulate the UN Security Council (UNSC) as part of its ongoing campaign of economic and political pressure against the Islamic Republic.

Amir Saeid Iravani made the remarks on Thursday during a Security Council meeting called by the US and its allies, including the UK and France, to address, what the allied states have called, Iran's "insufficient" cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog. The meeting came after the countries held a closed-door UNSC session a day earlier, during which they accused Iran of holding impermissible levels of enriched uranium.

"Washington has openly declared, in its own official documents, that it seeks to weaponize the Security Council as part of its strategy to intensify economic warfare against Iran," he lamented, urging the Council and its members to reject such manipulation and uphold the principles of the international law.

"This is not a legitimate discussion on non-proliferationit is a blatant political maneuver and a misuse of the Security Council to advance narrow agendas," he added.

"Such actions set a dangerous precedent that undermines the Council's credibility."

'Political interference in IAEA's affairs'

The ambassador went on to further strongly reject the premise of the meeting, stressing that the issues raised by Washington and its allies were strictly within the purview of the IAEA, and had already been addressed at the IAEA Board of Governors session in Vienna the previous week.

The move to bring the matter before the Security Council, the envoy said, was a clear attempt to interfere in the ongoing constructive engagement between Iran and the watchdog and a continuation of the US's failed so-called "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic Republic.

The campaign was initiated under Donald Trump's former tenure as the US president, intensified under his predecessor Joe Biden, and followed up on during Trump's underway stay in the White House.

It has seen the US leaving a UNSC-endorsed nuclear agreement between Iran and others, return the illegal sanctions that the deal had lifted, and pile up even more sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Simultaneously, Washington and its allies have been trying incessantly to paint Tehran's nuclear energy program in a bad light by alleging that the country was not providing due cooperation with the IAEA.

The Islamic Republic, however, is the most verified member of the nuclear agency, having been subject to the agency's most comprehensive and frequent verification processes over decades.

The allies have also been routinely alleging that the program had deviated towards "military purposes."

This is while, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has banned pursuance, acquisition, and storage of non-conventional weapons through a relevant fatwa (religious decree).

Iravani likewise noted that Iran remained one of the most heavily scrutinized members of the IAEA. "Despite these facts, certain Western countries, particularly the United States, the UK, France, and Germany, have persistently sought to create a false narrative about Iran's nuclear activities, alleging non-cooperation and military ambitions," the envoy added.

"Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, and it will remain so. We categorically reject Weapons of Mass Destruction, including nuclear weapons," he said, reemphasizing the nation's commitment to non-conventional disarmament.

'Western violations of JCPOA'

The ambassador also highlighted part of the historical context of the Western allies' violations targeting Iran that the states would refuse to address.

He reminded the United States' and its European allies' contravention of the deal, which is officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"It was the United States that unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 in direct violation of Security Council Resolution 2231," the envoy stated, referring to the UNSC resolution that has endorsed the accord.

"It was the United States that re-imposed illegal sanctions, punishing the Iranian people, while the UK, France, and Germany failed to uphold their commitments," he added.

After the US's pullout, the European trio caved in under Washington's pressure by returning their economic bans against Iran and taking every chance to ramp up the coercive measures under unfounded accusations.

The envoy condemned the US for pressuring other states into violating Resolution 2231 too and denounced the UK for enshrining illegal European Union sanctions into its domestic law after the expiration of the JCPOA's restrictions in October 2023.

Iran's commitment to diplomacy

Despite these provocations, Iran exercised "strategic patience" for over a year after the US's withdrawal, Iravani noted in reference to Tehran's fully complying with its JCPOA commitments while engaging in diplomatic efforts.

Only after exhausting all diplomatic avenues did Iran begin a phased and reversible response in accordance with Paragraph 26 of the JCPOA, the envoy emphasized, pointing to the country's initiating a set of legal retaliatory nuclear steps after the year-long period.

"Iran has not violated the JCPOA. Those who abandoned their commitmentsfirst and foremost the United Statesbear full responsibility for the current situation," he declared.

'No legal basis for UNSC discussion'

Reiterating Iran's adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA's Safeguards Agreement, the Iranian representative further dismissed claims that Tehran's nuclear program had deviated from its peaceful nature.

"The NPT imposes no limits on Iran's level of uranium enrichment," he reminded. "Any restrictions that ever existed were within the JCPOAan agreement that the United States deliberately sabotaged."

The envoy additionally pointed out that, even with the suspension of some JCPOA provisions, Iran's nuclear program remained under constant IAEA monitoring.

Iran's representative reiterated that the Security Council must not be exploited by those who violate its resolutions while demanding others abide by them. He emphasized that Resolution 2231 had to be implemented as agreed and also had to expire on schedule.

'Iran stands firm against coercion; no talks under pressure'

At the same time, the envoy reiterated Iranian officials' assertion that the country would not engage in negotiations, while the US retained its adversarial approach.

"Iran will not negotiate under pressure. We will not surrender to threats. We will not accept dictates. Diplomacy must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, not extortion," he said.

"If there is to be a path forward, it must begin with accountabilityfor those who abandoned their commitments, imposed illegal sanctions, and undermined diplomacy," Iravani asserted.

"Iran will continue to defend its rights. We will continue to stand firm against coercion."

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Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Minister, Shadow Fleet Operators

U.S. Department of the Treasury

March 13, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Iran's Minister of Petroleum, Mohsen Paknejad, who oversees the export of tens of billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and has allocated billions of dollars' worth of oil to Iran's armed forces for export. OFAC is also designating several entities in multiple jurisdictions, including the People's Republic of China (PRC) and India, for their ownership or operation of vessels that have delivered Iranian oil to the PRC, or lifted Iranian oil from storage in Dalian, PRC. Today's sanctions apply further pressure on the "shadow fleet" and other vessels upon which Iran depends to deliver its oil to the PRC, advancing United States' commitment to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero.

"The Iranian regime continues to use the proceeds from the nation's vast oil resources to advance its narrow, alarming self-interests at the expense of the Iranian people," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Treasury will fight and disrupt any attempts by the regime to fund its destabilizing activities and further its dangerous agenda."

Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which target Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors, and marks the third round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on February 4, 2025, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.

Concurrently, the State Department is designating three entities pursuant to E.O. 13846 and identifying three vessels as blocked property in which these entities have an interest.

Iran's MINISTER OF PETROLEUM

Mohsen Paknejad (Paknejad) serves as Iran's Minister of Petroleum and has overseen the Ministry of Petroleum since his appointment in August 2024. Iran's Minister of Petroleum oversees Iran's National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and is responsible for all aspects of Iran's oil industry, which generates tens of billions of dollars annually for the regime. Under his leadership, Iran's Ministry of Petroleum has allocated billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil to the Iranian armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Law Enforcement Forces, both critical instruments in the regime's tools of oppression. Some 200,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil are allocated to the Iranian armed forces daily to supplement their budget.

The armed forces' annual allocation of Iranian oil is set to increase. Recent budget estimates point to a four-fold dollar increase in oil allocations, exceeding 10 billion dollars annually and totaling over 500,000 barrels per day. By the end of 2025, over half of Iran's total oil revenues will be allocated to its armed forces.

Paknejad is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy.

Shadow FLEET OIL SHIPMENTS

Iran's Ministry of Petroleum and the Iranian armed forces rely on a vast shadow fleet of vessels to disguise oil shipments worth billions of dollars for delivery to the PRC.

Hong Kong-flagged PEACE HILL (IMO: 9288019) has transported millions of barrels of Iranian oil from the Changxhing Port in Dalian, PRC on behalf of the Iranian military. Since early 2024, San Marino-flagged SEASKY (IMO: 9237412) has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of fuel oil on behalf of NIOC to the PRC. Panama-flagged CORONA FUN (IMO: 9276573) has also transported Iranian oil andhas used automatic identification system (AIS) manipulation to disguise its efforts to ship Iranian crude oil.

Hong Kong-based Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited is the owner and operator of the PEACE HILL. Hong Kong-based Seasky Marine Co., Limited is the owner, operator, and manager of the SEASKY. Hong Kong-based Sun Science International Co., Limited is the owner, operator, and manager of the CORONA FUN.

Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited, Seasky Marine Co., Limited, and Sun Science International Co., Limited are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. PEACE HILL is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited has an interest. The SEASKY is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Seasky Marine Co., Limited has an interest. CORONA FUN is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Sun Science International Co., Limited has an interest.

Iran-flagged POLARIS 1 (IMO: 9272694) has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of NIOC fuel oil. The Cameroon-flagged LEXI (IMO: 9203277) has engaged in ship-to-ship transfers to transport millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil.

Seychelles-registered Fallon Shipping Company Limited and Bangladesh-based Aren Ship Management serve as the owner and technical manager of the POLARIS 1, respectively. Fallon Shipping Company Limited and Aren Ship Management are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. POLARIS 1 is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Fallon Shipping Company Limited has an interest. Suriname-based Sea Services Providers NV serves as the owner and operator of the LEXI. Sea Services Providers NV is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy LEXI is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Sea Services Providers NV has an interest.

In addition, Comoros-flagged ITAUGUA (IMO: 9102277), Panama-flagged NESO (IMO: 9257149), Palau-flagged LYDYA N (IMO: 9153525) and BLUE GULF (IMO: 9328716), and Barbados-flagged SHANNON II (IMO: 9237797)have also shipped Iranian oil.

Liberia-registered Itaugua Services Inc serves as the owner and operator of the ITAUGUA. Marshall Islands-registered Neptune Marine Ltd and PRC-based Huaxia Trading Ltdserve as the owner and manager of the NESO, respectively. Seychelles-registered Turquoise Sea Marine Limited serves as the registered owner of the LYDYA N. Marshall Islands-based United Tankers Ltd and India-based Lake View Ship Management Private Limited serve as the owner and manager of the BLUE GULF, respectively. Marshall Islands-registered Celestite Maritime Inc and Sri Lanka-based Marine Solution Pvt Ltd serve as the registered owner and technical manager of the SHANNON II, respectively.

Itaugua Services Inc, Neptune Marine Ltd, Huaxia Trading Ltd, Turquoise Sea Marine Limited, United Tankers Ltd, Lake View Ship Management Private Limited, Celestite Maritime Inc, and Marine Solution Pvt Ltd, are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy.

ITAUGUA is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Itaugua Services Inc has an interest. NESO is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Neptune Marine Ltd has an interest. LYDYA N is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Turquoise Sea Marine Limited has an interest. BLUE GULF is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which United Tankers Ltd has an interest. SHANNON II is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Celestite Maritime Inc has an interest.

STATE DEPARTMENT DESIGNATIONS

The U.S. Department of State is designating three entities and is identifying three vessels as blocked property in which these entities have an interest.

Singapore-based Shipload Maritime PTE. LTD., and Indonesia-based PT. Bintang Samudra Utama and PT. Gianira Adhinusa Senatama are being designated pursuant to E.O 13846 for having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran.

The Indonesia-flagged Malili (IMO: 9179921) is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13846 as property in which Shipload Maritime PTE. LTD. has an interest. The Indonesia-flagged CELEBES (IMO: 8710730) is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13846 as property in PT. Bintang Samudra Utama has an interest. The Indonesia-flagged Marina Vision (IMO: 8106109) is being identified pursuant to E.O. 13846 as property in which PT. Gianira Adhinusa Senatama has an interest.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt, U.S. sanctions generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here and to submit a request for removal, click here.

View identifying information on the individuals and entities designated today.

###

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China Hosts Iran, Russia In Talks Over Tehran's Nuclear Dispute With West

By RFE/RL March 14, 2025

Beijing urged "calm" and "restraint" as it prepared to host three-party talks with Tehran and Moscow in pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue.

"In the current situation, we believe that all parties should maintain calm and restraint to avoid escalating the Iran nuclear situation, or even walking toward confrontation and conflict," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news briefing on March 13.

The meeting, scheduled for March 14, will include Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

Tehran and Moscow have heightened ties in recent years as Iran's disputes with the United States have mounted. Both nations have had close ties to China.

This week, the three countries conducted naval drills in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in a show of force in the tense Middle East.

Attention on Iran's nuclear issues has intensified in recent days after US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to Tehran urging resumption of nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on March 13 said it would conduct a "thorough assessment" before responding to Trump's letter.

"The letter was received last night and is currently being reviewed," spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was quoted by the official IRNA news agency, adding: "A decision on how to respond will be made after a thorough assessment."

On March 10, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X: "We will NOT negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We will NOT even consider it, no matter what the subject may be."

Trump, during his first term, quit a landmark deal that had imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. Trump said the accord was not strong enough to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and he accused Tehran of fomenting extremist violence in the region - a charge denied by Iran.

Following the US withdrawal, Tehran eventually began rolling back its nuclear commitments, while efforts to reach a new accord have failed. Tehran claims its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Beijing said the three-way talks will aim to "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time."

"China sincerely hopes that all parties can work together, continuously increase mutual trust and dispel misgivings, and turn the momentum of restarting dialogue and negotiation into reality at an early date," Mao said.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-iran-russia- nuclear-trump-sanctions/33347041.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UK firm on supplying F-35 parts to Israel despite regime's Gaza aid blockade: Minister

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 8:20 AM

The United Kingdom has remained firm in exporting spare parts for US-made F-35 fighter jets to Israel despite the Tel Aviv regime blocking the entry of aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip, a British minister says.

Speaking to parliament's foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, UK's Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said London is "confident" in licensing F-35 spare parts to the occupying entity despite its blockade of humanitarian aid and electricity to the Palestinian territory.

He added that even before Israel tightened restrictions this month, wintertime limits on goods had already worsened living conditions in the besieged territory, as items like tents, sleeping bags, and water purification systems were blocked by the regime, claiming they could be repurposed for military use.

"It was a question that was very much on our minds as winter came in Gaza and it was an issue on which we made limited progress, I'm afraid, with the Israeli" regime," Falconer said.

The minister said that while the Labour government suspended around 30 arms export licenses to Israel since September over humanitarian law concerns, an exception was made for F-35 spare parts, claiming that suspending these licenses would disrupt the F-35 supply chain, affecting Israel, the UK's allies, and European security.

"We could not suspend those licenses without impairing the overall F-35 supply chain which would have significant far-reaching ramifications given the importance of F-35s right across our allies and, indeed, in our own region in Europe," Falconer noted.

According to the British minister, the decision allegedly aligns with international peace and security interests, and the government is confident it complies with its legal obligations.

The controversial move by London has sparked legal challenges, with Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq pursuing a judicial review of UK arms exports to Israel, as critics argue that the government's exception contradicts its commitments under international treaties like the UN Arms Trade Treaty.

During a parliamentary hearing, Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord questioned how this carve-out could be justified, while committee chair Emily Thornberry pressed Falconer on why the UK could not adopt the same stance as the Netherlands, which halted the direct export of F-35 parts to Israel after a court ruling.

Falconer responded that the UK's position, like the Dutch case, would be tested in a judicial review scheduled for May, emphasizing the government's confidence in its legal standing and asserting that the F-35 program is crucial for international security.

When asked if escalating violations of humanitarian law by Israel might prompt stricter controls on arms exports, the British minister reiterated the UK's stance, stating that maintaining the F-35 supply chain remains a priority due to its broader geopolitical importance.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza on Sunday, in the latest move to tighten a stifling blockade on the Palestinian territory despite a ceasefire and captive/prisoner exchange agreement.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), warned on Monday that the situation in Gaza is "deteriorating very, very quickly."

He said another hunger crisis will threaten the survival of two million Palestinians living in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip if Israel continues blocking the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The regime has killed at least 48,515 Palestinians there so far.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

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South Korean county to accept Myanmar refugees amid population decline

Yeongyang said it would initially accept some of Myanmar's Karen people.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.03.13

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The South Korean county of Yeongyang said it plans to accept refugees from Myanmar as early as the second half of this year to address its population decline.

South Korea has one of the world's lowest fertility rates and its population of 51 million is expected to halve by the end of the century.

Yeongyang, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from Seoul in North Gyeongsang Province in the east of the country, has the smallest population of any county in South Korea, excluding islands, with about 15,000 residents.

To make up its numbers, Yeongyang is working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on a plan to accept some members of the Karen ethnic minority, who make up approximately 6.5% of Myanmar's population.

Many Karen people from eastern Myanmar have been displaced during decades of fighting between a Karen insurgent force seeking self-determination and the Myanmar military. About 100,000 Karen people have been living for years in camps on the Thai side of the border with Myanmar.

Yeongyang said it would initially accept 10 families, totaling about 40 people, as early as the second half of this year, but added that it was still discussing details with the South Korean government.

According to the county, there are plans to convert unused buildings, such as former schools, into residential spaces to accommodate people from Myanmar.

Other initiatives to increase Yeongyang's population include encouraging family members and relatives to register their addresses in the county and offering childbirth incentives of up to 100 million South Korean won (US$69,000).

Largest refugee group in South Korea

Myanmar nationals make up the largest group of officially recognized refugees in South Korea, with 474 individuals granted refugee status, in 2024, said the justice ministry.

In addition, 55 Myanmar nationals, though denied refugee status, have been granted humanitarian stay permits due to the risk of persecution or harm if returned to their home country.

Among the 122,095 asylum applications filed in South Korea by foreign nationals of all countries, 94,391 cases have been processed, while 27,704 remain pending.

The most common reasons for seeking asylum included political persecution, religious beliefs, and membership in specific social groups. However, 42% of applications were dismissed as they did not meet the criteria under the Refugee Convention, including cases based on economic hardships or private threats.

The Karen people, many of whom are Christian, have faced decades of persecution and conflict.

The Karen National Union, Myanmar's oldest ethnic minority insurgent force, took up arms to fight for autonomy soon after Myanmar, then known as Burma, gained independence from Britain in 1948.

Following a 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the junta intensified attacks on Karen areas with airstrikes, forced displacement and other abuses, rights groups say.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Chinese ambassador reaffirms commitment to strengthening Sino-Fijian ties

Xinhua) 09:50, March 14, 2025

SUVA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian has reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening relations with Fiji and other Pacific island countries, pledging continued support for their development and climate resilience.

Addressing a news briefing on Thursday in Suva, Zhou emphasized that China will continue to be a reliable partner and offer crucial assistance without political conditions to the island countries, despite global uncertainties.

He also briefed the media on China's policy to Fiji, saying China will firmly deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development between the two sides.

Zhou revealed that the two countries are enhancing communication on establishing direct flights and also advancing poverty alleviation cooperation.

He said a group of Chinese experts will come to Fiji next month to assist the country in formulating tailored poverty reduction plans.

The ambassador also reaffirmed China's commitment to climate change mitigation, a key concern for Pacific Island nations.

He said China would continue to provide assistance to island nations in climate change response through the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center.

"We stand ready to work with Fiji to strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention, clean energy, and green transition," Zhou said, adding that China's collaboration with Fiji is part of a broader effort to contribute to the global green transition.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday, 13 March 2025

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Office of the Spokesperson

*

Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson

Thursday, 13 March 2025

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I welcome you all at the weekly press briefing.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar attended the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held on 7 March 2025 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the session, DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause; urged immediate collective action to address the ongoing Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people and safeguard their rights, including their right to return to their ancestral homeland; condemned the proposal of resettlement of Palestinians in other countries; underscored the imperative for the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital; and emphasized on the necessity of concrete measures to realize the two-State Solution as the only means of achieving lasting peace in the region.

On the margins of the Extraordinary Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa; Secretary General of OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha; Foreign Minister of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty; Advisor for Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain; Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov; and Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Sugiono.

Pakistan unequivocally condemns the Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid and halting of electricity supply to Gaza. We also condemn the continuing Israeli assault against the people of West Bank and Gaza, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including women and children.

At a time when the people of Palestine are in urgent need of humanitarian relief and assistance, Israeli attempts to dismantle the operations of the humanitarian agencies including United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable. Preventing these agencies including UNRWA from carrying out their vital tasks is a manifestation of Israel's systematic campaign to weaponize humanitarian aid and dehumanize the people of Palestine.

We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in West Bank and Gaza; protection of civilians; and unrestricted humanitarian access to those in urgent need. The international community must step in to end Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza. We also urge the international community to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Pakistan denounces the Indian authorities' decision to declare the 'Awami Action Committee' and 'Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen' as 'Unlawful Association' for a period of five years. The 'Awami Action Committee' is led by a prominent political and religious leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The 'Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen' was also founded by another notable political and religious leader, Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, who headed it till his demise in 2022.

The recent decision increases the total number of outlawed Kashmiri political parties and organizations to 16. Banning of different political parties and organizations is yet another manifestation of the Indian authorities' iron-fisted approach in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). It also reflects a desire to suppress the political activities and stifle dissent. It also shows sheer disregard of democratic norms and international human rights law.

The Government of India is urged to remove the curbs on the Kashmiri political parties; release all political prisoners; and faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

I thank you!

*

(Adeel Bashir, Roze News): I have two questions. High Government and Military Officials have confirmed that the terrorists who attacked the Jaffar Express were in contact with supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan. Did Pakistan take this matter in a forceful manner at the diplomatic level with the Afghan Taliban regime?

Secondly, Indian Army Chief, General Upendra addressed questions in Indian Today Conclave and he was asked about the reports regarding growing Pakistan and Bangladesh relations. He responded as follows: "As far as I am concerned, since I have said that epicenter of terrorism is in a particular country and if that has a relationship with any of my neighboring country, I should be looking worried, because as far as I am concerned, the terrorism route can be used from that neighboring country also, which is my major concern as of today". So, what's Pakistan's stance on it?

Spokesperson: Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism that is planned, orchestrated and sponsored by forces who are operating outside our borders. In our region, unfortunately, we have many forces against peace who do not want to see Pakistan reap the dividends of its unprecedented and sincere efforts in counter-terrorism and in building a peaceful region. The latest terrorist attack against Jaffar Express near Sibi Balochistan was also orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from abroad. Our security forces successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists, including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages. Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan based planners throughout the incident. Pakistan has repeatedly asked the interim Afghan government to deny the use of its soil for terrorist groups like BLA for their attacks against Pakistan. We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism to justice.

I haven't seen the statement of Indian Army Chief, but we all know what is the root cause of instability in the region. We know how India has been trying to destabilize its neighboring countries. It has been running a global assassination campaign. I would refer to whatever the Indian army chief has said as an exercise in irony.

(Saima Shabbir, Arab News): In recent the news reports emerged that the USA travel ban will impact Pakistanis. What are the details of that ban? Has such move been confirmed by the USA and who will be impacted by this ban? Secondly, there are also reports that 10 Pakistanis were arrested on terror charges in Spain this week. Any confirmation and any further information on that?

Spokesperson: We have taken note of recent media reports claiming a possible entry ban on Pakistani nationals from entering the US. As of now, this is speculative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Mission in Washington are in close contact with the relevant US authorities to get any details in this regard. So far, we have not been given any indication of such a ban on Pakistani nationals.

About the arrest of Pakistanis in Spain, we were informed on 3rd March 2025, that through a coordinated operation, the Spanish police arrested Pakistani nationals in Spain, with one woman among them. The arrested individuals are accused of participating in glorification and advocacy of a political party which is considered as proscribed in Spain. Few of the individuals were allegedly managing certain WhatsApp groups involved in spreading videos and photos containing objectionable content which was in violation of the Spanish law. Following their arrest, the individuals were presented before the court. Four of them were released after initial interrogation. Later on, one woman was also released on bail by the court, the remaining are still in custody of the police. The Pakistani consulate in Barcelona has been actively engaged with the local authorities and the legal representatives to ensure rights and welfare of the detained nationals. Detailed meetings have been held with the Spanish law enforcement authorities. A formal request for consular access has already been made and is still under process. Our Consulate there is also in direct contact with the lawyer representing the detainees, offering them with full support and assistance to ensure a fair and legal process.

Initially there was a news of 14 but later news reports suggested that 10 Pakistanis were arrested. We are in the process of verifying facts. There was one arrest in Italy as well and we are in touch with the local authorities there.

(Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Sir if you could share the details of the denial of entry into the Los Angeles Airport, USA, to the Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkmenistan. If he had all legal and valid travel documents with him then why was he denied the entry?

Spokesperson: As shared earlier, Ambassador K.K. Ahsan Wagan was on a private visit to the United States when he was detained and denied entry by the US authorities in Los Angeles airport. What is important is that, by virtue of his visa, which was a visit visa, he was not eligible for diplomatic immunity. As soon as our Consulate in Los Angeles was informed, it got in touch with the US authorities. The authorities informed that he has been held for secondary immigration screening but because of US laws, they did not share the exact reasons or the charges for which he was being put through the secondary screening. Our Missions in Los Angeles and Washington remained engaged with the US authorities. Finally, the Ambassador was allowed to fly out on the 8th March 2025. The government has taken a very serious note of the incident and on the instructions of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, necessary action has been initiated and investigations are underway. The incident, however, was exploited by certain elements on the social media and media to generate speculative controversy, which is regrettable.

(Khalid Mahmood, Express News): Sir, what is the update on Torkham border? Secondly, many Pakistanis are also stranded at Pakistan Iran border. Is Pakistan Iran border also closed?

Spokesperson: There has been a propaganda regarding closure of Torkham Border as if Pakistan has closed it which is contrary to the facts. As in the past, Afghan side once again tried to construct post within the Pakistani territory. We warned them that this is not allowed. We called for a flag meeting but they continued with their activities. Later there was unprovoked firing from the Afghan side on which we retaliated. The border remains closed because of this particular reason. We want the border to open but we will not allow any construction by the Afghan side on the Pakistani territory. This is a recurring incident, we have flagged it in the past and we will continue to urge Afghan authorities to not carry out these activities which hamper not only People to People interaction but also the trade between the two countries. With regards to Pakistan Iran Border, I will check.

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): Back to the sad incident of Jaffar Express, certain videos purported to be released by these terrorists have particularly pointed out Chinese investments in Pakistan and their message was also for China, in the context of CPEC and their other projects. Do you really think that this whole plan, as directed and orchestrated, is also against the CPEC and Pak-China cooperation? The way the world has spoken out against this heinous crime, does Pakistan feel that a larger coalition on anti-terrorism with multiple actors can be formed? Secondly, the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has once again come up with a very controversial statement regarding Azad Kashmir, your comments on that sir?

Spokesperson: About the first question, the forces which are involved in terrorism in Pakistan are primarily anti Pakistan. They don't want to see Pakistan stable and prosperous and are against anything which helps Pakistan achieve stability and progress. So, by virtue of China being a trusted friend and investment partner of Pakistan, CPEC becomes a target. Secondly, we have taken note of a number of friendly countries which have unequivocally condemned this heinous terrorist attack and government of Pakistan is seized of the matter. Today, the Prime Minister is going to be in Quetta to meet the local political leadership. Government is taking a multi-faceted approach in dealing with this problem.

Lastly, Remarks of Indian Defence Minister are unwarranted and delusional. They cannot divert the international attention from the well documented human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Repeated invocation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian leaders on one pretext or another reflects an expansionist mindset. It also poses serious challenges to regional stability. Any level of development cannot condone the systematic infringement of the basic human rights in IIOJK. Instead of showing concern about the people of Azad, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian leaders should grant the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental rights and freedoms, especially their right to self-determination.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Sir, terrorism is at its peak in Pakistan these days and Pakistan ranks 2nd as per Global Terrorism Index Report 2025. What options are left with Pakistan and on which forum of the world this situation can be resolved? My second question is regarding the reports of (Sexuality Information and Education Council the United States) SIECUS and Human Rights Watch on the internal matters of Pakistan. Need your comments on this.

Spokesperson: The Government of Pakistan is pursuing a complex and multi-faceted anti-terrorism strategy, which involves military action, intelligence-based operations and diplomatic approach. About the second question, we would not comment on the specific issue in question. However, Pakistan remains firmly committed to upholding and promoting human rights in accordance with the constitutional framework and international obligations. We have consistently taken concrete steps to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens. Our robust legal framework, independent judiciary, free media and active civil society are clear reflections of this commitment. We continue to engage constructively with the international human rights mechanisms and remain dedicated to fostering an inclusive, tolerant and just society.

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Sir, two follow up questions. You mentioned that the government has taken very serious note of the incident and the Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry and so on. Hours later, we saw that the US Charge d'Affaires' meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister at the Foreign Ministry. Was the matter of deportation taken up with the US side during the meeting? Secondly, with regards to Jaffar Express attack, which Adeel had asked, has the matter been taken up with Afghanistan and Iran diplomatically? Because last year, Pakistan conducted an operation Margbar Sarmachar against the perpetrators of BLA based in Iran. Has the matter been taken up with both the sides diplomatically? And if yes, if you could enlighten us on that?

Spokesperson: About the second question, we have just completed the rescue operation. So, I cannot comment at this point in time of what diplomatic steps have been taken, but I will brief you as soon as I have more clarity on that.

Secondly, we do not share the specifics of the Foreign Minister's conversation. The meeting was a routine diplomatic engagement with the US side. But this issue is being handled at multiple levels and we will keep briefing you about it.

(Mateen Haider, G News): Just a broad follow up of what Anas said. In the days to come, are you planning to share all these evidences with the Afghan authorities? Because within two weeks, we witnessed first Bannu terrorist attack and then this massive terrorist attack on Jaffar Express carrying civilians as well as military passengers. Both ISPR and Foreign Office have been saying that we have urged Afghan authorities but are you planning to present a comprehensive dossier containing all evidences to Afghan authorities that these are the linkages, the elements based in Afghanistan carrying out attacks on Pakistan. Because the situation, as some of the colleagues have already said, has become more serious now.

Spokesperson: I completely agree with you about the seriousness of the issue. In the past we have been sharing very detailed intelligence information and proofs and will continue to do the same. This remains a very serious matter, and the government is seized of it. As of now, the first stage of rescue operation has been completed. The government response and policy, as evolved, will be shared in the coming days.

(Mona Khan, Independent Urdu): Sir, as Anas and Mr. Mateen said regarding Afghanistan, Security Officials have the proof of terrorists' contact with Afghanistan. When are we taking up this issue diplomatically with Afghanistan?

Spokesperson: I cannot give you the specific dates on our engagement with Afghanistan on the matter as the whole machinery was engaged in a major heinous terrorist attack. Only the first stage is complete, and the hostages have been rescued. As more information is available on the second stage, we'll share it with you.

(Sumaira Khan, Samaa News): Sir, my question is regarding Mr. Ahsan Wagan, Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkmenistan. What was his purpose of the visit? It was mentioned that he was on a private visit to the US. Why was he served with this strict scrutiny? Was he served with such strict scrutiny by the US officials in the past? Did he seek permission before going to the US from concerned authorities?

Spokesperson: He had taken leave and permission to travel to the US. The matter remains under investigation. I will share more details.

(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Sir, as per the news reports and in light of your briefings, we know that right now we don't have any dialogue with Afghanistan. We are neither at peace nor at war with Afghanistan. Is there any review of our policy towards Afghanistan? What is the current status of our policy?

Spokesperson: Our basic approach towards Afghanistan centers on trying to develop friendly, cooperative relations and this remains the key goal. We have long standing relations with Afghanistan and there are layers of complementarities between the two countries like; language, history, cultural affinity, and religion but the terrorism remains the core obstacle, which is preventing the relations to develop further. The relations between two countries are dynamic and the State keeps adjusting it. We will brief on the details in the days to come. Regarding dialogue with Afghanistan, we do not have any high-level interaction, but Embassies of both countries are working and diplomatic channels are active.

(Khalid Mahmood, Express News): Sir, almost all the countries condemned the incident of Jaffer Express on social media. Has any country discussed with Pakistan, on diplomatic level, regarding cooperation in countering terrorism?

Spokesperson: As I mentioned earlier, we have taken note of many of our friendly countries unambiguously condemning this heinous terrorist attack. We already have very rich counter-terrorism cooperation with a number of countries. It's an ongoing engagement and we remain in contact with our partners.

(Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): As you mentioned, the Jaffar Express event. In the past the Pakistan security agencies as well as the Pakistan Foreign Office, whenever there is an incident or event from BLA in Balochistan, we always say that India and RAW are behind these attacks, but for the first time, in the BLA context, we are using Afghanistan. So, is there a policy shift in Pakistan foreign policy? or India is using Afghan soil against Pakistan? What is the reality?

Spokesperson: There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan. This is what I said.

(Afzal Reza, IRNA): My question is regarding the Iran nuclear deal. Mr. Trump unilaterally and illegally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action (JCPOA) in his first term, and now he's pretending to negotiate with Iran, but he's also threatening and imposing sanctions against Iran. The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, yesterday, warned that Tehran will respond in the strongest way to any threat coming from any foreign aggressor. Meanwhile, Iran is also calling for revival of the nuclear deal and has asked the other parties, US and EU, to fulfill their commitments within the JCPOA, Mr. Spokesperson the unilateral sanctions also put Iran's neighbors in a difficult position as it hampers trade between the sovereign countries. How does Pakistan see these developments regarding the Iran nuclear deal?

Spokesperson: Iran is a very important neighbor and a friend of Pakistan. We have very old and multifaceted relations with Iran. Our stability and common prosperity is possible through a peaceful region, and we support any step which could promote a peaceful resolution of all issues. We have very active cooperation and consultations with Iran on the regional and international security issues. We have extended our support to the JCPOA in the past and we would continue to prefer a peaceful outcome, a peaceful settlement of any such ongoing issues.

(Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): What are the reasons behind terrorism in Pakistan and how this curse can be eradicated? What is Pakistan's message to the world regarding terrorism? The Interim Afghan Government forcibly gained control of Afghanistan so does the TTP terrorist activities are backed by Afghan Interim Government and is Afghan Interim Government applying pressure on Pakistan through TTP for its recognition?

Spokesperson: Very complex question. What I can say is that, as we mentioned earlier, and our colleagues pointed out themselves that the incidents of terrorism have gone up. This remains a serious concern. And on Afghanistan, what I have been explaining before, the terrorist elements like TTP and other terrorist organizations that are operating in Pakistan enjoy sanctuaries in Afghanistan. So, this remains a stumbling block, a serious problem on the way of promoting deeper friendly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. We have been pressing Afghan authorities to tackle and handle this problem, and we will continue to press them to take necessary actions in this regard.

(Shrouq Tariq, AFP): The Ministry of Interior has announced 31st March as the deadline set for the repatriation of illegal foreigners and ACC Afghan Holders. Can you tell, if you have shared the matter with Afghanistan on the return of the Afghan nationals.

Spokesperson: About the return of the illegal foreigners, you know about the policy, and how it has evolved. We have been pointing it out that for any foreigner living illegally in our country; the law will take its course. But specifically on Afghanistan, any Afghan with valid travel documents is welcome to visit Pakistan and stay in Pakistan as long as the validity of his visa entitles him or her. We had a special provision which the Interior Ministry press release has explained regarding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). They were also given some extra ordinary relaxation. It was a step that government of Pakistan took, by allowing them to stay, but it was not an indefinite leave to stay. Now the government has decided that people with Afghan citizen cards (ACC) should leave the country by 31st march 2025. Beyond that, they will be deemed illegal residents in Pakistan, and the law will take its course.

(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Sir, as we know that 31st March is around Eid, is there any suggestion that you might expedite the date or extend the date?

Spokesperson: No, I don't have any such information. This is what Interior Ministry has explained through the press release. They have informed us that this is the date they have set. I don't have any other information on that.

(Sumaira Khan, Samaa News): Sir, in the previous briefings, if you remember, we discussed KP government being in discussions and negotiations with Afghanistan. Do you have any development to share on that? Since the situation is far worse than the previous situation after Bannu attack due to Jafar Express.

Second prong of this question is that if there is any other country who is right now trying to mediate things and matters between Pakistan and Afghanistan. If you can name, any friendly country or any other third country, who is trying to resolve the situation?

Spokesperson: About the first question regarding the KPK government's approach, I had explained to you, our position. Under the constitution, it is the domain of the federal government to conduct foreign relations. The Foreign Ministry so far, has not received any formal request from the KPK government. About the second question, regarding mediation, I'll check. But so far, no country is involved in trying to mediate because the two countries have diplomatic relations. We are neighbors. And I think the terrorism issue is something which doesn't require one to be ambiguous about it. There are terrorist sanctuaries which have to be handled. It is very clear cut. You know that this issue has to be addressed.

(Aamir Saeed Abbasi, Nuqta News): Sir, my question is that Pakistan has faced many cross-border terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan in the past and Pakistan retaliated and launched strikes against them. If such individuals are identified in Jafar Express attack, will Pakistan take cross border action?

Spokesperson: This is a speculative question. I can't say anything, but what I can tell you is that the government remains determined to take care of this problem aggressively. We will tackle terrorism in our territory like any country would do; this is what I can say. It remains a serious problem, and the government is seized of the matter, and the government is determined to use all its resources to tackle this problem.

(Mateen Haider, G News): Just to remind you, in last briefing, I asked you that what official data Pakistan has regarding the presence of global terrorist organizations operating inside Afghanistan. Just a day before Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN also comprehensively raised this issue that Afghanistan is gradually becoming hub of global terrorism, and TTP is posing threat not only to the region, but also to the international security. How many terrorist organizations are based over there, as per Pakistan's information?

Spokesperson: Sir, I am trying to gather information. The question is on our radar. I'll get back to you, because there are certain aspects of intelligence-based information, publicly available information. But as soon as we have full details, I will get back to you.

(Farhan Ali, Public News): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will be visiting Afghanistan. Is it true? And what will be the agenda and expectation of this visit? Your comments.

Spokesperson: No, this is not on the horizon right now and there are no dates in this regard.

(Tahir Khan, NNI News Agency): The Chinese Special Representative on Afghanistan was here yesterday in the Foreign Office, and he met Ambassador Sadiq. So, any specific agenda, because this visit, I think, is within few months. So, what was the issue that he came back and what was the special agenda as he came with a delegation? And could you please confirm as there was some information that Pakistan handed over four bodies of the attackers among the Bannu attack to Afghanistan, and also two more have been identified. So, could you confirm that the bodies were handed over yesterday?

Spokesperson: Sir, about the second question, I don't have any concrete information. I will check. About the first question, this is part of a routine consultation, China is also a neighbor of Afghanistan, so nothing unusual about it. The Chinese Special Representative on Afghanistan has been visiting Pakistan. So, I would characterize it as a routine consultation between two friendly countries.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): American President Donald Trump hinted on leaving IMF and the World Bank. If such an action is undertaken, how it will affect the developing countries like Pakistan?

My second question is that in Maharashtra, India, leader of 'Samaj Wadi Party' made remarks on the Mughal Emperor Auragzab Alamgir which became controversial in which he said that the Mughal Emperor was not cruel. Later, he took back his remarks. But the extremist Hindus organizations are demanding the demolition of the tomb of the Mughal Emperor. We often, hear news coming from India about the demolition of historical places, so what are your comments on this?

Spokesperson: On your second question, any decent person would express his regret and sadness over this state of affairs where you want to destroy a historic building or a grave of a former Emperor. And this sets well within the pattern of larger growth of intolerance, Islamophobia in India. Much as it is regrettable, there's nothing surprising about it.

The first question I would deem it at this point to be speculative. The US is part of the World Bank and IMF Bretton Woods system. I cannot offer any comment on that.

(Anwar Abbas, 24 News HD): Why Kurrum Agency is besieged for the last six months and why a nuclear armed state looks helpless against a few terrorists. Roads are still blocked and the siege has dragged to the month of Ramzan. No action is evident on the action of head money placed on commanders who are responsible for this siege. Do we need international assistance to solve this problem?

Spokesperson: I'm sorry; this does not pertain to the foreign ministry. I cannot offer any comment on that. There is KPK government and Ministry of Interior who can comment on that.

(Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Sir, a brief question. There are reports being circulated in the social media and Whatsapp groups that the Chinese Premier is visiting Pakistan next month,

What are your comments on the clarification by the US President Donald Trump yesterday that there are no plans to relocate Gazans from Gaza. They can live there.

Spokesperson: First question is important. We saw this news report, and this is fake news. The Chinese Premier last year visited Pakistan. It was a very good, successful visit. There are no plans for the visit of Chinese Premier. This is totally fake news which is being circulated on the social media.

About the second question, Pakistan has consistently expressed its strong opposition to any plan that seeks to displace the Palestinian people. Such actions would amount to ethnic cleansing and represent severe violation of international law. We view the recent developments positively and remain hopeful that the delivery of essential humanitarian aid along with the restoration of electricity supply to millions of Palestinians will resume promptly.

(Aymen Ali, SAMAA TV): US member of the Congress, Scott Perry recently has claimed that USAID has provided $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan but those schools have never been built. Rather, this amount is used for terrorism in Pakistan. What is your stance on it.

Spokesperson: About the specific question of whether this aid was used to build schools or not, I have to check with the Economic Affairs Division. But the second is total insinuation. I haven't seen the statement, but even if there is such a statement, we completely reject it. USAID has its own internal controls. And you know the protocols for disbursement of the aid. This is inconceivable, and totally off the mark.

(Faisal Pasha, We News): My question is, BLA is internationally designated terrorist organization. But the way India spread its point of view in the world, are there any diplomatic consequences of such actions?

Spokesperson: Actually, what you have said is that the Indian media is kind of glorifying BLA which itself reflects the Indian policy, in some ways, if not officially. But that is the real thinking in terms of their sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan, that's what I can say on this.

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Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan

By Sarah Zaman March 13, 2025

The Afghan Taliban have rejected Pakistan's allegation that Tuesday's deadly hostage-taking of a train was planned and directed from Afghan soil.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Pakistan's assertions "baseless," in a statement Thursday.

"We categorically reject baseless allegations by Pakistani army spokesperson linking attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan," foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement posted on X.

Militants linked with the banned Baloch Liberation Army attacked a passenger train Tuesday near Sibi, Balochistan, taking hundreds hostage.

At least 21 passengers and four paramilitary troops died in the attack. The military claimed the killing of 33 terrorists.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Pakistani military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations, had earlier said attackers collaborated with partners in Afghanistan.

"During the operation, these terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phone," Chaudhry told a private news channel as he declared the clearance operation over Wednesday night.

Later, the military's media wing reiterated the assertion.

"Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with terrorists throughout the incident," a statement from the ISPR said.

Rebutting the claim, Balkhi said Islamabad must address internal issues.

"[We] urge Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security and internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks," the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Tuesday's attack marked a dramatic escalation in the separatist insurgency that has ravaged Balochistan for nearly two decades.

The militants blew up tracks, bringing the train with nearly 450 passengers to a halt in a tunnel, where they stormed it.

Survivors told VOA the attackers singled out security personnel and ethnic Punjabi passengers, shooting many.

"Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan," the military said in written comments to the media Wednesday, repeating an increasingly frequent demand.

On Thursday, the spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, repeated Islamabad's stance.

"We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice," Khan told media at the weekly briefing.

Balkhi rejected the allegation that Baloch separatists have put down roots across the border.

"No members of Balouch opposition have presence in Afghanistan, nor have they ever had or have any links with the Islamic Emirate," Balkhi said in his post on X. The Taliban refer to their government as the Islamic Emirate.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorism in the last year, with deaths rising by nearly 45% in 2024 from the year before.

The country now ranks second on the Global Terrorism Watchlist with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army emerging as the deadliest outfits.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan this week, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, said Kabul was failing to rein in Baloch separatists.

"The Kabul authorities have failed to address the threat posed to the region and beyond by other terrorist groups, such as al Qaida, the TTP and Baloch terrorists, including the BLA and the Majeed Brigade, which are present in Afghanistan," the Pakistani envoy said Monday.

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Foreign Ministry statement on retaliatory measures to the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia

13 March 2025 17:08

408-13-03-2025

Stubbornly fixated on inflicting a "strategic defeat" on our country, the European Union continues to ramp up its unilateral restrictive measures against Russia, which are illegitimate from the international law perspective. The next, 16th sanctions package, was approved by the EU member states on February 24, the date chosen deliberately to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the special military operation.

In response to these unfriendly actions, the Russian side has significantly expanded the list of representatives of European institutions and EU member states who are prohibited from entering Russia's territory in accordance with Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996, On Procedures to Enter and Exit the Russian Federation.

The move concerns representatives of law enforcement agencies, state and commercial organisations of EU countries, and citizens of EU member states responsible for providing military aid to Ukraine, carrying out activities aimed at undermining Russia's territorial integrity and blocking the movement of Russian vessels and cargoes in the Baltic Sea; representatives of European agencies and state bodies of EU countries involved in the prosecution of Russian officials for "illegal arrests and deporting people from Ukrainian territories," those engaged in the creation of a "tribunal" to prosecute the Russian leadership, advocating the confiscation of Russian assets or the use of profits they generate in the interests of Ukraine; those responsible for imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation and trying to harm Russia's relations with other states; civil society activists and academics known for their explicit Russophobic rhetoric; MPs in the EU member states and European Parliament members who voted for anti-Russia resolutions and bills.

The Russian "stop list" now also includes certain representatives of the Council of Europe bodies known for their anti-Russia activities.

Hostile actions against the Russian Federation will not go unanswered. No matter what, Russia will continue to pursue its policy to uphold its national interests and promote a new and fairer international order.

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Can the US pry Russia away from China?

By Danila Galperovich March 13, 2025

Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia's bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China's leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations.

But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership  from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security Council  has only helped the Kremlin overcome its international isolation.

While President Donald Trump has said he has good personal relations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there is a consensus among experts in Washington that the China-Russia partnership poses a threat to U.S. interests, and that while Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, tried to establish a strategic dialogue with China, the Trump team appears to be prioritizing normalized ties with Russia while punishing China over trade.

As the White House talks about the possibility of restoring economic cooperation with Russia, some of its officials are hinting at lifting or reducing the sanctions Washington has imposed on Moscow in recent years.

Charles Hecker, an expert on Western-Russian economic ties and risks, and author of the book Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, says some Western companies will quickly return to Russia if sanctions are lifted, particularly those involved in energy, metals and minerals.

"There's only so much oil in Norway, and there's only so much oil in Canada; the rest of it is in some countries that have a very high-risk environment," Hecker told VOA's Russian Service. "And so, these kinds of companies are accustomed to business in these sorts of places, and they have the internal structures to help protect them. You know, there are energy companies doing business in Iraq right now. And I don't want to compare Russia and Iraq, but they are high-risk environments."

Still, Hecker cautions, their return to doing business in Russia wouldn't signal an overall U.S.-Russian rapprochement  let alone a fracturing of Sino-Russian relations.

"I think it will be very difficult for the West to pull Russia away from China," he said.

"Allowing Western companies back into Russia doesn't necessarily change President Putin's hostility towards the West. President Putin remains antagonistic towards a Western-dominated political and economic system, and he has said over and over again that he wants to create an alternative political and economic environment - an alternative to the West.

"Part of that alternative includes China," he added. "You have never heard President Putin say anything ideologically against China. And the two are now important energy partners."

Limited popular domestic appeal

U.S.-based FilterLabs analyzes public sentiment in regions where polling is problematic. According to a recently published assessment of popular attitudes expressed on Russian and Chinese social media networks, Sino-Russian relations are "full of underlying tensions, mistrust, and diverging interests."

One of the report's authors, Vasily Gatov, told VOA its research found that "the Chinese and Russian populations are far from happy with this alliance of their authorities."

"China does not perceive Russia as a reliable, safe and equal partner," he said. "Russia annexed the Amur Region from China; Russia adopted a completely colonial policy towards China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, in my opinion, it is entirely possible to consider historical frictions as a vulnerability."

A media analyst at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Gatov also noted that, despite the Kremlin's expectations, China's economic presence inside Russia today remains "several times smaller" than that of either Europe or the U.S. before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Thus, while Russian and China have overlapping interests, they are not "marching in lockstep."

"They are very different, they have very different geopolitical focuses, very different political philosophies," he said.

Other experts, however, question the Filterlabs findings, warning that random Russian and Chinese opinions online are of limited value, especially as those casting the insights aren't likely to influence policy.

"People who have the time and desire to comment on things on social media do not have much influence on how state policy is conducted," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told VOA. "And these people certainly do not have much influence on whether China transfers components for Russia's weapons or takes certain military technologies from it, since the people who comment on this simply do not have real knowledge of what is actually happening."

Gabuev added that "the Chinese leadership has reasons to think that they have something to take from Russia in terms of military technology," suggesting that China is extremely interested in gaining Russian experience in countering Western weapons during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Does Trump see China as a threat?

One critical question about whether Washington's improved ties with Russia will loosen the Sino-Russian pact, say some analysts, is how Trump perceives China.

Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor on the U.S. and China at the International Crisis Group, describes Trump as an anomaly for U.S. policy.

"Widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and from one administration to the next [is] that China is American's foremost strategic competitor," he said. But "President Trump, in many ways, is the most prominent dissenter from this alleged China consensus."

"He doesn't view President Xi [Jinping] in adversarial terms," Wyne said. "He actually calls President Xi a 'dear friend' of his. And he believes that his personal rapport with President Xi will be the decisive dynamic in setting  or resetting  the U.S.-China relationship over the next four years."

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Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the plenary session of the EU-South Africa Summit

European Commission

Speech

Mar 12, 2025

Cape Town

Thank you very much Mr President, dear Cyril, for the very warm welcome we received here, me and my dear friend Antonio Costa.

It is a pleasure to meet here in Cape Town. South Africa and Europe are united by common passions. By our great literature. By our love of sport. By our beautiful nature, and our excellent wines. But most importantly we are united by shared values and common interests. Both our unions arose from the depths of conflict and suffering. Both had visionary leaders who saw that the path to peace and co-existence was not recrimination but reconciliation. South Africa remains an emblem of hope for the world. As your great writer Albie Sachs put it: 'South Africa gives hope that all societies can heal, unite and emerge stronger.' In the face of an increasingly fractured world, with the return of major wars on both our continents, that message of hope matters more than ever. And the cooperation between South Africa and Europe matters more than ever.

That is why we are here today. To strengthen the already close ties between our nations and our citizens. South Africa has a vital role on the world stage. You are a leading voice of the Global South. We are united by our democratic values. And our shared commitment to unity and diversity. But we also share fundamental interests. From ensuring peace and stability on our continents, to boosting sustainable economic growth and strengthening our supply chains.

This Summit is an important moment to reflect on our relationship. And see how we can strengthen it further. I would like to highlight three important areas. First, trade and investment. Here, you are already our closest partner in Africa, and our only strategic partner on the continent. Every year, there is almost EUR 50 billion in trade between us. And 98% of your exports to the EU are already duty and quota free. But we can and we must go further. Today we are announcing together an investment package to mobilise over EUR 4.7 billion in South Africa. This is in both our interest. It includes funding for the clean energy transition. But also funding to boost vaccine manufacturing. South Africa wants to protect the health of its people, as well as your autonomy and your local industries. We Europeans want to diversify some of our most critical supply chains, and we know that viruses know no borders. This is what I call a true mutual interest.

Second, today we are launching negotiations on the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. The rationale is simple. The South African economy is growing in size and complexity. And you have the ambition to create more added value here in the country. Europe understands your potential. Take the clean hydrogen value chain. South Africa has everything to become a global leader: You have clean energy in abundance, from wind to sun. You have raw materials that are critical for electrolysers, including 91% of the world's platinum group metal reserves. And you have a rising industry to produce clean hydrogen and strong export ambitions. European companies are interested in investing here. But they need more incentives. So, the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership can support. Together with private companies, we can unleash investments in clean energy, raw materials and green hydrogen. We can boost local industry with agreements for the future production that gives them certainty. And we can facilitate the trade of made-in-South Africa products to Europe. We want to strengthen and diversify our supply chains. But we want to do it in cooperation with you. We want beneficiation, that is an important value to us. Our model is that we want to support local jobs, local added value and high environmental and labour standards. Because we all know that ultimately, that is the best way for all of us to build more resilient global value chains.

Third, we are enhancing our cooperation on science and technology. South Africa is already the best represented African country in European research programmes. With funding for over 140 innovation projects across South Africa. Last year, over 1,000 South Africans came to study and teach in European universities. And we are now encouraging the exchange of even more students through your Presidential PhD programme. We are stepping up cooperation on research in Artificial Intelligence, climate and health. So the message is very clear: Europe remains open for business and to talented people from around the world.

President Ramaphosa, dear Cyril,

2025 is the vital year for cooperation between South Africa and Europe. As we have heard, we are already working very closely. And of course, we are working closely with you on your Presidency of the G20. And I look forward to returning to Johannesburg in November for the Leader's Summit. In a moment of increased global confrontation and competition, we must strengthen our partnership further. We must work closely together, to ensure the future is built on our shared belief in cooperation and human dignity, in stable relations, we stay together the course. We give predictability and reliability. I thank you very much for receiving us here today. Thank you very much.

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EU - South Africa Summit Declaration

European Commission

Statement

Mar 12, 2025

Cape Town

Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Mr Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, met with Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, in Cape Town today for the 8th Summit between the European Union (EU) and South Africa. The Leaders issued the following statement:

We, the Leaders of the European Union and South Africa, met today to re-affirm our unwavering support for our Strategic Partnership based on shared values of democracy, human rights, equality and sovereignty. Our meeting took place against the backdrop of rising geopolitical and geo-economic competition and instability, heightened conflict, deepening inequality, increasing global economic uncertainty, and fragmentation, as well as climate emergency. In the face of this challenging political and socio-economic environment, we underscored our belief in multilateral cooperation to collectively address shared challenges. We affirmed our unwavering commitment to act in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and its Purposes and Principles, including the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes. We further reaffirmed that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety, which includes the prohibition of the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. We agreed that, guided by these principles, we support a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territories, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and other major wars and conflicts around the globe.

MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

We expressed our unwavering belief and commitment to multilateralism, a consistent approach to the rules-based order, and the centrality of the United Nations Charter. We noted with concern the growing challenges to multilateralism because of rising unilateralism and protectionism, which undermine collective efforts to address shared challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, unfair trade, global pandemics, rising inequality, irregular migration, serious and organised crime, peace and security, and sustainable and inclusive growth. We stressed our shared commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights as well as our common efforts for the strengthening of the UN human rights system. The European Union expressed support for South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025, the first on African soil, including its theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development. We reaffirmed the importance of the G20 as the main global forum for international economic cooperation. The European Union will support the G20 partnership with African economies South Africa is forging, including through strengthening the G20 Compact with Africa, and expanding its membership. We are concerned that rising conflicts and instability in various regions of the world are distracting focus from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We affirmed our strong common commitment towards advancing the SDGs and implementing the Pact for the Future. We look forward to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025, which will be an important step to put in place a renewed global financing framework for sustainable development. We will work towards a successful and ambitious outcome of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) in Brazil. We agreed on the need to reform the UN Security Council, recognising the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic, and accountable, and better reflect today's realities by strengthening the voice of underrepresented regions, especially but not limited to Africa. We stressed the importance of a transparent rules-based multilateral trading system that is non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable, as a necessity to promote economic growth, development, and poverty reduction. We recognise that the multilateral trading system is facing unprecedented challenges due to the impact of unjustified trade measures and distortive practices, which undermines and renders it vulnerable. We agreed that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) needs substantial reform to be able to respond to evolving global realities. We therefore welcomed and supported the proposal to launch an independent high-level Group of Eminent Persons to make recommendations to reform and reinvigorate the system, improve its governance, and make it fit for purpose for today's realities. In response to a deteriorating global and regional security landscape, we decided to launch a dedicated Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue. It will facilitate a shared understanding of evolving threats and allow for regular dialogue and cooperation on a wide range of peace, security and defence-related issues, thereby promoting shared values, building capabilities and contributing to effective conflict prevention, and crisis response. We reaffirmed our strong commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Paris Agreement and to keep 1,5 C within reach. We reiterated our resolve to strive for the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement. This includes by implementing the global efforts agreed at the first global stocktake and submitting ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and adaptation communications. We are committed to just transition pathways towards global net-zero emissions that addresses both socioeconomic challenges as well as opportunities, through solid enabling policies such as carbon pricing and others. We called for adherence to the principle of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), in light of different national circumstances. We recognised the impact of rapid technological change from emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which presents both opportunities and threats. We agreed to work together to promote international cooperation, including under the auspices of the United Nations, for an international governance framework for AI. In line with our shared commitment to the Global Digital Compact, we agreed to support developing countries to close the digital gap, and equitably share its benefits, and mitigate risks, including those related to data protection, intellectual property, privacy, and security. We noted the very severe consequences associated with nuclear weapons use and emphasise that all States share the responsibility to prevent such an occurrence from happening. We stressed the need to implement all obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT), and to uphold commitments during previous NPT Review Conferences, including the need for concrete progress towards the full implementation of its Article VI, with the ultimate goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons.

REGIONAL COOPERATION

We committed to the advancement of peace, security and sustainable development in our respective regions, and supported the accelerated implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063 to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Africa. The European Union and South Africa share an understanding that security and development are inter-dependent, and that both parties must continue playing their key global roles in recognising the importance of regional cooperation and integration. We recalled that 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the European Union - African Union partnership and underscored the importance of holding the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting and the 7th EU-AU Summit in 2025. We expressed our full commitment to a vision of an African continent that is peaceful, stable and prosperous. We agreed to work collaboratively with the African Union within the framework of established agreements and processes such as the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region, and the Luanda- Nairobi Process, to find sustainable political solutions to conflicts and crises in the DRC/Great Lakes. We expressed support for the outcomes of the joint East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Dar es Salaam on 8 February that aim at addressing the conflict in eastern DRC and called for their rapid implementation. We reaffirmed our full support to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025) concerning the situation in eastern DRC. We also condemned the persistent violations of international humanitarian law and the violations and abuses of human rights occurring in the eastern DRC, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and extrajudicial killings. We welcomed the decision by the Human Rights Council on 7 February to establish a fact-finding mission that will be followed by an independent commission of inquiry to investigate and document these violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. We stressed the importance of bringing to justice the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Furthermore, we called for the protection of humanitarian personnel and the unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to affected populations, in full respect of international humanitarian law. We expressed concern about the resurgence of military coups, pre- and post-election violence, and the humanitarian needs driven by conflict which threaten to reverse the gains accumulated in the development agenda of the continent. We also noted with concern the rising prevalence of terrorist organisations on the African continent and the threat posed to regional and continental stability and security as a result. South Africa welcomed the European Union's financial support, including under the European Peace Facility, for anti-terrorism efforts in northern Mozambique. We recognised that the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy of the United Nations (A/RES/77/298) guides our work in countering terrorism and in addressing the root causes and conditions that give rise to terrorist acts. We expressed concern about the funding gap on the financing of African peace operations. This must be closed through fair burden-sharing involving both traditional and non-traditional donors. We stressed that funding must also be ensured from the African continent, inter alia, from the African Union. In addition, we called for the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2719 (2023) in Somalia, as an adequate, predictable and sustainable financing framework for the new African Union Support and Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM), in order to avoid any security vacuum.

BILATERAL SECTORIAL COOPERATION

We noted with appreciation the continued expansion of our bilateral cooperation across a diverse range of sectors, with regular policy dialogues covering the areas of trade and investment; macro-economic policies; scientific research and innovation; environment, climate and water; energy; human rights; and politics, defence, peace and security. We acknowledged the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) for development, a significant aspect of our bilateral cooperation, driven by shared interests to address global challenges. South Africa stressed the value it attaches to its participation in the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Programme. We agreed to work together under the Mission Innovation global research and innovation platform, including also its Clean Hydrogen Mission, to offer safe and sustainable low-carbon climate resilient solutions for all towards achieving the climate neutrality goals of the Paris Agreement. We also welcomed the signature of the collaboration agreement between the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and the South African Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI). We are also committed to cooperation between the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa and initiatives implemented as part of the European Framework for Science Diplomacy. We agreed to continue to collaborate on health-related matters, with a focus on pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We underlined our joint commitment to the African Union goal to produce in Africa over 60% of the vaccines needed for Africa's population. We reaffirmed the positive impact that a well-functioning and quality education system, including higher education and Technical Vocational Training (TVET), has on addressing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. We welcomed the ongoing constructive collaboration within the Human Rights Dialogue to uphold and advance human rights and democracy globally. In this context we agreed to synergise positions at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly Third Committee to uphold human rights for all without discrimination. We committed to the full and effective implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We concur that the advancement of gender equality, empowerment of women and girls, elimination of gender-based violence (GBV), protection of the rights of children, and the rights of persons with disabilities and the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons, through the realisation of all human rights, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural rights, are cornerstones of democratic and inclusive societies. We acknowledged that South Africa remains the European Union's key trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, and that the EU is the leading foreign investor in South Africa. We recalled the EU-Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which is the foundation for a mutually beneficial economic relationship and underlined the benefits of its full and effective implementation. In this context, South Africa will continue to ensure the rollout of the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan in partnership with the European Union, participating EU Member States, and other partner countries. South Africa and the EU are committed to a partnership that supports economic growth, sustainable development, industrialisation, beneficiation of critical mineral at source, partnerships with local industries and decarbonisation in a manner consistent with their respective needs and concerns at different levels of economic development. To strengthen our cooperation and boost South Africa and EU's competitiveness, we agreed to launch negotiations towards a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership to support the development of strategic cleaner value chains for raw materials including for local beneficiation, renewable and low carbon energy (including safe and sustainable low carbon hydrogen) and clean technology by improving the conditions for mutually beneficial investment. This, in turn, will help to facilitate the leverage of public and private financing towards developing cleaner supply chains in South Africa. This partnership will also serve as a forum for regulatory cooperation between the European Union and South Africa in areas of mutual interest related to clean supply chains. This partnership must deliver short and long term solutions without delay to enable Sasol to export sustainable fuel, especially aviation fuel to the EU, including addressing compliance and regulatory issues. The EU commits to also support the long-term decarbonisation of Sasol, in particular in Secunda, thus contributing to facilitating a Just Energy Transition. On the issue of cumulation, South Africa and EU committed to work together in the coming months to find a sustainable solution without delay to facilitate South African exports of EVs and Hybrid vehicles to the EU market under the provisions of the EU - SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), while supporting battery manufacturing in South Africa and the EU. The European Union and South Africa agreed to work together to address existing challenges in trade in animal and plant products. In particular, South Africa committed to find a solution to facilitate the imports of poultry from disease-free areas in the European Union into South Africa without delay and finalise the most advanced EU market access applications without delay. South Africa expressed appreciation for the EU's positive completion of the technical assessment of its Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) for Amarula and urged that the EU finalise its internal legislative processes without delay to list South Africa as a country able to export shelf-stable composite products containing processed milk and egg products to allow for the resumption of Amarula exports from South Africa to the EU market. On the trade in diamonds, South Africa appreciates the extension from 1 March 2025 to 1 January 2026 of the implementation of the EU traceability requirement for processed diamonds exported to the EU. South Africa has interest to set up an export certification node for diamonds in South Africa. The EU agreed to engage on this request with South Africa. The EU announced a Global Gateway Investment Package of EUR 4.7 billion to support mutually beneficial investment projects comprising grants and public and private loans from European financial institutions and European private sector. The investment package is based on three main building blocks, responding to both South African and EU priorities: i) Building South Africa vaccine production and boosting local pharmaceutical value chains; ii) Support to the Just Energy Transition through the development of critical raw materials and safe and sustainable low carbon hydrogen value chains including complementary investments in logistics and energy infrastructure, as well as a 'Just' component to support jobs and skills; iii) Connectivity infrastructure, including transport (development of the strategic corridor North-South), and digital. We recognised the need to harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development and support the development of a framework towards clean industrialisation and investments to ensure progress towards an agreement that promotes value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals close to the source of extraction. In this context we also agreed to follow-up on the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. To strengthen existing cooperation on critical minerals, we supported the opening of negotiations between the European Union and South Africa with the view to establish a Memorandum of Understanding on raw materials between both Partners. We recognised that deepening our energy cooperation can play an instrumental role in ensuring a just energy transition in the EU, South Africa and globally. We agreed to support the implementation of efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally and double energy efficiency globally by 2030. To this end, both sides agreed to establish a regular bilateral energy dialogue that will also cover energy access as well as low carbon energy technologies and complement our already rich engagement in multilateral fora. We also agreed to support the development of strategic low carbon value chains, which can support decarbonisation and industrial development in South Africa and in the EU. We agreed to further advance EU-South Africa transport relations and are committed to intensifying our work on the EU-South Africa Horizontal Agreement for Air Services and are aiming for a favourable outcome. We also recognise the need to strengthen our efforts to mitigate the climate impact of transport. We acknowledged the need to undertake joint work to boost investment opportunities to support the production at scale of sustainable aviation fuels. We also acknowledged the need to undertake joint work to boost investment opportunities to support the production at scale of safe and sustainable low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, in particular sustainable fuels, for the decarbonisation of transport. We decided to continue our ongoing dialogue on visa policy between South Africa and EU Member States with a view to fostering people-to-people contacts and facilitating enhanced interactions for investors and businesses. The EU extended its gratitude to the Government of South Africa for successfully hosting the 8th EU-South Africa Summit in Cape Town. We look forward to a continued strong bilateral cooperation, including in the framework of the G20 Summit hosted by South Africa in November. We, the Leaders of the European Union and South Africa, agreed to reconvene in the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit to ensure steady progress on the commitments made at today's Summit.

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Statement from Minister Joly and Minister Hussen on the situation in Syria

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

March 12, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development issued the following statement:

"Canada expresses its deep concern about the egregious violence that is occurring in Syria over the past few days in the Tartus, Latakia and Homs provinces.

"We utterly condemn these atrocities and call on the interim authorities to take all necessary measures to end the violence. Civilians must be protected, the dignity and human rights of all religious and ethnic groups must be upheld, and perpetrators must be held accountable.

"Canada welcomes the agreement reached on March 10 between the interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This is a potential step toward greater stability and improved conditions for Syrians. However, meaningful implementation will be key to ensuring lasting progress.

"We remain committed to ensuring that vital humanitarian aid reaches those in need. Minister Hussen announced $84 million in new funding for humanitarian assistance to respond to the crisis in Syria. This funding will support experienced humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance, including food, protection services, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and health services. This brings Canada's total humanitarian assistance to the Syria crisis this year to more than $100 million.

"To facilitate the delivery of assistance by the Government of Canada and other partners into Syria, Canada has issued a general permit under to the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order that temporarily allows any person in Canada, as well as Canadians outside Canada, to carry out a specific set of activities and transactions in support of democratization, stabilization and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to and within Syria that are otherwise prohibited under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations (the "Syria Regulations"). Canada will be easing sanctions to allow funds to be sent through certain banks in the country, such as Syria's Central Bank. These sanctions had been used as a tool against the Assad regime and easing them will help to enable the stable and sustainable delivery of aid, support local redevelopment efforts, and contribute to a swift recovery for Syria.

"Canada's Ambassador to Lebanon, Stefanie McCollum, has been nominated to serve concurrently as non-resident Ambassador to Syria. Restoring Canada's diplomatic presence in Syria will help promote engagement with regional and international actors - including the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other diplomatic missions - to support peace and political stabilization in the country and beyond.

"Canada reaffirms its commitment to support a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition that reflects the country's ethnic and religious diversity. We call on all parties to prioritize the work toward de-escalation and national reconciliation and prevent the country from descending into fragmentation and violence."

Quote

"I've spent the last several weeks engaging with our partners, members of civil society, regional experts, and Syrian Canadians. This is a critical and delicate moment for Syria and Syrians. Canada can play a meaningful role in enabling Syrians to build an inclusive country that respects all of its citizens. We also can help prevent Syria from falling into chaos and instability. Today's announcement is a response to the needs of Syrians and Syrian civil society. I am optimistic about Syrians' ability to chart a bright future for all Syrians.

- Omar Alghabra, Canada's Special Envoy for Syria

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Backgrounder: Canada announces measures and support for the people of Syria

Global Affairs Canada

Backgrounder

Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development announced measures in support of Canada's concrete commitment to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and to support a transition to an inclusive and peaceful future where all Syrians can live with dignity and security.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Syrians have embarked on a new chapter, but significant challenges remain as they strive for stability, reconstruction, and peace. After decades of oppression and nearly 14 years of brutal conflict, an estimated 90% of Syrians now live below the poverty line, with millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

As part of today's announcement, Canada is providing $84 million in new funding for humanitarian assistance to Syria. Canada is also taking steps to ease existing sanctions for a period of 6 months, to support democratization, stabilization, and the delivery of aid to and within Syria during this period of transition.

To achieve this, Canada announced the issuance of a general permit, valid for a period of 6 months, under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order that temporarily allows any person in Canada and Canadians outside Canada to carry out transactions of funds and related financial services when provided in support of democratization, stabilization and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to and within Syria that are otherwise prohibited under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations (the "Syria Regulations"), including through 7 specific Syrian state-owned and affiliated banks that are all currently sanctioned under the Syria Regulations.

The issuance of the general permit underscores Canada's support for Syrians and its commitment to contributing to political stabilization, a peaceful transition, increased humanitarian assistance, early recovery, reconstruction, and economic development in Syria. It is also in line with similar measures taken by Canada's international partners - including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union - to ease their own sanctions on Syria to support the recovery of the country's economy and its political transition toward peace and prosperity.

Today's announcement builds on other recent announcements and initiatives since December 2024, including:

Providing $17.25 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of the Syrian people. Delivered through experienced humanitarian partners, this funding will help provide clean water and food, protection services, sanitation and hygiene services, and health services.

Appointing Omar Alghabra as Canada's new Special Envoy for Syria to advise the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, on Canadian efforts to support the Syrian people in addressing their pressing needs and transition toward an inclusive and peaceful future.

Advancing regional and international co-operation to support a peaceful transition in Syria and help Syrians rebuild their country at the International Conference on Syria in Paris, France.

This year, Canada has committed over $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Syria. Since 2016, Canada has committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and countries hosting Syrian refugee populations, including Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. This funding includes significant humanitarian, development and stabilization assistance.

Canada has resettled more than 100,000 Syrian refugees since 2015.

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Swedish Government increases humanitarian support to Syria by SEK 120 million

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 13 March 2025

The protracted conflict in Syria has created a severe humanitarian crisis. Two thirds of the population - around 17 million people - are considered in need of humanitarian support. The Government is therefore increasing its humanitarian support to Syria by a total of SEK 120 million, to be distributed between the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"The humanitarian needs in Syria are enormous and the situation remains severe. The support package that the Government is announcing today aims to meet the urgent needs through SEK 80 million to UNHCR, which helps provide access to essential items such as food and water, and facilitates Syrian refugees' return to their homes when the conditions allow. We're also earmarking SEK 20 million to UNDP to support its efforts in mine clearance, accommodation and access to basic social services for returnees. Moreover, we're providing SEK 20 million to the ICRC, which contributes to the important work by reuniting families and keeping documentation on missing people," says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

In addition to substantial core support to humanitarian actors operating in Syria - such as the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UNHCR and the ICRC - Sweden provided SEK 257 million in humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering and distress among Syria's civilian population in 2024.



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Israeli airstrike hits Syria's capital Damascus

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 13, 2025

The Israeli military says it has conducted an airstrike on Syria's capital, Damascus, claiming that the attack hit the headquarters of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement.

The regime's military confirmed the airstrike in a statement on Thursday. It said a "command center belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad" was struck, which the military claimed was used to plan attacks against Israel.

The Palestinian resistance group has dismissed the allegation.

Islamic Jihad spokesperson Muhammad al-Haj Musa said that the building, which was targeted in the Israeli airstrike earlier on Thursday, was not a command center of the group. He said the building was an empty house, according to Palestine's Sama news agency citing the spokesperson.

Syria's official news agency said the attack struck Damascus's Dummar neighborhood, which is a residential area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor based in London, reported that at least one person had been killed in the Israeli strike carried out with two missiles. Other reports said a number of people were injured as well.

In the meantime, the Reuters news agency, citing two Syrian security sources, said that target was a Palestinian person. Israel's Channel 12 claimed a senior member of the Islamic Jihad was targeted in the attack.

Israel has escalated its aggression against Syria, which is now in a transitional period, following the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad in early December last year.

The regime has already moved forces into southern Syria, and said that they would remain in the Arab country indefinitely.

The Israeli military "is prepared to stay in Syria for an unlimited amount of time," War Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday, according to The Guardian.

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Israel jets bomb Damascus outskirts as tanks advance deeper in Quneitra

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 March 2025 8:12 PM

Israel has carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of Damascus and its tanks have advanced into the southwestern Quneitra region in the latest aggression against Syria since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

Media reports, quoting sources, said Israeli aircraft targeted a residential building in northwest of Damascus on Thursday.

A short video published by Israel's military showed an explosion at the edge of a building followed by thick plumes of smoke. Local paramedics said at least three people were wounded in the latest attack.

A series of Israeli aerial raids also hit the town of Kiswah, south of Damascus, and several parts of the Dara'a province.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Israeli forces advanced into the countryside in the al-Quneitra region with tanks and military vehicles, detonating former military sites.

In a brazen declaration of expansionist Zionist ambitions, an Israeli Knesset member last week openly called for Syria to be placed under the regime's full control.

Boaz Bismuth said Israel "will not allow a military force to emerge in Syria after Assad's fall."

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said the regime will not tolerate the presence of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or any other forces affiliated with the new rulers in southern Syria.

He also said Israeli troops will remain stationed at a so-called "buffer zone" inside the occupied Golan Heights, seized following the fall of President Assad.

The buffer zone was created by the United Nations after the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. A UN force of about 1,100 troops had patrolled the area since then.

Netanyahu said the regime's forces will maintain an indefinite military presence at the summit of Mount Hermon, and the adjacent zone.

Following the downfall of Assad, the Israeli military has been launching airstrikes against military installations, facilities, and arsenals belonging to Syria's now-defunct army.

The strikes were accompanied by ground incursions, as tanks and armored bulldozers penetrated Syrian territory, beyond the Golan Heights to Qatana, barely 30 kilometers from Damascus.

Israel has been condemned for the termination of the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, and exploiting the chaos in the country in the wake of Assad's downfall to make a land grab.

Former al-Qaeda affiliate the HTS took control of Damascus in early December in a stunning offensive, prompting Israel to move forces into a UN-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria.

The Israeli regime has occupied some 600 kilometers of Syrian territory since the fall of Assad.

The HTS remained conspicuously silent on the unprecedented Israeli aggression, refusing to condemn the land theft, a move seen by regional experts as a sign of internal instability.

The developments also come as the HTS militants and armed opposition groups recently engaged in deadly confrontations in the country's northwestern coastal region.

More than 1,540 people, the majority of them civilians, have been killed so far in the violence in the provinces of Tartus, Latakia, Hama and Homs, according to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Most of the civilians were killed in close-range shootings by foreign-backed HTS militants.

The resistance groups in Syria have accused the new Western-backed HTS rulers of perpetrating massacres of minority communities, warning of an "endless conflict" ahead if the international community did not take immediate measures to halt the violence.

Iran and several regional nations have condemned what Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the "unjustifiable" killing of civilians across Syria.

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'Brighter future hangs in the balance' in Syria after 14 years of war

13 March 2025 - The Constitutional Declaration issued by Syria's caretaker authorities marks a pivotal moment in the country's turbulent transition, with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen expressing cautious optimism about its potential to fill a legal vacuum and pave the way for a "credible and inclusive political transition".

The announcement comes as Syria marks 14 years since peaceful protests were met with brutal repression, igniting a conflict that has displaced millions and left the country in ruins.

While the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 initially raised hopes for stability, fresh violence is threatening these fragile gains.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned recent reports of civilian casualties, stating that "nothing can justify the killing of civilians."

A Syrian-led transition

Mr. Pedersen reiterated that the political process remains "Syrian-led and Syrian-owned", though the UN continues to offer guidance.

During a briefing to the press in New York, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric underscored that the UN stands ready to support an inclusive political transition which guarantees accountability and national healing.

Meanwhile, Mr. Guterres emphasised that "the caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to building a new Syria based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians. Now is the time for action."

Reconstruction challenges

Despite political progress, the humanitarian crisis remains dire.

"The scale of destruction is unimaginable," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi wrote in an op-ed in the French newspaper Le Monde.

Emphasising that nothing was spared, from houses to water treatment facilities, Mr. Grandi underscored that "if we neglect Syria's urgent humanitarian needs, its social and political fractures will only deepen."

A recent UNHCR survey found that 27 per cent of Syrian refugees now express a desire to return home within the next year, compared to just two per cent before the regime's fall.

However, concerns about safety, political stability and the lack of basic necessities remain major obstacles to sustainable repatriation.

Accountability: The path forward

While the Constitutional Declaration provides a framework for transition, Mr. Pedersen said its success depends on genuine implementation.

For now, the UN remains engaged and ready to assist, but officials warn that the next few months will be critical in determining whether Syria moves towards lasting peace or falls deeper into uncertainty.

"We must ensure that Syria emerges from the shadows of war into a future defined by dignity and the rule of law, where all voices are heard and no community is left behind," the UN chief said.

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"We have covered significant distance in our efforts toward a terror-free Turkiye"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

13.03.2025

Addressing members of the parliament during an iftar dinner, President Erdogan said: "We have covered significant distance in our efforts toward the goal of a terror-free Turkiye with the contributions of the political parties at the parliament. On February 27, we peacefully passed yet another critical milestone in the terror-free Turkiye initiative."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech during an iftar dinner with deputies in Ankara.

President Erdogan said: "We have covered significant distance in our efforts toward the goal of a terror-free Turkiye with the contributions of the political parties at the parliament. On February 27, we peacefully passed yet another critical milestone in the terror-free Turkiye initiative. Without prolonging the process, without resorting to any tricks such as complicating the process, and without allowing any tension, provocation or extremism, I believe that we will swiftly achieve the desired outcome."

President Erdogan went on: "Our goal has been clear since day one. We aim to permanently and fully get rid of a scourge that has become a burden to Turkiye for 40 years and claimed our tens of thousands of lives including soldiers, police, gendarmerie, public servants and civilians. We endeavor to put an end to terror, bloodshed and suffering in this country and to strengthen our brotherhood. We want to leave our children a country and region cleared of terror. We, on the other hand, know very well that there are those who are concerned by the strengthening of this possibility and those who do not want the 40-year-long menace of terror to be eradicated and the political realm to gain ground. We are also waging an intensive fight against such dirty hands and against those thriving on terror. We will inshallah achieve our goal this time without any accidents. I wholeheartedly believe that all our MPs will display the same sensitivity."

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Statement from Minister Joly on negotiations between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

March 12, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement following a meeting between Ukraine and the United States that took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 11:

"Canada welcomes the news of negotiations between Ukraine and the United States, including a proposed temporary ceasefire and the resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine. We also appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's role in hosting these discussions and supporting diplomatic efforts toward peace.

"A ceasefire could be - must be - the first step toward a just and lasting peace. With this agreement, Ukraine has once again shown its desire to end the war as soon as possible, and its commitment to being a constructive partner in the pursuit of lasting peace. The ball is now in Russia's court to show that it is likewise ready for a ceasefire and to put an end to the bloodshed. The world is watching.

"I am heartened to see that the discussions between Ukraine and the United States placed particular attention on the critically important humanitarian dimensions of a ceasefire. This war has taken a deep toll, nowhere more than on the children forcibly taken from their families. Canada has helped champion these human dimensions of peace, and we cannot agree more with the value of a ceasefire including such elements as prisoner exchanges, the release of civilian detainees, and of course, the return of Ukrainian children.

"There is much more work to be done. Russia must now be consulted to see if they, too, will agree to a ceasefire, and beyond that, to negotiate a lasting peace, where Europe and Ukraine's global partners must play a pivotal role. Canada stands ready to do its part.

"Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, Ukrainians have endured unimaginable suffering. As we have shown time and again, Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine, and help to end this illegal invasion, prevent future aggression, and build a future where Ukraine is secure, stable, and free."

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Visit to a command post of the Kursk group of forces

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting at a command post of the Kursk group of forces. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief was briefed by Chief of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces - First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov.

March 12, 2025

21:40

Kursk Region

Chief of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces - First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

The detachments of the Sever Group of Forces continue the operation to eliminate the enemy in the Kursk Region. Overall, we have liberated over 1,100 square kilometres of our territory, or more than 86 percent of the area occupied by the enemy, in the course of offensive operations.

Since the start of hostilities in the Kursk area, the enemy has lost over 67,000 personnel, comprising top-quality and highly motivated high-mobility troops of the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as foreign mercenaries. We have also destroyed about 7,000 military systems, including 391 tanks, 2,780 armoured combat vehicles and over 1,000 artillery guns and mortars.

During the autumn and winter period, the command of the Ukrainian armed forces focused on the Kursk Region. This conclusion is based on statistical data. More precisely, the relatively small Kursk foothold of the Ukrainian armed forces accounts for about 19 percent of casualties and over 40 percent of the equipment the enemy has lost in the overall combat zone. Our statistics for the past six months show that the enemy has lost 19 percent of personnel and 40 percent of equipment in that area.

The Kiev regime planned to create a so-called strategic foothold in the Kursk Region, to be subsequently used as political leverage in potential talks with Russia. In addition, the Ukrainian authorities hoped that their incursion into the Kursk Region would halt the advance of our forces and that we would divert some of them from Donbass. These plans have fallen through.

These results have been achieved owing to the courageous, selfless, and well-coordinated operations by combined units and volunteer forces of the Sever Group of Forces, as well as the effective use of aircraft of the Aerospace Forces and units of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The advance along the state border by the paratroopers from the 76th and 106th Airborn Divisions, the 83rd Air Assault Brigade, the 810th Marine Brigade, along with the successful operations by the Rubicon UAV unit in the border areas of the Kursk Region and in the Sumy Region of Ukraine in February of this year have made it possible to bring under dense fire control the remaining logistics routes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, deprive the enemy of the opportunity to redeploy reserves or deliver ammunition and materiel, creating conditions for the final rout of the enemy.

The offensive operations conducted by the 155th Marine Infantry Brigade in the Nikolskoye sector have helped to encircle a large enemy force grouping to the north of Malaya Loknya. Subsequently, Malaya Loknya and adjacent populated localities were liberated in the course of operations undertaken by the 34th Motorised Rifle Brigade, the 22nd Motorised Rifle Regiment, elements of the 9th Motorised Rifle Regiment, and elements of other units. The enemy sustained considerable losses and its separate small groups began to retreat southward, losing combatants en route as Russian artillery delivered fire for effect and drones swooped down on them.

I want to particularly praise the heroism displayed by the combined assault unit of the Veterans volunteer detachment, as well as the personnel of this combined assault unit, the 11th Air Assault Brigade, the 30th Motorised Rifle Regiment, and the Akhmat special operations unit. The assault troops of this 600-man-strong combined unit advanced nearly 15 kilometres inside an empty gas pipeline and emerged on the surface behind Ukrainian army positions. This operation took the enemy by surprise, compelled it to scale back its defences, and helped to advance our offensive in the Kursk Region.

As a result, 24 population centres and 259 sq km of the Kursk Region territory have been liberated by the Kursk Group of Forces in all directions over the past five days alone. The infiltration area has been reduced by more than 2.5 times.

The operation to destroy the enemy on Kursk land continues. The Ukrainian Armed Forces infiltration group has been isolated and is being systematically destroyed. In some directions, the Russian units have crossed the state border, entered the Sumy Region, and continue to destroy enemy reserves and to expand the security area. With further resistance now clearly futile, Ukrainian servicemen have begun to surrender, and 430 militants have been taken prisoners.

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to destroy the formations of the armed forces of Ukraine in the Kursk Region. The objective now is to fully liberate the region and access the state border of the Russian Federation as soon as possible.

That concludes my report.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Speaking of that, I would like to - you have mentioned some of the units that have shown their worth - I hear about them practically every day, every morning and every night lately - and you have named some of them, but I still want to name the ones I have heard mentioned more often than others.

That includes the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division, the 106th Guards Airborne Assault Division, the 11th Guards Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, the 83rd Guards Airborne Assault Brigade, 56th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division, the 155th Guards Separate Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, the 810th Marine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet, the 177th Guards Separate Marine Regiment of the Caspian Flotilla, the 34th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade which was particularly active during the last week, the 22nd Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorised Rifle Division, the 1220th Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 3rd Motorised Rifle Division, the Akhmat Special Forces that were mentioned earlier, the Veterans volunteer formation, which is acting particularly daringly and effectively, and everyone else who engaged in hostilities alongside them. I would also like to thank senior officers from the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff for their work.

Our immediate task is to rout the enemy, who has become entrenched and continues fighting in the Kursk Region, as soon as possible, to liberate the Kursk Region and regain our positions along the state border. Of course, we should also consider - I would like to ask you to think about creating a security zone on the state border in the future. We should consider doing this.

Here is what I would like to point out. In accordance with Russian laws, we regard those who have invaded the Kursk Region, are committing crimes against civilians there and fighting against our Armed Forces, law enforcement and special services as terrorists. That is how the Prosecutor General's Office has qualified their activities, and it is under articles on terrorism that the Investigative Committee has initiated proceedings against them.

Mr Gerasimov has mentioned prisoners of war just now. However, we must certainly regard these people primarily as terrorists, in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. We provide and should continue to provide humane treatment for all those we capture. On the other hand, I would like to remind you that foreign mercenaries do not come within the purview of the 1949 Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War.

Lastly, I would like to ask you to convey our gratitude to our military personnel for everything they have recently accomplished. I strongly hope that all our detachments will fulfil the combat tasks set for them, and that the territory of the Kursk Region will be fully liberated from the enemy in the near future.

<...>

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Minister of the Interior Rantanen visits Ukraine

Finnish Government

Ministry of the Interior

13.3.2025

Press release

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen visited Ukraine on 11-12 March and met with Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. During her visit, Minister Rantanen also learnt about the various activities of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs' branch of government, such as the situation centre and the operations of rescuers and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

At their meeting, the interior ministers discussed, among other things, the current security situation in Ukraine, civil preparedness, rescue services, and border security and police cooperation. Minister Rantanen also visited the border between Ukraine and Belarus to learn more about the operations of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service and other authorities. In addition, she learnt about Ukraine's experiences of how different authorities use drones in their operations.

"Ukrainian authorities are hampered by destroyed infrastructure and have to operate in extremely difficult conditions. It is therefore important to listen carefully to what Ukraine hopes from our cooperation and assistance. At the same time, we have an opportunity to learn from Ukraine's experiences," says Minister of the Interior Rantanen.

Finland can make use of the lessons Ukraine has learnt in areas such as measures to ensure the preparedness of critical infrastructure, protect the civilian population and improve the readiness of rescue services.

Finland and Ukraine will continue and reinforce their cooperation on civil defence shelters. Ukraine has learnt a hard lesson on the necessity of civil defence shelters during the over three years of Russia's invasion. Finland has a great deal of experience of civil defence shelters, which is of interest to Ukraine.

Finland continues to provide material assistance

Civilian material assistance also plays a key role in maintaining the resilience of the Ukrainian society and the operational capacity of Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine's need for material assistance continues to be great and diverse.

"Finland will continue to support Ukraine for as long as is necessary. We will continue to provide Ukraine with material assistance that helps keep society running," says Minister Rantanen.

The Ministry of the Interior channels donations from all sectors of society to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland has so far delivered 409 truckloads of civilian material assistance and 108 vehicles to Ukraine. The largest recipients of Finland's assistance are the rescue services and civil defence, energy and healthcare sectors.

Ministry of the Interior supports civilian crisis management missions in Ukraine

During her visit, Minister Rantanen also met with Finnish civilian crisis management experts who work in the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) and in the International Criminal Court.

Supporting Ukraine through civilian crisis management efforts is one of the priorities of the Finnish Government Programme. The Ministry of the Interior is strongly committed to supporting missions in Ukraine by seconding Finnish experts to these missions.

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Finland and Ukraine sign new MoU on defence cooperation - Finland announces new arms assistance package

Finnish Ministry of Defence

13.03.2025

Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen and Ukraine's Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov met bilaterally on Thursday 13 March 2025. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between the two countries' defence administrations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Finland and Ukraine aims to deepen defence cooperation between the two countries. Cooperation will be enhanced in a number of fields, including defence materiel, exchange of information, research and innovation, ammunition production, and defence industrial projects in Finland and Ukraine.

"For more than three years, Finland has supported Ukraine's defence against Russia. We are one of Ukraine's biggest supporters by GDP ratio. Finland and Ukraine are on the same edge of Europe and, drawing from our historical experience, we share a perception of the threat of Russia. Finland is committed to continuing its support for Ukraine. However, the relationship between our countries is not a one-way street but a mutually beneficial partnership. This Memorandum of Understanding shows that we want to expand and deepen our cooperation for the benefit of both countries," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said.

"Three long years of defence against Russia have honed the Ukrainian armed forces into one of the strongest in Europe. At the same time, Ukrainians have gained extensive experience of how to defend their country against Russia. This means that when we develop our own defence system we must heed head the lessons learned by Ukrainians and make use of their experiences," Hakkanen said.

Finland donates yet another large material aid package to Ukraine

During the ministers' meeting, Finland told Ukraine of our next arms assistance package, which will be the 28th. The package, valued at around EUR 200 million, is waiting approval from the Finnish Government and the President of the Republic. Earlier in January, Finland decided on its 27th package, valued at nearly EUR 200 million in replacement cost. In late February, Finland announced an industrial programme of EUR 660 million which will be used to procure new defence materiel from the Finnish defence industry to help Ukraine. Delivering on these decisions will raise the total value of Finland's materiel assistance to EUR 3.3 billion.

"As before, we will not reveal the details of the aid package. What I can say is that this time the package contains artillery ammunition for which there is a great need right now in Ukraine. It is tremendous that there is such a broad political support and national consensus in Finland for supporting Ukraine. Moreover, it is invaluable that we have succeeded in combining support for Ukraine and stronger security of supply in Finland through our new industrial programme," Hakkanen said.

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Largest civilian support package for Ukraine announced

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

Published 13 March 2025

Today, 13 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa has announced that Sweden will increase development assistance to Ukraine by more than SEK 1.4 billion with the aim of strengthening Ukraine's resilience and recovery.

"We must strengthen Ukraine's resilience in every way possible. The Ukrainians are defending both their own freedom and security ours. This is why today we're announcing Sweden's largest civilian support package to date. The new support focuses on the most urgent needs such as energy supply, housing, medical care, mine clearance, safe schooling for children, vocational training for women and support for war veterans. This package will make a real difference for many Ukrainians," says Mr Dousa.

The support will go to humanitarian assistance and to Ukraine's reconstruction and development. The package amounts to a total of SEK 1 414 250 000 in 2025, and will be funded through reallocations within the framework of this year's development assistance budget. Sweden's total support to Ukraine in 2025 is therefore estimated to amount to SEK 7.8 billion, equivalent to around 14 per cent of this year's development assistance budget.

"Civil society has a key role at times of war and crisis. Established civil society organisations are often first on the scene in crisis situations, see what's needed and are on the ground, typically with volunteers. Their contribution is indispensable. We're now increasing our support to the Ukrainian Red Cross to the tune of SEK 100 million," says Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.

"Putin doesn't just want a military victory over Ukraine, he also wants to impede civilian life. But Russia has to lose the war. That's why this support is so important; it's about ensuring victory for Ukraine," says Joar Forssell, foreign policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party.

"In the current security situation, it's of the utmost importance that Sweden provides more than purely military support to Ukraine. Broad and robust support for Ukraine is vital for the security of both Sweden and Europe. With this package, we're broadening our support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression," says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.

Distribution of support  SEK 1 billion will be distributed via the EU's Ukraine Facility to the energy sector, housing and other initiatives that strengthen society's resilience and contribute to Ukraine's path to EU membership.



 SEK 100 million to the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) for reconstruction of energy infrastructure, housing, health and medical care and the transport sector. The Fund also provides access to basic public services and support for the private sector.



 SEK 100 million to the Ukrainian Red Cross (via the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) for initiatives focused on areas such as mental and psychosocial health, support for internally displaced people, and community centres that function as safe places to provide humanitarian assistance.



 SEK 103 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), of which SEK 43 million will go to mine clearance and the disposal of unexploded ordinance and SEK 60 million for repairs and improvements to energy infrastructure.



 SEK 48.75 million the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for emergency obstetric and maternal health care, initiatives for sexual and reproductive health and rights; initiatives against sexual and gender-based violence, and training of rescue service personnel, nurses and midwives.



 SEK 22.5 million to UN Women to fight and prevent sexual and gender-based violence, reach vulnerable and marginalised women and girls with humanitarian efforts, and counteract human trafficking for sexual and other purposes. The support also aims to assist civil society organisations that promote women's livelihood opportunities, especially for internally displaced people.



Support decided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) included in the package:



 SEK 23 million to non-profit organisation Beredskapslyftet (Sida decision) for vocational training of 700 women as heavy-duty vehicle drivers, operators and mechanics, and help for 100 war veterans to find work. This project is being implemented in collaboration with Swedish companies and private foundations.



SEK 17 million to charity foundation savED (Sida decision) to enable children and young people in war-torn areas to go to school in person and in safety.

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New Swedish support strengthens Ukraine's artillery capacity

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry of Defence

Published 13 March 2025

The Government has authorised the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to procure 18 Archer artillery units for donation to Ukraine. FMV will also procure five Arthur counter battery fire radar units for Ukraine. Sweden will also support Ukraines industrial base through the Danish initiative. The Government also intends for Sweden to participate in the artillery coalition of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The total value of the artillery package is approximately SEK 3 billion and is part of Sweden's 18th military support package to Ukraine.

"Ukraine is in urgent need of artillery and artillery ammunition. This has been a priority for Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukraine's Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov highlighted this point when I met him at the weekend," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson.

Together with the EU and our transatlantic partners, Sweden will continue to strengthen Ukraine through donations of military equipment. Within the framework of the previously announced 18th military support package to Ukraine, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has been authorised to procure artillery systems for donation to Ukraine.

The total value of these donations is approximately SEK 3 billion and includes:

18 Archer artillery units from BAE Systems Bofors. Sweden has previously donated eight Archer artillery units to Ukraine.

Five Arthur counter-battery radar systems from Saab. The Arthur system is used to detect artillery projectiles and calculate points of origin. This makes it easier to combat enemy artillery. Arthur has previously been donated to Ukraine by Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Financial support to Ukraines defence industry through the Danish initiative that could be used for 155 mm ammunition or Bohdana artillery systems.

Through increased production volumes in the Swedish defence sector, this artillery package will contribute to strengthening the security of supply and production capacity of defence materiel in Sweden, Ukraine and Europe.

Sweden also intends to participate in the UDCG's artillery coalition. The coalition aims to coordinate support for developing and strengthening Ukraine's artillery capacity and to increase interoperability with NATO.

Deliveries of the Arthur systems are due to start in 2025, while deliveries of the Archer systems will start in 2026.

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Update 280 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

21/2025

Vienna, Austria

13 Mar 2025

Ukrainian firefighters have gained full control over the situation at the Chornobyl site following last month's drone strike that caused extensive damage to the large confinement structure covering the reactor destroyed in the 1986 accident, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

The drone attack in the early hours of 14 February pierced a big hole through the roof of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) and set off fires within its structure that continued to smoulder for more than two weeks.

Working around the clock to contain the aftermath of the drone strike, Ukrainian emergency personnel have gradually managed to extinguish all the smouldering, with no new fires detected for around ten days. Last Friday the site was able to downgrade the event from an "emergency" to a "controlled situation".

From the time of the drone strike, the IAEA team based at the site has had unrestricted access to observe and assess the status of the NSC.

This arch-shaped structure has multiple functions: to protect the environment from any potential release of radioactive material into the atmosphere, to prevent any degradation of the old shelter structure beneath it from external factors and to facilitate dismantling activities.

As a result of the drone strike, however, the confinement function of the NSC has been compromised. The fires and smouldering resulted in extensive damage, including to the northern side and to a lesser extent to the southern side of its roof, according to an initial site evaluation shared with the IAEA team based at the site. The NSC will require extensive repair efforts.

The Chornobyl site has continued to perform additional radiation monitoring over the past several weeks, reporting the results to the IAEA team, which has also carried out its own independent monitoring. To date, all radiation monitoring results have shown that there has not been any increase in radiation at the site.

"The Ukrainian emergency services have worked very hard for several weeks in challenging circumstances, at times in freezing weather conditions. Their admirable efforts have been rewarded and the emergency situation is now under control, which is very good news," Director General Grossi said.

"Nevertheless, I remain extremely concerned about the drone strike that took place a month ago. It posed a serious threat to nuclear safety and badly damaged the site's New Safe Confinement, which was built at a huge expense for the international community. The challenging task ahead is to repair the structure and restore its confinement functionality. Attacking nuclear facilities is completely unacceptable," he said.

Further underlining constant nuclear safety risks during the conflict, the IAEA staff at the Chornobyl site have continued to report multiple air raid alarms over the past week.

In addition, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) informed the IAEA that the Chornobyl site recorded drone flights in the area during the night of 8 March.

The precarious nuclear safety and security situation was also evident at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), with the IAEA team there hearing explosions on most days at different distances from the site.

The team continued to monitor nuclear safety and security, including the site's ongoing maintenance activities. At the 750 kilovolt (kV) open switchyard, maintenance began in February on a circuit breaker for one of the site's three 750 kV power lines that have remained disconnected due to the conflict. This week, maintenance commenced on the main transformer of reactor unit 5 and on the circuit breaker linking it to the open switchyard.

During a site walkdown, the IAEA experts measured the water levels at the plant's 12 sprinkler ponds, confirming they hold sufficient water to cool the six reactors in their current shutdown status.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA teams based at the country's three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) - Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine - have continued to monitor the nuclear safety and security situation at these sites. The teams report hearing air raid alarms on most days.

Over the past week, the IAEA has carried out rotations at the Rivne, South Ukraine and Chornobyl sites, with new Agency teams replacing colleagues based there for the past several weeks.

Separately, the IAEA has continued with its comprehensive programme of nuclear safety and security assistance to Ukraine, with two new deliveries of equipment bringing the total number since the start of the armed conflict to 113. The South Ukraine NPP received spare parts for an industrial automation system as well as telecommunication testing equipment, while the medical unit at Chornobyl received medical supplies. The deliveries were supported with funds from Ireland, France and Sweden.

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Top Kremlin aide says U.S.-Ukrainian truce proposal 'a temporary respite' for Kiev

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 13, 2025

Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, says a proposal presented by the United States and Ukraine for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev is just a "temporary respite" for the Ukrainian military.

The 30-day truce plan is "nothing else than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more," Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy aide, told Russia's state television on Thursday.

He said that the Kremlin seeks "a long-term peaceful settlement," which addresses Russia's "legitimate interests and concerns."

Putin's aide made the comments a day after he spoke by phone to U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He said he had conveyed Russia's position to the U.S. advisor during that conversation, according to NBC News.

The ceasefire plan was laid out by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Ukrainian counterpart in Saudi Arabia this week, as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks an immediate cessation of hostilities between Kiev and Moscow.

Trump has sent his envoy to Russia for talks on the proposed ceasefire, while he has also threatened Moscow with sanctions.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff already landed in Moscow on Thursday, where he is due to meet President Putin in a closed format, according to Ushakov.

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Putin Says Russia Agrees With US Cease-Fire Proposal But 'With Nuances'

By RFE/RL March 13, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first.

The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that address the "root" reasons for the war, a likely reference to NATO expansion.

"We agree with the proposal to stop the fighting. But we proceed from the fact that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis," Putin said in his first public comments about how he assessed the US proposal for a cease-fire.

"We are for [a cease-fire], but there are nuances," Putin added during a March 13 press conference in Moscow with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Putin is facing a dilemma after delegations from Kyiv and Washington agreed earlier this week at a meeting in Saudi Arabia to a 30-day cease-fire proposed by US President Donald Trump, putting the onus for peace in Moscow's lap.

"I think the Russians are keen not to be seen as the intransigent party as that could lead to consequences from Trump, such as sanctions. So that informed Putin's comments today," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL.

Putin was set to meet Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to discuss the cease-fire proposal. Following Putin's comments, Trump said he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal. He described Putin's comments as "promising" but incomplete.

Trump on March 13 said during a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte that Witkoff was engaged in "very serious discussions" in Moscow. The president added he "getting word of things going OK in Russia." Witkoff's exact scheduled was not disclosed.

In his daily nighttime address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Putin is preparing to reject the cease-fire proposal but is scared to say this directly to Trump.

Trump has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, and is wielding US leverage to get both Kyiv and Moscow to the table.

The US president on March 12 threatened to impose more sanctions on Russia if it did not agree to the cease-fire. However, Trump did not give a time frame for Putin to agree to his proposal or say whether he would be willing to negotiate with Putin on the "nuances."

The Russian leader said there were several unanswered questions in the proposal, such as what to do about Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region.

"If we have a cease-fire, does that mean that everyone there would leave?" Putin said. "Should we release them [Ukrainian troops] after they committed crimes against the population? Or would they surrender?"

Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks.

That strategy is now failing as Russian forces supported by North Korean troops push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russia has regained more than half the territory in Kursk initially captured by Ukraine.

Putin, who visited Kursk yesterday for the first time since the August push, said the situation in the region is now "totally under our control."

He said the Ukrainians escape route is completely under Russian fire and that if his forces are able to physically block the route, Ukrainian troops in Kursk will only have two options: surrender or be killed.

Among the other concerns the Russian leader voiced about the cease-fire proposal is whether Ukraine would use the 30-day period to mobilize and train forces or rearm with the help of the West. He also raised the question of how the nearly 2,000-kilometer front would be monitored.

"Who will determine where and who violated the possible cease-fire agreement?" he said.

Experts had warned that Putin would likely seek to drag out cease-fire talks because his forces have the upper hand on the battlefield.

Aside from the advances in Kursk, Russia is gaining territory in eastern Ukraine -- albeit at high human and material costs -- due to its significant manpower advantage.

Russia is seeking to capture at a minimum the entirety of the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in November 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. A cease-fire now would leave them short of that goal.

"One way the Russians could slow down this process without coming out directly and saying 'no', is by dragging out those technical discussions on monitoring" the cease-fire, Hardie said.

"That could also give them ways to try to pin the blame back on Ukraine, by insisting on certain technical matters that Ukraine might find objectionable," he said.

Hardie said Trump could increase pressure on Putin by sanctioning more Russian oil tankers, commonly called the "shadow fleet." Oil exports accounts for about a third of Russia's federal budget revenue.

On March 13, US media reports said the White House was increasing restrictions on Russia's oil, gas, and banking sectors.

CBS reported that among the measures, the Treasury Department was letting expire a 60-day exemption put in place in January by the Biden administration that allowed some energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks to continue. The latest move would make it more difficult for other nations to buy Russian oil.

Another option would be threatening secondary sanctions on countries like India, China, and Turkey that buy Russian oil above the price cap the West imposed on Russia oil of $60 a barrel.

"If Trump really wants to squeeze the Russian revenue, he could do it that way," Hardie said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-accepts-ukraine- cease-fire-nuances-/33346869.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Kursk Ambush: Did Russia Pull Off Another Pipeline Sneak Attack On Ukrainian Troops?

By Mike Eckel March 13, 2025

Dozens, possibly scores, of Russian soldiers, some wearing oxygen masks, shuffled secretly through water and methane fumes for days, moving kilometers through an unused underground gas pipeline into Sudzha, a town in Russia's southern Kursk region.

Kursk was invaded last August by Ukrainian forces, embarrassing the Kremlin. Struggling to uproot them, Russian commanders enlisted thousands of North Korean soldiers to throw into the fight.

Sometime around March 8, an unknown number of Russian soldiers emerged from the pipeline somewhere on Sudzha's outskirts and were engaged by Ukrainian troops -- possibly by surprise. Ukrainian command confirmed an attempted incursion but claimed it had been thwarted.

In the days that followed, Ukrainian troops lost substantial territory in Kursk, in some places a sudden withdrawal. On March 13, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed control of Sudzha.

The exact details of the pipeline operation -- and whether it triggered Ukraine's abrupt shift in fortunes in Kursk -- remain unclear.

But if confirmed, the operation would be the second time in just over a year that Russia has pulled off this sort of cunning ambush to undermine Ukrainian positions.

They 'Drove A Wedge Into Our Formations'

News of the pipeline incident first emerged from both Ukrainian and Russian bloggers, as well as official Ukrainian sources, on March 8.

"The Russians used a gas pipeline to move an assault company, undetected by drones, and drove a wedge into our formations," Yuriy Butusov, a prominent Ukrainian war journalist with connections to the Ukrainian military, said in a Telegram post.

While Russian TV channels claimed 800 Russian troops were involved, the newspaper Ukrainska Pravdaand other outlets said there were just 100 Russians and claimed that Ukrainian commanders had anticipated the effort.

Both Russian and Ukrainian media pointed to a branch of an underground pipeline that had ceased operation on January 1 and may have been as narrow as 1.4 meters in width in places.

One expletive-filled video posted on a Russian war blogger's Telegram channel on March 9 showed a group of Russian soldiers seated, smoking cigarettes, in what appeared to be a pipeline. They complained about being in the pipe and said the group had already walked several kilometers toward Sudzha. The video could not be independently verified.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of Chechnya, also posted a video on March 12 appearing to show a unit of Russian and Chechen soldiers inside a pipeline. He said the group had walked as many as 15 kilometers underground.

Another widely read Russian war blogger suggested that the operation may not have gone as planned, saying that the unit had oxygen tanks, water, food, and radio -- but that some of the soldiers may have suffocated.

'Wholly Plausible'

Ukraine's General Staff said on March 8 that the operation had been thwarted.

"The enemy forces were detected in time by the aerial reconnaissance units of the Airborne Assault Forces,"it said.

Ukrainian commentators said it was wholly plausible that Russian planners had identified the gas pipeline as a weakness.

"If the Russian Federation finds engineering structures in locations where combat operations are taking place, it will use them 100 percent," Ivan Stupak, a Ukrainian military analyst, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

"Of course, we can use it too. However, we need to have access to maps and technical documentation," Stupak added. "I am sure that the Russian Federation is currently using Soviet archives for such operations."

The last time Russian troops are known to have pulled off such a feat occurred more than a year ago, during the battle for the Donetsk region city of Avdiyivka in eastern Ukraine.

Russian troops had spent months trying to outflank Ukrainian defenses. Sometime in early January 2024, Russian sappers and other troops used a partially flooded water outflow tunnel to creep into a wooded southeastern corner of the city, where a tourist site used to sit.

Ukrainian forces were ambushed and struggled to repel the attack. About six weeks after the reported pipeline incursion, on February 17, 2024, Ukrainian commanders announced a retreat from the city to avoid encirclement.

As with Sudzha, it was unclear how much of a role last year's ambush played in undermining Ukraine's defenses in Avdiyivka.

It certainly didn't help.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-kursk- pipeline-surprise-attack-/33346763.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Hopes To Continue Its Rapid Territory Gains In Kursk Region

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 13, 2025

Russian forces are scrambling to build on their rapid advance in retaking areas of the Kursk region, claiming control of the town of Sudzha on March 12, and President Vladimir Putin has met with commanders, urging them to push on.

"Their goal is to cross our border and move as deep as they can to gain a foothold on our territory, expanding the zone of active combat," Andriy Demchenko, a spokesperson for the Ukraine Border Guard Service told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Meanwhile, with Russia seemingly tentatively agreeing to a cease-fire proposal pushed by the United States and Ukraine, areas of Kursk seized by Ukrainian forces last summer have shrunk to a fraction of what they were months ago, according to the Deep State mapping organization.

However, the capture of Sudzha by Russian forces would be a Pyrrhic victory, according to Ukrainian military analyst Oleksiy Yizhak.

"Sudzha has been destroyed," he said. "It no longer exists, like many Ukrainian settlements captured by Russia. There's actually very little left to capture. That's what's happening in the Kursk region."

Yizhak added that Russia has found itself controlling piles of rubble regularly in its war on Ukraine.

"Russia is ruining the settlements where Ukrainian troops were deployed. You can say that they don't exist anymore, and that's why Russia controls them."

Russian drone attacks continue to hit several Ukrainian cities, including Sumy, not far from the Kursk area border, along with Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryviy Rih.

Ukraine has also continued airstrikes, hitting Moscow on March 11 with the heaviest drone strike the city has seen since the start of the war on Ukraine in 2022. Three were killed and the Russian capital's four airports were shut down, Russian officials said.

A total of 343 drones were downed over Russia, including 91 over the Moscow region, they said.

U.S. officials were seeking the Kremlin's response on March 13 to the proposed 30-day cease-fire agreed to in a meeting in Saudi Arabian between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a delegation representing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian officials have said they are interested only in a comprehensive peace deal, not a temporary cease-fire.

Kursk regional governor Alexander Khinshtein said more than 120 people have been evacuated from Sudzha.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kursk-rapid- gains-ukraine/33346834.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Kremlin Aide Rejects Any Temporary Cease-Fire As US Negotiators Arrive In Moscow

By RFE/RL March 13, 2025

A senior aide to President Vladimir Putin has rejected any temporary cease-fire with Ukraine just hours before a US delegation arrived in Russia for talks with Moscow where they will urge the Kremlin to agree to a 30-day cease-fire proposal or face sanctions.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said in an interview broadcast on state television on March 13 that U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed cease-fire, which Kyiv has agreed to, would only give Ukraine time to recover from pressure Russia has been exerting on its troops.

"I have stated our position that this is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more," said Ushakov, Ushakov, who has more than half a century of involvement in diplomacy and is considered to be the Kremlin's chief foreign policy adviser.

He added that he had laid out Moscow's position in a phone call to US national-security adviser Mike Waltz a day earlier.

"It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation," he said, noting that Russia wants a long-term settlement that addresses its interests and concerns into account.

During a March 12 White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump expressed confidence about securing a cease-fire for Ukraine and said that U.S. negotiators were "traveling to Russia right now, as we speak."

On March 13, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the US team reportedly headed up by Trump's special envoy. The state news agency TASS later reported that the envoy, Steve Witkoff, had arrived in Moscow.

Trump had earlier told reporters that Russia "has no way out but cease-fire. If needed, we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to."

The US President has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks.

His latest comments on the war come after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire plan following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, it is unclear how interested Russia is in the idea, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to speak on Ukraine on March 13 after talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

"Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X on March 13.

"This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that U.S. pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war," he added.

Putin Visits Kursk

As Trump spoke at the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin was donning combat fatigues for a visit to troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing.

Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks.

That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk, having retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine.

During his visit to Kursk -- his only visit since the incursion began -- Putin urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible."

He also said that captured Ukrainian soldiers would be treated as "terrorists."

In an interview with Current Time, the editor in chief of Novaya Gazeta Evropa, Kirill Martynov, said that the US proposal of a cease-fire free of additional conditions had angered pro-war elements in Russian society, including so called "Z-Channels" on Telegram.

Putin's appearance in military garb was a response, said Martynov, and a way of showing this "more aggressive group of citizens" that "everything is under control, and he continues to wage war."

"Absolutely in his style, after the situation has improved [in the Kursk region], he appears and takes credit for what is happening," Martynov said.

Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha, the largest settlement that Ukraine had taken in the offensive.

Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha.

"Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram.

In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops would "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used to describe a retreat.

Concessions?

Trump has so far used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which, if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being at least.

The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces, whose battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Kursk.

Trump lacks that kind of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted.

Putin may seek to drag out talks with Washington over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield, experts say, and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal.

Trump has also hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield.

"When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said.

"We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire."

Trump has said fresh sanctions could do "very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia," but has offered few details.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine.

"It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not."

Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington.

Reaction on the streets of Moscow, however, was mixed, with one man saying that "agreeing to a truce now, when the enemy is weakened, is completely inappropriate and wrong."

But others welcomed the news. "We just want this to end as soon as possible so that people stop dying," said one woman in the Russian capital. "So many have already perished."

Meanwhile, on the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal.

"I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-delegation-heads-to- russia-for-ceasefire-talks-as-putin-visits-kursk/33346531.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answer to a media question, Moscow, March 13, 2025

13 March 2025 17:44

410-13-03-2025

Question: In Saudi Arabia, you, in particular, discussed with the negotiators the possibility of a temporary ceasefire, and you said that it was not an option. Why do they continue to insist on this?

Sergey Lavrov: They are not insisting. The Americans announced that they had discussed this with the Ukrainians. They are waiting for our reaction.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed out that ceasefires have been negotiated on several occasions since 2014, as history shows. The Minsk agreements, and previously, the agreements that were scrapped in February 2014, and the Istanbul agreements - each of those accords included a ceasefire. However, each time an agreement was reached and a ceasefire announced, it turned out that the Ukrainians had lied to us with the support of their "partners," who are also from Europe.

If the Europeans now want to make the Ukrainians "outwit the Americans" as well, I think that the Trump Administration is fully aware of their intentions and will see through them.

What we need is a stable and enduring peace based on eliminating the root causes of the current situation in Ukraine.

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Report by Russian Defence Ministry on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (13 March 2025)

13.03.2025 (12:24)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region.

The Sever Group of Forces liberated Melovoy, Podol, and Sudzha during offensive operations.

Moreover, Russian units hit formations of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, an assault brigade, an air assault brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and an assault regiment of the AFU near Gogolevka, Goncharovka, Guyevo, Zaoleshenka, Zapselye, Oleshnya, Rubanshchina, and Sudzha. One AFU counter-attack was repelled.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery strikes engaged AFU manpower and hardware near Gornal, Oleshnya, Aleksandriya, as well as Basovka, Belovody, Varachino, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Miropolye, Novenkoye, Sadki, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka in Sumy region.

The AFU losses were over 340 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured personnel carriers, five armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, four artillery guns, two mortars as well as two UAV CPs.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU lost more than 67,150 troops, 392 tanks, 316 infantry fighting vehicles, 278 armoured personnel carriers, 2,196 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,428 motor vehicles, 549 artillery guns,52 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 120 EW stations, 16 counter-battery warfare radars, ten air defence radars, 56 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Time for Russia to show that it is interested in peace: UK statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland welcomes the agreement reached between the US and Ukraine on proposing an immediate 30-day ceasefire and urges Russia to show it is interested in peace.

13 March 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 13 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Mister Chair. The UK supports a strong, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. As I explained last week, this has always been the UK's position, both before and during this unnecessary war. Our priority is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for achieving this.

President Trump has changed the conversation and created an opportunity to end the fighting and bloodshed. Ukraine - the victim of unprovoked aggression - has made it absolutely clear that it is serious about peace.

As my PM has made clear, we warmly welcome the agreement reached in Jeddah on 11th March proposing an immediate 30-day ceasefire and congratulate President Trump and President Zelenskyy for this remarkable breakthrough. The ball is now in Russia's court to show the world that it is interested in peace and to live up to the rhetoric that it is ready for talks.

Since this Council last met, we have seen further evidence of the awful consequences of this war, which are overwhelmingly borne by the civilian population. A few hours after our meeting closed last week, Russia launched 70 missiles and 200 drones at civilian infrastructure in Ukraine - one of the largest single attacks of the war. The following day a further 25 people were killed in another wave of attacks, including in a 'double-tap' strike which sought to kill and maim emergency service workers.

This is an important moment for peace in Ukraine. We must all redouble our efforts to secure a lasting and just peace as soon as possible. The UK is ready to play its part, including by convening this weekend a meeting of countries who are ready to support a ceasefire. We are ready to help bring an end to this war in a just and permanent way that allows Ukraine to enjoy its freedom.

Thank you.

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Strengthening Ukrainian-Polish Relations and Continuing Support: Representatives of the President's Office Visit Poland

President of Ukraine

13 March 2025 - 18:57

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Brusyl visited Warsaw and held a series of meetings with high-ranking Polish officials.

One of the key topics of discussions was the outcome of the meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Jeddah.

"Ukraine demonstrates a constructive approach to the negotiation process. It is important that from now on, Russia must commit to advancing peace," Ihor Brusyl emphasized.

In particular, a meeting was held with Wojciech Kolarski, Head of the International Policy Bureau of the Chancellery of the President of Poland. He expressed support for the agreements reached in Saudi Arabia.

"In all international contacts, the President of Poland underscores a clear position: Russia must not win this war," said Wojciech Kolarski.

Additionally, both sides acknowledged progress in addressing historical issues and discussed the prospects for resuming the work of the Consultation Committee of the Presidents of Ukraine and Poland to facilitate effective cooperation between the offices of the heads of state.

During a meeting with General Dariusz ukowski, Head of Poland's National Security Bureau, the discussion focused on joint efforts to advance a just and lasting peace. Dariusz ukowski confirmed that the logistics hub in Rzeszow, from where American military aid is transported to Ukraine, has already resumed operations.

"During all contacts with American partners, the Polish side emphasizes that Russia is the aggressor, and no settlement decisions should be made without Ukraine's participation," he added.

Ihor Brusyl and Jakub Wisniewski, Polish Undersecretary of State, discussed cooperation in international organizations. The Polish side confirmed its readiness to continue assisting Ukraine, particularly in reconstruction efforts, as well as in providing advisory support on decentralization and pre-accession negotiations with the EU.

At a meeting with Alojzy Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw, discussions centered on educational opportunities for Ukrainian students, the work of Ukrainian researchers at the university, and the prospects for deepening cooperation with Ukrainian higher education institutions.

"This visit reaffirmed the steadfastness of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland. We deeply appreciate the principled stance of our Polish colleagues in supporting Ukraine on the international stage and their continued commitment to assisting our country on its path to peace, security, and European integration," Ihor Brusyl concluded.



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Steps Toward Achieving a Just Peace and Strengthening Ukraine: President Meets with the Leader of the Dutch People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

President of Ukraine

13 March 2025 - 18:13

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands.

The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian people deeply appreciate the strong support from the Netherlands.

"We are very grateful to your country for its support from the very beginning of this war. We also thank your Prime Minister. Over the past few weeks, we have held numerous meetings. And your decisions in parliament have been highly significant and crucial to us. This is immense support for Ukraine. Furthermore, I am grateful to your entire team, the government, and, of course, all the members of parliament," President Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State also highlighted Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius's efforts during her tenure as Minister of Justice and Security of the Netherlands, particularly in assisting Ukrainian citizens forced to flee due to Russian aggression and in holding Russia accountable, including the investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

The main topic of the meeting was steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace. Ukraine counts on the Netherlands' participation in shaping a unified European position on this matter.

The President briefed Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius on the outcomes of the meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine supported the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Now, Russia must demonstrate its willingness to end the war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine must take part in future negotiations from a position of strength, which is why continued defense assistance is essential. The discussion covered the supply of F-16 fighter jets, drones, ammunition, and investments in Ukraine's defense industry.

The leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy reaffirmed full support for Ukraine and praised the resilience of all Ukrainians who are defending European values in the fight against the aggressor.

"You are fighting not only for your own freedom and peace but also for the rest of Europe, including the Netherlands," said Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius.





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Ukraine's Reconstruction and the Development of Bilateral Relations: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with Turkish Government and Business Representatives

President of Ukraine

13 March 2025 - 18:00

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakl, and representatives of Turkish businesses.

The Head of State expressed gratitude for the visit, emphasizing that it was a result of agreements reached during his meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed the attendees on Ukraine's efforts to bring a just and lasting peace closer, noting that Ukraine has taken its step toward a 30-day ceasefire. Now, Russia must prove its commitment to peace. Turkiye can play a role in this process.

In addition, the meeting focused on the development of bilateral relations.

"We see Turkiye as one of our strategic partners. We are very grateful that Turkish businesses are already present in Ukraine," the President said.

The Head of State praised the companies that began operating in Ukraine even before Russia's full-scale invasion and expressed appreciation for the supply of Bayraktar drones.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that over the past three years, Ukraine has expanded its domestic production of various types of drones and is interested in cooperation in this area, as well as in the participation of Turkish companies in Ukraine's reconstruction.

"The countries that will be security guarantors for Ukraine will have priority in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. We consider Turkiye one of our partners in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine," the President stated.

Additionally, the Head of State reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to ratify the Free Trade Agreement with Turkiye during President Erdogan's upcoming visit.

Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat noted that trade volume between the two countries currently stands at $6 billion, with plans to increase it to $10 billion. He also mentioned that Turkish construction companies are currently implementing around 100 projects in Ukraine.

"Economic relations between Turkiye and Ukraine will develop in many sectors: energy, construction, etc.," the Minister of Trade added.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakl confirmed Turkiye's interest in strengthening cooperation in the agricultural sector, emphasizing Ukraine's vital role in ensuring global food security.





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Putin expresses support for ceasefire but says details must be worked out

By VOA News March 13, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days, but he stressed that many details would have to be worked out and that any truce should pave the way to lasting peace.

"We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis," Putin told reporters Thursday in Moscow. He went on to list several issues he said needed clarifying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments were "very manipulative" and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to ultimately lay the groundwork for rejecting it, according to Agence France-Presse.

"He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is of course scared to tell President [Donald] Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said in his evening address, according to Reuters.

At the White House, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia rejected U.S. efforts to end the fighting.

"We would like to see a ceasefire from Russia," Trump told reporters. "A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed. Now we're going to see if Russia is there and, if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world."

Earlier, Putin's top foreign policy aide dismissed the United States' 30-day ceasefire proposal, saying it would merely provide Ukraine's military with a temporary respite from fighting.

His comments came after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to meet with Russian officials on the ceasefire proposal. In his comments, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed he has been in regular contact with U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz and said they agreed these contacts would remain confidential.

U.S. officials met earlier this week with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to present the ceasefire plan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the U.S. effort, saying Wednesday that Ukraine is "ready for a ceasefire for 30 days as proposed by the American side."

Zelenskyy said the halt in fighting could be used to create a broader peace deal for the conflict, which began with Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said a ceasefire would provide time "to prepare answers to all questions regarding long-term security and a real, reliable peace and put on the table a plan to end the war."

Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, meanwhile, said on Thursday that Ukraine would not agree to a frozen conflict with Russia.

"We said very clearly that we will never agree to a frozen conflict," Yermak said on television, according to Reuters, referring to discussions between Ukraine and the United States in Jeddah. He added that the U.S. was also against a frozen conflict.

The talks in Moscow between the U.S. and Russia come as the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that its forces had retaken control of Sudzha, a major town in Russia's western Kursk region, from Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian forces took the town during a surprise attack on the Kursk region bordering Ukraine last August and had been struggling to hold it ever since.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Ukraine peace, global security top G7 agenda as diplomats convene in Canada

By Nike Ching March 13, 2025

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a "just and lasting peace in Ukraine" and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years.

During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, "Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression."

Joly also emphasized the importance of addressing maritime security challenges, citing threats such as "growing the use of growing shadow fleets, dark vessels" and "sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could take place within days if the Kremlin agrees. He also plans to urge G7 foreign ministers to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

The G7 talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine said it is ready to accept a U.S. proposal for "an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire."

"Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Wednesday in a post on social media platform X.

He added that "Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire," and "welcomed" the U.S. proposal to extend it to land.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia supports the U.S. ceasefire proposal in principle, but key details still need to be worked out.

"Ceasefire, they can't be coming with conditions, because all these conditions just blur the picture. Either you want to end this war, or you don't want to end this war, so we need to be very firm," said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during an interview with CNN International.

"What we need to keep in mind is that Russia has invested, like over 9% of its GDP on the military, so they would want to use it," Kallas said, adding the European nations "are massively increasing" their "defense investments."

The G7 talks bring together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Rubio has underscored the need for monitors if a ceasefire is implemented. He told reporters on Wednesday that "one of the things we'll have to determine is who do both sides trust to be on the ground to sort of monitor some of the small arms fire and exchanges that could happen."

Beyond Ukraine, G7 foreign ministers also discussed China's role in global security, Indo-Pacific stability, and maritime security behind closed doors.

Rubio is expected to have a pull-aside meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Thursday.

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Deadly Russian aerial attacks hit Ukraine's Kherson region

By VOA News March 13, 2025

Russian aerial attacks overnight killed at least two people in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, officials said Thursday.

Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram his region came under attack by Russian drones and shelling, and that one other person was injured.

In the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhiy Lysak said at least three people were hospitalized after a Russian attack hit the city of Dnipro.

Lysak said on Telegram the attack damaged multiple apartment buildings, including blowing out windows.

Officials in the Sumy region reported Thursday that Russian drones fell on a set of garages, setting about 20 of them on fire.

Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down 74 of the 117 drones that Russian forces launched overnight.

The intercepts took place over the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia regions, the military said.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it shot down 77 Ukrainian drones, most of them in regions located along the Russia-Ukraine border.

Vladislav Shapsha, governor of the Kaluga region, said the attacks injured one person and damaged an industrial building, a communication tower and a power line.

The Russia military said it destroyed 30 of the drones over Bryansk, while officials in the region reported no damage or casualties.

Russian air defense also shot down drones over Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov and Belgorod, the military said.

The daily aerial attacks continue amid a U.S. push to secure a cease-fire in the conflict. The U.S. has proposed a 30-day halt in fighting, which Ukraine has said it would accept.

U.S. officials are expected to discuss the plan with Russian officials in the coming days.

The latest fighting came as Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to troops in Russia's western Kursk region Wednesday, ordering soldiers to swiftly retake the region from Ukrainian forces.

Dressed in military fatigues, Putin told the troops he was considering setting up a new buffer zone inside Ukraine's Sumy region, adjacent to Kursk, to prevent any future Ukrainian incursions.

"Our task in the near future, in the shortest possible timeframe, is to decisively defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region and still fighting here, to completely liberate the territory of the Kursk region, and to restore the situation along the line of the state border," Putin said. "And of course, we need to think about creating a security zone along the state border."

Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Washington, D.C., March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Liver Institute (GLI) and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH) are proud to announce the first Advanced Advocacy Academy (A3) in the United Kingdom, an innovative program dedicated to increasing education, awareness, and advocacy for liver health. Following the success of previous A3 events in the United States, this inaugural UK session, taking place in London, marks a significant step in empowering patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools needed to advance liver health initiatives globally.

The Advanced Advocacy Academy (A3) is designed to bridge the gap between lived experiences and medical expertise, equipping advocates with essential skills to drive impactful change. By fostering collaboration between patient communities, healthcare professionals, and researchers, the program aims to elevate the standard of liver disease education and improve patient outcomes.

Highlighting the significance of this program, Larry R. Holden, CEO of Global Liver Institute, emphasizes: The most powerful force in healthcare is an informed and empowered patient. The launch of A3 in the UK is a testament to the strength of collaboration. By equipping patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with the tools to drive meaningful change, we are not just improving outcomes - we are reshaping the future of liver health worldwide.

Dr. Saima Ajaz, Specialist Hepatologist at Kings College Hospital and one of the course directors, highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing liver health advocacy. The strength of liver health advocacy lies in the partnerships we build. Through shared knowledge and collective action, we can create pathways for early diagnosis and better care for patients worldwide.

The A3 will include interactive workshops, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities, ensuring participants leave with practical knowledge to advocate for improved liver health policies, early diagnosis, and better patient care pathways. By bringing together leaders in hepatology, patient advocacy, and policy development, this initiative underscores the power of collective action in tackling liver disease.

The expansion of A3 to the UK represents a milestone in global liver health advocacy and reinforces the shared commitment of GLI and KCH to improving education and awareness. Future iterations of the program aim to expand its reach, ensuring that more patients and healthcare providers worldwide benefit from its resources.

###

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI holds Platinum Transparency with Candid/GuideStar, is a member of the National Health Council and NORD, and serves as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube or visit www.globalliver.org



About Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a major teaching Trust based in London, UK, renowned for its excellence in hepatology, liver transplantation, and patient-centered care. Kings Liver Transplant Unit runs the largest transplantation programme in Europe, carrying out more than 200 procedures a year. Through pioneering research and education, the Trust continues to lead advancements in liver health and treatment.

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SAN FRANCISCO, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman, a leading class-action law firm, has launched an investigation into DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DV) for possible violations of U.S. securities laws. The probe comes in the wake of a series of disappointing financial results following the company's disclosure of issues with its brand safety score tool for X (formerly Twitter) advertisers.

Hagens Berman urges investors who purchased DoubleVerify shares and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with information who may assist the firms investigation to contact its attorneys.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/dv

Contact the Firm Now: DV@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) Investigation:

DoubleVerify, known for its analytics tools that help advertisers gauge the effectiveness of their spending, has been facing a troubling trend of decelerating growth. While the company reported a 15% year-over-year revenue increase for 2024, its fourth-quarter results fell short of expectations, with revenue of $190.6 million representing only an 11% increase.

The companys outlook for 2025 has further fueled concerns, with projected revenue growth of just 10%, continuing a multi-year slowdown. This marks a stark contrast to DoubleVerify's previous performance, which saw revenue growth of 36% in both 2021 and 2022, followed by 27% in 2023.

At the heart of the firms investigation is the question of whether DoubleVerify made misrepresentations or omissions regarding its analytic tools, including its brand safety score tool for X advertisers. The company faced a significant setback when it was revealed that incorrect data had been displayed for nearly five months, potentially deterring advertisers from investing in the platform.

The fallout from this error became apparent on May 7, 2024, when DoubleVerify reduced its fiscal 2024 revenue guidance. The company explained in April 2024 that its dashboard had incorrectly displayed Xs brand safety rates as low as 70% for nearly five months, when the correct score was actually 99.99%. This error potentially deterred advertisers from investing in the platform, leading to a pullback in customer spending. The announcement led to a dramatic 38.5% drop in the company's stock price, closing at $18.78 per share on May 8, 2024.

The situation worsened with DoubleVerify's recent Q4 2024 earnings report delivered on February 28, 2025. During the earnings call, management attributed the decelerating growth to reduced spending from some of its largest customers. Notably, one major client cut back so significantly that DoubleVerify has excluded them entirely from its 2025 guidance. This wasn't an isolated incident, as six of DoubleVerify's big customers purportedly reduced their spending in 2024.

While DoubleVerify has blamed the customers reduced spending on company-specific issues, questions about whether the provision of potentially defective analytics could be behind this significant customer exodus. The investigation by Hagens Berman aims to determine if DoubleVerifys actions constitute a breach of the federal securities laws.

The companys decelerating growth and loss of major customers raise serious questions about the quality of their services and the potential impact on shareholder value, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman Partner leading the firm's probe. Our investigation focuses on whether DoubleVerify misrepresented the accuracy and reliability of its analytics tools, particularly the brand safety score for X advertisers.

If you invested in DoubleVerify and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the DoubleVerify investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding DoubleVerify should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email DV@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
PLANO, Texas, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integer Holdings Corporation (the Company, Integer) (NYSE: ITGR) today announced that it has priced an offering of $875.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.875% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the Convertible Notes). The offering was upsized from the previously announced offering size of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes.

The Company granted to the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes an option to purchase up to an additional $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes for settlement within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the first day on which the Convertible Notes are issued. The offering is expected to close on March 18, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

In connection with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, the Company has entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain of the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes or their affiliates and certain other financial institutions (the option counterparties). The cap price of the capped call transactions will initially be $189.44 per share, which represents a premium of 60% over the last reported sale price of the Companys common stock of $118.40 per share on March 13, 2025, and will be subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.

The Company anticipates that the aggregate net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $853.9 million (or approximately $976.1 million if the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes in full), after deducting the initial purchasers discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use approximately $62.1 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the capped call transactions. If the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes, the Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the additional Convertible Notes to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties.

Concurrently with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated transactions (the note exchange transactions) to exchange approximately $383.7 million in aggregate principal amount of the Companys existing 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2028 (the Existing Convertible Notes). The Company expects to use approximately $384.4 million of the net proceeds from the offering, and to issue approximately 1.6 million shares of the Companys common stock in a private placement exempt from registration in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), as consideration for the note exchange transactions. The note exchange transactions are expected to close on March 18, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from the offering, if any, to repay borrowings and any accrued and unpaid interest under the Companys credit agreement, and any prepayment premium, penalty or other amount, if any, due in connection with such repayment, and for general corporate purposes.

The Convertible Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will accrue interest at a rate of 1.875% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2025. The Convertible Notes will mature on March 15, 2030 unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Prior to December 15, 2029, the Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, and thereafter, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The Convertible Notes will be convertible, on the terms set forth in the indenture, into cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be converted and cash, shares of the Companys common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Companys common stock, at the Companys election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Companys conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted. The conversion rate will initially be 6.6243 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $150.96 per share of Common Stock). The initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes represents a premium of approximately 27.5% to the $118.40 closing price of the Companys common stock on March 13, 2025. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date or the Companys delivery of a notice of redemption, the Company will increase, in certain circumstances, the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such a corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be.

The Company may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to March 20, 2028. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, at its option, on or after March 20, 2028, if the last reported sale price of the Companys common stock has been at least 140% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), subject to certain conditions, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to the Companys common stock upon conversion of any Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Convertible Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap.

In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the Company expects the option counterparties or their respective affiliates to purchase shares of the Companys common stock and/or enter into various derivative transactions with respect to the Companys common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Companys common stock or the Convertible Notes at that time. In addition, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to the Companys common stock and/or purchasing or selling shares of the Companys common stock or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the Convertible Notes and prior to the maturity of the Convertible Notes (and are likely to do so on each exercise date for the capped call transactions or following any termination of any portion of the capped call transactions in connection with any repurchase, redemption or early conversion of the Convertible Notes). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or decrease in the market price of the Companys common stock or the Convertible Notes, which could affect holders of the Convertible Notes ability to convert the Convertible Notes and, to the extent the activity occurs following conversion of the Convertible Notes or during any observation period related to a conversion of the Convertible Notes, it could affect the amount and value of the consideration that holders of the Convertible Notes will receive upon conversion of such Convertible Notes.

In connection with the note exchange transactions, the Company expects that holders of the Existing Convertible Notes who have agreed to have their Existing Convertible Notes exchanged and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the hedged holders) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying the Companys common stock and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to the Companys common stock. The amount of the Companys common stock to be purchased by the hedged holders or the notional number of shares of the Companys common stock underlying such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historic average daily trading volume of the Companys common stock. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Companys common stock, including concurrently with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, resulting in a higher effective conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The Company cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the Convertible Notes or the Companys common stock and the corresponding effect on the initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes.

In connection with the issuance of the Existing Convertible Notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions (the existing option transactions) with certain financial institutions (the existing option counterparties). In connection with the note exchange transactions, the Company has entered into agreements with the existing option counterparties to terminate a portion of the existing option transactions in a notional amount corresponding to the amount of Existing Convertible Notes exchanged. Such termination will be settled through the delivery of the Companys common stock by the existing option counterparties to the Company. In connection with such terminations of the existing option transactions, the Company expects such existing option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates will enter into or unwind various derivatives with respect to the Companys common stock and/or buy or sell shares of the Companys common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) or decrease (or reduce the size of any increase in) the market price of the Companys common stock, including concurrently with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, which could affect the conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The Company cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the Convertible Notes or the Companys common stock and the corresponding effect it has had on the initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes.

The Convertible Notes, any shares of the Companys common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, if any, and the shares of the Companys common stock issued in the note exchange transactions will not be registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Convertible Notes were offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer to exchange the Existing Convertible Notes.

About Integer

Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE: ITGR) is one of the largest medical device contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) in the world, serving the cardiac rhythm management, neuromodulation, and cardio and vascular markets. As a strategic partner of choice to medical device companies and OEMs, the Company is committed to enhancing the lives of patients worldwide by providing innovative, high-quality products and solutions. The Company's brands include Greatbatch Medical and Lake Region Medical.

Investor Relations:

Kristen Stewart

551.337.3973

kristen.stewart@integer.net

Media Relations:

Kelly Butler

469.731.6617

kelly.butler@integer.net

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, and these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the offering, the use of net proceeds from the offering, the capped call transactions, the note exchange transactions and the termination of existing option transactions.

You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, should, could, expects, intends, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, projects, forecast, outlook, assume, potential or continue or variations or the negative counterparts of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and are no guarantee of future performance, and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictive of future results. Actual events or results may differ materially from those stated or implied by these forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements and the Companys prospects, you should carefully consider the factors set forth below. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary factors. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

While it is not possible to create a comprehensive list of all factors that may cause actual results to differ from results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or that may affect the Companys future results, some of these factors and other risks and uncertainties that arise from time to time are described in Item 1A Risk Factors of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its other periodic filings with the SEC and include the following:
KELLOGG, Idaho and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (Bunker Hill or the Company) (TSX-V: BNKR |OTCQB: BHLL) announces that its board of directors (the Board) has approved an amendment to the vesting schedule of certain restricted stock units of the Company (RSUs) previously granted to certain directors and officers of the Company under the Companys amended and restated restricted stock unit incentive plan (the RSU Plan) on November 2, 2022, July 4, 2023 and March 13, 2024 (collectively, the Prior Grants), such that an aggregate of 3,891,096 RSUs granted to such directors and officers will now vest on May 1, 2025 rather than on March 13, 2025 or March 31, 2025, as applicable. All other terms of such RSUs remain the same.

An aggregate of 11,673,293 RSUs were granted to such directors and officers in the Prior Grants, with the RSUs vesting equally over three years based on the grant date. Each vested RSU entitles the holder to receive one share of common stock of the Company.

A copy of the RSU Plan is available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+.

ABOUT BUNKER HILL MINING CORP.

Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is an American mineral exploration and development company focused on revitalizing our historic mining asset: the renowned zinc, lead, and silver deposit in northern Idahos prolific Coeur dAlene mining district. This strategic initiative aims to breathe new life into a once-productive mine, leveraging modern exploration techniques and sustainable development practices to unlock the potential of this mineral-rich region. Bunker Hill Mining Corp. aims to maximize shareholder value while responsibly harnessing the mineral wealth in the Silver Valley mining district by concentrating our efforts on this single, high-potential asset. Information about the Company is available on its website, www.bunkerhillmining.com, or within the SEDAR+ and EDGAR databases.

On behalf of Bunker Hill

Sam Ash

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For additional information, please contact:

Brenda Dayton

Vice President, Investor Relations

T: 604.417.7952

E: brenda.dayton@bunkerhillmining.com

Cautionary Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSX-V) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 51-102  Continuous Disclosure Obligations (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, plan or variations of such words and phrases.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, including the restart and development of the Bunker Hill Mine, and the achievement of future short-term, medium-term and long-term operational strategies.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties identified in public filings made by Bunker Hill with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and the following: the Companys inability to raise additional capital for project activities, including through equity financings, concentrate offtake financings or otherwise; the fluctuating price of commodities; capital market conditions; restrictions on labor and its effects on international travel and supply chains; failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the Companys ability to restart and develop the Bunker Hill Mine and the risks of not basing a production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, resulting in increased uncertainty due to multiple technical and economic risks of failure which are associated with this production decision including, among others, areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study, such as applying economic analysis to resources and reserves, more detailed metallurgy and a number of specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental and community impacts and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit, with no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved; failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Companys ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations; failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Companys cash flow and future profitability; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; political risks; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inability of the Company to budget and manage its liquidity in light of the failure to obtain additional financing, including the ability of the Company to complete the payments pursuant to the terms of the agreement to acquire the Bunker Hill Mine complex; inflation; changes in exchange rates; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; and capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements or information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all, including as to whether or when the Company will achieve its project finance initiatives, or as to the actual size or terms of those financing initiatives. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could affect the Companys operations or financial results are included in the Companys annual information form or annual report and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or through EDGAR on the SEC website (www.sec.gov), respectively.
LIJA, Malta, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For years, XRP Ledger has been recognized as a leading blockchain for cross-border payments and remittances, thanks to its speed, low transaction costs, and efficiency. However, XRP is evolving beyond its initial purpose, transforming into a hub for innovation, decentralized finance (DeFi), and real-world asset tokenization.





After a fully sold-out private sale, BlocScale has now launched its $BLOC Seed Sale , offering early investors a chance to participate in XRPs first-ever decentralized fundraising ecosystem before broader exchange listings.

With startups, institutional investors, and DeFi projects flocking to XRP, BlocScale is leading the charge in reshaping XRPLs future. From Payments to Innovation: XRPs Evolution Has Begun

BlocScale Launchpad is solving this problem by:

Providing a structured platform for startups to raise capital on XRPL.

Offering decentralized fundraising without tier systems or restrictions.

Attracting institutional investors seeking exposure to XRP-based projects.

Bridging traditional businesses with blockchain through real-world asset tokenization.

The introduction of BlocScale Launchpad means that XRPL is now open for business, ready to compete with the biggest blockchain ecosystems in the world.

JOIN BLOCSCALE SEED SALE

BlocScale Launchpad: The Key to Startups and Institutional Capital on XRP Ledger

BlocScale is not just another launchpad, it is a fully integrated ecosystem designed to help startups, enterprises, and investors seamlessly participate in XRPLs growing DeFi space.

With automated trustlines, instant liquidity, and strong marketing support, BlocScale ensures that every project launching on XRP has the best possible start.

This has already attracted attention from venture capital firms and institutional investors, as BlocScale removes the fundraising barriers that previously prevented startups from choosing XRPL.

Through $BLOC , the governance and utility token of BlocScale, investors can participate in project launches, vote on governance proposals, and fuel fundraising across the ecosystem.

$BLOC Seed Sale Details:

Total Allocation: 10,000,000 BLOC

Soft Cap: 50,000 XRP

Min Buy: 200 XRP

Max Buy: 20,000 XRP

Price: 1 XRP = 50 $BLOC

Join BlocScales $BLOC Seed Sale Now and become part of XRPs growing ecosystem: https://www.blocscale.com/blocsale

By investing in $BLOC, you gain early exposure to the most significant fundraising innovation on XRPL, ensuring you benefit from every project that launches through BlocScale.

Heres whats next for XRP and BlocScale:

More Projects Onboarding  Web3 startups, real-world businesses, and DeFi projects are lining up to launch.

Marketing & Institutional Adoption  Increased partnerships, influencer campaigns, and VC involvement.

Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization  BlocScale will help businesses tokenize assets like real estate and equity on XRP Ledger.

The future of XRP is no longer just about payments, its about innovation, startups, and tokenized capital.

Final Thoughts: BlocScale Is Just Getting Started

With a fully sold-out private sale, a growing investor base, and real-world adoption accelerating, $BLOC is poised to become one of XRPs most influential assets.

Invest in BlocScales $BLOC Seed Sale Today! Join Now: https://www.blocscale.com/blocsale

Stay Connected With Blocscale Launchpad; For more information, Visit:

Website | BlocScale Launchpad Portal | X | Telegram | WhitePaper

Contact Details:

Eric Shawn

contact@bloscale.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by BlocScale. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector--including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining--complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfe1b3a5-afcf-4662-b0d6-dff88b5423c3
Cannabis-Based Therapy Shows Promise in Improving Sleep Quality and Pain Management





Bensheim, Germany  14 March 2025  In anticipation of World Sleep Day, Avextra has revealed findings from its IMPACT study at the German Pain and Palliative Care Days, organised by the German Pain Association.

The impact of insufficient sleep on not only individuals but the health system and the economy can hardly be underestimated. Recent data has uncovered a correlation between chronic sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea and increased risks of depression, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. In Europe, one in ten adults suffer from chronic insomnia, contributing to a significant economic burden. In Germany alone, the annual costs associated with reduced productivity has been estimated at 25 billion Euros.

Given that the endocannabinoid system has been found to play a role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, Avextra conducted a study to evaluate the effects of its Cannabis Extract 10:10 in chronic pain patients experiencing sleep disturbances. The non-interventional, open, prospective monocentric IMPACT study saw significant improvement in both sleep quality and pain reduction over a 12-week period at low dosages.

Key Findings from the IMPACT Study

Improved Sleep Quality: 65% of patients (ITT, N=94) demonstrated a statistically significant (p<0.0001) and clinically relevant improvement in sleep quality based on the Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS).

Pain Reduction: A statistically significant improvement in pain intensity was observed, with 44% of patients achieving a clinically meaningful reduction in pain scores.

A statistically significant improvement in pain intensity was observed, with 44% of patients achieving a clinically meaningful reduction in pain scores. Reduction in Co-Medication: Use of co-medications decreased by 30% overall, with sleep medication use dropping nearly 70% and opioid use declining by almost 30%.

Use of co-medications decreased by 30% overall, with sleep medication use dropping nearly 70% and opioid use declining by almost 30%. Patient Subgroups: Fibromyalgia patients showed greater improvements in sleep, while neuropathic pain patients reported better pain relief.

Fibromyalgia patients showed greater improvements in sleep, while neuropathic pain patients reported better pain relief. Well-Tolerated Therapy: Cannabisextract Avextra 10:10 (THC/CBD) was well tolerated, with no adverse events (AEs) occurring at a frequency of 5% or more. Most AEs were mild to moderate, and no serious or life-threatening AEs were reported.

A Step Forward in Sleep and Pain Management

These results underscore the potential of cannabinoid-based treatments at low doses, in addressing the intricate interplay between chronic pain and sleep disorders, said Bernhard Babel, CEO of Avextra. This research points not only to the efficacy of combined THC and CBD, in improving sleep quality and the management of pain but also to how well-tolerated Cannabis-based medicines are for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions.



Dr. Richard Ibrahim, Principal Investigator for the IMPACT study, presented these findings at the German Pain and Palliative Care Days earlier this week. He commented, The IMPACT study represents a significant step forward in understanding how low-dose cannabinoid therapies can address both pain and sleep disturbances. The results demonstrate that a balanced THC/CBD formulation can provide meaningful relief for patients while reducing their reliance on traditional medications. This is a promising development for the future of pain management through improved sleep.

Avextra continues to support further studies to assess the long-term impact of cannabinoid-based therapies on patient quality of life and to explore their role in reducing dependency on traditional pain management medications.



About Avextra AG

Avextra is one of Europes leading vertically integrated medical cannabis operators focused on the development and production of regulator-approved medicines. Founded in 2019 and based in Germany, the company works in close collaboration with doctors and pharmacists and researchers to develop and produce innovative cannabis-based medicines. Avextra controls the entire value chain  from cultivation in Portugal to EU-GMP certified extraction and manufacturing in Germany. Avextra medicines are distributed in federally regulated cannabis access programmes across Europe.

Learn more at avextra.com and stay up to date at LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/avextra-ag/

Avextra Media Enquiries:

For media enquiries or to set up an interview please contact:

Email: press@avextra.com

Phone: +49 30 408174037

Attachment
RISE Dispensaries will serve patients and adult-use customers of Central Ohio with the opening of RISE Dispensary Whitehall located at 4141 E Broad St., Whitehall, OH 43213.

RISE Dispensary Whitehall is the first RISE in the Columbus, Ohio area and sixth RISE in the state.

Continuing with RISEs new store opening tradition, profits from RISE Dispensary Whitehall will be donated to Home for Families following the opening on March 21.

CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RISE Dispensaries , a rapidly growing cannabis retail chain owned by Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb or the Company) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), today announced the opening of RISE Dispensary Whitehall, located at 4141 E Broad St., Whitehall, OH 43213, on March 14. The new Whitehall location, marking the Companys entry into the Columbus area, is the sixth RISE Dispensary in Ohio and 103rd nationwide. This is the first RISE Dispensary to open in Ohio since adult-use sales launched in Ohio in August 2024.

Beginning March 14, RISE Dispensary Whitehall will bring patients and adult-use customers hand-picked, high-quality products and key service offerings, such as curbside pickup. RISE Dispensary Whitehall will be open on March 14 from 4:20 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day thereafter, offering a broad selection of curated products from Green Thumbs family of brands, including RYTHM, incredibles, Beboe, Good Green, &Shine and Doctor Solomons.

It is an exciting day for Green Thumb in the Buckeye State as we open our sixth RISE Dispensary in Ohio and first location in the Columbus area, said Green Thumb President Anthony Georgiadis. We are eager to offer Central Ohio patients and customers our best-in-class retail experience and greater access to some of Ohios top-selling brands, including RYTHM and incredibles.

Building on the RISE tradition of giving back to a local charity upon opening, RISE Dispensary Whitehall will donate a portion of profits to Home for Families, a Columbus-based organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness for Central Ohio families on March 21 Home for Families partners with families and youth to resolve their housing crises, strengthen financial stability, and bridge education gaps to prevent future homelessness.

We are thrilled to partner with RISE to make a difference in our Central Ohio community, said Beth Fetzer-Rice, President & CEO of Home for Families. Our partnership will increase our ability to continue providing the crucial resources and support needed to help Columbus-area families overcome housing stability.

Green Thumb has been a proud member of the Ohio cannabis community since 2019. Today, the Company operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Toledo, where it grows and manufactures its branded products. In addition to RISE Whitehall, there are five other dual-use RISE Dispensaries in Ohio, including RISE Dispensary Cleveland, RISE Dispensary Lakewood on Detroit, RISE Dispensary Lakewood on Madison, RISE Dispensary Lorain and RISE Dispensary Toledo. These dispensaries launched adult-use sales in August 2024.

For more information on RISE Dispensaries' locations, product offerings, or other services, visit oh.risecannabis.com .

About RISE Dispensaries

RISE Dispensaries is a national cannabis retailer on a mission to promote well-being through the power of cannabis. Founded by Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries, RISE Dispensaries bring patients and customers the best, hand-picked products at a great value  all while providing best-in-class service, such as home delivery, virtual pharmacist consultations and mobile pre-ordering (services vary by market). RISE offers premium, high-quality cannabis products in a welcoming environment, featuring Green Thumb's award-winning family of brands such as &Shine, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomons, Good Green, incredibles and RYTHM.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, or similar expressions and include information regarding the expected growth of the Company. The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations of future events which management believes to be reasonable. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Green Thumb does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this news release is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied. When considering these forward-looking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Green Thumbs public filings with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, including with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at www.sec.gov and with Canadas SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Green Thumbs website at https://investors.gtigrows.com , including in the Risk Factors section of the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Investor Contact:

Andy Grossman

EVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations

InvestorRelations@gtigrows.com

310-622-8257

Media Contact:

GTI Communications

media@gtigrows.com

This press release was published by a CLEAR Verified individual.
Dublin, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market by Services, Sourcing Model, Type, Mode of Delivery, End-user, Therapeutic Area, Phases of Clinical Trials - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market grew from USD 24.33 billion in 2023 to USD 26.20 billion in 2024. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 7.75%, reaching USD 41.04 billion by 2030.



The landscape of clinical trial supply and logistics has undergone unprecedented transformations. Over the past few years, the industry has seen a marked shift towards integrating digital technology and automation across multiple operational layers. Strategic moves to incorporate real-time tracking and transparency have ensured that supply chains are more agile, responsive, and capable of handling the intricacies of a global clinical operations network.





Digital transformations have spurred developments such as advanced inventory management systems and proactive risk mitigation strategies. Changes in regulations worldwide have also forced organizations to re-examine and update their protocols to accommodate new compliance frameworks. The reliance on cloud solutions and integrated data platforms has improved visibility into supply chain performance, leading to shorter lead times and a reduction in operational waste. Furthermore, the push for sustainability and ethical practices has initiated a dialogue around the environmental impact of logistics. In addition to enhanced efficiency and cost management, stakeholders are now also evaluating how to best address environmental concerns without compromising on the quality and timeliness of clinical supplies.



These transformative shifts are not only redefining operational benchmarks but also setting the stage for a more resilient, technology-driven future in clinical trial supply management.



Regional Trends Influencing Global Operations



The clinical trial supply and logistics ecosystem exhibits significant regional nuances that impact strategic decision-making. The Americas continue to be a robust market characterized by advanced regulatory frameworks, strong infrastructure, and a willingness to adopt innovative technologies. Observations in this region provide insight into high standards of operational performance and the ability to handle complex, large-scale trials.



In contrast, the Europe, Middle East & Africa region offers a mix of mature markets and emerging opportunities, influenced by diverse regulatory environments and varying degrees of technological adoption. The evolution in these regions underscores the need for tailored logistic solutions that can adapt to differing market maturity and healthcare priorities. The Asia-Pacific region, with its rapid economic growth and increasing investments in healthcare innovation, is emerging as a pivotal hub. This region's fast-paced expansion and growing emphasis on quality and efficiency create fertile ground for innovations that bridge traditional practices with modern technological solutions.



These regional insights reveal how varying market dynamics and infrastructural developments continue to shape the global landscape of clinical trial supply and logistics, prompting stakeholders to consider localized strategies within a globally integrated framework.



Innovative Leadership: Key Companies Reshaping the Market



The dynamic nature of the clinical trial supply and logistics market is driven by a host of leading companies that are continuously pushing the boundaries of operational efficiency and technological integration. Prominent players such as Acnos Pharma GmbH and ADAllen Pharma Ltd are recognized for their specialized approaches in managing complex trial supplies. Organizations like Almac Group Limited and Ancillare, LP are redefining standards with their integrated supply solutions, while Avantor, Inc. and Beroe Holdings Inc. have become synonymous with robust logistical support in high-stakes environments.



The landscape is further enriched by innovators including Biocair International Limited, Calyx, and Catalent, Inc., whose services cater to a spectrum of clinical operations. Clinical Services International LTD and Clinigen Group PLC have consistently provided reliable and adaptive supply chain solutions that align with rapidly evolving trial protocols. COREX LOGISTICS LIMITED, DHL Group, and Eurofins Scientific SE are setting benchmarks in the transport and quality assurance domains, demonstrating their commitment to timely and secure supply chain management. The technological integration spearheaded by companies like Experic, LLC and FedEx Corporation has revolutionized end-to-end visibility.



The report delves into recent significant developments in the Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include:

Acnos Pharma GmbH

ADAllen Pharma Ltd

Almac Group Limited

Ancillare, L.P.

Avantor, Inc.

Beroe Holdings Inc.

Biocair International Limited

Calyx

Catalent, Inc.

Clinical Services International LTD.

Clinigen Group PLC

COREX LOGISTICS LIMITED

DHL Group

Eurofins Scientific SE

Experic, LLC

FedEx Corporation

ICON PLC

Inceptua S.A.

Infosys Limited

IPS Pharma

KLIFO A/S

Lonza Group AG

Marken Limited by United Parcel Service, Inc.

Microsoft Corporation

Myonex, Inc.

N-SIDE SA

NUVISAN GmbH

OCT Clinical GmbH

Octalsoft

Parexel International Corporation

PCI Pharma Services

PHOENIX Pharmahandel GmbH & Co. KG

Piramal Pharma Limited

Recipharm AB

SAP SE

Sharp Services, LLC

Signant Health

SIRO Clinpharm Private Limited

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Tower Cold Chain Solutions

Uniphar PLC

Walden Group

Zuellig Pharma Pte. Ltd. by Interpharma Investments Limited

Actionable Recommendations for Industry Leaders



Drawing from current trends and multifaceted market segmentation, industry leaders are encouraged to adopt multiple strategic initiatives. First, embracing integrated digital systems to streamline communications, ensure real-time tracking, and automate critical supply processes can significantly reduce lead times and enhance overall efficiency. It is advisable to invest in technologies that provide end-to-end visibility of supply chains, which can help preempt potential disruptions and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.



Leaders should also consider the benefits of flexible sourcing models. By evaluating the merits of centralized versus decentralized sourcing, organizations can design bespoke solutions that meet the specific demands of their trial phases. It is also crucial to fine-tune logistics strategies, especially in managing cold chain requirements versus conventional distribution, to cater to the unique needs of biologic drugs and other sensitive trial materials.



Moreover, industry innovators are advised to build collaborative relationships with key global partners. This cooperation not only fosters knowledge exchange but also enables co-development of advanced logistics solutions that accommodate regional variances. Strategic focus on training and development, coupled with investment in sustainable practices, can drive both operational excellence and environmental stewardship. These recommendations offer a roadmap for creating resilient supply chains that are capable of navigating the complexities of modern clinical trials, thereby securing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 196 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $26.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $41.04 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.7% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Globalization of clinical trials and harmonization of regulations

5.1.1.2. Rising government funds to strengthen pharmaceutical R&D activities across economies with increasing incidence of chronic diseases

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Problems associated with technology integration and data management

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Increasing partnership activities between pharmaceutical manufacturers and CDMOs

5.1.3.2. Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive analytics in supply chain optimization

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Concerns associated with the operations within clinical trial supply and logistics

5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis

5.2.1. Services: Continuous advancements in cold chain distribution services with growing demand

5.2.2. Type: Surging utilization of small molecules in the pharmaceutical sector

5.2.3. Mode of Delivery: Growing adoption of offsite solutions for multi-site trials delivery

5.2.4. Sourcing Model: Rising demand for decentralized sourcing models to enhance the speed and efficiency of supply distribution

5.2.5. Phase: Increasing scope of supply & logistics services in phase 3 clinical trials

5.2.6. Therapeutic Area: Proliferating private and public sector investments and research activities in oncology

5.2.7. End User: Rising use of clinical trial supply & logistics by pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies

5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.4. PESTLE Analysis



6. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Services

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Comparator Sourcing

6.3. Logistics & Distribution

6.3.1. Cold Chain Distribution

6.3.2. Non-Cold Chain Distribution

6.4. Manufacturing

6.5. Packaging, Labeling, & Blinding

6.6. Storage & Retention



7. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Sourcing Model

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Centralized Sourcing

7.3. Decentralized Sourcing



8. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Type

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Biologic Drugs

8.3. Medical Devices

8.4. Small Molecules



9. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Mode of Delivery

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Offsite Supply Management

9.3. Onsite Supply Management



10. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by End-user

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Contract Research Organisations

10.3. Medical Devices Companies

10.4. Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies



11. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Therapeutic Area

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Blood Disorders

11.3. Cardiovascular Diseases

11.4. CNS & Mental Disorders

11.5. Dermatological Disorders

11.6. Digestive Disorders

11.7. ENT Diseases

11.8. Immunology

11.9. Infectious Diseases

11.10. Metabolic Disorders

11.11. Nephrology

11.12. Oncology

11.13. Rare Diseases

11.14. Respiratory Disorders



12. Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market, by Phases of Clinical Trials

12.1. Introduction

12.2. BA/ BE studies

12.3. Phase 1

12.4. Phase 2

12.5. Phase 3

12.6. Phase 4



13. Americas Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market



14. Asia-Pacific Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market



15. Europe, Middle East & Africa Clinical Trial Supply & Logistics Market



16. Competitive Landscape

16.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023

16.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023

16.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis

16.3.1. Catalent strengthens European supply chain with USD 25 million expansion of Schorndorf facility, enhancing FastChain capabilities

16.3.2. Experic strategically expands to Europe with a new Dublin facility enhancing global clinical trial supply and logistics services

16.3.3. FedEx fortifies its global clinical trial logistics with a new life science center in Mumbai, enhancing healthcare supply chain connectivity

16.3.4. PCM Trials acquires Netherlands-based clinical trial service

16.3.5. Piramal Pharma solutions commemorates opening of its ADC manufacturing expansion in Grangemouth, Scotland

16.3.6. Biocair announces the U.S. expansion as part Of global growth strategy

16.3.7. Vaxcyte and Lonza sign new commercial manufacturing agreement for PCVs

16.3.8. Piramal Pharma Solutions launches in-vitro biology capabilities at Ahmedabad discovery services site

16.3.9. Signant Health Launches Signant Biotech to accelerate and streamline clinical development for emerging biopharmaceutical organizations

16.3.10. N-SIDE introduces Lighthouse, innovative software to shape the future of worldwide clinical trial supply management

16.3.11. Zuellig Pharma and GSK establish a vaccine distribution hub in Singapore

16.3.12. Ariceum Therapeutics and Eurofins CDMO sign a pharmaceutical multi-project agreement

16.3.13. Vial announces strategic partnership with Royale International Group

16.3.14. Biocair partners with TrakCel to improve visibility in the supply chain

16.3.15. IDEAYA expands clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements with Pfizer

16.3.16. Calyx introduces new clinical trial supply forecasting service

16.3.17. Catalent completes expansion of Singapore clinical supply facility for increased temperature-controlled capabilities

16.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendations

16.4.1. Almac Group Limited

16.4.2. Catalent, Inc.

16.4.3. DHL Group

16.4.4. Walden Group

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/csr6x6

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Online Beauty and Personal Care Products Market by Product (Personal Care Products, Cosmetics/Makeup Products), Ingredient (Synthetic, Natural and Organic), End-User (Male, Female), Pricing (Mass Products, Premium Products), and Region 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global online beauty and personal care products market size reached USD 64.7 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, the market is forecast to reach USD 141.4 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.63% during 2025-2033. The market is primarily driven by the increasing internet penetration, convenience of online shopping, rising consumer awareness about beauty products, and rising influence of social media on individuals' purchasing decisions across the globe.







Hectic lifestyles of individuals are positively influencing the demand for a convenient and hassle-free shopping experience. This represents one of the significant factors driving online beauty and personal care products market growth. Furthermore, the growing trend of vertical markets, along with the inflating income levels and improving standards of living, are escalating the demand for premium product variants. Vertical markets generally offer exotic brands, signature collections and convenient cross-category shopping in established brands.

Other than this, the rising influence of social media and the willingness of consumers to try out different brands is encouraging several players to engage in aggressive promotional campaigns. These players are also investing in product packaging and research and development (R&D) activities to introduce organic and chemical-free products.

Besides this, they are focusing on the launch of products using ingredients that cater to the personal care needs of different customers based on their preferences and skin and hair type. In addition to this, several prominent e-retailers are offering additional benefits, such as same-day or one-day delivery services, better security features for online payments, and easy-to-navigate dashboard, to expand their existing consumer base.



Market Segmentation



This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global online beauty and personal care products market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2025-2033. The report has categorized the market based on product, ingredient, end-user and pricing.

Competitive Landscape



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key player being Avon Products Inc., Beiersdorf, Kao Corporation, L'occitane International S.A., L'Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Shiseido Company Ltd., Unilever, Revlon Inc. (MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated), Johnson & Johnson, Oriflame Cosmetics, Chanel (CHANEL International B.V.), The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., etc.



Key Questions Answered in This Report



1. How big is the online beauty and personal care products market?

2. What is the future outlook of online beauty and personal care products market?

3. What are the key factors driving the online beauty and personal care products market?

4. Which region accounts for the largest online beauty and personal care products market share?

5. Which are the leading companies in the global online beauty and personal care products market?



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 134 Forecast Period 2024-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $64.7 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $141.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.1% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Online Beauty and Personal Care Products Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product

6.1 Personal Care Products

6.2 Cosmetics/Makeup Products

7 Market Breakup by Ingredient

7.1 Synthetic

7.2 Natural and Organic

8 Market Breakup by End-User

8.1 Male

8.2 Female

9 Market Breakup by Pricing

9.1 Mass Products

9.2 Premium Products

10 Market Breakup by Region

10.1 North America

10.2 Asia Pacific

10.3 Europe

10.4 Latin America

10.5 Middle East and Africa

11 SWOT Analysis

12 Value Chain Analysis

13 Porters Five Forces Analysis

14 Price Indicators

15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Avon Products Inc.

15.3.2 Beiersdorf

15.3.3 Kao Corporation

15.3.4 L'occitane International S.A.

15.3.5 L'Oreal

15.3.6 Procter & Gamble

15.3.7 Shiseido Company Limited

15.3.8 Unilever

15.3.9 Revlon Inc. (MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated)

15.3.10 Johnson & Johnson

15.3.11 Oriflame Cosmetics

15.3.12 Chanel (CHANEL International B.V.)

15.3.13 The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yje65f

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "eVTOL Aircraft Market by Aircraft Type (Lift-plus-Cruise eVTOL Aircraft, Multirotor eVTOL Aircraft, Tiltrotor eVTOL Aircraft), Propulsion Type (Fully Electric, Hybrid Electric, Hydrogen Electric), Application, End User - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The eVTOL Aircraft Market grew from USD 1.70 billion in 2024 to USD 1.91 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 12.61%, reaching USD 3.47 billion by 2030.



The eVTOL market is witnessing transformative shifts driven by a confluence of technological innovation, regulatory evolution, and shifting consumer expectations. In recent years, the landscape has morphed from early conceptual stages to the brink of commercial realization, as breakthrough improvements in battery life, autonomous navigation, and air traffic management converge.





Key trends indicate that enhanced efficiency in electric propulsion and quieter, more resilient designs are not merely incremental advancements; they are revolutionizing operational paradigms. Regulatory bodies around the globe are adapting to this new era by setting robust standards that ensure safety without stifling innovation. These policy shifts are instrumental in accelerating the deployment of urban air mobility services and are complemented by ongoing investments in infrastructure such as vertiports and integration of smart-city solutions.



Moreover, consumer acceptance and pilot projects in urban air mobility have contributed to a more lucrative business environment. This transformation has opened avenues for partnerships across public and private sectors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where technological skepticism is rapidly giving way to pragmatic enthusiasm. The landscape is transforming into a nexus where innovation, infrastructure development, and regulatory support coalesce to propel eVTOL technology into mainstream adoption.



Key Regional Insights



Geographic dynamics are a fundamental pillar in grasping the full scope of the eVTOL revolution. In the Americas, rapid urbanization coupled with significant investment in innovative transport solutions has led to pioneering projects that integrate eVTOL capabilities into urban planning strategies. Meanwhile, the region encompassing Europe, the Middle East and Africa exhibits a mix of established aviation expertise and new regulatory initiatives, paving the way for a balanced blend of legacy experience and fresh, transformative designs.



Further south and east, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as a fertile ground for eVTOL development, where technological adoption rates and government-backed incentives complement a robust consumer base. These regional variations offer unique insights into how local market conditions, infrastructure readiness and regulatory frameworks can accelerate or hinder the growth of eVTOL technology. By understanding these differences, industry leaders can better strategize for regional market penetration and tailor their business models to the distinctive characteristics of each geographic area.



Key Companies Insights



A diverse range of companies is spearheading the advancement of eVTOL technology, each contributing its expertise and innovation to shape the future of urban mobility. Industry pioneers such as AIR VEV LTD, Airbus S.E., ARC Aerosystems Ltd., and Archer Aviation Inc. are working relentlessly to integrate cutting-edge design with safety and efficiency. This dynamic ecosystem extends to companies like BETA Technologies, Inc. and Elroy Air, Inc., which are redefining operational protocols and efficiency standards in the arena.



Prominent players such as Embraer S.A. and Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. are combining extensive experience in traditional aerospace with innovative eVTOL solutions. With substantial contributions from industry leaders like Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Jaunt Air Mobility LLC, and Joby Aviation, Inc., the market is marked by the unprecedented collaboration between established giants and nimble startups. The portfolio is diversified further with innovations from LIFT Aircraft Inc., Lilium GmbH, MGM COMPRO, and Moog Inc., among others.

Not to overlook the efforts of Overair, Inc., Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, and Terrafugia, Inc. by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, as well as Textron, Inc. and The Boeing Company, which balance legacy expertise with visionary strategies. In addition, Urban Aeronautics Ltd., Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd., Volocopter GmbH, and XTI Aircraft Company continue to push the boundaries of design and functionality. The collective momentum driven by these industry trailblazers is setting new standards of excellence in safety, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency within the eVTOL market.



The report delves into recent significant developments in the eVTOL Aircraft Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include:

AIR VEV LTD.

Airbus S.E.

ARC Aerosystems Ltd.

Archer Aviation Inc.

BETA Technologies, Inc.

Elroy Air, Inc.

Embraer SA

Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd.

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Jaunt Air Mobility LLC

Joby Aviation, Inc.

LIFT Aircraft Inc.

Lilium GmbH

MGM COMPRO

Moog Inc.

Overair, Inc.

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation

Terrafugia, Inc. by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group

Textron, Inc.

The Boeing Company

Urban Aeronautics Ltd.

Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd.

Volocopter GmbH

XTI Aircraft Company

Actionable Recommendations for Industry Leaders



To capitalize on the rapid advancements within the eVTOL sector, industry leaders should consider a multi-pronged strategy focused on innovation, partnerships, and regulatory advocacy. It is essential to invest in research and development to stay ahead of technological breakthroughs, particularly in propulsion systems and battery performance. Firms should also forge strategic alliances with local governments and private sectors to create synergistic solutions that address urban mobility challenges.



Enhancing collaboration with technology providers and academic institutions can spur the development of next-generation designs that meet stringent safety and environmental norms. Additionally, industry stakeholders are encouraged to advocate for streamlined regulatory processes that support agile testing and faster market entry. By harnessing these actionable strategies, companies can build resilient business models that not only adapt to the current market dynamics but also anticipate future industry trends.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 195 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $1.91 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $3.47 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.6% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered



1. Preface

1.1. Objectives of the Study

1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage

1.3. Years Considered for the Study

1.4. Currency & Pricing

1.5. Language

1.6. Stakeholders



2. Research Methodology

2.1. Define: Research Objective

2.2. Determine: Research Design

2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument

2.4. Collect: Data Source

2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation

2.6. Formulate: Data Verification

2.7. Publish: Research Report

2.8. Repeat: Report Update



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Growing emphasis on noise reduction and sustainable energy solutions increasing urban acceptance of eVTOL technology

5.1.1.2. Increasing emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly transportation reducing carbon emissions and environmental hazards

5.1.1.3. Rising consumer interest in rapid and efficient point-to-point urban travel experiences

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Limited infrastructure support with insufficient charging and maintenance facilities

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Enhancing urban commuter and tourism experiences using eVTOL aircraft

5.1.3.2. Advancements in battery technology could significantly enhance eVTOL aircraft endurance and range

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Safety concerns and reliability issues associated with eVTOL airline operations

5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis

5.2.1. Aircraft Type: Rising adoption of multirotor eVTOL Aircraft to improve urban air transportation and safety

5.2.2. End User: Growing use of eVTOL technology to enhance cargo delivery & logistics operations

5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3.1. Threat of New Entrants

5.3.2. Threat of Substitutes

5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Customers

5.3.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

5.3.5. Industry Rivalry

5.4. PESTLE Analysis

5.4.1. Political

5.4.2. Economic

5.4.3. Social

5.4.4. Technological

5.4.5. Legal

5.4.6. Environmental



6. eVTOL Aircraft Market, by Aircraft Type

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Lift-plus-Cruise eVTOL Aircraft

6.3. Multirotor eVTOL Aircraft

6.4. Tiltrotor eVTOL Aircraft

6.5. Tiltwing eVTOL Aircraft



7. eVTOL Aircraft Market, by Propulsion Type

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Fully Electric

7.3. Hybrid Electric

7.4. Hydrogen Electric



8. eVTOL Aircraft Market, by Application

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Air Taxi Services

8.3. Cargo & Package Delivery

8.4. Defense, Surveillance, and Security

8.5. Emergency Medical Services

8.6. Private Commuter & Corporate Travel

8.7. Tourism & Recreational Flights

8.8. Urban Air Mobility



9. eVTOL Aircraft Market, by End User

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Cargo Delivery & Logistics Operators

9.3. Mobility-as-a-Service Providers

9.4. Original Equipment Manufacturer

9.5. Public Sector & Government Contracts



10. Americas eVTOL Aircraft Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Argentina

10.3. Brazil

10.4. Canada

10.5. Mexico

10.6. United States



11. Asia-Pacific eVTOL Aircraft Market

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Australia

11.3. China

11.4. India

11.5. Indonesia

11.6. Japan

11.7. Malaysia

11.8. Philippines

11.9. Singapore

11.10. South Korea

11.11. Taiwan

11.12. Thailand

11.13. Vietnam



12. Europe, Middle East & Africa eVTOL Aircraft Market

12.1. Introduction

12.2. Denmark

12.3. Egypt

12.4. Finland

12.5. France

12.6. Germany

12.7. Israel

12.8. Italy

12.9. Netherlands

12.10. Nigeria

12.11. Norway

12.12. Poland

12.13. Qatar

12.14. Russia

12.15. Saudi Arabia

12.16. South Africa

12.17. Spain

12.18. Sweden

12.19. Switzerland

12.20. Turkey

12.21. United Arab Emirates

12.22. United Kingdom



13. Competitive Landscape

13.1. Market Share Analysis, 2024

13.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2024

13.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis

13.3.1. SkyDrive and JetSetGo partnered with Suzuki to launch sustainable eVTOL routes in India

13.3.2. Atlantic aviation acquires ferrovial vertiports to drive sustainable eVTOL infrastructure growth

13.3.3. Stellantis N.V. invests an additional USD 55 million in Archer Aviation Inc. following successful flight test milestone

13.3.4. AIR VEV LTD unveils unmanned Air One Cargo eVTOL for logistics

13.3.5. Joby Aviation acquired autonomous eVTOL operations of Xwing

13.3.6. Lilium unveils its first full-scale eVTOL mockup at EBACE

13.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendations

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r4unyx

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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FUDING, China, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On March 10, the 3rd White Tea Trading Conference and Fuding White Tea Industry Promotion Week was staged in Fuding, co-sponsored by the China Tea Marketing Association and the Fuding Municipal People's Government, and hosted by the Fuding Tea Industry Development Leading Group. The event comprises agricultural intangible cultural heritage shows, white tea transactions, fitness programs, local cuisine, and all-for-one tourism. It is expected to inject new vitality into the white tea business, stimulate brand operations and cultural tourism, and let Fuding shine brighter in the white tea community.

In 2024, the city's tea plantations have a pickable area of about 212 km2, producing 41,000 tons of tea leaves. The comprehensive output value of the industry reached about 15.518 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%. Today, there are over 10,000 sales outlets of Fuding white tea in the country, the industry provides at least 100,000 jobs, and 380,000 people earn a respectable living.

In fact, Fuding has stepped up its efforts overseas and held promotional campaigns at Paris (Louvre Museum), Frankfurt, and several other cities since last year. According to Cai Meisheng, director of the Standing Committee of the Fuding Municipal People's Congress and executive deputy head of the Fuding Tea Industry Development Leading Group, the city will facilitate stakeholders in exports, international exhibitions, cross-border e-commerce, and activities in key markets. He also encourages capable organizations to set up Fuding White Tea Cultural Exchange Centers across the globe so that friends from various countries can enjoy the aroma of this beloved treasure.

Source: Fuding Tea Industry Development Leading Group

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b300c225-c145-481f-8f16-46131dc8ea9c
Dublin, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Royalty-Free Music Market by Content Type (Background Score, Game Sounds, Sound Effects), Music Style (Ambient, Classical, Electronic), Application - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Royalty-Free Music Market grew from USD 1.43 billion in 2024 to USD 1.52 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 5.91%, reaching USD 2.03 billion by 2030.

The transformation of the royalty-free music landscape is underscored by several critical shifts that have reshaped the way music is integrated into digital and multimedia projects. One notable change is the rapid advancement in digital technologies that facilitate real-time music editing and dynamic licensing. Innovations in cloud computing and data analytics now allow providers to offer personalized music catalogs tailored to the specific needs and preferences of content creators, thereby revolutionizing traditional selection processes.





Furthermore, the increased emphasis on mobile technology and online streaming platforms has created an ecosystem where access to high-quality audio content is available on-demand. This evolution is accompanied by the growth of integrated marketing campaigns and the expanding role of social media in promoting creative content. The widespread adoption of digital distribution methods has provided unprecedented scalability and flexibility, enabling companies to reach global audiences more effectively than ever before.



Another transformative shift is the collaborative nature of modern content production which integrates multi-disciplinary teams that blend technological expertise with creative artistry. This convergence has encouraged cross-industry partnerships between tech innovators and creative studios, thereby fostering new business models and revenue streams. As market structures evolve, stakeholders are not only responding to current demands but are also forecasting future trends that will continue to redefine how royalty-free music is licensed, curated, and consumed in an ever-changing digital environment.



Strategic Regional Insights in the Context of Global Trends



Regional analysis plays an essential role in understanding the global royalty-free music market. Examination of key regions reveals that the Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions each offer unique market dynamics that are shaped by cultural, economic, and technological factors.



In the Americas, diverse economic environments and an intensive focus on multimedia production have accelerated the demand for royalty-free music. The region's extensive media networks and a vibrant creative industry contribute to a steady increase in licensing and usage. Marketers and content creators in this region are often at the forefront of adopting innovative audio solutions to enhance viewer engagement and brand messaging.



Meanwhile, the Europe, Middle East & Africa region exhibits distinctive regulatory frameworks and creative traditions that influence both the production and consumption of royalty-free music. The blend of traditional artistic expression with modern digital marketing strategies has led to a unique market environment where quality and innovation coexist. This region benefits from a strong emphasis on cultural heritage, which is carefully balanced with contemporary digital trends.



Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, is witnessing rapid technological advancements and a burgeoning digital economy. The region's accelerated adoption of mobile technology and online platforms has created fertile ground for the integration of royalty-free music into a varied range of multimedia applications. As digital connectivity continues to improve, content creators in this region are increasingly leveraging innovative audio solutions to meet the evolving tastes of technologically savvy audiences, ensuring that the unique cultural and economic attributes of each region are reflected in market strategies and product offerings.



Key Company Insights in the Royalty-Free Music Sector



A deep dive into the competitive landscape of the royalty-free music industry reveals a host of key players who not only define but also drive the market trends through innovation and strategic initiatives. Esteemed companies such as Artlist Ltd. and Audio Network Limited have set new benchmarks in content curation by offering expansive libraries that cater to a broad spectrum of creative needs. Organizations like Bensound and Envato Pty Ltd. have further reinforced the importance of user-friendly platforms and intuitive licensing mechanisms that simplify the process for content creators.



The progressive initiatives taken by Epidemic Sound AB and Filmstro Holdings Limited are emblematic of the strides made in integrating technology with creative expertise, striving to deliver high-quality and versatile audio experiences. Firms such as HookSounds and Incompetech Inc. are known for fostering inventive soundscapes that resonate with diverse audiences. Meanwhile, Jamendo S.A. and Marmoset, LLC are actively involved in curating exclusive compositions that add distinctive value to media projects.



Other influential companies, including Music Vine Limited, Musicbed, and Musopen, emphasize the synchronization of creative narratives with innovative sound design. In addition, platforms such as Pond5, Inc., PremiumBeat, and Shutterstock, Inc. offer robust digital repositories that cater to varied media applications. The market also benefits from the contributions of SoundCloud Limited and SoundExchange, Inc., which provide dynamic and interactive environments for both creators and audiences. Soundstripe, Inc., Storyblocks, The Music Case, Tracklib Holdings AB, and Tribe of Noise BV each play crucial roles by supporting technological integrations and fostering community engagement. Collectively, these companies illustrate how a vibrant cellular ecosystem, driven by creativity and technological advancements, underpins the ongoing evolution and growth of the royalty-free music industry.



The report delves into recent significant developments in the Royalty-Free Music Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include:

Artlist Ltd.

Audio Network Limited

Bensound

Envato Pty. Ltd.

Epidemic Sound AB

Filmstro Holdings Limited

HookSounds

Incompetech Inc.

Jamendo SA

Marmoset, LLC

Music Vine Limited

Musicbed

Musopen

Pond5, Inc.

PremiumBeat

Shutterstock, Inc.

SoundCloud Limited

SoundExchange, Inc.

Soundstripe, Inc.

Storyblocks

The Music Case

Tracklib Holdings AB

Tribe of Noise B.V.

Actionable Recommendations for Industry Leaders in Royalty-Free Music



For industry leaders aiming to capitalize on these evolving trends, several strategic recommendations stand out as imperative. First, embracing emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics can greatly enhance the curation and personalization of music collections. By harnessing these technologies, companies can predict consumer behaviors, refine content libraries, and deliver bespoke musical experiences that align with user preferences. Another key recommendation is to invest in scalable digital platforms that facilitate seamless access and licensing processes, thereby reducing operational friction and improving customer satisfaction.



It is advisable for leaders to form collaborative partnerships with technology providers and creative studios to integrate cross-functional expertise into their business models. By forging these partnerships, companies can innovate continuously, update their music repositories in line with market trends, and drive sustainable revenue growth. Furthermore, focusing on enhancing regional engagement by tailoring content strategies to local cultural nuances will enable companies to address regional demands more effectively. These actionable insights provide a clear roadmap for industry leaders to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving and increasingly fragmented market landscape.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $1.52 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.03 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.9% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered



1. Preface

1.1. Objectives of the Study

1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage

1.3. Years Considered for the Study

1.4. Currency & Pricing

1.5. Language

1.6. Stakeholders



2. Research Methodology

2.1. Define: Research Objective

2.2. Determine: Research Design

2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument

2.4. Collect: Data Source

2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation

2.6. Formulate: Data Verification

2.7. Publish: Research Report

2.8. Repeat: Report Update



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Rising demand for cost-effective music licensing solutions

5.1.1.2. AI and blockchain innovations transforming music rights management

5.1.1.3. Growing adoption of royalty-free music in branding and marketing

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Complex copyright laws and licensing challenges limiting market growth

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Expansion in emerging markets driving new business opportunities

5.1.3.2. Integration with streaming platforms enhancing user engagement

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Ensuring quality and standardization in growing music libraries

5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis

5.2.1. Music Style: Timeless elegance and emotional depth of classical music

5.2.2. Application: Enhancing engagement and storytelling through music in social media

5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3.1. Threat of New Entrants

5.3.2. Threat of Substitutes

5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Customers

5.3.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

5.3.5. Industry Rivalry

5.4. PESTLE Analysis

5.4.1. Political

5.4.2. Economic

5.4.3. Social

5.4.4. Technological

5.4.5. Legal

5.4.6. Environmental



6. Royalty-Free Music Market, by Content Type

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Background Score

6.2.1. Ambient

6.2.2. Electronic

6.2.3. Orchestral

6.3. Game Sounds

6.3.1. Adventurous

6.3.2. Arcade

6.3.3. Puzzle

6.4. Sound Effects

6.4.1. Futuristic

6.4.2. Nature

6.4.3. Urban

6.5. Theme Music

6.5.1. Corporate

6.5.2. Romantic

6.6. Vocal

6.6.1. Choral

6.6.2. Solo



7. Royalty-Free Music Market, by Music Style

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Ambient

7.3. Classical

7.4. Electronic

7.5. Hip Hop

7.6. Jazz

7.7. Rock



8. Royalty-Free Music Market, by Application

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Advertising

8.3. Broadcast Media

8.4. Film Production

8.5. Social Media

8.6. Television Production

8.7. Video Games

8.7.1. Console Games

8.7.2. Mobile Games

8.7.3. Pc Games



9. Americas Royalty-Free Music Market

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Argentina

9.3. Brazil

9.4. Canada

9.5. Mexico

9.6. United States



10. Asia-Pacific Royalty-Free Music Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Australia

10.3. China

10.4. India

10.5. Indonesia

10.6. Japan

10.7. Malaysia

10.8. Philippines

10.9. Singapore

10.10. South Korea

10.11. Taiwan

10.12. Thailand

10.13. Vietnam



11. Europe, Middle East & Africa Royalty-Free Music Market

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Denmark

11.3. Egypt

11.4. Finland

11.5. France

11.6. Germany

11.7. Israel

11.8. Italy

11.9. Netherlands

11.10. Nigeria

11.11. Norway

11.12. Poland

11.13. Qatar

11.14. Russia

11.15. Saudi Arabia

11.16. South Africa

11.17. Spain

11.18. Sweden

11.19. Switzerland

11.20. Turkey

11.21. United Arab Emirates

11.22. United Kingdom



12. Competitive Landscape

12.1. Market Share Analysis, 2024

12.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2024

12.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis

12.3.1. TemPolor redefines the royalty-free music industry with AI-powered search, permanent usage rights and innovative licensing solutions for content creators

12.3.2. Banzai International strengthen its AI-powered marketing suite and drives revenue growth through strategic Vidello acquisition

12.3.3. PremiumBeat expands its royalty-free music licensing strategy with unlimited subscription plans for creators and media professionals

12.3.4. Tracklib introduces "Sounds" as a royalty-free sampling feature that transforms rights clearance and empowers innovation in digital music licensing

12.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendations



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a68uf9

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Minority Chamber of Commerce for American Minorities announces a series of business English courses focused on serving visitors to the region, beginning this coming April 19 and 20 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The mission is to offer training and support through intensive seminars in English, Artificial Intelligence and bilateral commerce to contribute to expansion of the business spirit of the United States throughout Latin America.

"Our mission is to convey the message that it is necessary to master the language of business, which is English. Our goal is that in the case of the Dominican Republic, the second largest market for us Americans, the service in economic sectors lacks the skill, knowledge, and attention to the public," says the president of the United States Chamber of Commerce for American Minorities, Doug Mayorga. "The intensive courses will be held monthly in Santo Domingo, Bogota, Mexico City, and Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It is part of the strategic plan that if people from the region wish to do business, visit, buy, invest, or work in the United States, our official language is English," the executive pointed out.

About the Program: It is aimed at employees, business owners, or partners of a company or government entity who want to master the attention, reading, interpretation, and communication of the English language in just two days. This program is aligned with President Donald Trump's mission to bring an orderly, intelligent, and practical American influence to improve bilateral relations.

About the United States Chamber of Commerce for American Minorities: It is a private institution founded 25 years ago with more than 38,000 members, 5 offices in the region, and headquarters in Washington DC. The business philosophy is focused on not accepting public funds from American taxpayers as has happened with thousands of organizations "called chambers" that do nothing for the communities they represent. Our institution focuses on trade and investment toward the United States and safe destinations for business such as Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Honduras. More information: www.minoritychamber.net

For further information: Rosse Garcia - Public Affairs. Director@minoritychamber.net or call 202.250.0260.

COMING UP!





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Castle Rock, CO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Barbecue Pit in Castle Rock is celebrating its loyal customers with a special Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 3-6PM. Mike Boyle of The Mike Boyle Restaurant Show will be broadcasting live from 323 Metzler Drive, Castle Rock, CO, bringing great energy to this exciting day of delicious BBQ and fantastic deals.

To show their gratitude for the Castle Rock community, Dickey's will be offering the following mouthwatering specials for dine-in or takeout:

Full racks of ribs for just $15 (regularly priced at $30)

Sandwiches for only $5 each

Sides available for just $2 each

These incredible deals will be available from 3-6PM, giving everyone plenty of time to take advantage of these amazing offers. Customers can also call ahead to place their order for pick-up.

Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, praised Bobby Rusnak, franchisee of the Castle Rock location, for his commitment to the community. Bobby has truly made a positive impact in Castle Rock, said Dickey. His dedication to serving great food and supporting the local area has made him a cornerstone of the community. Were lucky to have him as part of the Dickeys family, and were proud to support him during this special customer appreciation event.

Bobby Rusnak shared his excitement for the upcoming day: "We are thrilled to celebrate and thank our loyal customers for their continued support. Its a great opportunity to show our appreciation by offering incredible deals on our best BBQ. Were also excited to have Mike Boyle join us to make the day even more special."

Whether youre a long-time fan of Dickeys or a first-time customer, this is the perfect time to enjoy delicious BBQ at amazing prices. Don't miss out on this special Customer Appreciation Day at Dickeys Barbecue Pit in Castle Rock!

To join in the fun, visit Dickeys Barbecue Pit at 323 Metzler Drive, Castle Rock, CO, or call ahead to place your order at 303-688-3383.

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the worlds largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue. Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickeys barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickeys never takes shortcuts  because real barbecue cant be rushed.

With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickeys Barbecue Franchise and Dickeys Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickeys has been recognized on Newsweeks 2022 "Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nations Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Todays 2021 Readers Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneurs Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technologys Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.

For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.

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TORONTO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Steelworkers union Canadian National Director Marty Warren issued the following statement:

On behalf of the 225,000 members of the United Steelworkers union across Canada, I want to congratulate Mark Carney on becoming the 24th Prime Minister of Canada. Workers across the country are looking to this newly appointed government to stand up for them, defend their jobs and take real action to strengthen our economy.

Canada is in the middle of an escalating trade war that is threatening thousands of good jobs and entire communities. The latest U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are just one piece of a broader crisis, with unfair trade practices and economic uncertainty putting our jobs and the industries that depend on them at risk. We need leadership that will take real action  not just words.

The federal government must immediately strengthen support for affected workers by fixing Employment Insurance (EI) and introducing direct wage subsidies with job guarantees to keep people employed. Canada also needs bold investment in domestic manufacturing and infrastructure to secure long-term industrial stability. At the same time, the government must implement a Buy Canadian strategy to ensure public investment is used to buy Canadian-made manufactured goods and to support Canadian jobs. The government must also expand the application of section 53 of the Customs Tariff to stop foreign dumping and unfair competition.

USW members have been on the front lines of this fight. We will work with any government that is serious about protecting Canadian jobs and industries  but we wont accept half-measures. The time for action is now. Prime Minister Carney has an opportunity to prove that his government is on the side of workers. Steelworkers are ready to work with him to deliver real solutions, but we will not hesitate to hold this government accountable if it fails to act.

About the United Steelworkers union:

The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the unions strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation  including good wages, benefits and pensions.

For more information, please contact:

Shannon Devine, USW Communications, sdevine@usw.ca, 416-938-4402

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd264c96-523e-496f-8597-1a81a7570b1e
CHICAGO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Top Floor Learning received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation , which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations.

Top Floor Learning, based in Palmer, MA, provides low-cost or free tutoring and educational programs for adults in Western and Central Massachusetts. For over 35 years, the organization has helped individuals build essential skills through personalized instruction tailored to each learners goals. Initially founded as Literacy Volunteers of Quaboag Valley, the organization was formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2003 and has since expanded its offerings to serve a broader population.

Operating independently within the Palmer Public Library, Top Floor Learning remains a self-funded nonprofit, relying on donations and in-kind support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Volunteer tutors play a key role in delivering instruction, offering one-on-one sessions in areas such as basic literacy, high school equivalency preparation, English language learning, and citizenship education. Additional programs include specialized tutoring for standardized tests and licensing exams, as well as digital literacy classes.

Recognizing the growing need for technology education, Top Floor Learning has partnered with Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), both affiliated with AARP, to provide free technology classes for individuals aged 60 and older. These programs empower participants with digital skills necessary for modern communication and online safety.

Our goal is to provide accessible, high-quality education to those who need it most, said Donna Kimball, Director from Top Floor Learning. By equipping individuals with knowledge and skills, we help them take meaningful steps toward personal and professional growth.

Through its diverse programming and dedicated volunteers, Top Floor Learning continues to foster lifelong learning opportunities, reinforcing the value of education in strengthening communities. Its commitment to accessibility ensures that individuals of all backgrounds have the support they need to achieve their educational goals.

Top Floor Learnings commitment to accessible education and lifelong learning is making a lasting impact, and we are happy to support their mission, said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation.

About the SBB Research Group Foundation

The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the SBBRG STEM Scholarship , which supports students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees.

Contact: Erin Noonan

Organization: SBB Research Group Foundation

Email: grants@sbbrg.org

Address: 450 Skokie Blvd, Building 600, Northbrook, IL 60062, United States

Phone: 1-847-656-1111

Website: https://www.sbbrg.org
NEW YORK, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors and officers of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) in connection with a report of an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into UnitedHealths billing practices.

If you currently own shares of UnitedHealth stock, please visit the firms website at https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25195 for more information. You may also contact Phillip Kim of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at case@rosenlegal.com.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
ATLANTA, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Michael Lebow, a board-certified vascular surgeon and advocate for medical education, is pleased to announce the Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctorsa $1,000 one-time award designed to support undergraduate students pursuing careers in medicine. This scholarship aims to recognize and assist dedicated students who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to the medical profession. Applications are now open, with the deadline set for December 15, 2025, and the winner will be announced on January 15, 2026.

The scholarship is available to undergraduate students currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States. Eligible applicants must be aspiring medical professionals, including those pursuing pre-medical studies, nursing, or other healthcare-related fields. To apply, students must submit a 1,000-word original essay addressing the prompt:

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and how do you envision making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry?

Essays will be evaluated on originality, clarity, and depth of insight, providing applicants with an opportunity to share their personal experiences, career aspirations, and vision for the future of healthcare.

A Commitment to the Next Generation of Medical Leaders

Dr. Michael Lebow has dedicated his career to advancing medical innovation and improving patient outcomes. As a highly respected vascular surgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures for peripheral artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and critical limb ischemia, he understands the importance of fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through the Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors, he seeks to provide financial assistance to students who are committed to the medical field and its evolving challenges.

Dr. Michael Lebows extensive medical journey began with his undergraduate studies at Brown University, followed by earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. His surgical expertise was further refined through a general surgery residency at Louisiana State University and a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Tennessee. In addition to his contributions to vascular research and patient care, Dr. Michael Lebow has remained a dedicated mentor, guiding future physicians through education and scholarship opportunities.

Encouraging Excellence in Healthcare Education

The Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors serves as an initiative to support the educational pursuits of students passionate about medicine. As the healthcare industry faces constant advancements and growing patient needs, scholarships like this play a vital role in ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals is well-prepared to address these challenges. By offering this financial assistance, Dr. Michael Lebow aims to encourage students to focus on their education, research, and hands-on experience without the added burden of financial constraints.

Dr. Michael Lebows experience in both military service and the medical field has reinforced his belief in leadership, resilience, and continuous learning. His tenure in the U.S. Armys 82nd Airborne Division instilled in him the values of discipline and commitmentqualities that he hopes to inspire in future scholarship recipients.

Application Process & Deadline

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website at https://drmichaellebowscholarship.com/ to review the full eligibility requirements and application details. The deadline to submit applications is December 15, 2025, and the recipient will be announced on January 15, 2026.

Dr. Michael Lebow remains committed to supporting the educational journeys of future medical professionals and looks forward to reading the inspiring stories and aspirations of scholarship applicants. This scholarship reflects his ongoing efforts to foster medical innovation, education, and compassionate patient care.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Dr. Michael Lebow

Organization: Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship

Website: https://drmichaellebowscholarship.com

Email: apply@drmichaellebowscholarship.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (Cboe Canada: ZEFI) (Frankfurt: Y6B) (OTCQB: ZEFIF) (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) today announced that Catherine Flax, a member of Zefiros Board of Directors, will be speaking on a panel at SuperReturn Energy North America in Miami on Tuesday, March 18th. Ms. Flax will serve as a featured speaker in her capacity as Founding Member & President, Private Markets at X Machina Capital Strategies (XMC), which acquires and develops transformational private investments in the energy sector. Zefiro Methane Corp. is one of XMCs portfolio companies..

Last year, Zefiro announced the appointment of Catherine Flax to its Board of Directors, highlighting her extensive track record in banking and commodities trading, having held positions that include Head of Commodity Derivatives (Americas) at BNP Paribas and CEO of Commodities EMEA of J.P. Morgan. This February, Ms. Flax was quoted by Mergers & Acquisitions in an article on recent investment activity in alternative energy sources.

SuperReturn Energy North America is one of the top private equity events in the energy space, attracting a wide range of Limited Partners (LPs) and General Partners (GPs) from around the world. An overview of LPs and GPs who will be attending the event can be viewed at the following link: https://informaconnect.com/superreturn-energy/attendees/

From 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Ms. Flax will speak on a panel titled Fossil fuels: the test of resiliency. Along with co-panelists Ross Gage (Black Mountain), George McCormick (Outfitter Energy Capital), and Josh Schmidt (Juniper Capital Advisors), Ms. Flax will discuss considerations for institutional investors with respect to holdings in the fossil fuels segment of the energy market, particularly in the context of potentially disrupting factors such as competition from renewable energy and the electrification of transport.

Catherine Flaxs speaker profile for the SuperReturn Energy North America event can be viewed at the following link: https://informaconnect.com/superreturn-energy/speakers/catherine-flax/





This coming Tuesday, Zefiro Board of Directors member Catherine Flax will be speaking on a panel about fossil fuel investment considerations at SuperReturn Energy North America

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR+ or the Investors section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

Zefiro Board of Directors member Catherine Flax commented, From leading institutional investors to influential thought leaders, SuperReturn North America is a unique opportunity for key stakeholders throughout the energy sector to discuss industry trends and make important commercial connections. I appreciate the chance to discuss how Zefiros oil and gas well plugging services are a model of the kinds of markets-based environmental remediation solutions that will be integral to the industrys long-term success.

Reporters/Media: For any questions or to arrange an interview, please contact Rich Myers of Profile Advisors (New York City) by email at media@zefiromethane.com or by telephone at +1 (347) 774-1125.

About Zefiro Methane Corp.

Zefiro is an environmental services company, specializing in methane abatement. Zefiro strives to be a key commercial force towards Active Sustainability. Leveraging decades of operational expertise, Zefiro is building a new toolkit to clean up air, land, and water sources directly impacted by methane leaks. The Company has built a fully integrated ground operation driven by an innovative monetization solution for the emerging methane abatement marketplace. As an originator of high-quality U.S.-based methane offsets, Zefiro aims to generate long-term economic, environmental, and social returns.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

ZEFIRO METHANE CORP.

Talal Debs

Talal Debs, Founder & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Zefiro Investor Relations

1 (800) 274-ZEFI (274-9334)

investor@zefiromethane.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Rich Myers - Profile Advisors (New York)

media@zefiromethane.com

+1 (347) 774-1125

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information including statements regarding: the Companys intention to reduce emissions from end-of-life oil and gas wells and eliminate methane gas; the Companys partnerships with industry operators, state agencies, and federal governments; the Companys expectations for continued increases in revenues and EBITDA growth as a result of these partnerships; the Companys intentions to build out its presence in the United States; the anticipated federal funding for orphaned well site plugging, remediation and restoring activities; the Companys expectations to become a growing environmental services company; the Companys ability to provide institutional and retail investors alike with the opportunity to join the Active Sustainability movement; the Companys ability to generate long-term economic, environmental, and social returns; and other statements regarding the Companys business and the industry in which the Company operates. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; (iv) failure to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals; and (v) other risk factors set forth in its Prospectus dated April 8, 2024 under the heading Risk Factors. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Zefiro Methane Corp. can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca/ .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09b5cbee-eed6-4c64-8f10-80cbf7b90daf
Omaha, Nebraska, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Workers comp, formerly referred to as workman's comp, insurance helps your employees by covering costs associated with work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. This includes medical expenses and lost wages. If a worker dies as a result of an on-the-job incident, this type of insurance can provide whats called a death benefit to their surviving family members.

Most states require companies with employees to have Workers Comp insurance. But how does a workers' comp claim work? The process is outlined below.

Understanding the Workers' Comp claims process

If youve suffered an injury at work and need medical treatment, something youre likely to think about soon after you get hurt is your medical expenses. You may wonder how you arrange for your company to pay the costs under its workmen's compensation policy. Fortunately, the process is relatively simple and straightforward.

Lets say youre an employee, and you fall and break your arm while performing a work task. The workers' comp claims process gets underway with these five main steps:

The injury occurs. You are hurt and get treatment at a hospital or other medical facility. You report the injury. You contact your supervisor or the companys human resources (HR) department. You must take this step within a time frame specified in your companys policy and explained to you by your employer. If you dont, you may forfeit your benefits. You or your company file a claim. Either you or someone on your behalf files a workers' comp claim with the insurance company. The insurance company approves payment. After evaluating the claim, the insurance company determines what payments it will provide based on the workers' comp laws for the state where the incident occurred. Your company notifies OSHA. Your employer must report the incident to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within 8 to 24 hours, depending on the severity of your injury.

Good communication is essential throughout the process. That includes planning for your return to work if you are unable to work and need time off to recuperate from your injury. In our example, that will likely be a period of weeks, depending on the type of work you do. If you had a permanent injury and couldnt return to work, your insurer might pay permanent disability benefits.

What types of companies must have Workers Comp insurance?

Workers comp insurance requirements vary by state. However, nearly all businesses with employees must have a workers comp policy. That includes companies with full-time, part-time, or seasonal workers.

There are very few exceptions to the Workers Comp insurance requirements. Consequently, if your business engages with anyone in a way that might make them an employee by any definition, its safest to assume you need Workers Comp insurance until and unless you learn from the appropriate authority that you dont need the coverage.

What does Workers Comp cost?

The cost of a workers comp policy is primarily based on your companys annual payroll. Insurance companies also consider attributes like your industry, the type of work you do, and your claims history.

Its important to note that employers are not allowed to require employees to help pay the cost of workers comp coverageas some businesses do with other insurance like healthcare coverage. A company must pay its own workers comp premium. But when you consider the protection your policy provides, its well worth the cost.

You can determine what youll pay for workers comp by getting an instant online quote from biBerk.

What types of injuries does Workers' Comp insurance cover? And what injuries aren't covered?

Some of the more common covered workers' comp claims include:

Back injuries

Slip-and-fall injuries

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Car accident injuries while doing company business

Lung damage from breathing hazardous fumes

Insurers may deny claims for injuries that occur due to behaviors excluded by the policy. This may include things like:

Self-inflicted injuries

Injuries that occur while the employee is breaking the law

Injuries that occur while the employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol

How to minimize your Workers' Comp premium

You can keep your workers' comp premium down by minimizing the number and cost of your workers' comp claims. And to do that, youve got to be proactive.

Business owners in general, and our customers in particular, find that there are multiple programs they can implement to help reduce the number of workplace injuries and also empower injured employees to get back to work quickly.

For instance, well-trained employees are less likely to make mistakes that result in injuries, so on-the-job training can be helpful. So can general safety training. You should also encourage employees to talk with anyone in the company they feel should know about safety violations or other safety-related issues.

Its also a good idea to educate employees on what workers' compensation is and how it protects them and your company.

In addition, the more quickly an employee gets back to work, the less their claim costs overall. And because they get paid less in wage replacement than their regular paycheck, its to their benefit to return to work as soon as possible.

So, many companies have programs that train employees to do new types of work until they are fully recovered and can resume their previous responsibilities. This helps them and reduces the amount a company has to spend on temporary workers.

About biBerk Business Insurance

biBerk can help you with all your small business insurance needs, including: commercial auto, general liability, property and liability, umbrella, and workers compensation. https://www.biberk.com

Media Contact:

Rakesh Gupta | 402-408-2870
Minas Metals Ltd. Announces Appointment of CEO and CFO and Changes to Board of Directors and Award Grants

Newsfile Minas Metals Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to Drive Strategic Growth



(CSE: MINA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of two new officers to its executive team: Timothy Chan as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, and Peter Rhodes as Chief Financial Officer. These strategic hires have been made in connection with Minas Metals' proposed Change of Business, as previously announced on January 27, 2025, and underscore the Company's commitment to accelerating growth and operational excellence.



Timothy Chan, a seasoned finance professional and serial entrepreneur, brings over a decade of expertise in equity derivatives and a proven track record of success in the startup ecosystem. Most notably, Mr. Chan served as Head of Delta 1 Ex-Japan at Sunrise Brokers, a subsidiary of BGC Partners, which is affiliated with Cantor Fitzgerald-a global leader in financial innovation with deep ties to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies, including Tether. His extensive experience in high-stakes financial environments and his entrepreneurial vision position him as a transformative leader for Minas Metals.



Jon Bey, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will remain on the board of directors to ensure a seamless transition and provide ongoing strategic guidance. Blair Jordan, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, noted "We are very appreciative of Mr. Bey's hard work and strategic guidance over the last two years, and look forward to the Company's upcoming change of business to the technology and digital asset space."



Joining Mr. Chan is Peter Rhodes, a Chartered Accountant with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic financial leadership across diverse industries. Mr. Rhodes has a proven ability to drive financial performance, scale operations, and secure funding for high-growth organizations. In a previous role as CFO of one of Canada's largest cannabis pre-roll companies, he played a pivotal role in compliance, operational scaling and strategic financing. His expertise extends to mergers, acquisitions, and asset dispositions, where he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital in the metals and mining, cannabis, IT, and financial services sectors.



"We are delighted to welcome Timothy and Peter to the Minas Metals team," said Jon Bey. "The Board believes that their exceptional leadership, industry expertise, and proven track records align perfectly with our mission to strengthen our position as an investment company following the proposed Change of Business and deliver sustainable growth. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the Company as we pursue innovative opportunities."



The Board believes the addition of Mr. Chan and Mr. Rhodes reflects Minas Metals' strategic focus on building a strong leadership team to drive operational excellence, financial discipline, and innovation. The Board believes their combined experience and vision will be instrumental in advancing the Company's goals following the proposed Change of Business as an investment company focussed on investments in high-growth industries with a particular focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.



Minas Metals Ltd. also announces that Kenneth Tullar and Thomas Lewis have resigned from the board of directors, effective immediately. The Company extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis for their contributions and leadership during their tenure and wishes them success in their future endeavors.



Replacing Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis will be Mr. Chan, who has also been appointed as CEO, as well as Joshua Mann.



Mr. Mann is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Partner at Joseph Gunnar and Co, LLC, an Investment bank based in New York. Previously, Mr. Mann was at Luminous Capital Inc, a private equity and advisory firm he co-founded in 2019 and served as its Managing Partner. Mr. Mann was also a Managing Director of ARC Group. Prior to Luminous and ARC, Mr. Mann was a General Partner at Wildhorse Capital Partners, which he co-founded and served as General Partner. Earlier in his career, Mr. Mann was Vice President of Business Development and Capital Markets at Blackbird Energy until its sale in 2017. Mr. Mann began his career at Stifel Financial Corp. in its natural resource coverage group.



Following these changes, the Company's Board of Directors and executive officers consist of: Timothy Chan (Chief Executive Officer and Director), Peter Rhodes (Chief Financial Officer), Jon Bey (Director), Blair Jordan (Director) and Joshua Mann (Director).





RSU Grants



The Company also announces the grant of an aggregate of 950,000 RSUs to certain directors and officers of the Company pursuant to the Company's long-term incentive plan. Of the 950,000 RSUs granted, 250,000 RSUs will vest immediately on the date of grant and 500,000 RSUs will vest in eight equal installments quarterly, over two years from the date of grant.





About the Company



The Company is currently a junior mining exploration issuer listed on the CSE. The Company intends to pursue a change of business following which, and subject to the approval of the CSE, the Company will be an investment issuer with a focus in investments in high-growth sectors and digital assets.







For further information contact:



Minas Metals Ltd.

Jon Bey, Director

Email: info@minasmetals.ca

www.minasmetals.ca

604-375-4488







Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.





Forward Looking Information



This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the impact of the new management on the Company's business and operations, the Company's plans to complete the change of business, regulatory approval of the change of business, the expected impacts of the change of business on the Company's business and operations, and the Company's plans following the proposed change of business.



These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: that the new officer appointments may not impact the Company's operations or business as anticipated; the Company may decide not to proceed with the change of business; the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the Company may not receive the anticipated results on its business or operations following completion of the change of business; the Company's plans following the change of business may vary; the volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency markets; the impact of governmental or regulatory orders or decisions on the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors; and market volatility for the Company's securities.



In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will proceed with the change of business; the Company will receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the change of business will benefit the Company's business and operations; and the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors will continue to see growth.



Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Minas Metals Ltd. (CSE: MINA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of two new officers to its executive team: Timothy Chan as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, and Peter Rhodes as Chief Financial Officer. These strategic hires have been made in connection with Minas Metals' proposed Change of Business, as previously announced on January 27, 2025, and underscore the Company's commitment to accelerating growth and operational excellence.Timothy Chan, a seasoned finance professional and serial entrepreneur, brings over a decade of expertise in equity derivatives and a proven track record of success in the startup ecosystem. Most notably, Mr. Chan served as Head of Delta 1 Ex-Japan at Sunrise Brokers, a subsidiary of BGC Partners, which is affiliated with Cantor Fitzgerald-a global leader in financial innovation with deep ties to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies, including Tether. His extensive experience in high-stakes financial environments and his entrepreneurial vision position him as a transformative leader for Minas Metals.Jon Bey, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will remain on the board of directors to ensure a seamless transition and provide ongoing strategic guidance. Blair Jordan, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, noted "We are very appreciative of Mr. Bey's hard work and strategic guidance over the last two years, and look forward to the Company's upcoming change of business to the technology and digital asset space."Joining Mr. Chan is Peter Rhodes, a Chartered Accountant with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic financial leadership across diverse industries. Mr. Rhodes has a proven ability to drive financial performance, scale operations, and secure funding for high-growth organizations. In a previous role as CFO of one of Canada's largest cannabis pre-roll companies, he played a pivotal role in compliance, operational scaling and strategic financing. His expertise extends to mergers, acquisitions, and asset dispositions, where he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital in the metals and mining, cannabis, IT, and financial services sectors."We are delighted to welcome Timothy and Peter to the Minas Metals team," said Jon Bey. "The Board believes that their exceptional leadership, industry expertise, and proven track records align perfectly with our mission to strengthen our position as an investment company following the proposed Change of Business and deliver sustainable growth. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the Company as we pursue innovative opportunities."The Board believes the addition of Mr. Chan and Mr. Rhodes reflects Minas Metals' strategic focus on building a strong leadership team to drive operational excellence, financial discipline, and innovation. The Board believes their combined experience and vision will be instrumental in advancing the Company's goals following the proposed Change of Business as an investment company focussed on investments in high-growth industries with a particular focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.Minas Metals Ltd. also announces that Kenneth Tullar and Thomas Lewis have resigned from the board of directors, effective immediately. The Company extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis for their contributions and leadership during their tenure and wishes them success in their future endeavors.Replacing Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis will be Mr. Chan, who has also been appointed as CEO, as well as Joshua Mann.Mr. Mann is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Partner at Joseph Gunnar and Co, LLC, an Investment bank based in New York. Previously, Mr. Mann was at Luminous Capital Inc, a private equity and advisory firm he co-founded in 2019 and served as its Managing Partner. Mr. Mann was also a Managing Director of ARC Group. Prior to Luminous and ARC, Mr. Mann was a General Partner at Wildhorse Capital Partners, which he co-founded and served as General Partner. Earlier in his career, Mr. Mann was Vice President of Business Development and Capital Markets at Blackbird Energy until its sale in 2017. Mr. Mann began his career at Stifel Financial Corp. in its natural resource coverage group.Following these changes, the Company's Board of Directors and executive officers consist of: Timothy Chan (Chief Executive Officer and Director), Peter Rhodes (Chief Financial Officer), Jon Bey (Director), Blair Jordan (Director) and Joshua Mann (Director).The Company also announces the grant of an aggregate of 950,000 RSUs to certain directors and officers of the Company pursuant to the Company's long-term incentive plan. Of the 950,000 RSUs granted, 250,000 RSUs will vest immediately on the date of grant and 500,000 RSUs will vest in eight equal installments quarterly, over two years from the date of grant.The Company is currently a junior mining exploration issuer listed on the CSE. The Company intends to pursue a change of business following which, and subject to the approval of the CSE, the Company will be an investment issuer with a focus in investments in high-growth sectors and digital assets.Jon Bey, DirectorEmail: info@minasmetals.cawww.minasmetals.ca604-375-4488Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the impact of the new management on the Company's business and operations, the Company's plans to complete the change of business, regulatory approval of the change of business, the expected impacts of the change of business on the Company's business and operations, and the Company's plans following the proposed change of business.These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: that the new officer appointments may not impact the Company's operations or business as anticipated; the Company may decide not to proceed with the change of business; the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the Company may not receive the anticipated results on its business or operations following completion of the change of business; the Company's plans following the change of business may vary; the volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency markets; the impact of governmental or regulatory orders or decisions on the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors; and market volatility for the Company's securities.In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will proceed with the change of business; the Company will receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the change of business will benefit the Company's business and operations; and the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors will continue to see growth.Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
KELLOGG, March 13, 2025 - Bunker Hill Mining Corp. ("Bunker Hill" or the "Company") (TSX-V: BNKR |OTCQB: BHLL) announces that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved an amendment to the vesting schedule of certain restricted stock units of the Company ("RSUs") previously granted to certain directors and officers of the Company under the Company's amended and restated restricted stock unit incentive plan (the "RSU Plan") on November 2, 2022, July 4, 2023 and March 13, 2024 (collectively, the "Prior Grants"), such that an aggregate of 3,891,096 RSUs granted to such directors and officers will now vest on May 1, 2025 rather than on March 13, 2025 or March 31, 2025, as applicable. All other terms of such RSUs remain the same.

An aggregate of 11,673,293 RSUs were granted to such directors and officers in the Prior Grants, with the RSUs vesting equally over three years based on the grant date. Each vested RSU entitles the holder to receive one share of common stock of the Company.

A copy of the RSU Plan is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+.

ABOUT BUNKER HILL MINING CORP.

Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is an American mineral exploration and development company focused on revitalizing our historic mining asset: the renowned zinc, lead, and silver deposit in northern Idaho's prolific Coeur d'Alene mining district. This strategic initiative aims to breathe new life into a once-productive mine, leveraging modern exploration techniques and sustainable development practices to unlock the potential of this mineral-rich region. Bunker Hill Mining Corp. aims to maximize shareholder value while responsibly harnessing the mineral wealth in the Silver Valley mining district by concentrating our efforts on this single, high-potential asset. Information about the Company is available on its website, www.bunkerhillmining.com, or within the SEDAR+ and EDGAR databases.

On behalf of Bunker Hill

Sam Ash

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For additional information, please contact:

Brenda Dayton

Vice President, Investor Relations

T: 604.417.7952

E: brenda.dayton@bunkerhillmining.com

Cautionary Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase 'forward-looking information' in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan" or variations of such words and phrases.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, including the restart and development of the Bunker Hill Mine, and the achievement of future short-term, medium-term and long-term operational strategies.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties identified in public filings made by Bunker Hill with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and the following: the Company's inability to raise additional capital for project activities, including through equity financings, concentrate offtake financings or otherwise; the fluctuating price of commodities; capital market conditions; restrictions on labor and its effects on international travel and supply chains; failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the Company's ability to restart and develop the Bunker Hill Mine and the risks of not basing a production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, resulting in increased uncertainty due to multiple technical and economic risks of failure which are associated with this production decision including, among others, areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study, such as applying economic analysis to resources and reserves, more detailed metallurgy and a number of specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental and community impacts and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit, with no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved; failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations; failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; political risks; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inability of the Company to budget and manage its liquidity in light of the failure to obtain additional financing, including the ability of the Company to complete the payments pursuant to the terms of the agreement to acquire the Bunker Hill Mine complex; inflation; changes in exchange rates; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; and capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements or information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all, including as to whether or when the Company will achieve its project finance initiatives, or as to the actual size or terms of those financing initiatives. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could affect the Company's operations or financial results are included in the Company's annual information form or annual report and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or through EDGAR on the SEC website (www.sec.gov), respectively.
TORONTO, March 14, 2025 - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. ("Agnico Eagle") pursuant to which Agnico Eagle has agreed to subscribe for 4,741,984 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$11.00 per Share (the "Offering"). Closing of the Offering is conditional upon, among other things, Agnico Eagle concurrently exercising the common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Warrants") it currently holds to acquire an additional 2,250,000 Shares at a price of C$5.01 per Share. In total, between the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants, the Company will receive gross proceeds of approximately $63.4 million. At Closing of the Offering, Agnico Eagle's ownership interest in the Shares is expected to increase to approximately 14.99%.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "I would like to thank Agnico Eagle for its additional support as we continue to advance our Guayabales Project. The proceeds received will enable us to continue with our planned drill program and we look forward to releasing results in the near term."

The proceeds from the Offering and exercise of the Warrants are expected to be used for exploration on the Company's properties in Colombia and for general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is also subject to, among other things, the receipt of regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and acceptance by NYSE American, and is expected to close two business days following receipt of such approval.

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com.

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to improve the overall grade of the Apollo system by systematically drill testing newly modeled potentially high-grade sub-zones, expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike to the north and expanding the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X.

Management and insiders own approximately 36% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol "CNL" and on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1".

Information Contact:

Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X

Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: statements with respect to the proposed Offering and exercise of Warrants; anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of Warrants; receipt of regulatory approvals and other conditions to closing of the Offering, the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: completion of the Offering and exercise of the Warrants on the terms stated or at all, receipt of all regulatory approvals, planed use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants; risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/collective-mining-announces-investment-and-early-exercise-of-warrants-by-agnico-eagle-for-gross-proceeds-of-c63-4-million-302401773.html

SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd.
Latest Headlines

Kiwibank says cost of adviser business is marginal

The cost to a bank of using mortgage advisers to originate mortgages is marginal compared to the cost of running its own proprietary origination operation, according to Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich.

Friday, March 14th 2025, 8:04AM

by Jenny Ruth

We have banking specialists, both at the front line in branches and in the broader contact centres and embedded in our business, Jurkovich told TMM Online.

Such bank officers are there to answer questions such as how to structure a mortgage and theyre in place to deal with customers regardless of whether or not the customer decides to proceed with the loan.

Possibly the customer wasnt successful in bidding at an auction or they simply changed their mind.

Its a fixed cost for us, regardless of the volume thats created and were 100% happy with that, Jurkovich says.

With the adviser channel, we only have to pay for the business we actually write so its a much more marginal cost.

Jurkovich was responding to Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive Matt Comyns assertion last month that his banks mortgages written by its own proprietary channel are between 20% and 30% more profitable than loans originated by advisers.

Jurkovich says different banks make different assumptions about where the costs actually lie. Theres no real right or wrong. Its really about what you assume.

But his own view is that if the adviser channel is less profitable than the proprietary channel, that the difference is only marginal.

For Kiwibank, we want to be where Kiwi are and more Kiwi are choosing to be in front of an adviser so we need to be there, he says.

Its the channel thats growing the fastest and its a marginal cost for us. I feel like the economics might be marginally in favour of the proprietary channel, but thats not my primary focus. Im not convinced theres anything more than a moderate difference in terms of the cost.

There are no hard numbers available for the percentage of mortgages advisers in New Zealand write, largely because ASB doesnt disclose its data on this, but from the other major banks data its definitely more than 50% and could be in excess of 60% compared with about 75% in Australia.

Jurkovich says in calendar 2024, advisers originated about 70% of Kiwibanks mortgages by volume with 47% coming from third party advisers and the rest from sister company NZ Home Loans.

Kiwibank added another 250 accredited advisers since June 30 last year taking the total number that it deals with to 1,240.

Jurkovich says his bank is working an ensuring that these advisers feel confident and comfortable in dealing with Kiwibank and to deepen its relationships with advisers, and that is its current focus rather than adding more accredited advisers.

If theyve only done one or two deals, are they really feeling confident?

The bank greatly values the feedback it receives from advisers and it responds to such feedback by adapting its policies and procedures.

Thats about getting used to each other. Ultimately, the goals pretty simple: we want to be top of the list. Were working all the time to see how we can make things simpler and easier for everyone.

As for the quality of advisers work, Jurkovich says its 100% and he has no complaints.

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Ugandan UN judge Lydia Mugambe convicted of trafficking at Oxford Crown Court in UK

Graphic.com.gh International News Mar - 14 - 2025 , 18:41 3 minutes read

A United Nations judge has been convicted of forcing a young woman to work as a slave.

Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe "took advantage of her status" over her victim by preventing her from holding down steady employment while forcing her to work as her maid and provide childcare for free.

The 49-year-old, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

She will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on May 2.

In footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe appeared shocked when an officer said he was arresting her under the Modern Slavery Act.

She then had a conversation with the officer, in which she said: "I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal."

Asked to reaffirm that she had immunity, Mugambe told the officer: "Yes, I have a diplomatic passport."

The conversation ended with the defendant saying: "I came here as a student, I don't need anyone to work for me.

"I didn't come with her, she asked me because she has worked at my home before, she asked me."

Gasps were heard from the public gallery as the verdicts were given, and the court was cleared as the defendant appeared unwell.

Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, told jurors during the trial: "Lydia Mugambe has exploited and abused [her alleged victim], taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment and deceiving her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK."

She alleged Mugambe, who was studying for a law PhD at the University of Oxford, had conspired with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa to arrange for the young woman to come to the UK.

Prosecutors said the pair participated in a "very dishonest" trade-off, in which Mr Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor the woman's entrance into the UK.

In exchange Mugambe would attempt to speak to a judge who was in charge of legal action Mr Mugerwa was named in, jurors heard.

She was also found guilty of conspiring to intimidate the woman to withdraw her support for the prosecution, and to have the charges against her dropped.

She denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she "always" treated her with love, care and patience.

The young woman Mugambe tricked into coming to the UK, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court previously she felt "lonely" and "stuck" after her working hours were limited.

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to the body's judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police were called to her address in Oxfordshire.

Thames Valley Police commander for Oxfordshire, Ch Supt Ben Clark, said: "Lydia Mugambe is an extremely qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal judge.

"After the offences had been reported to the police, Mugambe tried to evade justice by repeatedly claiming she had diplomatic immunity due to her status.

"Any immunity Mugambe may have enjoyed as a UN judge has been waived by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General."
Parents of students in Category A SHS must pay fees

Samuel Kyei-Boateng Education Mar - 14 - 2025 , 11:10 3 minutes read

The new headmaster of Oda Senior High School (ODASCO), Eric Amoah, has proposed that parents of students who choose Category A SHSs from next year must pay for everything while those in Category B pay for some of the cost such as accommodation or feeding.

He, however, suggested that those students in Category C benefit totally from the free SHS policy.

Mr Amoah, who is also the National President of Agriculture Teachers Association of Ghana, made the proposal at an induction service in his honour at Akyem Oda last Friday as the 12th headmaster of ODASCO.

He said This my proposal may sound discriminating and controversial, but if fine-tuned and implemented well, these financial resources gathered from the Category A schools would be used to develop Categories B and 'C institutions so that every year at least three schools in Category B that excel in academics and discipline and have the right infrastructure are promoted from Category B to A.

Mr Amoah said by that arrangement, more schools would strive to obtain Category A status rather than maintaining a few schools as Category A schools for years, adding that the same would be done with schools under different categories.

He stated that by that arrangement, parents choice of any particular SHS for their children would be determined by ones ability to pay or otherwise.

Mr Amoah said the suggested system, if implemented, would also ensure that no school was left behind in infrastructural development.

School farms

He appealed to the Minister of Food and Agriculture to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to support schools with arable lands with the right inputs and labour to venture into large-scale farming to support the school feeding programme and also serve as learning centres to arouse the interest of the youth in agriculture.

Mr Amoah said as the lead writer of Agricultural Science of the new curriculum and the President of the Agriculture Teachers Association of Ghana, he would advise President John Mahama to hasten slowly in the implementation of the new curriculum for SHSs as that would add to the woes of the nation.

Education intervention

He stressed that the school's staff had teamed up with the Parent-Teacher Association to introduce Saturday intervention classes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as a measure of attaining academic excellence.

The headmaster noted with concern that there was no Category A SHS in the whole Akyemansa enclave. He promised to work hard for ODASCO to attain a Category A status before the school celebrated its 70th anniversary in the year 2030.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Oda, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, who is an old student of ODASCO, promised to do all he could to help develop the institution.

He announced that he had personally reroofed the girls dormitory block, which had its roof ripped off sometime ago.

The ceremony, which was jointly chaired by the Principal of Methodist College of Education, Very Rev. Solomon Kwame Gyamerah and the Principal of the Oda Community Health Training College, Dr Jones Baah-Abekah, attracted many dignitaries.
Accra: ECG assures customers of power restoration after rainstorm, floods

GraphicOnline Mar - 14 - 2025 , 09:45 1 minute read

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has assured the public that its engineers are working tirelessly to restore power after a heavy rainstorm on Thursday, March 13, 2025, caused outages in parts of Accra and its surrounding areas.

In a public notice, ECG stated: "The heavy rainstorm that hit Accra and its environs this evening has caused some outages within our network. ECG wishes to assure all affected customers that our engineers are working assiduously to repair the faults and restore power supply. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted."

The storm, which brought rainfall, resulted in flooding, particularly along the Ofankor Barrier stretch of the N1 Highway, leading to severe traffic congestion and disruptions. The floods left many pedestrians stranded, while some motorists desperately tried to maneuver through the waterlogged roads.

The flooding along the N1 Highway caused a major traffic buildup, extending from the Achimota Old Station to Tantra Hill and beyond. Some drivers, in an attempt to avoid being trapped, reversed their vehicles near the Neoplan Station to find alternative routes through Taifa and nearby communities. However, others were not as fortunate, as several vehicles were completely submerged in the rising floodwaters.

Areas such as Shiashie suffered significant water accumulation. Streets, homes, and businesses were inundated, further exposing the citys ongoing battle with inadequate flood control measures.
COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno sworn in as Ghanas new Inspector-General of Police

Kweku Zurek Mar - 14 - 2025 , 12:17 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in a ceremony held at the Jubilee House on Friday, March 14, 2025.

The event, which marked a major transition in the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, was attended by senior government officials and top security personnel.

COP Yohunos appointment, which was announced on Thursday, March 13, 2025, follows the removal of Dr George Akuffo Dampare as IGP. The Presidency confirmed that the decision was made in accordance with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 Constitution, after consultation with the Council of State.

Taking the oath of office, COP Yohuno pledged to lead a modern, efficient, and accountable Police Service, focusing on crime prevention, discipline, and public safety. His appointment signals a new direction for law enforcement in Ghana, as he is expected to drive modernisation and transformation efforts to tackle contemporary security challenges.

With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, COP Yohuno brings extensive experience, leadership, and expertise to the role. Until his appointment, he served as Deputy IGP in charge of Operations, where he was instrumental in strengthening security operations across the country.

COP Yohuno has held several key positions within the Ghana Police Service. He previously served as Accra Central Divisional Commander (20072009), before rising to become the Deputy Accra Regional Commander and later the Regional Commander in 2013.

In December 2015, he was appointed Director-General of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) and later reassigned as Director-General of Administration in 2016. His contributions to national security have been widely recognised, earning him the Grand Medal in 2011 for his meritorious service in combating armed robbery and other criminal activities.
Dr Akuffo Dampare expresses gratitude to Ghanaians following exit as IGP

Beatrice Laryea Mar - 14 - 2025 , 19:15 2 minutes read

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaians, the government, and the Ghana Police Service following the announcement of his replacement by COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

In a statement issued on March 14, 2025, Dr Dampare shared his deep appreciation for the overwhelming support he received from well-wishers across the country and beyond, especially in the 24 hours following his removal.

He thanked former President Akufo-Addo for appointing him, saying, "I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the former President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for giving me the opportunity to serve our nation as the Inspector-General of Police and for making history as the youngest IGP in the 4th Republic."

He further expressed appreciation to President John Mahama for the positive working relationship they shared during the brief period before his removal.

Dr Dampare also extended his gratitude to religious and traditional leaders for their prayers, wisdom, and guidance, describing their counsel as "indispensable" to his leadership. He acknowledged the vital cooperation of sister security agencies in maintaining law and order.

He also thanked civil society organizations for their contributions to improving the police service through constructive dialogue and engagement.

He noted that their advocacy played a role in shaping some of the reforms undertaken during his tenure.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the international community and diplomatic missions, highlighting their support, engagements, and external reviews that helped shape the police service.

Reflecting on his 35-year journey in the Ghana Police Service, he described his rise from a General Constable to IGP as an "incredible opportunity to serve."

He said, "I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Ghana Police Service for the past 35 years, rising in rank from a General Constable to Inspector-General of Police, being the youngest Commissioner of Police as well as the youngest IGP in the 4th Republic."

He also acknowledged the Police Management Board (POMAB) and all ranks of the Ghana Police Service, stating that their collective efforts had been instrumental in maintaining security in the country. He praised the dedication of officers, saying, "The contribution that the Rank and File of the Ghana Police Service has made to security, law, and order during my tenure has been enormous."

Despite his exit, Dr Dampare reaffirmed his commitment to serving Ghana, noting that his passion for national service remained strong.

"I have served the Ghana Police Service for 35 out of my nearly 55 years of life with an unblemished record. I remain energetic, committed, and enthusiastic about serving my nation with discipline, honour, and integrity," he added.
Next article: Assert your relevance in nations devt - Lands Minister to surveyors

Ghana Institute of Architects calls on Ga Mantse

Diana Mensah Mar - 14 - 2025 , 10:51 3 minutes read

Some members of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) have paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to formally introduce their newly elected leaders.

The 13-member council includes the President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Social Secretary, two additional members, and representatives from Central University and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The delegation, which was led by the new President, Tony Asare, aimed to strengthen ties with the Ga Mantse, who is also the custodian of portions of the Ga lands.

The move formed part of the institutes strategic engagements with key traditional rulers and political leaders to foster collaboration on urban planning and land use policies.

It is also to discuss pressing issues relating to land governance, urban planning and redevelopment.

Importance

In an interview, the President of the institute underscored the need to engage with traditional leaders in national development.

Mr Asare said development could happen without land, adding that, since most land in Ghana is owned by traditional rulers and families, it is imperative to involve chiefs in discussions on urban planning.

Mr Asare stressed the need for architects and urban planners to work closely with chiefs to ensure sustainable development.

Our visit to the Ga Mantse was crucial for multiple reasons. Firstly, he is the overlord of the Ga State, where our head office is located.

It is important for us to pay our respects and formally introduce our new leadership to him, Mr Asare said.

Another reason for our visit is because the kings late father, Dr Tackie, was a respected architect and former head of the Department of Architecture at KNUST. He was a stalwart in the countrys architectural community, who made immense contributions to the profession, he said.

Mr Asare added that the King was also a strong advocate of proper land use and urban redevelopment.

He, therefore, assured the Ga Mantse of the institutes commitment to ensure that land use and urban planning decisions were inclusive, bringing together chiefs, policymakers and technical experts.

Moving forward, we will expand our stakeholder engagements beyond government institutions such as the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Works and Housing to actively involve chiefs and local landowners, he added.

Mr Asare said the institute would extend similar visits to other key traditional leaders, including the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to discuss urban planning and redevelopment strategies.

He emphasised the recurring urban challenges such as the frequent fires at Makola and Kantamanto markets, which had led to uncoordinated reconstruction efforts.

Mr Asare stressed the need for a well-structured urban development plan that prioritised safety, economic sustainability and modern infrastructure.

He revealed that following the recent fire outbreak at Kantamanto, the institute had initiated a series of design competitions to propose innovative solutions for the affected areas.

Welcome

The Ga Mantse welcomed the delegation and expressed his support for greater collaboration between traditional rulers and architects.

He highlighted ongoing projects such as the Rawlings Park, Marine Beach Drive Project and the Enterprise Insurance Project, Kantamanto, Community Centre, underscoring the need for urban planning that balanced modern development with cultural heritage preservation.

I have received a number of investors who have also expressed interest in redeveloping some areas of Ga State, he said.

King Teiko Tsuru II commended the architects and acknowledged their expertise as invaluable in ensuring that Accras development remained structured, sustainable and inclusive.

You will be needed to provide advice for these projects when they take off to support the stool to advance development in Accra, he added.
Motivate staff to deliver on mandate  GJA

Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi & Hilda Agyei-Lartey Mar - 14 - 2025 , 12:54 2 minutes read

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on media organisations to adopt innovative measures to keep their respective staff motivated to deliver their critical mandate as the fourth estate of the realm.

The President of the association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said it was important for journalists to stay motivated in the profession in order not to move on from the calling to the prestigious duty of holding duty bearers responsible.

He said the importance of journalists in the scheme of national development could not be overstated and that journalists needed to find the motivation to grow their experiences and expertise to the benefit of the larger society.

Mr Dwumfour made the call when he led a delegation of executives of the GJA to call on the editorial board of the Daily Graphic and other senior journalists of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd in Accra last Tuesday.

The meeting discussed matters of mutual interest, including the mandate of the media, journalists welfare, adherence to professional ethics and the need for the state to resource media houses in which it has a stake for them to adapt to trends and changes in the media landscape.

Mr Dwumfour said while the media remained an integral part of national development, practitioners owed it a duty to themselves and the profession to be professional to engender confidence among the public.

He admitted that financial draw had lured a good number of media practitioners out of the profession and that such departures had made the profession poorer.

The GJA is our own association. It's our own fraternity.

So when we talk about issues affecting us, we do it for the interest of the media, which include all of us sitting here, the GJA President said.

Mr Dwumfour said the media, like other professions, could better serve the society when its practitioners deployed their experiences, including institutional memories, in the discharge of their duties.

The Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, said such engagements between media houses and the mother association of journalists were good in order to share ideas and to uphold their collective interests.

He said the Graphic Group had played its role as a leader and a major stakeholder in the local media space through years of outstanding professional work, adding that it would continue to maintain its professional outlook towards work.

Mr Yartey said staff motivation remained critical in order to retain experienced hands and minds in the profession.

He consequently applauded the GJA leadership for its commitment to the welfare of members of the fraternity.
Next article: COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno sworn in as Ghanas new Inspector-General of Police

President orders audit of SOEs - Exercise to block inefficiencies, deliver value

Kester Aburam Korankye Mar - 14 - 2025 , 12:27 4 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) to commission independent audits of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to identify inefficiencies and financial leakages, emphasising that the government will not sustain entities that fail to deliver value to the nation.

The directive aims to align SOEs with the countrys economic goals and reduce the financial burden they impose on the state.

The President issued the directive during a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of SOEs in Accra yesterday, where he expressed deep concern over the recurring losses incurred by unprofitable state enterprises.

The meeting, which assembled heads of various SOEs in the country, also had in attendance the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the World Bank Country Director, Robert Taliercio; the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and the Director-General of SIGA, Professor Michael Kpessa-Whyte, among others.

It was held on the theme: Resetting State-Owned Enterprises for Sustainable Growth and Fiscal Stability.

In addition to the audit directive, President Mahama outlined four other key measures to improve the performance of SOEs.

These included negotiating and enforcing performance contracts with heads of entities, conducting regular in-depth assessments of SOE finances to ensure transparency and exposing mismanagement, issuing binding directives and implementing compliance mechanisms, and setting and monitoring performance metrics with tangible consequences for non-performance.

No losses

President Mahama further warned that loss-making SOEs would face significant consequences if they failed to improve.

"Loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated. They will be swiftly reformed, merged, privatised or shut down," he stated.

The President underscored the urgent need for SOEs to become more efficient and financially sustainable to prevent further strain on the national economy.

He stressed that strategic reforms were essential to ensure that these institutions contributed effectively to the countrys broader economic objectives.

SIGA, which oversees the operations of SOEs, has been tasked with implementing these directives to ensure accountability and improved performance across state-owned institutions.

President Mahama said he was committed to the fight against corruption and financial mismanagement in SOEs, and that he would not hesitate to prosecute officials who indulged in such practices.

Corruption, procurement fraud and financial mismanagement will be prosecuted strictly, and boards that rubber-stamp poor decisions will be replaced, President Mahama said.

He added that the practice also of and in a few cases using entity resources and funds to indemnify board members from accountability must cease immediately.

Reforms

For his part, Dr Forson emphasised the need for transparency, accountability,and financial discipline to restore profitability and sustainability in SOEs.

He highlighted financial losses recorded by major SOEs, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which posted a loss of GH5.96 billion in 2023, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which recorded a GH3.8 billion loss in 2022, and Graphic Communications Group Ltd, which made consecutive losses of GH3.04 million in 2021, GH4.43 million in 2022, and GH15.18 million in 2023.

He said only three SOEs, namely Tema Development Company, Ghana Reinsurance Company and State Housing Company paid dividends in 2024, contributing a modest GH28.7 million to the state.

To reverse this trend, the Finance Minister outlined a turnaround strategy, which included capacity-building initiatives, enhanced corporate governance training, and strict enforcement of financial reporting obligations under the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, 2016.

He warned that non-compliant entities would face sanctions as prescribed by law.

Dr Forson urged SOEs to publish their audited financial statements and annual reports on their websites to promote transparency and accountability.

He also called on SOE leaders to support the governments economic recovery agenda through hard work, fiscal discipline and strategic decision-making.

Profitability

Prof. Kpessa-Whyte urged heads of SOEs to prioritise good governance, transparency and accountability to drive efficiency and profitability.

The foundation of any high-performing enterprise  whether public or private  is sound corporate governance, he said.

Weak governance structures lead to inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and, ultimately, institutional failure. But where there is strong governance, there is resilience, growth and long-term success, he added.

Prof. Kpessa-Whyte highlighted SIGAs commitment to fostering a collaborative partnership with SOEs, emphasising that the relationship should be based on mutual respect and shared responsibility.

At SIGA, we firmly believe that our relationship with SOEs must be horizontal, not vertical; a partnership based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and a common goal of improving performance, he stated.

He called on SOEs to embrace innovation, digital transformation and human capital development to remain competitive and sustainable.

The time has come to move beyond mere survival to sustained value creation, he added.

The Director-General also announced that SIGA would reflect these priorities in the 2026 Performance Contracts with SOEs, expected to be signed in December this year.
Next article: Yohuno takes over from Dampare as IGP

Mahama continues shake-up in security services; Replaces Heads of Fire, Prisons, and Immigration Services

Kweku Zurek Mar - 14 - 2025 , 12:46 3 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has intensified his restructuring of Ghanas security sector with the appointment of new heads for the Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

This latest shake-up follows the swearing-in of Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP) today.

A statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, March 14, 2025, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, announced the appointments:

- DDGP 3 Patience Baffoe-Bonnie replaces Isaac Kofi Egyir as Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service.

- DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong replaces Julius A. Kuunuor as Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service.

- DCI Samuel Basentale replaces Kwame Asuah Takyi as Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service.

These appointments mark a significant leadership transition within Ghanas security services, as President Mahama seeks to modernise and strengthen these institutions.

Renewed vision for security services

The changes come just a day after President Mahama swore in COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as IGP, replacing Dr George Akuffo Dampare. According to the Presidency, the security leadership changes were made in accordance with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 Constitution, following consultations with the Council of State.

With these new appointments, the President is signalling a renewed vision for Ghanas security services, focusing on modernisation, operational efficiency, and national security enhancement. The reshuffle is expected to bring fresh leadership and strengthen coordination among Ghanas security agencies.

Expectations for the new security chiefs

The newly appointed security heads are expected to tackle key challenges within their institutions, including prison overcrowding and rehabilitation efforts, fire safety improvements, and enhanced border security measures.

With DDGP 3 Patience Baffoe-Bonnie leading the Ghana Prisons Service, expectations are high that her administration will prioritise prison decongestion, inmate welfare, and rehabilitation programmes.

DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, now at the helm of the Ghana National Fire Service, is tasked with improving fire response capabilities, enhancing public fire safety education, and modernising firefighting infrastructure.

For the Ghana Immigration Service, DCI Samuel Basentales appointment comes at a crucial time when border security, illegal migration, and transnational crime remain critical concerns. His leadership is expected to strengthen enforcement operations and improve immigration processes.

Security overhaul in motion

With four key security leadership changes in just two days, President Mahama has signalled a broader restructuring agenda aimed at enhancing professionalism, accountability, and efficiency in Ghanas security sector.

As the new appointees take office, all eyes will be on how they implement reforms to improve Ghanas security landscape and address the critical challenges facing their respective institutions.
Next article: President Mahama urges new IGP to root out corruption and restore public trust

New IGP Yohuno pledges integrity, transparency, and community engagement

Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 14 - 2025 , 14:51 2 minutes read

The newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has affirmed that his leadership goes beyond holding a title, emphasising that it is a solemn responsibility requiring unwavering vigilance, integrity, and decisive action to ensure the security and well-being of citizens.

"Being entrusted with such a pivotal role signifies a personal milestone. It acknowledges the dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence that have formed the bedrock of my policing career since I joined the service as a recruit in 1985," he stated at his swearing-in today in Accra.

Mr Yohuno stressed that he would approach his new role with the utmost seriousness, fully aware of the high expectations placed upon him. He pledged to support the ongoing transformation and modernisation of the Ghana Police Service, aligning with President John Mahamas resetting agenda.

"In alignment with the transformation and modernisation of the service, I pledge to uphold the values, traditions, and culture of the Ghana Police Service, consistent with the resetting agenda of Your Excellency, the President," he added.

The IGP highlighted discipline and respect for seniority as key pillars of his leadership, assuring President Mahama that his administration would be rooted in transparency, accountability, and fairness. He stressed the importance of renewing attitudes and enhancing performance to position the service to meet public expectations and strengthen peace and security nationwide.

Recognising the critical role of public collaboration in law enforcement, Mr Yohuno reaffirmed his commitment to community engagement and partnership-based policing.

"Let me reaffirm a fundamental truth: policing is a shared and collective responsibility. Consequently, community engagement, community policing, and partnership will be essential strategies for communities to participate in crime prevention and fighting," he stated.
Next article: Security forces crack down on illegal mining in Western Region: 56 arrested

Parliament: Finance Minister tables Bill to scrap 10% betting tax

GraphicOnline Mar - 14 - 2025 , 07:33 2 minutes read

Parliament on Thursday received the Income Tax Amendment Bill (Act 896), 2025, which seeks to abolish the 10 per cent withholding tax on betting winnings from lottery.

The Bill, laid before the House by Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has been referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration and reporting.

In a brief comment, Dr Forson emphasised that the proposed tax amendment is in line with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)s manifesto promise to remove the controversial tax on bet winnings.

The tax, which took effect in August 2023, was introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government as part of efforts to widen the tax net.

The Bill also seeks to remove the 1.5 per cent withholding tax on unprocessed gold from small-scale mining, a move that is expected to provide relief to players in the artisanal mining sector.

The imposition of the betting tax sparked intense public debate, with critics arguing that it was an undue burden on the youth, who form the majority of bettors in Ghana.

The controversy escalated when former Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, denied that the NPP government had implemented the tax. However, during a media engagement on the 2025 Budget, he retracted his statement and apologised for the error.

Despite the earlier denial, government records confirm that the NPP administration collected GH80 million from the betting tax.

In September 2023, Mr Edward Gyambra of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) disclosed that the Authority had recorded GH15 million per month from the betting tax, with a projection to collect GH60 million over the period.

The proposed tax repeal is expected to receive widespread attention as Parliament deliberates on its potential economic and social implications.
President Mahama commends Dampare, urges Police to support new IGP

Jemima Okang Addae Mar - 14 - 2025 , 14:26 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed gratitude to the outgoing Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, for his dedicated service to the nation.

Acknowledging Dampares contributions to law enforcement and national security, President Mahama commended him for his commitment and assured that his efforts would not be forgotten.

"He has served our nation with dedication and commitment, and his contribution to law enforcement and national security will not be forgotten. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours," he stated.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno today (March 14, 2025), Mahama emphasised the importance of a smooth transition in leadership within the Ghana Police Service.

He urged all officers to extend their full support to the new IGP, reaffirming the governments commitment to equipping the service with the necessary resources, training, and reforms to enhance its efficiency.

Addressing the police force, Mahama recognised their role as the backbone of national security and commended their dedication and sacrifices in keeping the country safe. He assured them of the governments continued support in ensuring they have the tools and conditions needed to execute their duties effectively.

"To the brave men and women of the Ghana Police Service, I urge you to give your fullest cooperation to your new leader. You are the backbone of our national security framework. Your dedication and sacrifices keep our country safe. Know that the government is committed to providing you with the necessary resources, training, and carrying out necessary reforms to enable you to carry out your duties effectively," he added.

The appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno marks a significant transition in the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, with high expectations for enhancing professionalism, security operations, and public trust in the force.
Next article: Confirmed: COP Yohunu is New IGP, takes over from Dampare

Security forces crack down on illegal mining in Western Region: 56 arrested

George Folley Mar - 14 - 2025 , 07:25 2 minutes read

Fifty-six individuals were arrested on Thursday and handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for their involvement in illegal mining activities in Kadadwen and its environs within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

The operation is part of a targeted effort by the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to combat illegal mining in the region.

It was jointly carried out by personnel from the security services, led by Brigadier-General (rtd) Musah Whajah, the Liaison Officer of National Security. Those arrested comprised 47 males and nine females.

In addition to the arrests, approximately 25 changfang machines used to extract and wash gold were seized and subsequently destroyed by the security forces.

According to Brigadier-General (rtd) Whajah, the operation marks a significant step in addressing illegal mining in the Western Region. He stated that the security forces specifically targeted illegal mining sites, including farmlands belonging to Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), Norpalm oil plantation, Kadadwen, and parts of the Mpohor District.

He further revealed that security personnel successfully burned 25 changfang machines and seized various equipment, including three motorbikes, nine pumping machines, three excavators, and three pay-loaders from the Ahanta West Municipality and Mpohor District.

Expressing concerns about the devastating impact of illegal mining, Brigadier-General (rtd) Whajah affirmed that action would be taken on the Ministers orders to curb its spread in the region.

"We made some arrests during today's operation. This time, we're taking a different approach. The suspects will be screened by the police, and those found culpable will be put before the court," he stated.

In a separate operation, a joint Rapid Response Team from the Tarkwa and Takoradi Forest Districts of the Forestry Commission arrested eight illegal miners and seized seven motorcycles and three tricycles from the Subri Forest Reserve on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has assured the public that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with perpetrators of land degradation and pollution of water bodies in the region.

He urged Ghanaians to support the fight against illegal mining, warning of its devastating impact on the environment.
You churned out wrong data to tarnish our image - Minority accuses govt

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Mar - 14 - 2025 , 09:00 3 minutes read

The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of churning out wrong data to tarnish the image of the past government in the recently delivered budget statement by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

Addressing a news conference at Parliament House in Accra yesterday, the immediate past Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, said the government has erroneously churned out wrong data in a bid to tarnish the image of the NPP administration by including GHs49.2 billion in expenditure claims without any basis.

He indicated that the government through the budget statement had churned out fiscal deficit on commitment basis of 7.6 per cent of GDP and a primary deficit of 3.6 per cent of GDP to imply that the NPP administration mismanaged the fiscals in accordance with the intentions of the government.

Dr Adam, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) member of Parliament for Karaga in the Northern Region, stressed that an economy with such strong revenue performance and expenditure management, as stated in the budget, could not produce the kind of elevated fiscal outturns the minister announced, adding that the budget brought the fiscal data into credibility crisis.

Breach of IMF Programme

The former Minister of Finance described as untrue the assertion of Dr Forson that the country had breached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme when the evidence is to the contrary and when the IMF itself is yet to conduct a review of programme implementation in April this year.

He said while the Minister of Finance announced a breach of the IMF programme before a review by the IMF, the budget projected to foreign financing for this budget for the year to include $720 million from IMF and $600 million from World Bank.

Dr Adam questioned, how come the government doesnt know that when Ghana fails a review because of his manipulated numbers, they will not receive the $1.3 billion from the IMF and the World Bank?

Do they know that all the reliefs we got from our debt restructuring  almost $4 billion of outright debt cancellation and another $7.5 billion in debt service relief  will all revert to the status quo before the debt restructuring exercise? the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee in Parliament asked.

Clarity on betting tax

The former minister of finance who came under fire for stating that the previous government had neither collected nor implemented the betting tax, attributed his comment to lack of clarity on the part of Dr Forson, who according to him, misconstrued the betting tax to be lottery tax in his budget statement.

The NDC in its manifesto promised to scrap 10 per cent levy on bet winnings which can be called betting tax.

It is different from winnings from other forms of lotteries like lotto and other games of chance.

So, if I see in the budget statement by the Minister that he will abolish winnings from lotteries and call it betting tax, I know for a fact that it wasnt implemented.

I listened to myself again and if the impression it created was that, the betting tax wasnt implemented then that was inaccurate on my part.

What I really wanted to say was that, what he called betting tax as in taxes on lotto winnings was not implemented, the NPP MP for Karaga clarified.

Dr Adam raised suspicion as to whether the Minister of Finance really wanted to abolish the betting tax because the NDCs manifesto promised to abolish bet winnings which was the betting tax.

He asserted that he expected the Minister of Finance to be very specific that he would abolish betting tax or bet winnings, and not confuse betting tax as in bet winnings with taxes on other forms of lottery.
Many local drivers have found themselves spending more time in the car than they'd like to recently, especially when traveling on I-80 going to Green River from Rock Springs. With traffic delays caused by road work following the recent tunnel accident, as well as weather delays and accidents caused by a major winter storm last week, many residents ended up stuck in traffic, sometimes for multiple hours.

While traffic on westbound Interstate 80 has currently moved back to being head-to-head through the eastbound tunnel, the detour through Green River and the winter weather last week created a perfect storm of delays.

Starting on Monday, March 3, the Wyoming Department of Transportation began to once again divert westbound traffic on Interstate 80 through Green River. Following the 26-vehicle accident at the westbound I-80 tunnel on February 14, traffic was temporarily rerouted through Green River. Eventually, concrete barriers were placed in the eastbound tunnel and interstate traffic was moved to be head-to-head through the tunnel. During the time periods where traffic had to be detoured through Green River, traffic on the interstate sometimes became backed up as cars and semis had to merge into a single lane and follow reduced speed limits and traffic rules in town.

The decision to once again reroute traffic through Green River last week was made in order to allow crews to mill and pave the crossover at mile marker 90-91 on the west end of Green River, according to a WYDOT press release.

"We really want these crossovers to last the duration of the head-to-head traffic, which could be months. We have been seeing some deterioration and we need to make sure they can carry the traffic," WYDOT District Construction Engineer Peter Stinchcomb said.

Local contractors from DeBernardi Construction and Lewis & Lewis worked together on the milling and paving process. WYDOT initially estimated that the road work would take "roughly a week, weather dependent."

With work being weather-dependent, it faced a setback when a major winter storm hit Sweetwater County on the afternoon of Thursday, March 6 and lasted into the morning of Friday, March 7.

Together, the roadwork and the storm created traffic delays that caused many drivers to be stuck on I-80 for multiple hours on Thursday evening.

Traffic had already faced delays and backups on the interstate earlier in the day on Thursday, particularly after a two-vehicle accident occurred on East Flaming Gorge Way in the early afternoon. With snow starting to fall as the afternoon progressed, drivers began to deal with slick roads and limited visibility. Eventually, the speed limit on I-80 was reduced to 35 miles per hour, and traffic moving westbound into Green River began piling up around 4 p.m. Within an hour, it was backed up to Rock Springs. With both commercial vehicles and personal vehicles having slid off the road, traffic came to a standstill for several hours.

"We responded to 10 weather-related interstate crashes and four agency assists between Rock Springs and Green River," Jason Mower from the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office explained of the response efforts during the storm.

Lydia Gomez was one of the Green River residents trying to make it back home from Rock Springs on Thursday evening. After 5 p.m., she got stuck in the traffic near the Cruel Jack's exit in a spot where she was unable to turn around. She shared periodic updates on her social media every few hours, first sharing that she had moved a few car lengths, then later sharing that she hadn't moved at all. At 12:35 a.m., after roughly seven and a half hours, she posted that she'd finally made it home.

"So thankful to have made it safe," Gomez said. "Thank you to all police, EMS, fire, tow truck drivers and snow plows! They are out working in this horrible weather and conditions! Stay safe!"

Gomez wasn't the only one to take to social media to share stories of being trapped in unmoving traffic on I-80. Others shared photos and updates noting how many hours they'd been stopped. Some reported traffic being backed up past the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport east of Rock Springs. Others report being turned around and sent back to Rock Springs by local law enforcement. Many noted that they were stuck for multiple hours.

Snow continued throughout the night, and by Friday morning, reports showed that Rock Springs had received a full foot of snow, while areas in Green River received between five and seven inches.

While the roads had been mostly cleared of snow by Friday afternoon, delays due to the tunnel-related road work continued for several more days. With the storm having slowed down the progress of the paving and milling work for WYDOT, traffic continued to be rerouted through Green River, and the westbound lanes of I-80 continued to get backed up. On Friday afternoon, interstate webcams showed long lines of vehicles backed up. On Sunday afternoon, Lydia Gomez was once again trying to make it home when she got stuck in the same spot as she had a few days before. This time it took her one hour to get back.

During the Sunday traffic delays, some Green River residents posted on Facebook that they chose to take the long way around instead, since picking up some ice cream in Farson sounded better than sitting in traffic.

On Tuesday evening, WYDOT switched traffic back to being head-to-head through the eastbound tunnel following the completion of paving operations. WYDOT reported that crews had faced weather delays and equipment breakdowns in the paving process, but they were able to finish the work on Tuesday and move the interstate traffic out of Green River.

"We are now focused on cleaning the westbound tunnel and then putting together a plan for repairs," WYDOT District Engineer John Eddins said.

WYDOT has contracted Clean Harbors, an environmental and industrial service company, to conduct the clean-up and disposal work in the westbound tunnel, according to a press release. WYDOT reported they are working with the company to begin the work as soon as possible.

"We should have the westbound tunnel evaluated soon and a project for repairs underway this summer. It's our goal to have traffic moving again in both tunnels before this next winter season," Eddins said.

Crews have now instituted an eight foot six inch width restriction on Interstate 80 traffic through the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel, WYDOT explained.

"Work continues at the site with operations involving clean-up in the westbound tunnel, so drivers are asked to drive cautiously and be aware of roadside workers and vehicles," the press release continued. "Unpredictable weather and other variables may necessitate last-minute changes to the plans. WYDOT remains committed to updating the public with timely information."
Residents can now prepare for a cut on their property taxes, while local services and entities prepare for a cut to their budgets.

After months of discussion regarding what changes could affect property taxes this year, and how those changes could affect local funding, Green River and Sweetwater County now have a better idea what to expect. One of the main bills affecting property tax, Senate File 0069, was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Mark Gordon with a 25% cut to property taxes. This change will mean lower property tax bills for homeowners, as well as thousands of dollars worth of revenue loss for the county, cities, school districts, and special districts.

The Wyoming Legislature discussed multiple bills that would impact property taxes, but SF0069 was the biggest change, and one of the most debated. Originally proposing a 50% cut, the bill passed both the Senate and the House before being moved to a Joint Conference Committee. When it left the committee and moved to Governor Gordon's desk, the bill's proposed cut had moved down to 25%. The Governor signed the bill into law, saying that it "provides tax relief without transferring the burden to our core energy industry," and adding that "the practical impacts of this legislation will need to be navigated by our cities, counties, special districts and citizens."

The impacts of the cut will be felt by the entities that receive revenue from property taxes, which are all local.

"None of this goes to the state," Sweetwater County Assessor Dave Divis reiterated. "This all goes to local services. So when we start cutting this revenue, we're going to have to start cutting some services."

The cuts will be noticeable, particularly since the majority of entities facing them have no other way to make up that money.

"There's no backfill on that in any way, shape or form," Divis said, explaining the final version of the bill doesn't provide a way for the revenue loss to be covered from other sources. "All the local entities are going to do without."

Divis pointed out that since this bill only affects residential properties, those that will be hit hardest are the cities and towns that don't have industrial or mineral value.

Using property values from last year, since this year's values aren't set yet, Assessor Divis calculated the estimated revenue loss that different entities will face. The City of Green River will lose approximately $190,000, while the City of Rock Springs will lose over $355,000. The county itself will lose about $935,000 from its 12 mills, which is used to fund county offices, the sheriff's office, the Sweetwater Events Complex, the Sweetwater County Library System, Southwest Counseling, the museums, the senior centers, the YWCA, and other local programs.

Other entities that are impacted by cuts to property taxes are the local special districts, such as fire districts, water and sewer districts, and others. This includes Castle Rock Hospital District, which will lose approximately $75,000.

Divis explained that this cut to Castle Rock could mean the difference of whether or not the hospital district can offer new special services, or give cost of living raises to their employees, or work with part-time nursing students, all without dipping into their reserves.

"It is going to make a difference," Divis said. "They may have to really look at their budget and decide where they can legitimately come up with $75,000 that they just aren't going to get."

The school districts and local education will also feel the impact of revenue loss from the cut. Sweetwater County School District No. 2 will lose over $1 million, while School District No. 1 will lose $2.4 million. Western Wyoming Community College will also be down approximately $429,000.

One point that was brought up during discussions about property tax cuts was the fact that Wyoming is required by law to fund education. This means that, theoretically, school districts shouldn't feel as big of a hit. However, the money used to help fund education across the state also comes from taxes. Divis explained that the school districts have historically been backfilled by the Foundation Fund, which is paid into by the districts out of the mills, or portions of taxes, they receive. For example, Sweetwater County School District No. 2 has 44 mills going to education, but 12 of those mills go to the Foundation Fund. Usually the wealthier counties, including mineral counties like Sweetwater, pay more into the fund.

"It all gets put in a pot, and then that money is distributed back to the school districts," Divis explained. "Really it's the haves helping out the have nots."

The question now is how long the Foundation Fund can stay funded, especially if districts are receiving less in tax revenue.

"As we start applying these exemptions, at what point does that Foundation Fund not gain in size but it starts losing its balance?" Divis asked.

The Assessor pointed out that there was discussion among legislators during this year's session about this issue, with some raising the concern that the fund could hit a trigger point where it can no longer be backfilled, and some legislators believing Wyoming could be only a few years away from that point.

"It's not going to happen today and it's not going to happen tomorrow, but if we get on this path and we get to the point where we hit that trigger, then somebody in the legislature's got to make a tough decision," Divis said.

For now, school districts are among the entities impacted by SF0069. The way the bill works is it exempts 25% up to the first one million dollars of a residential structure and land, Divis explained. This year, all all single-family residential structures and residential land will receive the exemption automatically. This choice was made largely for the sake of saving time. Next year, however, those wishing to receive the exemption will have to go through some sort of application process in order to confirm that properties are owner-occupied.

"Statewide, there'll be about 170,000 applications for local assessors to process," Divis noted. "It's a big lift, and the assessors will get it done."

Other bills affecting property tax were also debated in this year's legislative session, with some passing and some not making it through. Some of the bills that passed and will have a small impact or reduction for the city, according to Green River City Administrator Reed Clevenger, are SF48 (Business Property Exemption), SF49 (Tangible personal Property  Index and Depreciation) and SF81 (Tax Exemption  Property Owned by the State), although the last is expected to be negligible, according to Clevenger.

"As far as other property tax bills, they got caught up in the process," Clevenger said. "We believe that there were so many bills with varying impacts and provisions that a full understanding of impacts was difficult for legislators to understand."

The Senate and House also seemed to have different positions on whether or not bills should be backfilled, according to Clevenger, which he believes led to some of the bills dying.

"Another concern were the few programs from last session that passed and getting a better understanding of those impacts of which haven't fully been realized yet," Clevenger added. "There was a desire to get a picture of revenue reductions from these past bills and what was passed to date this time around."

Several programs and exemptions for property taxes are already in place, according to Assessor Divis. There is the Long Term Homeowners Exemption passed last year, which provides for a 50% cut to those who are at least 65 years old, live in their homes for at least eight months of the year, and have been paying property taxes in Wyoming for at least 25 years. The Veterans Exemption was doubled this year, going from $3,000 to $6,000. There is also a 4% cap on property tax increases that, as of this year, applies to both residential structures and land. And the Property Tax Refund Program was funded again this year. This program provides refund based on income, but isn't just for those with low incomes, Divis pointed out, as the median household income in Sweetwater County to qualify allows you to make up to $111,650.

The deadline to apply for the Long Term Homeowners Exemption and the Veterans Exemption is the fourth Monday in May, which this year is May 26. The deadline to apply for the Property Tax Refund Program is June 2. The 25% exemption will be applied automatically by the Assessor's Office this year, and the 4% cap also applies automatically.

"So there's really a lot of relief that's going on," Divis said.
It was a good legislative session for fossil fuel producers in Wyoming, as well as those who want to produce carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 75, "Coal severance tax rate," which reduces the severance tax rate for surface-mined coal from 6.5% to 6% - an effort that proponents hope will help coal producers weather declining markets and potentially reinvest in Wyoming mining operations.

Another measure, Senate File 17, "Carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery stimulus," creates a $10 million fund to support enhanced oil recovery - the process of pumping carbon dioxide underground to produce more oil and natural gas. Companies that qualify for the federal 45Q tax credit can apply for up to $10 per metric ton - paid out of the Wyoming account - for carbon dioxide used in enhanced oil recovery.

Senate File 18, "Enhanced oil recovery-severance tax exemption," would have reduced the severance tax rate on oil from 6% to 3% if tied to practices that capture, store or reuse carbon dioxide, reducing state revenue by $2.1 million in 2027, $4.5 million in 2028 and potentially more in following years, according to the bill's fiscal note. But the committee-sponsored bill didn't survive the Senate.

Lawmakers also considered adding a $10 million appropriation to a yet-to-be-named developer to build a new coal power plant, which would produce electricity and capture the carbon dioxide byproduct - a greenhouse gas - for use in enhanced oil recovery.

"The one problem that we have is finding enough carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery," Green River Republican Scott Heiner told his colleagues during the session. "The [carbon dioxide] pipeline is fully constricted, fully at capacity right now. So in order to do enhanced oil recovery, we need more carbon dioxide."

Before press time, the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute clarified there is currently an adequate supply of commercial carbon dioxide for the oil industry in Wyoming. But there remain many oil fields in the state and surrounding region that make good candidates for carbon dioxide-enhanced recovery, and interest among developers is forecasted to increase.

"The question has always been, if [Wyoming's carbon dioxide supply] suddenly isn't enough, should we not be looking at other source options?" Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute Director Lon Whitman told WyoFile.

The appropriation was added to the budget bill and then SF 17, but the floating amendment was withdrawn when the Wyoming Energy Authority agreed to dedicate $10 million to the effort via the Energy Matching Funds program.

Some lawmakers, fiscal hawks and conservation groups, however, mounted opposition to the measures, questioning the efficacy of giving handouts to industries that base production and jobs more on changing market conditions than taxes and incentives. Wyoming municipalities, some noted, will take a major revenue hit as a result of the 25% property tax reduction that was signed into law this month. Reducing the coal severance tax adds another $10 million revenue hit to accounts that support Wyoming schools, roads and other vital public services.

"The reason that we do [mineral severance taxes] is because [coal, oil and natural gas are] a finite, one-time resource," Baggs Republican Sen. Larry Hicks said regarding HB 75. "We have an obligation to future generations, that they should derive some of the benefits of the wealth we're accumulating now."

Do tax breaks and incentives work?

The lower severance tax rate for surface-mined coal will result in a state revenue loss of about $10 million in 2026 and potentially lower each year afterward, if coal production continues to decline, according to the bill's fiscal note.

Lawmakers passed an almost identical measure in 2022. House Bill 105, "Severance tax reduction-coal," reduced the severance tax on surface-mined coal from 7% to 6.5%, with a similar estimate of sapping state revenue by an annual $10 million.

"It will help coal companies to reinvest in their infrastructure, purchase needed equipment and supplies, implement reclamation management and maintain a full workforce," the bill's sponsor, then-Rep. Timothy Hallinan, a Republican from Gillette, said at the time.

The actual revenue reduction was $13.3 million in fiscal year 2023 and $10.5 million in fiscal year 2024, according to the Legislative Service Office. Higher than anticipated market prices and production will result in more lost revenue, officials have noted. Overall, however, the industry has continued to shed jobs and produce less coal.

Since 2021, Wyoming's annual coal production has slipped by 48.5 million tons, or 20%, while the industry has shed 632 jobs, according to federal data.

While proponents of the tax cut claim the industry's losses might have been more severe without the break, skeptics point to the 2000 Mineral Tax Incentives, Mineral Production and the Wyoming Economy study that concluded state taxes have little sway over production and employment in the industry.

"It doesn't increase production, it doesn't do a damn thing," Sheridan-based landowner advocacy group Powder River Basin Resource Council Bob LeResche told WyoFile. "It's just a redistribution of wealth from schools and roads to coal companies."

Industry analysts in recent months have pointed to indicators that suggest Wyoming coal may see an increase in demand, but the primary driver is increasing electrical demand from data centers, they say.

Skeptics of tax breaks and incentives have also noted that ExxonMobil, which operates the Shute Creek natural gas processing facility near LaBarge southwest Wyoming, is the primary beneficiary of both federal and state tax incentives for commercial carbon dioxide sales. The global company, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, derives its carbon dioxide in Wyoming from deep underground wells, not from capturing it from anthropogenic sources like smokestacks.

If the state can entice more commercial carbon dioxide production for enhanced oil recovery, it stands to earn a handsome return on the $10 million investment, proponents say. They point to a 2024 report authored by University of Wyoming energy economics professor Timothy Considine.

"At a minimum, for every dollar spent on incentives, net severance and ad valorem taxes increase by $2.40," the report concludes.

Whether Wyoming's tax incentive for commercial carbon dioxide might help launch additional suppliers in the state remains to be seen.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
11/22/1951 - 3/5/25

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gordon Jay Owen, 73, announces his passing on March 4, 2025, at his home in Draper, Utah, surrounded by his loved ones. Gordon courageously battled complications from Parkinson's Disease, which ultimately led to his passing. He was a devoted father, grandfather, brother and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Gordon was born on November 22, 1951, to William LaVon Owen and May Jensen Owen in Ogden, Utah. On February 24, 1979, he married the love of his life, Lydia Ann Stamos, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their bond was further strengthened when they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on July 31, 2005. Together, Gordon and Ann raised their cherished daughter, Jacque Owen Montgomery, and their family was the center of his life. Gordon's love for his family and his unwavering commitment to them were evident in everything he did.

Gordon was raised on Wall Avenue in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1970. He continued his education at Weber State University before relocating to Green River, Wyoming, where he lived with his family for 39 years. Gordon worked for FMC corporation in their water treatment lab and later as an equipment operator. He formed long lasting bonds with his colleagues. Gordon proudly served on the FMC diversity committee, learning skills to better communication and workplace experiences for all company employees. He was a proud member of United Steelworkers, Local 13214. He also served on the board of trustees for the Castle Rock Medical District in Green River, Wyoming. Gordon's strong work ethic and loyalty to his family and community were central to his character.

Gordon had a lifelong passion for automobiles. His mother fondly remembered that at the age of two, he could stand on the front seat bench and name every car that passed by. This love for cars remained with him throughout his life. Gordon also cherished traveling with his family, creating lasting memories on their adventures. Wherever he traveled he would always seek out friends and family members who lived in the areas he would visit. He enjoyed learning about how they spent their lives. He would visit a cousin's book store in St. George, have his car detailed at a nephew's new business, and visit another nephew aboard a U.S. Coast Guard Ship, in Hawaii. No matter where he traveled his visits with the people there were the highlights. He found joy in the simpler moments particularly in shopping trips with his beloved wife, Ann, where they would share laughter and create even more special moments together.

Gordon is survived by his devoted wife, Lydia Ann, and their daughter, Jacque Montgomery (Stephen), along with his three cherished grandchildren, Owen, Alexander, and Elizabeth. He is also survived by his sisters, Sharol Barnett (George), Carol Larkin, and Billie Carr (Larry). Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, William LaVon and May Jensen Owen, as well as his sisters, LaVonda Stitt and Bonnie Stitt. He will be deeply missed by his family, who find comfort in the memories they shared with him.

Funeral services for Gordon will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the LDS Chapel located at 1750 Aintree Avenue, Draper, Utah 84020, beginning at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held earlier that same day, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the chapel. All are invited to join the family in honoring and celebrating Gordon's life.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate staff at Bristol Hospice and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Utah for the exceptional care and support they provided to Gordon, during his final days. Their kindness and unwavering devotion brought comfort to both Gordon and his family, and they will always be deeply appreciated.
2/18/1938 - 3/9/25

Jeremiah "Jerry" Dean Siler, a devoted husband, father, and esteemed member of the Green River community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on Friday, February 18th, 1938, in Green River, Wyoming, Jeremiah lived a remarkable life rooted in family, hard work, and service to his country.

Jerry attended schools in Manila, Utah, and graduated from Manila High School in 1956. Following his academic endeavors, he proudly served in the United States Air Force, an experience that contributed to his strong sense of duty and discipline.

He married Karen Jo Overy in 1962 in Evanston, Wyoming. From this union they had two children and later divorced.

Jerry married Mary Louise Kilcoin April 21, 1984 in Green River, Wyoming with her bring four children to this union.

After his military service, Jerry dedicated 40 years of his life as a skilled crane operator with the Operating Engineers Local 800 and Local 3. Previously he worked for Peter Kewitt and Tuscarora Tunnel number two in Pennsylvania in 1962. He drilled and blasted on the Green River Tunnels in 1963 and 1964. In 1991 Jerry and Mary worked together building the Denver International Airport. Jerry worked at many incredible jobs over the years. He was well-respected among his peers for his professionalism and unwavering work ethic, retiring in 2000 after an accomplished career.

Jerry's life was marked by his love for his family, which was always his highest priority. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Siler, of Green River, Wyoming; one son, Scott Siler and wife Kathy of Green River, Wyoming; one daughter, Johnna Lynn Siler of Green River, Wyoming; two step-sons, Jeffery Clayton and significant other Tonya of Green River, Wyoming; Robert Clayton of Green River, Wyoming; two step-daughters, Marilyn Winkler of Casper, Wyoming; Roberta "Bobbi" King and significant other Kel of Green River, Wyoming; one brother, Stanley "Joe" Siler of Casper, Wyoming; three sisters, Lynn Sage of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Jeanie Purcell of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Jenny Brooks of Utah; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Findley Fernerd Genevieve Siler; three brothers, Hugh Siler; Clyde Siler, and Theron Siler, who died in infancy; one sister, Loreen Dow; one grandson, Cody Siler.

Apart from his professional life, Jeremiah was a loyal member of the Operating Engineers Local #800 and Local #3. He found immense joy in spending quality time with his grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; creating countless memories filled with laughter and love.

Cremation will take place; a Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com

Jeremiah Dean Siler's enduring spirit and legacy of love will continue to inspire those who knew him. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered as a pillar of strength, compassion, and dedication.
7/23/1943 - 3/9/25

It is with great sadness that Larry's Daughter Courtney announces the passing of Mr. Larry Brunwasser on March 9, 2025. Born on July 23, 1943, Larry lived a life full of happiness, love, and joy. Even with Dementia, Larry never let the days get too grim.

Those who knew Larry were always greeted with a radiant smile. His warm nature and boundless love made him a cherished companion and friend. He taught everyone around him to remember their worth, a lesson that those close to him will undoubtedly pass on to future generations. His memory will be etched in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Larry's life was marked by several accomplishments, among them was his proud and active service on the USS Hornet in the Navy. His devotion to duty and love for his country were examples of his character, grit, and determination. Undoubtedly, his legacy will be his kindness, love, grace, and an enduring message to always be kind to others.

Larry is survived by his daughter Courtney Konop and his son Troy Boudreau 6 grandchildren, Amanda, Melissa, Ryan, Cody, Damian, and Adam. Along with great Grand Children Isabella, Rylee, Caleb and Emily. They, along with so many others will miss him greatly, remembering him as a loving father and guiding light. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Sue Brunwasser, who no doubt was waiting to lovingly welcome him on the other side.

As we bid farewell to Larry, let us remember him not just for his achievements but for the life lessons he shared, the smiles he spread, and the lives he touched. His spirit will continue to live on through his loved ones and the countless memories they shared together. Rest in peace, Larry. You will forever be in our hearts.

Burial with military honors will take place at a later date.

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com.
Whats the difference between the press and the media?

Media derives from the Latin, medium, which is neither rare nor well done.

What better time to drag out this old joke than Sunshine Week, when newspapers across America remind their readers of the First Amendment?

Like a religious text, the Constitution of the United States, and its amendments, are forever subject to interpretation, thanks mostly to preachers, in the case of the former, and attorneys in the case of the latter.

But the press (thats us) in particular, has sustained singular insulation from government over-reach, that our cohorts in the electronic media have not.

That is why the press has always had a contentious relationship with governmental administrations.

Civics class teaches us about the three branches of our government and how they were designed to serve as checks and balances upon each other, reining in where and when too much power is sought.

Our Constitution established these rules of governance but then, led by James Madison, the founder created Amendments to the Constitution precisely to protect the citizens from the government they were creating. (Sunshine Week aligns with the birthday of James Madison.)

Hubris makes me think they were listed in order of importance (at least in 1789) and thus, the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

These tenets are backbones of our democracy and a key characteristic that set us apart when this nation was founded.

Our right to petition the government for a redress of grievances allows us to complain and/or seek the assistance of our government without fearing punishment. Freedom of religion allows us to practice whatever faith we chose, or no faith at all. Our protection to freely peaceably assemble allows us to protest when we feel our voice is not heard.

If youre not a sociopath, you recognize your own failings and temptations, and therefore should agree with the notion that there needs to be watchdogs to keep government in check.

For the press, that often means that if were not angering someone in government, we are not doing our job properly.

Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of a properly functioning democracy as is the amendments guarantee of freedom of speech, which allows for alternative ideas to be addressed without fear of legal retaliation.

That notion can be hard to accept when speech promotes an idea of something we vehemently disagree with, but without it democracy will cease to serve its citizens.

This newspaper holds these freedoms, regardless of ideology, as the nations most precious and we will defend, with all of our might, your fundamental right to express them.

We will also fight to keep the governments business (how it spends your money) transparent.

Though our federal government has its own Freedom Of Information (FOI) laws, state and local governments set their own rules but generally, they all guarantee every citizen the right to inspect and take copies of any writings of their government.

While our government requires openness it is we citizens who bear the responsibility to hold our public officials accountable.

We encourage you to take some time to look at the FOI laws and be aware of the policies of open government, whether local or national.

A vigilant and informed citizenry is our best defense against a government that oversteps its bounds.
Not long ago a teardown of the Google app revealed an upcoming Gemini model that would use your search history to personalize its output. And today Google has made this official.

The new model is called Gemini with personalization, or just "Personalization" in the drop-down model selector in Gemini. It's labeled "experimental" as you'd expect, and is available today to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web. It will also "gradually" roll out on mobile and will be available in "over 45 languages" in "the majority of countries around the world", but not in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK.

If you select this model, Gemini will connect with your Google apps and services, starting with Search, to give you more insightful responses that are tailored to you specifically. For now, all it can access is your search history, but "in the coming months" it will also connect with Google Photos and YouTube.

If you want to use it now, for anything you ask, it will analyze your prompt and determine if your search history "can enhance the response". Google stresses that "you're in control of your info" and can disconnect your search history from Gemini at any point.

Your search history won't be used for every prompt and query, but only when Google's "advanced reasoning models" determine that it's actually helpful.

Source
Counterpoint Research published its quarterly insights on smartphone OS usage. The findings indicated that Android continued to dominate globally, followed by iOS in the second position and HarmonyOS in third.

The research agency provided some interesting insights for various markets. One region where the data significantly differs is China, where HarmonyOS surpassed iOS, and its growth is expected to continue into 2025.

The similar results for both QoQ and YoY are due to smartphone sales remaining unchanged in 2024. Android reached its lowest-ever quarterly share in Q4 2024 in regions such as the United States and India.

For instance, sales of Motorola and Google in the US offset the double-digit year-over-year percentage decline seen among smaller companies, while iPhone sales dropped only 1%.

India experienced a record high in iPhone sales during the last quarter of 2024, with two-thirds of all sales comprising older generation iPhones.

HarmonyOS has maintained a steady 4% global market share. It remained third in a three-horse race, but the Huawei operating system outperformed Apple's in all four quarters of 2024 in China. Counterpoint expects HarmonyOS's market share to continue growing because the Chinese government is subsidizing smartphone sales with CNY 500 ($70) for devices that cost under CNY 6,000 (just over $800) in an attempt to boost the economy.

The research agency did not specify whether EMUI, the global name for Huawei's in-house user interface, belongs to the same category as its counterpart for the Chinese market. Either way it doesn't make a big difference, as the vast majority of Huawei's smartphone sales are in its home market.

Source
Belgian police searched the Huawei headquarters in Brussels. Authorities raided 20 additional locations in the Belgian provinces of Flanders and Wallonia, as well as in Portugal, resulting in several arrests, according to prosecutors.

A Belgian Prosecutor's Office spokesperson stated that there is "an ongoing investigation into preliminary charges of active corruption, forgery of documents, and money laundering at the European Parliament." The "alleged bribery" is thought to have benefited the tech company Huawei.

European Parliament in Strasbourg, France

The investigation concerns lobbyists for the Chinese tech giant bribing members of the European Parliament to influence EU decision-making that is said to have benefited Huawei. During the operation, a judge has requested that the European Parliament offices of two assistants involved in the case be sealed.

The information about the probe was disclosed by the investigative website Follow the Money, along with two Belgian newspapers  Le Soir and Knack. The reports identified one of the primary suspects in the case as 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, Huawei Director of EU Public Affairs, and a former assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both part of a European Parliament group focused on China policy.

Huawei office in Brussels, Belgium | Image source: Vandebroek Interieur

An anonymous source informed Follow The Money that Ottati lacked any expertise in technology; he was merely appointed by Huawei due to his connections.

Meanwhile, the European Commission declined to comment on the investigation. Its spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, emphasized the EU's primary executive body's security concerns regarding Huawei and Europe's 5G telecom networks.

"Huawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers," and EU members should "adopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks".

Source 1 (in French)  Source 2 | Via
Samsung was the first smartphone brand to introduce variable aperture cameras with the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in 2018. It was retained by the flagships that came later but was dropped with the Galaxy S20 series. However, we could see variable aperture cameras make a comeback on Samsung phones next year with the Galaxy S26 series.

The word comes from tipster Ice Universe, who said Samsung is considering launching the Galaxy S26 Ultra with its primary camera having a variable aperture. However, it's unclear if Samsung will adopt the dual-aperture approach like it did for the S9 series or if it will do it like Xiaomi, which provided multiple aperture settings on the 14 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S9+

Anyway, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't launching before next year, so it's too early to say anything with certainty since the plans can always change. We'll have more clarity on whether or not the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come with a variable aperture as we inch closer to its launch.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

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Source (in Chinese)
Sony just announced its new display tech that combines proprietary signal processing, individual RGB LED control, and high-density backlight. It's not OLED tech, just so we are on the same page, but Sony argues it's just as good or even better in some aspects.



Sony's individual RGB LEDs

Sony's setup allows the red, green and blue LEDs to operate separately, which in turn ensures punchy and accurate colors and coverage of wide color gamuts even on large panels. The precise backlight control also helps the display produce delicate hues and light gradations. Sony says movies with deep blacks, precise light gradients and subtle colors look amazing.

Let's talk about specs. The new independent RGB LED design covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color space and about 90% of the ITU-R BT.2020 gamut. Zonal peak brightness exceeds 4,000 cd/m2, so HDR content will look great.

But it's not just about brightness. Sony says the precise backlight control solves some issues present with today's OLED panels. There are no overbrightened elements, no crushed blacks and no issues handling intermediate tones.

Sony partnered with MediaTek for the control processors, ROHM for the LED drive ICs and Sanan Optoelectronics for the LEDs.

Sony plans to bring the new tech to consumer TVs and professional displays for content creation, which should enter mass production sometime this year.

Source
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published its final report pertaining to its investigation into mobile browsers and cloud gaming. It finds that "competition between different mobile browsers is not working well, and this is holding back innovation in the UK", according to Margot Daly, Chair of the CMA's independent inquiry group.

The next step is already underway - the CMA has opened investigations in January into whether to designate Apple and Google as having strategic market status (SMS) under the UK's new digital markets competition regime. The SMS investigations are expected to conclude "later this year". Under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act which came into force in January this year, the CMA can - if warranted - impose legally binding conduct requirements or pro-competition interventions on firms designated as having SMS.

If Apple and/or Google are designated with SMS, then the CMA "should consider imposing appropriate interventions", today's report says, including "measures which could enhance the ability of other browsers to compete by offering new, innovative features to consumers, as well as enabling users actively to choose their preferred mobile browser".

This is obviously more about Apple than Google, with the iPhone and iPad maker not allowing browser engines other than WebKit used by Safari to be powering any competing mobile browser. The situation is entirely different on Android. For what it's worth, the CMA decided that no further action is necessary with regards to cloud gaming (which was the other part of the investigation).

The CMA's investigation that is concluded with today's report was opened in 2021, and for some reason it took almost four years to come to these very obvious conclusions.

Source
The CS Le Jacques Cartier, the second cruise ship to visit the island this year, arrived at the Port Authority of Guam at 11 p.m. Thursday with 251 passengers and crew.

The cruise ship is scheduled to depart Guam at 5 p.m. Friday, according to a release from the Port Authority of Guam.

The luxury vessel arrived at the Port carrying 116 passengers and 135 crew members.

Port Authority General Manager Rory Respicio in a statement said each cruise ship visit strengthens Guams presence as a key destination in the Pacific and contributes to the local economy.

I want to commend our dedicated Port employees who work tirelessly day and night to transform our container yard into a safe terminal for cruise ship passengers. Their efforts ensure a secure and welcoming environment without compromising Port security, and their commitment is vital to Guams success as a growing cruise destination, Respicio said.

Operated by the renowned French cruise line Ponant, the CS Le Jacques Cartier is known for its elegant design, high-end amenities, and intimate cruising experience, the Port said.

The ships visit underscores Guams strategic location and highlights ongoing efforts to promote tourism and economic growth through maritime activities, the Port added.

During their stay, passengers will have the opportunity to explore Guams rich culture, scenic attractions, and renowned hospitality.

This latest arrival follows the MS Asuka II, which was the first cruise ship to visit Guam in 2025 on Feb. 23.

The MS Asuka II carried approximately 642 passengers and 511 crew members, marking the beginning of an exciting year for Guams cruise tourism industry, the Port said.

Six additional cruise ships are scheduled to arrive this year, the Port said, including:
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority plans to implement a 5% across-the-board rate increase starting April 1, alongside updates to its fee structure.

The changes include 87 new fee items and the renewal of 9,581 professional fees, aimed at addressing rising operational costs and meeting financial requirements, hospital officials said.

GMHA officials presented the details of the proposed fee changes during a public hearing held Monday.

The new fee items and rate increase are part of GMHAs ongoing efforts to recover costs and sustain hospital operations. Hospital officials believe that the updates are essential to maintaining service viability, especially in light of rising health care expenses.

The updates include charges for cardiology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, pharmacy services, and other medical specialties.

We are also presenting a total of 10,502 existing facility fees which were already adjudicated by the Legislature, said Sydie Taisacan, GMHAs charts master. The updated rates are necessary to maintain the hospitals financial stability.

Concerns were raised during the hearing about GMHAs approach to negotiating rates with third-party payers, including Medicare.

When asked whether the hospital plans to charge Medicare at 150% or 200% of the Medicare rate, Taisacan said, We are not using the MPFs. MPFs is the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, right? See the PFR or the professional peer rates. This is based on our [Board of Trustees] resolutions.

The discussion also turned to whether the hospital could negotiate rates with payers.

We would have to renegotiate that when we go back and renew our payer agreements, GMH Chief Financial Officer Yuka Hechanova said.

Feedback on the rates, she said, could be sent to GMHA Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas, and the comments would be incorporated into the submission package to the Legislature for review.

GMHA officials reminded the public that written testimony could be submitted within five workdays after the hearing, and those comments would also be included in the final submission to lawmakers.

The GMHA board of trustees must still approve the new rates, but hospital leaders remain optimistic about moving forward with the fee changes, believing they are vital to ensuring the continued operation of the hospital.

The proposed fee changes cover a wide range of medical services and are designed to keep up with evolving health care standards and rising costs.

The 87 new fee items include three cardiology professional fees, three cardiology services, 13 cardiology supplies, three evaluation and management professional fees, three gastroenterology professional fees, one interventional radiology professional fee, six interventional radiology diagnostic services, 35 interventional radiology supplies, two laboratory tests, 12 operating room supplies, two pharmacy medicine, three pulmonary professional fees, and one for respiratory therapy supply.

The complete list of the new items is available on GMHAs website in the transparency section under public hearing.

The public is encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit comments before the March 18 deadline.

This comes amid GMHA facing a significant loss in American Rescue Plan funding. The hospital initially expected a $20 million allocation but in February, that amount was reduced to $10 million.

The funding was designated for critical infrastructure projects, and the shortfall has raised concerns as the hospital works to fulfill essential capital improvement initiatives.

Some of the funds had been used to pay outstanding vendor bills, with additional money directed toward capital improvement plans.
More than 160 prospective jurors were summoned to the District Court of Guam  half on Thursday and the other half Friday  as Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood looks to whittle that pool down to 12 jurors and six alternates.

Jury selection continued past 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The final jury will then decide the fate of three indicted suspects: Michael Marasigan, Jose Arthur Art Chan Jr. and Christine C. Chan.

They are accused of a conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Marasigan is accused of pocketing about $14 million in bingo proceeds between 2015 and 2021, and Christine Chan received about $1 million in that same time. Combined, the trio faces 61 counts of money laundering.

But even as jury selection will likely continue Friday morning, a motion filed on behalf of Marasigan could render a trial moot.

Attorney Michael Phillips, who along with David Lujan represents Marasigan, filed Marasigans proposed affirmative defenses with the court early Thursday morning.

Phillips does not know when he will get to argue his proposal and the judge told prospective jurors that the trial is expected to run about two weeks and possibly spill into a third.

Phillips filed a motion that proposed an affirmative defense. An affirmative defense is a legal strategy that can reduce, or even negate a defendants liability, even if the governments claims are true.

Originally, Marasigan was charged, along with a handful of others, with operating an illegal gambling operations, with conspiracy charges of money laundering and fraud as well.

Late Wednesday, during a continued pre-trial hearing, Phillips successfully argued a point he had hinted on earlier.

Because the Guam Shriners obtained official certification to conduct bingo operations, their bingo operations were lawful, he said.

The court agreed that the government could no longer charge the defendants with illegal gambling because by all accounts, their operation was approved and lawful, according to Phillips.

Then, early Thursday morning, before jury selection started at 10 a.m., Phillips filed his proposal. In it, he argues that the U.S. has created crimes where the Guam Legislature mandated none exist.

To charge a nonprofit organization possessing a permit to conduct bingo games with an attempt, conspiracy or violation, is creating the new crime, read the document.

Moreover, said Phillips, the U.S. has the burden of proof. The defense does not have to prove it is innocent; the government must prove guilt.

Although Guam law prohibits gambling without proper certification, the same law also allows for authorized gambling.

There is no ambiguity. The gambling prohibition does not apply to these three defendants on trial. There can be no violation nor can there be a criminal conspiracy based on a statute that does not apply, states the proposal.

The case started almost two years ago. Also indicted were Alfredo Leon Guerrero, Minda San Nicolas, and Juanita Capulong, but they pleaded guilty pursuant to an agreement, and are expected to testify as witnesses for the government.
A representative of the late Francisco D. Perez, who sold the government of Guam the old hospital land at Ypao Point in Tamuning, says the family wants the property back because the transaction was never fulfilled.

But the prospect of taking the land, which the government paid for and which the CHamoru Land Trust now holds, was a point of contention at a Thursday public hearing.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in January introduced Bill 32-38, which would return the Ypao Point property to the descendants of Francisco D. Perez.

The Ypao Point site is the primary competitor to the governors plan to build a hospital in Mangilao.

Francisco D. Perezs descendants supported the return, according to John D. Perez, in written testimony submitted on the measure.

John D. Perez said Francisco D. Perez had agreed to the deal in 1951 so that GovGuam could build a hospital on the site, in a transaction negotiated by former Gov. Carlton Skinner, the islands first civilian governor.

A copy of the deed of sale shows the government agreed to pay $51,914.99, the equivalent of $626,228.75 as of February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But John D. Perezs testimony asserted that part of the negotiated deal was also about $2 million worth of construction equipment which the Army left behind in Saipan and Tinian.

But the Navy took the equipment before GovGuam was able to obtain it, and Francisco D. Perez never got it, according to the testimony, which cited an affidavit from Skinner that detailed the equipment as part of the deal.

We, the family of the late Francisco D. Perez, believe that the original land transaction, without the transfer of construction equipment to Francisco D. Perez, is a land transaction unfulfilled, John D. Perez wrote lawmakers.

But a number of those who testified at the hearing on Bill 32-38 opposed the government giving away Ypao Point, which Sen. Chris Barnett at one point called the crown jewel of the CHamoru Land Trust property.

The Land Trust holds land in trust for eligible applicants, who can lease properties for up to 99 years at $1 a year.

Debbie Quinata, the magahaga or leader of advocacy movement Nasion Chamoru, opposed another raid of the CLTC.

The property, described by the Legislature in the past as a gift to the government, was not a gift, Quinata said, but was sold.

The CHamoru Land Trust is not a piggy bank. Its not a gift box. Its not. It is a lifeline, she said, meant for those who could not get a home otherwise.

The CHamoru Land Trust has been raided and misused, Quinata said, and many were left living in squalor because of issues on their CLTC land that were unaddressed.

David Herrera, a CLTC commissioner prior to being axed by the governor in January, also opposed the bill.

He said the bill would return sacred lands from the CLTC inventory.

Herrera believes theres a legal argument to be made that lawmakers could not give away property held in trust for the benefit of the island.

Before being fired, he had moved for the CLTC to get a legal opinion from the attorney general on the matter. He said he believed past court decisions may give CLTC property greater legal protections, including, for example, a requirement that a supermajority of senators must vote to give away property.

Remaining commissioners from CLTC did not provide testimony on Thursday.

Thats because the commission is still without a quorum, and cant meet to officially discuss the bill, according to a letter from CLTC Chairwoman Arlene Bordallo.

The Land Trust was left without a quorum after the governor dismissed Herrera and Commissioner Jeffrey John Ibanez in January.

But some staff from the CLTC, who are classified government employees not appointed by the governor, appeared during the Thursday hearing to oppose the bill.

CLTC land agent Jessica Dayday said her testimony against Bill 32-38 did not represent the Land Trust but those who work tirelessly to tackle actions that contravene the CLTC Act and to commence the process of issuing new leases.

Several bills have been introduced to give away Land Trust land, Dayday said, which could provide residential or agricultural leases for residents, or generate revenue so more CLTC land could get infrastructure.

The CLTC had moved to start issuing new leases after a long period of stagnation caused by legal issues, Dayday added.

A number of past senators and the Nasion CHamoru had dedicated immense effort and sacrifice to ensure the implementation of the CLTC Act, she said.

Nuclear option

Several senators weighed in on the measure.

Barnett called Bill 32-38 the nuclear option so the governor could ensure the hospital was built in Mangilao.

But even if the governor would not build a hospital at Ypao Point, the property could still be used to generate revenue for the Land Trust, he said.

I dont think we should take another acre out of the CLTC until our people are being put onto these lands with the infrastructure, he said.

Barnett said it was not accurate to say the bill is a land return. He said the accurate term is give away.

Sen. Will Parkinson, meanwhile, spoke in support of the bill.

We have testimony from the Perez family that says they want this land back, Parkinson said. We hear terms that they had a legitimate deal with the government of Guam, but these people were never properly paid. So how could we say that deal is legitimate?

Hospital oversight chair Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane said she was still taking time to review testimony, including that from the Perez family.

Sen. Therese Terlaje said the governor had put the Perez family in the middle of politics.

GovGuams policy was to return land unjustly taken by the military, not land the government had paid for, Terlaje said.

If the family wanted to make a claim over the construction equipment, senators could take care of that, she added.

Theyve never made a claim that the sale was unjust. Its that the military reneged, as you said earlier, they reneged on their deal, and we can take care of that part, she said.




Haiti - FLASH : The premises of RTVC in ruelle Chavannes burned





On the night of Tuesday, March 12th to Wednesday, March 13th, 2025, heavily armed individuals set fire to the offices of Radio Television Caraibes (RTVC) in ruelle Chavannes, which they had been threatening for almost a year. More than just a building, it was a heritage site where RTVC had established itself in 1949. It should be remembered that RTVC had been forced to leave this building after 76 years of occupation due to insecurity and relocate to Petion-ville.



Reacting strongly to this terrorist act, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime declared, "Radio Television Caraibes (RTVC), a pillar of news and information in Haiti, is being hit by violence from armed gangs. The arson attack by these criminals is a despicable act, a serious attack on freedom of expression, acquired at the cost of great sacrifice. I express my deep solidarity with the entire RTVC team and its journalists affected by this tragic event."



For its part, the Haitian National Media Association (ANMH) expressed its "stunned" statement in a statement by the news of the fire at the Radio Tele Caraibes offices on Chavannes Street.



"[...] the ANMH unreservedly condemns this heinous act, which confirms the ongoing chaos caused by the bandits.



[...] The media, which serve the population in a dynamic that guarantees freedom of expression and access to the right to speak for all, must benefit from the protection of public authorities, who have a duty to guarantee the continuity of this fundamental gain, an essential democratic achievement of the democratic transition.



The ANMH expresses its solidarity with the management of Radio Tele Caraibes and reiterates its dismay at this despicable act [...]"



Patrick Pelissier, Minister of Justice, strongly condemns the fire at the offices of Radio Television Caraibes and the looting of Radio Melodie FM.



"These unacceptable acts constitute an attack on press freedom and the rule of law. Freedom of the press is a sacred and inalienable achievement. No criminal group can intimidate or silence those who inform the nation. The Minister calls on citizens to increase their vigilance and actively collaborate with law enforcement to identify and neutralize these enemies of the Republic.



Member Jean Wilner Morin, the Ombudsman, "strongly condemns the fire at the building housing Radio Television Caraibes and calls on the authorities to restore public order in the country.



"This is a direct attack on freedom of the press and expression, orchestrated by terrorists who have been sowing chaos for too long [...]



The OPC extends its sympathies to the managers and staff of RTVC who, for the past year, have been forced to abandon the building on Ruelle Chavannes due to insecurity [...]"



Attacks on the media, the guarantors of democracy, must never be tolerated, and the right to live in complete security is guaranteed by the constitution and international conventions ratified by Haiti. The authorities have the duty and the obligation to guarantee the enjoyment of this right to all.



SL/ TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Economy : Minister Monazard discusses factors to promote economic recovery





On Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Karibe Convention Center, during his presentation at a panel discussion moderated by economist Etzer Emile on "Economic Recovery : Challenges and Perspectives" organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AmCham), James Monazard, Minister of Commerce and Industry (MCI), alongside Alfred Mettelus, Minister of Economy and Finance, Ronald Gabriel, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), and economist Pierre-Marie Boisson, discussed a set of fundamental factors likely to foster economic recovery in Haiti. Minister Monazard highlighted the issue of "job creation" as a driving force capable of helping the country combat the economic decline it has been experiencing for the past six years. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43934-haiti-news-zapping.html and https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41323-haiti-economy-5th-year-of-negative-gdp-in-haiti-report.html



He also highlighted a range of opportunities implemented or under consideration by the Ministry to specifically address this need, which he described as "urgent" for the entire population, particularly young people and women.



Announcing that "[...] students in fields related to finance and economics will have the opportunity to support individuals involved in small and medium-sized enterprises, which will receive financial support from the MCI," Monazard also emphasized the "delocalization of the national budget," stating that the country's two major regions, the North and the South, will have infrastructure adapted to a range of major investment projects, as is the case in the West.



With this in mind, he indicated that the government has already begun by establishing projects such as the Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes and many other projects that are already underway (without naming them).



Further, Minister Monazard expressed his awareness of the importance of technology in today's world and promised that he would advocate with the relevant authorities for an update of commercial laws to regulate digital commerce for the benefit of Haitians who use the internet to conduct business.



He also emphasized the importance of the tourism sector in a country like Haiti, where the climate is favorable to anyone wishing to visit the country. He highlighted the need to seriously address this sector to facilitate the recovery of the national economy.



It should be recalled that on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, as part of the "Tuesdays of the Nation," Monazard presented various programs and tools implemented within his Ministry to support the national economy, including the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program (PAPEJ), reactivated after a six-year hiatus, and initiatives promoting women's entrepreneurship. He stated, "Since the relaunch of PAPEJ in December 2024, more than 850 business plans have been received." This illustrates the growing interest of young people in entrepreneurship" https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-44031-icihaiti-papej-support-for-youth-entrepreneurship-call-for-applications.html



Furthermore, that same Tuesday, he expressed his commitment to the craft sector, particularly through a support program for shoemaking and sewing aimed at revitalizing these sectors. Mindful of the economic challenges, the Minister also emphasized that the Haitian government, through its administration, was committed to supporting the renewal of the HOPE/HELP Act, which plays a crucial role in accessing Haitian products to the American market https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44404-haiti-economy-the-bipartisan-bill-help-extension-act-is-being-considered-again-in-congress.html .



Finally, he assured that he would continue his efforts to regulate the market, support local businesses, attract investment, and foster a more stable and competitive business environment.



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Arrest of a police officer linked to gangs

The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police arrested Junior Police Officer Dominique Junior Altimy, alias "Junior Gabard," of the 20th class, assigned to the Departmental Law Enforcement Unit (UDMO), after the Prime Minister's intelligence service discovered that the police officer had links to the "Viv Ansanm" gang coalition.



Melodie FM Radio Station looted

During the night of March 12-13, 2025, unidentified armed individuals looted the Melodie FM radio station.



Killed while defending his neighborhood

Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Christ-Roi, Claudy Beaussou, alias "Satan 3," a member of the Delmas Vigilance Brigade, was fatally wounded while defending his neighborhood against members of the "Viv Ansanm" coalition in Christ-Roi.



Christophe Avenue attacked, faculties threatened

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, bandits attacked Christophe Avenue, where faculties of the State University of Haiti are located. The National Institute of Administration, Management and Advanced International Studies (INAGHEI), the Faculty of Humanities, informed the dean of the INAGHEI faculty, who was not yet able to confirm whether the bandits had entered the campuses.



Consular Services of the French Embassy closed

The consular services of the French Embassy in Haiti are closed to the public this Friday, March 14, 2025.



Recipient of weapons seized in the DR arrested

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the case of the major seizure of weapons and ammunition on March 4th at the Port of Haina in the Dominican Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44408-haiti-flash-major-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition-in-the-dr-a-major-blow-for-gangs.html , Guitho Senat, owner of the Le Wozo hotel in Belladere, was arrested after surrendering, accompanied by his lawyer, to the Departmental Service of the Judicial Police (SDPJ) of the Center. The ongoing investigation has revealed that he was the recipient of this arsenal. Guitho Senat was taken into custody at the Cite Charlemagne Peralte police station, pending further legal action.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















21 Democratic Attorneys General sue Trump administration over mass layoff in Education Department

Xinhua) 09:53, March 14, 2025

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) - A coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general on Thursday sued the Trump administration over its mass layoff in the Education Department, where more than 1,300 federal employees were fired earlier this week.

The group, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, sued the Trump administration in a Massachusetts federal court, calling the action "outrageous," "reckless and illegal."

"This administration may claim to be stopping waste and fraud, but it is clear that their only mission is to take away the necessary services, resources, and funding that students and their families need," said James in a statement.

"Firing half of the Department of Education's workforce will hurt students throughout New York and the nation, especially low-income students and those with disabilities who rely on federal funding. This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal," James said.

According to U.S. media reports on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education would begin implementing a large-scale layoff plan that evening. The department had about 4,000 employees, and approximately 1,300 employees were expected to be laid off.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he intends to dismantle the Education Department and return its functions to the states. He also said that the primary responsibility of the new Secretary of Education is to dismantle the department.

Previously, several policies of the Trump administration have already faced lawsuits, including the revocation of birthright citizenship, the acquisition of private information from the U.S. Treasury by Elon Musk and members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), withholding funding from the National Institutes of Health, and the dismissal of employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Torden was convicted on four counts of war crimes, while one charge was dismissed due to lack of evidence. The court found that he led a military unit that ambushed Ukrainian soldiers and executed at least one wounded prisoner. The act was deemed equivalent to murder due to its brutality, warranting a life sentence. This case underscores Finland's commitment to upholding international law, similar to its regulatory stance on sectors like gambling , where adherence to international standards is paramount.

Helsinki District Court has sentenced Voislav Torden, 38, to life in prison for war crimes committed in Ukraine in 2014.

Torden was accused of ordering attacks as deputy commander of the Rusich unit, which fought alongside Russian-backed separatists in Luhansk. According to prosecutors, his unit lured Ukrainian troops into an ambush using a Ukrainian flag at a checkpoint. When the soldiers approached, they were fired upon. More than 20 Ukrainian troops died in the attack.

Prosecutors alleged that Torden personally fired a machine gun during the ambush. His unit also used a thermobaric Shmel rocket against a military truck, killing and injuring soldiers in the explosion.

Another charge related to the execution of wounded soldiers after the battle. At least 21 dead and several injured soldiers were left on the ground. Prosecutors said Torden took part in killing the wounded, violating the laws of war.

The third charge concerned the mutilation of a wounded Ukrainian soldier. Under Tordens command, soldiers carved the units emblem into the man's cheek.

Torden was also charged with posing for photos with a dead soldiers body and sharing the images on social media.

The final charge was based on threats he made online before the attack. Prosecutors argued that his statements indicated the unit would take no prisoners.

Torden denied all charges, claiming he had no leadership role and was only in Ukraine to produce propaganda videos.

He was arrested at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in summer 2023.

HT
At the same meeting, Finland announced its 28th military aid package to Ukraine, valued at approximately 200 million.

Finland and Ukraine have signed a new defence cooperation agreement, strengthening military ties between the two nations. The deal was finalised on Thursday during a meeting between Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov .

The package includes artillery ammunition, which is currently in high demand, though other details remain undisclosed. The latest assistance brings Finlands total military aid to Ukraine to 3.3 billion.

Hakkanen stated that Finland and Ukraine share a common view of the Russian threat due to historical experiences. He emphasised that Ukraines armed forces have gained extensive battlefield experience over the past three years, making them one of the strongest in Europe.

"In developing our own defence, we should listen carefully to Ukraines lessons and utilise their experiences," Hakkanen said.

The newly signed memorandum of understanding expands cooperation in areas such as defence materiel, intelligence sharing, research and innovation, ammunition production, and joint defence industry projects. The agreement reflects Finlands long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine beyond immediate military aid.

Earlier in the week, Hakkanen visited Kyiv, meeting with Ukrainian government and military representatives to assess Ukraines needs. Meanwhile, Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen travelled to Ukraine for discussions with her counterpart Ihor Klymenko.

The signing of the agreement coincided with a meeting of Nordic defence ministers in Helsinki. As chair of Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) this year, Finland hosted discussions on regional security and continued support for Ukraine.

The Finnish government has consistently backed Ukraine since the start of the war and remains engaged in European efforts to strengthen defence capabilities.

HT
TRIBUTES have been paid to a leading palaeontologist and naturalist from Henley who has died.

Richard Fortey passed away at his home in St Andrews Road last Friday following a short illness.

Dr Fortey, 79, had a long career at the Natural History Museum in London where he was a senior palaeontologist.

He was a world-leading expert on fossil arthropods, a type of invertebrate, and has written numerous books and appeared in documentary films on the BBC on his own and alongside Sir David Attenborough.

Dr Forteys colleague and successor as fossil arthropod researcher at the Natural History Museum, Dr Greg Edgecombe, described his impact on the field as enormous.

He said: Richard published brilliant, ground-breaking research on fossils for more than 50 years, while breaking research on fossils for more than 50 years, while also sharing his infectious enthusiasm for nature with millions of readers and viewers.

His contributions to knowledge of his beloved trilobites, the geological time scale in Britain and around the world, and reconstructing the configuration of ancient continents and terranes are enormous.

Many of us at the museum and science colleagues globally will miss him as an intellectual leader, a mentor and a friend.

Professor Mike Benton, head of vertebrate palaeontology at the University of Bristol, described the breadth of Dr Forteys interests as rare among scientists today.

He said: He was a very extraordinary person. One might say the last of a breed in that he was a general naturalist in the kind of Victorian mould. He knew lots about lots of different things.

He was an extremely affable person, a raconteur, full of amusing anecdotes and stories and always very keen to meet people and to help younger colleagues. He took that very seriously.

Professor Benton said Dr Fortey would be widely missed by the scientific community.

He said: He did much more than just the bare bones of his job. He took it upon himself to undertake a lot of additional tasks, like publicising science, speaking, writing books and acting as a mentor for many younger scientists.

I have seen endless tributes on Facebook and elsewhere, coming from all over the world. He made friends across Scandinavia, North America, China, everywhere.

Dr Forteys interest in fossils began at the age of 14 when he discovered a trilobite, a type of extinct arthropod which died out 250 million years ago, while breaking rocks on holiday in Wales.

In addition to his expertise in fossils, Dr Fortey had a lifelong passion for fungi, examining his finds in a small laboratory at his home, which he shared with his wife, Jackie.

Over the years, he authored many books, including Life: An Unauthorised Biography (1997) cited by science writer John Gribbin as the best natural history of the first four billion years of life on earth and, his most recent, Close Encounters of a Fungal Kind, which he presented at the Henley Literary Festival in October.

Dr Fortey received widespread recognition for his achievements, including an OBE in the 2023 New Years Honours List, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1997, and being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2009.

His friend and fellow naturalist Linda Seward, who lives in Cookley Green, described his passing as an immense loss.

The pair were part of the Fungus Survey of Oxfordshire, a volunteer group dedicated to recording local fungi, which Mrs Seward said Dr Fortey contributed to immeasurably as its president.

She said: He was a real Renaissance man, he knew so much about everything. He was teaching me how to use my microscope and a bird landed on the feeder outside and he knew exactly what it was.

He knew so much about nature in all its aspects that he was just forever amazing me with his incredible knowledge. He was a very busy person but he always took the time with me, and other members of the group.

Although he became a scientist, he also could have easily studied English and become a writer. I think that's one of the reasons why his books are so popular. He had such a delicate and beautiful turn of phrase. He would teach you and you wouldnt even realise that you were learning anything.

He had a real sense of humour and he also was a great imitator. He would put on a cockney accent and just make you laugh.

Mrs Seward recalled his interaction with the audience at the Henley Literary Festival last year in which he explained the life cycle of a mushroom.

She said: Richard was talking about how spores are dispersed. He had a little umbrella and he just sat on the stage and opened it up and said this is how a mushroom opens up its cap. He looked so adorable and so wonderful and everybody fully got it. Thats just typical of the way he taught people. He used everyday language and he never talked down to you.

Throughout his career, Dr Fortey advocated for using common names for fungi to make the subject more accessible, even writing a piece on the topic for the British Mycological Society.

Mrs Seward said: A lot of mycologists only use Latin names, which can be a real turn-off for people who are beginners, in particular. He argued that using common names was a good way to keep people interested, and if theyre going to go forward with it, they will learn the other names later on.

Thats just an example of how he was always thinking and always trying to get new people interested in mycology.

Fellow nature enthusiast Vincent Ruane, from Caversham, who is the Henley Standards Nature Notes columnist, described Dr Fortey as one in a million.

He recalled meeting him after reading The Wood for the Trees, a book in which Dr Fortey wrote about a Grims Dyke Wood, a small Chiltern beech wood in Henley that he bought with his wife in 2011.

Mr Ruane said the pair bonded over their love of the outdoors and often corresponded about their discoveries, sharing foraging tips. He said: What I loved about him was that he was so normal for someone with such an immense brain and such ability. He was very humble and very quick to share anything with anybody and everybody.

He added: I was intrigued by his understanding not just of his expertise in palaeontology, especially trilobites, but of his knowledge of geology and the whole natural world.

The thing that grabbed me about him most of all was his never-ending curiosity about anything and everything. As far as I'm concerned, he was the perfect scientist because he never ever gave up wanting to learn more.

Dr Fortey was a supporter of climate action group Greener Henley and its chair Kate Oldridge and secretary Diana Barnett paid tribute to him. They said: Greener Henley was very fortunate to have Richard as a friend and a supporter. His love and understanding of the natural world and his willingness to share his knowledge captivated audiences of all ages.

Anyone who has read any of his very readable books will have gleaned from them, that Richard had a terrific depth of knowledge and a keen sense of humour. Greener Henley will miss his sage words and generous nature.

Last summer, Dr Fortey took part in a Nature Discovery Day in Mill Meadows organised by the group where he ran a stall explaining the importance of invertebrates to the local ecosystem.

His Professor Forteys Fabulous Fungi Roadshow was described as a very popular attraction at two of Greener Henleys fairs.

Dr Fortey also entered a poetry competition run by the group during Great Big Green Week and came first in the David Grubb Memorial Prize.

Sue Ryan, founder of the Henley Literary Festival, described Dr Forteys death as such sad news.

She said: He was a great friend of the literary festival and was hugely popular with our audiences and we were proud to have such a distinguished author from Henley.

He managed to explain complex subjects with ease and humour summed up in a lasting image of him on stage holding an umbrella above his head as if he was a mushroom.

Dr Fortey was born to parents Frank and Margaret and grew up in West London. He was educated at Ealing Grammar School for Boys before going on to study at Kings College Cambridge.

He was previously president of the Geological Society of London, the Palaeontological Association and Palaeontographical Society. He has been awarded the Frink Medal of the Zoological Society, the Lyell Medal of the Geological Society and the Linnean Medal of the Linnean Society, the Michael Faraday Award of the Royal Society and the Lewis Thomas Medal of Rockefeller University, NY.

Dr Fortey is survived by his wife Jackie and his four grown-up children. Dominic, Rebecca, Julia and Leo and four grandchildren, Herbie, Sophia, Luke and Alice. A full obituary will be published in the Henley Standard in due course.
MORE than 50 bikers joined the funeral procession in honour of a founder of a charity Easter egg run.

Michael Weal, of Hare Hatch, passed away in February following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis. He was 77.

More than 100 mourners attended the ceremony, which took place at Reading Crematorium last Friday. Some some had to stand outside because the venue was at capacity.

This included bikers from the Thames Vale Vultures, for which he became president in 2017, and his three daughters Samantha, Michaela and Francesca and grandchildren William, Megan and Ben.

Mr Weals coffin was decorated in red roses and poppies. It was carried into the church by pallbearers including Samanthas husband Peter, her brother-in-laws Chris Hunt and Andy Bowman, Chav Mussared, Sean Stanbridge and Gerry Merrit.

A funeral procession began from Mr Weals home in Blakes Lane at noon, where dozens of bikers from across the country and in Berkshire set off for Mr Weals final journey to the crematorium.

Samantha had posted to social media to invite residents and those who knew Mr Weal, known as Mick, to join the procession.

Born in 1947, Mr Weal grew up in Highfield Park in Wargrave and his family was one of the first to live there when it was built. He moved to Hare Hatch in the late Seventies with his late wife Annette, where they raised their children.

He worked as a factory manager for Manrose, a company that manufactures ventilation fans and equipment from 1992 until he retired.

He found his love for motorbikes when he was a teenager and joined the Thames Vale Vultures in about 2003 and led charity fundraisers including the annual Berkshire Egg Run, which collects Easter eggs every year to help disadvantaged children and families.

Mr Weal also took on the role of ride leader, to take the group on motorcycle tours including from Lands End to John OGroats in 2005, which raised more than 4,000 for the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.

The service was led by celebrant and friend Colin Hawkins, who is also a member of the Vultures. He gave the family tribute and welcomed mourners to the service and focused on his life and his dedication to the Thames Vale Vultures.

Mr Hawkins described his friend as straight talking and a loyal friend who was dedicated to his family. He said: Mick joined the Vultures more than 21 years ago, about a month after it began.

From day one, he made his presence clear. Mick took on the role of ride leader and would sort out the route.

Following the success of our first long ride, Mick arranged more long distance adventures. We went back to Scotland, where we did the NC500, before it was that well-known.

We rode to France and we visited the landing beaches in northern France and he led us down to Cornwall and Devon on those famous Vulture holiday camp days. In between all the excursions, he led almost every monthly ride out.

Mick researched the destination so we never needed an official guide in France. He told us all about the landing beaches and he was able to tell us exactly what happened at each and every one of them.

When we rode to see the famous tapestry, he was able to tell us all about it. I did a bit of fact checking to see if he was right and he was absolutely spot on. Over the years, to many of us, he was a listening ear and a counsellor and hed be someone who would be there whenever and wherever he was needed.

He added: He will be missed as a friend and to some of us he was more like family than a friend.

The ceremony opened with Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy.

Mrs Lucas, from Charvil, thanked friends and family for attending the service on behalf or her and her siblings.

She said: Up until the day that our dad died, we never lived a single day on this earth without him.

It is an honour and a heartache to stand before you as we celebrate the life of our dad, say thanks for him being our dad and to say our goodbyes.

Thank you for the overwhelming amount of support you have given to us and we hope that you continue to cherish your own memories of our dad.

During the ceremony a photo presentation was played to the music of Knockin on Heavens Door by Bob Dylan which featured wedding photos, family photos and memories of when he led ride outs and the charity egg runs with the group.

Members of the Vultures were then invited to tear up pieces of bread and place them on Mr Weals coffin in a heartwarming tribute to the group.

Mr Hawkins closed the service before the recessional music, Jumpin Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones was played.

Donations in Mr Weals memory will go to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. To donate, visit https://michaelweal.muchloved
We Are China

Multi-type army helicopters lift off for training

China Military Online) 09:58, March 14, 2025

Multi-type army helicopters attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army lift off successively for a flight training exercise in late February 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Li Jingyou)

Multi-type army helicopters attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army lift off successively for a flight training exercise in late February 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Li Jingyou)

Multi-type army helicopters attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army lift off successively for a flight training exercise in late February 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Li Jingyou)

Multi-type army helicopters attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army lift off successively for a flight training exercise in late February 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Li Jingyou)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has informed Congress that it is facing a nearly $2 billion budget shortfall for this fiscal year, according to a new report by Axios.

This funding gap complicates the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda, which includes deporting millions of undocumented immigrants and significantly expanding detention capacity.

Congress has proposed an additional $500 million for ICE in a stop-gap spending bill, but this falls well short of the agency's needs, two sources familiar with the discussions told the outlet. To cover the shortfall, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may need to reallocate funds from other agencies such as FEMA or the Coast Guard.

A report from the Government Accountability Office found that ICE has regularly overspent in recent years, often pulling resources from other parts of DHS.

Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) acknowledged that the proposed funding increase would not be sufficient to meet ICE's needs. "Just the bed space alone becomes very significant," Lankford said, noting the high costs associated with detention and deportation flights.

The funding shortfall comes as DHS officials report ICE detention centers are at full capacity following the Trump administration's arrest of over 32,000 migrants in its first 50 days in office. ICE facilities currently hold around 47,600 detainees, including more than 14,000 convicted criminals and nearly 10,000 individuals with pending criminal charges.

ICE acting director Todd Lyons emphasized the administration's goal of increasing detention and expulsions. "The law enforcement operations are not only removing criminals from American communities but also deterring people from coming into our country illegally," Lyons said.

In an effort to expand capacity, ICE recently announced it would reopen a 1,000-bed immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. The agency secured a $1 billion agreement with a private lender to support these efforts.

Meanwhile, the administration's earlier plan to use Guantanamo Bay for detained migrants took a significant hit on Thursday as all remaining migrants held there were flown back to the United States and transported to Louisiana, where they are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Amid these challenges, President Donald Trump is preparing to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations as early as Friday, as CNN reports. The law, which is designed to be invoked if the U.S. is at war with another country or a foreign nation has invaded the U.S. would give the president tremendous authority to target and remove undocumented immigrants.

Legal experts have raised concerns over the administration's proposed use of the Alien Enemies Act. Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, told USA Today that invoking the law during peacetime would likely face legal challenges. "I think that the Trump administration is trying to expedite deportations for as many people as they can, and this could be another measure to facilitate that," she said.

Originally published on Latin Times
Radisson Blu Hotel, Montpellier has officially opened its doors, marking the debut of the Radisson Blu brand in the city. Positioned just steps from the iconic Le Corum Convention Center and Place de la Comedie, this stylish urban haven combines modern design with unparalleled comfort. Offering a blend of contemporary amenities and exceptional service, the hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers, providing an ideal base to explore the vibrant heart of Montpellier.

A Contemporary Destination for Business and Leisure

The hotel features 144 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites, each showcasing contemporary decor, plush bedding, expansive workstations, and panoramic city views. Whether for business or leisure, guests enjoy fast, complimentary Wi Fi and a range of premium in room amenities designed to ensure both productivity and relaxation.

Dining and Leisure: A Taste of Montpellier

For lunch or dinner, guests can enjoy a range of carefully curated French dishes at the hotel's contemporary restaurant, Le Boudoir Montpellierain.

Guests can unwind at the stylish hotel bar, offering a cozy setting and happy hour from 5-7 pm, perfect for enjoying local and regional wines after a busy day. Whether catching up with colleagues or relaxing with friends, the bar provides an ideal space to unwind.

Revitalize & Recharge: A Premier Fitness and Spa Experience

Radisson Blu Hotel, Montpellier presents a state-of-the-art fitness center and workout space designed to energize the body and mind. Professional massage services provided by skilled therapists offer the perfect solution to soothe tired muscles after a long day, while 24-hour access ensures that fitness routines can be conveniently maintained at any time of day.

Events and Meetings in the Heart of the City

The hotel serves as an ideal venue for corporate events and private gatherings, boasting nearly 500 square meters of versatile meeting space. Five distinct meeting rooms, ranging from 30 to 170 square meters, along with exclusive private dining options, ensure that every occasion is accommodated with style. An experienced team of event planners attends to every detail, guaranteeing a truly memorable experience.

A Green Commitment to Sustainability

The hotel is Green Key certified, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability. Radisson Blu Hotel, Montpellier reduces its environmental footprint with energy-efficient practices such as motion-detected lighting, water-saving faucets, and an electric vehicle charging station. The hotel also avoids plastic bottles, minimizes food waste, and encourages the use of public transport.

Explore the Rich History and Culture of Montpellier

Situated in the city center, the hotel offers easy access to Montpellier's most iconic landmarks, including Place de la Comedie, the Fabre Museum, and the Gothic Montpellier Cathedral. Guests can also take day trips to nearby beaches such as Palavas-les-Flots, La Grande Motte, and Carnon Beach for a day of relaxation by the sea.

For more information and to book, click here.

Hotel website
A milestone moment in the pipeline of growth of Kerzner's new fitness and recovery brand.

Following the announcement of new projects in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, Kerzner International Holdings Limited ("Kerzner"), an independent developer and operator of hospitality and residential properties, is proud to announce the signing of SIRO Roppongi, Tokyo. Joining recently opened SIRO One Za'abeel in Dubai and forthcoming SIRO Boka Place, set to open in Montenegro in May 2025, the announcement of SIRO Roppongi demonstrates Kerzner's bold ambition to grow the brand and its commitment to bring the ultimate active lifestyle concept to the world's most dynamic destinations.

SIRO Roppongi, Tokyo presents a unique opportunity for Kerzner to expand the brand's presence into Japan and Asia Pacific with a flagship project for the region, and will be located in the Minato-ku ward of central Tokyo in Roppongi, just moments away from world renowned art galleries, museums and Michelin-starred restaurants. Expected to open in 2029, SIRO Roppongi will feature 100 guestrooms and a state-of-the-art Fitness Lab and Recovery Lab, all housed within a standalone building.

A revolutionary new hospitality concept, SIRO nurtures a well-rounded balanced lifestyle, and blends purposeful movement, mindful recovery, and nourishing practices, empowering guests to achieve equilibrium in both body and mind. SIRO is setting a new standard for those seeking a holistic approach to wellbeing across the brand's core 5 pillars: nutrition, fitness, sleep, recovery, and mindfulness.

The growing SIRO brand complements Kerzner's portfolio of luxury and ultra-luxury resorts across the Atlantis, One&Only and Rare Finds brands. The world's first SIRO at One Za'abeel, Dubai, opened in February 2024, and the second hotel from the collection, SIRO Boka Place in Montenegro, is due to launch in May 2025.

Hotel website
Today marks the opening of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the new lifestyle destination situated at the tip of a peninsula on Dubai's most exclusive beach.

Seamlessly blending the rich heritage of the region with an innovative approach to service and style, the superyacht-inspired property completes the brand's nautical trilogy, alongside the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the iconic sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

A Timeless Design for a Futuristic Vision

Designed by acclaimed architect, Shaun Killa, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab's design draws on the majesty of the world's finest yachts, with 386 elegantly designed rooms and suites, 82 serviced residences and an 82-berth superyacht marina. Interiors are inspired by the hue of golden hour, with marble clad surfaces, organic wood, soft-edged seating, handcrafted silk carpets, hand-blown crystal lights and textured fabrics. Expansive windows offer views of the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, the Arabian Gulf, and the lush surrounding landscapes, featuring four outdoor pools.

A Culinary Voyage

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab presents an extraordinary gastronomic journey, offering 11 curated dining experiences and four destination bars. Among them is an exciting new-to-Dubai concept, The Fore, a transformative venue that evolves throughout the day, featuring four destination restaurants and a central bar. Highlights of the resort's restaurant collection include the Greek Mediterranean pool club and rooftop bar, Iliana, Japanese meets French cuisine at Kinugawa, and The Bombay Club, a celebration of Indian cuisine curated by Michelin-starred Chef Manav Tuli.

Intentional Wellness at TALISE Spa

Spanning three floors, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab's state-of-the-art TALISE Spa is guided by the three foundational pillars of Performance, Intention and Empower. Advanced treatments are available in the Remedy Suite, featuring four technology driven therapies including cryotherapy, ChromoSpace light treatments, iDome infra-red triple detox and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Bespoke treatments and holistic therapies are offered in 13 treatment suites, each with a private terrace and stunning vistas over the Gulf, while facilities include a 20-metre indoor pool and fully equipped fitness studio.

A Haven for Families

The dedicated Family Club at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, offers an enriching space for young guests aged 3 to 10, built around connection and discovery. Conveniently located near the Resort Pool, this thoughtfully designed haven fosters creativity, learning, and meaningful connections through engaging activities and interactive experiences involving all family members applying the new techniques of 'Jumeirah Circle', a fun educational concept for a meaningful family experience.

Community and Connections

At Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, creating lasting relationships and unforgettable moments comes to the forefront. The resort's curated program of exclusive, culturally connected activities fosters deep bonds among guests who share a passion for art and culture. Partnerships with local and international artists, galleries, and museums celebrate Dubai's rich cultural narrative. Initiatives including an artist in residence programme provide platforms for chefs and creatives to inspire guests.

The Sleek Marsa Al Arab Marina and Promenade

The Marsa Al Arab Marina and Promenade is more than a picturesque waterfront and vibrant social hub. Featuring serene vistas, homegrown dining concepts, exclusive retail stores and sophisticated suites, it invites locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the sea while exploring a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. This unique destination seamlessly blends relaxation, shopping, and refined hospitality, creating a space that fosters meaningful connections and memorable encounters.

Hotel website
B&B Hotels has appointed Jan Grossmann as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Central and Northern Europe, reporting directly to CEO Arno Schwalie.

In his new role, Jan Grossmann will oversee operational processes, focusing on hotel openings, regional optimisation and talent development through the future launch of the B&B Hotels Academy.

He already has extensive experience in multi-property management and human resources. Prior to this role, he was HR Director for Central and Northern Europe at B&B Hotels, where he played a key role in strengthening the company's employer brand and advancing its HR strategy.

He also held senior positions at Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof GmbH, where he was both department manager and regional HR director.
Building on the success of last years inaugural edition in Zimbabwe, UN Tourism, the Basque Culinary Center and the United Republic of Tanzania will host the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Arusha on 2325 April 2025. The event is the leading UN Tourism initiative to position gastronomy tourism as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.

Strengthening Africas Gastronomy Tourism Agenda

Gastronomy tourism is a key pillar of the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa  Tourism for Inclusive Growth, presenting a unique opportunity to promote sustainable development, enhance the tourism value chain, preserve cultural heritage, and empower local communities across the continent. Endorsed by the highest authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania, including the President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr. Pindi Hazara Chana, Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources, the Forum will bring together policymakers, chefs, influencers, entrepreneurs, and experts to delve into strategies for enhancing Africas tourism competitiveness through its rich culinary traditions.

Our Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, the second in the region, celebrates the many flavors and diverse talent of the continent. We look forward to returning to Tanzania to once again bring together chefs, business leaders and public sector authorities to help make gastronomy tourism a source of development growth and opportunity for destination and communities around the continent. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili

Tanzania is privileged to host the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, a significant event that showcases our rich culinary heritage and its vital contribution to sustainable tourism. We extend a warm welcome to all participants to discover the diverse flavors of Tanzania, engage in constructive dialogue, and explore the potential of gastronomy as a catalyst for cultural exchange and economic development. Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism from Tanzania, Dr. Amb. Pindi Hazara Chana

In its second edition in Africa, this Regional Forum serves as a key platform to drive the transformation of gastronomy tourism and its impact on local communities and the environment. Innovation, creativity, and a strong connection to the territory are fundamental pillars in strengthening sustainable gastronomy tourismone that fosters development and strengthens regional cohesion. Joxe Mari Aizega, Director General of the Basque Culinary Center

Discussions will focus on strengthening the tourism value chain, fostering economic resilience, enhancing education for talent development, and driving job creation. Key topics include the link between gastronomy tourism and cultural heritage, the role of food tourism in empowering local communities, the power of communication and branding in promoting African gastronomy and positioning destinations on the global stage, and the potential of local food systems to enhance visitor experiences while promoting sustainability. The Forum will also explore synergies between tourism and agriculture to diversify local economies, encourage entrepreneurship, and integrate small-scale producers and businesses into the tourism sector.

Celebrating Africas Culinary Heritage

Africas diverse culinary traditions offer immense potential to position the continent as a global gastronomy tourism destination. From UNESCO-recognized practices like couscous, harissa, and Ceebu Jen to innovative uses of local ingredients and storytelling, African cuisine reflects a rich cultural identity and creativity.

The Forum will showcase this heritage through panel discussions, case studies, and live demonstrations, facilitating dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders. By highlighting Africas culinary assets, the event will reinforce their role in enhancing regional branding, attracting international travelers, and fostering economic growth.

Advancing Competitiveness in Global Gastronomy Tourism

Building on the foundation laid in Zimbabwe, the Second Regional Forum marks another milestone in UN Tourisms commitment to strengthening Africas presence in the global gastronomy tourism landscape. By promoting policy innovation, destination branding, and cross-sector collaboration, the event will help unlock new opportunities for growth and investment.

As Africa continues to harness its culinary identity as a tool for sustainable tourism, the Forum will serve as a platform for shaping strategies that enhance community pride, boost resilience, and drive inclusive development across the region.

Related links:

About UN Tourism

UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025.

UN Tourism Communications Department

+34 91 567 8100

UN Tourism
On February 18, 2025, Cendyn was honored by HSMAI with five Adrian Awards for our Digital Search Marketing Strategies, Social Media Campaigns and Website Re-Design services. With more than 800 entries submitted this year, Cendyn was judged to be exceptional by experts in hospitality, travel, tourism and media. We couldnt be more thrilled!

This years theme, Wish You Were Here, highlighted the stories of memorable and successful travel marketing and public relations campaigns, ads, earned media programs, and experiential and digital experiences. Submissions represented campaigns that inspired the notion that travel is about more than just the destination, cultivating a passion for the journey and memories collected along the way.

Cendyn received two silver and three bronze Adrian Awards for winning entries in the following categories. Click the links to learn more about our award-winning entries.

Silver Awards

Digital Search Marketing Strategy with HHM Hotels // Independent Collection Holiday Cyber Sale. Cendyn helped HHM Hotels reach +100% revenue thanks to a multi-level Holiday Cyber Sale campaign. Cendyn sought to develop a Cyber Monday campaign creative strategy for Independent Collection Hotels around biggest sale of the year messaging, destination imagery, and simple yet effective holiday themes to appeal to key demographics. The results were stunning, including 84.5% increase in room nights, 100% growth in total revenue generated, 33% increase in click-through rate via SEM efforts, and more.

HHM Hotels // Independent Collection Holiday Cyber Sale. Cendyn helped HHM Hotels reach +100% revenue thanks to a multi-level Holiday Cyber Sale campaign. Cendyn sought to develop a Cyber Monday campaign creative strategy for Independent Collection Hotels around biggest sale of the year messaging, destination imagery, and simple yet effective holiday themes to appeal to key demographics. The results were stunning, including 84.5% increase in room nights, 100% growth in total revenue generated, 33% increase in click-through rate via SEM efforts, and more. Social Media Campaign with Virgin Hotels New York City Strategic Launch. Virgin Hotels NYC yielded $1M in revenue with this successful marketing campaign. Throughout 2023, the primary goal was to elevate awareness and interest in the property as part of the well-known Virgin Hotels brand. Heading into 2024, the goal shifted slightly to aggressively driving bookings via implementing a full-funnel strategy while maintaining a return on ad spend of at least 10:1. The outcome of the campaign saw Virgin NYC realizing significant year-over-year growth in performance, with an increase of over 100% in both bookings and revenue during the targeted period. The campaign generated 7.9M impressions, 1,000 bookings and $1M in revenue, with a 14:1 return on ad spend.

Bronze Awards

Digital Search Marketing Strategy with Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, resulted in an increase in booking rate by 82%. The resort opened on December 15, 2023 and is Floridas newest luxury resort. With 785 guestrooms, a deep range of dining options, and an ideal Gulf Coast location just a short drive from Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Tampa, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Sarasota, all Sunseeker needed to succeed was a significant boost in awareness. Cendyns tailored strategy increased property visibility and elevated brand awareness, resulting in exceptional demand generation and surpassing expectations with a significantly higher rate of conversions. This success sparked excitement before the resorts opening and continued throughout its operations, driving sustained interest and engagement from potential guests. Results included a 61% growth in clicks, a 69% increase in its click-through rate, and an 81% growth in booking rates.

Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, resulted in an increase in booking rate by 82%. The resort opened on December 15, 2023 and is Floridas newest luxury resort. With 785 guestrooms, a deep range of dining options, and an ideal Gulf Coast location just a short drive from Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Tampa, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Sarasota, all Sunseeker needed to succeed was a significant boost in awareness. Cendyns tailored strategy increased property visibility and elevated brand awareness, resulting in exceptional demand generation and surpassing expectations with a significantly higher rate of conversions. This success sparked excitement before the resorts opening and continued throughout its operations, driving sustained interest and engagement from potential guests. Results included a 61% growth in clicks, a 69% increase in its click-through rate, and an 81% growth in booking rates. Social media and social networking with Fontainebleau Miami Beach yielded $46k in revenue through a Snapchat campaign. A strategic objective for 2024 was to reaffirm brand position, and one tactic was exploring new channels, including Snapchat, Pinterest, and TikTok, to reach different audiences and promote different lines of business. An upper funnel campaign was launched in April 2024 on all three channels, using creatives with strategic copy and imagery to target a prospecting audience. A lower funnel campaign was launched in June 2024 on all three, using creatives with strategic copy and imagery to appeal to a retargeting audience. The Snapchat campaign results astonishingly generated $46k in revenue with a spend of $14,435.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach yielded $46k in revenue through a Snapchat campaign. A strategic objective for 2024 was to reaffirm brand position, and one tactic was exploring new channels, including Snapchat, Pinterest, and TikTok, to reach different audiences and promote different lines of business. An upper funnel campaign was launched in April 2024 on all three channels, using creatives with strategic copy and imagery to target a prospecting audience. A lower funnel campaign was launched in June 2024 on all three, using creatives with strategic copy and imagery to appeal to a retargeting audience. The Snapchat campaign results astonishingly generated $46k in revenue with a spend of $14,435. Watergate Hotel website redesign saw +132% ADR. Working with the hotels primary goals of increasing organic traffic, organic impressions, and organic click-through rate, the Cendyn Web and SEO services group via a website redesign. The project aimed to enhance The Watergate Hotels user experience, with the primary goal of increasing organic traffic and click through rate. By incorporating targeted SEO strategies, the team sought to optimize the sites visibility on search engines, attract more visitors, and encourage higher engagement. This involved designing a new visual approach to event-specific landing pages, theme-specific landing pages, and site navigation, and pushing relevant content to a diverse set of persona profiles. Through these efforts, the hotels online presence was elevated and drove more direct bookings.

The Adrian Awards, now in their 68th year, are the largest and most prestigious competition in global travel marketing. The 2024 Adrian Awards were presented in advertising, digital, PR/communications, and integrated campaign categories. These include awards for digital creators, reputation management, affiliate marketing, and broadcast integration.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests, drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com

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Shanghai - As IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) marks its 50th anniversary in Greater China and celebrates its milestone of 800 open hotels, the group officially launched its first major event of the year  Lets make travel easy 2025 IHG Greater China Expo in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai. It empowers business travel by focusing on collaboration, digital empowerment, and mutual growth.

As one of IHGs signature annual corporate events, the Greater China Expo showcases the groups commercial strategy and innovation, while fostering ecosystem integration across the entire industry chain to help clients build stronger business networks. Leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies, booking and management processes are optimized to enhance business travel efficiency. Through important events such as IHG Spring Sales Blitz and the 2025 Greater China Commercial Leaders Workshop, IHG shares valuable industry insights and drives business growth. The expo also strengthens media engagement, establishing itself as a premier industry event and a key platform for valuable exchanges.

Lets make travel easy 2025 IHG Greater China Expo Source: IHG

Unlocking new opportunities for industry development

Marking 50 Years of Deep Roots and 800 Hotels, IHG continues its commitment to Greater China, solidifying its position as a leader in the business travel sector. This years Greater China Expo is designed to empower industry development through four key focuses: new partnerships, resource integration, insight sharing and brand showcases.

New Partnerships: The 2025 Greater China Expo is an important platform that has attracted thousands of business travel clients and industry partners. The event also welcomes a diverse range of leading media outlets, fostering interesting discussions on the latest trends in the market.

The 2025 Greater China Expo is an important platform that has attracted thousands of business travel clients and industry partners. The event also welcomes a diverse range of leading media outlets, fostering interesting discussions on the latest trends in the market. New Collaborations: With the recovery of inbound and outbound travel, this years expo features hotel exhibitors from the U.S. and Europe, reflecting IHGs strong focus on long-term investment in China. More international participants offer a broader range of global travel options to corporate clients, further integrating Chinas business travel industry with the global market.

With the recovery of inbound and outbound travel, this years expo features hotel exhibitors from the U.S. and Europe, reflecting IHGs strong focus on long-term investment in China. More international participants offer a broader range of global travel options to corporate clients, further integrating Chinas business travel industry with the global market. New Insights: The expo presents two specially curated salon sessions: 2025 Business Travel Trends and IHGs Young Lifestyle Brands. The first explores key industry trends, with in-depth analysis to help corporate clients navigate future market shifts. The second introduces Atwell Suites and EVEN Hotels , two lifestyle brands designed to meet the evolving preferences of young travelers. These brands will soon expand to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xian, Wuhan, Quanzhou, and cities across Shandong, further strengthening IHGs strategic footprint in Greater China.

The expo presents two specially curated salon sessions: 2025 Business Travel Trends and IHGs Young Lifestyle Brands. The first explores key industry trends, with in-depth analysis to help corporate clients navigate future market shifts. The second introduces and , two lifestyle brands designed to meet the evolving preferences of young travelers. These brands will soon expand to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xian, Wuhan, Quanzhou, and cities across Shandong, further strengthening IHGs strategic footprint in Greater China. New Brands: IHG has also created an immersive Atwell Suites experience at the expo. As the new exquisite lifestyle brand to debut in Greater China, Atwell Suites is built around the concept of new territorial home, offering a high-quality experience for young guests who seeking an exquisite lifestyle.

From left to right (clockwise): IHG Development Booth; IHG One Rewards Booth; Atwell Suites Booth; Holiday Inn Express Booth Source: IHG

Unlocking digital transformation for better business travel

With 50 years of experience in Greater Chinas business travel market and a service network of over 800 hotels, IHG continues to enhance its digital transformation and management systems. The 2025 IHG Greater China Expo showcases their latest solutions, including the IHG Meeting mini-program, IHG Business Edge, and IHG Corporate Travel Portal WeChat mini-program, which are designed to streamline the business travel experience.

Efficient Business Travel: IHG has integrated with leading business travel platforms to address corporate needs for cost control, process optimization and seamless booking. These solutions help businesses optimize travel expenses and management processes for better flexibility.

IHG has integrated with leading business travel platforms to address corporate needs for cost control, process optimization and seamless booking. These solutions help businesses optimize travel expenses and management processes for better flexibility. IHG Meeting mini-program: Powered by digital technology, this tool simplifies meeting and event management. Business travelers can quickly search for destination hotels, explore venue details, view past event case studies and easily book their ideal event space.

Powered by digital technology, this tool simplifies meeting and event management. Business travelers can quickly search for destination hotels, explore venue details, view past event case studies and easily book their ideal event space. IHG Business Edge: Designed for companies with diverse travel destinations but decentralized bookings, IHG Business Edge offers exclusive discounts and self-service contracting across 6,000+ hotels worldwide, helping businesses to better manage their travel needs.

Designed for companies with diverse travel destinations but decentralized bookings, IHG Business Edge offers exclusive discounts and self-service contracting across 6,000+ hotels worldwide, helping businesses to better manage their travel needs. IHG Corporate Travel Portal WeChat mini-program: Built within the WeChat ecosystem, this one-stop platform allows corporate clients to book meetings, events, and accommodations seamlessly by simplifying the traditional booking process and enabling end-to-end business travel planningfrom room reservations to itinerary managementto enhance efficiency and convenience.

Unlocking a win-win future, celebrating the 800 Club milestone

Looking to the future, IHG has planned two important events, IHG Spring Sales Blitz and the 2025 Greater China Commercial Leaders Workshop, to explore market trends, optimize solutions for business travel management, and give back to industry partners.

Celebrating Success and Giving Back: During the 2025 IHG Greater China Expo, the IHG Spring Sales Blitz specially launched, focusing on four core areas: Journey to Tomorrow, Business Travel Solutions, Meetings and Group Travel, and Loyalty Programs. It demonstrated the groups sincere gratitude for its partners while presenting an array of benefits for its business travelers. Spring Rewards Promotion: IHG Business Rewards members who register and book stays, meetings, or events at IHG hotels in Greater China by June 30, 2025, and complete their stay by November 30, 2025, will be eligible to enjoy up to 3X points, additional qualifying nights, and an exclusive bonus of 20,000 points. Double Points for Unlimited Fun: IHG One Rewards members can earn double bonus points on their second stay and every subsequent stay during the promotion period. The promotion is open for registration and stays until March 31 st .

During the 2025 IHG Greater China Expo, the IHG Spring Sales Blitz specially launched, focusing on four core areas: Journey to Tomorrow, Business Travel Solutions, Meetings and Group Travel, and Loyalty Programs. It demonstrated the groups sincere gratitude for its partners while presenting an array of benefits for its business travelers.

IHG presenting an array of benefits for its business travelers. Source: IHG

Sharing Insights and Driving Growth: IHG will also hold the 2025 Greater China Commercial Leaders Workshop in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, covering key topics such as market trends, marketing strategies, revenue management and digital transformation. The seminar will equip IHG hotels with the insights needed to seize market opportunities and drive sustainable business growth.

As IHG Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 50th anniversary in Greater China and major milestone of 800 open hotels, this expo serves not only as a platform to showcase our achievements, innovations and future strategies, but also as a unique opportunity to collaborate with corporate clients, partners and industry media. Together, we can explore whats next for business travel and drive high-quality industry development. We look forward to working with our partners to find innovative solutions and accelerate the transformation of the business travel ecosystem. Rita Jiang, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Felix Gong

IHG
In 2024, supported by favorable policies, Greater Chinas tourism market continued to recover, with both the number of travelers and tourism spending wholly surpassing the level of the same period in 2019. To seize the positive momentum of the tourism market, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) will further expand its investment in Greater China in 2025. Through its pioneering international perspective and in-depth local insights, IHG is committed to providing high-quality travel experiences for guests.

In 2025, IHG celebrates an extraordinary milestoneour 50th anniversary in Greater China. Over the past five decades, this market has provided us with tremendous opportunities for growth, while also witnessing the regions economic boom. With the surge in domestic and inbound tourism, we see an even more exciting future in the region. Looking ahead, we remain confident in the growth opportunities within our industry, proudly supported by our extensive brand portfolio. Daniel Aylmer, CEO of IHG Greater China

Currently, IHG features 13 brands in Greater China, with over 1,300 opening hotels and pipelines across more than 200 cities. In 2025, IHG will celebrate its grand opening of several iconic hotels, ranging from Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, and Essentials, offering guests diverse choices and enriching travel experiences through its extensive brand portfolio.

Drive the Development of New Brands

To meet the increasingly diverse needs of guests, IHG launched its new exquisite lifestyle brand, Atwell Suites, in Greater China last year. The first batch of Atwell Suites  Atwell Suites Hangzhou West Lake, Atwell Suites Shenzhen Nanshan, and Atwell Suites Shanghai Wuning  will open in 2025, providing guests with a unique new territorial home in first-tier and new first-tier cities. With a design full of life aesthetics and an investor-friendly business model, Atwell Suites has won favor from numerous guests and investors. Taking the local inspiration as an extension, Atwell Suites is able to deliver an exquisite lifestyle to guests from all over the world.

From left to right: Atwell Suites Hangzhou West Lake, Atwell Suites Shenzhen Nanshan, Atwell Suites Shanghai Wuning  Photo by IHG

Focus on Leisure and Vacation

With the steady development of the hospitality industry, major destinations saw a surge in visitor numbers in 2024. Seizing the opportunity, IHG continues to expand its footprint in popular destinations and further dive into the potential market. The upcoming openings of Kimpton Aqeos Hainan and Hotel Indigo Hainan Clear Water Bay will infuse new vitality into the luxury & lifestyle hotel market in Hainan, a renowned vacation hotspot. Meanwhile, Kimpton Hong Kong TST and Holiday Inn Express Shanghai on The Bund, which are both located in the bustling hearts, will open to offer guests an immersive experience of the bustling international metropolises. Additionally, HUALUXE Chongqing Wushan and EVEN Hotel Quanzhou City Center will open, providing travelers with comprehensive, high-quality accommodation services, and further enhancing the appeal of these destinations.

Top row from left to right: Kimpton Aqeos Hainan, Kimpton Hong Kong TST, Hotel Indigo Hainan Clear Water Bay Bottom row from left to right: HUALUXE Chongqing Wushan, EVEN Hotel Quanzhou City Center, Holiday Inn Express Shanghai on The Bund  Photo by IHG

Empower the Business Tourism Market

With the recovery of Greater Chinas business tourism market, IHG will continue to expand its footprint in provincial capitals, to cater to the business demand in second- and third-tier cities. The upcoming opening of InterContinental Changchun High Tech Zone will offer convenient and high-quality accommodation experiences to high-tech talents and business travelers. Furthermore, Hotel Indigo Chengdu Financial City and Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Window of Canton will open in 2025, providing business travelers with a premium experience that seamlessly integrates business and leisure.

From left to right: InterContinental Changchun High Tech Zone, Hotel Indigo Chengdu Financial City, Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Window of Canton  Photo by IHG

Dig into Transportation Hub

As transportation infrastructure continues to improve, the hub economy is continuously releasing its potential and has become a key engine of promoting regional development and economic transformation. IHG actively expanded its footprint around important transportation hubs to offer high-quality services to travelers and inject new impetus into regional economic growth. This year, the group will open Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport and Holiday Inn Express Taipei Train Station. Wielding their strategic locations near major transportation hubs, these hotels will serve a large number of travelers, further solidifying IHGs layout in air and ground transportation hubs and strengthening its market competitiveness in surrounding regions.

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport and Holiday Inn Express Taipei Train Station  Photo by IHG

Tap into Conversions

Hotel conversions have become an industry hotspot, achieving the maximization of economic and social benefits. The brands under IHG, including Vignette Collection and voco, share flexible and efficient characteristics, providing IHG with opportunities to explore the hotel conversion market. This year, IHG will open Hangzhou Wulin GDA Hotel, Vignette Collection and voco Chengdu Chunxi Road, both revitalized from older buildings. Located in the bustling hearts and adjacent to famous attractions, these hotels will integrate business travel and leisure stays, becoming new landmarks of local commerce, culture, and fashion.

Hangzhou Wulin GDA Hotel, Vignette Collection and voco Chengdu Chunxi Road  Photo by IHG

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Eric Jiang

IHG
Were excited to share highlights from our recent HVS Hotel Development & Valuation Masterclass. The event took place at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City where Adel, Sonia, Angel and their teams delivered exceptional service, warm hospitality and a world-class networking lunch at the famous Anise Restaurant.

The masterclass brought together hospitality leaders and investors from across the region for a full day of insightful discussions and practical learning focused on hotel feasibility, valuation, and investment strategies.

The day was led by Stephen Rushmore Jr., MAI, FRICS, President & CEO at HVS, alongside Hala Matar Choufany, President, HVS Middle East & Africa. They were joined by Abhijit Menon, Associate, HVS Middle East. Together, the team delivered a practical, hands-on learning experience, blending industry-leading methodologies with real-world insights tailored to the region.

What we covered

Using HVS-proven methodology, attendees gained practical exposure to:

Analysing market performance and demand trends

Benchmarking against competitive sets

Developing detailed revenue and expense projections

Applying robust financial modelling techniques

Producing credible valuations using HVS-proprietary tools

Who joined us

We were fortunate to welcome an impressive cross-section of senior professionals from across the hospitality and real estate sectors, including representatives from:

Heres what attendees had to say:

Its rare to attend a session that balances high-level expertise with practical takeaways so well. The opportunity to learn from industry leaders and peers was invaluable.

A well-paced, content-rich session that created a collaborative and welcoming learning environment.

The content was engaging, well-structured and incredibly relevant to the challenges we face in todays hospitality landscape. The openness of the room, combined with Stephens approachable delivery, really encouraged active participation and knowledge-sharing.

The real-world examples and interactive exercises made complex concepts feel accessible and actionable.

At HVS, we are committed to supporting the growth and professional development of hospitality leaders across the Middle East and Africa. Events like this allow us to equip industry professionals with essential tools and foster valuable connections across the sector.

If you missed the Dubai edition, stay tuned  our next masterclasses will be coming to Johannesburg and other key regional hubs soon. To learn more about upcoming events or to explore tailored training for your team, contact me at [email protected].

Thank you,

Lee-Anne

About HVS

HVS, the world's leading consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, mixed-use, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries, was established in 1980. The company performs 4,500+ assignments each year for hotel and real estate owners, operators, investors, banks and developers worldwide. HVS principals are regarded as the leading experts in their respective regions of the globe. Through a network of some 60 offices and more than 300 professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. hvs.com.
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MCLA to Host Virtual Information Sessions for Graduate Programs

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for individuals interested in advancing their careers through MCLA's graduate programs.

This session will provide prospective students with an opportunity to explore MCLA's Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education (MEd), and Leadership Academy programs, learn about the application process, and connect with faculty and admissions staff.

The session schedule is as follows:

MEd Information Session  12 PM (Virtual)

Leadership Academy Information Session  4:30 PM (Virtual)

MBA Information Session  7 PM (Virtual)

MCLA's MBA program is designed for working professionals looking to expand their business expertise and leadership skills. With a focus on strategic management, finance, marketing, and organizational leadership, the MBA program prepares graduates for roles in a variety of industries, from corporate settings to nonprofit organizations. The flexible structure allows students to balance their studies with their professional and personal commitments.

The MEd program at MCLA supports current and aspiring educators in deepening their knowledge of instructional strategies, curriculum development, and educational leadership. The program provides pathways for teachers seeking professional licensure, leadership roles in education, and expertise in specialized fields such as special education or curriculum design.

The Leadership Academy is ideal for educators and professionals seeking administrative roles in schools or other organizations. This program focuses on leadership theory, policy development, and real-world applications in educational leadership, preparing students for positions such as principals, superintendents, and program directors.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore financial aid options, and gain insights into how MCLA's graduate programs can support their career aspirations.
Retiring Superintendent Named to North Adams' Women's Hall of Fame

Superintendent Barbara Malkas, center, is presented with a community award at the Zonta Club of the Berkshires last year.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Superintendent Barbara Malkas last week was inducted into the Women's History Hall of Fame in North Adams.

The honor was established several years ago by Mayor Jennifer A. Macksey to recognize women who have played important roles in the city's history.

At the end of last week's School Committee meeting, Macksey asked if anyone knew who Julia Dewey was.

"No? She was the first female superintendent that served from 1893 to 1895 and another fun fact, did you know that Dr. Barbara Malkas is the second female superintendent serving from 2016 to now," the mayor said.

Malkas, who is retiring at the end of the school year, "is a true testament of a community leader for her stewardship and volunteer work within the city and beyond," said Macksey.

She listed the awards the superintendent has been presented, including the Against the Tide Award from the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, of which Malkas is president, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' 2019 President's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education, the Unsung Heroine Award during COVID-19, Commonwealth Superintendent of the Year in 2024, and the Zonta Club of Berkshire County award for building a better work for women and girls.

She was also awarded the Bobbie DAlessandro Leadership Award at the Women in Education Leadership Network Conference on March 18.

"Dr. Malkas, you've been a mentor, a trusted colleague and a friend to many of us over the years," said the mayor. "I see it most fitting as you prepare for your retirement to honor you for your unwavering commitment to education, to our students in this great city of North Adams. ...

"Barbara, your stewardship and commitment to the educational system will never be forgotten."

Malkas was presented with a plaque and her name will be added to the official plaque hanging inside City Hall.

The superintendent's induction was one of several items celebrated at last week's meeting. She pointed out that Assistant Superintendent Timothy Callahan was quoted twice in two separate articles Education Week articles about banning cell phones.

Principal Stephanie Kopala talked about the students who presented at the National Transformation Learning Experience Conference and student expo at Babson College in January. This was the first time their teachers, Mark Brown and Morgan Shafer, had participated.

"We incorporated the two units, the hustle economy, into our Algebra 2 course and genetic engineering into our ninth grade biology course," said Kopala. The "hustle" students had to create a product or service, figure out the costs and determine if it would become profitable.

Anna Dean, Aura Potvin and Vivian Vareschi created a plasmid genetic engineering biosensor. They said the challenge was how genetic engineering could enable microscopic organisms to tackle huge ecological challenges. They looked at contaminates in the region and looked to design a piece of DNA to address polychlorinated biphenyls. Their solution was to use genetically modified E coli to glow in the presence of PCBs.

Kopala said there were environmental engineers who told Schafer this was the type of low-cost prototype they were looking to manufacture.

"They are looking to potentially create some prototypes and invite those students in as interns to work with this company over the summer," she said.

The principal also said the school's attendance rate had rebounded to more than 90 percent though the last month had taken a hit because of the flu and colds making the rounds.

"If you remember, just a few years ago, going into COVID, we were at over 50 percent closer to 60 percent so we've almost reduced that by half," she said. "And at year to date, we are still down, a decrease in chronic absenteeism by 4.4 percent, so we're continuing to trend in the right direction."

The high school is also seeing an increase in enrollment in the early college courses, with students of color making 17 percent, up from 9, and low-income students increasing by 10 percent. Students in individual education plans and 504 plans have remained steady, "so we are still reaching not just traditional college bound students, but students that have been traditionally underserved in college education," said Kopala.

Committee member Richard Alcombright said he would like another presentation in the future focusing on the 39 percent of students not engaged in career readiness and how was the school guiding them.

Kopala said part of the reason the school isn't seeing a higher percentage is that only a few ninth-graders are enrolled in early college.

"If I disaggregated the data and I looked at just 11th and 12th grade, the number would be significantly higher, probably closer to almost 90 percent of our students involved," she said, not counting internship data. We have about 60 students in Grades 11 through 12 right now that are currently involved in an internship off campus with local businesses or within our own elementary schools, and we just received the Innovative Pathway grant [for medical pathways] for planning purposes."
The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee prepares for candidate interviews in April.

Candidates for Central Berkshire Superintendent All Local

DALTON, Mass.  Central Berkshire Regional School Committee won't have to go far to find a new superintendent.

The four finalists for the post are all from Berkshire County.

They are Michael Henault, current assistant superintendent for Central Berkshire; John Franzoni, superintendent of the Northern Berkshire School Union; and Matthew Bishop, interim deputy superintendent for the Pittsfield Public Schools.

Timothy Callahan, assistant superintendent for the North Adams Public Schools, was also put forward as a finalist and, per the committee chair on Monday, had been expected to continue through the interview process. Callahan informed iBerkshires that he had withdrawn from consideration on Monday but this apparently did not reach the School Committee. He is the only candidate put forward for the position of superintendent in North Adams and will be interviewed for that post on Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Richard Peters, chair of the Personnel subcommittee, said his panel had interviewed five candidates and brought these four forward.

Their names were revealed after the School Committee had spent some time debating the usefulness of making site visits in addition to in-person interviews. Despite Peters saying they were all from the Berkshires, the vote was tied.

After their names were released, the vote was 9-4 to dismiss the idea.

The committee did agree on two nights of interviews, April 2 and 3, which will be held in person in open session. The candidates will have the opportunity to visit the district and meet with staff on the days of their interviews.

"We need to put together questions, and all the questions will be predetermined, and they're going to be exactly the same for the finalists through the entire process," said Peters. "We can't have it as a Zoom meeting, because candidates could watch the Zoom meeting, and it wouldn't be fair to the other candidates."

Committee members discussed how they would determine the candidate questions. Peters suggested they send him what they wanted to ask and the whole committee would meet prior to the first interview to select them.

"This is a great group of people, but also I highly doubt that we would be able to, in a timely manner, come to a decision on, you know, cut a set of questions down to what we're looking for right before our first interview," said committee member Charlotte Crane. "I would think that it would make sense to hold like an executive session on a separate night and develop those questions."

Peters said the questions would have to be formulated in open session.

One option was for members to pick from a broad list recommended by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, which has been facilitating the search; another was to use the main topics from the superintendent evaluation process.

Committee member Jake Eberwein asked about checking references. Peters said MASC handled the backgrounds checks but Eberwein thought it important for committee members to do it.

"I don't know that they could translate a conversation," he said. "I think we should be doing it."

Member David Stuart expressed concern over internal letters of support already received on behalf of Henault and the confidentiality of search process.

"I have some concerns about the process, specifically the integrity of the process," he said. "Because we're sitting here pretending like we didn't know who the candidates were until we got our pamphlet."

He said he respected Heneault's integrity and honesty, and it was good that so many people liked him, but he was concerned there were letters being circulated before the finalists were even announced.

"I think it taints the process. I'll be honest, and I don't think it looks good," he said. "This is the most important, second most important thing we do. The other one was the budget."

Henault, who was attending the meeting, said it was no secret in the district has he had publicly announced his intentions to apply months ago.

"I've been very open about my desire to work here and I think everybody knew that I was applying for this position," he said.

The successful candidate will replace Leslie Blake-Davis, who is retiring at the end of the school year after 14 years with Central Berkshire, the last five as superintendent.
New York Man Found Guilty in Pittsfield Murder

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  On Thursday, March 13, in Berkshire Superior Court, Lance Burke was found guilty by a jury of his peers for the 2018 murder of David Green Jr.

Burke, 46 of New York, was found guilty on three charges related to the crime, murder in the first degree (Murder), illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.

Green was murdered in 2018 while sitting in his vehicle on Willow Street. Burke was identified as the suspect based on witness testimony, cross-state investigations, and video and mobile phone tracking surveillance.

District Attorney Shugrue stated while he is satisfied that justice was served on behalf of David Green Jr., the verdict does not lessen the tragedy of his death.

"Mr. Green's family has been waiting a longtime for this day. While we are pleased with the conclusion the jury reached, nothing will ever heal the wounds of losing a loved one in such a violent way," he said. "I send my deepest condolences to Mr. Green's family, friends, and community as they continue to work through this senseless murder. I hope today brings them some sense of peace. A theme of my tenure continues to be accountability for those who bring violence into our community. This death of Mr. Green was brought about by a Defendant who drove into Pittsfield and committed murder. Those who bring illegal firearms, attempt to establish drug trafficking networks, and bring violence to our neighborhoods will be held accountable to the greatest extent of the law."

"Trying this case was extremely difficult. The Pittsfield Police Department worked diligently and with great precession to use all the technology available to them to connect Lance Burke to the crime. It is because of their dedicated work, and the team of prosecutors and advocates on this case, that the jury was able to reach this verdict. Our Office never shies away from difficult prosecutions, and I am extremely fortunate to work with law enforcement that has the same determination to see that justice served."

Witness testimony was given during the trial. District Attorney Shugrue commended the witnesses for their actions and commented on concerning behavior that occurred during the trial.

"The witnesses that came forward to testify showed tremendous bravery. Throughout this trial, witnesses were directly threatened. Threats were made on their own safety as well as the safety of their family," Shugrue said. "Law enforcement is currently investigating cases of witness intimidation that stemmed from this case. I will not accept bad actors to interfere with the judicial system by those courageous enough to come forward."

First Assistant District Attorney Marianne Shelvey and Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine represented the Commonwealth. Director of Victim Witness Advocates Jane Kibby-Pierce served as an advocate on behalf of the District Attorney's Office. Appellate Assistant District Attorney Lori Levinson served on the trial team. The Pittsfield Police Detective Unit and Anti-Crime Unit served as the lead law enforcement agency. New York State Police assisted in evidence collection.

Burke was originally tried in 2024; however, a mistrial was declared on June, 2024 after a hung jury.
District Moving On From Allegations Against PHS Administrator

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.



Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.



School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and due process prohibits taking punitive action simply because of allegations. Reportedly, West was also investigated and cleared in the past.



"The circumstances of Mrs. West being placed on administrative leave don't need to be recited here," he said.



"Social media allegations made against her in December, which then regrettably were widely publicized, were not new. They had been heard, investigated, and found meritless by other school districts many years ago, nevertheless, they were disinterred recently by someone providing neither evidence nor a credible source and then reinvestigated twice in the last three months."



Senior Emma Goetze said she was "appalled, deeply disappointed, and frustrated that an administrator who has been placed on leave, someone who has caused significant discomfort and distress to so many students, has been allowed to return to our building."



"I understand that there is an investigation and acknowledge that this individual was cleared but it feels incredibly unjust to me and to many of my peers that despite everything, this person is being given the opportunity to come back," she said. "It's important to recognize that even though an investigation may have found no wrongdoing, that doesn't change the reality of how this individual's presence makes many students feel."



Investigations led by DCF and retired Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations.



"The fumes from unsubstantiated accusations may persist. Some in the community may try to keep them from dissipating but when there is no substance to be found in accusations of wrongdoing, fairness as a matter of both law and human decency requires not that we gratuitously penalize someone for wrongdoing that's unsubstantiated by unbiased investigations," Cameron said.



"Rather, as a matter of both law and human decency, we are required to move on and that is precisely what the district's administration has done in this case, if unsubstantiated accusations of wrongdoing can be the grounds for ending someone's employment, then no one's job is safe."



He said that if unsubstantiated accusations of wrongdoing can be the grounds for ending someone's employment, nobody's job is safe.



"Other investigations of alleged wrongdoing by other current or former Pittsfield Public Schools employees are still underway," he reported. "If evidence of wrongdoing is found, then this will be shared with the superintendent who alone has the ultimate authority under Massachusetts law to take personnel actions. Molly West's case, however, is closed."


China's inclusive initiatives bear fruits in Africa, Ethiopian scholars say

Xinhua) 10:04, March 14, 2025

ADDIS ABABA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to promoting its inclusive initiatives and cultural diplomacy across Africa is bearing fruits, Ethiopian scholars have said.

On Tuesday, a seminar named "China in Springtime: Sharing Opportunities with the World Global Dialogue" was launched in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Scholars exchanged ideas on China's promotion of inclusivity and cultural diplomacy, with a particular focus on investments in education and human resource development across the African continent.

"China's growing cooperation with African countries through promoting soft power initiatives including cultural exchanges is gaining momentum with the people of Africa, not by force but by attraction," said Balew Demissie, a researcher at the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute and an associate professor with the Addis Ababa University.

The researcher said that China's strategic partnership with Africa is gaining impetus, bringing prosperity to both sides, creating a fairer world and shaping the global governance system.

Noting that China offers education, language and culture-related training as well as long-term scholarships for people in many African countries, Demissie said China's soft power policy is winning increasing recognition in Africa, making it a key player in promoting common humanity and shared future.

China's cultural diplomacy via its Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops, which are established in partnerships with higher learning institutions in different countries, is building the capacity of African youth through vocational and other forms of training programs, according to Demissie.

China employs more cultural diplomacy to deepen its strategic economic, political and diplomatic relations with Africa, and these initiatives have won the acceptance of many African countries, said Melaku Mulualem, a senior international relations and diplomacy researcher at Ethiopia's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

"China is deepening its multilateral, bilateral and regional economic cooperation with Africa based on a win-win approach," said Mulualem, noting that its economic growth has helped many African countries register better economic and social development.

Noting that China's path of modernization is a viable alternative for Africa's development, Mulualem said China's commitment to boosting economic and diplomatic relations with Africa through developing infrastructure and promoting cultural diplomacy is "praiseworthy."

Fekadu Tsega, director general of the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute, said that China-Africa cooperation in technical and vocational education can equip Africa's youth with skills for modern industries, while academic exchanges and scholarships promote cross-cultural learning.

"Strengthening China-Africa cooperation through multilateralism is essential for a fairer world order," Tsega said, adding that digital economy and technology cooperation between the two sides can accelerate Africa's transformation through China's expertise in 5G, e-commerce, financial technology, AI and automation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Russell Brand is being sued for 220,000 by publishing house Pan Macmillan after reportedly failing to write and deliver two non-fiction books.

The actor and comedian, 49, is the author of a number of bestsellers dating back to his 2007 memoir My Booky Wook, which was published by Hodder & Stoughton.

His two most recent works were both published by Pan Macmillan: 2017s Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions and 2019s Mentors: How to Help and be Helped.

The Times reports that, according to court documents, in January 2021 Brands company Pablo Diablos Legitimate Business Firm Ltd signed a deal with Pan Macmillan with a 575,000 advance for two further original literary works of non-fiction.

The first book was due by May 2021 and the second before the end of that year, but neither had been delivered by September 2023 when the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into a string of sexual assault allegations made against Brand. The comedian has vehemently denied the allegations and said all of his relationships have been consensual.

At that point, a representative for Brand reportedly told the publishers that a longer deadline would be needed around the same time the literary agency Curtis Brown terminated their relationship with him.

Russell Brand in Los Angeles in 2020 ( Amy Sussman/Getty Images )

In December 2023, Pan Macmillan moved to terminate their own contract with Brand. The company is now seeking compensation of 220,000 for wasted expenditure from the comedian and his company, along with interest and legal costs.

According to the legal documents, Brands contract said that he absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Macmillan the full and prompt performance and observance of all the obligations required.

If he defaulted on the contract, Brand agreed to personally fully perform and fulfil such obligations and pay to Macmillan all damages that may arise in consequence of any such default.

According to the publisher, Brand has failed to produce the typescripts for the books at all.

The Independent has approached Brand for comment.

Last month, it was announced that Brand has closed his charity for addiction and mental health support.

The UKs Charity Commission said it was told on September 23 last year that Brands Stay Free Foundation no longer operates and should be removed from the register of charities.

The charity, which was described on its website as an organization that focuses on supporting people through recovery from addiction, their mental health issues and the non-profit organizations that help them, was removed officially in January.
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The Hollywood star who recommended Daniel Craig for the role of Bond has shared who he thinks his successor should be.

Michael Fassbender auditioned to play 007 when producers were looking for a new star after the departure of Pierce Brosnan from the long-running spy franchise.

The actors audition ultimately didnt go well  according to Fassbender, he was never truly considered for the role  but this didnt stop him from alerting producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to whom he thought would make a great incarnation.

I met with Barbara Broccoli just, you know, through passing and I actually went into an audition phase before Daniel [Craig] was cast, but I dont think I was ever in the mix, Fassbender told Happy Sad Confused podcast.

But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and Wilson and I think I was like, Daniel Craig is I dont know why I was promoting him. I should have been promoting myself.

Now Broccoli and Wilson have handed all creative control of Bond over to Amazon, in an acquisition that has proved controversial among the fandom, the hunt is on for Craigs replacement  and Fassbender is backing Bridgerton breakout Rege-Jean Page.

Speaking about his co-star in new Steven Soderbergh film Black Bag, Fassbender told Us Weekly: He could be a frontrunner after this, to be honest. I think hes fantastic. Hes got all the attributes. So lets wait and see.

Its unknown whether Broccoli and Wilson already had their eye on Craig  but Inglourious Basterds actor Fassbenders tip off certainly didnt hurt the actors chances.

open image in gallery Michael Fassbender in Black Bag' ( Universal Pictures )

At that time, he was considered a leftfield choice for the role of a suave action hero despite a performance in gangster film Layer Cake. His previous roles included TV series Our Friends in the North, Road to Perdition  directed by his future Bond collaborator Sam Mendes and the Ian McEwan adaptation Enduring Love.

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Obviously, Daniel did a fantastic job and went on to be, I think, the most successful Bond in history, Fassbender added.

open image in gallery Former James Bond star Daniel Craig ( Eon Productions )

However, for his own part, there was never a conversation after his audition, with Fassbender admitting he isnt very good at them.

In the same podcast interview, he admitted he failed terribly in an audition for Tom Hardys role in the Oscar-winning thriller Mad Max: Fury Road.

Black Bag is in cinemas now.
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Blake Livelys latest legal request in her ongoing legal battle against her It Ends with Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni has been granted, marking one of her first major victories in the case.

The 37-year-old Gossip Girl star is suing Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment on set and for later allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign intended to destroy her reputation in the months following the films release. Baldoni, who denies the allegations, has filed a $400m countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

Lively recently submitted a request that certain discoveries made in the case be available for their attorneys eyes only to protect against any leaks of sensitive information.

There is an insatiable appetite for any information about this case, no matter how benign it is, Livelys attorney, Meryl Governski, told New York Judge Lewis Liman during a telephone conference earlier this month. The defendants have bragged in text messages about being able to publish information without fingerprints.

Governski said one category of information that needs to be kept between lawyers related to medical information, including mental health, and that personal and intimate conversations with unrelated third parties must be kept out of the public eye because  while the public relations value would be high  the evidentiary value would be virtually nonexistent.

Liman went ahead and ruled in favor of Livelys request on Thursday, agreeing that highly personal and intimate information about third parties will only be seen by lawyers. Neither Lively nor Baldoni will have access to the information, which includes details about the actors, such as medical records, trade secrets and security measures taken by each.

A judge has granted Blake Lively's legal request that certain materials discovered in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni remain only for their attorneys' eyes ( Getty Images )

The risk of disclosure is great, Liman said of the potential for gossip and innuendo to spread if the sensitive information was somehow leaked.

While Baldonis lawyers did not object to certain material being kept from the press and public, they argued that being unable to share the findings with their clients would make it difficult to litigate the case and potentially lead both sides to raise additional legal arguments.

Liman limited the attorneys eyes only material to information that was highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury. He noted that confidentiality would speed up the discovery process.

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Early last month, Baldonis legal team launched a website containing documents and text messages linked to the case. Lively later requested that certain material be categorized as attorneys eyes only after she said she received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications after speaking out.

Baldonis legal team then accused Lively of trying to shield, from public view, documents and information exchanged herein for the sake of her reputation.

Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Livelys claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence, Baldonis legal team wrote in a letter to the judge.

A trial date is set for May 29, 2026.
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Disney fans have been left unexpectedly optimistic about the forthcoming Lilo & Stitch live-action remake after the official trailer landed yesterday.

The film, adapted from Chris Sanders and Dean DeBloiss 2002 cartoon, will star Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong as her sister Nani, with Chris Sanders reprising his voice role as Sitch.

Dean Fleischer Camps remake will also see Courtney B. Vance take on the role of former CIA agent Cobra Bubbles, with Billy Magnussen playing alien Earth expert, Pleakley.

The 2002 original Lilo & Stitch movie follows the story of a lonely six-year-old girl, who adopts what she thinks is a dog but actually turns out to be an extraterrestrial entity that has escaped prison.

In the trailer, the Lilo & Stitch live action script almost exactly follows that of the cartoon, with fans celebrating how similar the adaptation is to the original film.

Omg from everything to the [Elvis Presley] music to the ice cream dropping on the floor is perfect, one person wrote in the YouTube comment section, referencing a side character who always drops his cone in the sand at the beach in the original film.

This is the first Disney live-action remake Im actually excited for, added another fan. Stitch and the other alien characters look great and its really nostalgic to see all the scenes recreated.

open image in gallery Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders and Sydney Agudong in the Lilo & Stitch' trailer ( Disney )

Meanwhile, a third person added: Thank god they cast mostly unknowns instead of shoving in a bunch of celebrities and cameos for the sake of celebrity marketing, this actually gives me a slight bit of hope this movie might have some soul.

Over on TikTok, Disney fans were similarly excited. Might actually be the first GOOD live action remake, one user said.

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They did a fantastic job of adapting Stitch, he looks so cute, another person added, while other fans warned moviegoers to keep their kids at home as the theatres would be full of adults.

Live-action remakes, including Beauty and the Beast in 2017, The Lion King in 2019 and The Little Mermaid in 2023 have proven divisive among Disney fans.

open image in gallery Sanders and Agudong in the Lilo & Stitch trailer ( Disney )

The Snow White live-action has been hit with such a long string of controversies over race, politics, and the inclusion of the seven dwarves so much so that the Hollywood premiere was scaled back.

The films star, West Side Story actor Rachel Zegler, first sparked controversy among conservative and right-wing critics in 2023 when she suggested the remake would be more feminist than the original film, which was released in 1937.

Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, also faced backlash from right-wing voices who were unhappy about the lead fictional character being portrayed by a person of colour.

open image in gallery Rachel Zegler will portray Snow White in a live-action remake of the animated Disney classic ( Left: YouTube/20th Century Studios  Right: YouTube/RKO Radio Pictures )

Further controversy came over Disneys inclusion of the seven dwarfs in the remake.

Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism, said in 2022 that he was surprised Disney was so proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, while youre still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what youre doing there.

He continued: It makes no sense to me. Youre progressive in one way, but then youre still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together?
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A representative for the estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports relating to the recent deaths of him and wife Betsy Arakawa.

The representative, Julia Peters urged a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records in the cases to protect the family's right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

She emphasised the possibly shocking nature of photographs and police body-camera video in the investigation and potential for their dissemination by media.

The couples partially mummified bodies were discovered at their New Mexico home last month.

Authorities last week announced that Hackman died at age 95 of heart disease with complications from Alzheimers disease as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease  hantavirus pulmonary syndrome  took the life of his 65-year-old wife.

Hackmans pacemaker last showed signs of activity on February 18, indicating an abnormal heart rhythm on the day he likely died.

The couple's bodies weren't discovered until February 26 when maintenance and security workers showed up at the Santa Fe home and alerted police  leaving a mystery for law enforcement and medical investigators to unravel.

open image in gallery Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza answers questions about the investigation on March 7 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The request, filed on Tuesday, also described the couple's discrete lifestyle in Santa Fe since Hackman's retirement. The state capital city is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

The couple "lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle, said the petition.

New Mexico's open records law blocks public access to sensitive images, including depictions of people who are deceased, said Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.

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Some medical information also is not considered public record under the state Inspection of Public Records Act.

At the same time, the bulk of death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports by medical investigators are typically considered public records under state law in the spirit of ensuring government transparency and accountability, she said.

open image in gallery The house owned by actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe ( AP )

I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies, Lavin said Thursday. The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done.

There is also a public health concern given that hantavirus was involved, Lavin said.

She said the preemptive request to prevent the release of government records on constitutional grounds is unusual.

Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including The French Connection, Hoosiers and Superman from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.
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There is uncertainty over the fate of Gene Hackmans reputed $80m fortune after it emerged he left his entire estate to his late wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his classical pianist wife, 65, were both found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last month.

Last week, authorities announced that Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimers disease, as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease  hantavirus pulmonary syndrome  killed his wife.

TMZ reports that Hackman had a will drawn up in 1995 that made Arakawa his sole beneficiary. His three children, son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth, are not named in the document.

In her own will, Arakawa left most of her assets to Hackman. However, the document also reportedly includes a clause stating that if the couple died within 90 days of each other, it would be considered a simultaneous death and all her assets would be donated to charity.

Hackmans son Christopher has reportedly already hired Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, which could indicate he plans to challenge his fathers will.

open image in gallery Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in June 1993. According to a report, Hackman left his fortune to his wife, who died a week before him ( AP )

open image in gallery Authorities announced that Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimers disease, as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease  hantavirus pulmonary syndrome  killed his wife ( Associated Press )

Earlier today, a representative for Hackmans estate sought to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports relating to the deaths of the actor and his wife.

The representative, Julia Peters, urged a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records in the cases to protect the familys right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

She emphasized the possibly shocking nature of photographs and police body-camera video in the investigation and the potential for their dissemination by media.

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The request, filed on Tuesday, also described the couple's discreet lifestyle in Santa Fe since Hackman's retirement. The couple lived an exemplary private life for over 30 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and did not showcase their lifestyle, said the petition.

New Mexico's open records law blocks public access to sensitive images, including depictions of people who are deceased, said Amanda Lavin, legal director at the non-profit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.

Some medical information is also not considered public record under the state Inspection of Public Records Act.

At the same time, the bulk of death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports by medical investigators are typically considered public records under state law in the spirit of ensuring government transparency and accountability, she said.

I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies, Lavin said Thursday. The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done.

There is also a public health concern given that hantavirus was involved, Lavin said.

She said the preemptive request to prevent the release of government records on constitutional grounds is unusual.
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Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons is once again facing a lawsuit from a former employee who says he raped her at his Manhattan apartment in the 1990s.

The accuser, who has been identified only as Jane Doe, originally brought the suit against Simmons last year.

Last month, the suit was dismissed by a federal judge due to jurisdiction issues, after Simmons claimed he is a "stateless" citizen living in Indonesia at a resort in Bali he co-owns.

Earlier on Thursday the Jane Doe plaintiff refiled her complaint, which has been seen by The Independent, in a New York state court. The earlier suit had been filed in federal court, but Judge John Koeltl sided with Simmons and dismissed the suit on the basis it didnt involve parties in different US states.

Russell Simmons co-founded Def Jam Recordings in 1984 ( Getty Images )

Speaking to Rolling Stone, the Jane Doe plaintiff said: For me, his accountability is the paramount reason I filed the case, for Russell to accept he was wrong, that he caused pain.

Forced sex is against the law. Stop saying the rules are different now; it was wrong then too. I thought the justice system would hold him accountable, and here we are talking about jurisdiction, and Im watching this legal gamesmanship he plays to avoid it. It just makes me want to push harder.

According to the legal filing, Doe took on a job as an executive at Def Jam in the 1990s, which involved being responsible for all film production.

She says she routinely went to Simmonss apartment to conduct business, as was normal at the time for all label employees.

It was a very casual environment for everyone, the complaint states.

On the day of the alleged assault, she delivered a rough cut of a video to Simmonss apartment. He began allegedly flirting with the woman and making sexual advances, including asking whether she was wearing a bra.

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The complaint states that Simmons proceeded to ask the woman if she would have sex with him. She said she would not. Simmons continued to push the subject, according to the records. He began to wrestle her, initially attempting to appear playful, before pinning the woman down and raping her, the documents state.

The woman left the label in 1997, after the incident happened. She did not tell anyone about the alleged abuse for weeks and experienced severe dissociation, depression and anxiety.

The Independent has approached Simmonss legal team for comment.
Dafydd Joness images offer a candid look at New Yorks Yuppie era, when Donald Trump was building up his property empire, Rudy Giuliani was cleaning up the streets of New York, Jeffrey Epstein had yet to be arrested for child sex offences, and Michael Douglas was riding high on the success of his role as Wall Street financier Gordon Gekko.

Meanwhile, on the west coast, the photographer was busy capturing a golden age of Hollywood, before celebrities were surrounded by vast entourages, and the #MeToo movement was still a dot on the horizon.

These images, taken before the turn of the century, give us a snapshot into the rise of Americas future movers and shakers, when mobile phones were in their infancy, Facebook had yet to be created, and the hit TV series Succession hadnt even occurred to a twenty-something Jesse Armstrong.

Working for the prestigious Vanity Fair magazine, as well as The New York Observer, Jones, now 69, was in the thick of a social group who would rise to the most powerful positions in the land. It was a time when the boundaries were blurring between business, media and fashion and the idea of celebrity culture was really taking shape.

Jones was everywhere: from exclusive invitations to Oscar parties in LA and Wasp gatherings on New Yorks Upper East Side to political galas, restaurant openings and fashion shows. It was here that he would end up photographing a number of future presidents, including Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Trump.

Now, in two new books Hollywood: Confidential and New York: High Life/Low Life, he captures the A-listers, politicians, media magnates, financiers and socialites, who have since shaped our culture on both sides of the Atlantic, either by becoming some of the most powerful people in the Western world or by their spectacular fall from grace.

Here, he talks about the moments he captured and his memories from that heady time.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and Marla Maples at their wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York ( Dafydd Jones )

Donald Trump and Marla Maples and their wedding at the Plaza Hotel, 1993

Jones had a front-row seat to the breakdown of Trumps first marriage to Czech model Ivana Zelnickov, mother of his three oldest children Donald Jnr, Ivanka, and Eric, and second marriage to US model and actress Marla Maples, who has daughter Tiffany, now 31.

Trump and Ivana were ubiquitous, he recalls, although they were looked down upon by the old-money set. They never minded me being around. Trump a reminded me of a gangster, arriving with a bodyguard when nobody else in New York had one, having very aggressive conversations and pointing at people in the same way as he did recently with Zelensky.

open image in gallery Maples, Trump and Imelda Marcos at a party in Helmsley Hotel, New York, in 1990 ( Dafydd Jones )

I remember complaining to the picture editor of Vanity, Elisabeth Biondi, about the amount of space we were giving him and Ivana. She said that the photographs of his apartment in Trump Tower were very revealing because they were so tacky. I could never have predicted at the time that he would one day be running the show.

open image in gallery Joe Biden, Mary Sasser and Jim Sasser pictured in June 1990 ( Dafydd Jones )

Senator Joe Biden

Jones also photographed Joe Biden, when he was a senator, at the 1990 Democrats gala, but found he lacked charisma. Biden was nothing as prominent as Trump, he says. He didnt make much impression on me. I photographed Bill and Hilary Clinton in New York, and they were much more places.

open image in gallery A wolf-like man watching: Jeffrey Epstein at the Harley-Davidson party in 1993 ( Dafydd Jones )

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein

He first came across Epstein at the 1993 opening party for the Harley-Davidson Cafe. Amongst the guests, I saw a wolf-like man watching the room from a balcony, he remembers. It was a strong image, and I took a picture. Then I asked his name. It was Jeffrey Epstein.

open image in gallery Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Ghislaine Maxwell at a party on the Upper West Side in 1995 ( Dafydd Jones )

Later he attended New York School of the Arts fundraisers with Ghislaine Maxwell, but I would never have put the two together as a couple. A new arrival from England, Ghislaine slipped easily into New York society. I assumed she was living on some of the money her father had embezzled.

open image in gallery Rupert Murdoch at an event in 1993 ( Dafydd Jones )

Rupert Murdoch

Another billionaire that Jones encountered during his time in New York was media magnate Rupert Murdoch, then married to his second wife Anna, mother of his three children Elisabeth, Lachlan and James, who are now involved in a bitter family feud over their inheritance. Murdoch was much more popular in New York than Trump, he adds. He mixed in more elite circles than Trump and was considered much classier.

open image in gallery Gwyneth Paltrow, Harvey Weinstein and Minnie Driver at the Vanity Fair Oscar night party in 1999 ( Dafydd Jones/ACC Art Press )

Gwyneth Paltrow and Harvey Weinstein at the Vanity Fair Oscar night party, 1999

Clutching a cocktail, Gwyneth Paltrow, then 26, celebrates winning her first Oscar for the role of Viola in Shakespeare in Love with her brother Jake. But the film, which won seven Academy Awards and grossed $289m worldwide, was not without controversy. Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of strong-arming his stars into participating in an unprecedented blitzkrieg of press in order to beat the critically acclaimed Saving Private Ryan. Paltrow later accused him of sexual harassment.

Gwyneth and Harvey arrived together both clutching Oscars, says Jones. I didnt notice any weird chemistry between them, but it was way before the #MeToo movement. I took their picture, but it didnt make the edit as he was not a very attractive man. I much prefer this photograph with her brother. You can see Richard Buckley, who was the editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes and fashion designer Tom Fords partner in the background.

open image in gallery Kate Moss and Johnny Depp at a party at the Danziger Gallery in 1995 ( Dafydd Jones )

Jonny Depp and Kate Moss , Danziger Gallery, New York, 1995

Their rollercoaster relationship lasted three years, but their friendship endures to this day, with the model appearing via a live video in front of a Virginia courtroom in 2022 during his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. The couple was introduced in 1994 by former Vanity Fair writer George Wayne at Cafe Tabac in the East Village, where Moss was dining with Naomi Campbell, and it was love at first sight. Jones captured the couple at the height of their romance. The thing I like about this picture is that it looks like Kate is sucking her thumb like a cigarette, he explains while Johnny is actually smoking. They were a really glamorous couple, and theyve obviously stayed on good terms because she was a witness in his court case.

open image in gallery Mick Jagger, Madonna and Tony Curtis at the 1997 Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty in LA ( Dafydd Jones )

Mick Jagger, Madonna & Tony Curtis, Vanity Fair Oscar night party, Mortons, LA, 24/3/1997

Madonna was at the height of her fame when Vanity Fair hosted its 1997 party: she had just won a Golden Globe for her role as Eva Peron in the movie Evita, and had sung its award-winning anthem You Must Love Me at the Oscars. So, she was spoilt for choice for conversation. Here, she is sandwiched between Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and Hollywood veteran Tony Curtis,

The photo that gave me a jolt of excitement when I saw it happening was the one of Mick Jagger looking miserable, explains Jones. First, Mick was sitting by himself looking bored, and then Madonna crossed the room to sit down next to him. She started talking and he became quite animated. Then Tony Curtis came along, sat down at the same table and started monopolising Madonna  Jagger was once again on his own and looking miserable.

New York: High Life/Low Life and Hollywood: Confidential are both published by ACC Art Books (30)
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Adolescence s Stephen Graham has issued a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet.

The 51-year-old is the star and co-writer of the new acclaimed Netflix series, which follows the family of 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller, who is accused of the brutal murder of a young girl. Graham plays Jamies father, Eddie.

Shot in one-take, each episode follows characters in real time as they attempt to get to the bottom of the incident. Exploring topical issues including incel culture, misogyny and the online manosphere, Graham was inspired by news reports of stabbings of young girls.

I read an article about a young boy stabbing a young girl, the A Thousand Blows star told The Independent. And then maybe a couple of months later, on the news there was [another] young boy who'd stabbed a young girl, and if I'm really honest with you, they hurt my heart.

He explained that the storyline explores a complexity of topics, and that parents need to be mindful of the external influences working on their children.

It's just being mindful of the fact that not only we parent our children, and not only the school educates our children, he said. But also there's influences that we have no idea of that are having profound effects on our young culture, profound effects, positive and extremely negative. So its having a look at that and seeing that were all accountable.

Graham wanted to explore the wider influences affecting young boys from ordinary backgrounds.

open image in gallery Graham plays father Eddie Miller who is dealing with his son being accused of the brutal murder of a young girl ( Courtesy of Netflix )

We wanted him to come from an ordinary family, he said. We wanted to be mindful from the very beginning that there was no way you could point the finger. Dad wasn't particularly violent in the house and didn't raise his hand to mum or the boy or his daughter. Mum wasn't an alcoholic. Jamie wasn't abused sexually or mentally or physically.

He said the series then asks the question: Who is to blame? Who is accountable?, and the answer is not straightforward. Maybe we're all accountable family, school, society, community, environment.

The Boiling Point actor went on to unpack the microcosm of the home and the macrocosm of the world outside, explaining that the separation no longer existed.

open image in gallery Adolescence deals with the issues faced by young boys ( Netflix )

When we were kids, if you got sent to your room or if Kenny Everett was on the telly, and it got a bit racy, you'd be sent to your room and then you couldn't watch it, he reflected. But today even within the context of that home, when lads and girls go to their bedrooms, they have the world at their fingertips.

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Adolescence does not deal with Andrew Tate or incel culture directly, an intentional decision by writer Jack Thorne to shed light on the complex influences impacting young people and explore male rage.

The kids aren't watching Andrew Tate, he said. They're watching a lot more dangerous stuff than Andrew Tate. We were trying present a portrait of complexity of this kid that had been made by all sorts of different influences and the thing about incel culture is there's a logic to it.
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Russia, China and Iran are calling for an end to sanctions as the West scrambles to find a diplomatic path to halting Tehrans suspected nuclear ambitions.

Senior diplomats from Russia, China and Iran met in Beijing on Friday for a discussion on Tehran's nuclear programme after the West dialled up pressure on the Islamic Republic for allegedly inching closer to making a nuclear bomb.

Iran reached an agreement with the US, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany in 2015 to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of Western sanctions. But Donald Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018 during his first term as US president.

The meeting came amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, but analysts said that the West did not have to be "scared of the Beijing talks".

China hosted its allies shortly after Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the possibility of talks with Washington while Mr Trump was threatening his country. He was referring to the US presidents letter to supreme leader Ali Khamenei reportedly warning that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal".

Iran said it would not bow to American "orders to talk".

The three countries reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard," Chinas vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu said after his meeting with Sergei Ryabkov and Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign ministers, respectively, for Russia and Iran. The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure and threats of the use of force.

China has consistently backed the 2015 deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and criticised Mr Trump for withdrawing from it. The West has until October this year to trigger a snapback of UN sanctions on Iran for violating its terms.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful despite its officials increasingly threatening to pursue a bomb since the conflict with Israel escalated last year.

The International Atomic Energy Agency claimed last month that Tehran was dramatically accelerating the enrichment of uranium to near the roughly 90 per cent weapons-grade level.

"The Iran-Russia-China axis provides Iran with immunity against a Security Council resolution that could harm its nuclear programme," Avi Melamed, a Middle East strategic intelligence analyst, told The Independent.

In spite of structural differences, he added, the axis presents a counterweight to Western interests in the northern Indian Ocean region.

And poses a growing challenge to the Wests ability to hinder Irans nuclear programme development through non-military pressure.

Tehran and Moscow have deepened relations since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and they signed a strategic cooperation treaty earlier this year. Both have also maintained good relations with China.

While each party is seeking to secure its interests, the final solution to the Iranian nuclear issue cannot be separated from Europe and the US, Hongda Fan, professor at the Shanghai International Studies University, said. Therefore, I dont think the West and Nato should be scared of the Beijing talks.

Solving the nuclear issue requires efforts and compromises from all parties concerned. Single mandatory requirements for any party will not help solve the problem, he told The Independent, adding that Russia and China are also likely to push Iran to face this issue more actively. At least the Beijing meeting will not have a negative impact on the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

The talks were called after six of the 15 UN Security Council members, including the US, UK and France, held a closed-door meeting on Wednesday to discuss Irans nuclear programme.

Iran said the meeting was a "misuse" of the Security Council.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week the US should ultimately lift the sanctions on the country. He said Tehran would enter direct negotiations when we are on an equal footing.

The same day, Washington sought to pressure Iran by imposing sanctions on petroleum minister Mohsen Paknejad. The US also blacklisted the owners or operators of vessels that it said were engaged in transporting Iranian oil to China.
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Vibrant hues filled the air as millions of people across South Asia celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colour that signifies the arrival of spring in India.

Observed on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar month of Falgun, Holi is marked by joyous gatherings, playful throwing of coloured powders, traditional music, dance, an abundance of sweets, and offering prayers to deities.

open image in gallery A street vendor sells water guns and coloured powders ahead of Holi festival in the northeastern state of Guwahati ( AP )

open image in gallery Staff carry Gujiya, a sweet dish that is specially made for Holi, at a sweet shop in the national capital Delhi ( AP )

The origin of Holi is steeped in legends telling of the victory of righteousness over evil. The most popular story is that of demon king Hiranyakashipu and his son Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu, who was granted near-immortality by the gods, grew arrogant and demanded everyone worship him. However, Prahlad remained a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, defying his father's command.

Infuriated, Hiranyakashipu plotted to kill Prahlad with the help of his sister Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to fire. Holika tricked Prahlad into sitting with her on a burning pyre, but her boon failed and she perished in the flames while Prahlad, protected by his unwavering devotion to Vishnu, emerged unscathed.

The story is commemorated through the ritual of Holika Dahan, which involves the lighting of bonfires on the eve of Holi to symbolise the destruction of evil.

open image in gallery A Hindu priest named Sanju jumps out of a fire during a Holi ritual known as 'Holika Dahan at Phalen village near the northern city of Mathura ( Reuters )

open image in gallery Hindu devotees walk around a bonfire during a ritual known as 'Holika Dahan' on the outskirts of the western city of Ahmedabad ( Reuters )

Another popular myth associates Holi with the playful love story of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The legend goes that dark-skinned Krishna was envious of Radhas fair complexion, so his mother playfully suggested he smear colours on Radha's face to erase the difference. This legend is celebrated through the playful throwing of colours during Holi, symbolising love.

open image in gallery A devotee of International Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrates Holi at a temple on the outskirts of the northern city of Amritsar ( AFP via Getty )

Northern India, particularly Uttar Pradesh state, celebrated the unique version of the festival called Lathmar Holi, which sees women playfully beat men with sticks and the men defend themselves with shields, re-enacting the legend of Krishna and Radha.

open image in gallery Women playfully hit revellers with sticks as a traditional ritual during the Lathmar Holi celebrations in Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery Indian widows celebrate Holi in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh ( EPA )

In the eastern state of West Bengal, Holi coincides with Basanta Utsav, a festival initiated by poet Rabindranath Tagore that celebrates spring with songs, dances, and cultural performances.

open image in gallery People celebrate Holi by applying color to each other at a local market in the eastern city of Kolkata ( EPA )

open image in gallery Social activists during Holi celebrations organised by the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a collective of sex workers, in the redlight area of Sonagachi in Kolkata ( AFP via Getty )

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the two-day Masaan, or crematorium, Holi along the banks of the Ganges river attracts thousands of visitors from across India and beyond. During this unique celebration, devotees and ascetics apply ashes from funeral pyres to each other's faces, honouring both the cycle of death and the Hindu god Shiva.

open image in gallery Hindu devotees gather to celebrate 'Masaan' or 'Bhasma' Holi along the banks of the Ganga river in the northern Varanasi city ( AFP via Getty )

open image in gallery Hindu devotees cheer as they celebrate Holi at the Lord Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad ( AP )

open image in gallery Indian tribals dance to traditional folk tunes as they celebrate Holi, also known as Rajwadi Holi, in Nandurbar in the western state of Maharashtra ( EPA )

While Holi is known as the festival of joy and togetherness, many women have spoken out about harassment under the guise of playful colour-throwing. Incidents of groping, inappropriate touching, and verbal harassment have been reported, particularly in crowded public spaces.

A video shared by Indian actor Tushar Shukla showing men throwing colours and water at women while making lewd remarks sparked outrage on social media. Today I went to play Holi in Barsana. Everything was great, it was fun, he asks in the video. But I have a question: do only girls go to play Holi in Barsana? Why are they directly targeted in such an indecent manner? Men also come, so why not engage with them?
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A woman was killed and at least four people injured after a drunk driver crashed his car in western Indias Vadodara city.

The incident took place in the early hours of Friday near a busy intersection in the citys Karelibaug area in Gujarat state. According to eyewitnesses and surveillance footage, a speeding black car lost control and crashed into a scooter and hit several people.

Hemaliben Patel was killed instantly while two girls aged 10 and 12, a 35-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man were left seriously injured, NDTV reported.

Indian social media erupted in outrage after a video of the accident and the drivers reaction appeared online.

In the video, a young man, later identified as Meet Chauhan, exits the wrecked car and says in Hindi: I did not do anything, he was driving the car.

That is when the driver, identified as law student Rakshit Chaurasia, steps out and shouts: Another round, another round!

Mr Chaurasia was subsequently arrested. A four-wheeler rammed into a two-wheeler and one woman died in the accident. The accused driver has been caught, joint commissioner of police Leena Patil told the press. This is a case of drunk driving.

In the video, Mr Chaurasia appears incoherent and is caught by bystanders.

A car was moving from Sangam to Muktananad crossroad. It met with an accident while overspeeding. Police reached the spot and arrested one accused, Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia. Search to arrest the other accused, Meet Chauhan, is underway, deputy police commissioner Panna Momaya told the press. The car belonged to his friend Meet Chauhan, who was sitting in the co-drivers seat when Chaurasia rammed it into some two-wheelers at full speed while going towards Muktanand circle.

Speaking to reporters outside the local police station, Mr Chaurasia denied being under the influence of alcohol and claimed his airbag had deployed unexpectedly and caused the accident.

The airbag deployed suddenly and I could not see anything ahead. It was also difficult to control the car as it was automatic, he said, according to Times Now, adding that two or three scooters suddenly came into his path.

Several eyewitnesses told local media that the speeding car took a sharp turn before it hit a scooter.

Mr Chaurasia claimed he did not know the crash had resulted in a death.

A preliminary investigation found that Mr Chaurasia was under the influence of alcohol as well as drugs, police said, adding that they would be sending his blood samples for drug tests.
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A 22-year-old YouTuber has died after being stabbed while livestreaming on a downtown Toykyo street.

Airi Sato was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries after the attacker stabbed her repeatedly in her upper body, while she was streaming to thousands of followers on Tuesday, police said. She was later pronounced dead.

Police said they had arrested a suspect in the stabbing on Friday.

Tokyo metropolitan police said they had arrested Kenji Takano, 42, on the spot on suspicion of attempted murder. He has since been sent to the prosecutors but has not been charged yet.

Witnesses and livestream viewers said that they heard Sato screaming for help, and the stream suddenly went black.

The suspect told police that he got to know Sato through her livestreaming and had seen her in person a number of times, according to media reports, including the Asahi newspaper.

open image in gallery Investigators at the scene ( Kyodo News )

Takano traveled from the Oyama city, about 160 miles north of Tokyo, to carry out the attack after Sato announced the livestream and tracked down her location by watching the footage, media reports said, quoting police.

He told police he did not intend to kill her.

Violent crimes are still rare in Japan, where gun control is extremely strict, but there have been a number of high profile knife attacks and others using handmade guns in recent years amid a bleak wage and employment outlook.
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Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to appear before the International Criminal Court on Friday, days after he was dramatically arrested in connection with the war on drugs that defined his presidency.

The Hague court said in a statement on Thursday it considers it appropriate for the first appearance of Mr Duterte to take place at 1pm GMT on Friday.

Mr Duterte, 79, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, will be informed at the first hearing of the crimes he is accused of as well as of his rights as a defendant.

He is the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC.

His arrest marks the biggest step yet in the ICCs investigation into alleged crimes against humanity that took place during Mr Dutertes anti-drug crackdown, which killed thousands in the Southeast Asian country and drew condemnation around the world.

Its alleged that Mr Dutertes government oversaw the execution of around 4,000 people during the anti-drug campaign.

Most of those killed were poor Filipinos living in urban areas. Human rights groups have claimed that the real number of dead could be far higher.

Mr Duterte appeared calm upon landing in The Hague and appeared to accept responsibility for his actions. I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job, and I am responsible, he said in a Facebook video.

The former leader was arrested at Manilas Ninoy Aquino airport on Tuesday shortly after arriving with his common-law wife, daughter and friends from Hong Kong.

open image in gallery Rodrigo Duterte takes oath during a senate inquiry into his war on drugs in October 2024 ( AP )

Police said Mr Duterte, his family, lawyers, and friends resisted the arrest. It was very tense, police major general Nicolas Torre told the Associated Press news agency.

A police officer sustained a head injury after being hit with a cellphone by Mr Duterte's common-law wife, Mr Torre added, and his daughter was cursing me with expletives, but I kept my cool.

We wanted to have him fingerprinted but he resisted, Mr Torre claimed, adding that he detained the executive secretary of the former president for blocking his transfer to the plane, which had been prepared to take him to the Netherlands.

You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague, Mr Torre quoted the former president as declaring during the standoff at the airport.

open image in gallery Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte protest outside the ICC detention center near The Hague in the Netherlands on Wednesday ( AP )

Mr Dutertes lawyers claimed that Philippine authorities did not show them a copy of the ICC arrest warrant, and that they violated his constitutional rights.

Our own government has surrendered a Filipino citizen, even a former president at that, to foreign powers, vice president Sara Duterte, the former presidents daughter, said after his arrest.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr claimed that his administration did not help the International Criminal Court in any way.

The arrest was made in compliance with Interpol, he told a press conference.

The plane is en route to The Hague, in the Netherlands, allowing the former president to face charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody war on drugs.

The arrest came after a bitter falling out between the Duterte and Marcos families who came together as running mates in the 2022 election.

open image in gallery President Ferdinand Marcos Jr with vice president Sara Duterte in 2022 ( Getty )

The war on drugs was Mr Dutertes signature campaign platform that swept him to power and the crimebuster nicknamed the punisher soon delivered on pledges he made during vitriolic speeches that thousands of drug pushers would be killed.

His detention followed years of him rebuking and taunting the ICC in profanity-laden speeches since he unilaterally withdrew the Philippines from the courts founding treaty in 2019 as it started looking into allegations of systematic murders of drug dealers on his watch.

open image in gallery A chartered plane carrying Rodrigo Duterte takes off from the Manila airport following his arrest on an ICC warrant on 11 March 2025 ( Getty )

The ICC launched an investigation against Mr Duterte in 2011 when he was still mayor of the southern Davao city. After he was elected president, Mr Duterte withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, prompting critics to accuse him of attempting to evade accountability.

Mr Dutertes administration sought to halt the ICC investigation in 2021, claiming Philippine authorities were handling the matter. However, the ICC ruled in 2023 that the investigation could proceed, rejecting Mr Dutertes objections.

The ICC, a court of last resort, argues that it has jurisdiction to investigate alleged crimes that took place while a nation was a member.

The Hague court intervenes when nations fail to prosecute serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

President Marcos decided not to rejoin the global court when he succeeded Mr Duterte in 2022.

His administration, however, said it would cooperate if the ICC asked Interpol to take Mr Duterte into custody under a Red Notice, a request for law enforcement agencies worldwide to find and temporarily arrest a criminal suspect.

open image in gallery A relative of a victim of the drug war during a funeral ceremony at the Dambana ng Paghilom in Caloocan, Metro Manila, on 12 March 2025 ( Getty )

My clients are very thankful to God because their prayers have been answered. The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is a great signal for international criminal justice. It means that no one is above the law, Gilbert Andres, a lawyer for victims of the drug war, told AFP news agency.

Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement following Mr Dutertes arrival in The Hague. When we come together, when we build partnerships, the rule of law can prevail. Warrants can be executed.

According to ICC rules, a suspect may request interim release pending a trial at the first hearing. After this, the next stage is to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutors evidence.

It is only after this hearing that the court will decide whether to go ahead with a trial, which could take place over months or even years.

Its important to underline, as we now start a new stage of proceedings, that Mr Duterte is presumed innocent the chief prosecutor said.

Additional inputs from agencies.
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Singapore has banned a Malaysian-made coffee product after authorities found it contained a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it detected tadalafil, a potent medication requiring medical supervision, in the instant coffee mix Kopi Penumbuk, which was being sold on local e-commerce platforms. The product was advertised with claims of enhancing male sexual performance.

SFA has worked with various online e-commerce platforms to remove listings of the product and issued warnings to the respective sellers to refrain from selling the product with immediate effect, the agency said in a statement.

Tadalafil is a prescription drug that, if misused, can cause severe health complications, including heart attack, stroke, migraine, and priapism  a painful and prolonged erection.

The drug is particularly dangerous for individuals with heart conditions, as it can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when taken alongside nitrate-based heart medications, the agency warned.

Consumers who have purchased Kopi Penumbuk have been advised not to consume it.

The agency has also directed those facing health concerns after consuming the coffee product to seek medical attention.

Consumers should also exercise caution and be mindful of the risks associated with consuming food bought from unknown or unverified sources, and are advised to seek more information before making any purchase, it said.

Under Singapores Sale of Food Act, selling unsafe food products can result in a fine of up to S$5,000 (2,890). Repeat offenders face steeper penalties, including fines of up to S$10,000 (5,781) or a jail term of up to three months or both.

The SFA has previously flagged several Malaysian-made food products over safety concerns.

In February, a weight-loss drink was removed from online platforms after it was found to contain sennosides, a laxative that can cause abdominal pain and cramps, reported the South China Morning Post. Last year, two types of candy were also pulled from the market for containing medicinal ingredients banned in food.

In 2022, Singapores Health Sciences Authority reported that two individuals were hospitalised after consuming a sexual enhancement coffee product containing tadalafil, suffering from migraine and priapism.
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More than a million people in Myanmar will be cut off from lifesaving food assistance provided by the World Food Programme from next month because of critical shortfalls in funding, the latest cut in humanitarian support from the UN agency.

These cuts come just as increased conflict, displacement and access restrictions are already sharply driving up food aid needs, WFP said on Friday, warning that the cuts would affect groups that were entirely reliant on the agency for food.

WFP, which describes itself as the world's largest humanitarian organisation, has said in recent months that a lack of funding would mean cuts to operations in Afghanistan, parts of Africa and refugee camps in Bangladesh, leaving millions of people hungry.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021 when the military seized power from an elected civilian government, sparking a protest movement that has expanded into a nationwide armed rebellion.

Nearly 20 million people in Myanmar are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, and an estimated 15.2 million, about a third of the country's population, are facing acute food insecurity, according to UN human rights experts.

A junta spokesman did not respond to a call from Reuters.

open image in gallery Men transport bags of rice distributed by the World Food Programme as part of aid efforts to support residents living in poor communities on the outskirts of Yangon ( AFP via Getty )

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Friday was in the world's largest refugee settlement in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, where more than a million Rohingya face a halving of their WFP-backed food rations to just $6 per month from April.

WFP did not elaborate on the funding shortfall and whether it was due to the Trump administration's decision to cut US foreign aid globally.

It said it needed $60m to maintain its food assistance operations in Myanmar this year.

The agency said the cuts would affect communities across Myanmar, including around 100,000 internally displaced people comprising the minority Muslim Rohingya communities and others.

WFP is also deeply concerned about the upcoming lean season from July to September, when food shortages hit hardest, the statement said.

The escalating conflict in Myanmar, which has engulfed swathes of the country, has contaminated farmland with landmines and unexploded ordnance and destroyed agricultural equipment, making local food production more challenging, according to UN human rights experts.

Even where arable land exists, there is a shortage of workers due to massive displacement and people fleeing conscription by the military, they said in a statement on Thursday.

Myanmar's junta has suppressed information about a severe food crisis gripping the country by pressuring researchers not to collect data about hunger and aid workers not to publish it, Reuters reported late last year.
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It's gone 10.30pm, more than four hours since Daily Present snatched victory in the final race of St Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham Festival, and the pubs in the town centre are alive with drunken revelry.

Along a pedestrianised strip squeezed between two packed bars, inebriated punters jostle in the cold as Irish music is blasted out when suddenly a scuffle breaks out.

Punches are thrown and two men are bundled out of Copa bar in front of passing police officers before one decides to make a quick getaway, fleeing on foot and appearing to get away from a chasing policeman.

But thanks to police radio and a CCTV operative, a swarm of officers quickly arrest the young man on suspicion of assault just a few hundred yards away.

open image in gallery Cheltenham Festival presents Gloucestershire Police with its busiest week of the year  and the force is prepared with dozens of officers in the town centre ( The Independent )

It's the third night of festival race week, and the force is prepared with a night-time economy operation including 35 officers spread across foot patrols and three van units. They are joined by more officers specifically targeting sexual offences, a horseback team and "special ops" units in unmarked vehicles.

Festival week brings in more people into the town, some of whom have drunk too much, and that brings a rise in incidents  we are here to deal with the antisocial behaviour and ensure others can have an enjoyable night, Inspector Ross Fidoe tells The Independent.

Earlier, shortly after 8pm, inside Cheltenham's police station, Insp Fideo briefs his team on the night ahead before sending them out with radios connected to the door staff working at the dozens of busy drinking venues.

open image in gallery A man is held to the ground outside a bar before a man is arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm ( The Independent )

In one police van, the first report is a pair of men fighting bar workers and using fake notes. It's followed by an alert over a pair on bikes offering drugs, and then there is a call-out over a drunk man in the street being restrained.

The vehicle unit is then called to assist pub staff with a scuffle involving three men  but on arrival, officers encounter an apparent different situation, with a member of the door staff arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after a man is found with a broken arm outside.

Our CCTV team told us what happened, and we were able to make an arrest, says PC Laurie Merchant.

At 10pm, at a meeting held inside a town centre shopping centre, Insp Fidoe updates members of the borough council licencing team, business owners and street pastors on a busy night, urging the teams to work together closely on the Street Safe Radio.

Council licencing officers say private hire taxis have been caught plying for customers illegally while the pastors report on the volume of drunk people in the town centre.

open image in gallery The bars are busy with racegoers who have come from the festival to continue their night in the town centre ( The Independent )

Its clearly a team effort across multiple agencies, and one that appears to be making a difference.

We have a really good operation where we are working together to stop antisocial behaviour that could impact peoples enjoyment and business, says Richard Bryant, treasurer at United Services Social Club.

The club will make as much money on Fridays Gold Cup day as it would across three weeks. Its important for such an important time that people feel safe, Mr Bryant says.

The fight against antisocial behaviour is not just taking place in the town centre.

In 2022, a picture of a group of men urinating in a park next to the mile-long walkway from the town to the racecourse caused outrage locally and led to a war on wee campaign by the borough council.

The initiative featured hydrophobic paint being rolled onto walls to provide splash back for anyone urinating, with publicity on it raising awareness of the issue.

Two years ago, racecourse owners the Jockey Club launched a project called Love our Turf that sees dozens of volunteers in high visibility vests acting as stewards to promote positive behaviour outside.

And the schemes appear to be working.

open image in gallery Children from a scout group sell cakes along the walkway from the racecourse to the town centre, where there is a family atmosphere following the races ( The Independent )

Walking from the racecourse to the town centre, there is only a community feel with dozens of children lining the walkway with stalls selling cakes and chocolates, only separated by musicians and food kiosks.

At one point it was out of control: we had men urinated on peoples front lawns and all across the park, says local councillor Julian Tooke. But the Jockey Club has responded with more stewards and the council campaign has made a difference.

What I dont want is for complacency to creep in  its important we stay on top of it.

open image in gallery Volunteers David Hurle and David Price help with the Love our Turf campaign outside the racecourse ( The Independent )

Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson says it would be easy to assume from some of the negative media coverage that race week was not a good thing for Cheltenham.

But where it brings many challenges, it also brings in a lot of spending to local businesses which in these difficult times is a big positive for our area, he tells The Independent.

It is also important to note that the work done by the Jockey Club, local councils, police and others does seem to be making a big difference and reducing some of those problems we have seen over the past few years.
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Four more prisoners serving indefinite jail terms described as psychological torture have taken their own lives in Britains prisons, The Independent can reveal, taking the total number of self-inflicted deaths to 94.

Experts have described the crisis as a scandal that is being hidden in plain sight and an industrial-scale miscarriage of justice, as prisoners trapped under abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) jail terms continue to take their own lives.

A further 37 released IPP prisoners took their own lives in the five years to April 2024, according to government figures, as many struggle with strict licence conditions which leave them in constant fear of recall.

On 9 February 2024 a prisoner serving an IPP sentence died at the Category C HMP Warren Hill in Suffolk, according to records obtained by The Independent via a freedom of information request. Another self-inflicted death took place at the high-security HMP Frankland in Durham the following month.

On 29 June, a man on an IPP sentence died at HMP Swaleside  a medium-security prison in Kent where 14 men died in the two years to August 2024.

A fourth self-inflicted death was recorded on 29 October at HMP Wymott, in Lancashire. In 2023 inspectors warned that accommodation there was cramped and beyond repair.

open image in gallery The architect of the flawed IPP sentence, David Blunkett, described the latest loss of life as a terrible tragedy ( PA )

Nine IPP prisoners took their own lives in 2023, the highest annual total on record, including Sean Davies, who wrote in a suicide note that he had taken his life because her saw no chance of being released from his IPP jail term.

The architect of the flawed sentence, David Blunkett, described the latest loss of life as a terrible tragedy which should focus minds on action to help IPP prisoners.

He admits he regrets introducing the open-ended jail terms when he was home secretary under Tony Blair in 2005. They were abolished in 2012 due to human rights concerns, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands languishing without release dates, including for minor crimes, until the Parole Board says they are safe for release.

Cases highlighted in The Independent include that of Leroy Douglas, who has served almost 20 years for stealing a mobile phone; Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for stealing a phone; James Lawrence, 38, who is still in prison 18 years after he was handed an eight-month jail term; and Abdullahi Suleman, 41, who is still inside 19 years after he was jailed for a laptop robbery.

Of 2,614 people still incarcerated on an IPP jail term, almost 700 have served at least 10 years longer than their original minimum term.

open image in gallery IPP prisoners, clockwise from top left: Thomas White, James Lawrence, Yusuf Ali and Abdullahi Suleman ( Handout )

Successive governments have refused to re-sentence IPP prisoners, despite calls from the justice committee and the UN special rapporteur on torture amid high rates of suicide and self-harm.

Labour peer Lord Woodley, whose private members bill for IPP prisoners to be re-sentenced will not succeed without government support, said: Ministers accept the importance of resolving the IPP scandal but there is still a lack of bravery and common decency, with the government refusing to consider a re-sentencing exercise  widely seen as the only effective way to resolve this industrial-scale miscarriage of justice.

This is causing great harm to prisoners and their loved ones, and each devastating story reminds us why swift and decisive action is needed.

The United Group for Reform of IPP, which has tracked each self-inflicted death in custody, said each death was preventable and would leave a family to face a lifetime of pain.

All of these deaths would have been preventable if the government had summoned the fortitude to do what has been called for by so many people and organisations for many years, a spokesperson added.

If the current government finally put an end to IPP sentences they could prevent future deaths by those who have served their sentence many times over.

Last year the prisons minister Lord Timpson said he was determined to support IPP prisoners but said the government would not consider a re-sentencing exercise which overrules the Parole Board as this would create an unacceptable risk of harm.

Instead, prisoners must work towards release through a refreshed IPP Action Plan, he said.

open image in gallery Alice Jill Edwards, the UNs special rapporteur on torture, has described IPP jail term as psychological torture ( UN Human Rights Council screengrab )

Lord Blunkett told The Independent that he is impressed with Lord Timpsons determination to make progress, but added: The terrible tragedy of lost life by long-serving IPP prisoners should focus everyones minds on action  both to safeguard and to speed up the potential release.

Richard Garside, of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said: This is a scandal that is being hidden in plain sight. Ministers acknowledge the problem, but offer underpowered solutions that are not up to scratch.

If we are to judge ministers by what they do, rather than what they say, we would have to conclude that they either dont recognise the seriousness of the harm the IPP sentence is causing, or dont care enough to resolve it.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: It is right that IPP sentences were abolished. With public protection as the number one priority, the lord chancellor is working with organisations and campaign groups to ensure appropriate action is taken to support those still serving these sentences, such as improved access to mental health support and rehabilitation programmes.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Overcrowded prisons will face total gridlock in a matter of months and run out of space in 2026 despite emergency measures to release prisoners early, MPs have warned.

A damning report from the Public Accounts Committee found a system in crisis was leaving many prisoners living in inhumane conditions, adding the previous governments plans to create 20,000 more prison places by the mid 2020s were completely unrealistic.

Thousands of outstanding spaces are expected to be delivered five years late with costs spiralling to 4.2 billion  80 per cent more than originally planned.

MPs also said the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is operating "hand to mouth", which is detrimental to rehabilitation efforts to cut reoffending.

Chairman of the committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said: "Lives are being put at increasing risk by the government's historic failures to increase capacity.

Despite the recent emergency release of thousands of prisoners, the system still faces total gridlock in a matter of months."

He added that the inquiry found severely overcrowded prisons are in danger of becoming "pressure cookers" and that vital rehabilitative work is being sidelined as staff are forced to focus on controlling unsafe environments.

"Many prisoners themselves are living in simply inhumane conditions, with their health needs often overlooked, Sir Geoffrey said.

"It is now for the government to act on the recommendations in our report if disaster is to be averted.

open image in gallery Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said the system still faces total gridlock in a matter of months ( PA Media )

The report said the adult male prison estate was at 98 to 99.7 per cent occupancy between October 2022 and August 2024, and remains "alarmingly full".

It found a quarter of prisons are doubled up in cells meant for one person and overcrowding is linked to higher rates of violence and self-harm which "increased significantly" in the year to September 2024.

The committee said fights between prisoners were up 14 per cent and attacks on staff jumped by 19 per cent in that period.

The committee also warned HMPPS was "entirely reliant" on uncertain future measures which it hopes will come from the independent sentencing review, led by David Gauke, which is expected to be published in the spring.

The MPs made similar findings of the approach taken in tackling the courts backlog earlier this month, warning the Ministry of Justice is "over-reliant" on the upcoming findings from the Leveson Review also expected in late spring.

Sir Geoffrey added: "As with our recent inquiry into court backlogs, we find a department grappling with the fallout of problems it should have predicted while awaiting the judgment of an external review before taking any truly radical corrective action."

The report said one of reasons for the shortfall of new places was that the MoJ and HMPPS assumed they could gain planning permission for new prisons in 26 weeks.

Plans to deliver the remaining 14,000 places by 2031 are "still fraught with risk and uncertainty", the committee warned.

They also said current maintenance funding of 520 million was a fraction of the 2.8 billion needed to bring the prison estate into fair condition.

Reacting to the report, prison experts warned the government cannot build its way out of the crisis.

Andrea Coomber KC from the Howard League for Penal Reform said: It is no coincidence that violence and self-harm are at endemic levels.

"The Government has acknowledged that it cannot build our way out of this crisis. Ultimately, they must reduce demand on a system that has been asked to do too much, with too little, for too long."

open image in gallery Prisons minister Lord Timpson said Labour inherited a catalogue of failures ( Ben Whitley/PA Wire )

She added that billions of pounds earmarked for building new prisons would be better spent on securing an "effective and responsive" probation service, working to cut crime in the community.

Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said successive governments have tried  and failed  to build their way out of the prison capacity crisis.

Rather than repeating all the mistakes of the past, the government should develop a long-term plan to contain and then reduce the prison population, he added.

This would allow it to close the gap between the money allocated and the costs of building, running and maintaining prisons.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson said: This report exposes the catalogue of failures we inherited which almost collapsed our entire prison system. This not only risked public safety but added billions in extra costs to taxpayers.

We have already taken immediate action to end the overcrowding chaos engulfing our jails and are now delivering on our Plan for Change to ensure prisons work, cut crime and make streets safer.

This includes delivering 14,000 new, modern prison places by 2031 and reviewing sentencing so we never run out of space again. Well carefully consider the Committees recommendations as part of this work.
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UK food and drink exports are down by more than a third since Brexit, with claims bureaucracy is to blame.

Although some products including whisky, chocolate and cheese remain popular with EU customers, overall, there has been a sharp decline in food and drink traded with the bloc, according to the Food and Drink Federations (FDF) latest report.

It found export volumes of food fell 34.1 per cent in 2024 in comparison to 2019 figures, to 6.37bn kilograms.

The FDF blamed post-Brexit trading arrangements for the slump, highlighting how bureaucratic barriers have changed the relationship between the UK and the EU.

The UKs global food export volumes are almost 20 per cent lower on average between 2020-2024 than they were between 2015-2019.

Although some of the fall in exports since the UK left the EU five years ago can be attributed to the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, other countries including Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands all saw an increase in their average volumes.

This decline shows that the UKs challenges arent part of a global trend but rather unique to the UKs post-Brexit circumstances, the report said.

Food and drink imports entering the UK are subject to fewer checks than UK businesses exporting similar products (Liam McBurney/PA) ( PA Archive )

In 2024, imports of food and drink were worth 63.1bn, as imports from the EU and non-EU both increased by 3.3 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively.

But the EU remains the UKs most important trading partner and accounts for 61.8 per cent of exports and 75.6 per cent of imports worth almost 45bn in 2024.

Food and drink imports to the UK are subject to fewer checks than UK businesses exporting similar products, the FDF said.

This has resulted in many smaller UK businesses finding it challenging to meet the EUs stringent requirements.

The FDF is calling on the government to work with the food and drink industry to address unnecessary barriers to trade with the EU.

These latest figures show the stark reality for the UKs 12,500 food and drink businesses who are struggling to deal with the complexity and bureaucracy that comes when trading with Europe, said Balwinder Dhoot, the director of industry growth and sustainability at the FDF.

Government must prioritise working with the EU, and our industry, to remove as many of these barriers as possible.

Its important that we dont just get a quick fix, but the right fit for the UK when it comes to our relationship with the EU. We stand ready to work with government to develop a trade deal that will drive growth in our sector.

A government spokesperson said: "Growth is this governments number one priority. We are working to reduce barriers to UK and EU trade which will remove unnecessary checks and paperwork, and help tackle the cost of food."
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Hundreds of thousands of people are being forced to pay back benefits which they received due to errors made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), new research has revealed, as campaigners urge Labour to take action.

Currently, agents are able to recover overpayment debts from a claimant by deducting a certain amount from their benefits. They will send them notice of this, and they are able to appeal, but the deductions will usually begin regardless.

In 2023/24, there were 686,756 cases of Universal Credit overpayment debts raised by the DWP which were identified as official error, research from Public Law Project (PLP) has revealed. This means it was the fault of the department that the inaccurate payments occurred  but the claimant remains liable to pay it.

The legal charity has helped several claimants win back thousands from the DWP in unfair overpayment cases. Alongside 30 other leading charities, it has now written to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall to legislate to bring a legal end to the issue.

open image in gallery In 2023/24, there were 686,756 cases of Universal Credit overpayment debts raised by the DWP ( PA Wire )

Signatories including Amnesty International and Age UK say the DWP approach to Universal Credit overpayments should be in line with housing benefits. In these cases, they are not recovered when the claimant could not reasonably have expected to have known they had been overpaid.

Shameem Ahmad, chief executive officer of PLP, said: No one is expecting the DWP not to make mistakes. However, it is incumbent on the department to take responsibility for those mistakes, rather than pushing that burden onto people it should in fact be supporting.

These official payment errors have real and highly detrimental consequences for people - causing sudden financial pressures and anxieties, through no fault of their own.

This is the governments chance to ensure it does not plunge hundreds of thousands of more people into debt, go some way in restoring public trust, and ultimately incentivise the DWP to not make errors in the first place.

In 2023, PLP, alongside North Bristol Advice Centre, was able to successfully help a client have 8,623.20 in Universal Credit debt waived after winning a High Court battle with the DWP.

open image in gallery Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall addressed Cabinet colleagues about the welfare bill this week (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

The overpayment debt had arisen from several mistakes by the department, despite the anonymous claimant providing agents will the information they had requested. In 2019, she told the DWP that one of her disabled sons enrolled on an apprenticeship, and was informed this would have no impact on her benefits.

But 18 months later she was told she had been overpaid over 8,600 and faced monthly deductions to pay the debt back. This came as a shock to her, and left her without enough money to live month-by-month.

The client told PLP: When I was told I owed DWP over 8,000 I was in disbelief. Paying it back even at a small amount a month would have taken me years and meant making day to day sacrifices for my family. The worst part was I knew I had done everything right and DWP were in the wrong.

While the process of going to court has caused me a lot of stress, I finally feel Ive been heard and I hope my case can be used by others in the future. I would urge anyone that finds themselves in my position of being ignored by the DWP to get help and advice, as I could not have done this without North Bristol Advice Centre and Public Law Project.

The DWP has disputed the figures shared by the PLP, and no longer records whether a payment has arisen from official error in its debt management system.

A DWP spokesperson said: Overpayment by official error accounts for just 0.3% of our overall benefits spend, and we always work with people who have been overpaid to ensure repayments are affordable.

We have an obligation to protect public funds and to ensure money lost to fraud and error is recovered, which is why we are bringing forward the biggest fraud crackdown in a generation, saving the taxpayer 1.5 billion over the next five years.

It comes as the Labour government is expected to earmark billions of pounds in draft spending cuts to welfare at the Spring Budget, with the total spending at 64.7bn in 2023/24.
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Tesla: The Swasticar, reads a poster at a bus stop opposite Sadlers Well Theatre. Autopilot for your car. Autocrat for your country.

First appearing around Clerkenwell in February, London has since been plastered with guerrilla advertisements comparing Elon Musk to a Nazi over recent weeks.

It was a satirical swipe at the multi-billionaire Tesla owner and worlds richest man. We are holding Elon to account, the group behind the poster said.

open image in gallery Posters taking a swipe at Elon Musk have appeared across London over recent weeks ( Getty Images )

Not happy with fuelling the far-right in the USA, Elon Musk is now doing the same in Europe. We cant let the richest man in the world poison our politics, it said.

Since then, copy-cat campaign groups have taken to erecting larger-scale billboard-style posters across other parts of the capital.

Here, The Independent takes a look at who is behind the campaigns and why they are appearing across London.

open image in gallery The satirical posters appeared in Clerkenwell in February and have since spread across London ( Everybody Hates Elon )

Who is behind the campaigns?

Though it is not clear who the individuals are behind the groups, Everybody Hates Elon has vowed to build a movement against billionaires who seek to divide ordinary people.

Everyone Hates Elon is doing actions holding Elon to account. All proceeds will go directly towards the costs of our campaigning, the group said on its gofundme page.

Overthrow Musk said it was founded to fight the oligarchs and defend democracy, with their political stunts cropping up in Tottenham, Walthamstow and St Albans.

open image in gallery A billboard-style advert popped up in Walthamstow this week ( Overthrow Musk )

Everybody Hates Elon was the first group reported to have erected the posters, which appeared in February.

A week later, the volunteer-led campaign group put up a series of fake advertisements on the London Underground comparing Musk to a Nazi.

It showed Musk appearing to give a Nazi salute next to Teslas dwindling share prices with the title: Hate doesnt sell. Just ask Tesla.

A different poster showed an image of a fake Elons Musk swastika perfume bottle with the caption Elons Musk, Parfum de 1939.

open image in gallery A mock film advertisement for The Fast and Fuhrer showing a Doge plated Telsa Model S next to the caption Heil Tesla was also put up in Tottenham ( Overthrow Musk )

In Walthamstow, a billboard-style poster designed by a separate group Overthrow Musk showed an image of Musk with the words: Buying a Tesla? You may be in for a Nazi surprise?.

A mock film advertisement for The Fast and Fuhrer showing a Doge plated Telsa Model S next to the caption Heil Tesla was also put up in Tottenham.

It had a fake PG warning reading: Parental guidance. Teslas CEO is a far-right activist. Dont give him your money.

Why are they appearing?

Elon Musk was accused of giving what appeared to be a Nazi salute during a Trump inauguration rally in January. In response he said on X: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is so tired.

Musk has made a number of high-profile attacks against Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government, while throwing support behind right-wing party Reform.

open image in gallery Musks controversial salute at Trumps inauguration parade ( Getty Images )

In a slew of attacks in January, he accused the prime minister of being complicit in the crimes carried out by UK grooming gangs.

It also emerged that Musk had discussed how best to remove from office before the next UK general election.

The Financial Times reported he was in talks with right-wing allies on how he could best destabilise the Labour government beyond his aggressive social media attacks on the PM.

The SpaceX and Tesla owner also took aim at Germany ahead of federal elections in February, endorsing and promoting the far-right AfD, which came second in the polls.

Dan, who designs posters for Overthrow Musk, and only gave his first name, told The Independent: Musk is an oligarch co-president. He is a very dangerous man and his Nazi salute and support for far-right European parties show this.

But his weak spot is Tesla. His wealth is tied up in it. Reducing Teslas sales reduces his power. We are trying to make the link between Tesla and Musk more obvious.

What has the response been?

A Transport for London spokesperson said the posters were not authorised by the network, and we have instructed our teams and contractors to remove any that are found on our network."
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A distraught mother is warning parents to be vigilant when buying travel insurance after a dream holiday ended up a living nightmare when her 19-month-old daughter suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Natasha Sargent, 31, has been forced to fundraise for a private medical flight costing 119,000 to take her daughter Sienna-Rose home to the UK from Mexican holiday spot Cancun following the ordeal.

The mother-of-three from Croxteth, near Liverpool, said she took out insurance for the family using a comparison website, but she admitted that due to an honest mistake on her daughter's medical records it was rendered invalid.

I thought I had done it correctly; it was an honest mistake. You dont ever think you would be in this situation, she told The Independent.

Ms Sargeant said she was on holiday in the tropical paradise with her partner Liam Millen, 39, and children Harry, 13, Liam, 11, when the toddler suddenly collapsed when playing with her brothers.

Sienna-Rose was rushed to three different hospitals before doctors gave her life-saving surgery to remove part of the clotting. A blood clot remains in the left part of her brain and it is unknown what caused the haemorrhage.

The toddler is currently being treated in Cancun General Hospital, where she has been for over a week, and awaiting a medical flight home. However, without insurance the family have been left to fundraise to pay the costly medical bill.

open image in gallery Sienna-Rose is being treated in Cancun General Hospital and is set to take a medical flight home on Saturday ( gofundme )

Now, Ms Sargeant is warning others to triple check their medical records and make sure details are spot on before getting medical cover.

We did take a policy out on a comparison website, but she had numerous hospital visits for jaundice and bronchitis from when she was a baby and we didnt disclose all the dates, so the insurance was invalid, she said.

Ms Sargeant, who works as a healthcare assistant, said Sienna-Rose was completely fine when they flew out last week, but five days into the holiday she collapsed and vomited about 50 times in the space of two hours before they could get any help.

We rushed around trying to get her to different hospitals. Eventually she had a CT scan which revealed she had a brain haemorrhage, Ms Sargeant said.

Doctors said her brain had swollen and there was a lot of fluids, so she needed emergency surgery.

Describing the ordeal as horrendous, Ms Sargeant said Sienna-Rose had deteriorated badly following her operation and was suffering with fevers.

The first day after the operation, she was fine, she was drinking, and we were going to start weaning her back on food. Then, the next day she took a bad turn and just hasnt been the same since, she said.

Only one person is allowed to visit Sienna-Rose at a time, meaning the parents have been taking it in turns to sit by her bedside, while the other looks after their sons.

open image in gallery Sienna-Rose was rushed to three different hospitals before doctors gave her life-saving surgery remove part of the clotting, but a blood clot remains in the left part of her brain ( gofundme )

However, on one occasion Ms Sargeant was refused entry into the hospital because she was wearing flip flops and holiday clothes.

They refused me entry into the hospital, they said I needed to buy some clothes first. It was horrendous, I was crying and begging them to let me in and see her, she said.

Sienna-Rose, who is not fit to fly commercially, is set to take an 11-hour flight back to the UK with an air ambulance on Saturday after Ms Sargeant fundraised almost 150,000 on gofundme.

Lias Wings, a UK charity which helps arrange air ambulance transfers for children, also donated 20,000 to the cause and is now helping coordinate the transfer and will oversee Sienna-Rose's integration back to NHS care.

The charity said this money is set to be used to pay for the 119,000 medical flight home and pay for the medical bills in Mexico.

When we got the quote, I thought we would have to stay out here for a couple of months until she was fit to fly. I thought we would never get that money together, Ms Sargeant said.

Its crucial we get on that medical flight because if there were any more problems it could put her in danger. I am nervous for the flight because anything could happen, she added.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Spokesperson said: We are supporting the family of a British national in hospital in Mexico and are in touch with the local authorities.
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A new study has shown that watching your favourite nature documentary or looking at wildlife can physically ease your pain.

Academics at the University of Exeter and the University of Vienna have found that exposing your brain to nature can change the way your brain processes pain.

Scans monitoring the brains of 49 people showed that pain was reduced in intensity when participants were shown videos of nature rather than a city or office scene.

Participants were given minor electric shocks while viewing videos of the various settings, with scans revealing the pain-reducing effects of those watching nature scenes were about half as effective as typical painkillers.

open image in gallery Scans revealed the pain-reducing effects of those watching nature scenes were about half as effective as typical painkillers ( Jacob King/PA Wire )

University of Vienna PhD student Max Steininger, lead author of the study, explained: Numerous studies have shown that people consistently report feeling less pain when exposed to nature.

Yet until now, the underlying reasons for this effect were unclear. Our study is the first to provide evidence from brain scans that this isnt just a placebo effect  driven by peoples beliefs and expectations that nature is good for them  instead, the brain is reacting less to information about where the pain is coming from and how intense it feels.

Our findings suggest that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine, although the effect we found was around half that of painkillers. People in pain should certainly continue taking any medication they have been prescribed. But we hope in future alternative ways of relieving pain, such as experiencing nature, may be used to help improve pain management.

open image in gallery Scans monitoring the brains of 49 people showed that pain was reduced in intensity when participants were shown videos of nature rather than a city or office scene ( Yui Mok/PA Wire )

The research, titled Nature exposure induces analgesic effects by acting on nociception-related neural processing, has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

The findings offer potential for developing alternative pain management strategies, the researchers said, and participants also reported experiencing less pain while immersed in the natural scenes as well as watching them on screen.

Dr Alex Smalley, a co-author from the University of Exeter, added: This study highlights how virtual encounters can bring the healing potential of nature to people when they cant get outside. But we hope our results also serve as renewed evidence for the importance of protecting healthy and functioning natural environments, encouraging people to spend time in nature for the benefit of both the planet and people.

The fact that this pain-relieving effect can be achieved through a virtual nature exposure which is easy to administer has important practical implications for non drug treatments, and opens new avenues for research to better understand how nature impacts our minds.
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Every primary school should become a "singing school where music, drama, and visual arts are just as integral as literacy and numeracy, a new report suggests.

The Centre for Young Lives think tank and the Child of the North initiative say teachers should be given the time and resources to nurture childrens creativity through singing, music, painting, drawing and acting.

Among its recommendations is a call for the Government to put creativity and the expressive arts at the heart of the primary school curriculum.

A career in the arts, music, and cultural industries must not become the preserve of only the most advantaged, former childrens commissioner for England Baroness Anne Longfield, executive chair of the Centre for Young Lives, said.

Creativity and the expressive arts should be part and parcel of every childs education from primary school, not just a small minority.

The report has called for a 150 million arts premium fund to develop the existing primary school workforce and train new teachers to provide arts learning.

It added that the Government should expand arts and music education  including offering free music or singing lessons for three years for every primary school child who wishes to learn.

open image in gallery There are calls for the Government to put creativity and the expressive arts at the heart of the curriculum ( PA Archive )

The report said: A cultural shift is required to create inclusive schools and give the next generation the skills they require to grow the UKs economyone that places creativity and the arts at the heart of education and gives the creative industries the workforce they require.

Schools should not merely be places of reading, writing and maths but spaces where young people can express themselves, explore diverse identities, and develop the critical thinking skills needed to thrive. Embedding creativity into the curriculum is essential.

Every primary school should be a singing school, where music, drama, and visual arts are as integral as literacy and numeracy.

The organisations have called for the arts to be integrated in subjects like history and science, and for Ofsted to recognise the importance of creativity and the arts in its inspections.

Baroness Longfield added: Britains children have got talent  but we are often too slow to nurture it and we are frequently failing to harness the innate skills in our communities through our education system.

This is hindering the ability of our country to flourish and thrive.

Many of our most successful musicians and bands have benefited from a rich, cultural, and creative education in the private school sector.

We need to invest in boosting the opportunities of children in our state schools, from all backgrounds, as part of a bold ambition to develop truly inclusive education, support creativity throughout childhood and to tackle problems like the attendance crisis and attainment gap.

open image in gallery The recommendations were made by the Centre for Young Lives think tank and the Child of the North initiative ( Danny Lawson/PA Wire )

Camilla Kingdon, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: We cannot afford to continue to squander the innate talent that exists everywhere in our country.

We must encourage our future Benjamin Zephaniahs, Ed Sheerans, and Bridget Rileys  we have a rich cultural heritage to nurture. We want a society where children of all abilities and talents can flourish.

That relies on creating an environment that enables a child to discover their hidden musical talent, or their under-developed dramatic skills, or their untapped artistic ability  and this cannot be reliant on having parents who have time and resources to nurture these talents.

We must have an education system that sees investment in art and creativity as equally important to languages and maths or science.

There cannot be a hierarchy of talents  all of them are important and should be collectively nurtured by society.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: High and rising standards are at the heart of this Governments mission to break down barriers to opportunity and we are committed to ensuring access to the arts is no longer the preserve of a privileged few.

To support this, we are investing in music education through our 79 million music hubs programme, a 25 million investment in instruments and equipment and our music opportunities pilot.

The curriculum and assessment review is also bringing together leading education experts, leaders and staff, to consider how to ensure young people get the opportunity to access a broad and balanced curriculum.
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Poor sleep quality can make people more likely to believe in conspiracy theories, according to a new study.

Psychologists from the University of Nottingham found that people with worse sleep quality over the past month were more likely to endorse conspiracy theories, especially after they had been exposed to content of that theme.

Conspiracy theories were defined as claims that powerful, secretive groups act in their own self-interest to the detriment of society. Psychologists warned they have serious consequences, such as increased vaccine hesitancy and climate change scepticism.

In two studies involving over 1,000 participants, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, the psychologists examined the link between sleep quality and conspiracy beliefs.

The first study saw 540 participants complete a standardised sleep quality assessment before they read an article about the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris.

One of the studies focused on the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris ( Getty Images )

Some people were exposed to a conspiracy narrative suggesting a deliberate cover-up, while others read a factual account where the fire was described as an accident.

Researchers found that those with poorer sleep quality were more likely to believe the conspiratorial version of events.

A second study, with 575 participants, expanded on this to explain the link between poor sleep quality and conspiracy beliefs. Depression was named as another potential factor in conspiracy belief, as well as poor sleep and insomnia.

Anger and paranoia also played a role with less consistent effects, they found.

Dr Daniel Jolley, an assistant professor in social psychology who led the research team, described sleep as being crucial for mental health and cognitive functioning.

He continued: Poor sleep has been shown to increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and paranoia - factors that also contribute to conspiracy beliefs.

Our research suggests that improving sleep quality could serve as a protective factor against the spread of conspiratorial thinking.

The findings concluded that by improving sleep quality, people might be better equipped to recognise misinformation and resist misleading narratives. They recommended sleep-focused interventions to tackle the issue.

In 2023, The Policy Institute and Kings College London surveyed 2,274 UK adults on conspiracy theories about Covid-19, 15-minute cities, and the World Economic Forum.

They found tht around a third of the public believed these various conspiracy theories were probably or definitely true.
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Reform UK is on course for a major upset in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, according to the latest poll, despite a week of bitter infighting in the party.

The first poll of the constituency since MP Mike Amesbury quit after being convicted of attacking a constituent, forecasts Nigel Farages party will take the North West seat from Labour.

It comes after more than a week of rows in the insurgent right-wing party, with Mr Farage suspending one of its five MPs, Rupert Lowe.

In Julys general election, Mr Amesbury won the seat for Labour with 22,358 votes, with Reform UK a distant second on 7,662.

open image in gallery Labour is facing an uphill battle after its former MP quit the seat in disgrace ( PA Wire )

But, with Sir Keir Starmers popularity plunging since Labour came to power, the Lord Ashcroft poll found Reform is likely to pick up 40 per cent of the vote, with Labour on 35 per cent.

It is a blow for Sir Keir and will be a relief for Mr Farage, with recent surveys indicating Reforms surge in popularity since the general election may have stalled.

As well as facing headwinds due to sluggish growth and Sir Keirs decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, Labour faced an uphill battle to retain the seat after Mr Amesbury quit in disgrace.

He was last month given a 10-week suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to drunkenly punching a constituent, 45-year-old Paul Fellows, multiple times in the street.

open image in gallery The poll is a boost for Nigel Farage after more than a week of infighting in Reforms ranks ( Getty )

The incident occurred on Main Street in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October, after Amesbury had been drinking. Upon arriving at a taxi rank, he was approached by Mr Fellows, who began to complain about a bridge closure in the town.

Footage showed Amesbury punch Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground, then follow him onto the road and start to punch him again, at least five times.

He was heard saying: You won't threaten your MP again will you, you f****** soft lad?

The by-election, the first since the general election, comes after Mr Farage suspended MP Rupert Lowe and said there was no way back into the party after a bitter row.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer said Labour candidate Karen Shore will be a champion for the people of Runcorn and Helsby ( PA Wire )

The pair have been at loggerheads since Mr Lowe questioned the Reform leaders messianic tendencies, with the party revealing it had launched an investigation into his conduct just 24 hours after.

The suspension relates to verbal threats Mr Lowe is alleged to have made against Reform chairman Zia Yusuf. But Mr Lowe claims he is the victim of a political hit job.

The poll followed Labour selecting Cheshire West & Chester councillor Karen Shore as its candidate for the contest.

Karen Shore will be a champion for the people of Runcorn and Helsby, Sir Keir said.

Shes local and her experience as a teacher and serving the community as a councillor will give people a strong voice in the House of Commons.
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Home secretary Yvette Cooper acted unlawfully in housing three asylum seekers at a prison-like former RAF base, the High Court has found.

Ms Cooper made a most serious and inexplicable omission by failing to assess the impact of housing vulnerable asylum-seekers there - meaning those with special needs or disabilities potentially being accommodated at the Essex site, the court heard.

And, in a damning judgment for the government, the court found that it remains in breach of the law over a failure to fulfil its duties to migrants with special needs under the Equality Act.

open image in gallery Care4Calais called for the site to be closed immediately ( Getty Images )

Refugee charity Care4Calais called for RAF Wethersfield, opened by Suella Braverman and inherited by James Cleverly and Ms Cooper, to be closed following the judgment that people have been unlawfully accommodated at the site.

Responding to the judgment, chief executive Steve Smith said: Todays legal judgement is confirmation that the Wethersfield camp is not suitable accommodation for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

The mental despair this camp has inflicted on its residents cannot be overstated. The daily stories of self-harm, depression and anxiety led us to initiate this legal challenge, and today the High Court has found that the Government has broken the law by accommodating survivors of torture and modern slavery in the camp.

The government has a moral duty to act on todays legal judgement.

Mr Smith said the government had closed the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge which housed asylum seekers and must now do the same with Wethersfield. Everyone seeking safety in the UK deserves to be housed in communities, not camps, he added.

Any closure of Wethersfield could scupper the governments mission to scale back the use of hotels for asylum seekers and drive up the cost of accommodation for migrants.

open image in gallery Closing Wethersfield could scupper government plans to cut down the use of hotels for asylum seekers ( PA Wire )

Care4Calais launched the legal action against the Conservative government in 2023, arguing Wethersfield is a de facto detention centre and not suitable for long-term accommodation, with asylum seekers confined to the camp, apart from at certain times when a bus is able to take them out. Initial plans were for up to 1,700 migrants to be housed at the airfield, but there are currently around 580 on the site.

And during the case, the court heard that the health of asylum seekers was being seriously harmed by being accommodated at Wethersfield. Home Office and British red Cross reports also revealed serious concerns about the site, including recurring violence, high levels of suicidal ideation and overwhelmed staff.

Violent incidents, harassment and victimisation motivated by racial tensions and discrimination took place under the Home Offices watch, the court heard.

The Independent has repeatedly drawn attention to conditions on the site, including speaking to residents about the mental health crisis unfolding inside.

One described how seeing people attempt suicide has become almost routine, while another said fights were common, especially in the dining room over food portions.

Last year The Independent also revealed the slew of ambulances being called to attend incidents at Wethersfield amid a rise in the number of men attempting suicide.

But despite the judgment, there is no legal imperative for the government to shut the site down, meaning asylum seekers can continue being housed there.
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Dinosaurs have captured peoples imagination ever since their bones and teeth were first scientifically described in 1822 by geologist and palaeontologist Gideon Mantell in England.

Dinosaur bones have taught us a great deal about these animals from the age of dinosaurs, the Mesozoic Era, which stretched from approximately 252 million years ago to 65 million years ago. However, theres something especially appealing about a different kind of dinosaur fossil: their tracks, which show researchers what the animals were doing while they were alive.

Ichnology is the study of tracks and traces and, since 2008, the Cape South Coast Ichnology Project has documented more than 370 vertebrate tracksites on South Africas southern coast.

These sites are from the Pleistocene Epoch, which stretched from approximately 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago, much more recent than the Mesozoic.

We knew that this coastline contained Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, some of which include non-marine sediments that could potentially preserve dinosaur tracks. We are both familiar with dinosaur tracks from our research in Canada, so we decided to investigate the possibility of tracks in South Africas Western Cape.

We found some  and, once we knew what to look for, it was evident that the tracks were not rare. In a new paper published in the journal Ichnos, we describe our findings in detail, presenting evidence of tracks of sauropods (enormous plant-eating dinosaurs) and possibly ornithopods (another group of large herbivorous dinosaurs).

The tracks were found in a rugged, remote, breathtakingly spectacular coastal setting. They were made by dinosaurs in a variety of estuarine settings. Some were walking on sandy, inter-tidal channel bars. Others walked on the bottom of tidal channels, their feet sinking down into soft mud forming the bed of the channel. Other vague squishy structures were formed by dinosaurs wading, or even wallowing in the muddy fill of abandoned channels.

open image in gallery South Africas Western Cape

These tracks are around 140 million years old, from the very beginning of the Cretaceous period when the African and South American tectonic plates were starting to pull apart. Southern Africa has an extensive record of Mesozoic vertebrate fossils, but that record ends at around 180 million years ago in the Early Jurassic with the eruption of voluminous lava flows. To the best of our knowledge, all the southern African dinosaur tracks known until now are from the Triassic and Jurassic periods, so they pre-date these eruptions.

That means these tracks are not only the first from the Western Cape. They also appear to be the youngest  that is, the most recent  thus far reported from southern Africa.

Knowing where to look

After deciding to hunt for potential dinosaur tracks, we visited a few likely sites on the Cape south coast in 2022, choosing areas with non-marine deposits of the appropriate age, mostly in the eastern coastal portion of the Western Cape. We found a few promising spots on that visit and, in 2023, undertook a dedicated examination.

Large horizontal bedding surface exposures in this area are very rare. We knew that, if we were to find dinosaur tracks, they would be evident mostly in profile in vertical cliff exposures.

In the public imagination a dinosaur trackway extends across a level surface and toe impressions are visible. Some may also know that the infill of dinosaur tracks can occur on what are today the ceilings of overhangs or cave roofs. However, there are also distinctive features that allow tracks to be identified in profile. Thats because the animals footfalls deformed underlying layers in a distinctive manner.

The problem is that other mechanisms, such as earthquakes, are capable of generating broadly similar deformation structures.

The deposits we were examining had probably also been affected by seismic activity. The challenge was for us to differentiate between the two types of deformation.

The Early Cretaceous rocks that we examined had been studied and reported on decades ago, and the deformation structures had been attributed to origins such as earthquakes rather than living organisms. Since then, however, scientists have developed a better appreciation of what dinosaur tracks look like in profile.

After careful examination, our conclusion was straightforward: both dinosaur-generated and earthquake-generated types of deformation were present in the Cretaceous rocks.

Further evidence that we were looking at dinosaur tracks comes from the regions bone fossil record. Cretaceous bone material has been reported from the region, mostly in the Kirkwood area in the Eastern Cape province. Two dinosaur bones have also been reported from the Knysna area in the Western Cape. One of these, a theropod tooth, was found  and correctly identified  by a 13-year-old boy.

Clearly, dinosaurs were present in the Western Cape area. That means our discovery of ichnological evidence of their presence is not entirely surprising, but it is still extremely exciting.

Our team plans to keep exploring deposits of suitable age in the region for evidence of more dinosaur tracks. We also hope that our discovery will inspire a new generation of dinosaur trackers to continue the quest and keep exploring.

Guy Plint is a Professor Emeritus in Earth Sciences at Western University. Charles Helm is a Research Associate in the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience at Nelson Mandela University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A British national has died after being hit by a vehicle in the president of Kenyas motorcade.

The man has been named as 79-year-old Edgar Riches, who had been in Nairobi visiting family when he was struck by a vehicle on Thursday.

Kenyas National Police Service (NPS) has launched an investigation into the incident, with local reports suggesting Mr Riches was knocked down while attempting to cross a busy road in Nairobi as President William Rutos motorcade passed.

The man had been visiting his sister and nephew, who live in Kenya, police told the BBC.

Video footage shows the motorcade speeding along Ngog Road as bystanders are heard screaming following the incident. Footage of the aftermath was also shared online, showing a crowd gathering around the man before he was covered with cloth.

Onlookers who spoke to local media said the motorcade did not stop after the man was struck.

NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement: Following a road accident that occurred at Adams Arcade along Ngong Road involving a government vehicle, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian who is a foreign national, the NPS is now handling the matter and investigations have commenced.

open image in gallery The collision involved President William Rutos motorcade ( AFP via Getty )

The spokesperson also urged all motorists, pedestrians and other road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents.

Police told local media the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident will appear in court following the investigation.

The driver of government motor vehicle attached to Nairobi Regional Coordinators office is out on cash bail awaiting to be arraigned in court, the spokesperson said. The president was travelling on Ngog Road as part of a tour of the capital.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Kenya and are in contact with the local authorities.

Ruto has been president since September 2022, and made his first official visit as president to the UK the following month.

He has faced a series of controversies, and last year backed down from signing a finance bill into law that would have increased taxes after mass protests swept the country and became deadly, with reports of more than 20 people being killed.

Ruto was also investigated by the International Criminal Court over violence following the 2007 elections, which left hundreds dead. He denied murder, deportation and persecution charges, and in 2016 the ICC dropped its case against him, citing insufficient evidence, but refused to acquit him.
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The US has asked Denmark to export eggs to help tackle Americas ongoing shortage, caused by avian flu.

More than 30 million laying hens have been culled this year due to outbreaks across the US, causing prices to nearly double in the year to January and soar beyond $8 (6.18) a dozen by late February.

But the timing of the request is awkward for the US, with Denmark among the countries feeling the sharp end of Donald Trumps tariff wars and the president sparking outrage in the country over his demands to acquire Danish territory Greenland.

open image in gallery Avian flu outbreaks have led to egg shortages across the US and driven prices to new highs ( AP )

Trump vowed to bring down the price of eggs on the first day of his second term during the election campaign, and in a recent address to a joint session of Congress blamed his predecessor for the out of control pricing.

But egg shortages are continuing, and industry organisation Danish Eggs said it has been approached by the US to increase its exports to help lift egg supplies.

Danish Eggs sector manager Jrgen Nyberg Larsen told AgriWatch that Denmark is not the only European country approached to send extra eggs to the US.

They have approached us to ask how much we can deliver. They have also written to my colleagues in the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, he told Danish trade publication AgriWatch. But Mr Larsen said there would be difficulties fulfilling the request.

Among other things, eggs in the US  both for consumption and egg products  must be washed, and we are not allowed to do that in the EU, he said.

I asked if that still applies, and they wanted to ask about that in Washington. They came back and asked how much we can deliver, and I have answered that.

open image in gallery Donald Trump continues to ramp up the tariff wars, making it harder for America to ask other countries to help out ( Reuters )

The US currently imports eggs from Mexico and Turkey, according to the US Department of Agriculture, as it struggles with the ongoing avian flu outbreak which began in 2022 and so far has seen upwards of 150 million birds culled.

Trump has maintained he was working hard to get [egg prices] back down. His administration previously announced it would inject about $1bn into the poultry industry, including $500m to boost biosecurity measures to slow or stop the spread of avian flu, as well as aid for farmers.

The Department of Justice has also launched an investigation into egg prices and competition in the egg market, over suspicions some producers were using avian flu to overly inflate their prices.

But the request for European egg exports comes at the same time as Trump has ramped up his tariff wars, threatening to increase taxes on European alcoholic drinks being brought into the US, including champagne, by 200 per cent.

open image in gallery More than 150m birds have been culled, an estimated 30m this year alone ( Reuters )

The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!! he said on his Truth Social platform this week.

Trumps threats over alcohol were in retaliation for the European Unions announcement it would increase tariffs on $28bn of US imports, including Kentucky whiskey and motorcycles.

The presidents tariff hikes  including a global 25 per cent increase on steel and aluminium import duties  have spurred a consumer boycott movement around the world, and Denmark is no different.

A Danish Facebook group calling on a boycott of US goods has more than 80,000 members, and consumer demand has also led major Danish retailer Salling Group to label all European products in its stores with a black star.

open image in gallery Previous to asking for Denmarks eggs, Trump asked for its territory of Greenland ( AP )

Trump also faces backlash in Denmark over his designs on Greenland. On Thursday the president doubled down on his demands to acquire the country, saying he believes the US will annex it eventually.

I think itll happen, Trump told reporters, sitting next to NATO secretary-general and former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in the White House.

We need that for international security, not just national security, the president added.

The Danish and Greenland governments have both repeatedly said that the territory is not up for sale. Responding to Trumps latest comments, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said under NATO treaty, the UN charter or international law, Greenland is not open to annexation.
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The federal government's steward of funding for public broadcasting stations has sued the Trump administration over its pause in grant payments crucial for upgrading the nations emergency alert system.

The nonprofit Corporation for Public Broadcasting filed the lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington on Thursday.

The lawsuit says a recent hold on grant funds for modernizing the alert system hampers the ability of federal, state and local authorities to issue real-time emergency alerts.

It relates to the February 18 hold on the $40 million grant program for the Next Generation Warning System.

FEMA didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit's allegations.

The suit says FEMA hasn't attempted to explain a basis for suspending the grant payments.

The national Emergency Alert System helps government officials issue alerts about disasters, including flash floods, blizzards, tornados and hurricanes.

open image in gallery The nonprofit Corporation for Public Broadcasting has filed a federal lawsuit against FEMA ( Al Drago/The New York Times via AP )

The CPB, which Congress created in 1967, is the largest source of funding for public radio and television. The private corporation says it distributes over 70 percent of its funding to more than 1,500 public radio and television stations.

The CPB administers the Next Generation Warning System grant program for FEMA. The grants help pay for public media stations to upgrade their emergency alerting equipment. The program has over 40 grant recipients.

Kathy Merritt, a CPB official, said FEMA hasn't informed the corporation when or even if the program's funds will be restored.

To protect public media stations from financial harm, CPB has no recourse other than to bring legal action against FEMA under the Administrative Procedure Act, Merritt said in a statement.

The CPB is seeking a court order for FEMA to immediately lift the hold so that the corporation and the grant recipients can be reimbursed for expenses.

The lawsuit says FEMAs hold status in the grant system leaves public media stations across the country on the hook for a total of nearly $1.9 million in unreimbursed expenses.

At no point has FEMA indicated that CPB has done anything that would call this grant into question," the lawsuit says. "At no point has FEMA indicated that it is cancelling the grant or taking any other adverse action with respect to the grant.
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A French nuclear-powered attack submarine left locals bewildered after it surfaced in an eastern Canadian province, just 300 miles from the U.S. border.

The French Navy Suffren-class submarine, the FS Tourville, arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia earlier this week.

Baseless claims quickly spread online that it was in response to Donald Trumps annexation threats after the president repeatedly called on Canada to become the 51st U.S. state and named departing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau governor. Those rumors, however, were quickly quashed.

The FS Tourville made its way across the Atlantic after the Royal Canadian Navy announced its plans to invest C$60 billion ($42 billion) to renew its aging submarine fleet, according to French national newspaper Le Parisien.

France and Canada signed a joint declaration in September, while Trump was still on the 2024 campaign trail, to strengthen their partnership in defense and security.

open image in gallery The FS Tourville is 99 meters long, displaces 5,200 tons when submerged, and can dive to a depth greater than 350 meters ( Bruno Heluin/Linkedin )

A pleasure to welcome French submarine #Tourville to Halifax. Allies and friends working together. Enjoy your stay, the office of Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia Mike Savage wrote on X Thursday.

According to Canadian news channel CTV News, the submarine is expected to remain in the harbor until March 21.

The FS Tourville is 99 meters long, displaces 5,200 tons when submerged, and can dive to a depth greater than 350 meters.

The French naval sub is powered by a nuclear reactor, which provides substantial endurance and operational autonomy and can reach speeds of over 25 knots.

Its armed with naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy wire-guided torpedoes, and modernized Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles.

The stealthy and highly-equipped sub is said to be suitable in all oceans and can be out at sea for more than 270 days per year, allowing it to be used for intelligence missions.

open image in gallery Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia Mike Savage (second left) welcomed the FS Tourville crew after its transatlantic journey this week ( Lt Gov NS/X )

Ottawa intends to put between six and 12 new submarines into service, with the Navys first replacement submarine to be delivered by 2035. A supplier is due to be selected by 2028.

The Naval Group, which finished building the FS Tourville at its Cherbourg-en-Cotentin shipyard last summer, is reportedly attempting to land the contract after a request for information from Canada last month, according to Cherbourg-based newspaper La Press de la Manche.

According to the French Embassy in Canada, the FS Tourville is expected to carry out experiments in the far north of Canada and test navigation in icy conditions.

After experiments with basic ground-laying in the Canadian far north and navigation in ice, Franco-Canadian cooperation was strengthened with the stopover of the SNA TOURVILLE, the latest attack submarine, Bruno Heluin, the Defense Attache at the French Embassy in Ottawa posted on LinkedIn Monday in a post translated by Google.

This Marine Nationale ship has just made its first transatlantic crossing. It is an excellent opportunity to share operational, human and industrial expertise. At a time when Canada is announcing that it wants to revive its submarine capacity, France can undeniably bring a unique know-how.

Stronger together, he signed off.
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Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney was formally sworn in as Canadian prime minister on Friday and now faces a stern test in a fight over tariffs with President Donald Trump.

In the presence of Governor General Mary Simon, the personal representative of King Charles, who is Canada's head of state, Carney took the oath of office.

The moment capped a momentous rise for the 59-year-old, who becomes the first Canadian prime minister without any serious political experience.

Carney reportedly plans to travel to London and Paris next week as Canada seeks to shore up alliances in Europe as its relations with the United States sink to unprecedented lows.

Carney has reshaped his cabinet with a view to dealing with Washington. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc is moving to the international trade portfolio and will be replaced by current Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

open image in gallery Carney arrives before being sworn in ( REUTERS )

He crushed his rivals on Sunday in a race to become leader of the ruling Liberal Party. He replaces Justin Trudeau, who spent more than nine years in office.

Carney, a former head of both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, successfully argued his position as an outsider with a history of tackling crises meant he was the best person to take on Trump, who has repeatedly talked about annexing Canada.

On Wednesday, Carney told reporters that he was ready to meet Trump when "there is respect for Canadian sovereignty."

He also said he would keep in place retaliatory tariffs on US goods until the United States showed Canada some respect.

Efforts are underway to arrange a call between Trump and Carney in the next couple of days, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters on Friday.

Carney is due to name a cabinet that will likely not be in office for long, since Liberal insiders say he will call a snap election within the next two weeks. If he changes his mind, opposition parties say they will unite to bring down the minority Liberal government in a confidence vote at the end of March.

Once the election is called, Carney will be very limited in what he can do politically because convention dictates he cannot make major decisions when running for office.

Opinion polls currently suggest it will be a close race with the official opposition Conservatives, with neither party gaining enough seats for a majority government.
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Democratic Rep. Raul M. Grijalva  considered a champion of environmental protections and progressive ideals who took on principled but often futile causes during a two-decade career in Congress  has died aged 77.

His office said he died of complications from cancer treatment, which had sidelined him from Congress in recent months.

From permanently protecting the Grand Canyon for future generations to strengthening the Affordable Care Act, his proudest moments in Congress have always been guided by community voices, his office said.

Grijalva had risen to chair the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee during his 12 terms representing southern Arizona, a powerful perch he used to shape the nations environmental policies.

He was known for reliably going to bat for immigrants and Native American tribes, and for the bolo tie he wore at home in Tucson and in the Capitol in Washington.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that Congress and the country had lost a giant with Grijalvas death.

Congressman Grijalva represented his community fiercely, keeping his constituents and the climate at the center of everything he did, Jeffries added.

Dedicated to environmental causes

Grijalva, the son of a Mexican immigrant, was first elected to the House in 2002. Known as a liberal leader, he led the Congressional Progressive Caucus for a decade and dedicated much of his career to working on environmental causes.

He stepped down as the top Democrat on the Natural Resources committee earlier this year, after announcing that he planned to retire rather than run for reelection in 2026.

Grijalva announced nearly a year ago that he had been diagnosed with cancer but would be able to continue his work. Despite missing hundreds of House votes, he sought reelection in 2024 and won easily in one of the most solidly Democratic districts in Arizona.

The seat, which represents a district spanning southern Arizona from Tucson to the border with Mexico, will remain vacant until a replacement is selected in a special election later this year.

open image in gallery Grijalva announced in April 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer ( Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Democratic primary in the mostly Hispanic district is likely to be a fierce battle between allies of Grijalva, a longtime southern Arizona power broker who led an influential bloc of progressive elected officials, and a more moderate faction. Possible contenders include his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and Tucson Major Regina Romero, one of Grijalvas longtime allies.

Adelita Grijalva remembered her father Thursday as the smartest person Ill ever know  a fighter until the end.

He loved his family, especially those grandbabies, and this community, she said on social media. He as not a perfect person, but had perfect intentions and wanted to do good. Its been my honor to be Raul Grijalvas daughter  a badge I wear with immense pride.

Viewed as a role model

Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who served in the House until last year, said in a statement that Congressman Grijalva was not just my colleague, but my friend.

As another Latino working in public service, I can say from experience that he served as a role model to many young people across the Grand Canyon State. He spent his life as a voice for equality, Gallego added.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, praised Grijalva as one of the most progressive members in the House.

Raul was a fighter for working families throughout his entire life. He will be sorely missed, Sanders said in a statement.

Grijalva started out as a community organizer in Tucson and served on the local school board for years before being elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. He resigned from that post in 2002 to seek office in what was then Arizonas newly created 7th Congressional District.

Grijalva prided himself on representing what he considered the underdogs, those without a voice.

Grijalvas kind and humble nature was known to many. He was approachable by all because he believed people should be treated as equals. He loved to give gifts, blare music in his office, and get to know people for who they are, his office said in a statement.

open image in gallery Grijalva prided himself on representing what he considered the underdogs ( AP2011 )

He worked on issues that ranged from securing water supplies for drought-stricken parts of Arizona and the West to securing funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which safeguards natural areas and provides recreation opportunities to the public.

He also played a key role in writing the National Landscape Conservation System Act and the Federal Lands Restoration Act, which were passed and signed by President Barack Obama.

In recent years, he also led advocacy in Congress for the creation of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon. It was part of an effort to protect the area from uranium mining and to acknowledge repeated calls by Native American tribes that sought to protect more of their ancestral homelands.

He also opposed plans to develop a major copper mine about 70 miles (112 kilometers) east of Phoenix.

Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican and fellow Arizonan, said on the social platform X that Grijalva was always very kind to me  he had a great sense of humor. As a fellow animal lover, we often found ourselves working together on animal protection issues.

Rep. Jesus G. Chuy Garcia of Illinois said Grijalva loved a line from the Spanish song El Rey, which translates to: its not only about getting there first but about how you get there.

I think this phrase perfectly describes his tenacity in everything he did, Garcia said.
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Spending on snacks, underwear, small liquor bottles and flights are just some of the odder economic measures that are used to determine the health of the economy.

While many will turn to the stock market or employment rate, they arent the only indicators experts will use. There are some more, well, odd, areas professional and air-chair economists will track to see if it indicates consumers are pulling back on their discretionary spending, which means a recession could be impending.

With President Donald Trumps new tariffs expected to increase consumer prices, federal workforce cuts expected to contribute to unemployment and a dwindling stock market, talks of a potential recession are swirling.

Economists define a recession as a significant decline in economic activity across the market that lasts for more than a few months. Often, they look at real income, unemployment, industrial production, retail sales and GDP to determine this.

As of now, economic analysts believe the economy is stable, though they predict slower growth this year. Goldman Sachs has indicated the odds of a recession this year are approximately 20 percent.

But there are also smaller patterns to look out for to predict a recession. Here is a look at the big, small and odd factors that can indicate a recession:

open image in gallery Sales of mens underwear, cartons of cigarettes and small alcohol bottles can be a sign that consumers are spending less  and a recession is potentially on the horizon ( Getty Images )

Declining mens underwear sales

Known as the mens underwear index, the decline in sales of mens underwear is an indicator of economic downturn.

The theory, which was followed by former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan, assumes that people treat mens underwear purchases as discretionary spending for their households and, therefore, purchase less of it during economic recessions.

Men - who have a stereotype of wearing underwear until it literally falls apart - are slow to buy new pairs, to begin with, so in a recession, they will purchase even less.

High unemployment rate

When the three-month average of the national unemployment rate is 0.5 percentage points or more above the low over the last year, its an indication of a recession  something more commonly known as the Sahm rule.

The current unemployment rate is 4.1 percent  higher than this time last year but lower than it was in Q4 of 2024.

Less snacking

Rising grocery store prices force customers to be more selective about the food they buy, which means purchasing fewer indulgent snacks such as dips, nuts, rice cakes, jerky and more.

U.S. convenience store sales volume fell by 4.3 percent as prices rose in the year, market research firm Circana found.

More specifically, Chocolate candy dropped in sales volume by 6 percent while refrigerated produce dropped by 7 percent.

open image in gallery Consumers tend to pull back on unnecessary purchases during a recession  that includes snacks ( Getty Images )

Abundance of cigarettes

Seeing cartons of cigarettes on the gas station shelf indicates that consumers are spending less on unnecessary products as they look for ways to cut costs in their lives.

While cigarettes are a product that are not often impacted by recession  as indicated by sales during the 2008 Great Recession- smokers will opt for cheaper options.

More smokers are purchasing a single pack of cigarettes over a carton of cigarettes, the Wall Street Journal cited from the National Association of Tobacco Outlets.

Inverted yield curve

A sign that the economy is slowing down is when investors become more concerned about the future of the economy rather than the present and begin investing more in long-term bonds.

This can drive up the price of long-term bonds, thus lowering their yield  or the return an investor receives each year as a bond matures.

Typically, short-term bonds have lower yields than long-term bonds. In this situation, the yield curve inverts,  thus signaling that an economic downturn may occur. But an inverted yield curve does not always signal a recession.

Increasing sales in small liquor bottles

Increased sales of miniature liquor bottles, often referred to as airplane bottles or nips, may be a sign that consumers are trying to cut costs.

Sales of 50-milliliter bottles of whiskey and tequila are up, makers of the alcohol told the Journal. The smaller bottles are cheaper than bigger counterparts - but are often more expensive per ounce.

Its a consumer that is pinched, Lawson Whiting, the CEO of the Jack Daniels maker, Brown-Forman, told the Journal.

Consumers may purchase smaller bottles of European made wine or champagne as well after Trump threatened to impose 200 percent tariffs on the goods.

open image in gallery During tougher economic times, more people turn to small alcohol bottles over their bigger versions ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Price of gold rises

In an economic downturn, people tend to purchase more gold as its seen as a safer investment compared to stocks and bonds.

Gold prices crossed $3,000 for one ounce for the first time on Friday.
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The last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance in the Dominican Republic told authorities he had pulled her out of dangerous waters before losing her in the darkness.

Joshua Riibe, 22, was previously confirmed as a person of interest by Virginia police, though it was clarified he is currently not a suspect. Konankis disappearance is currently being treated as an accident, but a missing persons investigation is ongoing. However, Riibe reportedly did not answer eight questions from investigators on the advice of his lawyers.

Dominican authorities have also confiscated Riibes passport, NBC News reports. The 22-year-old has been confined to the hotel since the investigation began and has a permanent police escort, his attorneys told the outlet.

He is not free to leave, his attorneys said.

Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student, was last seen at 4:15 a.m. on March 6 entering a beach while vacationing with five female college friends on spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

open image in gallery The last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance on March 6 says he fought to pull the 20-year-old out of dangerous waters in the Dominican Republic ( Defensa Civil La Altagracia )

After her friends returned to their hotel room just before 6 a.m., Konanki stayed on the beach with Riibe  a former high school wrestler from Iowa. Its not immediately clear if or how the pair knew one another before meeting on the Caribbean Island.

He told police he went for a swim with Konanki, and the two had kissed in the water, before she was swept up by a big wave, ABC News reported.

I was a lifesaver. I grabbed her and pulled her out, Riibe told the Public Ministry, according to an interview transcript obtained by Dominican Republics Noticas Sin. A big wave came and hit us both and as the water returned, it came back and swept us out to sea.

open image in gallery Konanki, a pre-med student, was last seen at 4:15 a.m. on March 6 entering a beach while vacationing with five female college friends on spring break in Punta Cana ( Facebook )

Riibe said he had put Konanki under his arm to swim back to shore. It took me a long time to get her out, it was difficult. I was a lifeguard in the pool, not in the sea, he said, per the outlet.

He added that he had swallowed a lot of sea water during the incident and could have lost consciousness several times.

Riibe said he recalled hearing Konanki saying she was going to get her belongings as the water had pushed them away from the area they had set up, but was walking at an angle.

open image in gallery Riibe told police he went for a swim with Konanki, and the two had kissed in the water, before she was swept up by a big wave and he had swum to shore with her under his arm ( AP )

The last time I saw her, I asked her if she was OK, Riibe said according to the transcript. I didnt hear her answer because I started vomiting all the sea water I had swallowed. After I threw up, I looked around and didnt see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.

He added that he had thrown up and passed out on a beach bed. When he awoke, Riibe said, Konanki was nowhere to be found.

Loudoun County Sheriffs Office, in Virginia, where Konankis family lives, confirmed to The Independent that Riibe was a person of interest in the case.

open image in gallery Investigations in the Dominican Republic remain ongoing. Authorities in Virginia, where Konankis family live, say Riibe is a person of interest, but not a suspect ( AP )

This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her, so is of particular interest, the spokesperson said. This is not at this time a criminal investigation, so to be clear, he is not a suspect, the spokesperson added.

According to The New York Post, Riibe did not answer several questions from police, instead responding: My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

The questions reportedly related to further details about the night of Konankis disappearance including his feelings on the matter, and who he had informed about the incident.

Riibe allegedly provided three different accounts to authorities, the Post reported. However, CNN said there were "no inconsistencies" in the person of interests recounting of events, and that translation issues may have been to blame.
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T-Mobile agreed to pay $350 million to settle a 2022 class-action lawsuit, and that money is finally starting to find its way to affected customers.

The class action lawsuit was brought against T-Mobile following a cyberattack in August 2021. Approximately 76 million T-Mobile customers had their personal data  including names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers  compromised in the attack.

After years of delays, the payments for that class action lawsuit will begin to reach customers starting in April, according to the settlement administrator.

Those who are eligible to receive a payment should have been notified in 2022. The payment size will vary based on how much time and money a customer lost as a result of the data breach.

The largest payout is a $25,000 reimbursement, though that is reserved for people who "spent money trying to avoid or recover from fraud or identity thefts that you believe was fairly traceable to the T-Mobile Data Breach."

T-Mobile settled a class action lawsuit for $350 million in 2022. Now, three years later, the company is ready to send out payments to the class members ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Customers who didn't claim any out-of-pocket losses may still receive a portion of the settlement, it will just be significantly less than those who did. For example, if you did not claim any losses but could prove you were impacted by the breach, you might receive $25, or even $100 for those who lived in California at the time of the breach.

Even that may be overstating how much money an individual receives, as those are the maximum payouts  most recipients will get less than even $25.

A major chunk of the $350 million T-Mobile is paying will go to cover attorney fees and administrative expenses.

Once the legal fees are paid, customers who proved out-of-pocket losses will be prioritized. Once they have all received payments, the remainder of the money will be doled out on a "pro rata basis" to everyone else who was a T-Mobile customer at the time.

The claim submission deadline passed on January 23, 2023. Anyone who didn't file a claim by that date will not be receiving a payment from the class action lawsuit.
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Gunshots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon on Thursday for the second time in a week as vandalism and protests continue around the country since Elon Musk became a key figure in the Trump administration.

More than a dozen shots were fired at the electric vehicle dealership in the Portland suburb of Tigard about 4.15am, according to the Tigard Police Department.

The shooting caused extensive damage to cars and showroom windows, police said. No one was hurt.

A similar shooting happened on 6 March at the same location. Police said they continue to work with federal partners at the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives to thoroughly investigate.

An ATF explosive detection dog has been used after both shootings to help search for shell casings, police said.

Tesla has been a target for demonstrations and vandalism in the US and around the world as people protest against Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which has been moving to slash the size of the federal government.

Drivers are also turning away from Tesla. Data from Australias Electric Vehicle Council reveals a 35 per cent drop in Tesla sales in the four months following Trump's election compared to the same period the previous year.

Recent incidents of vandalism targeting Teslas in Australia and New Zealand further suggest a backlash against Mr Musk's political stance.

Tesla has not yet commented on these developments.

open image in gallery Musk has been the subject of protests ( Getty Images )

Police said over the weekend that six Tesla Cybertrucks at a dealership in the Seattle suburb of Lynnwood were spray painted with swastikas and profanity directed at Musk, KING-TV reported.

On Sunday, four Cybertrucks were destroyed in a blaze in Seattle, but investigators have not said if the fire, or fires, were intentionally set. On Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department said it was working with federal partners to investigate the incident.

open image in gallery A member of the Seattle Fire Department inspects a burned Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla lot in Seattle ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was buying a new Tesla to show his support for Musk as the billionaire's company struggles with sagging sales and declining stock prices.
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The Trump administration is free to use a wartime powers law to speed up deportations after a Supreme Court ruling on Monday.

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798  which Trump used last month to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador  gives the president broad authority to remove undocumented immigrants, but it had previously only ever been invoked during actual wartime.

Venezuelan organized crime group Tren de Aragua, which is present in the U.S. and other countries, is the top target for deportation under the law, the White House said last month. Trump instructed his administration to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization, and they claim theyre using the law to remove its members.

I proclaim that all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of TdA, are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies, the invocation on the White House site states.

open image in gallery The Alien Enemies Act has only been used three times throughout history ( Getty )

The law is intended to be invoked when the country is at war or if a foreign nation has invaded the U.S. or has issued threats that they will. While the administration has pointed to threats from gangs and cartels, legal experts have noted that it would be challenging for the administration to use the law when the U.S. isnt being actively attacked by a foreign government.

The deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members was temporarily blocked by a lower court last month after it ruled that the Trump administrations actions under the act required further scrutiny.

Trump has claimed that the migrants were members of the Tren de Aragua and that they were conducting irregular warfare against the U.S. and could therefore be removed under the act. At least 137 people have recently been deported under the act, with some relatives of the deported migrants claiming that they were wrongly detained and not affiliated with any gangs.

The Supreme Court justices said that deportees must be given the chance to challenge their removal, saying in an unsigned decision on Monday that the notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs.

"The only question is which court will resolve that challenge," they added.

The ruling on Monday stated that the challenge, which was put forward by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of five migrants, was incorrectly raised in a court in Washington, D.C., instead of in Texas, where the migrants are held.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, appointed by Trump during his first term, joined the liberal justices in dissenting from the majority ruling. They wrote that the administrations conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law.

Trump, meanwhile, said the ruling was a great day for justice in America.

The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself, he said in a post on Truth Social.

ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt said in a statement: We are disappointed that we will need to start the court process over again in a different venue, but the critical point is that the Supreme Court said individuals must be given due process to challenge their removal under the Alien Enemies Act.

Mondays ruling by the Supreme Court vacates a previous ruling by federal Judge James Boasberg, who had temporarily blocked the use of the law.

The Alien Enemies Act has been used three times throughout history, the Brennan Center, a non-partisan law and policy institute, states. It was used during World War I and World War II to detain and remove thousands of German, Austro-Hungarian, Italian, and Japanese immigrants, as well as during the War of 1812 against Britain.

Under the law, the president can detain and deport natives and citizens of a combatant nation even without a hearing. It was meant to prevent espionage and sabotage during war, but it has also been used to target immigrants who havent broken any laws, havent shown indications of disloyalty, and whose status in the U.S. is legal, according to the Brennan Center.

It is an overbroad authority that may violate constitutional rights in wartime and is subject to abuse in peacetime, the center states.

open image in gallery Harry Truman (1884-1972), the 33rd President of the USA, addresses media in 1945 in Washington, D.C. His administration used the Alien Enemies Act until 1951 ( AFP via Getty Images )

While the president may invoke the law during wartime, the Constitution hands Congress the power to declare war, meaning that the president must wait for Congress to act to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. However, the president need not wait for Congress to invoke the law based on a threatened or ongoing invasion or predatory incursion, according to the Brennan Center.

The Trump White House chose not to wait for Congress to act, invoking the law last month.

While some anti-immigration politicians view the law as an authority to be used to deport unlawful immigrants, the Brennan Center argues that invoking it in peacetime to bypass conventional immigration law would be a staggering abuse.

Both Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman continued to use the legislation even after the end of the fighting in the world wars. While World War I ended in 1918, German and Austro-Hungarian immigrants were interned until 1920.

Following the end of the Second World War in 1945, the Truman administration used the law to intern and deport people until 1951.

Beatriz Lopez, the co-executive director of the Immigration Hub, said in a statement before the White House invocation that Trump is unearthing one of Americas darkest laws to launch a deportation dragnet unlike anything in modern history.

The Alien Enemies Act will make it easier for ICE to identify, arrest, and deport taxpaying, long-settled immigrants who have built lives, families, and businesses here, she added. Especially with access to personal data through the IRS, families across the country will be at risk of deportation even if they arrived in the U.S. lawfully.

Katherine Yon Ebright, a counsel at the Brennan Center, said on X last month that Obviously this is an illegal invocation of a wartime authority for peacetime immigration enforcement.

The administration is invoking the Alien Enemies Act to effect summary deportations of Venezuelans who it *claims* are members of Tren de Aragua, she added. They are hoping that the wartime law will allow them to evade judicial review and get away with making baseless accusations.
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Arlington National Cemetery has purged dozens of pages of information about famous Black, Hispanic and female veterans from its website to comply with President Donald Trumps diversity, equity and inclusion executive order.

The purge follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths declaration that DEI is dead as he implements Trumps agenda at the Pentagon.

One of Trumps many executive orders was banning DEI in federal programs, and Pentagon bosses have carried out orders to remove any content that promotes it.

That includes removing internal links to educational materials on the cemeterys website.

On the websites Notable Graves dropdown menu, African American History, Hispanic American History and Womens History no longer appear, screenshots taken by Armed forces outlet Task & Purpose comparing it in December 2024 and now show.

Officials confirmed to the outlet that some pages had been unpublished. In a statement to The Independent, an Army spokesperson said it was working diligently to return removed content but did not specify when it would return.

open image in gallery The purge of famous Black, Hispanic and female war veterans comes after President Donald Trump, pictured at Arlington National Cemetery during his first administration, issued an executive order banning DEI in federal programs. ( Getty )

We are proud of our educational content and programming and working diligently to return removed content to ensure alignment with Department of Defense instruction 5400.17 and Executive Orders issued by the President, the spokesperson said. We remain committed to sharing the stories of military service and sacrifice to the nation with transparency and professionalism, while continuing to engage with our community in a manner that reflects our core values.

Some pages celebrating diverse veterans still exist and can be found in search, but are no longer available directly through the site itself, Task & Purpose reports.

They include the biographies of the youngest and first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Colin L. Powell, and the first Black man to sit on the Supreme Court, Justice Thurgood Marshall. A direct link to information about the Air Forces first African American female brigadier general, Lt. Kara Spears Hultgreen, is also no longer available, according to the outlet.

open image in gallery Historians and educational staff at Arlington carefully curate lesson plans for students, some of which are now no longer available on the cemeterys website. The Army said it was working diligently to return the removed content but did not specify when. ( Getty Images )

The missing links and educational materials were first reported by Civil War historian Kevin Levin on his Substack.

Lesson plans for students created by Arlington staff covering Womens History and Medal of Honor recipients have also been removed from a dropdown menu, Levin noted.

He said that Arlington staff did an excellent job in developing the lesson plans for teachers.

I have seen first hand the good work that they do with teachers and I know for a fact that teachers across the country have used these lesson plans, he wrote. So much good work has been lost, more than likely deleted by someone with no understanding or interest in American history.

Democrats and veterans groups hit out at the move. This is a terrible affront to the veterans posthumously dishonored and canceled and to their families, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin said. It is a pathological statement that the MAGA government cannot even accept inclusion in death.

Progressive Veterans group VoteVets accused the Trump administration of whitewashing history.

Arlington National Cemetery just erased DEI from its website  because Republicans threw a tantrum over honoring ALL who served, the group said. The same GOP that cuts Veteran healthcare now decides whos worthy of remembrance. This isnt patriotism. Its whitewashing history.
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A man who identified himself as a veteran heckled a Republican congressman on Thursday as yet another GOP town hall event descended into chaos.

The action erupted as Representative Chuck Edwards held a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday evening. The lawmaker was speaking to constituents about voting yes on the House budget resolution when the crowd started booing.

And you wonder why folks dont want to do town halls anymore? Edwards quipped.

In response, a man in the crowd stood up, identified himself as a veteran and began shouting at the lawmaker.

open image in gallery Representative Chuck Edwards hosted a less-than-pleasant town hall for him Thursday in Asheville, North Carolina ( C-SPAN )

You have nothing to say but lies, the man yelled, as his fellow audience members laughed and cheered. Youre lying. Im a veteran, you dont give a f*** about me.

You dont get to take away our rights, the man continued as security guards approached him.

Four officers surrounded the man, leading him from his seat as he continued his profanity-laden rant.

F*** you, he yelled as the officers walked him out. He continued to shout while walking out of the auditorium, accompanied by continued cheer and applause.

You dont get to do this, he said as he left the room.

open image in gallery Officers lead out an angry constituent shouting at Representative Chuck Edwards's town hall Thursday ( C-SPAN )

Edwards called the incident unfortunate in a statement to The Independent.

After multiple attempts by security to urge the individual to control his outbursts, which contained obscenities, the individual was removed from the event, the lawmaker said. I welcome and appreciate a vigorous and healthy debate with any and all constituents. A person shouting expletives in a public setting does not fit that bill, and it was unfortunate that one individual chose to use foul language and aggression to bring attention to himself and disrupt what was otherwise a peaceful assembly.

The ugly confrontation comes after the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee advised GOP lawmakers to avoid town halls after raucous encounters over federal job cuts went viral earlier this year.

Chairman Richard Hudson, a GOP lawmaker from North Carolina, warned that "in-person town halls are no longer effective because Democrat activists are threatening democracy by disrupting the actual communication at town halls."

He offered no evidence that the town halls were populated by Democratic activists.

One of the problematic town hall events was hosted last month by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, NBC News recounted.

When Marshall told constituents that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees were fully vetted, the crowd erupted in boos. Then, when a constituent asked about job cuts impacting veterans, Marshall simply walked out of the town hall. Audience members booed again and complained he didnt stay for the full hour.

Similarly, Republican Mark Alford drew angry shouts of opposition from a dozens-strong crowd as he tried to defend sweeping government cutbacks while speaking to his constituents in Missouri last month.

GOP Representative Rich McCormick found himself in a similar situation in Georgia, as his constituents confronted him over DOGEs chainsaw approach to slashing federal spending.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Senator Chuck Schumers decision to back a Republican spending bill and avert a government shutdown a tremendous mistake.

Schumer, 74, announced Thursday that he would advance the GOP bill to keep federal funding flowing past a midnight Friday deadline. The measure, which was passed in the House on Tuesday, has been the central point of contention in the Senate this week.

AOC, however, criticized the move during an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper Thursday evening and said it would be a tremendous mistake.

The Bronx-born lawmaker said that the bill would create a slush fund for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

open image in gallery Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tore into Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday during a CNN interview ( CNN )

I cannot urge enough how bad of an idea it is to empower and enable Donald Trump and Elon Musk in this moment. It is dangerous and it is reckless, AOC told Tapper.

AOC insisted that the time to act was now.

The American people, whether they are Republicans, Independents, or Democrats, are up in arms about Elon Musk and the actual gutting of federal agencies across the board, AOC said.

This continuing resolution codifies much of this chaos that Elon Musk is wreaking havoc on the federal government. It codifies many of those changes, she continued.

In defending his decision to support the bull, Schumer said that there were fundamentally no winners in a government shutdown.

The veteran lawmaker said that a shutdown would grant Trump and Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

open image in gallery Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his reversal on the bill Thursday, despite vowing he and other Democrats would block the bill ( AP )

However, AOC said the bill's passage would sacrifice congressional authority to regulate Trumps impulsive tariffs.

She added that for those who were concerned about effectiveness in government, supporting the billion-dollar bill would remove the checks and balances necessary to ensure that the money was being spent in accordance with Congress's commands.

It is almost deeply unthinkable why Senate Democrats would vote to hand the few pieces of leverage that we have away for free when weve been sent here to protect social security, protect Medicaid, and protect Medicare, she shared with Tapper who pressed her on the matter.

Taking to her Bluesky account shortly after the bold interview, she wrote: I think some in the Senate have convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to the left and therefore ignorable.

open image in gallery AOC warned the move would empower Trump and Elon Musk ( Getty Images )

Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.

AOC said it was crucial for Schumer to recognise the risks associated with supporting the bill and declared that the funding was about deep cuts to social security, Medicare, Medicaid  not party loyalty.

Government shutdowns are immensely costly. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the last funding lapse was estimated to have caused a permanent loss of about $3 billion, as reported by CBS News.

The Senate has until 23:59 ET Friday to decide on the matter before a shutdown comes into force.
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On Friday, the Senate voted to advance a stopgap spending bill, essentially averting a government shutdown.

But the conclusion of the vote now opens up questions about the future of Chuck Schumers status as the top Democrat in the Senate after he threw Democrats for a loop by announcing late on Thursday evening that he would join with Republicans to support the bill, known as a continuing resolution, to keep the government open.

The way Schumer went about his decision surprised people as much as his actual words. Throughout Thursday, especially after the Democratic luncheon, more Democrats stated their opposition to the continuing resolution that House Republicans had passed on an almost exclusively party line.

Then, almost as soon as the opposition floodgates began to open, Schumer unprompted, made a speech on the floor saying he would vote for the continuing resolution. That immediately prompted outrage from House Democrats of all stripes. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called it a tremendous mistake on CNN.

open image in gallery Chuck Schumer, leader of the Senate Democratic caucus, faced a revolt from his party ( REUTERS )

Schumers announcement did little to quell the opposition to the bill as even swing-state Democrats like Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan came out and opposed it.

If I werent a preacher, Id tell you what kind of no Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia told The Independent. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a part of Schumers leadership team, also opposed it.

But perhaps the most damning part came when the triumvirate of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar left the House Democratic retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, to hold a press conference.

Throughout the conference, when reporters asked Jeffries if he still had confidence of his fellow Brooklynite Schumer, he deflected, saying next question.

open image in gallery House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dodged questions about whether he still had confidence in Schumer. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Most Democratic senators refused to say whether this should prompt a change in Democratic leadership, with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona flat-out saying I don't agree with that.

But Democratic activists made their anger clear.

Leah Greenberg, the co-founder of the progressive organization Indivisible, told The Independent over text that she was swamped by angry calls from leaders across the country who feel betrayed.

I would say that our people are uniform in strongly disagreeing with and feeling betrayed by his strategic call, but even people who actually agree on the ultimate outcome are horrified by how this has been managed, she said.

To be clear, Democrats had zero good choices here. A government shutdown would have given Donald Trump and Elon Musk license to slash even more.

As much as House leadership said they wanted Republicans to come back to the table and negotiate a bipartisan appropriations bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have no incentive to reopen the government. Plenty of their members might even like a shutdown.

But Democratic activists find themselves increasingly angry and they want to see their elected officials fight back.

I havent heard from anyone who isnt disgusted, Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, told The Independent. We cannot win this way. The problem is that now no matter what he does, he looks weak. Its a colossal self-own.

In addition, Watts said that any Democratic leader who fails to meet the moment should face a primary challenge.

Schumer has navigated the minefield of being the top Democrat in the Trump era for the eight years. Hes done so with a special level of pluck and affability.

When Democrats held the Senate during Joe Bidens presidency with only 50 votes, he managed to keep everyone from Bernie Sanders to Joe Manchin on the same page, which allowed him to pass consequential legislation. He did so largely by calling senators on his flip phone and raising large sums of money.

Hes a master retail politician who regularly traverses his home state of New York beyond the Big Apple to Upstate, which is how he wins over people who voted for Trump in his elections.

But Democrats in the Senate and their voters have interpreted his geniality as being too conciliatory. In a time when Democratic voters want to see their party put up a fight against Trump and actively resist him, that makes being the leader in a deliberative body like the Senate much more difficult.

Whether Schumer stays on as leader, he will have shown he was unable to make the case to his caucus that he had made right choice. And now those calls on his flip phone might include some voice messages telling him to step aside.
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Federal agencies were required to submit downsizing plans by Thursday night as part of the Department of Government Efficiencys plan to carry out mass firings across government  but its unclear what comes next.

Elon Musks DOGE will work with the Office of Personnel Management  the governments human resources department  to review each agencys plans before carrying out the firings, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. But legal scholars say there are countless legal questions surrounding these large-scale firings that remain unanswered.

Not only are there millions of legal questions cascading out, but the million legal questions change with each different move of the political strategy, Don Kettl, former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, told The Washington Post.

Thursdays deadline coincided with decisions from two federal judges ruling that President Donald Trumps administration must reinstate thousands of probationary workers who were fired as part of DOGEs work.

open image in gallery Federal agencies were required to submit plans for mass firings to the Office of Personnel Management and Elon Musks DOGE by Thursday night ( REUTERS )

As questions mount, Rice University political science professor Mark Jones tells Reuters the Trump administration is in a rush to carry out these firings before the presidents honeymoon period ends.

"The Trump administration knows that it has a limited time horizon," Jones told the outlet. "The risk is they cut too much, or they don't cut strategically, and it has negative blowbacks in terms of the ability of the federal government to function."

Employment lawyer Kevin Owen argues that Trump wants to make agencies dysfunctional so he can dismantle them further down the road.

Theyre breaking government agencies so that down the road they can point to it and say, Thats not working; we can get rid of it. Thats whats going on here, Owen told the Post.

open image in gallery A demonstrator holds a sign as they protest Musks DOGE ( AP )

Federal employment attorney Debra DAgostino voiced a similar concern.

I dont think they really think through how much we rely on the federal government, she told the Post. Our food is safe to eat, our water is safe to drink, we can get on public transportation. Theres many things a government does that we dont notice on a day-to-day basis, but were surely going to notice if they stop happening.

What is clear, though, is that the White House expects this move to result in a mass reduction of the federal workforce.

This reduction will streamline our broken bureaucracy, save taxpayers millions of dollars and make the government more efficient for all, Leavitt said.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields also told The Independent that all of Trumps executive actions are lawful, constitutional, and intended to deliver on the promises he made to the American people.

Partisan elected officials and judicial activists who seek to legally obstruct President Trumps agenda are defying the will of 77 million Americans who overwhelmingly re-elected President Trump, and their efforts will fail, Fields said. The Trump Administration is prepared to fight these battles in court and will prevail.
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Financial criminal Jordan Belfort gushed over DOGE chief Elon Musk during a Friday morning appearance on Fox & Friends, calling the worlds richest man a hero while promising the hosts that he would buy a Tesla later in the day.

Send us a picture of your purchase, well put it on Monday, co-host Brian Kilmeade said.

A convicted securities fraudster who was the subject of the Martin Scorsese-directed film The Wolf of Wall Street, Belfort was brought on to Donald Trumps favorite morning show to tout the presidents economic policies and dismiss fears of a recession.

Asked about his thoughts on the stock market entering a correction amid the presidents erratic trade war, Belfort declared that the only people panicking are on CNBC, who are trying to make everyone panic. As for Trumps on-again off-again tariffs, Belfort insisted they would be good for the long-term health of the economy as it is mission critical to bring back core manufacturing to the United States.

( Fox News )

Belfort, who has long supported Trump, also claimed that Americans wont feel much pain throughout the presidents trade war, asserting that much of the cost increases will be absorbed by overseas companies who will eventually have to lower prices because consumers wont be purchasing their goods and services.

Other countries have tariffs against us, it is like everyone is crying foul for the last 30 to 50 years. Weve been taken advantage of by the whole world and now President Trump, who I massively respect, is doing something very smart. I believe in reciprocal tariffs, he declared.

So Jordan, if you agree with what the president is doing and you say everyone just be patient, is this just Trump derangement syndrome? Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt wondered.

If he didnt have tariffs, they would be saying, How could he not be addressing tariffs?! He has to put tariffs on things. Everyone is taking advantage of us! Whatever he does, theyre gonna say they hate it, Belfort ranted. Its the worst thing in the world, hes destroying democracy, hes a fascist. Hes a moron. Whatever he does! So just ignore it. Its complete and utter nonsense.

He went on to applaud Trump for cutting spending, waste and fraud while mocking liberals for thinking thats bad too, prompting Kilmeade to invoke Musk  who the Fox host claimed is collateral damage and feeling the same heat because hes with this president.

With Tesla sales plummeting around the world amid Musks shift to far-right politics and protests taking place at American dealerships over the billionaire firing thousands of workers as he dismantles the federal government, the president recently held an infomercial for the automaker at the White House. Besides turning the South Lawn into a showroom for his first buddy, which naturally raised ethics concerns, the president vowed to buy a Tesla for himself while threatening to label anyone who vandalized the cars a domestic terrorist.

Piggybacking on Trumps promotion of the expensive electric vehicles, which represents a complete about-face for the president on EVs, Belfort  who still owes millions of dollars in restitution to his victims  told the Fox & Friends crew that he was getting ready to get his own Musk-built car.

Im gonna buy a Tesla today, by the way, he blurted.

Nice, good job, Kilmeade approvingly replied as Befort cried out that Musk is a hero as he signed off.

Meanwhile, before moving on to the next segment, Kilmeade urged Belfort to send the program a photo of his new automobile so Fox & Friends could show it to viewers on Monday morning.
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The chair of the Federal Communications Commission has sent a letter to Google calling for a briefing by the company regarding concerns that YouTube TV discriminates against faith-based programming.

Brendan Carr explained in a post on X that he had received complaints from broadcasters about the issue, adding: These concerning allegations come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented  and unacceptable  surge in censorship.

Im asking Google for answers, he added in the post, which included a copy of his letter.

In the letter, addressed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, Carr points to a complaint by one broadcaster, Great American Media, which claims that YouTube TV refuses to carry one of its networks.

Carr pointed out that the FCC currently has restricted authority over virtual multichannel video programming distributors such as YouTube TV, but that the agency is reviewing whether it should expand its regulations to include such distributors.

The chairman notes that Google has benefited from Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from accountability for what their users share on the sites. Carr added that he wants to limit tech company protections.

In the case of YouTube TV, concerns have been raised alleging that your company has a policy (secret or otherwise) that discriminates against faith-based programming, Carr stated in the letter.

As an example, Great American Media wrote a letter to me in which they claim that YouTube TV deliberately marginalizes faith-based and family-friendly content, he added.

Carr noted that, according to Great American Media, its Great American Family network is the second fastest-growing channel in cable television and, while they are carried on a range of cable and streaming services  YouTube TV refuses to carry them.

In too many cases, tech companies silenced individuals for doing nothing more than expressing themselves and in the digital town square, Carr claimed.

Carr instructed Mohan and Pichai to brief the commission on the negotiations process regarding which networks are carried on YouTube TV, including the potential role of viewpoint-based discrimination.

A YouTube spokesperson told The Verge in response to Carrs letter: We welcome the opportunity to brief the FCC on YouTube TVs subscription service and the strategic business decisions we make based on factors like user demand, operational cost and financial terms, and to reiterate that we do not have any policies that prohibit religious content.

Great American Media already has a significant presence on YouTube with channels such as Pure Flix and Great American Family.

Google has also been subpoenaed by Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, who has asked whether YouTube removed videos following entreaties from the Biden administration.
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President Donald Trump is underwater on everything when it comes to his approval ratings, a Fox News host declared Thursday.

Jessica Tarlov pointed to a new Quinnipiac poll released this week that found 53 percent of voters disapprove of the presidents second term performance.

Voters responded to questions about trade policies with China and Canada, immigration issues, foreign policies, military issues and Trumps handling of the economy and federal workforce.

Since the start of his second term, the stock market has been tumbling, thousands of federal workers are unemployed and Trump has threatened chaos with the countrys strongest trade partners.

The Democratic messaging actually has been going pretty well, Tarlov said on The Five, despite another recent poll that showed Democrats dont have a handle on their response to Trumps policies. So, talking about theyre trying to cut your healthcare while giving tax breaks to the rich.

Theres over 50 percent disapproval of Trump himself, how hes handling the economy, how hes handling the federal workforce, how hes handling Ukraine-Russia, how hes handling trade with Mexico, how hes handling trade with Canada, Tarlov said. So basically, hes underwater on everything.

Trumps polling has struggled since before his joint session of Congress address on March 4. Another Quinnipiac poll from last month determined 45 percent approved of Trumps performance and 49 percent disapproved.

Meanwhile, a similar CNN poll released this week found 54 percent of voters disapprove of Trump, while 45 percent approve. One Reuters poll determined voters thought Trumps economic policies had become too erratic.

Tarlov blamed part of Trumps failing poll numbers on recent town halls held by both Democrat and Republican congressional members, in which thousands attended to get clarity on the Trump administrations new policies, particularly those pertaining to cutting swaths of the federal workforce.

On the Republican side, social media videos have shown members coming under fire for supporting the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with making the cuts.

And we know about the Republicans having town halls and then having to run away or asking questions like, What do you think of DOGE? and expecting people to say something positive and then they are screaming, Tarlov said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has baselessly suggested angry community members are paid actors.

Just this week, North Carolina Republican Representative Chuck Edwards was confronted by angry constituents demanding to know how he could justify cutting parts of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. He was booed and ultimately escorted out of the meeting.
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The Senate voted overwhelmingly to avert a government shutdown after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a handful of Democrats broke from the majority of their party to vote with Republicans on a spending bill.

All but one Republican senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted for the bill, along with 10 Democrats, voted to invoke cloture and therefore prevent a filibuster. That paved the way for the final passage of the bill that will now head to President Donald Trumps desk.

House Republicans passed the bill on an almost exclusively party-line vote, with many House Democrats objecting to the spending cuts and the fact that it was negotiated without them, criticisms also leveled by Democrats in the Senate.

Many Senate Democrats came out against the bill on Thursday before Schumer said he would vote to support the continuing resolution that evening.

open image in gallery Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer broke with many members of his party to pass a stopgap spending bill with Republicans. ( AP )

We had a Hobson's choice, an awful CR bill that had no democratic input, very bad bill, Schumer told reporters on Thursday evening. But the other choice was having a shutdown. I think that would be the far worse choice.

Schumer said that a shutdown would give Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, free rein to make cuts that could be even more draconian than the ones in the stopgap spending bill.

In effect, a shutdown gives Trump and his minions keys to the city and the country, he said. And I thought that had to be avoided.

But many Democrats still opposed the legislation. On Thursday evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar held a press conference before the vote where Jeffries repeatedly dodged when asked about whether he continued to have faith in Schumer.

Schumers decision did little to quell the rebellion, as many Democrats from battleground states came out against the legislation.

If I werent a preacher, Id tell you what kind of no, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia told The Independent. Specifically, Warnock criticized cuts to veterans care. It looks like our military men and women are yet one more casualty on the way to making sure that the billionaires get everything they want.

open image in gallery During a press conference on Friday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, right, repeatedly dodged when asked if he still had faith in Schumer, left, as Senate minority leader ( AP )

The legislation would keep the government open until the end of September, the close of the fiscal year. Democrats had hoped to put a 30-day continuing resolution on the floor to allow for spending bills to be negotiated in a bipartisan way.

The passage of the continuing resolution gives Democrats one less piece of leverage to use against Donald Trump and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Schumer had argued that over time, Democrats would have more leverage as Trumps popularity continues to decline amid his escalating trade war with Canada, Mexico and Europe, and as the economic outlook grows increasingly grim, an idea Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia echoed.

When those local communities have put up their share of the dough, doesn't have a project come through, I think that a lot of this is going to start bubbling up from Republican officials, Warner told The Independent.

Warner and his fellow Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia opposed the legislation due to cuts in the federal workforce that hurt federal employees in their state.

Overwhelmingly, the people reaching out to our office are thank you for saying that, Kaine told The Independent. Kaine said that many U.S. government employees are relieved when they hear their jobs have not been slashed by DOGE.

Usually uncertainty is bad, but uncertainty is about the most optimistic thing I hear from people these days, he said. My project hadn't been canceled yet, but I'm worried that it will be.

House Republicans had passed the spending bill with only one Democratic vote and one defection earlier this week as a way to get around the normal appropriations process, which likely would have required them to work with Democrats and would have caused conservatives to vote against the legislation.

Democrats had hoped that voting no would force Republicans to return to the negotiating table, but there is no indication Republicans would want to vote to reopen the government it if it were shut down, factors Schumer mentioned in his decision to vote to keep the government open.

Many Democratic activists criticized the decision by Schumer, with some saying that he could find his leadership of the Democratic caucus in jeopardy.

Any Democrat who helps to pass funding bill with blank checks for Musk and Trump will be cursed by it just like [Hillary Clinton and [John] Kerry were by their votes for the Iraq war, Murshed Zaheed, a Democratic strategist and a former senior leadership aide for former Senate majority leader Harry Reid, told The Independent.

But many Democrats brushed back the idea Schumer would be pushed aside.

Ill only speak about my own vote, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who opposed the bill, told The Independent.

The move also symbolizes a victory for House Republicans, who historically have hated passing continuing resolutions because they keep spending at previous levels and forces them to work with the Democrats.

The move allows Republicans to move toward their major goal of passing massive legislation to extend the tax cuts Trump signed in 2017, increase defense spending, beef up spending at the US-Mexico border and increase oil exploration.
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K-9 bomb sniffer dog units have become the latest victims of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, just as the White House celebrated a national day honoring the heroic animals.

Workers at the TSA were informed via email that new guidance meant that requests for costs including vet visits, kenneling and dog food, had been put on hold effective immediately, according to Fox News. The directive was revealed on Thursday. TSA is in charge of airport security and its dogs can be used to sniff out bombs and other contraband.

The developments comes hours after President Donald Trump reposted a picture of himself with a now-deceased dog to mark National K-9 Veterans Day. The president shared a picture of himself with Conan.

Happy K9 Veterans Day to all of our heroic working dogs, including Conan who fearlessly participated in the military operation that ended ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019, the president wrote.

open image in gallery Donald Trump poses with veteran K-9 officer Conan, who passed away in 2023. Trump reposted the picture hours before it was revealed that DOGE cut bomb-sniffing dog services ( The White House/ X )

According to the White House, Conan died in 2023. After his retirement, he was adopted by his former handler and passed away after many years of pleasant walks and peaceful naps.

Dogs are not only mans best friend, offering companionship and loyalty, but also guardians, instinctively protecting their loved ones with unwavering devotion, a White House press release read on Thursday.

On National K-9 Veterans Day, the First Lady and I join our Nation in honoring the dedicated service of those working dogs serving alongside our military and law enforcement to defend our citizens and our Homeland.

The Independent has requested comment from the White House about the reported cuts to the TSA and K-9 services.

Over 30,000 dogs have served in the U.S. Military since it began employing them in 1942, with more than 1,600 currently active.

open image in gallery Over 30,000 dogs have served in the U.S. Military since it began employing them in 1942, with more than 1,600 currently active ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The dogs are specially trained to detect explosives, drugs and other contraband, as well as participating in search-and-rescue operations with their keen sense of smell. Many also serve on the front lines, in combat zones and on the U.S. border.

The release also mentioned other dead dogs, including Hurricane, who took down a White House intruder; Cairo, a member of the U.S. Navys SEAL Team Six, who participated in the raid on Osama bin Laden; and Rex, a bomb detection dog who worked in Iraq.
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Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia was excluded from peace talks because the Kremlin complained that he was too close to Kyiv, it has been reported.

In November, President Trump announced retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, 80, as one of the key players in ending the war.

But since Mr Trump returned to office in January, Gen Kellogg has been noticeably absent from talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.

Click here for the latest updates on the Ukraine war

open image in gallery Keith Kellogg meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine in February ( AP )

A Russian official, speaking anonymously, told NBC News that this is because they had requested Washington keep Kellogg off the talks.

Kellogg is a former American general, too close to Ukraine, the official said. Not our kind of person, not of the calibre we are looking for.

A US official in the Trump administration confirmed that Russia did not want Kellogg involved.

Kellogg, with over thirty years of military experience, is seen as one of Trumps most hawkish figures on Russia. His supporters say he also has the best relationship with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has known for a few years. He visited Zelensky in Kyiv last month.

open image in gallery Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has appeared as Donald Trumps key go-between with Russian leader Vladimir Putin ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

When Trump announced a list of diplomats who would attend talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia, however, Kellogg was not on that list, nor was he included in the talks a month later with Ukraine.

Trumps Middle East envoy, businessman Steve Witkoff, after helping broker a tentative ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, has emerged instead as the alternative key player in the talks with Putin. U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio and the White House national security adviser Mike Waltz have led the talks.

Witkoff has met with the Russian leader twice: first in February to set up the initial talks with Washington and then this week to discuss a 30-day proposal for a ceasefire agreed to by Ukraine.

Putin claims he supports the proposal but has also said the U.S. must address the root causes of the war before it can be agreed upon. These demands appear to be both propagandistic and impossible to satisfy. Putin has previously called for Ukraines effective disarmament and Kyivs abandonment of security guarantees vital to prevent future Russian aggression.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin has indicated he supports a ceasefire - but only under certain conditions ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

In a paper for the American First Policy Institute last year, Kellogg suggested the US should arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses, ensuring that Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a ceasefire or peace agreement.

In his relative absence, Trump suspended and then resumed military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following spats with Zelensky.

Kelloggs allies say he has not been sidelined despite not attending the talks in Saudi Arabia. They claim he remains in contact with Mr Trump.

Russias foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declined to answer a question last week about whether they had sidelined Kellogg. She claimed Russias diplomats had great experience of dealing with different envoys.
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An agent honored by Donald Trump during his address to Congress in 2019 was one of the officers who arrested Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, according to attorneys for the Columbia University student and lawful permanent resident who is now facing deportation for his role in pro-Palestine campus protests.

When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Khalils biometrics after his arrest, an agent said the White House is requesting an update, lawyers wrote in a court filing in Manhattan on Thursday.

After a brief court appearance this week, Khalils attorneys are now asking a judge to bring Khalil back to New York after he was moved to a detention center in Louisiana, and for an order that blocks the Trump administration from similarly threatening noncitizens from removal from the country over support for Palestine.

Following a series of statements from U.S. officials  and the president himself  attacking Khalil, who has not been charged with committing any crime, lawyers argue that the Trump administration has violated Khalils First Amendment rights with a targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protester because of his constitutionally protected speech.

open image in gallery Protesters outside federal court in Manhattan on March 12 demanded his release from detention over what attorneys are calling unconstitutional retaliation in response to his pro-Palestine advocacy ( REUTERS )

The new filing updates an earlier petition to the court to challenge his initial arrest, which has sparked international outcry and fears that the administration is moving to crush political dissidents, starting with campus demonstrations against Israels devastating campaign in Gaza and U.S. support.

Lawyers with Trumps Department of Justice admit that their attempt to deport Khalil is based only on Secretary of State Marco Rubio having reasonable grounds to believe that his presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences, despite being a lawful permanent resident with a green card. On Wednesday, Rubio accused Khalil of engaging in antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization, echoing previous statements by Trump. Khalils lawyers have called those assertions false.

Khalil, who is Palestinian, grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. He entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 to pursue a masters degree in public administration, which he completed last year. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025.

He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. His wife, a U.S. citizen, is eight months pregnant.

Khalil has called Israels actions in Gaza a genocide and criticized Columbia University for, in his view, financing and in other ways facilitating such violence, his attorneys wrote.

He is committed to peaceful protest and being a voice for his people, they wrote.

The filing quotes an interview Khalil gave to CNN during campus demonstrations, telling a reporter that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand and you cannot achieve one without the other. He also called the student movement a movement for social justice and freedom and equality for everyone.

On March 7, following months of public scrutiny, he told Columbias interim president in an email that he cannot sleep and he fears ICE or a dangerous individual might come to my home.

The following night, plainclothes agents followed Khalil and his wife into the lobby of an apartment building and identified themselves as Department of Homeland Security officers, and two other officers approached from inside the building, the filing states. They never produced a warrant, according to his attorneys.

Khalil called his attorney Amy Greer, who then spoke to agent Elvin Hernandez, who was hailed by Trump as one of the nations law enforcement heroes in his state of the union address in 2019.

open image in gallery Homeland Security agent Elvin Hernandez was honored by Donald Trump during his state of the union address in 2019 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Hernandez told her Khalils student visa and green card were being revoked and he was being taken to an ICE field office in Manhattan, then hung up, according to the filing.

Khalils wife then showed an agent his green card, the filing states. The agent looked confused when he saw the documents and said, He has a green card to the individual with whom he was on the phone, and Mr. Khalils wife heard the agent repeat that they were being ordered to bring Mr. Khalil in anyway, according to Khalils lawyers.

The agents threatened that Khalils wife would also be arrested if she did not comply, the complaint says.

While in custody, Khalil was repeatedly denied a lawyer when he asked to speak with one, according to his attorneys. He spent the night at a detention center in New Jersey waiting to be processed and was then sent back to New York and put on a plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport the next day on March 9.

Khalil was put on an American Airlines flight around 2:45 p.m. to Dallas, Texas, during which he saw an agent receive a message that said he cannot have a phone call, according to his lawyers.

open image in gallery Khalil will remain in detention in a Louisiana facility as a legal battle plays out to determine if he will be deported from the United States ( Getty Images )

He spent roughly four hours in Dallas and was then placed on another American Airlines flight to Louisiana. He arrived there at roughly 1 a.m. March 10 and was driven in handcuffs and shackles to a detention center in Jena.

There, when he told agents that he has an ulcer and needs to take his medication for it every day, he didnt receive any until the next evening, according to his attorneys.

Throughout this process, Mr. Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped, attorneys wrote. He was reminded of prior experience fleeing arbitrary detention in Syria and forced disappearance of his friends in Syria in 2013. It was shortly after this that Mr. Khalil left Syria. At no time throughout this process did any of the agents identify themselves.

He is worried about the wellbeing of his wife and their unborn child and is very concerned about the possibility he will not be there for his childs birth, his lawyers wrote. He also was set to start a new job next month and now fears the loss of income and lack of health insurance for his family, they said.

In remarks outside federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, attorney Ramzi Kassem with the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) project at CUNY School of Law called the governments grounds for revoking Khalils green card absolutely unprecedented.

It cannot be the case that you can be disappeared at night, off the streets of New York city, simply because the current administration in the White House dislikes what you have to say, he said.
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Mahmoud Khalil and other Columbia University students are suing the university and a Republican-led House committee to block thousands of student records from getting into the hands of members of Congress investigating pro-Palestine protests on college campuses.

Khalil, a prominent student organizer, is currently detained in Louisiana and being processed for deportation after his shock arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

He is a lawful permanent resident with a green card and has not been charged or accused of committing any crimes, but Donald Trump and federal law enforcement officials have labelled him a threat to national security who should be forced out of the country for pro-Hamas activities.

Last month, the Republican-led House Committee on Education and Workforce demanded Columbia produce student disciplinary records surrounding campus demonstrations and warned the school it would lose federal funding if it didnt comply.

In a lawsuit filed in New York on Thursday, lawyers for Khalil and other student plaintiffs argue the committees letter is clearly intended to chill students First Amendment rights by exposing the students to negative publicity and investigation, pervasive and persistent harassment, doxing, and threats to their safety and lives.

open image in gallery Mahmoud Khalil was a prominent organizer with pro-Palestine demonstrations on Columbia Universitys campus ( REUTERS )

They argue that Republicans are jawboning, in which government officials turn to bullying institutions and organizations to do their work for them when they have run out of options.

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the university announced students involved with the occupation of a campus building last fall now face multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions.

The Independent has requested comment from the university and the committee.

Columbia Universitys apparent willingness to comply with the Congressional request to disclose private student records sets a dangerous precedent that undermines academic freedom and student privacy, Khalils attorney Amy Greer of the firm Dratel & Lewis wrote in a statement. Our lawsuit seeks to protect the constitutional rights of students who should not be subjected to political intimidation or invasive government overreach. We will continue to fight for the privacy and dignity of all students.

open image in gallery Pro-Palestine demonstrators protested U.S. support for Israels war in Gaza in long-running campus protests at Columbia University in New York ( AFP via Getty Images )

The lawsuit  which is supported by the Council on American Islamic Relations  takes aim at the committees letter on antisemitic harassment and intimidation, which attorneys wrongfully conflates First Amendment-protected protests against Israels war in Gaza in an attempt to make instrumentalized accusations of antisemitism to attack ideas it ideologically opposes.

As with all other forms of hatred and discrimination, antisemitism is unacceptable and should be confronted. The urgency of this issue is not disputed here. However, the records demanded by the committee are not substantially related to antisemitism, they wrote.

The committee trafficks in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic dog whistles to justify unjustifiable intrusions on First Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit.

The Trump administration has already stripped $400 million from the university, part of what the plaintiffs see as a part of the administrations attempts to chill and punish protected speech and protest activity, lawyers added.

Plaintiffs said the records the committee seeks contain demographic, academic, and financial information, and at most, personally identifying information, student group affiliations and associations, and related private information that could be and have been used to harass, make threats against, and dox the individuals whose records are turned over to the committee, and whose personal privacy and safety would be jeopardized by the committee's politically charged investigation.

Lawyers for Khalil are asking a judge to move him back to New York as they continue a legal challenge for his release, which has sparked international outcry and concerns over threats to First Amendment-protected dissent. Government lawyers have asked a judge to either dismiss the challenge or move the case to Louisiana.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and her colleagues appear to be stepping up the pressure on the FBI and the Attorney General to investigate instances of Tesla vandalism as acts of domestic terrorism, which Donald Trump has championed.

Tesla vehicles and dealerships have been increasingly targeted by vandalism and arson, and Tesla showrooms have become the focal point in growing protests against Elon Musk and his work dismantling the federal government in the Department of Government Efficiency.

The right-wing Georgia lawmaker and other Republicans have written to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the wave of organized attacks targeting Elon Musk, Tesla and DOGE.

Who is behind it? Who is funding it? Is there a link with Democrat-leaning NGOs [non-governmental organizations]? Greene wrote Wednesday on X, hinting at some kind of nefarious conspiracy.

The letter to officials states that reports, including from Elon Musk himself, indicate that various Democrat-affiliated NGOs are linked to acts of vandalism against Tesla cars  but the authors provide no other evidence for the claim.

A scorched Tesla pictured in Seattle, Washington ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Greene may have violated House ethics rules by signing the letter because she owns stock in Tesla, Forbes reports.

The letter could raise a serious ethics issue for Representative Greene, campaign finance attorney Brett Kappel told Forbes. House ethics rules prohibit a member from taking any official action that would benefit her own financial interest.

In response, Greenes spokesperson Nick Dyer told Forbes that her query is about domestic terrorist attacks and accused their reporter of being a Democrat troll.

Trump on Tuesday vowed to label people who vandalize Teslas as domestic terrorists while promoting Musks vehicles on the White Houses south lawn and promising to buy one of them.

I'll do it, Trump warned when asked if he would label the vandals as terrorists. I'm going to stop them  because they're harming a great American company. I've stuck up for a lot of American companies.

He added: I do favors for all  when you heard an American company, especially a company like this, applies so many jobs that others are unable to do, when you do that, those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them.

At the same event, Musk claimed that Tesla would be doubling its vehicle output in the U.S. over the next two years, as a function of the great policies of President Trump and his administration, and as an act of faith in America.
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Firebrand Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California encouraged her colleagues and the public to fight back against President Donald Trumps attempts to remake the government in his vision through nonviolence  believing the president is on the edge of creating a civil war.

Waters, a longtime opponent of Trump, told reporters Thursday she believes the presidents recent string of policy-changing executive orders, mass firing of federal workers and implementation of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency is to rile up the public.

I think, perhaps, it is about gathering the power and bringing us to our knees so that when he changes America with his vision that we will begging for crumbs, basically, Waters said during a news conference with the Congressional Black Caucus.

open image in gallery California Representative Maxine Waters said she believes President Donald Trump is creating a civil war ( REUTERS )

Trumps actions have sparked outrage from some Democrats and protests from the public.

Im worried that Trump is on the edge of creating a civil war. He alluded to it more than once. He alluded to the fact that if he did not get re-elected, there could be a civil war, Waters added.

Over the last eight years, the president has made multiple references to the civil war. In 2019, Trump repeated a claim that if he was removed from office due to impeachment, it could cause a Civil War-like fracture. Last year, he touted that he believed the American Civil War could have been negotiated.

While the president has not directly stated there would be a civil war, he has made references to the potential for violence.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump did not rule out the possibility of violence if he did not win the election, saying it depends on the fairness of the election. However, he also has famously downplayed violence that took place on January 6, when a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.

open image in gallery Waters joined other leaders and protesters in rejecting Elon Musks recent ascent to power ( Getty Images for MoveOn )

Based on his previous comments, Waters believes Trump is drastically changing the organization and authority of federal agencies and departments to get a rise out of Democrats and opponents but also fulfill his desire to be a dictator.

Now we know he wants to be a dictator, we know hes in love with Putin, we know he even loves Kim Jong-un in North Korea, Waters said during the new conference.

I believe he expects violence. I believe he expects confrontation. I believe he is working toward a civil war, Waters said. Were not going to get goated, were not going to get tricked into that. Were going to continue to do our work.

Waters implored her colleagues to follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s teachings of peaceful, organized protests.

Were going to fight. We in this fight. Were going to fight. Were going to peacefully protest. Were going to talk to our people, Waters said.
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Workers blasted DOGE hatchet man Elon Musk Thursday after he reposted a startling message on X declaring that Hitler didnt murder millions of people. Public sector employees did.

Lee Saunders, union president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees of the AFL-CIO, fired off a furious response saying: Americas public service workers  our nurses, teachers, firefighters, librarians  chose making our communities safe, healthy and strong over getting rich. They are not, as the worlds richest man implies, genocidal murderers.

He added: Elon Musk and the billionaires in this administration have no idea what real people go through every day. Thats why hes so willing to take a chainsaw to peoples jobs, Medicaid, Social Security and Medicare.

Screenshot of a startling message on X reposted by Elon Musk ( X screen shot )

It was only the latest of Musks disturbing instances of sidling up to Hitler as he appeared to excuse the actions of the architect of the Holocaust that murdered 6 million Jews and others to pick on public employees, whose jobs he has cut by the thousands since Donald Trump took office.

Ironically, he retweeted the Hitler post just days after the Trump administration announced it was withholding some $4 million in grants and contracts from Columbia University for failing to squelch pro-Gaza protests at the expense of Jewish students, indicating the demonstrations were antisemitic.

Some 150 of pro-Palestinian protesters, many of them Jewish, poured into Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan Thursday to support former Columbia Palestinian student Mahmoud Kahil, who was arrested for for organizing a campus demonstration in defense of Gaza.

Not in our name, read the red t-shirts worn by the protesters, who shouted Fight Nazis, not students. Police arrested some 100 of the protesters. Khalil and other student on Thursday sued Columbia to block congressional access to student records as the university threatened to expel or suspend campus protesters.

Musk, who was born and raised in apartheid South Africa, triggered an early uproar when he notoriously flashed what appeared to be a Nazi salute at an event marking the Inauguration in January.

He later mocked outrage over the gesture with a series of unfunny Nazi puns featuring Hitlers top aides, including: Dont say Hess to Nazi accusations! and Some people will Goebbels anything down! He also wrote: Stop Goring your enemies! His pronouns wouldve been He/Himmler! 

Musk concluded: Bet you did nazi that coming, with a laughing-to-tears emoji.

The head of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League ripped Musks Nazi jokes, noting that the Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropriate and offensive to make light of it.

Public workers were hardly the only Americans taken aback by Musks repost.
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Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina is being sued for defamation by one of the four men she publicly accused of sexual abuse in an incendiary speech she made on the floor of the House of Representatives last month.

In February, Mace took to the House floor to accuse her ex-fiance, Patrick Bryant, and three other men of rape, sex trafficking and voyeurism. In a nearly hour-long speech, she shared intimate details of the alleged attack, claiming the men recorded sex acts without her consent.

Now, one of the men accused, Brian Musgrave, has filed a lawsuit against Mace in federal court in South Carolina, denying her claims that he is a rapist, predator or sex trafficker.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

Musgrave says he never raped, sexually assaulted, sex trafficked, incapacitated or illegally videotaped Mace nor has he sexually abused or illegally videotaped other women. The South Carolina man says Maces speech has damaged his reputation and destroyed the lives of his family.

Hes seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages to be determined by a jury.

Musgraves lawsuit also seeks to carve out part of the speech and debate clause of the Constitution, which protects members of Congress from civil lawsuits related to their official duties.

While the speech and debate clause of the United States Constitution affords broad protection to members of Congress acting as part of its deliberative process, it does not transform the floor of Congress into a sanctuary for defamation, nor does it protect Congresswoman Maces extra-Congressional defamatory statements surrounding her speech, lawyers for Musgrave wrote.

The Independent has asked Maces office for comment.

Musgrave added that Mace also hung a poster of him with the word predators in a public space and continued to make allegations against him on social media.

In February, Mace took to the House floor to speak out against South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, whom she accused of failing to act after she provided him with evidence of sexual abuse. As part of her speech, Mace displayed the names and faces of the four men she accused of assault, including Musgrave.

Wilson denied knowing about the allegations and said the attorney generals office never received a report or request of assistance from any law enforcement.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed it opened an investigation into Bryant regarding allegations of assault, harassment and voyeurism on December 14, 2023, after being contacted by the Capitol Police.

open image in gallery Nancy Mace, pictured on the House floor, accused her ex-fiance Patrick Bryant and three business of his associates of sex crime ( Nancy Mace/X )

During her speech, Mace claimed to have found more than 10,000 videos and photos of Bryant and his associates, including Musgrave, physically abusing women and herself.

Bryant, a Charleston-based entrepreneur, responded to Maces allegations by telling the Associated Press: I categorically deny these allegations.

I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name.

In his lawsuit, Musgrave acknowledged being a longtime friend of Bryants but contended he did not have a great deal of interaction with Bryant and Mace as a couple and was unaware of any allegation that Bryant acted inappropriately sexually.

After Musgrave defended himself publicly following Maces allegation, the South Carolina congresswoman doubled down on her allegation on her X account and asserted she had evidence through metadata.

Musgrave said in his lawsuit that he has yet to see this evidence.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly planning an overhaul for the militarys lawyers to relax the rules of combat engagement and change how charges are brought against service members.

Hegseth wants sweeping changes among the judge advocate generals corps, pushing for more aggressive battlefield actions and more leniency against soldiers accused of offenses, which could include war crimes, sources told The Guardian.

The Defense Secretary has enlisted attorney and former naval officer Tim Parlatore to oversee the effort, the sources said. Parlatore has previously served as an attorney for Hegseth, Trump, and Eddie Gallagher, a former Navy SEAL accused of war crimes.

The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.

The reported shift in strategy comes after the administration last month fired the top lawyers for the Army and Air Force without explanation.

The Pentagon is also reportedly moving to halt all civilian harm mitigation work inside the military, leadership at a center focused on advising commanders told The Washington Post.

Trump administration has moved to stop civilian harm-reduction efforts at military and fired top lawyers ( Getty Images )

Hegseth has long derided what he sees as a culture of excessive caution within the military, mocking the judge advocate general core, known by their initials as JAGs, instead calling as jagoffs.

In his book The War on Warriors, Hegseth wrote that Americans should not fight by rules written by dignified men in mahogany rooms eighty years ago, and claimed that, In some cases, our units were so boxed in by rules and regulations and political correctness, we even second-guess ourselves.

Hegseth told a podcast in November that during his time as a soldier, he ignored a commanders order in Iraq not to fire on someone unless they raised a weapon to shoot at American soldiers first.

Clear as day, I remember walking out of that briefing and pulling my platoon together and being like, Guys, were not doing that, Hegseth said. If you see an enemy, engage before hes able to point his weapon at you and shoot.

During his time at Fox News, Hegseth successfully urged Trump to pardon U.S. servicemembers accused, and in one case convicted, of war crimes.

As The Independent has reported, the U.S. military has long obscured and undercounted the number of civilians it kills during operations, only disclosing civilian death tolls beginning in 2018 and often failing to conduct full due diligence on the aftermath of attacks gone wrong
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The Democratic Partys contingent in the Senate finally rallied on Thursday and appeared for a brief moment to be on the brink of putting up its first real show of resistance under a second Trump administration.

With Fridays deadline for a government shutdown creeping closer, Democratic senators came out one after another to signal opposition to the GOP bill approving continued federal funding, while cutting nondefense spending for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year.

But it was little more than a political gambit the party hoped would both avert a shutdown and allow Democrats to put their own doomed 30-day proposal up for a vote  a Resistance In Name Only. News broke Thursday evening that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated to his caucus that hell vote for cloture on the GOP bill, allowing it to avoid a filibuster. Others will join him, while a few in swing districts and hardline progressives may not.

open image in gallery Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told his colleagues on Thursday that he would vote to break filibuster on the GOP bill to fund the government, according to reports. ( Getty Images )

With his decision, the House CR is on track to pass Friday, barring any surprises. Republicans will allow the Democrats plan up for a vote, then kill it.

Republicans do not have the votes, Schumer had falsely said just a day earlier.

His decision rejected criticism from the House, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who named the ploy on Twitter and ridiculed members for thinking that voting to override the filibuster on the Republican plan would end in any other outcome besides the passage of the House GOP continuing resolution (CR).

I hope Senate Democrats understand there is nothing clever about setting up a fake failed 30 day CR first to turn around & vote for cloture on the GOP spending bill, wrote Ocasio-Cortez. Those games wont fool anyone. It wont trick voters, it wont trick House members. People will not forget it.

Nothing clean about this CR. Its dirty, added Eugene Vindman, a newly-elected Democrat from a swing district in Virginia.

Those comments werent made in a vacuum. House and Senate Democrats alike are under a deluge of calls and in-person demands from their voters to show a spine and block Elon Musks DOGE efforts from carving apart the federal government. Republicans, meanwhile, are facing increasing pressure to explain how theyll cut trillions from the federal budget without scaling back Medicaid or Social Security.

Passed by the lower chamber on Tuesday, the House bill includes minimal cuts to nondefense spending and also fails to restrict federal agencies under the DOGE scalpel from reappropriating funds. Senate Democrats are instead supporting a 30-day clean CR that would give members time to reach a deal on a longer omnibus spending bill.

Democrats are fearful that the effects of Elon Musks DOGE efforts will be even greater during a shutdown as the Executive Branch has some discretion over deeming agency staffers nonessential.

John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat reviled by his partys progressive wing, also lashed out at his fellow senators for playing politics and stated that he would vote to break the filibuster on the GOP bill.

The weeks of performative resistance from those in my party were limited to undignified antics, he said. Voting to shut the government down will punish millions or risk a recession.

Important as many lawmakers will find protecting the American economy from further shocks amid Donald Trumps trade war, the fact remains that Fridays shutdown deadline puts the Democratic Party in an awkward position. With more and more of their base fired up, impatient with congressional Democratic leadership to put up a real fight against GOP funding cuts, Senate Democrats appear to be on the edge of handing Republicans one more win at precisely the worst political moment.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quelled a push from Democratic senators to oppose a stopgap spending bill when he announced he would support the bill passed by Republicans and avert a government shutdown.

Schumer explained his decision to reporters on Thursday evening, saying he believed that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, would use a shutdown to slash government spending even further.

I told my caucus this, there's no off-ramp, the total off ramp of a shutdown, he told The Independent during a press conference. How you stop the shutdown is totally determined by the Republican House and Senate, and that is totally determined because they've shown complete blind obeisance by Trump, DOGE, et cetera. they could keep us in a shutdown for months and months and months.

The move by Schumer killed the momentum to kill the bill that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed on Tuesday on an almost party-line vote. That signaled a change from Wednesday, when Democrats seemed willing to go along and vote for the bill to avert a shutdown.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona admitted he did not like the bill passed by Republicans.

open image in gallery Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia was one of many Democrats who said that constituents understood the reasons they would oppose a stopgap bill passed by House Republicans. ( Getty Images )

It was just handed to us, just by House Republicans, no input from Democrats, he told The Independent, but said he had not yet made a decision about it.

By the afternoon, Kelly came out in opposition.

Republicans need to work with us on a real CR, a bipartisan agreement like this is always done, Kelly told The Independent.

Kellys fellow Arizonan, freshman Sen. Ruben Gallego, said he would have a simple message for voters.

Donald Trump and the Republicans shut down the government, he told The Independent.

open image in gallery Freshman Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona said Democrats had a simple message if there was a shutdown: Donald Trump and the Republicans shut down the government. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Virginias Mark Warner, who represents a state with plenty of federal workers who have been hit by the cuts from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, said voters understood the need to oppose the bill.

These are federal workers whove got a lot of stake; they want me to be a no, he told The Independent.

Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado dodged questions, but later in the day came out against the continuing resolution.

Historically, the party that opposes spending bills is blamed for shutting down the government.

But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said the blame would fall squarely on the Republicans and Trump.

I think the message is that the republicans gave us two extremely unpopular choices, spurned a bipartisan return to regular order all to give more power to President Trump and continue the madness that they could have ended, he told The Independent.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday showed that if a shutdown happened, 32 percent of voters said they would blame congressional Democrats, but 31 percent said they would blame congressional Republicans, and 22 percent said they would blame Trump the most.

Until Schumers announcement, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania had been the main supporter of the continuing resolution.

When asked if he had read the text of the 99-page continuing resolution, Fetterman dodged.

I'm never gonna vote to shut the government down, he told The Independent. There's no news notes on that. They invented this thing called Google or the internet, and you could confirm that.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeking to expel South Africas ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, after the official criticized Donald Trump during a forum early on Friday.

South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country, Rubio wrote on X later that day.

He accused Rasool of being a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates [the president of the United States] @POTUS.

We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA, Rubio added.

The Independent has contacted the South African Embassy in Washington for comment.

Rubio, in his announcement, pointed to remarks from Rasool at a recent panel hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank.

open image in gallery Under ambassadors tenure, U.S. has cut aid to South Africa and countries have sparred over genocide allegation against Israel in international court ( Getty Images )

During his comments, Rasool argued that Trumps Make American Great Again movement, as well as Elon Musk and JD Vances efforts this year boosting right-wing parties in the UK and Germany, were part of a global movement catering to the anxieties of white communities.

It may not be true, it may not make sense, but that is not the dog whistle that is being heard in a global, white base, the ambassador said.

The ambassador, who served the same post in the Obama administration, had already reportedly been struggling to get meetings with Trump administration figures and top Republicans in Washington.

A man named Ebrahim, who is Muslim, with a history of pro-Palestine politics, is not likely to do well in that job right now, a South African diplomat told Semafor.

open image in gallery South African official said Musk and Vances effort to boost Germanys AfD and other right-wing parties is part of global movement based on white grievance ( Getty )

The expulsion effort is the latest a swift deterioration thats taken place in the U.S.-South Africa relationship during the opening months of the Trump administration.

Last month, the White House said it would cut off U.S. aid to South Africa in protest of the country accusing Israel of genocide in the International Court of Justice.

The Trump administration also cited opposition to a land expropriation law meant to remedy the countrys history of racial inequality and past forced displacement of Black families.

The White House has accused the law, which in some cases allows expropriation without compensation, of being racist against white Afrikaners in South Africa.

South Africa has also announced plans to spend more on health, with cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development. The country cares for the worlds largest HIV population and has over 5 million of people on antiretroviral drugs supported by the U.S. in the past.
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President Donald Trump urged a Department of Justice crowd to launch investigations into Democrats, prominent nonprofits filing lawsuits against his administration and multiple news organizations.

Speaking in the main hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Friday, Trump claimed his 2024 election victory had given us a mandate for a far reaching investigation ... into the corruption of our system by Democrats and vowed to expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government and expose their egregious crimes and severe misconduct.

Its going to be legendary, he said in a rare speech by a president at the department.

Almost immediately after beginning his speech, Trump leveled an attack on Americas courts for having allowed prosecutors to charge him with multiple crimes committed during and after his first term. He praised his two former defense attorneys who now serve in high ranking roles in the department, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, for having had to work under some of the most corrupt judges as they labored to keep him from facing any consequences for multiple felonies he was charged with by two federal grand juries and state grand juries in Georgia and New York.

They never they were not shy, they fought. They weren't afraid, and they were brilliant, he said.

open image in gallery President Donald trump gave a rare address at the Department of Justice on Friday ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump also claimed that the department had allowed a corrupt group of hacks within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations by having weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people during criminal investigations into him.

But Trump told the audience of political appointees and supporters that those sorts of investigations, which he called abuses, would never happen again.

They tried to turn America into a corrupt communist and third world country. But in the end, the thugs failed and the truth won, he said.

Since winning the 2024 election, Trump and his aides have moved quickly to stock the DOJs top ranks with loyalists without regard to qualification and have effectively sidelined anyone who played a role in the failed prosecutions of the president or the sweeping investigation into the 2021 riot Trump fomented at the U.S. Capitol in a last-ditch attempt to remain in office following his loss to Joe Biden in 2020.

His remarks, delivered in the departments cavernous great hall, came following an introduction by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who described Trump as the greatest president in the history of our country and said she and the rest of her department were proud to work at the directive of Donald Trump.

Bondis statement represented a break from decades of work by attorneys general under both parties to make clear that the Department of Justice is independent from the White House and does not operate based on political considerations.

open image in gallery Almost immediately after beginning his speech, Trump leveled an attack on Americas courts for having allowed prosecutors to charge him with multiple crimes committed during and after his first term ( Getty Images )

But Trump, who described himself  not Bondi  as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, has been intent on erasing any such niceties about the nations law enforcement apparatus as he has sought to implement what he has described as retribution against the Democratic Party and the deep state of nonpartisan civil servants who staff the justice system.

While he attacked most of the judges whod presided over the felony cases brought against him as corrupt, he singled out for praise Aileen Cannon, the Florida federal judge who hed appointed just before leaving office, for having dismissed the charges hed faced for having allegedly unlawfully retained national defense information at his Florida home after leaving the presidency in 2021.

He said Cannon had not reacted to criticism from Democrats and accused other judges who have ruled against him and his administration of bowing to public pressure to deliver negative rulings in cases involving him or his policies.

It's very sad what they do to the Supreme Court and all of a lot of the judges that I had, if you look at them, they take tremendous abuse in the New York Times and The Washington Post, all of the different networks. They take such abuse. And honestly, they're very simply, they're afraid of bad publicity. They don't want bad publicity. And it's truly interference in my opinion, and it should be illegal, and it probably is illegal in some form, he said.

It's a campaign, and it's by the same scum that you have been dealing with for years, like guys like Andrew Weissman, deranged Jack Smith. There's a guy named Norm Eisen. I don't even know what he looks like. His name is Norm Eisen of [Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility ]. He's been after me for nine years now. CREW is a charitable organization and and the reason I'm saying this ... is I'm only going to get one chance to say this, but these are bad people.

open image in gallery Trump was introduced by Attorney General Pam Bondi who described Trump as the greatest president in the history of our country and said she and the rest of her department were proud to work at the directive of Donald Trump. ( Getty Images )

Trump called for the department to crack down on Eisen as well as other groups bringing lawsuits against him - while taking another shot at the media.

They're not legitimate people. They're horrible people, they're scum. And you have to know that ... And I believe that CNN and [MSNBC] who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And in my opinion, they're really corrupt and they're illegal. What they do is illegal, he said.

He continued attacking the countrys free press, telling the audience of prosecutors that these networks and these newspapers were really no different than a highly paid political operative.

It has to stop. It has to be illegal. Its influencing law ... and it just cannot be legal  I don't believe it's legal, and they do it in total coordination with each other.
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Protests continue over the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and green card holder who the Trump administration is trying to deport over his role in campus pro-Palestine protests.

The White House has said that Khalil, who is not formally accused of breaking any laws, is deportable because a rarely used portion of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act lets the Secretary of State deport people deemed to risk potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Khalils lawyers and supporters, meanwhile, argue he is being unlawfully targeted for exercising his First Amendment rights.

Thirty years ago, another figure voiced concerns over the same provision at issue today: Donald Trumps sister, federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry.

In 1996, she wrote the opinion in a case in New Jersey federal court regarding a Mexican diplomat the U.S. was trying to deport as he faced an investigation in his home country.

The law, Barry noted, had never been interpreted in a past opinion, but should be considered unconstitutional, as it represented a breathtaking departure from the principles that deportations and extraditions are based on clearly defined offenses and involve a process allowing migrants to hear and challenge the basis of their removal.

open image in gallery Trumps sister wrote in 1996 ruling that Secretary of State personally deciding on deportations under provision was breathtaking and unconstitutional ( Getty Images )

Foreign policy cannot serve as the talisman behind which Congress may abdicate its responsibility to pass only sufficiently clear and definite laws, the judge added.

The law, however, remains in place.

Barrys opinion was overturned on procedural grounds, and U.S. officials eventually opted to indict the Mexican official instead, though he died before ever facing a trial.

That puts the administrations present arguments in mostly untested legal territory.

Trump administration officials have said that Khalils participation in the protests harmed the U.S. foreign policy interest in stopping antisemitism and cracking down on officially designated terror groups like Hamas.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, told The Independent on Sunday that Khalil was arrested in support of President Trumps executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.

Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, they added.

The White House has accused a protest group Khalil helped lead with distributing pro-Hamas materials, though havent shown evidence that the former student himself ever created or distributed such materials.

When you hand out leaflets inciting violence on a college campus, thats illegal, White House border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Being in this country with a visa or a resident card is a privilege, and you got to follow certain rules.

In a complaint filed Thursday in New York federal court, Khalils attorneys argue this rationale doesnt past muster, and that the arrest is a violation of First Amendment and due process rights.

open image in gallery Trump administration argues it can deport student activist with green card because he threatens U.S. foreign policy interests ( REUTERS )

The arrest, in which immigration officers reportedly did not show Khalil or his attorneys a warrant or know he was a green card holder, was plainly intended as retaliation and punishment for Mr. Khalils protected speech and intended to silence, or at the very least restrict and chill, his speech now and in the future, the complaint argues.

The suit cites various Trump administration actions and statements, including a January executive order explicitly describing a goal to deport all non-citizens who joined in pro-Palestinian protests, and a top Department of Homeland Security official who told NPR Khalil was arrested for engaging in pro-Palestinian activity, while declining to answer if any form of protest against the U.S. or Israel could count as a deportable offense.

The student activist, who is in immigration detention in Louisiana, is petitioning to be returned to New York, where he was arrested at the university-owned apartment he shares with his eight-month-pregnant wife, a U.S. citizen.

open image in gallery Attorneys for Khalil and protesters argue hes being targeted for his political speech, rather than breaking any crime ( Online_Yes )

Experts say the case is only just getting started.

Returning to New York may well be just the beginning of a long haul for the Palestinian student, University of California, Davis, law professor Gabriel J. Chin wrote in a recent article.

Courts have proved reluctant to second-guess security grounds rationales in immigration cases. For these reasons, cases like Khalils may go on for years, the professor said.

Barry died in 2023.
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Donald Trump on Sunday explicitly threatened Iran with war unless Tehran comes to the table and hammers out a new agreement on nuclear weapons with Washington.

The president spoke with NBCs Kristen Welker in an early-morning phone call and told the host of Meet the Press that there would be bombing if Iran did not negotiate with the US, or if a deal was not reached as a result of those talks.

If they dont make a deal, there will be bombing, said the US president. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.

His remark comes as the Trump administration has stated publicly its goal of reaching a new agreement with Tehran that would lead to the total shutdown of Irans nuclear weapons program. The president sent a letter to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, reportedly urging the Iranian government to begin negotiations with the prospect of significant sanctions relief and international cooperation on the table.

But Iran formally declined to begin those direct negotiations on Saturday, according to the countrys president. Masoud Pezeshkian said the message was delivered to US negotiators through the Omani government. He said that the official response from Iran left open the possibility for continued indirect negotiations, but added that the US must regain trust with Iran in order for formal diplomacy to resume.

We dont avoid talks; its the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far, Pezeshkian said at a televised Cabinet meeting, according to the AP. They must prove that they can build trust.

Donald Trump said on Sunday that there would be bombing if Iranian negotiators refused to come to the table ( AP )

The State Department previously issued a response early Sunday warning of very bad consequences should Iran refuse to negotiate an end to its nuclear weapons program. Development of nuclear materials has accelerated in Iran within recent months, according to a February report from the UNs nuclear watchdog agency. The first Trump administration pulled out of a deal reached between the Obama administration, Iran and a number of European countries with that same goal in 2017, calling it ineffective and blaming Iran for repeatedly violating it.

President Trump has been clear: the United States cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

The president expressed his willingness to discuss a deal with Iran, it added. If the Iranian regime does not want a deal, the president is clear, he will pursue other options, which will be very bad for Iran.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been high for more than a year now as the US and its ally Israel have clashed with several groups the two countries accuse the Iranian government of funding and supporting through intelligence sharing and other cooperation. Conflict against one of those groups, the Houthis, resumed last weekend with a US strike in Yemen while Houthi forces target US military vessels and trade ships in the Red Sea.

Iran also launched a direct missile ballistic strike against Israel, causing minimal damage, in October of 2024 after a Hamas leader was assassinated in Tehran.

While military operations have resumed against the Houthis in Yemen, the State Department on Monday moved to up the pressure on Irans neighbor, Iraq, to combat Tehrans influence over militant groups within its borders. In recent months, the Iraqi government has considered new national security legislation aimed at curbing the strength of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shia militant group with dozens of battalions around the country. Those forces include the Kataib Hezbollah, which traces its origins back to militant groups that fought US forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and still clash with US forces today.

To strengthen Iraq's sovereignty, the government of Iraq must ensure it has command and control of all security forces within its borders, to include the PMF, press secretary Tammy Bruce said at her Monday briefing. These forces must respond to Iraq's commander-in-chief, and not to Iran.
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The corner of New York Citys 5th Avenue and 56th Street is typically dotted with shoppers, designer goods and more than one reaction to the famous building casting its shadow over the block. Images of Donald Trump's "Fight Fight Fight" are held in the air, others choose to put a choice finger in the air, merchants hawk T-shirts with the president's mugshot. A few buskers hope to sell MAGA hats to anyone who breaks stride.

On Thursday, that typical NYC chaos turned into actual - but short-lived - chaos. MAGA-red was replaced by protest red and cop blue as protestors were dragged outside the famous tower after occupying it.

Free Mahmoud! Free them all! protestors shouted from the street as they watched about 100 detainees marched onto NYPD buses.

Around noon, about 150 pro-Palestine protesters flooded Trump Tower. Some waved banners demanding: Fight Nazis, not students. They wanted a free Palestine and the release of a Columbia graduate student for his alleged role in protests on campus last year in the wake of Israels response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.

We see that the president is taking action in the name of combating anti-semitism, Jay Saper, with Jewish Voices for Peace, told The Independent. And so we're here to say, get our name out of your mouth. This is not about Jewish safety. This is about an attack on students. Saper estimated 300 demonstrators occupied Trump Tower.

open image in gallery Trump Tower was filled with protesters on Thursday as they demanded a Free Palestine and the release of a student being held for deportation ( AP )

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, was arrested Saturday and had his green card revoked. He was processed for deportation for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, as his lawyer put it. The Trump administration, however, painted him as pro-Hamas for his role in the campus protests.

Protests erupted on the Ivy League campus last year, demanding the university divest from Israel in the wake of its attack on Gaza. The protests lasted for weeks and ended with police breaking them up. They became fodder for the right to say education was pushing leftist ideals. Khalil mediated between university officials and the activists and students who demonstrated, his supporters claim.

The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association called him a ringleader of the chaos on campus. The university has investigated several allegations against him, most recently whether he violated university policy by calling a dean genocidal.

This is the first arrest of many to come, Trump warned in a post on Truth Social Monday. We know there are more students at Columbia and other universities across the country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it.

Khalil is now being held in a Louisiana jail as his lawyers fight his deportation.

The protesters, angered by the presidents move and the continued holding of Khalil, decided to make 5th Avenue their town square. About an hour after the demonstration began, NYPD cops lined the streets. Barricades prevented entry to Trump Tower. A helicopter and drones buzzed overhead.

We will not comply, Mahmoud we are on your side! some people shouted from behind the steel barricades.

open image in gallery New York Police officers arrest a demonstrator from the group, Jewish Voice for Peace, who protested inside Trump Tower in support of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil on Thursday ( AP )

open image in gallery After being dragged out by police officers, protesters were arrested and lined up to board a bus. Nearly 100 people were arrested by police as part of the protest ( The Independent )

By 1.30 p.m., about 100 red-shirted protesters were hauled out of the building. They stood in a single-file line, their hands cuffed behind their backs, before being boarded onto a city bus. They were arrested on charges of trespassing, obstructing government administration and resisting arrest, police told NBC News, noting there were no injuries or damage to property.

As the protestors stood in a line waiting to board the bus, a few passersby shouted for them to take off their masks and called them offensive terms.

When asked about whether Saper and other organizers were afraid to act, given this divisive political climate and apparent harassment on sidewalks, Saper said they find "strength in community.

What we're seeing is that the president is emboldening people to attack our movements and attack people who are taking action for justice, and I know that I find strength in community, they said.

The organization is striving to build a world that doesn't support fascism, to build a world where everybody gets to live in their homes without fear that bombs will be dropped upon them, to be able to graduate from college without fear of being deported, deported, Saper said. It's OK to be afraid and to do something brave at the same time.

By 1.50 p.m., the inside of Trump Tower looked untouched. A massive American flag hung down from the ceiling. A handful of probable tourists strolled each floor. The golden escalator, the same one that Trump rode down 10 years ago to announce his candidacy, glistened.

A white-gloved doorman outside of Trump Tower said he didnt see anything; the entire event transpired while he was on his lunch break.

The protestors were gone. The corner had returned to normal. The newest chaos had subsided.
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The agreement between the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Government Efficiency to slash the workforce could have catastrophic consequences for all Americans, Democrats have warned.

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia has pushed back on the Postal Services deal, made on Wednesday by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, allowing Elon Musks team to help in identifying and achieving further efficiencies.

The roughly 635,000 workers at the agency have not been targeted by DOGE until now. However, under the new agreement, DeJoy said that the agency will reduce the workforce by 10,000 in the next 30 days through its voluntary early retirement program. DeJoy added that the workforce has shrunk by 30,000 since the 2021 fiscal year.

open image in gallery The U.S. Postal Service has not been targeted by DOGE cuts yet, but now a deal has been reached where Elon Musks team will aid the agency in identifying and achieving further efficiencies. Democrats have warned it could have catastrophic consequences for the American people ( Getty Images )

The only thing worse for the Postal Service than DeJoys Delivering for America plan is turning the service over to Elon Musk and DOGE so they can undermine it, privatize it, and then profit off Americans loss, Connolly, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said in a scathing statement. This capitulation will have catastrophic consequences for all Americans  especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas  who rely on the Postal Service every day to deliver mail, medications, ballots, and more. Reliable mail delivery cant just be reserved for MAGA supporters and Tesla owners.

DeJoy has been in the role since President Donald Trumps first administration and was criticized for the sweeping changes and cuts he implemented at the Postal Service during the Biden administration.

open image in gallery Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been in the role since the first Trump administration. In 2021, under President Joe Biden, he implemented sweeping changes and cuts at the agency. Now, he has revealed plans to work with DOGE to shrink the agency further ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Last night I signed an agreement with the General Services Administration and DOGE representatives to assist us in identifying and achieving further efficiencies, DeJoy confirmed in the statement, released Thursday. This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done. We are happy to have others to assist us in our worthwhile cause. The DOGE team was gracious enough to ask for the big problems they can help us with.

Brian L. Renfroe, the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said that the union was closely monitoring the situation and it will fight like hell to protect the rights of its members.

Renfroe conceded that some changes at the agency were necessary but fired a warning shot at DOGE if they went down the misguided privatization path.

As DOGE attempts to tackle these or any other issues at the Postal Service, it is important that they know what our members do and who they are, Renfroe said. Common sense solutions are what the Postal Service needs, not privatization efforts that will threaten 640,000 postal employees jobs, 7.9 million jobs tied to our work, and the universal service every American relies on daily.
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The former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, appeared before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly war on drugs that he oversaw while in office.

The 79-year-old, who arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday after being arrested in Manila on charges of crimes against humanity, sounded frail as he spoke via video link from the detention centre about a mile away where he is being held.

For families of victims of the drugs crackdown, Mr Duterte's appearance in court was a long-awaited sign of hope.

"This is the first step to attaining justice, lawyer Gilbert Andres, representing those families, said outside the court.

open image in gallery ICC judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc ( EPA )

But Mr Duterte's many vocal supporters say the arrest was illegal. His lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, used the hearing to decry his arrest in Manila as a pure and simple kidnapping. He said Mr Duterte was denied all access to the legal recourse in the country of his citizenship, and this all in the nature of political score-settling.

Presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a pre-trial hearing date of 23 September to establish if the prosecutions evidence is strong enough to merit sending the case to trial. If a trial does go ahead, it could take years, and if Mr Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Estimates of the death toll during Mr Duterte's presidency vary, from the more than 6,000 reported by the national police to 30,000, as reported by human rights groups.

The ICC judge said that Mr Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first hearing by video link because of the long flight from Manila.

Mr Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, listened to the hearing through headphones, often with his eyes closed. He spoke in English to confirm his name and his date and place of birth. He was not required to enter a plea. The hearing, which started about half an hour late, lasted around 30 minutes.

Mr Medialdea said that Mr Duterte had been under observation in hospital because of health problems.

The judge, addressing Mr Duterte, said: The court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully mentally aware and fit.

Mr Duterte was arrested on Tuesday amid chaotic scenes in the Philippine capital after returning from a visit to Hong Kong. He was swiftly put on a chartered jet and flown to the Netherlands.

His daughter, Sara Duterte, who is vice president of the Philippines, visited him in the court's detention centre on Friday and met supporters outside the court. Ms Duterte is a political rival of the current president.

She said her father was in good spirits and was being well taken care of, and added that his only complaint about the conditions in which he was being kept was that he misses Filipino food.

There will be a day of reckoning for all, she said.

open image in gallery Protesters in Manila call for the conviction of Duterte ( EPA )

Meanwhile, activists marched in Manila to demand justice for the thousands of suspects killed in Mr Duterte's brutal crackdowns. Families of those killed watched the ICC proceedings on screens set up around the country, some of them holding portraits of their dead loved ones, as they listened to charges read out against Mr Duterte in a courtroom on the other side of the world.

Prosecutors accuse Mr Duterte of involvement as an indirect co-perpetrator in multiple murders, amounting to a crime against humanity, for allegedly overseeing killings from November 2011 until March 2019, first while he was mayor of the southern city of Davao and later as president of the Philippines.

According to the prosecution request for his arrest, Mr Duterte, as Davao mayor, issued orders to police and other hitmen who formed the so-called Davao Death Squads, or DDS.

Human rights groups and victims' families have hailed Mr Duterte's arrest as a historic triumph over state impunity, while the former president's supporters have slammed what they call the government's surrendering of a political rival to a court whose jurisdiction they dispute.

We are happy and we feel relieved, said 55-year-old Melinda Abion Lafuente, mother of 22-year-old Angelo Lafuente, who she said was tortured and killed in 2016.

open image in gallery Sara Duterte addresses supporters outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague during Friday's hearing ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Duterte's legal team say the administration of current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr shouldn't have allowed the global court to take custody of the former leader because the Philippines is no longer a party to the ICC.

Mr Medialdea said that two troubled entities struck an unlikely alliance. An incumbent president who wishes to neutralise and choke the legacy of my client and his daughter, and a troubled legal institution subject to delegitimisation.

Judges who approved Mr Duterte's arrest warrant said the court has jurisdiction because the crimes alleged in the warrant were committed before Mr Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the court in 2019.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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An American influencer has left Australia after she sparked widespread outrage for taking a baby wombat from its mother.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed on Friday she had left the country of her own accord.

"There's never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia," Mr Burke told local media.

Sam Jones, who claimed to be a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist shared a video with her 92,000 Instagram followers showing her taking the marsupial and then running across the road dangling the joey, while its mother gave chase.

I caught a baby wombat! Jones says in the video, as the baby makes distressed noises.

The incident sparked condemnation from the very top of the Australian government, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese daring the social media influencer to pick up a baby crocodile instead.

open image in gallery The baby wombat was filmed hissing in distress (stock image) ( Getty/iStock )

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage.

I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals, take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back, rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.

Wombats are a protected native Australian species, and Burke said earlier this week that his department was examining the conditions of Jones visa to see whether immigration law has been breached.

Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, Ill be surprised if she even bothers, he said.

"I can't wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don't expect she will return."

The location of the incident within Australia remains unclear.

open image in gallery Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has weighed-in on the controversy ( REUTERS )

RSPCA senior scientific officer Di Evans told the Australian Broadcasting Commission that the video showed a blatant disrespect towards Australian wildlife.

"The distress caused by the callous act is obvious, with the joey screeching for their mother and the mother being extremely anxious," Dr Evans said.

An Australian man in the since-deleted video can be heard laughing and says, Look at the mother, its chasing after her!

She later said OK mamas right there and she is p***ed, lets let him go, before walking across the road to release the baby.

Before Jones deleted the video and made her Instagram account private, she defended her actions, according to News.com.au.

For everyone thats worried and unhappy, the baby was carefully held for ONE minute in total and then released back to mum, she wrote.

Jones could not be reached for comment. Her Instagram remains private and her previous TikTok account has been deleted. It was not clear if she remained in the country.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the video was distressing.

"It looked pretty dreadful, didn't it?" she said in an interview with Channel Seven on Thursday. "Really, leave the wombat alone."
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North Korean troops have been sent in suicidal attacks involving waves of men to overrun Ukrainian troops during Russias offensive to retake its border region of Kursk.

The launch of the Kursk operation was marked by attempts to break through Ukrainian lines outside the salient of land captured by Kyiv in a surprise assault in August.

Likening the North Korean tactics to a cyber attack that can crash a website with mass attempts to access it, a Ukrainian military officer told The Independent: [We faced] human waves like DDOS attacks on our positions... we killed eight out of 10 North Koreans.

But in some areas we had only small numbers of troops and so they killed and killed until they were overrun, the senior officer commanding a reconnaissance unit added.

open image in gallery Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits a command point for the Kursk group of troops involved in the counteroffensive in the Kursk region ( KREMLIN.RU/AFP via Getty Images )

Ukraine has now been forced out of almost all of Kursk. The assault accelerated when Ukraine was cut off from using US intelligence feeds following a row in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky two weeks ago.

Russian troops are also using long-range drones controlled by fibre optic cables that spool out of them making them immune to electronic counter-warfare signal blocking. Thirty to 40 per cent of drones are fibre optic, the Ukrainian officer said. The range of the drones is also unprecedented, reaching up to 25 kilometres (15 miles), he added.

The human wave assaults involving North Korean soldiers were part of the shaping operations for the Russian counteroffensive, allowing them to force Ukrainian troops out of small villages inside Russia, like Sverdlikovo  but only after hundreds of North Koreans had been killed.

As US negotiators arrived in Moscow for talks with Russia over the ceasefire proposal agreed between Washington and Kyiv, Ukrainian forces withdrew to their border, with orders to hold the Russian advance there.

open image in gallery Putin's forces have been pushing to retake Kursk ( Supplied )

The Russians are trying to move south into Ukrainian territory to try to cut the main Ukrainian supply routes. Theyre not getting anywhere vas we now no longer have to expose ourselves inside Russian territory and hold a wide area of land, the Ukrainian officer told The Independent. So we are able to inflict heavy casualties.

The officer said that across the last three days the Russian forces, who have deployed their most elite units of special forces, marines and paratroopers into Kursk, have been operating with completely different tactics to those used by the North Koreans in the first wave of assaults.

The Russians are approaching in very small numbers carrying a lot of supplies and trying to sneak into our territory and remain there to build up their forces. Some are using thermal masking techniques which makes them very hard to find, he said.

open image in gallery Russia has retaken large chunks of land from Ukraine in its western Kursk region over the past week ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via )

Others have tried to get across the border using quad bikes. We had attacks like that yesterday using 18 quads with three men on each  only three squads escaped back to their lines. We destroyed the rest with drone and artillery, the officer added.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukrainian forces said in a Facebook statement: Despite the increased pressure of the Russian and North Korean army, we will hold the defence in Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary.

It was once a necessary part of Ukraines negotiation platform in any future peace talks for Kyiv to control some Russian territory. But as Ukraine has taken heavy casualties and is being driven out of the territory it had seized, it is now deemed appropriate that Ukrainian troops pull back.

Heavy fighting is continuing and Sudzha  the largest town taken by Ukraine forces  is in the hands of the Kremlins troops, Moscow claimed. Syrskyi said that the town had been heavily bombarded and we as now in ruins.

open image in gallery Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on Thursday shows troops in the destroyed town of Sudzha ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via )

He added that units were manoeuvring to "more favourable positions" to save soldiers' lives  but that Ukraine was fighting on with drones and artillery.

Videos and stills sent from the battlefield directly to The Independent show Ukrainian successes  not the losses that soldiers privately admit have been extremely heavy. They give some credibility to Syrskyis claims that dozens of Russian armoured vehicles and hundreds of other pieces of equipment have been destroyed and show Ukrainian hits against vehicles, bunkers, and North Korean troops advancing through woods.

If we speak about Korean tactics, the Ukrainian officer said. The question is how many they are ready to sacrifice for this movement forward.
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Ukraine has drawn up a series of red lines as the US tries to hammer out a ceasefire deal with Russia, The Independent understands.

After three years of war, the world is waiting to see if the 30-day plan accepted by Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday will find common ground with Vladimir Putin.

High-level Ukrainian sources briefed on the ongoing talks are warning there is little trust that Russia will accept a reasonable deal, adding: We expect another trick.

Despite Donald Trump describing good and productive talks with Russia on Friday, Putin has been accused of using delaying tactics by raising nuances and further questions, as well as suggesting that Ukraine would not be permitted to rearm, mobilise or receive Western military aid during the truce.

But Ukraine is understood to be clear on several key areas of negotiation if the war is to stop. They include:

No further territory to be ceded, despite Putins desire to take four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by the Russian military since 2014

The return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

The return of thousands of civilians illegally held by Russia, who are not considered Prisoners of War and so would not be included in PoW exchanges

A need for international security guarantees, should Putin infringe any ceasefire deal

Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russias stalling is nothing more than a game from their side.

We are really willing to make peace, but we need a long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire. We do not want our children fighting this battle, said the senior source, who cannot be named as they are not permitted to speak to the media.

Putin is playing games. We have made a strong move  now it is his turn.

We have proved we are reasonable; we are willing to have peace  if Russia doesnt agree, the whole world will see they are liars.

One key point of contention is the return of tens of thousands of children, whom Ukraine says have been abducted to Russia as part of an effort to erase the countrys identity.

open image in gallery Russian service members walk along a street in a part of the Kursk region, which was recently retaken by Russia's armed forces ( Reuters )

Kyiv claims that it knows of at least 20,000 children who have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians since the war began, calling the abductions a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide.

Another issue is Putins demands that in any deal, Ukraine cede the entirety of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk, which have been partially occupied by the Russian military since 2014.

In the months after the full-scale 2022 invasion, Moscow annexed these regions by holding referendums in the areas they occupied, which were widely dismissed by the international community as illegal and coerced.

The US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there had been talk of territorial concessions in the negotiations with Ukraine this week and has previously said Kyiv must expect to give up land.

Ukrainian officials told The Independent they had come to terms with the current battle lines freezing, with Russia holding on to some territory for now for a ceasefire to work, but ceding any additional territory would be a red line.

It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporizhzhia or Kherson be fully handed over  that sounds like a f*** off to us.

They said fate of these territories held by Russia since the invasion in February 2022 was not sealed.

We will do our best to retake it with diplomacy.

open image in gallery A view shows a site of a Russian military strike in the frontline city of Pokrovsk ( Reuters )

At his news conference on Thursday, Putin said Russia supported the idea of a ceasefire, but with the caveat that it should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the conflict.

He also suggested there were a number of nuances, including in Kursk, where a truce would be very good for the Ukrainian side.

The Kremlin later said Putin was cautiously optimistic after holding late-night talks in Moscow with Steve Witkoff, Trumps envoy, on the US proposal.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Mr Zelensky, echoed the distrust of Putin, saying his words looked like a direct desire to continue the war.

He said it effectively forced Ukraine to give up its weapons, army, mobilisation, and supplies of equipment, and simply silently watch as [Russians] continue to peacefully fire along the entire front line

President Zelensky said on Friday that while he saw a good chance to end the war with Russia, he feared Putin would try to drag the ceasefire proposal into endless discussions. He urged the US and Ukraine's other allies to apply pressure on Russia.

On Friday, the G7 nations, including the UK, warned Moscow to follow Kyiv in agreeing to the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire or face further sanctions, according to a draft statement.

Mr Trump again pressed Russia to sign and complete "a ceasefire and final agreement", saying on his private social media platform on Friday that he would extract the U.S. from what he called a "real 'mess' with Russia".

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin is cautiously optimistic about a truce after holding late-night talks with the US in Moscow ( AP )

In Ukraine, there are deep concerns about the impact of a ceasefire and freezing of lines on the fate of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children, who they say have either been forcibly taken to Russia or swallowed up into occupied territories during the full-scale invasion.

One of the key demands for the deal is that these children be retrieved and that the policies of Russification  including forced passport adoption and re-education camps  be stopped.

The UK Ministry of Defence said this week that Russia has issued 3.5 million passports to Ukrainians living in illegally Russian-occupied territory, leaving them at risk of conscription into its army.

While Ukraine fights for survival, Russia is building its army not just with soldiers but with stolen children, said Mykola Kuleba from Save Ukraine, an organisation that has managed to locate and retrieve over 600 children since the start of the full-scale invasion, including three teenagers in the last week.

Over the past 11 years, 1.6 million Ukrainian children have been trapped in Russian-occupied territories. Many have been forcibly taken to Russia. They are indoctrinated in new schools. Their Ukrainian identity is erased, and their minds are filled with hatred for us, the West, the US, and its allies.

Ukrainian civil society is also concerned about Ukrainian PoWs and civilians held in Russian detention centres.

The Centre for Civil Liberties, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 for its work, said since the full-scale invasion they know of at least 8,000 civilians in 70 different Russian detention centres in occupied territories and Russia itself.

The release of civilians should be without conditions as part of the agreement, said Vyacheslav Likhachev, from the centre, adding that the truce was one of the only chances to retrieve people.

For more than three years, nothing has been really effective in making Russia release civilians or act in line with international humanitarian law. No sanctions should be lifted without the release of civilians.
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Flanked by minefields, with the deadly percussion of shelling in the background, we made our way cautiously into recently liberated Kherson.

This was November 2022, in the southeastern corner of Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces had launched a successful counteroffensive against Russia to reclaim land lost in Moscows full-scale invasion. At the time, it was the latest in a string of stunning wins for the Ukrainians, who, against the odds, were pushing Russia back.

As in other recently liberated cities, dazed residents emerged from their homes for the first time in months with stories of disappearances, detentions, torture, and death.

open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers near the frontline in Donetsk region ( AP )

Leering down on them were the dystopian billboards of happy faces promoting Russias so-called referendum to annex Kherson and three other recently occupied regions of Ukraine.

For years, I have tracked Russias bloody actions inside occupied territory. The referendums, denounced globally as coercive and a sham, were just one part of a concerted effort to quickly and thoroughly "Russify" occupied territory, an action Ukrainian officials believe is intended to permanently change the demographic reality on the ground and erase any notion of Ukraine and its statehood.

From our own investigations into occupied territory, we have documented how Russian soldiers have forcibly transferred and deported thousands of Ukrainians in occupied areas deeper into Russian-held land or even into Russia itself. Many  including those with disabilities, the elderly, and children  are being held incommunicado and forced to accept Russian passports to secure pensions, medical treatment or medicines.

Maksym, who has been unable to use his legs since birth, was among them. He described Russian officials arriving at his institution in Kherson in late 2022 to take the residents to the seaside.

open image in gallery Residents hug a Ukrainian soldier as they celebrate the liberation of Kherson on 13 November 2022 ( AFP/Getty )

Anyone who refused was locked in a room and had their phone confiscated. Maksym was taken from everyone he knew and moved against his will to the Russian town of Anapa. His wheelchair was taken in transit.

When Russia tried to force a passport on him for the second time, he had to smuggle himself out of the country with the help of a network of Ukrainian volunteers. Others were not so lucky and are still missing, like Inna, 46, who has Down syndrome. She was taken with 54 women from her institution into Russian-occupied Crimea in November 2022, and hasnt been seen since.

Her parents are still desperately searching for her. We uncovered credible evidence that Ukrainian children with disabilities are among thousands sent to re-education camps.

There, they are given pro-Russian lessons, with revised history, Russian language, and culture lessons. One Ukrainian official put it to me that, quite literally, the aim was to erase the memory of Ukraine.

More recently, I have spoken to people in occupied territory who say it is now impossible to access social services or healthcare, keep a job, open a bank account or buy or even retain your house if you do not take a Russian passport.

open image in gallery Donald Trump clashes with Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House ( AP )

Russia itself has recently declared that they have issued a total of 3.5 million passports to Ukrainians living in occupied territory. And this week, the UK Ministry of Defence warned that possession of a Russian passport would also constitute eligibility for conscription into the military, demonstrating "the Russian senior leaderships continuing commitment to, and pursuit of, a Russification policy.

All of this is concerning against the backdrop of the emergence of a possible ceasefire.

Following a very public spat with US president Donald Trump and then negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia, President Zelensky said on Wednesday that he would back a 30-day US-brokered truce to allow consultations on a longer peace plan. US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who led the Jeddah talks, said the US would take the proposal to Russia and that the ball is truly in their court.

In a joint statement, the US and Ukraine said the truce would include the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of thousands of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. Russia is examining the deal, with Kremlin officials saying it is "early days".

open image in gallery Destroyed buildings in the frontline town of Chasiv Yar ( Reuters )

But the concern is that, with Russia advancing  albeit slowly  in Ukraine, they will have no interest in a ceasefire that doesnt include significant capitulations from Ukraine.

And even though Putin has spoken of the need for long-term peace, the aim of a deal would be to allow Russia, as it has done before, to regroup, re-arm, and attack again, all while entrenching the illegal annexation of Ukrainian land by changing the demographic reality on the ground.

Putin himself said in June that his terms were that Ukraine must officially drop its Nato ambitions and completely withdraw its troops from four Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia.

Russia controls around 20 per cent of Ukraine, or about 46,000 sq miles, including 70 per cent of Kherson, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, and more than 99 per cent of Luhansk region, according to open-source maps and Russian estimates. Putin wants all of those oblasts handed over.

There are deep concerns that even if that extreme demand is dismissed, and the battle lines are frozen where they are, the reality on the ground in these four regions is so completely changed, it will become increasingly difficult or impossible for Ukraine to negotiate their return to Ukrainian control at some point in the future.

Any ceasefire deal must come with guarantees for Ukraine that it is not just a path to more loss and erasure  that it is not a pause to allow another bloody, ruinous invasion.
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A pet dachshund has attacked and killed a newborn baby while the family was sleeping, Russian media reports.

The sausage dog bit the baby girl multiple times while she was sleeping in her cot, according to early inquiries from the Investigative Committee. The babys mother later found her newborn dead and covered in bite marks in their home in Seversk, according to Ria.ru.

"During the night of March 10 this year, in an apartment on Kommunistichesky Avenue, a pet dachshund bit a baby girl born in 2025 while she was sleeping in her crib. Her mother later found the child's lifeless body with multiple bite wounds," the Investigative Committee said.

The dog has since been euthanised, the Investigative Committee told RIA Novosti, and they have launched a criminal investigation.

Police are investigating the incident as causing death by negligence, which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

A dachshund has killed a baby in Russias Tomsk region (stock image) ( Getty )

Dachshunds, a long-bodied, short-legged dog, were initially bred as hunting dogs, used to flush animals like badgers and rabbits out of burrows.

While popular pets, they can be aggressive to people they do not know and are known to bark.

The British Veterinary Association has previously warned the breed - which comes in miniature and standard size, as well as smooth, long or wired-haired varieties - can come with significant and costly health problems.

Roughly a fifth of sausage dogs develop intervertebral disc disease, which can leave the dog unable to walk and compromise its quality of life.

Despite the heath problems, they are a popular dog breed in the UK. According to a Kennel Club ranking of pure-bred dogs by the number of registrations, they are the fourth most popular pure-bred pet among Britons.
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Following a scrubbed launch on Wednesday, NASA and SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station Friday evening.

The Crew-10 mission lifted off from Floridas Kennedy Space Center on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.

The mission includes NASAs Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos Kirill Peskov. They have already boarded the Dragon capsule.

Take two, McClain wrote in a post on social media before the launch.

open image in gallery SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off, carrying NASA's Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center ( REUTERS )

Wednesdays attempt was thwarted by a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the rocket. The issue has reportedly been fixed.

The astronauts arrival at the orbiting laboratory is designed clear the way for Crew-9 to return to Earth, including NASA astronauts Barry Butch Wilmore and Sunita Suni Williams. The pair have been on board since last June.

Crew-10 is expected to dock by 11:30 p.m. Saturday. It is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceXs human space transportation system and its 11th flight with astronauts.

open image in gallery The rocket is due to dock mid-morning Saturday ( REUTERS )

After a brief handover, and pending good weather, Crew-9 NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will head back home. Gorbunov and Hague came to the space station on a mission after Williams and Wilmore arrived.

open image in gallery NASAs SpaceX Crew-10 members launched to the International Space Station Friday evening. The launch will make way for the return of Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore ( Getty Images )

That will happen no sooner than next Wednesday, NASA said, pending weather at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida.

Williams and Wilmore have spent an extra, and unexpected, nine months in zero gravity following issues after their Boeing Crew Flight Test: the first crewed mission of the Boeing capsule. The capsule returned to Earth without them last September in an unexpected uncrewed return after technical difficulties. That left Williams and Wilmore in space for longer than intended.

open image in gallery NASA astronauts commander Anne McClain and pilot Nichole Ayers, alongside mission specialists, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, are seen waving at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday. This was the second attempt at a launch for the Crew-10 astronauts ( Getty Images )

While the astronauts have refuted continuous narratives that have been stuck on the space station, President Donald Trump has repeatedly placed blame on the Biden administration for [allowing it] to happen.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who now has an advisory role in the Trump administration, also previously claimed on social media that his aerospace company could have brought the duo back months earlier. Trump has pleaded with Musk to rescue the astronauts.

open image in gallery Williams (back far right), Wilmore (back far left), and the rest of the Expedition 72 crew pose for a portrait inside the International Space Stations Harmony module. Wilmore and Williams have been on the orbiting laboratory since last June ( NASA )

What was offered, what was not offered, who it was offered to, how that process went  thats information that we simply dont have, Wilmore said in a recent briefing to reporters.
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Cameron Callaghan, 27, recently revealed his experience on the flight from hell when he vomited 30 times during a six-hour connecting flight from Manchester, UK, to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

It ruined the first few days of my holiday, Callaghan told Kennedy News.

The British traveler was on his way to Bangkok, Thailand, flying Etihad Airways, when he claims to have gotten food poisoning just after consuming a tomato, cheesy, chicken pasta he was served in the air. The cause of his illness has not been confirmed.

In a statement sent to the Post, a spokesperson for Etihad Airlines said: We take all such matters very seriously and investigate thoroughly. Our food on this flight, as with all our flights, was prepared and stored under strict temperature-controlled conditions to ensure safety and quality.

We did not receive any reports of illness from other passengers on this flight who were served the same meal. Our first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew, the statement continued.

open image in gallery Callaghan was traveling to Bangkok, via Abu Dhabi ( Getty Images )

Callaghan claimed he ate the pasta served to him despite the meal having a weird smell. But all plane food kind of does, he told the outlet.

According to Callaghan, his flight had been delayed five hours and all hed consumed before it was an egg sandwich.

It wasnt until 20 minutes after hed finished eating the pasta dish that his stomach started bothering him.

Callaghan immediately went to the bathroom to try and relieve his gastrointestinal issues, but they only got worse from there.

I had diarrhea twice and 10 minutes after that I was just constantly throwing up for the duration of the flight, he claimed.

I was going to the toilet every five minutes, laying in the fetal position and towards the end of the flight, Id emptied my body so much that I couldnt even stand up, Callaghan continued, noting that he had to stay in the back of the plane with a flight attendant so they could keep the bathroom available for him.

The traveler said he felt embarrassed when others on board tried to use the restroom.

After six hours in the air, the flight landed. However, Callaghan was feeling extremely weak, and he could barely stand.

They had to get a wheelchair and they wheeled me to the medical room in Abu Dhabis airport, he said.

Once he was under the careful watch of a doctor, Callaghan was placed on an IV with an anti-nausea drip.

And though his symptoms started to subside, he wasnt 100 percent until a few days after he finally arrived in Bangkok.

Callaghan said: The next two or three days after arriving in Bangkok I was just bed-bound.

I believe the food had been sitting out since the original time the plane was supposed to take off and not been stored properly, he went on to say, adding that he felt completely fine for hours after eating the egg sandwich in the airport.

Callaghan also pointed out that he hadnt eaten anything the night before his January 6 flight because he had anxiety.

The Independent has contacted Etihad Airlines for a comment.
A brawl broke out in an Argentinian parliament session during a crypto scandal debate on Wednesday, 12 March.

The fight occurred after lawmakers decided to debate an investigation into a $LIBRA cryptocurrency scandal linked to Javier Milei.

The president promoted the cryptocurrency in an X post on 14 February. Its value surged but quickly collapsed, leaving investors with a loss of around $250m.

Two legislators from opposing parties, Oscar Zago from Movimiento de Integracion y Desarrollo and Lisandro Almiron from LLA, began to push and scream at each other.

The altercation was broken up by other politicians and Martin Menem, the president of the chamber of deputies, was forced to end the session prematurely.
Vladimir Putin and Russia will come back in four years if Donald Trump leaves the White House, a counter terror adviser has warned.

Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the US president, discussed his concerns about the Russian leader, when he appeared on BBC Newsnight on Wednesday (12 March).

Mr Gorka was challenged by host Victoria Derbyshire about whether the US needs to provide security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.

This comes after Ukraine accepted a 30-day proposal discussed with the US during peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at manipulative Vladimir Putin and claimed the Russian leader is preparing to reject the 30-day ceasefire proposal

The Ukrainian president claimed the Russian leader is afraid to tell US president Donald Trump that he wants to continue the war.

Speaking in a video address on Thursday evening (13 March), Mr Zelensky said: We have all just heard very predictable and highly manipulative words from Russia in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front.

Putin is essentially preparing to reject it at this moment. Of course, Putin is afraid to tell president Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians.
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Twelve people were rushed to hospital on Thursday in Colorado after an American Airlines flight caught fire as it was taxiing on the tarmac moments after it had been forced into an emergency landing when the crew heard engine vibrations.

Dramatic videos and pictures posted to social media showed passengers standing on the Boeing 737-800s wings as the flames engulfed the underside of the aircraft. Those passengers were eventually brought to safety via slides.

According to FlightAware, the flight departed Colorado Springs at 4.52pm., bound for Dallas-Fort Worth. At 5.14pm, the flight was diverted. It landed in Denver at 5.55pm.

One passenger told CBS Colorado that shortly after the landing, passengers began to notice a weird burning plastic smell.

Then everybody started screaming and saying there was a fire, said Gabrielle Hibbitts, who was travelling with her mother and sister.

It was surreal. I was like, Is this gonna blow up. Whats happening here? Are they gonna be able to put out the fire? Im really grateful that this happened on the ground because if this happened in the air, I dont think Id be standing here telling you the story, her mother Ingrid Hibbitts added.

Passengers stand on the wing of the American Airlines Boeing 737-800 ( Courtesy of Branden Williams/AFP )

A spokesperson for American Airlines has said that the plane suffered an engine-related issue as it made its way to the gate, which caused the fire at 6pm.

We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, the AA statement read. The fire was extinguished by Denver International Airport firefighters.

Passengers luggage was safely removed from the plane, and they flew to Texas around 1am local time.

The FAA has said that the cause of the engine vibrating and the cause of the fire remain under investigation.

Robert Sumwalt, CBS News transportation safety analyst, admitted that he was baffled as to how a fire could start while the plane was taxiing to the runway. He said that aspect would likely be key in any investigation.

According to air traffic control audio, the pilot notified air traffic controllers in Denver that the plane was experiencing engine issues, but it was not an emergency.

American 10,006, uh, 1006  just to verify: not an emergency still, correct? the controller asked in audio captured on LiveATC.net.

Nah, we just have a high engine vibration, so we are cruising slower than normal, the pilot said.

However, several minutes later, after the plane landed, someone on the radio yelled, Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday! Engine fire!

Airline officials confirmed that the 172 passengers and six crew members were then transported to the terminal.

There were no reports of serious injuries, but 12 passengers were confirmed to be in local hospitals on Thursday night.

The news follows a spate of aviation disasters and close calls that have stoked fears about air travel, despite flying remaining a very safe mode of transport.

Recent on-the-ground incidents have included a plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport.
The former head of Airbus has urged Europe to shift attention for now from major arms projects to nimble new technologies like robotic drones to demonstrate to Moscow and Washington it can make a difference to its security by the end of the decade.
Irish land prices sky-high  but heres what 2m gets you overseas

As land prices soar on home soil, we look at what is available overseas  in France, the UK, Eastern Europe and Australia

This old stone farmhouse on 99ac with an organic vineyard in Bordeaux is available for 1.59m.

Lorna Siggins Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 10:05

With Irelands agricultural land prices as high as they are, ever wonder what you might buy abroad?
Its not about the money, its just having to do it all again  home that had 600,000 Room to Improve makeover is damaged in blaze
Counter terrorism police are investigating Northern Irelands first potential Islamic terrorism attack after a man was arrested following a stabbing incident in Belfast.

PSNI armed response officers arrested the 18-year-old after the incident in the Ormeau Road area close to University Avenue on March 1.

A 51-year-old man from Northern Ireland was stabbed once in the chest while the suspect made off on foot before being arrested by police a short time later.

Police found a kitchen knife when arresting the suspect  who was originally from north Africa.

It is understood he entered Northern Ireland after travelling from Heathrow Airport into Dublin in 2022 before arriving in Belfast from Dublin in September 2023, living here since.

Police believe the man was acting alone.

Specialist detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit are probing the case and liaising with security services and counter terrorism police in England.

Its understood police are working closely with immigrant communities in Belfast surrounding concerns the incident could lead to heightened tensions in the area.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: The suspect was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, before being detained for the purpose of assessment by mental health professionals. He remains in their care at this time.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, received treatment in hospital and has since been discharged. He continues to receive support from specialist officers.

While I would stress that the motive for the attack has not yet been established, detectives are exploring a number of potential motivating factors, including the possibility that this was a hate crime, a mental health episode or driven by religious ideology.

At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101."
He made his call and then it was up to me to make my call and I did  Joey OBrien on decision to take over from Damien Duff and nervy win over Cork
Jordan Davis: Slain dealers nickname found in drug debt tick list beside 153,000, court told

Jordan Davis was shot to death by a lone gunman while pushing his four-month-old son in a pram

Wayne Cooney, Jordan Davis and Rachel Redmond

Alison ORiordan Thu 13 Mar 2025 at 23:03

"Tick lists" found at two addresses linked to drug dealer Robert Redmond contained the name "Jordo" - the same nickname as a young father shot dead six years ago - while 70,000 was written beside one entry with the words "not yet" in capital letters, a detective has told the Central Criminal Court.
Minsk int'l book fair presents Chinese books

Xinhua) 10:12, March 14, 2025

MINSK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Minsk is hosting the 32nd International Book Fair from March 12 to 16, with Chinese books widely represented on shelves.

More than 500 exhibitors from 21 countries, including China, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, are taking part in the book fair.

The slogan "Hello, China!" made the Chinese stand especially attractive at the fair. The Minsk Cultural Center of China, the Confucius Institute of the Belarusian State University and the international publishing group Chance have selected about 400 publications in Belarusian, Russian and English. This gives local readers an opportunity to better understand China.

In his welcoming speech, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the Minsk International Book Fair, being a unique event in the social, cultural and spiritual life of the country, has a high international status and attracts the attention of thousands of people every year.

At all times books have been the main source of knowledge, part of the intellectual heritage of ancestors, and today, in the age of information technology, they help strengthen the unity of people and cultivate the best moral qualities in young people, Lukashenko stressed.

The Belarusian leader believes the traditional meetings of writers and book lovers open up new horizons for humanitarian cooperation, and bring countries and peoples closer.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Major pharmaceutical companies with operations in Ireland maintained an official silence yesterday after US president Donald Trump said he would try to bring back drugs manufacturing to the US.

Some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies have operations here, directly employing 50,000 people and contributing to Irelands trade surplus.

Mr Trump declared during his meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin this week: Ireland has our pharmaceutical companies.

Around 50bn worth of medicines are exported across the world from Ireland annually.

A number of the large pharmaceutical companies with plants here declined to outline their response when contacted yesterday.

Donald Trump met with Micheal Martin in Washington. Photo: PA

Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 14th

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), which represents the big companies, said yesterday: For many decades there has been, and continues to be, real investment in Ireland in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing and business services from across the US, Europe and Asia.

The industrys local footprint is significant, with 50,000 direct jobs at sites across the country making medicines for the global market. We welcome IDA Irelands five-year strategy which identifies health as one of four strategic drivers of opportunity, building on our life sciences success.

The industry looks forward to collaborating with IDA Ireland when it cites next-generation therapies, smart medical technologies, digital and connected health, accelerated drug development, advanced manufacturing and commercial services.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a long-term investment and in Ireland we are fortunate to have attracted and retained many investments over 50 years through many different circumstances.

We think this can continue and we are very supportive of IDA Ireland and the Governments commitment in this respect.

Our heritage in innovation is key to attracting new investments with businesses continuing to find Ireland an attractive and productive location among their global sites. There has been continuity of policy over 50 years about international investment.

This has included a multifaceted package of measures which includes a highly educated and flexible workforce, ease of access to both the US and the EU, open international trade policy, competitive business and taxation environment within international norms, and an ecosystem of collaborative research.
A Cork woman who bred and trained her own horse from a small Fermoy farm, said she is overwhelmed at finally making it to Cheltenham Festival.

Eleanor Broderick (71), is a third-generation Fermoy farmer, after her father moved from Listowel in 1953, with the family farming there since.

"I have always been interested in horses. I started with ponies, hunting, point-to-pointers, you name it, she told the Irish Independent.

Ms Broderick will hit a bucket list item today, when her horse, Lisleigh Lad, that she bred, raised and trained on her farm, competes at Cheltenham,

She started training in 2006, but gave it up for a while, until seven years ago, when she bred Lisleigh Lad, who she described as a bit of a monkey.

He will race in the festivals penultimate race at 4.40pm, in the St James Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Steeple Chase.

He was born out in the field, his mammy is 20 and he had his problems but this year he has just become a man, he grew up, she said.

Ms Broderick had always dreamed of a Hunters Chase, and in November, at the age of 70, it became a reality, when Lisleigh Lad won at Fairyhouse in Meath.

It marked her first ever win under rules, having previously enjoyed success both as an amateur jockey and trainer, in her earlier years.

We are here in Cheltenham. It is overwhelming, very overwhelming, is how she described being at the biggest stage of them all in National Hunt Chase racing.

She stressed that she hopes her horse can calm down going out onto the racecourse in Prestbury Park, when he and jockey Darragh Allen, take on 23 others.

"He has been here since Tuesday, he has galloped here on everything and hes okay, but thats me, I am a bit of a worrier, Ms Broderick said.

On the journey over for both herself and her horse, she said: For him, it was fine and for me, it was a nightmare.

Lisleigh Lad left Cork and made his way across the Irish Sea via boat and horsebox.

Ms Broderick said she doesnt see herself on the podium, or in the winners enclosure after the race, but she credited jockey Mr Allen, describing him as a hungry competitor, with two local wins on Lisleigh Lad already.

Ill be happy if he has a good round of jumping. Hopefully there isnt a false start because if this fella takes off, there will be no stopping him, she said of her horse.

She added that if Lisleigh Lad jumps around and finishes in the first eight, then she will be very happy on her way back home, with plans for Punchestown.

On advice for other first time horse owners, she joked: get into it young, dont get into it at my age.

She also credited her partner Matt who she said helped her in her journey to Cheltenham horse owner.

It is a privilege to be able to get here, I never thought I would. I am a very small trainer. I have three horses. I started off with eight or nine.

"But I ended up with three. It is a hard life and it is hard to get people to ride out with you, she said, adding she is lucky to have a great team with her.

Ms Broderick said she had only ever been at Cheltenham as a punter before, first coming in 2002 when Best Mate won the Gold Cup.

And while todays Gold Cup is at 4pm, the race before hers, she will be busy preparing, but said she will be keeping an eye on the Irish here today.
Threshold says Government must tackle lucrative market

More than 20,000 homes are being advertised as short-term lets at a time when just under 2,300 properties are available nationwide in the private rental market.

Housing charity Threshold has called on the Government to urgently pass legislation that will create a register of short-term lets to ensure the return of some of these homes to long-term use.

Threshold carried out an analysis of data published by insideairbnb.com, which revealed that there were 20,176 properties listed as short-term lets 12 weeks ago. By comparison, there were fewer than 2,300 long-term lets available on Daft.ie last month.

While hosts can short-let a principal private residence for 90 days without a change in use in planning permission, there are almost 8,000 full properties on the popular short-stay website, where the host operates more than one property.

Yet only 401 applications for change of use planning permission have been made since laws were introduced in 2019. The data showed that one couple, described as private hosts, have 189 live listings. A three-bed home in Ranelagh, Dublin, was being advertised for two weeks in June at a cost of 3,885.

Another individual private host in Dublin 24 was advertising a three-bed home, from March 15 to March 22, for 1,330 with a seven-day minimum stay.

Dublin has the highest number of hosts who have at least two full properties for short-term lets  with 856 hosts advertising 2,287 properties. In Galway, the issue is particularly acute, where 292 hosts are advertising 1,009 properties across the city and county.

Last year, there were only 167 requests for change-of-use planning permission to local authorities in the 26 counties combined. Homeowners are legally required to get planning if they want to operate a property as a short-term let for more than 90 days a year.

Despite a well-documented supply crisis in Irelands long-term housing market, Threshold has accused the Government of not treating short-term lets as a priority.

Threshold CEO John-Mark McCafferty has accused the Government of kicking this issue down the road despite claiming housing is the number one issue in Ireland.

The bottom line here is that there could be many homes brought back to the long-term market, he said. This is resulting in thousands of homes being advertised for short-term lets in this lucrative market, while the housing and rental crisis escalates nationwide.

Mr McCafferty questioned why the Government has yet to pass legislation to bring the short-term market into line with the rest of the hospitality sector, when Failte Ireland has created the infrastructure for a register of short-term lets.

It now looks likely that the long-promised register wont be introduced until at least summer 2026.

The EU STR Regulation sets out EU-wide rules on the collection and exchange of data on short-term rental services and online platforms for offering such services.

A spokesperson for Airbnb said: This data is not reflective of what we see on the platform. A typical host in Ireland shares one home for less than four nights a month and nearly nine in 10 entire home hosts share only one listing.

The majority of listings are outside Dublin and part of the rural tourism economy, and almost half of hosts say the extra income helps them afford to stay in their home.

While Airbnb is not the cause of long-standing housing challenges, we will continue to work with the Government as it looks to bring in new regulation.

We have long called for Ireland to introduce proportional short-term let rules, including a host register, that protect the families, communities, and businesses that depend on tourism.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has credited Cheltenham and horse racing for putting Ireland on the map and boosting our tourism industry.

He said the industry, which employs over 30,000 back home, has some remarkable Irish people achieving great things, particularly smaller owners.

"This is the Olympics of National Hunt Racing and where we get to display the best of the Irish racing and breeding industry, he said from Prestbury Park.

He complimented Cian Collins, who rode Michael OSullivans former horse Jazzy Matty to Grand Annual Challenge Cup victory on Wednesday.

He also praised Cork jockey Jody Townend for taking Bambino Fever to victory and Rachael Blackmore, who scored an emotional Cheltenham double yesterday.

"There is diversity in this sport as well but ultimately it is a lot about trade as well. I have met a lot of international buyers who buy Irish horses, he said.

That trade as well is worth 820 million and there is a business here, but ultimately it is a showcase about how great the Irish racehorse industry is.

He described Gold Cup day today, the last of four, as a very special day. It shows the breadth of winners, across a range of different winners, he said.

The minister also credited Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) for their promotional work, highlighting the great industry that we have in Ireland.

"While this is absolutely brilliant here, we look forward to English riders coming back over for Fairyhouse and Punchestown in the coming weeks.

The Kildare native said he will be keeping an eye on some horses, such as Brides Hill, owned by some of his neighbours.

At the age of 20, Mr Heydon worked as a part-time farmer and worked in Punchestown Racecourse for four years, on the track as a course builder.

He said it was during that time that he saw the number of jobs that there are for people in Kildare and across Ireland, in the horse racing and breeding industry.

"That is why we support it in Government, because it is real economic activity that is worth over 2.5 billion to our economy, Mr Heydon said.

"That is why we will continue to back this industry, that puts Ireland on the world map, he said, reiterating the special occasion that is Cheltenham.

"For people who had their first runner, to people who have been coming here for years, it is really, really special, you hope everyone comes home safe and sound.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said a claim by Israels ambassador to the US that he is an antisemite is false.

It comes as he is set to meet members of the Jewish community in Washington DC on Friday as he finishes up his week in the US as part of St Patricks Day celebrations.

It was reported by the Jewish Insider media outlet that the meeting was cancelled and Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told the publication that if any Jewish leader cancelled the meeting, they should be commended.

It would show leadership. The battle for antisemitism starts with shunning antisemites, he said.

You cant fight antisemitism if [you claim] the No.1 Jew in the world is a war criminal, Mr Leiter said, appearing to reference Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The Irish prime minister called my children war criminals, said the ambassador, whose son was killed in combat in Gaza in November 2023.

Yechiel Leiter

Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 14th

Hes an antisemite who should be shunned by anyone with a moral conscience. This is a blood libel towards the State of Israel.

The Taoiseach completely rejected the accusations against him and said his planned meeting with members of the Jewish community is still going ahead.

"It's just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East, he said.

There's an element of deliberate undermining of Ireland's position and a distortion of Ireland's position in respect of this.

There's a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false, and a deliberate distortion of the truth.

The Taoiseach said he went to Israel after October 7 massacre in solidarity with Israel and said the Irish Government has consistently condemned Hamas and called for unconditional release of the Israeli hostages.

"We called for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Martin said.

We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid, into Gaza, which is still required. It is Hell on earth in Gaza

"The Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, he said.

"Israel didn't like that but, as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations it leads to the killing of innocent civilians, to a degree that was not tenable.

"In my view it was beyond a moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible.

"We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid, into Gaza, which is still required. It is Hell on earth in Gaza.

"The Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, he said.
President Michael D Higgins has delivered his final St Patricks Day message as his term in office comes to an end, thanking the Irish public for the trust you have placed in me over these past 14 years.

"It remains the greatest honour and privilege to serve you, to meet so many of you in your communities, to witness your compassion, empathy and kindness in so many different ways, he said.

"It is something that I will always cherish - what you offered to Sabina, my partner in all that I have sought to achieve and myself - and we both appreciated and will always recall the warmth and support that you offered us, and the joy of your company.

Michael D Higgins. Picture: Maxwells

In his 14th and final address as president since he was first elected in 2011, Mr Higgins reflected on the themes he addressed during his two terms in office as he noted that this St Patricks Day is being celebrated in a world that is increasingly challenged by forces of division, inequality, and the flagrant degradation of our natural world.

"As I leave the Presidency, I would like to repeat my belief that words and how they are used matter, and furthermore, that the ideas which they draw on matter, he said.

"I spoke of these issues both at home and abroad, convinced as I remain that it is possible to achieve a world that answers these challenges with shared values.

As I reflect on the discussions that occasionally arose following those normative excursions of mine, the response far too often seemed to end with it is interests that matter and the suggestion that values are for a rarer visit.

When Irishness has been at its best, it has made real achievements in collapsing this false division.

He said those who reject the suggestion that we should live by, and encourage, an abstract version of accumulation and unrestrained greed, one entirely devoid of taking of the welfare of the Other into account are taking steps on behalf of all humanity, and the very life of our planet.

"As we celebrate this St. Patricks Day, we do so in a world that is increasingly challenged by forces of division, inequality, and the flagrant degradation of our natural world that impacts the consequences of climate change on those least responsible for it, he said.

He paid tribute to those who have worked to address the severe consequences of Storm Eowyn, and referenced the closing of international borders to those who flee in desperation and the cruel withholding of aid from those most in need.

"Those relief efforts are experiencing in too many places the devastating consequences of a refusal to listen to the voices of the most vulnerable among us. We are listening, in places of influence, to a rhetoric that seeks not to unite, but to separate. An invitation to a limited and limitless version of the self is becoming the prevailing discourse.

"In such moments, it is appropriate to ask ourselves: What kind of world do we wish to shape to allow for the future? Will we allow fear to triumph over solidarity, as do those who seek only power so as to strip away the bonds that connect us to one another? Are we to abandon the project of achieving peace in diversity?

He added: We must reject any cynicism that suggests that ideals are naive or unachievable and instead recognise that it is collective ideals, when pursued with courage, that have brought about the most transformative moments in human history.

Ideas matter. Words matter. The sharing of both matters. If we allow the language of inevitability of a simple dominating version of the connection between economics and life to take hold, if we accept that war is inevitable, that inequality is inevitable, that environmental destruction is a necessary cost of progress, then we abandon the possibilities of transformation, not just for ourselves but for future generations.

He said, as he comes to end of his term in office, that he remains convinced that there are alternative ways of living together on this fragile planet  ones shaped not by the narrow pursuit of self-interest, by the politics of exclusion, but by the pursuit of the shared opportunities, joys and resonance that are available with each other and with nature.

Mr Higgins said there should be inspiration taken from the story of Saint Patrick, where our differences are not exploited as threats, but embraced as the richness of our human condition.

"I am convinced beyond any doubt that, in spite of all the challenges we face, there remains within the Irish people a profound and unyielding commitment to seeing beyond the self, to seeing the other as a friend, the principles of generosity, decency and care for one another, he said.

On this St Patricks Day 2025, let us invoke the spirit of Saint Patrick by acknowledging our shared responsibilities to each other, to our global family. Let us resolve to forge together a renewed sense of solidarity, reaffirming our commitment to the dignity and well-being of all, in building a just and compassionate world, one which reflects the best instincts of our humanity.

May I wish you all, wherever you may be and in whatever circumstances, a joyful, peaceful, and hopeful St. Patricks Day.
EU 'penny has dropped' on need to cut regulation - Martin



The "penny has dropped" over the need for a reduction in EU regulations, the Taoiseach said.



Micheal Martin said the "winds of change" were blowing towards innovation and "reduction of regulation".



"There's a move within the European Union now to simplify regulation. I think the penny has dropped. The message has got home."



He made the comments as he attended an event at the US Chamber of Commerce on the penultimate day of his week of engagements in the US.



Mr Martin, who told the event that France was his favourite European country, added: "[French President] Emmanuel Macron held a very good AI action summit in Paris about a month ago and [US] vice president JD Vance was there, he gave a very strong message.



"A hard message, but he gave it very clear that the US were going to go 'innovation, innovation, innovation'.



"Emmanuel Macron and [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen was saying Europe has to become more innovation-focused."



Mr Martin said Ireland was committed to working with the D9+ group of countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic) to advocate for the simplification of regulations in the EU.



"It's not been satisfactory. We in Ireland understand that, because a lot of the companies are located in Ireland."



He said there was "growing recognition" across Europe for the need for a reduction in regulations, but added: "That has to be matched by action and real concrete development."



Mr Martin said it is inarguable that European defence spending will increase.



He said it is "very clear" that Ireland will "have to play its role" in European security, while taking its traditional military neutrality into account.



"I can predict that the next multi-financial framework, which is the European Union budget, which will come for the Irish presidency, will involve a significant increase in European Union spending on defence capability, which will be focused on increasing opportunities and capacities from member states to increase their expenditure."



The Taoiseach added that Ireland will become a net contributor to defence capability across Europe through a collective debt instrument.



He added: "But Ireland in itself will have to increase, and we are doubling our defence - coming from a very low base - defence expenditure.



"But again, we have to do it in a targeted way. Cyber security, sub-sea cables, maritime security - those are probably the most immediate vulnerabilities."



Mr Martin heard that the US Chamber is "committed" to the trade relationship with Ireland.



Its chief executive and president Suzanne Clark told the Taoiseach: "We're such firm believers in the indivisible connection between our countries."

Mr Martin said the relationship between Ireland and the US is an "enduring partnership".



He added: "We do genuinely see this as a two-way street. Ireland is a small, open economy, we depend on trade. We would argue that free trade has lifted prosperity in the world, the era of free trade greater than any other era."



Mr Martin was asked what more the US could do to bring more Irish investment.



In general, he said the feedback about the US was "very positive" but the issue of visas between the two countries can be particularly "problematic".

However, he revealed he found "ways around it" during his time as minister for enterprise.



Mr Martin said: "Flexibility around inward movement of people into the United States is problematic, it is a very restrictive environment in terms of a mobility of visas that are granted from one company to another."



He said flexibility would benefit the US as it would allow qualified people to work for its companies.



He added: "We should be imaginative and we've tried this on a number of occasions that we'd be creating a legal channel between America and Ireland, that Americans can come to Ireland through us offering visas to Americans to reside and work in Ireland.



"And when I was in Enterprise a long time ago, it used to always pain me, but I did find ways around it.



"When Americans fell in love in Ireland, we had to find... they developed specialties in certain areas of work and got work permits, and they were happily married ever after.



"But, I mean, you know, there was too much to navigate in all of that."

Mr Martin said President Donald Trump was "very well disposed" to such a mechanism.



David Young
People takes part in the reading of the Book of Esther during the Jewish holiday of Purim, a celebration of the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Reuters

Jewish representative groups have addressed what they said was "antisemitism and vilification of Israel" in Ireland with Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

They also raised the proposed Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban the import of Israeli goods produced in certain areas, but which the Taoiseach has already signalled will be rewritten and is not on the Coalitions legislative agenda.

Following the meeting, the Taoiseachs spokesman said that Mr Martin had categorically not told the Jewish delegation that the Bill had been dropped.

Irish Labour TD Duncan Smith said on X: The Taoiseach needs to urgently clarify what was discussed with/promised to the Israeli lobby in the US. The delay (bad) and dilution (worse) of the Occupied Territories Bill would be nothing next to it being swept off the legislative agenda.

Mr Martin attended a meeting with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Washington DC on Friday.

The engagement came as Mr Martin "utterly" rejected claims reportedly made by Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, that he was antisemitic.

Mr Martin said it was "absurd" to label him antisemitic and added: "I think there's an element of deliberate undermining of Ireland's position and distortion of Ireland's position in respect of this."

He said he wanted to have the meeting to present the "prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East".

Senior figures in Israel's government have accused leaders in the Irish coalition of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have criticised Ireland's decision to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar called Mr Martin's predecessor, Simon Harris, "antisemitic".

Mr Harris, who is now the Tanaiste, has also rejected the characterisation.

After the meeting, the AJC said the groups wanted to directly address concerns about "antisemitism and the demonisation of Israel in Ireland".

It said Ireland is seen as "one of the most problematic countries in Europe".

AJC director of international Jewish affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker said: "Antisemitism is pervasive in Ireland, posing serious risks for its 3,000 Jews, many of whom hold Israeli citizenship.

"Alongside physical harassment and attacks, widespread anti-Israel sentiment - including in parts of the government - affects daily life. Jewish school children face bullying, university students encounter hostility, and workplaces are increasingly unwelcoming."

In the meeting, Mr Baker expressed AJC's "grave concern over Ireland's vilification of the State of Israel", in particular joining the South African case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It also raised President Michael Higgins' "attacks on Israel", and Mr Martin's "own deeply problematic remarks".

The AJC said Mr Martin had accused Israel of committing war crimes, pursuing "collective punishment of the Palestinian people," as well as using "starvation as a weapon of war".

The group said that Mr Baker explained that these statements are "contributing to antisemitism facing Ireland's Jews" and urged him to pull back from its engagement with the ICJ.

The ACJ said if such action and statements continue, it will advocate for the US government to "take serious action in response".

The representative group announced that Mr Martin said Ireland would soon appoint a national coordinator to oversee efforts to counter antisemitism as well as develop a national strategy.

Mr Baker also asked Mr Martin not to pursue the country's Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The existing Bill is not in the Government's published legislative schedule but Mr Martin previously signalled the Government was instead likely to seek to create a new Bill with its required changes.

The AJC said in a statement after the meeting: "The Prime Minister said the legislation as drafted is probably unconstitutional and unenforceable. While not dispensing with it outright, he said it was no longer on the legislative calendar.

In a statement, ADL senior vice president for international affairs Marina Rosenberg said the groups met Mr Martin to address the challenges facing the small Irish Jewish community, including "an atmosphere of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias".

Ms Rosenberg added: "We urged concrete steps including the implementation of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the appointment of a National Coordinator for government policies against antisemitism.

"We expect the Irish government to act swiftly and will be closely monitoring the situation."

A spokesman for Mr Martin said the engagement was "very positive" and included discussion on "the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish communities around the world".

Earlier, the Taoiseach said that Ireland's approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

"I went to Israel after October 7 in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas," Mr Martin said.

"We have consistently condemned Hamas. I've called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

"We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didn't like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

"It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

"It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how we've always responded to Lebanon.

"So there's a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth."
Joan O'Regan (right) has encouraged others to volunteer at a time when it is needed most

Irish development workers have warned that aid cuts by the Trump administration represents the worst setback in almost half a century of efforts to tackle global poverty.

Two Irish development aid workers admitted that the gutting of funding to the US Agency for International Development (USAid), and the laying-off of thousands of staff, will have an incalculable impact on disadvantaged communities across the world.

The Trump administration has vowed to eliminate more than 90pc of US foreign aid contracts and over 50bn in overall US assistance around the world.

It is expected that about 6,200 multi-year developmental aid contract awards will be defunded.

USAid programmes have been credited with helping to contain outbreaks of Ebola and other threats. It has also helped save more than 20 million lives in Africa through support of HIV treatment.

All medical aid campaigns will be hit by the cutbacks.

One aid worker warned that the global impact of the cutbacks will mirror the dire consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, with some of the worlds poorest communities paying the highest price.

Joan ORegan (75) from Tralee, Co Kerry, has devoted her life to campaigning for social justice.

She is a volunteer with Brighter Communities Worldwide, a Cork-based organisation that works in partnership with local communities in Kenya across health, economic empowerment, education and water projects.

It plays a critical role in local hospitals and works closely with the Kenyan health ministry in delivering programmes.

I am very worried about the removal of USAid support, Ms ORegan said. It will have far-reaching and very negative effects.

Brighter Communities focuses its work on projects undertaken in partnership with local communities. Support funding is critical to its operations.

She said the charity will now have to work even harder to try and compensate for the massive hole in project financing that the withdrawal of USAid leaves.

Though charities are used to making the funds they receive stretch like elastic to achieve value for money, the loss of financing on this scale will have severe implications.

Ms ORegan said the organisation will have to scrounge for even more and try to find alternative sources of income.

Despite reaching pensionable age a decade ago, Ms ORegan intends to continue with her volunteering commitments and urges others to consider the same path.

The impact of charity work in the developing world has to be seen to be understood fully, she said.

Maria Kidney from Cobh, Co Cork, helped found Brighter Communities Worldwide. With her husband, Martin, she has devoted her life to helping people in the most disadvantaged places.

It is far worse than the Covid-19 pandemic, with the ripple effects being almost incalculable, she said.

Ms Kidney added that the impact of the funding cuts will be felt by women worst of all.

Women are in a very serious situation as they have to work harder collecting water and material for fires, she said.

Sadly, domestic violence is growing as men, frustrated at the even harder living conditions, are taking out their frustrations on their wives.
A government department has said staff at private nursing homes are not party to a new 140m a year pay deal following accusations that the agreement is discriminatory.

Nursing Homes Ireland said in a statement that it is seeking a meeting with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in relation to the agreement signed at the Workplace Relations Commission for organisations funded under health legislation.

Siptu has already accused the government of an attempt at divide and rule.

It said members employed at certain organisations are out of scope of the deal due to their funding arrangements.

It is understood that the union was referring to members including home help workers and staff at a community hospital that it balloted on industrial action ahead of the talks.

A HSE spokesperson said earlier this week that funding for services commissioned through tendering arrangements are not covered.

The deal means pay rises worth a total of 9.25pc over two years for over 40,000 workers in the community and voluntary care sector. Workers who will benefit are not public servants but their employers are funded on a statutory basis.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the unprecedented agreement was reached for organisations funded under section 39 of the health act and other legislation relating to the family, children and domestic and gender-based violence.

He said these workers are employed in community and voluntary organisations that are not public bodies. It is only organisations in these categories that are within the scope of this agreement, he said.

The spokesperson said private for-profit organisations that do not receive funding in this way are not party to the agreement.

He said these organisations are privately-owned and receive payment from the state through a statutory Nursing Home Support Scheme.

Neither the Department of Health, nor the HSE are the employer, therefore the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately determined between the employer and their employee, he said.

The department was commenting after Nursing Homes Ireland claimed the deal excludes and discriminates against staff in private and voluntary nursing homes as the continuing cycle of home closures continues.

It said the nursing home support scheme, which funds private and voluntary nursing homes, should be resourced to fund the pay rises.

Tadhg Daly, CEO of the NHI, said the deal was a blatant disregard for staff in private and voluntary nursing homes. He said they provide over 80pc of nursing home care in Ireland.

Worse again Section 4.1 of the agreement commits to addressing pay parity issues across the healthcare sector but no provision has been made for the private and voluntary sector to do this, he said.

He said this section acknowledges pay for some workers in community and voluntary organisations has fallen behind equivalent public sector roles.

Mr Daly said it is imperative that this is addressed by the Minister for Health.

The agreement compounds a long history of discrimination against private and voluntary homes, with an outlandish disparity between the funding for public nursing homes versus private and voluntary ones, he said.
Tanaiste Simon Harris will hold a meeting of the Government Trade Forum to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing escalation of trade tensions between the EU and US.

It comes as US president Donald Trump announced his plans for 200pc tariffs on EU alcohol which came in response to EU threats to impose a 50pc tariff on American whiskey.

The Tanaiste and Trade Minister is set to convene the meeting when he returns from the US trip, as part of the St Patricks Day programme, next week

Mr Harris will travel to New York and Philadelphia over the coming days where he will hold meetings with both political representatives and business leaders in the US.

In a letter to members of the Government Trade Forum, the Tanaiste said there will be a strong emphasis on the business and trade and where Mr Harris will push the beneficial relationship of the economic links between Ireland and the US.

Over the weekend I will be traveling to the US as part of the Governments St Patricks Day programme which has a strong economic agenda, Mr Harris said.

Tanaiste Simon Harris. Photo: Getty

Tariffs are not good for consumers Taoiseach Micheal Martin

Amongst those who I will meet are EI and IDA client companies, Irish innovators and the financial services sector. It is an important opportunity to highlight the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the US.

The European Commission has announced a stakeholder consultation process, and I would strongly encourage all of you to participate, and to advise your members and stakeholders of this.

Earlier this week, the Tanaiste had a phone call with Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, during which the two discussed the possible EU counter-measures that could be taken in response to the US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

The Tanaiste will use the Government Trade Forum meeting, which will be held in Dublin next week, to update the forum on his call with Mr Sefcovic, in which Mr Harris said Ireland would work with the European Commission on the ongoing tariff situation.

On Thursday, the Tanaiste met with officials to discuss the latest trade developments.

It is understood his department is now coordinating work across government to consider the latest developments as well as potential further developments that could happen in the coming weeks.

The Tanaiste will also take part in a number of bilateral calls with trade ministers from other EU member states next week.
Privately-insured Vhi members will be covered for care in Kingsbridge private hospital in Belfast under a new agreement, it emerged today.

Vhis 1.2m members will now have access to the Northern Ireland facility as an option for those who want to avail of it.

Vhi announced its members can access the three private hospitals in the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group in Belfast, in Derry Sligo and Belfast.

That includes access to the Kingsbridge Diagnostics and Treatment Centre which shares a campus with Kingsbridge Private Hospital on Belfasts Lisburn Road, just off the M1 artery into the city.

This partnership will further extend the reach of Kingsbridge into the Republic of Ireland where it has already built up a strong reputation, treating more than 60,000 patients from the Republic of Ireland over the past three years and reducing waiting list times under the HSEs national treatment purchase fund (NTPF) and Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (formerly known as the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive), said a spokesman.

The extended partnership will provide Vhi members with a broader range of options, faster access to surgeries and medical consultations in Belfast as well as enhanced post-surgical care for joint replacements. These services will be delivered in an efficient clinical setting, located within an hour's drive for hundreds of thousands of Vhi members in the Republic of Ireland, the spokesman added.

In most cases, surgical patients will be offered a consultation within a week and surgery within three weeks of making initial contact with Kingsbridge.

Kingsbridge Healthcare Group chief executive Mark Regan said: We strive to provide the highest standard of care promptly, efficiently and with the best interests of the patient at the heart of what we do. We pride ourselves on being able to bridge medicine and hospitality to enhance our patients experience.

We are excited to work with Vhi, a dynamic provider of care and the largest health insurer on the island, and we believe this partnership will offer their members greater choice in accessing high quality healthcare on the Island of Ireland.

Mark Byrne, Vhis Director of Healthcare Partnerships said: "We are pleased to further extend our partnership with Kingsbridge Healthcare Group with the addition of Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast . This collaboration will provide Vhi members living in the border region with greater access to high-quality medical services in a modern facility. We look forward to the benefits this partnership will bring to our members."

Vhi provides private health insurance to over 1.2 million members in the Republic of Ireland and reimburses 1.6bn in medical related claims each year. Kingsbridge provides more than 25,000 surgical treatments each year with 450 consultants providing care across 50 specialities.

In-patient procedures at Kingsbridge Belfast cover all the main specialties including orthopaedics, general surgery, ENT and gynaecology, diagnostics and scans are conducted on an out-patient basis.

Kingsbridge Healthcare Group said it will engage intensively with GPs, patients and corporate organisations in the Republic through 2025 to build on its existing and long-standing relationships. It is putting in place a network of satellite clinics across the island for patient aftercare and follow up.

It said it will offer fast access to first appointments and surgery via a new online booking platform on their website. Patients will be able to follow their own treatment pathway by registering on the Kingsbridge patient portal.

The Lisburn Road campus boasts state of the art facilities including robotic surgery and pharmacies on site. Vhi members will be offered preferential rates for other services available at Kingsbridge like laser eye treatment, hearing aid provision and a sleep and snoring clinic.
The Taoiseach has dismissed the criticism he has received for telling Donald Trump it was a good answer when he said Irelands housing crisis was a good problem to have.

During a meeting between Mr Martin and Mr Trump in the Oval Office yesterday, the US president was asked about Irelands housing crisis.

Mr Trump replied that the housing crisis was because Ireland is doing so well.

They cant produce houses fast enough. Thats a good problem, not a bad problem, he added.

Leaning back in his chair and laughing, Mr Martin said: Thats a very good answer, president.

Speaking in Washington, the Taoiseach pointed to the comments he made later on in the Oval Office, where he said housing is the number one issue.

We have to be careful not to parrot Sinn Fein on every occasion, he said.

Its classic opposition to do that and I think that was an over-the-top reaction from Eoin O Broin.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Photo: PA

An internal document released to Sinn Fein shows how Department of Finance officials told then finance minister Jack Chambers on the eve of the general election announcement that 2024 housing completions would not be anywhere near the 40,000 figure used throughout the election.

Sinn Fein has accused Mr Chambers, now Public Expenditure Minister, of burying the report.

Opposition parties had previously accused the previous government of misleading the public over housing completions during the election campaign.

While both Mr Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris said in the run-up to polling day that completions would be close to 40,000, the final figure came in at just over 30,000.

The controversy over the use of the overinflated figure has centred around a letter by former Housing Minister Darragh OBrien in August, which told coalition leaders that completions would be close to 40,000.

This was in contrast to reports from the ESRI and Central Bank that didnt support that figure.

However, a monthly housing update released to Sinn Fein deputy leader and finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has shown that the report was sent to Mr Chambers to review on November 6.

Tanaiste Simon Harris. Photo: Getty

As part of the overall assessment, it told the minister that the figures to-date are broadly in line with recent revisions to completions forecasts from the Central Bank for 2024, which point to housing output similar to, or slightly lower, than last year.

Mr Doherty accused the minister of deliberately misleading the public ahead of the election.

The Sinn Fein TD said that despite the report from department experts, Mr Chambers went on to speak to the media, and said that Ireland would see close to 40,000 home completions.

Jack Chambers now needs to be clear: why did he deliberately mislead the Irish public? Why did he bury a report that he had from his department which said that the projection was that they would deliver the same, if not less, houses than the previous year? Mr Doherty said.

Mr Doherty said the minister must clarify if he informed both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste about the assessment of housing completions included in the report.

A spokesperson for Mr Chambers said the minister rejects the assertions by Deputy Doherty and that the information contained in the report in question was not new.

Reacting to the briefing document in Washington, the Taoiseach said the figures relate to CSO statistics, which he said were already public.

My understanding is that it related to CSO statistics, which were public knowledge at that stage because they had been published earlier. There were three other bodies who had given indications that the figures would be much higher, Mr Martin said.

Former housing minister Darragh O'Brien. Photo: Getty

Were not building as much houses as fast as we possibly can. There are fundamental issues with the apartment side of it.

Theres a very real need to enhance and increase the level of private sector investment in housing, and particularly in the apartment side of it. Government will work to devise what the best policies that can do that.

In a statement, Mr Chambers said: The Minister for Finance receives a monthly housing update which summarises reports, projections and publications in the public domain.

The November 2024 submission referenced CSO data published on October 24, 2024 and previous Central Bank projections.

Mr Chambers said this information was not new, and that the CSO data had been published two weeks earlier and was debated in the Dail on the day it was published.

He added he was already aware of these inputs from the CSO and the Central Bank.

A spokesperson for Mr Harris referred to his comments during an interview with RTEs Claire Byrne several weeks ago.

In that interview, the Tanaiste said while he believed the letter from Mr O'Brien was sent in good faith, the figure of 40,000 homes should not have been given.
Asking price: 485,000

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald (01) 860 3956

In 1911, No55 Viking Road was occupied by Patrick Curran, a 75-year-old Carlow-born court crier in Dublins Four Courts, and his 78-year-old wife Alicia, from Wexford, according to the National Archives census.

While the first state pensions had been introduced just two years before, clearly Mr Curran had yet to feel the benefit as he continued his job as an officer of the court, ushering judges in and out of the courtroom, calling witnesses to the stand and announcing end-of-court sessions.

Mind you, with no children to accommodate, Patrick and Alicia got to live in a relatively roomy home, unlike some of their neighbours, with up to nine under one roof.

If the Currans could revisit their former home today, it would surely be a case of All rise, please in wonder at the transformation.

The living room

Renovated with a combi gas boiler, recessed lighting and laminate flooring, its a stylish, contemporary living space extending to 657 sq ft.

Accommodation includes a living room, an integrated kitchen with breakfast bar, a shower room and separate WC downstairs, with two double bedrooms above.

Viking Road is named after the Ostmen (Irish Vikings) who established a stronghold in Stoneybatter in the ninth century.

The kitchen

Today, its one of Dublins most sought-after addresses thanks to its strong community feel, proximity to the city centre and trendy cafes and restaurants.

No55 is likely to attract professionals looking for a turn-key home in this popular neighbourhood.
Forget white walls and basic furniture  there is a world of colour in Scandinavian design

Scandi is the most abused and overused term in interiors. Uncluttered rooms with pale walls and blonde wooden furniture are automatically described as Scandi-style, even when theyve nothing to do with Scandinavian design at all.

This is a long standing issue. In 1969 William Walsh, founder of the Kilkenny Design Workshops, commented that: Anything that hasnt got curly legs is regarded as Scandinavian by some people. Irish design has changed radically since then, but the misunderstanding continues.

In one way, this isnt a problem. Our consumption of furniture and homeware is driven by search engines, and sweeping terms like Scandi and Mid-Century help shoppers narrow down their choice.

Irish cottage interior by Kathrin Houlihan

Likewise, a Scandi hashtag on an Instagram or Pinterest account attracts followers to styles they find inspiring. In other ways, the inaccurate use of words is misleading. It diminishes the value and impact of real Scandinavian design, and what we can learn from it.

In Sweden, a lot of people are interested in interior design, says Kathrin Houlihan, who grew up in Gothenburg. We have a cold climate with dark, harsh winters. Until recently, there wasnt a tradition of going out to socialise. We entertain at home and were very proud of our houses.

Kathrin Houlihan

There are many things to like about Swedish culture and one of them is the unashamed pride people take in their homes.

In Ireland, its more complicated. To call someone house proud is not a compliment. The phrase is often used to describe someone whos neurotic about keeping their home clean and tidy.

Houlihan, who now lives in Ireland, posts on Instagram as @scandiandirish. Her account documents the journey of renovating, furnishing and decorating a 100-year-old cottage in Co Kerry. Its a breath of fresh air. When she and her Irish husband bought the cottage in 2021, it was neglected to the point of dereliction.

Irish cottage interior by Kathrin Houlihan

Now, the lovely old building has been given a new lease of life, restoring original features and furnishing it with a mixture of old and new pieces. I grew up in a home where antiques were integrated into a contemporary interior, she says. In Sweden its very normal.

Accustomed to the Swedish habit of intermingling vintage furniture with new, when Houlihan moved to Dublin in 1997 she was in for a bit of a shock: The only places selling old furniture were stuffy antiques shops where people bought huge pieces for period homes for loads of money.

My Secret Garden wallpaper by Borastapeter

The available range of new furniture was similarly restricted: Everything was very basic  it was what people needed but it had no style. It was very hard to find a sofa that I liked. They were all so grannyish and backward, and very expensive for what they were.

Almost 30 years later you can buy almost any type of furniture in Ireland, either vintage or new. Its definitely changed, Houlihan says. Im not a huge fan of Ikea because I dont like buying all new, but it opened Irish peoples eyes to what you could achieve in a home.

Nightingale Garden wallpaper by Borastapeter

When Ikea opened in Belfast in 2007 and Dublin in 2009, Irish people embraced the low cost furniture with great enthusiasm, often using it to furnish the entire house.

In Sweden, people dont turn their noses up at Ikea furniture but tend to use it judiciously, integrated with items from other sources. The wholesale adaption of someone elses style is not in the Swedish tradition.

The way people use the term Scandi is confusing, Houlihan says. If you search for Scandi hashtags on Instagram, it brings up homes with plain white walls and furniture people perceive as Scandinavian because its simple in style.

White walls, she feels, dont work well in Irish homes. White looks different in Sweden because the light is different. Soft colours are more compatible with the Irish light.

Dark colours can be problematic too. In the cottage we painted the spare bedroom in Pigeon and a big dresser in De Nimes, both from Farrow and Ball. Its very overpowering so were going to repaint it.

Aurelie mural by Sandberg Wallpaper

When Scandi style becomes ubiquitous, it misses much of whats interesting about Scandinavian design. Specifically, the use of pattern. Not all Swedish homes include a lot of pattern, Houlihan says. But many of them do.

She also points out that there are regional variations in Swedish tastes: There are stronger patterns in the north of Sweden with beautiful rich reds and deep duck-egg blues.

Her favourite Swedish wallpaper brands include Sandberg and Borastapeter. Both of these are available online with prices from around 90 per roll.

Another issue with generic Scandi style is that it fails to differentiate between Danish and Swedish design. Danish design is stunning but its very different from Swedish design, Houlihan says.

Bo Concept Sweet Art collection by Charlotte Hncke

The Sweet Art collection, recently launched at Bo Concepts Dublin store, is a good example of the diversity within Danish design. Specifically, the range is inspired by Danish cakes. This is not the cookie-cutter interpretation of Scandi style.

According to the publicity material, the accent armchair (989) in the range showcases: the design language of organic shapes and scalloped detailing with confectionery-inspired flourishes. It evokes sponge-like softness, creamy textures and childhood nostalgia.

Helena Christensen, former supermodel and global artistic director of Bo Concept

Sweet Art also includes a large (399) and small (299) pouffe, both of which look like giant cakes, and a circular rug (1,599) with radiating textures lines that resemble the way a cake is sliced. The colour palette is on the sugary side, with blossom tones and a high gloss side table in dark cherry.

The range is designed by Charlotte Honcke and promoted by Helena Christensen, former supermodel and global artistic director of Bo Concept.

The collaboration is billed as part of a new female creative force for the brand that sees it welcome more modern shapes and feminine forms and colours to attract an increasingly female audience.

Helena Christensen with furniture from Bo Concept. Retouch by: Wetouch Imagework

This makes sense. Men are more likely to want their cakes to be real and edible, rather than in the shape of furniture. Christensen is also a photographer and Flora, a set of her art prints, will be available at Bo Concept later in March.

She will also play a role in the design of a capsule collection of furniture and accessories, for release in September 2025.

See sandbergwallpaper.com, borastapeter.com, @scandiandirish, boconcept.com
The US carriers new policy will start from May 28, but fees have not been revealed

Southwest stock rose 6pc before markets opened yesterday. The baggage move could increase revenues but may cost the airline customers. Photo: Getty

Southwest Airlines will begin charging customers a fee to check bags, abandoning a decades-long practice that executives had described as key to differentiating the budget carrier from its rivals.

Southwest, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free, said this week that people who haven't either reached the upper tiers of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, bought a business class ticket or hold the airline's credit card will have to pay for checked bags.

The airline did not outline the fee schedule but said the new policy would start with flights booked on May 28.

We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we dont compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect, CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

Less than a year ago, the Dallas-based airline announced it was doing away with another tradition, the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years. Southwest expects to begin operating flights with passengers in assigned seats next year.

Southwest has struggled recently and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue.

The airline reached a truce in October with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management to avoid a proxy fight, but Elliott won several seats on the company board.

The airline announced last month that it was eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15pc of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the companys 53-year history.

The job cuts, which were scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of June, are part of a plan to slash costs and transform the company into a leaner, faster, and more agile organisation, Jordan said at the time.

Southwests stock rose more than 9pc on Tuesday, after the announcement.

As recently as Southwest's investor day in late September, airline executives described the bags-fly-free as the most important feature in setting Southwest apart from rivals. All other leading US airlines charge for checked luggage, and Wall Street has long argued that Southwest was leaving money behind.

The airline estimated in September that charging bag fees would bring in about $1.5 billion (1.37bn) a year but cost the airline $1.8 billion (1.67bn) in lost business from customers who chose to fly Southwest because of its generous baggage allowance.

Southwest said that it would continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares, and one free checked bag to A-List members and other select customers.

Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will receive a credit for one checked bag.

People who don't qualify for those categories will get charged to check bags. The airline said that it also would roll out a new, basic fare on its lowest priced tickets when the change takes effect.

I would rather have the free checked bags, thats for sure," said customer Dorothy Severson, who was awaiting a flight on Tuesday at Chicago Midway International Airport. "Its one of the main reasons I still fly Southwest.

Southwest is betting that the added bag fees will outweigh the loss of business from travellers who look closely at the costs on top of ticket prices.

Rivals saw an opening, however.

I think clearly there are some customers who chose them because of that, and now those customers are up for grabs, said Delta Airlines President Glen Hauenstein, speaking at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference.

Yet in the current economic environment, keeping travel affordable may play an outsized roll in staying competitive. The trade war initiated by President Donald Trump is roiling US markets and dampening the high-flying optimism prevalent last year among businesses and households.

At the start of this week, Delta slashed its quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, saying that a recent decline in consumer and corporate confidence over the economy is weakening domestic demand.

Shares of Delta have tumbled 24pc this year. Shares of United have slumped 22pc, JetBlue 27pc and American Airlines a whopping 32pc.

On Tuesday, Southwest also cut its own expectations for the quarter. The airline now anticipates revenue per available seat mile will rise between 2pc and 4pc, down sharply from its previous projections of a 5pc to 7pc increase. The airline said it expects capacity to be down about 2pc.

The airline announced last year that along with giving passengers assigned seats, it would charge them extra for seats with more legroom and offer red-eye flights.
Why I had to walk away from my high-flying, but toxic, corporate law career

Author Dorothy Herson tells Andrea Smith about choosing to leave her job working with a prestigious London firm behind after she ended up in a psychiatric facility

Dorothy Herson said she lost perspective in her first job and ended up working 18-hour days. Photo: Matt Writtle

Andrea Smith Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 03:30

When Dorothy Herson was accepted as a trainee corporate lawyer at one of Londons most prestigious law firms, the thrilled 20-year-old could never have imagined that the experience would land her in a psychiatric hospital.
Donal Fallon: The bike ride that links a chain of events from Buenos Aires to the roof of the GPO in 1916

Before Dervla Murphy or Manchan Magan, there was William Bulfin and his Rambles in Eirinn

William Bulfins son Eamon was one of those tasked with raising the flags on the occupied GPO. Photo: Getty

Donal Fallon Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 03:30

One of my prized possessions is a first edition of the classic Irish travel book, Rambles in Eirinn, which was published in 1907. Its a little battered, and with plenty of notes in the margins, because whoever owned the book before me had perhaps taken it with them on their own ramble. It was a pleasant surprise recently to see a new edition in book shops.
Russian president Vladimir Putin in full military fatigues shakes hands with chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces Valery Gerasimov. Photo: Reuters

There are solid reasons why war is cynically referred to as the gambling table of governments. When Vladimir Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine three years ago, he bet everything on it being wrapped up within days.

Three years on, that sinister wager has led to the loss of an estimated 800,000 Russian soldiers.

US president Donald Trump wants the bloodbath to end. Agreeing the fighting should cease, Putin has said a ceasefire would have to lead to a long-lasting peace that must address the root causes of the conflict.

Washington has enticed him back to the table with a string of concessions heavily weighted in his favour. Just about all he could wish for has been laid out for the taking.

But if any deal is to be seriously sustainable, the Russian leader must accept the facts as they are, not as he would present them. The root cause of this war was his brutal empire-building aggression.

While Moscow speaks of Ukrainian terrorism, Russian bombers routinely pound apartment blocks and critical infrastructure, killing civilians.

Yet knowing he has the backing of the White House, Putin comes to the table knowing he can raise the stakes even higher. It falls to Mr Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff to insist on a deal both sides can live with.

A defiant appearance in full battle dress before his troops in Kursk was a signal to the world that the Russian leader is winning. This week, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the ball is truly in their [Russias] court. But as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said in that fateful encounter two weeks ago in the Oval Office: This is not a game.

In dealing with Putin, Washington must recognise that force is the vital principle that sustains him

Russia will agree to nothing unless it is forced to. As Mr Zelensky said, it is up to the US to convince Moscow to agree.

Mr Trump has said he can do things financially to turn up the heat on Moscow, which would be very bad for Russia, he warned.

If there is to be any plausible hope of ending the war, pressure has to be applied.

In dealing with Putin, Washington must recognise that force is the vital principle that sustains him.

Many years ago, US president Jimmy Carters National Security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski explained: Russia can be either an empire or a democracy, but it cannot be both. Without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire.

That is what is at stake for Putin, and he will not yield an inch unless he is pushed.

We have seen the blunt instruments the White House has used to bend Kyiv to its will. Similar demands must be made of Moscow.

There may still be a forest of detail to get through, but much depends on Washington being able to see the wood for the trees if it is to carve out an equitable deal.
The Kanturk Film Awards cast of Fr. Ted in great form at their Cheltenham Preview fundraiser at the OC Bar in Kanturk last weekend. Photos by Sheila Fitzgerald

Kanturk Film Awards Cheltenham Preview Night was hosted by Michael Winters, one of the best known Racehorse Trainers in Ireland. Joining Michael on the panel at the event were Jockeys Darragh O Keeffe, Mallow, Paul O Flynn, Ballyclough and Eoin McCarthy, Athea

Elaine and Stephen Winters were at the Cheltenham Preview fundraiser in the OC Bar

Liz O Neill, Ciara McCarthy, Edel Sheahan, Eimear Barry, Louise Barry, Norrie Guiney and Tracey Cremin were at Lillians Hen Party in the Alley Bar, Kanturk. Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald

Sister Mary Corbett, Sister Maureen Sheehan and Sister Eileen O Connor were at the Kanturk Film Awards Cheltenham Preview fundraiser at the OC Bar

Norrie Guiney and Joan Roche looking the part at Lillians Hen Party which was hosted by the Bridesmaids cast of Kanturk Film Awards

Michael Winters who plays Fr. Ted in the Kanturk Film Awards chatting to Mary Breen and Edel Sheahan at the Cheltenham Preview fundraiser in the OC Bar

The cast of Bridesmaids pictured at the Alley Bar during their Film Awards Hen Party fundraiser in Kanturk last weekend. Photos by Sheila Fitzgerald

The Kanturk Film Awards fundraising drive continues to gain momentum as the actors taking part in each of the seven movies prepare for their big showcase night on April 4th.

Last week the cast of Fr. Ted held their Cheltenham Preview Night at the OC Bar.

Enthusiastic punters had the opportunity to mix with eminent names from the horse racing scene as popular and well known racehorse trainer Michael Winters took centre stage as host of the event.

Michael was double jobbing  he also takes on the role of Fr. Ted in the Film. Luminaries from the horse racing scene Darragh O Keeffe from Mallow, Paul O Flynn, Ballyclough and Eoin McCarthy from Athea were on the Panel, while Michael Breen was MC at the event.

On Friday night, disco balls and alcohol were the themes at Lillians Hen Party as the main woman and her bridesmaids rocked the various bars in the town, beginning at Barretts and ending their party with a disco at the Park Bar. Attired in costumes from the 1980s, the group certainly lit up the town and enjoyed their hen party.

Meanwhile, everyone is invited to join the cast and friends of the Suffragettes movie as they roll out their Spinathon fundraiser outside the Credit Union in Strand St. on this Saturday, March 15th from 10am-4pm.

There is also a Mega Prize Draw running in conjunction with the Spinathon. Those attending can enter on the day or alternatively purchase their cards at Barretts, Ronnies or the Daily Grind. Donations are also being accepted through the Spinathon fundraiser Kanturk Go Fund Me Page.

On Sunday evening, March 23rd, the spacious hall at Colaiste Treasa will be the venue for a fantastic variety concert hosted by the talented actors from the films The Wind That Shakes the Barley and The Snapper.

Award-winning musicians Annemarie ORiordan and Alan Finn will take centre stage and will be joined by guests Maggie and Anna Moynihan, Sheila Fitzgerald, students from Scoil Naomh Padraig and the Glenflesk Ballad Group who are All Ireland Scor na nOg winners.

Tickets for the concert which begins at 6pm on Sunday, March 23rd can be purchased by contacting the office at Scoil Naomh Padraig on 029 72106.

Kanturk Astro Turf Project Committee will host Kanturk Film Awards at the Charleville Park on Friday April 4th, with all proceeds going towards completing the Astro Turf Pitch.
Uisce Eireann are scheduled to begin replacing 1.3 kilometres of leaking water mains in Cullen in late March.

The work is expected to be completed by May 2025.

Residents in Cullen can look forward to a more secure and reliable water supply with Uisce Eireann prioritising important works to reduce high levels of leakage in the area and improve the resilience of the network.

The works involve replacing over 1.3 kilometres of old water mains prone to bursts with new modern pipes.

The works, which are being carried out under Uisce Eireanns National Leakage Reduction Programme, will commence in late March and are expected to be completed by May 2025.

The section of works will take place along the N72 Cullen Crossroads in Cullen.

Once these works are completed, customers in this area will enjoy an improved water supply with less disruption.

Commenting on the project, Jack Cronin, Uisce Eireann said: Old and damaged water mains remain a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption.

Mr Cronin continued: Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

By prioritising these upgrades, we are helping communities like Cullen to thrive. We would like to thank local residents for their cooperation and patience as we carry out these essential works, he added.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea said: I would like to thank the people of Cullen in advance for their patience and co-operation during the works. We know based on previous experience that the short-term inconvenience will be outweighed by the long-term benefits.

To facilitate the safe delivery of the project and to minimise impact on the community, areas of work will be limited to short sections.

Traffic management will be in place during this time in the form of a stop/go system. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.

The works may require some short-term water supply interruptions, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned water interruptions.

Ward and Burke Construction Ltd will deliver these works on behalf of Uisce Eireann.
The meeting between stakeholders is due to take place on March 20.

There has been an angry reaction to Uisce Eireanns decision not to attend a meeting between the body, the HSE, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Cork City Councillors.

A special council meeting has been scheduled for next Thursday, March 20, to bring the stakeholders together in an attempt to find out more about Cork Citys ongoing water supply issues, with residents continuing to complain about brown, unsafe drinking water coming from their taps.

Cork City Council invited Uisce Eireann, the Environmental Protection Agency and the HSE to meet with councillors after a meeting with the Executive of Cork City Council on matters affecting the city.

However, Uisce Eireann have declined the offer to attend.

Councillors across the city have been reacting angrily to the move, calling into question the groups accountability for its water supply, which has been regularly attacked as being unsuitable.

"The city has housing projects that are dependent upon Uisce Eireann providing services, said Green Party Councillor Oliver Moran.

There are incidents of raw sewage spilling onto public roads. Households across the city are having to purchase under-the-sink filters because they can't trust the water coming out of their taps. It's councillors who are being asked about these things, but Uisce Eireann don't think they've any reason to come before us?

"When Cork City Council wrote to the Minister about these issues, he wrote back to us saying he has no operational say over Uisce Eireann. He said the best place to contact them was through their customer service telephone number. The EPA and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities don't appear to have any grip on them. They won't come before councillors like any other state body would, so who are they responsible to?"

Last month, the Director General of the EPA, Laura Burke, told the Irish Independent that the agency arent afraid to prosecute the water provider if necessary.

We treat every licensee  whether theyre a government body or a private industry  in exactly the same way, and our expectations is exactly the same, that they comply," said Burke in late-February, in response to the ongoing issues with Uisce Eireann.

If they dont comply, we will take whatever action is necessary to ensure compliance, and I think thats been demonstrated by actions we have taken  including prosecutions  against Uisce Eireann, and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to ensure compliance.

On the north side of the city, Sinn Feins Michelle Gould says that people in her ward have been dealing with unsafe drinking water for too long.

At last Mondays Council meeting, I outlined the unsafe and dangerous results of tests taken in Gurranabraher, she said.

These showed repeated exposure to levels of manganese well in excess of Drinking Water Regulations and failure to carry out follow up tests in a reasonable timeframe.

It is beyond insulting that Uisce Eireann have refused to attend this meeting. The people of Cork deserve answers and they deserve accountability.

Uisce Eireann are hiding from this because they know that they are failing the people of the Northside and everyone supplied by the Lee Treatment Centre.

In a response issued to the Irish Independent this morning, Uisce Eireann says that the organisation is not in a position to attend the meeting.

Uisce Eireann acknowledges the importance of its role as the national water utility and remains committed to keeping the community informed and to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders, including Cork City Council, the statement reads.

Recognising the significance of the issue of water quality in Cork City to elected representatives, Uisce Eireann commenced a series of dedicated briefings last year and have held a number of engagements to date that have been attended by senior management from Uisce Eireann. As part of this commitment, we recently (Friday 19th February) invited all city councillors to a tour of the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant and to a dedicated briefing on work underway to address instances of discolouration in Cork City.

Additionally, we hold annual in-person workshops with all city councillors to provide updates on Uisce Eireanns water and wastewater works across Cork City and to address specific areas of interest for local councillors. Such a workshop had been scheduled for Thursday, 20 March. However, this was cancelled following the Council's decision to hold a special meeting of the local authority on that date instead. Arrangements are being made to reschedule the workshop for a future date.

Uisce Eireann workshops are comprehensive and cover a wide range of topics, making them unsuitable for integration into the format of a special council meeting. Uisce Eireann is not in a position to attend the special meeting.

We remain committed to keeping councillors informed through dedicated briefing sessions and workshops. Elected representatives are also encouraged to submit queries directly to Uisce Eireann.
16 agricultural shows in Cork including Charleville Show and Ballyvourney/Coolea Show will benefit from a fresh round of funding announced in recent days by Minister Jerry Buttimer.

Charleville Agricultural Show Society which was founded in 1979 will benefit from a grant of 10,700, while Ballyvourney/Coolea Show will receive a grant of 6,700.

Charleville Show which will be held this year on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 is renowned for its wide variety of events and attractions to suit all ages and interests with numerous interesting events to be seen, varying from judging of cattle, horses, sheep, horticulture, dogs, arts & crafts, cookery and numerous childrens competitions.

Ballyvourney/Coolea Show will be held this year on Sunday, July 20.

The Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer recently announced an investment of over 1 million to support 123 Agricultural Shows nationwide.

As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of between 4,260 and 11,410 depending on their size.

This funding will support the work of each of the 123 show committees as they prepare for the upcoming show season. The Department of Rural and Community Development will work with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer the 2025 scheme.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea said It is great to see 16 shows supported in Cork this year with Charleville Agricultural Show to receive 10,700 and Ballyvourney/Coolea Show to get 6,700 in financial support. I am sure this funding will come as a great support to the show committees as they prepare for their events this summer.

Minister of State for Community Development, Charities and Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer said Agricultural shows are an event that many of us very much look forward to and they are key events in the agricultural calendar. They are a great opportunity to engage and to see first-hand the produce from the land.

I would encourage young and old to go along to your local show. You are guaranteed a great day out, he added.

The total grant allocation for all agricultural shows in Cork was an overall total of 138,120.

These included: Ballygarvan Agri Show, 8,350; Bandon Agricultural Show, 9,995; Bantry Agricultural Show Society, 9,995; Barryroe Show Ltd, 8,350; Belgooly and District Agricultural Show, 8,350 and Carbery Show Society, 9,205.

The other show recipients in Cork County were: Clonakilty Agricultural Show, 9,205; Cork Summer Show, 11,410; Dunmanway Agricultural Show Society, 8,350; Inniscarra Agricultural Show, 5,880; Leap Horse and Pony Show, 5,880; Midleton Agricultural Show, 8,350; National Dairy Show, 10,700 and Schull Agricultural Show, 6,700.
Situated at the crossroads of Munster, on the borders of counties Limerick, Cork and Tipperary, Ballyhoura is an area of undulating green pastures, woodlands, hills, and mountains.

Community groups and tourism businesses attended the Ballyhoura Networking Forum at Spruce and Willow in Ardpatrick on Saturday March 8.

Community groups and tourism businesses attended the Ballyhoura Networking Forum in Ardpatrick on Saturday, March 8.

Hosted at the Spruce and Willow cafe bar, the forum focused on the potential of tourism across the Ballyhoura region.

Situated at the crossroads of Munster, on the borders of counties Limerick, Cork and Tipperary, Ballyhoura is an area of undulating green pastures, woodlands, hills, and mountains.

Ballyhoura Development is currently working with Failte Ireland to deliver a Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for the Ballyhoura region, which is a five-year plan designed to unlock the full tourism potential of the region.

Its primary objective is to realise domestic and international opportunities that can be delivered through a shared vision and associated actions.

Padraig Casey, CEO of Ballyhoura Development welcomed the partnership with Failte Ireland.

Visitor expectations are evolving and the Ballyhoura visitor experience needs to continue to adapt to meet visitor desires for authentic community connections, world-class product and service offerings and environmental sustainability standards.

The Failte Ireland supported, locally-led DEDP process will enhance capacity, improve performance and build better connections across the local tourism community, he said.

The Ballyhoura region is part of Failte Irelands Irelands Hidden Heartlands brand, which offers myriad possibilities for visitors to get active in nature and uncover hidden gems  whether through places, people, or experiences.

Mr Casey believes the initiative will improve tourism in the area.
There has been a breakthrough at Millstreet Community Hospital as the delayed Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was carried out recently.

The HIQA inspection for the new extension at Millstreet Community Hospital took place on Monday, March 10.

This long-overdue inspection is a critical step in resolving months of delays that have prevented residents from moving into the newly completed extension at Millstreet Community Hospital.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan welcomed the news. I am delighted to confirm that I have received confirmation that the much-anticipated HIQA inspection, which has held up the move of residents into this fantastic new facility and delayed the refurbishment of older parts of the hospital, has finally taken place this week.

I welcome the progress, said Deputy Moynihan. This is an issue I have consistently raised with the HSE. While the next steps depend on the outcome of this inspection, I am hopeful that this milestone will finally bring an end to months of frustrating delays.

Deputy Moynihan continued: This delay has been incredibly frustrating for residents, their families, and staff, all of whom have been eagerly awaiting the opening of this much-needed extension.

Once the extension is registered and opened, the next phase of the project will commence with the refurbishment of the older section of the hospital. At that point, residents will transfer from their current accommodation in the existing hospital into the new extension, he added.

The new facility will provide 11 single bedrooms, each with an ensuite shower, toilet, and handwashing facilities, as well as communal spaces including a separate dining room and sitting room.

This will allow residents to move away from the outdated open ward model to a more private and comfortable living environment, significantly improving their quality of life.

Concluding, Deputy Moynihan reiterated that it is essential that the registration process proceeds without further delay so that residents can finally move into these state-of-the-art facilities. They and their families have waited long enough. I will continue to liaise with the HSE to ensure the extension opens as quickly as possible. I will keep residents, families, and constituents informed of any further developments.
The amount of vacant office space has become a 'real issue' for Dublin city centre. Photo: Getty

The increase in hybrid working has led to more vacant office space. Pic: Stock image

Vacant office space due to the impact of hybrid working, has become a real issue for Dublin city centre, it has been claimed.

Dublin City Council (DCC) is commissioning a report that will examine how hybrid working has impacted the demand for office space.

DCC Assistant Chief Executive Anthony Flynn told councillors at a special meeting on vacancy and dereliction, that vacant office spaces across the city has become a real issue.

We encourage and facilitate the use of vacant and under-utilised buildings and promote and facilitate the use of vacant commercial space and vacant sites, he said.

The meeting was called by independent councillor Kevin Breen, who said that, at 28 years old, he doesnt remember an Ireland without a housing crisis.

Tonight, as Dubliners sleep on doorways, or in emergency accommodation, on friends couches, or in their childhood bedrooms, thousands of properties lie vacant all across our city, leaving Dublins untapped housing potential untouched, he said.

Moreover, the derelict and vacant buildings scattered across our city adds to a sense of doom and gloom and contributes to a growing feeling that Dublin is unsafe.

The amount of vacant office space has become a 'real issue' for Dublin city centre. Photo: Getty

Dublin needs a makeover, and the motion that I bring forward tonight would see Dublin undergo a process of refurbishment, regeneration, and revival, strengthening our communities and greatly enhancing the lives of thousands, he added.

Green Party councillor Feljin Jose recently proposed a motion, which was passed, calling on the council to allocate additional resources to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the city.

The motion also demanded the council urgently pursue all unpaid derelict sites levies and vacant sites levies owed to it by the owners of the relevant properties.

The total amount of outstanding levies at the end of 2024, according to the council, was nearly 9.5m.

He highlighted that there are currently over 14,000 vacant properties in Dublin, with over a fifth of them vacant for more than four years.

Many councillors called for local authorities to be empowered to carry out more compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) in a more efficient manner.

In response to concerns raised about the CPO process, the DCC Assistant Chief Executive said the council had submitted suggestions for improvements to the Derelict Sites Act when the Department of Housing and Local Government began a review of the legislation in 2021.

However, the council is still awaiting a response.
Detectives detain third suspect following Meath search operation

Gardai arrested a man (40s) and a woman (20s) on suspicion of a string of thefts and burglaries in county Monaghan while attempting to board a flight to the UK at Dublin Airport.

A man and a woman wanted over a series of burglaries and thefts in county Monaghan have been arrested while attempting to board a flight to the UK at Dublin Airport.

The pair, who are Romanian nationals and aged in their 40s and 20s respectively, were arrested by detectives while in the course of going through the airports departure lounge on Monday.

They were both detained and questioned for a number of hours before being later charged with a series of theft and fraud related offences.

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The duo appeared at a sitting of Monaghan District Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty on a full facts basis, resulting in five and three month sentences being handed down.

Their arrests and subsequent convictions comes following the arrest of man in his 20s following the seizure of a large haul of suspected stolen property which detectives believe could also be linked to a recent string of house burglaries and thefts from cars in county Monaghan.

The discovery was made by detectives from Monaghan, assisted by uniformed officers in Navan during the search of a house in the Flowerhill area of the county Meath town on Thursday.

Those efforts resulted in the retrieval of an undisclosed quantity of suspected stolen items which senior gardai understand may be linked to a recent spate of burglaries and thefts from cars in the Emyvale area of county Monaghan.

A man, aged in his 20s, was arrested and is currently being detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, said a garda spokesperson.
Seamus Kilgannon (MSLETB Board), Eamon Scanlon (TD), Frank Feighan (TD), Colette Browne, (The Landmark Hotel), Peter Egan (MSLETB, Director of Further Education and Training), Minister of State Marian Harkin, Tom Grady (MSLETB, Chief Executive), Cllr. James Gilmartin, Pat Forde (MSLETB Board), and Cllr. Richard Finn (MSLETB Board).

Minister Harkin with the Commis Chef Apprenticeship graduating class, joined by programme team local representatives Cllr James Gilmartin, Eamon Scanlon, TD, MSLETB Chief Executive Tom Grady, Director of Further Education and Training Peter Egan, and MSLETB Board Member Seamus Kilgannon.

Minister Harkin with the Craft Butchery Apprenticeship graduating class, along with programme team local representatives Cllr James Gilmartin, Eamon Scanlon, MSLETB Chief Executive Tom Grady, Director of Further Education and Training Peter Egan, and MSLETB Board Member Seamus Kilgannon.

Fifty apprentices from the Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) have successfully completed their apprenticeships, marking a significant milestone in their careers.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, on Friday, March 7th, 2025.

An additional seventeen apprentices, who recently qualified, were unable to attend the ceremony due to work commitments and other obligations. However, their achievements were acknowledged alongside those who were present.

The graduates successfully completed apprenticeships across a variety of fields, including Sales, Craft Butchery, Commis Chef, Hairdressing, Cybersecurity, Software Development, and Computer Networking.

These programmes have equipped the graduates with the skills needed to excel in their respective industries and contribute to the growth of the local economy.

During the ceremony, MSLETB Chief Executive Tom Grady and Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, presented the graduates with their certificates, acknowledging their hard work and dedication.

Minister Harkin said: I am delighted to be here today at the New Generation Apprenticeship Graduation event to help celebrate the achievements of those who have successfully completed their apprenticeships.

Today we shine a spotlight on apprenticeship as a real and substantive career choice for all, which allows you to learn while you earn.

We have graduates now trained in essential fields such as sales, cheffing, hairdressing, cybersecurity, software development, computer networking and butchery.

My department secured a 77 million investment in apprenticeship in Budget 2025, highlighting this governments commitment to apprenticeship.

This was the single biggest increase in core funding for apprenticeship under this Department. It provides for growth of the system, as we try to right size supply against growing demand in Irelands buoyant economy.

It is my priority to ensure that every learner, no matter their age, gender or circumstances, has equal access to jobs and to qualifications.

The event was attended by local representatives, family, employers, and mentors, all of whom came together to recognise the graduates achievements.

MSLETB congratulates the graduates on their success and looks forward to supporting the next generation of apprentices as they continue to shape their careers and contribute to their communities.

For more information about the apprenticeship programmes contact MSLETBs apprenticeship team at apprenticeship@msletb.ie or call 1800 100 100
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin has begun a visit to the Netherlands and Belgium as part of the Governments Saint Patricks Day programme.

The programme of engagements will work to strengthen Irelands collaboration with the Netherlands and Belgium across the areas of further and higher education, skills development, and sustainable innovation.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Harkin said: This visit presents a significant opportunity to enhance Ireland's relationships with the Netherlands and Belgium. By focusing on future skills, green innovation, and cultural exchange, we aim to ensure sustainable growth and educational advancement for all."

Minister Harkin, who has responsibility for apprenticeships, construction, and climate skills, began the visit by meeting Enterprise Ireland client companies in Amsterdam under the theme Irish-Dutch Collaboration for a Greener Tomorrow and Future Skills.

Minister Harkin will engage with key stakeholders in The Hague, including faculty and students, at two major higher education institutions. At The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Minister Harkin will connect with Irish and Dutch faculty and students to foster academic exchange and collaboration. The Minister will also discuss the Lifelong Catalyst Programme at the Technical University of Delft.

Minister Harkin will highlight the importance of skills education and the shared ambition to advance skills in sustainable construction and infrastructure at ROC Mondriaan School of Construction & Infrastructure.

In Brussels, Minister Harkin will visit the Enseignement de Promotion et de Formation Continue (Further Education Training Centre). The discussions will focus on best practices in adult education and lifelong learning, reinforcing Irelands commitment to upskilling and reskilling in line with EU priorities.

Minister Harkin remarked: "In the face of a rapidly changing global landscape, fostering these partnerships is essential for achieving sustainable growth and educational progress for everyone.

"My engagements in the Netherlands and Belgium underscore the Irish Government's commitment to deepening collaboration with European further and higher education partners."
One of County Wexfords longest-serving jewellers is modernising the way they do business as they simultaneously reduce and invest in different aspects of their company, which they expect will only benefit their customers.

Mary Flood of Brooks Jewellers and Giftware, located on Charles Street, New Ross, is intending to reduce her hours of dedication to the business shes been a part of since her teenage years, as shes now approaching retirement, which aligns with need for some business changes in accordance with the modern day preferences of how their customers shop.

One change that the customers of Brooks can expect in mid-April of this year, is the closure of their giftware department. The gift shop, which offers a stunning range of homeware items such as crystal, ornaments, armchairs, and coffee tables, was an addition to the original jewellery business established almost 100 years ago in 1928 by John Brooks, and as the giftshop closes, the company identifies one of the main reasons for scaling back in this area is due to the newly-adapted shopping habits and living arrangements of their clients.

The fourth generation to take the reins of Brooks Jewellers is the eldest daughter of Mary and the late Mark, Rachel, who once lived above the shop with her family when she was a small child and also reared from a basket of tea towels in the shop as an infant. She explained that the gifts and homeware industry has changed massively over the last few years, which is why her mother has decided to bring the business back to its roots.

In further detail, Rachel explained a gifting habit thats become less frequent: The housing crisis has had a big impact on homeware, because the first thing is, young people are not buying houses, so theyve no houses to fill with homewares. Then you have the arrival of IKEA, JYSK, and all these larger stores, which are great and people have moved towards practicality, but people do not buy ornaments in the way that they used to. Nowadays when people buy things for their homes, they normally have a function and people tend to focus more on spending money on practical items for their homes.

I cant remember the last time someone came in specifically for a housewarming present, compared to the earlier days of when we first opened the giftware shop, and it was often every day wed sell gifts for a housewarming, Rachel recounted, adding access to online shopping is also a contributing factor.

Rachel and Mary Flood of Brooks Jewellers in New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne

Its not a decision thats been made lightly, but Mary has decided to sell the building where the giftware department is located as a modified indoor archway currently links both the jewellery and giftware stores.

Initially, those two buildings were separate, and as we prepare to close our giftware department, we dont want people to think were closing altogether, in fact, its quite the opposite, said Rachel as she detailed how her interest in the profession has brought her to work in Dublin, Stockholm and Paris. Since her return to the family business at Brooks following the sudden and tragic passing of her father, Mark Flood in April 2022, it has only inspired her more to expand the range of services offered at Brooks as she continues her studies every evening after work and hopes to graduate as a gemoligist in 2026.

As a busy, working mother in a leadership role in business, Rachel added that the addition of her studies is slightly challenging, however, shes encouraged by being able to provide a valuation service for insurance, among other aspects, which is a really positive step for the business and not many other jewellers can offer that to their customers.

We're expanding the jewellery services and trying to specialise more with the gemology knowledge because along with being a gemstone expert, I'm also an expert in buying gems as well and a diamond grader, which is part of the gemology degree, so, I know my diamonds, she said with confidence in her smile.

But, it also means that if a customer comes into the shop and has a question about any of our diamonds, I can answer it, and that knowledge and to have those expertise is important because jewellery is a trust business.

People trust you when theyre buying their jewellery from you, and that trust is hard-earned, Rachel said.

Talking about her own experience as a jeweller with her New Ross clients over the past 46 years, Mary shared her views on the importance of community as a thriving local and family-run business, which is exactly what her late husband prided himself on as hes remembered for his love for his family and his local business.

This business means so much to me, Mary began. While I started working here when I was 18 or 19 years of age, from day one, I didnt know much about jewellery at all, but I came from a business background as my own father had a business which I worked in prior to Brooks. But when I moved in here, it was a little daunting at first. I was out at the counter, I started selling jewellery, and I found I really enjoyed it, and I did quite a few courses to help me understand what was all about, which quickly turned into me beginning to love it, then I got to love the business and the satisfaction of selling something that somebody loved and treasured.

Mary shared that one element she particularly loves is knowing that there will be some sentimental value attached to the jewellery sold by Brooks to families and visitors of New Ross. And its lovely to hear, when somebody revisits the shop years later, that they still have that cherished piece of jewellery, she said.

Honestly, the community we have in New Ross is something were very grateful for as weve had so much support from those around us, and people are coming from outside of Ross to shop here because we have a different offering. Were not the same as ever other town, we have a uniqueness to us, Mary added.

Rachel also noted that the business owners in this town know their customers and often make their decisions in what they have on offer in their stores with those loyal customers in mind, sometimes ordering items specifically for those customers who appreciate the value of the service.

Rachel recounted following her now 97-year-old grandmother, Vera, around the store as a child, then every day after school she would come straight to the shop to assist with as much as her capabilities as a young, yet determined, young child would allow. I started getting paid to work here when I was nine, she laughed.

But I grew up here, and Ive always been rooted here, despite spending years in different parts of the world. Its in my DNA, said Rachel proudly.

As the preparations are under way for the changes to be implemented, Mary and Rachel have confirmed that their dedicated staff members will remain in place, and in addition to the new services to be launched in the near future, the business will continue to offer personalised engraving, in-house jewellery and watch repair services, watch battery fitting, strap fitting, pearl re-stringing, and an outsourced evaluation service.
Wicklow TD Edward Timmins has commended the Alliance of Bray Residents (ABR) on their policing submission to the Wexford Wicklow Divisional Policing Plan 2025, and aims to amplify their local concerns on issues from policing to transport in Dail Eireann.

Following a recent meeting with ABR, the Fine Gael Deputy praised the work they are undertaking to improve Bray and the surrounding area, saying he was particularly impressed with the detail in their submission to the Wexford Wicklow Divisional Policing Plan 2025.

Having now met the group and listened to their concerns, I believe the themes included in this submission namely strengthening and connecting communities, tackling crime and preventative policing and the promotion and enforcement of road safety are key issues for the wider Bray area, Timmins said.

I am committed to working with the ABR to assist them in achieving their aims on issues from transport to policing. I will do this by keeping in regular contact with the alliance and raising their issues on a national level in Dail Eireann  working alongside Tanaiste Simon Harris in conjunction with our local Fine Gael colleagues, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy and Cllr Melanie Corrigan.

Together we will ensure the people of Bray have the strongest and most effective representation, both locally and nationally.

As a local councillor for 20 years, Timmins said that he is acutely aware of the challenges within communities and the national solutions which are badly needed to ensure adequate resources are available.

I am currently bringing practical solutions and new ideas to Dail Eireann that will assist residents across the county, he continued.

A report by The Wheel (Irelands national association for community and voluntary organisations) entitled Participating People: Enabling Active Citizenship in the Twenty-first Century highlights the importance of involving communities in the decision-making process.

This is something I hope to achieve as a TD, and I have been busy meeting local groups countywide in recent weeks.

Bray is a town steeped in tourism potential and the gateway to our county for many. As the weather improves, more and more visitors are coming here. Its important that there is a visible Garda presence in the town and proper traffic management in place.

Additionally, it is my hope Bray will regain its Blue Flag status. Several groups have worked very hard in recent years to improve many areas locally, including Bray Head, and other locations like the iconic Albert Walk.
Athena Grandjambe at the launch of Declan Byrne's exhibition 'Psychological Mapping' in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Photo: Joe Byrne

Philip Balaban, Orla Callaghan and Barbara Callaghan at the launch of Declan Byrne's exhibition 'Psychological Mapping' in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Photo: Joe Byrne

Declan Kennedy and Dianne Chambers with artist Declan Byrne at the launch of his exhibition 'Psychological Mapping' in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Photo: Joe Byrne

Athena Grandjambe takes a photo of artist, Declan Byrne at the launch of his exhibition 'Psychological Mapping' in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre. Photo: Joe Byrne

Art enthusiasts gathered at the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre recently for the launch of acclaimed artist Declan Byrnes new solo exhibition of vibrant paintings and sculptures entitled Psychological Mapping.

Reflecting the Kilkenny mans distinct style, Declans paintings are created over months, with dots and various blocks and shapes of colour carefully selected and then deliberately applied side by side, eventually speeding out in all directions over the whole canvas.

The result is an intricate patchwork in which there is a remarkable balance between cooler blues and warmer yellows, oranges, reds, and ochres.

Declan, who has shown extensively in Ireland and across the globe, has been a member of the KCAT studio since 2004, where he has developed a unique and highly dedicated body of work in painting, drawing, and sculpture.

Adding another dimension to Psychological Mapping, Declans sculptural works involve a vigorous engagement with the materiality of paint, with large quantities of small different coloured quadratic shapes of dried acrylic carefully and methodically glued piece by piece over the entire surface of found objects in a way that creates a dynamic multi-coloured surface and coating similar to his paintings.

Everyone here at the Courthouse in Tinahely is very pleased and proud to be hosting Declans solo exhibition, a courthouse spokesperson said.

Declan is a very talented and inspiring artist, who has shown across the world, and his work really creates a very vibrant and spirited atmosphere.

Psychological Mapping will run until Sunday, March 23.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte threatened a police general with lawsuits, refused to be fingerprinted and told law enforcers youll have to kill me to bring me to The Hague in a tense confrontation after his arrest in Manila that was ordered by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a Philippine police general said yesterday.

Police Major General Nicolas Torre provided details for the first time of Tuesdays 12-hour standoff at a Philippine air base before he and other officers managed to bring the 79-year-old former leader on to a government-chartered jet that took him to The Hague, in the Netherlands, where he was detained by the global court on charges of crimes against humanity.
Outrage in Australia as US influencer is filmed taking a baby wombat from its mother

More than 22,000 people sign a petition calling for Sam Jones to be deported

Outrage in Australia after US influencer takes a baby wombat from its mother

Irish Independent Newsdesk Fri 14 Mar 2025 at 07:55







An American influencer left Australia on Friday after the government announced it was reviewing her visa over a video she posted of her snatching a baby wombat from its mother.
In case there was any doubt about which country - Russia or Ukraine - was the obstacle to peace, the Kremlin dispelled it this week with its response to the 30-day ceasefire plan pushed by the Trump administration. Ukrainian representatives unconditionally agreed on Tuesday to the ceasefire during a meeting with U.S. envoys in Saudi Arabia. But on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down the U.S. overture - even if he did so in language designed not to offend President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump has said there was a very good chance the war in Ukraine could end. He posted on social media after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a lengthy meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday night in Moscow, that Mr Trump described as very good and productive.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Thirteen years ago, Kahaani gave us one of the most suspenseful thrillers in Indian cinema. The main lead of the film, Vidya Bagchi, played by Vidya Balan, a seemingly pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. But nothing was as it appeared, her pregnancy was a lie, with a fake prosthetic belly hiding her true identity. Then there was Bob Biswas, an insurance agent who looked like an ordinary man but was actually a contract killer, carrying out murders with a casual Nomoshkar.

Officer Khan was a no-nonsense intelligence officer chasing a dangerous truth, while Rana played by Parambrata Chatterjee was a kind-hearted police officer who stood by Vidya in her search. Kahaani was not just a mystery; it was a story about deception, corruption, and a womans determination to bring down those who thought they were untouchable.

Here are five dialogues from Kahaani that remind us why this film still matters today.

A woman fighting against silence

When Vidya Bagchi asks the police about her missing husband, they refuse to help her. Instead of accepting their silence, she reverts back, "Bahar nikal kar har ek aadmi se puchungi chahe woh aam aadmi ho, police ho, ya phir media." (I will go out and ask every person, whether they are a common man, the police, or the media.)

This scene shows the frustration many people face when dealing with an unhelpful system. Vidya refuses to be ignored, showing that she will not wait for permission to get the answers she needs. In a country where people are often told to accept things as they are, her determination makes her stand out. She represents every woman who refuses to let a broken system silence her.

A corrupt system that protects its own

As Officer Khan explains the truth about Milan Damji, we see how deep corruption runs. He says, "Humare agent gayab ho sakte hai, Milan ek government agent tha, palat gaya, dushman ki taraf chala gaya. Hum is baat ko public se chupate aa rahe hain. Humare system ke andar koi hai jo Milan ki madad kar raha hai. Yeh khel bahot khatarnak hai, Mrs. Bagchi. Yeh system baazi aapko bahot bhari padh sakti hai." (Our agents can disappear. Milan was a government agent who switched sides and went to the enemy. We have been hiding this from the public. Someone inside our system is helping Milan. This game is very dangerous, Mrs. Bagchi. This system could cost you dearly.)

This scene shows how those in power protect their own, even when they betray the country. Instead of exposing Milan, they hide the truth, proving that the system serves itself first. The dialogue was also a warning to Vidya, telling her that her search for truth could put her in danger. But like every strong woman, she refuses to back down.

The cost of the truth

When Vidya kills Sridhar, Officer Khan refuses to agree that it was a necessary sacrifice. He says, "Agnus, Dr. Ganguly were killed as a part of collateral damage. Bade bade jung main choti choti kurbani deni parti hai." (In big wars, small sacrifices have to be made.)

This line shows us how power works, innocent people become casualties, and their deaths are brushed aside as unimportant. The system justifies this as necessary, even when the people suffering are not responsible for the war in the first place. It makes us question, who decides which lives are important? And how often do powerful people use this excuse to hide their own failures?

Credit: Instagram

Emotions in a ruthless system

Rana, the young police officer, grows emotionally attached to Vidya and goes out of his way to help her. But Officer Khan reminds him that emotions have no place in such a dangerous game. He tells him, "Pyar achi cheez hai, lekin iska sahi jagah istamaal karna sikho." (Love is a good thing, but learn to use it in the right place.)

This moment shows a larger truth, systems that thrive on power and control see kindness as a weakness. But at the same time, it is Ranas empathy that makes him different. Unlike others in the system, he does not let rules stop him from doing what is right.

A Goddess rises to end evil

As Vidya finally kills Milan Damji, Amitabh Bachchans voice narrates a story in the background. He says, "Kabhi kabhi devtaon se bhi galti ho jati hai. Devtaon ne hi asuro ko banaya, unhe shakti di. Aur jab woh us shakti ka galat istemal karne lage, tab devtaon ne Maa Durga ko banaya un rakshason ko khatam karne ke liye." (Sometimes even the gods make mistakes. The gods themselves created the demons and gave them power. But when those demons started misusing their power, the gods created Goddess Durga to destroy them.)

These lines are more than just a comparison. Throughout the film, Vidya is underestimated because she is seen as a vulnerable, pregnant woman. But just like Durga, she uses this deception to take down those who thought they were invincible.
K-drama actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing intense backlash as controversy continues to swirl around his alleged past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. His reputation has taken a serious hit following claims that he was romantically involved with Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, along with accusations that he pressured her to repay a 700 million won (approximately $481,200) penalty  which he had initially paid after her driving under the influence (DUI) scandal.

Following these revelations, the actor  who was endorsed by around 19 brands spanning luxury, fashion, cosmetics, finance, and retail sectors  has seen them distance themselves one by one. Beauty brand Dinto has reportedly paused promotional activities featuring him, Jeju Airlines has removed a 10-year-old advertisement in which he appeared, and most recently, luxury brand Prada has also cut ties with the actor.

Prada ends its partnership with Kim Soo-hyun

According to a representative from Prada Korea, on March 14, they stated, "In consideration of the gravity of the issue, we have mutually agreed to terminate our contract with actor Kim Soo-hyun."

They further added, "This decision was made at the headquarters level, and as of now, we can confirm that the contract has been terminated."

The 37-year-old was announced as a Prada brand ambassador in January 2025 and recently attended the brand's Fall 2025 men's runway show in Milan.

Kim Soo-hyun's Instagram followers drop

he actor, best known for his roles in Dream High and Moon Embracing the Sun, boasted a massive following, with over 20 million fans on Instagram. However, according to Koreaboo, data from SocialBlade revealed a significant decline in Kim Soo-hyun's Instagram followers amid the controversy.

As of 7:30 PM KST on Wednesday, his follower count had dropped to 20.9 million  a loss of around 300,000 followers.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
After initially releasing two statements that vehemently denied any romantic involvement between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron, Gold Medalist, the agency co-owned by the actor, has now confirmed that they did indeed date. The agency's acknowledgment came just one day after Kim Sae Ron's mother spoke briefly with Garasero Research Institute, the YouTube channel that had exposed the relationship.

Although Gold Medalist has admitted to the relationship, they strongly denied allegations of it involving a minor. Kim Sae Rons aunt had previously claimed in an interview with Garasero that they began dating when Kim Soo Hyun was 27 and Kim Sae Ron was just 15. However, the agency clarified that the two were involved from the summer of 2019 to autumn 2020, during which both were adults. They also refuted claims regarding a controversial photo, stating that it was actually taken in winter 2020, not when she was a minor as initially suggested.

While the agency had initially planned to release a statement the following week, they adjusted their schedule due to Kim Soo Hyuns mental health concerns, which have been exacerbated by the intense media attention surrounding the scandal.

Fans on social media have since scrutinized the agency's statement and pointed out several inconsistencies, particularly regarding their claim that an intimate photo of the couple was taken in 2020.

Chinese netizens debunk Gold Medalist's claims with proofs

During Garaseros third live broadcast on March 12, a photo was revealed showing Kim Soo Hyun kissing Kim Sae Ron on the cheek. In the image, Kim Soo Hyun is seen wearing glasses with a black frame and a black cap.

Chinese netizens quickly unearthed an old airport photo of Kim Soo Hyun from 2015, where he wore the same glasses and cap, and his style closely matched that in the photo that recently went viral. Additionally, they claimed that these glasses were a gift given to Kim Soo Hyun by his Chinese fans in 2013 as part of a birthday project. Sharing the proof, one X user wrote, "Chinese fans are fast. Who are you fooling, you pedo f****r?"



Chinese fans are fast. Who are you fooling you pedo fucker#KimSaeron #KimSooHyun pic.twitter.com/9i5OiS6UWj  Carissa Danielle (@cdanielle973) March 14, 2025

Another photo showing the two posing intimately was analyzed by fans, who pointed out that Kim Soo Hyun had a mole above his left eyebrow in the image, but it was absent in his pictures from 2019-2020.

hello??? there are literally zero photos of him with this mole in 2019-2021. unless someone can find me one https://t.co/J2vYjlQeRp pic.twitter.com/9A6D7Y6Amc  rin  (@geewonfiles) March 14, 2025

Garosero threatens to share more intimate photos and videos

Gold Medalists statement also addressed letters Kim Soo Hyun sent from the military, explaining that the letters were simply friendly gestures during his adjustment to military life. They emphasized that the phrase I miss you was a common expression among friends in the military and that Kim Sae Rons public nickname, Saero Nero, was erroneously framed as something exclusive to their relationship.

In response, Garasero strongly criticized the agency's statement, questioning, "He claimed the letter was just a friendly expression? Was it just a friendly expression when someone said, 'I love you~ I miss you~' to a minor?" They also threatened to release more intimate photos and videos, hinting that these upcoming revelations would be far more revealing than anything previously shared.

Garasero added, "Kim Soo Hyun, if thats the case, well release all the photos and videos today that can't even be compared to what has been released so far."

GaroSero: He said: the letter was just an expression between acquaintances ? Would anyone say I love you~ I miss you~ to a minor like that #KimSoohyun

If thats the case ..then today we will release all the photos & vids that cannot be compared to what was previously released pic.twitter.com/QURQ1zvSJB  Bee (@Beevl__) March 14, 2025

Netizens on social media have been expressing skepticism towards Gold Medalist's claims due to the company's initial denials and subsequent admission of Kim Soo Hyun's relationship with Kim Sae Ron. The company's previous threats of "strong legal action" have also been met with doubt.

Meanwhile, according to multiple K-media reports, the actor is facing boycott calls in South Korea, with his billboards being pulled down. He has also lost brand deals and Instagram followers amid the scandal.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
The most notable changes in the Greek cabinet reshuffle include Kostis Hatzidakis being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Kyriakos Pierrakakis taking over as Minister of National Economy and Finance
Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael M. Grossi, in Vienna on Wednesday.

Dendias in a post on X, stressed that "nuclear power plant safety issues" were discussed. Dendias also visited the Schiebel unmanned systems manufacturing plant in Austria.

I visited the UASs Schiebel manufacturing facility in Austria, where I was given a tour by the Managing Director and owner of the Company, Hans Georg Schiebel.

I was also given a demonstration of the UAS, which will be included in the armament of the new Belharra frigates of the Hellenic Navy streesed Dendias in a post on X.

   iefimerida.gr
The Greek government is poised for a significant reshuffle, with official announcements expected Friday morning, following days of intense consultations by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The reshuffle, intended to inject fresh momentum into the government's agenda, was strategically

delayed to avoid overshadowing the swearing-in of new President Kostas Tasoulas.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis will announce the new cabinet lineup after a final meeting at Maximos Mansion, the prime minister's office.

Key changes include Kyriakos Pierrakakis's move to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, a crucial position. Mr. Pierrakakis, praised for his performance in Digital Governance and Education, was chosen over Theodoros Skylakakis.

The future of Makis Voridis remains uncertain, with reports indicating he may leave Maximos Mansion.

Konstantinos Kyranakis is expected to take over the Transport portfolio as deputy minister, while the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure remains a question mark, with Thanos Plevris among potential candidates.

Stavros Papastavrou is expected to return to the government, potentially for the Energy Ministry, and Notis Mitarachi is slated to lead the Migration and Asylum Ministry. Kostas Skrekas is expected to take on the Civil Protection Ministry.

Ministers remaining in their current roles include Michalis Chrysochoidis at Citizen Protection, Nikos Dendias at Defense, and Adonis Georgiadis at Health.

Deputy Minister Marios Themistocleous is expected to be promoted to alternate minister.

The reshuffle aims to reinforce key government priorities and ensure continuity in critical portfolios ahead of upcoming political and economic challenges.

   iefimerida.gr
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, in a post on social media, outlines the government's goals and objectives for the coming period.

"At this time we have an obligation to move forward, with modesty, but also with efficiency," Hatzidakis said, adding that specific goals, changes, and tangible work are needed for Greece.

   iefimerida.gr
Former president Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his commitment to the ruling All Progressives Congress, amid rumour claiming his exit from the party.

In a statement by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu, shared via his X page on Thursday, Buhari vowed to do everything within his power to strengthen the ruling party.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the former presidents statements is coming, amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Recall that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, claimed that he had seek the consent of his political godfather, Buhari before moving to Social Democratic Party.

READ MORE: I Had Consent Of My Godfather, Buhari Before Leaving APC  El-Rufai

Reacting to the development, Buhari made it clear that he would never abandon the party that gave him the platform to lead Nigeria for two terms.

The statement partly reads: Former president, Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated what he said times without number that he is member of the All Progressives Congress, APC and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.

He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back to the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularize it. I am an APC member and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means.

He went on to add that at present, he has nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave him before and during his tenure as president, which he considers as the highest honor, and would never ask for anything more.

He further stated that the pains taken by the founding fathers to establish a strong party to protect our constitution, and democracy as a system of government are worthy sacrifices that should be cherished and nurtured.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appealed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule-Led lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid ongoing political crisis in the state.

Fubara, on Thursday said that lawmakers must consider the interest of the Rivers people and embrace peace to resolve political impasse in the oil rich state.

Speaking at Okirika Local Government Area, after commissioning some projects, the Governor emphasized on the need for peace in executing good governance.

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He called on all dissatisfied political actors in the state to put all that had happened behind and commit to the full implementation of the February 28, 2025 raft of decisions handed over by the Supreme Court.

Fubara said: It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace.

READ MORE: Rivers Crisis: Amaewhule Cant Deny My Effort To Reach Him, No Power Lasts Forever Gov Fubara

The Supreme Court has made its judgment, we dont have any option but to abide by it, and by the special grace of God, we have started the process.

We are appealing to other parties: consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.

I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Governor Fubara on Wednesday, was denied gaining access into the states Assembly complex.

The Governor, who had scheduled a meeting with Speaker Martin Amaewhule-Led lawmakers, following the Supreme Court verdict, couldnt make it into the Assembly.
The Delta State Police Commands CP-Special Assignment Team has arrested a couple, Mr and Mrs Joshua Bogbon Godwell, residents of Okpe Local Government Area, for allegedly engaging in gunrunning.

According to PUNCH Metro, during their arrest at about 14:30 hrs on 9 March 2025, a fabricated Beretta pistol with a single live round, intended for delivery to a client in Sapele, was recovered.

Further reports indicate that the police team conducted a sting operation at the couples residence based on credible intelligence.

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READ MORE: Lagos: Four Arrested As Police Exhume Body Of Missing LASU Graduate Near Campus

In a statement signed on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, it was stated that, the wife named, Mrs. Uche Joshua, admitted to being the dispatcher and she confessed to having delivered several arms as directed by her husband to various clients within Warri and Sapele.

According to the statement, Further investigation also led to the arrest of one Junior Moses Ogedegbe m 30 years of Useifurun community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State who is also a member of their gang.

Efforts to recover other arms and arrest more suspects are ongoing.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his remarks about the Ijaw people. Specifically, Wike allegedly described the Ijaw as a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South-South states, except Bayelsa.

The INC is concerned that Wikes comments could exacerbate tensions and is seeking presidential intervention to maintain peace and security in the region

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT ministers remarks. We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.

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The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers, we expected a more informed understanding of the states history, the INC said.

For the record, the INC said that the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.

They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas and also not a minority in Delta.

The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us, Oyakemeagbegha said.
Nigeria Senate has passed a vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, amid ongoing internal crisis facing the Red Chamber.

The vote of confidence in Akpabio was passed unanimously during Thursdays plenary, following a motion moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the development is coming, following an allegations, levelled against former governor of Akwa Ibom State by lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

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Recall that Senator Natasha was suspended by the Senate following an alleged sexual harassments against the Senate President.

She tagged her suspension as an injustice, reporting the matter to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Tuesday.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, Senator Bamidele acknowledged public interest in the matter due to allegations made by Senator Natasha.

READ MORE: We Suspended Senator Natasha Over Gross Misconduct Not Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio  Senate Tells IPU

He maintained that at no point between August 2023 and the present was the Senate informed of any sexual harassment claims, adding that the issue at hand was purely about disciplinary measures related to breaches of Senate rules.

Senator Bamidele said: I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment.

The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution.

It was never an issue before us that any member of us was sexually harassed and we hold on to that point. We need to put the events of the last two weeks and concentrate.

There is work before us and we have done everything possible, ensuring that the electoral reforms and others have legislative expressions.
Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has expressed concern over the high level of incompetence among job seekers in Nigeria.

On Thursday, the movie producer resorted to Instagram to criticise many unemployed people in the country for their lack of preparation and inefficiency.

Afolayan noted that while many people complain about unemployment, they often become inefficient once given a job.

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READ MORE: No Nigerian Actor Matches My Intensity  Yul Edochie Boasts About His Acting Prowess

l am so saddened by the high level of incompetence in our beloved country, he wrote.

A lot of people cry about not having a job, but when they get one, how efficient are they at it? Im so pissed.

The 50-year-old Afolayan began his acting career in the Mainframe Pictures movie Saworoide, which was directed by Tunde Kelani.

He has created a range of notable films, including October 1, Phone Swap, Figurine, The CEO, and Anikulapo.

He also established the KAP Academy, offering training and mentorship for aspiring actors and filmmakers.

The academy collaborates with international institutions to provide training in different aspects of filmmaking, such as screenwriting, directing, and production design.

Graduating participants also get the chance to create short films, allowing them to showcase their skills and talents.

SEE POST:
Chuks Ibegbu, former spokesperson of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, is free to hold meetings with any politician or political group.

Ibegbu emphasized that Obis political engagements are his personal decision, and hes at liberty to meet with anyone.This statement comes amid speculation about Obis potential alliances and future political moves action.

Speaking to news men on Thursday, Chuks Ibegbu made this known: Peter Obi is free to hold meetings with any political entity as long as it is for the betterment of Nigeria,

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Regarding the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Minister of Works, David Umahi, the former Ohanaeze Ndigbo spokesperson said that Nigerians will determine their own political future.

He urged Igbo political leaders to speak and act in a manner that reflects the interests of their people.

As for the endorsements of Tinubu by Orji Kalu and Umahi, well, it is their right to take their positions, but it is the Nigerian people who will determine their political future in the years to come.

Besides, the political integrity and dignity of Ndigbo can only be taken seriously when their leading political actors speak and act in a manner that reflects the interests of their people, Ibegbu said.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has challenged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide concrete evidence of her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Adeyanju emphasises that without verifiable proof, Akpoti-Uduaghans claims will remain mere accusations. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances during a visit to his residence in December 2023, leading to a six-month suspension from the Senate.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Deji Adeyanju shed more light on the ongoing controversy, emphasising the need for a court-based resolution to the issue. The matter has been overflogged. I believe that parties should go to court and resolve their matters. And we should focus on Nigerias tax reform bill and see how we can galvanize and stop the tax reform bill from being passed is more important than this international issue.

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He questioned why the same senators now engaging in this dispute did not oppose anti-people policies of the current administration.

The question I have asked is: when all these anti-people policies of the Tinubu government were taking place, why didnt these senators who are now fighting over the allegation of sexual harassment come up.

All the time that theyve shared cars in the National Assembly, we did not hear any fight. The time theyve shared money and budgetary allocations, we did not hear any fight. Now, we are hearing a fight.

I also sincerely feel that Senator Natasha has made these allegations that the Senate President tried to sexually harass her. I also think that Senator Natasha should, as a matter of necessity, since they have refused to give her a fair hearing in the Senate, make public credible evidence to back up the claim.

Its very easy. The man has said it is a lie. I did not do anything to her. So if there are messages maybe oh, please come over, so so so please reveal them, expose the man. After all, he who alleges must prove. Why are you protecting the man?
Gunman, suspected to be cult member, Segun Ogunfunmilayo, has been arrested by Osun State Police Command for allegedly shooting a grocery seller in the Ede area of the state.

It was gathered that the horrible incident occurred on March 8, 2025, at about 9:00 PM in the Buhari/Ishola area, Ede town.

Segun had reportedly bought a bottle of energy drink from the victim and promised to transfer the amount to him.

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INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that, when the seller did not see the transfer alert, he approached the suspect and requested that he pay his money, which got the suspect angry.

This was contained in a statement by acting Spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Ademola Adeoye on Thursday.

Adeola noted that apart from the energy drink the suspect bought, he also took a sum of N400 and promised to transfer a total of N900 to the victim.

The statement partly reads: On March 8, 2025, at about 9:00 pm, Segun Ogunfunmilayo went to the complainants shop located in the Bihari/Ishola area, Ede, Osun State and bought an energy drink at the rate of N500, he demanded cash of N400 from the complainant so that he could transfer the sum of N900 to him which he obliged.

When he did not receive credit notification of the sum of N900 said to have been transferred by the suspect; he went to inform the suspect that he hadnt received the alert.

READ MORE: Curfew Relaxed In Ifon-Ilobu As Osun Govt Steps Up 24-Hour Surveillance

To his surprise, the suspect brought out a cut-to-size pistol from his bag and shot him in his left hand and right arm and took to his heels.

On receipt of the report, the police swung into action in collaboration with the Civilian JTF and trailed the suspect to his hideout where he was arrested. One cut-to-size pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from the suspect as exhibits.

The suspect who confessed to being a member of the Alora cult group will be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.
In Plateau and Kaduna states, troops from the 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN have detained suspected gunrunners and neutralised two kidnappers as part of the ongoing Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA.

They have also recovered weapons and ammunition.

Major Samson Zhakom, OPSHs Media Information Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued on the Nigerian Armys official platform on Thursday.

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The statement partly read: On March 12, 2025, troops conducted offensive operations as part of the ongoing Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA to clear criminal elements hiding around Kuru and Turu in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

READ MORE: Lagos: Four Arrested As Police Exhume Body Of Missing LASU Graduate Near Campus

During the operation, troops made contact with kidnappers/terrorists near the high grounds in Kuru and neutralised two criminals found in possession of 18 rounds of 7.62mm (special) and nine rounds of 5.56 x 45mm ammunition.

Similarly, acting on credible intelligence, troops reportedly carried out a rescue operation on the outskirts of Josho Village in the Daffo District of Bokkos LGA, where kidnappers were said to be holding abducted victims.

During the operation, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled upon sighting the troops. Consequently, troops searched the hideout and rescued two female victims  11-year-old Miss Nanbam Adamu and Miss Dorcas Wantu, both indigenes of Mbor Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA.

The rescued victims have been debriefed and handed over to their families. Meanwhile, troops are currently conducting follow-up operations to intercept and neutralise the fleeing kidnappers, the statement revealed.

It further stated that on the same day, troops set up snap checkpoints along the Bokkos-Bot-Mangu Road in Bokkos LGA after receiving credible intelligence about the movement of arms and ammunition in the area.

During the operation, security forces apprehended a 21-year-old suspect, Sengi David, who was allegedly involved in arms trafficking. He was reportedly found with an AK-47 magazine and 48 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition. The suspect and the recovered items have been handed over for further investigation.

The statement also disclosed that during a sting operation on 11 March, security forces arrested a 22-year-old identified as Blessed Paul in Garaje Community, Jemaa LGA, Kaduna State. He was described as a notorious kidnapper, terrorist, and gunrunner.

The suspect, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies for kidnapping and gunrunning, had earlier fled to Abuja to evade arrest.

However, he was lured with the promise of purchasing one AK-47 rifle for the sum of 1,500,000.

The suspected gunrunner agreed and met troops posing as potential buyers at a designated spot in Garaje Community, where he was apprehended, the statement revealed.

An AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and two rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition were reportedly seized from the suspect, who is now providing information to assist troops in tracking down other members of the criminal syndicate.
Amanda Seyfried stars in the Kensington-set thriller "Long Bright River," which is streaming on Peacock. Read more

Emmy-winning actress Amanda Seyfried sat in the backseat of a patrol car for a ride along with two Philadelphia police officers through Kensington.

Within minutes of the car pulling out of the precinct, there was a slight jolt. A driver had hit the patrol car, and Seyfried watched as the officers handled the situation with humility and discretion.

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I was asking a lot of questions, and they had a lot of answers about how to treat people, she said. The way they communicated, reacted to situations, and the patience they had as humanized police officers. We need to see the good ones, too.

The actress, who rose to movie stardom after her breakout role as Karen Smith in the original Mean Girls, said the eye-opening tour through the 26th Police District prepared her for a dream role in Peacocks new Kensington-set drama, Long Bright River.

Seyfried plays Michaela Mickey Fitzpatrick, a patrol officer who discovers a string of murders in Kensingtons drug market. As Mickey attempts to locate the killer, and find her missing sister Kacey (Ashleigh Cummings), she confronts dark memories from her childhood spent in the neighborhood.

The series, adapted from Philly author Liz Moores award-winning book of the same name, is close to home for Seyfried. The Allentown native grew up 60 miles north of Philly and was sold on Moores grounded portrayal of Kensingtons opioid crisis.

It feels so local and important, Seyfried said. Its a beautiful book thats grounded in reality, and its an important story to tell. The perspective from a beat police officer in Kensington is interesting, and [playing] a female police officer has been a dream of mine. All the elements were there.

Seyfried said Mickey is one of the more complex and challenging characters shes had to play. Shes an unlikable character, whose past trauma and severed relationships have hardened her personality almost entirely.

Its hard to play her because I cant fall back on a lot of the same tricks that I have when Im playing a real person, Seyfried said. Im not playing a character that we know. Im playing a version of myself, and I struggled with keeping the metaphorical hat on. It was tricky.

Seyfried leaned into their few commonalities. Like Mickey, Seyfried is a mother of two and an admitted control freak. Embracing the characters dark past was admittedly hard.

She has a completely different past than I do, and I had to fight to remember what I was, to keep hold of her story. It was a lot of emotional stuff, she said. It was a totally new uniform for me, metaphorically and as a literal police uniform.

Moores presence on the set, Seyfried said, made it easier. The book is drawn from the novelists own experience of volunteering in Kensington, as well as her familys history with addiction.

Moores involvement helped bring Philly to their filming location in New York City. As executive producer and co-creator of the series, Moore recruited local community members like Franciscan priest Father Michael Duffy and Philly rapper OT The Real for roles in the show. She also tapped organizations like Savage Sisters Recovery and the House of Grace Catholic Worker, which added to the shows authenticity.

We brought Philly to us, Seyfried said. Im really proud of the people who never acted before that are in the show. Im proud of the strength that Liz had to keep everything in line with Philly, and to bring us all together to put a spotlight on this neighborhood.

When things veered off-center, Moore stepped in as the Philly aficionado. Whoever was directing the episode at the time, she would always bring us back to Philly because Philly is a character in and of itself.

To makes things a little easier, Seyfried wasnt tasked with mastering the Philly accent. But Cummings, Seyfrieds Saudi Arabia-born and Australia-raised costar, didnt have a choice.

I dont know what the [accents] elements are, Seyfried joked. Its like things are [pronounced] a little wider  I definitely think that Mickey not having an accent is really funny, and it goes to show just how much of an outsider shes felt her whole life.

But Seyfried is barely an outsider. Filming the series and connecting with the Philly people on set brought back memories of her days in the city, from sleepovers at the Franklin Institute, visits to friends at Temple University, and nights dancing on tables at Center Citys Finn McCools.

Shes hopeful the limited series draws awareness to the issues in Kensington, while also highlighting the citys beauty.

Im in awe of the city, and how it moves and operates. I understand the good and the bad, and in some way I feel like Im coming home a bit. I cant help but feel a kinship to the city, she said.

Long Bright River streams on Peacock.
Melanye Finister starred as Beneatha in a People's Light production of "A Raisin in the Sun" more than 30 years ago. Today she's starring as Beneatha's mother, Mama. Read more

In 1993, Melanye Finister played Beneatha Younger in Peoples Light & Theatre Companys A Raisin in the Sun. More than 30 years later, when Peoples Light approached her to return to the play, she wondered why the world needed yet another theatrical production of the Lorraine Hansberry classic.

Also, did Finister really want to play Lena, Beneathas and Walter Lee Youngers overbearing mother? Lena who, in 1940s Chicago, is tasked with deciding what to do with $10,000 in insurance money from her late husbands policy in an era when the reality of racism clouds the familys every decision.

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I was like really, yall? Raisin again? Finister said in a recent interview. I put it off and I put it off. But then we started to prepare and I went, Wow, this story is so heartbreaking and its still so freaking relevant. I thought, Lorraine, oh, Lorraine, I thought we made some progress. Here we are again.

In the new Peoples Light production, Finisters Lena is empathetic and stern, more I love you than I told you so. She is as fierce as she is forgiving. When she tells Beneatha (Morgan Charece Hall) that Walter Lee (Eric B. Robinson Jr.) is worthy of their familys love and support despite a disastrous business decision, the audience agrees. We feel Mamas sorrow, seeing the role she plays in Walter Lees self sabotage.

Raisin is a classic and classics are never outdated, said Zak Berkman, producing artistic director of Peoples Light. Its why Raisin  named after a line in Langston Hughes 1951 poem, Harlem  is one of seven plays this season celebrating the Peoples Lights 50th birthday on its Malvern stage.

Lena requires an actress who can convey feeling without the dialogue so we understand the decisions she makes, Berkman said, describing Finisters talent. That is part of the power of that play, there is so much unsaid. Raisin lets us celebrate our platform and give flowers to Melanye and Lorraine.

 READ MORE: Peoples Lights A Raisin in the Sun is a tribute to Lorraine Hansberrys very relevant legacy

Finister is reflective. America has come far since Raisin, the first Broadway play written by a Black woman when it opened in 1959. Covenants designed to keep families like the Youngers from living in white, working class neighborhoods are illegal now. Walter Lee and his wife, Ruth (Candace Thomas), arent limited to working as chauffeurs and domestics.

But this revival also coincides with the current presidential administrations decisions to roll back the very federal protections that stopped discrimination. Sixty years after the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is apparently enough time to erase the remnants of 246 years of slavery and 100 years of federally sanctioned segregation.

Finister shakes her head. She is 60 years old.

A long, solid career

Finister was just 28 when she played Beneatha in 1993, earning her an equity card during that production, a big deal for young actors eager to support themselves through the arts.

Because of Lorraine Hansberry, I got my professional union membership and my wages went up, Finister said. She continues to feed me. Her work has done so much for Black theater artists. Its profound, the power of that one little play.

Finister was among the third wave of actors who joined Peoples Light in the 1990s, Berkman said. Along with veterans Mary Elizabeth Scallen and Susan McKey, she helped the company form its artistic identity and connect with area school children enjoying their first taste of the arts.

Shes acted in more than 60 plays since, including the 1996 production of Antony and Cleopatra; she starred as Cleopatra. Im here to tell you that play was bad, Finister said with a laugh. I wasnt ready for Cleopatra, neither was the director.

Some were memorable like 2005s The Member of the Wedding; Finister starred as the Addams familys maid Berenice. That was such a beautiful set, Finister recalled. Many others were hits like Lettie. In the 2023 performance, she was a woman who spent 20 years in prison for killing an abusive husband.

Her work as an actor has helped support her family. She lives in Haverford with her husband; they have two children. Finister is a member of the Arden Theatre Company and last year she starred in the companys production of Ladysitting, based on author Lorene Carys book of the same name documenting Carys care of her 101-year-old grandmother. Finister played Cary.

During Ladysittings run, Finister traveled to D.C. to care for her own dying mother who had introduced Finister to acting when she was a shy elementary school student. Her mother died last June.

That play really helped prepare me, said Finister. And to enjoy our time together in the end.

A special place

Despite Finisters impressive theater credits, Raisin remains special. By becoming Beneatha, a 20-year-old woman with dreams of medical school and the plays comic foil, she learned how to build a character. Finister had decided her Beneatha believed Mama didnt love her as much as she loved Walter Lee. Finisters mentor and late actor and director Ceal Phelan helped her bring that interpretation to life.

The result, wrote then-Inquirer critic Douglas J. Keating in 1993, was a classy performance befitting a young woman who considers herself more intelligent, more politically aware, and more socially competent than other members of the family.

Finister sends love and light before each performance to the late Patricia Langford who was Mama all those years back. She was a tougher Mama than I was, Finister said. Still, every performance I draw on Pats legacy.

The beauty of Raisin, Finister said, is in its details. This production, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, is no different. Gems this time around include: Hansberrys likeness superimposed on a curtain raised before the show. A photo of Lenas late husband  actor Sidney Poitier, the original Walter Lee Younger  sits prominently on the living room table.

Raisins construction is what makes it magical, Finister adds. The timing, dialogue, and descriptions are perfect. They make Finisters performance sing, whether as Beneatha or Mama. As long as I continue to understand the circumstances, believe in the situation, and Im listening to what I am receiving, Lorraine Hansberrys beautiful words will take me where I need to go.

A Raisin in the Sun runs through March 30 at the Peoples Light Theatre at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasners office unfairly accused two former prosecutors of misconduct as it sought to exonerate a man of murder in 2018, a city judge said Thursday  a striking accusation made in a lengthy rebuke the judge issued while also imposing a $120,000 fine.

Common Pleas Court Judge Anne Marie Coyle said the accusations that Krasners office leveled seven years ago against Beth McCaffery and Richard Sax  including that they had illegally withheld evidence to secure a wrongful conviction  had no good faith basis and were maliciously intended.

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Coyle also said a culture had been created within Krasners office that seeks to denigrate prior prosecutors, prior administrations, to an unusually extreme level, something the judge said was a reflection of Krasners views about many of his predecessors.

When that is your purpose, to detect fault instead of evaluating fairness, it lends to an inherent bias and perception, she said.

And Coyle fined Krasners office $120,000 for what she said was a bad faith, yearslong effort to prevent McCaffery from viewing files related to the case as she sought to clear her name  even though prosecutors allowed others to view the files, including researchers from New York University who went on to publish a report repeating the allegations that McCaffery and Sax had committed misconduct.

Krasner, in an interview Thursday night, said he was aware of the voluminous record of Judge Coyles statements and expected order, and that his office would appeal her decision.

We are confident that other judges will do the right thing on appeal, said Krasner, who is in the midst of a campaign for a third term.

McCaffery welcomed the judges ruling, saying, For seven years, I have lived with the weight of false accusations that attacked my integrity and my career. Coyle, she said, made it clear: the allegations against me were false.

Her lawyer, Bryan Lentz, said in court that prosecutors in Krasners administration had sought to cloak themselves in the virtue of being the champions of the wrongly convicted and the wrongly imprisoned, but had instead poured sewage into the waters of justice by making false allegations about McCaffery.

Sax, who had long denied wrongdoing, said Thursday night: The truth eventually comes out.

Despite Coyles harsh words about how Krasners office handled the exoneration, her ruling will almost certainly have no impact on the underlying murder case. Dontia Patterson, whose conviction was overturned after he served 11 years behind bars, settled a lawsuit against the city in 2020 for $1.7 million. And Krasner testified earlier this month that he still does not believe Patterson committed the 2007 slaying, a shooting in which 18-year-old Antwine Jackson was killed in Summerdale.

Still, the decision hands a long-sought victory to McCaffery, who has spent years trying to prove that she had done nothing wrong.

The saga began in 2018, when Krasners office filed a motion to dismiss all charges against Patterson. The motion said prosecutors had come to believe that Patterson was likely innocent and had been convicted in part because two trial prosecutors  acting before Krasner took office  had illegally withheld evidence helpful to Patterson.

McCaffery handled Pattersons 2008 trial that ended in a hung jury, and Sax secured a guilty verdict at a retrial the following year.

Although McCaffery and Sax are not named in the motion, the document said the concealment occurred over two trials and added: Prosecution that deliberately violates these constitutional rights is not law enforcement in any sense  it is a violation of the law.

In 2020, two years after the motion was made public, McCaffery filed a right-to-know request seeking access to the case file, believing it would prove that she had disclosed everything as required by law.

Krasners office denied her request, saying the documents were exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvanias open records laws. But McCaffery and her attorneys, led by Lentz, fought the case, saying the district attorneys office was denying access selectively and in bad faith. They noted that the NYU researchers had been granted access to the files even as McCaffery had been denied.

At a hearing before Coyle earlier this month they called witnesses, including McCaffery, who testified that she kept copious notes and records about her cases and believed they would show that she had acted properly in Pattersons case.

Another witness was Anthony Voci, Krasners onetime chief of homicide, who signed the dismissal motion that helped free Patterson. Voci said he had done virtually nothing to confirm the allegations in the document  including the criticism directed at McCaffery  saying he had left much of the preparation to coworkers. Asked whether he believed McCaffery had committed egregious misconduct, he said no, despite having signed off on that assertion in the motion.

And Krasner spent four hours on the stand, defending his office and its actions and frequently clashing with Lentz.

Coyle, in her ruling Thursday, said she found McCafferys testimony about her note-taking and recordkeeping habits clear, convincing, and entirely credible  and suggested that Krasners office had a history of red flags about its own handling of records in other cases.

And in one of the more remarkable comments, the judge said she believed that Krasners office had deliberately removed McCafferys notes from the file boxes she was given to review while presiding over the open records dispute.

I dont believe for one millisecond that the documents at issue werent intentionally misplaced, Coyle said. I believe they were intentionally misplaced. I believe at this point in time there are certain documents that are  that have been destroyed, omitted, moved, misplaced, what have you.

She went on to criticize the district attorneys office for its overall handling of the matter, saying the level of bad faith that has been demonstrated here is most egregious and worthy of sanctions, and she ordered the office to pay $10,000 to McCaffery, $10,000 to Sax, and $100,000 to the courts. She also ordered a series of trainings for prosecutors on issues including professional conduct and truthfulness.

Coyle has been at odds with Krasners office in the past. In 2018, she removed one of his assistant district attorneys from a probation violation case and unilaterally named a defense lawyer in the room a special prosecutor. Her action was later struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

And in 2020, the Superior Court overturned a seven-year prison sentence Coyle imposed on a defendant, saying a reasonable observer could question whether the judge comported herself in an unbiased and impartial manner, and citing in part her animus against the District Attorneys Office.

In McCafferys case, Coyle said she would issue a written opinion explaining her decision, which she said would be extensive. She did not specify a timeline.

It was also unclear how quickly Krasners appeal of her ruling might be resolved, meaning a final decision on the fate of the sanctions may not be resolved for some time.
Philippe Chin, the Harley-riding, cowboy-booted chef who owned the popular Center City restaurants Chanterelles and Philippe at the Locust Club in the 1990s, died Friday, days after his 62nd birthday. He suffered a cardiac arrest Monday in Baltimore on the way to the airport for a trip to Las Vegas with his wife.

Since 2016, Mr. Chin was the senior executive chef with Bon Appetit Management Co., heading the kitchens at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore  his longest stop in a peripatetic career that took him from culinary school in his native Paris to beach resorts in the Caribbean, the Jersey Shore, and Hawaii, and to corporate catering in Washington.

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Marc Vetri, one of Philadelphias top chefs, gives Mr. Chin credit for his start as a restaurateur in 1998. An Abington native who had cooked in Italy and New York, Vetri came home to look for his first restaurant when he heard that Mr. Chin was selling Chanterelles, at 1312 Spruce St. Philippe was the chef who really gave me a chance, said Vetri, who opened Vetri Cucina at the address. He had to believe in me because I was taking over his lease, and if I defaulted, it was on him. I will always be thankful.

Mr. Chins wife, Sallie DAlonzo, also a chef, said that every day with him was an adventure, and he was always up for doing something different and unique. They met during the summer of 2012 while he ran a restaurant in Somers Point, N.J., and married 2 years ago. She called him a very soft guy, a very loving person underneath that exterior and bravado. The charisma never went away. Definitely the life of the party.

Mr. Chin deftly wove together the two culinary stylings of his boyhood, riding the wave of such fusion in the late 1980s and early 1990s: French dishes from his mother and Chinese cooking from his father, who kept a pantry stocked with soy sauce, fish sauce, fresh ginger, and Chinese mustard. Mr. Chin would add lemongrass to lobster bisque, and encrust scallops with candied ginger. A memorable dish at Philippe was called Quack, Quack, Quack  rare slices of magret of canard served against a pillar of duck risotto with a side of crispy duck wontons.

In 1981 at 18, he trained at LEcole Hoteliere de Paris and set out to cook at resorts  first in Deauville, three hours from Paris. Soon after, he joined a buddy on a trip to St. Martin in the Caribbean. While Mr. Chin was windsurfing, he later recalled, the wife of the resort owner, a model for Chanel, spotted him and urged her husband to hire him as the chef. Following a brief return to Normandy, Mr. Chin returned to Paris to work. At 24 in 1987, he got a call from Henri Noebes, who owned La Cocotte, a country-French restaurant in West Chester (now Ryans Pub), offering him the chefs job. The proximity to the Poconos was a lure to Mr. Chin, who told The Inquirer in 1995 that he had once spent two months salary on a pair of skis.

Mr. Chin moved to Center City in 1989, first to work at Founders, the main room at the Hotel Atop the Bellevue, followed by a chefs role at Restaurant 210 at the Rittenhouse Hotel, now Lacroix. I had dinner with him last year, and he was the same guy since I hired him at Founders, said chef Olivier Desaintmartin, who owned Caribou Cafe in Washington Square West for 20 years before selling it in 2023.

In 1992, at age 29, Mr. Chin ventured out on his own to open the posh, critically acclaimed Chanterelles, the onetime home of such French icons as La Panetiere, Le Bec-Fin, Two Quails, and Ciboulette. Mr. Chin cut a dashing figure in leather as he tooled around Center City on his motorcycle, cementing his reputation as a bad-boy celebrity chef at the dawn of the Food Network era.

Back in the 1990s, chef Albert Paris co-owned Circa, then a hot spot at 1518 Walnut St. (and now a Levain Bakery). He and Mr. Chin, who never worked together, became friends. Paris called him a walking contradiction of fun-loving tough guy, artist, and supportive friend. Not many people knew how kind and warm and beautiful Philippe was.

In 1997, Mr. Chin became the youngest inductee at the time to the Maitres Cuisiniers de France, the association of Master Chefs of France; he also was nominated for the James Beard Foundations Mid-Atlantic chef of the year. (A fellow Philadelphian, Susanna Foo, won that year.)

In 1999, after leaving Chanterelles, Mr. Chin opened the plush Philippe at the Locust Club, whose lounge was known as ChinChin. When it closed in 2001, he relocated to Augusta, Ga., where he operated Bambu at the Partridge Inn and opened a second restaurant in Aiken, S.C., called CuiZine. In 2008, he began as executive chef at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. That year, Mr. Chin was a key organizer of a sit-down banquet for 16,206 guests, setting a Guinness record. He later worked for a summer in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

In 2012, he moved to Somers Point to open Philippe Chin French-Asian Bistro & Deck Bar, now Tavern on the Bay. That is where he met his wife, who had friended him on Facebook. In their early chats, they realized that he had cooked the dinner for her wedding reception at the Rittenhouse Hotel in 1991.

In 2013, the couple moved to Lahaina, Hawaii, to open Sugarcane Maui, where they lived on the beach and he delighted in fishing. Also in Hawaii, he had triple bypass surgery, his wife said.

In 2016, when Bon Appetit was looking for an executive chef at Johns Hopkins, Mr. Chin stood out for me and the rest of my team, said Abdel Anane, a Bon Appetit executive. He truly was one of a kind  a mentor and a leader, Anane said. He always brought joy and smiles to everyone around him.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a brother, Thierry, and a niece. A celebration of life is being planned.
Vials of the measles vaccine ready to be administered. Read more

Measles vaccination rates among kindergarten students in the Philadelphia region have been declining since the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now below the so-called herd or community immunity rate needed to keep the highly contagious virus from spreading.

Medical experts say that 95% of a community must be vaccinated against measles to keep the disease from circulating, even at low levels. Vaccination rates among kindergartners in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware Counties had all dipped below that critical threshold by the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, according to the most recent data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In Montgomery County, 95.2% of kindergartners received two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

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The downward trend began during the pandemic, when families avoided nonurgent medical appointments and were advised to stay home. But vaccination rates have continued to decline amid vaccine misinformation and new access challenges.

Its a perfect storm, said Leslie Kantor, chair of the department of urban-global public health at Rutgers University. The effect of that early time in the pandemic, when people were fearful of health-care facilities, combined with increased vaccine hesitancy, skepticism, and disinformation.

 READ MORE: What to know about measles in children: Vaccination schedule and what measles rash looks like

Recent outbreaks in Texas and confirmed measles cases in Montgomery County and New Jersey have drawn attention to the importance of having high vaccination rates. Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia on Wednesday said a patient who visited its emergency department was later diagnosed with measles. An outbreak in Philadelphia last year sickened nine people and sent seven to the hospital.

President Donald Trumps administration has been under scrutiny for its response to the Texas outbreak and its messaging on vaccines. Newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has referred to vaccines as a personal choice. The administration on Thursday withdrew its nomination of Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid congressional concern about the Florida doctors comments skeptical of vaccines.

The CDC recommends children receive their first dose of the measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months, and a second dose at 4 through 6 years. Health officials recommend vaccinations for children as early as six months if they are planning to travel internationally. Measles can cause a fever, coughing, and a raised, red rash. Young children are especially vulnerable to severe illness and death.

The Philadelphia region once boasted exceptionally high measles vaccination rates  in 2019, 97.4% of kindergartners in Philadelphia were vaccinated. Infectious-disease experts say the downward trend is troubling, especially as vaccination rates dip below the critical community vaccination rate. By 2022, measles vaccination among Philadelphia kindergartners had dropped to 92.8%, before rising to 94.5% in 2023.

A drop below the 95% critical community, or herd immunity, rate means outbreaks will become increasingly common, and the number of people who become severely ill or die could grow.

Were on track for vaccination rates to get worse rather than better, Kantor said.

Contributing factors vary by community

The reasons families have not vaccinated their children vary greatly, experts said.

Transportation and access to primary-care doctors who are accepting new patients can be challenging for some.

In Upper Darby, for example, more than 80 languages are spoken, which means public health workers there must ensure they are making vaccine information available in many languages, said Deanna Dyer, health policy director for Children First, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that advocates for public health and education issues.

The measles vaccine is among the childhood immunizations that are covered for free by health insurance and Medicaid, the government-funded health-care program for low-income families and people with disabilities. The vaccines are also available at no cost through public health departments. But people who are uninsured or who recently lost Medicaid coverage when states resumed annual renewals after the pandemic may not be aware they can still access free vaccines, Dyer said.

Immigrant families may fear seeking medical care as the federal government ramps up efforts to deport people who are undocumented. Medical facilities used to be considered off-limits to immigration raids but are no longer protected.

Public health educators say that partnering with trusted community leaders can help alleviate some vaccine fears.

In Lenni, a small, middle-income community in central Delaware County, Children Firsts health policy team encountered political and religious opposition to vaccination.

Some Chester residents told Children First that they skipped vaccines because they dont trust medical institutions.

Its vital to collaborate with trusted community members to be the messengers, Dyer said.

Camden Countys experience

In Camden County, local health officials mobilized to increase childhood vaccinations when they realized about two years ago that rates in the area had dropped during the pandemic.

It was a matter of getting our communities back on schedule, said Caryelle Vilaubi, the director of the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services.

 READ MORE: Philly scientists brace for a fight over vaccines and health policy with the Trump administration

School nurses and health department staff combed through vaccine records at schools and provided low-barrier clinics to ensure students were up to date on their vaccines, sending a mobile van to areas of the county with lower vaccination rates.

At the beginning of the summer, health officials found that 1,798 students in the Camden City School District were missing one or more required vaccines for the coming school year. By last month, that number was down to 75, said Dan Keashen, a spokesperson for the county.

All told, the county conducted 26 vaccine clinics with schools that requested a visit from the van, administering 329 vaccines in two months last summer. About 95% of kindergartners in schools were up to date on all childhood vaccinations for the 2023-24 school year.

Amid the measles outbreak in West Texas and two local cases unconnected to that outbreak  plus three more cases reported in Bergen County  Vilaubi said it is imperative that local health officials strongly recommend vaccines  and ensure that residents know where and how to get one.

It is a local departments responsibility to not just come out with a clear message that vaccines are important, save lives, and reduce illness, but that theyre readily available at pharmacies and at our clinics for people who are un- or underinsured.
Tristen Williams helps remove clutter from the home of someone with hoarding disorder in Greensburg, Pa. The homeowner asked for help with the cleanout after attending a course and support group offered by the nonprofit Fight the Blight, founded by Williams' father. (Matt Williams/Fight the Blight) Read more

A dozen people seated around folding tables clap heartily for a beaming woman: Shes donated two 13-gallon garbage bags full of clothes, including several Christmas sweaters and a couple of pantsuits, to a Presbyterian church.

A closet cleanout might not seem a significant accomplishment. But as the people in this Sunday-night class can attest, getting rid of stuff is agonizing for those with hoarding disorder.

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People with the diagnosis accumulate an excessive volume of things such as household goods, craft supplies, even pets. In extreme cases, their homes become so crammed that moving between rooms is possible only via narrow pathways.

These unsafe conditions can also lead to strained relationships.

Ive had a few relatives and friends that have condemned me, and it doesnt help, said Bernadette, a Pennsylvania woman in her early 70s who has struggled with hoarding since retiring and no longer allows guests in her home.

 READ MORE: Havertown psychologist recounts mothers descent into hoarding

People who hoard are often stigmatized as lazy or dirty. NPR, Spotlight PA, and KFF Health News agreed to use only the first names of people with hoarding disorder interviewed for this article because they fear personal and professional repercussions if their condition is made public.

As baby boomers age into the group most affected by hoarding disorder, the psychiatric condition is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce. And because hoarding can require expensive interventions that drain municipal resources, more funding and expertise is needed to support those with the diagnosis before the issue grows into a crisis.

For Bernadette, the 16-week course is helping her turn over a new leaf.

The program doubles as a support group and is provided through Fight the Blight. The Westmoreland County organization started offering the course at a local Masonic temple after founder Matt Williams realized the area lacked hoarding-specific mental health services.

Fight the Blight uses a curriculum based on cognitive behavioral therapy to help participants build awareness of what fuels their hoarding. People learn to be more thoughtful about what they purchase and save, and they create strategies so that decluttering doesn't become overwhelming.

Perhaps more importantly, attendees say they've formed a community knitted together through the shared experience of a psychiatric illness that comes with high rates of social isolation and depression.

You get friendship, said Sanford, a classmate of Bernadettes.

After a lifetime of judgment, these friendships have become an integral part of the changes that might help participants eventually clear out the clutter.

Clutter catches up to baby boomers

Studies have estimated that hoarding disorder affects around 2.5% of the general population  a higher rate than schizophrenia.

The mental illness was previously considered a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but in 2013 it was given its own diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5.

The biological and environmental factors that may drive hoarding are not well understood. Symptoms usually appear during the teenage years and tend to be more severe among older adults with the disorder. That's partly because they have had more time to acquire things, said Kiara Timpano, a University of Miami psychology professor.

All of a sudden you have to downsize this huge home with all the stuff and so it puts pressures on individuals, she said. In Bernadettes case, her clutter includes a collection of VHS tapes, and spices in her kitchen that she said date back to the Clinton administration.

But it's more than just having decades to stockpile possessions; the urge to accumulate strengthens with age, according to Catherine Ayers, a psychiatry professor at the University of California-San Diego.

Researchers are working to discern why. Ayers and Timpano theorize that age-related cognitive changes  particularly in the frontal lobe, which regulates impulsivity and problem-solving  might exacerbate the disorder.

It is the only mental health disorder, besides dementia, that increases in prevalence and severity with age, Ayers said.

As the U.S. population ages, hoarding presents a growing public health concern: Some 1 in 5 U.S. residents are baby boomers, all of whom will be 65 or older by 2030.

This population shift will require the federal government to address hoarding disorder, among other age-related issues that it has not previously prioritized, according to a July report by the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, chaired then by former Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

Health hazards of hoarding

Clutter creates physical risks. A cramped and disorderly home is especially dangerous for older adults because the risk of falling and breaking a bone increases with age. And having too many things in one space can be a fire hazard.

Last year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation wrote to the Senate committee's leadership that "hoarding conditions are among the most dangerous conditions the fire service can encounter." The group also said that cluttered homes delay emergency care and increase the likelihood of a first responder being injured on a call.

The Bucks County Board of Commissioners told Casey that hoarding-related mold and insects can spread to adjacent households, endangering the health of neighbors.

Due to these safety concerns, it might be tempting for a family member or public health agency to quickly empty someones home in one fell swoop.

That can backfire, Timpano said, as it fails to address peoples underlying issues and can be traumatic.

It can really disrupt the trust and make it even less likely that the individual is willing to seek help in the future, she said.

Its more effective, Timpano said, to help people build internal motivation to change and help them identify goals to manage their hoarding.

For example, at the Fight the Blight class, a woman named Diane told the group she wanted a cleaner home so she could invite people over and not feel embarrassed.

Sanford said he is learning to keep his documents and record collection more organized.

Bernadette wants to declutter her bedroom so she can start sleeping in it again. Also, shes glad she cleared enough space on the first floor for her cat to play.

Because now hes got all this room, she said, he goes after his tail like a crazy person.

Ultimately, the home of someone with hoarding disorder might always be a bit cluttered, and thats OK. The goal of treatment is to make the space healthy and safe, Timpano said, not to earn Marie Kondos approval.

Lack of treatment leaves few options

A 2020 study found that hoarding correlates with homelessness, and those with the disorder are more likely to be evicted.

Housing advocates argue that under the Fair Housing Act, tenants with the diagnosis are entitled to reasonable accommodation. This might include allowing someone time to declutter a home and seek therapy before forcing them to leave their home.

But as outlined in the Senate aging committees report, a lack of resources limits efforts to carry out these accommodations.

Hoarding is difficult to treat. In a 2018 study led by Ayers, the UCSD psychiatrist, researchers found that people coping with hoarding need to be highly motivated and often require substantial support to remain engaged with their therapy.

The challenge of sticking with a treatment plan is exacerbated by a shortage of clinicians with necessary expertise, said Janet Spinelli, the co-chair of Rhode Island's hoarding task force.

Could changes to federal policy help?

Casey advocated for more education and technical assistance for hoarding disorder.

In September, he called for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop training, assistance, and guidance for communities and clinicians. He also said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should explore ways to cover evidence-based treatments and services for hoarding.

This might include increased Medicare funding for mobile crisis services to go to peoples homes, which is one way to connect someone to therapy, Spinelli said.

Another strategy would involve allowing Medicaid and Medicare to reimburse community health workers who assist patients with light cleaning and organizing; research has found that many who hoard struggle with categorization tasks.

Williams, of Fight the Blight, agrees that in addition to more mental health support, taxpayer-funded services are needed to help people address their clutter.

When someone in the group reaches a point of wanting to declutter their home, Fight the Blight helps them start the process of cleaning, removing, and organizing.

The service is free to those earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level. People making above that threshold can pay for assistance on a sliding scale; the cost varies also depending on the size of a property and severity of the hoarding.

Also, Spinelli thinks Medicaid and Medicare should fund more peer-support specialists for hoarding disorder. These mental health workers draw on their own life experiences to help people with similar diagnoses. For example, peer counselors could lead classes like Fight the Blights.

Bernadette and Sanford say courses like the one they enrolled in should be available all over the U.S.

To those just starting to address their own hoarding, Sanford advises patience and persistence.

Even if its a little job here, a little job there, he said, that all adds up.

This article is from a partnership that includes Spotlight PA, NPR, and KFF Health News.

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for its free newsletters.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.)

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sheraton Hotel druggist Arthur Filderman tells Bill Fry and Mrs. G. Caauwe that lottery tickets are gone in March 1972. Read more

Systems of lottery have been a touchstone in the fundraising playbooks of civic leaders at least as far back as the 15th century.

But in Pennsylvania in the early 1970s, those systems were most successfully utilized by the mob.

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The mafias illegal numbers racket by 1972 had an estimated annual gross north of $300 million, The Inquirer wrote.

So when Pennsylvania leaders considered a lottery as a potential source for new revenue, it was hard to argue with the upside.

Drum roll

Pioneers, Puritans, and early colonists used various systems of lotteries and gambling to help fund adventures in the new world.

Even Ben Franklin was an advocate. In Philadelphia in the mid-1700s, he used a lottery system to help fund a militia to fend off attacks from the French.

In the late 1800s, rising corruption coincided with the spread of moral and religious sensibilities, and it led to nationwide lottery abandonment. But by the mid-1960s, states needed new ways to pay for public services without raising taxes.

So when New Hampshire started the state-lottery ball rolling in 64, Pennsylvania followed suit.

Bookies gave good odds at 600-to-1, offered new games daily, and subtracted zero taxes from the winnings.

The state started small with a weekly drawing at about 784-to-1. And losers could take solace in their money helping older residents instead of filling mob coffers.

Eight days before the drawing, 50-cent tickets went on sale for a shot at a top prize of $50,000.

Nine million tickets were printed, and 11,430 holders were projected to win money, ranging from a handful taking the top prize to thousands winning $40.

The first drawing was held in Harrisburg on the morning of March 15, 1972, during a game show-like ceremony complete with drum rolls.

First prize

The Daily News, then an afternoon paper, listed the winning numbers later that day.

But the winning number listed for the $400 prize, 4732, was wrong.

The paper ran a correction the next day, with the correct digits: 7324.

Luckily, the paper printed the number for the top prize accurately, which is how an Oxford Circle woman realized shed won $50,000.

Freda Wexler, a 41-year-old wife and mother of three, then took her ticket to a Castor Avenue State Store for validation.

But she had to wait three-quarters of an hour while they unloaded a large delivery of liquor. (The mob might have given her a complimentary bottle.)

It was nerve-wracking, she said.
A small fire broke out at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County late Friday morning, but no patients were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Fire crews responded to the 300-bed hospital about 11:30 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke in the facilitys emergency room. More than half a dozen fire trucks, plus other emergency response vehicles, lined Upland Avenue near the ambulance bay as firefighters on the roof focused on an HVAC duct.

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The fire occurred after a vendor did maintenance work on the emergency departments roof, a Crozer Health spokesperson said. The hospital briefly diverted incoming ambulances to nearby hospitals, and the fire was placed under control shortly after noon.

Previously, in December, the hospital experienced two small fires within days. The first came just after Christmas, with an electrical fire and interior flooding triggering patient evacuations. The second came the day before New Years Eve and was also electrical in nature, but did not affect patient care areas.

Fridays fire was the latest woe for the embattled Crozer-Chester Medical Center, which faces impending closure amid ongoing financial issues. Its owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, filed for bankruptcy in January, saying in filings that it no longer wanted to pay to keep Crozer Health hospitals and doctors offices open.

The Foundation for Delaware County this week agreed to provide enough funding to keep Crozer-Chester Medical Center and nearby Taylor Hospital open through roughly March 28. In February, Pennsylvania and Delaware County agreed to provide $20 million in funding to keep it open for four weeks, which would have run out Friday.

Prospect acquired Crozer in 2016, and has since closed two of its four hospitals. It began attempting to sell Crozer in the fall of 2021, but a new operator has not yet been secured.
NEW YORK  The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed illegal aliens on its campus, one of its top officials said Friday, as the Trump administration intensified its campaign to deport foreigners who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the school last year.

Agents with the Department of Homeland Security searched two university residences with a warrant Thursday evening. No one was arrested and it was unclear whom the authorities were searching for, but by Friday afternoon U.S. officials had announced developments related to two people they had pursued in connection with the demonstrations.

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A Columbia doctoral student from India whose visa was revoked by the Trump administration fled the U.S. on an airliner. And a Palestinian woman who had been arrested during the protests at the university last April was arrested by federal immigration authorities in Newark, N.J., on charges that she overstayed an expired visa.

 READ MORE: What to know about ICE arresting Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist leading Columbia University protests

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking at the Justice Department, said it was all part of the presidents mission to end antisemitism in this country.

Just last night, we worked with the Department of Homeland Security to execute search warrants from an investigation into Columbia University for harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus, Blanche said. That investigation is ongoing, and we are also looking at whether Columbias handling of earlier incidents violated civil rights laws and included terrorism crimes.

Blanche didnt say what evidence agents had of wrongdoing by the university. It was unclear whether he was accusing the school itself of terrorism crimes or saying that people involved in the protests had committed such crimes.

 READ MORE: What are your rights if ICE comes to your home or work?

The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from the university about Blanches accusations Friday.

In a note to the school community following the searches Thursday night, interim university president Katrina Armstrong said the school was committed to upholding the law. She described herself as heartbroken that federal agents had been on campus searching student rooms.

I understand the immense stress our community is under, Armstrong wrote. Despite the unprecedented challenges, Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive.

Columbia has come under immense pressure from the Trump administration in recent weeks, with the U.S. government canceling $400 million in federal grants and contracts to the school, much of it for medical research, as punishment for not cracking down harder on students and faculty who criticized Israels military action in Gaza during large protests last spring.

President Donald Trump and other officials have accused the protesters as being pro-Hamas, referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The administration threatened to permanently end federal funding to the Ivy League school unless it took a variety of steps, including changing its admissions process and ceding faculty control of its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department to a receiver for five years.

It also demanded that the school ban people from wearing masks on campus, change how it recruits international students, adopt a new definition of antisemitism, and abolish its student disciplinary process.

Students and faculty who participated in last years protests at Columbia have insisted that criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights isnt antisemitic. Some Jewish students and faculty, though, complained that the anti-Israel rhetoric made them feel unsafe.

Columbia Universitys campus has been in crisis since the arrest Saturday of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead last springs protests.

The Trump administration said Friday it had revoked the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student at Columbia, for advocating for violence and terrorism. Srinivasan opted to self-deport Tuesday, the department said. Officials didnt say what evidence they had that Srinivasan had advocated violence.

The woman who was arrested in Newark, Leqaa Kordia, was charged with failing to leave the U.S. after her visa expired. Columbia said it had no record of Kordia ever being a student there, or being arrested on the campus. However, there were numerous protests and arrests in the streets outside of the university at the same time.

Kordia had previously received a student visa, but it was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance, the department said. She is being held in an immigration detention center in Alvarado, Texas, according to a government database.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Friday the Trump administration is expecting to revoke more student visas in the coming days.
The same day this 191-acre brush fire in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, was declared fully under control, a brush fire shut down the eastbound lanes of Route 422 in Montgomery County. Read more

The eastbound lanes of Route 422 in Lower Providence Township were shut down as firefighters battled a large brush fire Thursday evening, a spokesperson for Montgomery County said.

The fire was reported shortly before 5 p.m. near the 100 block of Valley Lane in Lower Providence between Route 422 and the Schuylkill, said Todd Stieritz, spokesperson for the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.

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No injuries were reported.

Part of the brush fire may be burning on land within Valley Forge National Park, Stieritz said.

Firefighters from multiple agencies in Montgomery and Chester Counties were responding, Stieritz said.

A large wildfire that started Wednesday evening in Gloucester County was reported to be fully contained as of late Thursday morning, New Jersey firefighting officials said.
Franco Gomez made it home to his family by dinnertime on a misty Friday in late January. Another exhausting week of working as a carpet installer, earning $130 a day, had drawn to a close.

To escape a damp chill that had seeped into their Northeast Philadelphia rowhouse, Gomez and his wife, Carolina, cuddled in a queen-size bed with their two children in a second-floor bedroom, the warmest space in the house. The family started to watch a Netflix movie, The Princess Switch.

Moments later, a thunderous explosion rattled their walls and shattered their windows, and their roof was cleaved open by something large and metallic: an 800-pound jet engine.

A smoldering piece of the roof crumbled, and struck 4-year-old Rayan on the back of his neck. Gomez darted out of the room, cradling his boy in his arms, then tripped and tumbled down the stairs to the first floor.

Gomez  with his wife and their daughter, Valentina, at his heels  grabbed for the front door. It didnt budge.

Our house is burning, Mami! 9-year-old Valentina cried.

A neighbor managed to break open the front door, and the Gomezes rushed across the street. They watched helplessly as plumes of dark smoke rose from their home. Flames devoured all of their belongings, including a mermaid-shaped piggy bank that held $15,000  the familys only savings, a decades worth.

A Learjet medical transport had just crashed on nearby Cottman Avenue, leaving seven people dead and at least two dozen injured, plunging the neighborhood into chaos.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration has spent much of the last 40 days trying to assess the extent of the damage  physical, material, and emotional  that homeowners and business owners have suffered in the wake of the Jan. 31 plane crash.

But the citys efforts to help those affected were slow to reach the Spanish-speaking Gomezes, who struggled to find and pay for a new place to live, while encountering language barriers along the way.

They escaped the fire with just the clothes they were wearing, and were grateful to have suffered only minor cuts and bruises. Carolina Gomez has started a new nightly ritual: rewashing the few clothes that each family member has.

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections has visited 366 properties near the crash site. Inspectors have determined that 14 homes were unsafe, due to fractured facades, loose bricks, and roofs that firefighters cut open for ventilation to help contain flames.

Two other properties were labeled imminently dangerous, including the Gomezes home; inspection records show that the buildings interior walls and joists were all damaged, and that the roof collapsed.

Earlier this month, Parkers administration sent caseworkers from the Philadelphia Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity to knock on doors in the five blocks closest to the crash, and ask residents directly if they needed assistance.

More than half indicated that they did not require help, said Stephanie Reid, the citys deputy chief administrative officer.

Caseworkers have also been guiding some people affected by the crash through the process of filing claims with an insurance carrier that represents Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the owner of the Learjet that nose-dived from the sky just moments after it took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

Reid acknowledged that the city has not been able to reach every resident affected by the crash, particularly renters who have since relocated. The Inquirer found that several families have been displaced, at least temporarily.

This is going to be an ongoing process, she said.

Weve been working in this community since the crash on Jan. 31, and plan to continue outreach and support until those who need help have gotten the support they need. Some folks might not realize the needs they have for another month.

The Gomezes, who were renters, face a more difficult path to recouping their losses. A relative helped the family set up a GoFundMe account. In five weeks, it raised only $1,313. (After this story was published Friday on The Inquirers website, donors boosted that total to more than $25,000.)

They lived for nearly a week at an American Red Cross shelter in a high school gymnasium. The nonprofit provided them with some food, medicine, and clothing.

There is nothing quite as awful as waking up in the middle of a gym with absolutely nothing, Carolina Gomez, 38, said.

Franco Gomez, 51, said the Red Cross had texted him a message in Spanish, informing him about a town-hall meeting the city planned to hold on Feb. 5. He hoped to obtain information about programs that might help his family.

The meeting, though, was held in English, and Franco Gomez was unable to find someone who could translate the discussion into Spanish.

No one asked if we needed help, and we didnt know how to ask for it either, he said. It felt like we were less than, something that could simply be left on the sideline.

(Reid said four interpreters, who spoke Spanish, Brazilian-Portuguese, and Mandarin, were present at the meeting.)

The next day, the family learned the shelter would be closing.

They spent a few nights at a friends house and then moved into another rental property, but can barely afford the monthly $1,500.

We have never lived like this before, Carolina Gomez said.

Charred and crumbling homes

A preliminary investigative report, released earlier this month by the National Transportation Safety Board, showed that the Learjet lifted off from a small runway at 6:06 p.m. and inexplicably rocketed back down to earth a minute later.

Basil Merenda, L&Is commissioner of inspections, safety, and compliance, was at home, watching the evening news, when another agency official called and told him that a plane had crashed in the Northeast.

NTSB investigators determined that the plane struck a sidewalk near the Roosevelt Mall, creating a debris field that stretched 1,410 feet in length and 840 feet wide, and a crater that ran eight feet deep.

The planes six occupants  including 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo, who had spent four months undergoing treatment for a spinal condition at Shriners Childrens Philadelphia  were killed.

While one of the planes engines barreled through the Gomezes roof, a wing slammed into the ground behind their house.

Police officers and firefighters  including some from nearby Engine 71  found carnage everywhere they looked: homes and cars engulfed in flames; human remains visible on the ground.

Four inspectors from L&Is contractual services unit were dispatched to the neighborhood. Merenda describes the construction experts as L&Is version of the Marines for their willingness to trek inside unstable buildings.

The inspectors visited homes on Rupert, Leonard, Hanford, and Calvert Streets. The agency continues to receive calls from residents who have discovered newfound cracks and loose bricks in their homes, Merenda said.

Violation records show that the two properties that inspectors labeled imminently dangerous began to rack up fines in February, while the 14 unsafe properties would begin to be penalized in April if homeowners had not taken steps by then to secure the buildings.

Parker has instructed L&I to not pursue collecting those fines.

She wants us to show some compassion, Merenda said. These folks were innocent victims.

The agency is considering expediting the permit review and inspection process for property owners who plan to rebuild. Merenda advised homeowners who are preparing to hire construction firms to first visit L&Is website and check whether the companies are properly licensed by the city.

We want to make it as easy as possible for people, he said.

No money for rent

In early February, Parker and other city officials assembled at S. Solis-Cohen Elementary School, about half a mile from the crash site, and acknowledged to local residents that the neighborhoods recovery would be long and complex.

We are a resilient city, Parker told the audience, and we know how to take care of each other.

Reid, the deputy chief administrative officer, said caseworkers with the community empowerment and opportunity office have been assessing residents needs and helping to connect them with available local and state assistance.

Some have also visited a community center, at Edmund Street and Bleigh Avenue, for guidance, and more than 340 residents have signed up for updates managed by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.

The One Philly Fund, a fundraiser for victims of the crash that is managed by the Parker administration, has collected $20,000, Reid said.

The city contacted the Gomez family this week and offered to help, Franco Gomez said.

Hao Chen, who owns the home that the Gomez family rented, plans to demolish and rebuild, depending on what his homeowners insurance will cover, his brother said.

In the days following the plane crash, Carolina Gomez met with a representative from Catholic Social Services and said she was told that the nonprofit would pay the Gomezes rent for several months, once they secured a new place to live.

The family found a new place to rent, but it carried a steep price: a $1,500 payment for the first month, another $1,500 for the last month, and a $2,000 security deposit.

Carolina Gomez said Catholic Social Services did not deliver on the financial assistance it promised.

Desperate, she called her brother in Latin America. He cobbled the $5,000 together through donations from relatives and neighbors and overnighted it.

Kathy Bevenour, a Catholic Social Services assistant director, told The Inquirer that help was provided to the Gomez family but declined to offer specific details.

The charitys hotline for rental assistance now leads to a recorded message: We have run out of money at this time.

The family is already behind on rent for the month.

We dont have any money, we have bills to pay, Franco Gomez said. We are really not making ends meet.

On March 6, Valentina turned 10. She struggles with nightmares.

My mom needs a jacket and my dad also needs a jacket, the girl told a reporter, and my mom needs shoes and my dad needs shoes, and me and my brother need shoes.

After escaping the fire, Rayan remained mute for two weeks.

Rayan just stopped talking, like he was in shock, like he is on pause, his father said.

Recently, though, he has started to speak again.

The family has made one return trip to their former rowhouse.

Broken glass and ashes littered the floor, while toys and couches sat melted and charred.

I tell my daughter that as long as we are all together, God will not abandon us, Carolina Gomez said, and little by little, we will get back on our feet.
A fire ripped through a Fairhill rowhouse early Friday morning, killing a 6-year-old girl and a 40-year-old woman, and injuring two others, fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to a fire at a house on the 3000 block of North Fourth Street just after 3:30 a.m., the Philadelphia Fire Department posted on X. When firefighters arrived, they were told people were trapped inside the house and that the fire was in the basement, the post said.

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Firefighters took four people out of the house, two adults and two children, and medics immediately started providing emergency care at the scene, according to the post. The 6-year-old girl and 40-year-old woman, whom fire officials have not identified, died at the scene, said Rachel Cunningham, a spokesperson for the fire department.

The other two people, a boy and a man, were injured in the fire and were taken to St. Christophers Hospital for Children and Temple University Hospital, respectively, Cunningham said.

The fire was brought under control at 3:57 a.m., and the fire marshals office is working to determine the cause and origin of the blaze, according to the post.
Protesters march down Market Street in Philadelphia for a rally for trans lives on March 31, 2023. March 31 is Trans Day of Visibility. Read more

My 13-year-old daughter needs a lot of help in school. Due to developmental disabilities, she cant quite return a volleyball like her peers in gym class. She cant open a snack bag on her own at lunchtime. While shes learning to identify words found in Dr. Seuss, her eighth-grade peers are reading novels like The Giver.

None of this is a tragedy. She has an aide to help her with snacks. She has an occupational therapist who visits gym class and modifies activities for her. She has a special educator who reads The Giver aloud and shows her the film version of the book. And she loves school. (She might be the only teen who gets excited on Sunday night for her Monday return.)

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Thanks to federal disability law, her public school is required to adapt to meet her needs, because the federal government says people like her belong in school.

In June 2024, the Biden administration ruled that her transgender peers also belong in school. Specifically, it ruled to include gender dysphoria on the list of conditions covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This gave trans kids the legal right to bathrooms and uniforms and other elements of school life that fit their bodies and gender identities. It also made discrimination against trans people unlawful in institutions that receive federal funding.

This month, the attorneys general in 17 red states filed a lawsuit, arguing that this new rule was unconstitutional. Protecting trans kids, they argued, would steal precious resources from kids with disabilities. The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that the Biden administration had attempted to hijack Section 504.

Any disability rights activist knows this is false logic. Paving the way for one marginalized group paves the way for all. When curb cuts were required on sidewalks for wheelchair users, the smoother ride benefited skateboarders, rollerbladers, and tired parents pushing toddlers in strollers. When my daughter needed extra support in the school bathroom, she used the handicap accessible bathroom, which was also the gender-neutral bathroom. These examples illustrate the principles of universal design, when a space is designed so it can be accessed to the greatest extent possible by all people.

But protecting disabled lives is not the purpose of the lawsuit, despite claims from the 17 attorneys general. Buried in the suit, on Page 37, is a demand that the entirety of Section 504 be deemed unconstitutional.

This would have devastating consequences on civil rights. Hospitals could discriminate against people with conditions they didnt think were worthy of treating. Schools wouldnt be required to accommodate kids who break their foot or develop severe allergies. Discrimination against people with disabilities would be legal. And because all of us can become disabled at any time, discrimination against any of us would be legal.

Thanks to disability advocacy organizations, parents learned of the lawsuits devastating implications and pushed back. Attorneys general in several states told voters the lawsuit only challenged gender dysphoria. But thats not what the lawsuit stated, in plain black ink. Either the states didnt read the lawsuit they signed, or they were lying.

Now that theyve either been caught  or schooled  the states modified their lawsuit in late February. They insist their goal was never to strip rights away from disabled kids, even though they signed their names under words that stated just that. Currently, theyve returned to their initial target: trans kids.

But disabled folks and their allies will not be duped. Republican politicians cannot successfully pit disabled people against trans folks.

Thats because disability activists know disability is created not just by a body, but by a society that is inaccessible to it. A wheelchair user can access a building just fine when there are ramps. Similarly, a culture that acknowledges the spectrum of gender eagerly makes bathrooms and uniforms that suit all bodies. A culture obsessed with the false gender binary is not just scientifically inaccurate, it turns the normal experience of nonbinary and transgender identity into a disability. There have always been, and always will be, trans people.

Naysayers hold up the bottom lines of school budgets. Resources are scarce, they say. A uniform for a nonbinary athlete will take away from another kids occupational therapy. But disability advocates reject this scapegoating and scarcity rhetoric. We remember where our scarcity of resources comes from.

When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), originally known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, in 1975, it committed to funding 40% of the average cost to educate a child with disabilities. It currently funds less than 13% of IDEA state grants. And Congress recently voted to slash Medicaid, which disabled folks rely on to remain in their homes and out of institutions. Congress holds the purse and then points the finger at a vulnerable population just trying to exist.

Arguing that a vulnerable population like transgender youth is to blame for a lack of special education services is like blaming the winds of a hurricane on the flap of a butterflys wings.

Meanwhile, more than a quarter of all transgender kids feel unsafe attending school, and as a result skip classes. The Trevor Project found that 37% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported having been physically threatened or harmed due to their gender identity, roughly two-thirds experience anxiety or depression, and around half consider suicide. These statistics are reduced when trans kids are in affirming environments. Arguing that a vulnerable population like transgender youth is to blame for a lack of special education services is like blaming the winds of a hurricane on the flap of a butterflys wings.

My daughter, who is the size of someone five years younger, has needed a special adaptive chair to reach school tables and join her classmates. Other kids dont use her chair, but they still benefit from it, because they benefit from her enthusiastic presence at the table.

Pitting one persons needs against another perpetuates the false belief that we are not all a part of one community. When we include everyone, the only people who lose are small-minded folks who believe some people dont belong. When my daughter pulls her chair up to the table, I want her trans peers among her.

Heather Lanier is the author of the memoir Raising a Rare Girl, a New York Times Book Review Editors Choice.
Celebrity doctor and former Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz told senators he has the experience and reform ideas necessary to bring down the cost of health care and make Americans healthier in a hearing on Capitol Hill that showcased the former TV hosts penchant for charismatic salesmanship.

My TV audience has heard me say this many times, but many of you are too busy to watch television so Ill repeat it, Oz said in a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Friday. I believe that a physician has the responsibility to tell patients what they need to know, even if the message is uncomfortable.

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Oz then ran down a list of woeful statistics, including the nations obesity rate and maternal mortality rate.

Those chronic diseases made it easy to be sick in America, he said.

Ozs testimony before a committee of senators was the first step in securing the votes to become head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency oversees the coordination and implementation of major health-care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act. Taken together, CMS oversees health insurance coverage for nearly half of all Americans and a budget of about $1.5 trillion annually.

President Donald Trump announced Oz as his pick for the position in November, but the Senate committees scheduled all cabinet-level position hearings first, completing the process with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Tuesday.

The two-hour hearing was largely cordial as Oz, who has spent most of his career in TV, gave calm, polished answers to how hed run the agency and suggested new technologies, regulatory changes, and increased investments could bring down rising health-care costs and make the system more efficient and beneficial for patients that rely on it.

Questions over cuts to Medicaid

The most popular question from Democrats was whether Oz would protect Medicaid from cuts that they anticipate as Congress finds a way to meet a GOP-led resolution that requires $880 billion in slashes to the federal budget. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said some of those cuts would inevitably have to come from Medicaid.

Would you agree this morning to oppose any cuts to the Medicaid program? Yes or no? Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) asked at the start of the hearing.

I want to make sure patients today, and in the future, have resources to protect them. The way you protect Medicaid is by making sure that its viable at every level, Oz said.

 READ MORE: Trumps nomination put Mehmet Oz back in the political spotlight  and on track to oversee health care for more than 160 million Americans

Later, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D., N.H.) asked Oz: How many children losing health insurance would be acceptable?

I dont want children losing health insurance, Oz said.

Well then youre going to need to reject the Republican budget plan, Hassan said.

Oz, a Republican, and longtime television personality, made his foray into politics when he ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate in 2022 against now-Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.). His residency became a major theme of the campaign then, given he relocated from New Jersey to run for the seat. Oz still owns a house in Bryn Athyn where his wife, Lisa Lemole Oz, has family and a mega-successful tree pruning company, Asplundh Tree Expert LLC.

Voting records also show Oz voted in Montgomery County in the presidential election last year.

Trump endorsed Oz in the 2022 GOP primary and this week nominated Ozs son-in-law, John Jovanovic, to head the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the countrys official export credit agency. Jovanovic sat with his wife, TV host and food writer Daphne Oz, behind her father during the hearing.

In an introduction to the Senate committee, Oz touted his work as a cardiologist, developing medical devices, and his 11 Emmys on The Dr. Oz Show. He said he wanted to address rising health-care expenditures, and noted that Medicaid is the biggest expense for the federal government in most states.

Youre a very nice person

Democrats on the committee had sent several scathing letters to Oz ahead of the hearing, expressing concern that he wanted to replace traditional Medicare with the privatized Medicare Advantage program, calling out anti-abortion comments hes made, and questioning whether hed personally evaded paying Social Security and Medicare taxes.

But the hearing itself was rarely contentious and Oz was an affable witness, bringing up anecdotes about individual senators states or conversations hed had with them.

Maybe youll invite me down to your church sometime, Oz said to Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D., Ga.) after a conversation about how burdensome getting reenrolled in Medicaid can be.

Youre invited any Sunday, Warnock said. You cant preach, but you can come.

Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, told Oz he wants a CMS administrator who can stand up for patient needs. Youre a very nice person, Welch said. I dont want you to be nice when dealing with this stuff.

While Oz showed he knows the often complex world of insurance and health care, some of his proposed solutions to big problems were relatively simple.

Asked about the nations nursing shortage, he mentioned the benefits of Telehealth. Asked about reforming payment programs and issues with prior authorization, he said hed look to deal with the 12% of the CMS budget spent on administrative costs.

The graduate of the University of Pennsylvanias business and medical schools, who went on to do a cardiothoracic surgery residency at Columbia, acquiesced that some of the products promoted on his TV show were falsely hyped. During a line of questioning from Hassan, he acknowledged that Green Coffee Extract had been falsely marketed as a miracle weight loss drug.

If confirmed, Oz would report to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Oz commended in his opening remarks. But frustration with Kennedy, who has cast doubt on the efficacy of childhood vaccines, was apparent among some Democrats. Sen. Ben Lujan (D., N.M.) asked Oz if he believed the measles vaccine is safe and the most effective way to prevent against infection.

Oz answered in the affirmative, but acknowledged the limited power hed have in the position over such matters.

It is but if I could mention ... CMS should not be opining its own opinion or thoughts on vaccines, Oz said. Our job is to follow the rules so if the CDC is making decisions about the use of a vaccine ... my job is to ensure we pay for those vaccines.

Now, Oz awaits further written questions from the committee and a vote in the coming weeks. Every one of Trumps nominees that made it to a hearing has been confirmed in the Senate, which has a six-seat Republican majority. Oz is likely to clear the process as well.

If he does, hell likely be the most recognizable name ever to hold the position  and the only one with a square on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The experience you bring to this job is almost unprecedented, Republican Sen. Steve Daines, of Montana, said. Youre exactly the right person at the right time to take over this huge responsibility.

This article was updated to accurately reflect Mehmet Ozs medical schooling.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker arrives for the start of her budget address to City Council in City Hall on Thursday. At left is Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel; in the center is Public Safety Director Adam Geer. Read more

Were not in 2020 anymore.

Five years after a movement to reduce law enforcement funding swept the nation and galvanized Democrats to fight for police budget slashing, the Philadelphia Police Department is looking at a nearly $900 million budget that appears largely uncontroversial among city lawmakers.

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Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who took office last year after campaigning as a tough-on-crime Democrat, unveiled her second city budget proposal on Thursday, which included $872 million for the police department. The amount is roughly in line with last years allocation, and it includes expanded funding for crime-fighting technology and officer recruitment.

The mayor framed the proposal as a second down payment on her plan to improve public safety following a pandemic-era surge in violence, saying that despite a steep decline in shootings last year, no one is shouting mission accomplished around here.

And she drew applause from the room of Council members, elected officials, business leaders, and city workers when she said she trusts the police department to carry out her mission.

Ive often been criticized for being too pro-police. I dont agree, Parker said. Philadelphians want to be safe and feel safe, and they deserve that basic human right. And I am unapologetic about supporting our police department.

City Council must approve the police budget proposal for it to become law, and negotiations with the legislative body will take place over the next several months before the next fiscal year begins in July. Heres whats in Parkers proposal.

Police funding remains roughly level with recent years

The police budget has ballooned over the last decade, though much of that growth was under former Mayor Jim Kenney. The forces allocation grew by more than $200 million over his eight years in office.

Since Parker took over last year, she has kept police funding levels roughly consistent. This years proposed $872 million is slightly less than the $877 million that the city allocated to the department last year.

However, her proposal for next year is higher than what the department is actually spending this year. The city is projecting that the PPD will spend only $852 million by the end of this fiscal year, or about $25 million short of its budget. That can be attributed in large part to staffing shortages  the city didnt spend as much on officer salaries as it planned for.

While there are some new initiatives and programs slated for this year, wages for the departments more than 7,000 employees make up the vast majority of its budget. Of the proposed $872 million budget, the city projects that roughly $835 million of that  or 95%  will go to pay and benefits.

And those wages may change. The city is in the process of negotiating new contracts with each of the four major unions that represent municipal workers, including the police union. Parker proposed that the city set aside more than half a billion dollars in a reserve to cover costs associated with multiyear contracts that could include raises.

Continued recruitment as PPD is down more than 1,000 officers

Parker on Thursday touted that her five-year plan includes $350,000 a year for police recruitment efforts such as marketing, a continuation of investments made in recent years to bolster hiring amid a major shortage of officers.

The mayors administration says some progress has been made. Parker ran on a promise to add 300 so-called community police officers to the force, and the administration says theyve met that goal by deploying officers to foot beats and commercial corridors.

The department also said in budget papers that it hired more than 350 officers last year. But that masks a deeper problem. The police department is still drastically understaffed.

As of late December, more than 1,500 positions that had been budgeted for were vacant, according to a city managers report. Of those, about 1,100 are uniformed officer positions and the remainder are would-be civilian employees. That means that across the department, which is budgeted to have more than 7,800 employees, about 20% of positions are unfilled.

A new crime lab, at long last

The city already set aside millions of dollars to construct a new crime lab, and officials through two administrations have spent years securing funding and reviewing real estate options to build a new space for police to process evidence.

After the lengthy planning process, Parker announced Thursday that the city will build a new police forensics lab in a building at 4101 Market St. in University City. If City Council approves the plan, the 118,000-square-foot facility could open as early as next year and would triple the size of the current lab, which officials have long said is too small.

 READ MORE: New Philly police forensics lab will be in University City, Parker administration says

Parkers budget proposal includes $67 million over five years to cover the cost of the new lab and associated equipment. That includes adding new technicians to the existing complement who will process and test evidence including DNA, cell phones, guns, drugs, and more.

Police officials say the addition of staff will help decrease the amount of time between when police drop off evidence and when a lead can be relayed to a detective, ultimately reducing the length of criminal investigations.

According to the administrations five-year plan, the police departments goal is to process guns within 48 hours of their being recovered  which is no small task given the office says it receives more than 6,000 guns and 40,000 casings a year.

Expanding technology like electric bikes, drones, and cameras

Parkers proposal includes several other investments in police technology. Some examples include:
Democrats in Washington went from being in a tight spot to a state of intraparty dissent Friday as they argued over whether to vote for a bill they opposed or vote against it, and risk being blamed for a government shutdown.

Ultimately, 10 Senate Democrats joined Republicans in a vote Friday advancing the bill to a final majority vote and ensuring its passage in the Republican-led chamber. Republicans needed eight Democrats to close debate and advance the funding measure. The resolution passed the Senate later in the evening by a vote of 54 to 46, hours ahead of the midnight deadline to continue government funding.

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But the party division, in the roll call and behind the scenes this week, reflected divergent views on how to stand up to President Donald Trump as Democrats grapple with limited power and enjoy few moments of leverage.

My YES vote is *not* an endorsement of this deeply flawed CR, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania wrote on X regarding the continuing resolution. My YES vote is about refusing to shut our government down. I refuse to punish working families and plunge millions of Americans into chaos.

Fetterman was an early stated yes on the resolution. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) announced Thursday that he would also vote to keep government running despite deep concerns with the budget proposal that Democrats had no say in.

The CR is a bad bill. But as bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option, Schumer said.

Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.), who happened to preside over the key vote as it was his turn in the GOP rotation to staff the dais, voted yes on the measure along with all his GOP colleagues.

The eleventh-hour call from Schumer to support the resolution rankled members of his party in both chambers.

Delaware Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester voted against the resolution, which will boost defense spending by $6 billion compared to the 2024 fiscal year and decrease nondefense spending by $13 billion. Republicans have said the bill is clean and without partisan measures, but many Democrats, including Coons, argued the resolutions lack of specifics allows Trump and Musk more latitude to direct funds as they wish.

Blame doesnt lie with Democrats who were forced to choose between two terrible outcomes, Coons said in a statement after the initial vote. It belongs to Trump and his allies in Congress who rammed through a partisan, hardline spending bill so they can move on to their priority of cutting Medicaid to pass more tax cuts for billionaires, and my Republican colleagues who would rather consign themselves to irrelevance than protect their constitutional appropriations responsibility from executive overreach.

New Jersey Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker also voted against the funding measure.

Republicans have made it so Musk and the most powerful win and everyone else loses, Kim said in a statement. I dont want a shutdown but I cant vote for this overreach of power, giving Trump and Musk unchecked power to line their pockets.

Several senators in less reliably Democratic states also opposed it.

 READ MORE: Sen. Fetterman says hell back a GOP spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. Will other Democrats follow?

Schumer criticism mounting

On Friday, House Democrats circulated a letter calling on Schumer to reconsider with 66 signatures.

The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican chaos, they wrote. Instead of capitulating to their obstruction, we must fight ... we urge you to reject the partisan continuing resolution.

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Inquirer, had support from Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans, Summer Lee, and Madeleine Dean.

In a statement, Dean said, It is Republicans who control the House, Senate, and White House. It is they who must fund our government  and it is they who have chosen to follow the lawless path of our President.

Schumers counterpart in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, called it a false choice that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and House Republicans have been presenting, between their reckless and partisan spending bill and a government shutdown.

The vote seemed guaranteed to create questions for the party as it closes in on just two months of governing with Trump in the White House. Asked by reporters on the Hill about Schumer and if there should be new leadership in the Senate, Jeffries responded with two words: Next question.
A home under construction is shown in Broomall, Pa., in November. To increase the housing supply and make homes more affordable, municipalities should allow for more housing density on lots traditionally reserved for single-family homes, according to a report that the Pew Charitable Trusts published in March. Read more

Pennsylvania is one of the states thats allowed the least amount of housing to be built, and the lack of supply is hiking prices for homebuyers and renters, according to new research by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The state ranked 44th for the share of homes approved to be built from 2017 to 2023, according to a report published this week by the Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and public policy organization. Researchers point to local land-use rules as a cause and recommend policymakers loosen zoning restrictions to boost housing supply.

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From 2017 to 2023, the number of homes for sale across Pennsylvania dropped 60%, from 48,199 in January 2017 to 19,361 in December 2023, according to the report. Over the same time period, the statewide median price of homes rose 55%, from $165,000 to $255,000.

And the typical rent in the 23 Pennsylvania counties the report analyzed increased by 46%  from $1,013 in 2017 and $1,476 in 2023, according to estimates by Zillow.

Housing costs grow more slowly in places that allow for more building, especially the construction of less-expensive types of housing, according to the report.

The bottom line is the best way to bring high rents and housing costs down is to build more housing and to build more varied types of housing, said Seva Rodnyansky, a manager in Pews housing policy initiative.

Not building enough

Local governments in Pennsylvania havent been keeping up with the national rate of issuing building permits.

In the country as a whole, local governments issued enough permits from 2017 to 2023 to grow the housing supply by 7.5%. The number of permits local governments in Pennsylvania issued, on the other hand, were only enough to allow for 3.4% more homes.

Meanwhile, the number of households in the state grew by 5.1% during that time period. So Pennsylvania governments issued fewer building permits than necessary to keep up with increases in population.

Since 2000, Pennsylvania governments have approved the building of 10% more homes. Nationwide, governments have approved 25% more.

Fewer permits, higher rent increases

From 2017 to 2023, Philadelphia issued a higher share of building permits than municipalities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery Counties. And rents grew more slowly in the city.

Rents in Philadelphia grew 30% during the seven-year period the report analyzed. They rose by between 44% and 47% in the collar counties.

The share of cost-burdened renters, those who spent more than 30% of their income on rent, dropped in Philadelphia by about 8% from 2017 to 2023. The share of cost-burdened renters rose by about 5% in Chester County, about 6% in Montgomery County, and about 7% in Delaware County.

 READ MORE: Houses in the Philly suburbs are still in high demand, but developers arent building there

Even though municipalities added housing, it wasnt enough to drive costs down per person.

Local land-use rules limit construction

Pew pointed to examples of how local municipalities zoning rules restrict how much housing can be built where.

Lower Gwynedd, Montgomery County, for example, requires at least 35,000 square feet of land  more than three-quarters of an acre  for each single-family home, according to the report. Doylestown, Bucks County, requires at least 80,000 square feet of land  almost two acres  per single-family home.

If Doylestown changed its land-use rules, one lot currently zoned for a single-family home could hold 40 townhouses on 2,000-square-foot lots.

 READ MORE: White male homeowners are overrepresented on land-use boards, survey finds

And we can come up with a ton of examples like that, Rodnyansky said. To increase housing supply and tamp down on prices, he said municipalities could change their zoning requirements to allow for duplexes, triplexes, and small multifamily buildings on what are now single-family lots.

Where its been done, its worked, he said.

Pew also said most Pennsylvania municipalities ban the building of accessory dwelling units or make building them difficult. Allowing above-garage apartments, basement and attic apartments, converted garages, and other types of accessory dwelling units also increases housing density.

What Pew wants Pennsylvania to do

Pew recommended that Pennsylvania policymakers allow and encourage changes to land-use rules, so municipalities can add more housing.

The reports recommendations include:

allowing the construction of duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units on properties that currently only allow single-family homes streamlining permitting allowing more apartments near transit and commercial areas reducing or getting rid of parking minimums that make construction more expensive incentivizing office-to-residential conversions, especially to allow for dormitory-style housing with smaller units that can fit more residents allowing homes to be built on land owned by religious and nonprofit organizations and educational institutions

Had Pennsylvania made some of these changes and added more housing earlier, rents would now be lower, the report said.

Pew highlighted Minneapolis as an example of a city that has seen more rental affordability in the years since changing its land-use rules.

Minneapolis has allowed more apartment buildings along commercial corridors, gotten rid of parking requirements, and allowed duplexes and triplexes citywide, instead of only in traditionally multifamily areas. Despite an increase in residents, rents in Minneapolis did not increase as much as rents in the state of Minnesota or the country, and a higher share of residents could afford the median apartment rent in 2023 than in 2017.
On March 14, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) reported that more than 53,000 claims had been lodged due to damages caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Insurers are actively responding, with teams assisting policyholders in impacted areas across New South Wales, including Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Ballina, and Tweed Heads, as well as in Queensland regions such as Redlands, Hervey Bay, Logan, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
New York is moving to strengthen consumer protections with new legislation aimed at preventing deceptive and abusive business practices. Attorney General Letitia James has introduced the FAIR Business Practices Act, which is being championed in the state legislature by Senator Leroy and Assemblymember Micah Lasher. The proposed law seeks to modernize and expand the state's consumer protection laws, bringing them in line with those of most other states.
*"This policy is void in any case of fraud by you as it relates to this policy at any time. It is also void if you or any other insured, at any time, intentionally conceal or misrepresent a material fact concerning:
Shipper joins Beazley with nearly two decades of experience in the property market and a background in brokerage. She previously worked at Marsh, where she held multiple senior positions over a 16-year tenure, most recently serving as managing director and Southeast Zone property leader.
Under the new agreement, Venbrook has launched its first international travel practice, which will be led by Curt Carlson as senior vice president and Eric Adair as vice president. Adair will report to Alison Myers (pictured above), executive vice president and head of retail benefits.
A plan to rescue three troubled New Jersey hospitals from bankruptcy is being challenged by their former owners, who claim mismanagement and an unfair land deal have tainted the reorganization.

The bankruptcy-exit plan for CarePoint Health Systems pays too much to the proposed rescuer, Hudson Regional Hospital, said Matthew Harvey, a lawyer for a firm affiliated with the former owners. Hudson would be paid more than $330 million over 10 years and protected from lawsuits that could have been used to repay creditors, he said.

Nobody wants to see these hospitals fail, Harvey told the bankruptcy judge overseeing CarePoints insolvency case in Wilmington, Delaware. Our issue is that the plan is fatally flawed. Yes, its a hospital case, but there is no hospital exception' to the bankruptcy code, he said.

The dispute threatens the latest effort to save three hospitals across from Manhattan that help serve 700,000-person Hudson County. Many poor residents rely on the facilities, which have gone through various operators. Last year, a Michigan firm was tapped to run the hospitals, and that role is now being handled by Hudson Regional.

Hospitals across the country are grappling with higher costs for staff and supplies, with even some higher-profile facilities struggling. Systems like CarePoint with large numbers of poorer patients have greater difficulty covering their expenses because government health programs pay less than private insurers.

US Bankruptcy Judge J. Kate Stickles began a four-day hearing Wednesday to decide whether to approve the rescue plan. CarePoint and Hudson Regional will face off against former CarePoint owners that include Vivek Garipalli, the chairman and co-founder of Clover Health Investments Corp., according to court records. The hospitals were donated to CarePoint in 2022, and the nonprofit entity has struggled financially ever since.

One of CarePoints former owners alleged in court papers that just before the firm filed for bankruptcy in November, Hudson Regional used confidential information to negotiate a sweetheart deal for land used by Christ Hospital.

Hudson Regional paid $67 million for 13 acres worth at least $150 million, the court papers contend, squeezing out former CarePoint owner Strategic Ventures and CarePoint, which held options to buy the property. Those options were wrongly bypassed by Hudson Regional, Strategic claimed.

CarePoint also mismanaged its units by failing to pay a bill-collection agency, causing a loss of revenue, Strategic claimed in court papers. Thousands of medical bills were not submitted to insurance companies because no one bothered to follow up or they got lost in the process, Strategic alleged.

A lawyer for Hudson Regional said during Wednesdays hearing that the firm was the only entity willing to put money, as well as management expertise, into CarePoints revival.

Im here on the good guys side, Vincent Roldan told the court, adding that performance at the hospitals has improved since Hudson Regional took over their management. It has run Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Hoboken University Medical Center since CarePoints bankruptcy filing and has also been its main lender.

Ahead of last years bankruptcy, the New Jersey Department of Health gave CarePoint over $8 million to help it make payroll payments and hire a chief restructuring officer. State officials also appointed a monitor. Last month, they sent letters to CarePoint hospitals ordering them to prepare a disaster plan in the event the facilities suddenly needed to close or stop services.

The case is CarePoint Health Systems, Inc. 24-12534, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington)

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics New Jersey
Nearly 100 protesters arrested at Trump Tower over Palestinian activist's arrest

Xinhua) 10:14, March 14, 2025

NEW YORK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 people were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Trump Tower in New York City to protest the detention of a pro-Palestinian student activist.

According to the New York Police Department, around 150 individuals dressed in civilian attire entered the Trump Tower -- U.S. President Donald Trump's New York residence and a property of the Trump Organization -- shortly before noon. Once inside, they removed their outer layers to reveal red T-shirts bearing pro-Palestinian slogans and began a sit-in. Footage from the scene captured protesters seated in the lobby, clapping and chanting "Free Palestine."

The demonstration was organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that identifies itself as "the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world." The organization has previously led protests at New York Grand Central Station.

The police raided the place and made fast arrests of 98 people, according to John Chell, chief of department with New York City Police Department (NYPD).

"Within 10 minutes, we started responding here from the police department. Within 40 minutes, 50 minutes, we started making arrests. We ended up making 98 arrests of people trespassing, obstructing governmental administration in this building," said Chell.

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by U.S. federal immigration agents on Saturday for his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the Columbia University in New York City.

Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and U.S. green card holder, was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at his university-owned apartment. He was one of the leading activists in student protests in April 2024 at the Columbia University against Israel's actions in Gaza, a movement that soon spread to college campuses across the country.

Trump vowed to revoke Khalil's green card and deport him, aligning with the new administration's intensified stance against what it perceives as rising anti-Semitism.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump wrote, "If you support terrorism ... your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here."

New York federal judge Jesse Furman blocked any immediate effort to deport Khalil until his attorneys and the federal government appear in court.

On Thursday, Khalil sued the Columbia University and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to block the school from sharing student disciplinary records. The committee had threatened federal funding cuts if the university failed to comply.

Last Friday, the Trump administration canceled 400 million U.S. dollars in federal funding for the Columbia University on anti-Semitic grounds and opened a review of more universities.

Khalil has not been charged with any crime but remains detained in an immigration center in Louisiana. His attorney claims the U.S. government is "retaliating" against him for advocating for Palestinians, arguing that his detention violates his right to free speech.

His arrest signals an escalation of the Trump administration's crackdown on protests, which officials have labeled antisemitic and a threat to Jewish students' safety.

Protests for Khalil's release have spread across New York, reflecting tensions over the administration's stance on anti-Semitism, immigration, and the Middle East within the week.

On Monday, demonstrators marched from Washington Square Park to City Hall, leading to multiple arrests. Rallies also took place at the Columbia University's Upper West campus.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Four Dutch crew members involved in a ship collision in Singapore have pleaded guilty for their role in the city-states worst oil spill in a decade, the Straits Times reported Wednesday.

Richard Ouwehand, Martin Hans Sinke, Eric Peijpers, and Merijn Heidema admitted to failing to discharge their duties properly and pleaded guilty to one charge each under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the newspaper said.

The sailors were on Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima when it struck bunker-fuel vessel Marine Honour at a shipping terminal in June 2024, damaging ten cargo oil tanks and necessitating repairs that could cost over S$6.6 million ($5 million). They are scheduled to be sentenced on April 2. Each of them can be fined up to S$50,000, jailed for up to two years, or both, the report said.

The spillage was carried by a tidal current as far as the east of the island for more than 30 kilometers (18 miles), leading to a clean-up that took over two months.

Photograph: Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima anchored off the coast of Sentosa island, Singapore, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Photo credit: Suhaimi Abdullah/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Numbers
A softer-than-expected market kept insurance premiums for technology companies down or flat in some lines in 2024, according to a new report from business insurance platform Embroker.

Embrokers 2024 Business Insurance Index: Tech Sector found average errors & omissions/cyber premiums for tech companies decreased 4% from 2023 to 2024  compared to a 12% uptick from 2022 to 2023. Meanwhile, directors & officers premiums remained flat, going up less than one percent year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Employee practices liability insurance premiums saw the highest average premium change with an 11% uptick in 2024, which was largely on-trend with the 10% premium increase from 2022 to 2023.

Embroker said increased competition among insurers and ample reinsurance capacity helped drive premiums down and allowed businesses to secure lower-cost coverage.

Nevertheless, the report noted that this affordability came with trade-offs. The softer market for tech companies was predicated on large carriers introducing new exclusions and coverage limitations, making their policies less comprehensive and leaving businesses vulnerable to gaps in protection, the report said.

There is more to the current soft market than meets the eye, as it does not reflect a reduction in overall risk for the tech sector, said Andy Lea, chief insurance officer at Embroker. In addition to increased competition and reinsurance capacity, tech businesses appeared more informed and filed fewer claims  all of which helped keep premiums more favorable in 2024.

He continued, However, with the evolving landscape of cyber threats and potentially significant shifts in regulatory policy, we could see the market tighten in short order.

The index analyzed full-year 2024 insurance purchasing data generated by Embroker tech customers  from early-stage, pre-revenue companies to companies with over $25 million in funding or over $5 million in revenue.

Embroker found some tech businesses expanded coverage  particularly in E&O/cyber and D&O policies  in response to last years softer-than-expected market. Others were more cautious, adjusting insurance budgets to fortify key protections while scaling back in lower-risk areas. New compliance laws like AI investment restrictions for tech firms with Chinese ties helped keep EPLI top-of-mind as well, Embroker added.

Embroker said companies that grew from between $5 million and $25 million to more than $25 million in funding saw the biggest jump in E&O/cyber pricing, with premiums surging 108%. Meanwhile, D&O premiums increased by 116% for companies boosting funding from between $5 million and $25 million to over $25 million. EPLI premiums also rose by 106% for companies that grew from 10-30 to over 30 employees.

Topics Trends InsurTech Tech Pricing Trends Market
Marylands insurance regulator has announced actions to settle a long-running dispute with Erie Insurance Group over a report on the insurers practices involving some urban agents and their insureds.

The Maryland Insurance Administration said its market conduct examination that was actually conducted four years ago uncovered unlawful practices resulting in fewer Erie policies written and renewed in urban ZIP codes, particularly in Baltimore City.

The insurer continues to strongly object to the report and says claims that it unfairly discriminates couldnt be further from the truth.

The examination of conduct from 2016 to 2020 found that Pennsylvania-based Erie encouraged insurance agents affiliated with its companies to engage in a practice they called front line underwriting, in which the agents were encouraged to reject otherwise qualified applicants who they deemed might be unprofitable for the company. The MIA noted that under state law, once an insurer establishes its underwriting eligibility guidelines and rates and files those rates with the state, it cannot refuse to issue a policy to anyone who meets those guidelines.

The MIA examination also found that Erie agents were penalized if their books of business resulted in a certain loss ratio, regardless of whether their customers qualified for Erie coverage. The penalties included reduced commissions and termination. The regulator found that this reliance on loss ratio primarily impacted insurance agents serving urban areas such as Baltimore. We trusted the Administration to be an objective regulator and chose to resolve this matter to move forward but make no mistake: suggesting that our goal of growing profitably in Maryland is done by discriminatory means is patently false and couldnt be further from the truth, an Erie spokesman stated.

The MIA said it is taking corrective actions against Erie as a result of its findings.

The investigations actually began in 2021, based on complaints from four insurance agencies about Eries practices. In 2023, MIA issued four public determination letters stating that Erie had violated Maryland state insurance law. Erie objected to the investigations findings and their release and filed due process complaints in U.S. District Court. MIA prevailed in that case, and Erie appealed to the U.S. Fourth Circuit, which found there was no reason for it to intervene in June 2024. The administration then entered into settlement discussions with Erie, resulting in a consent order that has now been released.

Erie maintains that it did not violate insurance laws and disagrees with the legal and factual findings in the examination report but agreed to the directives and corrective actions in the report

In a detailed written response to the report, Erie wrote: The Report states that the Administrations emphasis is on Eries encouragement of its appointed agents to adopt their own front-line underwriting guidelines. The Report finds that these guidelines led the agents to turn down qualified business that was considered likely to be unprofitable. Eries core alleged violation of Maryland law, according to the Report, was encouraging its agents to be profitable. Erie denies that encouraging its agents to be profitable violates Maryland law.

Erie added that it is committed to taking action to address the issues raised and has chosen to not appeal the report. Erie will refocus its resources on serving Eries Maryland policyholders and appointed agencies, rather than on expensive and distracting litigation with the Administration, the company stated. As part of the settlement, MIA and Erie agreed to a consent order with corrective actions. Under the order, Erie must: Cease and desist from all unlawful practices, including front line underwriting and direct or indirect use of adverse loss ratios, except as permitted by law.

Submit a corrective action plan for review and approval to the Insurance Administration.

Submit a list of all agent terminations and commission reductions, with an explanation of the actions, and prepare an efficient process for resolving any adverse findings concerning the proprietary of those actions.

Pay an administrative penalty of $400,000, due within one year of the order. If the Insurance Administration finds that the company is in continued compliance with the order, $200,000 of the penalty will be waived. The original dispute involved the handling of four administrative complaints filed with MIA alleging Erie engaged in discriminatory practices against low-income and minority communities in the Baltimore area. The complaints were filed by Baltimore Insurance Network, Burley Insurance & Financial Services, Ross Insurance Agency and Welsch Insurance Group. Early in the dispute, the insurer had maintained that the MIA has not afforded it adequate opportunity to respond to the complaints by the four Baltimore independent agencies. The insurer also claimed that MIA violated state law by disclosing confidential business information from market conduct exams and its determination letters on the discrimination allegations. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals found that state law afforded Erie adequate opportunity to raise its constitutional claims in the continuing administrative hearings and subsequent state court review. The court also found that Erie did not prove that past actions by MIA were motivated by bias that would affect future proceedings. Federal Court Wont Intervene in Erie Insurance Tiff With Maryland Regulator In their complaints, the agencies said that they were restricted from offering Eries policies to residents of primarily Black communities. They alleged that Erie threatened and penalized them for challenging what they maintain are Eries discriminatory redlining policies. The agencies claim the retaliatory actions hurt their business. While Erie has agreed to address the matters raised in the report, it still insists the entire process has been unfair and the findings are wrong. The insurer has expressed its disagreement in strong language in a statement to Insurance Journal.

Erie Insurance prioritizes ethical conduct, accountability, fairness and respect in all aspects of our business and this approach continues to set us apart in the industry. We find discrimination of any kind abhorrent and inconsistent with the values that have guided our business for 100 years. Erie Insurance does not discriminate in its business practices and the reports factual findings clearly do not support those claims, stated Matthew Cummings, communications director for the insurer.

We trusted the Administration to be an objective regulator and chose to resolve this matter to move forward but make no mistake: suggesting that our goal of growing profitably in Maryland is done by discriminatory means is patently false and couldnt be further from the truth. This was clearly demonstrated in our thorough and factual response and the 70-page market conduct exam.

MIA has defended the report.

A critical role of the Maryland Insurance Administration is to hold insurers accountable for actions that impact access to quality insurance products, said Acting Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant in releasing the report and consent order. The intent of these actions is to ensure that Erie and other licensed Maryland insurance companies follow the law going forward. It is essential that residents of Marylands urban areas have full and equal access to insurance.

Topics Claims Maryland
A group led by Stephen Miller, President Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff, is claiming victory after it got a commitment from Texas Techs medical school not to consider race in admission decisions, which the school continues to deny ever doing.

George Stewart sued Texas Tech University Health Science Center and five other medical schools in the state as well as their presidents, medical school deans and admission officers in 2023.

Stewart, who had a 3.96 grade point average as an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin and scored a 511 on his MCAT, claimed the schools rejected him in favor of lesser qualified students of color. He said he obtained data from Tech that revealed it accepted Black and Hispanic students with much lower MCAT scores than white and Asian students.

In a settlement agreement reached this month, Stewart agreed not to reapply to or to apply to work for Texas Tech and withdraw all his claims against the school. In exchange Texas Tech, which has denied any wrongdoing, promised not to consider race in admissions.

Nick Barry, senior counsel at America First Legal, the group that represented Stewart, said in a statement that Texas Tech had been violating students Fourteenth Amendment Constitutional right to equal protection.

Divvying up Americans based on race only creates problems and solves none, Barry said. All universities should take note of TTUHSCs decision and do likewise.

Both parties agreed to pay their own attorneys fees.

TTUHSCs School of Medicine did not consider race in admissions decisions when the lawsuit was filed, nor was there any intention of doing so in the future, university spokesperson Holly Russel said.

Stewarts initial lawsuit included five medical schools within the University of Texas System, but he was required to separate it into two cases. He withdrew the case against UT schools last year. It is unclear why, but he can bring a case again.

The Attorney Generals office, which represented Texas Tech, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It declined to represent the UT schools, so they had to hire outside counsel.

This was one of at least two cases America First Legal and Jonathan Mitchell, a former solicitor general for Texas, filed against higher education institutions in the state to chip away at affirmative action before the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional in 2023.

Its other case involved Texas A&M University and alleged a faculty fellowship program discriminated against white and Asian applicants. That case was ultimately dismissed.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has also used America First Legal in four lawsuits, targeting issues including protection for women in education and Title 42, immigration, and asylum programs. In some of these cases, America First Legal has agreed to work pro bono.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Photo: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Texas Tech University)

Topics Lawsuits Texas InsurTech Tech K-12
CANTON, Miss. (AP)  A medical helicopter that crashed in a wooded area in Mississippi reported a flight control problem shortly before a Monday crash that killed all three people on board, federal authorities said.

The pilot was going to attempt to land the helicopter in a field, according to radio traffic from the AirCare chopper to its companys communications base. It crashed shortly after that and caught fire, authorities said.

Investigators found marks in trees consistent with the aircrafts rotor striking them, National Transportation Safety Board member J. Todd Inman said at a Tuesday briefing near the crash site.

Killed were crew members Jakob Kindt, 37, of Tupelo, Mississippi, and Dustin Pope, 35, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Medical Center said in a statement. The pilot, Cal Wesolowski, 62, of Starkville, Mississippi, also died. Wesolowski worked for Med-Trans Corp., which partners with health care systems and agencies to provide medical flights. Med-Trans reportedly leases the AirCare helicopters to the medical center.

The helicopter was returning to its base in Columbus, Mississippi, from a patient transport when it crashed in Madison County around 12:30 p.m. Monday, the University of Mississippi Medical Centers vice chancellor for health affairs, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, said at a news conference.

The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this, Woodward said.

Photo: An AirCare helicopter for the University Medical Center in 2021. (Melanie Thortis/University of Mississippi Medical Center via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Aviation Mississippi
USG Insurance Services, a national wholesaler and managing general agent, has hired Joshua Reinhold as associate producer and broker in its Tampa office  another step in the companys nationwide expansion plans.

Reinhold has seven years of experience in the insurance business, including three years as an account associate at Insurance Office of America. He has worked on the MGA side and the brokerage side, USG said in a statement.

USG said it has offices across the country, represents more than 400 carriers, and is an MGA for several top carriers.
Southern California Edison will begin its first close-up physical inspections of certain power equipment under investigation for possible links to the start of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles early this year, Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro told Reuters at the CERAWeek conference in Houston on Thursday.

Several fires broke out across Los Angeles on Jan. 7, claiming dozens of lives and destroying thousands of homes in what is expected to be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.

Related: Insurer Payouts Now at $12B for LA Wildfires, Report Shows

While no official cause for the major fires has been released, multiple lawsuits have claimed SCE power lines and towers in the hills about the community of Altadena started one of the blazes  the Eaton Fire. Among those suing SCE are Los Angeles County and the City of Pasadena.

SCE, which delivers power to about 15 million people as the largest electric utility in Southern California, will send workers up the Altadena-area towers starting on Monday. Other inspections, including with drones, will also be deployed.

Related: Los Angeles County Sues Utility Edison Over Deadly Wildfire

Government investigators, attorneys for fire victims and SCE are separately, but in parallel, investigating the cause of the Eaton Fire.

The official cause of the blaze, and whether negligence was involved, is expected to determine what  if any  financial consequences SCE will face.

Edison International has said that a California-established Wildfire Fund will protect its balance sheet, which Pizarro reiterated on Thursday.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by David Gregorio)

Topics Louisiana
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara provisionally approved State Farms request for a 22% interim homeowners insurance rate hike, the California Department of Insurance announced on Friday.

The approval depends on whether the company can justify the rate increase with data during a public hearing scheduled for April 8.

In a statement, State Farm said, Its time for certainty in the California insurance market for our customers. The provisional nature of todays decision does not improve that certainty but its a step in the right direction. We are moving forward with implementing this provisionally approved rate and will continue to work with the California Department of Insurance for a sustainable future for the California insurance market.

State Farm General has worked openly and honestly with all parties in this process, the carrier continued. In addition, State Farm General will continue to monitor capacity to support its risks and build sufficient capital for the future.

Lara this week also called on State Farm to halt non-renewals and pursue a $500 million capital infusion from its parent company to restore financial stability. He presented this proposal during a meeting with State Farm representatives, CDI, and an intervenor.

State Farms rate increases  if they stand  would be effective June 1, and include 22% for homeowners, 15% for renters, 15% for condominium, and 38% for rental dwelling. State Farm in May 2023 stopped writing new policies in California and non-renewed thousands of existing policies.

Lara in mid-February opted not to approve the rate request from State Farm, instead calling a meeting with the carrier to get some answers about its financial situation.

Bloomington, Illinois-based State Farm said at the time of its request that the increases are needed to align cost and risk, and enable State Farm to rebuild capital. Over the last nine years, the lack of alignment has meant that for every $1 collected in premium, the carrier has spent $1.26, resulting in more $5 billion in cumulative underwriting losses, according to State Farm.

Ahead of todays decision, company executives and representatives of the consumer group Consumer Watchdog pled their opposing cases in letters to Lara.

During a Feb. 26 meeting, State Farm informed the commissioner that while it can cover claims from L.A. wildfires, the disaster worsened its financial condition. The Golden States top homeowners insurer partly blamed the devastating Los Angeles wildfires for its rate request. As of February 14, the carrier reported roughly 11,400 total home and auto claims, paying out more than $1.35 billion.

Insurance companies have so far paid out more than $12 billion for losses from the two biggest L.A.-area wildfires that swept through the region and destroyed tens of thousands of homes in January.

To resolve this matter, I am ordering State Farm to respond to questions in an official hearing, promoting transparency and a path forward, Lara stated. It is evident that other California insurers are unable to absorb State Farms existing customers, which poses a significant risk of these customers ending up on the FAIR Plana scenario we all wish to avoid as my Sustainable Insurance Strategy is implemented.

Consumer Watchdog responded to the commissioners decision, noting that it is provisional, and not an actual approval.

The commissioner called a hearing as Consumer Watchdog has been urging since State Farm made its unprecedented request for a $900 million emergency rate hike, Consumer Watchdog said in a statement. Its a victory for consumers that State Farm will have to make its case in a public hearing before a judge, and the judge will decide if a rate hike is justified. The company has so far failed to back up its request, and unless State Farm proves otherwise the outcome of a hearing should be a rejection.

State Farm is the states largest homeowners insurer. Following State Farm, the states biggest homeowners insurers are Farmers Insurance Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies, CSAA Insurance Group, Mercury Insurance Group, Allstate Insurance Group, Auto Club Enterprises, USAA Group, and Travelers.

Topics California
Black Bag



Married spies have a convenient get-out should they need to hide any secrets (ie, infidelities) from their spouses: Any incriminating information can be popped into the Black Bag (15A) where all the other need-to-know intel goes.

Which puts George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) in rather a bind when his wife and fellow intelligence operative Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) is suspected of betraying her country to the Russians by selling a malware programme designed to cause catastrophic meltdowns in nuclear power plants.

George cant very well ask Kathryn outright if shes a traitor; besides, George is the stiff-upper-lip sort of British intelligence agent, the kind who would prefer not to make a fuss if its likely to ruffle any feathers.

Cate Blanchett in Black Bag

What George can do, however, is assemble a team of fellow agents  Freddie (Tom Burke), Clarissa (Marisa Abela), James (Rege-Jean Page) and Zoe (Naomie Harris)  to help him uncover the truth, partly because theyre the best in the business, and partly because George believes one of them is setting up Kathryn as a pawn in a much bigger game.

Written by David Koepp and directed by Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag is a sleek, minimalist spy thriller  indeed, if we overlook the high-tech surveillance techniques, it feels like a stripped-down version of John le Carres Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, with the diffident, calculating George a dead ringer for George Smiley (albeit Fassbender physically resembles Michael Caines irreverent 1960s spy Harry Palmer, distinctively square spectacles and all).

The element of homage only adds to the enjoyment, however, as a fine cast  which includes Pierce Brosnan bringing some old-school Bond brutality as the spies amoral chief  deliver a taut psychological thriller, with Fassbender in terrific form as the quietly ruthless puppet master pulling strings with aplomb.

theatrical release

Opus



Ayo Edebiri steals the show in Opus

Opus (15A) stars Ayo Edebiri as Ariel, a 20-something journalist frustrated by the fact that her boss, Stan (Murray Bartlett), doesnt take her seriously enough to commission the meaningful features she wants to write.

When the fabled popstar Moretti (John Malkovich) announces the launch of his first album in 30 years, and invites Ariel and Stan to the big reveal at his remote Utah compound, the scene is set for a showdown  but neither Ariel nor Stan, nor their fellow invitees Clara (Juliette Lewis), Emily (Stephanie Suganami) and Bianca (Melissa Chambers), are even remotely prepared for the weirdness that is unleashed when they are finally ensconced at Morettis lair.

Written and directed by Mark Anthony Green, Opus is an uneven but deliciously savage satire on fame that also takes aim at the critics who feed on creativity. Malkovich is wonderfully OTT as the flamboyant Moretti, whose flunkies are cult members by any other name, but Ayo Edebiri steals the show with a wholly natural performance as the down-to-earth Ariel who calls bullshit on the self-indulgent excess.

Mind you, thats before the ceremonial executions begin. Good fun.

theatrical release

The Electric State



The Electric State stars Millie Bobby Byrne

Set in an alternative present in the wake of a cataclysmic war between humans and robots, The Electric State (12A) opens with the orphaned Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) joining forces with Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk), a robot that seems to be remotely controlled by her genius brother Christopher (Woody Norman). Robot-human interaction is illegal; more importantly, Christopher  to the best of Michelles knowledge  died some years previously.

Nevertheless, Michelle quickly teams up with black market renegade Keats (Chris Pratt) and sets out for a vast exclusion zone in the New Mexico desert, a robot graveyard that appears to be the site of Christophers mysterious broadcast.

Co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo shoehorn in plenty of sci-fi references to their fast-paced thriller, which features plenty of bickering, a smattering of good robot jokes, some fine clowning from Chris Pratt as the hapless Keats, and a terrifically spirited performance from Millie Bobby Brown as the irrepressible Michelle.

netflix
A 13-year-old boy is accused of murder in Adolescence - an intense and gripping new series from Netflix that has already become a talking point.

Family, masculinity and self-image are all examined in the four-hour series in which Jamie (an astonishing debut from Owen Cooper) is dramatically arrested and taken from his home, to the shock and despair of his father (actor and co-creator Stephen Graham) Like Boiling Point - also from director Philip Barantini - the series is filmed in one continuous shot, effectively adding to the jittery sense of drama as the facts of the case become known in real time.

Episode three is centred entirely around a conversation between the teenager and the clinical psychologist assigned to his case, played by Erin Doherty. It felt like a potentially groundbreaking piece of television, and taking part was a no-brainer, says the actress, who first heard about the series while working with Graham on boxing drama A Thousand Blows.

He started talking to me about this script that he was collaborating on with Jack Thorne, and I knew that they wanted it to be a one-shot thing, like Boiling Point, recalls Doherty. I'd seen Boiling Point, and I absolutely adored it, so I was just like: I can't wait to watch that. Then we wrapped that job, and I got a call from him a couple of months later that he wanted me to be a part of it.

Erin Doherty. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Graham chose wisely. Building on her strong roles in A Thousand Blows and as Princess Anne in The Crown, Doherty is terrific as Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to assess the teenager.

Because each series episode is shot in a single continuous take, the entire episode is filmed non-stop. It was an approach that fascinated and initially daunted Doherty - until she leaned into her theatrical roots.

Basically, we rehearsed for longer than we shot, in order to really get it right and to know that when it came to filming, we were on form and ready to go, she recalls.

The whole thing revolves around the mechanics of making this work. Its really daunting at first - but essentially, its like choreographing a dance. Phil Barantini, our director, was constantly bringing it back to us all being on the same page, so that if anything did fluctuate from the path that we'd like to tread, we were all ready to move as one creative mind to pick up that off-beat.

Once you did feel that level of support, just knowing that when they call action, whatever happens, we're all going to go with it, I ended up having one of the most fulfilling and joyous experiences that I've ever had shooting a project.

I think also, because I've got a background in theatre, I could click into that mentality of going: when you step on the roller coaster, you can't get off, and you just have to go with it. It's the same thing as going on stage every night and going: what happens, happens. This is the show that you're going to get tonight, and it's its own special little thing.

Adolescence: Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston, Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller.

We shot it twice a day, one in the morning, then we had lunch, and then we'd shoot it in the afternoon, and then we'd go home, because it was just too exhausting, physically and mentally, to maintain that level of focus for any longer than we had with those two takes.

Filming in real time also gave her an extra layer of respect for the therapists and clinical psychologists who do this job day in, day out, she adds. I can't fathom how they have that mental strength and agility to keep going, because spending three weeks on this project, I was in absolute bits by the end.

An actor who says preparation is her favourite part of her job, she also reached out to her own former therapist as part of her research for the role. She wanted to understand the day-to-day work and the role involved. I just wanted to really understand what it meant to be in that frame of mind. Then you dive into the actual point, the actual context of what it means to be in that room talking to the character of Jamie.

Doherty is proud of her Irish heritage, and is planning a big road trip to her grandfathers homeland in the near future. She has also been a visitor to Waterford, where her girlfriend comes from.

My dad's dad, my granddad, was from Carndonagh in Donegal. That's where we're from, and I've always been so proud to have that heritage. Me and my sister would go to him and my grandma every Wednesday after school. He was the kindest, warmest man. He'd always give us a couple of quid to go to the shop and get a little treat after school. We're planning our trip at the minute, me, my dad and my sister.

My girlfriend is Irish as well. She's from Waterford, so she was basically going: Were going to rent a van and we're going to drive you up there, and we're going all the way down the coast. We're planning it to specific detail, and I'm really excited that I get to do that with them.

Erin Doherty as Princess Anne in The Crown.

Acting is not Dohertys only skill - as a teenager, she got scouted to play for Chelsea, and she still adores the beautiful game. Last year, she was thrilled to play at Stamford Bridge as part of charity fundraiser Soccer Aid.

I fell in love with football, so it was very much part of my life. But for whatever reason, the football matches and the drama club that I went to on the weekends both fell on a Sunday, so my dad was having to, bless him, get me in the car in the mornings on a Sunday, drive me to these matches, and then get me in the car again and drive me to the drama club. It hit a point when he was like: I just can't do it. Some of these matches were at the opposite ends of the country.

I think acting's always been some therapeutic way of expressing myself and it probably took me about five minutes to understand that I'll just really lean into acting. I could never imagine myself not engaging with this way of being. It's a part of who I am.

Yet her love for football has contributed to her acting career, she feels. I think what it's really given me is a love of being a part of a team - I think I did get that from playing sport. It's formed that mentality in a way, and I'm grateful for it, because I'm happy to be a small part of something that hopefully reaches people.
There is barely a sod of turf across the island of Ireland that doesnt lay claim to the footsteps of St Patrick. From Downpatrick in the north to the Rock of Cashel in the south, Irelands patron saint traversed the length and breadth of the country, spreading his gospel and driving out snakes.

Not only was St Patrick Irelands first Christian, but arguably, he was the nations first hiker. By the time he died in 461, at the grand old age of 78, he had probably clocked up the equivalent of several circumferences of the earth. His longevity undoubtedly had much to do with his fitness.

Today, thousands of Irish men and women follow his example. We know there is nothing better than getting out for a ramble. Indeed, Ive been a fan of the activity all my life, whether it is a city, a mountain, a forest or, my favourite, a stroll by the sea, walking to me is heaven, and if Im on my own, its even better.

Not everyone likes to walk solo all the time. When the 220-plus members of Cork Backpackers Hillwalking Club take to the hills and mountains of Ireland, they do so as a group.

I have been a member since March 2022, says club secretary Siddhant Shahane.

I joined the club to spend time in nature with other like-minded people.

Having a desk job makes me want to spend time actively outdoors.

Niall Twamley, Pat Dineen and Siddhant Shahane. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

On the go since 1982, the club is based in Cork City but spends much of its time in the MacGillycuddys Reeks, Comeraghs Mountains, or Galtees.

They meet every second Sunday for what might be called their flagship hikes, but there is so much more to the club than just trooping up and down mountains.

I think there are many different reasons people join, says Shahane, but it is mainly down to wanting to make new friends, enjoy nature and get fit.

We have a very inclusive and welcoming atmosphere with multiple nationalities, and besides hillwalking, we organise many social events like coffee mornings, barbecues, and sea swims.

We often go for meals after the walks, and many friendships have been made and maintained informally outside of the club.

Shahane says that the members age range is mid-30s to late 50s, but there are plenty of members above 70, which indicates that hiking keeps you healthy.

A hike will ensure lower stress levels in the days following.

There have been studies done on this, and my own Garmin watch stress level reading tells me every week.

Along with the obvious cardio benefits, hiking on uneven terrain is known to strengthen muscles and improve stability, and it is relatively low-cost. It also improves mental endurance.

Walk to wellness

Fiona Shanahan of The Cork Backpackers walking at Muckross House in Killarney. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A 2016 study from Trinity College Dublin, entitled Walking to Wellbeing, found that Irish adults who walk for at least 150 minutes per week are more likely to rate their health as good, very good, or excellent. They also report a higher quality of life, score lower on the loneliness scale, and are more likely to engage in formally organised activities outside of work [such as] active and social leisure activities and volunteering.

If you were ever looking for a silver bullet in exercise, this is certainly one, says Dr Diane Cooper, a clinical exercise physiologist with EduFit who has guided people with various health problems to regain health through exercise.

There are so many benefits to walking, she says.

One of the biggest is for your cardiovascular fitness. That is an independent predictor of health, which means the fitter you are, the more protected you are from some of the chronic conditions that we suffer from today, like diabetes, certain types of breast cancer, and colon cancer. 

Walking is also effective in reducing blood pressure, says Cooper.

After you go for a walk, you get a 24-hour lowering effect on your blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, you need to walk most days of the week.

Walking will improve your cholesterol profile and regulate your blood sugar, through muscle contraction, so for anyone who has pre-diabetes or diabetes, it helps with that.

The Cork Backpackers group in Killarney. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A recent study from Harvard Health Publishing discovered that walking also counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes among those who walked briskly for about an hour a day. The researchers also reported a boost in immune function among walkers, and those who step out during cold and flu season are less likely to call in sick.

Indeed, those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least five days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less.

Walking has also proven beneficial to those suffering from arthritis-related pain.

Studies cited again by Harvard Health Publishing suggest that walking eight to 10km a week can prevent arthritis from forming.

Cooper says women going through menopause should take note of this benefit to bone health.

When we hit menopause, and we have all of these hormonal changes, we have a five-year rapid bone loss period, which is one of the reasons we have such high rates of osteoporosis in women in Ireland, particularly in the spine and the hips, she says.

Theres evidence that when [midlife] women do weight-bearing exercises such as walking, it increases the bone mineral density in their hips and spine, which is great for either the prevention of osteoporosis or treatment and management.

If you can complement that with resistance training, youre helping yourself.

Green and blue exercise

Members of The Cork Backpackers: Gary Salter, Alba Cugasti, Niall Murphy and Andrew Twomey. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

I explain to Cooper that when the dreaded writers block strikes, I often get up and go for a walk to clear my head and seek inspiration. Thankfully, it usually works.

If you study brain function after a 20-minute walk, you can see increased blood flow, oxygen, nutrients all around the body and of course that happens around the brain as well, she says.

Youll feel invigorated everywhere. So when youre stuck on something at work or tired, thats the best time to go for a walk, even 10 minutes, because when you come back, youre more alert and creative.

As to my favourite pastime  a walk by the sea  it seems the benefits are better again.

There is a whole branch [of research] looking into the idea of whats called green and blue exercise, says Cooper.

The Cork Backpackers group in Killarney. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

We know the benefits are enhanced for people who walk or exercise in green areas like forests or fields in the countryside and blue spaces like along a river or beside the sea.

While walking in nature is ideal, Cooper encourages us to prioritise exercise, regardless of the location. Exercise anytime and anywhere is the right time and place. One of the biggest barriers that people report is a lack of time. But its important we realise that all movement counts. My key tip is to move as much as you can when you can.

So, while none of us will clock up as many kilometres as St Patrick, we can all aim to get walking that little bit more and do ourselves no end of good.
Donald Trump has gone on the offensive against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in America. One of the first executive orders he issued as US president banned all federal DEI programmes.

The ramifications of his actions have been significant, particularly regarding job losses. Its not just government employees who have been affected. Large organisations, including Amazon, Alphabet (formerly known as Google), Meta, and Accenture, have followed Trumps lead and announced they are scrapping their DEI initiatives, too.

There is no strict legal definition of DEI, but Damien McCarthy, managing director of the HR Buddy consultancy firm, outlines how it is understood in practice.

Diversity refers to the representation of people from a variety of backgrounds at all levels in an organisation, a diversity of races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations, he says.

Damien McCarthy: No research suggests a firm should drop DEI policies.

Equity focuses on fairness and impartiality, especially in relation to whether people are fairly paid, treated and considered for opportunities for progression. Inclusion is about whether people feel like they belong and are heard and valued in their organisation.

Siobhra Rush, a partner at the employment law specialists Lewis Silkin, says Irish law protects us from discrimination.

It sets the basic rules to protect people from unfavourable treatment based on things like age, disability, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, but DEI policies go further, she says. They actively promote a culture of inclusion and belonging at work.

Caroline Murphy is an associate professor of employment relations at the University of Limerick. She elaborates further on Rushs point: Rather than focusing solely on preventing discrimination, DEI focuses on behavioural and cultural change, addressing individual and organisational approaches to integrating different backgrounds, viewpoints and characteristics.

No compromise on standards

Siobhra Rush: DEI can help companies comply with their legal requirements.

Rush provides examples of how some companies have done this. None of them involve hiring underqualified people, as Trump has insinuated.

Thats a total misunderstanding of what DEI policies are about, she says. DEI policies dont compromise on safety or performance standards. They focus on removing barriers and creating a work environment where everyone can contribute their best. This might mean running training programmes to raise awareness about unconscious bias, forming employee resource groups to support underrepresented groups, or taking steps to make recruitment and promotion policies fairer and more inclusive.

One criticism of DEI initiatives is that they contradict the meritocratic system, which rewards the best-qualified, most talented, and hardest-working employees. According to Murphy, this is not the case.

Well-designed DEI policies support fairness and decency in how people are treated in the workplace and this applies to everyone, she says.

For a DEI policy to succeed, Murphy believes this message needs to be clearly spelt out to everyone in the workplace. The media may currently be full of stories about organisations dropping their DEI approaches, but the DEI backlash has always existed. People have this perception that DEI delivers nothing for them. The solution to this is for companies to demonstrate that everyone benefits from these policies, if not now, then at a point in the future when their circumstances may be different.

Facts and figures

Caroline Murphy: DEI supports fairness and decency in how people are treated. Picture: Don Moloney

Far from holding people back or negatively impacting organisations, DEI is good for business. A 2019 McKinsey report analysed data from more than 1,000 companies across 15 countries and found that gender, ethnic, and cultural diversity was strongly linked to financial performance. Gender-diverse organisations outperformed their peers by 15%, and ethnically diverse organisations outperformed their peers by 35%.

A 2023 survey by the recruitment company Monsters showed that DEI initiatives can help recruit talent, particularly younger talent. Some 83% of Gen Z respondents said that a companys commitment to DEI was significant when choosing an employer.

A 2015 US study examined data from 4,597 health sector employees and concluded that diversity practices were associated with increased employee engagement. Other studies have linked DEI with enhanced productivity, innovation, and creativity, reduced turnover, and less conflict in the workplace.

Theres no research whatsoever to suggest that an organisation should drop its DEI policies, says McCarthy. Research the world over shows that DEI is good for people and good for business.

Rush points out that companies that decide to discontinue anti-discrimination or anti-harassment training could be exposing themselves to potential problems.

They are opening themselves up to legal risk. This is because its a defence to a discrimination claim in the Workplace Relations Commission if an employer can demonstrate that they took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent discrimination or harassment. Providing regular training on equality policies is one of those practicable steps.

Hidden impact of DEI

Lucy Michael: Theres data out there to show the positive impact of these policies.

Lucy Michael supports organisations that want to provide such training. She is a former academic who spent 16 years researching how people behave and how organisations work.

Theres so much data out there to show the positive impact these policies have on everything from attracting talent, employee engagement and employee turnover to how your organisation is viewed in terms of its values, she says.

Michael wonders if the reason many companies quickly abandoned their DEI policies was because these benefits had never been explained to them.

DEI policies can feel quite soft sometimes as if theyre nice to have but not really necessary, she says. But they offer a significant return on investment, and Id urge anyone working in DEI to identify this return on investment for their senior leaders. Unless you are clear on what you are achieving by implementing these programmes, senior leaders could find an excuse to cut them.

Much of her consultancy work involves helping companies to do just that: I work with companies to identify the impact their DEI initiatives are having and show them how to measure that impact. I also help them identify areas where they could go better. Basically, my aim is to support them in ensuring that their organisation is made up of people with diverse talents who are supported in working together to the best of their ability and are properly recognised and rewarded for doing so.

Employees and the organisations they work for can thrive when these conditions are in place. Its a win-win situation, no matter what the anti-women, anti-disabled people, anti-migrant, and anti-ethnic-minority brigade want us to think.
The UN has given the Government new information concerning the death of Private Sean Rooney.

The Irish Examiner has been told a flash drive was handed over to the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York on March 5.

The information was sent, according to a UN diplomat with knowledge of the Pte Rooney case, from the under-secretary-general for legal affairs and United Nations legal counsel Elinor Jane Britt Hammarskjold.

The Irish Examiner has asked Irelands mission what is on the flash drive, which follows requests for more information from Rooney family lawyer Darragh Mackin.

But it is expected to contain information garnered from Unifil and UN's administrative reviews of protocols and procedures on the night Pte Rooney was killed on December 14, 2022.

Of the decision to provide Pte Rooneys family with more detail, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres spokesperson said last December the UN had already provided quite a bit of information to Pte Rooneys family.

More information is coming down the pipeline, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said: "We have been advised, in line with normal diplomatic communications from the UN, that (a) response has been issued to the Permanent Mission of Ireland and will now be transmitted to the coroner.

"Due to the ongoing inquiries, it would be inappropriate for the Department of Defence to make any comment in advance of these inquiries concluding."

They added the information came after "numerous representations made at both political and ministerial level to the UN" regarding a request made by the Dublin City Coroner to access reports in relation to Pte Rooney's death.

Questions remain about the exact sequence of events from the moment Pte Rooney arrived in one vehicle at a checkpoint just across the River Litani in southern Lebanon at the same time a vehicle with his commanding officer, Captain David Kelly in it did.

These questions also revolve around why exactly both vehicles became separated, and why did they lose communication with each other.

There are also issues around the state of the vehicles being driven by both sets of troops on the night, with concerns already raised about the tailgate of Pte Rooney's vehicle and issues with the spec of the tyres on the vehicle carrying Captain Kelly.

To date, the UN has always insisted its final board of inquiry report  which is based on Unifils so-called administrative report into the incident  could not be made public.

Unifils report was completed in January 2024 and while a copy went to the UN in New York, a redacted version was also sent to gardai and the Government.

Unifils investigation was launched a few hours after Pte Rooney and three colleagues were fired on in Al-Aqibiya on the night of December 14, 2022.

After members of a group of people who had surrounded the vehicle in the southern Lebanese town managed to pull open the tailgate of the vehicle, Pte Rooney managed to get away from them.

But as the 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was driving his colleagues to safety  and saving their lives  a volley of shots were fired into the back of his vehicle.

At least one bullet hit Pte Rooney moments before he crashed and the vehicle, which was just four minutes from the main highway into Beirut, overturned.

Trooper Shane Kearney, from Killeagh, Co Cork, sustained a serious head injury during the crash and he is still recovering from his injuries.
WARNING: Some readers may find the following report upsetting

A convicted rapist who had only been in Ireland for a few days before he raped, sexually assaulted and falsely imprisoned a young woman has been jailed for 10 years.

Randi Gladstone, aged 41, formally from Guyana, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury earlier this year of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25, 2023.

Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. Gladstone has been in custody since August 2023.

Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said this offending has had a profound impact on the young woman and her family. He noted that she has suffered significant emotional distress and is nervous and anxious when out.

Judge McGrath agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that this offending falls in the 10 to 15-year sentencing category and said Gladstone preyed on this young vulnerable woman.

He said: This is a very serious offence with a considerable breach of trust.

The defendant took advantage of this young woman's young age, vulnerability and inexperience.

The judge rejected the defence claim that this was opportunistic and said Gladstones actions clearly show cunning and planning.

The judge said: I cannot ignore the defendants appalling previous convictions. He noted that Gladstone has no mitigating factors except that he is a foreign national serving time in an Irish prison.

Judge McGrath sentenced Gladstone to 10 years in prison saying there is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence. Judge McGrath said, I was particularly impressed in the manner in which the young woman gave her evidence and how she and her family approached the case.

Detective Garda Carol Corrigan told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the victim, who was aged 18 at the time, had been staying in the accommodation for several days prior to the assault.

Gladstone had interacted with her and members of her family. On the day in question, the victim stood outside her hotel room dictating a message to her friend when Gladstone approached her. He asked her what she was doing and what age she was, and she told him she was 18.

The court heard that Randi Gladstone still maintains that the activity was consensual. File picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

The court heard that Gladstone asked the girl to step into his room so he could ask her something.

She did so but immediately knew something was not right. He asked her if she had a boyfriend and told her she was beautiful. He then asked her to hook up. She did not know what that meant, and when he explained it to her, she said no. He told her that he would take care of her and that he loved her.

Det. Gda Corrigan said Gladstone then asked if he could kiss her and also offered to give her money, and again she said no. The victim then went to leave, and Gladstone kissed her.

The girl then froze, and Gladstone began to kiss her body and unbuckle and remove her shorts and underwear. He told her to relax before digitally penetrating her and then raping her.

The court heard the young woman did not fight back due to fear. When Gladstone was finished, he told her to come back later for more.

He then looked up and down the corridor before the young woman ran to her room. She took a shower in the dark and then called her mother and told her what happened. Her mother was extremely angry and confronted Gladstone, who denied all misconduct.

A short time later, the young woman and her family visited St Vincent's Hospital. 30 minutes after the family left to attend the hospital, Gladstone appeared at reception looking anxious and nervous and enquired where the family had gone.

He then left the accommodation and, at 7.30am the following morning, bought a ferry ticket to the UK. However, he was unable to board the ferry as he was barred from entering the UK, and was refunded the cost of the ticket.

Gladstone was arrested a short time later. He was questioned but denied the allegations and said that the activity was consensual.

Victim impact statement

A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim's brother, which described the profound effects this crime has had on my life, my family and my future. It describes the emotional stress, nightmares, depression and anger that the girl has suffered.

I would get so angry about every little thing. I wanted the pain I felt to be felt. I hurt myself with a lighter for a while, but I still hurt inside. That was when I thought about not being alive anymore.

The statement concluded with the young woman saying she was grateful for justice and expressed her gratitude to the judge, jury, legal team and the gardai.

The Director of Public Prosecutions placed this offence in the 10- to 15-year bracket on the grounds of the young age of the woman, the breach of trust and the facts and nature of Gladstone's previous convictions.

Det. Gda Corrigan agreed with John Peart SC, defending that Gladstones previous convictions for rape in the UK are from the same case and date back to 2001.

Mr Peart said his client still maintains that the activity was consensual. He said the injured party was not injured. Counsel said his client is a foreign national, and serving time in an Irish prison would be difficult. He also said, I respectfully say that this falls below the 10-year level.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
WARNING: Some readers may find the following report upsetting

A teenager who says that she was raped by two teeangers in the back of a car on an afternoon at Limerick Racecourse cried as she told friends that day: They wouldnt stop, I kept saying no.

A number of friends of the complainant gave evidence to Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of nine women and three men at the Central Criminal Court in Cork, where two teenagers  aged 13 and 15 at the time  are on trial for raping and sexually assaulting the then 16-year-old.

Friends of the complainant described meeting in one girls home that morning in Limerick to get dressed up and put on make-up, and some of them had drinks before getting taxis to the St Stephens Day 2023 race meeting.

They also described an incident later in the afternoon when their friend was crying and visibly upset about something.

'She was screaming she wanted to die'

One witness said: She could not get out full sentences, just spatters of words. She kept talking about the car, the car, repeating herself, saying, the fucking (surname), I had sex with the fucking (surname) They wouldnt stop. I kept saying no. It was never, he, always, they.

She was angry. She was hitting things, screaming she wanted to die, she wanted to kill herself.

At one stage during her evidence this witness cried and needed a break when describing her friend saying she wanted to kill herself.

Later she said her friend was embarrassed and even mortified and didnt want her friends to worry about her. She said the complainant is a very funny person and later that evening, so as not to worry them, she made jokes to make light of matters, saying: OK, I lost my virginity tonight, I have battle scars.

Friend's evidence

Another friend described the complainants upset at the racecourse that afternoon when she cried and blamed herself, saying, Its my fault.

She told me there were three of them and that two of them took out their penises and she had sex with two of them and that they left marks on her chest, this witness said, later describing the marks as bite marks or hickeys.

One friend hugged the complainant when she was crying and very upset at the racecourse. Today, she recalled the complainant saying: Im such a slut. She began spitting. Later in a bathroom at the racecourse she was also repeatedly spitting into a sink, the witness said.

A witness agreed that there was a huge crowd at the races that day. She said that when the complainant left her at one stage in the afternoon to go to the bathroom she arranged to ring her after five minutes so that they wouldnt get separated. However, she said that the complainant did not return after five minutes and did not answer her phone despite multiple calls.

She said that later, when she did see the complainant, she had never before seen her in the condition she was in  angry and crying and saying she wanted to kill herself.

The trial will resume on Tuesday, March 18.

The two defendants are both charged with raping and sexually assaulting the then 16-year-old girl. A third boy is accused of aiding and abetting the first two defendants in carrying out these offences and he is also charged with falsely imprisoning the girl. All three pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
People power. Grassroots movement. Collective action.

Tell me, what or who do you see? If its the political left, you need a reset. These days, its the right who are gathering, collectivising, networking, and changing the course of history.

I was unsurprised when I heard the Burkes were on their way to Washington. The rumour that Trumps special government employee had invited them over seemed plausible.

When a post on X falsely claimed that "Enoch Burke, a Christian school teacher in Ireland will be stripped of his salary after refusing to use they/them pronouns," Musk re-shared it with one word: "Wow."

Elon is estranged from his transgender daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson, whom he describes as having been infected by the woke virus. Wilson, in turn, describes her father as uncaring and narcissistic.

So, for Elon, Enoch Burke is a friend of the American right. Sure, Musk hasnt entirely bought into personal faith yet, but details dont matter to the right. Their eye is coldly fixated on cultural change.

Connection. Collaboration. United not divided. More alike than different. These are not simply slogans for the left.

As it turned out, the Burkes ended up protesting outside the White House, but we shouldnt have been in the least bit surprised if they had been invited to the party.

The right is huge on community. Inviting the Burkes would have been a perfectly reasonable way to gather foot soldiers to Make America Great Again.

These guys are masters of collective action. The march on the Capitol was a hugely successful event. Take right and wrong out of it, it was hugely effective and fuelled the next election  one absolutely won by misogyny.

Men comprised 81.3% (625 of 716) of the charged rioters. Predictably in 2024, more men voted for Trump than the previous election. Trump performed better among Black men and among Latino men.

Trump shouted: "If you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." So, people fought. Trump ignited fire in their bellies. Fellow lefties, I ask you, where is the fire in ours?

Before Trump, we endured Brexit, yet another example of superb collective action. In this instance it was more about age than gender. Seventy-eight percent of those aged 65 or over voted in the 2015 election, compared with 43% of 1824-year-olds. Older people still retain memories of collective political action  the almost moral imperative to vote.

The left and collective action

The left, in contrast, has become increasingly bad at bringing people together. We managed it in our recent referenda, but we are now looking at a centre-right cabinet with fewer women than the one before. We are splintering into nothingness.

According to journalist and documentary maker Alan Curtis, our lack of collective energy stems from hyper-individualism. In an interview with podcaster Adam Buxton, he even relates this to the absence of heady romance in our young people.

Is he right? Are young people too busy taking selfies to notice anyone else? Have they become so consumed by themselves that they cant be bothered to try putting themselves in the shoes of others, something that's essential for co-operation?

Whatever about teenage behaviour, adult behaviour has also shifted. For moral guidance, we refuse to look to any collective power and instead turn our gaze towards celebrities.

For political agency, we look there too. During the 2024 American election, intelligent people genuinely believed that George Clooney and Taylor Swift could save the world.

Michael Sheen is our latest moral guide, featured on Channel 4 on Monday trying to solve vulture capitalism all by himself. He is wonderful, but we cant vote for him.

Spend five minutes watching Megan Sussex on Netflix telling us all how to be a good friend, and youll get my point. Life through a left lens feels meaningless, flimsy, devoid of direction. Meanwhile, the right is experiencing success after success.

Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House last month. Men like Trump and Musk and even Enoch Burke have one distinct advantage  they are politically represented. File photo: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg

We sit in disbelief asking why the Burkes are travelling to America. The far more important question to answer is this  where are we going? What, if anything, are we doing?

Thankfully, its not all bad news. There is a growing collectivism on the left that is heartening  helped, unpredictably, by religious leaders.

Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, angered Donald Trump when she called on him to see immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community as human beings.

In February Pope Francis, now extremely ill, openly criticised Trumps deportation plans. Last month, he wrote a letter to bishops describing Mary, Joseph and Jesus as emigrants and refugees. As TP O'Mahony wrote in the Irish Examiner recently, it's rather shocking for the pope to become a defender of democracy, but here we are.

The left should amplify these voices and collect beneath the wing of anyone who is championing humanity. Sadly, were so jaded that all moral guidance is painted as self-congratulatory, pompous, and conceited.

So, we go back to fixating on appearances. According to Adam Curtis, we even avoid mentioning death, because all we believe in is ourselves. This tracks for me.

What must the left do?

My (no doubt unwanted) advice? We must not give up on our collective faith in humanity  wherever that faith comes from.

I have no doubt that the Burkes will make American connections on their visit, even if they dont make it past the gates. There are people with very deep pockets over there, only dying to help. We underestimate them at our peril.

On the left, we must make connections too.

Last week, I celebrated International Womens Day at Nano Nagle Place in Cork City. I was reminded of the amazing work conducted by Irish nuns (a collective). However we might reject the Catholic Church in 2025, and rage against its abuses, it was expert at bringing people together.

It was a collective. Nano Nagle, who founded the Presentation Sisters was an impressive individual, no question, but her work involved collective action.

The centre is named after her, but she did not work alone. She was part of group of women. In 1771, she poured her inheritance into founding a convent, initially for the Ursuline sisters, in Cove Lane.

Then, wanting to work outside the convent walls, she established another order, the Presentation Sisters, with three other women. They were a group brought together by a shared belief in the worthiness of all people, including the worthiness of exceptionally poor Cork girls.

Indeed, Dr Aine Hyland, speaking at the event, described the collective movements of women through Irish history, including her own two grandmothers.

Then she made a remarkably interesting comment. She said she hopes that women will not always be hoping and praying outside the door, listening in to the big decisions being made by men.

John Smith, CEO of Nano Nagle Place, and Dr Aine Hyland present the inaugural Nano Nagle Award to Sumaya Mohammed in recognition of her dedication to climate justice, advocacy, and empowerment as part of last week's celebration of International Womens Day. Dr Hyland said she hopes that women will not always be 'hoping and praying outside the door', listening in to the big decisions being made by men. Picture: Clare Keogh

This is where I will stop criticising the failure of the left to create successful collective movements. Men like Trump and Musk and even Enoch Burke have one distinct advantage  they are politically represented. They are already in the room, even if some of them are concurrently holding placards at a gate.

The key obstacle for women and minorities on the left is that we are trying to create change from outside. We might as well be Michael Sheen, railing against the might of banks that will not even take his phone calls.

So, how can we produce an equally effective kind of collectivism, but without violence and against hate? I dont know. But the answer isnt Megan Sussex or Taylor Swift. Its not the personal trainer. Its not to be found in my anti-wrinkle  death denial cream either. Nor is it down the camera of my phone.

I know it relates to political representation, but what else? What might the new collectivism on the left look like?

In the words of Smashing Pumpkins, despite all my rage, I still feel like a rat in a cage. Id like to get out. Id like to join a movement that feels powerful without being shouty. Something like a church, but not that either. This week, Im going to see whats out there. Im going to exit the cage, turn up and do my best to connect.

People power. Grassroot movement. Collective action.

Youve been gone too long; Im coming to get you.
Representatives of China, Russia and Iran have called for an end to US sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme and urged new multinational talks on the issue.

The talks are the latest attempt to broach the matter and follow American President Donald Trump writing to Irans supreme leader in an attempt to jump-start talks.

The letter, which has not been made public, was offered as Mr Trump levied new sanctions on Iran as part of his maximum pressure campaign that holds out the possibility of military action  while emphasising he still believes a new deal could be reached.

Officials from the three nations who met Friday morning emphasised the necessity of terminating all unlawful unilateral sanctions, Chinas vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu read from a joint statement, flanked by Russias deputy foreign minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Irans deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

US President Donald Trump is expected to speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (Pool via AP)

The three countries reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard, Mr Ma read.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was due to meet the representatives later in the day.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked Mr Trump, saying he was not interested in talks with a bullying government, although Iranian officials have offered conflicting signals over the possibility of negotiations.

Mr Trump sent a letter to Khamenei in 2019 with no apparent effect on rising tensions.

China and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with France and the UK, that took part in the original 2015 Iran nuclear deal preliminary framework agreement alongside Germany and the European Union.

Mr Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018, setting in motion years of attacks and tensions in the wider Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khameini has said he will not negotiate with a bullying state (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

China and Russia have particularly close relations with Iran through energy deals, and Iran has provided Russia with bomb-carrying drones in its war against Ukraine.

They are also seen as sharing a joint interest in diminishing the role of the US and other liberal democracies in determining world events in favour of their own highly authoritarian systems.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons programme to do so.

Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 661lbs.

The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Irans programme put its stockpile at 18,286lbss as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity.

While Iran has maintained it will not negotiate under duress, its economy has been savaged by the US sanctions. Protests over womens rights, the economy and Irans theocracy in recent years have also shaken its government.

China has sought to become more involved in Middle Eastern affairs and a year ago hosted talks leading to the full restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Iran increasingly relies on electronic surveillance and the public to inform on women refusing to wear the countrys mandatory headscarf, a United Nations report found.

The investigation comes as hard-liners in Iran push for harsher penalties on those protesting against the law in the wake of Mahsa Aminis death in 2022.

The findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran come after it determined last year that the countrys theocracy was responsible for the physical violence that led to the death of Ms Amini.

The @UN Fact-Finding Mission on #Iran said in a new report today that the Government continues to ramp up efforts to restrict the rights of women, girls and others demanding human rights, as part of a concerted effort to crush dissent.



 https://t.co/4gyLTLRiuw #HRC58 pic.twitter.com/dUX3v1pVDe  UN Human Rights Council  #HRC59 (@UN_HRC) March 14, 2025

Her death in Tehran led to nationwide protests against the countrys mandatory hijab laws and public disobedience against them that continues even today, despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment.

The report said: Two and a half years after the protests began in September 2022, women and girls in Iran continue to face systematic discrimination, in law and in practice, that permeates all aspects of their lives, particularly with respect to the enforcement of the mandatory hijab.

The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility.

UN investigators outlined how Iran increasingly relies on electronic surveillance. Among the efforts include Iranian officials deploying aerial drone surveillance to monitor women in public places.

At Tehrans Amirkabir University, authorities installed facial recognition software at its entrance gate to also find women not wearing the hijab, it said.

Mahsa Aminis death in 2022 sparked outrage and protests around the world (Alamy/PA)

Surveillance cameras on Irans major roads also are believed to be involved in searching for uncovered women.

UN investigators said they obtained the Nazer mobile phone app offered by Iranian police, which allows the public to report on uncovered women in vehicles, including ambulances, buses, metro cars and taxis.

Users may add the location, date, time and the licence plate number of the vehicle in which the alleged mandatory hijab infraction occurred, which then flags the vehicle online, alerting the police, the report said.

It then triggers a text message (in real-time) to the registered owner of the vehicle, warning them that they had been found in violation of the mandatory hijab laws, and that their vehicles would be impounded for ignoring these warnings.

Enforcement of hijab laws have been dialled up (AP)

Those text messages have led to dangerous situations. In July 2024, police officers shot and paralysed a woman who activists say had received such a message and was fleeing a checkpoint near the Caspian Sea.

Ms Aminis death sparked months of protests and a security crackdown that killed more than 500 people and led to the detention of more than 22,000 others.

After the mass demonstrations, police dialled down enforcement of hijab laws, but ramped it up again in April 2024 under what authorities called the Noor  or Light  Plan.

At least 618 women have been arrested under the Noor Plan, the UN investigators said, citing a local human rights activist group in Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran executed at least 938 people last year, a threefold increase from 2021, the UN said.

While many were convicted of drug charges, the report said the executions indicate a nexus with the overall repression of dissent in this period.

As Iran continues its crackdown over the hijab, it also faces an economic crisis over US sanctions due to its rapidly advancing nuclear programme.

While US President Donald Trump has called for new negotiations, Iran has yet to respond to a letter he sent to its 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Social unrest, coupled with the economic woes, remain a concern for Irans theocracy.
Serbias capital Belgrade is on edge ahead of a major rally against President Aleksandar Vucics populist government this weekend, as authorities ramp up efforts to dissuade people from attending.

The protest on Saturday is seen as a culmination of months of anti-corruption demonstrations in the Balkan country and a test for Mr Vucics right-wing government, which has faced mounting popular discontent.

The autocratic Serbian leader has repeatedly warned that violence is planned at the rally while also threatening arrests over any incidents.

Tractors were parked by supporters of the Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade (AP)

Mr Vucics supporters have been camping in the city centre, fuelling fears of clashes with the protesters.

Despite mounting tensions, tens of thousands of students and other protesters are expected to converge on Belgrade from all over Serbia.

Students who have been marching or cycling toward Belgrade for days are expected to arrive on Friday evening for a festival-like welcome in the city.

Previous student-led rallies in other Serbian cities have been peaceful while drawing huge crowds.

On Friday, tractors were parked around a park outside the Serbian presidency building in Belgrade where Mr Vucics supporters, including former paramilitary fighters, have organised a counter-protest.

Authorities said the Parliament building across the street will be locked for the next three days for security reasons.

Authorities are trying to dissuade people from attending the demo (AP)

Also on Friday, Serbias railway company Srbijavoz said it was stopping all intercity travel over an alleged bomb scare, a move seen as a way to prevent people from traveling to Belgrade.

University students in Serbia are a key force behind the nationwide anti-corruption movement which started after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Serbias north more than four months ago, killing 15 people.

Almost daily protests have rattled Mr Vucics firm grip on power in Serbia with the momentum gradually building in favour of the demands for change.

Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry but the ruling populists have been accused of stifling democratic freedoms while strengthening relations with Russia and China.

Major protests are expected this weekend (AP)

Mr Vucic has rejected proposals to form a transitional government that would schedule an election in six months. He has said he will step down only if they kill me.

The Serbian President has described the protests as a Western-orchestrated ploy to oust him from power and destroy Serbia. He is set to address the nation later on Friday.

Many in Serbia blamed the crash on November 1 in Novi Sad on government corruption and negligence that resulted in poor renovation work on the central train station building.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared by video link before judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The appearance comes days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly war on drugs he oversaw while in office.

The 79-year-old Duterte did not show up at the court in The Hague, but he appeared briefly on a video screen from the detention centre nearby where he is being held.

Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc explained that Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first ICC hearing by videoconference because he had just come off a long flight.

Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, spoke briefly to confirm his name and date of birth.

The former president was to be read his rights and formally informed of the charges of crimes against humanity that the courts prosecutors filed against him after a lengthy investigation.

Protesters calling for Dutertes imprisonment in the Philippines (AP)

His supporters contest the arrest and say the court does not have jurisdiction.

Estimates of the death toll during Dutertes presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported and up to 30,000, according to numbers from human rights groups.

The court is expected to set a date for a key pretrial hearing  likely months from now  at which judges will assess whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial, which could take years.

If Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

His daughter, Philippine vice president Sara Duterte, met supporters outside the court on Friday, and said that she was seeking to visit her father and to have the hearing moved.

Ms Duterte is a political rival of the current President.

Pro-Duterte campaigners have made their voices heard in the Netherlands (AP)

She said: Well, our expectation is that  they will give us permission to visit the former president, and (the) other one is we hope that they will allow our request to move the initial appearance.

Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday amid chaotic scenes in the Philippine capital after returning from a visit to Hong Kong.

He was swiftly put on a chartered jet and flown to the Netherlands.

After a series of medical checks on arrival, he was taken to the courts detention centre, located behind the high brick walls of a Dutch prison complex close to the North Sea coastline.

Dutertes supporters outside the court chanted: Send him back! Send him back! as they waited for his arrival.

Activists marched in the Philippine capital region, demanding justice for the thousands of suspects killed in Dutertes brutal crackdowns.

Other groups set up large screens to allow families of suspects killed in the crackdowns to watch the ICC proceedings.
The United Nations food agency said on Friday that more than one million people in war-torn Myanmar will be cut off from food assistance because of critical funding shortfalls.

A statement from the World Food Programme said that most food rations currently distributed in Myanmar will be cut off in April, even as the country faces a desperate humanitarian crisis caused by bitter fighting between the military government and powerful militias opposed to its rule.

The WFP said it would need 60 million dollars (46 million) to continue food assistance in Myanmar and called on its partners to identify additional funding.

It was not immediately clear if the WFPs decision was directly related to the moves by the Donald Trump administration in the US to stop most foreign aid and dismantle the US Agency for International Development, which have had wide-ranging effects on humanitarian efforts around the globe.

A man carrying food wades through a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Aung Shine Oo/AP)

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked whether the Myanmar funding cuts were a result of the US cuts, told reporters at UN headquarters in New York: Its all co-mingled, stressing that the US is a big funder of WFP.

He said all UN agencies are actively engaging with US authorities to explain to them the damage, the immediate damage thats been done.

A 90-day freeze on foreign assistance programs announced by Mr Trump has led to other cuts in services for refugees from Myanmar, including the shutdown of hospital care in camps in neighbouring Thailand where more than 100,000 are living, according to activists and Thai officials.

The US has been a core contributor in the food security and livelihood sector in Myanmar and there was already a shortfall last year with humanitarian needs only about 40% funded, said a senior leader in the aid sector based in Asia.

The new cuts, she said, have created a devastating situation, forcing NGOs to abandon many programmes, hitting vulnerable populations like people with disabilities, women and children the hardest, she said.

The lifesaving work must continue, she said.

Its just not possible for us to stop that because if we stop it means people will not survive. But the funding gap were facing has forced us to close programmes that are the lifeline, I think, for many people, in Myanmar.

The nationwide armed conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

In Fridays statement, the WFP said 15.2 million people, nearly one-third of the total population, are unable to meet their minimum daily food needs, and some 2.3 million face emergency levels of hunger.

The WFP said it will only be able to assist 35,000 of the most vulnerable people, including children under the age of five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with disabilities.

The impending cuts will have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable communities across the country, many of whom depend entirely on WFPs support to survive, said Michael Dunford, WFPs representative and country director in Myanmar.

WFP remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Myanmar, but more immediate funding is crucial to continue reaching those in need.
Friday, Mar 14th, 2025 (10:58 am) - Score 10,080

Broadband, mobile and phone provider Vodafone UK has today announced that theyve teamed up with rival ISPs BT, KCOM and Zen Internet to help bring an improved Broadband Battery Backup (BBU) device for WiFi routers to market, which is said to be capable of powering a customers broadband router (inc. digital phone/voice service) for up to 4-to-7 hours.

At present, many ISPs already provide a BBU to vulnerable customers who have taken their IP-based digital voice/phone services (these are usually free). The BBU is designed to ensure that the customers router still works when theres a power cut, which means theyre able to make an emergency call using an existing handset. Regular customers can often also get one of these, but it will typically attract an additional cost.

NOTE: Remember to make your ISP aware if youre classed as vulnerable. Vulnerable customers that fall into the regulation are those who are dependent on their phone line to contact emergency services, have telecare devices/alarms or customers that live in a low mobile coverage area.

However, most existing BBUs are only designed to meet or just about exceed Ofcoms current minimum requirement, which means that they can only provide power to the above kit for at least an hour if theres a power cut. Suffice to say that longer outages, which are more likely to occur in rural areas, can be problematic. But last year saw the government pushing providers to introduce BBUs that could potentially last up to 8 hours (here).

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All of this is relevant because the industry is currently in the process of retiring legacy phone services (PSTN/WLR) that were dependent upon copper lines (note: the copper lines themselves arent being completely retired, yet, just the phone service that goes over the top). One advantage of this old method is that the lines could be powered from an exchange, thus BBUs were not required, but this is not possible with modern digital equivalents (especially if fibre optic / FTTP lines are involved as these cannot carry electricity).

The plan to switch-off older phone lines was recently delayed by BT and Openreach to 31st January 2027 in order to give internet and phone providers, as well as telecare providers and consumers, more time to adapt (details). The plan to introduce a new BBU forms part of that response and is designed to help protect landline-dependent customers from disconnection during emergencies such as power cuts, said Vodafone.

Crucially, the new BBU (pictured  top) exceeds Ofcoms requirements as it provides up to 4-7 hours of connectivity and Vodafone said they are also making these devices available for wholesale to other ISPs (white-labelling), which initially appears to also include BT, KCOM and Zen Internet. The benefit of this likely stems from economics of scale  larger batteries tend to be much more expensive, but some of that can be mitigated through manufacturing volume.

The New Battery Backup Units

Jointly developed by Vodafone and Wire Technologies, a UK-based manufacturer of data transmission products and components for data centres, the new BBU is described as being compact and simple to install. In the event of a power cut, the switch from mains to battery is automatic and seamless, ensuring user connectivity isnt hindered.

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The device also features a unique emergency mode, which automatically reserves 25% of the batterys runtime. This is particularly useful for those who experience a power cut unknowingly overnight and require reliable connectivity first thing in the morning. The product has been developed sustainably, using 95% recycled plastic.

Vodafone said they will be distributing the devices to all customers recognised as landline dependent free of charge. For everyone else, the device will cost 150.

Vodafone Broadband Battery Backup for Wi-Fi Key Features Ability to power both router and ONT/Modem simultaneously

Long runtime  7 hours for 25W router/4 hours for 55W router

Compact size, lightweight and easy to install

Emergency mode  saves 25% of the battery capacity, which can be accessed in an emergency

USB-C charging port  for charging mobile phones or tablets

Time remaining indication in hours and minutes

LED light indicator

Audible alarm indicator Technical Specifications Dimensions (mm): 100x100x62

Case Construction: ABS Fireproof Rated Plastic

Output Current: 3.5A (max)

Output Voltage: 12V(max)

Capacity (Watt-hours): 56Wh

Battery Cell: Lithium-ion (6 x 2600mAh)

USB Type C

Display: LCD screen with time indicator

Power Button: Red/Green/Blue/White LED

Fully Certified: UK & EU markets

The UK Governments Minister for Telecoms and Data, Chris Bryant, welcomed the development and said: Since stepping into office, I have made it my utmost priority to work with telecoms companies to put safety at the centre of the migration from analogue to digital landlines, and it is great to see the industry going to lengths to maximise tech innovation to boost safeguards for vulnerable people.

Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director of Vodafone UK, said: At Vodafone, we are committed to ensuring our customers stay connected no matter the circumstance. Our innovative Broadband Battery Backup device for WiFi, offering an industry-leading 4-to-7 hours of connectivity, is a testament to that promise. As we manage various power cut episodes across the country and approach the significant PSTN switch off in early 2027, we recognise the vital importance of safeguarding landline-dependent customers. That is why we are proud to work with other leading telcos to ensure everyone has access to a robust solution which delivers peace of mind and uninterrupted connectivity.

While the UKs electricity network was relatively stable last year, major events such as Storm Darragh caused significant disruption, with around 70,000 residents experiencing a power outage as a result, although some of these lasted for days rather than hours. A 2023 report by UKPower found that almost 66% of Brits experienced a power outage in their local area, with 23% reporting these taking place on an almost annual basis.

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Elsewhere, Vodafone added that KCOM, which have already migrated 60,000 customers to fibre voice services, will also be offering the BBU, albeit with a twist. KCOM will use the devices to provide a longer-life battery for at risk customers who have their voice service migrated and delivered via the full fibre network. While not providing full internet connectivity because of the way KCOMs network is configured, the devices will provide up to 12 hours emergency cover for voice calls in the event of a power cut or similar event, said the operator.

The new BBU marks a significant improvement over the old kit and should be welcomed, although its admittedly still not a solution for outages that last longer than a few hours. But there are some inescapable economic realities here and, past a certain point, it simply becomes too expensive for retail telecoms providers to offer solutions with more capacity.

Consumers can of course buy much larger portable power stations online for more money, or may even be able to save money on their electricity bills by investing in a whole-home solution (e.g. GivEnergy) that covers your entire house and charges up at cheaper off-peak rates. But the latter does tend to cost several thousand pounds.

Finally, its worth pointing out that BT and Openreach are currently testing an additional SOTAP for Analogue (Pre-Digital Phone Line) product that does NOT require a broadband connection to function, is powered (no need for battery backup) and will be targeted at vulnerable and edge use cases (inc. CNI) users  those with old analogue phone lines who would otherwise face challenges in migrating to IP based voice solutions. The solution, once introduced this year, will however not be available for new service provisions (only existing customers) and is intended to be a temporary product until around 2030.

Vodafone will also be making the Broadband Battery Backup available to business customers in the near future.
Diplomats from the G7 nations were preparing to negotiate a joint statement to demonstrate solidarity in Canada following weeks of friction between US allies and President Donald Trump regarding his disruption of Western trade and security policies.

The Group of Seven ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, along with representatives from the European Union, gathered in the picturesque town of La Malbaie, nestled within the hills of Quebec, for meetings yesterday and today that in the past have generally been characterized by consensus.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided an update to his colleagues on discussions held on Tuesday with Ukraine in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine indicated its readiness to support a 30-day ceasefire agreement.

The Group of Seven ministers convened in the town of La Malbaie, situated in the Quebec hills.

However, officials noted that vague remarks from Russian President Vladimir Putin left delegates uncertain about the current situation.

There was optimism regarding a potential accord, which they viewed as essential for showcasing unity.

Failing to reach consensus on the communique would signal division, which is detrimental to every G7 member, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting.

Kallas expressed optimism, highlighting that there were promising statements regarding Ukraine that she hoped would be retained in the final document.

A Japanese official echoed her sentiments, suggesting that a failure to reach an agreement would primarily serve the interests of China and Russia.

The US decision to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports prompted immediate retaliatory actions from Canada and the EU, emphasizing the existing tensions.

Kaja Kallas remarked that a lack of agreement on the communique would reflect divisions.

Under POTUSs leadership, we will leverage forums like the G7 to counter adversaries and stand by our allies. America First! Mr. Rubio proclaimed on X.

The United States aimed to set specific boundaries on the language surrounding Ukraine and opposed a separate declaration regarding curbing Russias so-called shadow fleet, a clandestine shipping network that bypasses sanctions, while advocating for more assertive language regarding China.

A draft communique reviewed by Reuters did not indicate any new sanctions on Russia.

Nevertheless, it stressed the necessity for strong and credible security guarantees to ensure that any ceasefire would be upheld, allowing Ukraine to deter and defend against future aggression.

The draft, significantly shorter than a statement issued in November targeting Russia, commended US initiatives in Jeddah and noted Ukraines commitment to an immediate ceasefire, urging Russia to comply unconditionally.

It also featured firmer language on China, as requested by the US, and language concerning Taiwan that is likely to be favorable to Taipei.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that forums like the G7 could be utilized to counter our adversaries.

Since Mr. Trumps return to office on January 20, the United States has adopted a less favorable position towards Ukraine and gravitated closer to Russia, advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict while urging European partners to shoulder more of the burden without explicitly endorsing their role in future negotiations.

Two diplomats noted that there was also contention over language related to Gaza and the Middle East, particularly concerning the concept of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which the US was resisting and could ultimately derail an agreement.

A G7 statement issued during the Munich Security Conference in February made no mention of a two-state solution. Ms. Kallas indicated that a similar compromise might be plausible.

The draft also cautioned Syrias transitional authorities that targeted actions could be taken if what it termed massacres against civilians in coastal regions did not cease.

Tariffs and the 51st state

Mr. Trump has proposed the possibility of reviving the G8 with Russias return, eleven years after its membership was suspended due to its annexation of Crimea.

Donald Trump has suggested the G8s revival with Russias reintegration.

Even Japan, which heavily relies on US security assurances, has found itself under scrutiny from Mr. Trump.

Its quite challenging. Perhaps we should wait for the G8, remarked one European diplomat with irony.

The difficulties faced by US allies are most evident in Canada.

Relations between the United States and Canada have plunged to an all-time low due to Mr. Trumps threats to impose tariffs on all imports from Canada, along with his frequent suggestions about turning Canada into the 51st US state.

Mr. Trump also issued another tariff threat, warning Europe that he could impose 200% tariffs on wine imports unless it withdrew measures against US whiskey.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that she would adopt an assertive position at the G7 and coordinate a response with European counterparts to apply pressure on the US.
Passengers flee to the wing of American Airlines plane after a fire breaks out

An engine fire occurred on an American Airlines jet after it had to divert for an emergency landing in Denver, resulting in the evacuation of passengers via the planes emergency slides, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

American Airlines Flight 1006, operated by a Boeing 737-800 en route from Colorado Springs, landed in Denver at approximately 5:15 PM local time (11:15 PM Irish time) yesterday, changing course to Dallas after the crew noted engine vibrations, as stated by the FAA.

Dramatic footage emerged on social media showing passengers standing on the wing of the aircraft, evacuating as smoke billowed from the engine.

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All 172 passengers and six crew members successfully exited the aircraft, expressing gratitude to the crew members, (Denver) team, and first responders for their prompt and decisive actions, prioritizing the safety of everyone onboard and on the ground.

The FAA announced that it will be conducting an investigation into this incident.

Boeing chose not to comment, directing inquiries to American Airlines and the investigators.

This engine fire adds to a series of notable aviation incidents that have raised concerns regarding aviation safety in the U.S., including the January 29 mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities.
The Kremlin has yet to formally respond to the 30-day ceasefire proposal that arose from the US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

However, preliminary reactions from media outlets aligned with the Kremlin indicate that endorsing an immediate truce under the present conditions contradicts Russias strategic goals.

Russian analysts seem to agree that this is not an ideal time for the Kremlin to cease its military actions, especially given its perceived advantages on the frontlines.

Any agreements will be on our terms, not Americas, asserted Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev the day following the talks in Jeddah.

State-controlled news agency RIA Novosti released an article yesterday titled Ukraine Capitulated in Jeddah, suggesting that Ukraine has surrendered to the US and its conditions for a ceasefire.

Russia is being asked to accept a ceasefire while its adversary is faltering on the battlefield, the journalist claimed.

Russian media have provided extensive coverage of Moscows achievements in pushing Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region.

After the Russian militarys recapture of Sudzha, the Kremlin is depicted as holding the strongest bargaining position in any prospective peace negotiations.

As Moscow deliberated on the ceasefire proposal, President Vladimir Putin made a visit to Kursk for the first time since part of the region was captured by Ukrainian troops last year, according to Russian media reports.

Vladimir Putin during a visit to a command post in Kursk

For Moscow, the outcomes of the Jeddah talks were disappointing, as the US has resumed military support for Ukraine, the article in RIA Novosti continued.

The author concluded that accepting the Jeddah proposal in its current form is off the table due to unmet core demands from Russia.

This viewpoint prevails across Russian media reactions to the ceasefire proposal.

They consistently reference President Putins requirements articulated in his address to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2024.

Mr. Putin insists on the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions within their internationally recognized borders.

Despite annexing these territories in 2022, Russia does not fully control any of them, and the international community has refused to acknowledge these annexations.

Moreover, Mr. Putin has demanded that Ukraine abandon its aspirations for NATO membership and that all Western sanctions be lifted.

Pro-Kremlin journalists assert that Mr. Putin will not retreat from these demands.

In a piece on another pro-Kremlin platform, Radio Sputnik, the negotiations between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia were dismissed as nothing more than the antics and posturing of political parrots, as well as an attempt to deceive Russia.

Russias most widely read tabloid, Komsomolskaya Pravda, interviewed a professor at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, who suggested that Russias progress in the Kursk region might have prompted Ukraine to accept the ceasefire proposal from Washington.

The professor speculated that, if Kyiv had rejected the ceasefire, the US might have taken action against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

This assertion, however, appears to be pure propaganda without any legal or diplomatic basis.

In the notable business outlet Kommersant, an analysis titled Trump vs Europe contended that Europe would be excluded from the negotiations.

The commentator argued that, for Mr. Trump and his team, European globalists, Atlanticists, liberal values, and the export of democracy are ideologically alien.

The Russian analyst also claimed to be aware of the terms discussed between the US and Russian presidents during their phone conversation: no NATO membership for Ukraine and a change in leadership in Kyiv.

One of Russias leading online news sources, Lenta.ru, published an article featuring war correspondents. Shove it up your a**, one correspondent was quoted as responding to the 30-day ceasefire proposal.

Once again, theyre facilitating the flow of weapons and intelligence, he remarked.

Ukraine hoards all of this for a month. And then Russia gets blamed for the continuation of the war?

Unlike Mr. Trump, Russias president is in no hurry to conclude the war, stated an article on the nationalist pro-Kremlin site Regnum.

The author further cautioned of potential additional Russian invasions into Ukrainian territory, asserting that Ukraine might not have sufficient military assistance by summer, when Russia-Belarus military drills occur, potentially affecting Ukraines Chernihiv and Kyiv regions.

Ukrainian soldiers practice using the US M2 60 mm mortar during firing training in the Donetsk region

Public opinion in Moscow largely aligns with the narratives promoted by pro-Kremlin media.

This is not surprising, considering that state-controlled television and newspapers remain primary sources of information for many Russians.

One Moscow resident told Reuters that a ceasefire is not in Russias interest given the advances Russian troops are making in Ukraine and the Kursk region.

He suggested that Russia should take more Ukrainian territory, including the cities of Kharkiv, Odessa, and Khersonall of which are not currently under Kremlin control.

An AI generated image published in the State-owned news agency RIA Novosti

Another woman expressed a desire for peace on Russias terms in line with President Putins conditions.

Nothing depends on regular Russians, and the authorities know better, shared another Moscow resident.

We want everything to end quickly. We want peace and for no one to die. There have been so many deaths.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the abolition of NHS England to reduce bureaucracy and restore management of the health service to democratic control.

He emphasized that decisions involving billions of taxpayer pounds should not rest with an arms-length body, pledging to enact extensive reforms aimed at enhancing patient care.

During a visit to Hull, Mr. Starmer stated: I cannot, in all honesty, explain to the British public why they should invest their money in two layers of bureaucracy.

That money could and should be directed towards nurses, doctors, surgeries, and GP appointments.

Thus, I am returning NHS management to democratic control by disbanding the arms-length entity, NHS England.

Mr. Starmer is also set to face opposition from the UKs civil service unions after he committed to reshape the overstuffed state and reduce bureaucratic costs.

He noted that the civil service had grown by 130,000 since the Brexit referendum, yet services had not improved and it was overburdened, unfocused, and incapable of delivering the security people need.

However, union leaders accused Mr. Starmer of utilizing blame-oriented language to criticize officials and urged him to refrain from the incendiary rhetoric resembling Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the US.

In addition to pledging a 25% reduction in regulatory costs, Mr. Starmer will promise in a speech to realign the state towards his key priorities, creating an active government that addresses major issues, allowing people to focus on their lives.

He will target a cottage industry of checkers and blockers that hinder progress for working individuals, intensifying his critique of regulation in the UK.

Mr. Starmer plans to announce initiatives for increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology within the civil service, with the aim of ensuring that one in ten officials will occupy tech and digital roles within the next five years.

Prior to the speech outlining his agenda, Mr. Starmer wrote in the Daily Telegraph: In these uncertain times, citizens desire a state that tackles significant issues, rather than an expanding state that demands more from them. We must operate at peak efficiency and capability.

I believe in the states potential. I am not engaged in ideological debates about its size; my priority is its functionality.

Currently, businesses contend with an overly cautious, bloated state that obstructs progress, he added.

The British government estimates that reducing the civil service size and increasing the proportion of officials in digital and data roles could save taxpayers up to 53 billion.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union representing senior officials, remarked that many civil servants will be searching for tangible results and may feel that, once again, the Prime Minister is employing blame language instead of pursuing transformation.

He added: Ministers establish regulators to regulateif theres a cottage industry at play, its because previous governments sought it.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle rejected the comparison of the governments civil service reform plans to Donald Trumps DOGE administration.

Accusing public servants of failing to execute their assigned tasks is merely cheap politics and reveals a pattern where the government seems more preoccupied with headlines than actual leadership.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, acknowledged that it was appropriate for the government to advance plans for better utilization of new technology, but cautioned that it would struggle to attract the required skills without increasing compensation.

He added: Civil servants are not opposed to reforms, but these must be pursued collaboratively with staff and unions.

I urge everyone in Government to steer clear of the incendiary language and tactics seen in the United States, and to clarify that reforms aim to strengthen rather than undermine the civil service.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle reiterated that the governments plans for reforming the civil service are not analogous to Donald Trumps DOGE.

He told LBC: This is a disruptive initiative, but it is one we aim to positively steer and lead people through.

We do not want to instill fear about changes; we aspire to create excitement about the opportunities that come with change.

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart criticized: Labour is not committed to driving growth in Britain.

The Prime Minister lacks a plan to reform the civil service or reduce public expenditure.

Due to his budget, the states size is expected to reach an alarming 44% of GDP by 2030.

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey dismissed Mr. Starmers proposals as merely surface-level adjustments while our economy continues to falter, advocating for an ambitious new deal with the EU to enhance trade and stimulate economic growth.
03/13/2025





By Brett Buckner

It began, as most moments of change do, with a conversation. Last year, Oscar Juc-Ibarra was working as a desk assistant in the Dean of Students Office when he would occasionally talk with Assistant Dean of Students FranShay Kendal Garrett about the possibility of starting a multicultural fraternity at Jax State. Garrett approached Oscar with the idea, and he was open and excited about the possibility. Inspired by their conversations, Garrett researched different National Latino Greek organizations. She came across Alpha Psi Lambda, which was established on February 11, 1985, at The Ohio State University and has since grown to 59 Chapters in 21 states with more than 4,500 members.

After Garrett attended the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Conference, conversations with Juc-Ibarra about bringing the fraternity became focused. "Oscar was all in," Garrett said. A student poll found that the level of interest among students was high. By the summer of 2024, Garrett and Juc-Ibarra were discussing the logistics of bringing the fraternity to campus. By the fall, with Juc-Ibarra serving as president, the work of making Alpha Psi Lambda a reality began.

Alpha Psi Lambda, which is a co-ed fraternity, accepted its first class of six members - known as the Founding Line - last fall. The spring class is already welcoming new potential members. "Since we are a national fraternity and a part of the Multicultural Greek Council, our membership process is a bit different than the other councils on campus," said Juc-Ibarra, a 21-year-old junior. "We typically have recruitment the first two or three weeks of a school semester, and then we'll go through six to eight weeks of member training before becoming an official member."

Alpha Psi Lambda is the first affiliate chapter of its organization in the state of Alabama. However, once they gain more members, they can submit a request to become the first chartered chapter in the state. The national organization decides whether to approve or deny the request. "They're well on their way there," Garrett said. "Honestly, I'm hoping that next spring or fall, they'll have their charter." To remain in good standing, current members must maintain a 2.6 GPA and pay their dues. "It's nothing too strenuous in terms of requirements," said executive vice president Annette Vasquez, who was among the Founding Line. "Mostly be involved."

Alpha Psi Lambda focuses on inclusiveness. "For the most part, being a Latino frat has been the main attraction to joining, especially by making history in bringing it to Jax State," said Juc-Ibara. "From the members, we were overjoyed because we finally accomplished what we were afraid of not completing. But we worked hard and pulled through, and now it's here."

While Alpha Psi Lambda is a Latino fraternity, Vasquez and Juc-Ibarra wanted to clarify that it's not exclusive to Hispanic/Latino students. "Our mission and values embody that of Hispanic and Latin culture. Alpha Psi Lambda places an emphasis on unity and family," Vasquez said. "We hope to build bonds with each other to resemble a familia (family) so that we can grow together and be able to relate to like-minded individuals. We also focus on the power of community and helping each other."

The fraternity provides opportunities for other Latino students to feel empowered as campus leaders. "They will have the power to continue inspiring others to do the same," Juc-Ibarra said. "As of now, we are growing, and we are making that momentum that we are here and have a voice. I am hoping with the buzz surrounding our fraternity, we can bring in more Latinos from around Alabama."

In only its second semester, Alpha Psi Lambda has already received positive feedback. "Many students were proud that we were able to bring this fraternity to life at Jax State," Vasquez said. "We've gotten many comments saying that we're not your typical fraternity, and that goes to show how unique we are." If all goes well, Alpha Psi Lambda could be just the beginning.

"It's going to grow our Greek community," Garrett said. "That is my number one goal - to grow the community and to give as many options as possible to our diverse student population. Even if you're not a member of Fraternity and Sorority Life, we believe that by having this organization on campus, incoming or potential students will have more options available to them in regard to Greek Life. It's all about helping students find a place where they feel at home on campus.
Board of Directors, the Middle East Studies Association

The second Trump administration has ushered in an existential threat to academic freedom and higher education in the United States. The current campaign targeting universities is an extension of earlier right-wing efforts to attack and defund teaching about race, gender, and sexuality at the state level, but it is a significant escalation and one at the federal level. In the midst of Israels genocidal war in the Gaza Strip of the last sixteen months and the fragile ceasefire in place as of this writing, Palestine solidarity protest activity on university and college campuses became a target of attacks that sought to undermine criticisms of Israel while simultaneously extending a pre-existing far-right war on higher education. The consequence has been, above all else, a censorious climate of repression to stifle voices in support of Palestinian self-determination and human rights and to secure ongoing, unconditional support to Israel. In the process, Palestine-related scholarship and advocacy have now become focal points of a frontal assault on universities as centers of critical thinking and knowledge production in a battle to destroy the autonomy of institutions of higher education in the US.

The groundwork for this moment was unfortunately laid through the demonization and criminalization of campus anti-war protests in 2023 and 2024, including statements by the Biden administration and lawmakers across the aisle, as well as the bi-partisan congressional hearings investigating US universities. The Trump administration is now engaged in a multi-agency attack on institutions of higher education and is working in concert with a highly mobilized and organized set of private actors, including lobby groups, non-profits, social media personalities, and extremist right-wing organizations, to target universities and campus communities directly. The federal government is doing so primarily by cynically deploying a broad, vague, and flawed definition of antisemitism to chill constitutionally protected free speech rights and produce a chilling effect on teaching about, and public discussion of, Israeli policies toward Palestinians on college and university campuses.

On January 29, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, demanding action from every executive department or agency. Accordingly, a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism was established on February 3, whose first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. The Task Force is led by the Department of Justices Office of Civil Rights and includes elements of the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, as well as the General Services Administration and other agencies not yet announced. Little else is known at this moment about the Task Forces exact composition, scope of authority, or manner of operation.

In a matter of weeks, the Task Force has spearheaded the governments weaponization of spurious antisemitism charges against higher education. It has announced a Department of Justice (DoJ) investigation into the University of California (UC) to assess whether the UC has allowed an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses. The Task Force has announced plans to visit at least 10 university campuses to consider remedial action action against them. In what appears to be the most egregious instance of government overreach against, and undermining of established due process for, higher education institutions, the Task Force announced the suspension of $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University without any clear legal basis.

The Task Forces suspension of federal funding to Columbia merits particular attention because it underscores the existential threat posed by the Trump administration to higher education. Only days after initiating an investigation of Columbia for alleged violations, the Task Force announced the suspension of funding as a punitive measure. It has been long-established practice that a university under Department of Education (DoE) investigation is given an opportunity to present evidence and afforded the option of a resolution, that is a voluntary agreement with the DoE to take certain corrective steps. Only after the conclusion of an investigation, the issuance of findings and a resolution process would the DoE ever reach the point of instituting measures against a university. Even then, the long-established practice has been that any compulsory measures be tailored to address specific findings of violation. In other words, general funding cuts as a punitive measure are outside of the bounds of ordinary DoE practices. Instead of following these established procedures, the Task Force, rather than DoE, announced the suspension of federal funding without providing Columbia University an opportunity to respond to the allegations underlying the nascent investigation. The public record suggests that the Task Force neither provided an explanation of the specific basis for its action, nor did it identify particular corrective measures to be undertaken. Moreover, the suspension of the $400 million was not tailored to any specific, alleged violation. Days later, the DoE announced that it had sent letters to 60 other universities under investigation, creating the appearance of a decision to make an example of Columbia University and thereby intimidate other institutions of higher education into taking preemptive measures to avoid similarly punitive cuts.

In addition to these threats to universities and their institutional funding, the government has also taken steps to target individuals on campuses for immigration enforcement actions specifically on the basis of their speech and associational activity. This includes the use of AI to scan social media accounts to identify statements and activities the government disagrees with, and the subsequent use of social media posts as the basis for arrest, detention, and deportation. The most prominent example has been the arrest and detention, using ICE officers, of Mahmoud Khalil, who holds a green card. Khalil was apparently detained for having served as an organizer of protests at Columbia, where he was a graduate student last year. President Trump has made clear on social media that this case is the first arrest of many to come, explicitly threatening that his administration will go after additional students at Columbia and other universities. Whatever specific legal pretext the government uses as the basis for this arrest and attempted green card revocation (or in other cases against targeted individuals), the intention is clearly to use the threat of deportation to deter all non-citizens from speaking out in support of views disfavored by the Trump administration.

Moreover, additional grounds to go after universities and their funding seem to be proliferating daily. The recent action pausing federal funding from the Department of Agriculture to the University of Maine over allegations that the university is allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports, makes clear that the Trump administrations determination to go after university funding is in no way limited to claims related to alleged antisemitism.

Beyond the actions targeting universities and individuals, there remains in the background potential legislation that would strip universities, scholarly associations, and philanthropic foundations of their nonprofit status on the basis of unilateral determinations by executive officials that they have allegedly engaged in vaguely defined forms of support to groups on terrorism blacklists, including through speech or other associational activity. Passed by the House of Representatives in the waning weeks of the Biden administration, the reintroduction of such a measure in Congress continues to loom over higher education as a whole.



Middle East Studies Association, Digital, ChatGPT, 2025

These and other recent policy initiatives represent an attempt to focus repression against university administrators to enlist them in efforts to monitor protest activity on their campuses as part of a campaign of intimidation. In this context, and in a continuation of the campus repression that began last year, some universities have, prior to any federal case or investigation, begun implementing measures in line with the Trump administrations preferences, communications, and executive orders. Multiple institutions have begun defunding or dismantling various DEI initiatives, scrubbing or retooling language about valuing diversity and inclusion, and even threatening to decrease funding for longstanding gender studies and ethnic studies academic departments and programs. School administrators have instituted ad-hoc changes to campus policies to further limit opportunities for expressive and associational activities. Disciplinary proceedings against students, faculty, and staff who have participated in pro-Palestine protests have intensified. Some universities have gone so far as to expel students for protest activity. Such anticipatory obedience threatens to radically scale up the governments repressive agenda. Further, as recent developments demonstrate, such compliance does not in fact protect institutions from federal threats.

The example of Columbia is again instructive. Repeated efforts by university leadership to anticipate and comply with demands by hawkish government actorsincluding multiple crackdowns on student protestors with police and draconian disciplinary measures, as well as the disciplining of faculty and staff via administrative leaves, suspensions, and threats of terminationhave only exposed the university to even more extreme forms of sanction. Succumbing to intimidation has failed to assuage the universitys antagonists; indeed it seems only to have emboldened the government to intensify its attacks. The governments announcement of massive funding cuts to Columbia University within days of announcing its investigation against the university is an extraordinary punitive measure no other university has experienced to date.

In the current national climate, as institutions of higher education and their mission of critical inquiry face unprecedented attack, MESA unequivocally supports efforts to stand up for freedom of expression, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy. Rather than facilitating or acting in the interests of government repression, we must all take a collective stance to defend higher education in the United States.

First and foremost, the MESA Board of Directors demands that the government immediately end its repressive campaign against American colleges and universities. We call on all branches of the federal government as well as elected officials and civil servants working at all levels to reject this brazen undermining of fundamental protections enshrined in the Constitution, including due process.

The MESA Board of Directors also calls on lawmakers to recognize the threat these policies represent to higher education in general, and to the specific campuses based in their constituencies in particular. Lawmakers have a critical role to play in ensuring transparency, accountability, and the constitutionality of any and all policies.

The MESA Board of Directors urges university and college administrations to affirmatively defend the autonomy of higher education and the rights of all members of their campus to engage in lawful, First Amendment-protected activity. We also call on university and college administrators to protect and support vulnerable members of our campus communities. Leaders in higher education must recognize that voluntary cooperation  beyond what is legally compulsory  with repressive efforts targeting individual members of our campuses or those abrogating the autonomy of higher education will compromise the safety of campus communities and render all universities more vulnerable to governmental overreach and censorship. Anticipatory obedience is neither a defense against repression nor a viable strategy to avert risk. Rather, it is an invitation to greater repression that endangers students, faculty, and staff, and compromises the integrity of institutions of higher education in a democratic society.

Lastly, we recognize that all of these events, and the climate of fear they have produced, are deeply traumatic to our members. The MESA Board of Directors is determined to face this new threat level and act as a resource in solidarity with our membership in defense of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy. We will support our members in their efforts to mobilize their own campus communities.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  An independent UN commission has found that Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination and carried out genocidal acts through the systematic destruction of sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities.

The commission notes that some 59% of those killed in Gaza whose bodies have been identified are women and children. They note that this percentage is astronomically high: the Israeli attacks in Gaza are characterised by an extremely high civilian casualty ratio in comparison with other armed conflicts in the last decades.

Navi Pillay, the Chairperson of the Commission, said, The evidence collected by the Commission reveals a deplorable increase in sexual and gender-based violence. There is no escape from the conclusion that Israel has employed sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians to terrorise them and perpetuate a system of oppression that undermines their right to self-determination.

The report points out that the Israeli army makes exaggerated claims about how many members of the militant al-Qassam Brigades paramilitary of Hamas it has killed, suggesting that the actual number by last summer could have been as few as 6,000 out of the 30,000 to 40,000 guerrillas. Believing the Israeli estimate of 17,000 militants killed would require believing that all adult males killed in the conflict were al-Qassam Brigades or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is absurd.

The reason this analysis is important is that if the Israeli military killed 24,000 women, children and old people to get at 6,000 or 8,000 militants, then it is full of people who arent very good shots or it is demonstrating a reckless disregard for civilian life, or it is deliberately targeting women and children. About a third of those killed by Israels Gaza campaign have been female, whether little girls or teenagers or mothers and grandmothers.

One reason for the large proportion of dead females is that Israeli fighter pilots dropped one-ton bombs on inhabited apartment complexes with the families still inside. Often there appear to have been no military targets associated with these bombings, or they aimed to get at a handful of militants by wiping out entire civilian apartment blocs. The report observes, Entire families in Gaza have been killed together in their homes in unprecedented numbers; experts have found that, during the first month of the war, more than nine out of ten women and children killed were in residential buildings, and 95 percent of women were killed together with at least one child.

An aid worker told the UN in August 2024, One of my patients had just given birth to twins when her apartment was attacked. The attack happened while the father was at a local government office to register the birth. The woman and her newborns were killed instantly in the attack. The grief following her death was amplified by the fact that there was no militant in sight.

Although a lot of girls and women were killed by bombs that collapsed their apartments on them, some were also killed by snipers. The Israeli military made arbitrary rules that disallowed the movement of any Palestinians outside, and they ruthlessly shot down people in the street even people who showed up in their scopes as female noncombatants, In short, Israeli troops deliberately killed a lot of women. Those killed included Christians. The Commission reports, On 16 December 2023 at around noon, Nahida and Samar Anton, a mother and her adult daughter, were shot and killed by an ISF sniper at the Holy Family Parish, a Catholic church in Gaza City. A witness interviewed by the Commission stated that the two women were shot while on their way to the bathroom, situated in another building that is part of the same compound. According to the witness, Israeli soldiers were deployed in the street behind the church complex and shouted in Arabic that it was forbidden to move outside. The two women left the building to go to the bathroom inside the church complex when they were shot.

The Israeli military also deliberately destroyed health care facilities for women, including for pregnant women. We know from health studies in the US that doctor visits have a significant impact on cutting down on maternal mortality and mothers dying in childbirth. The Israelis made doctor visits impossible for large numbers of women in Gaza: Direct attacks on healthcare facilities offering sexual and reproductive healthcare services have impacted about 540,000 women and girls of reproductive age in Gaza.. In April 2024, reportedly only two of the 12 partially functioning hospitals previously offering sexual and reproductive healthcare were able to actually provide such services.

They add, The situation is still dire. As of January 2025, emergency obstetric and newborn care was available at seven out of 18 partially functional hospitals across Gaza according to OCHA, as well as four out of 11 field hospitals, and a community health centre.

The UN concludes that Facilities specifically designated to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare were directly targeted or forced to cease operations, including al-Emirati Maternity Hospital . . . It lists many such institutions destroyed by the Israeli army and air force.

The Commission correctly observes that female honor is often an element in modern nationalism, and humiliating women is a way of attacking another nation. Likewise emasculating enemy males or feminizing them is part of psychological warfare. The Commission says, Israeli soldiers aggression and violence increasingly includes sexual acts intended to feminize or shame, not only the victim but the Palestinian community as a whole, and an increasing trend to photograph or film these acts. Such acts have a clear link with entrenched gender stereotypes that continue to be intentionally used in attempts to break the sense of community and harm social cohesion, whether the victim is male or female.

Israeli soldiers in Gaza appear to have been sexually obsessed if their social media postings are any guide. For instance, a video shows a soldier filming himself while going through underwear and other private belongings in a house in the Gaza Strip, directing gendered and sexualized insults to Palestinian women, stating: Ive always said Arabs [female pronouns used] are the biggest sluts out there  There you go, here are the sets [of lingerie] here, inside, another new one in the package, they havent opened it yet, look at these sets, who wants elastic bodysuits?



Prisoners, Digital, Midjourney, 2025

Then there were the attacks on institutions trying to help abused women, attacks that abused them all over again: The Commission also documented a deliberate attack in mid-November 2023 on a womens rights centre working with survivors of gender-based violence in Gaza City. The attack against the centre appeared to have a clear gendered dimension, with soldiers leaving gendered and sexualised insults directed against the Palestinian women in graffiti in Hebrew on the walls of the centre, for example: You sons of bitches, we came here to fuck you, you and your mothers, you bitches and The dirty pussies of your prostitutes, you ugly Arab you ugly, you sons of bitches, we will burn you alive you dogs.' They then bombed the center to smithereens.

Israeli troops also sexually humiliated boys and men, making them strip to their underwear and photographing them.

When Israeli soldiers arrested women they often beat and abused them and photographed them in their underwear. Making detainees strip was common: The victim stated that women, men, girls and boys were all told to undress at gunpoint at a makeshift checkpoint, create a ball with their clothes and throw their clothes to the ISF personnel. They were told to hold their identity documents high in the air and continue walking while undressed. The ISF said that anyone who did not follow orders would be shot. The men were completely naked while walking and the women were in their underwear. This was early on in the war.

Thousands of Palestinians were arrested and taken to Israel, where some were sexually abused, with broomsticks inserted into their anuses. One prisoner at Sde Teiman prison camp was sent to hospital with severe anal tearing. The Commission documented cases of rape and sexual assault of male detainees, including the use of an electrical probe to cause burns to the anus, and the insertion of objects, such as fingers, sticks, broomsticks and vegetables, into the anus and rectum. Metal objects were also inserted into the penis during such prison rape procedures.

Although the Israeli troops appear to have been creepily obsessed with keeping male prisoners naked and humiliating them sexually and even raping them, they did not leave the women alone either. Torturers seemed to swing both ways: Female detainees were also subjected to sexual assault and harassment in military and Israel Prison Service facilities, as well as threats to their lives. The sexual assault and harassment included kicking the womens genitals, touching their breasts, attempting to kiss them, and threats of rape. One female detainee interviewed by the Commission said that a soldier threatened to gang rape her, kill her and burn her children. The soldier asked her: How do you want us to rape you? one by one or all together?

The focus on what the Israeli military did to damage maternal health and that of embryos and infants is important because according to the Rome Statute, genocide is defined this way:

Article 6: Genocide For the purpose of this Statute, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

More than a human can bear: Israels systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023 is the new report on Israeli treatment of Palestinians issued by The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel of the UN Human Rights Council.
Minas Metals Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to Drive Strategic Growth

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 13, 2025) - Minas Metals Ltd. (CSE: MINA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of two new officers to its executive team: Timothy Chan as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, and Peter Rhodes as Chief Financial Officer. These strategic hires have been made in connection with Minas Metals' proposed Change of Business, as previously announced on January 27, 2025, and underscore the Company's commitment to accelerating growth and operational excellence.

Timothy Chan, a seasoned finance professional and serial entrepreneur, brings over a decade of expertise in equity derivatives and a proven track record of success in the startup ecosystem. Most notably, Mr. Chan served as Head of Delta 1 Ex-Japan at Sunrise Brokers, a subsidiary of BGC Partners, which is affiliated with Cantor Fitzgeralda global leader in financial innovation with deep ties to cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies, including Tether. His extensive experience in high-stakes financial environments and his entrepreneurial vision position him as a transformative leader for Minas Metals.

Jon Bey, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will remain on the board of directors to ensure a seamless transition and provide ongoing strategic guidance. Blair Jordan, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, noted "We are very appreciative of Mr. Bey's hard work and strategic guidance over the last two years, and look forward to the Company's upcoming change of business to the technology and digital asset space."

Joining Mr. Chan is Peter Rhodes, a Chartered Accountant with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic financial leadership across diverse industries. Mr. Rhodes has a proven ability to drive financial performance, scale operations, and secure funding for high-growth organizations. In a previous role as CFO of one of Canada's largest cannabis pre-roll companies, he played a pivotal role in compliance, operational scaling and strategic financing. His expertise extends to mergers, acquisitions, and asset dispositions, where he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital in the metals and mining, cannabis, IT, and financial services sectors.

"We are delighted to welcome Timothy and Peter to the Minas Metals team," said Jon Bey. "The Board believes that their exceptional leadership, industry expertise, and proven track records align perfectly with our mission to strengthen our position as an investment company following the proposed Change of Business and deliver sustainable growth. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the Company as we pursue innovative opportunities."

The Board believes the addition of Mr. Chan and Mr. Rhodes reflects Minas Metals' strategic focus on building a strong leadership team to drive operational excellence, financial discipline, and innovation. The Board believes their combined experience and vision will be instrumental in advancing the Company's goals following the proposed Change of Business as an investment company focussed on investments in high-growth industries with a particular focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.

Minas Metals Ltd. also announces that Kenneth Tullar and Thomas Lewis have resigned from the board of directors, effective immediately. The Company extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis for their contributions and leadership during their tenure and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

Replacing Mr. Tullar and Mr. Lewis will be Mr. Chan, who has also been appointed as CEO, as well as Joshua Mann.

Mr. Mann is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Partner at Joseph Gunnar and Co, LLC, an Investment bank based in New York. Previously, Mr. Mann was at Luminous Capital Inc, a private equity and advisory firm he co-founded in 2019 and served as its Managing Partner. Mr. Mann was also a Managing Director of ARC Group. Prior to Luminous and ARC, Mr. Mann was a General Partner at Wildhorse Capital Partners, which he co-founded and served as General Partner. Earlier in his career, Mr. Mann was Vice President of Business Development and Capital Markets at Blackbird Energy until its sale in 2017. Mr. Mann began his career at Stifel Financial Corp. in its natural resource coverage group.

Following these changes, the Company's Board of Directors and executive officers consist of: Timothy Chan (Chief Executive Officer and Director), Peter Rhodes (Chief Financial Officer), Jon Bey (Director), Blair Jordan (Director) and Joshua Mann (Director).

RSU Grants

The Company also announces the grant of an aggregate of 950,000 RSUs to certain directors and officers of the Company pursuant to the Company's long-term incentive plan. Of the 950,000 RSUs granted, 250,000 RSUs will vest immediately on the date of grant and 500,000 RSUs will vest in eight equal installments quarterly, over two years from the date of grant.

About the Company

The Company is currently a junior mining exploration issuer listed on the CSE. The Company intends to pursue a change of business following which, and subject to the approval of the CSE, the Company will be an investment issuer with a focus in investments in high-growth sectors and digital assets.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the impact of the new management on the Company's business and operations, the Company's plans to complete the change of business, regulatory approval of the change of business, the expected impacts of the change of business on the Company's business and operations, and the Company's plans following the proposed change of business.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: that the new officer appointments may not impact the Company's operations or business as anticipated; the Company may decide not to proceed with the change of business; the Company may not receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the Company may not receive the anticipated results on its business or operations following completion of the change of business; the Company's plans following the change of business may vary; the volatility of the digital asset and cryptocurrency markets; the impact of governmental or regulatory orders or decisions on the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors; and market volatility for the Company's securities.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will proceed with the change of business; the Company will receive regulatory approval for the change of business; the change of business will benefit the Company's business and operations; and the digital asset and cryptocurrency sectors will continue to see growth.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
TORONTO, March 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico Eagle") pursuant to which Agnico Eagle has agreed to subscribe for 4,741,984 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$11.00 per Share (the "Offering"). Closing of the Offering is conditional upon, among other things, Agnico Eagle concurrently exercising the common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Warrants") it currently holds to acquire an additional 2,250,000 Shares at a price of C$5.01 per Share. In total, between the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants, the Company will receive gross proceeds of approximately $63.4 million. At Closing of the Offering, Agnico Eagle's ownership interest in the Shares is expected to increase to approximately 14.99%.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman commented: "I would like to thank Agnico Eagle for its additional support as we continue to advance our Guayabales Project. The proceeds received will enable us to continue with our planned drill program and we look forward to releasing results in the near term."

The proceeds from the Offering and exercise of the Warrants are expected to be used for exploration on the Company's properties in Colombia and for general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is also subject to, among other things, the receipt of regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and acceptance by NYSE American, and is expected to close two business days following receipt of such approval.

About Collective Mining Ltd.

To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com.

Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interests in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines.

The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives are to improve the overall grade of the Apollo system by systematically drill testing newly modeled potentially high-grade sub-zones, expand the Apollo system by stepping out along strike to the north and expanding the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth, expand the Trap system and drill a series of newly generated targets including Tower and X.

Management and insiders own approximately 36% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol "CNL" and on the FSE under the trading symbol "GG1".

Information Contact:

Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X

Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: statements with respect to the proposed Offering and exercise of Warrants; anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of Warrants; receipt of regulatory approvals and other conditions to closing of the Offering, the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: completion of the Offering and exercise of the Warrants on the terms stated or at all, receipt of all regulatory approvals, planed use of proceeds from the Offering and the exercise of the Warrants; risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2024. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Rodrigo Duterte's first appearance at the International Criminal Court has been set for Friday, the court said, as the former Philippines president faces crimes against humanity charges over his deadly war on drugs.

"The Chamber considers it appropriate for the first appearance of Mr Duterte to take place on Friday, 14 March 2025 at 14:00 hours (1300 GMT)," the court said in a statement late on Thursday.

The 79-year-old will appear before judges for a hearing where he will be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.

Duterte stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed tens of thousands of people.

As he landed in The Hague, the former leader appeared to accept responsibility for his actions, saying in a Facebook video: "I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible."

Duterte's stunning arrest in Manila came amid a spectacular meltdown in relations between his family and the Marcos family, who had previously joined forces to run the Philippines.

Current President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice-President Sara Duterte -- Rodrigo's daughter -- are at loggerheads, with the latter facing an impeachment trial over charges including an alleged assassination plot against Marcos.

Sara Duterte is in The Netherlands to support her father, after labelling his arrest "oppression and persecution", with the Duterte family having sought an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court to stop his transfer.

But victims of the "war on drugs" hope that Duterte will finally face justice for his alleged crimes.

Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims of the drug war, told AFP: "My clients are very thankful to God because their prayers have been answered."

"The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is a great signal for international criminal justice. It means that no one is above the law," Andres added.

- 'Presumed innocent' -

The high-profile Duterte case also comes at a critical moment for the ICC, as it faces unprecedented pressure from all sides, including US sanctions.

Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court over what he said were "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war.

Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan hailed Duterte's arrest as a key moment for victims and international justice as a whole.

"Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think," Khan said in a statement following Duterte's arrival in ICC custody.

"When we come together... when we build partnerships, the rule of law can prevail. Warrants can be executed," he said.

At the initial hearing, a suspect can request interim release pending a trial, according to ICC rules.

Following that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence.

Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial, a process that could take several months or even years.

"It's important to underline, as we now start a new stage of proceedings, that Mr. Duterte is presumed innocent," said Khan.
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court later Friday to face crimes against humanity charges over his deadly war on drugs.

The 79-year-old will appear before judges for a short hearing where he will be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.

Duterte, the first Asian head of state to face ICC charges, stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.

In the prosecutor's application for his arrest, they said Duterte's alleged crimes were "part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population in the Philippines."

"Potentially tens of thousands of killings were perpetrated," the prosecutor alleged about the campaign that targeted mostly poor men, often without proof they were linked to drugs.

Victims' families have welcomed the trial as a chance to get justice, while Duterte supporters believe he was "kidnapped" and sent to The Hague amid a spectacular fall-out with the ruling Marcos family.

A group of family members, lawyers and human rights activists was set to gather in Manila on Friday night to watch a livestream of the ICC hearing, said organisers Rise Up and the Duterte Accountability Campaign Network.

According to international law experts, his whirlwind arrest and surrender to the ICC marks a welcome boon for the embattled court which is being attacked from all sides and sanctioned by the United States.

"I see the arrest and handing over of Duterte as a gift at an important moment in time," Willem van Genugten, Professor of International Law at Tilburg University in The Netherlands, told AFP.

The hearing is due to take place at 2:00pm local time (1300 GMT) at the hulking glass headquarters of the ICC based in the Hague. Pro- and anti-Duterte protests are expected outside.

- 'Kill all of you' -

As he landed in The Hague, the former leader appeared to accept responsibility for his actions, saying in a Facebook video: "I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible."

In his application for arrest, the prosecutor quotes from some of Duterte's more colourful pronouncements when he was running for president.

He is cited as saying the number of criminal suspects killed "will become 100,000... I will kill all of you" and the fish in Manila Bay "will become fat because that's where I will throw you."

Duterte has undergone health checks during his detention in The Hague. The Philippines embassy in The Hague said on its website the former president told a consular official he had "received medical care and that he is generally fine."

Vice-President Sara Duterte is in The Netherlands to support her father, after labelling his arrest "oppression and persecution", with the Duterte family having sought an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court to stop his transfer.

At the initial hearing, a suspect can request interim release pending a trial, according to ICC rules.

Following that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence.

Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial, a process that could take several months or even years.

Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan hailed Duterte's arrest as a key moment for victims and international justice as a whole.

"Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think," Khan said in a statement following Duterte's arrival in ICC custody.
Detained in Finland since July 2023, the 38-year-old Russian citizen was in particular convicted of having disfigured an injured Ukrainian prisoner, the Helsinki court said in its press release.

The prosecution had accused Voislav Torden of five counts of war crimes that resulted in the deaths of 22 Ukrainian soldiers.

The court dismissed the main count against Torden.

The prosecution had argued that the Rusich forces ambushed a convoy of two vehicles, a truck and a car, carrying Ukrainian soldiers on September 5, 2014.

But the court said the prosecution had not proven that Rusich and Torden were responsible for the ambush.

"It has not been possible to conclude from the evidence... that the Rusich unit or group was specifically responsible for organising and carrying out the ambush and arson attack in all respects," the court said.

However, Torden was found guilty of leading the actions of Rusich's soldiers at the scene following the ambush and of killing one wounded soldier.

He was also found guilty of authorising fighters to mutilate Ivan Issyk by cutting the symbol used by the group -- the kolovrat, or "spoked wheel" -- into his cheek.

The emblem is often used by ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Russia and Eastern Europe. Issyk died as a result of his wounds.

Torden was also found guilty of having taken derogatory photos of a fallen soldier at the scene and posting it to social media.

Finland applies "universal jurisdiction", a legal principle allowing it to bring charges on its soil for suspected serious crimes committed anywhere in the world.
Just days before Donald Trumps second inauguration as the president of the United States, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombias last historic leftist guerrilla group, launched an offensive in the region of Catatumbo, bordering Venezuela. Although the worst of the violence seems to have tapered off in February, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) audit and funding freeze -and the related social media conflicts between Trump and President of Colombia Gustavo Petro over tariffs and migrants deportation flights- have forced many in Colombias peacebuilding sector to rethink their strategies and expectations for U.S. engagement.

This USAID audit, led by the new U.S. Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), is unlike any such effort under past administrations. The announcement of the 90-day freeze on funding, as USAID programs are being evaluated following opaque guidelines, is accompanied by highly inflammatory rhetoric by both President Trump and Elon Musk, who is leading DOGE. The significant layoffs in USAID offices around the world and the funding freeze have already seriously affected the U.S. delivery of humanitarian aid in Colombia and elsewhere.

Permanently closing USAID and increasing tariffs -which will have an impact on food prices thus on humanitarian aid costs-, as the Trump administration aims, could have disastrous effects, especially for the Accords ambitious System for Peace.

While no evidence has been released so far to suggest misuse of funds, and some programs are being reinstated as we write this piece, the Accords integration of truth, justice, and reparations will likely shape the audits outcome. More than financial oversight, this signals a broader shift in how Washington perceives Colombias post-conflict transition.

The Accord and U.S. diplomacy: from Trump to Biden

The first Trump administrations approach to post-Accord Colombia prioritized counternarcotics efforts over peacebuilding and pressured authorities to resume aerial fumigation of coca crops despite concerns over its environmental and health effects. In 2017, the Trump administration threatened Colombia with decertification as a partner in the drug war, if coca cultivation persisted. While the U.S. did not outright oppose the Accord during this period, it showed little enthusiasm for its implementation, as it viewed it primarily through the security lens commonly associated with the drug war.

Despite calling for routine USAID audits of its own to ensure that funds designated for the implementation of the Accord were not used for either reparations to victims or compensation to demobilized combatants or assistance to agricultural properties in Colombia that currently cultivate illegal substances, the Biden administration took a broader approach to Colombia relations.

Specifically, its peacebuilding support emphasized rural development and environmental protection, two issues it recognized as fundamental to address the root causes of violence. The Biden administration also promoted voluntary crop substitution programs rather than forced eradication, in alignment with the Accords Ethnic Chapter goals. Additionally, the U.S. assistance emphasized political and social inclusion, particularly for Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, positioning these efforts at the development-justice-security nexus.

This shift in approach meant greater U.S. support for Colombian institutions tasked with implementing the Accord. Now, institutions critical to the future of the transition, most notably the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and the Unit for the Search of Persons Deemed Missing (UBPD), face operational uncertainty until the issue of the USAID funding freeze and the timeline for its implementation presented by the Trump administration is settled in front of the courts.

The Ethnic Chapter, the JEP, and the UBPD

The JEP is one of the most visible mechanisms of the Accord to have benefitted from USAID support. Among the three macro-cases supported by the U.S., Case 09 addresses crimes committed against ethnic and indigenous peoples, making special note of forced displacement, forced disappearance, and selective homicide.

The Accords Ethnic Chapter tied displacement to landmine use and prioritized roughly a dozen areas for humanitarian demining. Due to delays in implementation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reiterated these provisions in its 2022 Final Report. The JEP is currently working on legally grounding an alternative sanctions regime for FARC ex-combatants and security forces appearing before it, where legal benefits are contingent on their level of cooperation.

As for demining, it requires both labor and detailed information; precise data reduces the amount of work needed for safe clearance. Given the high prevalence of mines and accident reports in ethnic territories, the JEP is likely to factor this information into its alternative sanctions. Moreover, despite numerous hardships, FARC ex-combatants have formed a demining organization, further amplifying concerns about how USAID auditors will evaluate the JEPs use of funds when considering these issues.

The UBPD also relies on USAID support and faces uncertainty. Determining the location of the missing-disappeared, like landmine clearance, is similarly labour intensive and reliant on precise information. FARC ex-combatants have established an organization to help locate remains and have been working directly with the UBPD. Several USAID programs have supported staff in developing technical skills in the peacebuilding sector, including methodologies sensitive to ethnic and gender diversity in implementing reparations under the 2011 Victims Law.

The UBPDs national search plans -designed to locate the remains of the victims, involve local and ethnic authorities and promote participation by the victims families- reflect these earlier protocols. These plans also open up for the inclusion of FARC ex-combatants in the search, with a view towards alternative sanctions at the JEP, which is likely to cause confusion in USAID auditors.

Land reform, PDET, and security issues

Rural reform was at the heart of the Accord. Since stepping down as president, Juan Manuel Santos has been more vocal about the failed drug war and the need for cocaine regulation and decriminalization of rural communities and individual farmers who grow coca, the weakest links in the supply chain.

Despite the U.S. punitive stance on illicit crops, the Accord emphasized that the armed conflict will not end until the land inequality it created and reinforced is addressed. Under the Accords Development Programs with a Territorial Approach (PDET) and its pillar 8, USAID programming supported Colombian institutions in designing plans to help communities most affected by the violence to recover. Land titling and property rights, productive projects that substitute illicit crops and incorporate local economic actors, and infrastructure were conceived as fundamental transformative actions in this context.

As evidenced by the recent crisis in Catatumbo, post-conflict transformation is impossible without security guarantees. Despite not being subject to the same audit as USAID, it is worth noting that the U.S. Department of State contributed roughly $40 million in both 2022 and 2023 to the Colombian security forces. The nearly 50,000 people recently displaced in Catatumbo, together with the thousands forced from their homes by lower-intensity violence in Cauca, Choco and Putumayo illustrate the challenges of ensuring short term humanitarian assistance. The USAID funding freeze and the potential increase in tariffs threaten the capacity of the Victims Unit to disburse immediate humanitarian aid to these internally displaced people and satisfy their basic necessities for food, which is usually purchased from U.S. farmers.

Addressing land inequality is not just about economic development, but helps prevent further cycles of violence. USAID played a critical role in developing the Comprehensive Security and Protection Program for Communities and Organizations in the Territories, the Accords main provision for the protection of human rights defenders and political leaders in rural regions, including those involved in advocating for illicit crop substitution in their communities. Given this, if USAID is to be drastically reduced or wholly terminated, as some have feared, it would run contrary to the counter-narcotics purposes of the U.S. policy in Colombia.

A critical juncture for Colombias peace process

The USAID funding freeze underscores a pivotal moment for Colombias peace process. Without sustained international support, key mechanisms like the JEP and UBPD face operational paralysis, jeopardizing efforts to deliver truth, justice, and reparations to victims. Moreover, reduced U.S. engagement could embolden armed groups, exacerbate violence in rural areas, and destabilize progress made since 2016.

While some USAID programs and funding are being gradually restored thanks to U.S. courts, it is necessary to develop strategies for long-term mitigation given the America First agenda of the second Trump administration. A more diversified funding base - including increased support from the European Union, Canada, and the United Nations Multi-donor Trust Fund for Peace in Colombia - could help bridge the financial gaps left by the U.S. withdrawal.

Strengthening local institutions and capacity-building efforts would allow Colombian institutions to assume greater control over peace initiatives, reducing dependency on foreign aid. Expanding public-private partnerships and NGO collaborations could also provide sustainable funding streams for development projects in conflict-prone areas. Lastly, multilateral cooperation through international organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and transitional justice networks, could ensure continued oversight and technical assistance for the Accords key mechanisms.

*This opinion piece was supported by funding from the Global Research Institute at the College of William & Mary through its Global Research Summer Fellows Program. The fieldwork stay in Colombia was organized by Adriana Rudling and Narayani Sritharan.
Philippine ex-president Rodrigo Duterte was expected to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court on Friday to face crimes against humanity charges over his deadly narcotics crackdown.

The 79-year-old was set to appear before judges for a short hearing where he is to be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.

But his daughter Sara Duterte, vice president of the Philippines, said she had submitted a last-minute bid to get the hearing moved.

"We are praying and hoping that the court will grant our request to move the initial appearance just so that we can properly sit down with the former president and discuss the legal strategies since we haven't talked to him yet," she told AFP outside the court.

Duterte, the first Asian head of state to face ICC charges, stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.

In the prosecutor's application for his arrest, they said Duterte's alleged crimes were "part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population in the Philippines."

"Potentially tens of thousands of killings were perpetrated," the prosecutor alleged of the campaign that targeted mostly poor men, often without proof they were linked to drugs.

Victims' families have welcomed the trial as a chance to get justice, while Duterte supporters believe he was "kidnapped" and sent to The Hague amid a spectacular fall-out with the ruling Marcos family.

A group of family members, lawyers and human rights activists was set to gather in Manila on Friday night to watch a livestream of the ICC hearing, said organisers Rise Up and the Duterte Accountability Campaign Network.

According to international law experts, his whirlwind arrest and surrender to the ICC offers a welcome boon to the embattled court which is being attacked from all sides and sanctioned by the United States.

"I see the arrest and handing over of Duterte as a gift at an important moment in time," Willem van Genugten, Professor of International Law at Tilburg University in The Netherlands, told AFP.

The hearing is due to take place at 2:00 pm local time (1300 GMT) at the hulking glass headquarters of the ICC based in The Hague. Pro- and anti-Duterte protests are expected outside.

- 'Kill all of you' -

As he landed in The Hague, the former leader appeared to accept responsibility for his actions, saying in a Facebook video: "I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible."

In his application for arrest, the prosecutor quotes from some of Duterte's pronouncements when he was running for president.

He is cited as saying the number of criminal suspects killed "will become 100,000... I will kill all of you" and the fish in Manila Bay "will become fat because that's where I will throw you."

Duterte has undergone health checks during his detention in The Hague.

The Philippines embassy in The Hague said on its website the former president told a consular official he had "received medical care and that he is generally fine."

Vice President Duterte is in The Netherlands to support her father, after labelling his arrest "oppression and persecution", with the Duterte family having sought an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court to stop his transfer.

At the initial hearing, a suspect can request interim release pending a trial, according to ICC rules.

Following that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence.

Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial, a process that could take several months or even years.

Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan hailed Duterte's arrest as a key moment for victims and international justice as a whole.

"Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think," Khan said in a statement following Duterte's arrival in ICC custody.
A Finnish court on Friday sentenced a Russian neo-Nazi to life in prison on war crimes charges stemming from a 2014 clash in Ukraine, with Kyiv hailing the ruling as a "key milestone".

The Helsinki district court found Vojislav Torden, a commander of the Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich, guilty of "four different war crimes" committed in the Lugansk region of eastern Ukraine.

His lawyer, Heikki Lampela, told Finnish media that Torden was surprised by the ruling and would appeal it.

The prosecution had accused Torden of five counts of war crimes that resulted in the deaths of 22 Ukrainian soldiers.

The court dismissed the main count, which argued the Rusich forces ambushed a convoy of two vehicles, a truck and a car, carrying Ukrainian soldiers on September 5, 2014.

As other groups were also present, the court said the prosecution had not proven that Rusich and Torden were responsible for the ambush.

However, Torden was found guilty of leading the actions of Rusich's soldiers at the scene following the ambush and of killing one wounded soldier.

He was also found guilty of authorising fighters to mutilate Ivan Issyk by cutting the symbol used by the group -- the kolovrat, or "spoked wheel" -- into his cheek.

- Humiliating photos -

The emblem is often used by ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Russia and Eastern Europe. Issyk died as a result of his wounds.

Torden was also found guilty of having taken derogatory photos of a fallen soldier at the scene and posting it to social media.

The office of the Ukraine's prosecutor general on Friday hailed the court's decision as "a key milestone in holding perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law accountable."

"Ukraine remains committed to working with partners worldwide to ensure there is no impunity for war criminals," it said in a statement posted on social media.

According to Finnish public broadcaster YLE, Torden was arrested by Finnish border guards at Helsinki airport as he tried to leave the country in August 2023.

He was on the EU sanctions list and banned from entering Finland.

Ukraine had sought Torden's extradition, which Finland's supreme court rejected, citing the risk of him not receiving a fair trial and suffering inhumane conditions in prison.

In October last year, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) completed a comprehensive probe launched in December 2023.

The investigation involved close cooperation with Ukrainian prosecutors and security services as well as Europol, the International Criminal Court and Eurojust -- the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

Finland applies "universal jurisdiction", a legal principle allowing it to bring charges on its soil for suspected serious crimes committed anywhere in the world.
Russia has committed the crimes against humanity of enforced disappearances and torture in its war in Ukraine -- part of a systematic attack on civilians, a United Nations investigation has concluded.

The new report by the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, published online this week, is to be formally presented to the UN Human Rights Council next Tuesday.

"The commission has concluded that Russian authorities committed enforced disappearances and torture as crimes against humanity," the report said.

"Both were perpetrated as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population and pursuant to a coordinated state policy," it added.

The categorical nature of that statement is unusual for UN investigators.

Large numbers of civilians were detained in areas that came under Russian control, said the report. Many of them were then transferred to detention facilities in occupied Ukraine or in Russia.

The Russian authorities "committed additional violations and crimes during these prolonged detentions", it added.

"Many victims have been missing for months and years, and some died in captivity."

In addition, the authorities have systematically failed to provide information on the detainees' whereabouts.

Russia acted with the intent to remove disappeared people from "the protection of the law", said the report.

Prisoners of war have also been subjected to torture and been the victims of enforced disappearances, it added.

- Killing captured soldiers -

Russia "systematically used torture against certain categories of detainees to extract information, coerce, and intimidate", the inquiry concluded.

The most brutal forms were used during interrogations, but Russian authorities had also "systematically used sexual violence as a form of torture against male detainees".

The commission also studied a growing number of incidents concerning Russian troops killing or wounding captured or surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, which constitutes a war crime.

"Testimonies of soldiers who deserted from the Russian armed forces indicate that there is a policy not to take prisoners but to kill them instead," the report said.

Both sides had committed a war crime by killing or wounding injured soldiers using drones, it added.

The report details violations of human rights law committed by Ukrainian authorities against people accused of being collaborators.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The UN Human Rights Council established its highest level of inquiry in March that year to probe violations and abuses committed during the conflict.

- 'Profound scars' -

US President Donald Trump is trying to negotiate a peace deal to bring about an end to the war.

Russia on Friday said President Vladimir Putin had sent "additional" signals to Trump about a Washington-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine, adding it was "cautiously optimistic" about the prospect of a deal.

The inquiry said that after three years of armed conflict, the "profound scars" left on its victims were increasingly visible. Many had suffered seemingly irreparable harm and endured multiple crimes and violations, it noted.

"In this context, the commission underscores again the need for justice to be done and to ensure that perpetrators of violations and crimes are held to account."

The commission said that while Ukraine had cooperated with the probe, Russia did not recognise the commission. Its requests for access, information and meetings have gone unanswered by Moscow.
As former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stated his name for the International Criminal Court on Friday, a murmur of disdain crept through a cramped room in a Manila church.

Eight women sat watching a video stream of the proceedings, some clutching photos of a husband or son lost to the brutal drug crackdown that was the signature policy of Duterte's presidency.

The 79-year-old, who was allowed to appear remotely, stands accused of crimes against humanity for the years-long campaign, which rights groups say killed thousands of mostly poor men.

The widows and mothers who gathered thousands of miles away were told beforehand their former president would be required to say little beyond his name.

But Duterte's name was enough to "cause us fear and disdain", said Normita Lopez, 60, who could later be heard weeping in the audience.

Philippine police shot her son five times for "fighting back", a phrase used to justify the killings of alleged drug suspects.

The decision to let Duterte appear via video link from his detention centre after his long flight from Manila drew derision from some in the small audience.

"He doesn't look tired to me," one woman shouted at the screen.

Boos and jeers accompanied lawyer Salvador Medialdea's claim his client's transfer to The Hague was a "simple kidnapping".

Sheerah Escudero, whose brother Ephraim was abducted and later found dead during the crackdown, said the fact Duterte was receiving a trial only underscored the injustice.

"Us, my brother, did we ever get to experience that human right?" she asked following the screening.

Jane Lee, whose husband was killed in the drug war, said she was barely able to contain her rage at the sight of the former president's face.

"When I saw him, I was so angry I could barely control myself," the 42-year-old said, recalling how she had once watched him laugh at the mention of victims during a Senate hearing.

As the stream of the ICC session came to an end, a loud sigh erupted as the judge explained the next hearing would not be held for six months.

But Lee told attendees the group would use that window to continue their fight.

"We hope that he won't come back to the Philippines, so that somehow we can have a taste of peace," she said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday announced visa bans on officials from ally Thailand after the kingdom deported dozens of Uyghurs back to China.

"In light of China's longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we call on governments around the world not to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China," Rubio said in a statement as he attended G7 talks in Canada.

Rubio said that the United States would as a matter of policy take action against foreign government officials involved in deportations of Uyghurs.

He said that he was immediately restricting visas to an unspecified number of former or current officials from Thailand involved in the deportation of dozens of Uyghurs in late February.

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia but maintains friendly relations with Beijing. In response to international criticism on the deportations, the Thai government said that China assured it that the Uyghurs would be treated well.

The United States accuses China of genocide over its mass camps for Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim minority in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

China rejects the accusations and says it is providing vocational education to improve Uyghurs' future.

Rubio since his time as a senator has been an outspoken advocate of the Uyghurs and critic of China.

The harsh criticism of Thailand, however, marks a rare return by President Donald Trump's administration to the longstanding US prioritization of human rights and protection of asylum seekers.

Trump has pursued mass deportations of undocumented people in the United States, rejecting arguments that it is unsafe for them to return to violence-torn nations, mostly in Latin America.

Rubio, speaking to reporters at the G7, said in response to a question that he expected Trump eventually to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"The president engaged with him in his first term, and I expect he will do so again, and he should," Rubio said, while saying no date was set.

"These are the leaders of two big, important, powerful countries, and the leaders of powerful countries, whether they agree on things or not, should communicate for the safety and well being of the world," he said.






Friday, March 14, 2025 - Police have arrested the driver of a vehicle in President William Ruto's motorcade that fatally hit a foreign national along Ngong Road on Thursday.

According to police sources, the driver - whose identity remains undisclosed - was briefly detained before being released on cash bail, pending his arraignment in court.

The Government vehicle involved in the accident was towed to Kilimani Police Station for further investigation and evidence documentation.

The victim has been identified as Edgar Charles Frederick, a 79-year-old British national.

His body was transferred to Lee Funeral Home, where a postmortem examination will be conducted.

Reports indicate that Frederick was attempting to cross the road near Adams Arcade when he was hit by the convoy.

Witnesses at the scene claimed the elderly man had hearing difficulties and did not respond to warnings from a traffic officer clearing the way for the motorcade.

Following the incident, the National Police Service (NPS) launched an investigation and urged all road users to exercise caution.

The National Police Service urges motorists, pedestrians, and all other road users to adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents, NPS stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025 - Authorities have confirmed that the pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle within President William Rutos motorcade on March 13th was Edgar Charles Frederick, a 75-year-old British national who was widely known in the area for his interactions with traders and his longstanding support for vulnerable residents.

The incident took place near Adams Arcade along Ngong Road as the presidential convoy moved through the city during what marked the fourth day of Rutos tour focused on urban development, with those present at the scene describing a fast-moving motorcade that did not come to a halt following the impact.

In an official statement on Thursday, National Police Service Spokesperson Michael Muchiri indicated that the body of the deceased had been transported to Lee Funeral Home, where post-mortem examinations and further inquiries would be conducted as part of the broader process to establish responsibility for the fatal collision.

According to Muchiri, the vehicle believed to have been involved has undergone a formal inspection, while the driver, who is attached to the office of the Nairobi Regional Coordinator, has been granted temporary release on cash bail as legal procedures continue, with an appearance in court expected at a later stage.

Eyewitnesses reported that Frederick was making his way to a nearby mosque for prayers at the time of the accident, a routine that many in the neighbourhood were familiar with, as he was known for assisting destitute families by providing them with meals and financial aid, a fact confirmed by several traders and residents who recalled his generosity.

One woman who had interacted with him only a day before the incident described how she had been able to purchase meals for her family using money he had handed her, a testament to his longstanding role in supporting those struggling with hardship along Ngong Road.

Multiple people who were present when the accident occurred stated that at least two vehicles within the convoy were travelling at high speed when one struck the elderly pedestrian, with another vehicle in the procession running over him moments later, causing instant death as horrified bystanders watched.

Video clips that surfaced online shortly after the tragedy captured the urgency of the moment, with members of the public reacting in shock as the motorcade moved forward without stopping, while further recordings taken moments later depicted a gathering crowd expressing dismay at the unfolding scene.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025 - The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched an investigation into alleged bribery involving Stellah Bonareri Nyaboke Atambo, the Chief Magistrate at Thika Law Courts.

According to the commission, multiple complaints have been lodged accusing the magistrate of soliciting and receiving bribes from accused persons in criminal cases before her court.

EACC stated that the bribes were allegedly collected through Patrick Njeri Muriithi, a clerk working under the magistrate.

The commission believes that money was exchanged on various dates, raising suspicions of corruption within the judiciary.

On Thursday, March 13th, 2025, EACC officers, armed with search warrants, conducted raids at the residences of both Atambo and the court clerk.

The operation aimed to secure documents and evidence relevant to the ongoing investigations.

During the search, officers recovered Ksh 2,070,000 in cash hidden inside a laptop bag at the magistrates residence.

The commission suspects the money is linked to the alleged bribery scheme.

In addition to the cash, various documents believed to be crucial to the investigation were also seized.

Atambo and Muriithi have been taken to EACC headquarters for questioning and to record their statements regarding the allegations.

EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Abdi A. Mohamud, confirmed the operation, reiterating the commissions commitment to fighting corruption within the judiciary and other public offices.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025 - Kenya is bracing for significant economic losses following Sudans decision to suspend all imports from the country, citing Nairobis support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The U.S Government has already sanctioned RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Hemedti, over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan.

However, President Ruto recently hosted his faction, facilitating controversial talks over a parallel Government - an act that has drawn sharp criticism from Khartoum.

Sudans Foreign Ministry condemned Kenyas actions, warning of consequences.

Now, the countrys Ministry of Trade and Supply has enacted Cabinet Resolution No. 129 of 2024, immediately halting all trade between the two nations.

The ban includes Kenyan imports such as tea, a key export commodity, and comes as Khartoum accuses Nairobi of enabling RSF activities, which it views as a direct threat to its sovereignty amid an ongoing conflict.

This suspension deals a major blow to Kenyas economy, particularly the tea industry, which generated Ksh 250 billion (US$1.93 billion) in 2024.

In 2023, Kenya exported goods worth $48.2 million (Ksh 6.2 billion) to Sudan, including tea, tobacco, and seed oil.

With Sudan joining the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in severing trade ties over political tensions, Kenyan farmers and traders now face uncertainty in securing alternative markets, raising concerns over the long-term impact of diplomatic disputes on regional trade.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025  A Kenyan woman, Mwende Wa Mbuko, has sparked outrage on Facebook after openly celebrating the death of lawyer Wakili Kaimba.

Mwende accused the late lawyer of being corrupt, alleging that he swindled clients to finance his lavish lifestyle.

She further claimed that some of his victims were witchdoctors, suggesting that his untimely demise was a form of revenge.

In a chilling remark, she wished that his spirit would never find peace, fueling heated reactions online.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025  Kapseret MP, Oscar Sudi, has criticized Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing him of being out of touch with ordinary Kenyans.

Speaking at a funeral, Sudi claimed Mudavadi only attends burials of the wealthy, questioning why he merely sent condolences instead of showing up in person if he truly was a friend of the deceased.

He argued that Mudavadi would have attended the ceremony had the deceased been rich.

In a sarcastic remark, Sudi suggested that very few people will make it to heaven, labeling Mudavadi a "fake friend."

Watch the video below.

Oscar Sudi has a message to Musalia Mudavadi. pic.twitter.com/RBYSpa3yNE  Rodgers Kipembe Mpuru (@RodgersKipembe) March 13, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, March 14, 2025 - Former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has been flaunting her lavish lifestyle on social media, sparking speculation among Kenyans.

A close ally of President William Ruto, Omanga frequently shares glimpses of her extravagant life on TikTok and Instagram, showcasing a high-end car collection that includes Range Rovers, a Mercedes-Benz, and a newly acquired Audi RSQ8 worth over Ksh 20 million.

Recently, she stirred online discussions after unveiling a Bentley Bentayga (Ksh 26 million) and a 2024 Range Rover valued at over Ksh 40 million.

As questions about the source of her wealth mount, reports indicate that her company secured a multi-billion shilling tender to supply food to all prisons across the country.

Additionally, she is said to have landed another lucrative deal to furnish State Houses, among other undisclosed government contracts.

Many believe these high-value Government tenders are funding her opulent lifestyle.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Beijing's sci-tech volunteers make waves: Over 25,000 volunteers contribute 310,000 hours to science popularization

Global Times) 13:20, March 14, 2025

(Photo/Beijing Association of Science and Technology)

A total of 25,320 sci-tech volunteers have registered with the Beijing Science and Technology Popularization Volunteer Service Team, collectively contributing over 310,000 service hours, as revealed during a volunteer launch event on March 3.

The Beijing Science and Technology Popularization Volunteer Service Team, founded in 2012, saw its 220 sub-teams release nearly 300 science popularization projects, with over 10,000 volunteers involved in more than 100,000 service hours in 2024.

The 2025 Beijing Sci-Tech Popularization Volunteer Service Week kicked off ahead of the "Lei Feng Day," an annual event commemorated on March 5 aimed at celebrating the life and spirit of the young soldier who devoted his spare time and money to helping the needy. Science "Lei Fengs" will carry out a series of sci-tech popularization activities to make science more accessible and relatable.

The event also saw the launching of a "Smiling Beijing" volunteer service brand. The brand will feature six key application scenarios, including the professional science popularization service, science museum service, science popularization events, targeted service for key groups, and grassroots social governance supporting.

Five individual volunteers, five organizations, five projects, and three community service hubs were honored as 2024's standout contributors. One of the highlights was the award-winning team project "Touching the Sci-Tech Frontiers, Experiencing the Innovation" led by volunteer Zheng Tianlong. This young team, averaging 29 years old, leverages Beijing's key industrial plans like new energy, AI and bio-medicine to transform advanced technologies into accessible knowledge, benefiting over 300,000 people and creating a replicable model.

"Through a series of diverse and innovative science outreach initiatives, we aim to nurture a passion for science in more people and ensure the benefits of technological progress reach every household," emphasized an official from the Beijing Association of Science and Technology (BAST). He added that BAST will further leverage the roles of scientific workers and science popularization volunteers to innovate science popularization concepts, enrich the content and forms of science popularization, and strengthen public science popularization infrastructure construction throughout the city. They will play an irreplaceable role in advancing the construction of Beijing as a science and technology innovation center and achieving the goal of a strong technological nation.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Claire Henry

A convicted rapist who had only been in Ireland for a few days before he raped, sexually assaulted and falsely imprisoned a young woman has been jailed for 10 years.

Randi Gladstone (41), formally from Guyana, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury earlier this year of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25th, 2023.

Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. Gladstone has been in custody since August 2023.

Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said this offending has had a profound impact on the young woman and her family. He noted that she has suffered significant emotional distress and is nervous and anxious when out.

Judge McGrath agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that this offending falls in the 10 to 15 year sentencing category and said Gladstone preyed on this young vulnerable woman.

He said: This is a very serious offence with a considerable breach of trust. The defendant took advantage of this young woman's young age, vulnerability and inexperience.

The judge rejected the defence claim that this was opportunistic and said Gladstones actions clearly show cunning and planning.

The judge said, I cannot ignore the defendants appalling previous convictions. He noted that Gladstone has no migrating factors except that he is a foreign national serving time in an Irish prison.

There is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence

Judge McGrath sentenced Gladstone to 10 years in prison and said, there is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence.

Judge McGrath said, I was particularly impressed in the manner in which the young woman gave her evidence and how she and her family approached the case.

Detective Garda Carol Corrigan told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the victim, who was aged 18 at the time, had been staying in the accommodation for several days prior to the assault.

Gladstone had interacted with her and members of her family. On the day in question, the victim stood outside her hotel room dictating a message to her friend when Gladstone approached her. He asked her what she was doing and what age she was, and she told him she was 18.

The court heard that Gladstone asked the girl to step into his room so he could ask her something.

She did so but immediately knew something was not right. He asked her if she had a boyfriend and told her she was beautiful. He then asked her to hook up. She did not know what that meant, and when he explained it to her, she said no. He told her that he would take care of her and that he loved her.

Det Gda Corrigan said Gladstone then asked if he could kiss her and also offered to give her money, and again she said no. The victim then went to leave, and Gladstone kissed her.

The girl then froze, and Gladstone began to kiss her body and unbuckle and remove her shorts and underwear. He told her to relax before digitally penetrating her and then raping her.

The court heard the young woman did not fight back due to fear. When Gladstone was finished, he told her, to come back later for more.

He then looked up and down the corridor before the young woman ran to her room. She took a shower in the dark and then called her mother and told her what happened. Her mother was extremely angry and confronted Gladstone, who denied all misconduct.

A short time later, the young woman and her family visited St Vincent's Hospital. Some 30 minutes after the family left to attend the hospital, Gladstone appeared at reception looking anxious and nervous and enquired where the family had gone.

He then left the accommodation and, at 7.30 a.m. the following morning, bought a ferry ticket to the UK. However, he was unable to board the ferry as he was barred from entering the UK, and was refunded the cost of the ticket.

Gladstone was arrested a short time later. He was questioned but denied the allegations and said that the activity was consensual.

A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim's brother, which described the profound effects this crime has had on my life, my family and my future.

It describes the emotional stress, nightmares, depression and anger that the girl has suffered.

I would get so angry about every little thing. I wanted the pain I felt to be felt.

I hurt myself with a lighter for a while, but I still hurt inside. That was when I thought about not being alive anymore.

The statement concluded with the young woman saying she was grateful for justice and expressed her gratitude to the judge, jury, legal team and the gardai.

The Director of Public Prosecutions placed this offence in the ten to 15 year bracket on the grounds of the young age of the woman, the breach of trust and the facts and nature of Gladstone's previous convictions.

Det Gda Corrigan agreed with John Peart SC, defending that Gladstones previous convictions for rape in the UK are from the same case and date back to 2001.

Mr Peart said his client still maintains that the activity was consensual. He said the injured party was not injured.

Counsel said his client is a foreign national, and serving time in an Irish prison would be difficult. He also said, I respectfully say that this falls below the ten-year level.
Olivia Kelleher

A leading addiction specialist and consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist has expressed concern that cannabinoid product Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) remains legal in this country.

HHC is available in vapes  also known as e-cigarettes  and edibles, which can include gummy bears or cake.

It is a chemically modified or semi-synthetic version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis, with effects similar to THC in cannabis plants. It first emerged in Europe in 2022.

Dr Bobby Smyth told The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk that HHC is being used by a growing minority of young people who seem to buy it with impunity.

There is zero regulations or rules around its content, who can sell it, who can buy it. Its completely unregulated. It has been on sale for the last year and a half," he said.

Dr Smyth said he and his colleagues have been worried about the damage being caused by HHC for well over a year.

My main job is in adolescent addiction services. HHC just began featuring as a component part of lots of presentations within our service back in 2023.

"At this stage, its probably on the list of problem substances for about 20, 25 per cent of the young people attending the service - and thats the same nationally. Its been that way pretty much, I guess, for the last year or so," he said.

"Young people attend our services (adolescent addiction services) because they have lost control of their relationship with whatever drug they are using. Normally, that is cannabis. It can be alcohol. But it is HHC now with increasing frequency. We deal with HHC addiction issues way more commonly than, say, cocaine issues in the adolescent age group.

Dr Smyth said that the drug needs to be banned in this country.

I dont have a good answer to that (why it isnt banned in Ireland). There is two mechanisms by which it could be banned in Ireland. It could simply be added to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which bans most other illegal drugs.

"Lots of European countries have certainly already taken that step. The other piece of legislation we have in Ireland is called the Psychoactive Substances Act; its actually a criminal offence to sell a psychoactive drug - whether or not its listed in that act.

Given that this drug has been advertised by its sellers as having similar effects to THC - which is the active drug in cannabis  they are advertising it as having psychoactive effects, why that legislation wasnt used, Im not really sure. This is sold in high street stores."

Dr Smyth said that the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is meeting this week in Vienna with HHC being one of the issues on the agenda.

I saw a press release which said that HHC has now been added to Schedule 2 of the list of prohibited substances. What that means is Governments who sign up to the UN Convention on Drugs will now be required to ban it basically.

"What is frustrating and disappointing is that I thought we had a reactive and responsive system already in Ireland," Dr Smyth said.

But it hasnt worked on this occasion, and young peoples lives have been damaged. Its now the second most common cause of drug-induced psychosis in Ireland and has been for the last year or so. So, second to cannabis. So again it is causing more episodes of psychosis that require hospital admission than say cocaine.

Dr Smyth said that HHC can derail the normal development of the brain in young people.

So for some young people that can tip them into a psychosis. There has been a disconnect from the concern that doctors have been expressing quite loudly for a year. It is not doctors have been quiet about the problems we are seeing.

"It is just that the powers that be seem to be waiting for someone else to make a decision. It has been frustrating to watch.

Meanwhile, in February 2024, a Sinn Fein representative asked then-Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly for an update on legislation pertaining to the use and supply of products containing HHC.

Speaking in the Dail, Mr Donnelly said that HHC was first identified in Europe in May 2022 and was put under intensive monitoring at the end of that year by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA ).

Early warning in Ireland is co-ordinated by the EMCDDA National Focal Point and the Early Warning, Emerging Trends (EWET) working group chaired by the Department of Health. EWET continues to monitor the emergence and use of this substance in Ireland.

"HHC has been reported as a drug of concern by HSE and adolescent service providers. HHC can be contained in vaping products. There is growing concern on the potential impact of using this substance on young peoples mental health, including the possible link with psychosis. Young people report adverse effects such as loss of consciousness after use," Mr Donnelly said.

"The HSE will add content about HHC to its website, drugs.ie. Evidence in relation to harms associated with HHC will be carefully monitored, and appropriate responses will be considered.

Mr Donnelly said that the HSE will continue to liaise with the EMCDDA and the Early Warning and Emerging Trends (EWET) group for further direction on this substance.

This is an area currently being monitored by the HSE and the EU Drug Agency as there is limited information on the health impact of this substance.
David Young in Washington DC

Jewish representative groups have addressed antisemitism and vilification of Israel in Ireland with Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Mr Martin attended a meeting with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Washington DC on Friday.

The engagement came as the Taoiseach utterly rejected claims reportedly made by Israels ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, that he was antisemitic.

Mr Martin said it was absurd to label him antisemitic and added: I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

He said he wanted to have the meeting to present the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin said it would close last year. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA

Senior figures in Israeli politics have accused leaders in the Government of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have criticised the States decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who is now Tanaiste as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin's Fianna Fail, has also rejected the characterisation.

After the meeting, the AJC said the groups wanted to directly address concerns about antisemitism and the demonisation of Israel in Ireland.

It said Ireland is seen as one of the most problematic countries in Europe.

AJC director of international Jewish affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker said: Antisemitism is pervasive in Ireland, posing serious risks for its 3,000 Jews, many of whom hold Israeli citizenship.

Alongside physical harassment and attacks, widespread anti-Israel sentiment  including in parts of the government  affects daily life. Jewish school children face bullying, university students encounter hostility, and workplaces are increasingly unwelcoming.

In the meeting, Mr Baker expressed AJCs grave concern over Irelands vilification of the State of Israel, in particular joining the South African case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It also raised President Michael Higgins attacks on Israel, and Mr Martins own deeply problematic remarks.

Tanaiste Simon Harris. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The AJC said Mr Martin had accused Israel of committing war crimes, pursuing collective punishment of the Palestinian people, as well as using starvation as a weapon of war.

The group said that Mr Baker explained that these statements are contributing to antisemitism facing Irelands Jews and urged him to pull back from its engagement with the ICJ.

The ACJ said if such action and statements continue, it will advocate for the US government to take serious action in response.

The representative group announced that Mr Martin said Ireland would soon appoint a national coordinator to oversee efforts to counter antisemitism as well as develop a national strategy.

Mr Baker also asked Mr Martin not to pursue the countrys Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The existing Bill is not in the Governments published legislative schedule but Mr Martin previously signalled the Government was instead likely to seek to create a new Bill with its required changes.

In a statement, ADL senior vice president for international affairs Marina Rosenberg said the groups met Mr Martin to address the challenges facing the small Irish Jewish community, including an atmosphere of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.

Ms Rosenberg added: We urged concrete steps including the implementation of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the appointment of a National Coordinator for government policies against antisemitism.

We expect the Irish government to act swiftly and will be closely monitoring the situation.

A spokesman for Mr Martin said the engagement was very positive and included discussion on the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish communities around the world.

President Michael D Higgins. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Earlier, the Taoiseach said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

I went to Israel after October 7th in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.
High Court Reporters

Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley, who had to pay off a 6.9 million loan to keep a receiver from the doors of his Cork mansion, regards it as a win, the Commercial Court heard on Friday.

Mr Flatley's lawyer, Ronnie Hudson BL, told the court the entertainer regards the fact that he kept his home away from the receiver as a win.

Mr Hudson, instructed by solicitor Maxwell Mooney, added: Michael Flatley is very grateful to the court and he has specifically instructed us to communicate that to the court and his personal relief that his house is saved from the receiver.

The case was back before a judge to decide some costs issues around the recent court appearances.

The dancers lawyers said he was prepared to pay those costs surrounding the interim and interlocutory injunction applications and the Riverdance star regarded it as a win.

Counsel for the lender Novellus, Kelley Smith SC, said her client felt vindicated. She referred to a letter from the Flatley side which said they were prepared to narrow the issues for the court to adjudicate upon the disputed sum in relation to legal and receiver's costs and default interest.

Mr Justice Mark Sanfey at one stage remarked that the matter dragged on interminably, which he said was not usual in the big business section of the High Court.

Mr Flatley earlier this week paid off the 6.9 million loan at the centre of a dispute over his Castlehyde mansion in Fermoy, Co Cork.

The court, on two occasions, had set a deadline for the money transfer to make the monies transfer into the account of the solicitors on behalf of the lender who, three months ago, had a receiver appointed over Castlelhyde.

At issue in the case was a loan made to Mr Flatley's Blackbird Film Productions Ltd by Novellus Finance Ltd in 2023, with repayments of 67,000 per month over two years. Novellus claimed there had been default on repayment, which Mr Flatley denied.

Mr Flatley provided a guarantee for the loan on the strength of the value of his Castlehyde mansion. As a result of the alleged default, Novellus appointed a receiver over the property.

The Flatley side had asked for Mr Justice Mark Sanfey to hold off on giving his judgement on whether to set aside the interim injunction stopping the receiver taking steps or grant an interlocutory injunction to the Flatley side and said Mr Flatley was flying into the Dublin last weekend to sign documentation to allow for finance to pay off the loan.

In the Commercial Court on Friday, the court heard that in a letter to the Novellus side, Michael Flatleys solicitor Maxwell Mooney said he had taken instructions relating to costs of the interlocutory injunction application which was heard by the court over two days.

He said the Flatley side agreed to pay the costs on the basis of it now not being necessary for a judgment to be delivered.

Mr Justice Sanfey made an order for the Flatley side to pay those costs and other costs relating to the Novellus side seeking to set aside the interim injunction against the receiver taking further steps in relation Castlehyde.

However, what remains in dispute is a 1.4 million costs bill, which includes legal fees on the Novellus side of 793,000, the receivers legal fees of 186,000 and the receivers costs of 86,000, and a six-figure sum requested in relation to default interest.

The money has been lodged in court. Mr Hudson said the Flatley side needed vouching documentation in relation to the receivers costs bill.

Mr Justice Sanfey gave the parties time until the end of the month to engage with each other on the matter, remarking that it should be possible to agree what you disagree about.
A WOMAN with five addresses outside of prison, who is facing 13 charges of theft, will have to come back to court in November to have her case heard, after the DPP finally rules on how to proceed with three of the charges.

Rebecca Gill (30) with addresses given in Kinnegad, Naas, Newbridge, the Peter McVerry Trust, and No Fixed Abode, appeared in Naas District Court this week from custody, as she is presently incarcerated at Dochas Womens Prison for at least the next three months.

This case is in for (DPPs) directions. Have you? Judge Desmond Zaidan asked of Sergeant Dave Hanrahan as he waved a sheaf of charge sheets in his direction.

Six separate gardai had issue with Gill, and Sgt Hanrahan went through them all methodically for the judge.

It was a raft of shoplifting charges from across the county from between March 2023 to December 2024, ranging from 4.20 from Aldi, to 139 from TK Maxx in Newbridge, and one charge of possession of a controlled substance in the Monread Lodge in Naas.

Sgt Hanrahan confirmed for the judge that there was no allegation of violence used, and each time with five of the gardai Judge Zaidan accepted jurisdiction in the district court.

However, when Sgt Hanrahan got to the three charge sheets of Garda Mick Darby, he told the court he was still awaiting a decision from the DPP on those particular three.

While the judge was pondering, defending solicitor Dave Powderly informed the court his client was presently serving a sentence with a release date in June.

Im looking for a date in November, he said.

She fears if she pleads guilty today , he shrugged, leaving it unsaid that Ms Gill feared an extension to her sentence.

Judge Zaidan then put the case back until 6 November for hearing, and Mr Powderly nodded graciously.

We dont anticipate evidence will be required, he said.
The Government must end uncertainty and make a decision to extend the Basic Income for the Arts scheme before the current pilot runs out, according to Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson.

It is deeply disappointing that artists have not been provided with clarity on the continuation of this scheme  it is running out in only five months, said Senator Stephenson.

Since August 2022, 2,000 artists have received 325 per week under this pilot scheme, including 46 across Carlow and Kilkenny. The recipients are now living with uncertainty because they have been provided with no information on what is going to come next.

Rather than the existing uncertainty to artists we need clarity, we would hope this pilot scheme would be expanded and made permanent. More artists across Carlow and Kilkenny should be able to access this support.

We have so many talented artists in Carlow and Kilkenny who add so much to our local economy and our festivals and enhance our tourist offering as well as bringing joy to so many here who appreciate the arts - they are integral to the uniqueness of both Carlow and Kilkenny.

Ireland is famous for its Arts and culture, from our painters, potters, to our drama, our animation, music and more. We would be a much poorer nation if not for our culture and arts. Without this Basic Income Scheme many artists are surviving on limited commissions and for many it can be a precarious way to live, especially in the cost-of-living crisis we are currently in.

The Social Democrats will be advocating for this scheme to be continued and expanded so that artists can thrive and continue working.
Anita Massey, Manager at The Grill Restaurant (Lyrath Estate) in Kilkenny City has taken home the 'Employee Excellence Award' for Kilkenny at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025.

In a recent post from Lyrath Estate, Anita is described as a person who 'brings a wealth of experience to the team with nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry'.

She is also described as being 'passionate about delivering exceptional service and creating memorable dining experiences for guests'.



READ NEXT: 'Best cafe' in Kilkenny crowned at Irish Restaurant Awards

Located on the mezzanine level at Lyrath Estate, The Grill offers stunning views of both the Atrium foyer and the expansive estate parklands.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sean Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said:

"Tonight is about recognising the outstanding efforts of those who bring Irelands culinary reputation to life every day. In a challenging business environment, it is more important than ever to honour the people whose hard work, passion and creativity shape our hospitality sector.

"The Leinster Regional Final once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation that define this regions culinary landscape. I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. It is their hard work that makes Irelands food scene truly exceptional."

Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.

County winners from Leinster can now secure their tickets for this highly anticipated event.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Thirty-eight more workers from the South-East will join the ever-increasing dole queues when a Kilkenny industry closes down shortly.

The shock closure of the Silver River Shirt and Collar Company Ltd, at the Fair Green, Kilkenny, means an end to their jobs for 36 female workers and two male employees from April 4.

The shutdown follows close on the heels of the death of another Kilkenny factory, Kilkenny Knitwear Company, Callan, where between 35 and 40 workers, mostly female, became redundant when the firm put up the shutters some time ago.

Silver River Managing Director Mr TC McMullen blames the collapse of his Kilkenny firm on imports of cheap shirts from South Korea and Portugal.

READ NEXT: One of music's most iconic figures announces show in Kilkenny

He warns that the influx of these foreign goods which, have been coming, into the country, particularly during the past 18 months, could also spell the death knell for other industries.

Mr McMullen, who runs a similar factory at John Street West Dublin, has offered alternative employment to six of the Kilkenny girls at the Dublin factory. However, it is doubtful if this offer will be taken up.

It is unfortunate that we have to close down after six years in Kilkenny, he said.

I am sorry for the girls but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it The reasons for the shutdown were completely outside my control.

For some time the Kilkenny factory had been on a three-day week but finally a months notice was given to all employees. The firms Dublin plant had also been on a three-day week but is now back in full production.

A spokesman for the female employees told the Kilkenny People on Wednesday that although they had been on short time for some weeks the final notices came as a shock.

We really regret losing our jobs here, she said.

We always got a fair deal and working conditions were excellent.

However, at the same time the girls feel a bit sore about the whole affair. They claim that the Kilkenny factory is being closed so that the Dublin factory can return to full production.

MORE REDUNDANCY

Export market difficulties and antiquated machinery were given as the reasons for the end of Kilkenny Knitwear Company, Callan, which at peak production employed 70 workers, 75% of them female.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Three Kilkenny equestrian organisations are set to benefit from a share of the 2025 Breeding Grant Scheme.

Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show (1,500), Hughes Horse Stud Show (2,500) and Inistioge Show Society (5,500) are among the 86 equestrian organisations nationwide awarded funding under the nearly 600,000 scheme announced by Minister of State Timmy Dooley, TD, in partnership with Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

Leas Cheann Comhairle, Deputy John McGuinness, has welcomed the news and commended the work being done by local equestrian bodies, societies and show organisations.

In total, 86 initiatives will be funded this year from the increased budget of 595,820 which has risen by close to 80,000 from 2024s total of 520,000, and will provide considerable support to the equestrian industry around the country.

READ NEXT: 'Horrible violence' in a Kilkenny town - broad daylight fracas shocks locals

The Breeding Grant Scheme provides prize money to an array of young horse classes at shows all over the country.

The aim of the Breeding Grant initiative is to provide a pathway for breeding and production groups, societies and show associations to apply for funding for classes, production events and training bursaries designed to aid in the production of young horses through early handling, correct training and across a variety of venues nationwide.

This initiative also acts to showcase, incentivise, and reward breeders and their decision making during the breeding season while supporting and stimulating rural economies.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that the oppositions criticism to his comment on housing in the White House was over the top.

During a meeting between Mr Martin and Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the US president was asked about Irelands housing crisis.

Mr Trump replied that the housing crisis was because Ireland is doing so well.

They cant produce houses fast enough. Thats a good problem, not a bad problem, he added.

READ NEXT: 'Get that eejit' - Woman told to collect 'gunman' after man pushing pram shot dead

Leaning back in his chair and laughing, Mr Martin said: Thats a very good answer, president.

Asked about the comments on Thursday, Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said people had said they felt insulted by the Taoiseach.

Its not a good look for the Taoiseach to be laughing about a housing crisis when we have record numbers of homelessness, including child homelessness, when we have such a scandal that hasnt transpired because of the booming economy, it has transpired because the government has deliberately decided not to build houses during much part of the previous decade.

Mr Martin said on Thursday that during the Oval Office press conference, he was also asked what he would wish for Ireland.

He said: I equally said in the press conference, very emphatically, when I was asked What was the number one issue or what would I really wish for Ireland, and I said The number one issue in Ireland is housing, and we need to build as many houses as we can, as quickly as we can, for young people in Ireland to be able to afford to buy or affordable rent.

Its classic (for the) opposition to do that, and I think that was an over the top reaction.
Jewish representative groups have addressed antisemitism and vilification of Israel in Ireland with premier Micheal Martin.

Mr Martin attended a meeting with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Washington DC on Friday.

The engagement came as the Irish leader utterly rejected claims reportedly made by Israels ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, that he was antisemitic.

Mr Martin said it was absurd to label him antisemitic and added: I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

He said he wanted to have the meeting to present the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East.

Senior figures in Israels government have accused leaders in the Irish coalition of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have criticised Irelands decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who is now deputy premier as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin, has also rejected the characterisation.

After the meeting, the AJC said the groups wanted to directly address concerns about antisemitism and the demonisation of Israel in Ireland.

It said Ireland is seen as one of the most problematic countries in Europe.

AJC director of international Jewish affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker said: Antisemitism is pervasive in Ireland, posing serious risks for its 3,000 Jews, many of whom hold Israeli citizenship.

Alongside physical harassment and attacks, widespread anti-Israel sentiment  including in parts of the government  affects daily life. Jewish school children face bullying, university students encounter hostility, and workplaces are increasingly unwelcoming.

In the meeting, Mr Baker expressed AJCs grave concern over Irelands vilification of the State of Israel, in particular joining the South African case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It also raised Irish President Michael Higgins attacks on Israel, and Mr Martins own deeply problematic remarks.

The AJC said Mr Martin had accused Israel of committing war crimes, pursuing collective punishment of the Palestinian people, as well as using starvation as a weapon of war.

The group said that Mr Baker explained that these statements are contributing to antisemitism facing Irelands Jews and urged him to pull back from its engagement with the ICJ.

The ACJ said if such action and statements continue, it will advocate for the US government to take serious action in response.

The representative group announced that Mr Martin said Ireland would soon appoint a national coordinator to oversee efforts to counter antisemitism as well as develop a national strategy.

Mr Baker also asked Mr Martin not to pursue the countrys Occupied Territories Bill, which would ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The group said that the Taoiseach had informed them that the bill was no longer on the legislative calendar.

The existing Bill is not in the Governments published legislative schedule but Mr Martin previously signalled the Government was instead likely to seek to create a new Bill with its required changes.

He had explained that the Governments position was explained and that the bill will be reviewed. The spokesman said the Government is committed to the bill but it will not be brought forward this term.

In a statement, ADL senior vice president for international affairs Marina Rosenberg said the groups met Mr Martin to address the challenges facing the small Irish Jewish community, including an atmosphere of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.

Ms Rosenberg added: We urged concrete steps including the implementation of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the appointment of a National Coordinator for government policies against antisemitism.

We expect the Irish government to act swiftly and will be closely monitoring the situation.

A spokesman for Mr Martin said the engagement was very positive and included discussion on the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish communities around the world.

Earlier, the Taoiseach said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

I went to Israel after October 7 in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
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American Airlines flight catches fire at U.S. Denver airport

Xinhua) 13:42, March 14, 2025

LOS ANGELES, March 13 (Xinhua) -- An American Airlines plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport in the U.S. state of Colorado on Thursday, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The AA Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800 plane, was diverted to Denver shortly after departing from Colorado Springs, Colorado after the crew reported "engine vibrations," according to the FAA.

The plane was originally headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in the U.S. state of Texas but landed at Denver International Airport at around 5:15 p.m. local time (2315 GMT), said the FAA.

The agency said it would investigate the incident.

While taxiing to the gate after landing, one of the plane's engines caught fire, prompting passengers to evacuate the aircraft using the slides, the FAA added.

There were 172 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight, according to American Airlines.

"After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport, AA Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue," the airline said in a statement.

The passengers and crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal, the airline added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A MAN who provided gardai with a blood sample after he was stopped on suspicion of drug-driving was found to be four times over the drug-driving limit.

On 15 May last year while gardai were conducting a checkpoint on the M7 at Cappakeel, they observed a car exiting the motorway and avoiding the checkpoint. When they followed and stopped the car, they detected a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle while speaking to the driver. They also found a small amount of cannabis in the car. The driver tested positive for cannabis at a roadside test. The car was then seized and the driver was taken to Portlaoise Garda Station, where he provided a blood sample. Subsequent results showed that he was four times over the drug-driving limit.

Arising from the incident, Dean Murphy, 5 Kiltalown View, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty to drug-driving and possessing drugs for his own use on 15 May last year, when he came before Portlaoise District Court.

Prosecuting garda Ross Foy said that Mr Murphy had 54 previous convictions, which included nine for driving without insurance. He said the defendant hadnt been in trouble since 2012, but his most recent court appearance was on 9 March 2023, when he was successful in getting a 30-year driving disqualification reduced to 11 years.

Judge Andrew Cody convicted Mr Murphy of the offences, fined him 1,000 and disqualified him from driving for ten years.
A LAOIS councillor was challenged over her claims that young people are not being incentivized enough to take up professions in the frontline services.

The challenge to produce the facts about her claims, came about when Cllr Aisling Moran proposed a motion at the February meeting of Laois County Council calling on the government to introduce urgent measures to help recruit and retain essential frontline staff such as nurses and gardai, who are currently leaving their positions in droves.

Cllr Moran said that as soon as people are qualified they are leaving the country, because, they want to be able to afford a home, a better quality of life and a good work/life balance.

Cllr Moran said that companies such as Facebook, Ryanair and Microsoft have purchased houses for their staff and that maybe thats an option that could be looked at for anybody working in the county in the essential frontline areas. The government could be providing apartments and houses to rent to them. It would also regenerate local towns and villages. With some people working in the hospitals, instead of piling them all into Portlaoise, they could be located in the likes of Stradbally or Borris-in-Ossory or in other towns around the county.

Independent cllr Aisling Moran said: "I know in my own circle of friends a number of nurses who have left the industry due to the stress."

Cllr Moran also said: Staff are also expected to do overtime. Its not as though they have a choice in the matter, because theres not enough staff and its because they have to do it. They do the extra work and theyre taxed over half of it. Maybe the government could look at introducing some sort of tax incentive for these workers. Perhaps if they have to work overtime that they are not taxed on that overtime pay?

The other issue, I have is teachers on career brakes. These positions are left open for them to return. This is what happened with some TDs and no one else can take on those positions permanently. Something has to be done about that, she said.

In seconded the motion cllr Ben Brennan said: For what gardai get starting off, its not encouraging people one bit to join. If they go in, they cant afford a mortgage, because the basic wage is too low. And, their putting their lives at risk. Its also a tough job for nurses. Fair play to any man or woman working in the hospitals. Its not an easy job, its tough. They should be respected for the work they do.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan said: While I agree with the sentiment of the motion, Im just wondering do you have any figures on how many nurses have left. Id like to see the actual numbers.

Cllr Moran said she had not the actual figures to hand but would be happy to provide cllr Phelan with them.

Fine Gael cllr Vivienne Phelan said: "We all have personal experiences but, they're not facts. With these type of motions it would be nice for clarity sake to have facts and figures in future."

Cllr Moran said: I know in my own circle of friends a number of nurses who have left the industry due to the stress. Young people are leaving in their droves because they also want to travel, but some are not coming back because they are getting better options and opportunities to live abroad. We need to look at options that will incentivize and keep the people here in Ireland and make them want to stay and work at home.

Cllr Phelan said that she also sees similar retention and recruitment problems in her profession as a veterinary practitioner, but I think theres a multifactorial issue. We all have personal experiences but, theyre not facts. With these type of motions it would be nice for clarity sake to have facts and figures in future.

A short while later during the course of the meeting, cllr Moran came back with the facts and figures cllr Phelan sought.

Cllr Moran said: The IMNO conducted a survey in 2019 and it revealed that 71% of nursing graduates are considering leaving Ireland. Over 50% of new nurses are quitting within their first two years.
PORTLAOISE based Independent county councillor Tommy Mulligan is calling for the inadequacies of the operational systems in which paramedics (ambulance crews) are compelled to carry out their daily duties, to be addressed.

In a statement cllr Mulligan said: Presently, paramedics are experiencing incredible frustration with their systems of work. Paramedics are a critical part of our community health service, and they provide our community with an invaluable service. Unfortunately, it appears there are serious shortcomings in the ambulance service in Laois that need to be brought to light and issues that need to be addressed.

Ambulance resources have not matched the growing population of Laois over recent years. According to Census 2016 the population of Laois increased by 5.1%. In Census 2022 the population of Laois increased by another 8%. The 2022 Census also revealed that the population of the county was 91,877 with the number of people aged 65 and over increasing 25%.

He said: Laois has one ambulance station in the county. Offaly have three ambulance stations with a population of 82,688 (Census 2022). Another station in the county where Intermediate Care Vehicles (ICVs) could be located would greatly benefit the county and improve the current situation. These vehicles could be used to transfer patients from one hospital to another who do not require immediate intervention and who are not life-threatening transfers. Currently the emergency ambulances are carrying out these duties.

The current dispatch protocol by the National Emergency Centre, said cllr Mulligan, is to send the nearest ambulance available at the time of call to all emergency calls, regardless of where their station or region might be. This method of dispatching is creating large areas, for periods of time, where the is no resource to respond within an acceptable range, meaning the closest ambulance could be as far as 100km away thus having a negative impact on response times and patient outcomes.

"There have been reported instances in recent times when the emergency services were required in Laois and surrounding areas and there was no ambulance in attendance for a considerable time," said cllr tommy Mulligan.

Ambulance crews favour the older system where crews always responded to calls within an acceptable radius of their base which gave a better balance of resources and less chance of long distances between ambulance and patient. An improvement of the current dispatch system would be to keep sufficient ambulance cover within reasonable radius of their bases, and if out of county transfers need to be done which is always going to be necessary then the resources should be able to return to their own local area or region at worst.

Presently, due to the operational call system, ambulances are responding to non-emergency calls. The AMPDS (Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System) is the triage system used by the National Emergency Operations Centre. Frequently this results in an ambulance travelling long distances when not appropriate. Consequently, there are occasions when our vital emergency ambulances are unavailable for emergency calls where clinical interventions are needed. Alternative options are available, and these options should be explored to ensure emergency ambulances only attend emergency calls. He said: The National Emergency Operations Centre are mobilising ambulances within 90 seconds of a call coming in regardless of how far away the call is. This may be the case, but the ambulance could be an hours distance away from the patient. The focus is on statistics but should be on patient care and survival rates. By keeping ambulances in their locality, we can mobilise an ambulance immediately to get to the scene as soon possible as opposed to travelling from an hour away.

The present operation system appears to be a system of chance in Laois, said the councillor.

This is not satisfactory in my opinion and not an adequate system for the people of Laois. An adequate ambulance service is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical emergencies are handled with the necessary speed and expertise. There have been reported instances in recent times when the emergency services were required in Laois and surrounding areas and there was no ambulance in attendance for a considerable time.

Laois has one ambulance station in the county to cover a population of 91,877 people while Offaly, with a population of 82,688, has three ambulance stations, said cllr Mulligan.

Cllr Mulligan said: I have first-hand experience of the other side of chance. In July 2020 my dad had a massive heart attack out in Rathleague in Portlaoise GAA grounds. Fortunately, when the emergency services were called there was an ambulance in close proximity. The ambulance crew worked on my dad in Rathleague and then he was rushed to Saint James Hospital in Dublin as an emergency case where he received immediate attention. If an ambulance had not been available that day there is a good chance, he would not have survived.

An effective ambulance service is essential for public health and safety, he said.

The people of Laois deserve an ambulance service we can have full confidence in and that will be available around the clock in the case of an emergency. The ambulance service staff deserve to have a working operation system that they believe in. It is important that their issues are addressed, and their concerns are alleviated. It is my opinion that the current operational system is not providing the most optimum care to the people of Laois. Ambulance services are for time time-critical emergencies. Emergency services are there to provide medical attention for illnesses or injuries requiring immediate treatment/intervention. This service is time critical. Delayed treatment/intervention results in poorer outcomes. This is putting the public at risk as the potential of no ambulance or delayed ambulance results in the people of Laois having poorer health outcomes due to the current operational system of the ambulance service in the county.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a potential Islamist terrorist link to a stabbing in Belfast earlier this month, the PA news agency understands.

Religious ideology is one of a number of potential motives being investigated.

Detectives are also probing whether a mental health episode or hate were factors.

An 18-year-old man was arrested after the stabbing near the Ormeau Road at around 7.35pm on Saturday, March 1st.

A man, 51, received treatment in hospital for his injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: The suspect was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, before being detained for the purpose of assessment by mental health professionals.

He remains in their care at this time.

The victim, a 51-year-old man, received treatment in hospital and has since been discharged.

He continues to receive support from specialist officers.

While I would stress that the motive for the attack has not yet been established, detectives are exploring a number of potential motivating factors, including the possibility that this was a hate crime, a mental health episode or driven by religious ideology.

At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack.

I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101.

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org 
On 13 March the president of Venezuelas national assembly,, announced that deportation flights carrying Venezuelans from the US will be resumed, after they were briefly suspended amid tensions over the withdrawal of US oil firm Chevron from Venezuela.

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A 20-year-old Ohio man faces animal cruelty charges after killing his ex-girlfriends cat in Palmer Township, police said.

Christopher Winchell Jr. of Elyria is charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals; misdemeanor cruelty to animals; and misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime.

A warrant for Winchells arrest was issued by District Judge Susan Hutnik.

The victim on Feb. 20 arrived at the apartment and Winchell told her he used a hammer to kill her pet cat, police said.

Winchell then allegedly disposed of the cats body in a trash can.

Investigators seized the weapon used in the incident, and the victim provided police with a written statement.

The victim on March 4 obtained a protection-from-abuse order against Winchell, court records state.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
McDonald's wants to build a restaurant with a dual drive-thru at the site of the old Friendly's restaurant on Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains. Google Maps

The proposal to build a new McDonalds with a two-lane drive-thru in a New Jersey town has left locals residents grimacing.

A group of Morris Plains residents has filed suit against McDonalds, the local planning board and the propertys owners seeking to block the restaurant on Speedwell Avenue.

The lawsuit filed March 6 in Superior Court in Morris County seeks to overturn the boards Dec. 18 approval for the project.

McDonalds plans to build the new restaurant where a Friendlys restaurant once stood, according to court papers.

But 13 local homeowners argue the larger McDonalds project with two drive-thru lanes will create serious traffic and safety issues in the area.

Representatives from McDonalds and the Morris Plains Planning Board did not immediately respond on Wednesday to requests for comment.

The site plan does not adequately account for increased vehicle congestion, particularly along Speedwell Avenue and Dayton Road, where large delivery trucks may violate local weight restrictions, according to the lawsuit.

The McDonalds project will significantly increase traffic and create safety hazards for pedestrians and local drivers, the lawsuit states, citing expert testimony that estimated the site would generate about 710 vehicle trips daily.

The residents also argue that the traffic study conducted by McDonalds was flawed, relying on limited data collection and failing to include real-world comparisons with similar fast-food locations.

In addition to traffic concerns, residents claim the planning board improperly waived the requirement for an Environmental Impact Statement.

The residents argue that McDonalds failed to provide adequate data on air pollution, noise and odor on nearby homes.

The planning board violated procedural rules by improperly limiting public participation in hearings and restricting cross-examinations of McDonalds experts, according to the lawsuit.

Those who had contributed to a GoFundMe campaign opposing the project were prohibited from asking questions, the lawsuit states.

A conflict-of-interest claim is also included in the lawsuit.

Residents allege that planning board member and borough Councilwoman Cathie Kelly should have recused herself from voting due to statements she made in a campaign video posted on social media.

The video, posted while the application was pending, appeared to express support for economic development in Morris Plains, which the residents argue indicated bias in favor of the McDonalds project.

Kelly told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday that she sought advice from attorneys who told her she did not have to recuse herself from voting on the project.

I dont agree with what theyre doing, Kelly said of the homeowners who are suing. She declined further comment.

Despite an initial 4-4 tie vote that legally resulted in denial of the application, the board later adopted a resolution approving the project, a move the lawsuit claims was improper and unlawful.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Flames ignited just before 8 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025 in the westbound lanes of Route 22 in Whitehall, state police said. There were no reported injuries. Alan Sylvestre Media, LLC

A single-vehicle car fire is backing up traffic along Route 22 in the area of Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, state police said.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks, told lehighvalleylive.com flames ignited just before 8 a.m. Friday in the westbound lanes.

There were no reported injuries.

Police shut down the right lane with just the left lane open to moving traffic. The incident is just before the Route 145 exit.

By 8:40 a.m., traffic was backed up to the Airport Road exit in westbound lanes, Branosky said.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A prisoner appeared in court accused of attempting to drag a prison officer into his cell at the Midlands Prison.

Dylan McMahon (30) with an address at Midlands Prison, is accused of assaulting a prison officer at the Midlands Prison on June 15, 2024.

Donal Callaghan BL said his client was serving a lengthy sentence and was pleading guilty to the offence.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 9.55am on C2 Landing. He said the officer had opened the defendants cell and the inmate started to shout at him aggressively before grabbing him by the left shoulder when he "attempted to drag the officer into his cell.

The officer broke free and got assistance, said Sgt Kirby.

He said the man had 71 previous convictions and was serving a sentence until March 27, 2028.

Judge Susan Fay said she would require a victim impact statement before she could finalise the case.

She granted legal aid and adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on April 28 for a victim impact statement and finalisation.
A Laois Councillor has called on the Council for an update on the provision of a car park near Mountrath cemetery, following a spat of antisocial behaviour.

Independent Cllr James Kelly has requested that the Council install a carpark on a council owned site adjacent to the cemetery and Mountrath Community School.

Ms Georgina Ireland, SEO with the Council's Community Department, has said that there is currently no funding allocated for such a development.

"I am very disappointed in this reply from Georgina Ireland, we have known for the last three years that this site could be handed over for a public car park," Cllr Kelly said.

Pictured: St Fintan's Cemetery, Mountrath is adjacent to the Council owned site for a proposed car park

"I know also that there was an application made for funding last year that didnt come through.

"This is something that I wont let go away, we have the cemetery and the community school there, and we have a site thats owned by the County Council," he said.

Cllr Kelly highlighted the illegal dumping occurring on this site, with the Council's litter warden visiting the location twice.

"There is dumping here and there is antisocial behaviour, there are yobs, a few yobs in the town and they are causing a lot of angst around that area. It has become a shelter for antisocial behaviour," he said.

"There are people living around here that arent getting any peace at all. There were mattresses set on fire there last week. Theres no regard for the neighbourhood there and theres no regard for the law of the land, or how the local authority operate.

"I need something done on this as soon as possible, and Id like to meet the district engineer on site to have a look at it," Cllr Kelly said.

"If the funding is not available this year, I am very disappointed with that, and I am urging the Council to tidy up this site. Come down and cut the trees and tidy it up, make it so that its open so this anti social behaviour and rampant dumping can be ceased. It can be used as a car park when funerals are on, and for the schools," Cllr Kelly said.

Pictured: Mountrath Community School undergoing construction work in 2009

Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Bracken gave his support to this motion from Cllr Kelly.

"I want to support Cllr Kelly with this motion, I am familiar with the area. Surely we can go in and clean it up, and put down a temporary surface. It could eliminate this antisocial behaviour," he said.

"It doesn't have to be state of the art, if it were just cleaned up and surfaced for the time being. We see this in lots of places, we can overcome this problem," Cllr Bracken finished.

Ms Georgina Ireland, SEO with the Council's Community Department, replied that the installation of a car park is dependent on funding.

"There is currently no provision in the Indicative Capital Budget 2025-2027 to fund such a development. However, all funding opportunities will be explored in this regard as they arise in the interim," Ms Ireland finished.

This motion was tabled at the March sitting of Laois County Council's Borris in Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.
Laois County Council have addressed comments on the 'confusion and concern' surrounding grants for oil burners, fossil fuel stoves and wood pellet stoves.

Laois Fine Gael Councillor John King raised the issue that while the Council will not cover grants for new fossil fuel boilers, they will offer to 'repair heating where heating is broken'.

The Councillor slammed 'confusing and unclear conditions' surrounding the Housing Aid for Older People Grant.

"This is a shock for people who have applied for the grant. People have applied before Christmas and would have received quotes now," he said.

"I want to know when this is becoming enforced by Laois County Council, it says here that the grant can be used 'to repair heating where it is broken'. If you have an oil burner where the boiler is okay, are you allowed to repair that? People have a misunderstanding on that.

Pictured: Laois County Council inks contract for Laois council house solid fuel retrofitting in 2023. Picture: Michael Scully

"Also, I have asked the Council's engineers about this as well. If someone has a stove or cooker, can we give a grant for a wood pellet stove?" Cllr King asked.

The Cllr also raised that many grant applicants are confused when applying for the grant, and do not understand the workings of dealing with Revenue when applying.

Cllr King has suggested that Laois County Council return to the old method of applicants presenting a slip to the Council declaring their income sources.

"Another area of confusion is applying for the grants. If people can come in here and give in their slips, where we know and they know that there isn't money coming in from another source.

"Genuine people that don't understand the workings of Revenue, will have to deal with a lady upstairs and revert to Revenue, there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty," Cllr King said.

Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services said that the rules of this grant go above the Council's authority.

Pictured: The Council's air to water heat pump systems powered by electricity

"On page 6 of the application form for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, it states "Grants are not available to buy new fossil fuel boilers." This requirement is a national requirement, not one inserted by Laois County council" Mr Brennan said.

Cllr King said that it is 'easy' for Mr Brennan to tell him to read page six of the grant, and that he has read it.

"I have people applying for the grants and reaching out to me in total confusion, prices are given to repair the oil burners, and also to repair stoves.

"Financially the turf in the shed is easier for them. The elderly are not being treated fairly, fairness should be given and shown to them," Cllr King said.

This motion was seconded by Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Bracken, who said that Ireland is 'jumping on the bandwagon' of European policies.

"As Cllr King has said, this is a shock," Cllr Bracken said.

"We have had the same issue with Strategic Policy Committees in housing. It's a national directive and a European directive.

"Can a French person get a grant for upgrading their boiler? can a German? That's the question I'm asking," Cllr Bracken said.

"We are gone over the top on this. There are elderly people with oil burners for 25 years, and now they are left in limbo.

"There is a mechanism where you can get a refurbished boiler- how can you refurbish a boiler if it's burnt out? It's beyond me," Cllr Bracken argued.

"What happens if someone has a stove or a coal burner for over thirty years, if they want a grant to replace this stove, that grant is gone too. We're offering to repair heating where it is broken, and to provide heating where there is no heating.

"How do we provide heating where there is no heating, if we won't provide a grant for a boiler?" Cllr Bracken asked.

"This boiler grant is not just oil, it's a gas burner one too, and that's a huge issue. We need clarification that people will qualify for a wood pellet stove under this grant.

"Also, what's going to happen to our own stock of Council houses with this issue?" Cllr Bracken asked.

"It's just beyond me, I don't know," Cllr Bracken finished.

Cllr King insisted that in an oil burner stove, the burner is a separate part that can be refurbished and easily changed.

Pictured: Wood pellet stoves appear to be included within this grant

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney called the changes made to this grant as 'very regrettable'.

"When we had the storm and the electricity went, if people hadn't some way of heating, they were in the cold," Cllr Clooney said.

"In some cases there were people without power for three weeks. The grant was working fine the way it was, and it's another layer of beaurocracy coming from Europe.

"They don't know what they are talking about. We jump to it as well the minute its brought in, we jumped on the bandwagon," Cllr Clooney argued.

"It was a simple thing the way it was, and it worked well. It kept older people in their homes, we don't want people going into nursing homes because they are perishing with the cold. It'll cost a lot less money if people are left in their homes and looked after," Cllr Clooney said.

Independent Cllr James Kelly stated that the Council must look after all people.

"Tradition is important in our country, we have to look after the people who spent so many years looking after us," he said.

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services for Laois County Council, has said that she will speak to the Housing department for more clarity on the issue.

Pictured: Cllr Clooney highlights that many Laois locals were left in the cold during storm Eowyn

"The funding may not be provided from January 1 2025, I imagine it is strict in relation to it," she said.

"Given the bad weather we can ask if there is a transitional period people can apply through," the Director said.

"In relation to circumstances where central heating already exists in a house, central heating funding is available to extend the system to a newly constructed system," Ms McEvoy said.

"Funding is also available for repair costs where a report form a heating contractor states that the existing central heating system is broken. I don't know whether that would help in this situation," she said.

Cllr King asked whether the repair of a burner is covered under this grant, with Ms McEvoy replying that she will look for clarification on what can be interpreted on the word 'repair'.

"A grant may be paid for repairing the cost of a stand alone and fossil fuel boiler, or installing electricity biomass based heating solutions, electric heaters or wood pellet stoves," Ms McEvoy finished.

This motion was tabled at the March sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.
A famous cake created by a Hungarian refugee who fled to Ireland in the 1950s is to be celebrated at a St Patricks Day event attended by more than 300 diplomats and politicians in Budapest.

The Irish ambassador to Hungary Ragnar Almqvist has invited Bewleys Grafton Street to showcase the Mary Cake at a reception hosted by the countrys Irish embassy.

A 20-year mystery surrounding the famous dessert was solved in 2022, thanks to a collaboration between two granddaughters.

It was introduced to Ireland in 1956 by Hungarian confectioner Henry Spelter, who was among a number of refugees offered training and employment by Bewleys when they arrived in Ireland.

But the recipe vanished during extensive renovations at Bewleys two decades ago.

No-one could recreate the cake until Hazel Carmichael, granddaughter of Bewleys managing director Victor Bewley, tracked down Henrys granddaughter Carolina Malagon in New York.

Both women met for the first time when the Mary Cake was relaunched in 2022 and will reunite again at the Budapest event.

It was so wonderful to meet Carolina in 2022 because she could share with me Henrys handwritten recipes and the notes he had kept, said Ms Carmichael, who runs Hazels Cake Studio in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

Through her, I learned more about the opportunity that Bewleys gave to Henry and it was humbling to hear what that seemingly small thing meant for their family.

READ NEXT: 'Get that eejit' - Woman told to collect 'gunman' after man pushing pram shot dead

The essence of the story is a refugee who came to Ireland  and was given a chance by Bewleys  but who also brought his own heritage.

Henry and my great-uncle Alfred Bewley worked on that recipe together to make it suitable for Bewleys to reproduce and it was a customer favourite for decades.

The treats are described as mini towers consisting of a rich chocolate filling on top of a sponge base, encased in chocolate and topped with a disc of marzipan.

A confectioner by trade, Ms Carmichael was asked by Col Campbell of Bewleys to recreate the original cake for Bewleys Grafton Street.

The Bewley family came to Ireland as refugees and the business, founded on Quaker principles, has been helping Irelands new arrivals since 1840, said Mr Campbell.

The original cakes have been brought back to life by Bewleys and one euro from every purchase goes to support the Irish Red Cross.

At a time of significant unrest, it seems fitting to celebrate all the good the Mary Cake represents  as well as its dual citizenship  on St Patricks Day in Budapest.

The Bewleys team and the Campbell family  who own and operate the cafe  will be represented at the celebrations by Oscar Campbell, part of the management at Bewleys Grafton Street.
A Laois councillor who says his father's life was saved by a local ambulance, has called on a better service for the county, saying he speaks on behalf of concerned local paramedics.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan from the Portlaoise Municipal District is highlighting problems in the system operated by the National Ambulance Service, which sends ambulances on non-emergency duties, and can leave people in urgent need waiting on an ambulance coming from other counties.

"Paramedics are experiencing incredible frustration with their systems of work. Paramedics are a critical part of our community health service, and they provide our community with an invaluable service. Unfortunately, it appears there are serious shortcomings in the ambulance service in Laois," Cllr Mulligan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

He recounts his own experience with his father John Mulligan who own steered Portlaoise GAA to Laois and Leinster Club Champship final wins.

"I have first-hand experience of the other side of chance. In July 2020 my dad had a massive heart attack out in Rathleague in Portlaoise GAA grounds. Fortunately, when the emergency services were called there was an ambulance in close proximity. The ambulance crew worked on my dad in Rathleague and then he was rushed to St James Hospital in Dublin as an emergency case where he received immediate attention. If an ambulance had not been available that day there is a good chance, he would not have survived," he said.

Cllr Mulligan with his family and supporters after his win at the Local Elections.

He said that Laois has only one ambulance station despite continued population growth to 92,000, a quarter of them over 65. Offaly with a population of 83,000 has three stations.

"The present operation system appears to be a system of chance in Laois. An adequate ambulance service is essential for saving lives.

"There have been reported instances in recent times when the emergency services were required in Laois and surrounding areas and there was no ambulance in attendance for a considerable time.

"The people of Laois deserve an ambulance service we can have full confidence in and that will be available around the clock in the case of an emergency. The ambulance service staff deserve to have a working operation system that they believe in. It is important that their issues are addressed.

"Another station in Laois for Intermediate Care Vehicles would greatly benefit the county. These vehicles could be used for the non-life threatenening transfers of patients. Currently the emergency ambulances are carrying out these duties," he said.

Cllr Mulligan said that the dispatch protocol by the National Emergency Centre is to send the nearest Ambulance available at the time of call to all emergency calls, regardless of where their station or region might be.

"This method of dispatching is creating large areas, for periods of time, where the is no resource to respond within an acceptable range, meaning the closest Ambulance could be as far as 100km away thus having a negative impact on response times and patient outcomes," he claimed.

"Ambulance crews favour the older system where crews always responded to calls within an acceptable radius of their base which gave a better balance of resources and less chance of long distances between Ambulance and patient.

Read also: New houses approved beside Portlaoise hospital.

"The National Emergency Operations Centre are mobilising ambulances within 90 seconds of a call coming in regardless of how far away the call is. The ambulance could be an hour away," he claimed.

"This service is time critical. Delayed treatment/intervention results in poorer outcomes. This is putting the public at risk. I will be proposing a Notice of Motion at the March County Council Meeting calling on Laois County Council to request that the Minister for Health addresses the failures within the national ambulance service," Cllr Mulligan said.
Donald Trump has threaten to place tariff's of 200% on all alcohol products entering the United States if the tariff placed on the United States by the EU is not lifted.

Writing on social media President Trump said:

"If this tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES."

Read Next: 'Shame on you' Taoiseach laughs and cracks a joke when housing crisis is brought up with Trump



This would have a dramatic effect on Irish whiskey which makes over a, reported, $1 billion every year.

Speaking on the news Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said:

"Irish Whiskey sales increased from 7 million cases ten years ago to over 15 million cases last year. America is by far our biggest market taking over 1/3 of all Irish whiskey produced. The sector is made up of a small number of very large producers and dozens of new craft distilleries. The latest erratic tariff threat from Trump is hugely concerning. A 200% tariff on Irish Whiskey would wipe much of the sector out here in Ireland."

"When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled. Ireland is potentially the collateral damage here. The difficulty is, the Oval Office meeting between Trump and Martin notwithstanding, Ireland seems to have little influence on either the US or the EU. When the EU targeted US Bourbon as part of its retaliatory tariff threat, it put the Irish drinks industry in the sights of Trump. I have asked the Minister for Finance what contribution has the Irish government in the decisions by the EU to retaliate to the threatened US tariffs. I have also asked the Minister for Finance what contribution if any has the Irish government had over the selection of targets for this retaliation."

"It seems to me that Ireland is on the sidelines of these decisions. This is not tolerable. These decisions are too important to our jobs and our economy for the Irish government to outsource these decisions. Ireland exports more relatively to the US than other EU countries. Last year Ireland exported 72.6 billion worth of goods to the US. 58 billion is composed of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The Oval Office meeting between Trump and Martin yesterday saw Trump clearly single out the Irish Parma sector. If this comes to pass Ireland will be plunged into a collapse in taxes, GDP and jobs."
The penny has dropped over the need for a reduction in EU regulations, Irelands premier has said.

Micheal Martin said the winds of change were blowing towards innovation and reduction of regulation.

Theres a move within the European Union now to simplify regulation. I think the penny has dropped. The message has got home.

He made the comments as he attended an event at the US Chamber of Commerce on the penultimate day of his week of engagements in the US.

Mr Martin, who told the event that France was his favourite European country, added: [French President] Emmanuel Macron held a very good AI action summit in Paris about a month ago and [US] vice president JD Vance was there, he gave a very strong message.

A hard message, but he gave it very clear that the US were going to go innovation, innovation, innovation.

Emmanuel Macron and [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen was saying Europe has to become more innovation-focused.

Mr Martin said Ireland was committed to working with the D9+ group of countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic) to advocate for the simplification of regulations in the EU.

Its not been satisfactory. We in Ireland understand that, because a lot of the companies are located in Ireland.

He said there was growing recognition across Europe for the need for a reduction in regulations, but added: That has to be matched by action and real concrete development.

Mr Martin said it is inarguable that European defence spending will increase.

He said it is very clear that Ireland will have to play its role in European security, while taking its traditional military neutrality into account.

I can predict that the next multi-financial framework, which is the European Union budget, which will come for the Irish presidency, will involve a significant increase in European Union spending on defence capability, which will be focused on increasing opportunities and capacities from member states to increase their expenditure.

The Taoiseach added that Ireland will become a net contributor to defence capability across Europe through a collective debt instrument.

He added: But Ireland in itself will have to increase, and we are doubling our defence  coming from a very low base  defence expenditure.

But again, we have to do it in a targeted way. Cyber security, sub-sea cables, maritime security  those are probably the most immediate vulnerabilities.

Mr Martin heard that the US Chamber is committed to the trade relationship with Ireland.

Its chief executive and president Suzanne Clark told the Taoiseach: Were such firm believers in the indivisible connection between our countries.

Mr Martin said the relationship between Ireland and the US is an enduring partnership.

He added: We do genuinely see this as a two-way street. Ireland is a small, open economy, we depend on trade. We would argue that free trade has lifted prosperity in the world, the era of free trade greater than any other era.

Mr Martin was asked what more the US could do to bring more Irish investment.

In general, he said the feedback about the US was very positive but the issue of visas between the two countries can be particularly problematic.

However, he revealed he found ways around it during his time as minister for enterprise.

Mr Martin said: Flexibility around inward movement of people into the United States is problematic, it is a very restrictive environment in terms of a mobility of visas that are granted from one company to another.

He said flexibility would benefit the US as it would allow qualified people to work for its companies.

He added: We should be imaginative and weve tried this on a number of occasions that wed be creating a legal channel between America and Ireland, that Americans can come to Ireland through us offering visas to Americans to reside and work in Ireland.

And when I was in Enterprise a long time ago, it used to always pain me, but I did find ways around it.

When Americans fell in love in Ireland, we had to find they developed specialties in certain areas of work and got work permits, and they were happily married ever after.

But, I mean, you know, there was too much to navigate in all of that.

Mr Martin said President Donald Trump was very well disposed to such a mechanism.
The Leitrim Fort Group will hold a number of events between April and March celebrating ring forts and archaeology in Leitrim and is asking locals to get involved.

The project starts on the 3rd of April with a visit to a ring fort in Kiltoghert that has had a geophysical survey conducted on it by Susan Curran, a senior archaeologist, who will then deliver her findings at a free event at the Dock Theatre in Carrick-on-Shannon later that evening, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Ring forts are the most numerous archaeological artifact found in Ireland, and it is the only domestic monument that survives in significant numbers, says John Flynn, a member of the Leitrim Fort Group who is running the project.

Ring forts were sites of stone settlements that were built during the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and early Middle Ages, up to about the year 1000 AD, and dotted the ancient Irish countryside, acting as a domestic homestead for farmers.

The ruins of the sites can be found across Ireland, with over 1,000 recorded in Leitrim alone, according to Flynn.

Ring forts, also known as fairy forts, are steeped in superstitions, with many believing you should never tamper with themunless youre looking for trouble.

The group will work with Burren Beo, an archaeology group from Clare, to run a survey of forts in the county on May 1st, which will involve visits to the farms of those who wish to be involved, to photograph and record their ring forts. The group is asking farmers who have forts on their land to consider getting involved.

We want to reach out to farmers who have these sites on their land, and some of them may be enclosed with timber or hedges, but there might be some that are visible and accessible.

The idea was that we would bring attention to them, and by the fact of the farmer becoming involved or letting us know, they could make contact so that they could be included in this celebratory time of forts in Leitrim.

READ MORE: Farmers and researchers give historic bogs a new lease of life in Leitrim
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About 68% of Liberias land surface is covered by forests, making it the most forested country in West Africa and a huge carbon sink; and the forests have a high biodiversity and commercial value.
The world and America have evolved, and Liberia must urgently adapt to these changes. The future of our nation depends on it.
AN GARDA Siochana Limerick have unveiled an extensive policing plan for the International Band and St Patrick's Day Parades on Sunday and Monday.

It is in anticipation of large volumes of people coming into the city to enjoy the St Patrick's Day festivities this bank holiday weekend.

The St Patrick's Day Parade will commence on O'Connell Avenue at noon. Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journey and expect diversions and delays around Limerick city due to road closures for the parade.

Speaking about the festivities, Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said: "We are delighted to welcome everybody to Limerick City and County and hope you truly enjoy the parades and festivities planned for this years St. Patricks Day.

"In co-ordination with Limerick City and County Council, festival organisers and other stakeholders we will implement a full policing plan aimed at keeping you safe so as to ensure you can experience one of the best weekends that this city and county has to offer.

Chief Super Smart said gardai will be on hand to ensure a safe and successful weekend for everyone and with this in mind we are asking for your assistance and support.

Please note that the Public consumption of alcohol is illegal and will not be tolerated, especially during the day.

"A comprehensive road traffic management plan will be in place in Limerick city centre which is designed to facilitate our parade and cause as little disruption as possible. I would ask that you familiarise yourself with the details of same.

"La Fheile Padraig sona do gach duine ar fud na cathrach Luimnigh, said Chief Supt Smart.

READ MORE: Mayor reveals how he plans to spend 10.5m in Government funding for Limerick

Gardai advise motorists of the following:

Parking on parade route is prohibited from 4am to 4pm and cars will be towed away.

Parking prohibited on: OConnell Avenue, The Crescent, OConnell Street, Glentworth Street, Henry Street, Liddy Street, Arthurs Quay, Francis Street, Bridge Street

Shannon Bridge and Thomond Bridge will remain open at all times.

Sarsfield Bridge will be closed both inbound and outbound from 11am to 4pm.

OConnell Avenue from Punches Cross to Wolfe Tone Street will be closed from 8am to 3pm

Further information on road closures can be found on the Garda website and on limerick.ie.

An Garda Siochana would like all patrons travelling to the parades to have a safe trip and have a few tips for those travelling to the parade:

Dont leave any valuables in your vehicle and if you must, keep them out of view. This should be done before you get to your destination.

There will be large crowds at the parades so parents should exercise caution and be aware of their childs whereabouts at all times.

Patrons are also reminded that parking of cars on any green areas in the city, is not permitted and there is signage in these areas. Offending drivers are liable to have their cars ticketed or towed.

Do not park illegally - your actions may have consequences for emergency vehicle access or cause damage to the local amenity.
The Government is convening a meeting of its trade forum in the wake of high-level visits to the US which coincided with a deepening EU-US trade dispute.

Members of the forum have been asked to meet next week to discuss the recent developments and hear an update from deputy premier Simon Harris on his call with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.

Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the call was an important opportunity to hear EU plans on countermeasures to respond to US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium.

It is understood he set out Irelands commitment to working with the Commission on the developing situation.

However, the USs reaction to the proposed EU tariffs has been described as very concerning by the Irish drinks industry.

US President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne and spirits on Thursday.

It came after the European Commission announced it would re-introduce old tariffs on products including US bourbon and implement new measures in response to the US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium..

Eoin O Cathain, the director of Irish Whiskey Association, told reporters in Washington DC that he there was an opportunity to avoid the implementation of tariffs on spirits: Theres no winner when tariffs get involved. Weve enjoyed reciprocal zero-for-zero trade since 1997.

Its been tariff-free for Ireland, the EU and the US, and weve had immense success since then.

Mr Harris, who will meet political representatives and business leaders in Philadelphia and New York over the weekend, met departmental officials on Thursday to co-ordinate the Government response to the announcements.

He will also be calling EU Trade Ministers across next week.

In a letter to members of the Government Trade Forum, Mr Harris said: Over the weekend I will be travelling to the US as part of the Governments St Patricks Day programme which has a strong economic agenda.

Amongst those who I will meet are Enterprise Ireland and IDA client companies, Irish innovators and the financial services sector.

It is an important opportunity to highlight the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the US

The European Commission has announced a stakeholder consultation process and I would strongly encourage all of you to participate, and to advise your members and stakeholders of this.

The Forum, which was set up earlier this year, is made up of Government Ministers, State Agencies and business representative groups.

Members include the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Agriculture, Finance, and Higher Education.

The remaining members are Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Research Ireland, Ibec, Irish Exporters Association, ISME, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Chambers Ireland and the British Irish Chamber of Commerce.
Ola Electric Mobility Ltds decision to renegotiate contracts with two of Indias largest vehicle registration agencies last month has resulted in prolonged delays in the deliveries of its scooters, according to store managers and complaints posted by buyers on social media.

The waiting period for the companys electric scooters increased to 20-45 days from 5-7 days before February, managers at seven Ola Electric stores across New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru told Mint.

However, Ola Electric said delivery times had improved, with the delivery time for customers now reduced from 12 days to 3-4 days, according to a company filing with the stock exchanges on Wednesday.

Two senior executives at one of the registration agencies told Mint on condition of anonymity that Ola Electric wanted a drastic reduction in the cost of registering vehicles.

"The company came to us one day last month and said they want to drastically cut the cost at which we were doing registrations. When we disagreed with the price they quoted, they stopped our work immediately," one executive said.

According to the second executive, the price quoted by Bengaluru-based Ola Electric was one-third of what the company was charged previously.

Registration agencies streamline and quicken the process of vehicle registration in different states. As per the agency executives, the contentious issue with Ola Electric was the pricing of staffers required to enter registration data into Vahan, the transport departments website.

The registration agencies are responsible for entering all the data entry as per local laws to generate vehicle numbers and deliver the number plates.

Drop in registrations

The company did not have a problem with the cost of number plates which we were delivering. However, the work has also stopped on that. There hasnt been any movement on the negotiations as well," one agency executive said.

The delays were not entirely unexpected. Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric said it was renegotiating the terms of its agreements with Rosmerta Digital Services Pvt Ltd and Shimnit India Pvt Ltd, the registration agencies, to reduce costs and enhance process efficiencies, according to the companys filing with the stock exchanges on 19 February.

Due to ongoing negotiations and optimization of the registration process, our registration numbers for the month of February 2025 (on VAHAN portal) will be temporarily impacted. Our sales continue to be strong through February 2025 and the dip in registration will be streamlined in the next few weeks," Ola Electric said.

However, Ola Electric registered just over 13,000 vehicles since 1 February, data on the Vahan portal showed. Comparatively, the company registered 24,377 vehicles in January.

Mint has learnt that the agencies charged Ola 1,400-1,600 for registering each electric vehicle. Ola Electric needs these agencies even more due to its direct-to-consumer model.

The company doesnt have a traditional dealership network but instead operates a network of experience stores. The work at these stores involves facilitating the sale of Ola scooters through its online platform and helping the customers get the delivery.

Unlike in traditional dealerships, the managers at these stores cannot get registrations done. Ola used to send customer details to the agencies electronically to get the registration done. However, the work stalled due to the renegotiations and the registrations fell drastically.

Ola Electric indicated that the delays were temporary and said that the vehicle registration process transformation was in its final stages."

The companys daily registrations have improved significantly, increasing to over 800 per day and crossing the average daily sales" for January and February this year, Ola Electric said in the filing Wednesday.

However, the disruption in the registration process hurt customer experiences, the store managers said.

Also Read | Ola Electric misses battery production deadline despite PLI ACC scheme support

Registrations are on hold, which is why we are not able to deliver products to customers. The waiting time has crossed a month for most of the products," a store manager in the national capital said.

As per the store managers, Ola Electric delivers scooters to customers with the final registration number plates. It does not dispatch vehicles with temporary registration plates, a practice typically followed by other vehicle manufacturers and auto dealers.

Queries sent to Ola Electric remained unanswered.

Several Ola Electric buyers took to social media to complain about the delayed deliveries. Many complained that the company had not met the timelines promised when they bought the scooters.

Ola Electrics rivals dont have any delivery problems. Visits to the stores of Ather, Hero and TVS showed that they concluded the delivery and registration of vehicles in about a week.

Leadership battle

Ola Electrics struggles come as competition in the electric two-wheeler space ramps up. Although it has led the market share battle over the past couple of years, Bajaj and TVS dethroned the company from its top spot.

Bajaj recorded a 25% market share in December, followed by TVS at 23.5% and Ola Electric at 19%. However, the company regained leadership in January with a 26% market share.

Although Ola Electric claimed it led the market with a 25% market share in February, there is no clarity on when the registration of all the 25,000 vehicles it claims to have sold will be completed.

Ola Electric registered about 4,207 vehicles in the first 12 days of March. Bajaj, TVS and Ather registered 8,017, 6,984 and 4,017 vehicles, respectively, so far this month.

Mint could not independently ascertain whether Ola Electric has forged new partnerships with the registration agencies.

There are not many registration players in the country to deliver on the scale Ola needs. Moreover, there wouldnt be major difference in pricing," the second executive said.

Elusive target

Any hit to sales due to registration woes will come as a blow to Ola Electric, which has targeted sales of 50,000 units per month. Aggarwal said on the February 7 earnings call that the company needs to achieve this target to break even and turn profitable.

"We do feel in the next few quarters we can get to about 50,000 monthly sales, which takes us to an auto segment EBITDA positive," he said.

The company recorded a loss of 564 crore in the October-December period against a 376 crore loss in the year-ago period. In bid to cut costs, the company laid off over 1,000 employees, Bloomberg reported.

The company said in the exchange filing on Wednesday that its cost-reduction programme since November 2024 helped it save 90 crore every month. Ola Electric added that it expects to achieve automotive segment EBITDA breakeven for the next quarter (Q1 of FY26).

The cost-cutting measured included shutting all regional warehouses and shipping vehicles, spare parts and accessories from the factory directly to stores, automating registration, and productivity improvements in sales and services.

Investors, too, have become wary. After the company informed the exchanges about the renegotiations on 19 February, Ola Electrics share price has fallen by over 17% on the BSE compared with a 5% decline in the BSE Auto index. The companys shares are trading 33% below the price at which it listed in August 2024.

Investors will prefer to wait and watch how Ola Electric deals with its issues. The next few quarters are very crucial for the firm as the share price will be driven by earnings," said Kranthi Bathini, director of equity strategy at WealthMills Securities.
Alcohol has landed on the front lines of a global trade war, throwing French wines, Irish whiskeys, Kentucky bourbon, Japanese beer and Mexican tequila into the crossfire between the U.S. and its biggest trading partners.

In the Canadian province of Ontario, liquor stores have cleared their shelves of California wine and Tennessee whiskey, replacing them with local varieties and signs declaring: For the good of Canada." A restaurant wine director in Washington state is dreading the arrival of shipping containers full of European wine so expensive its unsellable. The Kentucky governor is pleading for the survival of his bourbon industry. And makers of American sparkling wines are poised to make a windfall.

President Trump on Thursday opened a new front, threatening a 200% tariff on U.S. imports of all alcoholic beverages from the European Union. Trumps salvo was a response to the EUs decision to move forward on a 50% levy on American whiskey.

Thursdays escalation caused panic on both sides of the Atlantic.

The EU exported wine worth more than $5 billion to the U.S. last year, according to EU data agency Eurostat. Almost half of that came from France and about 40% came from Italy.

A 200% tariff would push many bottles on store shelves above the $20 range that many American wine drinkers find acceptable, said Lamberto Frescobaldi, patriarch of the Italian winemaking dynasty that spans 30 generations. Above that price range, he said, most people probably are not going to buy."

Remi Cohen, chief executive of the small California producer Domaine Carneros in Californias Napa and Sonoma counties, was sitting in her hot tub Thursday morning when she saw the tariff headlines on her phone and felt her heart rate jump. A maker of domestic sparkling wines and pinot noir, she seemed an obvious candidate to rejoice at the news. But the winery, owned by Frances Taittinger family and the American Kopf wine-distributor family, was already being buffeted by Trumps tariff wars.

In anticipation of U.S. tariffs on steel, the winery late last year had ordered steel it needed for trellises to replant a portion of its vineyards. More recently, the winery has been discussing what to do about tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, which could affect the price of glass bottles.

Now a tariff on European alcohol could hurt the ecosystem of retailers, distributors and restaurants Domaine Carneros depends on, Cohen said. If theyre adversely affected, pain will be felt throughout the entire industry," she said.

To be sure, a 200% tariff on European alcohol might never materialize. It could be delayed, scaled back or imposed for just a few days. Trump in February was poised to implement 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexicoincluding Canadian whisky and Mexican tequilaand at the 11th hour delayed them for a month. The tariffs then briefly went into effect this month before largely being put on pause.

That didnt stop Ontario Premier Doug Ford from firing back with a reciprocal assault on American alcohol.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario pulled American booze from store shelves and told bars, restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores they could no longer place orders for U.S. products.

The governor of Kentucky said Dont touch our bourbon. I said, Governor, thats the first thing were going after," Ford said at a recent news conference. For Kentucky bourbon manufacturers, theyre done, theyre gone."

Others are taking action, too. Asahi Group, one of Japans largest drink makers, this week said it was investing tens of millions of dollars to start and boost production of its top-selling Asahi Super Dry beer at a plant it acquired last year in Wisconsin. Asahi has been importing the beer brand to the U.S. from Italy, so it could be affected by potential U.S. tariffs on European products.

We cant ignore that," Asahi Chief Executive Atsushi Katsuki said.

Drank up at the right time!

Erik Liedholm, the wine director for three restaurants in Washington state, said he learned about Trumps latest threat Thursday when his phone blew up" with texts and emails from friends in the wine business who sell to Canada and Europe.

They were just saying, What do I do? What do I do? I looked at the trail of texts and it was just extraordinary," Liedholm said. I was speechless."

One of the messages was an email from his wine importer, telling him that prices would be going up.

Our margins are getting thinner and thinner," Liedholm said. With shipments currently en route, its almost like the boats are arriving with the plague."

If a 200% tariff did go into effect, heres how it would work: A bottle of Champagne that sells for $50 at retail typically costs an importer about $20. With a 200% tariff, the importers cost would triple to $60. If the importer and retailer preserved their combined profit margin of $30, that $50 of bubbly would have a new sticker price of $90.

But importers say the more likely scenario is that they would simply stop importing altogether. Because those bottles just wouldnt sell.

Tariffs on European alcohol could boost the fortunes of American wineries whose bottles compete with European imports. Makers of domestic sparkling wines could benefit if Champagne and prosecco prices soar, for example.

But levies are unlikely to transform the domestic wine industry, said some winemakers. Thats because European wines make up a minority of wines sold in the U.S.

Oren Lewin is chief executive of IBG Wines, whose portfolio includes Oregon Pinot Noirs under the Duck Pond Cellars, Rascal and Firesteed labels. They could serve as alternatives to European burgundies, Lewin said, but he is stopping short of adjusting the companys business plans in preparation for potential tariffs.

We dont worry about what we cant control," he said.

Cedric Nicaise, a co-owner and sommelier at the Noortwyck in Manhattan, said he isnt so sure that American consumers would change their drinking habits. He was drinking coffee Thursday morning when he received a text from a regular customer, with whom he had shared a glass of Marquis dAngerville Volnay the night before. The message said: Drank up at the right time!"

Nicaise buys between 30 and 35 cases of wine a month for his restaurant. The majority is French, Italian or Spanish.

If you drink Burgundy, you might drink a Pinot Noirbut you might drink a cocktail," Nicaise said. You dont just switch to American wine. You drink French wine for a reason."
Air passengers in Delhis national capital region can expect cheaper fares if they fly out of Noidas Jewar airport, as airlines are seeking discounts on various charges for shifting to the new airport that is likely to begin operations in the second half of 2025.

Airports impose several charges on carriers for using their amenities, including landing fees and parking fees (based on weight of the aircraft), charges for air traffic control services, ground handling fees (like baggage handling), and terminal charges for using passenger facilities. All these charges are built into the tickets sold by airlines, jacking up airfares.

The Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, which is running behind schedule by about six months, is operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Ltd, a wholly-owned arm of Zurich Airport International AG.

These discounts in charges by the airport operator will help us offer cheaper fares that is likely to help attract passengers to the airport," said an airline official, who did not want to be identified.

Also read | How small town Jewar became a booming real estate market

Another official at a low-cost carrier said that they can bring passengers to Jewar airport if the fares are low. No other incentive can bring passengers to Jewar."

Analysts believe that discounts will help keep airfares low.

While we have low-cost carriers (LCC), their fares are hardly low in comparison to other airlines. This is because we don't have low-cost terminals, these airlines are paying same charges just like legacy airlines. This should be an opportunity to create low-cost terminals for LCCs to make flying cheaper and to achieve the vision of Udan (scheme)," said Ajay Prakash, president of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).

Udan is a central government scheme to connect underserved geographies of the country via affordable air travel.

There are several ways an airport operator can provide discounts to the airline. Some discounts are linked to a target of achieving a certain number of passengers and some are provided on a per-passenger basis.

The other reason that could help cheapen airfares in Jewar is a value-added tax of just 1% on jet fuel in Uttar Pradesh. By comparison, Delhi charges a 25% VAT on jet fuel, which accounts for about two-fifths of the cost of running an airline in India.

The new fiscal year will also see a new airportNavi Mumbai International Airportcome up near Mumbai, India's financial capital.

Also read | PM Modi will inaugurate Jewar airport in April; Yogi says, it will bring unprecedented prosperity

While the airport in Navi Mumbai will complement the existing airport in Mumbai, as both are owned by the Adani Group, the airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, will compete with an already established Delhi airport that is run by the Delhi International Airport Ltd, which is majority-owned by the GMR group.

Tafis Prakash is also of the view that the dual airport system especially near the national capital is a big opportunity to make India a world-class transit hub. For connecting passengers to North America, Australia and other countries, we need to have attractive parking, landing, navigation and other charges. With dual airports coming up in Jewar and Navi Mumbai, it's an excellent opportunity to make India a world-class transit hub," he said.

Noida International Airports chief executive Christoph Schnellmann told Mint that the Delhi-NCR region requires additional capacity to handle the rising demand for air travel. IndiGo will be our launch carrier, and we also have a partnership with Akasa Air. Airlines from the Middle East and Southeast Asia have shown strong interest in starting flights from NIA and we are currently engaged in discussions," said Schnellmann.

Recently, officials from the Air India group also visited NIA and other airlines are also expected to visit the upcoming airport.

Also read | Riyadh Air eyes opportunities in India

NIA, which was expected to begin operations in 2024, has already missed one deadline. In the first phase, NIAs passenger capacity will be 12 million annually and with one runway the airport will handle 100,000 air traffic movement. The airport is in talks with various airlines to start flights.
The benchmark Nifty 50 has recently experienced a significant correction of nearly 14% from its peak in September 2024. This led to a sell-off in many sectors, including automobile.

The Nifty Auto index has corrected more than 20% from its peak, dragged down by a broader market sell-off and a bloodbath in small-cap stocks.

Contrarian investors should be scanning the horizon for hidden value. Beneath the surface gloom, tectonic shifts are reshaping the sector: electric vehicle adoption is rising, and premiumisation trends are defying economic headwinds.

For investors with a multi-year lens, this is a rare alignment of value and vision. With this in mind, let's look at the top 5 undervalued automobile stocks.

We have filtered these stocks using the Equitymaster's top undervalued automobiles stocks screener.

#1 Popular Vehicles and Services

Popular Vehicles and Services is a diversified automobile dealership covering the entire lifecycle of vehicle ownership.

The company offers new vehicle sales from various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors, and BharatBenz, featuring passenger, commercial, and electric vehicles.

It also engages in pre-owned vehicle sales with trade-in options and certified vehicles. Additionally, it provides maintenance services at authorised centers and operates the Maruti Driving School in Kerala.

Coming to its financial performance, the company has delivered a solid top-line growth of 25% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over a 3-year period and a net profit CAGR of 35%. The last 3-year return on equity (ROE) has been 16%.

The company has a not-so-strong balance sheet. It has a total debt of 506.8 crore against a cash and bank balance of 46 crore.

The stock is currently trading at a price-to-book ratio (PB) of 1.2 against an industry average of 2.7.

The stock has a limited trading history. It was trading at a PB around 3 after listing on the exchanges but has been in a downtrend since.

Looking ahead, the management of Popular Vehicles & Services expects a significant 20-25% on-year revenue growth for FY26.

The long-term revenue growth target remains 15-20%. They anticipate Q4FY25 will be far better than Q2FY25 and expect a bounce back from Q4 onwards.

The company is focused on growing the service business, targeting a growth of about 20-25% for the year. This could drive profitability, and the return on capital employed.

#2 Tata Motors

Tata Motors is a global automobile manufacturer with a strong presence in India, encompassing commercial vehicles (CV), passenger vehicles (PV), including electric vehicles (EV), and the modern luxury brands of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Tata Motors is undergoing a strategic realignment, with the standalone business expected to comprise 60% CV and 40% residual PV in a separation.

The stock has delivered a topline growth of 21% CAGR over the 3-year period and a net profit CAGR of 128% over the same period. The last 3-year return on equity (ROE) has been 15%.

This stark difference in sales and profit growth is due to several factors, such as higher volumes and better product mix.

Tata Motors implemented strategies focusing on profitable growth, which included better management of costs. The commercial vehicles business achieved its highest-ever profits due to a focus on profitable growth and a demand-pull strategy.

A decrease in commodity prices during the period, particularly in FY24, helped to reduce input costs, thereby improving profit margins.

After the recent correction, the stock is trading at a PB of 2.2 against an industry average of 2.7.

Recently, specific business segments have started facing challenges, with stress in the small commercial vehicle and pickups.

External factors such as a tense global geo-political scenario causing supply chain disruptions also pose a concern.

These negative factors have resulted in the recent derating of the stock.

JLR is targeting double-digit operating margins by 2026 and plans to be net cash-positive by FY25.

The company is focused on elevating brand profitability through top-end offerings and personalisation, optimising investments, reducing costs, and enhancing after-sales profitability. A new Jaguar brand re-launch is underway.

The EV business aims to drive up penetration through multiple product launches, enhancing the charging network, and introducing aspirational product features while improving profitability.

#3 VST Tillers Tractors

VST Tillers Tractors is a prominent player in the Indian agricultural machinery sector, primarily involved in the manufacturing and trading of agricultural machinery and their spare parts. Its the largest power tiller manufacturer in India.

VST is entering the EV space, supplying drive trains for electric tractors to a US-based company and unveiling its own FIELDTRAC EV series.

The company has delivered a moderate top-line growth of 8% CAGR over the 3-year period and a net profit CAGR of 9%.

Its balance sheet is lean and clean, with net zero debt for over a decade. The last 3-year return on equity (ROE) has been 13%.

The stock, after the recent correction, is trading at a PB of 2.8 against an industry average of 3.1.

The stock took a hit despite the company reporting a solid 29% revenue growth year-on-year (YoY) and even doubling its operating profit.

So, what went wrong?

The company holds equity investments, and their value dropped temporarily this quarter, leading to a notional loss of 11 crore.

Last year, theyd gained 15 crore from the same investments, so this swing spooked investorseven though no real cash was lost, it made the bottom line look shaky.

Then theres the slow start to the next quarter (Q4). Sales for both tractors and tillers dipped in January, which management blamed on customers delaying purchases due to cash flow issues.

Theyre confident February and March will bounce back, but investors tend to panic at the first sign of a slowdown.

Adding to the jitters is the unpredictable US market. The company had big plans there, but potential tariffs on steel and aluminium threw a wrench in those plans.

Meanwhile, growth in Europe has stalled. Economic turbulence there means exports are likely to stay flat or inch up just a tiny bit this year.

Looking ahead, the company has jumped into the big tractor game with their new VST Zetor range, targeting heavy-duty 40-50 HP machines. It sold over 100 units last quarter and are aiming for 1,500 in FY26.

Meanwhile, its also pushing deeper into northern India  states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab  where it has set up dealer networks.

The company is also eyeing acquisitions or partnerships, both in India and abroad, to fast-track growth. The management has promised at least one deal within two years, which could be a game-changer.

#4 Atul Auto

Atul Auto is engaged in the 3-wheeler business. The company offers a comprehensive range of 3-wheeler products that cater to both passenger and cargo transportation needs.

Atul Auto is notable for being India's only pure-play auto-rickshaw company and stands among the top five three-wheeler manufacturers in India. Its also distinguished as the only player with a complete range of 3-wheeler products across all fuel types: diesel, petrol, CNG, LPG, and electric.

The company is increasingly focusing on green mobility and has a subsidiary, Atul Greentech, dedicated to the development and production of lithium-ion battery-based electric vehicles for both passenger and cargo applications. It also develops related components like battery packs.

Coming to its financial performance, company has delivered a good top-line growth of 21% CAGR over the 3-year period and a net profit CAGR of 40% over the same period. The last 3-year return on equity (ROE) has been -2%.

The stock, after the recent correction, is trading at a PB of 2.8 against an industry average of 6.2.

Looking ahead, the company looks well-positioned for a rebound.

EV-L5 sales are growing nicely, proving Atuls ability to tap into Indias EV boom. Plus, using a subsidiary model shields the parent company from excessive upfront risks.

With reasonable debt and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.3, Atul can fund growth without taking on unnecessary financial risk.

#5 Landmark Cars

Landmark Cars is a leading Indian multi-brand automotive retailer. It specialises in the sales and service of premium and luxury vehicles.

The company represents an impressive portfolio of global and Indian automotive brands, including Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Jeep, Volkswagen, Ashok Leyland, BYD, MG Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), and Kia.

Coming to its financial performance, the stock has delivered top-line growth of 19% CAGR over the 3-year period and a net profit CAGR of 65% over the same period. The last 3-year return on equity (ROE) has been 20%.

The stock is trading at a PB of 3.3 which is slightly higher than the industry average of 2.7 but it is lower than its 3-year median PB of 5.9.

In the latest quarter, its revenue grew 24% YoY; the company achieved its highest-ever quarterly earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) of 69.5 core at a 5.8% margin on reported revenue.

However, gross margins contracted both on YoY basis and quarter-on-quarter basis. This contraction is primarily attributed to the new store addition, where the service revenue is still ramping up and is currently at around 1%.

This has led to the continuation of the decline in the stock price.

The gross margins in the existing outlets remain intact, and the management expects overall gross margins to improve once the new outlets reach their full potential.

Looking ahead, Landmark aims to grow its top line and profitability to be equal to or higher than industry benchmarks as it continues to invest in new brands and territories.

The majority of planned expansions are now completed, with the focus shifting to ramping up business volumes.

It anticipates that the penetration of EVs in the overall market will increase to around 7% or 8% initially and then stabilize.

Landmark continues to be the largest partner for BYD in India and expects further launches from BYD this year, including the Sealion 7 SUV and the eMAX 7.

Its after-sales business is expected to regain its historic growth trajectory as new workshops scale up.

Conclusion

The Indian auto sectors recent slump isnt a dead endits a detour. The five stocks above offer glimpses of value in a sector undergoing seismic shifts: EV adoption, premiumization, and rural revival.

But lets be clearthis isnt a green light to hit the gas blindly.

Before jumping in, ask:

Does the debt tell a growth story or a warning tale?

Are EVs a tailwind or a hype cycle for this company?

Is the managements vision backed by a track record?

Its always a good idea for investors to evaluate the companys fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions.

Investing isnt about shortcuts; its about homework. Dive into annual reports, stress-test assumptions, and weigh risks against your financial goals.

Happy investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
The government must explicitly assist in this with funds from the Universal Service Obligation Fund, now dubbed the Digital Bharat Nidhi, to make satellite broadband connection affordable even for low-income communities in rural areas.

Ever since Jio stormed Indias wireless broadband market with initially free and later low-cost data plans, broadband usage in India has grown by leaps and bounds. But the fact remains that broadband access stays stunted at 47% of the population.

That means over 750 million Indians do not have access to broadband. In an economy undergoing structural change, seemingly generating lots of work but not so many jobs, it is vital that people have reliable and affordable access to broadband, to be informed of work opportunities, and, in very many cases, perform the work and deliver it.

Also read | Can Musk factor, brand hype, Airtel-Jio partnerships boost Starlinks services?

A mission to connect 250,000 panchayats (local administrations), covering the bulk of Indias 600,000 odd villages, was launched in India in 2011. It was called the National Optical Fibre Network.

When Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, his government slammed its predecessors lackadaisical attitude towards implementing schemes that enrich peoples lives, and promised to complete the network in two years. It rebranded the scheme as Bharat Broadband Network, or BharatNet. But more than a decade later, Modis administration still has not achieved the target of providing broadband in 250,000 panchayats.

The work has progressed to laying fibre optic cable in 210,000 panchayats, but functional wi-fi routers have been set up only in 6,039 panchayats. The challenge of laying cable in remote, hilly areas is complex. It has been clear for some time that satellite broadband is the best way to connect remote areas.

However, two obstacles stand in the way.

A past controversy

India does not have a Starlink-style network of communication satellites in low-earth orbit. Indias communication satellites, like the majority of the worlds communication satellites, are in geostationary orbits some 36,000 km above the earth. By the time a signal reaches a satellite transponder and bounces back to the ground, there is a delay, or latency. Low earth orbits are 160-2,000 km above the earth. Starlink is at an elevation of 550 km. This virtually eliminates latency.

An additional factor lending hesitancy in the adoption of satellite broadband is the controversy over an aborted satellite broadband project called Devas. The project was abandoned more than a decade ago on allegations that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government gave valuable satellite spectrum for the project by administrative arrangement rather than by auction. The current governments policy, too, is to allocate satellite spectrum by administrative measures and not via auction.

Could the Modi government have orchestrated the alliance between US President Donald Trumps high-profile ally Elon Musks Starlink and Indias telecom majors, which are pursuing their own satellite broadband ambitions? That line of thinking makes for good political fodder but makes little difference to the desirability of the alliance on the ground.

Starlinks standard offering is not cheap. But it could offer India special rates, just as it has in Kenya, where the monthly fee is $10, even as the rate in the US is $120. India can offer to subsidise the kit Starlink uses to uplink to the network in the sky, and for downlink, using the unused funds of the Bharat Digital Nidhi.

Also read | Starlinks entry into India: Fostering rivalry in the market

Is satellite broadband safe?

But how vulnerable is satellite broadband to hacking, eavesdropping, disruption and interference? It is vulnerable. But so is the traditional broadband network, for which India relies on kits manufactured and supplied by foreign companies. While kits from China are eschewed in base stations and routers in India, the fact remains that much of the electronic equipment deployed in telecom networks are sourced from Chinese companies, and these are all potential sources of vulnerability.

Till India acquires the capability to design and manufacture all the elements of the broadband network and launch its own low-earth orbit satellites, that vulnerability will remain. It is better to live with that vulnerability and empower all Indians with access to quality broadband rather than abjure foreign satellite broadband on account of the risk it carries. That would be comparable to no longer using roads to avoid accidents.

Also read | A look at Airtel and Jios agreements and disagreements with Elon Musks Starlink

Of course, it would be preferable to not use the Starlink infrastructure for defence purposes, and to fast-track deployment of Indias own network of communication satellites for defence and keeping track of drones that are deployed for civilian and non-civilian use.

Amazons Kuiper network of low-earth orbit satellites is on the way. So is a Chinese communications project. OneWeb, in which Bharti Group has a stake, could expand its services to make it affordable for individual consumers.

But there is little reason for India to wait for such competition to materialize. The sooner we get satellite broadband to provide the entire population with fast connectivity the better off we would be as a nation.
Last week, science delivered a really cute experimental result. Researchers created a colossal woolly mouse," a fluffy rodent thats purported to be a step on the way to resurrecting woolly mammoths from the age of dinosaurs.

But that projectalong with Elon Musks obsession with establishing a colony on Marsmakes me wonder: Wouldnt the enthusiasm and resources be better devoted to protecting the animals and planet we already have?

Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based startup, provided details in a paper earlier this month, which hasnt yet been peer-reviewed.

Each mammouseforgive mehad seven genes altered to give it an abundance of golden fluff and an altered fat metabolism. The mice will be observed to see if theyre better adapted to cold temperatures. The companys aim is to genetically modify Asian elephants to express woolly mammoth traits; the mice offered a comparatively easier way to test the impact of the proposed tweaks.

But some scientists are sceptical about whether this really brings us closer to creating a living woolly mammoth.

Colossals team made a number of genetic changes  that are already known to produce longer, thicker, wavieror woolliercoats in mice," Tori Herridge, a senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield, said in an emailed comment. A mammoth is much more than just an elephant in a fur coat. It isnt yet known which sections of the genome are vital for achieving the characteristics needed to make an elephant fit for life in the Arctic Circle."

Why bother in the first place? Colossal says its focused on de-extinction," with projects aimed at raising mammoths, dodos and thylacines (also known as Tasmanian tigers) from the dead.

The motivations for each species seem to varythe modern dodo would be a symbol of hope," according to the companys website, while the mammoth is billed as a vital defender of Earth" for its role as an ecosystem engineer in the Siberian steppe. By grazing the grassland and trampling snow cover, the theory is that heavy herbivores could protect the permafrost and stop it releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Colossal also points to another crisis of our times: The rapid and accelerating loss of our planets biodiversity." Were in the middle of the sixth mass-extinction event in Earths history; this time, we only have ourselves to blame.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, more than 46,300 speciesalmost a third of all assessed speciesare close to extinction thanks to threats such as global warming, habitat loss, invasive species and overexploitation. Yet the gap between current biodiversity finance and future needs has widened to $942 billion, according to BloombergNEF.

The money being devoted to reanimating dead species might better be spent on conservation efforts for the long-suffering animals we have left. Reinserting extinct species back into their old ecosystems does nothing to avert the threats weve created.

Mammoths would be returned to an Arctic thats warming four times faster than the rest of the planet. Thylacines, which only went extinct in 1936 when the last of the species died in a zoo, would still likely face persecution from sheep farmers, competition with wild dogs and habitat loss.

There are also ethical issuescloning often results in unnecessary animal suffering, such as miscarriage, early death and genetic abnormalities.

Colossal says its on track to introduce the first mammoth calves in 2028. Even if these babies are healthy, a long journey looms to create a genetically diverse herd that could be released into the wild. An elephants gestation period is 22 months, and they take upwards of a decade to reach sexual maturity.

The potential environmental gains from reincarnating mammoths wont be realized for many, many years; solutions with nearer-term benefits are desperately short of funding.

In many ways, Colossals endeavours remind me of Musks plans to inhabit Mars. Sure, there are arguments in favour of transporting humans to the red planet, including scientific exploration, new economic frontiers and creating a planetary backup for when we stuff things up irredeemably here.

But Musk estimates creating a self-sustaining city on Mars would cost several trillion dollars, and take decades. Consider what we might achieve if that money was spent on our climate-change obligations at home, allowing our livable and beautiful planet to thrive.

Of course, the journey matters as well as the destination. Colossal also aims to produce breakthroughs for animals alive today and is working on a mRNA vaccine for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, the biggest killer of Asian elephant calves in managed care and a threat to wild populations.

One of the greatest threats to biodiversity is the loss of genetic diversity, and Colossals work could help there, particularly in species like the northern white rhino, which has just two living females left.

Perhaps the real problem isnt the ambition to bring back the mammoth, but the fact that it takes a novel, sci-fi-esque mission to sufficiently excite investors to raise $435 million in total funding and give a conservation-minded startup a valuation of $10.2 billion.

Humans should strive to achieve things that are hard, not just easy. But peering into the past and looking too far beyond our planetary boundaries risks forgetting that what we already have is remarkableand that saving it would be the greatest achievement of humanity thus far. Bloomberg
Republican lawmakers are looking to enact a bill that would create a domestic violence offender registry, or "Savanna's Law" within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

The bill is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a member of the Spirit Lake Nation of North Dakota who was murdered while 8 months pregnant in August 2017. She was 22 years old.

Savanna's Law was initially signed into law in October 2020 as an effort to improve federal response to missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP).

Introduced by Representatives Sabi 'Doc' Kumar (R-Springfield) and Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), the bill (HB1200) would require a person convicted of domestic abuse to register as a persistent domestic violence offender if they have had one prior conviction.

Savanna's Law would require the registry to consist of the following information for domestic violence offenders:

Name

Date of birth

Conviction date

County or counties of convictions

Current photograph

Additionally, if the information is available after investigation, the court clerk would be required to give the TBI a copy of the offender's drivers license or other state or federal identification as well as other information deemed appropriate by the TBI.

"However, the registry available for public inquiry must not include the persistent domestic violence offender's address, social security number, driver license number, or any other state or federal identification number," says the law.

Those convicted would also need to pay a registration fee of $150 to the court clerk, who must:

"Retain $50 of the fee for the administration of this bill , which must be reserved for the purposes authorized by this bill at the end of each fiscal year; and Remit $100 of the fee to the TBI for the administration of this bill, whi ch must be reserved for the purposes authorized by this bill at the end of each fiscal year."

Savanna's Law was recommended for passing on Wednesday, March 12 by the House and is now moving for approval by the Senate Committees.

For more information, read Savanna's Law.
UPDATE: The Tennessee bill seeking to lower the age requirements of school bus drivers to 21 has failed.

The bill did not pass the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on Wednesday, March 19.

Tennessee bill proposes lowering age requirement for school bus driver The existing law, which raised the minimum age to 25, was introduced in response to the Woodmore tragedy, when six student died in a school bus crash.

The current law which raised the age limit from 21 to 25 was put into place after the deadly Woodmore bus crash that killed six Chattanooga students in 2016.

The driver, 24-year-old Johnthony Walker, swerved off Talley Road, crashed into a utility pole, flipped over, and hit a tree.

PREVIOUS STORY: A new Tennessee bill would lower the age limit for bus drivers, and if passed, would reverse a law put in place because of the deadly Woodmore bus crash in Chattanooga in 2016.

HB 0087, sponsored by TN State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna), seeks to lower the minimum age of bus drivers from 25 to 21 years old.

Woodmore Elementary students remembered 8 years after fatal school bus crash The victims were on their way home from Woodmore Elementary School at the time.

The bill passed a transportation subcommittee 6-3 in February and passed the full transportation committee 11-7 on Tuesday, March 11.

Rep. Sparks says the bill will address the bus driver shortage.

The Tennessee legislature voted on the current law to increase the age restriction after the deadly Woodmore Elementary School bus crash that killed six children in November of 2016.

The driver, 24-year-old Johnthony Walker, swerved off Talley Road, crashed into a utility pole, flipped over, and hit a tree.

He was found guilty in 2018 on six counts of criminally negligent homicide, 11 counts of reckless aggravated assault and seven counts of assault.
A video sent to Local 3 News by a concerned parent captured the emotional gathering in the school's gymnasium, where hundreds of parents sought clarity on the school's potential charter revocation. However, many left feeling the meeting was more of a formality than a forum for transparency.
UPDATE: A former Hamilton Co. Schools teacher has changed his plea agreement to a guilty plea on federal child sex crimes charges.

Kenya White, a teacher at Chattanooga Preparatory School and East Lake Academy, pleaded guilty to federal charges related to messaging his underage students inappropriately.

Court documents show two victims were involved, one student at East Lake Academy and one student at Chattanooga Preparatory School.

White will face sentencing on October 22 for his federal charges. He still faces state charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of a minor.

White was arrested while employed at Chatt Prep in February. He was hired while under DCS investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: The case involving Kenya White, a former Hamilton County teacher facing numerous child sex crimes charges, was back in a Hamilton County courtroom on May 8.

The former teacher at Chattanooga Preparatory School and East Lake Academy recently pleaded guilty to federal charges related to messaging underage students inappropriately.

He still faces state charges, including sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of a minor.

White's attorney and the judge discussed the next steps in his case.

"He'll have to enter a change of plea, and then there will be a sentencing date," said Judge Dunn.

White's next court date is July 16th.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory School has made a statement following a former teacher's plea deal on child sex crimes that detailed his relations with two victims, one being a Chatt Prep student.

Troy Kemp, CEO of Prep Public Schools, says a student at Chatt Prep reported Kenya White's inappropriate actions to a faculty member only after hearing of his arrest on February 12, 2025.

Kemp says the school followed protocol and state law by informing the Department of Children's Services and the Chattanooga Police Department.

Kemp also explained why the school never chose to share that White was accused of committing the same crime at Chatt Prep that he did at East Lake Academy:

"Out of an abundance of concern for the student's anonymity, because there was no threat to other students, and because DCS and CPD were only beginning their investigations, Prep Public Schools did not share news of this secondary allegation. School leaders and counselors have been in contact with the student and his parents throughout this situation and ask for the media to respect the privacy of the student as well."

White pleaded guilty to federal charges of enticement of a minor. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is 10 years.

Court documents show two victims were involved, one student at East Lake Academy and one student at Chattanooga Preparatory School.

White was employed at Chatt Prep at the time of his arrest in February. He was hired while under DCS investigation, stemming from his misconduct at East Lake Academy.

White was one of several teachers at the school at the time without a valid teaching license.

PREVIOUS STORY: The former Chattanooga Preparatory Schools teacher arrested in February for several child sex crimes has pleaded guilty to his federal charges.

Court documents show Kenya White has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is 10 years, with a possible fine up to $250,000. It also includes at least five years of supervised release.

Court documents show two victims were involved, one student at East Lake Academy and one student at Chattanooga Preparatory School.

On February 16, 2023, a Chattanooga police dept. investigator responded to East Lake Academy on reports of White having inappropriate contact with a 12-year-old student at the school. At the time, White was 30 years old.

The officer located texts over a three day period, starting on Feb. 13, where White tried to persuade the victim to take explicit images to send to White.

"The defendant used an iPhone to commit the offense - an iPhone is a facility of interstate commerce," says the plea agreement.

Two years later in February of 2025, a second victim, a student at Chatt Prep, reported to a school counselor that he had received inappropriate messages from White, a teacher at the school. White began communicating with the 14-year-old student on Snapchat in May of 2024.

White's messages continually asked the second victim to "create sexually explicit images of himself and send them" to White. White also asked if the victim would allow him to "perform a sexual act on him."

The court documents say "The defendant is pleading guilty because the defendant is in fact guilty."

The plea agreement was signed on May 1 and 2 of 2025.

PREVIOUS STORY: Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robertson no longer recommends for the charter to be revoked for Chattanooga Preparatory School after finding nearly half of the teachers were unlicensed in March.

The school caught attention in February when an unlicensed teacher was arrested on several child sex crimes charges. That teacher, Kenya White, has since been arrested a second time on federal charges. He was under a Dept. of Children Services investigation when he was hired at Chatt Prep, which began when he was working at East Lake Academy.

The joint statement released on April 16 stated:

"Instead, the schools charter will be placed in probationary status while the district and the school continue to work together to ensure the school is aligned with all compliance expectations. A probationary charter does not affect the schools operations or accreditation."

The statement says the following corrective actions must be implemented:

Provide Course Verification for students in grades 6-11 and provide additional evidence that all standards within the course have been taught and assessed for all current students.

Provide Proof of Insurance Coverage to ensure no gap in coverage will occur.

Update PowerSchool to accurately reflect the Teacher of Record. If an administrator is listed as the Teacher of Record, provide an explanation of how the administrator is teaching the course while also serving in the administrator role.

The following corrective actions have already been completed:

Verification and updating of teacher licensures and certifications

A thorough audit of students transcripts to ensure timely graduation or promotion for all students who were believed to be on track

Revision of HR procedures to ensure proper hiring, evaluation, and documentation practices

Ongoing collaboration with Chattanooga Prep, HCS, and legal and education consultants.

One of the main concerns previously written in the letter to recommend the charter to be revoked was the graduating senior class possibly not gathering valid credits because of unlicensed teachers.

Chatt Prep has since hired new leadership at the school.

Kenya White is still in federal custody.

PREVIOUS STORY: A newly unsealed indictment for Kenya White, a former Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher facing several child sex crimes charges, says he coerced a minor to engage in sexual activity and the production of child porn.

The indictment says the federal charges stem from incidents between Feb. 13 to 15 of 2023, when White was a teacher at East Lake Academy.

Chattanooga Prep parents frustrated over unanswered questions at school meeting A video sent to Local 3 News by a concerned parent captured the emotional gathering in the school's gymnasium, where hundreds of parents sought clarity on the school's potential charter revocation. However, many left feeling the meeting was more of a formality than a forum for transparency.

White was arrested exactly two years later, on Feb. 13, 2025, on the following charges while he was a teacher at Chatt Prep:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

Indictment documents say in Feb. of 2023, White drove a child across state lines to "persuade, induce, entice, and coerce" a minor in sexual activity: the production of child porn, exploitation, especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means.

Two days later, White was informed by Hamilton County Schools that he was suspended without pay regarding a Dept. of Children's Services investigation.

Documents from the hiring process of Kenya White at Chatt Prep show he did not tell the school why he was previously removed as a teacher from East Lake Academy.

Chatt Prep was not set up through DCS to provide background checks, but they knew there was a disciplinary hold on White's file. He continued to work as a teacher at Chatt Prep until his arrest, two years after the incident.

White was also unlicensed during his time teaching at Chatt Prep, as were nearly half of the school's staff, says Hamilton County Schools.

In a letter to Chatt Prep, Hamilton Co. Schools says they will recommend the revocation of the school's charter on April 17.

Chatt Prep has since hired new leadership at the school.

Former Chatt Prep coach begins 30-day jail sentence for aggravated assault In July of 2024 he was indicted on charges of domestic assault, aggravated assault, child abuse and neglect, and evading arrest.

PREVIOUS STORY: A judge has set the federal trial date for Kenya White, the former Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher who faces several charges.

White was first arrested on various child sex crimes charges in February, stemming from a two-year Dept. of Children's Services investigation.

White was then arrested again in March on federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor. The trial is set to begin on May 19.

Internal emails at Chatt Prep show the school knew White was under DCS investigation at the time they hired him.

Hamilton Co. Schools soon after found that White was one of several teachers unlicensed at the charter school.

In a letter to Chatt Prep, Hamilton Co. Schools says they will recommend the revocation of the school's charter on April 17.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory Schools says "a new era began" on Tuesday, March 25, as the school announced new leadership at Prep Public Schools.

Troy Kemp has been named Chief Executive Officer and Chad Everett as Vice President of Schools.

"Both Kemp and Everett have passed all necessary background checks without issue," says Austin Cantrell in a release from the school.

The scrutiny of Chatt Prep began in February when an unlicenced teacher, Kenya White, was arrested on various charges of child sex crimes.

Hamilton County Schools began investigating other teachers at the school and found almost half of the teachers were unlicensed as well. They recommended the charter be revoked.

Kemp comes to Chatt Prep with 27 years of experience at the McCallie School, as well as Director of Strategic Initiatives at Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

I am thrilled to lead the efforts of Prep Public Schools because this is an opportunity to rewrite the narrative, increase the expectations, and improve the outcomes for Black and brown boys in Chattanooga and Knoxville, said Troy Kemp, incoming CEO of PREP Public Schools. Challenges in the past may have pushed us back on our heels, but we are shifting our stance and playing from our toes.

Everett currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of IOTA Community Schools, a charter network serving 2,100 students.

I am excited for the opportunity to cultivate the environment I wanted as a scholar and that every scholar deserves  an environment where every scholar has the freedom to discover curricular truths, as well as truths about themselves; an environment where excellence is the expectation and the brilliance of scholars and teachers is embraced bell-to-bell, every class, every day, said Chad Everett, VP of Schools of PREP Public Schools.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory Schools is set to introduce the school's new leadership after an unlicensed teacher's arrest led Hamilton Co. Schools to recommend the school's charter be revoked.

Hamilton Co. Schools says they found almost half of the teachers at Chatt Prep were not licensed.

The investigation began when an unlicensed teacher under a Dept. of Children's Services investigation was hired at the school in 2024.

Former Chatt Prep teacher, Kenya White, was arrested in February on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was then arrested again in March on federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor.

PREVIOUS STORY: Hamilton County Schools says they are currently verifying senior credits to ensure Chattanooga Preparatory School's senior class will graduate on time.

HCS released the following statement:

"Our top priority is supporting the students at Chattanooga Prep and safeguarding their academic progress. We are currently verifying senior credits and taking any necessary corrective actions to ensure that the Senior Class will graduate on-time. We are hopeful that all 50 seniors will graduate on time, but more collaboration is needed before we can state this definitively.

Hamilton County Schools and Chattanooga Prep continue to work together to address the recent concerns regarding teacher licensure and ensure compliance with state requirements. Through our collaborative efforts, we have identified a few of Chatt Prep's 50 teachers are not eligible for a teaching license, permit, or waiver. We are actively taking steps to secure the appropriate certifications, waivers, or permits for the remaining teachers to ensure all instructional staff meet state guidelines.

As we move forward, we are committed to strengthening procedures for verifying teacher eligibility to prevent future issues. Through ongoing collaboration and accountability, we are confident in our ability to resolve this matter so that Chattanooga Prep can continue providing a high-quality education to its scholars for years to come."

Hamilton County Schools recommended for Chatt Prep's charter to be revoked after finding almost half of teachers were not licensed.

The investigation began when an unlicensed teacher under a Dept. of Children's Services investigation was hired at the school in 2024.

Former Chatt Prep teacher, Kenya White, was arrested in February on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was then arrested again in March on federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor.

PREVIOUS STORY: The latest TCAP scores for the 2023-24 school year show Chattanooga Preparatory Schools is below the state average in every subject. Hamilton County Schools is recommending the school's charter to be revoked after learning that 21 of 45 teachers at the school were unlicensed.

The achievement rate at Chatt prep is 26.1%, while the state average is 39.6%.

Biology I

State average: 45.2%

Chatt Prep average: 29.5%

ELA

State average: 33.1%

Chatt Prep average: 21.5%

HS English

State average: 42.8%

Chatt Prep average: 35.8%

HS Math

State average: 28.5%

Chatt Prep average: 13.8%

Math

State average: 37.6%

Chatt Prep average: 28.1%

Science

State average: 43.9%

Chatt Prep average: 29.7%

Social Studies

State average: 45.5%

Chatt Prep average: 37.8%

PREVIOUS STORY: The Tennessee Charter School Center has released a statement pertaining to Chattanooga Preparatory School students potentially impacted by unlicensed teachers:

There is no law that would specifically prevent these students from graduating or invalidate their credits based solely on the licensure status of the teacher in the classroom. The state does not issue credits or diplomas and therefore would not be in a position to reject these credits or prevent a student from graduating. Issuing credits is a local issue. Chattanooga Prep makes awards credits and diplomas. We hope Hamilton County will not pursue any action that would negatively impact any student.

A letter from Hamilton County Schools recommending the revocation of Chattanooga Prep's charter status said that it's "likely" the entire graduating class was not accumulating valid credits after they found 21 of 45 teachers at the school to be unlicensed.

Spring 2025 will be Chatt Prep's first graduating class, and the school says students have accumulated $638,000 in scholarships already.

The investigation into Chatt Prep began when an unlicensed teacher was hired while under DCS investigation, then arrested for several charges of solicitation of a minor. Kenya White was recently arrested a second time for federal charges.

Several leaders at the school have resigned or been put on leave since.

Hamilton County School and Chattanooga Preparatory School say they are both committed to working together to "ensure that Prep meets or exceeds its high standards for hiring personnel."

PREVIOUS STORY: Hamilton County Schools says 21 of 45 teachers at Chattanooga Preparatory Schools are unlicensed, not having permits or waivers for classes they teach.

This means high school students are not accumulating valid credits towards graduation.

"Likely, Chattanooga Prep's entire senior class is impacted by this licensure issue."

Spring 2025 was expected to be the school's first graduating class. The school posted on facebook that each senior has a post-high school plan, and the class has together secured $638,000 in scholarships.

Hamilton County Schools say they were not aware that almost half of Chatt Prep's teachers were teaching without a license, waiver, or permit "until recently."

In a letter to Chatt Prep, Hamilton Co. Schools says they will recommend the revocation of the school's charter on April 17. The revocation will be effective at the end of the school year.

The letter from Hamilton County Schools states:

"Chattanooga Prep have willfully violated Tennessee laws governing the licensure of teachers. I also believe that the governing body and management have deliberately misrepresented who were the teachers of record in classes actually taught by these unlicensed personnel in order to avoid scrutiny from TDOE."

HCS states in the letter that all teachers in a public charter school must hold a valid Tennessee educator license.

The following teachers listed on the Chatt Prep website either did not have permits or waivers at all, or did not have an active license through the TN Dept. of Education license look-up:

Ethan Reyes - 12th Grade AP Calculus

Justin D. Shull - 12th Grade AP Government and Economics

Brandie Morgan - Exceptional Education Assistant

Davarius Joseph Harris - Geometry

Erikka Nichole Benning - Computer Science

Jaylin Davon Rogers - Physical Education

Theanthony Demonta Haymon - Behavior Interventionist

Ivan Andres Lobo - 9th Grade Guided Math

Joshua Carroll Grossi - 9th Grade Guided Reading

Khalil Marjon Watts - 8th Grade ELA

Peyton Anderson Whitley - 7th Grade History

Cheryl Hines - 7th Grade Math

Kenya White has been removed from the schools website, but was unlicensed at the time of his arrest.

The investigation into Chatt Prep began when an unlicensed teacher was hired while under DCS investigation, then arrested for several charges of solicitation of a minor. White was recently arrested a second time for federal charges.

PREVIOUS STORY: Hamilton County Schools has started the process to revoke Chattanooga Preparatory Schools charter after an unlicensed teacher was arrested for child sex crimes.

Chatt Prep stated in a letter to families that while they believe it is "Unnecessary," they will work with HCS to find a solution that benefits the district and the school.

Chatt Prep says the primary concern of Hamilton County Schools is teacher licensure.

"Prep has accepted HCS's offer to send HR staff to work alongside our employment attorneywho is currently auditing our HR processesto review employment practices and recommend any necessary changes."

Chatt Prep said there will be no disruption to school operations for the time being. The school also promised parents that they are committed to addressing concerns while they work closely with HCS.

The school also told parents to attend and share their opinions at the upcoming School Board meeting, contact members of the Hamilton County School Board, and post on social media about how the school has benefited their children.

A former Chatt Prep teacher was arrested on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor in February, then arrested a second time on federal charges early March.

Internal emails obtained by Local 3 show that Kenya White was hired at Chatt Prep while he had a disciplinary hold on his file for being under a Dept. of Children's Services investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory School says they will have an answer about where they conduct teacher background checks by the end of the week, after hiring a teacher under Dept. of Children's Services investigation for sexual exploitation of a minor.

Chatt Prep's Interim CEO, Micah Bess stated:

"Our third-party legal team, which we have hired to audit our hiring processes (including our use of the DCS portal), believes they will be able to answer this question by this Friday. We will provide you with that answer as soon as it is available."

DCS told Local 3 News that the charter school was not set up in their system to do background checks for any teachers, despite the school saying they were.

It's state law for all public and charter schools to perform background checks for teachers through DCS.

Kenya White, a former Chatt Prep teacher, faces several charges including federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor. He was hired at Chatt Prep while under a DCS investigation that began while he was employed at a city school.

Local 3 reached out to learn if Knox Prep, Chatt Prep's sister school in Knoxville, uses the same hiring process.

Bess told Knoxville NBC affiliate, WBIR, that the Knoxville campus will learn from Chatt Prep's mistakes, but did not specify their background check process:

"All personnel being considered for employment at Knox Prep are required to undergo several levels of background checks to ensure every one of our scholars is safe while learning. Chattanooga Prep is working to hire an outside firm that specializes in HR practices to review the school's past and current processes to ensure the school's process for conducting these checks is performed without exception. Lessons learned from that review will be applied to Knox Prep if necessary. Neither Chattanooga Prep nor Knoxville Prep will allow this situation to distract from our mission to prepare the next generation of young men for success in our communities."

Local 3 has reached out to Chattanooga Preparatory Schools with more questions on staff impacted.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory School has declined the former principal's request to be paid severance after quitting during an investigation into a former teacher hired while under Dept. of Children's Services investigation.

Former principal Diamond Kelley's letter of resignation to the school says she had been "hurt."

Kelley also asks for an "exchange" to waive any legal claims against the school:

"I am also offering to waive any legal claims I have against Chattanooga Preparatory School. In exchange, I am requesting:

1. Severance pay in an amount equal to the remainder of my contract.

2. A letter confirming that background checks were the responsibility of HR.

Let me be clear: my reputation is not for sale. My integrity is not up for negotiation. I have carried myself with dignity, and I will not allow my name to be tarnished."

She goes on to say, "Only God knows I did what I was supposed to do. I leave with my head held high, I do not leave in surrender. I stand on my character, my values, and my unwavering commitment to these young men."

Chatt Prep's interim CEO Micah Bess responded to Kelley's resignation email saying, "it seems we must agree to disagree about your record while at Chattanooga Prep."

The email goes on to state:

"I politely decline the opportunity to respond to every aspect of your resignation message, except to say this: you have not been slandered by Chattanooga Prep. Your personnel file, which was requested by several local media outlets due to your involvement in the situation regarding Mr.

White, speaks for itself. Chattanooga Prep was compelled by law to respond to these FOIA requests, and we had no choice but to share your record, along with a great deal of other information legally requested by local media.

I also politely decline your request to be paid a severance. The circumstances surrounding your resignation, do not lend themselves to such an outcome."

Read the full resignation below:

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory School Principal Diamond Kelley, originally placed on leave after the arrest of a former teacher, has now resigned.

Kelley was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 18. The letter from Chatt Prep's interim CEO says the leave was while law enforcement continued to "review the Kenya White situation." She then resigned on March 6.

Kenya White, a former Chatt Prep teacher, was first arrested on Feb. 13 on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means, solicitation of a minor, and kidnapping.

On March 7, White was arrested a second time on federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor.

Internal emails from Chatt Prep show the school saw a disciplinary hold on his file while he was under a Dept. of Children's Services investigation, but decided to hire him anyway.

Local 3 also learned that Chatt Prep was not set up to background check teachers through DCS, which is required by law.

PREVIOUS STORY: Kenya White, a former Chattanooga Preparatory Schools teacher, faces federal charges of enticement of a minor and exploitation of a minor after his second arrest on Friday morning.

These are in addition to his previous charges he was indicted on:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

While those charges stem from a Chattanooga police and Dept. of Children Services investigation that began in 2023 while he taught at East Lake Academy, it's not clear what situation led to the recent federal charges.

Documents show White did not tell the school why he was previously removed as a teacher from East Lake Academy.

The Chatt Prep screening says Kenya White told the school he left for his own reasons:

"White reports he was employed with HCDE- East Lake Academy and left in March 2023, due to unhappiness at the school. For six years, he taught Theatre, 6th, 7th, 8th. White was a participant in HCDE's Grow Your Own program and program ended after his voluntary resignation; therefore, no teaching license."

However, White's personnel file at Hamilton County Schools says he was suspended without pay because of a Dept. of Children's Services investigation linked to inappropriate communication with a student:

Chatt Prep was not set up through DCS to provide a background check after their screening. DCS says the school is not set up in their system to provide background checks for any teachers, and Hamilton County Schools say they did not perform a background check on White through their services.

One of the references given to Chatt Prep by an East Lake Academy teacher says his weaknesses were "setting boundaries with the students. Students see him as a big brother, rather than a teacher."

Despite that statement, Chatt Prep stated on White's screening that White has "appropriate communication with parents and students."

Chattanooga police are still looking for potential victims of White during their investigation. If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

PREVIOUS STORY: McCracken Poston, attorney for Kenya White, the former Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher who now faces federal charges after his second arrest, states:

"Our constitution provides that every person is to be considered innocent until they are found guilty by plea or trial.

Its unfortunate that this matter is now being used as a political issue to attack others, and even the entire concept of charter schools.

My focus must and will remain on ensuring that Mr. White gets the fairness guaranteed to every citizen in our courts."

White was first arrested on several charges in February of 2025:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

Local 3 News has reached out to Chattanooga police to ask if they are still searching for potential victims.

PREVIOUS STORY: The former Chattanooga Preparatory Schools teacher previously arrested on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor is now behind bars again on federal charges.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office says Kenya White was arrested in Rossville, GA and brought into the Hamilton Co. Jail around 1:00am on Friday, March 7, by federal law enforcement officials.

He has now left their facility.

Chattanooga police first arrested White on Feb. 13 after an investigation that began two years prior with the Dept. of Children's Services.

At the time of White's first arrest, police said they were actively investigating if there could be more victims.

Since White's arrest, Local 3 discovered that Chatt Prep hired White knowing he was under a disciplinary hold stemming from the 2-year-long investigation. Internal emails show the school decided to hire him anyway.

On March 5, Tennessee Representative John Ray Clemmons requested the state to investigate Chattanooga Preparatory School.

On March 6, DCS told Local 3 that the school wasn't set up to background checks in their system, which is law for Charter Schools in Tennessee.

Since White's arrest, Chattanooga Preparatory School principal Diamond Kelley has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review, and Human Resources Coordinator, Dr. Angelnetta Ulmer, took an early retirement.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Hamilton County charter school facing scrutiny for hiring a teacher under investigation by the Dept. of Children's Services has given Local 3 News conflicting reports of where they perform background checks for teachers.

Chattanooga Preparatory School's interim CEO, Micah Bess, stated:

"Chattanooga Prep uses the DCS portal to retrieve background checks for all prospective employees as part of our schools hiring process."

The Department of Children's Services states the opposite:

"Chattanooga Preparatory School is not set up through the TN Dept. of Childrens Services portal to perform DCS background checks. It is the responsibility of each school system to identify a select number of personnel to be granted access to the portal for the purpose of conducting background checks."

Hamilton County Schools tells Local 3 News that the school did not perform a DCS background check through their system either:

"Chattanooga Prep does not obtain background checks through HCS."

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-5-413 states that all local boards of education, charter schools, or child care programs are required to perform a DCS background check on any applicants for teaching positions.

Chatt Prep teacher Kenya White was arrested in February of 2025 on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. The DCS investigation began when White was a teacher at East Lake Academy in 2023.

White was suspended from East Lake Academy and put on a disciplinary hold, which showed up in his file during the hiring process at Chatt Prep in 2024.

Internal emails show Chatt Prep knew of the disciplinary hold, but decided to hire him anyway.

Since the arrest, Chattanooga Preparatory School principal Diamond Kelley has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review, and Human Resources Coordinator, Dr. Angelnetta Ulmer, took an early retirement.

Tennessee Representative John Ray Clemmons has officially requested the state to investigate the school.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory Schools confirms to Local 3 News that Human Resources Coordinator, Dr. Angelnetta Ulmer, is stepping down earlier than expected.

Ulmer initially planned to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year, but school officials say she chose to accelerate her departure due to several factors including the ongoing situation with Kenya White, a former Chatt Prep teacher indicted on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Internal emails within Chatt Prep reveal the school knew of a disciplinary hold on White but decided to hire him anyway - even though he was under investigation by the Dept. of Children Services.

Emails show Chattanooga Prep knew about teachers troubled past before hiring Tennessee Rep. John Clemmons is urging the state to investigate how White was allowed to teach at Chattanooga Prep despite his documented past.

Chattanooga Preparatory School principal Diamond Kelley has also been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review after White was arrested.

Chattanooga police are still looking for potential victims of White during their investigation. If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

PREVIOUS STORY: Tennessee Representative John Ray Clemmons has officially requested the state to investigate Chattanooga Preparatory School after the school hired a teacher on a disciplinary hold, who was later arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor.

The letter to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti states:

"One would expect a school, even a charter school that operates with little to no oversight, to make best efforts to protect students by requesting pertinent information from a previous employer and performing a background check."

Rep. Clemmons goes on to say a state investigation into Chatt Prep would "shed much-needed light on how something as seriously disturbing as this could happen."

Read the full letter here:

PREVIOUS STORY: Internal emails show Chattanooga Preparatory School knew about a teacher let go from a different school in Hamilton County because of a Dept. of Children Services investigation before he was hired again at Chatt Prep.

The DCS investigation into Kenya White first started while he was an Education Assistant at East Lake Academy. He put on leave in 2023 pending a law enforcement investigation.

In January of 2024, White was then hired as an 8th grade english teacher at Chattanooga Preparatory School.

Internal emails obtained by Local 3 News show that Chatt Prep saw the disciplinary hold on White, but hired him anyway.

One email sent within the school said, "we cannot hire him while he's under review," and "we will need to terminate Mr. White this week."

Parents concerned about Chatt Prep's oversight after hiring teacher under DCS investigation Local 3 News is working with DCS to confirm if Chatt Prep requested background checks through DCS for White and current employees.

However, instead of terminating White, an employee at the school replied, "let's discuss this before he is terminated."

The Chatt Prep website listed him as a Guided Reading teacher for the 2024-2025 school year on their website.

Almost exactly one year since those emails were sent, White was arrested on several charges in February of 2025:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

Chattanooga Preparatory School principal Diamond Kelley has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review after White was arrested.

Chattanooga police are still looking for potential victims of White during their investigation. If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

Hamilton Co. School Board discusses charter school application process after teacher's indictment Questions about the application process for charter schools come after a now former teacher of Chattanooga Preparatory was hired amid an investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga Preparatory School principal Diamond Kelley has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review.

In February, Chatt Prep teacher Kenya White was arrested on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means. White's personnel file shows White was suspended from his previous employment in 2023 at East Lake Academy pending a Dept. of Children's Services investigation.

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-5-413 states that all local boards of education, charter schools, or child care programs are required to perform a DCS background check on any applicants for teaching positions.

Local 3 News is working with DCS to confirm if Chatt Prep requested background checks through DCS for White and current employees.

Micah Reed Bess, Interim CEO of PREP Public Schools stated:

The greatest responsibility of every school is to ensure the safety of the children it has the privilege to educate. Chattanooga Prep believes this is one of our most fundamental responsibilities to the community we serve, which is why the school has been taking sweeping actions since learning that one of its former employees was arrested on charges that have nothing to do with Chattanooga Prep.

The extraordinary actions we have taken since learning of Mr. Whites arrest include firing the employee, placing on leave senior school staff, making counseling services available to members of our school community, and hiring an independent employment firm to investigate what internal HR processes require changes to ensure this situation never happens again.

Chattanooga Prep is determined not to allow this situation to distract from our mission to prepare the next generation of young men for success in Chattanooga.

Former teacher employed for years by Hamilton Co. Schools before child sex crimes indictment Kenya White's personnel file from Hamilton County Schools shows he was originally hired as a part-time tutor at East Lake in 2018.

PREVIOUS STORY: Now-former Chattanooga Prep School teacher Kenya White was arraigned in court Friday, Feb. 21 after he was charged with 12 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means, solicitation of a minor and kidnapping.

No testimony or video was shown.

White is due back in court on May 8.

PREVIOUS STORY: A spokesperson for Hamilton County Schools says they did not receive any reference checks on Kenya White, the Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher arrested on charges of sexual exploitation.

Dr. Zac Brown, Chief of Talent with Hamilton County Schools, says, "As far as I know, [Hamilton County Schools] did not receive any reference checks on Mr. White.

Children's Advocacy Center gives tips to parents after local teacher arrested for child sex crimes A local expert said parents should look for these signs to keep their kids from becoming a victim of sexual misconduct by an educator.

White was employed at East Lake Academy for the 2022-2023 school year when the initial investigation began, but was working at Chatt Prep at the time of his arrest.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Preparatory School has confirmed a teacher arrested for sexual exploitation is no longer employed at the school.

Chatt Prep declined to answer multiple requests about Kenya White's employment status since his arrest on Feb. 13.

On Feb. 19, the school said:

"Chattanooga Preparatory School is deeply troubled by the recent arrest of a former employee. The safety and well-being of our scholars remain our top priority, and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.

We are cooperating with law enforcement and conducting a thorough internal review. As this is an open investigation, we cannot provide further comment at this time."

White was arrested on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means, solicitation of a minor, and kidnapping.

While Hamilton County Schools says he was employed at East Lake Academy for the 2022-2023 school year when the investigation began, Chatt Prep has not said if they were aware of the investigation when hiring White.

A student of Chatt Prep says he was a teacher at the school since 2023, but the school has not confirmed this.

Former teacher employed for years by Hamilton Co. Schools before child sex crimes indictment Kenya White's personnel file from Hamilton County Schools shows he was originally hired as a part-time tutor at East Lake in 2018.

PREVIOUS STORY: Hamilton County Schools confirms to Local 3 News that Kenya White, the Chattanooga Preparatory teacher arrested for sexual exploitation, was employed at East Lake Academy for the 2022-2023 school year.

Chattanooga police say they first responded to East Lake Academy in February 2023 to investigate Kenya White. The school system declined to answer if parents at East Lake were notified of the investigation or if White had a valid teaching license at the time.

Kenya White was arrested on the following charges:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means- 12 counts

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

Police are actively seeking to find if there are more victims. If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

Chattanooga Preparatory School has still declined to answer if White is still employed at the school or not.

PREVIOUS STORY: Tennessee Department of Education records show that Kenya White, the Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor, does not have a teaching license in the state currently.

It is not clear if White's license was suspended or revoked, or if he ever had a valid teaching license in the state.

Chatt Prep has still declined to comment on White's employment status.

The Chattanooga Police Department says they are actively investigating if there could be more victims of White, after he worked as a teacher for two years before the investigation lead to an indictment.

If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga police say the investigation into a Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher arrested for multiple counts of solicitation of a minor began two years ago.

The Chattanooga Police Dept. says they first responded to East Lake Academy in February of 2023, when the Special Victims Unit and Dept. of Children's Services joined the investigation.

Multiple teams worked together to obtain digital forensic evidence to successfully lead to an indictment of Kenya White in February of 2025.

Kenya White was arrested on the following charges:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

The Chattanooga Police Dept. says they are actively investigating if there could be more victims.

If you have any information, call the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-698-2525 or the Department of Children's Services at 877-237-0004.

Chatt Prep has still declined to comment on if White is still an employee at the school at this time.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher has been ordered to not have contact with minors after being indicted on 14 counts related to sexual exploitation.

Kenya White's charges all stem from a February 2023 incident.

White faces a $10,000 bond for each count. He was indicted on February 10, 2025 on the following charges:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

The sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means indictment indicate White exposed a child younger than 13 years old to sexual material through electronic communication.

The solicitation of a minor charge involved a child younger than 18 years old in sexual activity.

The kidnapping charge does not detail the age of the victim.

The school still declines to comment on if White is still employed.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher has been arrested on several charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Chattanooga Preparatory School lists Kenya White as a Guided Reading 6th Grade teacher on its website.

While the Hamilton County Courts System doesn't have documents on his arrest yet, the following charges are listed:

Sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means x12

Solicitation of a minor

Kidnapping

Chattanooga Preparatory School posted on Facebook in 2024 that White was recognized as teacher of the month in March.

When asked if White was still employed by the school, Chattanooga Prep responded:

"Chattanooga Prep cannot speak to the facts surrounding the criminal charges. Please refer all questions to the Chattanooga Police Department or the Hamilton County district attorney's office."

When asked a second time if White was still employed by the school, they declined to answer the question again.
The United Automobile Workers (UAW) union has filed federal labor charges against Volkswagen over what it claims are violations of U.S. labor laws at its Chattanooga plant.

The UAW claims that VW is making major changes without lawfully negotiating with the union.

VW Chattanooga asks employees to voluntary quit while switching to two-shift operation Production employees will be offered a voluntary attrition program with benefits, severance packages, retirement options, and education programs in partnership with the State of Tennessee.

News of the federal charges comes after the automaker announced on Thursday that it was asking employees to voluntarily quit their jobs as the company switches to a two-shift production team.

The UAW said the move shows "a continuing trend of union-busting tactics by Volkswagen aimed at silencing American workers."

UAW President Shawn Fain under investigation by federal monitor The news of the investigations and competing allegations come at a bad time for the union as it campaigns to organize non-union auto plants around the country.

UAW President Shawn Fain said the following after filing the charges:

Nearly a year ago, thousands of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted to join the UAW, to win the respect and dignified life that union autoworkers at the Big Three have enjoyed for generations.

Since then, the company has failed to meet the basic standard at the bargaining table that 150,000 American autoworkers have won at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.

Volkswagen is the second most profitable automaker in the world. On Tuesday, the company reported over $20 billion in profits in 2024. And on Wednesday, they announced their intention to cut a shift at their single American plant, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

UPDATE: VW Chattanooga first foreign automaker in South to join UAW after NLRB certifies union vote The NLRB's ceritification of the vote makes Volkswagen Chattanooga the first foreign automaker in the Southeast to have UAW representation.

This is a company that makes 75% of their North American products in Mexico, paying highly exploited workers around $7 an hour to sell cars for tens of thousands of dollars in the US. They do this to avoid paying a living wage and drive a race to the bottom in the auto industry. Its bad for workers everywhere.

And instead of coming to a fair agreement for their American autoworkers in Tennessee, Volkswagen is choosing to attack American auto jobs.

The UAW has notified the Trump Administration of Volkswagens unacceptable, anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-American conduct. It is no accident that they want to ram through a layoff in America in the days before expected auto tariffs take effect, as they profit from high exploitation labor in Mexico.

The 4,000 autoworkers in Chattanooga deserve better. America deserves better. And the UAW is going to fight like hell to deliver for Chattanooga, for Volkswagen autoworkers, and for the whole working class.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp released the following statement about VW's shift model change and the UAW's allegations:

Unfortunately, we are already experiencing the negative impacts of the UAWs presence in Hamilton County. In most communities where the UAW has gained a foothold, their lofty promises to employees have, in reality, led to job losses and dysfunction.

The UAW was encouraging its members to participate in a 1:30pm rally at the automaker's plant in Chattanooga on Thursday.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.
Nikolaos Tsevukh, 35, is a Ukrainian man from Berdiansk in Ukraine. In 2022, on February 24, he was woken up at 5am to the door of his flat, on the ninth floor, blown open from an explosion caused by ballistic missiles falling 2km away. This was the first day of Russian occupation.

He now lives in Granard and is a popular character around the town. It is not surprising if anyone has heard his name before as he is heavily involved in multiple community initiatives such as Tidy Towns and consistently helps out in Lus na Greine Family Resource Centre.

Before the beginning of the interview, he quickly runs out to help someone carry a box and sits back down in the cafe of Lus na Greine.

I like to be useful, he says when discussing his community involvement. Since moving here in August 2022, Nikolaos has become a vital and valued member of the Granard community. By the time he left Ukraine, he had watched his neighbours carried off to prisons for standing up to their occupiers.

According to Nikolaos, the Russian military rode in in their droves, however, without proper weapons, they could do almost nothing against the hundreds of tanks that were driving into Berdiansk. Instead, they showed up with flags and protested at their arrival.

He notes that the war truly started in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and part of Ukraine's Eastern regions, since then Nikolaos has been an active volunteer.

The situation in Ukraine is becoming far more dire.

Also Read: Ballymahon's St Patrick's parade is going to be full of colour, music and fun

Following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the White House on February 28, which resulted in massive uproar across the world after he was rebuked by the US President and Vice President, the US has ceased both military and intelligence aid to the country.

Of course we need help from the USA, Nikolaos said of the meeting, I dont understand how its working, one year ago we have a good relationship with the USA, we felt support.

It looks very strange, were feeling thankful for Europe.

Nikolaos understands that peace is important, everyone wants it, but there is one question he has regarding this peace, on whose terms will it be brokered?

Of course we need peace, but who will pay for it.

Also Read: St Patrick's parade Grand Marshal Lalin Swaris is immensely proud of 'Lovely Longford'

If we make peace like Trump wants, at this moment the USA benefits, Russia benefits, Ukraine has no benefits.

USA wants our resources, Russia says yeah we give the resources to USA but from occupied Ukraine.

Who attacked Ukraine, who invaded?

Nikolaos is among thousands of people who have had to flee Ukraine for safety. When he left, his wife was expecting their second child, who was then born in Ireland, they are now expecting their third.

Nikolaos believes that Ukraine is but a stepping stone for Putin, he believes that once this peace is achieved, Putin will attack again.

Also Read: Throwback Thursday | A gallery of Longford archive pictures from 2012

He likens the situation to Hitlers invasion of Poland that went ignored and resulted in the invasion of many other lands.

Who started this and who wanted to continue this? Just Russia, he wants to use all the Ukrainian resources and attack another European country.

Next its the Baltic countries, Poland, I am sure, he emphasises, Maybe Georgia.

I think that Europe must be ready for everything, Russia doesnt care about your independence or your laws or democracy or freedom.

When I look at everything thats going on in the world I think if you have power you dont care for anything, you can just come and take what you want.

Nikolaos recalls the first day of the invasion and the weeks that followed. He lived in occupied Berdiansk for two months.

The morning of the invasion, we met up with a few hundred men and waited for them, but then we see it was thousands, with tanks coming to my hometown.

Also Read: Man (30s) charged with rape of elderly woman in county Longford remanded in custody

They resorted to protesting, the people of the city showed up day after day to condemn the invading forces. In a video of one of the protests, those in attendance can be heard shouting Ukraine and Go Home at Russian forces, which continued until the army began arresting them.

Since the beginning of the war, Nikolaos has lost friends who were fighting over there, some are still there and spent Christmas in a tent, armed for battle.

Two of them agreed to provide statements regarding the recent events, which were sent on to the Leader by Nikolaos.

Taras Bakay is 33 years old and is currently located in Zaporizhzhia, 20 to 30 kilometres from the front line.

As a resident of a frontline city in Ukraine, I feel deep anxiety and disappointment over the latest actions of the US and their negotiations with Russia without Ukraine's participation, said Taras.

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Whats especially concerning is that the U.S. and Russia are holding negotiations about ending the war without Ukraine at the table. This gives the feeling of betrayal and abandonment because the fate of our country is being decided without our voice.

And yet, were told these talks are for peace. But their so-called peace means daily Russian missile strikes on residential buildings, stores, post offices, car washes, and other civilian infrastructure.

"As someone living in a frontline city, I dont just hear about this on the newsI experience it firsthand through the sounds of explosions and the sight of destroyed buildings around me.

Sergey Nobelev, 38, is located in Kyiv.

He says that the US had every right to cease aid.

The US now wants to focus its own interests and for some reason has stopped viewing its allies as likeminded partners, he said.

The US is indifferent to Ukraine's fate, having ceased to care about it, perhaps they never truly did. This is evident in how they repeatedly delayed weapons deliveries when Ukrainian forces were making progress, especially in the first two years.

Based on the above, one could surmise this was their scenario all along, starting from the Bucharest meeting and through subsequent years. No one actually wanted to see Ukraine in NATO; they were merely provoking Russia with this possibility, and

Ukraine took the bait, resulting in tremendous suffering.

During the interview Nikolaos discusses his fears that if Russia takes Ukraine, it will encourage other superpowers to continue with their plans to occupy other nations, such as China with Taiwan, Israel with Palestine and North Korea with its southern counterpart.

He smiles, Do you know the movie Spider-Man? he asks, With great power comes great responsibility, I think that it is important for the USA (to recognise that) because they really influence all the world.

At the end of the chat Nikolaos expressed his gratitude to Ireland for taking him and his family in.

Also Read: Longford woman who broke into an apartment is given another chance

He then highlights the importance of recognising the horror of war.

Im afraid at this moment because I have small babies and I understand whats happening, I saw war, I saw it with my eyes.

When I was young, we spoke with our grandfathers and grandmothers who saw the Second World War, when they remembered this, they would always say, Never war again, never war again.

When I was young, I didnt understand what it meant, I understood war is bad, but when I saw it with my eyes, its the worst thing in the world, war, Im sure.

I would like no one to ever know or feel what war is, he concluded.
Tuesday saw the official opening of Longfords all new Gooseberry Cafe. The cafes arrival has been much anticipated by all of those living or working or going to school in Longford town.

Gus McEntire, the owner, discussed what locals can expect.

We acquired the Red Rose premises on Dublin Street early last year and engaged with local interior designers such as Lisa Crowe who helped us design the layout and colour schemes of the new restaurant, he explained.

So what we wanted to do was give it a new look, a new experience for Longford people.

Also Read: Longford Drama Group is gearing up for their highly anticipated spring production

The menu is another greatly anticipated part of the Gooseberry featuring salad bowls, acai bowls, granola bowls, breakfasts with avocado.

The traditional Irish Breakfast isnt going anywhere either and will be available on the menu.

The cafe will also have an in-house bakery.

For lunches well have a range of salads and some fine bread and daily specials.

We have a superior coffee.

I evaluated at least four different types of coffee, we settled on a coffee brand called Tall Order.

Gus has always wanted to open his own cafe.

Its something I always wanted to get into, I worked with global national companies and so I travelled a lot and tasted nice cuisines in different locations and I always had the desire to bring something back.

The opening took place all day Tuesday and had all day treats available for attendees.

Also Read: Longford woman who broke into an apartment is given another chance

What were going to do is a couple hundred little croissants.

There's a lot of people knocking on the door looking to see if the restaurant is open again, because this was a renowned restaurant for over 30 years, the Red Rose was here for 30 years.

Make sure to go and check out the Gooseberry Cafe on Dublin Street in Longford town.
A man who rented out properties across rural Ireland under false pretences and used them as brothels was found with child abuse material on his phone when arrested at Dublin Airport.

Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro (54) was arrested by investigating gardai from the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit when he returned to Ireland from his native Brazil after a period of time abroad, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Ribeiro, of Rua Nely Augusta Gomes, Goais, Brazil, had been under investigation after a number of rental properties being used as brothels around the country were linked to him, along with nearly 800,000 in proceeds of crime across multiple Irish bank accounts.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 19 sample counts, including using false instruments, inducing landlords to rent properties to him and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Also read: Longford Gardai investigating criminal network orchestrating illicit brothel deals

He also pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on his phone when he was arrested at Dublin Airport on November 16, 2023.

The offending on the 60-count indictment spanned from 2010 to 2023, the court heard. Ribeiro has been in custody since his arrest.

Detective Garda Vanessa Stafford of the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the charges against Ribeiro were part of a wider investigation after two women came forward to gardai with allegations of trafficking.

Also read: Man (30s) charged with rape of elderly woman in county Longford remanded in custody

These two women identified some rental properties around rural Ireland which were being used as brothels while others were linked to Ribeiro's email address and phone number, the court heard.

When investigating gardai knocked on the doors of some of these properties, the women who answered identified themselves as sex workers, the court heard.

Gardai linked 10 rental properties to Ribeiro, who used a different name from a fake Italian passport and fake utility bills to rent out the property from unsuspecting landlords and, in one case, a property agent.

The court heard the landlords told gardai that they would never have rented the property to Ribeiro if they had known what it would be used for.

The properties which were used as brothels were located in Longford town, Kildare town, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, Ballymahon in Co Longford, Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, Carrick on Shannon in Co Leitrim, and Tullow, Co Carlow. A further two were located in Roscommon town.

Also read: Stalking and harassment of sex workers in Longford criticised

The properties were rented out for varying periods of time between 2018 and 2023.

Bank accounts in Ribeiro's name or under his control were forensically analysed and found to contain a total of 788,982 which was deemed to be the proceeds of crime.

The court heard Ribeiro was out of the country for some years between 2021 and 2023, but was arrested upon flying back in November 2023.

The child abuse material on his phone comprised nine images and 16 videos, mostly of pre-pubescent girls and boys being made to engage in sexual activity with adults.

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, told the court his client arrived in the country in 2009.

The case was adjourned to March 21, when a plea of mitigation is expected to be heard.

Also read: REVEALED | The best restaurant and hospitality business owners in Longford honoured at Irish Restaurant Awards
A ground-breaking two-part documentary tracking veteran journalist Charlie Bird on his last investigation will air on Virgin Media Television later this month.

Ransom 79 follows Charlie on his quest for the truth while in a race against time after receiving a devastating diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in October 2022.

Still reeling from the news, he met with an old source, former Head of the Fraud Squad Wille McGee, who let slip details of what Charlie believed could be one of the biggest stories of his career. In September 1979, the Minister for Agriculture received an anonymous letter.

READ MORE: Handy tip for families planning on travelling to St Patrick's Parade this weekend

Failure to hand over 5m, the letter read, and the dreaded Foot and Mouth virus would be purposely let loose in Ireland, an act of criminal terrorism that would buckle the faltering Irish economy. Senior staff were left shaken and appalled, not only for the brazenness of the demands within, but also for the potential devastation that would be wrecked on the State if the demands weren't met.

The old maxim that truth is stranger than fiction certainly applies here. Over the next seven months an often-surreal game of cat and mouse played out between a mysterious criminal gang and the authorities.

Ransom '79 is a feature documentary that charts Charlie's final investigation and reconstructs the unlikely series of events that occurred over forty years ago. Charlie, now restricted in mobility and speech, reaches out to friend and previous collaborator journalist and playwright Colin Murphy, to assist on his quest.

The duo's dogged research turns to clues, which in turn become sources as, piece by piece, the truth behind this bizarre case is laid bare.

In truth though, the film is an exploration of one man's mortality and the respite that can be found in doing the things you love to do even in the most terrible of circumstances.

Despite communicating almost exclusively with voice-bank technology and with his mobility diminishing as the story progresses, the dogged newsman in Charlie still remains and through his work he discovers the truth about who he is and what his life has meant.

The film becomes a race against time, for Charlie to get to the bottom of one last case, to secure one last scoop, before his own story finally reaches its end.

The documentary is produced by John Kelliher Media with support from Screen Ireland/Fis Eireann and Coimisiun na Mean's Sound and Vision Scheme.

In honour of Charlie Bird's memory, from Thursday, March 20 to Monday, March 24, Ireland AM will highlight the work of Research MND and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, sharing stories from people living with MND and their families.

For further information and to support go to https://rmn.ie/ and https://www.imnda.ie/.
Local News, Travel & Local Attractions

By Long Island Published: March 14 2025

The MTA is the safest and most reliable way to get customers there. Grand Central Terminal, serving the Long Island Rail Road, leaves customers minutes from the parade. New York City Subways Lexington Ave Line ...

New York Citys St. Patricks Day Parade will be held on Monday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m. For those participating in the parade, and those looking to watch, the MTA is the safest and most reliable way to get customers there. Grand Central Terminal, serving both Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road, leaves customers minutes from the parade. New York City Subways Lexington Ave Line covers the full parade route, with stations a short walk to Fifth Ave. See below for more on how to take transit to this years NYC St. Patricks Day Parade:

Long Island and Metro-North Railroads Adding Extra Trains to the Parade

Grand Central Madison leaves LIRR customers closer to the parade than ever, with the East Side LIRR hub just a short walk from the parades starting point.

Multiple travel options will be available to get customers to the parade. The LIRR will add two extra westbound trains on the Babylon Branch and two extra trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch, all of which are stopping at Grand Central Madison.

Metro-North will operate extra service to Grand Central Terminal on both the East of Hudson and West of Hudson Lines on St. Patricks Day, Monday, March 17.

On East of Hudson lines  the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines  Metro-North will have five extra trains available to transport participants to and from the St. Patricks Day festivities in Manhattan.

On the West of Hudson lines  the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines  Metro-North will operate one extra train on each line to transport parade-goers to Manhattan.

In the afternoon, Metro-North will monitor the return of parade-goers and will operate extra trains as necessary.

Alcohol Ban on Both Railroads

Both Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road will ban alcohol on all trains and at stations from 5:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17 to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18.

Alcohol consumption and open alcoholic containers are always unauthorized throughout the subway system.

The MTA is honored to help New Yorkers attend this years St. Patricks Day Parade as weve done for so many years, said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. Paradegoers can reach the parade on Fifth Avenue from several different subway stations and nearby bus routes. We recommend that customers visit the MTA website or use the MTA app to plan their trips to see this years parade!

With the start of the parade being only a stones throw away from Grand Central Terminal, Metro-North Railroad is an ideal travel option for this years St. Patricks Day celebration, said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. Extra trains will be added so customers will have multiple ways to reach the parade and enjoy the day.

Thanks to Grand Central Madison, Long Island Rail Road customers have easy access to this years St. Patricks Day Parade, said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. Were also increasing LIRR service to Grand Central Madison on Monday morning to ensure that everyone who wants attend the parade can get there quickly and safely for a great customer experience.

The Best Way on the Subway

The best way to the parade by subway is the Lexington Avenue , which covers the full parade route, and stations are a short walk to Fifth Ave. If customers wish to take the train to Fifth Ave, however, they can take the subway to the 5 Av-53 St station. Customers can also take the to Lexington Av-59 St, or the  to 42 St-Bryant Park or 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center.

Customers should note that the stairs to the 5 Av-59 St station at the southeast corner of Fifth Ave and 60th St. will be closed during the parade. During that same time, certain stairs at the 77 St  subway station will be enter only and others will be exit only.

New York City Bus Reroutes

Due to the parade route, some New York City Buses will have their routes impacted.

Customers should expect reroutes on the following bus routes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M31, M50, M55, M57, M66, M72, M79 SBS, Q32, and most express buses.

Customers can check mta.info throughout the duration of the parade to monitor their route.

About the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade

The St. Patricks Day Parade has been a New York City staple since 1762, and the oldest and largest St. Patricks Day Parade in the world. The parade route runs along Fifth Avenue, starting at E. 44th Street and ending at E. 79th Street. The popular parade typically draws about 2 million spectators and about 150,000 marchers.

Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check the MTA app or TrainTime app prior to traveling.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: March 14 2025

Kevin Brown charged in 34-count indictment for allegedly possessing nearly 1,000 pills containing deadly fentanyl, selling drugs, and keeping seven dogs for the purposes of dogfighting.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man was arraigned on drugs, weapons, and animal fighting charges after a search warrant executed on the residence where he lived recovered more than 1,000 pills  many of which were tested and shown to contain fentanyl  other narcotics, a loaded handgun, an additional magazine, and seven dogs along with paraphernalia indicative of dogfighting.

Kevin Brown, 39, was arraigned on March 12, 2025, before Judge Caryn Fink on charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony); three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony); two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree (a D felony); Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony); Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony); two counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (an A misdemeanor); 14 counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting as a Felony (an E felony); and two counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting as a Misdemeanor (a B misdemeanor).

The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was also ordered not to own or control any animals during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court April 30, 2025.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.

Selling dangerous drugs is often associated with the cruelty of dogfighting, and this defendant allegedly possessed and sold pills containing enough fentanyl to kill more than 65,000 people while also housing, breeding, and training seven pit bulls to fight, said DA Donnelly. Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County. My office is committed to holding those who deal in deadly opioids and subject animals to inhumane, dangerous conditions accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Todays indictment against Kevin Brown is a result of the collaboration of our DEA New York team and law enforcement partners on Long Island to combat the continuous fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our neighborhoods, said DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. Pushing fentanyl-laced fake pills to those unsuspecting buyers, in furtherance of his heinous criminal activity, shows the severity of his crimes and total disregard to life. The DEA is committed to ensuring those who push illicit and synthetic narcotics face the consequences for their actions.

I commend the efforts of our members and law enforcement partners in this investigation, which has resulted in the arrest of a dangerous criminal who had no regard for either his community or the animals in his care. This arrest sends a clear message that we refuse to tolerate these illegal actions in our communities, said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.

The Nassau County Police Department works tirelessly to protect our residents from those who engage in illegal activities. We continue our efforts to rid our streets of illegal drugs and strongly discourage all drug activity in our county. In addition, animal abuse and animal breeding for profit will also not be tolerated, said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

Animal fighting is one of the most barbaric acts of animal cruelty. On behalf of the animals of Nassau County we are grateful that District Attorney Anne Donnelly takes this and all animals crimes seriously. DA Donnelly is a great partner with us in protecting the animals of Nassau County, said Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) President Gary Rogers.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, members of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Task Force became involved in an overdose investigation at the residence where Brown was living on Willow Avenue in September 2024.

Following months of surveillance, a search warrant was executed on the residence in December 2024 and recovered:

A set of 1,053 pills, weighing approximately 116.8 grams, of which 771 were tested and found to contain fentanyl

A set of 84 pills, weighing approximately 14.91 grams, of which 47 were tested and found to contain fentanyl

A set of 10 pills, one of which was tested and found to contain hydrocodone

A bag with a powdery substance, which was tested and found to contain ketamine

A .9mm Smith and Wesson handgun loaded with eight rounds in the magazine

An additional magazine loaded with eight rounds

Authorities also observed seven dogs housed in and around the property in dirty and cluttered wooden crates. Six of the seven dogs were tethered with what appeared to be heavy chains and collars, and one was roaming the backyard. Additional large collars were observed hanging from some of the fencing around the living structures, and the chained dogs did not have any visible access to food or water.

The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) responded to the residence regarding possible animal crimes and observed a hanging spring pole, modified treadmill, and other animal fighting paraphernalia, all of which, combined with how the dogs were housed and chained, were indicative of a dogfighting training or breeding operation.

At least one of the dogs had an open wound, and the dog that was roaming in the backyard appeared to have cropped or intentionally cut ears, a common practice for fighting dogs.

Three of the other dogs had wounds that had recently healed. All seven dogs, five males and two females, were also found to have scars indicative of dogfighting around their muzzles and other areas on their bodies. The two female dogs both showed signs of previously breeding puppies.

Based on these observations, an additional warrant was obtained to seize the animals and fighting paraphernalia.

The defendant was arrested in Seaford on December 3, 2024, by detectives of the Nassau County Police Departments Narcotics/Vice Squad.

The NCDA thanks the DEA, NCPD, NCSPCA, and DEA Task Force members from the New York City Police Department and New York State Police for their dedication and partnership in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rivka Shuter of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro, and Senior Investigative Counsel Heather Kalachman of the Animal Crimes Unit under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jeremy Glicksman of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendant is represented by Marc Gann, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: March 14 2025

The Baldwin Relay benefits the American Cancer Society and is part of a nationwide campaign in which more than a quarter million Relayers support the not-for-profit organizations mission.

Nassau County Legislature Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mule (D  Freeport) recently joined with the Baldwin community at Sonnys Canal House in Baldwin Harbor as they launched their annual Relay for Life campaign.

The Baldwin Relay benefits the American Cancer Society and is part of a nationwide campaign in which more than a quarter million Relayers support the not-for-profit organizations mission. Since its inception in 1985, Relay for Life has raised more than $6.8 billion in the fight to save lives from cancer.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: March 14 2025

Defendants sentenced for conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud in connection with their involvement in corruption at Rikers Island.

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the sentences imposed on former Rikers Island corrections officers JASON SKEET, CHANTAL DE LOS SANTOS, and STEPHANIE DAVILA; former Rikers Island program counselor SHANEQUA WASHINGTON; former Rikers Island contractor KENNETH WEBSTER; and former Rikers Island inmate KRISTOPHER FRANCISCO, each for conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud in connection with their involvement in corruption at Rikers Island. The last of the defendants to be sentenced, DAVILA, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison today by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield. The remaining five defendants were previously sentenced to terms of prison ranging from 12 months to 40 months.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: The defendantsformer Rikers Island employees, a Rikers Island contractor, and an inmateengaged in corruption on Rikers Island by agreeing to have contraband smuggled into the Rikers Island jail facilities in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. The defendants crimes contributed to a dangerous contraband market within Rikers Island, making Rikers Island less safe for inmates and officers alike. The sentences imposed in this case demonstrate this Offices commitment to hold accountable those who criminally abuse their positions of public trust and undermine the security of jails for their own benefit.

According to the Complaints, Informations, public court filings, and statements made in court:

SKEET, DE LOS SANTOS, DAVILA, WASHINGTON, WEBSTER, and FRANCISCO engaged in conspiracies to smuggle contraband, including, among other things, controlled substancessuch as fentanyl, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as K2cellphones, and cigarettes, into Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribe payments. Each of the charged conspiracies involved a Rikers Island insidereither a corrections officer, program counselor, or contractorwho was responsible for smuggling contraband into the facility; a co-conspirator outside of Rikers Island who provided the contraband and/or bribe payments to the insider; and an inmate co-conspirator who received the contraband smuggled by the insider. The inmate who received the contraband from the insider typically sold at least part of the contraband to other inmates inside Rikers Island, in exchange for thousands of dollars in payments to the inmate or the inmates co-conspirators. In particular:

From at least January 2020 through June 2022, SKEET, who was then a corrections officer assigned to the Northern Infirmary Command on Rikers Island, smuggled contraband into Rikers Island approximately 100 times in exchange for more than $45,000.

From at least March 2022 through April 2022, WASHINGTON, who was then a program counselor assigned to the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island, smuggled contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for approximately $13,000.

From at least May 2022 through September 2022, WEBSTER, who was then an employee of a Rikers Island contractor and a former Rikers Island inmate , smuggled contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for more than $64,000.

From at least March 2022 through June 2022, DE LOS SANTOS, who was then a former Rikers Island corrections officer, passed contraband and made bribe payments to WASHINGTON and WEBSTER, so that they would smuggle the contraband to inmates inside Rikers Island.

From at least July 2021 through August 2021, DAVILA, who was then a former Rikers Island corrections officer, passed contraband and made bribe payments to a Rikers Island corrections officer (CC-1), so that CC-1 would smuggle the contraband to FRANCISCO inside Rikers Island.

From at least July 2021 through August 2021, FRANCISCO, who was then an inmate incarcerated in the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island, directed DAVILA to provide bribe payments and contraband to CC-1, so that CC-1 would smuggle contraband to FRANCISCO inside Rikers Island.

Each of the defendants pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. A chart containing the sentences that the defendants received is set forth below.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation.

The case is being handled by the Offices Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Z. Margulies and Jonathan Rebold are in charge of the prosecution.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: March 14 2025

Russell Defreitas Was Found Guilty of 92 Counts Including Drug and Weapon Offenses Stemming From an Investigation Into Fatal Overdoses.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Russell Defreitas, 55, of Holbrook, also known as Merc, was found guilty after a jury trial of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, and 91 other charges, for his role in a large-scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.

This defendant distributed deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with complete disregard for human life, directly causing the tragic deaths of two victims, said District Attorney Tierney. While no verdict can bring back those whom weve lost, we hope this conviction provides some measure of closure to the family and friends who lost loved ones. Cases like this are exactly why the New York Legislature must pass Chelseys Law.

In September 2022, law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. Members of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office East End Drug Task Force endeavored in an eight-month long investigation into the circumstances surrounding the overdose and during that time learned that Defreitas was a member of a large-scale organization in Suffolk County that was conspiring to sell large amounts of crack cocaine and potent fentanyl, and using loaded firearms to protect their drug contraband.

On March 9, 2023, a male and female were in a hotel room rented by Defreitas. When the female overdosed in the hotel room, Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911. Defreitas removed drugs and other evidence from the hotel room and then went to eat at a nearby Wendys. Hours later, Defreitas allowed one of his associates to call 911. At that point, both the female and male had fatally overdosed in the hotel room.

Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, while staying in another hotel. That same day, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at Defreitas hotel room, his trailer in Holbrook, and his vehicle that was used for drug trafficking. During those searches, law enforcement recovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging materials, scales used to weigh narcotics, and numerous hotel room key cards. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas had bank cards in the names of two of the overdose victims in his possession.

On May 18, 2023, Defreitas testified at a court proceeding on his own behalf. The evidence at trial showed that during that proceeding, he repeatedly lied under oath about his drug dealing activity.

On March 11, 2025, exactly two years after Defreitas was arrested, he was convicted of the following 92 counts, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft:

One count of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, a Class A-I felony;

Eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class A-I felonies;

10 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-II felonies;

One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;

One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;

Six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;

45 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;

Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;

Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;

One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class D felony;

Three counts of Perjury in the First Degree, a Class D felony;

One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony;

Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and

Six counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors.

Defreitas is due back in court for sentencing on April 14, 2025, and faces up to life in prison. He represented himself throughout the trial.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jacob T. Kubetz and Raquel G. Tisi of the Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from Paralegal Lisa Zimmerman, Research Analyst Brooke Baade, and Investigative Auditor Carlos Gutama, of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator William Warren of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices East End Task Force.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
Robert Ehrlich, Founder of Pirate's Booty Snacks, Bizarrely Proclaims Himself New Mayor of Long Island Village of Sea Cliff

Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: March 14 2025

Ehrlich is citing the "New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act" passed in 2010 as a means to create the new village-within-a-village, and declaring himself as mayor.

Robert Ehrlich, known best for founding the popular Pirates Booty cheese-puff snack brand back in 1987, has bizarrely staked his claim as mayor of a newly-created village within the already existing Long Island village of Sea Cliff by invoking an obscure New York State law.

Ehrlich is citing the "New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act" passed in 2010 - which established procedures for citizens to initiate municipal dissolution and consolidation via a petition signed by at least 10 percent of its population - as a means to create the new village-within-a-village of Sea Cliff, and declaring himself as its new mayor.

However, it is not currently known if Ehrlich has even circulated the required petition amongst Sea Cliff's 5,000 residents, let alone actually acquired the needed 500 signatures needed to clear the ten percent threshold.

I have so many great ideas. I love Sea Cliff from the bottom of my heart, and I dont want this to go in the wrong way, Ehrlich said in a video posted by News 12 Long Island.

The current governing body of Sea Cliff, however, is not taking the 66-year-old's out-of-left-field attempt to usurp their authority lightly. Village officials reacted with unbridled outrage when Ehrlich attended a Sea Cliff village town hall meeting earlier this week and declared his purported new authority, demanding his own office and that all current employees resign.

Upon arrival, Ehrlich presented a statement falsely asserting his authority as mayor, demanding access to office space, and declaring that the entire Village staff was fired effective immediately but could reapply for their jobs, said the Village of Sea Cliff in a Facebook statement posted on Wednesday.

When village officials dismissed his demands, Ehrlich and his advisers grew angry, yelled, and issued threats for over an hour.

The activities of daily governance are unchanged, and the Village of Sea Cliff continues to operate under the guidance of its duly elected Board of Trustees, the Sea Cliff Facebook statement read.
The logo of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The state-owned Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Israel targeted a building in the Mashoura Dummar neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, with an airstrike on March 13. The attack wounded three people and damaged several buildings, according to SANA. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement confirming the attack, saying it targeted a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) command center. PIJ used the command center to orchestrate terrorist attacks against Israel, the IDF stated.

The Jerusalem Post, citing defense sources, reported that Israel carried out the strike against the group because it was planning attacks against the Jewish state.

Following the event, PIJ spokesperson Muhammad al Haj Mousa denied that Israel attacked a command center belonging to the organization, saying that the site was an empty building.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement confirming the attack. He warned Syrias interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, that Israel would not tolerate terrorist activity aimed against the country. Notably, Katz referred to Sharaa by his nom de guerre, [Abu Mohammad] al Jolani, which Sharaa has avoided using since assuming leadership in Syria after the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime in December. Sharaa remains a US specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) for the groups he has led: Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and Al Nusrah, both US-designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).

Wherever terror activity against Israel is organized, the extreme Islamic leader al-Jolani will find the Air Force aircraft flying above and striking terror targets, Katz said.

Katzs statement builds on previous Israeli statements and military operations that reflect Jerusalems developing policy toward Syria. In the last three months, Israel has targeted various former and current Syrian regime military sites and security threats, including PIJ and Hamas infrastructure in Syria.

On March 13, Israels N12 news reported that Israel thwarted a plot orchestrated by Hamas in southern Syria to attack Israeli communities in the Golan Heights. The report said the Israeli Air Force struck weapons depots and infrastructure associated with Hamas during the overnight hours of March 11 and 12. Israel subsequently warned the Sharaa government that it would not be immune from an Israeli response if terrorist activity against the Jewish state continued in Syrian territory.

Since the fall of the Assad regime to HTS and its allies in December 2024, the IDF has taken control of a UN-monitored demilitarized zone along Syrias border with Israel. On February 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would not permit rebel forces or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus, insisting on the complete demilitarization of the southern provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda.

Israel is closely observing instability in Syria while preparing for and taking action against security threats stemming from the country. Forces affiliated with the new Syrian regime have recently been accused of carrying out sectarian killings against Alawites and other minorities after clashes erupted between pro-Assad groups and government forces in western Syria. Palestinian terrorist organizations and nascent anti-Israel groups, including The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, are operating in the country. In addition, Hezbollah continues to use Syria as a conduit to transfer weapons as the organization attempts to rearm and regroup after the significant blows it received from Israel during the recent war.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
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Lycoming College will welcome Kristen Golden, Ph.D., as the speaker for the 24th annual Strauser Lecture. The talk is slated for Wednesday, March 26, at 4 p.m. in the Trogner Presentation Room in the Krapf Gateway Center, with a reception immediately following in the Lady Family Reception area.

Chief data officer for the Office of Justice Data and director of the New Jersey Statistical Analysis Center, Golden will deliver a talk titled An academic in a world full of lawyers and cops: Impacting policy through data, during which she will share some of the successes and challenges of working with criminal justice data, the importance of transparency, and how data can inform policy and practice. Golden will walk attendees through some of her public facing work, viewable at www.njoag.gov/ojd.

In her current position, Golden has headed numerous projects regarding criminal justice data, including analyses on New Jerseys 2017 criminal justice reform initiative. She and her team of analysts focus on data collection process improvements to ensure data are reliable and useful, that analyses are understandable, and that areas in need of clarification and improvement are identified. Her analytic work is used to inform policy, procedures, and practice in the criminal justice system.

Golden has extensive experience creating easy-to-understand visualizations and reports on a variety of criminal justice topics to promote transparency, such as the law enforcement internal affairs and major discipline, law enforcement recruitment and diversity, law enforcement uses of force, mental health and law enforcement co-responses, reported bias incidents, gun ownership, traffic fatalities, asset seizures & forfeitures, and arrests and charging patterns.

With the annual Strauser Lecture Series, Lycoming honors the legacy of Professor Larry R. Strauser, who began the criminal justice major at Lycoming College in 1975. He envisioned a unique interdisciplinary curriculum at a liberal arts college that would contribute to the reformation of the criminal justice system. Under Strausers direction the program grew, and today many alumni hold successful criminal justice careers. Past speakers include Ramiro Martinez, Ph.D., professor of sociology and criminology and criminal justice at Northeastern University; Thomas Vanaskie 75, federal judge of the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania; and Elijah Anderson, Ph.D., the William K. Lanman Jr. Professor of Sociology at Yale University.
Top Chinese scientist calls for global cooperation in near Earth asteroid defense

15:23, March 14, 2025 By Deng Xiaoci ( Global Times

The 776th session of the Xiangshan Science Conference, themed "Key Scientific and Engineering Challenges in Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Defense," convenes on March 13 at the Xiangshan Hotel in Beijing. (Photo/Courtesy of the DSEL)

Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, called for operational asteroid defense services and deeper international cooperation to protect the Earth, advocating for a global planetary defense community, when addressing the 776th session of the Xiangshan Science Conference, themed "Key Scientific and Engineering Challenges in Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Defense," which convened on Thursday and will continue through Friday at the Xiangshan Hotel in Beijing.

Organized by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), the conference gathered over 50 leading Chinese space scientists and researchers. Discussions focused on four core topics: asteroid defense science, detection, tracking, and impact technology.

Wu, who is also the director general of the DSEL, co-chaired the event alongside Wang Chi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the National Space Science Center, and Yu Dengyun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee of the state-owned space giant China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Global Times learned from the event organizer the DSEL on Thursday.

Wu warned that a major asteroid impact could devastate human civilization, even leading to extinction, calling it a critical threat to Earth's future. He emphasized that China's pursuit of near-Earth asteroid (NEA) defense missions carries profound scientific significance, engineering value, and humanistic importance.

Currently, several major spacefaring countries around the world are developing programs related to near-Earth asteroid defense. For example, the US' Near-Earth Asteroid Defense Demonstration and Validation Mission, known as the "Double Asteroid Redirection Test" (DART) mission, successfully conducted a kinetic impact on Dimorphos, the moon of the asteroid Didymos, in September 2022, effectively altering its orbital period around Didymos.

The European Space Agency's Hera mission will further conduct detailed investigations of the target impacted by the DART mission. As a responsible spacefaring country, China also places great importance on the threat posed by near-Earth asteroids to Earth and human safety. Previously, China has publicly disclosed plans related to near-Earth asteroid defense missions and is accelerating their planning and implementation.

At the opening ceremony and main forum of the first International Conference on Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu), held in April 2023, experts from China's deep space exploration field provided the public with a detailed introduction to China's near-Earth asteroid defense plan.

They also openly solicited global proposals for the overall plan and related strategies for the first mission, with the goal of achieving a kinetic impact on an asteroid for the first time by 2030. At the second International Conference on Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) held in 2024, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) released the plan and vision for international cooperation regarding China's first near-Earth asteroid defense mission. According to this vision, China's initial near-Earth asteroid defense mission will adopt a "fly-along + impact + fly-along" approach. While the impactor performs a kinetic strike on the target asteroid, a probe will observe the entire impact process and post-impact, continue to assess the impact's effects, and conduct scientific exploration. This single mission aims to achieve both "kinetic impact plus space-based assessment."

China's first NEA defense mission is expected to observe an asteroid closely before impacting it to alter its orbit around 2030, Xinhua News Agency reported on September 5, 2024, citing Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of Chang'e-7 Mission, as saying.

"The blueprint for the country's asteroid defense involves two spacecraft - an impactor and an observer - launched into space with one rocket," Tang said, according to Xinhua.

The observer will first orbit the asteroid to gather data, then remotely guide the impactor to strike. After the kinetic impact, the observer will further have an accompanying flight with the very asteroid that changes its orbit, according to Tang.

Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, and director general of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), addresses the 776th session of the Xiangshan Science Conference, themed "Key Scientific and Engineering Challenges in Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Defense, on March 13, in Beijing. (Photo/Courtesy of the DSEL)

Tackle challenges

At the conference, Wu highlighted the major challenges in precision impact, effective deflection, accurate measurement, and reliable communication. Key scientific challenges include understanding the dynamics and evolutionary characteristics of asteroid orbits, the mechanisms and effects of impact hazards, and the response mechanisms for in-orbit mitigation. Technologically, advancements are needed in detection, tracking, and impact capabilities under conditions involving multiple spatial variables, significant ground-space time delays, and complex data transmission environments.

Wu proposed building a coordinated space-ground monitoring network for asteroid tracking, early warnings, and risk assessment, alongside developing tailored spacecraft technologies for impact mitigation.

He called for a defense system integrating prevention and response, backed by in-orbit tests to refine mitigation strategies.

Wu's appeal aligns with growing global concerns over asteroid threats and planetary defense readiness. This focus intensified following NASA's recent update on asteroid "2024 YR4," first detected on December 27, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. NASA's latest calculations lowered the impact probability of the 40-90 meter-wide asteroid striking Earth on December 22, 2032, to 0.004 percent, dismissing any immediate danger.

The Xiangshan Science Conference was initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology (formerly the State Science and Technology Commission). Under the joint support of the ministry and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), it was officially established in April 1993.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A single Boston parking space is on the market for what many would shell out for a single-family home.

An eye-popping $750,000 price tag accompanies the luxury parking spot in a private garage a block off Boston Common in Beacon Hill.

It comes with a variety of amenities: valet service, refueling, car washing and other concierge services, according to the listing.

Yet the true value comes from the relative scarcity of other parking options in one of Bostons most affluent neighborhoods.

Having this parking spot is very valuable. There really arent other options for people on Beacon Hill who are spending millions on homes with no parking, Rene Rodriguez, a real estate agent for Cabot & Company, which listed the spot, told the Boston Herald. The paper first reported on the listing.

The spot is located in the Brimmer Street Garage, where parking spaces have previously sold for north of half a million dollars.

Rarely does one of the garages 151 spaces hit the open market, Rodriguez told MassLive. More often, theyre traded privately, sometimes when a homeowner sells a nearby property and includes the parking space with it.

The garage at 70 Brimmer St.  a block from Storrow Drive, a block from Beacon Street and less than half a mile from the State House  bills itself as the most exclusive venue to capture a parking space in the historic downtown neighborhood, known for its narrow streets and stately brick rowhouses.

Many of the areas 18th- and 19th-century homes do not come with their own designated parking spots, according to the garages management.

That makes it a coveted spot, Rodriguez said. Theyre not building any more parking on the hill.

Since 1979, the garage has operated as a condominium, allowing individual parking spaces to be sold on the open market as individually deeded properties. In its first year of operation, single spaces sold for $7,500.

More than four decades later, a spot is listed for 100 times that.

It was still available as of Friday, Rodriguez said. The sellers are a pair of brothers whose mother had owned a home on Brimmer Street. They sold the home after her death several years ago but did not include the parking space with it.

In December, median single-family home sales in Greater Boston also rose to $750,000, up 7.1% from a year prior, according to the Warren Group, a real estate information services company based in Peabody.
The names of several men accused of buying sex at a Cambridge brothel that drew wealthy and influential people  with some who paid over $800 for a two-hour visit  were made public on Friday morning.

Hearings began at 10 a.m. and about five of the men were identified by noon  but just one man actually appeared in the Cambridge trial courtroom.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys declined to confirm spellings of the mens names and said the information would be publicized after the hearings. One of the men named was 76-years-old, while others were 28 and 44.

Criminal complaints were issued for the men by Clerk Sharon Casey, who said there was sufficient evidence to establish probable cause in multiple cases. The men will be summonsed to Cambridge District Court in the coming weeks, Casey said.

People held signs outside the courthouse where men accused of buying sex at a Cambridge-area brothel ring were set to attend a hearing Friday. Irene Rotondo

The identified men are part of 28 others who were accused of paying for sex through a high-end, interstate brothel ring, after three ringleaders were indicted in November 2023 on charges tied to the operation out of apartments in Cambridge, Watertown and eastern Virginia.

Since then, all three people  Han Lee, Junmyung Lee and James Lee  have pleaded guilty to criminal charges.

During Fridays court proceedings, details on the Cambridge apartment brothel were revealed as Cambridge Police Lt. Jarred Cabral read through similar police reports for each of the mens cases.

Appointments were set up by the accused sex buyers through text messages to a number on a website called bostontopten10.com, Cabral said.

The men used code words in their texts with the brothel owners, including GFE for girlfriend experience and BB for bareback, a slang term for sexual intercourse without protection, Cabral said.

The buyers often requested women by name, and their payments  which ranged from $250 for 30 minutes, to $350 for one hour and up to $840 for three hours  were called donations, a usual term in sex trade, Cabral said.

During one of the cases, Kevin Mahoney, an attorney for one of the men, asked Clerk Casey to exercise discretion for his client. He said his client is a software engineer whose marriage has fallen apart because of the allegations.

Mahoney also said there were 2,800 contacts in total taken from the ringleaders phones, and said that only people who had been excessive of 400 text messages with the brothel were the people being accused.

People held signs outside the courthouse where men accused of buying sex at a Cambridge-area brothel ring were set to attend a hearing Friday. Irene Rotondo

Not everybody here is going to be penalized ... its just this very small number of people that are at risk here, Mahoney said, adding his client does not want to be individualized in court proceedings.

Outside of the courthouse and across the street, about a dozen protestors congregated. Their signs read, A body is not a work place, and, You cant buy consent.

Another read, When sex is for sale, children are sold. The protestors were allowed inside the courtroom, but were told to cover or take off shirts that had writing or printed words of protest.

More men are slated to appear in court later in the on Friday, and further hearings for the rest of 28 are scheduled for March 21 and 28.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks with reporters in Jamaica Plain after the grand opening of The Lyndia, a 202-unit building and New England's largest permanent supportive housing development on Wednesday. (Will Katcher/MassLive)

It was a dramatic moment during a Capitol Hill hearing that presented no shortage of dramatic moments.

Brandishing paperwork, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., threatened to set the full power of the U.S. Justice Department on Boston Mayor Michelle Wu over what she said were violations of federal law stemming from the citys limited police cooperation with immigration agents.

But more than a week after that nationally watched U.S. House Oversight Committee meeting, its much ado about not much.

The wheels of justice may turn, but in a Justice Department busy defending the Trump White Houses blizzard of executive actions, they turn slowly.

A spokesperson confirmed to MassLive Thursday afternoon that Luna had submitted the necessary paperwork to the Justice Department shortly after the Republican-controlled committee gaveled out in the early evening hours of March 5.

That same spokesperson told MassLive that the lawmaker had so far not heard back from the Justice Department, noting that the agency is very busy right now.

The Justice Department did not respond to an emailed request for comment from MassLive.

Read More: Florida Republican vows to report Boston Mayor Wu to DOJ for criminal investigation

Luna made her threat amid her interrogation of Wu, who appeared alongside the Democratic mayors of New York City, Denver and Chicago. Each city has policies restricting interactions with federal immigration agents.

The Democratic mayors said the policies made their cities safer and boosted trust among citizens. Republicans called them sanctuary cities that put the rights of people living in the country illegally ahead of the safety of their own citizens.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., testifies in front of a House Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 19, 2024. The Florida Republican has introduced new bills that would allow the death penalty for those convicted of sex crimes against children. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Wu, with Ash Wednesday ashes on her forehead and, briefly, her infant daughter Mira on her shoulder, defended Bostons decade-old Trust Act.

The laws on our books promote the kind of community trust that keeps all of us safe, Wu said, noting that city police fully cooperate on criminal matters. We are the safest major city in the country  because all of our residents trust that they can call 911 in the event of an emergency or to report a crime. This federal administrations approach is undermining that trust.

Luna disagreed.

I dont think you guys are bad people, but you are ideologically misled, Luna, the first Mexican-American woman from the Sunshine State to win election to Congress, said with what sounded like notes of disappointment in her voice.

As soon as I leave here, these will be going over to [Attorney General] Pam Bondi, Luna, whose district borders the newly renamed Gulf of America, continued. Im not doing that in an effort to bully you guys, but I do believe your policies are hurting the American people.

During an unrelated appearance in Jamaica Plain on Wednesday, Wu said she had not personally heard anything following up on Lunas request or from the Justice Department.

Speaking to reporters in Washington a week prior, Wu said her office would cooperate with the committee as it goes about its work.

I think, as we heard throughout the many hours of testimony today, Boston follows the laws, and I am happy and will make sure that my team continue[s] to follow up with this committee to get them any other information they need, she said.

MassLive Reporter Will Katcher contributed to this story.
A protester raises signs during a demonstration in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil outside Columbia University, Monday, March 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) AP

Another arrest of a student protester at Columbia University has been made in the Trump administrations efforts to clamp down on antisemitism, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The department said Leqaa Korda, a Palestinian from West Bank, was arrested for overstaying her expired visa, which ended on Jan. 26, 2022. She had also been arrested for her involvement in protests at the New York university in April 2024, according to the department.

Another Columbia student, Ranjani Srinivasan, was also a part of the protests. She was an urban planning student at Columbia and is an Indian citizen. On March 5, the Department of State revoked her visa.

She was recorded on video using the CBP Home app to self-deport on March 11, according to the department.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self-deport, said Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

The news of the arrest and self-deportation of the Columbia activists comes after Mahmoud Khalil, 30  a lawful U.S. resident who was a graduate student at Columbia until December  was arrested Saturday by federal immigration agents and flown to an immigration jail in Louisiana, according to the Associated Press.

He has not been charged with a crime, but President Donald Trump has argued that protesters forfeited their rights to remain in the country by protests he claimed support Hamas, the Palestinian group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The exterior of the New Education and Research Building at UMass Chan Medical School on June 7. Photo by Irene Rotondo Irene Rotondo

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, announced on Thursday it is eliminating more than 2,200 employees because of cuts to funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to multiple news outlets.

Other potential cuts in higher education include indirect costs at the National Institutes of Health.

Johns Hopkins layoffs come after several Massachusetts institutions have rolled back some of their spending in reaction to federal actions. Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and some others implemented hiring freezes. Boston University is slowing the rate of spending, limiting off-site events and meetings and discretionary spending and requiring approval for new hires.

Whats happening at the UMass system

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is requiring approval for hiring, limiting overtime and scrutinizing non-personnel expenditures, according to an internal announcement on Wednesday.

UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester announced a hiring freeze, spending freeze and rescinded admissions for one of its biomedical science doctorate programs this week, citing ongoing uncertainty regarding federal funding.

There will also be targeted furloughs and layoffs at the medical school, according to an internal announcement.

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan told MassLive that the university system is monitoring the federal cuts and that layoffs are possible.

This is a major, major issue and the medical school is taking steps to reduce spending immediately, including the pausing of hiring new faculty and discretionary spending  conferences, travels, things like that. And its important that we do that, frankly, Meehan told MassLive.

Layoffs arent expected at this point at other UMass branches, according to Meehan. However, he remains concerned about future impacts to the university system.

He said the UMass system has a limited budget and they are trying to limit disruptions. Each campus is taking proactive, cautionary steps to address the uncertainties that are unfolding at the federal level, Meehan said.

Were all facing uncertainty, even beyond the proposed NIH funding, Meehan said.

I think financial management is critically important to any university, particularly in these difficult times. So we will have to do whatever we have to do to make sure that the institution is financially sound and to make sure UMass is in strong financial footing so that its here 25 years and 50 years and 100 years from now, he said.

The potential for federal funding cuts put in jeopardy the 500 medical clinical trials going on at UMass  without federal funding, the institutions cant conduct those trials, Meehan said. UMass Chan system relies on between $40 to $60 million for indirect costs from the National Institutes of Health.

UMass Chan receives $200 million in National Institutes of Health funding and UMass Amherst receives $48 million.

We are constantly looking at budgets... Look, we borrowed $350 million to build a world-class research facility at our medical school. We have to pay the bond, Meehan said.

Meehan said he is working with private university leaders and national associations to lobby the federal government of the importance of research.

Every university leader in the country is concerned that it appears that American universities are under attack, he said.

Its not just Democrats or Republicans or independents that have family members or that get cancer that need this research. Its Americans that are affected by it, so I hope that we get to a point where we start looking at some of these issues as whats in the long-term interest of the United States, he said.

Other colleges closely monitoring cuts

A representative for Boston College wrote that the college is not planning layoffs but joins all colleges and universities in closely monitoring cuts in federal research funding.

While Tufts University hasnt had job cuts or layoffs, the cuts to USAID and NIH could have an impact on the institution, according to a letter from President Sunil Kumar and other university leaders. There have been 12 USAID award terminations.

We are working with researchers and their schools to assess and address the impact of these and any additional award terminations that might be made in the days ahead. Although the university will work painstakingly to find new funding sources for this work and for those impacted, we recognize that there will be negative impacts on our community, the letter said.

A Boston University spokesperson said there havent been any updates since President Melissa Gilliams letter in February stating that the cuts to indirect costs could have a seriously adverse effect on the institutions research.

Of course, the impact of these proposed changes would be felt far beyond our own campus. Not only could this policy have real ramifications on research projects that improve human life, but it could also affect the United States standing in the global scientific community, Gilliam said.

Harvard, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Brandeis University and Northeastern University didnt immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the potential for layoffs.

Ongoing investigations

At the same time cuts are being made, higher education is also under a heavy load of investigations.

MIT and the New England College of Optometry are among over 50 institutions on Friday under federal investigation for alleged racial discrimination.

As federal actions continue to unfold, MIT is facing an evolving set of pressures. The list is long and growing but they include: efforts by the National Institutes of Health to cap indirect costs; the risk of a sharply higher tax on the income from MITs endowment; Executive Orders on a range of issues that directly affect our community; And, in less than two weeks, the real possibility of a government shutdown. Were responding to the financial uncertainty and new constraints as prudently as we can, said MIT President Sally Kornbluth in a letter last week.

Six Massachusetts colleges and universities are among dozens being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for not protecting Jewish students from antisemitic discrimination and harassment, according to a Monday announcement.

Harvard is among ten colleges the newly created Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism will visit.

The task force will also meet with the mayors of several major cities, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, to discuss how they responded to antisemitic incidents at schools and college campuses over the last two years.
Photo of David Green Jr., who was shot to death in Pittsfield on Nov. 3, 2018. A man accused of shooting him, Lance Burke was indicted Wednesday for his murder.

About seven years after the death of a Pittsfield man, a man from New York was found guilty on three charges related to the crime.

On Nov. 3, 2018, David Green Jr. was shot in the neck as he sat in a truck near Spring and Willow streets in Pittsfield. He died days later on Nov. 7 at Berkshire Medical Center.

Authorities identified Lance Burke, of Bronx, New York, as the suspect in the fatal shooting through witness testimony, cross-state investigations and video and mobile phone tracking surveillance. He was arrested Nov. 20, 2018 in the Bronx by New York City police, agents with the FBI and Pittsfield police.

He was indicted on murder and illegal firearm charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Pittsfield resident.

Read more: Bronx man in Berkshire court appearance denies killing Pittsfield resident David Green

In Berkshire County Superior Court in 2023, the jury deliberated for 17 hours before deciding they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the fatal shooting  resulting in a hung jury and a mistrial was declared.

The Berkshire County District Attorneys office said at the time that he had planned to retry the case after the jurors indecision.

On Thursday, he was found guilty of murder in the first degree, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.

Mr. Greens family has been waiting a longtime for this day. While we are pleased with the conclusion the jury reached, nothing will ever heal the wounds of losing a loved one in such a violent way. I send my deepest condolences to Mr. Greens family, friends, and community as they continue to work through this senseless murder. I hope today brings them some sense of peace, District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue said in a statement. A theme of my tenure continues to be accountability for those who bring violence into our community. This death of Mr. Green was brought about by a Defendant who drove into Pittsfield and committed murder. Those who bring illegal firearms, attempt to establish drug trafficking networks, and bring violence to our neighborhoods will be held accountable to the greatest extent of the law.

Shugrue called the case extremely difficult, and that there was witness intimidation.

The witnesses that came forward to testify showed tremendous bravery. Throughout this trial, witnesses were directly threatened. Threats were made on their own safety as well as the safety of their family, he said. Law enforcement is currently investigating cases of witness intimidation that stemmed from this case. I will not accept bad actors to interfere with the judicial system by those courageous enough to come forward.

Burke is expected to be sentenced on March 19.
As concern grew for a missing 86-year-old Massachusetts man, a high-tech search began as drones scanned miles of wooded area in Plainville.

Just 17 minutes later, they had their answer.

The man was found in a wooded area near the power lines. Search-and-rescue team members and Plainville Fire Department paramedics were able to quickly reach the location and provide a medical evaluation. He was then taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he is in stable condition.

Tonights successful rescue is a testament to the power of collaboration, advanced technology, and the unwavering dedication of our law enforcement and emergency response teams, Chief James Floyd said in a statement. The ability to deploy specialized units so quickly made all the difference in reuniting this individual with his loved ones. We sincerely thank the public for their support and commend all personnel involved for a job well done.

The man was was last seen around 7 p.m. and reported missing around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday.

He was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt. Due to his age, the length of time he had been missing and temperatures being about 36 degrees, police decided to immediately coordinate response efforts.

The police department used Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC), which is a regional mutual aid organization consisting of 46 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts. It provides specialized units, including search and rescue, drones, K-9 teams, tactical bicycle units, marine services, crisis negotiators and investigative units. The Massachusetts State Police also responded.

Within 40 minutes of calling the council, METRO-LEC deployed multiple specialized teams, including its drone unit, K-9 team, tactical bicycle unit, investigative services unit, and search-and-rescue team. This included three drones that conducted a grid search covering more than two miles of dense terrain near the power lines in Plainville, officials said.

At 9:47 p.m., 17 minutes after deployment of the drones, the missing man had been successfully located.
Jonathan Lind, seated, far left, was sentenced to seven to nine years in prison Friday on a single count of perjury. (Charlie McKenna/MassLive) Charlie McKenna/MassLive

Already sentenced for lying to a grand jury, Jonathan Lind admitted to helping his then-girlfriend Julia Enright dispose of a mans body after she stabbed him to death in a treehouse, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office said.

In Worcester Superior Court on Thursday, Lind, 29, pleaded guilty to the charges of accessory to murder after the fact and disinterment of a body. Judge Daniel Wrenn sentenced Lind to six to seven years in prison.

Linds sentence will be followed by two years of probation, with conditions including mental health evaluation, treatment and staying away from Enright and Chicklis family, Earlys office said in a statement.

This prison sentence will run concurrently with his seven- to nine-year sentence after he was found guilty in February of lying to a grand jury, Earlys office said.

Lind will not serve more prison time, but he would still be in prison if he appeals his perjury conviction, the Telegram & Gazette reported. He filed an appeal on Thursday.

Lind is the former boyfriend of Julia Enright, who was convicted in 2021 of killing Chicklis inside an Ashburnham treehouse adjacent to her home in 2018. Enright described the murder as a surprise gift.

The day before the murder, Enright asked Lind if he thought the pair could make a blood bath with bubbles. It was not an unusual conversation for the couple: prosecutors say they engaged in cutting and were fascinated by blood.

After killing Chicklis, Enright enlisted Linds help in disposing of the body. The pair wrapped Chicklis in trash bags and drove his body to Rindge, New Hampshire, where they dumped him in a wooded area along the side of Route 119.

The pair also dumped Chicklis' car in a nearby parking lot.

Before handing down the sentence in February, Wrenn heard victim impact statements from four of Chicklis' family members  his mother, grandmother and two aunts. The Worcester County District Attorneys office submitted seven statements in all.

Jon Lind should have to pay for the choices he made on the weekend of June 23, 2018, Chicklis' mother, Trisha Edwards-Lamarche, said. He should have to pay for all the pain he helped create.

Andrea Parsons, Chicklis' aunt and godmother, described him as a great kid who had so much more life to live.

Mary Borodawka, another aunt, said Chicklis had a heart of gold.
A Lynn man died after his SUV crashed into a dump truck on the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover, New Hampshire on Thursday, New Hampshire State Police said.

At around 8:02 a.m., state troopers learned of a crash from an automatic crash-detection notification from a cell phone on the Spaulding Turnpike, north of exit 8 west, in Dover, State Police said in a statement.

State Police also received 911 calls about a crash between an SUV and a dump truck.

Following an investigation, State Police said a 2024 Western Star dump truck, driven by Jamie Joy, 55, of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, was stopped in the right lane due to congested traffic before a 2016 Lincoln Navigator struck the truck from behind.

The driver of the Lincoln was identified as James Stammers, 39, of Lynn, State Police said. Stammers died at the crash site, while Joy was not hurt.

No passengers were in either of the two vehicles, the statement read.

While investigators were at the crash site, all northbound lanes of the Spaulding Turnpike were closed with traffic diverted off exit 8 west until they reopened at around 11:36 a.m.

The New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit investigated the crash, with help from the Dover, New Hampshire, Police Department, Dover Fire and Rescue, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

The crash continues to be under investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to email Trooper Alison Baumbach at Alison.J.Baumbach@dos.nh.gov.
Editors note: This article contains a description of a sexual assault.

A medical assistant who worked at Massachusetts General Hospital Back Bay HealthCare Center was sentenced to state prison for sexually assaulting a patient at the clinic during a January 2023 appointment.

Damien Knighton, 41, of East Boston, was sentenced to 9 to 12 years in state prison, followed by three years of probation, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

He was also ordered to never work in the medical field in Massachusetts again and to register as a sex offender, the district attorneys office said.

Knighton was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 on March 3.

The sexual assault happened on Jan. 18, 2023, according to the district attorneys office. A man told police he was visiting MGH for a follow-up appointment for leg and shoulder injuries.

While he was in the examination room, the man was approached by a medical assistant  later identified as Knighton  who said the doctor needed another medical test, according to the district attorney.

Before the exam, Knighton asked the man to strip and told him hed be examining his penis and testicles, according to the district attorneys office. Knighton then touched the mans genitals and asked if blood was rushing to his penis. He also inserted his finger into the mans rectum twice.

After the man got dressed and asked other hospital workers about the examination, he concluded that he was sexually assaulted and told the police, the district attorney said.

These incidents were egregious personal and ethical violations in a place of treatment and trust, and I thank the jury for recognizing them for what they were. I am grateful for the victims who bravely recounted Damien Knightons actions, and I thank the prosecutor, victim witness advocate and police investigators for their diligent work in bringing this defendant to justice, Hayden said in a statement.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is requiring approval for hiring, limiting overtime and scrutinizing non-personnel expenditures, according to an internal announcement on Wednesday.

To maintain the universitys financial stability, hiring will now be the exception rather than the rule, said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller.

The rolling back of spending comes from the potential impact from the cuts to indirect costs at the National Institutes of Health, which UMass Dartmouth will find it challenging to absorb these expenses within our existing budget.

Some hiring will be allowed and be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine its immediate importance to our mission, Fuller said.

The news comes after Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and some others implemented hiring freezes.

UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester announced a hiring freeze, spending freeze and rescinded admissions for one of its biomedical science doctorate programs this week, citing ongoing uncertainty regarding federal funding.

There will also be targeted furloughs and layoffs at the medical school, according to an internal announcement.

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan told MassLive that the university is monitoring the federal cuts and that job layoffs arent out of the realm of possibility.

This is a major, major issue and the medical school is taking steps to reduce spending immediately, including the pausing of hiring new faculty and discretionary spending  conferences, travels, things like that. And its important that we do that, frankly," University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan told MassLive.

UMass Dartmouth chancellor Fuller said that by taking thoughtful steps now, we can protect the progress weve made and position ourselves for long-term strength.

UMass Lowell said in a statement that in response to executive orders and federal activity that has led to reduced funding for research, the institution is engaged in a comprehensive review of all areas impacted by these decisions and will evaluate options in order to wisely manage our resources.

A UMass Boston spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the New England College of Optometry are two Massachusetts higher education instititutions among the dozens of U.S. colleges under federal investigation for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Over 50 universities in total are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, the government agency announced Friday.

While MIT is among 45 other colleges being investigated for engaging in race-exclusionary practices in its graduate programs, the New England College of Optometry is one of seven schools being probed for race-based scholarships and race-based segregation, according to the department.

Both MIT and the New England College of Optometry did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment.

The departments investigation comes one month after it issued a memo warning Americas schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A message sent to the PhD Project was not immediately returned, the Associated Press reported.

Six colleges are being investigated for awarding impermissible race-based scholarships, the department said, and another is accused of running a program that segregates students on the basis of race.

Those seven are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota, the University of South Florida and the University of Tulsa School of Medicine.

The department did not say which of the seven was being investigated for allegations of segregation.

The Feb. 14 memo from Trumps Republican administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

In the memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, had said schools and colleges diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline.

The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.
Public school students in Massachusetts have an opportunity to celebrate the commonwealths revolutionary history through a statewide contest.

As part of Massachusetts 250  a program dedicated to commemorating Massachusetts' role in Americas founding  the state is inviting K-12 public school students to create a project about a Massachusetts revolutionary.

Students have until June 30 to submit an entry, according to Massachusetts250.org. Winner will be chosen this fall and notified at the beginning of next school year. The students will be invited to a historical site in the state to share their work as part of the anniversary events, the site said.

Throughout our history, many Massachusetts residents  including women, free and enslaved African Americans, Indigenous people, immigrants, people with disabilities, low-income people, and many others  have made a revolutionary impact in myriad ways in both the past and the present, according to Massachusetts250.org. The 250th anniversary of our nations founding is a real opportunity to widen the lens and tell all of these stories in a deeper way.

According to Massachusetts250.org, students are encouraged to think about several questions when developing their project, some of which include:

How do you define revolutionary? How does your featured revolutionary meet that definition?

What are the different ways to revolutionize a society? What does a revolution look like in technology, politics and government, society and beyond?

Who are the revolutionaries whose stories havent been as widely told?

Students can submit their entries in whatever format best fits their voice and talents. The formats could be a visual project with a brief description, an essay, a short documentary video between 3-5 minutes, a song or any other creative format, according to Massachusetts250.org.

Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler announced the statewide contest Thursday at Manomet Elementary School in Plymouth, according to WCVB.

Its all about helping students understand that civic learning is not just about learning about the government; its about learning about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, Tutwiler said, according to WCVB.

Investigating history is designed to engage students more fully in their learning, Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston said in a press release. Asking students to identify and research revolutionary historical figures is a great way to make the 250th anniversary of our nation more meaningful.

Submit an entry here.
Shame, guilt and a deep mistrust in the medical field linger for three survivors of sexual assault by a former medical assistant at Mass General Back Bay HealthCare Center, who was sentenced Friday.

Hospitals and clinics are supposed to be for refuge and safe places where patients, that include children and adults, are cared for their ailments and not where they are systematically assaulted and raped, one of the survivors, referred to as M.G., wrote in a victim impact statement read by Assistant District Attorney Rita Claire Muse

... It bothers and stresses me that someone would camouflage themselves as professional medical personnel in order to have easy access to unsuspecting patients, M.G. wrote. This criminal is evil and he needs to be stopped.

Damien Knighton, 41, of East Boston, was sentenced to nine to 12 years in state prison, followed by three years of probation, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said in a statement. He was also ordered to never work in the medical field in Massachusetts again and to register as a sex offender.

Knighton was previously found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 on March 3.

Muse read two statements by survivors referred to as M.G. and B.B., with a third person referred to as C.K. reading his impact statement in court before Judge Debra Squires-Lee.

M.G.s loss of trusting medical personnel led them to avoid seeing a doctor while having ongoing shoulder pain, Muse read.

The fact that when you open my medical record also shows that Im a victim of sexual assault also makes me feel extremely vulnerable and potential cost to me in terms of my treatment options for care clients, M.G. wrote.

Your Honor, this criminal molested several patients in different ways, M.G. continued. He was so confident and pulled himself at MGH that his schedule was somehow like this: Go to work as a professional in hospital scrubs, molest patients, then go home to rest after work, and then come back to work and rape patients again. He did this on several occasions. After all, he was getting away with it. Please, Your Honor, to know that this criminals been caught, lets send him a strong message that his deviant behaviors are no more.

Like M.G., B.B. wrote that Knighton astutely identified a delicate layer of trust that I had put in healthcare providers. After they were sexually assaulted, they felt shocked, depressed and ashamed by the violation of trust it caused.

Rather than use that as a way to help those in need, he saw it as an opportunity to exploit people in a vulnerable state for his own selfish desires, B.B. wrote.

They tried to bury their feelings and move on with their life, B.B. wrote. But the anticipation of the trial made them relive every excruciating second of the assault, while being repeatedly asked by the defense why I didnt stop it from happening in the moment.

I now know that no environment is safe from exploitation, B.B. wrote, and added that their trust in medical professionals that was instilled in me from a young age has completely vanished.

A third person, referred to as C.K., delivered his statement in court. He referred to himself as a private person, but said that the years since the sexual assault took a toll on him personally and professionally.

I am a very private person and the fact that I had to stand up here and show my face and admit this happened has been the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my life, he said.

Similar to M.G. and B.B.s lost trust in medical professionals, C.K. grew up on his parents belief in being kind to others and treat others as I wanted to be treated. Instead, he was conned and violated by Knighton, C.K. said.

I always prided myself in identifying risk and its what made me great at my job, identifying risk and coming up with ways to reduce or remove that risk, C.K. said. Now I constantly doubt that ability to identify risks and constantly question my ability to do my job effectively.

Having been raised in an Irish Catholic family and taught to forgive when someone is truly sorry for their actions, C.K. said that in this case delusion and refusal to take ownership has made that impossible. Instead, we were all dragged through this very public experience.

How do you punish someone properly for violating our trust and faith in others and making us feel all the emotions we have felt and will carry with us for the rest of our lives? C.K. said. I ask you to give a judgment that will make sure the guilty is given a sentence that will allow for enough time for the guilty to take ownership and show remorse while serving their time.

All three survivors asked Squires-Lee to make sure Knighton faced justice.

Please, your honor, Im begging you to send a clear message in your sentencing that rapists are a menace to our society and that their barbaric behaviors and preying on innocents have no place in our civilized society, M.G. wrote. Your Honor, I do not believe that this was his first and only violent rape that he has committed and Im begging you to render a long prison sentence that reflects this.

B.B. and C.K. made similar remarks, though B.B. emphasized that sentencing Knighton would ensure that he cannot continue to leverage the trust of others to exploit, victimize, and violate them for his own personal desires.

After C.K. finished reading his statement, Squires-Lee thanked the three victims for submitting statements at Knightons sentencing.

Im just going to tell you three things, she said. Youre brave, the shame is not yours. You were misled, you were lied to, you did not deserve what happened to you. And third, you will heal with love and support.
New regulations taking effect Friday aim to toughen the screening for people entering the states emergency shelter system after it was rocked by reports of violent crimes committed by people living there.

People who refuse to submit to a check through the states Criminal Offender Record Information system will be denied shelter, Gov. Maura Healeys office said.

People also will be denied a place in the system if they have been convicted of a serious crime, like murder, arson, kidnapping, rape, and felonies against children, the administration said in a statement.

Healeys office ordered mandatory criminal background checks for shelter applicants in January. That order came in response to revelations that the state did not conduct full background checks on people entering the system.

In addition, all families entering the system must have their identities and familial relationships verified before entering the system.

Those rules were included in a $425 million short-term funding bill that lawmakers passed, and Healey signed, last month. They came from recommendations formulated by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, whom Healey tapped to come up with fixes for the system.

The changes will "empower our team to keep families, staff and communities safe by enhancing our criminal background check process and disqualifying anyone who has been convicted of a serious crime, Healey said in a statement.

The Democratic administration also announced Friday that it was setting a cap of 5,800 families in the system, down from the previous threshold of 7,500 families, as it looked for savings in a system whose cost to the taxpayers has topped $1 billion a year.

Healeys office said Friday that its on track to reduce caseload to 4,000 families and close all hotel shelters by the end of the year.

The number of hotel shelters already has been cut by half, and three-quarters of the families seeking shelter in the system are long-time Massachusetts families, Healeys office said.

The state is continuing to work with Davis and his team to Davis and his team to implement recommendations from the states Shelter Safety and Security report, the administration said.
SPRINGFIELD  A former Marine from Western Massachusetts pleaded guilty this week to fraudulently filing for a Purple Heart Medal  reserved for those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.

Paul John Herbert, 54, of Shelburne Falls, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of making false statements, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Herbert was indicted by a federal grand jury in September. According to court records, Herbert submitted false statements, starting Oct. 13, 2010, about being wounded by a roadside bomb.
SPRINGFIELD  Four organizations from across the country who work on rooting out housing discrimination in their communities  including one in Western Massachusetts  have asked a judge to reinstate their grants that Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency suddenly ordered cut at the end of February.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Springfield says DOGE lacked the authority to order the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to terminate the grants funding a group of 66 fair housing organizations across the nation, leaving their work in limbo.
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When the son of one of Indias top billionaires gets married, we imagine nothing short of a fairytale wedding. Over-the-top decor, a hefty guest list and larger-than-life celebrations for a big fat Indian wedding. However, Jeet Adani, son of Gautam Adani, recently broke this stereotype with a wedding that was as simple as it was sweeta quiet, intimate affair at Shantigram in Ahmedabad, attended only by close family and friends. And honestly, that wasnt even the most surprising part. Instead of splurging on a lavish wedding, Gautam Adani did something totally unexpected. The billionaire marked the occasion by pledging a whopping 10,000 crore towards healthcare, education, and skill development. While most people get wedding gifts, the Adani family decided to give back in a massive waytruly reflecting their philosophy of "Seva over Self." So, if youre wondering what exactly this donation is all about and how it will help, let's break it down for you. 1. Making Healthcare More Accessible

Adani A major chunk of the donation6,000 croreis going into setting up two 1,000-bed super-speciality hospitals in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. And dont be mistaken, these wont just be regular hospitalswere talking about world-class medical centers in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, one of the most respected healthcare institutions, globally. The idea behind this venture is that access to top-notch medical care shouldnt be a luxury. These hospitals will focus on cutting-edge treatments, research, and medical training, so that high-quality healthcare is accessible to more people in India. Because lets be honestgetting quality treatment in our country often comes with long waiting periods or steep bills and this is going to change all of it. 2. Helping People Get Job-Ready

Adani Next up, we have skill development. Do you know how many students and professionals in our country often struggle with jobs due to a lack of resources and awareness? With 2,000 crore, the Adani Group is launching the Adani Global Skills Academy, to train 25,000 students every year in industries like green energy, hi-tech manufacturing, and more. The flagship campus in Mundra, Gujarat, is set to be one of the biggest technical training centers in the world. To put it simply, this means thousands of young people will get hands-on training, making them job-ready in an increasingly competitive market. Think of it as a real-world upgrade to traditional education, where learning actually translates into employment. 3. Transforming the Education System
The scandal surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and late actress Kim Sae-ron reached new heights as new information about the couples secret affair was made public. Kim Sae-ron took her life on Kim Soo-hyuns birthday, February 16, 2025. Since then, there have been rumours that the late actress was under tremendous pressure to make a comeback after her DUI incident. Recently, Kim Sae-rons aunt went on the controversial YouTube channel, Garo Sero Institute, and revealed that her niece was in an alleged relationship with the Queen of Tears actor for six years, starting from when she was just 15 years old while he was 27. Her aunts revelations and recently resurfaced photos, love letters and journal entries have sent the media and fans into a frenzy. Kim Soo-hyuns love letter to Underage Kim Sae-ron & Old Photos Resurface

 Reddit/FauxMoi According to the aunt, Kim Soo-hyun had pursued the young actress relentlessly. His affection was evident in numerous letters, diary entries, and postcards he sent her over the years. One of the most damning pieces of evidence is a love letter he wrote while serving in the military, where he professed his devotion to Saero-Naero (her nickname), stating: "What Im trying to say is I just want to share what I think is good, what I find as joy, what Im looking at or feeling I want to share these things with you. Its hard to see your face, but I still want to share with you how I feel inside. What Im willing. I dont want to burden you So, I guess what I can say is I miss you."

This letter was sent on June 9, 2018, At the time, Kim Soo-hun was 30 and serving in the military while Kim Sae-ron was just 17 years old. Some of their intimate photos as a couple have also resurfaced, adding fuel to the public outrage against the actor, whom many are now accusing of being a pedophile and grooming a vulnerable, young girl.

Old journal entries from 2008 to his future girlfriend and videos of him saying he wants to marry a 21-year-old girl in his 40s have also not helped his case.

Kim Soo-hyuns Postcards from Paris

 Instagram/Kim Soo-hyun FC The scandal doesnt stop there. Reports indicate that during his stay in Paris, Kim Soo-hyun sent Kim Sae-ron a postcard, written under an alias, to avoid scrutiny: "Saero-Nero (nickname), I had a drink in Paris. I bought this postcard from a souvenir shop and took hold of a pen. I promise to keep nagging you on. I love you, Saero-Nero. You make me so proud Saero-Nero, youre so amazing and Im sorry forever. 2019.11.1. YouTuber Kim Paris." The postcard, now leaked and made public online by Garo Sero Institute, has only fueled speculation about their relationship.

To make matters worse, Kim Sae-ron later joined Kim Soo-hyuns agency, Gold Medalist. Her aunt claims that the young actress was manipulated into offering many of her services for free, believing she was supporting someone she deeply cared about. This revelation has only added fuel to the fire, with many accusing Kim Soo-hyun of taking advantage of a vulnerable teenager. How KSH Paid Kim Sae-rons DUI Fine

 Dispatch Kim Sae-rons troubles worsened in 2022 when she was involved in a DUI case that tarnished her reputation. As she struggled to recover from the fallout, Kim Soo-hyun reportedly stepped in, insistently, offering financial assistance to help her pay off the 700m KRW fine. However, this act of generosity soon turned sour. According to the aunt, Kim Soo-hyun later filed a debt lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron, demanding repayment for the money he had given her. This legal action placed additional pressure on the actress, further isolating her from the industry. Many now argue that this betrayal may have contributed to her declining mental health in the years leading up to her tragic passing. Public Outrage Against Kim Soo-hyun

 Instagram/Kim Sae-ron FC As these revelations continue to unfold, Kim Soo-hyun is facing massive public backlash. Netizens are demanding accountability, with many calling for the actor to address the allegations directly. His silence on the matter has only intensified speculation, with social media flooded with demands for justice for Kim Sae-ron. Many brands like HomePlus have removed his images from their social media accounts and beauty brand Dinto has reportedly pressed pause on all promotional activities with him. Jeju Airlines has also removed a 10-year-old advertisement featuring him. Reports also suggest that the actor has lost about 300k followers on Instagram as the controversy continues to blow up.

Meanwhile, his agency, Gold Medalist, has asked fans for a week to address the issue and make an official statement. Many feel this is simply a tactic to douse the fire and buy time to build a strategy to save his reputation.
The Army has reversed its decision to halt travel funding that enabled potential recruits to take the military entrance exam at remote locations and high schools -- just a week after cutting off the funding and endangering the program, officials confirmed.

Military.com was the first to report that on March 7, reacting to a Pentagon memo that restricted almost all travel on government credit cards, Military Entrance Processing Command halted two programs that were aimed at offering the military's entrance exam, known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, to potential recruits at closer locations and more convenient hours, as well as inside high schools.

Marshall Smith, spokesman for Military Entrance Processing Command, said that "civilian travel ... to include testing administrators traveling to administer tests at high schools and Military Entrance Testing Sites, has resumed," in an email Friday.

Read Next: Transgender Sailors and Marines Must Decide by March 28 to Leave Voluntarily, New Policy Says

The weeklong halt appears to have been the result of the Army's interpretation of the travel memo issued by Darin Selnick, who is performing the duties of under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, that was issued March 5. The memo capped travel card use at $1 for Pentagon civilian workers as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to slash the department and other government agencies.

However, one of the testers who was impacted by the halt told Military.com on Wednesday that they and their colleagues didn't use government charge cards -- they used their own cars and received reimbursement for mileage through vouchers.

Smith previously told Military.com that the remote sites offered tests to 65,000 students last year, and the tester, who worked in a state in the Deep South, said they administered the ASVAB to more than 12,000 high school students last year just in their region.

While the programs were shut down, potential recruits could still travel to a formal Military Entrance Processing Station to take the test but, since the facilities are largely located in major cities and military bases, that meant driving for hours for people in many parts of the country.

Marshall told Military.com that the decision to reassess the program as "other mission critical categories" of "authorized travel in direct support of military operations" was made by Army officials on Thursday.

A defense official also confirmed that the Pentagon's Office of Personnel and Readiness worked with the Army to help it better interpret the policy.

The testing programs are far from the first casualties of Trump and Musk's efforts to move quickly and shut off funding to government programs without first understanding the significance of what they were cutting.

Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has also fired key federal workers such as experts who were responsible for America's nuclear weapons and scientists trying to fight a worsening outbreak of bird flu, only to realize their mistake and try to hire those employees back.

Military.com has also reported that DOGE's efforts at the Treasury Department have led to it snagging sensitive veterans data, including information about VA benefits, leading to concerns from experts and Democrats about the safety of that data, as well as the reliability of future payments of veterans benefits.

Smith said that most of the remote testing sites were back to offering ASVAB exams Friday. Testing of high school students resumed on Friday as well.

All the testing will be back to full operation on Monday, Smith added.

Related: Thousands of Potential Recruits Could Lose Access to Military Entrance Exam Testing with Program Shuttered
TAIPEI, Taiwan  Representatives of China, Russia and Iran called Friday for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.

The talks are the latest attempt to broach the matter and come after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote to Irans supreme leader in an attempt to jumpstart talks.

The letter, which hasnt been published, was offered as Trump levied new sanctions on Iran as part of his maximum pressure campaign that holds out the possibility of military action while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached.

The three nations who met Friday morning emphasized the necessity of terminating all unlawful unilateral sanctions, Chinas Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu read from a joint statement, flanked by Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

The three countries reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard, Ma read.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was due to meet with the representatives later in the day.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked Trump, saying he wasnt interested in talks with a bullying government, although Iranian officials have offered conflicting signals over the possibility of negotiations. Trump sent a letter to Khamenei in 2019 with no apparent effect on rising tensions.

China and Russia are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with France and Britain, that took part in the original 2015 Iran nuclear deal preliminary framework agreement alongside Germany and the European Union. Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018, setting in motion years of attacks and tensions in the wider Middle East.

China and Russia have particularly close relations with Iran through energy deals and Iran has provided Russia with bomb-carrying drones in its war against Ukraine.

They are also seen as sharing a joint interest in diminishing the role of the U.S. and other liberal democracies in determining world events in favor of their own highly authoritarian systems.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so.

Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Irans program put its stockpile at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity.

While Iran has maintained it wont negotiate under duress, its economy has been savaged by the U.S. sanctions. Protests over womens rights, the economy and Irans theocracy in recent years have shaken its government.

China has sought to become more involved in Middle Eastern affairs and a year ago hosted talks leading to the full restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

___

Associated Press journalist Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
The U.S. military wants to keep training at Pohakuloa, so it's ready to quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific.
The Marine Corps is in the process of taking a family readiness program away from paid civilians and placing its responsibilities in the hands of Marines, a service spokesperson confirmed to Military.com on Thursday.

The Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program, or UPFRP, was originally developed in 2007 to keep up with constant deployments during the Global War on Terrorism, according to a service message from 2018, and was designed to provide support for service members and their families during the deployments and other challenges that come with military life.

In April 2024, the Marine Corps decided to begin divesting the program's civilian roles, which are often taken on by military spouses (and non-spouses), citing "resource constraints and evolving operational requirements," according to Maj. Jacoby Getty, the spokesperson for the service's Manpower and Reserve Affairs division. Those responsibilities will begin falling to Marines themselves.

Read Next: Beards, Body Fat in the Crosshairs as Hegseth Orders Military-Wide Standards Review

The "civilian staffing structure" is expected to completely shut down by fiscal 2030, and the plan is currently on track for completion by that time, Getty said, though he added that "we remain prepared to adapt if necessary."

Getty said that, prior to the Marine Corps' adoption of the civilian staffing structure nearly two decades ago, family readiness programs and positions fell under the responsibility of Marines. Now, with the sunsetting of civilian jobs under this program, Marines will once again take on those tasks.

"The UPFRP remains a key program that Marines will execute rather than civilians," Getty said in an emailed statement Thursday. "Bottom line -- it isn't going away. However, due to resource constraints, Marines will need to execute all facets of the program, similar to how it was done in the past."

This isn't the first time that civilian positions within the Marine Corps' family readiness programs have undergone reductions. In 2017, the service announced a forcewide hiring freeze as it reviewed funding for civilian jobs in the program.

In the midst of that freeze, the service restructured the UPFRP, announcing that "after more than 13 years of sustained combat operations, the Marine Corps is in a reset period, refocusing programs that support Marines and their families," according to a 2018 message.

The result was that civilians who already had jobs under the program and were not affected by the ongoing hiring freeze were redesignated. They were no longer called family readiness officers, or FROs, but assigned into three categories: deployment readiness coordinators, recruiting readiness coordinators, and reserve readiness coordinators.

By June 2018, the service lifted the freeze and allowed commanders to begin hiring civilians to fill vacant personnel slots.

Deployment readiness coordinators play a central role in active-duty units by communicating with families and Marines alike about upcoming deployments; helping set up deployment-related events like welcome home celebrations; welcoming new families to the unit; and ensuring that family members of deployed Marines are supported while their loved one is away, among other roles.

Getty said that there are currently 149 DRC billets in the Marine Corps. While the service did not specify how much a DRC civilian is paid, those roles fall under a pay scale where salaries could range between $25 to $58 per hour, depending on the job, in 2024.

Civilian family readiness jobs are staffed by spouses and non-spouses. The paid positions often provide income and stability for Marine spouses amid frequent duty station moves and other military stresses that can affect employment.

"They were certainly good opportunities for military spouses to contribute to their household income," Katherine Kuzminski, the director of studies at the Center for a New American Security who was an Army spouse in the early 2000s when family readiness programs were beginning to professionalize in the military.

"We see across society that it is a larger requirement to have two incomes within a family, and that removing these opportunities can have a deleterious effect on military spouses," she said, adding that it might affect not only their current earnings, but long-term job prospects.

"If civilian employment opportunities go away on military installations, and we have families who are PCSing on a regular cadence ... then it's more likely that they will not be employed at one installation," she said. "That compounds over time, because then they are less competitive candidates at the next installation if there are job opportunities there because they have a larger gap in their resume."

When asked whether the Marine Corps was concerned that divesting the UPFRP's civilian roles would take job opportunities away from military spouses, Getty said that the service "is coordinating with human resources to develop guidelines for the drawdown that will support, as much as possible, the reassignment of employees into similarly skilled positions within Marine Corps Community Services."

In other areas, the service had been making recent moves to lighten the additional responsibilities for Marines so they can focus more on their designated jobs.

For example, it has been hiring civilian barracks managers at various installations across the force, taking that responsibility away from junior Marines who now don't have to worry about scheduling check-in times, following up on work orders, or other responsibilities that come with managing housing.

For the family readiness program, Kuzminski said that "if we're focused on lethality in our Marines, if you're transitioning the responsibility for care for families within the unit, especially during a deployment situation, back to the uniforms, that's putting another thing on their plate."

While there is still a lot of coordination in the existing structure between civilian family readiness roles and unit commanders, "these family readiness civilians were a really important part," she added.

When asked whether the divestment of civilian programs would increase the workload for Marines, Getty said that the service "is assessing the statutory requirements that guide the Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program to ensure it is executed in the same outstanding manner as it has been in the past."

"Our program will continue to meet the operational needs of our Marines and their families," he said.

Related: In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide
Transgender sailors and Marines who want to voluntarily separate before the military starts kicking them out have until March 28 to come forward, according to a Navy policy announced Thursday evening.

The policy, which was released to the fleet as a NAVADMIN after being filed in court by administration officials defending the ban against a lawsuit, is in line with the Defense Department-wide policy released last month that said service members who choose to separate would be eligible for separation pay that is twice as much as they would receive if they later get kicked out.

"An individual's sex is immutable, unchanging during a person's life," the Navy policy says. "After 28 March 2025, the [Department of the Navy] will initiate involuntary administrative separation for these personnel and others who are disqualified for military service."

Read Next: Marine Corps Doing Away with Civilian Family Readiness Officers, Limiting Jobs for Military Spouses

Since the Pentagon unveiled its policy, each of the military departments has been releasing its own memo to fill in details of how it will carry out the ban and the offer of voluntary separation, though they have all been largely similar to one another, including using the exact same language in some cases.

The Army policy, which was released in court late last week, gives transgender soldiers until March 26 to decide to voluntarily separate. The deadline to choose voluntary separation in the Air Force policy, filed in a court earlier this month, is also March 26.

Even as the services are rolling out their policies, a federal court appears poised to block the transgender service ban from taking effect.

At least two lawsuits have been filed against it, and a federal judge in Washington, D.C., hearing arguments in one of the lawsuits has appeared deeply skeptical of the Trump administration's defenses. That judge said at a hearing Wednesday that she expects to issue a ruling by next week on whether to block the ban from taking effect while the lawsuit works its way through the legal system.

The Pentagon is moving to ban transgender people from serving in the military to fulfill an executive order President Donald Trump signed in January that declared that being transgender is "not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member."

Officials in the Pentagon have not offered any details or examples to substantiate that claim.

The policy the Pentagon put out to implement Trump's order says troops with a history of gender dysphoria, who "exhibit symptoms" of gender dysphoria, or who have transitioned to their gender identity are disqualified from service.

Gender dysphoria is the medical term for the distress caused by someone's gender identity not matching their sex assigned at birth.

The policy also outlines some exemptions, but advocates say the criteria for a waiver are impossible for any transgender service member to meet.

In order to qualify for a waiver, a transgender service member would have to be stable in their birth sex for 36 months, never have transitioned to their gender identity, and be willing to serve in their birth sex. The military service must also prove there is a "compelling government interest in retaining the service member," which subsequent guidance clarified to mean the service member has some sort of special skill or training.

However, the offer for sailors and Marines who self-identify themselves for discharge, though driven by Pentagon policy, is generous and unique for the Department of the Navy, which includes the Marine Corps.

Under the policy released Thursday, those who request voluntary separation by March 28 will receive double the normal involuntary separation pay.

Normally, involuntary separation pay is 10% of a service member's annual base pay multiplied by their years of service.

Some of the publicly serving transgender service members -- both officer and enlisted -- have served for more than a decade, so these payments can easily be more than $100,000 even before being doubled.

They will also have any remaining service obligation waived and will not have to repay any bonuses tied to their service obligation they received before Feb. 26.

Some of those bonuses can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The policy also stipulates that the discharge characterization will be honorable "except where the member's record otherwise warrants a different characterization," and those with more than 18 years of service but less than 20 years may be eligible for early retirement.

Those with less than six years or more than 20 years of service will not be eligible for the voluntary separation pay, the Navy policy says.

Navy Cmdr. Emily Shilling, a decorated jet pilot with 60 combat missions, is one of the longest serving publicly out transgender service members. She has served 19 years and eight months in uniform.

Within the Navy's new policy is a quiet admission that officials do not know just how many sailors or Marines the ban will be affecting, and the policy formally forbids Navy personnel from taking steps to "identify service members  [through] the use of medical records, periodic health assessments, ad hoc physical assessments, or any other diagnostic mechanism, unless otherwise directed" by someone at the Pentagon's office of personnel and readiness.

The Department of Defense does not track the number of transgender troops. In January, officials in the Pentagon said that they were aware of 4,240 service members across all services who had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, but it is possible that others have not secured a formal diagnosis through the military or are turning to civilian doctors for care or medication, thus keeping their status hidden from commanders.

The Navy's policy, like the Army's, is less clear on what happens to anyone who does not volunteer to self-identify and separate before the deadline.

The memo says that they will be subject to involuntary separation, as well losing the ability to collect the pay and keep their bonuses, but it also notes that the "procedures for

involuntary separation will be promulgated via future guidance."

After service members request voluntary separation, they will be put into an administrative absence status until they are separated, according to the policy.

Related: 'Complete Purge': On-Paper Exemptions to Transgender Troop Ban Are Worthless, Advocates Say
Veterans were among the several thousand protesters who amassed on the National Mall on Friday to rally against the Trump administration's unilateral deep cuts to the federal government, including at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The veterans who joined Friday's protest ranged from ones who have been frequent protesters to first-timers, from Vietnam veterans to Global War on Terrorism veterans, and from those who have personally been hit by the cuts to those who simply felt it was their duty to speak out as veterans.

"I think it's wrong that veterans such as myself, as well as everyone across the country, has to go through this autocracy, this oligarchy that we live in today," said Vincent Camacho, who added he served in the Air Force for 24 years from 2000 until last year.

Read Next: Transgender Sailors and Marines Must Decide by March 28 to Leave Voluntarily, New Policy Says

Camacho, who said this was his first-ever protest, said he was fired from the Department of Agriculture recently as the Trump administration purged thousands of probationary employees from the federal government. Probationary employees are ones who were hired or promoted within the last couple of years and were targeted by the Trump administration first because they do not have as many employment protections as longtime employees.

"I thought that I would have a stable job after serving 24 years in the Air Force, and then they just turned around and terminated me for no cause," he said. "Luckily, my wife still has her job, and I do have my retirement benefits. But at what point do they strip that away from me as well? We don't know what this government is going to do."

Friday's protest was organized by a group of progressive advocates calling itself Fourteenth Now, a reference to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

They chose Friday because March 14 is abbreviated as 3/14, a reference to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which disqualifies someone from holding office if they engaged in insurrection. Some on the left believe the amendment means President Donald Trump should not have been allowed to run for office again after his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

While some materials and posts on social media promoted Friday's protests as being veterans-focused, a news release from the organizers said that "freedom-lovers of all backgrounds" were welcome.

The crowd appeared to include a mix of veterans, family members of veterans and left-wing protesters, with signs ranging from general calls to stop Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk's "coup," to ones offering support for Ukraine, to others opposing cuts at the VA.

Trump has empowered Musk to slash the size of the federal government through a White House office dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

The firings across the government have hit veterans hard since they make up about 30% of the federal workforce. Democrats in Congress have estimated about 6,000 veterans have been fired so far.

At the VA, 2,400 probationary workers have been fired. The department also plans to fire more than 80,000 employees later this year.

The VA has maintained that the cuts have not and will not hamper veterans' health care and benefits.

But Military.com spoke with veterans at Friday's protest who said they are already experiencing harmful effects from the cuts. Military.com was not immediately able to verify their accounts.

A Navy veteran who identified himself only as Tom for fear of being retaliated against by the VA said two of his VA therapists took DOGE's buyout offer and were then told they were not eligible for the buyout, only to then be laid off anyway.

"Like a lot of veterans and a lot of people who have served and now no longer do, I feel like I'm in the way," Tom said. "I feel like I am burdensome to others, and this has amplified a lot of that."

Meanwhile, Camacho, the Air Force veteran, said he was on hold for a half hour during a recent call to the VA to ask a "simple question" that should have taken five minutes to answer.

"It's already slowing down," he said.

Asked about the veterans at the protest, the VA on Friday contended the idea that probationary worker firings are causing issues is "false."

"The Biden administration astronomically grew the department's budget and number of employees, and VA wait times and backlogs increased. We are doing things differently," VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz said in an emailed statement. "But the legacy media, government union bosses, and some in Congress are working together to use rumor, innuendo and disinformation to spread fear in the hopes that the department will just keep in place the status quo."

Other veterans at Friday's protest said that, while they are concerned about their own care and benefits, they are more concerned about the overall state of the country.

"Everything that they're doing is illegal and unconstitutional," said Dawn Burson, a Navy veteran who said Friday was her first protest. "I took an oath to defend the Constitution, not illegal action. If people want to dismantle the government, they should do it through Congress, who will make the law, and not through executive overreach."

Related: 83,000 VA Employees Slated to Be Fired This Year by Musk's DOGE, Memo Says
The St. Patrick's Day celebration in downtown Muskegon will include dancing, parade and Irish bar crawls.

MUSKEGON, MI -- The streets will be lined in green, white and orange this weekend downtown Muskegon for the 12th annual St. Patricks Day parade.

Irish cheer will start 11 a.m. as the parade takes off on Western Avenue at 6th Street.

The parade of local floats, Irish dancers and traditional music continues to 2nd Street until 11:30 a.m. Check out the parade map on Facebook, here.

The parade is sponsored by JCI Greater Muskegon and Unruly Brewing. In the spirit of giving back, JCI Greater Muskegon will be collecting non-perishable food items for local community non-profits.

Heres some highlights to build out your St. Patricks Day itinerary downtown after the parade.

Downtown Pub Crawl : The green beer will be flowing from 12-5 p.m. at seven different downtown locations. The green beer will be flowing from 12-5 p.m. at seven different downtown locations.

Muskegon Eagles St. Paddys Pub Crawl : Start the day with an Irish coffee and then set off on a pub crawl scavenger hunt to win the Basket O' Goodies. Start the day with an Irish coffee and then set off on a pub crawl scavenger hunt to win theBasket O' Goodies.

Annual Raising of the Irish Flag : The Muskegon Irish American Society and the Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame will gather at 11:30 a.m. at the Mart Dock to raise the Irish flag. Then the party takes off at 12:30 at the Knights of Columbus. The Muskegon Irish American Society and the Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame will gather at 11:30 a.m. at the Mart Dock to raise the Irish flag. Then the party takes off at 12:30 at the Knights of Columbus.

Unruly Brewing Live Music: The downtown brewery is rocking out from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. for the pre- and post-parade parties. Plus Irish dancing, music bingo, and a grand finale The Barley Saints. The downtown brewery is rocking out from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. for the pre- and post-parade parties. Plus Irish dancing, music bingo, and a grand finale The Barley Saints.

RELATED: Michigan Irish Music Fest kicks off 24-hour discount sale on St. Patricks Day

Plan ahead for fall fun and buy discounted tickets for the Michigan Irish Music Festival taking place Sept. 11-14 at Heritage Landing in Muskegon.

For 24 hours on Monday, March 17 the Michigan Irish Music Festival is selling tickets for $50  the lowest theyll be on sale for all season.
Official Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell tickets go on sale today. Reserve a spot at her August 2025 show at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Michigan near Detroit.

Shop on SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, StubHub, and Ticketmaster.

Cyndi Lauper to play Pine Knob as part of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour Courtesy of StubHub

Joining the list of finale tours coming to Michigan this year, Cyndi Laupers Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell trek includes a show at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston. Also headed to the state in the next few months are Barry Manilows The Last Concerts Tour and Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber, both of which are scheduled to hit Detroit venues in 2025.

Cyndi Laupers recently announced route begins Tuesday, July 15 at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center, New York. The Time After Time and True Colors star is also set to perform in Toronto, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and more, with the Michigan concert slated for Friday, August 1. Tickets go on sale to the general public today (Friday, March 14) at 10 a.m. local time.

Tickets:

Fri, Aug 1 at Pine Knob  SeatGeek | Vivid Seats | StubHub | Ticketmaster

All dates  SeatGeek | Vivid Seats | StubHub | Ticketmaster

Tour schedule:

Tues, Jul 15  Darien Lake Amphitheater; Darien Center, NY

Thurs, Jul 17  Xfinity Center; Mansfield, MA

Sat, Jul 19  Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater; Wantagh, NY

Sun, Jul 20  TD Pavilion at the Mann; Philadelphia, PA

Tues, Jul 22  Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek; Raleigh, NC

Thurs, Jul 24  Jiffy Lube Live; Bristow, VA

Fri, Jul 25  Bethel Woods Center For The Arts; Bethel, NY

Sun, Jul 27  Budweiser Stage; Toronto, ON

Tues, Jul 29  Riverbend Music Center; Cincinnati, OH

Wed, Jul 30  Blossom Music Center; Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Fri, Aug 1  Pine Knob Music Theatre; Clarkston, MI

Sun, Aug 3  American Family Insurance Amphitheater at Henry Maier Festival Park; Milwaukee, WI

Tues, Aug 5  Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre; Tinley Park, IL

Thurs, Aug 7  Ruoff Music Center; Noblesville, IN

Sat, Aug 9  Azura Amphitheater; Bonner Springs, KS

Tues, Aug 12  Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre; Greenwood Village, CO

Thurs, Aug 14  Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre; Salt Lake City, UT

Sun, Aug 17  Cascades Amphitheater; Ridgefield, WA

Tues, Aug 19  White River Amphitheatre; Auburn, WA

Thurs, Aug 21  Rogers Arena; Vancouver, BC

Sat, Aug 23  Toyota Amphitheatre; Wheatland, CA

Sun, Aug 24  Shoreline Amphitheatre; Mountain View, CA

Tues, Aug 26  Concord Pavilion; Concord, CA

Fri, Aug 29  Hollywood Bowl; Los Angeles, CA

Sat, Aug 30  Hollywood Bowl; Los Angeles, CA

Mentioned: Wu-Tang Clan & Barry Manilow tickets
Lapeer District Library Board members listen to a community member during a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at Lapeer Center Building in Lapeer. The director of the Lapeer District Library, Danielle Brigati, resigned just weeks after the meeting. (MLive file photo) Ayrton Breckenridge | MLive.com

LAPEER COUNTY, MI  The director of the Lapeer District Library has stepped down after spending less than a year in the position.

Danielle Brigati officially resigned from the director position on March 7, according to Lapeer District Library Board member Peggy Brotzke.

Brigati was appointed as the librarys director in summer 2024, following the resignation of its previous director, Amy Churchill, in the spring of the same year.

Brigatis resignation comes just weeks after the Lapeer District Library Board conducted her performance review in a closed session at its Feb. 20 meeting.

She didnt return to the meeting following the closed session.

During the same meeting, the board attempted to dispel rumors swirling about its alleged plans to remove her from the position and remove books from the library.

Some community members continue to allege members of the board, particularly newly appointed members, plan to ban books in the future.

Board members have denied these claims.

Related: Library board in Michigan community works to dispel rumors of possible book ban

In her response to Brigatis resignation, board member Peggy Brotzke cited an article published by The County Press that stated Brigati was frustrated by a lack of support by new appointed library board members.

This is very confusing to me as I had almost zero interaction with her before her resignation and did not even have the opportunity to make it through one full board meeting with her, Brotzke said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal. Moving forward, my plan of action is to represent the community members of Lapeer Township, no matter who the Director is.

Lapeer Township is the township I was appointed to represent and the Lapeer Township Board Members are trusting me to do just that.

Brotzke also said she was told Brigati was looking forward to working with her when the Lapeer Township board appointed her to the library board during a December 2024 meeting.

However, she claimed Brigati did not acknowledge her during the Lapeer District Library boards Feb. 20 meeting, which was also Brotzkes first meeting as a board member.

Board member Kari Kohlman said she was surprised to hear about Brigatis resignation but, like Brotzke, noted a sudden shift in Brigatis demeanor toward her.

Kohlman began serving on the board about a year ago after being appointed by the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners.

Before the February meeting, we had a productive in-person conversation where I felt we reached an understanding and cleared up some of the concerns she had about my intentions. I was genuinely looking forward to working alongside her, Kohlman said in an email to the Journal. However, at the February meeting, her attitude toward me seemed to shift unexpectedly, and I was caught off guard by her behavior. While I want to extend her grace, knowing she has a lot going on personally, her reaction was still quite unexpected.

Kara Haight will continue to serve as the librarys assistant director, Kohlman said.

She has been doing an excellent job, and her communication has been outstanding, Kohlman said of Haight.

It is still uncertain who will be appointed as the Lapeer District Librarys interim director.

Haight could not be reached for comment regarding the resignation.

The board will need to discuss and determine the best course of action regarding an interim director at our next monthly meeting, Kohlman said.

Kohlman said she will present recommendations to the board regarding search firms that could be hired to find candidates at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Lapeer Center Building, located at 425 County Center St. in Lapeer.

The two recommended firms are widely utilized for this purpose, Kohlman said.

The library board is also expected to form a vetting committee at the meeting to aid in its search for a new director.

Agendas for board meetings are available at library.lapeer.org.

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GRAND BLANC TWP., MI -- A Michigan judges unusual form of community service for shoplifters is ending before it ever got started.

Genesee District Court Judge Jeffrey Clothier had ordered probationers convicted of shoplifting at the Grand Blanc Township Walmart store to perform community service by washing the cars of store customers in the retailers parking lot starting this spring.

But on Friday, March 14, Chief Judge William H. Crawford II ended those plans, writing in a statement from the court administrators office that the car wash punishments will not be taking place as advertised.

Community service projects for the (court) must be vetted by court, county, and state, administrative and risk management personnel for liability, insurance and ethical concerns, Crawford wrote in the statement.

This is especially true where the proposed alternative punishment deviates from the usual and accepted methods and where the recipient of the community service is both a victim and a for-profit organization.

Until such time that a formal proposal is submitted and approved by the appropriate officials to satisfy safety and liability concerns, Walmart Washes will not be taking place as reported, Crawford wrote.

Clothier said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal on Friday that he was beyond disappointed by the chief judges directive.

In retrospect, I should have considered the liability concerns from the countys perspective, but to have almost 100 retail fraud cases from one store in less than three months was unexpected ..., Clothier said.

Retail fraud is not a victimless crime as it impacts the entire society. Grand Blanc Township Police Department almost needs to have an officer at Walmart 24/7. There is no room in the county jail to sentence the defendants. I tried to do something creative but was shut down by my chief judge.

I was elected to enforce the laws of this community, and apparently those in supervisory positions want to second-guess my judgment and authority to do so. What do the people who elected me to be in this position think? Clothiers statement reads.

Clothier was elected by voters in November, replacing Judge Christopher R. Odette, who retired in 2024.

His car-wash sentences grabbed attention earlier this year when he began meting out the punishment.

Clothier told the Associated Press in February that he took the approach to sentencing Walmart shoplifters in hopes that it would discourage people from stealing from the retail giant.

I dont think everybody that steals is a bad person. Sometimes people are just down on their luck, Clothier told the AP. But theres going to be consequences when you break the law.

The judge said then that he planned to join those sentenced in the car washing and Walmart was on board and would provide water and supplies.

About 75 to 100 people were expected to eventually be ordered to wash cars for free during weekend events at Walmart starting in March and April.

Clothier, a Flint native, attended Flint Public Schools. He graduated from Flint Southwestern High School in 1987.

From there, Clothier attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating with a bachelors degree in 1991. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 1995.

Clothiers involvement in local law began while in law school when he served as a clerk for former Genesee Circuit Court Judge Thomas C. Yeotis.
FLINT, MI  Looking to celebrate St. Patricks Day in mid-Michigan?

From green beer, festive food and drinks and traditional Irish pubs, here are five places to celebrate Irish culture and heritage throughout mid-Michigan on and around St. Patricks Day, Monday, March 17:

Maddens Lounge

Davisons own Irish pub, Maddens Lounge will serve breakfast and green beer starting at 7 a.m. on St. Patricks Day.

Corned beef and cabbage specials will go on sale at 9 a.m. and four live performers will take the stage from 11 a.m. until close.

Maddens Lounge is located at 809 North State Road in Davison.

Soggy Bottom Bar

Soggy Bottom Bar in downtown Flint will serve drink and food specials from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on St. Patricks Day.

Craft cocktails, shot, homemade corned beef and brisket specials are to be expected. Soggy Bottom Bar is at 613 Martin Luther King Ave. in Flint.

Cork on Saginaw

Downtown Flints wine bar and bistro will serve authentic Irish cuisine on St. Patricks Day.

Reuben pickles, corned beef, Guinness tenderloin of beef stew and traditional shepherds pie are just a few of the many food specials offered. Drink specials, Irish whiskey and Irish beer will also be available.

Cork on Saginaw will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on March 17. It is located at 635 South Saginaw St.

Washington Street Irish Pub

The Washington Street Irish Pub will celebrate St. Patricks Day one day early on Sunday, March 16. The pub will serve green beer, corned beef and cabbage, Reuben sandwiches and Irish nachos.

Dueling pianists will provide live music throughout the day. You must be 21 or older to enter.

Washington Street Irish Pub is located at 112 Washington Ave. in Bay City.

Live Oak Coffeehouse

Live Oak Coffeehouse is offering a Lucky Charms matcha as a part of its spring seasonal menu. It is a pistachio/vanilla matcha topped with strawberry cold foam and marshmallows.

The coffeehouse has locations in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw and Freeland. Click here to see its hours of operation.

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Carolyn Cornelius, 74, left, and Bri Kendricks, 45, right, talk to members of the press on Friday, March 14, during an event at Heartside Landings, Degages housing program specifically tailored for women experiencing chronic homelessness. The program celebrated its first year and is seeing success among its residents. Melissa Frick

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Carolyn Cornelius, 74, still remembers the way people treated her when she was living on the streets of Grand Rapids  she felt like the world had turned its back to her.

The first day my son and I became homeless - we came from a beautiful home, we were dressed nice - but there mustve been something on our faces, because we were talked to so badly, she said.

Now, Cornelius has found a place where she is treated with dignity and respect as she works to get back on her feet. Cornelius is one of 25 women living at Degage Ministries' Heartside Landings, a housing program in downtown Grand Rapids tailored for women experiencing chronic homelessness.

Heartside, which opened in January 2024, is believed to be the first of its kind in Michigan, and only one of a few across the nation that provides long-term transitional housing to women in need of complex care support.

Located at 129 Jefferson Ave. in downtown Grand Rapids, the facility provides single- and two-person rooms for women experiencing chronic homelessness, offering a sense of independence rather than traditional shelters. Medical, psychiatric and case management services are available to help the women get on their feet.

RELATED: A space of hope. New program provides transitional housing for chronically homeless women

The program is designed specifically to help women who struggled to find success in traditional group shelter homes because they are dealing with severe mental illness, like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, sometimes coupled with substance use disorder, said Degage Executive Director Thelma Ensink.

These women have not been able to stay successfully housed in the past, even when placed in supportive housing, and they often have significant medical and mental health needs, Ensink said.

While women with these complex needs are 10% of our total shelter population, they often utilized 60% of our shelter staffs time, Ensink said.

In the year since its launch, Heartside officials have seen vast improvements in its 25 residents, including improved physical and mental health, increased interest in volunteering and sense of community and better relationships with family members.

I have seen the 25 women who now live at Heartside Landings go from being homeless, sick, in trouble with the law, ostracized, and feeling hopeless to getting healthy, building relationships, volunteering, and being neighbors, Ensink said.

During a Friday, March 14, event celebrating the programs first year, Ensink said the program has led to an 87% reduction in EMS calls among the women living there, and a 65% reduction in ER visits - including a 100% reduction for one resident who had 66 ER visits in 2023.

Ensink said the program was only made possible thanks to partnerships with other agencies in Grand Rapids that are providing on-site physical and mental health care for the residents of Heartside, which differs from other shelters where residents must travel off-site for health care.

Network 180, Kent Countys community mental health authority, is providing peer support, therapy, psychiatric medications and mental health support to Heartsides residents, while nonprofit Catherines Health Center is providing on-site preventative health care.

Heartside shared the following statistics about the programs on-site healthcare and case management services in the year since it launched:

601 Case Management meetings

363 Network180 Peer Support Specialist meetings

211 Preventative Visits with medical providers

115 Visits with psychiatric providers

343 Behavioral Interventions

Trinity Health Grand Rapids, which acquired the property from the American Cancer Society in 2021, is leasing the 20-room facility at 129 Jefferson Ave. to Degage for the Heartside program and also donated all the furniture to the program.

Dr. Matt Biersack, president and CEO of Trinity Health Grand Rapids, said the system was eager to partner with Degage as it looks to improve health outcomes in non-traditional ways.

We know that theres a lot of influencers of health, Biersack said Friday. Clinical care - what were known for in the health system - is a tiny piece of that. Theres so much more that relates to access to housing, it relates to clean air and fresh water and all these things that wrap around health services to truly impact health and well being. So Im excited for this project because its clearly made the lives of individuals and impacted them in very positive ways.

All 25 of the women who first started out in the Heartside program a year ago are still successfully residing there today, Ensink said. About half of those women are ready to move into independent housing, while the other half will likely still require the support at Heartside Landings for at least another year.

The programs goal is to transition as many residents as possible to succeed in a permanent housing environment. But because this type of program is one of the first nationwide, Ensink said there isnt enough research to know how long residents, on average, will remain in transitional housing before theyre ready to live independently.

If the answer is that half of the residents here have to have supportive housing for the rest of their life, its still a win for both the residents and for our community, she said.

The first year of the program was primarily funded through philanthropic dollars, including gifts from the DeVos Family Foundation, the Jandernoa Foundation, the Frey Foundation, and other private donors. However, Ensink said shes working to secure more local and state government funding to keep the program going in the future.

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ALLENDALE, MI  Chloe Cole, a conservative activist and self-described former trans kid, spoke in a small room in Grand Valley State Universitys (GVSU) Russel H. Kirkhof Center on Thursday, March 13.

One of her first speaking appearances this semester, Cole appeared as part of a seminar titled Exposing the Trans Agenda: A Talk With a Detransitioner.

At least several dozen people were turned away at the door due to limited capacity, including some of the group of protestors that gathered outside the building in opposition to her appearance.

One of those protesters was Marshall Murdick, a 19-year-old Grand Valley student, transgender man and president of GVSUs College Democrats.

Im a transgender man myself, Murdick said, so events like these hit close to home for me.

Murdick said the the majority of the student body at GVSU doesnt agree with the message Cole was on campus to discuss.

We dont think theres a trans agenda to expose, he said.

While Murdick and others were left outside, Cole, 20, was inside the room sharing her experience as a 13-year-old who began transitioning to male before detransitioning at age 16.

Following her nearly 45-minute speech and Q&A period, Cole told media in the lobby of the Kirkhof Center that she considers herself an advocate for the rights of children and their families, primarily because of my own experiences.

I went through a medical gender transition from the ages of 12 to 16, starting with period blockers (and) testosterone, she said. I ended up having surgery, which was a double mastectomy at 15 years old.

Cole has testified at state and federal hearings in favor of banning gender-affirming care for minors.

She has called medical transition a series of poisons and body modifications that could lead to increased risk of health complications.

Every single one of these treatments has irreversibly harmed my body, she said. It took years off of my development, and it left me with a lot of psychiatric trauma, but I also realized that there never was anything wrong with me in the first place, that theres no such thing as being born in the wrong body.

Cole said thats the message she wants to share with Grand Valley students and with the world.

She was invited to Grand Valley by Turning Point USAs GVSU chapter. The political nonprofits goal is to advocate for conservative politics on high school and college campuses.

Members of GVSUs chapter of Turning Point said the university chapter did not spend any money to bring Cole to West Michigan. Her appearance was part of a grant the group received from its parent organization.

The Kirkhof Center room where Cole spoke has a capacity for 68 people, leading to dozens of hopeful attendees being turned away at the door. Many of those had filled out a registration form to attend.

Multiple members of the media, including MLive, were also turned away.

Despite several larger rooms on GVSUs campus, student organizers with Turning Point said the room was the only one made available to them at the time of booking and cited the fire safety code for turning away people.

Inside the event, the crowd was a mix of supporters and protesters that had gathered outside before moving into the event space, according to video footage obtained by MLive.

Joe Moss, a conservative Ottawa County commissioner, former county chair and co-founder of the political faction known as Ottawa Impact, said he felt Coles message is one that a lot of young people need to hear, especially on college campuses.

I liked how she talked about the type of medical intervention that people are calling care, and she was very specific to call it out as child abuse when its practiced on children, Moss said.

Most of Coles activism centers around minors who undergo gender-affirming care, which Cole said she classifies as abuse.

Children should not be taken advantage of the way that doctors and these counselors and all these different adults are doing, she said.

Cole further stated that she feels gender-affirming care is harmful to people of all ages.

I think that protections should be put in place for adults as well, she said. I dont think it would be practical to institute a total ban for people over the age of 18, but I think that within the medical system, we should be looking more at these patients personal history for trauma, for psychiatric conditions, for comorbid things like learning disabilities.

The 50-some protesters who gathered outside disagreed, with signs calling for an end to transphobia that they say impacts the mental health of transgender individuals.

Outside the Kirkhof Center, GVSU students and West Michigan community members gathered beneath the universitys clock tower with signs and flags to protest Coles appearance.

That included Laura Strait and Karin VanderWaal, two West Michigan nurses who attended the protest in the hopes of building community.

VanderWaal said as a nurse, she feels science and biology show that transgender and LGBTQ+ people do exist and deserve respect.

Laura Strait attended the protest with her 17-year-old daughter, and said both she and her daughter grew up religious. At one point, her daughter began identifying as queer, and Strait said that opened her eyes.

She said she began to look to religion and read her bible to find passages that supported her daughter.

Strait said shes come to the realization that her religion is one that accepts everyone, and her bible contains passages that back that up.

Cole told media that protesters outside were making assumptions about her that arent true.

Theyre assuming that Im hateful, that I hate transgender people, that I want their rights taken away, she said. I want the very opposite of that. I want their rights to be upheld, because we dont have a right to be castrated. We dont have a right to be manipulated by doctors.

But Murdick said he feels the messaging surrounding the event is disingenuous when looking at its title  exposing the trans agenda.

You cant say that and then put in your event advertisement that the speaker is going to be exposing the trans agenda, he said. That doesnt have a positive connotation and they know that. Theyre doing their best to dance around that, because GVSU will protect them under the guise of free speech as long as they stay far enough away from it being hate speech.

In response to the event, GVSU issued a statement yesterday that stated: This speaker was invited by a student organization to speak on campus. As a public university, GVSU upholds the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly without viewpoint-based restrictions.

We recognize some may find this speaker objectionable and may choose to peacefully protest her message, which is also their right, the statement continued. GVSU will not restrict anyones ability to use their voice in a lawful and non-disruptive manner that is in compliance with the grounds and facility use policy and all other applicable university policies.

Ella Harvey, 19, vice president of GVSUs College Democrats, said that stance also protects their free speech to respond to Cole and to Turning Point.

We will not be tolerating this hateful action on our campus, she said. There are more people that dont support what theyre doing than support what theyre doing.

When asked her response to protestors, Cole said she believes theyre worried about the same thing.

We are worried about the safety and the livelihoods and the happiness of children, she said. While we might disagree on what that looks like, I think its important that we are all a part of this open discussion.

Harvey and Murdick said they felt encouraged looking around at the support for transgender people shown by their campus community members.

President Donald Trump, soon after his inauguration this year, issued a gender ideology executive order.

The order, issued Jan. 20 on Trumps first day in office, formally recognizes only two genders, male and female, or sexes assigned at birth. This raised alarms within the states nonbinary and transgender communities.

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Irish Off Ionia kicks off Saturday, March 15, 2025, in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigans largest St. Patricks Day street party. Formerly located along Ionia Avenue, the festival is moving to Calder Plaza in the heart of downtown this weekend. (MLive File Photo) Alyssa Keown | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - I havent met many people in the Midwest aware of the rich history of the Irish in Georgia, especially Savannah, which hosts one of the biggest St. Patricks Day parades in the country.

My professors at the University of Georgia would warn students they would be penalized if they skipped class to leave early for Savannah to start holiday partying early.
Michigan State Police are investigating a fatal, head-on crash in Barry County. (MLive File Photo)

BARRY COUNTY, MI  A 70-year-old Hastings man was killed Friday, March 14, in a head-on crash, state police said.

His name was not released.

The three-vehicle crash was reported at 8:21 a.m. on M-66 near M-43 in Barry Countys Woodland Township.

State police said that the driver of a southbound Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck crossed the center line, sideswiped an oncoming Ford Econoline van then struck the victims northbound Chevrolet Colorado pickup head-on.

The victim was taken to Corewell Health Pennock Hospital where he later died of injuries, state police said.

He was not using a seat belt, police said.

The 34-year-old Corunna man driving the Avalanche was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.

The van driver, who also used a seat belt, was not hurt.

Police said that fatigue is believed to be a factor in the crash. Alcohol and drug use are not suspected.

State police were assisted by firefighters from Woodland and Sunfield townships and Castleton Maplegrove Nashville Area EMS.
Jody's Restaurant, located at 503 E. Division St. NE in Rockford, has closed after 44 years in operation. Danielle James | MLive

ROCKFORD, MI - Jodys Restaurant, a Rockford staple known for diner classics like mushroom melts, homemade cinnamon rolls and crispy chicken tenders, announced on Dec. 11 that it would be closing after 44 years in operation.

Soon, a West Michigan credit union will be moving in.

The long-running restaurant said it would tentatively shutter its doors by Dec. 22, 2024, after owner Don Mendham decided to retire.

A post on Facebook confirmed that it has been sold and is closing, but did not name a buyer.

City of Rockford property records show that the restaurants property, located at 503 E. Division St. NE in Rockford, has been purchased by Consumers Credit Union, a West Michigan financial institution headquartered in Kalamazoo.

The half acre property and 2,178-square-foot building were sold to Consumers Credit Union by Jodys on Dec. 20 for $700,000.

Lynne Jarman-Johnson, the chief marketing officer at Consumers Credit Union, confirmed the sale.

We are thrilled to be opening an office in our Rockford community, Jarman-Johnson said. Weve been serving Grand Rapids for over a decade, and Rockford is a natural extension of that market and home to many of our members and employees.

We are excited to provide financial support, create jobs and invest in community initiatives in the years ahead, she said.

The credit union anticipates breaking ground on a new building later in 2025, Jarman-Johnson told MLive.

In its December Facebook update, Jodys posted, While all of this is happening so fast for Don and starting his retirement, it is still bittersweet.

Don has been serving our community for almost 44 years. A huge shout out to him and his family for being so committed to the business and the community.

Jody's Restaurant, located at 503 E. Division St. NE in Rockford, has closed after 44 years in operation. Danielle James | MLive

Throughout December, the restaurant discontinued its breakfast offerings, sold its bulk food items and posted its freezers for sale.

RELATED: See which Grand Rapids-area restaurants, cafes closed in 2024

Commenters on Facebook shared their fond memories of Jodys as the restaurant updated patrons on its closure. Many highlighted the baked chocolate chip cookies and strawberry shortcake.

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JACKSON COUNTY, MI  Jackson College joins institutions nationwide in suspending programs and initiatives centered around diversity, equity and inclusion.

The school scrubbed its website of almost all references to DEI-related programs by the end of February, Jackson College President Daniel Phelan said.
The AuSable River Queen is shown as it sinks in the AuSable River in Oscoda Township on Wednesday, March 12, in this photo by Laurie J. Ferguson. Laurie J. Ferguson

OSCODA TWP, MI  State and local officials say efforts are underway to remove oil and gas from the AuSable River Queen, a tourist attraction that sank in the AuSable River in Oscoda Township earlier this week.

The riverboat started sinking at about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, Laurie Rice Bell, one of the paddleboats owners, wrote in a Facebook post the following day.

Nobody knows what, why or how, Rice Bell said in the post. We will have it investigated. Everyone please stop speculating. This is a huge tragedy for our family. Please stop posting. I cant take it. Thank you.

Officials in Oscoda Township, where the River Queen was docked on the river, said in a news release on Wednesday, March 12, the site of the paddlewheel has been declared off limits to the public while remedial actions are underway.

Thomas Chatel, interim superintendent for the township, said on Friday, March 14, local officials are primarily concerned with securing the scene at the Foot Damn Pond, an impoundment of the AuSable, which feeds into Lake Huron.

The paddleboat was resting  roughly half to two-thirds submerged  Friday, Chatel said.

Were deeply saddened by recent events, the interim superintendent said. Its my understanding that the first step is to complete an environmental assessment, then the removal of the craft from the water.

Chatel said he did not know the extent of damage to the River Queen or the long-term plans of its owners.

According to the townships announcement, representatives of Consumers Energy, township police and fire departments, Iosco County Sheriffs Department, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and other parties are working to monitor and oversee the site.

Jeff Johnston, a spokesman for EGLE, said on Friday local authorities are taking the lead on efforts to remove the submerged vessel.

Efforts are underway to contract with a cleanup company to limit any environmental damage, Johnston said, and absorbent booms have been deployed.

The goal is remove the fluids from the vessel first, he said.

Removal of the paddleboat is complicated by ice that remains on the river.

The River Queen carried engine oil, grease, transmission fluid and gasoline, Johnston said.

Rice Bell said in a GoFundMe post in November her aim was to remove the paddleboat this spring for an inspection of its bottom  a process she expected to cost more than $15,000.

And I dont see anything in the way so far, she wrote then. Again thank you all...This has been the hardest time in my life for many reasons. Financially and emotionally.

As of Friday afternoon, the fundraising campaign had raised $9,372 from 61 donors.

Rice Bell wrote she and other owners purchased the business from her mother in 2012.

A story published by the Associated Press in 2003 said the River Queen was designed after a Mississippi paddle boat, stretching 65 feet in length and 24 feet wide.

The boat is approximately 58 years old and initially featured an enclosed top with no windows on the lower level. It was modified more than 20 years ago to have an open top and windows on the sides for all-weather outings.

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Vice President JD Vance arrives before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. AP Photo/Ben Curtis

BANGOR TWP, MI  Expect a heavy police presence in Bay County Friday morning and afternoon as Vice President JD Vance comes to town.

Vance is flying into MBS International Airport the morning of March 14, after which he is to tour Vantage Plastics, 4675 Wilde Road in Bangor Township. The Michigan State Police will escort the VP to the site, with the Bay County Sheriffs Office taking point on security from there.
House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, talks to reporters after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address on Wednesday, February. 26, 2025, inside the Michigan House of Representatives chamber at the Michigan State Capitol. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Despite a recent court ruling that they have a legal requirement to do so, Michigan House Republicans will not present nine bills to the governor that were passed last session.

On Wednesday, March 12, the state House passed a resolution directing the House clerk to present only bills passed this session to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
BANGOR TOWNSHIP, MI  Vice President JD Vance touted Michigans industrial prospects during a Friday, March 14, visit to a Bay County plastics manufacturer.

Vance arrived about noon for a tour of Vantage Plastics in Bay Countys Bangor Township, near Bay City, where he delivered the 25-minute pitch for President Donald Trumps economic plans.

On January 20th, we started a great American comeback, the vice president told a crowd of about 300 company employees and political figures inside the facility.

Last November, America reelected a president with a simple goal: to power our nations industrial comeback and once again, make the U.S. the worlds manufacturing superpower. And that is exactly what President Trump has sought out to do.

Vances 2-hour stop in Michigan happened as Trumps administration continued to engage in trade wars with Canada and Mexico, sparking debate and angst over how the tariffs deployed by the president could impact American commerce. A plunging stock market lately has added to those anxieties.

Vance, though, cautioned the Bay County crowd of a long road ahead as the administration replaces policies adapted by its Democratic predecessor in the White House.

Were not going to be able to fix everything that Joe Biden broke, but I think, after seven weeks, the progress is pretty good, Vance said.

He claimed Trump policies were lowering gas and egg prices while reversing Americas budget deficit.

He claimed, without providing details, that dead people received loans from the Small Business Administration agency before Trump.

Vance praised this weeks announcement that Trump launched U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pollution and climate regulation rollbacks, which the vice president said would provide companies with relief from heavy-handed rules.

Vance also defended a series of tariffs Trump in recent weeks launched, withdrew, re-launched and continues to adjust against Canada and Mexico.

You hear people say, Well, how dare Donald Trump impose tariffs on foreign countries that have been taking advantage of us for four years?, Vance said. And the answer is that, unless youre willing to use American power to fight back against what those countries have been doing for a generation, you are never going to rebuild American manufacturing.

Vance seemed to reference Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who met with Trump at the White House one day earlier. The Democratic governor had called the gathering a productive meeting.

While Vance didnt name Whitmer during his Friday address, he seemed to reference her meeting with Trump.

Its kind of funny to see some of our Democratic governors  I dont want to mention which states exactly  coming to the Oval Office and begging for economic development under Trumps leadership that they knew they would never get under Bidens leadership, Vance said.

The vice president said members of the Trump administration dont care if its Democrat, Republican or independent: We want to build, baby, build.

From inside the facility, Vance took a verbal shot at protesters gathered near the street outside the building.

Its a little after noon on a Friday: Dont you all have jobs?, he said, sparking a round of laughter from the indoor crowd. We want those people to get off the streets and back to work.

Vance hailed the work of Vantage Plastics, a custom thermoformer with in-house design, prototyping, and tool build capabilities that serve customers in the automotive and consumer goods industries.

The company employs about 300 people in Michigan.

I really do believe that Americas success depends on the success of companies like Vantage Plastics, Vance said. And I dont mean that in some abstract, poetic-sounding sense; I mean literally. If we do not protect our nations manufacturers, we lose a fundamental part of who we are as a people. Making things, building things, working with our hands is Americas heritage.

Vance was accompanied Friday by Kelly Loeffler, the administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, who also advocated for Trumps trade and business policies to the Bangor Township crowd on Friday.

Loeffler claimed Trump already delivered 10,000 manufacturing jobs right here in America; he secured over $2 trillion in investment to build manufacturing industries.

The golden era of manufacturing in America is not behind us, Loeffler told the crowd. Its in front of us.

Also traveling with Vance was his wife, Usha Vance.

The entourage arrived at MBS International Airport via Air Force Two at about 11 a.m.

From the Saginaw County airport, they traveled about 17 miles northeast to the Bangor Township facility.

Along the way, the motorcade moved along busy Saginaw and Bay county roads. Some residents stood outside their porches, waving at the passing vehicle. A class of school-age children stood in a parking lot and waved too.

Nearer to the facility, the motorcade was flanked by an organized protest, where participants waved signs aimed at Vance and shouted obscenities at the passing vehicles. They carried signs with messages including Tariffs hurt USA and No Fascists.

About 300 people met Vance inside Vantage Plastics. There, the Trump campaign anthem, YMCA, played as the crowd awaited the vice president.

Among those in the crowd were Michigan-based Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Barrett and John James. Former Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon also attended the gathering.

After receiving a tour of the manufacturing plant, Vance stepped onto a makeshift stage shortly after noon. The crowd inside cheered as Forty Hour Week (For A Livin) by Alabama played during his introduction.

They cheered again as he exited the facility and his motorcade began its return to MBS International Airport.

Air Force Twos wheels lifted from the tarmac about 1 p.m., or about two hours after the vice president arrived.

Vances visit represented the Trump administrations first stop in Michigan since Trump regained control of the White House.

Vances encounter with protesters in Bay County was no new experience for the vice president.

The night before his mid-Michigan visit, Vance was booed by the crowd during a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

In a social media post, Vance said last weekend he and his family confronted protesters at his East Walnut Hills home in Ohio. Earlier this month, the vice president was met by protestors during a ski trip in Vermont.

Still, Vances Friday visit placed him in pro-Trump territory. Bay County favored the Republican ticket in the 2024 presidential election. In November 2024, 34,792 Bay County residents voted for Trump and his vice president while 25,767 voted for Democrat Kamala Harris, the previous vice president.
FILE - Sunlight shines through the flags of Canada and the United States, held together by a protester outside on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Feb. 1, 2025.(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP, File) AP

YPSILANTI, MI  Michigan and Canadas economies are intertwined, said Colin Bird, the consul general of Canada in Detroit, during a Thursday speech east of Detroit.

The Canadian official visited Eastern Michigan University for a March 13 lunch organized by the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to discuss the importance of trade, cooperation and business development between Canada and the United States.
Dozens of protesters rallied against proposed cuts to social programs and Elon Musk's political influence during JD Vance's visit to Bay City on March 14. Dylan Goetz MLive

BAY CITY, MI  Dozens of protesters gathered outside Bay Countys UAW Local 362 to give Vice President JD Vance what could be described as the opposite of a warm welcome.

People with signs reading Tariffs hurt USA and No Fascists lined the streets Vances motorcade took to Vantage Plastics, a plastic manufacturing plant in Bangor Township, where he delivered remarks on Friday, March 14.

Protest participants came to make their voices heard on several issues, including government corruption, proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare and Elon Musks political influence.

St. Helen resident Dana Doll, 48, brought a homemade acrylic painted sign that read JD Vance Sucks, with a silhouette of his side profile.

Doll said she was motivated to protest after facing economic hardships. She recently lost her job due to the economy and fears unemployment and Medicaid benefits will be cut, she said.

Im unemployed. Im on Medicaid, which makes me a parasite according to Elon Musk. So, Im going to lose that, probably under Trump, Doll said.

Vances visit to Vantage Plastics is just a dog and pony show, Doll said.

Dozens of protesters rallied against proposed cuts to social programs and Elon Musk's political influence during JD Vance's visit to Bay City on March 14. Dylan Goetz MLive

Bob Younce, 52, said hes concerned with the federal governments slide towards fascism.

Younce outlined concerns over threats to social safety nets like Social Security and Medicare, too. He sees figures like Musk, Vance and President Donald Trump as monsters who embody a dying breed of politics.

Dozens of protesters rallied against proposed cuts to social programs and Elon Musk's political influence during JD Vance's visit to Bay City on March 14. Dylan Goetz MLive

Theyll have their way for a minute, but theyre on their way out, and his time is coming, Younce said.

Bay City resident Pat Ulrich protested out of concern for her daughter and son-in-law, who both work for the federal government. She doesnt want them to lose their jobs.

Ulrich held a sign that read Support Veterans. No VA cuts.

If he cuts my social security, I dont know how we will buy groceries, Ulrich said.

Colton Hughes, 35, traveled from Lansing to stand with protesters. He is planning to get married to his fiance in September, but as a gay man, he is worried that right is in danger.

Hopefully, I can do that legally, Hughes said.

Hughes hates politics, but felt compelled to get politically involved after the 2016 election.

Dozens of protesters rallied against proposed cuts to social programs and Elon Musk's political influence during JD Vance's visit to Bay City on March 14. Dylan Goetz MLive

I dont think that he cares, Hughes said, when asked about the message protesters will send Vance in Bay City. ...Thats the thing that I would want for Republicans and Democrats alike who are just subservient to the whims of Trump. I would just hope that they would grow some spines.

Karen Tighe, the 75-year-old former Chair of the Bay County Democratic Party, noted Vance is visiting a Michigan county where about 20% of the population is over 65 years old.

Twenty percent of our community are retirees. They depend on Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and VA benefits. All of those things are on the chopping block with an unelected person, Elon Musk, taking his chainsaw and pretending it is a joke, Tighe said. Its personal to us and thats why were here. We want him to know that the economic policies of the Trump administration are hurting local people.

Tighe hoped Vance received a clear message from the protests outside of UAW Local 362: This is a crowd that is unhappy. This isnt a welcoming committee to say, Glad youre here and keep it up. We want you to know that we are hurt.

Several Trump supporters also gathered nearby and could be spotted among the crowd.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers the State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, inside the Michigan House of Representatives chamber at the Michigan State Capitol. The governor met with President Donald Trump on Thursday, March 13, 2025, according to her office. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

WASHINGTON D.C.  Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and President Donald Trump had what the governor called a productive meeting, Thursday, March 13, at the White House.

Whitmer, according to her office, was in D.C. for a House Democratic retreat panel and met with Trump during the afternoon.

In a statement released to MLive, Whitmer said the two discussed bringing good-paying jobs to Michigan.

We also discussed tariffs, the importance of keeping our Great Lakes clean and safe, and additional defense investments in the state, Whitmer said. Im grateful for his time today and Ill always work as hard as I can with anyone for the state of Michigan and its people.

When asked if Trump made any commitments or promises on those issues during the meeting, Whitmers office did not immediately return comment.

During her State of the State Address on Feb. 26, Whitmer addressed defense investments, stating she planned to lobby the Trump administration to bring a fighter mission to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township.

She also said that night that she hoped to find common ground with the president during his second term, declaring: Im not looking for fights, but I wont back down from them either.

The governor has spoken out multiple times against Trump tariffs, stating they would cripple Michigans economy and raise prices for Michiganders.

She spoke with Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier this week after Ford and Trump both made threats over tariff hikes, before walking them back.
Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) dunks as Michigan hosts Michigan State at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Feb. 21 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

The Oregon Ducks are heading to the quarterfinals. After surpassing Indiana with a convincing 72-59 victory, the Ducks are advancing to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament where theyll meet the Michigan State Spartans.

Stream Michigan State vs Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament on Fubo TV (try it for free)

The No. 1-seeded Spartans have been on an impressive run this season, most recently being crowned regular season champions after finishing No. 7 nationally with a 27-5 record.

Oregon and Michigan State last played in early February. The Spartans outscored the Ducks 86-74 thanks to a 29-point outing from Jase Richardson.

Watch No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 1 Michigan State

When: 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 14, 2025

Where: The Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana

Channel: Big Ten Network

Stream: Fubo TV (try it for free)

Tickets: Buy tickets at Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster. Use code MLIVE20 for $20 off Vivid Seats orders exceeding $200.

What is Fubo TV?

Fubo is a streaming service specializing in live sports, including NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA basketball, and more. Fubo carries 55,000 live sporting events annually and offers 202 channels and unlimited DVR. Right now, you can try Fubo for free.
The severe thunderstorms over the next two days will mostly or entirely skip over Michigan.

There is likely going to be a widespread significant severe weather outbreak just southwest of Michigan this afternoon and evening.

The Storm Prediction Center has a really colorful map for todays severe weather with the top threat at a level four out of five levels.

Southwest Michigan is in the dark green, which has been called a marginal risk or a level one risk on the five level scale. Realistically, this means severe thunderstorms in Illinois this afternoon will be weakening as they cross Lake Michigan and move into Michigan tonight. There could still be an isolated severe wind gust but no widespread severe storms.

Overall severe weather forecast for 7 a.m. today to 7 a.m. Sunday, March 14-15, 2025 NOAA

Michigan should escape major severe weather simply due to timing of the storms. Michigan gets the storms in the middle of the night tonight. Its the time when thunderstorms are at their weakest.

Overall severe weather forecast for 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday, March 15-16, 2025 NOAA

Saturday the severe storms develop in the afternoon just southeast of Lower Michigan in Ohio. Those storms will move farther east and not affect Michigan at all.

If you are traveling into Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri this afternoon, expect high-end severe wind gusts and scattered strong tornadoes.

Severe wind gust forecast for today to 7 a.m. Saturday. The black hatched area is a forecast for severe gusts possibly over 70 mph. NOAA

As we do many times in severe weather outbreaks, Michigan lucks out again due to timing of storms and the cold Great Lakes' water weakening the severe thunderstorms.
Chinese company develops nuclear battery with ultra-long lifespan

Xinhua) 09:11, March 13, 2025

This photo provided by interviewee shows staff members working at Wuxi Beita Pharmatech Co., Ltd. in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua)

NANJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- In the latest step to clean energy technology, a Chinese company said that it has developed a prototype of ultra-longevity carbon-14 (C-14) nuclear battery, named Zhulong-1, making progress in the micro-nuclear battery innovation quest.

Wuxi Beita Pharmatech Co., Ltd. which is located in east China's Jiangsu Province, said it made the achievement in collaboration with Northwest Normal University in Gansu Province in the northwest of China.

Nuclear batteries convert radioactive decay energy into electricity, differing fundamentally from conventional chemical batteries. Wuxi Beita has established a whole C-14 industry chain system, covering C-14 labeling products and labeling technologies, laying foundation for developing Zhulong-1, according to the company.

Zhang Guanghui, technology leader of the battery project, who is from Northwest Normal University, told Xinhua on Wednesday that the core innovation of Zhulong-1 lies in the use of C-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years, which is paired with a silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor to generate power. As C-14 decays, it emits beta particles that interact with the semiconductor, producing a steady flow of electrons.

This approach addresses key technical challenges, including the preparation of high-specific-activity C-14 sources, and the low energy conversion efficiency and stability of transducer devices, said Zhang.

In a live demonstration at Wuxi Beita's laboratory, a Zhulong-1-powered LED has operated flawlessly for nearly four months, sustaining over 35,000 pulsed flashes. Researchers further validated its utility by integrating the battery with a Bluetooth chip -- which successfully transmitted and received wireless signals.

The research team named the battery after Zhulong, the mythical Chinese dragon deity symbolizing eternal light and energy in China's ancient text Shan Hai Jing, reflecting both the richness of Chinese culture and the battery's enduring energy supply characteristics, said Cai Dinglong, head of the battery project.

The battery can operate steadily within a temperature range of minus 100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius, with an energy density 10 times higher than commercial lithium-ion batteries, and a degradation rate of less than 5 percent over a designed lifespan of 50 years, said Cai.

The Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted the battery tests.

Han Yuncheng, a researcher at the Institute of Nuclear Safety Technology, told Xinhua that tests indicate that Zhulong-1's core technological indicators -- including power levels, energy conversion efficiency, and stability -- are advanced.

As a new generation micro-power solution, C-14 nuclear batteries have a wide range of applications in healthcare, the Internet of Things sector and space exploration.

Notably, they can power permanent implants like brain-computer interfaces or cardiac pacemakers and support networks of trillions of sensors for the Internet of Things, Zhang said.

In addition, in extreme environments including the deep ocean, Antarctica, and on the moon and Mars, these batteries can serve as maintenance-free continuous power batteries -- while they can also enable interstellar spacecraft to operate consistently, added Zhang.

The research team is already advancing a second-generation model, Zhulong-2. Cai said that efforts will focus on reducing production costs and shrinking the size.

"Zhulong-2 is expected to be launched by the end of this year or early next year, measuring only the size of a coin," he said.

This photo provided by interviewee shows a prototype of ultra-longevity carbon-14 (C-14) nuclear battery, named Zhulong-1, in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
With unique consumption preferences, female tourists help drive development of tourism

People's Daily Online) 11:06, March 14, 2025

Four female tourists pose for photos in front of a woman-shaped lantern in the Daming Lake scenic spot in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 10, 2025. (China News Service/Zhao Xiao)

From the booming sales of Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) to the rise of travel photography, from the popularity of blind box souvenirs to the emergence of niche attractions, the presence of women is everywhere. Today, Chinese women prefer to indulge themselves in "poetry and distant places," leveraging their strong purchasing power, decision-making authority, and unique preferences to drive the diversification and high-quality development of tourism consumption.

"Last year, I visited 21 cities, and I planned most of the trips on my own," said Wen Yu, a post-95s woman. She shared her experiences on social media of trying on traditional hairpin flowers in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, and doing a photo shoot in Liuzhou of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region wearing the traditional clothing of local ethnic groups. This year, she plans to visit Southeast Asian countries during her long holidays.

According to the "2024 Women's Travel Consumption Insights Report" released by Ctrip, a Chinese online travel agency, 70 percent of family trips are led by women, and nearly 80 percent of women book travel products for their companions. Women have strong influence in travel bookings.

Sun Weili, a senior manager of public affairs from Ctrip, said that women accounted for nearly 60 percent of all orders of the platform. Passionate about experiential consumption and quick to spot trending destinations, they play a pivotal role in planning family vacations. "Women's travel preferences have also fueled new trends like traditional-style photography, experiencing intangible cultural heritage items, and cultural creative markets," Sun added.

These days, the historic alleys of Mingfucheng Ancient City of Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, have seen a surge of female visitors dressed in China's traditional Hanfu gracefully posing for photographs.

"Our shop provides Hanfu makeup and photography services, receiving over 1,000 customer visits monthly. More than 90 percent of them are female, including young students, workers and mothers with their children," said Zhu Yao, owner of a local Hanfu styling shop.

Pan Yani, general manager of a tourism center of China Travel International (Shandong) Ltd., observed that women are more inclined to share their trips on social media, and help popularize new experiences and trends.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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Govt urges industry to shift sourcing from China to US amid tariff concerns: Report

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MEA reacts to Pakistans claim of India's role in train hijacking: 'Whole world knows where epicenter of global terrorism lies'

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UP outpaces Delhi in new company registrations, trails only Maharashtra: Report

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'Instead of threatening us ...' : Tamil Nadu minister Thiaga Rajan hits out at Centre amid delimitation, language rows

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Why it is important to implement a 1978 legislation to keep Arunachal safe

Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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DeepSeek vs Manus AI: How do these two Chinese AI chatbots compare in responses, privacy, search, and more

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Rana Ranch in the Valley Springs area of Calaveras County View Photo

Valley Springs, CA  The California Rangeland Trust has successfully conserved the Rana Ranch in Calaveras County with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the California Strategic Growth Councils Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program.

The Ranch, located in Valley Springs, is a working landscape continuum of approximately 660 acres, primarily owned by Roland and the late Franziska Schabram. The Schabrams, who initially purchased the property in 2002, have worked to create a sanctuary for their livestock and wildlife, including the Calaveras County-famous California red-legged frog. The Ranchs proximity to major highways has turned it into a popular bedroom community for nearby cities like Modesto, making it an attractive location for developers looking to buy the land to build a subdivision.

In 2022, the Schabrams collaborated with Caltrans, Calaveras County, and the Rangeland Trust to address potential habitat disturbances resulting from the realignment of Highway 4. This collaboration led to the construction of a seasonal pond and riparian area, ideal breeding grounds for the California red-legged frog, along with a large-scale oak woodland restoration. The new conservation easement guarantees that the ranchs rich ecological and agricultural resources are permanently protected from development, while the neighboring Nakagawa Ranch is also permanently safeguarded through the Rangeland Trust. Trust officials noted that this contiguous stretch of conserved land provides a vibrant wildlife habitat and maintains the integrity of the working landscape, ensuring its significant contributions to ecosystems continue to thrive.

The Rangeland Trust collaborated with key organizations to fund the protection of Rana Ranch. Funds were made available through the California Strategic Growth Councils SALC, which works in partnership with the California Department of Conservation and the NRCSs Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). SALC is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that utilizes billions of dollars from Cap-and-Trade to enhance the environment and public health, particularly in underserved communities, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Roland Schabram stated on behalf of his family: We celebrate the culmination of a decade-long journey to preserve Rana Ranch in perpetuitya dream born from my wife Franziskas unwavering love for this land. Though she is no longer with us, her vision and passion live on in every tree, stream, and meadow weve committed to protecting. This conservation easement ensures that Rana Ranch remains untouched by development, serving as a lasting legacy to Franziskas spirit and our shared dedication to safeguarding the beauty and tranquility of this place for future generations. Franziska, this is for you.
Tuolumne Biomass Plant - Matt King Speaks View Photos

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Jamestown, CA  A new biomass plant has been operating since October on OByrnes Ferry Road near the Sierra Conservation Center.

Tuolumne Biomass leases 17 acres from T-5 Ranches that that is surrounded by a solar farm and cattle grazing. Tuolumne Biomass is owned by Heartwood Biomass which now has 25 team members at its original plant/home base in Wallowa County, Oregon and 10 at the new location in Tuolumne County.

Company leaders, including CEO David Schmidt, Sales Director Matt King, and General Manager Rose Day, provided a tour this week that was attended by several logging industry leaders, representatives from environmental groups, and local business organizations. Andrew Haden, representing Wisewood, was also there to discuss the plants combined heat and power system.

CEO Schmidt noted that they work to remove biomass from the forest floors, with help from loggers, who bring in smaller logs and supply to create products that many of the larger wood products companies would not be able to utilize. It helps restore forest resiliency and reduce the size of brush piles. The end products created onsite include bundled firewood, peeled agricultural poles, wood straw, biochar, and wood chips.

Sales Director King stated that the facility will process about 30,000 tons of biomass, annually. He added that some of the products, like firewood, are being sold at local supermarkets, like SaveMart, at gas stations, and at regional parks (for campfires).

Click here to view some of the comments from David Schmidt explaining the operations. Click on the view photos tab above to see 15 pictures of the site.

The $14-plus million project had been in the works for several years and was funded by a mix of private equity and state and federal loans/grants. It included a $4.2 million grant from the HUD National Resilience Program, a $3.5 million grant from the same HUD program, a $2-million HUD Residual Receipts Loan, a $2 million CAL Fire Workforce Development Grant, an $800,000 US Forest Service Community Wood Grant, a $600,000 RCAC/EDA Revolving Small Business Loan, and $1.5 million in private equity.

Mother Lode Job Training and its Central Sierra Economic Development District were also actively involved throughout the stages of the process.

In July 2020, MLJT contracted with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to oversee compliance documentation for Section 3 and Public Benefit requirements related to biomass projects funded by the Biomass Utilization Fund (BUF), a program managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to finance new or expanding businesses in Tuolumne County that utilize forest biomass, promoting forest resilience and economic development. As projects were reviewed, MLJT engaged with Heartwood in the pre-construction phase to address hiring needs and ensure contractors met workforce compliance requirements. MLJT also collaborated to help host a hiring event this past August. In addition, Rose Day, General Manager, joined the Mother Lode Workforce Development Board in January 2025, helping shape workforce initiatives in the region.
Michelle French, Grand Prize Trophy Winner, a 7th grader at Libertas Academy  CFLC with her project Fluoride Controversy -- CCOE photo View Photos

Calaveras County, CA  Celebrating four decades of student invention, inquiry, and accomplishment at the 40th Annual Calaveras County Science Fair by bringing together young scientists from throughout the county to compete in

The event, which was organized by the Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE), included projects from fourth through eleventh graders that demonstrated their critical thinking, curiosity, and commitment to scientific research. Students from thirteen different schools presented forty-two projects in four categories at this years fair: math and computer science, life science, behavioral and cognitive science, and physical science and engineering. Using a team of twelve volunteer judges, groups of two judges interviewed each participant, allowing them to explain and talk about their initiatives. Those with the highest scores determined category winners.

First, second, and third place winners in each category received Albert Michelson Science Fair medals and cash awards from the STEAM Advisory Council. $250 went to the first-place winner, $100 to the second-place winner, and $50 to the third-place winner. The Traveling Trophy will be kept at the winners school for the following year once the Grand Prize winners name is inscribed on it.

The Grand Prize Winner of the fair was Michelle French, a 7th-grade student from Libertas AcademyCFLC, for her project, Fluoride Controversy. French and three other projects qualified for the California Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF), to be held on April 12-13. Here is the provided list of additional state qualifiers:

Aven Dianda, Mountain Oaks, 7th grade, How Different Spectrums of Light Affect Plant Growth;

Emily McCartney, Mokelumne Hill Elementary, 6th grade, Do You Like Berries Too?

Emalie Beauchemin & Ceclia DeGennaro, Mountain Oaks, 6th grade, Electrolytes.

The Calaveras Community Foundation, Adventist Health Sonora, Dignity Health, Bank of Stockton, Angels-Murphy Rotary, and Middletons are among the sponsors who generously support the Calaveras County Science Fairs ongoing success.

Their commitment to education and student achievement ensures opportunities for young scientists to explore, innovate, and succeed, praised county education administrators.

Find the complete list of winners by clicking here.
Johannesburg  Gamu Nemukuyu, the former wife of prominent Zimbabwean Zimdancehall DJ Fantan, has revealed she fled the country with her children last week, seeking refuge in South Africa after enduring what she describes as a period of relentless torment and a severe decline in her mental health.

Nemukuyus dramatic departure followed a public plea from DJ Fantan, who posted a message online claiming that Gamu had disappeared with their two children, sparking widespread speculation and concern.

However, Gamu has now broken her silence, offering a starkly different account of events. Speaking from her new home in South Africa, she claims that her decision to leave was driven by the unbearable treatment she allegedly received from her ex-husband.

I left the country because of how my ex-husband was treating me, Gamu explained. I couldnt take the frustration and the torture that I got every day.

According to Gamu, the alleged torment took various forms, including constant harassment and intimidation. I was tormented, he would call in the middle of the night, would call early in the morning and act as if he wanted to check the welfare of the kids, she said.

She cited specific examples of DJ Fantans behaviour, which she found particularly disturbing. At one time he called me around 6 am and said do you want to help the kids with homework? Who does that? Who calls someone at six?

Gamu further alleged that DJ Fantan would frequently visit her home under false pretences, only to instigate arguments. He would come and say Im coming from the gym, I just want to check up on the kids and then start arguments for no reason, she claimed.

Nemukuyu also addressed the circumstances surrounding their divorce and DJ Fantans subsequent marriage. Fantan ended the marriage with me. I was hurt and I cried but I never went to his new marriage to cause drama nor have I come on social media and say stuff about him after he broke up with me, she stated.

She believes that DJ Fantans alleged behaviour stems from jealousy and resentment towards her new relationship. He doesnt like the fact that my new boyfriend is around our kids and also helps and pays some of the bills, she said.

Gamu described her living situation in Zimbabwe as unbearable, claiming that the constant conflict and alleged harassment made it impossible for her to provide a stable environment for her children.

My living situation was becoming unbearable because each time we would fight or he would send people to my house or he would come himself, she said. At one point, l asked myself  is this the environment that I want my children to grow up in?

Despite her troubled relationship with DJ Fantan, Gamu maintains a cordial relationship with his current wife, Vimbai. I know his wife Vimbai and we have a good relationship. I have nothing against her because shes also the mother of my children. Its the husband that I have issues with. He doesnt know what he wants.

Nemukuyu also revealed that she had taken DJ Fantan to court for maintenance, but he claimed he could not afford the requested amount. I took him to court for maintenance, he told me he cant pay US$300 and I said its fine, she said.

She further alleged that DJ Fantan consistently failed to provide financial support for their children, despite being aware of their needs. He knows one of our kids has a conditionso I would call him asking for money that never came. I need money for medicine or food but he would ignore me. He would come to my house early in the morning without the money and just shouts at me, she claimed.

Desperate and feeling trapped, Gamu made the difficult decision to leave Zimbabwe. With all this happening every day, I told myself Gamu get up and leave, this will not stop. I decided to move to SA where I know he wont get hold of me. Ive accepted that haachandide ko why does he keep coming back?

She explained that she felt powerless to seek legal protection in Zimbabwe. I couldnt report him anywhere because he wouldnt get arrested.

In conclusion, Gamu stated, Ndakatiza kuenda SA ndashaiswa peace of mind. So, after careful consideration I left with my kids. We are safe over here. (I fled to SA because I was robbed of peace of mind. So, after careful consideration I left with my kids. We are safe over here.)

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Harare  Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-styled secretary-general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has withdrawn an urgent chamber application filed in the High Court, in which he sought to prevent party president Welshman Ncube from recalling him from Parliament. The move comes amidst ongoing internal disputes and legal battles within the opposition party.

Through his lawyer, Advocate Lewis Uriri, Tshabangu informed High Court judge Justice Mary Zimba-Dube of his decision to withdraw the case. The reasons for the withdrawal remain unclear, but it follows a series of legal challenges and counter-challenges between Tshabangu and the Ncube-led faction of the CCC.

Welshman Ncube, when contacted by NewsDay, suggested that Tshabangus decision to file the application in the first place was ill-advised.

It was not sensible to file two urgent chamber applications at once, Ncube stated. He should have filed the interdict challenging his dismissal first, then the other one will proceed on normal basis.

Another case, HCH875/25, which was expected to be presided over by the same judge, has been postponed to March 21st.

According to Willias Madzimure, spokesperson for the Ncube CCC faction, HCH875/25 has been postponed because the consolidated index was only availed by the registrar this morning which made it difficult for the court and the lawyers to follow hence the decision to postpone it to next Friday.

Madzimure added, The other case HCH830/25, wherein Sengezo Tshabangu sought to interdict the party from recalling him from Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament from accepting the recall pending finalisation of the main case HCH875/25, was withdrawn without order of costs.

Tshabangus position within the CCC has been contentious for some time. He was dismissed from the party after being found guilty of violating the party constitution and disrespecting the leadership. The charges stemmed from his alleged unauthorised changes to CCC parliamentary portfolio holders.

Following his dismissal, Tshabangu swiftly sought legal recourse, rushing to the High Court to obtain an interim ruling that would prevent the CCC from recalling him from Parliament.

Judge President Justice Zimba-Dube initially granted an interim order in his favour, ensuring that he would retain his parliamentary seat while his legal challenge progressed. This interim order remained in effect until the finalisation of his case, where he is challenging his expulsion from the party.

However, Ncube responded by filing an opposing application, challenging Tshabangus claim to be a bona fide member of the party. Ncube argued that Tshabangu had no legal basis to drag the party to court.

In his application, Tshabangu had argued that the terms of office of all office bearers, including Ncube, had expired in May 2024, further fuelling the internal power struggle.

The withdrawal of the urgent chamber application represents a temporary lull in the ongoing legal battles within the CCC. However, the underlying issues of leadership and legitimacy remain unresolved. The postponement of case HCH875/25 to March 21st suggests that the legal wrangling is far from over.

The CCC, as Zimbabwes main opposition party, faces a critical period as it seeks to consolidate its position and present a united front. The internal disputes and legal challenges involving Tshabangu and Ncube risk undermining the partys credibility and effectiveness.

The political landscape in Zimbabwe remains highly contested, and the CCCs ability to overcome its internal divisions will be crucial in its efforts to challenge the ruling ZANU-PF party in future elections.

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Harare  Zimbabwes informal traders are bracing for a showdown with the government after being issued a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the streets. The directive, issued by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, has been met with outrage and resistance, with a Zanu PF-affiliated vendors group threatening court action.

Minister Garwe, on Wednesday, instructed local authorities to remove illegal vendors from the streets, citing unsanitary conditions and alleged criminal activities. He stated that law enforcement agents would support local authorities in enforcing the directive to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

However, the move has been widely condemned as insensitive and economically damaging, with critics arguing that it fails to address the underlying issues driving Zimbabweans into informal trading.

Vendors4ED, a Zanu PF affiliate formed to support President Emmerson Mnangagwas re-election bid in the August 2023 elections, has vowed to challenge the directive in court.

We are filing a lawsuit against the Local Government ministry. It should have given a directive to local authorities to give us proper areas to go and sell our products, said Samora Chisvo, Vendors4ED national chairperson.

Chisvo added defiantly, We are not going anywhere. We are remaining on the streets and we will continue supporting the 2030 vision. We deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. He also claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa also supports vendors, but at the moment, we need our vendors to come together against this planned operation.

Samuel Wadzai, director of the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET), echoed these sentiments, arguing that Garwes directive demonstrated a disconnect between the government and the harsh economic realities facing ordinary Zimbabweans.

The call to remove the vendors from the streets within a strict 48-hour time frame lacks an understanding of the socio-economic realities faced by many individuals in our communities, particularly those who have been marginalised and left with few alternatives for their livelihood, Wadzai said.

While exact statistics on the number of vendors across the country are unavailable, estimates suggest the figure runs into millions. The majority of citizens, including those with formal employment, are turning to vending to supplement their incomes as the economic crisis continues unabated.

The Zimbabwean economy has become heavily informalised as retail giants and other companies close shop due to the difficult operating environment, leaving informal traders to fill the void.

Wadzai argued that the government should prioritise providing safe and designated vending spaces before evicting vendors from the streets. Displacing vendors without providing them with viable alternatives for income will not only disrupt their livelihoods but also exacerbate poverty levels, he said.

Instead of a blanket removal plan, government should consider engaging these vendors in dialogue to better understand their circumstances and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Wadzai also challenged the assumption that illegal vending contributes to crime and health hazards, stating that it ignores the complex socio-economic factors at play.

Criminal activities can occur in any environment and simply associating them with vendors does a disservice to many who are simply trying to make an honest living, he said. A collaborative approach that regards vendors as stakeholders in the community, rather than criminals or a nuisance, is essential in fostering a sustainable urban environment that serves everyone.

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has also condemned the governments directive, describing it as heartless.

This reckless move is a stark reminder of the regimes callous disregard for the welfare of the citizens since time immemorial, the CCC said in a statement. The proliferation of vendors across Zimbabwe is a direct result of the regimes catastrophic policies, which have scared away investors and fuelled rampant corruption.

The CCC further criticised the loss of over US$1 billion annually through illicit financial flows and the looting of State resources. Instead of addressing these systemic issues, the regime is punishing the very people who are struggling to survive, the party said. We call on the regime to prioritise the vendors welfare and livelihoods. We will continue to advocate for policies that promote economic justice, equality and human dignity.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) echoed these concerns, describing the governments ultimatum as preposterous in the absence of a permanent solution to the vending crisis.

The council must provide alternative places of trading, where there is decency, instead of reactionary policies that are inconsiderate to the highly informal set-up Zimbabwe finds itself in, said Runesu Dzimiri, ZCTU acting secretary-general.

Dzimiri also criticised the governments hypocrisy, stating, What is more hypocritical for the government is that it has been encouraging people to go into self-help projects hence declaring them an eyesore now is extremely insensitive. He further alleged that In fact most of the vendors are mere workers of chefs and barons who give them wares to sell on the streets.

Dzimiri raised concerns that the governments actions may be aimed at appeasing businesses that have been losing profits to vendors. It is also important to note that some of these people were encouraged to go into vending by political party bigwigs as a vote-buying gimmick.

The ZCTU expressed fears that the current situation could lead to another Operation Murambatsvina, the disastrous 2005 operation that saw mass evictions and the destruction of informal businesses. The ZCTU is worried that we are heading for another Operation Murambatsvina, that will result in the displacement of people around cities, Dzimiri said.

This is not the first time the government has attempted to remove informal traders from the streets. A recent World Bank report highlighted the persistent nature of informality and the long-term challenges of reversing it.

Informality is an extremely persistent phenomenon, such that it can take years to re-formalise the private sector and regain tax collection, the World Bank said. While an initial shock can significantly increase the share of the private sector operating in informality, it can take years to bring this share back to the formal sector. In turn, re-formalising the private sector often takes many years to show robust effects on tax collection.

The memories of Operation Murambatsvina, where the late Robert Mugabes regime destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans, remain fresh. The current ultimatum has sparked fears of a repeat of this devastating event, leaving informal traders and their families facing an uncertain future.

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Harare  A resolution passed by Zanu PF at its annual conference in Bulawayo last year, advocating for constitutional amendments to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwas tenure until 2030, is now at the centre of a growing political storm.

The partys chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, who also serves as defence minister, has warned that the ED2030 agenda is being exploited by a few individuals to sow division within the ruling party and poses a significant threat to national security.

Muchinguris comments, made during a state-of-the-party gathering at Zanu PF headquarters in Harare on Thursday, come amid heightened tensions within Zanu PF, with some factions openly pushing for Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit, which ends in 2028.

Allow me to put the 21st National Peoples Conference resolution number one under [the] spotlight. Party leadership has observed, with dismay, the abuse of the resolution and the weaponisation of the 2030 slogan, Muchinguri stated, highlighting the growing concern within the partys leadership.

She accused certain party activists of being targeted for disciplinary action in the provinces by those who have weaponised the 2030 slogan, further exacerbating divisions and undermining party unity.

The resolution is a collective outcome that cannot be monopolised by a few individuals for personal gain and glory. These few individuals are now exploiting the resolution and the 2030 slogan to provoke discord and petty disciplinary cases. This must stop forthwith, Muchinguri asserted, calling for an end to the divisive tactics.

She emphasised that the resolution was supported by everyone within the party and urged members to allow the partys protocol to process it accordingly.

Muchinguri, who is widely regarded as an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, also appeared to address recent attacks on Chiwenga by a faction within the party. These attacks included songs denigrating the vice president at the National Heroes Acre while praising Mnangagwa, a move that Muchinguri condemned as posing a national security risk, although she did not elaborate on the specific nature of the threat.

It is shameful for any leader to always be seized with primitive and sometimes barbaric political bickering and chicanery which divides the party. Such behaviour is a bonus arsenal for our opposition forces, she said, criticising the factionalism that has plagued Zanu PF in recent years.

The consequence of such a smear campaign amongst ourselves is the propagation of artificial factionalism Our president and entire presidium must be protected by shunning factionalism which is a mere figment of imagination by self-serving individuals. This then degenerates into a national security risk, Muchinguri warned.

Claiming that opposition politics is currently dead, Muchinguri lamented that divisive elements within have become our greatest undoing. She also expressed concern that Even some of our own affiliates, like the churches, are now being infiltrated by the enemy [within].

Mnangagwa is currently serving his second and final term as president, but some of his staunch supporters, primarily those benefiting from patronage, have been advocating for constitutional amendments to remove term limits and allow him to remain in power beyond 2028. However, this plan faces significant legal and political hurdles, with reports suggesting that Chiwenga is opposed to it.

Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated that he will step down when his term ends in 2028, but scepticism remains, particularly given the ongoing push by his loyalists to extend his tenure.

The unease within the country has been further heightened by recent military activity in Harare. Last month, residents reported seeing a convoy of military tanks and armoured vehicles moving through the citys Borrowdale area, sparking fears of a potential coup.

While government officials have dismissed these concerns as routine drills, the timing of the military activity, amid the heightened tensions over the ED2030 agenda, has amplified anxieties and brought back memories of the 2017 military coup that ousted former President Robert Mugabe.

Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana attempted to quell the rising speculation by stating on social media that there was nothing to be concerned about. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba echoed this sentiment, urging citizens to Support your Zimbabwe Defence Force, ZDF, as it goes through the routine of ensuring all its battle systems are in tip-top state!!!

However, sources within the military suggest that the movement of military vehicles may have been a message from Chiwengas allies to Mnangagwa and his loyalists, warning them to toe the line or face confrontation.

Adding to the political uncertainty, viral videos have emerged of a local prophet predicting a violent coup in Zimbabwe, warning of significant bloodshed.

The Lord has spoken, and I must pray for Zimbabwe. I saw another coupone that will bring chaos and bloodshed. This will not be like before; this time, there will be much suffering, and many lives will be lost, the prophet declared.

These prophecies, coupled with reports of a collapsed succession deal between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, have further fuelled concerns over a potential military intervention.

Mnangagwa reportedly held a meeting with military chiefs recently, where he was informed that the push to abolish term limits was now considered a national security threat. The security chiefs also warned against attacks on Chiwenga and the military.

Mnangagwa subsequently addressed selected journalists, disavowing the Chiwenga critics and pledging to step down in 2028. However, the underlying tensions within Zanu PF and the military remain palpable, leaving Zimbabweans on edge as the country heads towards the 2028 elections.

One military source said that contrary to the official line that the movement of the military vehicles was long planned, Chiwengas military allies were in fact sending a message to Mnangagwa and his loyalists  toe the line or face confrontation.

Mnangagwa is a wily old fox who learned lessons from Mugabes 2017 ouster and is unlikely to be easily pushed without a fight, but even he would have been alarmed by the commentary accompanying viral videos of the armys movement on Harares streets.

Maybe the country is about to get freedom, a male voice said in one video, watching a tank roll past from the window of what appeared to be a multi-story building.

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Harare  A leader within a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association of Zimbabwe (ZNLWVA) has claimed his life is under threat following a recent trip to Zambia on what he insists was private business.

Andrease Mathibela, a vocal critic of the proposed extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwas term of office, says he received credible information suggesting that unnamed individuals are plotting against him, claiming he was spooked during his visit to Zambia.

Mathibela confirmed his trip to Zambia but vehemently denied allegations that it was related to political activities or funding. Theres this ridiculous allegation that I had gone there to receive as much as US$17 million from some foreign government for our activities, which is obviously not true, Mathibela told journalists, dismissing the claims as absurd. If I had that kind of money, I would obviously be driving a Rollys-Royce like other characters.

Mathibelas claims come amid growing tensions surrounding the 2030 agenda, a controversial plan to extend President Mnangagwas tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, which are due to end in 2028. The proposal has sparked fierce debate and division within the ruling Zanu-PF party, with reports of significant resistance from grassroots members.

The outspoken war veteran has been a staunch opponent of the 2030 agenda, arguing that it undermines democratic principles and threatens the countrys stability. He maintains that his criticism is not driven by partisan politics but by a genuine concern for the well-being of Zimbabwe and its citizens.

My concern is that I have not offended anyone, Mathibela said. All I have said is that we need this country to normalise, for everyone to enjoy their freedom and independence. He further asserted that he would not be silenced and would continue to speak out against what he perceives as misgovernance. We continue with the struggle and this has nothing to do with partisan politics, he stated. We are simply saying that citizens are equally affected.

Mathibelas concerns for his safety echo those of another outspoken ex-combatant, Blessed Bombshell Geza, who has also been a vocal critic of the proposed term extension. Geza has reportedly gone into hiding after police indicated they intended to arrest him on charges of undermining the authority of the President, alongside three other charges. Last week, Geza was among a number of individuals suspected of opposing the 2030 agenda who were fired from the party.

Despite the perceived threat, Mathibela said he has not reported the matter to the police, citing a lack of trust in the security forces. I dont have confidence in the police or the security forces because more often (than not) when they approach me, its all about what I should give them (in terms of ) intelligence, which eventually works against me, he explained. So I dont even see them being helpful the source of the threat could be from them. So its very difficult to trust them. I have to protect myself at the end of the day.

President Mnangagwa has publicly stated that he has no intention of seeking an extension to his term and that he will step down in 2028 as required by the constitution. However, scepticism remains among some quarters, particularly given the continued push for the 2030 agenda by some of his supporters.

The divisions within Zanu-PF over the 2030 agenda have become increasingly apparent in recent weeks, with reports of infighting and purges of those perceived to be disloyal. The situation remains fluid, and the coming months are likely to be crucial in determining the future political landscape of Zimbabwe.

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Program exploring China's Greater Bay Area calls for applications from global undergraduate students

11:29, March 14, 2025 By Xu Liang ( People's Daily Online

Touching the Greater Bay Area  A Journey of Discovery, is an exciting program co-launched by Guangdong Radio and Television and People's Daily Online (UK). The 2024 "Touching the Greater Bay Area" program was a great success, and we are excited to launch the second edition and are now accepting applications for the 2025 project.

This immersive experience will take a select group of 58 university students from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Switzerland on a unique journey across China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The GBA, located in southern China, comprises nine cities in Guangdong Province along with the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. It is a dynamic economic and cultural hub, blending rich history with cutting-edge innovation.

Between July 15 and Aug. 15, 2025, the chosen students will embark on a seven-day immersive experience, engaging with key aspects of Chinas development through a range of activities. Participants will explore historic sites, bustling cityscapes, and local markets while delving into topics such as Chinese culture, martial arts, advanced telecommunication, and sustainable green technology. Additionally, they will have multiple opportunities to interact with local university students and scholars across the region.

As part of the program, participants will be featured in televised segments broadcasted across multiple media platforms. They will also document their experiences through video recordings and share them on social media.

Eligibility Criteria:

 Applicants must be non-Chinese, full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a university in the US, UK, France, Germany, or Switzerland.

 There are no restrictions on academic majors.

 Candidates should have an active and well-maintained social media presence. While a large following is not mandatory, experience in vlogging or audience engagement will be an advantage.

 A passion for Chinese culture or language is essential, though proficiency in Mandarin is not required.

As for the expenses for the trip, all fees from international flights to food and accommodation will be covered by the sponsors.

If you are interested in this incredible, all-inclusive opportunity to experience China's Greater Bay Area firsthand, please send your one-page CV (including social media links) along with a cover letter to greaterbay2025@gmail.com.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Buhera  The serene landscapes of Buhera are once again shrouded in sorrow as the community mourns the untimely death of Acting Chief Makumbe, Takudzwa Paul Chengeta. At the young age of 30, Chengetas life was tragically cut short in a head-on collision between his vehicle and a Gold Class bus on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy of potential and a community grappling with unanswered questions.

The accident, which occurred at the 86-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway, has not only claimed the life of a promising young leader but has also reignited a national conversation about the alarming number of tragic deaths among Zimbabwes traditional leaders.

The news of Chengetas death has reverberated throughout the nation, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences from community members, government officials, and fellow traditional leaders. His body was transported to the Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary, where preparations are underway for a funeral that is expected to draw mourners from across the country. A passenger who was travelling with Chengeta sustained injuries in the accident and is currently receiving medical treatment at the same hospital.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the tragic incident, stating that A local chief has died in an accident. We will be releasing more details in due course. However, the brevity of the statement has done little to quell the growing unease and speculation surrounding the circumstances of Chengetas death. In a nation where traditional beliefs and customs hold significant sway, the untimely demise of a chief often raises questions beyond the realm of conventional explanations.

Takudzwa Paul Chengeta, a final-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Zimbabwe, was seen as a rising star within his community. He embodied a unique blend of traditional values and modern aspirations, demonstrating a commitment to both his academic pursuits and his responsibilities as a traditional leader. His journey was one of bridging the gap between the old and the new, carrying the weight of tradition while embracing the possibilities of the future.

Buhera District Development Coordinator (DDC) Freeman Mavhiza confirmed the death to The Mirror, highlighting the profound loss felt by the entire district. Chengetas dedication to the development and well-being of his community had earned him the respect and admiration of many, making his untimely death all the more devastating.

According to sources close to the family, Chengeta was travelling from Harare to Mutare with a friend when the accident occurred. His uncle, Tapiwa Chengeta, spoke on behalf of the grieving family, conveying their deep sorrow and uncertainty. He was driving towards Mutare with his friend when he collided with a Gold Class Express bus. The friend sustained minor injuries, Tapiwa Chengeta said, his voice heavy with emotion. We are waiting for the necessary protocols and leadership guidance to decide on the official burial date, but it will most likely be on Saturday at his rural home in Buhera.

The weight of tradition had fallen upon Chengetas young shoulders following the death of his father, the late Chief Makumbe, Shepherd Chengeta, in March 2023. As the eldest son, he was appointed Acting Chief Makumbe last year, stepping into a role that demanded wisdom, leadership, and a deep understanding of the customs and traditions of his people. His appointment was seen as a testament to his character and his potential to guide the community forward.

However, the tragedy of Acting Chief Makumbes death is not an isolated incident. It is a grim reminder of a disturbing pattern that has emerged in Zimbabwe, where a significant number of traditional leaders have met untimely deaths, often in car accidents or under circumstances that have fueled speculation of foul play and witchcraft. This pattern has cast a shadow of fear and uncertainty over the traditional leadership community, prompting calls for greater protection and thorough investigations into these tragic events.

The death of Chengeta comes barely four weeks after another newly installed chief, Hatisani Mabasa, the first beneficiary of the Masivamele chieftainship after it was upgraded, died on 14 February this year. He was 81. Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC), Lovemore Chisema confirmed the sad development in a telephone interview with The Mirror and said Chief Masivamele succumbed to an accident with his government vehicle on Friday which also claimed his sons life.

Chief Masivamele died on Friday after an accident at around 11 PM which takes place near Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) bus terminus, said Chisema. He was accompanied by a driver and his son died on the spot and Chief Masivamele died at around 5 PM at the hospital while the driver sustained injuries. Chief Masivamele was one of the newly appointed chiefs and he was yet to be officially installed this year.

The death of Chief Masivamele, a respected elder and a symbol of traditional authority, sent ripples of grief throughout the Chiredzi district and beyond. His loss, coming so soon after his installation, was seen by many as a cruel twist of fate, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of destiny.

In December last year, just two weeks before Christmas, Headman Muchibwa-Nyajena born Maduveko Manyise (45) who was installed in March last year was killed in a bus accident. Manyise who was a radiographer by profession died on Sunday 8 December 2024 after an InterAfrica bus he was travelling in rammed into a stationary truck near Dabuka along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway. He was among the seven passengers who died on the spot. Manyise was buried in Mavhungwe area under Chief Nyajena a few days later.

He was a minister in the church, an exceptional communicator and was remarkable in the way he solved problems, said his brother Dr Maseko Manyise. He was a sociable man and he impacted the lives of people through his sound advice and inspiration.

The deceased was working at Fort Street Medical and Dental Surgery in Bulawayo. He went to Nyabata High for his Ordinary Level education. He joined the Army in 1998 and fought in the DRC war from 1999-2000. He trained as a radiographer during his stint in the Army. He obtained a Theology Degree in 2022 from the National University of Science and Technology. He retired from the Army in 2021 and joined the private sector as a radiographer based at Fort Street Medical and Dental Surgery in Bulawayo. The deceased who was a member of the Mutendi -Zion Christian Church (ZCC) is survived by his wife Rejoice Chihanga and two children, a girl (20) and a boy (15).

In another tragic development, Zimbabwes youngest chief, Oaheng Nare, known as Chief Marupi of Dibilashaba in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, suddenly died in October 2024. He was 28 years old. Chief Marupis death came barely two weeks after a daring robbery at his homestead. The young traditional leader reportedly succumbed to an unknown illness at a private hospital in October last year.

Chief Marupi reportedly died after a short illness, though the exact nature of the ailment has not been disclosed. Chief Marupis death came just weeks after an armed robbery at his homestead, which added to the misfortunes surrounding him. The robbers made off with a newly allocated Isuzu double-cab vehicle, R2,700 in cash, and two mobile phones. The vehicle had been gifted to him by President Emmerson Mnangagwa just two weeks prior to the robbery.

His sudden death has raised suspicions among many, with speculations swirling that foul play may have been involved. Some netizens have voiced concerns, suggesting that Chief Marupi may have been poisoned or bewitched.

In November 2023, Chief Mukota (Newton Kachepa) died at Marondera Hospital from injuries sustained in an accident which occurred along the Marondera Musami Road when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. Two other people died on the spot. Mr Kachepa was installed Chief Mukota of Mudzi a month before his death.

The Zanu PF branded vehicle in which Chief Makota was in travelled along North Road was badly damaged following the accident. When they got to the 24-kilometre peg near the Summerset area close to Marondera, the vehicle driver lost control and veered off the road. The car then smashed a pedestrian before rolling over.

In May 2022, LUPANES Chief Mabhikwa (39) died on a Sunday evening after his vehicle was side-swiped by a haulage truck at the 195km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway.

Born Vusumuzi Khumalo, Mabhikwa died on admission at Lupanes St Lukes Hospital. He was among the crop of patriotic young Zimbabweans who became a chief at a tender age of 19 in 2012. Chief Mabhikwa was installed in 2012 at the age of 19, six years after the death of his father, Edwin.

In April 2018, Chief Chisunga of Guruve in Mashonaland Central also died following an accident. He was 47. Chief Chisunga died in a road traffic accident on a Thursday night just before the Independence Day when he failed to negotiate a curve at the 30-kilometre peg along Guruve-Mahuwe Road.

The vehicle fell into a 100-metre gorge as a result.

Chief Chisunga, born Daster Chisunga, was on his way to his rural home in Mushumbi, Mbire, in the company of eight passengers when the accident occurred.

The passengers escaped with minor injuries and were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital. The chief was a key member of the Council of Chiefs and had been instrumental in the establishment of community conservancies. He was a member of the provincial assembly council of senators, representing chiefs. He was also the vice chairperson of Mashonaland Central Council of Chiefs. He became a chief on October 16, 2006. At the time of his death, he had two wives, 11 children and two grandchildren.

In August 2015, Chief Nyakunhuwa Jerera Wafawanaka Mashavave also died in a road accident. The accident happened on a Saturday at the Zaka turnoff near Buffalo Range airport in Chiredzi. He is reported to have lost control of his vehicle, a Toyota Hilux which veered off the road and overturned killing him on the spot. He was coming from Triangle, where he owned a sugarcane plot among his several businesses.

Wafawanaka Mashavave was the substantive chief in Zaka after he was appointed in 2006. He was 56 years old and left behind three wives and several children.

Other chiefs who also died in a car accident include Acting Chief Ndanga, Simon Charinda (60), who died in a car crash over the in June 2012 during a weekend after his B1800 pick-up truck rammed into another truck at the 18-kilometre peg along the Masvingo-Mutare Highway. The chief was coming from his homestead and the accident happened as he connected to the main tarred road. His car was rammed into by another pick-up being driven by Tasunungurwa Manyangadze, which had six people, including the driver. The passengers in the other car escaped with minor injuries.

In April 2013, Chief Chiweshe Joseph Chigariro of Chiweshe, Mazowe District, died after being stung by wild bees. Although he didnt die in a car accident, however, what is of concern with Chiwef Chiweshes death is that he died just a few weeks after presiding over a case in which he fined some villagers for practising witchcraft within his jurisdiction. Mr Chigariro (82) died in April 2013 after he was attacked by a swarm of wild bees at his home in Chiweshe.

Mr Chagariro, who was an experienced bee-keeper himself, was resting outside his house on a Thursday afternoon. He was alone at home at the time.

A swarm of bees suddenly swooped on the homestead and attacked him. Neighbours only rushed to the scene an hour later. The neighbours subsequently ferried him to Concession District Hospital where he died. It later turned out that the bees also killed one of the chiefs dogs and attacked poultry.

The seemingly mysterious bees attacked the experienced bee-keeper barely a week after he sent five suspected witched to a prophet for cleansing. Previously two Glendale young girls had confessed to be part of a witchcraft group before implicating five elderly members whom they allegedly conduct witchcraft activities at night with.

Two young girls who are in Grade 5 and Form 2 respectively confessed two weeks ago that they are made pathfinders by elderly members of their witchcraft group each night as they go to graves where they mysteriously dig into graves before eating human flesh and drinking blood.

The matter was taken to Chief Chiweshes traditional court. Four women and one man have since been implicated by the two minor girls, and they all live at the Kia-ora farms compound. However, when the five appeared before Chief Chiweshe, they all denied the allegations. After denying the claims, Chief Chiweshe, born Joseph Chigariro, and his aide Bennett Mudimu were forced to call upon the services of traditional healers or prophets to ascertain whether the accused are indeed into witchcraft as alleged.

Upon being taken to Prophet Gabriel Lonemore Kambudzi (39) who was a member of Johane Masowe Nyenyedzi Nomwe yeNguwo Tsvuku, the suspected witches were allegedly found guilty by the prophet who even accused the male counterpart of being a strong mubobobo user, a claim which the man confirmed. Chief Chiweshes death came at time when the five were reportedly supposed to appear in his traditional court for final verdict.

The questions surrounding the circumstances of these deaths, particularly the potential involvement of witchcraft, have sparked intense debate and speculation across the nation. In a society where traditional beliefs and practices are deeply ingrained, the notion that supernatural forces could be at play is not easily dismissed. The lack of clear answers and the perceived failure of authorities to address these concerns have only fueled the flames of suspicion.

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Yours truly, like many Americans, tends to tune out Federal budget funding cliffhangers as largely theatrics. This is not one of those times. The currently proposed continuing resolution, which the truly horrible Chuck Schumer has just said he will back, is set for a vote in the PM or evening Friday. This is absolutely not a routine short-term funding extension but includes several disastrous provisions which would give Trump the keys to the kingdom in terms of spending and a blank check on tariff powers, which he also has been abusing.

If at all possible, call your Senators at their local office ASAP. A call to the DC number is the next fallback, and then an e-mail if you cant get through.

As Matt below said:

Tell them to OPPOSE CLOTURE FIRST. No on Cloture. No on the dirty CR.

Be short since the fact of you being an in-state voter and firmly objecting is more important than a recitation of reasons (one will suffice; you can say you have more but this is more than enough reason to oppose it). I was not able quickly to find a register of Senators local (as in in state) phone numbers; the Senate website deters that sort of thing. Rather than providing those details, it only says Phone numbers are available on each states page or on your senators website. If anyone does locate such a guide, please pipe up in comments and I will update the post accordingly.

In the interest of getting this alert out on a timely basis, forgive me for doing a cursory job on the fine points. Please call your Senators this morning or early afternoon to voice your decided objection to this continuing resolution. Be sure to mention Congress otherwise giving up its power over spending via authorizing impounding and over tariffs. Further stress that failure to oppose the continuing resolution will pave the way for gutting critically important programs like Social Security and Medicare.

One reason that it is urgent to oppose the continuing resolution is that it contains a provision that allows the Administration to impound funds, as in refuse to make expenditures voted through by Congress. This would come close to vitiating Congress and therefore democratic control of the power of the purse. Think that ever gets rolled back once given away?

The continuing resolution is our Enabling Act of 1933. Congress delegating the power of appropriation to the executive is an unconstitutional breach of our government's fundamental structure. Democrats voting to pass it are consigning the party to the same fate as Zentrum. pic.twitter.com/gceOocyCyc  Dan Thomas-Commins (@DanTheRulesNerd) March 14, 2025

In particular, this continuing resolution would give Trump and Musk the authority to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid:

To my Democratic Senate colleagues, please vote NO on the Continuing Resolution. The CR gives unprecedented powers to Trump and Musk and gives them a green light to slash Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. It is an affront to our Constitution and will wreck our economy.  Dave Min (@DaveMinCA) March 12, 2025

2 things on Senate deliberations:

1. The GOP funding bill is NOT a continuing resolution. It is a 100% Republican funding bill that strips funding from veterans, food safety, public safety & gives Musk the keys to do everything DOGE is currently doing & strip Medicaid, Medicare  Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 13, 2025

Another reason to oppose the continuing resolution that is sufficient in and of itself is that it would give away Congress power to intervene on Trumps tariffs. Recall that his actions on that front are already an abuse via repeatedly invoking an emergency when there is none to be found.

One of the worst provisions that Republicans slipped into their sham continuing resolution? Theyre taking away the power Congress has to fight back against Trumps trade war. pic.twitter.com/QylTH45XXs  Senator Peter Welch (@SenPeterWelch) March 13, 2025

Folksis NOT a same-as-before continuing resolutionits a full scale Trump+Musk revamp bill with massive cuts to healthcare, homeless, child programs, environment, and more. Nobody should vote for this CR nonsense. pic.twitter.com/6QCBRtH9DU  Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) March 13, 2025

Let's be clear: House Republicans' funding bill is Congress rolling over for the billionaire arsonists by rolling out a slush-fund filled, year-long continuing resolution that empowers Trump and Musk to pick winners and losers with YOUR taxpayer dollars. I will vote NO. pic.twitter.com/upphdtriuN  Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) March 13, 2025

Lets debunk this with 2 simple questions. 1. How many votes does it take to pass a Continuing Resolution? The answer is 60. 2. How many Republicans are in the Senate? The answer isnt 53 since some of them are independents but there certainly are not 60. Are Democrats https://t.co/EfDNzx1kpq  The Older Millennial (@teameffujoe) March 13, 2025

So please, get to work!
Russian officials, now including Putin himself, have responded negatively to the US-Ukraine ceasefire proposal, which is hardly a surprise, since Russian officials have been saying No ceasefire every time the topic of Ukraine comes up. But they appear to be sending other messages that the Western press is ignoring but Russians and the Global South may pick up on, such as not being on board with the Trump Administrations theatrics unduly public process.

As we indicated yesterday, senior Kremlin emissary Yuri Ushakov reaffirmed the repeated Russian rejection of a ceasefire except as part of an agreement that addressed the underlying issues of the Ukraine conflict.1 He did that by replaying what he said to US National Security Adviser on a phone call in a short televised interview. Ushakov tried to have it both ways, saying it was up to Putin to respond officially, but its clear that Ushakov was not speaking out of school. Less well reported was that Russian Parliaments Defense Committee Viktor Sobolev also criticized the US-Ukraine scheme as obviously only in Ukraines interest.

I took the speed of the Ushakov remarks, made before friend of and pet negotiator for Trump Steve Witkoff had even arrived in Moscow, to among other things, discuss the US-Ukraine scheme with Russian officials, as a diss, even if it might be too subtle to register on thick-headed and inexperienced Trump officials. The first is the obvious, What about no dont you understand? It was disrespectful to Russia to serve up a proposal that tried to talk loudly over what the Russian have said about no cessation of hostilities until critical matters are settled since the start of the SMO. So they undercut Witkoff on a fair bit of what he might have been planning to do.2

The second layer of Western disrespect to Russia was the attempt to negotiate via press release. The Russians have also made clear their preference for conducting diplomacy along traditional lines: lower level exchanges of feelers, and lower and more senior private discussions, with announcements made only when there is something to announce (as in progress or some event that forces an official mumble mumble on status). Colonel Macgregor, in a fresh talk on the Judge Napolitano show, volunteered at the top of his remarks (starting at 2:38) that we were working against our own interest with this approach:

I think the first thing is its unfortunate that we continue to discuss our negotiations and interactions with the Russians in public. I dont see any point to it. And I think as a result were going to be embarrassed somewhat by this latest ceasefire offer. If there is anything the Russians have made clear repeatedly, is that a ceasefire in and of itself is not acceptable. They see that as simply buying more time for their Ukrainian opponent to get equipment, cash, whatever, and rebuild themselves and carry on the fight.

This bad habit may have started with the various members of the US/NATO coalition arm-wrestling with each other in public about how much money and what weapons they would have been sending to Ukraine. Its bizarre to have given the enemy side so much information. But this may have reflected the Western belief that its materiel was so obviously superior that merely saying the wunderwaffen were en route would have Russian soldiers quaking in their boots. Remember the Be afraid, be very afraid, Leopard are coming Ukraine propaganda campaign, which has been disappeared from the Innertubes?

Back to the main event. Putin weighed in not long after that, via a response to a question in a Q&A at a press conference. As you can see, he took the proposal at face value, making clear that even if the form was that the US pushed it on Ukraine, it was something Ukraine would find beneficial and could just as easily have demanded of the US. But as well soon explain, there was another layer to this message. From the Kremlin website:

You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here. And what is the current situation on the ground? Many of you have surely noticed that yesterday I visited the Kursk Region and listened to reports from the Chief of the General Staff, the Commander of the North group of forces and his deputy on the situation in the border area, first of all in the Kursk Region, or rather, in the incursion zone in the Kursk Region. What is happening there? The situation there is completely under our control, and the grouping that invaded our territory has been isolated. It is completely isolated and under complete fire control. The control of Ukrainian troops inside this incursion zone has been lost. At the initial stages, just a week or two ago, Ukrainian servicemen tried to get out of there in small groups. Now it is impossible. They are trying to get out in very small groups of two or three men because everything is under our complete fire control. The military equipment has been completely abandoned and it is impossible to remove it; it will remain there, one hundred percent. If this area is physically blocked in the next few days, then no one will be able to leave. There will only be two options: surrender or die. I think in these conditions it would be good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a ceasefire for at least 30 days. We are also in favour of it, but there are nuances. What are they? First, what will we do about the incursion section in the Kursk Region? What would that mean if we cease fire for 30 days? Does this mean that everyone who is in there will just walk out without a fight? Do we have to let them go after they committed numerous heinous crimes against civilians? Or will the Ukrainian leadership issue a command for them to lay down their arms and just surrender? How will this happen? It is not clear. How will other issues along the entire contact line be solved? It is almost 2,000 kilometres long. As you know, Russian troops are advancing in almost all areas of combat contact. Conditions are also very favourable there for us to block rather large units there. So, how would these 30 days be used? For forced mobilisation to continue in Ukraine? For more weapons to be supplied there? For retraining the mobilised units? Or would none of this be done? If so, how will issues related to control and verification be addressed? How can we guarantee and receive guarantees that nothing like this would happen? How will control procedures be organised? I hope everyone understands the complexity of all this at the level of common sense. These are all serious issues. Who will order to cease fire? What is the price of these orders? Just imagine: almost 2,000 km. Who will be able to determine who violated the potential ceasefire agreement over a distance of 2,000 km and where exactly? Who will be held responsible for violating the ceasefire? All these issues must be meticulously worked upon by both sides. The idea itself is right, and, of course, we support it. However, there are issues that must be discussed. I think we must talk them over with our American colleagues and partners, perhaps have a telephone conversation with President Trump and discuss them with him. However, the idea to put an end to this conflict by peaceful means gets our full support.

TL;DR version: Well, we can of course talk about this idea, but for this to make any sense for us, many many operational details have to be negotiated and implemented. By the time that got done, we could be in Paris.

Note also that Putin makes clear no one has yet set up a call with Trump.

If you want to have some yucks, the Institute for the Study of War is in a huff because Russia is not on board with the intentions and goals of the US-Ukraine proposal, which is to pull a fast one on Russia.

MORE: Putin is offering an alternative ceasefire agreement that is contrary to the intentions and goals of the US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal. Putin's envisioned ceasefire agreement would grant Russia greatly disproportionate advantages and set conditions for the Kremlin to https://t.co/gX4s0T3XiT pic.twitter.com/lxWxBmlqU5  Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 14, 2025

But a bit more seriously, one of Putins words had an inference that seems lost on most outside Russia. From Larry Johnsons e-mail, Regarding a Ceasefire, Putin says it is About nuance:

According to Andrei [Martyanov], Putins use of the phrase, there are nuances, is a cultural term connected to a crass joke. I asked Perplexity.AI to explain: A soldier named Garry asks the general for the definition of nuance. The general tells him to take down his pants and bend over. The general proceeds to insert himself into the soldiers anus and then explains that what the soldier feels compared to what the general feels is nuance. The humor in this joke lies in the subtle wordplay and implied actions. In Russian, the phrase There is a nuance ( ) can also be understood as a command, Eat a nuance! when pronounced quickly. The generals response to Garrys question about the definition of nuance is to demonstrate it rather than explain it verbally, creating a humorous and somewhat crude situation. This joke is an example of how Russian humor often relies on wordplay, double entendres, and sometimes crude or sexual innuendos. Its important to note that understanding such jokes often requires not just knowledge of the Russian language, but also familiarity with Russian cultural context and humor styles. Got it? Putin was politely telling Trumps team of negotiators that they could shove the proposed ceasefire deal in Riyadh up their ass. Russia is not going to be bullied or threatened.

A search on Twitter (Putin + nuance) has turned up no tweets making note of Putins coded but very pointed dismissal of the US-Ukraine offer.3

This was unlikely to have been one of Putins goals, but his choice of a Russian usage will test the Trump Administration in at least two ways: do they even have any Russian specialists left who will get the dirty joke? Remember Scott Ritter has repeatedly inveighed against State Department Russian experts for having over the past 20 years been majors in what he called Putin hating studies. Mind you, that fixation does not necessarily mean that they are not otherwise culturally clued in. But Rex Tillerson did a bit of a purge at State under Trump 1.0, and its not clear if there is anyone that Russia-savvy on this team.

And even if they were, and someone told Rubio and Waltz what the use of nuance implied, would they tell Trump? Its hard to imagine, with Trump being an obsessively dominant sort, that he would not respond to Putins second layer of meaning, even if only by making a joke. So Trump not manifesting knowledge of Putins layered message in their next interaction would point to Trumps team either being very ignorant or choosing to withhold information.

So despite the appearance of things changing, not much has changed. The US is supporting Ukraine even though it cannot change the trajectory of the war. Russia will keep destroying Ukraines army until something breaks. My guess is only then (as in conditions at that point) will it settle on its end game.

_____

1 As our Aurelien points out, that sort of cessation of hostilities is not called a ceasefire in diplo-speak. A ceasefire is understood to be temporary, and the Russians have said thats not in their interest. The Russians are looking for an armistice.

2 One could be charitable and see the Russians as trying to adapt to American norms. New Yorkers regard it as polite not to waste someones time. So perhaps trying to truncate Witkoffs discussions was a courtesy of sorts.

3 On How could no one in the West be mentioning this if true? There were many times when I was working with the Japanese that there were many conditions and news stories in Japan, that ought to have been seen as being of keen commercial interest to US businessmen, that were completely unreported. Admittedly, this sort of coarse jibe seems out of character for Putin, which may be why he made it, to let Russians know the depth of his objection. And it isnt as if coarse language is never used in diplomatic contexts. Gonzalo Lira reported in one of his YouTubes that Fuck the EU Victoria Nuland visited the Kremlin in October 2021. There she told various officials, including IIRC Lavrov, in the most sailor-like Russian, that the US was going to clear the Donbass, and if Russia tried to stop that, the US would respond in a ferocious manner.
Yves here. Oddly, this useful post entirely omitted the words monopoly and oligopoly. Is there some weird code of omerta in Europe about their use? Weve been able to see the evidence of excessive corporate pricing power for some time. One proof is in the US profit share of GDP. This has been running in the 11%-12% vicinity for some time, which is twice the level Warren Buffett deemed to be unsustainable in the early 2000s (6%). Another proof is so-called greedflation of recent years, of companies raising prices under the cover of price increases in other sector, as opposed to as the result of increases in the costs of their inputs.

An issue with anti-trust enforcement is that it can be hard to define the proper boundaries of a market (this is fiercely fought in litigation). Private equity is skilled at identifying niches where they can acquire a competitively advantaged position and push prices around. Consider dialysis centers. An anti-trust enforcer is not going to bother going after monopolization where it occurs, in many local markets (done by different owner/investors), even though it is not hard to grasp that a patient who needs dialysis in Los Angeles is not going to drive to La Jolla to get a better deal.

Some readers may regard this piece as dog bites man. IMHO, its useful to stress the bad effects of monopoly and pricing abuses beyond where the discussion too often halts: higher prices to customers.

By Giammario Impullitti, Professor of Economics University Of Nottingham and Pontus Rendahl, Professor Copenhagen Business School; Professor University Of Cambridge. Originally published at VoxEU

From the inception of economics as a discipline, questions of competition, growth, and the distribution of their benefits have been central concerns. Pioneers like Adam Smith and Karl Marx grappled with these issues, shaping our understanding of markets, wealth creation, and its distribution. These concerns remain at the forefront of modern advanced economies. In recent years, the rise of superstar firms and the growing concentration of market power have become hot-button issues in economic policy debates.

From Washington to Brussels, policymakers are grappling with questions about why a handful of companies dominate entire industries (Autor et al. 2020, Eeckhout 2021, Philippon 2019); why productivity growth has slowed down (Gordon 2016); and why wealth inequality has reached levels not seen since the Gilded Age (Piketty 2014). These concerns are not just academic  they are central to the economic challenges of our time.

Concerns are particularly acute in the US, where market power has surged significantly since the early 1980s. Indeed, average markups increased from 20% to 55% by 2020. Meanwhile, productivity growth has stagnated, with total factor productivity slowing from 1.56% in the 19601980 period to just 0.77% in subsequent decades. This rise in market power and decline in productivity growth has coincided with a sharp increase in wealth inequality, as reflected in the growing share of wealth held by the top percentiles. These trends are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Market power, growth, and wealth inequality in the US

Sources: De Loecker et al. (2020), Fernald (2014), and World Inequality Database.

But what exactly is the link between market power, growth, and inequality? And why should policymakers care? In our recent research (Impullitti and Rendahl 2025), we provide a framework that ties these trends together, offering new insights into how market power shapes the economy.

Market Power and the Return Gap (r-g)

Piketty (2014) popularised the idea that wealth inequality is driven by the difference between the rate of return on assets and the growth rate of the economy, or the return gap, r-g. A higher return gap increases inequality as wealthier households, who own more assets, benefit from higher returns and save more, further increasing their wealth. Poorer households, who rely more on wages, see their incomes stagnate due to slower growth and higher markups. This dynamic deepens the divide between the rich and the poor, leading to a more unequal society.

How does market power affect the return on assets and the growth rate? To answer this question, we build a macroeconomic model where large firms invest in innovation to gain market shares and where aggregate innovation pushes overall productivity growth. Uninsurable income risk generates wealth heterogeneity across households.

We engineer a rise in markups as a response to an exogenous increase in the cost of entry for firms. When barriers to entry rise, fewer firms compete in the market. This reduction in competition allows incumbent firms to charge higher markups, boosting their profits. Higher profits, in turn, increase the value of these firms, driving up returns and asset prices.

But reduced competition also affects innovation. Aggregate innovation (i.e. the sum of innovation from all firms) contributes to the economys overall stock of knowledge, which functions as a public good. Firms continuously learn from one another, fostering a cycle of innovation and progress. However, when competition declines, this knowledge-sharing process weakens. With fewer competitors, opportunities for exchanging ideas diminish, reducing the efficiency of innovation and ultimately slowing economic growth, g. This dynamic  where weaker competition stifles knowledge spillovers  creates a direct link between rising market power and declining innovation efficiency.

Finally, lower competition also conveys some bad news for labour income, both in the present and in the future. Higher markups create a wedge between the price of goods and the associated marginal costs: wages. As markups rise, real wages fall. Additionally, slower economic growth further exacerbates this outcome, dampening the prospects for future wage increases, which are closely tied to productivity growth.

The Return Gap and Wealth Inequality

Why does a rise in the return gap exacerbate wealth inequality? After all, if all agents have some wealth and are affected proportionally by a rise in the r-g differential, wealth inequality would be unaltered. Our theory demonstrates that a widening return gap exacerbates inequality by affecting the saving behaviour of households in distinct ways across the wealth spectrum.

In our economy, uninsurable income risk implies that there are two reasons for saving: intertemporal substitution, and a precautionary motive (Aiyagari 1994). Poorer households, driven by the need to buffer against income risk, predominantly save for precautionary reasons, whereas richer households  having attained a high level of self-insurance  primarily save for intertemporal reasons. An increase in asset returns enhances the incentives for intertemporal substitution but has little impact on the precautionary motive. As a result, wealthier households respond more strongly to rising returns, increasing their savings at a higher rate than asset-poor households and further accumulating wealth.

Welfare Effect

Our research also sheds light on the welfare implications of rising market power. We find that the increase in markups and the slowdown in growth since 1980 have led to substantial welfare losses for most households. For the bottom 80% of the wealth distribution, these losses amount to roughly 34% of long-run consumption. In contrast, the top 1% of households have seen significant gains, with the top 0.1% experiencing a 30% increase in consumption.

Thus, while the rise in market power has benefited a small fraction of the population, it has come at a significant cost to the broader economy.

Conclusion

In the last four decades, advanced economies have witnessed a secular rise in both market power and inequality, as well as a slowdown in productivity growth. While these trends have happened concurrently, they may not have happened independently. Indeed, our research indicates that the rise in market power alone could have been a strong contributing factor to the rise in wealth inequality and the slowdown in productivity growth.

One takeaway from this intertwined nature of the above secular trends is that economic policies may have unintended consequences in domains where they do not directly operate, necessitating a multi-targeted approach for, for instance, competition policy. Given the role of market power in exacerbating wealth concentration, policymakers should rethink competition policys broader economic and social implications. Stronger enforcement and pro-competitive reforms can help restore not only innovation and productivity but also a more equitable distribution of economic gains.

As policymakers grapple with these challenges, they must consider not only the immediate effects of their decisions, but also the long-term consequences for growth and inequality. By addressing the root causes of market power and its distributional effects, it may be possible to create a more prosperous and dynamic economy that also encompasses a more even distribution of both gains and losses.

Over the past four decades, the US has seen rising market power, slowing productivity growth, and deepening wealth inequality. This column explores how declining competition may be the common culprit. Weak competition lets dominant firms raise prices, suppress wages, and stifle innovation, thereby slowing economic growth. Meanwhile, higher asset returns benefit the wealthy, widening inequality by amplifying differences in savings behaviour. Rising markups drive stagnation and wealth concentration, underscoring the need for stronger competition policies to foster innovation, productivity, and fairer economic outcomes.

See original post for refereces
This week at the Capitol was marked by heated debate and protests related to a bill targeting undocumented students, along with health care and tourism legislation making its way through the General Assembly.

At the top of the week, Priscilla Presley was given the states highest civilian honor  Colonel Aide de Camp  by Gov. Bill Lee and members of the General Assembly for her work preserving music history in Memphis. Her late ex-husband Elvis Presley received the same honor in 1961. While at the Capitol Monday, she spoke in favor of the expansion of the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum.

Education

A highly contentious bill that would allow school boards to prohibit undocumented students from enrolling in public schools passed the House K-12 Subcommittee this week. The legislation caused hundreds of protesters to roll into the Capitol and shut down the committee, which was scheduled to hear more than 20 other bills. HB 793/SB 836 is a Republican-backed bill that has narrowly passed its committees so far, with some Republicans crossing party lines to vote against the bill. The legislation could create a challenge to Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court guaranteeing the right to public education to children regardless of their immigration status. The bill was referred to the House Education Committee and is also set to be heard before the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 18.

Another proposed bill that would require local school boards to create free breakfast and lunch programs, with schools to be reimbursed by the state, failed 2-4 in the House Education Administration Subcommittee on March 11. The bill is sponsored by Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) and Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis). It was referred to the Senate Education Committee in January, but has not been placed on the calendar.

An additional divisive bill sponsored by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) and Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) would require any educational institutions housing minors overnight to segregate restrooms, changing areas and showers by immutable biological sex. Democrats and LGBTQ advocacy groups have argued that the bill will lead to the harassment and violence of transgender people and allows broad government control in private spaces. The legislation will be heard on the House floor on March 17.

Health

A bill that raises concern about forcible organ harvesting in China is making its way to the governors desk, in an effort to prevent residents of this State from unknowingly involving themselves in forced organ harvesting, according to bill language.

What is currently happening or is of concern is that foreign adversaries through gene sequencing data collection are creating a gene bank for surveillance and military purposes, said Rep. Bryan Terry (R- Murfreesboro) on the House floor Monday.

In China in 2020 several people, including doctors, were jailed for illegally harvesting organs from people who had died in accidents. In March 2024, the federal bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), held a hearing examining the issue.

An effort by Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) and Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) to enshrine access to contraception failed in the Senate this week. A similar effort failed in 2024.

A bill that targets the World Health Organization is on its way to the governors desk. Brought by Rep. Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville) and Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), HB 1226/SB 669 requires a pandemic to be declared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rather than the World Health Organization. President Trump has spoken out against the WHO, and recently issued an executive order seeking to withdraw the United States from the organization. Another bill targeting the WHO is still making its way through the legislature.

Tourism Budget

The state Department of Tourist Development presented its budget requests to the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday.

The department faces a 60 percent reduction in budget due to the expiration of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Acts over the past five years. Now it is requesting more state dollars to make up for that change. The state has provided between $20 million and $30 million each year with federal dollars nearly matching that to make up the department's more than $50 million total budget. The department is seeking a $25 million increase in state funding to make up a total $48 million appropriation from the state this year.

Commissioner Mark Ezell said direct visitor spending is up $500 million dollars annually since five years ago. In Fiscal Year 2024, 27 percent of all new sales tax dollars (or $70 million) and 14 percent of all sales tax (or $2 billion) came from leisure and hospitality taxes.

The state has seen 11 percent in hotel growth over those past five years, while the U.S. average is 4 percent. Ezell also said the state expects to have more hotel rooms in the pipeline than any other state by 2028.

Voyeurism Victims Act Heads to Governor's Desk Bill gets bipartisan support to help victims of unlawful photography

When it comes to air travel, Ezell said 2.1 million more people are flying into the state from new markets that have been added since 2018. He said during his presentation that Canadian budget airline Flair Airlines recently announced it would cancel its 18,000 flights to Nashville for the rest of the year. In answering questions from legislators, Ezell said a domestic traveler is worth about $208 per day while an international traveler is worth five times as much at around $1,176 per day. About $750 million comes from international tourism, and the department is trying to increase that to about $1 billion, which would be 3 percent of the total dollars coming from tourists. He cited the importance of two new BNA flights coming later this year  to Dublin and to Reykjavik.

They just spend so much money, and they stay so long, Ezell said of international tourists. We are certainly looking at all the jump places that you can get to from Iceland. So that puts our Germany market, our France market, our London market in play for greater visitation, because theyve got another way to get there inexpensively, and thats what well concentrate on.  Were doubling down on international.
Poll: American sympathy for Israel has dropped to its lowest since 1998

The poll indicates the lowest level of American sympathy for Israel since 1998, with only 46 percent of U.S. adults expressing support, a five-point decrease from the previous year.

Sympathy for Palestinians has reached a record high of 33 percent, marking a six-point increase from the previous year and reflecting a significant shift in public opinion.

The poll highlights a stark partisan divide, with 75 percent of Republicans sympathizing with Israel compared to only 10 percent with the Palestinians, while Democrats show a nearly three to one ratio of sympathy for Palestinians (59 percent) over Israel (21 percent).

Historically, Democrats have favored Israel, but this trend has reversed, with Palestinian sympathies among Democrats rising to 49 percent by February 2023, surpassing support for Israel (38 percent) for the first time.

The poll shows that 55 percent of Americans favor a two-state solution, with Democrats being the most supportive at 76 percent, followed by independents at 53 percent and Republicans at 41 percent. Notably, Republican support for a Palestinian state has increased by 15 points after a sharp drop last year.

A new Gallup poll has revealed a significant shift in American public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, indicating the lowest level of American sympathy for Israel.

The poll, conducted from Feb. 3 to 16, found that 46 percent of U.S. adults expressed support for the Israelis, a five-point decrease from the previous year and the lowest level since Gallup began tracking this measure in 1998.

Conversely, the poll indicates a growing shift in support for the Palestinians, with 33 percent of Americans now expressing sympathy. This marks a six-point increase from the previous year and the highest reading in the survey's history.

The poll also highlights a stark partisan divide in Americans' views of the conflict. Republicans overwhelmingly sympathize with the Israelis (75 percent) over the Palestinians (10 percent), while Democrats have a nearly three to one ratio of sympathy for the Palestinians (59 percent) over the Israelis (21 percent). Independents' sympathies align more closely with the national average.

This shift in Democrats' sympathies is particularly noteworthy. Historically, Democrats have sided with Israel, but this trend began to change in 2022, when equal numbers of Democrats expressed sympathy for both sides.

By February 2023, Democrats' sympathies for Israel had dipped to 38 percent, while support for Palestinians surged to 49 percent, marking the first time Palestinian sympathies prevailed among Democrats.

The poll also measured Americans' views on the "two-state solution," which envisions the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Since 1999, more Americans have supported than opposed this proposal, and the latest poll shows that 55 percent are in favor, while 31 percent are opposed.

Democrats are the most supportive of a Palestinian state, with 76 percent in favor, compared to 53 percent of independents and 41 percent of Republicans. Notably, Republican support for a Palestinian state has increased by 15 points after a sharp drop last year.

Trump: U.S. will take over and redevelop Gaza

These findings come at a critical time, during a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, and shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House.

During the joint press conference on Feb. 4, Trump expressed his intention for the U.S. to take ownership and redevelop the Gaza Strip.

"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too," Trump said, envisioning "a long-term ownership position" for the United States. "We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site."

Trump also announced his ambitious plan for a redevelopment project that he believes could transform the area into "the Riviera of the Middle East." He claimed that the project would create "unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," assured the public that "everyone loves the idea" and that the plan includes resettling Palestinians and other people in the region.

Netanyahu expressed support for the idea, adding that Trump "sees a different future for Gaza." He even said that, "I think it's something that could change history." (Related: Israel fears Trump could cut aid amid Gaza blockade, mirroring Ukraine shift.)

However, the proposal has raised significant questions and concerns even among Americans. In turn, Gallup Inc., the American multinational analytics and advisory company which became known for its public opinion polls, believes that these statements affected the result of the recent poll.

WhiteHouse.news has more on Trump's ambitious plans for Gaza.

Watch this video of a Jewish man revealing the truth about Israel, and the genocide in Gaza by Israel and America.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump issues "final warning" to Hamas: Release hostages or face destruction.

Russia agrees to mediate U.S.-Iran peace talks amid rising Middle East tensions.

Israel blocks aid to Gaza, accused of using starvation as leverage in ceasefire talks.

Israeli soldiers accused of systematic looting in Gaza, selling stolen goods.

Arab leaders back Egyptian plan to rebuild Gaza, reject Trumps displacement proposal.

Sources include:

News.Gallup.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
Constitutional CRISIS: Legal resident detained without charge, accused of antisemitism for speaking against Israels actions in Gaza

 Columbia University student and legal U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by federal agents without being charged with any crime.

 Khalil is being held in an immigration detention center under vague allegations of "terrorist activity" and "antisemitism."

 The Trump administrations actions violate the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees due process and free speech protections to all persons, not just citizens.

 Historical parallels to the Alien and Sedition Acts reveal a dangerous pattern of federal overreach targeting dissenters and non-citizens.

In a chilling display of federal overreach, Columbia University student and legal U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil was arrested last week by federal agents and is now being held in an immigration detention center. Despite holding a green card and having no immigration-related infractions or criminal charges against him, Khalils detention has sparked outrage among civil liberties advocates and constitutional scholars. The Trump administration has vaguely accused him of "terrorist activity" and enforcing its executive order on antisemitism, yet no specific crime has been named. This brazen disregard for due process and free speech protections raises alarming questions about the erosion of constitutional rights in the United States.

The Constitution protects all persons

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil is a stark reminder of the Trump administrations ongoing assault on the First Amendment of U.S. Constitution, all for the sake of protecting a foreign nation at war - Israel. The administration has long operated under the false premise that non-citizens do not enjoy the full protections of the Bill of Rights. This notion is not only legally baseless but also directly contradicts the intent of the Founding Fathers. As David Cole, a legal scholar, noted in the Thomas Jefferson Law Review, the Constitution explicitly extends due process, equal protection, and fundamental rights to all "persons" within the United States, regardless of citizenship status.

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee due process and equal protection to all individuals, while the First Amendment protects free speech and religious freedoms for "the people." The Framers deliberately chose not to limit these rights to citizens, ensuring that the federal government could not strip individuals of their natural rights by denying them citizenship. James Madison himself argued that those subject to the obligations of the legal system must also be entitled to its protections.

Historian Wang Xi further emphasizes that the Bill of Rights uses the terms "people" and "persons" rather than "citizens," underscoring that these rights predate citizenship and are inherent to all individuals. By detaining Khalil without charge, the Trump administration is not only violating his constitutional rights but also undermining the very foundation of American liberty.

A dangerous echo of the Alien and Sedition Acts

The current administrations actions bear a disturbing resemblance to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, a dark chapter in American history. During the John Adams administration, the Federalist Party exploited fears of French revolutionary influence to pass laws granting the president sweeping powers to deport and imprison alleged enemies of the state. These laws were used to silence critics and suppress dissent, targeting both non-citizens and citizens alike.

The Alien and Sedition Acts were eventually allowed to expire under the Jefferson administration, but the precedent they set has resurfaced repeatedly during times of national hysteria. From the xenophobia of World War I to the McCarthyism of the Cold War, the federal government has repeatedly sought to expand its powers at the expense of individual rights. The Trump administrations targeting of Khalil under vague allegations of antisemitism and terrorism is a modern-day manifestation of this authoritarian impulse.

The fake "crime" of federally defined "antisemitism"

The Trump administrations justification for Khalils arrest is particularly troubling. Initially, officials claimed he was detained to enforce the presidents executive order on antisemitism. Later, they shifted to accusing him of distributing "pro-Hamas propaganda." Both allegations are thinly-veiled attempts to criminalize speech and dissent, actions that are unequivocally protected under the First Amendment.

The executive order on antisemitism is a thinly disguised tool to suppress criticism of the State of Israel. While acts of violence and vandalism are already illegal, the administrations focus on "antisemitism" as a special category of crime is a blatant overreach. As conservatives once rightly argued, hate crime laws that criminalize speech or thought are inherently unconstitutional. The First Amendment guarantees the right to express unpopular or even offensive opinions, provided they do not incite violence or directly threaten individuals.

Khalils real "crime" appears to be his criticism of Israel, a stance that has drawn the ire of the Trump administration. If he had protested any other issue, he would likely still be a free man. This selective enforcement of the law is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, not constitutional democracies.

The detention of Mahmoud Khalil is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a broader constitutional crisis. By targeting a legal resident for his speech and denying him due process, the Trump administration is trampling on the very principles that define the United States as a free society. The Founding Fathers explicitly designed the Bill of Rights to protect individuals from such abuses of power, recognizing that natural rights are inherent and cannot be voided by the whims of government.

Sources include:

Mises.org

APNews.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
Democratic senators abandoning ship as slush fund scandal escalates

Democratic senators, Gary Peters, Tina Smith, and Jean Shaheen, will not seek re-election due to a corruption scandal involving USAID funding channeled through NGOs, implicating both parties in the U.S. political system.

The scandal reveals a structured scheme where billions of taxpayer dollars funneled into NGOs through USAID were recycled as campaign funding, with operations extending from Ukraine to Israel, and leveraging political lobbying connections.

DOGE's expose details the corruption web, indicating that political practices, including those in Israel, were less covert, while suggesting the scandal might spread into other areas of U.S. foreign policy.

The Republican Party is also under scrutiny, with figures like Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell potentially involved, signaling a deeper systemic issue in U.S. politics and a need for bipartisan reform.

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil for expressing anti-Israel sentiment highlights new concerns over freedom of speech and dissent suppression by the Trump administration, amplifying calls for systemic reforms.

Three Democratic senators - Gary Peters of Michigan, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire - have announced they will not seek re-election, amidst increasing pressure from a growing scandal involving corruption and slush fund operations centered around the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This comes after DOGE, a tech firm, released a damning expose of the web of corruption involving the channeling of state funding through non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The web of corruption

The scandal has revealed a well-structured scheme where Democrats allegedly funneled billions of taxpayer dollars to NGOs, which in turn donated a portion of their salaries back to the party as campaign funding. DOGE's investigation found a meticulous cycle where Democrats controlled USAID funding and channeled it into various NGOs, often in jurisdictions with little transparency like the UK, turning these funds into financial incentives for political advocacy and cover-ups.

The expose also highlighted the transition of these practices from Ukraine to Israel, where, despite ongoing corruption, political loyalty to Israel remains intact, despite the shift in slush fund operations. The Israeli operation, according to DOGE, was less obscure in its nature, with Democrats leveraging their connections with Israeli lobbies to continue the cycle of corruption.

The coming shift and broader implications

This scandal has sparked a seismic shift, not just within the Democratic Party, but within the broader political landscape. The resignation of these senators signals a broader wave of departures, with many insiders predicting more high-profile figures to follow. If the shift in funding from Ukraine to Israel indicates anything, it's that this scandal could potentially extend into other arenas of U.S. foreign policy.

However, the issue isn't confined to left-wing politics; it impacts both sides of the aisle. The revelation that Republicans like Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell might also be implicated suggests a much larger issue within the U.S. political system. The Trump-led investigation has exposed these depths of corruption, highlighting the broader need for bipartisan reform.

Meanwhile, the case of Mahmoud Khalil - a student protestor at Columbia University recently arrested and slated for deportation - brings additional scrutiny to the Trump administrations methods. The arrest, justified as a national security risk for expressing anti-Israel sentiment, has raised alarms about potential First Amendment violations and the broader crackdown on dissent.

The unfolding saga promises to reshape the political landscape, pushing for an urgent need for systemic reforms aimed at ending such practices. With new players on the horizon, like Thomas Massey, and ongoing skepticism over the handling of classified materials like the Epstein files, the American public awaits transparency and justice.

As the U.S. political landscape continues to shift, the scandal underscores a broader need for integrity and accountability within all levels of government, not just in addressing the overt corruption exposed in the USAID scandal.

Watch the March 13 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News," where Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the exposed slush funds involving climate NGOs, Ukraine, and foreign aid.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Rubio axes 83% of USAID programs, exposes Deep State and Globalist slush fund

$7B in frozen funds sparks legal battle and questions of government overreach

Biden administration faces scrutiny over $20B taxpayer funds funneled into questionable environmental groups

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Mustreadalaska.com
Governments worldwide are struggling to contain a NEW VIRUS impacting BILLIONS OF LIVES worldwide known as TRUTH

The "Truth Virus" is reshaping global media consumption , as independent news sources gain traction and challenge mainstream narratives, empowering billions to question misinformation and propaganda spread by traditional outlets.

, as independent news sources gain traction and challenge mainstream narratives, empowering billions to question misinformation and propaganda spread by traditional outlets. Governments and mainstream media are losing control as the "Truth Virus" spreads organically, exposing fake news, fear-mongering, and manipulative tactics, forcing institutions to abandon their deceptive practices.

as the "Truth Virus" spreads organically, exposing fake news, fear-mongering, and manipulative tactics, forcing institutions to abandon their deceptive practices. Symptoms of the "Truth Virus" include critical thinking, skepticism of mainstream narratives, and a heightened awareness of hidden agendas , creating a global shift toward logic, transparency, and accountability.

, creating a global shift toward logic, transparency, and accountability. The "Truth Virus" is unstoppable and contagious, spreading through conversation, critical thinking, and truth-seeking, offering a natural "cure" for misinformation and restoring trust in authentic, independent sources of knowledge.

Ever since Trump was reelected, governments worldwide are snuffing out their fake news, fake pandemics, and ending their fear-mongering ways faster than MSNBC can fire their shilling pundits. Its like a pandemic where all the governments of the world have secretly agreed to try to contain this truth pandemic thats spreading like wildfire.

Truth news is now the main source of news for billions of people across the globe. Independent media is taking over, and the crooks and cronies are scrambling to save their narratives while the new truth virus infects the masses faster than a gain-of-function bat flu from 2020.

Truth Virus vaccine is all-natural, non-invasive and comes with a free subscription to Natural Health News

Got truth virus? No worries. No mask is needed. No lockdowns. No businesses need be shuttered. No social distancing required. No hand sanitizers needed here. However, it spreads quite easily just by talking. This virus is different from any other virus in the history of the world because you can catch it by simply reading the truth.

Symptoms of infection include questioning MSM narratives, using logic for reasoning, and tastebuds noticing fluoride in water. As the truth virus spreads around the globe, fake news is dying from their own fearmongering virus and propaganda bacteria.

Brainwashed sheeple everywhere that have been infected by the lamestream media virus are suddenly being cured when they catch truth virus from their Conservative friends, relatives, neighbors and coworkers who know how to read and use logic.

Truth is contagious, like a virus. Its spreading to all corners of the universe. Its invisible. You cant see it. You dont even know youve got it until youre completely engulfed by it, then it hits you like a mac truck. Truth virus is also different because once you have it, you WANT to spread it. Its good to spread it, although people who dont have it will resist with all their might, because theyve been brainwashed against it.

Covid face diaper masks cant stop Truth Virus from spreading, because the truth particles are so small they go right through the mask. The Truth Vaccine can be given orally or taken through the eyes or the ears.

All patriots have truth virus now, its called Long Truth. Truth Virus is healing the world. There is no attempt to find a cure, because it is the CURE for fake news, propaganda, scams, schemes, and government lies. Truth Virus destroys pharma shills. Wipes them out. Truth Virus gets rid of deadly hospital protocol and Covid-19. Spread the word. Its free.

All natural remedies and indigenous cures are helping the Truth Virus take its natural course, building immunity to other viruses, bacteria, pathogens and parasites. Intermittent fasting also helps. Eating clean, organic whole food fuels the truth contagion, putting out raging fake news fires across the globe. Dont be scared. Get infected with the Truth Virus. Spread it by talking, breathing, and using critical thinking. It can save the planet.

Bookmark Truth.news to your favorite websites for TRUTH news about Democrat fraud, plandemics, and Liberal insanity thats being censored from mass media while you read this.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Demons in the dark: How Russias pipeline operation turned the tide in Kursk

Russian forces executed a daring and unconventional military operation, codenamed Operation Potok, in the Kursk Region. The mission involved 800 soldiers infiltrating Ukrainian defenses by traversing a disused Soviet-era gas pipeline, reclaiming key territories and forcing a chaotic Ukrainian retreat.

The operation utilized the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, which had been inactive since January 2025. Russian forces spent four months preparing, clearing the pipeline, installing ventilation systems and stockpiling supplies. Soldiers endured extreme physical and psychological strain while crawling through the narrow, pitch-black pipeline for days.

Emerging near Sudzha, Russian forces launched a surprise attack on March 8, 2025, catching Ukrainian troops off guard. The assault led to the liberation of 12 settlements and over 100 square kilometers of territory within 24 hours, significantly disrupting Ukrainian defenses.

The Kursk Region holds historical importance for Russia, evoking memories of World War II victories. The operation dealt a major blow to Ukraines strategy, as the August 2024 incursion into Kursk was intended to create leverage in peace negotiations. Russian analysts predict the full liberation of Kursk is imminent.

Operation Potok showcased Russias adaptability and innovation, boosting morale while undermining Ukrainian strategy. With muddy terrain complicating Ukrainian efforts, Russian forces are tightening their grip, encircling remaining Ukrainian positions and cutting off escape routes, marking a potential turning point in the conflict.

In a daring and unconventional military maneuver, Russian forces have executed a top-secret operation that has shifted the balance of power in the ongoing conflict in Kursk Region. Dubbed Operation Potok (Flow), the mission saw 800 Russian soldiers infiltrate Ukrainian defenses by traversing a disused gas pipeline, catching their adversaries off guard and forcing a chaotic retreat. This audacious tactic has not only reclaimed key territories but also underscored the ingenuity and resilience of Russian forces in the face of adversity.

The pipeline gambit: A tactical masterstroke

The operation, which began in early March 2025, utilized the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, a relic of Soviet-era infrastructure that once transported Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Although gas transit was halted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in January 2025, the pipeline remained intacta vulnerability that Russian forces exploited to devastating effect.

For four months, Russian military planners meticulously prepared for the mission. Oxygen tanks were delivered to the site, and engineering teams worked to clear the pipeline of residual gas, install ventilation systems and stockpile supplies. On March 1, soldiers began entering the pipeline in small groups, navigating over 15 kilometers (9 miles) of cramped, pitch-black conditions. The pipe, just 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) wide, forced soldiers to crawl for days, enduring physical and psychological strain.

The first 72 hours were the toughest; we consumed a lot of painkillers. My lungs burned, and I had a splitting headache. Then came the fever, and tears flowed There were moments of hallucination, recounted a former Wagner Group fighter who participated in the operation.

Despite these challenges, the soldiers pressed on, emerging near Sudzha, a strategic industrial city under Ukrainian control. By March 8, they were ready to strike. We burst out unexpectedly, like demons  black, dirty and exhausted. But we pressed on, said a soldier with the call sign Mowgli.

A surprise assault and Ukrainian retreat

The element of surprise proved decisive. Russian forces split into smaller units, targeting key positions in Sudzha and surrounding settlements. Ukrainian troops, caught off guard, were unable to mount an effective defense. The enemy was taken by surprise; Ukrainians began shelling the pipe with cluster munitions approximately half an hour after the landing [of the Russians]. However, Russian troops had already infiltrated the area and secured their positions, causing panic among the AFU, said military expert Evgeny Klimov.

Ukrainian forces abandoned equipment and fled, leaving behind a trail of chaos. Russian troops quickly capitalized on their success, liberating 12 settlements and reclaiming over 100 square kilometers of territory in just 24 hours. Among the liberated areas were Cherkasskoye Porechnoe, Malaya Loknya and Martynovkakey strategic points that had been under Ukrainian control since their incursion into Kursk in August 2024.

This operation is not the first time Russian forces have employed such tactics. In January 2024, a similar mission in Avdeevka, Donetsk, saw Russian scouts use an abandoned pipeline to infiltrate Ukrainian rear positions, leading to the capture of the heavily fortified city. Some of the guys from the Veterany unit who participated in the Avdeevka operation were also involved in [the operation in] Sudzha, noted military blogger Alexey Zhivov.

Historical echoes and strategic implications

The Kursk Region holds deep historical significance for Russia. It was the site of the largest tank battle in history during World War II, where Soviet forces repelled a Nazi offensive in 1943. The regions liberation from Ukrainian forces carries symbolic weight, evoking memories of past triumphs and reinforcing national pride.

For Ukraine, the loss of Sudzha and surrounding areas is a significant blow. The August 2024 incursion into Kursk was intended to create a bargaining chip for peace negotiations and divert Russian resources from the eastern front. However, the rapid Russian counteroffensive has left Ukrainian forces encircled and struggling to regroup.

Retired Captain Vasily Dandikin, a Russian military analyst, believes the full liberation of Kursk is imminent. Considering whats happening across all fronts, the complete liberation of Kursk is just a matter of time. I think itll be a week or twoour soldiers are professional and highly motivated, he said.

A turning point in the conflict?

Operation Potok has not only reclaimed territory but also demonstrated Russias ability to adapt and innovate under pressure. The use of unconventional tactics, combined with the bravery and endurance of its soldiers, has dealt a severe blow to Ukrainian morale and strategy.

As Russian forces continue to advance, the question now is whether Ukraine can regroup and counter this momentum. With rain expected in the coming days, muddy terrain will further complicate Ukrainian efforts to maneuver and resupply. Meanwhile, Russian troops are tightening their grip, encircling remaining Ukrainian positions and cutting off escape routes.

For the soldiers who endured the harrowing journey through the pipeline, the mission was a testament to their resolve. Our job is to go anywhere and at any time. We had to push ourselves beyond our limits, said a soldier with the call sign Medved (Bear). We showed up where they least expected us and in such numbers that it would instill fear and send them running. And thats exactly what happened.

As the conflict in Kursk enters its next phase, Operation Potok will be remembered as a bold and decisive chapter in Russias campaign to reclaim its territory and assert its dominance on the battlefield.

Sources include:

RT.com

Reuters.com

APNews.com
Injected allergies: How vaccines may be rewiring the immune systems and fueling the food allergy epidemic

Independent researcher Vinu Arumugham suggests that food proteins in vaccines may be driving the rise in food allergies. Injecting food proteins, rather than ingesting them, can sensitize the immune system, leading to allergic reactions.

The body is designed to tolerate food proteins when eaten, but injecting them can trigger an immune response, defeating natural oral tolerance and causing allergies. This process also applies to other vaccine components like polysaccharides and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

The link between injected proteins and allergies dates back to the early 1900s, with Nobel Prize-winning research on anaphylaxis by Charles Richet. Despite this, modern immunology has largely ignored these findings.

In the late 1990s, Japan removed gelatin from vaccines after it was linked to gelatin allergies in children, leading to a significant drop in such allergies. This highlights the potential for food proteins in vaccines to cause allergic sensitization.

Arumugham and others advocate for urgent reforms, including removing food proteins from vaccines, re-evaluating adjuvants like aluminum, and adding food allergy warnings to vaccine labels. They argue that the current vaccine schedule, with up to 40 shots by adolescence, exacerbates immune system dysfunction and contributes to the allergy epidemic.

In a world where food allergies have become a growing public health crisis, affecting millions of children and adults alike, one question remains largely unasked: Could vaccines be playing a role in this alarming trend? According to independent researcher Vinu Arumugham, the answer is a resounding yes. His groundbreaking work suggests that food proteins in vaccines may be driving the surge in food allergiesa phenomenon that has been understood for over a century but systematically ignored by the medical establishment.

The science behind sensitization

Arumugham, an electronics engineer turned vaccine safety advocate, began his journey into this controversial field after his son developed life-threatening food allergies and asthma. Frustrated by the lack of answers from medical professionals, he delved into the science himself. What he discovered was both startling and illuminating: when food proteins are injected into the body through vaccines, the immune system perceives them as foreign invaders, leading to sensitization and, ultimately, food allergies.

We arent born allergic to food, Arumugham explained in a recent interview. Our bodies are designed to tolerate what we eat. But inject proteins instead of ingesting them, and the immune system sees them as invaders. Thats how you create food allergies.

This process, known as immune sensitization, is not limited to proteins. It also applies to large protein-like molecules such as polysaccharides and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which are commonly found in vaccines. Arumughams research highlights a critical distinction: the human body has evolved to introduce food proteins through the mouth, not through injection. Eating foods leads to the development of oral tolerance, whereas injecting those proteins can defeat this tolerance and trigger an immune response.

A century-old discovery ignored

The connection between injected proteins and allergic reactions is not new. In fact, it dates back to the early 1900s, when French physiologist Charles Richet won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of anaphylaxis. Richet demonstrated that injecting small amounts of a substance could sensitize the body, leading to severe allergic reactions upon subsequent exposure. His work laid the foundation for understanding how vaccines could prime the immune system to react abnormally to benign substances.

Despite Richets groundbreaking findings, this knowledge has been largely ignored or dismissed by modern immunology. As Arumugham noted, The first dose of the vaccine causes the development of allergies. Subsequent doses are booster shots for food allergy. With more shots being added to vaccine schedules, more people develop allergies, and more severe the allergies.

The Japanese example

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence supporting Arumughams claims comes from Japan. In the late 1990s, researchers discovered that gelatin-containing vaccines were causing gelatin allergies in children. The Japanese government responded by removing gelatin from all vaccines in 2000, leading to a significant drop in gelatin allergies.

This case study underscores a critical point: food proteins in vaccines can and do cause allergic sensitization. Yet, regulators today are not even testing for protein contamination, and vaccine manufacturers are actively blocking access to vials to prevent scrutiny.

The role of adjuvants and vaccine schedules

Arumughams research also points to the role of adjuvantssubstances like aluminum compounds that are added to vaccines to enhance the immune response. These adjuvants not only increase the immunogenicity of injected food proteins but also bias the immune system toward allergic reactions.

Compounding the problem is the modern vaccine schedule, which includes up to 40 shots by adolescence, with as many as five administered simultaneously. This combination of multiple food proteins and adjuvants creates a perfect storm for immune system dysfunction, contributing to the rise in food allergies, asthma and other allergic diseases.

A call for urgent action

Given the scale and severity of the food allergy epidemic, Arumugham and other researchers are calling for urgent changes to vaccine policy. These include removing food proteins from vaccines, re-evaluating the use of adjuvants like aluminum compounds, and including food allergy warnings in vaccine package inserts.

The evidence is clear, Arumugham said. We need to stop injecting proteins into children before theyve had a chance to eat them. This is not just about preventing allergiesits about protecting the health and well-being of future generations.

The bigger picture

The implications of Arumughams research extend far beyond food allergies. They challenge the very foundation of modern vaccinology and raise important questions about the safety and efficacy of current vaccine practices.

As the medical establishment continues to dismiss these concerns, the burden falls on independent researchers and concerned parents to demand transparency and accountability.

Sources include:

TheExpose.com

Substack.com

Substack.com

Papers.ssrn.com
Soros-backed District Attorney accuses Alex Jones of exploiting unsolved murder of Infowars journalist Jamie White, sparking suspicions

Jamie White, a prominent Infowars journalist, was brutally murdered at his Austin home, with no arrests made nearly 36 hours later.

Alex Jones blamed Travis County DA Jose Garzas soft-on-crime policies for Whites death, calling out Garzas ties to billionaire globalist George Soros.

The DAs office bizarrely accused Jones of exploiting the murder for political gain, raising questions about their priorities and motives.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Congressman Chip Roy joined Jones in condemning Garzas policies, labeling Austin a crime-ridden cesspool.

Austin DAs office deflects blame, attacks Alex Jones

The unsolved murder of Infowars journalist Jamie White has ignited a firestorm of controversy, pitting independent media against the Soros-backed Travis County District Attorneys office. White, a respected writer for Infowars, was brutally shot dead at his Austin home late Sunday night, leaving his colleagues, family, and supporters demanding answers. Instead of focusing on solving the crime, the DAs office has chosen to attack Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, accusing him of politically exploiting Whites death. This bizarre response has raised serious questions about the DAs priorities and whether they are more interested in silencing dissent than seeking justice.

The Travis County District Attorneys office, led by Jose Garza, issued a statement to CBS Austin that shocked many observers. Our hearts go out to the family of Jamie White, the statement began, before taking a sharp turn. It is shameful but not surprising that Alex Jones is trying to exploit the victims death for political gain.

This accusation came after Jones publicly blamed Garzas soft-on-crime policies for Whites murder. We are deeply saddened to inform you that InfoWars Reporter Jamie White was brutally murdered around midnight Sunday night due, in part, to the policies of the Soros Austin, TX D.A. Jose Garza, Jones said on Monday.

Garzas office claimed they are committed to seeking justice for White, yet Austin police have made no arrests nearly 36 hours after the murder. This lack of progress has only fueled suspicions that the DAs office is more focused on deflecting criticism than solving the case.

Garzas ties to George Soros raise eyebrows

Jose Garzas election as Travis County District Attorney in 2020 was heavily funded by billionaire globalist George Soros, who contributed over $600,000 to Garzas campaign through the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC. Soros has a history of bankrolling progressive district attorneys in major cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles and Philadelphia, where crime rates have skyrocketed under similar soft-on-crime policies.

Garzas tenure has been marked by controversial decisions, including prioritizing the prosecution of law enforcement officers over violent criminals. This approach has drawn sharp criticism from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who declared bail reform an emergency item in response to the rising crime rates in Austin.

Activist judges and District Attorneys like Jose Garza have too much discretion to let repeat offenders out on bail, only to see them harm more Texans, Abbotts press secretary told journalist Breanna Morello. The governor and his wife also expressed their condolences to Whites family, calling his death senseless.

Austin's crime crisis under scrutiny

Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas) did not mince words when addressing Whites murder and the state of Austin under Garzas leadership. Austin is increasingly dangerous, and the highest priority of the DA seems to be prosecuting cops, not violent criminals, Roy wrote on X. Texas isnt Texas if our capital city is an unrecognizable crime-ridden cesspool. State must crack down. RIP Jamie.

Roys comments echo the growing frustration among Texans who see Austins crime crisis as a direct result of Garzas policies. The city, once known for its vibrant culture and safety, has become a hot spot for violent crime, with repeat offenders often released on lenient bail terms.

The DAs offices decision to attack Alex Jones rather than focus on solving Whites murder has raised alarming questions about their motives. By accusing Jones of exploiting the tragedy, Garzas office appears to be attempting to silence a prominent critic while deflecting attention from their own failures.

This pattern of behavior is not new. Soros-backed DAs across the country have been accused of prioritizing political agendas over public safety, often targeting law enforcement and conservative voices while ignoring the plight of victims. In this case, the murder of a journalista crime that should unite all sides in the pursuit of justicehas instead become a battleground for political posturing.

Justice delayed is justice denied

The brutal murder of Jamie White is a tragedy that demands answers, not deflection. The Travis County District Attorneys office, funded by George Soros and led by Jose Garza, has shown a disturbing willingness to attack those seeking justice rather than delivering it. By targeting Alex Jones and Infowars, Garzas office has revealed its true priorities: silencing dissent and protecting its own political agenda.

As the investigation into Whites murder stalls, the people of Austin  and indeed, all Americans  must ask themselves: Who is truly exploiting this tragedy? Is it the independent journalist demanding accountability, or the Soros-backed DA whose policies have turned Austin into a crime-ridden cesspool? The answer is as clear as it is chilling. Justice delayed is justice denied, and in this case, the delay reeks of something far more sinister.

Assist Jamie White's family here:

Sources include:

Infowars.com

CBSAustin.com

Givesendgo.com
Health Ranger Report: Texas Rep. Michael Cloud explains how to RESTORE AMERICA

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) highlights the stark ideological divide in America, contrasting the Republican Party's alignment with constitutional principles with what he describes as the left's embrace of Marxism, communism and authoritarianism. He points to policies like government price controls as evidence of this clash.

Cloud emphasizes the importance of domestic energy production in addressing rising costs of food and energy. He criticizes the Biden administration's policies for stifling energy production, noting that American energy is crucial for agriculture, transportation and emerging technologies like AI.

The congressman warns against the dangers of overregulation and consolidation in industries such as agriculture and banking, which he argues are harming family farms and widening the gap between the lower and middle classes. He advocates for dispersing power and limiting federal overreach.

Cloud expresses concern over government overreach, particularly the ATF's creation of a billion-record gun database, which he views as a violation of federal laws prohibiting a national gun registry. He calls for greater accountability and transparency in government agencies.

Cloud stresses the importance of absolute truth and biblical values in addressing America's cultural and moral decline. He urges Americans to defend principles like freedom, faith and family, especially in the face of policies that harm children and undermine parental rights. He also discusses the 2024 election, praising Donald Trump's focus on core American values and his ability to unite diverse supporters.

In a time of political polarization, economic uncertainty and cultural upheaval, the question of how to restore America to its foundational principles has never been more urgent. U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) joined Mike Adams during a "Health Ranger Report" interview for a candid discussion on the challenges facing the nation and the path forward.

The conversation began with a reflection on the stark ideological divide in America today. Cloud noted that while previous generations shared a common belief in America's greatness and inalienable rights, the current political landscape is marked by a fundamental clash of values.

"The Republican Party is aligned with constitutional principles, while the left embraces Marxism, communism, and authoritarianism," the constitutional conservative said. This divide, he argued, is evident in policies like government price controls on groceries, which he described as "straight out of communism 101."

Adams and Cloud delved into the economic pressures facing Americans, particularly the rising cost of food and energy. The congressman representing the Lone Star State's 27th congressional district emphasized the critical role of domestic energy production in addressing these challenges. American energy connects to so many issues  agriculture, transportation and even emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

"We produce energy cleaner, more efficiently, more effectively and more responsibly than the rest of the world," he added. Cloud also criticized the Biden administration's policies that stifle energy production under the guise of "reducing carbon emissions."

Cloud also highlighted the dangers of overregulation and consolidation in industries like agriculture and banking. He stated that massive consolidation is destroying the family farm and creating a divide between the lower and middle classes. Cloud called for a return to first principles, emphasizing the importance of dispersing power and limiting federal overreach.

From reluctant congressman to principled leader: Cloud's journey of courage and faith

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the erosion of constitutional rights and the rise of government overreach. Cloud expressed concern over the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) creation of a billion-record gun database, despite federal laws prohibiting a national gun registry. (Related: Mike Adams and Texas Rep. Cloud agree: Overreaching federal agencies MUST BE CURTAILED.)

"This is the kind of bad action happening in agency after agency," Cloud told Adams, advocating for accountability and transparency in government.

The conversation also touched on the cultural and moral decline in America. Cloud stressed the importance of absolute truth and biblical values in shaping a healthy society. He pointed out that the issues Americans are facing as a nation certainly have a D.C. component, but they are also rooted in a culture that has walked away from truth.

"We have to get back to an understanding as a culture of morality and absolute truth," the congressman said. He called on Americans to be courageous in defending principles like freedom, faith and family, particularly in the face of policies that harm children and undermine parental rights.

Adams and Cloud also discussed the 2024 presidential election and the growing coalition of support for President Donald Trump, including endorsements from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Cloud praised Trump's focus on core American values and his ability to unite people across the political spectrum.

As the interview concluded, Cloud reflected on his journey to Congress, describing himself as a "reluctant congressman" who felt called to serve rather than seeking power or personal gain. The Texas congressman's call for courage, faith and principled leadership serves as a reminder of the enduring values that have made America a beacon of freedom and hope.

Watch the full interview between U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas Rep. Michael Cloud and Mike Adams: Americans should return to a culture of MORALITY and TRUTH.

Trevor Loudons The Enemies Within warns of the growing influence of radical leftists in the government.

Imagine a government SO CORRUPT that it tries to convince the people that ACCOUNTABILITY is ILLEGAL.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Cloud.House.gov
U.S. halts satellite imagery and intelligence sharing with Ukraine

Ukraine has lost access to critical satellite imagery and intelligence-sharing services provided by U.S. companies and agencies, including Maxar Technologies' high-resolution imagery.

The suspension of Maxar's services is part of a broader freeze on military aid and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine, as confirmed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which has halted access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (GEGD) system.

The loss of U.S. satellite imagery and intelligence sharing significantly weakens Ukraine's ability to monitor Russian troop movements, assess battlefield conditions and anticipate and counter Russian missile and drone attacks.

The decision to suspend support is reportedly tied to Washington's efforts to encourage Ukraine to engage in peace talks with Russia, following a contentious meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump.

As Ukraine faces intensified Russian missile and drone strikes, the suspension of U.S. support comes at a critical juncture, raising concerns about Ukraine's ability to defend itself and maintain pressure on Russia.

Ukraine has lost access to critical satellite imagery and intelligence-sharing services provided by American companies and agencies.

The move, which includes the suspension of Maxar Technologies' high-resolution satellite imagery services, comes amid a broader freeze on military aid and intelligence cooperation with Kyiv. The decision, reportedly tied to Washington's push for Ukraine to engage in peace talks with Russia, has sparked concerns about Ukraine's ability to defend itself against escalating Russian attacks. This development marks a pivotal moment in the three-year-old conflict, as Ukraine faces intensified missile and drone strikes while grappling with diminished Western support.

Maxar Technologies, a leading commercial satellite imagery provider, has reportedly blocked Ukraine's access to its services in response to an "administrative request" from the U.S. government. Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi first reported the restriction, citing anonymous Maxar users who confirmed the denial of access. Maxar's imagery has been instrumental for Ukraine's armed forces, enabling them to monitor Russian troop movements, assess battlefield conditions and evaluate damage to critical infrastructure.

The suspension of Maxar's services is part of a broader halt in intelligence sharing, as confirmed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). In a statement on Friday, March 7, the NGA announced it had temporarily suspended Ukraine's access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery system (GEGD), the primary portal for U.S. government-purchased commercial imagery.

While Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, remains operational, Ukrainian officials have expressed concern about the broader implications of losing access to U.S. satellite imagery. "If Starlink is turned off, all of Ukraine will scream about it," a Ukrainian military source told ABC News. (Related: U.S. threatens to cut Starlink access unless Ukraine concedes mineral rights.)

A shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine

The suspension of satellite imagery and intelligence sharing follows a contentious meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump reportedly accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War III" by refusing to seek peace with Russia. The Ukrainian leader was asked to leave Washington and return only when prepared for serious negotiations.

Trump's administration has since frozen billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, while the Central Intelligence Agency confirmed that intelligence sharing with Kyiv has been suspended. A U.S. official explained that offensive intelligence sharing has been scaled back while defensive intelligence support continues. "This isn't a giveaway program  we will only provide support that advances U.S. strategic interests and pushes Ukraine toward serious peace talks," the official said.

The White House has suggested that the freeze on aid and intelligence sharing could be lifted if Ukraine takes concrete steps toward a peace deal with Russia. However, Zelensky has remained defiant, stating that there can be "no pause" in pressure on Russia.

The suspension of U.S. support comes at a critical juncture, as Russia has dramatically increased its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. On Friday, March 7, Ukrainian officials reported one of the largest air assaults of the war, with Russia launching 261 missiles and drones targeting energy and gas infrastructure across the country. Ukrainian forces used Mirage-2000 fighter jets for the first time alongside F-16s to repel the attack, but the loss of U.S. satellite imagery and intelligence sharing could weaken their defensive capabilities.

U.S. intelligence sharing had previously allowed Ukraine to provide early warnings to targeted areas, tracking Russian aircraft, drones and missile launches in real time. Without this support, Ukraine's ability to anticipate and counter Russian strikes may be significantly diminished.

The Kremlin has welcomed Washington's decision to suspend military aid, viewing it as a potential step toward peace negotiations. However, Moscow remains cautious, noting that Zelensky has yet to lift his legal ban on direct talks with Russia.

The suspension of U.S. satellite imagery and intelligence sharing with Ukraine represents a dramatic shift in Washington's approach to the conflict, raising questions about the future of Western support for Kyiv. As Russia intensifies its attacks, Ukraine faces mounting challenges in defending its territory and critical infrastructure.

Watch the video below that talks about the U.S. pausing all military aid to Ukraine.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S. stops sharing intelligence with Ukraine, pushes Zelensky toward peace talks.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancels $100M Starlink contract in retaliation for Trump's tariffs.

Elon Musk demands audit of U.S. aid to Ukraine amid corruption allegations and White House tensions.

Sources include:

RT.com

ABCNews.go.com

Brighteon.com
Eyes in the sky: U.S. Space Force deploys cutting-edge tech to detect Chinese satellite surveillance

The U.S. Space Force has launched a prototype payload (LDPE-3A) to detect when American satellites are being observed, tracked, or targeted by foreign adversaries, particularly China. This technology provides real-time alerts and is set to be integrated across the Space Force fleet to enhance operational security.

China has rapidly increased its space presence, with 970 satellites in orbit, over 490 of which are equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Chinas development of anti-satellite weapons, hypersonic glide vehicles and satellite refueling technologies poses a significant threat to U.S. space dominance.

The U.S. is countering Chinas advancements by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering partnerships between government labs and private sector innovators. Programs like the Prime Fusion Accelerator and the Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) aim to modernize U.S. space defense capabilities.

The militarization of space has elevated the importance of technological superiority for national security. The U.S. must remain proactive in defending its space assets to counter Chinas growing capabilities and maintain its leadership in space.

The U.S. Space Forces efforts to detect and counter Chinese surveillance are critical to safeguarding American interests and ensuring long-term dominance in space. As China continues to advance, the U.S. must prioritize innovation, collaboration and investment in space defense to address this evolving threat.

The United States has quietly taken a bold step to counter Chinas growing space surveillance capabilities, deploying advanced technology to detect when American satellites are being tracked or targeted by the Chinese military. This groundbreaking development, revealed by Kelly Hammett, director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), underscores the escalating space race between the two superpowers and highlights the U.S. commitment to maintaining its edge in the final frontier.

Silent launch with major implications

In January 2023, the U.S. Space Force launched a prototype payload aboard a Northrop Grumman spacecraft designed to detect when American satellites are being observed, tracked, [or] targeted by foreign adversaries. The payload, part of the Long Duration Propulsive ESPA (LDPE)-3A mission, was quietly deployed to test its ability to provide real-time alerts to operators. According to Hammett, the results have been very interesting, with the system successfully identifying attempts by Chinas Space Object Surveillance and Identification (SISO) network to monitor U.S. satellites.

This technology is not just a one-off experiment. The Space RCO plans to proliferate these capabilities across the entire Space Force fleet, ensuring that every U.S. satellite can detect and respond to hostile surveillance. As Hammett explained, These are sensors that can tell whether youre being observed, tracked, targetedthose types of things. Thats a capability that were trying to drive into the larger Space Force.

The implications of this technology are profound. In an era where space is increasingly militarized, the ability to detect and counter surveillance is critical to maintaining operational security. As China rapidly expands its space capabilities, the U.S. must stay ahead to protect its assets and ensure the safety of its military and civilian infrastructure.

Chinas space ambitions: A growing threat

Chinas aggressive push to dominate space is no secret. With a staggering 970 satellites in orbitmore than 490 of which are equipped with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilitiesthe Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has made it clear that space is a key battleground for global dominance. According to Andrew Erickson, a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, these ISR satellites are equipped with advanced optical, radar and radio frequency sensors, enabling China to monitor terrestrial and maritime activities with unprecedented precision.

But Chinas ambitions go beyond mere observation. In 2021, the CCP tested an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that transformed mid-flight into a hypersonic glide vehicle, a maneuver that Air Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt described as even more scary due to its potential to evade U.S. missile defense systems. This test, coupled with Chinas development of anti-satellite missiles, terrestrial lasers and electronic warfare jammers, underscores the regimes determination to challenge U.S. supremacy in space.

As Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting noted in July 2024, In the last six years, [China has] tripled the number of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites they have on orbit. This rapid expansion poses a direct threat to U.S. and allied forces, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where Chinas space-enabled capabilities could tip the balance of power.

U.S. response: Innovation and collaboration

To counter Chinas advances, the U.S. Space Force is leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering collaboration between government labs and private sector innovators. In January 2025, the Space RCO launched the Prime Fusion Accelerator program, partnering with FedTech and space startups to enhance space situational awareness, defensive capabilities and operational readiness. This initiative builds on the success of the LDPE-3A mission and aims to develop affordable, scalable solutions for the Space Force.

One such solution is the Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR), which will modernize the aging Satellite Control Network (SCN) by adding electronically steerable phased-array antennas. These antennas, developed by Blue Halo, will enable operators to connect with multiple satellites simultaneously, addressing a critical limitation of the current system. As Hammett explained, You can configure various site installation configurations depending on the mission So were in the process of [defining] what configuration you need for which mission sets.

The U.S. is also closely monitoring Chinas progress in satellite refueling and servicing, a game-changing technology that could extend the lifespan of spacecraft and shift the dynamics of space competition. Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch of the U.S. Space Force highlighted Chinas Shijian-25 satellite launch as a significant milestone, warning that such advancements could complicate U.S. efforts to maintain its dominance in space.

Why this matters today

The stakes in the space race have never been higher. As China continues to expand its space capabilities, the U.S. must remain vigilant and proactive in defending its interests. The deployment of advanced detection technology is a critical step in this direction, but it is only the beginning. The U.S. must continue to innovate, collaborate and invest in space defense to counter the growing threat posed by Chinas space ambitions.

Historically, space has been a domain of exploration and scientific discovery. Today, it is increasingly a theater of military competition. The lessons of the Cold War remind us that technological superiority is essential to deterrence and national security. As the U.S. and China vie for dominance in space, the decisions made today will shape the balance of power for decades to come.

The U.S. Space Forces efforts to detect and counter Chinese surveillance are not just about protecting satellitesthey are about safeguarding the future of American leadership in space and beyond. As Hammett aptly put it, Were doing [an] on-orbit, self-awareness indications and warning type of thing We would like to proliferate this capability across the entire Space Force. In the face of Chinas relentless pursuit of space dominance, this mission has never been more urgent.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

AirandSpaceForces.com

SpaceInsider.tech
Dark corruption in Utah: Fire chief and judge arrested in child exploitation scandal

A Utah fire chief, Ned Brady Hansen, was arrested for alleged child sexual exploitation and sharing child pornography.

The judge who released him on bail, Kevin Robert Christensen, was later arrested for similar crimes and allegedly engaged in explicit conversations with Hansen about sexually abusing children.

Both men held positions of power, raising alarming questions about corruption and abuse within Utahs judicial and public safety systems.

The case highlights the urgent need for moral vigilance in local elections and the dangers of unchecked power in positions of authority.

In a shocking turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Utah, a fire chief and a judgeboth entrusted with protecting and serving their communitieshave been arrested for alleged involvement in child exploitation and pornography. The case, which began with the arrest of Tremonton Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen, has since spiraled into a disturbing web of corruption, implicating Judge Kevin Robert Christensen, who allegedly facilitated Hansens release on bail while engaging in explicit conversations with him about sexually abusing children.

This scandal is not just a story of individual moral failure; it is a damning indictment of systemic rot within Utahs institutions. The revelations have left many questioning how such depravity could fester unchecked in positions of power and what it means for the future of justice and morality in the state.

The fire chiefs arrest and the judges complicity

Ned Brady Hansen, 54, was arrested on Monday by Brigham City police after investigators discovered he had allegedly shared videos and photos containing child pornography. The arrest followed a search warrant executed at Hansens home, where evidence of his alleged crimes was uncovered.

What makes this case even more disturbing is the involvement of Judge Kevin Robert Christensen, 64, who initially released Hansen on bail. Christensen, a judge with the Box Elder County Justice Court, was later arrested himself after investigators uncovered explicit conversations between the two men. These conversations reportedly included discussions about sexually abusing children and even engaging in sexual acts with each other.

Christensen did not disclose that he had engaged in sexually charged chats regarding children with [Hansen], charging documents state. Law enforcement believes this fact materially affected the decision-making of Christensen at the time he released Hansen.

The relationship between the two men is believed to have influenced Christensens decision to release Hansen, despite law enforcements request to hold him without bail due to the risk he posed to children.

A deeper look at the corruption

The case has exposed a troubling pattern of corruption and abuse of power in Utah. Christensen, who has served as a judge since 1996, was once celebrated for his work with youth and civic groups. His bio on the Utah court website proudly touts his involvement in law-related education and his receipt of the Scott M. Matheson Award for outstanding service.

Yet, beneath this veneer of respectability lay a dark and twisted reality. Christensens alleged crimes, coupled with his role in releasing Hansen, have raised serious questions about the integrity of Utahs judicial system.

This scandal is not an isolated incident. Utah State Senators have been accused of attempting to reduce the duration sex offenders remain on the registry, further eroding protections for children. The same senator leading these efforts chairs the Judicial Confirmation Committee, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential for further corruption.

The call for moral vigilance

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of moral vigilance in local and state elections. Positions like judges, sheriffs, and school board members may seem inconsequential, but they wield significant power over the lives of citizens. Ignoring these rolesor failing to scrutinize the individuals who fill themcan have devastating consequences.

How many more predators are hiding in plain sight, cloaked in the respectability of their positions? The case of Ned Brady Hansen and Kevin Robert Christensen is a chilling reminder that evil often wears a mask of authority.

In the words of Edmund Burke, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Will Utahand Americarise to the occasion, or will the tentacles of corruption continue to tighten their grip?

Sources include:

Revolver.news

X.com

Evil.news
Alaskas Mount Spurr on the brink: Scientists warn of imminent eruption near Anchorage

Mount Spurr, located 80 miles northwest of Anchorage, is showing signs of potential eruption due to elevated volcanic gas emissions, reactivated gas vents and seismic activity, indicating magma intrusion beneath the volcano.

The volcano last erupted in 1992, producing massive ash clouds that disrupted air travel and affected communities as far as Greenland. Its 1953 and 1992 eruptions were brief but impactful, with ashfall causing respiratory issues and machinery damage.

Recent data shows a sharp rise in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, along with over 3,400 shallow earthquakes and ground deformation, suggesting magma is moving closer to the surface.

The most likely outcome is an explosive eruption similar to past events, producing ash clouds, minor ashfall and potential pyroclastic flows or mudflows. Other possibilities include a smaller eruption, a failed eruption, orthough unlikely  a larger explosive event.

Scientists cannot predict the exact timing of an eruption but are monitoring for additional warning signs. Authorities urge residents and travelers to stay informed, as an eruption could occur with little to no advance notice, posing risks to health, aviation and nearby areas.

Alaskas Mount Spurr, a towering volcano located just 80 miles northwest of Anchorage, is showing alarming signs of activity, with scientists warning that an eruption is likely in the coming weeks or months. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions and newly reactivated gas vents during recent observational flights on March 7 and 11. These findings suggest that magma is intruding into the Earths crust beneath the volcano, increasing the probability of an explosive event.

The latest evidence indicates that an eruption is likely, but not certain, to occur within the next few weeks or months, the AVO stated in a recent summary. This would mark the first eruption of Mount Spurr in over 30 years, with its last major activity occurring in 1992.

Historical context: A volcano with a fiery past

Mount Spurr is no stranger to eruptions. The volcano has erupted twice in modern history  once in 1953 and again in 1992both times from its Crater Peak vent, located two miles south of the summit. These eruptions, though brief, produced massive ash clouds that rose up to 65,000 feet and drifted hundreds of miles downwind, depositing minor ashfall on communities in southcentral Alaska.

The 1992 eruption, in particular, had significant impacts on daily life. Anchorage residents were advised to stay indoors or wear masks to avoid inhaling ash, which can cause respiratory issues and damage machinery. The ash cloud even reached as far as Greenland, temporarily grounding flights and disrupting air travel across the region.

The 1992 eruptions were a wake-up call for Alaska, said John Power, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the AVO. They reminded us that even a short-lived eruption can have far-reaching consequences.

Current unrest: Whats happening beneath the surface?

The current unrest at Mount Spurr is driven by a buildup of magma beneath the volcanos summit, which has been accumulating for several months. Recent overflights detected sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions of about 450 metric tons per daya sharp increase from less than 50 metric tons per day in December 2024. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were also measured at the Crater Peak vent, a precursor to past eruptions.

The increase in gas emissions confirms that new magma has intruded into the Earths crust beneath the volcano, the AVO noted. The recent gas data suggest that a new pathway towards the Crater Peak vent has opened, and that fresh magma may rise and erupt there.

Seismic activity has also surged, with over 3,400 earthquakes recorded beneath Mount Spurr since April 2024. Most of these quakes are shallow, occurring less than 2.5 miles below sea level, and have reached magnitudes as high as 2.7. Ground deformation, measured by GPS stations, shows the land around the volcano has shifted outward by about 2.6 inches, further evidence of magma movement.

Potential scenarios: What could happen next?

The AVO has outlined four possible scenarios for Mount Spurrs future activity, with the most likely being an explosive eruption similar to those in 1953 and 1992. Such an event would produce ash clouds capable of traveling hundreds of miles, minor ashfall in nearby communities, and potentially pyroclastic flows and mudflows (lahars) in the upper Chakachatna River valley.

Other scenarios include a smaller, less explosive eruption, a failed eruption where magma stalls beneath the surface, or  though highly unlikely  a much larger explosive event. The likelihood of a much larger eruption is currently low, the AVO emphasized.

Preparing for the unknown

While scientists are closely monitoring Mount Spurr, predicting the exact timing of an eruption remains challenging. We cannot assign an exact timeframe for when an eruption will occur, if it does, the AVO stated. However, they expect to see additional warning signs, such as increased seismic activity, sustained tremor and further melting of snow and ice, as magma moves closer to the surface.

In the meantime, Alaskan authorities are urging residents and travelers to stay informed. It is also possible that an eruption could occur with little or no additional warning, the AVO cautioned. This would pose significant risks to hikers, pilots and anyone in low-lying areas near the volcano, where elevated CO2 and SO2 levels could be hazardous.

A reminder of Natures power

Mount Spurrs unrest serves as a stark reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of volcanic activity. For Alaskans, who live in a state with 53 historically active volcanoes, this is a familiar reality. Yet, each eruption carries unique challenges, from disrupted air travel to potential health hazards.

As scientists continue to monitor Mount Spurr, their work underscores the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the face of natural forces. For now, all eyes are on this icy giant, waiting to see if it will awaken once more.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Avo.Alaska.edu

NBCNews.com
Californias Assembly Bill 1333 is a dangerous assault on SELF-DEFENSE RIGHTS

California's Assembly Bill (AB) 1333 limits lethal force in self-defense outside the home, requiring retreat if possible, which critics say undermines self-defense rights.

The bill removes justifiable homicide for defending property or preventing felonies, potentially criminalizing such actions.

Supported by gun-control groups to curb "vigilante violence," critics argue AB 1333 prioritizes criminals over victims and could worsen crime.

Opponents warn the bill may erode the Castle Doctrine, leaving citizens defenseless despite claims it doesn't affect home protection.

Critics say AB 1333 reflects a trend of favoring criminals over victims, endangering law-abiding citizens and ignoring root causes of crime.

California's crime crisis continues to spiral out of control thanks to its soft-on-crime policies, and a new bill introduced in the California State Assembly could further embolden criminals.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1333, proposed by Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-District 51), punishes law-abiding citizens for defending themselves against violent criminals under the guise of curbing "vigilantism." But a closer look reveals that the proposal threatens to strip Californians of their fundamental right to self-defense. Instead of addressing the root causes of this lawlessness, the bill leaves Californians vulnerable to the very criminals who roam the streets with impunity.

The misguided piece of legislation introduced last month seeks to restrict the use of lethal force in self-defense scenarios, particularly outside the home. The bill would eliminate justifiable homicide in cases where individuals defend their property or attempt to prevent a felony. It also mandates that Californians retreat from danger if they can do so "with complete safety" before using force likely to cause death or great bodily injury.

Zbur insists his bill doesn't intend to undermine the Castle Doctrine, which allows individuals to use deadly force to protect their homes. "AB 1333 was never intended to limit a crime victim's right to defend themselves, their families, or their homes," the state lawmaker told the Epoch Times in an email.

AB 1333 has drawn support from gun-control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety. The group claims that the bill will prevent "vigilante violence" by requiring individuals to de-escalate or disengage from conflicts outside their homes.

Critics argue, however, that the bill forces victims to prioritize the safety of violent criminals over their own. They also point out that AB 1333 ignores the realities of violent encounters, ultimately pointing out that it will only exacerbate California's crime problem.

AB 1333 could leave Californians DEFENSELESS

As expected, the proposal was met with widespread criticism. Conservative Latino advocacy group LEXIT warned that AB 1333 "would eviscerate the "Castle Doctrine" and would criminalize Californians protecting their property. California Republican Assembly Communications Director Craig DeLuz meanwhile remarked that the bill "puts [victims] in a situation where they could potentially hesitate, and it could cost them or someone they love their lives."

Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-District 34) called AB 1333 a "complete assault on self-defense," noting that "the misguided energy behind this proposal is beyond comprehension." He added: "Imagine this: A violent criminal breaks into your home, and you have to second-guess whether defending your family is 'justifiable.'"

Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner echoed these concerns, calling AB 1333 "utterly tone-deaf" and "horrific on its face" during a March 5 appearance on the KRLA 870 program "The Morning Answer." He warned that the bill would force victims to retreat until "literally your back is against the wall and you can no longer retreat."

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco likewise condemned the bill, noting that the state government in Sacramento has already "tied the hands of law enforcement" and is now targeting citizens' ability to protect themselves. "It is time we stand up to this insanity," he said.

Despite promises to amend AB 1333 as it moves moves through the legislative process, the fundamental issue remains: California's crime problem stems from policies that prioritize criminals over victims. AB 1333 is yet another example of this flawed approach, threatening to leave law-abiding citizens defenseless in the face of rising violence. (Related: Armed civilians save lives and reduce the number killed in mass shootings ... Citizens can respond in 10 seconds (cops take 10 minutes).)

The right to self-defense is a cornerstone of individual liberty. Instead of punishing victims, California lawmakers should focus on holding criminals accountable and restoring safety to the Golden State. Until then, bills like AB 1333 will only deepen the crisis  leaving Californians to fend for themselves in a state that increasingly sides with lawbreakers over law-abiding citizens.

Watch this video about the best shotgun shells for home defense.

This video is from the ammodotcom channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Here's why self-defense fitness is crucial to your survival.

California faces legal battle over new restrictions on concealed carry permits.

Secret Service agent who was robbed at gunpoint during Biden's fundraiser in Los Angeles fired gun, investigation reveals.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NRAILA.org

ABC10.com

Brighteon.com
Irony in the Amazon: Climate elites bulldoze rainforest for green conference

Tens of thousands of acres of the Amazon rainforest are being cleared to build a four-lane highway, Avenida Liberdade, connecting Belem, Brazil, to the COP30 Climate Summit venue. The project, previously shelved due to environmental concerns, has been revived to accommodate 50,000 attendees.

The highway cuts through 13 kilometers of protected rainforest, destroying critical ecosystems and displacing local communities. Residents like Claudio Verequete, who relied on harvesting acai berries, have lost their livelihoods due to the deforestation.

The project highlights the double standards of global elites, who advocate for climate action while traveling via private jets and SUVs on roads built at the expense of the Amazon, one of the worlds most vital carbon sinks.

Previous climate summits, such as COP26 and COP28, have been criticized for excessive carbon footprints due to private jet use. Critics argue that such events could be held virtually to reduce environmental harm, but the destruction of the Amazon for COP30 represents a new level of hypocrisy.

The Amazon highway symbolizes the climate movements elitism and moral contradictions. Critics demand greater transparency and accountability, urging climate leaders to lead by example rather than prioritizing convenience over conservation.

In what can only be described as a jaw-dropping display of hypocrisy, tens of thousands of acres of the Amazon rainforest are being cleared to construct a four-lane highway for the upcoming COP30 Climate Summit in Belem, Brazil. The irony is as thick as the forest canopy being torn down: Global elites, who preach about saving the planet, are literally paving over paradise to ensure their comfort while attending a conference ostensibly dedicated to combating climate change.

The road to hypocrisy

The BBC reports that the highway, dubbed Avenida Liberdade, will cut through 13 kilometers (8 miles) of protected rainforest to connect the city of Belem to the summit venue. The project, which had been shelved for over a decade due to environmental concerns, has suddenly been resurrected to accommodate the expected influx of 50,000 attendees.

Adler Silveira, the state governments infrastructure secretary, defended the project, stating it is one of 30 initiatives to modernise the city and serve people for COP30 in the best possible way. But locals like Claudio Verequete, who once harvested acai berries from the now-cleared trees, see it differently. Everything was destroyed, he told the BBC. Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family.

The highways construction is a stark reminder of the double standards that plague the climate movement. While everyday citizens are lectured about reducing their carbon footprints, world leaders and climate activists will arrive in Belem via private jets and SUVs, traveling down a road built at the expense of one of the worlds most critical carbon sinks.

A legacy of greenwashing

This isnt the first time climate summits have been marred by hypocrisy. At COP26 in Glasgow, over 400 private jets ferried attendees to the event, while COP28 in Dubai saw more than 1,000 private jets land to discuss reducing carbon emissions. Critics have long pointed out that these conferences could easily be held virtually, eliminating the need for such extravagance.

Yet, the destruction of the Amazon for COP30 takes the hypocrisy to a new level. The rainforest, often called the lungs of the Earth, absorbs billions of tons of carbon dioxide annually and is home to unparalleled biodiversity. Clearing it for a climate summit is akin to holding a fire safety seminar in a burning building.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Environment Minister Marina Silva have attempted to justify the project, calling it a historic opportunity to highlight the Amazons importance. This is a COP in the Amazon, not just about the Amazon, Lula said. But critics argue that the roads construction undermines Brazils credibility as a leader in climate action.

The real agenda: Control, not conservation

The Amazon highway project exposes the uncomfortable truth about the climate movement: its less about saving the planet and more about consolidating power. Climate summits have become a stage for elites to virtue-signal while imposing increasingly restrictive policies on ordinary citizens. From carbon taxes to bans on gas-powered vehicles, the green agenda often feels like a top-down effort to control how people live, work and travel.

Meanwhile, those at the top of the pyramidworld leaders, celebrities and activistsexempt themselves from the rules they impose on others. They fly private jets, dine on gourmet meats, and now, apparently, bulldoze rainforests for their convenience.

The Amazon highway is a microcosm of this dynamic. Its a physical manifestation of the climate movements elitism and disregard for the very people and ecosystems it claims to protect. As diggers carve through the forest floor, one cant help but wonder: if a tree falls in the Amazon for a climate conference, does anyone hear the hypocrisy?

A call for accountability

The destruction of the Amazon for COP30 is a wake-up call. Its time to hold climate elites accountable for their actions and demand transparency in their policies. If the goal is truly to save the planet, then summits like COP30 should lead by examplenot by bulldozing forests and burning jet fuel.

The Amazon highway is more than just a road; its a symbol of the climate movements moral bankruptcy. And until the elites who champion it are willing to practice what they preach, their calls for sacrifice will ring hollow. After all, you cant save the rainforest by paving over it.

Sources include:

Modernity.news

PowerTheFuture.com

ZeroHedge.com

SocialNews.xyz
EU rumored to impose capital controls and confiscate savings to fund war against Russia

Mike Adams and Steve Quayle discuss unconfirmed rumors that the EU plans to implement capital controls in April, freezing and potentially confiscating citizens' savings to fund a war with Russia.

The EU's strategy involves amassing $10 trillion by freezing and confiscating assets, replacing savings with IOUs, and preventing capital outflow, which is seen as a desperate and suicidal move.

Steve Quayle warns that Russia's advanced hypersonic missiles can destroy European capitals without nuclear fallout, leading to potential economic collapse, famine, and civil unrest across Western Europe.

The experts suggest similar plans may target U.S. retirement accounts worth $42.4 trillion, emphasizing the need for individuals to safeguard their assets by moving them and investing in physical gold and silver.

Adams and Quayle urge listeners to prepare for potential civil war, state-enforced conscription, and economic turmoil by staying informed, conducting their own research, and taking immediate action to protect their finances.

In an emergency financial interview, experts Mike Adams and Steve Quayle delve into unconfirmed rumors suggesting the European Union (EU) plans to impose capital controls in April, freezing and potentially confiscating citizens' savings to fund a war with Russia. The move is seen as a desperate and suicidal strategy with profound economic and military implications for Western Europe.

According to the sources, the EU is expected to announce capital controls sometime in April to prevent the outflow of capital, gold, and silver from the region. This initial step would freeze all assets and potentially confiscate them, replacing citizens' savings accounts with IOUs. The ultimate goal is to amass approximately $10 trillion to fund a military conflict with Russia.

The Desperate Plan

"It's a suicide mission," Steve Quayle asserts. "Every capital in Europe is vulnerable to Russia's submarine-launched ballistic hypersonic missiles. Russia doesn't need to nuke European cities; they have kinetic weapon warheads that can obliterate any target with pinpoint accuracy and no radiation."

The EU's plan to fund a war with Russia by confiscating citizens' savings is viewed as a strategy fraught with peril. "The governments will be broke, industries decimated, and massive famine will follow," warns Quayle. He adds that this could lead to a "Mad Max collapse of Western Europe" where civil society and economic structures are utterly destroyed.

Global Economic Implications

The implications of such a move extend beyond Europe. Quayle suggests that similar plans may be brewing for the United States, targeting retirement accounts such as 401ks, IRAs, and KEOs, estimated at $42.4 trillion. "People who will murder in cold blood will steal with no regrets," he warns, emphasizing the need for individuals to take immediate action to safeguard their assets.

Both Adams and Quayle point to the broader geopolitical context, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the strategic positioning of global powers. They highlight the advanced weaponry of Russia, such as the Oreshnik hypersonic missile system, which can penetrate deep underground bunkers and devastate military targets with precision.

Civil Unrest and Security Concerns

The interview also touches on the increasing civil unrest and security threats in the United States. "The left is talking Civil War. DEI people are being trained in terrorist tactics," Quayle notes. He urges listeners to be prepared for a worst-case scenario, including potential civil war and state-enforced conscription.

Recommendations for Preparedness

Given the uncertain and tumultuous times, both experts stress the importance of financial preparedness and personal security. "If you have assets in Europe, move them out by the first week of April or you may never see them again," advises Adams. Quayle adds, "Invest in physical gold and silver, as they will be the assets that survive the economic turmoil."

Conclusion

The unconfirmed rumors of EU capital controls and the potential confiscation of savings underscore a critical and urgent situation. While the official announcement may be delayed, the experts predict that if the rumors are true, the EU will act swiftly and without prior notice. For those concerned about the future of their finances and the stability of Western Europe, taking immediate and informed action is paramount.

Mike Adams and Steve Quayle encourage listeners to stay informed, do their own research, and consider their options carefully. In the face of potential economic collapse and geopolitical instability, preparation and resilience are key.

Watch this full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Steve Quayle as they talk about unconfirmed rumors suggesting the European Union (EU) plans to impose capital controls in April.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Europes war economy: How the EU plans to exploit Ukraine conflict for financial and strategic gain

The European welfare state is collapsing

Trump weighs heavy SANCTIONS and tariffs on Russia to end Ukraine war

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

SteveQuayle.com
Listen carefully its actually much darker: How the left is framing free speech as a front for fascism

The defense of free speech by Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich, Germany, has led to open panic on the left in fighting to maintain European censorship and speech criminalization. The response of the American press and pundits was crushingly familiar. From CBS News to members of Congress, Vance (and anyone who supports his speech) was accused of using Nazi tactics. It is the demonization of dissent.

(Article by Jonathan Turley republished from JonathanTurley.org)

In one of the most bizarre examples, CBS anchor Margaret Brennan confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vances support for free speech given the fact that he was standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.

The suggestion that free speech cleared the way for the Holocaust left many scratching their heads, but it is an old saw used by the anti-free speech community, particularly in Germany.

When they came to power, the Nazis moved immediately to crack down on free speech and criminalize dissent. They knew that free speech was not only the indispensable right for a free people, but the greatest threat to authoritarian power.

Figures like Brennan appear to blame free speech for the rise of the Nazis because the Weimar Constitution protected the right of Germans, including Nazis, in their right to speak. However, the right to free speech was far more abridged than our own First Amendment. Indeed, it had many of the elements that the left has pushed in Europe and the United States, including allowing crackdowns on disinformation and fake news.

Article 118 of the Weimar Constitution, guaranteed free speech but added that it must be within the limits of the general laws. It did not protect statements deemed by the government as factually untrue and speech was actively regulated.

Indeed, Hitler was barred from speaking publicly. It was not free speech that the Nazis used to propel their movement, but the denial of free speech. They portrayed the government as so fearful and fragile that it could not allow opposing views to be stated publicly.

This ridiculous and ahistorical spin also ignores the fact that other countries like the United States had both fascist movements and free speech, but did not succumb to such extremism. Instead, free speech allowed critics to denounce brownshirts as hateful, dangerous individuals. To blame free speech for the rise of the Nazis is like blaming the crimes of Bernie Maddoff on the use of money.

Nevertheless, before the last election, the left was unrelenting in accusing those with opposing views as being Nazis or fascists. During the election, it seemed like a one-answer Rorschach test where Democrats saw a Nazi in every political inkblot.

While the narrative failed in spectacular fashion, the script has not changed. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) expressed sympathy for the absolute shock, absolute shock of our European allies to be confronted in this fashion. Rather than address the examples of systemic attacks on free speech, Moulton reached again for the favorite talking point: if you listen, listen carefully its actually much deeper and darker. He was talking about the enemy within. This is some of the same language that Hitler used to justify the Holocaust.

Like Brennan, Moulton is warning that free speech can be a path to genocide. However, his take is that anyone claiming to be the victim of censorship is taking a page out of the Nazi playbook. The logic is simple. The Nazis complained about censorship. You complained about censorship. Thus, ipso facto, you are a Nazi.

Others joined the mob in denouncing Vance and supporting the Europeans. CNN regular Bill Kristol called the speech a humiliation for the US and a confirmation that this administration isnt on the side of the democracies.

By defending free speech, you are now viewed as anti-democratic. It is part of the Orwellian message of the anti-free-speech movement. Democracy demands censorship, and free speech invites fascism.

It is hardly a novel argument. It was the very rationale used in Germany after World War II to impose what is now one of the most extensive censorship systems in the world. It was initially justified as an anti-Nazi measure but then, as has occurred repeatedly in history, became an insatiable appetite for speech controls. Indeed, the country returned to the prosecution of anything deemed disinformation and fake news by the government.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
New sentencing guidelines in the UK embed racial and gender bias, targeting white males for harsher punishment

 The Sentencing Council for England and Wales introduces guidelines favoring leniency for non-white, non-Christian, and non-male offenders.

 Critics argue the guidelines enshrine identity politics into the legal system, creating a two-tier justice system.

 Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood opposes the changes, but her stance is met with skepticism due to Labours history of supporting similar policies.

 The guidelines emphasize pre-sentence reports, which will disproportionately benefit minority groups.

 The move has sparked outrage, with accusations of anti-white, anti-Christian bias and a betrayal of equality before the law.

A two-tier justice system in the making

The Sentencing Council for England and Wales has unveiled new guidelines that institutionalize racial and gender bias in the UKs legal system. Effective April 1, 2025, the guidelines prioritize pre-sentence reports, which are expected to lead to more lenient sentences for non-white, non-Christian, and non-male offenders. This shift, critics argue, effectively creates a two-tier justice system, where white males face harsher penalties while others benefit from systemic leniency.

The guidelines, rooted in identity politics, have drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly expressed her displeasure, but her opposition is viewed with skepticism given the Labour governments historical support for similar policies. The revised guidelines are based on the 2017 Lammy Review, which examined racial disparities in the criminal justice system. However, critics argue that the new rules go beyond addressing disparities, instead embedding bias into the legal framework.

The Sentencing Councils guidelines place significant emphasis on pre-sentence reports (PSRs), which are intended to provide courts with a deeper understanding of an offenders background. According to the Council, these reports are particularly valuable for certain cohorts who face disparities in sentencing outcomes or disadvantages within the criminal justice system. While this may sound reasonable on the surface, critics argue that the guidelines are a thinly veiled attempt to institutionalize preferential treatment for specific groups.

Frank Haviland, a vocal critic of the changes, writes, The anti-white, anti-male takeover of Britain is all but complete. Havilands sentiment reflects a growing concern that the guidelines will disproportionately punish white males while offering leniency to others. The Councils statement that courts should refer to the Equal Treatment Bench Book to ensure fair treatment and avoid disparity of outcomes has been met with derision. Critics argue that the guidelines themselves introduce bias, rendering the concept of fair treatment a hollow promise.

Political hypocrisy and public backlash

The Labour governments response to the guidelines has been less than convincing. While Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly opposed the changes, her stance is undermined by the fact that the guidelines align with policies Labour has long championed. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick of the Conservative Party has condemned the guidelines as anti-white, anti-Christian, and an inversion of the rule of law. However, Jenricks criticism is tempered by the fact that the guidelines were drafted under the previous Conservative government.

The irony of the situation is not lost on observers. By enshrining bias into the legal system, the government risks alienating a significant portion of the population. Reform UK, a rising political force, is poised to capitalize on the backlash, with some predicting the party could surge to 30% in opinion polls. The guidelines also raise troubling questions about the future of justice in the UK. If playing the victim becomes a prerequisite for leniency, what does that mean for the principle of equality before the law?

The implications of the new guidelines extend beyond the courtroom. By privileging certain groups, the legal system risks undermining public trust and social cohesion. The guidelines also come at a time when the UKs prison system is under immense strain. With overcrowding and a shortage of cells, the push for community orders over custodial sentences may be driven more by necessity than ideology. However, critics argue that the guidelines go too far, effectively creating a criminal amnesty for non-white males.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the principle of equality before the law is under threat. Lady Justice, long depicted as blindfolded to ensure impartiality, now appears to be peeking out from under her blindfold, favoring some while punishing others. In a society increasingly divided along racial and gender lines, the new sentencing guidelines risk deepening those divisions.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

SentencingCouncil.org

EuropeanConservative.com
The Great Gas Pipeline Caper: How Russias bold underground maneuver turned the tide in Kursk

Russian special forces executed Operation Potok, marching 800 soldiers through an abandoned Soviet-era gas pipeline to ambush Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, marking a dramatic shift in the conflict dynamics.

The operation involved meticulous planning, including oxygen pumping, creating assembly rooms and stockpiling supplies, with soldiers crawling 15 kilometers in darkness over four days to emerge near Sudzha, catching Ukrainian forces off guard.

The operation has reclaimed significant territory in Kursk, nearly encircling Ukrainian forces and forcing them into retreat, with Russian troops liberating key settlements and tightening their grip on the region.

This unprecedented use of pipelines for military infiltration highlights Russian adaptability and resilience, echoing smaller-scale tactics used earlier in the war, while dealing a severe blow to Ukraines already strained military.

The operation underscores Russias determination to reclaim territory and assert dominance, amid Ukraines growing isolation due to reduced international support, raising questions about the wars future and the potential for a negotiated settlement.

In a stunning display of ingenuity and audacity, Russian special forces executed one of the most unconventional military operations in modern history, marching 800 soldiers through an abandoned gas pipeline to ambush Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. The operation, dubbed Operation Potok (Flow), has shifted the dynamics of the conflict, forcing Ukrainian forces into retreat and raising questions about the future of the war.

Pipeline gambit: A desperate move or a stroke of genius?

The operation began in early March 2025, when Russian forces utilized the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, a Soviet-era gas conduit that once transported Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky halted gas transit in January 2025, the pipeline lay dormant  until Russian military planners saw an opportunity.

According to pro-Russian Telegram channels, the operation involved meticulous preparation. Oxygen was pumped into the pipeline to make it habitable, while diggers carved out assembly rooms and installed toilets. Supplies, including water, food and ammunition, were stockpiled along the route. Over four days, 800 soldiers crawled through the 1.4-meter-wide pipe, covering more than 15 kilometers (9 miles) in complete darkness.

We burst out unexpectedly, like demons  black, dirty and exhausted. But we pressed on, said a Russian soldier with the call sign Mowgli. The troops emerged near Sudzha, a key industrial zone in Kursk, catching Ukrainian forces off guard and triggering panic.

Turning point in the Kursk campaign

The pipeline operation marked a dramatic shift in the battle for Kursk, a region Ukrainian forces had seized in August 2024 as part of a broader strategy to gain leverage in peace negotiations. However, the Russian counteroffensive has since reclaimed significant territory, with open-source maps showing Ukrainian forces nearly encircled.

The lid of the smoking cauldron is almost closed, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared on Telegram. The offensive continues.

Ukrainian officials initially claimed to have repelled the pipeline assault, but reports from the ground suggest otherwise. Russian forces have liberated multiple settlements, including Cherkasskoye Porechnoe and Malaya Loknya, and are now tightening their grip on Sudzha.

Historical echoes and strategic implications

This operation is not the first time Russian forces have used pipelines for military purposes. In January 2024, scouts and the Veterany unit employed a similar tactic to infiltrate Ukrainian positions near Avdeevka in the Donetsk region. However, the scale and complexity of the Kursk operation are unprecedented.

The success of Operation Potok underscores the resilience and adaptability of Russian forces, even under harsh conditions. Our job is to go anywhere and at any time, said a soldier with the call sign Medved (Bear). We had to push ourselves beyond our limits.

For Ukraine, the operation is a devastating blow. The Ukrainian military, already stretched thin and facing exhaustion, now confronts the prospect of losing Kursk entirely. Units are taking timely measures to maneuver to favorable defense lines, admitted General Aleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of Ukraines Armed Forces.

Broader context: A war of attrition

The pipeline operation comes amid growing international pressure to end the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trumps suspension of military aid to Ukraine and his acrimonious meeting with Zelensky in February 2025 have left Kyiv increasingly isolated. Meanwhile, European leaders fear that Ukraines defeat could embolden Russia and destabilize the region.

For Russia, the operation is a testament to its determination to reclaim lost territory and assert its dominance. I am surprised by people who really think that Russia could lose, said Maj.-Gen. Apti Alaudinov, commander of Chechnyas Akhmat special forces. It is a good day.

As the war enters its fourth year, the pipeline operation serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which both sides are willing to go. For Ukraine, it is a call to reassess its strategy and seek a negotiated settlement. For Russia, it is a symbol of its resolve and resourcefulness.

In the end, the Great Gas Pipeline Caper may be remembered not just as a tactical victory, but as a turning point in a conflict that has reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe.

Sources include:

Substack.com

CBC.ca

RT.com
Stewart Rhodes alleges solitary confinement and torture during three-year imprisonment

Stewart Rhodes, a key January 6 defendant, revealed harrowing details of his three-year imprisonment, including over a year in solitary confinement, which he compared to "torture" and Soviet-style treatment.

Rhodes, a Yale Law graduate and former Army paratrooper, described inhumane conditions: no sunlight, grass, or access to a law library, hindering his ability to assist in his own defense.

He accused the Biden administration of human rights violations, claiming his imprisonment was politically motivated to silence dissent and prevent Trump from holding office again.

Since his release, Rhodes has vowed legal action, hiring attorney Mark McCloskey to pursue lawsuits for wrongful arrest, imprisonment, and malicious prosecution, while calling for government transparency.

Rhodes framed his ordeal as a broader fight for civil liberties, urging Americans to organize locally, hold officials accountable, and defend constitutional rights against a "tyrannical regime."

In a shocking revelation, Stewart Rhodes, a key figure in the January 6 Capitol riot case, has come forward with harrowing details about his three-year imprisonment. Rhodes, who was recently released after receiving a commutation, claims he endured over a year in solitary confinement, describing his treatment as akin to "being in the Soviet Union." During an exclusive interview with Mike Adams on Brighteon.com, Rhodes accused the Biden administration of human rights violations, comparing his solitary confinement to torturea practice the U.S. State Department has condemned in other countries.

"A Year Without Sunlight or Grass"

Rhodes, a Yale Law School graduate and former U.S. Army paratrooper, detailed the grim conditions of his incarceration. He spent over a year in solitary confinement, confined to a concrete cell with no access to sunlight or grass. "It was over a year before I could walk outside under an open sky," Rhodes said. "A year before I could put my feet on grass."

He also revealed that he was denied access to a law library, which he claims was a deliberate attempt to hinder his ability to assist in his own defense. "They intentionally prevented me from looking up case law or helping with my defense," Rhodes stated. "This was a calculated move to break me."

Rhodes compared his treatment to the U.S. State Department's own condemnation of solitary confinement as a form of torture in other nations. "Our own State Department calls this torture when other countries do it," he said. "But here I was, an American citizen, subjected to the same inhumane treatment."

A Political Prisoner?

Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the January 6 events, maintains his innocence, calling the charges against him a "purely political crime." He argued that his imprisonment was part of a broader effort to silence dissent and prevent former President Donald Trump from holding office again.

"The whole point was to create a false narrative," Rhodes said. "They wanted to paint Trump as a mob boss and me as one of his lieutenants. It was all a setup to distract from the stolen election and to stop any legitimate challenges."

Rhodes also accused the Biden administration of using his case to intimidate others. "They wanted to make an example out of me," he said. "They wanted to scare anyone who might speak out against them."

Calls for Accountability and Justice

Since his release, Rhodes has vowed to fight back. He has retained attorney Mark McCloskey, known for his high-profile defense of Second Amendment rights, to pursue lawsuits against the federal government. Rhodes plans to file claims for wrongful arrest, wrongful imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.

"I'm not going to sit back and let this go," Rhodes said. "What they did to me was a violation of my civil rights, my First Amendment rights, and basic human decency."

Rhodes also called for a mass declassification of government documents, urging President Trump to expose corruption within the deep state. "We need a WikiLeaks-style data dump," he said. "Throw the closets open and let the skeletons fall where they may."

A Broader Fight for Freedom

Rhodes' story is not just about his personal ordeal but also a rallying cry for those who feel targeted by what he calls a "lawless, tyrannical regime." He urged Americans to organize at the local level, strengthen their communities, and hold corrupt officials accountable.

"We have to be on the offensive," Rhodes said. "We can't just sit back and hope for the best. We have to fight for our constitutional republic."

As Rhodes works on a book detailing his experiences and prepares for legal battles, his case continues to spark debate about the treatment of January 6 defendants and the broader implications for civil liberties in the United States.

For now, Rhodes remains defiant. "They tried to break me, but they failed," he said. "I'm stronger now than ever, and I'm not going to stop fighting for the truth."

Watch the full episode of the Health Ranger Report with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Stewart Rhodes as they discuss the torture inflicted by the lawless and inhumane Biden regime.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Brian Mock calls for historic investigation into January 6: This was treason on a scale never seen before

Kash Patels crusade: Exposing the J6 pipe bomb hoax and restoring trust in the FBI

QUESTION: If the Jan. 6th protesters are legitimate felons, why did Biden have to PARDON the Jan. 6th COMMITTEE?

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
Trumps bold gambit: Military options for the Panama Canal and the Shadow of Chinese Influence

President Trump has directed the Pentagon to develop "credible military options" to secure U.S. access to the Panama Canal, citing concerns over China's growing influence in the region. This includes potential strategies ranging from collaboration with Panamanian forces to the extreme option of seizing the canal by force.

The Trump administration is alarmed by Chinas economic investments in Panama, particularly under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). There are fears that these investments could provide China with strategic military leverage, including access to critical naval choke points.

Panamanian officials have rejected claims of foreign interference, asserting that the canal is part of Panamas inalienable patrimony. However, under U.S. pressure, Panama recently declined to renew its 2017 agreements with China, a move criticized by Beijing as coercive.

The Panama Canal was transferred to Panama in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The Trump administration argues that a stronger U.S. military presence is needed to counterbalance Chinas influence and ensure the canal remains open to American shipping.

The administration is exploring options to increase U.S. military presence in Panama, including reopening Army Jungle Schools and using the Army Corps of Engineers to operate the canals locks.

The Panama Canal, a linchpin of global trade and a symbol of American ingenuity, has once again become a flashpoint in U.S. foreign policy. According to recent reports from Reuters, CNN and NBC, President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to develop credible military options to secure U.S. access to the canal, citing concerns over Chinas growing influence in the region. This directive, outlined in an Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance memo, has reignited debates over Americas role in the Western Hemisphere and the strategic importance of the canal in an era of great-power competition.

The Panama Canal, a 50-mile waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, has been under Panamanian control since 1999, following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. These agreements, signed by President Jimmy Carter, ensured the canals neutrality and open access to all nations. However, President Trump has repeatedly criticized the arrangement, calling the fees charged to U.S. vessels ridiculous and expressing concerns over Chinas alleged encroachment.

Provide credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered U.S. military and commercial access to the Panama Canal, one directive in the memo reportedly stated. U.S. Southern Command is already exploring a range of strategies, from closer collaboration with Panamanian security forces to the more drastic option of seizing the canal by force. While officials have described military intervention as a less likely scenario, the fact that it is even being considered underscores the high stakes involved.

Chinas growing footprint

The Trump administrations focus on the Panama Canal is driven by fears that China could exploit its economic investments in the region to gain strategic leverage. Chinese state-owned enterprises have been active in Panama, particularly under Beijings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2017, Panama signed agreements with China to participate in the BRI, raising alarms in Washington.

Retired Army General Laura Richardson, former commander of U.S. Southern Command, warned Congress last year that Chinas investments in Panama and other Latin American countries could serve as dual-use sites and facilities for military purposes. The PRC messages its investments as peaceful, but in fact, many serve as points of future multi-domain access for the PLA and strategic naval choke points, she testified.

Panamanian officials have vehemently denied any foreign interference in the canals operations. President Jose Raul Mulino has called the canal part of Panamas inalienable patrimony and dismissed claims of Chinese control as baseless. However, under pressure from the Trump administration, Panama recently declined to renew its 2017 agreements with China, a move that Beijing has criticized as coercive.

The Panama Canal has long been a symbol of American power and influence. Constructed by the United States between 1904 and 1914, the canal was a monumental engineering achievement that solidified Americas status as a global power. For much of the 20th century, the canal was under U.S. control, serving as a critical artery for military and commercial shipping.

The decision to transfer control of the canal to Panama in 1999 was controversial at the time, with critics arguing that it would weaken Americas strategic position. Today, those concerns have resurfaced in the context of Chinas rise. The Trump administration has argued that a larger U.S. military presence in Panama is necessary to counterbalance Beijings influence and ensure the canal remains open to American shipping, especially in the event of a conflict.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been at the forefront of these efforts, delivering a blunt message to Panamanian officials during a visit earlier this year. The status quo is unacceptable, Rubio reportedly told President Mulino, emphasizing the need to curb Chinas presence in the region.

Whats next?

The Trump administrations plans for the Panama Canal remain fluid, with options ranging from increased military cooperation with Panama to the more extreme measure of seizing the canal by force. While the latter scenario is unlikely, the mere suggestion has already strained U.S.-Panamanian relations and drawn criticism from Beijing.

For now, the focus appears to be on increasing the U.S. military presence in Panama and securing American access to the canal. The Pentagon is reportedly considering reopening Army Jungle Schools in Panama, reviving a legacy of U.S. military training in the region. Additionally, discussions are underway about using the Army Corps of Engineers to operate the canals locks or building new ports to enhance U.S. influence.

As the Trump administration pushes forward with its plans, the Panama Canal remains a potent symbol of Americas past and a critical asset in its future. Whether through diplomacy or force, the stakes could not be higher. In the words of President Trump, all options are on the table to protect U.S. interests in this vital waterway.

The world will be watching as this high-stakes drama unfolds, with the Panama Canal once again at the center of global geopolitics.

Sources include:

RT.com

NBCNews.com

TheDailyBeast.com
Trump says very good chance for Ukraine war ceasefire after talks with Putin

President Trump expressed optimism about ending the Russia-Ukraine war after "productive" discussions with Putin, urging Russia to spare encircled Ukrainian troops.

A proposed 30-day ceasefire was discussed, though details remain unclear, and Trump emphasized the potential for peace in a Truth Social post.

Ukraine denied Russian claims of encircling troops in the Kursk region, calling them "fabricated" for political manipulation.

Both U.S. and Russian officials expressed "cautious optimism" about a ceasefire, but Putins conditions, including Ukraine not rearming, complicate negotiations.

Significant challenges remain, with U.S. intelligence suggesting Putin aims to dominate Ukraine, and Ukraines NATO aspirations further complicating peace efforts.

President Trump expressed optimism on Friday that the Russia-Ukraine war could soon end following what he described as "very good and productive" discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, who has long criticized the conflict as a financial burden on America, urged Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian troops he claimed were "completely surrounded" by Russian forces.

The remarks came after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow late Thursday to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire. While Trump did not personally speak with Putin, he emphasized the potential for peace in a post on Truth Social, writing, "There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

The war, now in its third year, has drained billions from U.S. coffers in the form of military aid. The Trump administration has been pushing for a ceasefire, though details remain murky.

Trumps latest comments referenced Ukrainian forces in Russias Kursk region, where Moscow claims to have encircled troops. "I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," Trump wrote. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!"

However, Ukraines General Staff denied the encirclement claims, stating, Reports of the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false and fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

Independent analysts and Ukrainian soldiers also disputed the assertion, with one soldier telling The Guardian, "Trumps words about the Kursk region have nothing to do with reality."

Cautious optimism from both sides

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Putin had conveyed "signals" to Trump through Witkoff, adding that there were "grounds for cautious optimism" about a potential ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, telling reporters, Well examine the Russian position more closely and the president will then determine what the next steps are. Suffice it to say, I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic.

"We continue to recognize this is a difficult and complex situation  it will not be easy, it will not be simple, but we certainly feel like were at least some steps closer to ending this war and bringing peace," he added.

Despite the hopeful tone, significant hurdles remain. Putin has set conditions for the truce, including demands that Ukraine refrain from rearming or mobilizing during the ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while supportive of the proposal, warned that Russias conditions "complicate and drag out the process."

The path to peace is filled with challenges. U.S. intelligence reports suggest Putin remains committed to dominating Ukraine, and analysts caution that Russia may be reluctant to agree to a ceasefire while holding a battlefield advantage. Meanwhile, Trumps administration has signaled that Ukraines hopes of joining NATO are unlikely to be realized, further complicating negotiations.

The war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, with no end in sight. Whether the latest talks will lead to a lasting ceasefire remains uncertain.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

APNews.com

TheGuardian.com
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New research reveals that years of firefighting may leave a deadly genetic mark, as toxic chemicals used on the job are now linked to brain cancer-causing mutations.

Study: Glioma mutational signatures associated with haloalkane exposure are enriched in firefighters. Image Credit: Yok_onepiece / Shutterstock.com

A recent study published in the journal Cancer identifies haloalkane exposure, especially among firefighters, as a risk factor for glioma.

What causes glioma?

A glioma is a type of brain tumor that arises from glial cells. Based on their aggressiveness, gliomas can be further classified into four grades, with grades I and II considered to be less invasive than grades III and IV.

It remains unclear what environmental or genetic factors can lead to the development of a glioma. Recently, 1,000 gliomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Glioma Longitudinal Analysis (GLASS) were analyzed to identify mutational signatures present in these tumors.

Most of the mutational signatures identified in this study were related to single-base substitution signature 1 (SBS1), which is often a correlate of aging. SBS42, a mutational signature traditionally associated with haloalkane exposure, was also identified in these samples, many of which were obtained from male patients.

SBS42 was first identified among patients working at a Japanese printing firm who were exposed to high levels of haloalkanes and eventually developed occupational cholangiocarcinoma. Haloalkanes are present in various products, including fire extinguisher chemicals, pesticides, and flame-retardant chemicals.

The GLASS and TCGA analysis did not provide data on the occupations of the study participants. Since firefighters are often considered to be at a greater risk of glioma, the current study's researchers investigated whether this occupation may lead to SBS42 or other mutational signatures implicated in gliomagenesis and environmental carcinogen exposure.

Study findings

The current study included 17 firefighters and 18 non-firefighters with gliomas who provided both blood and tumor samples. These samples were subjected to whole-exome sequencing, following which these data were analyzed through variant filtering, mutational signature analysis, and driver gene identification.

About 94% of the study cohort were non-Hispanic White men. All firefighters were matched by age, sex, race, glioma subtype, and treatment history with a non-firefighter.

The firefighter cohort spent an average of 22 years in this occupation, with an average of seven years between their last firefighter exposure and glioma diagnosis. Most patients were diagnosed with high-grade glioblastomas of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1)/IDH2 wild type. A majority of the study participants previously received chemotherapy and radiation before blood samples were collected.

Two of the 17 firefighters had a high median number of variants despite having spent a few years firefighting. This was likely attributed to their experience with other occupations, including farming, pesticide use, and petroleum transport, which may increase their risk of exposure to haloalkanes. When these firefighters were not considered in the analysis, a dose-depending relationship was observed between firefighting years and the median number of SBS42 variants.

Non-firefighters with a greater number of median variants attributable to SBS42 reported other occupations, such as painting and mechanics, that may similarly increase their risk of haloalkane exposure.

Of the 13 samples with a significant median number of SBS42-linked variants, six samples had at least one significantly mutated gene, all of which except one were more than 50% likely to be attributed to SBS42.

Samples with more than ten median variants attributable to SBS42 showed mutations in genes known to be linked to cancer, such as NOTCH1, ROS1, ETV1, and NCOA2. The likelihood that these observed mutations were attributable to the SBS42 mutational signature was estimated to exceed 60%.

We confirm detection of the SBS42 signature in a cohort of individuals highly exposed to haloalkanes.

Conclusions

The current study provides evidence that occupational exposure to haloalkanes through firefighting and other professions likely increases the risk of glioma through the SBS42 mutational signature. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to identify other potential exogenous mutational processes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of gliomas. These data will be essential for developing effective public health interventions aimed at preventing this highly aggressive cancer in vulnerable populations.
Stroke can come out of the blue, even in people who have been healthy all their lives. Unlike some other health conditions that develop gradually, a stroke occurs suddenly when blood flow to the brain is blocked in a cerebral artery, causing the brain to essentially stop functioning almost immediately. What's remarkable about stroke treatment is its extreme time sensitivity. If a blockage is removed quickly, the brain can often resume normal function with minimal damage. But if the blockage lasts only a few hours, the brain damage can be permanent.

Although effective treatments exist, they are not available in many countries. The quality of stroke care varies dramatically across different regions of Europe, leading to significant differences in patient outcomes. This critical gap in healthcare was the catalyst for the COST Action Implementation Research Network in Stroke Care Quality (IRENE), led by Professor Robert Mikulik from the International Clinical Research Center of the St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, Czech Republic, where he leads the Stroke Research Programme.

Monitoring the quality of stroke care

The RES-Q (Registry of Stroke Care Quality) was an existing registry originally developed under the umbrella of the European Stroke Organisation in 2016. IRENE's main contribution was to develop a methodology and strategy for monitoring the quality of stroke care, to adapt the registry to new requirements and to provide evidence on the quality of stroke care.

The registry contains standardized data on treatment times, protocols, and outcomes, allowing hospitals to benchmark their performance against their peers. This approach identifies specific gaps in the care pathway for targeted improvement and tracks changes in care delivery over time.

"In the Czech Republic and other countries, we can see that patients are now being treated more quickly upon arriving at the hospital," says Prof. Mikulik. "Since every minute saved in providing treatment adds several more weeks to a patient's life, we know that patient outcomes are improving." These efficiency gains are directly improving survival and reducing disability in all participating countries.

There are 1.1 million strokes in Europe every year, causing an estimated 460,000 deaths

Nearly 10 million people in Europe live with the long-term effects of stroke

Cost of stroke care in EU countries expected to rise to 86 billion by 2040

Quantifiable social and economic impact

IRENE's work has concrete benefits for society as a whole. "Improved quality of stroke care reduces hospital readmissions, long-term rehabilitation costs and the economic burden of disability on patients, families and healthcare systems," says Professor Mikulik. By enabling more stroke survivors to return to work or maintain their independence, the registry contributes to societal productivity.

An analysis of participating hospitals shows that the implementation of improvement strategies has led to an average 15% reduction in the length of hospital stay and significant improvements in the percentage of patients treated within guideline-recommended timeframes.

Improved quality of stroke care reduces hospital readmissions, long-term rehabilitation costs and the economic burden of disability on patients, families and healthcare systems." Prof. Robert Mikulik, Chair of the Action IRENE

Building a network for change

The IRENE COST Action has built a collaborative network of 188 members from 30 countries focused on a clear mission: to develop a standardised methodology for monitoring the quality of stroke care. This approach has enabled researchers to assess the quality of stroke care across Europe, particularly in Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) where the level of stroke care has never been systematically assessed.

"The significant accomplishment of the network is the development of methodology of stroke care quality monitoring," explains Professor Mikulik. "This has allowed us to assess and understand the level of stroke care quality in ITCs across Europe, which is crucial for identifying gaps and driving improvements."

The Action worked with various partners, and representatives from organisations such as the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) took part in joint meetings to discuss stroke care monitoring and improvement strategies. They worked in the context of the Stroke Action Plan Europe, the largest stroke project ever undertaken in Europe, which sets targets to improve stroke care across the continent by 2030.

IRENE organised specific activities to support researchers from Inclusiveness Target Countries, providing hands-on training with leading experts. Action events were held in Moldova and Croatia, and a meeting was held in Armenia. Specialised workshops on neuro-rehabilitation techniques and quality measurement systems facilitated skills transfer.

These activities have trained many researchers in previously underserved regions. Skilled specialists have successfully implemented modern rehabilitation methods in their home countries, directly contributing to improved stroke care at the national level in 12 ITC countries.

Technology integration and future directions

IRENE's achievements have laid the foundation for the Horizon Europe-funded RES-0Q+ project, which will continue until at least 2026. This next phase will develop two new AI-powered voice assistants, one to help patients give feedback on their health and the other to help doctors manage stroke care. The project is expected to reduce the number of deaths by 40,000 and save more than 0.5 billion per year in Europe.

By connecting stroke healthcare professionals and IT experts, IRENE has created a sustainable infrastructure for continuous improvement that serves as a model for addressing healthcare inequalities across Europe.
Inside the human eye, the retina is made up of several types of cells, including the light-sensing photoreceptors that initiate the cascade of events that lead to vision. Damage to the photoreceptors, either through degenerative disease or injury, leads to permanent vision impairment or blindness.

David Gamm, director of UWMadison's McPherson Eye Research Institute and professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, says that stem cell replacement therapy using lab-grown photoreceptors is a promising strategy to combat retinal disease. The challenge is that stem cell treatments aimed at replacing photoreceptors need to first be tested in animals. Since human cells are not compatible in other species and are quickly rejected when transplanted, it's difficult to assess their potential.

Pig and human retinas share many key features, making pigs ideal for modeling human retinal disease and testing ocular therapeutics. By testing 'human-equivalent' photoreceptors in pigs, we can get a better sense of what these cells can do if they are not immediately attacked by the host animal." David Gamm, director of UWMadison's McPherson Eye Research Institute and professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences

In a new study published in Stem Cell Reports, the Gamm Lab partnered with researchers at the Morgridge Institute for Research to develop lab-grown pig retinal organoids. They found that pig-derived photoreceptors shared many similarities with those made from human retinal organoids.

"This is the first time that people have made pig retinal organoids," says Kim Edwards, a graduate student in the Gamm Lab and first author of the study. "And this was the first time that people have done a comparison of human versus another species of retinal organoids."

Organoids are small tissue clusters - about the size of a large pin head - made up of hundreds of thousands of cells, which allow scientists to replicate the cellular interactions and conditions in a human tissue or organ, but in the controlled environment of a lab dish.

"The photoreceptor cells within human organoids can respond to light and communicate with each other through synaptic connections," says Gamm. "To determine whether they can connect inside a damaged retina and restore vision, we need to transplant and test them in pigs."

Edwards says that to get quality organoids, it's important to start with quality stem cells. They collaborated with University of Calgary assistant professor Li-Fang "Jack" Chu, formerly a postdoc in Jamie Thomson's lab at the Morgridge Institute, to obtain the pig pluripotent stem cells.

"Historically, the Thomson Lab has been good at making human induced pluripotent stem cells," says Ron Stewart, Morgridge investigator in computational biology. "But it turns out that making them for additional species like pig is really challenging. Jack worked it out and is leading the way with his new lab."

After successfully generating pig induced pluripotent stem cells, the next challenge was to encourage them to differentiate into retinal cells. Edwards began by using the Gamm Lab's established human organoid protocol to see if it would work using stem cells from pig. The protocol timing was based on the human gestation period of 40 weeks, but they noted a pig's pregnancy is only about half that length. So, the scientists thought, what if we use the same protocol, but cut the timing in half?

"We were able to make a lot of retinal organoids from that, which was really exciting," Edwards says. "It's a good proof of concept to show that if we're going to differentiate to a specific cell type, we really need to pay attention to the gestational differences and the inherent differences between the cells."

Using immunocytochemistry techniques, they characterized proteins associated with specific retinal cells present at early-stage versus late-stage development in both pig and human organoid models. To dig deeper, the Gamm Lab collaborated with computational biologist Beth Moore in the Stewart Computational Biology Group at Morgridge to look at gene expression within the cells using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

"They did a lot of magic using single-cell RNA-seq - things that we didn't even think were possible," Edwards says.

The organoids are dissociated into individual cells, and each cell is tagged with a barcode and sequenced individually. The data captured is then used to group similar cells together, giving in-depth insight into the nature of all the cell types found in the organoid, including rod and cone photoreceptors and other cell types such as retinal ganglion cells.

"It's an unbiased and very comprehensive view of what genes are expressed in each cell type in the organoid," says Moore. "It's a different type of marker from the immunochemistry. It's a different way to come to the same conclusion of identifying different cell types."

Both Edwards and Moore had to overcome challenges to arrive at these conclusions. First, given the nature of organoids, Edwards needed to optimize their protocols to separate the cells and maintain them prior to sequencing.

"They don't like to be dissociated and put on a dish, especially the photoreceptors," says Edwards. "We joke that the photoreceptors work better together, just like people."

On the data analysis side, Moore explains that each cell gets encapsulated in a droplet that contains the barcode for sequencing. But sometimes, one droplet encapsulates multiple cells, or the droplet might be empty and not contain any cell, which introduces errors in the sequencing data.

"That can really mess up your analysis, especially when you are trying to identify different cell types," Moore says. Moore developed an analysis pipeline to filter out any unwanted sequences and normalize the data. She then mapped the genes expressed in different clusters, which they could map to specific cell types and compare with the immunocytochemistry results.

Another challenge - the significant difference between pig and human genomes - meant Moore also had to work through a list of known genes in both species and match them with the sequences to map out the different cell types.

"Having that confirmatory data from Beth was really critical for us to feel confident about what we were seeing," Edwards says.

This work was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense in collaboration with the National Eye Institute with the aims of exploring cell replacement therapy to treat retinal injuries that commonly occur in the military. The researchers have begun to do transplants in pigs using photoreceptors from the pig organoids to determine whether they establish connections and make synapses with downstream neurons.

"We're excited to show that you can grow these retinal organoids from different species and that a lot of groups across the world are starting to make them," says Edwards. "It all starts from having good stem cells."
Why are bacterial outbreaks climbing despite pandemic precautionsand could your dinner plate be at risk? New CDC data uncovers rising animal/environmental contamination and a hidden 'glove-handoff' in food safety failures.

Report: Contributing Factors of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks  National Outbreak Reporting System, United States, 20142022. Image Credit: Pol Sole / Shutterstock

In a recent report published in the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), researchers analyzed outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. using data from 2014 to 2022, identifying trends in sources of contamination and contributing factors.

Nearly two-thirds of outbreaks analyzed were linked to foods prepared in restaurants, cafeterias, or other commercial settings, highlighting where prevention efforts could have the biggest impact.

Their findings indicate bacterial outbreaks have increased over time while viral outbreaks have decreased, possibly due to safety measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although contamination often occurred before the food was prepared, often due to environmental factors or from animals, contamination from sick food workers remained a significant cause of outbreaks, though it declined.

Reducing outbreaks requires retail food establishments to follow evidence-based guidelines for food safety, implement policies that prevent sick employees from handling food, and ensure that temperature and time controls are followed. Effective food safety plans such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), as well as staff training, are essential in this effort.

Background

An estimated 800 outbreaks of foodborne illness occur in the U.S. every year, causing 15,000 illnesses that lead to 800 hospitalizations and 20 deaths. Outbreaks comprise a small proportion of foodborne illnesses, but investigating them can provide crucial insights into their occurrence and prevention.

State and local health departments collect outbreak data and report it to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS) through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). This data helps track common sources of contamination and guides public health policies.

Foodborne illness outbreaks often result from contamination (when pathogens enter food), proliferation (when bacteria grow in food), or survival (when pathogens persist despite cooking or sanitization). Investigations use environmental assessments, epidemiologic data, and laboratory tests to determine these contributing factors.

Previous studies found that norovirus outbreaks are often linked to sick food workers handling food, while Salmonella outbreaks frequently stem from cross-contamination. However, cross-contamination, previously a leading cause of bacterial outbreaks, declined significantly in recent years, likely due to improved hygiene and sanitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publishing updated outbreak data is essential, as cooking trends, policy changes, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered risk factors. For example, increasing consumption of unpasteurized milk and undercooked meats may contribute to more outbreaks.

About the Study

The research team analyzed FDOSS data to identify patterns in viral and bacterial outbreaks before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping health departments and restaurant owners implement better food safety measures. By identifying key risks, businesses and policymakers can develop strategies to reduce foodborne illnesses and improve public health.

The FDOSS dataset included food sources, exposure settings, laboratory findings, symptoms, case details, and identified contributing factors. Over half (57.2%) of outbreaks were excluded due to missing data on contributing factors. Outbreaks were analyzed over three periods: 201416, 201719, and 202022. Outbreak causes were categorized into five groups: bacterial, viral, parasitic, toxin/chemical, and unknown. The settings where contaminated food was prepared and consumed were also classified.

Findings

Fish and mollusks made up a growing share of outbreaks over time, suggesting that seafood handling and preparation need closer attention.

Between 2014 and 2022, 6,618 outbreaks of foodborne illness were reported. After excluding cases with missing or inconsistent data, 2,677 outbreaks were analyzed. These outbreaks were grouped into three periods: 20142016 (42.7%), 20172019 (42.2%), and 20202022 (15.1%). The sharp decline in reported outbreaks during 20202022 may reflect reduced health department capacity to investigate outbreaks during the pandemic rather than fewer actual cases. Additionally, the reduction may be partly due to restaurant closures and a shift toward home-prepared meals during COVID-19.

Over time, bacterial outbreaks rose from 41.9% in the first period to 48.4% in the third, while viral outbreaks declined from 33.3% to 23.2%. Outbreaks caused by contamination factors decreased from 85.6% to 81.0%, while those related to proliferation factors initially dropped from 40.3% to 35.0% but then stabilized at 35.1%.

Survival-related contributing factors (e.g., pathogens surviving inadequate cooking) declined in the second period (25.7% to 21.9%) but returned to the original proportion (25.7%) in the third period, indicating a resurgence that highlights the ongoing need for strict cooking and sanitation practices. The percentage of outbreaks linked to aquatic animal foods increased from 12.0% to 18.5% before slightly declining to 18.3%.

Outbreaks associated with restaurant-prepared food increased in 20172019 but then declined in the final period, rising from 57.6% to 63.2% and then falling to 58.8%. Institutional outbreaks, however, rose in the last time frame, from 6.4% to 5.3% to 9.6%. Many of these occurred in settings like schools, prisons, and hospitals, where meal services continued during the pandemic.

The most common contributing factor across all outbreaks was contamination from an environmental or animal source before final preparation, accounting for 26.0% of cases and increasing over time. While this type of contamination became more common, contamination from infectious food workers via barehand contact was the second most common factor, though it declined from 20.5% in the first period to 8.9% in the third. Viral outbreaks showed a notable shift from barehand contact to gloved-hand contact as a primary mode of transmission in the final period. However, barehand contact still accounted for nearly 29% of viral outbreaks. Improper temperature control while preparing food (13.1%) and displaying it (11.5%) were also major contributors.

Bacterial outbreaks were primarily linked to contamination from animals or the environment, inadequate cooking, and improper cooling. Improper cooling emerged as a top contributing factor to bacterial outbreaks during the final period, highlighting ongoing challenges with temperature control. Viral outbreaks, on the other hand, were caused mainly by direct contact with infectious food workers, shifting from barehand to gloved-hand transmission during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Home kitchens and private events caused 16% of outbreaks, often due to cross-contamination of raw meats at gatherings like potlucks and picnics.

Outbreaks of foodborne illness reported from 2014 to 2022 were mostly caused by contamination from animals or the environment before food reached its final preparation stage. Cross-contamination, which had been a significant cause of bacterial outbreaks, was no longer among the top contributing factors in the final period, reflecting improved practices.

Inadequate food temperatures and improper cooling were major contributors to bacterial outbreaks. The pandemic influenced outbreak trends by reducing cross-contamination and likely underreporting due to strained public health resources while increasing institutional outbreaks. Unwell food workers remained a significant contamination source, but interventions like increased glove use helped minimize transmission.

Future research should improve food safety surveillance, training, and outbreak investigations. Practical measures such as HACCP plans, clear ill-worker policies, and pandemic preparedness strategies that cover all stages of the food supply chainfrom production to retailcan help prevent future outbreaks.
Adding immunotherapy to a new type of inhibitor that targets multiple forms of the cancer-causing gene mutation KRAS kept pancreatic cancer at bay in preclinical models for significantly longer than the same targeted therapy by itself, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center. The results, published in Cancer Discovery, prime the combination strategy for future clinical trials.

Combatting the "undruggable" RAS genes

Patients with pancreatic cancer have an overall poor prognosis: in most patients, the disease has already spread at the time of diagnosis, resulting in limited treatment options. Nearly 90 percent of pancreatic cancers are driven by KRAS mutations, the most common cancer-causing gene mutation across cancer types, which researchers long considered "undruggable." In 2021, the first KRAS inhibitor was approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer with KRAS G12C mutations, but with longer follow-up, it has become clear that KRAS-mutant cancers can quickly evolve to resist therapies targeted at one specific form of the gene mutation.

We've been excited by the prospect of RAS inhibition for pancreatic cancer, which remains one of the deadliest and most difficult forms of cancer to treat. While the first wave of KRAS inhibitors have had limited impact in cancer care, this research shows that newer RAS inhibition tools may have an immune stimulatory effect, making them ideal to pair with immunotherapy for longer and better treatment response." Ben Stanger, MD, PhD, co-corresponding senior author, the Hanna Wise Professor in Cancer Research and director of the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center

Previous research led by Stanger and Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of the Abramson Cancer Center, who is also co-corresponding author on this study, showed that a small molecule inhibitor specifically targeting KRAS G12D, the form of the mutation more commonly found in pancreatic cancer, stimulated the immune system while shrinking tumors or stopping cancer growth in preclinical mouse models of pancreatic cancer.

A new type of RAS inhibitor

In this study, the researchers used RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitors, the investigational agent daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) and the preclinical tool compound RMC-7977 (both discovered by Revolution Medicines, whose scientists contributed to the study). These inhibitors use a different mechanism of action than most other KRAS inhibitors (including that in the previous study) to target the active or ON-state of multiple forms of RAS mutations.

"The benefit of this 'multi-selective' approach is that the inhibitors are designed to inhibit multiple RAS mutations, so if the cancer mutates, and another type of RAS mutation emerges, the treatment may not necessarily stop working," Vonderheide explained.

The research team found that not only was RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibition effective in preclinical pancreatic cancer models, but it was even more effective when combined with immunotherapy. Using the combination approach, all mouse models had tumor shrinkage and half had a complete response, meaning the tumor was eliminated.

The research team used a Penn-developed immunocompetent model considered the gold standard worldwide for assessing potential therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This model allows the tumor to spontaneously evolve after implantation, making it possible to discern the drug's impact on the surrounding tumor microenvironment. The research team found that RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibition reshaped the tumor microenvironment by bringing in more T cells and other immune cells, making the tumor particularly receptive to immunotherapy.

Next steps and clinical trial information

Daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) is already being tested in clinical trials across the United States. A clinical trial testing RAS(ON) inhibitors with other anticancer agents in certain patients with gastrointestinal solid tumors is now open at several sites across the country, including at Penn Medicine.

"We're hopeful that we're starting to crack the code on immunotherapy and RAS therapy for pancreatic cancer," Vonderheide said. "After decades of limited progress, it's encouraging to see new treatment approaches making their way into the clinic for patients."

The study was supported by Revolution Medicines, the National Institutes of Health (R01CA252225, R01CA276512, P30DK050306, P30CA016520) the Department of Defense (W81XWH2210730), the Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core, A Love for Life, the Basser Center for BRCA, and the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.
As many as half of nursing home residents are cognitively impaired and may be unable to communicate symptoms such as pain or anxiety to the staff and clinicians caring for them. Therefore, information needed for the evaluation of symptoms and subsequent treatment decisions typically does not reliably exist in nursing home electronic health records (EHRs).

A new paper reports on the novel adaptation of a commonly used symptom assessment instrument to more comprehensively acquire this difficult-to-obtain data with the ultimate goal of enabling knowledge-based expansion of palliative care services in nursing homes to address residents' symptoms.

In the paper, part of the large, multi-state, multi-facility UPLIFT-AD study  short for Utilizing Palliative Leaders in Facilities to Transform care for people with Alzheimer's Disease  researchers, including Regenstrief Institute, the Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Social Work faculty, describe how they revamped and subsequently validated a symptom assessment tool used worldwide. The UPLIFT-AD researchers modified the instrument, originally designed for reporting by family members of individuals with dementia following their death, to enable reporting on the symptoms of current residents living with moderate to severe dementia by nursing home staff as well as family.

Led by Kathleen T. Unroe, M.D., MHA, M.S., and John G. Cagle, PhD, the UPLIFT-AD team reports in the peer-reviewed paper that the tool they enhanced reliably addressed physical and emotional distress as well as well-being and symptoms that are precursors to end of life. This validation was critical as the researchers develop guidance for expansion of symptom recognition and management in any nursing home. Employing instruments used in other studies helps researchers to directly compare findings.

Dr. Unroe, Dr. Cagle and colleagues, including Wanzhu Tu, PhD, of the Regenstrief Institute and the IU School of Medicine, are in the late stages of the UPLIFT-AD clinical trial to enhance quality of care individuals with dementia by building capacity for palliative care within nursing homes.

People receive care in nursing homes because they have significant needs -- support for activities of daily living -- as well as for complex, serious and multiple chronic conditions. But measuring symptoms of residents, especially those who are cognitively impaired, to address these needs is challenging." Dr. Kathleen T. Unroe, paper senior author, a Regenstrief Institute research scientist and IU School of Medicine professor of medicine

"In my two decades of working as a clinician in nursing homes as well as a researcher, I have seen that often the information on symptoms that we want isn't available consistently in the data that's already collected or it isn't collected at the frequency that we need to measure the impact of programs and approaches. And the gold standard for knowing if someone has a symptom, for example, if someone has pain or anxiety, to ask that person directly to assess the symptom, isn't always possible for cognitively impaired residents. That's why we took steps to validate a commonly used instrument in a wider population  individuals currently living with cognitive impairment  and added additional needed data points.

"While hospice care is typically available, there is widespread recognition that broader palliative care is needed in nursing homes. But there is no roadmap for how to provide it well. We hope that when we have our final results in 2026, UPLIFT-AD will prove to be a replicable model for implementing this much needed type of care."
Bengaluru Traffic Woes? Govt Plans Double-Decker Flyovers, Tunnel Roads & More

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 13:02 IST

Two tunnel roads are in the pipelinea 17 km East-West stretch and a 23 km North-South stretch. The first phase of the project will go into tender soon.

Wherever new metro lines are coming up, double-decker flyovers will also be built.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday announced that double-decker flyovers, tunnel roads, buffer roads, elevated corridors, and other infrastructure projects are planned to ease Bengalurus traffic congestion.

I have taken the responsibility of Bengaluru seriously. Unlike New Delhi, Bengaluru is not a planned cityonly areas like Jayanagar, Indiranagar, and Malleswaram have planned layouts," he said, while responding to a question in the Legislative Council from MLC Sudham Das on the measures being taken to improve traffic flow.

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The Peripheral Ring Road project could have significantly reduced the citys traffic woes, but it was not executed, Shivakumar added.

He also noted that the PRR would have cost Rs 3,000-4,000 crore if implemented earlier, but today, the cost has risen to Rs 26,000 crore.

We are moving ahead with the PRR by securing a loan from HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation). When K J George was the Bengaluru Development Minister, he proposed a steel bridge on Bellary Road, but strong opposition halted the project," Shivakumar said.

We are paying the price for that decision today. Now, we have planned two tunnel roadsa 17 km stretch from East to West and a 23 km stretch from North to South. Tenders for the first phase will be called soon." Shivakumar also revealed plans to construct double-decker flyovers and wide buffer roads along stormwater drains to further alleviate traffic congestion.

We are planning double-decker flyovers wherever new metro lines are being developed. The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) will share the cost equally. It costs Rs 120 crore to construct one kilometre of a double-decker flyover, and we have allocated Rs 9,000 crore for the project," he said, in a release issued by his office.

Additionally, 300 km of 50-feet-wide buffer roads will be built along stormwater drains to ease traffic, with Rs 3,000 crore earmarked for this initiative, Shivakumar added.

We are also building roads through the issuance of TDRs (Transferable Development Rights). A notification has been issued for a 7.8 km road from Hebbal to Hennur. In total, 320 km of new roads are under construction in Bengaluru," he added.

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Furthermore, Shivakumar announced an allocation of Rs 9,000 crore for the white-topping of 1,682 km of roads.

We have taken a Rs 2,000 crore loan from the World Bank to construct 850 km of stormwater drains. Of this, 480 km has already been completed," he added.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 13:02 IST
Tata Motors Launched New Range Of Vehicles In Sri Lanka

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 11:08 IST

The new line-up includes both traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models and electric vehicles (EVs).

Tata Motors introduced some of its most popular SUVs, including the Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, and the Tata Curvv.

Tata Motors, in partnership with DIMO, the exclusive distributor for Tata Motors in Sri Lanka, has launched a new range of passenger vehicles in the country.

This includes both traditional petrol/diesel (ICE) models and electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to cater to a wide range of customer needs.

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The launch event introduced some of Tata Motors most popular SUVs: the Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, and Tata Curvv. The spotlight was also on the Tata Tiago.ev, the companys electric hatchback thats already creating a buzz in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Tiago.ev is designed to make electric mobility both accessible and desirable for Sri Lankan customers.

Mr. Yash Khandelwal, Head of International Business at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm: Our offerings are designed to not only captivate the Sri Lankan market but to set new standardscombining bold design, cutting-edge features, top-tier safety, and unmatched after-sales support."

Mr. Rajeev Pandithage, Executive Director of DIMO, expressed his excitement about the partnership: Backed by DIMOs unmatched after-sales expertise, we ensure an exceptional ownership experience with superior service and support, reaffirming our commitment to delivering excellence to Sri Lankan customers."

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All Tata Motors ICE vehicles will come with a manufacturers warranty of three years or 100,000 km, while the electric vehicles are backed by a three-year or 125,000 km warranty.

Additionally, the high-voltage battery and motor in the electric cars are protected with an eight-year or 165,000 km warranty.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 11:08 IST
Gratuity: When Do You Become Eligible? Know Criteria, Calculation, Taxation

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News18.com Edited By: Mohammad Haris



Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 12:21 IST

Gratuity is a lump sum payment made by an employer to an employee at the time of retirement, resignation, or upon completing a specified period of service. Here's everything you need to know:

Gratuity is a statutory benefit in India and is applicable to employees working in establishments with 10 or more employees.

Gratuity is a financial benefit that employers provide to employees as a token of appreciation for their long-term service. Governed by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, gratuity serves as a form of retirement benefit, ensuring financial security for employees who have dedicated years to a company.

What is Gratuity?

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Gratuity is a lump sum payment made by an employer to an employee at the time of retirement, resignation, or upon completing a specified period of service. It is a statutory benefit in India and is applicable to employees working in establishments with 10 or more employees. The employer provides gratuity as a goodwill gesture, but it is also a legal obligation under the Payment of Gratuity Act.

When Do You Become Eligible for Gratuity?

To qualify for gratuity, an employee must meet the following conditions:

1. Minimum Service Period: Employees must complete at least five continuous years with the same employer to be eligible for gratuity. However, this rule is waived in the case of death or disability.

2. Employment Type: Gratuity applies to employees in factories, mines, plantations, shops, and other establishments with 10 or more employees.

3. Resignation, Retirement, or Termination: Employees receive gratuity upon resignation, retirement, termination, or in case of death or disability.

How to Calculate Gratuity?

Gratuity is calculated based on the employees last drawn salary and years of service. The formula differs for employees covered under the Gratuity Act and those who are not.

Gratuity Calculation Formula (for employees under the Act)

The standard formula for gratuity is:

Gratuity = (Last Drawn Salary  15  Number of Years of Service) / 26

Example: Suppose an employee has worked for 10 years with a last drawn salary (basic + dearness allowance) of Rs 50,000.

(50,000  15  10) / 26 = Rs 2,88,461.54

Here, 15 represents 15 days wages for each completed year, and 26 is the number of working days in a month.

For Employees Not Covered Under the Act

Some organisations that do not fall under the Payment of Gratuity Act calculate gratuity differently:

Gratuity = (Last Drawn Salary  15  Number of Years of Service) / 30

This method results in a slightly lower payout.

Taxation on Gratuity

Gratuity taxation depends on the type of employee:

Government Employees: Fully tax-free.

Private Sector Employees Covered Under the Act: Exempt up to Rs 20 lakh in a lifetime.

Private Sector Employees Not Covered Under the Act: Tax exemption applies to the least of the following:

1. Actual gratuity received

2. Rs 20 lakh

3. Gratuity calculated using the formula

Key Points to Remember

 Gratuity is not deducted from the employees salary; the employer funds it.

 The five-year continuous service rule includes maternity leave and other paid leaves.

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 Employees can nominate a family member for gratuity benefits.

 In case of death or disability, the gratuity is paid to the nominee without requiring five years of service.

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 12:21 IST
Govt Asks IIM Rohtak To Suspend Or Send Director On Leave Until 'Graft' Probe Concludes

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 16:51 IST

IIM Rohtak Director Dheeraj Sharma is accused of inflating the institute's financial health to secure large variable pay.

The Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak. (Image/X@IIM_Rohtak)

The Union Ministry of Education on Thursday asked the Board of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak to either suspend institute Director Dheeraj Sharma or send him on leave till the completion of a probe against him over alleged misappropriation of funds, according to sources.

The director has also been asked to stay away from the IIM campus/rented area of IIM Rohtak until further orders.

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The allegations against Sharma include wrongfully inflating the financial health of IIM Rohtak and using such manipulated figures to pay a huge amount of variable pay (more than Rs 1 crore for each year) to the director of IIM Rohtak from 2018-19 onwards.

President Droupadi Murmu had earlier this month ordered an inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of public funds at IIM Rohtak during the tenure of Sharma as director of the institute.

The inquiry will also include the verification of the educational qualification certificates of Sharma and other staff recruited at IIM.

The probe against Sharma was launched following an inquiry conducted by the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, Ministry of Education, which found serious irregularities and grave misappropriation of public funds at IIM Rohtak.

The Ministry also noted that Sharmas degree certificate was sought by the ministry repeatedly during his first term as director of IIM Rohtak from 2017 to 2022 but was not sent by IIM Rohtak until the end of his tenure.

The Centre has also asked the Board to hand over the charge of IIM Rohtak to another faculty member who has not been associated with the financial matters of the institute.

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"A formal letter in this regard has been sent to Jai Dev Shroff, Chairman of the Board, IIM Rohtak. The Ministry has also asked the IIM Board to cancel the proposal given for the renomination of Neeraj Kansal as a member of the Board of IIM Rohtak, as per the agenda circulated for the 63rd meeting proposed to be held on March 17," a source said.

"The inquiry will be conducted by Professor Manoj Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, as the inquiry officer. He has been asked to complete the probe within three months," the sources added.

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 16:51 IST
Top 10 Pharmacy Colleges In Maharashtra: Admission Process And Fees

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:41 IST

Maharashtra is considered the best state for studying pharmacy in India, with multiple pharmacy institutes spread across major cities.

It is a profession that integrates health and pharma sciences. (Representative/Shutterstock)

Pharmacy remains a popular career path for those seeking a future in the medical field. It involves the science and skill of manufacturing and delivering medications, as well as providing additional clinical services such as vaccinations, health screenings, and advice on quitting smoking or managing illnesses like diabetes and asthma. This profession integrates health and pharmaceutical sciences to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines.

Every year, around 4 lakh students graduate in pharmacy, with approximately 40,000 to 50,000 from Maharashtra alone.

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India has several reputed pharmacy colleges that offer excellent education in this discipline. However, Maharashtra is widely regarded as the best state for studying pharmacy, with numerous pharmacy institutes spread across major cities.

If you are looking to pursue a pharmacy course after school, here is a list of the top colleges in Maharashtra as per the NIRF rankings.

1. Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai

Ranked 5th in the NIRF list of top pharmacy colleges in India, this institute offers both B.Pharma and M.Pharma. To be eligible, students must secure a minimum of 45% marks in Class 12 and obtain a good ranking in MHT CET or NEET. The total tuition fee for B.Pharma is approximately Rs 3.50 lakh.

2. Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth

Ranked 35th, this college requires applicants to secure at least 45% aggregate in Class 12 with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects, along with Mathematics or Biology. Additionally, candidates must pass a computer-based entrance test. The total fee for the B.Pharma course is Rs 5.28 lakh.

3. Dr DY Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Holding the 36th rank in NIRF, this institute is a preferred choice for pharmacy students. The eligibility criteria include a minimum of 50% aggregate in Class 12 and a good score in MHT CET or NEET. The tuition fee for B.Pharma is approximately Rs 5.80 lakh.

4. SVKMs Dr Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy

Ranked 39th, this Mumbai-based institute requires students to achieve a good MHT CET or NEET score along with at least 45% aggregate in Class 12. The total tuition fee for B.Pharma is around Rs 7 lakh.

5. Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University

This university, ranked 51st, requires a minimum 45% aggregate in Class 12 and participation in entrance exams like MHT CET, NEET, WBCHSE, or Maharashtra HSC. The total tuition fee ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh.

6. RC Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research

Ranked 56th, the eligibility criteria for this institute include a minimum 45% aggregate in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and either Biology or Mathematics as subjects, along with MHT CET or NEET scores. The total tuition fee is approximately Rs 4.24 lakh.

7. Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy

Ranked 61st, this Nagpur-based college requires a minimum of 50% aggregate in Class 12 and a good score in MHT CET or NEET. The tuition fee is approximately Rs 4.05 lakh.

8. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth

Ranked 67th, this institute in Satara requires a minimum of 45% aggregate in Class 12 and a good score in KVV, KAIET, or NEET. The tuition fee ranges from Rs 90,000 to Rs 3.2 lakh.

9. MIT WPU, Pune

Holding the 72nd rank, MIT WPU requires candidates to appear for NEET UG, MHT CET, PERA CET, or JEE Main and secure at least 50% in Class 12.

10. Bombay College of Pharmacy

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Ranked 73rd, this college requires students to achieve a minimum 50% aggregate and a good score in the MHT CET entrance exam.

Which of these colleges are you considering?

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:41 IST
Insta Maids: Why Urban Company's 15-Min Maid Service Has Caused Massive Outrage On The Internet

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 12:38 IST

Insta Maids: Urban Company recently started a 15-min maid booking service and it hasn't gone down too well with the folks on the Internet. But why?

Insta Maids: Urban Company's new 15-minute maid service has received backlash on X. (X screenshot / Urban Company)

Your maid left you hanging? We leave your home spotless!" Home services company Urban Company recently joined the quick commerce race with a 15-min maid booking. Move over 10-minute groceries delivered at your doorstep. Titled Insta Maids," the service offers utensil cleaning, brooming, mopping, cooking preparation among other facilities. Priced at Rs 49 per hour, the advertisement shows a woman receiving a text message from Sunita maid" stating that she wouldnt be coming in to work as she had to travel to her village. The service that is in its initial days with Mumbai being the pilot city and launched only a month ago has caught the attention of social media users on X platform. Outrage followed next.

But why?

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Demeaning?

Calling it demeaning, several users felt that the use of word maid" was derogatory and outdated in todays day and age. Expected better from Urban Company. :/ Has no one told them that the term Maid" is outdated, gendered and in general derogatory? Also, whats with the visuals on the ad," noted one user On X. Another angered netizen deemed the advertisement classist" and that Urban Companys approach was tone-deaf and out of touch. Certain other wondered if this service could enable illegal immigrants in the country. Urban company has launched this in Mumbai. There may be high probability you will find many illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Nepal working in this industry." A not-so-subtle response to the now-viral advert, a user wrote that the company simply needs to crash and burn down.

Misguided?

A lengthy discussion around the usage of the term maid" took elsewhere on Reddit long ago and this is what they discussed.

Why do we add negative connotations to some words and then ask people to not say them. I dont think maid is a wrong word to use as long as you are respectful towards them."

Also Read: Ravi Shastris Holi Wish Is A Hilarious Reminder Why Hes A Cool Customer Of Indian Cricket

Since when did the term Maid" become derogatory??? Its almost like saying that YOU CANT CALL A DOCTOR, A DOCTOR : Its their JOB at the end of the day, so theres nothing to be ashamed in being referred to as a MAID. However, everyone needs to be respected irrespective of what work they do. Koi bhi kaam chhota ya bada nahin hota. And infact maids are so super important & helpful for us, unke hone se kitni sahuliyat hojati hai humko humare household chores mein. SO, THE CENTRAL IDEA IS TO TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT FOR ALL THAT THEY DO FOR US (sic)."

Maid is not derogatory but some people refer to them as servants I have literally heard people say my servant didnt come in today. Now THAT is so bad and disrespectful."

Not all were in agreement, though. That it was deep-rooted in classism, the maid" had to be put to rest, opined many. Showing respect to the worker was the bare minimum but the dehumanising, degrading title had to go, a few others said.

Domestic Worker is appropriate I guess, coz its a job at the end of the day (sic)."

As in, when will classism disappear from India? Not in a 100 years, at least."

Ive never used the term maid ever in my life. It was either Aunty or Kaaki, because they are never below us. They deserve equal respect like anyone."

Urban Companys Response

Urban Company stated that they were thrilled by the overwhelming response, but there has been a slight correction (if you can call it that) on their part.

Using Insta Maids / Insta Help" in their latest post, the service company wrote: We are thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response to our newly launched service, Insta Maids / Insta Help", in Mumbai. Currently, the service is in its pilot phase, and we look forward to expanding it to other cities soon.

Also Read: Salman Khans Sikandar Releasing On A Sunday Isnt An Odd Affair, Heres Why It Already Is A Blockbuster

The company added that the service partners received free health insurance and an assured earning of Rs 20,000 a month should they work 132 hours/month.

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At Urban Company, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our service partners. In this new service offering, partners earn 150-180 per hour, along with free health insurance and on-the-job life & accidental insurance. Partners working for 132 hours per month (22 days  6 hours per day) are assured earnings of at least 20,000 per month."

Urban Company stepping into quick commerce has come ahead of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO). Urban Companys foray into 15-minute help service isnt unknown. Snapbbit has been offering on-demand household chores services since 2024. Started by former Zeptos chief of staff Aayush Agarwal, Snapbbit recently raised $5.5 million in Series A round funding, a report in Moneycontrol stated.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 12:38 IST
7 Girls Hospitalised In Karnataka After Miscreants Throw Chemical-Laced Colours During Holi

Published By :

IANS

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 16:50 IST

A gang of miscreants on bikes approached the schoolgirls waiting at the bus stand in Lakshmeshwar town and chased them down to pour chemical-laced colours on them, police said.

A gang threw chemical laced colours on schoolgirls in Karnataka. (PTI Representative)

In a shocking incident, at least seven schoolgirls were hospitalised after a gang of miscreants poured chemical-laced colours on them while celebrating Holi in the Lakshmeshwar town of the Gadag district of Karnataka on Friday.

Out of the seven schoolgirls, the condition of four girls turned critical as they developed breathlessness and chest pain. They were shifted to the Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) for further treatment, while the remaining girls are receiving treatment at the local government hospital in Lakshmeshwar, according to the preliminary information.

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The incident has sparked public outrage, and the parents of the victims have rushed to the hospital. Given the seriousness of the case, the police have launched a manhunt for the gang of miscreants.

According to the police, the schoolgirls were waiting at the bus stand near Suvarnagiri Tanda, Lakshmeshwar town, to board a bus and go to school as all of them were supposed to write their exams today.

A gang of miscreants arrived on bikes, stopped near the bus stand, and began throwing colours at them. As the school bus arrived in time, the girls managed to board it. However, the gang chased the bus on bikes, boarded the vehicle, and specifically targeted the seven schoolgirls, pouring chemical-laced colours on them, sources said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the liquid contained a mixture of cow dung, eggs, phenol, and colours. Upon exposure, the girls unknowingly ingested small amounts of the substance, causing them to experience breathlessness and other symptoms.

The students fell sick and were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

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The scenes at the hospital were heart-wrenching, with the girls struggling to breathe and suffering from severe chest pain. Senior police officers arrived at the hospital, assuring parents that strict action would be taken against the culprits.

The accused managed to escape on bikes, and the police are gathering information from locals and other passengers on the school bus to track them down. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the case.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Gadag, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 16:50 IST
Four Teenage Boys Swept Away In Thane River After Playing Holi, Bodies Recovered

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 22:50 IST

The children, in the 15-16 age group and Class X students, had ventured into the river after celebrating Holi and got swept away when its water level rose suddenly, he said.

Representative Image

Four teenage boys drowned in Ulhas river in Thane districts Badlapur area on Friday afternoon, a police official said.

The children, in the 15-16 age group and Class X students, had ventured into the river after celebrating Holi and got swept away when its water level rose suddenly, he said.

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The official identified them as Aryan Medar (15), Om Singh Tomar (15), Siddharth Singh (16), and Aryan Singh (16), all residents of Poddar Gruh Complex in Chamtoli.

The bodies of the four have been recovered and have been sent to Badlapur rural hospital for post mortem. A case has been registered and probe is underway," the official said.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Thane, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 22:50 IST
A Deadly Crash, A Bizarre Rant: Shocking Visuals Of Gujarat Accident Emerge, Cops Suspect Drink-Driving

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 22:09 IST

In a shocking accident, an overspeeding car killed a woman and injured four others in Gujarat's Vadodara. The accused was reportedly drunk as he came out of the vehicle and behaved erratically.

Rakshit Chaurasiya, the man driving the car, was thrashed by locals and handed over to police. (Photo: X)

In a tragic incident, a woman was killed and four others were injured after a speeding car hit several two-wheelers in Gujarats Vadodara. The car was being driven by a young man identified as Rakshit Chaurasiya, and a friend was sitting next to him when the accident took place.

The accident occurred around 12:30 am on Friday near Muktanand crossroads in the Karelibaug area, hitting several two-wheelers in its path. Chaurasiya was arrested soon after the incident, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya.

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The case was suspected to be of drunk driving, as an alarming video on social media showed a seemingly intoxicated Chaurasiya shouting, Another round? Another round?" before bystanders caught him.

The man later claimed that he was not drunk at the time of the accident.

What Happened In Vadodara?

Chaurasiya was driving a Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus black car and was apparently drunk when he hit a woman driving a scooter in the Karelibaug area in the early hours of Friday. The overspeeding car also crashed into two scooters, knocking down the riders and dragging them for some distance. The impact of the crash caused the airbags of the vehicle opened.

The saddest part about this is, milords will make sure he doesnt even spend a week in jail.. pic.twitter.com/ZqiB0kr15p Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) March 14, 2025

Police said the car belonged to his friend Mit Chauhan, who was sitting in the passenger seat at that time. The video circulating online showed Chauhan coming out of the vehicle and blaming Chaurasiya for the crash, before managing to flee from the spot. Chauhan was arrested hours after the incident.

Chauhan stepped out and walked away from the crash, abusing Chaurasiya and saying, I didnt do anything. He was driving the car," while pointing at him.

Chaurasiya emerged from the car afterwards and started behaving erratically, shouting, Another round? Another round?". He also mentioned a girls name, Nikita, and suddenly started chanting Om Namah Shivaay. Chaurasiya was reportedly thrashed by locals before being turned in to the police.

His name is rakshit chaurasiya, a student of LLB in MS university in vadodara, the car is of his friend Pranshu chauhan who was sitting next to himThe guy came out of the car after the accident and was shouting Nikita Nikita and then. He Was totally drunk. #Vadodara #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/JzAXeGC4uC  Gulrez Amzad  (@gulrejamzad__) March 14, 2025

Police Suspect Drink Driving

A car was moving from Sangam to Muktananad crossroad. It met with an accident while overspeeding. The police reached the spot and arrested one accused, Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia The search to arrest the other accused, Meet Chauhan, is underway," DCP Panna Momaya told reporters.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Police arrested accused Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia, the driver of the speeding car which collided with multiple two-wheelers, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to several others. https://t.co/wR05gwBhFr pic.twitter.com/sH28r17KJs ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

The deceased woman has been identified as Hemali Patel, who was riding her scooter at the time of the accident, while her husband was in a critical condition. Chaurasiya has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, officials said.

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Primarily, the car was overspeeding. This can also be a case of drunk driving. We will conduct his medical test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol," the official added. \Chaurasiya, who hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is a law student and lives in a PG accommodation in Vadodara, according to police. As per reports, he was studying in the Faculty of Law at MS University in Vadodara.

(with PTI inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Vadodara, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 14:28 IST
How To Pass The Holi Test With Flying Colours: Experts Share Top Tips To Save Your Skin & Hair

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:00 IST

Experts emphasise that not just pre-Holi but post-Holi care is also extremely important. They advise using a sulfate-free shampoo and a deep-conditioning mask to restore moisture in your hair

Before you plunge into the festivities of Holi, make sure your skin and hair are ready with a checklist of top essentialsa good moisturiser, an effective sunscreen, full-sleeved clothes, petroleum jelly, micellar water, and a few more items. (Representational image: Shutterstock)

Before you plunge into the festivities of Holi, make sure your skin and hair are ready with a checklist of top essentialsa good moisturiser, an effective sunscreen, full-sleeved clothes, petroleum jelly, micellar water, and a few more items.

Skin experts urge people to keep their skins well-being in mind by taking the right precautions to avoid injuries. From preparing your skin and hair before playing Holi to safely removing colours afterwards, News18 spoke to top dermatologists who shared essential tips.

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Play Holi using kitchen ingredients

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, a south Delhi-based dermatologist, suggests people play with natural ingredients instead of artificial colours.

People should play with rose petals, tomato puree, eggs, beetroot juice, bananas, etc. This will be more fun and healthy for the skin as well," said Bhardwaj, who is also an anti-allergy specialist and laser surgeon.

Also, before you go out to play, cover cuts or wounds on your body, if any.

How to protect your skin and hair

Holi colours, whether natural or synthetic, can cause skin irritation, dryness, and, in some cases, allergic reactions.

Synthetic colours may contain harmful substances like lead, mercury, or glass particles that cause rashes, irritation, and even long-term damage," said Dr Sachin Gupta, senior consultant, dermatology at Faridabad-based Amrita Hospital.

One of the most important precautions is to apply a generous layer of oil-based moisturiser or coconut oil before stepping out.

Moisturiser acts as a barrier and prevents colour particles from penetrating deep into the skin," said Dr Sandeep Arora, a dermatologist at Chirag Enclave, Delhi-based Apollo Spectra Hospital.

Sunscreen is also non-negotiable, especially if you will be out for long hours. For those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, avoid scrubbing off colours aggressively. Instead, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove colours gently," Dr Arora added.

Sharing similar suggestions, Dr Sushmitha ES, a dermatologist at Bengaluru-based SPARSH Hospital, said, Holi colours can be extremely harsh on both the skin and scalp, leading to dryness, breakouts, and even chemical damage."

Before playing, she advised to coat hair with coconut or olive oil, ensuring it reaches the roots and strands".

This prevents colours from sticking to the hair shaft, making post-Holi washing easier. Tying your hair in a bun or braid minimises exposure and breakage," she said.

Experts advise you to opt for a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50+, especially for sun-exposed areas like the face, arms, and neck. They also suggest avoiding heavy makeup or foundation, as it can trap colour pigments and clog pores. Wear full-sleeved clothing to minimise direct contact of colours with the skin," Dr Sushmitha said.

Post-Holi skincare

After Holi, experts believe, your skin will need deep hydration.

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Arora suggests applying a soothing aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid-based moisturiser to calm any inflammation. If you experience persistent rashes or itching, consult a doctor rather than self-medicating," he said while adding that people should not forget lips and eyelids", as both areas are sensitive. Use petroleum jelly before playing and remove colours gently with micellar water."

Dr Sushmitha emphasises that post-Holi care is extremely important. She advises using a sulphate-free shampoo and a deep-conditioning mask to restore moisture in your hair. For skin, choose a gentle oil-based cleanser rather than harsh scrubs, which can cause micro-tears. Follow up with a hydrating sheet mask or ceramide-rich moisturiser to repair the skin barrier. In case of itching or rashes, apply calamine lotion or ice packs to reduce irritation.

About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:00 IST
'Epicentre Of Global Terrorism': India Hits Out At Pakistan, Rejects Its Claims On Train Hijacking

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 09:55 IST

Balochistan Train Hijack: Islamabad should introspect instead of blaming others for its own internal problems and failures, the MEA said.

A man stands near charred truck containers torched by armed separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) at central Bolan district in Balochistan. (IMAGE: AFP FILE)

India strongly rejected allegations levelled by Pakistan after Islamabad hinted at New Delhi being behind the train hijacking in Balochistan. Pakistan said that the handlers of the attackers were based in Afghanistan and were allegedly sponsored by India after the Jaffar Express, carrying over 450 passengers, was seized by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on March 11, leading to a deadly confrontation.

Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Islamabad had evidence that calls related to the hijacking originated in Afghanistan. He said, There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan. This is what I said."

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What MEA Said On Pakistans Allegations

The Ministry of External Affairs said that the claims made by Pakistan are baseless". The MEA spokesperson reiterated that the world is aware that the epicentre of terrorism is Pakistan. Islamabad should introspect instead of blaming others for its own internal problems and failures, the MEA said.

MEA said in a statement, We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others."

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Afghanistan Responds To Pakistans Allegations

Afghanistans foreign affairs ministry said, We categorically reject baseless allegations by the Pakistani army spokesman linking the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan, & urge Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security & internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks."

First Published: March 14, 2025, 09:46 IST
Jabs Galore In Tamil Nadu Budget Speech Amid DMK Vs BJP Hindi Row: Centre Cheated Us...

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 11:35 IST

Tamil Nadu Budget: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan accused the BJP-led Centre of having "cheated" Tamil Nadu of Rs 2,150 crore in funds for the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Tamil Nadu FInance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the State Budget.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Dr Palanivel Thiagarajan continued the ongoing debate over the National Education Policys three-language formula during his budget speech in the Assembly. The Ministers remarks referenced the ongoing language row between the DMK and BJP, as he asserted DMKs opposition to Hindi imposition.

Palanivel Thiagarajan accused the BJP-led Centre of having cheated" Tamil Nadu of Rs 2,150 crore in funds for the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The minister stated that the central government is refusing to release the funds until the state withdraws its opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP).

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The Finance Minister defended the states two-language policy, asserting that it has been instrumental in the achievements of Tamil people globally. He further emphasized that this policy has significantly contributed to the progress of Tamil Nadu.

The two-language policy has taken us to greater heights Tamils achieve globally because of this".

MK Stalin Government Replaces Rupee Symbol With Tamil Letter

Tamil Nadus ruling DMK, led by M K Stalin, has taken a bold stance against the NEP. In a symbolic move, the state government has replaced the official Indian rupee symbol () with the Tamil letter Ru in its 2025-26 Budget.

The Tamil letter originates from the word rubai, meaning rupees in Tamil. This unprecedented action marks the first time a state has rejected the national currency symbol, signifying a new level of resistance against the NEP.

DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai said, We have put the Tamil word for Rupees. This is not a showdown, there is nothing illegal about it. We will prioritise Tamil, that is why the government went ahead with this."

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I just asked them to promote Tamil properly. Tamil Nadu is continuously performing well in the education sector. People are not migrating to North India from here, they are going to the US and the UK. BJP is not able to digest this," he added.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the move is secessionist" and signals a dangerous mindset to weaken Indian unity under the pretext of regional pride".

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 11:33 IST
Kerala Lottery Results LIVE: Nirmal NR-423 Winners For March 14, 2025 Soon; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh!

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 09:00 IST

The Kerala State Lottery Department will announce the Nirmal NR-423 results on March 14, 2025, at 3 PM in Thiruvananthapuram. The first prize is Rs 70 lakh.

Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-423 Results: The first prize winner of Nirmal NR-423 will get Rs 70 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock)

KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-423 RESULT ON FRIDAY, 14.3.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department will announce the results of the Nirmal NR-423 lucky draw on Friday, March 14. The draw is scheduled to begin at 3 PM at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram.

ALSO READ: Happy Holi 2025: Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages, Facebook & WhatsApp Status To Share With Loved Ones

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Participants have the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes, with the first prize set at Rs 70 lakh, the second prize at Rs 10 lakh, and the third prize at Rs 1 lakh. To ensure transparency and fairness, the draw will be conducted under the supervision of independent judges. Stay tuned to find out the lucky winning numbers!

KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-423 GUESSING NUMBERS

7945 7954 7495 7459

7594 7549 9745 9754

9475 9457 9574 9547

4795 4759 4975 4957

4579 4597 5794 5749

5974 5947 5479 5497

NIRMAL NR-423 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakh

2nd Prize: Rs 10 Lakh

3rd Prize: Rs 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs 5,000

5th Prize: Rs 1,000

6th Prize: Rs 500

7th Prize: Rs 100

Consolation Prize: Rs 8,000

NIRMAL NR-423 LOTTERY: WINNING NUMBERS

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKH IS: To be updated

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS: To be updated

WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE: To be updated

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: To be updated

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: To be updated

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: To be updated

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To be updated

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To be updated

HOW TO CHECK KERALA NIRMAL NR-423 LOTTERY RESULTS?

Visit the official Kerala Lottery website to check the NIRMAL NR-423 results.

Confirm the winning numbers at the Kerala Government Gazette office.

Reach out to the Kerala Lottery Department for authentic and official details.

How to Claim the Prize Money?

Check the official Kerala Government Gazette to verify the lottery results and compare them with your ticket number.

If your ticket number appears in the official list, you may qualify for a prize.

Winners must visit the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram to claim their reward within 30 days of the result declaration.

To collect the prize, winners need to present the original lottery ticket along with a valid ID for verification.

Documents Required to Claim Prize Money

Submit a signed photocopy of both the front and back of the winning lottery ticket.

Provide recent passport-sized photos, duly attested by a Gazette officer for verification.

Attach a self-attested copy of your PAN card as proof of identity.

Fill out the official prize claim form online, affix a revenue stamp, and submit it.

Present a valid government-issued ID, such as a PAN card, Voter ID, Ration Card, or Aadhaar Card, for authentication.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS?

Go to keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net, the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department.

Find and click on the Nirmal Lottery NR-423 results link.

The results section will show the complete list of winning numbers.

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Look for the download option on the webpage.

Click the link to view and download the lottery results in PDF format.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 09:00 IST
Lost A Brilliant Mind: IISER On Scientist's Death After Parking Fight In Mohali

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 08:35 IST

IISER Scientist Abhishek Swarnkar Dies: Dr Abhishek Swarnkar had an altercation with neighbour during which the latter allegedly pushed him to the ground and punched him.

IISER scientist Dr Abhishek Swarnkar died in Mohali after a fight with his neighbour over parking.

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) expressed grief over the death of its scientist Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar. Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar was involved in a parking dispute in Mohali which turned fatal.

In a statement, the IISER mourned the loss of a brilliant mind" and called for swift and strong action against those responsible.

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We have lost a brilliant mind. Such an act of violence is unacceptable, and strict action should be taken against the accused," it said, as per news agency IANS.

Read more: Who Was Abhishek Swarnkar? IISER Scientist Dies After Fight With Neighbour Over Parking

The institute highlighted Dr. Abhishek Swarnkars achievements, including his selection by the Department of Science and Technology to meet Nobel Laureates in 2017 and the recent publication of his research paper in the Journal of Science.

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Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar, a 39-year-old scientist originally from Jharkhands Dhanbad passed away Tuesday night following an altercation with his neighbor in Mohalis Sector 67. Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar, who had recently returned to India from Switzerland to join IISER as a project scientist, was involved in a dispute over a parking issue with his neighbor.

During the altercation, the neighbour allegedly pushed Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar to the ground and punched him. The scientist, who had recently undergone a kidney transplant, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Location : Chandigarh, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 08:35 IST
Piyush Goyal Holds 'Forward Looking' Talks With US Trade Representative On Bilateral Trade Deal

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 16:15 IST

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement by this year by cutting tariffs.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. (Piyush Goyal/X)

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that he had a forward-looking" discussion with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.

Goyal had previously met Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his visit to the United States earlier this month to negotiate a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two countries.

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Had a forward looking discussion with @USTradeRep Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement. Our approach will be guided by India First, Viksit Bharat and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Goyal said on X.

Had a forward looking discussion with @USTradeRep Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement.Our approach will be guided by India First, Viksit Bharat and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. pic.twitter.com/0KKyWALEP7  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 14, 2025

What Is India-US Bilateral Trade Deal?

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025, during the latters visit to the White House in February.

The two leaders resolved to expand trade and investment to make their citizens more prosperous, nations stronger, economies more innovative, and supply chains more resilient. Through the BTA, our objective is to strengthen and deepen India-US two-way trade in the goods and services sector, increase market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepen supply chain integration between the two countries," said the Ministry of External Affairs.

They also resolved to deepen the US-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. To this end, the leaders set a bold new goal for bilateral trade  Mission 500"  aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.

Trumps Tariff Threats

However, since assuming office in January, Trump has repeatedly criticised Indias tariff rates, describing the country as a tariff king" and a tariff abuser". Before PM Modis visit to the White House, Trump had announced reciprocal tariffs on its partners, including New Delhi.

Trump recently claimed that India has agreed to cut its tariffs way down" as he reiterated his claim that the country charges America massive tariffs that make it difficult to sell products there. Theyve agreed. they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what theyve done," he said.

However, Indias commerce secretary clarified that India is still negotiating with the United States and has not made any commitments so far, according to sources. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told a parliamentary committee that the US has not imposed any tariffs on India despite announcing reciprocal tariffs earlier.

India exported nearly $74 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, which establishes the US as Indias biggest trading partner. Higher tariffs on Indian products are likely to decrease their competitive edge in the US market which will hit major labour-intensive sectors hard.

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India has already said it is looking at deepening trade ties with the US, including by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers through the bilateral trade deal. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in an interaction with India Today TV said the US wants a more balanced trade relationship with India, emphasising the need for fairer trade policies.

(with agency inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 14:59 IST
Ranya Rao To DRI: Tapes For Strapping Gold Bars Bought, Cut To Size Before Entering Dubai Airport

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:26 IST

Ranya Rao admitted to receiving gold from an unknown person at the Dubai airport and concealing gold bars to her body. Her statement to the DRI was accessed exclusively by CNN-News18.

A file photo of actor Ranya Rao (PTI)

Actor Ranya Rao, caught up in a gold smuggling case, told the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) that she was handed over gold in two packets, wrapped in thick tarpaulin plastic type of material.

The actor made the revelations during questioning, and her statements to the DRI were accessed exclusively by CNN-News18.

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In her response, Ranya mentioned about a call she had received from an unknown number on March 1, 2025, directing her to collect gold bars at Dubai International Airports Terminal 3. She further claimed the caller had asked her to deliver the gold at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

Ranya went on to explain to the DRI that after receiving the said packets, she proceeded towards the washroom near the dining lounge.

As she opened the packets received from the unknown person, she found 12 gold bars which were packed in three separate packs of four each (full bars).

One pack contained the five cut pieces stacked together.

Thereafter, she said she wrapped the gold bars around her calf muscle and waist using an adhesive tape, which she said she had bought from a shop near the airport.

Ranya also told the officials she had used scissors to cut the tapes to a certain size, and had kept it in her bag before-hand as she would not be able to carry scissors into the airport.

To covered the gold sticked to her body, Ranya said she used a tissue roll from the washroom of the airport.

ALSO READ | Possibility Of Involvement Of Public Servants: DRI Briefs CBI In Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case

She also stated she had placed a few of the gold bars in her shoes below the sole and the remaining cut pieces in the pockets of her jeans.

Ranya, according to her statement to the DRI, also confessed that she had watched YouTube videos to understand how to wrap/conceal gold on to the body.

The actor also claimed that the caller had prior informed her that the gold would be handed over to her in the form of ingots.

RANYA RAO AND THE GOLD SMUGGLING CASE

Gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The following day, officials searched her residence and recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore.

Subsequently, a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was ordered.

However, as on Wednesday night, the Karnataka government withdrew its order directing the CID to probe possible lapses and dereliction of duty by police officers at Kempegowda International Airport in connection with the case.

The order, withdrawing the CID probe, stated that Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta is already probing the possible role of Ranyas stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, a Director General of Police (DGP)-rank officer, in the case.

Ramachandra Rao is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Guptas inquiry will focus on the facts and circumstances leading to the misuse of protocol-related facilities and Raos involvement in the case.

RANYA RAO MISTREATED WHILE IN DETENTION?

The actor has alleged mistreatment during her detention, claiming that DRI officials verbally abused her when she hesitated to respond to certain questions, according to news agency PTI.

She also accused them of coercing her into signing documents without proper consent.

The DRI has refuted these allegations, maintaining that all procedures were conducted lawfully and respectfully.

Meanwhile, a decision on Ranyas bail plea was reserved by a Bengaluru Special Court for Economic Offences on Wednesday. The judgment in case is now expected on March 14.

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Anticipating a possible arrest, Raos husband, Jatin Hukkeri, has sought interim relief from the Karnataka High Court. The court has granted him temporary protection from arrest, offering a brief reprieve as the investigation progresses.

ALSO READ | DRI Revelations On Ranya Rao: Bought Gold In Dubai, Declared Geneva Travel, But Landed In India

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:26 IST
Ranya Rao's Bail Plea Rejected By Court In Gold Smuggling Case

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 18:29 IST

Ranya Rao was arrested from the Bengaluru Airport earlier this month for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai.

Actress Ranya Rao was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai. (Photo: X,Representative)

Kannada actor Ranya Raos bail petition was rejected by the special court for economic offences in gold smuggling case, citing the seriousness of charges against her.

The court led by Justice Vishwanath Gowdar agreed with the prosecution that the actor should continue to be in judicial custody.

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She was earlier remanded to a 14-day judicial custody after she was arrested at the airport on March 4. The second accused, Tarun Raju, was sent to 15-day judicial custody.

Gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya Rao at the Bengaluru Airport. Subsequently, officials conducted searches at her properties, recovering gold jewelry worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.

Ranya, arrested in a gold smuggling case, initially sought bail from the Magistrate Court, but her plea was denied. She then moved the Special Court for Economic Offences, where her request was rejected again.

Following these setbacks, her legal team is now preparing to approach the Sessions Court for relief. Until a decision is reached on her bail application, she will continue to be in judicial custody.

The Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation into the case.

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Ranya Rao purchased round-trip tickets from Bengaluru to Dubai using her husband Jatin Hukkeris credit card, raising suspicions about his possible involvement in the gold smuggling case.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) subsequently conducted searches at nine locations in Bengaluru linked to Hukkeri. Meanwhile, he obtained an interim order from the Karnataka High Court, preventing the DRI from arresting him.

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

First Published: March 14, 2025, 18:00 IST
Rod-Wielding Man Assaults Devotees In Amritsar's Golden Temple, 5 Injured

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 17:55 IST

The accused allegedly assaulted inside the Golden Temple with a road, causing serious injuries to a Sikh youth from Bathinda. The assailant and his accomplice were arrested.

Golden Temple in Amritsar. (PTI File Image)

At least five devotees were injured in an attack at Amritsars Golden Temple on Friday, when an unidentified individual, armed with a rod, allegedly assaulted the devotees inside the premises.

According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the Sikh body managing the temple, the attack occurred near the community kitchen at the Guru Ram Das inn.

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Police have apprehended the alleged assailant and an accomplice who reportedly surveyed the location prior to the attack. The second accused allegedly conducted recce along with the one who attacked devotees," a police officer told The Indian Express.

One victim, a Sikh youth from Bathinda, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Amritsar. The identities of the accused are yet to be disclosed.

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Earlier, Punjab Police said it dismantled a drug trafficking cartel and arrested four smugglers, including a 16-year-old boy, from Amritsar. Police recovered 4.01 kg of heroin and Rs 20,000 cash from their possession.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav told news agency PTI that the accused were in constant contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, who were using the Ferozepur sector to push in drugs across the border and providing precise coordinates for the drops.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Amritsar, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 17:55 IST
Who Is Rakshit Chaurasia, Law Student Who Mowed Down Woman With His Speeding Car?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 17:30 IST

Rakshit Chaurasia got out of his mangled Volkswagen and shouted Nikita, Nikita followed by Another Round, Another Round!

The man who crashed his car into a scooter after being arrested by police in Gujarats Vadodara. (IMAGE: X/@MeghUpdates)

The driver of the speeding Volkswagen who killed a woman after crashing into her two-wheeler on Thursday night and injured two others was identified as Rakshit Chaurasia, a law student from Varanasi. He was allegedly driving the car in an inebriated condition. The incident took place near Amrapali Complex and the incident was captured on CCTV.

Passersby also captured the aftermath of the accident on the phones, videos of which have now gone viral on social media. Chaurasia got out of the car after he crashed onto the two-wheeler and shouted Nikita, Nikita! and then paced about. At one point, he even shouted Another Round, Another Round! before chanting Om Namah Shivay twice, as people gathered around him and started to thrash him.

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Videos that emerged later of the incident showed people parading him around while thrashing him for the loss of lives he caused and handing him over to the police.

Rakshit remains in police custody and the other person with him who was inside the car, Meet Chauhan, was also arrested. Meet is the owner of the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus (Black).

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Rakshit studies in the Faculty of Law at MS University in Vadodara and hails from Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi. According to witnesses, the car was being driven at a speed of 100 kmph and because the driver took a sharp turn, it ended up hitting the two-wheeler.

A car was moving from Sangam to Muktananad crossroad. It met with an accident while overspeeding. The police reached the spot and arrested one accused, Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia. One woman has died and four others are injured. It is a case of drinking and driving," Gujarat Police official Panna Momaya was quoted as saying by news agencies.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More

Location : Vadodara, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 17:29 IST
Albert Einstein 146th Birth Anniversary: 10 Facts And Inspiring Quotes By The Father Of Modern Physics

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 06:50 IST

Albert Einstein is famed for his Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. He won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics and is called the Father of Modern Physics.

Albert Einstein's wax statue in Bukovel, Ukraine. (Image: Shutterstock)

Albert Einstein Birth Anniversary: One of the greatest physicists of all time, Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Germany. He was best known for developing the Theory of Relativity, but his contributions to the Theory of Quantum Mechanics were also widely accepted and praised.

Einstein won a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his remarkable contributions to the field. He is widely recognised as the Father of Modern Physics. He revolutionised our understanding of space, time, and the nature of light with his ground-breaking theories in physics.

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Einsteins first paper, Conclusions from the Capillarity Phenomena, was published in 1900. By the end of 1905, he had produced four more papers, cementing his name in the annals of history.

On the 146th birth anniversary of Einstein, heres a look at some fascinating facts about the Nobel laureate, along with his most famous quotes.

10 Facts About The Father Of Modern Physics

A Man Of Many Homes: Though born in Germany, Einstein didnt stay there for long. He lived in Italy, Switzerland, and Czechia before eventually moving to the United States, where he remained for the rest of his life. He never returned to Germany after leaving the country once. A Childhood Spark Of Genius: As a child, Einsteins curiosity was ignited when his father gifted him a compass. The way the needle moved, seemingly controlled by an unseen force, fascinated him and set him on a lifelong path of scientific discovery. The First Paper At 16: Einstein wasnt just an early thinker, he was also an early researcher. At just 16, he penned his first scientific paper, inspired by his fascination with the gifted compass. A School Dropout: Contrary to the popular myth that Einstein was a poor student, he actually performed exceptionally well in Mathematics, Physics, and Philosophy. However, he struggled with language and other subjects, leading him to leave school at 15. From Tutor To Theorist: Before revolutionising physics, Einstein worked as a private tutor for Mathematics and Physics. However, job opportunities were scarce and he eventually decided to pursue a PhD. Born Differently: According to his biography, Einstein: A Life, by Denis Brian, the Nobel laureate was born with a strangely large and misshapen head, which terrified his grandmother. A Late Talker: Despite his genius, Einstein had difficulty speaking as a child and reportedly didnt utter a word until he was over two years old. His Iconic Look: Young Einstein was meticulous about his appearance, his hair was always neatly combed and oiled. However, after becoming a father and struggling financially as a clerk, he abandoned frequent haircuts and embraced his now-iconic wild scientist look. Two Marriages: Einstein met his first wife Mileva Maric while studying at Zurich Polytechnique. The two married in 1903. The duo got divorced in 1919 and he went on to marry his cousin Elsa Lowenthal in 1919. Deep Admiration For Gandhi: Einstein was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhis ideologies. The two often exchanged letters and Einstein once called Gandhi, A role model for the generations to come."

Famous Quotes By Albert Einstein

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The Nobel laureate, who passed away in 1955, left behind numerous famous quotes. Here are a few that continue to inspire generations:

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

If you cant explain it to a six-year-old, you dont understand it yourself."

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and Im not sure about the universe."

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

Any fool can know. The point is to understand."

Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value."

The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking."

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: March 14, 2025, 06:50 IST
Ananya Panday's Midi Dress For Sister Rysa's Birthday Bash Is Bookmark Material

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 09:33 IST

While on a family vacation in the Seychelles, Ananya Panday celebrated the birthday of her sister, Rysa.

Ananya Panday adds disco excitement to her trip to the Seychelles. (Images: Instagram)

Ananya Pandays effortless charisma and impeccable sense of style have been making waves in Bollywood since her debut as Student of the Year 2. From red-carpet events to promotional trips to informal getaways, she is a true Gen Z style icon who never fails to please.

Ananya Panday, who is currently enjoying the tranquil beach vibes of the Seychelles with her family, recently threw a birthday party for her younger sister, Rysa. At the East African archipelago, Ananya Panday celebrated her younger sisters birthday by combining beach aesthetics with disco-girl energy in a recent Instagram post.

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The star has been posting stunning photos from her trip and showing off some amazing beach-ready ensembles that you can try for your next summer holiday. She opted for a beautiful champagne dress by Ba&sh, which reportedly cost Rs 26,528 and is effortlessly stunning.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya  (@ananyapanday)

The dress was the ideal combination of refinement and glitz, with its delicate spaghetti straps, stylishly draped neckline, and textured fabric with elaborate details. The outfit perfectly complimented her body, highlighting her back and side contours as it fell elegantly to her knees.

This type of knee-length, straight-fitting silhouette is perfect for a stylish bridesmaid appearance or a birthday celebration.

With a stack of delicate rings, round silver earrings, and no necklace, Ananya Panday accessorised it with subtle elegance, making the dress the focal point. She had a stunning yet carefree beauty look.

Ananya Panday created a modest yet alluring sunset-inspired look by embracing a rosy glow, gentle smoky eyes, accentuated cheekbones, and a perfect radiant base. She added to her breezy coastal charm by letting her lovely natural waves flow freely in the summer breeze and finishing the look with glossy pink lipstick.

Happpy birthday Rychiieeee! No one else Id rather lay on a runway with and stargaze at midnight and then wake up at 8 am on a holiday for a yoga class for," Ananya Panday posted images from Rysas birthday celebration to Instagram along with a caption.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Celebrity Style (@bollywoodwomencloset)

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With these recent clicks, Ananya Panday demonstrates once more how she can own the moment when it comes to stylish minimalism and carefree glamour.

Regarding her career, Ananya Panday most recently appeared in the consecutive OTT releases CTRL and Call Me Bae. The actors upcoming film is Chand Mera Dil, which stars Lakshya and will be directed by Vivek Soni.

About the Author Riya Ashok Madayi Riya has an extra flair for the world of fashion and an unwavering commitment to writing about music and artists from around the world. She loves delving into every facet of womanhood while writing insightful s... Read More Riya has an extra flair for the world of fashion and an unwavering commitment to writing about music and artists from around the world. She loves delving into every facet of womanhood while writing insightful s... Read More

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: March 14, 2025, 09:33 IST
Happy Holi 2025: Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages, Facebook & WhatsApp Status To Share With Loved Ones

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 08:15 IST

Holi 2025: Celebrate the festival of colours with the best Holi wishes, messages, quotes, and images. Share heartfelt Holi greetings with your friends and family, along with vibrant Facebook and WhatsApp status updates to spread festive joy.

Happy Holi 2025: Celebrate the festival of colours with love, joy, and vibrant Holi wishes for friends and family. (Image: Shutterstock)

Holi 2025 Wishes, Messages and Quotes: Holi, the festival of colours, is one of the most joyous and vibrant celebrations in India and beyond. It marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This year, Holika Dahan was observed on March 13, setting the stage for the grand festivities of Holi today, on March 14. As the day unfolds, people will come together, splash colours on one another and revel in the spirit of joy, love and togetherness.

ALSO READ: Happy Holi 2025: Top 50+ Wishes, Quotes, Captions, And Messages To Share With Friends And Family

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Exchanging Holi greetings is a beautiful tradition that adds warmth and positivity to the festival. Whether through handwritten notes, social media posts, or heartfelt messages, Holi wishes bring people closer.

Best Holi 2025 Wishes For Friends and Family

On this special occasion, may the divine blessings of Holi fill our lives with good health, prosperity, peace, joy and endless happiness. Wishing everyone at home a very Happy Holi.

Here is to a Holi filled with love, laughter and fun. Happy Holi!

May our familys love shine brighter than the brightest colours of Holi. Happy Holi!

I wish that the colours of our bond and love remain vibrant forever. Happy Holi!

May the hues of Holi paint our lives with harmony, prosperity and love. Wishing you a very Happy Holi.

May your life be as colourful as a rainbow and filled with endless happiness and success. Happy Holi!

May the vibrant festival of Holi bring you good luck, success and happiness. Happy Holi!

Bright gulaal, playful pichkaris, delicious gujiyas and groovy songs make the perfect Holi. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and safe celebration.

Wishing you a Holi filled with colourful moments and sweet memories.

May your life be filled with colourful moments, now and always. Happy Holi.

May this Holi paint your life with vibrant hues of love, joy and prosperity. Wishing you and your family a colourful and blissful Holi.

Wishing you a vibrant and colourful Holi filled with love and happiness.

Sending you heartfelt greetings for a happy and energetic Holi celebration.

I hope the festival of Holi brings joy to your home. Happy Holi!

Happy Holi! May your Holi be as beautiful and bright as your smile. Enjoy the festival to the fullest.

May the spirit of Holi fill your heart with love and your home with joy and happiness.

Happy Holi! May this festival bring you prosperity and abundant joy.

Let us celebrate this Holi by spreading joy and peace around us. Happy Holi!

May your life always be as colourful and joyful as the festival of Holi.

Wishing you and your family a prosperous and Happy Holi.

Happy Holi to my wonderful friends and family. May you have a colourful and joyful day.

May this Holi bring you all the love and happiness you deserve. Wishing you a Happy Holi.

Wishing you infinite happiness this Holi as you spray colours of joy and fun. Have a colourful celebration.

May the colours of Holi bring fresh excitement to your life, and may the joyful songs of Holi fill your heart with harmony. Wishing you a vibrant and memorable Holi celebration.

I hope the festival of Holi brings blessings upon you and your loved ones.Wishing you all a very Happy Holi.

Inspirational Holi 2025 Quotes

This Holi, may your life be as colorful and vibrant as the festival itself."

Holi is the time to break the ice, renew relationships, and make a fresh start."

Colors of love, colors of joy, colors of life  let Holi fill your world with all of them!"

On this festival of colors, let go of all your past hurts and embrace love, peace, and happiness."

The joy of colors reminds us that we are all the same inside, no matter the external differences."

Let this Holi fill your life with vibrant colors of joy, peace, and love."

Holi is a celebration of life  full of joy, harmony, and new beginnings."

Spread love, joy, and colors wherever you go this Holi, and let your heart be your canvas."

May the colors of Holi bring prosperity, peace, and positivity into your life."

Holi teaches us that the world is a beautiful canvas, and we all are the colors that make it vibrant."

Top Holi 2025 Images For Friends And Family

Holi 2025 Captions for Instagram & Social Media

Lets paint the town with colours and love! Happy Holi! Holi vibes, good vibes. Let the colours do the talking! Splashing the world with love, joy, and all the colors in between! Colors of life, love, and happinessthis is what Holi is all about! May your life be as colorful as the Holi festival! Lets celebrate! Time to throw some color and spread some joy! Add a little splash of color to your life. Keep calm and let the colors of Holi brighten your world! Holi: A festival of colors, happiness, and endless memories! Lets make this Holi a masterpiece of colours and laughter!

Funny Holi Messages for Friends

Warning: Holi colors may cause excessive happiness, uncontrollable laughter, and funny selfies. Proceed with caution!

Holi is the only time of the year when your face becomes a canvas, and your friends become artists!

On Holi, we play with colours, but remember, your face will be the biggest canvas!

Happy Holi to the friend who always manages to look more like a rainbow than I do!

Holi: When your clothes get ruined, your face is painted, and your friends get way too creative!

This Holi, Im not just going to play with colorsIm going to play with your patience, too!

Holi: The only day I can get away with looking like a rainbow threw up on me!

I dont need a filter for my selfies today; Ive got enough color on me to make them Insta-worthy!

Holi: The festival when we turn into walking color charts. Lets have some fun!

Lets turn this Holi into a color war! May the best friend win (and may I still be friends with you after this)!

Holi 2025 Facebook And WhatsApp Status Updates

May your life be filled with vibrant colours of happiness, love, and success.

Lets celebrate the festival of colours with joy and positivity! Wishing everyone a bright and cheerful Holi 2025.

Bura na mano, Holi hai! Lets spread happiness, laughter, and colours all around!

Splash some colours, spread some love!

Life is more fun with colours! Wishing you a joyful and colourful Holi.

Lets burn away negativity and welcome happiness this Holi!

Let the colours of Holi remind us that life is beautiful in every shade!

This Holi, may your life be filled with colours of love, success, and happiness!

Just like colours blend in Holi, may love and positivity blend into your life! Wishing you a fantastic Holi 2025.

Holi 2025: FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

When is Holi 2025 celebrated?

Holi 2025 is being celebrated today on March 14, 2025. The festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, marking the arrival of spring.

What is the significance of Holi?

Holi symbolises the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is inspired by the legend of Prahlad and Holika, where devotion to Lord Vishnu triumphed over arrogance. The festival also promotes love, unity, and new beginnings.

How is Holi celebrated in India?

Holi celebrations include:

Holika Dahan on the night before Holi, symbolising the burning of negativity.

Colour play on Holi morning, where people apply gulal (coloured powder) and splash water on each other.

Traditional sweets like gujiya, malpua, and thandai are enjoyed.

Music, dance, and festive gatherings with family and friends.

What are the best places to celebrate Holi in India?

Some of the best places to experience Holi in India include:

Mathura & Vrindavan: Famous for traditional Lathmar Holi and Phoolon ki Holi. Barsana: Known for its unique women-led Holi celebrations. Jaipur & Udaipur: Royal Holi celebrations with cultural performances. Delhi & Mumbai: Large-scale Holi parties with music and colours. Shantiniketan (West Bengal): Celebrated as Basanta Utsav with cultural performances.

How can I protect my skin and hair during Holi?

To prevent damage from colours, follow these Holi safety tips:

Apply coconut oil or moisturizer on your skin before playing with colours.

Oil your hair to prevent dryness and colour absorption.

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Use organic or herbal colours to avoid skin irritation.

Stay hydrated and wash off colours immediately after celebrations.

What are some traditional Holi sweets and drinks?

Holi is incomplete without delicious sweets and drinks, including:

Gujiya: A crispy, sweet dumpling filled with khoya and dry fruits. Malpua: A deep-fried pancake soaked in sugar syrup. Thandai: A refreshing drink made with milk, nuts, and spices. Puran Poli: A sweet stuffed flatbread popular in Maharashtra. Dahi Vada: A chilled, yogurt-based snack enjoyed during Holi.

Can Holi be celebrated in an eco-friendly way?

Yes, you can enjoy Holi in an eco-friendly way by:

Using organic or natural colours made from flowers and herbs.

Playing dry Holi to reduce water wastage.

Avoiding plastic bags and harmful chemicals in colours.

Celebrating with flowers and natural elements instead of synthetic colours.

How can I wish someone a Happy Holi?

You can wish someone Happy Holi by sending messages, quotes, and greetings such as:

Wishing you a Holi filled with colours of happiness, love, and laughter!

May your Holi be as colourful as your life. Have a fantastic celebration!

Lets make this Holi a festival of joy and positivity. Happy Holi 2025!

Is Holi a bank holiday in India?

Yes, Holi is a public holiday in most parts of India. Government offices, schools, and many businesses remain closed on this day. However, the extent of the holiday may vary by state.

How is Holi celebrated outside India?

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Holi is celebrated worldwide in countries with Indian communities, including:

Nepal: Holi is a major festival, celebrated with colours and festivities. USA & UK: Large Holi parties and cultural festivals are organized. Mauritius, Fiji, and Trinidad: Holi is celebrated due to their significant Indian populations. Australia & Canada: Various communities host Holi events and colour festivals.

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: March 14, 2025, 06:00 IST
International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Theme, History, Significance, Facts And Inspiring Quotes

Published By :

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 06:40 IST

International Day of Action for Rivers 2025 on March 14 highlights the importance of rivers. The theme "Our Rivers, Our Future" urges communities to protect water rights.

International Day of Action for Rivers 2025 emphasises river protection.(Image: Shutterstock)

International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Every year on March 14, the International Day of Action for Rivers is observed. This day focuses on the importance of rivers and the need to protect them. Rivers provide freshwater, support ecosystems and have been essential to human civilisations for centuries. But today, many rivers are polluted which is affecting both nature and communities.

Some people do not have equal access to clean water which makes the issue even more urgent. This day encourages people to come together, raise awareness and take action to protect rivers. The goal is to ensure that rivers remain clean and flowing freely for future generations. This year marks the 28th celebration of the day.

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International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Theme

As per the official website of International Rivers, the theme of this years International Day of Action for Rivers is Our Rivers, Our Future." It highlights the need to unite communities worldwide to protect free-flowing rivers, safeguard water rights and ensure local voices are heard in river management.

International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: History

The International Day of Action for Rivers was first observed in 1997. It was established during a global meeting held in Curitiba, Brazil, where the first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams was held.

Representatives from 20 countries decided that March 14 would be the official day as it was already recognised in Brazil as a day to protest against large dams.

The purpose of this day is to stand against harmful water projects that damage rivers and the environment. It also aims to promote fair and sustainable ways to manage water resources.

International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Significance

The International Day of Action for Rivers is important because it reminds people of the crucial role rivers play in human life. It raises awareness about the threats rivers face such as pollution and excessive water use. The day also promotes better ways to manage rivers that ensure fair access to clean water while protecting their health.

On this day, people are encouraged to take action by participating in clean-up drives, supporting conservation efforts and advocating for policies that safeguard these vital water sources for the future.

International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Key Facts

The Nile River in Africa is the longest river in the world which stretches about 6,695 km and flows through 11 countries. The Roe River in Montana, US, is the shortest river in the world, measuring just 201 feet. With a length of (6,400 km), Amazon River in South America is believed to be the second longest river in the world. In 2007, Martin Strel swam the entire length of the Amazon River. To complete this milestone, he swam for 10 hours a day for 66 days. The Congo River in Central Africa is the worlds deepest river with parts believed to be at least 230 meters deep. Rivers create stunning landscapes, including valleys, canyons, lakes and waterfalls. Some record-breaking waterfalls include Angel Falls (highest), Khone Falls (widest) and Inga Falls (largest by water volume). Rivers can have all kinds of colours. Colombias Cano Cristales is called the River of Five Colors" due to its bright blue, red, yellow, black and green waters. Some rivers flow underground. In the Philippines, the Puerto Princesa Underground River runs beneath a mountain for five miles before reaching the sea. Rivers are home to diverse wildlife including dolphins, electric eels, freshwater stingrays and turtles. Rivers and lakes provide freshwater but they hold less than 1% of the worlds total water. Most of the Earths water is salty oceans and ice caps. Pollution is a major threat to rivers. Every year, 300-400 million tonnes of waste enter rivers and seas. The Ganga River in India is considered sacred and worshipped as a goddess by millions of people.

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International Day Of Action For Rivers 2025: Quotes

The land, the earth God gave to man for his home  should never be the possession of any man, corporation, (or) society  any more than the air or water."  Abraham Lincoln

Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our childrens lifetime. The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land."  Luna Leopold

Thousands have lived without love, not one without water."  W. H. Auden

When the well is dry, well know the worth of water."  Benjamin Franklin

Water is the driver of nature."  Leonardo da Vinci

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water."  Loren Eiseley.

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 06:40 IST
Pi Day 2025: What Is Pi Day? Date, History And Significance

Published By :

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 06:30 IST

Pi Day 2025: It also serves as a fun excuse for those not interested in numbers but passionate about pies, savoury and sweet.

Pi Day 2025: The day honours the significance of pi and its impact on simplifying complex computations. (Image: Shutterstock)

Pi Day 2025: Pi () is one of the most fundamental symbols in mathematics. Defined as the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter, it is an irrational number, meaning it has infinite decimal places without repetition. The value of pi is approximately 3.14159, but it extends indefinitely.

Used across geometry, physics, engineering, and even cryptography, pi plays a crucial role in calculations involving circles, waves and oscillations, making it one of the most widely used values.

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Every year, Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 to honour the significance of pi and its impact on simplifying complex computations. Beyond mathematics, the day also serves as a fun excuse for those less interested in numbers but passionate about pies  both savoury and sweet.

Pi Day 2025: History

The value of pi was first determined by one of the most popular mathematicians, Archimedes of Syracuse in 250 BC. In 1737, Leonhard Euler used the symbol of pi, paving the way for its acknowledgment in the scientific community. In the year 1988, the American physicist Larry Shaw celebrated the first Pi Day on the birth anniversary of the renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

Pi Day 2025: Significance

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 for a special reason. The date (3/14) matches the first three digits of pi (3.14).

On this day, many individuals also eat pie to remember the value of pi and add to the festival. Contests and exercises related to pi are parts of celebrations worldwide.

Pi Day 2025: Why Do We Celebrate The Day?

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Pi is a part of ancient Egyptian mathematics, with many believing that the Pyramids of Giza were constructed using its principles. The value of pi has fascinated scholars for over 4,000 years, drawing the attention of renowned mathematicians like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Leonardo Fibonacci, Isaac Newton, and Carl Friedrich Gauss, who studied and calculated its digits extensively. They have also applied the value of pi in various calculations.

The ratio of a circles diameter to its circumference is represented by the pi symbol. The National Day calendar indicates that although such computations had existed for almost 4,000 years, it was not until 1706 that the English mathematician William Jones introduced the Greek letter  as a math constant.

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: March 14, 2025, 06:30 IST
Inside Alaya F's 'Chill Holiday': Surfing, A Scrumptious Meal, And An Intense Workout

Curated By :

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 17:40 IST

Alaya F recently took to her social media to share snippets from her beach getaway. The actor enjoyed her holiday without giving up on her fitness targets.

Alaya F enjoyed surfing, a hearty meal, and a light workout on her holiday.

Alaya F took some much-needed time off to enjoy a relaxing vacation, and recently, she shared glimpses of her adventure with her fans and followers. The actress, who often takes to her social media to share snippets from her intense workouts, took a break and embraced beachy vibes. She was seen soaking up the sunshine, learning how to surf, clicking selfies, indulging in a good read, and treating herself to a hearty meal.

Taking to her social media, Alaya F shared a series of pictures which captured her perfect getaway experience. She wrote, Chill holiday dump from the least chill person ever." Her post was all about having fun and getting out of your comfort zone on a holiday.

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Take a look at the pictures here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ALAYA F (@alayaf)

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Alayas photo dump also featured her posing against the backdrop of a wall decorated with murals. Her vacation getaway also included a stop at a temple, enjoying the local sights, unwinding at the beach and visiting restaurants  merging cultural experiences with laid-back beach days. During her stay, Alaya also indulged in a light workout. She was seen performing a handstand and stretches near a beach on her holiday. These pictures thrilled her fans by showing off her flexibility and dedication to fitness.

Alayas post shows how one can enjoy a vacation without indulging too much in junk food. Her post featured some hearty meals and delicious smoothies, which were not only tasty but also healthy. Just like Alaya, you can also have fun on your holiday by indulging in light activities and keeping yourself active. Alayas recently shared snapshots not only reflect her love for relaxing getaways but also offer glimpses into the balance she seeks between work and calm.

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 17:40 IST
Gauri Spratt DELETES Social Media After Aamir Khan's 60th Birthday Plans Get Leaked? Know Here

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 15:42 IST

Aamir Khan confirmed his relationship with Gauri ahead of his 60th birthday.

Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt have been dating for 18 months.

Gauri Spratt has seemingly deleted her social media account after fans found her plans for Aamir Khans 60th birthday. Aamir Khan introduced Gauri as his girlfriend at an informal pre-birthday gathering with the media in Mumbai on March 13. As Aamir Khan turns 60 years old on March 14, fans found out about Gauris Pinterest account, where she had curated ideas for the superstars birthday bash.

However, the account is no longer visible on the social media platform. It has either been deleted or made private. This comes hours after Gauris plans for Aamirs birthday leaked online. As per the posts curated on the Pinterest account, Aamir Khan will host a special dinner for his 60th birthday. The posts were inspirations for an intimate, outdoor dinner with fairy lights, fresh flowers and even a bonfire!

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A curation titled Aamir 60th dinner" featured posts with long yet cosy dinner tables adorned with fresh flowers and strings of lights. Another picture featured a couple dancing under a tree lit up with many string lights. As fans gushed over Aamir and Gauris plans for the actors birthday, she removed the posts from public access.

Privacy is a huge part of Aamir and Gauris relationship. During Aamirs pre-birthday celebration, he requested the paparazzi to respect her privacy and not click any photos. Aamir shared, She is still getting used to the Bollywood madness." As per reports, Aamir and Gauri had been secretly dating for 18 months.

Gauri Spratt hails from Bengaluru and is currently working at Aamir Khan Films. She has a professional background in hairdressing and holds an FDA in Fashion, Styling, and Photography from the University of Arts, London. Gauri has a Tamilian mother and an Irish father, and her grandfather was a freedom fighter. She is also a mother to a six-year-old son. Aamir revealed that his family has warmly accepted Gauri. She has also been introduced to Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a News Trainee at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in lon... Read More Kashvi Raj Singh is a News Trainee at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in lon... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 15:42 IST
Kim Soo Hyun Dropped As Prada Ambassador Amid Kim Sae-Ron Controversy; Brand Issues Statement

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Last Updated: March 15, 2025, 01:13 IST

Prada has officially cut ties with Kim Soo Hyun amid controversy surrounding Kim Sae-Ron. Other brands may follow suit.

Kim Soo Hyun's team breaks silence regarding allegations against the South Korean actor.

Kim Soo Hyun has officially been removed as a brand ambassador for Prada amid the ongoing controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae-Ron. The luxury fashion house issued a statement addressing the matter after netizens threatened to boycott brands associated with the actor.

Kim Soo Hyun was appointed as Pradas ambassador in late 2024, but following allegations that he dated Kim Sae-Ron when she was a minor, netizens urged the brand to take action. On March 14, Prada responded with an official statement confirming their decision.

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We would like to inform you that after considering the severity of the issue, our collaboration with Kim Soo Hyun has been mutually concluded. The contract has been terminated. The decision came from headquarters," Prada announced.

Kim Soo Hyun, one of South Koreas most renowned actors, represents several major brands that are now facing public pressure to cut ties with him. The backlash intensified after speculation about his past relationship with Kim Sae-Ron surfaced online. Initially, his agency, GOLD MEDALIST, denied the rumours. However, they later clarified that the two were in a relationship between the summer of 2019 and the fall of 2020after Kim Sae-Ron had become an adult.

Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron were dating between the summer of 2019 and fall of 2020, after she became an adult. It is not true that Kim Soo Hyun dated her when she was a minor," GOLD MEDALIST stated.

In response to the controversy, multiple brands associated with Kim Soo Hyun have begun reevaluating their collaborations. On March 11, the vegan beauty brand Dinto, for which Kim Soo Hyun serves as a model, reportedly put all promotional activities featuring him on hold. This came after the brand faced significant criticism for continuing its association with the actor.

Additionally, the bakery chain Tous les Jours has deleted advertisements featuring Kim Soo Hyun from its social media platforms as of March 12. The actor, who previously endorsed the brand from 2012 to 2015, was rehired in September 2024. Reports suggest that Tous les Jours is considering not renewing his contract, which is set to expire this month. However, a company representative stated that the potential non-renewal had already been under discussion before the controversy erupted.

About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More

Location : Seoul, South Korea

First Published: March 15, 2025, 01:13 IST
Rohit Shetty Turns 51: Filmmaker's Inspiring Journey, And Net Worth

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:10 IST

Rohit Shetty, a renowned filmmaker, celebrates his 51st birthday today. Despite early struggles, he achieved immense success with films like Golmaal and Singham. His net worth is Rs 300 crore.

Ace filmmaker Rohit Shetty had his fair share of struggles to reach this height. (Image: itsrohitshetty/Instagram)

Happy Birthday Rohit Shetty: Ace filmmaker Rohit Shetty celebrates his 51st birthday today, March 14. The screenwriter, stuntman, producer and television personality is immensely popular for his movies that offer a mix of action-comedy and masala. Although he has a staggering net worth of Rs 300 crore, he had his fair share of struggles to reach this height. He navigated through many hardships while becoming a top filmmaker and owning so much wealth. On his special day, lets look back at the inspiring journey.

Rohit Shettys Initial Struggles

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Today, Rohit Shettys name is associated with high-budget films packed with an ensemble cast, immense action, VFX, graphics and much more. However, there was a time when the filmmaker didnt have such a lavish lifestyle. He was born to an action choreographer-turned-actor named MB Shetty and his junior artist wife Ratna.

Talking about MB Shetty, he was one of the iconic villains in Hindi cinema in the 1970s-80s. His on-screen prowess and death-defying stunts, that of a fight instructor in multiple films, became the ultimate source of inspiration for his son to embark on his journey.

Once, in an interview with ANI, Rohit even recalled how his father used to come home with blood and stitches" from the film sets, which after many years helped in keeping him focussed on making action films.

Rohit always had a knack for making action-oriented films. However, at the beginning of his career, he used to do many odd jobs which even earned him as low a pay as Rs 35.

Once, in an interview with Curly Tales, he said, It was not an easy journey actually. People think that since Im from the film industry it must have been easy for me," adding, When I started working, I used to get just Rs 35. Many times it happened that I had to choose between food and travel. Sometimes, I had to miss food and sometimes travel. I also started walking on the set."

The Singham filmmaker continued, We were staying in Santa Cruz and then we shifted to Dahisar, to my grandmothers house. Financially, there were a lot of crises at that time so we didnt have a house to stay in. My grandmother used to stay in Dahisar, it was very far. Then I started walking."

Reflecting on his struggles, he elaborated, I used to walk from Malad to Andheri, many times. It used to take me one and a half, two hours in the sun. I know the lanes so now when I tell my driver Take this route, not that, he looks at me in the rearview mirror How does he know, was he a thief before?'"

Rohit Shettys Journey In Film Industry

It was for the 1991-released movie, Phool Aur Kaante, with which Rohit began his career. He was offered a golden opportunity to work as an assistant director under Kuku Kohli.

At that time, Shetty was only 17 years old. The film also became his first collaboration with Ajay Devgn in which he debuted, paving the way for their long years of friendship and many movies together.

Shetty then worked in several films before making his debut as an independent director in 2003 with Devgns Zameen. Shetty got his breakthrough with the 2006 movie Golmaal, starring Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi.

The cult comedy series became a huge hit and gave subsequent successful films to the director, including Golmaal Returns (2008) and Golmaal 3 (2010). The last movie of the cult comedy series even entered the 100 Crore Club domestically, the first time in Shettys career.

Rohit Shetty then began his Cop Universe films in 2011 with Singham (which saw Devgn in the role of a police inspector, followed by other action and comedy-filled movies like Chennai Express, Dilwale and others.

Rohit Shettys Net Worth

Today, Shetty is counted among some of the bankable filmmakers in the Hindi film industry. According to DNA, his current net worth is Rs 300 crore. Beside making films, Shetty has also been the judge of the television reality shows Comedy Circus and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi.

Rohit Shettys Luxurious Possessions

Shetty owns multiple luxurious cars and a lavish home. He lives in a luxurious 10-storey building on the Hasya Kalakar Mehmood Chowk in Juhu, Mumbai, and often gives sneak peeks from his residence on his social media handles.

As per a report by Indiatimes, the filmmaker occupies the top two floors of his residence, which is referred to as Shetty Tower. The first four floors of his house are dedicated to his extensive car collection, while the rest of the floors are rented out.

The estimated cost of the property ranges from Rs 45,500 to Rs 80,000 per square foot, as per a report by MagicBricks.com.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lamborghini Mumbai (@lamborghinimumbai)

Additionally, Rohit has an expensive collection of cars in his garage. The list includes a bright yellow Lamborghini Urus, with a hefty price tag of around Rs 3.15 crore, and a pearl white Maserati GranTurismo Sport that costs between Rs 2.25-2.51 crore as per market value.

The other luxury cars in the list are  a Range Rover Vogue, a Ford Mustang GT, and a BMW 7-Series, among many more high-end vehicles.

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:10 IST
Sherlyn Chopra Gets Angry, Says 'Don't Touch Me' As Fans Try To Get Close To Her On Holi | Watch

Curated By :

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Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 14:22 IST

Last month, Poonam Pandey also was left in shock when a fan tried to forcibly kiss her in public.

Sherlyn Chopra asks fans not to come close to her. (Photo: Instant Bollywood)

Sherlyn Chopra was left angry on Friday as she stepped out in Mumbai to celebrate Holi. The actress was mobbed by her male friends, who then forcibly tried to take selfies with her. In a video of the incident that surfaced on social media, Sherlyn was seen stepping out of her building when several people gathered around her to take pictures.

This left the actress disappointed, who then told them very clearly, Ek second, dont touch me. Arey? Dont touch me, I am saying". However, as people continued to surround her, Sherlyn called for help from a security personnel and said, Sir dekhiye kya ho raha hai yahan par. Dekhiye. Itne pass aa rahe hai". Watch the video here:

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by F I L M Y G Y A N (@filmygyan)

This isnt the first time that a celebrity was seen seeking help in public due to crowd issues. Last month, actor-model Poonam Pandey also was left in shock during a pap session. She was speaking to the paparazzi when a fan came from behind, attempting to click a selfie with her. The moment she obliged, the fan leaned forward to forcibly kiss her, leaving Poonam, paps, and onlookers startled.

Poonam was seen pushing the fan away, the moment she realised what was happening. The paparazzi lot jumped to her rescue, reprimanding the fan for his gesture.

Meanwhile, talking about Sherlyn, she first made headlines in 2012 by becoming the first Indian woman to pose for Playboy magazine. This move garnered both controversy and admiration. She began her career in Bollywood in the early 2000s and appeared in several films like Time Pass (2005), Dosti: Friends Forever (2005) and Raqeeb (2007). She also participated in several reality shows, including Bigg Boss Season 3 in 2009.

About the Author Chirag Sehgal Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 14:22 IST
Opinion | Sangam To Sagar: The Prominence of Ganga In PM Modis Mauritius Visit

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 17:43 IST

In a significant gesture, PM Narendra Modi immersed the water from the Sangam in Prayagraj into the Ganga Talao, also known as Grand Bassin, in Mauritius

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers 'Ganga Jal' into Ganga Talao, at the Ganga Talao in Mauritius. (PMO via PTI)

Before embarking on his journey to Mauritius for a two-day state visit recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Harsil in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. He was there for worship and prayers at the Mukhva abode of Ganga. Within the same week, Modis journey from the winter abode of Ganga in the state of the sacred rivers origin, to the Ganga Talao in Mauritius, illustrates the unique contribution he has made to keeping Ganga and the divine feminine prominent in his vision of domestic cultural prosperity and global dialogue with a nation that India considers not a partner but family".

Ganga Talao is a sacred and emotional extension of Bharats civilisational heritage cradled in the Indian Ocean.

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In a significant gesture, Modi immersed the water from the Sangam in Prayagraj into the Ganga Talao, also known as Grand Bassin. It is a volcanic crater lake in the Savanne district of Mauritius and considered a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. Its religious and spiritual significance for the people of Mauritius with Indian roots is defined by the fact that they consider the Shiva temple situated near the Ganga Talao as the 13th Jyotirlinga. The Ganga Talaos emotional context in the lives of devotees is evident in its role in the worship of Shiva and Shivratri celebrations  as revealed in descriptions of the temple on the internet.

Shared history and heritage provide cultural succour and sustenance to Indias emphasis on internationalism. In Mauritius, PM Narendra Modi gifted the President of Mauritius, Dharam Gokhool, a brass and copper pitcher containing the sacred water from Sangam in Prayagraj. This pitcher has emerged as a noteworthy leitmotif in the journey that Gangajal has taken towards the Indian Ocean.

Gangajal is that essence of our civilisation that cannot be gifted", but when exchanged hands, is seen, can be seen, as shared, in parts, in small proportions, that represent the whole. The brass and copper pitcher symbolised that whole incisively.

Modis immersive action of keeping Ganga Jal from Triveni at the forefront of his recent Mauritius visit has helped raise a definition of Indias cultural geography outside and beyond borders. Important is this event to Modis celebration of Indias strides to Amrit Kaal  from the Indian perspective  for it delineates an action where an ocean had to be crossed for a minuscule portion of the vast expanse of Trivenis nectar" to reach, the sacred water body that devotees of Shiva in Mauritius consider a manifestation of Ganga.

There is a lot personal about how Modi wants to shape the reciprocal language of greater responsibility as a Hindu in India and in the responsive language he builds in his determined civilisational engagement with the people of Mauritius. Mauritius is not just a partner country, for us, Mauritius is family," he said, addressing members of the diaspora in Mauritius. This relationship as a family is too extensive to be contained in the single word heritage", for the recitation and singing of the performative and feminine Geet-Gavai (auspicious singing led by women and the playing of musical instruments), the celebration of Bhojpuri, the chanting of Vedic mantras, during the different facets of Modis visit, suggest that Modi does things differently for partnerships fostered on shared traditions and for people who understand the value of the symbols he upholds in his global outreach.

By keeping Gangajal central during his Mauritius visit, in its physical and symbolic form, Modi has honoured the recollection of past Girmitiya history in a land that became their home and nation. He has underlined their preservation of identity and the infusion of tradition, dharma, religiosity, and culture in the cultural memory into generational resilience and prosperity. Modis gesture of merging Ganga Jal at the Ganga Talao, during the Mahakumbh year, after the completion of the worlds largest pilgrimage, is a tribute to cultural memory which plays a crucial role in the assimilation of Indic cultural symbols in Mauritian heritage. The drops of Ganga Jal merging into the vast expanse of the volcanic lake, is a cultural memory that will last centuries in ties with India, in the continuity of Sanatan in Mauritius, in the profound diasporic connections.

Modi has given expression to the value of empathy in acknowledging the physical distance between Ganga and the Ganga Talao (Mauritius) to keep the element of rootedness" central. While the role of this empathy and its interplay in international relations with nations home to Girmitiya history, groups, culture and traditions, and in nations of Ramayana heritage has become synonymous with Modis years in Delhi, its strategic capabilities in global challenges will come into play when India needs the resource of support in the region.

Gangas journey from Devprayag in Uttarakhand up to the Sangam in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, when seen solely from the perspective of confluence, accentuates the sacred rivers own endurance across an eclectic geographical expanse. The miles covered by the Ganga between these two confluences represent a part of Indias sacred geography and pilgrimage that have defined philosophies, knowledge, wisdom, which are as multi-pronged as the river systems that merge together to make these two confluences.

Compelling the Indian mind to think differently than the rest of the world, pilgrims, seekers and sadhus have converged upon the Ganga and the Prayagraj  for millennia. Their knowledge and wisdom, preserved in the worship of Ganga and the two confluences, has enriched the history of shared tradition and ties between India and Mauritius. Modi represents the Indian mind that thinks differently from the rest of the world in his global outlook.

The historic inclusion of Ganga Jal in Modis interaction with Mauritius has become integral to the essence of shared experience and identities that draw enduring memories of the past, but are evidently embarking on a forward journey with a close maritime partner, amid deepening defence ties. Mauritius, among nations that have cradled Girmitiya groups and traditions, is a natural partner in the allying and amalgamation of hard and soft power.

The cultural triumph of the feminine in the Indo-Mauritian community is a story that needs to be told and retold in India. Modis visits have underscored the reflection of how women, as well as the feminine aspect in devotion, have steered endurance of cultural memory to preserve culture itself.

Retaining the narrative of persistence and endurance steeped in the history of indentured women who prevailed against colonial degradation can feel like an exhaustive pursuit. But understanding cultural memory without its recurring references would be incomplete. The scenes of women in Mauritius performing traditional songs in Geet-Gavai for Modi during Holi-related festivities remind one of how women across caste diversities and socio-economic groups have been elemental in guiding Girmitiyas in the host nations. Modis pivotal bonding with the feminine in dialogue during his visit has enabled India to re-conceive the cultural memory interconnections preserved by the women of Mauritius.

PM Modi has underscored the role and importance of Mauritius in the context of the prioritised Global South, the prestigious and discerning spot given to Mauritius in Indias presidency of the G20 in the context of the Global South.

The immersion of Ganga Jal in the Ganga Talao is Modis attempt to infuse the essence of the Mahakumbh, of the Triveni in Prayagraj, into present-day Mauritius. It is a ritualistic assertion of Modis declaration of belongingness with which Mauritius could approach the building of deeper emotional ties with India in Modis efforts in securing the region, maritime relations, partnership in the Indian Ocean, development, security and prosperity under the SAGAR vision in the coming years.

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Reports describe the Ganga Talao as a sacred site surrounded by temples dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha and Hanuman. The visual character of the site seems as familiar as any sacred ghat in India or a sacred lake sarovar in India would present. This uniqueness of shared identity that marks India and Mauritius cultural proximity defines the participation of the Indian diaspora, including women, students, socio-cultural organisations, professionals and business leaders and people from all walks of life in Mauritius. Tomorrow, they may have a role to play, or would like to participate in Indias development, Bihars in particular. The family that celebrates Shiva, Ram, Ramcharitmanas and Ganga, together, stays together.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Sumati Mehrishi Sumati Mehrishi is a senior journalist with over two decades of experience in print and digital media. Her areas of focus encompass the intersections of politics, dharma, culture, gender, development, sports ... Read More Sumati Mehrishi is a senior journalist with over two decades of experience in print and digital media. Her areas of focus encompass the intersections of politics, dharma, culture, gender, development, sports ... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 17:43 IST
Flourishing Luosifen industry drives prosperity in S China's Guangxi

People's Daily Online) 13:18, March 14, 2025

Photo shows a bowl of Luosifen, or river snail rice noodles, a signature street food in Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Fu Huazhou)

In merely a decade, Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has transformed Luosifen, or river snail rice noodles, from a local street food into a thriving industry boosting prosperity.

The signature street food has evolved into a beloved national dish, generating an annual sales revenue of over 70 billion yuan (about $9.67 billion) across its entire industry chain. This remarkable shift has connected agriculture, processing, and culture and tourism, blazing a path of rural revitalization through the integrated development of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries.

The local government has coordinated the development of the raw materials, processing, and sales for Luosifen. Now the city is home to four key industrial clusters for Luosifen, covering over 120 enterprises, driving the growth of more than 45 leading enterprises and 180 supporting businesses.

Photo shows a breeding base for river snails, an ingredient of river snail rice noodles. (People's Daily Online/Fu Huazhou)

By establishing standardized raw material bases, Liuzhou has scaled up the cultivation of key ingredients like river snails, bamboo shoots, and long beans, and helped tens of thousands of rural households working for 20 raw material demonstration bases increase earnings. In Ligao township, Liujiang district, Luosifen farming bases have developed innovative rotational aquaculture models, such as lotus-snail-fish or rice-snail-shrimp co-cultivation, maximizing land use and increasing farmers' incomes.

With a brand value exceeding 12.56 billion yuan, Liuzhou Luosifen ranks among the top geographical indication brands across the country. Thanks to e-commerce events like the Liuzhou snail rice noodles industry e-commerce conference and livestreaming promotion, its annual express delivery volume of Luosifen has exceeded 100 million packages for four consecutive years, securing its position as a top-three product nationally. With 49,500 brick-and-mortar stores across the country, the snack boasts a business landscape spanning both online and offline channels.

Photo shows a processing plant for bamboo shoots, an ingredient of river snail rice noodles. (People's Daily Online/Fu Huazhou)

Cheng Fangxiao, president of the Liuzhou association of river snail rice noodles, said the total sales revenue of the entire industry chain reached 75.96 billion yuan in 2024. Packaged river snail rice noodles contributed 16.9 billion yuan, brick-and-mortar stores brought in 39.69 billion yuan, and supporting industries added 19.37 billion yuan.

Moreover, Liuzhou has further integrated the culture and tourism sector with the snack, driving substantial growth in tourism consumption. Some industrial parks and townships have been granted a 4A rating, the second highest level in China's tourist sites rating system. And the city sees over 10 million tourist visits annually in tourism programs like study tours related to the food.

Diners line up in front of a booth selling river snail rice noodles in Yaobu ancient town of Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Fu Huazhou)

Photo shows a processing plant for river snail rice noodles. (People's Daily Online/Fu Huazhou)

Photo shows a bowl of Luosifen. (Photo courtesy of the commerce bureau of Liuzhou)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Right Word | Balochistans Unending Struggle: Jaffar Express Attack And Pakistans Strategic Myopia

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 09:23 IST

Until Islamabad abandons its coercive policies in favour of an inclusive and equitable political framework, no amount of rhetorical diversion or external blame-shifting will bring any semblance of stability to the region

Pakistan's ongoing conflict with the Baloch people, characterised by systemic repression and severe human rights violations, will only widen the gulf of discontent. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan is frequently the subject of international scrutiny, typically due to adverse circumstances, with terrorism being the most prominent concern. On 11 March 2025, the country experienced one of its most severe insurgent assaults in recent history, as Baloch separatists intercepted, attacked, and seized control of a passenger train travelling through the remote Bolan region of Balochistan. This act endangered over 450 passengers, the majority of whom were off-duty military personnel and their families, highlighting both the growing sophistication of insurgent operations and the persistent deficiencies within Pakistans security framework.

According to reports, on 11 March, the Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was ambushed by militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as it emerged from the Mashkaf Tunnel in the isolated Bolan region of the province. In a premeditated action, BLA militants divided the passengers, allowing women, children, and the elderly to pass unharmed while taking off-duty Pakistani soldiers hostage.

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Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Pakistan Army demonstrated a delayed response, taking several hours before commencing military operations that lasted overnight. In its official statement, the military reported the neutralisation of 33 insurgents, while attributing the deaths of 21 hostages to the separatist group. However, contradicting the official narrative, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which demanded the release of their imprisoned members and Baloch political prisoners, claimed responsibility for the execution of 50 captives, directly challenging the states account.

In a written statement to the London-based Guardian newspaper, the BLA characterised the attack as a direct response to Pakistans prolonged colonial occupation of Balochistan and the ongoing war crimes against the Baloch people". The statement further asserted that the operation aimed to dismantle the myth of the Pakistan Armys perceived invincibility, declaring that the militarys continued presence in Balochistan will face resolute resistance".

The incident serves as yet another indictment of the Pakistan Armys persistent inability to quell the provinces ongoing unresta reflection of both its strategic ineffectiveness and the growing divide between the state and the peripheries it aims to control. Yet, in a predictable attempt at deflection, the Pakistani establishment has swiftly reverted to its usual tactic of external scapegoating, attributing blame to India and Afghanistan in an effort to divert attention from its own catastrophic security failings. This narrative, though frequently used to conceal the states institutional shortcomings, does little to conceal the harsh reality: an insurgency emboldened, a province in crisis, and a nation increasingly entangled in the repercussions of its own strategic short-sightedness.

Balochistan has endured prolonged cycles of insurgent violence for decades, with the current phase representing the fourthand longestsince its controversial and forced integration into the Pakistani state in 1948. From the outset, the region has faced persistent political and economic marginalisation by the Punjabi-dominated establishment, which has systematically impeded any meaningful local political autonomy.

The state has consistently bypassed indigenous consensus, instead imposing its own dominant authority through compliant provincial administrationsmost notably represented by the current regime of Sarfaraz Bugti. Despite his Baloch heritage, Bugti operates as little more than a tool of the military establishment, carrying out its directives with blatant disregard for the aspirations and grievances of the local population.

At the same time, the regions most prominent political figures, such as Akhtar Mengal, face relentless humiliation and systematic political marginalisation. Mengal, for example, was forced to resign from Pakistans National Assembly last year after being repeatedly denied the opportunity to raise the regions grievances, even within the so-called highest parliamentary institution of the country. This deliberate silencing of Baloch voices extends beyond the political elite to the systematic repression of grassroots movements advocating for non-violent resistance. One such organisation, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch, recently nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, has been at the forefront of demanding an end to Islamabads militarised control over Balochistan.

The BYC has strongly opposed the Pakistan Armys entrenched regime of repression, including its most severe human rights violations, such as the widespread practice of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions of Baloch youth, and sexual violence against women, among others. Yet, rather than responding to these calls for justice, the state has intensified its coercive tactics, ensuring that even the most peaceful forms of resistance are met with systematic intimidation, persecution, and suppression.

Furthermore, successive governments, operating under the dominance of the military intelligence apparatus, have sustained a colonial model in Balochistan, characterised by resource extraction and systemic dispossession. The provinces abundant natural resources have been ruthlessly exploited to support economic growth in Punjab, while Balochistan itself remains trapped in a state of intentional underdevelopment. Consequently, deprived of fair access to the nations economic benefits, the region suffers from some of the most severe socio-economic conditions, not only in Pakistan but also among the lowest globally.

It is this deeply entrenched colonial subjugation of Balochistan that has transformed its political and socio-economic grievances into armed resistance, exemplified by groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent insurgent group in the province. Notably, the BLA, which advocates for secession from Pakistan, emerged in the early 2000s under the leadership of Balach Marri, son of the veteran Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri. The group quickly gained prominence, a process facilitated by the Pakistani establishments systematic dismantling of channels for civil and political dissent.

The states unrelenting suppression of legitimate political discourse left few alternatives, even for those once aligned with the establishment, forcing former moderates to turn to insurgency as a final recourse. As Adil Raja, a former military officer now in self-imposed exile for exposing the Pakistan Armys mistakes, asserts, It is a difficult path to become an insurgent and be labelled a terrorist. The question is, why would they still choose this route? The answer lies in decades of brutal suppression by the Punjab-centric military policies that dominate Pakistan."

A prime example of this political repression was the defection of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the leader of the Bugti clan, a seasoned parliamentarian, and a statesman who had served as Pakistans federal minister, as well as the governor and chief minister of Balochistan. A staunch advocate for Baloch rights, Bugti found himself increasingly isolated by the states inflexibility, its ongoing expropriation of Balochistans considerable natural resources, and its refusal to grant even basic civil liberties to the region.

Confronted with an unyielding military regime, he took up arms in 2004 in defence of his people, though his defiance was met with brutal retaliation. In 2006, the Pakistani military, under President General Pervez Musharraf, who also served as Army chief, launched a merciless assault, killing Bugti and dozens of his young Baloch fighters by detonating a mountain cave on the outskirts of his hometown, Dera Bugti. His assassination, far from quelling the flames of Baloch resistance, cemented his status as a martyr and has since acted as a catalyst for the intensification of the insurgency, further widening the rift between Balochistan and the Pakistani state.

Instead of addressing the deeply rooted socio-economic and political grievances of the Baloch population, the Pakistani establishment has entrenched itself in a narrow, two-pronged militaristic approach, completely lacking any meaningful political engagement or efforts at reconciliation. On one front, the Pakistan Army continues to escalate its harsh military operations, committing serious human rights violations with impunity. The state is accused of establishing a regime of terror in Balochistan, marked by the enforced disappearances of Baloch youth, extrajudicial killings, and the systematic use of sexual violence as a tool of coercionpractices that reflect a colonial security apparatus treating the region as an occupied periphery rather than a vital part of the nation.

At the same time, Islamabad maintains a familiar narrative of external interference, conveniently attributing the insurgency to supposed foreign backing, particularly by India. This rhetorical device functions as little more than a diversionary tactic, an attempt to obscure the states own structural violence and institutionalised repression in Balochistan. By externalising the conflict, the establishment absolves itself of responsibility, evading the core truth that its own exploitative policies and militarised governance are the primary drivers of the regions persistent unrest.

Notably, even within its well-rehearsed narrative of externalisation, the Pakistan Army selectively attributes blame to rival states such as India, while deliberately overlooking actors like Iran. Despite Irans historical involvement as a logistical supporter of various Baloch factions operating across the border, using its geographical proximity to advance its broader geopolitical rivalry with Pakistan, Islamabad remains notably silent about Tehrans role. This selective attribution underscores Pakistans calculated approach to external scapegoating, where accusations are shaped not by empirical evidence but by strategic priorities and evolving diplomatic needs.

Furthermore, this tendency reflects the Pakistani states long-standing practice of instrumentalising Indias name for domestic propaganda, making it a convenient scapegoat for the countrys numerous internal shortcomings. By continually attributing its security crises to New Delhi, Islamabad avoids the need for self-reflection, refusing to recognise the structural factors driving the ongoing violence in Balochistan, chief among them being its own colonial-style domination of the region. At the same time, this narrative distortion highlights Pakistans strategic ineffectiveness, as it lacks both the political will and the geopolitical influence to address the actors that have historically played a significant role in supporting Baloch insurgent groups.

Nonetheless, the scale of the Jaffar Express attack should act as a wake-up call for Pakistans Punjabi-dominated establishment, as this is neither an isolated event nor an anomaly. It is merely a precursor to further instability if the state continues with its short-sighted approach. Therefore, rather than relying on its obsolete tactic of external scapegoating to mask its own shortcomings, Islamabad must face the harsh realities on the ground and reassess its policy towards Balochistan.

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This requires a fundamental shift in approach, one grounded in genuine political reconciliation, economic and social justice, and a clear departure from the entrenched militaristic model. The states ongoing conflict with the Baloch people, characterised by systemic repression and severe human rights violations, will only widen the gulf of discontent. Until Islamabad abandons its coercive policies in favour of an inclusive and equitable political framework, no amount of rhetorical diversion or external blame-shifting will bring any semblance of stability to the region.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: March 14, 2025, 09:23 IST
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1 Crore Hindus Will Participate In 2,000 Ram Navami Rallies Across Bengal On April 6: BJP's Suvendu

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 18:25 IST

Adhikari announced that a Ram temple will be constructed at Sonachura in his constituency by the end of this year

Ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition CPI(M) lashed out at Adhikari, accusing him of indulging in politics of "divisiveness and religion". (Image: PTI)

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said that over 1 crore Hindus" will participate in around 2,000 Ram Navami rallies across West Bengal on April 6.

Adhikari, who was speaking at a programme in his constituency Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, called upon Ram Navami organisers not to seek permission from the administration to take out rallies as we do not need permission to pray to Lord Ram".

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Last year, around 50,000 Hindus had participated in around 1,000 Ram Navami rallies. This year, no less than 1 crore Hindus will hit the streets across the state, taking out 2,000 rallies on April 6," the leader of opposition in the assembly said.

Do not seek any permission from the administration to take out the rallies. We do not need permission to pray to Lord Ram. We will be peaceful. But it is the administrations job to ensure that others also remain peaceful," he said, without naming any community.

Adhikari announced that a Ram temple will be constructed at Sonachura in his constituency by the end of this year.

Ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition CPI(M) lashed out at Adhikari, accusing him of indulging in politics of divisiveness and religion".

West Bengal minister and senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim said, People of the state will not be swayed by any rhetoric from BJP leaders like Adhikari. Everyone has the right to observe religious rituals and celebrate festivals the way they want." In the land of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Sri Chaitanya, and Rabindranath Tagore, people cannot be swayed and influenced by jingoistic statements. Those who wish to take out Ram Navami rallies will do so. They dont need promptings from Adhikari," Hakim said.

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CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said Adhikari was not the custodian of Hindu religion in West Bengal.

Ram Navami had never been a mass festival for Hindus in West Bengal. It is only the BJP and TMC that projected Ram Navami to be such a big festival in the state. It is up to an individual to choose whether or not to participate in any festival. Adhikari is not the custodian of the Hindu religion in the state," he said.

Location : Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 18:25 IST
Former Congress MLA From Bilaspur Bamber Thakur Shot At By Unidentified People

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 18:46 IST

Thakur along with his personal security officer were injured in the attack, police said

Immediately after the attack, Thakur was referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla while the PSO was rushed to the AIIMS Bilaspur. (Photo: IANS)

Former Congress MLA from Bilaspur Bamber Thakur was shot at by unidentified people at his residence in Himachal Pradeshs Bilaspur on Friday, police said.

Thakur along with his personal security officer were injured in the attack, police said.

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Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur: Former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur was shot at by unidentified assailants at his residence in Bilaspur. Reports suggest around 12 rounds were fired pic.twitter.com/sj0ZPASdfJ IANS (@ians_india) March 14, 2025

According to police, the attackers fired around 12 rounds of bullets.

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Immediately after the attack, Thakur was referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla while the PSO was rushed to the AIIMS Bilaspur.

Further details in the story are awaited.

Location : Shimla, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 18:46 IST
No District Presidents, No State BJP Chief: UPs Organisational Elections In Deadlock

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 10:24 IST

At present, the organisational election process is only partially complete in around 70 districts, while the BJP has a total of 98 organisational districts in Uttar Pradesh

UP CM Yogi Adityanath, BJP President JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (PTI Photo)

The BJP initially planned to complete its National President election before 21 January, which required 50 per cent of the state organisational elections to be concluded. However, the party remains adamant that this 50 per cent must include key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. While Bihar has managed to re-elect Dilip Jaiswal, the process in UP, MP, and West Bengal is far from complete. In fact, a source confirmed to News18 that, Uttar Pradesh, Indias largest state, hasnt even elected district presidents, a prerequisite for the state presidential election.

The district president elections have been challenging for the BJP from the outset, with many contenders vying for positions. The party is also carefully weighing caste equations to ensure broad representation and strengthen its social base ahead of the crucial 2027 assembly elections. At present, the organisational election process is only partially complete in around 70 districts, while the BJP has a total of 98 organisational districts in Uttar Pradesh.

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During his recent trip to Delhi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met both outgoing party president JP Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With Nadda, CM Yogi is believed to have discussed the replacement of Bhupendra Singh Chaudharythe Jat face of the BJP, who has been steering the organisation in UP since 2022.

A clear message has been conveyed from New Delhi that the final list of district presidents must be completed at the earliest, post-Holi," said a BJP source. The source further added, It has now been decided that the list will not be announced from Lucknow but from the respective districts. This decision was taken after reports emerged of potential agitations by factions that stand to lose out."

Does this mean that by the weekend following Holi, all UP BJP district president names will be announced? Thats what we have been instructed to do, and we are confident about it," said the BJP leader.

News18 has learnt that to prevent any rebellion, the BJP is considering sending digital certificates to the 98 district presidents via WhatsApp. How would that work? If approved, a PDF of the official certificate will be sent directly to the recipients mobile. Physical distribution could lead to public displays of strength and celebrations, which, in turn, might cause resentment and potential backlashsomething the BJP is keen to avoid.

At present, the state is led by a chief minister from the Kshatriya community and a BJP state president from the Jat community. The most pressing question now is: who will succeed Jaiswal?

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BJP leaders are divided into two broad camps  Brahmin and OBC or Dalit. If the party opts for a Brahmin president again, as it did with Mahendra Nath Pandeysomething several prominent Brahmin leaders have already begun lobbying forShiv Pratap Shukla and Mahesh Sharma will be considered frontrunners.

Keshav Prasad Maurya remains a key OBC face for the party in Uttar Pradesh if the BJP goes for an OBC face. However, many within the BJPs Delhi leadership are advocating for a Dalit state president in UP, believing it could help the lotus bloom again in 2027. If that happens, Lakshman Acharya, the state vice president, and Vidya Sagar Sonkar are considered strong contenders for the post.

About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More

First Published: March 14, 2025, 10:24 IST
Shivakumar To Represent Karnataka Govt At Anti-Delimitation Meet In Chennai As Siddaramaiah Backs Stalin

Last Updated: March 13, 2025, 19:49 IST

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday extended support to the DMK-led opposition against the proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies and requested his Deputy, DK Shivakumar, to attend the meeting in Chennai to discuss the issue.

Minister D K Shivakumar will represent the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government at the anti-delimitation meeting. (Source: PTI)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday extended support to the DMK-led opposition against the proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies and requested his Deputy, DK Shivakumar, to attend the meeting in Chennai to discuss the issue.

In his letter dated March 13 to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Siddaramaiah stated, Although I would like to participate in the meeting, due to my prior commitments, I am unable to do so."

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He also said, I have received your letter dated March 7, which raises crucial issues regarding the autonomy of states, with serious implications for the principles governing our polity. In particular, the issue of delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies based on new population benchmarks needs to be discussed at length by like-minded states."

Acknowledging the importance of the March 22 meeting, the Chief Minister stated, I have requested Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to participate in the deliberations."

On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy and Rajya Sabha MP Mohammed Abdullah Ismail met Siddaramaiah at his residence, Cauvery, to discuss the ongoing protests against the anti-democratic and anti-Southern stance of the central government."

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During the meeting with the DMK delegation, the Chief Minister condemned the Centres alleged attempt to weaken democracy and federalism."

The DMK has been reaching out to leaders of various parties, including those within the NDA, such as Chandrababu Naidu, to discuss the delimitation issue.

First Published: March 13, 2025, 19:49 IST
'A Thought-Out Way To Scam': Customer Slams Blinkit After Ordered Grapes Weigh Less Than Advertised

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:00 IST

The customer shared their experience on Reddit, alleging that a packet of grapes they received was significantly lighter than the 500g advertised on the website

The customer said that the grapes in the packet weighed only 370 grams, including the packaging. (Images via Reddit)

Grocery delivery platforms in India have faced significant criticism since their launch, with complaints ranging from inaccurate orders to delayed deliveries and poor-quality products.

In the latest incident, a customer has sparked renewed debate after expressing frustration with the delivery platform Blinkit, owned by Zomato, over discrepancies in the weight of the products received.

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The customer shared their experience on Reddit, alleging that a packet of grapes they received was significantly lighter than the 500g advertised on the website.

Please dont trust Blinkit blindly," the customer wrote, further stating that the grapes in the packet weighed only 370 grams, including the packaging.

Although the customer initially dismissed the issue as a one-off mistake, the same problem occurred with another order, where a 500g pack of grapes weighed only 395 grams.

The user claimed that this was not the first time they had encountered such issues, citing previous experiences where they received open cat food boxes missing pouches, cheaper fruits and vegetables instead of what was ordered, and overpriced products.

The customer went on to accuse Blinkit of intentionally misleading customers, writing, I feel this isnt by accident but a rather thought out way to scam customers."

The customer also urged fellow shoppers to double-check their orders to avoid being deceived. Pls use Blinkit only if absolutely necessary," the user advised.

Users chime in to share complaints

The post quickly gained traction on Reddit, with many users chiming in to share similar complaints about the delivery platform.

One user encouraged the original poster to file a complaint to hold the company accountable. File a complaint, make these companies pay up!," the comment read.

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Another user shared a similar experience using Blinkit: I too ordered tomatoes 500gms and there were only 4 small to medium size tomato and from my previous experience in buying veggies it was not even 400gms around 350gms it was. They are cheating people."

Meanwhile, one user expressed a preference for other platforms like BigBasket, which reportedly adjusts weights and prices and sends email notifications after packing. This is why I love BigBasket. Whenever I order something like grapes or bananas, I receive an email with adjusted weights and prices soon after packing," the comment stated.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:00 IST
Colours Of Unity: BSF Troops, Embassies And Vrindavan Widows Celebrate Holi With Joy

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 08:00 IST

BSF personnel stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer celebrated Holi with vibrant 'Gulal,' embracing the festive spirit with joy and camaraderie.

The Russian envoy to India conveyed Holi wishes in Hindi. (Photo Credit: X)

As the vibrant festival of Holi unfolds across India, various embassies in New Delhi have joined in the celebrations, showcasing the universal appeal of this joyous occasion.

Israeli Embassy

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Ambassador Kobbi Shoshani extended heartfelt Holi greetings, emphasising the shared values of joy and unity cultures of the two countries cherish. The embassys participation underscored the strengthening of bilateral relations and cultural exchange between the two nations.

Celebrating Holi in Indian"not Bollywood way.     Also Happy Purin pic.twitter.com/nIjHxJenYB Kobbi Shoshani  (@KobbiShoshani) March 13, 2025

Russian Embassy

The Russian envoy to India conveyed Holi wishes in Hindi, reflecting the deep cultural appreciation between the two countries. The embassys engagement in the festivities highlighted the longstanding friendship and mutual respect shared by India and Russia.

China

Thousands of people in China joined the vibrant Holi celebrations, covering streets in colours. Even local policemen werent spared from the festive spirit, as they were playfully smeared with colours, showcasing the growing popularity of the Indian festival beyond borders and fostering cultural unity.

Thousands of people playing Holi in China and even policemen not spared pic.twitter.com/RAlLq5cm8K Woke Eminent (@WokePandemic) March 13, 2025

Jaisalmer

BSF personnel stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer celebrated Holi with vibrant gulal, embracing the festive spirit with joy. Despite being far from home, the troops showcased unity and high morale ahead of the festival.

#WATCH | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | BSF personnel posted at the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer shower 'Gulal' and participate in celebrations ahead of the Holi festival tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/aeDNmfrnom ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025

Holi celebrations lit up Jaisalmers Shri Lakshminath Ji temple on the auspicious day of Holika Dahan. Chaitanya Raj Singh, from the erstwhile royal family of Jaisalmer, joined the festivities, adding a touch of tradition and heritage to the vibrant event, where devotees gathered to celebrate with joy and devotion.

#WATCH | Rajasthan | Holi celebrations held at Jaisalmer's Shri Lakshminath Ji temple on the day of Holika Dahan; Chaitanya Raj Singh of the erstwhile kingdom of Jaisalmer takes part in the celebrations pic.twitter.com/0gC7j6cSKy ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025

Vrindavan

Widows in Vrindavan broke social norms by celebrating Holi with colours. Once restricted from such festivities, they now embrace the vibrant tradition, symbolising hope, inclusion, and a shift toward compassion in the sacred city connected to Lord Krishnas eternal spirit of love and celebration.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Widows at Vrindavan celebrated festival of colours  Holi, yesterdayIn Vrindavan, a city deeply associated with lord Krishna, 'Widows' Holi'  a distinctive cultural celebration has become a symbol of transformative change and stands as a vibrant pic.twitter.com/DhNKgJsCug  ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025

Aligarh Muslim University

Holi celebrations brought vibrant energy to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), as students came together to enjoy the festival of colours. The lively atmosphere showcased unity and joy, highlighting the spirit of togetherness that Holi represents across communities.

VIDEO | Uttar Pradesh: Holi celebrations underway at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).#Holi #Holi2025(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/hB4dqPZCrc  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 13, 2025

Sambhal

Hindus in Sambhal joyfully celebrated Holi at the newly inaugurated Shiv Hanuman temple in Khaggu Sarai. The Yogi government ensured strict law and order, allowing devotees to celebrate the festival of colours peacefully and without any disruptions in the area.

Hindus in SAMBHAL celebrated HOLI at the recently opened Shiv Hanuman temple of Khaggu Sarai, Yogi govt ensured laws & order in the area and took care of all the security arrangements  pic.twitter.com/1uzlOlzsEH  Sheetal Chopra  (@SheetalPronamo) March 13, 2025

Manoj Tiwary and Rekha Gupta

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari celebrated Holi at his Delhi residence, delighting everyone with his soulful singing. He performed the classic Holi Khele Raghuveera and mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating Holi in Mauritius, adding a cheerful political touch to the festive spirit.

VIDEO | BJP MP Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) sings a song as he celebrates Holi at his residence in Delhi. #Holi #Holi2025(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/fyi8cTEeLT  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 13, 2025

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta celebrated Holi with enthusiasm, spreading festive cheer. She urged Delhiites to embrace the spirit of unity and joy while celebrating responsibly.

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Emphasising environmental consciousness, she encouraged people to avoid water wastage and use organic colours, promoting a safe, eco-friendly, and harmonious Holi for all.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: March 14, 2025, 08:00 IST
Most AI Models Failed To Answer This Simple Question

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 15:52 IST

AI, despite its advanced capabilities, struggles with basic tasks like telling time and calendar calculations, as revealed by a study led by Rohit Saxena from the University of Edinburgh.

AI struggles with basic tasks like telling time and calendar calculations.(Shutterstock)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has long been hailed as a transformative force, with the potential to surpass human intelligence and dominate many aspects of society. AI models, such as chatbots, have demonstrated their ability to solve complex problems, pass demanding exams, and even engage in high-level reasoning. However, a groundbreaking study uncovered some unexpected flaws in AI systems  limitations that could significantly affect their functionality.

This research, conducted by a team of scientists led by Rohit Saxena from the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, was recently published in Nature and stunned experts in the field. The study highlights that many AI models, despite their advanced capabilities, are unable to perform simple, everyday tasks- specifically, telling time and answering questions related to calendars.

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In one of the most surprising findings, the study revealed that certain AI models fail to tell the correct time when asked to read traditional analog clocks. These AI systems, which are adept at solving sophisticated puzzles and understanding complex data, struggled with the fundamental task of interpreting a clock with hands  something that humans typically learn as children.

The issue persisted across various clock designs, including those with Roman numerals, watches lacking a second hand, and clocks with differently colored dials. Despite their capacity for solving intricate problems, these AI systems couldnt reliably answer even the simplest questions about time.

The research also exposed significant issues in AIs ability to manage calendar-related questions. When tested on their ability to calculate past or future dates, the AI models failed to provide accurate responses. This included determining the days of the week for historical dates or projecting future days based on a given timeline. Calendar computations, which humans accomplish without much thought, proved to be a hurdle for these AI systems, revealing that even seemingly basic tasks are beyond their grasp.

Saxena and his team emphasised that these flaws point to a broader limitation in current AI models, one that could undermine their broader applicability in real-world scenarios. The researchers argued that for AI to reach its full potential and serve as a reliable tool in everyday life, these basic deficiencies must be addressed.

Can AI Truly Replace Humans?

While AI has made significant strides in fields such as language processing, data analysis, and problem-solving, this study raises important questions about its capabilities and limitations. The idea of AI replacing humans in various jobs  ranging from customer service to mental health care  has become a topic of heated debate. Some believe that AIs potential to surpass human intelligence could render certain professions obsolete. However, a separate study from Switzerland has cast doubt on this notion, particularly in the realm of mental health.

This study focused on AI chatbots, investigating whether they could replace human therapists or doctors. The findings revealed that while AI chatbots, such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, could simulate human-like conversations, they also exhibited signs of anxiety when placed in highly stressful or traumatic scenarios.

AI systems seemed to experience stress, mirroring human emotional responses, and their anxiety diminished when combined with mental-calming exercises. This raises serious concerns about whether AI can adequately provide mental health advice or support, given its emotional vulnerabilities.

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AIs Future and the Need for Improvement

The limitations discovered in the recent study, including AIs struggle with time-telling and calendar calculations, serve as a reminder that even the most advanced AI systems still have significant room for improvement. As AI continues to evolve, addressing these basic flaws will be critical if it is to fulfill its promise as an indispensable tool for society.

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 15:50 IST
Narayana Murthy Slams Tech Companies For Branding Ordinary Software As AI, Says Silly, Old Programmes

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 08:50 IST

Raising concerns over how the term "artificial intelligence" is being casually used by tech firms in India, Murthy said that it has now become a "fashion" of labeling ordinary software as AI.

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy (File Photo)

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy on Tuesday warned against the rising artificial intelligence trend in India, and called out silly old programs" being paraded as AI by tech companies in India. Raising concerns over how the term artificial intelligence" is being casually used by tech firms in India, Murthy said that it has now become a fashion" of labeling ordinary software as AI.

Speaking at TiE Con Mumbai 2025, Murthy warned that what many companies parade as AI are nothing more than silly, old programs" dressed up in hype. I think somehow it has become a fashion in India to talk of AI for everything. I have seen several normal ordinary programs touted as AI," he was quoted as saying in a Moneycontrol report.

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Murthy further explained the basic fundamental principles of artificial intelligence  machine learning and deep learning  and their applications.

Machine learning, he said, is a large-scale correlation" and, therefore, helps to predict using a large amount of data, and deep learning imitates the working of the human brain.

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So unsupervised data, which uses deep learning and neural networks, has much greater potential to do things that mimic human behaviour better. But what I am seeing being called AI is silly, old programs," Murthy said.

Previously, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy ignited a nationwide debate by suggesting that the youth of India should be prepared to work 70 hours a week to elevate the countrys work culture in order for us to compete effectively on the global stage.

About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More

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First Published: March 14, 2025, 08:50 IST
Womans Body Found A Month After Death, Partially Eaten By Pet Dogs

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 13:52 IST

A 45-year-old woman, Hart, from Swindon, England, was found dead at home after being partially eaten by her pet dogs. Hart, who had mental health issues and chronic pain, died by suicide

A police officer stated that the woman's dogs had resorted to consuming her body after her death. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

A 45-year-old woman from Swindon, England, was found deceased in her home, partially eaten by her pet dog. The woman, identified as Hart, was discovered in her living room after concerned neighbors, noticing her absence for a month, contacted authorities.

Neighbours grew concerned after hearing Harts dogs barking incessantly. One neighbour, Lorraine, who had a spare key, attempted to enter the property but found the other key was still in the lock.

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Unable to gain access and fearing the worst, she contacted the police. Upon arrival, officers discovered Harts body, which had been partially consumed by her dogs. One of the dachshunds was found dead at the scene, while the surviving dog appeared distressed.

Lorraine described Hart as a troubled soul" who struggled with mental health problems" and had recently gone through a break-up with her long-term boyfriend. Harts son paid tribute to his mother on social media, stating, Dogs were her life," and confirming her passing on January 29.

Hart was a known dog lover and had previously owned other dogs before acquiring Frankie, a dachshund, in 2022, and adopting Millie in 2023. She reportedly planned to sell puppies from the dogs.

Coroner Ian Singleton confirmed that Wiltshire Police were informed of Harts disappearance on January 29, prompting their visit to her residence where they made the grim discovery. A police officer stated that Harts dogs had resorted to consuming her body after her death.

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Forensic evidence revealed that Hart tragically died by suicide. The police have confirmed that they are not treating the death as suspicious. Hart had been experiencing health issues and chronic pain, which had forced her to stop working. Though she had resided at the same address for the past decade, she was not in contact with any mental health services.

If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

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Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 13:52 IST
Can You Stay Indefinitely In US With A Green Card? Here's What JD Vance Says

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 12:57 IST

Vance said there would be an increase in the deportations of student visa holders after the arrest of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Trump has vowed to deport pro-Palestinian agitators.

US Vice President JD Vance | File Image/AP

Following the arrest of a pro-Palestinian activist that sparked a furore in the United States, Vice President JD Vance has weighed in on the controversy and whether green-card holders have the right of indefinite stay in America.

Mahmoud Khalil  a Palestinian activist who helped lead student protests against Israel at Columbia University, was detained on the night of March 8, as he and his wife, Noor Abdalla, were returning to their Columbia University-owned apartment in upper Manhattan.

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Khalils arrest sparked outrage from critics of the Trump administration as well as free speech advocates. However, President Donald Trump has vowed to arrest and deport more pro-Palestine supporters, describing them as terrorist sympathisers".

While speaking to The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Vance said he expected the deportations of illegal immigrants and pro-Hamas student visa holders to rise as the Trump administration is building the capacity to detain and eventually deport such individuals.

Vance said significant progress was made in achieving complete border security since Trump took office, and the priority was now to detain and deport illegal immigrants. He also accused former President Joe Biden of underfunding" migrant detention and destroying" the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ALSO READ: Terrorist Sympathisers: Trump Warns Of Deportation After Pro-Hamas Student Protesters Arrest

A Green Card Holder Doesnt Have

When asked about Khalils arrest, Vance argued that a green card holder does not have an indefinite right to be in the United States", triggering a fresh debate about immigration.

A green card holder, even if I like that green card holder, doesnt have an indefinite right to be in the United States. American citizens have different rights from people who have green cards, from people who have student visas," he told Ingraham.

BREAKING: Vice President JD Vance states that holding a green card does not guarantee indefinite residency in the United States. Emphasizes national security and the prerogative of American citizens to determine membership in their national community. pic.twitter.com/pivTXcjBKT Luca Taner (@LucaTaner) March 14, 2025

My attitude on this is that this is not fundamentally about free speech, and to me, yes, its about national security, but its also more importantly about who do we as an American public decide gets to join our national community?" he said. If the secretary of state and the president decide this person shouldnt be in America, and they have no legal right to stay here, its as simple as that."

Vance asserted that some people will soon get deported on student visas if we determine that its not in the best interest of the United States to have them in our country".

Khalils arrest had sparked furore, particularly after he was denied legal counsel and his student visa was being revoked. Several Democrats as well as Jewish students have protested Khalils arrest, describing it as inhumane" and unconstitutional".

Trump and other Republicans have broadly accused pro-Palestinian protesters of supporting Hamas, a US-designated terrorist group whose deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, sparked the war, as protests engulfed several US campuses last year.

The government has not accused Khalil of breaking any laws, suggesting instead that his permanent residency was being revoked over his involvement in the protests. Judge Furman set a deadline of Friday for the government to submit arguments to the court, with a decision due on Monday.

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Since Trump took office in January, he has made good on his election promise by ramping up the detainment and deportation of illegal immigrants in the United States. About 37,660 people were deported during the presidents first month in office, according to Reuters, and 70% of ICE arrestees under Trump had criminal records or were facing charges, the agency said earlier this week.

(with agency inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 12:57 IST
'Retaliatory Tariffs Could Harm...': Elon Musk's Tesla Warns Trump Administration

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 22:07 IST

Tesla has warned the Trump administration that the retaliatory tariffs on the US could harm the company and urged the government to consider its trade policies carefully.

US President Donald Trump with Elon Musk (AP Image)

Elon Musks Tesla has warned the Donald Trump administration that retaliatory tariffs against US manufacturers could harm its operations. The electric car company also said that the government should carefully consider its trade policies going forward.

As a U.S. manufacturer and exporter, Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices," the Tesla representatives wrote to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on March 11.

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While Tesla recognises and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States," the letter added.

Tesla has cautioned that past US tariff measures have led to swift retaliatory actions from affected countries, including higher tariffs on imported electric vehicles (EVs). In an unsigned letter, the company urged US trade officials to consider the impact of such policies on American manufacturers.

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Teslas stock has recently declined, erasing gains since Election Day. European sales dropped 45% in January, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The letter also warned that trade policies have raised the cost of American-made vehicles, particularly when exported.

Tesla also highlighted concerns about domestic supply chain limitations, noting that some EV components, like lithium-ion batteries, are unavailable in the US. The company, which employs over 70,000 people, operates manufacturing facilities in several states, including California, Texas, and Nevada.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 22:04 IST
G7 Warns Russia Of New Sanctions Unless Ceasefire With Ukraine Is Accepted

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 23:24 IST

G7 foreign ministers also backed Ukraine's fight for its "territorial integrity" and spoke of Russia's "aggression," terminology earlier eschewed by Trump as he reached out to Moscow

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly (C) speaks during the G7 foreign ministers meeting in La Malbaie, Quebec, on March 13, 2025. (AFP photo)

The Group of Seven powers Friday warned Russia of new sanctions unless it accepts a ceasefire with Ukraine, in a forceful show of unity after President Donald Trump rattled the club of democracies.

Meeting at a rustic hotel in rural Quebec, G7 foreign ministers also backed Ukraines fight for its territorial integrity" and spoke of Russias aggression," terminology earlier eschewed by Trump as he reached out to Moscow.

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The consensus on Ukraine came despite mounting tension within the G7  Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States  as Trump slaps punishing tariffs on both friends and foes and questions the very sovereignty of host Canada.

A G7 statement backed a US-led call for a 30-day truce embraced by Ukraine and called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully."

They discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a ceasefire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means," such as using frozen Russian assets.

The Group of Seven also noted the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression."

It did not elaborate further, and Trump has closed the door on admitting Ukraine into NATO, an idea loathed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Trump did not want to impose further sanctions on Russia but the US has these options available" if needed.

Hailing the rapid US-led diplomacy in recent days, Rubio said theres reason to be cautiously optimistic" about securing a truce between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump since his return to power has stunned allies by reopening dialogue with Putin and briefly cutting off US aid and intelligence sharing that has been vital to Ukraine since Russia invaded three years ago.

But the diplomatic picture changed dramatically Tuesday when Rubio and Trumps national security advisor Mike Waltz met Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.

The Ukrainians, eager to restore the relationship after a disastrous visit to Washington by President Volodymyr Zelensky, welcomed a US call for a 30-day proposal, which a Trump envoy then presented to Moscow.

Putin said Thursday that he generally backed the truce but wanted more clarification, leading Germany and Ukraine to accuse him of a delaying tactic.

Strong unity

Despite Trumps taunting of Canada, Rubio hailed Foreign Minister Melanie Joly for doing a great job" in reaching a strong statement" by the G7.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy applauded what he called unity that now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions."

I think that there is a coalition of the willing emerging to give Ukraine the security architecture and arrangements that they need," Lammy told AFP in a pooled interview.

Joly also voiced satisfaction at the strong G7 unity" and said: Ultimately, the ball is now in Russias court."

But Joly  who left early for Ottawa to attend Mark Carneys swearing in as Canadas new prime minister  noted that divisions remained on Trumps tariffs push.

She also said she sought solidarity faced with bellicose language by Trump, who has mocked Canada as the 51st US state and just Thursday quipped that national anthem O Canada" would sound nice as a state song.

G7 colleagues had taken Trumps remarks in humorous way," Joly said.

But I said to them, this is not a joke. Canadians are anxious. Canadians are proud people, and you are here in a sovereign country," she said.

Joint call on Gaza

The G7 statement also called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel ramps up pressure on Hamas after a teetering US-backed deal froze the deadly war.

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The statement called for unhindered humanitarian aid" into Gaza after Israel cut off supplies and electricity to Gaza in a bid to pressure Hamas.

It marks a possible shift by the Trump administration, which has strongly backed Israel and not criticized such moves, despite the potential impact on civilians.

Location : Canada

First Published: March 14, 2025, 23:23 IST
Hamas Accepts Proposal To Release US-Israeli Hostage, Bodies Of 4 Other Dual-Nationals

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 18:32 IST

Alexander was 19 when he was taken from his base on the border with Gaza in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 that sparked the war

US President Donald Trump, poses for photos with the family of Edan Alexander at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch on October 07, 2024 in New York City. (AFP file photo)

Hamas said on Friday it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual-nationals, hostages who had died in captivity.

The announcement came talks continue in Qatar to try to broker the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

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The militant group in the Gaza Strip did not immediately specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would occur, and other countries party to the agreement did not immediately confirm the Hamas statement.

Alexander was 19 when he was taken from his base on the border with Gaza in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 that sparked the war.

It was not clear which parties had participated in negotiating the deal. The United States, led by the Trump administrations hostage envoy Steve Witkoff, has been pushing for a proposal that would extend the truce and see a limited number of hostage for prisoner exchanges.

The first phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago.

The White House last week made a surprise announcement, saying that American officials had engaged in ongoing talks and discussions" with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly engaging with the militant group.

That prompted a terse response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office.

It was not immediately clear whether those talks were at all linked to Hamas Friday announcement about the release of the American hostage.

In a separate statement, Hamas official Husam Badran reaffirmed what he said was Hamas commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases, warning that any Israeli deviation from the terms would return negotiations to square one.

The ceasefire has paused the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas.

The first phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza for the first time since early in the war, and hundreds of trucks of aid entered per day until Israel suspended supplies.

Israel has been pressing Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for an extension of the first phase, and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.

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Two weeks ago, Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza and its more than 2 million people as it pressed Hamas to agree. The militant group has said that the move would affect the remaining hostages as well.

Hamas wants to start negotiations on the ceasefires more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace.

Location : Jerusalem, Israel

First Published: March 14, 2025, 18:29 IST
Mark Carney Sworn In As Canadian Prime Minister

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 21:16 IST

Carney was sworn in at a ceremony in Ottawa, replacing Justin Trudeau who had led Canada since 2015.

Mark Carney to be next Canadian PM (AP Image)

Former central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as Canadas prime minister on Friday, taking charge of a country shaken by a breakdown in relations with the US since President Donald Trumps return to power.

Carney took the oath of office at a ceremony in Ottawa, with Governor General Mary Simon, the personal representative of King Charles  Canadas head of state  in attendance.

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Carney succeeds Justin Trudeau, who led Canada since 2015. Trudeau announced his resignation in January after nearly a decade in power.

The event marked a significant milestone for the 59-year-old, who becomes the first Canadian prime minister with no significant political experience.

A former head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney has positioned himself as an outsider, arguing that his experience in handling crises makes him the ideal person to confront Trump, who has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of annexing Canada.

Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as of April 2. He has also suggested that the border between the two countries is a fictional line."

Carney has stated that he is ready to meet with Trump, provided there is respect for Canadian sovereignty" and a willingness to take a common approach, a much more comprehensive approach for trade."

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Efforts are currently underway to arrange a call between Trump and Carney in the coming days, as confirmed by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Canada

First Published: March 14, 2025, 21:03 IST
Video Of New Zealand PM Luxon, A 'Big Fan Of India', Playing With Colours Resurfaces On Holi | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 10:41 IST

The video of the New Zealand PM throwing colour on the crowd using a cloud gulal cylinder on the count of 3...2...1 is surfacing on the internet.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon was spotted playing Holi. (Image: X)

A video of Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon playing with colours with a large crowd at ISKCON Auckland has resurfaced on the internet as India is celebrating the festival of colours. Holi is one of the most celebrated festival in India where everyone joins to play with colours, water guns, balloons, and relish Gujiyas.

The video of the New Zealand PM from February throwing colour on the crowd using a cloud gulal cylinder on the count of 321 is being widely shared on social media.

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Prime Minister of New Zealand playing Holi #HappyHoli pic.twitter.com/ZBKX6i4pJz

 Sunanda Roy  (@SaffronSunanda) March 13, 2025

Notably, Luxon is set to visit India from March 16 to March 20 to enhance the bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment. This will be his first visit to India as the Prime Minister.

Luxon has repeatedly praised India and said, I am a big fan of India Its a country I love, admire tremendously."

Luxon To Visit India From March 16 To 20

Luxon, who has previously expressed great admiration for India, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on March 17 to discuss trade, defence cooperation, and expanding people-to-people ties.

The New Zealand Prime Minisetr will also meet President Droupadi Murmu. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media and members of the Indian diaspora community.

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Luxon will also visit Mumbai from March 19 to 20 before returning to Wellington.

Luxons visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and New Zealand, the MEA said. It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties," it said.

About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More

Location : New Zealand

First Published: March 14, 2025, 10:31 IST
'Person Of Interest' In Sudiksha Konanki Missing Case Claims He 'Saved' Her From Drowning

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 20:22 IST

Joshua Riibe said he had ventured into the sea with Konanki during their time at the beach when a powerful wave hit them both, sweeping them out into the rough waters

Indian-origin woman Sudiksha Konanki missing in Dominican Republic (Photo: Social Media)

The 22-year-old man from Iowa, identified as the person of interest in the case of missing Indian-American student Sudiksha Konanki, claimed he saved her from drowning in the rough seas.

In a new statement to investigators, Joshua Riibe said he had ventured into the sea with Konanki during their time at the beach when a powerful wave hit them both, sweeping them out into the rough waters.

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A big wave came and hit us both and as the water returned, it came back and swept us out to sea," Riibe explained in his account to the authorities.

He further revealed that the beach was empty at the time, and their cries for help went unanswered. Riibe described how he tried desperately to get Konanki back to the shore, but the rough conditions made it incredibly difficult, according to a report by the New York Post.

It took me a long time to get her out; it was difficult. I was a lifeguard in the pool, not in the sea. I could have lost consciousness several times," he added.

However, Riibes account has raised several questions. He stated that after the incident, he believed Konanki had gone back into the sea to retrieve her belongings. He mentioned that he did not notice her actions as he had become sick after reaching the shore.

Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, disappeared on March 6 while vacationing at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with five friends.

Riibe was not part of the group of friends that Konanki had travelled with to the Dominican Republic. He is believed to have met the group while at the resort. Riibes background includes being a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota since 2023.

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Investigators are now focusing on Riibes statement, especially as he has reportedly failed to answer some key questions, citing advice from his lawyer. This has added to the intrigue surrounding the case, and local authorities, in collaboration with US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are working hard to piece together the details.

ALSO READ: Missing Indian-Origin Students Last Video Shows Her Walking Towards Beach With Friends

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 19:32 IST
Nearly 100 Arrested In Trump Tower Protest Against Palestinian Activist's Detention

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:16 IST

Chants of "Free Mahmoud Khalil" were shouted by the protestors. They also unfurled banners that read "Never Again for Anyone" and "Jews Say Do Not Comply".

Demonstrators from the group Jewish Voice for Peace protest inside Trump Tower in support of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. (AP)

Nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested after they gathered at Trump Tower in Manhattan on Thursday to denounce the arrest of Palestinian activist and Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Khalil over his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.

The protest, organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw demonstrators dressed in red shirts that read Not in our Name" and Jews Say Stop Arming Israel", crammed into the Towers iconic golden atrium,CNN reported.

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Chants of Free Mahmoud Khalil" were shouted by the protestors. They also unfurled banners that read Never Again for Anyone" and Jews Say Do Not Comply".

According to the New York Police Department, 98 people were later arrested and 50 were led from the lobby in zip ties and placed into awaiting police vehicles. No injuries or property damage was reported.

An organizer livestreamed the protest from the balcony overlooking the atrium of Trump Tower.

As the NYPD moved in to arrest the demonstrators, they began chanting, Free Palestine," and the whole world is watching."

Notaly, the protest comes days after Khalil was detained by federal agents at his home in New York after the Trump administration revoked his green card.

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Following this, Trump took to his Truth social handle and wrote, If you support terrorism . your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here."

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that Columbia University has expelled, suspended or temporarily revoked the degrees of students who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall in April 2024.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:16 IST
Putin Thanks Trump, PM Modi For Addressing Ukraine Conflict: It's All For A Noble Cause

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 07:19 IST

Vladimir Putin On Ukraine War: The comments come as the United States called for Russia to agree to the ceasefire proposal without any conditions.

Vladimir Putin On Ukraine War: Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a press briefing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other state heads, for paying attention to the Ukraine conflict- in first comments on Washingtons plan for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

First of all, I would like to start with words of gratitude to the president of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. All of us have lots on our plates, but many state leaders, the Chairman of the Peoples Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, president of Brazil and South African Republic. They devote a lot of time to this issue, and we are thankful to them because its all for the noble cause of stopping hostilities and preventing human casualties," he said.

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What Vladimir Putin Said On Ceasefire Deal

The comments come as the United States called for Russia to agree to the ceasefire proposal without any conditions. On the proposed ceasefire, Vladimir Putin said that he was for" the same but there are nuances" and he had serious questions" about how it would work.

He said, We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis."

Responding to this, Donald Trump said Vladimir Putins statement was promising" but not complete".

He put out a very promising statement but it wasnt complete," the US President said.

How Ukraines Zelenskyy Responded To Putins Remarks

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Vladimir Putin predictable" and manipulative", as he accused his Russian counterpart of preparing to reject the idea of a front-line silence.

Vladimir Putin is too afraid to directly tell President Trump that he intends to continue the war and harm Ukrainians, Zelenskyy asserted.

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: March 14, 2025, 07:14 IST
Sunita Williams Likely To Leave Space Station On March 19 As NASA, SpaceX Plan Crew-10 Mission

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 09:38 IST

Earlier on Thursday, the mission managers decided to wave off a launch attempt due to high winds and precipitation forecasted in the flight path of Dragon.

Sunita Williams to leave space on March 19. (Reuters Image)

Indian-origin Astronaut Sunita Williams and fellow-astronaut Butch Wilmore are expected to leave the International Space Station by March 19 at the earliest, said NASA.

The American Space agency informed that its SpaceX Crew-10 is now targeting no earlier than 7:03 pm on March 14 as the window for launch of the Transporter-13 mission.

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The duo, who had reached the International Space Station (ISS) for an eight-day stay, have been stuck in space for nine months after a trip on Boeings faulty Starliner.

According to the reports, the mission will launch four crew members to the International Space Station.

Earlier on Thursday, the mission managers decided to wave off a launch attempt due to high winds and precipitation forecasted in the flight path of Dragon.

The launch teams are also working to address a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Crew-10 mission will bring a new team of astronauts to the ISS, including Nasas Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese space agency JAXAs Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmoss Kirill Peskov.

Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceXs human space transportation system and its 11th flight with crew aboard, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASAs Commercial Crew Program.

This will be the 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, and six Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

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(With agency inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 09:38 IST
Trump Administration To Move Ahead with Mass Layoffs After Agencies Submit Reduction Plans

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 17:15 IST

The layoffs follow two court rulings that ordered agencies to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who had been dismissed in recent weeks, the largest setback to Trump' cost cutting plans.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk have vowed to cut down the size of the federal government. (File Photo: AP)

The Trump administration is expected on Friday to move ahead with a second wave of mass firings and budget cuts across the US federal government after agencies were told to submit large-scale downsizing plans.

The new round of layoffs comes amid President Donald Trumps push to radically remake the federal bureaucracy, a task he has largely left to Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency.

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So far, DOGE has overseen potential cuts of more than 100,000 jobs across the 2.3 million-member federal civilian workforce, the freezing of foreign aid, and the canceling of thousands of programs and contracts.

Federal agencies faced a Thursday deadline to submit reorganization blueprints for what Trump last month termed large-scale reductions in force."

The prospect for further job losses comes with financial markets already rattled about the economic risks posed by Trumps global trade war. Stocks tumbled again on Thursday over concerns that Trumps policies could lead to a recession.

With the tech billionaire Musk at his side, Trump signed an executive order on February 11 directing all agencies to promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force," using a legal term commonly referred to as RIF to denote mass layoffs.

A subsequent memo from US Office of Personnel Management said plans should include a significant reduction" of full-time staff, cuts to real estate, a smaller budget, and the elimination of functions not mandated by law.

The Department of Veterans Affairs was aiming to cut more than 80,000 workers, and the US Department of Education said on Tuesday it would lay off nearly half its 4,000-strong staff.

The Social Security Administration, the agency that provides benefits to tens of millions of older Americans, plans to cut 7,000 workers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provides weather forecasts, planned to lay off more than 1,000 workers.

US Judges Order Rehiring Of Employees

Several agencies have offered employees lump-sum payments to voluntarily retire early, which could help the agencies avoid legal complications inherent in the RIF process, which unions have vowed to fight in court.

The layoffs follow two court rulings on Thursday that ordered agencies to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who had been dismissed in recent weeks.

US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ruled that probationary workers, typically those with less than two years on the job, should be reinstated at the departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior and the Treasury.

The White House vowed to challenge Alsups decision.

The ruling does not pertain to the career employees that are set to be fired in the new round of downsizing. That process could eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs.

After Alsups ruling was handed down, a federal judge in Maryland also directed the administration to reinstate tens of thousands of recently hired federal workers.

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US District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore agreed with 20 Democrat-led states that 18 agencies that had fired probationary employees en masse in recent weeks violated regulations governing the process for laying off federal workers.

The two rulings were the largest legal setbacks for Trump and Musks downsizing plans yet.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 17:15 IST
US Influencer Leaves Australia After Backlash Over Snatching Baby Wombat

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 15:52 IST

US influencer Sam Jones faced backlash and deportation after posting a video of her taking a baby wombat from its mother.

Social media influencer Sam Jones has returned to the US after facing severe backlash. (Image/ X@CollinRugg)

American influencer Sam Jones sparked controversy after posting a now-deleted video on Instagram, where she is seen grabbing a baby wombat from its mother. In the video, Jones runs off with the wombat while a man behind the camera comments, She caught a baby wombat," laughing. Jones temporarily separated the marsupial from its mother to take photos and record the video.

The baby wombat in the video was seen struggling and hissing for its mother. Jones eventually released the wombat back into the wild, but not before the mother chased after her. While Jones deleted the video from her social media, it has since gone viral, sparking severe backlash for her actions in snatching and harassing the animal for photos and videos.

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NEW: US influencer Sam Jones faces deportation after she was filmed taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother.Australias Immigration Minister says he is working to deport the influencer for pulling off the stunt. I cant wait for Australia to see the back of this pic.twitter.com/bielwW9we6  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 13, 2025

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According to a Reuters report, the US influencer has since returned to her home country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned her actions, criticizing her for separating the wombat from its mother and causing distress. He also took a jab at Jones, suggesting she try handling a baby crocodile or other dangerous animals that could fight back and see the outcome.

I got upset seeing that footage.To take a baby wombat from its mother and clearly causing distress for the mother is just an outrage. I suggest to this so-called influence, maybe she might try some other stray animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother, and see how you go there," Albanese said speaking to media.

First Published: March 14, 2025, 15:50 IST
US, Israel Reach Out To African Nations For Resettlement Of Palestinians From Gaza: Report

Published By :

Associated Press

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 16:39 IST

Trump had unveiled a plan to permanently re-settle Palestinians from Gaza, proposing US ownership of the territory and develop it as a real estate project, sparking widespread criticism.

The Gaza Strip has been devastated by 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas. (Reuters)

The US and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations for resettling Palestinians uprooted from the Gaza Strip under President Donald Trumps proposed postwar plan, American and Israeli officials told The Associated Press.

The contacts with Sudan, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland reflect the determination by the US and Israel to press ahead with a plan that has been widely condemned and raised serious legal and moral issues. Because all three places are poor, and in some cases wracked by violence, the proposal also casts doubt on Trumps stated goal of resettling Gazas Palestinians in a beautiful area."

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Officials from Sudan said they have rejected overtures from the US, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland told The Associated Press that they were not aware of any contacts.

Under Trumps plan, Gazas more than 2 million people would be permanently sent elsewhere. He has proposed the US would take ownership of the territory, oversee a lengthy cleanup process and develop it as a real estate project.

The idea of a mass transfer of Palestinians was once considered a fantasy of Israels ultranationalist fringe. But since Trump presented the idea at a White House meeting last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed it as a bold vision."

Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal and dismiss Israeli claims that the departures would be voluntary. Arab nations have expressed vehement opposition and offered an alternative reconstruction plan that would leave the Palestinians in place. Rights groups have said forcing or pressuring the Palestinians to leave could be a potential war crime.

Still, the White House says Trump stands by his vision."

US, Israel In Touch With Somalia, Sudan

Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a secret diplomatic initiative, US and Israeli officials confirmed the contacts with Somalia and Somaliland, while the Americans confirmed Sudan as well. They said it was unclear how much progress the efforts made or at what level the discussions took place.

Separate outreach from the US and Israel to the three potential destinations began last month, days after Trump floated the Gaza plan alongside Netanyahu, according to the US officials, who said that Israel was taking the lead in the discussions.

Israel and the US have a variety of incentives  financial, diplomatic and security  to offer these potential partners. It is a formula that Trump used five years ago when he brokered the Abraham Accords  a series of mutually beneficial diplomatic accords between Israel and four Arab countries.

The White House declined to comment on the outreach efforts.

The offices of Netanyahu and Ron Dermer, the Israeli Cabinet minister and Netanyahu confidant who has been leading Israels postwar planning, also had no comment.

But Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a longtime advocate of what he calls voluntary" emigration of Palestinians, said this week that Israel is working to identify countries to take in Palestinians. He also said Israel is preparing a very large emigration department" within its Defence Ministry.

Civil War In Sudan

Here is a closer look at the places the officials say have been approached.

The North African country was among the four Abraham Accord nations that agreed to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020.

As part of the deal, the US removed Sudan from its list of state supporters of terrorism, a move that gave the country access to international loans and global legitimacy. But relations with Israel never took off as Sudan plunged into civil war between government forces and the RSF paramilitary group.

The conflict has been marked by atrocities, including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the UN and rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, and then-President Joe Bidens administration in January said the RSF and its proxies were committing genocide.

The US and Israel would be hard-pressed to persuade Palestinians to leave Gaza, particularly to such a troubled country. But they could offer incentives to the Khartoum government, including debt relief, weapons, technology and diplomatic support.

Two Sudanese officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive diplomatic matter, confirmed that the Trump administration has approached the military-led government about accepting Palestinians.

One of them said the contacts began even before Trumps inauguration with offers of military assistance against the RSF, assistance with postwar reconstruction and other incentives.

Both officials said the Sudanese government rejected the idea. This suggestion was immediately rebuffed," said one official. "No one opened this matter again."

Military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan told an Arab leaders summit last week in Cairo that his country categorically rejects" any plan that aims to transfer the brotherly Palestinians from their land under whatever justification or name."

Conflict In Somalia

Somaliland, a territory of over 3 million people in the Horn of Africa, seceded from Somalia over 30 years ago, but it is not internationally recognized as an independent state. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory.

Somalilands new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has made international recognition a priority.

An American official involved in the efforts confirmed that the US was having a quiet conversation with Somaliland about a range of areas where they can be helpful to the US in exchange for recognition."

The possibility of US recognition could provide an incentive for Abdullahi to back away from the territorys solidarity with the Palestinians.

The United Arab Emirates, another Abraham Accord country that has developed strong ties with Israel, once had a military base in Somaliland and maintains commercial interests there, including a port. The territorys strategic location, in the Gulf of Aden waterway near Yemen, home to the Houthi rebel group, could also make it a valuable ally.

Over the years, Somaliland has been lauded for its relatively stable political environment, contrasting sharply with Somalias ongoing struggles amid deadly attacks by al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab. Since 1991, Somaliland has maintained its own government, currency and security structures. Still, it has one of the lowest income levels in the world.

An official in Somaliland, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said his government has not been approached and is not in talks about taking in Palestinians.

Somalia has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians, often hosting peaceful protests on its streets in support of them. The country joined the recent Arab summit that rejected Trumps plan and seems like an unlikely destination for Palestinians, even if they did agree to move.

Sambu Chepkorir, a lawyer and conflict researcher in Nairobi, Kenya, said it is difficult to understand why Somalia would want to host Palestinians given the countrys strong support for Palestinian self-rule.

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The realignments keep changing, and so maybe there is a hidden agenda," Chepkorir said.

A Somali official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said the country had not been approached about taking in Palestinians from Gaza and there had been no discussions about it.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 16:39 IST
US Judges Block Mass Layoffs, Order Trump Administration To Rehire Thousands Of Fired Workers

Published By :

Reuters

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 13:23 IST

The back-to-back rulings were the most significant blow yet to the effort by Trump and top adviser Elon Musk to drastically shrink the federal bureaucracy, which included firing 24,000 workers.

US President Donald Trump (Reuters File)

Federal judges in California and Maryland on Thursday ordered US President Donald Trumps administration to reinstate thousands of probationary federal workers who lost their jobs as part of mass firings carried out at 19 agencies.

The back-to-back rulings were the most significant blow yet to the effort by Trump and top adviser Elon Musk to drastically shrink the federal bureaucracy. Government agencies face a Thursday deadline to submit plans for a second wave of mass layoffs and to slash their budgets.

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US District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore agreed with 20 Democratic-led states that 18 of the agencies which had fired probationary employees en masse in recent weeks violated regulations governing the laying off of federal workers.

Bredars restraining order applies to, among other agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the US Agency for International Development, all three of which have been in the deregulatory and cost-cutting cross-hairs of the Trump administration.

Other agencies covered by the judges order include the US Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.

While the administration argued it dismissed each of the employees for performance or other individualised reasons, the judge said that was not true, which would make the job cuts a form of mass layoff necessitating advance notice to the states, who have obligations to assist their newly unemployed citizens.

The sheer number of employees that were terminated in a matter of days belies any argument that these terminations were due to the employees individual unsatisfactory performance or conduct," wrote Bredar, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama.

His decision came hours after US District Judge William Alsup during a hearing in San Francisco ordered the reinstatement of probationary employees terminated at six agencies, including the US Department of Defence, which was not covered by the Maryland decision.

Alsup said the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the human resources department for federal agencies, had improperly ordered those agencies to fire workers en masse even though it lacked the power to do so.

It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie," said Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement issued following Alsups decision said the administration would immediately fight back."

The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch  singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the Presidents agenda," Leavitt said.

How Many Workers Have Been Fired So Far?

Trump and Musk, architect of the administrations Department of Government Efficiency, are pursuing an aggressive campaign to shrink the federal workforce, made up of about 2.3 million workers when Trump took office in January.

The first round of mass firings focused on probationary workers, who have limited grounds to challenge their terminations. At least 24,000 have been terminated since Trump returned to office, according to the Democratic-led states, who filed their lawsuit challenging the firings last week.

Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, though some are longtime federal employees. They have fewer job protections than other government workers but in general can only be fired for performance issues.

The states in their lawsuit say that by firing workers en masse, federal agencies engaged in mass layoffs that are supposed to be guided by a series of regulations. The agencies did not follow those procedures, though, such as giving state and local governments 60 days notice in advance of mass layoffs, the states say.

The states say the terminations have left them with an abrupt influx in unemployment claims and higher demand for social services.

The Trump administration says that federal agencies can terminate probationary workers for virtually any reason. OPM said in February the probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment."

The lawsuit before Alsup was filed by unions, nonprofit groups and the state of Washington. They claim the mass firings were unlawful because they were ordered by OPM rather than left to the discretion of individual agencies.

The plaintiffs include the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000 federal workers. The unions president, Everett Kelley, said in a statement Alsups decision was an important victory against an administration hellbent on crippling federal agencies and their work on behalf of the American public."

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Alsup last month had temporarily blocked OPM from ordering agencies to fire probationary employees, but declined at the time to require that fired workers get their jobs back. The plaintiffs subsequently amended their lawsuit to include the agencies that fired probationary workers.

The Merit Systems Protection Board, which reviews federal employees appeals when they are fired, earlier this month ordered the Agriculture Department to reinstate nearly 6,000 probationary workers at least temporarily.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 13:18 IST
Trump Urges Putin To Spare Lives Of Ukrainians, Russian President Asks Zelenskyy's Troops To Surrender

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 23:08 IST

Trump said that he spoke to Putin and urged him to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who are at war with Russia. Putin also responded to Trump's request, asking Ukrainian troops to surrender.

US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin | File Image/AFP

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had a productive" discussion with Vladimir Putin, during which he strongly" urged his Russian counterpart to spare the lives" of Ukrainian soldiers  a request that was dealt with a sympathetic" view by Moscow.

Trump, after the phone call with Putin, also suggested that there is a very good chance" that the war with Ukraine could finally end.

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Trump Speaks To Putin Over Ukraine Ceasefire

We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end  BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION," Trump posted on Truth Social.

I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!" he added.

Trump-Putin talks come at a time when Russia and Ukraine are pushing for an end to the deadly war that has been underway since February 2022. Ukraine has already agreed to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during talks in Saudi Arabia this week.

Putin Responds To Trumps Request

Responding to Trumps request to spare Ukrainian lives, Putin asked Zelenskyys troops fighting in the Kursk region to surrender.

We are sympathetic to President Trumps call," Putin said in televised remarks. If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment," Putin added.

He also called on Ukraines leaders to pass an order to their troops to surrender before the Russians.

Putin On US Ceasefire Proposal

Earlier on Thursday, Putin reacted to the US proposal for a 30-day immediate ceasefire, saying that Moscow was open to it but also insisted that crucial terms and concerns must be addressed beforehand.

We agree with the proposal for a ceasefire (with Ukraine) to cease hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this ceasefire should lead to an enduring peace and should remove the root causes of this crisis," the Russian President said at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin has also expressed his doubts about whether the Ukrainian forces would comply with the ceasefire and raised concerns that the halt in fighting could allow Zelenskyys forces to regroup.

How will other aspects be dealt with along the 2,000-kilometer contact line? As you know, Russian troops are advancing practically in every sector, and all the conditions are there for us to besiege fairly large units. So what would happen during those 30 days?" Putin said.

Putin also asked who would ensure the enforcement of the deal and how violations of the ceasefire would be addressed. He also stressed that there is a need for further negotiations, including a direct phone call with Trump.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took a sharp view of Moscows skepticism for a ceasefire and accused Putin of attempting to stretch the war rather than seeking a solution.

Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made. This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible," he said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 19:32 IST
Vladimir Putin Told This To Ukrainian Troops After Donald Trump's 'Spare Their Lives' Request

Last Updated: March 15, 2025, 20:52 IST

In a televised address, the Russian President said that if Ukrainian soldiers lay down their arms and surrender, 'they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment'

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AFP photo)

President Vladimir Putin called on Friday for beleaguered Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk to surrender" as Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian leader of seeking to sabotage a ceasefire initiative.

US President Donald Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of the Ukrainian troops as he said his envoy had held productive" talks with Russias leader on a proposed 30-day ceasefire.

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Russia has mounted a rapid counteroffensive in the western border region of Kursk over the past week, recapturing much of the territory Ukraine seized in a shock incursion last August.

Defeat in Kursk would be a major blow to Ukraines plans to use its hold on the region as a bargaining chip in peace talks for the three-year-old war.

We are sympathetic to President Trumps call," Putin said in remarks broadcast on Russian television.

If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment," Putin said.

Trump said thousands" of Ukrainian troops were completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position".

Horrible massacre

I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump said.

Ukraines military leadership denied the claims. There is no threat of our units being encircled," Ukraines General Staff posted on social media.

Zelensky gave a more sober assessment in comments to reporters in Kyiv. The situation in the Kursk region is obviously very difficult," he said, while insisting the campaign still had value.

Russia, he said, had been forced to pull troops from other areas on the front line, easing pressure on Ukrainian forces fighting to keep control of the eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

Trumps latest comments came as he gave an update on a meeting Thursday between his envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin on a US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day pause in hostilities.

We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Ukraine losing grip

Putin said Thursday that he had serious questions" about the proposal and that events in Kursk would influence the next moves towards a ceasefire.

Zelensky accused the Russian leader of seeking to undermine the ceasefire initiative.

He is now doing everything he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions right from the start even before a ceasefire," Zelensky posted on X.

The Kremlin said Friday that it was cautiously optimistic" a deal could be reached, but that Trump and Putin had to speak directly before talks could progress.

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in a Fox News interview that the United States had some cautious optimism" after Witkoffs visit.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a meeting of the Group of Seven western powers in Canada that both sides would have to make concessions".

G7 foreign ministers warned Russia of new sanctions unless it accepted a ceasefire on equal terms", saying sanctions could include caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means".

France and Germany accused Russia of seeking to block a ceasefire, and support for Ukraine was to be discussed again in a video conference of some European leaders with Zelensky on Saturday.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday said Russias complete disregard for President Trumps ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace".

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Diplomatic sources said EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas would propose that the 27-country bloc supply up to 40 billion euros ($43.5 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine hoped its hold on Kursk would be a bargaining chip in talks with Russia and was eyeing a potential land swap with Moscow, which has occupied around a fifth of Ukraine since it took Crimea in 2014 and launched its military offensive in February 2022.

Location : Russia

First Published: March 14, 2025, 22:37 IST
White House Accuses Hamas Of Stalling Hostage Deal, Making 'Impractical' Ceasefire Demands

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 23:50 IST

Hamas said it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Hamas has accused Israel of not allowing tents, houses, fuel, rubble-removing mechanism and humanitarian aid in Gaza. (AP Image)

The White House accused Hamas on Friday of making entirely impractical" demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire.

Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not," a statement from the office of President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and the US National Security Council said.

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Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes," it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would pay a severe price" for not freeing hostages.

Hamas said earlier on Friday it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Witkoff presented a bridge" proposal in Qatar on Wednesday to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

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Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this bridge would have to be implemented soon  and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately," the statement said.

Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire," it added.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 14, 2025, 23:17 IST
Putin Doesnt Want Ukraine Ceasefire, But He Is Scared To Tell Donald Trump: Zelenskyy

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 08:20 IST

Russia-Ukraine War: Zelenskyy accused Putin of "actually preparing a refusal" but claimed he was "afraid to say directly to President Trump that he wants to continue this war".

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written a letter to Trump after the spat, which the US President called an "apology". (IMAGE: AFP FILE)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putins ambivalent response to a proposed ceasefire as very manipulative".

We now have all heard from Russia Putins very predictable, very manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.

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Putin said Thursday in his first public comments on a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States and backed by Ukraine that he was in favour but had serious questions" about how it would work.

Washington has called for Russia to accept a ceasefire without preconditions but Putin listed a number of obstacles in the way.

We do not set conditions that complicate anything. Russia does that," Zelenskyy said.

As we have always said, the only one who will drag things out, the only one who will be unconstructive, is Russia."

Zelenskyy accused Putin of actually preparing a refusal" but claimed he was afraid to say directly to President Trump that he wants to continue this war". He also said Putin was framing the idea of a ceasefire with such preconditions that nothing will work out at all, or for as long as possible".

In his comments Thursday, Putin raised concerns that Ukraine would use a ceasefire to its military benefit, and said Russia wanted to press ahead as its forces made advances. He also questioned how the ceasefire would be monitored across a front line thousands of kilometres long.

Putin often does this  he doesnt say no directly, but he does it in such a way that he practically only delays everything and makes normal solutions impossible. We think that this is all just another Russian manipulation," Zelenskyy said.

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He added that the American side said they were ready to organise control and verification" of the ceasefire.

It is feasible to ensure this with American capabilities, European capabilities. And to prepare answers to all the questions about long-term security and real, reliable peace during the ceasefire and put a plan to end the war on the table," Zelenskyy said.

Location : Ukraine

First Published: March 14, 2025, 08:20 IST
Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Needs 'Normal' Ties With Trump, Accuses Putin Of 'Sabotaging Diplomacy' Over Ceasefire

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 14, 2025, 22:32 IST

Zelenskyy, in a bid to amend relations with Donald Trump after White House fallout, said that Ukraine needs to have "normal" ties with the US.

US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Reuters Image)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said that his country needs to have working ties with US President Donald Trump. His remarks came days after a fallout at the White House last month, that worsened the relations between the two leaders.

Close relations with the United States are very important for Ukraine. I represent Ukraine as its president. America is represented by Donald Trump, as the duly elected president. We need normal, functional relations," Zelenskyy said.

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The relations between the two leaders dipped to an all-time low after both engaged in a heated argument at the White House on February 28 in front of the camera. Zelenskyy was later asked to leave without signing the minerals deal, for which he had visited the US. Trump had accused Zelenskyy of not being ready for peace.

On Friday, Zelenskyy also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of sabotaging diplomacy over his response to the US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, in a bid to end war.

He is now doing everything he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions right from the start even before a ceasefire," Zelenskyy said on X.

Putin had expressed concerns over the terms of the deal and doubted if Ukraine would comply with the set conditions.

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Zelenskyy further said that the United States could exert sufficient pressure on Russia to force it to end the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not end the war on his own. But the strength of America is enough to make it happen. Strong steps are needed. Strong pressure must be applied to the only one who wants to continue this war," Zelenskyy said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published: March 14, 2025, 22:22 IST
The court on Thursday further postponed the sentencing of an elderly Bulawayo couple, who went on a spending spree after exploiting a technical glitch at Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, embezzling over US$30 000.

Frank Sibanda and his wife, Francisca Netsai, both aged 65 years, took advantage of Stanbic Banks technical glitch and squandered funds that were deposited into the latters account by going on a shopping spree in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The couple was convicted of 47 counts of theft by Bulawayo Regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga on Wednesday. They were remanded in custody to March 17 for sentence.

In mitigation, through their lawyer, Mr Jabulani Ndubiwa of Mashayamombe & Co. Attorneys, the Sibandas pleaded for leniency, saying they were primary caregivers to their grandchild.

Mr Ndubiwa said Francisca is of ill-health.

In considering the appropriate sentence, may the court consider passing a sentence that spares the accused hardship and a lengthy custody, the lawyer submitted.

The incident came to light after a routine investigation by the banks forensic department, which uncovered discrepancies in the banks records, leading to the couples arrest.

The prosecutor Mr Owen Mugari, told the court that on February 5 last year, Francisca opened a Silver Banking segment account at Stanbic Banks Joshua Nkomo Street branch in Bulawayo, after her daughter, Rudo Sibanda, falsely claimed that her mother worked for her Harare-based company, Cominergy Construction Mining Energy.

The first accused was then issued with a chip and PIN visa card, number 40691XXXX0711, to transact on her account. On April 5, Francisca made a POS purchase of US$17,95 via a Steward Bank ZiG POS machine at National Foods Bulawayo, and the transaction failed, said Mr Mugari.

As part of the normal interbank failed POS transaction settlement, Steward Bank processed the reversal through ZimSwitch with an overstated ZWG amount of 579 116,21, which was mistakenly auto-credited to Franciscas US dollar account, resulting in US$40 850,86 being deposited.

The court heard that after receiving the funds, the Sibandas embarked on a spending spree locally and in South Africa, including visits to lavish food and beverage markets in the upmarket Sandton suburb.

The couple visited Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg, a popular hub with a mix of restaurants, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, retail outlets and studios.

The offence was later discovered by the bank, which established that between April 30 and May 1 last year, Franciscas visa card made cash withdrawals of US$2 025 at Stanbic Bank in Bulawayo and several ATM and POS transactions amounting to US$32 085,47 in South Africa.

A report was made to the police, and investigations led to the couples arrest. The total amount stolen is US$34 110,47, and nothing was recovered. Chronicle
Vendors have called for dialogue with the authorities and other stakeholders regarding the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Government to clear them from illegal vending sites.

The directive is part of a nationwide crackdown on unregulated trading activities, driven by concerns over public health, security and economic stability.

Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, announced the measure on Wednesday, stressing the need to restore order in cities and towns.

However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among vendors in Bulawayo, and other cities, many of whom are calling for constructive engagement with authorities.

We understand the need for order and regulation in our city, but a collaborative approach involving vendors and relevant stakeholders is essential in finding a sustainable solution, said Mr Sawu Jere, a representative of Bulawayo vendors.

He stressed that since the Governments action will impact their livelihoods, vendors must be included in decision-making processes.

Mr Jere said the vendors call for dialogue reflects their willingness to work with authorities to address the underlying causes of illegal trading. There is a need for a balanced approach that considers both the Governments concerns and the realities vendors face on the ground, he said. We are ready to engage in meaningful discussions to find common ground and ensure a fair outcome for all parties.

Ms Benhilda Zinyemba, a vendor operating along the Fifth Avenue marketplace, welcomed the Governments move but pointed out irregularities in the allocation of vending spaces.

This place was allocated to us by the authorities, but the problem started when vendors who had applied for space here were overlooked, while others, whom we do not know, were given bays. This is a major issue, she said.

Ms Zinyemba suggested that the 48-hour ultimatum should solely apply to those operating in undesignated areas.

For those of us in designated places where there have been administrative errors, consideration should be given. Many of us are in this situation due to mistakes by the authorities, she said.

Mr Vusumuzi Mabhena, a second-hand clothing vendor, pleaded with authorities to reconsider the ultimatum, saying street vending is their only means of survival.

Mr Nicholas Gombera, a vegetable vendor, echoed the same sentiments. He said selling on the streets is their sole source of income and removing them would severely affect their families.

We cannot vacate the streets in just 48 hours. We are pleading with our leaders to be considerate, as this is the only livelihood for many families, he said.

Bulawayo mayor Councillor David Coltart said the city has designated vending areas, but some vendors are reluctant to move to these locations.

There are hundreds of bays across the city for vendors. For instance, space is available at Bhaktas, and it has functional ablution facilities. Regarding allocation, I want to clarify that these bays are reserved for Bulawayo residents only, he said.

Clr Coltart said BCC would conduct an audit to determine who benefited from the allocation of stands.

We want to restore law and order in the city. For this operation, we will work with the police and vendors associations. As you know, municipal police do not have arresting powers, so we will collaborate with the relevant authorities, he said.

The mayor said the operation would be carried out with compassion and urged vendors to cooperate.

In the Midlands Province, Gweru Vendors Association chairperson Mr Everisto Mbenjani said the directive was issued on short notice, leaving vendors with little time to find alternative vending spaces.

We are in the streets not by choice but by necessity. We dont want to engage in cat-and-mouse games with authorities. Our plea is for them to provide proper vending stalls, he said.

Zvishavane Mayor Councillor Takarangana Keta noted that the town has over 1 000 legal vendors and about 800 operating illegally.

We are in the process of relocating illegal vendors from the streets and working with the police to enforce regulations, he said.

Local economist Mr Trust Chikohora welcomed the move to clear vendors from shop pavements, saying vending should be conducted in proper locations.

In the first place, vendors should not have been allocated shop pavements. While they are trying to make a living, they need to be in proper vending areas with adequate amenities such as ablution facilities, he said.

Mr Chikohora urged the Government and local authorities to find alternative vending spaces to ensure vendors livelihoods are not destroyed.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Mr Denford Mutashu, acknowledged that vending is a global phenomenon but stressed the need for proper regulation.

Vendors contribute to the economy. In Zimbabwe, the situation is unregulated, and we need a cautious approach. However, in countries like China, there are designated malls for vendors, categorised according to the goods they sell, he said.

Mr Mutashu said lawlessness must be curbed, citing concerns over young children being recruited into vending, exposing them to criminal activities such as drug abuse and prostitution.

Take Harare and Bulawayo CBDs, for example. Young children are recruited, exposing them to vices that must be controlled. As a country, we need to restore law and order, not just in vending but in many areas of economic activity, he said.

Mr Mutashu said the ultimate goal is for local authorities to ensure that all economic activities are properly regulated and accounted for. Herald
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stands ready to collaborate with municipal security and other security agencies across the countrys towns and cities to clear vendors from the streets. This decisive action follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe on Wednesday.

The directive comes in response to a significant surge in night vending over recent months, which has led to increased pedestrian traffic, widespread littering, and disruption to established businesses operating within central business districts.

The ZRP stands ready to assist municipalities and towns to enforce the ultimatum given to vendors by the Government. No one is above the law and ZRP will make sure that vendors abide by the laws of the country, said national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

In the past, council police in cities such as Bulawayo and Harare, alongside the ZRP, have engaged in running battles with illegal vendors in attempts to clear them from central business districts.

Commissioner Nyathi emphasised that there will be no preferential treatment in the vendor clean-up across all municipalities and towns. The ZRP, working in conjunction with municipal police and other security agencies, will enforce the Government directive without exception.

In Bulawayo, vendors are a persistent problem in several streets, including Fort Street and the corner of Leopold Takawira Street, opposite Tredgold Building, where they sell cooked food to overnight travellers to Harare, as well as taxi drivers and touts. Sixth Avenue has also become a problematic area, transforming into a haven for illegal vendors selling cooked food, beef products, chicken cuts, and even illicit alcohol.

Vendors have also encroached upon the corner of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and Fifth Avenue, where shoppers queue for dairy products such as yoghurt, milk, and amasi, as well as juices.

Opposite TM/Pick n Pay Hyper, the area becomes a hive of activity as darkness falls, with numerous vendors descending onto street pavements to sell groceries and second-hand clothes. At the corner of Leopold Takawira and Herbert Chitepo, vendors selling sneakers, vegetables, bread, and eggs on street pavements feel secure once municipal police finish their shift at 5PM.

Bulawayo City Council has announced that vendors operating illegally will be allocated vending bays at Egodini Terminus and the Bhaktas Taxi Rank along Lobengula Street.

For the last two months, council has been working on modalities to relocate illegal vendors to bays at Egodini Terminus and Bhaktas Taxi Rank where there are enough vending bays. The ultimatum by Government to clear all illegal vendors came at the right time and council will abide by the directive.

In the next few hours (yesterday evening) council municipal police chiefs will be meeting other security agencies to work out how the Government directive will be enforced. Illegal vending is a scourge that brings with it chaos in the city, makes driving in the streets a nightmare and causes a lot of littering, which is unhealthy, said Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu.

Minister Garwe highlighted that illegal vending perpetuates unsanitary conditions as vendors operate in areas without potable water and ablution facilities.

The unsanitary conditions pose significant risks for disease outbreaks such as typhoid, dysentery and cholera. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste from these vendors has rendered some roads, sanitary lanes, and sidewalks impassable, exacerbating public health and security issues.

In light of these pressing issues, the Government is directing all local authorities to clear vendors from undesignated points within 48 hours. During this operation, local authorities will be supported by law enforcement agents to ensure the maintenance of law and order, said Minister Garwe.

Minister Garwe reiterated the Governments commitment to creating a safe, clean, and orderly environment for all citizens.

In the matrix of small to medium enterprises, even in our laws, there is no provision for night trading in our cities.

There is no room for creating capacity for night vendors. Zimbabwe is an economy which operates during the day so we are not going to create a night economy which is driving hate, drug abuse, illicit deals and a lot of ugly issues. For our vendors who operate during the day, we have existing facilities where they can go and operate from, he said. Chronicle
Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member who caused an international uproar when he leaked highly classified documents about the war in Ukraine, used his court-martial on Thursday to cast himself as a "proud patriot" who was only "exposing and correcting the lies perpetuated by the Biden administration." After pleading guilty to military charges of obstructing justice, the 23-year-old acknowledged he knew his actions were illegal. "If I saved one American, Russian or Ukrainian life in this money-grabbing war, my punishment was worth it," he said in stark contrast to the contrite apology he issued at his federal sentencing . Judge Vicki Marcus agreed to the plea deal, the AP reports, and sentenced Teixeira to a dishonorable discharge and no jail time. She rejected a prosecution request for a written reprimand and a demotion in rank.

Teixeira repeatedly referenced the "deep state" and suggested that he, like President Trump, was a victim of a weaponized Department of Justice. Teixeira, who said he acted alone when he shared the documents in a geopolitical chat room on Discord, a social media platform popular with online gamers, then called on Trump and members of his administration to reverse his convictions. "I am comfortable in how history will remember my actions," he added. Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, was already sentenced last year to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.

In pressing for a harsher sentence, prosecutors Thursday said Teixeira was intent on obstructing the FBI from finding the truth and was scared because he knew he had done something wrong. Defense attorneys argued for leniency, saying a toxic culture at his base, poor training, and a lack of supervision contributed to his actions. But after the sentence, prosecutors said they felt the dishonorable discharge still sent a powerful message. "There was a piece of it where we said we need a military punishment as well, and that is why the dishonorable discharge was important to us as an institution to tell our airmen, to tell our the civilians and Americans we take this very seriously," Lt. Col. Peter Havern said.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor on Thursday that he'll vote to advance the Republican funding bill and bring enough Democrats with him to avert a government shutdown. "For sure the Republican bill is a terrible option," Schumer said, per the Washington Post . Democrats have called the bill a power grab by President Trump and Republicans. "But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take ... much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option." He added, "I will vote to keep the government open."

The only other Senate Democrat so far to clearly state he'll back the GOP bill is Sen. John Fetterman. But Schumer's decision will give political cover to other Democrats, the Hill reports. He said that there weren't enough votes in his caucus to pass the measure as of Wednesday but that many members were undecided. Schumer announced his switch during Democratic luncheon, shocking many of his senators, per the New York Times. Democrats in the Senate, House, and elsewhere, as well as party activists, have been pushing hard for Schumer's caucus to block the bill and defy Trump.

But there are fears among Democrats that a government shutdown would give Trump and Elon Musk an opening to make greater cuts to the government, by decreeing which employees are essential and must work through a shutdown and which are nonessential. Senate Democrats have been wrestling with which option is worse. "For Donald Trump," Schumer told the group, per the AP, "a shutdown would be a gift." The procedural vote to which Schumer committed is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Sources say the FBI, under the direction of the Trump administration, is moving to criminalize organizations that received Biden-era climate grants. In court filings Wednesday, Citibank said that the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Treasury Department requested that the accounts of some nonprofits and state government agencies be frozen, a move that the bank made last month. Three of the nonprofits are now suing the bank, asking for the funds to be released, TechCrunch reports. Citibank said in its filings that the federal government told it that the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, through which the grants were given out, was the subject of an "ongoing criminal investigation," MSNBC reports.
Twelve people were taken to hospitals after an American Airlines plane landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday and caught fire, prompting slides to be deployed so passengers could evacuate quickly. All of the people transported to hospitals had minor injuries, according to a post on the social platform X by Denver International Airport. Flight 1006, which was headed from the Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth, diverted to Denver and landed safely around 5:15pm after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. While taxiing to the gate, an engine on the Boeing 737-800 caught fire, the AP reports.

Photos and videos posted by news outlets showed passengers standing on a plane's wing as smoke surrounded the aircraft. The FAA said passengers exited using the slides. American said in a statement that the flight experienced an engine-related issue after taxiing to the gate. There was no immediate clarification on exactly when the plane caught fire. The 172 passengers and six crew members were taken to the terminal, airline officials said. Firefighters put out the blaze by the evening, an airport spokesperson told media outlets. The FAA said it will investigate. The country has seen a recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls stoking fears about air travel, though flying remains a very safe mode of transport.
Highlighting the "exemplary private life" they lived for more than three decades in Santa Fe, known as a haven for celebrities, a representative for the estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigation records related to his and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths. This includes photographs and body-camera footage, which the rep requested be sealed to protect the family's privacy under the 14th Amendment, the AP reports. The lawyer who filed the petition notes that "the bell cannot be unrung" once images are released, Fox News reports.

Hackman's cause of death at age 95 has been attributed to heart disease and complications from Alzheimer's; he is believed to have died as long as a week after Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare ailment typically transmitted via rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Hackman's pacemaker last showed activity on February 18, but the couple's bodies weren't found in the New Mexico home until February 26. A legal director at the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government argues that some of the records should be released for transparency purposes. "There is also a public health concern given that hantavirus was involved," she says.
A second federal judge on Thursday handed down an order requiring President Trump's administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers let go in mass firings across multiple agencies, slowing down for now the president's dramatic downsizing of the federal government. Both judges separately found legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out and ordered the employees at least temporarily brought back on the job. The Trump administration has already appealed the first ruling, from a US district judge in San Francisco ( read more about that here ).

Hours after that, in Baltimore, US District Judge James Bredar found that the administration did not follow laws set out for large-scale layoffs, including 60 days' advance notice. Bredar, who was appointed by President Obama, ordered the firings temporarily halted and the workforce returned to the status quo before the layoffs began. He sided with nearly two dozen states that filed a lawsuit alleging the mass firings are illegal and already having an impact on state governments as they try to help the suddenly jobless. The White House did not immediately return an email seeking comment on Bredar's ruling. The judge set a deadline of March 17 at 1pm Eastern for the employees to be reinstated, NBC News reports.
An 8-year-old Bangladeshi rape victim died of her injuries Thursday, adding to nationwide protests calling for systemic change to address gender-based violence. The case has "sent shockwaves through the nation and raised pressing questions about the safety of women and children" in the country, writes Mohammad Al-Masum Molla at the Daily Star , Bangladesh's largest English-language newspaper. The girl was attacked sometime between March 5 and 6 while visiting her older sister in Magura. She suffered brain trauma from strangulation, multiple fractures, and severe internal injuries, per the Dhaka Tribune . Her 18-year-old brother-in-law has been arrested alongside his parents and brother, per the BBC .

Admitted to a Dhaka hospital on March 8, the girl spent six days in critical condition and suffered three cardiac arrests before dying Thursday, per the BBC. "The heart failed to restart after the third episode," according to a government statement. Thousands of people gathered in Magura, where the girl's body was returned Thursday, before a mob set fire to the home where the girl had been staying. Earlier in the week, protests erupted at major universities, with students waving signs reading "End Rape Culture" and "Justice for Ashia," per the Tribune. Claiming "the rapist has confessed to the crime," the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement called for "the formation of a special tribunal against rape and torture" that will "ensure the maximum punishment of death."

Child rape is punishable by death in Bangladesh under a 2020 law. A rape and murder trial is expected to begin within a week, per the BBC. But "it is not enough to simply bring the perpetrators to justice after such tragedies occur," writes Molla. "This death should serve as a catalyst for action, pushing Bangladesh to break the cycle of violence and build a society where women and children can live without fear." A 6-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two teenage boys on Sunday, per the Daily Star. At least two other child rape cases have been made public in recent days, per the BBC. It quotes the Magura victim's mother as saying, "If she had made it through, I would never have let her go anywhere alone again."
As former Columbia University grad student Mahmoud Khalil fights the Trump administration's plans to deport him for his past pro-Palestine activism at the New York City institution, the school itself contended with more federal activity on campus this week. The New York Times reports that agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered two Columbia dorms on Thursday, after presenting two judicial search warrants. This week, Columbia also announced it had suspended and expelled some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestine demonstrations last spring, as well as temporarily revoked some recent grads' diplomas. More on the continuing commotion as the Trump administration takes its fight to the college front on antisemitism, protesters, and DEI initiatives:

DHS searches: In a letter to the school community, Columbia's interim chief, Katrina Armstrong, said she was "heartbroken" about the DHS activity on campus, though she stressed that "no one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken."

In a letter to the school community, Columbia's interim chief, Katrina Armstrong, said she was "heartbroken" about the DHS activity on campus, though she stressed that "no one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken." More from Armstrong: "I understand the immense stress our community is under. Despite the unprecedented challenges, Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive."
Things did ... not go well for GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards at a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina, this week as he was grilled about cuts made by the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. ABC News reports that the Edwards town hall, held in a college auditorium and attended by hundreds, got so heated that security eventually had to escort Edwards out of the building. "You don't get to do this to us!" one attendee yelled at Edwards during the gathering, which the AP notes was 90 minutes of Edwards enduring "a constant barrage of jeers, expletives, and searing questions on Trump administration policies."

"I don't want to hear about your latest week in your office," said one constituent who pressed Edwards on Trump's push to squeeze a mineral deal out of Ukraine, as well as on Trump's apparent plans to annex Greenland and Canada. Another furious attendee was shown being led out of the meeting by security after directing that fury toward Edwards. "And you wonder why folks don't want to do these town halls," the "visibly exhausted" lawmaker said at one point, per the AP. The incident in Asheville comes after the head of the House GOP's campaign unit instructed Republican lawmakers earlier this month not to hold any more in-person town hall meetings, due to public backlash, per Politico. Edwards apparently ignored that order.

In response to that mandate, Democrats in all 50 states are planning a series of town halls in districts with Republican lawmakers thought to be vulnerable ahead of the 2026 midterms, reports the New York Times. "If they won't talk to their own voters, then Democrats will," new DNC Chair Ken Martin says. Minnesota Gov. and former Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz will headline two of those town halls this weekend. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's credited with jump-starting the idea, has already hosted five such town halls, drawing thousands.
"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," President Trump posted on social media Friday, after his envoy and the Russian ruler met in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters later in the day that there's work to be done before Russia officially agrees to a ceasefire in Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reports. "Nevertheless, the president expressed solidarity with Trump's position," Peskov said. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mixed wariness with a bit of hope.

"Putin will not end the war on his own," Zelensky said on social media. "But the strength of America is enough to make it happen." In his Thursday night speech to the nation, Zelensky brought up the details of what NBC News calls Putin's "emphatic 'yes, but'" response to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. "Putin often does thishe does not say 'no' directly, but he does it in such a way that practically everything only delays it and makes normal decisions impossible," Ukraine's president said. Not long after Putin's comments, Russia fired 27 drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's military said. One hit a civilian hospital.

Trump also posted that he'd appealed to Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops he said are "completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position." He said the situation risks becoming a "horrible massacre," the likes of which has not been seen since World War II, per the BBC. Putin answered that the troops in Kursk will be treated well if they surrender. Ukraine said its troops aren't surrounded anywhere, calling the account "false and fabricated."
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Delivery riders were involved in 3,387 accidents last year, marking a 21.79% increase from the previous year.

Among these incidents, seven fatalities were reported, five of which were caused by the delivery rider.

However, the Interior Minister, HE Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, said barring them from main roads would be impractical, as it could worsen congestion and lead more riders to switch to cars.

In a written response to the Shura Council, HE Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla said the ministry is tightening enforcement while working to improve road safety.

Question

He was responding to a question from Shura member Dr Ali Al Haddad about steps taken to regulate delivery riders and reduce accidents.

The General Directorate of Traffic closely monitors motorcycle violations, particularly those involving delivery riders, he said. These include failure to obey traffic laws, ignoring road signs, endangering themselves and others, and disrupting traffic.

Traffic records show accidents involving delivery riders rose from 2,781 in 2023 to 3,387 in 2024.

Fatalities also increased

Deaths in 2023, four deaths were recorded, two where the rider was responsible and two where the rider was the victim.

In 2024, seven people died in such incidents, with five cases caused by the rider.

The Ministry of Interior said most accidents were due to lack of due care and failure to take necessary precautions while riding.

To enforce traffic laws, 918 delivery motorcycles were seized over the past two years for violations, with the ministry regularly publicising these actions through the media and social platforms.

Awareness campaigns

The General Directorate of Traffic has also conducted awareness campaigns in multiple languages, holding more than 42 safety lectures between 2023 and 2024, reaching over 2,003 delivery riders.

These efforts are part of the Ride Safe campaign, which aims to ensure riders follow traffic laws to protect themselves and others.

His Excellency also said the Ministry of Interior, in coordination with other authorities, is working on a licensing system for delivery riders and their motorcycles to improve oversight and road safety.

Meanwhile, e-scooters, some of which are used for deliveries, have been banned from main roads, traffic lanes, road shoulders, and emergency lanes due to safety concerns.

Traffic flow

However, barring delivery riders from main roads or restricting their hours would not help traffic flow, given Bahrains road network and the need to reach key areas via main routes.

Preventing delivery motorcycles from using main roads or restricting their hours would not improve traffic movement, the minister said. In some areas, there are no alternative routes, and such restrictions would force more traffic onto smaller roads, making congestion worse.

He added that banning delivery motorcycles from key roads could push more riders to use cars instead, leading to even more congestion.
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Doctors in Bahrain would be protected from arrest or detention over malpractice claims unless the Attorney General approves it, and only after an expert panel finds fault.

Thats the thrust of a proposed law set for debate in the Shura Council on Sunday, with opinions divided on its necessity and impact.

At the heart of the proposal is also a requirement for hospitals and clinics to take out insurance covering medical staff against legal claims, a measure that has raised concerns over cost and implementation.

Single law

The bill, put forward by Dr Jamila Al Salman, and supported by four other Shura members, aims to bring together a patchwork of rules governing medical liability into a single law.

It would pull back police powers in malpractice cases, ensuring that doctors cannot be detained unless an official inquiry first finds fault.

It would also make it compulsory for all healthcare institutions  public and private  to insure their staff against lawsuits, protecting doctors from financial ruin while ensuring patients receive compensation when errors occur.

Legal clarity

Proponents say the measures would give doctors greater legal clarity while reinforcing patient rights.

Shuras Services Committee has already backed the plan, arguing that a unified law would bring Bahrains regulations in line with those in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, where similar safeguards are in place. Not everyone agrees.

The Supreme Council for Health, the Ministry of Health, and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) argue that Bahrain already has legal protections for malpractice and that an upcoming bill may address the same issues.

Warning

They warn that the proposal could be redundant or even conflict with future legislation.

Then theres the matter of cost. Shuras Finance and Economic Affairs Committee has questioned the financial impact of compulsory insurance, warning that it could place an added burden on hospitals, clinics and the state without a clear sense of how much it will all add up to.

The number of claims, the price of policies, and the extent of payouts remain unknown.

Refinements

The Bahrain Medical Society has welcomed the bill, though it wants some refinements to ensure both doctors and patients are properly covered.

The Society of Owners of Private Healthcare Institutions has also backed the proposal but insists that liability for malpractice should sit with individual doctors, not the hospitals employing them.

They have also called for private sector representation on the proposed Higher Committee for Medical Liability, which would be charged with reviewing claims.

The bill itself is extensive, covering eight chapters and 34 articles.

Rules

It sets out rules for obtaining informed consent, outlines when medical records can be shared, and lays down steps for investigating malpractice.

It also introduces a one-year cut-off for negligence claims, which would begin when an error is discovered rather than when it happens.

Backers say this strikes the right balance, ensuring patients are not left without options while preventing legal cases from dragging on indefinitely.

One of the most debated points is the requirement for hospitals and clinics to insure their medical staff against malpractice claims, with questions over costs and consequences.
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain and Kuwait are moving to ease the passage of ships between their ports, with a new agreement offering each others vessels better access and treatment.

The Shura Council is set to vote on Sunday on ratifying the deal, which has already been approved by Parliament.

Signed in Kuwait City on 20 October 2024, the agreement sets out rules for cargo and passenger transport, ship inspections, and safety measures.

It also ensures that Bahraini and Kuwaiti ships get the same level of help if they run into trouble at sea.

Training is another key part of the deal, with seafarers from both countries allowed to enrol in each others maritime schools at lower costs.

Bahrains Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications have backed the move, saying it strengthens ties with Kuwait and fits within Bahrains existing maritime laws.

The Transportation Ministry described the agreement as a way to keep shipping routes open and running smoothly while bringing the industry in line with international standards.

Shuras Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee has reviewed the bill and confirmed it is legally sound.

A legal opinion attached to the proposal states that, under Article 37(2) of Bahrains Constitution, such agreements must be ratified by law before they take effect.

The committee has urged its approval, pointing to its role in smoothing maritime operations and keeping trade flowing.

The deal also covers cooperation between Bahrains and Kuwaits port authorities, rules on recognising documents for ships, cargo, and crews, and a framework for settling disputes through diplomatic channels.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- No one ever said building one (or two) new high schools would be easy.

Not in this city. To win voter approval, supporters of Proposition 2 must navigate voter mistrust, antipathy for property taxes and resistance to change. If only you could heat those old buildings with nostalgia.

Less than a month from the election, the St. Joseph School District faces another obstacle: steel prices.

President Donald Trump is roiling markets with his on-again, off-again, on-again threats of tariffs. As of this writing, its hard to keep up, but a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum is set to take effect this week.

Whether it happens or not, the damage is already done because anticipating tariffs is as problematic as the real thing. The impact isnt only felt on Wall Street; any construction project could be affected.

Just south of St. Joseph, construction paused on the New American Royal campus in Kansas City, Kansas. Officials in Kansas City didnt blame steel prices but said construction has outpaced the public financing process. Thats a wonkish way of saying something unanticipated happened.

The school district isnt the only entity in St. Joseph that could face higher construction costs. A 25% hike in a key building material will drive up the cost of appliances, cars, homes, bridges, and public building projects.

The school district, because of the April election, just happens to be first on the list.

This doesnt mean the district or the St. Joseph Board of Education should abandon the dream of building a new high school. Far from it.

All students deserve access to the same high-quality academic offerings and facilities. The district moves St. Joseph closer to that ideal with Proposition 2.

But thats the why. For voters, the how is just as important. To appeal to middle-of-the-road voters  those who have doubts but also want to see the schools move forward -- the district should provide as much information as possible on building plans and mitigation strategies for rising costs.

Even as the economy teeters, the district can deliver on new schools. St. Joseph built Central High School, Hyde School and Lindbergh School during the depths of the Great Depression.

There may never be a good time to get a $157 million bond issue passed, especially in a change-resistant community. But here we are.
Nuclear pulse propulsion is a technology that would work. It was being developed in the 1960s but it was stopped because of the nuclear test ban treaty and concerns over fallout inside the magnetosphere of the earth. The reasons not to use Project Orion or to not massively rely on nuclear power fade away on Mars, the moon and the rest of the solar system. The negatives decrease and the positives remain or even increase.

Negatives that go away or will not matter

 worry about too many nuclear bombs for war. The nuclear bombs would be far away. Nuclear bomb use for solar system propulsion would not be more dangerous than any means of faster propulsion for space ships.

 worry about fallout. Fallout only matters for nuclear bombs exploded in an atmosphere with people where people are directly breathing from the atmosphere

Positives.

 Nuclear pulse propulsion would enable propulsion that can be 200 to 800 times faster than chemical propulsion

 Even crude nuclear pulse propulsion is 2 to 10 times faster than chemical propulsion for in solar system travel.

 nuclear is needed for energy past Mars

Mining the Materials and Reviewing How We Would Do It

I present evidence and belief that there is Uranium all over the solar system. There is the material for nuclear fission bombs and nuclear fusion bombs.

 There is uranium throughout the Earths crust and the solar system formed from the same material. Missions to the moon and Mars have detected uranium.

 Uranium could be collected and Nuclear bombs could be made on the moon and Mars. Those bombs could be used to make the pulsed propulsion that could launch from the moon or Mars.

 If the average distribution in the Earths crust of 2.7 parts per million was the same on the Moon and Mars, then one would expect some areas to be more concentrated by 10 to 100 times.

 In-situ leaching (ISL) is a well-established method used to extract uranium from low-grade deposits without physically removing the ore from the ground. A solution (typically containing acid, such as sulfuric acid, or an alkaline agent, like sodium bicarbonate, depending on the geology) is injected into the uranium-bearing rock through wells drilled into the deposit. The acid dissolves the uranium into a soluble form (e.g., uranyl ions).

ISL works for low-grade uranium deposits. It has been successfully on earth for uranium deposits with grades as low as 0.02% (200 ppm).

ISL works best in permeable rock formations, such as sandstone-hosted deposits, where the leaching solution can flow through the ore. Many low-grade uranium deposits in the crust, especially those slightly more concentrated than the average, occur in such formations.

Advancing Nuclear Pulse Propulsion

The original Project Orion used fission bombs, yielding a specific impulse (Isp) of 2,000 to 6,000 seconds (exhaust velocities of 2060 km/s). For interstellar travel, fusion bombs are necessary due to their higher energy output and debris velocities (estimated at 3,00030,000 km/s). Freeman Dyson suggested in his 1968 paper Interstellar Transport that fusion bombs could achieve effective exhaust velocities of 7507,500 km/s, depending on pusher plate efficiency.

Getting to 1% of the speed of light, tens of thousands of bombs, each potentially 1 ton (as Dyson proposed), would be required.

The Super Orion was a scaled-up version of the original Orion concept. It planned for a 8-million-ton giant with a 400-meter-diameter pusher plate. For interstellar missions, the Super Orion could achieve a top speed of approximately 3.3% of the speed of light, or about 10,000 km/s.

Mini-mag Orion and Other Designs

Andrews Space in the early 2000s proposed Mini-mag orion. Mini-Mag Orion uses magnetic fields to compress and ignite small nuclear pellets, offering a more controlled and potentially more efficient alternative to the traditional pusher-plate design. This approach could reduce the spacecrafts size while maintaining high thrust and specific impulse (up to 10,000 seconds).

NASAs Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, PuFF (Pulsed Fission-Fusion) uses small fuel pellets that undergo both fission and fusion reactions, initiated by a Z-pinch mechanism. This hybrid approach aims to achieve higher specific impulse and thrust compared to traditional nuclear pulse designs.

Interstellar Orion Ship

A ship with 10,000 tons of payload (e.g., crew, life support, scientific equipment). A mass ratio of 2 with ve = 5,000 km/s yields an initial mass of 20,000 tons, including 10,000 tons of bombs (10,000 one-ton bombs). Larger payloads, like Dysons 100,000-ton example with 300,000 bombs (total mass 400,000 tons), could reach 3,000 km/s with ve  7,500 km/s and a mass ratio of 1.5 (150,000 tons initial mass). The Super Orion concept scaled up to 8 million tons, envisioned as a city-sized ark with a 20-km-diameter pusher plate.

Physical Dimensions: The pusher plate size scales with mass and bomb yield. The 4,000-ton Orion had a 25-meter-diameter plate; a 20,000-ton ship might require a 5060-meter plate, while a million-ton ship could need hundreds of meters. The 8-million-ton Super Orions 20-km plate reflects extreme scaling for massive payloads or lower speeds.

Achieving over 1% of light speed is plausible with fusion bombs and a mass of hundreds of thousands to millions of tons, depending on payload and efficiency. A 150,000-ton ship with 50,000 tons of bombs (50,000 bombs) and 100,000 tons of payload is a balanced estimate.

Solar System Missions (10180 Days)

Fission-based Orion (4,000 tons) for most missions (e.g., Mars in 125 days, Jupiter in 180 days). Fusion-based for fast outer-planet trips (e.g., Jupiter in 30 days).

They would be thousands of tons, with 2550-meter pusher plates, using hundreds to thousands of bombs.

ISL on Mars

Mars is likely to have the necessary materials, particularly sulfur, to make sulfuric acid on-site, enhancing the viability of ISL for uranium extraction. Evidence from rover missions, such as the detection of sulfate minerals like jarosite, indicates the presence of sulfur on Mars. These minerals could be processed to extract sulfur, which, combined with water and oxygen (available in the Martian atmosphere or regolith), could be used to manufacture sulfuric acid locally. Additionally, if sulfuric acid production proves difficult, alternative leaching agentslike carbonate solutions.

Mars presents a different set of conditions, some of which are more favorable for ISL:

Water Availability: Mars has more accessible water than the Moon, with ice caps at the poles and subsurface ice deposits in various regions. This makes it easier to obtain water for a leaching solution.

Acid Production: Sulfuric acid production requires sulfur, and Mars has sulfur-bearing minerals, such as sulfates, detected by rovers like Opportunity (e.g., jarosite in Meridiani Planum). These minerals suggest that sulfur could be extracted locally to produce acid, a key advantage over the Moon.

Permeability: The Martian surface includes regolith and sedimentary rocks with potentially varying permeability. Some areas might naturally allow solution flow, while others could require enhancements like fracturing to make ISL viable.

Atmosphere and Pressure: Mars has a thin atmosphere with low pressure, which could affect how liquids and gases behave during ISL. Sealed systems might be needed to maintain the solutions integrity.

Temperature: Mars surface is colder than Earths, with average temperatures well below freezing. This could slow the chemical reactions involved in leaching, possibly requiring heating of the solution or ore body to improve efficiency.

Overall, Mars offers better prospects for ISL due to its water and sulfur resources, though adaptations would still be needed to address permeability, pressure, and temperature challenges.

Mars

Mars is a terrestrial planet with a crust, mantle, and core, similar to Earth, where uranium is found in the crust at about 2.7 parts per million. Given these similarities, its reasonable to expect uranium on Mars. The Mars Odyssey spacecraft, equipped with a gamma-ray spectrometer, mapped the distribution of radioactive elements like thorium and potassium across Mars surface. Since uranium is often found alongside thorium and potassium in rocky materials, their presence strongly suggests that uranium is also present. While direct detection of uranium by rovers like Curiosity isnt confirmed, the correlation with these elements indicates that uranium is likely distributed in Mars crust, possibly in varying concentrations.

Moon Uranium

The Moon, though smaller and geologically distinct from Earth, originated from material ejected during a massive impact with Earth, likely including Earths mantle, which contains uranium. Lunar samples collected during the Apollo missions have confirmed the presence of uranium in small amounts. Additionally, remote sensing from lunar orbiters has identified regions rich in KREEPpotassium (K), rare earth elements (REE), and phosphorus (P)where uranium is commonly associated. The lunar highlands, in particular, show elevated levels of these elements, reinforcing the likelihood of uraniums presence across the Moons surface.

Asteroids Uranium

Asteroids are diverse remnants of the early solar system, categorized into types like C-type (carbonaceous), S-type (stony), and M-type (metallic). Uranium, as a heavy element from the solar nebula, is expected to be present in trace amounts. Direct evidence comes from meteoritesfragments of asteroids that reach Earth. For instance, the Allende meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite, contains uranium, as demonstrated by uranium-lead dating techniques used to determine meteorite ages. Missions like Dawn to Vesta and Ceres (a dwarf planet often classified with large asteroids) used gamma-ray detectors, suggesting the presence of radioactive elements
Weather Alert

Take action to protect yourself and others  extreme heat can affect everyones health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your regions public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Humidex values reaching 40 are expected. A heat event is expected this weekend. What: Daytime highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of 40. Overnight lows of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing little relief from the heat. When: Today to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. Additional information: Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
Matt Pinfield is officially out of the ICU and in a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Getty Images for The Recording A

Legendary radio and television host Matt Pinfield is officially out of a coma and on his way to recovery. The 63-year-old former MTV VJ from East Brunswick told the Hollywood Reporter he is out of the ICU and at a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles.

Guys, Im alive, Pinfield told the Hollywood Reporter. Im recovering and am going to come back swinging. I was unresponsive for two months. Friends were thinking they were coming to see me for the last time. The doctors never expected me to speak or to walk again.

Pinfield suffered a stroke Jan. 6 and was incapable of moving or making cognitive decisions. At that time, his eldest daughter, Jessica, had a temporary conservatorship over him. Pinfield noted he was close to not making it and credits Jessica as the one who saved his life.

Once he emerged from the coma, the host stated that friends noted he immediately began to talk about music. My friends said I went on about A Whiter Shade Of Pale and how they couldnt keep up with what I was saying, he says. They were, like, Yeah, hes still got that brain.

Pinfield acknowledged that recovering would take some time, but he vows to return to work and eventually do what he loves.

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com
Thousands of members of the law enforcement community gathered Friday morning to honor the memory of slain Newark police Detective Joseph Azcona at a somber funeral service in the city.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined mourners in a packed Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark for a bilingual Mass in English and Spanish.

Azcona, 26, died Friday evening in a gun battle that also wounded another Newark officer at Broadway and Carteret Street in the city. A 14-year-old has been charged with his murder.

Newark police Detective Joseph Azcona was gunned down Friday night while investigating a person believed to have illegal guns. His body was escorted by police to a funeral home in Newark on Saturday. Amanda Brown | For NJ.com

Azcona was posthumously promoted to sergeant, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Manny Miranda announced during the service as a portrait of Azcona was unveiled.

We are united in grief, but also in gratitude, grateful for the selfless, service, bravery and unwavering dedication that Sgt. Azcona exhibited throughout his career, Newark Police Chief Sharonda Morris, chief of police said.

Joey stood as a protector of the community, guardian of justice and a symbol of courage, Morris said. Every day he worked the streets of Newark with the knowledge that the job carried risk, but still he faced each challenge head on, driven by a commitment to the unwavering safety and well-being of others.

Azconas supervisor in the criminal intelligence unit, Capt. Patricia Rodrigues-Alfieri, became emotional at times when discussing the fallen officer.

Joey took the oath fully aware of the risk, but he never hesitated to answer that call, Rodrigues-Alfieri said. He carried himself with dignity not just with his work but in all aspects of his life.

He was always well put together, dressed stylishly and lets be honest, he sported the best mohawk haircut. He was quiet, respectful and so very kind  all amazing qualities that he got from his family."

Azcona grew up watching police videos and wanting to become a police officer like his uncle Newark police officer, Wayne Vargas, she said.

When his cousin became an officer, Azcona knew it was his calling, Rodrigues-Alfieri said.

Outside the church, police officers assembled in solemn lines on a bright, cold morning.

The only sound came from bagpipers from a dozen state agencies. Security was high alert with snipers perched on the cathedral and nearby rooftops.

Just before 10:30 a.m., the officers began filtering into the church, walking past a black hearse that sat idling by the steps.

The bagpipers eventually fell silent, overtaken by a loudspeaker projecting the voice of a woman singing the hymn Lift High the Cross.

Red Cross volunteers in bright red vests walked around handing out snacks and bottles of water.

Its a show of support for the first responders, said Michael Minell, a community disaster program manager for the nonprofit.

Both he and Nancy Franceschi, who stood next to him, had volunteered at similar funerals for police officers and firefighters.

Serving others in their time of need, Franceschi said.

Azcona served as a Newark officer for five years.

The 14-year-old accused of shooting him was charged with both Azconas murder and attempting to kill the other unnamed officer.

He was shot before he even had the opportunity to leave his police car, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens said last week Azcona.

Azcona was part of an intelligence unit that sought to arrest a suspect believed to be armed, authorities previously said.

The teen who authorities say shot Azcona was also injured in the shooting and remains hospitalized, an Essex County Prosecutors Office spokesperson said earlier this week

Azconas mother, Nereida Vargas, said her son wanted to be a Newark police officer from a young age. He made us proud, she previously said.

Murphy ordered U.S. and New Jersey flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday.

As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe organized by Newark Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 12, had raised about $193,000. The money will go to the families of the officers, according to the FOP.

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Several New Jersey towns ban residents from growing bamboo on their property because it spreads quickly to other yards. Canva

Another town in Middlesex County wants to ban residents from planting bamboo on their property.

Sayreville introduced an ordinance this week that would fine residents up to $1,200 for planting either running or clumping bamboo in their yards.

Running bamboo spreads aggressively through underground roots, making it invasive and difficult to control. Clumping bamboo grows in tight clusters and is easier to manage, but the borough wants to regulate the variety as well.

Several other New Jersey towns have similar bans or restrictions on bamboo.

Last month, Edison introduced an ordinance that would fine residents up to $100 a day for planting running bamboo. The town council unanimously passed the ordinance on Wednesday.

In Sayreville, the proposed ordinance says no one in the borough can plant, grow or maintain bamboo on their property unless it is fully contained in a planter or barrel that prevents it from spreading.

Any contained bamboo must be trimmed and kept at least 15 feet from any property line or public area, according to meeting documents.

Bamboo planted before the restriction took effect can remain, but it cannot be permitted to grow within five feet of any property line or public area.

If violations are found, the property owner will have 30 days to fix the issue or face a fine of up to $1,200, under the proposal.

The borough also has the authority to remove the bamboo at the property owners expense if the owner does not remove it themselves, according to the ordinance.

Sayrevilles Borough Council is scheduled to have a public hearing on the ordinance and a final vote on March 24.

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A sign directs visitors to the parking area at the Elizabeth Detention Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Friday, January 24, 2025. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

Editors note: This story was originally published by NJ Spotlight News and shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Families of detained immigrants say they are facing heightened uncertainty and fear because they often cant find their loved ones once they are incarcerated in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention system.

These families describe being unable to consistently locate or communicate with their family members. They fault delays in the online detainee tracker system because detainees are often transferred between facilities.

The lack of information, families say, creates significant distress against a backdrop of already heightened concern over threats of mass deportation and arrests under the Trump administration.

Also adding to their fears are what they say are worsening conditions at the Elizabeth Detention Center, raising concerns about the well-being of those in custody as ICE facilities reach capacity.

We dont know where people are, said Haydi Torres of Movimiento Cosecha at a news conference outside the Elizabeth Detention Center last week. The anguish that families have to feel every time someone is moved  the fact that theyre not able to take their belongings with them, and they know that the next facility is going to be worse than the first one  it is horrible, it is inhumane, and it must be abolished."

Detainees transferred multiple times

One family member described to NJ Spotlight News how their brother-in-law had been moved around to different facilities. After he was detained in early January, he was brought to the Elizabeth Detention Center, then sent to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania. After that, he was transferred to a facility in Louisiana, then back again to Moshannon. The family found out he was first transferred out of Moshannon only after making the more than four-hour drive to visit him.

Because you dont know where they are. Because you call  it doesnt matter. They dont give any information, said the family member, who asked to remain anonymous because the relative is still in detention. The website is not updated.

When asked about capacity issues and difficulty tracking people in ICE custody, ICE spokesperson Christine Cuttita said that the number of detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center fluctuates based on enforcement operations and provided a link to the online detainee tracker that the agency maintains.

Aliens detained may be housed at any of the ICE facilities nationwide to secure their presence for immigration proceedings or removal from the United States, Cuttita said.

Advocates however, say that family members often struggle to navigate the detention system. If someone happens to be away from their family when they are detained, a loved one might not know what happened to them. Detainees might make a call upon arrival at a detention center to tell their family what happened, or a witness to the arrest may alert the family.

Then, family members have to provide money for the detained persons commissary account so they can continue to buy phone call minutes or basic items inside the detention facility.

Grassroots immigrant advocacy organizations, like Movimiento Cosecha, also help families navigate the detention system by connecting them to legal services, raising money, providing mutual aid and escorting families to a detention center.

What we find is that people have to learn really, really quickly, or they feel stuck, and they cant find a person that tells them [what is happening] until they go either physically to the detention center, and there are [families] in the waiting room that have done it before, said Li Adorno of Movimiento Cosecha.

Online locator system

In New Jersey, detained immigrants can first be brought to Elizabeth Detention Center, the states only immigrant detention facility. The building has the capacity to detain around 300 people, so people are often transferred to a facility in a different state if ICE detains more than it can hold.

Immigration lawyers told NJ Spotlight News that before the recent increase in arrests by ICE, ICEs online locator system typically was updated within a day of a transfer. Now, updates can take two to three days or longer, and detainees can be moved to multiple facilities, leaving families in the dark during the transfer period.

New Jersey offers free legal services for detained individuals facing deportation, with hotlines available for family members seeking assistance. Organizations like the American Friends Service Committee provide legal representation. While lawyers may obtain some information about their clients locations, this is not guaranteed.

They assign different deportation officers to different people, so we should be, arguably, able to reach out to them and get information on where they are. Sometimes, the officers are very responsive, and sometimes we just cant get through to them, said Alexandra Goncalves Pena, legal director of the American Friends Service Committees Immigrant Rights Program in New Jersey.

Mahmoud Khalil

In the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian advocate and Columbia University graduate, he was detained Saturday evening and briefly held at Elizabeth Detention Center. When his wife went to visit him Sunday, he was not there and his lawyer did not know his location, according to The Associated Press. Other news reports say that the Department of Homeland Security website eventually updated his location to a facility in Jena, Louisiana.

Once people are transferred, the deportation officer doesnt get updates about the case, and so lawyers and family members must wait until the detained family member calls to provide an update about their new location, Goncalves Pena said, speaking generally and not of Khalils case.

And then we get information on where they are, which will allow us an opportunity to reach out to the newly assigned deportation officer at that facility, she added.

Because lawyers cant always track their clients, Goncalves Pena said it can be disruptive not only because they are removed from family support systems, but also because clients might not be able to show up for immigration court hearings if they are being transferred.

Difficult to gain access

For those who remain at Elizabeth Detention Center, it is difficult for family members to visit them, as advocates say they face long lines to get inside or are sometimes denied visitation. When questioned about visitation issues, ICEs Cuttita stated detainees have opportunity for up to one hour of visitation with family and friends and the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility has a visitation room that can accommodate large groups where possible.

However, families are left in pain as they navigate the detention process, said Torres of Movimiento Cosecha at last weeks news conference.

They do not care about us anymore, and thats what this country is doing. Theyre pushing our communities to the shadows, Torres said.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
Hokulea is pictured at the shore of Kualoa Regional Park after its 50th birthday commemoration, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin) AP

KANEOHE, Hawaii (AP)  Hawaiis American colonizers once banned the Hawaiian language in schools. Some Native Hawaiians tried to lighten their skin with lye. Many people believed Polynesian voyagers had simply lucked into finding the islands by drifting on logs.

But a canoe launched half a century ago helped turn Hawaiian culture from a source of shame to one of pride, reviving the skill of traveling the seas by decoding the stars, waves and weather. That vessel  a double-hulled sailing canoe called the Hokulea, after the Hawaiian name for the star Arcturus  would even influence the Disney blockbuster Moana decades later.

This April 1975 photo shows crew members training on the Hokulea canoe in waters off Kualoa on Oahu, Hawaii. (James Kimo Hugho via AP) AP

To mark the anniversary, the Hokuleas early crew members gathered Saturday for ceremonial hula and kava drinking at the Oahu beach where the canoe launched on March 8, 1975, and where they began their first training sails.

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble dancers perform during Hokulea's 50th birthday commemoration at Kualoa Regional Park, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin) AP

Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee, a member of Hokulea's first return trip from Tahiti to Hawaii in 1976, center, drinks "awa" or kava, during Hokulea's 50th birthday commemoration at Kualoa Regional Park, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin) AP

Its a vehicle of exploration. Its a vehicle of discovery, Nainoa Thompson, the CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, said in an interview. Its also been our vehicle for justice as Native Hawaiians, as Pacific Islanders, as a very unique, special culture of the Earth.

In 1980, Thompson became the first Hawaiian in six centuries to navigate to Tahiti without a compass or other modern instruments  a span of about 2,700 miles (4,300 kilometers).

Hawaiian culture had long been repressed

Thompson, 71, remembers stories from his grandmother, born less than a decade after the U.S.-backed overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. Teachers beat her for speaking Hawaiian, and her uncle tried to wash the brown off his skin with lye.

When she had children, she didnt teach them Hawaiian.

If her children tried to be Hawaiian, they would get hurt in the new society, Thompson said. And so you have to become something else.

A resurgence of Hawaiian pride and identity starting in the late 1960s and 1970s set off a cultural renaissance. Artist Herb Kane began painting ancient canoes based on drawings from European explorers and got the idea to build a double-hulled canoe with tall, triangular sails similar to those his ancestors had used hundreds of years earlier.

This April 1975 photo shows crew members training on the Hokulea canoe in waters off the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii. (James Kimo Hugho via AP) AP

Debunking the drifting log theory

At the time, many people accepted the notion that Polynesians settled islands by accident.

Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl had theorized that Polynesians arrived from South America, pushed west by the prevailing winds and currents. In 1947, he set out to prove it by floating from Peru on a log raft. He landed in the Tuamotu Islands north of Tahiti and wrote a best-seller.

Heyerdahls theory took hold even though Hawaiians for generations had passed down stories of people who traveled from the distant lands -- including Kahiki, possibly what is today known as Tahiti  by canoe, bringing with them edible plants such as ulu, or breadfruit.

Kane, University of Hawaii archaeologist Ben Finney and Honolulu surfer Tommy Holmes wanted to challenge the drifting log concept. They started the Polynesian Voyaging Society, intent on sailing a canoe to Tahiti without modern instruments.

They needed a navigator. Traditional long-distance voyaging skills had all but disappeared, but a Peace Corps volunteer on the isolated atoll of Satawal in Micronesia told them about Pius Mau Piailug, who had been taught navigation from childhood. Over about a month in 1976, Piailug guided the Hokulea from Hawaii to Tahiti  about the same distance from Hawaii to California.

A mural of navigator Pius "Mau" Piailug of Satawal in Micronesia is seen on a building in Honolulu's Kakaako neighborhood, May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Sam Eifling, File) AP

Some 17,000 people thronged the Tahitian shore to greet them and witness what one crew member called the spaceship of our ancestors.

Former Hawaii Gov. John Waihee was in his 20s then, and a delegate to the 1978 state Constitutional Convention. The Hokuleas success spurred delegates to make Hawaiian an official state language even though few residents still spoke it, he said. They also created the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians.

It helped us believe in everything that we were doing, Waihee said.

Today, two dozen schools have Hawaiian language immersion programs, and Census data show more than 27,000 people in Hawaii, and 34,000 in the U.S., speak Hawaiian at home.

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble dancers perform during Hokulea's 50th birthday commemoration at Kualoa Regional Park, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin) AP

Bringing dignity to the elders

In 1978, an ill-prepared crew set out for Tahiti in poor weather, and the Hokulea capsized just hours after leaving port. Crew member Eddie Aikau paddled his surfboard to get help. The Coast Guard rescued the canoe, but Aikau was never found.

The voyaging society overhauled itself in response, setting clear goals and training requirements. Thompson studied at a Honolulu planetarium and spent over a year under the tutelage of Piailug. In 1980, he navigated to Tahiti.

Thompson said he felt a deep obligation to fulfill Aikaus wish to follow the path of his ancestors and pull Tahiti out of the sea. But he didnt celebrate when the Hokulea got there.

I just went into a quiet, dark place and just told Eddie we pulled it out of the sea, Thompson said. Theres no high fives. Its too profound.

In decades since, the society has sailed the canoe around the Pacific and world, including New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and New York.

The traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea, on an around-the-world journey, sails by the United Nations on New York's East River during the World Oceans Day observance, June 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) AP

It inspired other Pacific Island communities to revive or newly appreciate their own wayfinding traditions.

In Rapa Nui, Chile  also known as Easter Island  islanders have embarked on long-distance canoe voyages. The University of Guam has a navigation program. Similar trends have surfaced in the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Samoa and Tonga, said Mary Therese Perez Hattori, the director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center.

We come from very, very ancient societies, said Hattori, who is Chamorro, the Indigenous people of the Mariana Islands. Hokulea sort of helped us remind the world of this.

Hawaiian culture practitioners blow conch shells to welcome Hokulea during its 50th birthday commemoration at Kualoa Regional Park, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin) AP

Hollywood makes a blockbuster

Hokuleas influence spread in 2016 when Disney released Moana, an animated film about a 16-year-old girl who learns wayfinding about 3,000 years ago.

Thompson spoke to hundreds on the movies creative team about wayfinding and the importance of canoes to Pacific culture, said Aaron Kandell, a Hawaii-born writer who worked on the movie.

Kandell, who is not Native Hawaiian, spent a year studying navigation with the Polynesian Voyaging Society during his 20s and incorporated that into the script, including where Moana learns to use her outstretched hand to track the stars and runs her hand in the ocean to feel the currents.

Crew members taught animators about coconut fiber ropes so they would look right when Moana pulls on them, Kandell said.

The Polynesian Voyaging Societys initial plan was to sail to Tahiti once, supporting a documentary, book and research papers. Thompson remembers pushing Hokuleas hull into the water with the crew back in 1975.

It was really a moment  I didnt recognize it  but this was going to change everything, he said.
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Democrats from all corners of the party want Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., run out of leadership after he caved to President Donald Trump on a government funding bill. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite) AP

Politics makes strange bedfellows, but politicians also discover that someone who was cuddling them yesterday could kick them onto the floor today.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies was given two chances on Friday to back Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: He balked on both.

With Democrats in the House and Senate raging at Schumer because he insisted senators bend a knee to President Donald Trump and approve a federal government spending plan that guts critical programs  rather than shut down the government  Jeffries was asked whether he believed Schumer had acquiesced.

He didnt say no.

That is a question best addressed by the senate, Jeffries said. The vote hasnt taken place yet, and the House Democrats' position is very clear. We strongly oppose any efforts to cut the health care of the American people, veterans' benefits, and nutritional assistance, all of which are in the partisan Republican bill.

Jeffries added that House Democrats would continue to fight for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, veterans' benefits and public schools  while Trump and Elon Musk take a chainsaw to these important priorities.

Jeffries held together the House Democratic caucus, which rejected the spending plan  and they now feel like theyre being sold out by Schumer.

Jeffries was asked if Schumer should be replaced.

Next question, he said.

Again, he didnt say no.

WOW, longtime Congressional reporter Jake Sherman tweeted. Jeffries is giving Schumer ZERO back up. ... This is absolutely stunning.

Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, taking the microphone next, piled on Schumer.

Most American people ... they dont know who Chuck Schumer is, but they do know what this administration and Elon Musk and the GOP are planning for them, and its why youre seeing this uproar in town halls, she said. Its why you are seeing in very, very Republican parts of this country, veterans expressing their frustration and their outrage that theyve cut 7,000 of them from jobs ... and [Trump has] a spokesperson for the White House that says, Well, those veterans werent fit to work.

Despite polls that show the Republicans and Trump would be blamed for shutting down the federal government, Schumer has instructed Democratic senators to vote for the House GOPs funding bill  a continuing resolution or CR  which will allow Elon Musk and DOGE to keep gutting the federal government and crucial support programs.

That has sparked a revolt from all corners of the party  and criticism from the anti-Trump wing of former Republicans.

Among those lining up to rip Schumer is one of his longtime supporters, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington:

I will NOT vote to let Elon and Trump pick winners and losers with your taxpayer dollars, she teeted. Senators were not elected to beg Trump for federal resources.

Jaime Harrison, former head of the Democratic National Committee, piled on: Dammit VOTE NO! he tweeted. These are not normal times! Senator Schumer, it is time to lead! Senate Democrats must fight for the American people and cannot rubber stamp the chaos of Trump and Musk!

Activist Shannon Watts, who founded Mom Demand Action, the nations largest gun-control group, called for Schumer to be pushed aside ASAP.

Regardless of whether you think Sen Schumer should allow cloture to be invoked on a CR, you cant argue that hes performed abysmally: theres been no fight, no strategy and no interest in or ability to persuade his colleagues or the public, she tweeted. We cannot win this way.

Still others pointed to the lack of a strategy to fight Trump from the aging, low-energy Schumer, 74.

Meanwhile, Trump applauded Schumer for doing the right thing, which brought even more attacks: I dont think we should be moving in any way to elicit praise from Donald Trump, who has no respect for Congress and the power of the purse, who is by the hour rolling out executive actions that are lawless, Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley said on CNN. ... This is a hostile government takeover. He is a dictator.

Comedy Centrals Jon Stewart has had Schumer in his crosshairs for months:

What is the decision-making process here? Hey, who should we get out there to effectively battle one of the most savvy presidential media manipulators in history? Oh, I dont know, how about Schumer? Hes uninteresting, but at least hes monotone. Oh wait, and Chuck, before you go out there, you look too young! Put on these readers and lower them on your nose. Perfect!
FILE - Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., speaks during a news conference the vote to codify Roe v. Wade, in this May 5, 2022 file photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murray is one of the U.S. Senate's most powerful members and seeking a sixth term. She is being challenged by Tiffany Smiley, a Republican from Pasco, Wash. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer  already considered a doddering political fossil by Democrats who dont want the anti-Trump army led by am monotoned grandpa whose readers are welded to the middle of his nose  is under attack from all corners of his party for folding to the Republicans' ransom demands.

Despite polls that show the Republicans and Donald Trump would be blamed for shutting down the federal government, Schumer has instructed Democratic senators to vote for the House GOPs funding bill  a continuing resolution or CR  which will allow Elon Musk and DOGE to keep gutting the federal government and crucial support programs.

Among those lining up to rip Schumer is one of his longtime supporters, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington:

Good morning, she tweeted on Friday. I am a firm 100% NO on House Republicans' slush fund CR. I will NOT vote to let Elon and Trump pick winners and losers with your taxpayer dollars. Senators were not elected to beg Trump for federal resources."

Jaime Harrison, former head of the Democratic National Committee, piled on: Dammit VOTE NO! he tweeted. These are not normal times! Senator Schumer, it is time to lead! Senate Democrats must fight for the American people and cannot rubber stamp the chaos of Trump and Musk!

Schumer also has lost support from activist Shannon Watts, who founded Mom Demand Action, the nations largest gun-control group.

Regardless of whether you think Sen Schumer should allow cloture to be invoked on a CR, you cant argue that hes performed abysmally: theres been no fight, no strategy and no interest in or ability to persuade his colleagues or the public, she tweeted. We cannot win this way.

Trump applauded Schumer for doing the right thing, which brought even more attacks: I dont think we should be moving in any way to elicit praise from Donald Trump, who has no respect for Congress and the power of the purse, who is by the hour rolling out executive actions that are lawless, Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley said on CNN. ... This is a hostile government takeover. He is a dictator.

Comedy Centrals Jon Stewart has had Schumer in his crosshairs for months:

What is the decision-making process here? Hey, who should we get out there to effectively battle one of the most savvy presidential media manipulators in history? Oh, I dont know, how about Schumer? Hes uninteresting, but at least hes monotone. Oh wait, and Chuck, before you go out there, you look too young! Put on these readers and lower them on your nose. Perfect!
FILE - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during the first day of Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP

Some within the Democratic Party are fuming.

After Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer relented Thursday and announced hed back a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats to avert a government shutdown (much to the glee of President Donald Trump), there have been private talks to oust him.

According to CNN, House Democrats want New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to mount a primary challenge against her fellow New Yorker.

Per the report:

Privately, House Democrats are so infuriated with Schumers decision that some have begun encouraging her to run against Schumer in a primary, according to a Democratic member who directly spoke with Ocasio-Cortez about running at the caucus policy retreat. Multiple Democrats in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and others directly encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to run on Thursday night after Schumers announcement, this member said.

The member said that Democrats in Leesburg were so mad that even centrist Democrats were ready to write checks for AOC for Senate, adding that they have never seen people so mad.

Schumer told Democrats privately during a spirited closed-door lunch and then made public remarks ahead of voting Friday, which will be hours before the midnight deadline to keep government running. The New York senator said as bad as the GOP bill is, a shutdown would be worse, giving President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk carte blanche as they tear through the government.

Multiple Democrats in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and others directly encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to run on Thursday night after Schumers announcement, one unnamed lawmaker told CNN, adding that that party members were so mad at the Senate leader that even centrists were ready to write checks for AOC for Senate.

Justice Democrats, a progressive group, called Schumer gutless, spineless, and utterly unqualified to lead.

Debates over funding the federal government routinely erupt in deadline moments, but this year its showing the political leverage of Republicans, newly in majority control of the White House and Congress, and the shortcomings of Democrats, who are finding themselves unable to stop the Trump administrations march across federal operations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrives to speak with reporters as Republicans work to pass an interim spending bill that would avoid a partial government shutdown and keep federal agencies funded through September, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

President Donald Trump is giddy.

Thats the message from former Republican congressman turned never-Trumper, Adam Kinzinger, after Trump lauded Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Friday.

The president posted to social media a day after Schumer announced hed back a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats to avert a government shutdown.

Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took guts and courage!" Trump posted.

Theyre mocking now, Kinzinger replied.

Schumer told Democrats privately during a spirited closed-door lunch and then made public remarks ahead of voting Friday, which will be hours before the midnight deadline to keep government running. The New York senator said as bad as the GOP bill is, a shutdown would be worse, giving President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk carte blanche as they tear through the government.

Debates over funding the federal government routinely erupt in deadline moments, but this year its showing the political leverage of Republicans, newly in majority control of the White House and Congress, and the shortcomings of Democrats, who are finding themselves unable to stop the Trump administrations march across federal operations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The smug face that Canadians have come to hate. (AP Photo | Matt Rourke) AP

Turns out that Donald Trump has hated Canadians for many years now  from the top of their woolen-covered heads to their shoes.

Yes, their shoes. Their smuggled, scuffed-up shoes.

A Twitter account  Canada Hates Trump, with 100,000 followers and growing  has uncovered video of the president in 2018 complaining about Canadians abusing U.S. tariff laws by smuggling shoes back across the border  on their feet.

There was a story two days ago in a major newspaper, talking about people living in Canada coming into the United States and smuggling things back into Canada, because the tariffs are so massive, Trump says while addressing the National Federation of Independent Business.

The tariffs to get common items back into Canada are so high that they have to smuggle them in. They buy shoes and they wear them. They scuff them up. They make them sound old, or look old. No, we are treated horribly.

What heels, those Canadians.

You have to wonder: Did those tariff-beaters slip on a Trump tie, too, before returning home? A MAGA hat? Because that probably wouldve been OK.

Tweeted Canada Hates Trump: Loafergate was born  the most diabolical footwear fraud in history.

No wonder Trump wants to put a boot on their Great White North necks.

Since taking office, Trump has added Canada to his list of countries he wants to add to Americas real estate portfolio. Canada should be the 51st state, while the U.S. also takes control of Greenland and the Panama Canal.

While many believe Trump is just trolling Canadians, the countrys leaders are taking him seriously with a Bleep off, hoser, eh? attitude. In the meantime, a wave of nationalism (and Trump hate) has swept over Canada, which refuses to back down in the tariff war, too.

Trump has slapped tariffs on aluminum, steel and other goods brought in from Canada. In response, Canada is hiking tariffs on a variety of American imports.

We dont need their cars. We dont need their energy. We dont need their lumber, Trump said. As a state it would be one of the great states.

Trumps choice to be U.S. ambassador to Canada on Thursday said that Canada is a sovereign state. Former Rep. Pete Hoekstra was asked by at his Senate confirmation hearing by Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., whether he agreed that Canada is a sovereign state and shouldnt be even jokingly referred to as the 51st state.

Canada is a sovereign state, yes, Hoekstra replied.

Trump continues to erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada  a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil  as a subsidy.

According to a new poll conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, 60% of Americans have no interest in seeing Canada join the U.S., while 32% are interested but only if Canadians want to.

Six percent agreed with the statement that the U.S. should annex Canada using political and economic pressure, and 2% believe the U.S. should annex Canada using military force.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Alina Habba speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

President Donald Trumps lawyer was forced to walk back some of her praise of a popular social media influencer whos been charged with human trafficking and rape.

Alina Habba, counselor to the president, appeared on right-wing podcast The Benny Show in January and told Andrew Tate how she admired him.

The appearance came a month before Tate and his brother were allowed to leave Romania, where they face charges, and return to the U.S.

From a January 2025 podcast interview:

Habba: Nice to meet you. Im a big fan.

Tate: Well, nice to meet you. Im a fan. Youre the one saving Trump. Youre doing more important work than me.

Habba added: I also have to say that I sympathize with you because I think you go through a lot of the same show me the person, Ill find the crime that President Trump has gone through.

Trump Lawyer Alina Habba and Andrew Tate discuss Trumps CORRUPT New York sentencing:



"The time is now to stop being wimps. Trump got sentenced in the most tragic stories in American history and the justice system I used to be proud to be apart of." pic.twitter.com/DrUnKtQo0F  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 10, 2025

Amid backlash over the exchange, Habba tried to clear the air.

From a March 2025 taping:

Habba: The accusations against the Tate brothers are stomach turning. They are disturbing and, as I will say, and Ive said many times since then, that is for the court to handle and they should handle it.

Host: Basically, people have told me you said youre a fan or something like that.

Habba: Yeah, that was, what I said was, its some great manipulation, so the Tate brothers, you know, have a tremendous social media presence in terms of what we were discussing were politics in the UK. He was talking about running, and I am always passionate about people that are vocal against certain things. Now that is very separate, I want to be very clear, than accusations of human trafficking, accusations of anything, rape, whatever the accusations are against them. You have to put that in one bucket, and that really is a very disturbing charge. Now, I dont know the status of it. Im also a lawyer. I know better than to talk about somebodys case, but I will say that ... there is no part of me that condones, at all, that behavior.

So fake, so phony. Clip 1 is who she is, clip 2 is after serious backlash from some of her MAGA fans. pic.twitter.com/OaznQkjrhn  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 14, 2025

Tate and his brother, Tristan, left Romania late last month after a travel ban on them was lifted while they face charges including human trafficking, all part of an alleged organized crime ring. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape.

The Tates, who are dual U.S.-British citizens, were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted last year.

The Tate brothers, who have denied all wrongdoing in the case, arrived in Florida on Feb. 27. Floridas attorney general announced Tuesday that his office has opened a criminal investigation into the brothers.

They are vocal supporters of Trump.

Just weeks ago, Andrew Tate posted on X: The Tates will be free, Trump is the president. The good old days are back. And they will be better than ever. Hold on.

The Tates departure came after Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a Trump administration official expressed interest in the brothers case at the recent Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted no pressure was applied to lift restrictions on the Tates after a Financial Times report on the meeting caused a stir in Romania.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Wendy Williams called in to The View for a phone interview during the Friday, March 14, episode of the ABC talk show.

The interview came as Williams continues to make headlines for speaking out against her conservatorship, which she was placed under in 2022. The former Wendy Williams Show host was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023 and currently resides in an assisted living facility.

On The View, Williams explained why she left the assisted living facility on Monday, March 10, to visit a New York City hospital.

I just needed a breath of fresh air, you know what Im saying? I needed to see the doctors, she said.

Williams explained that she got blood drawn for my thyroid while at the hospital, but most importantly, she took a mental competency exam.

It was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I dont have it, she said. How dare they say I have incapacitation? I do not.

The View cohost Joy Behar replied, You sound OK to me.

Williams expressed her frustrations with her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, during the interview.

I cant do it with these two people again, I cant. And Im speaking of the guardians and the judge. I need a new guardian, and then Ill get out of [the] guardian[ship], she said. I dont want Sabrina. Period. But also, I dont want [a] guardian. ... Its been over three years. Its time for my money and my life to get back to status quo.

Williams added that she doesnt feel connected to her guardian and conservatorship judge.

Ive been doing important things all of my life, and these two people dont look like me, they dont dress like me, they dont talk like me, they dont act like me, and I venture to say they will never be me, she said. Get off my neck.

Williams also questioned why she is living in a memory unit with patients who are 90 and 80 and 70 when she is 60 years old.

Why am I here, you know what Im saying, where people dont remember anything? she asked.

Wendy Williams opened up about her conservatorship on The View." Getty Images

The television personality admitted that she didnt mind the conservatorship at all when it was first established, as she thought it was created solely to protect her finances.

It was about my money and keeping my money safe. But at this point in my life, I want to terminate [the] guardianship and move on with my life, if thats possible at all, Williams said.

During the interview, The Views Sunny Hostin, who has known Williams for years, read a statement from Morrisseys lawyer.

The guardianship was created by a judge who declared you legally incapacitated after a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and says that you have not been kept from your family and that you are receiving excellent medical care, the statement read.

TMZ reported on Tuesday, March 11, that Morrisseys lawyer said in a letter that some of the media coverage about Williams conservatorship is untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.

As for Williams, she said on The View that shes glad she is finally able to speak. She added that she wished she could put on nice clothing and come see you in person, but I cannot.

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Karen Read will tell her story in the docuseries "A Body in the Snow." AP

A new docuseries about Karen Reads highly publicized trial is coming to Investigation Discovery.

A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read premieres on Investigation Discovery and MAX on Monday, March 17, at 9 p.m. EST. The first two episodes  titled What Happened at 34 Fairview? and Did I Hit Him?  will air back to back on Monday.

The series will air over the course of three days. After the premiere, episodes 3 and 4, How Long to Die in Cold and A Town Divided, will be released on Tuesday, March 18. The fifth and final episode, The Verdict, will drop on Wednesday, March 19.

A Body in the Snow centers on Reads first trial for the alleged murder of her boyfriend John OKeefe, a Boston police officer.

After OKeefes death in January 2022, Read was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a deadly crash. She pleaded not guilty.

During Reads first trial, which began in April 2024, prosecutors alleged that Read hit OKeefe with her car and fled the scene. The defense painted a very different picture, claiming that Read was framed for OKeefes murder.

Reads leal team alleged that OKeefes body was dumped outside after he was involved in a fight inside fellow police officer Brian Alberts house. The attorneys claimed that several witnesses used their resources as law enforcement officials to frame Read and cover up what really happed to OKeefe.

The court proceedings ended in a mistrial on July 1, 2024, due to a hung jury. A second trial is slated to begin on April 1.

As is often the case for defendants in criminal trials, Read did not take the stand. However, she will have a chance to tell her story in A Body in the Snow.

Doing this film is my testimony, Read says in the trailer for the docuseries. I want to say what happened exactly as it happened.

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The New Orleans Police Department investigates the scene of a quadruple shooting in the French Quarter at the intersection of Royal and Iberville streets in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. According to NOPD, 1 victim died. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
Louisiana voters have become accustomed to being asked to make tweaks to the state's governing document. Saturday will be no different, with f
Great Western Railway (GWR) has provided a response following concerns raised by North Devons MP, Ian Roome, regarding the recent 4.6 per cent rise in rail fares.

Roome had highlighted that an annual season ticket from Barnstaple to Exeter now costs 2,724, while passengers continue to face overcrowding and infrastructure challenges.

GWR, which operates trains to and from Barnstaple, has clarified that fare rises are determined by government policy rather than individual train operators.

A spokesperson for GWR explained that all revenue raised through fares is returned to the Treasury.

Regulated rail fares are set by Government, and the money raised ensures investment in more trains, better stations and faster services, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also pointed to the significant investment made in the Great Western network over the past decade, including the introduction of new high-speed trains and the electrification of the line between London and Cardiff.

We are also keen to rejuvenate our regional and suburban fleet to help improve punctuality and reliability for customers across the network, they added.

As part of this ongoing investment, GWR is set to welcome 26 new Class 175 trains to its fleet, which will run to Barnstaple.

These new trains are expected to replace older diesel models, offering better fuel efficiency, improved environmental performance, and enhanced passenger comfort.

The Class 175 trains will help improve punctuality and reliability for commuters travelling across the network, including those in North Devon.

Roome had previously written to the Rail Minister advocating for improvements to the Barnstaple to Exeter line, which has faced infrastructure limitations and overcrowding.

With the fare increases now adding to concerns, many North Devon residents are worried about the affordability and quality of their rail service.

GWRs response emphasises continued investment in the network as a way to provide a better service for passengers over time, although concerns about overcrowding and fare affordability remain for many commuters.
Tens of thousands of people called for Sam Jones to leave Australia. But was that the right call?

The US tourist who snatched a baby wombat away from its mother has fled the country. And while many Aussies, including the Albanese Government, are happy to see the back of Sam Jones, a leading law firm is frustrated she was not prosecuted.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) believes Australia has a big problem enforcing the law when influencers exploit the nations wildlife for clicks and likes.

There aren't enough people on the ground to be able to deal with the amount of incidents that are coming forward now with the rise of social media, managing lawyer Kirstiana Ward told Yahoo News.

In Australia, the federal government is only responsible for prosecuting companies or people that significantly harm threatened species. Otherwise, enforcing wildlife laws is left up to the states and territories. So if its unclear where an influencer shot their video, even if they clearly committed an offence, a prosecution is rarely possible.

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The EDO would like to see better laws rolled out across the country that tackle wildlife crimes carried out by influencers. They could be based around a Queensland law that makes it illegal for criminals to publish and glorify offences.

We would love to see our laws develop in a way that we are managing social media influencers, content creators, administrators, and social media platforms, and stopping them from publishing offences against wildlife in Australia, Ward said.

Joness Instagram account features videos of her picking up a small shark by the tail, and a man toying with a 'venomous snake'. Source: @samstrays_somewhere

Wildlife expert buoyed by public outcry at wombat incident

Wildlife biologist Ellie Sursara was one of the first to notice the backlash to the wombat video online. Shes been buoyed by the response from everyday Aussies who have been angered by what they saw.

But the response ultimately falls flat because there isnt enough enforcement of environmental acts we have in place, she said.

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Biodiversity protection acts mean nothing because we green light development that kills wildlife, we dont follow up on many cruelty complaints, we dont regenerate habitat. Unless an issue sparks massive public outrage, then it doesnt get much attention from our leaders.

Susara notes that governments allow kangaroos to be shot and their joeys to be bludgeoned to death so their meat can be sold as pet food and their skins to tourists. And developers and mining companies are regularly permitted by the federal government to displace threatened populations of species like koalas so new projects can go ahead.

In 2020, Australias federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act was described as ineffective, weak and tokenistic during an independent review. The legislation is designed to help threatened species recover so they dont become extinct. Five years on, the Albanese Government has made some updates, but promised reforms are yet to eventuate.

I dont think most Australians understand how the country isnt protecting wildlife. I don't think the public is failing it, but I do think the people in authority are, Susara said.

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Fire ants have been caught on camera this week hitching a ride in floodwaters caused by Cyclone Alfred.

NSW has temporarily banned landscaping materials from parts of Queensland over fire ant concerns. Source: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

An invasive threat spreading in floodwaters caused by Cyclone Alfred has sparked a temporary ban of certain materials being imported across state borders in a major move by New South Wales.

The state government announced on Friday it would stop the importation of landscaping materials such as hay, soil and pots that are handled in and around the infected area of southeast Queensland in a bid to avoid the pests from creeping further in, which would be "disastrous" for Australia, Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta told Yahoo News.

Fire ants are known to form rafts and float in water  a move that has been well documented this week by residents conducting clean-up efforts. So while a temporary ban is a good first step, much more needs to be done to tackle the pressing issue, Pianta said.

"It's an understandable short-term reaction... but it isn't a long-term solution," he told Yahoo.

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"There's hundreds and even thousands of fire ant nests in areas where there are turf farms... and there is a lot of trade between NSW and Queensland. There is a suppression program but we need to see it seriously ramping up in a targeted way by the Queensland state government."

Fire ants have already breached landscape in northern NSW.

New South Wales 'ramping up' defence against invasive threat

Tara Moriarty, NSW's Minister for Agriculture, said "fire ants won't march into NSW" but will be carried by materials such as the ones temporarily banned, explaining this is "why we're ramping up surveillance in these high-risk areas".

Authorities are trying to limit the likelihood of trade contributing to fire ant spread as the pests are notorious for their ability to easily move from one area to the next and rapidly establish a colony.

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"What we can do is mitigate the increased risks of human-assisted movement of fire ants from the infested areas of Queensland and suspend the hay permit," NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton said.

Fire ants can form rafts and float in water. Source: Invasive Species Council/Kirsty McKenna

Queensland criticised for not doing enough to 'eradicate' threat

The Queensland government currently have targeted programs for both residential and commercial properties in high-risk areas. However, Pianta warned "urgent action is needed to eradicate" the pests, otherwise it's almost certain they will spread.

"The only way to prevent fire ants spreading across Australia over the long term is to eradicate them, and part of that means getting these populations under control this year to reduce the spread of fire ants and carrying materials.

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"If there's a major flooding event and a fire nest happens to be close by, it'll spread more across states. And at that point, it wouldn't be possible for Australia to eradicate fire ants. This effort needs to be ramped up immediately to get this situation under control."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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In 2009, Amy Irvings house, a converted barn in Westchester County, burned to the ground. The cause was never determined.

The insurance company sure wishes someone could figure out what happened, said Ms. Irving, 71, an actor who is best known for her roles in Carrie (1976), Yentl (1983) and Crossing Delancey  (1988). But there was too much damage.

Ms. Irving, whos about to release her second record album, Always Will Be, a collection of Willie Nelson covers  she and Mr. Nelson have been close since they starred in the 1980 drama Honeysuckle Rose  handled the loss of her home with remarkable equipoise.

I was in Paris with my mother, whose husband had just died, when Ken called to tell me about the fire, Ms. Irving said, referring to her husband, Ken Bowser, a writer and filmmaker.
A Swiss motorist was fined over $100,000 for driving too close to the car in front of him on the motorway. Thats about double the worth of the car he was driving.

Switzerland is notorious for its strict driving laws and staggering fines. The European country is one of the few where fines are calculated according to the taxable income of the offender, to ensure that they are felt by the poor and rich alike. For example, a fixed $300 fine may bother someone earning minimum wage, but for a millionaire, its like a drop in the ocean. In Switzerland, the wealthier you are, the more you pay, even for minor offenses, which leads to unlikely scenarios where people are fined huge sums of money, sometimes more than what their cars are worth. Case in point, a Swiss lawyer who was fined over $110,000 for driving too close to the car in front of him on a motorway.

Photo: Robert Calvert/Unsplash

In 2023, a 58-year-old lawyer from Aargau, a Swiss canton bordering Germany, was caught by police tailgating on a motorway connecting the cities of Zurich and Lausanne. A Court ordered the reckless driver to pay a conditional fine of 50 daily rates, with the daily rate calculated at $2,328, based on his annual taxable income of 1.6 million Swiss francs ($1.8 million). That amounted to a staggering fine of $109,500 which the lawyer has been contesting ever since.

According to evidence presented in court, the Swiss lawyer drove too close to the car in front of him, maintaining a distance of just 26-40 feet, at speeds of up to 74 miles per hour, for a distance of at least a mile and a half. The lawyer had been trying to explain that Swiss law doesnt have clear rules on what distance constitutes tailgating, therefore his fine is not valid, but last month the Swiss Supreme Court upheld the original decision and the $109,500 fine. Interestingly, that is twice the value of the BMW 540d sedan he was driving at the time of his offense.

Photo: Erik Mclean/Unsplash

Photos provided by police show the lawyers car stuck to the car in front of it, which the court considered enough evidence to uphold the fine. To add insult to injury, the plaintiff must now also pay 13,000 francs ($14,500) in court fees.

Luckily for our poor millionaire, his exceptional case has a silver lining  his fine is suspended for two years, which means he will only have to fork the $109,500 to the Swiss national budget if he commits another offense over the next two years.
IPREX

885 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302

Top global communications and PR network with more than 1,100 communications professionals in more than 100 markets globally. Full suite of communications, branding, marketing and PR services across all industries, including B2B, consumer, corporate, crisis, education, environment, energy, financial, F&B, healthcare, technology and tourism.

Employees: 1,100+. Founded: 1983.

Global Pres.: Ann-Marie O'Sullivan

Executive Dir.: Alexandra Mayhew

Complete Leadership List: www.iprex.com

IPREX in the news with O'Dwyer's:

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Ecuador has enlisted Mercury Public Affairs to bolster political-diplomatic ties with the US.

The focus is on migration, trade and security issues, including anti-terrorism matters, according to the contract with Mercury, effective March 1.

The 90-day pact is worth $165K to Mercury, which edged out BGR Group and Potomac International Partners for the work.

Ecuadors president Daniel Nobia has launched a war on organized crime for the nation that has the highest homicide rate in Latin America.

On that front, he announced a strategic alliance with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military company that was known as Blackwater, which was involved in committing atrocities in Iraq following the US invasion of that country.

Nobia on March 13 posted on X that he established that alliance to strengthen our capabilities in the fight against narco-terrorism and to protect our waters from illegal fishing.

Prince, a former Navy seal, has close ties with the Trump administration. He is the brother of Betsy DeVos, who headed the Dept. of Education during Trumps first term in office.

Trump in 2020 pardoned four security guards from Blackwater who were jailed for killing 14 civilians in Baghdad in 2007.

Mercurys contract calls for arranging meetings for Ecuadorian officials with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Howard Lutnick

The Trump administration would be wise to drop Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as the chief defender of the presidents disastrous tariffs.

He is more intent on defending his long-term buddy Trumps scattershot economic policies than dealing with economic reality.

Lutnick spewed nonsense such as tariffs on foreign countries would make imported goods more expensive but US products cheaper.

The Wall Street Journal took Lutnick to task on that, noting in an editorial that American companies using foreign components would have to raise their prices or suffer narrower profit margin.

It deliver this zinger: Does Mr. Lutnick understand, well, commerce? Hats off!

Lutnick then told Maria Bartiromo of Fox News that the Atlanta Federal Reserves forecast that the economy would contract 2.4 percent was ridiculous, adding that things are awesome right now.

That comes as Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said that many of his chains low-income customer base are struggling to make ends meet.

Given the already stressed financial condition of its customers, Vasos told a March 13 earnings call that Dollar General is closely monitoring Trumps tariff policy and any changes to the governments entitlement programs.

Pessimism is rampant in the US.

The Financial Times reported March 14 that the University of Michigans consumer sentiment index fell to a preliminary reading of 57.9 in March, the third consecutive monthly drop and the lowest reading since November 2022.

Many of the surveyed consumers are upset with the uncertainty around Trumps economic policy.

Frequent gyrations in economic policies make it very difficult for consumers to plan for the future, regardless of ones policy preferences, said survey director Joanne Hsu.

Things arent awesome, Howard. Get your head out of the sand.

Sign of the the times. The right-wing John Birch Society has registered as a federal lobbyist.

The self-described educational and advocacy organization focused on Constitutional government has put forth a busy agenda.

It will push for killing Federal Reserve Bank, promoting free trade and advocating for the withdrawal of the US from the United Nations.

The JBS also is 100 percent in line with Trumps goal of taking back the Panama Canal.

It maintains the 1977 treaty turning the Canal over to Panama was not only foolish and compromised US security, but is illegal since the US and Panama agreed to different texts in the treaties.

JBS says a so-called understanding was added to the treaty in which Panama disagreed with part of the pact that gave the US the permanent right to use military force in Panama without the governments consent in order to guarantee the Canals security.

The US never accepted that understanding.

The Society, which is based in Appleton, WI, stands ready to educate Congress about the need to support Trump on taking over the Canal.

Hold the champagne. The Federal Trade Commission has requested additional information and documentary material from Omnicom and Interpublic connected to their merger.

The proposed partners maintain that the so-called second request from the FTC is a standard part of the regulatory process and was issued under notification requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino.

Shareholders of both companies are to vote virtually to approve the merger on March 18.

The firms hope the deal will be completed during the second half of year.

We trust Trumps threatened 200 percent tariff on champagne wont spoil the OMC/IPG celebration of the closing of the deal.
THE Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Irish American Partnership (the Partnership) continue to build on their long-standing relationship, providing $128,000 in scholarships focussed on the importance of careers in education over the next four years to inter-county players. 32 Education Champion Scholarships will be awarded each year as a result of funding provided by the Partnership.

This year's 32 recipients - one from each of the 32 counties - are student teachers and those pursuing postgraduate studies to further their careers in education. More than 300 GPA members are in the teaching profession. The Offaly recipient this year is Sharon Shanahan from Shinrone and UL.

The scholarships were awarded at a function at the Alex Hotel in Dublin attended by Irish American Partnership President & CEO, Mary Sugrue, GPA CEO Tom Parsons and the 32 recipients.

As part of the process the recipients have undertaken to conduct a session with their classes on the theme of leadership before the end of the current term.

Speaking to mark the announcement, GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; Teaching is without doubt one of the most important and influential careers that anybody can undertake. Teachers shape and mould young people, not only as students, but also as people. They play a vital role in their development.

Teachers are role models for kids across Ireland, so it is essential to support the next generation. That is why I am so happy to make this announcement alongside the Irish American Partnership without whose support these scholarships would not have been possible.

The Education Champion Scholarship embodies the Irish American Partnerships mission to honour our Irish heritage through investment in education, said President & CEO, Mary Sugrue. By supporting these Gaelic Players, we recognise not only their dedication to sport but also their role as cultural ambassadors who preserve and promote Irish traditions. Their leadership, both on and off the field, is inspiring, and we are proud to invest in their journey as they work to educate and mentor Irelands youth.

The scholarships have been awarded on a 50:50 female to male basis and across the four codes.
A man who rented out properties across rural Ireland, including in the Midlands, under false pretences and used them as brothels was found with child abuse material on his phone when arrested at Dublin Airport.

Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro (54) was arrested by investigating gardai from the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit when he returned to Ireland from his native Brazil after a period of time abroad, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Ribeiro, of Rua Nely Augusta Gomes, Goais, Brazil, had been under investigation after a number of rental properties being used as brothels around the country were linked to him, along with nearly 800,000 in proceeds of crime across multiple Irish bank accounts.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 19 sample counts, including using false instruments, inducing landlords to rent properties to him and possession of the proceeds of crime.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on his phone when he was arrested at Dublin Airport on November 16, 2023.

The offending on the 60-count indictment spanned from 2010 to 2023, the court heard. Ribeiro has been in custody since his arrest.

Detective Garda Vanessa Stafford of the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the charges against Ribeiro were part of a wider investigation after two women came forward to gardai with allegations of trafficking.

These two women identified some rental properties around rural Ireland which were being used as brothels while others were linked to Ribeiro's email address and phone number, the court heard.

When investigating gardai knocked on the doors of some of these properties, the women who answered identified themselves as sex workers, the court heard.

Gardai linked 10 rental properties to Ribeiro, who used a different name from a fake Italian passport and fake utility bills to rent out the property from unsuspecting landlords and, in one case, a property agent.

The court heard the landlords told gardai that they would never have rented the property to Ribeiro if they had known what it would be used for.

The properties which were used as brothels were located in Longford town, Kildare town, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, Ballymahon in Co Longford, Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, Carrick on Shannon in Co Leitrim, and Tullow, Co Carlow. A further two were located in Roscommon town.

The properties were rented out for varying periods of time between 2018 and 2023.

Bank accounts in Ribeiro's name or under his control were forensically analysed and found to contain a total of 788,982 which was deemed to be the proceeds of crime.

The court heard Ribeiro was out of the country for some years between 2021 and 2023, but was arrested upon flying back in November 2023.

The child abuse material on his phone comprised nine images and 16 videos, mostly of pre-pubescent girls and boys being made to engage in sexual activity with adults.

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, told the court his client arrived in the country in 2009.

The case was adjourned to March 21, when a plea of mitigation is expected to be heard.
Even charity workers are copping the brunt of Brisbane City Council's bold move to curb illegal camping and rough sleepers.

A charity worker has been threatened with $8,000 in fines by the Brisbane City Council for trying to help those experiencing homelessness. Source: Facebook/Northwest Community Group

A charity worker who has handed out more than 1,000 tents to rough sleepers has been threatened with $8,000 in fines for trying to help those still facing housing insecurity. It comes as people experiencing homelessness and living in tents around Brisbane were given 24 hours on Thursday to pack up their things and move on as the council cracks down on the act.

Paul Slater from Northwest Community Group received a letter from the Brisbane City Council on Thursday instructing him to remove tents on public land that he had provided, saying it was "an offence for a person to deposit any article on Council land without a reasonable excuse" and threatening that it will "exercise its powers under the [local law] to ensure compliance."

However Slater, who has been at the forefront of tackling the problem on Brisbane streets, has hit back at the 'threat', calling the move "very concerning". "This does not align with the public rhetoric that they are working with people and only targeting those who have refused accommodation," he said.

Park rangers and police officers have been instructed to move rough sleepers on. Source: Dan Peled / NewsWire and

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced the crackdown was necessary to keep the city safe and called out rough sleepers who had refused to stay in police and state housing agencies. He said it was these people who were being asked to move on.

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"I've asked our officers to work with police and state housing agencies to ensure anyone living in a park who has refused accommodation is moved on within 24 hours," he said.

However, with homelessness continuing to worsen in the area and the demand for temporary housing going up, many like Paul question the motives of the crackdown and fear the fallout.

In the City of Brisbane, the maximum penalty for depositing articles on council land under local law is 50 penalty points, which equates to $8,065, the fine Paul refers to.

Council feared homeless would 'pour' into city from neighbours

Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Point, located in south Brisbane, have fluctuating numbers of rough sleepers taking refuge in tents, with up to 60 people living in the parks.

However, in recent weeks, Mr Schrinner believes the issue has worsened in Brisbane after Moreton Bay Council  located 40 kilometres from Brisbane's CBD  announced a new law making it illegal for homeless people to camp on public land. This came into effect within two weeks of being announced, and Mr Schrinner admitted he worried people experiencing homelessness would migrate and "pour" into the city as a result.

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"Just like our northern neighbours, Brisbane residents don't want their parks and public spaces becoming dangerous no-go zones because of violent, aggressive and anti-social behaviour," Schrinner said.

The demand for services and temporary housing solutions has gone up due to the housing crisis. Source: Facebook/Northwest Community Group

Council accused of being 'out of touch' with fines

Slater previously told Yahoo News he agrees the housing crisis has caused a problem, but the tightening of rules around homelessness is not the solution.

"There's a concerning shift in councils of all levels and their treatment of homeless people," he said.

He called Moreton Bay Council "out of touch" in December when it issued campers and rough sleepers $806 fines for not complying with the Persons Experiencing Homelessness Camping Framework (PEHCF)  a legal document that has now been squashed by the new law criminalising tents in public parks. Those who now don't comply with the law in Moreton Bay Council are at risk of a $8000 fine, a fine ten times heftier compared to a few months ago.

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Slater said "long-term homelessness" caused by the housing crisis is what is causing the "behavioural issues that we're seeing" among some in the community and the big picture should be addressed rather than doubling down on those in need.

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An leading urban design expert has called on council to make a "sensible" decision and protect the 24-metre-high tree.

In a surprising twist, an 80-year-old tree has been given a "stay of execution" by an Aussie council that was planning to chop it down this week. The decision follows an uproar by furious locals and a damning rebuke from a leading conservation scientist.

Randwick City Council, in Sydneys east, confirmed with Yahoo News it has paused its plan and called an Extraordinary General Meeting in 11 days to decide its fate. We can confirm that the scheduled removal of the tree in question has been placed on hold pending the outcome of the Extraordinary Council meeting, it told Yahoo News.

In February, councillors controversially voted to kill the 24-metre high weeping fig on Quail Street, Clovelly after a resident complained the figs root system was damaging his lawn, fence, and driveway. The tree had shaded generations of residents and provides sanctuary for birds and small marsupials that live across the suburb.

Related:  Once common Aussie bird among 21 new species facing extinction

The fig is part of a row of five which provide habitat for ringtail possums, white-faced herons, rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos. Source: Supplied

Urban design expert urges council to spare 'rare' tree

Professor Sarah Bekessy specialises in nature-sensitive urban design at RMIT and the Biodiversity Council, an independent expert group founded by 11 Australian universities. At the meeting on March 25, she hopes council will make a sensible decision and conclude that big trees in cities are worth more than having a fence replaced.

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Big trees in cities punch above their weight when it comes to providing benefits to people, and also habitat for other animals, she added.

Theyre actually quite rare, its hard to keep trees in big cities because they can interfere with pavements and fences or people feel worried about safety. But if we continue to cut down our big trees, then we will lose enormous benefits to people and biodiversity.

A complaint was made that the tree had damaged a fence. Source: Supplied

Report questions whether damage caused by tree

Council documents indicate the decision to remove the tree at a cost of $15,000 centres around insurance concerns.

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If it proceeds with a claim to fix damage to a nearby property through its insurer, it wont be covered for any future damage it causes. Councillors, who requested they not be named, told Yahoo this would create a liability for ratepayers, so they had no option but to vote for its removal.

Councillors have accepted the tree is responsible for the damage to a neighbouring property. But residents have since commissioned an independent report, which reached the opposite conclusion. At the AGM they will be urging council not to proceed with the insurance claim as this would mean it would continue to be covered for any future damage it may cause.

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New Delhi: India has strongly denied allegations from Pakistans foreign office that it had a hand in the Jaffar Express attack.



Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the claims, stating, "We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others."

On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan alleged that the rebels involved in the Jaffar Express attack were in contact with ringleaders in Afghanistan.

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"India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on Jaffar Express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ringleaders in Afghanistan," Khan said during his weekly press briefing, according to ANI.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been high due to frequent border clashes and Islamabads claims that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been using Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan  an allegation Kabul denies.

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)- the largest of Balochistan's armed ethnic groups- claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack on the Jaffar Express, during which they blew up train tracks and held passengers hostage in a remote mountain pass.

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Pakistans military said it had killed 33 attackers and that the siege had ended. 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed in the standoff, they said. However, the BLA refuted the claim, saying in a Thursday statement that it still held hostages and that the battle with security forces was ongoing. The group claimed that 50 hostages had been executed.

The BLA has been fighting a decades-long insurgency for independence in the mineral-rich province, which is home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta on Thursday for a briefing on the security situation.

"No such incident has ever happened in the history of Pakistan," Sharif told a meeting of parliamentarians and military officers in the city.

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The BLA claimed that the people Pakistan "claimed" to have rescued were actually released by the group itself. "Now that the state has abandoned its hostages to die, it will also bear responsibility for their deaths," BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump plans to impose strict restrictions on entry for citizens from certain countries due to safety concerns. Pakistan and Afghanistan are reportedly included in the list of countries that might face a travel ban. In 2017, Trump imposed a ban on seven Islamic countries. The Supreme Court upheld this decision in 2018. However, in 2021, the Biden administration revoked this order, calling it a taint on our political conscience. 

Donald Trump, who took office on January 20 this year, has made security checks stricter for foreigners who wish to travel to the US. Meanwhile, in a convention held in October 2023, Trump declared the imposition of travel bans or restrictions on people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen as their entry could jeopardize the country's security.

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Trumps decision to impose the ban will likely affect the prospects of students from various countries. Reuters reported that citizens from the countries on the red list would be banned from entering the United States of America. Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen, Syria, Iran, Libya, Cuba, and North Korea are on the red list. Pakistan and Afghanistan are also likely to be included in this list.

Citizens from the countries on the red list would be subject to a complete travel ban. Meanwhile, citizens from the countries on the orange list would have to undergo stricter security checks at the airport before being allowed entry. Students from these countries would be severely affected by the travel restrictions.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On March 10, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi wrote on X that the agreement signed between himself and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa represents a "real opportunity to build a new Syria".

The historic deal will ultimately see the integration of SDF-controlled armed forces into Syrian state institutions by the end of the year. The agreement is vague and does not detail how the SDF forces will be merged into what is to become a new Syrian national army.

In previous negotiations with Damascus, Abdi had wanted the SDF to join the defense ministry as a bloc retaining some authority, but the Sharaa government rejected this. Damascus envisions a unified armed force under a single central command in Damascus.

The SDF, under the command of General Abdi, is primarily comprised of Kurdish soldiers backed by America. Their political wing is an autonomous socialist government established for the past decade in northeast Syria.

The video broadcast of the signing by Abdi and Sharaa, and the accompanying handshake, came at the same time global and regional media were broadcasting the sectarian massacres along the Syrian coast carried out by rogue elements of the Syrian security forces.

Sharaa had to deal with a serious threat to his administration and his efforts to unite the country following 14 years of civil war. The US and its Western allies had been wary of Sharaa's past allegiance to Al Qaeda and ISIS. Despite his declarations of moderation, parts of his security forces were known terrorists, including some of those who carried out the recent massacres on the coast against minorities.

Damascus has blamed armed remnants of the former Assad regime for instigating an insurgency that was followed by reprisals that killed about 1,000, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR).

The US military partnered with the SDF to eliminate ISIS. Trump had ordered the withdrawal of the 900 US troops in Syria in 2017, but the order was later rescinded. Now that Trump is back in office, and has a stated goal to end all US involvement in foreign wars, he will likely order the withdrawal.

This eventuality has led the SDF to make a deal with Damascus, because soon they may lose their US backing, which has provided cash, weapons, and supplies to the SDF for a decade. The US troops have been protecting the Kurds from Turkish attacks, while the Kurds administer prisons housing ISIS fighters and their families. When the US leaves Syria, the Kurds would be in a vulnerable position and Turkey could take the opportunity to attack them.

Sharaa knows that Syria cannot recover or start to rebuild until the US sanctions are lifted. He has to demonstrate an ability to unify the Syrian people who are a mosaic of ethnicities and religions. Bringing in the Kurds and recovering a huge swath of northeastern territory will be seen as an accomplishment by Washington.

Turkey had been a close US ally and fellow NATO member. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan felt betrayed by the US after they partnered with the SDF in the fight against ISIS. This endorsement emboldened the Kurds and their dreams of a homeland, "Rojava". The SDF's armed wing, the YPG, is linked to the PKK who have killed 30,000 people over three decades of terrorism targeting Turkey.

Turkish media, Aksam, covered the YPG's decision to lay down their arms. Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the PKK, recently called for the laying down of arms. At first, Abdi claimed the order did not affect the SDF and YPG because they were fighting the remnants of ISIS in Syria.

However, after a meeting between Abdi and the US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla, the YPG announced the surprise move to lay down arms.

Across the Turkish media, the agreement between Abdi and Sharaa was seen as a significant shift in Syria' s political and security landscape, and diminishing the PKK/YPG's threat to the region.

The deal signed between Sharaa and Abdi calls for SDF-controlled border crossings, an airport, and oil and gas fields in eastern Syria to become part of the Damascus administration.

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TARIFFS , TERRITORIAL AMBITIONS & OTHER TRUMP THREATS by Hugh J. Curran, published in "Countercurrents" & "Informed Comment"

Among tariffs, territorial ambitions and other threats to America's well-being by Pres. Trump, one of the more severe threats may be his willful ignorance concerning climate change. Michael Mann, one of America's most highly regarded climatologists, noted that the Trump administration has given polluters and fossil fuel promoters "the keys to the [fossil fuel] car to drive it over a cliff".

But there are other pressing problems in Trump's first 100 days in office, "tariffs" being one that is receiving a good deal of attention. In 1890 President William McKinley set in motion policies involving high tariffs and initiated the Tariff Act, which had its lowest rate set at 38%. The purpose was to protect American manufacturing, but the result was that farmers paid more for their imported farm machinery and received less for their agricultural products on international markets, thus worsening their financial hardship.

President Trump is replicating another McKinley policy when he expanded America's land acquisitions by initiating the Spanish-American War. The historian, Alfred McCoy, who has written on America's invasion of the Philippines, despite the vociferous efforts of the Anti-Imperialist League, led by Mark Twain and William James.

McCoy quoted a passage from The Second Coming, a poem by the Irish poet, WB Yeats: -- what rough beast, its hour come round at last/ slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? This quote was meant to illustrate the failure of past imperialisms and the foreboding sense of future territorial conflicts that may take place in the Panama Canal. In the 19th century the Panama Canal was a French project that suffered two failures but in 1904 Theodore Roosevelt persuaded Congress to purchase the rights so as to complete the Canal.

But it was not for these reasons that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Roosevelt; rather it was for his efforts in bringing together representatives from the Russo-Japanese War in Portsmouth, NH, in 1905 in order to negotiate a peace treaty. Perhaps there is an opportunity for President Trump to gain the same prize if he can broker an equitable and fair settlement between Russia and Ukraine.

Following WWII and the formation of the United Nations, the U.S. made a collective decision to forego any further territorial ambitions and devote its energies to commerce and capital rather than conquest. A "new world order" was defined by the U.N. Charter of 1945, which guaranteed all nations the right to independence and free trade without tariffs.

We are presently facing an attempt to resurrect McKinley's ghost by appropriating foreign territories, imposing tariffs on allies, while trying to make "deals" on an international scale. A Trump advisor revealed that acquiring Greenland is of strategic importance in order to control the Arctic shipping lanes, the result of climate change melting the Arctic sea ice at five times the global average. One would think that the rapid melting of Arctic ice would make Trump more aware of climate issues, but the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords indicates that he is unwilling to link ice melting with climate change.

In another, far more intense, conflict zone, Ukraine, Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy means that he is willing to go "full steam ahead" to gain "peace" but only if considerable mineral rights are acquired, even if large swathes of Ukrainian land might have to be ceded to Russia. This kind of devil's bargain will be hard for the Ukrainian people to swallow, especially after sacrificing tens of thousands of young men to the conflict with Russia.

Gaza too, is another area of considerable conflict. It has suffered enormously from bombs supplied by America that have obliterated its school, residences, hospitals and universities and caused 50,000 deaths. Trump believes it is acceptable to transfer 2 million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, appearing to view land in terms of real estate rather than as a homeland for Palestinians. In this way, he betrays an inability to understand the profound relationship that Palestinians have with their ancestral land. His lack of sympathy for a Palestinian State is contrary to the support given by 146 out of 193 member states of the U.N., including Ireland and Norway. Trump's solution for Gaza's 2.2 million residents is to build six "safe communities" outside Gaza while America would build a "Riviera of the Middle East". Despite the desperate circumstances most Gazan residents are suffering, they show no inclination to accept this proposal. After all, many of them are descended from the 750,000 Palestinians who had been compelled to leave their homes in 1948, after which Israel proceeded to expropriate 5 million acres.

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Abuja, Nigeria - March 13th, 2025 - The Federal Government of Nigeria strongly refutes recent allegations made by Binance executive Tigran Gambarya, calling them inaccurate and misleading. Nigerian officials are committed to defending the country's legal system and business reputation. The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong response to recent allegations made by Tigran Gambarya, a senior executive at Binance, regarding his legal matters in the country. Nigerian officials 
[London] - In today's digital landscape, secure and seamless transactions have become the cornerstone of both business operations and personal financial management. As cyber threats and online fraud continue to rise, choosing the right payment service provider is more critical than ever. Enter SB7 Mobile Ltd, a trusted name in the industry that ensures security, reliability, and convenience for all digital transactions. Why SB7 Mobile is the Future of Secure Payments SB7 
Sam Jones has fled Australia following the uproar, according to government sources.

The US tourist who took a baby wombat from its mother has left Australia, government sources have confirmed. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke celebrated her departure on Friday. "There has never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia," he quipped.

Sam Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, drew widespread condemnation after she filmed herself running to a car with the struggling animal in her hands, and uploaded the video to her 92,000 Instagram followers.

The video sparked international outrage, and calls for her to leave the country. More than 33,000 people signed a Change.org petition saying she should be banned from Australia.

Prime Minister weighs in on baby wombat incident

Yesterday, Yahoo News reported that Home Affairs was working through the conditions of her visa. Unimpressed by her conduct, Minister Burke said I cant wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I dont expect she will return.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on Thursday, calling wombats gentle, lovely creatures.

To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother is just an outrage. And, you know, I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there, he said.

Outrage rapidly spreads around globe after baby wombat snatched

The controversial clip showed Jones running across a deserted Australian road clutching a baby wombat. Behind the camera, an Australian man can be heard giggling as he says, "Just caught a baby wombat".

He continues to laugh as the mother wombat chases after her baby. After posing with the struggling, hissing baby for several seconds, Jones then releases it.

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Mother wombats usually abandon their babies if they're separated for a prolonged period. Looking at the video, it's unclear whether the pair were reunited, however Jones later issued a statement claiming they were.

Initially it was wildlife experts who sounded the alarm about the baby wombat's treatment. "I was probably the angriest Ive ever been, its very distressing, wombat rescuer Yolandi Vermaak told Yahoo.

Fury quickly spread around Australia, then around the globe, and without uttering another word about the incident, Jones quietly slipped out of the country. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

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The Chief of Staff Association, in collaboration with Deloitte, is launching the Chief of Staff Academies (TM) - Financial Services, a specialised programme designed for chiefs of staff and senior strategic advisors across the sector. Taking place May 6-8, 2025, at Deloitte in Milan, Italy, this Academy will bring together a select group of chiefs of staff, industry experts, and financial leaders to explore key trends, the future of global finance, 
The third edition of the "Fiestravaganza International Music Academy" (FIMA) will be held in Berlin from 23nd to 31st of July 2025, in collaboration with the University of the Arts Berlin. As the first major piano summer academy in the German capital, FIMA offers young talents a variety of opportunities otherwise hard to obtain in one's early career. Participants will gain recognition through solo performances and even get to perform with 
A Tesla Cybertruck took an accidental swim in Los Angeles Ventura Harbor on Monday, prompting a multi-agency response to carefully retrieve the electric vehicle from the water without sparking a toxic battery fire.

Tesla founder Elon Musk tweeted in 2022 that the Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes & even seas that arent too choppy. This truck, however, quickly sank in 8 feet of water, said Carson Shevitz, captain of TowBoatUS Ventura, who helped coordinate the rescue.

Ventura Port District Harbor Patrol officers spotted the truck bobbing by the boat launch ramp shortly before 11 a.m., Shevitz said.

The driver told Shevitz that he meant to put the vehicle in drive after launching a Jet Ski but accidentally threw it in reverse, causing it to slide down the ramp and into the water.

Shevitz dived into the water himself and attached the front of the submerged vehicle to a tow truck that hauled it ashore. He said he worked with Tesla and fire officials to plan the mission carefully because of the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries.

When I first heard that its a Cybertruck, I immediately thought of the batteries, he said. It wasnt an oh cool, it was an oh great, because theres a lot of unknown things we have to figure out.

Fortunately, the trucks electronics did not appear to be severely damaged by the dip. Shevitzs team did not spot any bubbling or hissing  signs that Teslas engineers warned could indicate the batteries were releasing gas.

Damaged lithium-ion batteries are at high risk of catching fire and releasing toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride and carbon monoxide. Exposure to salt water can also lead to battery failure and potentially start a fire.

Once these batteries ignite, they cannot be put out using water and must be left in a secure area to gradually release gas.

Tesla advised that the best thing to do was to set up a perimeter of about 45 feet of defensible space around the vehicle once we pulled it out, Shevitz said. They sent out a couple field engineers who were able to confirm that the truck was in a safe enough condition to be transported back to their service center.

The entire mission took less than two hours and attracted a large response from regional agencies, including the Ventura City Fire Department, Ventura Harbor Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Shevitz said.

Its a rare thing to see, so Im guessing everyone just wanted to see what was going on, he said.

Shevitz said TowBoatUS Ventura frequently responds to calls to rescue damaged boats and, on rare occasions, vehicles.

This was the third submerged vehicle his team had helped retrieve in the last 12 months  and definitely the first Cybertruck.

_____

2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Garrett Repp was found guilty of more than 50 counts in October 2024. On Friday, he was sentenced to prison. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

Garrett Repp was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison for setting a devastating fire at The May Apartments building in Portlands Goose Hollow neighborhood in 2023.

A jury had convicted Repp last October on 55 of 56 counts, chiefly of first-degree arson and reckless endangerment.

Repp looked straight ahead or down for most of the sentencing hearing Friday, only turning his head a handful of times to look at his attorney. When Judge Celia A. Howes asked if hed like to say anything, he was barely audible as he responded to a former May Apartments resident who had earlier said that hed acted with diabolical glee in burning down the building.

I feel like Ive lost the most out of everybody, he said. The things that people have said about me arent true. Im not dangerous. Im not diabolical, or selfish, or cowardly.

Fire damage at the May Apartments at Southwest 14th Avenue and Taylor Street in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. A four-alarm fire ripped through the 1912 apartment building a week earlier. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Howes stated that a mitigating factor in the sentence was that Repp was experiencing acute symptoms of his schizophrenia at the time of the incident in this case and that his criminal conduct, his behavior, was born of or was a product of his schizophrenia.

Repp was evaluated after his arrest and found to be experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia.

Prosecutors had sought a 30-year sentence.

During the hearing, some former residents of the apartment building spoke about how the fire upended their lives.

He took away my sense of peace and safety, and I have been unable to feel safe or at home in any environment that Ive moved to, said Sentierra Forbes, who appeared by video call. I hope whatever punishment hes given, hes able to think long and hard about what he did to me and the others.

Valerie King, who co-owned The May Apartments with her husband, told reporters she was disappointed in the sentence, insisting that Repp did not express remorse.

I am a retired doctor, and I do get compassion, and love and caring for individuals, she said. But I find it very, very difficult. That if a person cannot admit to what they did to harm others that 16 years may not suffice for punishment.

The fire at The May Apartments on Southwest Taylor Street on May 16, 2023, displaced the residents of all 42 units and killed multiple pets.

The building, built in 1910, was declared a total loss and torn down.

Repp, now 32, started the blaze as he faced eviction for failure to pay rent. He used a lighter and butane to set fire to his apartment. When other residents became aware of the growing conflagration, they had to scramble to escape, rushing down smoke-enshrouded stairwells, dangling from fire escapes.

All of the tenants inside the building survived.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze and helped rescue residents.

Repp had unnerved other people at the building for months before the fire. He pulled the fire alarm, time and again, for no reason. He allegedly busted through a wall of his apartment and tunneled into the unit next door.

Residents reported that he had once run through the hallways wielding a sword.

Hed been terrorizing us for months, Gabriella Kielhorn, who lived in the unit directly above Repps, told The Oregonian/OregonLive shortly after the fire. Nobody listened.

 Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
A Multnomah County jury on Thursday found a Portland man guilty of first-degree manslaughter for running over a pedestrian with his truck in June 2022.

Prosecutors say Frederick Moore, 43, drove a GMC truck to a Southeast Portland parking lot and targeted 42-year-old Vincent Timothy. As Timothy walked across a sidewalk at the entrance to Eastport Plaza, Moore barreled into him with his truck and dragged him underneath across Southeast 82nd Avenue.

Moore then made a U-turn on the opposite side of the street and turned left back onto 82nd, driving over a sidewalk and attempting to hit a witness on a bicycle who was yelling at Moore that he had killed someone. A manager of a nearby food cart pod then followed Moore to Lents Park. Prosecutors said the manager shared the license plate of Moores truck with a 911 dispatcher.

Moore, who was convicted of murder as a teenager in Washington over two decades ago, served a 17-year sentence and had been released in 2018.

After Portland police detectives learned the suspect vehicle was registered to Moores wife, they executed a search warrant to seize the truck and found damage that matched evidence left at the scene, the Multnomah County District Attorneys office wrote in a news release.

Moore was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter, two counts of failure to perform duties of a driver and attempted murder.

In a statement, Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli, who prosecuted the case, described Moores actions as incredibly violent.

Hitting someone with your truck then aiming for a witness who shouted at you is shocking, she said.

Kyle-Castelli said prosecutors do not know why this happened, and Timothys family is left with many questions. She made a reference to Moores previous murder conviction in Washington in 1998. During a stick-up, he and three other teenagers killed Anthony Genzale in South Everett, Washington, The Seattle Times reported.

This is incredibly tragic, Kyle-Castelli said. The deceased victims family is kind. The victim that survived was dedicated to seeing justice for the deceased man he did not know. I hope these convictions give them some level of closure.

Moore remains in Multnomah Countys downtown jail and is scheduled to be sentenced April 25. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.

 Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake
A Linn County jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts for an Albany man standing trial for the attempted murder of his ex-wife.

The jury, which came back on Wednesday afternoon, was unanimous in finding Michael Keith Iverson, 60, guilty on felony charges of second-degree attempted murder and domestic violence strangulation, and a misdemeanor charge for interfering with making a report to law enforcement.

During the two-day trial, Iversons defense attorney argued that Iverson did not intend to murder his ex-wife when an argument escalated into his choking her on their front porch in April.

The prosecution countered, pointing to his mid-attack threats to kill her, which made his intent clear.

The victim had told officers she experienced many domestic violence incidents during their marriage and finally divorced Iverson, but he refused to move out. The two stayed in separate areas of the house, and she was intending to evict him, according to an Albany Police Department affidavit.

She said she was lying on a living room couch when Iverson came in angry, and an argument over his wanting her to make him a dental appointment ensued. She felt no obligation to do so.

Trying to escape the hostility, the woman eventually ran out to the front porch, but Iverson followed and grabbed her by the neck, squeezing until she began losing consciousness. He reportedly threatened multiple times that he wanted to kill her.

The couples adult son intervened, physically separating them. She said she would have died if not for their sons quick actions to separate her and her ex, adding she recently suffered a stroke, and another stroke would likely prove fatal.

While she was trying to call 911, Iverson threw bottles of water at her, knocking her cellphone from her hand and hitting her in the leg, leaving a mark on her left thigh.

(She) told me that Michael is very angry at her because he was not awarded anything in the divorce, and he had wasted $50,000 he had saved up, Officer Nathan Ard wrote in the affidavit. She said Michael wants her to give him a large sum of money, and she is refusing.

Four Albany officers, accompanied by a K-9, arrested Iverson at home, according to the affidavit, but not before he locked himself in a bedroom and cursed at police. Eventually he was taken into custody.

Iverson is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rachel Kittson-MaQatish on March 27. He has been held at the Linn County Jail on $250,000 bail since April.

 2025 Corvallis Gazette-Times, Ore.. Visit www.gazettetimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
HARTFORD, Conn.  A 32-year-old emaciated man, weighing just 68 pounds at 5-foot-9, was allegedly held captive by his stepmother in a Waterbury residence in conditions described by police as worse than a jail cell since he was pulled out of school 20 years ago after school officials allegedly began raising red flags to the Department of Children and Families.

The man was allegedly kept isolated and locked in an 8-foot by 9-foot storage room without any heat or air conditioning and no connection to the outside world aside from a radio he used to keep track of time, according to the arrest warrant affidavit charging 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The man told investigators that he would be let out anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours nearly every single day of his life once he was yanked from school and endured some days when he would be locked up for 24 hours with only two sandwiches and two small cups or bottles of water, the warrant affidavit said.

He also told investigators that he was discouraged from trying to break free from captivity through fear tactics that included the constant threat of longer lockdowns and less food, according to the warrant affidavit. The horrific conditions the man was allegedly kept in were discovered on Feb. 17, when he spontaneously decided to use a lighter he found in an old coat as well as hand sanitizer and paper to start a fire that brought firefighters, police and medics to the residence, the warrant affidavit said.

I wanted my freedom, the man told investigators.

In 33 years of law enforcement this is the worst treatment of humanity Ive ever witnessed, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo said at a news conference on Thursday as officials discussed the investigation.

It was worse than the conditions of a jail cell, Spagnolo said of the locked room, made smaller by angled ceilings, where the victim was reportedly kept.

According to Spagnolo, Waterbury police could only find two documented incidents when police were called to the home, which occurred in April 2005. During the first incident, police conducted a welfare check on the alleged victim. According to the warrant affidavit, DCF had been contacted by staff at the victims school. Spagnolo said officials found the boy in the home and did not notice any issues.

During the second incident, a little more than two weeks later, Spagnolo said police received a complaint from the family, who alleged that school officials were harassing them and reporting them to DCF. No police action was taken, as the harassment allegations were not substantiated, according to Spagnolo.

Tom Pannone, the former principal of an elementary school in Waterbury that has since closed, told NBC Connecticut that school officials raised several concerns about the boy and contacted DCF numerous times. He alleged that school staff would see him eating out of the trash and stealing food, noticing that he was constantly hungry.

We knew it. We reported it. Not a damn thing was done, Pannone said, alleging that they contacted DCF at least 20 times.

Pannone said he never saw the victim again after the fourth grade and that he heard from one person that the child was transferred to another school district and from another that the boy was being homeschooled.

The alleged victim told investigators he was pulled from school at 11 years old after being told to lie to DCF and say everything was fine, the warrant affidavit said.

DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said in a statement Thursday that investigators with the agency have looked extensively at our current and historical databases and, to date, have been unable to locate any records pertaining to this family nor any records connected to the names of others who have indicated they made reports to our department.

In accordance with state regulation, it should also be noted that reports of neglect and abuse that have been investigated and not substantiated are expunged five years after completion of the investigation provided there are no other substantiated reports, Hill-Lilly said. We will continue our search and ask anyone with additional information to contact the Waterbury Police Department.

Hill-Lilly went on to say the agency was shocked and saddened for the victim and at the unspeakable conditions he endured.

The now-adult victim has shown incredible strength and resilience during this time of healing and our hearts go out to him, she said. These horrors serve as a reminder that it takes the diligent efforts of all members of the community  family, friends, neighbors, and professionals  to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Sullivans attorney, Jason Spilka, told the Courant his client maintains her innocence and that her lawyers intend to launch an aggressive defense against the allegations. Spilka said he could not address or answer questions about specific allegations, as he still needs to review much of the evidence and has only reviewed the warrant drafted by police so far.

According to the warrant affidavit, the alleged victim told authorities that he stomped for help after lighting the fire and told Sullivan that it started when his radio malfunctioned. He told police she allegedly made him get up and go wash his face after he collapsed to the floor, as she did not want firefighters to see his appearance, the warrant affidavit said. He also alleged that he heard her yell out to get a screwdriver to take the locks off the outside of his door, according to the warrant affidavit.

The man told authorities he collapsed again and purposely remained put so that fire crews would have to help him out of the home, the warrant affidavit said. He was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to a medical facility, where he received treatment for his emaciated condition.

Sullivan at the scene allegedly told officials the man has a lot of problems but was not diagnosed with anything, the warrant affidavit said. She denied that he was ever locked in his room and said he had free rein of the house, according to the warrant affidavit. Crews at the scene found a slide lock and latch on the door to the room where the man said he was kept.

Spagnolo said Sullivan refused to talk to investigators when they wanted to conduct a follow-up interview to discuss the allegations.

Police conducted two interviews with the alleged victim at the hospital where he described a life of captivity, abuse and starvation, investigators wrote in the warrant. His earliest memories go back to when his family lived at another residence where he said he would have to sneak out to get food at night. When the wrappers from the food were discovered, he alleged that he began being locked in his bedroom. He also alleged that he had to drink from a toilet because he was only given two cups or bottles of water a day.

Once the family moved, the man told police, he remembered being hungry all the time, leading to him eating food from the garbage at school, the warrant affidavit said. He said he was pulled from school in 2005 when DCF visited his home twice after school officials raised concerns, according to the warrant affidavit. After that, he said he essentially had to educate himself with a dictionary and some books and was never taught anything.

After initially being kept in a bedroom, the man claimed that at some point in his childhood, he was moved to a storage room where his captivity allegedly became brutally consistent, the warrant affidavit said. He said he would normally wake up between 3-4:30 a.m., as he did not sleep well, and would only allegedly be let out of his room around 8 a.m. to complete his chores, according to the warrant affidavit. He alleged that his tasks would take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours and that he would be locked back in his room once he was done.

The man claimed that the routine occurred nearly every day but that there were times when he would be locked up for 24 hours straight, according to the warrant affidavit. Another person in the home would sometimes allow him to watch TV or do work in the yard, but that was allegedly only when Sullivan was not home, the warrant affidavit said.

According to Spagnolo, the mans father died in January 2024 and had been confined to a wheelchair. His biological mother has not been involved in his life since he was about 2 years old, Spagnolo said. Two other people who had been in and out of the home moved out some time ago, he said.

When asked why he never confided in anyone, the man told police he was mentally conditioned by Sullivan, who allegedly threatened that he would not see the light of day if he told anyone, according to the warrant affidavit. He said he also was not allowed to have any friends and faced the constant threat of longer periods of being locked up and less food. He also told police he discovered a gun one day while cleaning, which made him even more fearful.

Its just unfathomable that someone could treat someone this way, Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said at Thursdays news conference, adding that the alleged victim was reportedly kept a secret through tactics that included instilling fear and intimidation.

The man told authorities he was allegedly forced to urinate in bottles and defecate on newspapers, which he would then wrap up and throw away when he was allowed to come out to do his chores, the warrant affidavit said. To drain the bottles, he said he put together a series of straws that he ran out a hole in the storm window of his room, which did not open, the warrant affidavit said.

The man told police at the hospital that he had not bathed for a year or two, according to the warrant affidavit. He alleged that he would save some of the little water he was given each day until there was enough to try to clean himself.

Police noted in the warrant that the mans hair was long, thick and matted.

The man said he had not been to a doctor in quite a long time and that he was not allowed to see a dentist, the warrant affidavit said. Police found that he had severe tooth decay, which he said led to his teeth breaking at times when he ate.

At the hospital, medical staff diagnosed the man as cachectic  which is also referred to as wasting syndrome  and was described as someone who had significant weight loss and deteriorated muscle mass, the warrant affidavit said. His body mass index was found to be 11. Medical staff told police any index under 16 is considered starvation and anything under 13 is life-threatening.

He was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to the warrant affidavit. The victim was also found to be developmentally delayed with an adolescent cognitive level, the warrant affidavit said. He was not able to use something as simple as a microwave and had difficulties problem-solving, multitasking and sequencing, according to the warrant affidavit.

Sullivan was taken into police custody on Wednesday, a day after police obtained an arrest warrant for her. During an arraignment in Waterbury Superior Court later in the day, a judge ordered that she could only post her $300,000 bond at the courthouse.

Spilka said Sullivan appeared in court again on Thursday where a judge set the conditions of her release before she posted bail. These included intensive pretrial supervision, he said. The case has been continued to March 26.

Sullivan has not entered a plea.

Spagnolo said Thursday that the investigation remains ongoing, though at this point authorities are not looking to bring charges against anyone else. He said two lead detectives started a collection to get the victim clothing, books and other items but that he still has a long road ahead of physical therapy and likely counseling.

_____

2025 Hartford Courant. Visit courant.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil appears in this file photo on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on April 29, 2024. A protest in support of Khalil is planned for Portland on Thursday.(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file) AP

Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil and seven of his fellow students sued the school and Congress on Thursday for handing over thousands of disciplinary records to the federal government as President Donald Trump threatens to crack down on student protesters.

Khalil, 30, a green card holder, was arrested Saturday night by federal immigration agents as he returned home to his Columbia-owned apartment with his wife, a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant. Khalil was an international affairs graduate student and a lead negotiator during pro-Palestinian campus protests.

On Thursday, a protest billed as an emergency rally to defend Khalil will take place on the South Park Blocks that run through the Portland State University campus.

Like Columbia, Portland State has drawn the attention of the Trump administration, which launched an investigation of alleged antisemitism at the university following a pro-Palestinian protest that occupied the main campus library last spring. The Trump administration is investigating 59 other colleges and universities, including Columbia.

Also Thursday, demonstrators from a Jewish group filled the lobby of Trump Tower to denounce Khalils immigration arrest.

The demonstrators from Jewish Voice for Peace wore red shirts reading Jews say stop arming Israel and held up banners as they chanted Bring Mahmoud home now! on the lower level of the Fifth Avenue buildings public atrium.

After warning the protesters to leave, police said they arrested 98 people who stayed on various charges, including trespassing, obstruction and resisting arrest.

 Tribune Content Agency, The Associated Press and The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.
The University of Oregon sign along E 13th Ave. on campus in Eugene, Oregon. The university is one of about 50 that finds itself under investigation by the Trump investigation amid a crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

The University of Oregon is one of about 50 universities under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged racial discrimination, the U.S. Department of Education said Friday.

Colleges and universities nationwide have been under increasing scrutiny during President Donald Trumps second term amid his clampdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs that he claims put white and Asian American students at a disadvantage.

Last month, the Education Department told higher education leaders, via a Dear Colleague letter, that they risked losing federal funding if evidence was found of race-based preferences in admissions or in any campus program.

The memo seeks to expand a 2023 Supreme Court decision that bars colleges from using race as a factor in admissions and is facing a legal challenge led by the countrys two biggest teachers unions, who say that it is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.

The Eugene school district, which is in the University of Oregons backyard, has joined that lawsuit, and was the first public school district in the nation to do so.

The latest investigation targets universities that, like the University of Oregon, have partnered with a nonprofit called the PhD Project, which helps students from underrepresented groups get doctoral degrees with the goal of diversifying the business world.

The Eugene-based university is the only Oregon institution listed as a partner on the organizations website.

Federal education officials said that the PhD Project limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes, said Linda McMahon, the U.S. secretary of education.

Angela Seydel, a spokesperson for the University of Oregon, said via email that the school is taking the complaint seriously. We have recently reviewed all of our practices and believe that the University of Oregon is in compliance with the law. We have continued to review policies and practices in light of the Administrations Executive Orders and look forward to working with the Office for Civil Rights to resolve this complaint.

Like many universities, the University of Oregon depends upon federal funding to support the bulk of its researchers. The school says it was awarded $177 million in grants, contracts and other competitive awards in fiscal year 2024. Ninety-one percent of that was from the federal government.

Portland State University is also under investigation by the Trump administration, for its alleged failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination.

 Julia Silverman covers education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Columbia River Treaty, a transboundary agreement that has governed flood risk management and hydropower production for more than six decades between the U.S. and Canada, appears to be under fire from the Trump administration. AP Photo/Nicholas K. Geranios, File

The U.S. has paused negotiations with Canada on a keystone management plan that governs flood control, water supply and hydropower in the shared Columbia River Basin as President Donald Trump escalates his trade war and threats to Canadas sovereignty.

British Columbias energy ministry said in a news release this week that Trump administration officials notified them they would pause and review their engagement with Canada on final updates to the 61-year-old Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. Department of State did not respond to questions from the Capital Chronicle by Thursday evening.

Under the terms of the treaty, Canada controls the flow of the Northwests largest river from its headwaters in British Columbia, ensuring enough water is sent downstream to meet U.S. hydropower needs.

Canada also provides water storage that helps prevent flooding, supports irrigation and protects fish habitat. In exchange, Canada is entitled to some of the hydropower generated by the Bonneville Power Administrations 31 Columbia River Basin dams.

The Bonneville Power Administration, in charge of marketing the hydroelectricity produced by the U.S. dams, directed Capital Chronicle questions about the pause to the U.S. State Department.

The Columbia River Basin and the dams within it generate 40% of the United States hydropower, irrigate $8 billion in crops and carry 42 million tons of commercial cargo every year.

Barbara Cosens, a professor emerita at the University of Idaho College of Law and an expert on water law, said a breakdown of the treaty will be harder on the U.S. than Canada.

If the two parties really get in a tit-for-tat over this river, Canada is the winner, Cosens said. Theres a saying in water law that says: Its better to be upstream with a shovel than downstream with a right, because you can just stop that water.

MODERNIZATION ON PAUSE

The Columbia River Treaty, first ratified in 1964,was set to expire late last year. In July 2024, Biden administration officials and Canadian officials reached a tentative agreement, under which Canada would receive less hydropower from the U.S., but would get more flexibility when it comes to water storage. Canada would also receive over $37 million in direct payments from the U.S. under that agreement.

But Biden officials could not get the tentative agreement finalized and in front of the U.S. Senate for a vote before Trump took office. Instead, a series of interim agreements have extended for several years, certain provisions of the 2024 treaty updates.

Those interim agreements are non-negotiable, according to John Wagner, an environmental policy professor at the University of British Columbia and an expert on the Columbia River Treaty.

Trump cannot just pause these because they were approved by an exchange of notes between Canada and U.S. governments before Trump took office, Wagner said in an email.

But if Trump and administration officials decide not to resume negotiations on a final agreement, Wagner said, (it) will be dead in the water.

Among updates to the Columbia River Treaty being negotiated were more engagement on decision making with tribal governments and more investment in fish habitat and recovering threatened salmon populations in the basin.

Joseph Bogaard, executive director at the Washington-based nonprofit Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, said the updates werent perfect, but worsening relations between Canada and the U.S. over the basin will hurt people and fish.

If were not working together, were not collaborating, were not finding ways forward together, its going to lead to bad outcomes for both countries. And certainly salmon are going to be increasingly a casualty, and the health of the river will be a casualty of those broken down negotiations and broken down relationships if that occurs, Bogaard said.

If the U.S. misses deadlines for negotiating a final agreement, the earlier 61-year-old treaty would be reinstated, with no resolution to the issues the updates were meant to solve. If either nation decides to terminate the treaty, it will set off a 10-year process of dissolving the nations co-management infrastructure.

Another way of putting it is: our two nations, which share a long border together and share the Columbia Basin watershed, are going to best be served in the near term and over the long term by healthy, collaborative, constructive, reciprocal relationships, Bogaard said, And that tradition, it seems, is sort of in peril at the moment.

CORRECTION: This story was updated to correct the spelling of professor Barbara Cosens' name.

-- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
Coyotes such as this one in Beaverton should be reported if they show aggressive behavior. Oregon Department of Fish and Wi

A coyote bit a childs hand after it aggressively approached students at a bus stop in Washington, officials said.

Wildlife officers responded to the latest incident at 7:50 p.m. March 11 in Bellevue, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a news release.

The child was bit on the hand by the wild animal and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

Officers said they found two coyotes at the scene and killed one. The second animal ran off, so they are increasing patrols in the area.

There were four previous incidents reported regarding a coyote in the area, officials said.

* March 6: A woman was sitting on her back patio at about 5:15 a.m. in the Norwood Village neighborhood when a coyote bit her leg, officials said. She ran into her home and later went to a hospital.

* March 7: A coyote went into a mans garage at about 3 p.m. in the Factoria neighborhood and bit him on the leg. He also went to a hospital for his injuries.

* March 7: A student left her backpack on a sidewalk as she waited to be picked up near Tyee Middle School, officials said. A coyote snatched the backpack and ran into a bush.

* March 11: A coyote approached students at a bus stop and tried to bite them, ripped their clothes and tried to take a backpack, officials said. The students were able to get on the bus after nearby adults intervened.

Bellevue is about a 10-mile drive east from Seattle.

Heres how experts say you can avoid conflicts with coyotes:

*Dont feed coyotes: Feeding a coyote in a residential neighborhood can cause the animal to lose its fear of people.

*Dont let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, dont let pets out without a leash.

*Dont run from a coyote: Instead, you should shout, wave your arms or throw something in its direction.

*Dont haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.

*Report aggressive coyotes: If the coyote doesnt show fear toward humans, let wildlife officials know.

 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A California company is recalling its Wangzhihe brand hot pot sauce because it may contain undeclared peanut, soy, sesame and wheat, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The hot pot sauce from Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. was distributed to retail stores including Hawaii Supermarket, Great Wall Supermarket and 99 Ranch Market, which has a location in Beaverton.

It is sold in 5.64 ounce plastic containers in both regular and spicy flavors.

The affected products have lot numbers 2023/12/20, 2024/1/31, 2024/4/15 and 2024/10/18 printed on the back of the packages. The UPC numbers 6907592001375 and 6907592001382 are located on the front.

People with allergies or severe sensitivities to peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the recalled hot pot sauce.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.

Consumers who purchased the recalled Wangzhihe hot pot sauce are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact the company at 626-285-2887 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

This story was drafted with the assistance of generative AI based on data from U.S. Food and Drug Administration and reviewed by Oregonian editorial staff.
Dane Paulsen, left, went missing on March 1 and was found in the Siletz River on March 11. At right is his family in December 2022 in front of the family business, the Chowder Bowl, a day before Dane was born. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Courtesy of Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center

Two days after a volunteer diver recovered the body of Dane Paulsen from Oregons Siletz River, officials confirmed the 2-year-old died by drowning.

California scuba diver Juan Heredia found the boys body around 11:13 a.m. Tuesday, about 3 miles downstream from the boys home abutting the river, the sheriffs office said.

Dane went missing March 1 while playing in the yard of his family, who own the Chowder Bowl restaurant in Depoe Bay.

A news feature on the familys business, that ran in The Lincoln County Leader in December 2022, included a photo of the boys mother the day before she gave birth to Dane.

The family of Dane Paulsen poses in front of the Chowder Bowl in December 2022. Chamet Jackson, the boy's mother, gave birth to Dane the day after this picture was taken. Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center

On Thursday, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office confirmed a medical examiner had performed an autopsy on the boy on Wednesday and that he died by drowning. The examiner found no additional trauma to the boys body, and no criminal charges have been filed in his death.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the location of the familys restaurant.

 Beth Slovic is an editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com.

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President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Mstyslav Chernov | The Associated Press

Was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disrespectful toward President Donald Trump during their contentious Oval Office meeting?

Actually, more Americans think the reverse is true, according to new polling.

In the latest YouGov/Economist poll, 51% of respondents said Trump was disrespectful to Zelenskyy, while 29% said he was not. In contrast, 32% said the Ukrainian president was disrespectful toward Trump, while a plurality, 46%, said he was not.

About 20 percent said they werent sure. The results of the poll  conducted March 9-11 with 1,699 U.S. adults  largely broke along partisan lines.

Most Democrats and independents  82% and 54%, respectively  said Trump was disdainful to Zelenskyy, while just 19% of Republicans thought the same.

By comparison, 63% of GOP respondents said Zelenskyy lacked respect toward Trump, while 8% of Democrats and 24% of independents felt the same.

The poll  which has a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points  also found most respondents, 86%, had heard about the meeting between the two leaders.

The meeting, which took place on Feb. 28 in a room full of reporters, devolved into an animated squabble among Trump, Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance.

At one point, Vance asked the foreign leader, Do you think that is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of lacking respect, according to an Associated Press transcript of the meeting.

Youre gambling with World War III, the president said. And what youre doing is very disrespectful to the country. This country thats backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.

Following the discussion, Trump posted a message on Truth Social, again accusing Zelenskyy of disrespecting the U.S. in its cherished Oval Office.

I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, Trump added. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.

In the days since the meeting, Ukrainian and American officials have discussed terms for a cease-fire in its war with Russia, according to NBC News.

_____

2025 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, walks with Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., as Senate Democrats gather behind closed doors to mount a last-ditch protest over a Republican-led spending bill that already passed the House, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

The Democratic Party was fracturing Friday as a torrent of frustration and anger was unleashed at Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, who faced what they saw as an awful choice: shut the government down or consent to a Republican funding bill that allows President Donald Trump to continue slashing the federal government.

After Schumer announced Thursday that he would reluctantly support the bill, he bore the brunt of that anger, including a protest at his office, calls from progressives that he face competition in the primary in 2028 and suggestions that the Democratic Party would soon be looking for new leaders.

Since their election losses, Democrats have been hunkered against a barrage of Trumps early actions in office, locked out of legislative power and left searching for a plan to regain political momentum. But as Schumer prepared to let pass one of the rare moments when the party might regain leverage in Washington, the Democratic Party erupted in a moment of anger that had been building for months.

Many in the party felt the New York Democrat was not showing sufficient fight, arguing that a government shutdown would force Trump and Republicans to the negotiating table. Yet for Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since Trump took office in 2016, the choice ultimately came down to preventing a shutdown that he believed would only hand Trump more power and leave his party with the blame for disruptions to government services.

A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive, Schumer warned on the Senate floor Friday morning, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency effort led by Elon Musk.

Still, as the Senate headed for a crucial vote on the government funding bill, hardly any Democrats were speaking up in support of Schumers strategy. It was a remarkable turn for the longtime Democratic leader, leaving him standing practically alone.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, his longtime ally and partner in funding fights of the past, said in a statement, Lets be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.

Pelosi added that the senators should listen to the women who lead appropriations for Democrats, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. They had proposed a 30-day stopgap plan instead of the Republican proposal that would provide funding until September. The Republican bill would trim $13 billion in non-defense spending from the levels in the 2024 budget year and increase defense spending by $6 billion.

As House Democrats, who almost all voted against the bill earlier this week, concluded a retreat in northern Virginia Friday, they also called for their Senate colleagues to show more fight. House Democratic leadership rushed back to the Capitol to hold a news conference and urge their Senate colleagues to vote against the bill.

We do not want to shutdown the government. But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown, Jeffries said.

He also repeatedly declined to answer questions about whether he had confidence in Schumer.

Other Democrats, such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028 and also visited the Democratic retreat, called for a broader movement. He mentioned the recent 60th anniversary of peaceful civil rights protests in Selma, Alabama, and argued that Democrats need to find collective courage.

When those individuals marched, there wasnt one voice, Beshear said. There was a collective courage of that group that changed the world. That day opened up the eyes of the country to what was really going on.

Some were ready to start marching.

Were ready to get out of this building and head back to the Capitol at any moment and prevent the government from shutting down, said Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

But now is the moment for Democrats to draw a line in the stand and say that we stand very firmly on the side of working class people and against the ultra-rich that are trying to corrupt our government for themselves, he added.

Meanwhile, some of the nations most influential progressive groups warned of serious political consequences for Senate Democrats and predicted a fierce backlash when members of Congress return home next week.

Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, which has organized hundreds of protests across the nation, said that nearly 8 in 10 of the groups activists support primary challenges against Senate Dems who cave on the GOP bill.

He wrote on social media that the vast majority of those Democratic activists plan to express their anger at town halls or other public events next week. MoveOn, another progressive group that claims nearly 10 million members nationwide, predicted that its activists would also demand answers from Democratic officials in the coming days

Clearing the way for Donald Trump and Elon Musk to gut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is unacceptable. Its past time for Democrats to fight and stop acting like its business as usual, said Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn.

In a social media post, Anne Caprara, the chief of staff for Illinois Gov. JB Prtizker, argued that the party could unify around a fight with Trump.

The fight going on in the Democratic Party right now is not between hard left, left and moderate. Its between those who want to fight and those who want to cave, Caprara said, adding, Misread this at your own peril.

Even in the Senate, Democrats were mostly unwilling to speak up to defend Schumers move. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, even suggested that the party should be looking for new leaders in the coming years.

I think come 26, 28, well get some new leadership, he said. His office later said Warnock was answering the question broadly.

Mostly, though, senators just lamented that they had been jammed by a Republican Party that has found a new sense of unity under Trump. For years, House Republicans have not been able to muster votes for government funding on their own, forcing them into bipartisan negotiations. This time, they passed the bill on party lines and left Washington.

Were stuck with two bad choices presented by a unified Republican front, said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat.

He was voting against the bill, yet said of Schumers decision: These are tough, tough calls.
Lawmakers gather at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, to swear in new lawmakers. Gov. Tina Kotek(pictured) also addressed state and local leaders with her 2025 state of the state address. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Gov. Tina Kotek said on Thursday that her administration will continue to prioritize policies targeting climate-warming pollution, following an announcement by the head of the Environmental Protection Agency that it will repeal dozens of pollution limits and the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases.

There is no turning back, Kotek said in a statement. I guarantee that climate action will continue in Oregon, and that we will continue developing innovative solutions to confront the climate crisis and build a brighter future.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency announced a series of actions Wednesday to roll back landmark environmental regulations, including rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change and electric vehicles.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called it the most consequential day of deregulation in American history.

Oregon is one of a number of states that regulates greenhouse gas emissions and provides incentives for renewable energy.

The weakening of the federal car and truck emission standards would be most consequential to Oregons ability to enforce some of its own rules, said Meredith Connolly, the director of policy and strategy at Climate Solutions, a Northwest-based nonprofit focused on clean energy.

The federal Clean Air Act prohibits states like Oregon from creating their own, more stringent vehicle emission standards. But it allows California to seek waivers that allow it to develop and implement its own emission rules and other states can then adopt them, as Oregon did.

The Trump administration already had announced it plans to repeal Californias waivers. Trump revoked one of the waivers during his first term, leading to a lawsuit, though the waiver was later reinstated by the Biden administration.

Oregons hands could be tied if the Trump administration successfully rolls back those laws, but our local communities will suffer the consequences of more pollution, Connolly said.

State environmental protections are now key to buffer against federal rollbacks, she added.

Oregons environmental regulators are still analyzing potential impacts on state programs and environmental protections, said Lauren Wirtis, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

To Kotek, those impacts are clear.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created to protect human health and the environment, Kotek said, and the Trump administrations decision to roll back landmark environmental regulations will do exactly the opposite.

Combating climate change requires collaboration and long-term work  not deregulating polluters  to ensure a healthy planet for future generations."

State Senate Republicans praised the EPAs action and fired back at Kotek on Thursday.

While Governor Kotek is focused on political posturing, working Oregonians are struggling to afford the cost of living, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, said in a statement. The Governors refusal to acknowledge the economic impact of her climate agenda shows just how out of touch she is with the challenges everyday Oregonians face.

-- Portland environmental reporter Gosia Wozniacka and The Associate Press contributed to this story.

 Hillary Borrud
After Oregons record wildfire season in 2024, local communities and government officials are concerned that ongoing personnel purges at federal land management agencies could leave the region shorthanded for pre-season fire mitigation projects and unprepared to combat deadly conflagrations when they break out later this year.

The U.S. government owns 32 million acres of land in Oregon  more than half the land in the state  which is primarily managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Last summer the two agencies saw 1.6 million acres of that property go up in smoke.
Gray whales will once again be migrating along the Oregon coastline this spring. GEMM Lab, Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, individuwhale.com

The gray whale migration will once again be passing along the Oregon coast this spring, giving people a great chance to see the massive creatures.

Spring Whale Watch Week, an annual whale watching event organized by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, will take place March 22-30 this year, with trained volunteers and rangers staffed at park sites up and down the coast to help people spot the gray whales.

The event will be held at 14 locations along the coastline, from Fort Stevens to Harris Beach (Cape Foulweather, usually a participant, is currently closed). There is a small cluster of participating parks around Depoe Bay, the whale watching capital of the Oregon coast, including the Whale Watching Center itself.

The gray whales are on their annual migration path between breeding grounds in Mexico and feeding grounds off the coast of Alaska. They return every year at the end of December, when the state parks department hosts the shorter Winter Whale Watch Week event.

An estimated 19,260 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregons shores this spring, the parks department said, a significant increase from last spring, when 14,500 whales were expected.

The numbers show a population rebounding from the unusual mortality event between 2018 and 2023, which resulted in a higher-than-normal number of gray whale strandings in the eastern North Pacific population. A total of 690 strandings were reported in that time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Spring is typically considered a good time to watch the gray whale migration, with better weather and more daylight. Whale Watch Week locations are often at places known for whale sightings or at wide open vistas on higher ground.

To find a whale, use a pair of binoculars and scan the ocean slowly, looking for the whales spout, which will appear as a vertical spray of mist. You can also look for a tail, called a fluke, which sometimes emerges from the water as the whale dives. If youre really lucky, you might see the whale breach, or jump out of the water, though gray whales do so less frequently than some other species, like humpbacks.

Those looking for a closer look can also book a whale watching tour, most of which leave out of Depoe Bay.

--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.

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Since the remodeled Portland International Airport was unveiled in August 2024, reviews have been effusive.

Enter the first major U.S. airport with a timber roof and the wow factor is everywhere.

Undertaken at a cost of $2.1 billion, the four-year PDX remodel uses 3.7 million board feet of wood. It features a nine-acre Douglas fir roof, Oregon white oak flooring and expansive ligneous detailing everywhere in between.

Its latticed ceiling includes 35,000 individual three-by-sixes, alongside 2 million board feet of arched glulam beams. Tree-adorned wooden concessions, sky-lit oak flooring and seating, and decorative wood walls are as un-OHare as it gets.

Even the terminals wood-slatted TSA screening booths have been described as ease-inducing and biophilic. (Well, okay )

All very Oregon. The remodel has been touted as the largest public works project in state history.

Now theres a new feature that helps those with an abiding interest its construction gain an even greater appreciation of all that wood.

One of the projects more ambitious (if less obvious) achievements was its effort to keep track of where all the wood it uses comes from.

Trace elements: Wood origin signage is found throughout Portland International Airports main terminal. Chuck Thompson

Telling that story are new signs scattered around the terminal titled Wheres the Wood From?

EVERY BOARD COMES FROM WITHIN A DAYS DRIVE, notes a wooden sign in carved caps in the mezzanine near the Loyal Legion beer hall in the upper level. WE SET OUT TO SOURCE THE WOOD AS LOCAL AS YOUR FARMERS MARKET, SO WE KNOW THE FORESTS LIKE WE KNOW OUR NEIGHBORS.

Translation: the airports wood-sourcing efforts are worth marveling over, too.

If the heritage of Colin the Chicken can become an international sensation, why not wood?

The wooden signs, which werent ready for the grand opening last summer, were installed over the winter.

Theyre worth seeking out.

How do you trace wood, anyway?

Every piece of wood in the main terminal comes from Oregon and Washington, within 300 miles of the airport, according to airport operator Port of Portland, the projects architectural firm ZGF and conservationist wood consultant Sustainable Northwest:

Most eye-catching of all on a self-guided PDX Wheres the Wood From? sign tour is the woods traceability.

COQUILLE INDIAN TRIBE GREW THE DOUGLAS FIR FOR THE DOUBLE BEAMS IN THE OVAL SKYLIGHT ABOVE YOU.

ZENA FOREST GREW THE OREGON WHITE OAK FOR THIS BENCH.

COW CREEK BAND OF UMPQUA TRIBE OF INDIANS GREW THE DOUGLAS FIR FOR THIS WALL.

About 30% of the wood in the PDX remodel can be traced to its specific forest of origin.

While that may not sound like a high number, it represents a huge amount of traceable timber in an industry that doesnt do that sort of thing.

The current, opaque supply chain makes it difficult to know how wood is harvested, exactly where it is harvested, who owns the land and the values that drive the forests management, co-wrote ZGF Principal Jacob Dunn and Sustainable Northwest Senior Director of Wood Markets Paul Vanderford, in a blog outlining the PDX projects multi-year efforts to engage with landowners and mills across the Pacific Northwest, and shift the usual timber production protocol.

Once it was decided that the PDX remodel would be done with wood that was both local and sustainably managed, tracking where that wood came from would be the biggest challenge of all, according to Dunn and Vanderford.

It would also become a touchstone for the entire project.

It was the first attempt at anything like this, they wrote. And while we didnt achieve it all, we reached targets no other projects have.

One million board feet in the airport terminals roof can be directly traced to wood from 13 regional, tribal-owned, family-owned, community, public and nonprofit forests, according to a sourcing chart by Sustainable Northwest thats reminiscent of a farm-to-table menu detailing the origin of every item on a plate.

If salmon that we consume can be tracked back to its source of origin, and our coffee traced back to the farm where it was grown, why cant we know where our wood comes from? asks ZGFs Dunn.

The projects traceability effort reimagines farm-to-table as a new tagline: forest-to-frame.

Ill go on record and say its possible forest-to-frame was coined for this project. Its the first time Id ever heard it, says Ryan Temple, president of Sustainable Northwest Wood, a subsidiary of Portland-based Sustainable Northwest and the wood consultant that championed the projects traceability effort.

Wood traceability doesnt happen on a large scale, says Temple. Logs come in, get mixed together and theres no way to trace what comes out the back endunless a mill is willing to actually separate logs from a specific forest, run that batch on its own and say, Heres your three-by-eight from the Chimacum Ridge Community Forest. Thats a whole different way of doing things, so it took some time, effort and convincing.

Was there pushback from the mills?

There were mixed feelings, says Temple. Some mills were on board from the start and thought it was really cool that people know where the wood comes from. Others were initially like, This is gonna require way more work and transparency than were used to. Cant we just do business as usual?

Most of those reluctant mills came around, says Temple.

As the project progressed, and sawmills and forest owners started getting more attention, accolades and positive press than theyre used to a lot of those skeptics became believers.

Source of pride: Sarah Deumlingan and her son, Ben, run Zena Forest Products, an Oregon-based, multigenerational family business that contributed to the PDX remodel. Aedin Powell/Sustainable Northwest

Tribal timber, legacy loggers

Another project goal was targeting underrepresented links in the supply chainsmall mills, family forests, nonprofits and tribal nationsas well as forests from both western and eastern Oregon and Washington.

Nearly a third of the wood in the new terminal was sourced from underrepresented landownersincluding 16% tribal wood.

When you use traceable timber, all that wood has a story behind it, says Temple. One of my favorites is with the terminals seam wallthis grid-work of Douglas fir that kind of looks like a giant wine rack and happened later in the project.

The airport was scrambling to get it done, came to us and said, Hey, we need some Doug fir, and it would be great if it came from a well-managed forest with a story behind it, but we really just need to get this thing done.

As it happened, the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, south of Roseburg, Ore., had recently started a forest program and was stocking loads of reclaimed wood.

They were salvaging wood that was the result of a fire which had started off of the reservation and had burned onto it, says Temple. They lost thousands of acres, but were doing the best to try to create something out of this wood.

PDX ended up using some of that wood for the seam wall.

It was absolutely perfect for what the airport had in mind, says Temple. Not only was the wood harvested and salvaged by the Tribe, but it was turned into lumber at their own mill. That revenue from the Tribes forestry and mill operation is now being used to reacquire parcels of ancestral land.

Stories are ingrained in wood used all over the terminal.

The pergola designs by the coffee shop concessions are built with beams from the Yakama Nation. They support a lattice structure of Douglas fir from JayZee Lumber based in northeast Oregons Wallowa County, where fourth-generation loggers work with fourth-generation ranchers, says Temple.

Its local wood, its good wood, its sustainable wood, but its more than thatand more than just a magnificent airport project, says Temple. Its a celebration of the people, places, communities, businesses and individual forests where all of that wood has come from.

Can a project of this magnitude inspire a broader forest-to-frame movement?

Our hope is that this project helps catalyze a new level of rigor and options for sourcing and tracing mass timber and other wood products sustainably, Dunn and Vanderford wrote. Hopefully this makes it easier for future project teams to follow suit and askWhere does the wood come from?

Jordan Rane is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in CNN.com, Outside, Mens Journal and the Los Angeles Times.

##

Columbia Insight, based in Hood River, Oregon, is a nonprofit newsroom focused on environmental issues of the Columbia River Basin and the Pacific Northwest.
Thunder followed by heavy hail hit parts of the Portland metro area, as forecasters said the danger of thunderstorms might last into Thursday evening.

3:05 PM 3/13/2025 Radar Update: A line of heavier showers producing plenty of small hail are moving east-northeast over portions of the Portland metro. Although these storms are not currently producing any lightning, they have the potential to over the next hour or so. pic.twitter.com/4pMNOePq64  NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) March 13, 2025

About 3 p.m., the National Weather Service said a series of heavier showers would produce hail and were moving east-northeast over portions of the Portland metro area.

The service issued a special weather statement Thursday afternoon saying radar showed heavier showers and thunderstorms along a line from Dollar Corner to Beaverton with the potential of pea-sized hail.

There is a 15-30% chance of thunderstorms today between 10 AM and 8 PM PDT. Any storm that does form has the potential to produce brief downpours, lightning, gusty winds, and small hail. When thunder roars, go indoors! #ORWX #WAWX pic.twitter.com/8MCqPWLVYp  NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) March 13, 2025

Lightning followed the hail and thunder in inner Northeast Portland about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The chance of thunderstorms was 15% to 30% until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Some parts of the Portland area saw snow as well.

The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Friday morning for the north Cascades.

The warning covered Government Camp, Timothy Lake, Lost Lake,and Bennett Pass and is in effect from 8 a.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Forecasters said travelers should expect heavy snow, with total snow accumulations between 2 to 3 feet and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

Backcountry recreation is not advised, the storm warning said, and motorists should postpone travel in the area if possible.
For the first time, Amazing Art Expo will host a free pop art and cosplay expo in Norman March 21-23.

The expos corporation consists of a team spread across the United States. Co-founder John McIntire, alongside his business partner Nick Meagher, employs a team of artists and other employees for each expo.

Amazing Art Expo started after the COVID-19 pandemic when McIntire and Meagher went to comic-cons and realized that the artists alley contained a lot of talent. They then reached out to artists about showing their work at an expo and the business took off.

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Artists are contacted by the corporation typically after being found at a comic-con or after attending an art expo. McIntire said they dont accept AI art and the selected artists must have unique art, be hardworking and be able to interact with fans.

We have probably about five submissions a day of people that submit their art to me, and I reject about probably about 98% of them, McIntire said. And its not because theyre bad or anything. Its just because we are extremely particular over who we work with.

All revenue from the expo comes from attendees who buy art, such as prints of Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and Pennywise from the It franchise. McIntire said they want people to find high-quality art at an affordable price.

We believe our artwork is so amazing and so cool looking that if you're a true fan of one of these themes, we don't think you're going to walk out without buying something, McIntire said.

Amazing Art Expo typically hosts about two expos a month in various states, according to McIntire. He said the expo was going to be in downtown Oklahoma City, but changed tactics after realizing people dont like driving downtown.

We did some research, and we noticed there arent a lot of events that go on (in Oklahoma City) compared to a bigger city like Phoenix or Denver or in Atlanta, McIntire said. You guys have events, but its not as crazy popular. So we feel that Oklahoma would be a good venue.

People have commented on social media asking for the expo to come to Oklahoma. McIntire said he estimates 3,000 to 5,000 attendees will come to the expo. The expo sets itself apart by offering free admission.

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So this gives you an opportunity as somebody who's single or somebody with a family or a student or whoever they might be, to do something free for the weekend, McIntire said.

The expo will feature voice actors Jessica Calvello, Jessie James Grelle, Brina Palencia and Christina Kelly who attendees can purchase autographs from. Nastiya Grushovenko will autograph and add paint embellishments to her work. Art by Christopher Clark will be available for purchase. The expo will have art from multiple different franchises like animes, Disney, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and more.

Its great for OU students because its free, McIntire said. If youve got an OU student who has a lot of money, they can walk out of there with some really cool stuff. But if you have somebody thats on a tight budget, they can still walk out of there with artwork.

McIntire asks that no photographs be taken of the art. Attendees may take pictures of the event and cosplayers.

Guests who register in advance online receive a $15 gift certificate. Attendees who share the event on social media ahead of time will receive a free art print.

Admission is free and does not need prior registration. Information about free parking is online. VIP packages are available for $15 and can be purchased online. VIP guests receive a free art print and admission an hour early.

The expo will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. VIP guests will enter at 5 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The expo will be held at Embassy Suites.

This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Gretchen Schultz and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
Contributors to this report: OU Daily's editors Peggy Dodd, Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza; reporters Natalie Armour, Keaton Shaffer and Macey Thaxton; photo editor Annie Davenport; and videographers/photographers Willie Gillespie, Evan Rebhorn and Bob Nguyen.

The National Weather Service issued an evacuation order Friday for residents in East Norman due to wildfires.

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Norman residents can sign up for emergency alerts via text, email or call. Please call 911 for emergencies only. Don't return to an evacuated area until an all-clear is issued.

Evacuation shelter locations

 Little Axe Community Center, at 1000 168th Ave. NE.

 CrossPointe Church, at 2601 24th Ave. SE.

Mapping fire locations; routes to avoid

According to the Weather Channel, residents should avoid areas along and east of 108th Avenue to 132nd Street and north of Post Oak Road to Highway 9.

A high wind warning was issued for portions of Oklahoma and northern Texas until 10 p.m.

A blowing dust advisory is also in effect until 9 p.m.

Scene at CrossPointe Church shelter site

8:25 p.m.

Evacuees quietly spread throughout CrossPointe Church as the sun set Friday evening after six fires burned across East Norman. Families, kids, friends and pets sat among Pop-Tarts and tote bags filled with assortments of belongings.

One woman, who sat on a bench next to two young boys on the side of the church auditorium, told OU Daily she had fled a domestic violence situation. When the womens shelter they were staying at was placed under an evacuation order, and everyone else had left, she had nowhere else to go.

Were here from elsewhere, so we don't have any family nearby. My car is in the shop, so luckily I looked on the news and saw that this was open, she said.

Across from a ledge piled with bottled water and packaged food, Carolyn Nelson waited to hear when she could go home. Next to her, in a pet carrier, was her cat, Sassy. When she was told to evacuate in the afternoon, she set out for a friends house east of her home on 108th Avenue, but they were soon evacuated again.

Nelson said the last time she had to evacuate due to a fire was over a decade ago, but she had family in the area at the time. Now, it's just her and Sassy, and she has to lean on friends.

At the church entrance, Red Cross volunteers and CrossPointe Church staff readied to receive supplies and more evacuees.

We were prepared, as far as the facility availability to opening, said Trey Roberts, a representative for CrossPointe Church. It's been a great outreach from those businesses in the community.

While more evacuees trickled in, volunteers prepared to set up overnight resources and cots, while Normanites prayed, ate and wondered when the all-clear would come.

Areas under evacuation orders

As of 8:20 p.m., several areas of East Norman are still under evacuation orders:

 108th Avenue Southeast and Post Oak Road.

 108th Avenue Northeast and Tecumseh Road.

 120th Avenue Southeast and Tucker Trail.

 192nd Avenue Northeast and Spencer Circle.

 192nd Avenue Northeast and East Robinson Road.

 120th Avenue Southeast and Etowah Road.

 120th Avenue Southeast to Lake Thunderbird between Rock Creek Road and Franklin Road.

 Etowah Road to State Highway 9 between 84th Avenue and 144th Avenue Southeast.

OG&E reported 62 outages across the Norman area, with 2,407 customers affected or without electricity.

Latest updates

7:55 p.m.

OG&E reported 42 outages across the Norman area, with 1,266 customers affected or without electricity.

7:09 p.m.

Thank you to the incredible firefighters and first responders battling an outbreak of fires.



Oklahomans be safe, be smart! Watch for evac notices, tune into local news, and follow guidance from local officials. https://t.co/RNbuP7PGb3  Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) March 14, 2025

6:59 p.m.

OG&E reported 38 outages across the Norman area, with 2,342 customers affected or without electricity.

6:29 p.m.

OG&E reported 30 outages across the Norman area, with 1,771 customers affected or without electricity.

5:44 p.m.

Norman Police Department announced two new areas under evacuation due to large and quick moving fires.

 120th Avenue Southeast to Lake Thunderbird between Rock Creek Road and Franklin Road.

 Etowah Road to State Highway 9 between 84th Avenue and 144th Avenue Southeast.

ALERT (5:41PM): Residents in the following areas are asked to EVACUATE immediately to the west due to large and quick moving fires in the area.



 120th Ave SE to Lake Thunderbird between Rock Creek & Franklin Rd

 Etowah to SH-9 between 84th Ave SE & 144th Ave SE



EVACUATION pic.twitter.com/vqeq5a5r8X  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

5:40 p.m.

OG&E reported 54 outages across the Norman area, with 2,047 customers affected or without electricity.

5:35 p.m.

5:23 p.m.

OG&E reported 31 outages across the Norman area, with 3,719 customers affected or without electricity.

5:15 p.m.

5:05 p.m.

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NPD announced 120th Avenue Southeast and Etowah Road is under evacuation due to a large fire in the area.

ALERT (5PM): Evacuations are occurring in the area of 120th Ave SE & Etowah (2 miles north; 2 miles east) due a large fire in the area. Residents are asked to evacuate immediately. MORE INFO: https://t.co/0JoD1TXJJF pic.twitter.com/pBzZJQj5YM  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

4:56 p.m.

OG&E reported 41 outages across the Norman area, with 4,297 customers affected or without electricity.

4:44 p.m.

ALERT (4:32PM): All evacuation orders remain in effect. Residents are asked to remain out of the area and off the roadways to allow emergency crews to respond until an all clear is issued.



ACTIVE EVACUATION INFO: https://t.co/0JoD1TXJJF pic.twitter.com/3fGF5t3F15  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

4:32 p.m.

OG&E reported 39 outages across the Norman area, with 2,498 customers affected or without electricity.

4:21 p.m.

Norman residents living on Spencer Circle congregated at the end of their street watching fires engulf the area. According to one homeowner, firefighters knocked on their doors to notify them of the evacuation but left the area soon after.

One man watched as his house went up in flames, quickly spreading to every room of his home. Trees, grass and plants surrounding the home caught the flames.

My to-do list around the house just got a whole lot shorter, the man said.

Despite the devastation, residents talk and laugh amongst themselves, saying they were thankful to have had time to grab pets and loved ones.

Some home owners searched for lost pets, others walked toward the devastation to see if they could assist. Many residents dont know whether their homes are on fire or not. One home owner said he has lived in Norman since 1992 and worries his beloved home will burn down.

4:20 p.m.

OG&E reported 56 outages across the Norman area, with 5,643 customers affected or without electricity.

3:56 p.m.

There are about 20 Norman residents being sheltered at CrossPointe Church due to the fires.

According to a CrossPointe Church disaster relief member, Red Cross is offering water and snacks for people seeking shelter. Crest Foods will donate food to residents at the shelter.

3:44 p.m.

The city of Norman reported 108th Avenue Northeast and Spencer Circle is under evacuation.

3:39 p.m.

Norman resident Jacob Childress talks about being evacuated.

3:33 p.m.

OG&E reported there are currently 31 outages in Norman, with 4,012 customers affected or without electricity.

3:22 p.m.

OG&E reported 61 outages in Norman, with 4,296 customers affected or without electricity.

3:19 p.m.

According to fire updates from the city of Norman, East Rock Creek Road at 120th Avenue Northeast is closed and under evacuation.

3:13 p.m.

According to fire updates by the city of Norman, 120th Avenue Southeast and Tucker Trail is currently under evacuation.

The website also added CrossPointe Church, at 2601 24th Ave. SE, as an evacuation shelter.

Other major fires reported and under evacuation in the Norman area include:

 108th Avenue Southeast and Post Oak Road.

 108th Avenue Northeast and Tecumseh Road.

 192nd Avenue Northeast and East Robinson Road.

3 p.m.

NPD announced evacuations are taking place at 192nd Avenue Northeast and Robinson Street due to fires in the area.

ALERT (3PM): Evacuations are occurring in the area of 192nd NE & Robinson (3 mile north; 3 mile east) due fires in the area. Residents are asked to evacuate immediately. MORE INFO: https://t.co/0JoD1TYhzd pic.twitter.com/9AGUI3Dg8i  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

2:57 p.m.

WX ALERT (2:50PM): The fire threat will continue over the next several hours.



Sign up for emergency alerts via AlertNorman at https://t.co/6UrX1RBUcc. #okwx https://t.co/jf2nNbEKqP  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

2:44 p.m.

OG&E reports 35 outages in Norman, with 4,209 customers affected or without electricity. The first outage was reported at 10:38 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

2:29 p.m.

NPD announced additional evacuations at Tecumseh Road.

ALERT (2:24PM): Evacuations are occurring in the area of 108th and Tecumseh (3 mile north; 3 mile east) due fires in the area. Residents are asked to evacuate immediately to the south. MORE INFO: https://t.co/0JoD1TYhzd pic.twitter.com/nA0K8MQczA  Norman Police (@normanokpd) March 14, 2025

2 p.m.

1:20 p.m.

Copy editing during this breaking news event: Mary Ann Livingood, Grace Rhodes, Sophie Hemker, Avery Avery, Geethika Kollu and Ryan Little.
Our three core movie makers  Russ Richins, James Jordan, and Mark Goodman  filmed Camrey Bagley Fox and John Donovan Wilson and me today at various locations, mainly at the Smith Family Homestead, in front of the John and Elizabeth Browning Home and Gun Shop (where I wanted to announce the formation of the new Interpreter Foundation paramilitary wing, dedicated to a more effective defense of the Kingdom, but didnt), and in a grove of large trees behind John Taylors house and the Times and Seasons office. After lunch, Russ and James and Mark went off to shoot B-roll footage around Nauvoo and Carthage, so my wife and I and Camrey were able  somewhat to our surprise  to take in a session at the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. (Johnny had already done a session at the temple on Tuesday, when he found himself with some down time from filming.) As it has been on previous occasions, attending Nauvoos rebuilt temple was a great privilege. Moreover, its a beautiful place. (A few photographs of its interior are available here.) If anybody had told me when I was young that I would someday be participating in ordinances in a temple in Nauvoo, I would not have believed it.

This evening, by the way, Johnny Wilson and Camrey Fox and my wife and I went across the Mississippi to Fort Madison, Iowa, and had dinner at the Turnwater Bar and Grill. We ate out on the outdoor terrace, looking at the river. It was beautiful. And the food was quite good. Frankly, the grocery and dining options in Nauvoo are pretty limited. However, we bought groceries and, now, weve had a good meal in Fort Madison. We actually saw at least two senior missionary couples eating at different Turnwater tables, as well as a group that including Juanita Coleman, the Illinois Historic Sites Manager for the Church, who has been very helpful to us.

About a month ago, when we first spoke with Sister Coleman and her colleagues on a video conference call, I could see the landscape beyond her windows and, frankly, it looked like Siberia. The ground was white with snow and the sky was gray and I began to dread this trip that we were planning. I figured that it would be wet and very cold. However, the weather here has been perfect. Crisp, but sunny and reasonably warm. Sweater weather. And Ive really enjoyed the relative serenity of Carthage and Nauvoo. I cant recall having ever been here when the sites werent bustling. But the big summer tourist crowds arent here yet, and weve been spending lengthy periods of time at the sites where weve filmed. In a curious way, that has allowed us  certainly its allowed me  to get a really good feel for these places. As it were, it has permitted me to marinate in them. And Ive enjoyed that a very great deal.

Newly posted on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Reprint: George Mitton: The Crucifixion as a Mockery, Witness, and Warning of the Judgment, written by George L. Mitton

Abstract: In its action, setting, and arrangement, the Crucifixion may be viewed as a stark mockery of the Final Judgment scene. This article provides a brief review of the relevant scriptures, considered together with some related apocryphal and other early Christian writings of interest regarding the Crucifixion. These sources point to the interpretation that the Gospel writers saw in the Crucifixion a striking symbolism that can provide a strong reminder, witness, and warning of the coming judgment. The Lord is seen in the Crucifixion as at once representing His humility in submitting Himself to be judged and, conversely, His authority and power to be the judge of all. The Crucifixion signifies the concept of a reciprocal or two-way judgment, as emphasized in the Book of Mormon, where mankind first judges the Lord, and later are to be judged accordingly by Him in return. Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Joseph Smith and Our Preparation for the Lords Final Judgment: Essays by George L. Mitton. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/joseph-smith-and-our-preparation-for-the-lords-final-judgment/.

This is very unfortunate: A difficult era for American Jews, including in Utah: Utah is not exempt from a national wave of antisemitism so severe that some Jewish-Americans are packing their bags Im disturbed, disappointed, and ashamed that anything of this sort is happening in Utah  though I hope (and am even reasonably confident) that none of those who are guilty of the acts described in the article are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As Ive argued elsewhere, the Book of Mormon is the only scriptural text in any significant religious canon that explicitly denounces anti-Semitism.

I hope that Latter-day Saints everywhere will take a stand, when its necessary, against anti-Jewish bigotry. It has no place in the heart or mind of any disciple of Christ. it has no place in the behavior or attitudes of any Latter-day Saint.

As I say, Im saddened by reports of anti-Semitism in my adopted home state, which is the principal seat of my church. This article, however, which appeared in the Deseret News, has cheered me up just a bit. It grows out of the RootsTech family history and technology conference that was recently held in Salt Lake City: How these Jewish genealogists are repairing Nazi dirty deeds: Looted Book Project aims to return stolen books to descendants of Holocaust victims

Posted from Nauvoo, Illinois
In the new CBN documentary Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles, journalist Billy Hallowell takes viewers on an investigative journey into supernatural healing, challenging both skeptics and believers to examine extraordinary medical claims.

The film represents a departure from the more dramatic faith-based storytelling, offering an evidence-driven approach to documenting potential miraculous events. Produced by CBN Films, the documentary, which also blends dramatic reenactments, aims to present verifiable medical documentation alongside personal testimonies of unexplained healings.

We really wanted to elevate and shift [miracle storytelling] into evidence-based and showing, Hallowell explained. Even going in as a Christian, I was skeptical of all the stories. I wanted to be able to say, Prove it to me.'

Hallowell added, CBN, as an organization, covers miracles all the time. But the approach in this was very much investigative, going in and really try and really trying to find you basically show and not just tell. Youre showing the evidence, youre presenting it to people, and youre really letting them make a decision on what they think, instead of just hearing an anecdotal story of, Hey, I was healed. Youre actually seeing it. And I think that thats a little different from how miracles tend to be handled.

The documentary doesnt shy away from difficult theological questions, addressing why some people experience miraculous healings while others do not. Hallowell emphasized the importance of exploring both sides of miraculous healing, highlighting one story about a family who, despite experiencing personal tragedy, now witnesses miracles happening for others.

There are lots of miracles that dont happen, Hallowell noted. We have to deal with the fact that miracles are not going to happen for everybody on this side of eternity.

Hallowells path as the host began early. At 15, he started a media website for teenagers following the Columbine shooting, which quickly evolved into a column. By 18, he was traveling and speaking, eventually working as faith editor for Glenn Becks The Blaze for nearly six years.

His journalism career has been marked by a consistent focus on faith stories, a path he believes was divinely guided. God kept moving me towards faith, he said. I realized that the stories that are most important to be covering are the faith stories.

The film represents the first in what Hallowell hopes will be a series investigating supernatural phenomena. Currently streaming on CBN.com/supernatural, the documentary targets multiple audiences  from committed Christians to skeptical secularists.

Hallowell believes the films greatest challenge is to those already within faith communities who struggle to believe miracles are possible.

The hardest audiences are the Christians who are in church every week, reading their Bible every day, and still dont believe miracles can happen to them, he said.

Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles features three to four interconnected narratives, each exploring medical cases that challenge conventional scientific understanding. Hallowell emphasized the importance of persistent faith, highlighting stories of individuals who continued believing and seeking healing despite years of challenges.

Drawing from biblical references like the woman who touched Jesuss cloak, he stressed the importance of continued prayer and belief, even when immediate results arent apparent.

We have to keep asking, while also balancing trust that God has a plan we dont understand, Hallowell explained.

Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles is currently streaming on the CBN Family App or viewers can request a DVD for a donation here.
How all wireless charging should be

Wireless charging isnt a new concept. Indeed, the original PowerPlay mousepad debuted in 2017 and we loved it. We even said itd make you a believer  if you could pony up the cash for it. One reason we gave it such a high rating? Because weve seen numerous wireless charging pads over the years and few (if any) were so good.

Thats still true to this day. For example, Corsair has their own wireless charging mousepad, and there are some other third-party solutions that work with any Qi-compatible device, but those all have a wireless charger at a specific point on the mousepad. You have to place the mouse in a specific location and leave it there to charge.

The Logitech PowerPlay mousepad comes with hard and cloth surface options, so you get your preferred tactile feel and you can replace them as they age. Logitech

With PowerPlay, its different. The charging coil covers nearly the entire surface, not just a small corner, so I dont have to leave my mouse in the right spot for it to energize. In fact, it means the mouse constantly charges as I use it (unless its already fully charged), so its charging even while I game, while I work, and while Im away. Ive never had to think about charging my mouse. Its completely effortless.

A mousepad has the advantage of being the primary home for a mouse, so its easy to predict where itll be and put the charging coil in the perfect spot to make the most of it. But this really feels like how all wireless charging should be  a technology that blurs into the background, one you never have to think about.
A former Mount Carmel police officer pleaded guilty to using excessive force over a three-year period.

David Donkochik, 53, was indicted in June 2023, along with Jonathan McHugh, 36, and Kyle Schauer, 36, on charges of conspiracy to deprive rights under color of law.

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the three men kicked, punched, choked, or otherwise used excessive force against the people they were arresting from 2018 to 2021, often injuring the people under arrest.

The trio also made sure that any video of the arrests was not captured by police cameras or, if it was, that it was destroyed.

They also frequently falsely reported that the people they were arresting acted in a manner that required violence and charged them with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and related offenses.

Schauer pleaded guilty to the same charge as Donkochiks on Oct. 24.

The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a period of supervised release and a fine.
By Joseph N. DiStefano, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

James LaForte, a former loan finder and debt collector at Philadelphia-based Ponzi scheme Par Funding  one of the largest financial frauds in the regions history  was sentenced Thursday to more than 11 years in prison for using violent, mob-style intimidation against people viewed as threats to the company headed by his brother.

LaForte, whose brother Joseph and sister-in-law Lisa McElhone, founded Par Funding in 2012, pleaded guilty last year to crimes including conspiracy, extortion, and obstruction.

Par Funding, which portrayed itself as a legitimate cash-advance lender but fraudulently took investors' money, made predatory loans to desperate borrowers and routed millions to company executives even as borrowers defaulted under onerous terms.

James LaForte, 48, served in a role akin to a company attack dog, first recruiting borrowers into high-cost loans, then intimidating them into paying under threats of violence. He admitted to assaulting a lawyer in 2023 on a Center City street who was working on a court-ordered effort to sell a home owned by LaFortes brother and raise cash to reimburse some of Pars victims.

U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney said that for all of LaFortes criminal conduct in the case  which included threatening to kick in peoples teeth or harm their children  the attack on the lawyer, Gaetan Alfano, was perhaps the most serious. The judge called it cowardly thuggery that threatened the U.S. legal system as he imposed a penalty of 137 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, including a year of house arrest. It was the maximum sentence allowed under LaFortes plea agreement.

You have no respect for the law whatsoever, Kearney told LaForte.

LaForte apologized for his actions, saying, I shouldnt have done what I did at all. And he directly addressed Alfano, who testified about the attack and its impact. LaForte said his crime in striking the lawyer over the head with a flashlight on 19th Street in 2023 could be called much worse than cowardly, the word Alfano had used.

I embarrassed myself and my family, LaForte said.

The conspiracy involving Par began falling apart in April 2020, when the company, having paid millions to its founders and the companies they controlled even as loan payments lagged, stopped paying investors their monthly dividends.

In July 2020, federal Judge Rodolfo Ruiz in Florida put Par under the control of court-appointed receiver Ryan Stumphauzer, who has since been managing and selling Par properties and seizing assets from the LaFortes.

In a presentencing memo on Jan. 21, Kearney found that the LaForte brothers and Par chief financial officer Joseph Cole Barleta had enriched themselves and other insiders by taking more than $150 million out of the company for personal use, even as the business lost money.

He concluded that the trio had caused investors losses totaling a net $288 million.

A judge in Florida separately ruled that Par was a Ponzi scheme, in which the companys owners extracted millions to support their luxury lifestyle  and paid old investors with new investors' cash to keep the conspiracy running.

For the crimes he pleaded guilty to in Philadelphia, and given his previous criminal history, LaForte agreed to prosecutors' recommendations that he face a sentence of at least nine years and two months in federal prison and to pay restitution of $2.5 million.

LaFortes lawyer, Thomas Mirigliano, said in court filings that his client regretted his actions. For the first time, he fully comprehends the profound impact of his actions on all who cared for him, he wrote.

LaForte, the lawyer said, had not been motivated by greed, personal animosity, or an attempt to exert power over others. Rather, he said, LaForte acted from an overwhelming sense of frustration, fear, and desperation as he watched the court-appointed receivership sell Par Funding-related assets and evict his brother and sister-in-law from their Main Line home.

That misplaced loyalty fed LaFortes actions, the lawyer said.

But Par Funding had already been shut down by the government, the founders' assets seized, and grand jury criminal indictments delivered when LaForte attacked the lawyer and threatened Abbonizio and his family, noted Kearney, the judge. You werent trying to protect your family. It was too late for that, he said. You were vindictive.

Joseph LaForte; his wife, Lisa McElhone; former Par conspirators Joseph Cole Barleta and Perry Abbonizio; debt collector Renato Gioe; and others are to be sentenced on charges related to the fraud later this spring.

 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit www.inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales, file) AP

By MORGAN LEE, The Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A representative for the estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports, especially photographs and police body-camera video, related to the recent deaths of Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa after their partially mummified bodies were discovered at their New Mexico home in February.

Authorities last week announced Hackman died at age 95 of heart disease with complications from Alzheimers disease as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease  hantavirus pulmonary syndrome  took the life of his 65-year-old wife.

Hackmans pacemaker last showed signs of activity on Feb. 18, indicating an abnormal heart rhythm on the day he likely died. The couples bodies werent discovered until Feb. 26 when maintenance and security workers showed up at the Santa Fe home and alerted police, leaving a mystery for law enforcement and medical investigators to unravel.

Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 19, 2003. Both died in February 2024. (Mark J. Terrill | The Associated Press, file) Mark J. Terrill | The Associated Press, File

Julia Peters, a representative for the estate of Hackman and Arakawa, urged a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records in the cases to protect the familys right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the possibly shocking nature of photographs and video in the investigation and potential for their dissemination by media.

The request, filed Tuesday, also described the couples private lifestyle in Santa Fe since Hackmans retirement. The state capital is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

The couple lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle, the petition said.

New Mexicos open records law blocks public access to sensitive images, including depictions of people who are deceased, said Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. Some medical information also is not considered public record under the state Inspection of Public Records Act.

At the same time, the bulk of death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports by medical investigators are typically considered public records under state law in the spirit of ensuring government transparency and accountability, she said.

I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies, Lavin said Thursday. The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done.

There is also a public health concern given that hantavirus was involved, Lavin said.

She said the preemptive request to prevent the release of government records on constitutional grounds is unusual.

Oscar-winner Gene Hackman died at the age of 95. (The Associated Press, file) AP

Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including The French Connection, Hoosiers and Superman from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.
Warren Zeiders performs on day two of the New York State Fair in Suburban Park Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Geddes, N.Y. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com

Warren Zeiders is one of the hottest young names in country music, but not long ago he was one of the best lacrosse players in central Pennsylvania.

Thats right, the 25-year-old grew up playing in Hershey, and when he left it was for a chance to play at Frostburg State.

The biggest thing about me is that I have this thing about me: If I care about something and if I invest myself fully into it, nothing will stop me, Zeiders told Fox in a recent interview. I am all in, and it is an eat-sleep-and-breathe thing. And that was what I had with lacrosse for 12 years of my life.

But as he prepares to headline the Houston Rodeo, Zeiders was opening up with Fox about how he so quickly went from college lacrosse dreams to country music sensation. He has a new album slated to drop on Friday, and he has also been crowned as the sexiest 25-year-old in Peoples Sexiest Man Alive issue. Things are really good for Zeiders, but it all started with a dark period in which multiple concussions ended his college career, and he said he went into a deep depression.

I went from being told as a freshman that I was going to be getting a bunch of playing time, Zeiders said. And thats why I went there because I didnt want to sit on the bench and stuff. And I worked my tail off all those years to get that opportunity.

Zeiders said he rededicated himself to making a comeback and trained all winter but quickly suffered another concussion when he returned.

He told Fox that was a hard pill to swallow.

He considered coming back again, and trained for a shot at that, but he said he was losing the passion and after speaking with trainers they told him he was technically at the limit for concussions. Zeiders said the news was hard for him, for his parents, and he remembered calling his grandparents in tears because they never missed a game.

Obviously, it all worked out.

Zeiders told Fox he began to dedicate himself to singing and playing the guitar, and when he put a cover of Tennessee Whiskey on TikTok, it went viral and his career began to take off.

Im a firm believer that God has a plan for everyone, and we all have our own gifts, and some of us find them, find them sooner than other, he told Fox. But I do believe this I was meant to do.

Zeiders new album, Relapse, Lies & Betrayal is slated to drop Friday, and Saturday is his big day at the rodeo in Houston. He told Fox playing at the big even is absolutely insane.

Its just so cool to be recognized in that culture that I so much love and value and respect, he said.

The country lifestyle was where I was raised in rural Pennsylvania and growing up in a small town and living behind my grandparents, he added. The traditional family lifestyle of (saying) sir and maam and just how that culture is that still, that its that ode to that just traditional living and the way they treat people and how they live their lives.

There is plenty more about the rising country music star from Hershey in the Fox story, and you can read it all here.
Elk Run, one of Maryland's oldest producers, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday. Elk Run Vineyards & Winery

Elk Run Vineyards and Winery can stack its history up against a large majority of East Coast wineries.

One of Marylands oldest producers, it became a bonded winery in 1983 and today is managed by Fred Wilson (winemaker and owner) and his son Julian (marketing director, wholesale liaison/owner, vineyard manager, assistant winemaker and graphic designer), per its website. Neill Bassford (assistant winemaker and tech support) and Bob Cecil (wine ambassador for educational seminars and off-premise tastings, certified wine educator) round out the staff of the winery, located at 15113 Liberty Road in Frederick County, near Mt. Airy.

Its roots go down even deeper than the more than 40 years in business.

The name Elk Run was chosen for a stream, according to its website bio. The deed name to the property is the Resurvey of Cold Friday. It was a land grant from the King of England to Lord Baltimore. The winemakers home is circa 1756.

A student of Dr. Konstantin Frank in the mid-1970s, Fred Wilson worked the harvest season for many years in upstate New York before purchasing the Maryland property with his late wife Carol and following in Dr. Franks footsteps and planting what was the first all-vinifera vineyard in Maryland.

But while theres plenty from the past that elevates this producer, Fred Wilson said, they are also turning over a new leaf as Julian takes on more responsibility and the winery moves into its next chapter.

Its similar to whats going on just down the road, where Loew Vineyards has evolved under the leadership of the founders granddaughter, Rachel Lipman.

Said Fred, Now that we have perfected our wine, its time to start focusing on bringing people in. New branding. New facilities. New events. New blends.

For that, he continued, We are looking for people who are interested in reaching our goals.

They sent out an email to members and friends on Feb. 5 with a note under the heading of Elk Run Investment Opportunity.

It read, in part: If you have ever dreamed of owning a winery but do not have enough money to start one, now is your chance, adding that you can enjoy the beauty of the vineyard while being part of a growing business.

Two MORE INFO buttons were placed beneath several pictures of the winery and the text. One offered a breakdown of the benefits for those investing anywhere from $500 to $10,000. The other summarized the history and articulated the initiative that prompted the search for investors.

In its pursuit of excellence in vineyard management, winemaking, and community engagement, Elk Run Winery is launching a comprehensive multi-phase sustainability initiative aimed at establishing itself as a frontrunner in eco-friendly winemaking within Maryland, the note read. This initiative encompasses the adoption of renewable energy sources, the implementation of innovative equipment upgrades, and the integration of environmentally responsible practices, all designed to minimize the winerys carbon footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and create a replicable model for sustainable viticulture.

A backyard view of Elk Run Vineyards and Winery. Elk Run Winery

Concurrently, Elk Run is initiating a campaign that not only pays homage to the rich history and culture of the state but also seeks to stimulate the local economy: the Maryland Pride Wine Label Rebranding Campaign.

Anyone with questions or interest is asked to contact the owners at elk_run@msn.com or by phone (410.775.2513).

Fred Wilson told PennLive that there are around 30 acres that they continue to farm, turning those grapes into close to 20 wines, mostly dry vinifera (Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir) but also including several dessert wines.

Part of what theyd like to accomplish is to raise the winerys profile as potential customers look for winery destinations, he said.

The deed name to the Elk Rin property is the 'Resurvey of Cold Friday.' It was a land grant from the King of England to Lord Baltimore. The winemakers home is circa 1756. Elk Run Winery

Competition is harder these days. There are more breweries and more wineries, so its really a marketing effort rather than winemaking improvement, he said But we always try to get better wine out of the grapes we have.

I think if we can bring people into the winery, we can sell them wine because we make a good product. But if you cant get them into the winery, its not going to work.

The winery is open Tuesday through Sunday year round, and its hours increase slightly from May to September. Among its summer events are Wine Down Friday (6-9 p.m. with live music, $5 cover) and Sipping Saturday and Sunday (2-5 p.m., live music, no cover charge).
Worshippers  soon, youll be called upon to gather.

After dropping a new song and a new album release date, Sleep Token has confirmed that they coming back to perform in the United States.

Sleep Tokens official website announced their new single  Emergence  on Thursday in the lead up to a new album release on May 9. It is available stream on YouTube and Spotify, as well as other platforms.

To cap this news off, the U.K. heavy metal group announced new tour dates in both Europe and the U.S. Theyll be coming to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Sleep Token tickets: SeatGeek, StubHub, Vivid Seats

Rumors of a new Sleep Token album began to surface in January: Andy Copping, the head of the Download festival  for which the band was one of the main headliners  told NME that fans could expect new music in 2025. Impericon then-reported that this music, however, was expected to be released in the summer.

Blabbermouth.net states that this new album  Sleep Tokens fourth  will be titled Even In Arcadia. The upcoming tour will also bear this name.

Additionally, the band has stated that they intend to use Ticketmasters Face Value exchange in order to avoid scalping prices. Tickets will also be mobile only and restricted from transfer.

Sleep Token was formed in 2016 and has since risen to become one of the biggest bands in Britain, according to Blabbermouth. Each of the members identities are hidden, and they perform under the guise of followers of the mysterious deity, Sleep.

Tickets for Sleep Tokens Even In Arcadia tour will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 21 at 10 a.m.
Blake Shelton will perform on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. In this file photo, he performs during CMA Fest on June 6, 2024, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Country superstar Blake Shelton has announced he will drop his first new album in a long time on May 9.

For Recreational Use Only includes his newest single, Let Him In Anyway.

Fans may get to heart it in person when Shelton brings his Friends & Heroes tour to the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University on Saturday, March 22. Also performing will be Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan, Deana Carter and Emily Ann Roberts.

Fans can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication):

New Vivid Seats customers can get $20 off of a $200 order by using the code PENNLIVE20 at checkout.

Austin was Sheltons first and biggest hit songs. He has had 28 No. 1 songs and won three American Music Awards, one Billboard award, six Academy of Country Music awards, 10 Country Music Association awards, 10 CMT Music Awards and seven Peoples Choice awards.

Other Shelton hit songs have included Hillybilly Bone, Gods Country, Mine Would Be You, She Wouldnt Be Gone and Ol' Red.

Other stops remaining on the tour are:

March 15 - Atlanta, Georgia

March 20 - Baltimore, Maryland

March 21 - Uncasville, Connecticut

March 29 - Fishers, Indiana
FILE - A federal employee, who asked not to use their name for fears over losing their job, protests with a sign saying "Federal Employees Don't Work for Kings" during the "No Kings Day" protest on Presidents Day in Washington, in support of federal workers and against recent actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Feb. 17, 2025, by the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP

By Janie Har, Brian Witte and Lindsay Whitehurst, The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO  Two federal judges handed down orders requiring President Donald Trumps administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers let go in mass firings across multiple agencies Thursday, slowing down for now the presidents dramatic downsizing of the federal government.

Both judges separately found legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out and ordered the employees at least temporarily brought back on the job.

The Trump administration has already appealed the first ruling. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cast it as an attempt to encroach on the presidents power to hire and fire employees. The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order, she said in a statement.

In San Francisco, U.S. District Judge William Alsup found Thursday morning that terminations across six agencies were directed by the Office of Personnel Management and an acting director, Charles Ezell, who lacked the authority to do so.

In Baltimore, U.S. District Judge James Bredar found that the administration did not follow laws set out for large-scale layoffs, including 60 days' advance notice. Bredar, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, ordered the firings temporarily halted and the workforce returned to the status quo before the layoffs began.

He sided with nearly two dozen states that filed a lawsuit alleging the mass firings are illegal and already having an impact on state governments as they try to help the suddenly jobless.

At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges, though the government has not confirmed that number. including advance notice required for affected states.

FILE - Demonstrators rally in support of federal workers outside of the Department of Health and Human Services, Feb. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) AP

The Trump administration argues that the states have no right to try and influence the federal governments relationship with its own workers. Justice Department attorneys argued the firings were for performance issues, not large-scale layoffs subject to specific regulations.

The White House did not immediately return an email seeking comment on Bredars ruling.

Probationary workers have been targeted for layoffs across the federal government because theyre usually new to the job and lack full civil service protection. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the mass firings.

Alsups order tells the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior and the Treasury to immediately offer job reinstatement to employees terminated on or about Feb. 13 and 14. He also directed the departments to report back within seven days with a list of probationary employees and an explanation of how the agencies complied with his order as to each person.

The temporary restraining order came in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions and organizations as the Republican administration moves to reduce the federal workforce.

These mass-firings of federal workers were not just an attack on government agencies and their ability to function, they were also a direct assault on public lands, wildlife, and the rule of law, said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, one of the plaintiffs.

Alsup expressed frustration with what he called the governments attempt to sidestep laws and regulations governing a reduction in its workforce  which it is allowed to do  by firing probationary workers who lack protections and cannot appeal.

He was appalled that employees were told they were being fired for poor performance despite receiving glowing evaluations just months earlier.

It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie, he said. That should not have been done in our country.

Lawyers for the government maintain the mass firings were lawful because individual agencies reviewed and determined whether employees on probation were fit for continued employment.

But Alsup, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, has found that difficult to believe. He planned to hold an evidentiary hearing Thursday, but Ezell, the OPM acting director, did not appear to testify in court or even sit for a deposition, and the government retracted his written testimony.

I know how we get at the truth, and youre not helping me get at the truth, Alsup said to Kelsey Helland, an assistant U.S. attorney.

There are an estimated 200,000 probationary workers across federal agencies. They include entry-level employees but also workers who recently received a promotion.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

About 15,000 are employed in California, providing services ranging from fire prevention to veterans' care, according to the lawsuit filed by the coalition of labor unions and nonprofit organizations that represent parks, veterans and small businesses.

The plaintiffs said in their complaint that numerous agencies informed workers that the personnel office had ordered the terminations, with an order to use a template email informing workers their firing was for performance reasons.

Witte reported from Annapolis, Maryland. Whitehurst reported from Washington.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in early March announced its sales performance in China for February 2025, reporting a total of 31,508 vehicles sold across its passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle segments.

Photo credit: Nissan

For the first two months of 2025, Nissan China's cumulative sales, including both segments, reached 76,926 units.

In February, Dongfeng Nissan, which encompasses the Nissan, Venucia, and INFINITI brands, recorded sales of 28,631 vehicles, with the Nissan brand alone contributing 27,037 units. Meanwhile, the light-duty commercial vehicle division, Zhengzhou Nissan, sold 2,877 vehicles, with the flagship model, the RICH 6, accounting for 1,803 units.

On March 1, Dongfeng Nissan held a tech launch event in Guangzhou, marking its first major showcase of new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies. The event highlighted the brand's latest innovations, including the Tianyan Architecture, which serves as the foundation for its NEV transformation, and four key technological advancements: a 14-in-1 intelligent electric drive system, AI Zero-Pressure Cloud Cushion seats, an end-to-end large model-based advanced intelligent driving system, and a comprehensive motion sickness prevention technology.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 14, RAYZ, an intelligent sensing technology company, announced the completion of a new funding round, raising nearly 100 million yuan. The funds will be primarily allocated to next-generation automotive-grade LiDAR R&D, mass production expansion, and commercial deployment across various sectors.

Photo credit: RAYZ

This round was co-led by CETC Fund and Juntong Capital, with additional investment from ATEC Automotive Electronics. Existing shareholders, including Juntong Capital, also increased their stakes.

As an innovator in the LiDAR industry, RAYZ has leveraged its proprietary MSSP architecture to achieve breakthroughs in detection efficiency, power consumption, size, and cost on the 905nm technology path. Its flagship H260 long-range LiDAR, capable of detecting objects at 260 meters with 10% reflectivity, features ultra-low 10W power consumption and a competitive price point, attracting orders from leading autonomous driving companies worldwide.

The company is also expanding its product portfolio with close-range blind-spot LiDAR and cost-effective LiDAR solutions, aiming to provide full-spectrum intelligent sensing systems. Mass deliveries to customers are scheduled to begin this year.

Beyond automotive applications, RAYZ is advancing into industrial markets such as construction machinery ADAS and service robotics. The company is also strengthening its global presence in autonomous driving, with Robotaxi models incorporating RAYZ's LiDAR set to enter overseas markets in 2025.
PokerStars Pro Spraggy Lands Huge 150/1 Horse Racing Longshot

Eliot Thomas Content Executive Copy link

PokerStars ambassador Benjamin "Spraggy" Spragg proved he doesn't just run good at the poker tables today as the streaming star took to X to reveal an impressive 150/1 (+15,000) horse racing win on outsider Poniros at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.

Poniros, who won Friday's curtain-raiser, the Triumph Hurdle, was the rank outsider of the field, available at odds as large as 200/1 in some places just before the off.

Despite never having jumped a hurdle in competition before, the 4-year-oldtrained by legendary Irish handler Willie Mullinsstormed up the Cheltenham hill to take the win under a determined ride from jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Adding to the poker connection, Poniros is owned by Tony Bloom, the high-stakes gambler and Brighton & Hove Albion chairman, who currently ranks 29th on England's All-Time Money List, according to The Hendon Mob.

The annual Cheltenham Festival stands as the world's premier jumps horse racing event and dominates the UK and Irish bookmaking scene for four days each March.

Spraggy, who hails from Stroud in Gloucestershire, comes from mere miles from Cheltenham Racecourse, widely regarded as the jumps capital of the world.

A Day to Remember

In a series of posts to his 60,000 followers on X, Spragg revealed the win on Poniros netted him $1,820 from a $20 stake.

In one of the most thrilling victories of the 4-day festivalappearing beaten approaching the final hurdle, the outsider powered up the stiff Cheltenham hill under a masterful drive from jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr to beat hot favorite Lulamba by a neck.

Spragg, who regularly streams to over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, didn't stop there. He picked up two more winners with Jasmin De Vaux, also trained by Mullins, returning $600 at odds of 5/1 (+500), and mare Dinoblue returning $516.16 at more modest odds of 11/8 (+137).

In total, the poker star accumulated well over $2,000 in profit heading toward the meeting's showpiece race, the Gold Cup.

However, his luck didnt last. He tipped odds-on favorite Galopin Des Champs for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup winonly for the horse to be beaten into second. The result prompted a tongue-in-cheek tweet from Spragg: "Horse racing's a joke."

Sticking to Poker

Despite his success at Cheltenham, Spragg wont be making a career switch to horse racing anytime soon. Responding to a follower, he admitted he bets horses once a year.

Still, hes far more at home in familiar territory. Fresh off winning back-to-back Best Streamer Awards at the GPI Awards in Las Vegas, Spragg is back at the virtual tables, currently competing in the PokerStars Sunday Million Season, which boasts a $6 million guaranteed prize pool for its 19th anniversary.

That said, a 150/1 winner isnt a bad way to cover a few buy-ins.

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Ed Lab reporter

Anna B. Mitchell is a Greenville-based investigative reporter for the Post and Courier's Education Lab team. A licensed English and social studies teacher, Anna covers education in the Upstate and collaborates with other reporters for coverage on statewide education trends. She studied history at the University of North Carolina, journalism at the University of Missouri, and holds an MBA from the University of Applied Sciences in Wurzburg. For fun, Anna plays bassoon, visits her family in Germany as often as she can, and takes her doggy, Ashe, for long walks with her daughter and husband.
Editor and Publisher

Brandon Roberts is Publisher and Managing Editor of Summerville Communications Inc., which prints The Summerville Journal Scene and The Berkeley Independent. He has worked as an editor for more than two decades in his native Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina before coming to Summerville.
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With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

ZEEKR releases interior images of ZEEKR 007 GT model

On March 13, ZEEKR, a new energy vehicle brand under Geely Holding, unveiled interior images of the ZEEKR 007 GT, the brands second all-electric shooting-brake model. The model is set to hit the market in April this year.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

SERES Group reports new energy vehicle sales of 17,841 units in Feb. 2025

SERES Group announced on March 13 that its automobile sales reached 21,329 units in Feb. 2025, sliding 39.43% year on year. Of those, 17,841 units were contributed by its new energy vehicle sector.

BYD Auto integrates full-version DeepSeek model with AI voice assistant across all brands

On March 13, BYD Auto announced the official integration of the full-version DeepSeek large model into its AI-enabled smart voice assistant across entire brand lineup.

UISEE begins unmanned vehicle trial operations at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

On March 13, autonomous driving company UISEE initiated trial operations for autonomous cargo tractors on the apron of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, marking one of the first deployments following the Civil Aviation Administration of Chinas (CAAC) roadmap for unmanned airport equipment.

Hesai Technology to supply LiDAR products for top Chinese auto startup

Hesai Technology, a LiDAR developer and manufacturer, announced March 13 that its designated LiDAR supply project with a leading Chinese auto startup is about to enter the mass production phase.

GWM's 2025 Haval H5 hits market with upgraded off-road capabilities

On March 13, Great Wall Motor's 2025 Haval H5 officially hit the market with five variants, priced between 147,800 yuan and 177,800 yuan.

BeijingWest Smart Mobility starts producing 4th-gen MagneRide suspension at Shenshan factory

On March 13, BeijingWest Smart Mobility Zhangjiakou Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd. ("BeijingWest Smart Mobility") held a grand inauguration ceremony for its new factory in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone (also called "Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone"), marking the official launch of mass production for its fourth-generation MagneRide magnetorheological suspension system.

XPENG eyes foray into 60 countries, regions by 2025

At its Spring Launch Event on March 13, XPENG unveiled an ambitious global expansion plan, with Chairman He Xiaopeng announcing the company's goal to enter 60 countries and regions by 2025.

XPENG puts 2025 XPENG G6, G9 models onto market with upgrades features, lower prices

On March 13, Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer XPENG officially released the 2025 XPENG G6 and 2025 XPENG G9 models onto the market, introducing significant upgrades while lowering prices compared to previous models.

LiDAR company RAYZ nabs nearly 100 million yuan in new funding round

On March 14, RAYZ, an intelligent sensing technology company, announced the completion of a new funding round, raising nearly 100 million yuan. The funds will be primarily allocated to next-generation automotive-grade LiDAR R&D, mass production expansion, and commercial deployment across various sectors.

Nissan Motor sells 31,508 vehicles in China in Feb. 2025

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in early March announced its sales performance in China for February 2025, reporting a total of 31,508 vehicles sold across its passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle segments.

ORITEK closes Series B2 funding to accelerate AI SoC solutions for smart vehicles

On March 13, SoC and solutions provider ORITEK announced the completion of its Series B2 financing round, which raised for the company several hundred million yuan. The round was jointly led by SDIC Fund Management, CMS Capital, and Unite Pioneers Capital.
Tiffany Tan is a senior reporter at The Post and Courier in Columbia. She covers statewide issues, particularly in the criminal justice system. She previously reported on the courts, the opioid epidemic and regional news in Vermont for VTDigger. She has also worked for newspapers and television outlets in Manila, Beijing, Singapore and South Dakota.
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 /abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC (TSX:FAP) (UEN: T21VC0235H) (the "Company"), a closed-end investment company trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, announced today the results of the Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") held on March 14, 2025.The Company is pleased to announce that shareholders have approved all resolutions, including amendments to the VCC Constitution including: (a) an annual redemption right eliminating the current 10% Cap which would allow shareholders to tender for redemption when the redemption conditions are met, 100% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares; and (b) provide the Board, abrdn Canada Limited and abrdn Asia Limited the power to terminate and wind up the Company.In light of this approval and the possibility that significant redemptions could result in the Company no longer being economically viable, the Board may determine, commencing in 2026, following the announcement of an annual redemption, that it is in the best interest of the Company and its Shareholders to terminate the Company. Factors that the Board may take into consideration at this time may include the liquidity of the shares and higher share price volatility following a significant redemption. If the Board makes such a determination, it has the discretion to terminate the Company, subject to providing the required notice by way of a press release and compliance with all relevant laws (including, without limitation, the VCC Act). Consequently, if a notice of termination has been provided by way of a press release issued not less than 15 days prior to the Redemption Date, the annual redemption will not proceed and the Company will proceed with a complete liquidation.The description of the Meeting proposals and the shareholders' votes cast for and against each proposal at the Meeting are as follows:1. Election of DirectorsThe number of directors was set at three (3) and the three (3) nominees listed in the management information circular dated January 17, 2025 (the "Circular") that stood for election, were elected as directors of the Company by an ordinary resolution passed at the Meeting as follows:DirectorVotes ForVotes WithheldRadhika Ajmera14,049,188(97.27%)394,487(2.73%)William J. Braithwaite14,053,589(97.30%)390,086(2.70%)Henny Muliany14,075,415(97.45%)368,260(2.55%)2. Election of AuditorThe firm KPMG LLP, Singapore was appointed as the auditor of the Company and KPMG LLP, Toronto was appointed as the principal independent registered public accountant of the Company for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 by an ordinary resolution passed by 14,396,685 (99.49%) votes for and 73,242 (0.51%) votes withheld.3. Amendments to the ConstitutionThe proposed amendments to the Company's Constitution as described in the Circular, were adopted by an ordinary resolution passed by 14,009,113 (96.99%) votes for and 434,562 (3.01%) votes against.Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca Important Informationabrdn is the registered marketing name in Canada for the following entities: abrdn Canada Limited, abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Luxembourg S.A., and abrdn Alternative Funds Limited. abrdn Canada Limited ("abrdn") is registered as a Portfolio Manager and Exempt Market Dealer in all provinces and territories of Canada as well as an Investment Fund Manager in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Company's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the Company. There is no assurance that the Company will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.# # #For More Information Contact:abrdn Inc.Investor Relations800-992-6341 Investor.Relations@abrdn.com SOURCE: abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC
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Global Managed Services Provider Recognized for Outstanding Customer Support and IT Service ManagementCLEARWATER, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / AireSpring, a leading global managed services provider specializing in managed network services, security, mobility and cloud communications, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Silver Stevie Award for Customer Service Department and ITSM Excellence, in the Customer Service Department of the Year - Telecommunications category.This highly competitive, juried award recognizes organizations that set the standard for superior customer service and innovation. AireSpring's win underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering an unparalleled customer experience through its expert service team and AIreCONTROL, the industry's most advanced AI-powered IT Service Management (ITSM) platform.Commitment to Exceptional Customer Service and InnovationAs a frequent award-winner for excellence in customer service with a diverse portfolio of best-of-breed technology solutions, AireSpring has built its reputation on white-glove service and proactive support, ensuring businesses receive seamless, end-to-end IT and network solutions. At the core of this award-winning approach is AIreCONTROL, a next-generation ITSM platform that enhances network management and service reliability. Key features include:24/7/365 real-time monitoring across multiple geographically diverse network operations centers (NOCs).360-degree visibility and control over every device, process, data point, and circuit.AI automated case generation with 92% of all cases opened proactively.Instant, customizable, omni-channel alerting for network issues, power outages, and security threats.AIrePOD Tier 3 Engineering support, providing expert guidance within 10 minutes of case creation.Recognized for Customer Success and Industry LeadershipAireSpring received this year's award for its dedication to customer engagement through developing its Customer Success team and expanding AIreCONTROL's features. Thanks to these efforts, AireSpring continues to retain customers and drive sales at industry-leading rates."Winning the Silver Stevie Award is a testament to AireSpring's dedication to customer success, innovation, and industry leadership," said Russ Shipley, AireSpring Chief Operating Officer. "This award not only recognizes our cutting-edge IT service management platform, AIreCONTROL-it also honors our exceptional team members who contribute their expertise to consistently deliver proactive, personalized customer service, and work to delight our partners and their customers every day." "The outstanding scores awarded to this year's Stevie winners reflect the exceptional levels of achievement they demonstrate," said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. "We proudly join the judges and the entire Stevie Awards community in congratulating and celebrating the winners on their accomplishments." About AireSpring Founded in 2001, AireSpring is an award-winning global managed services provider. We design and deliver customized IT, connectivity, networking, security, mobility, and unified communications solutions for enterprises worldwide. Our AI-powered AIreCONTROL ITSM platform, combined with personalized support, ensures a superior customer experience.AireSpring's services include Managed Connectivity, SD-WAN, SASE, Cloud Communications, Global Connectivity, and Mobility solutions, offered through a diverse network of channel partners, including TSDs, MSPs, and VARs.With access to over 200 network providers globally, we provide seamless, fully managed, single-source solutions with one bill and one point of contact.Contact InformationEllen CahillSVP Marketingellen.cahill@airespring.com 888.389.2899SOURCE: AireSpring
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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / A new class action lawsuit filed alleges that JPMorgan mismanaged its employee health and prescription benefits program resulting in its current and former employees vastly overpaying for premiums and out-of-pocket costs.The case alleges that JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, and other executives who claimed to be personally involved in the employee health plan, abandoned efforts at prudent management under pressure from lucrative investment banking clients of JPMorgan in the health industry.The complaint further alleges that JPMorgan mismanaged its prescription drug plan in a number of ways that would have been obvious to any prudent manager. Other smaller companies avoided these costly mistakes, which JPMorgan's own industry trade groups specifically warned against. These mistakes include:Using a flawed process to select CVS Caremark to administer its employee prescription benefits plan while CVS was a major investment banking client of JPMorgan's, resulting in employees overpaying for prescriptionsOvercharging employees for generic prescriptions available at vastly lower prices, including for some who went to a pharmacy without insurance.Allowing Caremark to list its own overpriced Humira biosimilar as the only option on the employee health plan formularyThe 97-page complaint was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York. The three class representatives are current or former JPMorgan employees from across the country. The plaintiffs are represented by Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC and Fairmark Partners, LLP."This case alleges that JPMorgan executives put lucrative investment banking revenue ahead of their fiduciary obligations to their employees, resulting in higher premiums and health care prices for employees and their families," said Michael Lieberman of Fairmark Partners, LLP. "As one of the most powerful corporations in the world, JPMorgan has no excuse for allowing PBMs and Big Pharma to overcharge its employees for prescription drugs and healthcare." "We look forward to prosecuting this important case on behalf of our clients. The stakes are high for JPMorgan's employees, and JPMorgan has an obligation to put them first - not the company - when managing its health plan and prescription drug benefit program," added Michelle Yau of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC ( cohenmilstein.com) is a premier U.S. plaintiffs' law firm, with over 100 attorneys across eight offices, that champions the causes of real people - workers, consumers, small business owners, investors, and whistleblowers - and works to deliver corporate reforms and fair markets for the common good.Fairmark Partners, LLP ( fairmarklaw.com) is a Washington, DC law firm that specializes in complex antitrust and healthcare litigation to hold corporations accountable for wrongdoing.Together, Cohen Milstein and Fairmark are prosecuting three cutting-edge ERISA cases against JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and Johnson & Johnson, alleging that the companies breached their fiduciary duties by agreeing to terms with their PBM that caused employees to overpay for prescription drugs.The complaint is available [HERE]For more information contact: Brennan Bilberry, brennan@ fairmarklaw.com SOURCE: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC
 2025-03-13 08:33:30 ,   



"Beware the Ides of March" is a famous warning from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (Act 1 Scene 2), referring to the 15th of March 44 BCE, the day Caesar was assassinated (both in reality and in the play).



Because of Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March, the phrase has become a general warning of impending doom or misfortune; a symbol of potential betrayal, misfortune, and the importance of heeding warnings or even destiny.



Note in the ancient Roman calendar, the "Ides" corresponded with the full moon, which was the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months.



- Source: dear Google (with editing)

-----------------------------------------------------------



I watched "Julius Caesar" (play recording) again recently, and felt being grabbed into it much more than the first time, partially due to APAD I think, as every sentence in there seemed to be a good candidate for APAD.



For example, in the same Act, Casca (a Roman senator and one of the conspirators who participates in the assassination of Caesar) said: "it was Greek to me", which means something is difficult or impossible to understand.



I did buy a complete works of Shakespeare in London UK and carried it all the way back, hoping that a book from there would help me understand the Bard better :-). But in reality, watching and hearing the sounds of his plays are the best for me.



Also a short clip of CNN video below talking about the phrase's effects, so very interesting! As today is March the 13th, so "Beware the Ides of March" everyone!
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This release corrects the release that was posted on March 13, 2025ORLANDO, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / VoLo Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to driving climate solutions by awarding a $6 million, three-year grant to The CLEO Institute, a women-led nonprofit at the forefront of climate education, advocacy, policy, and resilience-building.This renewed investment underscores VoLo's belief in CLEO's model, impact, and momentum, recognizing that Florida is not just on the frontlines of the climate crisis-it is leading the charge on electric vehicle adoption, rooftop solar expansion, federal climate funding benefits, and resilience-building efforts. The CLEO playbook holds promise for progress nationwide. For 15 years, CLEO has been at the heart of that progress, shaping people-centered policies, educating communities, and forging pathways to climate solutions.At a time when only 2.0% of the world's philanthropic dollars go to spurring action to protect our climate, and even less to women-led organizations like CLEO, VoLo Foundation's investment sets a powerful precedent for others to follow. In the absence of federal leadership, philanthropy must step up to fund proven, community-based climate solutions that can be scaled nationwide.VoLo's strategic support will allow CLEO to:Mobilize the Masses with Education, Urgency & Agency - Expanding climate literacy and civic engagement programs, ensuring diverse communities have access to the science and solutions needed for action.Advance Clean Renewable Energy with Speed & Scale - Holding utilities accountable, accelerating electric vehicle fleet adoption, and supporting renewable energy incentives for frontline communities.Educate Climate Champions - Training young leaders, expanding genCLEO chapters, and driving voter engagement to support climate-forward policies and educate elected officials.Build Community Resilience - Strengthening disaster preparedness, advancing climate justice initiatives, and equipping historically marginalized communities with tools for adaptation and recovery."VoLo Foundation's continued investment in CLEO is a testament to our impact and the power of long-term philanthropic partnerships," said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director of The CLEO Institute. "With their support, we've built a model that works - and now, we're scaling it, seeking matching grants to drive systemic change strategically across the U.S. and beyond. The climate emergency demands nothing less and we urge others to follow." The results are clear: strategic investments in climate solutions work. Thanks to catalytic funding from VoLo and other key partners, Florida is now a national leader in clean energy adoption and climate resilience for communities on the frontlines."As data-driven philanthropists, we invest in solutions that work," said Thais Lopez Vogel, Co-Founder & Trustee of VoLo Foundation. "CLEO's 15-year trajectory proves that top-down advocacy/policy efforts and bottom-up community-driven investments create real, measurable impact. The work happening in Florida today can serve as a playbook for the rest of the nation." "As a Florida grown but nationally known organization, CLEO's impact is a proven model.As climate disasters intensify and disinvestment in frontline communities persist, funding organizations like CLEO - who turn awareness into action, education into advocacy, and funding into systems change - is more critical than ever," said Caroline Lewis, founder of The CLEO Institute.About The CLEO InstituteFounded in 2010, The CLEO Institute is a women-led, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to climate education, advocacy, and engagement. Because climate change is a solvable but time-bound existential issue, we envision a world where by 2030, heat trapping gasses are significantly reduced, the planet's current alarming trajectory is reversed, and we've secured a safer future for all. www.CLEOInstitute.org About VoLo FoundationVoLo Foundation is committed to accelerating global climate solutions by funding science-based education, environmental innovation, and initiatives that drive measurable impact. By investing in strategic partnerships, VoLo works to enhance education, improve health, and create a sustainable future. www.VoLoFoundation.org Contact InformationJocelyn MahoneCommunity Managerjmahone@ cleoinstitute.org (203) 554-8199SOURCE: The CLEO Institute
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Empire Metals Limited (LON:EEE), the AIM-quoted resource exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that its Ordinary Shares have been approved to trade on the OTCQB Market ("OTCQB") in the United States of America (the "US") and will commence trading at the market open today under the ticker symbol "EMPLF".The cross-trading of Empire Metals' ordinary shares on the OTCQB will provide significant benefits to investors, including enhanced access to trading for US-based investors and greater liquidity from a broader pool of potential investors globally. By trading on the OTCQB, Empire Metals will engage directly with US investors, providing them with the same level of information and disclosure available to shareholders in the United Kingdom, but through US-facing platforms and portals. Additionally, the OTCQB cross-trading facility will enable US investors to access Empire Metals' ordinary shares in US dollars, during US market hours.Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: "Trading on OTCQB opens Empire Metals to a new and diverse pool of potential investors in the US, who are keen for exposure to strategic metals. Titanium is on the critical minerals list in many countries, including the United States. The growing global demand for titanium, particularly in industries like defence and aerospace, underpins our objective to accelerate development at our Pitfield Project, the world's largest known titanium discovery, towards commercialisation. Empire Metals is working to become an industry disruptor by producing high-value titanium pigments and/or titanium metal from a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction in Australia, which we believe will drive strategic interest internationally from investors and consumers alike."Trading on the OTCQB is an important component of this vision as we take Pitfield to the international stage, offering investors a significant and responsibly sourced pathway to gain exposure to this high-growth and strategically important commodity. The Company will be presenting to investors in the US next week, as well as presenting at the Critical Minerals North America conference on 20 March, and we are delighted to provide US investors with the opportunity to invest in Empire Metals." About OTCQBThe ability to trade Empire Metals' existing ordinary shares on AIM will remain unaffected by the OTCQB listing, and no new shares will be issued. Empire Metals will continue to make announcements and disclosures to the London Stock Exchange via the Regulatory News Service and will not be subject to Sarbanes-Oxley or US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") reporting requirements.The OTCQB is recognised as an Established Public Market by the SEC. To be eligible for the OTCQB, companies must be current in their financial reporting, meet a minimum bid price test, and undergo annual company verification and management certification. As a verified market with efficient access to US investors, OTCQB supports companies as they seek to build shareholder value, enhance liquidity, and achieve fair valuation.US investors can access real-time quotes, market information, and updates on Empire Metals via www.otcmarkets.com Empire Metals has not yet made, and does not expect to make, a determination as to whether it, or any of its subsidiaries, are Passive Foreign Investment Companies ("PFIC") for U.S. tax purposes for any taxable year.**ENDS**For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella BurwellTel: 020 4583 1440S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam CowlTel: 020 3470 0470Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon HeathTel: 020 7186 9950St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR)Susie Geliher / Charlotte PageTel: 020 7236 1177About Empire Metals LimitedEmpire Metals is an AIM-listed exploration and resource development company (LON: EEE) with a primary focus on developing Pitfield, an emerging giant titanium project in Western Australia.The high-grade titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, with airborne surveys identifying a massive, coincident gravity and magnetics anomaly extending over 40km by 8km by 5km deep. Drill results have indicated excellent continuity in grades and consistency of the mineralised beds and confirm that the sandstone beds hold the higher-grade titanium dioxide (TiO) values within the interbedded succession of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates. The Company is focused on two key prospects (Cosgrove and Thomas), which have been identified as having thick, high-grade, near-surface, bedded TiO mineralisation, each being over 7km in strike length.A JORC Exploration Target* for Pitfield was declared in 2024, covering the Thomas and Cosgrove mineral prospects, and was estimated to contain between 26.4 to 32.2 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.5 to 5.5% TiO2. Included within the total Exploration Target* is a subset that covers the weathered sandstone zone, which extends from surface to an average vertical depth of 30m to 40m and is estimated to contain between 4.0 to 4.9 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.8 to 5.9% TiO2.The Exploration Target* covers an area less than 20% of the overall mineral system at Pitfield which demonstrates the potential for significant further upside.Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit.The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria.*The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Empire Metals Limited
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / The law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y., is pleased to announce several upcoming spring educational programs. Presented by the firm's experienced elder law attorneys, these informative sessions provide the community with valuable insights into critical topics, including estate planning, asset protection, Medicaid eligibility, and safeguarding against financial elder abuse."Our goal is to help individuals and families take proactive steps to secure their future," said Lauren C. Enea, Esq., a partner at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano. "By understanding the available legal tools and strategies, attendees will be better equipped to protect their assets and make informed decisions regarding long-term care and estate planning." The firm's attorneys will speak at local libraries and community education programs, both in person and via webinars, offering attendees expert guidance on planning for the future.Monday, March 24 - Protecting Your Assets and Identity Learn essential strategies to safeguard your wealth from long-term care costs, including the importance of a well-drafted power of attorney and revocable living trusts. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. 3:00-4:00pm. For more information or to register for this free webinar hosted by Bronxville Public Library, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yktkznt6 Thursday, March 27 - Accountable Aging: Preparing for the Elder Years Discover how to organize your affairs, ensure your estate planning documents are in order, and explore Medicaid eligibility for home care and nursing home benefits. Presented by Sara E. Meyers, Esq. 7:00-8:30pm. For more information or to register for this in person program hosted by Chappaqua Continuing Education, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc4j5r73 Tuesday, April 8 - Protecting Your Assets and Identity Learn essential strategies to safeguard your wealth from long-term care costs, including the importance of a well-drafted power of attorney and revocable living trusts. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. 5:30-6:30pm. For more information or to register for this free in person program hosted by North Castle Public Library, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2e96vfs9 Wednesday, April 23 - Estate Planning for Every Age A practical discussion on why estate planning is essential for all ages, including key milestones to keep in mind when creating or reviewing your plan. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. 1:00-2:00pm. For more information or to register for this free in person program hosted by Scarsdale Public Library, visit: https://tinyurl.com/33jwtna6 Wednesday, April 30- Accountable Aging: Preparing for the Elder Years Discover how to organize your affairs, ensure your estate planning documents are in order, and explore Medicaid eligibility for home care and nursing home benefits. Presented by Sara E. Meyers, Esq. 6:00-7:00pm. For more information or to register for this in person program hosted by Hudson River Continuing Education, visit https://hrcewestchester.org Tuesday, May 20 - What is a Power of Attorney and Why Do I Need One? Understand the importance of a power of attorney, the differences between durable and non-durable options, and how to ensure your financial and healthcare wishes are met. Presented by Stella King, Esq. 7:00-8:00pm. For more information or to register for this free webinar hosted by The Warner Library, visit https://tinyurl.com/5yp8cn3m Thursday, May 22 - Protecting Against Financial Elder Abuse and Senior Scams Learn key signs of financial and personal elder abuse, typical scams that are targeted toward the senior population, as well as the important estate planning documents to help protect against financial abuse as one ages. Presented by Sara E. Meyers, Esq. 7:00-8:30pm. For more information or to register for this in person program hosted by Chappaqua Continuing Education, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc4j5r73 Wednesday, May 28 - Protecting Your Assets from the Cost of Long-Term Care Discover effective strategies for protecting your assets from the cost of long-term care - including how to draft a sufficiently broad power of attorney, use a revocable living trust as an effective estate planning tool, and plan for the transfer of your primary residence. Presented by Sara E. Meyers, Esq. 6:00-7:00pm. For more information or to register for this in person program hosted by Hudson River Continuing Education, visit https://hrcewestchester.org The attorneys at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano specialize in elder law planning, asset protection, estate tax planning, wills, trusts & estates, Medicaid applications (for both home care and nursing home care), guardianships, and special needs planning. The firm has been consistently recognized for excellence in the legal field and has attained Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV Preeminent, for superior ethical standards and legal ability.Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street, Suite 500 in White Plains and 339 Route 202, Suite 100 in Somers. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 914-948-1500 or visit www.esslawfirm.com About Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is an AV preeminent rated elder law firm with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y. The practice concentrates on Elder Law; Medicaid Planning; Nursing Home and Home Care Applications; Estate Tax Planning; Wills, Trusts and Estates; Guardianships; Estate Litigation; Supplemental Needs Trusts; and Special Needs Planning. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP serves Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Queens and is committed to providing the highest quality legal services to seniors, the disabled and their families. Visit the firm online at www.esslawfirm.com Press Contact Kelly LeeCo-Communications914-666-0066 kelly@ cocommunications.com SOURCE: Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FMC Corporation ("FMC" or "the Company") (NYSE:FMC) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired FMC securities between November 16, 2023 and February 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/FMC Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) the Company's channel management initiatives were not progressing as represented; (2) that, faced with pricing pressure, the Company had made the decision not to compete on prices and instead walk away from sales opportunities; (3) that, as a result, the Company had inflated inventory in the channels in "LATAM, including Brazil, Asia, including India, as well as Canada and Eastern Europe;" and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/FMC.or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at332-239-2660 . If you suffered a loss in FMC you have until April 14, 2025, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates onLinkedIn ,X ,Facebook , orInstagram .Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660|info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Hillcrest Convalescent Center recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Hillcrest.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 27, 2024, Hillcrest became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, Hillcrest launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain Hillcrest data. Hillcrest conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On February 13, 2025, Hillcrest identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, address, date of birth, driver's license number, government issued ID number (e.g., passport, state ID card), financial information (e.g., account number, credit or debit card number), medical information (e.g., patient data, treatment information, health care provider information), and health insurance information. On March 4, 2025, Hillcrest filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY IMAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Hillcrest Convalescent Center,you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilMarch 18, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 27, 2024 and December 19, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Innovative and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-iipr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byMarch 18, 2025 .About the LawsuitInnovative and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On December 20, 2024, the Company disclosed that on the previous day, PharmaCann Inc., the Company's tenant for eleven properties "which represented 17% of IIP's total rental revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024defaulted on its obligations to pay rent for the month of December under six of the eleven Leases, for properties located in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. December rent, including base rent, property management fees and estimated tax and insurance payments, totaled $4.2 million for these six properties." On this news, the price of IIPR's stock fell fell $21.68 per share, or 22.73%, to close at $73.66 per share on December 20, 2024.The case is Giraudon v. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., No. 25-cv-00182.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Freddie Mac recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Freddie Mac.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 4, 2024, Freddie Mac became aware of a security incident on its internal systems. Upon detection, Freddie Mac launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to files and folders containing confidential consumer information that had been provided to Freddie Mac.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: names, and Social Security numbers. On February 19, 2025, Freddie Mac filed a notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Freddie Mac, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Community Care Alliance recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals.This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Community Care Alliance.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 6, 2024, Community Care Alliance experienced a network disruption that affected its ability to access certain systems. Upon detection, Community Care Alliance launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Through the investigation, it was determined that certain information may have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized individual between July 1, 2024, and July 5, 2024. On or around January 8, 2025, Community Care Alliance conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: first and last name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, Social Security number, diagnosis/condition, lab results, medications, patient ID number, health insurance information, provider name, and/or other treatment information. On March 7, 2025, Community Care Alliance disclosed the breach to the Maine Attorney General's office, and, on March 10, 2025, began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY I MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Community Care Alliance,you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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JACKSON, WYOMING / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Labor Smart, Inc. (OTC Pink:LTNC) today unveiled a transformative corporate rebranding and strategic shift that will redefine its identity and drive its next phase of growth. As part of this transformation, the Company will announce a new name and ticker symbol in the coming weeks, aligning more closely with its evolving focus on the snack and beverage industry. Labor Smart will be submitting the application to the respective regulatory agencies seeking approval to change the name and ticker symbol in the coming weeks.Brad Wyatt, CEO of Labor Smart, Inc., stated, "This is a defining moment for us. Our new name and identity represent a bold step forward in our journey. This transformation is about reshaping who we are, how we operate, and how we deliver value to our shareholders and customers." The rebranding reflects Labor Smart's commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and long-term growth in the snack and beverage sectors. This shift positions the Company to better meet the demands of the market, expand its product offerings, and strengthen its presence in these key industries.About Labor Smart, Inc.Labor Smart Inc. (OTC PINK: LTNC) is a forward-thinking brand development and product innovation company specializing in the consumer packaged goods industry. The Company is committed to delivering high-quality products that resonate with consumers while driving growth through strategic partnerships and market expansion. Focused on the snack and beverage sectors, Labor Smart aims to meet the evolving demands of today's consumers with innovative, convenient, and high-quality offerings.Forward-Looking and Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements, which include the Company's new name, ticker symbol, and transformation, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to various risks. Labor Smart, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.Contact Information Investor Relations ir@ laborsmartinc.com SOURCE: Labor Smart, Inc.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of all shareholders that purchased stock pursuant and/or traceable to Venture's registration statement for the initial public offering held on or about January 24, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, Venture completed its initial public offering on January 27, 2025, selling 70 million shares at $24.00 per share. On February 5, 2025, TotalEnergies, an energy company that was a target customer of Venture, rejected opportunities to become a long-term customer of Venture, citing lack of trust. In particular, TotalEnergies CEO, stated that he was approached by Venture to see if the company would be interested in a long-term supply contract for liquefied natural gas from the Calcasieu Pass terminal in Louisiana, but he rejected the offer "because of what they are doing." Venture is currently facing legal challenges from existing large clients, such as BP and Shell, due to delays in supply contracts as Venture commissions its projects. Given the fact that defendants ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the world and to continue development of Venture's five natural gas liquefication and export projects depends on customer contracts, defendants' failure to account for and address these issues caused statements in Venture's registration statement to be false and/or materially misleading at the time of the initial public offering.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Venture stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/venture-global-inc-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=135889&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-14 22:01:44

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TWIN CITIES, MN / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Marnie Thies fromproviolin.comoffers violin lessons for kids aged five and up, as well as adults. She recommends scheduling a meet-and-greet before your first lesson to determine the correct violin size. This is an important step, as selecting the correct violin size is crucial for a comfortable and effective playing experience. Playing with the wrong size can lead to unnecessary tension which could result in tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fatigue, making it harder to play fast pieces, maintain proper technique, and play with vibrato. Vibrato refers to the rocking of the fingers from the wrist or arm. During the meet-and-greet, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons will introduce various chinrests, shoulder rests, and sponges in different sizes to ensure the student's comfort. Shoulder rests are devices used by violinists and violists to support and stabilize the instrument while playing. They rest on the player's shoulder and help reduce strain on the shoulder, neck, and back, which also improves posture. Shoulder rests come in various shapes, sizes, and materials to suit different body types and playing preferences. While a small minority of musicians prefer not to use them, many find that they enhance comfort and technique.Sponges, another option, are placed on the back of the violin and secured with rubber bands. These provide additional support. In the first meeting, Marnie Thies displays varying sponges in different sizes for students to try along with different chin rest and shoulder rest setups to find the best fit, as everyone's body is unique. Additionally, Marnie will check the string height on the violin's fingerboard, which is the ebony surface the strings sit on. If the string height is too high, it can cause unnecessary tension while playing making it harder to perform fast music and have a high functioning vibrato.What can students expect during their first lessons? At the beginning, Marnie Thies focuses on teaching students how to hold the violin properly. The violin should be held with the chin and head. Marnie suggests listening to Suzuki violin recordings during practice and directs them to her website for available recordings of the music they will be studying. This serves two purposes: First, it helps students internalize the music and develop a sense of pitch, rhythm, and dynamics (playing softly or loudly). Second, it makes practicing the violin hold more enjoyable by allowing students to listen to music while working on this important skill.Another skill that Marnie Thies introduces to students in the first few lessons is developing the correct bow hold, which can be challenging. Marnie recommends practicing the bow hold in short, focused sessions. This approach promotes muscle memory and helps keep the mind fresh, which is essential for learning proper technique. Staying mentally alert while practicing also prevents the development of bad habits caused by fatigue.While some students are eager to start playing pieces right away, Marnie Thies prioritizes building a strong technical foundation. In the beginning, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons teaches her students the "Twinkle Theme" using pizzicato (plucking the strings), which develops left-hand technique. During left-hand practice, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons ensure that students' fingers are curved over the strings, which prepares them for vibrato in the future. She also teaches parents how to help their child keep their fingers close to the strings. By placing their hands over the child's left hand, parents can encourage the child's fingers to stay close to the strings, which is essential for playing repertoire at faster speeds. Thies also demonstrates in the first few lessons how to draw a straight bow in front of the mirror. A straight bow is when the bow is parallel to the bridge. The bridge is a small piece of wood that keeps the strings in place and helps transmit vibrations to the violin. Additionally, it's an essential part of the violin that influences how the violin sounds and the playability. Marnie Thies emphasizes that until a student consistently plays with a straight bow, they should practice in front of a mirror. If a student demonstrates that they can play with a straight bow, Marnie will have them practice this at home on open strings. Open strings are when no fingers touch the fingerboard allowing students to focus on their bow arm for drawing a straight bow. Bowing straight is essential for producing a full, clear tone. By working on both hands using pizzicato for the "Twinkle Theme" and full bows with open strings, students have multiple aspects of technique to focus on. Marnie Thies has found that this gradual approach allows students to enjoy playing a piece while also building fundamental skills. This method helps them develop a strong foundation before combining both hands, setting the stage for long-term success.In addition to in-person lessons in St. Paul in the suburbs of Falcon Heights and North Oaks, Minnesota, Marnie offers online violin lessons for students unable to attend in person or for those pupils that prefer the convenience of online lessons. Marnie Thies looks forward to expanding her teaching locations to cities such as Blaine and Coon Rapids or another area in Anoka County. To collaborate with Marnie, please contact her throughproviolin.com Contact:Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin LessonsEmail: marnie78t@ gmail.com SOURCE: Marnie Thies Violin Lessons
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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is proud to welcome Gen. Paul E. Funk II to its Board of Advisors. After serving in the United States Army for 42 years, Gen. Funk retired in 2022, with his most recent position as Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). As TRADOC commander, Gen. Funk was responsible for 32 Army schools organized under eight Centers of Excellence that recruit, train, and educate more than 500,000 soldiers and service members annually.The Chairman of MEMRI's Board of Directors, Oliver "Buck" Revell, stated: "We are proud to have General Funk join the MEMRI Board of Advisors, given his outstanding background and dedication to American security. We are grateful that he is joining MEMRI's group of distinguished leaders." Gen. Funk previously served as Commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, and Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR), where he deployed and led a 72-nation coalition in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Gen. Funk's additional combat and operational experience includes five other deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.MEMRI Vice President Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez commented: "We are delighted to welcome General Funk, a distinguished, innovative figure in both the recent past and the future of innovation in warfighting." Gen. Funk holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Montana State University and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses and the Command and General Staff College, and completed his Senior Service College as a fellow attending the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Texas at Austin. He was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal - the nation's fourth-highest honor - for outstanding leadership in combat.In addition, Gen. Funk currently serves on the board of Red Cat, a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Brig.-Gen . (Ret) and Partner of Governance Risk Global and senior MEMRI board member Tom Cosentino added: "General Paul Funk is an outstanding addition to the MEMRI Advisory Board. He is not only an accomplished combat leader who led the destruction of ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq, but he is also an outstanding strategist who has helped shape American security strategy for decades. We are truly fortunate to have this great American leader join our team!"The MEMRI Board of Advisors and Board of Directors include distinguished figures from government, media, law, and academia from around the world. Among them are former prime ministers, attorneys-generals, justice ministers, legal and counterterrorism experts, senior military officers and diplomats, and recipients of the most prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal. Members of the MEMRI Board of Advisors are bipartisan and have honorably served Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.ABOUT MEMRIExploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/ MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/ Contact Information:MEMRI media@ memri.org 202-955-9070 www.memri.org SOURCE: Middle East Media Research Institute
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Timeless Beauty and Lasting Quality With Custom Wood Plantation BlindsHOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Plantation Shutters Houston, a leading provider of custom window treatments, introduces its premium wood plantation blinds, which Houston homeowners can now incorporate to elevate their interior spaces. The company specializes in high-quality, custom-designed blinds and offers solutions combining timeless beauty with practical benefits. Plantation Blinds in HoustonThe Charm of Interior Plantation BlindsInterior plantation blinds are versatile window coverings crafted from top-grade materials like wood, vinyl or composite. Mounted inside the window frame, they provide a seamless, elegant look that complements various interior design styles."These blinds offer both aesthetic appeal and functionality, making them a popular choice among homeowners," says Slade Miller, President of Plantation Shutters Houston. "Our clients appreciate the natural warmth and sophistication wood plantation blinds bring to any room." With adjustable louvers, these blinds allow precise control over light and privacy while offering insulation benefits that contribute to a comfortable indoor climate. Their moisture-resistant properties make them suitable for all areas of the home, including kitchens and bathrooms.Benefits of Wood Plantation BlindsCrafted from quality woods such as basswood or cedar, wood plantation blinds provide numerous advantages. Custom-fit blinds add an extra layer of insulation, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption."In Houston's climate, energy efficiency is a significant concern," explains Miller. "Our blinds help homeowners maintain a comfortable environment while potentially lowering utility bills." Wood blinds are durable and can last for decades with minimal maintenance. Their robust construction ensures they withstand daily use without warping or fading.Classic Design Meets Modern NeedsThe timeless design of wood plantation blinds enhances both traditional and contemporary interiors. Available in various stains and colors, they can be customized to match any decor. Their classic appeal adds value and elegance to homes."Every installation is tailored to the homeowner's vision," notes Miller. "We work closely with our clients to create beautiful window treatments that meet their functional needs." For those seeking to improve their living spaces,plantation blindsoffer an ideal solution. The company's commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction ensures a seamless experience from consultation to installation of the blinds."Our goal is to provide products that enhance our clients' homes in style and comfort," says Miller. "We believe that well-crafted blinds can make a significant difference in the look and feel of any room." About Plantation Shutters HoustonPlantation Shutters Houston brings the largest selection of custom window treatments to homeowners seeking quality products at wholesale prices. As a direct dealer of top brands, the company offers sales and professional installation with significant savings. With a focus on personalized service, we help clients choose the perfect shutters, blinds or shades to complement their homes.For a same-day quote or to schedule a free in-home consultation, please call 281-758-5071 or visit our website atwww.plantationshuttershouston.com Contact InformationSlade MillerFounder / Ownerslademiller@ bottomdollarblinds.com 281-990-4966SOURCE: Plantation Shutters Houston
PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-14 22:01:14

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VANCOUVER, BC AND HONG KONG / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 /Reyna Silver Corp . (TSXV:RSLV)(OTCQB:RSNVF)(FRA:4ZC)("Reyna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a final closing of its previously announced private placement offering (the "Offering") of units ("Units"). In aggregate, the Company issued 2,623,066 Units in the third closing for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$196,729.95.Each Unit was issued at a price of CAD$0.075 and consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for 36 months from the date of issuance to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price CAD$0.12.The Company previously announced on February 5, 2025 a first closing of the Offering of 14,889,999 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$1,116,749.93, on February 14, 2025 a second closing of the Offering of 21,439,900 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$1,607,992.50 and on February 28, 2025 a third closing of the Offering of 1,420,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$106,500.00. In aggregate, the Company has issued 40,372,965 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,027,972.38 in the Offering, inclusive of the first closing, second closing, third closing and final closing.As part of the first closing and the second closing, certain insiders of the Company subscribed for a total of 15,699,999 Units for a total consideration of $1,177,499.93, which constitute "related party transactions" within the meaning of Regulation MI 61-101 respecting Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transactions will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any shares issued to, or the consideration paid by, such persons will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.The Company paid a cash finder's fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised on certain investments in the first closing, second closing and third closing for an aggregate fee of CAD$98,440.73 and issued 1,292,543 Finder Warrants (as defined below) to eligible finders. No finders fees or Finders Warrants were paid on the investments in the final closing.The Units were offered by way of private placement pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions. All securities issued in the final closing are subject to a hold period expiring July 15, 2025, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including acceptance by the TSXV.The Company will pay certain eligible finders a cash fee of up to 7% of the gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offering from subscribers introduced by such finders to the Company, including for amounts raised in subsequent closings, if any. The Company may also issue to eligible finders such number of finder warrants (each, a "Finder Warrant") equal to 7% of the number of Units sold under the Offering to subscribers introduced by such finders to the Company. The Finder Warrants, to the extent they are issued, shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.075 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for ongoing exploration, maintenance and development of the Company's properties and general working capital and corporate purposes.In addition, the Company announced today that it has entered into debt settlement agreement with an arms-length creditor to settle an aggregate amount of $64,018.75 in outstanding debt relating to services rendered, through the issuance of an aggregate of 853,583 Units at a deemed price of CAD$0.075 per Unit (the "Debt Settlement Transaction"). The board of directors of the Company has determined that the transaction is in the best interests of the Company to allow it to preserve its cash to fund exploration activities.Closing of the Debt Settlement Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the TSXV. The Units to be issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement Transaction will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSXV policies.For Further Information, Please Contact:Jorge Ramiro Monroy, CEO info@ reynasilver.comwww.reynasilver.com About Reyna Silver Corp.Reyna Silver is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company. Reyna Silver focuses on exploring for high-grade, district-scale silver deposits in Mexico and the United States. In Nevada USA, Reyna Silver has entered into an option to acquire 70% of the 12,058-hectare "Gryphon Summit Project". The Gryphon Project shows features indicating uniquely superimposed/overprinted Silver-Lead-Zinc-Copper Carbonate Replacement (CRD), Carlin Gold and Critical Metals mineralization. Also in Nevada, Reyna Silver is advancing its option to acquire 100% of the "Medicine Springs Project" where Reyna Silver is exploring a potentially significant Silver-Lead-Zinc-Copper CRD-skarn-Porphyry system. Reyna Silvers Mexican assets are 100% owned and include the "Guigui Project" and "Batopilas Project", both located in Chihuahua State. The Guigui Project covers the interpreted source area for the Santa Eulalia Carbonate Replacement Deposit District and Batopilas covers most of Mexicos historically highest-grade silver system.Forward Looking InformationThis release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom and statements relating to the Debt Settlement Transaction. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements contained here
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Edison International (NYSE:EIX) between February 25, 2021 and February 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Edison securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Edison's claim that Southern California Edison Company ("SCE") used its Public Safety Power Shutoffs ("PSPS") program to "proactively de-energize power lines to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires during extreme weather events", was false; (2) this resulted in heightened fire risk in California and heightened legal exposure to Edison; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Edison's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: Rosen Law Firm PA
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 / Rosen Law Firm PAWHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Elastic N.V. (NYSE:ESTC) between May 31, 2024 and August 29, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Elastic securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Elastic class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34953 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Elastic had implemented significant changes to its sales operations, particularly with respect to its customer segments in the Americas; (2) the foregoing changes were likely to, and did, disrupt Elastic's sales operations during the first quarter of its fiscal year ("FY") 2025; (3) accordingly, defendants had overstated the stability of Elastic's sales operations; (4) as a result of all the foregoing, Elastic was unlikely to meet its own previously issued revenue guidance for its FY 2025; and (5) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Elastic class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34953 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: Rosen Law Firm PA
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BISHOPSGATE, LONDON / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / SolGold plc (LSE:SOLG) & (TSX:SOLG) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has agreed to the appointment of Charles Joseland, currently a Non-Executive Director, as the Company's Senior Independent Director. Today's announcement follows the recent appointments of Paul Smith as Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Dan Vujcic as Chief Executive Officer and is part of the Company's ongoing corporate governance review. Mr Joseland will continue as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and be a member of the Remuneration Committee. As the Company's Senior Independent Director, Mr Joseland will be responsible, amongst other items, for liaising with the governance teams at the Company's institutional investors. Charles Joseland joined SolGold as a Non-Executive Director in February 2024. He is an independent UK based director with 32 years' experience at PwC where he was an audit partner working on large listed international groups. Mr. Joseland brings a wealth of knowledge in governance, financial oversight and risk management.Paul Smith, Non-Executive Chairman commented: "I am pleased to announce further enhancements to our board composition in line with best practice corporate governance. The appointment of Charles Joseland as the Senior Independent Director is part of the recently announced re-setting of corporate governance procedures to support SolGold on its next chapter of growth." CONTACTSDan Vujcic Chief Executive OfficerTel: +44 (0) 20 3807 6996Tavistock (Media) Jos Simson/Gareth TredwayTel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150ABOUT SOLGOLDSolGold is a leading resources company focused on the discovery, definition and development of world-class copper and gold deposits and continues to strive to deliver objectives efficiently and in the interests of shareholders. SolGold completed and released a staged development plan Pre Feasibility Study on 16 February 2024. The study, completed at US$1750/oz gold, US$3.85/lb copper and US$22.50/oz for silver delivered an NPV (based on a discount rate of 8%) of US$3.22bn on a capex of US$1.55bn for an initial 12 Mtpa underground block caving operation. The evaluation also showed an after-tax IRR of 24% and a first 10-years free cash flow generation of US$7.1bn. The PFS assessed Mineral Reserves 539.7Mt tonnes which represents only 18% of the total resource over an initial 28-year project life. On 15 July 2024, SolGold announced a gold stream agreement with Franco Nevada and Osisko Royalties (the "Streamers") pursuant to which the Streamers would pay US$100m as pre development funding in three tranches conditional on achieving various technical and permitting milestones. The first US$33.3m was received on signing. A further US$650m contribution to development expenditure will be provided on completion of the feasibility study, permitting and financing, subject to CPs, acceptable financing packages for the balance funding required. SolGold has agreed in consideration for this funding a life of mine stream priced at 20% of the spot gold price at the time for 20% of gold production for the first 10 years and 12% thereafter. The stream represents approximately 5% of total revenue for the project and provides some 42% of currently estimated capital development costs. SolGold retains change of control buyback options on the stream to the extent of 50% within 3 years and 33 1/3 % for a further two years. SolGold continues to advance de-risking programs, permitting and financing discussions and to reevaluate the project at recent consensus prices for copper and gold. On 28 October 2024, SolGold appointed G-Mining Services to be the Project Manager for the Feasibility Study. The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. SolGold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace, and minimizing environmental impact. SolGold is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (LSE/TSX: SOLG).See www.solgold.com.au for more information. Follow us on X @SolGold_plc. Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr Santiago Vaca (M.Sc. P.Geo.), Chief Geologist for the Cascabel project, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The basis for the scientific and technical information included in this news release is a technical report dated 8 March 2024 and titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-feasibility Study for the Cascabel Project, Imbabura Province, Ecuador" (the "PFS Technical Report"), which can be found on the Company's website at https://solgold.com.au/projects/ecuador/cascabel-project/ and on SEDAR+ under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca . Readers are encouraged to read the PFS Technical Report in its entirety. The PFS Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.CAUTIONARY NOTICENews releases, presentations and public commentary made by SolGold plc (the "Company") and its Officers may contain certain statements and expressions of belief, expectation or opinion which are forward looking statements, and which relate, inter alia, to interpretations of exploration results to date and the Company's proposed strategy, plans and objectives or to the expectations or intentions of the Company's Directors, including the plan for developing the Project currently being studied as well as the expectations of the Company as to the forward price of copper. Such forward-looking and interpretative statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors beyond the control of the Company that could cause the actual performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from such interpretations and forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the reader should not rely on any interpretations or forward-looking statements, and save as required by the exchange rules of the TSX and LSE or by applicable laws, the Company does not accept any obligation to disseminate any updates or revisions to such interpretations or forward-looking statements. The Company may reinterpret results to date as the status of its assets and projects changes with time expenditure, metals prices and other affecting circumstances. This release may contain "forward looking information". Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans for developing its properties. Generally, forward lookin
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating potential claims on behalf of individuals who subscribed to Whisky Advocate website at https://whiskyadvocate.com/ (the "Website") and watched pre-recorded video content through the Whisky Advocate Website. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP's investigation indicates that legally protected data may have been unlawfully intercepted during visits to the Whisky Advocate Website, particularly affecting customers who subscribed and watched pre-recorded video content on the Whisky Advocate Website.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?If you subscribed to the Whisky Advocate Website, through an email newsletter, digital, or paid subscription, and watched videos on the platform, your legally protected data may have been intercepted without your knowledge. If your data was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation.AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?If your data was compromised, you may be entitled to compensation. Unauthorized data interception is a serious issue that could lead to privacy violations, potentially leading to significant breaches of your personal information. If the company entrusted with securing your data has failed in this duty, they may be held accountable for any exposure of your information, potentially exposing you to risks such as misuse or unauthorized use of your data.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you subscribed to Whisky Advocate Website and subsequently watched pre-recorded video materials, your data may have been intercepted. Follow the link below to find out if you have a claim.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected customers are entitled to compensation. There is no cost to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. We work on a contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid!Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).

The company, in a statement on Thursday, said this follows the signing of a sale and purchase agreement with Shell in January 2024, and obtaining all regulatory approvals required for the transaction.

Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings today announced that it has successfully completed the landmark transaction between itself and Shell for the acquisition of the entire (100 per cent) equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), the statement said.

Going forward, it said SPDC will be renamed as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

The statement explained that Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings is a consortium consisting of four successful Nigerian independent oil and gas companies: ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings Plc, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited and the Waltersmith Group, each with considerable operations experience in the Niger Delta, and Petrolin, an international energy company with global trading experience and a pan African outlook.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance, Tony Attah, said: We are extremely proud to have completed this strategic acquisition. The Renaissance vision is to be Africas leading oil and gas company, enabling energy security and industrialisation in a sustainable manner. We and our shareholder companies are therefore pleased that the federal government has given the green light for this milestone acquisition in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

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We extend our appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) for their foresight and belief, paving the way for the rapid development of Nigerias vast oil and gas resources as a strategic accelerator for the countrys industrial development.

In January 2024, the Nigerian unit of Shell Plc struck a deal with a consortium of five companies, setting the scene for the latter to acquire its onshore business in the country.

The deal was sealed after the company encountered years-long setbacks in its efforts to cede ownership of the assets.

SPDC will get up to $2.4 billion from the transaction including an initial sum of $1.3 billion. A further payment of $1.1 billion relating to prior receivables and cash balances is expected at the consummation of the deal, Shell said at the time.

READ ALSO:Niger Delta youth threaten to shut down oil production over alleged harassment of Akpabio

The deal is a relief for Shell, which has sought to offload the assets since 2021 because running them has been complicated by sabotage, theft and spills, some of which have sparked litigations and environmental liabilities.

In October 2024, SPDC said it is not leaving Nigeria but only shifting its portfolio and further investments to deep offshore.

Last December, SPDC received ministerial consent to sell its Nigeria onshore oil business to Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

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Nigerian films The Man Died, Mai Martaba, and The Weekend took centre stage in a night of cinematic brilliance at the 2025 edition of Nollywood in Hollywood.

Founded in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, Nollywood in Hollywoodcontinues to spotlight Nigerias burgeoning film industry on the global stage.

In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the organisers revealed that the festival, which was held from 28 February to 1 March, took place at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Norris Cinema Theatre at the University of Southern California (USC).

Celebrating Nollywoods expanding international influence, the festival brought together filmmakers, industry stakeholders, and global audiences for insightful discussions and networking opportunities with Nigerian creatives.

Festivities started with a red carpet opening-night screening of The Man Died at American Cinematheques Egyptian Theatre, where attendees experienced the finest Nigerian storytelling.

The Man Died

Directed by Awam Amkpa, The Man Died is a biopic based on Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinkas harrowing prison memoir, chronicling his unjust incarceration under a ruthless military regime determined to silence his voice.

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Following the screening, a Q&A session, moderated by USC professor and Bob Hearts Abishola actor Bayo Akinfemi, provided more profound insights into the film.

Actor Abraham Amkpa represented the film during the discussion, engaging the audience with thoughtful responses to their questions.

Mai Martaba, The Weekend

At USCs Norris Cinema Theatre, attendees enjoyed an unforgettable evening with the Mai Martaba screening, directed by Prince Daniel.

The historical epic, Nigerias official entry for the 2025 Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, is set in an ancient African kingdom.

It explores themes of love, greed, and power while showcasing a rich cultural heritage.

Following the screening, the film received critical acclaim from the audience, which led to an insightful Q&A session with the filmmaker moderated by Alessandro Ago, USCs Executive Director of Film Programming.

The Weekend

Additionally, The Weekend, a gripping thriller about Nikiyaan orphan searching for family connectionswrapped up the Day Two screenings.

The story follows her as she urges her fiance, Luke, to reconcile with his estranged family, only for buried secrets to unravel, exposing disturbing truths and shocking twists. The film premiered at the Tribeca Festival.

A Q&A session with the films lead actress, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, followed, moderated by filmmaker Akin Omotosho (Rise, The Ghost and the House of Truth).

Nollywood in Hollywood

Nollywood in Hollywood Programme Manager Unoma Ononye said that since its inception, the festival has remained committed to its mission of cultural diplomacy.

Ms Ononye stated that the festival has showcased the richness and vibrancy of Nigerian storytelling to a global audience.

Ms Ononye further stated that in partnership with American Cinematheque and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the 2025 edition celebrated Nollywoods artistic excellence and growing international influence.

The Programme Manager described the 2025 festival as one of the most outstanding showcases.

The energy, the enthusiasm, and the reception from Hollywood and beyond reaffirm the growing importance of Nollywood on the global stage, Ms Ononye said.

According to her, Nollywood in Hollywood has served as a vital bridge for Nigerian filmmakers, enabling them to connect with top Hollywood agencies, management firms, casting agents, networks, and studios.

She also emphasised that previous festival editions had showcased works from some of Nigerias most celebrated filmmakers, and the 2025 edition was no exception.

Ms Ononye further stated that the 2025 edition had reinforced Nollywoods presence in Hollywood, fostering meaningful collaborations and expanding opportunities for Nigerian cinema on the global stage.

As the curtains close on this years event, the impact of Nollywood in Hollywood continues to resonate, paving the way for future collaborations and a deeper appreciation of Nigerian storytelling worldwide.

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Measles cases in Europe have doubled in just a year, with the highest number reported since 1997, according to UN agencies.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) announced this in a statement on Thursday.

Measles is back, and its a wake-up call, WHO regional director for the European region, Hans Kluge, said.

A total of 127,350 cases were reported in the region in 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997, according to analysis by the UN agencies.

Among the most contagious viruses affecting people, measles can damage the immune system by erasing its memory of how to fight infections, leaving survivors vulnerable to other diseases.

As well as hospitalisation and death caused by complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhoea and dehydration, measles can also cause long-term, debilitating health complications such as blindness.

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According to WHO, there were an estimated 107,500 measles deaths globally in 2023, mostly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under five.

Measles remains a significant global threat, the UN agencies said, pointing to the 359,521 cases reported for 2024 worldwide.

Current outbreaks and deaths have been reported worldwide, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States and countries in every other region.

Based on preliminary data received as of 6 March, a total of 38 deaths had been reported for WHOs European region, which comprised 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia.

The region accounted for one-third of all measles cases globally in 2024.

UN agencies pointed to a resurgence in 2018 and 2019, with 89,000 and 106,000 cases respectively, after a period of decline since 1997, with 216,000 reported cases that reached a low of 4,440 in 2016.

Following a backsliding in immunisation coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases rose significantly again in 2023 and 2024, the UN agencies said, adding that vaccination rates in many countries were yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

Transmission of the virus across borders and continents occurred regularly, and outbreaks of this highly infectious disease will occur wherever the virus found pockets where vaccine levels were insufficient  particularly children, they cautioned.

Children under five accounted for more than 40 per cent of reported cases in the region, and more than half of all cases required hospitalisation.

Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia have soared over the past two years, pointing to gaps in immunisation coverage, Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, said.

In 2023 alone, 500,000 children across the region missed the first dose of the measles vaccine (MCV1) that should be given through routine immunisation services.

To protect children from this deadly and debilitating disease, we need urgent government action including sustained investment in health care workers, she said.

Ms Kluge said, We cant afford to lose ground as the agency shapes its regional health strategy to tackle such serious issues.

Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security.

Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities. The measles virus never rests and neither can we, she said.

Indeed, vaccination is the best line of defence against the virus, the UN agencies insisted.

The latest analysis found that Romania reported the highest number of cases  30,692  in the region for 2024, followed by 28,147 in Kazakhstan.

At the same time, less than 80 per cent of eligible children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania were vaccinated with MCV1 in 2023.

In both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, the coverage rate for MCV1 has remained below 70 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, for the past five or more years.

That is far below the 95 per cent coverage rate required to retain herd immunity, the UN agencies noted.

UNICEF and WHO are working with governments and health partners, including the European Union and the GAVI Alliance, to prevent and respond to measles outbreaks by engaging with communities.

Efforts included training healthcare workers, strengthening vaccine programmes and disease surveillance systems and initiating measles immunisation catch-up campaigns.

The UN agencies called for governments with active outbreaks to urgently intensify case finding, contact tracing and conduct emergency vaccination campaigns.

It is imperative that countries analyse the root causes of outbreaks, address weaknesses in their health systems and strategically utilise epidemiological data to identify and close coverage gaps, the UN agencies stated.

Reaching hesitant parents and marginalised communities and tackling inequitable access to vaccines must be central to all efforts, they added.

They also warned that countries without current measles outbreaks should be prepared, including by identifying and addressing gaps in immunity, building and sustaining public trust in vaccines and maintaining strong health systems.

(NAN)

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The controversy surrounding the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has deepened, with allegations that the signatures attached to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions report were not for the endorsement of the suspension but rather attendance records.

This led to confusion at a closed-door Senate meeting as some senators reportedly claimed their signatures were misrepresented to give the impression of unanimous support for the suspension.

Attendance or endorsement?

On 5 March, members of the Senate Committee on Ethics convened to investigate the seat rearrangement dispute between Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. On that day, senators who attended the committees sitting signed the attendance register, while others abstained.

Based on the Senates rules, all senators can attend committee meetings, whether or not they are members of such a committee. Also, all the senators who attend a committees meeting can sign the attendance register.

On 6 March, when the ethics committee chairman, Neda Imasuen, presented its report on the floor of the Senate, the attendance sheets signatures were included, creating the impression that all signatories endorsed the committees recommendations.

One of the key recommendations in the report was to prohibit Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan from identifying herself as a senator, both locally and internationally, for the six months she would be on suspension.

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Some senators who signed the attendance register have now reportedly distanced themselves from the report with the argument that they were not allowed to review the final draft before it was presented on the floor of the Senate. A senator who attended the meeting where the matter was discussed but requested not to be named told PREMIUM TIMES that the proper process should have been for the committee members to examine and approve the report before its presentation. However, members were unaware of its content until it was publicly read on the Senate floor.

The suspension

On 6 March, the Senate voted to suspend Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following the ethics committees recommendations.

The decision was based on the ethics committees report which indicter her for alleged misconduct during a plenary session on 20 February and her refusal to adhere to the chambers sitting arrangement.

The Senate also imposed several penalties on her, including the withdrawal of all her security aides and the closure of her office within the National Assembly.

All Senate properties in her possession would be handed over to the Clerk to the National Assembly. At the same time, she was also prohibited from entering the National Assembly premises during the suspension period.

Her salary and allowances were also suspended for the duration of the suspension, just as she was banned from representing herself as a senator, both locally and internationally

However, the Senate left a door open for the suspension to be lifted if Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology, which the leadership may consider before the full six-month period expires.

On Tuesday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), seeking international intervention in her suspension from the Senate.

She addressed delegates at an IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, during which she also raised allegations of sexual harassment against Mr Akpabio.

The Kogi senator described her suspension from the Senate as unlawful and a deliberate attempt to silence her for speaking out against alleged misconduct in the Nigerian upper legislative chamber.

Senators push back against signature use

Our source also confirmed that some of Mr Imasuens colleagues in the committee expressed concern about the improper use of their signatures during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, which lasted about two hours.

According to the lawmaker, those who objected to using their signatures were two senators from the North-west geopolitical zone, one from the North-east and another from the North-central.

They reportedly argued that their signatures were misused because they did not explicitly consent to the reports recommendations.

Their position is based on the principle that signing an attendance register does not equate to endorsing a resolution. They insisted that their signatures should not have been attached to a report they neither reviewed nor approved.

The senators also emphasised that the report should have been circulated among all committee members before being presented to ensure transparency and due process.

Despite these senators raising their concerns at the closed-door meeting, none of them has done so publicly and PREMIUM TIMES efforts to reach out to them individually were unsuccessful.

Argument on endorsement

On the opposing side at the closed-door meeting, some senators argued that attendance at a meeting implies participation in any decisions made during that session. They contended that once a decision is reached within a committee, there is no need for additional signatures.

The opposing argument implies that a senators presence at a meeting means they acknowledged the decision, whether they explicitly signed the recommendation or not.

This controversy arround signatures further fuels concerns that the suspension of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was decided without due process.

Mr Imasuen could not be reached for comment. He did not pick up PREMIUM TIMES calls to his mobile telephone or respond to a text message.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released voters register for the local elections scheduled for 9 August in Rivers.

Tamunotonye Tobins, the commissioner, Media and Civic Education at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday.

He stated that with the release of the voters register, preparations for the election were now in full swing.

RSIEC has obtained the updated Register of Voters for Rivers State, along with the current list of registered political parties in the country, he confirmed.

Mr Tobins noted that the documents were transmitted to RSIEC in a letter marked INEC/RV/SVR/498/155.

The commission reassures the people of Rivers State of RSIECs commitment to conducting credible, free, and fair elections on Saturday, 9 August, he concluded.

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The Supreme Court recently nullified the previous local election in the state, which was held in October last year, and ordered a fresh election.

In a political victory for Governor Siminalayi Fubara against his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, the Action Peoples Party won in 22 out of the 23 local councils in the state.

The Supreme Courts nullification of the election is a result of the protracted political battle between the governor and the minister over control of the political structure in the state.

The majority of state lawmakers are loyal to the minister and appear eager to initiate fresh impeachment proceedings against the governor.

(NAN)

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The Rivers House of Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely amid the 2025 Budget presentation drama.

The assembly resolved to adjourn the legislative sitting indefinitely during plenary on Friday, the Punch reported.

The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, presided over the plenary in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The Amaewhule-led assembly comprises 27 lawmakers, all of whom are loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers.

Messrs Wike and Fubara have been locked in a protracted fight over the control of the political structures in Rivers State, which initially split the assembly into two factions.

2025 Budget presentation drama

The lawmakers indefinite adjournment of the sittings came hours after the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, wrote to the speaker, Mr Amaewhule, over the 2025 Budget.

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In a letter dated 13 March, the governor informed the speaker that he intends to visit the House to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval.

He told the speaker that he intended to present the budget on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, or any other day within the month of March that the House may deem fit.

Mr Fubara said his decision to re-present the budget to the lawmakers was to comply with the Supreme Court judgment, which ordered that the budget be presented to a properly constituted assembly.

The latest adjournment appears to be an effort to prevent the governor from presenting the budget to the assembly.

Denial of access

Before the adjournment, Governor Fubara and his entourage were denied access to the assembly quarters on Wednesday.

A video clip circulating on Facebook showed that when Mr Fubara and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the assembly quarters, the gates were locked.

Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the Speaker. I also sent a letter which was transmitted for this particular invitation.

Unfortunately, at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today, he told reporters at the gate.

Background

Messrs Fubara and Wike have been in a political face-off over the control of political structure in the south-southern state.

The face-off split members of the state assembly into two factions  27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike and three to Mr Fubara.

Both factions held parallel plenaries.

Following the demolition of the assembly complex, the pro-Wike lawmakers moved their sitting to a different venue, while those loyal to Mr Fubara moved to a building at Government House.

Mr Fubara had been forwarding all executive communications, including bills and nominees for appointments, to the three-member faction for consideration and approval.

But in February, the Supreme Court restored Mr Amaewhules position as the speaker, reinstated the others as legitimate members of the assembly, and nullified the local election organised by Mr Fubaras administration.

The lawmakers subsequently gave the governor 48 hours to re-present the budget.

The governor had vowed to implement the order of the Supreme Court despite disagreeing with the verdict.

Meanwhile, on 7 March, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, wrote the lawmakers, inviting them to a meeting with Mr Fubara to discuss a befitting space for the assemblys sittings, payment of outstanding remuneration and allowances for the lawmakers, and budget presentation.

But the lawmakers declined the invitation.

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Some Niger Delta youth have warned that they would shut down oil production if Nigerians, particularly northern leaders, continue to blame the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from the Senate.

The youth,, under the aegis of Amalgamated Southern Nigeria Youths Forum, described the verbal attacks on Mr Akpabio since the suspension of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan became a public discourse, as an attempt to undermine a prominent Niger Delta leader.

President of the Forum, Victor Oleh, made the warning at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Oleh insisted that youth in the Niger Delta would not tolerate further attacks on Mr Akpabio.

Threat to oil production

The groups president warned that his members would mobilise to disrupt oil production across the Niger Delta region, if Nigerians continue to hurl abusive words on the senate president over the suspension of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.

He noted that they are aware of the individuals and corporations benefiting from the regions vast oil resources and would not hesitate to take drastic action.

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If northern leaders continue to harass Akpabio, we will shut down oil production. We know the names of oil block owners, and we will not allow them to continue exploiting our resources while undermining our leaders, he said.

The senate president has recently claimed that certain individuals from Kwara and Adamawa States wanted him removed from office because he hails from the Niger Delta region.

While Mr Akpabio did not mention names, his statement appeared to target a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom had urged him to submit to an open probe into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

Messrs Saraki and Atiku are the only prominent people from Kwara and Adamawa who had publicly advised Mr Akpabio to submit himself for open investigation into the sexual harassment allegations.

Kwara is a state in the North-central, while Adamawa state is located in the North-east of Nigeria.

Mr Saraki said he stood by his earlier advice and insisted that his position was driven solely by the need to protect the credibility of the Senate and not political or ethnic sentiments.

Northern interests exploiting ethnic politics

At the press briefing, Mr Oleh accused northern politicians of using ethnic politics to destabilise the Niger Delta, despite relying heavily on the regions crude oil for national revenue.

We will not sit back while northern interests exploit ethnic politics to destabilise our leadership. If these attacks continue, we have the capacity to respond in ways that will shake the nation.

He criticised what he described as an economic imbalance, where revenue from crude oil and gas benefits the entire country, while profits from gold, lithium, and other mineral resources found in the North are kept within the region.

You take revenue from our crude oil and gas but keep the profits from gold, lithium, and other minerals to yourselves. This injustice must stop, he added.

Agenda to destabilise Niger Delta

The forums president also claimed that there is a coordinated plan to weaken the Niger Deltas political influence, and that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans sexual harassment allegations against Mr Akpabio were part of this larger agenda.

This agenda was handed to Senator Natasha to execute, but it has failed woefully. The false sexual harassment allegation is dead on arrival.

Mr Oleh argued that Kogi State located in the North-central of Nigeria, hosted five Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants, while the Niger Delta, despite being the primary source of crude oil, is not considered in the development of such projects.

You cannot have five LNG plants in Kogi State without considering the Niger Delta. We will not allow this injustice, he added.

Call for presidential action

The forums president called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution those plotting against Mr Akpabio.

He warned that any further attempt to remove Mr Akpabio from office would be strongly resisted.

Mr President, it is our right to hold the Senate presidency. Any further attempts to remove Akpabio will be met with serious resistance, Mr Oleh said.

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Traditional doctors in Anambra State have pledged their commitment to working with the state government to ensure the success of the ongoing sanitisation of traditional medicine practices in the state.

Innocent Okwundu, the chairperson of a group of traditional doctors, made the pledge during a meeting with the leadership of the Anambra House of Assembly in Awka on Thursday.

Mr Okwundu, who led about 500 members of the group to the assembly, said the recently enacted Anambra Homeland Security Law and the Agunechemba Security Outfit were positive developments in the fight against crime.

He said native doctors in the state were ready to collaborate with the legislature to smooth rough edges and tighten loose ends so that the practice could be properly regulated.

We must avoid intimidation and rip-off of our members, especially in the rural communities. We will contribute towards ensuring that the law guarantees us independence and smooth operations.

We will assist in identifying those who have bastardised the traditional medicine in Anambra and expose those aiding or involved in the Okeite or money ritual saga, Mr Okwundu said.

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Responding, Somtochukwu Udeze, the speaker of the assembly, said Governor Charles Soludos administrations Homeland Security Law meant well for the people.

Mr Udeze, who was represented by Ikenna Ofodeme, said a bill was underway to address some of the areas the traditional doctors were worried about.

He said the law would bring about synergy and cooperation between the government and the native doctors, adding that registration of practitioners by the state government was free.

The speaker cautioned community leaders against taking undue advantage of the situation to extort people as the government will not take it lightly with anybody apprehended.

(NAN)

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About 100 women in Anambra State, on Thursday, took to the streets to protest against gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices, including ritual killings in the state.

In collaboration with the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law Implementation Committee, the states Ministry of Women Affairs organised the protest with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the rally took place in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

The State Coordinator of the VAPP implementation committee, Uju Onyendilefu, who led the women, said the protest was part of activities marking the 2025 International Womens Day celebration.

She said the protest would take place across the states three senatorial districts.

The women held placards with inscriptions such as: No More Ritual, Okeite, Stop Domestic Violence, End Child Abuse, and Say No to Ritual Killings and Cultism.

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The protesters marched around the residence of the Nkpor Traditional Prime Minister, Emma Ifejika.

Mrs Onyendilefu reaffirmed the state governments commitment to eradicating violence against women.

She said Governor Charles Soludo had declared zero tolerance for harmful practices and called on communities to support the ongoing reforms.

The woman leader urged community leaders to adopt measures that promoted gender equality, end domestic violence, and eliminate harmful cultural practices.

In his response, the Traditional Prime Minister of Nkpor, Mr Ifejika, acknowledged that Okeite had been a long-standing issue affecting the community.

He thanked the government for tackling the practice, noting its negative impact on cultural values and religious development.

He pledged his support and promised to educate the community about eliminating money rituals, such as Okeite, and other harmful traditions.

He said that as Anambra State pushed for reforms, stakeholders would continue to emphasise the need for community involvement in promoting gender equality and ending practices that threatened the well-being of women and children.

READ ALSO: Police expand GBV desks across Nigeria

Ebere Nkwoka, wife of the Idemmili North Council chairperson, encouraged women to report cases of GBV and other harmful practices.

She highlighted the importance of a peaceful environment and disclosed her ongoing school visits to educate women on family harmony and child upbringing.

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The Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mao Ohuabunwa, has commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for his achievements in various sectors in less than two years in office.

He called on other states to emulate Mr Otti, who allocated 20 per cent of the 2024 and 2025 budgets for the development of the education sector.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to Mr Otti, Ukoha Ukoha, Mr Ohuabunwa, a former senator, stated this when he led members of the council and management of the University of Port Harcourt on a visit to the governor.

You know, when we speak, people will listen, not only in Abia State, not only in Nigeria, even within the ECOWAS Sub-region.

Weve seen the (allocation of 20 per cent annual budget to education) and are asking him to do more.

Im not here as a politician, but Im speaking as a Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, which is an educational institution, so its a way of appreciating him and advising him to do more in the area of education.

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You know that Im from this state, and I have been part and parcel of the political trajectories of this state from 1999 till now and counting. So when I tell you anything, it will be difficult for anybody to contradict it.

So, Im saying that within 21 months, I think Alex Otti has done well, and he is doing well. What we are saying is that we are encouraging him to do more, Mr Ohuabunwa stated.

He said Mr Otti had distinguished himself in service within the last 21 months as governor and described him as one of the illustrious and prominent alumni of the university whom the institution is proud of.

He said the university would collaborate with Mr Ottis administration in many ways, including granting Abia students access to the university for their academic pursuits.

He said they came to congratulate the governor on his remarkable achievements in office, adding that Mr Ottis footprint still stands in the university right from his time in the private sector.

Im not just saying this because he is a governor. If you check back during his days in the school and his academic performance, you will know that we are proud of him.

He distinguished himself in the banking industry and not just distinguishing himself, he identified with the institution, his Alma Mater and we are proud of him.

So, we want to collaborate with him on a way that he will align with the institutions quest and zeal to make sure that we are bringing Abia students into the University of Port Harcourt, Mr Ohuabunwa stated.

ALSO READ: Otti commended as he flags off another major road project in Abia

He invited Governor Otti to the universitys golden jubilee celebration later this year, adding that in a bid to close the infrastructural gap, the university will set up a N10 billion endowment fund during the ceremony.

Otti speaks

While receiving the guests, Governor Otti said that all he has done in the state in the last 21 months is restore the dignity of the people.

He congratulated Mr Ohuabunwa on his appointment as pro-chancellor of his Alma mater and lauded his efforts in strengthening the university.

The governor congratulated his alma mater on maintaining 50 years of academic excellence and promised to support the university in many ways in collaboration with other alumni.

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Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the state government of using the police as Governor Uba Sanis kidnapping gang to arrest Jaafar Sani, a commissioner in El-Rufais government.

A close associate of Mr Sani, Mansir Garki, told PREMIUM TIMES that security operatives arrested the former official on Thursday afternoon and immediately took him to court to obtain an order for his remand in a correctional facility.

Mr Sani was the Commissioner for Local Government, Education and Environment in Mr El-Rufais government.

Another of his former commissioners, Bashir Saidu, spent 50 days in detention after the state government accused him of embezzling state funds..

Mr Sani defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently with Mr El-Rufai.

The former governor defected to the SDP last week, a move widely seen as a result of his disagreements with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.

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On Thursday, in a post on his verified Facebook page, Mr El-Rufai accused the government of setting up the arrest.

Our colleague and versatile former commissioner during the El-Rufai Administration  Mallam Jafaru Sani has been abducted in Kaduna by Uba Sanis kidnapping gang claiming to be the police, this afternoon!

Jaafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police first information report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice

On inquiry, we have learned that Jafaru is being charged with money laundering  a federal offence that neither the State Judiciary nor even the Police have jurisdiction to adjudicate or investigate.

Jafarus real crime is his resignation from the APC, and joining the SDP  and having been proposed by he as the replacement ministerial nominee representing Kaduna State in August 2023.

The tactics are similar to those used against another colleague of ours  Bashir Saidu, when he was abducted on the 31st of December, 2024, and kept in captivity for 50 days before he was released on bail!

The ignominious role of some henpecked and compromised magistrates and high court judges in the Kaduna State judiciary remains a source of great concern to us.

We are watching and waiting as no condition is permanent, and there will be accountability for all decisions and actions one day, soon.

Allah Ya Isa! Allah ya Tsine ma su. meaning,  God will push them

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, dismissed the bail applications filed by four suspects linked to notorious banditry kingpin, Bello Turji.

The judge, Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who is the prosecuting the charge, had made a compelling case against the defendants that releasing them would be a great threat to the nations national security.

Mr Nwite agreed with the arguments of AGFs lawyer, David Kaswe, that though granting bail is at the discretion of the court, this decision must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

The judge dismissed the bail application and rather granted an accelerated heari g of the case.

The judge equally granted an ex-parte motion moved by Mr Kaswe, seeking the protection of the witnesses as the trial commences immediately.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Kaswe argued on 10 February that the defendants, if granted bail, might abscond.

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The lawyer submitted that there was contending evidence that the defendants played significant roles in the terrorism activities led by Bello Turji in the northern part of the country.

He said if granted bail, the defendants might interfere with the evidence.

He argued that bail is not an absolute right, particularly when it borders on national security.

He said in considering bail applications, the court should equally consider the nature of the charge, the severity of the punishment, among other factors.

He said the character of evidence against the defendants were very strong, as they are being charged with terrorism offences.

The lawyer urged the court to take judicial notice that some other members of the group listed as defendants were still at large.

He said, chief among them is the 6th defendant, Bello Turji, who continues to cause mayhem and havoc to innocent Nigerians and has become a threat to national security.

Delivering the ruling, Mr Nwite said he was not unmindful of the constitution that a person charged with criminal offence is innocent until proven guilty.

The judge, however, said that all facts had to be considered.

NAN reports that Mr Nwite had, on 23 December 2024, ordered the remand of the four suspected terrorists in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

The judge made the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts of terrorism.

Mr Nwite then adjourned the matter until 10 Feb.ruary for trial.

NAN reports that the four suspects  Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma  denied their involvement in the offences with which they were charged when the 11 counts were read to them.

Alhough eight defendants were listed as defendants in the indictment, three of them, including Bello Turji, were said to be at large.

However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.

Mr Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the third defendant.

Mr Kaswe then told the court that Mr Abdullahi was also at large.

The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter at large for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application after it was not opposed by the defence lawyers.

NAN reports that the federal government, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11 counts in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of whom are said to be at large.

In the charge filed on 16 December by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.

While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as third, sixth, seventh and eighth defendants respectively.

In count one, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu; Lucky Chukwuma; Bello Turji (at large); Aminu Muhammad (at large) and Sani Lawal (at large), sometime between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the terror act.

They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage.

They were also alleged to have supplied , boots, caps and building materials, including bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million.

They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.

The offence, the federal government said, is contrary to section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act, the count read in part.

The offence, the prosecution also said is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

(NAN)

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The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, Jimoh Ibrahim, has said the complaints made by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) regarding her suspension from the Senate would soon be dismissed.

Mr Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District, argued that Mr Akpoti-Uduaghans attendance at the IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, was unauthorised and, therefore, illegal.

He said this in a statement on Friday.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the IPU, apparently seeking international intervention in her suspension from the Senate.

The embattled senator was suspended for six months for allegedly flouting Senate Standing Rules.

She addressed delegates at an IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, during which she also raised allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

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The Kogi senator described her suspension from the Senate as unlawful and a deliberate attempt to silence her for speaking out against alleged misconduct in the Nigerian upper legislative chamber.

In response, the President of the IPU, Tulia Ackson, said the global parliamentary organisation would take necessary steps on the cases as reported by the senator, but it would also provide an opportunity for the Nigerian Senate to present its side of the story before taking any action.

However, a Nigerian delegate to the IPU meeting, Kafilat Ogbara, held a press briefing a day after, during which she urged the National Assembly to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the issue.

Mrs Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, also read a letter from the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, explaining that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suspension was due to her alleged misconduct during the plenary and violations of Senate Standing Rules, not because of the sexual harassment claims against Mr Akpabio.

Basis for dismissal

In his statement, Mr Ibrahim listed reasons why the IPU is unlikely to entertain Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans petition.

He explained that only countries, not individual lawmakers, hold membership in the IPU. This means that complaints can only be lodged by a member-state against another, not by individual legislators against their own country.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state. This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members. The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is, he said.

Mr Ibrahim also noted that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had no official authorisation to represent Nigeria at the IPU meeting and that her attendance was not approved by the Nigerian Senate or its Inter-Parliamentary Committee.

Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Interparliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President, the senator said.

Speculations surrounding Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans attendance

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans ability to attend the IPU meeting without the support of the Nigerian government is raising concern among political figures.

Some speculate that she may be receiving supports from undisclosed political forces on the grounds that funding such an international engagement without official sponsorship would be challenging.

However, the IPU will determine whether Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was qualified to be at the meeting or not.

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A former senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside for an impartial investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against him by the Kogi senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Mr Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South at the ninth National Assembly, told reporters on Friday in Okitipupa that Mr Akpabio cannot preside over his own case.

The Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective 6 March, following a standoff with the Senate president over seating arrangements during plenary.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had also accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment and petitioned the Senate, which rejected her claims.

Mr Tofowomo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who said his view was not based on political affiliation, noted that the National Assembly should be a place where laws are obeyed and not flouted.

According to him, the National Assembly makes laws and implements them for Nigerian citizens, and they must be bound by them.

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The allegation of sexual harassment is a serious one. Either true or false, it behoves Akpabio to step aside for impartial investigation and let his deputy preside over legislative matters, pending the decision of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken the case to the United Nations, and we should not make ourselves and our country a laughing stock among comity of nations over this matter, but do the right thing as distinguished members.

Suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan was wrong in its entirety; if the Senate said she violated its standing rules, is there anywhere she had been warned? So, why the sudden suspension?

Women are supposed to be treated with a lot of courtesy and respect. Yes, there may be a serious allegation, but the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions should investigate the matter in order to exonerate Akpabio, Mr Tofowomo said.

The former senator maintained that what was distinguished on senators was their ability to obey and respect the laws.

He added that out of the 109 senators, only Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East District, told Mr Akpabio the bitter truth over the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter.

The PDP chieftain, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to wade into the matter, noting that the matter has been taken to the United Nations and could have a bad image on Nigeria if not treated with the utmost caution.

NAN reports that on Thursday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in the Senate president over the matter.

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops have neutralised 74 terrorists, apprehended 130 suspects and rescued 61 kidnapped hostages in various operations from 5 March to 13 March.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, a major general, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations across the country on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Kangye said the land component of the Armed Forces jointly conducted the successful operations with the Team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), security agencies and hybrid forces.

He said that the troops recovered 71 assorted weapons comprising 32 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated guns, nine Dane guns, three pump action guns, two locally fabricated pistols and 10 other assorted arms.

According to him, troops also recovered 1,202 ammunition comprising 1,133 assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 69 live cartridges.

Mr Kangye said that 143 terrorists, comprising five adult males, 66 adult females and 72 children, surrendered to troops within the North-east theatre of operation within the week.

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According to him, one of the terrorists surrendered with two AK47 rifles, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.

The gallant men and women of the armed forces will continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations, he said.

(NAN)

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The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, in Imo State, has suspended a lecturer, Ifeanyichukwu Okoroafor, for allegedly assaulting a male student.

Mr Okoroafor, a facilitator at the institutions Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, was suspended on Friday by a letter addressed to him.

The lecturer was seen in a video clip on social media assaulting a male student of the institution identified as Chidera.

The alleged assault was said to have happened on Thursday.

In the now-viral clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Okoroafor aggressively hit the student with his hand before kicking him on his legs. The student fell.

The lecturer appeared to be walking away in anger, but some other students standing there appealed to him to forgive the student.

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Please, sir! the students appealed in unison.

The lecturer was then heard angrily shouting at the student for attempting to enter the classroom contrary to instructions.

The student responded that he did not hear the instruction because he was not around when the instruction was given.

Suspension, teachers apology

You are hereby suspended from duty as a facilitator in the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident that occurred yesterday, 13th March 2025, at the site of your entrepreneurship training, the Director of the centre, Okoye P.C., said in the letter to the Mr Okoroafor.

The letter dated 14 March 2025 was copied to the polytechnic rector, the dean of the Student Affairs Unit, and the institutions Student Union Government.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Okoroafor has apologised to the student for the alleged assault.

His apology letter has been circulating on social media.

I am writing to offer my sincerest apologies for my behaviour towards you. I am deeply sorry for the way I treated you, and I realise that my actions were unacceptable and hurtful.

ALSO READ: University lecturer filmed assaulting students

As your teacher, I should have provided a safe and supportive learning environment, but instead, I bullied and intimidated you, Mr Okoroafor said in the letter.

He said, My behaviour was not only unprofessional but also caused you harm and distress. I want you to know that I take full responsibility for my actions and am truly sorry for the pain and suffering I caused you.

I understand that my apology cannot erase the past, but I hope it can be a step towards healing and moving forward.

The lecturer said he was now committed to changing his behaviour, ensuring that all his students feel safe in the classroom, and working hard to prevent the incident from reoccurring.

If you are willing, I would like to meet with you to discuss how I can make amends and support you in any way possible, he stated.

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The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has denied allegations of targeted killings of Christians in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said reports promoting these allegations are misleading and intended to pressure the United States into designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The CPC is a designation used by the United States Department of State for countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom.

It is based on the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) and determined by the US Secretary of State.

However, the ministry said that the negative activities occurring in the country are not driven by religious bias.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express strong concern over the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports regarding the supposed targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, the statement read in part

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US committee call for sanction

On Wednesday, the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa had called for Nigeria to be tagged a CPC country.

The Chairman of the Subcommittee, Chris Smith, had urged President Donald Trump to impose harsh sanctions on Nigeria over the killing of Christians.

At the hearing of the subcommittee, Mr Smith had condemned the former Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, for reversing Nigerias CPC status in 2021.

And I know, I asked him at hearings, I asked him privately, but also asked him at open hearings, why. I never got a good answer. Religious leaders in Nigeria were outraged by the Secretarys decision.

One Nigerian Bishop challenged Blinken and said Christian persecution is more intense than ever. That was Bishop Mamza.

And Genocide Watch has called Nigeria a killing field of defenceless Christians, he said.

Mr Smith also stated that the Nigerian government has failed to tackle religiously motivated persecution of Christians despite religious freedom being enshrined as an essential human right in its Constitution.

The Nigerian legal framework supports pluralism at both federal and state levels, but glaring contradictions exist, especially with laws that criminalise blasphemyasome even carrying the death penalty.

Nigerias response

Responding to this, the foreign affairs ministry said Nigerias security issues are complex and multifaceted but do not have any religious connotation.

It stated that security issues manifested as criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes, including farmer/herder confrontations.

The agency emphasised that most insurgency and banditry incidents in Nigerias predominantly Muslim north are not directed at any specific religious group.

It described any attempt to portray these attacks as religious persecution as inaccurate and misleading.

While the federal government acknowledges the security challenges confronting the nation, it is imperative to clarify that these negative activities are not driven by religious bias, nor targeted against any particular religious group, the statement read in part.

The agency further noted that the Nigerian government has deployed security forces, enhanced intelligence gathering, and strengthened community engagement in an effort to tackle the crisis.

To bring an end to such security challenges, both the Federal and State authorities have embarked on kinetic and non-kinetic methods and expedited the implementation of the national livestock plan.

To this end, a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established, while a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to ending contestations over land between farmers and pastoral herders, the agency further noted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to verify information carefully before drawing conclusions that might escalate tensions within Nigeria.

We call on all stakeholders including the media, civil society organisations, and foreign partners to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability, the statement said.

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The influence of media in shaping public perception cannot be overstated. As Nigerian TV networks continue to provide platforms for economic discourse, it is crucial to prioritise expertise, balanced perspectives, and empirical rigour. Kelvin Emmanuels contributions to economic discussions have influenced public understanding of some issues; however, fostering a more inclusive and evidence-based dialogue will ultimately serves the public interest better. Facts should never be sacrificed on the altar of personal opinions.

Recent discussions on Nigerian economic analysts have highlighted significantly contrasting styles and approaches, particularly between Kelvin Emmanuel and established economists like Bismarck Rewane. While Emmanuel has become a frequent voice on television, his sudden prominence raises important questions about accuracy in public commentary, bias, and the standards for economic analysis in Nigeria.

Kelvin Emmanuels appearances on major Nigerian TV networks such as Arise TV and Channels TV has been on an exponential trajectory. The substance of his analysis has also sparked debate. While he is often introduced as an economist, some have observed that his commentary often leans towards strong critiques of government policies, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Without doubt, constructive criticism is essential for public discourse, but balance and empirical backing are even more crucial for credibility.

One notable aspect of Emmanuels rise is the curious frequency of his media engagements. In the last six months, he has participated in over 15 prime-time television interviews. Does this visibility only stem from his willingness to discuss economic issues? This also raises questions about the selection criteria for media commentators. Are these opportunities purely merit-based or do other factors influence media preferences?

It is important to acknowledge that Nigeria has several well-respected economists known for their data-driven and research-backed analysis. Figures like Doyin Salami, Bismarck Rewane, Pat Utomi, and Ayo Teriba have built reputations based on years of experience, empirical research, and balanced discourse. In comparison, Emmanuels approach has been critiqued for being heavily opinion-based. A stronger emphasis on data and broader perspectives would enhance the impact of his contributions.

In a nation facing complex economic challenges, it is essential for public discussions to be shaped by well-rounded and fact-based analysis. The role of economic commentators should be to inform, educate, and provide solutions, rather than focus solely on critique. A more diverse range of voices in the media could help ensure that economic debates are comprehensive, constructive, and solution-oriented.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The influence of media in shaping public perception cannot be overstated. As Nigerian TV networks continue to provide platforms for economic discourse, it is crucial to prioritise expertise, balanced perspectives, and empirical rigour. Kelvin Emmanuels contributions to economic discussions have influenced public understanding of some issues; however, fostering a more inclusive and evidence-based dialogue will ultimately serves the public interest better. Facts should never be sacrificed on the altar of personal opinions.

Ugo Akuma writes from Finland; email: [email protected]

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Dr Oluwole Adamolekun is, without doubt, a man for all seasons  a trailblazer whose contributions to Public Relations, communication, and ethical leadership have left an indelible mark on Nigeria and beyond. At a vibrant and impactful 70, he remains a force to be reckoned with, a mentor to many, and shining example of integrity and excellence.

When many of us were still navigating the halls of academia in the late 1980s, trying to grasp the essence of Public Relations and carve out our place in the profession, Wole Adamolekun had already emerged as a beacon of excellence in the profession. By 1989, he had gotten honoured with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a testament to his early mastery of the field, having been a member since 1982.

It was in 1992 that the late Sabo Mohammed, then chairman of the Kano Chapter of NIPR, introduced us, a group of Mass Communication undergraduates, to Adamolekun  a man whose intellectual depth and professional acumen would profoundly shape our understanding of and passion for public relations.

A staunch advocate of professionalism and ethical excellence, Adamolekun has always believed that communication is not merely about conveying messages but about spreading goodness and fostering positive change. Troubled by what he aptly terms AIDS  Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome  a malaise he sees plaguing segments of the profession and the nation at large, he has tirelessly championed moral rearmament and ethical rebirth as essential steps toward restoring justice and accountability.

Born on 12 March, 1955, in the serene town of Iju, Akure North, Ondo State, Wole Adamolekun never lost touch with his humble beginnings. His educational journey took him from Ibadan to Lagos and ultimately to the zenith of academic and professional achievement.

A consummate professional, scholar, and technocrat, Adamolekun has made indelible contributions to both the public sector and the intricate oil and gas industry. His work in these spheres was driven by a vision to harness Nigerias vast natural resources for the greater good, ensuring transparent communication between government agencies, labour groups, and host communities  thereby promoting peace and economic prosperity.

His pioneering role as Head of Communications, Information, and Public Relations at MAMSER (Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery)  later restructured into the National Orientation Agency (NOA)  marked a defining chapter in his career. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in shaping public perception and galvanising national support for social justice and economic transformation.

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Dr Wole Adamolekun is an intellectual colossus and an insatiable reader. He earned his first degree in English from the University of Lagos, followed by a diploma in Journalism and a Masters degree in Communication from the prestigious University of Ibadan. His academic journey culminated in a PhD in Media Arts from the University of Abuja.

With over four decades of professional experience spanning corporate communications, the downstream oil sector, micro credit administration (community banking), youth and social mobilisation, human resources management, and entrepreneurship, Adamolekun built a formidable career  starting as a freelance journalist with Daily Sketch. Recognised for his exceptional performance during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, he was recruited as an Information Officer under the mentorship of Mr Soji Oni, the then chief inspector of NYSC in Ogun State  a man Adamolekun credits as one of his greatest mentors.

His career trajectory saw him transition from MAMSER to the board of Community Banks, before rising to prominence in Nigerias oil and gas sector, where he served as the deputy executive secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). His mastery of strategic communication and industry dynamics earned him a reputation as a key architect of policies within the sector. Notably, he led a high-level delegation to India to study the use of gas as an alternative fuel, a project aimed at revolutionising Nigerias energy landscape.

Beyond his professional achievements, Adamolekun is a relentless advocate of integrity and ethical leadership. He has consistently decried the erosion of values in public relations and governance, pushing for reforms that prioritise transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

A prolific scholar, his extensive body of work, including academic journals and publications, has significantly influenced the discourse of public relations in Nigeria and beyond.

In his four decades of service, Dr Adamolekun has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades in both the public and professional spheres. He holds membership of some of the worlds most prestigious communication and public relations bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in London, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). He is also a member of the African Council on Communication Education (ACCE) and a board member of the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) in Washington, DC.

A Fellow of both the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the African Public Relations Association (APRA), he currently serves as chair of the Academic and Research Council of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.

While many retire and fade into obscurity, Dr Wole Adamolekun is part of a rare breed  those who retire only to re-fire. Since 2014, he has continued to inspire and shape young minds as an associate professor in the Department of Mass Communication at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin.

Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Adamolekun is a devoted family man. He is happily married to Olabisi, his lifelong companion and pillar of support, whose unwavering strength and sacrifices have kept the family grounded throughout his years of dedicated service. Their union is blessed with four remarkable children, each excelling in their chosen fields, with the same passion and dedication that define their fathers legacy.

Dr Oluwole Adamolekun is, without doubt, a man for all seasons  a trailblazer whose contributions to Public Relations, communication, and ethical leadership have left an indelible mark on Nigeria and beyond. At a vibrant and impactful 70, he remains a force to be reckoned with, a mentor to many, and shining example of integrity and excellence.

A standing ovation is truly deserved for this quintessential PR scholar, an ethical purist, a nation-builder, and a beacon of inspiration.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dr Wole Adamolekun!

Yushau A Shuaib is author of A Dozen Tips for Media Relations. Email: [email protected]

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To accelerate gender equality in Nigeria, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Laws must be strengthened and effectively enforced with adequate resources and training. Societal perceptions need to shift through education and media campaigns that challenge harmful norms. Crucially, womens access to finance, technology, and leadership opportunities must increase via targeted initiatives and affirmative action. This requires collective effort

As the world marked International Womens Day (IWD) 2025, the theme Accelerate Action served as a stark reminder of the lingering gaps in gender equality, particularly in Nigeria and Africa. Despite progress in enacting gender-responsive laws and policies, women in Nigeria continue to face daunting challenges, from deep-seated patriarchal norms and cultural barriers to economic exclusion and gender-based violence. I would argue that accelerating action towards gender equality requires a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond rhetoric, embraces concrete actions, accountability, and collective efforts from governments, civil society, and the private sector.

IWD is a global event celebrated annually on the 8th of March; its meant to acknowledge womens achievements and advocate for gender equality. This years theme encourages taking immediate and crucial steps to achieve gender equality by addressing systemic barriers and biases that women encounter in both their personal and professional lives.

International Womens Day originated from early 20th-century labour and socialist movements. The first National Womens Day was organised in the United States on 28 February, 1909. The idea of an international event gained momentum at the 1910 International Womens Conference. The United Nations (UN) first recognised this holiday in 1975 to highlight how important womens contributions have been all around the world and officially endorsed the date, 8th March in 1977, establishing it as a global observance for womens rights.

The event serves as a reminder of the importance of treasuring and empowering women in society, calling for actions that unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all. It is a day to commemorate womens socio-political, economic, and cultural achievements, while raising awareness about issues such as gender equality and gender-based violence.

This event has helped many countries understand the role women play in society and their contributions to national and global development. But the key question remains whether women have been better accepted as equal partners in Nigeria and, by extension, Africa.

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For African women, they have been central to their families and communities for centuries, often facing adversity. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), most African women still lack opportunities and face cultural barriers, such as not being able to inherit property. They also encounter violence, macroaggressions, and exclusion from decision-making roles. The fight for womens rights, dignity, and security remains a daily struggle for many African women.

Nigerias Case: Where Do Women Stand?

In examining the current status of gender equality in Nigeria, it is essential to consider the interplay between legal advancements, persistent cultural barriers, and economic inclusion.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has made progress in enacting gender-responsive laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015). The VAPP provides a legislative and legal framework for preventing all forms of violence against vulnerable persons, especially women and girls. It prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home, and harmful widowhood practices.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), women own 41 per cent of micro, small, and medium enterprises, with these businesses contributing $15 billion to Nigerias economy. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reports that over 94 per cent of women lack access to formal credit, while access to finance, markets, and digital literacy remains a barrier.

The National Gender Policy (2021  2026) on the other hand aims to address gender mainstreaming and facilitate the empowerment of women, aligning with international protocols and instruments. However, implementation, full compliance, effective enforcement, and accountability remain challenges. Despite these laws, some existing legal provisions still discriminate against women. For instance:

Section 165 of the Evidence Act restricts a womans right to determine the paternity of her child.

Sections 353 and 360 of the Criminal Code impose different penalties for indecent assault based on the victims gender, with higher penalties for offences against males than females.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) notes that women still face all forms of gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, which remains prevalent in many parts of Nigeria due to deeply entrenched cultural and religious beliefs. Deep-seated patriarchal norms further limit womens potential.

In 2010, Nigerian Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was among those responsible for making laws to protect women and children, was widely criticised for marrying a 13-year-old Egyptian girl. This case, as reported by Human Rights Watch, sparked outrage and highlighted how local customs and religious interpretations often obstruct justice and deny women access to their fundamental rights.

Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State and a strong advocate for the implementation of Sharia law in Northern Nigeria, defended his actions by citing Islamic principles. His case underscored the ongoing struggle between traditional practices and efforts to enforce child and women protection laws in the country.

Economic and Social Barriers

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), women own 41 per cent of micro, small, and medium enterprises, with these businesses contributing $15 billion to Nigerias economy. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reports that over 94 per cent of women lack access to formal credit, while access to finance, markets, and digital literacy remains a barrier.

The Critical Situation of Women: Abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), about one in three women aged 15-49 in Nigeria have experienced physical or sexual violence, with approximately 31 per cent having experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

A report by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) shows that GBV ranges from 31 per cent to 61 per cent for emotional and mental violence, 20 per cent to 31 per cent for sex-related violence, and 7 per cent to 31 per cent for physical violence among schoolgirls. If Lagos State alone recorded 24,009 cases of gender-based violence in the last five years, including sexual, physical, and psychological abuses reported across its 20 local government areas, what about the remaining 35 states of the country?

It is time for Nigeria and Africa to move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions and accountability. Recognising that womens empowerment is not just a matter of social justice but a necessity for sustainable development is paramount for a better future.

Womens Education and Workforce Representation

According to UNESCO, while womens enrolment rates in education have increased, girls still face significant barriers. In Northern Nigeria, cultural norms and poverty contribute to lower enrolment and higher dropout rates for girls. Early marriage and prioritising boys education exacerbate the issue.

Access to reproductive health services remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas, due to factors like inadequate healthcare facilities, cultural beliefs, and lack of awareness. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria is about 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (as of 2020).

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also notes that women constitute about 49 per cent of the workforce but are often concentrated in lower-paying jobs due to workplace discrimination. Another critical issue is political leadership and gender bias, by which women are underrepresented in Nigerian politics. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that barriers to political participation include cultural norms, lack of financial resources, and political violence. In the 2023 general elections, less than 10 per cent of elected officials were women. Leadership biases persist, including the belief that women are less capable leaders or that their primary role is in the home.

The Role of Gender Advocates and Organisations

The progress recorded so far is largely due to the efforts of gender advocates and organisations. These groups provide resources, advocate for policy changes, and mobilise communities to challenge discriminatory norms. Some notable organisations include: the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), which amplifies womens voices and pushes for policy change; the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), which provides legal services to victims of gender-based violence; Womens Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), that seeks to advance and protect womens rights; and international bodies like UN Women, which empower rural women and enhance their resilience to climate change.

Notwithstanding these efforts, challenges persist. A Ford Foundation study found that gender-based violence remains a significant issue. The activities of Boko Haram and Fulani herders have also led to a rise in sexual and gender-based violence.

The Need to Accelerate Gender Equality in Nigeria and Africa

To accelerate gender equality in Nigeria, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Laws must be strengthened and effectively enforced with adequate resources and training. Societal perceptions need to shift through education and media campaigns that challenge harmful norms. Crucially, womens access to finance, technology, and leadership opportunities must increase via targeted initiatives and affirmative action. This requires collective effort: the government prioritising gender mainstreaming, civil society advocating for rights, and the private sector promoting diversity.

It is time for Nigeria and Africa to move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions and accountability. Recognising that womens empowerment is not just a matter of social justice but a necessity for sustainable development is paramount for a better future.

Marcel Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and media consultant, is the publisher of Prime Business Africa.

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Addressing the GBV problem in Nigeria calls for increased efforts across the board. There is, therefore, an urgent need for all stakeholders  state governments, government agencies, civil society, educational institutions, international organisations and even individuals  to step up action and collaborate more in order to protect our women and girls from GBV and its debilitating effects.

The 8th of March is International Womens Day (IWD), was celebrated this year under the theme For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. This theme emphasises the need for actions that unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all and envisions a feminist future where no one is left behind.

The 2025 IWD campaign theme is Accelerate Action. This underscores the urgency of accelerating efforts to eliminate systemic barriers and biases that impede womens equality. And gender-based violence (GBV) is one area where action needs to be accelerated in order to protect the health of our women and girls.

Now, GBV refers to violence committed against any person on account of his or her sex or gender. It encompasses a wide range of harmful acts, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and socio-economic violence. Although it affects both men and women, the majority of GBV victims are women and girls.

Figures from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) show that one in three Nigerian women have experienced physical violence by age 15, while 49 per cent of divorced, separated, and widowed women, as well as 35 per cent of married women, have experienced spousal violence.

Many of the barriers and biases hindering women, especially with respect to their rights, equality, and empowerment against gender-based violence (GBV), are deeply rooted in legal, cultural, social, and institutional structures. In many places across the country, violence against women is often normalised or downplayed. Many a time, cultural attitudes blame victims, giving the impression that they brought the violence upon themselves as a result of their behaviours or choices. Sometimes, women are expected to stay in abusive relationships due to caregiving roles and family pressures.

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Women at the receiving end of GBV often report anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Some of them turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism, further complicating their mental health. Such women often experience reduced productivity and difficulty generating income.

Women, in many cases, are afraid of social stigma or are too embarrassed to report cases of GBV due to the fear of being disbelieved, blamed, or ostracised by their own communities. In addition, there is a lack of trust in the criminal justice system to protect them. Where they exist, laws are sometimes inaccessible, or poorly enforced. The police, courts, and other authorities often exhibit biases when responding to cases of GBV.

Even where women have the courage to leave violent situations, a major barrier is economic dependence on their abusive partners. Such women fear financial instability or homelessness if they leave, especially where they earn less than the men and have fewer job opportunities.

The truth is that GBV has profound and wide-ranging effects on womens health  it affects both their physical and mental well-being. It can lead to fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndromes, irritable bowel syndrome, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Sexual violence can result in unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Physical violence can cause lacerations, eye damage, and disabilities, and may complicate pregnancies and childbirth. It is linked to increased maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Cases abound across the country of women being physically maimed and sometimes killed by their spouses or intimate partners or men who were hell-bent on taking advantage of them.

Women at the receiving end of GBV often report anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Some of them turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism, further complicating their mental health. Such women often experience reduced productivity and difficulty generating income. Also, children of women who experience GBV have been found to be at higher risk of emotional and behavioural problems.

Tackling the problem of GBV in Nigeria would therefore require a multi-pronged approach involving education, legal reforms, community engagement, and technological innovations. Thankfully, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act was enacted in 2015. This law aims to address GBV by providing legal protection for victims and punishment for perpetrators. However, its implementation still varies across states

Sadly, many women who have suffered GBV do not receive the necessary trauma-informed healthcare or psychological support. Healthcare providers are often not adequately trained to identify the signs of abuse or provide the necessary care. Some healthcare systems lack the infrastructure to adequately respond to GBV, such as emergency medical care for injuries, counselling for survivors, or the ability to offer support to women who may not feel safe seeking help in the first place.

Tackling the problem of GBV in Nigeria would therefore require a multi-pronged approach involving education, legal reforms, community engagement, and technological innovations. Thankfully, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act was enacted in 2015. This law aims to address GBV by providing legal protection for victims and punishment for perpetrators. However, its implementation still varies across states, with only half of the states that adopted the law actively enforcing its provisions. It is gladdening, however, that a few states, like Lagos, Ekiti and Edo, have their own domestic violence laws, which provide additional legal frameworks for addressing gender-based violence. And the laws are being diligently enforced.

In addition, organisations like the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have developed mobile apps that provide a safe platform for survivors to report GBV cases with utmost confidentiality. This is helping to overcome barriers such as stigma and lack of access to reporting mechanisms. Some universities in the country are also implementing policies and programmes to address GBV on their campuses. This is in addition to the sensitisation efforts by some NGOs in primary and secondary schools and other places. And there are Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), which offer medical, forensic, and counselling services to survivors. However, these are still too few and far between to meet the needs of a large population such as ours.

Addressing the GBV problem in Nigeria calls for increased efforts across the board. There is, therefore, an urgent need for all stakeholders  state governments, government agencies, civil society, educational institutions, international organisations and even individuals  to step up action and collaborate more in order to protect our women and girls from GBV and its debilitating effects.

Sylvester Ojenagbon, a health communication expert, lives in Lagos.

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Women are grossly under-represented in Nigerias governance structures and to zero-in on both the sexual and political harassment of a female legislator is a disservice to our democracy. Such action has legitimised attacks on the freedom of expression, encouraged intimidation, and institutionalised sexual harassment in public spaces. All enlightened opinion cannot but demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha and a stop to reckless intimidation and harassment of legislators in the opposition

Yesterday, senators overwhelmingly, or rather, shamelessly, passed a vote of confidence in the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, despite the sexual harassment allegation levelled against him by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Nigerians have still not recovered from the shame displayed in how votes are taken in the Senate, as the viral video of the voice vote episode continues to circulate. The Senate president had proposed a motion that after Natashas six-months suspension, she would still have to apologise before she might be re-admitted into the Senate. He called for the voice vote and the overwhelming majority said NAY. He decided they did not hear him well and repeated the motion, again, the majority said NAY. The same thing happened the third time when the almighty Senate president decided to announce that the Ayes have it.

The meaning of this incident is clear. Senators have had their mandates confiscated by President Akpabio and whatever he decides to announce is the absolute law in the upper chamber. The Senate is the highest expression of political tyranny in contemporary Nigeria, where the distinguished are not allowed to vote against a decision of their tyrant.

There was, therefore, no surprise that the Senate passed the vote of confidence on the tyrant that runs it. I was, however, surprised that the members of the upper chamber had the temerity to urge Nigerians not to allow the allegations of sexual harassment against their tyrant serve as a distraction from the legislative responsibilities of the Assembly. What sense of responsibility have they portrayed to expect respect from Nigerians. Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a brave warrior who had accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment, had also reported the matter, along with her suspension from the Senate, to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

I believe that the evidence is clear that the Nigerian Senates decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months is an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for legislative governance. The suspension of an elected senator contradicts Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outline the lawful processes for a legislator to lose their seat. Section 68(1) & (2) states that a legislators seat can only be declared vacant under specific circumstances such as resignation, defection, conviction, or recall by constituents through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Section 69 stipulates that the recall process is the only constitutional means for removing an elected legislator, making the Senates decision legally baseless. By suspending Senator Natasha, the Senate has effectively denied the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their right to representation, an action that constitutes an abuse of power.

A majority of members appear to oppose the reckless behaviour of their bosses but are afraid of losing their privileges. They know that they should have questioned the impartiality of the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, in handling the matter in which he is the main accused person but did nothing. Even more troubling is the decision the Senates Ethics Committee, clearly influenced by the leadership, to dismiss the allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio without a fair and neutral review.

Many judicial rulings have consistently declared legislative suspensions unlawful. They include key cases such as Honourable Dino Melaye v House of Representatives (2009), where the Federal High Court ruled that legislative chambers lack the authority to suspend elected members. In Ali Ndume v Senate President & Ors (2018), the Court of Appeal nullified the senators suspension, reinforcing the principle that lawmakers cannot be arbitrarily removed by their peers. Similarly, House of Assembly v Hon. Danna (2003) established that only the judiciary or the electorate have the power to remove an elected official. The Senate is knowledgeable about these rulings but deliberately decided to disregard the law simply because the Senate president is angry with a colleague that has accused him of sexual harassment. There has been a lot of grumblings within the Senate but the cowardly members simply dont have the balls to challenge the tyranny they are subjected to by their own leadership.

A majority of members appear to oppose the reckless behaviour of their bosses but are afraid of losing their privileges. They know that they should have questioned the impartiality of the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, in handling the matter in which he is the main accused person but did nothing. Even more troubling is the decision the Senates Ethics Committee, clearly influenced by the leadership, to dismiss the allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio without a fair and neutral review. By so doing, they violate Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing.

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It is important to recall the case of the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly versus Hon. Rifkatu Samson Danna (2017). This classic case defined the issue of suspending a legislator from his/her functions in a clear manner. The following are the facts of the case: The Respondent in that case was a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and she was suspended indefinitely. She filed a Suit at the Bauchi State High Court questioning the Resolution of the House. Judgment was delivered in her favour; the House contested the judgement at the Court of Appeal, which however affirmed the decision of the High Court. The Court of Appeal stated that the law maker, not being an employee of the House, can neither be suspended nor have her entitlements i.e. salary and other allowances, withheld.

the principle of Nemo Judex in Causa Sua (no one should be a judge in their own case) has been completely disregarded in this matter on the unconstitutional punishments meted out to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The idea of sending out legislators who oppose the ruling party is a very direct threat to democracy and we as citizens should not allow the legislature to be turned into a tyrannical chamber that blindly supports it leadership, even if the support is under duress.

The court, while taking its decision on the provision of section 111 of the 1999 Constitution, stated that: The fixing of salaries and wages of the respondent lies within the province of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission under section 111 of the constitution, certainly not the 1st and 2nd appellants. The 1st and 2nd appellants have no right to interfere with the salaries and allowances of the respondent serving as a member of Bauchi State House of Assembly. No Rules or Standing Order of Bauchi State House of Assembly can derogate these rights and privileges conferred on an elected member of the House of Assembly The Court further had this to say about the illegality of the suspension:

Any member of the Bagoro constituency could have timeously challenged the indefinite suspension of their choice representative in the Bauchi State House of Assembly on the grounds that their accrued rights had been violated or breached by the appellants. The conduct of the appellants is the tyranny of the majority against an elected minority of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. Peers of a legislator who suspend the members are deliberately committing the anti-democratic crime of depriving the said members constituency from representation in the legislature where they have been legitimately elected by voters.

Finally, the principle of Nemo Judex in Causa Sua (no one should be a judge in their own case) has been completely disregarded in this matter on the unconstitutional punishments meted out to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The idea of sending out legislators who oppose the ruling party is a very direct threat to democracy and we as citizens should not allow the legislature to be turned into a tyrannical chamber that blindly supports it leadership, even if the support is under duress.

Women are grossly under-represented in Nigerias governance structures and to zero-in on both the sexual and political harassment of a female legislator is a disservice to our democracy. Such action has legitimised attacks on the freedom of expression, encouraged intimidation, and institutionalised sexual harassment in public spaces. All enlightened opinion cannot but demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha and a stop to reckless intimidation and harassment of legislators in the opposition but also those in the ruling party who are terrorised into silence.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

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Kaduna State Government has distributed 7,000 motorcycles to civil servants. Out of this 4,000 are electric bikes. The gesture is part of the state governments efforts to ease the transportation burden of workers across the state.

Governor Uba Sani who flagged off the distribution, said that the initiative is the first of its kind in Nigeria, promising that we shall continue to create and innovate to better the conditions of our citizens.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, he said that the state government recognises that transportation costs can be a significant burden for civil servants.

It is our hope that these motorcycles will help alleviate that burden, allowing you to come to work early and focus on the tasks at hand, the Governor added.

Governor Sani further said that monies recovered from the loan repayments will be reserved for continuous purchase of motorcycles for all workers in the Kaduna State civil service.

According to the Governor, charging points will be established in strategic locations across the three geopolitical zones of the state for the electric motorcycles.

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He noted that the Civil Service is the engine of Government adding that servants play a critical role in shaping governance, and facilitating the efficient delivery of essential services.

Our administration recognises that massive rural and urban transformations, as well as economic revitalisation are only possible if driven by dedicated, skilled and well-motivated workforce.

This is why we have intensified improvement of the working conditions of civil servants across Kaduna State. We are also implementing structural improvements in the environments where civil servants operate, he added.

The Governor further said that: Our civil servants deserve commendation for their contributions to the achievements so far recorded by our administration. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to the development of our state have not gone unnoticed.

It is your tireless efforts that have inspired our administration to provide these motorcycles as a token of appreciation for your service, he added.

The scheme is a collaboration amongst Kaduna State Government, Nigerian Labour Congress, Paynacle Digital Services Limited which will provide charging stations and Optimus Bank.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Kaduna State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Ayuba Magaji, commended Governor Sani for guaranteeing the financial cover necessary to make this initiative a reality.

By ensuring that these motorcycles are accessible to qualified civil servants as salary-deductible loans, Your Excellency has once again demonstrated a deep commitment to the welfare of workers, he added.

Acting State Secretary of NURTW, Comrade Hassan Ibrahim, also disclosed that the union has purchased 1,000 electric tricycles for its members at N7.5 million each, payable for two years.

Comrade Ibrahim pleaded with Kaduna State Government to contribute its own quota so that this initiative can be sustained

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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda has promised to equip the teeming youthful population of State with marketable skills and produce more employers of labour in the year in view.

The Governor emphasised his administrations strategy of transforming youths into job creators rather than job seekers, following the approval of the sum of N123 million for training students at the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV).

Governor Radda stated that the investment represents his administrations keen interest in youth empowerment through practical skills acquisition.

By equipping our young people with marketable skills, we are not merely taking them off the streets, but transforming them into productive entrepreneurs and future employers of labour, the Governor said.

Mr Radda also reassured youths of his governments determination to continue to eliminate barriers to training facilities and ensure that no young person is left behind in the skills acquisition space.

Beyond this training, our government is creating a new generation of self-reliant citizens who will contribute meaningfully to the states economic growth, the Governor maintained.

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The State Coordinator of Katsina Youth Craft Village, Kabir Abdullahi Kofar Soro explained the diverse range of skills offered at the centre, which include shoe making and leather works, computer maintenance and networking, film and photography, auto electrical, auto mechanical, catering, and innovative waste-to-wealth initiatives.

Mr Abdullahi added that the training programmes vary in duration from three months to one year, depending on the complexity of the skills being taught.

He said that similar centres have been established in Daura and Malumfashi local government areas as part of the administrations efforts to decentralize skills acquisition opportunities across the state.

The funding and opportunities provided at the Katsina Youth Craft Village are linked to the Governors Building Your Future agenda which promised to foster economic empowerment and sustainable pathways out of poverty.

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The Niger State Government has closed two public secondary schools in Minna following violent clashes involving students and youth gangs in their area.

Government Day Secondary School, Bosso Road, and Father OConnell Science College (GSS), Minna, were shut indefinitely on Wednesday over concerns about insecurity.

Announcing the decision in Minna, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hadiza Mohammed, said the move followed an on-the-spot assessment by officials of the ministry.

She decried the growing menace of youth restiveness within school environments, warning that the government would not tolerate acts that endanger students, teachers, and the surrounding communities.

The situation in these schools has become worrisome, with frequent fights involving students and miscreants posing as students, she said.

READ ALSO: Niger Delta youth threaten to shut down oil production over alleged harassment of Akpabio

Mrs Mohammed urged parents and guardians to be more involved in their childrens activities and cooperate with the government to curb insecurity in schools.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The commissioner said the government would implement measures to restore discipline and ensure a safe learning environment before considering reopening the affected schools.

The state Ministry of Education previously condemned the use of vulgar and violent language in schools, highlighting ongoing concerns about student behaviour and campus safety.

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The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

The INC was reacting to comments credited to Mr Wike that the Ijaw people were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South-south states except Bayelsa.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, the INC national spokesperson, said the congress had taken note of the FCT ministers remarks.

We will continue to maintain peace and stability as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.

The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers, we expected a more informed understanding of the states history, the INC said.

The INC said the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.

READ ALSO: Niger shuts two schools over gang clashes

They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta.

The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-south, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us, Mr Oyakemeagbegha said.

Governor Fubara, of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, has been engaged in a protracted political battle with his predecessor, Mr Wike, over the control of the political structure in Rivers.

Some Ijaw groups are backing Mr Fubara against Mr Wike.

(NAN)

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The Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission says it has lifted restrictions on licences for operators to renew their gaming licences.

The commissions Executive Secretary, Arinze Arum, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Enugu.

Nwanneka Udeh, the commissions spokesperson, issued the statement.

Mr Arum said the decision was part of key reforms aimed at strengthening the gaming industry, promoting responsible gaming practices, and taking necessary steps to modernise it in the state.

He added that the commission has also launched a new technology-driven platform that ensures faster and more convenient renewal and other services.

With the lifting of restrictions on licence renewals, gaming operators can now seamlessly update their licences through the newly introduced Enugu State Gaming Regulatory Platform.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

This digital solution ensures faster approvals, enhanced compliance monitoring, and a secure licensing process.

As part of the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commissions broader regulatory reforms, the commission is implementing a series of initiatives, including the creation of gaming offices across all the 17 local government areas, Mr Arum said.

The executive secretary said the commission had engaged gaming inspectors to enhance compliance monitoring and introduced official Gaming Approval Signage for licensed operators.

We also engaged in strict enforcement of permanent structures for gaming outlets to phase out makeshift stands, he added.

He revealed that the commission announced the anticipated Rangers FC Dream Big Raffle and Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commissions Good Cause Projects that would commence in months to come.

Mr Arum explained that the Enugu State Gaming Regulatory Platform, developed in collaboration with Goflux Services Limited, would streamline licensing, automate compliance oversight, and enhance revenue collection through digital payment channels.

This is a game-changer for the industry, as we are committed to leveraging technology to improve regulatory efficiency, increase revenue, and ensure fairness in gaming operations.

Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, therefore, urged all gaming operators to take advantage of the seamless online licence renewal process and adhere strictly to the new regulatory guidelines, Mr Arum said.

(NAN)

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On a sunny morning in mid-October 2024, Chikamso Ogbu stood by the front wall of Okpara Hall, one of the female hostels at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria.

Save for Ms Ogbus frequent gropes and occasional calls for help to passers-by, no one would suspect that the 300-level undergraduate was visually impaired. She wore no eyeglasses nor had a stick in her hand to indicate she was blind.

She wanted to attend a lecture in her class, but would need an aid to get to the class.

Her hopes were raised when she noticed that two ladies  also undergraduates  were passing by. She appealed to them to help take her to class, but the female undergraduates rebuffed her.

She had spent more than an hour and became already frustrated when her friend, who often guided her, arrived. Together, they hurried to the class  carefully climbing the stair-cases. They would later find out the class had been cancelled.

Everything is just traumatising, she said of the difficulty in getting to the class.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Sometimes, after considering what it takes to get to class: the steps, the stony pathways, and being ignored by others, I would rather not go.

Neglect, discrimination

For years, blind students in UNN, like other persons with disabilities, have been battling discrimination and neglect from other students and university officials.

The absence of good hostel facilities usable by persons with disability and the lack of walkways has made life tough for blind students and other persons with disability in UNN, this investigation shows.

Discrimination of persons with disabilities and lack of accessibility aids are in violation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

Nearly all persons with disability interviewed during investigations have at one point fallen into gutters while groping with their sticks to classes or other engagements.

Blind students are usually accommodated in hostels together with sighted students despite the hostel blocks lacking accessibility aids such as elevators and ramps. The situation is the same in all the classrooms visited by these reporters in the course of this investigation.

In addition, the two male hostels in the university  especially Eni-Njoku  have become reference points for poor electrical connections.

Wires often dangle dangerously in hostel rooms and corridors, putting the lives of students, especially blind students, at risk.

In one such situation, on 14 June 2021, Emeka Ezeudo, a blind third-year music student at the time, died from electrocution in his hostel.

His death was initially attributed to suicide despite witnesses confirming he was electrocuted. At the time, blind students in the university protested against the death of Mr Ezeudo. Many of them said authorities had remained mute despite their frequent complaints about safety hazards, including electrocution risks, in hostels.

The then Dean of the Students Affairs of the institution, Edwin Omeje, would later promise to carry out an investigation into the incident.

The investigation showed that the student, Ezeudo, was electrocuted, Mr Omeje, a professor, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on 4 December 2024.

The former dean said the investigation showed that the deceased blind student had stepped out at midnight at the hostel unaided and mistakenly stepped on water near a naked electrical wire, leading to his electrocution.

About a year later, Daniel Mbadiwe*, a male blind student of mass communication department also suffered a non-fatal electrocution at Eni-Njoku hostel when he wanted to plug his phone charger into a socket.

I thought I would die like Emeka Ezeudo, Mr Mbadiwe said. The table, the floor, the walls  everything was electrocuting. I cannot wish even my enemy what I experienced with the poor connection, he said.

Sad tales of discrimination, non-inclusivity of blind students

Ms Ogbu, Mr Mbadiwe and late Mr Ezeudo were not the only people who had battled discrimination and faced challenges of lack of accessibility aids in UNN. Other blind students who spoke to our correspondents shared similar experiences.

Some of the blind students narrated how they struggle to move around the campus because they often face the risk of being knocked down by speeding vehicles. Because of absence of walk-ways, they sometimes bruise their legs, scrape their hands, or hit their heads against stones and tree branches.

They are now easily identified by their scarred legs and swollen heads. But their challenges are often exacerbated by the attitude of sighted students on campus.

On one occasion in March 2024, there was water scarcity in university hostels. While other students easily hustled for water from other sources outside the hostel environments, blind students only imagined it.

Emerson Okoro*, a first-year student, decided to braze the odds by helping himself with sachet water and heading to the classroom without aid.

But the university environment was not as friendly as he thought. He eventually fell into a gutter and injured himself.

I felt like I should not have even come here, Mr Okoro said.

Our findings also show that some sighted students discriminate against persons with disability in UNN.

One day I was going to class, and I begged one of my classmates to help me hold one of the blind students as I couldnt hold five of them, but he said that he cannot touch her, said Favour Chukwuebuka, a 300-level student of Special Needs education, who guides blind students in UNN.

Some students tag mobile cane, a vital tool used by blind students for navigation, as a curse symbol. In classrooms, blind students are sometimes ignored by sighted students and left to sign attendance on hardcopy materials themselves without aid.

The only time people help is when we have already fallen into a gutter, crashed into a wall, or tripped from a height, Uchechukwu Nnabuife*, a blind student, lamented.

Like students, like lecturers

Like some sighted students, some lecturers contribute to making life tough for blind students in the university, investigations showed.

Some hold impromptu tests and assignments without any consideration for persons living with disability, especially the blind students. Such impromptu tests and assignments leave blind students scrambling to find someone who could transcribe for them.

Ms Ogbu said like other blind students, she felt discriminated against even when she did the right thing.

If I dont submit on time, I have to run after lecturers. And when I do submit on time, they (lecturers) assume someone helped me cheat, she said, shrugging off in shock.

During examinations, blind students are permitted to bring in anyone from a different department who could help write what they dictate as answers to examination questions which are usually read out to them. Those who can do such examination with their laptops are permitted.

But in examinations halls, accusations of cheating are sometimes made against blind students without evidence, especially when the blind students, guided by their aids, step out to print out their answer sheets for submission.

I was accused of bringing an outsider to cheat for me, Chigozie Okeke*, another blind student, said, almost sobbing.

Its so humiliating.

An official of the Association of Students with Special Needs (ASSN) in UNN said the body had repeatedly asked for a resource centre equipped with laptops for blind students writing examinations. But the university management has ignored the request.

When someone writes for me, it feels empty. If only they would provide laptops (for blind students writing exams), maybe we wouldnt face this constant harassment, the official, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, said.

Everything here is stressful for a visually impaired student.

What the law says

About 15 per cent of Nigerias population or at least 25 million people are living with a disability, according to World Health Organisations 2011 World Disability Report.

In 2023, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) reported that the figure has jumped to 35.1 million Nigerians living with disabilities.

Earlier in 2018, Nigeria enacted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, following nine years of advocacy by disability groups and activists in Nigeria. It was signed into law on 23 January 2019 by the then President, Muhammadu Buhari

The Act seeks to, among other provisions, eliminate discrimination against persons with disability, ensure their access to public buildings and vehicles, and foster inclusive education in all public organisations.

The Act also ordered provision of road side-walks, pedestrian crossings and all other special facilities for the persons living with disability.

The Act imposes sanctions in the form of fines and imprisonment for defaulters. The Act also established the NCPWD to oversee the prevention of discrimination against persons with disabilities and to ensure disability inclusion across all sectors.

Importantly, the Act stipulates a five-year transitional period for public buildings and structures to become accessible and usable for persons with disability. This implies that that the law could not be enforced until January 2024.

But despite the existence this Act, UNN and many other Nigerian universities have not put infrastructure in place for blind students. Blind students in UNN, like in other universities, still suffer discrimination, especially during examinations. The university management has yet to introduce policies guiding conduct of examinations for blind students in the institution.

While some departments require blind students to personally arrange for aids who will help them in writing examinations, others insist that blind students can only take exams if they bring their laptops or typewriters.

Some of the blind students complained that the requirement imposes double financial and logistical burdens on them. Many of the students have repeatedly suffered denial of opportunities to participate in exams with attendant effect on their mental health.

Zero inclusivity

Section 18 (1) of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act demands that all public schools, whether primary, secondary or tertiary, shall be run to be inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.

In UNN, students are sometimes forced by some lecturers to buy hard-copy text books and other materials as part of their Continuous Assessment.

Blind students are shocked that lecturers also compel them to buy the hard-copy materials too despite their apparent inability to read them.

Mr Okeke, a blind student, recalled that a lecturer in his department had mocked blind students who had complained that they would only be able to read soft-copy textbooks, not hard-copy which he had instructed them to buy at the rate N 5,500 per copy.

He has never provided us with a soft copy or any alternative. Its embarrassing and frustrating, Mr Okeke lamented.

I have studied for hours, but because I didnt buy the textbook, I got an E. Its not just meevery four of the blind students in that class gets the same result in every course taught by this particular lecturer, regardless of the effort we put in, another blind student, who asked not be named, said.

We get the grade they think we deserve, not what we earned, he lamented.

Blind students, like others, were required to buy hard-copy textbooks for courses like Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship Research, Nigeria Peoples and Culture, Introduction to Computer Sciences.

In some of the courses, students are also required to buy textbooks and register them to receive a workbook which would be used for grading students.

Marvelous Igwurube*, a blind student of psychology, was shocked to learn, in her third year, that she had failed PSY 311 (Statistics). That was her first time of failing a course in the university. On her examination day, her reader was accused of impersonation and chased out of the exam hall despite.

Ms Igwurube was devastated because the lecturer had given her assurances of help when she informed him that she would need someone who would help to read out the formulas in the script for her to answer the questions.

With tears rolling down her cheeks, the blind student struggled to write the examination after her aid was asked to leave the hall. Not even her pleas to the lecturer to be lenient in marking her script were heeded.

Like UNN, like UNIBEN and UNIZIK

Like in the UNN, cases of discriminations and non-inclusivity of blind students are rife in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU, popularly known as UNIZIK), this newspaper gathered.

Findings by our correspondents showed that there has been no record of prosecution despite the widespread violation of the provision across the Nigerian universities.

At UNIZIK for instance, many visually impaired students prefer to stay in lodges outside the campus for privacy, security, and better treatment. Some of the students attribute the reason to poor condition of hostels and stony pathways in the institution.

Favour Mbadiwe*, a blind UNZIK law student, believes that resources for accessibility, such as screen readers and exam support, are limited in the institution.

Again, Mr Mbadiwe said although he had not yet suffered harassment, lecturers often doubt their ability to learn, adapt and compete with sighted students.

He said despite promises, the university management had yet to address mobility challenges and provide materials in audio format for visually students.

The situation is the same at UNIBEN.

At UNIBEN, blind students say they often buy textbooks that are not disability friendly. One of them, Hahamie David*, said the blind students are groaning over lack of soft copy materials particularly in general studies courses and limited access to the library.

Mr David, a student of special education in UNIBEN, added that accessibility to certain campus areas has also been a challenge.

UNN silent

Okwun Omeaku, the UNN spokesperson, was unavailable when our correspondents visited his office on 3 December 2024. When contacted on telephone, Mr Omeaku said he lost a family relative and would speak on the matter.

But he has not responded to subsequent calls and text messages seeking his comments.

Poor implementation

Nigerian universities have done little to implement the disability Act as evident in the lack of accessible infrastructure, discriminatory practices, and inadequate hostel facilities, said Ecstasy Gentle, a human rights lawyer based in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Mr Gentle noted that lack of awareness of the Act was partly responsible for its poor implementations in Nigeria.

The lawyer challenged visually impaired students to report cases of discrimination to university authorities and seek redress in court if no action was taken.

The law empowers you to act, he said.

Injustices will persist if you stay silent. Know your rights, seek a lawyer, and hold institutions accountable.

On his part, Onyebuchi Mba, the chairperson of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Enugu State Chapter, believes that policymakers have failed to fully integrate persons with disabilities into the education system.

Mr Mba, who is also the South-east Zonal coordinator of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, stressed that inclusive education should eliminate segregation and ensure equal opportunities.

He, however, argued that the disability Act of 2018 does not adequately address all the requirements for a truly inclusive educational environment.

Negative societal attitudes and ignorance of legal provisions hinder progress, he said, calling for active involvement from the ministries of education and information to promote inclusivity.

Survey findings

Blind students and other students with special needs suffer lack of support services and assistance from sighted colleagues in UNN, UNIZIK and UNIBEN, a survey study conducted across the universities by our correspondents revealed.

The study also showed that in all three institutions, majority of the blind students have no access to physical facilities while authorities of the universities often make promises to address concerns without taking any action.

It further revealed that majority of the blind students across the three institutions are frequently being threatened by lecturers to purchase specific materials for continuous assessment which they cannot read due to their disability.

Other findings of the study include the following:

 Majority of blind students in UNN (64 per cent) were often harassed or accused of cheating during examinations while a minority (24 per cent) witnessed such harassment and accusation in UNIZIK and UNIZIK has not recorded such incident.

 Majority of the blind students across the institutions rely on people who read out examination questions for them.

 Across the three institutions, the poor quality of adapted materials and attitudes of lecturers were affecting majority of the blind students academically.

 With the exception of UNIBEN, the level of exclusion and discrimination are high in UNN and UNIZIK.

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has died after jumping into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday.

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, saying it occurred around 4 p.m. near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront.

According to Mr Hundeyin, officers from the Marine Police stationed in the area responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.

He stated that the womans body was later recovered at the UNILAG shore slipway.

An unidentified woman reportedly jumped from the Third Mainland Bridge into the water at the UNILAG waterfront on Thursday at about 4 p.m., Mr Hundeyin stated.

Her body was recovered at the University of Lagos shore slipway by a team of Marine Police. She was confirmed dead by UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

He added that the body had been moved to the Infectious Disease Hospital Mortuary in Yaba for preservation while an investigation was underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A recurring tragedy

Thursdays incident is the latest in similar cases involving individuals jumping into Lagos waterways.

In August 2023, an unidentified adult jumped into the lagoon from the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. Emergency responders, including the Marine Police and Lagos State emergency officials, launched an operation to retrieve the victim.

Similarly, in 2020, a man identified as Toju Daibo allegedly jumped into the lagoon from the bridge inward Adeniji Adele after stepping out of an Uber.

His family, who insisted he had no history of depression or drug use, pleaded with the government to help locate him.

In 2017, another unidentified man jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

Government and civil society organisations continue to urge residents to seek mental health support and report signs of distress to prevent further loss of lives.

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SOESTERBERG, the Netherlands, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In September 2025, the National Military Museum is set to showcase an original Fokker D.VII fighter aircraft, designed during the First World War which was in service with our Fleet Air Arm before the Second World War. The aircraft comes to us from the Deutsches Museum in Munich. In 1980, the plane was found to carry original Dutch identification markings. As joint provenance research found out, the aircraft was removed from the Netherlands during the Second World War to become part of a Nazi-Luftwaffe museum planned by Hermann Goring.

The discovery

In 1945, American MFAA (Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives) servicemen, better known as the Monuments Men, in search of stolen artistic treasures in amongst other things hit on a Fokker D.VII in a farm barn in Vilsbiburg. They gave the aircraft in custody to the Deutsches Museum based in Munich. At that point in time, little to nothing was known about the aircraft's provenance and true identity. Restoration work to the plane carried out in Germany in 1980 revealed the plane's Dutch nationality markings (including its roundels) and a registration number. More recent and extensive German research showed beyond doubt that the aircraft is Dutch, although its identity cannot be ascertained with certainty. Which was reason enough for the German museum staff to look into matters more closely and get in touch with their colleagues in the Netherlands.

Intensive investigation

In spite of the fact that the investigation is still ongoing, the Deutsches Museum - in part based on the investigations carried out by their Dutch colleagues - has announced its intention to loan the Fokker D.VII to the Netherlands. The past two years saw both parties work closely side by side as befits good professional colleagues, although important factual elements are not known yet, which leaves questions unanswered. The time span between May 1940, when the Fokker D.VII carrying registration number D-28 was demonstrably still in the Netherlands, and December 1945, when the D.VII was uncovered in a barn in the Bavarian town of Vilsbiburg, remains one big black hole.

Fokker D.VII on its way to the Netherlands

Given the many questions that remain unanswered, there is no legal basis for restitution at the present time. This is why the plane is provisionally going on display at the National Military Museum for the next five years, starting in September 2025. In the meantime, the investigation is set to continue in both countries.

National Military Museum

The NMM in Soesterberg is one of the three Royal Defence Museums in the Netherlands. Acting jointly, we are keen to raise awareness amongst the public at large of the fact that freedom is not to be taken for granted. We want to do justice to the Armed Forces' contribution to our national history and their role in protecting our peace and freedom. For more details, go to NMM.nl or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2638945/Fokker_DVII.jpg
SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeles Investments, a multi-asset investment management firm with approximately $6.8 billion in discretionary assets and $31.5 billion in advisory assets1, has been recognized by Coalition Greenwich as a 2025 Best Investment Consultant among midsize investment consultants for institutional Investors. This is the firm's eighth consecutive year achieving this accolade.

Crisil Coalition Greenwich provides strategic benchmarking, analytics and insights to the financial services industry and seeks to identify firms that distinguish themselves from competitors by delivering superior levels of client service to help institutions achieve their investment goals and objectives.

Key categories where Angeles scored very highly relative to our peer competitors included provision of proactive advice and innovative ideas, understanding client goals and objectives, satisfaction with managers recommended, communication of philosophy and investment beliefs, responsiveness to requests, and among others.

"It is an honor be recognized again by our clients and for the 8th consecutive year as a Coalition Greenwich Best Investment Consultant. Such recognition is testament to the depth and quality of the partnerships Angeles has developed with our clients over many years," said Howard Perlow, Co-Founder and CEO of Angeles. "As a firm, we view such partnerships as extending beyond asset management. We view ourselves as our client's full-service investment office and it is a privilege to provide support and resources as critical issues are tackled and key decisions are made."

Coalition Greenwich's 53rd annual U.S. Institutional Investors research included voluntary responses from 699 individuals from 563 of the largest tax-exempt funds in the United States, including corporate, public, union and endowment and foundation funds, with either pension or investment pool assets greater than $150 million.2

About Angeles

Angeles Investments is an investment management firm that serves as the Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) for institutions and nonprofits, including higher education, independent schools, and corporations, and advises distinguished investors through its wealth management platform. As fiduciaries, we are dedicated to creating the best outcomes for our clients through asset allocation and high conviction investments across alternative and traditional asset classes delivered through a full-service investment office. Angeles was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA. https://www.angelesinvestments.com/

1 As of December 31st, 2024

2 Angeles does not pay to have its clients participate in the study. The results may not be representative of any one client's experience because the results represent an average of all of the experiences of responding clients only.

SOURCE Angeles Investments
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Archipelago, the largest privately-owned hotel management in Southeast Asia, is proud to introduce Aston Rubi City Suites, the latest addition to its growing portfolio, located in the vibrant Naco neighborhood of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Known for blending comfort, style, and exceptional service, Aston Rubi City Suites offers high-quality, apartment-style accommodations that cater to both business and leisure travelers.

Aston Rubi City Suites- Solarium on the 19th floor

The hotel features 179 apartment-style rooms at Aston Rubi Suites, each offering a welcoming atmosphere that blends style and functionality. Guests are greeted by modern decor that combines comfort, creating thoughtfully designed living spaces that feel like a home away from home. Each room includes fully equipped kitchens with modern appliances, cookware, and utensils for easy meal preparation, as well as spacious dining areas perfect for enjoying meals or entertaining friends and family. Additionally, every room is equipped with Google Nest for added convenience.

The One Bedroom Standard Suite features a cozy living room, dining area, washer-dryer, private bathroom, and an extra half bathroom, with options for queen or twin beds. The One Bedroom Superior Suite includes a sofa bed for extra guests, along with a spacious living room, dining area, kitchen, and two bathrooms. The One Bedroom Deluxe Suite offers a studio space and a large living area ideal for entertaining, complete with two bathrooms and a modern kitchen. The Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite is perfect for families, featuring two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a cozy living room, a dining area, a full kitchen, and a washer-dryer, accommodating up to four guests. Finally, the Two Bedroom Premier Loft features a unique two-level layout with a full kitchen, living room, dining area, and private terrace with a jacuzzi, along with 2.5 bathrooms for enhanced comfort and privacy.

"With Aston Rubi City Suites, we are thrilled to expand our presence in the Caribbean, introducing our unique brand of hospitality to Santo Domingo. This property is designed to provide comfort and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of modern travelers," said Jose Luis Leonardo, Vice President - The Americas of Archipelago.

Located in Santo Domingo's financial and business district, Aston Rubi City Suites offers easy access to attractions and services in the city, making it an ideal choice for professionals and tourists alike. The hotel reflects the dynamic energy of the city while providing a peaceful and comfortable retreat for guests to relax and recharge after a busy day.

Aston Rubi City Suites welcomes both business and leisure travelers, whether they're visiting Santo Domingo for work, conferences, or exploring its rich cultural heritage. The hotel's apartment-like design provides the perfect balance of flexibility, comfort, and personalized service, ensuring that every guest has a memorable stay.

For more information, visit rubicitysuites.astonhotelsinternational.com or follow @archipelagointernational and @astonrubicitysuites on Instagram.

Photo HD: Click here

About Archipelago

Archipelago is Southeast Asia's largest privately-owned hotel management group with more than 45,000 rooms and residences in over 200 locations across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Oceania. A trusted hotel company with a long track record and award-winning brands including ASTON, ASTON Collection Hotels, Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Avanika, Harper, Quest, Hotel NEO, fave, Nordic, and Powered by ARCHIPELAGO.

https://archipelagohotels.com/

Media Enquiries:

Sari Kusumaningrum

Senior Director of Corporate Communications & PR

Archipelago

[email protected]

SOURCE Archipelago
HOUSTON and BOSTON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Auto Shop Answers, a leader in business solutions for automotive service centers, proudly announces that Dr. Dana Nkana has joined the AutoShop Answers Family of Businesses, further strengthening its commitment to excellence, education, and strategic industry growth.

Dr. Nkana, a visionary leader with deep expertise in business strategy, operational efficiency, and leadership training, brings a wealth of experience spanning the energy, automotive, and education sectors. His track record of transforming businesses, mentoring top-tier automotive professionals, and driving sustainable growth aligns perfectly with Auto Shop Answers' mission to revolutionize the automotive service industry.

A Proven Leader in Automotive & Business Strategy

Dr. Nkana has played a pivotal role in business development and operational excellence throughout his career. From his tenure at Halliburton Energy Services as a Training Specialist and Service Quality Manager to leading strategic expansion efforts at Scott's Automotive, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive growth, streamline operations, and enhance service excellence.

"We are honored to welcome Dr. Dana Nkana to Auto Shop Answers and the Auto Shop Answers Family of Businesses," said Todd Hayes Founder "His unparalleled leadership, industry insight, and commitment to education and mentorship will be instrumental as we continue to scale our platform, enhance operational efficiency, and provide world-class business solutions to automotive service centers nationwide."

Driving the Future of Automotive Service & Education

Dr. Nkana's impact in the automotive sector is well-documented. As the founder of Automotive Doctor LLC, he has worked with some of the most respected names in the industry, including AutoStream Car Care, Harrell's Tire & Automotive, BG Automotive, and Ferber's Automotive, helping them refine business strategies and elevate industry standards.

A highly sought-after speaker and educator, he has headlined major industry events, including the Ratchet + Wrench Conference and Colorado ASA, and was featured on the cover of Ratchet & Wrench Magazine in October 2023. His ability to bridge business acumen with hands-on industry experience makes him a transformative force in the field.

"As someone passionate about business excellence, leadership, and industry innovation, I am thrilled to join AutoShop Answers and its incredible network of businesses," said Dr. Dana Nkana. "Together, we will equip automotive professionals with the strategies, training, and tools they need to thrive in today's fast-changing market."

A Strategic Asset in AutoShop Answers' Expansion & Roll-Up Strategy

Dr. Nkana's addition to AutoShop Answers comes at a pivotal time, as the company continues to expand its platform of high-performing automotive businesses and explore private equity-backed growth initiatives, including a potential industry roll-up. His expertise in scaling businesses, optimizing operations, and implementing high-impact training programs will be critical as AutoShop Answers accelerates its national growth strategy.

About Auto Shop Answers

Auto Shop Answers is a premier business solutions platform providing training, recruiting, marketing, and operational support to automotive service centers. As part of the Houston Boston Partnership, Auto Shop Answers helps automotive businesses maximize efficiency, improve profitability, and deliver world-class service through cutting-edge strategies and technology-driven solutions.

For more information about Auto Shop Answers and its mission, visit https://www.autoshopanswers.com.

SOURCE Autoshop Answers
Baron Evans of Sealand, member of the House of Lords, former UK Labour Party General Secretary, and Senior Advisor to the Washington DC based Progressive Policy Institute, will deliver a keynote speech on "Win '24  The Great Journey from Defeat to Victory," offering key takeaways of his electoral success applicable to business, politics, and global communications. Joining him is Paul Holmes, founder of PRovoke Media and one of the most respected voices in public relations. His keynote, "AI and 2025 Trends in Public Communications", will explore how AI is revolutionizing corporate messaging and brand engagement, shaping the next era of strategic communication.

"Successful communication isn't just about delivering a message  it's about understanding the people who need to hear it. Reconnecting with key parts of our voting coalition required more than just messaging  it demanded deep insight, a sharp strategic focus, and clear, consistent communication. At Davos Communications Summit 2025, I'll break down the practical strategies behind this success and how they apply far beyond politics  to anyone looking to influence, engage, and lead effectively," commented Baron Evans of Sealand.

The Davos Communications Summit & Awards 2025 , hosted by the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA), will take place in Davos on April 9-11 and welcomes business and communication professionals to join for a two-day conference and gala dinner.

Among the distinguished speakers, representing Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, are also: Guntram Kaiser, Founder of KaiserCommunication GmbH, Stuart Bruce, PR Futurist & Co-Founder at Purposeful Relations, Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Independent Board Director, Chetna Krishna, Communications Officer at CERN, Iryna Zolotarevych, Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Kateryna Doroshevska, Founder & CEO, BECOME PR agency, Katja Fasink, CEO, key7 Communications, Kirsty Leighton, Founder & Group CEO at Milk & Honey PR; Laura Baxter, CEO of Castle Mount Media GmbH; Mary Beth West, Senior Strategist, Mike Southon, Entrepreneur Mentor, The Beermat Entrepreneur, Paul Holmes, Founder at PRovoke Media, Sanjiv Winayak, Senior Client Director/Head of AI at Milk & Honey, Sophie Reymond, Public Relations Consultant and Founder at SRPR, Syed Bukhari, Senior Manager Strategic Communications & Visibility at American University of Sharjah, Tatevik Simonian, Director Communications & International Relations, SPRING PR, Thabisile Phumo, Executive Vice President Stakeholder Relations at Sibanye-Stillwater, Viroslava Novosylna, CEO & Founder at SLOVA PR.

For the first time, the Davos Communications Awards Ceremony will be held in person during the Gala Dinner on April 10, recognizing excellence in public relations, corporate communications, and industry innovation worldwide. All communication experts, agencies and in-house teams are invited to submit their work at www.davosawards.com .

The Davos Communications Summit & Awards 2025 is in cooperation with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and is proudly supported by The #PREthics Community as the gold sponsor and Brain 4 Strategy as the silver sponsor. The official media partner is PR Newswire, part of Cision Group Ltd.

About World Communications Forum:

Founded in 2010 in Davos, Switzerland, the World Communications Forum Association is a premier global platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry development, focused on upgrading its members' expertise and to be an active voice in business, society and politics. WCFA's flagship event, the World Communications Forum, has been hosted in major cities worldwide, including Istanbul, Prague, Moscow, New York City, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Mexico City, Lusaka, Cape Town, and Geneva. In 2020, the association launched the Global Communications Summit on Zoom, bringing together over 450 global experts to establish the Tenets for Ethical Communications, endorsed by 135 industry leaders from 36 countries.

For more information, contact:

Maxim Behar, WCFA President

[email protected]

+359 888 50 31 13

www.wcfaglobal.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641849/WCFA.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2633362/5216646/WCFA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE World Communications Forum Association (WCFA)
BRUNSWICK, Md., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brunswick Main Street is thrilled to announce the awardees of the 2024 Facade & Interior Improvement Grant. This initiative empowers businesses and property owners within the Brunswick Main Street district to enhance their spaces, preserve the town's historic character, and contribute to the community's charm and vitality.

This year's $50,000 in funding was generously provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The grants will support a variety of impactful projects:

American Legion  $28,397 for flooring improvements

 for flooring improvements Bridgeway Bikes  $600 to relocate and install new signage

 to relocate and install new signage 2 E Potomac  $7,776 to pave the back lot

 to pave the back lot Roots & River  $13,227 for exterior paint and signage

To date, the Brunswick Main Street Facade and Interior Improvement Program has facilitated nearly $1.5 million in improvements. Past recipients have used these funds for critical upgrades such as roofing, painting, signage, and structural repairs. These efforts have significantly boosted the visual appeal and economic vitality of Brunswick's downtown district.

Carmen Hilton, Brunswick Community Development Program Manager, shared her enthusiasm about the 2024 awards: "This program continues to transform our downtown area by supporting local businesses in their efforts to improve their properties. We're proud to see how these projects preserve Brunswick's heritage while creating a vibrant future."

For details about the grant program or how to apply for future funding opportunities, visit Brunswick Main Street's website at brunswickmainstreet.org.

About the City of Brunswick

The City of Brunswick is located in south-western Frederick County along the Potomac River, the C & O National Historic Park, and the MARC train line. Proud of its historic contribution as a railroad and canal hub to Frederick County's growth and development, Brunswick continues to attract commercial and residential growth with its easy proximity to urban centers, beautiful natural resources, award-winning schools, and small-town charm. Visit the City's official website at www.brusnwickmd.gov.

About Brunswick Main Street

Brunswick Main Street is part of Main Street America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that supports communities in their efforts to revitalize struggling downtowns while retaining their unique, historic characters. Dedicated to the economic success of its downtown, Brunswick Main Street, created in 2004, works to revitalize the charm and history and show residents and visitors why Downtown Brunswick is a great place to live, work, shop and play. To learn more about Brunswick Main Street and how you can get involved, please visit brunswickmainstreet.org .

SOURCE Brunswick Main Street
BEIJING, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on the "cloud-borne school bus" service in China:

At a sheer 550-meter rise from the valley floor to the mountaintop, the Nizhu River Grand Canyon poses a daily challenge for nine children from Nizhuhe Village as they make their way to school. The phrase "a nerve-wracking journey" once accurately described their treacherous trek to the classroom. However, with the launch of a "cloud-borne school bus" service, their daily schooling commute has taken a much easier turn.

Cloud-borne School Bus: Once a Daunting Journey, Now an Accessible Route to Education

The story of change was achieved just a few years ago.

Nizhuhe Village is a small community nestled in the Nizhu River Grand Canyon in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Guanzhai Primary School is located on the mountaintop. In the past, children from Nizhuhe Village had three options to go to school: they could either walk for at least three hours, taking a long detour of dozen kilometers to reach the mountain top; or spend more than two hours navigating steep and narrow mountain paths to cross the valley; or, occasionally, older children might climb to the top accompanied by their parents. Likening this route to school to a "journey to the heavens" is no exaggeration.

In 2022, the completion and operation of the Nizhu River Grand Canyon Ecological Cultural Tourism Area was a game-changer. A 268-meter cliff-side elevator and an aerial cable spanning nearly 200 meters in elevation, built over five years, are now open for free to local villagers, serving as a "cloud-borne school bus" for children.

With the start of the new semester, students, accompanied by their parents, take a shuttle bus to a cliff three kilometers away. There, they ride a cliff elevator up to the cable car platform, where they switch to cable cars that take them to the mountaintop in just five to six minutes. What was once a grueling three-hour journey to school now takes only 30 minutes.

The 550-meter "leap" represents a monumental transformation in the rural landscape that has unfolded over several decades.

Once a remote and isolated village, Nizhuhe was cut off from the outside world, even lacking electricity before 2002. Back then poor transportation conditions meant that much of the equipment needed to install power lines had to be carried manually. The project, covering a vertical drop of over 500 meters and using nearly 1,000 meters of wiring, took more than three months. Today, local infrastructure has markedly improved. In 2018, Nizhuhe upgraded its electricity system, erecting two 110-kilovolt power towers on the cliff and the opposite riverbank. The local power supply bureau also provided dual power supply for the cliffside elevator, ensuring that the "cloud-borne school bus" can operate all year-round without interruption.

For the children in the village, the dramatic change featuring the "cloud-borne school bus" has removed the cliffs as a barrier to education.

In a similar vein, as children from Nizhuhe Village ride an elevator across a canyon, 1,600 kilometers away, over 300 students in Qingliu County in southeast China's Fujian Province are taking the Fuxing high-speed train as a school bus to commute between their county and homes deep in the mountains. This route, established during China's railway expansion period, has specifically optimized its timetable and ticketing rules to maximize convenience for students traveling to and from school.

Similar stories are unfolding in many parts of China today.

Amidst rugged mountains, various "school buses" symbolizing the achievements of the development of Chinese modernization are traversing geographical barriers, making the journey to education easier for children in remote areas. These initiatives also bring them closer to the wider world, transforming daunting journeys into accessible routes for ordinary people to pursue a better life.

China Mosaic

http://chinamosaic.china.com.cn/index.htm

SOURCE China.org.cn
National Autism Center at May Institute applauds state leadership for highlighting and supporting the complex needs of this population

RANDOLPH, Mass., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant step towards increasing awareness and support for individuals with profound autism, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is officially recognizing Monday, March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day established with an executive proclamation from Governor Maura Healey. Additionally, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate have both issued official citations recognizing this first annual Profound Autism Day in Massachusetts.

The effort and advocacy for this formal designation was spearheaded nationally by the Profound Autism Alliance with the lead taken in Massachusetts by the National Autism Center at May Institute, headquartered in Randolph.

Over the past two years, the Profound Autism Alliance has made great strides towards improving understanding of the lives of people with profound autism and their caregivers. However, true progress can be achieved when both policymakers and the public recognize what profound autism means and who it represents. The announcement of Massachusetts' recognition marks a significant step towards this progress.

"Profound autism is a term used to describe autistic people who require lifetime, 24/7 care," said Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and CEO of May Institute, and CEO of the National Autism Center at May Institute. "According to the CDC, 26.78%, or one in four autistic children in the United States, meet the criteria for profound autism."

Research indicates that individuals with profound autism are more likely to be female, from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, from lower socioeconomic status, or born prematurely. Many also experience additional challenges such as self-injurious behaviors, seizure disorders, and lower adaptive functioning.

"Recognition of profound autism is critical for these individuals, and we are so proud to live in a state that has taken the time to very publicly do just that," continued Dr. Solotar. "At the National Autism Center and May Institute, we are committed to disseminating meaningful, evidence-based information to enhance understanding and to provide the highest quality services to this population."

"Use of the term profound autism is about clarity, not competition," said Judith Ursitti, Cofounder and President of the Profound Autism Alliance. "As a mom of a son with profound autism, I know first-hand the consistent, unique, devastating, and often unseen challenges that both individuals with profound autism and their caregivers experience."

Despite their significant needs, people with profound autism and their caregivers often live in isolation, excluded from vital research and support programs. Recognizing their unique challenges is critical to building a more inclusive and supportive society.

Read the full proclamation signed by Governor Healey.

National Autism Center at May Institute

The National Autism Center is May Institute's Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating evidence-based information about the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive and reliable resources for families, practitioners, and communities.

Profound Autism Alliance

The Profound Autism Alliance is a network of partners focused on inclusive research and legislative changes to improve the lives of individuals with profound autism. The Alliance's mission is to improve the health and connection of these individuals through inclusive research and focused advocacy that will result in meaningful services and supports.

SOURCE National Autism Center at May Institute
OSLO, Norway, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreWeave , the AI Hyperscaler, and Bulk Infrastructure (Bulk), a leading provider of sustainable digital infrastructure, have announced a partnership to establish one of the largest NVIDIA AI deployments in Europe at the N01 Datacenter Campus, Vennesla, Norway.

As part of this partnership, CoreWeave will use Bulk's N01 Datacenter Campus to deploy a large-scale NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 cluster, interconnected with ultra-fast NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking. This deployment aims to significantly enhance compute capacity in Norway and is expected to be operational by Summer 2025.

In 2024, CoreWeave announced an initial investment of $2.2 billion across Europe, building new data centers delivering the latest AI infrastructure to continental Europe powered by 100 percent renewable energy.

"I am pleased to hear about the collaboration between CoreWeave and Bulk Infrastructure in the establishing of CoreWeave's new AI-data center in Norway, said Norwegian minister of digitalisation and public governance, Karianne Tung. "The goal of the Norwegian government is to establish a national infrastructure for AI towards 2030. Norway being selected as one of the host countries for CoreWeave's expanded AI-infrastructure in Europe, shows we are attractive internationally as a location for high quality data center-services. As minister of digitalisation, I am confident that the Bulk-CoreWeave partnership will add value to the further development of AI in Norway."

"We're excited to partner with Bulk to further expand our regional footprint and capacity in Europe to support the growing need for AI and high-performance computing across the region," said Mike Mattacola, Chief Business Officer, CoreWeave. "Bulk's commitment to sustainability, future-proof infrastructure and ability to scale supporting our expansion plans make them an ideal partner in Norway."

"Working with a globally renowned AI-company like CoreWeave marks a significant milestone for Bulk. Securing an AI deployment of this size demonstrates our capability to meet the needs of our major customers," said Jon Gravrak, CEO, Bulk Infrastructure. "Our N01 Datacenter Campus is uniquely equipped to meet the stringent demands of AI workloads, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to provide sustainable and scalable digital infrastructure solutions."

"We need partners like Bulk building the latest large scale liquid ready AI data centers and CoreWeave building and deploying leading AI infrastructure to satisfy the needs of our customers across Europe," said Jaap Zuiderveld, Vice President EMEA at NVIDIA. "The deployment of this large-scale NVIDIA GB200 cluster by CoreWeave and Bulk represents a significant step in scaling advanced AI compute capacity across Europe in one of the region's most sustainable locations."

Located in Southern Norway's Agder region, just outside Kristiansand, the N01 Datacenter Campus lies on a 300-hectare (3km) site located next to one of the largest transformer stations in Europe, with direct and redundant connections to multiple hydropower stations supplying 100% renewable energy. Bulk has secured 400 MW at the site with potential up to 1GW.

About CoreWeave

CoreWeave, the AI Hyperscaler, delivers a cloud platform of cutting-edge software powering the next wave of AI. The company's technology provides enterprises and leading AI labs with highly performant and efficient infrastructure for accelerated computing. Since 2017, CoreWeave has operated a growing footprint of data centers covering major regions in the US and across Europe. CoreWeave was ranked as one of the TIME100 most influential companies of 2024. Learn more at www.coreweave.com .

About Bulk Infrastructure

Bulk is a leading Nordic industrial developer, owner, and operator within digital infrastructure. We are driven by our vision - racing to bring sustainable infrastructure to a global audience. Based in Oslo, Norway, and across the Nordics we support customers in transitioning their workloads from traditional fossil fuel-powered sites to low-carbon, renewable facilities.

Bulk offers highly adaptable, interconnected, and scalable data centers supporting AI, HPC, and large cloud service providers IT workloads, backed by essential fiber networking capabilities. We are the only neutral fiber network company providing strategically diversified, sustainable connectivity linking sites across the Nordics with markets in the US, UK, and Western Europe. We are trusted by a broad range of organizations including cloud service providers, Nordic enterprises, system integrators, teams running AI and HPC workloads and cloud providers.
Expansion Underway Through Multi-Unit Operators' Dedication to Shark Tank-Backed Food Truck Model

SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand is accelerating its growth across Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse by launching a second food truck in the market, just nine months after entering the region. Husband-and-wife duo Cindy and Pete Sztankovits, owners of the Upstate New York territory, have invested in the new truck to meet the growing demand for high-quality seafood in Syracuse and beyond. No longer having to pull trucks from other territories to meet the market requests, the pair will be able to serve Maine lobster roll lovers in the broader community more frequently.

Pete and Cindy Sztankovits

The Sztankovits have been experienced CML multi-unit operators since 2019 and now own and operate ten food trucks across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England, in addition to their New York trucks. Alongside their New England partner, Jeremy Stivaletta, they acquired the existing Boston, Massachusetts; Rhode Island; and eastern Connecticut markets in late 2024a key region for the New England-inspired brand. The group plans to expand their reach further into southern New Hampshire and Maine later this summer.

With the launch of their 10th truck, Cindy and Pete look forward to connecting with new neighborhood hot spots, creating local job opportunities, and introducing more seafood lovers to the brand's signature Maine fair including lobster quesadillas, shrimp tacos, and chowder tots.

"The strong positive reception from our existing Upstate New York customers made this expansion a clear next step for us within the region," said Cindy. "Being from Massachusetts, Cousins Maine Lobster has always reminded me of home, and I love seeing that same nostalgia and excitement from our guestsespecially those who don't have easy access to wild-caught seafood. The support of our loyal fan base, local partners, and dedicated team continues to allow us to bring an authentic Maine lobster experience to more communities, right in their own neighborhoods."

Cousins Maine Lobster will introduce its new truck to Upstate New York on Tuesday, March 18th at the Tractor Supply Canandaigua, located at 2380 Rochester Rd., Rte 332 North, Canandaigua from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The celebration will continue with a series of events across the market, giving communities the chance to experience the brand firsthand.

Check out more of the upcoming week's food truck events at Cousins Maine Lobster Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse page.

Specializing in wild-caught Maine lobster, Cousins Maine Lobster offers a gourmet fast-casual seafood experience through food trucks, brick-and-mortar locations, and a 'Shore-to-Door' e-commerce program that ships responsibly harvested menu items nationwide. Founded in 2012, the brand gained national recognition after appearing on Shark Tank and partnering with Barbara Corcoran. With rapid expansion underway, Cousins Maine Lobster has appeared on The Food Network, Good Morning America, Inc., and in Tasting Table, where it has won numerous awards and recognition.

Likewise, the brand's menu is growing right alongside its food truck fleet. This month, Cousins Maine Lobster is launching a new Garlic Butter Lobster Roll, an indulgent twist on their classic roll featuring warm Maine lobster drizzled in rich, house-made garlic butter on a toasted New England-style bun.

"We are thrilled for Cindy and Pete as they continue to grow with Cousins Maine Lobster in New York and have taken over operations in New England," said Angela Coppler, Head of Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "Their passion for the brand and enthusiasm toward our unique food story make them exactly the type of operators we seek for future expansion."

Cousins Maine Lobster of Upstate New York is part of the brand's broader food truck growth strategy to reach new seafood fans right where they live, work, and play. With a growing number of new locations in major cities across the United States, the brand is on track to open 30 units in 2025. Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking operators who are passionate about delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service. Ideal candidates have a strong business mindset, work ethic, and leadership skills, with a commitment to maintaining the brand's standards.

With a proven business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks in as little as three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow operators an efficient and cost-effective entry into each market. The brand is currently targeting markets with strong demand for high-quality, fast-casual seafood, including Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver and Spokane, Washington; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; and areas across the Midwest, including St. Louis, Missouri; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

About Cousins Maine Lobster

Cousins Maine Lobster is a premier seafood franchise bringing authentic Maine lobster to communities nationwide through its fleet of food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Founded in 2012 by cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, the brand started as a passion project and quickly gained national recognition after securing an investment from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has become a leading franchise, delivering high-quality, wild-caught Maine lobster with a commitment to consistency, hospitality, and an unforgettable guest experience. Whether serving seafood lovers from its iconic food trucks or expanding into new markets with restaurant locations, Cousins Maine Lobster continues to set the standard for premium lobster offerings.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise. To find a location near you, visit www.cousinsmainelobster.com.

DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state.

CONTACT: Maddie Darling

All Points Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster
Helena Public Schools representatives sat before a disgruntled public at a town hall meeting Thursday night, berated with questions about the possible closing of Hawthorne Elementary School.

Superintendent Rex Weltz fielded questions and relayed them to his associates if he did not have the answers.

The board of trustees received three options at its Tuesday meeting regarding the future of Hawthorne. Two options involve closing the school and one would keep it open. And 6 1/2 hours later, in which there was four hours of public comment, no decision was made. Weltz presented proposals to the board for long-term planning and dealing with aging school facilities. The options were based on the facilities master plan created by SMA Architecture and Design.

Dozens of parents, teachers, students and community members gathered in the Hawthorne gymnasium for Thursday's town hall organized by the district. Some received standing ovations when they praised the teachers and staff, others were talked over.

The district's Facilities Director Todd Verrill said it may not be as simple as just renovating the school.

"Right now Hawthorne is at $4.6 million (in deferred maintenance), which is No. 2 because actually the biggest deferred maintenance is Rossiter, which is $5.5 million," Verrill said.

A community member said Hawthorne, which has about 180 students and is in Helena's Mansion District, didn't seem like an outlier even though its deferred maintenance costs remained high.

"It seems like Hawthorne is being picked on," the community member said.

"Hawthorne is an outlier depending on how you look at it," Verrill said.

The facilities director took into account the cost of deferred maintenance per student and per square foot.

"The cost per square foot is $168, but that's not the outlier. The outlier is the cost per student," Verrill said. "The cost per student for deferred maintenance is $25,000. The district average is $12,000."

"That is a statistically significant outlier," he said.

The recommendation to close the school did not come lightly, Weltz said, and he takes the decision seriously while admittedly taking the burden upon himself and internalizing it.

We have to make decisions that I am not proud of, he said. Its about our children and I will go to battle for this district and for every one of them.

There are nine classrooms in Hawthorne, making the school the smallest in the district based on the classroom count, Weltz said.

Some community members felt that they were put in an either/or situation and forced to pick Hawthorne or music and physical education.

Siobhan Hathhorn, HPS board chair, assured the public neither the district nor the board ever want to make the community feel as if it has to choose or be divided due to decisions that have to be made.

If Hawthorne were to shut down, the district said it has a plan for where students would go and how the district would operate, but could not tell the public since the ideas have not been submitted to the board.

Jack Tobin, a Capital High School student, attended Hawthorne for his elementary years. He asked if the school closed, would there be educational and learning deficiencies for Hawthorne students.

Im really thankful for the framework that our departments have put in over the past four or five years. They put a ton of energy into making sure that our curriculum across the elementary, middle school and high schools is consistent, Weltz said.

The superintendent added the district has a high transition rate of students moving school to school, so he was not worried about the possible drawbacks, due to his faith in his staff and teachers.

The district has ample room for Hawthorne students, with about 406 open seats in the elementary district, but parents are worried that will increase class sizes, potentially decrease educational value and create bigger workloads for teachers.

That levy you campaigned for last year did not use the words, 'If you dont pass this levy you will lose a school, teachers and programs.' You never used those words, Cheri Thornton, a Jefferson Elementary School parent said. You used the words, 'This is for technology and this is for safety,' thats what you campaigned on.

Thornton believed the district made it seem it was the communitys fault for the possibility of a school closure.

Take responsibility for you not passing that levy, she said.

Trying to tame the crowd, Weltz admitted he did not know if he would ever gain the trust of the community, but said he will do what is best for the students, staff and teachers, even if it meant having difficult conversations he did not want to have.

Weltz addressed an ongoing conversation among community members about how the recommendation to close Hawthorne was heard prior to the board meeting.

He admitted to telling a community member while at dinner at a restaurant and said, I did not want it to happen that way.

I apologize for how this all unfolded, its not the way I wanted it to happen, Weltz said.

Jesika Fisher, Hawthorne principal, addressed her staff at the town hall, who were emotional.

My staff, you guys are stellar human beings, before they received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Fisher also said a few students had offered her their piggy banks to help the school.

The issue will continue to be discussed by the board and public at future meetings.
Coway's NOBLE 2.0 Air Purifier Series has been honored by the iF International Forum for its sophisticated design and innovative air purification technologies

2025 marks Coway's 18th consecutive year of recognition from the iF Design Award

SEOUL, South Korea, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Coway Co., Ltd., the "Best Life Solution Company," announced today that its NOBLE 2.0 Air Purifier series has been honored by the International Forum (iF) Design Award 2025 in the Product Design category.

Founded in 1953 as Die Gute Industrieform e.V., the iF Design Award is one of the world's most prestigious design competitions, evaluating entries via five key criteria: idea, form, function, differentiation and sustainability.

Coway NOBLE 2.0 Air Purifier Series

This recognition marks Coway's 18th consecutive year of receiving an iF Design Award, underscoring the company's global leadership in design innovation.

Some of the lauded features of the NOBLE 2.0 Air Purifier series include the products' refined square tower structure and advanced air purification technologies. Equipped with a four-sided 4D filter for 360 air purification, the NOBLE Air Purifier 2.0 lineup is able to efficiently capture and circulate clean air throughout spaces of up to 133. On the aesthetic front, the compact size and nature-inspired color swatches of the lineup allow the products to integrate into any interior while simultaneously enhancing decor seamlessly.

In addition to the NOBLE 2.0 Air Purifier Series, three other Coway products were also recognized at the iF Design Award in the Product Design category, with one such honoree being an upcoming water purifier tentatively named 'SWITCH' (P-2200N). 'SWITCH' offers versatile countertop and under-sink configuration options along with non-electric water purification capabilities. The company showcased the 'SWITCH' at Aquatech Amsterdam 2025, highlighting its innovative features to a global audience.

A Coway official said, "This award is a testament to Coway's commitment to innovative design and global competitiveness. We will continue to develop products that not only embody our unique design philosophy, but that also deliver exceptional experiences to our customers."

About Coway Co., Ltd.

Established in Korea in 1989, Coway, the "Best Life Solution Company," is a leading environmental home appliances company making people's lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, bidets, and mattresses. The company's most recent venture, the BEREX brand, aims to improve sleep and wellness through cutting-edge mattresses and massage chairs. Since being founded, Coway has become a leader in the environmental home appliances industry, with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer service. The company has proven dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled market share, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. Coway continues to innovate by diversifying product lines and accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, USA, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe, based on the business success in Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.coway.com/ or http://newsroom.coway.com.

SOURCE Coway Co., Ltd.
HOUSTON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DISA Global Solutions is proud to announce our official membership with the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry, promoting their accomplishments, and removing barriers that hinder their success. This corporate membership aligns with our commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality in the transportation sector.

Who Is Women In Trucking?

The Women In Trucking Association is a leading organization that advocates for women in the trucking industry by providing resources, mentorship, education, and networking opportunities. Since its founding, WIT has worked diligently to increase the number of women in all levels of trucking, from drivers to executives. Their mission resonates with companies that strive to build an equitable and welcoming workplace, making it an ideal organization for DISA to collaborate with.

Why DISA Became Part of Women In Trucking

At DISA, we recognize that supporting diversity and inclusion leads to stronger, more successful businesses and industries. The transportation sector has traditionally been male-dominated, and we believe in the importance of empowering women to pursue and thrive in careers within trucking. Becoming a member of WIT enables us to contribute meaningfully to this mission by providing compliance solutions, safety expertise, and workforce development resources to help companies create an inclusive environment.

DISA's Participation in WIT's Events and the Importance of This Corporate Membership

On November 12, 2024, our very own, Mia Hicks, Manager, Drug Testing Risk and Compliance represented DISA as a presenter at the Women In Trucking Conference, delivering a session titled Drug and Alcohol Testing  What You Need to Know. Her presence at the event underscored our commitment to advocating for women in trucking, as she shared valuable insights on industry challenges, compliance solutions, and fostering safer work environments. Her contribution not only strengthened DISA's role in WIT but also reinforced the importance of empowering women leaders in the field.

"It was an honor to represent DISA at such an important event. Trucking is a vital part of our economy, and ensuring that women have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed benefits everyone. At DISA, we're not just talking about diversity, we're taking action to support it. Aligning with Women in Trucking (WIT) is more than just an organizational membership; it's a step towards shaping the future of trucking. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Women in Trucking Conference, where the supportive environment empowered participants to explore every facet of the industry. No question was too small, and no ambition was too big, everyone was encouraged to push boundaries and pursue every opportunity for growth and success. The evolution of DISA's relationship with Women in Trucking holds endless possibilities, and I'm excited to see how it continues to grow and inspire future endeavors in this incredible industry. " - Mia Hicks, Manager, Drug Testing Risk and Compliance  DISA Global Solutions

By supporting initiatives that break down barriers for women in transportation, DISA is helping to create a more balanced and diverse workforce. Research has shown that increased diversity leads to better problem-solving, innovation, and overall industry growth, making this collaboration a crucial investment for the future of trucking. Our active engagement with WIT through sponsorships, exhibits, and leadership participation allows us to contribute to industry-wide initiatives that promote equity and inclusion, ensuring that women in trucking have the resources and support they need to succeed.

Looking Ahead: DISA's Commitment to Women In Trucking

As a proud member of WIT, DISA Global Solutions will continue to participate in key initiatives that drive progress in the transportation sector. We plan to contribute to future discussions, provide expert insights, and support policies that create a safer, more inclusive trucking industry. Our involvement with WIT is just one of many steps we are taking to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce. Joining Women In Trucking marks an exciting new chapter for DISA Global Solutions. Our collaboration with WIT allows us to support, engage, and advocate for women in trucking while reinforcing our broader mission of creating safer and more compliant workplaces. We look forward to making a meaningful impact alongside WIT and celebrating the achievements of women in transportation for years to come.

About DISA

Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout North America and Europe, DISA's comprehensive scope of services includes background screening, drug and alcohol testing, DOT & HR compliance, occupational health services, and I-9/ E-Verify. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.

SOURCE DISA Global Solutions
Espire Dental Partners with Zollege Offering New Dental Assistant Career Programs in Colorado Post this

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Espire Dental continues its mission to radically elevate the dental experience for its providers and team members. The company's growing footprint of practices is located throughout Colorado, California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Texas, and Washington. Espire Dental continues to seek highly qualified dentists and practice team members that share its commitment to exceptional patient experiences, clinical care, and employee fulfillment. This new partnership with Zollege furthers Espire's mission by offering accelerated, debt-free education for dental assistants within Espire Dental's state-of-the-art and modern dental practices located in Lakewood, Loveland, and Colorado Springs.

Tim Hill, CEO of Espire Dental, emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality, accessible training programs to address the growing need for skilled dental assistants. "With demand for qualified dental assistants steadily rising, this partnership directly addresses the industry's need for accessible, high-quality training programs. Espire continues our mission to help elevate our industry for good through our purpose of changing patients' lives, and we know that starts with attracting a high-quality and welltrained team to help support our dentists."

Zollege, the parent organization of Denver Dental Assistant School, is recognized for its commitment to offering practical, career-focused education while minimizing the burden of student debt. Through this collaborative effort, students gain industry relevant skills ranging from dental terminology and instrument use to radiography and infection control. "We're thrilled to bring dental assistant schools to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Lakewood, providing students with a hands-on, career-focused education to meet the growing demand for skilled dental professionals," said Chris Lofton, chief executive officer at Zollege. "Our mission is to remove traditional education barriers and empower local learners with the tools and training they need to succeed in this vital field."

Espire Dental provides its practicesand now, these future dental assistantswith bestin-class support, including leadership in practice operations, human resources, payroll, marketing, insurance cycle management, and accounting. This robust support allows Espire's dentists, team members, and trainees to concentrate on delivering superior patient care, forming lasting relationships, and building fulfilling careers. Tim Hill notes, "Our unique combination of business support, advanced clinical care, and hospitalitydriven patient experiences sets Espire apart in the dental industry. We are proud to continue raising the standard of patient care and redefining what it means to support our team and future dental professionals."

About Espire Dental / Join Espire Dental

Espire Dental is an integrated group of private practices founded by doctors with a vision to create something extraordinary: a dental group where excellence in dentistry meets inspired hospitality. Espire is pioneering a new practice categoryan Integrated Dental Organization (IDO)to create a large, top-quality, and unique group practice operating under a trusted brand. With a focus on cosmetic dentistry, elevated clinical care, multispecialty offerings, and creating exceptional experiences for both patients and employees, Espire believes in transforming the dental industry from the inside out.

Learn more at www.espiredental.com.

Join Espire Dental at www.espiredental.com/join-our-team

About Zollege, Dental Assisting Programs

Zollege, founded by Dr. Thomas Ince, is dedicated to transforming higher education by offering affordable, skills-based training programs that help students graduate with minimal or no debt. Having trained over 20,000 successful dental assistants, Zollege blends hands-on learning with real-world exposure, preparing students to seamlessly enter the dental workforce upon graduation. Zollege operate as the following schools:

Denver Dental Assistant School

Loveland Dental Assistant School

Colorado Springs Dental Assistant School

Learn more and Register for CO Dental Assisting School at www.zollege.com

SOURCE Espire Dental
SILVER SPRING, Md., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:

On Thursday, the FDA posted information on the flu vaccine composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. flu season. The agency, in consultation with our federal partners, reviewed the available data and made its recommendations to manufacturers of the U.S.-licensed influenza vaccines for the production of updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 flu season. Based on this timing, the agency does not anticipate any impact on vaccine supply or timing of availability.





On Thursday, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) published two case studies and a case study user guide, developed as part of the Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program's Learning and Education to Advance and Empower Rare Disease Drug Developers (LEADER 3D) initiative. These case studies provide examples of approaches successfully used by sponsors when designing and conducting rare disease drug development programs. The ARC Program launched LEADER 3D to better understand and address the unique challenges in bringing rare disease products to market. As part of the initiative, CDER's Rare Diseases Team worked with an independent contractor to conduct interviews with the rare disease drug development community and performed a review of public docket comments to identify educational opportunities across regulatory topics of interest in rare disease drug development. These case studies and the other materials on the LEADER 3D website are reflective of the needs and priorities heard from our valuable partners in the rare disease drug development community. Read the case studies at the LEADER 3D website.





On Wednesday, the FDA announced that the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has issued the final guideline, "The Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering: Considerations When Benzodiazepine Risks Outweigh Benefits". This guideline focuses on evidence-informed and consensus-based strategies to help clinicians determine whether tapering benzodiazepine medications may be appropriate for a given patient, and if so, how to taper them. The FDA awarded a grant to ASAM in 2022 to develop this guideline, which will serve as a standard of care for safe tapering of benzodiazepines. The draft guideline issued in June 2024 .





. On Tuesday, the FDA issued a Safety Alert advising restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat certain frozen half-shell oysters from Republic of Korea designated area II, potentially contaminated with norovirus.

Additional Resources:

Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Innovative Imaging Solution to Enhance Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Patient Care in the Region

BOSTON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) and St. Teresa's Hospital are pleased to announce that Florbetaben (18F) Injection (brand name: Neuraceq) will be available in Hong Kong from St. Teresa's Hospital by March 2025.

Neuraceq is expected to play a significant role in the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and bring greater awareness of AD in Hong Kong. This marks an important step in LMI's mission to expand global access to Neuraceq, ensuring that more patients and healthcare providers worldwide have the tools needed for early and accurate diagnosis of AD.

Florbetaben (18F) Injection (brand name: Neuraceq) will be available in Hong Kong from St. Teresa's Hospital in March. Post this

Neuraceq is an FDA-approved radioactive diagnostic agent for the detection of amyloid plaques in the brain of adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for AD and other causes of cognitive decline. Neuraceq is used in clinical routine and is also a powerful diagnostic tool for the appropriate characterization of patients assessed for treatment eligibility with newly approved anti-amyloid drugs, or for enrollment in clinical trials to further support drug development in neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuraceq will facilitate the management of patients suffering from AD, including those interested in novel disease-modifying monoclonal antibody treatments recently introduced at St. Teresa's Hospital. With the availability of Neuraceq, St. Teresa's Hospital now provides comprehensive care for AD patients from state-of-the-art diagnosis to targeted anti-amyloid therapy.

"LMI remains dedicated to expanding global access to Neuraceq. We are pleased to partner with St. Teresa's Hospital in Hong Kong to enhance the diagnosis of patients undergoing evaluation for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease, while ensuring Neuraceq remains easily accessible to physicians in the region," said Ludger Dinkelborg, Ph.D., Managing Director at LMI.

About Neuraceq (florbetaben 18F) - US Package Insert

Indication

Neuraceq is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate -amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline. A negative Neuraceq scan indicates sparse to no neuritic plaques and is inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD at the time of image acquisition; a negative scan result reduces the likelihood that a patient's cognitive impairment is due to AD. A positive Neuraceq scan indicates moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques; neuropathological examination has shown this amount of amyloid neuritic plaque is present in patients with AD but may also be present in patients with other types of neurologic conditions as well as older people with normal cognition. Neuraceq is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.

Limitations of Use

A positive Neuraceq  scan does not establish the diagnosis of AD or any other cognitive disorder.

scan does not establish the diagnosis of AD or any other cognitive disorder. Safety and effectiveness of Neuraceq have not been established for: Predicting development of dementia or other neurologic conditions Monitoring responses to therapies.



Important Safety Information

Risk for Image Interpretation and Other Errors

Errors may occur in the Neuraceq estimation of brain neuritic -amyloid plaque density during image interpretation. Image interpretation should be performed independently of the patient's clinical information. The use of clinical information in the interpretation of Neuraceq images has not been evaluated and may lead to errors. Errors may also occur in cases with severe brain atrophy that limits the ability to distinguish gray and white matter on the Neuraceq scan. Errors may also occur due to motion artifacts that result in image distortion. Neuraceq scan results are indicative of the presence of brain neuritic -amyloid plaques only at the time of image acquisition and a negative scan result does not preclude the development of brain neuritic -amyloid plaques in the future.

Radiation Risk

Neuraceq, similar to other radiopharmaceuticals, contributes to a patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Ensure safe handling to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure.

Common Adverse Reactions

The overall safety profile of Neuraceq is based on data from 1,090 administrations of Neuraceq to 872 subjects. No serious adverse reactions related to Neuraceq administration have been reported. The most frequently observed adverse drug reactions in subjects receiving Neuraceq were injection site reactions consisting of erythema (1.7%), irritation (1.1%) and pain (3.4%).

For more information please visit: neuraceq.com

About Life Molecular Imaging (LMI)

Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) is an international pharma company dedicated to developing and offering novel cutting-edge PET radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The organization strives to be a leader in the molecular imaging field. Our mission is to pioneer innovative PET products that improve early detection and characterization of chronic and life-threatening diseases, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and improved quality of life. By advancing novel PET radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging, LMI is focusing on a key field of modern medicine. LMI is an affiliate of Life Healthcare Group  an international people-centered, diversified healthcare organization with four decades of experience in the South African private healthcare sector. To learn more, please visit https://life-mi.com.

About Life Healthcare Group

Life Healthcare is a global people-centred, diversified healthcare organisation listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Life Healthcare has over 40 years' experience in the South African private healthcare sector, and currently operates 64 healthcare facilities in southern Africa. Services include acute hospital care, acute physical rehabilitation, acute mental healthcare, renal dialysis, oncology, diagnostic and molecular imaging and health risk management services which include occupational health and wellness services. The Group also owns Life Molecular Imaging, a radiopharmaceutical business dedicated to developing and globally commercialising innovative molecular imaging agents for use in PET-CT diagnostics to detect specific diseases. Visit: https://www.lifehealthcare.co.za/ | https://life-mi.com/

About St. Teresa's Hospital

St. Teresa's Hospital (STH), established in 1940 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, is a Catholic institution dedicated to providing competent and quality healthcare services to the sick and needy through the Christian spirit of Faith, Hope, and Love. With over 85 years of continuous development and unwavering dedication, STH has grown into one of Hong Kong's most respected and well-established private hospitals. The hospital currently offers approximately 1,000 beds, staffed by over 50 resident medical officers, offering extensive general and specialist outpatient and inpatient care services. STH is equipped with state-of-the-art healthcare facilities designed to meet the highest medical standards. A notable feature of the hospital is the Cyclotron Pharmaceutical Centre, which supports its Scanning Department in offering advanced PET scan services for accurate imaging diagnoses. This capability enhances diagnostic precision and ensures comprehensive care for patients. To address the evolving needs of the community, STH remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous improvement and the delivery of high-quality medical services. These commitments guide the hospital to provide not only advanced medical treatment but also a compassionate and holistic approach to healthcare.

For more information, please visit https://www.sth.org.hk | https://www.sthscan.com/hk/

For media queries

Brittany Hahn | Marketing Communications Manager | Life Molecular Imaging

Tel: +1.484.735.2840 | [email protected]

SOURCE Life Molecular Imaging
BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's modern living presents numerous challenges inadequately addressed by current technological solutions. Busy families and professionals find themselves overwhelmed with daily household tasks, leading to increased stress, exhaustion, and diminished family interaction. Concurrently, the rapidly growing global aging population requires constant assistance with daily activities, emergency response, and companionship.

A.D.A.M. (Autonomous Dynamic Artificial Man)

Addressing these significant challenges, Heima (pronounced Hey Ma') proudly introduces A.D.A.M. (Autonomous Dynamic Artificial Man)the world's first general-purpose humanoid robot designed for the home. A.D.A.M. combines elegant, user-friendly design with accessible pricing, promising to transform ordinary homes into highly personalized, responsive environments.

"This marks a paradigm shift from reactive automation to proactive service delivery," stated Greg Wood, CEO of Heima Inc. "A.D.A.M. learns more than 2,000 daily household interactions through context-aware adaptation and anticipates household needs." It offers personalized services tailored to your needs, from handling household chores and preparing meals to ensuring essential items are always fully stocked. Powered by a continuously evolving algorithm, its sleek, mobile design ensures seamless movement throughout the home, delivering timely assistance while safeguarding user privacy through advanced, secure on-device processing.

With the global household robotics market projected to reach $30 billion by 2030, Heima ( )Mandarin for "dark horse"is strategically positioned to lead and shape this rapidly expanding sector. By combining cutting-edge algorithms developed in Hangzhou, China with meticulous U.S.-based manufacturing, Heima offers unparalleled performance, reliability, and affordability.

"A.D.A.M. represents our unwavering commitment to technology that deeply enriches human life," stated Wood. "We envision not just automation but meaningful empowerment, simplified routines, and genuinely enhanced human experiences."

Heima Inc. will officially launch A.D.A.M. in Q1 2026. We warmly welcome media inquiries, partnership opportunities, and demonstration requests, inviting everyone to experience the transformative future of home living.

Media Contact:

Greg Wood

(917) 502-9345

[email protected]

SOURCE Heima Inc.
BARCELONA, Spain, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei hosted the Green Data Center Elite Club at MWC Barcelona 2025. The event attracted more than 50 industry leaders from global carriers, enterprises, and analysts, who discussed topics such as AI-driven data center technologies and best practices in digital and intelligent transformation.

Zhang Yuepu, President of Huawei's IT Consulting & System Integration Domain, showcased Huawei's data center FusionBlock solution. He stated that Huawei has been integrating AI capabilities into data center management systems to help customers build next-generation data centers with flexibility, sustainability, and reliability to achieve economic and ecological benefits.

Vladimir Galabov, a senior research director for enterprise Infrastructure at Omdia, noted that prefabricated modules are becoming industry norms because next-generation data centers require higher standards for quick delivery, efficient operations, and sustainability. In addition, the increasing proportion of AI computing businesses and the rising rack density will accelerate the adoption of liquid cooling technologies.

Fergal McCann, CTO of eir Ireland, shared that Ireland continues as the fastest growing European data center market. He emphasized that future data center construction will start from planning, design, construction, and maintenance, with comprehensive consideration of indicators such as CAPEX, TTM, and PUE.

Focusing on the driving forces, challenges, and technology development of data center business, Huawei engaged in a panel discussion with attendees, with the following consensus reached:

The key to improving ROI is sustainable design, flexible capacity expansion, and improved utilization. The economic benefits of green data centers span their entire lifecycle. Based on this, initiatives like improving space utilization and designing resilient capacity expansion can effectively boost capital utilization efficiency. Energy saving and green energy can help solve energy issues. Technologies like liquid cooling and free cooling can be utilized based on local conditions to significantly lower the energy costs of data centers and enhance their operational stability. In addition, the development of renewable energy makes zero-carbon data centers a reality. Modular design greatly shortens the data center construction period. Prefabricated modular data centers can shorten delivery periods by up to 30%, enabling customers to quickly launch services and realize business value.

The industry widely agrees that the three major challenges in data center construction are capital expenditures, energy supply, and construction period. Attendees expressed their desire to collaborate with Huawei in high-density computing power, modularization, and energy saving. This event has promoted communication and cooperation between the upstream and downstream of the data center industry ecosystem, providing a path for the development of global data centers.

Moving forward, Huawei is striving to become a top-tier provider of AI infrastructure transformation service solutions, helping global customers build sustainable, intelligent, and reliable next-generation data centers.
"Having the stability of health care and food safety will aid in keeping students' focus on their academic success rather than having to choose one or the other," said Thomas Pham, IEHP's vice president of strategy. "We hope the success of this partnership allows for more innovative thinking when it comes to strengthening the well-being and quality of life here in the I.E. and across California."

The goals of the partnership are to:

Enroll all eligible students in Medi-Cal, Covered California and/or CalFresh.

Strengthen students' equitable access to health care and behavioral health services.

Strengthen campus infrastructure to provide Medi-Cal eligible services.

Remove existing barriers to these services.

The initiative is part of several projects identified from the California Community Colleges' Vision 2030: A Roadmap for Community Colleges, a strategic plan that outlines future community college programming and services.

Twelve colleges within nine districts in San Bernardino and Riverside counties serve more than 164,750 students. Of that number, approximately 93,000 students are considered economically disadvantaged.

The San Bernardino Community College District was identified as the blueprint to launch the program after research found many students attending its two campusesSan Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipaself-identify as low-income.

The district serves 20,000 students at both Valley College and Crafton Hills, with nearly eight out of 10 students paying zero tuition fees through need-based financial aid. Both campuses are home to food pantries to address student hunger and other programs that connect them to additional resources such as clothing and housing assistance and career opportunities.

"Our new partnership with Inland Empire Health Plan is a common-sense investment that benefits everyone," said Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. "When our students have the health care they need, they're more likely to graduate, join the workforce, and give back to the community. That means healthier families, a stronger local economy, and a workforce ready to support our businesses. It's about building a healthier, more vibrant Inland Empire, one student at a time."

With agreements in place, IEHP and SBCCD will now implement strategies to help integrate Medi-Cal and IEHP Covered into each school's existing enrollment process. This will include on-site registration events and additional services and support through IEHP Enrollment Services.

"By eliminating barriers to much-needed health care, we are continuing to make good on our promise to invest in the continuous well-being of the Inland Empire," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton.

Learn more about IEHP and its mission to create pathways to optimal health for all, go to iehp.org.

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fourth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). As of 2024, IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring health care access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 4,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
Announced by CPT Group, Inc.

IRVINE, Calif., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CPT Group, Inc., announces a proposed Settlement in a class action lawsuit called Weekes v. Cohen Cleary, P.C., Case No. 1:23-vv-10817-NMG, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the "Action").

What is this Lawsuit about? Plaintiff alleges that Cohen Cleary was negligent and violated contractual and statutory duties when a third party obtained unauthorized access to information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical information and health insurance information. Cohen Cleary denies any liability or wrongdoing of any kind associated with the claims in this lawsuit.

Who is in the Settlement Class?

The Settlement Class is defined as all persons in the United States whose Private Information was potentially compromised as a result of the Data Incident that was discovered on or about September 30, 2022.

What Are the Settlement Benefits?

Cohen Cleary has agreed to establish a Settlement Fund of $150,000. Settlement Class Members who submit a valid claim will be reimbursed for any valid Documented Losses fairly traceable to the Data Incident, up to $5,000, including Attested Time at $25 per hour, up for four hours. Following the distribution of Administrative Expenses, Service Awards, Documented Loss Claims, Attorneys' Fees and Class Counsel's Litigation Expenses, as approved by the Court, the Settlement Administrator will make a pro rata cash payment of up to $300 from the remaining Settlement fund to each Class Member who submits a valid claim.

How do I file a claim? To find out if you are eligible for a monetary payment, go to www.CohenSettlement.com to file or download a Claim Form. All Claim Forms must be submitted online or postmarked by June 20, 2025.

What are my other options? You can do nothing, exclude yourself, or object to the Settlement.

Do Nothing : If you do nothing, you will not receive a payment from this Settlement and you will give up the right to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Cohen Cleary related to the legal claims resolved by this Settlement.

Exclude Yourself : If you exclude yourself, you will not receive a monetary payment but may be able to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against the Cohen Cleary related to the legal claims resolved by this Settlement. You can elect your own legal counsel at your own expense. Requests for Exclusion must be sent to the Settlement Administrator with a postmark no later than May 15, 2025.

Object : If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, you may submit an objection telling the Court why you do not agree with all or part the Settlement. You may also ask the Court for permission to speak about your objection at the Final Approval Hearing. If you object, you may also file a claim for a Claimant Award. To object, you must mail timely written notice of your objection to the Settlement Administrator as provided below no later than May 15, 2025.

What happens next? The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on August 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton at the United States District Court of Massachusetts to consider final approval of the Settlement, payment of attorney's fees, costs, and the Plaintiff's service awards. You may attend the hearing at your own expense, or you may pay your own lawyer to attend, but it is not necessary.

How do I get more information? For more information and to view the long form notice, Claim Form, a copy of the Settlement Agreement, and other documents, go to www.CohenSettlement.com. You may also contact the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 1-888-324-4816, by email at [email protected] or by writing to Weekes v. Cohen Cleary, P.C., c/o CPT Group, Inc., 50 Corporate Park, Irvine, CA 92606.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE

SOURCE CPT Group, Inc.
PITTSBURGH, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a handheld shield that can be used for immediate personal protection," said an inventor, from Houston, Texas, "so I invented the PUBLIC DEFENDER. My design allows the user to fend off an attacker that has a knife, gun, or other weapon."

The patent-pending invention provides a handheld protective shield for a person who is under attack. In doing so, it helps prevent the user from being beaten by fists, a club or some other object. As a result, it increases safety. It also provides added protection and peace of mind. The invention features a simple design that is easy to use so it is ideal for the general population, law enforcement and security guards, individuals vulnerable to road rage attacks, etc.

The original design was submitted to the Houston sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 23-HOF-629, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
LONG BEACH, Calif., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- JetZero has appointed Julie Felgar to the position of Head of Government Affairs, overseeing federal, state and local government relations and community affairs. Ms. Felgar brings deep expertise in aviation and aerospace policy at all levels of government, within the United States and beyond.

Julie Felgar has been named JetZero's head of government affairs

As the former Managing Director of Environment Strategy and Integration with Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ms. Felgar led the effort to integrate environmental goals into policy, and preparing the aviation community to adopt and support these goals throughout their businesses. Ms. Felgar brings a rich history of leadership development and marketing to JetZero, having served as a Senior Advisor with the McChrystal Group and Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"JetZero is revolutionizing aviation with its blended wing airplane and will bring thousands of jobs and a much-needed boost in exports to the U.S. aerospace sector," Ms. Felgar said. "This airplane will be significantly less costly to operate, bring a vastly improved passenger experience, and reduced emissions. It is an honor to work for a company that is introducing the new paradigm in air travel through innovation in design and production."

JetZero will produce the Z4 in the United States, delivering economic growth while contributing to the U.S.'s leadership in industrialization, innovation and exports. Economic value for airlines, airports and regional economies served by the Z4 is estimated in the trillions of US dollars.

JetZero's blended wing airplane will reshape aviation. With traditional tube-and-wing airplanes, the necessary lift is delivered by the wings. In JetZero's Z4 airplane, all body surfaces produce lift, requiring up to 50 percent less fuel on a per-flight basis. With the engines mounted on top of the airplane at the back, airport communities will benefit from a lower noise signature. The Z4 will offer 200-290 seats with a range of 5,000 nautical miles, the mid-market solution not being addressed by incumbent airframers today.

The Z4 variants could include a tanker and transport aircraft for the U.S. and her allies to meet the security needs of tomorrow with greater range and significantly improved fuel efficiency. Cargo, tanker, and non-stealth bomber aircraft account for approximately 60 percent of the Air Force's total annual jet fuel consumption. The blended wing design would significantly increase efficiency and capability through increased range, time-on-station and fuel offload.

JetZero is currently flight testing scale-model blended wing airplanes, and plans to fly its first full-scale demonstrator airplane in 2027. Accelerated design, build and test is made possible by using state of the art digital tools and the company's integration test facility at its headquarters in Long Beach, California.

About JetZero

JetZero, co-founded by aerospace legend Mark Page, is developing the world's first commercial blended wing body (BWB) airplane. With up to 50% lower fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to existing commercial airliners, JetZero's BWB offers the aviation industry a clear path to achieving its 2050 net-zero goals. Working alongside the US Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, and backed by decades of investment and research into blended wing technology, JetZero looks to enter commercial service in 2030.

Contact: Jenny Dervin

[email protected]

+1 347 419-1185

SOURCE JetZero
NEW YORK and DUBAI, UAE, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Keystone is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Gandhi as Senior Partner, Global Head of the Technical Investigations Practice and leader of Keystone MENA and South Asia. Based in Dubai, Gandhi will help drive the global expansion of Keystone's Global Economic and Technology Advisory (ETA), Advanced Technology Services (K.ATS), and Deep Enterprise AI platform in the Middle East and Asia, focusing on technology, consumer, legal, and financial services markets.

Gandhi brings over 25 years of experience in forensic investigations, data risk governance, privacy, and security. His expertise spans operational improvement, global investigations, litigation advisory, and digital transformation. Before joining Keystone, Gandhi held leadership roles at Alvarez & Marsal and Kroll, where he built a multi-million-dollar business centered on proactive data governance and insights.

"We are thrilled to welcome Andy to our team," said Jeff Marowits, President of Client Services at Keystone. "His extensive global experience in technical investigations and deep understanding of the Middle East market will be invaluable as we expand our services into the region."

In his new role, Gandhi will lead the global Technical Investigations Practice, a key component of Keystone's ETA division. Leveraging Keystone's unique heritage in data science, AI engineering, and econometrics, he will design and enable a tech-forward practice with advanced capabilities in financial crime investigations, including AML lookbacks, cryptocurrency fund flow analyses, and fraud detection. His efforts will help Keystone lead the market in technology construction, implementation disputes, AI risks, and advanced analytics.

Keystone's Middle East expansion aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging its "Triad of Skills"Technology, Strategy, and Economicsto provide transformative insights and uncommon service globally. The firm's commitment to the region underscores its role in helping businesses realize the Gulf Cooperation Council's AI-driven vision.

"Keystone's modelcombining data scientists, AI engineers, and economists with a powerful network of industry and academic expertsis unmatched," said Gandhi. "I'm excited to apply this approach to help clients navigate the complexities of the digital age, particularly as the Middle East embraces AI at scale."

As leader of Keystone MENA and South Asia, Gandhi will also build a top-tier global and regional talent network across the firm's services, fostering a team that understands local market dynamics and delivers excellence.

"With Andy's leadership, Keystone is poised to enhance its position in investigations, compliance, and strategic advisory services," added Rohit Chatterjee, Senior Partner and Global Head of Keystone's K.ATS team. "His global perspective and talent development focus will be critical as demand for complex data and regulatory expertise rises."

To learn more about the Technical Investigations Practice visit https://www.keystone.ai/practice-areas/technical-investigations

About Keystone

Keystone Strategy, LLC is a global technology and advisory firm that helps clients tackle complex digital age challenges. By combining advanced technology, strategic consulting, and applied econometrics, Keystone delivers innovative solutions to organizations across technology, business, law, and government sectors. Keystone's Deep Enterprise AI platform is built by AI/ML industry pioneers to help large enterprises optimize business decisions at scale. Founded in 2003, Keystone operates globally with offices in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, London, and Dubai. For more information, visit www.keystone.ai.

Media Contact

Kelsey Thompson

[email protected]

SOURCE Keystone Strategy
Strong, Bipartisan Approval By Georgia Lawmakers A Signal To States Across America To Act

ST. LOUIS, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Georgia House passed Senate Bill 144legislation that would ensure farmers' continued access to crop protection tools they need to feed America. The 101-58 vote, which follows approval by the Georgia Senate 42-12, demonstrates a strong bipartisan commitment to protecting Georgia's agricultural industry and our food supply.

"SB 144 is about protecting the backbone of our food systemAmerica's farmers," said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. "By passing SB 144, Georgia's legislature sent a strong signal that lawmakers across the country must stand with farmers and safeguard their access to critical crop protection tools. Georgia farmers look forward to Governor Kemp signing this commonsense bill into law."

SB 144 reasserts that federally approved pesticide labels are the law, and that companies cannot be subject to relentless litigation for following the law. Specifically, it ensures that any pesticide registered with the U.S. EPAand sold under a label consistent with the EPA's own determinationsis sufficient to satisfy state label warning requirements.

This legislation has received strong support from a wide range of Georgia agricultural organizations, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau, and the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.

Crop protection tools are the backbone of modern farming, helping growers maintain high yields and low costs as well as implement conservation practices. These products are critical inputs to Georgia crop production, including cotton, corn, and soybeanskey contributors to the state's $91 billion agricultural economy. The Modern Ag Alliance's recent Ag Insights Survey confirmed overwhelming public support among farmers and Georgians to preserve access to these tools: 92% of farmers and 78% of all Georgiansincluding 78% of Republicans and 84% of Democratsare more likely to support elected officials who back legislation similar to SB 144.

"We are grateful to Sen. Watson, Chairman Goodman, Rep. Meeks, Chairman Dickey, Speaker Burns, Lieutenant Governor Jones, and the full Georgia legislature for prioritizing the needs of Georgia farmers," added Burns-Thompson. "The Modern Ag Alliance is proud to stand with Georgia farmers and see this legislation make its way to the Governor's desk."

About The Modern Ag Alliance

The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of agricultural stakeholders advocating for U.S. farmers' access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit MODERNAGALLIANCE.ORG

SOURCE Modern Ag Alliance
PLANO, Texas, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Murex LLC, a leading energy marketing and logistics company, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an exclusive ethanol marketing contract by Tharaldson Ethanol, one of the largest ethanol producers in the United States. This strategic partnership underscores the shared commitment of both companies to delivering high-quality renewable energy solutions to the market.

"We are honored to partner with Tharaldson Ethanol, a company that shares our vision for advancing renewable energy," said Bob Wright, CEO for Murex LLC. "This exclusive agreement reflects the strength of our relationship and our mutual dedication to providing innovative solutions that drive the ethanol industry forward."

"Partnering with Murex LLC is a natural fit for Tharaldson Ethanol," said Ryan Carter, COO of Tharaldson Ethanol. "Their expertise and market reach will help us maximize the value of our ethanol production in a dynamic and evolving energy landscape."

This partnership represents a significant step forward for both companies as they work together to support the growth of renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more information about Murex LLC and its services, please visit https://murexltd.com/. To learn more about Tharaldson Ethanol, visit https://www.tharaldsonethanol.com/.

SOURCE Murex LLC
MANHATTAN, N.Y., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Energy Opportunities Corp. (NAEOC), a developer of energy assets, today announced the acquisition of Equus Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equus Total Return, Inc. This strategic acquisition enhances NAEOC's upstream oil and gas portfolio and aligns with the company's long-term growth strategy.

Opti

The transaction, finalized on March 4, 2025, involves a cash payment of $1.25 million along with the issuance of 27,500 shares of preferred stock, redeemable within six months at $100.00 per share, subject to certain conditions. Through this acquisition, NAEOC gains ownership of 136 producing and non-producing oil and gas wells across 21,520 gross acres in Texas and Oklahoma, with experienced operators, including Burk Royalty, managing key leasehold interests in the Conger Field.

Dr. Vincent deFilippo, CEO of North American Energy Opportunities Corp., expressed confidence in the acquisition:

"We are excited to integrate Equus Energy's assets into our growing portfolio. This acquisition aligns with our strategy of targeting underfunded energy assets with strong optimization potential. We intend to deploy additional capital to enhance infrastructure, pursue infill drilling, and maximize the recovery of reserves. Our goal is to generate robust financial returns while contributing to North America's energy security."

Media Contact:

North American Energy Opportunities Corp.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (856) 319-2784

Website: www.naeoc.com

About North American Energy Opportunities Corp.

North American Energy Opportunities Corp. (NAEOC) is a developer of upstream oil and gas assets, focused on acquiring and optimizing underutilized energy reserves. By leveraging advanced extraction technologies and value-driven investment strategies, NAEOC seeks to enhance production efficiency, maximize investor returns, and support North America's energy independence.

SOURCE North American Energy Opportunities Corp.
Passes refutes any claims that it approved or condoned the posting of underage explicit content on its platform

The safety of creators on its platform is Passes' top priority and the company actively works to ensure compliance with its policies

Passes is pursuing all legal avenues to hold those accountable including those who have perpetuated this false narrative

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, creator technology platform Passes released the following statement in response to false allegations about the Company and its founder, Lucy Guo.

Passes was founded in 2022 to empower creators by enabling them to tap into their audience to create meaningful sources of income. Passes prides itself on delivering a world-class product and fostering a safe, creator-first platform with the best trust and safety measures available. In line with its mission, Passes forbids the uploading of explicit content and actively works to identify and remove any violations of its guidelines.

Passes refutes any claims that it approved or condoned the posting of underage explicit content on its platform. Post this

In recent weeks, Passes has been accused of encouraging or authorizing creators to post explicit content on its site, including in a recent lawsuit in Florida. To be clear, any claim that Passes approved or condoned the posting of explicit content from any user, particularly a minor, on its platform is categorically false and recklessly disregards the truth. The assertion that Passes would bypass its safeguards to encourage anyone to violate the company's Terms of Service and post explicit content directly contradicts Passes' entire business ethos. Passes has built a world-class content screening process to prevent such actions from occurring.

Passes has and will continue to defend itself against these meritless claims. To set the record straight, a Florida lawsuit was filed only after opposing counsel first demanded millions from the company, which Passes refused to pay. Now, plaintiff's counsel and others have resorted to spreading these false allegations in the media and behind the scenes to third parties before Passes has the opportunity in court to prove that the allegations in the complaint are baseless.

To be clear, the allegations in that lawsuit are appalling. Passes denounces the actions allegedly taken by the plaintiff's talent management, Alec Celestin and his assistant. Neither Celestin nor his assistant were acting on Passes' behalf or with its approval. Rather, they were intentionally deceiving Passes and violating its rules. Any effort to attribute their misconduct to Passes is baseless and nothing more than an effort to entangle Passes and its founder, Lucy Guo, in the lawsuit.

Passes has zero tolerance for bad actors who attempt to violate its policies and is fully committed to holding the perpetrators of these malicious activities accountable. Given the misrepresentations, Passes has cut ties with Celestin and his agency. The company is currently exploring all legal options for holding them accountable as well as those who have perpetuated this false narrative about the company.

It appears that Passes' competitors have turned Celestin's misconduct into a smear campaign to discredit Passes, its founder, and its status as the premier creator platform. Unlike some of its peers, Passes does not and has never encouraged or condoned explicit content on its platformand it clearly communicates its rules to fans and creators. It is ironic that Passes is facing scrutiny for the content on its site given the total lack of meaningful content moderation from certain of its competitors. Regardless, the company cannot stand for such falsehoods to recklessly circulate in the court of public opinion.

Passes is proud of its community of thousands of creators. It takes very seriously both its role as a prominent platform in the creator community and its responsibility to keep that community safe.

For more information about Passes, please visit passes.com .

About Passes

Founded by tech entrepreneur Lucy Guo in 2022, Passes is the premier direct-to-fan engagement and monetization platform. Our platform connects creators with their fans through unique in-app experiences including live streams, one-to-one messaging, exclusive podcasts, custom merch, unlocked content, and much more. Passes has raised over $50 million from BOND capital, Abstract Ventures, Craft Ventures, Michael Ovitz (CAA founder), Emma and Jens Grede (SKIMS founders), Paris Hilton, Jake Paul, and many more.

Media inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Passes
PLANO, Texas, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RaaWee K12 Solutions , the premier company dedicated to addressing the challenges of chronic absenteeism and truancy for over a decade, proudly announces the launch of its newest version, RaaWee K12 Attendance+ NEXT. This innovative solution is designed for school districts across the United States, offering enhanced tools to improve student attendance and foster educational success.

RaaWee K12 Attendance+ NEXT features a suite of powerful capabilities, including foolproof tracking, simplified outreach, timely two-way communication, barrier-solving collaboration, streamlined document preparation, robust data analysis, and centralized storage tools. These advancements empower education leaders to implement effective strategies that result in significant improvements in student attendance.

The latest version offers a cleaner, more user-friendly interface, faster processing speeds, and enhanced intervention and reporting tools, surpassing its already successful predecessor. RaaWee K12 Attendance+ NEXT is now the leading solution for districts with 8,000 students or more, setting a new standard for attendance management in education.

Key upgrades include:

Enhanced Converse Module: This expansion allows for two-way communication with families and features automatic translation to and from hundreds of languages, ensuring effective communication with diverse communities.

This expansion allows for two-way communication with families and features automatic translation to and from hundreds of languages, ensuring effective communication with diverse communities. Dashboard 3.0: The third generation of the most utilized Attendance Intelligence Reporting Dashboard in education solutions, providing deeper insights and analytics to inform decision-making.

RaaWee K12 Attendance+ NEXT is launching with two Texas school districts already reaping the benefits of this cutting-edge product. RaaWee K12 Solutions is excited to welcome Forney Independent School District (ISD) as a new partner, alongside Eagle Pass Independent School District (ISD), a long-time partner now utilizing the latest features to enhance their attendance efforts.

"Our partnership with RaaWee has provided our staff with innovative tools to improve attendance. The system is user-friendly and their Team is always quick to respond to any questions or concerns," notes David Camarillo, Executive Director for Instruction at Eagle Pass ISD in Eagle Pass, TX.

RaaWee K12 Attendance+ Essential, with the latest upgrades for a better understanding of the causes of absenteeism, will continue to be a powerful and affordable solution for districts or single school sites serving fewer than 8,000 students. This will ensure that all educational institutions, regardless of size, have access to effective tools for improving attendance.

"With the launch of RaaWee K12 Attendance+ NEXT, we are taking significant strides in our commitment to combat chronic absenteeism and truancy," said Saleem Qazi, CEO, RaaWee K12 Solutions. "Our enhanced features and user-friendly design empower districts to create a positive impact on student attendance and overall educational outcomes."

RaaWee K12 Solutions, solely focused on the challenges of Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy for more than 10 years, provides RaaWee K12 Attendance+ to educational institutions and their leaders for foolproof tracking, simplified outreach, timely 2-way communication, barrier-solving collaboration, simplified document preparation, powerful data analysis, and centralized storage tools that result in successful Student Attendance Improvement. Visit www.RaaWeeK12.com for more information on these powerful solutions.

SOURCE RaaWee K12 Solutions
STOCKHOLM, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Saab has received a contract modification award from the U.S. Marine Corps for additional Marine Corps Training Instrumentation Systems (MCTIS) equipment. The order value for this award is USD $37 million (SEK 375 million) with deliveries taking place from 2025 to 2027.

This award ensures the U.S. Marine Corps will continue implementing Saab's deployable and expeditionary MCTIS capability. This advanced, interoperable live training solution helps Marines train in the most realistic environments, significantly improving their performance and survivability on the battlefield.

The system focuses on developing and reinforcing effective tactics, techniques and procedures, while also facilitating joint training with NATO allies during multinational exercises.

"We are honored that the U.S. Marine Corps continues to rely on us as their training partner for the next generation of Marine warfighters," said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S. "Our training capability enhances combat readiness by immersing Marines in realistic scenarios and rigorously analyzing their decision-making and actions, ultimately delivering on the objective of saving American lives. We take pride in providing the premier interoperable, land-based live training capability in the world."

Saab's collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps began with a contract awarded in June 2021, marking the transition from the previous Instrumentation and Tactical Engagement Simulation System II (ITESS - II) to the MCTIS training system.

Contact



Ben Decatur

+1 (571) 926-5978

[email protected]

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 25,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations.

Saab, Inc. is a U.S. based wholly owned subsidiary, delivering advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in nine U.S. locations.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/183/4119237/3322288.pdf Saab receives order for additional Live Training equipment from U.S. Marine Corps https://mb.cision.com/Public/183/4119237/81ce2711815604ba_org.jpg Saab Training and Simulation Live Training https://mb.cision.com/Public/183/4119237/9baf63d1266ab462_org.jpg Saab Training and Simulation support

SOURCE Saab
'To Finding More' celebrates the joy of travel and appeals to the shared curiosity of Silversea's guests with emotion and authenticity

MIAMI, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has unveiled its new brand positioning, To Finding More. Now live across the company's channels and platforms, the reimagined brand expression establishes new codes of luxury.

Prioritizing emotion and authenticity, To Finding More positions Silversea guests as the creators of their own stories. A new visual language and distinctive tone of voice speak to their innate curiosity and inspires exploration. Through vivid imagery, it captures genuine connections and unforgettable moments, creating stories travelers are drawn to and eager to experience.

"Beyond reflecting our new brand positioning, To Finding More embodies the joy of travel as a tribute to our guests, whose curiosity leads them to the farthest corners of the Earth," said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. "It is a celebration of the places that give us a new perspective and the people we meet who inspire that perspective. It embraces the spirit of immersive discovery, engaging travelers as they uncover hidden wonders with us  all in uncompromised comfort."

Silversea's new brand positioning reflects its guests' worldly curiosity, while uniting travelers through a shared mindset. Affectionately known as Eternal Wanderers, these discerning explorers seek cultural discovery, crave new adventures, and are dedicated to self-enrichment. To Finding More embodies Silversea's commitment to fulfilling these desires through its unparalleled global selection of immersive experiences, such as its groundbreaking S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) culinary program, and its unmatched service excellence. Its two pioneering Nova-Class ships, Silver Nova and Silver Ray, and the development of the world's southernmost hotel, highlight Silversea's dedication to unlocking the best in exclusive travel, leadership in luxury expedition travel, and polar exploration.

"Guests choose Silversea for the unparalleled experiences that can't be found anywhere else, and our new brand positioning brings them even closer To Finding More," said Annette Diaz, interim chief marketing officer, Silversea. "Designed to inspire a sense of discovery, To Finding More will be seamlessly integrated across our channels, redefining luxury advertising. This new positioning marks a shift in what luxury travel can be  grounded in discovery, deeply connecting our brand and guests to the stories, cultures, experiences, and moments that only Silversea can offer."

Learn more about Silversea's new brand positioning, To Finding More:

www.silversea.com/lp-to-finding-more.html

About Silversea

Silversea is the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, offering guests immersive experiences on all seven continents, personalized service, and an innovative culinary offering aboard its 12 intimate ocean and expedition ships. Silversea's itineraries encompass an unparalleled range of destinations worldwide, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating places in between. Set to strengthen its destination leadership in late 2025, the brand is developing the southernmost hotel on Earth in Puerto Williams, Chile  offering guests a uniquely seamless journey to Antarctica. Silversea brings its likeminded guests closer to their destination in uncompromised comfort, championing the joy of travel, an enriching spirit of discovery, and an enduring commitment To Finding More.

Silversea is owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). For more information, visit www.silversea.com.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and an expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at royalcaribbeangroup.com or rclinvestor.com.

SOURCE Silversea Cruises
The board brings together decades of leadership experience across military branches, intelligence operations, and defense technology deploymentproviding Skylark Labs with unparalleled insights as it expands its footprint in the national security space.

"Assembling this exceptional group of defense and security experts represents a pivotal milestone in our company's evolution," said Dr. Amarjot Singh, Founder and CEO of Skylark Labs. "Their combined expertise and strategic guidance will be instrumental as we scale our adaptive AI solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing defense and security operations today."

The advisory board includes several distinguished members with extensive backgrounds in military leadership and defense technology:

Lt. Gen. Michael S. Groen (Ret.) , former US Marine Corps Commander of JAIC and Deputy Chief of Computer Network at NSA, who brings deep expertise in implementing AI solutions across military operations





, former US Marine Corps Commander of JAIC and Deputy Chief of Computer Network at NSA, who brings deep expertise in implementing AI solutions across military operations Colonel Brad Boyd (Ret.) , former U.S. Army Chief of Staff at US Army HQ, JAIC, Stanford , and DIU, with extensive experience in defense technology implementation





, former U.S. Army Chief of Staff at US Army HQ, JAIC, , and DIU, with extensive experience in defense technology implementation Colonel Douglas Drakeley (Ret.) , former U.S. Air Force Director ISR US Air Force, JAIC, and DIU, bringing decades of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance expertise





, former U.S. Air Force Director ISR US Air Force, JAIC, and DIU, bringing decades of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance expertise Retired Border Patrol Agent in Charge, Philip Calk , with 28 years of experience at DHS and USBP with TS Clearance, offering specialized expertise in border and public safety operations

Proven Capabilities in Defense Applications

Skylark Labs' innovative technologies have already demonstrated significant value in critical defense scenarios. The company's ARIES system has received particular recognition for its advanced drone detection capabilities. "ARIES is a unique system which can detect and track drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), extending the range and effectiveness of its surveillance capabilities. By analyzing the trajectories of detected drones, we can immediately differentiate between friendly and hostile UASs, providing crucial information for rapid decision-making in critical situations," said Col. (Ret) Doug Drakeley, former Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command. "This collaboration will substantially enhance intelligence operations, empowering the United States to maintain its strategic advantage in today's ever-evolving threat landscape."

In the border security domain, Skylark Labs' Scout MK II AI Tower has also proven its effectiveness. Retired Border Patrol Agent in Charge, Philip Calk, stated, "The Scout MK II AI Tower with Kepler's adaptive technology is a revolutionary solution that dramatically improves border safety and situational awareness. As threats from cartels, drug trafficking, and human smuggling rapidly evolve, Skylark Labs' real-time, self-learning AI provides immediate intelligence without any software updates. Our border agents need this capability to counter these emerging challenges."

The advisory board will focus on accelerating Skylark Labs' go-to-market strategy within the defense and security ecosystem, helping navigate the complex landscape of defense procurement, identifying strategic partnership opportunities, and ensuring that product development remains aligned with evolving national security priorities.

This announcement builds on Skylark Labs' momentum following its recent recognition as the Emerging Growth Leader at the 2025 Space and Defense Innovator of the Year Awards, further validating the company's innovative approach to security challenges.

About Skylark Labs

Skylark Labs is a U.S.-based artificial intelligence company revolutionizing security through adaptive technology that learns on any device from a single experience. Our brain-inspired architecture enables AI that adapts continuously like the human brain, eliminating operational disruptions while reducing costs. We specialize in advanced AI solutions for defense and security, delivering actionable intelligence at the tactical edge for enhanced situational awareness.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Skylark Labs, Inc.
Sunmed | Your CBD Store Calls for Transparency as Lawmakers Push Undisclosed Amendments

MONTGOMERY, Ala., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alabama small business owners are being left in the dark as legislation moves forward without transparency or public input. With only two months remaining in the legislative session, confusion surrounding undisclosed backdoor amendments and denying public testimony at subcommittees has created a chaotic and unfair process for Alabama's constituents, small businesses, and the state's hemp industry as a whole. Alabama-based Sunmed | Your CBD Store owners demand clarity and the opportunity to speak on legislation that could threaten their businesses and the customers they serve.

"If there's new hemp legislation in the pipeline, we want to know what it is, and it better not harm our business," said B.J. Autry, store owner of Sunmed | Your CBD Store, Birmingham. The franchise, which operates seven independently owned and operated stores across Alabama, employs over 20 residents and generates more than a quarter million dollars in annual tax revenue. Despite their contributions to the local economy and commitment to responsible regulation, Alabama store owners have received no meaningful engagement from legislators and are deeply concerned about the possibility of harmful, last-minute amendments being pushed through without oversight.

Sunmed | Your CBD Store supports responsible regulations that prioritize consumer safety while maintaining access to essential wellness products. Sunmed | Your CBD Store advocates for rigorous testing, clear labeling with advertised cannabinoids disclosed, 21+ age restrictions, and child-resistant packaging. However, a pattern of sweeping hemp bans across the country, now suspected to be on Alabama's legislative docket, threatens to strip consumers of access to plant-derived wellness solutions. Small business owners deserve a fair legislative processnot one clouded by secrecy, confusion, and rushed decisions that could devastate Alabama's hemp industry.

Sunmed | Your CBD Store calls on legislators to hold a public hearing and to engage with consumers and small business owners on hemp-related bills, ensuring transparency and allowing them to voice their concerns. Alabama's small businesses and the consumers who rely on hemp-derived wellness products deserve better.

Contact:

Patrick Shatzer

Sunmed | Your CBD Store

[email protected]

About Sunmed | Your CBD Store

Sunmed | Your CBD Store, an affiliate of Sunflora, Inc., is the largest hemp retailer in the United States and the exclusive home of award-winning, hemp-derived Sunmed products. With over 300 locations nationwide across 42 states, the brand provides a premium in-store experience, offering access to more than 150 non-pharmaceutical wellness formulas, including clinically proven sleep gummies, pain relief topicals, USDA-certified organic oil tinctures, and CBD products for pets. Through in-store education, community involvement, and pioneering clinical research, Sunmed strives to empower modern wellness and enhance lives with natural, science-backed products. Learn more at getsunmed.com .

SOURCE Sunmed
Todd Merrill, VP and General Counsel of Operations, to succeed effective June 1, 2025

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Most Trusted Home Builder, Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE: TMHC) ("Taylor Morrison"), announced today that Darrell Sherman, EVP, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, will retire from Taylor Morrison effective May 31, 2025, after serving in the role for nearly 16 years. Mr. Sherman has been called to serve as a mission president by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His service to the church will be full-time and commence in June 2025.

"Darrell has been a trusted advisor, providing remarkable legal oversight and guidance during his long tenure at Taylor Morrison," said Sheryl Palmer, Taylor Morrison's Chairman and CEO. "He has been instrumental in raising the bar in corporate governance and supporting finance, land acquisition, risk management, M&A and the strategic growth of the company. We congratulate him and wish him every success in his new assignment and service in his church."

Mr. Sherman will be succeeded as EVP, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary by Todd Merrill effective June 1, 2025. Mr. Merrill is currently serving as VP and General Counsel of Operations at Taylor Morrison and has been a member of the legal team in various capacities since August 2004. Prior to joining the homebuilding industry, Mr. Merrill was a real estate partner at the Bush Ross, P.A. law firm in Tampa, Florida. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Stetson University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Florida State University College of Law, where he was a part of the university's Law Review and Order of the Coif. He is also a member of the State Bar of Florida.

"Todd has been a key member of the legal team at Taylor Morrison for over 20 years and is well prepared to assume this new position," added Ms. Palmer. "As we look to this next chapter, and the significant milestones ahead, I am confident that he will add tremendous value and play a pivotal role in our future successes."

About Taylor Morrison

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation's leading homebuilders and developers. We serve a wide array of consumers from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under our family of brandsincluding Taylor Morrison, Esplanade and Yardly. From 2016-2025, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America's Most Trusted Builder by Lifestory Research. Our long-standing commitment to sustainable operations is highlighted in our annual Sustainability and Belonging Report.

For more information about Taylor Morrison, please visit www.taylormorrison.com.

CONTACT:

[email protected]

SOURCE Taylor Morrison
15th annual Summit will focus this year on "Changing of the Guard" for business and spiritual leaders

ORLANDO, Fla., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is transforming at a breakneck pace, disrupting every sector from technology to finance to politics and communications. As Generation X brings initiative and experience to the table and Gen Z drives innovation in the workforce, never has there been a greater need for leaders to engage in cross-generational collaboration.

To be future-ready for a dynamic shift in the way leaders lead, T.D. Jakes' annual International Leadership Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, will focus this year on the theme, "Changing of the Guard"  concentrating on advancing a new generation of ministry and business leaders as they continue to glean wisdom from past generations. The International Leadership Summit will return to Orlando's Orange County Convention Center, April 10-12, 2025, featuring business and spiritual leaders from around the world who will discuss topics ranging from faith to finance. Media credentialing is now open, and applications may be submitted online.

Topics presented at the 2025 International Leadership Summit will reflect national conversations in today's culture: navigating challenging times, leadership and wealth generation, turning technology into a competitive edge, and the changing of the guard.

Launched in 2011, the International Leadership Summit remains a crucial gathering of business and spiritual leaders discussing the most pressing issues of today while working together to solve society's most complex problems. The summit is one of the most transformative leadership conferences as a standard-bearer for values-based business learning and professional development.

The International Leadership Summit will be the first of three conferences the T.D. Jakes Group will host in 2025. Presented by Wells Fargo, each of the three conferences aim to empower leaders and communities around the world. Following the International Leadership Summit, Good Soil will take place June 12-14, 2025, at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas to catalyze and support a broad range of business owners. Sarah Jakes Roberts' Woman Evolve is set to host its next conference at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, July 31-Aug. 2, 2025. Woman Evolve's mission is to equip women through spiritual and practical development with the tools necessary to evolve into the highest version of themselves.

The International Leadership Summit will welcome these key industry leaders.

WHO:

WHERE:

Orange County Convention Center

9800 International Dr.

Orlando, FL 32819

WHEN:

April 10-12, 2025

Media Credentials:

All members of the media  reporters, photographers, videographers and crew  are required to have and display credentials in order to cover events within the conference. Press may request media credentials for the International Leadership Summit by filling out this form. Applicants will be notified via email whether they are approved or declined for credentials. Information regarding where to pick up credentials, parking, facility access, interviews and other details will be sent, pending approval of credentials.

About the International Leadership Summit

Founded by T.D. Jakes  real estate mogul, New York Times bestselling author, pioneering CEO and entrepreneur, global humanitarian, devoted philanthropist, senior pastor of The Potter's House  the International Leadership Summit is an annual transformative conference. Since 2011, the conference has cultivated aspiring and tenured entrepreneurs and leaders with the tools to become successful in for-profit and not-for-profit industries.

SOURCE International Leadership Summit
GUANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 137th Canton Fair is coming this April. Recognized as the largest trade fair in China, the fair successfully conducted a Middle East roadshow in February, with trade promotion events in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

"The Canton Fair provides a one-stop service platform for the global business community to trade commodities, exchange ideas and align rules and policies. The 137th Canton Fair will open on April 15, and we cordially invite Middle East enterprises to join the exhibition to strengthen cooperation and achieve win-win with global business partners," said Ma Fengmin, Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre.

On February 13, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Workshop was successfully held in Doha. Ali Saeed Bu Sharbak Al Mansori, the Acting General Manager of the Qatar Chamber (QC), praised the strong Qatar-China relations, noting China's importance as one of Qatar's most important trade partners and the noticeable developments in various fields, especially in economic and trade sectors. He emphasized the significance of the Canton Fair and Qatar Chamber's commitment in fostering business ties and partnerships between Qatar and China. GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) highlighted the Canton Fair as a bond of friendship and a bridge for trade, encouraging the Qatari business community to attend the Canton Fair.

The Canton Fair working group also visited manufacturing group QIMC, home furniture chain Nabina Group, premium department store Blue Salon and Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

On February 16 and 17, the Canton Fair working group hosted two promotion conferences in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and over 130 local representatives attended the conferences to exchange ideas and promote trade cooperation. He Song, Minister-Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, stated that bilateral trade between China and Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded in recent years. Saudi Arabia's exports to China are extending from traditional energy to diversification, while China's exports to Saudi Arabia, including mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles, new energy products, and IT equipment, are also becoming increasingly abundant. Saudi buyer representative highlighted the Canton Fair's importance for sourcing goods, expanding business, and giving Saudi factories a global platform. Midea expressed that the Canton Fair serves as a global opportunity engine, accelerating the building of mutual trust and promoting shared growth. ToGo power said that the Canton Fair is an excellent platform for finding new suppliers, developing exclusive product lines, and establishing strategic partnerships.

Subsequently, the working group continued to visit the local home furniture retailer Saco and retail enterprise Bin Dawood, and attended the Big 5 exhibition, where they engaged with some of the exhibitors.

In Dubai, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Conference held on February 19 was attended by about 100 partners and guests. Wang Xiaojia, Counsellor of the Chinese Consulate-General in Dubai, highlighted the strengthening economic ties between China and the UAE. The Canton Fair has become a premium platform for deepening cooperation between two countries. UAE enterprises are welcomed to join the 137th session and further expand business cooperation. Danube Group Vice Chairman and Milano Founder Anis Sajan reflected on his long-standing attendance at the Fair since the early 2000s, commending China's robust supply capabilities and the event's role in gathering global business opportunities. Haricharan DTP, Haier Gulf Electronics LLC sales Director, noted that the Canton Fair provides a window for communication, a stage to showcase the strength and image of the enterprise, and promotes technological innovation and industrial upgrading.

The working group visited Dubai World Trade Centre, port and logistics enterprise Gulftainer, Expo Centre Sharjah, retailer LULU, overseas warehouses of cross-border e-commerce companies as well as Gulfood tradeshow.

As an important milestone in building the online platform of the fair, the Canton Fair App now brings integrated online and offline experience for exhibitors and buyers, and serves as a 365-day, uninterrupted business matchmaking platform.

The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou. To download the Canton Fair App, please visit https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html.

SOURCE Canton Fair
NEW YORK, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has awarded Patrick Gee, PhD, JLC, Healthcare Consultant and founder of iAdvocate, the Celeste Lee Patient Engagement Award. The distinguished honor will be presented at the 2025 Spring Clinical Meetings in Boston, April 9 -13.

This award was established in honor of Celeste Castillo Lee, a longtime advocate for patient-centered care and empowerment. It is the highest honor given by the National Kidney Foundation to a distinguished kidney patient who exemplifies NKF's mission and Celeste's legacy of putting patients at the center of all aspects of healthcare through their involvement with NKF and community partners.

"Receiving this award is a profound honor that resonates deeply with my commitment to health equity and patient advocacy," said Gee. Celeste Castillo Lee's legacy is a luminous beacon for all of us who strive to amplify patients' voices in the healthcare landscape. Her tireless dedication to ensuring that patients' lived experiences are heard and integrated into clinical research and decision-making processes has set a remarkable standard for advocacy,".

Dr. Patrick Gee is an inspirational leader and healthcare consultant dedicated to advocating for justice and uplifting communities throughout his career. With a background in criminal justice and a PhD in Justice, Law, & Criminology, Patrick has a proven record of accomplishment of service and excellence. His passion for positive change has led him to receive prestigious awards such as the Virginia Department of Corrections Volunteerism and Community Outreach Award, the Governor's Award for Volunteerism, and the NABCJ Owen Bell Award for Chapter Development.

"This award is a reflection of Dr. Gee's unwavering commitment to advancing kidney health, and we are proud to recognize his incredible work and contributions," said Dr. Kirk Campbell, President of the National Kidney Foundation. "His relentless passion for improving patient care and his dedication to advocating for those who need it most have made a profound impact on our community. He has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that every voice is heard and that access to care remains a priority for all."

As a Healthcare Consultant and Professional Patient Activist, Patrick has received many accolades, including the and the American Society of Nephrology President's Medal and Celeste Castillo Lee Lectureship in 2022.In addition to his professional achievements, Patrick is the Founder and Chief Executive Hope Dealer for iAdvocate, Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes health and wellness in underserved communities.

Despite facing personal health challenges, including battling Stage 3b End-Stage Kidney Disease and enduring multiple surgeries post-transplant, Patrick's resilience, and determination shine through. His unwavering commitment to advocacy and his mantra, "I am the Voice for the Voiceless and the Face for the Faceless in the fight against kidney disease," exemplifies his dedication to championing health equality and fighting for those whose voices are often unheard.

Patrick's story is a testament to perseverance and unwavering advocacy's impact. Join Patrick Gee in his mission to drive change, break barriers, and pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future for all. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every voice is heard, and everyone receives the care and support they deserve

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings

For more than 30 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to NKF's Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings are designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary and interprofessional healthcare teams' skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team. This year's Spring Clinical Meetings will be held April 9-13 in Boston.

Kidney Disease

In the United States, more than 35 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)and approximately 90 percent don't know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.

NKF Professional Membership

Healthcare professionals can join NKF to receive access to tools and resources for both patients and professionals, discounts on professional education, and access to a network of thousands of individuals who treat patients with kidney disease. Visit https://www.kidney.org/membership to learn more and join our community today.

About the National Kidney Foundation

The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/

SOURCE National Kidney Foundation
"At the heart of our retail strategy is our commitment to providing customers with a seamless shopping experience, whether online or in-store," said Liza Lefkowski, vice president of merchandising and stores at Wayfair. "We are thrilled to bring this one-of-a-kind shopping experience to the Atlanta metro area. We will offer customers an extensive selection for all styles and budgets, with our vast catalog brought to life in an inspiring and easy-to-navigate shopping experience that makes discovering the perfect pieces effortless."

The Atlanta store marks Wayfair's second large-format location, following the successful debut of the first store in Wilmette, IL, in May 2024. The Wilmette store has delivered outstanding results, contributing to sales from the state of Illinois growing more than 15% faster than the U.S. overall, from the store launch through the end of 2024.

"The excitement around our first store in Wilmette exceeded expectations  from packed shopping carts in-store, to bus tours from neighboring states. It's been incredible to see the enthusiasm for Wayfair in person and we can't wait to bring that same energy to Atlanta," said Lefkowski.

Bridging the gap between online and in-store convenience, many items are available to purchase and take home that day, and for bigger items like sofas, the store's proximity to Wayfair's fulfillment center in McDonough, GA will allow for fast delivery. The new store will be located at 1801 Howell Mill Rd NW within The District at Howell Mill, a well-established shopping center in Atlanta's thriving Upper Westside neighborhood. Situated along I-75 at Howell Mill Rdjust minutes from Buckhead, Midtown, and downtown Atlantathe store offers prime accessibility for both local shoppers and visitors from across the greater Atlanta area.

The lease transaction was represented by Fraser Gough and Benton Green of Retail Planning Corporation. The property is owned by JLL Income Property Trust, a division of LaSalle Investment Management, a global real estate investment firm, along with Selig Enterprises, a 108-year-old, family-owned and operated real estate development company based in Atlanta.

About Wayfair:

Wayfair is the destination for all things home, and we make it easy to create a home that is just right for you. Whether you're looking for that perfect piece or redesigning your entire space, Wayfair offers quality finds for every style and budget, and a seamless experience from inspiration to installation.

Wayfair's family of brands includes:

Wayfair: Every style. Every home.

AllModern: Modern made simple.

Birch Lane: Classic style for joyful living.

Joss & Main: The ultimate style edit for home.

Perigold: The destination for luxury home.

Wayfair Professional: A one-stop Pro shop.

Wayfair generated $11.9 billion in net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with global operations.

Contacts:

Wayfair PR

Karoline Etter

[email protected]

Wayfair IR

James Lamb

[email protected]

SOURCE Wayfair Inc.
VICTORIA, BC, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Worldline [Euronext: WLN], a global leader in payment services, is pleased to announce a fourth consecutive certification as a Great Place To Work.

This recognition follows a comprehensive, independent evaluation by the Great Place to Work Institute and reflects direct feedback from employees, gathered through a detailed and anonymous survey regarding their workplaces in both the United States and Canada.

"Achieving the 'Great Place to Work' certification for the fourth consecutive year is an honour that reflects our collective team efforts and shared values. One of our core pillars at Worldline is "Humanizing Payments", which truly begins with the incredible humans within our organization," says Justin Passalaqua, CEO, Worldline North America. "This industry is nothing if not complex and dynamic, so it's imperative that we do everything we can to support our hardworking teams. We would not be where we are today without them and their consistent dedication."

Employees at Worldline continue to enjoy a competitive benefits package, including RRSP matching, 100% employer paid health and dental coverage, parental leave top-up, and a lifestyle spending account. This year, the Worldline Victoria team relocated their office space to a class AA Leed Platinum certified building, a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. The building received a score of 80+ on a rating scale based on increased energy efficiency, minimized water usage, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved occupant wellbeing, and more. These factors align with Worldline's Corporate Social Responsibility goals and environmentally conscious approach to doing business. Additional perks of moving to this office space include the use of their fitness facility, secure bicycle storage, and a shower with changing rooms to provide employees with the opportunity to include physical fitness into their daily routine.

While these benefits showcase Worldline's commitment to being a responsible employer, the company recognizes that there are several other ways they can be supporting their employees. One of which being to ensure that women and minorities are given equal opportunity for leadership roles. "At Worldline, we're proud of the strides we've made to promote diverse talent within our leadership and management teams," says Claire Gayton, Head of Operations, Worldline North America. "Celebrating the contributions of women and minorities is not just about representation; it's about leveraging their unique perspectives to drive innovation and success."

Nancy Fonseca, Senior Vice President of Great Place to Work Canada said that a great workplace is about the level of trust that employees experience in their leaders, the level of pride they have in their jobs, and the extent to which they enjoy working with their colleagues. "Our data shows that great workplaces benefit from reduced turnover and better customer satisfaction than their peers. What's more, work environments with trust at the foundation are ripe for innovation, agility, resilience, and efficiency," Fonseca said.

ABOUT WORLDLINE

Worldline [Euronext: WLN] helps businesses of all shapes and sizes to accelerate their growth journey  quickly, simply, and securely. With advanced payments technology, local expertise and solutions customized for hundreds of markets and industries, Worldline powers the growth of over one million businesses around the world. Worldline generated a 4.6 billion euros revenue in 2024. In North America, Worldline is the technology partner of choice for software providers across over 60 industries. Worldline has 150+ employees across Canada and the USA.

Worldline's corporate purpose ("raison d'etre") is to design and operate leading digital payment and transactional solutions that enable sustainable economic growth and reinforce trust and security in our societies. Worldline makes them environmentally friendly, widely accessible, and supports social transformation.

worldline.com

ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high performance workplace cultures.

Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes Canada's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. Visit us at www.greatplacetowork.ca or find us on Twitter at @GPTW_Canada.

Follow us

Blog, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram

SOURCE Worldline
WUHAN, China, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Changjiang Daily:

Recently, the Information Office of Wuhan Municipal People's Government held a press conference on several policy measures to promote the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Wuhan. The city announced the launch of an "AI+" initiative this year, aiming to promote large model applications across more than 20 industries.

Wuhan Launches "AI+" Initiative: Single Projects Eligible for up to 20 Million Yuan in Funding

This initiative, based on the Wuhan Municipal Policies for Promoting the Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry, comprises ten key measures. These include supporting technological breakthroughs, enhancing computing power supply, and promoting model innovation, all aimed at accelerating the construction of a full AI industry chain ecosystem. The policies will be application-scenario driven, focusing on core elements such as computing power, models, data, and talent. Wuhan will allocate no less than 10 million yuan annually in computing power service subsidies to ease the burden on SMEs, and provide up to 20 million yuan in support for individual key technology projects.

Reports indicate that Wuhan's AI industry is projected to exceed 70 billion yuan in scale by 2024, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 30% in the past three years and over 1,000 companies. Furthermore, Wuhan has successfully deployed the world's first multi-modal large model with over 100 billion parameters, "Zidong Taichu" 3.0, and a domestic general-purpose large model R&D platform.

The press conference also highlighted policy focuses on key areas, including humanoid robots, intelligent connected vehicles, and dataset construction. For humanoid robots, Wuhan will promote the development of a full industrial chain for core components, striving for breakthroughs in cognitive, decision-making, and collaborative capabilities. For intelligent connected vehicles, Wuhan will promote the early mass production of intelligent driving models and collaborate with companies such as Huawei and Baidu. Furthermore, dataset construction will promote the classified development of public, enterprise, and personal data to build high-quality datasets.

SOURCE Changjiang Daily
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Addis Ababa, March 14 : The newly elected African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, deputy chairperson, and several commissioners have assumed office, following a handover ceremony at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, according to a press release.

The chairperson and deputy chairperson were elected and sworn in at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on February 15, Xinhua news agency reported.

Four of the six commissioners were sworn in at the handover ceremony following their election and appointment at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on February 12.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the AU Commission, pledged his commitment to addressing institutional challenges and positioning Africa in the global architecture.

"Africa must take its destiny into its own hands. It is time to assert ourselves as a determined continent, capable of influencing major global decisions and proposing solutions to the crises that affect the continent," Youssouf was quoted as saying in the press release.

"I pledge today to act with determination to raise our union to the level of our peoples' expectations. We must breathe new life into our organisation, strengthen our unity, and assert Africa's place in the concert of nations," he said.

While outlining the priority areas, Youssouf underscored the urgency to accelerate the implementation of the Second 10-Year Plan of Agenda 2063 to meet the expectations of the African population as well as to work toward the financial autonomy of the AU to reduce dependence on external funding by exploring innovative financing mechanisms.

In addition, he also stressed the significance of strengthening the collaboration between AU institutions and fast-tracking the implementation of institutional reforms to address administrative and structural blockages.
Ankara, March 14 : Turkish forces killed 24 Kurdish militants in cross-border operations in northern Iraq and northern Syria over the past week, Turkey's Defence Ministry announced.

The crackdown on Kurdish factions came after a deal between Syrian Kurds and the central government in Damascus, as well as the declaration of a ceasefire with Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Xinhua news agency reported.

A total of 502 militants have been killed since January, including 296 from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria and 206 PKK members in northern Iraq, Ministry Spokesperson Zeki Akturk told reporters.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the European Union, has been in rebellion against the Turkish government for over three decades. The YPG is considered the PKK's Syrian branch by Ankara.

Turkey regularly conducts military operations in northern Iraq, where the PKK's headquarters and hideouts are located. Early this month, the PKK declared a ceasefire with TArkiye after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on all PKK-affiliated groups to lay down their arms and the PKK to dissolve itself.

On Monday, a breakthrough pact was reached between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Syria's interim government to merge all civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-controlled region under state institutions.

However, the deal will not change Turkey's commitment to countering terrorism in Syria, according to a report by Turkish semi-official Anadolu Agency on Thursday, which cited an anonymous Defence Ministry source.

There has been "no change" in Turkey's objectives, which include "the cessation of terrorist activities in Syria, the disarmament of militants, and the removal of foreign fighters from the country," said the source, while affirming Turkey's commitment to ensuring Syria's territorial and political integrity.

"We will observe how the agreement is implemented and its effects on the ground," the source added.
Ramallah, March 14 : Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt welcomed US President Donald Trump's retreat from his previous plan of displacing the more than 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the US retreat is an "encouraging step" and in the "right direction," hoping it would lead to a political process based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Abu Rudeineh also stressed the importance of continued Palestinian-Arab coordination, which he said could support an Arab-led vision for Gaza reconstruction and a political process that ensures the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, Xinhua news agency reported.

Also on Thursday, Hamas said that "if Trump were to abandon any idea of displacing the people of Gaza, that would be welcomed."

In a statement, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called on Trump to reinforce the position "by obligating the Israeli occupation to implement all the terms of the ceasefire agreement."

Meanwhile, Jordan's Foreign Ministry welcomed Trump's reversal, reaffirming the kingdom's commitment to peace efforts embraced by the region's peoples.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah emphasised the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace, reiterating that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to security, stability, and peace.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry also expressed its appreciation for Trump's remarks on not demanding the displacement of Gazans, saying these remarks "reflect an understanding of the urgency to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the enclave and the importance of working out fair and sustainable solutions to the Palestinian issue."

"Nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza," Trump said on Wednesday, in response to a question during a joint press conference in the White House with visiting Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

In early February, Trump proposed a "Gaza Riviera" plan, which includes a US takeover of Gaza, the relocation of its residents, and its transformation into a Middle Eastern "Riviera." The plan has been met with wide criticism in the Middle East and beyond.
New York, March 14 : About 100 Jewish protesters have been arrested after they occupied the iconic Trump Tower demanding the release of a green card-holding pro-Palestine activist whom President Donald Trump wants to be deported.

New York Police Chief John Chell said that 98 people were arrested after they refused to leave the building on Thursday, while several hundred other protesters left.

The protest was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, a group of members of the religion who oppose Israel's policies and support coexistence with Palestinians.

Reflecting their religious affiliation, the protesters wore T-shirts reading, "Not in Our Name" and "Jews Say Stop Arming Israel", and they held up banners that said, "Free Mahmoud, Free Palestine".

Mahmoud Khalil is the activist who was arrested and faces deportation.

Meanwhile, under pressure from the Trump administration against the pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas protests that paralysed the Columbia campus last year, the university said that it had expelled some students who had participated in the occupation of one of its buildings last year in the protests led by Khalil.

The Trump administration announced the stopping of $400 million it gave the university saying that it failed to fight anti-Semitism.

The Trump Tower occupation came on the sixth day of protests against the arrest of Khalil, who led the protests at Columbia University last year and was involved in another last week at its associated institution, Barnard College.

He is a green card holder who cannot be automatically deported but has to be stripped of his permanent resident status first.

He was a graduate student at the Ivy League university last year, and officials initially said that his student visa had been cancelled, but his green card and marriage to an American citizen emerged later.

He is being held in a detention centre in Louisiana.

A case was filed on his behalf in a federal court against his arrest and deportation, and a judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked his deportation but allowed the government to hold him.

The Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of leading "activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization" and said he was arrested "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism".

His lawyers and several human rights groups have accused the government of retaliating against him in contravention of the Constitutional protection of free speech.

Khalil has not been accused of directly supporting Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that attacked Israel in October 2023 killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage.

The student protests at Columbia and universities across the US demanded an end to Israel's retaliatory action in Gaza that has killed about 45,000 people.

Some of the protests veered into anti-Semitism with attacks on Jewish students and teachers and virulent messaging.

Reacting to the claims about Khalil facing retaliation for his speeches and protests, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "This is not about free speech. This is about people that don't have a right to be in the United States, to begin with"

"No one has a right to a green card," he added.

Trump maintains a residence in the 58-storey Trump Tower that he uses sometimes during visits to the city.

It is one of the few buildings in New York still bearing his name in the Democrat-dominated city after residents had the monicker stripped from their edifices in protest against his policies.

The protesters snuck into heavily guarded buildings by hiding their sloganned T-shirts and going singly or in small groups to the public areas on the lower floor with stores.

Jews are not politically monolithic, and a sizeable section of them support Palestinian rights and a two-state solution.

There are even Jewish fundamentalist sects -- called "ultra-orthodox" in US media -- that oppose Israel based on their interpretation of the Bible and participate in anti-Israel protests in their distinctive black coats and hats.
Chennai, March 14 : The TVK founded by Tamil superstar Vijay, is set to convene its general council meeting in Chennai on March 28.

According to party sources, up to 23 resolutions are expected to be passed, many of which will strongly criticize the policies of both the BJP-led Central government and the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay has recently become more vocal in his opposition to these parties, and the upcoming meeting is expected to escalate his criticism further. His shift in tone was evident in a video message released on Women's Day, where he openly criticized the DMK government for the first time -- a significant departure from his previous strategy of avoiding direct references to political parties. This change in approach has been well received within the party ranks, and Vijay is now expected to intensify his attacks on both the DMK and BJP in his address at the general council meeting.

Apart from the general council meeting, TVK is also preparing to hold a booth committee conference soon as part of its broader political strategy.

Vijay officially launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on February 2, 2024, positioning it as a movement against corruption and divisive politics. While he chose not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has confirmed that TVK will compete in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

On August 22, 2024, Vijay unveiled the party's flag and song at TVK's headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. This was followed by the party's inaugural political conference on October 27, 2024, in Vikravandi, Villupuram district. The event saw an estimated turnout of three lakh people, leading to significant traffic congestion in Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam, forcing authorities to divert vehicles on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway.

During the Vikravandi conference, Vijay took a strong stance against both the DMK and BJP. He labelled the BJP as his ideological adversary and the DMK as his political adversary. He accused the DMK of being a family-run party that exploits the Dravidian identity for personal gain, while condemning the BJP for its divisive politics.

In response, the DMK dismissed Vijay's criticism, alleging that he was indirectly supporting the BJP, calling TVK the "C team" of the saffron party.

Vijay's influence in Tamil Nadu politics has been growing steadily, particularly after his fan club, All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), secured 115 out of the 169 seats it contested in the 2021 Tamil Nadu local body elections. This was in stark contrast to Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), both of which failed to secure any seats.

Vijay has also made it clear that TVK will align only with parties that recognize his leadership. Political analysts view this stance as a clear indication that he is positioning himself as a serious contender for the Chief Minister's post in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Washington, March 14 : US President Donald Trump said that he believes the US would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, US news outlets reported.

Trump expressed confidence the US would annex the large island, even suggesting the head of the NATO alliance could be a key player in facilitating the acquisition, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Hill reported.

"I think it will happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during the meeting, said the report.

In response, Rutte said that any discussion about Trump's attempts to acquire Greenland is outside of his purview and he doesn't want to drag NATO in that, the report stated.

"A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. They say they have rights to it," Trump said in the Oval Office, adding that "I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually," according to the report.

Trump noted that the United States already has a military presence in Greenland and, "Maybe you'll see more and more soldiers going there," the report added.

Since early this year, Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to obtain Greenland, even suggesting the possibility of using force.

Acknowledging the uncertainty sparked by Trump's moves, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark's position earlier this month, emphasising that Greenland's future is solely for its people to decide.

Greenland's opposition Demokraatit (Democrats) party won Tuesday's parliamentary election, according to preliminary data released by the Central Election Committee on Wednesday. The party favors a gradual move toward independence from Denmark and has criticized Trump's threat to annex Greenland.

Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark with Greenlanders given Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy.
New Delhi, March 14 : President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Holi, emphasising that the festival is a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, she highlighted Holi as a celebration of unity, love, and harmony, urging the country to come together in spreading the colours of progress and prosperity.

"Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. Come, on this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," President Murmu wrote in her post.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to social media to wish the nation, extending his warm greetings on this vibrant occasion.

"Heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on the festival of joy, enthusiasm, and colours, 'Holi'. May this festival of colours bring increased prosperity, progress and affluence in the lives of all of you," HM Shah posted on X.

Similarly, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared his festive wishes with the nation, emphasising the joy and energy that Holi brings.

"Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colours of joy, enthusiasm & new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful & safe Holi!" he wrote.

The nation is celebrating Holi on Friday with a spirit of unity, highlighting the cultural significance of the festival and reinforcing the importance of togetherness and joy.
Seoul, March 14 : The South Korean unification ministry on Friday called for the immediate and unconditional release of three South Korean missionaries held in North Korea, following the United Nations' adoption of a report demanding their release.

The ministry issued the call a day after the UN Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted opinions calling for North Korea to release the three South Korean Christian missionaries.

The three -- Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil -- have been detained in North Korea since their arrest between 2013-14 on charges of spying for South Korea's intelligence agency.

In the opinions adopted on Thursday, the UN working group concluded that the arrest and detention of the three constitute an illegal and arbitrary deprivation of their freedom, calling for their immediate release as well as reparations for and an independent investigation into their cases, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The opinions adopted by the UN working group officially confirmed that the detention of these individuals was illegal and clearly violates international law," according to the statement issued in the name of the unification ministry spokesperson, Koo Byoung-sam.

"The government once again strongly denounces North Korea's illegal act and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our nationals," it said.

The statement also urged North Korea to seriously heed the warning issued by the UN adoption of such opinions, calling for its immediate compliance.

The government will do its utmost in cooperation with other countries, the international community and religious circles for the immediate resolution of the issue, it added.

The South Korean Ministry of Unification (MOU), established in 1969, is responsible for promoting Korean reunification, handling inter-Korean relations, and managing North Korean defectors, including humanitarian assistance and settlement support.

The Ministry of Unification is a government body responsible for all issues on inter-Korean relations. The ministry's existence reflects the unique reality of the Korean peninsula, which has remained divided since the end of the Korean War in 1953. The Ministry has four primary objectives: inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, humanitarian assistance, settlement support for North Korean defectors to South Korea, and human rights.
Chennai, March 14 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu is set to present the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Friday in the Assembly Hall of the Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex at Fort St. George here.

Speaker M. Appavu stated that the House's Business Advisory Committee would convene to determine the duration of the budget session. Additionally, the state government will present the Agriculture Budget for 2025-26 on Saturday, March 15.

The presentation of this year's budget has been overshadowed by controversy following Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's decision to remove the Indian rupee symbol () from the state budget's official logo. Instead, the Tamil alphabet 'Roo' ('') has been used to represent 'Roobai,' the Tamil word for rupee.

On Thursday (March 13), CM Stalin unveiled the promotional logo for the budget, featuring the new symbol along with the slogan "Ellarkum Ellam" (Everything for Everyone), emphasising inclusiveness. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and Union Ministers, who have accused the DMK government of promoting linguistic and regional chauvinism.

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) condemned the DMK's decision, calling it a publicity stunt aimed at diverting attention from governance failures.

In a social media post, he criticised CM Stalin for prioritising symbolic gestures over addressing the real issues faced by the people. He also accused the chief minister of delivering "scripted dialogues written by others" and dismissed the move as a political gimmick.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also weighed in, strongly condemning the DMK government's decision.

Taking to social media, she described it as "a completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism."

She argued that the removal of the rupee symbol undermines national unity and fosters divisive sentiments. Sitharaman also pointed out the irony of the DMK's stance, noting that the rupee symbol was officially adopted in 2010 under the Congress-led UPA government, in which the DMK was a coalition partner.

She further highlighted that the symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, the son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam. "By erasing it now, the DMK is not only rejecting a national symbol but also disregarding the creative contribution of a Tamil youth," she remarked.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai also criticised the move, questioning the rationale behind replacing the rupee symbol. In a sharp remark directed at CM Stalin, he wrote: "The DMK government's state budget for 2025-26 replaces the rupee symbol, which was designed by a Tamilian and adopted by the entire nation. How stupid can you become, Thiru @mkstalin?"

The controversy comes at a time of ongoing tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over language policies.

The DMK-led administration has consistently opposed the Union government's alleged imposition of Hindi, particularly through the National Education Policy (NEP). The removal of the rupee symbol is being seen as part of Tamil Nadu's broader resistance to Central policies perceived as undermining regional identity.

As the budget is presented, all eyes will be on how the government addresses economic challenges and development priorities amid the political storm.
Chennai, Mar 14 : Directors Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi's much-awaited period action film 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', featuring actor Pawan Kalyan in the lead, will hit screens on May 9 this year, its makers announced on Friday.

A historical adventure with soul-stirring music, 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', produced by A. Dayakar Rao under the banner of Mega Surya Production, will be an epic tale of adventure during the Mughal empire under Aurangzeb.

The film portrays India's complex socio-economic landscape during the period when foreign powers like the Dutch and Portuguese exploited the country's riches.

Taking to his X timeline on Friday, director Jyoth Krishna said, "The battle is set, and the fight for justice and dharma will be unstoppable!

#HariHaraVeeraMallu charges into battle at breakneck speed, and nothing will alter the hunt this time.A saga of valor is all set to ignite the screens on May 9th, 2025. A power packed entertainer is loading from @PawanKalyan Garu, Brace for the storm!"

Already, a song titled 'Maata Vinali' / 'Kekkanum Guruve' that the makers released from the film has caught the attention of fans. The song, which appears during a crucial moment in the film, is set against the scenic backdrop of a forest. The Telugu version of the song was penned by Penchal Das while the Tamil version was by lyricist Pa Vijay.

What made the song of particular interest to fans was that Pawan Kalyan himself lent his voice for the Telugu version. For the other languages, advanced AI technology was utilized to enhance and replicate Pawan Kalyan's unique vocal tone, creating an authentic experience for fans worldwide.

The music, composed by the iconic M.M. Keeravaani, is poised to join the league of timeless philosophical hits, reminiscent of classic MGR songs.

Apart from Pawan Kalyan, 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' will also feature Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, and Nassar, supported by Raghu Babu, Subbaraju, Sunil, and many others. The film has cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and Gnanashekar V.S., and production design by Thota Tharani.

-IANS

Mkr/

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Mumbai, March 14 : On the occasion of Holi on Friday, actress Krystle Dsouza talked about her love of gujiyas and revealed that she starts the day by applying a colour "teeka" on her family and friends.

Mumbai, March 14 (IANS) On the occasion of Holi on Friday, actress Krystle Dsouza talked about her love of gujiyas and revealed that she starts the day by applying a colour "teeka" on her family and friends.

"I've always loved every festival. For Holi, I start my day by getting ready and applying a colour teeka on my family and friends. After that, my mom oils my hair, and I'm all set to go out and enjoy playing Holi," Krystle told IANS.

Talking about her favourite part of Holi, the actress said it is the mouth-watering treats.

"I absolutely love gujiyas! Once I start eating them, I just can't stop myself from having them back-to-back," she said.

Recalling her most memorable Holi celebration, Krystle said it was in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where she played with organic colours.

"My most memorable Holi was the one we celebrated in Bikaner. We traveled all the way to Rajasthan just to play Holi, and it was truly unforgettable. We enjoyed the beautiful palace vibes, played with organic colours, and spent the day enjoying live music and delicious food."

The actress, known for her roles in 'Kahe Naa Kahe', 'Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai', and 'Fittrat', believes that Holi sequences on screen have a magical way of feeling just as vibrant and exhilarating as the real festival itself.

"I've shot multiple Holi sequences on-screen. Honestly, it's not very different from real-life celebrations. Everyone tends to let loose while shooting Holi scenes, and sometimes we even forget we're actingit feels so real!" said the actress, who has worked in films such as Visfot and Chehre.

Reminiscing about her memorable Holi sequences, she said: "My most memorable Holi sequence was during Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai. We were all so close on set, and since we rarely got holidays due to the show's tight schedule, playing Holi on set felt like a genuine celebration."

"The director had to keep reminding us to stay in character because we kept getting carried away," she said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Moscow, March 14 : Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, for their continued attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Putin acknowledged the efforts of these leaders and others for their commitment to seeking peace in the war-torn region, despite the many global challenges they face.

"I would like to start by offering my sincere thanks to President Trump of the US for his focus on the Ukraine situation. Many state leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Modi of India, and the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa, have been dedicating significant time to this issue. We appreciate their contributions, as it is all for the noble cause of stopping the conflict and preventing further loss of life," Putin stated.

Prime Minister Modi has been stressing and reiterating about bringing peace in the region thereby clearly setting India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During his recent meeting with Trump at the White House, PM Modi made it clear that India was not neutral in the matter, emphasising that India sides with peace.

"This is not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi had said, underscoring India's commitment to diplomatic efforts. PM Modi has also maintained open channels of communication with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, repeatedly stressing the need for peaceful resolution.

The US has proposed a 30-day ceasefire, urging Russia to accept the deal without any conditions.

Putin, while expressing support for a ceasefire, acknowledged there are "nuances" that need to be addressed, adding that he had "serious questions" about how the proposal would be implemented.

In response, US President Donald Trump referred to Putin's comments as "promising", but also noted that the statement was "not complete", suggesting that further discussions were necessary.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire proposal during talks held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, following mounting pressure after a meeting between Trump and Zelensky in February.

The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has caused immense devastation, with hundreds of thousands dead or injured and millions displaced. The conflict has led to severe economic and geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, with the ceasefire discussions now offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution.
Mumbai, March 14 : Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan left the entire Mumbai media in utter disbelief when he introduced his lady love Gauri to them ahead of his 60th birthday. This comes after the superstar and the 'Laapataa Ladies' director Kiran Rao announced their divorce in 2021 after 16 years of marriage.

Mumbai, March 14 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan left the entire Mumbai media in utter disbelief when he introduced his lady love Gauri to them ahead of his 60th birthday. This comes after the superstar and the aLaapataa Ladiesa director Kiran Rao announced their divorce in 2021 after 16 years of marriage.

Gauri is the third woman in Aamiras life. The actor was earlier married to Kiran Rao and prior to that, Reena Dutta. Interestingly, the Bollywood superstar met Kiran on the sets of the Oscar nominated film aLagaana, which was bankrolled by him with his first wife, Reena serving as the executive producer on the film.

The superstar was married to both Kiran and Reena for 16 years each before they called it quits. The actor shares two children with Reena, Junaid and Ira Khan. Junaid made his debut last year with his streaming movie aMaharaja, and was recently seen in aLoveyapaa. Ira tied the nuptial knot last year in January with Nupur Shikhare, a fitness expert.

With Kiran, the actor shares a son, Azad, which they continue to co-parent after their divorce. The actor was also rumoured to be dating actress Fatima Sana Shaikh with whom he worked in aDangala. However, he never confirmed or spoke about it like how he officially introduced Gauri to the media.

Aamir confirmed that he and Gauri have been friends for over two decades and reconnected only recently, over a year ago. He shared that his cousin Nuzhat Khan, also a friend to Gauri, reconnected the two of them when the latter visited Mumbai a couple of years ago.

Gauri is a mother to a 6-year-old son. She was quite nervous while interacting with a sea of media. In fact, the actoras PR had to intervene and tell the media to go easy on the excitement.

The media had many questions, few of which he answered. The one that caught the most attention was him telling the media that Gauri also met his fellow superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, March 14 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said the festival of Holi is about unity inspiring all to walk on the path of harmony with love and cordiality.

Taking to the social media platform X on Friday, he wished everyone joy, enthusiasm, and prosperity during the vibrant festival.

"The festival of Holi is the messenger of unity, which inspires us to walk on the path of harmony with love and cordiality, He said.

The CM further prayed to Lord Shri Ram, "I pray to Lord Shri Ram that this festival may fill the life of all of you with various colours of happiness, prosperity, and new enthusiasm."

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, in her tweet on X, wrote, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colours and gulal. Celebrate it traditionally with full enthusiasm and peace, mutual brotherhood and harmony."

Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu had also extended her Holi wishes, highlighting the festival's cultural significance. In her message shared on X, she said, "Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to social media to send his warm wishes.

"Heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on the festival of joy, enthusiasm, and colours, 'Holi'. May this festival of colours bring increased prosperity, progress, and affluence in the lives of all of you," he posted on X.

The nation is celebrating Holi on Friday with a spirit of unity, highlighting the cultural significance of the festival and reinforcing the importance of togetherness and joy.
Seoul, March 14 : South Korea has confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case at a local cattle farm, marking its first outbreak of the animal disease in nearly two years, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.

The FMD case was found at a beef cattle farm in Yeongam, about 300 kilometres south of Seoul, which has some 180 cows, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Yonhap news agency reported.

The country last reported FMD cases in May 2023.

All of the cattle at the farm will be culled to prevent the spread of the disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals, including pigs and goats, according to the ministry.

The ministry also issued a standstill order on all animal farms and related facilities across the nation until 8 a.m. on Sunday, and began intensive quarantine work in Yeongam and adjacent cities, according to the ministry.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has directed relevant ministries to implement thorough preventive measures to contain the outbreak at an early stage.

"The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must closely cooperate with relevant agencies to swiftly carry out emergency actions, including rapid culling, entry controls, testing and disinfection, in accordance with the emergency response guidelines," Choi said.

FMD is an acute infectious viral disease of livestock that causes fever after the development of vesicles chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It is one of the most infectious diseases for livestock.

Earlier in January, South Korea placed an import ban on German pork following an outbreak of the highly contagious FMD disease in the European nation, Yonhap reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the decision was made after Germany reported its first FMD case since 1988.

FMD is one of the most infectious diseases for cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle and pigs, and can spread rapidly if uncontrolled.
New Delhi, March 14 : India has rejected Pakistan's allegations that New Delhi is behind the ethnic violence raging in the neighbouring country, saying it should look inwards instead of shifting blame for its own problems and the world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies.

In response to media queries on the remarks made by the Pakistan side, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that India strongly rejects the allegations as baseless.

"We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others," said MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement.

India has snubbed Pakistan after it hinted at India's role in fomenting trouble in the restive Balochistan region.

The government's response came after a senior Pakistani official accused India of "sponsoring terrorism" and trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries.

The accusation came after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during its journey from Quetta to Peshawar. The siege lasted about 30 hours, and 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the train attack was orchestrated from abroad, but did not directly implicate India. He said the rebels were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan throughout the train siege.

When asked if Pakistan had changed its policy from blaming India in the past for BLA activity, he said its accusations against India hold even today. "There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed...India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan," said the Pakistani official addressing media.
Seoul, March 14 : South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday demanded the National Assembly to reconsider an opposition-led bill calling for a special counsel probe into President Yoon Suk Yeol over an alleged influence-peddling scandal linked to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

The bill, passed by the Democratic Party (DP)-controlled parliament on February 27, seeks an investigation into allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, received approximately 76 million won (US$52,300) from former ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-sun in exchange for helping secure her nomination in the by-elections.

The special counsel would also investigate allegations that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in the nomination process for both the 2022 local elections and last year's parliamentary elections.

"The scope of the investigation is excessively broad and lacks clarity, raising concerns about potential violations of the constitutional principles of precision and proportionality," Choi said while presiding over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, Yonhap news agency reported.

Myung allegedly secured Kim Young-sun's nomination in return for conducting public opinion polls favourable to Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election. Both Myung and the former ruling People Power Party lawmaker, Kim Young-sun, have already been indicted.

"In a situation where prosecution investigation is gaining momentum, introducing a special counsel probe goes against the fundamental purpose of the special prosecutor system," Choi added.

It marks the eighth time Choi has exercised veto power since assuming interim leadership in December, including a special counsel probe bill into Yoon over his imposition of martial law.

The DP has intensified its criticism of Choi, accusing him of repeatedly using his veto authority to block key opposition-led bills.

Typically, motions of this nature are approved during Cabinet meetings chaired by the prime minister and then sent to the president for endorsement before being returned to the National Assembly for a revote.
Chennai, March 14 : The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a dramatic start to the budget session as the opposition AIADMK staged a walkout, while the BJP boycotted the proceedings.

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), accused the ruling DMK government of failing to take responsibility for a liquor scam that allegedly involved corruption worth over Rs 1,000 crore.

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, EPS demanded the resignation of the DMK government, citing moral responsibility over the scam.

He criticised the government for its lack of transparency, stating that despite an ongoing investigation, no substantial action had been taken.

EPS also claimed that the opposition had submitted a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, but it was ignored and not taken up for discussion.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and Coimbatore MLA Vanathi Srinivasan addressed reporters outside the Assembly, explaining the party's decision to boycott the session. She accused the Tamil Nadu government of insulting the Constitution by removing the Devanagari rupee symbol from the state budget logo and replacing it with the Tamil rupee symbol.

She argued that while the Tamil rupee symbol is commonly used in private and personal writings, the official removal of the nationally accepted rupee symbol was a deliberate move.

According to her, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his cabinet had taken oath under the Constitution, yet their actions undermined constitutional principles.

Vanathi Srinivasan also accused the DMK government of diverting public attention from real issues, such as the Rs 1,000 crore liquor scam that was flagged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

She alleged that instead of addressing corruption, the government was engaging in symbolic changes to shift focus.

The presentation of this year's budget has been overshadowed by controversy following Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's decision to remove the Indian rupee symbol () from the state budget's official logo. Instead, the Tamil alphabet 'Roo' ('') has been used to represent 'Roobai,' the Tamil word for rupee.

On Thursday (March 13), CM Stalin unveiled the promotional logo for the budget, featuring the new symbol along with the slogan "Ellarkum Ellam" (Everything for Everyone), emphasising inclusiveness. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and Union Ministers, who have accused the DMK government of promoting linguistic and regional chauvinism.

The Tamil Nadu budget session commenced with Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presenting the budget. However, the AIADMK's walkout and the BJP's boycott signal a stormy and contentious session ahead.
United Nations, March 14 : Starving families in famine-struck west Sudan have been forced to eat animal feed, UN humanitarians have said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is alarmed by the deteriorating conditions in the Zamzam camp outside El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

"The camp, where famine was confirmed last year, is estimated to be hosting some 500,000 displaced people," OCHA said. "Partners at Save the Children warned that severe food shortages have forced families to consume animal feed to survive."

Save the Children reported stocks of essential medicines and therapeutic foods have run out, leading to rising levels of malnutrition. Medical supplies in the camp's mobile clinics are also running out.

Zamzam residents have endured seven months of famine, with the collapse of essential services making survival increasingly difficult, OCHA said. Recent heavy shelling and escalating violence put families at even greater risk and made humanitarian access nearly impossible, Xinhua news agency reported.

OCHA again called for an immediate de-escalation, so civilians can reach the life-saving assistance they need.

The office said health authorities in El Fasher reported that a halt to hostilities allows humanitarians to meet the region's worsening health crisis. However, funding shortages are forcing the closure of community kitchens, serving as a lifeline for millions across Sudan.

Mutual aid groups, which provide food, health care and other critical support in the country, reported more than 70 per cent of the 1,400 community kitchens in Sudan have ceased operations due to lack of funds, including in areas facing famine.

"Without them, hundreds of thousands of people are at increased risk of severe hunger," OCHA said. "The budget required to sustain these kitchens and other essential front-line services provided at the community level is estimated at $12 million per month."

The humanitarians urged the international community to act now to prevent further disruptions and curb the worsening food crisis in Sudan.

Catherine Russell, executive director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), told the Security Council on Thursday that children are paying the highest price in the Sudan conflict.

She said nearly two-thirds of Sudan's total population of more than 30 million people will require humanitarian assistance this year and 16 million of them are children.

Famine is in at least five locations in Sudan which have an estimated 1.3 million children under the age of 5.

Russell said the agency will need $1 billion to deliver support to 8.7 million of the most vulnerable children in the country.
Varanasi, March 14 : Holi, the festival of colours, is being celebrated with great fervour across India, and in the sacred city of Varanasi, it has become a unique cultural experience for foreign tourists over the past two decades who have come visiting here.

Every year at Mint House, travelers from around the world gather to immerse themselves in the joyous spirit of Holi, dancing and smearing each other with bright gulaal, to a mix of Indian and international tunes.

One first-time visitor from abroad shared, "I'm loving it! This is my first Holi in India, and it's amazing to see how everyone is celebrating together."

Another tourist expressed similar excitement, saying, "I am first time celebrating Holi here, and it's such a great experience."

Rajendra, the event organiser, explained, "We started this celebration about 20 years ago. Every foreigner who visits us gets to see and experience our culture, and they come specifically for Holi."

As the entire nation joins in the colorful revelry, Indian leaders have extended their heartfelt greetings for the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished everyone a joyful Holi, praying for happiness and unity.

"May this festival, filled with joy and vibrant colours, bring new energy into everyone's lives and strengthen the unity among our people," he posted on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her warm wishes, highlighting the significance of Holi in promoting love and harmony.

"Holi is a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage, and it brings people together. On this auspicious day, let us pledge to fill every child's life with progress, prosperity, and happiness," she shared.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, too, extended his wishes, praying for the public's well-being and health. "May this festival bring joy, good health, and new energy into your lives," he posted.

The festival of Holi began across the country on Thursday, from Chhoti Holi. People come together to celebrate with colours, music, and traditional festivities.

From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
London, March 14 : Measles cases in Europe doubled in 2024, reaching the highest level since 1997, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, emphasizing the need for vaccinations to curb the spread.

A total of 127,350 measles cases were reported in the Europe last year, twice the 2023 figure, according to an analysis by WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The region accounted for one-third of all measles cases worldwide in 2024, the report said.

Romania recorded the highest number of infections, exceeding 30,000 cases, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147. In recent outbreaks in England, one in five infected children required hospitalisation, said Dr Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology.

Measles, one of the most contagious viruses, can cause severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea, dehydration, and even blindness. It can also weaken the immune system by erasing its memory of past infections, making survivors more susceptible to other diseases.

Vaccination remains the most effective protection, Xinhua news agency reported.

Despite this, 500,000 children across the region missed their first measles vaccine (MCV1) dose in 2023, WHO warned.

"Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security," said Dr Hans P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe. "Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities."

According to the World Health Organisation, Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.

Measles can affect anyone but is most common in children.

Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads through the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, running nose and a rash all over the body.

Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.

Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.

An estimated 107 500 people died from measles in 2023 a" mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine.
New Delhi, March 14 : India has taken the lead in providing finance to renewable energy projects by including them in "priority sector lending" to accelerate the country's transition to a low carbon economy in the fight against climate change.

New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) India has taken the lead in providing finance to renewable energy projects by including them in "priority sector lending" to accelerate the country's transition to a low carbon economy in the fight against climate change.

Addressing a policy seminar on Climate Change Risks and Finance, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said, "Central Banks in Advanced Economies have traditionally followed an asset neutral approach. Central Banks in emerging markets and developing economies, on the other hand, have adopted directed lending policies to channelise credit to certain sectors of their economies given their individual country circumstances and developmental objectives.

He highlighted that India's priority sector lending guidelines facilitate credit to be channelled to renewable energy. "We have included finance to small renewable energy projects  solar, biomass based, windmills, micro-hydel plants and non-conventional energy based public utilities viz. street lighting systems, and remote village electrification projects as part of priority sector lending," Malhotra said.

The RBI Governor pointed out that while the role of the Central Banks in managing risks posed by climate change to the financial system is increasingly being recognised, their role in facilitating the financing of green and sustainable transition has been a matter of debate and has varying dimensions to it.

Malhotra said that as a Central Bank, the Reserve Bank is mindful of its role in addressing and mitigating risks to the financial system from climate change. In this context, endeavour has been to play the role of a facilitator  including supporting capacity building and fostering a conducive regulatory framework for promoting green and sustainable finance.

"One important aspect of green lending for sustainable finance is the higher credit risk due to borrowers' use of new and emerging green technologies, which have relatively limited track record in terms of reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Regulated Entities, therefore, need to develop suitable capacity and technical know-how to better appraise risks in financing projects which use such green technologies," Malhotra said.

He pointed out that climate related financial risk modelling is very important and data intensive. There is limited data available for measuring the financial impact of climate change. To address such constraints, the RBI had in October last year announced the creation of a repository called the Reserve Bank  Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS).

"The repository is intended to bridge data gaps by providing standardised datasets. These datasets include hazard data, vulnerability data and exposure data related to physical risk assessment, sectoral transition pathways and carbon emission intensity database related to transition risk assessment. Work on this repository is underway and we expect to launch it later this year, he added.

The RBI Governor also highlighted that technology and finance have a critical role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. There is a need to build innovative solutions and capabilities in these areas. The Reserve Bank has been encouraging and facilitating innovations through its Regulatory Sandbox and Hackathon initiatives in the Fintech space, he observed.

"We propose to set up a dedicated "on Tap" cohort on climate change risks and sustainable finance under RBI's Regulatory Sandbox initiative. We are also planning to conduct a special "Greenathon" on climate change and related aspects," Malhotra said.

He also said that several jurisdictions have started work on the assessment and disclosure of climate related risks. International organisations such as International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation has released standards on climate related disclosures.

Besides, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) has released a consultative document on disclosure of climate-related financial risks with a view to integrate climate risk related disclosures under the Pillar III disclosure requirements of the Basel framework, he explained.

"The Reserve Bank has already issued draft guidelines on Disclosure Framework on Climate related Financial risks in February 2024, for public comments. We have received valuable feedback and are in the process of finalising the guidelines. A guidance note on Climate Scenario Analysis and Stress Testing is also being developed for the Regulated Entities," Malhotra added.
New Delhi, March 14 : On the occasion of Holi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta arrived at the BJP state office in Delhi, extending her heartfelt greetings to the people of the city and the nation.

CM Gupta emphasised the importance of celebrating the festival with respect, safety, and unity, urging Delhiites to enjoy the festivities while ensuring harmony and environmental consciousness.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on this auspicious festival of Holi. I wish for a safe Holi in Delhi, where, while protecting ourselves and safeguarding our resources, we celebrate with greater security and respect for each other," CM Gupta said during her visit to the BJP office.

Earlier in the day, taking to social media, CM Gupta shared her warm wishes, writing on X, "Infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire country on the sacred festival of colours, Holi. May this festival of colours bring countless happiness, immense love and harmony in your life."

She went on to highlight the deeper significance of the festival, stating, "This festival is not just a celebration of colours, but a living symbol of victory of truth, strong bonds of relationships and mutual brotherhood. Let us all celebrate this festival in a safe, harmonious and environmentally sensitive manner. Respect each other, fill every heart with the colours of love and harmony, and together move towards a prosperous, happy Delhi."

Holi was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm at the BJP state office in Delhi. State president Virendra Sachdeva, along with other BJP leaders and party workers, celebrated Holi with colours and by playing songs.
Dar Es Salaam, March 14 : Tanzanian health authorities declared the end of the country's second Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after recording no new cases for 42 days following the death of the last confirmed patient on January 28.

Minister of Health Jenista Mhagama said the last MVD case was reported on January 28, and as of March 11, 42 days had passed without any new cases, meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for declaring the outbreak over.

"Scientifically, we have met the criteria for declaring the end of the MVD outbreak. Thus, today, March 13, 2025, I hereby officially declare the end of the MVD outbreak in the country," Mhagama announced in a statement.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on January 20 declared the outbreak of MVD. This marked Tanzania's second recorded MVD outbreak, following the 2023 outbreak that resulted in nine cases and six deaths.

Speaking at a joint news conference with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Hassan said laboratory tests conducted at the Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in the northwestern region of Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one person in Biharamulo District as infected with MVD.

Mhagama noted that since the outbreak was declared, the government, in collaboration with stakeholders and partners, implemented stringent measures to contain and control the spread of the virus in the affected area, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, she warned that Tanzania remains at risk of other highly infectious diseases, including Ebola, which has been reported in neighboring countries, and mpox, with two recent cases confirmed in Tanzania and additional cases reported globally.

The WHO said in a statement that building on experience from the 2023 MVD outbreak, it worked closely with Tanzanian health authorities to swiftly scale up key response measures, including disease surveillance. More than 1,000 frontline health workers were trained in contact tracing, clinical care, and public health risk communication.

"The dedication of frontline health workers, along with the efforts of national authorities and our partners, has paid off," said Charles Sagoe-Moses, the WHO representative in Tanzania.

"While the outbreak has been declared over, we remain vigilant and ready to respond swiftly if any new cases are detected. We are also supporting ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial care to families affected by the outbreak," he added.

According to the WHO, the Marburg virus is highly virulent and causes hemorrhagic fever. The agency said MVD belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus, with symptoms beginning abruptly.

Previous MVD outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Juba, March 14 : The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said violence in South Sudan's northern counties of Nasir and Ulang has escalated rapidly, forcing more than 10,000 people to flee to neighboring Ethiopia.

As of Monday, over 10,000 people had crossed into Ethiopia's Gambella Region, up from 6,900 just days earlier on March 6, UNHCR said in a statement Wednesday evening.

"The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate and local authorities are tracking and assisting the displaced individuals, as they are dispersed across various communities, especially in the Burbiey and Matar areas," the agency said.

The fighting in Nasir, a strategic town, intensified after March 3, leading to the arrest of senior government and military officials from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

More than 20 people have been reported killed, with several others injured on the outskirts of Nasir, near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.

On March 7, a general and dozens of soldiers from the South Sudan People's Defense Forces as well as one UN personnel, were killed when the White Army, a militia allied with the opposition, opened fire as they boarded a UN helicopter during an evacuation mission in Nasir, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to UNHCR, the violence since mid-February has displaced tens of thousands within South Sudan, with 50,000 people newly displaced in Nasir and 34,000 in Ulang.

Most new arrivals in Ethiopia have entered via Wanthoa, moving through Burbiey to Matar. Many are seeking shelter within host communities, while others are staying in makeshift shelters using plastic sheeting, UNHCR said.

Andrew Mbogori, UNHCR's country representative in Ethiopia, called for more resources to meet the growing needs of displaced populations. "The absorption capacity in the border areas is severely overstretched and local authorities are facing significant challenges in managing the crisis. The numbers are expected to continue rising, creating a more urgent need for assistance," Mbogori said.

UNHCR said its teams have completed a risk analysis, considering different scenarios, and are implementing mitigation measures on the ground.
Mandya : , March 14 (IANS) The Karnataka Police on Friday lodged an FIR against 19 people in connection with the suicide case of a woman and her daughter in Mandya district.

Fifty-year-old Laxmi ended her life by hanging herself at her residence on Thursday, alleging police negligence in handling her daughteras suicide case.

Laxmias daughter, 21-year-old Vijayalaxmi, had died by suicide on February 21 by coming under a train in Mandya. Her parents had lodged a complaint with the Mandya Rural police station, alleging that their daughter took this extreme step due to one Harikrishna, who exploited her under the pretext of being in love and later betrayed her.

However, the police allegedly did not act on the complaint and instead supported the accused persons. Unable to bear the pain of losing her only child and facing humiliation, Laxmi wrote a death note and ended her life. In her note, she stated that even after more than 20 days since her daughter's death, no action had been taken against the accused persons.

She further alleged that Harikrishnaas family, using their influence, had acted with impunity and manipulated the law. When villagers questioned this, the police registered an FIR against them instead, she mentioned in her note. She also listed the names of the accused and pleaded for justice for her daughteras death.

Following Laxmias suicide, the villagers expressed their outrage over police negligence. At one point, they even prevented the police from shifting Laxmias body.

In response to the incident, the police department has now filed an FIR against Harikrishna, a resident of Marasingahalli, along with his family members and others involved in the case. The FIR has been registered under multiple sections, including Section 189 (threat of injury to a public servant), Section 191 (giving false evidence), Section 64 (punishment for rape), Section 108 (abetment to suicide), Section 54 (abetment when the abettor is present), and Section 118 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons).
Kochi, March 14 : Acting on a tip-off received by the Kochi DCP, a team of Kerala Police officials was shocked when they reached the men's hostel at the Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College late on Thursday night and recovered two kilograms of ganja.

The students had stocked this ganja to be sold during the Holi festivities that were planned to be held in the hostel on Friday. "When we entered the room, we saw the students sitting and packing the ganja in very small packets, to be sold. We recovered this from two rooms. Three students were taken into custody. We are on the lookout for three students who managed to run away," said the top police official who took part in the raid.

"Last month we had taken into custody a former student of this college who had ganja with him," added the police official. It has now surfaced that this ganja was received from a supplier who is also a Malayalee and the police have identified him.

The police raid that began on Thursday night continued till 4 am on Friday and the cops took into custody SFI union leader Abhiraj and two others Adidityan and Akash.

Abhiraj and Adidityan were released on station bail on Friday morning as the rules provide for it taking into consideration the quantity of ganja that was seized from them.

But Akash continues to be in custody since around 1.9 kilogram of ganja was recovered from him and he will soon be produced before a local court.

Meanwhile, the local SFI leaders blamed two students, Adil and Ananthu who belong to KSU, the student wing of the Congress Party. "Adil is the room-mate of Akash and he escaped. SFI leader Abhiraj was not in the room when the raid was taking place. Nothing was recovered from him either. But the media is giving news only about SFI," said SFI leader Devaraj.

Meanwhile, miffed by the arrests and embarrassed by the students bringing disrepute to the institution, Dr Ayju Thomas, Principal of the college said all the students who were taken into custody would be suspended.

State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh said the law will take its course irrespective of which political party the law breakers belong to.
Bhopal, March 14 : Madhya Pradesh authorities, yet again, grope in dark and are at crossroad of an enduring battle with the wild animal Nilgai - that shares suffix in its name with gai (cow). A menace for farmers since last several years the wild animal of antelope species not only damage the crop but destroy it too in various regions of the state.

Bhopal, March 14 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh authorities, yet again, grope in dark and are at crossroad of an enduring battle with the wild animal Nilgai  that shares suffix in its name with gai (cow). A menace for farmers since last several years the wild animal of antelope species not only damage the crop but destroy it too in various regions of the state.

All hopes now rest upon the Robinson R44 helicopter as the latest instrument in the war to protect crops from the ravages of this resilient antelope species.

Over the years, measures such as Boma (capture and relocate), fladry, fencing, scarecrows, and even fire have failed to yield substantial results, while the more curious experiment of performing vasectomies on the Nilgai has not alleviated the problem either.

The gravity of this challenge now rests upon the shoulders of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The issue was again raised on Thursday in state Assembly to which Speaker Narendra Tomar concurred and said, "If Nilgais keep on increasing, state farmers may face more problem."

During a general body meeting of the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation Committee, chaired by CM Yadav at his residence in Bhopal on Thursday, officials revealed that though Robinson 44 helicopter had been chosen for the operation on 'charter' basis, but there are no takers for the task.

An e-tender process to secure both the aircraft and a skilled pilot has been initiated, but despite three rounds of tender issuance, the mission remains stalled due to the lack of suitable candidates. Robinson R44 helicopters are best selling helicopters suitable for such operations and used worldwide.

A formal appeal has now been made to the Principal Secretary of Aviation to provide the required helicopter or its equivalent, the Chief Minister was told. The moment the aircraft is acquired, the operation to capture and relocate these wild animals is set to proceed without delay, thereby offering the beleaguered farmers some respite from their crop losses.

During the discussion, officials presented a detailed action plan aimed at safeguarding farmland from damage caused by the wild animal. The plan centres on capturing Nilgai and blackbucks, both notorious for wreaking havoc on agricultural land, and relocating them to more secure habitats. Despite appeals from aggrieved farmers in Neemuch, who have long demanded culling as a solution, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had opposed the practice, ostensibly for personal and political reasons.

The previous Chouhan government even went too far to rename the Nilgai to "Rojad" in 2016 to extricate it from the cow-related sanctity 'gai' tied to its name, which had made culling a contentious issue.

Innovative though it was, the 2017 attempt to sterilize male Nilgai through vasectomy proved to be an experiment of limited impact. A team of veterinarians performed "pinhole" surgeries under sedation at Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park, hoping to control the animals' rapid reproduction rates. However, the Nilgai, with their prolific breeding habits, remained a significant concern.

Female Nilgai reach reproductive maturity at just 25 months and can live for 12 to 13 years, which translates to exponential population growth.

The situation is particularly grim in districts like Ratlam, Mandsaur, and Neemuch, where farmers grow opium under state oversight.

Nilgai have not only developed a liking for poppy, consuming as many as 300 fruits in a single night, if opium growing farmers of Mandsaur district are believed, but also trample whatever crops they leave uneaten. Traditional deterrents like thorny fencing, scarecrows, and colourful fladry strips have failed to curb their destructive forays.

Efforts to relocate the Nilgai using the South African Boma technique, which involves driving animals into enclosures for safe transport, have proven exorbitantly expensive. In one instance recorded in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the state spent Rs 41.6 lakh relocating 27 Nilgai at an average cost of Rs 1.5 lakh per animal. The massive operation in Mandsaur involved over 150 forest personnel, 70 local villagers, 30 horses, and even a private helicopter to coordinate the effort.

Culling remains a legally viable option under Section 11 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which allows the Chief Wildlife Warden to sanction the killing of animals deemed a threat to human life or property, said a well-placed senior official in forest department requesting anonymity.

Yet, deep-seated cultural sentiments tied to the Nilgai's name, invoking sacred associations with cows, have deterred many from pursuing this route. In fact, only one farmer sought permission to cull Nilgai over the past twelve years, despite the significant damage they cause, the official said.

Farmers in regions like Mandsaur once went so far as to petition for the reintroduction of predators such as leopards, arguing that their absence emboldened Nilgai herds, which often number 40 to 50 individuals. However, the complexities of balancing ecological harmony with agricultural needs have made such measures difficult to implement.

More recently, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department drafted proposals to simplify hunting rules for Nilgai and wild boars, seeking feedback from legislators on the matter. Under the draft policy, licensed firearm owners would be required to obtain permits to shoot these crop-damaging animals. However, ethical concerns and public outrage -- most notably from an animal lover bigwig, who criticized similar measures -- have kept this proposal in limbo.

The government's inclination now leans towards a "trial-and-error" approach, aiming to capture and relocate the animals rather than resorting to culling. Advertisements have been issued to enlist individuals and organizations to aid in these efforts.

Nilgai-related crop destruction remains pervasive in many districts, such as Bhind, Rewa, Morena, and Shajapur, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution. Yet the question persists: how does one strike a balance between conservation and the well-being of those whose livelihoods hang in the balance? The enduring plight of the Nilgai poses not only a challenge to Madhya Pradesh's agricultural stability but also a moral and political quandary for its leaders.
New Delhi, March 14 : Fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the initial IPL 2025 matches for five-time champions Mumbai Indians due to his ongoing recovery from a back injury which has kept him out of action since the Sydney Test in January.

Bumrah has been recovering from a stress-related injury in his lower back, which he suffered during day two of the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney and didn't bowl in the second innings as Australia won the series 3-1.

Bumrah, who took the Player of the Series award in Australia for his 32 scalps, was subsequently ruled out of India's Champions Trophy winning campaign after being named in the provisional squad. As of now, Bumrah, who underwent a back surgery in 2023, has been undergoing his rehab process at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

As per a report in ESPNCricinfo on Friday, Bumrah is expected to join the MI squad by early April, subject to clearance from the medical team at BCCI CoE. At the same time, the report added, "It could not be confirmed exactly how many matches Bumrah would miss and if there was a definite date of return."

MI's first two IPL 2025 will be played away from home - against Chennai against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 in Chennai, before traveling to Ahmedabad to face-off against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29.

MI's first home match at the Wankhede Stadium will be against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31, before traveling to Lucknow for facing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 4 and then coming back to home to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.

MI's other fast-bowling options include Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, Corbin Bosch, Arjun Tendulkar, Satyanarayana Raju, Ashwani Kumar, as well as all-rounders  captain Hardik Pandya, and Raj Angad Bawa.
Mumbai, March 14 : As Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently stated in the Assembly that state power distribution company (discom) will be the first to be listed on stock exchanges, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MahaVitaran) CMD Lokesh Chandra said they are vigorously implementing capex for turnaround and cut tariffs charged to various consumers.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, MahaVitaran Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Lokesh Chandra explained the discomas strategy.

IANS: When will the listing happen? What is the plan for making MahaVitaran financially sound and profitable?

Lokesh Chandra: MahaVitaranas listing will take place in the next two years, before March 2027. To make the MahaVitaran financially sound we have worked on the Resources Adequacy Plan scientifically, meticulously and to ensure cost optimization. Maharashtra is the 1st State which has not only finalised its Energy Transition Plan along with Resource Adequacy Plan but also has started implementation of the same. We have finalised power purchase agreements for 45,000 MW capacity in the last two years. In the next five years our Renewable Energy share will increase from present 13 per cent to 52 per cent. Since Independence till date we will have installed capacity of 36 GW and by 2030, this will become 81,000 MW. With the cost optimization, we will be saving Rs 1,13,000 crore in the next five years. Hence, our power procurement cost will come down.

In the recent tariff petition filed before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) for the control period for 2025-2030. We have proposed a reduction in the power tariff for Industrial & Residential Sectors. We have also proposed a 10 per cent rebate during solar hours to domestic consumers, Cross subsidy burden on the industries for Agriculture has been removed completely. Time of Day tariff has been introduced during solar hours and we will be giving a rebate of Rs 2.40 during solar hours. These measures and creation of a separate company for agriculture will definitely help us in improving the financial parameters of MahaVitaran. We will very soon become a profit making entity and will be going to list MahaVitaran in the next two years.

IANS: What is your capex to strengthen the distribution network?

Lokesh Chandra: While working the Resource Adequacy Plan we have also looked into the investment requirement in the transmission sector as well as the distribution sector. It is estimated that in the next five years the total investment in the power sector for Maharashtra will be Rs 3,30,000 crore out of which Rs 70,000 crore will be in the transmission sector and Rs 65,000 crore will be in the distribution sector. Out of this 70 per cent investment will come from the private sector and approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore investment will be in Maharashtra. This will create 7 lakh jobs. We have already finalized the schemes for system strengthening and modernisation and at present we have started work on Rs 20,000 crore schemes and remaining Rs 45,000 crore are in pipeline for implementation. Once all these works are done, we are sure we will be able to supply adequate, reliable and quality to our consumers which will be from sustainable sources at affordable rates.

IANS: What is the present financial condition of MahaVitaran, especially, when rising arrears from agricultural consumers is a matter of concern?

Lokesh Chandra: By 2030, the state's energy demand will grow from 1,85,000 million units to 2,80,000 million units and peak demand will grow from 29 GW to 45 GW. Our energy consumption is going to be more than Spain, Italy, Germany and Australia. Our annual revenue is more than Rs 1,22,000 crore and we cater to more than three crore consumers. Maharashtra has the highest agricultural demand of 16,000 MW. Agricultural arrears always pose a challenge on our financial parameters, as today we have more than Rs 75,000 crore of agriculture arrears, our liability is around Rs 90,000 crore. In order to tackle the agriculture arrears issue and to provide reliable and adequate power to the farmers during the day time, we have implemented the world's largest distributed renewable energy program for solarisation of agriculture Feeders.

We are the first state in India who will shift 100 per cent agriculture Load (16,000 MW) on solar. We are implementing Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 Scheme to provide day time power supply to the farmers. Maharashtra is also the 1st State to create a Separate Agriculture Company for supplying power to the farmers. This will ensure that agriculture arrears in future will not impact our financial parameters. The government is also working to help out by taking over losses. We have requested the government to take our losses which are primarily due to agriculture arrears. We are hopeful that we will get financial assistance for the losses and come over all these arrears and debt situations very soon.

We are also working on a number of schemes like Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme for strengthening and modernisation of the network for reduction in technical losses. Implementation of Smart Meter will also help us in reducing commercial losses. We have already completed system metering, i.e., feeder metering and distribution transformer metering which will help us in getting the energy audit data accurately to pinpoint commercial loss areas. Once these measures are done, we will be in sound financial condition.

IANS: Industry has been complaining about high tariffs, how will it be competitive with other states?

Lokesh Chandra: In the present tariff petition, we have removed the cross-subsidy burden of the industries. We have introduced a Time of Day (ToD) tariff incentive of Rs 2.40 per unit during solar hours. We have also reduced the overall average cost of power supply. All these measures will reduce industrial tariff in the next five-year and our tariff will be lower than other states.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
Chennai, March 14 : In a pioneering move towards inclusivity, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu announced the induction of transgender persons into the Home Guard force. Speaking at the Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly while presenting the 2025-26 budget, he stated that transgender individuals would receive appropriate training to assist in traffic management and crowd control during festivals.

In the initial phase, 50 transgender individuals will be appointed in Chennai, Tambaram, and Avadi under a pilot project. They will receive remuneration, training, and uniforms on par with other Home Guards.

The Minister emphasised that this initiative aims to provide transgender persons with a dignified livelihood and help integrate them into mainstream society.

Additionally, the Puthumai Penn and Tamil Puthalvan scholarship schemes a" which offer Rs 1,000 per month a" will now be extended to transgender students to support their higher education.

Thangam Thenarasu said that Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme will see the construction of one lakh new houses in rural areas at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore and 25,000 houses that are beyond renovation will be rebuilt at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

He also said that a new international-standard city will be developed near Chennai to support urban expansion.

The Tamil Nadu finance minister said that a circular pipe water distribution scheme will be implemented in Chennai at Rs 2,423 crore to ensure better access to drinking water.

As many as 102 outdated drinking water schemes (over 40 years old) will be renovated at a cost of Rs 675 crore, Thangam Thenarasu said.

He said that river banks in Tiruchi, Madurai, Erode, Coimbatore, and Tirunelveli will be upgraded at Rs 400 crore.

The state finance minister said that a 3-km bridge connecting Guindy and Guru Nanak College junction in Velachery will be built at a cost of Rs 310 crore, benefiting seven lakh commuters.

He said that 6,100 km of rural roads will be laid under the Chief Ministeras Rural Road Scheme.

The finance minister also added that seven Sponge Parks will be developed in Chennaias metropolitan areas to enhance water conservation and urban greenery.

Tamil Nadu finance minister while addressing the House said that 10 new aThozhia hostels will be set up for working women in cities such as Kancheepuram, Erode, Karur, and Ranipet.

The project will benefit 800 women, the minister said. He also said that three modern hostels for female students will be constructed in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai.

Each hostel will accommodate 1,000 students, with a total investment of Rs 275 crore, Thangam Thenarasu added.

He further said that the government will establish 25 aAnbusolaia old-age homes at Rs 25 crore to provide shelter for elderly citizens.

Special hostels for girl students from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities will be built and maintained by the Tamil Nadu Working Womenas Hostels Corporation Limited.

The Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 focusses on inclusivity, infrastructure, and welfare, ensuring better living conditions and economic opportunities for marginalised communities, students, and working professionals across the state.
Bengaluru, March 14 : The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to former Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Committee member B.S. Yediyurappa in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case by staying the summons requiring his personal appearance before the First Fast Track Court on March 15.

The bench headed by Pradeep Singh Yerur passed the order on Friday while considering Yediyurappa's petition to quash the charge sheet filed against him. The court observed that a comprehensive investigation was needed in the case and, accordingly, stayed both the summons and the court's cognizance of the matter.

Senior counsel C.V. Nagesh, appearing for Yediyurappa, argued that the High Court had previously granted interim relief in the case. He further stated that the IT section in the FIR would apply to the complainant rather than Yediyurappa, as he had not deleted the conversation from the mobile phone belonging to the victim's mother.

The charge sheet was filed based on the statements of the victim girl and her mother. However, witnesses present at the scene have stated that no such incident took place. Counsel Nagesh also pointed out that the complaint was lodged with the Police Commissioner one month after the alleged incident.

The case involves an allegation of inappropriate touching on February 2, 2024. While the High Court had previously granted concessions for Yediyurappa regarding his appearance before the court, it had not granted an interim stay on the case.

Countering these arguments, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty urged the court not to grant any relief to Yediyurappa. He emphasized that the earlier High Court order had merely exempted Yediyurappa from appearing in court and had not stayed the proceedings.

The First Fast Track court in Bengaluru on February 28 had issued summons to Yediyurappa in connection with the case, directing him to be present before it on March 15.

The court passed the order after considering the charge sheet submitted by the police in the case. Yediyurappa had so far got immunity from the High Court earlier over the summons.

On February 7, the Karnataka High Court refused to quash charges against him in the case.

However, the Bench had granted anticipatory bail to Yediyurappa in the court, giving him immunity from arrest. The fresh summons by the FTC had raised concerns about legal action against him in the case.

The former Chief Minister has denied the charges, maintaining that the allegations were politically motivated and that he was prepared to face legal proceedings.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigating the case submitted a charge sheet on June 27, 2024, to a special fast-track court.

As per the charge sheet, Yediyurappa, along with three other accused, was charged under the POCSO Act and sections of the IPC, including 354(A) (sexual harassment), 204 (destruction of documents or electronic records), and 214 (offering bribes to conceal an offence).

The charge sheet alleges that on February 2, 2024, the complainant visited Yediyurappa's residence seeking help regarding a sexual assault on her 17-year-old daughter. It claims that Yediyurappa took the girl into a room, locked it, and sexually harassed her. The victim resisted and left the room. Following this, Yediyurappa allegedly refused to assist them.

The charge sheet further states that when the victim uploaded photos and videos of the incident on social media, Yediyurappa called them to his residence through intermediaries and gave them Rs 2 lakh in cash. It alleges that he then had the media files deleted from social media and the phone gallery.

The victim's mother passed away on May 26, 2024, due to health complications in Bengaluru.

Yediyurappa has strongly refuted the allegations, stating, "A mother and daughter were found near my residence, appearing distressed. Out of compassion, I called them to inquire about their situation. I even called the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to help them. However, they began making accusations against me. Despite this, I gave them financial help. I will face these charges in court."
New Delhi, March 14 : Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday extended wishes for Holi, the festival of colours, with a vibrant picture shot on the iPhone.

"Happy Holi to all those celebrating!" said Cook, in a post on social media platform X, along with a picture showcasing the festival's vibrant colour and joy, shot on the iPhone.

The image was clicked by photographer Kushagra Tiwari.

"May it be as joyous and fun as Kushagra Tiwari's beautiful #ShotOniPhone photo," he added.

The picture showcases a person standing in a field, wearing an orange and pink outfit. The person holds a plate filled with blue, pink, mint green, and yellow powder and white, orange, and red flower petals, as per the description on the Alt Tag on the photo.

The person is "laughing and looking off to the side, with streaks of red and blue on the face as well as flower petals".

Last year, Cook extended his Holi wishes with an image clicked by photographer Joshua Karthik.

Earlier this week, top Indian photographers revealed how the cutting-edge camera features on the iPhone 16 Pro series helped them capture more natural-looking and vibrant images, capturing the true essence of Holi.

New Delhi-based Bobby Roy told IANS that 48MP Fusion Camera with zero shutter lag is perfect for high-speed Holi action. He also suggested using Portrait Mode which blurs the background, keeping the focus on colourful faces for more striking Holi portraits and maximise colour accuracy.

With its 48MP Fusion Camera, 4K 120 fps slo-mo and 5x Telephoto lens for zoom, the device is designed to make your festival shots truly stand out, said the ace photographers.

According to Siddhartha Joshi, 4K 120 fps slo-mo video is a game-changer, letting users slow down the action to reveal every tiny detail in stunning clarity.

While Gursimran Basra suggested using 48MP Main Camera with zero shutter lag for fast action shots, Rohit Vohra, a street/travel photographer and educator recommended an ultra-wide camera with autofocus for group shots and festival landscapes.
Los Angeles, March 14 : The 'James Bond' franchise was made more special by the German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender.

The actor recently revealed that it was his recommendation which led to the casting of Daniel Craig as the titular character, reports 'Variety'.

Michael Fassbender appeared on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast and revealed that he suggested Daniel during his own 007 audition for 'Casino Royale'.

"I met with Barbara Broccoli just you know through passing and I actually went into an audition phase before Daniel (Craig) was cast, but I don't think I was ever in the mix", Fassbender said. "But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and (Michael G.) Wilson and I think I was like, 'Daniel Craig is' I don't know why I was promoting him. I should have been promoting myself".

"This is what I was saying. I was terrible at auditions", the actor added while also admitting that he bombed his audition for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' simply by showing up to the Warner Bros. lot an hour late. "Obviously Daniel did a fantastic job and went on to be, I think, the most successful Bond in history. But that was it really, there was never a conversation after that".

As per 'Variety', Fassbender was one of several young stars to audition for Bond when the franchise was being rebooted after Pierce Brosnan's final outing in 'Die Another Day'. One of the biggest contenders to emerge during the audition process was Henry Cavill, although he ended up being too young for the producers' liking.

'Casino Royale' director Martin Campbell told Express UK last year that Cavill's audition was incredible.

"He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous", Martin said. "And look, if Daniel didn't exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape. Very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then".

The search for a new 'James Bond' actor remains ongoing now that Daniel Craig has stepped down from 007 after five movies.
Chennai, March 14 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, while presenting the state's Budget for 2025-26 on Friday, announced the establishment of a new airport in the Rameswaram area of Ramanathapuram district.

Chennai, March 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, while presenting the stateas Budget for 2025-26 on Friday, announced the establishment of a new airport in the Rameswaram area of Ramanathapuram district.

This initiative aims to boost tourism in South Tamil Nadu and contribute to the economic development of the region.

To revive Tamil Naduas maritime heritage and position the state as a global hub for shipbuilding, the Finance Minister introduced the Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025.

This policy focusses on fostering investment and innovation in ship and boat design, ship hull fabrication, and ship engine production.

The growth of this industry is expected to generate 30,000 jobs in districts such as Cuddalore and Thoothukudi, while also supporting the development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

In an effort to strengthen the life sciences ecosystem and establish Tamil Nadu as a leader in emerging fields such as biosimilars and therapeutics, the government will develop a state-of-the-art bioscience park near Chennai.

This park will feature world-class infrastructure, including common testing centres, laboratories, and other advanced technological facilities necessary for manufacturing high-value-added products.

Additionally, the park will offer plug-and-play manufacturing facilities to encourage investments in the sector. For the Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce Department, the government has allocated Rs 3,915 crore in the Budget Estimates for 2025-26.

Continuing its commitment to showcasing Tamil Naduas rich cultural heritage, the state government has planned archaeological excavations at several locations, including Keezhadi (Sivaganga district), Pattanamarudur (Thoothukudi district), Karivalamvanthanallur (Tenkasi district), Nagapattinam (Nagapattinam district), Manikkollai (Cuddalore district), Adichanur (Kallakurichi district), Vellalur (Coimbatore district) and Thelunganur (Salem district).

Expanding the search for the ancient Tamil cultural identity, excavations will also be carried out in neighbouring states, including Palur in Odisha, Vengi in Andhra Pradesh, and Maski in Karnataka.

The Finance Minister also announced a Rs 1 crore prize for the World Tamil Olympiad. Additionally, the state will support the translation of the Thirukkural into 45 languages worldwide, further promoting Tamil literature and philosophy on the global stage.

With these strategic initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government aims to drive economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and position the state as a leader in multiple industries.
Mumbai, March 14 : Sonakshi Sinha is celebrating the festival of Holi on the set of her next, "Jatadhara". Giving her InstaFam a sneak peek into the festivities, she dropped a couple of fun photographs.

She wrote, "Holi haiiiiiiii!!! Rang barsao, khushiyaan manao!! Happy Holi mere doston, from the shoot of Jatadhara."

Sonakshi further informed that she is spending Holi away from husband Zaheer Iqbal due to her work commitment.

(Comments mein thoda relax karo@iamzahero mumbai mein hai, aur mein shoot pe hu isiliye saath mein nahi haithanda paani dalo sar pe)", she added.

Recently, the makers of "Jatadhara" unveiled the powerful first look of Sonakshi from the movie this Women's Day on March 8.

The 'Heeramandi' actress flaunted her elaborate traditional jewelry, including a golden headpiece, bangles, and rings in the pic.

Her bold makeup was completed with dark kohl-lined eyes, a red bindi, and a tilak on her forehead, enhancing the fierce look. Making the look more intense, Sonakshi covered part of her face with her hand, adorned with rings and long nails.

The tagline on the poster read, "A Force of Strength and Power."

"Jatadhara" will mark Sonakshi's Telugu debut. She will be seen sharing screen space with Sudheer Babu in her next. Made under the direction of Venkat Kalyan, the project will further see Shilpa Shirodkar, Rain Anjali, and Divya Vij in pivotal roles.

In addition to this, Sonakshi will also be seen romancing husband Zaheer in the upcoming project "Tu Hai Meri Kiran." Helmed by Karan Rawal and Sanjana Malhotra, the film marks their second professional association following the 2022 laughter ride "Double XXL."

However, the movie has landed in legal trouble. Going by the reports, Adlabs has raised concerns over copyright infringement, claiming that "Tu Hai Meri Kiran" violates the rights to several other films they own.

Sonakshi's lineup further includes, "Nikita Roy and the Book of Darkness."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, March 14 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu has announced the establishment of an Indus Valley Cultural Gallery at the Egmore Museum in Chennai. The initiative aims to commemorate the centenary of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Delivering his budget speech in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday, the minister emphasised the Tamil Nadu governmentas commitment to preserving and promoting Tamil heritage.

To showcase Tamil Naduas rich history to domestic and international tourists, the government will set up Tamil Cultural Museums in Mamallapuram and Thiruvannamalai, he said.

Thangam Thenarasu said that these museums will highlight the antiquity and continuity of Tamil culture, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the stateas historical and artistic legacy.

The Egmore Museum currently houses over 2,000 exquisite bronze statues, crafted by master artisans from Aimpon a" a traditional alloy of five metals, he added. The state finance minister said that to better exhibit these masterpieces, the government will construct a new gallery with traditional architectural design within the museum complex at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore.

He also added that the gallery will provide an immersive experience for visitors, emphasising the serene expressions, elegant postures, and intricate mudras of these sculptures.

As part of the governmentas ongoing efforts to explore and document Tamil Naduas ancient cultural heritage, large-scale archaeological excavations will be conducted in several locations during the 2025-26 financial year, he added.

Thangam Thenarasu said that the excavation sites include, Keezhadi (Sivaganga district), Pattanamarudur (Thoothukudi district), Karivalamvanthanallur (Tenkasi district), Nagapattinam (Nagapattinam district), Manikkollai (Cuddalore district), Adichanur (Kallakurichi district), Vellalur (Coimbatore district) and Thelunganur (Salem district).

Additionally, the cultural research effort will extend to sites outside Tamil Nadu, including Palur (Odisha), Vengi (Andhra Pradesh), and Maski (Karnataka), further enriching the understanding of Tamil heritage beyond state boundaries, Thangam Thenarasu added.

He also said that the artifacts unearthed from these excavations will undergo advanced scientific analyses, including, Ancient DNA analysis, Metallurgical studies, Micro Botany and Pollenanalysis.

These analyses will be conducted in collaboration with leading global research institutions, ensuring a thorough study of Tamil Naduas ancient civilisations, Thangam Thearasu added.

Thangam Thenarasu said that the government has allocated Rs 7 crore for these archaeological excavations and research initiatives.

Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu also revealed plans for deep-sea archaeological excavations along Tamil Naduas coastline. These explorations aim to uncover evidence of the stateas extensive maritime trade with regions such as Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Roman Empire.

In the first phase, a comprehensive deep-sea excavation will be carried out in 2025, covering the stretch from Kaveripoompattinam to Nagapattinam, he added.

Thangam Thenarasu further said that the initiative will involve consultations with renowned archaeologists and collaboration with top technological institutions. He said that the Tamil Nadu government is committed to preserving and exhibiting its rich cultural heritage through state-of-the-art museums.

As part of this effort, the following museums will be established, Noyyal Museum in Erode district (Rs 22 crore), focussing on the 13 Kodumanal excavations, the Naavaai Museum in Ramanathapuram district (Rs 21 crore), showcasing the maritime trade excellence of the Pandyas during the Sangam period, Thangam Thenarasu said.

The state finance minister said that through these initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government aims to proclaim the glory of Tamil culture on a global scale. Thangam Thenarasu further said that by investing in archaeological research, advanced scientific analyses, and museum infrastructure, the state seeks to preserve its historical legacy while making it accessible to the world.
New Delhi, March 14 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday on Friday said that he "had a forward-looking discussion with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement" between India and the US.

"Our approach will be guided by aIndia Firsta, aViksit Bharata and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Goyal posted on X along with a photo of his meeting Greer.

Goyal had previously met Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during his visit to the US last week. This followed US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi's talks on negotiating the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025.

The two leaders resolved to deepen the US-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security, and job creation. To this end, the leaders set a bold new goal for bilateral trade - "Mission 500" - aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

US Trade Secretary Lutnick said recently that he was keen to negotiate a broad-based trade agreement with India, taking into account the entire trade relationship rather than individual products.

Meanwhile, the government has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that India has not made any commitment to reduce tariffs on goods imported from the USA.

In a briefing on the issue, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told the Parliamentary committee that negotiations between India and the US were still ongoing and that no trade agreement had been finalised.

The Commerce Secretaryas clarification came in the wake of US President Trumpas statement that India has agreed to bring "way down" its tariffs on US goods.

Barthwal said: "One cannot go by the US President's claims and on media reports as the bilateral trade agreement talks between the two nations are still on. India has not committed to anything on trade tariffs to the US."

He also made it clear that Indiaas interests were of paramount importance and would be taken care of during the trade negotiations.

Barthwal said that India was in favour of increasing bilateral trade with the USA but would not indiscriminately lower tariffs, especially in sectors crucial to its domestic economy.

"India prefers to negotiate tariff reductions bilaterally rather than multilaterally to ensure national interests are upheld," Barthwal told the committee.

Trumpas 'America First' policy has the potential to disrupt world trade as the US President has accused trading partners of unfair practices and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on a large scale. He has accused India of levying massive tariffs on US goods.
Bengaluru, March 14 : Tamil Nadu BJP chief and retired IPS officer Annamalai stated that implementing 'One Nation, One Election' would make regional parties think nationally and national parties consider regional interests.

Speaking at an event on aOne Nation, One Electiona held at Jain University in Jayanagar, he emphasised that a strong democratic system requires everyone to participate in voting.

He stated that 'One Nation, One Election' is a step in public interest and a democratic reform, rather than an imposition. If everything goes as planned, the system could be implemented by 2034, he said.

He stressed the need for youth to actively engage in the democratic process and voting, highlighting that India, since Independence, has upheld the principle of equal voting rights for all, regardless of gender.

The first general elections were held in 1951-52 in seven phases. The second elections took place in 1957, and in 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967, elections for state assemblies and Parliament were conducted simultaneously.

However, in 1970, the Lok Sabha was dissolved a year early, and the Kerala state government, led by the Communist Party, was dismissed under Presidentas Rule.

He pointed out that this violated constitutional principles and that during the Emergency, several non-Congress state governments were dismissed and placed under Presidentas Rule. The Janata Party, which later came to power at the Centre, also followed a similar approach, he added.

With 28 states in India, elections have now become a continuous process. The 45-day Model Code of Conduct period hinders development projects, and the preparation of voter lists alone takes six months, he claimed.

He stated that each state loses a minimum of seven-and-a-half months due to election-related processes.

Government officials, including teachers and CRPF personnel, are involved in election duties. The 'One Nation, One Election' system proposes a single voter list, where voters cast votes for both MPs and MLAs with a single button press. Both the NITI Aayog and the Law Commission support the idea and have indicated that the time is now right for its implementation, he said.

In 2019 as many as 16 political parties supported the idea of simultaneous elections, while only three parties, including the CPM, opposed it. The discussion on 'One Nation, One Election' has been ongoing since 1932, he noted.

He also stressed that this system could help prevent voter apathy and encourage greater youth participation in elections.

Jayanagar MLA C.K. Ramamurthy, Naveen Shivaprakash, State Coordinator of the One Nation, One Election Awareness Committee, former MLC and State Co-Coordinator Ashwathnarayan, Jain University Vice President Ravindra Bhandari, Joint Secretary Santosh, retired IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, and Jain University Registrar Dr. Jitendra Mishra attended the event.
Taipei, March 14 : Pledging to strengthen national security, Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te has announced 17 strategies to counter growing infiltration efforts and from reinstating the military court system to enhance scrutiny of immigrants from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Addressing a press conference following a high-level national security meeting, Lai said that China's ambition over the past several decades to annex Taiwan and stamp out Taiwan has not changed for even a day. Beijing, he said, continues to pursue political and military intimidation and its united-front infiltration of Taiwan's society has grown ever more serious. He stated that Taiwan has no choice but to tackle the security issue with a more aggressive approach.

"China has also recently been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, showing in all aspects China's increasingly urgent threat against Taiwan's sovereignty," he said.

Raising concern on China's plots to infiltrate and spy on Taiwanese military, Lai stated that last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired members of the armed forces were charged with suspicion of involvement in spying for China, respectively comprising 43 per cent and 23 per cent of all of such cases.

"Taiwan is alert to the fact that China has recently used widespread issuance of Chinese passports to entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese peopleas sense of national identity," he added.

Lai stressed that Chinese nationals applying for permanent residency in Taiwan must, in accordance with the law of Taiwan, relinquish their existing household registration and passport and may not hold dual identity status. For individuals from Hong Kong or Macau applying for residency or permanent residency in Taiwan, there will be additional provisions for long-term residency to meet practical needs.

Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior and the Mainland Affairs Council should conduct surveys to determine the number of Taiwanese with Chinese passports, ID cards, Taiwan resident permits, or permanent resident cards, especially among military personnel, teachers, and government workers, he said.

Lai emphasised that the Taiwanese government would also take a more aggressive approach to prevent China from engaging in cognitive and cyber security warfare through the Internet and artificial intelligence. He proposed amendments to Taiwan's National Security Act, the Anti-Infiltration Act, the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and the Cybersecurity Management Act to ensure that all strategies can be effectively implemented.

Meanwhile, from January 2024 till March 13, 2025, the Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan has received reports of 71 Taiwanese nationals who have gone missing, were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the number of unreported people who have been subjected to such treatment may be more than that. Lai said that in light of this, relevant agencies in Taiwan must raise public awareness of risks associated with travelling to China.

Lai also called for collective efforts to protect Taiwan's democratic way of life. "As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and to ensure that the freedom, democracy, and way of life of Taiwan's 23 million people continue on as normal. But relying solely on the power of the government is not enough. What we need even more is for all citizens to stay vigilant and take action," he remarked.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Leading medical professionals dealing with patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have urged the central government to strengthen policies and funding for such patients, emphasising the urgent need for better access to life-saving treatments.

This demand came at the first international conference on neuromuscular disorders, APND 2025, which opened here on Friday.

Leading medical professionals Dr. Mary Iype and Dr. K.P.Vinayan said SMA remains one of the most devastating neuromuscular diseases, causing progressive muscle weakness, loss of mobility, respiratory complications, and, in severe cases, early mortality.

"While global advancements in gene therapy and targeted treatments have significantly improved patient outcomes, access to these therapies in India remains a major challenge due to high costs and infrastructure limitations," said the doctors.

They pointed out that India's National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD 2021) was a step forward in addressing rare disease care, offering financial support of up to Rs 50 lakh for specific treatments and establishing Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to enhance diagnosis and care.

"Many patients continue to face barriers in accessing timely treatment due to funding delays, high drug prices, and limited availability of specialised care. The judiciary has intervened in several cases to ensure that funds promised for CoEs are released promptly, highlighting the gaps in policy execution. Given the high mortality associated with neuromuscular disorders, delays in treatment access amount to a denial of justice for affected children," said the doctors.

The leading professionals through their expertise aim to strengthen the country's approach to rare diseases through preventive strategies such as genetic counselling and family tree mapping, which can help reduce the burden of these disorders.

They also will advocate for incentives to encourage indigenous production of orphan drugsspecialised medications developed for rare diseases.

"In developed countries, governments have introduced schemes to promote investment in orphan drug research and manufacturing. India, they argue, must adopt similar measures and negotiate directly with pharmaceutical innovators to reduce drug costs and improve accessibility," said Iype.

Incidentally over the years Kerala has emerged as a leader in rare disease management with its KARE (Kerala United Against Rare Diseases) initiative, which provides free treatment and multidisciplinary care for affected children.

Incidentally Kerala is the only state in India to successfully offer free drug therapy to over 100 SMA patients, setting a national benchmark in public healthcare.

Dr Giovani Baranallo, Professor at the University College of London, termed the way Kerala is going forward in SMA which integrates early screening, genetic diagnosis, physiotherapy, nutrition, and respiratory support, ensuring a comprehensive care model.

Experts are hopeful that the discussions will lead to stronger national policies, better healthcare infrastructure, and greater financial support to ensure that SMA and other rare disease patients receive the timely and affordable care they deserve.
Mumbai, March 14 : Actress Apoorva Arora, who is known for her work in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Kannada films, is celebrating Holi on Friday. The actress shared her childhood memory of celebrating the festival.

She told IANS, "When I was a child I used to get ready early in the morning. We used to play Holi in groups against other groups, it was like a gang war. Even after showering, someone used to come and apply more gulal. That's how my day used to look like on Holi".

The actress shared that she mostly misses celebrating the festival in Mumbai as she is busy shooting outdoors. However, this time it's different. She said, "Mostly I'm not in Mumbai during Holi, but this year I'll be celebrating Holi here in the city. I'll be partying with my friends".

The actress also loves to indulge in the delicious food prepared by her mother.

Earlier, in January, Apoorva visited the historic Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman ahead of the Republic Day. The iconic site, known as "Kala Pani", holds deep significance in India's struggle for independence.

Apoorva paid her respects to the countless freedom fighters who endured unimaginable hardships within the walls of the infamous prison. She explored the premises and spent time reflecting on the sacrifices made by India's heroes.

Talking about the same, she told IANS, "It's an overwhelming experience to stand in a place that embodies the pain, courage, and sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. I always thought I understood the meaning of freedom, but walking through these walls, I realized I didn't truly grasp its weight. The resilience and determination that shaped our nation's history come alive here".

She further mentioned, "It's a humbling reminder of what it took to achieve independence. Visiting the Cellular Jail has deepened my respect and gratitude for those who gave their everything so we could live in a free India. Their legacy inspires us to build a future worthy of their sacrifices".

The Cellular Jail was constructed between 1896 and 1906, stands as a stark reminder of colonial oppression and the indomitable spirit of India's freedom fighters. Apoorva's visit, ahead of Republic Day, draws attention to the significance of remembering the sacrifices that built the nation and the importance of safeguarding the hard-won freedom.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Islamabad, March 14 : Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of the massive attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train by the militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Bolan district, earlier this week, stating that the militants involved in the hijacking of the train were in "direct contact" with their handlers based in Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has stated that the intercepted calls confirmed links between the attackers and Afghanistan. "Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan-based planners throughout the incident. The terrorists have safe havens in Afghanistan, and Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan interim government to prevent groups like the BLA from using its soil for terrorism," he said.

"We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism to justice," Khan was quoted as saying by leading Pakistani daily 'Express Tribune'.

The Afghan Taliban government, on the other hand, rejected Pakistan's allegations regarding the country's involvement in train hijacking. Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Pakistan's assertions "baseless".

"We categorically reject baseless allegations by the Pakistani army spokesperson linking the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan and urge the Pakistani side to focus on its security and resolving internal problems instead of making such irresponsible statements," Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi posted on X.

Meanwhile, India too on Friday snubbed Pakistan after Islamabad hinted at New Delhi's role in fomenting trouble in the restive Balochistan region.

"We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Bengaluru, March 14 : Karnataka BJP has condemned the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to replace the rupee symbol with a Tamil letter in the state budget logo and stated that the move is highly condemnable.

Commenting on the development, the BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Friday that the Tamil Nadu governmentas action of sidelining the aRupee symbola, which represents Indiaas economic strength, is highly condemnable.

By rejecting the rupee symbol, the Tamil Nadu government has displayed a separatist mindset that weakens national unity, Vijayendra slammed.

Unlike the policies of previous UPA and Congress-led governments, which failed to protect and promote the languages, culture, and traditions of South Indian states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has shown deep commitment and concern for the preservation and growth of Tamil language, Tamil Naduas cultural heritage, and the richness of South Indian traditions, Vijayendra claimed.

However, with the upcoming Assembly elections in mind, Chief Minister M.K. Stalinas DMK government is attempting to sow seeds of division among the people of Tamil Nadu using language and regional identity as tools, he alleged.

"Such actions are harmful to the interests of the nation," Vijayendra opined.

Even the people of Tamil Nadu will not accept such divisive tactics. Frustrated by the lack of development under the DMK government, they are now being misled using language and regionalism. However, the people of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting response to such political strategies. The citizens of this country will never accept such divisive behaviour, no matter which part of the country it happens in, he underlined.

It is worth noting that the Rupee symbol came into existence during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhas UPA government. Now, the Congress remains silent instead of condemning the anti-national stance of its ally, the DMK. This silence clearly shows that Congress prioritises power politics over national unity, Vijayendra criticised.
Ranchi, March 14 : The body of Muskan Parveen, a 12th class student of SS Plus Two School in Gumla, Jharkhand, who had been missing for three days, was recovered from Keshwar Dam on Friday.

The incident has sparked outrage, with the victim's family accusing a local youth of abducting and murdering her before disposing of the body in the dam.

According to the police, a complaint was filed by Muskan's father, Jasir Ansari, who reported her missing on March 11. He has alleged that the police did not take the matter seriously, which delayed the search efforts.

"Preparations for her marriage were underway at home. Her engagement to a youth from Lohardaga was finalized, and the wedding was scheduled for April 23," said Jasir Ansari. He further alleged that a local youth from their village had been harassing Muskan and pressuring her to marry him.

The grieving father claimed that the accused lured his daughter away, killed her, and later disposed of the body. He also revealed that the accused had previously threatened Muskan's fiance over the phone. The family believes that had the police acted promptly upon receiving the missing complaint, Muskan's life could have been saved.

Gumla Sadar police station in-charge Surendra Kumar Singh confirmed the recovery of the body and stated that it has been sent for post-mortem examination. "We have received a complaint against a youth suspected of involvement in the crime. The matter is under investigation, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," he added.

In a similar incident reported on Thursday in Godda district, Jharkhand, the body of a 16-year-old student, Priya Kumar, was found in a well near the Pahadkhand Shiva temple in the Meharma police station area. Priya's family has accused Gaurav Kumar, a youth from the same village, of murdering her after she rejected his repeated proposals for marriage.
Agra, March 14 : The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested an employee of the Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF) in Hazratpur on charges of leaking classified information for Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), officials said.

The man, identified as Ravindra Kumar, fell into a honey trap laid by Pakistan's ISI and passed on vital defence related information to the spy agency.

Kumar was arrested from ATS headquarters in Lucknow late on Thursday.

One of Kumar's associates has also been arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Uttar Pradesh Police.

"Kumar was working at OEF, Hazratpur, and had access to sensitive documents. Investigations have revealed that he shared highly classified information, including daily production reports, confidential letters from the screening committee, a pending requisition list, and details on drones and the Gaganyaan project, with a woman linked to the ISI," an official said.

OEF, Hazratpur, under the Ministry of Defence, produces drones, parachutes and other vital equipment for Indian armed forces.

Kumar knew that the woman worked for the ISI, yet shared the documents with her.

The woman identified herself as Neha Sharma and befriended Kumar in 2024.

Intelligence inputs indicated potential internal and external security risks linked to the leak of sensitive information.

Kumar apparently fell for her and saved her number as 'Chandan Store Keeper 2', to ensure that no one suspects that he is in a relation.

"It seems that Kumar was offered money after which he sent her the confidential documents through WhatsApp. We have found incriminating documents in his phone, including details of logistics drone trials by senior officers of the factory and the 5/1 Gorkha Rifles. He also maintained direct communication links with IS handlers based in Pakistan and passed on intelligence," the official added.

On March 12, 2025, Kumar was summoned for questioning at the ATS field unit in Agra. During questioning, Kumar initially provided inconsistent responses and attempted to mislead investigators. He later opted to stay overnight for further questioning. The following day, Kumar was brought to the ATS headquarters in Lucknow.

All digital evidence is now being scanned by the security agencies to ascertain the kind of damage that may have been caused by Kumar and work out remedial measures.
The 19 Ideas marketing agency believes it has found the right balance for the way its employees work.

On Mondays and Fridays, they can work remotely. From Tuesday to Thursday, they are expected to be in the office.

As the CEO of a creative firm, Katie Krawczyk says there's value in her employees getting together for at least part of the week.

"You can't replace eye contact and understanding somebody's body language, all these additional cues in communication and how you have to relate to each other, both from a team perspective but a client perspective, as well," Krawczyk said.

Five years after the pandemic upended the customary connection between workers and an office, employers have settled into what they see as the best approach.

Some companies, like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, have made headlines for mandating employees return to the office five days a week. The Trump administration earlier this year ordered all federal workers back to the office full time.

But locally, many employers seem to have embraced hybrid schedules as the long-term answer.

"I think we will never be able to go back to where we were before Covid," said Katerina Bezrukova, a University at Buffalo School of Management professor. "There will be a trend toward more virtual, remote work as an attractive package for people."

The ripple effect extends beyond the cubicle.

Many employers have scaled back on the amount of office space they use, forcing owners of those properties to consider alternatives, like converting buildings to apartments. City officials estimate 20,000 fewer office employees come downtown on a daily basis, a drop-off that has led some restaurants to close and others to lose a significant chunk of business.

The upheaval in office work also has prompted many employers to alter their expectations about where employees will perform their jobs.

Some employees or job candidates insist on the opportunity to work remotely or hybrid, or else take their talents to an employer who will let them work that way. As remote work has become more commonplace in the past five years, employers have had to compete for talent against not just in-town rivals, but out-of-town companies, too.

Making collaboration count

Employers like 19 Ideas focus on making in-person office time beneficial for their employees.

"There's a lot of in-the-moment communication that happens in those three days that really help," Krawczyk said. She enjoys having spontaneous conversations with employees, rather than trying to find them over the phone or online.

Once a week, when everyone is in the office, 19 Ideas holds a weekly two-hour accounts meeting, where leaders review projects underway. There's a lot of nuanced conversation that would be difficult to reproduce virtually. Meeting participants aren't tempted to multitask, the way they might on a video call. And if the leaders need to pull someone into the meeting to clarify a point, that's much easier to do.

Just before the pandemic hit, 19 Ideas was finishing remodeling its offices in the Five Points neighborhood. Krawczyk wanted a workplace that reflected the firm's spirit.

"It's a creative firm," she said. "It can't be beige."

The pandemic delayed the unveiling for a time, but the finished product created a workplace appealing for employees to return to when the time was right.

19 Ideas finds it works best to set which three days employees are directed to work in person, said Dan Gigante, Krawczyk's business partner. "The point of it is, when we're here, we're all together."

On Mondays and Fridays, employees can work from home on projects that might require more focused, quiet time, or hold Zoom meetings.

"I just think it's the perfect balance," Gigante said. "I don't see us going all the way back and I don't see us going (fully) remote."

Embracing remote work

Independent Health has taken a different approach.

The Amherst-based health insurance firm adopted a primarily remote stance for its workforce during the pandemic and has stuck with it all these years later.

Company leaders like what they have seen in worker productivity, customer satisfaction scores and maintaining corporate culture, said Patricia Clabeaux, chief human resources officer.

"As long as we can continue to make it work and produce these results, we'll continue to be hybrid," Clabeaux said. "We have no intentions of changing our strategy."

There's not an organization-wide mandate for in-office work, although newly hired customer service representatives come into the office for several weeks of training. Through team agreements, different departments decide what works best for them when it comes to in-office work.

The company, which has about 1,200 employees, still finds ways to bring employees together at times.

For instance, Dr. Michael Cropp, the CEO, holds executive team meetings in person. Departments meet quarterly at the office. Those meetings might take place during Independent Health's quarterly "connection weeks," which feature town halls, guest speakers and other activities. And each year, the company budgets funds for its departments to hold team-building outings, like an afternoon of bowling or a ride on a catamaran.

The opportunity to work remotely still has strong appeal to job candidates, said Frank Sava, a spokesman. "It comes in as one of the top three reasons that people choose to apply with Independent Health."

The health insurer has reconfigured office space on its campus to accommodate the primarily remote approach. One of the buildings on its campus that the company put up for sale last year remains on the market.

Clabeaux said she has seen more people gravitating back to the office, in order to be around their co-workers. But even with a primarily remote workforce, company officials feel they have been able to maintain a strong corporate culture, with below-average employee attrition and high retention of leaders.

"Our culture being so strong pre-pandemic is, I think, really the core reason we're able to continue this," Clabeaux said.

Finding flexibility

Other area employers have settled into their own office policies.

M&T Bank's hybrid employees are generally in the office three days a week. KeyBank allows flexibility depending on an individual employee's responsibilities, but supports in-person collaboration.

Delaware North, which has about 500 employees at its downtown offices, adjusted its office policy last September. Employees living within a certain distance of the office are now required to come in Monday through Wednesday.

"The new policy came after we had seen a continued increase in numbers and frequency in the office," said Glen White, a spokesman. "We have focused our regular programming and events for team members on those days at the office, including team member appreciation events, professional development, guest speakers and volunteer opportunities."

Rich Products' office employees in North America  including at its Buffalo headquarters  come in Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, said Allie Frideman, a Rich spokeswoman. Employees choose where to work on Mondays and Fridays, but the company has stuck with ending its Friday workday at 1 p.m., a summertime and holiday perk the company made year-round about five years ago.

And Rich Products still holds events like its recent Founder's Day that brings people together, Friedman said.

Analyzing the impact

As employers sort out what schedule best suits their needs, researchers are exploring the impact of office policies since the pandemic hit.

Bezrukova, the UB professor, said there's evidence that remote work can lead to greater productivity, especially in places like Silicon Valley, where employees can spend more time working and less time commuting.

And there's research that shows a company can have a robust corporate culture even if employees are working remotely, she said. "You can build culture without having the physical space."

Bezrukova said during the pandemic, when fully remote work was widespread, job opportunities were higher for people with disabilities. The opportunities aren't as plentiful for them if employers require more in-person presence.

"Oftentimes, these are people who have limited mobility, it's very hard for them to commute, to get from place to place," she said.

Five years on, employers are drawing their own conclusions about how their office employees should work.

"At this point, you can't really say everyone has this particular pattern," Bezrukova said. "It's such a variety of different trends."
Moscow, March 14 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has met US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and was provided "additional details" on the US-Ukrainian talks held in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah earlier this week, the Kremlin announced on Friday.

At the meeting on Thursday, President Putin also gave the envoy "information and additional signals for President Trump", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, RT reported.

After the Jeddah talks on Tuesday, a joint US-Ukrainian statement said that Kiev agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, while the US announced the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Witkoff had come to Moscow to deliver the details of the proposal to top Russian government officials, who have yet to issue a formal response.

Peskov said that the US representative had met President Putin to deliver "additional details" to the Russian leader.

At a press conference on Thursday, the Russian President said that Russia "absolutely supports" the idea of resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means and is ready to discuss Trump's ceasefire proposal.

"...the idea itself is the right one, and we certainly support it. But there are questions that we have to discuss. I think we need to work with our American partners. Maybe I will speak to President Trump. But we support the idea of ending this conflict with peaceful means," he said, suggesting that dialogue could include a personal conversation with the US leader. The US President is keen on this too.

"(Putin) put out a very promising statement, but it wasn't complete. And, yeah, I'd love to meet with him or talk to him," Trump told journalists during a press conference alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte later on the same day.

However, President Putin stressed that all the details of a ceasefire must first be clarified, noting that Moscow is not interested in a short-term solution and instead wants to reach a lasting resolution of the conflict.

He highlighted the need for a system of "control and verification" to monitor any truce as well as potential Ukrainian attempts to use the pause in hostilities to rearm and reinforce its troops on the front line. He also noted the importance of clarifying the status and fate of Ukrainian troops currently encircled in Russia's Kursk Region, after their incursion there last year.
Chennai, Mar 14 : Actor Sivaji, who has returned to the silver screen with a flourish after almost 13 years with director Ram Jagadish's courtroom drama 'Court - State Vs A Nobody', says that his dream of 25 years had come true with the character he had played in 'Court'.

Chennai, Mar 14 (IANS) Actor Sivaji, who has returned to the silver screen with a flourish after almost 13 years with director Ram Jagadish's courtroom drama 'Court  State Vs A Nobody', says that his dream of 25 years had come true with the character he had played in 'Court'.

Sivaji, who plays the powerful role of Mangapati in the film, opened up on his comeback to films. "My family and children used to ask me to act again. I also wanted to do it. I met ETV's Bapineedu and told him about it. We thought we would do production first. But he asked me to act," began Sivaji.

Stating that he did the 90's web series, which went on to emerge a huge success, Sivaji said, "While working on the series, I got an offer for Bigg Boss. That was the platform where I could show what I was. I went thinking that fate had sent me this opportunity. With that show, the world came to know what Shivaji really was."

"After that, many opportunities came. I heard about 50 to 60 stories. Most of them were father roles. I rejected most of them. The character of a man in court was my 25-year dream. I am very happy to have got this opportunity through Nani," he explained.

Talking about his character in the film, Sivaji said, "I asked the director what made him select me for this character. He said that he had selected the perfect actor for this role. I feel this character was made for me. I somehow think that the director took this character from real life. The credit for everything related to my character must go to the director. He gave me the opportunity to prove that I can do this."

The film has been presented by actor Nani's Wall Poster Cinema. The film, which has opened to positive reviews, features Priyadarshi in the lead role and has been produced by Prashanthi Tipirneni. Deepthi Ganta is the co-producer.

--IANS

Mkr/
Rajkot, March 14 : A catastrophic fire ripped through the Atlantis building in Gujarat's Rajkot on the 150-foot Ring Road, leaving three dead and dozens trapped in the blazing inferno.

The fire erupted on the fifth floor of the building and quickly spread upwards, creating chaos and panic among residents.

The Fire Brigade responded with remarkable swiftness, battling intense flames and thick smoke to rescue nearly 60 individuals, including two women and two children, using a fire lift.

Tragically, three lives were lost, and one injured victim was rushed to the Rajkot Civil Hospital for immediate treatment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the incident has sparked fear and concern throughout the community.

Local authorities and police have ramped up their presence at the scene, ensuring no one remains trapped within the charred building.

The blaze, which originated on the sixth floor of the C-Wing and spread up to the 10th floor, has raised serious concerns about fire safety protocols in the city's high-rise buildings.

BJP leader Bharat Boghra commended the Fire Brigade's efforts while confirming that rescue operations are still ongoing.

With the fire now under control, authorities are combing through each floor to rule out any remaining victims.

Senior fire and police officials are leading the investigation.

Rajkot has witnessed significant fire incidents in recent years, highlighting concerns about fire safety protocols in the city.

On May 25, 2024, a catastrophic fire erupted at the TRP Game Zone, an amusement park in Rajkot, resulting in the tragic loss of 33 lives, including nine children.

The blaze was ignited by sparks from welding work that came into contact with flammable materials stored on-site.

Investigations revealed that the facility lacked proper fire safety measures and was operating without the necessary fire department certification.

This incident prompted the Gujarat High Court to label it a "man-made disaster", leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the tragedy.
Peshawar, March 14 : An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded during Friday prayers in South Waziristan area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, critically injuring a senior leader of religious political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) along with at least three more people.

As per police authorities, the blast took place in a mosque during Friday prayers at Maulana Abdul Aziz mosque, located at Azam Warsak Bypass Road, adding that the bomb was planted in the mosque's pulpit.

JUI-F head Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman had recently visited Darul Uloom Haqqania mosque in KP's Akhora Khattak to condole and condemn the suicide blast that claimed life of at least six people, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq chief Hamidul Haq Haqqani, slamming militant groups for attacking mosques and killing innocent locals in the name of Jihad.

Friday's blast is being seen as a reaction to Fazlur Rehmanas statement and it is suspected the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is behind it.

"The blast occurred at 1:45 pm at Maulana Abdul Aziz Mosque on Azam Warsak Bypass Road. In the explosion, Abdullah Nadeem, the district chief of JUI, was seriously wounded. Three others, also belonging to JUI, have sustained minor injuries," said District Police Officer Asif Bahader.

"The police have reached the site of the blast and are collecting evidence. Further investigation is underway," he added.

It was also revealed that the target of the attack was Maulana Abdullah, who had been receiving death threats for some time.

"He (Maulana Abdullah) was also attacked about seven or eight months ago," said Bahader.

Mosques have been on the target of militants, who have carried out multiple attacks in the past. Last month, a suicide bomber attacked Darul Uloom Haqqania killing at least six people, including a senior leader of JUI-F. During 2023, a blast inside a mosque in Police Lines area of Peshawar killed 59 people and injured 157.

The Friday prayers are targetted as large number of people gather to offer prayers, resulting in bigger number of casualties.

Friday's attack took place after the hijacking of train in Balochistan earlier this week which saw separatist Baloch Liberation Army attacking Jaffar Express passenger train.

It took a 48-hour standoff between the security forces and the militants to conclude the operation, in which majority of the hostages were rescued and at least 33 BLA militants killed.

Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces have seen a massive surge in terror attacks, which Islamabad claims have escalated since the Afghan Taliban came to power in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Pakistan claims that Afghanistan has become a safe haven for anti-Pakistan terror groups who are being provided with space, support and facilitation by the Afghan Taliban to carry out their activities across the border.

Pakistan has called on Afghanistan to make sure its soil is not used by anti-Pakistan groups and urged the Taliban regime to take immediate action against them.
Ambala, March 14 : Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij on Friday sough a metro train between Ambala and Chandigarh as roads leading to the state capital have been experiencing massive traffic jams, impacting the movement of commuters.

He said as the Chief Minister of Haryana, Union Minister for Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar, had significantly contributed to the development of Ambala Cantonment.

"We are requesting the Union Minister for a metro train from Ambala to Chandigarh as Chandigarh is Haryana's capital but reaching there is very difficult. The roads to Chandigarh are completely jammed, and people spend hours in travelling to and fro," Anil Vij said.

Anil Vij emphasised that "if a metro train is introduced, it will save time and benefit millions of people".

He made this demand while addressing BJP leaders in Ambala Cantonment on the occasion of Holi, in the presence of Union Minister Khattar, who was given a grand welcome upon his arrival here.

Going down memory lane, Anil Vij said he and Manohar Lal Khattar have the same vision, as they were trained in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "Their ideology teaches them to work for the people and take the nation and the state forward," he added.

Vij acknowledged that while there were occasional differences in opinion, they were always related to issues, not personal matters. "Ultimately, either Manohar Lal Khattar accepted my suggestions, or I accepted Manohar Lal's perspective, ensuring continuous progress and development," he pointed out.

Vij expressed joy that the people of Ambala Cantonment, his Assembly constituency, have given BJP full support. The party won 25 out of 32 councillor seats, and the BJP Chairperson won with a margin of 28,000 votes, proving their strong support.

On his part, Union Minister Khattar emphasised that BJP workers must always be prepared for elections. He praised Ambala Cantonment as a stronghold of the BJP, where the party has consistently won elections.

He urged the newly-elected representatives to work for public welfare and fulfill the expectations of the people.

Khattar highlighted that the BJP secured a significant victory in local body elections in Ambala Cantonment, Ambala City, and across Haryana. "The party enjoys widespread support, and Opposition parties like the Congress have become irrelevant due to the BJP's public welfare policies. Since 2014, the BJP has consistently won three Lok Sabha elections, three Assembly elections, and multiple local and rural body elections, showing strong public trust in the party," Khattar added.
Seoul, March 14 : The president of Homeplus, a major discount store chain in South Korea, offered a public apology on Friday to retailers and investors affected by the company's court-led rehabilitation process.

"I would like to sincerely apologise to all of our partners, store owners, investors and others who are experiencing inconvenience due to this rehabilitation process," Homeplus President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joh Joo-yun said during a press conference at the company's headquarters in western Seoul.

"We will do our best to normalise the company as soon as possible to minimise the damage and inconvenience to many people."

She stressed that Homeplus remains financially stable, saying that the company had paid 340 billion won (US$234 million) in commercial receivables as of Thursday and holds 160 billion won in cash, reports Yonhap news agency.

The CEO vowed to make a full payment of remaining debt to avoid any damage involving the rehabilitation process.

Earlier this month, Homeplus "preemptively" entered court-led rehabilitation proceedings after two local credit rating agencies lowered the rating of its corporate bonds to A3- from A3, citing the retailer's lack of efforts to improve its financial health.

Over the past week, some local companies have suspended supplying products to Homeplus out of concerns that the retailer may not pay for the delivered goods.

Homeplus said it will submit its self-help plans to the court by June 3.

Meanwhile, the financial regulator said it will look into whether there were any flaws in the process of Homeplus selling its asset-backed short-term debts (ABSTBs).

ABSTBs are short-term bonds backed by future receivables as collateral.

On February 25, Homeplus issued ABSTBs worth 82 billion won through Shinyoung Securities Co.

The controversy boils down to whether the retailer had sold such debts even after it was notified that its credit rating would likely be lowered.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said earlier it has launched an inspection into financial institutions, including Shinyoung Securities Co., focusing on whether the securities firm had issued the bonds while already aware of Homeplus' imminent credit rating downgrade.

a"IANS

na/
Ahmedabad, March 14 : The fourth edition of the Mega Brahmin Business Meet is set to take place on Saturday at the Vigyan Bhavan in Science City of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister C.R. Paatil will inaugurate the grand event, which is expected to attract around two lakh attendees over three days till March 17.

The event will feature participation from a large number of Brahmin businessmen, cultural artists, and motivational speakers.

While the meet is open to all, the participating artists and businessmen will exclusively be from the Brahmin community.

A special 'Saint Sammelan' will also be held during the summit, where resolutions aimed at the welfare of the Brahmin community are expected to be passed.

Free meals will be provided to all attendees throughout the event, and 200 stalls run by Brahmin businessmen will showcase their products and services.

Additionally, 600 Brahmin businessmen will actively participate in the summit's programmes.

BJP leader and chief organiser Yagnesh Dave, who is overseeing the event's arrangements, briefed the media about the upcoming summit during a press conference held at the Vidyan Bhavan in Science City.

According to the Shree Samast Gujarat Brahm Samaj, there are nearly six million Brahmins in Gujarat, comprising around 1.5 million families, which accounts for about 9.5 per cent of the state's population.

However, it's important to note that these figures are estimates provided by community organisations and may not be officially verified.

The Brahmin community in Gujarat is diverse, encompassing various sub-castes such as Nagar Brahmins, who have historically held significant roles in the region's political, economic, and social spheres.

Despite their traditional association with priesthood, many Gujarati Brahmins have ventured into various professions, including business, arts, and academia.
Chennai, March 14 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan (MTFP) for 2025-26, outlining the state's borrowing and fiscal projections.

Chennai, March 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan (MTFP) for 2025-26, outlining the stateas borrowing and fiscal projections.

According to the budget estimates, the Tamil Nadu government plans to borrow Rs 1,62,096.76 crore in 2025-26 while repaying Rs 55,844.53 crore in existing debt.

By March 31, 2026 the stateas total outstanding debt is expected to reach Rs 9,29,959.3 crore, with the Debt-to-Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio pegged at 26.07 per cent.

As per the budget estimates for 2025-26, Tamil Naduas total revenue expenditure is projected at Rs 3,73,204 crore, while total revenue receipts are expected to be Rs 3,31,569 crore.

Revenue expenditure includes spending on salaries, pensions, subsidies, grants, and interest payments, whereas revenue receipts come from tax and non-tax sources, grants from the Centre, and Tamil Naduas share of central taxes.

The budget has allocated Rs 57,231 crore for capital expenditure, which refers to investments in fixed assets such as civic infrastructure, buildings, and public sector undertakings.

According to the revised estimates for 2024-25, Tamil Naduas fiscal deficit stands at 3.26 per cent of the GSDP. For 2025-26, it is projected to be 3 per cent of the GSDP, as per the budget estimates.

Highlighting Tamil Naduas economic performance, Finance Minister Thenarasu said that the state remains a key driver of growth, fueled by its strong manufacturing base, expansion in the services sector, and sustained public and private investments.

The minister also emphasised Tamil Naduas emergence as a leader in electronics and Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, attracting major investments.

Electronics exports from the state surged from $1.66 billion in 2021-22 to $5.37 billion in 2023-24, with projections to surpass $12 billion in 2024-25. Among the sectoral allocations, the highest amount, Rs 55,261 crore, was allocated for education, followed by urban and rural development.

Key budget announcements include Rs 2,000 crore for a scheme to provide high-tech devices to 20 lakh college students over two years, Rs 1,051 crore for the reconstruction of dilapidated tenements, Rs 88 crore for climate-resilient sponge parks and Rs 400 crore for riverside development projects.

Thenarasu delivered one of the longest budget speeches, spanning over two hours and 30 minutes, in the Assembly Hall at Fort St. George in Chennai. This is the last full-fledged budget of the DMK government before the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, scheduled for next year.
Ahmedabad, March 14 : In a crackdown on begging activities, the She Teams of the city police rescued 18 children from street begging gangs and potential human traffickers. The three-day operation aimed to identify whether the children were victims of trafficking, drug abuse, or coercion.

She Teams from all police stations in Ahmedabad patrolled various areas, rescuing the minors and initiating legal action under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, against those who forced them into begging.

The rescued children were provided with immediate medical care.

The Gujarat Home Department has taken charge of the childrenas rehabilitation.

In collaboration with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), a dedicated She Team will ensure the children receive proper education, nutrition, and healthcare support.

In recent years, Gujarat has witnessed several significant operations targeting child begging and human trafficking.

Organisations such as Childline India and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) have been instrumental in these efforts.

Childline India, operating the 1098 helpline, has been pivotal in rescuing children in distress across the nation, including Gujarat.

Their services extend to over 602 districts, with a presence in major railway stations and bus terminals, facilitating immediate assistance to vulnerable children.

Similarly, BBA, founded by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, has been active in Gujarat, focusing on eradicating child labour and trafficking.

Their initiatives have led to the rescue and rehabilitation of numerous children, emphasising the importance of education and reintegration into society.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist.

The state's rapid industrialisation has inadvertently contributed to an increase in child labour and trafficking cases, as families migrate in search of better opportunities, making children vulnerable to exploitation.

To counter this, Gujarat has strengthened its legal framework and enforcement mechanisms. Regular raids on establishments employing child labor, awareness campaigns, and community engagement programs have been implemented to curb these practices.

Additionally, the state has focused on enhancing educational infrastructure and accessibility to ensure children remain in schools, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.
Amritsar, March 14 : Five people were injured when they were attacked by a rod-wielding man in the Golden Temple complex in Punjab's holy city of Amritsar, police said, adding the assailant was later arrested and the situation was under control.

Panic gripped as the assailant began the attack near the community kitchen (Guru Ram Das langar) where many devotees and locals were present.

The injured comprised two sewadars (volunteers) of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

One of the injured has been admitted to the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Amritsar.

Police have arrested the assailant and his accomplice after they were overpowered by people on the spot. The police said the accused surveyed the crime scene before the attack. "The second accused allegedly conducted recce along with the one who attacked devotees," a police officer told the media.

The prime accused went out, came back armed with an iron rod and attacked the SGPC staff and the devotees who tried to intervene. Four people, including the two SGPC sewadars, were injured.

Station House Officer Sarmel Singh said the accused was identified as Zulfan of Haryana. He said he was also injured in the incident. An investigation was on to find the motive behind the crime.

Police said that there was no need to panic.

The incident sparked outrage among the Sikh community. The SGPC, considered the 'Mini Parliament' of the religion, has filed a police complaint against the assailant.

The incident has also raised concerns about the security of devotees.

Earlier, a man had opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple in December last year.

The assailant, later identified as Narayan Singh Chaura, was taken into custody after being overpowered by one of the security men of Badal.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister of State (MoS), V. Muraleedharan, on Friday, launched a scathing attack on the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi, saying that the latter is just someone who was "by default" born as a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi and has been trying to "monetise" his great grandfather's name.

The former Union Minister was responding after the Kerala Police registered a case against five BJP/RSS workers for waylaying Tushar Gandhi when he came to take part in an event in the suburbs of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram earlier this week.

"Those who criticise others will also be criticised and there is no need to be intolerant. If Tushar can criticise the BJP/RSS then the vice-versa also will happen. The protest that took place was in a democratic manner only. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should not think that by registering a case he can threaten us," former MoS Muraleedharan said.

"Tushar is one, who for long has been 'monetising' Mahatma Gandhi by signing up with an American company for an advertisement. Just because one is born in the family of the Mahatma, all will not become Mahatma's," he added.

"Today Tushar is running after the Congress party seeking a party ticket. We heard the Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan saying that it is highly deplorable that someone with a Gandhi's lineage was treated badly. If that's the case then the Congress party is doing just that by refusing him a party ticket," the former MoS said.

Slamming Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who condemned the protests of the BJP/RSS workers against Tushar Gandhi, former Union Minister Muraleedharan said, "It's really strange that someone like Vijayan who has no connection with Gandhism, is trying to impart Gandhism to us."

Tushar Gandhi's statement which invited the wrath of the BJP/RSS workers was when he accused the Sangh Parivar of spreading a 'cancer' that had crippled the country's soul.

Meanwhile, Tushar Gandhi, who is in Kerala, on Friday, hit back at the BJP/RSS while speaking at an event near Kochi and said he does not believe in apologising for the statements that he made.

"What this incident has done is to strengthen my resolve to continue to expose the traitors and the descendants of my great grandfather's murderers, will go to Mahatma Gandhi's statue and fire bullets at it, as they are habituated to do," he said.

Incidentally, LoP Satheesan had responded strongly by saying that the Congress party will now continue to bring Tushar Gandhi to Kerala again.
New Delhi, March 14 : The Union government has released Rs 32.68 crore for the State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund in FY 24-25, said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday, ahead of the World Consumer Rights Day.

World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15, serves as an essential reminder of the need to uphold consumer rights and protection.

The day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and encourage those rights to be respected and protected.

"During the FY 2024-25, Rs 32.68 crore have been released to various states for the establishment/enhancement of their respective State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) fund as Central government share," said the Ministry.

It added that during the period, 24 States and 1 UT have established the Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Funds.

Further, the government noted it aims for a safer, transparent, and consumer-friendly economy.

"As India observes World Consumer Rights Day 2025, the focus remains on ensuring a safer, more transparent, and consumer-friendly economy," said the Ministry.

To empower consumers, strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensure a transparent and fair marketplace, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced several new initiatives and policies.

"In 2024, major developments included improvements in e-commerce regulations, digital consumer protection, product safety standards, and sustainable consumption initiatives," the Ministry said.

World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983. The day commemorates President John F. Kennedy's address to the US Congress on March 15, 1962, where he became the first world leader to formally recognise consumer rights.

The theme for this year is, 'a just transition to sustainable lifestyles'.

"This theme reflects the urgent need to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices available, accessible, and affordable for all consumers -- while ensuring that these transitions uphold people's basic rights and needs," said the Ministry.

"This year's campaign highlights the pathways needed to achieve sustainable lifestyles and calls for stronger consumer protection and empowerment worldwide," it added.
Tehran, March 14 : Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Friday condemned fresh US sanctions targeting several individuals, vessels, and companies linked to Iran's oil exports.

The ministry said the move comes a day after the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad as well as several companies and vessels tied to the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent sanctions.

Baghaei dismissed US claims of readiness to negotiate with Tehran, saying the sanctions prove Washington's hostility toward Iran's development and welfare.

He said Iran would hold the US government accountable for the fallout from what he described as unilateral and illegitimate measures, adding that the move violated international law.

Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear programme while keeping in place sanctions reimposed after the US exited the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

In July 2015, Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

After the US withdrawal and the reinstatement of sanctions in May 2018, Iran scaled back some of its nuclear commitments, and efforts to revive the deal have stalled, with Iranian officials insisting that negotiations cannot proceed under continued sanctions pressure.

Meanwhile, China, Russia and Iran issued a joint statement on Friday, reaffirming that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue remains the only viable and practical option for the Iranian nuclear issue.

Relevant parties should abandon sanction, pressure or threat of force and refrain from any action that may escalate the situation, according to the statement issued after a trilateral meeting at the Vice Foreign Minister level in Beijing.

The three countries reiterated the importance of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the statement said.

China and Russia welcomed Iran's reiteration that its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes, and not for development of nuclear weapons, the statement read.
Mumbai, March 14 : Priyanka Chopra is presently occupied with her highly-awaited project, "SSMB29". PeeCee even celebrated Holi on the set of her next in Odisha.

The diva took to her Instagram handle and shared a couple of pictures from her Holi celebration. The primary pic featured Priyanka flaunting the beautiful Holi colors on her face. This was followed by a photo of her posing with the "SSMB29" team. Her last snap of the post was of a plate full of colors.

"Itas a working Holi for us. Hereas wishing everyone celebrating a very Happy Holi full of laughter and togetherness with your loved ones", she captioned the post.

PeeCee wore a simple yet elegant bodycon dress, along with hoop earrings.

Priyanka has been treating the netizens with several glimpses from her Odisha visit. She recently posted a few pictures and videos on social media of her landing in Odisha.

The photographs of PeeCee posing with the air hostesses were also doing rounds on social media. Additionally, the stunner dropped a still of her peeking out of an airplane window. Her social media feed also included several other glimpses from the journey.

In addition to this, Priyanka shared pictures of trees and videos of the scenic views she soaked in on the way to the shoot.

Talking about "SSMB29", made under the direction of 'RRR' fame SS Rajamouli, the project will star Mahesh Babu in the lead. Touted to be a global adventure set across exotic locations, protagonist Mahesh Babu's role in the film is believed to be inspired by Lord Hanuman.

The reports claim that the ambitious project will be made on a massive budget of Rs 900a"Rs 1,000 crores. The much-awaited drama is expected to be made in two parts.

"SSMB29" will mark Priyanka's return to Telugu cinema after a long gap of 23 years. She last appeared in P Ravi Shankar's 2002 romantic entertainer "Apuroopam".

PeeCee's last Bollywood release was Shonali Bose's 2016 drama, "The Sky Is Pink".
Imphal, March 14 : In a series of joint search operations, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles along with other security forces recovered 50 weapons, a large cache of ammunition and war-like stores from four districts of trouble-torn Manipur, officials said on Friday.

A Defence spokesman said that the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, the CRPF, BSF, ITBP and Manipur Police launched Intelligence-based operations in the hill and valley districts of Chandel, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal districts and recovered 50 weapons, Improvised Devices, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores during the last 48 hours.

The security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur. Such bunkers were set up by both Koki-Zo and Meitei armed volunteers to defend their localities.

The Defence spokesman said that of the 50 arms recovered, the Army and Assam Rifles acting on Intelligence inputs recovered 23 improvised mortars (Pompi), three AK series rifles, one INSAS rifle, one Carbine, two muzzle loaded rifle, one 0.303 rifle, five pistols, huge quantities of ammunition and war-like stores from Laijang areas in the hilly Chandel district.

Similarly, in Thoubal district, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police recovered two 9 mm Carbines, one 12 bore rifle, one Single Bore Barrel Rifle (SBBL) and three Pistols. One mortar, one 12 bore rifle and one pistol were recovered from Singjamei areas in Imphal West district in a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, the spokesman said.

During a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, they recovered one carbine, one 0.303 rifle and two single barrel rifles from Wangoo areas of Kakching district.

The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police. The Defence spokesman said that these coordinated efforts by security forces highlight their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in Manipur that has seen major strife in the last nearly two years.
Chennai, Mar 14 : The makers of director Adhik Ravichandran's eagerly awaited action entertainer, 'Good Bad Ugly', featuring actor Ajith Kumar in the lead, on Friday released a making video of the film's teaser which has only gone on to heighten expectations from the film.

Director Adhik Ravichandran took to social media platform X to share the link to the making video of the teaser and wrote, " Each day working with #Ajith Sir was unforgettable. Have made memories for life, here is the BTS of #GoodBadUglyTeaser. First single #OGSambavam from March 18th. A @gvprakash Musical @trishtrashers mam @MythriOfficial @SureshChandraa."

The making video has some stunning shots of the team at work. One of the first shots in the making video is that of Adhik Ravichandran showing the actor who delivers the AK is a red dragon dialogue how to do it. The BTS video also shows how each frame that appears in the teaser was filmed.

It may be recalled that the teaser that the makers released sometime ago, begins with a man in fear saying, "AK is a red dragon. If he has come here breaking his own rules, that means he will finish you with just his breath." The teaser then has Ajith Kumar saying, "No matter how good we are, this world makes us go bad.I'll show you." Ajith then goes on to say, "All that we musn't do in life, we must do sometimes baby. That!"

The teaser had given away the fact that the film is a proper commercial entertainer that will contain all that fans expect in an Ajith film racing sequences, explosive action, punch dialogues and peppy, foot-tapping dance numbers.

Music for the film has been scored by National Award winning music composer G V Prakash. Cinematography for the film is by Abinandhan Ramanujam and editing is by Vijay Velukutty. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by Supreme Sundar and Kaloian Vodenicharov.

Interestingly, 'Good Bad Ugly' was originally scheduled to release for Pongal when it went on floors in June last year.

The film, which will feature Trisha along with Ajith in the lead, will also have a series of powerful performers like Arjun Das, Prasanna and Sunil in pivotal roles.

--IANS

Mkr/
Jerusalem, March 14 : Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will maintain its presence at five strategic locations in southern Lebanon "indefinitely," regardless of ongoing negotiations over 13 disputed border points.

During a security assessment on Thursday with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials, Katz emphasised that the IDF will continue to hold these five positions, which control the buffer zone in Lebanon, as a measure to safeguard northern Israeli communities.

"This decision is entirely independent of any future negotiations concerning disputed border points," his office stated in an announcement, adding that Katz has instructed the IDF to reinforce its positions at these strategic sites and prepare for an extended deployment.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been in effect, bringing an end to prolonged clashes between Hezbollah and Israel triggered by the Gaza war.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Israel has agreed to release five Lebanese nationals held in Israeli jails, following quadrilateral talks involving Israeli, Lebanese, French, and US officials.

The meeting took place on Tuesday in Naqoura, Lebanon.

Officials agreed to establish three joint working groups "aimed at stabilizing the region." The groups will discuss disputes over the Blue Line, the UN-recognised land border between Israel and Lebanon; disputes over five locations in Lebanon where Israeli troops remain despite a November 2024 ceasefire requiring a full withdrawal; and Lebanese detainees held by Israel.

No details were provided in the statement concerning the identities of the five detainees.

Israel's Army Radio reported that the five, who were held in Israel for several months, would be transferred to Lebanon via the Red Cross later on Tuesday, following US-mediated negotiations.

Lebanese media said that Israel will release four civilians and a Hezbollah member, while Lebanon has committed to negotiating with Israel regarding the 13 contested border locations.
Jaipur, March 14 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday celebrated Holi with great enthusiasm at his residence, joining the common people in the festivities. He played Holi with flowers and natural colors, fostering a spirit of unity and joy.

The Holi Sneh Milan ceremony featured mesmerising performances by folk artists, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Braj.

Extending his wishes to the people of Rajasthan, the Chief Minister emphasised that Holi is a festival that promotes harmony by encouraging people to set aside differences and embrace each other with love.

"This festival of colors is very unique, it teaches us to forget mutual bitterness and embrace each other."

On the occasion of the festival of colours, CM Sharma also reiterated the state government's commitment to achieving a $350 billion economy, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

CM Sharma also prayed for the prosperity of youth, farmers, women, and laborers across the state. His wife, Geeta Sharma, also graced the event.

The celebrations continued from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., during which the Chief Minister joyfully played with colors alongside the public. People also applied gulal to the Chief Minister enthusiastically, and he reciprocated, spreading festive cheer and extending heartfelt Holi wishes to all.

Sharma performed the traditional Holi Puja at his residence in Civil Lines on Thursday, praying for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Rajasthan.

He conducted the Holi Puja with due rituals at Shri Raj Rajeshwari Mandir premises accompanied by his family. Following the puja, the Holika Dahan ceremony was performed amid Vedic chants, signifying the triumph of good over evil.

Adding to the festive spirit, soldiers of the 4 RAC Battalion of Rajasthan Police presented vibrant Holi songs and dances to the rhythmic beats of the Chang.

The Chief Minister interacted with the soldiers, appreciating their performances and encouraging them.

The Holika Dahan ceremony was attended by officers and employees of the Chief Ministeras Office, marking a grand and traditional start to the Holi celebrations.
Mumbai, March 14 : Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma left everyone shocked after speculations of their breakup surfaced on social media.

However, recently both Tamannaah and Vijay attended the Holi party at Raveena Tandon and Anil Thadani's Mumbai residence. Both of them were seen celebrating the festival with Raveena's daughter, Rasha Thadani, with whom they share a close bond.

While both were under the same roof, they were not spotted together. Both of them arrived at the party separately. Also, none of the pictures on social media feature Tamannaah and Vijay posing together.

Tamannaah took to her Instagram and dropped a few snippets of her Holi celebration with Rasha. A few photos of Vijay with Rasha are also doing rounds on the internet.

Nevertheless, Tamannaah and Vijay's presence at the same event has sparked curiosity among fans.

Refreshing your memory, Tamannaah and Vijay reportedly commenced dating during the filming of Netflix's anthology "Lust Stories 2." Rumours about their relationship started doing rounds after these two were spotted together at a New Year's party in Goa. However, later Vijay cleared the air saying that they did not start dating during the shoot of the film.

During a conversation with Tanmay Bhat on Netflix India's YouTube channel, Vijay referred to "Lust Stories 2" as a cupid, disclosing that their real-life love story began much later.

Vijay shared, "Lust Stories was cupid, but it wasn't during the shoot that we started dating. There was talk of a wrap party happening, but it never took place. So, we wanted to have a wrap party, and only four people showed up. That day, I feel I told her I wanted to hang out more with you. It took 20-25 days for the first date to happen after that."

Back in June 2024, Tamannaah officially confirmed her relationship with Vijay.

Ever since then, these two had been openly affectionate, making public appearances together, and commenting on each other's social media posts.
Hyderabad, March 14 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Friday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi if he has the courage to take action against Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over his 'secret' meeting with the BJP leaders.

Rama Rao was reacting to the reported claim by BJP MLA Raja Singh that some BJP leaders had a secret meeting with the Chief Minister.

"Rahul Gandhi keeps talking about BJP infiltrators in Congress. Does he have the courage to act against his own CM, who is striking secret deals with the BJP?" Rama Rao asked in his post on X.

KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, alleged that Revanth Reddy is allegedly holding secret meetings with BJP leaders to safeguard his position.

KTR accused Revanth Reddy of indulging in "backdoor politics" while publicly pretending to oppose the BJP.

He also accused the Congress party of engaging in a "dirty political culture" where leaders prioritise their power over public welfare.

He claimed these secret meetings were part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise Telangana's progress.

"It is shameful that a Congress CM is holding secret meetings with BJP leaders. Telangana has never seen such treacherous politics," KTR remarked.

"Congress has a history of creating divisions among people for its political survival, and this is yet another example."

Expressing his outrage, KTR criticised the Chief Minister for ignoring pressing state issues, including the agrarian crisis and student suicides in residential schools.

"Farmers are struggling, students are suffering, and yet the CM does not have time to hold review meetings. But he has enough time for these secret discussions with BJP leaders. This is an unpardonable betrayal," he said.

KTR also said that BJP MLA Raja Singh's recent statements had exposed Revanth Reddy's alleged backdoor dealings with the BJP.

"The CM pretends to fight BJP in public while secretly colluding with them. This is exactly what Congress politics is all about," he added.

The former Minister warned that the people of Telangana would not tolerate such "ugly politics" and would reject both BJP and Congress, which he described as "two Delhi-based parties that do not understand Telangana's interests".

"This state has come too far to be dragged into the dirty tricks of Congress and BJP. Telangana society will fight back and ensure that these conspiracies fail," KTR asserted.
Agartala, March 14 : Despite vehement protests by the ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Opposition, the Tripura government on Friday signed an agreement with the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) to make the 108-year-old Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala a 5-star hotel.

The Pushpabanta (or Pushpavanta) Palace also known as Kunjaban Palace was built in 1917 by the then Tripura king Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarma Bahadur and it served as the Raj Bhavan until 2018 before the Governor's house was shifted to the Capital Complex area on the outskirts of the city.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who was present at the signing ceremony said that it is a significant step towards boosting tourism in Tripura.

He said in a post on the X, "Glad to be present during the signing of MoU between the Government of Tripura and Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) for development of Taj Pushpavanta Palace Hotel. This world-class 5 star hotel with four exclusive rooms and touch of royal era will be a milestone in the state's history, enabling the people from the world to know more about the Maharajas of Tripura."

An official said that IHCL, South Asia's largest Indian hospitality company and part of the Tata group renowned as an operator and owner of high-end hospitality products especially heritage palace hotels, luxury hotels and exotic resorts had proposed to collaborate and develop a world-class Palace Hotel as a 'Taj Pushpabanta Palace' of around 100 rooms under the 'Taj Palace brand'.

About Rs 250 crore would be invested within the existing land area of 7.78 acres of the Pushpabanta Palace, the official said, adding that the amount had been proposed to be invested by IHCL in a phased manner over a period of three years post receipt of all approvals for construction from relevant authorities.

He said that as part of the proposal, the beautiful heritage building will be restored and used as a reception and public areas, IHCL will at its cost also build all other areas outside of the heritage building.

Most of the accommodation will be outside the heritage building, except for a few signature suites housed within the palace accentuating the royal experience, the official added.

He said that the proposal will benefit the state in terms of investment, boost tourism, promote local culture, generate direct and indirect employment across various sectors such as tourism, construction, food and beverage, supply of raw material and retail.

Since last year, various frontal wings of ruling BJP's ally TMP staged a series of massive protests opposing the Tripura government's move to privatise the iconic Pushpabanta Palace and convert it into a five-star hotel by a private group.

Senior TMP leader and Chairman of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Jagadhish Debbarma had said that the iconic 108-year-old palace is a historical structure not only for the tribals but for the entire people of the state.

"We are not against the development of Tripura and the growth of the state's tourism, but not at the cost of the historical assets of the state," the senior tribal leader had said.

He said that Pushpabanta Palace is the valued property of the people of Tripura, and the government cannot hand over the historical assets to others for doing business.

The Opposition Congress also strongly opposed the state government's move. Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty had said that during his last visit to Tripura in 1926, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore stayed at the royal mansion and composed many songs sitting on the veranda of the palace. He had said that the then king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur celebrated Tagore's 80th birthday in the important palace in 1941.

After India's Independence, Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi handed over the palace to the state government in 1949. Chakraborty said adding that after President Murmu laid the foundation of the Pushpabanta Palace Museum during her visit to Tripura in October 2022, the government had allocated Rs 40 crore for the proposed museum.

"The BJP government is trying to destroy the rich culture, traditions and history of Tripura by making the iconic palace into a business hub," the Congress spokesman had said.
Kolkata, March 14 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said on Friday that the state BJP unit will be organising at least 2,000 rallies, big and small combined, on the occasion of Ram Navami this year scheduled on April 6.

Speaking at a public meeting at his constituency of Nandigram in East Midnapore district, LoP Adhikari also added that the participation at the rallies on Ram Navami this year will be double than what it was last year.

"Ram Navami will be celebrated this year in a major way. I will be there on the streets on that day. Last year around 50 lakh Hindus were there on the streets to participate in rallies on the occasion of Ram Navami. Last year there were 1,000 rallies. This year there will be 2,000 rallies and around one crore Hindus will participate in those rallies this year," he said.

He also added that since there will be no requirement for prior administrative permission to participate in the rallies, the participation will be spontaneous.

Speaking on the occasion, LoP Adhikari said that the construction of a Ram Temple at Sonachura in Nandigram will begin on April 6.

"The temple will be in lines of the iconic Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The foundation stone laying ceremony will be on the occasion of Ram Navami this year. There will be temple-related adjacent facilities there. There is an ayurvedic and an allopathic dispensary adjacent to the temple," he added.

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership has described LoP Adhikari's speech on Ram Navami rallies as an indirect attempt to instigate tension over the Ram Navami festival.

"All religious festivals, including Ram Navami, is celebrated in West Bengal peacefully every year. I do not know what does the Leader of the Opposition actually want," said the Union Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya.
Moscow, March 14 : The integration process between Belarus and Russia must become irreversible, visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday.

Lukashenko called the integration a "historic mission" that "will be accomplished with dignity" as he addressed the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of parliament.

He noted that Russia and Belarus could form a single parliament if both countries were prepared.

While discussing the possibility of Belarus becoming part of Russia, Lukashenko said such a move was "unlikely to happen in the near future."

"We must proceed calmly, step by step ... as we are doing now," he added, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lukashenko met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, where they discussed bilateral ties and prospects for integration within the Union State, among other issues.

Earlier, Lukashenko had said that he supported the idea of building a plant to produce Russian drones in Belarus.

Visiting BelExpo National Exhibition Centre last week, where Russian UAVs for monitoring terrain and agriculture, and cargo drones were exhibited, Lukashenko praised Russian specialists for the results achieved in the development and production of drones.

The Belarusian leader said that Russia demonstrates good results in developing and producing UAVs.

At the exhibition, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Maxim Oreshkin, said the Russian side is proposing that Belarus build an enterprise that could produce up to 100,000 drones annually.

In February, the Belarusian Central Election Commission had officially declared Lukashenko as the winner in the latest presidential elections with 86.82 per cent of the votes.

The presidential elections were held in Belarus on January 26. The turnout was 85.69 per cent.

Under Belarusian law, a presidential candidate who secures more than 50 per cent of the vote is declared the winner.

Lukashenko was first elected President of Belarus in 1994. He was later re-elected in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2020.
Mumbai, March 14 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Friday that the MahaYuti government in the state is spreading the colours of joy in people's lives through developmental works and public welfare schemes.

Wishing the people of Maharashtra a happy Holi, he expressed his hope that happiness and prosperity would flourish in their lives.

At his residence in Thane, Deputy CM Shinde celebrated Holi with his family using natural colours.

He urged everyone to celebrate Holi in an environmentally friendly manner by using natural colours and avoiding harmful chemicals.

Speaking to the media, he emphasised the responsibility of preserving environmental balance and expressed his wish for a prosperous Maharashtra while celebrating Holika Dahan on Thursday evening.

Highlighting Maharashtra's rich tradition of festivals, he extended his best wishes to the people and said that the state government is committed to bringing prosperity into their lives.

He also invited opposition leaders to participate in the government's developmental initiatives and be a part of this progress.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde personally greeted and applied colours to all visitors, including employees working at his residence and police officers deployed for security.

Following tradition, he visited the Anand Ashram at Tembhi Naka and paid tribute to late Shiv Sena leader Dharmaveer Anand Dighe by applying colours to his portrait.

He also celebrated Holi with numerous Shiv Sainiks and citizens gathered at the ashram.

On this occasion, he also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being honoured with the highest civilian award by the Mauritius government, saying that this recognition enhances India's global reputation and is a matter of pride for all Indians.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare, Meghana Sakore-Bordikar, celebrated Holi in Banjara colours.

At the request of the Banjara women, she donned traditional attire and joined in the joyous dance. The festival was marked by traditional Lenggi songs, dances, and a lively atmosphere of colours.

On this occasion, the Minister conveyed a message of positive social change and unity.

Citizens participated in large numbers, making this cultural event even more vibrant and memorable.

The Banjara community in Adgaon Tanda, Jintur Taluka from Parbhani district, celebrated Holi with great enthusiasm, following their traditional customs.

Women, dressed in their traditional attire, performed mesmerising dances, adding vibrant colours to the festivities.
Hyderabad, March 14 : The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested eight accused involved in trafficking 24 individuals from Telangana into Myanmar's notorious cybercrime hubs, a senior official said on Friday.

Following the rescue of 540 Indians, including 24 individuals belonging to Telanagana, from cyber scam compounds in Myanmar and their repatriation to India, TGSCB took up an investigation.

TGSCB director Shikha Goel said they launched a thorough investigation, leading to the registration of 9 cases from 10 victims at different Cyber Crime Police Stations (CCPS) across Telangana.

During the crackdown, the TGCSB identified 15 agents and mediators involved in the scam.

"Eight of them have been arrested. Remaining are absconding and 5 are abroad. Efforts are underway to track and take necessary action against them," she said.

The eight accused are Allepu Venkatesh of Jagtial, Challa Mahesh of Jagtial, Mohammed Jalal, Bomma Vasanth Kumar, Dasari Eknath Goud, H. Basheer Ahmed, Gajula Abhishek, all residents of Hyderabad, and Katanguri Sai Kiran of Vemulawada.

The Central government has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 540 Indian nationals who were trapped in cyber scam compounds in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

These individuals were released and brought back to Delhi in two batches - 283 in the first batch and 257 in the second batch - on March 10 and 11.

Among the rescued Indians, 24 belonged to Telangana.

Fourteen of them arrived in Hyderabad from Delhi on March while the remaining 10 reached Hyderabad on March 12.

The Cyber Security Bureau has appealed to people to exercise extreme caution while accepting overseas job offers, especially those promising high salaries with minimal qualifications.

It said before traveling abroad for employment, citizens should ensure that the job offer is verified through official channels like the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) via https://emigrate.gov.in.

They should also obtain a written agreement from the foreign employer before travel.

Any unusual job descriptions or vague offers should be thoroughly scrutinised.
Rawalpindi, March 14 : Pakistan has tightened security around an Afghan refugee detention centre in Rawalpindi even as the operation to detain Afghan refugees in the country continues. The Pakistani government has set a deadline of March 31 for Afghans with legal documents to voluntarily leave the country while the process of detaining Afghan refugees in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been underway, local media reported.

The Afghans who are being detained in Rawalpindi are held at a camp near Golra Mor. The Rawalpindi Police have rounded up about 820 Afghan nationals from different parts of the garrison city over the past week and deported 114 so far. 140 Afghan nationals are still detained at the camp under tight security due to a lull in deportations. It has been learned that due to the closure of the border for the past few days, the process of deporting Afghans has also stopped, reported Pakistan's leading Newspaper Dawn on Friday, quoting sources.

The refugees have been asked to leave Pakistan before March 31, which has been set as the deadline to leave Pakistan voluntarily. In case if any illegal foreigner was found in the district, he/she would be rounded up and deported back to their home countries. "Yes, all Afghans who are legal will be relocated from Rawalpindi-Islamabad after the deadline," the newspaper quoted one official as saying.

Last week, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Refugees in Pakistan, an advocacy group based in Karachi and Islamabad working for the rights of Afghan Refugees, released a statement demanding an end to arrests, illegal detention, and harassment of Afghan refugees in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

JAC alleged that directions were made to police stations in Pakistan to arrest all refugees, despite the Pakistan Governmentas deadline of March 31 and regardless of whether they possess a Proof of Registration (PoR), an Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), or a valid visa. JAC for Refugees condemned this action as a gross violation of fundamental rights.

Earlier this month, a coalition of human rights organisations and refugee advocacy groups wrote an open letter to the Pakistani government asking it to immediately halt the forced deportation of Afghan migrants.

"The situation of Afghan refugees in host countries, especially Pakistan, is extremely concerning. The current Afghan government, the United Nations, and international aid organisations must address the conditions of Afghan refugees in these countries," said Mohammad Khan Talebi Mohammadzai, a refugee rights activist.

Several incidents have been reported in Afghan media earlier that highlight plight of the Afghan migrants, including hundreds of women and children, as they are being arrested by police in various Pakistani cities and forcibly deported. Fleeing from war and conflict in their country, migrants from Afghanistan have been taking refuge in Pakistan for decades now. Afghan media has reported that refugees who are either expelled or forcibly deported have faced severe abuse and harassment, especially in Pakistan.
Mumbai, March 14 : Actor and designer Masaba Gupta celebrated her first Holi with daughter Matara. She took to social media and shared what all she did on the special occasion.

Masaba revealed that they played Holi only with flower petals and also enjoyed a festive treat including some yummy Kadhi Chawal, Aloo Bhindi and of course achaar.

"Mataraas first Phoolo wali Holi (with a side of kadhi chawal, aloo bhindi, with chane aur mirch ka achaar ofcourse) happy Holi everyone! Please eat atleast 3 plates of chaat today", Masaba captioned the post.

Her post included an adorable photo of little Matara's feet. The designer further dropped a picture of her mouth-watering food.

A couple of weeks back, Masaba shared a glimpse into her incredible workout routine during her pregnancy on Instagram.

Her inspiring post was captioned, "From acanat believe Iam pregnanta to taking a picture in every angle - watching my body do its thing..what a ride."

The post showed Masaba's baby bump growing with time. She ended the post with the words, "And a new chapter begins".

In January this year, the 'House of Masaba' head disclosed that they have decided to name their little bundle of joy Matara.

Taking to her IG handle, Masaba posted a photo of her hand with a golden bangle, along with her daughter's little hand. The bangle had "Matara" inscribed on it.

Explaining the meaning of the name, Masaba wrote in the caption, "3 months with my Matara..The name embodies the divine feminine energies of 9 Hindu goddesses, celebrating their strength and wisdom. Also, the star of our eyes."

Masaba and husband Satyadeep Mishra welcomed their firstborn on 11th October 2024. The couple announced the pregnancy on 18th April 2024 with a joint post that read, "In other news - Two little feet are on their way to us! Please send love, blessings and banana chips (plain salted ONLY) #babyonboard #mom&dad (sic)."

Masaba tied the knot with actor Satyadeep on 27th January 2023.
Bengaluru, March 14 : The Karnataka Police, on Friday, confirmed that a young woman, who had gone missing more than a week ago, has been murdered, officials said.

The incident has been reported from the Haveri district of Karnataka, with Hindu activists and former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai alleging that it is a case of "love jihad".

The police have arrested the main accused in connection with the case and launched a manhunt for other two accused persons.

Swati Ramesh Byadgi, a nurse and a resident of Masur village, had gone missing on March 3.

The arrested person has been identified as Nayaz, a resident of Halevirapura village.

After searching for Swati, her family lodged a missing person complaint with the Hirekerur police station.

On March 6, Swati's dead body was found in the Tungabhadra River near Pattepura village, located nearby Ranebennur town in Haveri district, within the jurisdiction of the Halageri police station.

The Halageri police, upon recovering the body, initially buried it, assuming it to be that of an orphan.

However, the deceased woman's post-mortem revealed that it was a murder case. Later, the identity of Swati was established as the missing case was lodged, police said.

Swati did not have a father, and her mother and other family members initially had no suspicions.

She was working at a hospital in Ranebennur town.

When the family and police inquired with her colleagues and friends, they learned that she had been in a relationship with a man named Nayaz.

Villagers and Hindu activists suspect that this is a case of "love jihad" and have started a signature campaign, urging the police to take action against Nayaz.

Swati's family and relatives claimed that if she had belonged to a different community, justice would have been served more swiftly.

However, Haveri Superintendent of Police (SP) Anshu Kumar Srivastava, speaking to the media on Friday, said that the post-mortem report confirmed that Swati was murdered.

Three special teams were formed to investigate the case.

After technical analysis and call detail record examination, three suspects were identified and one of them has been arrested.

The police have launched a manhunt for Vinayaka, and Durgachari, the other two accused in the murder case.

According to the SP, Swati had an altercation with the accused, following which they murdered her. The accused then transported her body in a vehicle and dumped it into the Tungabhadra river.

On the other hand, former CM and BJP MP Basavaraja Bommai on Friday condemned the murder of Swati Ramesh Byadgi, a young woman from Masuru village in Rattihalli taluk, Haveri, and alleged that the 'love jihad' network is actively operating in the state, and the rising number of such incidents is due to the lack of fear among criminals.

In a post on X, former CM Bommai said that ever since the Congress government came to power in Karnataka, the safety of women has deteriorated.

It is quite shocking that there have been rising incidents where young women are deceived and murdered in the pretext of love, he added.

The former Chief Minister said that before the Neha Hiremath's murder in Hubballi could subside, another horrifying incident has taken place with the murder of Swati Ramesh Byadgi in Haveri district.

Reports suggest that this, too, could be linked to love jihad, Bommai added.

The BJP leader said that nearly a week after the incident, efforts to protect the main accused, Nayaz, seem evident.

Reports indicate that Nayaz pretended to be in love with Swati, later rejected her for being from a different religion, and decided to marry another woman from his own community. When Swati confronted him about this, he allegedly killed her.

Bommai also alleged that the love jihad network has been actively functioning in the state in recent times.

The rise in such crimes is due to the lack of fear among criminals and emphasised that only strict punishment for the guilty can curb such incidents, he said.

"The police must act without succumbing to any pressure and to take stringent action against those responsible, including those supporting such acts. However, the authorities concerned often fail to handle such cases seriously, allowing them to fade from public memory," Bommai added.

He urged the state government to provide appropriate compensation to Swati's family and ensure justice is served.
Bhopal, March 14 : Four persons including an infant were killed in two separate road accidents occurred in Chhatarpur and Barwani districts of Madhya Pradesh on Friday.

Three members of a family killed when a car carrying them collided with concrete made road-divider during wee hours on Friday near Basari village under Bamitha police station area of Chhatarpur district.

"Two brothers and their families were in the car; they were coming from Gwalior and going to Bageshwar Dham. At around 4.30 in morning on Friday the younger brother Vikas (30) who was driving the car, lost control  probably he might have dozed off, and collided with the road divider.

His elder brother Amrish Solanki (46), Geeta Solanki (40)  wife of Amrish and their daughter Devanshi Solanki (16) died.

Amrish lost his life in way to hospital but the other two died on spot," Ashutosh Shrotriya, Bamitha police station in charge told IANS over phone.

Those injured included Vikas (30) his wife Neha Solanki (28) and their daughter (10). Family members of the injured have taken them to Gwalior for further treatment, the police officer said.

The incident occurred near Basari village, which is 10 km away from Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur.

They were going to participate in Holi Milan programme organised at the Bageshwar Dham. All were residents of Gwalior, the officer further said.

In another incident, occurred in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh, on Friday evening, a bus full of nearly 35 passengers overturned leaving one 17-month-old child dead and 19 others injured.

"One person lost his leg, the other developed a fracture, while 19 other including men, women and children are injured. All of them are admitted to Barwani District Hospital,'' a senior police officer told IANS over phone.

The accident took place near Junajhira village between Silawad-Barwani on Barwani-Sendhwa State Highway-39, the officer further informed.

The bus carrying labourers left Palsud in the afternoon. Before reaching Junajhira village at around 5 pm, the bus went out of control and suddenly overturned on the side of the road. At present, it is not clear how the accident happened.

"Apparently it might be speeding, the matter is being investigated," the officer said. After the accident, the injured were taken to the community health center of Silawad by from where the seriously injured were referred to the district hospital Barwani after first aid.
Hyderabad, March 14 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Friday staged protests across Telangana against the suspension of its MLA Jagdish Reddy from the Assembly for the entire Budget session.

On a call given by BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, the BRS cadres organised protests at various places. The protestors set afire the effigies of the Congress government and raised slogans against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

Leaders of the main opposition party accused the Congress government of trying to muzzle its voice in the Assembly by suspending its MLA. They alleged that the government using suspension as a weapon to stop BRS from raising people's issues.

Jagdish Reddy was suspended from Assembly on Thursday for his alleged unsavoury remarks about Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.

The former minister had made certain remarks during the debate on the motion of thanks to Governor for his address to the joint session of the State Legislature on the first day.

The BRS leaders termed his suspension as undemocratic. They vowed to continue the protest till the suspension is lifted.

The BRS leaders said since the A. Revanth Reddy-led government has done nothing good during the last 15 months, it was conspiring against the BRS leaders in the Assembly due to the fear that they would expose it.

They said if the government tried to silence BRS in the Assembly, the party would take the matter to people's court.

Meanwhile, Rama Rao thanked BRS cadres for organising protests across the state against Jagdish Reddy's suspension.

He asked them to continue the same spirit in protesting against the undemocratic actions of the government and its attempt to cheat people by going back on its promises.

KTR said unable to answer the query of BRS MLA and former minister Jagdish Reddy, the Congress government escaped from the House by suspending him.

"The government can't escape from four crore people," he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Armed robbers stormed the home of Robert Edwin and Lyn Coventry, parents of Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry, tying them up before making off with valuables worth an estimated US$90,000.The two armed men broke into the Glen Lorne residence, restraining the couple by tying their legs with shoelaces before ransacking the house.According to reports, the robbers stole US$15,000 in cash, jewellery worth US$60,000, three hair dryers, Olympic clothing, travel bags, hearing aids valued at US$5,000, and three hunting firearms.Police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident. The attack comes amid a surge in violent crime across Zimbabwe, despite ongoing police crackdowns on armed gangs.National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi recently reiterated the authorities' commitment to tackling crime following the recent bust of an armed robbery syndicate in Bulawayo."We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of all residents. The dismantling of this armed robbery syndicate is a clear demonstration of our determination to tackle crime head-on and bring perpetrators to justice," said Comm Nyathi.As investigations into the Coventry family robbery continue, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
Hyderabad, March 14 : The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), on Friday, prevented a cyber fraud of Rs 1.95 crore by acting swiftly to stop fraudsters from withdrawing money from a bank account, officials said.

The action by TGCSB saved a Hyderabad-based company from losing a huge amount after the fraudsters almost succeeded in cheating its accounts officer.

The accounts officer on March 13 received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number displaying the profile picture of the company's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).

The sender, impersonating the CMD, claimed it was regarding a new project and requested an advance payment of Rs 1.95 crore to a specified account.

Believing the request to be genuine, the officer transferred the amount at 1:02 p.m. on Friday.

Shortly after, the real CMD received a bank notification about the transfer and immediately inquired with the accounts officer.

Upon learning that the transfer was made based on a WhatsApp message, the CMD confirmed he had not sent any such request.

Realising they had fallen victim to a cyber scam, the company promptly filed a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

Upon receiving the complaint, the NCRP call centre officers identified that critical transaction details were missing, making it difficult to trace the fraud.

The TGCSB received the complaint at 2:51 p.m. on March 13.

Acting swiftly, they contacted the complainant, gathered crucial details and screenshots, and coordinated with the bank's nodal officers.

"Due to this quick intervention, the entire Rs 1.95 crore was successfully saved before the fraudsters could withdraw the amount," said TGCSB Director Shikha Goel.

The Bureau has advised citizens to be cautious of financial requests received via WhatsApp, email, or phone calls, even if they appear to come from senior executives.

"Always verify payment requests directly through official communication channels before making transactions. If you suspect fraud, report it immediately through the 1930 Cyber Helpline or www.cybercrime.gov.in to increase the chances of fund recovery," it said.
Srinagar, March 14 : Senior National Conference (NC) leader and Parliament member, Mian Altaf, on Friday, visited the residence of Reyaz Ahmed Bejad in Qazigund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district to offer condolences to his bereaved family.

Reyaz Ahmed Bejad, one of the three tribal men, who went missing under mysterious circumstances nearly a month ago in Qazigund area, was found dead on Thursday and his body was recovered from a stream in Mah area of Kulgam district.

The deceased, Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, 25, of Chandian Pajan, Devsar in Kulgam district along with two other youths -- Showket Ahmed Bajard and Mukhtar Ahmed Awan -- had gone missing since February 13.

The trio had left their home to attend a marriage function in a nearby village.

Mian Altaf met the bereaved family members and extended his heartfelt condolences to them.

He expressed his solidarity with the family during this hour of grief and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul.

He also prayed for strength and patience for the family of the deceased trio to endure the pain of this irreparable loss.

The NC leader also reiterated his demand for a thorough investigation into the incident, and necessary measures to trace the two other missing persons as well as safe return to their home.

Mian Altaf urged the government to provide compensation to the victim's family.

Three civilians had also gone missing in Kathua district on March 6 and their bodies were recovered on March 8 in the higher reaches of Kathua district.

Union Minister of State (MoS), PMO, Jitendra Singh, said that they had been killed by terrorists.

The bodies of the three civilians were found in a river flowing through Inchhu forests in Kathua district's Malhar area on March 8 evening.

The three men, Yogesh, 32, Darshan, 40, and Varun, 14, were reported to be cousins.

They were part of a wedding procession which was on its way from Billawar's Dehota village to Surag village in Malhar on March 6 evening.

When the procession was near Inchhu forests around 8:30 p.m., they reportedly got separated from other members of the wedding party and lost their way in the darkness.

On reaching Surag village, some other members of the wedding party informed the local police that the three persons were missing, sources said.
Itanagar, March 14 : Arunachal Pradesh police on Friday rescued three teenage girls from Assam at Naharlagun railway station, near Itanagar, the police said.

A police officer said that the girls, aged 14 to 15 years, boarded a train from Duliajan intending to reach Tinsukia but inadvertently arrived at Naharlagun railway station in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday.

The girls -- aged 14 to 15 years -- boarded a train on March 12 from Duliajan intending to reach Tinsukia, also in the stateas same region, but inadvertently reached Naharlagun railway station, near Arunachal Pradesh capital on the same day evening.

After getting information from the people in the Naharlagun railway station, the police immediately rescued the girls, provided medical care and took them to Oju Shelter Home at Naharlagun.

Police contacted Assamas Duliajan police, who very quickly traced the parents of the minors.

The three girls reunited with their parents at Papu Hills police station on Friday.

The parents of the minors appreciated the Arunachal Pradesh police for their quick proactive action and coordination with the support of Duliajan Police before their parents were traced.

The swift and professional action by Papu Hills Police in Itanagar ensured the safety and well-being of the teenage girls and also prevented any potential risks of exploitation or human trafficking as well.

The successful action underlined the dedication of law enforcement agencies in safeguarding vulnerable girls, a senior Arunachal Pradesh police official said.

Last year, Arunachal Pradesh police busted an inter-state racket at Chimpu in Papum Pare district. Police rescued five minors and arrested 21 accused in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam.

Arunachal Pradesh Women Commission Chairperson Kenjum Pakam earlier urged the state government to take stern action against those involved in the child trafficking and sexual exploitation racket.
Raipur, March 14 : West Indies Masters came up with a clinical all-round performance to register a six-run win over Sri Lanka Masters in the second semifinal of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 and set up a date with the Sachin Tendulkar-led India Masters in Sunday's title clash. West Indies rode on a half-century by Denesh Ramdin and an equally effective knock from Brian Lara, before Tino Best's four-wicket burst to overcome the Sri Lankans at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Friday.

Raipur, March 14 (IANS) West Indies Masters came up with a clinical all-round performance to register a six-run win over Sri Lanka Masters in the second semifinal of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 and set up a date with the Sachin Tendulkar-led India Masters in Sundayas title clash. West Indies rode on a half-century by Denesh Ramdin and an equally effective knock from Brian Lara, before Tino Bestas four-wicket burst to overcome the Sri Lankans at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Friday.

Lara rolled back the years, leading his sideas fightback with a stroke-filled 41 against a disciplined Sri Lanka Masters attack before Denesh Ramdin provided the late flourish with an explosive unbeaten 50 to propel the West Indies Masters to 179/5. In reply, Sri Lanka Masters could never recover from the early jolts before Tino Best came up with an incisive spell of pace bowling, taking four wickets to eventually restrict the Islanders to 173/9.

Put in to bat, the West Indies Masters were rocked early with the in-form Dwayne Smith falling cheaply. But William Perkins (24) and Lendl Simmons (17) steadied the innings, weathering the powerplay storm with a gritty 43-run partnership.

Just as they seemed to settle, Sri Lanka Masters struck twice in quick succession, tightening their grip and leaving the Caribbean side struggling at 48/3. That brought the West Indies great into the middle, and even at 55, his footwork remained as nimble as ever, his strokes as elegant as they were in his prime.

As Lara took guard with his trademark flourish, the stylish southpaw took it upon himself to anchor the innings. Partnering with Chadwick Walton, Lara stitched together a crucial 60-run stand, guiding his team past the 100-run mark.

Walton, playing the aggressor, took the fight to the Sri Lankan bowlers, hammering a brisk 20-ball 31, before Asela Gunaratne cut short his counterattack, dealing the West Indies Masters another setback. With a final berth at stake and the contest delicately poised, Lara's presence in the middle signalled that the West Indies Masters were far from done.

The iconic left-hander held the fort, threading the gaps, playing the field, and keeping the scoreboard ticking until he retired after facing 33 deliveries and slamming four boundaries and a six.

At the other end, wicketkeeper-batter Denesh Ramdin provided the perfect foil before taking the attack to the opposition with four fours and three mammoth sixes for a quickfire 22-ball 50, ensuring that the West Indies Masters inched closer to the formidable total.

Sri Lanka Mastersa chase never quite took off as wickets tumbled at regular intervals, putting them on the back foot early. Asela Gunaratne was the only batter to rise to the occasion, with a stellar 66 off 42 balls, comprising seven fours and a six, but his valiant effort went in vain against a disciplined West Indies Masters bowling attack.

The West Indies Masters wasted no time in making inroads, striking a massive blow inside the power-play with the prized wicket of skipper Kumar Sangakkara (17). Just as Sri Lanka Masters looked to rebuild, Tino Best produced a fiery spell, rattling the Islanders with twin strikes in the space of three deliveries, removing Upul Tharanga and Lahiru Thirimanne to leave them reeling at 57/3.

With the pressure mounting, Gunaratne stood tall, raging a lone battle with a 32-ball fifty before Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Smith further compounded Sri Lankaas woes, dismissing Seekkuge Prasanna (9) and Chaturanga de Silva (1), respectively.

Best then returned for a second spell, making an immediate impact by sending Jeevan Mendis back to the dugout, reducing the Islanders to a precarious 97/6 with more than six overs still to play.

With Gunaratne still in the middle and Isuru Udana using the long handle to good effect for a 10-ball 21, Sri Lanka Mastersa hopes raised with the pair putting on a vital 39-run partnership until Smith got the better of the latter to douse their aspirations.

The equation was brought down to Sri Lanka Masters needing 15 off the final over, and Gunaratne smoked Lendl Simmons for a six off the first ball before the bowler pulled things back brilliantly by dismissing Gunaratne off the final ball.

On Sunday, India Masters, the winners of the first semifinal will lock horns with the West Indies Masters for the much-anticipated IML 2025 title clash.

Brief scores:

West Indies Masters 179/5 (Denesh Ramdin 50 not out, Brian Lara 41, Chadwick Walton 31; Asela Gunaratne 1/14, Jeevan Mendis 1/26) beat Sri Lanka Masters 173/9 (Asela Gunaratne 66, Upul Tharanga 30; Tino Best 4/27, Dwayne Smith 2/37) by 6 runs.
Washington, March 15 : US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had appealed to Russia's President Vladimir Putin that the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops "completely surrounded" by the Russian military be "spared".

Washington, March 15 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had appealed to Russia's President Vladimir Putin that the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops "completely surrounded" by the Russian military be "spared".

Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, that he made this appeal on a phone call with Putin on Thursday, which he described as "good and productive".

Trump did not specify, but he was referring to the Russian military's advance on a Russian territory in the Kursk region which had been seized by Ukraine.

The Russian President visited that area on Thursday to mark the progress by the military there.

"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end a" BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION," Trump wrote in the post.

"I have strongly requested President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II."

Ukraine's top commander denied Ukrainian troops were being encircled in Kursk, as reported by Reuters, and insisted they were adopting better defensive positions.

President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff reached Moscow for talks on Thursday, the day the Russian leader announced his in-principle agreement to the ceasefire plan offered. But he had made clear his conditions will have to be met before he signed off on it, chiefly that Ukraine must not be allowed to use the pause to mobilise troops and not be supplied with weapons.

A ceasefire of 30 days was proposed by the US and Ukraine accepted it at a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday in a statement issued here said the Union government should take a decision on the issue of delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies on the basis of a consensus.

"The delimitation should be carried out without reducing the existing proportional share of seats of any state. States that have effectively implemented population control measures should not be punished. It is unfair to reduce the proportional representation in Parliament of States that have reduced their population in accordance to the population control programmes and family planning policies introduced by the Union government after independence. It would be tantamount to rewarding the states which have failed in all these," said Vijayan.

He further pointed out that the delimitation process was previously carried out in the country in 1952, 1963 and 1973.

" However, in 1976, a freeze was put on this process through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment until the first census after 2000 (2001). This was to promote population control. Due to the continued disparity in population among the states, it was extended until the first census after 2026 (2031), through the 84th Constitutional Amendment. That situation still exists. The new move in haste by the Union Government is without taking that into account," added Vijayan.

He further pointed out that the Union government's arguments that the south Indian states will get additional seats on a pro-rata basis cannot be taken at face value.

"The Union has not been able to clarify whether this pro-rata distribution will be based on the percentage of the current parliamentary seats or on the basis of population figures. In either case, the South Indian states are bound to lose representation," noted Vijayan.

" Therefore, the Union Government should alleviate the fears of the South Indian states. It is the Union's responsibility to refrain from unilateral measures and preserve the essence of democracy and federalism," said Vijayan.
Ottawa, March 15 : Mark Carney was sworn in as the new Prime Minister here on Friday, formally replacing Justin Trudeau, the media reported.

Carney, who is also an economist, took the oath of the office in the presence of General Mary Simon, the personal representative of Canada's head of state, King Charles.

According to geopolitical analysts, the change of leadership assumes significance in the backdrop of a slide in relations with the US under the new Donald Trump-led administration.

The 59-year-old Carney is a former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England.

According to reports, he took the oath in both English and French.

Carney has left behind others who were in the race to become leader of the ruling Liberal Party, despite not having enough political experience.

Carney's background, however, boasts of dealing with complex economic crises.

Analysts believe that his first major challenge will be addressing the strained US-Canada relations, which is believed to have hit an all-time low.

Carney reportedly plans to reshape his Cabinet, with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc shifting to the international trade portfolio and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne taking over as Foreign Minister.

The move would aim to bolster Canada's alliances in Europe, particularly in London and Paris, where Carney is scheduled to visit next week.

Notably, Carney has replaced Justin Trudeau, who served as Canadian Prime Minister for more than nine years.

In a statement, Carney emphasised his commitment to defending Canadian sovereignty, saying he would only meet with Trump "when there is respect for Canadian sovereignty," according to reports.

Reports citing Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly suggested that efforts are currently underway to arrange a call between Trump and Carney.

--IANS

int/scor/
News / National

by Staff reporter

South Africa could lose its United States consulate in Johannesburg if the city changes the name of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.On Thursday, 13 March 2025, a motion to rescind renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive was dismissed after a vote during a council meeting.Many councillors claimed that the process of renaming Sandton Drive was fraught with problems, including questionable support from residents.These councillors argued that the city should focus on service delivery instead of wasting money on vanity projects like name changes.They added that thousands of residents and businesses in Sandton opposed the change and that it was highly controversial.However, other Johannesburg councillors supported the name change, arguing that it shows support for Palestine.Most of the City of Johannesburg councillors voted against the motion to rescind the renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.Joel Pollak, the frontrunner to become the United States Ambassador to South Africa, warned that this name change could have severe consequences.It will see the United States close its consulate in Johannesburg, which is located at 1 Sandton Drive in Sandhurst."The consulate will be closed and not be reopened. It will not be moved and go to another office. The United States will not do business with Johannesburg," he said.Pollak added in a post on X, "Helpfully, the renaming would create another savings for DOGE: close the consulate."Leila Khaled is a controversial freedom fighter for Palestinian rights and a former Palestinian militant and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).Khaled gained prominence after her role in the TWA Flight 840 hijacking in 1969 and one of the four simultaneous Dawson's Field hijackings the following year.She was imprisoned for the hijackings but was released in a prisoner exchange for civilian hostages kidnapped by other PFLP members.The ANC is an ally to Palestine. Since the 1950s, the ANC has enjoyed strong ties with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).Last year, the ANC in the City of Joburg Council, supported by the EFF, proposed renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.The ANC's first deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, was particularly keen on the name change.She reportedly said, "We want the United States of America embassy to change their letterhead to Number 1 Leila Khaled Drive"."We are sending a message that they cannot dominate us and tell us what to do. It must be in their face, it must be in their computers, in their letterheads," she is quoted as saying.Should the name change go through and the consulate closes, as Pollak warned, it will greatly impact South Africans.The United States Consulate in Johannesburg provides consular services in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North-West Provinces.These services include helping Americans with emergencies and assisting them with documents like passports and reports of birth.The Consulate helps non-Americans, mostly South Africans, with non-immigrant and immigrant visas to the United States.South Africans will have to travel to Cape Town and Durban to get the services they currently receive from the United States consulate in Johannesburg.
The surge in violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has some commentators blaming a familiar scapegoat: mineral trade and American technology companies whose products contain coltan and other conflict minerals. Eastern Congo is rich in these minerals, which are vital to the production of smartphones, computers, and gaming electronics. But mineral trade is not the underlying cause of violence. Policies that assume it is are common, but can do more harm than good.

Consider the lawsuit filed against Apple in December claiming the company bears responsibility for war crimes because it buys minerals from areas patrolled by armed groups. The suit comes after global protests, held outside Apple stores across the world, on the launch day of iPhone 16. Apple has reacted by ordering its suppliers to stop sourcing minerals from the DRC, which is the easiest way to appear conflict-free and to avoid reputational damage. Yet history suggests boycotts will make matters worse, not better.

The dismal record of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 is a case in point. It includes a provision that Senator Barney Frank said would cut off funding to people who kill people and create a more secure and peaceful life in Congo. Billions of dollars have since been spent on compliance, which requires companies to disclose if their mineral supply chains might fund rebel groups. Yet, according to a 2024 report from the US Government Accountability Office, peace and security have not improved with the SEC disclosure rule. This now is an understatement, given thousands have died in eastern DRC fighting since January.

Dodd-Franks conflict mineral provision was a response to well-intended advocacy groups who believed the war in Congo had a simple cause and solution. Like todays protestors of Apple, they thought minerals for your smartphone were both the motivation and the fuel for violence. The solution was to go after warlord wallets by naming and shaming companies who couldnt prove their supply chains didnt finance guns. This policy, thought the advocates, would isolate the bad guys, cause them to wither, and reduce battles, looting, rape, and other violence against civilians.

They were wrong, unfortunately. Not only did the policy fail to improve security, but it also caused other serious harm to the Congolese people.

First, rather than risk the appearance of being socially irresponsible, many American companies simply stopped buying from the Congo. This caused a devastating boycott on the already impoverished eastern DRC, which had an informal mining sector of a million workers with spillovers from its economic activity benefiting millions more. Economic fallout cut access to health care, leading to a doubling of infant mortality near mining sites.

Dodd-Frank also disrupted tenuous security in the DRC. It gave non-state militias incentives to look elsewhere for revenue. Evidence suggests they did so by looting civilians more frequently and by fighting with competing militias for scarce revenue sources, leading to more armed conflict.

These hardships may have been worth it if the regulations eventually delivered improvements in security. Unfortunately, the GAO report finds no evidence of this from the passage of the law to the present, as current conditions highlight. Instead, it highlights reductions of employment at tantalum (coltan), tin, and tungsten mines  which are, along with gold, the conflict minerals under Dodd-Frank - and spreading violence noting armed groups have increasingly fought for control of gold mines since it is more portable and less traceable than the other three minerals. Conflict-free mine certification under Dodd-Frank has simply pushed violence to new areas, rather than reducing it.

Lawsuits, boycotts, and mineral regulations have failed to improve security because minerals are not the primary driver of DRC conflict. As a letter from local experts in DRC explained, the conflict minerals campaign misunderstands the relationship between minerals and conflicts in the DRC. Armed groups have other revenue sources such as charcoal, timber, and agriculture, and do not depend on smartphone sales to motivate or finance their fighting.

Moreover, as locals in the DRC understand better than Western human rights activists, there is a blurry line between militia exploitation and productive governance in remote mining communities. Militias can act as local governments providing security and infrastructure. Inadvertently defunding them  as the regulations and boycotts have done - can cause insecurity by weakening their ability to defend against rebels from other regions, such as the M23 force now wreaking havoc in eastern Congo.

The failure of the Dodd-Frank Act must inform todays policies, including the Trump administrations choices on if and how to intervene. Though mineral trade can be associated with violence, it is not the underlying cause. And because mineral trade creates badly needed income, infrastructure, and health care in poor regions like the eastern DR Congo, actions that lead to boycotts or company withdrawals from mineral trade do more harm than good.

Dominic P. Parker is the Anderson-Bascom professor of Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin and the Ilene and Morton Harris Senior Fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution.
A new teaser trailer and first-look images have been released for the fourth season of the hit Starz crime drama BMF ahead of its June premiere.

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BMF, based on a true story, follows the rise of Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory and his brother Terry "Southwest T" Flenory. Their Black Mafia Family gang built one of the most powerful drug empires in America during the 1980s and 1990s.

The show is produced by rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson through his G-Unit film and television company. Demetrius Flenory Jr., the convicted gangster's real-life son, plays his father in the show while Da'Vinchi plays Terry.

In Season 4, Meech and Terry evade danger with their supplier south of the border. Meech learns of a prophecy foretelling his ascent in the criminal world, causing him to believe in his invincibility as the gangsters are chased by determined law enforcement.

The new teaser stressed the life-and-death stakes of their illicit business amid fallout from their Mexico trip while the first-look images hint at the Black Mafia Family's expansion from their roots in Atlanta and Detroit to St. Louis and Los Angeles.

The show's third season averaged nearly 10 million multiplatform viewers, Starz said in a news release. New episodes of BMF air Fridays beginning June 6.
West Side Story actress Rachel Zegler is set to take the West End stage in Evita, which plays at the London Palladium beginning June 14.

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Zegler is set to portray Argentina's former first lady, Eva Peron , in the musical helmed by Jamie Lloyd.

"I've heard Rachel sing some of the score -- she's going to blow the roof off the London Palladium," he told Deadline.

Patti LuPone previously played Eva when Evita ran on Broadway.

"Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would song 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina,' together on my back patio," Zegler said in a press release.

"The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company," she continued.

Previews begin June 14 and the show officially opens July 1. It will play through September.

Evita, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice, was previously adapted as a 1996 film starring Madonna.

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Zegler is also set to star in Disney's live-action remake of the 1937 animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which premieres March 21.
By Dave Merrill & Luke Hartle

If youve been following the development of concealed carry handguns for the past several years, the base properties of the FN Reflex wont be surprising: 9mm, high capacity for its size due to a stagger-stack magazine, polymer construction, and a width of about an inch. To their credit, FN is aware that theyre not the ones currently setting the benchmarks and breaking new ground in this arena, so they knew theyd have to do it right  and do it better.

THE ORIGINAL REFLEX

FN launched the 503 in March of 2020. It wouldnt be entirely incorrect to say the FN 503 was a single-stack variation of the much larger FN 509, but the striker-fired FN 503 featured a capacity of 6+1. Seven rounds on tap was popular in previous generations of slimline carry guns like Glocks G43, but in a post-P365 era with magazines nearly double the capacity within a similar size, it fell short.

In the wake of the FN 503, the team at FN America regrouped. The engineers at FN took stock of previous offerings, ultimately deciding it should have a hammer rather than a striker. While we jokingly called the action of the FN Reflex a weird baby between the rimfire FN 502 and the striker FN 509, the real inspiration for the hammer came from the FN Five-seveN pistol.

Like the Five-seveN, the hammer is internal, hidden, and swinging inside a crevice in the slide, rather than outside like the FN 502. The hammer-fired action allowed them to keep the frame only an inch wide and also came with the added benefit of requiring less strength from the user to rack the slide.

Similarly, the magazine isnt entirely new because FN already had a nice quasi-stagger-stack magazine design. The similarities in geometry in the FN Reflex magazines and the FN Hi-Power (and newer FN High Power) arent an accident. Regardless of the geometry of the magazines, theyre clearly OEMd by Mec-Gar of Italy, evidenced in part by the high-quality construction, glossy finish, and red followers.

Its hard to have a good trigger on a striker gun without pre-loading the striker spring. Not only do pre-loaded striker springs require a correspondingly stronger recoil spring assembly to ensure reliable operation, the safety of such systems has been called into question. Not an issue with hammer-fired guns. The hinge trigger has a break hovering right at 5 pounds. It shouldnt be considered a match trigger, but its consistent.

Theres a considerable amount of pre-travel, during which the wide polymer face can be felt, but the wall before the break is dependable. If youre the type to take up slack, youll like this one.

Instead of trotting out a non-optic model first and then following with an optics-ready model in an effort to sell us the same pistol twice, FN released the Reflex and Reflex MRD at the same time. There are still those out there who dont want the slightly extra effort running a dot requires, and those people will pay less (about $50 street) for the Reflex.

Like the FN 509, the FN Reflex has standard dovetails for sights. As shipped, the sights on the FN Reflex include a high-viz orange ring with Tritium insert on the front, with plain white dots on the rear.

Shipping with just a cover plate and two sets of screws, the FN Reflex only accepts micro dots with Holosun K or Shield RMSc footprints. If you have a dot with a different base (and dont mind a little overhang) the aftermarket has you covered, with companies like SAS Tactical Customs making adapter plates at the expense of a taller optic.

While not everyone is an advocate of carrying with a weapon-mounted light (WML), FN wanted to ensure it was an option: The answer was the G43X/G48 railed model cut. There are indeed many carry pistols that have sold more units than the G43X MOS, but the people who use weapon lights on compact carry guns seem to largely carry guns with that rail attachment method.

THE REFLEX XL MRD

SPECS:

Caliber: 9mm

Weight Unloaded: 20 ounces

Magazine Capacity: 10, 15, 18

Length: 6.75 inches

Height: 5.2 inches

Width: 1.08 inches

Barrel: 3.8 inches

MSRP: $719

As is to be expected with any familial lineage, certain traits carry on for better or worse  and in the case of the Reflex, its definitely for the better. After nearly five years of success with the original Reflex, FN has added another branch to the family tree with the Reflex XL MRD.

The XL is a spitting image of its parental template, with a bit longer legs and a touch more in the hips.

It wears an additional half-inch of length on the barrel  equating to just a touch more than a half-inch in additional overall length. Is that enough to be cumbersome? Doubtful, and remember that a longer slide means a longer sight radius and higher muzzle velocity as well.

Palmetto State Armory $600 Guns.Com $600 Sportsman's Warehouse $600

And in regard to width? Well, the XL is 0.08-inch wider than the original. It feels like a safe statement to say that measures a nothing on the noticeability scale.

Most noticeable, however, is the extended overall height of the XL, which is about an inch more than original. Sure, that definitely has the potential to hamper concealability, but as is the case with the longer slide, more grip equals more gun  and that equals easier handling.

But, hey  its an XL. What did you expect?
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President Donald Trump (R) meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday. The two men met behind closed doors for a strategic luncheon. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI

March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Thursday to discuss current events affecting the United States and NATO, including the war in Ukraine.

The meeting occurred during a closed-door strategic luncheon that began at 12:35 p.m. EDT at the White House as Rutte seeks to keep the United States as an active member of NATO.

Rutte is scrambling to keep NATO intact as officials in France and the United Kingdom have approached Trump directly to make respective defense agreements, Politico reported.

"The real challenge for [Rutte] now is to become the Trump whisperer and make sure that President Trump and America stay involved in NATO," said Geidrimas Jeglinskas, former NATO official and current chairman of the Lithuania National Security and Defense Committee.

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Trump has demanded European nations contribute more financially to NATO instead of requiring the United States to continue paying nearly twice as much as all other member states combined.

President Donald Trump has demanded other NATO members contribute amounts equal to 5% of their respective GDPs to fund NATO ahead of Thursday's meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI

Trump wants all NATO member states to contribute up to 5% of their gross domestic product instead of relying on the United States to continue supplying a large majority of NATO funding.

The meeting between Rutte and Trump also comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to a 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine, NewsNation reported.

President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday as Rutte seeks to keep NATO intact to effectively deter Russian expansion in Europe. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI

Officials in Italy, Germany and Poland also are working with France and the United Kingdom to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia and end the three-year war that began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

NATO military leaders and diplomats of the alliance's member states outside of the United States are meeting in Paris to discuss matters in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI

Defense experts for the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Poland also are meeting separately in what former Italina NATO ambassador Stefano Stefanini told Politico could be a "harbinger of this new NATO" alliance.

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NATO has existed for eight decades and has changed its mission focus as the geopolitical situation has evolved from the Cold War to securing airspace over Bosnia and Libya.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI

The new focus is to protect European nations amid Russian aggression in Ukraine that might target other nations, including Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as Putin seeks to restore the former Soviet Union territories.

The United States has about 84,000 troops in Europe, but leaders of the European states recognize the need to provide their own defense against Russia and other potential aggressors instead of relying on the United States, Politico reported.
New India Assurance and Niva Bupa have invested in the Bima Sugam India Federation.

IMAGE: Debasish Panda, chairman, Irdai. Photograph: ANI Photo

The suspense as to the amount raised and the list of insurers --life/general/health insurers who have subscribed to the controversial about Rs 330 crore (Rs 3.3 billion) private placement of equity by Bima Sugam India Federation.

The issue is controversial as Bima Sugam India Federation is registered as a private limited company and Indian insurers are prohibited by the Insurance Act from investing in such companies.

Conflicting views were expressed by industry officials on the issue with some saying the majority of insurers have subscribed to the private placement and some saying insurers are on wait and watch mode.

This correpondent can spot only two out of the eight listed insurers and unlisted government owned insurers announcing their acquisition of equity shares in Bima Sugam India Federation on the BSE after February 21, 2025.

Public sector general insurer The New India Assurance Company Limited in a regulatory filing has said that it has invested a total of Rs 5 crore in Bima Sugam India Federation in two tranches -- Rs 100,000 on November 7, 2024 and Rs 4.99 crore (Rs 49.9 million) on March 6, 2025.

'Bima Sugam will act as a one-stop solution platform for people to access all the products of all the insurance companies. It will be a digital platform to be regulated by IRDAI where the customers can buy insurance policies and get their claims settled and will also be useful for all the stakeholders like Insurers, Agents, Depositories, etc,' New India Assurance said in its filing.

Similarly, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited in a regulatory filing on February 28, 2025 has said it has invested Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million) in the Bima Sugam India Federation through private placement totalling to 1.51% stake in the latter.

'Bima Sugam India Federation is an initiative of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) incorporated to create a unified digital marketplace that seamlessly connects customers, insurers and intermediaries, fostering financial security nationwide. It aims to become the largest online market for insurance products and services,' Niva Bupa Health said.

The other listed insurance companies are: ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited, SBI Life Insurance Company Limited, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited and Go Digit General Insurance Limited.

Bima Sugam India Federation in a communication to the 58 insurance companies had earlier said that the private placement offer opens on Februaury 21, 2025 and closes on February 28, 2025 and requested them to subscribe.

Meanwhile, IRDAI continue to remain silent on the matter of insurers investing funds in a private limited company contravening the Insurance Act with several industry experts including its first Chairman N Rangachary pointing out the legal position.

"It is imprudent on the part of Indian insurance companies to invest out of the shareholders' fund in a private limited company. The insurers cannot invest in a private limited company from their policyholders' fund," Rangachary, IRDAI's first chairman, had told this correspondent.

It was Rangachary who laid the regulatory path for insurers after the sector was opened up for private players.

The path laid more than twenty years ago has stood the test of time with no major failures.

IRDAI has categorically recommended and silently mandated Indian insurers to invest in the Bima Sugam India Federation.

"The statutory embargo as enshrined under section 27A(4) of the Insurance Act is unequivocal that an insurer is prohibited from investing in a private company. The section does not carve out an exception for investment in a non-profit organisation," D Varadarajan, a Supreme Court lawyer specialising in insurance and corporate laws.

Varadarajan was also a member of the K P N Committee on Insurance Laws and Reforms and other expert groups constituted by IRDAI.

"Hence, tweaking of investment regulations in purported exercise of regulation making to perpetuate investments in Bima Sugam, in my considered view suffers from the vice of excessive delegation and would tantamount to backdoor legislation by the regulator, which is abhorrent to the power of Parliament, and cannot be countenanced at law or at all," Varadarajan added.

"As per the Insurance Act Section 27A (4) an insurer shall not out of his controlled fund or assets invest or keep invested in the shares or debentures of any private limited company," former IRDAI chief general manager S N Jayasimhan told this correspondent. "The term controlled funds includes shareholders funds as well."

"Nevertheless, the question is how can IRDAI direct insurers to invest in a particular company? If permitted now, IRDAI is taking the role of investment committee under the board of the insurer." Jayasimhan added.

"Also, IRDAI will be held responsible for the performance of such investment. All that IRDAI can do is to lay down the prudential norms, for where an onsurer can invest and fix limits for individual investments, group, promoter group and industry sector," Jayasimhan explained.

IRDAI in a letter in October 2023 informed the General Insurance Council that the competent authority has accorded general approval under Regulation 3(d) of IRDAI (Investment) Regulations, 2016 to the insurers for investing in the proposed company (Bima Sugam Platform) to be formed under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, provided the insurers comply with the exposure and prudential norms specified under Regulation 9 IRDAI (Investment) Regulations, 2016.

It is common knowledge that the regulations cannot override the Act governing the sector.

Speaking about the unclear business model, a CEO of a private insurer said the way the entire portal is structured, it will work only in the case of standard insurance products and not where the policies offer different risk covers.

"What is the cost, revenue model for the Bima Sugam India Federation is not known. How it will be funded and till now how much has been spent and wherefrom it got the resources were not disclosed. But companies have been asked to contribute about Rs 330 crore and another Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) over the next three years," the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It is not known who had nominated the directors on the board of Bima Sugam India Federation and how did the board come into being, industry officials question.

Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at venkatacharijagannathan@gmail.com

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
A large number of medical device-manufacturing units have been forced to move to Vietnam and Malaysia due to delays, inconsistent timelines, and a lack of transparency in licensing processes, according to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

Photograph: Daniel Acker/Reuters

Rather, several medical devices manufacturers are scared to set up a unit in India due to delaying tactics of the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation), the panel added in a report presented in the Rajya Sabha this week.

Commenting on the issue, Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (Aimed), said the industry had conveyed to the Union heath secretary issues related to delays in getting licences.

These include intervention for streamlining processes, holding training webinars for state regulators along with manufacturers and holding periodic meetings of the Medical Devices Technical Advisory Group (MDTAG), which had been created in 2020 to address regulatory issues but has yet to meet even once, he added.

To counter this, the committee has recommended implementing a digitised and trackable licensing system, which must include defined timelines for each stage of the licensing process with automatic notifications to applicants and a publicly accessible database allowing for real-time tracking.

This will help to identify bottlenecks, promote transparency, reduce discretionary decision-making, and foster a more efficient and predictable regulatory environment, said the panel, chaired by Samajwadi Party Member Ram Gopal Yadav.

Asking the CDSCO to shed its image of being a relic of the licence raj, the committee recommended establishing an independent industry advisory board comprising representatives of manufacturers (including startups), importers, health care providers, and experts.

The board would provide regular feedback to the CDSCO on regulatory challenges and potential improvement, participate in developing guidelines and policies, and serve as a platform for resolving disputes.

Terming the frequently delayed queries raised by the CDSCO a major obstacle for applicants, particularly startups, the committee recommended overhauling the query process.

This would include establishing a single-query policy where all questions would be consolidated and raised at once rather than in multiple rounds and implementing a system of conditional approvals within 45 days, based on self-declaration and submitting documents, especially for products with international certifications.

To counter challenges on capacity and expertise, the panel recommended accelerating the recruitment of qualified drugs inspectors and other key persons in the medical-device vertical.

The panel asked for exploring lateral entries of professionals from device manufacturers.

Among other recommendations are promoting startups, preventing delays and having regular stakeholder consultations in the form of open forums, workshops, and online platforms.

Panel asks CDSCO to shed its image of being a relic of the licence raj, and calls for establishing an independent industry advisory board
'There is no question that Putin's preference will be to avoid unpleasantness with Trump, leave alone a collision course,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump talks to the media, next to Tesla CEO Elon Musk with his son X  A-12, at the White House, March 11, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The political optics of the joint statement (external link) issued after the US-Ukrainian talks at Jeddah on March 11 lasting nine hours is hard to tell since President Donald Trump prides himself on his ability to strike deals.

Prima facie, the optics are that Ukraine caved in and accepted a Trump administration proposal for a 30-day cease-fire with Russia and on its part, the latter agreed to immediately lift a pause on intelligence sharing with Kyiv and resume military assistance.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Fox News TV broadcast said that Trump 'put Zelenskyy in his place and told him that the Americans are serious about a long-term peace deal... And we are very, very pleased with the way that the Ukrainians and this deal today turned out.'

However, there are fine prints in a joint statement, which add the caveat that 'Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day cease-fire' if Russia did the same. The statement qualifies that 'The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace'.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio interpreted that the agreement now puts the pressure on Russia to end the war. 'We'll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope that they'll say yes, that they'll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court.'

Rubio signalled that if Moscow doesn't sign up to the ceasefire, 'then we'll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.' For sure, coercive diplomacy has crept in.

Curiously, even before talks began in Jeddah, Rubio had told reporters, 'It should be clear to everyone that the United States has tools available to also impose costs on the Russian side of this equation, but we hope it doesn't come to that.'

'What we're hoping is that both sides realise that this is not a conflict that can end by military means; it can only end by diplomatic means. And the President's goal is to bring them both to the table to get this resolved.

'But it's a reminder that we understand that the United States has tools at its disposal if in fact this falls apart, and -- but we're hoping it doesn't. We really do. We hope it doesn't reach that point.'

There has been no public indication so far that Russia would accept an unconditional, month-long ceasefire that compromises the core objectives of the special military operations. Indeed, that's what the Russian people will expect from President Vladimir Putin.

Of course, Putin himself had indicated in January, 'The goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations living in this region.'

It will be politically damaging for Moscow to retract from the terms spelt out by Putin last June in his address to the foreign ministry in Moscow as conditions for Russia agreeing to peace talks.

Again, the generals' opinion has to be taken into account. The Russian forces have managed slow but consistent advances in the east in the Donetsk region and are preparing for breaking through into the neighbouring region of Dnipropetrovsk.

Only last weekend, after heavy fighting, they managed a significant breakthrough in the Kursk region, coming close to encircling around 10,000 elite Ukrainian troops.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, July 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Clearly, it is not going to be easy for Putin to order the generals that it's time for a ceasefire that may look like a strategic defeat as the Russian forces are still failing in their core strategic goals.

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the international affairs committee of the upper house of Russia's parliament, probably reflected the mainstream elite opinion in a post on Telegram that: 'Russia is advancing. Real agreements are still being written there, at the front. Which they should understand in Washington, too.'

On the other hand, there is no question that Putin's preference will be to avoid unpleasantness with Trump, leave alone a collision course. Putin has to tread with care, as Trump will not like anyone stopping him from getting his deal.

On Monday, in a subtle suggestion that Putin and Trump are sailing in the same boat, Tass carried two reports warning that British activities in Odessa directly threaten Russian interests and, furthermore, that 'According to the information received by the SVR (the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service), the British leadership sees a threat to its interests in the promotion of dialogue between the US and Russia to resolve the Ukrainian conflict... London is extremely irritated by the fact that Donald Trump 'dialogues with Russia as a superpower and shows disregard to close allies.'

The SVR statement added, 'The British authorities consider it an 'urgent priority' to undermine 'peacekeeping' efforts of the new US administration on the Ukrainian track. The media and specialised NGOs are tasked with demonising Trump, portraying him as 'a man with a poor peacekeeping record and susceptible to Kremlin manipulation.'

Interestingly, Tass also reported on a telephone conversation between Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin and director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe. The readout said, 'the parties discussed the issues of interaction of both intelligence agencies in areas of common interest and the settlement of crisis situations' and reached an agreement 'on maintaining regular contact between the SVR and CIA directors with the aim of facilitating international stability and security and reducing confrontation in relationships between Moscow and Washington.'

IMAGE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 10, 2025. Photograph: Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

Evidently, Zelenskyy, tutored by his American friends and European advisers, has decided on a play-along strategy to avoid antagonising Trump counting, arguably, that he should leave it to Putin to cross and disappoint Trump. Put differently, in an iterative process, Ukraine needs to project itself as the constructive party.

That said, in the final analysis, the dynamics are such that personal diplomacy rather than ideological commitments or even military achievements may come to prevail.

The outcome will depend on the personal agreements -- or the lack thereof -- between Putin and Trump.

Trump himself told reporters that he thought he would speak with Putin this week and that he hoped a lasting cease-fire would be negotiated in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly planning to travel to Moscow to meet Putin. He had a meeting with Putin lasting several hours last month.

The bottom line is that one way or another, Moscow will have to decide quickly how to play Trump. To my mind, in this bouquet of thorny roses out of Jeddah, the likelihood is that Putin may opt to string discussions out by offering a succession of counter proposals.

Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for 29 years.
Popular comic book character Archie and his friends are learning about Holi as the celebration of the festival of colours in India is featured in the comic's latest edition.

IMAGE: Girls smear colours on each other while celebrating Holi in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Co-CEO of Archie Comic Publications Nancy Silberkleit told PTI that Holi celebration is part of a new 10 page Archie comic story in 'The World of Betty & Veronica digest #38' released Thursday, coming as the festival of colours is being celebrated in India and around the world.

"The thought behind this is the beauty of India that I have experienced in India," Silberkleit said on featuring the story of Holi in the comic book.

In the digest, the story on Holi is titled 'Celebration Surprise', with Archie and his beloved friends Betty and Veronica learning about Holi and the traditions of fun and food associated with it.

She said that another important ingredient to this project was her desire to celebrate Om Arora, the owner of Delhi-based Variety Book Depot credited with connecting Archie Comics to India.

"After so many decades of Om's business 'The Variety Book Depot' being the distributor of Archie throughout India, Om and I unite, we are family," she said.

"Just think a comic book company and a gentleman from India made a journey decades ago to request distribution of Archie Comics into India," she added.

Silberkleit recalls her own experiences of celebrating Holi during her travels to India, through which she said she has also experienced art that celebrates India's creativity.

"My travels mainly to New Delhi, Pune, Jaipur have always been business. I know there is so much more for me to learn about India, it's people, the vibrancy and the culture. I'm excited to explore more of India, especially Goa and Ooty that I have heard so much about," Silberkleit said.

"My heart has two homes: the US and India!"

Silberkleit shared that the bonds she has created with India and its people during her travels to the country are the 'ingredients' that led to the 'Celebration Surprise' story on Holi.

"It's been the experience of many generous people I have met on these travels. Inviting me into their homes has been extraordinarily touching. I have learned so much from each person's generosity, it has stamped a lasting connection to my memory of that individual into my heart," she said.

"Along with that comes learning about their culture that is so unique and special! Friendships, cooking, the beautiful colours of India, streets always celebrating life are the ingredients that sparked Celebration Surprise," she said.

"I have learned to make Roti! From their kitchen now to mine," she added.

Noting the story's specialised speech bubble, she said she told her team 'that it had to feel like India.

"I had a vision and I needed the pencils to be throughout the story... so the reader would be immersed into India and to visualise and feel the excitement of the celebrations," she said adding that she requested her team that the shapes, lines, patterns of India find its way into the penciling of the story.

The story of 'Celebration Surprise' is by John A Wilcox and Barry Grossman.

The team that worked on the project include penciler Fernando Ruiz, inker Allen Milgrom, letter by Andrew Thomas and colourist Dheeraj Kumar Mishra.

'Celebration Surprise' is published in the digest 'The World of Betty & Veronica digest #38', which has many other stories.

"Celebration Surprise is in the center of this digest," she said adding that the cover for the digest highlights iconic friendships and sharing, which is 'a perfect cover for Celebration Surprise'.

"Here at Archie comics we are wishing all a joyful and colourful Holi. May this day and beyond be filled with happiness, laughter, and bright colourful celebrations," Silberkleit said in her message.
An 'autonomous hydraulic powered robot' equipped with special machinery, has been deployed to accelerate the search operation for seven persons trapped inside the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool.

Photograph: ANI Photo

The equipment includes a 30 HP capacity liquid ring vacuum pump and a vacuum tank machine, which are helpful in quick removal of soil and other works inside the tunnel, an official statement said.

Instead of manual digging, autonomous hydraulic-powered robo is being used to remove soil with speed. About 620 cubic metres of soil and muck can be shifted out of the tunnel in an hour by using a conveyor belt, it added.

The use of machines with latest technology would help in carrying out the operation efficiently.

State Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar has been supervising the search operation.

Teams from the Army, the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, HRDD (human remains detection dogs, state-run miner Singareni Collieries, a Hyderabad-based robotics company and others have been actively involved in the mission.

The body of Gurpreet Singh, who worked as a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operator, was recovered on March 9. The body was handed over to his family members in Punjab.

Apart from Gurpreet Singh, the seven others still trapped include Manoj Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Sunny Singh (Jammu & Kashmir), Gurpreet Singh (Punjab), and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, and Anuj Sahu, all from Jharkhand.

The eight individuals -- comprising engineers and labourers -- got trapped in the SLBC project tunnel after a portion of it collapsed on February 22.
The Enforcement Directorate Thursday said it has found "multiple irregularities" in the operations of TASMAC that has monopoly over liquor trade in Tamil Nadu, including "manipulation" in the tender processes and "unaccounted" cash transactions worth Rs 1,000 crore through distillery companies.

IMAGE: ED officials conduct a raid at Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation headquarters located at Thalamuthu Natarajar building, in Chennai, March 6, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The federal agency claimed in a statement that it got "evidence" suggesting these corrupt practices after it raided the employees, corporate offices of distilleries and plants of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) on March 6.

ED sources, on the day of the raids, had said the searches were also conducted against "key associates" linked to prohibition and excise department minister Senthil Balaji.

The ED said it found "incriminating" data related to transfer postings, transport and bar licence tenders, indent orders "favouring" few distillery companies, excess charge of Rs 10-30 per bottle by TASMAC outlets, with the "involvement" of TASMAC officials, during the searches.

It said this data shows "manipulation" in TASMAC's transport tender allocations where a "glaring" issue was the "mismatch" between the KYC details of the applicant and the demand draft (DD), suggesting that the final successful bidder did not even obtain the requisite DD before the application deadline.

Tenders were awarded despite having only a single applicant in the final bid. TASMAC paid over Rs 100 crore annually to transporters, as per the ED.

In the case of allocation of bar licence tenders by TASMAC, "evidence" related to "manipulation" of tender conditions was found including a "glaring" issue of applicants without any GST/PAN numbers and KYC documentation being allotted the final tenders, it said.

The agency said it found records to show "direct" communication between distillery companies and higher TASMAC officials, exposing efforts to secure increased indent orders and "undue" favours.

The searches also found "large-scale" financial fraud involving distillery companies like SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery and bottling entities such as Devi Bottles, Crystal Bottles and GLR Holding, the ED alleged.

The distilleries "systematically inflated" expenses and "fabricated" bogus purchases, particularly through bottle-making companies, to siphon off over Rs 1,000 crore in "unaccounted" cash.

These funds were then used as "kickbacks" to secure increased supply orders from TASMAC, as per the ED.

In the case of the bottling companies, the ED found that they "inflated" sales figures, allowing distilleries to route excess payments, which were later withdrawn in cash and returned after deducting commissions.

"This collusion between distilleries and bottling companies was done through manipulation of financial records, concealed cash flows, and systematic evasion.

"The findings confirm a network where unaccounted cash was deliberately generated through inflated and bogus expenses and subsequently utilized for purposes leading to huge profits," the agency alleged.
At least five people were injured after an assailant attacked people with an iron rod in the Golden Temple premises on Friday.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The attack took place at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai which is a lodging facility for pilgrims.

Two patients in serious condition were shifted to Vallah.

The assailant was identified as Zulfan, a resident of Haryana.

ACP Jaspal Singh said, "A person named Zulfan resident of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana climbed on the second floor of Guru Ram Das Sarai complex. He had an iron rod in his hand. When a worker tried to stop him, he attacked the worker Jasbir Singh. When the devotees and other workers tried to stop him, he attacked them also. They handed over Zulfan to police...A case has been registered and further investigation is underway."

Dr Sahil Kundra, Medical officer at the Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital said that two patients are in critical condition.

Dr Sahil Kundra said, "Five patients were admitted to the hospital. Two patients are serious and have been shifted to Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College & Hospital, Vallah. Three patients have been relieved after getting first aid. Out of the two patients one is on ventilator."

Earlier, Kotwali SHO Sarmel Singh said, "Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has handed over a person named Zulfan to the police. There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, and people of both sides suffered injuries. The workers of SGPC have also been injured. Action will be taken according to law."

The patients were admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar. The hospital is run by the SGPC.
Four militants of different Imphal Valley-based proscribed outfits were arrested in separate operations, the police said on Friday.

IMAGE: Security forces with the recovered arms and ammunitions during search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal, Manipur, March 14, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Manipur police on X

A member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was arrested from her house in Sagolband Sayang Kurao Makhong in Imphal West district on Thursday. She was identified as Thokchom Ongbi Anita Devi (46), they said.

Among the items recovered from her were a pistol with a magazine, 33 live rounds, five SIM cards, and six mobile phones, they added.

A member of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF-K) was arrested from near the India-Myanmar border in Tenugopal district. He was identified as Moirangtham Ricky Singh (22) of Khurai Chairenthong in Imphal East district.

An active cadre of the banned PREPAK, involved in extorting local businesses, was arrested from Sekmaijin Ningolkhong in Kakching district.

He was identified as Laishram Bishorjit Meitei (33).

Another man was arrested for extorting money from vehicles transporting timber, police said.

Yumnam Premjit Meitei (54) was arrested from a furniture shop at Kakwa in Imphal West district. He was associated with the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Apunba).

In another incident, the Manipur police and security officials recovered arms and ammunitions including ricles during search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts, the police said on Friday.

During their ongoing security operations, the security agencies recovered various arms, ammunition, rifles, and bulletproof jackets.

These included one bolt-action 303 rifle with magazine, 10 INSAS LMG magazines, one INSAS rifle magazine, 13 bulletproof helmets, and six bulletproof jackets.

In a detailed post on 'X', the Manipur police gave a brief description of the items which were seized during the security operations. "Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. During the search operation, the following items were recovered. i.01(one) Bolt action .303 Rifle with Magazine, 10(ten) nos. of INSAS LMG Magazine, 01(one) INSAS Rifle Magazine, 13(thirteen) nos. of BP Helmet and 06(six) nos. of BP Jacket covers from Pukhao Shantipur hill areas under Sagolmang-PS, Imphal East District", the post read.

Earlier, the Manipur police conducted search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of the state, officials said on Friday.

During the search operation, police recovered one 9 mm Carbide Machine Gun, one 9 mm Pistol, one modified 9 mm Carbide Machine Gun, one SBBL Gun, one modified Barrel Gun, two Pistols, four 9 mm ammunition, one 9 mm Carbide Magazine, one 9 mm Pistol Magazine, one modified 9 mm Carbide defective Magazine, two Pistol Magazines, five 36 HE Handgrenades without detonators, and two Stun Shells.

The police also recovered four tear gas shells (Soft nose), three tear gas shells (normal), one black pistol holster, one BAOFENG handheld set, two 12 bore cartridges, and two detonators.

The weapons were recovered from the adjoining areas of Wahengkhuman and Shantipur under the Wangoi Police Station in the Imphal West district. -- With ANI inputs
The Indian government as respondent in Sanjay Bhandari extradition case has sought permission from the London high court to appeal against the discharge of the defence sector consultant wanted in Delhi to face charges of alleged tax evasion and money laundering.

IMAGE: Members of the media outside the Rolls Building of the High Court in London. Image only for representation. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

According to government officials familiar with the case, the first in a two-part process was initiated this week, which involves getting the high court's certification of 'points of law of general public importance'.

If this stage is successful, the appeal can proceed to the Supreme Court for argument.

A UK court official confirmed the Indian government had applied to certify 'two points of law of general importance and grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court'.

It follows Lord Justice Timothy Holroyde and Justice Karen Steyn's February 28 high court judgment granting the 62-year-old businessman's appeal on human rights grounds.

The court had ordered his 'discharge' from then UK home secretary Suella Braverman's extradition order to face criminal proceedings in India based on a Westminster Magistrates' Court ruling in November 2022.

"In our judgment, having regard to all the evidence and information provided on this ground, including the fresh evidence, we conclude that in Tihar prison the appellant (Bhandari) would be at real risk of extortion, accompanied by threatened or actual violence, from other prisoners and/or prison officials," their judgment concluded.

The appeal was granted on the ground that Bhandari's extradition would not be compatible with his rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) over his proposed custody in Tihar while awaiting trial.

The second ground under Article 6 of the ECHR, which refers to the 'burden and standard of proof in the criminal trials', was granted over his right to a fair trial.

The permission to appeal application made by the Indian authorities this week will seek to argue against both these grounds.

Bhandari was subject to two extradition requests: the first certified in June 2020 concerning an allegation of money laundering contrary to India's Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and the second certified in June 2021 concerning an allegation of wilfully attempting to evade a tax, penalty or interest chargeable or imposable under India's Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act 2015.

Bhandari, who offered consultancy services to defence manufacturers bidding for Indian government contracts through his firm Offset India Solutions, had been pursuing his high court appeal against the verdict of District Judge Michael Snow through Janes Solicitors.

The appeal on four other grounds had been dismissed by the high court judges.
India on Friday trashed Pakistan's allegations of backing terrorism against that country following the Balochistan train attack and said Islamabad should look inwards before shifting the blame on others for its 'failures'.

IMAGE: Soldiers board a relief train headed to Bolan, where a passenger train was attacked by separatist militants, at a railway station in Mach, Balochistan, Pakistan, on March 13, 2025. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters

India also said the whole world knows 'where the epicentre of global terrorism lies'.

On Thursday, Pakistan accused India of 'sponsoring terrorism' without directly implicating it in the Balochistan train attack that killed 21 passengers.

"We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, responding to media queries on Islamabad's allegations.

He also said, "The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies."

"Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on others," he added.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, at a weekly press briefing, was asked several questions about the deadly attack on Tuesday, which led to a hostage situation lasting for more than 24 hours.

Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan-based planners throughout the incident, he said, adding Islamabad has repeatedly asked Afghanistan to deny the use of its soil for terrorist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for their attacks against Pakistan.

"We urge Afghanistan to hold the perpetrators, organisers and financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice," Khan had said.

When asked about any change of policy because India was blamed in the past for any activity by the BLA while this time the finger was pointed towards Afghanistan, the spokesman said there was no change in the policy.

"There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan," the spokesperson alleged without providing any evidence.

To another question, he claimed that India has been trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries and running a global assassination campaign.
Holi was celebrated with pomp and splendour around India on Friday, with people soaking in the festivities by smearing 'gulaal' on each other and exchanging greetings and sweets.

IMAGE: Women celebrate Holi at Balurghat in Dinajpur, West Bengal. Photograph: ANI Photo

Homes and streets wore a colourful look as the revellers splashed colours and feasted on traditional delicacies.

Public transport did not ply in the morning in most major cities while metro services started functioning from noon.

IMAGE: A girl plays with her tresses drenched in colours at the ISCKON temple in Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo

As Holi coincided with the second Friday prayers during the holy Islamic month of Ramzan, security -- including increased patrolling and picketing -- was beefed up in several states.

IMAGE: A devotee applies colour to her Laddu Gopal (baby Krishna) in Patiala. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Delhi, more than 25,000 security personnel were deployed. Police closely monitored about 300 sensitive areas with CCTV cameras and drones.

Traffic and city police personnel set up joint pickets and special teams were deployed at major intersections to check drunk driving and traffic violations.

IMAGE: A girl celebrates Holi in Prayagraj. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, which has been tense since riots broke out on November 24 following a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, the celebrations passed off peacefully amid tight security.

IMAGE: A vendor arranges colours for sale in Dinajpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

The traditional 'chaupaai kaa juloos (procession)' was also taken out in Sambhal city on Holi, officials said. Friday prayers were held at the mosque at 2:30 pm.

IMAGE: Children dress as Radha and Krishna in Balurghat. Photograph: ANI Photo

The police and the district administration had made a three-tier security arrangement. Rapid Action Force (RAF) battalions conducted flag marches in the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Thursday greeted people on Holi eve, wishing the festival further deepened the colour of unity among the citizens.

IMAGE: A man with a kid on his shoulder smeared in colour in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo

President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her greetings on Holi eve, saying the festival of colours nurtured the spirit of unity and brotherhood and reflected the values of unity in diversity.

IMAGE: Girls smear colours on each other in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Political leaders cutting across party lines also greeted people, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday describing Holi as a 'messenger of unity'.

IMAGE: Devotees smear colours on each other at Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. Photograph: Raminder Pal Singh/ANI Photo

In a post in Hindi on X, he said, 'The festival of Holi is the messenger of unity, which inspires us to walk on the path of 'sadbhaav (amiability)' with love and 'sauhaard (harmony)'.'

IMAGE: A girl celebrates Holi amid vibrant hues, in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Later, addressing the traditional Narsingh Shobhayatra in Gorakhpur, he said no country and religion had such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharma and asserted that India moved forward through festivals.

IMAGE: People dance in Guwahati. Photograph: ANI Photo

Adityanath, the Gorakshpeethadhiswar, started the celebrations at the Gorakhnath temple. He visited the temple's mela ground where Holika (demon king's sister) was burnt, worshipped the 'bhasm (ashes)', and performed 'aarti'. From there, he visited the Shrinathji temple and offered the ashes to the deity.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati urged people to celebrate Holi 'traditionally with full enthusiasm, peace, mutual brotherhood and harmony'.

IMAGE: A man reacts as coloured powder is thrown on his face in Mumbai. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

In West Bengal, where people celebrated Doljatra, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee prayed for the bond of love among citizens to grow stronger.

IMAGE: A boy reacts during Holi celebrations in Mumbai. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

She quoted Rabindranath Tagore invoking the advent of spring and said, 'May the lives of every person in Bengal be coloured with the colours of peace, harmony and love, and may the bond of love between people in Bengal be even stronger -- this is my prayer on this auspicious day.'

IMAGE: A girl sprays her friend with water in Mumbai.. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Her political rival and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari conveyed his 'heartiest love, greetings and best wishes to people on the occasion of Doljatra'.

IMAGE: A boy plays with a colour gun on a street in New Delhi. Photograph: Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters

The coastal state of Goa blended tradition with modernity as locals and domestic and international tourists joined the festivities. Azad Maidan, an open space in Panaji city, turned saffron with hundreds of revellers celebrating the festival.

IMAGE: People play with water during Holi celebrations in New Delhi. Photograph: Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wished the state's people a colourful and prosperous Doul Utsav.

The festival was celebrated in Haryana and Punjab with coloured water-filled balloons, 'gulaal' and sweets.

IMAGE: A man plays with a colour gun during Holi celebrations on a street in New Delhi. Photograph: Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters

The police in the two states and their joint capital Chandigarh made elaborate arrangements to ensure a safe and joyous Holi.

In Punjab, devotees thronged the Shri Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. There was also a rush of Sikh devotees for the Holla Mohalla festival at Anandpur Sahib.

IMAGE: The face of a devotee is daubed in colours as he takes part in Holi celebrations inside a temple in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini extended Holi greetings.

In Telangana, children and youngsters revelled in the celebrations in Hyderabad and other towns.

IMAGE: Devotees dance during Holi celebrations inside a temple in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

North Indian communities in Hyderabad had organised 'Holika Dahan' on Thursday. Gair, a vibrant folk dance of Rajasthan, was also performed by natives of the state as part of the celebrations.

IMAGE: Devotees pray as they are sprayed with coloured water in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The police imposed certain restrictions in Hyderabad, prohibiting the movement of vehicles in groups and throwing colours on unwilling persons, drawing an angry response from BJP MLA Raja Singh.

In Andhra Pradesh, Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy extended Holi greetings.

IMAGE: Devotees pray as they are sprayed with coloured water in a temple's premises, during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supremo Mehbooba Mufti said some 'bigots' had converted Holi into a 'source of fear' for minorities with the 'approval of those in power'.

IMAGE: Devotees celebrate Holi at a temple in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The festival also coincided with the release of the comic book "The World of Betty and Veronica Digest #38" in which popular character Archie and his friends learn about Holi.

IMAGE: Devotees dance during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Archie Comic Publications co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit told PTI that Holi was part of the new 10-page story released on Thursday.

"The thought behind this is the beauty of India that I have experienced in India."
A Special Court of Economic Offences in Bengaluru on Friday rejected the bail plea of gold smuggling accused Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao.

Photograph: Courtesy Ranya Rao on Facebook

The second accused in the case, Tarun Raju, has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days as probe continues.

Ranya, stepdaughter of DGP rank officer K Ramachandra Rao, is presently lodged in the Parappana Agrahara Jail in Bengaluru.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport when she arrived in Bengaluru from Dubai on March 3.

Subsequent searches conducted by DRI at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.

During interrogation, authorities discovered that Tarun Raju was involved in facilitating the smuggling operation, allegedly coordinating the gold's transport and distribution within India.

Both were taken into custody and booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public remarks on Ukraine's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts in addressing the conflict.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this picture of him with President Vladamir Putin during their meeting in Moscow, Russia. Photograph: ANI Photo

Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin said that Russia agrees with the proposals to cease hostilities but "proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis."

When asked about Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, Putin said, "As for Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course. But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and give it a lot of their time. We are grateful to all of them for that because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission - the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life."

He further said, "We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis."

He also referred to the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Ukraine's willingness for a ceasefire was likely influenced by American pressure.

"Now, on Ukraine's readiness to cease the hostilities. You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here," Putin said.

On March 11, Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties and is subject to Russia's acceptance and concurrent implementation.

Trump welcomed Ukraine's agreement to the ceasefire after the peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and further affirmed hope that Russia will also agree to it.

Stating that soldiers of both Russia and Ukraine are being killed in this "horrible war", Trump said reaching a ceasefire is "very important".

Earlier in February, PM Modi welcomed Trump's efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated India's position that the conflict should be resolved on the negotiating table.

He also reiterated that India's stance in the conflict is not neutral, but rather it is on the side of peace.

The PM emphasised that he has himself met leaders of both Russia and Ukraine and also pointed to his 'this is not an era of war' remark that he made in the presence of Russian President Putin.

"I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine. I have met the leaders of both countries. Many people are in a misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that is peace," Modi said in a joint presser at the White House.

He further reiterated India's position that a solution to the conflict can't be found on the battlefield and appreciated President Donald Trump's efforts in this direction.

"I have said that 'this is not a time of war' in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table," Modi said.

He added, "India believes that the solution to the war can be found only when the issue is discussed in a forum where both countries (Russia and Ukraine) will be present. The efforts made by President Trump - I support, and welcome it. I hope he succeeds as soon as possible."

In July last year, Modi travelled to Russia to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. He also travelled to Ukraine in August last year.

During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi emphasised India's position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

He said that India was ready to play an active role in the path to peace and progress. Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in war since February 2022.
Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam has claimed that his questions relating to agreements the government has signed with insurgent groups in the northeastern states were "removed" from the list of starred questions scheduled for March 11, 2025.

IMAGE: Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, March 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo/Sansad TV

The Inner Manipur MP alleged that this was a "serious infringement" on his rights and privileges as an elected Member of Parliament.

Akoijam said he met with Speaker Om Birla and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on Wednesday and appraised them of the "unusual episode".

"My name was listed (16th in the list) in the ballot for Starred Questions scheduled for 11 March, 2025. However, when the list of the Starred Questions for the said seating date was released, my name was found missing. In short, my questions were removed," he said in a post on X on Wednesday.

"To the best of my knowledge, my questions (see below) do not fall under any of the rules/concerns on the admissibility of questions," he said.

"This is undoubtedly a serious infringement on my rights and privileges as an elected Member of Parliament. It undermines my constitutionally mandated duty and responsibility of exercising the legislative oversight function," Akoijam claimed.

The Congress leader said he had written a letter to the secretary general on the March 6, 2025, seeking clarification.

"Unfortunately, there was no response from his office," he said.

Akoijam said he had raised the issue during zero hours on Wednesday and later on met the Speaker who, as the custodian of the House (Lok Sabha), has taken note of the issue, and told me that his office "will do the necessary next week".

His questions were under the title -- Rehabilitation of insurgent groups in the North East States.

How many agreements the government has signed with insurgent/armed groups in the northeastern states, state-wise to date, he had asked along with other sub questions.
Indian-origin Astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to leave the International Space station by March 19 at the earliest, said NASA.

IMAGE: Astronaut Sunita Williams. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

The American Space agency said that, National Aeronautics and Space Administration's SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than 7.03 pm on March 14 as the window for launch of the Transporter-13 mission.

The mission will launch four crew members to the International Space Station.

Mission managers had earlier decided to wave off a launch attempt on Thursday, due to high winds and precipitation forecasted in the flight path of Dragon.

Launch teams also are working to address a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

With a March 14 Crew-10 launch, the Crew-9 mission with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, would depart the space station no earlier than Wednesday, March 19, pending weather at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida.

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov will remain in Astronaut Crew Quarters at NASA Kennedy in Florida.

Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceX's human space transportation system and its 11th flight with crew aboard, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

This will be the 13th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Transporter-13 is a dedicated smallsat rideshare mission. There are 74 payloads on this flight.
United States President Donald Trump's special envoy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Keith Kellogg, has been excluded from high-level discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to a report in NBC News.

IMAGE: Keith Kellogg shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv, on February 20, 2025. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters

The news outlet, citing a Russian official, said that Kellog did not attend the US-Russia summit in Riyadh on February 18 because Russian President Vladimir Putin thought the 'former American general was too pro-Ukraine'.

The 80-year-old Kellog, who was confirmed as Trump's envoy for the Russia-Ukraine peace in January, was also not present on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia for a meeting between US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a Ukrainian delegation.

Ukraine agreed to a Trump administration proposal for a 30-day pause in fighting after the high-level talks, provided Moscow also committed to the plan.

On Thursday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and a US delegation landed in Moscow to discuss a settlement to the Ukraine conflict.

Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, Putin said at a news conference that he agreed 'with the proposals to stop the hostilities' but that there were issues that needed to be discussed.

He added that he may need to 'have a phone call with Trump' as per Russian state news agency TASS.

Russia will determine the next steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine 'based on how the situation on the ground evolves', Putin was cited as saying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, accused Putin of manipulating the ceasefire proposal, stating that Moscow is crowding the idea with preconditions designed to delay or derail progress.

US President Trump, speaking in the Oval Office after meeting with NATO Secretary John Bolton, said that the Kremlin would face reprisals in the form of 'devastating' financial penalties if it spurned the ceasefire proposal.

Trump on Thursday speaking in the Oval Office after meeting with NATO secretary said that the Kremlin would face reprisals in the form of 'devastating' financial penalties if it spurned the ceasefire proposal.
Following state prosecutors in Bosnia-Herzegovina ordering the arrest of Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska has adopted a draft of a new constitution.

The new constitution would redefine the Serb entity as a state of the Serbian people, grant it the right to self-determination, and establish its own army.

These provisions would be directly in conflict with the Bosnian Constitution and the Dayton peace accords, which established Republika Srpska as one of Bosnia's two entities.

The situation has moved what some call the worlds most-complicated democracy closer to the brink, a place Dodik has brought it to before.

But it wasnt always that way.

The 66-year-old's political career began in the context of a tumultuous period marked by the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent Bosnian War (19921995).

He was elected prime minister of the Republika Srpska -- one of Bosnia-Herzegovina's two entities, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina -- for the first time in 1998 and served until 2001.

A 'Breath Of Fresh Air'

At the time, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called Dodik a breath of fresh air and a gentleman who seems determined to do the right thing in Bosnia.

His political career has since included various roles, including the presidency of Republika Srpska from 2010 to 2018.

His rise to power is often attributed to his ability to navigate the volatile political landscape, appealing to nationalist sentiments and presenting himself as a strong advocate for Serbian interests in Bosnia.

Dodik was seen a moderate who advocated for cooperation with the international community and a supporter of the peace agreement known as the Dayton Accords.

However, as he consolidated power and faced various challenges, including economic difficulties and ethnic tensions, his stance shifted towards a more nationalist and confrontational rhetoric.

By the mid-2000s, Dodik began to embrace a more populist image, focusing on the assertion of Republika Srpskas autonomy.

His government made headlines for its increasingly defiant positions against the central authorities in Sarajevo, and he often criticized the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, a position established by the Dayton Agreement to oversee the implementation of peace and reforms.

Dodik's tactics included promoting the idea of a referendum on the independence of Republika Srpska, appealing to a voter base that felt marginalized in the post-war political framework.

Throughout his tenure, Dodik has faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies, undermining democratic institutions, and fostering a culture of political patronage.

His administration has been characterized by a media environment that suppresses dissent and curtails press freedoms.

Supporters argue that he has brought stability and development to the entity, while opponents charge that his leadership has deepened divisions among the country's ethnic communities and eroded the state's institutional integrity.

Over the decades, Dodik has enjoyed support from the Serbian authorities, both current and former.

Asked about his close relationship with Belgrade, Stefan Blagic from ReStart Srpska, which closely follows politics in Republika Srpska, said, "He has always been a virtuoso in that Machiavellian sense."

"That is why he has been swimming for so long and that is why he has outlived other presidents of Serbia in the political sense," Blagic added.

While he is in power, Dodik will have the support of Serbia, whoever is in power in Belgrade, Blagic said.

Support from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, he added, means a lot to the Republika Srpska leadership and also suits Belgrade.

"I don't know what reason they would give each other up," Blagic said.

Nationalist, Populist Realignment

In recent years, as tensions have risen in the Balkans and across Europe, Dodik has increasingly aligned himself with more nationalist and populist governments, reflecting a broader shift in the region.

His rhetoric has often included threats to withdraw Republika Srpska from Bosnia's state institutions, signaling a provocative stance that raises concerns about the potential for renewed conflict. Additionally, he has formed alliances with figures like Vladimir Putin, indicating a shift towards closer ties with Russia.

The Office of the High Representative (OHR) oversees the implementation of civilian aspects of Dayton.

Dodik, who is currently under US and U.K. sanctions for actions that Western governments say are aimed at the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia, has refused to implement several orders from the OHR, leading to the current crisis.
China, Russia, and Iran demanded an end to Washington's "illegal, unilateral sanctions" on Tehran, after three-party talks on the Iranian nuclear issue in Beijing on March 14.

But a leading sanctions expert involved in past nuclear talks with Iran says lifting sanctions as a precursor to negotiations is neither likely nor advisable.

The meeting included Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

"We conducted in-depth exchanges of views on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. We emphasized the necessity of ending all illegal unilateral sanctions," Ma said after the talks concluded.

"The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force," he added.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who welcomed the Iranian and Russian diplomats ahead of the meeting, was set to have his own meeting with them later during the day.

The Iranian position has been that it will not negotiate with the Trump as long as his "maximum pressure" campaign is in force and sanctions in place.

"I don't think there's any likelihood the Trump administration is going to drop sanctions against Iran just to talk. I wouldn't advise him to," said Richard Nephew, the lead sanctions expert for the US negotiating team that clinched a landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

"At the end of the day, that's a concession for a talk, as opposed to a concession for actual action," he added.

Tehran and Moscow have strengthened relations in recent years as Iran's disputes with the United States have mounted. Both nations have had close ties to China.

Moscow, which is engaged in efforts to normalize relations with Washington, has offered to mediate talks between the United States and the Islamic republic.

Both China and Russia have benefited from Iran's stand-off with the United States. China has been buying Iranian oil at a sharp discount while Russia has been using Iranian drones against Ukraine. But if tension with the United States spirals, it may have consequences that both Moscow and Beijing would want to avoid.

"I'm not sure that the Russians or the Chinese each have an interest in a deal. I think they have an interest in not having a bigger crisis," Nephew said.

This week, the three countries conducted naval drills in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in a show of force in the tense Middle East, with participating ships stopping at Iran's Chabahar Port.

Attention on Iran's nuclear issues has intensified in recent days after US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to Tehran urging a resumption of nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on March 13 said it would conduct a "thorough assessment" before responding to Trump's letter.

"The letter was received last night and is currently being reviewed," spokesman Esmail Baqaei was quoted by the official IRNA news agency, adding: "A decision on how to respond will be made after a thorough assessment."

Trump, during his first term, quit the nuclear deal, which had imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. Trump said the accord was not strong enough to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and he accused Tehran of fomenting extremist violence in the region -- a charge denied by Iran.

China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany had also signed the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

Following the US withdrawal in 2018, Tehran eventually started expanding its nuclear program, while efforts to reach a new accord through indirect talks have failed. Tehran claims its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Iran has floated the possibility of resuming indirect talks, but Nephew dismissed its viability.

"To be clear, I think indirect talks have been a disaster. It has been both a strategic mistake...as well as something that actually limits the possibility of negotiations being successful," he said, adding that Trump's letter was unlikely to change the Iranian position.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations -- the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan -- labeled Iran the "principal source of regional instability" in a joint statement on March 14.

They said Tehran "must never be allowed" to develop and acquire nuclear weapons, adding, "Iran must now change course, de-escalate and choose diplomacy."

The United States said on March 13 that it was sanctioning Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and a number of Hong Kong-flagged ships that are part of a shadow fleet "on which Iran depends to deliver its oil" to China. Tehran blasted the move, calling it "'hypocrisy."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Once called a "breath of fresh air in the Balkans" by Washington, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik represented a moderate alternative to hard-line nationalists convicted for war crimes. Now, Western governments call him corrupt and a threat to regional stability. For decades, Dodik has called for secession and the destruction of federal institutions while issuing threats against key international figures, journalists, and the political opposition with virtual impunity. Now, it appears his bluff is being called.
The European Union is set to remove Russian businessman Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, the countrys sports minister, Mikhail Degtyaryov and Gulbahor Ismailova, the sister of oligarch Alisher Usmanov from its sanctions list.



The decision is expected to be formally announced on March 14 during a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels.



The move comes after days of stalemate in Brussels, in which Hungary, backed by Slovakia, was threatening not to green-light the six-month rollover of the blocs asset freezes and visa bans slapped on more than 2,400 mostly Russian companies and individuals since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.



The list includes figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as several oligarchs and businessmen accused of bankrolling or benefiting from the Kremlins war effort.





EU diplomats have told RFE/RL that Hungary has grown more confident in pushing for the removal of some names from the list, because the United States is now in direct contact with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and has floated the idea of potentially easing sanctions on Moscow in exchange for peace.



Budapest was initially asking for eight people to be delisted -- the three above plus other businessmen, such as Dmitry Mazepin, Alisher Usmanov, Mikhail Fridman, Pyotr Aven and Musa Bazhaev. However, the 27 member states reached a compromise late on March 13 in Brussels, agreeing that only some of the names will be delisted in exchange for an extension of the sanctions for everyone else -- a move that requires unanimity.



Additionally, businessman Vladimir Rashevsky, considered a "weak case" in Brussels after successfully challenging his sanctions in the European Court of Justice (ECJ), will also be delisted.

Hungarys Leverage

The twice-yearly rollover measures, which come up for extension in mid-March and mid-September, are now set to be prolonged again ahead of the deadline on March 15.



Hungary has leveraged this veto threat at pretty much every opportunity to get people delisted. And since last year, they have been joined in this endeavor by Slovakia, which largely shares Budapests Moscow-friendly stance.



In 2024, those removed from the list included Arkady Volozh, co-founder of the Russian Internet giant Yandex; Russian businessman Sergei Mndoiants; Jozef Hambalek, a Slovak national and head of the Russian nationalist Night Wolves motorcycle club in Europe; Nikita Mazepin, a former Formula One driver and son of Dmitry Mazepin; and Violetta Prigozhina, the mother of the late Russian businessman and Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.



At the end of January 2025, Hungary threatened to veto a six-month-extension of all the European Unions economic sanctions imposed on Russia since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine began three years ago. Those measures come up for renewal every January and July.



Although Hungary failed to achieve its ultimate goal in January -- resuming Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which Kyiv halted at the start of the year -- it did secure a commitment that the European Commission would engage with Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia on Russian energy flows into the bloc.
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I'm looking at why Iran continues to reject direct talks with the Donald Trump administration while weighing its response to the US president's nuclear outreach.

What You Need To Know

 Trumps Letter To Khamenei Arrives In Tehran: US President Donald Trumps letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing talks over a nuclear deal was delivered this week by an Emirati delegation. Hours before the delegation arrived, Khamenei reiterated his stance that there was no point in negotiating with Washington.

 IRGC Veteran Claims Killing Of Iranian Dissidents In Europe: Mohsen Rafiqdoost, one of the founders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claimed this week that he had orchestrated the killings of several high-profile Iranian dissidents in Europe between 1979 and 1992. His office later attributed the comments to extensive complications from a brain operation, while the IRGC dismissed Rafiqdoosts comments as his personal opinion. One dissident whose assassination Rafiqdoost claimed is Fereydoun Farrokhzad. RFE/RLs Radio Farda has produced a documentary on his grisly killing.

 Spotlight On Iran And Russia After Violence In Syria: While the eruption of violence in western Syria has raised questions about the transitional governments ability to control its affiliated factions, it has also brought Russian and Iranian involvement in Syrian affairs into sharp focus. Through interviews and analysis of open-source data, RFE/RL can give a clearer picture of what's happening inside Syria.

The Big Issue

Will Talks Lift Pressure On Iran? Khamenei Doesnt Think So

Khamenei on March 12 again dismissed the prospect of talks with the Trump administration, telling an audience in Tehran that negotiating with this US administration wont result in the sanctions being removed.

As Khamenei was delivering his speech, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, was on his way to Tehran to deliver Trumps letter to the Iranian supreme leader.

The contents of the letter have not been disclosed, but Trump said last week when he revealed he had written to Khamenei that Washington cannot let [Iran] have a nuclear weapon, insisting that he preferred a peaceful resolution to tension over Tehrans nuclear program.

Why It Matters: Irans economy has been reeling from years of sanctions, particularly after Trump, in his first term, pulled the US out of a landmark nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions.

But more sanctions could come if Tehran and Washington dont reach an agreement. With the 2015 nuclear deal formally expiring in October 2025, world powers only have a few months before they lose the power to snap back UN sanctions on Iran.

Washingtons European allies have gradually begun threatening Tehran that they will trigger a return of the sanctions. Iran has threatened to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if UN sanctions are reimposed.

While the Islamic republic has not formally responded to Trumps letter, the White House has warned that military action is very much on the table should Iran reject the US presidents outreach.

What's Being Said: Khamenei claimed in his speech that negotiating with Trump will cause the knot of sanctions to become tighter and pressure to increase, though he didnt elaborate further.

Shahin Modarres, an Iranian security expert based in Rome, told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that the weakening of Irans offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as the unraveling of its network of regional proxies, have left Tehran with no leverage at the negotiating table.

The lack of leverage at the table leads to a kind of surrender, he said.

In an interview published on March 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran wont negotiate with Washington as long as Trumps maximum pressure campaign is in force.

If we enter negotiations while the other side is imposing maximum pressure, we will be negotiating from a weak position and will achieve nothing, he said, adding that talks can only take place when both nations are on equal footing.

Expert Opinion: Negotiating with this US administration could result in some sanctions being removed. That's what negotiations address: Often they fail, occasionally they succeed. Dismissing negotiations, especially out of hand, guarantees that the knot of sanctions becomes tighter, writes Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.

That's all from me for now.

Until next time,

Kian Sharifi

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.
US President Donald Trump said he sees a "very good chance" for peace between Ukraine and Russia after "very good and productive discussions" between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a March 14 post on his Truth Social site, Trump also said the United States had urged Russia to spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers that Putin has said have been isolated by Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine disputes that claim.

The post came just hours after the Kremlin said it was "cautiously optimistic" following a meeting late on March 13 between Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote.

Trump added that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position."

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," he wrote. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II."

Putin said a day earlier that a group of Ukrainian troops were "isolated" in the Kursk region, the site of a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last August. Responding to Trump's plea on March 14, he said the soldiers' lives would be spared if they surrendered and urged Kyiv to order them to do so.

Officials in Kyiv have said that while Ukrainian forces have been slowly withdrawing in the Kursk region under heavy pressure from Russian troops, but the armed forces general staff said on March 14 that "[r]eports of the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units...in the Kursk region are false and fabricated."

"There is no threat of encirclement of our units," it said in a statement on social media.

Zelenskyy Challenges Putin's Motives

Earlier on March 14, Putin's spokesman said there were grounds for "cautious optimism" over Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal, which Ukraine accepted earlier this week at talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine, meanwhile, questioned Moscow's sincerity in ending the war, which is now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion on February 2022.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Putin sent Trump a message about his cease-fire proposal after his talks with Witkoff in the Russian capital.

"When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin). There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Peskov said.

Putin said a day earlier that he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first.

The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that addresses the "root" reasons for the war, an apparent reference to NATO expansion and other developments Putin claims have put Russia's security in jeopardy.

In a video posted late on March 13, Zelenskyy questioned Putin's motives, saying the Russian leader was preparing to reject the proposal but was afraid to tell Trump.



"That's why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a cease-fire these conditions -- so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said.

He followed up on March 14 with a post on social media accusing the Kremlin of trying to "complicate and drag out the process."

"Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down," he said on X after a call with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Putin's Response To Trump's Pressure

Kyiv agreed to Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal at a meeting in Jeddah on March 11, putting the onus for peace in Moscow's lap. Putin's response threw the ball back into US hands, at least to some degree.

Trump called Putin's initial reaction to peace talk developments "promising" but incomplete, though he added he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal.

"I think the Russians are keen not to be seen as the intransigent party as that could lead to consequences from Trump, such as sanctions. So that informed Putin's comments today," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL.

Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, and is wielding US leverage to get both Kyiv and Moscow to the table.

On March 13, the US administration heightened pressure on Russia by increasing restrictions on the country's oil, gas, and banking sectors.

Among the measures, the Treasury Department was allowing the expiration of a 60-day exemption put in place in January by the Biden administration that let some energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks continue. The move would make it more difficult for other nations, especially in Europe, to buy Russian oil.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) -- which includes the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan -- said they discussed imposing more sanctions on Russia and boosting support for Ukraine if the Kremlin does not agree to the cease-fire.

Among the measures discussed during the March 13-14 meeting were caps on the price for Russian oil exports, they said in a joint statement. Western nations in late 2022 imposed a $60-a-barrel price cap on the export of Russian oil using Western ships or insurance. It is unclear if the G7 discussions touched on lowering the price cap. Russia's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for a third of federal budget revenues.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the G7 said that "we reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence."

"We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it added.

Putin also said there were several unanswered questions in the proposal, such as what to do about Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region.

"If we have a cease-fire, does that mean that everyone there would leave?" Putin said. "Should we release them [Ukrainian troops] after they committed crimes against the population? Or would they surrender?"

Ukraine denies committing such crimes, saying it abides by humanitarian law and does not target civilians.

Why Should Russia Agree To A Cease-Fire?

Kyiv seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks.

That strategy is now failing as Russian forces supported by North Korean troops push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russia has regained more than half the territory in Kursk initially captured by Ukraine.

Zelenskyy told reporters on March 14 that the situation in Kursk was "obviously very difficult."

Among the other concerns Putin voiced about the cease-fire proposal is whether Ukraine would use the 30-day period to mobilize and train forces or rearm with the help of the West.

He also raised the question of how the nearly 2,000-kilometer front would be monitored. Zelenskyy told reporters that the front could be monitored by US satellites.

Experts had warned that Putin would likely seek to drag out cease-fire talks because his forces have the upper hand on the battlefield.

Aside from the advances in Kursk, Russia is gaining territory in eastern Ukraine -- albeit at high human and material costs -- due to its significant manpower advantage.

However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has stopped Russian forces at the gates of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub in Donetsk region, after months of fighting on the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyy asserted that the incursion into Kursk forced Russia to pull forces from eastern Ukraine, giving his troops time to defend the city.

Russia is seeking to capture at a minimum the entirety of the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in September 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. A cease-fire freezing the current front lines would leave them short of that goal.

"One way the Russians could slow down this process without coming out directly and saying 'no', is by dragging out those technical discussions on monitoring" the cease-fire, Hardie said.

"That could also give them ways to try to pin the blame back on Ukraine, by insisting on certain technical matters that Ukraine might find objectionable," he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin buried the lead about whether he would agree to a US-brokered proposal for a 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine.

Asked during a joint news conference on March 13 with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko how he viewed Ukraines willingness to take part in a cease-fire, the Kremlin leader gave a heavily qualified answer.

We agree with the proposals to stop the hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis, he said.

Putin then embarked on a lengthy digression about the military situation in Russias Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces invaded seven months ago but have lost substantial ground in recent days.

The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed control there of the town of Sudzha, and Putin boasted in the news conference that Russian forces had complete isolation and complete fire control over Ukrainian forces in the region.

Ukraines top commander said this week that Kyivs troops were maneuvering to more favorable positions if necessary  which experts said signaled a partial or possible complete withdrawal from the region.

That situation remains fluid, but Putin on March 12 used the opportunity to travel to the region -- conspicuously, and unusually, wearing military garb -- to strike the pose of a wartime leader.

That visit sent a bellicose signal to Washington. But in his remarks on March 13, Putin was slightly more conciliatory.

The idea itself [of a cease-fire] is correct, and we certainly support it, but there are issues that we must discuss, he said.

I think that we need to talk to our American colleagues and partners about this, maybe call President [Donald] Trump and discuss it together," he said. "But the idea itself of ending this conflict by peaceful means is supported by us.

The devil, of course, is in the details.

And it remains to be seen what concrete issues Putin wants to raise with Trump, who said he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal. He also described Putin's comments as "promising" but incomplete.

Putins position today rejects an unconditional cease-fire -- an uncomfortable stance that risks angering Trump and hindering the otherwise promising prospects of normalizing bilateral relations, Tatyana Stanovaya, a veteran Russian political analyst, wrote in a post to X.

However, this rejection is not absolute; he outlines his demands. His key condition is that a cease-fire must serve as a stepping stone to substantive talks on the root causes of the conflict -- Ukraine must agree to discuss an 'Istanbul Plus' framework, which Russia views as a path to Kyivs capitulation," she wrote.

Istanbul Plus is a reference to the 2022 negotiations that Russia and Ukraine held in the few weeks after the beginning of the all-out invasion, in February 2022. The negotiations led a framework agreement that observers say would have amounted to all-out capitulation by Ukraine.

Putin also requires commitments from the US to halt military supplies, while Kyiv must pledge not to fortify its defense lines or use the pause for rearmament. Zelenskys legitimacy must also be addressed, she wrote, referring to recurring Kremlin assertions that the Ukrainian leader lacks legitimacy because martial law has prevented Ukraine from holding new elections.

Prominent Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza was more blunt, and he suggested that Putina former top officer with the KGB and its successor, the FSB -- had inadvertently let slip a fundamental truth.

The main root cause is an old, deranged KGB officer in the Kremlin who views the collapse of the Soviet empire as the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century, calls his opponents national traitors and Ukraine an artificial state, and idolizes Stalin and Andropov, Kara-Murza wrote in a post to X.

Andropov is a reference to Yury Andropov, who headed the Soviet-era KGB until becoming the Soviet Union's leader in 1982.

Without eliminating this root cause there will not be peace not only in Ukraine, but in Europe as a whole," Kara-Murza wrote.

The next step in the process, then, may happen on a more personal level when Trump and Putin take up the conversation.
HELSINKI -- A court in Finland's capital, Helsinki, has convicted a Russian citizen on four charges of war crimes committed in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Voislav Torden, a 38-year-old Russian ultranationalist earlier known as Yan Petrovsky, was given a life sentence.

Torden was linked to the deaths of 22 Ukrainian soldiers and the injury of four others.

Rarely does a court ruling on war crimes committed in Ukraine come from a jurisdiction outside of Ukraine.

What Crimes Did He Commit?

Torden, a former commander of the Rusich sabotage group, was fighting against Ukrainian forces in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The paramilitary unit has alleged ties to the Wagner mercenary group and embraces far-right ideology.

The Rusich group closely followed Torden's case and said it had raised money to pay for his lawyers.

According to prosecutors, in 2014, fighters led by Torden ambushed a group of Ukrainian soldiers, killing 22 and seriously injuring four.

Photos and video posted by Rusich group on social media apparently showed that some prisoners were executed. One of the prisoners had the Rusich group's symbol carved into his face.

Prosecutors accused Torden of violating the laws of war and committing acts of cruelty against both injured and deceased enemy combatants, according to the indictment.

Torden has denied all the charges and will appeal the ruling.

Why Was Torden Tried In Finland?

Born Yan Petrovsky in 1987 in St. Petersburg, Torden relocated to Oslo in 2004 with his mother. He then regularly visited Russia, where he met former paratrooper and nationalist Aleksandr Milchakov.

In 2014, they traveled to Ukraines Donbas region to support Russia-backed separatists in their fight against Ukrainian forces.

Torden was deported from Norway to Russia in 2016, where he took the name Voislav Torden instead of Yan Petrovsky.

He entered Finland in 2023 as a family member of his wife, who had obtained a study permit.

Torden was detained at Helsinki Airport on July 20, 2023, as he attempted to board a flight to France.

Following his arrest, Ukrainian authorities sought his extradition, but Finland's Supreme Court denied the request, citing concerns over conditions in Ukrainian prisons and the potential for Torden to face humiliation in custody.

Ukraine's Prosecutor-General's Office hailed the court decision, saying the case "marks a key milestone in holding perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law accountable."





With reporting by Reuters
US-made weapons continued to be actively used on Ukraine's battlefields despite a temporary pause in military aid from the United States. Deliveries of ammunition and weapons resumed on March 12 after being suspended for just over a week. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir met frontline troops in the eastern Donetsk region who said the pause had had little impact.
The United States joined with its Group of Seven (G7) allies in stating "our unwavering support" for Kyiv and welcoming the ongoing efforts to reach a cease-fire as Russia intensifies attacks as part of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence," the foreign ministers of the leading industrial nations said in a joint statement on March 14.

The statement was signed by host Canada and the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, along with the high representative of the European Union.

It said the group also "welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a cease-fire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

"We applauded Ukraine's commitment to an immediate cease-fire, which is an essential step toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations," it added following the summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada.

"We called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a cease-fire on equal terms and implementing it fully. We discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a cease-fire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means."

Some members of the G7 had expressed concerns of the ability to show unity following tensions with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has shown more willingness to negotiate with Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

"The goal was to keep strong G7 unity," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.

Trump on March 14 said he sees a "very good chance" for peace between Ukraine and Russia after "very good and productive discussions" between US officials and Putin.

"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote.

His social media post came just hours after the Kremlin said it was "cautiously optimistic" following a meeting late on March 13 between Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Kyiv agreed to Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal at a meeting in Jeddah on March 11, putting the onus for peace on Moscow.

Putin said he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first.

The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that addresses the "root" reasons for the war -- an apparent reference to NATO expansion and other developments Putin claims have put Russia's security in jeopardy.

Questioning Putin's Motives

In a video posted late on March 13, Zelenskyy questioned Putin's motives, saying the Russian leader was preparing to reject the proposal but was afraid to tell Trump.

"That's why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a cease-fire these conditions -- so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said.

In its joint statement, the G7 said that "we emphasized that any cease-fire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression."

"We stated that we will continue to coordinate economic and humanitarian support to promote the early recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine," including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will take place in Rome on July 10-11.

The statement "condemned" the provision of military assistance by North Korea, which has supplied an estimated 11,000 troops, and Iran, which has delivered deadly drones used by Russia in Ukraine.
Gospodarka  Bezpieczenstwo

The critical importance of immigration information: A Guide for Poles Moving to the United States

For many Poles, the idea of moving to the United States conjures up images of opportunity - the American Dream that has long captivated dreamers from Krakow to Gdansk.

Given Poland's history of emigration, from the post-World War II waves to the EU accession boom, the U.S. remains a top destination. In 2023, the U.S. was home to more than 47.8 million foreign-born residents, including a significant Polish diaspora of about 400,000, according to Pew Research Center estimates. However, immigrating to the U.S. is not an easy task. It requires a thorough understanding of the legal process, careful planning, and preparation for life abroad. Why immigration information is essential for Poles, the legal steps to moving to the U.S., and what to expect once you arrive..







Why immigration information is important for Poles

Poland's emigration tradition is rooted in economic and political change - whether escaping communism or seeking better wages after joining the EU in 2004. Today, the U.S. offers a different lure: higher salaries (the U.S. median income is $74,580 versus Poland's $17,000 in 2023, according to World Bank data) and a dynamic job market. However, the U.S. immigration system is much stricter than the Schengen zone's open borders, and mistakes can lead to deportation or wasted resources.

Consider this: in 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. was 11 million, a stark reminder of the risks of crossing borders without proper documentation, according to Pew Research. For Poles, who have enjoyed visa-free travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) since 2019, staying longer than 90 days or working illegally can jeopardize future visits. Comprehensive information-whether about visas, green cards, or asylum-ensures legal compliance and maximizes opportunities.

Beyond legality, understanding life in the U.S. helps Poles set realistic goals. A 2023 KFF/LA Times survey of immigrants found that 78% saw a financial improvement after moving, a statistic that may appeal to Poles accustomed to modest wages. Still, success depends on preparation - knowing where to live, work, and integrate into a culture very different from Poland's tight-knit communities.







Legal Paths to the United States for Poles

Since Poland joined the VWP, tourism and short-term business travel have skyrocketed - more than 200,000 Poles visited the U.S. in 2022, according to the U.S. Customs Service. But permanent resettlement requires navigating a complex system governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Here are the main options:

Family-Based Immigration Many Poles have relatives in the U.S., especially in hubs like Chicago, which has been called the "second Polish city" with its 180,000 Polish residents. In fiscal year (FY) 2022, more than 1 million immigrants received lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or green cards, with family ties driving most cases, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, children under 21, parents) are not subject to quotas, while siblings or adult children fall under a capped system (226,000 visas annually). Backlogs can last for years, so Poles need to plan accordingly. Employment-Based Immigration Poland's skilled workforce-engineers, IT specialists, and healthcare workers-may be eligible for employment-based visas. In FY 2022, 140,000 green cards went to professionals, although the H-1B visa, capped at 85,000 annually, is highly competitive. A Polish nurse or programmer with a U.S. job offer must secure employer sponsorship, a process that requires fluency in English and recognized credentials. Humanitarian Protection While Poland is stable, some Poles with dual citizenship (e.g., Ukrainian-Polish) may qualify for asylum or refugee status due to regional conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. By the end of 2023, 500,000 people will have entered through humanitarian parole programs, though Poles typically need compelling personal cases to succeed here. Diversity Visa Lottery The Diversity Visa (DV) program offers 50,000 green cards annually to underrepresented nations. Because Poland's immigration rates are moderate, Poles remain eligible. In 2023, thousands applied, but only a fraction won due to the random nature of the lottery. The deadlines (typically October-November) are strict, so awareness is key.

The Migration Policy Institute notes a 44% increase in green card recipients in FY 2022 (1 million) compared to FY 2020 (707,000), reflecting the post-pandemic recovery. For Poles, these paths require patience and precision.







The legal process: Steps and Challenges

The journey begins with an application - often a petition filed by a U.S.-based sponsor with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For family or work visas, this leads to consular interviews in Warsaw or Krakow, where Poles must demonstrate intent and eligibility. Processing varies: immediate relative visas take months, while employment-based visas can be delayed due to quotas.

Challenges include costs-hundreds to thousands of dollars in fees-and documentation. Poles accustomed to EU bureaucracy may find U.S. requirements more rigid. The Office of Homeland Security Statistics reported enforcement actions in FY2023, underscoring the stakes of compliance. Overstaying a VWP visit, a temptation for some, risks future travel bans.

Life in the USA: What Poles Should Do Upon Arrival

Landing in the U.S. is a milestone, but adjustment follows. Here's what Poles should prioritize:

Maintaining legal status Green card holders renew every 10 years and can apply for citizenship after five years (three if married to a U.S. citizen). The naturalization process, including the oath, resonates with Poland's own history of national pride. Employment Poles often excel in construction, health care, and technology, where immigrants thrive (17% in management, 23% in services, per Statista 2021 data). Chicago's Polish community offers networks, but English proficiency (spoken by 80% of immigrants, per Migration Policy Institute) is essential. Poland's 95% literacy rate gives it an edge, though accents may require practice. Housing and Community Housing costs vary: Chicago's median rent is $1,500 a month, while rural states like Indiana offer $900. Polish enclaves-New York, Detroit, or New Britain, Connecticut-provide the familiarity of pierogi shops and Catholic churches to ease homesickness. Education and healthcare The U.S. boasts top universities, appealing to Poles who value education (79% of immigrants cite improvement). However, healthcare is expensive-$500 per month for insurance-unlike Poland's public system. Navigating Medicaid or employer plans is critical. Cultural Adaptation The U.S. values individualism over Poland's collectivism. Punctuality conforms to Polish norms, but diversity - as opposed to Poland's 97% ethnic homogeneity - may surprise. Safety concerns, such as gun violence (cited by 17% of Asian immigrants), differ from Poland's low crime rates.







The risks of incomplete information

Without research, Poles risk fraud or illegal status. In 2021, Mexicans and Central Americans dominate the 11 million unauthorized immigrants (66%), often due to misinformation - less common for Poles, but still a cautionary tale. Conversely, informed Poles can mirror the 60% of immigrants who see a brighter future for their children.



For Poles looking to the U.S., immigration information is the bridge between dream and reality. As of March 14, 2025, the U.S. will be home to 47.8 million foreign-born people, including thousands of Poles building lives from Warsaw to Chicago. Legal avenues-family ties, work visas, or the DV lottery-require diligence, while life in America demands adaptation. Poland's resilient emigrants have thrived abroad for generations; with 1 million new LPRs in FY 2022, the U.S. offers a modern chapter. Armed with data and determination, Poles can turn the American Dream into a Polish success story.







Redakcja CentrumPR informuje, ze artykuy, fotografie i komentarze publikowane sa przez uzytkownikow "Serwisow skupionych w Grupie Kafito". Publikowane materiay i wypowiedzi sa ich wasnoscia i ich prywatnymi opiniami. Redakcja CentrumPR nie ponosi odpowiedzialnosci za ich tresc.
David Young in Washington DC

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has utterly rejected claims that he is antisemitic.

It came after reports that the Israeli ambassador to the US had labelled him an antisemite.

Mr Martin is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Jewish community in the US in Washington DC on Friday as part of his engagements in the city for St Patricks Day.

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter reportedly told Jewish Insider that anyone who cancelled their meeting with the Taoiseach should be commended.

Asked about the comments on Friday, Mr Martin said: In terms of the assertions by the Israeli ambassador to the United States, theyre false and I utterly reject what he has to say.

A number may pull out, but some are coming to meet me, and I will take the opportunity to have an open, informal discussion in terms of presenting the prism through which Ireland has looked at the Middle East.

He said the vast majority of countries back a two-state solution in the region.

He added: It is the UN position, and Ireland has always adopted the principles of the UN in respect to the Middle East. Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East issue.

I think theres an element of deliberate undermining of Irelands position and distortion of Irelands position in respect of this.

The Israeli Embassy in Dublin announced it would close last year. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA

He said that Irelands approach to the conflict in Gaza is consistent with how it responded to humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Syria and Lebanon.

I went to Israel after October 7th in solidarity with the people of Israel, given what happened with that horrific and barbaric attack by Hamas, Mr Martin said.

We have consistently condemned Hamas. Ive called for the unconditional release of hostages from the very beginning.

We called for an immediate ceasefire, which Israel didnt like, but as far as we were concerned, the conduct of modern warfare is such that in urban conurbations, it leads to the killing of innocent people and innocent civilians to a degree that was not tenable.

It was beyond the moral compass that so many families and children were losing their lives, and therefore we wanted a ceasefire as urgently as possible. We wanted a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is still required.

It is hell on earth in Gaza and the Irish position is fundamentally a humanitarian one, which is consistent with how we responded to Ethiopia, consistent with how we responded to Syria, consistent with how weve always responded to Lebanon.

So theres a consistency of approach in the Irish position, and to label it as antisemitic is wrong, false and a deliberate distortion of the truth.

Senior figures in Israels government have accused leaders in the Government of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin also announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have also criticised the States decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Saar called Mr Martins predecessor, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, antisemitic.

Mr Harris, who now serves as Tanaiste as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin's Fianna Fail, has rejected the characterisation.
David Young in Washington DC

The threat of US tariffs on alcoholic drinks from the EU is a very serious issue, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned.

The Taoiseach said Irish whiskey products had benefited from extraordinary growth in the US market, and that a tariff dispute could damage parts of the Irish economy.

He warned Europe has to be strategic in how it responds in the tit-for-tat trade dispute with US president Donald Trump.

Irish whiskey has enjoyed an extraordinary growth into the American market, Mr Martin said on Friday.

Were going to engage strongly now with the Commission in respect of that issue, because it is a serious issue, not just for Ireland, but indeed for other European member states as well.

Mr Martin was speaking on the last full day of the annual US trip to Washington DC for St Patricks Day.

The diplomatic event this year was overshadowed by the looming threat of an EU-US trade war.

There is heightened concern in Ireland that the new US administrations protectionist approach could pose a risk to an Irish economy which is significantly sustained by long-standing investment from US multinationals.

Micheal Martin speaking to the media in Washington DC. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

During a meeting with Mr Martin at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Trump both shared his love for Ireland and said Dublin is of course taking advantage of the US.

The US president said he does not want to do anything to hurt Ireland, but added that the trade relationship between the countries should be focused on fairness.

As the Taoiseach met Mr Trump on Wednesday, the European Commission announced its retaliation against 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US.

Previously suspended tariffs would affect a range of US goods including boats, bourbon whiskey and motorbikes from April, it said.

Vice president JD Vance joins Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Mr Trump responded with the threat of a 200 per cent tax on imported alcoholic drinks from the EU, which has caused concern among the Irish drinks industry.

I think Europe has to be strategic in this, because Europe actually enjoys a surplus in these products, in terms of the trade in spirits, Mr Martin said.

I stand to be corrected, but it could be a three-to-one in favour of the European Union products. So Europe needs to be strategic in terms of how it approaches this.

He added: None of this is easy, in the sense that once tariffs and counter tariffs start, its not good, and it can damage certain sectors of the economy.

Given the strength of Irish spirits in the market, that is a concern for us, and I know for other countries, they will have other products for whom it will be a big concern.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US president Donald Trump. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

In relation to domestic issues, Mr Martin also called for a step up in investment on artificial intelligence (AI) in Ireland as he said there needed to be less demonisation of data centres.

Mr Martin said surges in AI created a requirement to have a more mature debate around data centres.

While acknowledging there are challenges in pursuing that goal in a way that is consistent with the Governments climate agenda, Mr Martin said significant numbers in Dail Eireann are completely disconnected from the reality of economic life.

He told reporters: I understand the data centre issue  its consuming huge amounts of energy and we have a problem between 2025 and 2030. I think our problems will ease with the offshore wind that will come on stream in significant critical mass in the early 2030s.

We can see where the end game or the promised land is in respect of offshore wind, and that would give us really a sufficiency of energy to deal with the AI revolution, to deal with the energy demands that would come from that.

He added: We have a challenge in the intervening period between 2025 and 2030, but I think we need to stop the demonisation of data centres.

Fridays engagements wrap up a week of diplomatic efforts in the US by Mr Martin, along with other Irish ministers, to coincide with St Patricks Day.

The Taoiseachs visit included a Friends of Ireland luncheon at the US Capitol and a breakfast meeting with JD Vance at the US vice-presidents official residence.

At the start of the week, he took part in a fireside chat at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Mr Martin attempted to emphasise the two-way nature of trade between Ireland and the US during the trip, as he sought to develop positive relations with the new US administration.

The biggest disruption of the trip came at the Ireland Funds gala dinner on Thursday night where members of the Burke family, Evangelical Christians from Co Mayo, briefly disrupted proceedings before being ejected from the venue.

Mr Martin also rejected comments reportedly made by Israels ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, who labelled the Taoiseach as antisemitic and commended Jewish leaders who cancelled a meeting with him.

Its just absurd that you would label someone antisemitic for being in favour of the principles of the UN in respect of their application to the Middle East, the Taoiseach said.

After meeting the Jewish representative groups, Mr Martin travelled to offices of Enterprise Ireland client company Hanley Energy in Virginia.

Following a series of remaining private engagements in Washington, DC on Saturday, the Taoiseach will return to Ireland.
ndia's Space Success: ISRO De-Docks SpaDeX Satellites Successfully, Leading Way to Future Missions

The de-docking procedure was accurate and was carried out in a series of well-choreographed operations.

India's Space Success: ISRO De-Docks SpaDeX Satellites Successfully, Leading the Way to Future Missions: ISRO scientists made yet another history by de-docking the SpaDeX satellites successfully in space. Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed this effort as a stepping stone toward realizing India's dreams of having an Indian space station. Shah applauded the ISRO team for doing so, referring to it as in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's idea of pushing forward India's capabilities in space through missions like the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan missions.

Shah commented that the Indian scientists have once again proved that "even the sky is not our limit." ISRO on Thursday declared the completion of the SpaDeX mission's space de-docking, a milestone in India's space exploration history. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated them, saying that this milestone opens the door to future ambitious missions like the Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan-4, and Gaganyaan.

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The de-docking procedure was accurate and was carried out in a series of well-choreographed operations. It ended with the detachment of the SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target) satellites, which had been launched on December 30, 2024, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. The SpaDeX mission, developed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with assistance from other ISRO centers, demonstrates India's technological capability in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undockinga key capability for future satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions.

The SpaDeX satellites were docked successfully during January this year, earning India the status of the fourth nation globallyafter China, Russia, and the United Statesto possess space docking technology. This mission indicates that India is now ready to attempt more sophisticated space missions in the future.

(For More News Apart India's Space Success: ISRO De-Docks SpaDeX Satellites Successfully, Leading the Way to Future Missions stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Randhir Jaiswal

Randhir Jaiswal- We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan."

Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, has responded to the recent statement by Pakistans Foreign Office spokesperson, accusing India of involvement in acts of terrorism in Pakistan.

While addressing the media queries on Pakistans allegation, Randhir Jaiswal stated, We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inward instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others.

Pakistan has accused India of carrying out acts of terrorism within its borders, specifically citing the recent attack on the Jaffar Express.

Pakistans Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, alleged in a statement, India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on the Jaffar Express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ringleaders in Afghanistan.

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Pakistans Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, speaking to a Pakistan-based news channel, also claimed that the attackers of the Jaffar Express had coordinated with their facilitators and mastermind in Afghanistan via satellite phone.

During the same interview, he also accused the Indian media of spreading misinformation during what he described as a difficult time for Pakistan.

When asked whether there was a change in policygiven that India was previously blamed for BLA-related activities while this time the accusation was directed at AfghanistanPakistans spokesperson stated, "There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan," the spokesperson alleged without providing any evidence.
Putin Admits Global Strides for Ukraine Ceasefire, Appreciates World Leaders

In July last year, PM Modi attended the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit in Russia and then visited Ukraine in August.

Putin Admits Global Strides for Ukraine Ceasefire, Appreciates World Leaders latest news: Russian leader Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged the willingness of Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire and thanked world leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for their attempts at solving the conflict. Addressing a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin said that Russia concurs with the suggestions of ending the war but insisted that the cessation have long-term peace implications and remove the underlying reasons for the crisis.

Putin recognized the invaluable efforts of world leaders, such as President Trump, Prime Minister Modi, and other world leaders, in finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that their actions are meant to attain the noble cause of stopping the fighting and avoiding more casualties.

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As far as whether Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire, Putin added that the current US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia may have had an effect on Ukraine. He mentioned that Ukraine was prepared to accept the US offer for an immediate 30-day provisional ceasefire, extending by mutual decision and subject to Russia's acceptance and simultaneous application.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the consent of Ukraine to the ceasefire after the Jeddah peace talks in Saudi Arabia and hoped that Russia too would consent to it. Trump stressed the significance of achieving a ceasefire to avoid more casualties in the conflict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appreciated Trump's attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reaffirmed India's stand that the conflict should be settled through talks. Modi made it clear that India's stand is not neutral but strongly in favor of peace. He underlined his personal contact with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders and reaffirmed that solutions to the conflict could not be located on the battlefield but through talks and diplomacy.

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In July last year, PM Modi attended the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit in Russia and then visited Ukraine in August. In his bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi reiterated India's commitment to peaceful resolution and stated India's willingness to take an active role in the journey to peace and progress.

The war between Ukraine and Russia that started in February 2022 is still an impediment to international peace and stability. The latest moves towards negotiations by world leaders towards agreeing to a ceasefire represent an important step in stopping the conflict and restoring enduring peace to the area.

(For More News Apart Putin Admits Global Strides for Ukraine Ceasefire, Appreciates World Leaders stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
BJP's Dominance in Haryana Municipal Elections: A Major Setback for Congress

In the remaining 15, the majority was in favor of independent candidates.

Editorial: Bharatiya Janata Party wins on 9' Congress in direct elections for mayors of ten municipal corporations in Haryana This is a big political setback for the party. After losing the assembly elections for the third time in a row, they will not be able to win even a single seat in the mayor's elections. This shows that the Congress's support base is continuously being eroded.

The counting of votes took place on Wednesday (March 12). BJP candidates in Ambala, Karnal, Panipat, Faridabad, Gurugram, Manesar, Rohtak, Sonipat. Was the winner in Yamunanagar. Apart from these, BJP was victorious in the ground elections of five wards of municipal corporations. Of the 23 municipal council elections, BJP won clearly in eight.

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In the remaining 15, the majority was in favor of independent candidates. Despite such a fatwa, many of them are sure to join the BJP because only because of the ruling. Only by joining the party can independent councilors make it possible for development funds to flow to their respective wards. Another noteworthy aspect of BJP's victories is that its candidates won everywhere with huge margins.

Although only 41 percent voters came to cast their votes in the municipal elections, most of them BJP candidates were successful in securing more than 50 per cent of the votes polled in the corporations. This shows that even after five months of assembly elections, BJP's support in urban areas is There was no reduction in vote bank.

It is natural that the credit for such success should go to Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini. Before the assembly elections, Saini's political status was a favorite of the previous Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Was gonna. The results of the assembly elections gave him a new political personality. That is why BJP gave him the status of star campaigner during Maharashtra Assembly elections. K.

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Now the party's excellent performance in the municipal elections has further increased its political stature. His political opponents also point out that Mr. Saini's image among the people of Haryana is 'low among the common people'. He is a wandering politician and the Bharatiya Janata Party is liking his wandering.

While internal party factionalism and food warfare are being blamed for the defeat of Congress, the party's high Wrong approach of command is also being considered responsible. The tug of war between Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja factions is not hidden from anyone. This is two decades old. Therefore, the blame should also be given to the Congress High Command because it never resolved this dilemma. Didn't make a serious effort.

Hooda is the most powerful leader of the party in Haryana. Kumari Selja's political stature is inferior to him. Despite this, he is neither barred from making anti-Huda statements nor from political By pricking. Apart from these two, the factions of Randeep Surjewala and Chaudhary Birendra Singh also separated their horses. They send people around.

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This is the reason that even after five months of the assembly elections, the Congress High Command is the opposition in the Assembly. Could not take any decision regarding the leader. Such facts create doubts among the people about the capability of the party. Political pundits believe that if municipal elections are held after two-three years of the tenure of the present Saini government, Had it been so, the results would not have been so pro-BJP.

Now the circumstances were in his favor. Despite such a reality, this fact cannot be denied that the disease that bites its own feet Congress has consistently failed to provide treatment. How can better performance in such circumstances become his 'game of fate'?
March 13, 2025 UPDATE 2

Click here for the latest news from RRI

Newsflash

Newsroom, 13.03.2025, 20:01

Support  Romanias Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu reiterated, at a working meeting with EU ambassadors in Bucharest, Romanias support for the neighboring Ukraine and for the consolidation of the European Unions security and defense policy. At the same time, Hurezeanu emphasized the importance of a solid transatlantic partnership, vital for European security and prosperity. The meeting in Bucharest was held in the context of Poland holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Candidacy  The president of the opposition, pro-European party Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, has submitted her application to run in the May presidential election. Also on Thursday, the leader of the populist, ultranationalist opposition party S.O.S. Romania, Diana Sosoaca, registered in the May presidential race. Sosoaca also ran in last years presidential race, but the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) rejected her candidacy. Elena Lasconi qualified for the final round of the presidential race, along with the pro-Russian extremist Calin Georgescu, but the CCR cancelled the vote due to the flaws in the electoral process which favored Georgescu. The Court definitively rejected Georgescus candidacy for the upcoming election. Following this decision, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, and the leader of the populist ultranationalist Party of Young People (POT), Ana Maria Gavrila, who supported Georgescu, announced that they would submit their candidacies, with one of them withdrawing after their validation. The former Social Democratic (PSD) leader and former Prime Minister Victor Ponta also entered the competition. Following this move, the PSD leadership excluded him from the party. The government coalition (PSD  PNL  UDMR) has a common candidate, the former liberal leader Crin Antonescu. He and the current Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, are the only political competitors accepted, so far, by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) and validated by the CCR. The deadline for registering candidacies at the Central Electoral Bureau is March 15.

ID  The first Romanian electronic identity cards will be issued in a week in Cluj County (northwest), and in the next two months, this type of document will be available throughout the country, the Interior Ministry (MAI) announced. The electronic identity card will have a standard size, similar to bank cards. In printed format, it will contain the name, surname, citizenship, date of birth, gender, a photo and the personal identification number (CNP), as well as the handwritten signature. The electronic format will also include other information, such as the parents first names, domicile, the prints of two fingers of the ID holder and digital certificates for authentication or electronic signature. According to the MAI, the electronic identity card will contain advanced security elements which ensure protection against forgery and identity theft. In Romania, the electronic identity card is not mandatory, and those who do not want it, can request simple identity cards, without a microchip.

Deficit  Romanias trade deficit increased by 38% in January, compared to the same period last year, data from the National Institute of Statistics shows. In 2024, Romania exported goods worth 6.5 billion Euros and imported goods worth 11.4 billion Euros. Romania continues to have a major deficit, especially in relations with China, Germany and Poland, while recording surpluses with the UK, the Republic of Moldova and the US, although at smaller volumes. A vulnerable sector remains trade in agricultural and food products, where Romania mainly exports raw materials and imports finished products. To reduce the trade deficit, of about 5 billion Euros, experts recommend a strategy focused on the export of value-added products and more efficient use of statistical data for better-founded economic decisions.

Pensions  Pensioners in Romania whose pension incomes do not exceed 2,574 lei (517 Euros) will receive financial support of 800 lei (160 Euros). The decision, approved on Thursday by the Romanian Government, stipulates that the amount will be granted in two equal installments of 400 lei (80 Euros) in April and December respectively. In the case of people whose pension rights are established after April 1, the financial aid will be granted in December and will amount to 400 lei (80 Euros). The support targets Romanian pensioners residing in the country or abroad. According to official data, almost 2.7 million pensioners have incomes lower than or equal to 2,574 lei (517 Euros), and of these, over 86,000 are in the Diaspora. Also on Thursday, the executive amended, by emergency ordinance, the Statute of Forestry Personnel. Thus, the bonuses equivalent to at least 5 salaries for the last month of activity were eliminated, which, in the case of the heads of the National Forestry Agency, amounted to 10 salaries. Romsilva employees are contesting the changes adopted by the Government. Trade union representatives criticize a 25% reduction in foresters income and announce a protest in Bucharest next week. (LS)
European Defense Shield

The European Commission recently proposed to EU member states ReArm Europe - a five-point plan to rearm Europe

Ursula von der Leyen (foto:

Corina Cristea, 14.03.2025, 13:00

The European Commission recently proposed to EU member states ReArm Europe  a five-point plan to rearm Europe, which could mobilize 800 billion over the next four years. Member states would also have more leeway in complying with the EUs usually strict rules on debt and deficit when it comes to defense spending, as well as the possibility of reallocating regional development funds available for military investment. Here is the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

50 sec

We are living in the most important and dangerous times. I do not need to describe the serious nature of the threats we face. Or the devastating consequences we will have to bear if those threats were to happen. Because the question is no longer whether Europes security is threatened in a very real way. Or whether Europe should take more responsibility for its own security. Indeed, we have long known the answers to these questions. The real question before us is whether Europe is ready to act as decisively as the situation requires. And whether Europe is ready and able to act with the speed and ambition that are needed.

In the various meetings in recent weeks, the response from European capitals has been as resounding as it is clear, Ursula von der Leyen has stated: We are in an era of rearmament, and Europe is ready to massively increase its defense spending. This is both to respond to the short-term urgency to act and to support Ukraine, but also to respond to the long-term need for Europe to assume much more responsibility for its own security. Ideas conveyed with determination, and subsequently, at the extraordinary summit in Brussels, an emergency meeting from which it became clear that Europe has entered a new era. What has Europe so alarmed now? Historian Adrian Cioroianu, a university professor and former Foreign Minister, believes that it is about the extent of the rift:

Obviously, it is not only Donald Trump, long before him American presidents spoke about increasing participation, from George Bush Jr., then President Obama, in Donald Trumps first term, even Joe Biden. Its just that it was a suggestion that came, still, in a time of peace. Or we perceived it to be a time of peace. I mean, the world didnt flinch even in 2008, when there were the Olympic Games, in the summer, and Russia entered Georgia, in those separatist provinces, the West wasnt alarmed. We werent alarmed either in 2014, with Crimea. We werent alarmed in 2022 either, we were nervous for Ukraine, but not this feeling of alarm.

The nervousness in Europe today, adds Adrian Cioroianu, derives from these almost two months in which we realized not only that there are no people to limit Donald Trump, but those in his Administration seem to encourage him. I think this is where this feeling of European urgency came from. And the icing on the cake that put the lid on the whole story is this similarity of interpretation that comes to us from Washington and Moscow on certain issues. I dont think this has any precedent, not even in Donald Trumps first term, let alone with other American presidents, says Professor Adrian Cioroianu.

One of the consequences of this behavior of the Trump Administration could be Europes awakening to the awareness of its own weight, he adds:

An economic power, a demographic power, an intellectual power, but which was not covered by a military power. Europe had not thought about it in the last 70-80 years, it was not a priority, after 1990 it was more of a policy of assimilation of Central and Eastern Europe, although discussions had begun in the early 90s about a common security policy, but the integration of Central and Eastern Europe left security in the background.

The plan of the President of the European Commission contains five financing instruments. The first refers to increasing national defense budgets by 1.5 percent at European level, which would mobilize about 650 billion euros in the next four years, expenses that will not be included in the calculation of the national budget deficit. A second instrument is loans for common European defense projects worth 150 billion euros. This is about spending better and investing together for pan-European capabilities, such as air defense, artillery systems, missiles, drones, but also in the cybersecurity field or military mobility. This instrument will help member states create demand for industry, and with this equipment we will also massively increase aid to Ukraine, says Ursula von der Leyen. The third instrument concerns the possibility for member states to use cohesion funds for defense projects, while the last two areas of action target private capital, in conjunction with loans from the European Investment Bank. This is Europes moment and we must rise to it, the head of the European executive stressed.
The U.S. Consumer Product safety Commission or CPSC has announced various recalls including batteries, bicycles and framesets, desktop heaters, water bottles, toddler tower stools, climbing harnesses, teethers, and safety gates, among others.

Walnut, California-based Sublue Technology Inc. has called back about 40,370 units of Lithium-Ion Batteries sold for Sublue Mix Underwater Scooters citing risk of fire; and BMC USA Corp. of Scotts Valley, California has recalled about 1,300 units of Kaius 01 Bicycles and Framesets due to fall hazard.

Further, Meijer Distribution Inc. has recalled about 6,050 units of Konwin Desktop Heaters due to fire and burn hazards, Germany's Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG called back about 61,500 units of Gerolsteiner Sparkling Water Bottles citing risk of laceration, and China-based Blissful-Time called back about 10,300 units of Onasti Toddler Tower Stools due to serious fall and injury hazards.

The recalls also include Black Diamond Equipment's about 1,580 units of BD Vision Climbing Harnesses due to fall hazard and risk of serious injury and death, Chews Life's about 5,700 units of Silicone Rosary and Decade Teethers due to choking hazard, as well as HabiLife Direct's about 880 units of Safety Gates citing risk of serious injury or death to children from entrapment hazard.

In most of the recalls, consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled product, and contact the respective firm for either a free repair, replacement, or refund, depending on each product.



Lithium-Ion Batteries

Sublue's recall involves certain Sublue Mix underwater scooter lithium-ion batteries and replacement batteries. The scooters are used for gliding through water. The batteries covered by the recall are black only. The scooters were sold in arctic white, space blue and aqua blue.The battery compartment is located on the underside of the scooter.

The impacted products were manufactured in China and sold online at www.amazon.com, www.costco.com, www.sublue.com, www.westmarine.com and other websites from June 2018 through February 2025 for approximately $550 for scooters and $150 for replacement batteries.

According to the agency, the lithium-ion batteries can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The recall was initiated after Sublue received 161 reports of thermal and swelling incidents involving the lithium-ion batteries, including eight reports of fire, one report of injury, and two reports of property damage totaling $651,400.

Consumers are urged to stop using the scooters with the recalled batteries immediately and contact Sublue for a free new generation battery replacement -gray battery.



Bicycles and Framesets

BMC's recall involves all BMC-branded Kaius 01 bicycles and framesets. The bikes and framesets were sold in Peacock Spider, Carbon Black/Brushed Blue, Purple/White, White/Black, Turquoise/Black, Saffron/Black and Stone Grey colors. Only bicycles and framesets with a V5 fork are affected by the recall.

The impacted bicycles and framesets were manufactured in Taiwan by BMC Switzerland AG, and sold at authorized BMC bicycle dealers nationwide and online from July 2022 through February 2025 for between $4,500 and $12,000.

The CPSC noted that the fork steerer tube on the recalled bicycles and framesets can crack, break, or separate during use, posing a fall hazard. BMC has received two reports of the V5 fork steerers separating from the bicycle frame, but no injuries have been reported so far.

Consumers are asked to contact an authorized BMC dealer for a free inspection and a free replacement of the forks.



Desktop Heaters

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer Distribution Inc.'s recall involves Konwin branded desktop heaters with model number BHN2133. The heater has a white plastic frame with a black fan and black grill covers.

They were manufactured in China and sold exclusively at Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky from September 2024 through January 2025 for between $25 and $40.

The heater's fan can fail to turn on and cause the unit to overheat and ignite, which would result in fire and burn hazards.

The firm received eight reports of fans burning and melting, but no injuries have been reported to date.

Consumers are asked to return the recalled desktop heaters to any Meijer store for a full refund through the original form of payment.



Sparkling Water Bottles

Gerolsteiner's recall involves 750ml sparkling water bottles from two specific lots of 11/28/2024 L or 11/27/2024 L. The water was sold in large 750ml glass bottles or in cases containing 15 bottles. There is a white, blue and red label on the front of the bottle with the name "Gerolsteiner".

Manufactured in Germany, the products were sold at Trader Joe's stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas from December 2024 through January 2025 for about $3 per bottle.

The recalled water bottles can crack, causing a laceration hazard, but no incidents or injuries have been reported so far.

Consumers are asked to return the bottles from the affected lots to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.



Toddler Tower Stools

China-based Blissful-Time's recall involves Onasti-branded toddler stools. The plastic, foldable, triangular-shaped tower stools were sold in beige/white, blue/gray, green, gray/white, light blue and pink.

The stools were manufactured in China and sold exclusively on Amazon.com from March 2024 through December 2024 for between $72 and $90.

The stools can collapse or tip over while in use, posing serious fall and injury hazards to children. Blissful-Time has received four reports of the stool collapsing or tipping over, including two injuries, with one causing bruising and the other a brain injury to a toddler.

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled stools and store them away from children until repaired.



Climbing Harnesses

Black Diamond Equipment's recall involves all BD Vision Harnesses. The lightweight harness is designed for technical alpine and ice climbs. All sizes are included in the recall. The harness has fixed leg loops and was sold in black and white colors. In addition, about 130 units were sold in Canada.

Manufactured in Philippines, the harnesses were sold at Liberty Mountain, Recreational Equipment Inc. and other specialty outdoor stores nationwide, and online from January 2018 through February 2025 for about $175.

The recalled BD Vision harnesses can degrade over time and fail to support the climber, posing a fall hazard resulting in serious injury or death. Black Diamond has received one report involving the harness' waist belt failing, but no injuries have been reported.

Consumers are urged to contact Black Diamond for a full refund in the form of a credit card reimbursement or a one-time-use $200 credit.



Rosary and Decade Teethers

Chews Life's recall involves Silicone Rosary teethers including models Assisi, Little Flower, God's Grace, Cecilia, John the Baptist and Divine Mercy. Further, Chews Life Silicone Decades teethers included models Genesis, Maccabees, Ester, Wisdom, Divine Mercy, Psalm and Proverbs. The recalled teethers are made of multi-colored beads with a cross at the end. Each teether has a two-piece safety snap clasp.

They were made in the United States and sold online at chewslife.com from January 2024 through April 2024 for between $20 and $38.

According to the agency, part of the teethers' safety snap clasp can detach, posing a choking hazard. The firm has received 92 reports of the safety snap clasp detaching, but no injuries have been reported so far.

Consumers are asked to contact Chews Life to receive a free repair.



Safety Gates

China-based HabiLife Direct has called back retractable safety gates. These safety mesh gates are marketed as baby or dog gates, with model number SG021. They were sold in white, gray and black.

Manufactured in China, the gates were sold exclusively on Amazon.com from September 2024 through January 2025 for between $35 and $45.

As per the agency, the recalled gates violate the federal safety regulations for expansion gates and expandable enclosures because a child's torso can fit through the opening between the gate and the floor. This could pose a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment hazard. However, the company has not received any incidents or injuries so far.

Consumers are asked to stop using the recalled gates immediately and contact HabiLife Direct for a full refund.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A team of astronomers from Taiwan, Canada, the United States, and France has observed 128 additional moons orbiting the gas giant Saturn, bringing its total number of confirmed moons to 274. The International Astronomical Union recognized the discovery on March 11, 2025.

Dr. Edward Ashton, a postdoctoral researcher with the Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Academia Sincia, and his colleagues used the Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) to repeatedly monitor the sky around Saturn between 2019 to 2021 in minute detail, combining multiple images to strengthen an astronomical objects signal.

This initial run yielded 62 moons  and an even larger number of other objects that, at that time, couldnt be designated.

With the knowledge that these were probably moons, and that there were likely even more waiting to be discovered, we revisited the same sky fields for three consecutive months in 2023, Dr. Ashton said.

Sure enough, we found 128 new moons. Based on our projections, I dont think Jupiter will ever catch up.

All of the 128 new moons are irregular moons, objects captured by their host planet early on in the history of the Solar System.

These moons are a few kilometers in size and are likely all fragments of a smaller number of originally captured moons that were broken apart by violent collisions, either with other Saturnian moons or with passing comets, said Dr. Brett Gladman, professor in the UBC department of physics and astronomy.

A mystery within Saturns irregular moon system was a key motivator for the latest search: given the high number of small compared to large moons, there was likely a collision somewhere within the Saturn system within the last 100 million years.

Otherwise, any longer and these moons would have collided with each other and been blown into smithereens, which would preferentially reduce the ratio of small moons to bigger ones.

Indeed, most of the newly discovered moons are near the Mundilfari subgroup of Saturns moons which, given their size, number, and orbital concentration, is the likely the site of the collision.

Our carefully planned multi-year campaign has yielded a bonanza of new moons that tell us about the evolution of Saturns irregular natural satellite population, Dr. Ashton said.

With current technology I dont think we can do much better than what has already been done for moons around Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Joan Pfeifer grew up on a farm near Lindsay, watching her father and brothers work it. She would occasionally help with some of the daily chores, but she certainly didn't plan to become a farmer herself when she grew up.

Life, however, doesn't always go according to plan.

In 1972, two years after she and Glen Pfeifer, himself a farmer, married, Glen was severely injured in a combine accident, setting in motion for Joan an unexpected career in farming.

"It was the first of December and we had to wait for the ground to freeze that morning," Joan said. "Then the combine broke down. Glen was in the combine and his brother turned on the combine, not realizing (Glen) had his hand in it and got him in the auger. They had to cut the combine apart in order to get the auger apart and get his hand free."

Glen unfortunately lost his right hand, but gained another in a way, as Joan had to start helping out around the farm.

It would be a difficult beginning to a life together for anyone, but they persevered, Joan said.

"I had to encourage him to keep going," Joan said. "We were in the process of buying this farm at the time when it happened. What else do you do? You just step in and help out, that's basically what I did."

Now, 53 years after that fateful accident, Joan is being honored as the 2025 Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee's Outstanding Woman in Ag at the chamber's Rural Recognition Banquet on Tuesday, March 18 at Ag Park.

Joan said that the award is important not just for her, but for all the honorees, because agriculture is not a field for everyone, and it's certainly more difficult to get into than it was.

"Farming isn't easy anymore," she said. "It's a big struggle. There's a lot of expense in farming. You really have to go without a lot when you start out farming, at least we did. We had a hard time making ends meet, but you just keep struggling through it."

That's one reason this award is special, Glen said. The Rural Recognition awards are peer-nominated and farmers put in a lot of effort on any given day. Those who do more than that deserve to be seen.

"I think they should be noticed for all the extra work they put in every day, like here with 4-H and stuff like that, if they go above and beyond what the average person does," Glen said.

Working the farm as an adult was a learning experience for Joan, especially when it came to some of the machinery that required not only two hands to operate, but the knowledge to do so.

Her motivation was simply to keep going, she said. They owned the farm for a reason, both following their dreams, and she wanted to see those dreams come to fruition.

"You just want your life to go on and that was his dream, to farm, and my dream was to raise our kids on a farm and work with things, so we just did it," Joan said. "And I learned a lot, we'll put it that way. You learn to give and you learn to work and you just have to do your best."

The Pfeifers raised pigs farrow-to-finish for 40 years, building and knocking down some buildings, changing the property to suit their needs.

"I helped a lot with that because (Glen) was on the Cornhusker (Public Power District) board and when he had those meetings, I did all the hog chores for him," Joan said. "We farmed together  I'd get the fields ready, he'd plant behind me, same with harvest. He did the combining and I did all the hauling, helping behind it, did the disking and cultivating."

That involved growing the pigs, from a nursery to grower to finishing unit, tail cropping, castration  things Joan hadn't learned growing up, but had to figure out to help Glen and make the life they wanted.

"You learn to work together and realize how much you need each other," she said. "In a situation like this, a lot of people probably at my age, I was just 22 when this happened, we could have both given up on each other, I could have walked away from it," Joan said.

Instead of throwing in the towel, however, their bond only grew stronger.

"I think of all the things and it probably brought us really closer together because he realized how much he needed me and I realized how much I needed him, too, with raising the family," Joan said. "We've been working together ever since."

Glen praised his wife of 55 years for her dedication to both family and farm.

"She's been my right hand all this time, for sure," he said. "She helps with the farm all the time, helps me whenever I need help, she's there for me."

While working the farm, the Pfeifers also made time to raise four children  Lisa, Robert, Sherry and Tammy. They also built many of the structures on their property themselves, including their home. Today they maintain 900 acres and grow grain.

At Tuesday's Rural Recognition Banquet, Joan will be honored alongside three others  Kevin Kallweit, Outstanding Area Farmer; Greg Fiala, Outstanding Senior Farmer; and Pioneer Redstar, LLC, Outstanding Agribusiness.

The annual banquet celebrates the area's agricultural heritage and contributors and also serves as an award night for the local 4-H chapters. Sponsorships provide the complimentary meals for area farmers and their families and raise funds for scholarships for students pursing ag-related fields at Central Community College's Columbus campus.

Tickets for the banquet are free for ag producers and $25 for non-ag producers.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thecolumbuspage.com/rural-recognition-banquet.
Max. Willow. Cooper. Huckleberry. Cecilia. Hank. Selah.

Pet names intertwine with cat doodles and people names scribbled across the counter in multi-colored marker at Round-A-Bout Bagels, Carlisles cat cafe.

Located at 150 N. Hanover St., the business is set to soft-launch April 1 with an official grand opening April 4.

There, customers will be able to order from a selection of food and drink choices and make friends with the cafes free-roaming felines.

My vision for this place is to provide an opportunity for people that just want to come and just enjoy their time with our furry friends, owner Brett Witter said. Theyre able to come in here. They can come play with the cats. They can adopt them if they fall in love with them, and they can also enjoy a nice cup of coffee and other little treats that will be be provided here.

Witter, a chief strategy officer for a Pennsylvania-based business, moved to Carlisle about two years ago and said he fell in love with the area.

I wanted something that was gonna allow me to just feel good, kind of bring me back down to a level to where Im able to interact with the community and provide something to the community, he said.

Witters had a fondness for cats as long as he can remember. Growing up in Virginia, he recalls popping into cat cafes on the weekends and wanted to bring something similar to Carlisle.

The business will implement a series of local partnerships.

Cats will come from the Furry Friends Network, a nonprofit rescue organization located in Boiling Springs.

When it comes to adopting the cats, were just a platform to kind of put them in the spotlight, Witter said.

As for menu offerings, Round-A-Bout Bagels will serve Denim Coffee products including hot coffee and flash chilled coffee, as well as snacks, soups and other grab-and-go options.

Witter said the majority of the cafes foods will be packaged, though he plans to introduce steamed bagel options to the menu (hence the restaurants name) in the future.

Hell also offer half-hour and hourly rates, as well as monthly membership opportunities, for those who just want to visit the cats.

But how can a business combine cats and food? Carefully.

Of the 18 months it took for Witter to bring his business to the borough, he spent a full year doing his homework.

Theres been a lot of research, a lot of visits, going to other places, and talking and asking the questions on how other people were able to do it, even if they werent in Pennsylvania, Witter said. Ive kind of taken all of that information and kind of pulled apart what I thought would be best for Carlisle and for what it is that Im trying to offer.

Plexiglass will block off the bar area where food is ordered and prepared, preventing cats from entering the space, he said.

Additionally, the business will feature two sets of employees, some who work with the food and others with the cats.

My employees that are food and beverage are only food and beverage, Witter said. They cant go out into the general cafe area and mingle with the cats.

Hes also implementing a strict protocol every time an employee enters or exits the cafes food area that includes replacing disposable hats and aprons.

Another challenge in bringing his business plans into practice was complying with state regulations.

Witter said there arent a lot of cat cafes in Pennsylvania so the state didnt have a lot of information in the system for his business model. Hes worked closely with Carlisles government to navigate the process.

Before I realized it, I was looking at a storefront which looked nothing like this, Witter said.

Once the home of Deja Vu Nails, the building is now prepped for claws.

Wall-mounted platforms and ramps gives cats room to roam and carpet tiles are designed to be individually removed and replaced if necessary.

With preparations in place, Witter is ready for the clowder of cats. He believes the business will offer a relaxing atmosphere with some feline therapy.

I picture finals week, and Ive got every high school and college kid in here just looking for a place to unwind, he said. I picture the family that just wants a break. I picture date nights. I picture all of those just off the beaten path type visits. But I also want the daily, I just want a place to go relax, where its quiet.

As the cafes Facebook page says, Eat, drink and play with cats. And maybe even take one home.
Citi reiterated its buy rating on Melrose Industries on Friday as it said it "presents a compelling investment opportunity", sending shares in the aerospace manufacturing firm higher.

The bank, which has a 735p price target on the stock, acknowledged investor concerns regarding variable consideration impacting free cash flow.

"However, Melrose forecasts cash flow directly from expected shop visits/deliveries, with EBIT derived from cash," it said.

"We continue to believe the strength of the business lies in the strong, long-term cash generation from RRSPs, which supports the company's projected free cash flow of 600m in FY29."

Citi noted that the stock is now trading at a significant discount to peers, even adjusting for increased risk.

"We therefore believe Melrose presents a compelling investment opportunity."

At 1005 GMT, the shares were up 2.2% at 507.20p.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he agreed with the proposal to stop the hostilities, but that it should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original roots of the crisis.

He also indicated that a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump might be needed.

"We agree with the proposal to cease hostilities, but it should lead to enduring peace and remove underlying causes of this crisis," he said.

The Russian president added that there were nuances to be resolved.

As an example, and referencing the Kursk region, he went on to ask "if we ceased hostilities  what would that mean?"

He was referring to the details of any ceasefire, such as who would supervise it and if it meant that Moscow would be giving up what he claimed was Moscow's current battlefield advantage, as Ukrainian troops might use the time to resupply.

Putin was scheduled to meet the US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, that same evening.

Speaking after Putin, US President Donald Trump said he would "love" to meet his opposite number and that he hoped that Moscow would do "the right thing".

"He put out a very promising statement, but it wasn't complete," Trump also said.

"But we have to get it over with fast [...] it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world" should Russia not be in agreement with the ceasefire deal.

"[...] We've been discussing with Ukraine land and pieces of land that would be kept and lost, and all of the other elements of a final agreement," Trump said.

"A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed."

As regards Kyiv joining NATO, Trump said that "everybody knows what the answer to that is."

In the background, sanctions on Russian oil and gas, that had been postponed for 60 days under the Biden administration, were allowed to come into effect.
London stocks nudged higher in early trade on Friday after data showed the UK economy unexpectedly shrank in January.

At 0820 GMT, the FTSE was up 0.1% at 8,551.30.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "The FTSE 100s opened up a touch this morning after a rebound in Asian stocks overnight. They were buoyed by hopes that the US government would avoid a shutdown of non-essential services after Senate leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote to pass the latest funding bill.

"However, disappointing UK GDP figures may keep a lid on the size of any bounce today. Theres growing pressure for chancellor Rachel Reeves to pull a bunny out of her bonnet in this months Spring Statement and provide a boost to the economy."

Figures released earlier by the Office for National Statistics showed that gross domestic product contracted by 0.1% in January following 0.4% growth in December, and versus expectations for 0.1% growth.

Production output fell by 0.9% on the month in January following a 0.5% increase in December 2024. This was due mainly to a 1.1% fall in manufacturing output.

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: "The fall in January was driven by a notable slowdown in manufacturing, with oil and gas extraction and construction also having weak months.

"However, services continued to grow in January led by a strong month for retail, especially food stores, as people ate and drank at home more."

Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the contraction in real GDP in January highlights the weakness of the economy before the full effects of the rise in business taxes and the uncertain global backdrop is felt.

"Overall, these figures dont do much to change our forecasts that the economy will grow by just 0.1 q/q (or perhaps 0.2% q/q) in Q1 and by only 0.7% in 2025 as a whole," he said. "With the prospect of higher taxes from April having left business sentiment on the floor and the global backdrop deteriorating, the economy is unlikely to strengthen much from here."

In equity markets, Melrose Industries was the standout performer on the FTSE 100 as Citi reiterated its buy rating on the stock, saying it "presents a compelling investment opportunity".

Housebuilder Berkeley Group gained as it reaffirmed earnings guidance but said planned government regulatory changes were putting delivery of new homes under "significant" pressure.

Heat treatment and thermal processing services firm Bodycote tumbled as it delivered a cautious outlook as it presented its full-year results, with end markets remaining mixed after a "challenging" 2024, in which adjusted operating profits grew only 1.1% to 129m.

The company said the current run-rate profit performance is at similar levels to the second half, with challenging conditions in automotive and industrial markets combined with strong demand in aerospace and defence.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 8,551.30 0.10%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,718.10 0.15%

techMARK (TASX) 4,738.11 0.27%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Melrose Industries (MRO) 504.20p 1.61%

easyJet (EZJ) 479.50p 1.20%

Rentokil Initial (RTO) 330.30p 1.19%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 279.20p 1.12%

Glencore (GLEN) 315.70p 1.01%

Rightmove (RMV) 672.20p 0.99%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 779.00p 0.99%

BAE Systems (BA.) 1,605.00p 0.91%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,823.50p 0.86%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 4,770.00p 0.85%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 5,130.00p -1.72%

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (PSH) 3,628.00p -1.20%

Spirax Group (SPX) 7,050.00p -0.84%

Barclays (BARC) 286.55p -0.80%

Aviva (AV.) 540.00p -0.74%

WPP (WPP) 627.40p -0.73%

BT Group (BT.A) 155.40p -0.64%

Tesco (TSCO) 369.40p -0.57%

Vodafone Group (VOD) 72.94p -0.46%

Centrica (CNA) 143.15p -0.45%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Ashmore Group (ASHM) 158.00p 5.83%

Hays (HAS) 79.75p 5.28%

NCC Group (NCC) 136.00p 5.26%

Bytes Technology Group (BYIT) 423.40p 4.80%

Moonpig Group (MOON) 206.50p 4.61%

IP Group (IPO) 42.00p 3.58%

Primary Health Properties (PHP) 97.00p 3.19%

Future (FUTR) 885.00p 2.61%

Bloomsbury Publishing (BMY) 578.00p 2.12%

Savills (SVS) 924.00p 1.99%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Elementis (ELM) 142.60p -4.55%

RS Group (RS1) 585.50p -2.50%

Senior (SNR) 154.20p -2.41%

Ibstock (IBST) 163.00p -2.40%

Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 285.80p -2.19%

W.A.G Payment Solutions (WPS) 58.40p -2.01%

Ithaca Energy (ITH) 130.70p -1.88%

Me Group International (MEGP) 187.00p -1.68%

BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 475.00p -1.45%

CMC Markets (CMCX) 212.50p -1.39%
Travis Perkins said on Friday that its results for the year to the end of December 2024 will be delayed as its auditor has requested additional time to complete standard audit procedures, sending shares in the builders' merchant tumbling for the second time this week.

It said the results - which had been due on 18 March - will be announced "at the earliest possible opportunity".

"The board confirms that it expects adjusted operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2024 to be in line with guidance provided at the group's Q3 trading update on 24 October 2024," Travis Perkins said.

At 1338 GMT, the shares were down 10% at 512p.

Shares in the company slumped on Monday after it announced that chief executive Pete Redfern was stepping down with immediate effect due to ill health.
Every little helps, so they say. Nationwide building society announced this week that it would be dishing out 50 mini-windfalls to more than 12 million members. And there should be more free cash coming down the track for many of them, as Nationwide hopes to announce its third annual Fairer Share payout in May. This would follow payments of 100 that were made in 2023 and 2024.  Guardian

British food and drink exports to the EU have tumbled by more than a third since Brexit, according to new trade body figures highlighting how bureaucratic barriers have changed the relationship between the UK and its most important trading partner. Products including whisky, chocolate and cheese remain popular with EU customers but overall food export volumes to the bloc fell to 6.37bn kg in 2024, representing a 34% decline compared with 2019 levels, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) found.  Guardian

Sir Keir Starmer is poised to relax a planned ban on popular hybrid cars amid warnings that electric vehicle (EV) sales targets are squeezing manufacturers too tightly. The Department for Transport was expected to ban some hybrids from sale after 2030, when selling pure petrol and diesel cars will also become illegal. However, sources said it was reconsidering the plans following intensive lobbying by the industry.  Telegraph

US politicians have said the special relationship is being undermined by a cloak of secrecy around Yvette Coopers order that Apple install an iPhone back door. Five members of Congress have written to Lord Justice Singh, the president of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), urging British officials to lift a gagging order ahead of Apple challenging the order.  Telegraph

The Chinese fast-fashion company Shein has for the first time confirmed plans to float on the stock market, with London believed to be the preferred location. Donald Tang, the Singapore-based companys executive chairman, said Shein wanted to be a public company to embrace the  accountability and transparency of being a public company, in an interview with The Times in London.  The Times

The former boss of Barclays denied that one of his daughters had acted for him as a vehicle of communication with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was running the FTSE 100 bank. The Upper Tribunal in London was shown emails on Thursday sent between Alexa Staley and Epstein from March 2016 to February 2017 in which the sex offender asked her to pass on messages to her father. Jes Staley, 68, maintains that he severed all communication with Epstein in October 2015, before taking charge of what is one of Britains biggest banks in December that year. The Financial Conduct Authority, the City regulator, alleges that his adult daughter acted as intermediary for the two men.  The Times
UK food company Greencore said two bids it made for rival Bakkavor - with the second worth 1.13bn - had been rejected.

Greencore on Friday said it would "continue to evaluate all strategic opportunities, including Bakkavor. There can be no certainty that a firm offer will be made.

Travis Perkins said on Friday that its results for the year to the end of December 2024 will be delayed as its auditor has requested additional time to complete standard audit procedures, sending shares in the builders' merchant tumbling for the second time this week.

Recruiter Hays surged after Exane BNP Paribas lifted the shares to outperform from underperform.

Ashmore was sharply higher on the back of a broker note, as UBS upgraded shares of the emerging markets investment manager to buy from neutral, saying it expects improving inflows.

Heat treatment and thermal processing services firm Bodycote tumbled as it delivered a cautious outlook as it presented its full-year results, with end markets remaining mixed after a "challenging" 2024, in which adjusted operating profits grew only 1.1% to 129m.

Burberry was in the red after JPMorgan Cazenove placed the shares on negative catalyst watch into FY25 results on 19 May.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 - Risers

Bakkavor Group (BAKK) 170.00p 12.58%

Hays (HAS) 83.70p 10.50%

Ashmore Group (ASHM) 162.40p 8.77%

Ferrexpo (FXPO) 79.40p 7.88%

Ocado Group (OCDO) 245.10p 7.83%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 237.50p 6.50%

Great Portland Estates (GPE) 281.00p 5.44%

Chemring Group (CHG) 416.00p 5.05%

Senior (SNR) 165.20p 4.56%

Jupiter Fund Management (JUP) 76.70p 4.35%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Bodycote (BOY) 589.00p -7.54%

Travis Perkins (TPK) 546.50p -4.37%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 960.00p -4.00%

4Imprint Group (FOUR) 4,040.00p -2.18%

Ithaca Energy (ITH) 130.30p -2.18%

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 99.75p -2.01%

Trainline (TRN) 267.80p -1.69%

Raspberry PI Holdings (RPI) 580.75p -1.57%

Pennon Group (PNN) 406.40p -1.55%

JPMorgan Indian Investment Trust (JII) 926.00p -1.07%
photo: Sarah Creighton Kirley

Samantha Schoech was the founding director of Independent Bookstore Day. She's a former bookseller and is still doing her best to champion indies as a staff writer for the New York Times Wirecutter. She lives in San Francisco with her bookseller husband, her twin teens, and two incredibly frustrating cats. Her debut collection of short stories, My Mother's Boyfriends (7.13 Books), is a witty and empathetic exploration of family, morality, and the mistakes we make despite our best intentions.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

These short stories are traditional in form but filled with imagination, wit, and a deep empathy. They're kind of Lorrie Moore meets Gina Berriault.

On your nightstand now:

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan because Kevin at Green Apple Books just called it the best novel he's read in five years. I also have a TBR copy of North Woods by Daniel Mason. And I always have Cheryl Strayed's Tiny Beautiful Things and Jen Gunter's comprehensive, informed, and compassionate The Menopause Manifesto nearby for reference.

Favorite book when you were a child:

When I was really young, it was a picture book called My Donkey Benjamin by Hans Limmer that was originally published in German in 1969. It is the story of Susi and her donkey, Benjamin, getting lost on a Mediterranean island and it's illustrated with the most beautiful black-and-white photos by Lennart Osbeck. Sadly, it's long out of print.

By the time I was in sixth grade I discovered The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and was done for. I don't know how many times I read it, but it was a lot. I recently saw the musical adaptation in New York and cried like a baby.

Your top five authors:

I'm terrible at these kinds of questions because I always forget something or someone and because these answers change throughout life, but here goes.

I discovered Lorrie Moore in grad school in the '90s and she completely blew my mind. I couldn't believe someone could be a serious writer and so damn funny, and I immediately started imitating her.

I will read anything Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes. She's such a gifted storyteller that you don't even notice how much you're learning about the world in her novels because you're so absorbed.

Same goes for Colson Whitehead, who can seemingly do anything. When I read The Intuitionist, I hated it. I'm still not a fan of that book, but I'm so glad I stayed with him because The Underground Railroad is sheer brilliance.

I must shout-out John Irving because The World According to Garp was the first real adult novel I read, and it was such a revelation and a joy. I went on a huge Irving bender after that. I haven't read him in decades, but I still think about A Prayer for Owen Meany often. And the short story master, Alice Munro, now tinged with sadness, for obvious reasons.

Book you've faked reading:

Time to come clean; I've never finished a novel by William Faulkner. Don't come for me.

Book you're an evangelist for:

The Deluge by Stephen Markley. No one will ever read it because it's 1,000 pages, but this novel has changed (ruined) my life more dramatically than any other. I will never see the world the same way.

Book you've bought for the cover:

I know I've done this, but I can't recall specific books right now. When I was 16, my dad and I both gave each other Ellen Gilchrist's Light Can Be Both Wave and Particle because of the title. It was a nice Christmas morning moment of kismet.

Book you hid from your parents:

When I was 13, my dad told me that if I continued to read bad books, I'd be a bad writer. So I hid my collection of Sweet Valley High novels from him.

Books that changed your life:

So many books have left me feeling utterly transformed. Sometimes when I finish a book that has deeply affected me, I literally clutch it to my chest just to sort of seal the deal. When I was 17, I was transformed by the adventure and bravery in Robyn Davidson's Tracks. When I was 23, the honesty and humor in Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott made me feel like I had a new best friend. At 26, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien opened my eyes to non-traditional storytelling. At 43, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra was the most sensitive and modern war novel I'd ever read. At 50, I was so impressed with Anthony Doerr's inventiveness and sheer ambition in Cloud Cuckoo Land, I felt giddy. I really could do this forever.

Favorite line from a book:

I so wish I was better at remembering great lines or at least writing them down, but I'm hopeless.

Five books you'll never part with:

I can't part with my copies of A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer, City of Thieves by David Benioff, Old School by Tobias Wolff, and Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez because they are all perfectly structured novels, and I need them for stealing purposes.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

I will never again get to be an 18-year-old senior in high school reading Superior Women by Alice Adams for the first time and feeling the feminist in me awaken.

Writers you envy:

Junot Diaz and Zadie Smith because they are so distressingly talented. No one else writes like either of them, and they share an ability to create wholly original voices that seem easy and natural and effortless. [Shakes fist at sky.]
One of India's top Non-Bank Financial Companies (NBFC), Muthoot Finance, has recorded a historic milestone by touching Rs 1 lakh crore of Gold Loan Assets Under Management (AUM) on March 13, 2025. The Kochi-headquartered NBFC made the announcement in an exchange filing on Friday, which reflects the company's strong growth and market leadership.

"We are pleased to announce achievement of milestone of Rs 1 Lakh Crore Gold Loan Assets Under Management on March 13, 2025. This milestone is a testament to the faith and confidence reposed by our lenders, investors, customers, and all other stakeholders in us and reiterates our focus on creating sustained value and growth," the company said.

George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director, Muthoot Finance, said he was grateful and proud of the feat. "Crossing Rs 1 lakh crore Gold Loan AUM is a reflection of our abiding commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer interaction and the trust that we have generated across generations. I would also like to thank our employees whose unrelenting commitment and experience have been critical to this achievement.". We whole-heartedly appreciate the confidence and support of our customers, banking partners, lenders, NCD holders, investors, shareholders, and other stakeholders. We would also like to put on record our appreciation for different regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India for their guidance and supervision in developing a stable and strong financial climate".

Simultaneously, Muthoot Finance also spoke of a recent turn of events involving its subsidiary. On March 12, the police were complained to by Muthoot Insurance Brokers Private Limited about misappropriation of rewards, in the form of gift cards, meant for staff distribution. The amount misappropriated is Rs 11.92 crore for the period from April 2023 to November 2024.

11.92 Crores from April 2023 to November 2024. There is no loss of account to Muthoot Insurance Brokers Private Limited since these amounts were to be distributed to the employees, who canvassed business, as a reward for their performance. But the notional loss of business is 31.28 Crores on the estimated incremental business that would have been generated if the misappropriated rewards were shared with employees. The company explained, "No financial impact on Muthoot Finance Limited". The misappropriation value is11.92 Crores from April 2023 to November 2024. There is no loss of account to Muthoot Insurance Brokers Private Limited since these amounts were to be distributed to the employees, who canvassed business, as a reward for their performance. But the notional loss of business is31.28 Crores on the estimated incremental business that would have been generated if the misappropriated rewards were shared with employees.
Tata Communications has announced the appointment of N. Ganapathy Subramaniam as Chairman of the Board of Directors with effect from March 14, 2025. The appointment was approved by the board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Subramaniam, who was appointed to Tata Communications' board as a Non-Executive Director in December 2021, has more than four decades of experience in the IT sector. He was Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) before retiring in May 2024.

"He has been a strategic contributor to various path-breaking initiatives in banking, telecom, and public services around the world", the company said. "With his extensive experience of technology, operations, business transformation, and change management, he will be able to offer valuable leadership as organizations embark on their digital transformation journeys".

A sectoral thought leader, Subramaniam speaks at international conferences and works closely with governments and industry associations to influence policy and innovation.

Apart from the new appointment, Subramaniam is:

Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Tata Elxsi Limited

Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Tejas Networks LimitedChairman, Governing Council of Bharat6G Alliance

Member, Institute Body at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology

President, Executive Committee at The Society for the Rehabilitation of Crippled Children, Mumbai
On the vibrant occasion of Holi, President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt greetings to the nation, emphasizing the festival as a reflection of Indias rich cultural heritage. In a message shared on the social media platform X, she highlighted Holis essence of unity, love, and harmony, encouraging people to spread the colours of progress and prosperity across the country.

"Warmest wishes to all citizens on the joyous occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy conveys the message of unity, love and harmony. It is also an embodiment of India's invaluable cultural heritage. Come, on this joyous occasion, let us all take a pledge to infuse the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of incessant progress, prosperity, and happiness", President Murmu penned.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished his festive greetings, hoping that Holi brings prosperity and progress into each one's lives. "Warmest wishes to all the citizens on the celebration of joy, enthusiasm, and colours, 'Holi'. May this celebration bring more prosperity, progress, and wealth into your lives", he tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also wished, highlighting the ability of the festival to spread happiness and new energy. "Warmest greetings to all of you on the festival of Holi. May the festival, an emblem of joy, happiness, and new energy, bring good health and positivity in your life. Have a happy and safe Holi!" he posted on X. also wished, highlighting the ability ofand new energy. "Warmest greetings to all of you on the festival of Holi. May the festival, an emblem of joy, happiness, and new energy, bring good health and positivity in your life. Have a happy and safe Holi!" he posted on X.

As India celebrates Holi, the messages of the leaders affirm the festival's cultural importance and its function in upholding unity and joy. Throughout India, citizens join hands to indulge in colours, music, and camaraderie, enacting the eternally common spirit of unity that Holi embodies.
The Government of India's Department of Pharmaceuticals organized an industry forum in Mumbai to popularize the 'Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector' (PRIP) Scheme. The event was attended by industry associations, leaders, and research institutions, such as the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs). The conversation centered on enhancing industry-academia relationships, promoting cooperation, and collaborating with government efforts in order to drive research, development, and commercialization of new healthcare solutions.

The PRIP Scheme seeks to promote affordable, cost-effective healthcare innovations, making India a world leader in pharmaceuticals and medical technology. The event also brought to the fore complementary initiatives such as ICMR's PATENT MITRA, MEDTECH MITRA, and INTENT programs, which provide assistance for patent filing, clinical trials, and innovation paths. CSIR's Innovation Complex in Mumbai was also presented as a translational research hub, bridging institutions with industry players to scale up innovative solutions.

Dr. Sharvil Patel, IPA Vice President, stressed industry-led innovation, regulatory encouragement, and greater investment in new-age technologies. He appreciated the pro-active initiative by the government to introduce the PRIP Scheme as a growth trigger.

Mr. Anil Matai, Director General of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), emphasized the significance of a supportive policy environment in supporting research and development. Mr. Bharat Shah, National President of the Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), on the other hand, emphasized both the opportunity and challenge for MSMEs to embrace research-based growth strategies, welcoming the PRIP Scheme as an impetus for the smaller ones.

Mr. Veeraal Gandhi, Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers India (ADMI) Vice President, emphasized the potential for India to lead the world in point-of-care diagnostic technologies. He added that diagnostics advancements had the potential to greatly improve India's readiness to face future healthcare challenges.

Shri Amit Agrawal, Department of Pharmaceuticals Secretary, emphasized the pivotal position of future products and affordable healthcare solutions in entrenching India's worldwide leadership in the industry. He noted India's biggest strength, with the vast population and diverse gene pool, in creating personalized and precision medicines. Agrawal emphasized that market-based data-driven economies would be the change drivers for Pharma-MedTech R&D, and the PRIP Scheme is strategically positioned to drive forward tomorrow's healthcare challenges.

Breakout sessions allowed for in-depth deliberations, with representatives from the industry presenting feedback on research avenues, upcoming R&D trends, and measures to further industry-academia collaboration. The major recommendations involved the streamlining of regulatory routes, optimization of funding prospects, and amplification of innovative research programs to accelerate sectoral growth.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals called for stakeholders to submit project proposals and comments via the Expression of Interest (EoI) on its website, up to April 7, 2025. The exercise seeks to fine-tune the implementation strategy of the PRIP Scheme to meet industry requirements and drive sectoral growth.

The event ended on a high, with the participants reiterating their intent to create a collaborative, innovation-based ecosystem. The conversation highlighted the shared commitment to place India at the vanguard of healthcare innovation globally, with the PRIP Scheme as a key driver for game-changing solutions.
Authorities in Virginia said the victim had the light when he was crossing over Berry Pike on the night of July 20, 2023, and the defendant blew through a red light at a high rate of speed. Google Maps

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island resident has been sentenced by a judge in Virginia for a 2023 crash that claimed the life of another driver, court records show.

Frances A. Rotondo, 44, pleaded no contest Feb. 28 in Frederick County Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving by speed, according to public records and a Winchester Star report.
The average tax refund issued by the Internal Revenue Service so far this year is roughly 6.3% higher than in 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Tens of millions of Americans have already received tax refunds from the federal government, with the average return totaling more than $3,000, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service data.

Through Feb. 28  the latest data currently available  the agency has issued 36,902,000 refunds, roughly 1.7% more than the 36,288,000 that had been issued by this time last year.

The average refund amount through Feb. 28 was $3,382, roughly 6.3% higher than the average refund of $3,182 at that time last year.

Through Feb. 14, the average had been just $2,169, but has increased dramatically now than the IRS has begun issuing refunds to taxpayers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.

Due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, or PATH Act, which took effect during the 2017 filing season, the IRS legally cannot issue refunds or credits to anyone who claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before Feb. 15.

The policy was implemented to help prevent revenue loss due to identity theft and refund fraud related to fabricated wages and withholdings, according to the IRS.

Tracking your refund

If youre one of the millions of Americans who have already sent in their tax returns, there are online portals that will allow you to monitor the status of your refund.

For federal taxes, residents can use the IRS Wheres My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to see when their refunds have been received, processed and sent.

Refund status will appear roughly 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three or four days after you e-file a prior-year return, or four weeks after you file a paper return.

To access the information, which is updated overnight each day, residents must provide their Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number, filing status and exact refund amount on their return.

Once refunds are sent, those using direct deposit should receive their refund within five days, while those expecting checks in the mail may have to wait several weeks.

For state taxes, New Yorkers can visit the Department of Taxation and Finance website and click Check refund status.

This allows residents to see if their return has been received; when its being processed; if the return requires additional review; if the state requires additional information; if a requested refund amount has been adjusted and when a refund has been issued.

New income tax brackets

While tax rates have remained the same, ranging from 10% to 37% depending on an individuals total taxable income, the IRS has announced new brackets with adjusted thresholds for tax year 2024.

In addition to the new tax brackets the standard deduction, the amount you can deduct to adjust the amount of income on which youre taxed, will also increase from $13,850 to $14,600 for single filers and from $27,700 to $29,200 for married couples filing jointly.

Heres a look at the new tax brackets that will be used when filing in 2025.

Tax brackets for single filers:

$11,600 or less in taxable income  10% of taxable income

$11,600 to $47,150 in taxable income - $1,160 plus 12% of the excess over $11,600

$47,150 to $100,525 in taxable income - $5,426 plus 22% of the excess over $47,150

$100,525 to $191,950 in taxable income - $17,168.50 plus 24% of the excess over $100,525

$191,950 to $243,725 in taxable income - $39,110.50 plus 32% of the excess over $191,150

$243,725 to $609,350 in taxable income - $55,678.50 plus 35% of the excess over $243,725

$609,350 or more in taxable income - $183,647.25 plus 37% of the excess over $609,350

Tax brackets for married couples filing jointly:
I am so proud of our organization and our team, which strives for excellence in serving the business community of Staten Island," said Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, referencing her organization's recent national designation. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce recently achieved a Five-Star Accreditation ranking with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- a distinction awarded to chambers that have made outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities.

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerces Five-Star Accreditation is testament to the strength of our team, leadership, and our growing membership, said Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. I am so proud of our organization and our team, which strives for excellence in serving the business community of Staten Island.

The Staten Island Chamber, which represents the interests and serves as the voice of more than 14,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout all four shores of the borough, is one of five Chambers in New York State to achieve this distinction, and the first in New York City.

Like a Michelin Star for the restaurant industry, Accredited Chambers are a distinct honor, the Chamber noted in a press release. Currently, 174 Chambers in the United States carry this distinction, accounting for an estimated 2% of Chambers of Commerce.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, accreditation is given to a chamber that shows its dedication to reviewing, improving, and promoting strong business practices, recognizing leadership and outstanding contributions to the community, supporting the principles of free enterprise and promoting pro-growth policies at federal, state, and local levels, and establishing best practices and staying in-step with industry changes.

Raymond P. Towle, vice president, Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, stated: Chambers of commerce nationwide play a vital role in their communities every day. From connecting business owners with needed resources, to advocating on behalf of their region with lawmakers, these chambers convene thought leaders to strengthen the collective voices of their members. Achieving Accreditation is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff, and its leadership.
Anton Albert, 39, of Arden Heights, died earlier this month following a shooting at Tom & Jerry's bar in Manhattan. (GoFundMe) GoFundMe

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New Yorkers are sending an outpouring of love and support to the family of a 39-year-old Arden Heights father who died earlier this month following a shooting at a popular Manhattan bar.

Anton Albert was killed on March 1 around 3 a.m. at Tom & Jerrys at 288 Elizabeth St., according to a statement from the NYPD.

His killer remains at large.

Albert, affectionately known as Munch, was a 2003 graduate from John Dewey High School in Gravesend, Brooklyn. He was the eldest of two children, according to an obituary posted on the website of J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Queens.

Albert went on to attend the New York College of Technology and became a team member of Time Warners human resources department, the online obituary said.

In a GoFundMe memorial established by Killian Carolan and Jimmy Tuohy of Tom & Jerrys, Albert was remembered for his gentle and friendly nature.

According to the obituary, Albert enjoyed listening to rap music, writing lyrics, and singing. Above all else, Anton enjoyed cooking with his 9-year-old daughter, Milana  the love of his life.

He will be greatly missed by our team and those who, like Munch did, call Tom and Jerrys a home [away] from home, the online fundraiser said.

Alberts GoFundMe states that, while he was a beloved member of the Tom & Jerrys community, contrary to previous reports, he was not an employee of the bar.

I just want everybody to know that he was a loving, caring son, brother, nephew, father, husband, Dominique Albert, the victims aunt, told the Daily News. He was a little bit of everything. But he was someone that when you were around him, you knew you were going to laugh, have a good time.

Albert leaves behind wife, Alevtina Golevhis; daughter, Milana; mother Pamela Richardson; brother, David Anton; as well as extended family and friends, the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home obituary said.

The proceeds from the GoFundMe campaign will help Alberts family cover funeral costs and support his daughter, according to the fundraiser.

The GoFundMe can be found at gofundme.com/f/support-anton-munch-alberts-family.

The celebration of Alberts life will take place on Saturday, March 15, at J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home located at 179-24 Linden Boulevard, in Queens. The service will begin at 1 p.m.

A senseless shooting

Albert was inside the bar when he was shot by someone who fired several bullets through the exterior glass, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

When police arrived at the scene at about 3:20 a.m., officers saw that Albert was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. Responding EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, where he later died.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, according to the NYPD.
President Joe Biden had a cold, three-word warning for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of her 2024 debate with Donald Trump.

And it kept the veep from distancing herself from the unpopular chief executive during the encounter, the Daily Mail reported.

The new book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, suggests that Biden demanded complete loyalty from Harris.

On the day of what would be Harris sole debate with Trump, Biden allegedly called to give the vice president what was supposed to be a pep talk.

But it turned out to be more a conversation about protecting Bidens legacy during the debate, with a chilly, three-word warning.

No daylight, kid, Biden reportedly told Harris.

Biden regularly used that phrase to tie GOP presidential nominee John McCain to outgoing President George W. Bush during the 2008 campaign, when Biden was Barack Obamas vice-presidential running mate.

Allen and Parnes contend that whether Harris won or lost, she would only harm [Biden] by publicly distancing herself from him.

In a further complication, Biden staffers remained with the Harris campaign, making it even more difficult for the veep to publicly refute the president.

Biden had tapped Harris as his White House successor after the president pulled out of the 2024 election following a disastrous debate performance against Trump.

Harris aides have claimed that the Biden team was deliberately not working with them as a result of the president being forced to exit the race.

Senior Harris advisor and veteran Dem campaign operative David Plouffe had blamed Biden for refusing to drop out earlier following the presidents widely panned debate performance.

Harris got high marks for her combative debate encounter with Trump. But Trump was victorious in the general election, winning both the tally in the Electoral College and the popular vote.

Harris is considering a run for governor of California.
President Donald Trump posted on social media what appears to be the back of a box of matzah that praises his work in the war between Israel and Hamas. (Associated Press/Matt Rourke) AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  President Donald Trump posted what appears to be the back of a box of matzah that praises his work in the war between Israel and Hamas on Truth Social Thursday.

Matzah is unleavened bread that plays a major role in the Jewish holiday of Passover, which will begin April 12 at sundown. Eating leavened bread is forbidden during Passover.

Thank you, President Trump, for standing with Israel during these challenging times, the message reads. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House.

As we approach Passover, we are especially grateful for your efforts in securing the release of many hostages  men and women who have endured unimaginable horrors in captivity . . . Thanks to you, they were given a second chance at life, the box reads. In Jewish tradition, saving one life is like saving an entire world  and you have saved many. We pray that those still in captivity will return home soon."

More than two dozen hostages held within Gaza have been released, alive, in 2025 under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to BBC.

The Associated Press reported that the ceasefire deal was allegedly worked on by both former President Joe Biden and Trump.

The boxs comments continued: Your unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism  especially on college campuses  has not gone unnoticed. By withholding hundreds of millions in federal grants from universities that have failed to prevent hostile environments, you have taken a bold stand in protecting Jewish children.

The Trump Administration took away $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University last week, and is threatening to withhold more from other universities if they do not protect Jewish students.

A stronger America means a stronger Israel, the box says.
Its likely not the kind of praise that Sen. Charles Schumer was looking for.

President Donald Trump gave kudos to the Senate minority leader after Schumer said he would vote for a GOP funding bill that would avoid a government shutdown.

Schumer called the bill very bad but warned that a government shutdown would be far worse.

I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down, he said, per the Hill.

He said a shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

Trump, Schumer said, would have full authority to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel non-essential, and the ability to furlough federal workers indefinitely.

Schumer warned that there would be nobody left at agencies to check Trumps political advisors and appointees.

The senator said that many federal employees and government experts fear that a temporary shutdown could lead to permanent cuts and that congressional Republicans would use their majorities to cherry-pick which parts of the government to reopen.

Trump on Truth Social said that Schumers decision took guts and courage!

A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights, the president wrote. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer.

But while Schumer got a gold star from Trump, the senators own Dem colleagues are up in arms.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called Schumers unthinkable decision to back the GOP bill a betrayal.

She said she was texting, calling, sending carrier pigeons to Senate Democrats to beg them to not follow suit, the Daily Beast reported.

CNN reported that fellow Dems are so infuriated with Schumer that at least one is egging AOC to primary the senior New York senator in 2028.

Democrats, including centrists, are reportedly so mad at Schumer they are ready to write checks for AOC for Senate.

House Dems, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), have taken to social media to share their dissatisfaction with Schumer, as well as with senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and John Fetterman (D-Penn.), who also want to bring the budget to a vote.

Gillibrand was reportedly heard by several reporters screaming and speaking quite loudly at a Senate Democrats lunch on Thursday, her voice carrying through thick wood doors, Fox News reported.

She seems to be making the case against allowing the government to shut down, Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio wrote on X.

A Politico reporter overheard the junior senator from New York say there would be serious harm if federal funding were to lapse and that this will not be a normal shutdown.

The vote deadline is midnight on Friday.
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They say the first time is luck, the second is coincidence and the third is a pattern. Well, consider it a pattern, because for the third consecutive year a winery from Central Virginia has won the highest honor for winemakers in the entire commonwealth.

Barboursville Vineyards 2023 vermentino was awarded the 2025 Virginia Governors Cup, the piece de resistance for the states most honored winery after earning gold medals for all six of the wines it entered in this years competition.

For the final time of his administration, Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented the coveted award at a gala held Thursday evening in Richmonds Main Street Station to Barboursvilles Orange County-based winemaking trio: vineyard manager Fernando Franco, assistant winemaker Daniele Tessaro and head winemaker Luca Paschina.

Accepting the trophy  for the sixth time over the course of his 36 years at Barboursville  Paschina noted that while the vermentinos success this year was unexpected, it was also the most meaningful.

I didnt make this wine to win the Governors Cup. Ive been making this wine the same way for the past 14 years, Paschina told The Daily Progress after the ceremony.

[Vermentino] has really become a flagship white wine for our estate, he continued. Tonight to show that the judges found a perfect wine all across  because theres not one single judge that feels like the wine is missing something.

Barboursvilles vermentino carries hints of lemon and pear, balanced between dry and juicy and being aged in stainless steel, which produces a distinct mineral finish. The grape is native to warm, humid climates on the Mediterranean Sea, particularly the island of Corsica and coastal regions of Italy.

For Paschina, vermentino also has notes of nostalgia.

I also have known vermentino since I was younger, my father was a winemaker, said Paschina, a third-generation vintner. I used to enjoy vermentino  you know in Italy you can have wine when youre a late teen  and thats what they drink on the coast of the northwest of Italy.

In the 43rd year of the Governors Cup, sponsored by the Virginia Wineries Association trade group, the competition received 626 submissions from 134 wineries, cideries and meaderies; a notable difference from last years record of 752 entries from only 79 wineries. The panel of judges handed out 155 gold medals, 55 of which went to winemakers in the Monticello wine country surrounding Charlottesville.

Not only did Monticello dominate among this years gold medal winners, but the viticultural region also had a strong showing in the Governors Case. The collection of the competitions 12 top-scoring wines features seven Monticello wines, including Barboursvilles 2023 vermentino and its 2017 Octagon red blend.

The full 2025 case includes:

50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvee.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 vermentino.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon.

DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve.

King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red.

Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2022 chardonnay.

Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 cabernet franc.

Potomac Point Winery, 2023 albarino.

Trump Winery, 2018 sparkling rose.

Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 petit manseng.

Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White.

Winery at La Grange, 2023 petit manseng.

The case boasts a diverse yet well-balanced mix with six white and five red wines in addition to Trumps popular sparkling rose, capturing the craftsmanship and variety that define Virginia winemaking, according to the wine association.

The prevalence of white wines this year is a deviation from prior years, when red wines were consistently awarded the cup and the took up the most real estate in the case. Reds still secured the majority of this years total medals, winning 61% of the gold, with Meritage blends alone accounting for 32 gold medals.

Red wines are more taking the lead, more admired in the world in general, said Paschina. All the red wines have been winning cups in the past. For us, this was the first time that a white wine wins. We won four times for red wines, one time for a sweet wine, and this is the first time for a white wine.

A red, Crozet-based King Family Vineyards 2019 Meritage, was awarded the Governors Cup last year. King Family wines performed well once again this year, winning four gold medals for its 2021 Loreley white blend, 2021 Meritage, 2023 viognier and 2021 Mountain Plains red blend.

A short drive from King Family, Pollak Vineyards earned five gold medals for its 2022 cabernet franc reserve, 2022 Meritage, 2022 merlot reserve, 2022 Smuggler red blend and 2023 viognier.

A handful of other awards were presented at Thursday nights gala, such as the 2025 Cider of the Year, which went to Daring Wine & Cider Company in Patrick County for its Crab Apple Blend.

This was also the inaugural year for the competitions best-in-show awards, recognizing wines that succeeded in standing out in categories that received the most entries. At least five wines had to be submitted in a category with the best in show going to the highest performing winner. Two Monticello area wineries  Pollak and Jefferson vineyards  were part of this group.

The best-in-show list includes:

Breaux Vineyards 2022 cabernet sauvignon.

7 Lady Vineyards 2017 petit manseng for dessert wine.

Pollak Vineyards 2022 merlot reserve.

Carriage House Wineworks 2022 petit verdot reserve.

Jefferson Vineyards 2023 viognier.

Barboursvilles team is used to mounting the winners podium; this marks the sixth time the winery has won the Governors Cup. The last time the winery took home the cup was 2021. Under Paschina, who arrived at the estate in 1990, the vineyard has won the cup in the past for its 1988 cabernet sauvignon reserve, 1997 cabernet franc, 1998 cabernet franc reserve, and 2009 Octagon.

With nearly 900 acres, 170 of which are under vine, Barboursville is one of the commonwealths largest vineyards and has established an impressive distribution network, placing its wines on shelves and in restaurants across the country.

The winery was established nearly 50 years ago by Gianni Zonin, president of the Casa Vinicola Zonin wine company. The Italian vintner grew up in the countrys Veneto region alongside another notable fixture in the Monticello wine country: Gabrielle Rausse, the man considered the father of Virginia wine.

According to American travel company Atlas Obscura, Zonin called his childhood friend in 1976 to persuade him to relocate and start growing grapes in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the eastern coast of the United States  a feat no viticulturist had attempted since Thomas Jefferson himself tried, and failed, to do so two centuries before. Though he admitted to some initial skepticism, Rausse eventually agreed.

The rest is history.

This years gold medal winners from the Monticello American Viticultural Area are:

Afton Mountain Vineyards, 2019 T.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 cabernet franc.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Nebbiolo.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2021 Nebbiolo.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2021 Octagon.

Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 vermentino.

Barn at 678, 2017 Meritage.

Chiswell Farm and Winery, 2021 cabernet sauvignon.

Chiswell Farm and Winery, 2022 cabernet franc.

Cunningham Creek Winery and Brewery, 2021 Meritage.

Cunningham Creek Winery and Brewery, 2023 viognier.

Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2022 petit verdot.

Fallen Tree Vineyard, 2021 cabernet franc.

Fallen Tree Vineyard, 2021 chardonnay.

Grace Estate Winery, 2021 tannat.

Grace Estate Winery, 2022 cabernet franc.

Grace Estate Winery, 2022 chardonnay

Hark Vineyards, 2022 Spark.

Horton Vineyards, Suil.

Horton Vineyards, 2017 Stonecastle Red.

Jefferson Vineyards, 2021 Meritage.

Jefferson Vineyards, 2022 petit verdot.

Jefferson Vineyards, 2023 viognier.

Keswick Vineyards, 2019 cabernet sauvignon.

Keswick Vineyards, 2023 viognier.

King Family Vineyards, 2021 Loreley.

King Family Vineyards, 2021 Meritage.

King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red.

King Family Vineyards, 2023 viognier.

Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery, 2023 Loving Cup White.

Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2017 L. Scott.

Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2021 L. Scott.

Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2022 chardonnay.

Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery, 2022 Screaming Hawk Meritage Reserve.

Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery, 2023 chardonnay.

Pollak Vineyards, 2022 cabernet franc reserve.

Pollak Vineyards, 2022 Meritage.

Pollak Vineyards, 2022 merlot reserve.

Pollak Vineyards, 2022 Smuggler.

Pollak Vineyards, 2023 viognier.

Reynard Florence Vineyard, 2023 merlot.

Southwest Mountains Vineyards, 2021 petit verdot reserve.

Southwest Mountains Vineyards, 2023 petit manseng.

Stinson Vineyards, 2021 tannat.

Stinson Vineyards, 2023 cabernet franc.

Stinson Vineyards, 2023 mourvedre.

Trump Winery, 2018 blanc de blanc.

Trump Winery, 2018 sparkling rose.

Valley Road Vineyards, 2020 petit verdot.

Valley Road Vineyards, 2022 cabernet franc.

Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 petit manseng.

Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 2022 Veritas Reserve.

Veritas Vineyards and Winery, 2023 Monticello White.

Woodbrook Farm Vineyard, 2023 viognier.
Capital Gain

The former home of the Splendour in the Grass festival in Byron Shire on the NSW North Coast is being sold by a conglomerate, including Byron Bay music and arts events veteran and entrepreneur Brandon Saul.

The vast 229-hectare freehold property is at 126 Tweed Valley Way in Wooyung, North Byron.

Splendour in the Grass 2023. Credit: Bianca Holderness

Parklands, which hosted the festival for more than two decades before abruptly cancelling in 2024 when pop superstar Kylie Minogue was set to headline, is 15 minutes from Byron Bays town centre and within 30 minutes of both Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.
Whitebark Energys off-market takeover bid for King Energy has turned a corner to become unconditional. The companys voting power in King has passed the magic 90 per cent mark, all but locking in one of Australias juiciest onshore hydrogen, helium and hydrocarbon (3H) plays in South Australias Officer Basin into Whitebarks exploration portfolio.

Whitebark made an offer for King in December last year that valued the company at a cool $1.67 million. The announcement pushed Whitebarks share price up 50 per cent from 0.6 cents to 1.2c.

Fast forward four months, add a $2m cash injection and some fancy satellite surveys, Whitebark is now sitting pretty with its massive 19,467-square-kilometre Alinya 3H project in the Officer Basin.

Whitebark Energys takeover of King Energy has become unconditional, allowing the acquisition of its Alinya hydrogen, helium and natural gas project in South Australias Officer Basin.

The takeover offer is now free of all conditions and Whitebark has the green light to roll towards full ownership.
So, whats behind the turmoil? How serious is the threat? And what could it mean for Australian consumers? The big worry for many investors is Trumps move to impose tariffs: taxes on imports into the US. Tariffs are a key plank of Trumps pitch to Make America Great Again: he is betting they can reinvigorate US manufacturing against competition from overseas. Most economists, however, believe tariffs lead to higher prices and slower growth, which risks spreading as many US trade partners retaliate by slapping their own tariffs on US goods. Importantly, the recent market slump is following a period of stellar gains in the US, which had stretched valuations  which makes share prices vulnerable to sudden adjustment if theres some sort of negative shock. The US has experienced two years of 20 per cent plus returns. The chances of having another strong year were very low, says chief investment officer at $139 billion fund UniSuper, John Pearce. Pearce concedes there could be short-term pain from the tariff uncertainty and says there are also longer-term risks to US companies if Trump starts taking America inwards.

Were not panicking Even so, he adds that the global economy is in reasonable shape and says the fund has been growing more positive on investments in other markets such as Europe and Japan. We are not panicking; we are looking at deploying cash at the moment, he says. Perpetual head of investment strategy Matt Sherwood also emphasises US sharemarket valuations were extremely expensive before the recent slump, and he remains wary about leaping back into the US market at current levels. Investors have to be really cautious about bottom fishing and being impatient and leaping before they look, Sherwood says. Due to the high share price valuations, Sherwood argues it could be a difficult period for investors and says he prefers markets such as Europe, the UK or Japan. I think there are opportunities which are pretty attractively priced. They are not in Australia or the US in the benchmark, he says.

Wall Streets benchmark index entered a correction this week as fears over Donald Trumps trade war escalated. Credit: Bloomberg As well as super giants such as UniSuper eyeing off European shares, high-net-worth investors have also been showing greater interest in the region, says Andrew McAuley, chief of investments for wealth management at UBS. European shares are up 6 per cent so far this year, compared with a 6 per cent slump for the S&P 500. A standout performer in Europe has been the defence sector, as investors look to profit from an expected build-up in military spending on the continent  as Trump has also pushed for. There has also been robust demand for Australian corporate bonds and gold, he notes. Most mum and dad investors probably arent buying European defence stocks, however, so the impact of Trumps trade war is likely to be indirect for most people.

For the person on the street, its the impact on global trade and the impact on China in particular, and what it does to demand for our exports, McAuley says. For now, sharemarket volatility is the clearest sign of local fallout from Trumps trade war, and investors appear likely to remain on edge for as long as the current uncertainty prevails. So far, the impact of Trumps tariffs on Australian exports appears relatively small, though it could well rise. Economists were quick to point out this week that the aluminium and steel exports to the US were worth only about $1 billion  a tiny fraction of our exports iron ore exports to China, for example. AMPs economist Shane Oliver says even if Trump slaps tariffs on all Australian exports to the US, it will affect exports worth close to the value of those that were caught up in Chinese restrictions in 2020.In the great scheme of things, our exports to the US are not that great, he says. Aside from people who work in industries affected directly by tariffs, the big risk for the wider economy be if the trade war escalated and sparked a global recession  though Oliver adds were a long way from that, and hes hopeful it will be avoided.
Every generation has its James Bond, and Amazons purchase of creative control over the movie franchise has triggered a moral panic about a new 007 corrupting the children. Female! Gay! A person of colour! Non-binary! God forbid, all of the above!

After five Bond movies, Daniel Craig, now 57, is succumbing to the rule that whatever else 007s can be, they cant be a senior citizen. Pierce Brosnan, distinguished member of the Old Bonds Association, lent his airy weight to the argument by saying the next Bond must be British. Its all as terrifying as a boys school going co-ed.

Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit:

But a DEI hire to say f--- you to Donald Trump is about as likely as reversing time and whiting out Jeff Bezos from Trumps inauguration  its not going to happen. Amazon has not bought an actor or a character but a piece of intellectual property from which it can spin off a Bondiverse of prequels, sequels, animations, games, standalone movies and immersive VR experiences. Thats what Amazon partially bought in 2022 and completed last month, taking full creative control from the children of the late Bond producer Cubby Broccoli. Purchasing IP is anti-risk.

The flap about casting overlooks past DEI Bonds. There have been a Scotsman (Sean Connery), an Irishman (Brosnan) and an Australian (George Lazenby). To encourage gender diversity, Bond has been played as a closeted queen (David Niven, Roger Moore). For affirmative action, Bond has given employment to actors who couldnt act (Lazenby, Timothy Dalton). Brosnan said Amazon should treat the character with dignity and imagination and respect. Unless he was joking, its hard to imagine what he could possibly mean other than a prolongation of the current IP: risk nothing.
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Eating outFood Brisbane restaurants becalmed post-Alfred Operators want to start a discussion about handling extreme weather in the future, after one reckons he lost close to two weeks worth of revenue. Matt Shea March 14, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Some of Brisbanes best restaurants want diners to know theyre open and ready for business, after sitting mostly empty this week in the wake of the chaos caused by Cyclone Alfred. One restaurateur described as a bit eerie the Fortitude Valley streets that surround her popular Italian restaurant. Martin Boetz outside Short Grain. Morgan Roberts The call comes after a week in which the city grappled with limited public transport and schools that were slow to reopen. On Tuesday, trains ran to a Sunday timetable, leading to crowded carriages and platforms as commuters attempted to return to the CBD. Most schools were reopened by Wednesday but a handful remained closed at weeks end.

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Short Grain is one of Brisbanes top Thai restaurants. Chef-owner Martin Boetz said the venue had essentially lost a week of trade from the Wednesday before Alfred hit. We had 70 people booked [that Wednesday] and we ended up doing 15. Related Article Craft beer icon Newstead Brewing Co closes permanently But [given Alfreds delayed arrival], we could have done a normal Wednesday night and Thursday night. Saturday night, we decided to open and ended up doing 80 people, before the wind and the storm started again, and we closed Sunday because no one could get to work.

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Im glad everyones safe, but the aftermath of people being in recovery mode means weve had a week of taking very little. Short Grain in the heritage-listed Stewart and Hemmant building in Fortitude Valley. Morgan Roberts Essa chef-owner Phil Marchant said his restaurant, just off James Street, had also lost trade. We were down early in the week, but Wednesday was close to what we need to do, Marchant said. Today [Friday] lunch is dead, but the weekend is looking strong. The late arrival [of the cyclone] was massively frustrating. I think the riverside restaurants were mobilising to prepare to get thumped and that then put the seed into everyones mind. We pretty much lost everything on Thursday and Friday last week.

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Baja Modern Mexican owner Dan Quinn. Peter Wallis Baja Modern Mexican owner Dan Quinn said his Fortitude Valley restaurant had one of its strongest Februarys ever, but Alfred would wipe out close to two weeks of solid revenue. Its huge to try and get that back, Quinn said. They said it was going to come last Wednesday, and so its understandable that everything stopped, but I went from a stack of bookings to nothing. The days after the weather cleared have been patchy, with the restaurants usually popular Taco Tuesday night relatively quiet, and Wednesday quiet also, although sittings bounced back on Thursday night. Essa is located just off James Street in Fortitude Valley. courtesy of Essa

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I was talking to a friend, and he made the point that everyone spent so much on alcohol and food last week that theyre staying put for a few days, Quinn said. Alfred came at an inopportune time for the restaurant industry, which operates on notoriously tight margins, with March often marking an uptick in business after the traditionally quiet months of January and February. Brisbane: people are starting to come here as a destination, which is great, but its not like Sydney, which always attracts people, and Melbourne, which has the [Australian Open] and other events in January, Boetz said. Marchant agreed. It definitely came at a bad time, he said. It extended that January and February feel, and they already felt longer this year for us. It definitely came at a bad time. It extended that January and February feel, and they already felt longer this year for us. Essa chef and owner Phil Marchant.

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Not everyone struggled. One operator said his inner Woolloongabba restaurant continued to do strong numbers while its CBD counterpart was relatively quiet. Supernormal chef Jason Barratt said business had been slow during the week but picked up on Thursday. Boetz said his weekend, like Marchants, was looking busy, but restaurants could not survive on Fridays and Saturdays alone. He reckoned that if weather events like Alfred were to become more frequent, the city and its restaurant industry needed to adapt. I just want to have a conversation around how these things work going forward, Boetz said. People need to be safe but if this happens more frequently, we cant just hide in our houses  it will only be a day or maybe 48 hours that it will be severe. Maybe as these things happen more, were going to have to react in the moment a bit better rather than pre-empting doom, Marchant said. But at the same time, what do you do? Youre damned if youre do, damned if you dont.

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Review Eating outNewtown Mister Grotto is the smart-casual fish shop thats long been missing from Sydney The Continental Delicatessen crew blend South American cuisines with North Carolina fish camp vibes at this inner west seafood bar. Callan Boys March 14, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 12 Mister Grotto is set among a new strip of venues on Australia Street. Jennifer Soo 2 / 12 Yellowfin tuna with green sauce, daikon and finger lime. Jennifer Soo 3 / 12 Pipis with dry vermouth and samphire, and lavender honey cornbread. Jennifer Soo 4 / 12 Barbecued nannygai, sweetcorn and manchego. Jennifer Soo 5 / 12 Jennifer Soo 6 / 12 Jennifer Soo 7 / 12 Coconut and pineapple baba. Jennifer Soo 8 / 12 After Eight dessert with white chocolate and salted caramel or dark chocolate with peppermint cream. Jennifer Soo 9 / 12 Chartreuse Caipirinha. Jennifer Soo 10 / 12 Jennifer Soo 11 / 12 Jennifer Soo 12 / 12 Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 How we score Seafood$$$$ My word, theres a bit going on here. Fishing rods. Hand reels. Antique lures. Vintage navy plaques adorned with a penguin, platypus and waterhen. Coconut bowls and a display of whole bonito on ice; Loire Valley muscadet and Rozelles Red Mill Rum. Mister Grotto, you already had me at barbecued abalone with tarragon liver sauce. The seafood bar opened in Newtowns Australia Street last month, and its the ambitious, smart-casual fish shop thats long been missing from Sydney. Neil Perry does magical things with whiting at Margaret in Double Bay, and Josh Nilands fin-to-eyeball tasting menu was awarded three hats at Saint Peter, but neither is the kind of place where you can just mosey in, crack a beer and get stuck into a dozen oysters. Im not saying you should wear board shorts to Mister Grotto, but you could. Yellowfin tuna with green sauce, daikon and finger lime. Jennifer Soo

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The crew from the neighbouring Continental Delicatessen is behind the operation, plus its adjacent, all-day vegetarian eatery, Flora, which opened at the same time. The team is also set to launch old-school Italian Osteria Mucca on the strip, not to mention three boutique suites if you want to stay the night. Co-owners Elvis Abrahanowicz, Sarah Doyle and Joe Valore have some experience in the start-up, food-precinct trade from running Bastardo, Porteno and Humble Bakery on the same block in Surry Hills. There are no hot chips because Sydney has enough hot chips. Swedish-born Mans Engberg is on board as head chef, and Lauren Eldridge has departed Berowra Waters Inn to be appointed head of pastry. Its a formidable team. General manager Michael Nicolian can facilitate just about any classic cocktail you throw at him or the practised floor team, although the house drinks shouldnt be skipped (especially a lime-forward caipirinha riff strengthened with Chartreuse). Barbecued nannygai, sweetcorn and manchego. Jennifer Soo Engberg spent four years working closely with Niland at Saint Peter, and knows a thing about sourcing Australian seafood from top-drawer fishers and suppliers. Rich and raw wild kingfish (the stuff were used to is often farmed) is tiled across sliced cucumbers and lovage; thick-diced yellowfin tuna stands up to parsley-intense green sauce and the trill of finger lime; a meaty fillet of barbecued nannygai proves fish and cheese can be mates, at least when theres a hefty blitz of manchego, corn and macadamia salsa macha involved.

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There are no hot chips because Sydney has enough hot chips, and Mister Grotto is doing its own thing blending South (and Central) American cuisines with Australian creativity and North Carolina fish camp vibes. Fat threads of cuttlefish are tangled with young coconut, grilled calamari is teamed with ink sauce and chestnut mushrooms (it works), and pipis are served in a froth of vermouth and samphire with steaming, pull-apart cornbread fragrant with lavender honey. Shallow-fried shishito peppers are stuffed with sausage made from the bloodline of tuna, and few snacks would pair better with cold sake (or beer). Coconut and pineapple baba. Jennifer Soo Meanwhile, Eldridge remixes the After Eight into a beautiful lobster-shaped mould, starring white chocolate, salted caramel and a Fishermans Friend-based tincture, or dark chocolate with peppermint cream and minty amaro. A swirling tower of buttermilk soft serve is dolled up with fig compote and gold-standard honeycomb; coconut baba is sweet and boozy with pineapple and spiced rum.

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Caveats: indoors can be loud on a Saturday night. Some tables might be too cosy if you have long legs. Ideally, sit at the bar, chat to the chefs as they slice squid or shuck oysters, and enjoy some of the best seafood Australia has to offer. Board shorts optional. The low-down Atmosphere: New Orleans oyster shack meets Sydney wine bar Go-to dishes: Pipis in dry vermouth with cornbread ($44, pictured); a handful of stuffed shishito peppers ($28); barbecued nannygai ($58); coconut and pineapple baba ($26) Drinks: Small but mighty list with plenty of fish-friendly wines to hold your interest, plus cocktails and left-field spirits worth crossing town for Cost: About $200 for two, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Antarctic beech trees 2000 years old grow in the Gold Coast hinterland, living through millennia in lush rainforests more than 1000 metres above sea level. From the ruins of the former heritage-listed Binna Burra Lodge in the subtropical forests where the ancient trees grow, one can stand on a ridge and gaze down at a distant row of high-rises on the Surfers Paradise skyline. Its just under an hours drive away but inhabiting a different geological era. Binna Burra chair Steve Noakes says climate change is the greatest threat to the cherished eco retreat. Credit: Justin McManus The Gondwana forests of south-east Queensland are a world heritage-listed treasure, but they were off-limits this week. The regions national parks were closed after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred dumped more than 1100 millimetres of rain on the mountains and fierce wind gusts tore down trees and power lines, threatening the forest-dwelling communities that live there, and leaving them isolated and without power for several days. After bunkering down through the storm, hinterland resident Steve Noakes returned to Binna Burra, the volunteer-run Lamington National Park eco retreat that he chairs, on Wednesday to find significant storm damage. Awnings were torn off the retreats tiny wild houses and water damaged its safari tents. Its not the first time in recent history that extreme weather has threatened the retreat. Most of it was destroyed in a September 2019 bushfire that burnt one-third of the regions Gondwana forests and kicked off Australias catastrophic Black Summer fire season of 2019-20. The retreat, including the heritage-listed lodge, is being rebuilt. Noakes estimates the tropical storm cost the social enterprise at least $600,000 and set back its reconstruction by two years.

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ADF personnel clear the road to Lamington National Park after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred hit. Credit: Steve Noakes Binna Burra is no ordinary eco haven. It was founded 90 years ago by a band of citizen environmentalists who pooled resources and bought land in a campaign to save the rainforest at a time when it was under increasing pressure to be developed. These days, climate change is the greatest threat to the regions natural assets, Noakes says. Binna Burra has closed just four times in its long history, all during his 10-year watch as chairperson. Sadly, we are well practised in recovery, he says. Its been more intense in the last decade, quite frankly. Theres no doubt youve got climate change issues impacting on us in terms of the frequency and the intensity of the weather, whether its a bushfire or lightning storm, and now the first cyclone in 50 years to hit this part of Queensland. Antarctic beech trees and tropical cyclones dont often meet, but as Queensland mops up and moves on in Alfreds aftermath, experts predict the region will face more extreme weather in a warming world, and warn that its residents are unprepared for living in a more volatile climate. Alfred hit the Queensland coast with varying levels of intensity. When it reached the cluster of islands off Brisbanes east coast as a category one cyclone it lost force, sparing Queenslands capital the full weight of its weather.

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Gold Coasts beaches suffered heavy erosion when Alfred reached shore. Credit: Justin McManus But Gold Coast, Queenslands second-largest city, was more exposed to the fierce winds and waves as Alfred approached, even though the cyclone was downgraded to a tropical low when it reached the mainland further north. Eighty per cent of the citys golden beaches were washed away by heavy swells. Tens of thousands of properties lost power for days, trees fell onto roads and homes, low-lying areas were flooded and traffic lights malfunctioned on major roads. Gold Coast resident Dr Johanna Nalau, an expert in climate adaptation with Griffith Universitys School of Environment and Science, says there is a popular view that south-east Queensland dodged catastrophe with ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Nobody died and rivers peaked at moderate flood levels. Climate adaptation expert Johanna Nalau says south-east Queensland isnt prepared for extreme weather. Credit: Justin McManus Already, the regions network of beachfront streets and dining arcades are humming with tourists, even as beaches remain closed and swimming in the sea is banned. But Nalau says crucial questions about how the heavily populated region would cope with a cyclone remain untested, in a time when some climate models indicate cyclone activity is tracking further south along Australias east coast as oceans warm, and that cyclones are becoming less frequent but stronger.

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Loading Nalau believes south-east Queensland is not ready for a looming future in which cyclones appear more often. Warning signs such as panic buying in stores, supply chain disruptions and the breakdown of the electricity grid indicate neither the built environment nor its inhabitants are adequately equipped. Research published by academic publisher Science Direct in 2022 found that cities in subtropical Queensland and northern NSW would experience more extreme storms and were highly vulnerable to cyclones because they are not built to withstand them. The paper states: Cities along the subtropical eastern Australian coast  especially those in the sub-region of Queensland-NSW at the southern limits of the south-west Pacific basin  are particularly vulnerable to even moderate tropical cyclones given lower building code wind load standards in relation to the northern parts of Australia. Tropical cyclone intensity and damage potential of these storms are predicted to increase significantly by the end of the century. Alfred was the first cyclone to hit the region since 1974. There is precious little lived experience of a cyclone among those who now call the region home, Nalau says. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has promised to replenish the citys eroded beaches within weeks. Credit: Justin McManus If we think about places like Cairns or Darwin, where they actually have had and are having more cyclones, the communities there mostly know what to do and the building code is cyclone standard. We dont have that here.

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Tom Tate, the Gold Coasts Liberal-aligned mayor, says he accepts that extreme weather will place an increasing economic burden on the city, even as he makes an uncosted promise to replenish the citys beaches before the Easter break. Absolutely. Thats why we spend so much money in our waterways. We spend so much money on our beach and sand dunes. We spend so much money on our town plan to make sure that the revetment walls in the canals are updated, he says. It wont stop, the costs will grow, but you know one thing about our city, we have lived within our means. Nalau, a lead author on climate adaptation with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, says Alfreds aftermath presents a window of opportunity to reduce the Gold Coast regions vulnerability to cyclonic weather. Now is a good time to start thinking about that because there is a lot of effort and focus on recovery, on getting supply chains back, on people whose houses had severe impacts, some areas that are still flooded, she says. So while the area is still recovering we need to think about what could be done better. Sarah Bruhn (right) and her family were without power and trapped in their town for more than a week. Credit: Justin McManus These are not academic questions for single mother Sarah Bruhn, who spent eight days huddled with five others in a leaky house with no power, having cold showers and cooking over a fire. Bruhn and her children live in a ramshackle house in the hinterland town of Springbrook, which copped 1146 millimetres of rain during the storm, the heaviest downpour of any place in Alfreds path.

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This story is part of the March 15 edition of Good Weekend. See all 15 stories .

Whats it like to move back to your home  if you still have one  when the landscape around it has turned to ashes? Thats what intrigued photographer Jonathan Browning when he visited the Spanish island of La Palma, off the Moroccan coast, more than two years after the Cumbre Vieja volcano spewed lava and ash for 85 days over the southern part of La Isla Bonita, destroying thousands of homes and buildings in the path of its fiery flows. Browning arrived in January last year to find houses that had been swallowed entirely left untouched; others that had been spared were looted, or access to them blocked.

The lava field, although solidified, is unstable; its forbidden to walk on it, Browning says. There may be lava tunnels which you could fall into, and the rock is sharp. There were acres and acres of banana plantations and pretty houses, but this huge area is now a completely unusable and worthless black land mass.

Browning cycled on a new road carved across the blackened landscape and says he could feel the eerie heat from deep below: Theres very much a Mordor feel to it. The island features in a recent Norwegian drama series about the disaster on Netflix  and visitors can now take guided tours of the volcano and lava fields.

See more of Jonathan Brownings work here.

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The finishing touches are yet to be put on the house, says Doug Richardson. Theres painting and other bits and pieces to do at the Brunswick Street property. Part-worksite, part-home, it contains a mix of newly bought furniture and building materials, symbols of the road back to normality following the 2022 floods. More than three years have passed since the Wilsons River climbed over Lismores levee and inundated Richardsons home, minutes from the city centre. Now, the end of the gruelling rebuild is in sight. But Richardson and his wife, Alyse Dorbis-Richardson, were in the same situation as many Lismore residents still rebuilding from the devastation of 2022 recently: spending days expecting the worst as ex-tropical cyclone Alfred approached. Doug and Alyse (pictured in March 2022) are considering their future in Lismore after years of rebuilding their home. Credit: Elise Derwin Angst brought by the threat of a repeat of that disaster, and the possibility that their unfinished home would go under again, prompted the two to consider their future in the Northern Rivers town. What happens if we keep getting smashed? Alyse says.

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Lismore and other parts of northern NSW were spared major damage when Alfred was downgraded as it approached the coast, but the near-miss left many locals on edge about the citys vulnerability. History repeating: Alyse Dorbis-Richardson and husband Doug Richardson outside their Lismore home this week. Credit: Louise Kennerley Planning for the future is not the only challenge that people in Lismore face. Like others in the city, the two have fought with their insurer over how damage to their home of more than a decade should have been covered, and say they have been left out of pocket. Loading I had to fight them all the way, Doug says. At the peak of the 2022 flood, water in the house rose a metre high and left the property almost destroyed. It was a year before Doug and Alyse could start rebuilding, while their insurance claim was processed. In May 2023, after a conciliation process through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, Doug and Alyse settled with their insurer, NRMA.

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Our aim is always to support our customers recover from extreme weather events as quickly as possible, and we apologise for any delays during the claims process, an NRMA Insurance spokesperson said in a statement. Weve long advocated for greater investment in disaster mitigation initiatives. NRMA Insurance is committed to working with governments at all levels to protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters and weve welcomed progress on this front. Doug and Alyse, who own a waterproofing business, have since renewed their insurance with NRMA and taken the precaution of more than tripling the insured value of their home. The extra safeguard has doubled their insurance premium. Next-door neighbour Harry Freeman, 81, has had a closer view of Lismores transformation than most. Freeman ventured to the Northern Rivers for Nimbins Aquarius Festival in 1973 and, with other members of the growing counter-culture movement that would shape modern Lismore, never left. Harry Freeman says Lismore is dying as residents relocate from the citys most flood-prone areas. Credit: Louise Kennerley After more than 50 years in his home, which has been spared any flooding, Freeman cant imagine a life anywhere else.

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But the flood-ravaged town faces a reckoning, he says. Its a dying town, Freeman says from his front deck, a stones throw from the banks of the still-swollen Wilsons River. Its really in a bad way. As homes in Lismores most flood-prone areas are bought by the NSW government and slated for relocation through a $900 million buyback scheme, Freeman predicts a bleak future for the city. I cant imagine whatll happen once all of the people who are in flood [zones] have to move, he says. They dont want to leave Lismore, they also dont particularly want to live up on the hill, so I cant see any solution to the problem. He fears that Lismore will shrink if more people decide to relocate from harms way. Lismore mayor Steve Krieg is doing all in his power to stop that from happening.

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Lismores mayor, Steve Krieg, remains optimistic about the citys future. Credit: Louise Kennerley Im a strong believer that Lismore has a very bright future, and I dont want people to leave, Krieg says. I want to see people come and make this their home. I want to see our population grow and see new businesses set up, and I want to see Lismore become that regional centre that its always been for the Northern Rivers. Krieg, who lost his home in the 2022 floods, has become an ever-optimistic face of Lismores resilience, but even he has considered whether he and his family should stay or go. Loading You dont ever want to put your family, put your business, put your livelihood in any danger, so its very much front-of-mind, Krieg says. You want people to be safe.

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A major Sydney dam was found to be outside NSW safety thresholds during three separate audits, with internal government documents warning a sudden failure of the levee could cause the deaths of almost 150 people.

But the Minns government has talked down any risk of the dam failing, saying the safety classification was theoretical and nearby residents were not at any elevated risk.

The NSW government maintains the Thornleigh dam is safe, and says sensors have been placed in the reservoir. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Internal documents tabled during a parliamentary inquiry on Friday revealed an audit by engineering firm GHD on behalf of Sydney Water had found evidence of slope displacement and leakage at Thornleigh Reservoir Dam near Hornsby in Sydneys north.

The document stated that investigations by GHD had noted a possible indication of slope instability at the southern embankment of the dam, a serious concern due to residential homes located directly downstream.
I was appalled to read that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton felt the need to promise Australian women their rights would not be rolled back under his leadership (Despite forceful WFH agenda, Dutton makes pledge to women voters, March 13). In 2025, the very notion that such a reassurance is necessary should set off alarm bells. Womens rights are not a bargaining chip; they are not up for grabs, and they should not be subject to the whims of political leaders seeking to win votes. Womens rights are not for sale. Duttons comments suggest he views women as a separate and subordinate class that requires his protection rather than equal citizens whose rights should be unquestionable and non-negotiable. Australian women do not need a promise from Peter Dutton; we need leaders who fully understand and fully accept that equality is fundamental, not conditional. It must be part of their DNA. His stance on rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion roles, along with curbing flexible work arrangements, exposes him as a Trumpian acolyte who is willing to say anything, and promise anything, to win an election  and we know how it goes once someone like that wins office. Marina Cardillo, Beecroft Caravan of lies I live in what has become a focal point of the antisemitic graffiti and car firing (Revolt over caravan con, March 14). There has been a high level of fear in the community. Revulsion, too. This is not a country I recognise. Living alone as an old person has been challenging. There has been no apparent presence or support from two Labor politicians who operate from my street. When it was announced that the whole campaign of terrorism was a hoax, it seemed incredible and was difficult to believe. The fact that the powers-that-be apparently knew it was a hoax for a week before they bothered to inform the community is an absolute disgrace. What other secrets and lies are out there? Can we believe anything we are told? Susan McKee, Maroubra

Explosives were found inside a caravan at a Dural property in Sydneys north-west on January 19. Credit: TNV Repressive laws introduced on the basis of a caravan full of lies are to remain on the books even after the ruse was uncovered. These laws stifle legitimate criticisms of the policies of a foreign government and had no place being passed in the first place. Why are the people of NSW having their rights removed at the behest of agents of foreign influence? What next? Banning criticism of the policies of the Chinese government, or blocking criticism of the idiocy of Donald Trump and his democracy-destroying hordes? The Minns government must decide if it is governing for the people of NSW or for people who cant even vote in this country. Graeme Finn, Earlwood Sifting for solid info Erinn Swans account of how her algorithm flooded her with updates, insights and predictions about Cyclone Alfred is a sobering real-life account of our modern media environment and the challenges it throws up when disasters strike (Caught in a storm of misinformation, getting the right info is a disaster, March 14). Even Erinn, previously a digital director for the premier of Queensland, found it difficult to sift and order what was thrown at her. Her experience could well be the basis of a media literacy unit in schools. Awareness of a hierarchy of sources with different levels of trust would be a helpful outcome. Alan Russell, Unley (SA) Short election circuit disempowers progress

When history is written about the climate wars, it will stand as a testament to the ineptitude of the three-year election cycle, where so much is promised but little gets done. Throw two uninspiring and mediocre leaders into the mix, and it gets downright depressing. While vast amounts of fossil fuels get mined and exported with bipartisan glee, stoked by subsidies while paying meagre royalties back to the taxpayer, Albaneses renewable tangle and Duttons nuclear brain explosion have left us in the lurch. The road the can is being kicked down is fast approaching a cul-de-sac. Simon Pitts, Riverview Let them rise in the east With the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse in the news again, I believe I may have found a much more appropriate alternative site (Races to the bottom, March 14). It is flat, and presumably the soil is not contaminated from previous industrial use. It has access to public transport, with the light rail depot as a neighbour and a number of well-used bus routes connecting property owners to the city. It is very close to the University of NSW, Centennial Park, the SCG, hospitals and Sydney Airport. Not to mention many beautiful beaches and the friendly neighbours. And being in the eastern suburbs, the sale price is surely markedly higher than a site all the way out west. This better site is Randwick Racecourse. A far better proposition then Rosehill. With the members vote coming next month, I note the ATC is bribing members by suggesting that some of the proceeds could be used to build a massive hotel overlooking the famous Royal Randwick straight. This project would be a hollow reward to ATC members from the west. Seriously, is this really compensation for losing their racecourse? Steve McLeod, Wentworth Point

The Australia Turf Club has revised its plans for a western Sydney mini-city. Credit: Australian Turf Club I couldnt agree more with Victoria Calderan regarding the proposed sell-off of Rosehill racecourse. Warwick Farm racecourse has been screaming out for an upgrade and a return to Saturday racing status for nearly 20 years. During that time, it has had a lick of paint and some brighter light globes in the grandstand, and vague promises of track upgrades. Therefore, for those that live in the Greater West, Rosehill remains our favoured course. It is much better designed than Randwick, has great access, and the facilities are good. Yet the inducement now seems to be a high-class hotel at Randwick and a vague promise of a Group 1-grade track to replace Rosehill without any details where that might be. It says a lot when the ATC decides the extraordinary meeting will be held at Randwick, favouring less attendance by us mugs in the west. Sydney racing west of Anzac Parade at Kensington needs building up, not pulling down. Geoff Delaney, Chipping Norton The Herald remains a firm supporter of using Rosehill for housing ... (The Heralds View, March 14). It is so refreshing (not) to have an unbiased view on this issue. It is obvious that media opposition to Rosehill Racecourse continuing as a unique venue in western Sydney is wrapped in ignorance.

The venue is not just used for horse racing. It is a valued conference centre, a venue for specialist interests, from caravan and trailer shows to health seminars. It hosts end-of-year functions for year 12 students and other organisations. It serves western Sydney. Lets hope the ATC members see through the false arguments and remember that once it is gone, it is gone for good. Neil Donovan, Carlingford Rooftop remedy for bill shock Our household has not paid an electricity bill in three years (Power bill rise is an election poser for PM, March 14). After installing 23 solar panels a number of years ago, our hip-pocket has benefited greatly. Three years ago, we were given a $300 credit to switch electricity providers. We still have $379 in credit as winter approaches. We do not have a battery, but use the daylight hours wisely. Continued embrace of renewables should be our future. Those who push for an energy supply not based on renewables need to be ignored. John Cotterill, Kingsford

We are being warned of rising power bills in the near future. The only solution Peter Dutton can give us is his nuclear power thought bubble. By the time this becomes reality, many of us will not be alive, and the cost will have bankrupted Australia. Meanwhile, we should be aware of how much energy we are using, and minimise where we can. Robyn Lewis, Raglan Poll-ease, spare me An Australian election has never been the most exciting and engaging period of Australian life (Australians feeling political despair need only remember one thing  it could always be worse, March 13). On the contrary. Most Australians just want the election over and done with. They are sick of the endless promises made during the phoney campaign and during the actual campaign. Nowadays, many Australians vote pre-poll so they can get on with their lives, ignoring the raft of new spending promises designed to win over voters. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Things...can only get better Credit: Dionne Gain Of screams and seams

An article has brought back fond memories from 60 years ago, visiting Luna Park and taking a ride on the Rotor when, sliding down with my back to the wall, my trouser seam started to split (White-knuckled terror: Luna Parks most popular ride to reopen after years-long restoration, March 14). Then, into the Wild Mouse  just climbing in split my trouser seam completely, so after the ride I headed to the ambulance station and asked if I could borrow needle and thread to repair my trousers. Permission duly granted, it saved me from further embarrassment! Ken Finlayson, East Corrimal Postscript Back in February, with the prospect of US trade tariffs looming, readers agreed that Australia shouldnt just lie down and accept whatever imposts the disruptive president decided to impose. This week he dashed hopes of an exemption, declaring that tariffs would go ahead on our steel and aluminium imports  just for a start. Suggestions poured in. Taxes on large American cars was a popular one, particularly after the Herald revealed that the size of car parking spaces could be increased to accommodate large SUVs. Simon Blake was angry. This will inevitably result in fewer parking spaces. The community is therefore being collectively punished to accommodate the selfish choice of those people who buy [oversized] vehicles, he wrote. These cars should be taxed or regulated out of existence, suggested Ian Bell. For Alex Springall, this would kill two birds with one stone. It would remove these wasteful monstrosities from the roads and car parks, and would be a retaliation to Trumps stupid tariffs. Bring it on, he wrote. Brian Collins found the idea rather timely, especially if the cars are made from our steel. Our military co-operation with the US also came under fire, with calls for the AUKUS submarine deal to be cancelled, and Pine Gap and the joint-US naval station in WA to be closed. The anger among Australians found an unexpected voice in former PM Malcolm Turnbull, who lambasted the ABC on air for being too timid with the heavy-handed US leader. Bravo, Malcolm Turnbull, for standing up to the worlds biggest bully, applauded Ruth Pojer. Peter Bulkeley added, Just as Trump didnt know what AUKUS was, I bet hes never heard of Pine Gap or North West Cape. These are our trump cards but, as Malcolm would say, we are too pusillanimous to play them.
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This story is part of the March 15 edition of Good Weekend. See all 15 stories .

When my youngest daughter, Millie, laughs, its a deep, almost belly-laugh, as if her whole body is in on the joke. Her hearty giggles burst in joyful waves, filling the room and drawing everyones attention. She finds great delight in the smallest things: the clang of a spoon hitting the floor, the crash of a toy tumbling from a table, a bubble popping  even herself passing wind. Her laughter is even louder when shes the one making the noise, eyes squeezed tight with unfiltered joy.

Laughing is one of the better-known traits of Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that disrupts typical messaging in the brain. A single missing gene leads to the absence of a vital protein needed for proper brain function, affecting motor skills, speech and cognitive development. For reasons that are still unclear, it also brings frequent smiles and laughter, sometimes for no obvious reason at all.

Mum and Millie: Theres one thing the author wishes she could tell people who might glance our way and feel a pang of sympathy. Credit: Jacqui Turner

Millie started school last month, and one of my biggest concerns was, and still is, that her happy demeanour would be misunderstood. Shes often cheerful, but her laughter isnt always a sign of joy  it can also be a response to discomfort, uncertainty or even pain. And thats just one of the many worries swirling in my head. Does she like school? Will she make friends? How does she make her needs understood? People living with Angelman syndrome are usually non-verbal, and while some learn to communicate using an augmentative device  such as an iPad app with symbols to tap for words  were not at that stage yet with Millie.

Starting school is a huge milestone for any child, and this was round two for us, but it was vastly different from when our eldest began. On Millies first day, there was no skipping through the gates with an oversized backpack dwarfing her small frame. No nervous chatter as she hurried off to make new friends. No excited waves from the classroom door. Instead, we wheeled her into the school and helped her out of her chair to walk into the classroom. She hesitated at the entry, gripping my hand tightly as I felt her whole body stiffen with anticipation. When one of the teachers aides knelt down and held out a small toy that looked perfect for squeezing, Millies fingers uncurled slightly.

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The school that Millie is attending is designed for children with multiple and complex needs, and they are taught both life skills and academics. Officially known as Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs), these learning environments defy simple labels, each offering a unique space for growth. But it can feel overwhelming at first. The first time I visited the school, the sight of so many wheelchairs and mobility aids was confronting. When your child is little, a disability isnt as noticeable, but as they grow, the differences become more pronounced.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In this series, The Age asks a diverse group of people aged 19 to 29 to reveal what challenges and rewards they face as young Melburnians. See all 5 stories . In Australia, known as the land of the fair go, people havent traditionally thought much about class. But ask a diverse group of young Melburnians stepping into their adult lives about class and they will tell you: theres a divide, and its larger than most are willing to admit. Asked about it, 27-year-old Indigenous artist Mia Boe says simply that its huge. Boe, a painter whose work explores themes from her Butchulla and Burmese heritage, sees Australias class hierarchy as the great divider that shapes peoples opportunities. The big difference, she says, is where you went to school. I know Australians like to generally think that we dont have a class system because it looks different to other countries around the world. But I mean, in its purest form, school education exemplifies issues with class  the difference in opportunities for public school students to private school students, she says. Class is like  above race in a way, I think thats how we should be approaching policy.

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Boe is speaking at a dinner The Age organised for five diverse young people aged 19 to 29 to discuss what life is like for young Melburnians. In a series, they also debate ideas about housing, the cost of living, politics, influential people and cancel culture. Private school enrolments rise If the public-private schooling divide does denote class, then the problem is growing. The Australian Bureau of Statistics records that more than one-third of Australian students go to private schools, and their ranks are increasing faster than those of public school students. Victoria ranks second in the country for total non-government enrolments, trailing only New South Wales. When Boe finishes speaking, an awkward hush falls over the room, broken only by some giggles as four other young people silently urge each other to say something. Eventually, after light prompting, Jenson Galvin, a 19-year-old Liberal Party member and financial services worker, agrees that class plays a significant role in shaping peoples lives in Australia.

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Galvin completed year 12 at one of Melbournes top private schools, Brighton Grammar, and is studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne. He acknowledges the class divide is big. However, he believes the focus on it often overshadows potential solutions. We keep saying well, there is a class system, but whos doing anything to fix it? Its certainly not the Labor government. Its certainly not what the Greens want to happen. I wont stand here saying its Liberals either, even though thats the party Im in. We need to create a system where class isnt the reason and isnt the rhyme, and I believe it comes through greater financial literacy. Abdulmalik*, a 27-year-old construction worker who grew up in Melbournes public housing estates, sees the issue differently. Born to migrant parents, Abdulmalik has always been driven by the belief nothing in life comes easy. Some, he says, use class as an excuse  hard work, he believes, is the best answer to inequality. In 2021, about 57 per cent of Australians who took part in the ABCs Australia Talks national survey said they believed hard work and perseverance were part of the formula that led to success, regardless of their personal circumstances.

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Abdulmalik agrees. Theres class everywhere you go. I dont believe theres no class anywhere in the world, Abdulmalik says. Class? I dont know. I mean, its just the way it is, it will never change. Remarkably, race and gender identity are not framed as obstacles to success in Melbourne  and, while each of the five participants brings their own perspective, the groups consensus is clear: economic disparity is the key to Australias divides. For 23-year-old youth worker Ikram Mahamed, the notion that simply working harder is the solution to young peoples struggles feels hollow. Mahamed argues that young people are facing an uphill battle  not just financially, but in a system that seems stacked against them. Reflecting on her own experience growing up in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, where gentrification has rendered once-affordable working-class areas like Collingwood, Fitzroy and Brunswick financially unreachable, Mahamed says she worries about whats to come in the years ahead.

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Imagine 20 to 30 years from now, if were worrying about million-dollar house prices [now], where is it going to be in the future? she says. Yes, its good to have aspirations, its good to work hard  I dont think anyone here is going to say dont work hard. But she believes the odds are tilted so heavily against young people that success often feels out of reach. Life has changed, things arent the way that they used to be  were in a different playing field, she says. Jenson Galvin is optimistic about the future. Credit: Paul Jeffers As the group mull their future over slices of pizza, its clear the majority share Mahameds concerns. Galvin admits the housing market is dire, but he insists upward mobility is still possible. He uses his own familys experience as a guide. My parents grew up in Noble Park and Cranbourne and moved out of there in the 1990s. That was aspiration  it wasnt inheritance, he says.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In this series, The Age asks a diverse group of people aged 19 to 29 to reveal what challenges and rewards they face as young Melburnians. See all 5 stories . Housing is a topic so divisive it can imperil even the most civilised Australian dinner party. So when The Age hosted a dinner for a diverse group of five young Melburnians and asked them about the housing crisis, opinions were split and disagreement was stark. They agreed on one thing: that affordability  or the lack of it  had created enormous problems for their generation. But how they could respond to the challenge, or even how to feel about it, was up for debate. Over two hours, five people aged between 19 and 29  an artist, an actor, a youth worker and two university students who work in construction and financial services  debated and contested the challenges and rewards of being young and living in Melbourne for an Age series. Housing is the issue through which almost all the others are seen. Perhaps surprisingly, around this table at least, theres little anger at older generations and politicians who have overseen an era of skyrocketing home prices. But some shots were fired at what our diverse cohort described as land barons  people who own several rental properties  and at the failure of governments to create housing with sufficient access to local services such as public transport. Figures released by Canstar last year suggest single-income buyers looking to buy a house in Melbournes inner suburbs, inner south and inner east would need an annual income north of $200,000 and a 20 per cent deposit to be able to service a home loan. Despite the steep prices, 19-year-old Liberal Party member Jenson Galvin is optimistic that hell be able to buy in his local area of Brighton within a decade.

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Its harder now [than in the past], so thats very difficult, says Galvin, a financial services worker and university student, who also hosts a community radio show. But through hard work  Im confident I will, and hopefully its soon. Home ownership v public housing In Galvins family, home ownership has been a priority. When his grandparents migrated to Australia from Mauritius in the 1950s, they quickly bought a house. His parents married young and built a home soon after. Undeterred by the steep prices, this Brighton Grammar alum who exudes maturity and confidence cant see why his experience should be different. (His confidence, he says, comes after a lot of failure.) Galvin believes the outlook for young people in the housing market would be better under Liberal governments. He thinks immigration should be reduced, medium-density buildings prioritised and government spending on infrastructure projects  like the Suburban Rail Loop  cut, to free up money. Despite his support for medium-density housing, when the state government announced Brighton as a new activity centre where apartments could be fast-tracked and built taller, Galvin took to the streets to protest. The buildings permitted under Labors plan were just too high and would put too great a strain on Brightons local amenities, he says.

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Even so, he will consider buying an apartment when the time comes  hes spent most of his life living in apartments, and is renting a townhouse. Across the table, Galvin finds agreement with Abdulmalik*, 27, a construction administrator who insists determination and grit is the key to owning a home. Abdulmalik grew up in a public housing estate in Collingwood and sees the disadvantage of his upbringing almost like a motivator. By his estimation, if you put your head down, set goals and network, theres a place for you in the private market. But there are shades of grey. It needs to go back to where [housing] was government-owned, built by the government  Im talking about public tenants, says Abdulmalik. I voted for Labor, but the last 13, 14 years now, of the Labor government  I think they established just a lot of waste. Though Abdulmalik and Galvin agree on hard work being the bedrock of home ownership, there is much they disagree on. On Galvins point about capping immigration, Abdulmalik, the child of African migrants, argues there is enough room in Victoria, especially in outer suburbs and regional towns.

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Hes aware of far greater population density in his parents birth country than in Melbournes suburban sprawl. We should be able to bring people in [to Australia] says Abdulmalik. Loading Listening to Galvin and Abdulmalik talking, 29-year-old non-binary performer Ryan Stewart feels compelled to speak. You guys have been going on about working hard. I work f---ing hard, they say. Stewart works two jobs and sinks endless hours into their creative work, but, I probably make the least amount of money in this room, just because none of my creative labour is paid.

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Stewart was 10 when their parents divorced in 2006, so their family went from a double-income home to two single-income households during the global financial crisis. I was exposed to a lot of things like the social service industry and stuff like that quite early  and that  definitely opened up my eyes to the sorts of areas that people with lower incomes have to navigate. It makes them prickly to any suggestion that low-income earners who cant afford to buy their own homes are lazy or rorting the system  a view they believe comes down to privilege. Stewart was also socialised as a male before coming out as non-binary, and was then excommunicated from the church theyd grown up in. This, they say, forced them to accept a certain degree of a loss of that privilege. The evenings wearing on. The sparkling waters lost its fizz and the pizzas getting cold when Galvin, the Liberal member and Bayside resident, comes back to the idea of government ownership of housing, saying its the wrong model. That prompts Mia Boe, a 27-year-old contemporary artist, to speak up. I think the exact opposite.

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Philanthropist Tonya McCusker has issued a scathing assessment of a defamation suit over verge works on a Perth street dubbed millionaires row, telling the court some people have real grievances.

The famously private company director took the stand on Friday, laying bare what unfolded behind the scenes of a year-long spat between a City of Nedlands councillor and the owners of 52 Jutland Parade, Dalkeith, which triggered a Supreme Court defamation action.

The block at 52 Jutland Parade, Dalkeith. Inset: Rob Anderson KC with Paul McGarry (top). Nedlands councillor Andrew Mangano with high-profile defamation lawyer Sue Chrysanthou (bottom). Credit: Jesinta Burton/Google Maps

When developer Paul McGarry and his wife Meredith took ownership of the 1959-square-metre vacant block in January 2022, McCusker told the court her only concern was being a welcoming neighbour.

The McCuskers had been forewarned about the earthworks due to take place next door, but as the convoy of trucks began dumping fill and sand swirled around the boundary of her property, Tonyas concerns multiplied.
Good afternoon readers, and thanks for following along this week.

Have a great weekend  the weather looks nice and mild and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it, some of which Ive rounded up for you below:

Perths new riverside market experience beneath the Bell Tower at Barrack Square starts this Sunday 7am-12pm and runs each Sunday until April 20. Theres free parking at Terrace Road car park 6am-6pm and more than 20 vendors serving breakfast, brunch, and wellness offerings.

Things are about to get hairy as beloved Perth childrens author James Foley tomorrow launches his latest book Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story, published by Fremantle Press. Tickets for the launch event are closed now, but youll be able to snag a copy at any of Perths indie bookshops. More info here.

The 36th Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is also on this weekend at Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema and Palace Raine Square, with details on films, times and tickets here.

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival 2025 is on this weekend.

Goolugatup Heathcote in Applecross is presenting three exhibitions open 10am-4pm all weekend. In Fall Damage, two Fortnite-obsessed artists have made works by using the freely available video game assets, leveraging the personal agency that comes with building your own Fortnite worlds. In Relic, the first exhibition in the areas new project space, 18 artists have crafted unique relics that reflect their personal experiences of grief and transcendence. And in partnership with RTRFM, more than 20 local artists are exhibiting at the gallery and auctioning their work to raise funds for the station. More info here.

Finally, Sundays free live music at Fremantle Arts Centre this week is the Chris Foster Trio from 2pm  2.50pm and Quiet Country featuring Helen Shanahan from 3.10pm-4pm. More on that here.

However you choose to spend it, we hope you have a lovely weekend, and well be back with a fresh live blog on Monday.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In this series, The Age asks a diverse group of people aged 19 to 29 to reveal what challenges and rewards they face as young Melburnians. See all 5 stories . Who is the most influential person in todays culture? The deliberately ambiguous question prompts furrowed brows and pensive looks from a diverse group of young Melburnians gathered around the dinner table. But each seems to be waiting for someone else to answer first. Eventually, 27-year-old construction administrator Abdulmalik* pipes up. Andrew Tate, he says. He was just crazy, I feel like a lot of young boys look up to that  even old guys, they look at his views too. Tate, a former professional kickboxer turned influencer, has become a leading voice of the manosphere, a controversial digital space discussing masculinity, mens rights and opposition to feminism. Authorities in Florida have launched a criminal investigation into Tate and his brother Tristan, after the pair returned to the US earlier this month from Romania, where they were charged with human trafficking and are being investigated for the same alleged offences in a different case. Andrew Tate has also been charged with rape. They deny the allegations. Abdulmalik does not agree with Tates views but says a lot of people admire the influencer.

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He also suggests Big T as another powerful influence. The nickname causes slight confusion around the table. Big T? someone queries. Trump, another fires back. The recently re-elected US president and Time magazines 2024 person of the year needs no further introduction. With the ice broken, conversation begins to flow as the young Melburnians debate influence, fame and notoriety over dinner as part of an Age series on what its like to be a young person in Melbourne. How do we measure influence? Can someone be influential even if you dont personally like or subscribe to their values? Loading Some take a deliberately different approach. Jenson Galvin  a 19-year-old university student, financial services worker and member of the Young Liberals  believes the most influential person are the technology and financial industries. Everything we digest, from newspapers to what someones wearing in a day, is presented to us in a digital manner, he says. You cant walk down the street without seeing a digital advertisement. You cant drive in a car without a digital screen. Politicians as influencers

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Youth worker Ikram Mahamed chooses Australian Senator Fatima Payman. Payman rocketed to prominence after quitting the Labor backbench last year over its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, becoming an outspoken independent before forming her own party, Australias Voice. I think seeing a young Muslim woman in a political space ... thats not something you see quite often, says 23-year-old Mahamed. Just seeing her being able to hold her own space ... its really inspiring. Ikram Mahamed is inspired by politician Fatima Payman. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Performer and producer Ryan Stewart, 29, agrees Donald Trump is one of the worlds most influential people, noting you say his name and everyone has an opinion. Sure, theres positive influence with the people who voted for him and the people who are advocating for his policy, but hes also influenced people who are reacting  and trying to stop that stuff from happening, says Stewart, who uses they/them pronouns. The reactions for womens movements and queer movements and migrants rights movements have been influenced by the presence of Donald Trump. On a personal note, Stewart says Senator Lidia Thorpe is another major influence.

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This is probably my own bubble and the media Im consuming ... but a lot of people in Australia have an opinion of this woman, whether its positive, whether its negative, they say. Shes starting conversations around Indigenous rights ... around the project of what Australia is and where it is moving going forward, and its role as a Commonwealth country. Indigenous artist Mia Boe finds it difficult to pinpoint a specific person. The 22- year-old moved from Brisbane to Melbourne a few years ago and was a 2024 Archibald Prize finalist for her portrait of television presenter Tony Armstrong. Loading The people who influence me arent going to be the people who influence most people, she said before pausing. Like technology the controllers of technology ... who are they? A chorus of laughter erupts. In the cloud somewhere, jokes Galvin. Boe laughs before adopting a more serious tone. Elon Musk  hes just got more power. So if its forceful influence, then its the people that are controlling our algorithms and access to technology and information and journalists  in a sadistic way, those are the people that have the most influence over us, because were getting all our information from online, and were also getting restricted information online.

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The murky world of cancel culture With the pizza boxes half empty and the bottles of sparkling water nearly done, the conversation shifts to a juicier topic: Cancel culture. The cultural phenomenon thats gained traction over the past decade thanks to social media refers to withdrawing support for a person after theyve said or done something considered offensive or wrong. So, should someones tweets from 2012 be held against them? Can you recover from being cancelled? How do we determine who is cancelled, and for how long? The group jumps straight in. Galvin is adamant the principle of cancel culture is bullying.

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The Albanese government is facing demands for another overhaul of the way the GST is shared after the Commonwealth Grants Commission delivered a $1.2 billion budget headache to Queensland and a $3.7 billion windfall to Victoria.

The independent grants commission, which oversees how the $95 billion GST pot is allocated between the states and territories, found strong population growth in Melbourne, strong coal royalties in Queensland and NSW, plus lingering health costs from the pandemic required a major overhaul of the annual financial carve-up.

Anthony Albanese, campaigning in Perth on Friday, said the government remained committed to the current GST allocation system. Credit: Trevor Collens

This masthead on Friday revealed the total cost of a deal struck by the Morrison government to protect Western Australias share of GST, which had plummeted due to soaring iron ore prices in the 2010s, is now on track to reach $60 billion over 11 years. It was originally forecast to cost just $2.3 billion over four years.

The grants commission confirmed that $5 billion of federal taxpayers cash would be spent ensuring no state or territory would be left worse off in the coming financial year.
The runaway costs of a policy to compensate Western Australia after its share of the GST collapsed is testimony to Australias continuing failure to implement an equitable system to divide federal funds among the states.

Senior economics correspondent Shane Wrights exclusive report on Friday revealed that the ballooning cost of the political fix is now approaching an astounding $60 billion, 17 times more expensive than originally promised.

Anthony Albanese writes and signs a No change to WA GST pledge on the arm of West Australian reporter Dylan Caporn in February 2024. Credit: AAP

Despite the blowout, on the eve of the federal election major political parties evince little interest in reforming the system for fear of antagonising West Australian voters. Labor and the Coalition have promised to honour a deal crafted by then treasurer Scott Morrison when WAs share of the GST collapsed to less than 30 for every tax dollar due to soaring iron ore prices. Under Morrisons policy, originally forecast to cost $2.3 billion over four years, no states GST share could fall below 75 for every dollar. The federal government would top up the GST pool to ensure WAs share gradually lifted.

The sharp fall in WAs share, as the state emerged from a local recession, was caused by the way the GST is allocated by the Commonwealth Grants Commission which, through a notoriously complex process, seeks to ensure all states and territories have sufficient money to provide services of a similar level to residents. Under pressure from other states and members of the governments backbench, so-called no worse off payments were put in place to ensure no state or territory would have GST shares cut.
Dubbo rich lister Wes Maas and wife Emma have sold one of their prized Bower Street properties in their Manly portfolio for circa $15 million.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house was their first foray into a blue-chip neighbourhood when they paid $12.5 million back in 2021 for a 20-year lease from the Catholic Church, which owns the majority of that pocket of the beachside suburb, with an option of renewal for another two decades after that.

The Maas have quietly offloaded one of their Bower St holdings. It had a price guide of $15 million. Credit:

While the price of the property, which is in Emmas name, remains undisclosed, it had a guide of $15 million. The sold sticker went up quietly in the blue-chip neighbourhood after selling via private treaty.

Positioned above the tranquil Shelly Beach in one of the most sought-after oceanfront cul-de-sacs in the area, the family beach house is set on 696 square metres and has panoramic views stretching to Queenscliff Beach and beaches further north.
Im standing in the mouth of Lindy Lees extraordinary sculpture Ouroboros. Light bounces off its mirror surface, reflecting at me like millions of stars in a clear night sky. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch a car mount the kerb, hazard lights flashing as its occupants take snaps through the open windows.

Commissioned to mark the National Gallery of Australias 40th anniversary, Australias most expensive public artwork (at $14 million) has become a surprise social media attraction. Its exciting to come past day and night and see people connecting, the gallerys head curator, Deborah Hart, says.

Australias most expensive public artwork, Ouroboros by Lindy Lee. Credit:

Lees most ambitious sculpture yet, Ouroboros is both beautiful and intriguing, and people can look at it in various ways, Hart says.

In the day the sculpture reflects the sky, the water and the people that visit it. And at night its lit up from the inside, like a lantern, giving its light back out to the world.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size From Panama to outer space, we examine the impacts of the US Presidents second administration. See all 13 stories . It was dubbed the Winter War for good reason. In November 1939, months into World War II and almost completely overshadowed by events elsewhere in Europe, the Soviet Union invaded its neighbour Finland. Like Russias recent incursion into Ukraine, it didnt go quite to plan. Soviet forces greatly outnumbered the Finns but were not prepared for the harsh conditions: snow, ice and temperatures of minus 45 degrees. Many Soviet troops suffered from frostbite (as would the Nazis in Stalingrad in 1942). The Finns, meanwhile, put up a stubborn resistance. They camouflaged themselves in white, skied about, dragged supplies on sleds pulled by reindeer, dug foxholes in snowdrifts and fought with whatever came to hand, including an improvised grenade they named after Soviet minister Vyacheslav Molotov  the petrol bomb known today as the Molotov cocktail. They fought like white demons, to the last frayed nerve of resistance, recalled a photographer for Life magazine in January 1940. It was a brutal, bloody conflict. After just 105 days, the Finns had suffered 100,000 casualties, the Soviets close to 400,000. But Russian air support proved overwhelming as did waves of troops that Life called the Red juggernaut. Backs against the wall, the Finns were forced to sign a peace deal with Moscow and had to cede a tenth of the territory along their 1300-kilometre border. Finnish soldiers train in the snow during war against Russia in 1939. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted And so the scene was set for Finlands complex relationship with its belligerent neighbour. After WWII, when Europes biggest security pact, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, formed at the beginning of the Cold War, Finland stayed neutral, hoping to diplomatically negotiate its own path with the Soviet Union (now Russia) rather than hide beneath NATOs skirt. The Finns have tried to cultivate a relationship with Russia, Professor Juhana Aunesluoma tells us from the University of Helsinki. As long as you have dialogue, as long as you have meetings between the governments, the border authorities collaborate, everything works. That was until 2022, when it all got a bit too real with Russias full-scale invasion of another of its neighbours, Ukraine. In Finland, sentiment towards NATO flipped overnight. It became the newest member of the alliance, soon followed by Sweden. Now, the script has flipped again. With the ascension of US President Donald Trump, Europes main strategic partnership seems increasingly less assured. NATO, under US leadership, has so far guaranteed defence for Europe. But, if you take Trump at face value, it might be in jeopardy. How reliable the Americans are is now the talk of town, says Aunesluoma. People are discussing whether, in a conflict, would the Americans still be supplying rockets to the rocket launchers that we have here in Finland?

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How has Europe defended itself so far  and how will that change? What role has NATO played, and can it continue? Whats the new coalition of the willing? US president Harry Truman signs the North Atlantic Pact creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as foreign diplomats watch, on August 24, 1949. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted How has Europe defended itself so far? The fiery Oval Office meeting is now infamous: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky trying to school Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance as the American leaders laid bare that they would not support Ukraine against Russia as enthusiastically as president Joe Biden had for almost three years. The attitudes need to change, Trump told the onlooking media. Days later, he reiterated the US might not play its historic role protecting European members of NATO unless they were prepared to pay more for their own defence. Exactly what Trump was threatening was, typically, slightly opaque. Nevertheless, he prompted a panicky response in Europe, where NATO member states are now figuring out how to fund more of their own defence and even to take the lead to support peace in Ukraine. In the background of this shift in Europes security architecture sits NATO: the North Atlantic Treaty alliance, responsible for protecting most (but not all) European nations (plus the US and Canada) from hostile forces (for a long time, the Soviet Union). A meeting of NATO heads in 1957 with Britains Harold Macmillan second from right and US president Dwight Eisenhower far right. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted The alliance was established after World War II when 12 founding parties signed the Washington Treaty in 1949 as a way to counter the Soviet Unions expansion beyond Eastern Europe. As the Cold War escalated in the 1950s, more nations joined, especially those at risk of Soviet invasion or communist takeover, such as Greece and Turkey in 1952. West Germanys entry in 1955 spurred the Soviets to bind satellite socialist states through the Warsaw Pact, joining Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and East Germany in a collective defence treaty.

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Scares such as the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 put NATO forces on high alert: US president John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev faced off over Soviet nuclear missiles pointed at the US from communist Cuba, placed there after NATO installed its own missiles in member nation Turkey. (Khrushchev dismantled the Cuban sites after NATO secretly agreed to remove its weapons from Turkey.) Fast forward, and Soviet invasions of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and then Afghanistan in 1979 were seen by the West as evidence of continuing aggressive ambitions. US president John F. Kennedy with generals in the White House during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted By the 1980s, the prospect of Soviet tanks roaring across Western Europe or even all-out nuclear war seemed frighteningly real. Lined up on the borders of East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the rest of the Iron Curtain nations were at least 4 million Warsaw Pact troops, supported by 60,000 tanks and nearly 13,000 aircraft. Staring back across the barbed wire, NATO forces numbered nearly 2.6 million troops backed by 2000 nuclear-ready planes and missiles: not enough to hold back the hordes but probably sufficient to delay them until reinforcements could arrive from the US  or the conflict escalated into Armageddon. Popular culture reflected this anxiety: in 1984 alone, the BBC screened Threads, a shockingly realistic film depicting the aftermath of an atomic strike on a British city; Tom Clancy published The Hunt for Red October, a tale of a Russian nuclear submarine gone rogue (whose captain was later played in the film adaptation by Sean Connery); ABBA alumni Benny and Bjorn launched the chess-tournament musical Chess, an allegory for the Cold War; and the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a No.1 hit with Two Tribes, which opened, alarmingly, with the sound of the siren that would accompany an imminent nuclear attack. Sean Connery, as the rogue commanding officer of a Soviet submarine, in a scene from the 1990 film The Hunt For Red October with co-stars Alec Baldwin and Scott Glenn. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted By the end of the decade, though, fears of this existential threat had somewhat diminished. Under a critical arms treaty signed in 1987, the US and the USSR agreed to ban shorter-range missiles. The Berlin Wall came down in 1989, East and West Germany reunified in 1990, and in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. For NATO, having deterred warfare for all those years, this was equivalent to victory: job done. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, NATO lost its rational purpose as a deterrent to Moscow, says Benjamin Abelow, author of How the West Brought War to Ukraine. NATO did intervene in its first conflict in a non-NATO country from 1992, when it sent air support and then peacekeepers into the Bosnian conflict. And NATO troops went to Afghanistan in 2001 (more on which below). But much of the discussion about NATOs role centred more on appropriate levels of funding than the need to stay battle-ready at all times.

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In Europe, an alliance goal was building a community among nations, says Sten Rynning, a war professor at the University of Southern Denmark and author of NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, A History of the Worlds Most Powerful Alliance. It moved outside of NATO into the European Community, now the European Union. Today, you have to understand that the European Union is a child of NATO. (Most EU members are in NATO, but not all: Cyprus, Ireland and Malta are not, nor is Austria, whose constitution prohibits it from joining any military alliance. Most NATO members are in the EU but some are not: apart from the US and Canada, theres Albania, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Turkey. Britain used to be in both but isnt now, thanks to Brexit. Finally, not in either camp is perma-neutral Switzerland.) A young couple celebrate the opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Meanwhile, of course, Russia was licking its wounds, and under Vladimir Putin, it was reviving its territorial ambitions. Putins actions should be viewed in a historical context, says Gorana Grgic, a senior lecturer in US politics and foreign policy at the University of Sydney. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not an abrupt shift but rather the culmination of years of failed attempts to reassert Russian control over Ukraine and Russias near abroad. And Russias so-called grey-zone activities, those below the threshold of outright military conflict, have been prolific for much of the past two decades, notes Grgic, including assassination plots, sabotage, information operations and political interference. Says Abelow: Many still view NATO through the prism of its early days, when it confronted a Soviet Union that proclaimed an expansionist communist ideology. But to Russia, during the period after the end of the Cold War, things began to look very different. Keep in mind that NATO is the most powerful military alliance in the history of the world. Russia came to perceive it as a threat, especially when it carried out military exercises on or near Russias borders. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a parade marking the Victory Day in Sevastopol, Crimea, on May 9, 2014. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted NATO members are bound to mutual obligations detailed in 14 articles, of which Article 5 is the best known. Its simplest definition is that it considers a military attack on any individual member nation to be an attack on all. It is commonly misunderstood as requiring all of NATO to immediately go on a war footing if a single member is attacked. In fact, the obligation is a little looser, expecting each member to take such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area. In practice, this means allies can provide any form of assistance they deem necessary to respond to a situation. (When the treaty was drafted in the 1940s, European countries wanted to guarantee that the US would automatically come to their assistance, the Nazis being a recent memory, while the US wanted the option to decide for itself how it might intervene.) NATOs Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is in Belgium while its air force HQ is in Germany, land forces in Turkey and maritime forces in Britain  yet these forces are not its own. Instead, it has the capacity to bring national forces under its command, equating to some 3.4 million troops across the alliance.

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In more than 70 years, Article 5 has been invoked just once, when NATO sent troops to Afghanistan, triggered by al-Qaedas attack on the US on September 11, 2001. At one stage, there were more than 130,000 NATO troops on the ground. Curiously, it was not invoked when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, an attack on founding member Britain. This was because of the lesser-known Article 6, essentially a fine-print addendum to Article 5, which, among other conditions, limits NATO obligations to attacks that occur only above the Tropic of Cancer, thus excluding the Falklands. A woman gazes at a police line from a barricade during the Maidan Revolution, an uprising in Kyiv in 2014. Credit: Getty Images Why isnt Ukraine in NATO? While members can invite into NATO any European state that is in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area, politics plays a role. Turkey and Hungary, for example, initially blocked Finland. Eventually, probably because of pressure from the United States, they came on board, says Christian Reus-Smit, a professor of international relations at the University of Melbourne. But if the US isnt going to be a party to it, its not going to happen. In the late 1990s, NATO began to promote an open door policy for new members after inviting in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. In 2008, US president George W. Bush said he strongly supported Ukraines and former Soviet republic Georgias bids to join NATO, but France and Germany resisted, saying the moves risked needlessly angering Russia. Four months later, Russian troops invaded Georgia. Ever since the ensuing conflict, which was over in days, the question of Georgias membership has been on hold. Meanwhile, support to join grew among Ukrainians. The US told Kyiv the pathway to membership would involve democratic, economic and military reforms. And then-NATO secretary-general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Ukraine could join eventually, without specifying a timeframe. In 2010, Ukraine opted to pursue a non-alignment policy, choosing not to join any military alliances, but there was a groundswell for joining the European Union. In 2013, Ukraines pro-Russia president, Viktor Yanukovich, refused to sign an agreement with the EU, and civil unrest took hold in Kyiv, later known as the Maidan Revolution, which ultimately led to Yanukovichs overthrow in 2014. NATO was never on the table at that point, says Steven Horrell, a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis in Washington, DC. After Russia (or its unbadged little green men) annexed Crimea, a peninsula in Ukraine on the Black Sea in 2014, Ukraine abandoned its non-alignment policy. Then, after the start of the all-out war in 2022, support for NATO membership rose to 80 per cent, according to the Kyiv Independent. In 2023, NATO jettisoned the need for Ukraine to follow a membership plan, ensuring it could join in the future in a one-step process. NATOs website states: Ukraines future is in NATO.

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Tel Aviv: A new United Nations report has accused Israel of carrying out systematic gender-based violence during its 17-month war in the Gaza Strip, including by shelling fertility clinics and hospital maternity wards, causing maternal deaths by blocking aid deliveries, and subjecting male and female detainees to sexual humiliation or abuse.

The 49-page report released on Friday (AEDT), by a UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, said that Israeli authorities have destroyed in part the reproductive capacity of the Palestinians in Gaza as a group, including by imposing measures intended to prevent births, one of the categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quickly condemned the reports findings as baseless.

Tubes of specimens lie inside a broken fridge inside Al Basma IVF Centre, Gazas largest fertility clinic, on April 2, 2024. Credit: Reuters

Instead of focusing on the crimes against humanity and the war crimes that were perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist organisation in the worst massacre carried out against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the UN has again chosen to attack the State of Israel with false accusations, including baseless accusations of sexual violence, Netanyahu said in a statement.
Australias defence strategy since World War II has been anchored in its alliance with the United States, formalised in the 1951 ANZUS Treaty . This treaty obliges both nations to act to meet the common danger if either is attacked, and it has weathered many tests over the decades  we are, after all, very different countries. Like all critical defence frameworks, its rightly attracted public debate about its precise scope. Alliances are built on relationships, history, reliability and trust  not just treaties. Reassessing our strategic underpinnings is healthy, but any review should rest on facts.

President Trump has re-litigated Americas relationship with Europe through NATO, applied maximum pressure on Ukraine to push it towards negotiations, and said precious little about Russia. Meanwhile, a trade war has kicked off, and Australias now facing tariffs on steel and aluminium and maybe more from our closest ally. Does any of this put our alliance with the United States under threat? Absolutely not. Does it change Australias plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines? Again, no. Heres why.

At this point, theres no sign the US is an unreliable ally of Australia. In the first 50 days of Trumps term, senior officials  from the secretary of state to the president himself  have repeatedly underscored Australias importance to US security. While the current administration does not necessarily have a consistent view across key players, the endorsement should be comforting to Australia. Some have pointed to diverging US-Europe relations as a red flag, but the US has long urged Europeans to invest more in their own defence  this is hardly new. We may dislike the tone of the current demands, yet they dont signal unreliability when it comes to the Indo-Pacific.

In fact, US officials openly acknowledge that encouraging Europe to handle its own conventional defence allows the US to refocus on deterring conflict with China. Thats where Australia comes in. A century of mateship is a lovely phrase  but thats not why countries work together. Throughout our alliance, we havent agreed on everything, but its been rooted in shared strategic interests rather than purely shared values. Those interests are more aligned now than at any time since World War II, given Chinas increasingly assertive stance.

As for tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium, theyre unwelcome  even unreasonable  but they affect only a small fraction of our exports. This disagreement doesnt equate to a shaky foundation in our overall defence relationship. The Australia-US alliance extends far beyond economic tiffs or even AUKUS  our plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. It supports vital intelligence-sharing and extended nuclear deterrence, critical as China rapidly expands its nuclear arsenal. North Korea has already demonstrated nuclear capabilities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveil details of the AUKUS agreement in San Diego in March 2023. Credit: Getty

When it comes to AUKUS, calls for a Plan B seem off-base. Contingency planning is prudent, of course, but theres no evidence that AUKUS is going off track. Like any major defence acquisition, its complex, and the nuclear dimension adds to the challenge. It will not always go to plan. But the pertinent question isnt is it risky? but are we managing the risks effectively?
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Detective Department of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is actively investigating two shooting incidents that occurred late Thursday evening, March 13, 2025.

The first incident took place just after 11:00 PM in the Dutch Quarter. Police Central Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the area, where two individuals sustained gunshot wounds. Upon further investigation, officers learned that both the older male victim and the suspect were transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for treatment. The older male victim remains in critical condition, while the younger suspect, after receiving medical attention, was later brought to the Philipsburg Police Station for questioning. The motive behind this shooting remains unclear, and further investigations are ongoing.

A second shooting occurred later the same evening on Union Road in Cole Bay. At approximately 11:00 PM, a police patrol unit observed a silver-colored Hyundai Grand i10 parked in the lot of a business establishment with all its doors open. As officers approached the vehicle, police were informed that unknown persons had shot two male individuals and that the victims had sustained gunshot wounds. Paramedics arrived promptly, provided first aid to the injured individuals, and transported them to the SMMC, where they remained in serious condition. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation.

Gun violence remains a serious concern for our community. KPSM strongly urges all residents to seek other forms of conflict resolution and avoid resorting to firearms. Violence not only endangers lives but also tears families and communities apart.

KPSM urges anyone with information about these incidents to come forward and assist with the investigations. The public can contact the police via +1 (721) 542-2222 or submit tips anonymously through the tip line 9300.

The Sint Maarten Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

KPSM Press Release.
From March 10 to 16, representatives from Sabas Queen Wilhelmina Library and St. Eustatius Gertrude Judson Bicentennial Public Library will participate in a working visit hosted by the Sint Maarten Library. This initiative, sponsored by the National Library of the Netherlands, aims to provide the sister libraries with valuable insights and an introduction to the OverDrive digital library and its Libby app. This integration will enhance the online literary experience for patrons across all three islands.

The visit will serve to improve library services and strengthen the role of public libraries in the region. Staff from both libraries will receive comprehensive training on OverDrive, including acquisition processes, reporting, collection development, and library activities. Additionally, they will gain a deeper understanding of how to enhance their library systems and curate digital collections effectively.

During this period, representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) of the Netherlands, including Beena Ramlakhan, Coordinating Policy Advisor for Media, Libraries, and Language, and Policy Advisor Eveline Chaudron, also conducted a working visit to their BES Islands counterparts. They praised the strong collaboration between the Sint Maarten Library and the library representatives from Saba and St. Eustatius, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing and regional cooperation in advancing library services.
Negotiations are underway to transform Coffin Butte Landfills existing gas generation facilities, which currently produce electricity, into a renewable natural gas project.

Since 1995, PNGC Power, an electric utility company based in Portland, has been onsite at the dump, where it generates electricity for local co-ops to distribute. Its project at Coffin Butte was one of the first landfill efforts in the Northwest to collect landfill gas for conversion to energy.

A $5.5 million expansion in 2008 increased the amount of gas collected from the landfill to 5.66 megawatts, or enough to power about 4,000 homes.

Some of the machines used for electricity generation in Coffin Butte are 30 years old and need replacement. But PNGC feels that renewable gas energy, or RNG, holds more potential for the site than its current project. And as the companys contract with Portland General Electric is set to expire, it's renegotiating its contract with Republic Services to potentially modernize its work at Coffin Butte.

Between the aging of those machines on site, the existence of a new industry around the biogas that gives us new opportunities there, and the expiration of that contract, this is a pretty crucial moment for us as we decide what the future of that landfill is going to look like, Connor Reiten, chief member services officer for PNGC Power, told Benton Countys Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, March 11.

Environmental impacts

Regional landfills like Coffin Butte are required to have gas collection systems in place. Landfills are a producer of biogas, a fuel produced by raw materials that is made up of methane, CO2 and small quantities of other gases, according to the International Energy Agency.

The last seven years has brought a sustained spike in biogas supply at Coffin Butte, according to Reiten. This is what PNGC currently uses to generate electricity.

But when biogas goes above the capacity of PNGCs machines, Reiten said, it has to be diverted to a flare, or a gas combustion device.

It would take an additional three large generating units to handle the supply that we see coming in pretty regularly today, Reiten said.

Given that, PNGC wants to rightsize its investment in Coffin Butte and sees renewable natural gas as the optimal way to do so.

According to the EPA, renewable natural gas, or RNG, describes biogas that has been upgraded for use in place of fossil natural gas.

Some laud RNG as more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuels. And RNG projects capture and recover the methane generated by a landfill, according to the EPA.

Renewable natural gas production at Coffin Butte Landfill, in lieu of onsite electric generation, would reduce emissions at the landfill, Reiten said. It would effectively end onsite combustion, at least through electric generation, and the CO2 emissions associated with it.

But since the product is going to be burned eventually  regardless of where  emissions are going to happen no matter what. Thats according to Shawn Olson Hazboun, an assistant professor of sociology at Oregon State University who studies community impacts and public perceptions of energy systems and fuels extractions.

Everybodys trying to lower their own emissions, she said, but the Earth doesnt care.

However, collecting the gas from the landfill is absolutely a good thing to do, Hazboun said. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the country, according to the EPA. And methane is at least 28 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

According to Reiten, the proposed RNG product has two viable markets, one being utilities like NW Natural, the other being transportation, with medium- and heavy-duty trucks utilizing natural gas particularly along the west coast.

Looking to the future

An RNG project at the landfill would be a considerably higher-revenue than the existing electricity project, Reiten said. This increased revenue would support rate mitigation for Consumers Power Inc. members in Benton County.

According to Reiten, PNGC is the largest generation and transmission utility west of Utah. RNG projects in landfills are uncommon on the West Coast, specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

The closest is at the Roosevelt Regional Landfill  also operated by Republic Services  in Klickitat, Washington, according to an EPA map.

But its a growing industry  an EPA graphic shows the number of operating RNG projects increasing steadily in recent years, both in landfills and the agricultural sector.

Republic Services itself already operates 28 RNG projects, with many more in development.

We value our 30-year partnership with PNGC Power, Republic Services Director of External Communications Roman Blahoski said via email, and constructing a larger capacity RNG plant at Coffin Butte Landfill would enable us to beneficially reuse more landfill gas than the current system allows, helping to reduce emissions.

PNGC is looking to reach an agreement with Republic Services in the coming months. From there, it would begin construction in January 2026 with an eye toward completion in September 2027.

There was no decision-making item before the Board of Commissioners on this topic this week  Reiten merely wanted to inform, he said, as PNGC seeks to build a partnership with Benton County.

Commissioner Pat Malone pointed out that Coffin Butte will be full at some point, and County Administrator Rachel McEneny inquired as to what PNGCs operations would look like if the landfill were to close.

Reiten said PNGC was looking at the next 20 to 25 years for the RNG project, anticipating enough usable energy over that period of time. He also had some thoughts regarding the projected closure.

If we can put in the industry-best standard for how we deal with the biogas  Im really hopeful that we could bring this facility into a place where Benton County would not want to close it, he said. Were here to prove that we can do better with this biogas, at least on the PNGC side.

Related story:
Meta tests 'Community Notes' to replace fact-checkers



San Francisco, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Social media giant Meta on Thursday announced it would begin testing its new "Community Notes" feature across its platforms in the United States next week, as it shifts away from third-party fact-checking toward a crowd-sourced approach to content moderation.

Meta's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the new system -- popularized by the Elon Musk-owned platform X -- in January as he appeared to align himself with the incoming Trump administration, including naming a Republican as the company's head of public policy.

The change of system, which Meta will start testing on Tuesday, came after years of criticism from supporters of President Donald Trump, among others, that conservative voices were being censored or stifled under the guise of fighting misinformation, a claim professional fact-checkers vehemently reject.

Meta has also scaled back its diversity initiatives and relaxed content moderation rules on Facebook and Instagram, particularly regarding certain forms of hostile speech.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook's fact-checking scheme.

The initiative will allow users of Facebook, Instagram and Threads to write and rate contextual notes on various content.

Meta said approximately 200,000 potential contributors in the United States have already signed up across the three platforms. The new approach requires contributors to be over 18 with accounts more than six months old that are in good standing.

During the testing period, notes will not immediately appear on content and the company will gradually admit people from the waitlist and thoroughly test the system before public implementation.



- 'Arbiter of truth' -



Studies have shown Community Notes can help dispel some falsehoods such as vaccine misinformation, but researchers caution that it works best for topics where there is broad consensus.

Research also shows that Community Notes on X often rely on the findings of professional fact-checking programs, which Meta has scrapped in the United States.

"Meta has long said it doesn't want to be an 'arbiter of truth,' but it has funded those arbiters for the past several years, and it's not clear whether anyone will step up to replace it," tech writer Casey Newton wrote in an online commentary.

"If no one does, Community Notes will suffer both on X and on Meta's platforms."

Meta's new approach ignores research that shows Community Notes users are often spurred by "partisan motives" and tend to over-target their political opponents, according to Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust, and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech.

Meta, however, emphasized that the notes will only be published when contributors with differing viewpoints agree on their helpfulness.

"This isn't majority rules," the company said.

Moreover, unlike fact-checked posts that often had reduced distribution, flagged content with Community Notes will not face distribution penalties.

Notes will be limited to 500 characters, must include supporting links and will initially support six languages commonly used in the United States: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Portuguese.

"Our intention is ultimately to roll out this new approach to our users all over the world, but we won't be doing that immediately," the company said.

"Until Community Notes are launched in other countries, the third party fact checking program will remain in place for them," it added.

Meta said that it would not be "reinventing the wheel" and will use X's open-source algorithm as the basis of its system.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month warned that the rollbacks to fact-checking and moderation safeguards were "reopening the floodgates" of hate and violence online.

arp-ac/bfm

Meta
Meta strives to stifle ex-employee memoir



San Francisco, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Meta wants to derail a freshly released memoir by a former employee whose scandalous allegations the tech giant argues are untrue and should never have been published.

In "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism", Sarah Wynn-Williams recounts working at the tech titan from 2011 to 2017.

Her book includes claims of sexual harassment by Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican and ally of President Donald Trump who took over as head of Meta's international affairs team early this year.

She also wrote of Meta, then known as Facebook, exploring the possibility of breaking into the lucrative China market by appeasing government censors in that country.

"The suggestion was that as part of the negotiations for the company to enter into China, the data of users in Hong Kong could be put in play," Wynn-Williams said in an interview with NPR.

An idea was to flag content in Hong Kong or Taiwan that went "viral" and refer it to a censorship body for review, according to Wynn-Williams.

"It's no secret we were interested in China; we explore lots of ideas," Meta communications director Andy Stone said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"You know what didn't happen? We didn't start offering our services in China."

Meta took its opposition to the memoir to arbitration, contending that it violates a non-disparagement contract Wynn-Williams signed when she worked with the tech company's global affairs team.



- Talk nice -



An arbitration court this week granted Meta's request to bar Wynn-Williams from promoting her book, sending the dispute to private negotiations about settling the case.

"This ruling affirms that Sarah Wynn-Williams' false and defamatory book should never have been published," Stone said on X.

Wynn-Williams was "fired for poor performance and toxic behavior," having made a series of unfounded allegations that the company investigated, Stone said in an X post.

The order by the International Centre for Dispute Resolution does stop the publisher from distributing copies of the memoir released on Tuesday.

Emergency Arbitrator Nicholas Gowan noted that Wynn-Williams did not appear for a hearing held prior to the ruling.

The order bars Wynn-Williams from further promoting her book or making derogatory remarks about Meta, and from promoting her book.

And Wynn-Williams must retract previous critical comments about Meta or its executives, the ruling states.

Gowan noted that the ruling did not address the merits of the case.

Neither Wynn-Williams nor her publisher responded to requests for comment.

Meta's access to data of billions of users around the world makes it a target for investigations and accusations, from a Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018 to revelations in 2021 by a whistleblower that it put profit over the well-being of users.

Recently, Meta has been criticized for stepping back from workplace diversity efforts and from battling misinformation in an apparent alignment with Trump.

Meta early this year announced it was replacing its fact-checking program, of which AFP was a part, with "community notes".
UK boosts export financing for defence firms by $2.6bn



London, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



The British government said Friday that it would increase its export credit facilities for weapons manufacturers by two billion pounds ($2.6 billion) to boost overseas sales.

The new funds "will see billions of pounds unlocked for UK defence companies that export overseas, driving economic growth and creating jobs across the UK," it said in a statement.

Already the UK Export Finance agency has a lending capacity of eight billion pounds specifically for government clients of defence contractors, bringing the new total to 10 billion pounds.

Like other countries across Europe, Britain is racing to beef up its military production capabilities in the face of an expansionist Russia, pressure on European members of NATO to spend more on defence, and questions over President Donald Trump's commitment to US protection of Europe.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged ahead of a White House visit in February to boost defence spending to 2.5 percent of the economy by 2027, with the aim of hiking it to 3.0 percent in the next parliament.

"The world is changing, and we must bring about a new era of security and renewal that protects working people and keeps our country safe," Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said in the statement.
Panama 'firm' on canal as US reportedly weighs options



Panama City, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Panama's government said Thursday it would remain "firm" in defending its sovereignty and the Panama Canal, after a report suggesting that US President Donald Trump is considering options aimed at "reclaiming" the strategic waterway.

NBC News, citing two unnamed US officials, said the White House has asked the military to "draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama" -- everything from more US-Panama security cooperation to an actual seizure.

The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on the report, which emphasized that a seizure remained a "less likely" option.

"With respect to these statements, I have nothing more to say than that Panama remains firm in defending its territory, its canal, and its sovereignty," Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha told reporters.

"Let it be clear, the canal belongs to the Panamanians and will remain so," he added.

The NBC News report sparked surprise in the central American country, given that there have been no US troops stationed there for more than 25 years.

The last US soldier left on December 31, 1999 -- the day the United States, which built the Panama Canal, relinquished control of the crucial shipping route.

The United States had invaded Panama a decade earlier to capture dictator Manuel Noriega, whom Washington accused of drug trafficking.

Tensions between the United States and Panama have again spiraled over Trump's repeated threats to "take back" the Panama Canal, including by force if necessary.

Panama has made several concessions to Trump, including putting pressure on a Hong Kong company that operated ports on the canal to pull out.

The company, whose Panama operations formed the basis for Trump's claim that China had undue influence in the interoceanic waterway, eventually sold the ports to a US investment firm.
Chinese, Iranian, Russian diplomats meet for nuclear talks: state media



Beijing, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Chinese, Russian and Iranian diplomats met Friday for talks on Tehran's nuclear program, Beijing's state media said.

"The three parties exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern," Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.

State media did not share any further details of the talks, attended by China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

The United States withdrew from a landmark Iran deal, which had imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, during President Donald Trump's first term.

Tehran adhered to the 2015 deal for a year after Washington's withdrawal but then began rolling back its commitments.

Efforts to revive the pact have since faltered.

Beijing has said the talks would aim to "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".
China hosts Iranian, Russian diplomats for nuclear talks



Beijing, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



China hosted Russian and Iranian diplomats on Friday for talks Beijing hopes will restart long-stalled negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program.

The United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear development in return for sanctions relief, during US President Donald Trump's first term.

Since his return to the White House in January, the Republican president has called for a new nuclear deal with Iran, but Tehran says no such agreement is possible so long as punishing sanctions remain in place.

The effort to secure a pact was given new urgency last month when the UN's nuclear watchdog said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Beijing has said it hopes Friday's talks will "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".

A readout of the meeting by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the three diplomats "exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern".

State media did not share any further details of the discussion, which was attended by China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran, mirroring his approach during his first term.

This week, he sent a letter to Tehran urging nuclear talks -- warning of possible military action if it refuses.

Tehran said the letter, which the US President said was addressed to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was currently "being reviewed".

"Ultimately, the United States should lift the sanctions," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview published Thursday by the government's official newspaper.

"We will enter into direct negotiations when we are on an equal footing, free from pressure and threats, and are confident that the national interests of the people will be guaranteed."

The same day, Washington upped its pressure campaign by imposing sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad.

The US Treasury Department also blacklisted the owners or operators of vessels it said were engaged in transporting Iranian oil trade to China.

In February, a report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity -- close to the 90 percent needed for an atomic bomb.

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei said this week that his country "does not have nuclear weapons" and was "not seeking" them. Tehran has previously said its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
China urges end to 'illegal' sanctions as it hosts Iran nuclear talks



Beijing, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



China urged an end to "illegal" sanctions on Iran as it hosted diplomats from that country and Russia on Friday for talks Beijing hopes will restart long-stalled negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme.

The United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear development in return for sanctions relief, during US President Donald Trump's first term.

The Republican president has called for a new nuclear deal with Iran since his return to the White House in January but Tehran says no such agreement is possible so long as punishing sanctions remain in place.

The effort to secure a pact was given new urgency last month when the UN's nuclear watchdog said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi met on Friday and "exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern", Beijing state media said.

Ma reiterated after that meeting China's support for "political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on mutual respect".

"We emphasised the necessity of ending all illegal, unilateral sanctions," Ma told reporters.

"The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force," he said.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will meet the delegates later in the day, Ma said.

Beijing has said it hopes Friday's talks will "strengthen communication and coordination, to resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".



- 'Maximum pressure' -



Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran, mirroring his approach during his first term.

He sent a letter to Tehran this week urging nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if it refuses.

Tehran said the letter, which Trump said was addressed to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was currently "being reviewed".

"Ultimately, the United States should lift the sanctions," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview published by the government's official newspaper on Thursday.

"We will enter into direct negotiations when we are on an equal footing, free from pressure and threats, and are confident that the national interests of the people will be guaranteed."

The same day, Washington upped its pressure campaign by imposing sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad.

The US Treasury Department also blacklisted the owners or operators of vessels it said were engaged in transporting Iranian oil to China.

A report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity -- a short step from the 90 percent needed for a nuclear weapon.

Khamenei said this week that Iran "does not have nuclear weapons" and was "not seeking" them. Tehran has previously said that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
A few parents raised concerns this week about how Corvallis Waldorf School administrators communicated with them about an incident in a classroom last month that prompted the school to part ways with a volunteer.

At a mostly subdued listening session at the schools gym Wednesday evening, March 12, of the around 10 parents in attendance, a few sought more transparency from school leadership.

It all started with an email sent out on March 4 that alerted them to an incident in February.

Leadership said they could offer few details about what occurred.

Julie Christianson, a parent rep on the private schools board of trustees who attended the listening session, told Mid-Valley Media after the meeting the incident involved a student and a volunteer but couldnt disclose what had transpired, citing confidentiality rules.

She also said the students family and class were notified of the incident and that the volunteer was informed they had been released from their duties all within 24 hours.

The email

However, according to one parent who spoke during the session, Jennifer Butler, the rumor among parents was there was an incident of violence, and she asked the schools board of trustees to explain why officials delayed releasing the email.

She added that she suspected what happened wasnt catastrophic.

Amy Singh, chair of the Corvallis Waldorf Schools board of trustees, told attendees at the start of the meeting the school normally wouldnt have released a wide communication to parents, citing the confidentiality needs of the parties involved.

But in the end, officials thought it would be helpful in this case to reassure the community that they took the matter seriously.

In hindsight, she said, the email didnt help and apologized for any concerns or distress it caused.

Released on March 4, the email noted that families may have already heard of the incident through parent-to-parent communication, according to a copy reviewed by Mid-Valley Media.

The email also said the schools board of trustees and executive council were actively reviewing policies and procedures regarding student safety and policies about volunteers.

Butler, reading a prepared statement from her seat in the gym, told the three members of the board in attendance that it was the vagueness of email exchanges with staff that had troubled her.

Another parent wondered why officials hadnt sent a communication to all parents immediately after the incident, adding the message arrived after rumors had circulated, and asked how the school could move forward to rebuild trust with parents.

She also said with regard to communication, this seemed to be a pattern.

Parent views

Louise Rousseau, another Waldorf parent, became emotional as she told attendees she faced a similar situation with one of her children at the school over five years ago. That was before the current school administrators served, she noted, adding she felt grateful for staff at the school now.

Asked by phone about her account after the meeting, Rousseau said there had been a staff member who was not a good fit back in 2019 who had been removed from the school following her concerns.

At the time, communicating with school administration was quite frustrating, she said.

I think the current administration is much more sympathetic to the parents' concerns and aware of the need to balance confidentiality with accountability, she said. She acknowledged that are going to be difficult situations that arise at any school.

So, having protocols in place for communication that just take the confusion and guesswork out of it is what Im hoping for, Rousseau said.

Still, given the need for a listening session this week, Rousseau said, she believes there is some room for improvement.

And fortunately, our school is quite responsive to parent feedback, she said.

Other parents also sung the schools praises. Marcia Gustafson, who also attended the meeting, said after the session she thought the Corvallis Waldorf School was an amazing place, and she saw the sincerity of the staff.

Christianson said during the meeting that she had been with the school for 13 years and had only known of two instances in which adults had been removed from the school, referencing Rousseau's account and the February incident.

The Corvallis Waldorf School is open to students around the mid-Willamette Valley and serves children from preschool to eighth grade. The private school has been around since 1993 and currently occupies the former Fairplay Elementary School building on Highway 20.

According to the schools most recent annual report, enrollment has ticked up to close to 200 students.

Reached by phone, Karim Hafizov, the schools administrator also said he couldnt comment on the incident in February or offer further details, but said he appreciated the feedback from parents.
Sudan paramilitary shelling kills six in key city: medic



Port Sudan, Sudan, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Sudanese paramilitary shelling of El-Obeid on Friday killed six people, including a child, a doctor said, just weeks after the army broke a prolonged siege of the key southern city.

El-Obeid, the state capital of North Kordofan, has been under relentless bombardment for eight consecutive days by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been locked in a devastating conflict with the army since April 2023.

A doctor at the city's main hospital, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, said shelling also wounded eight civilians on Thursday evening and early Friday morning.

On Sunday, nine civilians were killed and 21 others were wounded.

For more than a week, residents have endured heavy bombardment from the RSF, which has been trying to reclaim ground lost to the army with attacks from the north and east.

Last month, Sudan's military managed to end a nearly two-year RSF siege on El-Obeid, a key crossroads linking Khartoum to Darfur in the west.

The war has torn Sudan apart, with the RSF tightening its grip on Darfur and parts of the south, while the army controls the north and east.

In recent weeks, the army has clawed back large swathes of Khartoum and central Sudan.

What began as a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo turned into the world's largest displacement and huger crisis.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, uprooted more than 12 million and pushed the country to the brink of famine.
China urges end to 'illegal' sanctions as it hosts Iran nuclear talks



Beijing, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



China urged an end to "illegal" sanctions on Iran as it hosted Iranian and Russian diplomats on Friday for talks Beijing hopes will restart long-stalled negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme.

The United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear development in return for sanctions relief, during US President Donald Trump's first term.

The Republican president has called for a new nuclear deal with Iran since his return to the White House in January but Tehran says no such agreement is possible so long as punishing sanctions remain in place.

The effort to secure a pact was given new urgency last month when the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Beijing hosted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov for talks on Friday it said it hoped would help "resume dialogue and negotiation at an early time".

Meeting the diplomats, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed "the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is an important achievement achieved through dialogue and negotiation".

"Now the situation has reached a critical juncture again. We must buy time for peace, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and oppose the use of force and illegal sanctions," he said.

And the US should demonstrate "political sincerity and return to talks at an early date", said a statement from Beijing's foreign ministry, which outlined propositions from China on the Iranian nuclear issue.

"All parties should... refrain from actions that might escalate the situation," the statement added.



- 'Peaceful' nuclear programme -



Gharibabadi, in turn, hailed the "constructive" talks in Beijing and said Iran's nuclear programme "is peaceful in nature".

"Our nuclear programme has never been diverted to non-peaceful purposes," Gharibabadi said.

"But unfortunately, some countries are trying to create an unnecessary crisis in this regard."

"The main root cause of the current situation is the unilateral withdrawal of the United States," Gharibabadi said.

The Russian and Iranian officials met China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu earlier on Friday and "exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern", Chinese state media said.

Ma reiterated after that meeting China's support for "political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on mutual respect".

"We emphasised the necessity of ending all illegal, unilateral sanctions," Ma told reporters.

"The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force."

Iran's ambassador to China said later on social media platform X the meeting was a "complete success".

The talks resulted in important agreements on "trilateral cooperation on important international issues, including the need for the three countries to cooperate in confronting" US sanctions, he said.

The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that "it is necessary to further continue diplomatic efforts" on Iran's nuclear programme, and condemned "illegal" sanctions against Tehran.

- 'Maximum pressure' -



Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran, mirroring his approach during his first term.

He sent a letter to Tehran this week urging nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if it refuses.

Tehran said the letter, which Trump said was addressed to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was currently "being reviewed".

"Ultimately, the United States should lift the sanctions," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview published by the government's official newspaper on Thursday.

Washington upped its pressure campaign the same day by imposing sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad.

The US Treasury Department also blacklisted the owners or operators of vessels it said were engaged in transporting Iranian oil to China.

A report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February said Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent purity -- a short step from the 90 percent needed for a nuclear weapon.

Khamenei said this week Iran "does not have nuclear weapons" and was "not seeking" them. Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Top Syrian diplomat makes first visit to Iraq



Baghdad, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Syria's interim foreign minister arrived in Iraq on Friday, conducting his first visit to the country since his Islamist alliance toppled Bashar al-Assad.

Relations between neighbours Syria and Iraq have become more complicated since the fall of Assad, who was a close ally of the government in Baghdad.

In Baghdad, Syria's top diplomat Assaad al-Shaibani met his counterpart Fuad Hussein, the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

Iraq is home to a Shiite Muslim majority, and while it is a strategic partner of the United States, it is also a key ally of Iran, once a main backer of Assad's rule.

While Assad's key support came from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi armed groups were also engaged in defending his rule during the 13-year civil war sparked by his crackdown on democracy protests.

The rebels who ended up ousting Assad in December are Sunni Muslim, and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought to present a more moderate image since coming to power, once fought with Al-Qaeda in Iraq against US forces and their allies.

Iraq condemned the massacre of at least 1,383 civilians in coastal Syria earlier this month by security forces, allied groups and jihadists.

The vast majority of the civilians killed were Alawites, members of Assad's sect, itself an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Iraq said earlier this week that it was investigating an attack on Syrian workers in the country after a newly formed Iraqi group vowed to avenge the mass killing of Alawite civilians.

Supporters of pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq have launched an online campaign against Syrians who they say support the mass killings.

Iraqi forces have in recent days arrested at least 13 Syrians accused of "promoting terrorist groups" and supporting the mass killing in Syria, two interior ministry officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Syria's foreign ministry on Wednesday slammed the violence against its citizens, urging Baghdad in a statement to take "necessary measures to ensure the security of Syrians residing in Iraq".
EU urges member states to give Ukraine up to 40bn euros of arms this year



Brussels, Belgium, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



The EU is pressing its member states to commit to giving Ukraine up to 40 billion euros of weapons this year, according to a proposal seen Friday, as questions swirl over US support.

President Donald Trump rocked Kyiv and its European backers by briefly suspending Washington's military aid for Ukraine after a bust-up with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

The proposal from EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas seeks to get countries in the bloc to "accelerate and focus" on meeting Kyiv's most pressing needs as its forces struggle against Russia.

"Participating states are encouraged to deliver military support to Ukraine in 2025 with a provisional value of at least EUR 20 billion, and potentially reaching EUR 40 billion pending Ukrainian needs," the document seen by AFP said.

The proposal says that countries should contribute according to their "economic weight" and part of the plan would involve giving Ukraine two million artillery shells in 2025, worth five billion euros.

Just under two billion euros of the total would also come from EU funds tapping profits from Russian frozen assets and previously pledged to Ukraine, the document said.

Diplomats said that the plan faces opposition from large economies such as France, Italy and Spain, which have been accused of pushing below their weight on aid for Ukraine.

They said the plan could get round a blockage by Hungary -- Russia's closest friend in the EU -- by opening the plan to only countries willing to join, but discussions were ongoing.

Officials said the plan could be opened to countries outside the bloc such as Britain and Norway.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to discuss the proposal ahead of a summit by leaders later in the week.

EU leaders gave their initial green light for further work on the plan at a meeting earlier this month.

Europe is looking to ramp up its support for Ukraine, with fears that Trump could force Kyiv to accept an unfavourable peace deal to end Russia's invasion.

Washington resumed its aid to Ukraine this week after Kyiv agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow has refused to sign up for the initiative so far.

Fatigued Ukrainian forces are currently being pushed back along the front line, with Russia close to retaking the Kursk region that Kyiv captured last year.
Iraq says kills senior Islamic State group leader



Baghdad, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Iraqi security forces have killed a senior Islamic State (IS) group leader responsible for "foreign operations", Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday.

Although Iraq had proclaimed in 2017 the defeat of the jihadist group on its territory, IS cells have remained active and carry out sporadic attacks against Iraq's army and police.

Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi "was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world", Sudani said on X.

The jihadist, sanctioned by the United States in 2023, was IS's so-called governor of the group's Syrian and Iraqi provinces, according to the Iraqi premier.

Rufayi was also "responsible for the foreign operations offices", Sudani said.

He did not say when Rufayi was killed but applauded the operation by Iraqi intelligence that was carried out in cooperation with the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq.

Last October, Baghdad said Iraqi forces had killed nine IS group commanders. They included the so-called governor of Iraq for IS, Jassim al-Mazrouei Abu Abdel Qader, Iraq's Joint Operations Command said at the time.

IS in 2014 declared a "caliphate" after capturing large parts of Iraq and Syria, beginning a rule marked by atrocities.

Iraqi forces backed by the international coalition defeated IS in late 2017. The group lost its last territory in Syria two years later.

The group has, however, maintained a presence in Syria's vast desert, and in Iraq largely carries out attacks in rural areas.

About 2,500 American troops are deployed in Iraq, which now considers its security forces capable of confronting the jihadists.

The US and Iraq announced in late September that the international coalition would end its decade-long military mission in federal Iraq within a year, and by September 2026 in the autonomous Kurdistan region.
Burkina junta creates new battalions to fight jihadists



Abidjan, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



The military regime in Burkina Faso on Friday announced that it was creating new rapid response forces, recruiting 14,000 soldiers and thousands of civilian support staff, to fight jihadist violence.

Burkina Faso has been plagued by Islamist attacks in the last 10 years, leaving an estimated 26,000 soldiers and civilians dead.

Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo told the transitional parliament that the new battalions would bring the number of army rapid response forces in the country to 28 and police mobile units to 13.

"More than 14,000 soldiers of all types and thousands of (civilian defence force volunteers) have been recruited, trained and equipped," he added.

The rapid intervention battalions (BIR) and civilian defence volunteers (VDP) have been accused multiple times of abuses against civilians, including earlier this week in western Burkina Faso.

The years of violence have forced more than two million people to flee their homes, according to the last available UN refugee agency figures from March 2023.

But Ouedraogo said more than one million of the internally displaced have now been resettled in nearly 700 localities.

He also said that more than two-thirds (71 percent) of land occupied by armed groups had been recaptured. AFP could not independently confirm that figure.

"Burkina Faso has never been confronted with such a deep and massive crisis in all its history," the prime minister said.

According to a Western military source, "the terrorist armed groups are dangerously close to the capital and are now at least 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Ouagadougou to the north and east".

The groups control main roads using ambushes and kidnapping and "disrupt supply chains", the source added.

Of the two main jihadist groups carrying out deadly attacks, the Al-Qaeda affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims "seems to have established a large corridor from the north to the south to the east of Burkina Faso, stretching as far as the Tillaberi region of Niger", the source said.

The other jihadist group in Burkina Faso is the Islamic State Sahel Province.
Syria FM's Iraq visit focuses on security



Baghdad, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Syria's interim foreign minister said in Baghdad on Friday his government was ready to "reinforce cooperation" with Iraq in the fight against remnants of the Islamic State group.

Asaad al-Shaibani's visit to Syria's neighbour coincided with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announcing that security forces had killed a senior IS leader.

It was also Shaibani's first visit to Iraq since his Islamist alliance toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December.

Relations between neighbours Syria and Iraq have become more complicated since the ouster of Assad, who was a close ally of the government in Baghdad.

Iraq is home to a Shiite Muslim majority, and while it is a strategic partner of the United States, it is also a key ally of Iran, once a main backer of Assad's rule.

While Assad's key support came from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi armed groups were also engaged in defending his rule during the 13-year civil war sparked by his crackdown on democracy protests.

The rebels who ended up ousting Assad in December are Sunni Muslim, and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought to present a more moderate image since coming to power, once fought with Al-Qaeda in Iraq against US forces and their allies.

In Baghdad on Friday, Shaibani met Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the official INA news agency reported.

"Security is a shared responsibility," Shaibani told a joint news conference with Hussein.

"We are ready to reinforce cooperation with Iraq in the fight against Daesh (an Arabic acronym for IS) along the whole length of the border. Terrorism knows no borders."



- Alawite killings -



Sudani on Friday posted on X that Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, the IS leader killed by Iraqi security forces, "was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world".

He said the jihadist, who was targeted by US sanctions in 2023, was IS's so-called governor of the group's Syrian and Iraqi provinces.

Sudani did not say when Rufayi was killed, but applauded the operation by Iraqi intelligence that was carried out in cooperation with the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq.

At the joint news conference with Shaibani, Hussein said Iraq hoped there would be "tangible results" from an investigation launched by Syria's new authorities into mass killings of civilians by the security forces that largely targeted the Alawite minority.

"We discussed what happened to the Alawite community... and we expressed our concern," he said, adding that he hoped a commission of inquiry formed by Damascus "would achieve tangible results that establish civil peace in Syria".

Baghdad condemned the massacre of at least 1,383 civilians in coastal Syria earlier this month by security forces, allied groups and jihadists.

The vast majority of the civilians killed were Alawites, members of Assad's sect, itself an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Baghdad said earlier this week it was investigating an attack on Syrian workers in Iraq after a newly formed group in the country vowed to avenge the mass killing of Alawite civilians.

Supporters of pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq have launched an online campaign against Syrians who they say support the mass killings.

Iraqi forces have in recent days arrested at least 13 Syrians accused of "promoting terrorist groups" and supporting the mass killings in Syria, two interior ministry officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.

On Wednesday, Syria's foreign ministry denounced the violence against its citizens, and urged Baghdad to take "necessary measures to ensure the security of Syrians residing in Iraq".

burs-srm/kir
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The MP said: The tragedy is, when he was diagnosed, he went to the doctor, got his MRI scan, and then he was given the result, and the consultant said theres nothing we can do, and then he went home and that was it.
She added: But we do not support this Bill today. Not because we do not support the goal, as many have said  this Government strongly supports recognition of a state of Palestine  but because imposing a timetable on this decision would hinder our ability to achieve the goal of a two-state solution.
I hope the vendors come up hard from this and I hope everyone goes to see the 10Foot Tox25 Fume show  its so far from a bunch of pictures in a white room, its emotional and messy and is the culmination of decades and decades of underground artwork.
After they were later ejected from the event, the family members continued to articulate criticism of Mr Martin and Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris as they stood on the pavement outside the building surrounded by members of the media delegation that accompanied the Taoiseach to Washington.
He continued: How will these 30 days be used? For the purpose of continuing forced mobilization in Ukraine? For the purpose of supplying weapons there? For the purpose of newly mobilized personnel to undergo training? Or will nothing of this kind be done? Then a question arises: How will the issues of control, verification be addressed?
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Acting President Ilie Bolojan declared on Friday that prime ministers are appointed by a parliamentary majority, stating that whatever has been circulated lately on this subject is mere speculation, informs Agerpres.

"As far as this host of proposals is concerned, please remember that last year too various names were tossed around for prime minister, (...) but I think we are rational people. Prime ministers emerge from a parliamentary majority. We have a parliamentary majority and I think that everything you will hear in this period will be just speculation by one candidate or another for gain in the presidential race. I think we need to treat these aspects with caution, fully aware of the parliamentary mechanisms in place and the configuration of Parliament, but I think that whatever the decision-making position, the better and more qualified the office-holder is, the greater the capacity to govern is, and that is what we must look at, not necessarily at a certain person, but rather seek to have as many as possible competent, qualified people, strong teams, because changes and good governance and projects are always team results," Bolojan said when asked if he would accept to serve as prime minister in a new government.

He was also questioned about his statement that the Save Romania Union's joining the government would be a positive thing, because it would strengthen the coalition.

"I said that it takes stable majorities for making reforms, for governing well. This goes for both the entire country and a local authority, a county or municipal council, and I believe in this because you can see for yourselves what it means to have the guarantee that a bill, a draft ordinance passes without substantial amendments that distort its purpose. That was the logic of this answer," Bolojan explained.
The Salaj Ambulance for Monuments aims to restore the Bethlen Castle ensemble in the village of Dragu, a historical monument built in the early 19th century, through a multiannual programme set to begin this summer.

Known as the Bethlen Castle, the architectural ensemble is located in the centre of the village of Dragu, surrounded by a park accessed through a gate flanked by two rows of storage buildings. According to a monograph of the Dragu commune, created in the early '70s by a group of locals, the current castle was initially built in 1622 by Kamuthy Blasius de Szent Laszlo and, in 1723, was assigned by Emperor Charles VI to Stefan Wesselenyi.

This castle, in a deteriorated state when it was taken over by Wesselenyi, was reconstructed in 1816 and became the property of the Bethlen family through the marriage of Charlotte Wesselenyi with Count Bethlen Edmund, the imperial chamberlain of the Austro-Hungarian emperor. The family was the last noble owner of the building.

The coat of arms of the first owner and an inscription commemorating him can still be found on the castle in Dragu, while above the entrance gate to the small courtyard of the ensemble, the year of restoration, 1816, is inscribed in wrought iron. The current building has a U-shaped floor plan, developed on a basement, ground floor and partially an upper floor (at the ends of the side wings). The three wings of the castle enclose a courtyard, with the fourth side delimited by a transparent fence with wrought iron panels fixed above low masonry parapets.

Nationalised by the communists in 1948, the building has served as the headquarters of the "People's Council" of the commune, a cinema, a disco and a ballroom, with its walls still displaying strange paintings, including one of a rock band or a boy with long hair and a quiver of arrows on his back. Currently, the castle is owned by the local administration, which has attempted to restore the building with private partners or through European funds, although these initiatives have not materialised.

"Currently, the castle is in a continuous state of degradation, with a storm in September 2017 severely damaging the metal and tile roofing. In the past two years, part of the wall on the southern side has collapsed. Initially, this year, we plan to ensure its safety by rebuilding this wall and creating a temporary protection until we can intervene on the roof structure and roofing. We hope this will become a multiannual project, through which we can make progress each year, considering the advanced state of deterioration of the monument. At the moment, we are working on the necessary documentation for the intervention on the historical monument and seeking volunteers for this summer. This year, we will work in four teams, throughout June," Bogdan Ilies, project coordinator on behalf of the Arhaic Association told AGERPRES.

Until now, the Ambulance for Monuments has focused on restoring the roofing of wooden churches in Salaj County. Since 2018, through the involvement of the Ambulance for Monuments, 14 wooden churches have been secured, primarily by changing the roofing.

This year, the wooden churches of Pausa and Doba are planned for restoration.

The Ambulance for Monuments is a project initiated by the Momentum Association, coordinated and implemented in Salaj County by the Arhaic Association and supported by The King's Foundation, an organisation chaired by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom.

AGERPRES
The "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMF) in Bucharest maintains its first position among universities in Romania, according to the international classification University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), informs Agerpres.

The URAP classification system focuses on academic performance, expressed on the basis of six indicators regarding scientific research: scientific articles, citations, total number of scientific documents, impact of articles, impact of citations and international collaboration.

"According to the prestigious international University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), recently published, the 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest consolidates its international recognition and once again imposes itself nationally, maintaining its first position among all universities in Romania," the higher education institution informed in a release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

UMF "Carol Davila" in Bucharest ranks first among the universities in Romania, being placed in 774th place worldwide, compared to 787th last year.

"The competitiveness of our university has grown steadily over the last 5 years, a remarkable achievement for which I thank all members of the academic community. I also congratulate them for these performances based on the quality of their research activity, on their academic reputation and on the increase in their visibility at the international level, results that honor us and at the same time oblige us to advance as much as possible in the hierarchy of international academic rankings," said the rector of UMF "Carol Davila" in Bucharest, Viorel Jinga, quoted in the press release.

UMF "Carol Davila" has climbed the URAP rankings in the last six years, given that in 2019-2020 it was ranked 1027th.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) clarifies that information circulating on a social media platform, claiming that French gendarmes acted as an armed force in Romania, is false. The individuals in the images are part of a French delegation, composed of trainees and instructors, who participated in a study visit from March 10 to 14.

During this period, the delegation took part in a series of activities aimed at providing them with a detailed perspective on the functioning of intervention structures and the professional training of Romanian firefighters.

"We point out that a user of a social media account posted a video showing trainee firefighters from the French National Superior School for Firefighter Training, claiming they are either 'French gendarmes sent to Romania,' insinuating that they conducted operational missions in Bucharest, or 'firefighters who came to Romania acting as an armed force.' We clarify that the information shared by this user is false and clearly intended to mislead citizens," the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) said in a statement sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

During their visit, the French delegation had the opportunity to visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs' dispatch centre, the National Centre for Intervention Management and Coordination in Ciolpani, the Integrated 112 Dispatch Centre, the "Dealul Spirii" Bucharest-Ilfov Emergency Situations Inspectorate, the MAI General Aviation Inspectorate, the Police Academy - Firefighters Faculty, the National Museum of Firefighters - The Fire Tower, and the Obor Firefighters Unit.

The activities were transparent and were made public by the Department for Emergency Situations.

"We again stress that the members of this delegation are trainee firefighters and did not conduct operational missions in Romania," the quoted source said.

MAI reiterates its call to citizens to verify the information posted online, check the accounts spreading such information, rely on official sources, and avoid sharing messages specifically designed to incite and manipulate.

AGERPRES
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) released on Friday the reasoning for its upholding the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to bar Calin Georgescu from running for president this May, informs Agerpres.

In essence, the CCR argues that the "initiation, organization and conduct" of the electoral process in May stems from the December 6, 2024 ruling and it would be "inadmissible" to now consider that Georgescu meets the requirements to accede to the position of president.

The CCR explains that Georgescu's candidacy must be assessed in the light of the Court's decision of December 6, 2024, which annulled the election after multiple irregularities and violations of the electoral legislation were found, "which distorted the citizens' free and fair vote and the equality of opportunity of electoral competitors, affected the transparent and fair nature of the campaign and disregarded the legal regulations on the campaign's financing."

In the aforementioned ruling, the Court referred to the violations of the principles of democracy, the rule of law and sovereignty, as well as the right to vote and to be elected, and determined that the state has a positive responsibility to prevent any unjustified interference with the electoral process by referring to the constitutional principles, the CCR states.

On March 9 the BEC rejected Georgescu's candidacy, maintaining that the elements included in the oath of allegiance taken by the person elected as president, specifically respect for the Constitution and the defense of democracy, are requirements the candidate must meet from the moment of the candidacy's submission.

"It is considered that both the Constitution and the Constitutional Court have configured the axiological framework wherein the 2025 election for the position of President of Romania takes place. In this sense, the formal requirements of the candidacy, as well as the special substantive ones, including the candidate's declaration that he meets the legal requirements to run must be analyzed both in terms of their conformity with the constitutional framework and in terms of their subsidiarity in relation to the candidate's positioning, that is of his attitude that is or not likely to affect the constitutional framework," explains the CCR.

Based on these premises, the BEC shows that it cannot give precedence to the analysis of the formal aspects of Georgescu's candidacy over the fundamental ones already settled by the Constitutional Court, because otherwise "the risk exists that after completing the entire electoral process, the Constitutional Court would be in the situation of invalidating the result of the vote for the manifest lack, pre-existing the submission of the candidacy, of a condition for its registration, which is actually referred to by the Constitutional Court's ruling of October 5, 2024," specifies the CCR.

In the opinion of the BEC, upheld by the CCR, "Calin Georgescu's candidacy does not meet the requirements for legality, since the candidate's failure to comply with electoral procedures violates the very obligation to defend democracy, which is based precisely on a fair, complete and impartial suffrage, in accordance with the law, in the absence of which the very foundation of the current constitutional order is altered."

Considering the above, the Court finds that the BEC Decision No. 18D of March 9, 2025 to reject the registration of the independent candidacy of Mr. Calin Georgescu in Romania's 2025 election for president is in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework, and therefore the appeals shall be turned down, the reasoning states.
Chairman of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) Kelemen Hunor declared on Friday after the meeting of the Council of Union Representatives (CRU) in Cluj that he is certain that the governing coalition's candidate Crin Antonescu will win the presidential election, informs Agerpres.

"We are preparing for the campaign which will kick off somewhere around April 3. Of course, our desire is to win the presidential election, I am convinced that we will succeed, because this majority is determined to move forward with governing. We are facing some difficult decisions in the coming years, but at the same time we have many decisions ahead that, leaving aside their weight, will serve all citizens. And the guarantee for this coalition, for this majority to carry on, is for us to win the presidential election," said Kelemen Hunor.

He presented the Council of Union Representatives a political report that also affirms that the only option for the current government to continue is for Antonescu to win the presidential race.

"The guarantee that this majority will stay at the helm and that it will put the country in order and will correct the mistakes of the 2024 governing coalition is to have a president who has the parliamentary majority behind him. Any other option means that this governing coalition won't be able to stand on its feet, because the Romanian president does not have the same powers as, for example, the president of France or the president of the USA. (...) If Crin Antonescu does not win, then the life span of this coalition will be very short. Either the government remains or it goes home after the presidential ballot. This is what is at stake for us in this presidential election," Kelemen Hunor told the CRU members.
The candidate of the "Romania Forward" electoral alliance, Crin Antonescu, who paid a visit to the Covasna county on Thursday at the invitation of the UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania), PSD (Social Democratic Party) and PNL (National Liberal Party) organizations, visited the Szekler National Museum in Sfantu Gheorghe, one of the representative cultural institutions for the Hungarian community in Romania, and sent its members a message on the occasion of the Day of Hungarians Everywhere, celebrated on March 15.

"Being a conservative, I hold, defend, understand those who hold and defend identity, tradition, community. And I believe that a country that cultivates its diversities, a country that cultivates in its heritage everything that is valuable, history, tradition, language, religion and so on, is a truly rich country. Romania, from this point of view, is a truly rich country and a significant part of this wealth is brought by the Hungarian community, with its history, with its tradition, with all the things that enrich us all and make us feel like European citizens in a truly European country (...) I did not come with thoughts of enmity before March 15, on the contrary, (...) I come with the friendliest thoughts, with thoughts of respect, of appreciation and I wish all members of the Hungarian community a joyful celebration, a celebration with decency, a celebration without division," Crin Antonescu told a press conference.

Asked what he would say to the members of the Hungarian community who advocate for the territorial autonomy of the Szeklerland, Crin Antonescu said that he could not agree with the violation of the unity of the Romanian state.

"Cultural autonomy, autonomy in the sense of preserving identity should not hinder anyone, that's what I said. Territorial autonomy has a different connotation. If it has a connotation of federalization or affecting the unity of the Romanian state, it has other connotations and I cannot agree with that. That is very well known. Otherwise, I think everyone has gotten used to the fact that there is a Szeklerland (...) It is a reality, it was a historical reality and it is a cultural, ethnic reality," said Crin Antonescu.

As for the issue of Romania's administrative-territorial reorganization, Crin Antonescu believes that this must be "done carefully" and will have to be the subject of a national debate.

The leader of the UDMR Covasna, Tamas Sandor, who is also the president of the County Council, as well as the mayor of Sfantu Gheorghe, Antal Arpad, welcomed the presence of Crin Antonescu in the Szeklerland, noting that the interest of the Hungarian community is for Romania to have a president with whom it can cooperate and behind whom there is a coalition and a stable parliamentary majority.

AGERPRES
DES PERES  Edward Jones is looking to catch up with its competitors by investing in new technology, essentially replacing workers at its headquarters here, analysts say.

Investment experts said that Edward Jones has been behind the curve for years, but this weeks news of a multi-year initiative that will reduce the size of its home office here, signals that the firm is working to catch up and modernize.

Jason Diamond, executive vice president at Diamond Consultants, a New Jersey-based financial advising recruiting firm, said it is not uncommon for such firms to cut non-financial advisor roles. He pointed to Swiss banking giant UBS, which laid off hundreds of workers in the past year. Still, potentially large layoffs at Edward Jones doesnt mean the brokerage industry is struggling.

This is not a side effect of the current backdrop of investing, Diamond said. Edward Jones is a unique animal.

This week, Edward Jones told its local workforce that it plans to reimagine operations in St. Louis. The initiative will include layoffs, though the company, which has 5,476 local workers, would not detail how many employees will be affected, their job categories or a timeline of when to expect cuts. Because Edward Jones is a privately held company, decisions and plans made by ownership are not required by law to be publicly disclosed.

Diamond said these cuts could hurt Edward Jones in the long run as fewer support roles leaves financial advisors with fewer resources.

They will no longer offer the same breadth of services, which will upset financial advisors, Diamond said. This type of move frustrates financial advisors because it signals that Edward Jones is penny-pinching and theyre more concerned about the bottom line.

He called the St. Louis-based firm more susceptible to cuts as Edward Jones finds itself been one step behind its competitors, failing to invest in new technology and its people.

Edward Jones used to be a place where people were proud to work and was known for its culture, Diamond said, with a branch on every corner. Now, theyre just like any other Wall Street shop worried about money. And such shortfalls could lead to financial advisors taking their books to work at other investment firms.

Firms signal to financial advisors how they value them, Diamond said. You got to spend money to make money.

On Thursday, Edward Jones managing partner Penny Pennington told trade publication ThinkAdvisor the firm doesnt have a specific goal in mind for how many employees will be cut. She emphasized Edward Jones will not get rid of the St. Louis home office as things change.

Internally, this is a time when folks with a growth mindset can step up and say, Ive seen where weve built up a little bit too much bureaucracy, where decision making has been a little too slow, Pennington said. Folks with that mindset are stepping up and sharing their ideas about how we can all improve the organization.

Pennington said initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy and invest in technology  including AI  to make advisor support services more efficient.

Juli Niemann, a longtime financial analyst who retired from Smith Moore & Co. in Clayton this year, said she wasnt surprised to hear Edward Jones is making cuts as the industry embraces AI.

Over the years, Edward Jones has fallen behind competitors when it comes to things like technology for work management and back-office tasks, she said.

AI is replacing everyone, Niemann said. Its an industry thing. We have to get leaner.

All brokerage firms are getting into AI, Niemann said, but Edward Jones is making waves with its layoff news as the company has historically been a very paternal and face-to-face operation. But when it comes down to it, Edward Jones wants to save money.

With a lot of support staff, costs go way up, Niemann explained. At some point you got to look at what the cost is. You want the best bang for your buck.
Spanish multinational telecommunications company Telefonica has agreed to sell its stake in its Colombian unit to Millicom, a provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Latin America, for US $400 million.

Statements released by both companies indicate that the Spanish unit of Luxembourg-headquartered telecom Millicom will buy the 67.5% stake in Telefonica Colombian.

This move has been expected for some time. Indeed, at the end of July 2024 we were among many outlets reporting that Telefonica had signed a non-binding agreement with Millicom to explore a possible deal.

The move is, according to Telefonica, part of a strategy to gradually reduce its exposure to Latin America. In fact Telefonica has already divested from many markets in Latin America, where returns were reportedly lower than capital cost, to focus on its businesses in Spain, Brazil, the UK and Germany.

Reuters reports that newly appointed Chief Executive Marc Murtra has said the company plans to complete a strategic review before the end of this year. Last month, Telefonica sold its unit in Argentina and earlier this month it was widely reported that the company had started the process to sell its units in Mexico and Peru.

It also has a presence in Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela. However, exiting Argentina, Mexico and Colombia significantly reduces its footprint in Latin America, where it has already divested units in El Salvador and Costa Rica.
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When political leaders and their administrations lie, their reasons are typically obvious: Theyre either trying to get out of trouble, exaggerate their wins or justify bad acts by manipulating the public.

Its such a common part of political discourse that most Americans are willing to overlook some level of political dishonesty, especially when a politician is advancing an agenda they personally support.

Democrats didnt make a big fuss when former President Joe Biden backtracked on his promise not to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. He justified the pardon by saying his son was politically persecuted. Some agreed with that, and some didnt. But most people can recognize a father wanting to protect his son.

Many of former President Barack Obamas biggest whoppers involved him exaggerating his accomplishments or minimizing his mistakes  the biggest middle class tax cut was, in fact, not the biggest. He blamed 90 percent of the deficit on his predecessor, George W. Bush  also untrue.

We expect this kind of hyperbole and blame-shifting from political leaders across the board because we recognize the motivation instantly. President Bill Clintons infamous lies about his sexual encounters with a White House intern were transparently about trying to avoid embarrassment and save his job.

We may know people who have lied in order to get a job. So, its not as shocking when Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh repeatedly said that Roe v. Wade was settled as precedent and then proceeded to overturn this settled law after he got the lifetime gig.

One of the most destructive lies of a previous administration  the Bush administration claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction when he didnt  led to hundreds of thousands of deaths. The administration was set on invading Iraq and sold a story to the American public to justify it.

Those heinous lies had recognizable motivations  vengeance and greed.

But now we have the most prolific and bizarre liar in the White House. Many of President Donald Trumps lies are standard issue self-aggrandizement and blame shifting. But a significant percentage are an outright denial of reality. When confronted with evidence disproving a lie, he doubles down on it.

For example, he keeps repeating the deranged, fake claim that the Biden administration funded surgeries on transgender mice. He seems to think transgenic mice are transgender  they are not  but even when repeatedly corrected, hes doubled down on this insane lie.

He did the same thing when he was called out on his strange lies about his administration blocking $50 million in funding for condoms for Hamas. Theres not a shred of evidence to support this ridiculous claim. And the media scrambled for a day trying to figure out what might have led him to believe such a stupid thing.

Of course, hes told far more serious and damaging lies, like saying Ukraine started the war (Russia did) or the Jan. 6 rioters were peaceful (they incited deadly violence).

But listening to him and his minions repeat the weird lies about transgender mice and Hamas using U.S.-provided condoms to make bombs, leaves rational thinkers deeply unsettled. What motivates a leader to intentionally look like a fool and laughing stock? An easy explanation may be that his people are trying to distract attention from open corruption, their more consequential lies or the cratering stock market and rising unemployment and prices. Heres a far more unsettling explanation: Conditioning people to accept the most outlandish lies is a step toward leading them to accept true atrocities. If you can get enough of the population to believe in transgender mice, you can persuade them to accept things that may ordinarily violate their moral code or established social norms.

Students of history have seen that play before.

Listening to the most powerful people in the country make claims that are so detached from reality make the rest of us question their sanity and stability  and fearful of how this has become acceptable in society.

The less obvious motivations may be to turn more of his loyalists into followers who cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy and to embed fear and confusion among his detractors.

When parents are trying to teach children to be truthful they talk about the consequences of lies and the morality of truth. Young children may still be figuring out the difference between fact and fiction and developing morality around honesty. Trumps weirdest lies make us question if the 78-year-old leader of the free world believes his made-up alternative reality and has the mental capacity of a toddler. Or is he so devoid of moral fiber that lying is as natural as breathing.

Either way, he doesnt care if these lies make him look insane and foolish in the short term. This suggests its because they serve an authoritarian purpose in the long term.

Those of us who oppose his administrations destructive policies of creating a trade war, detaining legal residents without any charges and shutting down government agencies and departments are left wondering whether a debate about policy is even possible with people who believe in transgender mice.

Trump clearly grasps the concept of a lie since he rightly accused the Bush administration of lying about the disastrous Iraq war.

But he lacks the self awareness to realize hes become our very own Baghdad Bob.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A man stabbed to death Thursday night in the Spanish Lake area of North County has been identified by police.

Police identified the victim on Saturday as Robert Mack, 28, of Spanish Lake.

At about 7:15 p.m. Thursday, St. Louis County police officers were called to a stabbing in the 1100 block of Suntree Drive, where they found Mack. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

St. Louis County police said no suspects were in custody, as of Friday morning.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Two St. Louis men are in custody after police say a gunman fired a rifle at occupants of a car along West Florissant Avenue, killing one man and injuring another.

Kelvin Allen, 39, and Orland L. Taylor, 37, were being held Friday in the St. Louis County jail on charges that include first-degree murder. Bond for each is set at $500,000 cash.

Gary Smith, 33, was shot March 2 near West Florissant Avenue and Dunn Road. He died at a hospital.

A dispute over parenting issues led to the fatal shooting, St. Louis County police Detective Joseph Percich said in court papers. Percich did not elaborate on that dispute.

Police said Allen and Taylor were in a Genesis G70 sedan that pulled alongside a car Smith was riding in along West Florissant. Taylor used a rifle to fire shots into the car, charges allege. Video footage showed the attack, police said.

St. Louis County prosecutors files the charges against Allen and Taylor on Thursday. In addition to murder, they are charged with six other felonies. Those include first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

Allen lives in the 5600 block of St. Louis Avenue. Taylor lives in the 4200 block of Gano Avenue.

Before the shooting, Allen fired a shot at a QuikTrip on Graham Road, where the argument began  and hit a man there, too, said St. Louis County police Sgt. Tracy Panus. Allen then drove away from the business and followed the car onto West Florissant, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim at the business and the person driving Smith both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to St. Louis County police.

Smith lived in the 900 block of Keeneland Road in unincorporated St. Louis County. Smith's family could not be reached to comment on the case. They were attending his funeral Friday in University City.
ST. LOUIS  In its broadening effort to rid American education of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, the Trump administration says its investigating more than 50 universities for racial discrimination, including 45 that allegedly engaged in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

One of those universities is Washington University in St. Louis.

The U.S. Department of Education in a news release Friday accused Washington University of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by partnering with the PhD Project, an organization that aims to increase workforce diversity by helping historically underrepresented groups obtain business degrees.

The Education Department says the organization limits eligibility based on the race of participants and its partner universities use race exclusionary practices in graduate programs.

PhD projects website lists both Washington University and University of Missouri-Columbia as partners, though MU was not included in the Education Departments list.

Julie Flory, Washington Universitys vice chancellor for communications, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

The Education Department announced the new investigations about a month after warning educational institutions in its Dear Colleague letter that schools could lose federal funding if they embrace race-based preferences in financial aid, admissions and other areas of academia.

The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the release. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.

Washington University joins a growing list of universities under scrutiny from the federal government amid a perilous time for higher education. Colleges were already bracing for significant drops in enrollments as birth rates decline, but now federal threats of funding cuts, whether thats for research or institutional support, have added more financial uncertainty.

Some universities have implemented hiring freezes as they brace for federal funding cuts. But Flory, in an email to the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday, said Washington University did not have a hiring freeze in effect.

On Monday, the Education Department warned 60 colleges of potential enforcement actions if they dont do more to protect Jewish students on campus. Washington University was not included on the list among its peers of elite universities.

The probe into Washington University comes as the university puts forth a message of political neutrality.

Last year, Washington University and Vanderbilt University committed to a joint statement of principles that pledged to institutional neutrality, meaning its leaders would not take positions on political and social matters not directly connected to the core function of the university.

Several other universities have taken similar action as political pressures grew as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Protests calling on universities to divest from Israel or companies aiding the conflict led to divides on campuses.

In April, 100 people  mostly Washington University outsiders, university officials said  were arrested at Washington Universitys Tisch Park.

The protests that roiled Americas campuses last spring showed us how sorely universities need a return to a culture of civil discourse, Washington University Chancellor Andrew Martin and Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier wrote in a February op-ed. Universities that have not yet done so must return to the practice of institutional neutrality....

Martin briefly addressed the Education Departments Dear Colleague letter at his state of the university address in February.

When it came to diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, Martin said, I dont really know what DEI is and the federal officials lacked a precise definition in their warning to universities.

I have no particular commitments to the letters D, E or I or the concatenation of the three, but what I am committed to, and what I know what this community is committed to, is the work to drive excellence, Martin said.

Of the over 15,200 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Washington University this school year, about 37% are white, 14.5% Asian, 9% Hispanic and 8% Black.

The university saw a drop in Black students enrolled this in falls freshmen class compared to the last, from 12% to 8%, after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 ruled an end to race-conscious admission programs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FERGUSON  The family of a former Ferguson employee who died by suicide last year has sued the city, alleging it failed to stop a supervisors harassment, which caused the employee severe mental distress and led to her suicide.

Anita Huang-Ryan, who worked in Fergusons finance department, died in May of 2024, about two months after she was fired from the city where she had worked for nearly eight years.

Her husband and two adult daughters allege in a lawsuit that Huang-Ryans death was the result of constant harassment and discrimination by her supervisor, former Finance Director John Hughes, including false allegations that she stole money from the city.

The city knew of the harassment but failed to investigate and failed to provide a reasonably safe work environment for employees, causing Huang-Ryan mental anguish up until her death, the lawsuit says.

Fergusons attorney Apollo Carey, with the Lewis Rice law firm, did not respond to a request for comment. Ferguson City Manager John Hampton also did not respond to a request for comment.

Hughes, who no longer works for Ferguson and was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, could not be reached.

The lawsuit is at least the fourth ongoing employment discrimination suit against the city filed since April of 2024, when an assistant to the police chief, a former police officer and a former payroll clerk each alleged the citys mostly white administration was discriminatory against Black women employees.

All four lawsuits are represented by Maplewood-based attorneys Joseph Ott and Mark Blankenship.

According to the recent lawsuit:

Huang-Ryan, an immigrant to the U.S. from Taiwan, was the only employee of Asian origin in the citys finance department. She had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease but had no history of mental illness or suicidal ideations.

Hughes, Huang-Ryans direct supervisor, would constantly belittle her in front of coworkers and showed hostile behavior toward her that led her to seek therapy and mental health counseling.

Huang-Ryan filed a complaint against Hughes to the citys human resources department in early March of 2024.

Hughes suspended Huang-Ryan days later, on March 20, after the citys HR manager informed him of the complaint, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit calls her suspension retaliation for her HR complaint.

During her suspension, Hughes alleged to Hampton, the city administrator, and other officials that Huang-Ryan was stealing money from the city.

A city audit by the HR manager found no evidence of theft. But Hughes continued to allege Huang-Ryan was stealing, making comments in person and in writing to several people in the city, despite knowing the allegations were false.

Huang-Ryan returned to work but was fired by Hughes and Hampton a week later.

Huang-Ryan sought mental health counseling after she was fired and told her family that the citys actions caused her severe emotional distress. She was hospitalized after a suicide attempt in April of 2024 and died by suicide on May 7.

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline If you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK, text 741741 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
WASHINGTON  Americas butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds.

The first countrywide systematic analysis of butterfly abundance found that the number of butterflies in the Lower 48 states has been falling on average 1.3% a year since the turn of the century, with 114 species showing significant declines and only nine increasing, according to a study in Thursdays journal Science.

Butterflies have been declining the last 20 years, said study co-author Nick Haddad, an entomologist at Michigan State University. And we dont see any sign that thats going to end.

A team of scientists combined 76,957 surveys from 35 monitoring programs and blended them for an apples-to-apples comparison and ended up counting 12.6 million butterflies over the decades. Last month an annual survey that looked just at monarch butterflies, which federal officials plan to put on the threatened species list, counted a nearly all-time low of fewer than 10,000, down from 1.2 million in 1997.

Many of the species in decline fell by 40% or more.

Catastrophic and saddening loss over time

David Wagner, a University of Connecticut entomologist who wasnt part of the study, praised its scope. And he said while the annual rate of decline may not sound significant, it is catastrophic and saddening when compounded over time.

In just 30 or 40 years we are talking about losing half the butterflies (and other insect life) over a continent! Wagner said in an email. The tree of life is being denuded at unprecedented rates.

The United States has 650 butterfly species, but 96 species were so sparse they didnt show up in the data and another 212 species werent found in sufficient number to calculate trends, said study lead author Collin Edwards, an ecologist and data scientist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Im probably most worried about the species that couldnt even be included in the analyses because they were so rare, said University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Karen Oberhauser, who wasnt part of the research.

Haddad, who specializes in rare butterflies, said in recent years he has seen just two endangered St. Francis Satyr butterflies  which only live on a bomb range at Fort Bragg in North Carolina  so it could be extinct.

Some well-known species had large drops. The red admiral, which is so calm it lands on people, is down 44% and the American lady butterfly, with two large eyespots on its back wings, decreased by 58%, Edwards said.

Even the invasive white cabbage butterfly, a species that is well adapted to invade the world, according to Haddad, fell by 50%.

How can that be? Haddad wondered.

Butterfly decline as a warning sign for humans

Cornell University butterfly expert Anurag Agrawal said he worries most about the future of a different species: Humans.

The loss of butterflies, parrots and porpoises is undoubtedly a bad sign for us, the ecosystems we need and the nature we enjoy, Agrawal, who wasnt part of the study, said in an email. They are telling us that our continents health is not doing so well ... Butterflies are an ambassador for natures beauty, fragility and the interdependence of species. They have something to teach us.

Oberhauser said butterflies connect people with nature and that calms us down, makes us healthier and happier and promotes learning.

Whats happening to butterflies in the United States is probably happening to other, less-studied insects across the continent and world, Wagner said. He said not only is this the most comprehensive butterfly study, but the most data-rich for any insect.

Butterflies are also pollinators, though not as prominent as bees, and are a major source of pollination of the Texas cotton crop, Haddad said.

Driest and warmest areas are worst for butterflies

The biggest decrease in butterflies was in the Southwest  Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma  where the number of butterflies dropped by more than half in the 20 years.

It looks like the butterflies that are in dry and warm areas are doing particularly poorly, Edwards said. And that kind of captures a lot of the Southwest.

Edwards said when they looked at butterfly species that lived both in the hotter South and cooler North, the ones that did better were in the cooler areas.

Climate change, habitat loss and insecticides tend to work together to weaken butterfly populations, Edwards and Haddad said. Of the three, it seems that insecticides are the biggest cause, based on previous research from the U.S. Midwest, Haddad said.

It makes sense because insecticide use has changed in dramatic ways in the time since our study started, Haddad said.

Habitats can be restored and so can butterflies, so theres hope, Haddad said.

You can make changes in your backyard and in your neighborhood and in your state, Haddad said. That could really improve the situation for a lot of species.
NEW YORK  Columbia University expelled or suspended some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests last spring and temporarily revoked the diplomas of others who since graduated, officials said Thursday.

The university said in a campuswide email that a judicial board brought a range of sanctions against students who occupied Hamilton Hall last spring to protest the war in Gaza.

Columbia did not provide a breakdown of how many students were expelled, were suspended or had their degrees revoked, but said the outcomes were based on an evaluation of the severity of behaviors.

The culmination of the monthslong investigative process comes as the university is reeling from the arrest of a well-known Palestinian campus activist, Mahmoud Khalil, by federal immigration authorities last Saturday. President Donald Trump has said the arrest would be the first of many such detentions.

At the same time, the Trump administration stripped the university of more than $400 million in federal funds over what it calls a failure to combat campus antisemitism.

Congressional Republicans pointed specifically to a failure to discipline students involved in the Hamilton Hall seizure as proof of inaction by the university.

The building occupation followed a tent encampment that inspired a wave of similar demonstrations at college campuses across the country.

On April 30, a smaller group of students and their allies barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall with furniture and padlocks in a major escalation of campus protests.

At the request of university leaders, hundreds of New York police stormed onto campus the following night, arresting dozens of people involved in the occupation and the encampment.

At a court hearing in June, the Manhattan district attorneys office said it would not pursue criminal charges for 31 of the 46 people initially arrested on trespassing charges inside the administration building.

However, the students still faced disciplinary hearings and possible expulsion from the university.

The final sanctions announced Thursday followed a lengthy process that involved hearings for each student led by the long-running University Judicial Board.

Some students who joined the encampment but did not participate in the building takeover learned they would not face further discipline beyond their previous suspensions.

With respect to other events taking place last spring, the UJBs determinations recognized previously imposed disciplinary action, the university said in a statement.

The disciplinary process drew scrutiny from House Republicans, who demanded university administrators turn over disciplinary records of students involved in campus protests or risk billions of dollars in federal funding.

On Thursday, Khalil and seven students identified by pseudonyms filed a lawsuit seeking to block a Congressional committee from obtaining such records for students at Columbia and Barnard College, a women's institution affiliated with Columbia.

Filed in federal court in Manhattan against the two schools, the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce and its chairman, Republican Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, the lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction barring Congress from forcing the schools to provide the records and the universities from complying.

Last month the committee sent a letter demanding that Columbia and Barnard provide the records or risk federal funding. The plaintiffs argue in the complaint that the committee is abusing its power in an attempt to chill and suppress speech and association based on the viewpoint expressed and the investigation threatens to significantly infringe on First Amendment rights.

In a statement emailed by a committee spokesperson, Walberg said, This lawsuit changes nothing.

The information requested is critical to its consideration of legislation on this issue and necessary to hold schools accountable for their failures to address rampant antisemitism on our college campuses, he added.

Barnard spokespeople did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment, and Columbia declined to discuss the pending litigation.

Separately, a newly created disciplinary board has brought new cases against students  including Khalil  who expressed criticism of Israel, triggering alarm among free speech advocates. Khalil was not among the protesters accused of seizing Hamilton Hall.

The expulsion announcement drew praise from some faculty members, including Gil Zussman, chair of the electrical engineering department and member of Columbias Task Force on Antisemitism.

Finally demonstrating that breaking university rules has consequences is an important first step towards going back to the core missions of research and teaching, he said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Gaza war protests ignite on US college campuses
Ericsson revealed on Thursday it has signed a strategic partnership with TIM Brasil to consolidate and modernize its billing systems using Ericssons cloud-native billing solution.

The partnership will see TIM Brasil and Ericsson consolidate multiple platforms and unifying systems across the telcos consumer, corporate, and fixed customers segments. The Ericsson billing solution will be deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with a public cloud deployment model.

By consolidating its billing systems into a single, converged platform, TIM says it aims to enhance system performance, streamline operations, and simplify its architecture.

Ericsson said the cloud-native solution offers improved infrastructure optimization, bolstered security, and continuous product lifecycle management, integrating accounting, debt collection, and roaming functionalities into one cohesive platform.

Ericsson added that the solution also employs AI to enhance billing accuracy for hybrid services, such as fixed and mobile, which will reduce integration complexity.

Our goal with Ericsson is to explore new innovative business models that require high computational performance combined with accuracy  and, most importantly, to create value and make life easier for our clients" said TIM Brasil CIO Auana Mattar in a statement.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. (David M. Santos/U.S. Coast Guard)



Seven more former U.S. Coast Guard cadets filed claims that they were victims of sexual abuse at the services academy, the latest round of complaints tied to the Fouled Anchor scandal.

The Coast Guard now faces $290 million in claims from the sexual assault scandal at its academy in New London, Conn. The administrative complaints were filed Thursday under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the first legal step in initiating a civil lawsuit against the federal government.

The new filings bring the total to 29 cadets and prospective cadets who have filed complaints, according to Christine Dunn, an attorney with the Washington, D.C., law firm Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, which is representing the cadets.

The legal complaints follow a year of scrutiny for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy that began with the revelation that the service concealed a report that found academy officials had routinely mishandled reports of sexual assault among cadets. The report, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, was the result of a six-year internal review of 102 reports of sexual assault and harassment cases at the academy between 1990 and 2006.

Fouled Anchors existence became public after CNN learned of the report and the decision in 2020 by the Coast Guard not to release it. Only after the news network reported on Operation Fouled Anchor did Coast Guard officials go to Congress with it. Congressional committees and the Department of Homeland Security inspector general have since opened investigations into the cover-up, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service has begun criminal investigations into the cases included in Fouled Anchor.

Dunn said lawyers expect more claims will be filed in what she called a collective action against policies that resulted in sexual assaults at the Coast Guards college for officer candidates.

This is the first systemic and pervasive issue of sexual abuse at any of the service academies, she said.

The Coast Guard issue a statement Thursday that it would resolve all claims in accordance with federal law.

The Coast Guard is committed to protecting our workforce and ensuring a safe environment that eliminates sexual assault and sexual harassment, and has devoted significant resources to improving prevention, victim support, and accountability, the service said.

The claims are filed against the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation, which included the Coast Guard until a government realignment in 2003.

The former cadets claim they were assaulted or abused by fellow cadets while attending the academy. The cadets blamed academy rules, including one prohibiting them from locking their dorm room doors.

One woman said in her claim filed Thursday that she woke on several different occasions at the academy to find inebriated, naked male classmates sexually assaulting her. Another said she was drugged by a fellow cadet at a party and was raped after falling asleep on the ride back to her room.

Some cadets said their assailants frequently spread rumors after the assaults about their sexual behavior that ruined their standing at the academy with their classmates. Some said they did not report the incidents because of what they saw as lax or even punitive responses from school officials.

I did not report my assault due to fear of retaliation, one former cadet wrote in her claim. I personally witnessed those who spoke up about sexual assault being subjected to victim-blaming and shaming, getting kicked out of the academy, being removed from the service with no benefits, or losing their appointment.

Adm. Linda Fagan, the former commandant of the Coast Guard, was fired by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, the first day of his second term.

Trump said he fired Fagan for leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremy Rojas shaves before a live-fire event at Fort Barfoot, Va., Oct. 20, 2024. Under an administrative order issued March 13, 2025, Marines who received a shaving exemption because of a skin condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae must be reexamined within 90 days and could be separated from the service if grooming exceptions are needed beyond one year. (Nicholas Pilch/Defense Department)



Marines with a medical exemption from shaving for painful skin disorders must have their condition reexamined within 90 days, according to a new administrative order that comes after the initiation of a broader Pentagon review on grooming standards.

The Marine directive, issued Thursday, also said troops diagnosed with the skin condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae could be separated from the service if grooming exceptions are needed beyond one year.

Under such a scenario, a Marine may be considered for administrative separation due to incompatibility with Service, the order stated.

A Marine directive issued in 2012 allowed commanding officers to separate Marines with long-term conditions that did not respond to treatment if it affected good order and discipline. That directive did not include the one-year timeline.

A 2022 directive had ended separations based on temporary or permanent no shave medical status.

The new order was described as interim guidance and comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths announcement Wednesday of a rapid review across the military of standards for physical fitness, body composition and grooming.

The review also will examine policies regarding beards. All services grant shaving waivers to members diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, also known as razor bumps. The condition disproportionately affects Black men, studies have found.

Marines already diagnosed with it need to be reevaluated to assess their treatment protocol and determine the need for further treatment, the new guidance says.

Over the years, military branches have carried out various studies on the beard issue to determine whether regulations could be loosened for the rank and file. But so far, no branch has taken the step beyond special exceptions.

In the Army, clean shaves became a requirement just before World War I, when chemical weapons were deemed a serious threat. The Navy and the Coast Guard were the last branches to ban beards, doing so in 1985 and 1986, respectively.

The Marine Corps has always taken a hard line on the issue.

Were Marines, and were different. We dont have beards, Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine Corps commandant, told reporters in January.

When it comes to pseudofolliculitis barbae, thats a medical waiver, not a fashion waiver, Smith said.
A KC-135 refueling aircraft flies over the Dale Mabry entrance of Macdill Air Force Base, Fla., while coming in for a landing in January 2021 in Tampa. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via TNS)



A Marine was fatally struck by a vehicle while he was running along a road early Tuesday on MacDill Air Force Base, officials at the Florida base said Friday.

Cpl. Jack Cody was pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital where he was rushed after being hit at about 7:15 a.m., according to an Air Force base release. Cody was a member of the Marines 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, a Reserve unit based in south Tampa, near MacDill.

Base officials said the incident was under investigation and provided few details, including whether the vehicles driver had been arrested or was expected to face charges.

Marine leaders described Cody as well-liked in his unit and a top performing Marine.

Cpl. Jack Cody was the heartbeat of the platoon, Marine Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joshua Riddle, the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalions maintenance officer, said in a statement. He was a Marine through and through, he was a professional in everything he did, enjoyed the outdoors, and would make everyone laugh.

Cody was the second service member struck and killed by a vehicle while out running this year. In January, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard Padilla, a security forces craftsman with the 24th Rapid Deployment Squadron of the 24th Special Operations Wing, died when he was struck by a vehicle about one mile from MacDill.

In that incident, Tampa police said a man intentionally struck Padilla and others with his vehicle in a road rage incident that culminated with the suspect being shot and killed by police.
Construction vessels float on Oura Bay at the site of a future Marine Corps airfield for Camp Schwab, Okinawa, on Jan. 23, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



A construction vessel spilled fuel oil at the site of a future Marine Corps airfield in northern Okinawa on Thursday, marking the third such incident this year, according to Japans coast guard.

The spill occurred at 4:05 p.m. while the vessel was pumping fuel oil from its tank to an onboard generator, the coast guard said in a news release that day. The oil overflowed from the generators tank and went into the ocean.

The vessel was working on the airfield project in waters about a half-mile north-northeast of Cape Henoko in Nago city. A contractor at the site reported the spill to the coast guard at 4:29 p.m.

Workers stopped the pump and deployed an oil fence and absorption mats to contain the spill. No oil was observed leaking beyond the fence by 5:34 p.m., according to the release.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause and amount of the spill, a coast guard spokesman said by phone Thursday. No injuries or environmental damage have been reported.

The incident follows two oil spills in January from vessels working on the airfield project. On Tuesday, another vessel towing construction materials for the site caught fire after oil leaked from its engine room.

The airfield is being built on reclaimed land in Oura Bay as a replacement for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is situated in densely populated Ginowan city. The U.S. and Japanese governments agreed to the relocation in 1996, but legal challenges from the Okinawa prefectural government delayed construction.

The construction site is divided into two main sections: 279 acres on the northern side of Camp Schwab and 91 acres on the southern side, according to the Okinawa prefectural governments website.
The USS Washington, a Virginia-class, nuclear-powered submarine, arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine in September 2024 for a scheduled maintenance. (Branden Bourque/U.S. Navy)



WASHINGTON  At least 10 workers were fired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine this week, a day after a top Navy admiral told lawmakers that the services shipyard workforce is exempt from a Defense Department-wide probationary employee purge.

All 10 were entry-level probationary workers in administrative positions. Of those, four were fired for performance issues. The other six were let go based solely on their probationary status, according to the chapter president of a union that represents more than 500 workers at the public Navy shipyard.

From what we were told, the Navy thought those positions were the least impactful to the mission, said Bill Webber, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2024 chapter. I argue  every position in the shipyard has purpose.

The firings occurred the same week that Adm. James Kilby, the Navys vice chief of operations, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that probationary shipyard workers would be exempt from the Pentagons first wave of workforce cuts.

We are trying to shape this in a manner that allows us to continue the most important work as we work through guidance from the [Trump] administration, Kilby told senators Wednesday during an update on the status of the force.

The Defense Department on March 10 began cutting its civilian workforce, with the goal of immediately purging 5,400 probationary workers. The Pentagon plans to slash its workforce by up to 8%, which could total more than 70,000 federal workers.

Lawmakers and unions have urged the Navy to exempt its four public shipyards  Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii  from the Pentagons civilian workforce purge. The shipyards are responsible for maintaining the Navys nuclear-powered fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers.

As you are no doubt aware, the men and women who work at our public shipyards are critical members of our defense industrial base, without whom the ability to repair, retrofit and refuel our countrys submarines would be in jeopardy, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, wrote to the Navy in a letter dated Feb. 11.

Following Kilbys statement Wednesday about the shipyard exemption, Shaheen said: More uncertainty and a lack of guidance from the administration jeopardizes our national defense and preparedness. If [President Donald Trump] cares about strengthening shipbuilding as much as he claims, hed exempt workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard  whose jobs are vital to our national security  from reckless, indiscriminate cuts to the civilian workforce.

Adm. James Kilby, vice chief of naval operations, testifies March 12, 2025, during a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employs nearly 8,000 civilian workers, which includes police, secretaries and other administrative workers, and training instructors, as well as a variety of industrial workers. It has a workforce shortage of more than 550 people, Shaheen said.

The Navy was working with the Defense Department and Office of Personnel Management to identify critical functions at the shipyards and offer exemptions to workforce cuts, according to a letter dated Feb. 28 and signed by Terence Emmert, acting Navy secretary.

The [Department of the Navy] is committed to carry out workforce shaping in a manner that preserves lethality and readiness, while advancing the administrations imperatives of reduction and cost savings, Emmert wrote.

Webber said he expects at least six of the 10 fired employees to be reinstated following a Thursday ruling from a federal judge that ordered the immediate rehiring of fired probationary workers across the federal government. Judge William Alsup ruled the OPM and its acting director, Charles Ezell, acted unlawfully when they ordered mass job terminations of the new workers.

We need them. We would not have had to fill these positions in the first place if they were not needed, Webber said.

He said he hopes the union can fight for performance-based firings of probationary workers to be conducted on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, he would like to see all 10 employees rehired.

The Navy on Friday referred questions about the shipyard firings and potential rehiring to Kilbys testimony. A Navy official said the service is working through the implementation of the DOD workforce guidance and the court ruling.

The shipyard workers and civilian mariners for the Military Sealift Command are exempt from the federal hiring freeze, Kilby told senators Wednesday. The exemption will allow the shipyards to continue recruiting new workers to fill gaps that pre-date directives to trim the workforce. Labor shortages at Navy shipyards has been a yearslong struggle that officials have attributed to low wages.

Webber said, as of Friday, the union and the Portsmouth shipyard had not received any guidance from the Navy.

All we have right now is the admirals word, he said.

Workers at the Maine-based shipyard, Webber said, have been on eggshells since the workforce purge was announced. A resignation buyout offered in February was accepted by 120 workers at the site. Of those, 40 spots are now unfilled. The other 80 spots, Webber said, will be vacated starting next week.

Our people just want to go back to work and do the mission that we do  modernize submarines and get them back to the fleet, on-cost and on-budget, he said. But we cant afford a reduction of force or we wont be able to meet the Navys mission.
Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he leaves the Capitolio  home of the National Assembly  after taking the oath during the presidential inauguration in Caracas on Jan.10, 2025. (Juan Barreto, AFP, Getty Images via TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  The Nicolas Maduro regime has agreed to resume flights transporting Venezuelans deported from the United States back to their home country, U.S. diplomat Richard Grenell said.

Maduro had recently admitted that the flights had been impacted by the Trump administrations decision to revoke a special license allowing Chevron to produce and sell oil out of Venezuela despite the sanctions imposed on the regime.

Serving as Trumps envoy for special missions, Grenell had met with Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 31, securing the release of six Americans who Washington believes had been imprisoned unjustly by Maduro and also Caracas acceptance of the flights.

I am pleased to announce that Venezuela has agreed to resume flights to pick up their citizens who broke U.S. Immigration Laws and entered the U.S. illegally, Grenell, who has since been appointed interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, said on his X account. The flights will resume Friday.

The Trump administration has not yet provided further details.

Little more than 600 Venezuelan migrants had been taken back to Venezuela on the flights before Trumps decision to revoke the Chevron license soured the fragile improvement of the thorny relations between both countries.

While portrayed by the Trump administration as hardened criminals, the Venezuelans deported from the United States were welcomed back with open arms as prodigal sons and daughters  ironically, by the man in charge of the repressive apparatus that initially forced many of them to flee.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello welcomed the hundreds of migrants arriving from the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on deportation flights from Texas, reiterating on state television that the Venezuelans have been falsely labeled as dangerous criminals and members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

After officials confirmed that the migrants are not wanted criminals, most have been allowed to reunite with their families.

They were taken to Guantanamo without having committed any type of legal infraction, Cabello told reporters at the airport while receiving a group of 177 Venezuelans the U.S. had originally sent to the Navy base in Cuba. All of them will have a second chance to rebuild their lives here.

McClatchy reporter David Catanese contributed to this story from Washington.

2025 McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Visit mcclatchydc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Camp Ishigaki, a Japan Self-Defense Force base, is on Ishigaki Island, approximately 150 miles from Taiwans eastern coast. (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)



Japans Ministry of Defense plans to expand a two-year-old army base on Ishigaki Island, near Taiwan, as part of efforts to bolster defenses in the Nansei Island chain, a city official said Wednesday.

The ministry may purchase 54 acres to enlarge Camp Ishigaki, a Ground Self-Defense Force base on the island, said Osamu Tanahara, director of Ishigaki citys department of general affairs, during a city assembly meeting. Video of the meeting was uploaded to the citys website.

The island chain, also known as the Ryukyus, stretches from Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, to within 70 miles of Taiwan. Ishigaki is approximately 150 miles east of Taiwan. The islands form a key link in the so-called first island chain, a strategic barrier to Chinas navy in the event of a conflict.

The ministry is working to purchase approximately 37 acres on the southern side of the base and an additional 17 acres on the west and east sides of the base, Tanahara said.

The property in question is not city-owned, and the city does not have information on how many people or companies own the land, a spokesman for the general affairs department said by phone Thursday.

We do not clearly know when the property will be purchased, he said.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The ministry plans to build a training ground on the east side of the base, while additional training facilities for recruit, deployment and disaster response training are planned for the west and south sides, the spokesman said.

Camp Ishigaki began operations in March 2023 and houses approximately 570 personnel from security, surface-to-air and surface-to-ship guided-missile units, according to the defense ministrys website.

The ministry also plans to activate an electronic warfare operations unit on Ishigaki Island in fiscal 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen those capabilities on remote islands, according to an August ministry release posted on Ishigaki citys website. Japans fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.

The number of personnel at Camp Ishigaki may increase with the addition of the electronic warfare unit, but the ministry has not provided details on personnel or equipment, Tanahara said.
The USNS Wally Schirra's primary mission is delivering cargo to Navy warships at sea. (Hanwha Ocean)



A U.S. Navy dry cargo ship departed a South Korean shipyard this week after a seven-month overhaul, marking the first major repair of an American naval vessel by a South Korean firm.

The USNS Wally Schirra, a Lewis and Clark-class ship, completed repairs Wednesday at Hanwha Oceans shipyard on Geoje Island, about 200 miles southeast of Seoul, according to a U.S. Military Sealift Command news release Thursday.

The command  the Navys logistical and support arm  operates approximately 125 vessels that handle missions ranging from underwater cable repairs to salvage operations.

Commissioned in 2009, the Wally Schirra has no homeport, according to the Navys website. The ships primary mission is delivering cargo to Navy warships at sea.

Conducting large-scale maintenance overseas reduces downtime and costs while enhancing operational readiness, Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, said in the release.

[South Koreas] ability to conduct large-scale maintenance to USNS ships within the Indo-Pacific theater demonstrates the strong strategic partnership between [South Korea] and the United States, he said.

More than 300 repairs were made to the Wally Schirra, including hull corrosion removal and a full rudder replacement, according to the release. Hanwha Ocean reverse-engineered the damaged rudder without a blueprint, which saved significant time and resources in getting Wally Schirra back to sea.

Hanwha Ocean did not immediately respond to an email Friday inquiring about the cost of the repairs.

U.S. shipyards are struggling with a backlog of maintenance and repairs, a challenge for the Navy and its allies as they counter China, which dominates the global shipbuilding industry. Last year, a U.S.-led working group met in Japan to develop a program to maintain and repair American warships in that country rather than sending them back to the U.S. for major work.

The Wally Schirra crew will now conduct training in damage control, navigation and operations, according to Military Sealift Command.

Upon completion of the training, USNS Wally Schirra will continue its normal mission of combat logistics, providing ammunition, dry cargo, food and fuel to the fleet, command spokeswoman Jennifer Hunt said in an email Friday.

The Wally Schirra is the first vessel to undergo repairs under the Navys contract with Hanwha.

In July, Hanwha, one of South Koreas Big Three shipbuilders, received a five-year approval from the Navy to compete for maintenance and repair contracts. It won the contract for the Wally Schirra and began work the following month, according to a company release in September.

Hanwha is also repairing the USNS Yukon, a replenishment oiler, with an estimated completion date next month, according to a November release from the company.

Then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visited Hanwhas primary shipyard in February 2024 and praised South Koreas defense industry partnership with the U.S. military.

I could not be more excited at the prospect of these companies bringing their expertise, their technology, and their cutting-edge best practices to American shores, he said at the time. As world-class leaders in the global shipbuilding business, they are poised to energize the U.S. shipbuilding marketplace with fresh competition, renowned innovation and unrivaled industrial capacity.

Hanwha, South Koreas sixth-largest conglomerate, expanded its presence in the U.S. shipbuilding industry in June by purchasing Norwegian-owned Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia for $100 million.
Netmore Group, a global operator of IoT networks, has announced its continued expansion into Brazil and South American markets, following the completion of its acquisition of Everynet, an operator of neutral-host, low power wide area (LPWA) networks.

Netmore says that a dedicated focus in the region immediately opens new market opportunities, while its expanded presence supports the growing demand for digital transformation of critical sectors, including utilities, agriculture, smart cities, and transportation and logistics.

Netmore says that customers across Brazil and South America will now be offered access to a best-in-class low power wide area network (LPWAN) coverage and improved products and services.

Enhanced business operations and offerings in the region will include initiatives to expand LPWAN coverage areas through existing and new infrastructure partnerships, while the introduction of Netmores network-as-a-service (NaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offerings will provide flexible and scalable IoT connectivity and network deployment options for businesses of all types.

Offerings will also include unique network deployment and densification capabilities that support SLA-backed, carrier-grade network services for a range of critical infrastructure and essential business applications.

Gustavo Zarife, Vice President for South America and Country Manager for Brazil at Netmore, points out that the company will be drawing on its success in deploying and managing large-scale utility projects under some of the toughest SLAs in the industry, including 1.7 million smart water meters in Yorkshire, UK.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 7, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel/Pool/AFP/Getty Images via TNS)



WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  The U.S. is tightening sanctions on Russia by restricting payments for energy even as it pursues peace negotiations with President Vladimir Putins government over the war in Ukraine.

The Trump administration quietly let expire a license covering payments for energy to a handful of Russian banks that were still allowed to receive payments in U.S. dollars through what was known as General License 8, which had been in place since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The administration did not publicly announce or acknowledge the change, which was put in place by the outgoing Biden administration as part of a package of sanctions implemented in January. Among the provisions of that package, the Biden administration cut short the typical six-month time frame for the license, setting it up to expire at midnight March 12.

Letting the license expire will significantly gum up the works of Russias oil and gas revenues, said Edward Fishman, a former State Department official who worked on Russia sanctions in 2014. If you are a foreign oil refinery or an oil trader or someone buying Russian gas and your bank wants to pay Russia for their oil and gas in dollars or by extension, really any other Western currency, youre going find that very difficult to do.

The Trump administration has been pursuing a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv and met with Ukrainian officials earlier this week, who agreed to a proposal for a one-month ceasefire. Putin said Thursday he wants to discuss the ceasefire proposal with President Donald Trump but that any truce should lead to a long-term resolution of the war.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview on CNBC that the U.S. wouldnt hesitate to impose additional sanctions on Russia to try to force the country to the table and that Trump is willing to apply maximum pressure on both sides.

A spokesperson for the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

The impact of the expiration is unclear, as many purchasers of Russian energy may have already complied with the restrictions in anticipation of the waiver expiring or may have set up alternative means of payment that circumvent western sanctions.

Its definitely a tightening but the question is how impactful is this in terms of hard dollars or value of actual oil trade, said Daniel Tannebaum, a former Treasury official and partner at Oliver Wyman. How much flow actually went through that channel is very unclear.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A mover carries a box of household goods onto a truck at Dover Air Force Base, Del., in July 2021. (Nicole Leidholm/U.S. Air Force)



Georgias U.S. senators have launched an inquiry into reports of delayed pickups and deliveries of household goods for relocating military families under a new system intended to remedy such problems.

Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in a letter Wednesday urged the head of the U.S. Transportation Command to fully exercise oversight authority to ensure that the Global Household Goods Contract, or GHC, delivers on its promise to improve service, communication, and accountability for military families.

In some cases, the Army and Air Force have taken a step back and rebooked moves under the old legacy system, according to the letter.

Ossoff and Warnock asked the command to respond by March 31 to a series of questions about the phased-in implementation of GHC.

Under GHC, the Transportation Command is transferring oversight of the roughly 300,000 annual moves for the military and Coast Guard to HomeSafe Alliance, a joint venture between Tier One Relocation and KBR, formerly Kellogg Brown & Root.

The command awarded HomeSafe a $20 billion contract in late 2021 to implement GHC.

Under GHC, HomeSafe is replacing about 900 companies that until now managed military moves by contracting with movers and trucking, shipping and warehousing companies.

The overhaul is intended to streamline the relocation process by creating a single point of contact for service members.

Hundreds of military members, however, have complained of late pickups and deliveries and poor communication under GHC as the program began ramping up in earnest this year after trial runs in 2024.

These issues have affected Georgians transferring to new duty stations, adding frustration and, at times, financial uncertainty to an already disruptive relocation process, the letter states.

Late last month, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., sent a similar letter to the Transportation Command head Gen. Randall Reed requesting immediate action over GHC failures.

Ossoff and Warnock noted in the letter that HomeSafe now needs three weeks to execute moves, effectively rolling back its program to pilot status.

HomeSafe said in an email Thursday that it had recently asked the Defense Department to resume its approach to assigning moves to the new Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) in this programs early and developmental stages.

Specifically, HomeSafe requested a lead time of at least 21 days to provide us enough time to book high-quality movers on the necessary dates, the email states.

The Transportation Command did not respond to a specific question from Stars and Stripes regarding the status of the 21-day request.

During a virtual media roundtable in January, Andy Dawson, director of the commands Defense Personal Property Management Office, touted GHC as a tough program because of its requirement that HomeSafe fulfill each and every relocation job that enters the pipeline on the date the service member requests it  even within 24 hours.

HomeSafe is expected and required by the contract to support those moves, Dawson said. It was designed that way to support our service member needs.

HomeSafe said in its email that it had made significant progress in working through capacity challenges and strengthening our service provider network.

We sincerely apologize to every family affected by capacity-related delays, and we are dedicated to providing timely service going forward, the email states. HomeSafe is taking all the lessons learned and continually improving our systems and processes, including enhancing our customer care operations, updating our technology platform, reshaping our training program for service providers and hiring additional employees.

The Transportation Command remains committed to delivering an improved moving experience to our service members and their families, command spokesman Scott Ross said in an email Thursday.

Weve noted contract performance issues and are taking measures to mitigate further impacts to Service members and their families, he said.
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No injuries were reported, but the playground was wrecked.

Dublin Fire Brigade tackled the blaze at the Weaver Park playground

A then 12-year-old boy started and "fanned" the flames of a fire causing 32,000 worth of damage to a children's playground in Dublin.

The blaze broke out at Weaver Park, off Cork Street, in the south inner city on October 9, 2022.

No injuries were reported, but the playground was wrecked.

The schoolboy, now aged 15, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court yesterday today.

He was accused of criminal damage to the playground structure.

Defence counsel Doireann McDonagh told Judge Brendan Toale that the teenager was pleading guilty. The court heard that on that afternoon, the boy and another male got scrap and materials from a building site.

They brought them to the playground where the boy set and fanned a fire, which caused significant damage.

Part of the playground structure had to be removed at a cost of 32,000.

The teen, accompanied to court by his mother, had no prior convictions. Ms McDonagh asked the judge to note his young age at the time, educational reports, and a letter of apology written by the boy, which was handed into court.

Judge Toale referred him to the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence probation report.

The case resumes in April.

Earlier, Garda Christine Kelly said the boy made no reply when charged.

The DPP recommended the case remain in the Children's Court rather than proceeding to the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

The court has heard that the teen had not been in trouble since the alleged incident.

Under his bail conditions he has been warned to stay away from the area of the incident, remain contactable 24/7, and have no contact with another male and not be in possession of a lighter or matches.

Legal aid was granted to the boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor.

His alleged accomplice is still before the court awaiting his hearing.
Wilkin had been arrested in England following the discovery of 6.7m worth of heroin and cocaine in a lorry in August 2021

Drug trafficking charges against Robert Wilkin whose body was found in the water off the Slieve League cliffs in Co Donegal had been dropped after his death, it can be revealed.

Last week, Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were found guilty of the 66-year-old's murder and sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment by Justice Paul McDermott.

Wilkin, originally from Tyrone, had been arrested in England following the discovery of 6.7m worth of heroin and cocaine in a lorry in August 2021.

He had been charged, bailed and had been due to stand trial in October of 2023, according to the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA).

However, proceedings were formally discontinued following a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on October 31, following Mr Wilkins death, an NCA spokesperson confirmed.

Nikita Burns

In July of that year it emerged that NCA officers had been working with gardai to determine if the body found off the coast of Co Donegal was that of Wilkin who was due to go on trial over the multi-million pound drug seizure.

We are working with the Irish police to ascertain whether it is the same person, an NCA spokesperson said at the time.

"We are aware some Irish media outlets are reporting that a man of the same name and age has been found dead in Donegal."

Wilkin had been questioned by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) after the lorry he was driving was stopped at the Coquelles Channel Tunnel terminal on Thursday, August 12, 2021.

The truck which was registered in Poland had been carrying a load of Belgian chocolates which was to be delivered to a location in Maidstone, Kent.

Border Force officers found the tape wrapped packages hidden in two pallets of the chocolates, and in total 63 kilos of heroin and 32 kilos of cocaine were seized.

Officers from the NCA later charged Wilkin with attempting to import a class A drug.

NCA Branch Commander Martin Grace said at the time: This was a significant seizure of class A drugs of the type we see being distributed by violent and exploitative street gangs and county lines networks.

Working with our law enforcement partners like Border Force we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the organised crime groups involved in bringing these drugs to the UK.

In 2023, Wilkins badly beaten body was discovered in the water at Slieve League, a popular tourist attraction, following a week-long operation involving land, air and deep-water search teams.

Sliabh Liag was closed to tourists for five days as gardai, the Coast Guard and Donegal Mountain Rescue searched for the missing man.

Gardai later extended their search to nearby Teelin Pier, leading to boat tours and other tourism businesses shutting down during what is usually their busy summer season.

During the murder trial, it was heard that Robert Wilkin suffered severe head injuries after he was beaten with a rock and his body was then discarded over Irelands tallest cliffs and his neck chain, watch and other personal items disposed of.

Alan Vial attempted to blame his ex lover Nikita Burns, saying she hit him in the head with a rock after a row broke out following a day of socialising in a local pub.

However, a jury ultimately found both guilty of murder by joint enterprise.

Alan Vial

Last week, Irene McAleer, sister of the deceased, who had sat through the entire trial delivered a statement on behalf of herself and her surviving siblings, David and Marie.

She told how she was overwhelmed by the lack of remorse shown by her brother's "cold, calculating" murderers and by the way they dumped his body over the cliffs "as if his life was worthless".

She said the "agonising journey" from when a garda called to say they believed Robin and been murdered to the end of the trial has been "filled with grief, denial and undoubtedly anger".

While the convictions have brought "a certain degree of closure", she added that the family will never come to terms with the brutal nature of Robin's death.

She was sickened, she said, when she heard that Burns had said she hoped the body would not be found and that the victim's family "wouldn't bother to come looking for him".

She was further upset when she heard Vial "mocking" her brother, by declaring during one of his garda interviews it was ironic that Robin had said he wanted to be buried at sea.

Ms McAleer denied that her brother was estranged from his family.

"He was, in fact, just travelling his own path and lost regular touch with us, as many siblings do. Robin's callous and unnecessary murder has deprived us all the chance to reconnect now that our own lives are slowing down."

Following Ms McAleer's statement, Mr Justice Paul McDermott offered his condolences to the family before imposing the mandatory life sentences in respect of each defendant.

Vial's sentence was backdated to July 14, 2023 when he first went into custody. Burns' sentence was backdated to August 29, 2023.

Vial (39), from Drumanoo Head, Killybegs and Burns (23), of Carrick, Co Donegal had pleaded not guilty to Mr Wilkin's murder in Donegal on June 25, 2023. A jury found each guilty of murder by majority, ten to two, verdicts following a two-month trial.

The trial heard that Mr Wilkin suffered severe head injuries after being struck multiple times with a rock at an area known as Roshin, near Killybegs. His killers then drove to Sliabh Liag where they put him over the cliffs and disposed of his neck chain, watch and other personal items.

Vial and Burns blamed one another for the fatal assault but the jury accepted the prosecution case that they had, in fact, been involved in a joint enterprise to cause serious injury to Mr Wilkin and are both guilty of murder.
Patrick Lawrence (54), his wife Eileen (52), and sons Tom (24) and John (26), who were children at the time, made personal injury claims for road traffic accidents

A father has been jailed and his wife is awaiting sentencing in a multigenerational insurance claim fraud.

Patrick Lawrence (54), his wife Eileen (52), and sons Tom (24) and John (26), who were children at the time, made personal injury claims for road traffic accidents and falls using false names on dates between 2010 and 2016. The family all have addresses at Moyglas Glade, Lucan in Dublin.

The family instructed solicitors, attended doctors and swore affidavits using the false identities in order to pursue the claims. Most of the claims were unsuccessful but a number were paid out.

The offending came to light after an insurance company hired a private investigator.

Another member of the family, grandmother Winnifred Lawrence (74) was jailed last year for three and a half years with the final 18 months suspended for making similar claims between 2012 and 2014. She had fraudulently received 23,150 after legal expenses for her claims.

Eileen Lawrence

Patrick Lawrence pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2013 and 2018. Eileen Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2010 and 2016.

Tom Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of attempted deception in 2016, while his brother John Lawrence pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception on dates between 2014 and 2016.

Judge Martin Nolan said Patrick Lawrence had his difficulties but he was satisfied that he knew right from wrong. He acknowledged his medical and mental health issues but said this was serious wrongdoing which merited a prison sentence. He imposed two years' imprisonment.

He noted that Tom and John Lawrence were children at the time and there was some evidence they were used as conduits and under pressure to some degree to commit the crimes.

The judge said they were now getting on well and it would be unjust to imprison them. He imposed one year suspended sentences on both men.

In relation to Eileen Lawrence, Judge Nolan said there was no doubt she was involved in a serious way in the offending and he thought she did deserve to go to prison. He said the only thing stopping him was the effect her imprisonment would have on third parties.

The court had heard she was the glue that holds the family together and had a caring role for family members with additional needs.

He said he would reflect over the weekend on Eileens case and impose sentence on Monday.

Detective Garda Ivor Scully of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told David Perry BL, prosecuting, that the family had submitted the personal injury claims under false names to disguise the fact that they had all made previous claims and not to draw attention to the claims.

He outlined that some of the claims were paid out but the majority were not successful.

He said one insurance company engaged a private investigator to look into certain claims and the investigator took photos of the family attending medical appointments under their false names.

Gardai were alerted and the investigation unearthed correspondence from the false identities at the accused persons' address and claim money paid into a bank account of one member of the family.

The family were arrested and interviewed in 2019.

Patrick Larence made four false claims under two false names for road traffic accidents and falls, with just one claim successfully resulting in pay out of 9,370. He has six previous convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Eileen Lawrence made five claims under two false identities. Only one claim was successful, with 15,000 being paid out to her in 2014. Another claim was withdrawn after she was identified in court by gardai. Eileen Lawrence has no previous convictions.

Tom Lawrence made an unsuccessful claim for a trip and fall in 2016 under a false name. He was 16 years old at the time. He has convictions for road traffic offences and theft.

John Lawrence made four claims under false names, with one being successful and netting a pay out of 6,155 in 2015. John was also under 18 at the time of the offending. He has convictions for theft and road traffic offences.

Roderick OHanlon SC, defending Patrick Lawrence, said his client had a number of medical and mental health issues, which required medication and occasional hospitalisations. He handed in medical reports and said he was vulnerable to severe deterioration in his mental health.

He said his client regrets the offending and has not re-offended since. He asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, which avoided a potentially difficult trial having to take place.

John Berry SC, defending Eileen Lawrence, said his client was the glue that holds the family together and was the primary carer for a son with additional needs. He handed in letters from multiple agencies outlining her sons difficulties and her caring role in relation to him.

He said she also had a caring role in relation to her husband and other family members.

Mr Berry said regarding her mother-in-laws offending, it was possible that Eileen had seen what she was doing, thought that she could do similar and it opened a door for her into this type of crime.

He asked the court to take into account the need for stability for family members she cares for.

Hugh Hartnett SC, defending Tom Lawrence, asked the court to take into account that he was 16 years old at the time. He is now married and a father himself. Counsel handed in medical references.

The garda agreed with Mr Hartnett that his client would not have had the guile or intelligence to set up the fraud himself as he was a child at the time. He was interviewed and made admissions.

Maurice Coffey SC, for John Lawrence, submitted his client was also a minor at the time of the offending and may have been used as a conduit. He said his client was not the brains of the operation and followed instructions.

He said his client has also married and settled down. His daughter has some medical issues.
Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro (54) was arrested by investigating gardai when he returned to Ireland from his native Brazil after a period of time abroad

A man who rented out properties across rural Ireland under false pretences and used them as brothels was found with child abuse material on his phone when arrested at Dublin Airport.

Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro (54) was arrested by investigating gardai from the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit when he returned to Ireland from his native Brazil after a period of time abroad, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Ribeiro, of Rua Nely Augusta Gomes, Goais, Brazil, had been under investigation after a number of rental properties being used as brothels around the country were linked to him, along with nearly 800,000 in proceeds of crime across multiple Irish bank accounts.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 19 sample counts, including using false instruments, inducing landlords to rent properties to him and possession of the proceeds of crime.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on his phone when he was arrested at Dublin Airport on November 16, 2023.

The offending on the 60-count indictment spanned from 2010 to 2023, the court heard. Ribeiro has been in custody since his arrest.

Detective Garda Vanessa Stafford of the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the charges against Ribeiro were part of a wider investigation after two women came forward to gardai with allegations of trafficking.

These two women identified some rental properties around rural Ireland which were being used as brothels while others were linked to Ribeiro's email address and phone number, the court heard.

When investigating gardai knocked on the doors of some of these properties, the women who answered identified themselves as sex workers, the court heard.

Gardai linked 10 rental properties to Ribeiro, who used a different name from a fake Italian passport and fake utility bills to rent out the property from unsuspecting landlords and, in one case, a property agent.

The court heard the landlords told gardai that they would never have rented the property to Ribeiro if they had known what it would be used for.

The properties which were used as brothels were located in Longford town, Kildare town, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, Ballymahon in Co Longford, Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, Carrick on Shannon in Co Leitrim, and Tullow, Co Carlow. A further two were located in Roscommon town,

The properties were rented out for varying periods of time between 2018 and 2023.

Bank accounts in Ribeiro's name or under his control were forensically analysed and found to contain a total of 788,982 which was deemed to be the proceeds of crime.

The court heard Ribeiro was out of the country for some years between 2021 and 2023, but was arrested upon flying back in November 2023.

The child abuse material on his phone comprised nine images and 16 videos, mostly of pre-pubescent girls and boys being made to engage in sexual activity with adults.

Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, told the court his client arrived in the country in 2009.

The case was adjourned to March 21, when a plea of mitigation is expected to be heard.
Lee Nolan (28) of Beechbrook Lawn, The Donaghies, Dublin 13, agreed to act as a drug dealer and to store over 80,000 worth of cannabis in his home

A man misdiagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who took cannabis instead of the expensive treatment, leading to a drug debt and his subsequent drug dealing, has been jailed for three years.

Lee Nolan (28) of Beechbrook Lawn, The Donaghies, Dublin 13, agreed to act as a drug dealer and to store over 80,000 worth of cannabis in his home.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drug for sale or supply, driving a car while intoxicated with drugs and driving a car with no insurance in the Lucan area on April 25, 2023.

He has one previous conviction for driving under the influence, but has not come to garda attention since.

Nolan told gardai that he had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and was taking cannabis, as the treatment was very expensive. He said he agreed to drop cannabis to people and collect money from customers. He said he was paid 1,000 to store the drugs in his home.

Imposing sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe said Nolan was actively involved in the distribution of drugs, which have a deleterious impact on society at large.

She said Nolan played a crucial role and was trusted.

She noted he had a fraught medical history but said his offending had to be marked with a custodial term and handed him a sentence of three years and nine months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions.

She also imposed a driving disqualification for four years on Nolan, from the date of his release from custody.

Garda Ross Murphy told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that he was on mobile patrol at 10.50pm when he spotted Nolan driving a car with no valid tax disc. He signalled for him to pull over and Nolan did so without causing any trouble.

He produced a provisional driving licence when asked but Gda Murphy said he got a strong smell of cannabis both from Nolan and the car. He had no insurance.

Nolan handed over a small amount of cannabis which he claimed was his own personal stuff. The vehicle was searched but no further drugs were found. A sum of 1,940 in cash was found in the car and Nolan admitted this was from selling cannabis. The cannabis was later valued at 5,000.

Gda Murphy said he performed a roadside test for drugs on Nolan and it tested positive for cannabis.

Nolan was arrested and taken in for questioning. He co-operated fully and said he had been approached to the take the drugs and he stupidly agreed to.

Nolan told gardai he had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the treatment was expensive. He was using cannabis to help with his treatment.

He said he had been involved for four or five months and was doing drops all over Dublin. He was delivering a quantity of cannabis and collecting money from customers.

Gda Murphy said a follow-up search of Nolans home revealed a large quantity of cannabis and other paraphernalia.

The drugs were found in a large duffel bag under the stairs and Nolan said he had been paid 1,000 for keeping it and he had it for about two weeks. He said it was the first time he had ever stored drugs.

Gda Murphy said the drugs found in the car were valued at 5,000 while the drugs found in Nolans home were valued at 80,990.

Gda Murphy agreed with Gerardine Small SC, defending, that Nolan could not have been more helpful in his interview with gardai and was fully upfront.

He accepted that Nolan had accrued debts and had no propriety interest in the drugs.

Ms Small handed the court a large amount of medical documents, which showed that her client had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 21, but that this turned out to be a misdiagnosis.

She said that he had several sessions of radiation and had quit his work as a result, which led to debts and an exacerbation of his fragile mental health.

She explained that although his Wexford childhood had not included any behavioural or academic difficulties, he had suffered the loss of a friend in sad circumstances. He then started taking cannabis.

She said that a senior project worker from Coolmine treatment centre was in court, and had completed a report to say that the defendant is now drug free. He described Nolan in his report as a young man with a potentially bright future, who has made a remarkable turnaround in his life.

Ms Small said Nolan had a good, solid work record and hadnt come to garda attention since. He had the benefit of a very supportive family, who were in court with him.

The judge noted that Nolan's misdiagnosis was undoubtedly a very difficult situation.
When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, tariffs roared back into the limelight.

For Australian small and medium-sized manufacturersa group already rebounding from a 23% drop in revenue last late 2024, as the Unleashed Manufacturing Report tells ustheir general question now is: how do we survive this storm?

Trumps trade policies, a signature of his first term beginning in 2016, are again rocking global markets, and SMEs with their lean finances and export aspirations are squarely in the sights. Heres whats on the horizonand how you can prepare yourself.

ALSO READ: The Tariff Trap: How SMEs beat the cost crunch

Trumps opening salvo

Trump wasnt holding back in 2025. He placed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian importsthough intense political opposition delayed those until April 2and tacked on a 20% tariff to every Chinese import, an increase from 10% in February, the U.S. Trade Representative office said. China struck back promptly by applying tariffs of 10-15% on US fossil fuels, machinery like tractors, and vehicles. Australia dodged direct tariffs so far, but SMEs shouldnt pop the bubbly yet.

We dodged them last time in Trumps first term, but the sting still hurt, says Jarrod Adam, Unleashed Software Head of Product. As fellow AUKUS friends, we might hope for a mates rates deal, but so did Canada and Mexicobefore they didnt. With an Australian federal election looming by mid-2025, U.S. trade relations will be at the forefront of minds. Adams advice: SMEs need to get ready now. One smart strategy: band together through organizations such as Ai Group to lobby for exemptions. Strength in numbers may be capable of tipping the scales in negotiations, Adam quotes ABC News, reporting on Australias demand for tariff relief against Trumps sweeping policies.

Tariffs 101: The Basics

So what is a tariff? Its a tax on imports to protect local industry or punish rivals, says University of Melbourne economist Dr. Sarah Turner. Consider this: an SME sells $10,000 of lamb to the U.S. A 10% tariff increases it to $11,000. The U.S. customer pays the differenceunless they complain, and thats a sale lost.

Trump would like to revive American manufacturing, but the past has shown the big players to wriggle free. Some went to Vietnam, some used final assembly in the U.S. to circumvent the rules, Turner says, quoting trends in Trumps 2018 tariffs. For SMEs though, offshore shifts are a fantasytoo costly. Worse, blocked importslike Chinese steelcan flood into Australia instead, devastating local prices. Turners remedy: Team for bulk shipping to share the cost, or adopt the Aussie-made tag to justify a premium.

The Ripple Effect on Aussie SMEs

Australias SME manufacturers are sipping a bittersweet cocktail. We avoided Trump tariffs between 2017-2020, but the collateral damage was brutal, insists Adam. Unleasheds 2024 figures put SME turnover at $2.127 million, fuelled by exports like lamb, wine, and rare earthshigh-value products that ride out price hikes. But importing U.S. or tariff-hit equipment? Trouble. A $50,000 Mexican-made tractor now costs $62,500 with Trumps 25% tariff.

And then, of course, theres China. If they cant sell steel in America, they might dump it here, says Turner in reference to Chinas readiness to divert exports. A Melbourne steel fabricator could see margins evaporate overnight. Currency adds another complication: the Aussie dollar fell 5 cents since Trumps 2024 election, to 70 U.S. cents. Exports become more affordablegood newsbut U.S. components sting worse.

So what do SMEs do? Lock in supplier prices now, source from Asia-Pacific nations such as Japan under RCEP, or reduce inventoriesour Q4 2024 data show a 60% drop released $110,000 per business, says Adam. Australias $2.2 billion January 2025 trade surplus to the U.S., which is dominated by gold exports, could negate our exemption case, so diversification is crucial. Think Southeast Asia or Europemarkets less troubled by Trumps trade wars.

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Police brand disgraced teacher a cold, calculating child predator

A Co Antrim teacher who admitted to grooming and having sex with a teenage pupil has been jailed.

Judith Evans worked at the Belfast Boys Model School when the crimes occurred.

The 33-year-old, from Elmwood Grove in Newtownabbey, was sentenced for eight offences at Belfast Crown Court this afternoon.

She was jailed for two years, and will spend two years on remand.

Afterwards a senior detective branded Evans a cold, calculating child predator".

The mother-of-two pleaded guilty to a total of seven sexual offences committed against the teenage boy, after initially denying the allegations.

Pervert NI school teacher Judith Evans jailed for two years

The charges she admitted include sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child involving penetration and possessing indecent images of the schoolboy.

These were committed between March 1 and May 17, 2024.

Evans also admitted a further charge of perverting the course of justice between June 13 and 27, 2024, by making a false allegation that she was sexually assaulted by the teenager.

At a prior hearing, it emerged that just under 10,000 text messages were exchanged between Evans and the boy.

Passing sentence this afternoon, Her Honour Judge Patricia Smyth stated that Evans will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Evans kept her eyes closed for the majority of the judge's sentencing remarks, which last for just over 30 minutes.

She only showed emotion - beginning to cry - when the judge mentioned the "significant period of time" Evans will now spend away from her own two young children.

"She groomed this child who was vulnerable by reasons of age and personal circumstances, basking in his adolescent attraction towards her," Judge Smyth added.

"The defendant appeared to have noticed a change in his demeanor, keeping him behind in class to make sure he was OK.

"She offered support and reassurance... she gave him her personal email address and phone number "

From an early stage, the judge said that Evans' messages to the then 14-year-old victim contained inappropriate sexual suggestions.

The victim had also described his initial reluctance to meeting the defendant because he "didn't want to ruin his life or hers".

A spokesperson for the Belfast Boys Model School said they "recognise what a difficult and distressing time this has been for the young person".

"We fully understand the impact this has caused throughout the wider school community and would reassure all pupils and staff that the protection, safety and wellbeing of our pupils continues to be our highest priority."

The spokesperson added that the school has "robust safeguarding processes".

Outside court, a senior detective condemned Evans actions.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie said: Evans is a cold, calculating child predator who abused her position of trust by taking advantage of a young boy.

She preyed on his vulnerabilities and built an inappropriate friendship with the boy before then further grooming him and sexually exploiting him. The messages exchanged between her and her underage pupil were highly sexual and nothing short of sickening.

As a result of the abuse he was subjected to, the victim has suffered greatly with mental health struggles and has shown immense bravery to bring her to justice today.

There is still a societal stigma surrounding male victims of abuse, especially that of a sexual nature. I hope todays court outcome will showcase that young boys are just as vulnerable and that there is no shame for them to carry. Suffering in silence is never the answer, abuse is never the victims fault.

We will continue to work around the clock to bring child predators before the courts and would encourage anyone who may have been abused in a similar way to come forward. The passage of time doesnt matter.

Child abuse cannot continue in Northern Ireland, we will do everything in our power to stop predators in their tracks and get victims the justice they deserve.
Randi Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment.

Randi Gladstone (41) from Guyana pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin. PHOTO: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A convicted rapist who had only been in Ireland for a few days before he raped, sexually assaulted and falsely imprisoned a young woman has been jailed for ten years.

Randi Gladstone (41), from Guyana, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury earlier this year of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin, on August 25, 2023.

Gladstone has 19 previous convictions from the UK, which include convictions for rape, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. Gladstone has been in custody since August 2023.

Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said this offending has had a profound impact on the young woman and her family. He noted that she has suffered significant emotional distress and is nervous and anxious when out.

Judge McGrath agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions that this offending falls in the 10 to 15 year sentencing category and said Gladstone preyed on this young vulnerable woman.

He said, This is a very serious offence with a considerable breach of trust. The defendant took advantage of this young woman's young age, vulnerability and inexperience.

The judge rejected the defence claim that this was opportunistic and said Gladstones actions clearly show cunning and planning.

The judge said, I cannot ignore the defendants appalling previous convictions.

He noted that Gladstone has no migrating factors except that he is a foreign national serving time in an Irish prison.

Judge McGrath sentenced Gladstone to ten years in prison and said, there is no reason to consider suspending any portion of this sentence.

Judge McGrath said, I was particularly impressed in the manner in which the young woman gave her evidence and how she and her family approached the case.

Detective Garda Carol Corrigan told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the victim, who was aged 18 at the time, had been staying in the accommodation for several days prior to the assault.

Gladstone had interacted with her and members of her family.

On the day in question, the victim stood outside her hotel room dictating a message to her friend when Gladstone approached her. He asked her what she was doing and what age she was, and she told him she was 18.

The court heard that Gladstone asked the girl to step into his room so he could ask her something.

She did so but immediately knew something was not right.

He asked her if she had a boyfriend and told her she was beautiful.

He then asked her to hook up.

She did not know what that meant, and when he explained it to her, she said no. He told her that he would take care of her and that he loved her.

Det Gda Corrigan said Gladstone then asked if he could kiss her and also offered to give her money, and again she said no.

The victim then went to leave, and Gladstone kissed her.

The girl then froze, and Gladstone began to kiss her body and unbuckle and remove her shorts and underwear.

He told her to relax before digitally penetrating her and then raping her.

The court heard the young woman did not fight back due to fear.

When Gladstone was finished, he told her, to come back later for more.

He then looked up and down the corridor before the young woman ran to her room.

She took a shower in the dark and then called her mother and told her what happened.

Her mother was extremely angry and confronted Gladstone, who denied all misconduct.

A short time later, the young woman and her family visited St Vincent's Hospital. 30 minutes after the family left to attend the hospital, Gladstone appeared at reception looking anxious and nervous and enquired where the family had gone.

He then left the accommodation and, at 7.30 a.m. the following morning, bought a ferry ticket to the UK. However, he was unable to board the ferry as he was barred from entering the UK, and was refunded the cost of the ticket.

Gladstone was arrested a short time later.

He was questioned but denied the allegations and said that the activity was consensual.

A victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim's brother, which described the profound effects this crime has had on my life, my family and my future.

It describes the emotional stress, nightmares, depression and anger that the girl has suffered.

I would get so angry about every little thing. I wanted the pain I felt to be felt.

I hurt myself with a lighter for a while, but I still hurt inside. That was when I thought about not being alive anymore.

The statement concluded with the young woman saying she was grateful for justice and expressed her gratitude to the judge, jury, legal team and the gardai.

The Director of Public Prosecutions placed this offence in the ten to 15 year bracket on the grounds of the young age of the woman, the breach of trust and the facts and nature of Gladstone's previous convictions.

Det Gda Corrigan agreed with John Peart SC, defending that Gladstones previous convictions for rape in the UK are from the same case and date back to 2001.

Mr Peart said his client still maintains that the activity was consensual.

He said the injured party was not injured.

Counsel said his client is a foreign national, and serving time in an Irish prison would be difficult. He also said, I respectfully say that this falls below the ten-year level.
The pair are both denying assaulting his girlfriend

WARRANTS have been issued for the arrest of convicted killer Kelly Noble and her son Kye after they failed to turn up for trial on assault charges.

The pair are both denying assaulting Kye Nobles girlfriend but did not appear for their non-jury hearing at Dublin District Court today.

Judge John Hughes issued bench warrants for both accused.

Kelly (39), from Mount Brown, and Kye (22), with an address at Bow Bridge House, Bow Street, Dublin, have both pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Chloe Ellison.

The offence, under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, is alleged to have happened on November 2, 2023 at Hogan Place in the south city centre.

The case was listed to be heard before Judge Hughes today.

When it was called, a lawyer for the DPP said the prosecution was not in a position to proceed because the alleged victim was unavailable. This had only come to light recently, a garda said.

The court was told the accused were also not present and Judge Hughes issued warrants.

Kelly Noble was convicted in 2007 of the manslaughter of 19-year-old Emma McLoughlin, who she stabbed to death outside Pat's Supermarket in Laytown, Co Meath, a year earlier.

The stabbing happened while Ms McLoughlin's screaming children were looking on.

Last month, Ms Noble was spared jail for spitting in the back of a garda patrol car after she was arrested for public order offences.

She was given a four-month suspended sentence for a series of minor offences including criminal damage and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

Her mother Jacqui Noble served a murder sentence for hiring a man to kill her abusive partner Derek Benson, who was hacked to death with a sword in Ballymun in 2000.
She said she ought to have questioned the source of the funds she was lodging

A heavily pregnant 24-year-old has been jailed for money laundering, which saw her lodge more than 30,000 into her bank account and spend more than 20,000 on designer goods when she was in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

The Dublin woman, who is six months pregnant, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today. She pleaded guilty to money laundering by lodging 33,715 into her bank account on various dates between January 2021 and April 2022.

The court heard that she entered her plea on the basis of recklessness, having never asked her former partner, who was her co-accused, about the source of the money.

She cannot be identified as she currently has a protection order in place against him. The court was told she is in fear for her safety and has had to go into a womens refuge due to domestic violence.

The court heard that the case came to light when gardai saw a Mercedes Benz approach an ATM in Coolock in June 2021. The female passenger got out and used the ATM. Gardai later stopped the car for having no tax and insurance, and got a strong smell of cannabis, and noticed that the drivers eyes were dilated.

They searched the car and found 700 in cash, along with a number of designer items, including handbags and sunglasses. The woman took ownership of these, but said they werent genuine designer items.

Gardai then commenced an investigation into the couples financial activity and found that they were living beyond their means. Both were in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, yet there were large cash deposits into the womans account, along with high-value items being purchased.

Their home was searched that August by which time the co-accused was in prison, and 1,000 in cash was recovered, along with luxury goods, including a Louis Vuiton bag and runners, Dior Runners and Canada Goose clothing.

The woman's bank account showed that she had bought Canada Goose jackets, Ryanair tickets, services from Booking.com and Airbnb and had made other purchases beyond her means.

She had earned 5,000 during the time that the 33,715 went through her bank account.

The court heard that she had one previous conviction for theft in Spain.

Her barrister told Judge Martin Nolan that she was between the ages of 20 and 22 during the time of the offences and that she was in a relationship with the co-accused, who was eight years older than her.

There was abuse in the relationship and theyre no longer together, with a protection order against him. The defendant had told her legal team that she is in fear for her safety and has had to move into a womens refuge. She wishes to have no further contact with the co-accused.

Counsel said that her client had a difficult childhood, had a parent in prison and grew up in a house with domestic abuse. Her mother, who was in court to support her, had struggled with alcoholism when the defendant was growing up.

She said she ought to have questioned the source of the funds she was lodging, said counsel.

The barrister asked that she would not receive an immediate custodial sentence, as custody is far from the ideal environment for an infant to spend its early months.

Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider the sentence. He returned today and said money laundering was a serious offence which allowed proceeds of crime to be used in a legitimate way.

He said she must have known or was reckless as to where the money originated from and had been living quite a good life looking at her possessions. He noted there was mention of a former partner and coercion.

Judge Nolan said there was a lot of mitigation but said she consciously participated and deserved a custodial term. He imposed a 20 month sentence from todays date.
Limerick Circuit Court will next week commence the process of deciding whether a dangerous driving conviction for star hurler Kyle Hayes (26) amounts to a triggering matter for a two-year suspended prison sentence he received last March for violent disorder.

The move came as the five-time All-Ireland winner lost his appeal against a Mallow District Court conviction for dangerous driving. He was detected by gardai driving at 155kmh in a 100kmh zone while overtaking nine cars in his luxury Audi saloon outside Mallow.

Hayes insisted his driving was careless rather than dangerous after admitting speeding up because he was running out of road on the main Cork-Limerick route as he returned with a friend from an event in west Cork.

The Limerick hurler appealed both his conviction and his two-year driving ban before Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Appeals Court.

Judge Boyle rejected the appeal and affirmed the dangerous driving conviction of the district court  imposing a mandatory two-year driving disqualification and a 250 fine. She agreed to postpone the commencement of the driving ban for three months until June 12.

However, having the Mallow District Court conviction affirmed by Cork Circuit Appeals Court will now be considered by Limerick Circuit Court.

All-Star hurler Kyle Hayes

The Limerick hurler had received a suspended two-year sentence last March after being convicted before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of violent disorder at the Icon nightclub, Limerick, on October 28, 2019. He was convicted by a jury in December 2023.

Any question over the activation of the suspended Limerick sentence had been stalled until the dangerous driving appeal was fully resolved.

Suspended prison sentences can be activated in whole or in part if the defendant commits another offence afterwards.

However, this activation has to be decided in the court where the suspended sentence was first imposed. A Limerick judge will now decide if the Mallow traffic incident amounts to such a triggering matter.

Road Traffic Act matters rarely act as such triggering issues. However, dangerous driving ranks as one of the most serious issues for a motorist.

Limerick Circuit Court will now commence the process of considering the Cork Circuit Appeals Court decision next Wednesday.

The hurler, from Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, had been convicted of dangerous driving by Judge Colm Roberts at Mallow District Court last year.

The driving offence was detected by Garda Deirdre Barrett at a routine checkpoint on the N20 at Lissavoura, Grenagh, at 7pm on July 14.

Judge Roberts imposed a mandatory two-year driving ban and fined him 250, with three months to pay.

Hayes immediately signalled he would challenge the matter.

Judge Boyle told yesterdays hearing she was satisfied in this case that the manner of driving was dangerous to the public.

She affirmed the conviction as well as the driving disqualification and 250 fine from the district court. The State had no objection to the driving disqualification commencement being postponed.
Lucky Dip gang now classified as organised crime group  but no room to hold members at juvenile detention centre

Gardai have officially classified the prolific Lucky Dip gang as a criminal organisation, with a major crackdown on their activities now in place.

An Irish Independent investigation has revealed detectives have identified more than 60 criminals linked to the gang suspected of carrying out hundreds of burglaries and car thefts in Leinster.

One of the most active offenders in the gang is only 15 years of age, but has been linked to dozens of thefts.

He is currently on bail after being charged following a garda operation in south Dublin.

It has also emerged that despite a number of recent garda successes, several juvenile gang members are on bail because the countrys only youth detention centre, the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin, is full.

In the past week, officers have had major successes against the expanding crime network with significant arrest operations in Blanchardstown, Ballinteer and the Carrickmines areas of the capital.

If prosecuted for the organised crime offences they are being investigated for, gang members could face lengthy jail terms.

The gang have been driving stolen cars at high speed in the wrong direction on motorways.

Two members have been arrested for a dangerous driving incident in north Dublin last year in which a pedestrian was killed.

The recent arrests are very important as some of the main players have been charged with a variety of offences

The gang are suspected of stealing several cars on an almost nightly basis over the past 18 months. The vehicles are mainly used by them for so-called joyriding rather than resale.

Gardai named them the Lucky Dip gang after obtaining intelligence they had been randomly choosing targets in Leinster towns using the Google Maps app.

The Lucky Dip gang randomly pick a location on the app, usually within the wider Dublin area or within Dublin itself, and then use the motorway network to travel to the location, often in stolen cars at high speed, a source said.

Gardai from the National Crime and Security Intelligence Unit have compiled a dossier on the gang, who are mainly juvenile males from Dublin.

Detectives have established that the gang have been travelling mostly on the M11, M3, M4 and M7 motorways, but have also been engaged in dangerous driving on rural roads, in particular around the Wicklow Mountains.

Specialist officers have carried out a crime pattern analysis in an attempt to aid garda units.

Its about time that some form of joined-up thinking has been put in place, and the recent arrests are very important as some of the main players have been charged with a variety of offences, a source said.

But there is a big issue here. These individuals are mainly juveniles and there is no space for them currently in Oberstown Detention Centre, so they are being released on bail by the Childrens Court.

Some of these individuals have rammed garda cars and taken part in motorway chases with gardai just for the craic

What happens then is these individuals are not adhering to their bail conditions, which involve strict curfews, which they dont abide by and they continue with their re-offending.

Essentially, these offenders are committing their crimes for fun and posting their antics on social media.

Information received by gardai indicates they are unsuccessful when they attempt to sell the stolen cars to other criminals.

This means that on multiple occasions gardai have recovered stolen cars near the home addresses of gang members.

The criminals, who are all male, have addresses in Tallaght, Ballyfermot, Dundrum, Clondalkin, Ballymun, Finglas, the south inner city and Crumlin.

The youngest gang members are just 14, while the oldest is 47. Our investigation has revealed that the average age of the criminals is 17, which poses huge problems for gardai as most members must be dealt with as minors.

Some of these individuals have rammed garda cars and taken part in motorway chases with gardai just for the craic, a source said.

Inevitably, when theyre caught, theyre given bail by the courts, and so theyre free to continue with their crime wave.
A brawl broke out in an Argentinian parliament session during a crypto scandal debate on Wednesday.

The vicious fight occurred after lawmakers decided to debate an investigation into a cryptocurrency scandal linked to the president Javier Milei.

The premier had promoted the cryptocurrency in a post on X on February 14.

Its value surged but quickly collapsed, leaving investors with a loss of around $250m.
The 43-year-old, named only as David A, had been arrested six days after his ex-wife died in an apartment fire on Stollar Bela Street in Budapest on January 29

An Irishman who has been charged with murdering his Japanese wife in Hungary is facing 10-20 years behind bars or even a life sentence if convicted.

The 43-year-old, named only as David A, had been arrested last month, six days after his ex-wife died in an apartment fire on Stollar Bela Street in Budapest on January 29.

In February, a court ordered the suspects pre-trial detention for a period of one month on the grounds of deliberate premeditated homicide.

However, that pre-trial detention has now been extended to June 6, with local media reporting that if the court finds David A guilty of planned murder, he could be handed down a 10-20 years behind bars or even a life sentence.

An investigation revealed that her former husband had left the apartment with his two children that day and later returned to alert emergency services of a fire.

Firefighters found the charred remains of the womans body in the apartment after putting out the blaze.

Police initially said the fire was not suspicious and was believed to have been caused smoking in bed.

However, friends of the woman said she had previously been abused by her ex-husband and reported him to police but her reports were ignored. They also said she didnt even smoke and said the death should be treated as suspicious.

It was only after an autopsy report, which found evidence of abuse, that police opened a murder investigation, with the womans Irish ex-husband being the primary suspect.

Police then analysed CCTV footage and soon discovered discrepancies in his story.

They allege that after he left the apartment he changed his clothes and returned to the scene wearing a balaclava and a helmet to disguise himself.

They later released CCTV which allegedly shows him wearing the clothes he changed into without the helmet on and subsequently with the helmet on as he entered the apartment.

After he was arrested the Irishman told police that he met his ex-wife in the US and after they got married they lived in multiple countries before moving to Budapest a number of years ago.

Their relationship broke down in 2020 and he moved to the Netherlands before they divorced two years ago.

Reports claim the woman had been planning to leave Hungary with her children in the near future.

Sources told 24.hu that after his arrest the Irishman admitted to police that he was abusive with his ex-wife but claimed he did not kill her.

Another media outlet index.hu reported that the Irishman wrote threatening letters before the killing.

After the womans death the Patent Association, a womans rights organisation, called for a thorough investigation and said the woman had asked them for help in 2023 telling them her ex-husband was abusive.

"She was terrified of her ex-husband, who has abused her for a long time and wanted to return to her native country with her children, which the father did not consent to, even though he did not live in Hungary," the Patent Association said in a statement.

They added that the woman reported the Irishman to police multiple times but her complaints were dismissed.

As vigils took place in Budapest for the victim the Patent Association said it not an isolated crisis but a systemic social crisis that deepens with every case that is hushed up and covered up."

The Budapest Police (BRFK) also came in for widespread criticism after highly insensitive responses they made to those raising concerns on their official Facebook page.

Kristof Gal, spokesperson for the Hungarian Police, later apologised for the responses.
Lackabeg Limited, which trades as the licensed Arc Cafe Bar in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Fonthill Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, never responded to Megan Finlays 60,000 personal injuries claim

The Arc Cafe Bar in Lucan, Co Dublin, which ignored a young staff members claim relating to serious scald injuries at work, has to pay her damages of 40,000 and a legal costs bill in the region of 25,000.

Lackabeg Limited, which trades as the licensed Arc Cafe Bar in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Fonthill Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, never responded to Megan Finlays 60,000 personal injuries claim, Judge Fiona OSullivan heard in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Alice Maguire-Spencer told the judge that ever since the company had been served three years ago with the proceedings at its registered offices in Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, it had failed to enter an appearance or any defence documents.

No-one turned up in court to represent the company and Ms Maguire-Spencer, who appeared with Keans Solicitors, led Ms Finlay through her harrowing evidence of how her right foot had been badly scalded eight years ago due to the alleged negligence of the restaurant.

Ms Finlay, (27) of Willsbrook Crescent, Willsbrook Park, Lucan, and currently working in London, told Judge OSullivan how, in March 2017 when a 19-year-old student she had been employed as a waitress in the Arc Cafe Bar.

She said she had been directed to carry, up a flight of stairs, a container of boiling water with three hot stones at the bottom of it to maintain water temperature. She told Ms Maguire-Spencer that when she reached the cafe kitchen there had been no space to put down the container, referred to as a bain-marie.

The court heard she had been required to continue holding the hot bain-marie while space was being made available for her to put it down but her hands had started to burn causing her to drop the container from which scalding water had splashed over her right foot.

Ms Maguire-Spencer said that a shocked and traumatized Ms Finlay had been taken to the accident and emergency department of Tallaght Hospital for treatment. In all she had to attend nine appointments for wound dressing management at Lucan Health Centre.

Ms Finlay told Judge OSullivan she had been left with a noticeable permanent scar on her right foot about which she was very conscious. She had difficulty wearing fashion shoes and was now more comfortable in sandals. Walking and running had been affected as a result of the scald area and she had to wear a sock to avoid the scar being exposed to sunshine.

In her claim Ms Finlay alleged the restaurant had failed to provide her with a safe place and system of work and without adequate training. In the absence of any risk assessment she had been exposed to a risk of damage or injury of which the restaurant ought to have known.

Judge OSullivan, awarding Ms Finlan 40,000 damages and Circuit Court costs, said she had to undergo a course of oral antibiotics and anti-tetanus injections as well as nine wound management visits. Even today she would experience some level of pain and discomfort.

It was a serious matter and she will have a permanent scar on her foot, Judge OSullivan said.
Unsurprisingly, the suggestion that they should move on got no response

Kildare South TD Sean O Fearghail said he was shocked" to learn that caravans and other large vehicles had returned to the Curragh

A Kildare politician said he contacted gardai after more illegal encampments were established on the Curragh Plains.

Kildare South TD Sean O Fearghail said he was shocked on Friday afternoon to learn that caravans and other large vehicles had returned to the local amenity.

Taking to Facebook where he posted picture of the offending vehicles, the former Ceann Comhairle said he immediately made contact with the Department of Defence and An Garda Siochana.

Yesterday, together with Councillor Suzanne Doyle, we called to the site and spoke to some of the few residents who were present at the time, he wrote.

Unsurprisingly, the suggestion that they should move on got no response, neither was there any response to the concern that the children (very few) should be in school.

I intend contacting the Dept of Education and Tusla with regard to the educational welfare of the children.

I have been assured today by very senior officials that urgent legal action is impending.

He added: Meanwhile and in the short-term we must wait and see.

The area has long been subjected to ongoing issues in relation to illegal encampments with 25 separate camps set up on the Curragh last year.

It has also been reported that it cost 200,000 to clean up the area.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O'Loughlin raised in the Seanad earlier this year, as she pointed out that one of the encampments consisted of as many as 35 caravans.

Senator O'Loughlin, who previously brought forward a Private Member's Bill on the protection of the Curragh, told the Seanad that the 5,000 acres in the heartland of the country is of great cultural, heritage and ecological importance.

I raise this issue again because while many of us acknowledge there have been many problems in the management of the Curragh, which has been under the auspices of the Department of Defence, and there have been by-laws to supposedly protect the Curragh, the present Curragh legislation is not fit for purpose, she said, according to Kildare Live.

We have had many problems over recent years. This was especially the case last year when we had 25 separate illegal encampments, one of which consisted of as many as 35 caravans.

This has caused major problems on the Curragh for those neighbouring the area and for businesses working on its edge, including hospitality businesses.

Last year, Independent TD Cathal Berry said the illegal encampments that affected the area over the summer were deeply concerning and far worse than any previous year.

I was in regular communication with the Defence organisation and many constituents during this time, he said.

The Curragh is a wonderful amenity on our doorstep, and we must safeguard it for future generations. It is vital that we move forward now to ensure these lands are protected once and for all.

In December, The Curragh Plains Conservation Management Plan was published, outlining how to promote and protect the 5,000 acres of open grassland for generations to come.

For the last several years, the Department of Defence has been working alongside Kildare County Council on the Curragh Consultancy Project, which helped produce the Curragh Plains Conservation Management Plan and the associated Branding, Interpretation and Wayfinding Strategy, the Irish Independent reported at the time.

The plan identifies suitable future management methods to allow the various stakeholders on the Curragh to exercise their rights, while at the same time allowing public access and adhering to environmental restrictions.

Announcing the publication of the new plan, the then Tanaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheal Martin, said it is important to ensure that The Curragh is protected into the future.

I welcome this report on the future of the Curragh Plains. The Curragh is a major natural amenity, not only for locals but for the many tourists who visit Co Kildare, he said.

This report has laid out the development potential of the area as a high value visitor attraction.

Gardai have been contacted for comment.
Which Southeast Asian country has the most individuals with $10M+ net worth?

This general view shows Resort World Sentosa commercial buildings in Singapore on April 22, 2024. Photo by AFP

Singapore has the highest number of individuals in Southeast Asia with a net worth of $10 million or more, followed by Thailand and Indonesia, a new study shows.

The city-state had 9,674 high-net-worth individuals last year, accounting for 0.4% of the global number, according to The Wealth Report 2025 released earlier this month by data researcher Knight Frank.

Analysts attribute the Singaporean governments favorable policies toward businesses as a key factor contributing to the wealth of its citizens.

"Europe is overburdened with regulation," says Kallum Pickering, chief economist at U.K. investment bank Peel Hunt. "Just compare it with places like Singapore, which are so pro-business. Investors know where they are likely to get better returns."

Singapore is also among the popular choice for family offices  private organizations set up to manage the wealth of millionaire or billionaire families. Other favorite destinations are London, New York, Geneva, Sydney and Hong Kong.

Singapore also ranks fourth in the list of top destinations for cross-border investment last year with $5 billion in overseas private capital, behind London ($9.6 billion), Sydney ($8.6 billion) and Tokyo ($5.6 billion).

In the six Southeast Asian countries studied, Thailand ranked second with 9,192 people owning $10 million in wealth, and Indonesia came third at 8,120.

Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam rounded up the list.

Globally, the U.S. had the largest number of high-net-work individuals at 905,400, followed by mainland China (471,600) and Japan (122,100).

Knight Frank pointed out that nearly 40% of the worlds wealthy reside in the U.S. No other country is as successful at creating homegrown wealth or attracting wealthy migrants.

The mobility of wealth is only set to increase, fueling supercharged growth in housing markets such as Miami, Palm Beach and Aspen in the U.S., it added.
The Tauranga Multicultural Festival will return to the Tauranga Historic Village on Saturday, March 22, offering a vibrant celebration of the regions diverse cultures.

Now in its 26th year, the festival is an iconic event in the Bay of Plentys cultural calendar, promising an exciting day.

Each year, the festival serves as a platform for ethnic communities to showcase their cultures while inviting people from all backgrounds to join in the festivities, said Premila DMello, president of Multicultural Tauranga and the event manager.

Festivalgoers can look forward to a range of cultural performances, authentic international cuisine, arts and crafts, and interactive discovery tents, where they can learn about the customs and traditions of various cultures.

At noon everyone can join in a Parade of Nations, where participants will wear traditional attire and celebrate their heritage in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

Tauranga Multicultural Festival in 2023. Photo/Katie Cox.

A festival highlight will be the exhibition 'Fabric of Discovery  Traditional Attire from Around the World', curated by Alessandra Tilby, showcasing one-of-a-kind costumes from different nations. This exhibition offers a fascinating look at the history, craft, and cultural significance behind traditional clothing, such as the Indian saree and the Japanese kimono.

There will also be Musical Multicultural Performances at the Jam Factory curated by Orna Amir who has been an iconic inhabitant of the Historic Village for many years having migrated here decades ago.

Bhangra dance workshops, Bollywood Dance workshops, Capoeira and Salsa workshops will entice people to give various forms of dancing a go.

Tauranga Multicultural Festival in 2023. Photo/David Hall.

DMello emphasised that the event is a labour of love, with volunteers contributing their time to bring the community together.

"The event team consists of Prathima Rao, Astrid Freeman, Annie Le, Beverly Scarlett, Margareth Ruffel, Joy Mamun, Dhruv Patel and Alessandra Tilby," DMello said.

We are all volunteers who contribute our time as we believe that this event is something that the whole community looks forward to not just the ethnic communities."

DMello said entry is by gold coin donation, making the festival an affordable day out for all.

The event not only highlights the diversity of Taurangas ethnic communities but also emphasises inclusivity and connection.

This would not be possible without funders like Tauranga City Council, TWBCEF, Ministry of Ethnic Communities, and sponsors like Seeka and Pub Charity.

Entry to the festival which runs from 10am  5pm, March 22, is by gold coin donation. For more information, visit Facebook and search for Tauranga Multicultural Festival 2025
Tauranga baker and barista Harriet Campbell is gearing up for another trip to Ukraine with her humanitarian project, Never Alone, to raise awareness of the ongoing war.

She has made four trips to the war-torn country.

Please dont forget about whats going on. I know its really easy, and especially in New Zealand, its so far away that sometimes youre on another planet, said Campbell.

In helping those in Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia on February 24 2022, Campbell said she had found her purpose.

I have now made four trips to Ukraine. I have volunteered in animal rescue, in multiple kitchens providing food for displaced civilians and soldiers, assembling first aid kits for frontline troops, at an aid station for injured soldiers, and in many other initiatives.



Photos of the ruins of the Ukrainian war captured by Tauranga humanitarian volunteer, Harriet Campbell. Photo / supplied

Thats how Campbell met her partner, Jason Zan, another volunteer from the United States.

In December 2024, we created the project, Never Alone, she said.

Jason and I cooked and delivered 2000 meals to the frontline villages, soldiers, and childrens centres.

The response that weve had from so many people has been quite overwhelming.



Humanitarian volunteers and founders of the 'Never Alone' project, Harriet Campbell, from Tauranga, and Jason Zan, from the United States. Photo / supplied

Its quite emotional to see that you can have such an impact with not a lot, just showing up and serving up some hot food and just showing them that they havent been forgotten.

Campbell said the war is bleak.

Sometimes it feels hopeless. People are really tired. They just want to live again.



Aid given by humanitarian volunteers Harriet Campbell from Tauranga and Jason Zan from the United States. Photo / supplied

She said the level of hope is still going strong, and people are working as hard as they were in the beginning.

On one occasion, we were two kilometres from the line. It was very interesting. Just hearing artillery.



Photos of the ruins of the Ukrainian war captured by Tauranga humanitarian volunteer, Harriet Campbell. Photo / supplied

Campbell said the sound of artillery didnt stop the whole time they were there.

Another time, they were at a base close to the Russian border.

Its just under constant barrage, every single night of the attacks. The city was bombed every single night.



Aid given by humanitarian volunteers Harriet Campbell from Tauranga and Jason Zan from the United States. Photo / supplied

Now we are planning our return to continue the Never Alone project.

The project is about showing the Ukrainian people they are not alone.

Its providing a little bit of hope and some hot meals, showing people that they havent been forgotten about.



Aid given by humanitarian volunteers Harriet Campbell from Tauranga and Jason Zan from the United States. Photo / supplied

Right now, it feels more important than ever to show the Ukrainian people that they arent alone.

The pair are now fundraising for their June departure. They require between $10,000 and $15,000 for travel costs.



Aid given by humanitarian volunteers Harriet Campbell from Tauranga and Jason Zan from the United States. Photo / supplied

The food side of the project is very affordable. I can feed about 100 people for between $100-$150. That includes meat, cookies, bread. Its a good meal.

To donate and help Campbell and Jason travel to Ukraine to help provide aid to the suffering nation, plunged in war, visit her GiveaLittle page, www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-feed-thousands-of-frontline-villagers



Photos of the ruins of the Ukrainian war captured by Tauranga humanitarian volunteer, Harriet Campbell. Photo / supplied

I want people to remember that there are real lives that are being destroyed, there are still people there that are going through absolute hell.

To keep up to date with their journey, visit the Facebook page Never Alone - Humanitarian Kitchen
Te Puke kiwifruit growers Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson have won the Regional Supreme Award at the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Tauranga.

Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson of Kiwi Heights took out the top honour at the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards this afternoon in Tauranga.

The Atkinson family has owned the property for more than 50 years, first planting kiwifruit vines in 2006.

Since 2020, third-generation farmer Blair Dyer has managed the kiwifruit crop, working closely with the Atkinsons to expand the orchard while preserving the propertys natural environment.

The 190.6-hectare farm, with 145 hectares of effective land, features 27.2 hectares of kiwifruit orchards.

Young stock are grazed across 167 hectares, which includes 5.5 hectares of mature forestry and 7.83 hectares of native plants to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

A small number of livestock are also raised for dairy units in the Waikato.

Dyer and Atkinson have taken significant steps to develop kiwifruit orchards while protecting the natural environment.

They have planted kiwifruit on the tops of hills, while keeping marginal land for native plants or low-impact dry stock grazing.

Judges noted that careful planning and site selection have minimised nutrient runoff, soil biology disturbance and topsoil loss.

Strategic native tree planting is stabilising steep slopes and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, further enhancing the farms ecological footprint.

Dyer uses advanced technology to precisely target water and fertiliser, reducing waste and minimising environmental impact.

He is also trialling drone technology to spot-spray weeds rather than blanket spraying, reducing chemical use and protecting the ecosystem.

Judges were impressed by the duos holistic approach, which integrates strong management practices with environmental care.

Kiwi Heights exemplifies a successful business that genuinely cares for the environment, the wellbeing of their people, and long-term sustainability, said the judges.

They are not afraid to adopt technology early, leveraging it to enhance efficiency and drive innovation, they said.

Dyer and Atkinson also won several category awards:

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards, organised by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, celebrate sustainable farming and growing practices.

Dyer and Atkinson will now compete against winners from ten other regions for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trusts National Showcase in Wellington in June.

The Gordon Stephenson Trophy winner will become the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
TONY BRYANT Friday, 14 March 2025, 19:27 Compartir

The Costa del Sol has long had an admirable reputation for its outstanding amateur theatrical scene, which is spearheaded by a contingent of foreign artistes from all corners of the globe who have chosen the area to enjoy a more relaxed way of life in the sun. The province of Malaga also boasts the only English theatre in the country, an establishment which has become a magnet for many of these foreigners, especially Jacob Botha, a semi-professional actor who arrived on the coast in 2024.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Jacob worked as a professional actor for six years, travelling Asia with a company performing Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, before deciding to move to the UK, where he continued to act semi-professionally for 16 years.

Zoom Jacob, right, during rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. SUR

Last year, Jacob, who obtained a musical theatre degree in South Africa, came to live in Spain with his partner of 18 years, who is also from South Africa, but whom he met in the UK, and the couple settled in Benalmadena, a town in which he says they are "very happy".

"I moaned about the weather in the UK for 16 years and I had always wanted to live somewhere warm again. We used to come to the Costa del Sol on holiday, and because my work allowed me to be based anywhere in Europe, we decided to come to live in Spain," Jacob tells SUR in English.

The multi-talented actor, who prefers not to reveal his age, works as a commercial director for a software company, although he still finds the time to engage in his lifelong passion for theatre.

A chance meeting

His introduction to the Salon Varietes Theatre in Fuengirola happened by chance after he came across two friends from South Africa whom he had not seen for 20 years.

"It's a small world. I came across Ruth and Craig Norris, two artists I had worked with in South Africa, but we had lost contact over the years. I didn't realise they were living here and one day I saw that they were appearing in a show at the theatre, so I contacted them via Facebook. It was they who introduced me to the theatre," he explains.

Jacob secured his first audition at the Salon Varietes just a few weeks after arriving on the coast, and he has since had roles in An Inspector Calls, Hair, Annie, and his first ever pantomime, Snow White, in which he played the prince.

Leading role

In his next performance at the theatre, he takes the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which begins on Wednesday 19 and continues to Sunday 30 March.

Jacob, who is currently taking Spanish lessons, with the aim of being "fluent within the next 12 months", says that theatre has always been "an important part of my life, especially in the UK", so it is no surprise that he has, in just 12 months, become actively involved at the Salon Varietes.

"It was wonderful when I discovered there was a theatre here on the coast that I could potentially get involved with. It is so unique to have an English theatre that does the quality and the kind of productions that I used to do in London. It's a nice mix of people and what stands out is the quality of the performers. I think it is a very well-run operation and it is a joy to be part of because it's a fantastic community of people," he says.

Jacob and the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which first hit London's West End in 1973, are currently in the final rehearsals for the show. Although presenting such a celebrated Lloyd Webber musical would be a daunting experience for many actors, Jacob says that he does "not suffer from stage fright".

"I can get nervous before rehearsals, but not before a performance, because I have been doing this for so many years now. It makes me excited and I feel completely comfortable on stage, specifically with a show like this. Joseph is a very relaxed show, and it's Lloyd Webber, so everyone knows all the songs. It is what it is. There are no difficult or emotional scenes. It is a celebration, it's fast paced, colourful, and with great music and great choreography. I think it will be fun to watch. It has a great message for both young and old in terms of trying to fulfil your dreams, and that life has its ups and downs, so it is a really positive message," Jacob concludes.
The red carpet outside Malaga's Cervantes theatre, the main venue for the film festival.

SUR Friday, 14 March 2025, 12:51 | Updated 19:51h. Compartir

This year's Malaga film festival gets under way today (Friday 14th March), the start of a ten-day celebration of Spanish-language cinema.

Now in its 28th year, the Festival de Malaga attracts hundreds of film buffs, directors and actors from around Spain and the wider Spanish-speaking world.

In total some 260 films from 54 countries will be screened over the next ten days at the festival's venues, including the Cervantes and Echegaray theatres and the theatre at the Picasso museum.

There are 22 films competing in the official section for the coveted Biznaga de Oro, a 'golden' version of Malaga's famous flower made using jasmine. Of these 15 are from Spain and the rest from Latin American countries.

Zoom

More films are also in the official section but not competing for a prize, among them the recent work of established directors such as Julio Medem, Borja Cobeaga, Javier Veiga and Maria Ripoll. Also being screened at the festival is Virgenes, a film by Alvaro Diaz Lorenzo about the Costa del Sol of the 1960s.

Like all film festivals, Malaga's is not without its gala evenings and red carpet glamour. The opening gala tonight at the Cervantes theatre can be followed live on sur.es while the closing gala on Sunday 23 March, hosted by journalist Elena Sanchez and recent Goya-winning actor Salva Reina, will be screened on Spanish RTVE channels.

This year's Malaga-SUR award goes to actor Carmen Machi who will also leave her hand print on her own monolith on the Antonio Banderas seafront promenade on Saturday.

While its main focus is on Spanish-language film, the festival does have something for non-Spanish speakers. Mosaico: International Scene is a section devoted to international film, with screenings from a number of different countries. These include Stockholm Bloodbath from Sweden, Ghostlight from the US, William Tell (UK/Italy/Switzerland) and L'Attachement (France) among others.

As well as feature films, the Malaga festival also has sections for shorts, documentaries and children's film.

New this year is the venue known as La Villa del Mar in the Antonio Martin restaurant on La Malagueta beach. This will include experiences in audiovisual and gaming technology and well as being a meeting point for professionals and creators.

The festival also comes with live music with free concerts on La Malagueta beach from Saturday to Wednesday.

Visitors to Malaga over the coming week will be able to walk the red carpets set up outside the main theatre venues and hotels and soak up the festival atmosphere in the streets, weather permitting.
Cristina Vallejo Friday, 14 March 2025, 09:21 Compartir

Transfiere, Europes largest trade fair for research, development, innovation and knowledge transfer, is taking place this week at the Malaga conference centre. The first-time visitor may well be overwhelmed by the enormous offer of simultaneous talks, demonstrations of scientific advances applied to everyday life and stands with the typical merchandising pens and notebooks... And there are a lot of people talking about things that seem to be of the utmost importance. Conversations are buzzing.

But for the newcomer to Transfiere there is one thing that stands out above all the rest: rows of tables and chairs that at first glance look like a setting for speed dating. Business, of course. Although who knows what might end up happening there. The organisers of this space explained to SUR that these tables are reserved for half an hour for networking.

At one of these tables is Ana Ramirez from a government agency, who is talking to Vikesh Chugani from Atrineo AG, a company that assesses the commercial potential of emerging technologies and develops technology transfer strategies. They are discussing a public-private partnership project about which they dont want to reveal much more, except that this is already their second meeting.

Jose Manuel Lopez and Bernardino Garcia, both from the knowledge transfer office of the University of Tarragona, are sitting down to learn about Abderrahmane Guermats project, Diagnoscan, a start-up that applies artificial intelligence to medicine. This is a good place to initiate collaboration processes, to make ourselves known, for initial contacts, they say. Emilio Jose Suarez, who is from Jaen and a lecturer at the University of Zaragoza, for his part, wants to learn from the Galician Daniel Garcia and his project, EnergHius, which uses chips to manufacture energy, because he also wants to be an entrepreneur.

Javier Garcia, professor at the University of Alicante and winner of the National Research Award 2023, gave the inaugural lecture, in which he warned of the risk to science posed by the policies of the Trump Administration

There are many people who, from academia, from pure science, are moving towards entrepreneurship. This is the case of Javier Garcia, professor of inorganic chemistry at the University of Alicante and winner of the National Research Award 2023: in 2009 he founded Rive Technology, a company that helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which he later sold to W.R. Grace. In his presentation, he echoed the threat to knowledge and science posed by "cutbacks, political pressure and the denial of evidence", and also referred to the protests by scientists in the United States against the measures of the new Trump Administration and the breakdown of collaboration between the US and Europe: "The withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Agreement puts us all in danger," he warned. "Science is the best defence against tariff wars," he said.

All the other political representatives who took part in the inaugural session of Transfiere congratulated Garcia on his words and agreed with them. To the point that the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, described some of the United States' actions as "disconcerting", although he expressed his confidence that it would "correct course" due to its "capacity for self-orientation".

Zoom At Transfiere there are also live demonstrations of scientific and technological breakthroughs." Migue Fernandez

Transfiere has thus become a bastion in the defence of knowledge and scientific evidence. A necessary 'partner' of the company if it wants to grow in productivity and competitiveness. This is how Ivan Arriola, from Tekniker, a Basque company that develops new technologies that are applied in industry, put it: "Transfiere serves to make contacts, to create ecosystems, to encourage scientific and technical advances to reach the company. There has to be communication between those who make technology and companies because right now there is a lot of investment in science, but it does not have such an impact on GDP and we need to increase it". His company, Arriola says, talks a lot to companies to find out how to improve their processes and, for example, they are doing so by manufacturing robots that participate in assembly lines in collaboration and communication with humans.

It is very surprising to hear how a robot can be taught to interpret the gestures and words emitted by a person with whom it will be a co-worker. But it is even more surprising to see the demonstrations at the Trade Fair Centre in Malaga. Javier Munilla, from Ciemat (Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas) explains how the superconducting coil works, which is part of the Poseidon Project and which helps to charge, store and supply energy to large ships that spend many months at sea. And Manu, Pedro, Mariano and Pablo, four students from the innovative programming school 42, which has neither books nor teachers, showed the president of the provincial council, Francisco Salado, their project: artificial intelligence applied to the measurement of data provided by plants so that, for the first time, humans can communicate with them.

Zoom The conference opened in Malaga on Wednesday. Migue Fernandez

All this shows that Transfiere brings together in Malaga private and public entities from all over Spain - 16 of the 17 autonomous communities are taking part - and from several countries around the world. In total, as Felipe Romera, president of the fair's organising committee and general director of the Technology Park, explained, this year more than 600 entities and more than 400 experts are coming together to talk about artificial intelligence, the energy transition, the role of European funds in transforming the economy, intellectual property and the challenges of digitalisation. Eighty universities are also present. Francisco Oliva, member of the Standing Committee of the Conference of Rectors and Rector of the Pablo de Olavide University, explained the key role of these higher education centres: "80% of the country's scientific production is carried out by universities; but we need to reach more and better the business world".

The rector of the University of Malaga, Teodomiro Lopez, summed up the event in his speech at the opening on Wednesday: The spirit of Transfiere is that academia comes into contact with business, with innovation. Or, as the president of the provincial council, Francisco Salado, added: An important ingredient of this meeting is the generation of synergies between science and the market.

The Regional Minister for University, Research and Innovation, Jose Carlos Gomez Villamandos, stressed that Andalucia has designed a transversal policy for knowledge-based entrepreneurship in order to develop technology-based companies and to structure the territory: "Innovation cannot be focused on a single point, but must be spread throughout Andalucia, so that people can stay where they have been trained, or where scientists can return after having carried out their research stays abroad. We have to be seen as a land of innovation, we have to reinforce our capacity to attract and retain talent". In this respect, Salado described projects carried out by the Provincial Council to modernise municipalities of less than 20,000 inhabitants and to ensure that digitalisation does not leave anyone on the sidelines.

This years guest country at Transfiere is the United Kingdom and a delegation of British academics, scientists and enterprises are in Malaga to take part in the event. Among them is Professor Dame Angela McLean, the UK governments chief scientific adviser. She is participating in a workshop today, Friday, on building bridges between science and government.
A man reads at a booth displaying China-themed books at the London Book Fair in Britain on Wednesday. LI YING/XINHUA

Chinese experiences in advancing modernization, innovation, and sustainability have profound implications for global development, experts have said.

They made these remarks on Tuesday at an event during the annual London Book Fair marking the launch of the English editions of the China Development Report 2024 and the Global Development Report 2024, jointly published by Foreign Languages Press and China Development Press.

The China Development Report 2024, authored by the Development Research Center of the State Council, mainly presents China's overall economic and social development achievements in 2023, along with key research findings on the country's new energy industries, artificial intelligence, data economy and carbon markets.

The Global Development Report 2024, written by the Center for International Knowledge on Development, explores pathways for international collaboration amid geopolitical turbulence to address shared global challenges, such as climate change, industrial and supply chain resilience, digitalization, poverty reduction, and food security.

"China has made enormous progress over the last 40 years with its reform and opening-up agenda, and now it will need to make the jump to become a fully developed economy with good living standards and strong innovation capabilities, represented by the new quality productive forces. We have seen some strides, such as DeepSeek, and we should recognize and show the respected exterior," Vince Cable, former secretary of state for business, innovation and skills of the United Kingdom, told China Daily.

Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group, a London-based organization dedicated to promoting Sino-British economic cooperation, said China's breakthrough in high-tech sectors, renewable energy and infrastructure connectivity "sets the pace for how nations will develop in decades ahead", and he believes China and the UK share commitment to upholding collaboration and a long-term vision.

"At the heart of these reports is a recognition that development is not just about numbers. It is about people, about societies, about the choices we make for future generations," he added.

The London Book Fair this year, running from Tuesday to Thursday, saw a strong presence from China, with over 4,000 titles brought by more than 50 Chinese publishers.
Watertown, N.Y.  A man made several threats to shoot, kill, and blow up Watertown police officers after he was arrested Saturday, police said.

Jesse Matthew Balk, 33, was first arrested following a traffic stop on Saturday, according to court documents filed by Watertown police.

The first threats were recorded on a police cars camera as Balk was being taken to the police department at 751 Waterman Drive, according to court documents.

Balk threatened to shoot officers and a few moments later referenced a supposed officer shooting in Texas and said Thats nothin' to what Watertown is going to experience, according to court documents.

During the night and after he was released, Balk made several posts to Facebook saying officers pulled him by the neck into a vehicle and he was thrown on the floor.

In the same posts, Balk also said that officers would be dead if he was ever pulled over and the same behavior happened again.

On Sunday, Balk posted a photo with a gun in the door of a fridge with the caption extort this pigs, according to court documents. Balk does not have a pistol permit, according to police.

The picture can no longer be seen on his Facebook page.

Several other posts were made threatening to kill Watertown officers and their families, according to court documents.

After investigating the threats, a search warrant was issued and Balk was arrested again on Wednesday for aggravated harassment and for making a terroristic threat, a felony, according to the Watertown Police Department.

Balk was arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court. He was held on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, $20,000 partially secured bond and remanded to the custody of the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Per capita personal income in the Syracuse metro area rose in 2023 after a slight decline during the previous year, according to federal data.

The regions per capita income for 2023 was $60,736, up about 4.8% from the year before. That growth comes after a decline in per capita income of 0.2% in 2022, according to annual data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The 2023 figures are the most recent available.

Per capita personal income is calculated as the total personal income of residents in a given area divided by the population, according to the bureau. Its one way of examining and comparing wealth in different geographic areas and offering a view of each persons share of regional income.

Although Syracuses per capita income did increase in 2023, its growth rate was lower than most other metro areas in New York and across the nation.

Syracuse had the third-lowest increase in per capita income among all 13 New York metros for which federal data was available. Among 384 metro areas nationwide, Syracuses growth rate ranked 245th.

Over 63% of U.S. metros had faster growth in per capita income than Syracuse in 2023.

Among New York metros, Buffalo had the highest growth rate at 6.3%, according to the federal data.

You can see details of income growth in metro areas across New York in the table below. If you cant see the table, click here to open it in a new window.

Note: The Buffalo and New York City metro areas are shown with the same percentage increase due to rounding.

The Syracuse metro area includes Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

Across all metro areas in the U.S., per capita income rose 5.4% in 2023 to $69,810. Both those figures were higher than those in Syracuse for that year.

The No. 1 metro area for per capita income growth nationwide in 2023 was Sebastian-Vero Beach, Florida at 8.4%. Per capita income there that year was more than $105,000.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598
Chinese tourist critically injured after leaning out of Sri Lanka train for photos

A Chinese tourist suffered severe injuries after leaning out of a moving train in Sri Lanka to take photos, sparking criticism from mainland netizens.

The incident occurred on March 9 when the 35-year-old woman hit her head against a tunnel wall and fell, the South China Morning Post reported.

She was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment and remains in critical condition, The Straits Times reported.

Leaning out of trains for photos has been a popular but risky trend among tourists in Sri Lanka.

On March 10, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka issued an advisory on its website, urging travelers to stay away from train doors and avoid leaning out of carriages for safety reasons.

The statement also warned that Sri Lankan trains pass through unguarded intersections and tracks, advising tourists against lingering in these areas to take photos.

The incident has ignited a heated debate on mainland social media about travel safety.

"It's really dangerous and you can lose your lives anytime," one user commented.

"Risking your life for a photo is simply not worth it," another added.
Photo courtesy of Eddie Sundquist, the former mayor of Jamestown | @eddiesundquist on Instagram

Jamestown, New York, turns the Chadakoin River green every year ahead of St. Patrick's Day. Photo courtesy of Eddie Sundquist, the former mayor of Jamestown | @eddiesundquist on Instagram Photo courtesy of Eddie Sundquist, the former mayor of Jamestown | @eddiesundquist on Instagram

You dont have to go to Chicago to visit a green river ahead of St. Patricks Day.

Every year ahead of the very Irish holiday, Upstate New York gains an emerald river of its own.

Jamestown dyes part of the Chadakoin River green each year to celebrate St. Patricks Day. The Pearl City of Western New York is one of only three cities in the United States to color their rivers green for the holiday, according to I LOVE NY. (The other two are the Windy City and Tampa.)

The 2025 Turn the River Green Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 15 in downtown Jamestown at Brooklyn Square.

The free event is presided over by Jamestowns Lucky the Leprechaun and includes music and activities for kids. The river will turn green at 11 a.m., midway through the celebration.

Many attendees wear their best Irish green to the event  dressing to match the winding Chadakoin River.

The event started in the early 2000s. This years edition is sponsored by Collaborative Childrens Solutions and the city of Jamestown. To learn more, visit the events Facebook page.

The luck of the Irish is strong Upstate.

New York is home to one of the most Irish counties in the United States. Rensselaer County, home to the city of Troy, had the 10th-highest Irish population by percentage in the nation as of 2021, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Upstate New York also boasts two of the best-rated places to celebrate St. Patricks Day: Syracuse and Buffalo.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, one of President Donald Trumps biggest critics in recent weeks, will head to the oval office Friday morning to meet with the president.

Hochul confirmed the meeting Thursday on the social media site X, where she detailed some of the topics that will be discussed.

Theres a lot to talk about: the massive success of congestion pricing, the impact of tariffs on New Yorkers, and much more. Looking forward to a productive conversation, the governor posted.

Political news site The Hill reported that Trump and Hochul also will be discussing the Constitution pipeline, a proposed 124-mile pipeline which has been talked about for well over a decade. In 2016, New York state halted construction on the pipeline by denying a crucial water-quality permit, NPR reported. After continued opposition from environmental groups and politicians in New York, Williams Partners halted the project in 2020.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, Trump talked about the meeting with Hochul  calling her a very nice woman  and suggested using federal power to approve the pipeline.

I hope we dont have to use the extraordinary powers of the federal government to get it done, but if we have to we will, Trump said. But I dont think well have to. I can tell you, Connecticut wants it, and all of New England wants it, and who wouldnt want it? And its also jobs on top of everything else.

Trump also addressed the pipeline in a post on Truth Social.

We only need the final approval from New York State, whose people all want it. Otherwise, well have to use other authorities. New York State has held up this project for many years, but we wont let that happen any longer. We will use federal approval! Trump wrote.

Hochul and the Trump administration have clashed on several issues recently. On Wednesday, Trumps border czar Tom Holman visited Albany and threatened to double the number of immigration enforcement agents in New York state if Hochul did not cooperate with Trumps immigration enforcement policies.

A few weeks ago, Trump ordered New York to end congestion pricing tolls in New York City. In an NPR interview, Hochul said she would fight back hard against Trumps demand, saying I will be leading the resistance on policies like these where youre hurting New Yorkers directly. This is our decision, not yours.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers the 2025 State of the State Address, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Albany, N.Y. (Mike Groll/Office of the New York Governor via AP) AP AP

Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing a new idea to make homes more affordable in New York state.

Hochul visited Rochester recently to highlight her 2025 State of the State proposal that would create a 75-day waiting period before private equity firms can purchase certain real estate properties. The idea is to make one- and two-family homes available first to individuals and families before institutional investors can buy them and potentially increasing the prices for a profit.

We need to level the playing field and make sure that institutional investors are not taking away opportunities from individuals and families who have spent their lives saving to become homeowners, Hochul said. New York is the best state to start a family, and I am always committed to taking action to ensure that homeownership becomes more attainable for New Yorkers.

According to the proposed legislation, private equity firms and investment groups that own 10 or more single and two-family properties and have $50 million in assets will be required to wait 75 days before making an offer on or buying another one- or two-family home. It would also reduce tax code provisions that make the investments more lucrative by generally denying these entities the ability to utilize depreciation tax or most interest deductions on these properties.

Hochul told WHEC that greedy conglomerates often buy up houses with cash offers at twice the asking the price. It reduces the inventory available on the market, driving up prices for the average person looking to buy a home.

In December, a Canadian firm reportedly bought 39 homes in Rochester using an LLC in Buffalo, paying nearly $2 million in total for properties with an average assessed value of $37,000. Thats more than 30% above what theyre worth, pricing out people looking for affordable homes.

Affordability is a major struggle in our community now as the market has changed, Theodora Finn, of the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership, told WHEC. I think creating opportunities where homes can be sold at affordable prices is important. It creates the stability people need in their lives to be successful in their lives.

According to Hochuls office, private equity firms currently own more than 500,000 homes nationally, either renting them out or re-selling them for a profit by using scarcity to fuel the housing crisis. Some estimates predict private equity firms will own up to 40% of the single-family rental market by 2030.

Private equity firms who violate the 75-day rule would face penalties of up to $250,000 per illegal offer, Hochuls proposed legislation says.
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The President... made it abundantly clear that taking U.S. citizens  or any citizens - wrongfully is not appropriate and it will be answered in the toughest way possible.
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The recent arrest and impending deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, a leader of pro-Hamas protests on campus, and a U.S. green cardholder, are not a matter of free speech, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This is about people that dont have a right to be in the United States to begin with. No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card, by the way.

Khalil, who was born in Syria to Palestinian parents, first came to the United States in 2022 on a student visa. Secretary Rubio emphasized that a visa means someone is in the United States as a visitor.

We can deny you that visa, he said. If you tell us when you apply, Hi, Im trying to get into the United States on a student visa; I am a big supporter of Hamas, a murderous, barbaric group that kidnaps children, that rapes teenage girls, that takes hostages, that allows them to die in captivity, that returns more bodies than live hostages. ... And, by the way, I intend to come to your country as a student and rile up all kinds of anti-Jewish student, anti-Semitic activities, I intend to shut down your universities  if you told us all these things when you applied for a visa, we would deny your visa.

If you actually end up doing that once youre in this country on a such a visa, we will revoke it, said Secretary Rubio. And, he added, if you end up having a green card - not citizenship  as a result of that visa while youre here and [participating in] those activities, were going to kick you out.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the consequences of the months-long protests Khalil led. This is an individual who organized group protests that not only disrupted college campus classes and harassed Jewish American students and made them feel unsafe on their own college campus, but also distributed pro-Hamas propaganda, she said. And this administration is not going to tolerate individuals having the privilege of studying in our country and then siding with pro-terrorist organizations that have killed Americans.

In a social media post, President Trump Donald said, We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country  never to return again.
shankar.balan BANNED

Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,797 Thanked: 27,286 Times

View My Garage



Infractions: 0/1 (4)

| EDIT: Kona Chronicles Quote: GKR9900 Originally Posted by I am glad that shankar.balan has periodically updated this thread when I got too busy doing it,.

Kona Chronicles:



My Kona had its first Annual service a couple of weeks ago. It had just about crossed 5600kms.

All that got done was AC Cabin Filter change, brakes inspection and cleaning and I asked them to do wheel alignment and tyre balancing. I called Advaith ORR Bangalore and they obliged at very short notice, completed the work in my presence in 3 hours time and I paid and buzzed off. Cost me Rs 4734/-.



Somewhere in the interim Ive seen fit to pricure and fit up the Farad Roof rails and Roof Box. I know it will hurt the aerodynamics and cut the range and all that, but I like the look. My intent is cosmetic more than utilitarian. Costly, but in my eyes, worth it.



Then we decided, because it is my Konas actual First Birthday today, 8 March, that we owed it and ourselves a short road trip holiday to Ooty. It was my birthday present to myself so both it and I are celebrating around the same time - one day apart.



Anyway, here goes.



So we started today in the early morning with 100% charge which showed 324kms range. I had plugged it into my home 15 Amp plug yesterday and it brought the charge to 100% from 47%, in about 8 hours.



We drove normally on the NICE road well within the prescribed limits. Did about 90-100kmph mostly on cruise control except while overtaking.



Then we reached the Mysore Expressway and I just put it on cruise control all the way at 99kmph.



On the Mysore Expressway I could hear some wind noise from the empty roof box. And at times where there was a little cross wind, I could feel the drag.

However, this is of little consequence.



We stopped for Breakfast at Maddur Tiffanys new restaurant just off that Expressway. Had a good brekkie but could not charge as there is no charger there.



We left the restaurant and went along the service road all the way through the Maddur town and came back onto the Expressway after Maddur.



We reached Shell outside of Mysore on the Ooty Road and stopped for a 30 min top up charge. We had come down to 37% SOC and wanted to take it back up to 80% before going onto the Ooty road and tackling Masinagudi and Sigur Ghat. At 80% I stopped charging as it showed 258kms range.







We then drove through and parked at Cafe Coffee Day Masinagudi for a coffee.

Again no charger there so just a coffee stop.

At this point the car was showing 113kms range.





We proceeded immediately from there up the hills as we had a lunch plan at the Club with an old friend.



I was on Eco Mode throughout because I find this perfectly adequate and as I said, generally drove normally at 100 on the NICE road and on the mysore expressway. All the way from Mysore to the foothills I was at 60-70-80kmph.



I drove as normal up the hills. The hill climb does take a lot of juice. Hence the 11% SOC at the destination.







I use the Kona just like any other car. No hypermiling and babying and all that.



And indeed it is fantastically responsive when driving up the hills and it stays beautifully planted on the twisties and the hairpin bends and all.



Overtaking is an absolutely fabulous feeling with the Konas amazing responsiveness and instant torque!



Anyway, Ive put it back on charge now at the Club. Zeon have very kindly installed their chargers for us at my request.





Yes, charging will take its time. But Im easy because anyway I also came here to stay and chill and relax and am in no rush whatsoever.





Seriously, every time I drive this vehicle, in the cuty or on the highways or in the hills, I am just enjoying it more and more.



It is very very accomplished and well put together. At the discounted price I paid for it, it is really a steal. Kona Chronicles:My Kona had its first Annual service a couple of weeks ago. It had just about crossed 5600kms.All that got done was AC Cabin Filter change, brakes inspection and cleaning and I asked them to do wheel alignment and tyre balancing. I called Advaith ORR Bangalore and they obliged at very short notice, completed the work in my presence in 3 hours time and I paid and buzzed off. Cost me Rs 4734/-.Somewhere in the interim Ive seen fit to pricure and fit up the Farad Roof rails and Roof Box. I know it will hurt the aerodynamics and cut the range and all that, but I like the look. My intent is cosmetic more than utilitarian. Costly, but in my eyes, worth it.Then we decided, because it is my Konas actual First Birthday today, 8 March, that we owed it and ourselves a short road trip holiday to Ooty. It was my birthday present to myself so both it and I are celebrating around the same time - one day apart.Anyway, here goes.So we started today in the early morning with 100% charge which showed 324kms range. I had plugged it into my home 15 Amp plug yesterday and it brought the charge to 100% from 47%, in about 8 hours.We drove normally on the NICE road well within the prescribed limits. Did about 90-100kmph mostly on cruise control except while overtaking.Then we reached the Mysore Expressway and I just put it on cruise control all the way at 99kmph.On the Mysore Expressway I could hear some wind noise from the empty roof box. And at times where there was a little cross wind, I could feel the drag.However, this is of little consequence.We stopped for Breakfast at Maddur Tiffanys new restaurant just off that Expressway. Had a good brekkie but could not charge as there is no charger there.We left the restaurant and went along the service road all the way through the Maddur town and came back onto the Expressway after Maddur.We reached Shell outside of Mysore on the Ooty Road and stopped for a 30 min top up charge. We had come down to 37% SOC and wanted to take it back up to 80% before going onto the Ooty road and tackling Masinagudi and Sigur Ghat. At 80% I stopped charging as it showed 258kms range.We then drove through and parked at Cafe Coffee Day Masinagudi for a coffee.Again no charger there so just a coffee stop.At this point the car was showing 113kms range.We proceeded immediately from there up the hills as we had a lunch plan at the Club with an old friend.I was on Eco Mode throughout because I find this perfectly adequate and as I said, generally drove normally at 100 on the NICE road and on the mysore expressway. All the way from Mysore to the foothills I was at 60-70-80kmph.I drove as normal up the hills. The hill climb does take a lot of juice. Hence the 11% SOC at the destination.I use the Kona just like any other car. No hypermiling and babying and all that.And indeed it is fantastically responsive when driving up the hills and it stays beautifully planted on the twisties and the hairpin bends and all.Overtaking is an absolutely fabulous feeling with the Konas amazing responsiveness and instant torque!Anyway, Ive put it back on charge now at the Club. Zeon have very kindly installed their chargers for us at my request.Yes, charging will take its time. But Im easy because anyway I also came here to stay and chill and relax and am in no rush whatsoever.Seriously, every time I drive this vehicle, in the cuty or on the highways or in the hills, I am just enjoying it more and more.It is very very accomplished and well put together. At the discounted price I paid for it, it is really a steal. Last edited by shankar.balan : 8th March 2025 at 17:11 .
sc15523 BHPian

Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Pune Posts: 37 Thanked: 126 Times

Mahindra Mojo in the desert (Rajasthan) Mahindra Mojo. Initially the plan was to do a roundtrip from Pune to Chitkul but fate had some plans.



21st Nov: Pune to Dhule  I started from Pune around 12am in the midnight. I took the Pune  Nashik Highway till Nashik and then took the road to Indore. The Road condition was ok. Reached Dhule around 5am and decided to take a nap and stayed in a roadside hotel.



22nd Nov: Dhule to Ajmer  Started around 10am in the morning and managed to reach Ajmer by 10pm. Roads were in extreme great condition. But unfortunately, the rear tire got punctured. Here I decided not to continue till Chitkul as the tires were not in great shape. SO I decided to turn towards Jaisalmer. Searching a puncture repairing shop was challenge because of Diwali Holidays. Traffic was also sparse during the time, but somehow managed to find a shop where the rear tire was repaired and then I got into a hotel for night stay.



23rd Nov: Ajmer to Jaisalmer  Left Ajmer around 7am in the morning and after half an hour left the main highway and took a state highway (as per Google Map) towards Jodhpur. Unfortunately, the rear tire again had developed a puncture. But this time I was lucky to find a tire repair shop and got it fixed. I was bit worried now that how am I going to cover the journey, but youre you are highly motivated, dauting task seems a bit easy. The roads were really in great condition in rural Rajasthan. I crossed Jodhpur, then Pokhran before reaching Jaisalmer. Reached around 8pm and struggled a little to get a good accommodation. Had dinner from the roof top restaurant with the view of the Jaisalmer Fort.



Somewhere on the way to Jaisalmer





Pokhran in the Map (I was thrilled to see the name)





Roof Top Dinner with the view of Jaisalmer Fort





24th Nov: Jaisalmer to Ahmedabad - Started from Jaisalmer around 5am in the morning towards Tanot Mata Temple. Weather was chill and roads were the butter smooth. After reaching the temple had the blessings of Goddess and then I headed straight towards Longewala War Memorial. Oh my God what a road BRO has made. It was fully passing thru the desert. After reaching the war memorial at Longewala, paid my tribute to our brave soldiers. Now I took the road (not available in Google Maps at that time) constructed by BRO as Bharatmala Project. I started going towards south of Rajasthan in Munabao. The distance was around 300 kms, there were only 2 Cars crossed in the entire section. The road was damm empty, but in great shape. The road got ended suddenly as I was approaching the last 40 km. I had to detour thru a small village for 5kms and then I was supposed to board the Highway again. But man, the last 100 mtr stretch was passing thru desert (road full of sand). My Mojo got stuck, and it took appx 2 hrs for me to take my bike out of the sand. Another great thing is that the tank capacity of Mojo is 21 ltrs and that helped me as there were no petrol pump in the entire 300 km stretch. Finally, I made it to Munabao but unfortunately the border was not allowing any civilians to see the International Border. Then I decided to head straight towards Ahmedabad and that was really a long stretch of 480 kms. Finally reached Ahmedabad around 1 am and stayed in a hotel.



Mojo Stuck in the desert for 2 hrs





Bharatmala Pariyojna maintained by BRO





25th Nov: Ahmedabad to Pune  The last leg of my journey. I decided that I wont take any halt and will straight continue till Pune. I started around 8 am in the morning and followed the route till Pune (Baroda  Surat  Navsari  Nashik  Pune). Finally managed to reached Pune at around 8 pm in the evening.



Few Highlights of the Trip:

Total Distance Covered  3200 kms

No. of States Covered  4 states

Total Journey Time  5 days



Few Random Clicks:

Wild Camel



Spotted a Nilgai



Me with my Mile Munching Mojo

This trip was done in Nov22 but I penned down late. During Diwali holidays, I decided to do a solo trip in my trustworthy and rarest of the rare. Initially the plan was to do a roundtrip from Pune to Chitkul but fate had some plans.I started from Pune around 12am in the midnight. I took the Pune  Nashik Highway till Nashik and then took the road to Indore. The Road condition was ok. Reached Dhule around 5am and decided to take a nap and stayed in a roadside hotel.Started around 10am in the morning and managed to reach Ajmer by 10pm. Roads were in extreme great condition. But unfortunately, the rear tire got punctured. Here I decided not to continue till Chitkul as the tires were not in great shape. SO I decided to turn towards Jaisalmer. Searching a puncture repairing shop was challenge because of Diwali Holidays. Traffic was also sparse during the time, but somehow managed to find a shop where the rear tire was repaired and then I got into a hotel for night stay.Left Ajmer around 7am in the morning and after half an hour left the main highway and took a state highway (as per Google Map) towards Jodhpur. Unfortunately, the rear tire again had developed a puncture. But this time I was lucky to find a tire repair shop and got it fixed. I was bit worried now that how am I going to cover the journey, but youre you are highly motivated, dauting task seems a bit easy. The roads were really in great condition in rural Rajasthan. I crossed Jodhpur, then Pokhran before reaching Jaisalmer. Reached around 8pm and struggled a little to get a good accommodation. Had dinner from the roof top restaurant with the view of the Jaisalmer Fort.Somewhere on the way to JaisalmerPokhran in the Map (I was thrilled to see the name)Roof Top Dinner with the view of Jaisalmer FortStarted from Jaisalmer around 5am in the morning towards Tanot Mata Temple. Weather was chill and roads were the butter smooth. After reaching the temple had the blessings of Goddess and then I headed straight towards Longewala War Memorial. Oh my God what a road BRO has made. It was fully passing thru the desert. After reaching the war memorial at Longewala, paid my tribute to our brave soldiers. Now I took the road (not available in Google Maps at that time) constructed by BRO as Bharatmala Project. I started going towards south of Rajasthan in Munabao. The distance was around 300 kms, there were only 2 Cars crossed in the entire section. The road was damm empty, but in great shape. The road got ended suddenly as I was approaching the last 40 km. I had to detour thru a small village for 5kms and then I was supposed to board the Highway again. But man, the last 100 mtr stretch was passing thru desert (road full of sand). My Mojo got stuck, and it took appx 2 hrs for me to take my bike out of the sand. Another great thing is that the tank capacity of Mojo is 21 ltrs and that helped me as there were no petrol pump in the entire 300 km stretch. Finally, I made it to Munabao but unfortunately the border was not allowing any civilians to see the International Border. Then I decided to head straight towards Ahmedabad and that was really a long stretch of 480 kms. Finally reached Ahmedabad around 1 am and stayed in a hotel.Mojo Stuck in the desert for 2 hrsBharatmala Pariyojna maintained by BROThe last leg of my journey. I decided that I wont take any halt and will straight continue till Pune. I started around 8 am in the morning and followed the route till Pune (Baroda  Surat  Navsari  Nashik  Pune). Finally managed to reached Pune at around 8 pm in the evening.Total Distance Covered  3200 kmsNo. of States Covered  4 statesTotal Journey Time  5 daysFew Random Clicks:Wild CamelSpotted a NilgaiMe with my Mile Munching Mojo Attached Thumbnails







Last edited by sc15523 : 13th March 2025 at 22:42 .
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Sir Keir Starmer is poised to relax a planned ban on popular hybrid cars amid warnings that electric vehicle (EV) sales targets are squeezing manufacturers too tightly. The Department for Transport was expected to ban some hybrids from sale after 2030, when selling pure petrol and diesel cars will also become illegal. However, sources said it was reconsidering the plans following intensive lobbying by the industry. The proposed rules would have prevented the sale of popular hybrid models such as the Range Rover Evoque and Ford Puma. Telegraph

If youve ever waited for a video to load on your phone and wondered why super fast 5G in the UK seems to be anything but, youre not alone. A report published by network analysts MedUX based on real-world tests with cars driving around European capitals found that London has the worst 5G in Europe. Previously, it was suggested that removing Huawei equipment from the UKs networks over fears around espionage could be behind the slow speed  but experts are now suggesting that masts are one main reason Britains 5G networks are not delivering. Yahoo!

Belgian police have raided several locations in the country as part of an investigation into corruption within the European Parliament. Prosecutors said the alleged corruption was under the guise of commercial lobbying, and that several people had been detained for questioning. According to officials, an address in Portugal was also searched by local police, while in France, one person was arrested. Belgian newspaper Le Soir said the investigation was linked to Chinese tech giant Huawei and its activities in Brussels since 2021. BBC



Apple is known for keeping a tight grip on its operating systems, but that resolve has been tested by the European Union (EU) in recent years. Now, Apple is being forced to concede another point and allow its users to change their default mapping app on iOS. The change is due to arrive in the iOS 18.4 update, which is currently available as a beta. However, theres a big catch: the new feature will only be available to users in the EU, meaning anyone in the US and around the world will miss out for now. Tech Radar The United Kingdoms mobile browser market is not working well for consumers and businesses according to a final report from Britains competition watchdog, which says that Apple and Google are largely to blame. An independent inquiry group has concluded its mobile browsers investigation for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), identifying Apples policies around iOS, Safari, and WebKit as making it difficult for third-party web browser providers to compete and restricting the market as a result. The Verge

When Tony Blair looked back on his time in power, he had a simple assessment of his decision to introduce the Freedom of Information Act: You idiot. While the technology secretary, Peter Kyle, is a fan of the former prime minister, he may be inclined to agree with that verdict after the act was used to reveal that he had been asking ChatGPT which podcasts he should appear on. The disclosure has already caused frustration among ministers, given its possible repercussions. Guardian

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A hot potato: In a move that makes you wonder if Google paid any attention at all to Microsoft's Recall controversy, the company has announced an update to the Gemini 2.0 model that includes the ability to browse your Search history to offer more personalized responses.

Google's experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model allows Gemini to connect with various apps and services, including Search. The idea is that it will be able to give a much more personalized, tailored response to user queries based on what you looked at online.

Google gave examples of the kinds of questions where this personalization feature would be helpful: Where to go on holiday this summer, content ideas for a YouTube channel, and suggestions for a new hobby or job.

By looking at a user's Search history, Gemini was able to answer the vacation question with, "Considering your recent searches for places like Hawaii and the Maldives, you seem to enjoy tropical destinations. You also looked into family-friendly trips to Chicago, Seattle, and Kyoto, suggesting an interest in city and international travel with your family. Your searches for Yosemite and Antelope Canyon point towards an appreciation for nature and unique landscapes."

There are obviously going to be plenty of privacy concerns over this feature  nobody wants Gemini to suggest therapy as a new hobby based on their Search history.

Google says Gemini will ask for permission before connecting to your Search history or any other apps. Gemini also displays a banner with a link to easily disconnect your Search history. Furthermore, Gemini will only use this feature when you select the AI model with personalization, give it permission to connect to Search, and you have Web & App Activity turned on.

However, even the fact that users have to opt in to this feature is unlikely to make people less hostile towards it.

Elsewhere, Google says it is rolling out Gems, custom chatbots that allow users to create their own AI expert on any topic, for everyone at no cost in the Gemini app. DeepResearch, which creates detailed reports on queries, is also being made free to use for everyone.

Google's browser history search feature brings to mind Microsoft Recall, though it's not as invasive, admittedly. Recall, you might remember, was blasted by pretty much everybody for taking screenshots of the Windows desktop every few seconds, using the on-device large language model to scan, store, and process information. Microsoft said there was a filter that stopped Recall capturing sensitive information, but it didn't really work. The fact that users were initially required to have it enabled by default made a bad situation worse.

Microsoft postponed the rollout of Recall, and it remains in preview to Copilot+ PCs through the Windows Insider Program.
In brief: Google Play Protect serves as Android's first line of defense against malicious apps. However, the mobile anti-malware service can sometimes make sideloading cumbersome  or even outright impossible  under normal conditions.

Android users may soon find it easier to sideload apps. Google recently updated the Play Store, introducing an option to temporarily pause its antivirus service through Android's native settings. This change creates a window of opportunity for installing apps from outside traditional sources while maintaining device and data security.

The new feature was first spotted by Android Authority in Play Store version 42.2.19-31. The update adds a "pause" button for Play Protect when users attempt to disable app scanning. However, Google warns that while Play Protect is paused, it will no longer scan apps installed from outside the official Play Store.

For Android power users, Play Protect's automatic app scanning has been a double-edged sword. The service scans hundreds of billions of apps daily, providing an extra layer of security for smartphones and tablets. However, it can also interfere with sideloading legitimate APKs downloaded from the internet.

I personally discovered Play Protect's ability to make sideloading an annoying experience a few months ago after upgrading from an old Nokia 6.1 to a brand-new Google Pixel 7a. The upgrade process was mostly smooth, except for a couple of games I had purchased on the Play Store years ago. Play Protect actively interfered with sideloading due to its API compatibility checks, preventing me from reinstalling apps that were no longer available for purchase.

The ability to disable Play Protect can certainly help in situations like this, though completely turning it off would make an Android device significantly more vulnerable. Fortunately, the new "Pause" option should resolve the issue by allowing temporary sideloading, with Play Protect automatically reactivating the next day.

Google warns that sideloading apps can pose security risks to the Android ecosystem. However, sideloading isn't inherently unsafe  it remains a legitimate method for accessing apps outside the Play Store. For example, the F-Droid platform offers a vast collection of alternative open-source apps that users can download and install manually.
Two recent moves by the United States are aimed at implementing Presidential National Security Memorandum Number 2, whose goal is disrupting, degrading and denying the Iranian governments ability to carry out its lethal and destabilizing actions. The moves are part of President Donald Trumps maximum pressure campaign against the Iranian regime.

On March 8, the United States declined to renew a sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to purchase Iranian electricity without being subject to U.S. sanctions. Two days earlier, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a briefing, We are reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief. And we are urging the Iraqi Government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible, and welcome the Iraqi prime ministers commitment to achieve energy independence.

Critics of the sanctions waivers claim they have made huge sums of money accessible to Iran to fund its proxies, as well as to finance Irans ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

On March 12, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against the Foxtrot Network, and its leader Rawa Majid. Primarily based in Sweden, the Foxtrot Network, according to Treasury, is one of the most notorious criminal gangs based in Sweden and has conducted shootings, contract killings, assaults, and other forms of violence. The group is also one of the most prominent drug trafficking organizations in the region ... In January 2024, the Foxtrot Network orchestrated an attack on the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, on behalf of Iran. Rawa Majid, who leads the gang, has specifically cooperated with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The U.S. has sanctioned the MOIS, one of Irans most feared institutions, under multiple authorities.

Irans brazen use of transnational criminal organizations and narcotics traffickers underscores the regimes attempt to achieve its aims through any means, with no regard for the cost to communities across Europe, said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement. Treasury, alongside our U.S. government and international partners, will continue to hold accountable those who seek to further Irans thuggish and destabilizing agenda.
Citizens transform tactile paving into colorful canvas in Lishui, E China's Zhejiang

People's Daily Online) 14:37, March 13, 2025

In Lishui city, east China's Zhejiang Province, a heartwarming scene has recently unfolded as passersby pick up brushes and paints to transform tactile paving into a vibrant canvas.

People paint along the tactile paving in Lishui city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

The initiative was spearheaded by Fang Cunxin, a painting blogger and an optimistic, cheerful young woman with only one arm.

"One time when I was out, I encountered a visually impaired person attempting to cross the street. Because the tactile paving was obstructed, I accompanied the person for a while." This experience made Fang realize that in the city where she has lived for many years, she has rarely seen visually impaired people.

Fang started to pay attention to the city's tactile paving infrastructure. "Many tactile paths are occupied by bicycles, damaged, or have such dull colors that they go unnoticed." As a painting enthusiast, Fang thought that if passersby could leave their own artworks on the tactile paving, they could draw attention to the paths.

After securing approval from relevant departments, she embarked on this project armed with acrylic paints and brushes.

People paint along the tactile paving in Lishui city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

On the first day of painting, Fang had to call out from the roadside, hoping to attract more participants. On the second and third days, more than 100 people spontaneously joined this street art initiative.

"Initially, I only intended to paint 50 meters, but before I knew it, the artwork had taken on a life of its own and stretched much further," Fang said.

"Although they cannot see, we can use these colors to pave an intangible path for them. I will keep painting because this is a meaningful endeavor," Fang said.

People paint along the tactile paving in Lishui city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Australians welcome departure of baby wombat grabber



Sydney, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



An American influencer who outraged Australians by snatching a baby wombat from its apparently distressed mother flew out of the country Friday, the government said.

In a now-deleted video posted to Instagram this week, the woman can be seen picking up and running with the hissing wild animal before declaring to the camera: "I caught a baby wombat."

The marsupial's mother is seen in the nighttime images chasing her joey.

The woman -- identified in Australian media as American outdoors influencer Sam Jones -- then places the wombat back on the side of the road.

"There's never been a better day to be a wombat in Australia," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said of the influencer's departure.

The minister earlier revealed that the woman's tourist visa was under review in light of the video.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the influencer for pestering the rotund, burrowing marsupial.

"To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage," he told reporters Thursday.

"I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there."
UK energy minister heads to China to talk climate



London, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



Britain's energy and net zero secretary will head to China this weekend to drum up support for climate commitments, in the first Beijing visit by a UK energy minister since 2017.

Ed Miliband, who will be the third minister in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cabinet to visit China, is set to take part in a weekend of meetings wrapping up on Monday.

The energy security minister will use the visit to "urge continued action from China... to tackle the climate emergency", Miliband wrote in The Guardian newspaper on Friday.

Miliband's push for both countries to "fulfil the aims of the Paris climate agreement" comes as US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal, which aims to keep global average temperatures below a critical threshold.

"I consider it to be negligence towards today's and future generations not to engage China on this topic," wrote Miliband, adding he would also raise concerns of rights abuses in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur minority.

Miliband said he would invite Chinese counterparts to London later this year to renew formal climate dialogue between the countries, as the UK looks to play a leading role in global cooperation on the climate.

"This is about protecting the British people now and for generations to come," he wrote.

Starmer has sought to boost engagement with China since coming to power in July, despite concerns over security and human rights crackdowns.

Although it is the largest emitter of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change, China, the world's second-largest economy, is also a renewable energy powerhouse and aims to reach net zero by 2060.

The UK has pledged to decarbonise completely by 2050 and has ramped up the transition to clean energy sources, which it claims will help boost its flagging economy.
EU countries back looser rules for gene-edited crops



Brussels, Belgium, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2025



EU countries agreed to push forward with plans to ease current restrictions on some gene-edited crops -- a move backed by farmer groups but opposed by environmentalists.

Representatives for the bloc's 27 nations endorsed, with a few changes, a European Commission proposal aiming at allowing broader use of plants obtained by so-called new genomic techniques (NGTs).

"The proposal aims to boost innovation and sustainability within the agrifood sector, while contributing to food security and reducing external dependencies," the European Council said in a statement.

The council will now have to negotiate the final text with the European Parliament, with labelling and patenting expected to be among the most contentious issues.

Plans to relax the current rules on genetically modified organisms (GMO) were first put forward by the commission in 2023.

Proponents say some NGTs only speed up genetic modifications that could have come about naturally or through traditional cross-breeding procedures -- thus warranting looser regulation.

The commission argued NGTs could help grow crops that require fewer pesticides, are better adapted to climate change and need less water.

The idea was broadly backed last year by the EU parliament, which voted in favour of the creation of two categories of NGT plants.

NGT 1 plants -- considered to be equivalent to their naturally occurring varieties -- would be freed from authorisations, labelling and monitoring rules for GMOs.

All other NGT plants would fall into the NGT 2 category, which would mostly remain under the GMO restrictions.



- Thorny debate -



On Friday member states agreed on the substance of the proposal, with a few amendments.

These include allowing member states to ban cultivation of NGT 2 on their territory and creating an "expert group" on the effect of patents on NGT plants.

The proposal was passed with a narrow majority, according to diplomats.

It was decried by environmental groups, which have said deregulation favours big corporations and ignores potential dangers to the environment.

"EU governments have voted on the side of a handful of big corporations' profits, instead of protecting farmers and consumers' right to transparency and safety," said Mute Schimpf of Friends of the Earth Europe.

"They have slashed regulatory oversight to zero and eliminated liability for untested new GMOs, gambling on empty promises for plants that don't even exist yet."

But Pan-European farmers' group Copa-Cogeca hailed the decision.

It "could revitalise European seed production and offer new opportunities to farmers and cooperatives by providing access to crop varieties that are more resistant to droughts and diseases, while improving yields and reducing input use," the group said.
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Fusion foods are a banal fact of life in our modern world. As supply chains  even despite a few creaks and creases  allow chefs and even laycooks to combine ingredients from all over the globe, collaborative creations are available anywhere and everywhere. Banh mi is bountiful; the simple application of burger buns Americanise an unholy amount of foods.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the cities of the world, where flavour combinations reflect diverse populations, cultures dine and intertwine, and pop-ups can risk it all by making burger buns out of noodles or pizza-fying sushi without the daunting prospect of having an established restaurant to make a success of.

All of this to say that it is hard to find a combination that inspires real shock, intrigue or even dread.

But if theres anything that the creators of Los Mochis were up for when they created their original Notting Hill restaurant and a subsequent central London location, it was a challenge.

The concept of fusing Mexican and Japanese cuisine feels basely wrong.

Japanese cuisine is often pared-back and precise. Ginger and wasabi are weaponised to cut through dour tones of soy. Mexican food is a full-hearted celebration of flavour, charcoal-cooked meats and spice offset with a fresh lime-y acidity.

The two together could only cancel each other out. Soy can only arrest the punch of a well-formed taco. The tar-like viscosity of Oaxacas pride and joy, the dark sauce called mole, would make short work of ginger.

The quintessential dining experience is different, too. One is a family affair filled with recipes often protected and passed by word of mouth, the other a personal dining culture, revelling in servings of simplicity.

Surprisingly, Markus Thesleff, the founder and CEO of Los Mochis, is upfront about this. Its like painting with two different brushes, he tells me, before gesturing to his executive head chef, Leonard Tanyag, but he found a way to combine them.

There is a spectre haunting peoples perceptions of Mexican food  and that spectre is Taco Bell. But people are waking up to authentic post-Tex Mex cuisine. Theres a real interest in Mexican food, but not much of a knowledge about it, Michelle of Stoke Newington taco stop Sonora Taqueria tells me. The shop brings the classics of northern Mexico, from carne asada to nopales.

open image in gallery Leonard Tanyag in his element ( Supplied )

Michelle started her shop because she missed the food of her home and makes a sharp distinction between the low-end and high-end. Tacos are not fancy. They are meant to be affordable. You eat them on the side of the street, Michelle tells me. So people are craving a real Mexican experience, but can a fusion provide that?

Adversely, Japanese cuisine has been a prolific global delicacy for a while now. The sushi phenomenon rode into the global consciousness on the back of the 00s, reflecting the technological age with a focus on precision cuts and aesthetic beauty.

For me, Japanese food is about simplicity and fresh ingredients, Tanyag tells me. His journey began in Kofu, a small Japanese town where he got a start in an Izakaya (a more laidback sushi restaurant). There, the chef never used suppliers. You bought it from the market, and then you used it.

Hes brought this dedication with him to London. Its on full display at Los Mochis, TENrei: The Art of Tuna Ceremony every second Tuesday of the month, featuring a bluefin responsibly and sustainably sourced from Balfego. This event, Thesleff passionately tells me, strives to communicate the true beauty of the fish, often misunderstood, but never denied upon tasting.

The pride and joy of Thesleff and Tanyags fusion achievements is its tasting menu taken in their newly built London City establishment. The place itself feels transplanted straight from a high-rise establishment in Monterrey. Typical suited city chatter and low lighting indicate that this will be a classic foreign cuisine in a city experience. Small bites and stock market talk. But its that promise of fusion that keeps the intrigue alive.

open image in gallery Mexican spirit meets Japanese precision  Los Mochis City proves fusion can be more than a gimmick ( Handout )

The Latin element floods the decor, soft-coloured but strikingly impressive works from Mexico City-based artist Telleache. Dotted around the space are unfortunate instances of ofrendas (Day of the Dead shrines) emblazoned with the restaurants name and adorned with colourful skulls. These kinds of totems to the globalised understanding of Mexico are not uncommon, but their presence  not only giving permanence to something traditionally temporary  is an unfortunate reminder that what we will taste is a facsimile of the idolised real thing.

With all this Mexico-loaded decor, one wonders: how will the Japanese elements find their way in? The first stage of the tasting menu is salmon tiradito, featuring precise cuts of the fish sporting a bright wasabi salsa. A firmly Japanese eating experience with palpitations of bold Mexican flavour worked into the tendons of the perfect cut.

In this dish and the subsequent seabass ceviche with shiso-truffle soy, we see head chef Tanyags commitment to prestige. The cuts of the latter plate are buoyant to bite, almost like fresh fruit. The spice and umami do seem to embrace for a time, but they arent falling into each other in a perfect fusion yet, more orbiting in the hopes of coalescence.

The preparation for such dishes is painstaking and purposeful, a perfect example of Los Mochis' love of a challenge. A wholehearted commitment to nut-free and gluten-free dishes means that everything  including the sauces and tamari-based soy elements  is made from scratch. There was a lot of experimenting, Tanyag tells me  Thesleff mentions a face-off between him and 32 nigiri in the testing stage. But before we decided, we made sure we could deliver. This base-level alchemy provides him with complete control over the dishes.

The fruits of all these challenges and experimentation are served in a predictable but welcome fashion, in the form of maki and tacos. For all the pomp and circumstance, the dishes sit there with an unassuming, rudimentary look. No sushi rolls made of totopos. No soy-drenched chilaquiles.

open image in gallery Nowhere to hide: simple, clean, but with a jalapeno salsa verde surprise ( Supplied )

This simplicity is ultimately a deceit. Here is our fusion.

The cucumber maki is the simplest of dishes. Theres nowhere to hide on that plate, Thesleff admits. But a beautifully light jalapeno salsa verde covers the perfectly rolled morsels. The separation of the cuisines is almost insulting to the eye  one served drenched with the other, but they come together in the mouth.

The yakiniku taco has that dark, smokey taste of Mexican meat, but it ties off with a beautiful umami dive courtesy of a soy-sesame marinade. The moment where one taste becomes the other is undetectable and this is as much about where the fusion is hiding as much as it is the obvious collaborative nature of the meat. There is pickled orange and ginger at the bottom of that taco; youre getting hit from all sides, Thesleff says with an enthusiasm that would have you think hes just eaten one himself.

The love and appreciation for both cuisines is evident. There is nous behind what ostensibly feels like novelty.

Far away from the bustle of their newer central digs though, hiding upstairs from the original restaurant in Notting Hill is something spectacular.

open image in gallery At Juno Omakase, omakase means leaving it to the chefs  and trusting them to blow your mind ( Handout )

A delightful omakase journey in 15 small courses, served directly by the chef, each one brimming with creativity and poise. The fusion here isnt the main event; it's more of a Japanese tradition with an innovative Mexican twist.

Truly, if Los Mochis diners delight in the pearls of an unseen, talented chefs creation, Juno Omakase allows you to watch the beauty being constructed, to ask questions and to learn more. And this is now available in their central location with the opening of Luna Omakase, a chefs table situated within London City Los Mochis.

Its a joy to behold these creations and such talented chefs in a more personal setting. As the courses persist, a flourish of gusano (worm) salt here and the transmutation of pickled ginger to jicama (Mexican root vegetable) reiterate their understanding of both cuisines.

The word omakase means Ill leave it up to you, and feels pertinent for the growing cluster of restaurants in general. If you had to trust anyone with the challenge of Japanese-Mexican fusion, its these people.
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Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that the only thing saving him from financial ruin at his new pub is selling his own Hawkstone beer and cider.

The former Top Gear presenter paid less than 1m for the pub, formerly known as The Windmill, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire.

He opened the new venture last summer following the success of his Diddy Squat farm and accompanying farm shop, which are at the centre of his Amazon farming series Clarksons Farm.

Clarkson has previously revealed fears over making profit at the farm, and also faced backlash for the prices of food and drink available at the pub, with mains ranging from 15 to 19 and pints for 5.50.

But Clarkson has revealed in a new Instagram post that the only thing saving him from financial ruin is serving his own beer and cider, from his brewery Hawkstone.

Welcome to The Farmers Dog, its a pub Ive had for about six months now, and Ive worked out it is a brilliant way of turning 100 into about 94 using nothing but costings, he told followers.

The only thing that is saving me from financial ruin is the fact that we serve Hawkstone lager and Hawkstone cider.

He then cheekily offered for other pubs to start stocking Hawkstone, by offering 1000 free kegs of beers to any pub landlords who get in touch with him.

open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson is giving away 1,000 free kegs to fellow publicans ( Instagram via @Hawkestone )

If youve got a pub and if you want to see if this strategy works for you as well, get in touch with us at our website, and if we like the sound of your pub, if it is the kind of place we want to be in, well send you a free keg, he said. 88 pints of Hawkstone lager or cider for nothing.

Clarkson has been no stranger to voicing the financial hardship that farming and brewery businesses face, since he delved into the world of hospitality and agriculture when he took over the Diddly Squat farm in 2019.

open image in gallery Queues for the opening day of The Farmers Dog pub last summer ( PA Wire )

Clarkson launched his brewery company Hawkstone Lager in 2021  so opening seemed like the natural next move.

Despite being warned about the high number of pub closures in the UK, how hard it would be to make money by having only a British food menu and finding staff post-Brexit, he believed itd all be fine.

However, Clarkson admitted in a column published in The Times was hit with a different reality  owning a pub required hiring a whole kitchen of workers, serving staff and dealing with an accident one costumer had in the

It is galling to see how much effort is required to make so little money on the farm, he said. Its worse at the pub. The customers are coming. Theres no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible.

Last year, the presenter described the whole process of becoming a pub landlord as terribly stressful and said there are many inconveniences that you dont think about.
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When Kim Kardashian traveled with her sister Khloe to India last July for the wedding of Anat Ambani, shed assumed the experience would remind her of Disneys Aladdin  but to her surprise, it didnt.

In the most recent episode of The Kardashians on Hulu, cameras followed Kim and Khloe as they set off to Mumbai, India, on a quick 48-hour trip to celebrate the son of Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in Asia, getting married to Radhika Merchant.

The two Los Angeles-based reality stars arrived in India for the first time at midnight. Before they went to sleep, Kim and Khloe did a fitting for their ceremonial looks, hoping to make the most of their short time overseas.

Were only here for 48 hours, and we do have a schedule, Khloe explained in her confessional with the shows producers. Were planning to go to some of the local markets before we have to go to the wedding so we can enjoy as much of India as possible.

open image in gallery Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian traveled to India for 48 hours to celebrate the wedding of Anat Ambani, the son of the wealthiest man in Asia, back in July 2024 ( Instagram/Kim Kardashian )

The 44-year-old Skims co-founder seconded her sisters statement, noting how she wanted to explore the city too.

The pair would be disappointed though, as, according to Kim, they thought the markets they were visiting would be similar to those seen in the 1992 Disney animation, which is set in the fictional Middle Eastern city of Agrabah, not India.

I thought it was going to be like the marketplace, Kim said. This is like the streets.

What you see Aladdin going through and stealing some bread from. This is where I thought we were going, she added.

It wasnt the only shock they were in for. The duo, who are used to being driven around L.A., were told they would be walking to the street sellers rather than being escorted by car or rickshaw.

The walk was less than pleasant for Kim, who was startled by everything around her, from the car horns to a stray dog.

open image in gallery Kim assumed her experience in Mumbai would be similar to what she saw in the 1992 Disney film Aladdin ( Hulu )

Oh! I dont do random dogs! she exclaimed, to which Khloe quipped: At least theres a Starbucks here.

In her confessional, Khloe joked: Were not in Calabasas anymore.

Theres rickshaws going by, everyone was so surprised, like: What the f*** are these people doing here? she added.

Kim described the setting of the street vendors as mayhem.

Online, viewers were appalled by Kims unrealistic expectations for what her time in India would look like, especially because the Disney picture is trying to depict an entirely different culture.

One commenter wrote: Agrabah and Aladdin isnt even based in India, its supposed to be the Middle East and is a fictionalized portrayal of Middle Eastern culture (or at least an attempt). They should have tried the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Spoiler: it wasnt a magic carpet ride! Guess she was expecting more, a second joked on X/Twitter.
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Meghan Markles upcoming podcast has been called out for its similarities to another podcast.

On Thursday, the Duchess of Sussex announced on Instagram that she would be launching a podcast starting on April 8, titled Confessions of a Female Founder. On it, she plans to speak to other female business owners about how they became successful, as Meghan plans to do the same with her own business.

However, people were quick to turn to X to point out that there is a podcast called Confessions of a CEO, on which Kelci Borges talks about her experience of being a female founder. There is also another podcast called Confessions of a Founder by Alysha M. Campbell and a YouTube series titled Confessions of a Female Founder by YouTuber Kady Meite.

Stealing ideas again, someone wrote on X, alongside a screenshot of one of Meites videos.

Another person agreed, writing, Well That didnt take long to figure out where Meghan Markle STOLE the idea for @LemonadaMedia. Shame on Meghan Markle for always STEALING ideas from Women & passing it off as her own.

Meghan Markles podcast was compared to other podcasts with similar names that all featured female CEOS and founders discussing their business success ( Netflix )

More like I confess from who I stole my business ideas, a third person posted on X.

However, speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle Meite acknowledged that while she appreciates her fans looking out for her, she acknowledges that coincidences also happen. I completely understand why people are drawing connections, and I truly appreciate the support and understand their intention. But I also understand coincidences as well, she said. It is highly unlikely Meghan even came across my channel but I am flattered by the thought.

What does concern me is how quickly this is turning into another reason to drag a woman down. Thats not something I want to contribute to. I know firsthand what it feels like to have my work actually copied...this isnt that, she added.

This isnt the first time Meghan has been accused of reusing brand names and logos that another company previously had.

Last month, she was accused of copying a small Majorcan towns coat of arms in her rebrand, As Ever, but the villages mayor confessed they couldnt afford to sue her. The news came shortly after she announced the relaunch of her lifestyle business after running into difficulties with the former American Riviera Orchards trademarking.

In addition to changing her brands name, she also introduced a new logo for the company comprised of a palm tree with two hummingbirds flapping their wings on either side of it.

However, a small Majorcan village, Porreres, in Spain, spoke out about Meghans logo, mentioning similarities with the towns official symbol. Porreres coat of arms also features a palm tree, with two swallows on each side.

Speaking to El Pais, the mayor of the municipality, Xisca Mora, claimed that As Evers logo is a total copy of Porreres coat of arms. Mora then also met with the legal service of the city council to discuss the next steps to handle the situation.

However, she confessed that Porreres does not have the financial backing to sue Meghan over the logo.

Reporting plagiarism is complicated and expensive, and a small town hall like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown, she explained.

Mora said she planned to ask Meghans company to remove the logo as the design has been a meaningful symbol for Porreres since 1370. The mayor also noted that their coat of arms has been carved into many different buildings in the small town.

Speaking to The Independent, a representative for Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, defended her brands decision to use the logo.

The logo incorporates a palm tree as a nod to The Duke and Duchesss home in California, along with two hummingbirds  a favorite of Prince Harrys, they said in the statement.

The distinct shape enclosing the birds and tree was intentionally designed to create a unique and personal emblem. As part of the process, comprehensive global searches of registered trademarks were conducted.
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The death of Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was paralyzed in the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, has been ruled a homicide.

The 43-year-old died last month of injuries she sustained from gunshot wounds nearly 26 years after the school massacre.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office classified her death on February 16 a homicide in a report released Wednesday. Her cause of death was sepsis, with the two gunshot wounds she sustained in the shooting being a significant contributing factor, wrote forensic pathologist Dr Dawn B Holmes in the 13-page report.

Almost 26 years ago, on April 20, 1999, two teenagers rushed the high school in Columbine, Colorado and fatally shot a dozen classmates and a teacher. Hochhalter was left paralyzed in the attack.

open image in gallery Anne Marie Hochhalter attends a vigil for the 25th anniversary of the mass shooting, on April 19, 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

With Hochhalters death, the total number of people who died from the shooting, not including the two teenage attackers who shot themselves, is now 14.

The other Columbine victims were: Teacher William "Dave" Sanders, 47; Cassie Bernall, 17; Steve Curnow, 14; Corey DePooter, 17; Kelly Fleming, 16; Matt Kechter, 16; Daniel Mauser, 15; Daniel Rohrbough, 15; Rachel Scott, 17; Isaiah Shoels, 18; Lauren Townsend, 18; John Tomlin, 16 and Kyle Velasquez, 16.

Hochhalters brother Nathan said a pressure sore, a common problem for people living with paralysis, led to sepsis. He said he knew that his sisters life would likely be shorter because of her paralysis but her death this early was unexpected.

We didnt think it would be this bad this soon, he said.

Hochhalter struggled with intense pain from her gunshot wounds in the years following the shooting, but fought hard to to overcome the complications of her injuries and remain positive, family and friends said.

Her own tragedy was deepened by the suicide of her mother Carla, six months after the school shooting. Hochhalter said her mother suffered from depression and said she did not believe the shootings were directly to blame for her death.

After her mothers passing, she became the acquired daughter of another family that lost a child in the Columbine shooting, Lauren Townsend. Townsends stepmother, Sue Townsend, reached out to help Hochhalter as a way to cope with her own grief, but eventually Hochhalter was coming over for family dinners and joining them on vacations.

She brought a light to our lives that will shine for a long time, Townsend said.

open image in gallery Hochhalter at a vigil in July 2012 for victims of the movie theatre mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado ( AP )

Hochhalter attended a vigil marking the 25th anniversary of the shooting last year, after skipping a similar event five years earlier because of post-traumatic stress disorder, she said in a social media post.

This time she said she was flooded with happy memories from her childhood and said she wanted those killed remembered for how they lived, not how they died.

Ive truly been able to heal my soul since that awful day in 1999, she wrote.

Since Columbine, there have been over 390 school shootings resulting in the deaths of at least 203 people, according to Brady United, the nations oldest gun violence prevention group.

A then-17-year-old Hochhalter was eating lunch with her friends when she was shot in the back and chest. Her injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down and with chronic pain.

She devoted her life to advocating for gun violence prevention and recently appeared at a 25th anniversary vigil to honor the victims.

In 2016, she penned a letter to one of the mothers of the assailants, Sue Klebold, telling her: Just as I wouldnt want to be judged by the sins of my family members, I hold you in that same regard...Its been a rough road for me, with many medical issues because of my spinal cord injury and intense nerve pain, but I choose not to be bitter towards you."

Hochhalter loved dogs and helping members of her family, relatives told CNN.

With reporting from the Associated Press
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On February 17, a 32-year-old man set fire to a Connecticut home in a desperate attempt to escape two decades of allegedly being starved and held captive there by his stepmother.

Police and fire officials arrived at the Waterbury home after the stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, called 911.

While receiving medical care, the male victim disclosed to first responders that he had intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room, stating, I wanted my freedom, Waterbury police said in a statement on Facebook. He further alleged that he had been held captive by Sullivan since he was approximately 11 years old.

Sullivan, 56, was arrested and has been charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment.

She has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty at a Friday arraignment. Sullivan remains outside outside of jail after posting a $300,000 bond.

Heres what you need to know about the shocking allegations:

A 911 call uncovers heartbreaking cruelty

open image in gallery The home of Kimberly Sullivan in Waterbury, Connecticut. Police say she kept her stepson there for years ( AP )

open image in gallery Sullivan has denied the allegations. Weeks after her arrest, police released photos from inside the home showing the conditions ( Waterbury Police Department )

Police said they found Sullivans stepson in severe condition, with one official comparing him to a survivor of a Nazi death camp.

The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable, police chief Fernando Spagnolo said after the arrest of the mans stepmother.

Body camera footage of the rescue has been released, showing officers carrying the injured man out of the house.

Local authorities said he had an adolescent mental function and weighed 68 pounds.

He showed signs of cachexia, a physical wasting syndrome usually associated with victims of severe cancers and was severely emaciated, near starvation, and hadnt gotten proper food or medical care in years.

A contentious court case

Fridays arraignment gave some indication of the shape of the case to come.

Prosecutors have outlined how theyll allege that Sullivan hid her son out of public view.

"A friend of the defendant's of 21 years has come forward and provided a written statement to the state, to the police that in the 21 years she's known this defendant, she's never spoken of a stepson, " Assistant States Attorney Donald Therkildsen said in court, according to NBC News, while adding more witnesses have been in touch.

"She was shocked to learn she had a stepson, and that that friend was never allowed in this house."

Another issue will likely by the fairness of the trail itself.

Ioannis Kaloidis, Sullivans lawyer, objected to a proposal to confine Sullivan to house arrest, arguing it would send the signal shes already being considered guilty.

I understand the whole world wants to convict Ms. Sullivan and the whole world has, he said. But this is the only place, the only room, we have to protect her rights.

The judge ended up splitting the difference, denying conditions of house arrest but ordering Sullivan subject to GPS location monitoring.

The allegations are arguably the most troubling that Ive seen during my tenure as a judge and show really an unthinkable amount of lack of empathy, and I do stress that they are just allegations, Superior Court Judge Joseph Schwartz said.

open image in gallery The stepson reportedly decided to light the fire in the room on the spur of the moment, using hand sanitizer, paper, and a lighter he had found while doing his chores, alerting officials to his condition ( Waterbury Police Department )

Hunger every day and severe neglect

The stepson said that beginning as a young child, his stepmother kept him locked in an eight by nine foot room most of the day, only letting him out to go to school or do household chores, according to court documents obtained by The New York Times.

The rest of the time, he remained in the room, where he was allegedly made to defecate onto newspapers laid out onto the floor and urinate in a bottle, while suffering from hunger, All day, every day, my entire life, according to the documents.

To pass the time, the boy would listen to a radio on the other side of his door or count cars driving by his window.

At school, he would beg classmates for food or scavenge from trash cans, according to the paper.

Later, the child was pulled from school, and began living a life of brutally consistent deprivation, he said in a police warrant in the case, locked from the outside in a room with no heat or air virtually 24/7.

Neighbors have recounted fleeting glances of a pale child looking out the window of the house or briefly spending time in the yard before disappearing from public view for long stretches.

The last time the boy left the property was as a teenager to dump yard waste with his father, per the warrant.

The stepson, who has not been named publicly, told police he was too afraid to escape and knew his stepmother had a gun.

Due to an alleged lack of medical care, the sons teeth would regularly fall out as he ate his daily allotment of two sandwiches, he claims.

She completely maintains her innocence, from our perspective. These allegations are not true. They are outlandish. She was blown away when she heard these allegations, Sullivans lawyer told NBC Connecticut. We look forward to being able to vindicate her and show that shes done nothing wrong.

open image in gallery Sullivan was released on bond after her arrest ( AP )

Authorities investigated home multiple times before fateful 911 call

School officials reportedly contacted the state Department of Children and Family, who visited the home on two occasions.

The department said after Sullivans arrest it was "unable to locate any records pertaining to this family nor any records connected to the names of others who have indicated they made reports to our Department, though it noted it expunges records of abuse and neglect that havent been investigated or substantiated after five years.

The boy didnt return to school after the second visit.

Police also visited the home in 2005 for a welfare check, after the boys schoolmates reported their concerns, and did not find cause for further investigation.

The house was clean. It was lived-in, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo told reporters earlier this month. They spoke to the victim at that point in time and there were no cause for any alarm or any conditions that existed that would have led officers to believe anything other than a normal childhood in a normal family existence.

A sudden plan for freedom

The stepson reportedly decided to light the fire on the spur of the moment, using hand sanitizer, paper, and a lighter he had found while doing his chores, alerting officials to his condition.

He alleges his stepmother and a third individual, redacted in court documents, rushed to wash his face and try to remove the lock from his door to conceal the conditions of his captivity.

Sullivans next court date is set for March 28.

A biological mother in shock

The boy was living with his stepmother and his biological father during his alleged captivity.

His biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, gave up custody in 1993 shortly after her son was born. She told NBC Connecticut that she and the boys father had lost custody of a previous child after the father was accused of shaking the baby, and that she thought her son would have a better life if placed in another home.

"Things didnt work out between the two of us, and I was thinking that I was giving my son a better chance at a full life," she told the outlet. "If I had known ... I just cant fathom ... I have no words."

Vallerand and the accusers half-sister, Heather Tessman, have vowed to attend the court proceedings.

The biological father of the man at the center of the case died in 2024.
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A youth pastor who worked for an international megachurch has been arrested for the possession of child abuse images.

Daniel Menelaou, 28, was arrested in Georgia after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip-off accusing him of sharing sexually explicit child sex abuse videos.

The pastor, who worked for Futures, a megachurch in Alpharetta, Georgia, was charged Wednesday with the possession or control of any material depicting a minor in sexually explicit conduct, according to warrants seen by Atlanta News First.

At the center of the allegations are a number of explicit videos that involved children and were shared via the Kik messaging app, according to the arrest warrants.

Roswell police officer Tim Lupo told the outlet that authorities seized several electronic devices when Menelaou, from Adelaide, Australia, was arrested.

Its egregious behavior regardless of who is engaged in it in particular somebody that has connections to young people and it raises the threat level to another degree, Lupo said.

open image in gallery Menelaou worked as a youth pastor for Futures Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Services are hosted at Phase Family Learning Center  a preschool centre ( Google Maps )

According to social media posts, Menelaou was involved with the group Young Adults Alpharetta and was featured in a video on the churchs Instagram account on February 17. He was formerly involved with the South Australian youth community group Fearless Youth in 2022. Menelaous personal social media accounts have been deactivated.

A Futures spokesperson told ANF that Menelaou was placed on immediate administrative leave as soon as the organization became aware of his arrest.

However, they said they did not know the full extent of the charges until recently. His position has now been terminated, the spokesperson said.

The church also provided a statement to Fox5 that read: "The charges against Daniel Menelaou are abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for. We are horrified by what has been revealed and categorically condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms.

Until his arrest, we had no prior knowledge of any allegations or indication of wrongdoing. The details outlined in the arrest warrant are deeply disturbing and stand in total opposition to our unwavering commitment to protecting children.

Our priority remains the well-being of our community, and we will continue to do everything in our power to support those affected.

Menelaou was issued with a $20,000 surety bond, according to jail records. An investigation is ongoing.

The Independent contacted Futures Megachurch and Roswell Police Department for comment.
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Fox News has been dismissed from a former producers sexual assault lawsuit against one-time network star Ed Henry.

Fox fired Henry in July 2020 after an outside investigation was launched into "willful sexual misconduct in the workplace," which was triggered by a complaint filed with the network by former Fox Business producer Jennifer Eckhart. An internal memo to the Fox staff at the time called the investigation and finding a very serious matter.

Eckhart filed her lawsuit that same month against Henry and Fox News.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams ruled Wednesday that there was no direct evidence that Fox News was aware of Henrys alleged harassment of Eckhart before it occurred.

The judge also noted that Eckhart had acknowledged that she did not tell anyone at the network about their relationship until after she was terminated in mid-2020.

Fox News can be held liable for Henrys actions only if its management or supervisors knew or should have known about that purported misconduct yet failed to prevent Henry from harming Eckhart," Abrams said in her ruling. "On this record, the Court agrees that no reasonable jury could make that finding."

Eckhart plans to appeal the judges decision concerning Fox News. The suit is continuing against Henry.

Eckhart said she was grateful that Abrams had permitted most of her case against Henry to proceed. Hes now scheduled to face trial on May 12 over Eckharts claims of assault, battery, sex trafficking and harassment.

Henry, now an anchor at Fox's smaller right-wing competitor Newsmax, has argued that the pair engaged in consensual sex  and claimed that Eckhart wanted more of it, according to a court filing. He has said he expects to be vindicated in a final court ruling.

As for her planned appeal Eckhart said in a statement following Abrams ruling: The fight is bigger than me. It is about changing a corporate culture that continues to enable abuse, fear, intimidation and silence, which is why my legal team will be appealing the dismissal of my claims against Fox News.

In a statement provided to The Independent, a Fox News spokesperson said: We are pleased with the courts decision which speaks for itself. Upon learning of Jennifer Eckharts allegations in 2020, FOX News promptly conducted an investigation by an outside independent law firm and terminated Ed Henry within six days.

Discovery in this matter confirmed that FOX News was not aware of their relationship or of Ms. Eckharts allegations until after she left the company. The only people who know what happened between Mr. Henry and Ms. Eckhart are the two of them.

Eckhart claims the sex harassment began in 2015 when she was in her early twenties and Henry 48, and allegedly ended in a violent rape.

open image in gallery Ed Henry was terminated from Fox Newsafter an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He was a co-anchor the networks morning show Americas Newsroom ( AP )

Eckharts lawsuit argued that Fox actively ignored the risks that Henry presented, and that Fox supervisors knew he was harassing other women and failed to take action. But Judge Abrams ruled that Fox News did not know about any of them until after Eckhart and Henrys final sexual encounter in 2017.

Eckhart claims in her suit that she initially complied with demands from Henry, who was the chief White House correspondent at the time (and later co-host of the morning show America's Newsroom), to protect her career and feared professional consequences if she didnt do what he wanted.

Their encounters included sex as well as exchanging sexually explicit messages and images, according to the lawsuit. Other incidents allegedly included Henry telling Eckhart to remove her underwear and place it inside an envelope while the two were in the New York office.

Henry was reportedly suspended from Fox News in 2016 to participate in a sexual rehabilitation program after an an extramarital affair, according to the lawsuit.

On February 10, 2017 Eckhart claimed Henry violently raped her, leaving her wrists and lip bleeding  which has been fiercely disputed by Henry.

Eckhart worked at Fox News from 2013 until her termination in 2020.
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A Tennessee man has been accused of killing an 18-year-old after finding him in bed with his wife.

After being arrested for stabbing Billy J Floyd to death, Jonathan Belk, 41, allegedly later told police he was worried about his relationship with his wife because I offed him.

Belk had apparently found Floyd in bed with his 31-year-old wife, Jada Gholston, at their shared Dunlap, Tennessee home, about 40 miles north of Chattanooga.

Hed returned to the house from a work trip earlier than anticipated.

open image in gallery Billy Floyd, 18, was allegedly murdered Saturday after another man found him in bed with his wife ( Putnam-Reed Funeral Home )

Police said Belk stabbed Floyd to death before stuffing his body in a trash can. Floyds body was in a fetal position when officials found it, according to Law & Crime. Hed turned 18 three days before the encounter.

Upon arriving on scene, cops found Belk standing in his doorway covered in blood, the outlet reported.

Belks wife allegedly sustained several stab wounds from the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. She had notified police, telling them an unidentified man had attacked her boyfriend while they were in bed.

He said he walked away from the alleged murder worried about my relationship with my wife due to the fact that I offed him, police reported.

Belk has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held at the Sequatchie County Jail.

An investigation is ongoing. Police have still not been able to locate the knife used in the attack.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Floyds funeral expenses. It had reached $1,295 out of a $2,000 goal at the time of writing.

Per his obituary, the teenager enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheelers and working. He mostly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, the page reads.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.

This is an isolated incident to that home, and theres no reason to believe that anyone else would be in any danger, said Sequatchie County Sheriff Bill Phillips.
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An army veteran was shot after being accused of throwing bones from his Cheap Chicken Monday meal at a womans car in the parking lot of a Safeway in Seattle.

Jesse Grant, a father-of-three, had just finished eating his discount fried chicken dinner in a parked car when he was shot in the thigh, according to an incident report from the Seattle Police Department.

The shooter, who had not been identified, and another woman who police believe is her partner fled the scene shortly after the gunfire rang out.

If shes willing to shoot somebody over chicken, shes willing to shoot somebody over anything, he told Fox 13 in an interview from his hospital bed in the Emerald city.

open image in gallery Jesse Grant was shot in the leg after an altercation with a woman over discarded chicken bones allegedly striking her vehicle ( Jesse Grant/GoFundMe )

Grant, a manager at a T-Mobile store and US Army veteran, admitted in his interview to throwing the bones out of his friends cars windows to avoid messing up his vehicle as they chowed down after work.

A woman parked beside them felt as though Grant was throwing the bones directly at her car, which led to the initial showdown.

Grant became increasingly irate after the woman allegedly attempted to slash his car tires with a pair of scissors, he told Fox 13.

Video obtained by the station shows Grant swinging the woman around in a headlock and attempting to put her in a citizens arrest.

open image in gallery The woman, seen with a gun in her hand by her side, later pointed the gun at Grant's head ( Fox News/Jesse Grant )

Youre stabbing my f***ing tires, the man could be heard saying in the clip. Youre under arrest motherf*****. A citizens arrest.

A scuffed wheel arch and a pair of scissors on the ground are shown in the recording.

The woman was filmed pulling a firearm from her waistband before pointing it at Grants head. The man said he did not notice that the suspect was armed.

Youre throwing f***ing chicken at my f***ing car, the woman shouted, to which Grant replied: You stepped out on some chicken.

The woman again turned the gun on Grant, this time pulling the trigger. Grant was struck in the thigh, which caused both him and the shooter to immediately drop to the floor.

open image in gallery Jesse Grant fell to the floor after being shot in the thigh by the unidentified woman ( Fox News/Jesse Grant )

Im going to shoot you again bro, the woman could be heard saying in the clip as the pair wrestled for the gun.

Another woman, who police believe to be the suspects partner, rushed over and attempted to pull Grant away.

At that point, the camera pans away as Grants colleague intervenes.

I was in the military, I never got shot but I get shot in Safeway over some chicken, Grant told Fox13, shaking his head from a hospital bed.

I was throwing the chicken onto the ground outside my windows so I didnt get any mess in my co-worker's car, he added.

Grant has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover his medical bills.

The Independent has contacted the Seattle Police Department for more information.
The landmark case is being closely watched since it is the first to go to trial among 41 similar parish lawsuits against oil companies seeking to hold them to account for coastal damage.
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, and is a key year for achieving the goals and targets outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. China has taken new and solid strides for Chinese modernization.

On the livelihood front, social security measures remained solid and robust, with per capita disposable income nationwide growing by 5.1% in real terms. Support for compulsory education, basic pension, basic medical care, and social assistance was strengthened.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Editor: GSY
If you're African American or in certain organized or social groups, you know there's a national DEI boycott planned for Friday. If you haven't heard about it, know that some Black folks  along with allies  will be living their normal lives without buying breakfast, lunch or dinner out, without buying coffee, snacks and soda at a neighborhood convenience store and without going to a local or big box store to shop for clothes or groceries. The idea is for enough Black people to withdraw from commerce while standing together in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion and against companies that have moved away from DEI, a valuable business approach and strategy that works to make things better for everyone.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It is a Monday night in Western Australias largest remote Aboriginal community, Bidyadanga, and pool managers Linda and Scott Kendall are chopping 12 kilos of chicken thighs for a free curry night. This is not your usual pool, and the job of aquatic managers like the Kendalls in eight remote Aboriginal communities managed by Royal Life Saving Society in Western Australia goes beyond teaching laps to being generous hosts. It is 26 years since the first remote pools opened in communities like Jigalong and Balgo, says the states RLSS general manager Greg Tate, and they are making a difference. Water safety is at our core, but this program is bigger than that. It is about social impact, and the health and education and employment it provides to the local community, says Tate, who, along with this masthead, is staying overnight at the Kendalls. If you didnt go to school, you dont get to go the pool in Bidyadanga, one of the remote pools in Western Australia found to improve community wellbeing and health. Credit: Tamati Smith This program is saving lives in other ways. It is making massive improvements in health, kids can hear, and they do better at school. It is not a panacea, we cant solve it all, but we can help. The next morning the Kendalls open a dozen jars of curry sauce while they talk to Tate. They had bought the last remaining ingredients in Broome 180 kilometres away before cyclone Zelia hit the area south in mid-February.

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After supervising the morning swim on Tuesday, the Kendalls finish cooking for that night. When the red curry paste hits the oil, everyone gasps as the chilli catches our throats. It is nearly as hot as the temperature outside, averaging 35 to 42 degrees for the last week. A child throws a ball in the air near the remote pool in Bidyadanga while pool manager Linda Kendall sits nearby. Credit: Tamati Smith Told by the local Karajarri Aboriginal community they wanted a proper feed, the Kendalls add coconut milk, garlic, ginger, kaffir lime, bean shoots, bamboo shoots, zucchini, broccoli and carrots. The remote pool program, funded by the Department of Communities, was started by a former state housing minister who noticed chlorinated water improved the health of people living in overcrowded houses by reducing skin and hearing infections. Children in remote communities in the Pilbara and Kimberley were arriving at school with ear, nose and throat infections, sometimes even deaf due to the dust problems, RLSS chief executive Peter Leaversuch said. It was a fascinating dilemma actually because everyone knows, health principle 101 is if you have an ear or sinus infection dont go swimming. In these small communities, diving into the chlorinated water has had outstanding benefits in terms of hygiene, plus the mental health benefits of having a swim.

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Three reviews have found these free pools improve mental and physical health. The first, by famous Western Australia epidemiologist Professor Fiona Stanley, tracked health over six years at the first three pools, finding drops of 44 per cent in ear disease, 51 per cent in skin disease and a 63 per cent drop in respiratory infections. As a result, antibiotics also fell 41 per cent. After a report found pool infrastructure is ageing and access to pools was worse in remote and regional areas, RLSSA is encouraging governments to build more pools like these across Australia and maintain existing stock. The latest report by the Centre for Social Impact with the University of Western Australia looked at similar remote and community pools to Bidyadanga in the Pilbara and found they had become community hubs. They often hosted dinners, baptisms, bands, and Blue Light discos run by local police. Jigalong, population 306, had 78 events at its pool in 12 months. The remote pool programs No School No Pool policy  where attendance determined whether a child could swim  had widespread support, particularly as attendance some days is as low as 20 to 30 per cent in some communities. Education, said one elder, was number one important, especially for my people ... thats why theres always been a big push  get your mob to school. In Bidgy, the locals term for Bidyadanga, a boy was told to go back to school to get proof of attendance. He came back with a large stamp, MON for Monday, on his arm, and jumped in.

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Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community chief executive Tania Baxter said the pool offered much to her community  with a population fluctuating from 800 to 1000 people  including health benefits, including improved fitness and reduction in skin infection. People of all ages benefit from this service with families bringing babies and young children, and older ages using the facility. In a remote community, there are very few [if any] recreational facilities to provide fun and respite within a safe, controlled setting. Stamp of approval: With proof of attendance, this child can dive in. Credit: Tamati Smith At the world drowning prevention conference in Perth two years ago, Graeme Pollett, then pool manager at Balgo who is now overseeing the most remote of pools, Kalumburu, said his job had the longest commute in Australia  a four-day drive to work from Perth. It is a tough gig, he said. It is 650 kilometres to the nearest Coles. It is always hot, sometimes the cold tap hits 42 degrees  There is substandard housing, and overcrowding, 10 people share a home, and several homes have 17 or more. Air-conditioning is a luxury, and there is a high rate of chronic disease. Like 68 per cent of Indigenous communities, Balgo had active cases of trachoma, a preventable disease where bacteria leads to eye loss. It has been eliminated in every other developed country other than Australia. Problems often seem too great, Pollett told the audience. But we are making a huge difference, he said citing programs like No School, No Pool.

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As soon as we get back to town, and the pool reopens, eye and ear infections magically disappear. Kids [at school] are more settled, not fidgeting as much, and they can hear better. That in turn leads to a better life and reduces adult incarcerations. Bidga shop managers Emma and Ben said trouble drops 100 per cent when the pool is open. Royal Life Saving Society Western Australia general manager Greg Tate at the Bidyadanga community pool. Credit: Tamati Smith for The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age The Kendalls, among the few non-Indigenous people in the community, say they dont assume to know what is best. At the regular yarning session, locals had told them they wanted, More food, better food [no more sausage sizzles or burgers] and a deeper deep end. The Kendalls couldnt make the 25-metre pool any deeper, but they could make curry for 120. The couple has worked in remote pools off and on for 20 years. Scotts day starts at 5.30am, when he opens the pool for morning laps and checks the water quality. They run a before-school swim club where Linda teaches students ranging from kindergarten to year 12.

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Police working on a missing persons investigation have made the gruesome discovery of suspected adult human remains buried on a semi-rural property on Sydneys north-western fringe. Three people are now in custody.

Police were called to a home at Gleness Place in Glenorie about 11.30am on Friday as part of inquiries into a missing man, and located the remains in an adjoining paddock.

The 39-year-old man, who lives in the Nepean area, was reported missing at 9pm the night before by a family member who directed police to the Gleness Place property.

It is not clear how long he had been missing.
Doing deals with Trump is no protection Shaun Carneys writes in  Dont despair, were not America  (13/3) that we havent ... handed the keys to a fantasist leader of a failed insurrection whos determined to create an oppressive state where only his friends and champions have total freedom. There is a sense of naivety about his comment, Trump has no ideology. He has no plan. None of it makes any sense. It makes perfect sense to Trumps billionaire backers who have always thought democracy was a bit of a nuisance. They would have no qualms about destroying the lifestyle we ordinary Australians enjoy. And they have many sympathisers here. On many fronts, we have to be prepared to defend what we cherish about being Australian. Maybe doing deals with Trump wont cut it. Bill King, Camberwell

Melanie LaBrooys article, ( US now the monster under the bed 14/3), documents persuasively the detrimental effects of the Trump administrations dismantling of democratic norms, conventional structures and verities such as honour and patriotism. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines treason as the offence of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the State to which the offender owes allegiance. Based on his reckless choice of woefully unqualified bureaucratic heads, and an insouciant disregard for even a rudimentary intellectual framework underpinning his governments domestic and foreign policies, it is surely not hyperbolic to see the current US president as criminally disruptive. One wonders what the infamous Red baiter of the 1940s, Wisconsin Republican senator Joseph Joe McCarthy, would have made of all this: in 2025, the stereotypical traitor he vehemently railed against decades ago would appear to be now sitting in the White House. Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza

To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au . Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published.

Still good men and women in the world

Moz Sweeney (Women fearful of Trumps rise, 12/3) is most definitely not alone in her sense of dread. I am a male in his sixties who also has put a blanket ban on any news about Trump. The mute is employed when watching the news when he appears. Many of my friends, male and female, do the same.

Trumps narcissistic, cruel and selfish agenda, both real and implied, implemented by mostly sycophantic, yes men, gets me wholly depressed. Moz can be encouraged that there are good people out there, both men and women, it just might take another four years for them to come to the fore.

Frank Flynn, Cape Paterson

Plucked like a chicken

There is an NFL game coming to the MCG next year. In the context of recent US international trade relations, patriotic Aussies should boycott it. And the Australian government should slap a 25 per cent surcharge or tariff, whatever you want to call it, on tickets.

We should not tolerate these inferior foreign sports plucking us like a chicken. With great national sports like AFL, A-League and NRL to watch, what would be the incentive? Come on Aussie come on!

Andrew Barnes, Ringwood

Protections dont work

While our leaders are vying for top spot in messages to President Trump, perhaps they could point out that the global economy is a zero-sum game.

Making the US great (i.e. rich) again by continuing past practice of harvesting money from every country on the planet will never work in the short-term or long term.

Several examples of this are already in play with Canada imposing 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion worth of US imports, with plans to expand to $155 billion and LCBO, the largest global purchaser of alcohol, reportedly no longer selling US products.

People will form their own conclusions and their own plans on how to respond, but a free market economy finds the most efficient means and efficient locations to produce things for the lowest cost. Protections lead to inefficiencies and higher costs.

Robert Brown, Camberwell

History repeats

Trump is always invoking history in many of his rants. He, Musk and other acolytes would do well to heed the lessons of the once great Roman empire, which rotted from the inside and finally collapsed due to its despotic and corrupt emperors.

George Djoneff, Mitcham

Dystopian prediction

I predict in five years Trump will still be president, either because he has declared martial law and wont hold an election, or because he simply refuses to leave office, and the Supreme Court is powerless to enforce the law.

At that point, Americans will stand in the ruins of their country, with a hopeless people starving in a deep economic recession with rampant inflation. Children will be dying from diseases eradicated in most of the rest of the world thanks to vaccination programs no longer available in the US.

The rich getting much richer will be at the expense of the ever-growing poor, with women and the LGBQI+ community considered lesser beings. And with so much civil unrest it resembles  or is  a civil war, and they will wonder how it ever came to this  and very few people will admit to ever voting for Trump.

Louise Kloot, Doncaster
Australia will be asked to send peacekeepers to Ukraine in a plan being put to national leaders at a European summit this weekend, despite signs of dissent as Russian president Vladimir Putin places new conditions on a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join the talks on Saturday night (AEDT), and is willing to consider a small deployment as a show of support with other democracies to defend international law.

Anthony Albanese will talk to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) about joining a coalition of the willing to help with a ceasefire in Ukraine as US President Donald Trump (right) negotiates with Russias Vladimir Putin. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

But the idea is turning into a heated political row after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stepped up his warnings against sending personnel to keep the peace, while saying he backed Ukraine in its attempts to turn back the Russian invasion.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer invited Albanese to join the summit in a phone hook-up with other members of a potential coalition of the willing to commit peacekeepers if Ukraine and Russia can reach an agreement to stop the war.
Australias main political leaders have adjusted their positions at speed this week as Trumps tariffs cut in. Dutton, who has had words of praise for Trump until recently  shrewd, a big thinker  twice this week distanced himself. And Albanese found his voice in denouncing the US tariffs. Trump is bound to dominate the weeks and months ahead. Even as the two Australian leaders wage a domestic political contest, the news cycle from abroad will keep intruding. Albanese and Dutton will be forced, again and again, to answer questions about Trump. They need to be extremely careful in positioning themselves. Getting it right could be a decisive advantage. Getting it wrong could be fatal. Loading Dutton first. To be fair to him, hes never been a carbon copy of Trump. He wants to cut immigration, but he doesnt propose mass deportations; he remains committed to free trade, not tariffs; he remains committed to supporting Ukraine, not Russia. But hes flirted with Trumpism. Most recently the Coalition thought it would be brilliant to mimic Trumps move in January to order all federal public servants to abandon working from home and return to the office five days a week. Dutton said it was unacceptable that public servants were refusing to go back to work. But the Coalition already had promised to get rid of 36,000 public servants if elected. They already had the base. It was Trump-inspired overkill to go the next step. All that Dutton achieved was to signal that he was uninterested in flexibility for working women.

The ACTU promised to campaign against the policy because it was an attack on flexible work arrangements, and it will hurt working women the most, according to president Michele ONeil. After just a week, Dutton started softening the policy. He didnt want to ban working from home, merely return it to its pre-COVID status as an exception rather than the rule. With Australia under attack from Trump, it will only become more politically dangerous for the Coalition to mimic his ideas. Trumps tariff decision was a dramatic moment; Dutton responded with a bet each way. He said he had a better chance of success because he would have a better relationship with Trump. It would be a respectful relationship mutually. So thats one bet  claiming a special relationship with Trump. But twice this week he distanced himself from the US leader. Asked whether he was a Temu Trump or a cut-price Trump, Dutton told podcast The Pay-Off with Sylvia Jeffreys that: Im my own person. The biggest influence in my political life has been John Howard and Peter Costello.

And he told Michelle Grattan for The Conversation: I was able to stand up to Trump on Ukraine and I think thats one of the important qualities in the next prime minister of our country. I want to make sure that I stand up for my values. More accurately, Dutton differed with Trump on Ukraine; he didnt actually speak with him. Thats his second bet  claiming he is a traditional Australian conservative who will stand to Trumps populist nationalism. Loading As for Albanese, hes been at pains to refrain from criticising Trump. He doesnt want to provoke him. For months, hed maintained the line that he wouldnt conduct a running commentary on the president. Two things happened. First, Trumps betrayal of Ukraine moved Albanese to differ with the US policy. Not by critiquing Trump directly but by offering a potential Australian contribution to any peacekeeping mission to separate Ukraine from Russia. Dutton declined to support this.

Second, the tariffs decision forced Albanese to find his voice: This is against the spirit of our two nations enduring friendship. He kept cool and declined to retaliate in kind. Retaliatory tariffs would only harm Australian consumers by increasing the price of imports from the US. But he added: Australians can have an impact by buying Australian goods. You buy Bundy soft drinks rather than some of the American products. Albanese is not the only leader to err on the side of sensible restraint. Some US allies, substantial powers like Japan and Britain, are doing exactly the same. But it will grow more and more difficult for Albanese to exercise restraint. Trumps administration will seek to act against Australian farm products, pharmaceuticals, social media regulation and university policies, just for starters. Public resentment will demand that Albanese channel national outrage. And that Dutton cut dead any flirtation with Trump policies. The independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, a reliable outrage barometer, provided a foretaste of a sentiment that will only grow during the election campaign to come. The tariffs were a kick in the guts, said Lambie. Theyre showing that friendship doesnt matter any more. Its time to let him [Trump] know were not going to put up with this nonsense, she told Nines Today.

She urged the closure of US military facilities: Pine Gap  they need it like no tomorrow. Just tell em were going to switch it off in seven days. Give em a real boot up their backsides. Tell em youve got seven days to get your marines off our soil. Stop mucking around. This is emotionally satisfying but itd be self-harming. The reason Australia hosts US facilities is because theyre designed for our collective defence. So Albanese and Dutton will need to find positive ways to demonstrate Australian independence and assert national pride without verging on the vengeful. As the pollster for this masthead, Jim Reed of Resolve Strategic, says: Trump has always been disliked in our Australian polling. The fact that Dutton has assiduously distanced himself from Trump tells you that the same attitudes, behaviours and policies wont fly here. If anything, Australian politicians can learn something from Trumps election win. He made it clear he stood for the majority and that he would act as an agent for change for them. Our major parties need to cater for that desire or they will continue to lose votes to minor parties and independents.

However, two of those minor parties showed even less comprehension of how the world has changed this week. Pauline Hanson actually endorsed Trumps decision to apply tariffs to Australia. I believe in tariffs, put em on, she told Sky News. Theyd be good for America, she said. Loading Clive Palmer, chief Trumpet of Parrots, boasting of his success in persuading Australians to refuse vaccinations, trumped Hanson. He gleefully announced that hed be bringing an extraordinary talent to his election rallies via video link  the Trump sycophant Tucker Carlson. Carlson was sacked by Fox News when his hatefulness became commercially intolerable as advertisers deserted the network; he went on to even greater lows with a sycophantic interview with Vladimir Putin. Lately, hes back doing yet more slavishly toadying interviews of Trump. Palmer seemed to think hed scored a great coup. The conga line is getting shorter, but Pauline and Clive are still dancing to Trumps tune. No one has told them that the music has changed.
The characters involved, and the method of manipulation of the EBA process, are indicative of broader corruption in the CFMEU in Victoria. This single instance is better seen as being part of a larger problem, of what I believe amounts to a pattern of conduct. This pattern of conduct will be addressed in further case studies. Irvings administration is struggling to assert control over the union and to combat corruption in the wider industry with an unresolved High Court challenge undermining its push for reform and to remove unwanted players. Orman, a close associate of underworld figure Mick Gatto, is best known in Victoria as a man whose 2009 conviction over the gangland murder of Victor Pierce was quashed as a result of the Lawyer X scandal. That long-running saga saw Victoria Police admit to using lawyer Nicola Gobbo as an informant. Late last year police agreed to pay Orman up to $1 million in compensation.

Watson claims in his report that Orman used a days-old company with no assets or employees, ZK Civil Infrastructure, to deceive the Fair Work Commission into believing he was seeking a union-endorsed agreement for a business that would employ workers, particularly Indigenous people, on the Melbourne Metro project and other civil infrastructure projects. The agreement was a special type of wage deal known as a greenfields agreement, which is only granted to people and companies that do not have an existing enterprise bargaining agreement. Kayne Pettifer is embroiled in a controversial industrial relations deal. Credit: Getty Images As previously revealed by this masthead, within 24 hours of obtaining Fair Work Commissions approval on the agreement, Orman flipped his business, transferring his shares to the contractors, Cameron Buzzacott and former AFL forward Kayne Pettifer, who then took over the company and the agreement. Much of Watsons report is supported by interviews and responses to questions by Orman, Buzzacott, Pettifer, Myles and other union officials. Orman and Buzzacott issued statements on Friday strongly disputing Watsons conclusions and complaining they had been denied procedural fairness.

The report is also supported by a new witness  given the pseudonym Athens in Watsons report  who said Buzzacott had confessed to the scheme, telling Athens the money was paid in a (metaphorical) brown paper bag. Watson alleges that by agreeing to deceive the Fair Work Commission and the union into believing the deal was a greenfields agreement, Orman, Buzzacott and Pettifer were all potentially complicit in the crime of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. Watson has also raised questions about who at the union knew about the arrangement, stating in the report he believed Orman leaned on his and Gattos connections with Myles, who then directed an employee of the union to facilitate Ormans agreement. Watsons report states that Myles denied approving the EBA, saying he was merely copied into relevant emails and that the agreement was approved by other senior CFMEU staffers. In response to that claim, Watson says in his report: I do not believe Joe Myles. Myles position was hard to assess, according to Watson, and there was no evidence he made any personal gain.

Watson said it was likely that Myles was acting at the direction of Gatto, adding that Myles conduct could amount to misconduct in office because he did did not care about union rules. But that is no excuse  he was obliged in his role as an official of the CFMEU to exercise care and diligence, act in good faith, and not to improperly use his position to gain an advantage for himself or someone else, Watson said in the report. In response to questions, Myles said he had not been made aware of any report. This masthead is not suggesting the conclusions in Watsons report mean that there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing to support a criminal charge.

Loading The report questions how the CFMEU was able to approve the Orman agreement for ZK so quickly, given it has 169 pages and such deals usually take several weeks to be brokered and then approved. Instead, the ZK agreement was approved in five days. Watson notes that while a template EBA common in the civil contracting industry was used in the ZK agreement, there were a number of bespoke elements included in the Orman deal. The idea that the CFMEU could undertake the necessary enquiries to determine if the applicant (ZK), as an entirely new entrant into the field, was a suitable recipient of a CFMEU EBA in such a short period is quite impossible, he said. The idea that an agreement of this length and complexity could be negotiated, drafted, considered, possibly re-negotiated, and approved in such a short period is not feasible.

The only sensible conclusion is that the terms of these EBAs were regarded as a mere formality: the deal is everything, the details are unimportant. The rushed-through agreement was signed despite Orman having no qualifications or experience in civil constructions. Neither Orman nor any of ZKs staff held the licences necessary for the difficult and dangerous work involved in civil contracting. According to the report, former CFMEU Victorian secretary Derek Christopher told Watson that Orman had no industry background. Watson notes that while he has drawn on document evidence such company records and witness statements, the investigation was hampered by the CFMEUs lack of paperwork about the striking of the agreement. The only CFMEU records are two brief emails and the EBA itself. This is disconcerting. There is no record of any checks conducted. Even if checks were by-passed, the initial proposal should have been recorded. It was not. It would be expected that there would be some record of the CFMEUs assessment of the applicant. There is none.

He said that if the CFMEU was discharging its duty to members, there should have been thorough checks to ensure that this was the type of employer the CFMEU sought to engage with. Faruk Orman in the hours after he walked from court a free man in 2019. Credit: Justin McManus Apart from the involvement of Joe Myles  there is no record that any other CFMEU official was even aware this was happening, he said. Buzzacott told Watson he had struggled to get a CFMEU agreement in the past, and he took ownership of the group because he believed a union EBA would assist the operation of my business interests in Victoria. Buzzacott, according to Watson, said in a statement that he wrote to then premier Daniel Andrews as well as then infrastructure minister and now Premier Jacinta Allan in May 2022 pleading for assistance given the serious financial difficulties his business was facing without the support of the CFMEU and a union-backed agreement.

My request for urgent meetings elicited no response, he said. Buzzacott, an Indigenous labour hire-owner, maintained to Watson, as he had done so previously to this masthead, that he only discovered that ZK was once registered to Orman after he took over the company. He said he did not know Orman. When contacted by this masthead this week, Buzzacott strenuously denied making any confession about ZK to anyone. I never made a payment to Faruk Orman for any shares in any company whatsoever, he said. Buzzacott said he had never obtained any financial advantage through the transaction let alone in a manner that was deceptive and dishonest.

Loading I do not consider that I have acted in any way improperly or unethically, he said. He said he not had any opportunity to respond to Watsons conclusions, including possible criminality, and had not been given a copy of the report. It is grossly unfair for Mr Watsons findings to be published without my having been given the opportunity to properly respond to him, he said. Pettifer did not contribute to Watsons report but has previously confirmed that he knew Orman via a safety training business.

Orman has long maintained he did not receive any money as a result of the transaction and claimed still to have some ownership or control over the company and that behind the scenes there are other agreements in place, in between various shareholders and directors. In a statement to this masthead, he too said he had not seen the report and that Watsons claims were untrue and would not withstand scrutiny. The allegations are false and the statements from the so-called report set out in your questions are each wrong and defamatory, Orman said. There is no reasonable basis for any report (which I have not seen) to contain the statements or recommendations or for the investigator to have rejected the comprehensive evidence I have provided.
People smeared with colored powder celebrate the Holi Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A woman smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A man smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A woman smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A man smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

(250313) -- KATHMANDU, March 13, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A woman smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

(250313) -- KATHMANDU, March 13, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A woman smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

(250313) -- KATHMANDU, March 13, 2025 (Xinhua) -- People smeared with colored powder celebrate the Holi Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

(250313) -- KATHMANDU, March 13, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A woman smeared with colored powder celebrates the Holi Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 13, 2025. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and the onset of the spring season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
Vladimir Putin had three options: accept Ukraines ceasefire offer, but surrender momentum on the battlefield; reject it and risk antagonising Donald Trump; or try to drag things out so he can continue fighting as long as possible.

He has chosen option three.

By praising the US president and the in principle idea of stopping the war, he hopes to stay in Trumps good books. But his immediate raising of nuances to discuss should be a red flag.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin on Thursday. Credit: AP

This is a classic Russian negotiating tactic  as any diplomat who has been in a room with Sergey Lavrov will tell you.
Photo: Jussi Ratilainen for Nefco

(The news item issued on March 13 corrected)

The Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) has already completed 30 projects within the framework of the Green Recovery Program for Ukraine, created in response to Russian aggression in 2022, NEFCO Investment Advisor Yulia Shevchuk said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We are actively working within this program. It currently covers over 60 projects, and several more are at the development stage. Despite the war, we have already managed to complete 30 projects. The main areas of our work are improving the energy efficiency of public sector buildings, reconstruction and construction of new housing for internally displaced persons, as well as projects related to critical infrastructure. We work in the areas of water supply, heat supply and waste management, contributing to their modernization and sustainable development," Shevchuk said.

In total, the NEFCO Green Recovery Program for Ukraine has attracted more than EUR323 million. Approximately two-thirds of this was provided by the European Union, one-third by the NEFCO founders, the countries of Northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland), as well as the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) and the Nordic Environmental Development Fund (NMF).
Amravati Airport gets DGCAs license





Staff Reporter :

In a significant development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Aerodrome License to the Amravati Airport, marking a significant step in enhancing regional air connectivity. The license has paved the way for starting of flight operations at the airport soon. Sharing the happy news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis uploaded a photo of him receiving the DGCA license from Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) Vice Chairperson Swati Pandey. This marks a new era of enhanced air connectivity, economic growth, tourism and development opportunities for the region, he wrote. Fadnavis stated that the Aerodrome License officially designated Amravati Airport as a licensed Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) airport. Alliance Air flight in Mumbai-Amravati-Mumbai sector will serve thrice a week, initially. As we committed, the flight operations from and to Amravati will begin by month end, Fadnavis wrote on X. Last year, the MADC, in collaboration with Air India, had announced to start the largest flying training organisation in South Asia at Amravatis Belora Airport. This is first such training school to be run by an airliner.

This flying institute, licensed by DGCA, is expected to provide solution to the issue of shortage of pilots in the countrys aviation industry. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to this effect between Air India and MADC for the collaborative venture. A month ago, Amravati Airport successfully completed the Air calibration of Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), marking a key milestone in the airports journey toward full operational status. The PAPI system, an essential tool in aviation safety, ensures that aircraft approaching the runway to maintain the correct glide slope during approach and landing, reducing the risk of accidents during landings. After these developments, now this airport received the license from DGCA which is being welcomed by all. It may be mentioned here that the Union Budget 2025-26 has focussed on domestic civil aviation sector.

Government has planned to launch a modified UDAN scheme to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years. Fadnavis had started developing Amravati airport. Now he has focussed on Akola, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli airports. Swati Pandey is working hard on all these projects. She played a major role in getting DGCA license to Amravati airport. Long-cherished dream fulfilled: Bawankule Expressing happiness over the development at Amravati Airport, State Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of Amravati, Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, Getting license for the airport has various dimensions. It will provide golden opportunity to people of West Vidarbha. This has fulfilled a long-cherished dream of people of Amravati. He also thanked the CM. Fadnavis pursued the matter. He insisted on early completion. Now, flight operations are set to begin at Amravati by the end of March, he added while congratulating people of Amravati and Western Vidarbha.
CM Fadnavis meets PM Modi, discusses Gadchiroli mining hub, Nagpur airport





Staff Reporter :

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Thursday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed various issues with him. The major issues that figured in the discussion included Gadchiroli mining hub, Nagpur airport, and the 15th Finance Commission funds to local bodies. Fadnavis informed the Prime Minister about the State Governments initiative in Gadchiroli district and said that Gadchiroli district was now developing as the Steel City of the country. Fadnavis urged the Central Government to co-operate in developing Gadchiroli as mining hub. Stating that the work of Nagpur airport also was being expedited, Fadnavis discussed some related issues pertaining to the Central Government. Later, Fadnavis stated in a tweet that the hurdles in the work of the airport would be removed soon. Another major issue discussed in the meeting was about the release of the 15th Finance Commission funds to the local bodies as soon as possible.

According to Fadnavis, Prime Minister Modi gave a positive response to all these. Fadnavis thanked Modi for giving Maharashtra the opportunity to organise the World Audio, Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), to be held in Mumbai from May 1 to 4. At the summit, the Indian Institute of Creative Technology also will be established in Mumbai on the lines of IIT, and the Central Government will provide funds for it.
ED conducts raids in gold smuggling case involving Ktaka actor, others





BENGALURU :

THE Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided multiple locations in Bengaluru and some other places as part of a money laundering probe linked to probe larger conspiracy into an alleged gold smuggling racket in which an actor was recently arrested by the DRI in Karnataka, official sources said. A case has been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of a recent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR and a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) case in which actor Ranya Rao was arrested, the sources said.

The probe aims to look at the larger conspiracy of gold smuggling through airports and the generation of proceeds of crime by various people, including influential persons, government officials and politically exposed persons, they said. Multiple locations in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, are being searched, according to the sources. The DRI had arrested Rao after seizing gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her at the Kempegowda International Airport here after she arrived from Dubai on March 3. The actor is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. The police officer has denied any links with her alleged illegal activities.
Holi celebrated at Sambhals Kartikeya Mahadev temple,first time in 46 yrs





SAMBHAL (UP):

AMID tight security, devotees on Thursday celebrated Holi at Kartikeya Mahadev in Khaggu Sarai for the first time in 46 years. The event saw enthusiastic participation from social and Hindu organisations at the temple, which was reopened last December after it was shut following riots in 1978. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shreesh Chandra said ample police forces have been deployed to ensure a smooth celebration. Holi is being celebrated peacefully at the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple in Khaggu Sarai.

There is no need for anyone to worry. People are enjoying the festival in a secure environment, he said. The temple is located close to Shahi Jama Masjid, a site which has been at the centre of controversy following communal violence on November 24, 2024, that led to the death of four people. The violence had broken out after a group of people held a protest during a court-ordered survey of the mosque. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) district president Anand Agrawal expressed his joy over the occasion. After 46 years, we have had the fortune of playing Holi at the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple. People from various social organisations have gathered here, celebrating (Holi) with flowers and colours, he said. Participants also shared their excitement and thanked the police for the security arrangements.

The police have done a great job in maintaining security, and everyone is immersed in the festive spirit, said Priyanshu Jain. The temple, also known as Bhasma Shankar temple, was reopened on December 13 last year after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple housed an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
One-Sided Truce





THE stated willingness of Ukraine to adopt an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire in the current, overstretched conflict has little more than a one-sided truce, given the fact that United States President Mr. Donald Trump is now going to request Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin to reciprocate similarly. If Mr. Putin agrees, then the 30-day ceasefire would come into effect. If he does not, then the situation gets all the more complicated. There is, of course, a fair chance that Russia would agree to reciprocate the Ukrainian gesture -- goaded, naturally, by the United States. But, that may not actually open the door for genuine peace negotiations. That is the real trouble in the Russia-Ukraine issue that has festered for so long. It is obvious to the world that the US is actually breathing down Ukraines neck to push a ceasefire, howsoever temporary in nature.

In order to achieve this leverage, Mr. Donald Trump even insulted Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then announced that the US would stop making all kinds of military supplies to Ukraine. Possibly, such a high-handedness may be the need of the moment, since the Russia-Ukraine conflict seemed not to have a reasonable culmination. Yet, no matter the short term or long term outcome of the American effort, the world has serious and sincere doubts about where the situation will lead to. At least for now, if the Russians really agree to reciprocate the Ukrainian offer, some hope has emerged on the scene that the current conflict may have a chance to get sorted out -- howsoever temporarily. The most important aspect of conflict resolution in such situations is that both parties insist upon an upper hand in the negotiations, no matter their respective strengths or weaknesses. Militarily, Russia is superior to Ukraine single-handedly. But given the support it got from the NATO member-nations, Ukraine, too, is not without its own strong points. Politically speaking, Ukraine, actually, appears to have had an upper hand since almost half the world is siding with it. Thus, from their respective stand-points, both the parties to the conflict have their own supposedly justifiable issues to push. Much -- or most -- will depend how the US brokers the subsequent steps and developments.

It is only partially likely that Mr. Vladimir Putin would accept the proposals by Mr. Donald Trump in toto. There will be multiple qualifications and analytical hitches before Russia agrees for an unequivocal ceasefire for a long period of thirty days -- as proposed by the US. True, some previous parleys must have taken place between the two sides. But given the tight-lipped diplomacy the Russians often follow, it is less likely that a sensible agreement could be reached so that truce prevails for at least a good part of 30 days. The most critical point in this entire affair is Russias insistence upon Ukraine not joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. For, in that event, Russias threat perceptions get altered -- which is the main issue.

Moscow does not want right on its border a NATO mole that would keep fingering the Russian strategic arrangement every now and then for nothing -- or for pushing a West-dominated narrative of whatever nature. What solution Mr. Donald Trumps US has for this facet cannot be fathomed at least at this point. Obviously, Mr. Trump may have thought of a temporary outlet to the Russian anxiety. Given these nuanced situation, the outcome of the current positioning of the parties concerned will come to fore only after a lapse of some time. Until then, all that is available at hand is a one-sided ceasefire proposal upon whose outcome will depend much of global power balance of the near and far future.
Putin agrees for 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine





MOSCOW :

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he agrees in principle with a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but the terms need to be worked out, and he emphasised that it should pave the way to lasting peace. So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it, Putin told a news conference in Moscow. But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners. He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, is whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to continue mobilisation and rearmament.

We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis, Putin said. Putin noted that while it appeared that the US persuaded Ukraine to accept a ceasefire, Ukraine is interested in that because of the battlefield situation, noting that Ukrainian troops that launched an incursion into Russias Kursk region would be fully blocked in the coming days.

In these conditions, I believe it would be good for the Ukrainian side to secure a ceasefire for at least 30 days, he said. Referring to the Ukrainian troops in Kursk, he said: Will all those who are there come out without a fight? Putin thanked US President Donald Trump for paying so much attention to the settlement in Ukraine. He also thanked the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa for their noble mission to end the fighting to casualties, a statement that signalled those countries potential involvement in a ceasefire deal. Russia has said it will not accept peacekeepers from any NATO members to monitor a prospective truce.
Rs 1,000 cr ED detects unaccounted cash deals in TN liquor trade ops





NEW DELHI :

Rs 1,000 crThe agency said it found records to show direct communication between distillery cos and higher TASMAC officials

THE Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it has found multiple irregularities in the operations of TASMAC that has monopoly over liquor trade in Tamil Nadu, including manipulation in the tender processes and unaccounted cash transactions worth Rs 1,000 crore through distillery companies. The federal agency claimed in a statement that it got evidence suggesting these corrupt practices after it raided the employees, corporate offices of distilleries and plants of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) on March 6. ED sources, on the day of the raids, had said the searches were also conducted against key associates linked to prohibition and Excise Department Minister Senthil Balaji.

The ED said it found incriminating data related to transfer postings, transport and bar licence tenders, indent orders favouring few distillery companies, excess charge of Rs 10-30 per bottle by TASMAC outlets, with the involvement of TASMAC officials, during the searches. It said this data shows manipulation in TASMACs transport tender allocations where a glaring issue was the mismatch between the KYC details of the applicant and the demand draft (DD), suggesting that the final successful bidder did not even obtain the requisite DD before the application deadline. Tenders were awarded despite having only a single applicant in the final bid. TASMAC paid over Rs 100 crore annually to transporters, as per the ED. In the case of allocation of bar licence tenders by TASMAC, evidence related to manipulation of tender conditions was found including a glaring issue of applicants without any GST/PAN numbers and KYC documentation being allotted the final tenders, it said.

The agency said it found records to show direct communication between distillery companies and higher TASMAC officials, exposing efforts to secure increased indent orders and undue favours. The searches also found large-scale financial fraud involving distillery companies like SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery and bottling entities such as Devi Bottles, Crystal Bottles and GLR Holding, the ED alleged. The distilleries systematically inflated expenses and fabricated bogus purchases, particularly through bottle-making companies, to siphon off over Rs 1,000 crore in unaccounted cash. These funds were then used as kickbacks to secure increased supply orders from TASMAC, as per the ED. In the case of the bottling companies, the ED found that they inflated sales figures, allowing distilleries to route excess payments, which were later withdrawn in cash and returned after deducting commissions.
TN Govt replaces symbol in budget logo with Tamil letter





CHENNAI :

AMID the burning language row in Tamil Nadu, the State Government has replaced the Indian rupee symbol with a Tamil letter in its logo for the budget 2025-26, which will be tabled in the state Assembly on Friday. While the move drew the ire of the Opposition BJP, the ruling DMK wondered if there was any rule that barred such a depiction. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is scheduled to table the budget on Friday. The logo for the budget, released by the Government on Thursday carried ru, the first letter of the Tamil word Rubaai which denotes the Indian currency in the vernacular language. The logo also had the caption everything for all, indicating what the ruling DMK claims is its inclusive model of governance.

The move was slammed by BJP TN chief K Annamalai. The DMK Governments State Budget for 2025-26 replaces the Rupee Symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by the whole of Bharat and incorporated into our Currency. Thiru Udhay Kumar, who designed the symbol, is the son of a former DMK MLA. How stupid can you become, Thiru @mkstalin? he said in a social media post. He also shared the logo of the 2024-25 TN budget that had the Indian rupee symbol. Responding, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said no law opposed or stopped using Ru in Tamil. Then why such anger, he asked in a post on X. Senior BJP leader and former state unit chief Tamilisai Soundararajan also slammed the DMK. We feel very sorry for the attitude of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (Stalin) and the Tamil Nadu government, she told PTI Videos. It was stupidity like Annamalai mentioned, she said and asked why the change has been effected after so long and if they have become Tamil now. They are against national integrity, national unity, she charged while slamming the DMK.

The development comes amidst the language row between the Centre and Tamil Nadu. The ruling DMK and other major political parties in the state, barring the BJP have been alleging Hindi imposition by the Union government, a charge denied by the latter. The DMK has argued that the Centre wants to impose the north Indian language on Tamil Nadu through the implementation of the 3-language formula in the National Education Policy. The government has said it will not follow the 3-language formula but only stick to its decades-old 2-language policy of Tamil and English. According to the government portal knowindia.Gov.In, the rupee symbol is an amalgam of Devanagari Ra and the Roman Capital R with two parallel horizontal stripes running at the top representing the national flag and also the equal to sign. The Indian Rupee sign was adopted by the Government of India on 15th July, 2010, it said.
Canada has contributed CAD 70 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, the Energy Community announced.

"Thank you, Canada, for your generous CAD 70 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund! Your support will help restore Ukraines energy system by providing essential equipment  transformers, generators, gas infrastructure components, and repair materials - keeping the lights on and homes warm," the Energy Community stated in a Facebook post on Friday.

As previously reported, the Energy Community Secretariat, which administers the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, announced on March 12 that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had terminated a $75 million grant agreement with the fund. The Energy Community explained that in 2023, a $25 million contract was signed for the procurement of critical energy equipment, and in 2024, USAID had pledged an additional $50 million.

The Energy Support Fund was established in April 2022 at the initiative of Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko and European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.

As of early March 2025, announced partner contributions to the fund have exceeded EUR 1 billion. Donors include both public and private sectors from over 30 countries, as well as international and regional organizations.

On March 4, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that some projects previously funded through USAID programs had already found alternative funding sources.

In a comment to Energy Reform, former National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) member and energy expert Olha Babiy noted that the potential cessation of USAID's support for Ukraine's energy recovery poses a challenge, particularly for critical infrastructure facilities. However, she believes the issue can be resolved by seeking alternative funding sources.

As of March 14, the exchange rate for CAD 1 is approximately UAH 29.
White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz said on Fox News that he had spoken with Special Representative Steve Witkoff, who is returning from talks in Moscow.

Ive spoken to my counterpart, Special Envoy Witkoffs Office. He is out there and bringing things back for us to evaluate and to the President Trump to make decisions on the next steps, Waltz said in an interview with Fox News.
You may have seen the headline in The New York Times the other day, New Yorks Most Exciting New Restaurant is Just a Warmup Act. Priya Krishnas glowing review of Has Snack Bar (297 Broome St.) offered a taste of things to come: the brand new venture (just opened in December) is expanding with a larger, more ambitious restaurant around the corner.

Sure enough, co-owners (and husband and wife) Sadie Mae Burns-Ha and Anthony Ha sat through a four hour virtual community board meeting Monday night, seeking support for a liquor license at 137 Eldridge St. It was an easy sell. Committee members voted unanimously to recommend the permit.

The chefs met back in 2015 at the original NYC version of Mission Chinese Food. They went on to create a wildly successful pop-up (Has ac Biet) before opening a tiny outpost on Broome Street just as 2024 was drawing to a close. As Krishna explained, The rotating menu at Has, on the Lower East Side, modulates between Vietnam and France but mostly reflects whatever the chefs, Sadie Mae Burns-Ha and Anthony Ha, decide they want to eat that day or week.

Ha and Burns-Ha have apparently begged restaurant critics and food writers to leave them alone, at least for the moment. You can see how thats worked out! They told The Times that the Broome Street spot will eventually become a wine bar with snacks once the new restaurant opens.

According to documents filed with Community Board 3, the next version of Has on Eldridge will have six tables and 45 seats and be open from 5 pm to 10:30 pm daily. Theyre taking over a space currently occupied by Lena, a wine bar that opened in 2017.

One more thing. If you havent seen the video produced by The Times a few months ago about Ha and Burns-Has pop-up adventures, we recommend having a look! It put a smile on our faces.
The oil refinery in Tuapse (Russia) was attacked on Friday night, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Andriy Kovalenko reported on Telegram.

"It is one of the largest in the Russian Federation and has a processing capacity of about 12 million tonnes of oil per year. The refinery specializes in primary oil refining, producing straight-run gasoline, diesel fuel and fuel oil, a significant portion of which is exported," Kovalenko noted.

For the Russian army, the Tuapse Oil Refinery is of strategic importance, as it supplies fuel to the Black Sea Fleet and military infrastructure in the south of the country. It is part of the logistics chain of fuel supplies for military equipment and aviation.
The European Union proposes to member states to create a fund to provide Ukraine with military aid worth EUR 20 billion to EUR 40 billion, including 2 million pieces of ammunition, on a voluntary basis in order to avoid a veto from Hungary, the Euractiv news portal reports.

"Last month, the EU's diplomatic arm had proposed to set up an EU-level scheme to send 1.5 million ammunition rounds to Ukraine. The text seen by Euractiv did not feature any figure for the amount of cash needed to complete the job. Considering Hungary's constant refusal to participate in any scheme that would support Ukraine, either militarily or non-militarily via the EU channels, the proposal was rewritten to include "participating member states"," the report states.

"The newest version of the proposal seen by Euractiv reads that countries "are encouraged to deliver military support to Ukraine in 2025 with a provisional value of at least EUR 20 billion, and potentially reaching EUR 40 billion pending Ukrainian needs"," it reads.

"As a first step, leaders should agree on spending EUR 5 billion for 2 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition in 2025 in accordance, with the text proposes. Each country would participate according to its economic weight, either via cash or directly in kind. The EU itself will count the EUR 1.9 billion from its windfall profits from the Russian frozen assets as its contribution, even though they have already been committed and partly disbursed," according to the article.

"The priorities should be large-caliber artillery ammunition, air defense systems, missiles, drones, fighter jets, but also any support to the regeneration of brigades, which usually includes maintenance on equipment and non-lethal support. More broadly, the list features "member states contributions to security guarantees for Ukraine", with no more details. And any other military support considered a priority by Kyiv will be counted as part of this scheme," the text adds.

"The text was communicated to the EU countries on Thursday, ahead of a foreign ministers meeting on Monday. Leaders will gather in a summit next week too, notably to discuss aid to Ukraine and stepping up their defense capabilities. The deadline for countries to express interest in joining the scheme is April 30," the report says.
Over the past 24 hours, 146 combat clashes have been recorded. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram in operational information on the Russian invasion as of 8:00 on Friday.

"The enemy carried out 103 airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and populated areas, dropping 154 guided bombs. In addition, it carried out about six thousand attacks, 166 of which were from multiple launch rocket systems, and used 2,509 kamikaze drones for destruction," the General Staff reports.
Yes  Significant efforts are being made

No  Much more needs to be done

Some progress  But there are still critical gaps

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EU ambassadors agree to extend personal sanctions to individuals, legal entities for Russia's war against Ukraine for another six months

Photo: elements.envato.com

Ambassadors of the European Union member states have agreed to extend for another six months the sanctions imposed on individuals and entities for Russia's unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine, which expire on March 15.

The corresponding decision was made in a written procedure in Brussels on Friday, representatives of the Polish EU Presidency reported.

Hungary had previously blocked the move, demanding that eight Russians be removed from the list. Among them were businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, Bloomberg reported earlier.

It is not reported whether Hungary's demands have been met at this time.

The preliminary decision was made on September 12, 2024. There are currently more than 2,200 individuals and legal entities on the list. The existing restrictive measures include restrictions on the movement of individuals, freezing of assets and a ban on providing funds or other economic resources to individuals and legal entities included in the list.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

US President Donald Trump has said that the Ukrainian and American delegations discussed issues of control over territories, as well as NATO membership, as part of the preparation of a draft peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, but the position on this matter has not changed.

Weve been discussing with Ukraine pieces of land that would be kept and lost, and all of the other elements of a final agreement, Trump said at a briefing with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday. He elaborated that it is about a power plant, a very large power plant, and details on who's going to get it, however mentioning that the first step is a ceasefire.

At the same time he noted that you dont want to waste time with the ceasefire if its not going to mean anything. So were saying: look, this is what you can get, this is what you cant get, the US President said.

Trump said the delegations were talking about NATO and staying in NATO, and that everybody knows what the answer is. According to him, they've known the answer for 40 years.

The US President said that many separate topics were also discussed.
It may sound absurd but it actually happened! A premier private hospital, along the Diamond Harbour (DH) Road in the New Alipore area, charged Rs 50,030 for a 49-minute stay at its critical care unit (CCU) for treatment of a patient, Rs 1,800 for ambulance to shift her from one building to another in the same campus, Rs 11,875 for medical attention at the emergency ward and Rs 50,000 as an advance deposit for her admission at the hospital.

The patient, who was admitted to the hospital on 30 December in 2024 died within 49 minutes after she was taken into the CCU.

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The aggrieved relatives of the deceased lodged a complaint with the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) on 19 February against the inflated bills by the hospital.

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How did the hospital charge Rs 50,030 only for 49 minutes stay in the critical care unit and Rs 1,800 from shifting the patient by an ambulance from one building to an adjacent building inside the same campus? Its impossible and unbelievable, Justice Asim Banerjee, chairman of the WBCERC, said on Wednesday.

One Kushal Patra lodged a complaint against the hospital for making such inflated bills for treatment of his near and dear one with the commission. After verifying his complaint, we have directed the hospital authorities to deduct Rs 20,000 and then refund the rest of the treatment charges, said Justice Banerjee, a retired judge of the Calcutta High Court.

The patient was taken to a heart research centre in the New Alipore area first on 30 December, showing symptoms of cardiac problems. She was diagnosed with pneumonia by doctors there at the research centre.

Doctors referred the case to the pulmonology experts of a private multi-speciality hospital for her treatment. Both the heart research centre and multi-speciality hospital, belonging to the same group of hospitals, are located in the same complex along the D H Road.

After verifying documents, we found that the patient was admitted to the two healthcare facilities the same day under the same user ID number given by the heart research centre, where she was rushed in around 1.40 p.m. on 30 December. She was shifted to the multispeciality hospitals emergency where she underwent several emergency medical tests. They charged Rs 11,875 for emergency medical attention there, Justice Banerjee said.

The patient was taken to the critical care unit around 5 p.m. and died there at 5.49 p.m. The medical bill for only 49 minutes treatment was Rs 50,030. We cant believe it because its impossible, he added.

When we contacted the hospital authorities seeking clarifications on inflated bills. They responded to us saying that they were looking for bank details of the deceaseds relative to refund Rs 11,000. But we were not impressed with their response and asked them to deduct only Rs 20,000 and refund the remaining amount already paid by the relative, the chairman of the commission said.
The Supreme Court is slated to hear next week the matter where it has taken suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

As per the cause list published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar will resume hearing the suo moto case on 17 March.

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In the previous hearing, the CJI Khanna-led Bench directed hospitals and medical colleges across the country to not penalise doctors and medical professionals, who participated in protests against the ghastly rape and murder case, but had returned to their duty pursuant to the top courts appeal.

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In August last year, during the hearing on the suo moto case titled Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issues, the apex court had urged the protesting medical fraternity to resume work at the earliest and assured them that no adverse action would be taken against them for participating in protests.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to file its supplementary charge sheet at a special court in Kolkata this month detailing the different aspects of the evidence tampering angle.
Trinamul Congress on Thursday brought a resolution against the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari over his controversial remark on Muslim MLAs belonging to the states ruling party.

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the resolution by voice vote on Thursday.

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The resolution was moved by Trinamul Congress chief whip Nirmal Ghosh after the BJP members staged a walkout from the House, following Speaker Biman Banerjees refusal to allow a discussion on calling attention brought by the saffron party.

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The BJP MLAs were demanding the Trinamul Congress legislators Humayun Kabir and Siddiqullah Chowdhury to withdraw their remarks against the LoP.

Claiming that the LoP, who is a BJP MLA from Nandigram constituency in East Midnapore district, had attacked the religious and social structure of the country, Mr Ghosh moved the resolution in the House.

Mr Adhikari had on Tuesday remarked saying, Will defeat Biman Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee ..Aar oder je kota Muslim bidhayak jite aasbe  chyangdola kore tule raastaay phelbo! Dosh maas pore ei raastaay phelbo (And their Muslim MLAs that will emerge victorious and come here  the BJP will form the government  we will pick them up by the arms and legs and throw them out on this very road! Ten months later, we will throw them on this very road).

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had on Wednesday lashed out at the LoP over his controversial remark on Muslim MLAs, accusing the BJP of importing fake Hinduism to the state.

On the other hand, Humayun Kabir, the Trinamul Congress MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad district, today stuck to his earlier stand demanding Mr Adhikari either to withdraw his diatribe against Muslims or make apology within next 72 hours.

The LoP will have to face the consequence anywhere if he does not withdraw his statements or make an apology by Monday when the session is scheduled to begin in the Assembly, Mr Kabir said.

While protesting against Mr Adhikaris remarks over the Muslims on Wednesday, the Trinamul Congress MLA from Bharatpur had said: I dare the LoP to withdraw the statement in 72 hours or else Trinamul Congress 42 MLAs belonging to the Muslim community will make him understand the consequence in the Assembly.
The District Magistrate (DM) of West Burdwan, S Ponnambalam has held a high-level meeting with representatives of central public sector units in Durgapur, Burnpur, Asansol areas to combat the outbreak of dengue during the upcoming monsoon season in the district. Top officials of the district health department were also present in the meeting.

After the meeting, S Ponnambalam said that active participation of the central public sector units is necessary to combat the outbreak of dengue in the district.

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Besides the two civic bodies  Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Durgapur Municipal Corporation (DMC), there are also rural areas in which the zilla parishad, panchayat samities and the gram panchayats work.

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The offices and the colonies of Damodar valley Corporation (DVC), Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP), IISCO Steel Plant (ISP), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), railways etc are located in Asansol Sadar sub-division and Durgapur sub-divisions of West Burdwan district.

The CPUs units have to take measures inside their colonies and factories so that the dengue does not spread in the area. The district health department will provide all support, said S Ponnambalam.

During this dry season management, it is necessary to take a proper action plan to control the spreading of dengue during the upcoming long monsoon season.

It has been directed to ensure that dumping grounds are regularly cleaned and no stagnant water is allowed to remain in the respective areas which can breed dengue mosquito larvae.

An official letter will be issued to the authority of all these central public sector units in this matter by the district administration. It has been decided that the district administration and health department will provide special training for dengue management in the area.

The dengue cases had increased in the last five years in West Burdwan district and even few people have died. Both the Durgapur sub-division and Asansol sadar sub-divisions have registered dengue outbreak and death cases in the past few years.

The DM has stated that this is the high time to act and react against dengue outbreak in the district as all stakeholders will get proper time to take dengue management plans and measures.

There has been several townships in West Burdwan district which are occupied by the central public sector units and defence sectors like Durgapur, Sanctoria, Burnpur, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Panagarh etc, besides the state-owned Durgapur Projects Limited (DPL).
India has taken the lead in providing finance to renewable energy projects by including them in priority sector lending to accelerate the countrys transition to a low carbon economy in the fight against climate change.

Addressing a policy seminar on Climate Change Risks and Finance, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said, Central Banks in Advanced Economies have traditionally followed an asset neutral approach. Central Banks in emerging markets and developing economies, on the other hand, have adopted directed lending policies to channelise credit to certain sectors of their economies given their individual country circumstances and developmental objectives.

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He highlighted that Indias priority sector lending guidelines facilitate credit to be channelled to renewable energy. We have included finance to small renewable energy projects  solar, biomass based, windmills, micro-hydel plants and non-conventional energy based public utilities viz. street lighting systems, and remote village electrification projects as part of priority sector lending, Malhotra said.

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The RBI Governor pointed out that while the role of the Central Banks in managing risks posed by climate change to the financial system is increasingly being recognised, their role in facilitating the financing of green and sustainable transition has been a matter of debate and has varying dimensions to it.

Malhotra said that as a Central Bank, the Reserve Bank is mindful of its role in addressing and mitigating risks to the financial system from climate change. In this context, endeavour has been to play the role of a facilitator  including supporting capacity building and fostering a conducive regulatory framework for promoting green and sustainable finance.

One important aspect of green lending for sustainable finance is the higher credit risk due to borrowers use of new and emerging green technologies, which have relatively limited track record in terms of reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Regulated Entities, therefore, need to develop suitable capacity and technical know-how to better appraise risks in financing projects which use such green technologies, Malhotra said.

He pointed out that climate related financial risk modelling is very important and data intensive. There is limited data available for measuring the financial impact of climate change. To address such constraints, the RBI had in October last year announced the creation of a repository called the Reserve Bank  Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS).

The repository is intended to bridge data gaps by providing standardised datasets. These datasets include hazard data, vulnerability data and exposure data related to physical risk assessment, sectoral transition pathways and carbon emission intensity database related to transition risk assessment. Work on this repository is underway and we expect to launch it later this year, he added.

The RBI Governor also highlighted that technology and finance have a critical role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. There is a need to build innovative solutions and capabilities in these areas. The Reserve Bank has been encouraging and facilitating innovations through its Regulatory Sandbox and Hackathon initiatives in the Fintech space, he observed.

We propose to set up a dedicated on Tap cohort on climate change risks and sustainable finance under RBIs Regulatory Sandbox initiative. We are also planning to conduct a special Greenathon on climate change and related aspects, Malhotra said.

He also said that several jurisdictions have started work on the assessment and disclosure of climate related risks. International organisations such as International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation has released standards on climate related disclosures.

Besides, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) has released a consultative document on disclosure of climate-related financial risks with a view to integrate climate risk related disclosures under the Pillar III disclosure requirements of the Basel framework, he explained.

The Reserve Bank has already issued draft guidelines on Disclosure Framework on Climate related Financial risks in February 2024, for public comments. We have received valuable feedback and are in the process of finalising the guidelines. A guidance note on Climate Scenario Analysis and Stress Testing is also being developed for the Regulated Entities, Malhotra added.
The information that the man who shot and killed activist Demyan Hanul on Friday in the center of Odesa was wearing a military uniform is not true; there are "specific leads" regarding the circumstances of the murder, reports Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

"I was briefed on the information that has been collected to date. There are specific leads. Police operatives and investigators are working to establish the identity of the shooter and his arrest," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wrote on the Telegram channel on Friday.

He added: I would also like to point out that the information that the shooter was wearing a military uniform is NOT true.

Klymenko called for using only information from official sources.

As reported, the police are establishing the circumstances of the murder of activist Demyan Hanul in the center of Odesa on Friday, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has taken the investigation and disclosure of this crime under his personal control.

"A report that an unknown man shot at a passerby in Prymorsky district of the city was received by the special hotline 102 at about 10:30 today. The shooter fled the scene of the crime. The victim died," the National Police of Ukraine reported on its Telegram channel.

Sources of the Interfax-Ukraine agency in law enforcement agencies reported that the murdered man was activist Demyan Hanul.
South cinemas beloved queen, Nayanthara, is all ready to grace our screens with her upcoming film Test, streaming on Netflix from April 4.

Known for her powerful performances and graceful screen presence, Nayanthara dives into the character of Kumudha, a woman whose heart beats for simple dreams  a cozy home, a loving husband, and the joy of being called Mom.

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But as life often does, it throws curveballs at her, testing her patience, resilience, and spirit.

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Opening up about her role in Test, Nayanthara shared, Kumudhas strength lies in her simplicity. She dreams of love and family, but life doesnt always play fair. Portraying her journey was incredibly emotional, and I hope the audience feels every moment of her struggle and triumph.

The film, presented by Netflix and YNOT Studios, is a heart-wrenching yet inspiring tale of love, endurance, and unwavering hope.

While Nayanthara is basking in the anticipation of Test, she hasnt forgotten to express her gratitude to those whove supported her along the way. Recently, she penned a heartfelt note thanking Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan for allowing her to use footage from their production Jawan for her documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

In her note, she wrote, Every film Ive worked on holds a special place in my heart. When I requested footage for my documentary, these producers granted permission without hesitation. I am forever grateful.

She also extended her thanks to Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi and other producers from across Indian cinema. With that, she acknowledged the love and respect shes earned over her two-decade-long career.

Mark your calendars for April 4 and get ready to witness Nayantharas magic on Netflix.
The Union government has released Rs 32.68 crore for the State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund in FY 24-25, said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday, ahead of the World Consumer Rights Day.

World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15, serves as an essential reminder of the need to uphold consumer rights and protection.

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The day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and encourage those rights to be respected and protected.

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During the FY 2024-25, Rs 32.68 crore have been released to various states for the establishment/enhancement of their respective State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) fund as Central government share, said the Ministry.

It added that during the period, 24 States and 1 UT have established the Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Funds.

Further, the government noted it aims for a safer, transparent, and consumer-friendly economy.

As India observes World Consumer Rights Day 2025, the focus remains on ensuring a safer, more transparent, and consumer-friendly economy, said the Ministry.

To empower consumers, strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensure a transparent and fair marketplace, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced several new initiatives and policies.

In 2024, major developments included improvements in e-commerce regulations, digital consumer protection, product safety standards, and sustainable consumption initiatives, the Ministry said.

World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983. The day commemorates President John F. Kennedys address to the US Congress on March 15, 1962, where he became the first world leader to formally recognise consumer rights.

The theme for this year is, a just transition to sustainable lifestyles.

This theme reflects the urgent need to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices available, accessible, and affordable for all consumers  while ensuring that these transitions uphold peoples basic rights and needs, said the Ministry.

This years campaign highlights the pathways needed to achieve sustainable lifestyles and calls for stronger consumer protection and empowerment worldwide, it added.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday accepted the invitation of his Tamil Nadu counterpart, M.K. Stalin, to attend the March 22 meeting on the delimitation issue.

The meeting, to be chaired by DMK chief Stalin in Chennai, will focus on the issue of delimitation and its alleged potential to undermine the parliamentary representation of south Indian states.

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CM Stalin has been rallying support to collectively oppose the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

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Tamil Nadu IT Minister P. Thiaga Rajan and South Chennai MP Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian met CM Vijayan at his official residence and handed him the personal invite of CM Stalin.

CM Vijayan assured the visiting delegation that Kerala will do the needful and, according to sources in the know of things, a State Minister will be sent along with a Parliament member.

Later the TN visiting delegation arrived at the state party headquarters of the CPI(M) and the CPI and interacted with the top leaders of both these parties.

After meeting CM Vijayan, Minister Rajan in a post on X said the proposed delimitation exercise was an undeniable assault on federalism and the rightful representation of our states.

On behalf of Honble Chief Minister Thiru. @mkstalin, I, along with Honble MP (South Chennai) Dr. @ThamizhachiTh, met with Honble Kerala Chief Minister Thiru. @pinarayivijayan in Thiruvananthapuram today, he said on X. We extended our Chief Ministers invitation for the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting to be held in Chennai on March 22, 2025, to collectively oppose the unfair delimitation exercisean undeniable assault on federalism and the rightful representation of our states, he added.

The Kerala Chief Minister expressed his strong solidarity with Tamil Nadu on this issue and assured his full support in our collective fight to uphold democratic values and safeguard the rights of our people, the Minister added.

CM Stalin has called for a meeting of Chief ministers and various state leaders from different political parties regarding the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies on March 22 in Chennai.

Incidentally, both Stalin and Vijayan have had the best of relations and have shared the stage on some occasions in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The festival of Holi is being celebrated with joy and enthusiasm across the country. The festivities coincided with Friday prayers, which prompted heightened security measures to ensure peace and order in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Sambhal, where last year a riot took place in which four people were killed.

Holi celebrations in Sambhal have remained peaceful and the planned processions on the festival were taken out across the city without any problem.

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At the same time, namaz was also offered in different mosques in the city. At 2:30 p.m., worshippers gathered at the Shahi Jama Masjid to offer prayers on the second Friday of Ramzan.

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Meanwhile, a large Holi procession passed near the mosque, with around 3,000 people participating. To maintain law and order, a heavy police deployment was in place throughout the city.

Police Officer Anuj Chaudhary expressed satisfaction with the peaceful proceedings.

People have celebrated Holi with great harmony in Sambhal. There have been no reports of any disturbances. Worshippers offered namaz without any issues, he said.

Local communities took the initiative to cover mosques themselves. I thank Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for ensuring law and order, he added.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi also highlighted the cooperative spirit in the region.

Everything is going on peacefully and with affection. People here are fostering brotherhood. The diligent efforts of the Sambhal police have paid off, he remarked.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra noted that a total of 68 Holi processions took place in Sambhal, including two that passed through areas with mixed populations.

Thanks to the teamwork of our administration and security personnel, everything proceeded smoothly, she said.

Sambhal DM Rajender Pensiya said, People celebrated Holi with traditional fervour. More than 60 processions were taken out in the city under tight security.

Given the overlap of Holi and Friday prayers, authorities had issued an alert across the state, with special arrangements made in Sambhal to prevent any untoward incidents. A strong police presence and community cooperation ensured that both Holi festivities and Ramzan prayers were observed without disruption.

The peaceful celebrations are significant in light of tensions in Sambhal following communal riots on November 24 last year, which were triggered by an Archaeological Survey of India examination of a Mughal-era Shahi Jama mosque.
The Ministry of Mines, in partnership with the Goa government, jointly launched Indias inaugural Exploration Licence (EL) auction  a transformative step aimed at unlocking critical and deep-seated mineral reserves across the country.

Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Goas Chief Minister Pramod Sawant shared the dias to make the event also showcase a Roadshow for the fifth tranche of critical mineral blocks auction and inaugurated the AI (artificial intelligence) Hackathon 2025 under the theme Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence.

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The AI Hackathon 2025 aims to leverage cutting-edge datasets to identify hidden mineral deposits and drive innovation in sustainable mining practices.

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Chaired by G. Kishan Reddy, the session brought together prominent officials from state and central administrations to deliberate on a variety of key issues.

Highlighting the significance of this moment, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said, For the first time, India is opening up systematic early-stage exploration through a structured and transparent auction process. This reform will accelerate the discovery of critical and deep-seated minerals, boost investor confidence, and pave the way for a self-reliant, future-ready mineral ecosystem aligned with Indias clean energy and industrial ambitions.

The discussions addressed essential topics, such as strategies for auctioning untapped mining blocks in Goa, plans to rejuvenate dormant mines, and solutions for managing expired and lapsed leases in compliance with Section 10A(2) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

CM Sawant, lauded the Union governments reformative steps, stating, Goa has a rich mining legacy, and we are committed to responsible, technology-driven mineral development. These reforms will not only unlock Indias mineral potential but also create new opportunities for sustainable mining.

Progress updates on the operationalisation of auctioned mining blocks and ongoing exploration projects were shared, with special emphasis on the contributions of organisations like the Geological Survey of India and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd.

The CM laid his emphasis on the economic impact of reviving mining operations in Goa, highlighting their role in bolstering the states economy and contributing to the Gross State Domestic Product.

CM Sawant lauded Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their steadfast support in these initiatives.

The event culminated in the auction of 13 exploration license blocks covering critical minerals such as Rare Earth Elements (REEs), zinc, diamonds, copper, and Platinum Group Elements.

The transparent bidding process is set to advance mineral exploration, boost private sector involvement, and strengthen Indias technological and energy independence.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested an employee of an ordnance factory in Ferozabad for allegedly sharing confidential and sensitive information to Pakistans intelligence agency, ISI, after falling into a honey trap, a senior officer said on Friday afternoon.

The accused has been identified as Ravindra Kumar.

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According to Additional Director General (ADG) UP ATS Nilabja Choudhary, the accused, working at the Ordnance Factory in Hazratpur, district Firozabad, was called to ATS headquarters in Lucknow and arrested following a detailed interrogation.

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The official further added that the accused, Kumar, passed the sensitive defence-related documents to a woman handler identified as Neha, a Pakistani intelligence operative.

ATS UP and their associate agencies got information that there is a person named Ravindra Kumar who was sharing different confidential and sensitive information with his Pak ISI handler. So, working on this, our Agra unit did a preliminary interrogation of Ravindra Kumar, and he was called to ATS headquarters for a detailed interrogation, where it was proved that he shared very sensitive information through a handler named Neha, ADG Choudhary said while speaking to reporters here.

This ISI module has been around for a long time, the ADG Choudhary said.

The official added that during the interrogation, it was discovered that the accused occasionally shared the information with the said handler. They honeytrap people and extract information from them, which poses a huge threat to national security

So, while interrogating him, we found out that he shared information with the said handler from time to time, which included the daily production report of the said Ordnance Factory (in which he was working) and the receipt of stores, other documents of criminal circulation, the stock that is about to arrive, the requisition, all were shared, ADG Choudhary added.

ADG Choudhary also requested all the sensitive institutions to maintain a minimum level of security checks on their employees

Through you, I would request all the sensitive institutions to update their security drills, SOPs, etc., with all the officials of our vital installations and maintain a minimum level of security check on their employees so that such situations can be avoided in futureFurther investigation is underway
As the festival of colors, Holi, is here, yoga guru Baba Ramdev has come forward with an important message  celebrate Holi the natural way, without harming your skin, hair, or the environment. In an era where synthetic and chemical-based colors dominate the market, Ramdev is encouraging people to return to nature and embrace Prakriti ki Holi  Holi with natural, plant-based colors.

In a recent interaction, Baba Ramdev shared some valuable tips on how to enjoy the festival while protecting your skin and staying true to Indian traditions. His advice revolves around using natural ingredients, flower-based colors, and skin-friendly oils, ensuring that the joy of Holi doesnt come at the cost of your health.

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The beauty of Palash flowers

One of the most effective and traditional ways to create natural color is by using Palash flowers (Flame of the Forest). These vibrant orange flowers have been used in ancient Indian traditions to create saffron-colored dye.

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According to Ramdev, soaking Palash flowers in water overnight releases a beautiful saffron hue that can be used to play Holi.

For those who want a richer and more intense shade, Ramdev suggests grinding the soaked flowers in a mixer-grinder. The paste can then be diluted with water and used directly as a liquid color. This method is not only safe for the skin but also adds a natural fragrance to your Holi celebrations.

You can even play Holi by throwing rose petals or Palash flowers at each other. It is joyful and harmless, says Ramdev, highlighting how nature offers vibrant colors without the need for harmful chemicals.

Patanjalis herbal colors

For those who may not have the time to prepare flower-based colors at home, Ramdev recommends Patanjalis natural Holi colors, available at Patanjali stores. These herbal colors are made from plant extracts and natural ingredients, ensuring that they do not cause skin allergies, eye irritation, or hair damage, which is often a concern with synthetic colors.

These colors are completely safe and eco-friendly. They smell great and dont cause rashes or itching, says Ramdev.

Protect your skin with natural oils

Another essential tip from Baba Ramdev is to prepare your skin before stepping out to play Holi. Applying a protective layer of coconut oil, mustard oil, almond oil, or even cow ghee creates a barrier that prevents the color from penetrating deep into the skin. This makes it easier to wash off the colors later and keeps your skin moisturized.

After playing Holi, if you feel any irritation or dryness, apply aloe vera gel. It will soothe your skin and reduce any redness, he advises.

Holi with love, not chaos

Baba Ramdev also reminds people that Holi is a festival of love, unity, and joy, not chaos and intoxication. He strictly advises against using harmful substances like chemical colors, mud, alcohol, or drugs during the celebration.

Holi should bring people closer, not create harm. Indian culture is all about nature, and this festival should reflect that spirit, he says.
The car industry is rarely out of the news, often under gloomy headlines related to tariffs, falling sales, low uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and workers strikes. While the crisis in the sector affects all global brands, German companies have been especially badly hit. Volkswagen has been reducing its production capacity, Mercedes-Benz has issued a profit warning and announced a cost-cutting programme and BMWs value has dropped substantially over the past year. There are several reasons for German carmakers troubles.

These include changes in regulations, the emergence of new competitors, high energy prices, Covid disruption in both the market and the supply chain and the bottleneck created by the shortage of microchips. Also, while China was a booming market for many European and North American manufacturers, over recent years it has become a formidable competitor with its domestic brands capturing market share both locally and globally. Meanwhile, German brands market share in China has dropped from 25 per cent to 15 per cent in just five years.

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All this hurts not only the German economy, but also its national pride, given the role that the automotive industry has played in shaping the countrys sense of identity. These troubles come against a backdrop of changing consumer preferences. I have researched and worked with several legacy car manufacturers and believe that they have underestimated recent important shifts in users needs and behaviour.

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The key question is this: is the current innovation trajectory of traditional German automakers going to anticipate  or even just address  consumers evolving needs? If we look at their performance over the last few years, I would say no. The Benz Patent Motor Car, launched in 1886 in Mannheim, Germany, is considered to be the first mass-produced car. It had three wheels and a 0.75 horsepower single cylinder engine. Over the following decades, a series of iconic German models, such as the VW Beetle and the Porsche 911, contributed to making the automobile one of the most defining consumer products of the 20th century.

The fundamental premise of their success was that the car promised speed, power and independence. BMWs slogan, sheer driving pleasure, expressed the view that their customers would be drivers aspiring to buy an expensive but rewarding engineering wonder. Is this still the case today? While cars are still an object of desire and brand identification for some consumers, the aspects that attract many buyers are changing.

Rather than speed or power, they appear to be far more interested in what the car can offer over and above the driving experience. This means features like the digital interface and the sound system, and the wider considerations of nondrivers needs, such as how to entertain children in the back seat. Importantly, these increasingly sophisticated digital features are developed by specialist firms and rarely by the carmakers themselves.

Moreover, the automotive industry as a whole is moving towards a new paradigm, one where vehicles are increasingly autonomous and where hybrids and EVs will dominate. Several considerable inventions in the 20th century were pioneered by German firms. The Mercedes-Benz 260 D, for example, was the first mass-produced passenger car with a diesel engine. The future, however, seems to be in the hands of innovative challengers.

These include Chinese firm BYD, which overtook Tesla to become the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in 2024, as well as ventures from technology companies like California-based Waymo (Googles former self-driving car project) with its successful robotaxis. While German car companies are still competitive, their approach to innovation has mainly been to push incrementally improved products to customers. In doing so, they are essentially offering them more of the same. This strategy can be effective in stable markets, but it is proving less successful in dynamic contexts where user experience has to be the focal point.

This does not mean that companies should simply provide whatever customers say they want. But uncovering so-called hidden needs requires a shift towards exploration, experimentation and pulling from users. This effectively means prioritising the needs and preferences of users when developing products and services  something tech companies are doing with their increasingly sophisticated in-car products. This is an approach that also demands openness, ability to cope with ambiguity, dismantling the iron cages that stifle brands creativity, and a certain degree of humility.

These are qualities that seem to be missing in traditional automakers. Which companies are going to lead? Those that incrementally improve existing products to appeal to buyers who want to own and drive a car? Or those that target customers who want to experience an increasingly autonomous vehicle where they interact with others (physically or digitally) and are not interested in driving? German automakers risk a sharp decline  from industry leaders to struggling laggards. A fundamental shift in mindset is the only way forward.

(The writer is Professor of Business Performance and Innovation, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
In the early days of Donald Trumps second presidency, few figures have wielded as much influence as billionaire Elon Musk. Tasked with leading a government-wide cost-cutting effort, Mr Musk has positioned himself as an enforcer of efficiency, slashing bureaucratic excess with a characteristically aggressive approach. However, a cabinet meeting suggests that even in an administration known for disrupting norms, there are limits to how much authority an unelected outsider can exert over the machinery of government.

The tensions that surfaced in the meeting highlight a core contradiction within Mr Trumps governance style. On one hand, he thrives on bold, unconventional moves ~ placing powerful figures from the private sector into key roles, as seen with Mr Musks mandate to rein in government spending. On the other hand, he remains keenly aware of political realities, including the need to maintain cohesion among his cabinet secretaries and insulate his administration from legal challenges. By publicly clarifying that department heads, not Mr Musk, will lead decision-making while the billionaires team merely advises, Mr Trump appears to be setting boundaries on his unchecked authority.

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This recalibration comes after weeks of Mr Musks aggressive cost-cutting measures, which have drawn some admiration and considerable alarm. His initiative, dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has pursued layoffs with a zeal that has unsettled career bureaucrats and even some within the administration. Reports that federal workers were urged to accept months of advance pay in exchange for their resignations raised questions about the ethical and legal implications of such efforts. Furthermore, directives to justify weekly accomplishments or face termination created an environment of uncertainty within key agencies.

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The fallout has already been felt. Agencies overseeing critical functions, including nuclear security and air traffic control, have had to walk back some of Mr Musks directives, recognising that indiscriminate cuts could endanger national operations. The pushback from officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy underscores the practical challenges of imposing a bull-in-the-china-shop approach on the sprawling federal bureaucracy. Mr Trumps intervention, though subtle, serves as a reminder that governance is not the same as running a business. Unlike a CEO, a president must balance efficiency with accountability, ensuring that political, legal, and operational concerns are factored into major decisions.

By emphasising that cost-cutting must be done with a scalpel rather than a hatchet, he is signaling a shift from Mr Musks aggressive purges to a more measured approach. Despite these tensions, the TrumpMusk partnership remains intact ~ for now. Mr Musks presence on Air Force One after the cabinet meeting suggests that their broader alliance remains strong. However, the dust-up in the cabinet room may be the first sign of a natural ceiling on Mr Musks influence. While his vision for government efficiency aligns with Mr Trumps broader goals, the episode makes clear that even the most powerful outsiders cannot completely override the institutional forces of Washington.
The announcement of a proposed 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, to be brokered by the United States, marks a pivotal moment in a war that has defied diplomatic solutions for over three years. With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing readiness to move forward, the pressure now shifts squarely on Moscow.

Whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will entertain this overture remains uncertain, but the implications of either acceptance or rejection are significant. For Ukraine, Mr Zelenskkys willingness to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities suggests a strategic recalibration. His acceptance of the US proposal, after high-stakes talks with Mr Rubio and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Saudi Arabia, signals Kyivs desire to explore diplomatic options ~ perhaps to relieve battlefield pressure, or to reposition itself for negotiations that secure long-term guarantees. After years of unwavering resistance, even a temporary halt might offer Ukraine the breathing space it desperately needs.

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The United States, meanwhile, appears intent on reclaiming its role as an arbiter in the conflict. Mr Rubios public declaration that the ball is in their court puts the onus on Mr Putin, while President Donald Trumps comments about speaking directly with the Russian leader suggest Washington is banking on a deal to reshape the narrative of its involvement. Mr Trumps stated hope that Mr Putin will agree to the proposal may be wishful thinking, but it underlines a shift toward pragmatism, driven by both humanitarian concerns and strategic interests.

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For millions of Ukrainians and Russians caught in the crossfire, even a temporary halt in fighting could mean life-saving relief. Civilians on both sides urgently need a pause to recover. Yet, there are serious doubts about Russias response. Influential figures like Konstantin Kosachev, chair of the Federation Councils International Affairs Committee, have already dismissed the possibility of an agreement on American terms. His assertion that real agreements are still being written at the front underscores Moscows enduring belief in a military solution. Despite mounting losses, Mr Putins forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, reinforcing the Kremlins leverage.

The proposal also exposes fault lines among Ukraines Western allies. Europes exclusion from these negotiations has triggered concern in Brussels, and European leaders are scrambling to ensure they are not sidelined in a process that could shape the continents future security architecture. While Mr Zelenskky thanked Mr Trump for the constructiveness of the Jeddah talks, the underlying tensions remain unresolved.

Ukraines offer of rare earth minerals in exchange for security guarantees adds another layer of complexity, blending geopolitics with economic necessity. Ultimately, this ceasefire prospect is fraught with fragility. But it is also an opportunity. If Mr Putin accepts, it could open the door to sustained negotiations. If he refuses, it will reveal, yet again, where the real obstacles to peace lie. Either way, the next few days could redefine the trajectory of this long and brutal war.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says that the price of tickets for citizens for transportation by Ukrzaliznytsia should not increase.

"We have already held two meetings with Ukrzaliznytsia regarding their financial plan and activities for this year. Of course, the priority is that prices and tariffs for people should remain unchanged. War is a difficult time and we must take care of people, the price of tickets should not change," he said during the government question hour in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, broadcast live on YouTube by MP Oleksiy Honcharenko (European Solidarity faction).

The prime minister noted that Ukrzaliznytsia has profitable foreign transportation and a decision was made to increase their number.

"Regarding freight transportation, we agreed that Ukrzaliznytsia will work with business. For that part of the products and goods where Ukrzaliznytsia has an objectively unprofitable tariff, they must agree with business and bring this tariff into profit, or at least into cost. In the next week and a half, we agreed that they will come to the government with a decision on the financial plan," Shmyhal said.

As reported, Ukrzaliznytsia has prepared proposals for indexing freight transportation tariffs by 37% in 2025, they were sent to the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, which checks the materials provided by Ukrzaliznytsia and holds consultations with business.
The first-ever genetic study of endangered Asian elephants has been conducted in Cambodias northern plains, estimating that the population of the mammals in the region was 51, said a Fauna & Flora Cambodias press release on Thursday.

Conducted by Fauna & Flora in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the study was carried out during the 2020-2021 dry season and utilised non-invasive genetic sampling techniques across three key protected areas: Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries, the press release said.

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The genetic research was performed at the Royal University of Phnom Penh with technical support from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, it added.

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The researchers estimated a population of 51 elephants in the region, larger than previous local estimates suggested, the press release said.

While smaller than Cambodias primary elephant populations in the Cardamom Mountains and Eastern Plains, which support 200-300 individuals, the Prey Lang Extended Landscape population exhibits high genetic diversity, a critical factor for long-term viability, it added.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are some of the largest mammals on the planet.

Pablo Sinovas, country director of the Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme, said that in this study, researchers combined molecular and spatial modelling techniques to assess the population size, genetic diversity, and habitat availability of an important yet imperilled group of Asian elephants in Cambodia.

Despite its small size, this population retains high levels of genetic diversity, an essential foundation for long-term survival, he said.

Alex Ball, WildGenes conservation manager for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said that having a high level of genetic diversity within a population is fundamental to its long-term future, Xinhua news agency reported.

We now hope to expand this methodology across Cambodia and beyond, helping to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals, he said.

It is estimated that there are currently 400 to 600 Asian elephants in the wild in Cambodia, the press release said.

The studys findings underscore the potential of the Prey Lang Extended Landscape to become a national stronghold for Asian elephants, significantly contributing to Cambodias biodiversity conservation goals, it added.
A top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday rejected the US plan of ceasefire in the war against Ukraine even as US President Donald Trumps top negotiator landed in Moscow for talks.

Yuri Ushakov, who is also on the Russian team for negotiations with the US, said on Russias state television that the 30-day cease-fire would allow Ukraines forces time to regroup. This is nothing other than a temporary time-out for Ukrainian soldiers, nothing more. Our goal is a long-term peaceful resolution, he said, adding, Steps that imitate peaceful actions are not needed.

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Ushakov said he had conveyed Moscows opposition to the temporary ceasefire to the US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on a phone call on Wednesday.

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Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of the US President and his top negotiator, arrived in Moscow for talks on the ceasefire plan.

But the senior Kremlin aide qualified his remarks saying he had stated my point of view and that President Putin could make more specific and meaningful assessments later in the day.

In an unmistakable political message, President Putin turned up in the region of Kursk in military camouflage earlier in the day to mark advances by his military in the region.

The US ceasefire plan pauses hostilities for 30 days and paves the way for a peace agreement. Ukraine accepted it during talks between the two sides in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, leaving the fate of the place in the hands of Russia.

Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking, and now it will be up to them to say yes or no, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters after the meeting with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, referring to Russia.

I hope theyre going to say yes, and if they do, then I think weve made great progress. If they say no, then we will, unfortunately, know what the impediment is to peace here.

There has been no response from the White House to the Kremlin aides remarks.
Millions of people in Japan are reported to be addicted to online gambling, with the amount of money spent on illegal gambling reaching 1.2 trillion yen annually, a police survey revealed on Thursday.

According to the report of Japans National Police Agency, about 3.37 million people in Japan are estimated to have used overseas online casinos despite the ban in the country. The findings of its first study are released following recent cases involving athletes and celebrities, amid a lack of public awareness about its illegality, local media reported

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Some 40 per cent of the users were unaware online casinos are illegal, the survey by the National Police Agency showed. There is a possibility that a lack of awareness about illegality encourages people to use online casinos, an NPA official said, leading Japanese daily, The Japan Times reported

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The survey, commissioned by police and conducted by a research firm, covered around 27,145 people aged 15 to 79 nationwide between July and January. It found that 3.5 percent of respondents had gambled at virtual casinos. The 3.5 percent equates to about 3.37 million people nationwide, with an estimated 1.97 million still gambling online illegally, the survey said, Japanese media outlet Kyodo News reported

The average amount bet monthly by 500 people who gambled online was 52,000 yen, or about 350 dollars. The total amount bet annually by users nationwide was estimated to be about 1.24 trillion yen, or about 8.4 billion dollars.

A separate NPA survey of 40 overseas online casino sites believed to target Japanese users, conducted between August last year and January this year, showed that only two of them clearly state that participation from Japan is prohibited. Eight sites were available only in Japanese.

Among the 40 sites, the NPA found that for 20 sites, over 90 per cent of users accessing them were in Japan. They are clearly targeting people in Japan, Japan Times quoted a senior NPA official as saying.

Japan is known for its workaholic people, but a section of the population is becoming addicted to gambling. In 2024, Japanese police accused 279 people of using online casinos, with many unaware that internet gambling is illegal.
Pakistans flag carrier airline PIA (Pakistan International Airline) domestic flight landed in Lahore on Thursday without one of its wheels, leaving authorities shocked on what seemed like a major blunder on part of the flight management.

PIA flight PK306 had left from Karachi enroute to Lahore.

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Upon landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, it was discovered that the one of the tyres of the plane was missing.

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The issue was discovered during an inspection following the flights landing at the airport, said a PIA spokesperson.

The interesting part of the whole episode is that despite the fact that more than 14 hours have passed since the flight landed in Lahore, there is no trace of the missing tyre as it has not been found yet.

Authorities at the Karachi International Airport have confirmed that the tyre was present when the plane took off from Karachi.

It was also maintained that the plane made a normal landing at the Lahore airport.

An investigation has been launched into the incident as authorities probe into how the tyre went missing.

Initial findings have revealed that the tyre shaft was found at the Karachi airport, after Lahores Air Traffic Control (ATC) sent out a notification on the matter.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) maintains that preliminary observations indicate towards a possible external object strike on the planes tyre at the runway of the Karachi airport.

While the final report will reveal the cause of the incident, initial findings indicate that the wheel might have been impacted due to a fault on the runway of some other external factor, said the PIA spokesperson, adding that an immediate investigation has been launched by the PIA Safety Department and the CAA.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, for their continued attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Putin acknowledged the efforts of these leaders and others for their commitment to seeking peace in the war-torn region, despite the many global challenges they face.

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I would like to start by offering my sincere thanks to President Trump of the US for his focus on the Ukraine situation. Many state leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Modi of India, and the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa, have been dedicating significant time to this issue. We appreciate their contributions, as it is all for the noble cause of stopping the conflict and preventing further loss of life, Putin stated.

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Prime Minister Modi has been stressing and reiterating about bringing peace in the region thereby clearly setting Indias stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During his recent meeting with Trump at the White House, PM Modi made it clear that India was not neutral in the matter, emphasising that India sides with peace.

This is not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi had said, underscoring Indias commitment to diplomatic efforts. PM Modi has also maintained open channels of communication with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, repeatedly stressing the need for peaceful resolution.

The US has proposed a 30-day ceasefire, urging Russia to accept the deal without any conditions.

Putin, while expressing support for a ceasefire, acknowledged there are nuances that need to be addressed, adding that he had serious questions about how the proposal would be implemented.

In response, US President Donald Trump referred to Putins comments as promising, but also noted that the statement was not complete, suggesting that further discussions were necessary.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire proposal during talks held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, following mounting pressure after a meeting between Trump and Zelensky in February.

The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has caused immense devastation, with hundreds of thousands dead or injured and millions displaced. The conflict has led to severe economic and geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, with the ceasefire discussions now offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution.
The National Police did not confirm media reports that the killer of public figure Demyan Hanul in Odesa had surrendered to law enforcement officers.

"Hanul's killer has surrendered. According to our information, the killer called law enforcement officers on his own," the Dumska publication reported on Telegram on Friday.

A little later, the National Police press service published the following message on Telegram: "The search for the shooter continues. We cannot confirm the information that he has voluntarily surrendered."

As reported earlier this day, public figure Hanul was killed in Odesa, the police opened a case of deliberate contract killing. The crime was committed in the center of Odesa on Friday morning. An unknown person shot at the 31-year-old public figure and fled. The victim died on the spot.

Investigators, forensic experts, and detectives continue to work at the scene. Measures are being taken to detain the perpetrator.


remaining of

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India Can Expect Over USD 600 Billion in Alternative Investments Over the Next Three Years to Fuel the Startup Ecosystem

New Delhi, March 7, 2025: India's startup ecosystem is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating that over $600 billion in private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) investments will flow into the country over the next three years. This figure represents 13% of the estimated $4.7 trillion required (including government investments, corporate retention, PE/VC funding, corporate debt, initial public offerings (IPOs), and other sources) to achieve a $5 trillion economy by FY2027. The alternative assets market, valued at $400 billion, is expected to expand substantially, further driving startup growth and economic development. This influx of capital is anticipated to foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and create an enabling environment for new ventures to thrive. As investors recognize the immense potential of Indian startups, the country is set for a transformative journey that could redefine its business and technology landscape.

In a strategic move to strengthen the synergy between academia and the financial industry, IMT Ghaziabad has announced the establishment of the Centre for Financial Markets (CFM) in Mumbai. Speaking at the launch, keynote speaker Mr. Navneet Munot, Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited, emphasized, "With a combination of a robust talent pool, increasing digitalization, and supportive government policies, India's startup scene is ready to soar to new heights. Understanding market trends and economic policies is crucial for effective wealth creation in today's dynamic financial landscape."

The Centre for Financial Markets at IMT Ghaziabad continuously evolves by integrating fintech, AI-driven investments, and sustainable finance courses into its curriculum. The introduction of industry-focused certifications and experiential learning ensures students acquire relevant skills. With the growing demand for BFSI professionals, CFM anticipates higher enrollment, expanded internship opportunities, and stronger industry engagement, equipping students for leadership roles in financial markets.

Dr. Atish Chattopadhyay, Director of IMT Ghaziabad, stated, "Over the last 44 years, IMT Ghaziabad has significantly contributed to the growth of Indian financial markets through education, knowledge creation, and dissemination. I am glad that the Board, alumni, faculty, and staff have come together to launch the Centre for Financial Markets in Mumbai at a time when disruptive business models, political realignments, and artificial intelligence are challenging the traditional order."

Emerging markets are set to attract increased capital inflows, driven by fintech advancements, regulatory harmonization, and alternative investments. Key trends include a rise in PE/VC funding, broader institutional participation, and greater digital asset integration. These shifts will enhance market liquidity, foster financial innovation, and strengthen economic stability in high-growth regions. "I am certain that the Centre for Financial Markets will play a vital role in addressing the pressing questions facing Indias financial sector and will nurture the next generation of finance professionals for the post-AI world," added Dr. Chattopadhyay.







Dr. Harsimran Sandhu, Chairperson of CFM & Professor of Finance, further commented, "The Centre for Financial Markets at IMT Ghaziabad and Mumbai will play a pivotal role in shaping finance professionals through its PGDM BFS program, offered in partnership with NISM. The Mumbai immersion provides students with direct exposure to financial institutions and regulatory bodies. The curriculum is industry-aligned, focusing on banking, financial services, and alternative investments, complemented by a Bloomberg Finance Lab and strong BFSI placements. These initiatives equip students with practical expertise, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world financial markets."

IMT Ghaziabads PGDM Banking and Financial Services (BFS) program aims to develop industry-ready finance professionals in collaboration with NISM, Mumbai. This partnership enables interaction with industry practitioners, preparing future finance leaders for the post-AI world.

The Centre for Financial Markets at IMT Ghaziabad fosters strong industry connections through corporate tie-ups, mentorship programs, and networking platforms. Students gain access to industry-academia roundtables and direct engagement with financial institutions. Increased recruiter participation, internship opportunities, and high placement success rates are key anticipated outcomes. Strengthening alumni networks will further enhance career pathways in banking, investment management, and alternative assets. This launch reflects IMT Ghaziabads vision of advancing financial research and industry collaboration. CFM will serve as a hub for professionals, scholars, and leaders to drive innovation and impact in financial markets.

IMT Ghaziabad: Grooming Future Leaders Since 1980

Indias Premier Management Institute: Established in 1980, IMT Ghaziabad is an AACSB-accredited business school committed to Innovation, Execution, and Social Responsibility.

Global Recognition: Ranked among the Top 100 globally in the Financial Times Global Masters in Management Ranking 2024.Secured #8 position in the Bloomberg Businessweek Asia-Pacific Ranking 2024-25.

Comprehensive Programs: PGDM (Flagship Program)  A rigorous, industry-focused program. PGDM (BFSI)  Offered in association with NISM, specializing in Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance. Dual Country PGDM  A unique program providing exposure in Dubai & Delhi NCR. Executive PGDM  Tailored for experienced professionals looking to advance their careers.

Distinguished Faculty & Research : A blend of experienced practitioners and scholars with high-impact journal publications. Fellow Program in Management (FPM) recognized as equivalent to a PhD by AIU.IMT Ghaziabad IM The Change: An Initiative on Sustainability and Social Responsibility has been featured in the Innovations That Inspire list of AACSB www.aacsb.edu/about-us/advocacy/member-spotlight/innovations-that-inspire/2018/institute-of-management-technology-ghaziabad

Commitment to Social Responsibility: 25% scholarship for women students, promoting gender diversity, 100% scholarship for meritorious students from economically challenged backgrounds.

Global Exposure & International Learning : Extensive student exchange programs and immersions. Recently, IMT G announced a tri-county global EMBA in collaboration with Vlerick Business School.

Futuristic Learning & Technological Edge: Hands-on learning with AI Clinic, Bloomberg Finance Lab, and Digital Marketing Lab. Collaborative program in Digital Transformation & Sustainability IMT Ghaziabad remains dedicated to shaping future leaders, equipping them with the skills, global outlook, and ethical values needed to excel in todays dynamic business environment.

For more information about IMT Ghaziabad, please visit www.imt.edu. For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Astha Kalra, Marketing Manager at IMT Ghaziabad, via email at akalra@imt.edu.
With the Centre withholding the funds for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to the tune of 2,152 crore, the Tamil Nadu government has released funds from its own financial resources.



Presenting the state budget on Friday, Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu said that the state government will release its own funds towards the salaries of teachers, to ensure that the education of the government school students remains unaffected.

The Union Government has withheld the approved amount of 2,152 crore to Tamil Nadu, citing the States non-acceptance of the union governments New Education Policy, which includes the three-language policy. Despite this, keeping in mind the welfare of students, the state government has allocated funds, including salaries of teachers, from its own resources to ensure that the education of government school students remains unaffected, even in the slightest way, Minister Thenarasu said in his budget speech.

Recalling the words of poet Bharathidasan that any opposition to a Tamilian to work for the betterment of Tamil community will eventually crumble and fail even if it is a mighty mountain, Thenarasu said that the people of Tamil Nadu have rallied behind the chief minister for upholding the dignity of the state on the bilingual policy.

Tamil Nadu contends that the union government is trying to impose Hindi on the Tamil-speaking people by insisting on the implementation of the three-language formula. The state government has been insisting on going by the two-language formula and strongly objects to the three-language policy proposed by the Centre under the New Education Policy 2020.

Though the union government reiterated that the opposition to NEP 2020 has nothing to do with the preservation of Tamil pride, language and culture, the state government has been vociferous in its opposition to the three-language policy and the setting up of PM SHRI schools in the state.

Subsequently, the Centre had withheld 2,152 crores under the SSA scheme to fund the salaries of the school teachers and the infrastructure in the education department.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that the state will not change its language policy, and set up the PM SHRI schools even if it does not allocate funds.

Following this, the state in its 2025-26 budget announced that it will release funds from its own financial resources to support the functioning and infrastructure of the government schools across Tamil Nadu, including the financial resources towards salaries of the teachers.

In the budget estimates, a sum of 46,767 crore has been allocated for the school education department, Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu announced in his budget speech.

Apart from this 275 crore has been allocated to set up student hostels, in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, to benefit 1,000 students each. Thennarasu also said that 1,000 crore will be allocated in 2025-2026 to support the development of essential infrastructure, including additional classrooms, science laboratories and drinking water facilities in government schools.
Sweden will provide the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) with its fourth support package since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, amounting to SEK 100 million, to be directed towards helping the population affected by the war, the press service of the URCS reported.

The Government of Sweden has decided to allocate 100 million Swedish krona to support the humanitarian efforts of the Ukrainian Red Cross. These funds will assist the war-affected population. This marks the fourth aid package for the Ukrainian Red Cross since the start of the full-scale invasion, URCS said on Facebook Friday.

"We are sincerely grateful to the Government of Sweden for this contribution at an incredibly difficult time for Ukraine. We have already helped around 13 million people, but the hostilities continue, and people continue to suffer. Even if the war were to end tomorrow, the humanitarian needs would remain enormous, as thousands of homes have been destroyed, along with hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. Moreover, millions of people in frontline areas face the daily challenge of surviving under fire. Additionally, we must be ready to support refugees who will return home," said Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Thanks to Sweden's financial support and the backing of the Swedish Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Ukrainian Red Cross will be able to provide more extensive assistance to the affected population, including those in frontline areas.

Ulrika Modeer, Secretary General of the Swedish Red Cross, who is currently visiting Ukraine, emphasized the importance of building local capacity: The Ukrainian Red Cross is a community of nearly 10,000 dedicated volunteers who have been providing both emergency and long-term assistance across the country for the past three years. Civil society is what makes it possible to reach everyone in need.
In a major achievement, the combat freefall jump of military combat parachute system (MPCS) developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a laboratory of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was carried out recently.

MCPS is a sophisticated parachute system designed for military operations, particularly for special forces. It allows paratroopers to jump from aircraft with a combat load, deploy their parachutes at predetermined altitudes, and navigate and land safely.

In a significant achievement, Combat freefall jump of Military Combat Parachute System developed by ADRDE, Agra was carried from altitude of 27000ft with full combat load making it only parachute system capable of deployed above 25000ft currently in use by Indian armed forces pic.twitter.com/3AuFwP1HGz  DRDO (@DRDO_India) March 13, 2025

The parachute system can be used in High Altitude High Opening (HAHO), High Altitude Medium Opening (HAMO), and High-Altitude Low Opening (HALO) modes, depending on the operational requirements.

In a tweet, the DRDO announced that the freefall jump was done from an altitude of 27,000ft with a full combat load, making it the only parachute system capable of being deployed above 25,000ft currently in use by Indian armed forces.

ALSO READ: Indian Air Force gains a lethal edge as ASTRA missile aces LCA Tejas test-firing

The jump was carried out by Wing Commander Vishal Lakhesh VM(G), MWO R J Singh, MWO A. A. Baidya demonstrating the effectiveness of the indigenous combat parachute system.

"MCPS offers improved tactical features, including a lower rate of descent and enhanced steering capabilities. It enable paratroopers to jump from aircraft and deploy their parachutes at predetermined altitudes, navigate and safe landing to designated areas," the tweet from DRDO said.

"The system is engineered in such a way that apart from the Army, Air Force and Navy, the special frontier force could operate. More than 350 trials were executed by ADRDE and Paratrooper Training School (PTS), Air Force, Agra. The system was commissioned in 2023," Times of India had quoted Gyasuddin Quraishi, a scientist and PRO of ADRDE, as saying.
Amid speculations and some media reports that suggested that the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets of the US, produced by Lockheed Martin, has a "kill switch" that would allow the US to remotely disable or limit the combat capabilities of the fighter jet sold to America's allies, the company and various government authorities have come out with their concerns and clarifications.

It is to be noted that the US had pitched the idea of supplying F-35 stealth fighter jetsknown as the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the worldto India as well during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. However, a few days ago, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh noted that the US is yet to make a formal offer in this regard. "It is not like a washing machine or refrigerator for home that we can buy by just the looks of it. We have not given it a thought. No offer has been made till now," he had said.

The narrative of "F-35 kill switch" gained traction in the wake of the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia and the decision of the US to cut military aid to Ukraine. Various media outlets in European countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, are reported to have published news reports that partly suggested the possibility of F-35s being equipped with a "kill switch". There were even appeals to Canada to cancel its $14.5 billion F-35 order.

Killing 'em without 'kill switch'

However, the fact of the matter is the US does not really need a "kill switch" to prevent allies from doing what the supplier does not want them to perform with the fighter jets. Merely stopping the support of US maintenance and logistics chains and computer networks to the F-35s would just do the trick. The capabilities of the fighter jets that would remain in the air for a limited time would be majorly degraded.

In a series of tweets, Tyler Rogoway of defence news website The War Zone observed that "You don't need a 'kill switch' to severely hamper the utility of an exported weapons system, you just stop providing support for it and it will wither away, some systems very quickly...the impact from being locked out of centralized cloud-based system like F-35's ODIN (ALIS) that does so many things, including mission planning w/threat intel integration. Your jets would be far more vulnerable to loss without it.."

He, however, added that there is no real replacement for F-35 and countries would be "sacrificing capability and survivability by stepping away from it."

'Kill switch' not viable, say allies

Belgian Chief of Defence Gen. Frederik Vansina, scotching speculations of a "kill switch", said, "We have no indication that this is possible...The F-35 is not a remote-controlled aircraft. The programme relies on worldwide logistical support, with spare parts circulating between user countries."

Belgiums Chief of Defence too had said the fighter jet is not a remote-controlled aircraft, reiterating the Switzerland defence ministry stance that the F-35s could be used autonomously.

The programme operates under well-established agreements that ensure all F-35 operators have the necessary capabilities to sustain and operate their aircraft effectively. The strength of the F-35 programme lies in its global partnership, and we remain committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require," The War Zone quoted a F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office spokesperson as saying.

"A particular strength of the F-35A is that thanks to its sensor technology, it can independently generate a comprehensive situational picture, thus providing pilots with situational awareness in all task areas. The corresponding data processing takes place autonomously in the F-35A," a statement from the Swiss Department of Federal Defense stated.

It pointed out that the US uses its export control policy to ensure that American weapons are not passed on to third countries without the consent of the Pentagon.
R. Madhavan Pillai, one of the last surviving veterans of the Indian National Army (INA) who mobilised support for the INA across 32 locations in Burma (now Myanmar), including Hanthawaddy, Sawbwagale, Ywadanshe, Swryan, Yangon and Mayongon during the freedom struggle, celebrated his 99th birthday on Thursday visiting the National War Memorial and paying tribute to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.

Honouring Valour & Sacrifices



As Lieutenant R. Madhavan Pillai of Indian National Army, #INA approaches the milestone of his 100th birthday, we stand in awe of a living legend whose life embodies the spirit of valour and sacrifice.



Lieutenant Pillai today laid wreaths at the pic.twitter.com/jWsrqzlBbB  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 13, 2025

Pillai arrived at the memorial in a wheelchair to pay homage to fallen heroes at the memorial and Netaji.

Holding a walking stick, he was helped by an Army official to the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' to lay a ceremonial wreath and pay his tributes to the fallen heroes.

Defying his age and ill-frame, he looked up and saluted with pride.

"Born on March 13, 1926, in Swryan Township, Burma (now Myanmar), is one of the last surviving INA veterans. He belongs to a family originally from Tamil Nadu and joined the Indian Independence League as a civilian before enlisting in the Azad Hind Fauj (INA) on November 1, 1943," an official has been quoted as saying.

Taking to X, the Indian Army posted a few photos and a video of the veteran saying, "As Lieutenant R. Madhavan Pillai of Indian National Army, #INA approaches the milestone of his 100th birthday, we stand in awe of a living legend whose life embodies the spirit of valour and sacrifice."

"The #IndianArmy salutes the indomitable spirit of the #Veteran and pays homage to the sacrifices of those who fought for the Nations Independence," the Army further said.
Recently, we reported that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is attached to star in an upcoming project of filmmaker Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The Departed). The former WWE veteran-turned-actor has confirmed his involvement in the film which also has Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt attached.

In a post on his official 'X' handle, The Rock posted: "Grateful for whats been the most creatively inspiring time of my career - working closely with my friends and of course, the maestro Marty Scorsese."

Scorsese will return to a territory familiar to him, the gangster film, which led to classics like Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed and The Irishman.

The project comes from the mind of British author and journalist Nick Bilton, who has directed the documentary Fake Famous. Bilton's subject is centred on the activity of the Hawaiian underworld in the 1960s and 70s.

Johnson has confirmed the same in his tweet. He wrote, "In the 60s, 70s & 80s the mafia controlled New York, Miami, Chicago, Vegas, and a particularly strong hold on the island I was raised - Hawaii."

The Fast and Furious star is being eyed to play a "formidable and charismatic mob boss rises to build the islands most powerful criminal empire, waging a brutal war against mainland corporations and rival syndicates while fighting to preserve his ancestral land."

According to Deadline, which broke the news first, the project is based on "the untold true story of a man who fought to preserve his homeland through a ruthless quest for absolute power  igniting the last great American mob saga, where the war for cultural survival takes place in the unlikeliest of places: paradise."

Scorsese, Johnson, Blunt, DiCaprio, and Bilton will also serve as producers alongside Dany Garcia, Lisa Frechette and Rick Yorn.

The project marks Johnson's first collaboration with Scorsese and DiCaprio's seventh with the legendary director after Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Johnson and Blunt have previously worked together in Jungle Cruise and Smashing Machine. The latter is expected to see Johnson in a relatively performance-heavy role, unlike the blockbuster-friendly kind he did earlier. Blunt recently got raves for her performance in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.
In a remarkable collaboration among independent filmmakers, Payal Kapadia has joined hands with Jeo Baby to bankroll the project by another fellow indie filmmaker. Kapadia, who won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 for her film All We Imagine as Light -- a project that generated Oscars buzz -- will produce Kunjila Mascillamani's Malayalam film Guptam (The Last of Them Plagues). She is joined by director Jeo Baby, best known for his directorial The Great Indian Kitchen, whose Hindi remake, Mrs., was released last year.

The pair will join Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, whose film Girls Will Be Girls debuted on Amazon Prime Video last year, as well as Kani Kusruti, the lead star in Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light.

The art and the artist

Mascillamani is a writer-director from Calicut renowned for her film Asanghadithar (The Unorganised), featured in Jeo Baby's film anthology Freedom Fight. A lover of the art, her filmmaking journey began in 2007, initially dabbling in short films. She is the recipient of several accolades, including the Laadli Media Award, the Toto Funds the Arts Award, the SAARC Award for the Best Short Film, and the John Abraham Memorial Award for short fiction films.

The synopsis of her upcoming film Guptam (The Last of Them Plagues) reads: When her younger daughter disappears in a graveyard, a single mother is forced to move to a conservative, religious, small town in Keralam, India, where she launches a desperate search for the child. Soon, a series of mysterious and disastrous incidents plague the region, and the townsfolk turn against her, convinced she has brought god's wrath upon them. Now, she must fight to clear her name while coping with grief and struggling to care for her surviving daughter.

Kapadia praised Mascillamani's work, saying that she was struck by her "impeccable craft and strong voice" when she saw Asanghadithar and knew she wanted to produce Guptam after reading the script.

Jeo Baby said he was "floored" when he read the script of Guptam. "Her nuanced portrayal of human relationships and their fragility, while telling the story of a witch-hunt, is extraordinary," he said.

Kusruti mentioned that the script "lingered in her mind for days" and praised the feminist approach of the film. Chadha and Fazal have also expressed their excitement about working with Mascillamani, stating, "We have long admired Kunjila's work for its originality, and we are excited to embark on this journey with her, knowing she will bring depth, nuance, and vulnerability to this deeply personal story."

Guptam (The Last of Them Plagues) will premiere at the CineV Film Markets in Chandigarh, beginning on March 20.
A man was arrested for attacking five people on the premises of the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday. The condition of one person is said to be serious after suffering injuries in the attack using an iron rod.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Four injured as a person attacked people with iron pipes in Shri Guru Ramdas Ji Niwas in the Golden Temple premises. https://t.co/Rf7CVSAhUw pic.twitter.com/Ife4uV8bdr  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

People had gathered to celebrate the New Nanakshahi Year on Friday when the incident took place. The injured devotees hailed from Mohali, Bathinda, and Patiala, while the other two victims were sewadars, media reports said.

According to reports, the accused, who hailed from Shadipur in Haryana's Yamunanagar, attacked the devotees inside the oldest Guru Ram Das inn near the community kitchen. He was accompanied by another man who reportedly brought him to the Golden Temple, Indian Express said in a report. The accomplice has also been arrested by the Punjab Police.

According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) responsible for the management of the Golden Temple, the man suddenly picked up a rod and started hitting people around 12:00 pm. He targeted people indiscriminately, hitting devotees and Sewadars alike. The devotee who suffered serious injuries in the incident is said to be a youngster. He is undergoing treatment in the emergency wing of Amritsa's Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, the daily said.

The CCTV visuals helped to identify the accused and his accomplice following the incident. The Punjab Police also recovered visuals of him with the rod used for the attack on the second floor of Guru Ramdas Sarai, Times Of India (TOI) said in a report. The attack began when one of the injured sewadars challenged his presence on the second floor and asked him to come down. When his pleas got no response, the attendant climbed the stairs only to be struck with the rod, the report said.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Four injured as a person attacked people with iron pipes in Shri Guru Ramdas Saran in the Golden Temple premises.



Dr Jasmeet Singh says, " As per the statements given to us by the patients, an unknown assailant assaulted the victims with a rod. 5 pic.twitter.com/p8N8QpQOr1  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

The mayhem came to an end when more sewadars managed to apprehend the Haryana native near the Sangat, the report said. By then, he had injured five people and the furious sewadars beat him up badly before handing him over to the police.
As the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government presents the state budget today, there is a notable omission that has made quite the headline in the countrythe omission of the rupee symbol .



DMK mouthpiece Murasoli, in its Friday edition, featured the photo of the new symbol, stating it was noteworthy that one of the instances from the preview video of the budget released by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has become the talk of the whole country.

Perhaps, that was exactly what one of the oldest regional political parties in India, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, wanteda national discussion on the recent move by the BJP-led Union government, widely criticised by vernacular language supporters as a political arm-twisting to impose Hindi.

Ever since the BJP government under Narendra Modi came to power, every two-three years, there has been a move to bring Hindi to the fore as a national language. This is not new to Tamil Nadu. Attempts to make Hindi a mandatory language in the states education system were met with opposition, and even agitations between 1938 and 1940, and in 1948 and 1965.

In 2020, a plan to impose Hindi backfired, with celebrities and prominent public figures from Tamil Nadu sporting T-shirts that said Hindi theriyathu, poda (Dont know Hindi, get lost).

Deep in discussion , good things coming our way ... !  @thisisysr pic.twitter.com/VSgaNQQNvw    (@actor_shirish) September 5, 2020

In 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that Hindi needs to be accepted as an alternative to English. Leaders from Tamil Nadu were caught off-guard, some even reacting with disbelief. For, the language debate was a settled issue in Tamil Nadusomething that was decided even in the pre-Independence days.

Back then, Stalin told DMK workers, We are not against Hindi. We are against the imposition of Hindi. Invoking the ideological guru of Dravidian politics, E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar), Stalin asserted that the fiery soul of the language struggle that began in 1938, will not be doused even in 2022.

Three years since, here we are, once again.

It all began with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which sought to reintroduce the three-language formula. This move, which Tamil Nadu sees as a covert move to introduce Hindi as a mandatory language in education, was also shot down back in the NEP 1968. While the earlier NEP mandated Hindi as a compulsory language after English, the 2020 one advised English and two regional languages.

South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, which was happy with a two-language formula, now see it as a way to impose Hindi. For, in a three-language formula, the third language after English and Tamil automatically defaults to Hindi, unless the state finds another regional language to substitute and find teachers for it. Therefore, Tamil Nadu shot down the NEP 2020.

The Centre retaliated, withholding 2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, stating Tamil Nadus unwillingness to join the Union government-sponsored programme to uplift 14,500 model schools with a focus on a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable education called the PM SHRI initiative. The irony is that Tamil Nadu is willing to participate in PM SHRI, as long as the non-negotiable condition of implementing NEP 2020 is struck down.

This stand-off has now escalated, pouring fuel into the fire on the Tamil-Hindi struggle. And Stalin-led DMK was quick to make a statementstriking down the rupee symbol made using the Devnagiri script, in its latest state budget presentation, in what can be viewed as an open protest against Hindi.

Thursday night, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to social media to shun the gesture by the Stalin government.

The DMK government has reportedly removed the official Rupee symbol  from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 documents, which will be presented tomorrow.



If the DMK (@arivalayam) has a problem with , why didnt it protest back in 2010 when it was officially adopted under the  Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 13, 2025

The Union finance minister added that the  symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar, son of former DMK MLA N. Dharmalingam. By erasing it now, the DMK is not only rejecting a national symbol but also utterly disregarding the creative contribution of a Tamil youth, she added.

The  is internationally well-recognized and serves as a visible identity of India in global financial transactions. At a time when India is pushing for cross-border payments using UPI, should we really be undermining our own national currency symbol?, asked Sitharaman.

Calling the gesture by Tamil Nadu government under Stalin as more than mere symbolism, the finance minister, who also hails from Tamil Nadu, said that it signalled a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity and promotes secessionist sentiments under the pretence of regional pride.

A completely avoidable example of language and regional chauvinism, Sitharaman stressed.

An issue that began with the NEP quickly escalated into a political and ideological battle. Tamil Nadu is unlikely to back down unless the 2,152 crore owed to the state under the PM SHRI initiative is settled without the state implementing the three-language formula. The Centre will not include Tamil Nadu in PM SHRI unless it implements the NEP 2020, thereby implementing the three-language formula that comes with it.

Who will blink first, is the million-dollar question.
Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was accused of the gold smuggling case, was denied bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences on Friday. The court pointed out that the charges against her are serious.

Rao will be staying in judicial custody.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On Kannada actress Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai says, "It is a big cause of concern...I feel very sorry that when these issues are happening, the so-called eminent people are at the centre of that issue. It makes pic.twitter.com/lRh0B0m9Z3  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

Rao had applied for bail in the Special Court for Economic Offences after Magistrate Court rejected her plea.

Meanwhile, a special court remanded hotelier Tarun Raju, the second accused in the case, to judicial custody for 15 days.

In connection with the gold smuggling case, Raju was arrested on Wednesday by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). He was remanded to DRI's custody for three days.

Bengaluru, Karnataka: On actress Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case, BJP Karnataka President B.Y. Vijayendra says, "The gold smuggling case involving Ranya Rao is a high-profile matter. Since she is the daughter of a senior IPS officer and the seized gold is worth more than 13 pic.twitter.com/aAdoUpXesr  IANS (@ians_india) March 14, 2025

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 4 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 12 crore into India. While returning from Dubai she was arrested at Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport.

Ranya was apprehended following the arrests of two foreigners, coming from Dubai, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai while attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold into India valued at Rs 18.92 crore on March 6.

DRI found the gold concealed in a specially designed waist belt. Following searches at her residence, officials discovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.

Ranya was alleged of making 30 trips to Dubai over the past year 'smuggling' significant quantities of gold.

After Ranya's arrest, the CBI launched a probe into the alleged role of public servants in facilitating gold smuggling from Dubai following a complaint by the DRI.

"The possibility of the involvement of unknown public servants of the government of India and unknown others, with such a coordinated network, needs to be investigated," the DRI said.

Following DRI's complaint, the CBI registered an FIR and launched an investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case of money laundering against Rao and conducted searches.
As the Bangalore court gears up to pronounce the verdict in the bail plea of Kannada actor Ranya Rao in the gold smuggling case, more details about the actor's confession to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials have emerged.

As per reports, Ranya has identified the man who gave her the gold at Dubai airport as a "6 ft tall foreigner who wore Arab traditional clothing of Khandura and spoke an African-American" accent. She said she had never met him before.

The actor said the "unknown person" met him near the Espresso machine in the dining lounge at Gate A of Dubai International Airports Terminal 3. They had an internet call before the meeting, after which he instructed her to come near the Espresso machine. He also told her the delivery location, according to local news websites.

Ranya said she took the gold from him and immediately went to the airport washroom. There were two packages wrapped in thick, tarpaulin-type material, the first one contained 12 gold bars, packed in three sets of four. The second one had five cut pieces of gold.

She then watched YouTube videos to learn how to conceal the gold. She had purchased a tape beforehand and bandaged the gold bars around her thighs and waist. Some were stuffed inside her pocket.

"I had to pass the airport toll gate and take the service road. Then, after crossing the traffic signal there, I had to put it in an auto parked on the side of the road. My task would have ended there," Ranya told the investigation officials.

#WATCH | Hubballi, Karnataka | On Kannada actress Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, "The state police used to escort that lady whenever she was going abroad, which helped her to avoid customs checking... She was escorted under the instructions of pic.twitter.com/Or4MLUrUWq  ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025

She added that she had been an avid traveller and had visited Europe, America and Africa many times. She had also been to Dubai multiple times for wildlife photography and real estate business expansion opportunities. "I had planned to settle in Dubai and had no plans to return to Bengaluru. But a call from a stranger changed my plans," she reportedly confessed.

She added that she had been receiving internet calls from an unknown person on March 1 evening. "I had been receiving similar calls for the past two weeks. But I did not inform the police about these unknown calls. This is the first time I have committed the act of transporting gold illegally. I have not purchased any gold during my previous visit to Dubai," she claimed.

Ranya said she booked the Emirates flight from Dubai to Bengaluru at 6 pm on March 1 using her husband Jatin's credit card.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has lashed out against Pakistan Foreign Office's (FO) statement accusing India of being involved in terrorism in Pakistan. India's reaction came a day after the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson pointed fingers at India while discussing the hijack of Jaffar Express at Balochistan.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others."

On Thursday, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly press briefing: "India has been involved in terrorism in Pakistan. In the particular attack on Jaffar express, the terrorists had been in contact with their handlers and ring leaders in Afghanistan."

This isn't the first instance of Pakistan pointing fingers against India. After the news of hijack broke out, both Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Information Minister Atta Tarar tried to slam Indian media, alleging that they were engaging in "propaganda" and "spreading a coordinated narrative regarding the attack" with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and political enemy PTI.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif told reporters that the "flow of misinformation" online and on social media from India "openly displayed the nexus between the terrorists and their masters to the whole world."

Historically, Pakistan has accused India of fuelling separatist movements in Balochistan. Islamabad has time and again accused the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of being involved in the formation of BLA and other separatist groups like the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) in the 1960s and the Baloch Republican Army(BRA) 2000s.
Ukraine's updated Low-Carbon Development Strategy to 2050 (LCDS) prioritizes the restoration of natural ecosystems, the introduction of innovative technologies, and the expansion of clean and renewable energy sources (RES), according to Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svitlana Hrynchuk.

"The updated strategy envisions a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in absorption by 2050 through active afforestation and ecosystem development. It also includes the implementation of new standards in urban planning, agriculture, water resource management, and climate risk mitigation," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Additionally, the strategy provides for the deployment of innovative technologies across industry, transport, and construction.

According to the minister, special attention is given to clean energy development, with a focus on renewable energy sources, hydrogen technologies, and energy efficiency improvements.

A crucial aspect of the strategy is assessing the socio-economic impact of the transition to a low-carbon economy and attracting international partners to finance related initiatives. A monitoring and review system will be established to ensure the strategy's adaptability to new challenges and opportunities.

Hrynchuk emphasized that the updated strategy is fully aligned with the EU's climate goals and the Paris Agreement.

"It not only lays the foundation for emissions reduction but also opens avenues for deep economic transformation and integration with the European market, particularly through the implementation of an emissions trading scheme and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)," the minister noted.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine engaged over 20 national and international experts in developing the updated strategy with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.

The Paris Climate Agreement is an international initiative aimed at combating global warming, primarily attributed to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Its main objective is to limit the rise in global average temperature to within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJM) has strongly criticised the house arrest of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Umar Farooq, which prevented him from delivering the sermon and leading congregational prayers at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on Friday.

In a statement, the AAJM described the restrictions placed on Mirwaiz as unwarranted, particularly during the sacred month of Ramzan. It said that preventing him from leaving his residence had caused disappointment among the large number of worshippers gathered at the mosque.

Obstructing the Mirwaiz from carrying out his religious responsibilities at such an important time is deeply distressing for the community, the AAJM said.

This house arrest follows the recent decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ban the Awami Action Committee (AAC), a socio-political and religious organisation led by Mirwaiz, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for five years.

Strongly condemn the ban on Awami Action Committee and declaring it an Unlawful Association. Formed by shaheed e Millat at the peak of holy relic (moi muqadas) agitation in 1964, it has unwaveringly stood by the people of J&K advocating their aspirations and rights through  Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) March 11, 2025

The ban has sparked criticism from political and religious groups, who argue that the AAC has played a significant role in Kashmirs social and religious affairs.

The matter was also raised in the Assembly by PDP MLA Waheed Parra, who urged the government to reconsider its stance.

The AAC, established by Mirwaizs father, the late Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, has historically engaged in social and religious activities in Kashmir.

The AAJM has reiterated its demand for Mirwaiz Umar Farooqs immediate release and the reinstatement of his right to address congregations at Jama Masjid. It labelled the restrictions on him as unjust and deeply concerning.

The Jama Masjid is a revered place of worship where thousands gather every Friday for spiritual guidance and blessings, the AAJM asserted. Restricting the Mirwaiz from fulfilling his duties is profoundly distressing for the people.

The organisation also encouraged worshippers to continue their prayers and supplications, seeking relief from such limitations.

Mirwaiz, who also leads a faction of the Hurriyat Conference, was among several political and religious figures placed under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370. Additionally, the Jama Masjid remained closed for weeks after the BJP revoked Jammu and Kashmirs special status. Recently, he was granted permission to meet the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in New Delhi regarding amendments to the Wakf Bill.
A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged 1,000 crore scam in state-run liquor retailer TASMAC, the Tamil Nadu government is gearing up to take on the investigation agency legally. The state government is all set to challenge the probe agency in the court like it did in the sand mining case.

Excise Minister V. Senthil Balaji, on Friday, said the EDs 1,000 crore scam claim has no basis and it was a generalised allegation. The government was prepared to face the matter legally, Balaji said.

Stating that the government is acting as per the procedure laid by the earlier governments in the state and there was no scope for irregularities as the tender process was transparent, he asserted: The liquor procurement is on the basis of the last three months and last-month sales and its average. No concession is shown to anyone in procurement and the process is transparent.

Balaji also explained that no new policy decision has been taken in recent years. He pointed out that the government did not give permission to any new distillery or brewery or for any new retail shops in the recent past. We have only reduced the number of retail shops, he said.

Questioning the "hasty" release of ED statement on Thursday, alleging 1,000 crore scam, Balaji said it was a mischievous attempt to hide the welfare schemes and state government initiatives aimed at benefitting the people and such efforts would not succeed.

Balaji pointed out that the claims by the ED with regard to transfers and postings in TASMAC were baseless as it was routine for reasons like family and health requirements. He said that there were no wrongs or violations in transfers. The ED has tried to give an appearance of wrongs. He also contended that with regard to transport, tenders were awarded in a transparent manner and tenders for bars have already been made online.

Balaji also took a dig at the state BJP leader K. Annamalai without mentioning his name saying a leader had already claimed 1,000 crore scam and later the ED statement repeated it and there are 1,000 meanings in this.

However, it may be recalled that in 2023-24 the Tamil Nadu government got a stay against EDs actions to enquire five district collectors in the illegal sand mining case. The federal agency had then summoned five district collectors alleging that the proceeds from illegal mining in Tamil Nadu ran to 4,730 crore.

The state government claimed that it had received only Rs 36 crore as revenue through sand mining across the state. The Madras High Court then said the ED had no jurisdiction to issue the summons to district collectors. They also clarified that there was no bar on the investigations into the sand mining case by the ED.
Tamil Nadu Excise Minister V. Senthil Balaji dismissed the Enforcement Directorates charge of unearthing financial irregularities worth 1,000 crore in state-run liquor retailer TASMAC on Friday. The minister, who is already facing an ED probe in another money laundering case, said the state would face the matter legally.

VIDEO | Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26: State minister Senthil Balaji briefs media in Chennai.



Earlier today, the Tamil Nadu govt presented its Budget 2025-26 in the Assembly, a full-fledged exercise ahead of the state election next year, and made big allocations for its flagship pic.twitter.com/iYtlxjMajI  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 14, 2025

Addressing presspersons, Balaji said the central agency has levelled a generalised allegation and there was no basis for its charges. Saying the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) functions transparently, Balaji said the central agency hasnt clarified which FIRs prompted the action and the state was ready to face it. "Legal action will be taken in the matter," Balaji said.

ED, Chennai has conducted search operations at various premises across many districts of Tamil Nadu on 06.03.2025 under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for various offences related to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and its associated entities/persons.  ED (@dir_ed) March 13, 2025

Accusing the ED of acting according to the whims of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Centre, Balaji charged once state BJP chief K. Annamalai alleged 1,000 crore in TASMAC, the ED repeated the same. Balaji asserted the tender process in TASMAC was transparent and there was no scope for irregularities in it. The liquor procurement is on the basis of the last three-month and last month's sales and its average. "No concession is shown to anyone in procurement and the process is transparent, PTI reported quoting the minister.

Balaji charged the ED was targeting the state as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is pioneering protest against the Centre over the three-language policy and Lok Sabha delimitation exercise. The Union government could not tolerate it and has misused the ED. Centre is attempting to create a bad name for the CM who enjoys the confidence of the people, he alleged.

In a statement on Thursday, ED said it found "multiple irregularities" in the operations of TASMAC, including "manipulation" in the tender processes and "unaccounted" cash transactions worth Rs 1,000 crore through distillery companies. The ED probe reportedly stems from FIRs registered by Tamil Nadus vigilance bureau against irregularities in TASMAC. ED sleuths raided premises related to TASMAC and distillery owners reportedly for five days from March 6.
A 20-year-old law student, who was allegedly in an inebriated condition, killed a woman and injured four others after he rammed his speeding car into two-wheelers during the early hours of Friday in Gujarats Vadodara. Gujarat police have nabbed him and are on the lookout for his friend who escaped after the incident.

BIGG BREAKING: Big accident has happened in Gujarat pic.twitter.com/cKNIYduVLC  India Speks (@indiaspeks) March 14, 2025

According to police, the incident happened near the busy Muktanand crossroads in the Karelibaug area around 12.30am on Friday. Rakshit Chaurasiya, the 20-year-old student, was allegedly drunk and was driving the car in a rash manner. Chaurasiya, who lost control of the vehicle, rammed his car against two-wheelers. As per CCTV footage collected from the site, speeding car is seen hitting two scooters, knocking down the riders and dragging them along before coming to a halt.

#WATCH | Gujarat: One woman died in an accident after a four-wheeler collided with a two-wheeler in Vadodara. pic.twitter.com/HL7nFbk43a  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

Hemali Patel, the scooter driver, succumbed to injuries at the accident site itself. Chaurasiyas friend Mit Chauhan escaped from the scene after the incident. The car belonged to Chauhan, police said.

As per video captured by eyewitnesses, Chauhan jumped out of the car and blamed Chaurasiya for the crash. Chaurasiya, who appears incoherent, keeps shouting, Another round? Another round? PTI reported. Passerby public reportedly thrashed Chaurasiya before he was handed over to police.

Deputy Police Commissioner Panna Momaya said it was a case of drunken driving and further probe is underway in the case. Chaurasiya originally hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and was studying law staying at a PG accommodation in Vadodara, Momaya said. Police said efforts are being made to track down Chauhan.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, presenting the states budget on Friday, said the state will not succumb to Centres pressure to implement three-language policy in the state and will utilise its own funds to meet the needs of the school education department.

Presenting the budget for the 2025-2026 financial year, Thenarasu said, The Union government did not release 2,150 crore to the Tamil Nadu government due to the states refusal to accept the three-language policy. The state government itself has released funds for this from its own financial resources, The Hindu reported.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu (pic 1) is presenting the State Budget in Assembly today.



AIADMK walked out of the Assembly over alleged TASMAC scam. BJP also walked out of the House.



(Pics: Tamil Nadu Assembly) pic.twitter.com/gzzIleAwe5  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

The finance ministers statement comes as Tamil Nadu is engaged in a huge row with the Centre over implementing the National Education Policy in the state. The state on Thursday replaced the rupee symbol,, in its budget logo with Tamil letter ' (Ru), the first letter of Tamil word Rubaai, meaning rupee.

The Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the state government for the move and Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai called the move stupid. He added the  symbol was designed by a Tamilian and son of former DMK legislator.

Tamil Nadu has opposed the Centres three-language formula and claimed students in the state have hugely benefited from its two-language policy. The state also condemned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for saying pending funds will be released to Tamil Nadu only if the National Education Policy (NEP) is implemented in its entirety in the southern state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin termed NEP a poison and categorically said the state would not implement the policy. He also slammed the Union minister for trying to blackmail the state by withholding funds.
A day after US President Donald Trump downplayed his initiative for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, reports have emerged that the US and Israel were in talks with three East African nations to discuss resettling the Palestinians to their countries.

This comes as Trump himself walked back on his initial statement about resettling Gazans, stating that "no one is expelling anyone from Gaza."

The US and Israel have reached out to officials of Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland to discuss the proposal for resettling the Palestinians, Associated Press quoted American and Israeli officials.

While Sudanese officials reportedly rejected overtures from the US, the officials from Somalia and Somaliland tell The Associated Press that they were not aware of any contacts. Trump had initially stated that as per his plan, the Gazans could be resettled to a "different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change."

However, it is unclear how these countries would qualify as all three places are poor and wracked by violence.

Immediately after taking over as President, Trump said: "I think that its a big mistake to allow people  the Palestinians, or the people living in Gaza  to go back yet another time, and we dont want Hamas going back. And think of it as a big real estate site, and the United States is going to own it, and well slowly  very slowly, were in no rush  develop it."

However, he backtracked on his statement, which was welcomed by Hamas. "If US President Trumps statements represent a retreat from any idea of displacing the people of the Gaza Strip, they are welcomed," Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in the statement, as per Reuters. "We call for this position to be reinforced by obligating the Israeli occupation to implement all the terms of the ceasefire agreements," he added.
United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he held a very "good and productive" discussion with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over ending the war.

"There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," said Trump.

Trump also said that he had urged Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

In a social media post, Trump said that thousands of Ukrainian troops at this moment are completely surrounded by the Russian forces and the troops are in a bad and vulnerable position.

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all," he said.

Putin and Trump had productive talks on Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cko9ryuRNy  RT (@RT_com) March 14, 2025

The US president's statement came after Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Putin in Moscow. Russian officials said that Putin will be speaking with Trump on the US's ceasefire deal proposal.

Russia had expressed its dissatisfaction with Trump's 30-day ceasefire plan to pause the Ukraine war. However, the Kremlin conveyed that the country was looking for a permanent solution to end the war rather than a temporary one.

Recently, the US has been making "strong" efforts to bring an end to the three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war.

Putin's close aide Yuri Ushakov, a former ambassador to Washington, also criticised Trump's ceasefire proposal by saying that it has "nothing" for Russia.

He added that the document "has a hasty character. "It will be necessary to work, think and take into account our position too. It outlines only the Ukrainian approach, said Ushakov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin drew the world's attention on Thursday with his speech where he expressed willingness for a ceasefire, but set conditions for the same. But, it was one interesting detail that caught the world's attention, especially in the changing geo-political scenario.

Putin took time in his speech to thank many heads of state, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi but totally ignored any mention of European leaders or nations, which triggered a discussion.

"We all have enough issues to deal with. But many heads of state, the president of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the South African Republic are spending a lot of time dealing with this issue. We are thankful to all of them because this is aimed at achieving a noble mission, a mission to stop hostilities and the loss of human lives," Putin said.

Everyone reporting "Putin has agreed to a ceasefire." has not actually listened to a word he said in his speech. pic.twitter.com/ThBRVE7j6B  Conflict Monitor (@ConflictMoniter) March 13, 2025

Putin's carefully worded speech was highlighted by the French newspaper Les Echos which wrote: "For the first time, the Russian president paid tribute to the heads of state of four countries he believes are involved in resolving the conflict: South Africa, China, India, and Brazil, the major BRICS countries, one of his favourite international forums. Not a word about the Europeans."

Putin was referencing to implementation of the mechanisms of a ceasefire when he made the statement. "How will those 30 days be used? For Ukraine to mobilise? Rearm? Train people? Or none of that? Then a question - how will that be controlled? Who will give the order to end the fighting? At what cost? Who decides who has broken any possible ceasefire, over 2,000km? All those questions need meticulous work from both sides. Who polices it?," Putin asked.

His statement praising leaders of BRICS nation, while making no mention of Europe reflects his refusal to consider Europe in the deal, experts feel.

Even more interesting is the fact that hours before Putin's speech, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said he was "not interested in the position of EU countries in resolving the conflict in Ukraine." This was supposedly a direct response to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said on Wednesday that Europeans would "have to be involved" in Ukraine.

Russia has earlier too rebuffed the idea of sending European peacekeepers when the United Kingdom and France put forth the idea. "This would be considered by Moscow as a "direct armed conflict" with its troops," said Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry's spokeswoman. "We will respond with all available means," she warned.
Donald Trump's United States and Israel reportedly reached out to the governments of three East African governments to discuss if they can accommodate Palestinians being relocated from the Gaza Strip under the postwar plan proposed by the US President earlier, reports said.

President Trump, in an outrageous move, had revealed his plan to permanently move more than two million Gazan residents from the contested region. He has proposed the US would take ownership of the territory, oversee a lengthy cleanup process and develop it as a real estate project. However, the proposition resulted in massive outrage across the world including long-time US allies.

Weekly Report of the #OIC Media Observatory on Israel's Crimes against the Palestinians 4-10 March 2025.



- 23 #Israeli violations Against 12 Mosques in the West Bank with the Advent of the Holy Month of #Ramadan



- Increase in Crimes against Al-Aqsa, Restricting Access to pic.twitter.com/OXgT403wZi  OIC (@OIC_OCI) March 11, 2025

It was also reported that the African nations who heard from Israel and US also rejected the plan of letting the people of Gaza be brought to their territory. They believe it was grave injustice to uproot a civilisation as a whole from their ancestral land to be resettled at faraway patches.

FULL REPORT | US, Israel are in talks with these African countries about resettling Gazans

Separate outreach from the US and Israel to the three potential destinations began last month, days after Trump floated the Gaza plan alongside Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel was taking the lead in the discussions, sources had told US media. The two allies have a variety of incentives  financial, diplomatic and security  to offer these potential partners.

Multiple media reports identified the East African countries contacted by Washington and Tel Aviv as Somaliland, Sudan and Somalia. Somaliland is a breakaway region of Somalia that is a self-declared independent state although not recognised so by global powers. It is considered an autonomous region of Somalia by the international community.

ALSO READ | Will Donald Trump and Israel agree to Egypt's Gaza plan amid OIC endorsement?

None of them have responded positively to the proposal. The Somalian foreign ministry clarified that its territory would never be allowed for the resettlement of other populations before declaring to stand behind "Palestinian peoples right to live peacefully on their ancestral land."

Donald Trump's double standards exposed

According to Donald Trump, his vision of transforming Gaza into a Riviera of the Middle East also involved resettling Gazas Palestinians in a beautiful area. However, the three African states he has contacted for the proposal are known poor states known for violence and poor human development index. However, the decision of these countries to stand behind the Gazan people is being applauded globally. Financial assistance from the United States would have benefited them, many point out.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a guarded reaction to US plans for ceasefire talks, his American counterpart Donald Trump has responded, stating he saw "good signals" and that Putin "put out a very promising statement, but it wasnt complete."

While answering queries from reporters at the start of a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump also listed out one of the main agendas of the ceasefire talks. It was the ownership of the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

Who gets that power plant? Trump said.

"We discussed the issue of Ukrainian landwhat territories will be preserved or lostand all other elements of the final agreement. A large power plant is also involved. Who will get it? Who will get what? Its not an easy process," Trump noted.

President Trump hinted that Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant is a part of negotiations.



The plant is the largest in Europe. It is currently occupied by Russia.



Earlier today, head of International Atomic Agency said that the situation at the plant was worrying. https://t.co/EtxZ6qiu70 pic.twitter.com/lR3erJksvQ  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 13, 2025

The plant, the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world by total capacity came under Russian control soon after the invasion in March 2022. However, it has since then stopped generating electricity and has been disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid.

Ukraine has also highlighted the safety of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine following drone strikes in its vicinity. Trump's question about the ownership of the plant hints at how Russia is keeping it as a source of leverage. The plant is a bargaining chip for Moscow as talks get underway.

As long as the plant remains with Russia, it can highlight its safety and vulnerabilities" to prevent any Ukrainian efforts to retake the plant militarily.

Last year, there were reports that Russia could restart at least one of the six reactors at the plant but Aleksey Likhachev, the head of Russias state-owned nuclear enterprise, Rosatom, stated that any such plan would be conditional on guarantees of the facilitys safety. Many had then speculated that Putin, who has a penchant for putting up historical gestures, wants to reactivate the plant to celebrate its connection to the Soviet power grid in December 1984.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Ukraine's accession to the Alliance is no longer under consideration. He made this statement in an interview with Bloomberg TV's Annemarie Gordern on Friday.

Rutte was asked whether Trump had really removed the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO from the negotiating table. To this he answered in the affirmative "Yes."

Rutte also welcomed Trump's peacemaking efforts and said that NATO would benefit from him putting Europe in charge of its own defense. According to the secretary general, "Trump is fully committed to the Alliance."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said relations with Russia "should eventually be normalized" once the fighting ends in Ukraine. "Its normal if the war would have stopped for Europe somehow, step by step, and also for the US, step by step, to restore normal relations with Russia," Rutte said in an interview on Bloomberg TV Friday.

Bloomberg notes that Rutte has engaged in intense diplomacy in recent weeks to hold the transatlantic alliance together as President Donald Trump has scaled back support for Ukraine and signaled that the United States will retreat from its traditional security role in Europe. The surprise move has prompted European countries to boost defense spending and reassess their military posture.

Rutte met with Trump on Thursday at the White House, where they discussed a potential U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Ukraine. Europe has been largely sidelined from the talks, a fact that has angered many European leaders.
United States President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to discuss the USs 30-day ceasefire proposal to end the Ukraine war.

After Putins meeting with Witkoff, the Kremlin said that there are grounds for cautious optimism.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson said that Putin stands in "solidarity" with Trump's position on a ceasefire with Ukraine. However, there is a lot ahead to be done, he added.

Also read | Russia seeking to prolong war: Ukraines Zelenskyy after Putin aide slams US ceasefire proposal

  

Steve Witkoff, l'envoye special de Trump, a quitte la Russie ce soir et a atterri a Bakou, en Azerbaidjan, apres avoir rencontre Poutine au Kremlin. pic.twitter.com/pm8A2YL8Nz  Beau Gosse Pretentieux_Backup (@BoGossPrebackup) March 14, 2025

Of course, there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Peskov told reporters.

Putin is also set to talk to Trump regarding the ceasefire deal. Peskov said that after Witkoff conveys all the information received in Moscow to the attention of his head of state, then we will determine the timing of the conversation.

Also read | What are Putin's demands for ceasefire? Russia sends list to Donald Trump for Ukraine truce

Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putins highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front linesat this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it.



Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants pic.twitter.com/SWbYwMGA46  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 13, 2025

Putin has expressed his dissatisfaction with the USs 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine's ongoing war. Russia had stressed that the Kremlin was interested in finding a permanent solution to ending the war.

Meanwhile, US intelligence reports suggest that Putin wants total domination of Ukraine. Irrespective of Putin's claim that he wants to end the Ukraine war, experts believe that Putin will stick to his goal of dominating the country.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Putin is preparing to reject a ceasefire deal by setting conditions to derail the truce. Russia is seeking to prolong the war, he had said.

He is in fact preparing a rejection at present because Putin is of course scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians, Zelensky said.

Thats why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a ceasefire these conditions so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible.

Also, the US has threatened to put economic pressure on Russia if it rejects a ceasefire in Ukraine. "I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia," said Trump.

Among recent sanctions imposed on Russia include price ceilings on Russian-produced energy. The Trump administration has toughened sanctions on Russian oil, gas, and banks by enforcing more restrictions on their access to US payment systems.

Amid peace deal talks, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman talked to Putin over the phone and reaffirmed his "commitment to facilitating dialogue and supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a political resolution."

While responding to Saudis gesture, the Kremlin statement said that Putin "noted the importance of resolving the Ukrainian crisis and expressed readiness to continue to contribute in every possible way to the normalisation of Russian-American relations.
Syrias interim president on Thursday signed a temporary constitution that leaves the country under Islamist rule for five years during a transitional phase.

The nations interim rulers have struggled to exert their authority across much of Syria since the Islamist former insurgent group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, led a lightning insurgency that overthrew longtime President Bashar Assad in December.

Former HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa is now the countrys interim president  a decision that was announced after a meeting of the armed groups that took part in the offensive against Assad. At the same meeting, the groups agreed to repeal the countrys old constitution and said a new one would be drafted.

While many were happy to see an end to the Assad familys dictatorial rule of more than 50 years in the war-torn country, religious and ethnic minorities have been skeptical of the new Islamist leaders and reluctant to allow Damascus under its new authorities to assert control of their areas.

Abdulhamid Al-Awak, one of the seven members of the committee al-Sharaa tasked to draft the temporary constitution, told a news conference Thursday that it would maintain some previsions from the previous one, including the stipulation that the head of state has to be a Muslim, and Islamic law is the main source of jurisprudence.

But Al-Awak, a constitutional law expert who teaches at Mardin Artuklu University in Turkey, also said that the temporary constitution includes provisions that enshrine freedom of expression and the media.

The constitution will balance between social security and freedom during Syrias shaky political situation, he said.

A new committee to draft a permanent constitution will be formed, but its unclear if it will be more inclusive of Syrias political, religious and ethnic groups.

Al-Sharaa on Monday reached a landmark pact with the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria, including a ceasefire and a merging of their armed forces with the central governments security agencies.

The deal came after government forces and allied groups crushed an insurgency launched last week by gunmen loyal to Assad. Rights groups say that hundreds of civilians  mostly from the Alawite minority sect to which Assad belongs  were killed in retaliatory attacks by factions in the counteroffensive.

A key goal of the interim constitution was to give a timeline for the countrys political transition out of its interim phase. In December, Al-Sharaa said that it could take up to three years to rewrite Syrias constitution and up to five years to organize and hold elections.

Al-Sharaa appointed a committee to draft the new constitution after Syria held a national dialogue conference last month, which called for announcing a temporary constitution and holding an interim parliamentary election. Critics said that the hastily-organized conference wasnt inclusive of Syrias different ethnic and sectarian groups or civil society.

The United States and Europe have been hesitant to lift harsh sanctions imposed on Syria during Assads rule until they are convinced that the new leaders will create an inclusive political system and protect minorities. Al-Sharaa and regional governments have been urging them to reconsider, fearing that the countrys crumbling economy could bring further instability.

Also Thursday, an Israeli airstrike struck an apartment building in a suburb of the capital, wounding three people, one of them critically, Syrias state media and a paramedic group said.

Israels military said that the airstrike on the Damascus suburb of Dummar targeted what it called a command center of the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The military alleged that the command center has been used to direct attacks against Israel and vowed to respond forcefully to the presence of Palestinian militant groups inside Syria.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that whenever terrorist activity is organized against Israel, al-Sharaa will find air force planes circling above him and attacking terrorist targets.

A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member at the scene of the airstrike in Syria told The Associated Press that the apartment that was targeted was the home of the groups leader, Ziad Nakhaleh.

Ismail Sindak said the apartment had been empty for years, adding that Nakhaleh isnt in Syria. Asked whether anyone was killed in the strike, Sindak said that the house was empty.

(AP)
A launch pad problem prompted SpaceX to delay a flight to the International Space Station on Wednesday to replace NASAs two stuck astronauts.

The new crew needs to get to the International Space Station before Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams can head home after nine months in orbit.

Concerns over a critical hydraulic system arose less than four hours before the Falcon rockets planned evening liftoff from NASAs Kennedy Space Center. As the countdown clocks ticked down, engineers evaluated the hydraulics used to release one of the two arms clamping the rocket to its support structure. This structure needs to tilt back right before liftoff.

Already strapped into their capsule, the four astronauts awaited a final decision, which came down with less than an hour remaining in the countdown. SpaceX canceled for the day. Officials later said the launch was off until at least Friday.

Once at the space station, the U.S., Japanese and Russian crew will replace Wilmore and Williams, who have been up there since June. The two test pilots had to move into the space station for an extended stay after Boeings new Starliner capsule encountered major breakdowns in transit.

Starliners debut crew flight was supposed to last just a week, but NASA ordered the capsule to return empty and transferred Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX for the return leg.

(AP)
Healthcare professionals fear that a soldier who was seriously injured in Gaza about a year ago infected many people, including other soldiers, with tuberculosis, Kan News reported on Wednesday evening.

The soldier is believed to have contracted tuberculosis before he entered Gaza over a year ago but wasnt diagnosed until three weeks ago. Meanwhile, following his injury, he was treated in hospitals and community clinics, exposing doctors and nurses to the infection.

Medical professionals who treated him are being tested, but not all test results have been received yet. According to what is known so far, at least one doctor required treatment due to his exposure to the infection.

There are also concerns that he infected fellow soldiers in Gaza.

In response to the publication, the Health Ministry stated: Due to medical confidentiality, we cannot comment on the details of the case. Also, the epidemiological investigation has been completed and all contacts are being examined and treated as needed.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
After more than 17 months of captivity, Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held by Hamas, is set to be released. The 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier has been held since October 7, when he was captured during Hamas brutal attacks on Israel.

Alexanders release comes as part of a deal brokered by mediators, which will also see the return of the bodies of four other dual-national hostages. The exact timing of the transfer remains uncertain, but it coincides with high-stakes negotiations in Qatar over a possible second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Born in Israel but raised in New Jersey, Alexander chose to enlist in the IDF instead of attending college. He was serving with the Golani Brigade near Gaza when Hamas launched its deadly assault, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. His last known communication with his mother, Yael Alexander, was a chilling call on the morning of October 7. Im seeing terrible stuff, he told her, though he reassured her he was safeuntil he was taken.

For over a year, Alexanders fate remained unknown. Then, on November 30, 2024, Hamas released a propaganda video featuring the young soldier, his words scripted and forced, addressing Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and then-President-elect Donald Trump. It was the first proof of life his family had received, but it was a painful sight. His father, Adi Alexander, called the footage very emotional and disturbing.

As negotiations intensified, former President Trump issued a fiery warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the bodies of those killed. Release all of the hostages now, not later or it is OVER for you, he declared. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.

While Hamas had previously insisted that negotiations were the only way forward, the terrorist group has now agreed to release Alexander along with the remains of four other captives.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
There are retailers we really want to succeed. Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Boots are in this category, as legacy firms with a strong heritage which fell on hard times.

Under the guidance of chairman Archie Norman and, latterly, chief executive Stuart Machin, M&S is turning itself around. Fashion has been restored, the food offering is terrific and its portfolio of stores constantly is being reshaped and upgraded.

John Lewis Partnership has been a step behind. There is a tendency to blame former chairman Sharon White, who lacked retail experience, for its failures.

But a complex mutual structure, an inheritance of over-expansion and loss of momentum at Waitrose, which lost gloss after the departure of the Chubby Grocer Mark Price a decade ago, didnt help.

It now looks as if a corner has been turned. Tesco emigre Jason Tarry doubtless will claim some credit for a recuperation which saw pre-tax profit climb 73 per cent to 97million in the year to January 2025.

The decision to withhold bonuses for partners for the third year in a row is recognition that full recovery is some way off. The uplift in sales largely came from Waitrose, driven by increased volume and a new trendy partnership with Ottolenghi.

Cautious recovery: Sales at John Lewis remain flat despite the introduction of Waterstone book counters and a focus on revamped beauty

Sales at John Lewis remain flat despite the introduction of Waterstones book counters and a focus on revamped beauty.

The Partnership suffers the difficulties of much of the High Street. Reintroducing the never knowingly undersold mantra is possible because of AI, but complicated in an age of Amazon and dynamic pricing.

HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account

Reductions in the payroll from 80,800 five years ago to 69,000 at present will drop through to the bottom line but maintaining exemplary service is undermined.

John Lewis used to be the go-to location for advice on electronic devices and laptops. Much of that trade has been ceded to competitors such as Currys. John Lewis may be a lesser tanker than M&S, but there is still a way to go.

That brings us to Boots. It is in an ownership trap following the purchase of its owner Walgreens by private equity company Sycamore.

The sooner a firm of such importance to the health and beauty of the nation is released from purgatory, the better. Hopefully, executives from the London Stock Exchange are knocking on Sycamores doors now, offering a fast-track relisting.

Small world

Wonderful to see the sub-octane Department for Business reaching out to 5.5m small enterprises, the bedrock of the UK economy.

It is seeking to empower them with a new Board of Trade including Apprentice regular Mike Soutar and BT chief Allison Kirkby.

She has a role to play in making sure smaller firms have access to the fastest carbon fibre broadband.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, helpfully, is promising to assist our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain access to overseas markets by taking advantage of free trade agreements.

There is also a review aimed at improving access to finance and banking. Every little helps, but the reality is that Labours focus on what it likes to call working people is devastating for many SMEs.

The National Insurance rise is a hammer blow to employment costs. Ed Milibands green agenda is driving prices higher.

Most troubling is the Angela Rayner-inspired Employment Rights Bill. It may be appreciated in the trades union-dominated public sector.

However, it is seen as a destroyer of jobs for SMEs, particularly those using flexible, part-timers.

On top of that, small retailers and hospitality firms face an existential threat from unreformed, surging business rates.

One other thing: Reynolds, by approving the sale of the Royal Mail to Czech sphinx Daniel Kretinsky, is trusting small business deliveries, a lifeline for many firms, to risky, financially driven ownership.

Return to sender!

Vintage row

The nonsense tit-for-tat tariff war continues. Donald Trumps latest threat is a 200pc tariff on EU wines, in response to a Brussels levy on the USs finest bourbon whiskey. What a sacrifice for Americans.

They will be required to drink the finest West Coast pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel instead of claret, rioja and chianti. Cheers!
C&C Group shares dived on Thursday after the Magners owner warned that annual earnings would fall short of forecasts.

The drinks manufacturer expects to report underlying earnings before interest and taxes of between 76million and 78million for the 12 months ending February.

While this would exceed the 60million the Dublin-based company achieved the prior year, it noted this was 'modestly below' its profit target due to 'softer trading' in the first two months of 2025.

C&C also forecasts 2026 revenues to align with last year, partly due to the sale of its non-core soft drinks business in Ireland and lower cider demand across Great Britain last summer.

Looking ahead, it anticipates 'continued uncertainty' for consumers and challenges within the hospitality industry following the Autumn Budget.

Shares in the Bulmers and Orchard Pig cider maker closed 19.1 per cent down at 119.6p, making them the FTSE 250 Index's biggest faller.

Bad taste: C&C Group shares dived on Thursday after the Magners owner warned that annual earnings would likely miss targets

From next month, employers' National Insurance contributions will rise from 13.8 per cent above an annual salary threshold of 9,100 to 15 per cent on wages higher than 5,000.

At the same time, the National Living Wage will increase by 6.7 per cent to 12.21 per hour, and pubs will have their business rates relief slashed from 75 per cent to 40 per cent up to a cap of 110,000 per firm.

Many hospitality companies have warned that the measures will force them to reduce staffing levels, hike prices, or even close venues.

'The macroeconomic environment and UK October Budget have placed a degree of additional pressure on our hospitality customers and impacted consumer confidence more generally,' said C&C.

However, the group believes its earnings this year will be 'marginally ahead' of 2025 results, thanks to 'ongoing investment' in the business.

Roger White, chief executive of C&C, remarked: 'Whilst the market backdrop remains challenging, we are continuing to support our customers, invest in the business and have some exciting plans to implement this year.'

The former AG Barr boss joined C&C at the start of this year after the previous CEO, Patrick McMahon, resigned due to accounting errors he oversaw while serving as the firm's chief financial officer.

A fortnight after he stood down, hedge fund Engine Capital called on the company to undertake a strategic review, improve investor representation, and explore a potential sale to a private equity group.

In an open letter, the activist investor described C&C, which also produces Tennent's lager and Italian beer Menabrea, as a 'perennial underperformer' that had failed to create shareholder value 'over any relevant measurable period.'

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said Engine Capital 'won't be happy' with the latest trading update given it has 'spent the past year pushing for change in the business.'

Mould added: 'Having made progress with reshaping the board, including the appointment of former AG Barr boss Roger White to lead the company, all the ducks were in a row to drive a turnaround of the business. To now disappoint on trading is a massive blow to shareholders.'
The UK chief of Ford has warned it could shrink further if demand for electric vehicle (EV) sales fails to pick up speed.

US-owned Ford is axing jobs across Europe, including 800 in the UK, but fears more gloom should the transition to battery-powered cars stall.

The prospect of more cuts at Ford came as Britains main motor industry body warned the Government that botching the switch away from petrol and diesel cars risked further factory closures and job losses.

Lisa Brankin, boss of Ford in Britain and Ireland, said: If we dont get demand, running it could have a broader impact across our business  but also other automotive businesses.

Ford is not planning any more restructuring, but Brankin added: Like any business well need to assess market conditions and act accordingly to enhance the ability to compete in Europe.

Ford employs 6,000 staff in the UK but many still face the axe. A major challenge is the zero-emission vehicle mandate which means car firms must meet targets to sell more electric vehicles or face fines.

Job cuts: US-owned Ford is axing thousands of jobs in Europe, including 2,100 in the UK, where it is led by UK boss Lisa Brankin (pictured)

At least 28 per cent of new cars sold by each manufacturer this year must be zero-emission.

A poll by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed fewer than one in eight buyers want an EV.

Mike Hawes, its chief executive, said: We need to be pulling every lever to grow this demand.
The taxpayer holding in NatWest is less than 5 per cent for the first time since the 46billion bailout in the 2008-09 financial crisis  which saw the government take an 84 per cent stake.

The state now owns just 4.82 per cent of the lender and wants to reduce the holding to zero by July. NatWest rose 0.7 per cent, or 43p, to 433.6p.

The FTSE 100 inched up 1.59 points to 8452.56 while the FTSE 250 was down 1 per cent, or 197.94 points, to 19,688.57.

Magners cider maker C&C tumbled 19.1 per cent, or 28.2p, to 119.6p after it warned of lower-than-expected profits.

Property company Savills fell 8.6 per cent, or 85p, to 906p as a lack of a turnaround plan alongside annual profits miffed investors.

Trainline made a record amount last year but fell 13.2 per cent, or 41.4p, to 272.4p on fears over plans for a rival ticketing app. Ventilation firm Volution rose 12.7 per cent, or 66p, to 585p as it said full-year earnings will be higher than thought.
BP is seeking to sell a 50 per cent stake in its solar business as the oil giant attempts to win over activist investor Elliott.

Pressure is building on chief executive Murray Auchincloss following reports that Elliott, which has built a near 5 per cent stake, was disappointed with his new strategy.

Analysts warn the New York hedge fund could push to oust chairman Helge Lund  appointed in 2019  who also leads the board of Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk.

The Norwegian, who oversaw BPs failed pivot to green energy, is up for re-election at the annual general meeting next month.

A fortnight ago, Auchincloss unveiled a plan to spend less on renewable power and invest more in gas and oil. He is under pressure to boost BPs share price and profits as it underperforms rivals Shell and Exxon Mobil.

The strategy included plans to raise nearly 16billion by 2027 by offloading parts of the business, including a stake in its Lightsource solar arm.

Turnaround: Pressure is building on BP chief exec Murray Auchincloss (pictured) following reports that activist investor Elliott was disappointed with his new strategy

And Saudi Aramco is reportedly weighing up a bid for its lubricants business Castrol  which BP has also put up for sale.

But The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Elliott wants BP to sell its petrol stations to raise a potential 31bililon.

Bids for Lightsource are due in June, the company said in a document seen by Reuters.

BP intends to bring in a partner and launch a sales process in the near future but declined to comment further.

In a document dated March 2025, it said it was seeking a strategic partner for half of the solar company this year in a cash transaction.

Called Project Scala, BP is seeking a strategic partnership with established leaders with extensive experience in the renewables industry.

Governance would reflect joint control of the assets, BP wrote in the document. Initial, non-binding offers are due in June and the company will shortlist bidders in July.

BP said the platform had 5.7 gigawatts of operational assets and was active in 19 markets. It said Lightsource was expanding into battery storage and onshore wind.
Trump talks with Putin, says about thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in Russian encirclement, asks to save their lives

U.S. President Donald Trump reported that he had a conversation with Vladimir Putin on Thursday, after which he stated about the chances of ending the war.

"We had very good and productive discussions with president Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote on his social network TruthSocial on Friday.

At the same time, he claims that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are currently surrounded by Russia and he asked Putin to save their lives.

"At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. God bless them all!" Trump added.

For the past several days, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has shown daily maps showing losses to Ukrainian positions, mostly in Kursk region. But the map published on Friday morning was consistent with the map published on Thursday morning, with the exception of several additional Russian strike directions. One of them was aimed at Sumy region.
BMW has warned of a potential 1billion hit to earnings from tariffs this year amidst worsening trade relationships between China, Europe and the US.

The European Commission has imposed tariffs of up to 45.3 per cent on Chinese-built electric vehicles since last October.

It follows an investigation that uncovered what it called 'unfair subsidisation' of the BEV value chain in China.

The probe claimed that Chinese carmakers benefited from preferential financing, land use rights for 'less than adequate remuneration,' and below-market rates for raw materials such as lithium.

And last week, US President Donald Trump put a 25 per cent tax on imports from Mexico and Canada before partially backtracking and announcing some exemptions.

However, planned 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium entering the US came into force, leading to the European Union levying 22billion of duties on US goods in retaliation.

Forecast: BMW has warned of a potential 1billion hit to earnings from tariffs this year

These tariffs have elevated concerns in the global automotive production sector, especially in Germany, where automakers are struggling with subdued sales, high energy costs and tougher competition from China.

'In an environment where China has become a much more difficult market, and no improvement in sight, the dependency on the US has increased. Tariffs are therefore a significant risk,' remarked Daniel Schwarz of Stifel Research.

'The impact can be mitigated by producing more in the US. But this comes at a cost.'

BMW operates eight factories in North America, including one in Spartanburg, South Carolina - its largest plant in the world, which exported almost 225,000 vehicles worth 10billion last year.

In addition, the group manufactures its electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman models in China under a joint venture with Great Wall Motor called Spotlight Automotive.

The Munich-based firm revealed its net profits slumped by over a third to 7.7billion in 2024 due to weaker sales in China and Germany driving its total car deliveries down by more than 100,000 to 2.45million.

It also said deliveries were severely affected by the recall of 1.5million vehicles that might contain faulty braking systems supplied by car parts business Continental.

BMW warned that its earnings margin would total between 5 per cent and 7 per cent this year, compared to 6.3 per cent in 2024.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'BMW is stuck in traffic in China where the road to customers is crowded with stronger domestic rivals.'

He added: 'Carmakers are finding life difficult enough without self-inflicted problems, so BMW needs to avoid making mistakes if it is to navigate challenges like the tricky transition to electric vehicles and a potential global trade war.'
SHANGHAI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- As DADA -- the world's biggest LEGO Minifigure at a height of 26 meters and weighing 136 tonnes -- has been installed, construction on the LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort has entered its sprint stage, the resort said on Thursday.

Located in Shanghai's Jinshan District, the 318,000-square-meter resort is a LEGO theme park and hotel destination for children aged 2 to 12 and their families.

With over 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions, as well as thousands of LEGO models across eight immersive "lands," the resort is set to hold its grand opening this summer.

Ride installation and testing are in full swing, with 80 percent of installations completed at present.

In a world-first for LEGOLAND Parks, the BIG LEGO Coaster and LEGO Monkie Kid Flower Fruit Mountain Adventure have been installed and are now in the ride-commissioning stage.

The park has completed 85 percent of its building facades, and exterior decoration and interior installation work on its LEGOLAND Hotel has entered its final stage, after which it will enter its indoor decoration phase.

The resort plans to plant a total of 3,161 trees of over 200 species, with approximately 50 percent of these trees planted so far.

The site will include 2,889 LEGO models made using over 85 million LEGO bricks, 97 percent of which have been delivered and are being assembled on-site.
Photo: https://t.me/Klymenko_MVS/1335

A man suspected of killing an activist in Odesa has been detained, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"A weapon was found in the apartment where he was hiding, with the help of which the crime was probably committed," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

Klymenko thanked everyone who made efforts to identify and detain the alleged shooter.

"Details will be provided later by the police," the minister added.

As reported earlier in the day, public figure Demian Hanul was killed in Odesa, and the police have opened a case of premeditated contract killing. The crime was committed on Friday morning in the center of Odesa. An unknown person shot a 31-year-old public figure and fled. The victim died on the spot.
Ukraine counts on support of Holy See in release of Ukrainians held in Russian prisons  Zelenskyy

Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/13559

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

"I wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery and thanked him for his prayers and moral support of our people, as well as for his assistance in returning home Ukrainian children deported by Russia. The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainian men and women held in Russian prisons and camps. We count on support for their release," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Friday.

The President noted that "the exchange of prisoners and an unconditional 30-day ceasefire are the first quick steps that can bring us all significantly closer to a just and lasting peace."

He stressed that Ukraine is ready to make them, because the Ukrainian people want peace more than anyone else.

"Now the world sees how Russia is specifically putting forward conditions that only complicate and delay everything, because Russia is the only entity that wants the war not to end and diplomacy to break down," Zelenskyy added.

According to him, the voice of the Holy See is very important on the path to peace.

Zelenskyy thanked for the willingness to make efforts for the sake of a common goal, for prayers for Ukraine and peace.
Zelenskyy calls on all those who can influence Russia to take decisive steps to put pressure on it

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Vladimir Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield and called on all those who can influence Russia to take decisive steps to put pressure on it.

Yesterday we heard Putins statements - he puts forward some conditions that clearly show: he does not want any ceasefire. He needs a war - this has always been obvious, and this is obvious now. Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield, he is lying about the losses, he is lying about the true state of his economy, which has suffered from his ill-gotten imperial ambitions, and he is doing everything possible to ensure that diplomacy fails. Putin cannot get out of this war, because then he will be left with nothing, Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Friday.

According to the president, this is why Putin is now doing everything possible to sabotage diplomacy, putting forward extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions even before the ceasefire.

Putin will try to drag everyone into endless discussions, just as he did with Minsk, wasting days, weeks and months on meaningless negotiations, while his weapons continue to kill people. Every condition that Putin puts forward is just an attempt to block any diplomacy, Zelenskyy noted.

The president strongly urged everyone who has influence on Russia, especially the United States, to take strong steps that can help.

Pressure should be directed at those who do not want to stop the war. Pressure should be on Russia. Only decisive action can stop this war that has been going on for years, he stressed.

He noted that Ukraine could prepare a reliable peace plan during the period of ceasefire, put it on the table, discuss the details and implement it.

We are ready. We believe that the responsibility of our partners is to ensure that Russia is ready to end the war - not to look for reasons to continue it for weeks, months or years, but to end it. Putin will not end the war himself. But Americas power is enough to force him to do so, the president stressed.
The Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries on Friday issued a joint statement following the results of the summit in La Malbaie (Canada), aimed at demonstrating unity. In particular, they supported Ukraine's territorial integrity, warned Russia of sanctions if Ceasefire fails, and condemned military assistance from North Korea (DPRK), Iran, and China.

A statement published on the official website of the meeting states "unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence."

"We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the U.S. and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We applauded Ukraines commitment to an immediate ceasefire, which is an essential step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations," the statement notes.

"We called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully... We emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression," the statement on the territorial integrity of Ukraine notes.

The text of the statement also states that the G7 countries emphasized the need for reliable security measures to ensure Ukraine's ability to deter and defend itself against any repeated acts of aggression.

"We emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression. We stated that we will continue to coordinate economic and humanitarian support to promote the early recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference which will take place in Rome on July 10-11, 2025," the statement notes.

In addition, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries condemned the intervention of the DPRK, Iran, and the PRC in the Russian-Ukrainian war and expressed their intention to continue to take measures against such third countries.

"We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russias war and of the reconstitution of Russias armed forces. We reiterated our intention to continue to take action against such third countries," the document states.

"We expressed alarm about the impacts of the war, especially on civilians and on civilian infrastructure. We discussed the importance of accountability and reaffirmed our commitment to work together to achieve a durable peace and to ensure that Ukraine remains democratic, free, strong and prosperous," the document states.
This town's hipster enclave continues to struggle with break-ins as we check local police reports, court cases and community outreach.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

'Struggling to keep up': Crossroads business says it's been broken into 3 times in 6 months Three Kansas City businesses reported break-ins overnight, one of which claims to have had three in the last six months.

Excelsior Springs police investigating after two men found dead The Excelsior Springs Police Department says they're investigating an incident that left two men dead from "unnatural causes."

Kansas City detectives use unique necklace to link man to deadly July 4th shooting Orlando Smith is charged with second-degree murder, other crimes in the death of Tykeedra Henderson.

Woman linked to Super Bowl reporter's death shouldn't have been free when he died, Louisiana AG says Other men have accused the Louisiana woman linked to the death of a Super Bowl reporter of drugging and robbing them - and she shouldn't have been on probation when the reporter was found dead last month, the state's top prosecutor said.

Jury trial moved to metro for gang member accused of ordering jail attack A jury trial is now set to be held in the Kansas City metro for an alleged gang member accused of ordering the attack of another inmate.

Group to 'clarify' report on IHOPKC sex abuse scandal after backlash over recommendations The recommendations allow for the possibility of IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle returning to "informal" ministry, raising concerns among abuse survivors and former IHOPKC leaders.

'I'm here to encourage them': Program offers technology education to incarcerated women Since 2019, the Center for Digital Inclusion has served more than 1,000 women through their technology education program, which includes Microsoft Office and coding.

Kansas bill aims to redefine child porn law to include AI House Bill 2183 would expand on what is considered child pornography to include visual content that's digitally altered to look like a specific child.

Gov. Mike Kehoe says he'll sign legislation placing SLMPD under state control by end of March Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will be placed under state control by the end of the month, as he plans to sign the legislation into law once the Missouri legislature returns from Spring Break.

Missouri, make it easier for people with convictions to get their lives back on track | Opinion H.B. 953, the clean slate law, could help over 518,000 Missourians overcome criminal records, access better jobs, and boost economic well-being statewide.

Undersheriff: 'Positive scent trail' picked up in search for missing Jordan Yust A search for a missing Olathe man continued Wednesday morning after crews found "a positive scent trail" for missing man Jordan Yust.

Former Platte County dispatcher sues sheriff's office for sex discrimination, retaliation A former employee filed a lawsuit alleging the Platte County Sheriff's Office discriminated against her based on her sex & then retaliated.

Kids in teen program stop attack on Kansas City, Kansas, store manager A manager at Hey Sugar Ice Cream and Candy Shop in Kansas City, Kansas, was attacked by teenagers on Wednesday afternoon.

Developing . . .
Witness today's game of mental gymnastics featured by this town's daily newspaper . . .



"The attorneys general of Kansas and Missouri have often shown themselves to be extremely concerned about the well-being of the folks who own stocks in publicly traded companies.



"Remember when Bailey signed onto a 2023 letter threatening Target with possible penalties for selling LGBT-themed merchandise? He was just looking out for shareholders . . .



"Same goes for Kobach, who has long waged war on so-called environmental, social and governance or ESG investing, which steers shareholders to companies that prioritize diversity and climate protections in their business practices.



"Now: Those issues definitely reflected the conservative culture war priorities of Kobach and Bailey. But protecting shareholders was their ostensible rationale.



"Well, American shareholders  including folks in Kansas and Missouri who want to retire comfortably  really need protection from the president right now. So where are the attorneys general?"

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City Star: Tariff trade wars are sinking retirements. Will AGs Kobach and Bailey protect you?


Honestly, this publicity stunt doesn't really deserve much consideration . . . But the Guv seems to do her best to navigate the minefield that's mostly intended to infuriate voters who only possess a room temperature IQ . . . Check-it . . .



The Satanic Grotto, an organization for Satanists, has organized the event to be held at the Capitol building in Topeka on March 28.



Kelly said the groups planned events will be moved outdoors while she commented on the groups protection under the First Amendment, which grants freedom of religion.



There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols, Kelly said in her statement.



However, as governor, I also have a duty to protect protesters constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, regardless of how offensive or distasteful I might find the content to be. Since these rights are constitutionally protected, the Governors Office has limited authority to respond to such actions.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
White House reports it is not Trump who spoke to Putin, but Witkoff

The conversation with Vladimir Putin on Thursday was not conducted by US President Donald Trump himself, but by his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was visiting Moscow on Thursday, Reuters writes, citing information from the White House.

"In the last few minutes, the White House has clarified that it was US envoy Steve Witkoff who spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and not US president Donald Trump," the report notes.

The confusion was caused by Trumps social media post earlier, in which he praised the discussions with the Russian leader, and said "I have strongly requested to President Putin," making it sound as if he spoke with Putin personally.

In addition, the US president claimed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers surrounded in Kursk region of Russia, which was later denied, but according to analysts, the statement itself was likely made on the basis of information provided to Trump by Putin.

As reported, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that Putin held late-night talks in Moscow with Witkoff to discuss the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire on the front. He said that Putin used the meeting to convey "signals" to Trump.

Peskov also said that Russia and the US would discuss the time of a phone call between their presidents, when Witkoff would brief Trump, saying that both sides agreed that such a conversation was necessary.
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Yermak, Advisor to Canada's PM discuss preparations for telephone conversation between Zelenskyy, future PM of Canada

Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a telephone conversation with National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada Natalie Drouin.

According to the presidential press service, the parties discussed the situation on the battlefield, the current military and humanitarian needs of Ukraine.

"Andriy Yermak and Natalie Drouin paid special attention to preparations for a telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada - future Prime Minister Mark Carney," the report says.

In addition, the parties agreed to coordinate efforts in interaction with the G7 countries, which Canada currently holds the presidency. "In particular, they discussed the importance of working together on key initiatives to strengthen global support for Ukraine and provide security guarantees," the press service adds.

The interlocutors confirmed their readiness to continue cooperation and actively involve Canada in initiatives that will contribute to the long-term stability and security of Ukraine.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes that both Russia and Ukraine will have to make concessions in the process of peace negotiations.

Responding to a question about the G7 statement on support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, Rubio said that is "not a change in public policy."

"I have never heard president Trump say Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there. So this is not inconsistent with that statement. This is separate from the problem we face today. There is a war going on that has no military solution to it," he said at a briefing on the sidelines of the G7 ministerial meeting in Canada.

"Neither Russia nor Ukraine can achieve its maximalist military aims. The only way to end this war is through a process of negotiations," the secretary of state said.

"Negotiations  be it in business, in commerce, or in geopolitics  involve both sides giving something, both sides making concessions... What those concessions are remains to be seen. Thatll have to be part of the negotiation, but its not going to be, its not going to be helpful to enter into those negotiations making blanket statements that may give an excuse for one side or the other not to participate in it," Rubio said.

According to him, we still need to reach the stage where these things will be discussed.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Ukraine to present its position at summit of European partners on Saturday  Zelenskyy

Ukraine will present its position and real information about the situation on the front at the summit of European partners, which will be held on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Tomorrow, a summit of European partners will be held: we will present our position and real information about what is happening - what is happening at the front, what is also happening in Kursk region and in all our contacts with partners," Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Friday.

According to him, the priorities are security, peace and independence of Ukraine.
When Naveeda Khoshbo published her book of political analysis in 2019, she received widespread praise and recognition.

For many, "it was the first time that they were reading a book written by a young woman," she said.

So, when she received a text message from a friend and fellow journalist in November 2024, telling her the Taliban had banned her book, she was shocked.

Khoshbo, 33, said she can't figure out why the book, "Siyasi Jaj" or "Political Analysis," was banned, saying "it did not address any sensitive topics."

Published by the Peace Publish Center in Kabul, her book covers political events and processes from 2001 to 2019.

But last year it was included in a list circulated on social media of more than 400 books banned by the Taliban.

The list covers a range of topics: democracy, the arts, literature, poetry, history, religion, governance, rights and freedoms.

The Taliban's deputy minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Zia-ul Haq Haqmal, told media his department had identified 400 books deemed "against Afghanistan's national interest and Islamic values."

'Hostility is directed at women'

Khoshbo believes her book also was banned because it was written by a woman. She is now based in London.

"I believe their hostility is directed at women, and for them, the books written by women are the first to be targeted, regardless of their content," she said.

About a dozen titles in the book ban are by women, or they were translated by women. Other titles include the book by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, "I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education."

The Taliban, who seized power in August 2021, have imposed strict measures against women in Afghanistan, barring them from education, work, long-distance travel and participating in public life.

Afghan writer Nazeer Ahmad Sahaar told VOA the Taliban jettison anything they see as contrary to their ideology.

"Anything that is against the Taliban's political and religious beliefs and narrative is banned under the Taliban," said Sahaar.

The author has written more than a dozen books. One of those, "Waziristan: The Last Stand" is also on the list of banned publications.

Sahaar sees the book ban as part of a larger crackdown on "women, the press and freedom of expression."

Sahaar said the ban on books, though, is of little surprise.

"It was evident that they would impose restrictions in many areas," he said.

Alongside the book ban and restrictions imposed on women, the Taliban return has led to restrictions on freedom of expression.

Media outlets work under rules that are not always clear about what can and cannot be covered, and in some cases must submit coverage for review before publication.

The Taliban also imposed restrictions on printing books.

An owner of a printing press in the eastern province of Nangarhar, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told VOA that the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture instructed publishers not to print anything without prior permission.

"In a meeting with publishers, the Taliban officials said that 'if you are publishing any book, you must first obtain permission from the directorate,'" said the business owner.

The owner said that businesses are struggling under the Taliban, but there is an increased demand for books, particularly ones that are banned.

"The Taliban's restrictions have sparked social and cultural resistance," he said, with people seeking ways to oppose the limitations, including by reading prohibited books.

'It reflects the fear'

Abdul Ghafoor Lewal, an Afghan writer and former diplomat, told VOA the Taliban's actions reveal fear of any opposition.

"It reflects the fear authoritarian regimes have of freedom of expression, books and knowledge," said Lewal.

Khoshbo said the Taliban's ban would not stop her and other women from writing and participating in social and political life.

"The Taliban can't suppress our voices by "banning books," said Khoshbo, but "women can't be erased from society and politics."
Botswana has made $4 million from the sale of licenses to hunt wild animals, the highest figure since lifting a hunting ban in 2019. The hunting season, which ended in November, was held amid growing opposition from some European countries that want a ban on the importation of African wildlife trophies.

Botswana issues around 400 elephant licenses annually, with most purchased by overseas hunters.

Wynter Mmolotsi, minister of environment and tourism, told Parliament Thursday that millions of dollars were generated through the sale of mostly elephant licenses in villages in wildlife areas.

"In order to manage the wildlife population, the country is implementing a combination of both consumptive and nonconsumptive utilization of our wildlife resources to derive optimum economic benefit, particularly for our communities," he said. "For the 2024 hunting season, the community quotas generated the sum of 42,863,423 pulas. Further, a total of 15,633,950 pulas was realized from the sale of special elephant quotas to support elephant conservation and community-led projects within the elephant range."

In 2023, Botswana earned $2.7 million from hunting licenses.

Mmolotsi, however, says the hunts face increasing Western opposition. Canada and Belgium are among countries that have recently banned importation of wildlife trophies.

"The country is facing opposition from animal rights organizations to our policy of sustainable wildlife utilization of using hunting as a tool and empowerment to our local communities. The ministry, working with the hunting industry and affected community trusts stepped up efforts to counter this growing opposition to sustainable hunting through engagements carried out in the U.K. and Germany," he said.

Siyoka Simasiku, director at the conservation coalition, Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations says communities will be the hardest hit if the U.K. imposes restrictions. He has been to Europe to campaign against trophy import bans.

"The U.K. ban is going to be bad on community benefits as the U.K. is an economic superpower and might influence other countries to actually follow suit and then communities might lose the market that already exists as more hunters will not be coming to Botswana to hunt in community concessions due to the trophy bans," he said.

Oaitse Nawa of the Elephant Protection Society is among those who want the hunts to be stopped. He also argues, revenue accrued from hunting does not significantly benefit Botswanans.

"They are giving us figures of the money that they made from hunting, but also let us look at the compensation that they give the people. And also the result of hunting, what does hunting bring to the local people because the animals that experience hunting, they tend to change their behavior and they kill people. That is why we are saying there should be proper research in that regard, said Nawa.

Botswana, with the worlds largest elephant herd at more than 130,000 elephants has recorded an increase in human fatalities, while crops are damaged.
The national assembly of Bosnia's Serb-controlled Republika Srpska on Thursday adopted the draft of the new Republic Constitution, introduced by the autonomous republic's president, Milorad Dodik, that includes articles that violate Bosnia's constitution.

Bosnian state prosecutors on Wednesday had ordered the arrest of Dodik and his aides for ignoring a court summons for allegedly trying to undermine Bosnia's constitution. Republika Srpska is an entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Last month, a Bosnian court sentenced Dodik to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years over his separatist activities and for defying decisions by the international High Representative that oversees the 1995 Dayton Accords.

That agreement ended an ethnically rooted war that lasted more than three years and killed 100,000 people.

Dodik rejected the arrest warrant, telling journalists in the regional capital, Banja Luka, on Wednesday that it was politically motivated and that he would ask Russia to veto an extension of the presence of EUFOR, the European Union's peacekeeping force in Bosnia, at the U.N. Security Council.

In an interview Thursday with VOA's Bosnian Service, Dodik's lawyer, Anto Nobilo, said Dodik does not recognize either the Bosnian court or state prosecutor's office, and thus does not need legal defense.

"I do not believe there will be Dodik's arrest," Nobilo said. "Mr. Dodik will not cooperate, or name his defense team, because he does not consider the proceedings legitimate. ... Bosnia needs this situation defused immediately. This is a huge constitutional and legal and political crisis and has to be resolved politically."

Nenad Stevandic, president of Republika Srpska's national assembly and a close ally of Dodik, denounced the moves against the Serb-controlled autonomous republic as an attack on the constitutional order.

"We are absolutely right," he said Wednesday. "However, to be right in Bosnia and Herzegovina means to be persecuted."

Meanwhile, in Washington, three members of the U.S. Senate  Chuck Grassley, Jeanne Shaheen and Jim Risch  led a group of nine other members of the U.S. Congress in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prevent further deterioration in Bosnia.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent actions of Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Republika Srpska entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina," they wrote in a letter to Rubio. "For years, he has engaged in secessionist activity, challenging Bosnia and Herzegovina's state institutions, undermining the constitution and threatening the territorial integrity of the country."

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Dodik and his "patronage network" in 2023 and again in January of this year.

Asked by VOA while en route Monday to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, if the U.S. was considering "any punitive action against Dodik," Rubio said the Trump administration did not want to see a partition of Bosnia.

"The last thing the world needs is another crisis, and we've spoken out about that already," he said. "As far as what we maybe do next, we're reviewing those options. But it's been abundantly clear that whatever differences may exist internally there, this cannot lead to a country breaking apart, and it cannot lead to another conflict."

Experts say the actions of Dodik and the Republika Srpska national assembly have precipitated Bosnia's most serious constitutional crisis since 1995.

"First of all, it is a reflection of [Dodik's] disrespect for fundamental state institutions, meaning, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all those fundamental postulates on which the constitutional-legal order rests," Milos Davidovic, professor of law at the University of Sarajevo, told VOA's Bosnian Service.

Ahmed Kico, a political and security expert, told VOA the actions of Dodik and the Republika Srpska national assembly were among "hybrid operations  realized at the behest of the Russian Federation and Serbia  therefore, it is a really dangerous situation where they are trying to show and prove that Bosnia and Herzegovina's survival is not possible as a democratic state."

Amid the growing crisis, additional European peacekeepers arrived in Bosnia on Wednesday to bolster those of EUFOR.
A second Iranian ship that Western news reports have named as part of a scheme to import a missile propellant ingredient from China is heading to Iran with a major cargo load, an exclusive VOA analysis has found. Ship-tracking websites show the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Jairan departed China on Monday, a month later than the expected departure cited by one of the news reports.

The Jairan was named in January and February articles by The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and CNN as one of two Iranian cargo ships Tehran is using to import 1,000 metric tons of sodium perchlorate from China. The three news outlets cited unnamed Western intelligence sources as saying the purported shipment could be transformed into enough ammonium perchlorate  a key solid fuel propellant component  to produce 260 midrange Iranian missiles.

The other Iranian cargo ship named in the news reports, the Golbon, completed a 19-day journey from eastern China to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Feb. 13. During the trip, it made a two-day stop at southern China's Zhuhai Gaolan port and delivered an unknown cargo to Iran, according to ship-tracking website MarineTraffic.

Both the Golbon and the Jairan are sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as vessels operated by the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, which itself is sanctioned for being what the State Department has called "the preferred shipping line for Iranian proliferators and procurement agents."

As the Golbon sailed from China to Iran in late January and early February, the Jairans automatic identification system transponder  a device that transmits positional and other data as part of an internationally mandated tracking system  reported the vessel as being docked at eastern China's Liuheng Island.

In a joint review of the Jairan's AIS data on MarineTraffic and fellow ship-tracking website Seasearcher, VOA and Dubai-based intelligence analyst Martin Kelly of EOS Risk Group determined that the Jairan reported no significant draught change while docked at Liuheng Island through February and into early March. That meant the Iranian vessel was sitting at the almost same depth in the water as when it arrived in eastern China late last year, indicating it had not been loaded with any major cargo since then.

The Jairan remained at Liuheng Island until March 3, when it headed south toward Zhuhai Gaolan and docked at the port on March 8. Two days later, the Jairan departed, reporting its destination as Bandar Abbas with an expected arrival of March 26. The Iranian ship also reported a significant draught change upon leaving Zhuhai Gaolan, transmitting data showing it was sitting more than 2 meters deeper in the water and indicating it had taken on a major cargo at the port, Kelly told VOA.

As of Friday, local time, the Jairan was in the waters of Indonesia's Riau Archipelago, heading southwest toward the Singapore Strait.

The U.S. State Department had no comment on the Jairan's departure from China when contacted by VOA. Iran's U.N. mission in New York did not respond to a similar VOA request for comment, emailed on Tuesday.

Last month, the State Department told VOA it was aware of the January news reports by The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal regarding Iran's purported use of the Golbon and Jairan to import sodium perchlorate from China.

A spokesperson said the State Department does not comment on intelligence matters but "remains focused on preventing the proliferation of items, equipment, and technology that could benefit Iran's missile or other weapons programs and continues to hold Iran accountable through sanctions."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the news reports in a Jan. 23 press briefing, asserting that China abides by its own export controls and international obligations and rejects other countries' imposition of what Beijing considers illegal unilateral sanctions.

In the past month, Chinese state media have made no reference to the Jairan, while Chinas social media platforms also have had no observable discussion about the Iranian ship, according to a review by VOAs Mandarin Service.

In its Jan. 22 report, The Financial Times cited "security officials in two Western countries" as saying the Jairan would depart China in early February, but it did not leave until March 10.

Gregory Brew, a senior Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk consultancy, said Iran may have wanted to see if the Golbon could complete its voyage from China without being interdicted before sending the Jairan to follow it.

"Ships carrying highly sensitive materials related to Iran's missile industry, which is under U.S. sanctions, are at risk of interception, and the Iranians likely are conscious of that," Brew said.

Eight Republican U.S. senators led by Jim Risch and Pete Ricketts sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the purported Iran-China chemical scheme dated Feb. 4, urging him to work with global partners of the U.S. "to intercept and stop the shipments currently underway" if the press reports proved accurate.

There was no sign of the Golbon being intercepted on its recent China to Iran voyage.

Responding to VOA's query about the letter, a U.S. State Department press officer said: "We do not comment on Congressional correspondence." Ricketts' office also did not respond to a VOA inquiry about whether Rubio has responded to the senators' letter.

VOA's Mandarin Service contributed to this report.
Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized the text of a peace agreement Friday aimed at establishing formal relations that would end decades of conflict. In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "The United States commends Armenia and Azerbaijan for concluding negotiations on a historic peace treaty. This is an opportunity for both countries to turn the page and move in line with President [Donald] Trump's vision for a more peaceful world. We speak with Ben Dubow, Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis.
U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation.

Arguments in the two lawsuits over operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, are set for a U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday.

The suits allege that the U.S. government has overstepped its bounds by denying migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay access to legal representation and also by attempting to send migrants to the base's facilities without the proper legal authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing, but they have repeatedly denied the allegations while criticizing the groups bringing the lawsuits.

"The American Civil Liberties Union appears far more interested in promoting open borders and disrupting public safety missions than in protecting the civil liberties of Americans," a DHS spokesperson told VOA in a statement earlier this month, declining to be named.

"They should consider changing their name," the spokesperson added, further describing the legal challenges as "baseless."

President Donald Trump first raised the idea of using the U.S. naval base in Cuba as part of his administration's plans for mass deportations shortly after taking office in January.

Homeland Security's Noem said the base, which features a secure prison to hold captured terrorists, would be used to house "the worst of the worst."

Trump and other U.S. officials also suggested the base could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants while they awaited deportation.

Those plans, however, never fully materialized.

The U.S. began sending what officials described as "high threat illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay's detention center in early February, followed by other nonviolent migrants, who stayed at other facilities.

At times, the facilities held close to 200 detainees, many of whom were deported to Honduras, Venezuela or other countries.

But despite efforts to prepare the facilities for more migrants, capacity has been limited.

According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, the prison as currently configured can hold only 130 detainees, while the base's Migrant Operations Center and a temporary tent city can hold, at most, 550 people.

As VOA first reported, DHS officials decided to remove all 40 remaining migrants from the prison and other facilities at Guantanamo Bay this past Tuesday, flying them instead to the U.S. southern state of Louisiana.

Neither DHS nor its subagency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have responded to requests for comment on the decision to evacuate migrants from the naval base or on their status or whereabouts since being returned to the U.S. mainland.

The move  and lack of communication  has drawn criticism from immigrants' rights groups, including some of those involved in the current litigation.

"The arbitrary and secret shuttling of people between Guantanamo and the U.S. demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, an affront to the rule of law, and a waste of public resources," said the International Refugee Assistance Project's Pedro Sepulveda.



"No one should be detained at Guantanamo," Sepulveda added. "The Trump administration must stop these ill-conceived and cruel transfers and stop detaining immigrants at Guantanamo once and for all."
One of the Islamic State terror group's most senior leaders is dead, killed in what U.S. and Iraqi officials describe as a joint operation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was first to share word of the successful counterterrorism strike, announcing on social media Friday that the country's intelligence service "successfully eliminated" IS deputy caliph Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i.

Sudani, posting on X, called the death a "significant security achievement."

Iraqi special forces, in a subsequent post on the X social media platform, said al-Rufayi was killed Thursday in an airstrike targeting his location in Iraqs Anbar desert.

U.S. President Donald Trump later confirmed al-Rufayis killing in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters," Trump wrote, using another acronym for the terror group. "His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government."

U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said al-Rufayi was killed in a precision airstrike Thursday, and that his body was later positively identified using DNA recovered during a previous raid in which the IS emir escaped.

Central Command also said al-Rufayi and the second IS official had been wearing suicide vests at the time of their deaths and had been carrying multiple weapons.

Iraqi officials said the strike was the result of a two-year effort to track al-Rufayis location, with signifcant breakthroughs coming in the past six months.

The officials also said they arrested seven additional IS members, including two women, in a follow-up operation in Anbar. Intelligence collected at the scene of the airstrike further led to the arrest of another five people in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.

Iraqi officials said that al-Rufay'i, also known as Abu Khadija, was the top IS official for Iraq and Syria, and that he also played a key role in the group's external operations.

A recent United Nations report, based on intelligence from U.N. member states, said al-Rufay'i ran IS operations across Iraq, Syria, Turkey and other parts of the Middle East.

Other U.N. intelligence reports have identified al-Rufay'i as a member of IS' delegated committee, viewed as the terror group's most influential executive body.

U.S. officials have yet to comment on the Iraqi claims.

Various intelligence estimates put the number of IS fighters across Iraq and Syria at between 1,500 and 3,000, with the majority operating out of Syria.

U.S. military officials warned in July of a possible IS resurgence in the region, saying the terror group was on a pace to more than double the number of attacks it had carried out in Iraq and Syria the previous year.

More recently, in December, U.S. forces carried out a series of airstrikes against IS in Syria, hitting targets in areas abandoned by counterterror forces loyal to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Despite those operations, intelligence shared by the U.N. indicated IS has been trying to take advantage of the fall of the Assad regime and resulting political turmoil.

The U.N. report also said IS "maintained the ability to operate and replace field commanders."

Yet while Iraq and Syria are central to IS' founding ideology, there has been a growing consensus among intelligence officials and experts that the terror group no longer sees the Middle East as its base for global operations.

Officials, including those from the U.S., have said there is growing confidence that the group is now being led by Abdul Qadir Mumin, who has been based in Somalia, where he rose to prominence as the emir of the group's Somali affiliate, IS-Somalia.

An offensive launched by forces in Somalia's Puntland region earlier this month, in part to chase after Mumin, has met with surprising success, pushing IS-Somalia out of some of its key strongholds.

But the campaign has yet to find any traces of Mumin or other top IS leaders.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov held a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles, during which, in particular, he discussed deepening industrial cooperation, strengthening air defense systems, supplies of ammunition and armored vehicles.

"Held a productive meeting with Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Spain Margarita Robles. We discussed key issues of common security and further strengthening of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. We identified priority areas of cooperation that require special attention. In particular, we focused on deepening industrial cooperation, strengthening air defense systems, supplies of ammunition and armored vehicles," Umerov wrote on Facebook.

Also, following the negotiations, the parties signed an agreement on the training of the Ukrainian military.

According to Umerov, Robles presented detailed plans for assistance to Ukraine in 2025, and the Spanish side showed significant interest in studying the Ukrainian experience of waging a modern war.

"I am sincerely grateful to Spain for its steadfast support from the first days of the full-scale invasion, in particular for military assistance and training of our defenders," he added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there were reasons for "cautious optimism" regarding a proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, following talks between a U.S. envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Speaking to reporters in a telephone news briefing, Peskov referenced comments from Putin on Thursday in which he expressed qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days but said some questions needed to be answered.

Peskov said that while much remains to be done, Putin "expressed solidarity with [U.S. President Donald] Trump's position." He said Putin held late-night talks Thursday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin "conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump."

The Kremlin spokesman said both sides agreed Putin and Trump should speak, adding that the timing of the conversation would be agreed upon once Witkoff had conveyed the new information to Trump.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website Friday morning that "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

He also said he had "strongly requested" that Putin spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk border region who were "completely surrounded" by the Russian military.

"This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump wrote on social media.

Later Friday, Putin told the National Security Council in Moscow that if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would not be killed.

Ukraine's military, however, denied that its forces in Kursk were surrounded by Moscow's troops and said reports to that effect were Russian manipulation.

In his nightly address to his nation Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments to Witkoff were "very manipulative," and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to lay the groundwork for rejecting it.

"He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said. He noted Ukraine had accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to organize monitoring and verification.

"We are not setting conditions that complicate the process; Russia is," Zelenskyy said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that no discussions between Trump and Putin had been scheduled, but she said that could change. She called the talks in Moscow on Thursday "a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace."

On Thursday at the White House, ahead of talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia ended up rejecting U.S. efforts to end the fighting.

Meanwhile, Britain's Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's prioritization of funding its war with Ukraine had likely resulted in insufficient funding for average Russians' health care, leading to shortages of medical staff and equipment.

In its Defense Intelligence report, the ministry said Russia reportedly closed at least 160 hospitals in 2024, including 18 maternity facilities and at least 10 children's clinics. The report said Russia's small towns and villages had been particularly affected.

The Defense Ministry said the 500,000 casualties Russia has sustained in the war in Ukraine most certainly continue to put a strain on all levels of care in the Russian military medical system.
Pakistan officials confirmed Friday that 31 people, including 23 security personnel, lost their lives in Tuesdays train hijacking by armed militants in the countrys restive Balochistan province.

In a news briefing, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said 18 off-duty military and paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel, three railway staff and five civilian passengers were among those killed in the initial attack.

Five Frontier Corps personnel were also killed in the attack and the ensuing battle with militants.

Separatist militants from Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a designated terror group, took over the Jaffar Express near Sibi hours after it left the provincial capital, Quetta, on Tuesday.

In the clearance operation that lasted more than 30 hours, the Pakistan military said it killed 33 BLA terrorists.

Chaudhry, director general of military public relations, said 354 passengers were freed, 37 of whom were injured.

Officials also revised the tally of passengers on the train downward to 425 from 440.

Speaking alongside Chaudhry, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said 425 tickets were sold for the cross-country train. However, passengers could board at any station along the roughly 1,600-kilometer route, which, Bugti said, largely explained the gap between the number of passengers and those rescued.

Maybe some did not travel; some were boarding later, maybe some of those who ran [from the terrorists] lost their way, and maybe some got caught [by the terrorists], the chief minister said.

Blaming neighbors

Tuesdays attack marked a dramatic escalation in the separatist insurgency that has seen a sharp increase in violence in recent months. In 2024, the BLA and other Baloch separatist groups killed nearly 400 people in over 500 attacks.

Pakistani officials blamed archrival India, accusing it of providing support to anti-Pakistan militants in Afghanistan, a charge New Delhi quickly rejected.

We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.

Bugti and Chaudhry reiterated the claim that Tuesdays attack was orchestrated by militants with bases in Afghanistan, a charge Afghan foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi rejected Thursday.

Intelligence failure?

Pakistani officials acknowledged there was a security threat, but rejected questions that the brazen hijacking in the heavily militarized province was an intelligence failure.

There was a threat in the general area, said Chaudhry, adding that it was not specifically about an attack on the train.

There are thousands of intelligence success stories too behind [such incidents], which you dont know  incidents that did not happen because our intelligence was successfully able to detect them, he said.

The military spokesperson said law enforcement agencies have conducted 11,654 intelligence-based operations across the country so far this year. Nearly 60,000 such operations were conducted nationwide last year, he said.

Resource-rich Balochistan is Pakistans largest and least-populated province, where members of the ethnic Baloch minority say they face discrimination and exploitation by the government in Islamabad.

In the last 15 months, 1,250 terrorists from various groups have been killed in Pakistan, along with 563 security personnel, Chaudhry said.
A Guatemalan judge ordered prominent journalist Jose Ruben Zamora back to prison this week in a move that the leader of his legal team called inhumane.

Zamora on Monday returned to Mariscal Zavala prison in Guatemala City on the orders of Judge Erick Garcia, whose decision came after another court revoked house arrest from the elPeriodico founder.

The publisher is awaiting another trial in a money-laundering case that press freedom groups say is politically motivated.

Were very troubled by whats happening in Jose Ruben Zamoras case, because what were seeing here is a total breakdown of rule of law in Guatemala, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, who is leading Zamoras international legal team, told VOA.

He obviously shouldnt have spent a single day in prison. This latest revocation of his house arrest terms is legally problematic, grossly unfair and inhumane, Gallagher added.

Zamora, 67, attended the hearing on Monday. Near the end of his appearance, he called the ruling arbitrary.

During the hearing, the judge said he and his staff had been threatened by unnamed individuals, but he did not elaborate.

They left him cornered with no way out, Zamora said in court.

Zamora founded elPeriodico in 1996. The newspaper was known for its investigations into corruption across multiple governments in Guatemala.

But in 2022, authorities arrested Zamora and later froze the newspapers assets. The publication was forced to shutter in 2023.

A court later sentenced Zamora to six years in prison on money-laundering charges. An appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial for 2025.

Zamoras legal team has rejected all the accusations. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also determined that Zamoras detention is arbitrary and called for his release.

The publisher spent more than 800 days in prison before a court in October granted him house arrest while he awaited his new trial. Another court in November revoked Zamoras house arrest, but his lawyers were able to postpone the order for a few months.

Artur Romeu, director of the Latin America bureau of Reporters Without Borders, called the decision to reimprison Zamora a blatant case of judicial weaponization.

In response to a request for comment, Guatemalas Washington embassy directed VOA to comments made earlier this week by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo about Zamora.

This is an absolutely baseless case that exposes the worst of the crisis in our judicial system and highlights the criminalization strategies being implemented by the Public Ministry, Arevalo said Monday.

The Public Ministry is Guatemalas Justice Ministry. It is led by Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras, who was sanctioned by the European Union in 2024 for undermining democracy, including by targeting journalists and trying to prevent Arevalo from assuming office.

During Zamoras previous time in prison, the publisher was subjected to conditions that Gallagher characterized as inhumane and degrading and a violation of international standards.

Zamoras health was better while under house arrest, Gallagher said, but now his legal team is concerned about the environment he returned to.

Being returned to those conditions is horrifying and unacceptable, Gallagher said.

Nine press freedom and rights groups this week called for Zamoras immediate release.

We urge Guatemalan authorities to guarantee his right to a fair and impartial trial, free from undue interference and pressure, they said in a joint statement.

Zamoras case underscores a global trend in which politically motivated legal proceedings and trials against journalists are drawn out over a long time, according to Gallagher.

Gallaghers other clients include jailed pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; Nobel laureate Maria Ressa from the Philippines; and the family of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in Malta in 2017.

What were seeing in Jose Ruben Zamoras case in Guatemala, or Jimmy Lais case in Hong Kong, are these very prolonged proceedings which actually keep the person in prison and try to hold the international response at bay for as long as possible, Gallagher said. Thats a real problem.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia had trapped the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in its western Kursk region, where they have held on for more than seven months in one of the most important battles of the war.

Putin told reporters in Moscow that the situation in Kursk was "completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation," according to Reuters.

Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Kursk last August to divert Russian forces away from the front lines and grab land to trade for its own occupied territory. Ukraine's top commander denied this week that his men were being encircled.

Putin on Wednesday made a surprise visit to troops in Russia's western Kursk region Wednesday, ordering soldiers to swiftly retake the region from Ukrainian forces.

"If a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways  to surrender or die," Putin said at the Thursday press conference, according to Reuters.

At the press conference, Putin also offered his qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire plan.

Putin's comments came after Russian aerial attacks overnight killed at least two people in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, officials said Thursday.

Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that his region came under attack by Russian drones and shelling, and that one other person was injured.

In the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhiy Lysak said at least three people were hospitalized after a Russian attack hit the city of Dnipro.

Lysak said on Telegram the attack damaged multiple apartment buildings, including blowing out windows.

Officials in the Sumy region reported Thursday that Russian drones fell on a set of garages, setting about 20 of them on fire.

Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down 74 of the 117 drones that Russian forces launched overnight.

The intercepts took place over the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia regions, the military said.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it shot down 77 Ukrainian drones, most of them in regions located along the Russia-Ukraine border.

Vladislav Shapsha, governor of the Kaluga region, said the attacks injured one person and damaged an industrial building, a communication tower and a power line.

The Russia military said it destroyed 30 of the drones over Bryansk, while officials in the region reported no damage or casualties.

Russian air defense also shot down drones over Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov and Belgorod, the military said.

The daily aerial attacks continue amid a U.S. push to secure a cease-fire in the conflict. The U.S. has proposed a 30-day halt in fighting, which Ukraine has said it would accept.

U.S. officials are expected to discuss the plan with Russian officials in the coming days.

Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups.

Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report.

More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters.

The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report.

"Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters.

Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said.

"For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle.
The U.N. special envoy for Syria is calling for an end to violence and for the protection of civilians, as the country grapples with renewed violence three months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Geir Pedersen issued his appeal Friday, which is the 14th anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protests of al-Assad that led to more than a decade of civil war.

What began as a plea for reform was met with staggering brutality, leading to one of the most harrowing conflicts of our time, Pederson said. The conflict exposed the darkest depths of human cruelty. Families continue to mourn the loss of loved ones, communities remain fractured, millions remain uprooted from their homes, and far too many persist in their search for the missing.

The U.N. says the conflict displaced some 12 million people in Syria, including more than 6 million refugees.

Assad was ousted in December 2024 but hope for a return to stability has been shaken by deadly violence that began March 6 in Syria's coastal region, where security forces clashed with fighters loyal to the former president, leading to hundreds of deaths, including many civilians.





The fighters were members of the country's Alawite minority  the same religious group of which the Assad family is a member. Syrias transitional authorities said their forces in the sect's coastal region near the port city of Latakia came under a calculated attack from Assad loyalists in an attempted insurrection.

Pedersen said Friday that recent agreements between Syrias transitional authorities and an armed group, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are a positive reminder of how important it is that Syria comes together in a manner that truly restores its sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.

He called for the creation of a credible and inclusive transitional government and legislative body; a constitutional framework and process to draft a new constitution for the long term that is credible and inclusive too; and genuine transitional justice.

Margaret Besheer contributed to this report from the United Nations.
Haitian armed gangs set fire overnight to Radio Television Caraibes building in downtown Port-au-Prince, not far from the National Palace. RTVC had moved its daily operations to the suburb of Petionville because of a spike in gang violence. However, its downtown office contained equipment and a series of television and radio studios.

Click here for the full story in Creole.
Three Kurdish and Lorestan prisoners have been told they may soon have four fingers cut off as punishment for theft. The Iranian court says they must get forgiveness from the people who accused them by next month, or the punishment will go forward. The men have spent nine years in prison. Human rights groups say this kind of punishment is like torture and goes against international laws.

Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
Former Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani spoke to Mazlum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, to discuss the recent agreement between SDF and the Syrian interim government. Barzani encouraged broader participation from other Syrian Kurdish parties, including the Kurdish National Council in Syria, to strengthen Kurdish representation beyond the SDF alone.

Click here for the full story in Kurdish.


The U.S. president sent a letter to Irans supreme leader to restart talks on Irans nuclear program, but Iran refused. Experts think Iran is preparing for war, as shown by its military drills. The U.S. has added new sanctions, and President Donald Trump says military action is still possible, although he hopes for a new deal.



Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
Sybiha discusses partnership with USA, achieving just, lasting peace with reps of Hudson Institute

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha held a meeting with a delegation of the American think tank Hudson Institute, led by its president and executive director John Walters.

"I had an insightful discussion with Hudson Institute delegation led by its President and CEO John Walters. We spoke about ways to advance Ukraine-US strategic partnership, achieve a just and lasting peace, and strengthen transatlantic security," Sybiha wrote on X.
This week, BlackRock, one of the largest U.S. asset management firms, signed an agreement with CK Hutchison Holdings to acquire 90% of Panama Ports Company, which operates the crucial Balboa and Cristobal ports. The acquisition comes amid U.S. concerns that the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison could create a strategic foothold for China in the Panama Canal. The deal also addresses some of the U.S.s strategic anxieties for now, yet the implications extend beyond the Canals waters. The agreement holds critical weight in the broader context of U.S.-China competition across the Americas.

Click here for the full story in Mandarin
Reza Valizadeh, a dual-citizen Iranian American journalist imprisoned in Iran, ended his hunger strike after six days on Thursday out of concern for his mother, who went on the hunger strike with him. Valizadeh said family members asked him to end the strike because his mothers physical and mental condition had severely deteriorated, and he had developed motor impairment and a weakened physical condition.

Click here for the full story in Persian.
Uzbekistan "has made significant progress in eliminating widespread state-imposed forced labor," according to the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights. The group is urging the Uzbek government to implement its promised reforms and create an enabling environment for freedom of association and civil society, which play a key role in monitoring and reporting violations and abuses.

Click here for the full story in Uzbek.
The 10th Powering Africa Summit in Washington DC marked a pivotal moment in defining the strategic energy relationship between the US and Africa, addressing the critical question: How will the new administration shape its energy partnership with the continent? VOAs Taboka Ncube has the report.
This year, over 50 Chinese publishers and book trade companies presented over 4,000 high-quality titles at the book fair.

LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 London Book Fair (LBF) concluded on Thursday, with publishing insiders emphasizing international collaborations and industry trends shaping the future.

During the three-day event, more than 30,000 publishing professionals and 1,000 exhibitors across the world showcased flagship titles, signed deals, and engaged in discussions on key industry topics.

Gareth Rapley, former director of the LBF, said that strong participants at this international event will create better opportunities for the industry worldwide. He also highlighted China's prominent presence at the fair and its growth across all publishing aspects, from book releases to print solutions.

This year, over 50 Chinese publishers and book trade companies presented over 4,000 high-quality titles, showcasing co-publishing results or exploring new international cooperation partnerships. They also held 40 activities, including book launches, copyright signings, and reader seminars, underscoring China's commitment to global literary dialogues.

Glyn Jones from Elsevier told Xinhua that the company plans to translate and publish several Chinese titles on applied technology, such as green hydrogen production and intelligent vehicles.

He said it's "only natural" to publish books from China, as the country is "leading the world" in crucial technological advancement.

Beyond book themes, emerging technologies are also reshaping how publishers navigate future opportunities and challenges. At the fair, industry insiders told Xinhua that AI is assisting in tasks such as developing marketing strategies and producing audiobooks, enabling publishers to improve efficiency and focus more on creativity.

"AI will never replace humans," said Martin Liu, chief operating officer and publisher at LID Publishing, emphasizing that the "nuances and subtleties" in books will always require a "human touch and human creativity" to reach their full potential.

Amid the evolving global publishing landscape, Richard Charkin, former president of the International Publishers Association, told Xinhua that publishers must act as a "gatekeeper and purveyor" of quality information, especially as AI-driven content raises growing concerns over information reliability and copyright protection.

Despite technological shifts that complicate current and future trends, Charkin stressed that publishers must remain steadfast in their one fundamental role -- connecting writers and readers.
On March 14, at 14:00 local time, a memorial service will be held in the city of Juba at the UNMISS Tompeng camp in honor of the heroically killed flight attendant of the Ukrainian Helicopters, Sergii Prykhodko.

According to the statement of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of 7 March 2025, the United Nations helicopter, piloted by Ukrainian Helicopters, was shot down during the evacuation mission in Nasir, Upper Nile State, killing one crew member and seriously injuring two others. In addition, several members of the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF), including General Daka, were killed during an attempt by UNMISS to evacuate people from the area.

The Ukrainian Helicopters aircraft landed at a designated point for the peacekeeping mission to evacuate people. In the abrupt shooting, the Ukrainian Helicopters flight attendant and rescuer Sergii Prykhodko died while shielding the UNMISS chief high-ranking negotiator, who was there to stabilize the situation in South Sudan.

Crew commander Serhiy Muzyka, with a gunshot wound to the hand, managed to lift the damaged helicopter into the air, evacuate 8 people and pull them out of the fire. Also wounded, co-pilot Dmytro Teplykh assisted the pilot. The helicopter got over 20 gunshot holes and suffered significant damage. However, the highly qualified crew, even though wounded, were able to complete the rescue operation and land the helicopter in a designated safe location. The Ukrainian Helicopters is ongoingly training their highly professional pilots to perform 24/7 search and rescue operations and is proud of their valor.

Serhiy Muzyka has already obtained extensive experience in search and rescue operations when evacuating victims of a plane crash in Somalia in 2015.

"The attack on UNMISS personnel is utterly abhorrent and may constitute a war crime under international law. We deeply regret the tragic loss of our colleague and express our sincere condolences to his loved ones," said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom. "We also deeply regret the killing of those that we were attempting to extract, particularly when assurances of safe passage had been received. UNMISS urges an investigation to determine those responsible and hold them liable."
The slick thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett manages to make monogamy look hot. Thats how good this Steven Soderbergh film is. Photo: Universal

Black Bag begins with Michael Fassbenders back to the camera in an unblinking tracking shot from city street to subterranean club, and it is immediately clear that I am in the hands of a master. In this case, Steven Soderbergh, in his second theatrical release of the year, after the ghost story Presence. Soderberghs camera graces Fassbenders George, an intelligence agent arriving for a meeting with a vaping Gustaf Skarsgard, who is passing along a list of names  suspected traitors involved in stealing Severus, a top-secret malware that destabilizes nuclear facilities and could lead to international disaster. Between voluminous drags, Skarsgards Philip is complaining about his wifes bitter reaction to discovering his infidelity. Its apparently all too easy to cheat and lie in their line of work, but George is better known for his flagrant monogamy with fellow intelligence agent Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. In a chocolate-brown wig, all leonine physicality, Blanchett is more than just a sight to behold  shes a fierce, enchanting woman who matches Georges cunning, and so hes made his life a shrine to her. I can feel when youre watching me, she purrs while getting ready one evening, George rapt over her shoulder. Sorry, he says, almost embarrassed by his own wanting. I like it, she smirks. Their relationship is enviable to the vipers around them, until Kathryns name appears on Philips list. She is under suspicion, and George might have to sacrifice his marriage to maintain his sterling reputation at work.

Theres a certain molecular charge I get after watching a truly exciting film, and I rarely find myself feeling it these days. Modern cinema  particularly but not exclusively in America  has failed to rise to the present moment, politically, but also aesthetically and formally. The scripts are literal. Any broader themes are gestured at, not explored. The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is. And the stars? They barely gleam. But Black Bag is electrifying, with Soderbergh operating in his God mode  portraying highly competent people attempting to outwit one another in beautiful clothes, the light practically bending to their beauty and banter. Its pure star power, delicious without an ounce of anything superfluous. The kind of production that reorients my gaze and opens up my heart to possibilities in life and cinema. Black Bag is a tremendous example that a film need not be making an explicit political point or obsessed with the political dimensions of its narrative to be worthwhile cinema. A work can rise to this present moment by offering us rapture. This, too, is what movies are meant to accomplish.

Black Bag may be an espionage movie, but the screenplay by David Koepp isnt propelled by spycraft. Instead, the spycraft is propelled by the emotional and lust-fueled entanglements of its cast. Case in point, the dinner party George and Kathryn host at their glorious home; he tells Kathryn that one of the attendees is the traitor hes chasing and he hopes to fumigate them here (though he stops short of revealing to Kathryn that she is a suspect, too). Theres Dr. Zoe Vaughan (Naomie Harris), a Catholic psychiatrist who clears the agents for duty, and who is dating James Stokes (Rege-Jean Page), a recently promoted (thanks to Georges recommendation) colonel. Theres the louse Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke), who was passed over for the position James got, and the younger, sharp-tongued Clarissa Dubose (Marisa Abela). As a tale of international intrigue, Black Bag can be as severe as the jet-black, thick-rimmed glasses that appear on Georges face, but just beneath the surface is that enrapturing intensity and a psychic messiness that easily spills out.

Like when George spikes his entree and needles his guests, their secrets and complications, insults and come-ons, flooding George and Kathryns immaculately designed open floor plan home. Each performance is pitch-perfect. Burke is gregarious, his charm carrying a touch of sliminess. Rege-Jean Page has venom in his smile. But its Harris and Abela who impressed me most. When Harriss Zoe tells Kathryn that an aroma of hostility wafts in ahead of you  so perfectly delivered that the words could bleed a stone dry  I cackled with delight. And Marisa Abela, Id seen you before but I wasnt familiar with your game. Youre bold and bruising, with a mask-off ferocity that brings out the vitality of any scene partner. Its a pure shot of joy watching these actors play off one another in Soderberghs barbed yet mesmerizing world of chrome and charisma, where bodies are forever in motion toward their next hit of pleasure or violence, all encased in a spiky, felicitous score by David Holmes (who worked with Soderbergh on the Oceans films).

As cinematographer, Soderbergh is slick but never sterile. Even with his limited color palette, every frame thrums with life, every object in the world feels cleverly incorporated. I am especially partial to Cate Blanchetts wardrobe  slouchy leather boots, mahogany jackets, silk shirts the color of smoke and ash. Theres a sexual dynamism to it all, even while the film lacks obvious sex scenes, because Soderbergh has made the trappings of monogamy (wonderfully childless, of course) downright erotic. George and Kathryn are devoted to each other, and each other only. Whether George is letting his glasses fog up while cooking a decadent meal or interrogating his co-workers, theres a sense that he wastes not a shred of energy that could otherwise be put toward Kathryn. As the film continues, each character is mired in a tense bramble of their own making trying to track down Severus and protect themselves. But for George and Kathryn, their marriage is on the line, their colleagues attempting to manipulate the couple into a rivalry that redirects that potent energy.

What ultimately cinches the dynamics of Black Bag is the chemistry between Fassbender and Blanchett. Individually, they are refined, glamorous. Together, theyre intimidatingly, pornographically so. Its more than compounded beauty and charisma, though. This is a matter of complementary craft; of two great listeners and communicators bringing rapture to every gesture. She brings warmth to his rigidity, his gaze renders her even more awe-inspiring. A great star is both enlivening and aspirational, gracefully human and superhuman. In this way, Fassbender and Blanchett run circles around any younger set of stars recently anointed into Hollywood. As Clarissa puts it in a conversation with George about what it takes to keep his marriage functioning in todays world, My God, thats hot.
Photo: Walt Disney Co./Everett Collection

The drama surrounding Snow White is enough to make anybody want to take a bite out of a poisoned apple. Disneys live-action film has become so fraught with controversy that the premiere on March 15 was scaled back to exclude pesky, inquisitive press from the red carpet. From racist attacks on the films Latina lead, Rachel Zegler, to controversy over how the film is portraying its seven dwarfs to Gal Gadots pro-Israel stance  theres plenty to avoid addressing ahead of the films release. And after West Side Story and Shazam, Zegler and her bob are probably wishing on that well for a movie with a non-problematic co-star. Below, a full timeline of the various controversies surrounding the film over the course of its development, filming, and March 21 release.

October 2016: Plans for a live-action remake of 1937s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were reported by The Hollywood Reporter, with Erin Cressida Wilson in talks to write the script. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were attached to write new music, with Marc Platt, of Wicked and Ben fame, onboard to produce.

June 2021: Rachel Zegler is cast as Snow White. The news resulted in backlash from racist Disney fans and right-wing grifters, who took umbrage with Zegler, who is Latina, playing a character associated with being the fairest of them all. The conservative backlash echoed similar vitriol targeting Halle Bailey upon her casting in 2023s The Little Mermaid, as well as the boycotts of 2017s Beauty and the Beast after the director teased an exclusively gay moment.

November 4, 2021: Gal Gadot is cast as the Evil Queen, despite her work in Red Notice.

January 14, 2022: During an appearance on Marc Marons WTF podcast, Peter Dinklage criticizes the planned film, calling it a backwards story on account of its depiction of the seven dwarfs. Theres a lot of hypocrisy going on. Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. But youre still telling the story of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what youre doing there. It makes no sense to me, Dinklage said. Youre progressive in one way but then youre still making that fucking backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess Im not loud enough. I dont know which studio that is, but they were so proud of it. All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But Im just like, What are you doing? Dinklage would go on to star with Zegler in 2023s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

January 25, 2022: Disney responds to Dinkalges comments in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community, it states. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.

January 28, 2022: Following Dinklages comments and Disneys response, other actors with dwarfism countered his perspective. Dylan Postl, who plays Hornswoggle in the WWE, told the Daily Mail in part, Its not helping our community, its taking jobs away from our community that are very few and far between as it is. Katrina Kemp, who has acted on Netflixs GLOW, also said, Its a missed opportunity to make a movie with seven little people where they actually have intended characters. There will have been people who gladly would have taken those roles.

January 31, 2022: During her Variety Actors on Actors interview with Andrew Garfield, Zegler addresses her casting. Never in a million years did I imagine that this would be a possibility for me, she says. You dont normally see Snow Whites who are of Latin descent. Even though Snow White is really a big deal in Spanish-speaking countries. Blanca Nieves is a huge icon whether youre talking about the Disney cartoon or just different iterations and the Grimms fairy tale and all the stories that come with it. But you dont particularly see people who look like me or are me playing roles like that. When it was announced, it was a huge thing that was trending on Twitter for days, because all of the people were angry.

September 11, 2022: In an interview with Extra at the 2022 D23 Expo, Zegler describes how the film will differ from the more antiquated original. The original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. Theres a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didnt do that this time, she states. We have a different approach to what Im sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie, Andrew Burnap, great dude  But its really not about the love story at all, which is really, really wonderful  All of Andrews scenes could get cut, who knows? Its Hollywood, baby! Its an inner journey that she goes on to find her true self and she meets a lot of people along the way that makes the journey really incredible. Her comments were, of course, used by the anti-woke mob of far-right pundits to continue to stir up backlash against the film and Zeglers casting.

July 14, 2023: On-set photos leak in the Daily Mail that appear to show the seven dwarfs being portrayed by one actor with dwarfism and six actors  who are not little people  of various genders and races, fanning the flames of the films continued backlash. After originally denying the authenticity of the photos, Disney ultimately confirmed that they were from its set but featured stand-ins and werent official photos.

July 15, 2023: Rachel Zegler once again addresses the attacks on her in a tweet reading, Extremely appreciative of the love I feel from those defending me online, but please dont tag me in the nonsensical discourse about my casting. I really, truly do not want to see it. So I leave you [with] these photos! I hope every child knows they can be a princess no matter what. The attached photos show Zegler as a child dressed as different Disney princesses, including Snow White.

October 27, 2023: Amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, Disney pushes the films release date back from March 2024 to March 2025 but shares a first look image that reveals the seven dwarfs will be animated as CGI characters.

August 10, 2024: The release of the films first teaser trailer is met with calls for a boycott due to Gal Gadots pro-Israel stance. Gadot is Israeli, served in the IDF for two years, and has been a vocal supporter of Israel throughout the genocide in Gaza.

August 12, 2024: Conversely, Zegler, who has been publicly pro-Palestine since 2021, tweets her thanks to fans, adding, And always remember, free Palestine.

October 2, 2024: In an interview with Variety, Zegler explains the new films backstory behind Snow Whites name, which had previously been a reference to her skin being as white as snow. It fell back to another version of Snow White that was told in history, where she survived a snowstorm that occurred when she was a baby. And so the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience, she explains.

November 14, 2024: Following the re-election of Donald Trump, Zegler posts an Instagram Story expressing her frustration with the results and standing with the marginalized communities it impacts, concluding her statement, May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace. The generally tame statement was still enough to rile up the likes of Megyn Kelly, who used it as another opportunity to stoke the right-wing backlash to the film. Zegler went on to apologize for her statement, saying she let her emotions get the best of her.

February 21, 2025: Disney reveals that the CGI seven dwarfs will be voiced by Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, George Salazar as Happy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, Andy Grotelueschen as Sleepy, and Jeremy Swift as Doc. Martin Klebba, who has dwarfism, had previously been announced to be playing Grumpy.

March 11, 2025: Variety reports that Disney will be scaling back the March 15 Los Angeles premiere of the film and wont be inviting journalists onto the red carpet. Instead, the event will only include photographers and house interviewers.

March 12, 2025: Martin Klebba (Grumpy) voices his disappointment to the New York Post about the premiere being scaled back, saying, Im not disappointed in Disney. Im disappointed in the world.

March 14, 2025: Klebba tells The Hollywood Reporter that the premiere is smaller out of fear of the blowback from different people in society. The actor says the changes were due to the controversy with Rachel, though he clarifies that he wasnt directly given a reason. A source with knowledge of the situation tells People, Nothing was scaled back. It was always the plan to have an afternoon event for families as Disney has done in the past on other family films.

March 15, 2025: Zegler and Gadot both attend the premiere in Los Angeles. They smile and pose side-by-side in red carpet photos with producers Marc Platt and Jared LeBof, director Marc Webb, and songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

March 21, 2025: Snow White premieres in theaters. While it tops the box office, it underperforms, bringing in only $43 million domestically. Reviews are just as lackluster, currently sitting at 42 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, though the one source of praise is Zeglers performance.

Zegler celebrates with an Instagram post thanking her entire Snow White family. That includes her prince, Andrew Burnap; director supreme Marc Webb; Webbs assistant; the films first AD; and Conor from props. You know who that list doesnt include? Her co-star Gal Gadot. Surely, the discourse will end soon, right?

March 25, 2025: Variety reporter Tatiana Siegel  whose other works include a cover story calling Fox Newss Greg Gutfeld Late Nights New King, publishing Amber Heards therapy notes, and giving coverage to a Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro film  publishes an article on the drama surrounding Snow White. Its received by readers as a hit piece against Rachel Zegler for sharing her political stance, while Gal Gadot (who also spoke out) is referred to as a mother of four who required additional security due to death threats. Racist threats and harassment against Zegler, which she says included people yelling outside her apartment, are not mentioned in the piece.

The article also reports that after Zegler posted online in support of Palestine, the films producer Marc Platt flew to New York to speak to her directly, but she stood her ground and refused to delete the tweet. Disney would reportedly go on to hire a social-media guru after her anti-Trump posts to vet the actresss social-media activity. Fans rally around Zegler for refusing to take down the tweet, which has gained an additional 5.6 million views and counting since the Variety article was published.

March 26, 2025: Melissa Barrera, who was fired from the Scream franchise over her vocal support for Palestine, shares support for Rachel Zegler in an Instagram Story. She also shares three Variety articles on her own firing, which describe her remarks as hate speech. She highlights that all were written by Siegel.

March 26, 2025: Jonah Platt, the nonBen Platt son of Marc Platt, responds to an Instagram comment criticizing his fathers reported actions. In the defense, he says his dad had to leave his family to fly across the country to reprimand his 20 year old employee for dragging her personal politics into the middle of promoting the movie for which she signed a multi-million dollar contract to get paid and do publicity for. He went on to blame Zeglers actions for the films poor box-office numbers, adding that the crew and blue-collar workers depend on that movie to be successful. Its worth noting that crew members generally do not receive points on the back end the way producers do, so their income is not impacted by a films performance. Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged, he concluded. Mirror, mirror, on the wall 
Dope Thief Jolly Ranchers Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Apple TV+

Phillys looking extra-cold and gray for a cold open that puts the heat under us fast as Ray Driscoll (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny Carvalho (Wagner Moura)  a couple of small-time Philadelphia crooks posing as DEA agents to rip off a humble drug operation  rush a house of unsuspecting drug runners and make out with a modest take. Henry and Moura argue about the necessity of hiring a third guy to watch the door with all the locked-in charisma weve come to expect from two of our greatest modern character actors and TV stars.

Sometimes a premise just sells itself, you know?

Based on Dennis Tafoyas 2009 novel of the same name, Dope Thief starts strong and moves with the scrappy, fight-or-flight confidence of its protagonist, Ray. Let me tell you a bedtime story, Ray tells his captive audience as Manny ransacks the house. The story is of a young man who spent his formative years in juvie, then graduated to a stretch in federal prison when he turned 18. The young man in question, of course, is Ray himself  a perpetually abused, isolated, down-on-his-luck Black man with no path forward but to navigate, best he can, the stratified hustlers ball that is the American rat race.

You really couldnt think of a more apt canvas for Peter Craig  whose writing credits since his debut crime-drama feature The Town have included everything from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Parts 1 and 2  Jesus, remember how often we were doing that back then?) to The Batman, Bad Boys for Life, and, most recently, Gladiator II  to return to the true-blue American crime story. Nor is there a better showcase for Henrys singular talent, as yet criminally underutilized since Atlanta wrapped its GOAT-ed run.

The rest of the cast aint too shabby, either. Kate Mulgrew (my beloved Captain Janeway, am I right, fellow Trekkies?) is Theresa, Rays adoptive mother and his father Barts (Ving Rhames) old lady who took Ray in as a boy when his dad went to prison. Shes an ornery old Philly gal with a heart of gold and a ratty little dog named Shermy. Being an elite of the West Coast variety, my ear isnt attuned to the East Coast accents to know how well Mulgrews Philly-ing her dialogue, but Ill be damned if it isnt working for me. Anyway, we come out of our cold open at Theresas house just as Ray drops in, inquiring about her bills and medical test results and establishing their hard-talking, soft-hearted rapport with each other. Degenerate, Theresa grumbles as Ray mentions Manny is about to pick him up for work. Ray is cagey about his work situation, and Theresa is cagey about her bills and medical results, but she sends him out the door with a cupcake for his birthday, which is reminiscent of his first birthday in her care.

Just because were not real law enforcement doesnt mean were not professional, Ray explains to Rick (Spenser Granese), an old frenemy of Rays from prison who might have a new business proposition for our guys. He and Manny engage in a little tag-team exposition that gives us the lay of their land, their game, and their dynamic as friends and actual partners in crime. The snappy back-and-forth intercut with a montage of them committing their robberies in DEA disguise demonstrates all the careful planning and moment-of-truth bravado they say is required for their particular line of work. On a technical level, the scene is not unlike Ray and Mannys operation itself  economical, efficient, and immersive, if not a little slap-and-dash feeling.

All right, all right, I get it, Rick intimates with his reaction to their little spiel. Ray and Manny have a good thing going  not big enough to attract actual attention from the Feds, nor with the type of low-level drug runners who have any recourse. Plus, they dont feel it too much of a stretch to see themselves as local Robin Hoods (despite the fact that they aint stealing from the rich and arent exactly reinvesting their income back into the community). In any case, Rick argues theyre bound to draw unnecessary heat in the city if they keep this up. But out in the country, where he operates, there are slightly bigger fish worth frying with a fraction of the burn risk.

Against his better judgment and Mannys apprehension, Ray decides to take Rick up on the job. Mannys a little shaken by the feeling of his side hustle taking up more and more oxygen. His girlfriend, Sherry (Liz Caribel Sierra), is moving in with him, and the elevating stakes arent sitting well with his current matrix of Catholic guilt and justification for his criminal deeds. Not even the Patron Saint of Thieves hanging around his neck can sanction the path theyre looking down. For Ray, the mortal stakes lie in not taking the bigger job (and bigger payout). Theresa needs $10,000 and she wont tell him why, but he thinks the medical tests and bills at her house have something to do with it.

Heres where we come up with a well-placed, economically applied character-study montage for Ray, who narrates the proceedings from his floor chair at an AA meeting. We learn that Rays sobriety is shaky at best, and the path foisted upon him early in life has led him to an alienated, somewhat antisocial existence. Sometimes you just dont want to see, he says of the times his father would lock him in a closet to keep his son from seeing him get high. Ray is an incredibly empathetic human being on the run from his own spiritual sight, as demonstrated when he stakes out the country drug house and his focus shifts to Mina (Marin Ireland), one of the alleged cookers theyre about to rob: I felt like I knew exactly who she was, cause I could feel the cage shed put herself in.

Ridley Scott, the consummate workman auteur-curmudgeon and occasional Apple TV hired gun, directs Jolly Ranchers like its a bona fide 21st-century Ridley Scott joint. Back in American Gangster territory. Not necessarily the mans strongest arena, but neither is the, uh, gladiatorial arena these days (I dug Gladiator II, by the way, just as an intriguing mess). But Scotts economical, quick-draw commercial style is well suited for the modern TV arena, as is his ability to usher in a straightforward tone for a well-positioned cast. Black-and-white images of a traumatic past show us a girl from school, taken in a car accident with a young Ray behind the wheel.

Were well set up, both emotionally and cinematically, for a killer robbery gone wrong by the time we get to the big finale. Again, props to Scott and the crew for executing a memorable piece of grimy True Detectiveesque chaos and bloodshed. The shit hits the fan when a tweaked-out Rick slips his trigger finger and shoots his captive cooker through the head. Mina, whos giving some serious cop with her straight n true pistols aim and authoritative exclamation of Like hell youre fuckin Feds, fires at Rick, who immediately returns another round and hits Mina in the neck. She makes it out of the house alive, while Ray and Manny make it out with a big black bag full of money and several aloe vera bottles of liquid meth. And theyre mere miles away from the place when an ominous voice (that sounds so much like the Ghostface voice from Scream I had to Google it to make sure it wasnt  odd but, I must say, very effective choice) crackles through the other end of their cheap walkie-talkies. The voices direct, cool, but impassioned threats on their lives make it clear: Theyve just ripped off some major players in the drug war. Neither real cops nor real hustlers, theirs has always been an ethereal criminality, moving like ghosts between worlds, no waves made. Until now, they realize in unison.

Bottom of the Bag

 Meanwhile, Mina wakes up in the hospital with a pair of other police officers filling her in on whats going on. With her voice knocked out of commission, she furiously writes a series of curse-ridden demands  an iron will unencumbered by the weakened state of the body that houses it  chief among them, KEEP MY COVER. Had my eye on her as a venerable screen presence since I saw her in the indie-horror joint The Dark and the Wicked. Couldnt think of a more exciting choice for the resident anti-hero cop and mirror to our anti-hero criminal, Ray.

 I couldnt help but think of Gene Hackmans passing when watching this first episode  not only one of the great American screen actors but a frequent fixture of the type of 70s crime flicks for which Dope Thief, The Penguin, and other shows like it are the modern comp. Watching Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura play off each other in this joint is uncannily reminiscent of watching Hackman and Roy Scheider in The French Connection, or Dustin Hoffman and Gary Busey in Straight Time. And theres no question Brian Tyree Henrys unique abilities as an actor tap into the same deep well of screen presence and emotional integrity that flowed through Hackmans work, no matter how flawed the character. If theres anyone worth passing the Hackman baton to in todays media landscape, its Henry.

 Hey, folks! Looking forward to recapping another killer crime show with yall. Last we spoke, I was recapping The Penguin, and obsessed as I am with the Gotham crime saga in all its iterations, its great to be back on the beat with a solid crime story that doesnt require a comic-book overlay to do its thing.
Wow folks, she really can do it all. Obviously, the she here is The Pitt and it all is the fact that this series is pumping out consistently incredible television that is intense, emotional, and built on this almost impossible choreographed chaos, working together to give both a (mostly) realistic look at medicine today and some truly well-crafted character development. It seems impossible that TV could be this good week in and week out, but I am here to tell you this is really happening, people. Soak it in!

While The Pitt has already had multiple standout episodes in its first season, what I found so winning about 5:00 P.M is that it really takes the time to show us both sides of what it can do: the intensity and chaos feels more amped up than usual (if you can believe it), as Robby yet again bounces between two emergent cases, and then we also get two quiet character-building scenes that I have gone back and watched multiple times because I love them so. The Pitt is a show where sometimes tonal whiplash is the point because life is tonal whiplash; this line of work Dr. Robby et al have chosen is certainly rife with it. The Pitt, though, makes the blend of these sometimes disparate tones so smooth  they build this riveting cacophony. Whether were jumping from chaos to stillness or tragedy to lightheartedness or a woman profusely bleeding out of her vagina from a postpartum hemorrhage to a surgeon contentedly chomping on a free slice of pizza, it all continues to work together.

Another wild element The Pitt seems to handily pull off is that the pace is unrelenting and yet it never feels like a misstep. On most shows, wed be spending the hour following a reveal and confrontation like the one we got at the end of 4:00 P.M.  Im honestly still reeling that Langdon played us all for fools!  really dissecting what went down, but we have no time for that here. Robby discovering that one of his senior residents is a drug addict and has been skimming meds off of patients is, uh, bad, but it isnt an emergency just yet. That title is reserved for all the women who show up in this episode just to bleed all over the emergency department floor.

Its not like The Pitt has just moved on from Robby firing Langdon; the fallout casts a pall over everything Robby does in this episode. Langdons frantic, repeated calls to Robby, the hospital main line, and Dana make sure we never forget what happened. And then there is, of course, the fact that Dr. Santos cannot seem to help herself. Her first instinct when Robby tells her that he let Langdon go is to smile and make a joke about wanting to make an impression on her first day, as if she thought shed be celebrated for what she did. Santos was right to out Langdon and I was more than relieved when Robby finally tells her that what she did was right and it was brave, but that doesnt mean Santos isnt still acting like an ass. Oooh baby, when Garcia reacts to the news in the complete opposite way Santos assumed, telling the intern that shes trouble and she doesnt want to be a part of whats happening, well, I will admit I enjoyed that too. Trinity Santos needs to learn how to read a room.

We do get a taste of all the emotional baggage the Langdon reveal leaves behind, but more pressing is the logistical problem losing Langdon creates for Robby  a problem that becomes wildly apparent as more emergent and pretty complicated cases continue to pour in. And with everything that seems to be piling up on Robbys shoulders, its all clearly beginning to get to him  he has another PTSD episode, he seems to zone out during a major procedure for the first time  so our guy is working extra hard to hold it together at this point.

So what cases is Robby juggling? Well, theres Natalie, who is a surrogate for her best friend Justin and his partner. By the time shes brought in, shes already crowning. And if you thought The Pitts realism and gore might stop short of showing us an actual birth in close ups, you thought so very wrong. The first time I watched this episode it was very early in the morning and I will tell you, I did not need to drink one single drop of coffee that day. Its not even the close-up on the crowning that did me in, it was the point when, realizing that the babys shoulder was stuck on Natalies pelvic bone, we watched as Robby reached inside Natalie to rotate and pull that baby out. The stretching. Women are fearsome things to behold, do not mess with us, how many times must we warn you.

But Robbys not only dealing with a difficult birth here. Hes dealing with a tense emotional situation, too: In the wake of Langdon leaving, Collins tells Robby that she had a miscarriage (she was doing IVF solo) but that she simply wants to work through it. Of course, then, the first patient she gets after that conversation is Natalie. Robby is hyper-aware of how Collins might be feeling. The moment when he whispers that he can take over for her, I whispered to myself, oh my god I would marry this man so fast. I mean, we already know hes not scared of working a vagina. Collins doesnt want to leave, so hes managing both the patient, the baby, and perhaps a ticking time bomb.

He is also running back and forth between Natalies room and Dr. McKays patient, a woman with hepatitis B, which has led to cirrhosis of the liver, which has led to severe esophageal varices  or, enlarged varicose veins at her stomach and esophagus  that have ruptured. A truly insane amount of blood is pouring out of her mouth and through the suction Javadi is attempting. Robby arrives in time to assist McKay  who honestly is crushing it  with the Minnesota tube shes inserting in her patient. The tube is a tamponade with multiple balloons that inflate to stop bleeding in multiple areas. It eventually does the trick, but holy hell is there a lot of blood.

I guess the 5 oclock hour is a real party time for tamponade devices because guess who else needs one? Natalie. Oh, you thought her story was over with a painful and difficult birth? Have you not been paying attention to this show? First, Justins baby isnt breathing. Collins and King have to work quickly for, well, not a long time, but long enough to be worrisome. The baby starts breathing. But when Collins heads back over to Natalie as she expels the placenta, blood just comes gushing out behind it. Shes having a postpartum hemorrhage and it is the stuff of nightmares. Things seem dicey for a while and I did go back and forth debating whether The Pitt, on top of everything else, would dare make us watch this woman die from childbirth. Thankfully, my worst fears were not confirmed for once! Collins works like hell to get a uterine tamponade inserted to stop the bleeding. Natalies awake and talking in no time. Medicine is awesome.

While the two most difficult cases of the day (so far) are buttoned up, that emotional time bomb Robby was worried about with Collins does come to pass. She leaves Natalies room in tears and Robby comes to find her taking a breather outside in an ambulance. This scene, friends. I am obsessed with this scene. The Pitt hasnt spent time focusing on soapy interpersonal drama and characters have revealed parts of themselves slowly, and it all pays off in scenes like this one.

We dont know a ton of details about Robby or Collins or their relationship, but the writing (by Elyssa Gershman) and Noah Wyle and Tracy Ifeachors performances fill in enough blanks to make this so moving. Collins talks about how this was her last round of IVF because of the cost, yes, but also because of the emotional toll its taking, and she is heartbroken. Robby tells her hes never known her to give up on anything and gives her this little knee tap that did, in fact, make me yelp. When he tells her to go home early and makes sure she knows hes there for her, you can see Collins gather up courage. She tells him that she was pregnant a few years ago but had an abortion because she wasnt ready to be a mom and also because she was unsure of the relationship she was in. She never told him because she was scared of how he might react, that hed never forgive her. It doesnt take long for it to dawn on Robby that Collins is talking about him. Its a lot to process at once, but he never stops focusing on what Collins needs. Of course the guy would forgive her and he would want Collins to forgive herself. Its gentle and lovely.

Collins isnt the only person Robby cares about who is having a tough go of it. At the end of the episode, he finds Dana outside taking a smoke break. (Ahmad is standing guard near her! Ahmad is the best!) Shes been trying to hold it together until the end of the shift, but shes cracking, Robby can see it. She, too, is heartbroken. She was born at this hospital, she volunteered here in high school, so much of her life has been spent here, trying to help people and the community around her. This latest blow is simply too much. Robby assures her that she does make a difference and that one asshole doesnt get to change that, but its bigger than just one asshole. The world is different and she thinks shes done. In another wildly emotionally intelligent move, Robby doesnt fight her on it. He doesnt know how this place will run without her, but he understands if this is what she really needs. Youre a good man, Dr. Robinavitch. Dont let this place take that from you, she tells him. Again, its such a great character moment for both of them and even though we dont have all the shades of their relationship filled in, it hits on all levels.

Dana may be eyeing retirement, but she wont be leaving this shift any time soon. While she and Robby are having this moment, they both get paged: Theres an active shooter at PittFest and multiple gunshot victims are on their way. You wanted to know why this shift extends past 12 hours? I think weve got our answer. To make things just a little more personal, Robby reminds Dana that Jake and his girlfriend are there. (Not so long ago they FaceTimed him to thank him for the tickets, in a dead giveaway that something terrible was going to happen.) I have a feeling that, while we may have thought we knew what a chaotic Emergency Department looked like on this show, we havent seen anything yet.

Discharge Papers

 Ive seen a lot of theories over the past few weeks that something would go down at PittFest and that David Saunders would be the reason why, and the developments with Theresa and Davids story in this episode certainly dont refute that. Theresa finds Robby and shows him a terrifying Instagram post her son just made about how they mocked him and that it didnt have to be this way. Theresas decision to put her son on a psychiatric hold might be too late.

 I could watch Robby talk for hours about how society has failed young men by not teaching them to deal with their emotions in healthy ways and have instead pushed them toward toxic podcasts and finding community in all the wrong places. Get this man a mic!

 Mohan steps in it again when she takes the treatment of a drug-seeking patient into her own hands, not consulting Robby before giving the guy buprenorphine to, in a way, force him to admit hes a drug addict. Shes right that the guy was lying, but Robby is sick of her going behind his back to treat patients. One day it could bite her in the ass. (And get the hospital in trouble.) Just when she was getting on his good side!

 I knew McKays ex-husbands new girlfriend Chloe would be bad, but I never expected this bad! The 24-year-old shows up in a bedazzled Bonus Mom T-shirt and tries to keep Harrison away from his mom  and Chad is just letting her (of course). Chloe may have a restraining order against McKay, but that doesnt stop the resident from drawing the line at coming between her and her son. She also threatens her life if she ever wears that stupid T-shirt again and I dont blame her. I wouldve launched Chloe into the sun by now.

 King is so energized after taking part in Natalies case all she wants to do is share the story with her mentor, Langdon. When Santos tells her hes gone, King looks so disappointed that he didnt say good-bye. King should only experience happiness, this is very distressing.
Want more TV and movie picks? Subscribe to our weekly Streamliner newsletter here. Clockwise from top: Black Bag, Novocaine, Dope Thief, and Opus. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Everett Collection (Claudette Barius/Focus Features, Anna Kooris/A24, Jessica Kourkounis, Apple TV+)

A week after two Robert Pattinsons were launched into space, here come Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender engaged in a sexy spy tete-a-tete. Its shaping up to be a good month for great-looking people on screen! Heres everything to watch this weekend:

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Featured Presentations

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Steven Soderbergh, Cate Blanchett, and Michael Fassbender: What a trio. In Soderberghs second film of the year, Blanchett and Fassbender star as married intelligence agents Kathryn and George, but when Kathryn is suspected of treason, George is pulled between his job and his marriage. Classic. Its hard to want to betray Blanchett; we get it.

In theaters now

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Theres great chemistry right off the bat between Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura, who play robbers posing as DEA agents so they can steal drugs and cash. Their ruse is not foolproof, but this series, executive-produced by the legendary Ridley Scott, is gripping from the first episode.  Jen Chaney

Streaming on Apple TV+

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Its like The Menu but with a recluse pop star (John Malkovich) leading the charge. Written and directed by former GQ writer Mark Anthony Green, this latest thriller from A24 stars Ayo Edebiri as a young journalist who, alongside Juliette Lewis and Murray Bartlett, is invited to listen to Alfred Morettis (Malkovich) first album in almost 30 years. Though when youre invited to an isolated compound, may we say run?

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The Two-Sentence Review The Electric State The Electric State begs for playfulness, dynamism, some sense of dash and charm. Honestly  it could use the comic expertise of the Joe and Anthony Russo of 20 years ago. (Read the rest of Ebiris review here.)

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Youd think Jack Quaid had experienced enough pain through his characters in The Boys and Companion, but heres to round three. In Novocaine, Quaid plays a guy who literally cant feel pain, so naturally he uses that to rescue his crush (Amber Midthunder) after a bank robbery.

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Your days of pining for Mare of Easttown are over. Amanda Seyfried stars in this limited series as a police officer investigating the murders of three young women in a Philadelphia neighborhood devastated by opioid addiction. When someone close to her disappears, she becomes obsessed with the case. Roxana Hadadi

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Reality Bites

Temptation Island

Netflix is adding Temptation Island to its already chaotic reality-television lineup. If the name sounds familiar, yes, its a reboot of the long-time dating series where couples would go to an island together to test their relationships, but it may also be fresh in your mind alongside the name Montoya because of all the melodrama between he and his girlfriend in Spains version of the series that went viral. Were hoping the U.S. version at least tries to reach those heights.

Streaming on Netflix

Genre Fare

The Wheel of Time season 3

Youd be excused for tuning out during season one, but this has turned into a legitimately entertaining big fantasy series, especially after the introduction of its dark-mommy character, Lanfear. And whos not craving some good-versus-evil stuff right now? Kathryn VanArendonk

Streaming on Prime Video

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Because you definitely didnt watch it in theaters 

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Want more? Read our recommendations from the week of March 7.
Azerbaijans national air carrier, AZAL, will resume regular flights to Samarkand, Uzbekistan  one of the rare gems of the East  starting April 1. Tickets en route Baku-Samarkand-Baku are now on sale.

Flights from Baku to Samarkand will be operated on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while return flights will be available on Wednesdays and Sundays. These flights offer passengers a unique opportunity to explore the citys rich historical and cultural heritage.

Embark on a journey with AZAL and experience the ancient charm of the city!

To purchase flight tickets, please visit the official website www.azal.az, use the airline's mobile app, or approach the ticket offices or accredited agencies of AZAL.
Unpaid district court fines total 897,490.31 in Waterford.

That is according to figures released to MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu under the Freedom of Information Act.

According to the figures, 2,954 fines have not yet been fully paid.

What does this say to the victims who have been impacted by crimes such as drink driving, assault, theft, and shoplifting?

"We are imposing fines that a percentage of criminals are choosing to ignore and it seems there is little we are doing about it. 45 million would fund a lot of domestic violence refuges, road safety campaigns and extra Garda on our streets.

"It is time for a get-tough approach to those criminals who feel they are above the law.

"Our road deaths have been rising in Ireland for consecutive years. How can we expect any improvement in that scenario when those fined for traffic offences may choose not to pay the fine, said Ms Ni Mhurchu.

Ms Ni Mhurchu has called for the issue of unpaid district court fines to be included in the upcoming review of the criminal justice system, which was promised in the 2025 Programme for Government.

She said the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 is clearly not working.

Clearly, the court service is not implementing the measures set out in the 2014 act. The act allows measures up to and including taking someones social welfare or salary to pay the fines due.

"Is this being done? The court service will say it takes time to collect fines, but over 2.2 million is still owing from 2020, and over 5.5 million is still owing from 2021," said Ms Ni Mhurchu.
A Waterford Judge has ordered a woman who is charged with a number of theft offences to appear before Waterford Circuit Court.

In February 2025, Joan Hanrahan, of 21 Woodview Close, Maypark Village, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of theft contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 of making gain or causing loss by deception, and six charges of theft contrary to Section 4 of the same Act. The offences occurred between July 2021 and April 2024. It is understood that she accrued a sum totalling 150,000.

'Unwell at work'

The 53-year-old was due to appear before Judge Eugene O'Kelly this week but took ill in Court. Her hearing was adjourned to Thursday, March 13, but she did not appear. A photocopy of a GP letter was sent to Waterford Courthouse that read Hanrahan "felt unwell at work and collapsed".

Judge O'Kelly asked defending counsel Gareth Hayden BL if the GP was "properly informed" that she did not fall ill at work but inside the court. He said: "It appears to suggest that your client was not truthful to her doctor saying that she felt 'unwell at work and collapsed'."

Mr Hayden told the court that he received a call from his client's sister in Cork claiming that Hanrahan had suffered a "mini-stroke".

Judge O'Kelly warned that if Hanrahan failed to appear on Thursday, March 20, then she can "expect the State to issue a bench warrant".
Gardai in Waterford are investigating a report of criminal damage at the New Street multi-storey building.

On Wednesday evening, March 12, there were concerning reports about the building being set alight.

The building was formally a car park but has been shuttered for the last number of years and appears to have fallen into dilapidation.

A Gardai spokesperson told the Waterford News & Star: "Gardai received a report of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at approximately 6:55pm on Wednesday, 12th of March 2025 at a premises on New Street in Waterford City."

It is understood that the fire was started at the New Street Car Park building. Photo taken March 13, 2025

There were no injuries reported.

Investigations are ongoing.
A victim of drug debt related crime has been praised by a Waterford judge for coming forward to report their tormentor.

At Waterford Circuit Court, Judge Eugene OKelly remarked that the message has to go out that victims of drug debt-related violence can come forward and be protected by the law.

The comments were made at the sentencing hearing of Sean Troy (25), who had pleaded guilty to several charges, including Section 2 assault, burglary, violent disorder, and demanding money with menace.

Troy, of Ardmore Terrace, Ballybeg, sold 25 worth of cannabis to a man in Waterford City. Soon after the transaction, Troy demanded that the man pay him 100, and quickly escalated the debt to 500, then 1,000 within an hour.

Threatening messages

On November 27, 2023, Troy sent the man multiple text and audio messages demanding money and threatening the man.

The victim met Troy in the forecourt of a petrol station on Paddy Brownes Road, Lisduggan.

Assault

He gave Troy 100 but Troy proceeded to punch him in the kidney and demand more money.

CCTV captured footage of the incident. After the attack, the victim went to Waterford Garda Station, visibly upset and shaken, and informed Gardai that he was in fear for his safety.

Break-in

Meanwhile, Troy had made his way into the mans apartment, broken down his bedroom door, and proceeded to take a television and a Macbook laptop.

Troy called the victim and left a voicemail. He said in the message: Hurry up and get my money you handicap bastard. I have your TV and your Macbook.

The laptop was recovered by the victim five months after the crime, but the television and 100 were not.

Arrest

Gardai arrested Troy at his address within the hour of the victims report. He made no admissions during his interview with Gardai.

In Waterford Circuit Court, Detective Garda Sean Lane confirmed that Troy has six previous convictions, mostly drug-related and dealt with in District Court.

Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL told the Court that Troy had had a very difficult early life, having lost both his mother and father in tragic circumstances by the age of 17. He had to leave school early to find a job and had struggled with substances throughout the years. The court heard that Troy had apologised to the victim and returned his laptop through mutual acquaintances.

'Shocking case'

Judge OKelly said: This is a shocking case. Unfortunately this court is seeing this more and more. This is as bad as I have seen recently. Referring to the victim, Judge OKelly stated that they did not make a Victim Impact Statement out of fear but commended him for coming forward.

Judge OKelly said: A very clear message has to be sent that victims are entitled to the safety of the law.

Troy was sentenced to three years and nine months with the final nine months suspended. He will be subject to supervision for 12 months post release.
The family of a man injured in Japan have launched a GoFundMe page to bring him home.

Ryan Cullen was injured in a road traffic accident in Osaka on Saturday, February 15.

Ryan's brother-in-law Dylan Hayden, from the new MugShot cafe in Waterford City, told the Waterford News and Star that he suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident.

"He is going to go through months and months, even years of recovery, and we have to try to raise money to pay his hospital bills and help the solicitors who are fighting the legal system over there for us and also flights home and rehabilitation when he returns to Ireland," said Dylan.

Ryan has undergone two surgeries, which involved inserting a metal plate and pins to stabilise his hips.

Ryan's family say they need the money for his ongoing treatment, rehabilitation and the cost of navigating the legal system in Japan.

The fundraising goal is 20,000, and the page has received 2,836 in donations so far.

Ryan's mother Kathryn wrote on the GoFundMe page that all donations, big or small, help.

"I am not someone who asks for help easily. But today, I am pleading. Not just as a mother, but as a mother desperate to give her son the chance he deserves to heal.

"I know times are hard for everyone, but if you can - if this story has touched your heart in any way - please, help us. Every single bit of support means the world to us.

"Whether its a donation, sharing our story, or simply keeping Ryan in your thoughts, it all makes a difference," wrote Kathyrn.

Ryan's brother Deanie wrote that his brother was the kind of person that helps others and now he needs their help.

"Ryan is strong, but he shouldnt have to fight this alone. And I wont stop fighting for him.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for listening. For caring. For standing with us," said Deanie.

If you would like to make a donation you can do so from the Bring Ryan Home GoFundMe page.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 13. We welcome the Opinion (A/HRC/WGAD/2024/46) of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which was published on 13 March 2025, rejecting Armenian sides claims regarding the case of Ruben Vardanyan, Trend reports.

In its Opinion, the Working Group explicitly rejected Armenian sides claims that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested for his freedom of expression and political activities. The aforementioned Opinion especially emphasizes that Ruben Vardanyan is accused by the Republic of Azerbaijan of committing crimes such as the death of numerous individuals, large-scale property destruction, financing of terrorism, establishment of illegal armed groups, and other crimes, and was detained on the basis of these charges.

Furthermore, Armenian sides claims that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested for defending his rights and making statements in this context have been deemed baseless. The Opinion of the Working Group states that freedoms of expression and association are not absolute rights and can be subject to restrictions, for reasons relating, in particular, to national security and public order. According to the Opinion the charges against R.Vardanyan allows to conclude that indeed his actions posed a threat to national security.

At the same time, in response to Armenian sides claims that actions allegedly invalidating R. Vardanyans presumption of innocence were committed during the indictment and trial process, the Opinion states that his arrest is based on reasonable suspicions. Thus, despite Armenian sides claims that Ruben Vardanyan has been allegedly deprived of his right to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense and other fair trial rights, the Working Group concluded that these claims were unfounded and confirmed that Azerbaijan ensured legal procedures in accordance with international standards.

Overall, despite Armenian sides claims before the Working Group that Ruben Vardanyan was arbitrarily detained, the Working Groups Opinion against these allegations has once again proven that the smear campaign against Azerbaijan regarding his arrest and the judicial process is entirely baseless, and thus Armenian sides attempt to manipulate international law norms has once again failed.
On Tuesday, February 11, Schools of Sanctuary Ireland brought together 10 schools from across the country for a prestigious national award ceremony at Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman. During the event, the schools were officially recognised as Champion Schools of Sanctuary.

Founded in 2019, Schools of Sanctuary Ireland is a holistic, whole-school programme designed to foster inclusivity in Irish schools. The Champion School status is a significant accolade, acknowledging the dedication of these institutions in creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all pupils and their families. This initiative particularly supports newcomers from refugee and migrant communities, as well as ethnic minorities, including the Traveller community.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, who presented the awards, praised the schools for their commitment to inclusion.

These Champion Schools of Sanctuary are beacons of hope for the whole country, now and in the future. I commend the students and teachers for setting standards of excellence in their commitment to welcoming and including newcomers and minority groups, and I look forward to seeing more schools learning from their shining example.

Also in attendance was Dancing with the Stars contestant Aishah Akorede, who is also a law graduate, advocate, innovator, and campaigner for womens empowerment and health. Speaking about the event, she said: The awards ceremony is about recognising the impact that motivated students can have on creating school cultures that celebrate and champion inclusivity.

Among the 140 young attendees were students from Presentation Secondary School, which was one of only eight post-primary schools in the country to receive the award. Additionally, Presentation Primary School was one of just two primary schools to be recognised, ensuring that students attending both schools experience a consistent, inclusive, and welcoming environment throughout their education.

Reflecting on the event, Sara Hakim, Director of Schools of Sanctuary, highlighted the importance of the initiative in todays society.

In a current climate of anti-migrant activity and unrest, the granting of this official status to these 10 schools is timely. These schools have made a commitment to ensuring their school shines as a beacon of inclusion, welcome, and equality. In doing so, students are learning facts, not fiction, about refugees and asylum seekers and why and how they come to Ireland.

Fifth-year student Aarya Kshirsagar who attended the event on behalf of the school noted that the award recognises the dedicated efforts of both students and staff at Presentation Secondary School in celebrating diversity. This commitment is reflected in classroom activities, school events, parental engagement, and collaborations with external organisations.

The schools Diversity Committee and Schools of Sanctuary Committee, led by students and supported by staff, organises various events throughout the year. A highlight of these efforts is the annual Culture Week, which culminates in a vibrant concert and fashion show celebrating the rich diversity within the school community.

Deputy Principal Ruth Gallen, who accepted the award with students from the school, said, Inclusion is at the heart of our school ethos, and we strive each day to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, feel at home in our school and can reach their full potential.

This recognition reinforces Presentation Secondary Schools role as a leader in promoting inclusivity, ensuring that all students feel valued and embraced throughout their educational journey.
At this stage, a short few weeks into the US presidency of Donald Trump, most people are familiar with Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE as it is called.

Musks brief from Trump is to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse across the US administration. His actions have leaped into the public eye through his threats to sack hundreds of thousands of US federal workers.

Send me an email with five bullet points saying what you did last week. Failure to reply means youre sacked or that you have resigned.

Musk believes that bureaucracy is hugely expensive, overly regulating and works for its own ends and aims.

It is interesting to consider the origin of the word bureaucracy itself, which comes from French, meaning desk or office. Originally it was a type of cloth used for covering desks and tables.

The context for Musks US actions is that the public and civil services are bloated and lazy and need a good old private sector slash and burn. Lean systems are his gospel.

The view of bureaucratic waste is widespread in Ireland when people refer to the HSE in particular or the public service in general.

Failure to achieve housing targets are blamed on bureaucratic slowness, inefficiencies and over-regulated planning systems.

Waiting lists and inefficiencies in our public health system, which is operated by the Health Service Executive, are constantly blamed on the recruitment of bureaucrats and managers, instead of front-line staff, such as doctors and nurses.

Descriptions of administrators and managers range from the impolite to the awful and everything in between. People are called folder holders and jobsworths and worse.

Yet modern systems cannot work, despite the eternal fascination with technology and digital applications, without an efficient team of real people. That is particularly true in our health service, although anyone who has been in any of Irelands public hospitals will be familiar with the truck loads of patients files being wheeled around from ward to ward and from department to department or indeed with the seemingly never ending process of being asked again and again for the same information.

Free healthcare at the point of use was the core principle of the UKs National Health Service, which was established by the British Labour government in 1948.

Labour's Minister for Health, Aneurin Bevan, is considered the NHS's founder. The wheel is coming full circle and NHS England, dubbed the worlds largest quango, will be abolished to cut bureaucracy and bring management of the health service back into democratic control, according to Keir Starmer.

The UK Prime Minister said decisions about billions of pounds of taxpayer money should not be taken by an arm's length body, as he promised sweeping reforms, which the Government says will deliver better care for patients. It all sounds so familiar and so predictable.

Ireland has never had a free at the point of use health system, except for holders of medical cards. Our particular predilection is health insurance. Apparently half the population (47%) is covered by such insurance mainly in the belief that they will have quicker access to hospitals and to medical treatment if they become ill. The corollary is private hospitals, so Ireland has a binary system mixture of public and private healthcare.

The public healthcare is delivered by the HSE, which was established by the Health Act 2004 and came into official operation on 1 January 2005. It replaced the regional Health Boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and a number of other different agencies and organisations.

The health boards system of Ireland was created by the 1970 Health Act. This was initially created with eight health boards, each of which were prescribed a functional area in which they operated. It was reformed in 1999 from eight to 11 regional bodies.

The system went from eight CEOs, and eight management systems to 11 individual systems, in a massive expansion of bureaucracy and administrative personnel.

The extra systems were put in place in the Dublin area by creating four health boards from the old Eastern Health Board.

These boards had political representatives so this increased the Dublin area demand for capital investment. Dublin County Council was split into three county councils, which, with Dublin City Council, means there are now four local authorities in county Dublin, each with their own CEOs, staff and political representation, each with their own development plans and each seeking investment from central funds.

Bureaucracy seems almost like mitosis, where a cell duplicates all its contents and splits to form two identical daughter cells.

The developmental impact on Dublin was enormous and to the detriment of investment in areas like Waterford (think DCU versus WIT).

The HSE was meant to deliver efficiency, but there were no job losses, everything pre-existing was simply rolled into one unwieldy new organisation. This meant the new entity was administratively heavy from the start, but had no local political representation.

This allowed the government to treat health services at arm's length. Write a letter of complaint to the Minister for Health and you get an answer saying, your letter has been referred to the HSE for reply.

Massive growth in tax receipts over the past few years has allowed a huge increase in HSE budgets and manpower.

HSE spending has increased annually. Between the years 2018 to 2022, there was a total increase of 7.26 billion (45%) in budget. The HSE 2025 budget is 26.9 billion, which is a 1.6 billion increase on the 2024 figure, yet waiting lists and trolley numbers continue to grow.

Locally, UHW has seen an uptick in budget and staff in line with the national increases yet the hospital is light on staff numbers.

Meanwhile, headlines shout, Waiting lists surge at UHW!

If Mr. Trump gets serious about US investment in Ireland and there is a decline in government revenue, how long would it be before an Irish Taoiseach says the HSE is Irelands largest quango and must be abolished to cut bureaucracy to bring health spending back into the Department of Health under direct government control?

Would that centralisation benefit Waterford or would it increase the impact and power of those with political clout? I rather fear the latter.
Maurice said the two-hatted institution lives by the creed of old-school hospitality: What happens at the Ice stays at the Ice.

Its my favourite restaurant in the whole world, TV chef Nigella Lawson said of Icebergs Dining Room in 2019 . Paris Hilton partied there through the New Year 12 years earlier. Leonardo DiCaprio went for lunch in 2012, as did Oprah Winfrey in 2015.

In Bondi, the Terzinis rule from the beachs southern cliff. Maurice, the culture whisperer, is as known for his $400-a-head New Years Day parties that fuse food, fashion and celebrity as for his trend-defying Italo-Australian cuisine.

But for years, one of the most powerful figures in hospitality has also been protecting his son, Sylvester Terzini, who has been accused of carving a trail of destruction by allegedly sexually assaulting women, threatening co-workers and shattering decades-old relationships in the tight-knit restaurant industry, a months-long investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age can reveal.

The King of Bondi, the Lazarus of Australian dining, Maurice Terzini has spent decades putting his Italian brutalist stamp on dozens of restaurants, from Bondis iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar to the Melbourne Wine Room.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Australias giants of the hospitality industry are in the spotlight across a series of investigations by the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Good Food and 60 Minutes.

Former close professional and personal contacts of the Terzinis claim Maurice knew of Sylvesters violent behaviour and responded by shifting him between venues in the two cities.

Text messages show Maurice was aware of claims of sexual assault and violence against Sylvester  even acknowledging his son was dangerous to those in his personal life  but continued to employ him in restaurants he owned as his empire expanded from Bondi to Melbourne.

Sylvester has also been accused of violent rages, including pulling out a knife in front of colleagues at Icebergs Dining Room and Restaurant Hubert.

Two women allege they were attacked by the 32-year-old while sleeping. Another person claims Sylvester sexually assaulted them in the bathroom of a popular Sydney nightclub. They are among the dozen personal and professional sources close to the Terzinis who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of safety fears.

I dont go to Bondi, said one woman who claims she was choked and attacked by Sylvester in 2020. Thats how much it f---ed me. I cant look at the beach and not think about it.

But multiple women and business associates say the global acclaim masks a darker side, tinged with drugs, threats and violence, that has left them shattered and scared.

The alleged attacks have destroyed relationships in the industry, with several alleged victims having close ties to the family that redefined modern Italian dining in Australia.

Our client has no criminal history for violence or sexual misconduct. We do not intend to address all of the allegations raised by your email. However, we advise that our client denies any sexual misconduct and the allegations of violence.

The email contains a number of allegations, misrepresentations and false statements, his lawyer said in a statement.

Sylvester declined to answer a series of specific questions from this masthead but broadly denied the allegations.

As far as our client is aware, our clients businesses have no record of any allegation of sexual misconduct having been made against any of its employees or managers arising out of its venues, his lawyers said.

Through his lawyers, Maurice denied he had engaged in any inappropriate conduct by employing his son at his venues.

It was just very much: youre a woman in my bed. I own you. You will do what I want because you cant stand up for yourself.

I would wake up in the middle of the night to him doing things to me that, looking back on, Im just like, what the absolute f---, the woman said.

Another woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by Sylvester while she was sleeping in 2018.

It was incredibly violent, she said. It was at that moment that I knew that he was telling me, without using any words, that I was at his mercy to do basically anything.

In 2016, one woman claimed she was threatened and attacked by Sylvester in Sydney.

Sylvester and Maurice Terzini at their former venue, Snack Kitchen.

None of the alleged sexual incidents occurred inside Maurices venues, but multiple of his alleged victims first met Sylvester at one of the hospitality veterans restaurants or connected businesses.

In the morning, I woke up because I couldnt breathe. I came to and realised that he was on me, I was being strangled, and he was masturbating. I was actually pretty f---ing sure when I woke up that I was about to die.

I went there and I felt safe, and everything was fine. We were hanging out. I actually had my period, so I wasnt up to do anything, she said.

When Sylvester returned to Sydney from a stint in Melbourne, the pair met up for drinks, talked about his two-year plan to move to Italy and then watched a movie at his apartment in Potts Point.

In 2020, a childhood friend who first met Sylvester at one of Maurices restaurants pressed charges after allegedly being choked by him while she was sleeping.

I dont want this to happen to another girl, she said.

The woman said she was speaking out now because others had come forward.

Caught between surviving and the chokehold around her neck, the woman said she pretended she enjoyed it.

I put my hand between his elbow and my neck so that I could breathe, and then I just started stroking it for a moment, she said.

After Sylvester finished, the woman took a shower and then told him she loved him and had to leave. She then bought new clothes in the CBD because she felt gross.

The way I reacted, I think its the smartest thing Ive ever done, she said. But because of how I reacted and [because] we were flirting [in messages before the incident] when it went to court  it was just nothing.

Sylvester and Maurice Terzini also worked together at Jacksons on George. Credit: Steven Siewert

The charges of choking and sexual touching without consent were dismissed in May 2021.

Our client was acquitted of sexual touching after a contested hearing, Sylvesters lawyers said.

Court records show Sylvester did not show up to a court appearance and pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court.

In messages with Maurice in 2020, the woman described feeling torn about making a police report because of her relationship with the Terzini family and the impact it would have on their reputation.

Maurice said it was getting serious and would be happy to sort a time to talk with both legal parties to put this to bed.

I really just wanted to say, as a family, we are devastated that we find ourselves in this position coming up to Xmas, it has been incredibly hard and emotional, Maurice said to the woman.

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The woman said it took her years to understand the impact of the alleged incident.

The 32-year-old said she was studying to become a lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before the alleged incident.

Its all just crumbled, she said. I didnt realise how it was going to affect me. I started seeing his face whenever my partner would try to kiss me. I wasnt able to sleep. I was paranoid anytime a man would touch me.

Another alleged victim said they also raised concerns with Maurice about Sylvesters violent behaviour.

He has just these crazy outbursts of absolute f---ing rage, said one woman.

It was always just a blind eye, said another.

During a reprieve from COVID lockdowns, Sylvester allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old in the toilets of a popular Sydney nightclub.

The alleged victim claimed, he pushed me onto the floor and wrapped his hands around my hair before they were sexually assaulted.

He says to me, if you want me to be your boyfriend, Im not your f---ing sugar daddy, they said. Then he pushed me onto the brick wall, grabbed me and told me to lick the dirt.

Former colleagues say the warning signs came early. As a teenager, Sylvester was fired from Icebergs Dining Room for stealing alcohol.

In 2008, Sylvester went to Melbourne to work at Maurices restaurant Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons.

My son, Sylvester, whos 15, will start in the kitchen and work his way around the restaurant, Maurice said. Hes on a fairly disciplined program to learn the business.

Maurice said his businesses taught his children the need for discretion.

Icebergs lives by the rules of the old school world of service: we serve and by default, we hear, but we never really hear anything, he told Forbes Australia in 2022. What happens at the Ice stays at the Ice.

Maurice Terzini has been accused of turning a blind eye to his sons troubling behaviour. Credit: Louie Douvis

When Sylvester returned to Maurices Bondi flagship from 2013 to 2015, he allegedly pointed a knife at a co-worker.

After returning empty plates to the dish pit, Sylvester got into an argument with the dish hand and allegedly picked up a steak knife. Staff rushed over to pull him away.

Maurice denies there was any violent behaviour by Sylvester at his venues.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar shares a building with Bondi Icebergs Club and the swimming club, which are unrelated to Terzinis top-floor venue.

Icebergs Dining Rooms investors, hoteliers Damien Reed and Deke Miskin, distanced themselves from the Terzinis after being made aware of the allegations this week.

They said Sylvester had not been employed at Icebergs Dining Room since 2019. Reed and Miskin took over as directors of the investment company 1 Notts Avenue in 2022.

Our clients are not aware of any sexual misconduct or harassment claims having ever been made by any staff member of the company in the 10 years that they have been a shareholder of the company, their lawyers said.

The relationship between Mr Maurice Terzini and his son and the conduct of Mr Terzinis son are private matters that have no connection whatsoever with the company or its businesses.

Sylvester has also been accused of violence at another venue with links to the Terzinis, allegedly pulling a knife on a colleague when working at the Swillhouse-run Restaurant Hubert in January 2017.

Anton Forte, Swillhouses managing director and owner of Restaurant Hubert, has long been close to Maurice.

A Swillhouse spokesperson said management immediately sent him home.

The staff member was counselled and left the business the following day, the spokesperson said.

Sylvester Terzini allegedly pulled a knife out in front of a colleague at Restaurant Hubert.

Terzini pulled out of Swillhouses inaugural festival, Swillfest, in August after this masthead published an investigation that revealed accusations that the major Sydney hospitality group failed to support staff who reported multiple alleged sexual assaults.

Its imperative that we do what is best for the industry we love, Terzini said.

But Maurice has continued to support Sylvester despite multiple allegations against him, employing him in at least seven of his more than two dozen restaurants, including The Dolphin Hotel, Bistro George and CicciaBella.

By 2018, when Sylvester was sentenced to a two-year conditional release order without conviction after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine, his bad temper and drug use were an open industry secret.

An associate of the Terzinis said he has witnessed Sylvester get quite inebriated and then make moves on women with his liquid courage.

He doesnt really take no for an answer, they said. It seems to be an open secret that hes a bit of a sexual predator, but because of his fathers position and the familys power, its really hard. Thats just working in this industry.

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After Sylvester was charged with choking and sexual touching without consent in 2020, he moved from Sydney to Melbourne and continued to work in his fathers venues.

This masthead has seen evidence that in 2021, as Sylvesters choking charge proceeded through the courts, Maurice admitted he had lost close friends to support his son and his alleged sexual assaults.

Maurice also expressed distress at the fallout from removing Sylvester from one of his restaurants.

During his stint in Melbourne, Sylvester worked at the neighbourhood wine bar Napier Quarter, as well as restaurants Bar Rosella and Cucina Povera Vino Vero, which Maurice co-owned.

Bar Rosellas owner, Rocco Esposito, said Sylvester worked at his best, and he was sad to see him go.

I always make sure that all my employees work in a safe environment, he said in an email.

Another personal associate of Sylvesters warned Maurice of Sylvesters continued violence and heavy substance use in Melbourne, fearing he was repeating his troubling behaviour from Sydney.

In the lead-up to the June 2022 opening of the much-hyped Italian restaurant Cucina Povera Vino Vero, which Maurice co-owned, Sylvester was embroiled in further chaos.

Cucina Povera Vino Vero closed suddenly in 2022. Credit: Good Food

He was set to join Maurices first Melbourne restaurant in more than a decade when he allegedly became involved in a violent incident outside Angel Music Bar on Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD. Sylvester was removed from Cucina Povera before the short-lived restaurant opened. A sign posted on its door blamed a severe staff shortage for the restaurants sudden closure.

Maurice chose not to involve Sylvester in any more Melbourne businesses after growing frustrated from bailing him out of several incidents.

But he gave him another fresh start in Sydney at his venue, Bistro George, a year later at the revamped Jacksons on George, one of Maurices most ambitious openings since he started Icebergs Dining Room and Bar more than two decades ago.

Few former business partners, colleagues and personal connections were willing to speak openly about Maurice or his son, citing the restaurateurs power and influence in the industry and the fear of retribution from a man who has run at least 25 establishments in the past three decades.

Maurice Terzini at the site of his formerly owned restaurant Otto in the early 2000s Credit: Jennifer Soo

I feel like Sydney is really good at gatekeeping all this information and keeping people away from it to save their businesses, said one woman.

Sylvesters alleged victims have been reluctant to go to the police after the 2021 case was dismissed. They also cited fears for their safety and their careers.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said the police force recognised the trauma that victims of sexual violence experience.

There are a number of reporting options available to victims of sexual assault, some of which involve making a report to police but not necessarily pursuing an investigation, the spokesperson said, referring to the anonymous online Sexual Assault Reporting Option.

Police will always encourage victims to engage with support services even if they dont want a legal outcome.

Maurice Terzini (second right) opened Icebergs Harbour Bar in Crown Sydney at Barangaroo in November. Credit: Louise Kennerley

In November, Maurice launched the Icebergs Harbour Bar at Crown Sydney at Barangaroo. Maurices latest venture, Billy the Pig, opened in Bondi Junction this week.

Today, diners at Icebergs Dining Room  one of Australias only truly iconic establishments  see the fine dining restaurant and think of the ocean, sand and sky.

But the alleged victims think of attacks, violence and a powerful duo holding on to their secrets.

They say they can no longer look at Icebergs and the turquoise pool flowing over Bondi.

There is just too much collateral damage now, said one alleged victim.

[Sylvester] really damaged me for a long time, said another. Im just continuously amazed at the lack of repercussions and the lack of accountability. There is a lot of justice that needs to be met.

Sylvester Terzini running service at Snack Kitchen. Credit: Brook Mitchell

In January last year, Maurice and Sylvester opened Snack Kitchen, a minimalist diner on Macleay Street for the after-work crowd in Potts Point. The restaurant was billed as the culmination of decades of work by the Terzinis: tomato carpaccio, mortadella and aperitivi served by waiters in white aprons and black ties.

Sylvester lauded Maurices beautiful attention to detail.

After all these years of working together, we have finally opened a place that we can genuinely call ours!! Maurice wrote on Instagram.

Despite strong reviews, Snack Kitchen closed less than six months later.

Asked by Good Food why they didnt call it Terzini & Son? That one still might come, Sylvester said.

The victims of his alleged carnage hope it does not.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Now, youre not going to like this, Corinne Cantrill would sometimes warn viewers before screening the films she and her husband, Arthur, made together. The experimental filmmaker, who died last month at the age of 96, took defiant pride in the fact their work wasnt for everyone. The Cantrills body of work, which includes more than 150 films, is as original as any in Australian cinema; they jointly received the Order of Australia (AM) in 2011. The first of their seven features was 1969s Harry Hooton, but they worked primarily in experimental film, the branch of cinema that defies not just the conventions of commercial filmmaking, but viewer expectations of any kind. Not to be confused with arthouse cinema or video art, it tests the boundaries of what a film can be; one of the Cantrills expanded cinema events involved setting fire to the screen. For the Cantrills, as for other experimental filmmakers of their generation, film was analogue, not digital. While digitised versions of some of their films have screened in cinemas with their approval, none are officially available for home viewing  one obvious reason their work is not more widely known. Film, for Corinne and Arthur Cantrill, was strictly analogue. Credit: Eddie Jim Yet their films have travelled widely. As well as festival screenings, they have shown at the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Gallery of Australia. Within the next couple of months, screenings are scheduled in the UK, Europe and South Korea (all planned while Corinne, who is survived by Arthur, was alive), reflecting the fact that experimental film remains the most truly global form of cinema, communicating far more through image and sound than through words. And the films are not the forbidding intellectual exercises Corinnes warnings might have suggested. Some are literal home movies (especially those made while the couple lived at Prestonia, a 19th-century brick house with tower in Brunswick). Others concern the Australian landscape, their travels abroad, and the works of other artists, often friends. The Cantrills filmmaking career started in Brisbane in the early 1960s, where they made childrens programs for the ABC, including the educational nature series Kip and David, shot on Stradbroke Island, and a shadow-puppet version of The Odyssey.

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In the mid-1960s, they headed for London, where they made short art documentaries for TV while crossing paths with such avant-garde figures as Yoko Ono and the British structural filmmaker Malcolm Le Grice. By the end of this crucial four-year period, they were determined to put conventional filmmaking behind them. Their later lives were spent primarily in Melbourne, where Arthur taught for many years at Melbourne State College while Corinne worked tirelessly to ensure their films were screened as widely as possible. From 1971 to 2000 they jointly edited and published the journal Cantrills Filmnotes, which published writing by experimental filmmakers from around the world along with fiery editorials denouncing funding bodies and the mainstream generally. Film canisters piled high at the Cantrills Brunswick home in 2000. Credit: Penny Stephens Corinne became a familiar presence at experimental film screenings in Melbourne, selling copies of the Filmnotes in the foyer, which is how I first encountered her as a student in the 1990s. Not long after, I was galvanised by their three-colour separation films, made by filming the same location through red, green and blue filters and overlaying the resulting images, so that colour becomes a means of perceiving several moments at once. These were like nothing Id seen before  or since. While other experimental filmmakers have used versions of the technique, I know of none who have realised its artistic potential as the Cantrills did. The films inspired me to write what became one of my first published pieces of film criticism, which was the start of coming to know the couple as friends. After they moved to Castlemaine in the mid-2010s, I would travel regularly from Melbourne for Sunday afternoon screenings held in the basement of their hillside home; the last was held in 2023. Even if the Cantrills films eschewed conventional human interest, Corinne once wrote that a film screening should have a sense of human and social occasion.

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For her, film and life were totally intertwined  it was hard to see any distinction between her personal life with Arthur and their artistic collaboration. Nor was it easy to distinguish their respective contributions to the films. Sound was said to be Arthurs department, but when I helped them plan a retrospective of their work at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in 2010, it was Corinne who insisted the starting point should be the theme of the voice, including the voices of birds and other natural sounds. Corinne was proud of her own voice, and of her clear, emphatic way of speaking. She once she told me triumphantly how she and actor and critic John Flaus had travelled from Castlemaine on the train together and how their conversation had held the whole carriage spellbound. Inside the Cantrills home studio. Credit: Penny Stephens In public she tended to hold the floor, with the quieter Arthur providing the occasional addition or correction. But even when they disagreed, as long-married couples will, they spoke of their films in the same spirit, with the same emphasis on the specifics of technique. While they mostly worked together, Corinnes 2-hour 1984 feature In This Lifes Body  one of the great autobiographical films made anywhere  belongs to her. Most of the images are photos of her at different ages, as she tells her life story in voiceover. It starts with the meeting of her oddly matched parents, her father a Jewish communist and her mother active in the Theosophy movement. We hear about her childhood in Sydney in the Depression, her precocious botanical studies, her travels in Europe soon after the Second World War, her love affairs, her first marriage, her meeting with Arthur and their joint discovery of a vocation. The film also covers the birth of her sons Aaron and Ivor, the latter profoundly autistic (now an artist and filmmaker in his own right). All this is set forth with Corinnes typical candour. Through the distance provided by film, she was able to study herself in the same close yet detached spirit that she might examine a natural phenomenon like a waterfall or a rock formation.

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A teenager accused of killing a Queensland grandmother has been committed to stand trial, as his lawyer claimed he was absolutely remorseful.

Vyleen Joan White, 70, was stabbed in the chest during the alleged theft of her car from a shopping centre car park at Redbank Plains, west of Brisbane, last year.

Her death sparked community outrage and prompted the then-Labor state government to change bail laws for juveniles.

The Ipswich grandmother was fatally stabbed in February 2024. Credit: Nine News

A teenage boy, now aged 17, from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park, was charged with offences including murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.




Australians face a challenge to the $18 billion federal scheme that cuts the cost of essential medicines after US President Donald Trump ramped up his threat to impose trade barriers on pharmaceuticals to protect American companies.

Health advocates are warning against any move by the Trump administration to target the subsidies under plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries from next month, after years of complaints from US companies about the hit to their profits from the way Australia controls prices.

Donald Trump is set to unleash another wave of tariffs in early April. Credit: Bloomberg

The concerns come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rules out imposing tariffs on American exports in response to Trumps 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, saying the retaliation would push up domestic prices and hurt Australian consumers.

The federal government is on alert for any move from the Trump administration to levy Australian exports, ranging from beef to wine, after the president picked more fights with allies, including threats to impose a 200 per cent tariff on wine from the European Union.
Australians have been misled about power prices for years  and the fake claims will get worse now the election campaign is so close.

The price rises unveiled on Thursday are proof of the deception because they show another spike in electricity bills after political leaders sounded so sure they could bring prices down.

The official price update from the Australian Energy Regulator shatters the grand claims about all the action in federal parliament to help households. The biggest claim  but not the only one  came from Labor before the last election.

Albanese was asked point-blank before the last election about his pledge to lower bills. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Anthony Albanese was definitive about a $275 cut to energy bills, so he will have to carry the political cost of his promise now he is prime minister.
At face value, these are episodes of the pernicious rise in Islamophobia, as documented in the latest Islamophobia in Australia report. The fifth annual report, released today, found that Islamophobic attacks in Australia are, by and large, attacks on women and girls.

Between the start of 2023 and the end of 2024, 675 reports were made in total, with Muslim women and girls the victims in 75 per cent of these reported Islamophobic incidents. This gendered element to victimisation is not a recent aberration; a decades worth of reporting shows that it is baked in. Muslim women and girls constitute 95 per cent of the victims of reported Islamophobic incidents on public transport, 74 per cent of incidents at shops, and 100 per cent of spitting incidents. They reported more than three times the number of incidents at workplaces than men, made up 79 per cent of verbal abuse victims, and 60 per cent of the victims of physical abuse.

Men and boys were reported to be the perpetrators of three-quarters of these attacks against Muslim women. Compared to general crime, where Australian males are nearly twice as likely as females to be physically assaulted by strangers, and more likely to be threatened by a stranger, it is significant that female Muslims are much more likely to be assaulted and threatened by strangers than Muslim men.

Overall crime statistics show both threats and assaults by strangers have decreased in Australia generally since 2008, helped in part by the campaign rebranding the king hit as the cowards punch and tighter sentencing. This suggests well-resourced public campaigns to change community sentiment and tougher consequences can make a difference.

While the visibility of Muslim women (many of whom wear religious clothing) plays a role in their targeting, that doesnt tell the whole story. Muslim men also reported Islamophobic abuse about their robes, prayer caps, and beards. Muslim women and girls, stereotyped in Western society as oppressed, submissive, and voiceless, are perhaps targeted because these stereotypes make them seem an easy, passive target. Ironically then, Islamophobic stereotypes may facilitate more attacks against Muslim women.
Singapore: Billionaire Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai has lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping for bringing the countrys most famous entrepreneur, Jack Ma, in from the cold, four years after he largely vanished from public view amid a Communist Party crackdown that rattled the entire tech sector.

Xi was photographed shaking hands with Ma at a business summit last month, an event that Tsai said had given e-commerce giant Alibaba the confidence to invest more than $US50 billion ($79 billion) into its AI operations and cloud computing, as Beijing looks to technology to grow Chinas sluggish economy.

Xi Jinping (right) shaking hands with once-sidelined entrepreneur Jack Ma in Beijing ahead of a business summit chaired by the Chinese president last month. Credit:

People underestimate the importance of that meeting, Tsai told a CNBC tech conference in Singapore on Wednesday.

What that meeting did to the entire entrepreneur sector ... is it gave private business people confidence to make investments in their business.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. I express my gratitude to Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) for its support in organizing the Global Baku Forum, the first lady of Ukraine in 2005-2010 Kateryna Yushchenko said during a panel discussion on The Path to Peace at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Nizami Ganjavi International Center for the opportunity to address and talk about the current events, as well as to all our friends from NGIC who supported us in difficult times by providing assistance and important advice. We are sincerely grateful for your commitment to justice and international law, said Kateryna Yushchenko.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The Forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical change, multilateralism, the global health crisis, world recovery and regional stability, COP29, and others.

The Forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from over 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, and more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is aligning the countys Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme to meet international standards. From 25-28 February 2025, the World Customs Organizations (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, provided a Workshop in Mbabane, aimed at enhancing trade security and efficiency to pave the way for greater compliance and trade facilitation in the region. The capacity-building activity builds on previous support by the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme for implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreements within the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Member States.

Leveraging WCO tools and guidelines as well as experiences from the region and from the United Kingdom, the support focused on validation techniques for assessing potential AEOs based on the criteria outlined in the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards. In addition to on-site validation at AEO candidates premises, the facilitators also explored effective monitoring mechanisms, highlighted the benefits of the AEO Programme and its envisioned impact in creating a conducive business environment and driving macro-economic growth.

The ERS Commissioner General, Mr. Brightwell S. Nkambule, emphasized the critical role of a collaborative government approach in the AEO Programme, stating that by enhancing integrated risk management and trade facilitation, the AEO Programme can significantly boost Eswatini's economy. This will streamline processes, reduce trade barriers, and foster economic growth, ensuring more efficient trade facilitation for legitimate economic operators.

The ERS is also set to develop an innovative Interinstitutional AEO Model, collaborating with at least one other government agency. Recent findings from the Time Release Study between Eswatini and South Africa (also supported by the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme), showed the need for a coordinated border management strategy to streamline the flow of goods and boost trade efficiency. The AEO Working Group's Action Plan focuses on piloting the AEO Programme with other agencies while integrating safety and security requirements, enhancing operational tools, crafting a compelling marketing strategy, engaging key stakeholders, and harnessing technology to elevate risk management and maximize trade facilitation benefits for AEOs.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme looks forward to continuing its multi-year partnership with the ERS promoting sustainable trade facilitation reforms and inclusive economic prosperity.

For more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here.

For more information on the WCO capacity building programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Union has underinvested in its defense capabilities, the former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said during a panel discussion on The Path to Peace at the 12th Global Baku Forum, Trend report.

We wanted to be a global player, but we did not make sure that we had the capabilities and resources to do so, she said.

Grabar-Kitarovic noted that now is a turning point for the EU.

There are a lot of discussions among European allies about building their capabilities, increasing investments in defense and defense capacities, the former president said.

At the same time, its forecasts regarding the increase of the EU's defense capacities are not optimistic.

The official emphasized that the EU must change everything from the procurement system, which prohibits most financial institutions from investing in the military, even in dual-use technologies, to specific plans and what kind of capabilities the union needs. She noted that when a specific plan is presented, the response tends to be: It's too risky.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The Forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical change, multilateralism, the global health crisis, world recovery and regional stability, COP29, and others.

The Forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from over 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, and more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
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Details added: first version posted on March 13, 14:36

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 13. Governance must globally change, China's former Special Representative for European Affairs Wu Hongbo said at the panel discussion on "Geopolitical Shifts: Responsible Partnerships versus Rivalry" within the framework of XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

"We are talking about a multipolar world right now. We are currently facing confusion or chaos among the multipolar worlds. The UN will soon celebrate its 80th anniversary. Everyone should look to history to see how to build the future. Should the UN continue or stop? We should not reinvent the wheel. I believe that we should preserve the effectiveness of the UN.

A multipolar world is not someone's idea or fantasy. China believes that it can be both a friend and a partner with the United States. It's just that great powers should behave like great powers.

We must restore historical justice, especially towards African countries," the former special representative noted.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Middle Corridor will provide not only emotional bond but also pragmatic link, which will be useful for our countries, the former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Djoomart Otorbaev told Trend at the XII Global Baku Forum.

The main thing is that our relations are developing not only in the humanitarian sphere but also in the economic one.

Needless to say, I must emphasize the role of the Middle Corridor in this development. The key issue here is the transportation of goods from China along the corridor to Europe and in the opposite direction with low transportation costs, he said.

The former Prime Minister also shared his expectations from the forum, bringing together former or current leaders from different parts of the world makes the forum even more successful. The forum is becoming more and more important. Many people are too busy, but they are trying to get here. This is because they realize that this forum has really become a very important negotiating center.

Our cooperation with Azerbaijan also continues to develop in a positive dynamic. We not only share a common understanding of how to move forward in our world, but we are also members of the Organization of Turkic States, he added.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The Forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical change, multilateralism, the global health crisis, world recovery and regional stability, COP29, and others.

The Forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from over 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, and more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
SHREVEPORT, La - He was one of the most important political figures from north Louisiana in our lifetime: Charles Elson Roemer III.

But everybody knew him as "Buddy," or Gov. Roemer or Congressman Roemer.

Buddy Roemer was born in 1943 in Bossier City. Most of the people in the Pelican State didn't become familiar with him until 1982, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress representing Shreveport, Bossier and northwest Louisiana.

"No matter where I go and no matter how hard we work in our state, it's a time of opportunity for us," said Roemer as he spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives shortly after he was elected governor.

Long before that, in 1971, Shreveport native Lawrence Guidry became one of his most trusted friends and confidants.

"I quit my job on a handshake, that we were going to do some things together. But we were going to do it the right way and if somebody came at us with a bribe or something like that, resist that," said Guidry.

They would go on to incredible heights, including the governor's mansion in 1988, but only for one term.

"Buddy refused to play Louisiana politics which is the reason why he wasn't re-elected," said Guidry.

He was re-elected three times to Congress -- in 1982, 984, and 1986. On his staff as legislative director and the man who replaced him in Congress for over 20 years was Jim McCrery.

"It was great to work with Buddy.He was so smart," said McCrery.

McCrery says Roemer had a special talent of connecting with people.

"There are a lot of great orators who are wonderful in person, but they can't make it come across as well on TV, he could," said McCrery.

The ability to connect with people led to that stunning win in 1988 to become governor of Louisiana.

"Let's finish this job and turn this state as high as it's ever been turned. Louisiana wins tonight!" said Roemer after his election win for Governor in 1988.

Among his list of accomplishments as governor: He balanced the budget in year one and legalized gambling or "gaming" as it's called officially. The state lottery, riverboat gambling and video poker were all legalized during his administration.

After triple bypass surgery and 20 years in the private sector, Roemer decided in 2011 he wanted to be President.

"I ask the 98% of Americans who never give to a presidential candidate to stand with me. Together we will restore America's promise to our children," said Roemer while declaring his bid to be President.

He dropped out of the race in 2012, realizing he didn't have enough support to make it to the White House.

But Roemer is still having an impact on people in public office today.

"Buddy really had a deep passion for this state and he worked hard. Our views were not always aligned, but there is one thing that I can tell you about Buddy Roemer, Gov. Roemer cared about the people in this state," said Cleo Fields (D), Louisiana 6th District congressman.

When Roemer died in 2021 at the age of 77, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy spoke for close to 10 minutes on the Senate floor about his friend and former boss who he says got him into politics.

"He used to say if nobody is mad at you and the wrong people like what you're doing, you're not doing your job. So he did make people mad and it cost him his re-election. But he changed Louisiana and Louisiana weeps," said Kennedy.

Roemer suffered a stroke in 2014 that affected his speech. But KTBS 3's Rick Rowe spent some time with him at his childhood home in Bossier Parish in 2017.

"I went to Harvard. I went to Congress. I was in the governor's office. But this place defines me," said Roemer.
NATCHITOCHES, La. -- A convicted killer serving two life sentences in a double murder that happened more than three decades ago was denied parole eligibility today in Natchitoches District Court, District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington said in a news release.

The decision by Judge Desiree Dyess ensures Jason Pilcher will continue to stay in prison without the possibility of parole for the August 1993 murders of Phyllis and Justin Albritton.

Pilcher was originally convicted of two counts of second-degree murder following a two-week jury trial in 1994, which was prosecuted by then District Attorney Mike Henry.

During a hearing held in January, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney's special prosecutor Clifford R. Strider III presented extensive evidence, including expert testimony, legal arguments and testimony from the surviving victim and family of the crimes. The prosecution also introduced testimony of Pilchers prison disciplinary records, which revealed a continuing pattern of misconduct and drug use during his incarceration  arguing that further demonstrated his ongoing threat to public safety and lack of rehabilitation.

After deliberation, Dyess concluded that the crimes and the circumstances surrounding them warranted the continuation of the original sentences without the possibility of parole eligibility.

Ruling from the bench, Dyess stated she was hard-pressed to find a worse crime this parish has ever seen."

In the ruling, Dyess noted Pilcher was totally without remorse and a danger to organized society and is irreparably corrupt. She also noted his inhumane coldness during victim testimony at the January hearing. Dyess further found Pilcher was a lifelong persistent offender as evidenced by his continuing misconduct while incarcerated.

The details of the 1993 murders left an indelible mark on the Natchitoches Parish community. Pilcher, armed with a stolen .38-caliber revolver, approached the Albritton family home in Robeline under the pretense of needing assistance after crashing a stolen vehicle.

The Albrittons extended their kindness, providing a phone and ice water on a sweltering August day. Without warning or provocation, Pilcher shot Phyllis Albritton at point-blank range in her doorway. He then pursued Justin Albritton, 11, who attempted to protect his family with a pellet gun, and fatally shot him. Pilcher then fired upon Amanda Albritton, 13, as she ran across a pasture to seek help and escape the killer.

A more senseless crime can hardly be imagined, said Strider. The Albrittons offered nothing but compassion to a stranger in need, and that kindness was met with unimaginable violence. The totality of the evidence presented at the hearing leaves no doubt this was a calculated, remorseless act. The sentence imposed remains entirely fitting and necessary to protect the public and to honor the gravity of these heinous crimes.

Harrington reflected on the enduring pursuit of justice for the Albritton family.

For 31 years, this family has borne the weight of this tragedy, repeatedly reliving the nightmare through numerous court proceedings and legislative battles to uphold the lawful sentence imposed by a jury in 1994, Harrington said. Todays ruling reaffirms our unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law. It ensures that the victims of this unspeakable crime are not forgotten and that their loved ones can find some measure of peace knowing the sentence stands.

The case has withstood numerous legal challenges, including appeals to both the Court of Appeal and the Louisiana Supreme Court. In each instance, the courts upheld the life sentences, finding them neither excessive nor unconstitutional, particularly given the heinous and unprovoked nature of the crime.

Harrington said the ruling today is because of the significant changes in juvenile sentencing law following two landmark decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Miller v. Alabama (2012), the court held that mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for juvenile offenders violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Following the Miller decision, the court extended its ruling in Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016), declaring that Miller applies retroactively. This opened the door for individuals like Pilcher  who was 15 years old at the time of the Albritton murders  to seek new hearings to determine whether their life sentences should allow the possibility of parole. As a result, Pilcher was granted a resentencing hearing under these standards to assess whether parole eligibility was warranted based on his age at the time of the offense and other mitigating factors.

However, after reviewing the full scope of evidence  including the horrific nature of the crimes, the lasting trauma inflicted on the surviving family, and Pilchers conduct and behavior while incarcerated  the district court determined that parole is not appropriate and that his life sentences without parole should stand, Harrington said.

Todays ruling upholds the original sentence. For more than three decades, the Albrittons have been forced to endure the painful reopening of wounds through countless legal proceedings and legislative efforts in order to safeguard the justice that was rightfully secured in 1994. Today, that justice remains intact, said Harrington.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The UN Organization should contribute to the resolution of global conflicts, as it provides the legal basis for peaceful settlement, the President of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak said during a panel discussion on The Path to Peace at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

According to him, the tragedies the world is witnessing today are evidence of the evolution of the multilateral system created after World War II.

First of all, the nature of conflicts has changed. Today we face hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns. These phenomena are not mentioned in the UN Charter, but that does not mean we should ignore it. On the contrary, we need to adapt our approach, Miroslav Lajcak said.

He emphasized that in order to achieve a sustainable and just peace, the international community must rely on international law, including UN Security Council resolutions and decisions of the International Court of Justice.

The UN should be involved in solutions because it provides the necessary legal framework. We need a multi-level approach, modern technologies to counter threats, as well as the ability to win the information war, as social networks have become full-fledged actors in modern conflicts, he added.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical changes, multilateralism, global health crisis, reconstruction and regional stability of the world, COP29, and others.

The forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, as well as more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
All motorists looking to renew their motor insurance, or take out a new motor insurance policy, must provide their driver number from the end of the month onwards, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) has warned.

From March 31st, 2025, it will be an offence for any insurance provider or broker to issue a motor insurance policy where the driver number has not been supplied. This means that anyone who does not provide the driver numbers for all named drivers on their respective policy will not be legally able to receive motor insurance.

Every motorist has their own unique driver number which stays with them for life, regardless of changes to their vehicle, insurance policy and even when they renew their drivers licence. It is listed under section 4(d) of every persons drivers licence.

This road safety measure was included in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and is aimed at further enhancing road safety. The driver number details will be added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), the tool already used by the Gardai to detect and apprehend uninsured drivers.

Already An Garda Siochana receives insurance details for more than three million vehicles and five million drivers which are updated on a daily basis. The addition of the driver number will act as a unique identifier for each specific driver. This will provide An Garda Siochana with a more comprehensive insight into any offences individuals may have committed and make it even more difficult for drivers who act illegally on Irish roads to evade detection.

The addition of the driver number will represent the final data phase of the Irish Motor Insurance Database project, a joint initiative between the Department of Transport, An Garda Siochana, Insurance Ireland, the MIBI and insurance providers. The project was established to help clamp down on the high levels of uninsured driving in the State, with figures from the MIBI showing there were approximately 188,000 uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads in 2022, representing one in every 12 private vehicles.

The MIBI is a not-for-profit organisation that was established to compensate the victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles.

From March 31st onwards this legislative requirement will be a necessity for anyone who is looking to renew their motor insurance or to take out a new policy, said David Fitzgerald, CEO of the MIBI. For most people, this will just mean they will have to take a quick look at their drivers licence and provide the correct number, listed under point 4(d) on their licence as part of their renewal process. If they have additional drivers listed on their policy, then the driver numbers for those individuals will also have to be provided.

This is an important measure that will help bring more safety to Irish roads and greater accountability to anyone who breaks the law. Every licensed driver has their own unique driver number which stays with them regardless of the vehicle they are using. This new legal requirement provides An Garda Siochana with a more comprehensive insight into any offences a driver may have committed, making it even more difficult for drivers who act illegally on Irish roads to evade detection.

When combined with the impact the database is already making, allowing the Gardai to identify uninsured drivers in seconds, this will further enhance the policing of Irish roads. We all want safer roads across this country. This adds another layer of effectiveness to IMID, aiding the battle against illegal driving activity, Mr Fitzgerald concluded.

Further information on the new requirements are available on https://www.understandinginsurance.ie/driver-number
There's something unmistakably nauseating about watching the well-fed, centrally heated citizens of the western world wring their sanitised hands over what they insist on calling "the refugee crisis". Crisis... as if it were some passing inconvenience, like finding your favourite gastropub fully booked on a Friday night or discovering the barista has run out of oat milk for your flat white.

What we're witnessing isn't a crisis but an intergenerational reckoning, a test of that nebulous concept we've been patting ourselves on the back about for generations: civilisation. We've spent centuries congratulating ourselves on our concert halls and art galleries, literature and philosophy, and ability to create exquisite architecture and perfectly balanced educational opportunities - all while failing the most basic test of human decency.

Contrary to popular self-congratulation, being civilised isn't about creating art or building skyscrapers. Baboons groom each other, wolves care for their packs, and Paleolithic humans managed to paint rather impressive bison on cave walls without calling themselves civilised. No, civilisation is that quiet, uncomfortable moment when we choose to work against our baser instincts - against self-preservation, tribalism, and fear - to alleviate suffering simply because suffering exists.

Since World War II, we've dressed this fundamental moral principle in legal finery. We've named it "nonrefoulement" - a fancy French word for "don't send desperate people back to die". One hundred and forty-five countries signed their names to this concept, pinky-promised they'd uphold it, then developed extraordinarily sophisticated legal frameworks to wriggle out of their obligations, like schoolchildren claiming the dog ate their homework.

Ireland presents a particularly fascinating case study in collective amnesia. Our Emerald Isle - a nation whose history is defined by emigration, whose diaspora spans the globe, whose cultural identity is inextricably linked to the experience of being unwelcome strangers on foreign shores - now finds itself uncomfortable with foreigners arriving on its own doorstep.

In Dublin, Cork, and Galway, the housing crisis has reached such severity that even middle-class professionals struggle to secure affordable accommodation. When refugee centres are established in such contexts, they inevitably become lightning rods for pre-existing social tensions. This knee-jerk reaction isn't simply xenophobia; it's the predictable friction that occurs when new demands are placed on inadequate systems.

The village of Listowel recently witnessed protests when a former convent was earmarked for conversion into asylum-seeker accommodation. For concerned locals, these aren't the dramatic slants that fuel sensational headlines or political speeches, but they're the stubborn realities that define daily life in both worlds: for the villagers worried about further strain on fragile systems and for the refugee families who'll arrive to face these same broken infrastructures while carrying the additional weight of trauma, displacement, and hope.

But it is undeniably discomfiting watching the descendants of those who fled famine and persecution now raising the drawbridge.

This cognitive dissonance is equally present in our public discourse. We want our refugees to be exceptional - Olympic athletes, concert pianists, cancer-curing scientists, or at least accomplished professionals - as if ordinary people fleeing extraordinary horror aren't worthy of basic human dignity. We demand they be grateful, humble, and preferably invisible, carrying their trauma with the discretion of well-trained butlers.

When refugees receive accommodation while Irish citizens remain homeless, activists exploit the resulting resentment. Illustration: Conor McGuire

Our empathy, such as it is, is tightly rationed. We can muster tears for a single drowned child on a beach but remain unmoved by statistics of thousands dying in the Mediterranean. As psychologists have argued, we are not wired to feel a million times worse about a million deaths than about one. Our moral mathematics fails on scale.

Meanwhile, our online social warriors - those keyboard-wielding vigilantes - have discovered that empathy can be weaponised with surgical precision. For every appeal to feel for drowning refugees, there's a countervailing plea to empathise with the mythical native worker supposedly displaced by immigration. These digital gladiators, fighting with metaphors and storytelling rather than facts, have created a grotesque emotional auction house where suffering is commodified and traded for paranoia.

They insist we open our hearts to the struggling pensioner in Dublin while hermetically sealing them against the Syrian family drifting on a raft of hope and desperation. It's a peculiarly modern form of emotional triage conducted by people whose experience of real suffering rarely extends beyond a poor WiFi connection.

In Ireland, this manifests in concerns about housing competition. When refugees receive accommodation while Irish citizens remain homeless, activists exploit the resulting resentment. They conveniently ignore that housing shortages predate the refugee crisis and stem from decades of policy failures rather than migration patterns.

The truth, of course, is that our treatment of refugees isn't about capacity or resources. America's obscene wealth could easily absorb millions without noticing; Ireland's Celtic Tiger economy, despite its cyclical nature, remains among Europe's most robust. For all its post-Brexit economic troubles, Britain is still one of the world's wealthiest nations. What we lack isn't capacity but will.

Yet we cannot entirely dismiss the complex security environment that shapes Western responses to refugee flows. Great power competition increasingly defines Europe's security landscape, with Russia's shadow looming particularly large. These geopolitical tensions create a context where migration inevitably becomes securitised - sometimes reasonably, sometimes unreasonably.

There's a legitimate security apparatus that must assess risks from all corners, including the possibility of bad actors moving among displaced populations. This is not merely xenophobia dressed as prudence; intelligence agencies worldwide acknowledge the potential security challenges of mass migration. Yet the magnitude of response often bears little relation to the actual risk.

The assumption that compassion necessitates naivety about security risks creates a false dichotomy that serves neither refugees nor host nations.

Perhaps we need what psychologists call "rational compassion" - objective triggers for action regardless of who's in trouble, regardless of whether their suffering makes compelling television or aligns with geopolitical interests.

Ireland could pioneer this approach by establishing clear, objective refugee assistance criteria that acknowledge humanitarian obligations and practical limitations. Rather than reactive policies driven by media cycles or emotional appeals, a framework balancing compassion with pragmatism might include transparent capacity assessments, proportional distribution of refugees, dedicated funding for integration, and regular, honest communication with host communities.

Such frameworks acknowledge legitimate capacity concerns while preventing these concerns from becoming excuses for inaction or cruelty.

Until we make these changes, however, we will continue this dance of pretend civilisation, congratulating ourselves on our art galleries, symphonies, and craft breweries while turning back boats filled with the desperate and drowning. We are, in essence, cave dwellers with smartphones, making the same tribal calculations our ancestors made, just with better public relations.

The refugee isn't seeking heroism from us. They're merely asking that we live up to our own lofty rhetoric about civilisation. They're asking us to be as good as we pretend to be. And so far, we've responded begrudgingly. Our fears - while sometimes grounded in legitimate security, infrastructure, and cultural concerns - too often become excuses for abdicating our most basic moral responsibilities.

The path forward isn't ignoring legitimate concerns about security, housing, or cultural integration. It's addressing these concerns while refusing to let them become pretexts for abandoning our humanity. It's recognising that civilisation isn't measured by the height of our buildings or the sophistication of our technology but by how we treat those with nothing to offer but their desperate need.

The question for us isn't whether we can afford to help refugees; it's whether we can afford to become the kind of people who turn them away.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Azerbaijan can play an important role in the formation of a new strategic security system in the Middle East due to its strong friendly ties with Israel and special strategic relations with Turkiye, Tzipi Livni, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel in 2006-2009 and Justice Minister in 2013-2014 said during a panel discussion on The Path to Peace at the 12th Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

According to her, given the situation in Syria, as well as Azerbaijan's ties with other Muslim countries, Baku can make a significant contribution to the creation of a new security system in the region.

I believe that if we focus on this and a common strategy, progress will be possible, Tzipi Livni emphasized.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical changes, multilateralism, global health crisis, reconstruction and regional stability of the world, COP29, and others.

The forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, as well as more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Union welcomes the statements made by Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the conclusion of negotiations on the draft peace agreement and the establishment of interstate relations, Trend reports, citing a statement by the EU High Representative/Vice-President.

"The European Union welcomes the respective announcements made by Armenia and Azerbaijan on the finalisation of their negotiations on the draft Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. We commend both sides for their persistent work over the past few years in this direction, both on the bilateral track and with the involvement of the international community. The announcements represent a decisive step towards lasting peace and security in the region. It is key to keep this momentum and ensure smooth completion of this process with the same forward-looking and compromise-oriented approach, from both sides," reads the statement.

The EU said it fully supports the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation process and stands ready to provide additional support and expertise, should the sides request it.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement on March 13, noting that the negotiations on the text of the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been concluded.

"We also reiterate the long-lasting and principled position of Azerbaijan that the amendment to Armenias constitution to eliminate the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is a prerequisite to allow the signing of the negotiated text. Furthermore, we emphasize the necessity to formally abolish the obsolete and dysfunctional Minsk Group and related structures of the OSCE. We are ready to continue the bilateral dialogue on these and other issues related to the normalization process between the two countries," reads the statement.
Clean sweep for Witsies at Budget Speech

Three students clinched the Postgraduate categorys top spots at the 53rd Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition.

Additionally, two fellow students from the School of Economics and Finance won the Undergraduate section.

The Wits winners of the Postgraduate Category are:

Winner: Adriano Manferdini

Adriano Manferdini 1 st Runner-up: Tshegofatso Matloga

Tshegofatso Matloga 2nd Runner-up: Shuaib Mahomed

The Wits winners of the Undergraduate Category are:

1st Runner-up: Angelina Erasmus

Angelina Erasmus 2nd Runner-up: Nomfundo Mfeka

This prestigious competition is the only one of its kind in the world. It offers university students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the South African Minister of Finance on the day of the Budget Speech.

The contest features two categories  undergraduate and postgraduate  where participants submit essays addressing complex and relevant topics set by Nedbank and Old Mutual.

In the 2024 competition, undergraduate students were challenged to examine the complexities of managing public debt in South Africa and other developing countries, while postgraduate students analysed the political economy of a coalition government and its implications for economic growth.

Twenty finalists  ten in each category  are selected from tertiary institutions in the country.

Wits students secured four out of the 10 positions in the Undergraduate Category:

Amir Dildar

Angelina Erasmus

Audrey Manyangeni

Nomfundo Mfeka

The University also took five out of the ten positions in the Postgraduate Category:

Shuaib Mahomed

Adriano Manferdini

Mogau Marutla

Tshegofatso Matloga

Mandisa Ncoba

The competition finals took place in Cape Town during the third week of February, where finalists participated in a series of events, including rigorous panel interviews, leading up to the 2025 Budget Speech.

Due to the unexpected postponement of the Budget Speech, the announcement of the competition results was also delayed until this week.

Following the speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the winners were announced at a gala dinner in Cape Town, where they were honoured by Godongwana, Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson, Nedbank Economist Isaac Matshego, and other distinguished guests from government and the private sector.

Reflecting on this remarkable achievement and the thought-provoking questions raised by our finalists, it is evident that Wits students remain deeply committed to intellectual excellence and societal impact.

Read more: https://budgetspeechcompetition.co.za/2024-winners/
BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday, with both pledging to push forward the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past 64 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two parties of China and Laos and the two nations have stood together through challenges and provided mutual support. The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has become ever more robust and resilient.

China firmly supports Laos in strengthening the leadership of its party and expresses the willingness to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, Wang said.

China's "two sessions" have just concluded successfully, setting a GDP growth target of around 5 percent for 2025. As comrades and brothers, China welcomes Laos to seize the new opportunities of China's development and join hands to march toward modernization, Wang noted.

Wang stressed that China is ready to work with Laos to adhere to the strategic guidance by the leadership of the two parties and nations, strengthen exchanges between the two parties and countries at all levels, deepen and expand practical cooperation, strengthen bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and revitalization.

Thongsavanh congratulated China on the successful convening of the "two sessions" and the significant outcomes, and praised China's leapfrog development amid a complex external environment.

He said that Laos firmly adheres to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with China to make greater progress in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Bulgaria has always advocated for strengthening multilateral cooperation, the country's Foreign Minister Georgi Georgiev said during the XII Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"This forum is a good opportunity to once again confirm our consistent position in support of a multilateral approach to solving global problems. We consistently adhere to the UN Charter, as well as the principles and norms of international law," the minister said.

He also noted that finding diplomatic solutions to resolve current conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, remains an extremely difficult task; however, it's necessary for ensuring global security as a whole.

"As an EU member state, Bulgaria is committed to defending the shared values and principles on which the European Union is based: peace, prosperity, human dignity, democracy, good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a commitment to dialogue and cooperation. These values are often referred to as 'European' or 'Western,' but are they not universal? It is unlikely that any of us would dispute their significance," Georgiev added.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The middle powers can significantly influence international governance as well as play an important role in building global coalitions, said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Austria 2000-2004; European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy 2004-2009; European Commissioner for Trade and European Neighborhood Policy 2009-2010 during the during a panel discussion on Middle Powers in the New World Order at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

According to her, middle powers have important regional influence and strategic autonomy, which allows them to establish multifaceted relations with the world's major powers without succumbing to their pressure. This enables them to influence international negotiations and contribute to global governance structures while maintaining their independence.

Middle powers can change international governance by making a meaningful contribution to restoring confidence in global governance, which is particularly important in times of political crisis and multipolarity, she noted.

Ferrero-Waldner emphasized that such countries can build coalitions with developing states and alternative institutions such as BRICS and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which increases opportunities for economic and security cooperation.

Furthermore, she added that middle powers should actively maintain order based on international rules and work on stability, human rights, and conflict prevention.

The XII Global Baku Forum will be held from March 13 through 15 this year under the motto Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The event will discuss key global issues such as geopolitical changes, multilateralism, global health crisis, reconstruction and regional stability of the world, COP29, and others.

The forum will bring together more than 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, more than 15 former prime ministers, about 10 heads of UN and international agencies, as well as more than 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Global Baku Forum has proven itself as an international organization in 12 years, and this is a success story, the former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers told Trend.

Speaking on the sidelines of the XII Global Baku Forum in Baku, Zatlers emphasized that the forum has become a tradition.

"In the early forums, the goal was to gather small groups and discuss various perspectives on regional and global issues. Now, the forum has evolved into a global event. We can now pragmatically discuss different viewpoints and proposals in the context of ongoing conflicts around the world. I appreciate this years pragmatic approach. Who is behind this magnificence? Of course, it is Azerbaijan. Because this is Azerbaijan's idea," he said

Zatlers highlighted that the Global Baku Forum is necessary and that it will continue to be successful in the future.

"This shows that Azerbaijan has become not only a regional player in politics, but I would say a significant global player," the former president noted.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 through 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Georgia has welcomed the completion of negotiations between Baku and Yerevan on all articles of the peace agreement, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Trend reports.

"Georgia welcomes the completion of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on all 17 articles of the Peace Agreement. This is a historic step towards lasting peace and stability in the region," the MFA says on its page on X.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.


The fourth meeting of the 14th Executive Committee of Sichuan Women's Federation was held in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, in early February.

During the meeting, it was noted nearly 8,000 women's federations were established in new types of economic and social organizations and among groups in new forms of employment, across the province in 2024.

Specifically, more than 2,000 federations were founded in seven new employment groups, including those in social e-commerce, online domestic-service reservations, and food-delivery services.

Additionally, 61 women's federations were set up in universities. Throughout this year, the federation will continue its work to ensure women's federations are established in 70 percent of new types of economic organizations and among groups in new forms of employment, in Sichuan.

Photo from VCG

(Women of China English Monthly March 2025)

Editor: Wang Shasha
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Small and medium-sized countries play a key role in the search for a just world order, the Minister of Defense of Latvia 2019-2022; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia 2004-2007 Artis Pabriks said during a panel discussion on Middle Powers in the New World Order at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

He noted that the world is going through a transitional period where the old world order has not yet ended and the new one has not yet been formed.

The bad news is that the new world order or the disappearance of the existing order has not yet reached its extreme point and the situation is likely to worsen. However, sooner or later there will be a just world order based on rules that all countries, regardless of their size, must respect, Artis Pabriks said.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 through 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.
MURRAY, Ky.  A bill that would allow Murray State University to begin the process of working with the Council on Postsecondary Education and accrediting bodies to pursue a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine is heading to the Governor's desk, the university said.

A post on the university's Facebook page announcing the news read, "Thank you to the Kentucky General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 77 which will allow Murray State University to pursue a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine! This bill has been sent to the Governor's Office for his signature. Thank you also to our alumni and many supporters of this initiative, listed here at this link, to help our animal agricultural industry!"

This legislation has been in the works for several sessions, finally advancing to Gov. Beshears desk. The original bill, removing the ban on vet schools and other doctorate programs in the commonwealth, was proposed in the Kentucky legislature in January 2024, but stalled in the Senate.

Murray States Facebook post was met with several comments of support. Other comments are still some urging the university to listen concerns with the proposed model. Murray State is opting for a distributive model, which would require students to get field experience at local clinics. While the option is cheaper than a traditional teaching hospital, advocates say it puts a strain on local vets.

In February, the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association said believes Murray State's proposal will provide an inconsistent educational experience, stretch resources, and reduce the service quality of private practices. They also said the proposed model could lead to burnout for local vets and students alike.

The proposal of a vet school at Murray State University promises quality education for veterinary medicine students across the commonwealth, especially in western Kentucky. The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association feels the proposal won't hold up. Wade King, president of KVMA, said the association posted an open letter on social media to air concerns.

Regarding the bills advancement, KMVA said, We stand by our original statement and continue the exact same letter of concern.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Kazakhstan welcomes the completion of negotiations on the text of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, said the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.

"We express confidence that the agreements reached and the signing of this historic document will be an important step toward normalizing relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, as well as ensuring stability, security, and prosperity for the entire South Caucasus region.

The Republic of Kazakhstan reaffirms its strong support for efforts to continue the constructive dialogue between the two countries, with a view to establishing enduring and lasting peace," the statement reads.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Red paint handprints left as part of a protest against the Gaza genocide at Case Western Reserve University [Photo: Students for Justice in Palestine ]

A total of 11 people have now been arrested and charged for participating in a protest against the genocide in Gaza on Case Western Reserve Universitys (CWRU) campus in Cleveland, Ohio. According to reports, six of those detained are students enrolled at the university.

The protest on campus took place on November 8 of last year and involved red paint being splattered on sidewalks, windows and other permanent fixtures. Flyers denouncing the universitys financial ties to Israel were also posted.

Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael OMalley issued the latest charges last month, estimating that $400,000 in damages had been done. According to the official indictment, there were three counts issued: vandalism, possession of criminal tools, and breaking and entering. One student was also charged with telecommunications harassment in addition to the other three counts. A hearing date has not yet been announced.

Two of the three chargespossession of criminal tools and breaking and enteringwere issued as felonies. According to the document, the criminal tools in question were paint and wheat paste.

CWRUs chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine stated that the county prosecutors office and the university were exaggerating the costs of the damages in order to enforce excessively high punishments.

The non-permanent paint and posters were easily removed by the university shortly after the protest. Further exemplifying the vindictiveness of the case, it has been reported that paperwork and legal information were withheld after the arrests, prolonging the time students and others were held in the Cuyahoga County Detention Facility, which is notorious for being one of the most brutal jails in the country.

In the last three arrests, the individuals are not accused of participating in any of the so-called vandalism but are charged as accessories for providing support, such as printing flyers.

The arrests have sparked outrage among CWRU students. Many have taken to social media to condemn the administrations actions, with many pointing out how the university allocates its funds. One individual noted, God forbid they actually spend their money responsibly and support their students and faculty. Dorms are old and in need of renovationflooding, leaks, heating issues, no A/C. Facility and staff are forced to resign due to lack of funds, etc. We see CWRUs priorities.

The lives of the students arrested at Case Western will be permanently changed if convicted. Not only do they face multiple years in jail, but they will also have to navigate education, employment, and housing as felons. Currently, all of the indicted students are prohibited from entering campus and continuing classes, in addition to being evicted from student housing.

Since the initiation of Israels genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023made possible by the full backing of the Biden administrationthe university has continually punished students who have voiced opposition. During a pro-Palestinian protest encampment erected in the spring of 2024, two dozen students were detained by police. As punishment for participating in the encampment, 53 students were barred from graduation ceremonies.

The targeted attacks against students at Case Western align with national trends taking place throughout the United States. Universitiesoften mouthpieces for the interests of both the Democratic and Republican partiesview opposition to the genocide on campuses as a hindrance to their plans to expand war abroad.

This is the case under the Trump administration just as it was under the Biden administration. President Donald Trump, who openly invited Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House as an honored guest, has declared his unconditional support for Israels plans to continue the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

In an effort to silence opposition to the genocide, the Trump administration has stated its plans to stop all illegal funding for any college, school, or university that allows illegal protests.

These serious threats have already begun to materialize. In addition to the cancellation of $400 million in federal funding at Columbia University, the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia and advocate for Palestine, is the most recent example.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States and green card holder, was seized in his apartment complex in New York City by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents due to his dissent toward the genocide. He was flown 1,300 miles away to a detention center in Louisiana without his wife or lawyer being informed of his whereabouts. As of this writing, his deportation status is being challenged in federal court.

In direct violation of the Constitution, Trump has openly vowed to detain and deport anti-Semitic terrorists and sympathizers without any formal legal procedures. Workers and young people must organize against the fascist Presidents dictatorial plans.

Students must take up a genuine struggle for the defense of democratic rights by joining the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). The way forward for students is to turn to the working class, the only revolutionary force in all of society. If you are interested in becoming involved, sign up below.
From left: Markus Soeder, chairman of Bavarians Christian Social Union party, Christian Democratic Union party chairman Friedrich Merz and the Social Democratic Party leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, attend a news conference in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, March 8, 2025. [AP Photo/Markus Schreiber]

Coalition negotiations between the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) to form a new federal government under the leadership of CDU chairman and former Blackrock banker Friedrich Merz officially began Thursday. The earlier exploratory talks already left no doubt that this will be the most right-wing German government since the fall of the Third Reich. It will not only rearm like the Nazis, but will also organise massive social attacks, implement the refugee policy of the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and establish a police state.

A paper published at the weekend summarising the Results of the exploratory talks between the CDU, CSU and SPD provides an impression of what is in store for workers and young people. Right at the beginning, the document states:

Our goal is to strengthen Germanys internal and external defence capability, to invest massively in our infrastructure and to lay the foundations for lasting and sustained growth. We want to assume responsibility in Europe and, together with our partners, strengthen the defence capability and competitiveness of the European Union. One thing is clear: Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine.

This is the language of German imperialism in the 21st centurybut the thrust, goals and methods are the old ones. Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, the ruling class is once again concerned with nothing less than: (1) the militarisation and preparation of the entire society for war, and (2) the organisation of Europe under German leadershipaimed at asserting itself in the growing conflict with the other major powers, above all the US under Trump, and escalating the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

To this end, the CDU/CSU and SPD are planning an arms spending programme that can only be compared to the dimensions of Germanys rearmament prior to the First and Second World Wars. According to the exploratory paper, all defence spending above 1 percent of GDP is not to be counted towards the constitutionally enshrined debt brake, which restricts the annual structural deficit of the federal government to 0.35 percent of GDP. In other words, military spending can increase indefinitely. A figure of 500 billion is directly under discussion.

In addition, the paper leaves no doubt that the special fund for infrastructure at federal/state/municipal level planned by the CDU/CSU and SPD also essentially serves to prepare for war. In particular, it includes civil defence and civil protection, transport infrastructure, hospital investments, investments in energy infrastructure as well as in education, care and science infrastructure, research, development and digitalisation.

Even if no one in the prospective government is saying it openly, this is about the implementation of Operation Plan Germany (OPLAN DEU). This classified document, which is over a thousand pages long, is constantly updated and its core elements are currently being presented at federal, state and local level. It is an operational war plan that defines which and how military and civilian elements must work together in the event of war, and how the infrastructure required to maintain war capability is to be established.

According to its own statements, the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) is dependent on help from civil society and civilian industry in the event of crisis and defence. The challenges here cannot be met purely by the military, they must be mastered by the state and society as a whole. For this reason, maximum civilian support ... is a decisive factor in OPLAN DEU and civil-military interaction for mutual support of the entire state is a core element. Above all, the operational plan provides for the involvement of the logistics and energy sectors, as, according to the Bundeswehr, reliable, flexible transport and a reliable energy supply are indispensable for the fulfilment of the armed forces tasks. Hospitals also play a role in this, as do science and research geared towards war readiness (as SPD Defence Minister Boris Pistorius put it).

The ruling class is pushing for the greatest possible speed in the implementation of its rearmament and war plans. The funds from the Bundeswehr special fund must flow out quickly, the exploratory paper states. The CDU/CSU and SPD therefore want to present a planning and procurement acceleration law for the Bundeswehr in the first six months after forming the government, as well as a priority list of armaments to be procured quickly, which should increase our countrys defence readiness quickly and efficiently.

A so-called master plan to strengthen the Bundeswehr and Germanys defence, which the CSU published shortly before the elections, already provided an initial overview of these priorities. In addition to the growth of the Bundeswehr to 500,000 ready-to-use soldiers and reservists and the reintroduction of compulsory military service, the paper calls for all combat units to be fully equipped, which requires:

300 additional battle tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles and 2,500 vehicles

A drone army with 100,000 drones plus in-house development and production

All branches of the armed forces must be able to deploy and defend against drones and AI

First drone carrier in Europe for the German Navy to protect the North and Baltic Seas and European trade routes

Iron Dome as a protective shield against missile and air attacks; 2,000 interceptor missiles for Patriot, IRIS-T and Arrow 3 for this purpose

Deterrence through long-range conventional precision weapons: 1,000 new Taurus missiles (500 km range) and development of new cruise missiles with a range of 2,500 km

Offensive in cyberspace and space offensive with military Starlink and its own launch pad

The historic level of rearmament will be accompanied by equally historic attacks on the working class. In the Financing section of the exploratory paper, it states that savings will also be made as part of the budget discussions and, in addition, a gradual switch to target-and impact-oriented budget management will be made. Even if the text pays lip service to safeguarding pension levels, for example, it is clear that at the end of the planned arms race there will be nothing left of the remaining social and democratic rights.

Conditions are to be created on the labour market that force workers to accept any job, however poorly paideven in the arms industry. Among other things, the Burgergeld system (for welfare payments) is to be reorganised into a new basic income for jobseekers, i.e., massively cut. In addition, job placement hurdles are to be removed and obligations to co-operate and sanctions are to be tightened in line with the principle of facilitating and demanding. And people who are able to work and repeatedly refuse reasonable work will be completely deprived of benefits.

In terms of refugee policy, the coalition partners-to-be have completely adopted the programme of the fascist AfD, with whom Merz had already made an open pact a few weeks before the election. A repatriation offensive will be launched, the CDU/CSU and SPD threaten in the paper. They are working on comprehensive legal regulations to increase the number of returns and will also turn back asylum seekers at national borders. The federal police should be given the authority to apply for temporary detention or custody to ensure the deportation of foreigners who are obliged to leave the country. All possibilities will be exhausted to significantly increase the capacity for detention pending deportation.

During the election campaign, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP, Socialist Equality Party) had already stated that the anti-refugee agitation and the associated strengthening of the fascists serves two central goals: dividing the working class and establishing a police state in order to rearm Germany as the leading military power after two lost world warsand to suppress any resistance to this.

The plans of the CDU/CSU and SPD are essentially supported by all parties in the Bundestag (federal parliament). The Greens are already in talks to secure the putative grand coalition the necessary two-thirds majority in the outgoing parliament in order to get the plans off the ground quickly. Their criticism comes from the right: they are calling for rearmament to be financed even more directly through cuts and for additional areas such as the secret services to be excluded from the debt brake.

The Left Party also leaves no doubt that it is ready for talks, especially if the current efforts to organise a majority in the outgoing Bundestag fail. A new government needs a two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment such as the reform of the debt brake or for special funds. It will not be able to avoid the Left Party, wrote the partys co-chair Ines Schwerdtner on X shortly after the election. Other leading Left Party representatives expressed similar views, as did a resolution passed by the party executive on March 1, which explicitly called for the debt brake to be lifted in order to free up sufficient funds for financial civilian support for Ukraine.

The support of all Bundestag parties and the trade unions for the policy of war shows that the struggle against fascism, militarism and social inequality requires a political break with bourgeois-capitalist politics as a whole and the building of an independent working class movement on a socialist basis. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei is fighting for this and calls on all workers and young people to react to the war plans with the necessary political clarity and seriousness and to join the SGP.
Attend the IYSSEs public meetings this week, Free Mahmoud Khalil!: Friday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. at The Center (208 W 13th St., Room 310, New York City) and online Saturday with the Educators Rank-and-File Committee. Click here to register for the online meeting.

Demonstrators from the group, Jewish Voice for Peace, protest inside Trump Tower in support of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura]

Nearly 100 demonstrators from the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace were arrested Thursday after they filled the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City, demanding the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. The former Columbia graduate student was detained outside his Manhattan home by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the previous Saturday night.

Also on Thursday, Columbia University, which has close ties to the Democratic Party, suspended, expelled or revoked degrees from 22 students involved in protests against the Gaza genocide last year. The extraordinary action came the same day as a letter from the White House demanded disciplinary action as a precondition for negotiations over Columbia Universitys continued financial relationship with the United States government.

There are also reports that ICE agents have visited other residences in the Columbia University area looking for additional targets for detention.

The detention of Khalil has provoked increasing outrage in New York City, across America and around the world. More than 3 million people have signed an online petition demanding Khalils release, and an online fundraising effort for his legal defense surpassed its goal of $250,000 by Wednesday and is now close to doubling the target.

Khalil was taken from the arms of his wife, who is eight months pregnant, and flown 1,300 miles to a privately run prison facility in Louisiana. For nearly half a day, neither his wife nor his attorneys knew where he was: Khalil had been effectively disappeared by the Trump administrations immigration Gestapo. ICE refused to allow Khalils lawyers to have proper contact with him until ordered to do so by a federal judge Wednesday.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate earlier this year, have made it clear that Khalil has not been arrested for committing a crime but for voicing opinions that put him at odds with US foreign policy in the Middle East. Trump has given the Netanyahu government a green light to clean out the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip and resettle it.

In the Trump Tower protest, about 300 demonstrators from Jewish Voice for Peace began to fill up the lobby of the building at lunchtime. They then removed their overcoats to show red T-shirts with anti-Zionist and anti-genocide slogans, including Jews say stop arming Israel, Jews say Free Mahmoud & Free Palestine, Not in Our Name and Fight Nazis Not Students.

Trump Tower security called the New York Police Department, and Chief John Chell personally supervised the deployment of dozens of cops, while orders to cease the protest and disperse were broadcast over the buildings loudspeakers. Nearly half the demonstrators decided to stay in defiance of the order and be arrested in order to make a public show of support for Mahmoud Khalil. They were arrested, zip-tied and loaded into police vans and a city bus to take them away for booking on misdemeanor charges.

A statement from Jewish Voice for Peace said the protesters included rabbis, descendants of Holocaust survivors, as well as some public officials and celebrities. Speaking to the press, Jane Hirschmann, granddaughter and niece of Holocaust victims, said:

The abduction of Mahmoud Khalil by the Trump regime is further proof that we are on the brink of a full takeover by an authoritarian regime. As Jews of conscience, we know our history and we know where this leads. This is what fascists do as they cement control.

Actress Debra Winger was one of those arrested. She told the Associated Press:

Im just standing up for my rights, and Im standing up for Mahmoud Khalil, who has been abducted illegally and taken to an undisclosed location. Does that sound like America to you?

Columbia University Professor James Schamus, who is Jewish, told the New York Times that the claim that the campus was somehow a hotbed of antisemitic intolerance was ridiculous. He said:

We all know that if anything, Columbia is a hotbed of students raising their voice and conscience, and in protest against the inhumane policies that this regime is imposing.

The Trump Tower protest comes a day after more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Foley Square to show their support for Khalil during a federal court hearing on his lawyers motion for a writ of habeas corpus, the most basic constitutional right that an individual can assert against the state. Federal District Judge Jesse Furman delayed arguments on the writ until after Khalils lawyers could consult with their client directly, a process which began Wednesday night.

The lawyers on both sides must file further papers with the court on Friday outlining how they propose to proceed with the case. The Trump administration conceded in court that Khalil could not be deported until after the federal case is decided but sought to have the case removed from New York to New Jersey or Louisiana, expecting, particularly in the latter location, to have a more right-wing district judge and court of appeals.

Khalils attorney Amy Greer appeared Wednesday night on NBCs Top Story with Tom Llamas and said the Trump administration was violating the Constitution. She said:

This is not what were used to in this country, and it is directly counter to our Constitution that people should just be taken, not heard from again, moved halfway across the country without anybody knowing why or where or how or what the justification is.

Llamas compared this to the disappearing of anti-government protesters in Argentina and other Latin American dictatorships in the 1970s, when the victims were tortured and in many cases taken up in helicopters and thrown into the sea.

The seizure of Khalil marks a major escalation in the Trump administrations drive to establish a presidential dictatorship. The attack on Khalil is part of a broader crackdown on opposition, with universities being transformed into police zones, where students who speak out against genocide face state repression. These methodsdisappearances, mass arrests and rule by decreehave historically been used by fascist regimes to crush political dissent and prepare for even greater crimes.

The Democratic Party stands with the Trump administration on this issue, as on every other question where the vital interests of American imperialism are concerned. There have been a few verbal and written protests but merely for the record. Behind the scenes, and in many cases quite openly, leading Democrats support the arrest and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil and the repression of anyone who opposes the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, which was funded and equipped by the Democratic Biden administration for more than a year.

The working class must intervene. The outrage over Khalils arrest must be transformed into mass protests and strikes against Trumps dictatorship. Students cannot fight alonethis struggle must be taken into the workplaces, linking the fight for democratic rights to the fight against social inequality, war and the capitalist system itself.

A distribution of World Socialist Web Site statements at the Dana auto parts plant in the Detroit suburb of Warren Thursday was met with a powerful response from workers. Khalil is a former member of the United Auto Workers as a university graduate student.

A veteran worker said, Hopefully, we can get Mr. Khalil back. The Republicans and the right wingers are bad people, and the Democrats are just weenies and taking it. Another young Dana worker added, Free Mahmoud! Every UAW member should go on strike to protest this. This is just downright cruel.
Join the upcoming online meeting of the Educators Rank-and-File Committee (US), Free Mahmoud Khalil! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! Defend the right to public education! on Saturday, March 15, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Register here.

Dana auto parts workers leave Warren, Michigan plant on March 13, 2025

Workers at the Dana auto parts plant in the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan, denounced the Trump administrations seizure and threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, the 30-year-old Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist who is being held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Louisiana. Workers at the plant are members of the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Khalil, a former member of the UAW in higher education, has been targeted for his role in last years demonstrations at Columbia University protesting the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. A permanent legal resident of the US who is married to an American citizen, Khalil faces deportation in what Trump threatens to be thousands of more arrests and deportations for allegedly anti-American activities.

A campaign team distributed the WSWS editorial board statement Free Mahmoud Khalil! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship to Dana workers Thursday afternoon and discussed the implications of this attack for the whole working class.

A Dana worker sitting in his car denounced the threat to deport Khalil, saying, The whole point of America is youre supposed to have freedom of speech. Doesnt matter what the government thinks is wrong. So, the fact that youre going to try to deport him for what hes saying, youre a traitor to America, in my opinion.

Asked if he saw this as setting a precedent to suppress the rights of the whole working class, he said, Are you kidding me? The next step is getting rid of collective bargaining. They dont want us to be able to band together, black people, white people, brown people, all of us are in the same boat. We all are laborers. We all workers. They dont want us to be able to band together, and thats our only power, against corporations, against billionaires, against anyone that wants to use the United States government to deport people who disagree with them.

Free Mahmoud, said a young Dana worker. This is so messed up. Im not surprised. Trump will do anything. We need to impeach him and everyone in the Oval Office. Every UAW member should go on strike to protest this. This is just downright cruel.

Another young worker denounced Trump as a dictator, and said, I hate what he is doing. Everybody is equal. Were all human beings. We should all get treated fairly. Everybody has free speech, thats part of the Constitution. When [Trump] says something, its cool, but when we say something, they want to deport you.

Asked if all UAW members should strike to demand his freedom, she said, Everybody has to be on board for that. But not everyone is aware of what is going on. If people were aware then, of course, we should be on strike.

Several workers told WSWS reporters that the seizure and threatened deportation of Khalil had been an intense topic of discussion inside the factory during their lunch breaks.

A veteran worker said, Hopefully, we can get Mr. Khalil back. The Republicans and the right-wingers are bad people, and the Democrats are just weenies and taking it. This is going to be a rough four years. They are trying the same old thing, to divide and conquer us. Trump is going to steal Greenland and all these different countries. So, this is the imperialist thing. At the same time, Musk is doing what he is doing while he makes $8 million a day off the US government.

I dont know, maybe these things will unite us. Everyone, including those people who voted for Trump are going to feel pain. You know, if you put pain out here in the streets and people are going to start opening their eyes. We need another revolution. Thats my take on it.

A veteran worker said, This is very wrong, and Trump knows it. Thats what this country was built on, freedom of speech. They could do this to anybody. Theyre taking away programs and then theyre hiring unqualified people who arent fit to pump gas, but they are Trump loyalists.

Another young worker said Mahmoud had gone through the certain policies and requirements so he can live here and be a legal person, and theyre still trying to deport him. He has a green card and is married to an American, you cant just take away his rights, especially for standing up for his people. He has the right to speak up.

Its just like they are trying to take away the citizenship of Mexicans and other immigrants who are born here. If you are born on US soil, you are considered a citizen. You cant take away our rights. Were just like everybody else, no matter if we are just nine to five and go home to our family after work. Because if we call off and do the strike stuff, I dont know how they are going to get their parts out. So, everybody should be treated the same, man.

Forced by the broad opposition to this kidnapping of Khalil among rank-and-file members, including 100,000 higher education workers, UAW President Shawn Fain issued a perfunctory statement earlier in the week, declaring, As we stated under the previous Presidential administration, The UAW will never support the mass arrest or intimidation of those exercising their right to protest, strike, or speak out against injustice.

The UAW president did not even cite Khalil by name, let alone call for any collective action to fight Trumps dictatorial effort to disappear a union member.

On Thursday night, the UAW bureaucracy posted an announcement on X that Columbia University had fired the president of the grad student union one day before contract negotiations, in a further crackdown on free speech. Another post added, If they can come for graduate workers, if they can arrest, deport, expel, or imprison union leaders and activists for their protected political speech, then they can come for you. For your contract. For your paycheck. For your family. And for your rights.

Coming from the UAW bureaucracy these statements are utterly hypocritical. Fain was the staunchest supporter of Biden and Harris even as they gave their financial, military and political support to the Israeli regimes genocidal assault on the Palestinians and joined with Republicans to slander campus protests as antisemitic. Since Trumps election, Fain has fully embraced the fascist presidents tariff policies, presenting the efforts to divide American workers from their brothers and sisters in Mexico, Canada and other countries as pro-working class.

Like the Democratic Party, the UAW bureaucracy is opposed to any genuine fight against Trumps dictatorial policies because they fear that such a movement would quickly develop into a confrontation with the capitalist system and the corporate-oligarchy, which they serve.

As the response of autoworkers demonstrates, there is deep identification with the revolutionary democratic traditions of the US and basic democratic rights in the working class. The fight to demand Khalils freedom and to oppose fascism and dictatorship requires building rank-and-file committees in every factory and workplace, free from the control of the union sellouts, to mobilize workers in mass demonstrations and collective action, including nationwide strike action.

Join the upcoming online meeting of the Educators Rank-and-File Committee (US), Free Mahmoud Khalil! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! Defend the right to public education! on Saturday, March 15, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Register here. To join the fight for rank-and-file committees, fill out the form below.
President Boluarte poses with Peruvian National Police during a ceremony in Lima, February 20, 2025 [Photo: Presidencia]

In the face of deteriorating social and economic conditions, along with a series of environmental and infrastructure disasters, the Peruvian government of President Dina Boluarte has shifted ever more aggressively to the right.

Speaking before the Peruvian Congress Tuesday, Economy Minister Jose Salardi proposed a deregulatory shock to consolidate business confidence. This new policy, including the revision of labor legislation favorable to private investment along with corporate tax cuts, is to be combined with austerity measures that will further degrade living standards for the broad masses of the population.

Taking as models the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by the fascist oligarch Elon Musk in the US, as well as Javier Milei's chainsaw against jobs and social spending in Argentina, the Peruvian bourgeoisie is preparing a massive offensive against the working class. The shock proposed by Salardi can only be imposed by a further development of dictatorial rule against the working class.

The turn toward intensified repression has seen the Boluarte regime impose a state of emergency in three provinces of the La Libertad region: Viru, Trujillo and Pataz. This dictatorial measure, which was extended for another 60 days on March 10, allows the deployment of the armed forces alongside the police in the name of upholding public order against rising crime rates.

The rightward trajectory of the Peruvian government was spelled out at the end of January, when Boluarte participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos. There she offered large mining corporations and global financial capital unhindered exploitation of the country's natural resources, while signaling the unreserved submission of her corrupt and repressive regime to the new administration led by Donald Trump in Washington.

Boluarte ranks as the most unpopular president in the world, and not a day goes by without corruption or political scandals with their far-reaching effects on society.

Despite official claims of an economic recovery, projections have appeared in various media outlets indicating the government overestimates economic growth. Real wages have not risen in the private sector and only minutely in the public sector, without having recovered their pre-pandemic level. Nor has the situation improved for the three million plunged into poverty during this period.

In 2024, private investment grew by just 2 percent. Current state expenses are lower than in 2022, and there has been no boost in public investment.

The worsening conditions faced by Peruvian workers have been exacerbated by a series of catastrophic events resulting from the dismantling of the country's infrastructure. The Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) reported that 1,605 homes were destroyed and about 10,000 were declared uninhabitable as a result of intense rains and landslides in the north, center and south of the country. The rains left 62 dead, nine missing and 23,743 victims in total throughout February 2025.

On February 12, there was a new oil spill on the North Peruvian Pipeline affecting indigenous communities in the Amazon. It was the second oil spill in less than a week.

Although urgent solutions are demanded from the affected communities, their requests fall on deaf ears. The OEFA (Environmental Assessment and Control Agency), while claiming to be investigating, refuses to act, as in other cases. According to the law, both the OEFA and PETROPERU must respond, but inefficiency, the relaxation of controls and impunity continue.

On February 21, the roof of the Real Plaza de Trujillo, which belongs to a chain of shopping centers nationwide, collapsed, leaving eight people dead and 84 injured.

This tragedy was the result of a series of deficiencies in the construction of the plaza, owned by one of the richest men in the country, Carlos Rodriguez-Pastor. The lack of state oversight and the political pressure exerted from Congress to suspend sanctions imposed on the company, despite the obvious dangers, became evident and scandalous.

Housing is another issue that reveals the abandonment and lack of planning over decades by the Peruvian State. In the last two decades, Peruvian cities grew by 50 percent, a rate higher than the Latin American average (30 percent). However, more than 90 percent of this urban expansion has been informal, through illegal occupations and informal subdivisions.

Amid endless disasters, corruption scandals and waves of mass protests, Boluarte has become a hated figure with an approval rating of less than 5 percent, a record low. How can such a regime remain in power and pursue its agenda?

Social opposition is growing, but fails to find channels to express the anger of Peruvian workers. All of the union bureaucracies and pseudo-left political tendencies are pro-business, that is, they do not defend the interests of Peruvian workers and merely advance proposals that seek to underpin the weakened institutions and the dead end of capitalist politics.

The protests that rocked Peru in the final months of 2024 around the issue of organized crime and growing violence, revealed deeper problems. On February 6, 2025, Peru experienced its fifth national strike in less than 12 months, but it had less participation than the previous ones. From the beginning, these strikes have been dominated by business organizations representing both small operators and large transport companies. There are 117 unions representing public transport drivers in Lima, but they did not play a significant role.

The government and the leaders of these demonstrations have tried to pass off the strengthening of the police state as a response to the demand raised by the protests for an end to the insecurity caused by organized crime and its extortions. However, the existence of gangs is rooted in Perus rampant social inequality. They have political connections, generate profits for a wealthy elite, and can recruit from among masses of impoverished youth who can neither find work nor afford to continue their studies.

On February 25, the main trade union, the General Workers' Confederation of Peru (CGTP), tightly controlled by the Stalinist Peruvian Communist Party, called for a national mobilization against mass layoffs. As on previous occasions, this national mobilization was only carried out in Lima. Despite the unions efforts to contain the movements scope, workers from different branches of industry mobilized.

The CGTPs protest sought to channel the growing social opposition of the working class against a wave of mass firings behind futile appeals to change the director of Prevention at the Ministry of Labor.

Citizen insecurity, natural disasters caused by rains and tragedies due to the collapse of public and private infrastructure have all created a breeding ground for anger among workers and the impoverished population. Protests, strikes and social uprisings will inevitably grow. For that reason, the government is preparing to spend millions of dollars more to build up the Armed Forces and the police.

Elections are being organized as a means to contain mass discontent within the political system. There are already more than 40 candidates for the 2026 presidential election. The traditional parties of the Peruvian bourgeoisie have collapsed, existing only as empty shells. The nominal left, including Together for Peru (JPP), the Maoist-led Workers and Entrepreneurs Party (PTE), Free Peru, and New Peru, among others, is also preparing to participate electorally. None of these forces provide a means of opposing the drive to authoritarianism, remaining quiet, for instance, about unpopular electoral laws approved ad hoc by the right-wing controlled Congress to elect a bicameral legislature and allow the re-election of existing members.

The only solution for the masses of workers and youth in Peru facing this social catastrophe is to mobilize independently. It needs to shake off the yoke of conciliatory bureaucracies. The decisive question is that of revolutionary leadership. The latest protests were dominated by petty-bourgeois tendencies due to the absence of a genuinely socialist leadership in the working class. The historic betrayals carried out by the Stalinist-led trade union apparatus, the diversion of social struggles towards bourgeois politics by the nominal left, and the bitter experiences with guerrilla movements, have all contributed to a political disorientation that Peruvian workers need to overcome.

Crucial lessons must be learned. No faction of the Peruvian ruling class, from the right-wing Fujimoristas to populist demagogues like ousted President Pedro Castillo, is capable of solving any of the basic economic and social problems faced by the working class and the rural poor in Peru or, for that matter, across South America. All national bourgeoisies of semi-colonial countries such as Peru are intertwined with and subordinated to foreign finance capital, with national sovereignty existing in name only.

The working class must build independent organizations of struggle, armed with a socialist perspective and pitted in irreconcilable opposition to all parties of the national bourgeoisie, the union bureaucracies and their pseudo-left apologists.

The decisive question facing the Peruvian working class is that of building a new revolutionary leadership based on a socialist and internationalist program that unites its struggles with those of workers throughout the Americas and beyond. This means building a Peruvian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International.
Professor Upul Abeyratne, head of the Political Science Department at Peradeniya University in Sri Lanka, spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about the ban of an International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) public meeting scheduled to be held at the university on January 3.

The IYSSE organised the meeting in the form of a lecture following an invitation from the universitys Political Science Students Association (PSSA). The event, which was titled How to Defeat the Attacks of the International Monetary Fund? was approved by the Political Science Department Head.

Professor Upul Abeyratne

On January 3, however, just a few hours before the meeting was to begin, Peradeniya Universitys Acting Vice Chancellor Ranjith Pallegama told Professor Abeyratne to change the lecture topic so it does not appear that the meeting challenges the government policies. Otherwise, Pallegama stated the event would be suspended immediately.

The ban was a direct attack on the basic democratic right to freedom of expression and organisation, not only of the university students and academics, but of all working people.

The unprecedented directive came as a political shockwave to students and academics who issued statements condemning the universitys action. Major newspapers in Sri Lanka such as the Sunday Times and the Island published articles criticising this anti-democratic act.

The IYSSE has credible information that the prime ministers and education ministers Dr. Harini Amarasuriyas office inquired about the purpose of the meeting. Amarasuriya has denied any intervention on her part in the meetings cancelation.

It is a fact, however, that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government, which is fully committed to the International Monetary Funds austerity measures and has started to ruthlessly implement them, is nervous about the rising anger among working people and students.

Professor Abeyratnes remarks are a powerful expression of his determination to defend basic democratic rights.

***

Professor Upul Abeyratne:

In universities, there is a long-standing tradition, originating from places such as Humboldt University, which values open dialogue. Universities are spaces where any group should have the right to engage in discussion and debate.

This tradition has existed for a long time at Peradeniya University. Therefore, I consider the ban on the discussion titled How to Defeat the Attacks of the International Monetary Fund? a serious violation of this principle.

In Political Science, there are three key approaches, one of which is the normative focusi.e., concerned with how to create a better world. I see this as an acknowledgment of the right to dream. Political Science, by its nature, is a normative discipline.

Discussing the International Monetary Fund program is an undeniable right of Political Science students. I am aware of one crucial fact regarding this incident. The Dean of the Faculty of Arts was under continuous pressure, while simultaneously, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), also faced influence because he received those communications from the Dean. I believe this was political influence. Neither the VC, nor the Dean or I should have had to stop this discussion.

On January 3, the Dean summoned me urgently and soon after, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) requested that I change the topic of the meeting. I told him: Sir, I cant do that. This event has already been publicised. I cannot cancel it either. If you want it stopped, please provide me with a written order.

Once I received the written order, I informed the relevant parties that the event had to be cancelled. I did not resist the written order because, as a Political Science academic, I recognise that our society is moving toward a worsening political climate.

If the government truly values the independence of universities and the right to education, it must conduct an immediate investigation to determine the source of this undue influence.

The DVC explicitly told me over the phone that the pressure came from Colombo. The Dean facilitated this communication by handing me the phone. This is a deeply troubling development. If anyone claims that the Political Science Students Association is not registered this is simply false.

It is unacceptable to conflate university legal procedures with this situation. If a law exists solely to suppress people, that law must be questioned. Even today, I support your program and maintain my anti-IMF stance. Therefore, I personally see this as an infringement on my right to free expression.

IYSSE campaigner telling students on January 2 about the planned lecture the following day at Peradeniya University.

During my 32 years of experience in academiasince 1992I cannot recall such intense external influence on the university. In my memory, no incidents of this nature have occurred. If it is happening now, it is deeply concerning because universities must remain spaces for open dialogue.

What makes this situation particularly ironic is that it is happening under a government whose prime minister and minister of education once marched with us, demanding 6 percent of the gross domestic product be allocated to education. I find this situation astonishing.

I am also surprised by the silence of those who once championed education but now remain quiet, despite this issue being widely discussed in the public sphere.

After emailing you [the IYSSE], I immediately informed the VC that I would address this matter publicly at every opportunity as a university academic. It appears, however, that we are facing a level of influence that we cannot resist individually. There is a force being exerted upon us that even university teachers struggle to withstand.

I would also like to highlight another concerning trend. A so-called pseudo-radical group of self-proclaimed university intellectuals took to social media, claiming they would organise a similar discussion at Colombo [University]. In response, I stated that I would attend and share my views. No such a discussion has taken place. It is evident that some academics align with the government and justify this incident.

I am also strongly opposed to the procedural restrictions imposed on students when forming associations within universities. According to these procedures, a lecturer must serve as the senior treasurer of a student association. Does this mean that students who fail to meet this requirement are deprived of their right to free expression?

This is not the only mechanism used to suppress students voices. Having closely observed student politics over the years, I have documented my observations in an academic session with two colleagues from the University of Ruhuna. During that period, the majority of students were not affiliated with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. However, those who engaged in JVP politics were trained in a structured manner to dominate student politics.

At that time, a select group of students decided who would serve as batch representatives. Previously, there was a tradition of holding General Body Meetings for student decision-making. Today, that practice is nearly obsolete.

Instead, pro-JVP students strategically position themselves across campus, creating chaotic situations to suppress dissenting voices. This tactic ensures that their chosen representatives are appointed while silencing the majority. Although I am unsure how this process operates now, it remains a vicious cycle.

Since my own student days, I have been familiar with your organisation. I am a frequent reader of the World Socialist Web Site and actively facilitated your comrades work at the University of Ruhuna, where I was previously employed. Jayantha Amarasinghe and I introduced some of your comrades to the university community. Even today, I support your partys work.

Communism, socialism, and various political ideologies are integral components of the Political Science curricula. These are subjects we critically discuss. I stand by Marxs call: Workers of the World, Unite! Both my epistemology and ontology are shaped by Marxist thought.

At the same time, I would like to share that I personally voted for your party in the most recent election.

I propose that we reschedule this lecture in a systematic manner and ensure that the discussion takes place as it rightfully should.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Given the presence and regular activity of revanchist elements in Armenia, we view this as a major risk, told to journalists Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Foreign Minister, during XII Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Mammadov first stated that it was premature to deliberate on the location for the signing of the peace deal.

"The Azerbaijani side anticipates Armenia to meet two prerequisites in the subsequent phase, as articulated by the minister yesterday. This pertains to the elimination of claims to the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan from the Armenian constitution, a matter we have advocated for over an extended period, which has been in place since the early 1990s. The second is the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which was established previously and has been a subject of discussion among the parties for some time. In this context, both states may, indeed, submit a joint application to the OSCE. The Azerbaijani side has made this proposal for some time, considering the conclusion of the war. But unfortunately, the Armenian side has not joined the joint application to this day. We believe that making a joint application will inform us about Armenia's true, real intentions.

Considering the existence of revanchist factions in Armenia and their ongoing activity, we regard this as a significant concern. A clear and unequivocal stance should be articulated here," he noted.

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German soldiers load tank howitzers for transport to Lithuania at the Bundeswehr army base in Munster, northern Germany, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. [AP Photo/Martin Meissner]

Germanys ruling class is following a similar path to the US with fascist President Donald Trump, the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) wrote in our election statement for the federal election. Their answer to Make America Great Again is Deutschland uber alles. It is responding to Trump by rearming at a pace not seen since Hitler.

Just a few days after the election, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) decided to launch a gigantic rearmament programme. The aim is to rearm Germany to make it an aggressive military power after losing two world wars and committing terrible crimes in the 20th century. The consequences of this programme mean war, dictatorship and ultimately nuclear annihilation. The official propaganda cannot hide this fact.

The scale of the rearmament programme is enormous. Five hundred billion euros in loans alone are to be taken out for a so-called special fund, which will primarily be used to make social infrastructure fit for war and to militarise the whole of society: from the reintroduction of compulsory military service to the subordination of teaching, research and training to the needs of the military, and the suppression and persecution of opponents, as is already happening in the case of the opponents of the genocide in Gaza.

The debt brake is to be completely abolished for spending on the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), so that unlimited borrowing is possible. A further 500 billion will initially be set aside for defence spending. Even if it is still unclear over what period of time this sum will be spent, these are enormous sums that can only be compared with rearmament before the two world wars.

Calculated over one year, the increase of 500 billion alone would correspond to around 11 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)more than twice as much as during Germanys remilitarisation after World War II or any other year of the Cold War. Even in the first year of the First World War, war credits only amounted to 8.6 percent of the estimated GDP of 1913. Hitler only reached a higher figure in 1938, after five years of massive rearmament.

Then as now, the German Empire ran up massive debts to finance militarisation. The higher the debts rose, the more inevitable the war became because these loans could only be refinanced through the spoils of war. Todays rearmament follows the same logic. It is not for defence against so-called Russian aggression, as politicians of all parties claimjust as on the eve of the First and Second World Warsbut in preparation for brutal wars of aggression.

Leading ideologues of the ruling class openly state this. Political scientist Herfried Munkler, for example, wrote in Der Spiegel that the rules-based order has been replaced by a power-based order. Military power is gaining in importance over economic power.

Munkler concludes that Europe must therefore rearm as quickly as possible and reorganise itself politically. It must produce a political class that is intellectually and mentally equal to the changed global political constellations. In order to play a part in the competition between the great powers, Europeans would have to quickly learn and internalise the rules of this power-based order.

In other words: Europe (Munkler always writes Europe when he means Germany) once again needs statesmen and generals like Kaiser Wilhelm II, Erich Ludendorff, Adolf Hitler and Wilhelm Keitel, who do not shy away from criminal wars.

The rearmament programme of the CDU and SPD follows this line. It is aimed directly at the nuclear-armed power Russia. Even before the Bundestag elections, Chancellor Scholz and Defence Minister Pistorius had declared that Germany must be capable of winning a war against Russia within three to five years. The rearmament programme puts this madness into practice. Eighty years after the war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, Germany is once again preparing for an all-out war against Russia, which would result in the destruction of the entire continent.

But there is even more at stake. Back in 2018, the then Grand Coalition already spoke out in favour of extensive militarisation and named entire countries, regions and whole continents in its coalition agreement that German imperialism considers to be its zones of influence: from the Western Balkans to Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Africa, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The current plans build on this.

When mouthpieces of the ruling class speak of the end of the rules-based order and the use of military power to pursue economic interests, they are aware that this also means conflict with American imperialism.

Germany can only implement its war policy if it succeeds in dominating Europe. The gigantic arms expenditure also serves this purpose. Parallel to the plans of the CDU and SPD, former German Defence Minister and current European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) has presented a programme to arm the EU to the tune of 800 billion. By increasing war spending, Germany is attempting to dominate this process of European rearmament in terms of weapons systems, production capacities and scope.

This will inevitably exacerbate the conflicts between the European powers, which are all arming themselves at a rapid pace. France wants to increase its military spending to 5 percent of GDP and place Europe under its nuclear umbrella. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that all of the countrys men will receive military training in order to increase the number of soldiers and reservists from 200,000 to 500,000. And Britain is prepared to deploy its own soldiers to Ukraine together with France and other countries.

A declaration of war on the working class

The rearmament programme is not only directed against international opponents and rivals, it is also a declaration of war on the working class.

After Germanys debt-to-GDP ratio was reduced from 81 to 59 percent between 2010 and 2019 by destroying schools and hospitals, dismantling social security systems and torpedoing workers rights, it is now being driven to new heights for rearmament. For the working class, this means further attacks on their social and democratic rights. The money is being recovered in the form of wage cuts, mass redundancies and the destruction of the welfare state.

Fierce class struggles are inevitable. Workers in the public sector, the postal service and in regional transport are already on strike against real wage cuts that the government wants to impose on them. Bitter class struggles are also developing in other European countries. In Greece, millions are demonstrating against the social catastrophe.

But those in power are not prepared to bow to pressure from below. In defence of their wealth, privileges and war policies, they are increasingly resorting to fascist methods. Donald Trumps rise to the top of the most powerful imperialist state is no coincidence or misunderstanding but an expression of the deep crisis of American capitalism, which can only hold on to power with the help of gangsterism and violence. The same development is also taking place in Germany.

This is the reason why the future chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) sought cooperation with the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD) shortly before the election and pushed an anti-immigrant motion through the Bundestag (German parliament) with its support. The SPD and the Greens also placed incitement against refugees at the centre of their election campaign, thereby strengthening the AfD.

The coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD are a mockery of the election result and democracy. During the election campaign, neither party declared that it was planning to invest a trillion euros in rearmament. The new government has no mandate for its insane war policy. Now the CDU/CSU and SPD are attempting to change the constitution in blatant disregard of the election results by reconvening the parliament that has already been voted out.

All other parties in the Bundestag also support militarism. The Greens are even calling for the rearmament programme to be imposed more ruthlessly. Larger sums should be raised through cuts; and other areas, such as the intelligence agencies, should be exempted from the debt brake, they argue. The former pacifists have become the worst warmongers.

The AfD may have tactical differences on Russia and Europe, but it is in favour of a defence budget of 5 percent of the GDP and more when it comes to pursuing the national interests of German imperialism and is even calling for a German nuclear bomb. It is becoming more and more directly involved in government work because the fascists are needed to suppress opposition to militarism.

The Left Party is playing a particularly filthy role. It received the votes of 25 percent of young voters because it spoke out against the AfD and militarism during the election campaign. As soon as the polling stations closed, its representatives declared that they were ready to talk to the CDU and SPD about implementing joint projects. On March 1, the party executive then called for debt relief for Ukraine and an easing of the debt brake in order to free up sufficient funds to support Ukraine.

For the international unity of the working class in the struggle against war and capitalism!

The only social force that can prevent the catastrophe of war and fascism is the international working class, which creates all the wealth and bears the burden of wars and crises.

To do so, it must break through the paralysing influence of the trade unions. These bureaucratic apparatuses have long since turned into henchmen of the corporations and the government, sabotaging any industrial action, dividing the international working class and organising redundancies and wage cuts on behalf of the corporations. They cheer on the trade war measures and the military build-up.

Typical is the reaction of the IG Metall unions chairwoman Christiane Benner, who welcomed the CDU/CSU and SPDs rearmament programme with the words: The announced special funds, the announced measures show: Politicians have understood that action must now be taken quickly and boldly.

The Socialist Equality Party therefore calls for the establishment of rank-and-file committees in workplaces and neighbourhoods that will allow workers to take the fight against mass redundancies and wage cuts into their own hands and combine it with the fight against war.

We counterpose the international unity of the workers to the growth of nationalism, trade war and rearmament. The war can only be stopped and social and democratic rights can only be defended if capitalism itself is abolished and replaced by a socialist society in which peoples needs, not profit interests, take centre stage. The big banks and corporations must be expropriated and placed under democratic control.

We warned of the explosive development of German militarism back in 2014, when the German government announced the end of Germanys military restraint and organised the violent coup in Ukraine together with the US. We wrote in a resolution:

History is returning with a vengeance. Almost 70 years after the crimes of the Nazis and its defeat in World War II, the German ruling class is once again adopting the imperialist great power politics of the Kaisers Empire and Hitler. The speed of the escalation of the war propaganda against Russia recalls the eve of World War I and World War II.

The Grand Coalitions planned war credits show how far this development has progressed. It is time to become politically active and to study the programme of and join the SGP and the International Committee of the Fourth International. Building a united movement of the European and international working class based on a socialist and revolutionary programme is the only way to stop the developing world war.
The New South Wales (NSW) Labor government last month handed out eviction notices to 147 residents of the Waterloo South housing estate in inner-city Sydney. These are the first of around 3,000 residents set to be turfed out of the long-established public housing precinct, to make way for lucrative privately owned construction.

Part of the Waterloo South housing estate

The entire Waterloo housing estate has been slated for redevelopment for many decades. Ahead of the March 2023 state election, Labor, then in opposition, vowed to end the privatisation of public housing in NSW. Less than five months later, the new Labor government announced that the destruction of the Waterloo estate would proceed.

The formerly working-class suburbs of Waterloo and neighbouring Redfern, which also served for decades as meeting centres for Aboriginal people coming to the city, have undergone a process of gentrification and much of the indigenous population has been driven out.

Waterloo South is estimated by real estate agents to have a gross development value of $2 billion or more, according to the Australian Financial Review. It makes up 12 hectares of the 19-hectare Waterloo Housing Estate, located only 4 kilometres from the central business district of Sydney, a city ranked among the most expensive in the world.

The median price for an apartment in Redfern is now over $1 million, and in Waterloo, more than $900,000. Houses sell for more than $1.8 million in both suburbs. Median rent for an apartment in Waterloo has risen more than 36 percent over the past five years, to $950 per week.

This is the economic reality behind the Labor governments phoney promise that Waterloo South residents will be relocated to another home in the local area or another area of choice.

Housing Minister Rose Jackson noted that 70 new social housing units above Waterloo Station are slated for completion this year, less than half what is needed to house the first batch of evictees, even assuming it is finished in time.

Moreover, NSW currently has 64,280 households on the wait list for social housing, with a median waiting time of 16 months. This is part of a national affordable housing shortfall of more than 600,000 dwellings.

The areas high land value also points to the real motivation behind the Labor governments claim that the redevelopment is necessary to deliver new homes, community places, and green spaces which prioritise the health and wellbeing of social housing tenants.

Waterloo South currently has almost 90 percent social housing. Under Labors plan to demolish and redevelop the estate, this will be reduced to just 30 percent. Twenty percent is to be allocated to so-called affordable housing, while the remaining 50 percent would be on the open market. The exact plans for Waterloo Central and North are still to be confirmed. The entire project is expected to take up to 30 years to complete.

The terms social and affordable housing are used to cover up the destruction and privatisation of public housing, that is, government-owned homes to accommodate people on low incomes. Social housing is an umbrella term including public housing, community housing and Aboriginal housing.

Community housing, which constitutes the majority of social housing, is owned or operated by non-government organisations, which can pick and choose their tenants, meaning higher rents and less security for residents.

The price of affordable housing, meanwhile, is pegged to the inflated housing market. In NSW, the threshold is 20 percent less than the market rate, meaning an affordable apartment in Waterloo could cost upwards of $760 per week. This is almost 60 percent of the median wage.

Independent architect proposals for refurbishing the Waterloo South dwellings have been ignored by the Labor government, which is intent on handing public housing assets to private industry. One such report, cited in the Conversation, refutes government claims that the estate is not fit for purpose:

All dwellings have large windows to provide excellent daylight and fresh air to all dwellings; rooms are never too deep; there is generous open space between and around the buildings with abundant deep soil area allowing for planting of large trees. the idea that they are definitively inappropriate for contemporary needs, and therefore, obsolete is simply not supported by evidence.

Malcolm is one of the 147 residents given an eviction notice. He told World Socialist Web Site reporters he has lived in his current dwelling for 16 years. He said:

We got a letter giving us 6 months notice. Ive just got to wait until they get back to me. I want a backyard and a garage so I can work on my bike. As long as they keep me close to the city, Ill be happy. Im on the disability pension. Im paying $120 a week rent and I have to pay for electricity and water rates on top of that. Im hoping that the government will do the right thing because we are the first lot to go so if they treat us right, all the rest of the residents will think they are going to get something good, too. Otherwise hell will break loose. I dont know what theyll do. Everyone around here is coming to ask me whats going on because Im the first one to move. They want to know whats happening to me. Ive been happy to live here. I come from Melbourne. Ive heard about the Victorian government plan to knock down all the high-rises. Theyll be mad if they do that because where will all those people go?

Dianne, a 72-year-old resident of Waterloo South, said:

I moved here in 1977 and have lived here ever since. Ive worked, Ive paid market rent here. Ive done a lot of work to improve my place and I just want something that is nice and comfortable and what Im used to. I received a letter the other day to say that residents of this section of Waterloo will be evicted in 12 months to two years. Two of my neighbours have been told they will have to move in six months. I hope the government will look after us. I lost my husband two years ago. As long as I get somewhere close and around here, because my doctors are all around this area and Ive had cancer. Im in remission now, but I still have to go to the Chris OBrien Lifehouse [cancer treatment centre in nearby Camperdown] for checkups and everything. It wouldnt suit me to be relocated in an outer-Sydney suburb, I wouldnt go there.

The destruction of Waterloo South is part of a broader process. Over the last half-century, public housing has been gutted across the country. As a proportion of total housing stock, public housing has plummeted from almost 9 percent in 1966 to less than 3 percent now.

Initially built for returned soldiers and blue-collar workers, public housing has been eviscerated through funding cuts and sell-offs by consecutive Labor and Liberal-National federal and state governments.

The Victorian Labor government has begun carrying out a plan to demolish and effectively privatise 44 public housing buildings across Melbourne, which would displace some 10,000 residents. This week, the government revealed that the new development that replaces the Flemington and North Melbourne towers, from which residents are currently being thrown out, will not include a single public housing unit.

At the federal level, it was revealed late last month that the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund has not built a single home since it was a central plank of Labors 2022 election platform. The legislation, designed to further enrich the property development sector, was passed with the backing of the Greens.

What is posed before public and social housing residents is the necessity of a political struggle against all the parliamentary parties. To defend their homes and fight for the basic social right to secure, affordable and habitable housing for all, residents need to form rank-and-file neighbourhood committees.

Through these committees, residents can make an appeal to construction workers and others, to halt the demolition of public housing, including through strikes and industrial bans. Such an appeal would be based on the common class interest of public housing tenants and the broader working class, who are all being subjected to an assault on working and living conditions.

The Socialist Equality Party urges all public housing residents and their supporters throughout the working class to contact us and develop the discussion on the urgent next steps required.

Attend our upcoming public forum in Melbourne! Titled Build a neighbourhood defence committee against public housing towers demolition! it is being held Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. (AEDT), at Kensington Neighbourhood House, 89 McCracken Street, Kensington. Register here.
Published below are statements from electoral members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), opposing the rejection of the partys registration application by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The decision means SEP candidates standing in the upcoming federal election will do so without their party name appearing on the ballot paper.

The anti-democratic ruling comes amid a deepening crackdown on opposition to Israels genocidal onslaught against the Palestinians, which is fully supported by the Labor government and the Liberal-National opposition.

This week, it has been exposed that the major parties conspired to rush through draconian hate speech laws, in New South Wales (NSW) and federally, under the pretext of combatting a wave of antisemitism and a terror plot that they knew to be a hoax.

This underscores the urgent need for workers and young people to fight for an alternative to the status quo, in which the major parties are both telling the same lies to justify shutting down any criticism of their program of war and austerity. This perspective, which only the SEP will advance in the next election, is what the AEC and the entire political establishment is desperate to silence.

We urge you to attend our public meeting on March 19, in Sydney and online, to discuss this blatant act of political censorship and what must be done to defeat it.

Election ban on the SEP: An attack on democratic rights

WHEN: 7 p.m. (AEDT) Wednesday, March 19

WHERE: Lansdowne Rooms, Bankstown Library, Bankstown, NSW

Reserve your seat now!

For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be live-streamed via Zoom.

Read our statement against the decision here.

****

Dolores

Dolores, from Victoria, wrote:

I became an electoral member of the Socialist Equality Party because it is the only alternative to the two-party system and the only party based on the working class, fighting to arm it with an international strategy. The decision to deny the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) official party registration is an outrageous attack on democratic rights and workers ability to seek an alternative outside the existing system. The SEP is being deliberately targeted because it fights to unite workers against the pressing crises we all facenuclear war, pandemics, climate catastrophe, and austerity. The main parties, Labor, Liberal and the Greens, all stand with big business, as do the pseudo-lefts like Socialist Alliance and Victorian Socialists. Governments are nervous that people no longer support the political establishment, particularly the two-party system. This shows the breakdown of parliamentary rule. As the crisis unfolds, attacks on freedom of expression have intensified, particularly against those who oppose the policies of war and genocide. Any opposition to the slaughter in Gaza is branded as antisemitic. The suspension of Randa Abdel-Fattahs ARC grant over her anti-genocide stance is a clear expression of this anti-democratic crackdown. These measures aim to intimidate the population, suppressing opposition to US-led wars and the Australian governments role in Israels genocide of the Palestinian people. They are scared that we will all rise up against them, because they know we are powerful united.

Kim

Kim, a retired high-school teacher from Queensland, wrote:

As an electoral member of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), I wish to add my voice to those of fellow party members who vehemently protest the lack of transparency and undemocratic nature of the Australian Electoral Commissions rejection of our application for re-registration. Every effort was made in good faith by the SEP to satisfy the terms of the law. However, the SEP has been barred from registration on tenuous and highly dubious grounds by the AEC. The law which, in part, trebled the required number of party members, was introduced when the SEP was already a registered party in 2021. The restrictions created by COVID and the imminence of the 2022 election made compliance with the new membership requirements virtually impossible and led to the SEPs de-registration. With the current rejection, received on 17th February 2025, the SEP is again denied a realistic time frame in which to re-submit. Furthermore, access to Socialist Equality Party candidates, who represent the interests of the majority of voters, is being denied by the absence of their party name from the ballot paper. Our electoral system is shamefully undemocratic if it continues to pursue an agenda restricting voters to a two-party system by obstructing competition from minor parties or independent candidates unless they receive financial backing from vested business interests. The SEP advocates for government of, for and by the people, united in the true spirit of democracy. I wish to challenge the AEC to provide convincing evidence that the SEP should be denied party registration, a decision that was based on a small sample of our membership. I also demand a full review of the SEPs application for registration.

Mike

Mike, a worker in Western Australia, wrote:

As an avid reader of the World Socialist Web Site, I became aware of the major political parties changing the rules so that 1,500 members, instead of 500, were needed to register a party in the federal election of May 2022. I joined as an electoral member shortly after. After witnessing the AECs delay tactics, it is evident that they are willing to use any means to block the SEPs involvement in the upcoming election. I am convinced they do not want voters to see or hear the clarity of the message that would come from the partys campaign. So many people in Australia want to see an end to the ugliest form of humanity displayed by the US/Israel genocide in Gaza. An end to the housing affordability crisis. An end to the ridiculous waste of $368 billion on the militarist AUKUS pact with the US and the UK and a way forward that doesnt involve the corporatised unions doing their best to hold real progress back. I fully support the Socialist Equality Party in their campaign to stop the suppression of the only true working-class party available to voters in the upcoming election.

Mary

Mary, a health worker in northern NSW, wrote:
The Room Next Door (La habitacion de al lado), by veteran Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, his first English-language feature, is based on Sigrid Nunezs 2020 novel What Are You Going Through. It concerns the voluntary death of Martha (Tilda Swinton), stricken with incurable cancer, who enlists her friend Ingrid (Julianne Moore) to accompany her during her final days.

Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton in The Room Next Door

Almodovar has helped put modern Spanish cinema on the map. The director began making short hand-held films, with explicit sexual themes, around the time of the collapse of the fascist Franco regime in 1975. He came to international prominence with such works as The Law of Desire (1987), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989).

The prolific filmmaker followed up with Live Flesh (1997), All About My Mother (1999), Talk to Her (2002) and Bad Education (2004). More recently, he has made Broken Embraces (2009), The Skin I Live In (2011), Julieta (2016), Pain and Glory (2019), and Parallel Mothers (2021).

In Almodovars newest film, Martha (Swinton) has had a successful career as a war correspondent (an homage to famed journalist Martha Gellhorn?) and now lives alone, estranged from her daughter, in New York City. She has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ingrid (Moore), a former colleague, reluctantly agrees to help Martha die in the manner she has chosen, with a euthanasia pill, in a large rented house north of the city.

Early on in the film, when the doctors are still offering some degree of hope, Martha ironizes grimly, setting an overall tone for the film: It might sound absurd, but after all the accepting and preparing to face the end, survival feels almost disappointing.

As we learn in the course of the work, as a young woman, Martha became pregnant by Fred (Alex Hgh Andersen), who returned from the Vietnam War with acute PTSD. He tells Martha, Its not over for me, the war is still inside my head... I cant get free of it... I hallucinate all the time. The pair do not stay together.

Years later, Martha finds out that Fred had married and recently died. We see in a flashback Fred and his wife driving down a country road. He sees a burning house. Eyes bulging, traumatized by the scenes of carnage in Vietnam, he turns to his wife: Dont you hear the screams?! and runs into the flaming structure, thinking there may be survivors. In reality, there were no screams, and there are no survivors.

Another flashback shows Martha in war-devastated Iraq with two gay Carmelite missionaries facing the horrors of the conflict with the solace of sex.

As the moment of Marthas death approaches, Ingrid has a conversation with Damian (John Turturro), a former lover of both women. He is coming to a nearby university to deliver a lecture on climate change. His perspective is desperate:

Read the science and then see what the world is doing with it Sooner or later, and I fear it will be sooner, one day all this will be shot to hell. And nothings going to hasten the end of the planet more than the survival of neo-liberalism and the rise of the far right I have completely lost faith in people doing the right thing.

Electing death to avoid the agony of illness (Martha), death as the result of PTSD (Fred), placing death above the end of sex and love in wartime (the missionaries in Iraq), preferring individual death or at least a shrinking  of interest in things prior to the death of the planet (Damian) Almodovar offers up various forms essentially of suicide.

Despite its blazing colors and general elegance, and the talents of Swinton and Moore, and despite its (unconvincing) effort to render a story about fatal illness and suicide vibrant and uplifting, The Room Next Door is at heart a misguided, melancholy film. Given the framework that the filmmaker establishes, Marthas choosing to die with dignity when medicine doesnt hold out any hope is entirely legitimate, but questions need to be asked about the framework itself.

Fatalism and glumness run like currents through the film.

The Room Next Door

The treatment of the terminally ill is a serious and difficult social issue. As always in America, when the criminal justice system and the mass media get involved, the result has been to sensationalize and trivialize, offer simple solutions to complex problems and, if possible, throw someone in prison.

A 1998 WSWS article posed the question: how should the terminally ill be treated?:

On the basic question of democratic rights, it must be conceded that the terminally ill, those wracked by pain and with no hope of alleviation or recovery, should have the right to die, at least in the sense that the state should have no power to compel them to continue in pointless suffering.

However, it continued:

There are many reasons to be wary when euthanasia is offered as a solution to the problems of the sick and the elderly. The precedents of this centurythe Nazis were the most enthusiastic proponents of this practiceare not hopeful. There is enormous potential for abuse and discrimination, for distortion of the decisions of the terminally ill by economic circumstances and social conditions.

The right to die with dignity, is, as the WSWS article noted, citing Trotsky, a gloomy right. And a slippery slope.

Does being able to die at ones own hand at the moment one chooses really seem the most pressing issue in America or the world today? At best, this is a lesser question, part of a more general opposition to right-wing religious backwardness and bigotry. To direct his attention toward this issue does not suggest a filmmaker brimming with self-confidence, but one pessimistic about the future.

While Almodovar concerns himself with voluntary death, the Palestinians are being slaughtered involuntarily with the approval of every imperialist government and millions die from war, poverty and disease.

Despite his obvious talents and ingenuity, Almodovar seems continuously pushed toward secondary and tertiary matters, with a few exceptions. This must be a historical, objective problem. The Spanish working class was bursting at the seams to make a revolution in the 1930s, but the Stalinist Communist Party and its accomplices strangled that opportunity, opening the door to decades of terrible repression.

Then, in 1975, bourgeois democracy was restored, without any serious challenge being made to capitalism. This was again the work of the Stalinists, the social democrats and other left forces. Today, as in every major country, the fascists that made life hell for the Spanish people are on the ascendancy again.

Almodovar, the leading Spanish filmmaker of his generation, with a considerable global following, is an intelligent and sensitive figure. He makes reference in his public pronouncements to important artists like Luis Bunuel, Douglas Sirk and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. But the working class as a social force has meant little, if anything, to him.

Pushed in certain directions and blocked from others by Spains political history, the directors early filmsmade in the very shadow of fascismwere imbued with a certain subversive spirit, but one which was mostly a matter of sexual transgressiveness. The Room Next Door is not an advance for Almodovar.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 13. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the former special representative of China for European affairs in Azerbaijan Wu Hongbo at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

In the course of the meeting, the issues arising from the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China, as well as regional and international developments, were discussed.

It was noted that the Global Baku Forum is an important platform for addressing issues of concern to all of humanity, as well as for creating a more inclusive world order. The Chinese side expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for organizing the forum at a high level.

Bayramov emphasized that the official establishment of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China last year was a particularly significant event in the history of bilateral and multilateral relations. He highlighted the need to maintain the current dynamics and expand cooperation, as well as the importance of utilizing the mechanism of political consultations for these purposes.

It was discussed that Azerbaijan and China consistently support each other on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The importance of continuing mutual support and solidarity within regional and international organizations was stressed.

Particular attention was given to the participation and contribution of the Chinese side in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which took place in Azerbaijan last year.

During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 13. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with former President of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic on the sidelines of the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The parties discussed various aspects and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, opportunities for collaboration in the fight against mine threats, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan's chairmanship at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and cooperation with the UN in organizing this event were exemplary.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum in the future.

The minister also provided a detailed overview of Azerbaijans international humanitarian initiatives as a donor country, particularly in the context of assisting developing countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting them in the post-pandemic period.

Grynspan was thoroughly informed about the achievements under COP29, including the development of a new collective, quantitatively expressed climate finance goal, the agreement on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement regulating carbon markets, and several other ongoing initiatives.

The parties exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. A panel discussion on the topic "Rebuilding for Peace: Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Regional Stability" is taking place as part of the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

Addressing the participants, the former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Djoomart Otorbaev shared his impressions on Azerbaijan's plan to restore the liberated territories.

"I have never seen such a comprehensive program anywhere in the world. If Azerbaijan, which I am confident will achieve this, implements this plan systematically and purposefully, it will not only be an ideal model for post-conflict recovery but also a benchmark for other regions," he said.

President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkr in turn praised Azerbaijan's efforts to restore Karabakh.

Azerbaijan is currently focused on the reconstruction of Karabakh. It is encouraging to see cities being rebuilt while preserving and restoring historical sites such as mosques and palaces. Of course, repopulating the area requires significant effort, including the construction of hospitals and schools. However, Azerbaijan will succeed in this task, he stated.

In the course of the discussion, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, announced that Azerbaijan will host the III National Urban Planning Forum in October 2025.

By successfully organizing COP29 last year, Azerbaijan confirmed its commitment to global principles based on peace and stability. In May 2026, Baku will host the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss not only the challenges and solutions facing the organization but also to inspire partnership, cooperation,n and joint action for a brighter future, he said.

The discourse includes notable individuals such as Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, who held office from 1976 to 1979 and again from 1999 to 2007; Natalia Gavrilita, former Prime Minister of Moldova from 2021 to 2023; and Joomart Otorbaev, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from 2014 to 2015. Lazar Comanescu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania and current Secretary-General of the Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), will also participate.

Also in attendance are Volkan Bozkr, former President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly and former Minister for EU Affairs of Turkiye from 2015 to 2016, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, former President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012, and Penny Low, Member of Parliament in Singapore from 2001 to 2015 and founder of Social Innovation Park.

The XII Global Baku Forum started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Editor's note: China is evolving into a consumption-driven economy. As it strives to revitalize consumption, the focus has shifted beyond price competition to tailored innovation, where personalized demand fuels premium-quality supply and shapes new consumption landscapes. At this key juncture, Xinhua presents three stories that explore China's "new consumption trends" and their role in driving sustained growth. The second instalment in this series explores how mass-market products have pivoted to niche audiences and transformed into stylish brands. SHANGHAI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- From neck-worn electric breast pumps to camellia oil-infused diapers, Chinese small-scale manufacturers have reinvented themselves as pioneering brands, driving innovation to fuel new momentum for high-quality growth. They have moved away from cutthroat price competition and copying popular designs for cheap alternatives, instead focusing on meeting consumers' increasing demand for uniqueness and personalization. "China's consumer market is undergoing tremendous transformation," said Tang Jiansheng, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Consumer Council. "Future growth will stem from product excellence, emotional connection and cultural significance, fostering a unique Chinese consumption ecosystem." BRAND TRANSFORMATION A neck-worn electric breast pump, designed to resemble stylish earphones, has rapidly gained popularity in the online market since its debut in April last year. Produced by the Shanghai-based maternity brand SnowBear, the product's silent, hands-free pumping mode has addressed nursing mothers' increasing demand for privacy, comfort and style. Many online buyers have hailed it as a "gangxu" or a must-have during their breastfeeding period. Sales of this niche brand have skyrocketed since the product's debut on Pinduoduo, a leading Chinese e-commerce platform, generating a total revenue of 84 million yuan (about 11.6 million U.S. dollars) by the end of 2024. Yin Zhifeng, SnowBear's vice president, attributed the brand's success to its deep resonance with Gen-Z Chinese mothers, who prioritize products that blend tech-driven functionality, stylish design and emotional value. Yiying, a diaper maker based in Quanzhou, a prominent diaper manufacturing hub in east China's Fujian Province, is another example of how local small and medium-sized enterprises are breaking through market competition by innovating new products to expand their profit margins. Last August, Yiying rolled out a new product that drew on local wisdom by infusing camellia oil, traditionally used to soothe diaper rash. Sales soared, reaching one million units within a month of its launch. This personalized innovation has pushed per-unit diaper prices beyond 1 yuan, with some selling for as much as 1.6 yuan per piece, a price tier previously unattainable for domestic diaper brands. FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION Amid the rising popularity of traditional Chinese attire, the "Mamianqun," a long pleated skirt crafted by clothing workshops in Caoxian County in east China's Shandong Province, is experiencing robust sales. This commercial success didn't stem from the factory owners' newfound business acumen but was driven by the smart production capabilities of COSMOPlat, an industrial IoT platform developed by China's home appliance giant Haier, headquartered in Qingdao. Initially, small manufacturers in Caoxian hesitated to scale up mass production due to concerns over the risks of rapid style obsolescence in the fast-paced e-commerce market. During a visit to a garment workshop in Qingdao, a delegation from Caoxian was impressed by COSMOPlat's flexible production line, which enabled small-batch, rapid-response manufacturing -- a stark contrast to traditional rigid assembly systems. This innovation allowed multiple styles to be produced on a single line, cutting the production cycle from 20 days to just seven. Finally, a full-process digital Mamianqun factory was inaugurated last March in Caoxian through the partnership with COSMOPlat. Efficiencies in order management, data-driven production decision-making and AI-optimized warehouse operations have significantly improved, driving daily output from just hundreds to over 10,000 pieces. Like Caoxian's cloth-makers, a growing number of Chinese upstream manufacturers are also exploring ways to map out granular, precise and forward-looking consumer profiles to cater to personalized tastes. In Wenzhou, one of China's key shoe manufacturing hubs, Kangnai is revolutionizing footwear design with its groundbreaking "foot arch database." With a repository of over three million digital footprints, this cutting-edge system connects customer needs with factory designs, rendering a seamless pathway to high-end custom shoes that perfectly match individual foot shapes. Combining digital technology with manufacturing and market accessibility has been highlighted in this year's government work report. "The wide use of 5G, AI and IoT technologies have supported new consumption patterns," said Wang Wei, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council. "They've broken traditional consumption barriers, created smart consumption scenarios, and enabled diverse new products," Wang added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset has welcomed the announcements of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the finalization of negotiations on the draft peace agreement, Trend reports.

"When joining the Council of Europe in 2001, both countries pledged to work towards peaceful cooperation. This draft agreement is evidence of the will in both member states to fulfil this potential and build a stable and lasting peace in the region.

It is now crucial to maintain this momentum and ensure the smooth completion of this process, in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and with full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, in line with the Statute of the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe fully supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the statement reads.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Fernando Francos Lorca, Caru Alves de Souzas A City for Christine and Diana Toucedos To Live in a Shout look like possible standouts at next weeks 2025 Malaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF), one of Europes principal forums for projects from Spain and Latin America seeking new partners and distribution.

Also sparking good word of mouth are A Decorous Woman, headlined by The Maid star Catalina Saavedra, Fernando Tatos family drama Goodbye Berta, Alvaro Lopez Albas Three Summer Days, an intimate three-parter, and LGBTQ coming of age story Her Ocean.

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The 25-title selection also boasts a notable line in buzzy genre movies from Latin America from young women directors: Paula Martels Argentine teen Western First We Take Anillaco, the Dominican Republics Maguana Racing from Maia Otero and Juliano Kunert and immigration horror tale The Tenants, from Perus Maria Paz Barragan.

Nine of the features are directed by women: in an indication of the tenor of Spanish and Latin American filmmaking from emerging talent, near all address social malaise, from big city construction (A City for Christine) to environmental ravagement (Green Inferno), Europes openess to immigration (To Live in a Shout), drug trade collateral (Goodbye, Berta), fast eclipsed LGBT revolution (The Queers Riot), corruption (Everything Must Go) and, intriguingly in The Espejos, the limitations of Latin Americas wars of independence.

Above all, a significant clutch of movies focus on violence, in its manifold manifestations: its physical nightmare (Lorca), its endemic proliferation (Forest Walk, another genre movie), and violence as an act of resistance and part of the eternal cycle of deception in Latin American, as First We Take Anillaco director Paul Martel puts it.

Below, a breakdown of nearly all the titles, where Variety has been able to access details:

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A City for Christine, (Uma cidade para Christine, Caru Alves de Souza, Brazil)

From Brazils Alves de Souza, a Berlin Crystal Bear Winner for My Name is Baghdad and one of Varietys Brazil: 10 Next Gen Talents to Track. A gender revenge drama which, in an original concept, also questions the logic of large urban centers, marked by exclusion and the commodification of spaces and human relationships, as Alves de Souza puts it. Reuniting Alves de Souza with her career long producer Manjericao Filmes.

A Decorous Woman, (Una Senorita de Buena Presencia, Natalia Luque, Chile, France)

Catalina Saavedra, who gave a tour de force performance in Sebastian Silvas The Maid, plays 55-year-old hairdresser Marta Maria, aided surprisingly by a much younger female friend to come out of her shell. A dramedy, the film explores intergenerational bonds among women and their influence, says Luque.

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Danger Crocodile, (Perigo Crocodilo, Flavio Botelho, Brazil, Mexico)

Set up at Botelhos Trailer Filmes, and marking his feature debut, plus Brazilian powerhouse Ventre Studio (Godless John) and Mexicos El Caiman, a Mexico-set road movie as Joao, his marriage with his husband in crisis, sets off on the highways of Mexico with Lucia, who is carrying the couples baby. A Frapa Prize best script winner at the 3rd Sur Frontera WIP Lab.

Perigo Crocodilo

The Espejos, (Los hermanos Espejo, Jose Maria Aviles, Ecuador, Sweden)

Unspooling in Ecuador at a remote hacienda in 1808 as two revolutions clash: the emancipation of the oppressed; the other, oligarchic, looking for independence from Spain and greater power to rule. The two uprising meet, subverting everything. An open-ended question about the idea of revolution against colonial powers, says co-writer producer Felipe Troya.

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Everything Must Go, (Que se acabe todo, Moises Sepulveda, Chile, Spain, Mexico)

Maria, 61, discovers some colleagues are scams clients. She whistle blows only to discover her bosses are also involved. A dark comedy co-written by Alicia Scherson and Moises Sepulveda, producer at Chiles Juntos Films of Immersion, made in a longterm production alliance with Mexicos Whisky Content, with Spains TV ON now boarding as well.

First We Take Anillaco, (Primero tomamos Anillaco, Paula Martel, Argentina, Chile, Brazil,Uruguay)

One of the most-anticipated projects at MAFF, already a powerful four-way co-production written-directed by Paula Martel and a teenage western with Tarantino-like flair, she says. Set in December 2001, amid a devastating crisis, Lali, 18, flees with fearless teenage guerrillas convinced that Carlos Menem is to blame for the countrys collapse, determined to meet the former president in his lavish mansion in Anillaco and assassinate him.

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Forest Walk, (A Estirada, Sergio de Carvalho, Pedro von Kruger, Brazil)

In pre-production, set for a September shoot, a survival thriller set in a violence-stricken Amazon, ravaged by climate change, as two young drug mules and a former guerrilla battle drug traffickers, natural threats and their inner demons. Saci Filmes, Com Dominio Filmes, Eita Pau Producoes produce.

Forest Walk

The Gaga of La Ceja, (Jeissy Trompiz, Dominican Republic, Venezuela)

Set against the background of Gaga music, born in Haitian sugar cane plantations in the Dominican Republic and performed with drums, rattles, rustic trumpets and bamboo flutes, as dancers invoke Loas, protective spirits. The doc feature, from Trompiz, follows Pirulo, a percussionist, who attempts to restore harmony after his groups leader has ired the Laos, the protective spirits.

The Gaga of La Ceja

Green Inferno, (Animal Lluvioso, Laura Astorga, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Panama)

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Marina is an environmentalist defending her paradise. Fernando is a congressman who lost his sanity after his daughter died in a fire. Elena is a reporter who discovers the fire was intentional, the synopsis runs. Inspired by true events, A passion project for Astorga (Red Princeses) now in advanced development after five years of research.

Goodbye Berta, (Adeus, Berta, Fernando Tato, Spain)

Alicia is forced to return from Santiago, Galicias capital, to look after sister Berta when shes expelled from a rehab center. A feature, expanding the short of the same name, which explores the collateral damage of Galicias 1980s lost generation, young victims of the regions drug trade boom, says producer Alba Gallego.

Goodbye, Berta

Her Ocean, (El mar la mar, Julian Amaru Estrada, Peru, Spain, Mexico)

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A standout at Sanfic Industrias 2022 Productoras Lab and now a three-way co-production beween Perus Final Abierto, Spains Solita Films and Mexicos Apapacho Films. The LGBTQ coming of age story turns on Ray, a teen fisherman who sets out in search of his mother in a Peruvian jungle city. Visually stunning, dynamic and dreamy,  says producer Maria Paz Barragan.

Her Ocean

Im Not Universal, (No Soy Universal, Celia de Molina, Spain)

Set up at Solita Films, headed by brothers Cesar and and Jose Esteban Alenda, behind multiple Spanish and Latin American new auteurs. Here in the tale of a screenwriter whos told her script about womens taboos is not universal, the new talent is Spains De Molina, an actress (Kings of the Night) and writer-creator (El Antivlog). With a sharp comedic talent, Celia brings distinctive, gender-aware narratives to life, says Jose Esteban Alenda.

No soy universal

Lorca, (aka Nightfall, Fernando Franco, Spain)

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A project with a lot going for it: Written by Fernando Navarro (Veronica, Below Zero), directed by always interesting auteur Fernando Franco, a San Sebastian and Goya winner for Wounded, backed by La Terraza Films, producer of Spanish Oscar entry Saturn Return, and a subject which haunts so many people. This is not a film about the last days of Lorca the poets life. Its about the nightmare that Federico, the person, went through, says producer Judit Climent Torras.

Lorca

Maguana Racing, (Maia Otero, Juliano Kunert, )

At MAFF having scored the Dominica Republics Fonprocine National Production Film Fund backing, a comedy starring Maia Otero (My Uncles Movie) written-directed by Otero and Kunert about a novice nun who, with Archangel Michael at her side, discovers God in illegal street racing. Otero and Kunert carry the pulse of a new Caribbean cinema that refuses to be categorized, says producer Pablo Chea.

The Queers Riot, (La Rebelion de las Raras, Wincy Oyarce, Creas Films, Chile)

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The Malaga Festival Industry Zone winner from Wincy Oyarce, a Chilean LGBT pioneer, celebrated for 2008s Empana de pino, a horror film starring Hija de Perra, and 2023 breakout doc-feature Tan Inmunda y Tan Feliz. A fiction feature with doc elements, charting the first recorded homosexual demonstration in Santiago, Chile organized in April 1973 by a group of young boy sex workers.

La rebelion de las raras

Pink Desert, (Desierto rosa, Constanza Majluf-Baeza, Chile, Peru)

1970. A desert mining town, north Chile. Mariola, known in town as Mario, is invited by a theater company of transvestites, to travel to Lima. During the journey, Mariola begins to discover who she has always wanted to be. Returning to Chile, a new era of political and social change drives her to affirm her identity. Written by Majluf-Baeza and Cannes Queer Palm winner Ignacio Juricic (Lost Queens). Rodrigo Diaz produces, as on A Decorous Woman, with Perus Mestizo Films having just boarded the project.

Tenants, (Se buscan inquilinos, Maria Paz Barragan, Peru, Spain)

Barragans second MAFF title, here as co-writer director-producer, an immigration horror feature, exploring class, racism and xenophobia but through genre, building to what looks like a chilling finale. Liked at Iberseries Platino Industria and Ventana Surs Proyecta. Final Abierto, Spains Batiak Films, behind Berlinale Fipresci winner The Human Hibernation, and Elora Posthouse co-produce.

Three Summer Days, (Tres dias de verano, Alvaro Lopez Alba, Spain)

From Nexus CreaFilms, flying high after first feature,Deaf snagged a 2025 Berlin Panorama Audience Award, Three Summer Days has also been put through the ECAM Madrid Film Schools Incubator, always a good sign. Lopez Albas debut feature captures a close-knit family of a father and two children, now unravelling, seen on three occasions Rashomon style from their differing points of view. Magnetica Cine co-produces, more partners to be announced.

To Live in a Shout, (Querer Vivir un Grito, Diana Toucedo, Spain)

A gripping drama about Lola, a U.N. human rights activist whose life unravels when her Syrian friend Fariya disappears while attempting to enter Europe. Catalonias Alba Sotorra and Galicias Miramemira produce. Diana Toucedo (Thirty Souls) directs with Estibaliz Urresola (20,000 Species of Bees) now on board to co-write with her. A high-caliber talent package. The film raises pressing questions about our identity as Europeans in a time of growing uncertainty, says Sotorra.

The Tree of the Broken Shadow, (Nicolas Baksht, Mexico)

A doc-feature to be made entirely with film and photo archives, worked on by animators from Mexicos Lo Coloco Films detailing the hate crimes in producer Daniel Corkidis family history: Grandmother Carmens death at 21, victim of femicide; the execution of great-grandfather Gabriel, an anti-fascist double spy, in the Spanish Civil War; the disappearance of his great-great grandparents, both Jewish, in Stalins Belarus.

The Tree of the Broken Shadow

The Violinist, (Ervin Han, Raul Garcia, TV ON Producciones, Robot Playground Media, Spain, Singapore)

A co-production of large artistic ambition and narrative sweep, turning on two young violinists and lovers separated by Japans WWII invasion of Malaya. Kai joins the Resistance, disappears. Fei, determined, spends the next 20 years performing throughout Southeast Asia in search of him. Directed by Singapore animation veteran Han and Raul Garcia, Annie-nominated for Everlasting Tales, a 2D animated feature to track.

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In the short span of just over a decade, Bureo, a small company based in Ventura, CA, has worked with local fishermen and coastal communities in Chile to divert nearly 15 million pounds of abandoned fishing nets from the ocean and recycled that waste into new products. The used nets are collected, sorted, and recycled into their patented NetPlus pellets that have found a myriad of uses thanks to support from partners in the surf and outdoor industry.

In a recent conversation with co-founder David Stover I was fortunate to hear their remarkable story in-depth. At the root of it all was the shared feeling that, We owe it to the ocean to do something positive because surfing has brought so much into our lives.

Having grown up on a small island off of the coast of Rhode Island, and later having lived the good life in Australia, Stover recounts that it was in his mid-20s that he began to travel more extensively, in search not just for good waves, but also a deeper meaning to life. While the waves, new friendships, and memorable experiences were abundant, so was pollution.

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We couldnt get away from plastic, it was everywhere. Indonesia in particular was a real shocking eye-opener to the extent of the problem. This realization sparked a desire to come up with a solution and that, for us to be successful, we needed to come up with one specific focus to help the ocean.

All plastic in the ocean is a result of human activity, and there are two main types: one is single-use plastic like water bottles, plastic bags, and food containers, the other is ghost fishing gear like nets, lines, traps, and buoys. While any discarded plastic is a threat to marine environments the most harmful type are discarded fishing nets. Once abandoned, they lie just below the surface and create huge risks for all types of marine lifefrom smaller fish to the largest whales (see below).

The source of the problem began decades ago when the first plastic fishing nets hit the seas. On one hand, they were lighter, more durable, and easier to fix than the existing nets made of natural fiberson the other hand, they take hundreds of years to break down. Even as more and more nets started to litter the ocean, a comprehensive collection plan was never put in place via harbors, ports, or marinas. The fisherman often had no choice other than to burn them (releasing toxic smoke) or dispose of them in the same environments that support their livelihoods.

It was in 2013 that co-founders David Stover, Ben Kneppers, and Kevin Ahearn spent the year living in Chile, where they had successfully pitched the government on a plan to tackle the discarded nets, and Bureo began to come to life. The aha moment came when they learned that the nylon used to make the nets was actually a highly recyclable material and could be turned into traceable pellets for a second life that posed no risk to the ocean.

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We first pitched our friend Tim Silverwood, founder of Take 3 in Australia, and Curtis Lowe, from Project Clean Uluwatu, for advice on how to get things going as we really respected what they were doing. Kyle Parsons, founder of Indosole, was another great resource that helped get us thinking more about industrial ecology and how to solve problems along those lines.

Since their very first product, a recycled fishnet cruiser skateboard, they have since worked with an array of brands keen to utilize their trademarked NetPlus material to replace virgin plastics and therefore offer more ocean-friendly products to consumers. Partners include (but are not limited to), Patagonia, Outerknown, Finisterre, Futures, Yeti, Burton, Carver, Quiksilver, Costa Sunglasses, Rivian and more.

We were so lucky to receive the support of Jack Johnson early on, we met him when he was on tour and he invited us to a show on the North Shore and got a ton of our skateboards to give to friends, family, and kids at the local schools. That was really a tremendous breakthrough for us. Thanks again Jack!

Their work wouldn't be possible without the support of the local fishermen and coastal communities and the brands within the surfing and larger outdoor industry that collaborate to find ways to integrate net plus into their products.

Bureo is SURFER approved.

Related: 4.6 Million SeaTrees Planted & They're Just Getting Started
Brigitte Macron joined her husband, French president Emmanuel Macron, to host the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Wednesday. Frances first lady favored one of her staple wardrobe colors for the special occasion.

The French first lady opted for nautical inspiration married with utilitarian elements and a statement belt moment. Brigitte Macron wore a navy blue coatdress, featuring long sleeves and a slit on the skirt. The dress, which was designed with a high neckline, included gold button detailing running down the bodice of the maxidress.

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Brigitte Macron hosts the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 12 in Paris.

Along with the nautical-inspired, utilitarian navy gown, Macron added a black statement belt to her waist to create more definition.

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Accessories worn by Macron were minimal, save for a pair of statement earrings. She also wore sheer black tights and pointed-toe black pumps.

Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron host the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 12 in Paris.

Blue has long been a prominently featured color for Macrons wardrobe throughout her tenure as the first lady of France. Macron has styled variations on the shade for such occasions as the state dinner with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in February.

Macron also has a tendency to create coordinated sartorial moments with other high-profile figures in Europe. While visiting the U.K. to celebrate the Entente Litteraire Prize Award Ceremony in December 2024, Macron wore a blue look that served to complement Queen Camillas attire.

Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron host the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 12 in Paris.

More recently, however, Macron forwent her signature blues for a bold black look at Stella McCartneys fall 2025 ready-to-wear runway show during Paris Fashion Week on March 5.

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Launch Gallery: Brigitte Macron's Style Through the Years [PHOTOS]

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It has been one month since 14-year-old Emily Pike's body was found by police. Investigating agencies have yet to make an arrest or publicly name a suspect in her death.

The San Carlos Apache teenager was found dead on Valentine's Day on a forest road northeast of Globe after being reported missing from her group home in Mesa.

What happened between when Pike ran away from her home and when her body was found nearly 100 miles away from where she was last seen is under investigation by the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

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The Sheriff's Office said detectives are "vigorously" working to bring justice to Pike and her family despite no arrests being made.

Here's what we know.

What happened to Emily Pike?

According to officials, Pike ran away from a group home in Mesa where she was living about 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 27. She was last seen on foot near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road in Maricopa County.

Seventeen days later, her body was found in a wooded area near Globe off U.S. 60 north on Forest Service Road No. 355 after someone walking nearby noticed garbage bags on the side of the road and called the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

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Pike's body was found in multiple bags, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson said. The cause and manner of death were under investigation, according to the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, which investigates deaths in Gila County.

No suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made in connection with her death as of Thursday, the Gila County Sheriff's Office said.

An internal memo posted on Facebook by the Gila County Sheriff's Office leaked information about the condition of Pike's body when it was found, sparking an outcry on social media. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office said the information was not officially released and declined to comment.

No details on how the leak occurred have been released.

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An Amber Alert was not issued for Pike's disappearance because police did not have information that she was abducted or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, a Mesa Police Department spokesperson said.

It is unknown why Pike left the group home and how she ended up in Globe.

Greater backing: Missing Indigenous Amber Alert bill receives renewed support after Emily Pike's death

Who was Emily Pike?

Pike was a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. She was living at a Mesa group home at the time of her disappearance, though some of her family members live on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

She was described by family members and friends as a shy and quiet girl with an infectious smile. One relative likened her to Tinker Bell, sparkling and full of light.

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"I've been crying every day," said Agatha Key, Pike's grandmother, at a candlelight vigil honoring the Indigenous teen. "She's my only granddaughter."

Pike loved anything pink and sparkly, relatives said. She was looking forward to attending college, pursuing art and getting a cat. Those who knew her said she did well in school and was sweet and soft-spoken.

Authorities declined to comment on why she was placed in the group home, how she came to be in the care of Tribal Social Services and how long she was in the home. They also declined to comment on whether this was her first time in foster care.

Showing support: Indigenous community rallies around slain San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike

What do we know about the group home?

The Arizona Department of Child Services, which provides licenses to group homes, opened a license inquiry into the home on Wednesday, though the agency does not believe the home contributed to Pike's death. The department did not comment on what prompted the investigation into the group home.

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Mesa police declined to identify the group home, citing the privacy of the children there.

Police said the group home had a history of reporting children missing. Over three years, Mesa police responded to more than 80 calls for missing persons at the group home, 30 of which resulted in missing persons reports for 18 people. Multiple people were reported missing two or more times, police said.

Pike had run away from the home four times, three of which resulted in missing children reports, according to Mesa police. She ran away twice in 2023 and once in 2025.

Other calls to the home over three years included welfare checks, suicide attempts and sexual assault. The majority of calls were for missing persons.

Who is investigating?

The Gila County Sheriff's Office was investigating, along with two federal agencies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI. Other local agencies, including the San Carlos Apache Police Department, have also joined the investigation.

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Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact a Gila County Sheriff's Office detective at 928-200-2352, a Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent at 505-917-7830 or a San Carlos Apache tribal police detective at 928-475-1755.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No arrests made in Emily Pike death investigation after 1 month
Some 100 billion ($109 billion) has been earmarked to help fight climate change as part of a massive 500-billion infrastructure package for Germany, dpa learned on Friday from the three parties involved in the negotiations.

Some of the money will be used to make the economy more climate friendly, the sources said.

The conservative bloc, comprised of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens had been involved in intensive negotiations to relax Germany's strict debt rules to boost military spending and to create the 500 billion fund.

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However, until Friday the Greens had refused to back the plan, which would need their support to reach the necessary two-thirds majority in the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany's parliament.

A vote on the package is set for Tuesday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. During a hearing at the Baku Military Court on Friday, defendant Bako Sahakyan, in response to prosecutors questions, stated that the so-called regimes "army" was controlled by Armenias Armed Forces, Trend reports.

He emphasized that the so-called regimes "army" was the largest formation within the Armenian Armed Forces.

Sahakyan also noted that the president of Armenia appointed the "defense minister," "chief of the general staff of the armed forces," and other high-ranking officials of the so-called regime based on recommendations from Armenias Ministry of Defense. He clarified that he was not involved in these appointments, adding, We did not hide it.

The defendant acknowledged that all matters related to the divisions and management of the so-called regimes "military structures" were handled by the Republic of Armenia.

Court proceedings continue against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including preparing and conducting a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violations of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and numerous other offenses resulting from Armenias military aggression.
DENVER (KDVR)  A fire on an American Airlines plane after it diverted mid-flight and landed at Denver International Airport sent passengers fleeing onto a wing in a fraught evacuation amid billowing clouds of smoke. Airport officials said 12 people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

The country has seen a recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls stoking fears about air travel, though flying remains a very safe mode of transport. Recent on-the-ground incidents have included a plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport.

12 taken to hospital after fire seen under American Airlines plane at DIA

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In this latest incident, Flight 1006 was headed from the Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth on Thursday, but diverted to Denver and landed safely around 5:15 p.m. after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. While taxiing to the gate, an engine on the Boeing 737-800 caught fire, the FAA added.

Photos and videos posted by news outlets showed passengers exiting the plane onto its left wing as an engine on the right wing burned and black smoke surrounded the aircraft. They lined up and got to the ground using slides and ladders brought over by groundcrews, according to the FAA, videos and passenger interviews.

American said in a statement that the flight experienced an engine-related issue after taxiing to the gate. There was no immediate clarification on exactly when the plane caught fire.

All 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated from the plane, authorities and airport officials said. American Airlines referred questions about the 12 people taken to hospitals to local officials. Ten people were taken to the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora but spokesperson Kelli Christensen said she did not have an update on how many were there Friday.

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A replacement plane and crew took passengers to Dallas-Fort Worth, the airline said. The flight landed Friday around 5 a.m. local time, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

How common are airplane fires?

Engine fires are very rare with crews trained to deal with them, according to aviation expert Steven Wallace. They typically are not catastrophic even if they occur in the air since planes can fly with a single engine, he said.

A pilot going to work for an airline today could likely fly for 30 years and never experience an engine failure, said Wallace, a former director of the FAAs accident investigations office.

Former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman James Hall said the reported engine vibrations were unusual but a slew of problems could have caused them and a fire, making it difficult to speculate on.

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As for the recent spate of aviation incidents, given the past history, you can classify it as unusual, said Hall, but I dont know if you have enough information to draw any conclusions.

A passengers account of what happened

After hearing midflight that something was wrong with the engine and theyd have to land, passenger Daniel Friedman said in an interview with a WRAL-TV reporter at the Denver airport that he started thinking about who he would call and in what order and writing a eulogy.

Really I just wanted to make sure we got here safe and didnt know if it was going to happen or not, Friendman said.

When the plane caught fire after landing, flames could be seen right outside the window and people pushed and shoved to get off the plane, Friedman said. Once emergency doors opened, people hopped onto the wing and then onto ladders to get off the plane, he said. He said he scratched his leg jumping off the wing onto a ladder. Once on the ground, Friedman wanted to call friends and family to tell them he loved them.

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Friedman said he has concerns that hes been hearing of so many aviation incidents lately.

Hopefully this never happens to me or anybody else again because thats not a good day, he said. I dont wish that upon anybody.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have said they will investigate.

We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, American Airlines said.

Colorado resident Ian Paisley was at the airport Friday to fly to Hawaii with his family and said they fly about three or four times a year. He heard about Thursdays fire but didnt think that it would change his familys plans.

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We can have confidence that even though these are terrible things that happen and very frightening for people, that for most of us its not going to be something that affects our lives and we can have confidence that we can still go up in the air and be safe, he said.

An American Airlines flight was on fire at DIA on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Courtesy Erik Moon) An American Airlines flight was on fire at DIA on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Courtesy Erik Moon)

American Airlines provided a statement to Nexstars KDVR saying:

After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue. The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
DENVER (KDVR)  A fire on an American Airlines plane after it diverted mid-flight and landed at Denver International Airport sent passengers fleeing onto a wing in a fraught evacuation amid billowing clouds of smoke. Airport officials said 12 people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

The country has seen a recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls stoking fears about air travel, though flying remains a very safe mode of transport. Recent on-the-ground incidents have included a plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport.

12 taken to hospital after fire seen under American Airlines plane at DIA

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In this latest incident, Flight 1006 was headed from the Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth on Thursday, but diverted to Denver and landed safely around 5:15 p.m. after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. While taxiing to the gate, an engine on the Boeing 737-800 caught fire, the FAA added.

Photos and videos posted by news outlets showed passengers exiting the plane onto its left wing as an engine on the right wing burned and black smoke surrounded the aircraft. They lined up and got to the ground using slides and ladders brought over by groundcrews, according to the FAA, videos and passenger interviews.

American said in a statement that the flight experienced an engine-related issue after taxiing to the gate. There was no immediate clarification on exactly when the plane caught fire.

All 172 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated from the plane, authorities and airport officials said. American Airlines referred questions about the 12 people taken to hospitals to local officials. Ten people were taken to the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora but spokesperson Kelli Christensen said she did not have an update on how many were there Friday.

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A replacement plane and crew took passengers to Dallas-Fort Worth, the airline said. The flight landed Friday around 5 a.m. local time, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

How common are airplane fires?

Engine fires are very rare with crews trained to deal with them, according to aviation expert Steven Wallace. They typically are not catastrophic even if they occur in the air since planes can fly with a single engine, he said.

A pilot going to work for an airline today could likely fly for 30 years and never experience an engine failure, said Wallace, a former director of the FAAs accident investigations office.

Former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman James Hall said the reported engine vibrations were unusual but a slew of problems could have caused them and a fire, making it difficult to speculate on.

Advertisement Advertisement

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As for the recent spate of aviation incidents, given the past history, you can classify it as unusual, said Hall, but I dont know if you have enough information to draw any conclusions.

A passengers account of what happened

After hearing midflight that something was wrong with the engine and theyd have to land, passenger Daniel Friedman said in an interview with a WRAL-TV reporter at the Denver airport that he started thinking about who he would call and in what order and writing a eulogy.

Really I just wanted to make sure we got here safe and didnt know if it was going to happen or not, Friendman said.

When the plane caught fire after landing, flames could be seen right outside the window and people pushed and shoved to get off the plane, Friedman said. Once emergency doors opened, people hopped onto the wing and then onto ladders to get off the plane, he said. He said he scratched his leg jumping off the wing onto a ladder. Once on the ground, Friedman wanted to call friends and family to tell them he loved them.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Friedman said he has concerns that hes been hearing of so many aviation incidents lately.

Hopefully this never happens to me or anybody else again because thats not a good day, he said. I dont wish that upon anybody.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have said they will investigate.

We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, American Airlines said.

Colorado resident Ian Paisley was at the airport Friday to fly to Hawaii with his family and said they fly about three or four times a year. He heard about Thursdays fire but didnt think that it would change his familys plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

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We can have confidence that even though these are terrible things that happen and very frightening for people, that for most of us its not going to be something that affects our lives and we can have confidence that we can still go up in the air and be safe, he said.

An American Airlines flight was on fire at DIA on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Courtesy Erik Moon) An American Airlines flight was on fire at DIA on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Courtesy Erik Moon)

American Airlines provided a statement to Nexstars KDVR saying:

After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue. The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Mar. 13After a 13-hour manhunt, police arrested a homicide suspect from a Wednesday night shooting in Miamisburg.

At about 12:16 p.m. Thursday, police arrested the 32-year-old suspect in West Carrollton.

The suspect was booked on a preliminary count of murder, Miamisburg police Chief Mike Brem said.

The Dayton Daily News typically does not identify suspects prior to formal charges being filed.

A couple walking down the street near South Elm Street and West Blossom Hill Road saw the suspect and called police, Brem said.

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"They saw the post on social media, saw that it was him and called us for help," he said. "We can't thank them enough for being willing to communicate that to us."

At 9:27 p.m. Wednesday police responded a reported shooting in the 700 block of Golden Arrow Court.

Officers arrived and found 52-year-old Leslie Ross dead with multiple gunshot wounds, Brem said.

The suspect and Ross had a fight inside the home prior to the shooting, he added.

They met each other recently and the suspect reportedly brought Ross to the house. However, how they became acquainted is not clear.

Ross was a Dayton resident, and the suspect has lived in Indiana and other states, the chief said. While they were staying at the house, they were not residents.

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The suspect fled the scene with a handgun before police arrived. Investigators interviewed two witnesses, including a resident who was arrested for an unrelated felony drug warrant.

Police have a history with the home, but it's not clear if that history is related to the homicide, Brem said.

The Tactical Crime Suppression Unit, Ohio State Highway Patrol avian unit, Miamisburg and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office canine units, Miami Valley Fire District and West Carrollton Fire Department all assisted in the arrest.

"When I say it took everyone, it literally did," Brem said. "Miamisburg and the surrounding community made this horrible incident come to a peaceful resolution."

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The chief asked anyone in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood in West Carrollton and Miamisburg to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, such as a backpack or clothing.

The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered, and investigators are working to gather more evidence.

People can call Miamisburg police at 937-847-6600 if they have any information on the shooting.
After a lot of doubt, the news has been confirmed: The tariffs on goods coming into the United States from Canada, Mexico, and China are now in place. Depending on where you sit on the political spectrum, you might be celebrating this as a win or shaking your head in horror -- but no matter your opinions, you can't deny that things are gonna get a lot pricier. The tariffs will have an immediate knock-on effect on how much things cost, and unfortunately, it's unlikely that big retailers will keep their prices as they are. Although stores like Walmart might be able to absorb some of the cost, inevitably a lot of these price increases will be passed down to you, and groceries are likely to be hit harder than pretty much anything else.

That's bad news for people who shop at Walmart. The massive supermarket chain has been warning of price increases in its stores since the end of 2024, with its CFO John David Rainey saying that "there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers," in an interview with CNBC. The problem is that Walmart, like so many other large supermarket chains, relies on a complicated web of imports to ensure that its products are always available. A lot of those products come from -- you guessed it! -- Canada and Mexico, and there are a fair few ingredients that you might not expect to be affected which are gonna become more pricey.

Read more: Ranking 12 Grocery Store Hot Dogs From Worst To Best

Marketside Homestyle Guacamole

Marketside Homestyle Guacamole - Walmart

The ever-popular Mexican dip guacamole can be made anywhere in the world, with ingredients sourced locally -- but if you're buying it from Walmart in the U.S., you're unlikely gonna be able to escape the fact it's gonna get more expensive. Walmart's Marketside Homestyle Guacamole, along with its other own-brand guacamoles and many of the name-brand products it sells, are probably gonna be a lot pricier soon. The reason for this is that the avocados that go into these products are largely imported from Mexico. The U.S. simply doesn't have the climate to grow avocados year-round in a lot of places, and so big retailers like Walmart and Target look across the border, especially during its winter months, for a steady supply of stock.

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Naturally, this will also mean that any other products that use Mexican-imported avocados will also see a price increase. If you're a fan of fresh avocados, you're gonna have to probably pay more for those too. As the tariffs and the associated price increases will have an inevitable impact on the amount of supply coming in, it's also likely that U.S.-grown avocados will also get more expensive. It's a pretty bad time to be a guac fan.

Great Value Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Great Value Baking Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - Walmart

Tariffs have a habit of impacting even the most unassuming of groceries, and cocoa powder is one of them. Great Value Baking Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is one of the Walmart items that you might see increasing in price in the immediate future, thanks to the cost of imported cocoa in general going up. A significant amount of cocoa is imported into the U.S. from Canada yearly. In 2023, just over $2 billion dollars worth of cocoa was shipped over the border, with the U.S. being by far the largest market for Canadian cocoa manufacturers. If the cost of these goods goes up, it'll hit the bottom line pretty hard.

Unfortunately, this also means that any goods that are made with Canadian cocoa may also see a price increase. We're very sorry to say it, people, but you may well see chocolate start to get more expensive, as U.S. manufacturers scramble to find different suppliers and cocoa made in the U.S. gets more pricey as a knock-on effect. Additionally, items like already-expensive cocoa butter, fat, and oil could also get more pricey. The future's looking bleak for this deep-tasting treat.

Great Value Pure Maple Syrup

Great Value Pure Maple Syrup - Walmart

Maple syrup is perhaps the most unsurprising item that will be affected by tariffs placed on Canadian goods, but it's still worth pointing out how sad it is that it's gonna get more expensive. Walmart's Great Value Pure Maple Syrup, and all of its other maple syrups, will likely soon be rising in price, unless the supermarket finds a way to offset the tariff's impact with its other items. Canada produces more maple syrup than any other country in the world, with the majority of it being made in Quebec, and the U.S. is by far its biggest export market. Millions of pounds a year are sent over the border, and all of those pounds will cost the supermarkets, and the customers, more.

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It's not just the imported products that will get more expensive, either. "The tariffs will affect us more in equipment because all of the manufacturers of the sugar equipment are based out of Canada," says Milroy Farms owner Jason Blocher to WJAC. "They have U.S. facilities too but if they get into this tariff war and so on, yeah, our equipment costs are going to escalate because of it." Essentially, the tariffs will make the production of maple syrup expensive for manufacturers in the U.S. too -- so even if you're buying American-made syrup, it'll still cost you fairly soon.

Marketside Grass-Fed Ground Beef

Marketside Ground Beef - Walmart

It seems like nothing can stop the price of beef from continuing to rise, and it's just been dealt a death blow in the form of tariff action. Canada is one of the largest beef exporters in the world, and a huge amount of its product goes straight to U.S. stores. It's not just the ground beef you buy in stores that is exported, either, as Canada exports a large amount of its livestock to the U.S. for rearing and production.

Therefore, all of those different strands of beef production will get more expensive, and items like Marketside Ground Beef and others at Walmart will cost you even more than before. The problem, too, is that the U.S. isn't well-equipped at this point to replace its Canadian beef supply with cheaper alternatives. America is heavily reliant on the Canadian industry to feed its market, and if prices go up then the cost will be swallowed by the customer. The threat of tariff action has also caused certain ranchers based in Canada to shrink their herds, and now that the tariffs are going ahead it's likely more will follow suit. Less supply will equal even higher prices.

Great Value Whole Frozen Strawberries

Great Value Whole Frozen Strawberries - Walmart

Nothing is safe from tariffs, and even everyday items like frozen strawberries could soon be way more expensive. Walmart's Great Value Whole Frozen Strawberries, its sliced strawberries, and any frozen fruit mixes that contain strawberries could soon be experiencing a price rise. In addition to this, fresh strawberries at the store may also be more expensive soon. Oh, and you might also see other fruit getting pricier too. Fun, right?

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The problem is that the U.S. is a massive importer of strawberries from Mexico, and there's no getting around the knock-on effect that the tariffs will have on the cost of this fruit. The U.S. also imports hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bananas from Mexico, so any frozen nanners you like eating will also cost you more soon too. This is pretty bad news, as it's not like fruit is cheap in the first place. A pound of strawberries for your strawberry smoothie, frozen or otherwise, can set you back several dollars in Walmart and other stores, and the tariffs are just gonna make them even more unaffordable.

Bell Peppers

Fresh bell peppers in supermarket - Grace Cary/Getty Images

The price of your average bell pepper may not raise any eyebrows at the moment, but this humble vegetable (yes, we know it's a fruit really, but come on) is about to be a lot harder to justify buying. Walmart's Fresh Produce Bell Peppers will soon become significantly more expensive thanks to the tariff action on Mexico's exported goods. Like many other vegetables, bell peppers are supplied in abundance by Mexico to the U.S. Mexico is the second-largest producer of bell peppers worldwide, and many of its products go to America, which doesn't have the climate to grow them on the scale that it needs to create a fully domestic industry. As such, if they're significantly affected by tariffs (which looks to be certain), the price will pass down to the customer.

Now, business in the U.S. could of course start to look to other producers in the world to import its peppers. The issue is that some of the other producers could also be affected by tariffs. We mentioned that Mexico is the second-biggest producer in the world, and guess who the biggest producer is? China -- that little-known country that has also been slapped with tariffs by the current administration. Looks like no matter how you swing it, you're gonna be paying more in the short term.

Great Value Raw Shrimp

Great Value Raw Shrimp - Walmart

Shrimp is a lot of people's go-to for an easygoing protein, and generally speaking, it's not too pricey at Walmart. That could all be about to change, though, when the tariffs kick in. Great Value Frozen Peeled Tail On Extra Large Shrimp, and pretty much any other Walmart-brand variety of shrimp, will soon be burning a bigger hole in your pocket. The tariffs on Canadian and Mexican seafood will see prices increase across the board, and although the U.S. will seek to replace supply with products from other countries, it'll leave a lasting mark. "Even as Norway and Chile step in to supply the US, higher tariffs will drive up consumer prices -- potentially by up to 10% -- while reshaping global trade flows," says Philip Scrace, Kontali's chief analytics officer, via Fish Farming Expert.

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While the U.S. might try to address this in a longer-term way, any subsequent price drops won't happen overnight. "The long-term response will likely include producers seeking new markets and potential investment in domestic production in the US, though such changes take time," says Scrace. The result is that there might be an overall downturn in seafood consumption, as customers look to other proteins to avoid being caught short at the cash register.

Great Value Vanilla Wafers

Great Value Vanilla Wafers - Walmart

The humble vanilla wafer isn't an item that most people cite as being buffeted by the winds of tariff action, but sadly these sweet cookies will soon be harder to justify in your weekly grocery shop, and in the crust for your banana cream pie. Great Value Vanilla Wafer Cookies are likely to become more expensive, thanks to wafers themselves being a fairly big export for Canada to the U.S. Canada makes almost 9% of the world's wafers, and exports hundreds of millions of dollars worth to the U.S. every year. More than half of the wafers in the U.S. are imported from Canada, and the country takes in almost double the amount of the next-biggest import market, the United Kingdom.

It's kinda wild to think that these little biscuits make so much money, but they really do -- and by the looks of things, the U.S. just doesn't have the set-up to replace the massive amount of products that Canada makes. The result is that these wafers, and a lot of the other wafers sold at Walmart, will get pricier. You may also see knock-on effects on other biscuits and candy products, thanks to Canada's hold on the sugar market.

Marketside Mild Cantina Style Salsa

Marketside Mild Cantina Style Salsa - Walmart

Salsa is a standby item in countless kitchens across the country, and it's generally favored for being a cost-effective dip made from relatively cheap ingredients. Some of those ingredients, though, are about to get more expensive. Various fresh vegetables are due to increase in price with the tariffs, and tomatoes are about to get way pricier, thanks to being largely imported from Mexico. Industry experts expect to see at least a 25% increase in the cost of tomatoes pretty much immediately, meaning that Walmart's Marketside Mild Cantina Style Salsa, and any of its other Marketside salsas, will cost you more.

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Although some items affected by tariffs may be able to weather the storm a little due to coming from stronger industries, tomatoes just aren't going to be one of them. The margins that the fresh produce industry operates with are tiny, and a loss of approximately a quarter of these companies' earnings is just not something they can swallow. As a result, you, dear reader, will be the one paying the price. Oh, and it's not just salsa either -- basically anything that has a tomato in it, and tomatoes themselves, are going to get more expensive.

Great Value Sliced Almonds

Great Value Sliced Almonds - Walmart

It feels like one of life's great injustices that to eat more healthily, you have to spend more money. If you need any proof of that, take what's in your snack drawer. A bag of chips may only set you back a dollar or so, but a tiny bag of Great Value Sliced Almonds, a healthy and nutritious snack, costs way more -- and it's about to get even worse. Mexico is a massive exporter of tree nuts to the U.S., with the country exporting hundreds of millions of dollars of nuts per year. Canada, too, is a big export market, and any nuts produced in Canada and sold in the U.S. will also get more expensive.

As one of the most popular types of tree nut, sliced and whole almonds will undoubtedly be affected. However, other nuts sold at Walmart are also likely to shoot up in price, too. You can probably expect to see cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts also getting costlier. Plus, any food that contains tree nuts at Walmart, like some of its cakes and nut cookies, could also become more expensive.

Marketside Pepper Jack Cheese Cubes

Marketside Cubed Pepper Jack Cheese - Walmart

Look, folks. We're sorry. We know we're the bearers of bad news here, and basically telling you that every food you love is getting more expensive. However, we do unfortunately have a duty to inform you that even cheese isn't going to be untouched by tariffs, and will soon be costing you more at Walmart. Marketside Cubed Pepper Jack Cheese is just one of the cheeses that will shortly be shooting up in price thanks to the tariffs, due to America's existing trade relationship with Canada and its dairy industry. We can expect to see cheese prices rise by roughly a quarter, and things could get even more expensive if the tariff action causes U.S. companies to lose some of their trading partners altogether.

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To make matters worse (sorry!), it isn't just cheese that will be affected. Anything that comes out of the Canadian dairy industry and heads over the border will be costlier, too. That means milk, cream, and butter are all likely to become 25% more expensive very soon. Although some companies may divert to using U.S. producers, unless they can ramp up production imminently, it's pretty much a guarantee that they'll start charging more for their products.

Great Value Pure Granulated Sugar

Great Value Pure Granulated Sugar - Walmart

Honestly, is nothing safe from Donald Trump's tariffs? Apparently not -- and if you need any proof of this, look at what's about to happen to sugar. Walmart's Great Value Pure Granulated Sugar, and all of its other sugar products, may soon see a price hike thanks to the tariff that Trump has placed on Mexican goods. Mexico supplies a massive amount of sugar to the U.S. every year, with sugar itself being one of the biggest imported goods for the country. The U.S. also relies on Canada for its sugar exports and has built a strong trading relationship over the years.

As you might expect, too, it isn't just plain sugar that's going to get more expensive here. Any products coming from Mexico, Canada, or China that contains sugar from those countries will also become costlier. Plus, pretty much any type of sugar that comes from these targeted countries will be higher in price. It doesn't matter if it's white, brown, muscovado, or sugar syrup: You're paying more for it.

Great Value Canola Oil

Great Value Canola Oil - Walmart

It's not just the food you cook that's about to get more expensive thanks to the tariffs -- what you cook it in will get pricier too. Cooking oil is likely to bounce up in price immediately following the tariff action on Canada, with canola oil in particular being hit hard. Canada exports a huge amount of canola products to the U.S. yearly, with nearly 3 million tons of canola oil crossing the border in 2023. It also exports canola seed and meal to the U.S.

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Sadly, all of these products, which include Great Value Canola Oil sold at Walmart, will as a result soon be more expensive. The impact of the tariffs will also significantly affect Canadian farmers and their output. "The damaging blow of these duties will be felt by every canola farmer, starting with the price they receive at delivery and will extend to the full range of their operations, ultimately reducing farm profitability," says Canadian Canola Growers Association President & CEO Rick White, via Seed Today. "The destructive consequences for our farms, as well as our rural and national economies, are evident."

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City.

168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Lanny Lee David Scroggins. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Lanny Lee David Scroggins, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
DENVER (KDVR)  Two people were arrested in connection to a deadly Aurora shooting where a man was killed after he met up with the suspects to complete an online marketplace transaction.

The Aurora Police Department said 19-year-old Kevin Hernandez-Gonzalez and 19-year-old Isaac Delacruz were arrested Thursday night.

Suspected DUI driver arrested after deadly wrong-way crash on I-70

Hernandez-Gonzalez is facing charges of second-degree murder and aggravated robbery (driver). Delacruz is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery (shooter). They are both being investigated for additional robberies in the area, according to Aurora police.

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The Aurora police department said the Fugitive and Narcotics Unit, SWAT, Intel Unit, Electronic Support Section, Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, DPD Fugitive Unit, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, the Parker Police Department and DPDs Air One Unit all assisted in taking the suspects into custody.

The arrests stem from a deadly shooting at 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday in the 10800 block of East Bethany Drive. The area is north of Cherry Creek Reservoir.

When officers arrived at the business district, a man was found suffering from gunshot wounds. The 23-year-old was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Following an initial investigation, Aurora police said the victim went to the area after facilitating a transaction made through an online marketplace. Police said the sale was for a pair of shoes.

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The victims identity will be released by the coroners office at a later date.

Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Mar. 13RED WING, Minn.  The Red Wing Fire Department assisted two people stranded off the walking trail at He Mni Can-Barn Bluff in Red Wing on Wednesday morning, March 12, 2025.

The firefighters and paramedics ascended the bluff to locate the injured individuals. A first responder drone was also used, and the hikers were located. It took approximately one hour to reach both individuals, according to a statement from the fire department. They were safely transported back to ground level after being rescued.

The Red Wing Police Department, Goodhue County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Patrol Air Rescue Team and Red Wing Public Works also responded to the scene. Ellsworth Ambulance covered emergency ambulance services for the city during this response.
Two juveniles were arrested this week in South Carolina in connection with the shooting death of Cayden Morgan Casanova, 17, that happened on Jan. 18 on Hollow Creek Circle in North Charlotte.

PAST COVERAGE: CMPD investigating homicide in north Charlotte

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division obtained warrants for the two on charges of murder, attempted robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and felony conspiracy.

The kids were arrested in Columbus, South Carolina, and will be extradited back to Charlotte.

VIDEO: I-485 outer closed in south Charlotte due to wreck involving state trooper
HONOLULU (KHON2)  State officials continue their crackdown on illegal fireworks after the Department of the Attorney General sentenced two men and charged one woman in separate stings.

The Department of Attorney General said they successfully sentenced Wolfgang Clark and Daniel C. Young for selling illegal aerial fireworks to the community.

Hawaii State fireworks laws misaligned with Honolulu City ordinances

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Officials said both Clark and Young pled no contest and were granted a deferred plea to two counts of felony firework offenses.

Each offense can carry up to five years in prison as well as a $10,000 fine.

10 facts about Obamas $18M Hawaii beachfront mansion

The two men will be required to pay a $5,000 fine and will be under court supervision for four years.

In a separate sting, the AGs office charged Explicit Pyrotechnics, LLC. and its owner Josephine Quintanilla with Importation of Fireworks Without a Valid License or Permit.

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Officials said the company is alleged to have imported fireworks into the state without first obtaining a state permit, which is required.

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Quintanilla faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Where Hawaiis ranks in womens healthcare

The judgments in these cases are a step in the right direction for holding distributors accountable. If we are able to increase the penalties for fireworks distributors this legislative session, the Department of Law Enforcement is confident that we can reduce the availability of fireworks in our community. Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement

The Illegal Fireworks Task Force, Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department helped investigate each case.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Attorney General Anne Lopez shared they aim to do everything in their power to enforce the law to prevent incidents such as the Aliamanu New Years Eve firework explosion from happening again.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. During the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court on March 14, Armenian defendant Bako Sahakyan responded to questions from state prosecutors regarding the presence of Iskander M, Tochka U, and other destructive ammunition in Azerbaijans occupied territories.

Sahakyan admitted that these weapons did not exist in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, stating: "These weapons were not present in the territory of Karabakh. I can say for sure that during my term as 'President' (20072020), these weapons were not transported to Karabakh."

He continued, "Considering the importance of these weapons, if they had been provided to us, the 'army commander' should have informed me about it, although the 'head' of the 'defense entities' is not obligated to report to the 'president' of the so-called regime."

In response to a question regarding the shelling of civilian objects in Azerbaijan using the mentioned weapons and on whose orders it was carried out, Sahakyan stated: "I can confirm that those artillery shots did not come from the territory of Karabakh."

Court proceedings continue against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including preparing and conducting a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violations of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and other offenses committed during Armenias military aggression.
Editors note: This story mentions sexual assault.

The Cal Poly employee accused of posing as an Uber driver and sexually assaulting one female student and locking the other inside his vehicle while he asked for sexual favors apparently gave both victims fake cash after their assault, witnesses said in court Thursday.

Angel Munoz Quintana, 29, was arrested on Jan. 15 after two separate incidents in the neighborhoods adjacent to Cal Poly the weekend before, the San Luis Obispo Police Department said in a news release.

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The Nipomo resident was accused of posing as a rideshare driver and then sexually assaulting a female student. The other victim testified she was locked in Quintanas car as he asked her for sexual favors.

Quintana will face trial for assault with the intent to commit rape, oral copulation by force, oral copulation of an intoxicated victim, false imprisonment and criminal threats, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Michael Duffy ruled at the end of Thursdays hearing.

Details of the allegations were revealed for the first time during Thursdays hearing, where both victims testified about what they experienced after they got in Quintanas car thinking he was their Uber driver.

The court did not identify the women to protect their privacy.

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His next court hearing was scheduled for March 25.

Fake Uber driver assaulted student who was trying to get home after party, she says

The first student to testify was a third-year Cal Poly student.

On Jan. 10, she started her evening around 8 or 9 p.m. at her friends house near Cuesta Park. She estimated she drank about six vodka shots and a High Noon seltzer before her and her friends took an Uber to a house in the neighborhood between Fredericks and Slack streets.

She didnt recall what she drank at the second house, but said she felt drunk at the party. When her friends wanted to leave the party after 30 to 45 minutes, the student said she walked to another party about 10 minutes away off Grand Avenue.

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When she arrived at that party, she socialized a bit and then felt sick from drinking, then walked back to another house near Slack Street, where she began to feel sick in the backyard. She said she threw up at least once in the backyard.

Man posing as rideshare driver sexually assaults woman near Cal Poly, police say

She said she does not typically get sick from drinking and believes she drank more than she usually does.

Eventually, the student said she told her friends she was going to go home, which was about a 10-minute walk. She doesnt remember walking but does remember talking to someone in a car while she was in the passenger seat.

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She does not remember how she got inside the car, she said, but remembers the man saying he was an Uber driver. That driver has been identified by the prosecution as Quintana.

Nipomo resident Angel Munoz Quintana, 29, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault charges on Jan. 15, 2024. According to the San Luis Obispo Police Department, he allegedly posed as a rideshare driver and assaulted one college-aged woman and held another against her will. This was the vehicle he used.

The driver eventually parked in the parking lot of her apartment, the student said.

Through tears, the student shared the details of her sexual assault.

She recalled feeling scared, like a pit in my stomach, she testified.

She said she wanted to leave and doesnt recall how exactly she got out of the car, but she said the driver gave her money to not say anything.

Immediately after she left the car, she said, she broke down in tears and went to her apartment. She said a neighbor had to help her get into her apartment because she was shaking too much to put her key in the doorknob.

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San Luis Obispo Police Department Det. Hayden Warner said the neighbor told him she heard the student crying and saying shed been raped. The neighbor helped the student get into her apartment, and the student told her neighbor, I think my Uber driver took advantage of me.

Man who allegedly posed as rideshare driver, sexually assaulted woman is Cal Poly employee

The student said she tried to call her friends and sister, but it was around 1 a.m. and no one answered, so she filmed herself on her phone to talk about what happened.

No one was answering. I recorded myself so that I could just talk about it, she testified. I was really overwhelmed and didnt know what to do. But I know that I was taken advantage of.

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The student was not asked to identify the defendant in court, but SLO police Det. Marcello Magana testified she gave a description that matched Quintana right after the alleged assault.

One of her socks was also found on the floor of Quintanas passenger seat, Magana said.

Man asked to exchange money for sexual favors, Cal Poly student testifies

The evening before on Jan. 9, another third-year Cal Poly student planned to meet up with friends after being apart over winter break. She and her roommates took an Uber to a party on Hathway Street. She estimated she consumed about five shots of vodka prior to leaving for the party.

The student said she was definitely drunk but still felt coherent. Her roommates left the party early, but she stayed a little longer. Her roommates called her, and she decided to call an Uber home.

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One of her friends who was still at the party walked her up the driveway, and the student waited on the sidewalk she said. She saw a car parked across the street that she thought was her Uber, because the driver rolled down his window and said, Are you looking for a ride? she said.

She approached the car and asked Uber? to which the driver, who the student identified as Quintana, replied Yes.

The student said she did not check the license plate before getting into the backseat of the vehicle.

Cal Poly employee accused of sexually assaulting woman while posing as driver appears in court

She didnt think much of Quintana driving in the wrong direction at first because her Uber app sometimes has a previous address that auto-populates as the destination. She said gave Quintana an address that was a few houses away from her actual house. She didnt have a reason why she did not give her exact address.

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It was about a three-minute drive from the Hathway Street house to her house on Albert Street, she said. Quintana stopped his vehicle about five houses from her drop-off point, she said.

Thats when she said Quintana began complimenting her looks and asking to pay her in exchange for sexual favors.

He asked if she would sleep with him for $10,000, she said.

Thats when I started getting uncomfortable, because I said no immediately, she testified.

Nipomo resident Angel Munoz Quintana, 29, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault charges on Jan. 15, 2024. According to the San Luis Obispo Police Department, he allegedly posed as a rideshare driver and assaulted one college-aged woman and held another against her will.

She said she tried to open the car door, but it was locked. She wasnt sure if he noticed her trying to leave the vehicle.

Quintana continued to ask her to exchange sexual encounters for money, she said, with him saying he knows college girls need money and asking if shed exchange a kiss for $5,000.

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He said, He knows college students and they need money. Its an easy way to get money. Nobody needs to know, she testified.

She kept saying no, she said, and then he asked to see her feet.

She said she felt very uncomfortable and should have felt more scared, but in the back of her mind she thought that if something happened he would be easy to find since his driver details would be on the Uber app.

She said she felt like showing Quintana her feet was the only way for him to stop pestering her so she could get out of the vehicle, so she took her shoes off and placed her feet on the middle console.

She said he asked to suck her toes and she said no, but agreed to show him her feet.

Quintana touched her feet and then placed his mouth on her toe, which she said freaked me out.

She had her shoes in her hand and and found the latch on the door to unlock the car. He gave her $1,000 and as she exited the car, he said, I know where you are so I can come see you again, she said.

She ran and hid in her neighbors yard until she saw his car drive away.

When she finally got inside, she told her roommates she had the weirdest Uber ride and that her driver gave her $1,000. The next morning, she found out Quintana was not her Uber driver, her driver had canceled the ride, and the $1,000 was fake.

Counterfeit money in car was to flex ... throw it stripper style, defendant reportedly told detective

Magana testified that the video taken by the student who interacted with Quintana on Jan. 9 corroborates her story. He added that the videos from the student who was assaulted Jan. 10 show her crying hysterically and her repeating that she had been taken advantage of.

In a law enforcement interview, Magana said, Quintana admitted to having interactions with both students but claimed that they were consensual and that he got permission before performing any acts.

Quintana first denied giving either woman money, Magana said, but when told there was a video of his conversation, Quintana said, I forgot about that.

Fake $100 bills were found inside Quintanas vehicle, Magana said. Magana said Quintana told him he had the money to flex and be a douche and kept it in the car to throw it stripper style.

Quintana has never worked for Uber and denied claiming he did, Magana said.

Warner said another woman who was under 21 described an incident with Quintana in April 2024, where she was walking alone and Quintana kept driving next to her, telling her shes beautiful and telling her he wanted to be her sugar daddy. She did not get into the car with him.

Duffy ordered Quintana to face trial. He was remanded to San Luis Obispo County Jail custody with a $1.2 million bail.

If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. The hotline offers a range of free services including confidential support from a trained staff member, help finding a local health facility, legal and medical advice and referrals for long-term support. Survivor support and resources are also available through Lumina Alliance at luminaalliance.org or their Crisis and Information Line at 805-545-8888.
DENVER (KDVR)  Two teens are facing charges after Commerce City police said they allegedly supplied the gun that killed a 16-year-old in February.

The Commerce City Police Department said on Friday that a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old are facing charges of possession of a handgun by a juvenile and providing a firearm to a juvenile.

2 arrested in deadly Aurora shooting after online marketplace meetup

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This marks the third arrest in this case. A juvenile male was taken into custody after the shooting on charges of second-degree murder and a minor in possession of a handgun.

The arrests stem from a shooting on Feb. 10 in the 5800 block of Tichy Boulevard. Commerce City police said a 16-year-old boy was shot while sitting in the back of an SUV. Officers said the victim and the initial suspect were both sitting in the back of the SUV when the shooting happened.

The person driving the SUV took the teen to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The victim was identified by his family as Envy Reinhardt. They said he was an entrepreneur and loved sports, painting and traveling.

A 16-year-old shooting victims family identified him as Envy Reinhardt to FOX31 on Tuesday. He was killed Monday. (Courtesy Joy Herrera)

The end result of kids with guns is nothing but tragedy, and we wont stand for it in Commerce City. We are comforted by the prospect that this will bring the family of the boy who lost his life a modicum of justice, said Commerce City police in a Friday press release.

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During the investigation, Commerce City police said detectives uncovered multiple stolen firearms, which came from reported vehicle break-ins, from multiple kids connected to the shooting. The teens involved were allegedly buying and trading firearms  including the one involved in Reinhardts death.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Two workers were injured when a CSX train derailed in Curtis Bay following a collision Friday morning, the company said.

CSX and state transportation officials determined there is no safety risk to the public.

Just before 3 a.m., a CSX train came in contact with another CSX train within Curtis Bay Yard, derailing four railcars and a locomotive.

CSX immediately activated its emergency response procedures, and its contractors are currently working in close coordination with responding officials, the company said.

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Two crew members were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Our primary focus right now is the health and safety of onsite staff and personnel, and the surrounding community, as we begin recovery efforts and work to completely restore the area, a CSX spokesman told The Baltimore Sun in a statement.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  With a looming budget shortfall, another Oregon county is scrambling to find solutions to its financial struggles.

On Friday, Washington County revealed it is facing a $20.5 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year starting on July 1. Officials have until late April to develop and share their 2025-26 financial plan with the budget committee.

Downtown Portland sees open-air drug market resurgence after return of can redemptions

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But according to County Administrator Tanya Ange, the increasing cost of services is exceeding the money available through the countys general fund  with property taxes as its main source of revenue.

Our ability to balance the General Fund continues to be constrained by limited property taxes and other discretionary revenues which no longer cover the cost of the communitys growing need for our services, Ange said in a release.

The Finance Division reported that Washington County has the lowest permanent property tax rate in the Portland area, despite being the second-most populous county and one of the fastest-growing.

The death of Dane Paulsen: New details of body found in Siletz River

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Meanwhile, Oregon prohibits the assessed value of most properties from increasing by more than 3% annually  unless theres a new property or a major renovation.

Another exception is the establishment of voter-approved local option levies, which Washington County is considering to maintain library and public safety services that expire in the coming years.

However, officials noted that county departments and offices were asked to determine what service changes would be made with cuts of 10%, 13% and 17%. The budget committee will hear updates on the current state of the general fund during a meeting on March 18, and the final budget proposal will be unveiled during the Apr. 28 meeting.

Washington County reported that this is the fifth consecutive fiscal year it has faced a deficit.

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Portland parents decry possible community center closures due to city cuts

We have sought to preserve services as much as possible that the community relies on. Although we are continuing this approach again for a fifth year in a row, there is now no other place to turn than to consider eliminating some services altogether, said Ange.

Meanwhile, Multnomah County is addressing financial struggles of its own, as leaders announced a potential $104 million deficit for its homeless services just last month.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
(NewsNation)  Under a 200% proposed tariff on imported alcoholic beverages, many summer favorite cocktails could become significantly more expensive.

The 200% tariff could more than double the cost of European wine and other alcohol for U.S. distributors, which would almost assuredly trickle down to U.S. bars and restaurants and eventually to American consumers, Michael Bilello, the executive vice president of strategic communications for Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of America, told NewsNation.

If the intention of tariffs is to impose some discomfort on other countries, what we respectfully ask the administration to consider is that these will likely become burdens on U.S. businesses and U.S. consumers, Bilello said.

Prosecco, champagne and other European wines

One of the hardest hit beverages would be wine imported from Europe, particularly the selections that cannot be made in the U.S.

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Prosecco, a sparkling white wine that comes from nine Italian provinces, overtook champagne as the top-selling wine in the U.S. Champagne, which can only be produced in the Champagne region of France, is routinely used for U.S. celebrations, which helps to drive U.S. sales.

The Associated Press reported that with the 200% tariff, a previously untariffed $15 bottle of Prosecco would jump to $45 should the 200% tariff be imposed.

Additionally, Bordeaux, a popular red wine produced in southwest France, also falls into the single-origin category that could dramatically hit U.S. businesses should the tariff be imposed. Bilello says that 35% of American wine and spirit sales are generated by products imported from Europe.

Does Canada really have tariffs above 200% on US dairy products?

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We want toasts not tariffs, Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council president and CEO, said in a statement issued by the organization.

Cognac, Aperol and other spirits

Cognac, a variety of brandy named after a commune in Cognac, France, and Aperol, the Italian base for a popular summertime cocktail, are among the products that would be included in the tariff against European countries.

Although spirits sales may not be as affected as the wine industry, Trumps actions against other countries have already impacted American drinkers.

Could Guinness cost more this St. Patricks Day?

Beer sales, which grow significantly around St. Patricks Day, could also be hit. Although Guinness is brewed domestically in Baltimore, other brews, including those from companies in Germany, could be hit.

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While Trump previously imposed tariffs during his first presidency, the steep nature of the tariff he suggested against E.U.-represented countries would not only be disruptive but economically devastating to U.S. companies.

Tequila already affected by Mexico tariffs

Trump previously announced a 25% tariff on products coming from Mexico, which would directly impact tequila, which can only be legally produced in specific regions of Mexico. Tequila remains the base for the margarita, the No. 1-ordered alcohol beverage in America, Bilello said.

Alcoholic Lime Margarita with Tequila and Sea Salt (Getty Images)

Can the US make some of these spirits and wines?

Although some U.S. states produce alcoholic beverages like California, Washington and Oregon wines or Champagne-produced products that would be otherwise directly affected by the tariffs, Bilello said there is not enough production happening to fill the gap that would be created.

Some U.S. manufacturers have begun making agave-produced spirits to replicate the plant (tor pina) that serves as the base of tequila. However, agave plants need 7 to 9 years to mature, Bilello said, again making the U.S. reliant on foreign producers.

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Importers and wholesalers will be incapable of absorbing a 200% tariff on these products, Bilello told NewsNation.

Theres little doubt, theres zero debate on this, he added. This is going to be more expensive for consumers and American businesses.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Two relatives of an 81-year-old widow, murdered nearly 30 years ago, have been arrested and charged in connection with her death, allegedly motivated by a $40,000 inheritance.

Gerthie Carolina was brutally beaten, stabbed and left to die on the kitchen floor of her home in Sasakwa, a small rural town in Oklahoma, in August 1997, just months after finalizing her will.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) reported that the case remained unsolved until it was reopened in 2023. During the investigation, authorities discovered a piece of evidence  a shoe collected on the day of the crime  which contained traces of Carolinas blood.

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The shoe was traced back to the victims 17-year old grandniece at the time, Dakota Davis, who was arrested this month alongside her relative, Carolyn Foreman, Carolinas niece.

Davis, now 45, and Freeman, now 81 and battling dementia, were both charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The two allegedly cashed out $40,000 from a trust just days after Carolinas death.

This case is a testament to the relentless dedication of these investigators and our unwavering pursuit of justice, even decades after a crime is committed, Seminole County District Attorney Erik Johnson said in a statement. We hope this brings some measure of peace to Gerthie Carolinas family after all these years.
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW)  A second suspect has been arrested in South Carolina in connection with a Robeson County convenience store robbery last month, the sheriffs office said Thursday.

Legend Reed, 20, of Sumter, surrendered to Sumter police on Thursday. He was charged with felony conspiracy, robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor assault. He was booked into the Sumter County Detention Center without bond and will be extradited to North Carolina.

Authorities previously arrested Ciontae L. Owens, 24, of Sumter, in connection with the case. Owens faces the same charges as Reed and is being held at the Robeson County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

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Jeremy Sealey, 32, also of Sumter, is still wanted by investigators. He is wanted on the same charges as Owens and Reed.

Robeson County deputies responded on Feb. 21 just after 4:30 a.m. to Billy Cox Grocery along Highway 41 in the Lumberton area, the sheriffs office said. The 90-year-old store owner was found assaulted when deputies arrived.

Anyone with information about Sealey or the case is asked to call the sheriffs office at 910-671-3170.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A Mora County Sheriff's Deputy vehicle sits near the Mogote Hill Fire south of Wagon Mound on Friday. The blaze is 3,000 acres and 0% contained, according to NM State Forestry. (Photo Courtesy Mora County Sheriff's Office)

Amid high winds and dry conditions across New Mexico, a grass fire ignited in Northern New Mexico and has quickly grown to 3,000 acres, according to New Mexico State Forestry.

The grass fire, called the Mogote Hill Fire, is burning south of Wagon Mound and east of Interstate 25, according to Forestry spokesperson George Ducker. It is 0% contained.

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The blaze was discovered around 12:05 p.m. on private land, Ducker said. The cause is still under investigation.

A high wind warning is in effect for the area until 6 p.m. today, with areas of blowing dust and gusts as high as 50 mph, Ducker said.

There are a few homes scattered throughout the area, according to state Forestry. All residents along NM Highway 271 are under mandatory evacuation orders, according to the Mora County Sheriffs Office.

Multiple volunteer and state fire crews are being dispatched to the scene, Ducker said.

Forecasters have warned that the fire season has already begun in New Mexico and the rest of the Southwest, citing low snowpack, drought and the proliferation of fine fuels like grass.
PANAMA CITY BEACH  The Bay County Tourist Development Council has come to the bargaining table on the fate of a historic cruise liner.

The council unanimously agreed to offer $3 million to Okaloosa County to sink the SS United States closer to Panama City. Sinking the ship will create the world's largest artificial reef, and the TDC wants a slice of the visitors that will come to see it.

At Tuesday's meeting, representatives of local diving companies urged the council to make the move in a bid to keep the county's dive scene competitive.

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"Panama City Dive Center was thrilled to witness history being made by the Bay County TDC in their vote to bring the World's Largest Artificial Reef within reach for Bay County diving and fishing operations," said Ashley Barrow from the Panama City Dive Center. "Access to this wreck will help PCB regain its status as a premier dive location while bringing in a demographic of tourists who respect the natural environment, which helps to maintain the beauty of our area."

Tug boats tow the SS United States into dock at the port in Mobile, Alabama on Monday. March 3, 2025.

While too soon to tell, it appears Okaloosa County is entertaining the idea.

Okaloosa County Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek chimed in on the matter while talking to a reporter from Northwest Florida Daily News (which is, like the News Herald, a part of the USA TODAY Network-Florida). He acknowledged the excitement and offers from surrounding counties.

"It's exciting and is evidence that Northwest Florida tourism, businesses, dive shops and fishing industry are all supportive of this remarkable effort from our tourism department," Tomecek said. "And it's something that's going to benefit, not just Destin-Fort Walton Beach, it's going to benefit the entire Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida and the tourism community worldwide."

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If Okaloosa County agrees to the deal, the ship will be 20 miles closer to the St Andrews pass. Currently, the furthest proposed site is 55 nautical miles from Panama City, and the closest is 35. The $3 million would be earmarked to help with marketing and sinking the vessel.

The ship is slated to sit 180 feet underwater, however, other outlets reported that it's so large that people who can only dive to less than half that height will still be able to access it. It's more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic and has five more decks.

"Since the vessels launch over 70 years ago, she has served as an enduring, iconic symbol of American innovation and engineering might," the SS United States Conservancy says on its website. "She is the only ship to bear the name of her namesake nation."

The Conservancy's website says the vessel is nearly as long as the Chrysler Building in New York City is tall.

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Currently, the SS United States is sitting in Mobile, Alabama, awaiting its final voyage to its new home.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Tourism agency offers $3M to sink SS United States closer to Bay County
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland police are investigating an early morning shooting that sent a woman to the hospital.

According to information released Friday afternoon by the Cleveland Division of Police, officers responded to a call reporting that a woman had been shot at about 4 a.m. on Friday on Larchmere Boulevard.

Strangers help save driver after I-90 truck fire

A 30-year-old woman was taken to University Hospitals in critical condition, according to EMS.

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RECALL: Crackers sold at Walmart, Giant Eagle

As officers were driving to the scene, they learned the suspect might still be there. When officers arrived, the found the victim receiving first aid from Cleveland Fire personnel.

Investigators arrested the suspect, a 33-year-old man, at the scene on charges of felonious assault and using a weapon while intoxicated.

The suspect had a gun at the time of his arrest. He appears to be known to the victim, the release states.

This case remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. I am truly impressed by the thorough and detailed plan for the restoration of Karabakh, said the former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Djoomart Otorbaev, Trend reports.

Speaking at a panel discussion on "Rebuilding for Peace-Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Regional Stability" at the XII Global Baku Forum, Otorbaev highlighted the uniqueness of Azerbaijan's approach.

"I have never seen such a comprehensive program anywhere in the world. If Azerbaijan, which I am confident will achieve this, implements this plan systematically and purposefully, it will not only be an ideal model for post-conflict recovery but also a benchmark for other regions," he said.

Otorbaev also mentioned that, in about ten days, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will hold a summit in the Fergana Valley, where they will present a program for strengthening regional friendship.

"Now, it is essential to move on to concrete steps. I am sure that Azerbaijans example, our brotherly country, will serve as an excellent guide for how we should move forward," he concluded.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 through 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Gary officials have unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, 91,000-square-foot YMCA in the Tolleston neighborhood that they hope will serve as a community hub. The $30 million project, one of the largest recent investments in the city, will provide fitness programs, health care services, and educational resources for the youth.

On Friday morning, residents filled the Tolleston Park Pavilion for a first look at a project that has already been cleared for takeoff.

This is going to be the anchor for this neighborhood, Mayor Eddie Melton said. [Its] going to be a draw for more folks that want to live in Gary as we do everything that we can as an administration to further stabilize this neighborhood and other neighborhoods.

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The facility is funded through a mix of city, state, and philanthropic contributions. In 2022, the Gary Common Council appropriated $10 million from the citys American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the project, with an additional $10 million in contributions from both the state of Indiana and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation.

After imploring those in attendance to give themselves a round of applause for showing up, long-standing Councilwoman Mary Brown detailed her enthusiasm about the project.

I am excited about this. Ive been excited about it for months, Brown said. Ive had an opportunity to see [YMCAs] in other cities, and I know the kinds of things that they bring to the community.

In the years since the council passed the plan, leadership of the YMCA and city officials held several engagement sessions where they surveyed community members to better understand the needs of the community.

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We had sessions at Methodist Hospital, we went to high schools around the area and really started to form this vision that this is going to be more than just a facility, said Jay Buckmaster, CEO of Crossroads YMCA.

Jay Buckmaster, CEO of Crossroads YMCA, and other city officials speak to residents about the new YMCA in Tolleston. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B)

This is a long-term investment in the city of Gary, where people will strengthen this community.

The new facility will be built at the site of the current Boys & Girls Club, formerly Tolleston Middle School, at 2700 W. 19th Ave. Designed as a hybrid space, the YMCA will house the Boys & Girls Club while also partnering with Methodist Hospitals to provide on-site health care services.

Buckmaster said there will be an opportunity to raise an additional $10 million through various naming rights for the facility.



Residents in attendance voiced overwhelming support for the project.

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Im 1,000 percent behind this project.  Theres nothing going to stop this, said Bruce Curry, a New Jersey native who relocated to Gary.

Bruce Curry was one of many residents who supported the new facility. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B)

Were ready to make Gary greater, he continued. I want everybody to be behind this project; we gotta make things happen here.

Though support for the project dominated the pavilion, some community members voiced concerns over cost, wondering if Gary residents could support the facility.

This community does not have enough people that would actually help pay the monthly fee to sustain a building like this, said Gary resident Robert Coleman.

Buckmaster remained hopeful in his response, pointing out the YMCAs offering of income-based membership assistance.

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Site preparation is scheduled to begin later this month, with an official groundbreaking ceremony to follow next month.

The post New $30M YMCA Coming to Garys Tolleston Neighborhood appeared first on Capital B Gary.
This year's 313 Day came with a little extra comfort for first responders as Gardner White delivered recliners to fire battalions across the city on Thursday.

March 13, based on Detroit's area code, is known in Michigan as "313 Day," a celebration of all things Motor City-related.

And this year, Gardner White marked the occasion by delivering 16 triple power Celeste Recliners by Southern Motion to all eight Detroit Fire Department battalions, according to a news release from the metro Detroit furniture retailer. Each location received two chairs.

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"In recognition of 313 Day, we are honored to provide a gift of comfort to the brave men and women of the Detroit Fire Department, whose dedication ensures the safety of our city," Rachel Stewart, CEO of Gardner White, said in the release. "Our hope is that these recliners offer a well-deserved moment of comfort and relaxation to the first responders who tirelessly protect and serve the community."

More: 313 Day and Pi Day = special food deals

Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms praised the donation, emphasizing the importance of rest and comfort for firefighters who work long, demanding shifts.

We are incredibly grateful to Gardner White for their generous donation of 16 recliners to firehouses across Detroit, Simms said. Having a comfortable place to rest between calls makes a real difference. This gift is a testament to Gardner Whites commitment to supporting our team and the neighborhoods they serve."

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Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit firefighters receive recliners from Gardner White on 313 Day
The wide range of tariffs threatened or enacted by President Donald Trump against other countries has introduced significant chaos and unpredictability to international trade. For consumers, that could mean higher prices on some of their favorite drinks.

The President has vaguely threatened 25% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union, including important wine-producing countries like France and Italy, putting their products in danger of price hikes. Meanwhile, Trump followed through on his threatened tariffs against Chinese goods. This laid an additional tariff on top of the 25% imposed during his first term, likely making you pay even more for some beverages like apple juice and tea imported from China.

Trump's tariff standoff with Mexico and Canada has drawn significant attention, but the President recently announced a temporary exemption for goods traded under the U.S., Mexico, and Canada trade agreement (USMCA) until April 2. The USMCA directs member states to treat each other's alcoholic beverage imports as though they were domestically produced, somewhat lessening the trade war's consumer impact.

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Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of Coconut Rums

Champagne And Other French Wines

A close-up of two Champagne flutes about to clink together, each about 2/3 filled with bubbling yellow champagne - Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Famously, Champagne must be produced in the Champagne region of France, so any bottle bearing that name could see higher prices with President Trump's threatened E.U. tariffs. But such requirements aren't unique to Champagne. French wine has an entire classification system to mark its authenticity and quality. And since the U.S. purchases nearly 20% of all French wine exports, according to Les Grappes, potential tariffs could devastate the industry.

Grades vary, but the best French wines are labeled with either an Appellation d'origine protegee (AOP) or Appellation d'origine controlee (AOC.) These labels mean that the wine was grown in a specific locale in France, with regulations on grape types and farming practices intended to preserve the high quality of French wine. Connoisseurs seek out these appellations, which cannot legally be duplicated.

Another famous type of wine under this system is globally renowned Bordeaux wine, a 2,000-year-old tradition in southwestern France. The Bordeaux region has at least 60 distinct AOCs; similar to Champagne, any bottle labeled "Bordeaux" must come from one of them.

Prosecco And Other Italian Wines

Line of LaMarca Prosecco - Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock

Champagne is not the only regionally-specific sparkling wine that is under potential threat from President Trump's E.U. tariffs. Like its French counterpart, prosecco can only bear that name if it comes from specific regions of northeastern Italy, under quality control regulations mandated by the Italian government.

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Since 2009, prosecco has enjoyed the highest classification status for Italian wines, Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), meaning its origin is controlled and a certain quality is guaranteed. From growing the grapes to bottling the bubbles, the entire winemaking process must take place on-site at the vineyard. This also means that even the most affordable grocery store prosecco is still an Italian import -- like the award-winning Aldi Belletti prosecco -- and could soon see big price hikes.

As in France, the Italian regulatory regime covers many wines and regionally restricts the best. Another notable Italian wine with DOCG status is Chianti. This fine red wine must legally be made and bottled in specific regions around Tuscany, central Italy.

Apple Juice

A short glass of apple juice, surrounded by whole and cut apples, with a cutting board and knife in the background - Erika Bunea / 500px/Getty Images

Not all of President Trump's tariffs are mere threats, of course. He already enacted 20% tariffs on all Chinese imports, a decision that will likely make Americans pay more for apple juice and products made with apple juice.

Apple juice is a popular drink on its own, but it is also a common ingredient in many fruit juice drinks and blends that might not even taste like apples. Demand for this product is high enough to make the U.S. the world's top importer of apple juice -- and China is one of the world's top exporters, according to data gathered by the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

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China has helped supply the American demand for apple juice for years. As far back as 2011, imports of Chinese apple juice concentrate accounted for  of U.S. apple juice consumption, according to USDA data. Juice concentrate is made by removing the water from fresh juice, significantly improving its shelf life for shipping overseas and incorporation into shelf-stable juice blends.

Tea

A clear mug filled with steaming hot, golden-colored tea, with sunlight shining through it and a blue teapot to the left - Guido Mieth/Getty Images

Tea is another popular drink in the U.S., especially sweet tea, a Southern classic with less-than-Southern origins (check out our article to find out its true background). However, this American classic could also become more expensive under Trump's tariffs against China. According to data from the International Trade Center, China is the fourth largest tea exporter to the U.S.

About half of this was black tea, while slightly less than half was green tea, according to data from Firsd Tea, a U.S. subsidiary of a major Chinese tea company. So, Trump's tariffs could raise the price of either one of these drinks.

Unfortunately for tea drinkers, the other leading suppliers to the U.S. are also in Trump's general tariff crosshairs. Japan, India, and Argentina, the top three tea exporters to the U.S., are all already facing tariffs or tariff threats on other products. If the trade war worsens, it could grow to include their teas, too.

Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
DENVER (KDVR)  A second alarm fire was reported at a multifamily complex in Littleton Thursday night, resulting in four families displaced from their homes, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.

The fire sparked at about 8:30 p.m. at an apartment complex near Kipling and Chatfield in the Ken Caryl area.

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West Metro Fire Rescue first reported the fire on X at about 8:30 p.m. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said it was on scene and assisting with evacuation and scene support.

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South Metro Fire Rescue was also assisting. West Metro said residents were evacuating while the fire was underway.

West Metro Fire Rescue shared images from a second alarm fire in Littleton on March 13, 2025. (West Metro Fire Rescue) West Metro Fire Rescue shared images from a second alarm fire in Littleton on March 13, 2025. (West Metro Fire Rescue) A multi-family residence was on fire Thursday night, prompting resident evacuations. (KDVR) West Metro Fire Rescue shared images from a second alarm fire in Littleton on March 13, 2025. (West Metro Fire Rescue) West Metro Fire Rescue shared images from a second alarm fire in Littleton on March 13, 2025. (West Metro Fire Rescue) West Metro Fire Rescue shared images from a second alarm fire in Littleton on March 13, 2025. (West Metro Fire Rescue)

At about 9:20 p.m., West Metro reported the fire was under control, and said the fire had damaged two units. One unit was located on the second floor, and the other was located on the third floor.

The agency said there was smoke and water damage throughout half the building, but reported there were no injuries. The agency said at about 11 p.m. there were four families displaced from their homes due to fire, smoke and water damage.

A public information officer with West Metro Fire Rescue told FOX31s Nate Belt that the families in both damaged units have been displaced. Belt spoke to a relative of residents of one of the apartments, who said the residents were out of the country.

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Belt reported that the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming is assisting with the displaced residents.

As of 11 p.m. Thursday night, the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
PARIS, Texas (KETK)  Four confirmed cases of the measles in people from 5-months-old to adult age were reported by the Paris-Lamar County Health District on Thursday.

Measles cases are still rising in Texas. Heres what you should know about the contagious virus

According to the Paris-Lamar County Health District (PLCHD), the four people are unvaccinated against the measles and came to Lamar County from Gaines County in West Texas during their recent measles outbreak.

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PLCHD is actively investigating these cases with the help of the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 4/5 North. They are working to contact people who were potentially exposed to the measles and warned that more cases of the highly contagious disease may occur, especially among those who havent been vaccinated against it.

Measles is a serious yet preventable disease, Dr. Amanda Green with the PLCHD said. Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones and the community from this highly contagious illness. With these recent cases, its more important than ever to ensure your immunizations are current.

Officials said that symptoms of the measles include the following conditions:

High fever

Cough

Runny nose

Red, watery eyes

Rash, typically starting on the face and spreading downward 2 to 5 days after initial symptoms

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Those infected can spread the disease four days before and four days after getting the measles rash, officials said. The health district said anyone exposed or experiencing symptoms should isolate themselves immediately and contact their healthcare provider to arrange testing in a safe manner.

The Paris-Lamar County Health District provides free and low-cost measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. People are asked to call the district at 903-785-4561 to check times and availability of vaccine appointments.

We understand the concern that the community may have about Measles and vaccinations. Please do not hesitate to call your doctor or the Paris-Lamar County Health District at any time to discuss those concerns, the district said.

Any questions can be directed to the district by phone at 903-785-4561 or by email to Alison Thrasher Allen with the PLCHD epidemiology department at alisonT@plchd.com or to executive director Gina Prestridge at ginap@suddenlinkmail.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Police are searching for four suspects involved in a smoke shop robbery that also led to a pursuit across two counties late Thursday night.

The events began around 11 p.m. when the two victims were lured to the Hubci Smoke Shop on the 7200 block of Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles by a group of men claiming they wanted help recording a music video.

The victims were then attacked by eight male suspects who punched, kicked, and pistol-whipped them before taking off with their jewelry and two firearms.

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It was unclear if the victims were hospitalized after the attack but one was reported to have lost several teeth and the other suffered a head laceration.

A yellow Lamborghini Urus is seen following a pursuit on March 14, 2025. (KNN)

The suspects fled the scene in a black BMW and a Yellow Lamborghini before police arrived but the Lamborghini was spotted a short time later.

The driver did not pull over for a traffic stop and instead led Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol officers on a 45-minute pursuit through the San Fernando and Simi valleys before heading into Ventura County and coming to a stop in a gated community in Moorpark.

Two suspects were taken into custody after they were allegedly found in the shed of a nearby home. It was unclear how the suspects got into the gated community or if the Lamborghini was stolen.

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Two more suspects were later arrested near the original crime scene.

No further information was available about the black BMW or the four suspects who remain on the loose.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Half of Ukrainians are not ready to give up Ukrainian territories in the war against Russia under any circumstances, while 39% are ready to make territorial concessions for peace. This data has not changed since December 2024.

Source: a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on 14 February-4 March

Quote: "Half of Ukrainians  50%  believe that under no circumstances should Ukraine give up territories, even if this makes the war last longer (in December 2024 it was 51%).

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At the same time, the minority believes that Ukraine may give up some territories in order to achieve peace as soon as possible  39% (in December 2024  38%)."

Graph: KIIS

Details: The remaining 11% of respondents could not answer this question.

The sociologists noted that the latest poll was conducted against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in relations between Ukraine and the United States and significant pressure on Ukraine.

At regional level, the views of Ukrainians are quite similar, with only the east differing slightly.

"The only region that stands out a little from the others is the east, where 42% are categorically against territorial concessions, while in other regions (west, centre, south)  50-51%. At the same time, the share of those who are generally ready for certain concessions in the east is only marginally higher to that in other regions  42% against 36-40% in the west, centre and south," KIIS said.

Graph: KIIS

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KIIS also noted that the greater the threat Ukrainians feel, the more they are against any concessions.

In particular, among those who believe that Russia wants to commit physical genocide of Ukrainians or erase the nation, 57-58% oppose any concessions.

Whereas among those who believe that Russia does not seek to occupy more Ukrainian territories, only 20% oppose concessions.

Graph: KIIS

For reference: The survey was conducted from 14 February to 4 March. A total of 1,029 respondents aged 18 and over living in all regions of Ukraine controlled by the government of Ukraine were interviewed by telephone using a random sample of mobile numbers.

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The sample did not include residents of the territories temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities (although some respondents were IDPs who had moved from the occupied territories), and the survey was not conducted among citizens who moved abroad after 24 February 2022.

Formally, under normal circumstances, the statistical error of a sample of 1,029 respondents does not exceed 4.1%.

In a time of war, in addition to this formal error, a certain systematic deviation is added, but sociologists believe that the results still allow for a fairly reliable analysis of public sentiment.

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Mar. 13A Butler County judge set a $5 million bond for Dominick Grubb, who prosecutors said tried to hire someone to kill a female witness.

Between Christmas Eve and Jan. 3, Grubb, 18, of Hamilton, allegedly tried to hire a jail inmate to kill a woman, according to Wednesday's grand jury indictment. According to prosecutors, the woman was a witness involved in Grubb's other criminal case that resulted in him being incarcerated.

In December, Grubb was charged with aggravated robbery and has been in the Butler County Jail ever since. He's now charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and waived his right to have the indictment read in open court.

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The inmate was facing an aggravated burglary charge and prosecutors say he allegedly offered another inmate, who was a confidential informant, an initial payment of $100 via his jail commissary account and a gun, then would pay an additional $2,500 to kill the witness.

Court records said Grubb met with the informant to provide details about the victim, including social media accounts, address, the type of car, and family information, down to the bus stop of the victim's child. Prosecutors said he "did not care if the intended victim's child was also killed during the shooting."

Court documents showed Grubb engaged his mother to deposit the $100 initial payment in the informant's commissary account, which authorities said she did.

The intended victim's identity was redacted from the indictment.

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Before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer McElfresh set the $5 million bond, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jon Marshall said, "The indictment speaks for itself."

"The allegations involved and the defendant's stated desire to murder a witness is very serious on its own," he said, adding he requested bond be set "in an amount that's commensurate with the seriousness of the charge."

Court records also showed Grubb told the informant how he wanted the murder to be carried out, and if that person "would not carry out the murder of his intended victim, the defendant would find someone else."

Grubb has been in the Butler County Jail in Hamilton since Dec. 13 related to the aggravated burglary charge, a first-degree felony, with a firearm specification. He had already in the Butler County jail since December on a $100,000 bond.

Should the bond be posted, Grubb would be required to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the victim.

Both cases will be heard at 1 p.m. April 3 for a plea or trial setting.
Mikal Mahdi is scheduled to be executed in the state's death chamber above on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Provided by the S.C. Department of Corrections)

COLUMBIA  Mikal Mahdi is set to be the last of five men executed in the state over a seven-month period, according to a Friday order from the state Supreme Court.

Steven Bixby, the other inmate who has exhausted his appeals, will not face the death chamber until a judge decides whether he is competent for execution, the states highest court said in an order Thursday.

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Mahdis execution is scheduled for April 11.

Mahdi, 41, pleaded guilty in 2006 to shooting and killing police officer James Myers with his own rifle as part of a multi-state crime spree, according to court documents.

Executions resumed in the state last September, following an unintended 13-year pause, after the state Supreme Court ruled electrocution and firing squad were constitutional.

The state executed its first inmate by firing squad last week, after the three previous men chose to die by lethal injection. Mahdi will have until March 28, two weeks before his execution date, to choose how he will die.

Mikal Mahdi

Mahdi went on the run after stealing a pistol, a set of license plates and a station wagon in Virginia several days before. He drove to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he shot gas station clerk Christopher Boggs point-blank in the head while the clerk was checking his ID to buy a beer.

Mikal Mahdi. (Provided/SC Department of Corrections)

Two days later, Mahdi carjacked a driver in Columbia and replaced the stolen cars license plates with the ones he had stolen from Virginia.

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He then stopped at a Calhoun County gas station, where a clerk grew suspicious after the pump declined his card.

The clerk called the police, and Mahdi fled on foot. He ran about a mile before hiding in a workshop behind Myers farmhouse.

When Myers, a captain with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, visited his workshop at the end of the day, Mahdi shot him nine times with one of the rifles Myers stored there, according to court documents.

Mahdi lit Myers body on fire, then stole his police truck. Police arrested Mahdi in Satellite Beach, Florida, a week after he stole the first car in Virginia.

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Mahdi has attempted to escape prison four times since his arrest, most recently in 2022.

He has lost privileges repeatedly for violations such as possessing weapons and assault and battery of an employee, according to his prison records.

Steven Bixby

Steven Bixby. (Provided/SC Department of Corrections)

Bixby, 57, was expected to be the sixth and final of a series of inmates executed since the process resumed. But in a 3-2 split ruling, the states highest court put that on hold indefinitely.

Bixby was convicted in 2007 of killing two police officers during a 2003 standoff from his home in Abbeville County.

After transportation officials approached Bixby and his family about plans to use an easement to expand a highway over a portion of the familys property, Bixby and his father stationed themselves at the houses windows and shot at anyone who approached.

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Bixbys mother, Rita Bixby, was sentenced to life in prison for helping plan the ambush. His father, Arthur Bixby, was found unfit to stand trial because he had dementia. Both died in 2011, his mother in prison and his father in a mental institution.

While previous mental health evaluators found Bixbys beliefs about the U.S. Constitution and government authority to be odd, they decided he remained fit to stand trial.

Bixby and his family had views that aligned with the sovereign citizens movement of people who believe the law doesnt apply to them, according to court documents.

More recent evaluations found that Bixby had bizarre and inaccurate beliefs about the legal system that made him unable to communicate effectively with his attorneys, one of the prongs state courts use to determine if an inmate is competent, according to court filings.

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He has become unable to understand the evidence against him, his attorneys have argued.

Bixby will not be executed unless a Circuit Court judge decides he is competent, the state Supreme Court said in an order signed by three justices.

Bixbys hearing must take place by Sept. 1 under the order, though judges decisions in competency cases can take years.

In his dissenting opinion, Justice John Few wrote that he was not convinced by the experts statement Bixbys attorneys submitted to the court that Bixby is actually incompetent for execution.

Previous examinations have found Bixby is able to communicate with his attorneys, and the more recent statement Bixbys attorneys submitted fails to prove otherwise, Few wrote.

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Justice George James signed onto Fews opinion.

While I appreciate the caution the Court is showing in granting Bixby a hearing, I believe this caution is squarely inconsistent with the principles of law it is our solemn duty to apply, even in this admittedly difficult situation, Few wrote.

Bixby will join three other death row inmates who have exhausted their appeals but have their executions on pause pending judges decisions about their competency to be executed. Two others have been found incompetent for execution.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Azerbaijan is actively engaged in the restoration of Karabakh, said Volkan Bozkr, former President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly and former Minister for EU Affairs of Turkiye, Trend reports.

Speaking at a panel discussion on "Rebuilding for Peace-Post-Conflict Reconstruction and

Regional Stability" at the XII Global Baku Forum, Bozkr noted his impression of the progress.

Azerbaijan is currently focused on the reconstruction of Karabakh. It is encouraging to see cities being rebuilt while preserving and restoring historical sites such as mosques and palaces. Of course, repopulating the area requires significant effort, including the construction of hospitals and schools. However, Azerbaijan will succeed in this task, he stated.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 through 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) Dozens of municipalities statewide have received grants to support green initiatives, including six in western Massachusetts.

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) awarded the Green Communities competitive grants to be used for projects that will reduce energy use in municipal operations such as installing high-efficiency lighting, building weatherization, upgrading energy management systems, facility retro-commissioning, and transitioning HVAC systems away from fossil fuels by installing air- or ground-source heat pumps.

US Department of Agriculture slashes two federal programs that fund local food banks, schools

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Cities and towns are slashing their energy bills and leading the fight against climate change. Were proud to invest in their leadership, said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. Local clean energy projects will make us less reliant on expensive fossil fuels and help lower our overall energy demand, cutting costs for all ratepayers.

Massachusetts Green Communities continue to reduce energy use, emissions, and utility costs by deploying energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. From weatherization to control systems to heat pumps and solar panels and more, these 42 grant awards support the cities and towns themselves and provide cleaner air and lower costs for their residents and businesses.

Among the 42 cities and towns to receive the funds are the following from western Massachusetts:

Becket- $139,500 to fund energy conservation measures and a small wind turbine at the elementary school.

Clarksburg- $22,857 to fund energy conservation measures, a heat pump water heater and administrative assistance at the elementary school.

Northampton  $494,613.12 to fund energy conservation measures, Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), ERV controls and a heat pump system at Leeds Elementary School.

Shutesbury- $44,748 to fund energy conservation measures and LED lighting at the Elementary School.

Warwick- $143,930 to fund energy conservation measures, heat pump system, heat pump water heater, LED lighting, infrared heater, and administrative assistance in municipal facilities including Community School and Library.

Westhampton- $90,326 to fund energy conservation measures and weatherization at the Elementary School.

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Additional information on awarded projects and funding amounts can be found on DOERs website.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Video above is from March 6, 2025 on the initial report of the Armed Forced Brewery leaving.

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The Armed Forces Brewery had a controversial arrival into the 757. So it should come as no surprise that it would leave the same way.

Armed Forces Brewing Company leaving Norfolk, to relocate elsewhere

After its tumultuous arrival into Ghent despite the hurdles and protests from some locals, the business is closing its doors and seeking relocation. The CEO, Alan Beal, blamed the local woke mob for its lack of success; a phrase that some residents and businesses have now adopted as a satirical badge of honor.

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Armed Forces Brewing Company opens up its taps

Executive Director of the 757 Creative ReUse Center, Beth Dryer, has been invested in the downfall of the brewery since discussions of its arrival back in 2023. Dryer was among those who spoke at the Norfolk Town Halls explaining why the business should be barred from coming. Happy to see the business leave, Dryer created pins with the phrase Local woke mob.

When Dryer heard the news of the closing, and the CEOs reasoning, she decided to use the 18 pin kits from her locally-owned thrift supplies and crafts store to make pins that could be handed out with any donation. Upon seeing the success of her product, Dryer has order more products with the same design, including 200 stickers, more pins and even T-shirts. A fundraiser was created for those wanting a shirt, already surpassing the store owners goal.

Courtesy: Beth Dyer, Executive Director of 757 Creative ReUse Center

Courtesy: Beth Dyer, Executive Director of 757 Creative ReUse Center

Courtesy: Beth Dyer, Executive Director of 757 Creative ReUse Center

Norfolk Candle at Selden Market is another business embracing the phrase and branding it into their products. The Local Woke Mob candle has recently been restocked after selling out. The candle smells like banned books, according to the companys website. The communitys response to the product was described as beautiful.

Courtesy: Norfolk Candle

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Norfolk Candle donates $3 from every Local Woke Mob candle to The Freedom to Read Foundation.

Back when resident got wind of the business potential arrival, many were not thrilled, citing supposed anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. One of its owners, Robert ONeill, allegedly made racist and homophobic remarks. ONeill is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 member who says he shot and killed Osama Bin Laden.

Military-themed brewery wants to open in a big Navy town. An ex-SEAL is getting in the way

After pushback from political leaders, threats of lawsuits from the company and protests from locals, the business was finally established in Norfolk. The business became a money pit in 2024, reporting an unaudited net income loss of $1.76 million in June 30, 2024 for the six months prior, according to the Securities and Exchange filing.

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Armed Forces Brewing Company attorney challenges legality for denial of conditional permits in Norfolk

During the beginning and end of the six-month period, the business dropped from a cash and cash equivalent of $282,549 to just $12,239, according to an unaudited report.

Black Lives Matter 757 President JaPharii Jones said the city of Norfolk and the surrounding community were not OK with the anti-woke rhetoric.

Courtesy: JaPharii Jones, President of Black Lives Matter 757

Courtesy: JaPharii Jones, President of Black Lives Matter 757

Courtesy: JaPharii Jones, President of Black Lives Matter 757

We had expressed our disdain and disapproval of the brewery and them not seeming to be very open to inclusiveness, Jones said.

The closing of the brewery is a testament of what can happen when communities band together to not support something, Jones said. A 40-day boycott is also underway for companies like Target and Amazon for ending their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, Jones said.

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It goes to show that if you dont, you know, support your surrounding community, if youre not inclusive, your business very well might be shut down by the local woke mob,' Jones said.

Jones said he thinks the business couldve succeeded if they were willing to listen to the locals.

Id rather them have a sit down, talk to people, find out their concerns, address those and maybe something couldve been fixed, Jones said.

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WASHINGTON, DC  The National Trust for Historic Preservations African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is awarding $8.5 million in grants to 30 historically Black Churches as a part of its third annual Preserving Black Churches grant program.

Having raised more than $150 million in total funding since its founding in 2017, the Action Fund is the nations largest resource dedicated to preserving historic African American sites.

We are honored to support the ongoing legacies of these churches, which have stood at the forefront of social progress for generations, Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Fund, said.

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This $8.5 million investment marks a critical step in safeguarding historically Black Churches as enduring symbols of faith, strength, and community leadership. By preserving them, we ensure that their powerful presence continues to live on in their communities and inspire future generations.

The Preserving Black Churches program is a $60 million initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. that provides congregations with the funding and technical expertise needed to protect their historic assets and legacies.

This years grants, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, will help congregations address urgent preservation challenges such as demolition threats, deferred maintenance, and structural issues, in addition to providing critical resources to help congregations strengthen their stewardship plans, enhance asset management, and grow fundraising capacity nationwide.

With generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Action Fund is expanding its efforts to preserve and sustain historically Black Churches during this third iteration of the Preserving Black Churches program.

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Sites selected for this years Preserving Black Churches grants include:

- The a.m.E. Zion Church in Charlotte, North Carolina: The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church, a Christian denomination established in 1796, is known as The Freedom Church and has been a long-standing champion of abolition, Civil Rights, and spiritual empowerment. Its historic members include Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass. Funding will help the AME Zion Church Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC, to establish a denomination-wide Preservation Endowment to ensure historic AME Zion churches across the country are preserved and maintained for future generations.

- Historic Bethel Baptist Church Community in Birmingham, Alabama: A National Historic Landmark, Historic Bethel Baptist Church was constructed in 1926 and is home to a congregation dating back to 1904. Under the leadership of Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, Historic Bethel was instrumental to the Civil Rights Movement and is one of seven sites included in the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Funding will support the expansion of interpretation and programming using virtual and augmented reality to help visitors learn about the Civil Rights era and Historic Bethels leadership role in the movement.

- St. Paul United AME Church in Birmingham, Alabama: Founded in 1869, St. Paul United Methodist Church was the site of the first mass meeting following the first major campaign to desegregate Birminghams public bus system. The church is one of seven sites included in the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Funding will support the development of interactive exhibits to tell the story of its role in Civil Rights activism in Alabama.

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- Boynton United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas: Boynton United Methodist Church was founded in 1880 and has been a long-term fixture of Houstons Third Ward community. The churchs current Mid-century Modern building was completed in 1958 and designed by Texas first licensed Black architect, John S. Chase. It was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 2023. Funding will support several preservation projects to restore the churchs windows and masonry.

- First Congregational Church of Marion in Marion, Alabama: First Congregational Church of Marion was founded in 1869 by formerly enslaved people and the American Missionary Association. It is the oldest unaltered historically Black church remaining in Marion. The church was the first one led by Civil Rights Movement leader Rev. Andrew Young, who later became the first African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Funding will provide for critical repairs, including the stabilization of the churchs steeple, and accessibility and systems upgrades.

- New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan: Commissioned in 1961 by Rev. C.L. Franklin, father of musical icon Aretha Franklins father, New Bethel is a prominent site in Detroits civil rights history. Several significant events, including the planning of the 1963 Walk to Freedom, occurred at New Bethel. Funding will allow continued efforts to reverse the water damage the building has suffered.

To learn more about our mission to tell the full American story, visit us www.savingplaces.org/actionfund.
Eight alleged members and associates of Atlanta's "GoodFellas" gang have been charged with violent crimes including attempted murder and attempted carjacking, according to an indictment that was unsealed in the Northern District of Georgia on Thursday.

The Department of Justice referred to the group as a "violent gang" that recruits members from Atlanta neighborhoods and corrections facilities. Several members of the gang were recently arrested and charged in connection with a July 2024 triple shooting that left two teenagers dead, CBS affiliate Atlanta News First reported. Six other gang members were indicted for conspiring to murder Fulton County Detention officers in November 2024, the DOJ said.

The defendants identified in the indictment unsealed Thursday are Frank Hubbert, 38; Montavis Jones, 37; Darian Sheppard, 27; De'Andre Jackson, 22; Ephram Marshall, 24; Tahj Rankine, 26; Leonunte Carson, 22; and Ahday Nelson-George, 25.

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All of the defendants, except Nelson-George, have been charged with a varying number of counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm.

Five of them  Sheppard, Jackson, Marshall, Rankine, and Carson  allegedly fired dozens of shots at an Atlanta gas station, wounding a patrol in February 2021, the Northern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. They were allegedly targeting members of another gang.

Also in February 2021, "Sheppard, Jackson, and Marshall, aided and abetted by Hubbert and Jones, allegedly fired approximately 50 rounds at a woman, severely wounding her and two bystanders, including a child," the news release says.

Hubbert and Jones are alleged leaders of the GoodFellas gang, the news release says.

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Hubbert and Nelson-George are charged with multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and attempted carjacking. The indictment alleges that in January 2021, the two assaulted three victims at an Atlanta apartment complex and demanded the keys to their vehicle at gunpoint, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

The defendants who were charged with attempted murder face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Nelson-George faces a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison.

Several defendants have detention hearings set for next week, according to court documents.

The indictment comes after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Atlanta Police Department, the DOJ said.

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The case is part of the newly announced nationwide initiative "Operation Take Back America," which the Justice Department said aims to eliminate cartels, gangs and other criminal organizations from the United States. The initiative was launched earlier in March, and combines resources from the existing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and the Project Safe Neighborhood Programs, according to a DOJ memo.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A powerful spring storm will high winds through Friday evening with possible wind damage, blowing dust, and high fire danger. A line heavy snow is also possible in western New Mexico tonight.

Windier weather started moving into New Mexico Thursday afternoon with southwest winds gusting to as high as 50 mph across parts of the state. These winds have continue to pick up tonight as a strong storm system moves in. A line of rain and snow has started moving into western New Mexico tonight. This will likely form whats called a snow squall, or a line of intense and heavy snowfall that could cause brief whiteout conditions and dangerous driving conditions too. This line of rain and snow will move east across the western half of the state and eventually into the Rio Grande Valley around midnight. With warmer temperatures in the valley, snow will switch over to rain below 6,500. The line of rain and snow will fall apart as it moves into eastern New Mexico.

By Friday morning, only a few light snow showers will continue across northern New Mexico. Winds will be the bigger story. Westerly winds could gust as high as 80 mph between late tonight and early Friday afternoon across eastern New Mexico. Up to 55 mph gusts are likely elsewhere across the state. These winds could bring some of the worst blowing dust storms weve seen so far this year, along with potential wind damage, power outages, and a very high fire danger. Areas of blowing snow and near blizzard conditions will also be possible where snow falls tonight. Winds will slowly die down through Friday night.

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Another storm will cross New Mexico Saturday bringing scattered rain and snow showers through the day. An additional few inches of snow will be possible, with rain in the lower elevations. Northwest winds could gust as high as 40 mph Saturday afternoon. Quieter weather will return Sunday with calmer winds, drier conditions, warmer temperatures, and more sunshine.

Yet another storm will move into New Mexico early next week with winds picking up on Monday. The windiest day will be next Tuesday with gusts as high as 55 to 60 mph possible. Less moisture is likely with this storm system though, with the best chance for any rain and snow across the northern half of the state. Winds will stay breezy into the end of next week.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) After months of debate and changes to the language and clauses, the Abilene City Council approved a new animal ordinance Thursday morning.

Abilene pet owners raise concerns over proposed animal ordinance

Owners will now be required to show proof of spay/neuter when getting their pet back from Abilene Animal Outreach, formerly known as animal control. City attorney Stanley Smith said owners may have to pay on the second offense.

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Second time the dog is picked up. Then the city of Abilene has the opportunity to sterilize that dog or sterilize it and charge that to the animal owner before they reclaim the reclaimed dog or cat, Smith explained at the meeting.

City councilman Kyle McAlister addressed residents concerns at the meeting, stating they approved the clause with a clear understanding.

This stuff happens. I would hope that we have, and I think we have the ability to kind of look at these things with some common sense. I think if dogs get out by no fault of their own, that we can have some common sense when it comes to stuff like this, McAlister said.

Abilene City Council to revisit animal ordinance, may scrap spay/neuter mandate

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The ordinance prohibits restraining dogs unattended outside with weights or chains. Smith mentioned that this will help keep animals safe.

If they dont have potable water or if theyre left in an area that their standing in water or exposed to excessive animal waste or they cant get the shade or they dont have otherwise adequate shelter, we have added those in there to make it more specific as to what restraining a dog in an unhealthy situation may be, Smith said.

City of Abilene considers spay/neuter mandate, Aggressive Dog category

One of the biggest changes that sparked the initial conversation was a new clause that adds guidelines for aggressive dogs that attack other animals, making the investigation process similar to dogs that attack humans.

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Many residents expressed their content feelings with a resolution finally reached after a strenuous back and forth with residents and the city.

Certain rules in the ordinance exclude service animals, show animals, and specialty-trained animals, including those for agriculture and first response.

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The State Records Committee  the seven-member panel that resolves disputes over whether Utah government records are public or private  has a full agenda for its meeting next week.

The 13 cases on its docket are about evenly split between reporters and members of the public seeking access to documents that various public agencies, including police departments, universities and cities, dont want to release.

The March 20 meeting will be one the longstanding committees last before a newly passed law replaces the seven members with an administrative law judge appointed by the governor.

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While the Utah Media Coalition, a consortium of news outlets that works to keep government records open, initially opposed the measure, it took a neutral position after sponsor Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, made a key change that kept the heart of the states Government Records Access and Management Act, or GRAMA, intact.

Still, the Utah Legislature passed bills during its 45-day general session, which concluded last Friday, that will make it more difficult and expensive for Utahns to access government records. Lawmakers created more exceptions to the states open meeting laws and eliminated public scrutiny of the process for selecting public university presidents.

It was a tough session, said Jeff Hunt, an attorney who represents the Utah Media Coalition.

Heres a look at some of the bills on government transparency:

Settling records disputes

SB277 replaces the volunteer seven-member State Records Committee with an administrative director who is an attorney to oversee appeals after public records requests are denied by government agencies. The governor will appoint the director to a four-year term and also have the power to remove the director for cause before the term ends.

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During the session, McKell said the current records committee process is flawed and broken. He said the panels decisions are inconsistent because its members are not trained in the law.

Sen. Mike McKell, R-Salem, listens as Rachel Terry, director of risk management for the state, and Geoff Landward, commissioner of higher ed, speak as part of the bill presentation in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee as it hears discussion on SB277 at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Courts upheld the committees rulings 98% of the time, according to the media coalition.

McKell also said the process is slow and the new law would make it faster. State and legislative audits found few cases in recent years were resolved within the 73 days the law requires and last year the average time was 156 days.

The legislation initially sought to eliminate whats known as the public interest balancing test  in the law since it took effect in 1992  which is described as the beating heart of GRAMA. Without it, government entities could withhold records even if the public interest in disclosure was compelling and the interests favoring secrecy were nonexistent or minimal.

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McKell ultimately removed that piece.

Hunt said the coalition is pleased that the bill was amended to safeguard access to public records and ensure that citizens who appeal records denials will have a neutral and independent records appeal officer to hear their cases.

Making access more expensive

HB69 prevents someone who successfully gets access to records on appeal from recovering court costs, unless the government showed bad faith. That means they could incur an expense opposing the government even if its decided they should have been given the records in the first place.

Utah County clerk Aaron Davidson listens to a hearing in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee on HB69, Government Records and Information Amendments, in the Senate building at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The possibility that government would have to pay attorney fees for wrongfully denying a citizen access to public records was a powerful incentive for agencies to comply with the law. HB69 took that away. Now government can deny requests and citizens will have no recourse because going to court is too expensive, Hunt said.

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Sen. Calvin Musselman, R-West Haven, the bills Senate sponsor, said that requirement makes the process a two-way street so that it goes both ways when it comes to recovering legal costs. Requiring bad faith to be shown is a reasonable provision, he said during the legislative session.

Secret presidential searches

SB282 exempts the Utah Board of Higher Educations presidential search committee from public meetings requirements, restricts presidential applications from public view and requires that the board protect candidate confidentiality. The committee would now recommend three finalists to the board, which would meet in a public meeting only when making a final hire.

Utah law had allowed for the public release of the names of three to five finalists.

Senate Majority Whip Chris Wilson, R-Logan, presents SB282, which hides university presidential search candidates from GRAMA requests, during a meeting of the House Education Committee in the Senate Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Senate Majority Whip Chris Wilson, R-Logan, argued during the session that making the process confidential will attract more high-quality candidates. He said the current process forces the unnecessary disclosure and discussion of their personal details.

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Hunt said making the names public allows for further vetting of candidates and could turn up relevant information the search committee missed.

Theres value in allowing the public to have a role in this process, he said during the session. I understand theres stakeholders on the search committee, but the most important stakeholder is the public.

A crime to destroy documents

SB169 makes it a crime to destroy documents that are subject to a pending public records request and requires more training of GRAMA records officers.

Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, speaks during a special session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Sponsor Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, earlier told the Deseret News he wants to clarify the process and make sure its cleaner, more precise and more understandable.

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Im trying to make sure that things are open and accessible, he said, adding his proposed legislation makes the process more transparent and more responsible.

Hunt called it the only bright spot on government transparency to come out of the legislative session.
Plaintiffs in a lawsuit over January's immigration raids are seeking a preliminary injunction against U.S. Customs and Border Protection tactics used when conducting searches.

Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of California on behalf of the United Farm Workers union and five local residents who were detained as part of January's Operation Return to Sender, which resulted in the arrests of nearly 80 people.

The lawsuit argues the tactics used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents during the operation were unconstitutional, violating the protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

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The injunction, if granted, would provide immediate action on what the lawsuit seeks to establish in court, that the tactics deployed in January's operation were unconstitutional, and prohibit CBP agents from using those tactics in the future.

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges CBP agents engaged in racial profiling when approaching and questioning people about their immigration status, based only on their appearance.

"There are constitutional and federal laws that say that you have to have either reasonable suspicion or probable cause depending on what you're doing, that the person is violating immigration laws and that can't just be based on race and appearance," said Bree Bernwanger, an attorney with the ACLU who is working on the case.

Several people arrested in January were approached outside local businesses and said they were detained when they tried to exercise their right to remain silent.

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"We're not saying that they can't perform any detentions or arrests," Bernwanger said. "They just can't do it based on lack of reasonable suspicion or probable cause and just go solely based on skin color."

The ACLU filed the lawsuit against CBP and the Department of Homeland Security last month, and filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on March 7. The motion is provisionally set to be heard April 11.

The injunction would require that CBP "refrain from detentive stops without reasonable suspicion that the person stopped is in the country unlawfully, and warrantless arrests without regard to probable cause that the arrestee is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately return request for comment Thursday, but has defended the operation in the past, saying it was a targeted effort to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.

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The injunction, if granted, would only apply to the Eastern District of California where the case is being heard, Bernwanger said. Because CBP has stated it will continue enforcement operations in the area, the motion for an injunction argues there is an immediate need for relief.

"They weren't trying to stop somebody who they already knew had violated the immigration laws. They just stopped someone based on what they looked like, knocked on the window to ask for their papers, and if they didn't roll down the window, they broke the window," said Ajay Krishnan, an attorney with the San Francisco law firm of Keker, Van Nest and Peters, who is also working on the case.

"So that's something that could happen to anyone," Krishnan said.

Berwagner said CBP doesn't receive the same kind of training that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does and typically operates closer to the border.

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"Why we think the lawsuit is a powerful one and should succeed and why we should be able to get an injunction is because what they're doing is already illegal," Bernwanger said. "What we want is not just for them to follow the law, but there are reasons why we think they're not following the law."

Several of President Trump's actions in the first few months of his term have been challenged in court, and the president has tried to limit lower courts' ability to issue nationwide injunctions against the administration's orders.

On Thursday, the president asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restrict the scope of three nationwide injunctions issued by lower courts against his Jan. 20 executive order altering policy on birthright citizenship.

Bernwanger and Krishnan said their motion for an injunction was limited to the district where the case was being heard and no nationwide action is being requested.
On Sunday, Romanias Central Election Bureau barred far-Right firebrand Calin Georgescu from running in Mays presidential elections. Georgescu immediately contested this decision but to no avail. After two hours of deliberations on Tuesday, the Romanian Constitutional Court ruled unanimously in support of banning Georgescus election bid.

Romanias decision to bar Georgescu from seeking his countrys highest office has triggered mixed international reactions. European leaders have largely refrained from casting judgment on the Georgescu ruling.

Despite Russias track record of preventing critics of President Vladimir Putin from pursuing higher office, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov panned Romanias decision as a violation of all democratic norms in the centre of Europe. While President Donald Trump has not commented on Romanias decision, his close ally Tesla CEO Elon Musk branded it as crazy.

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Was Romania justified in barring Georgescus candidacy or do its critics have a point? There is no easy answer to this question.

On the one hand, there is evidence that Georgescu benefited from undisclosed financial support and Russian election interference. After the Constitutional Court annulled Georgescus triumph in the first round of Romanias elections in December 2024,

Romanian prosecutors raided three properties linked to Bogdan Peschir in Brasov. Peschir was accused of providing 360,000 to pro-Georgescu influencers on TikTok. Peschirs funds raised Georgescus profile and transformed him from a fringe candidate into a frontrunner. This contradicts Georgescus declaration of zero funds spent during the Romanian election campaign.

Georgescus promotion of Russia-friendly narratives has been a consistent feature of his political career. Georgescu has decried the artificiality of Ukraine and lionised Putin as a man who loves his country. Georgescu has blamed the machinations of the US military-industrial complex for Russias invasion of Ukraine and branded Natos ballistic missile defence shield a disgrace.

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The consistency of Georgescus rhetoric ensures that the Kremlin viewed him as a reliable surrogate in Romania. Post-election research from the London-based Foreign Policy Centre (FPC) suggests that a coordinated campaign amplified Georgescus candidacy on X, Telegram, Facebook and YouTube.

After examining 3,500 pro-Georgescu posts and publications, the FPC discovered that the majority originated from Russian state media sources like RT and Sputnik.

The Romanian authorities allege that Russias interference on Georgescus behalf went beyond disinformation. In early December, Romanias top security council revealed that the countrys electoral system was subjected to 85,000 cyberattacks. As Russian cybercrime websites published access data for major Romanian election websites, it is plausible that the Kremlin masterminded this spree of cyberattacks.

These arguments seem to crystallise Romanias case that it needed to ban Georgescus campaign on national security grounds. But there is a bit more to the story.

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After the Brasov raids, the Romanian authorities did not directly link Peschirs TikTok ads to a Russian state order. There also isnt smoking gun evidence that Georgescu solicited Kremlin interference or was directly involved in Peschirs alleged money laundering scheme. And even if more solid evidence surfaces, Georgescu hasnt been convicted of anything in a court of law.

These seeds of doubt could sow discord within Romanian society and undermine public confidence in Romanias democratic process.

A plurality of Romanians voted for Georgescu because his rhetoric resonated with their worldview. Former Deputy Secretary General of Nato Mircea Geoana acknowledged this reality after Georgescus first-round triumph by stating Its hugely mistaken to believe all of this is because of Russia. There is a whole cocktail of grievances in our society.

Georgescus forced removal from Romanias political scene will inspire other Right-wing nationalists to assume his mantle.

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George-Nicolae Simion, the leader of Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) which is the second largest party in the Romanian parliament, is actively courting Georgescus support base. Although Simion is pro-Nato, he shares Georgescus Euroscepticism and opposition to militarily supporting Ukraine. An emboldened Simion, who has decried Georgescus exclusion as a fatal moment for Romanian democracy, will deepen mistrust of Romanias political institutions.

The legacy of Georgescus exclusion could extend far beyond Romanias borders. Elsewhere in Europe, establishment politicians have branded their opponents on the far-Right as extremists. During the run-up to the June 2024 French legislative elections, President Emmanuel Macron framed himself as a bulwark against extremism and political chaos.

After the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) triumphed in Thuringia and recorded large gains in Saxony in September 2024, Germanys soon-to-be Chancellor Friedrich Merz disavowed the AfD as Right-wing extremist and pledged to avoid any cooperation with the party.

This rhetoric has been paired with legal actions against Right-wing populist and far-Right parties. In May 2024, a court in Munster deemed the AfD to be a suspected extremist organisation. This ruling stemmed from the courts belief that the AfD wanted to create a two-tier society that gave ethnic Germans more rights than descendants of immigrants. As the AfD was deemed culpable in illegal discrimination, the courts ruling allowed the German intelligence services to monitor its activities and communications.

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French National Rally Leader Marine Le Pen has long faced scrutiny over her handling of her partys finances. Le Pens 2014 First Czech Russian Bank loan fuelled legitimate concerns about her susceptibility to Kremlin interference. Legal pressure on the National Rally has reached new heights since last years French legislative elections.

In November 2024, a Paris prosecutor proposed a five-year prison sentence and five-year ban from political office for Le Pen for alleged misappropriation of European Parliament funds. The prohibition on political participation would take effect immediately and would not be relinquished even as appeals were underway.

While campaign finance violations, unlawful discrimination and hostile state interference should have no place in European political life, the forced ostracisation of far-Right parties is a slippery slope. It risks making these parties even more extreme and further eroding public trust in the media, court systems and democratic institutions. Party leaders can be silenced but the ideas they espouse and grievances they awaken do not easily go underground.

Romanias suspension of Georgescus insurgent campaign is a double-edged sword. It protects Romania from the short-term threat of Russian interference while sowing doubts about the strength of its democracy. European leaders should take note.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Azerbaijani government and people should be congratulated for the return of the occupied territories, David Merkel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State, told reporters, Trend reports.

Speaking to journalists at the XII Global Baku Forum, Merkel mentioned that although the international community was unable to resolve this through peaceful means, it has now been accomplished:

"Currently, Azerbaijan is reconstructing its liberated territories. Therefore, I believe this is something that both the country and the entire region can celebrate.

It is clear that the issue in Karabakh was resolved on the battlefield. Thus, what has happened in Karabakh is very important, and I believe the reconstruction efforts there will provide many lessons. Hopefully, in other conflicts, the international community will show greater leadership and not leave the resolution of such issues to the countries and their leadership. I think this also opens up broader integration opportunities for the normalization of relations in the South Caucasus," he said.

Merkel also expressed his pleasure at being part of the Global Baku Forum.

"I have attended several editions of this forum. It is a very important meeting in the region, and President Ilham Aliyev deserves congratulations for bringing world leaders together for this conference. This forum provides an opportunity for people with different perspectives to engage in meaningful discussions. Talking about important issues requires significant leadership experience."

Merkel also noted that establishing stability in Ukraine, a major European country is among the key issues on the agenda:

"Both the situation in Ukraine and Gaza should be resolved through negotiations. Achieving lasting peace in Gaza is also crucial. Hopefully, the international community will take a more active role in addressing other potential conflicts worldwide, preventing them from escalating into military confrontations," he concluded.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 through 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) called out the stupidity of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) inviting far-right political strategist Steve Bannon on his podcast.

I am in shock at the stupidity of [Newsom] inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast, Kinzinger wrote in a social media post Wednesday.

Kinzinger, one of the few former GOP lawmakers who has taken a stand against the policies of President Donald Trump, was referring to a podcast hosted by Newsom that featured Bannon as a guest.

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Bannon, who was a top adviser to Trump during the presidents first term, is a far-right nationalist who was accused last month of giving a Nazi salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

In a video, Kinzinger called Bannon the author of this chaos were seeing right now.

Bannon is the one that says you need to flood the zone with shit, Kinzinger said. Bannon is the one that is basically the author of where we are and what Donald Trump wants. And because Gavin Newsom wants to run for president and thinks hes going to be this healer, he brings on this nationalist. Many of us on the right sacrificed our careers taking these people on, and Newsom is trying to make a career with them. This is insane.

In regard to the Bannon interview, Newsom told Politico: I think we all agreed after the last election that its important for Democrats to explore new and unique ways of talking to people.

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Newsom also hosted far-right political commentator Charlie Kirk earlier this month. During that podcast, Newsom said he agreed with Kirk and the Republican Partys stance on transgender girls and women in sports.

On Thursday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) also criticized Newsom for hosting Bannon.

I think that Governor Newsom bringing on different voices is great. We shouldnt be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone, Beshear told reporters at a Democratic policy retreat in Virginia. But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger, and even at some points violence, and I dont think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Launched in 2021, the Sunflower Summer program offers Kansas families free educational attractions to boost learning and the economy. With funding now under review, supporters urge policymakers to sustain it.

The initiative enables school-age children and their families to explore over 200 museums, historic sites, zoos, and nature centers, including the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, at no cost for admission during the summer months.

Advocates say it enhances educational access, keeps children engaged in the summer, and generates economic benefits.

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Sedgwick County Zoo attraction now comes free

Eric Kale, director of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, emphasized the programs far-reaching effects.

We are very excited about the Sunflower Summer program that was introduced just a couple of years ago and has meant so much to a lot of families across Kansas, Kale said. Last year, 150,000 families signed up, and for each of those, there were several kids participating.

Beyond its educational benefits, Sunflower Summer has also contributed to statewide tourism by encouraging families to explore different parts of Kansas. Kale highlighted its role in economic stimulation.

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It also brings people, mobilizes them to travel here in the state, he said. Its one of the public education initiatives that actually generates money right then and there. It helps a lot with the tourism side of things because people are traveling across the state with their families to take advantage of what we have to offer.

Participation in the program is simple: Families download an app that provides free admission tickets to various attractions. Institutions offering free admission are then reimbursed through the program, ensuring their financial sustainability.

For the historical museum, this has meant so much because weve seen firsthand the families that come in, Kale said. Many families travel to Wichita from across the state, and many local families also participate.

As discussions continue regarding the programs future, advocates stress its dual role in education and economic growth. Kale urged policymakers to recognize its value.

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Our elected officials are very interested in knowing its value, and I think a lot of them do, Kale said. When they look at educational spending in the state, they realize this is especially impactful.

The short answer is that it will still be around this summer, but Kansans can expect the dates it is available to be cut almost in half, according to 109th Kansas House District Representative Troy Waymaster.

Advocates are circulating an online petition to send to the governor, pleading to save the program. The President of the Wichita Arts Council, Matthew Broderick, said over 24,000 people have now signed the petition.

The math doesnt math, Broderick said.

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The big worry about the Sunflower Program is the cost. It is time to pay up on the $3 million worth of tickets families used for museums, zoos, and attractions in 2024.

Broderick said there is nervous energy around upcoming decisions.

The folks in Topeka will always say we love this program, but it always boils back down to, well, well just have to wait and see what the budget looks like, Broderick said.

The number of attractions to fit into that budget jumped from 81 to more than 200, meaning paying back ticket prices for those venues will cost more, but the budget may not go up.

Waymaster said he has heard an argument against funding the program.

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Ive always heard about it is government shouldnt be funding to have people travel around the state, he said.

The original dates, May 15 through mid-August, fell in two fiscal periods. Lawmakers are now recommending they cut the program to July 1 through Aug. 15, fitting it into just one fiscal period.

The hope is to make funding more affordable.

The other issue is its a widely popular program. Thats why it cannot be completely cut because there are so many families that have utilized the Sunflower Summer App throughout the state of Kansas and have traveled the state of Kansas, generating economic activity in the state of Kansas, so its been widely beneficial, Waymaster said.

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Colby community builds inclusive playground for all children

Theres uncertainty left for businesses that rely on funding from the Sunflower Summer Program.

People who support the program said the upside is money is pumped back into the community when people shop, get gas, and stay at hotels during their time at attractions.

The budget has passed through the House of Representatives and is being spoken about in the Senate. There could be a decision by April 12.

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Austin police believe a man charged in the deaths of five people, including an infant and a child, in a crash on Interstate 35 was under the influence of depressants that left him "not capable of operating a vehicle safely," an arrest affidavit obtained by the American-Statesman said.

The document indicates that Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, showed numerous signs of impairment during both a field sobriety test and an evaluation conducted at a local hospital. The signs included bloodshot and watery eyes, loss of balance and an inability to accurately count backwards.

Araya blew 0.00 on a preliminary breath test, according to the document, and a detective who conducted the follow-up examination concluded that he was "under the influence of CNS depressants." CNS depressants are a broad category of drug such as sedatives that depress the central nervous system.

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More: Truck driver charged with intoxication manslaughter in 17-vehicle car crash in N. Austin

"The driver's vital signs were all in normal range, and he seemed very calm and relaxed given the situation," according to the "drug recognition evaluation" section of the affidavit, which noted that Araya "stated that he did not consume any alcohol or drugs."

According to the affidavit, Araya told police that he was driving in the center lane of I-35 when a car cut him off. He said he slammed on his brakes but that they did not activate.

Witnesses told police that traffic was stopped and that the truck "did not brake" before slamming into cars.

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More: See devastating aftermath of deadly 17-vehicle car crash on I-35 in Austin

When officers arrived, one witness told them that Araya was trying to leave the area. They then found Araya "peaking out of the vehicle."

Araya remains in the Travis County Jail. Police initially charged him with driving while intoxicated but have since said that he will be charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Driver charged in 17-car crash on I-35 in Austin flunked sobriety test
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djiboutis long-serving foreign minister, took office as the African Union Commissions chair yesterday, four weeks after defeating Raila Odinga, Kenyas former prime minister and perennial opposition leader, in the race for the job. He succeeds Chads Moussa Faki, who leaves after serving two four-year terms. Youssoufs victory represents a diplomatic victory for one of the continents smallest but diplomatically agile states. But it is being seen more as a setback for Kenyas ambitious foreign policy under President William Ruto.

Though recently at odds with Odinga due to their domestic political differences, Ruto took the campaign for the commission chair personally, mobilizing the entire Kenyan government in an attempt to secure the post for his former rival. Ruto likely preferred the thought of Odinga occupied with work at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, as it would bolster his own re-election prospects. If so, his calculations recall those of former South African President Jacob Zuma, who ensured that Nkosazana Dlamini-Zumahis former wife and domestic political rivalwas elected AU Commission chair in 2012.

While the blocs major donorsAlgeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and South Africahave seldom held the top position, there has been a clear pattern of success for candidates backed by respected or influential heads of state. Dlamini-Zuma hailed from the continents economic powerhouse, for instance, and at the time the outgoing Faki first won the post in 2017, he benefited from the influential support of then-Chadian President Idriss Deby, who had just held the more prominent position of AU Chair. One might have expected the same dynamic to play in Odingas favor.

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However, Ruto did not anticipate the level of opposition the prospect of a Kenyan at the head of the commission would generate. Early in the race, Youssouf received the endorsement of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes 27 African members, in part because Rutos portrayal of Kenya as a staunch Western ally alienated states that were more sympathetic to Palestine. There were also doubts about whether Odinga would be fully autonomous in his approach to the role or instead serve as a proxy for Nairobi.

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For all the headwinds Odinga faced, Youssouf also certainly benefited from his long experience in Djibouti, which despite its small size has an active diplomatic profile as part of its efforts to secure external investment in support of its stability. Djibouti hosts the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, the regional bloc comprising eight member states that oversees trade and diplomacy in the Horn of Africa. Unlike other groups on the continent, IGAD is supported by several non-African partner nations, including France, the U.K. and the U.S., highlighting the kind of multilateral networks of support Djibouti has been cultivating.

Djiboutis approach serves as a model for leveraging great power competition for its own advantage, without aligning itself with one side or the other.

The degree to which Djibouti has successfully leveraged its strategic location on the Horn of Africa is a further sign of its active diplomacy. It is home to at least eight foreign military bases from diverse and even rival countries. These include Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. militarys sole permanent base in Africa, as well as a French military and naval base that is among Frances largest overseas contingents. But Djibouti also houses Chinas first overseas military base, as well as bases for Italy, Japan and South Korea, all of which were established to combat piracy and defend vital economic interests in the Red Sea. This sizable foreign presence has contributed to ensuring Djiboutis stability by incentivizing global powers to keep it insulated from other conflicts in the Horn of Africa.

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These bases have also resulted in significant economic investments in the country, allowing it to boast a considerably higher GDP per capita than its neighbors, while its coastal access has boosted economic and infrastructure linkages with landlocked Ethiopia. Djiboutis aspirations include becoming a commercial trade hub for the continent as part of its Vision Djibouti 2035 plan, anchored in a strong neutral stance toward competing interests in the region to ensure a sustainable environment for investors.

Djiboutis approach serves as a model of leveraging great power competition for its own advantage, without aligning itself with one side or the other. This was likely an argument used by Youssouf and his campaign team, particularly given Rutos apparent decision to align himself and Kenya with the West. At a time when the U.S. under President Donald Trump is curtailing foreign aid and China under President Xi Jinping is reining in its infrastructure investment on the continent, African states may have viewed Djiboutis more open and balanced diplomatic portfoliowhich Youssouf, as foreign minister since 2005, has been instrumental in crafting and implementingas a valuable selling point.

Youssouf also likely benefited from the influence within the AU of Djiboutis President Ismail Omar Guelleh. In an organization where longevity is equated with seniority and a premium is placed on experience, the fact that Guelleh has been in office since 1999 may have made a difference. Awarding Djibouti the commission chair might also have been seen as an opportunity to accommodate Guelleh, who is expected to step down in next years elections due to an age limit established by the countrys 2010 constitutional reforms. Against that backdrop, the position in Addis Ababa may also have been seen as a convenient offramp for Youssouf ahead of the upcoming succession race back home.

That said, Youssouf may also be the right person at the right time for the job. His experience as foreign minister provides him with a deep understanding of Africas intricate diplomatic architecture, in which the AU must interface with several regional economic communities and overlapping trade blocs. Djiboutis non-threatening status with regard to the continents aspiring hegemons can also make it an honest broker in efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts. And the AU contest tends to award the top job to states seen as relatively less ambitious, while the roles on the commission overseeing economic and security affairs are more hotly contested by the continents bigger powers. Nigeria is currently handling the political affairs, peace and security brief for a second term, for instance, while South Africa has now assumed the infrastructure and energy portfolio. Lastly, in selecting more of a secretary than a general, AU leaders have made clear their desire to limit the commission chair to overseeing the organizations day-to-day administration, so that decisions over policy direction remain the exclusive preserve of the assembly of heads of state. Having a former head of government and someone with Odingas stature and influence may have complicated that goal.

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Beyond the contest and Djiboutis growing diplomatic ambitions, questions remain about how successful Youssouf can be in this role. Fakis first term was largely deemed successful, characterized by a fairly active commission and the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, or AfCFTA. But momentum subsequently waned during his second term. Some argue that Debys death in 2021 may have deprived Faki of a long-term ally among the heads of state to support his agenda, a challenge that Youssouf might similarly encounter if Guelleh steps down next year.

This highlights the obstacles facing the AU as an institution that still lacks the necessary stature to effectively engage with the issues it must address. Like Youssouf, Faki was a former Chadian foreign minister with a broad network of contacts and substantial experience. Upon assuming office, he was confident of his ability to effectively utilize the commission to achieve the AUs objectives. He leaves office frustrated by how many of the organizations anticipated reforms failed to materialize, leaving him without the tools and powers necessary to have an impact.

Youssoufs campaign for the role focused on building institutional capacity and ties with foreign powers, enhancing the AUs peacekeeping capability and strengthening the bodys self-financing. The persistent challenge in addressing many of these issues, years after reforms intended to do so and decades after the AUs formation, highlights the scale of the challenge ahead.

Afolabi Adekaiyaoja is a writer, researcher and political analyst from Nigeria who writes on democracy, elections, geopolitics and institutions in West Africa. He can be followed on Twitter at @adekaiyaoja.

The post The African Union Is Giving Djiboutis Diplomatic Model a Try appeared first on World Politics Review.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has said that the framework agreement with the United States on mineral resources has been completed, and Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine quoting Stefanishyna on the sidelines of the Forbes Exporters Summit in Kyiv on Friday, 14 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stefanishyna reiterated Ukraine's readiness to sign the minerals agreement with the US at any time and noted that negotiations on the text of the agreement had been completed.

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"The agreement is ready; there are no changes to the text. The negotiations are closed," she said.

She said that the US side has not decided when and under what conditions they want to sign it at this stage.

"Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time," she assured.

Background:

Following talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Tuesday 11 March, the presidents of the United States and Ukraine agreed on developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources.

The failure to sign the minerals deal with Ukraine lies behind the worsening relations between Kyiv and Washington.

On 12 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was ready to sign a framework agreement with the US on rare earth metals.

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Alabama moving forward with execution of James Osgood

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Alabama Supreme Court and Gov. Kay Ivey have cleared the way for death row inmate James Osgood to be put to death next month.

On Thursday, Ivey set Osgoods execution to take place between midnight on April 24 and 6 a.m. April 25. This follows the Alabama Supreme Courts approval for the state to move forward with Osgoods execution.

Osgood, 55, was convicted in the 2010 murder of his girlfriends cousin, Tracy Brown, in Clanton. Prosecutors argued that Osgood, who was convicted in 2014, allegedly slashed Browns throat as he raped her. In an unusual turn of events, Osgood asked to be sentenced to death during his resentencing in 2018, just before a jury could be struck.

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Over the summer, Osgood dropped his appeals and asked that he be executed.

Ivey said that while she has no current plans to grant clemency to Osgood, she would continue to retain her right to grant a reprieve or commutation up until the moment of his execution.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Gov. Kay Ivey Friday set an April 24 execution date for James Osgood, convicted in 2014 of the rape and murder of Tracy Brown in 2010. If the execution goes forward, Osgood will be the second person put to death by the state of Alabama this year. (Alabama Department of Corrections)

Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled an execution for late April, the second of the year.

James Osgood will be executed by lethal injection on the evening of April 24, according to the governors office. Ivey set an execution period between midnight on April 24 and 6 a.m. April 25.

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A jury in Chilton County in 2014 convicted Osgood, 55, of the 2010 murder of Tracy Brown, 44, and sentenced him to death. According to court documents, Osgood and his girlfriend Tonya Vandyke accompanied Brown to her home where the two eventually raped and murdered her.

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals sent the case to the Chilton County Circuit Court in 2016 after the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit focused on criminal justice issues, argued that the judge in the case made an error when giving instructions to the jury.

The appeals court ordered that Chilton County Circuit Court repeat the penalty phase of the trial, but Osgood in 2018 requested he be sentenced to death, saying he believes in an eye for eye.

The state in February executed Demetrius Frazier by nitrogen gas for the 1991 rape and murder of Pauline Brown. Ivey commuted the death sentence of Robin Rocky Myers earlier this month, saying she was not so convinced of his guilt as to approve of his execution.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaking to reporters on March 13, 2025, at the board's March meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. The board unanimously approved state intervention in the Dallas County School System. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama State Department of Education Thursday voted to approve state intervention in Dallas County Schools.

State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said in an interview Thursday the school system has significant financial deficiencies. Mackey said the district did not follow proper procurement processes in dealing with more than $12.1 million in federal funds.

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That doesnt mean somebody has stolen the money or anything like that. It just means theyve not gone through the proper procurement processes, Mackey said.

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Messages seeking comment were left with Dallas County Schools on Thursday. William Minor, vice president of the Dallas County Board of Education, said in a phone interview that the board is in favor of the takeover.

If theres any irregularity we want to know about it, and I dont know of any better way of knowing than to have state intervention, he said.

Dallas County Schools has about 1,700 students, according to Mackey.

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The intervention means that the state, not the Dallas County Board of Education, will make decisions about personnel, finance and operations in the district. Mackey also said the state and not the board will appoint a superintendent for the system to replace Anthony Sampson, the current superintendent, who plans to leave over the summer. The Selma Times-Journal reported that Sampson last November asked the board to not renew his contract, saying he was not getting top support from board members in doing his job.

Mackey said the intervention will last at least two years.

This is the third state intervention in a year under Mackey. The state has also taken over Bessemer City Schools in Jefferson County and Sumter County Schools.

Alabama State Board of Education Vice President Tonya Chestnut, whose district includes Dallas County, said the intervention is bittersweet.

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We have an obligation to respond when school districts request support and help, she said in an interview. Dallas County recognized that they needed some assistance, and so today we opened the door for them to get that assistance.

Several Black Belt school systems, including Sumter County, have seen enrollment declines amid ongoing population loss. Dallas County lost about 5,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, a decline of about 12%. Mackey said the enrollment in both Dallas County Schools and Selma City Schools, a separate school district from Dallas County, have dropped by about 50% in the last 20 years. He said it is a possibility that the two systems would consolidate, but enrollment is not his primary concern.

This intervention is not about that. Im not saying that that couldnt happen if thats what the community came to terms with and felt like would be better, Mackey said.

A February letter sent to Dallas County Schools by the state department said that an audit released on June 28 found that the board had no controls in place regarding procurement, making it noncompliant with federal law. A follow-up in July found that the system did not have internal controls for all of its federal programs.

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State officials said Dallas County Schools failure to follow procurement procedures, the school system owes $12.2 million to the federal government. Auditors with the state Department of Education said that the system has not fully disclosed its financial records since 2020.

The school board must respond to Mackeys letter within three weeks.

This is a very serious matter and one I do not take lightly, Mackey wrote. Inaction and mismanagement put our students, teachers and school administrators at risk of continuously falling behind the ALSDEs expectations and as the State Superintendent, I find that utterly unacceptable.

Mackey said that for every school system the state intervenes in, there are 10 systems the state is working with behind the scenes to prevent intervention. He did not identify the systems.

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We are always working with districts to try to help them keep their heads above water and do what they need to do locally, training with board board members, working with the Alabama association of school boards, he said. So were always working to help school districts become better, higher functioning, but sometimes they just need a little more help than that, a little more oversight.

Chestnut said the boards priority is always to make sure that students get a quality education, even if that means the state intervenes.

You always hate to have to intervene, but its always good to be able to go in and provide that support, she said. At the end of the day, its about making sure that the children are receiving the quality education that they deserve.

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Scientists say that an eruption from Mount Spurr, a volcano near Anchorage, Alaska, is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months.

The volcano is emitting large amounts of dangerous gas and experiencing seismic unrest. Magma is also developing beneath the volcano and snow is melting on its surface. Scientists predict more activity and surface heating to grow from the volcano, providing days or hopefully weeks of advance warning.

Nevertheless, such warning may not be forthcoming.

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It is also possible that an eruption could occur with little or no additional warning, the Alaska Volcano Observatory stated. This would be extremely hazardous for recreators on Mount Spurr or near its drainages as well as those overflying the volcano.

What could Mount Spurr do to Anchorage?

Anchorage, which at a population of over 280,000 people is Alaskas largest city, has erupted before. Multiple vents or eruption points exist on Mount Spurr. About 5,000 years ago, the summit vent exploded; more recently, the Crater Peak vent, which is about two miles south of the summit, erupted once in 1953 and three times in 1992, per CBS News. Researchers find that the probable upcoming explosion is most likely to come from Crater Peak, per Alaska Public Media.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory predicts that the current likely upcoming eruption would probably look like the eruptions that took place in the 1900s.

Such eruptions lasted up to seven hours and fumed ash over tens of thousands of feet into the sky. Ashfall about a quarter-inch deep mildly disrupted everyday life in Anchorage in 1992, but only so far as keeping residents inside for a time or forcing them to wear masks if they did go outside. Airports were also temporarily closed.

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Mount Spurr has been under watch since spring 2024, when researchers noticed minor earthquakes taking place under the mountain, per Alaska Public Media.

Mount Spurr remains in advisory status as of March 13. The observatory predicts that the volcano will experience one or more explosive events, judging from the amount of unrest currently boiling beneath the mountains surface.

More often than not, we have explosive eruptions that fragment magma and shoot ash, you know, 50,000 feet into the atmosphere, said Matt Haney, head of the observatory.

This photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the east flank of Takawangha Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on June 10, 2021. Not one but two volcanoes on the same island in Alaska are showing signs of unrest. A swarm of earthquakes occurring since late February 2023 has intensified, a possible indication of an impending eruption. | Matt Loewen

Government reaction to the explosion

Alaska is home to 130 volcanoes, 53 of which have been active in the last few centuries. At over 10,000 feet tall, Anchorage is barely in its shadow  the city is about 80 miles southeast of the volcano.

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Alaska is not new to volcanic eruptions.

We are actively working with General Services Administration to ensure that every facility and asset is utilized effectively, and where necessary, identifying alternative solutions that strengthen our mission, stated Miel Corbett, the western communications chief with USGS, on Wednesday, per Anchorage Daily News.

These efforts reflect our broader commitment to streamlining government operations while ensuring that conservation efforts remain strong, effective and impactful.

Authorities recommend that Alaskans create emergency preparedness kits, including N95 masks in case of excessive ash in the air, spare air and oil filters, windshield wipers and washer fluids for vehicles and plastic sheeting and tape to cover sensitive equipment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The U.S. commends Armenia and Azerbaijan for concluding negotiations on a draft peace treaty, said the U.S. State Department, Trend reports.

"This is an opportunity for both countries to turn the page on a decades-old conflict in line with President Trumps vision for a more peaceful world. Now is the time to commit to peace, sign and ratify the treaty, and usher in a new era of prosperity for the people of the South Caucasus," the statement reads.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
OTSEGO, Mich. (WOOD)  Allegan Area Educational Service Agency will end a special education program at Otsego Public Schools, the group confirmed Thursday.

The offsite, Level 3 program is closing at the end of the school year because of space constraints brought up by Otsego administrators. The program is used by students from around Allegan County, not just Otsego Public Schools. ESA Superintendent William Brown said county superintendents decided to provide the services to their students at their home districts.

Logan Sipkema said her son, who is non-verbal and has autism, has greatly benefited from the Level 3 program. Her son is usually in a classroom with other students in need of more support. Sometimes, he interacts with other students during lunch and recess.

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Rockford school board votes to repurpose Parkside Elementary

He has a peer support; one of the students in the class is kind of his buddy. And theyve got down the routine and they help him. And they love it and he loves it. And even the friends hes had last year in class remember him and talked about him over the summer and couldnt wait to see him again, she said.

Sipkema said getting the email about the closure Wednesday afternoon was jarring.

I was just so in absolute shock and disbelief and other parents were also agreeing that this is so left field, like we never saw this coming. We had such great experiences and everything, said Sipkema.

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Right now, 15-17 students are in the program. Brown said over the phone that student growth has improved and fostering that means integrating with other peers. In a statement sent to News 8, he said students will still get individualized support at their home districts.

The Allegan Area ESA remains committed to supporting students, families, and staff throughout this transition to ensure all students receive the services they need in an inclusive and supportive environment, said Brown.

A full force: Family reflects on legacy of Otsego grassroots leader

The transition plan includes administrators, special education teachers and staff planning for the next phase after spring break. Student needs will be reviewed before the end of this school year. All staff will be reassigned by employee strengths and student needs informing the decision. The Specialized Instruction Director team will work with administrators and staff to ensure resources follow the students.

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Sipkema said she likes the staff and environment her son is in now. She hopes the future brings clear answers.

We as their parent are their biggest advocate. But when you have something like this kind of just thrown out there like, This is what its going to be and we cant tell you anything more, it leaves a lot of scary unknowns for the future and for our kids, and thats very, very scary for us as parents, especially a parent of a kid who cant speak for themselves, she said.

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LA MALBAIE, Quebec (AP)  Top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies agreed Friday on a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine and a U.S. ceasefire proposal in the three-year-old war even as President Donald Trumps trade policies and taunts toward host Canada overshadowed the talks.

Despite the tensions, diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan signed off on a final communique after hours of late-night negotiations. There were concerns that the blocs once solid unity had been thrown into irreversible disarray by Trump's whopping tariffs on steel and aluminum and threats for additional levies if there is any retaliation.

Although the trade war and Trumps repeated comments about turning Canada into the 51st state distracted from the discussions, diplomats were able to rally around his Ukraine peace plan.

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What the G7 said about Ukraine and the US plan for peace

G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence," the communique said. G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied after the meeting that the G7 support for Ukraine's territorial sovereignty strayed from the Trump administration's position, including its insistence that Ukraine must be open to ceding control of some land to Russia to get a peace deal.

Ive never heard President Trump say that Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there," Rubio told reporters. "So thats not inconsistent.

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The G7 diplomats discussed, but did not detail, imposing further sanctions on Russia  including the possibility of selling seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense  should Russia not accept and respect a ceasefire and providing additional support for Ukraine in that event.

In a significant change from the past, the G7 statement did not contain a specific condemnation of Russia for invading Ukraine. Rubio had said prior to the meetings that the U.S. did not see the value in antagonizing Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was considering Trumps ceasefire proposal.

Putin said Thursday he agrees with the plan in principle, but set out a host of details that need to be clarified before it is accepted.

The G7 statement emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression.

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Still, Trumps apparent desire to draw Putin back into the fold  including saying he would like to see Russia rejoin the group to restore it to the G8  continues to alarm G7 members. Russia was thrown out of the G8 after it seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Unity but also division among allies

Despite the agreement on key points, Trump's policies were front and center as the allies gathered for two days of talks at a snowy resort in La Malbaie, Quebec.

All G7 members are affected by the tariffs but perhaps none more so than Canada, the only one that borders the United States and the only one that Trump has personally antagonized with repeated derogatory comments about it becoming the 51st state.

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Rubio, on his first official trip to Canada and his first to a G7 event, heard a litany of complaints as he met with his counterparts.

Many of them, notably the Japanese, appealed to Rubio to use what influence he might have with Trump to spare their country from harsh trade treatment. But Trump has said he will not relent.

"We will put maximum pressure on the Americans and, meanwhile, will work on looking for off-ramps," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters Friday. The Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans. Thats our message, thats our approach."

Rubio, who called Joly a friend, said the tariffs are not meant to be a hostile move against allies but are about making trade fair. Those benefiting from previous arrangements likely do feel it is hostile to change the status quo because its to your benefit," he told reporters.

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How a meeting between US and Canadian diplomats went

Joly said her discussion with Rubio had been frank  diplomatic code for blunt.

I wanted to be able to have a frank conversation," Joly said. "Of course, Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate and we had a long conversation on tariffs and trade.

After Trump reiterated in the Oval Office on Thursday that "Canada only works as a state, Joly stood firm.

What I said to the secretary is that Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate. Period," she said Friday. There is no argument. There is no conversation about it. She added, as if addressing him, "You are here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you respect our people. Period.

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Rubio told reporters Friday that Trump loves Canada and has simply made an argument for why Canada would be better off joining the United States from an economic perspective and the like. Hes made that argument repeatedly, and I think it stands for itself.

Joly noted that many of the allies thought Trump's comments were a joke.

I said to them this is not a joke  Canadians are anxious, Canadians are proud people, and you are here in a sovereign country, and so therefore, we dont expect this to be even discussed, clearly not laughed at, she said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said G7 nations should avoid panic and posted a message of support for Canada on X, featuring a photo of her and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Weve got your back, @melaniejoly, she wrote. #Canada #Solidarity."

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Fridays sessions were shortened due to Jolys need to depart earlier than planned to attend Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys swearing-in ceremony and first Cabinet meeting.

The final communique presented common positions not only on Ukraine but on the Middle East, wars in Africa and Chinese activity in the South China Sea.

On the Middle East, the communique did not, as it has in previous years, express support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it did recognize the need for the Palestinians to have a political horizon to reach their aspirations.

All of that has united us, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. So this has been a unified conference in which we have found common ground. And Im pleased at the effort and the sense of warmth that exists across the partners in the G7.

___

Associated Press writers Rob Gillies in Toronto and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
The Utah Legislature passed a bill to make cryptocurrency a more mainstream form of payment, but an investment provision failed. (Namthip Muanthongthae/Getty Images)

This year, lawmakers pushed to make Utah the first in the nation in adopting innovative blockchain technology legislation. But, a pivotal item didnt make it through: giving the treasurer the ability to invest rainy day funds in cryptocurrency on behalf of the state.

After a tight 38-34 vote on the House floor in early February, HB230, titled Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments, underwent a substantial transformation. It was eventually approved by the Legislature before the conclusion of the session that ended Friday, but as a heavily diluted version of the original.

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The version of the bill thats making its way to Gov. Spencer Coxs desk for consideration ultimately establishes that state and local governments cant stop Utahns from using digital assets as a form of payment for legal goods or services, or simply owning them.

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The bill also blocks municipalities from imposing sound or zoning restrictions on digital asset mining businesses in industrial zones.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, who sponsored the bill, told lawmakers he had worked with state treasurer Marlo Oaks on the proposal to ensure it was narrowly tailored, and that potential investments were prudent.

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(It) just opens up another asset class for our state treasurer to invest in if he believes its in the states best interest, Teuscher said in late February, before the bill was watered down.

That provision failed in the Senate. But, if it had passed, it would have allowed Oaks to use a portion of the states rainy day funds to invest in virtual currency, cryptocurrencies, and other electronic assets if it had a market capitalization, or total value of shares, of over $500 billion on average over the previous 12 months, or if the currency is tied to the U.S. dollar.

That restriction, Oaks told the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee in February, was to avoid buying into smaller, riskier and more speculative currencies.

Marlo Oaks (Courtesy of Marlo Oaks campaign)

Utahs rainy day funds are typically used when theres an economic downturn, Oaks told senators in a committee meeting in February. Currently, the state has most of those funds invested in the Public Treasurers Investment Fund, which prioritizes liquidity and safety over long-term growth.

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We dont have highly volatile or speculative assets in the rainy day funds like equities or long-term bonds, Oaks said. And so really, the Public Treasurers Investment Fund acts like a money market fund with daily liquidity.

Utah does have the ability to invest in long-term investment portfolios, including cryptocurrency. But, the treasurer cant specifically use rainy day funds for this endeavor, for which Oaks reiterated, safety is paramount.

During the bill hearings, lawmakers expressed concern over whether this allowance would put undue pressure on the treasurer to invest in certain types of cryptocurrencies.

I do think it can potentially draw undue pressure on those particular kinds of assets, Oaks responded.

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Also, Oaks added, the restraints established by the bill werent necessarily enough to dissipate those pressures.

Really the question I ask is, is this an appropriate investment in these kinds of portfolios?

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The demand for electricity is rising and as Missouri utilities plan for more power, consumer advocates worry about the cost  especially as nuclear power may be a larger part of the states energy future.

Ameren Missouri  the electricity provider for most of mid-Missouri  operates the states only nuclear power plant in Callaway County. According to the companys long-term planning documents, updated in February, the utility is looking for ways to build more nuclear power plants in Missouri.

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Fadi Diya, Ameren Missouris chief nuclear officer, said the company will evaluate available nuclear technologies for the next few years, including small modular reactors, large plants or a combination of both.

Diya said its not important for Ameren to be first in new nuclear technology. Rather, the company would like to see proof of concept from other operators to evaluate whats best for Missouri.

We want to make sure that whatever technology we select, somebody builds it and operates it before we do, and that gives us more certainty on cost and schedule, he said.

Diya works out of the Callaway Energy Center, the plant that produces 1,200 megawatts of energy, which is enough energy to supply electricity in about a million homes.

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Ameren Missouri would like to more than double that production by adding 1,500 megawatts of nuclear power by 2045.

Nuclear power plants operate nonstop, producing energy even when the sun isnt shining and the wind isnt blowing. For that reason, they pair well with intermittent renewable energy resources.

However, nuclear power plants are notoriously expensive and time consuming to build, often taking 10 to 15 years or more. Consumer advocates say utility plans to expand nuclear power are related to a bill moving through the Missouri General Assembly that would allow companies to earn revenue from power plants while they are under construction and before they produce or deliver energy to customers.

Nuclear is a good option for base load. The problem is that the construction is often difficult, and delays and cost overruns are common, said John Coffman, attorney for the Consumers Council of Missouri, a consumer advocacy group.

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In fact, the average cost overrun for a nuclear power plant in the United States, over the history of nuclear power, has been about 100%. So on average, a planned nuclear power plant winds up costing twice as much as was originally estimated, he said.

Senate Bill 4 is sponsored by state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit, and could afford utilities in Missouri a variety of new financial accounting practices.

The legislation includes a policy called construction work in progress, or CWIP, that enables energy companies to earn revenue on power plants as they build them and before they generate any electricity.

Under the current law they wouldnt be allowed to start charging customers until the project was completed and theyve proven that the project was just and reasonable, Coffman said.

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Consumers Council staff are lobbying against the legislation, warning of its potential impact on energy burdened Missourians  those who spend a disproportionate amount of their household income on utility bills.

Jay Hardenbrook, advocacy director for AARP in Missouri, said CWIP is a major issue for AARPs members. He said the policy is usually used to build large nuclear power plants because they take a long time to construct.

Our folks really do not like paying for something theyre not getting, Hardenbrook said.

While the Callaway County nuclear power plant was being built in the 1970s, Missouri voters outlawed construction work in progress financing via ballot initiative. The Missouri Independent reported that at the time, voters were unhappy the costs of building a Callaway Energy Center were passed on to them before the plant had delivered any power.

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Back in the 1970s when they were building the Callaway nuclear plant, Missouri voters went to the ballot and said, We dont want you to be able to do that kind of funding anymore, Hardenbrook said. They felt like cost overruns were happening and that they were getting charged for something that didnt even exist yet.

Hardenbrook said 50 years later, the same concerns remain. AARP members are not interested in paying for a power plant from which they may never benefit.

We know that people will move. We know that people might move into a long-term care facility. They might pass away, he said. So they are actually paying for a benefit that they arent going to get.

The Consumers Council of Missouri estimates that if a nuclear power plant was built in Missouri using CWIP, it would cost about $5,000 per household for average energy users throughout the first decade the plant is being built.

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The bills chances look good if passed by both chambers of the legislature. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has long been supportive of, and supported by, utilities.

The need for more power is partially driven by AI data centers that may be coming to the state. A data center is a physical location that houses computer servers. Large tech companies are making plans to build them across the country. AI data centers use significantly more energy than current data facilities.

Ameren Missouri has construction agreements with data center developers totaling approximately 1.8 gigawatts of energy  approximately 1.5 times the capacity of the Callaway County facility, according to an email from spokesperson Brad Brown.

Steve Wills, senior director of regulatory affairs for Ameren Missouri, said the company assesses long-term generation capacity along with projected energy consumption.

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We are anticipating up to 1.5 to 2 gigawatts of new demand, he said. Our peak demand is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 gigawatts, so its a pretty significant percentage increase.

Wills said new nuclear power has been discussed and evaluated for years by Ameren Missouri.

Having supportive policies that are going to allow timely and full recovery of those costs is certainly important so that were able to provide service while were recovering the actual costs that were incurring with large generation investments like nuclear, Wills said.

Construction work in progress is a tool that can help more timely recover those costs, and it also can actually save total dollars in the long run, he said.

Plans for more power

The Callaway Energy Center has been producing electricity for 40 years  the length of its initial license through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Last year, Ameren received a renewed operating license to continue production at the plant for another 20 years, until 2044.

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The utility plans to continue extending the power plants operation. Subsequent license renewal processes will begin later this decade.

To get the next 20 years to go to 2064  we have to do evaluations and assessments of our plant components  like steel, concrete, electrical cables, Diya said. We want to do those inspections and assessments to make sure that those components are good for an additional 20 years of life.

As far as where a new nuclear power plant would be located, the company is assessing those factors as well.

Theres environmental evaluation, seismic evaluations, geological evaluations  so well be doing all of that, Diya said.

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Access to the electric grid and existing transmission infrastructure is a factor in finding a place to build a new power plant. Diya called the Callaway Energy Center the largest single source of carbon-free energy in Missouri and believes most Missourians are supportive of nuclear power.

We operate the Callaway Energy Center very safely, reliably and affordably, he said. Ive been working in the nuclear industry for 40 years and safety is our top priority and its at the forefront of everything that we do.

In addition to nuclear power, Ameren Missouri plans to invest in new gas, solar and wind generation, as well as battery storage. The company filed a $16.2 billion, five-year plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission.

New generation resources are going to be needed to help attract and secure new businesses that are looking at coming to our state, as well as to help our existing customers grow, said Rob Dixon, Amerens director of economic and community development.

Utilities are whats called regulated or natural monopolies  in exchange for being the sole provider of utility service in a specified area, the companies are subject to state oversight. In order to change prices, the companies must make its case before the Missouri Public Service Commission, the state agency that regulates utilities.

Ameren is in the middle of a rate case to raise prices by 15.77%, earning the company an estimated $446 million more per year. Further investments in new power plants would likely be asked to be recouped by customers in future rate cases.

Were committed to doing everything that we can to keep rates low. We do that by making  we think  prudent and wise investments, Dixon said.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at increasing energy generation in the United States. The statements from the White House are critical of renewable energy and encourage fossil fuel production.

Dixon said nuclear energy is going to continue to be a vital part of our overall safe, clean and reliable generation mix, and the company is committed to continued investment in renewable sources including wind and solar.

Many of our customers  really have a strong desire for clean, reliable energy, and so were committed to doing that, he said.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
After years of magical thinking, Americas Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to see the forest for the trees again. Administrator Lee Zeldin announced this week that the EPA is reconsidering the 2009 endangerment finding that greenhouse gases are pollutants.

This is massive. The endangerment finding underpins regulations on cars and the power sector. If it were overturned, Donald Trump could reverse costly environmental regulations put in place without explicit Congressional approval over the past decade and a half, reducing the costs of electricity and transportation.

The history of the endangerment finding dates from 2007, during the presidency of George W Bush. The Supreme Court interpreted the Clean Air Act to give the EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) if the agency decided that these gases from particular sources caused pollution and endangered the public.

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Fast forward to 2009, when Barack Obamas EPA concluded that six greenhouse gases endangered public health, allowing the agency to regulate emissions of these gases under the Clean Air Act. This endangerment finding triggered an onslaught of EPA climate regulations that spread to Europe and sparked the international net zero movement. This raised manufacturing costs in the West and encouraged offshoring to Asia, without necessarily reducing global emissions.

The endangerment finding used data from the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In the intervening 18 years, more data have become available, and the EPA is seeking to reconsider whether greenhouse gases are having the consequences predicted in 2009. The IPCC has written a Sixth Assessment Report, published in 2022, with updated conclusions.

In addition, new Supreme Court decisions have limited the discretion granted to cabinet agencies. Executive branch agencies must hew to the letter of the law, rather than being free to interpret laws as they see fit. Anything else would be to usurp the authority of Congress, which has never explicitly authorised the EPA to regulate CO2 emissions.

If the EPA finds that greenhouse gases are not pollutants, some regulations in America would be eliminated, with potential savings of trillions of dollars. The average new car costs almost $50,000, up from $23,000 in 2009, partly due to environmental regulations.

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Administrator Zeldin said: We will follow the science, the law, and common sense wherever it leads, and we will do so while advancing our commitment towards helping to deliver cleaner, healthier, and safer air, land, and water.

The administration is presenting a united front on reconsidering the endangerment finding. The secretaries of the Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Interior, and the directors of the powerful Office of Management and Budget and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the White House, all issued supportive statements.

Transportation secretary Duffy declared: This will allow the DOT to accelerate its work on new vehicle fuel economy standards that will lower car prices and no longer force Americans to purchase electric vehicles they dont want.

Some of the regulations buttressed by the endangerment finding include Obamas Clean Power Plan, which would have forced power plants out of business and was overturned by the Supreme Court in West Virginia vs. EPA; auto emissions regulations that have gradually ratcheted up and could have required around 70 per cent of new cars sold in 2032 to be battery-powered or plug-in electric; and methane controls on farms. Yet predictions that the EPA considered accurate in 2009 have since been updated.

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The endangerment finding has been used as a political tool to advance control over the US economy, giving regulators the power to determine which industries could be eliminated and which could flourish. It enables subsidies for particular industries and redistribution of resources. Such regulations have become entrenched worldwide, with the consequence that net zero policies are deindustrialising Europe and preventing countries in Latin America and Africa from accessing their fossil fuel resources.

The US environmental regulatory system is premised on a 2007 analysis of climate science from the start of Obamas term. But as Obamas former undersecretary for research at the Department of Energy, Steve Koonin, wrote in his book Unsettled, the science should not prematurely be declared settled.

Above all, regulators should not be given the power to fundamentally reshape American life without democratic approval. The EPA should be congratulated. Manhattan, cows, and farmers can breathe easier again.

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An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport in Colorado on Thursday, sending passengers down emergency slides and onto the wing of the aircraft. Twelve people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, airport officials said.

The Boeing 737-800 plane was diverted to Denver shortly after departing from Colorado Springs, Colorado. While the plane was taxiing to the gate, the engine caught fire, and its passengers evacuated.

The incident, which sent smoke billowing across the tarmac, took place at approximately 5:15 p.m., local time.

PHOTO: Smoke and flames surround an American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport on March 13, 2025. (Joshua Sunberg / Facebook)

MORE: Texas man arrested after assaulting 2 people on American Airlines flight, says he wanted to 'speak to Trump': FBI

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There were 172 passengers and six crew members aboard AA Flight 1006.

All passengers were able to exit the plane.

American Airlines told ABC News that passengers evacuated the plane through emergency slides, the overwing exit and some onto the jet bridge.

A statement from Denver International Airport said 12 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The plane was traveling from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Dallas, Texas, when it was diverted to Denver after the "crew reported engine vibrations," according to the Federal Aviation Authority.

The plane diverted after about 20 minutes into the flight and was in the air for about an hour before it landed.

PHOTO: Passengers stand on the wing of an American Airlines plane as they are evacuated after it caught fire while at a gate at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, Mar. 13, 2025. (Branden Williams/AFP via Getty Images)

In an earlier statement to ABC News, American Airlines said, "We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority."

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The airline also said that it was arranging for a replacement aircraft to take passengers the rest of the way to the intended destination, Dallas Fort-Worth.

The FAA is investigating the incident.

American Airlines flight catches fire at Denver airport originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
An American Airlines flight bound for Dallas-Fort Worth airport made a unscheduled landing in Denver on Thursday evening, where an engine fire forced the evacuation of passengers onto a wing.

Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs to DFW landed in Denver around 5 p.m. MT. The aircraft was having engine problems, and the fire erupted as the plane was at a gate.

The airline said in a statement: After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue.

BREAKING: An American Airlines plane carrying 178 people appeared to catch fire on the tarmac after making an emergency landing at Denver International Airport Thursday evening, forcing passengers to evacuate by climbing out onto the wing of the plane. https://t.co/gWlirSyILE pic.twitter.com/AOSU1iB24H  CBS News (@CBSNews) March 14, 2025

The 172 passengers and six crew members evacuated the Boeing 737 aircraft near the gate. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries; the New York Times reported that six passengers were taken to a hospital for evaluation.

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Video posted to social media shows passengers scrambling onto a wing of the aircraft as heavy smoke billows from an engine. Crews on the apron are seen scrambling with ladders to help passengers off the wing. The planes slides were deployed for use during the evacuation.

We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, American Airlines said in a statement.

The aircraft is about 12 years old, according to registration data. Americans Boeing 737-800s are typically configured to carry 172 passengers.

American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, has its largest hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The FAA is investigating what caused the fire.

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This latest incident comes less than two months after the deadly collision of an American Airlines commuter jet with a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.

Passengers evacuated after American Airlines plane fire at Denver International Airport https://t.co/8KhiMUZ6od pic.twitter.com/vfjD9wHP5R  FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) March 14, 2025

This is a developing story.
An American Airlines passenger was so convinced that demons were following him that he began a spiritual warfare against them, causing an emergency U-turn.

The male passenger started screaming and shaking soon after the flight took off from Savannah, Georgia, on Monday night.

This caused the crew to think he was having a seizure, but when flight attendants assisted him, he became violent toward them.

American Airlines Flight Becomes Turbulent After Passenger Goes Crazy

CANVA

The American Airlines flight from Georgia to Miami, Florida, was just a few moments into takeoff when one of its passengers, Delange Augustin, started a mid-air disturbance.

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According to reports, the man began stomping, yelling, and shaking. A flight attendant noticed his erratic movements and thought he was having a seizure.

Another crew member went to check on Delange, but he became very aggressive, kicking the attendant so hard that they flew across the aisle.

The kick was with so much force that the victim landed on another row of seats and hit the far window.

Delange Augustin Swallowed Rosary Beads For Protection

CANVA

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the New York Times, the disturbed American Airlines passenger soon began swallowing rosary beads.

He did so to fortify himself against "Satan's disciples," which he claimed followed him into the flight.

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An FBI special agent, Savannah Solomon, wrote in the affidavit that Delange's behavior "appeared purposeful, though difficult to describe."

The plane's pilots caught wind of the ongoing disturbance and made an emergency U-turn, landing safely in Savannah.

American Airlines Passenger Behavior Gets Worse

CANVA

However, Delange's erratic behavior got worse as the plane made its emergency return to Savannah.

He got increasingly aggressive as the flight's crew tried to deboard the other passengers. The troubled man stormed to the front of the plane before the doors were opened and punched a flight attendant multiple times.

Other passengers stepped in at this point and did their best to restrain him. However, he held on to his sister, Medjina Augustin, who was on the flight with him.

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The passengers wrangled the siblings to the floor and held them until authorities subdued Delange.

Delange Augustin's Sister Says They Were Fleeing 'Religious Attacks'

CANVA

After authorities detained Delange and Medjina, she told them they were traveling to Haiti to "flee religious attacks of a supernatural nature."

According to the affidavit, Delange told Medjina during the flight "to close her eyes and pray because Satan's disciple(s) had followed them onto the plane and the legion did not want the Augustins to make it to Haiti."

Medjina also told authorities that her brother swallowed the rosary beads "because they are a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare." She also said, "evil comes out in the darkness," adding that she "had never experienced as much darkness as was on the plane that evening."

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Delange's sister also said she wasn't surprised he "had hurt anyone because he hurts evil." She also said he wasn't "suffering from any medical or mental health issue or impairment."

Meanwhile, none of the eight passengers on the American Airlines plane suffered any serious injuries during the chaotic mid-flight events.

The airline released a statement afterward. They said, "Safety and security are our top priorities. We appreciate the professionalism of the entire crew and thank our passengers for their understanding."

Another American Airlines Passenger Recounts Ordeal

NEW: American Airlines passenger starts throwing punches at flight attendants after claiming he was followed by demons onto the flight. The man, Medjina Augustin, swallowed rosary beads during the incident to use as "a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare." He claimed pic.twitter.com/kqxqKSdqZx  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 13, 2025

After the flight landed, authorities took Delange to the hospital for evaluation. He was sent to the Chatham County Detention Center afterward and booked on multiple charges, including battery and property damage.

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One of the American Airlines flight passengers spoke to CBS News Miami and narrated the incident. He said, "Myself and my friend, we are talking, we are like, 'We gonna have to take this guy down.'"

The passenger continued, "He [Delange] started stomping his feet violently like heavily and screaming...he was talking about devils and possession... you have to kind of see it to believe it."

The flight passenger also narrated how Delange battled one of the seats in the airplane. He said, "he kicked it and punched it and just buckled the seat completely over. He just charged the front doors of the plane like swinging wildly."

According to the passenger, it was at that point he and his friend knew they had to bring Delange down. However, their efforts were made more difficult after the disturbed man held on to his sister's hair.

He said, "She [Medjina] had a bond in her hair and he grabbed hold of the bond of her hair. He grabbed hold of her pants and wouldn't let her go. So they tased him once, twice, three times, he still didn't let go. At that point, they had to cut the woman's hair to make him let go."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with former President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

.

Meanwhile, the sides discussed several issues related to regional and international security, it was noted. The parties also drew attention to the post-conflict regional dynamics, noting in particular the recent developments related to the peace agreement, as well as the challenges currently facing the process.

At the meeting, the Azerbaijani FM expressed gratitude to Charles Michel for the important efforts he made during his presidency of the European Council.

Will be updated
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An engine on an American Airlines jet caught fire after the plane diverted to Denver on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The airline said all 172 passengers and six crew members had exited the plane, though Denver International Airport said 12 people were transported to hospitals with minor injuries.

American Airlines Flight 1006 from Colorado Springs on a Boeing 737-800 landed in Denver around 5:15 p.m. (2315 GMT), diverting from its planned destination of Dallas after the crew reported engine vibrations, the FAA said. The engine caught fire while taxiing to the gate, the agency added.

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Several dramatic videos of passengers standing on the wing of the plane as smoke poured out of the engine were posted on social media.

American Airlines said the plane had landed safely and taxied to the gate when it experienced an "engine-related issue".

We were near (gate) B44, just landed from Pittsburgh. We stopped by the windows for a second and saw a flash of sudden fire, followed by a ton of smoke," said witness Aaron Clark.

"The fire was very brief and looked like it was extinguished pretty quickly by ground crews. The smoke continued for a while and that's when we saw people starting to exit from the rear slides."

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The plane, which is 13 years old according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, was equipped with two CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board said they would investigate the incident. A Denver International Airport spokesperson said the fire had been extinguished and flight operations had continued as normal.

Boeing and GE declined to comment.

The engine fire is the latest in a series of high-profile aviation incidents that have raised questions about U.S. aviation safety, including the January 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people.

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Last month, a Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Canada's Toronto Pearson Airport in windy weather following a snowstorm, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board, though all passengers and crew members survived the incident.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and Delta CEO Ed Bastian on Tuesday cited recent air crashes and weather events as contributing factors to dampening U.S. travel demand, alongside mounting economic uncertainty.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Additional reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle, Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago and Lisa Barrington in Seoul; Editing by Jamie Freed, Tom Hogue and Alex Richardson)
Originally appeared on E! Online

Passengers of American Airlines flight AA1006 are recovering after a close call.

Over 175 people were forced to evacuate from their evening flight March 13 at Denver International Airport after the airplane caught fire while taxiing to a gate, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, per People.

The statement noted that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, diverted to and landed safely at Denver International Airport after crew members reported engine vibrations amid a flight from Colorado Springsabout 70 miles from Denverto Dallas. After landing safely, however, an engine caught fire and passengers were evacuated using the slides.

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In a separate statement to NBC News, American Airlines noted that the fire was later extinguished.

After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue," the airline said. The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.

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Following the event, American Airlines noted that six of the customers aboard the flight were transported to the hospital for further evaluation, while the company is also sending a replacement aircraft to get the remaining crew and passengers to Dallas.

The latest incident comes nearly two months after the airline company was involved in a tragic collision. In January, American Airlines flight 5342 was transporting 60 people aboard a plane from Wichita, Kansas to Washington D.C. when it collided with an Army helicopter, killing all involved in the crash.

Xinhua/Shutterstock

On March 11, the National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy said during a press conference that the tragedy could have been prevented, due to what she described as stronger than an oversight, in flight patterns around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the American Airlines flight had been set to land.

After detailing that there had been over 15,000 close proximity events, between airplanes and helicopters in the area surrounding the airport, she emphasized of the crash, There were clearly indicators."

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An American Airlines plane engine caught fire after it landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening, officials said.

American Airlines Flight 1006 was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when it was diverted to Denver, the airline said.

The plane, a Boeing 737-800, landed safely around 5:15 p.m. local time after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

Passengers stand on the wing of an American Airlines plane as they are evacuated at Denver International Airport on Thursday.

As the plane was taxiing to the gate, the engine caught fire, and those on board evacuated using the slides, the FAA said.

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American Airlines called it an "engine-related issue," without elaborating. It said 172 passengers and six crew members were on board.

Twelve people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, the Denver Fire Department said.

Video on social media shows the plane at the gate, engulfed in smoke, as passengers appear to evacuate onto a wing. Another angle shows crew members on the ground trying to hose down the aircraft.

"We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority," American Airlines said.

The FAA will investigate.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
American Airlines Flight 1006 was seen engulfed in smoke at Denver International Airport.

The FAA said the plane's engine caught fire while it was taxiing to the gate.

All 172 passengers and six crew were evacuated, the airline said.

An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that American Airlines Flight 1006 landed safely in Denver after the crew reported "engine vibrations."

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"After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire and passengers evacuated the aircraft using the slides," the FAA said.

The Boeing 737-800 was en route from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The airline said in a statement that Flight 1006 "experienced an engine-related issue" after landing and taxiing to the gate.

"The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal," the statement said.

A representative for Denver International Airport told local news outlet KDVR that Flight 1006 was emitting "visible smoke."

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The airport wrote on X on Thursday night that "12 people were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries."

Alexandria Cullen, press assistant for Congressman Gabe Evans, shared footage of the plane in smoke in an X post on Thursday and said her mother was on the flight.

A female passenger described smelling a "weird burning plastic smell" to CBS Colorado, saying that "everybody then started screaming and saying there was a fire."

The woman's father, who was at the back of the plane, told the outlet that people in front of him "started screaming when they saw the flames, and then the people started rushing toward the rear to get out, and they were getting very, very panicky."

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Her mother, who was seated near the wing, told the outlet she was "very grateful" the incident happened on the ground. "Had this happened in the air, I don't think I'd be standing here telling you this story."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(NewsNation)  Australian immigration officials could bar an American influencer from ever returning Down Under for carrying a baby wombat away from its mother while recording a video for social media.

The visa of Sam Jones, a self-described wildlife biologist and environmental scientist, is under review after a now-deleted social media post showed Jones snatching the joey and running away before being followed by its mother.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement that an investigation into whether Jones had violated her visa was ongoing.

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Trump to deliver speech at DOJ on restoring law and order

Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, Ill be surprised if she even bothers, Burke said, as reported by the Australian Broadcast Corporation.

I cant wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I dont expect she will return, he added.

The post has captured the attention of much of Australia, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had a unique suggestion for Jones.

To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage, Albanese said. I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals.

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Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother; see how you go there.

According to the Associated Press, Jones left Australia on Friday.

Theres never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia, Burke said in a later statement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
BANGOR TOWNSHIP  Vice President JD Vance promised a manufacturing renaissance under President Donald Trump during a visit to Michigan Friday. But it won't materialize immediately, Vance said, as he blamed former President Joe Biden for handing his successor a lousy economy.

Vance said Biden left Trump to confront high prices and more economic challenges that made people feel like the American dream had faded. "Now that is the bad news," Vance said during a stop to Vantage Plastics, a plastic manufacturing facility bordering Bay City. "But now we can we talk a little bit about the good news, because I'm proud to say that thanks to all of you, on Jan. 20, 2025, we started a great American comeback."

Vance's appearance Friday marked his first official stop in battleground Michigan since he and President Donald Trump won the state in the 2024 election. In some ways, the visit seemed like a continuation of the campaign cycle with musical interludes featuring staples from the Trump playlist such as "It's A Man's Man's Man's World."

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Many economic observers have blamed the severe economic downturn in the stock market on Trump's on-again off-again tariffs. But Vance defended Trump's trade policies as an instrument to vigorously protect workers in the U.S. as they prompt fears of high prices and an acute impact on Michigan's economy.

"If you want to be rewarded, build in America. If you want to be penalized, build outside of America," Vance said. Trump, Vance said, is trying to overhaul 40 years of what he called failed economic policy out of Washington, D.C., and an economic turnaround won't happen overnight.

"Now, I have to be honest with you. The road ahead of us is long," Vance said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met with Trump Thursday, telling the Free Press in a statement that the two leaders discussed tariffs and bringing jobs to Michigan, among other topics. Earlier this week, Whitmer expressed serious concerns about how the Trump's tariffs will impact Michigan.

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"If the goal is to onshore and strengthen American manufacturing, that's a goal we can all get behind. But indiscriminate tariffs on our allies? They're going to put Michiganders out of work, it's going to hit the Michigan economy harder than any other state and drive up costs for consumers," she told reporters Wednesday.

Vance seemed to reference Whitmer's recent visit to the White House. "I got to say it's kind of funny to see some of our Democratic governors in various parts  I won't mention which states exactly  coming to the Oval Office and begging for economic development under Trump's leadership that they knew they would never get under Biden's leadership," Vance said, prompting chuckles from the crowd.

Before Vance took the stage, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler said "the golden era of manufacturing in America is not behind us, it's in front of us."

Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber cast doubt on that promise. "J.D. Vance doesn't know the first thing about Michigan workers, and neither does Donald Trump," Bieber said in a statement Friday. "Vance and Trumps agenda is the same as always  gut unions, slash wages, and do the bidding of corporate special interests. We'll fight to elect leaders who protect good-paying union jobs, grow manufacturing, and put working people first."

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While Michigan Democrats have largely blasted Trump's tariffs as reckless and a danger to the state's auto industry, Republican lawmakers who spoke Friday before Vance took the stage defended the Trump administration's trade policies. "Tariffs are working. Don't listen to the media. Tariffs are working," said state Sen. Roger Hauck, R-Mt. Pleasant.

Michigan Economy: Trumps metal tariffs will bring unprecedented disruption to auto industry, expert says

House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said Trump has already achieved better trade deals since he took office. "The problem is what has happened to our auto industry where so many of the suppliers are in Canada and Mexico? That is a problem. We are going to get more jobs, more work for Michigan workers and higher wages if we support President Trump's tariffs," Hall said.

In Michigan, some voters have gathered for protests across the state to demonstrate against Trump, including the administration's firings of federal workers, which prompted two judges to order the administration to rehire the probationary workers impacted.

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Vance referenced protest activity outside the manufacturing facility where he spoke. "And I can't be the only person wondering you know it's a little after noon on a Friday and don't you all have jobs?" Vance asked. He cited the resistance to the Trump administration as one reason to focus on manufacturing job creation. "Because we want those people to get off the streets and back to work," Vance said.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In return to Michigan, VP JD Vance blames Biden for bad economy
(Bloomberg) -- Americas postmaster general knew that sooner or later, DOGE would come calling at the US Postal Service.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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So Louis DeJoy decided to have DOGE work with him.

The nations top mailman this week signed an agreement with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency to collaborate on reforms to the sprawling service, which delivers letters and packages from tropical Guam to the Alaskan wilderness. Rather than wait for the DOGE crew to dictate changes, DeJoy is seeking to shape them.

This was a short and healthy conversation that stated a few days ago, DeJoy said in an interview. Were off to the races.

He also wants to cement in place a series of reforms hes been pursuing for the last four years. Unnoticed by most Americans, the venerable Post Office has been trying to reinvent itself, cutting expenses while shifting to a modern hub-and-spoke distribution system similar to competitors United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp.

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For customers at least, DeJoys Delivering for America reform plan has produced limited results, with many Americans now waiting longer to get their mail. But in a letter to Congressional leaders Thursday disclosing the DOGE deal, DeJoy touted the costs  and staff  already cut and said the service is headed for better days.

The Postal Service once faced the immediate threat of insolvency, which would have required a taxpayer bailout, he wrote. Now, the Postal Service is instead finally experiencing an unprecedented period of growth and innovation.

DeJoy already announced he intends to step down from his office, even though the 10-year Delivering for America plan isnt yet halfway through. President Donald Trump has mused about taking the service private or folding it into the Department of Commerce, while Musk also called for privatization. In contrast, DeJoys letter called for ensuring that some version of his own reforms continues after his departure.

At least two DOGE and GSA employees will work under DeJoys supervision, searching for potential savings and efficiencies, according to a person familiar with the details of the plan. Its not an army, DeJoy said. I still run the organization.

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Reforming the nearly 250-year-old Postal Service, which employs 635,000 people, is a complex task  in part because of its mandate. Unlike its private competitors, the USPS is required to reach Americans even in the most remote places, no matter how sparsely populated. Indeed, UPS and FedEx alike pay the service to cover last-mile deliveries in many rural areas where they would otherwise struggle to operate profitably. And while its an independent government agency, not directly under White House control, it faces regulations and legal requirements its private competitors dont.

The level of transformation needed at the US Post Office to basically be a profitable network in 2025, versus what DeJoys actually been able to move the dial on, theres a huge disconnect between those two, said Derek Lossing, founder of Cirrus Global Advisors, a logistics consulting firm.

Big Losses

In his letter, DeJoy, a former private-sector logistics executive and Trump donor who took office in 2020, said he inherited an organization that had experienced close to $100 billion in losses and was on track to lose another $200 billion.

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When I got there, I didnt take into account how broken we were, DeJoy told Bloomberg in December.

He never envisioned staying at the agency for this long. I originally came here for three years, fell in love with the people, DeJoy said on Thursday. Its very, very important work.

Some of the changes he implemented were relatively straightforward, such as making sure trucks were full before going out on a route rather than sending out a driver with a half-empty trailer. Others were bigger, including consolidating facilities and shifting volume away from expensive air transport to ground trucks. The service also is establishing a series of 60 regional distribution centers.

He increased revenue by focusing more on packages and raising rates, with the cost of a stamp rising 33% between January 2019 and July 2024. The service is largely self-funded through its revenue from operations.

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DeJoy has also trimmed the services immense payroll, cutting its labor workforce by 30,000 people from fiscal 2021, with another 10,000 expected to depart in a voluntary early retirement program. And yet, for all the changes, the service posted a $9.5 billion loss last year, while on-time delivery of first-class mail declined.

DeJoy sees slower deliveries as temporary growing pains. Hes pushing employees to step up and act like FedEx and UPS. Those are formidable organizations, and we had a lot of transition, a lot of heavy baggage, he said. Come summer, were gonna be rocking.

In his letter, DeJoy asked Congress to fix some issues the service itself cannot. In particular, he said unfunded federal legislative mandates saddle the agency with $6 billion to $11 billion in annual costs. And he took particular aim at the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the services rates and performance. He called it an unnecessary agency too attached to defective pricing models and decades old bureaucratic processes.

Failed Miserably

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The commission promptly fired back, issuing a statement Thursday that DeJoys Delivering for America program had made the service less efficient and degraded its performance, particularly in rural areas. Commissioners also slammed his focus on the highly competitive package market, calling it a strategy which has failed miserably to this point.

In February, DeJoy asked the Postal Service Board of Governors to begin looking for his replacement, a process he hopes will take months rather than years. Even some critics of his plan praise him with taking on a difficult task.

His successor has a mess, in short, said Paul Steidler, a senior fellow at the Lexington Institute, a center-right think tank in Virginia. His plan hasnt worked, but give the guy some credit. At least he took a shot.

DeJoy himself feels more confident stepping away now. They know what they need to do, and thats why I feel comfortable in giving the leave, he said. And if I get this help that I just laid out with these issues, the Postal Service will be in great shape for a long time.

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MASSENA, N.Y. (WWTI)  The American Red Cross is assisting one person after Thursday night fire in St. Lawrence County.

Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to one person after a fire on County Route 42A in Massena.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to one adult. Volunteers also offered health services, comfort kits containing personal care items, and blankets.

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In the next few days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  An American influencer left Australia on Friday after the government announced it was reviewing her visa over a video she posted of her snatching a baby wombat from its mother.

Sam Jones, who describes herself as an outdoor enthusiast & hunter, made her Instagram account private Thursday after she was widely condemned for the video.

Theres never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement after a government official confirmed Jones had flown from the country voluntarily.

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In the video, Montana-based Jones lifts the wombat joey by its front legs in darkness from a roadside then runs away from its mother. I caught a baby wombat, she said as a man filming her laughs. She returns the wombat to the roadside after several seconds.

Burke had said earlier Friday the conditions of her visa were being reviewed to determine whether immigration law has been breached. I cant wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I dont expect she will return, he said in the statement received by The Associated Press.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added his voice to the criticism. To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage, Albanese said.

I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother, Albanese added.

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Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, closed her social media channels to messages and couldnt be reached for comment Friday.

The wombat appears to be common wombat, also known as a bare-nosed wombat. It is a protected marsupial found only in Australia.

Yolandi Vermaak, founder of the animal care charity Wombat Rescue, said separating the young wombat from its mother created a risk that the mother would reject her offspring.

My biggest concern is that we didnt actually see mom and baby getting reunited. When she put it down, it looked disoriented. It was turned away from where the mother was last seen. So we dont know if mom and baby actually found each other again, Vermaak said.

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Vermaak also called on Jones to say where the wombat was after the video showed the joey had a skin disease. The baby has mange and its a matter of time before it dies of mange, so its important for us to find where this happened and to get this baby and its mom treated as soon as possible, Vermaak said.

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The Trump administration is tightening its grip on efforts to quash pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses, even as a protest over the detention of activist Mahmoud Khalil flared at the presidents New York City residence and resistance efforts continue in the courts and beyond.

Khalil, a Palestinian refugee whose green card was revoked over his involvement with demonstrations last spring at Columbia University in New York City, remains in ICE custody in Louisiana. Newly released video posted online Friday by the American Civil Liberties Union showed the moments of his March 8 arrest, captured by his pregnant wife.

Khalils attorneys filed a motion for his release on Friday, arguing Khalils First Amendment and due process rights were violated when federal immigration officers took him into custody last week. Lawyers also argued Khalils detention is punitive and does not have any reasonable relation to any legitimate government purpose.

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The government has not demonstrated that Mr. Khalila husband to a U.S. citizen, soon-to-be father to a U.S. citizen, and lawful permanent resident with no criminal historyneeds to be detained, the motion reads.

The new court filing also details the White Houses apparent direct involvement in the detention of Khalil, who was waiting to be processed following his arrest in New York when he heard an ICE agent approach and say, the White House is requesting an update.

CNN has reached out to the White House for a response.

Trump, whose envoy is trying to negotiate an extension to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, boasted this week on social media his administration had proudly apprehended Khalil, adding those who support terrorism  are not welcome here.

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But the governments case has no basis in law, Khalils lawyer told CNN on Friday.

They kidnapped this man, this young student, father-to-be  based on an accusation that he has the wrong political ideas, and he has expressed them, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, told CNNs Sara Sidner.

Its an attempt to bully the universities into submission. Its an attempt to bully and intimidate students from speaking out, faculty from speaking out, into being quiet and going with the administrations program.

Protests continued Friday at Columbia University, where administrators now face a raft of challenges, from federal agents on campus and an ultimatum over federal funding, to disciplining some who participated in protests last spring and defending against a lawsuit seeking to block the schools cooperation with a US House probe.

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The US Justice Department is now also investigating whether those involved in last years pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia violated federal anti-terrorism laws, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.

The DOJ is looking into whether Columbias handling of earlier instances violated civil rights laws that included terrorism crimes, Blanche told department employees. This is long overdue.

The department will investigate whether Columbia University was harboring or concealing immigrants who are in the US illegally, Blanche said.

Columbia faces new federal ultimatum

Columbia students are reeling from the presence of federal agents on campus. The universitys interim president was heartbroken to announce Department of Homeland Security agents had served two warrants to search two student rooms, she said late Thursday.

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No one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken, Katrina Armstrong said in an email that also acknowledged the immense stress our community is under.

Members of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, including Sueda Polat, second from left, and Mahmoud Khalil, center, are surrounded by members of the media in April 2024 outside the Columbia University campus in New York. - Mary Altaffer/AP

Columbia continues to make every effort to ensure that our campus, students, faculty, and staff are safe, she said. Columbia is committed to upholding the law, and we expect city, state, and federal agencies to do the same.

Homeland Security initially announced in March that ICE agents arrested a second Columbia University student, citing immigration violations related to overstaying her visa.

Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, had her visa terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance and was arrested by local law enforcement last year for her involvement in what the department has described as pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University. Her attorneys told CNN in May that the Trump administration misidentified Kordia as a Columbia University student and that while she has no affiliation with the school, she did attend a protest outside the campus gates last year.

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She was taken into custody on Thursday, according to DHS, although its unclear where she was arrested. A separate Columbia student has self-deported to Canada, the agency said.

The Department of Education and other federal agencies also on Thursday sent a joint letter to Columbia administrators outlining preconditions for formal negotiations regarding Columbia Universitys continued financial relationship with the United States government.

The actions include adopting the administrations definition of antisemitism, reforming the universitys admissions process and eliminating the University Judicial Board, which handles disciplinary actions against those who violate the universitys code of conduct, according to a copy of the letter obtained by CNN.

The Ivy League school was given a week to comply with Trump administration demands, which followed its threat a week ago to pull $400 million in grants and contracts from the university over its handling of antisemitism on campus.

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Columbia announced Thursday it has expelled, suspended or temporarily revoked the degrees of students who during April pro-Palestinian demonstrations barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall.

Students sue over demands for their records

Meanwhile, Khalil and seven other students on Thursday sued Columbia, Barnard College and the House Committee on Education and Workforce to block the panels demands that the universities share school and disciplinary records of hundreds of students.

The lawsuit, backed by the Council on American Islamic Relations, argues that the committees political agenda is apparent and accuses the government of weaponizing accusations of antisemitism to attack ideas it ideologically opposes.

The federal lawsuit, along with the other developments at Columbia, comes mere days after the Department of Homeland Security said it was working to identify students involved in protests like those at the school across dozens of US colleges. And Trump in January signed an executive order promising to combat antisemitism on college campuses by potentially revoking visas and directing universities to monitor and report on international students and staff.

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Building on a tradition of student-led anti-war protests at Columbia, a coalition of students last spring established encampments, held rallies and staged teach-ins on campus to protest the war in Gaza. The movement also was tainted by instances of rampant antisemitism, which Khalil disavowed.

There is, of course, no place for antisemitism, he told CNN in April. What we are witnessing is anti-Palestinian sentiment thats taking different forms and antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism (are) some of these forms.

Khalil was arrested last Saturday in support of Trumps executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed.

Mahmoud Khalil is seen being arrested on March 8, 2025, in a screengrab from a video recorded by his wife, Noor Abdalla. Portions of this video have been obscured by the source. - Noor Abdalla/ACLU

New video shows Khalils arrest

In the first widely released video of Khalils arrest, his wife, Noor Abdalla, can be heard begging for information from officers. She also calls someone named Amy, referencing Amy Greer, one of Khalils lawyers. Abdalla, who is eight months pregnant, recorded the video, according to a post shared on Instagram by the ACLU.

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Youre watching the most terrifying moment of my life. This felt like a kidnapping because it was: Officers in plainclothes  who refused to show us a warrant, speak with our attorney, or even tell us their names  forced my husband into an unmarked car and took him away from me, Abdalla said in a statement provided to CNN by the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Abdalla tries for several minutes to get information from agents on the scene, the video shows. She tells the agents that Greer would like to speak with someone, but the agents do not respond.

At one point, an agent tells her to wait on the sidewalk. Later, one agent appears to get frustrated with Abdalla for being in the street and not on the sidewalk. At the end of the video, the agent drives away.

They threatened to take me too, even though we were calm and fully cooperating. For the next 38 hours after this video, neither I or our lawyers knew where Mahmoud was being held, she said. Now, hes over 1,000 miles from home, still being wrongfully detained by US immigration.

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In response to CNNs request for comment on the video, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said: It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked and should not be in this country.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at a news briefing Tuesday accused Khalil of organizing protests that distributed pro-Hamas propaganda, flyers with the logo of Hamas.

His legal team, however, has noted Leavitts allegations do not mirror the governments argument in court.

It is always interesting to look at what (the administration is) saying outside of court and compare that to what theyre saying inside court, Ramzi Kassem, an attorney who represents Khalil and the founding director of the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility Clinic at City University of New York Law School, said during a briefing with reporters Friday.

The reality is that Mr. Khalil completely and vehemently denies doing anything like that. He has absolutely no connections to Hamas, whatsoever, Kassem said.

Kaseem added that he believes Khalil should be commended for his role as the negotiator who represented students during talks with Columbias administration at the height of the pro-Palestine protests on campus last year.

Its completely clear to anyone who knows Mr. Khalil  that his one and only goal is to get Columbia University to divest from its complicity with Israeli crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, he said.

Protesters swarm Trump Tower

The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw demonstrators wearing shirts that read, Not in Our Name, and unfurling banners that read, Jews Say Do Not Comply.

The demonstration was timed to mark the Jewish holiday Purim, which honors Queen Esther, who used her voice to speak out and demand that the king not commit genocide, said an organizer who livestreamed the event.

We know our history and we are here to say, Never again, Jewish Voice for Peace spokesperson Sonya Meyerson-Knox later told CNN of the protest.

I am here in adherence to what my ancestors taught me because I have been taught what happens when authoritarian regimes start scapegoating people, Meyerson-Knox said. And I know that if we dont speak up today, we will not be able to speak up.

CNNs Karina Tsui, Elizabeth Hartfield, Priscilla Alvarez, Jeff Winter, Dalia Faheid and Omar Jimenez contributed to this report.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the governments deadline for responding to Mahmoud Khalils legal team regarding a motion for his bail.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. During a hearing at the Baku Military Court on Friday, defendant Arayik Harutyunyan discussed the missile attack on the city of Ganja, which targeted civilian infrastructure and civilians. Harutyunyan confirmed that he had been informed about the strike by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan, Trend reports.

"I was informed about the attack on Ganja's airport by Onik Gasparyan. We had a conversation about it at the initial stage, but after that, I had no further contact with him," Harutyunyan said.

Court proceedings continue against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including preparing and conducting a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violations of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and other offenses committed during Armenias military aggression.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A mysterious six-week freeze on Texas refugee service funds may have reached its end.

In a Friday afternoon hearing at a federal district court, a lawyer for the Department of Health and Human Services said reimbursements to the Texas Office for Refugees, a nonprofit that distributes payments to local service providers, are on track to resume. The Office for Refugee Resettlement, which reviews refugee service reimbursements, is under the Administration for Children and Families in the health department.

In court documents, the health department had argued it needed to suspend payments because it was still conducting a review on the office. Texas was the only state that still had a suspension on refugee services funds.

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Previously: Casar, Doggett and other Texas Democrats demand release of $42M in federal refugee funds

Due to that suspension, Texas refugee service providers had rolled back on the English classes, job training and cash assistance programs offered to thousands of refugees and other authorized migrants. They had also furloughed and laid off hundreds of staff.

Edward Waters, the lawyer representing Catholic Charities, said that the Texas Office for Refugees estimated that 85% of staff working for providers had been furloughed or laid off since the freeze began. He also told the court that $47 million had been withheld from Texas refugee organizations to date.

But, in a surprised tone, Waters said that his clients were hopeful that it will now be business as usual.

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But hopeful is not definitive, he added, before asking the presiding U.S. district judge, Loren AliKhan, to hold off on a ruling until payments resumed.

AliKhan called the governments announcement, which could put a close to proceedings, very happy news. She asked for the two parties to file a joint status report describing the process made resuming reimbursements by Monday.

The announcement comes almost two weeks after Catholic Charities of Fort Worth sued the health department, demanding it release payments and give a reason for why it had frozen the funds.

It also comes one day after Texas Congressional Democrats published a letter calling on DHHS to release Texas' refugee funds and offer an explanation for the freeze.

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Related: Refugees in Austin, across Texas, still struggling amid mysterious pause in federal funding

Court documents showed that a Trump administration directive suspended payments to refugee service providers on Feb. 3, citing a Florida grand jury report. The report identified waste and fraud in an unaccompanied minor program, which was also managed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement but unrelated to refugee services.

In the weeks after that directive, payments resumed to refugee service agencies in all 49 states that have programs, except for Texas. The government has not given a reason for Texas uniquely prolonged hold.

Neither the Texas Office for Refugees, Catholic Charities Fort Worth, nor the law firm representing these organizations responded to a request for comment on Friday afternoon.

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Shortly after the hearing, Anjum Malik, the director of an Austin refugee services nonprofit, told the American-Statesman that she was trying "to air on the side of caution" about the government's comments at the hearing, but that she believes "it's probably good news."

But Malik said she remains nervous that future disruptions could wreak additional havoc to a system that has been weakened dramatically by uncertainty and austerity in the past weeks.

It's hard to know what to expect, she said.

This story was updated to include new information.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Freeze on Texas refugee service funds now over, DOJ lawyer says
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear took a swipe Thursday at a fellow leading Democrat, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for hosting one of the most prominent figures in the MAGA movement on his new podcast.

Beshear, whose popularity in a heavily Republican state has turned him into a potential presidential candidate, told reporters that Newsom shouldnt have opened his platform to Steve Bannon, an outspoken advocate of the America first agenda of President Donald Trump.

I think that Governor Newsom bringing on different voices is great, we shouldn't be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone, Beshear said at a Democratic policy retreat in Virginia. But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger, and even at some points violence, and I don't think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.

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The criticism of Newsom, who is widely expected to run for president, amounted to what could be an early skirmish in the next Democratic primary. It also reflects divisions within a party trying to find its footing after Trumps resounding victory.

The California governor recently launched the podcast, which appears to some degree to be an effort to find common ground with an ascendant conservative movement.

In his debut episode, speaking to Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, Newsom drew widespread attention  and criticism  for suggesting that Democrats were wrong to allow transgender athletes to participate in female youth sports. He was also critical of progressives who have called for defunding the police or who use the gender neutral term Latinx.

Newsom defended his approach and the Bannon interview in an email statement on Wednesday, saying it is critically important to understand Trumps movement and how it successfully operated in the last campaign.

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In the hour-long episode, Bannon repeated the debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen amid a discussion that also covered tariffs and taxes.

I think we all agreed after the last election that its important for Democrats to explore new and unique ways of talking to people, Newsom said.

A spokesperson for Newsom, who plans to have Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on his next episode, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Beshears remarks.

The Kentucky governor, who was a featured speaker at the retreat along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was not alone in criticizing the Bannon interview.

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Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who was one of the few Republicans in Congress to challenge Trump, called it an insane decision to host Bannon.

I am in shock at the stupidity of [Newsom] inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast, Kinzinger said Wednesday. Many of us on the right sacrificed careers to fight Bannon, and Newsom is trying to make a career and a presidential run by building him up.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  More than $300,000 in funding is heading to the Honolulu Zoo for improvements and the addition of a new animal.

The Honolulu Zoo just got even more fun for everyone

The Director of Enterprise Services presented this years budget to the Honolulu City Council, which will fund improvements to animal holding facilities and public walkways.

Andria Tupola of the Honolulu City Council also announced the possibility of welcoming a panda to the zoo grounds.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Im looking forward to working with you on possibly seeing a panda come to the zoo. We did talk about it and I do have a donor for that, but I do think that could bring new guests to the zoo, said Tupola.

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10 facts about Obamas $18M Hawaii beachfront mansion

Department of Enterprise Services Director Dita Holidfield shared a new animal will claim residency at the zoo in 2027.

Were looking to start bringing the binturongs to the Honolulu Zoo and I know you are going to be thrilled, Holidfield said.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Binturongs are also known as bear cats and are native to South and Southeast Asia.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
The heartbreaking aftermath of an illegal wildlife trap drew the outrage of an animal welfare group in Scotland.

What's happening?

As the BBC detailed, the Scottish SPCA was forced to euthanize a cat after it was found critically injured in an illegal trap left in woodland near Macduff, Aberdeenshire. It was not revealed whether the pet had an owner, but an SSPCA spokesman urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

"These illegal traps are indiscriminate and will cause unnecessary suffering to any animal caught in them," the spokesman said, per the BBC.

Why is this important?

Illegal wildlife traps can be incredibly harmful to local ecosystems because any animal can fall victim to them and suffer as a result. Whether it's a target pest or a harmless native species, no animal is safe when traps are laid without proper authorization or regulation.

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For example, wildlife authorities in Australia determined that an illegal hook and snare line found in an Australian riverbed in Queensland was an individual's attempt to deliberately "capture and kill" a large crocodile. The blatant act of cruelty directly violated the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which protects crocodiles in Australia from harm and death with a maximum penalty of $36,293.

Even pest control devices like glue traps can be used illegally and cause significant harm to wildlife and the environment. In one instance, a glue trap wrapped around a public tree used to catch invasive spotted lanternflies actually created a swarm of earwigs, which can cause severe damage to trees and even lead to their death. Further cases where birds and other creatures have been caught in glue traps exemplify the harmful consequences these methods can have  unintended or not.

What's being done about this?

The euthanization occurred less than a year after the Scottish parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. According to the BBC, the bill "includes a range of measures that will give greater protection to wildlife, including a ban on the use of all forms of snares and a ban on use of glue traps."

The SSPCA also has a confidential animal helpline for residents to report trapped animals or suspected illegal traps.

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When dealing with a pest problem, it's always best to consult a professional who can suggest humane and legal solutions so the issue can be addressed without collateral damage. If you come across illegal traps, reporting them to local wildlife protection authorities can prevent further harm.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  For the past 25 years, the Cesar E. Chavez March has brought the community together to honor the civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting for social justice and workers rights.

Its pretty cool what he did, Amy Gomez, a student at Union High School, said.

Union was one of the many schools around Kent County that sent buses of students to attend the annual march in Grand Rapids Thursday morning.

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Growing up with immigrant parents, it actually means a lot, Gomez said. Knowing what he did for immigrant families means a lot because I wish my mom had more opportunities in this country.

Hundreds gathered outside the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan before marching down Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. They wore commemorative shirts, waved flags and carried signs that read HUELGA, which means strike in Spanish, a nod to the labor movement Chavez helped lead.

When youre marching down the street in a group like that, you feel a certain empowerment and your voice seems stronger, said Eva Aguirre Cooper, a member of the Committee to Honor Cesar E. Chavez. Its a unique experience where you feel like youre part of something special.

The march honored what would have been Chavezs 98th birthday on March 31, but it also served as a reminder of his impact and the ongoing challenges farmworkers and migrant families still face.

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I think the struggle for social justice will be something we always have to fight for, Eva Aguirre Cooper said.

After the march, participants gathered at The Potters House for a community event featuring guest speakers, cultural performances and an opportunity to learn more about Chavez and his impact in West Michigan. Organizers say they hope events like this inspire future generations to continue Chavezs mission of unity, activism and change.

Marchers said they were encouraged by this years turnout and are already looking forward to at least another 25 years of marching.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
(FOX40.COM)  A bill with wide bipartisan support could make a second category of job exempt from jury duty in California.

The California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 387 on to the Senate with a vote of 67-0.

Video Above: Jury commissioner describes the importance of jurors fulfilling civic role

The bill would exempt sworn probation officers from the jury selection process for criminal cases.

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In a press release, the bills author Assemblymember Juan Alanis argues the job category should be exempt because it may negatively impact people on probation.

NorCal Arts expands after-school arts programs to 800 students in six schools

The success of individuals on probation is directly tied to the effectiveness of probation officers, Alanis said. Pulling them away from their duties impacts their ability to effectively manage critical services for probationers.

The Judicial Council of California registered a comment in opposition to the legislation, arguing that the existing general exemption process is sufficient.

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Current law continues to allow an individual to be excused from jury service for undue hardship upon themselves or the public, the group said.  Jurors can be excused on the ground of undue hardship for a variety of reasons; including if their services are immediately needed for the protection of public health and safety, in cases where alternative arrangements would substantially reduce essential public services.

Though not mentioned in the press release, official bill analysis also suggests that members of the criminal justice system may need to be removed from participating in juries for biases favoring their colleagues.

A growing body of legal scholarship, however, notes that criminal juries increasingly consider the behavior of law enforcement investigating a crime in addition to evaluating a defendants alleged conduct, the analysis reads. As this phenomenon grows, so too does the risk that members of law enforcement serving on juries may not be able to impartially evaluate the adequacy of their colleagues professional conduct.

Additionally, empirical studies repeatedly find that those regularly participating in the criminal justice system (specifically judges, attorneys, and law enforcement) frequently demonstrate latent biases against criminal defendants, particularly minority defendants, the analysis continues.

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California law already exempts most police officers and sheriffs deputies in the state from jury duty.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
(Reuters) -A prominent anti-Russian activist was shot dead in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday and law enforcement authorities said they were not ruling out Russian involvement in the killing.

A 31-year-old victim was named as Demian Hanul, a blogger who local media said took part in the 2014 Maidan revolution against Ukraine's then pro-Russian president. He was also once a member of the far-right Right Sector group, media said.

"The incident is qualified as a premeditated murder committed by order," national police said on Telegram.

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The Security Service said a 46-year-old military deserter had been detained as a suspect.

Possible motives for the crime are being investigated, it said on local Telegram, adding that this included it being linked to Russia.

A video posted on local Telegram claimed to capture the moment of the shooting. It showed a burly man holding a gun to the head of a man lying on a pavement, possibly already dead, firing, and then walking away.

Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the clip.

Russian state media has previously branded Hanul a neo-Nazi responsible for an arson attack on the Trade Union House in Odessa in May 2014, a reference to deadly fighting between pro-Russian activists and supporters of Ukrainian unity then.

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A Moscow court charged Hanul in absentia in April 2024 with several crimes including damaging Soviet-era war monuments for which he would have faced up to 20 years in prison.

Several media outlets reported last July that Hanul had requested Ukrainian police protection after receiving threats.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa,Editing by Gareth Jones and Angus MacSwan)
ROME (AP)  Pope Francis on Friday marked one month in the hospital where he is being treated for double pneumonia, with signs in recent days that indicate he is gradually recovering.

The 88-year-old pope has not been seen by most faithful since a general audience on Feb. 12 in the Vaticans Paul VI Hall. Rollercoaster medical updates during the first three weeks of his treatment sparked an outpouring of concern from Catholics worldwide  and speculation about whether he had plans to resign.

In recent days the initial dread has given way to cautious relief as fears of imminent death have been lifted.

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Associated Press photographers have been capturing the hope and the anguish that have accompanied Franciss health journey as the faithful arrive in higher-than-usual numbers in Rome for Holy Year celebrations, which come once every quarter-century.

Pilgrims arriving in Rome for the Catholic Churchs Jubilee Year have added a stop at the Gemelli Hospital where Francis is being treated to pray for his recovery. Cameras have been trained on a suite of mostly shaded 10th-floor windows where the pope is staying, but he has yet to make an appearance.

Church officials have emphasized that the pope continues his ministry from the hospital. Experts note that it has only been in recent church history - chiefly since John Paul IIs 1978-2005 papacy -- that the faithful have grown accustomed to seeing popes on a regular basis.

Were  used to seeing a pope whos everywhere all the time, said Kurt Martens, a Washington, D.C.-based canon lawyer. But dont forget that in the past, not that long ago, popes would show up only rarely, he said, delegating routine and even Holy Week celebrations to cardinals.

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Francis has not been seen since Feb. 14 private audiences, his last official appearances before being admitted to the hospital following a weeks-long bout of bronchitis. He increasingly found it hard to speak publicly.

He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy on March 13 in the hospital. The only sign of life has been a recording of his soft, labored voice broadcast to the faithful in St. Peters Square on March 6 thanking them for their prayers.

Since Feb. 19 the Vatican had started each day by issuing a brief, reassuring statement noting with small variations that the pope has slept a tranquil night. Medical bulletins have been reduced from daily, to every other day.

The first three weeks were marked by slight improvements punctuated by alarming setbacks: a polymicrobial (bacterial, viral and fungal) infection on Day 4, double pneumonia on Day 5 and mild kidney failure on Day 10, along with respiratory crises on Day 9 and Day 18, and a severe coughing fit on Day 15.

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But earlier this week, doctors lifted a guarded prognosis, indicating the pope was no longer at immediate risk of death from the infection. The latest medical bulletin said that the popes condition remained stable but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility, which includes his age, limited mobility often requiring a wheelchair and the removal of part of a lung as a young man.

While it is the longest hospitalization of Franciss papacy, John Paul II holds the record: 55 days in the same specially outfitted papal apartment at the Gemelli, which includes a chapel.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakotans now have a clearer picture of what Project Prison Reset will look like.

After a legislative effort to appropriate money to build a new mens prison in Lincoln County failed this year, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced the new path on Feb. 27. The effort will see a group of lawmakers and other officials examining three questions, as Rhoden outlined in February.

Number one, do we need a prison, Rhoden said Feb. 27. And I think the answer is a clear yes, and this group should agree. Number two, how big should the new prison be, and number three, where should that prison be built. We will hire a consultant to make sure that were all working from the same set of facts.

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The original plan was for the group to first meet on April 2 in Pierre, but that meeting will now be in Sioux Falls. Thursday, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff, who is on the newly-formed task force, provided an outline of what will happen.

On April 2nd and 3rd the plan is to tour the penitentiary, visit the Lincoln County site, take public testimony, and thats kind of the rough outline of what well be doing over those two days, Mehlhaff said.

Route 13 Fire is currently 50 percent contained

When KELOLAND News asked the governor on Feb. 27 if the previously proposed site between Harrisburg and Canton remained the administrations preference, Rhoden said anything is possible. The task force is set to meet every four weeks, with at least four gatherings planned. And come July 22, the plan is for a special session of the legislature to learn about the task forces recommendations.

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Among the individuals announced in February as members of the task force were Republican Rep. Jon Hansen, Scott Odenbach, Karla Lems, Tim Reisch, Greg Jamison, Brian Mulder and Jack Kolbeck, Democratic Rep. Erin Healy, Republican Sen. Chris Karr, Mehlhaff, Ernie Otten, Mark Lapka, Steve Kolbeck and Joy Hohn, Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith, Yankton Police Chief Jason Foote, Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead and Minnehaha County States Attorney Daniel Haggar.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Unfortunately, the number of conflicts is growing, and if you look at those that have been resolved, we can only see it here, in Karabakh. That's the only one, which was resolved based on international law, historical justice, and this resolution is accepted by the whole world, President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Euronews TV channel, Trend reports.

"Even now, after almost five years since the Second Karabakh War, we don't have a peace deal with Armenia. Yes, we have a quiet period, no casualties, and this is a big advantage of today's situation. But until a peace agreement is signed, this stability is not here; the same in all other parts of the world, the same in the Middle East, the same in Africa," said President Ilham Aliyev.
For many reasons, the Falklands/Malvinas War stands out among post-war conflicts, with Argentinas surprise attack on the tiny British territory, nearly 8,000 miles from the United Kingdom, precipitating a fierce campaign fought on land, at sea, and in the air. The conflict also saw some notable innovations, including the rapid introduction of new weapons and tactics. Surely one of the most unusual, however, was the Argentine Air Forces effort to provide countermeasures to better protect its aircraft.

The bizarre story involves infrared flares, radar-defeating chaff  and a pasta machine.

One of two AIM-9L Sidewinders fired by a British Royal Navy Sea Harrier at a pair of Argentine IAI Dagger fighters on May 24, 1982. The missiles destroyed them both. via Rowland White

Years after the conflict, a U.S. Air Force pilot asked Capt. Pablo Carballo, a Malvinas veteran A-4B Skyhawk pilot, what Argentine airmen felt when the radar warning receiver on their aircraft was activated, alerting them to a possible missile inbound.

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Nothing, Carballo said.

Amazed, the American pilot replied, How brave!

No, you misunderstood me, Carballo continued. We didnt really feel anything because our planes had no radar warning receiver.

Carballo, who was a squadron leader and operations officer of Fighter Group 5, explains in this anecdote that the Argentine Air Force did not have radar-warning equipment for its fighter-bombers in the Falklands War. As far as self-protection systems, such as chaff and flares were concerned, the few examples that were introduced by the Argentines during the conflict were the result of ingenuity. Few of them ended well.

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As of 1982, the Argentine Air Force (locally, the Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) had no electronic warfare or countermeasures systems in its aircraft. Chronic budgetary problems, as well as the scarcity of guided weaponry in neighboring countries that could pose a threat to Argentina, meant that the purchase of these systems had been ruled out. The Argentine Air Forces A-4B and C Skyhawk fighter-bombers, Dassault Mirage III and IAI Dagger fighters, and English Electric Canberra bombers, therefore, flew unprotected.

A formation of Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers around the time of the Falklands War. Photo By: Fireshot/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Fireshot

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Argentine Air Force had looked at some upgrade programs that would have included self-protection systems. For example, in November 1980, Frances Thomson-CSF submitted a proposal to integrate Sherloc warning systems, as well as Remora and Caiman countermeasures pods on the FAAs Mirage IIIEA. In 1981, there were negotiations with Elta of Israel to fit a Boeing 707 with electronic warfare systems (which ended up as a signals intelligence platform) and to install self-protection systems on the fighter and bomber fleets. However, when the Falklands War broke out in April 1982, none of these systems had been installed.

An Argentine Air Force Mirage IIIEA. Dassault Aviation

Most of the FAA units were taken by surprise by the landing of Argentine troops in the Falklands. It was only after the assault and the British announcements that a task force would head south to retake the islands that work began on various projects that would give the FAAs aircraft a better chance of survival against an enemy with technology and resources far superior to those available anywhere in South America.

Argentine Marines of the 2nd Marine Battalion outside Government House following the capture and occupation of Port Stanley in the Falklands on April 2, 1982. Crown Copyright

From the outset, it was considered that the main threats to Argentine aircraft would be British Royal Navy Sea Harrier aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, as well as ship-launched missiles, mainly radar-guided ones, such as the ramjet-powered Sea Dart. To distract the former, flares were to be launched; for the latter, chaff would be used.

A Sea Harrier on the amphibious assault ship HMS Fearless during the Falklands War 1982. The jet had been unable to land at the damaged Sheathbill airstrip on the islands. Photo by Terence Laheney/Getty Images Terence Laheney

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A number of projects were launched in parallel without full coordination. These efforts involved both the Institute of Scientific and Technical Research of the Armed Forces (CITEFA), the main body responsible for defense research and development. Also involved were various FAA units and civilian institutions.

The initial problem was how to manufacture chaff. Only later would thought be given on how aircraft would actually deploy it.

Chaff has been used since World War II, where it was known by Allied forces as Window and by the Germans as Duppel. Essentially, it consists of small, thin strips of aluminum (or similar) that appear as a cluster of targets on an enemy radar screen or otherwise saturate it with multiple returns.

A Royal Air Force Lancaster releases bundles of Window over the target during a daylight raid on Duisburg, Germany, in October 1944. Right: The same Lancaster drops the main part of its load, comprising a 4,000-pound high-explosive bomb and 108 30-pound incendiaries. Crown Copyright

According to an intelligence report from the Southern Air Force (FAS), the FAAs primary combat command on the mainland, officers at least knew the theory behind chaff and recognized that before initiating chaff launch operations, accurate data on frequencies, pulse widths and beam widths of enemy radars to be disrupted must be known.

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This was not a problem since the Argentine Navy operated two modern British-made Type 42 destroyers (ARA Hercules and ARA Santisima Trinidad), essentially sister vessels to the Royal Navys main air defense warships, the Sheffield class. Therefore, the characteristics of the British Type 965 radars (air surveillance) and Type 909 (Sea Dart fire control) were well known. The capabilities of certain other British naval and air radars were also understood since they had also been offered to the Argentine military in the past.

The Type 42 destroyer HMS Coventry was sunk by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawks on May 25, 1982. Photo By: Fireshot/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Fireshot

The chaff was to be fabricated using this data.

The same FAS report notes that considering that chaff is resonant over a very wide band, no excessive effort is required to cut it accurately. Chaff cut off at a length approximately equal to 0.475 times the wavelength of the radar to be disrupted will normally be effective.

As of early May 1982, 140 kilograms (309 pounds) of chaff, cut to saturate radars in the 2-18 GHz frequency, was available at the military air base (BAM) Comodoro Rivadavia, in the province of Chubut in southern Argentina. Other chaff shipments were also due to arrive there.

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While its not clear where the entire stock came from, at least some of it was made by schoolchildren in a distant Argentine province, and some of it was fabricated using a pasta machine.

In 1982, Maj. Fernando Rezoagli was head of the technical squadron deployed with the Canberra bombers of Bombardment Group 2 at BAM Trelew, also in Chubut, when he was ordered to return home to faraway Parana, Entre Rios, in Argentinas northeastern Mesopotamia region. His mission: to make chaff.

His house in Parana was close to the II Brigada Aerea hangars.

I removed a roll of aluminum from the depot, which was used to wrap the exhaust nozzles of the Canberras engines and dissipate heat. I phoned my oldest son, who was 15 years old and in high school, and told him to bring three or four classmates home and that each should bring a pair of scissors. And I asked him to tell his younger brother, who was 13, to do the same thing.

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Although they cut chaff all night, it was not enough.

Discussing the problem, a non-commissioned officer told us that he had an idea that could be useful it involved using a machine to make noodles, taking advantage of the fact that the width of the noodles was similar to that of the chaff. The next day, he showed up at the technical group with an industrial machine that he had borrowed from a pasta factory called Napoli. And we started to work the handle 24 hours a day, for about a week.

In the small museum of the II Air Brigade, there is the pasta machine that was used to make chaff. In front of it is the system installed in the Canberras, with the canisters in which the flares and chaff were placed. via author

Once the chaff arrived at BAM Comodoro Rivadavia, it was tested on the aircraft operating from there, Mirage IIIEA fighters and C-130 Hercules transports.

In the case of the Mirage, it was decided to make, by hand, cartridges of about 1.5 inches in diameter wrapped in toilet paper, kept in the wrapper with adhesive tape. They would be placed inside the airbrake and fixed to it with more adhesive tape.

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As for the C-130s, the chaff would be thrown from the door in a bag tied with a string about three meters [10 feet] long and in a trajectory perpendicular to the main axis of the search radar lobe, trying to form a curtain.

The chaff was separated by size. Chaff of 40, 47.5, 57, 71, and 110 millimeters was used for the C-130 bags, and chaff of 16, 37/40, and 85 millimeters for the fighters. These sizes were tailored for the various search and targeting radars based on available intelligence.

Chaff installed in the airbrakes was also used by the Dagger fighters deployed at BAM San Julian, in Argentinas Patagonian region, and BAM Rio Grande, in Tierra del Fuego province, both of these being in the southern part of the country. The problem, however, was the scarcity of the chaff and the fact that pilots would open the airbrakes to decelerate and maintain formation, thus losing the one opportunity they had to use it in combat. The chaff was never used by the C-130s.

An Argentine Air Force IAI Dagger passes low over the British landing ship RFA Sir Bedivere in San Carlos Water, Falklands, on May 24, 1982. Photo by Peter Holdgate/ Crown Copyright. Imperial War Museums via Getty Images digitised by Ted Dearberg (IWM)

A more sophisticated system was a chaff launcher, designed by CITEFA, of which 10 units were built, initially for the A-4 fighter-bombers.

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The completed system was tested on June 2, 1982, on an A-4C operating from BAM San Julian, with test launches made from between 100 and 15,000 feet. The system allowed two launches every five seconds and salvo launches of six chaff rounds every four seconds. The target to be jammed was the bases Skyguard fire-control radar, which was around three to four miles away. However, no positive results were obtained.

Other unsuccessful projects included chaff launched by 2.75-inch Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR), or from Shafrir 2 air-to-air missiles, or semi-automatic systems proposed by private companies.

In the end, the only countermeasures system that appears to have been at least partially successful during the 1982 conflict was the one installed on the Canberra unit supported by Rezoagli. The system launched chaff (cut by hand or the pasta machine) and, simultaneously, flares.

It was the brainchild of the chief of the technical group supporting the Canberras back in Parana. The system consisted of seven horizontal launchers, parallel to each other, on the tail of the aircraft. In each of the launchers was an aircraft engine starter cartridge (already used), which contained a flare and some chaff. Finally, a cap sealed the cartridge.

Seen here unloaded, the chaff/flare launching system was installed near the tail of the Canberra. via author

The flare (which was also hastily manufactured) was made of gunpowder that burned at 500 Celsius (932 Fahrenheit) for 15 seconds and floated in the air under a small parachute.

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A control board in front of the navigator contained a button that launched each of the cartridges containing the flare and the chaff.

Prior to installation, the system was tested from a helicopter flying at 200 meters (656 feet), with the flare slowly descending under the parachute and a large cloud of metallic strips floating around it. By May 1, 1982, it was operational.

That same day, at 4:20 p.m. local time, three Canberra Mk 62s, complying with Fragmentary Order 1117, took off from their base in Trelew. This was a RIFLE flight, and it was tasked with dropping bombs on British landing craft in the islands. The Canberras were all equipped with the improvised chaff/flare systems.

Capt. Eduardo Garcia Puebla was the pilot of RIFLE 3, and Lt. Jorge Segat was his navigator.

Garcia Puebla recounts the story, starting when they were 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the target.

At that moment, something indescribable impelled me to look to the right, forcing the natural position of the seat. I dont know what mechanism or sense alerted me, but I did. From a cloud, a small whitish flash appeared with astonishing speed. It was heading parallel to my course, towards No. 1 [callsign Pajaro]. When that image was engraved in my retina, I was already shouting with all my strength: Pajaro, break, a missile. Break. Simultaneously, I violently activated the throttles to their maximum rate, and the control yoke and pedal to the left and back. Jorge, launch flares and chaff, every 15 seconds!

The AIM-9L Sidewinder locked onto the hot engine nozzle of the No. 2 Canberra, which had failed to launch flares, shooting it down.

Canberra serial B-108 was the example shot down on June 14. Here, it is shown with the armament it could carry, during an exhibition in 1978. The largest bombs are Mk 17s of 1,000 pounds. via author

Garcia Puebla and Segat also managed to avoid two other AIM-9L missiles and were able to return to base.

The first missile fired shot down the Canberra of pilot Lt. Eduardo Raul de Ibanez and navigator 1st Lt. Mario Gonzalez. It was launched by the Sea Harrier flown by Lt. William Alan Curtis of 801 Naval Air Squadron. Lt. Cmdr. Mike Broadwater, in another Sea Harrier, had launched the two missiles that did not hit. You can read all about the success of the AIM-9L in the Falklands in this previous TWZ article.

An AIM-9L Sidewinder missile on an 800 Naval Air Squadron Sea Harrier during the conflict. Photo by Terence Laheney/Getty Images Terence Laheney

The other Canberra lost in the conflict, crewed by captains Roberto Pastran and Fernando Casado, was shot down in the early morning of June 14. It also failed to launch chaff and flares and was hit by a Sea Dart missile from the destroyer HMS Cardiff.

Launch of a Sea Dart missile. Photo by PA Images via Getty Images PA Images

Nevertheless, the use of chaff/flares was customary for the aircraft of Bombardment Group 2 during the war.

Its difficult to determine their effectiveness, however, as the post-conflict reconstruction of events (conducted in the United Kingdom) does not indicate that these systems deflected any missiles heading toward a Canberra bomber. On the other hand, it shouldnt be ruled out. Quite possibly, Garcia Puebla and Segat owe their lives to this system. Perhaps other Canberra crew members do, too.

Whatever the truth, the history of the Argentine Air Forces chaff and flare systems during the 1982 conflict is surely a unique one, and not just because of the involvement of a group of school kids and a pasta machine.

Contact the editor: thomas@thewarzone.com

Mariano Sciaroni holds a masters degree in Strategy and Geopolitics as well as a postgraduate diploma in Contemporary Military History, both earned at the Argentine Armys Military Academy. Sciaroni has published five books and numerous articles on military and naval history. He is also an active member of the Argentine Institute of Military History and serves as a sub-lieutenant in the Argentine Army Reserve (Army Aviation Reserve Squadron). You can find out more about his books here.
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in 2019 at a town hall with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, who spent more than 20 years representing the people of southern Arizona in Congress, died Thursday from complications of cancer treatment at the age of 77, his office announced.

The Democrat from Tucson, who represented Arizonas 7th District, announced his lung cancer diagnosis last April, and said he planned to pursue a vigorous course of treatment. His public service career spanned spent more than 50 years in public service.

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Grijalva was the former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

In a statement on Thursday, Grijalvas office wrote that his colleagues were heartbroken to announce the death of a man who was a fierce advocate for environmental protection, including Arizonas water rights, as well as for Indigenous communities and immigrants.

Grijalvas seat in Congress, in an overwhelmingly blue district, will be filled via a special election. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is tasked with setting a special primary election for a date within the next 90 days and a special general election within the following 60 days.

To his last day, he remained a servant leader who put everyday people first while in office, Hobbs said in a statement. I join every Arizonan in mourning his passing. May he rest in peace.

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Grijalva is the second House Democrat to die in office this year. Freshman Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, 70, died March 5, the day after he attended President Donald Trumps joint address to Congress. Grijalvas death means the Republicans control 218 seats in the House and the Democrats control 213.

In a statement, Rhode Island Democratic U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner said, I am heavy-hearted over the loss of my friend and colleague, Representative Raul Grijalva.

I feel very fortunate to have worked under his leadership and mentorship on the House Natural Resources Committee, where he made a lasting impact as Chairman and Ranking Member for more than half a decade, Magaziner continued. My thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and the constituents he devotedly served. He will be deeply missed.

In a statement, the Pima County Democratic Party praised Grijalvas dedication to education, the environment and civil rights.

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Providence demands us bid farewell to our friend, but Arizonas appreciation for Raul Grijalva is undying  his work endures, the Pima County Democratic Party wrote. His spirit is on our landscapes, our communities, and in the hearts of all who believe in a more just and compassionate world.

Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said in a statement that the organization was mourning Grijalvas death while also celebrating his legacy with the hope that it will serve as an inspiration for future conservation leaders.

He combined passion, advocacy, and leadership that resulted in preserving some of this countrys most treasured landscapes for generations to come, Jealous said. His work with Tribal Nations incorporated the voice of those who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial into public lands management policy.

One of the congressmans major accomplishments was his part in the drafting of the Environmental Justice for All Act, which aimed to empower people to stand up for their communities.

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His strong belief was that no matter where youre from, one truth unites us all: everyone deserves the freedom to live a healthy life, and every child deserves a safe and fair chance at their future, his office wrote.

Grijalvas other successes in Congress included his work to protect the Grand Canyon for future generations, to fight climate change and to fund conservation programs.

Grijalva advocated for student loan forgiveness, protections for farm workers and other laborers exposed to heat and expansion of early childhood education.

Some of these victories seemed out of reach when he first came to Congress, but with support from community, colleagues, allies, and staff, he helped make them real, his office wrote.

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Grijalva began his political career in 1974 when he was elected to the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, where he served until 1986. He was elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1988 and held a seat on the board until he was elected to Congress in 2002.

Grijalva leaves behind his wife Ramona; daughters Adelita, Marisa and Raquel; and five grandchildren.

Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton said in a statement that Grijalva will be rightly remembered as one of the most consequential leaders in Arizona political history.

Raul never lost sight of the values he learned as a young community organizer, tirelessly advocating for immigrant families, education, and social justice, Stanton said. But perhaps his biggest accomplishment is his mentorship of a generation of young people in Southern Arizona.

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Grijalvas colleagues said in they were heartbroken by the news of his death but determined to carry on his legacy.

From Tucson to Nogales and beyond, he worked tirelessly for transformational improvements, Grijalvas office wrote in the statement. Rep. Grijalva pushed for new public parks, childcare centers, health care clinics, local businesses, and affordable housing have breathed new life into neighborhoods across Southern Arizona.

In a statement, Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego described Grijalva as not only a colleague but a friend.

As another Latino working in public service, I can say from experience that he served as a role model to many young people across the Grand Canyon State, Gallego wrote. He spent his life as a voice for equalityI am praying for his family during this time of grief, and I hope that they find comfort knowing his legacy is one that will stand tall for generations.

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Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com.

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Sen. Mark Kelly resumed his war of words with Elon Musk on Friday with a salty social media video saying hes ditching his Tesla car to further separate himself from someone who kind of turned out to be an a------.

Standing near the U.S. Capitol, the Arizona Democrat echoed the growing sentiment of many left-leaning Tesla owners, who have come to regret that the electric vehicle is so closely aligned with the man spearheading President Donald Trumps mass layoffs in the federal workforce.

There are some things I really liked about it. There are some things I didnt like about it. But that doesnt matter, Kelly said with a black Tesla in the background. What matters is doing the right thing. I think its time to get rid of it.

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Elon Musk kind of turned out to be an a------, and I dont want to be driving the car built and designed by an a------. So, Im looking forward to my new ride.

Kelly said he came to no longer like the car over the past 60 days, the period when Trump returned to the White House and Musk has targeted veterans, senior citizens and the poor with budget cuts.

Kellys swipe at Musk comes after Trump hopped into a Tesla with Musk outside the White House. Trump said on social media he planned to buy one of the vehicles. The carmakers stock has skidded 40% since Trump returned to the White House.

Musk and Kelly have locked horns repeatedly since Musks advisory Department of Government Efficiency has overseen an estimated 250,000 layoffs of government workers, many of them veterans.

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On Monday, Musk told his 220 million followers on the X social media platform he owns that Kelly was a traitor after Kelly, a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services and Select Intelligence committees, described a visit last week to Ukraine.

Kelly responded to that with pointed words of his own.

Traitor? Elon, if you dont understand that defending freedom is a basic tenet of what makes America great and keeps us safe, maybe you should leave it to those of us who do, Kelly said.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic afterward, Kelly said Musks downsizing has less to do with finding needed cuts to the government than helping himself.

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What hes really trying to do is get to the point where they can deliver this big, giant tax cut for billionaires like himself and his buddies and Donald Trump, Kelly said.

Kellys latest post comes on the day the Senate will take up a Republican-shaped spending plan to avert a government shutdown which Kelly described on Thursday as giving unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sen. Mark Kelly is dumping his Tesla. Here's why
The Arizona Republic's yearslong fight for public records netted tens of thousands of texts and emails that proved the discredited "audit" of 2020 election results was a partisan effort by President Donald Trump's allies.

The documents revealed the audit ordered by the Arizona Senate was part of a nationwide effort to undermine elections in states that Democrat Joe Biden won, and Trump's allies and lawyers were involved in nearly every step of the process.

The records also detailed that the ballot counting in spring and summer 2021 was a flawed effort that even the Senate's lead contractor didn't trust.

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"Looks like basically our numbers are screwy," Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan said in a Sept. 13, 2021, text message.

The court battle for the documents behind the "audit" was one of the biggest public records cases ever fought in Arizona. Courts first ordered the Senate and Cyber Ninjas to make the records related to the ballot recount public in 2021 and then repeatedly ruled against their efforts to keep them secret.

The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the decision, and the Arizona Supreme Court declined to take up the Senate's appeal.

The Republic had won the case, and Cyber Ninjas slowly released its records.

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Under the law, the "prevailing party" is entitled to attorneys' fees. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge in 2024 upheld the amount of legal fees owed to The Republic. The judge ruled Cyber Ninjas solely liable.

The Republic appealed, contending public bodies such as the Senate were responsible for legal fees in public records cases in which the party suing for records substantially prevailed. That appeal, which sought nearly $700,000 in legal fees from the Senate, was rejected March 6 by the Arizona Court of Appeals.

The appeals court ruled unanimously the "audit" contractor alone was responsible for delays in producing records and affirmed the lower court's decision that the Senate should not pay for Cyber Ninjas' "obstructionist litigation tactics."

"Although the Senate initially opposed (The Republic's) claims for public records that were in the custody of Cyber Ninjas, it reversed course on that issue in September 2021, about three months into this three-years long litigation," the court said in its ruling.

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The court found that after the Senate lost legal battles to keep the records private, it began demanding Cyber Ninjas turn over the records in its possession.

An attorney for Gannett Co., Inc., parent company of The Republic, did not say what the companys next steps would be.

"We're looking at the decision and reviewing all options," Edwin Larkin, chief litigation officer, said.

Kory Langhofer, the Senate's lawyer, praised the ruling.

"This is just desserts for the Arizona Republics abusive litigation strategy," Langhofer said via text.

Cyber Ninjas' CEO points finger at Senate

Cyber Ninjas' former CEO Doug Logan in 2023 accused lawmakers of refusing to help him comply with court orders to produce thousands of documents, even though he was working directly for the Senate.

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Logan, who dissolved his cybersecurity company in 2021, agreed to pay $95,000 to settle The Republic's claims and signed a declaration blaming the Senate.

He pointed the finger at former Senate President Karen Fann, who authorized the hand recount of 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County.

"Repeatedly, I asked the Senate to assist with Cyber Ninjas' production of the Senate's audit-related records, but the Senate refused," Logan said in the declaration. "Senator Fann made it clear that the Senate would not aid in processing records."

Former Senate president lied about recount, records show

The "audit" cost taxpayers more than $5 million.

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The texts, emails and other records provided to The Republic long after it ended put lie to statements made by state lawmakers that the recount was nonpartisan and not undertaken to restore Trump to power after he lost in Arizona.

Fann said when she launched the "audit" that it "absolutely has nothing to do with Trump." It wasn't true.

Text messages released by Logan showed Fann had communicated with retired Army Col. Phil Waldron and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani as she prepared to launch the effort. Waldron, a staunch Trump loyalist, helped draft subpoenas the Senate used to seize Maricopa County election data.

Fann also wanted to keep mum on "audit" funding, according to texts.

Legal battle focused on making 'audit' operations transparent

Logan was ordered to release documents revealing key details about the recount.

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The records showed he reached out to Trump through associates to ask the former president to pay for the audit and that Trump was keeping tabs on the effort.

They showed that the people involved were working behind the scenes to access voting equipment in Arizona and other states, including Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The Audit Guys, a team of nationally recognized data analysts, built software to untangle, organize and search Logan's messages.

Texts and emails showed Logan exchanged thousands of messages with Christina Bobb, a former conservative television host and Trump lawyer now working for the Republican National Committee.

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Bobb was indicted in April by an Arizona grand jury in her role in the fake electors scheme and has pleaded not guilty. Records show while using her television show to raise money for the "audit," Bobb advised Logan on everything from communicating with workers to finessing donors to responding to federal investigators.

Other texts revealed Logan worked directly with Michigan lawyer Stefanie Lambert, who enlisted him in a campaign to access voting software in several swing states before and during the "audit." Michigan authorities arrested Lambert in 2024 on charges related to tampering with election equipment. She has maintained her innocence.

Lambert repeatedly sought to include bogus claims of election fraud in Logan's final report to the Senate even as he told her in private texts the claims were meritless, records show.

Final 'audit' report concludes Biden tallied more votes than Trump

The Republics lawsuit also uncovered messages that showed that Logan wasnt familiar with Arizona election law when he was hired and ultimately could not add up the tally sheets that audit workers used to count votes.

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That meant the work of hundreds of workers and volunteers  who spent two months in 2021 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix reviewing ballots and recording individual votes onto more than 70,000 tally sheets  couldn't be verified.

Logans final report to the Senate concluded that Biden received more votes than Trump  and even more than the official vote tally from Maricopa County. While the Cyber Ninjas' election review confirmed Biden's victory in Arizona, Logan's report to the Senate focused on so-called anomalies that raised doubts about the process.

Logan's findings allowed Trump allies to insist the vote was compromised. Its immediate aftermath was to further instill distrust in voting machines and encourage partisan calls for paper ballot tabulations, hand recounts and "audits."

'A big deal': County election audit will examine tabulators, chain of custody and more

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona won't have to pay legal fees in Cyber Ninjas case, court says
Alysa Horton

Cronkite News

PHOENIX  Arizona universities are unsure of the future of inclusive initiatives as both the Trump administration and state Legislature threaten funding over diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

Arizona public universities have quietly removed DEI language to comply with a Jan. 20 executive order from President Donald Trump, which says government agencies must terminate all DEI actions, initiatives, or programs or face federal funding cuts.

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The University of Arizona changed its land acknowledgement, and UA President Suresh Garimella told faculty by email last week that the university is creating an inventory of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)-related programs.

Before the executive order, the UA land acknowledgement read, We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the Oodham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

The university has since removed the phrase committed to diversity and inclusion.

Land acknowledgements are commonly used to acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the land.

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Jacquelyn Francisco, president of the UA Native & Indigenous Law Students Association, criticized the university for a lack of transparency when adjusting the land acknowledgement.

This change was made without transparency and without consideration for the Indigenous students and communities it directly affects, Francisco wrote in a LinkedIn post, which was also shared on the associations Instagram. A land acknowledgment should not be subject to silent revision or political convenience.

UA defended the change, saying it was made to comply with federal guidelines.

Aligning our land acknowledgment with federal guidance does not change the universitys unwavering commitment to its land grant mission or providing access to a world-class education for Native, Indigenous, and all students, a UA spokesperson said in a statement. We will continue to support and engage with Indigenous communities through education, research, and meaningful partnerships that honor the lands rich history and culture.

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Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University both said they are monitoring federal regulations involving DEI.

NAU is carefully monitoring the evolving situation and its potential impacts, an NAU statement said. We continue to gather information and prepare for the future, consistent with our values and commitment to serve all our students, operating within the legal frameworks that govern our operations as a public institution.

ASU said it is reviewing federal actions as they are issued to assess their possible impact. The university has faced scrutiny over DEI trainings, including a lawsuit last year from the Goldwater Institute.

Last Thursday, the Arizona House moved forward a proposed constitutional amendment that expands prohibitions on preferential treatment and discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity in public education, spending and hiring practices.

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Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear, the prime sponsor of the measure, said during a Feb. 12 House Government committee hearing that the measure would help restore color blindness and ensure that our citizens are not coerced to support racially divisive ideologies simply to get a job or to graduate from college.

The Goldwater Institute spoke in favor of the amendment at the hearing. Matt Beienburg, director of education policy for the Goldwater Institute, said in an interview the conservative think tank stands in favor of restoring our institutions to do those principles of the American founding.

The fight is really trying to restore and protect American ideals of equality before the law, ensuring that we are treating students, employees, faculty, applicants, contractors, really, anybody equally and without respect to the color of their skin, Beienburg said. (We are) ensuring that all these individuals are equal before the law.

In Garimellas email last week, the university president tried to ease the UA communitys fears about potential DEI policy changes.

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I emphasize to you that the implementation of the recent federal directives is a complex process, especially given potential legal challenges, variance in agency interpretations, and varying timelines, and it will take time to understand their full impact, he said in his email. Moving forward, I know we will continue to work together as a university community, caring for each other and focused on our mission while remaining adaptable to the changing landscape in higher education.
Veteran U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva diedThursday at 77 years old.

One of Arizona's longest-serving congressmen, Grijalva was a fixture of Tucson politics and eventually became known in Washington as a standard-bearer of the left wing of the Democratic Party.

His decades-long political career was cut short by a battle with cancer that kept him away from Capitol Hill in the months leading up to his death.

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Grijalva is survived by his wife, Ramona, and their three daughters.

Here's what to know about Grijalva's life and legacy, and what's next for the Arizonans he represented.

What was Raul Grijalva known for?

Grijalva began his political career in Tucson, first as a school board member in the 1970s, then as a Pima County supervisor in the 1990s. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 and reelected 11 times. He served 11 full terms, making him one of the longest-tenured members in Arizonas history.

He was the dean of the Arizona congressional delegation at the time of his death.

Representing Arizona in D.C., he served as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the most liberal group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and was a senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee, where he battled mining companies that wanted to develop uranium mines near the Grand Canyon and a huge copper mine near Superior.

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During his career, Grijalva championed immigrants rights, environmental protection, expanded health care and public education. It was a progressive agenda that usually kept him on the losing end of debates, especially in a state that tilted Republican most of his career, but it was an intentional effort to push the policy conversation to the left.

Later, Grijalva became one of the first federal lawmakers to publicly urge President Joe Biden to end his 2024 reelection campaign, at a time when many Democrats were hesitant to touch the subject.

What was Raul Grijalva's cause of death?

Grijalva died Thursday morning due to complications from his cancer treatment, according to his office.

Grijalva announced his cancer diagnosis in April 2024 and took time away from Capitol Hill while undergoing treatment. He was mostly absent from Congress in the months leading up to his death, missing all but two votes as of late February.

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Replacement must be voted on: After Rep. Raul Grijalva's death, what's next for his seat?

Raul Grijalva's family roots drove his political activism

Grijalva was born in 1948 in Canoa Ranch, south of Tucson, to an immigrant father who came to the United States as part of the Bracero program that employed Mexican workers on American farms. His mother was from Ajo and didnt speak English.

He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1967 at a time of roiling resentment about the plight of Hispanics, most visibly led by Cesar Chavez, the activist founder of the United Farm Workers Union.

Grijalva acknowledged feeling guilt as a teen about his familys heritage that evolved into a need to take action.

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I think it kept building and building, Grijalva said in a 2009 interview with the Center for Immigration Studies. The first reaction was anger. The first reaction was to get even with whoever is doing this. And at the time it was racial.

Grijalva was a community organizer and was active in Raza Unida Party, the 1970s movement that promoted Chicano pride and defended civil rights for Mexican-Americans. He was eventually elected to the school board in Tucson and, later, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where he served until his successful 2002 bid for Congress.

What happens now to Raul Grijalva's seat?

With more than a year and a half left in the ongoing congressional term, Arizona will soon hold special elections to pick Grijalva's successor.

Under state law, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs must establish the date of the special elections within 72 hours after a congressional seat is officially declared vacant.

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The primary election is to be held roughly four months after the vacancy happens, which puts it on track to take place during the summer of 2025.

The general election will happen two to three months later.

Grijalva, D-Ariz., represented Arizona's 7th Congressional District, a bright-blue stronghold that includes much of Arizona's border with Mexico. That means whoever wins the Democratic primary is overwhelmingly likely to win in the general election.

Remembered: Rep. Raul Grijalva, one of Arizona's longest-serving congressmen, dies at 77

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Raul Grijalva dies at 77: What to know about his life and legacy
ARKANSAS (KTAL/KMSS)An Arkansas Bill was introduced on Thursday that proposes employers provide unpaid leave on Veterans Day to Veteran employees.

Representative Joy Springer sponsored House Bill 1792, which would apply to former members of the United States Armed Forces; former or current members of the Arkansas Reserve, or the Arkansas National Guard unit.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed annually on November 11. It honors the brave people who have served in the military.

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Only Citizens Vote Act amend drivers licenses for noncitizens

A private employer without paid leave for Veterans Day must allow veterans to take the day off as unpaid leave, if the employee provides their employer with:

Written notice, submitted at least one month in advance of the date, with their intent to have the day as unpaid leave and;

proof of veterans status, without limitation a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a DD Form 214, or other comparable certificate of discharge from the United States Armed Forces.

The employer shall not reject the request of an employee who is also a veteran unless the employer can demonstrate that the employees absence will:

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Adversely impact the public health and safety; Cause significant economic or operational disruption to the employer, as determined by the Department of Labor and Licensing.

Support Wounded Veterans at fishing tournament

The bill notes that it does not prohibit the employer from granting all employees, veterans and non-veterans alike, the entire day off on Veterans Day as a paid holiday.

HB1792 was supported by Senator Breanne Davis (R-Russellville) and co-sponsored by Senator David Wallace (R-Leachville).

The bill was read in the House chambers and then read a second time to be referred to the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Jason Rapert, a member of the Arkansas State Library Board, attempts to withhold funding for libraries that don't separate "sexually explicit" books during a meeting on Friday, November 9, 2024. Member Lupe Pena de Martinez looks on. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

The Arkansas State Library Board approved a motion to create non-binding policies to protect children in the states public libraries at a special meeting conducted via videoconference Thursday afternoon.

Lupe Pena de Martinez of Mabelvale, the board member who proposed the motion, said she spoke at length with Republican state Sen. Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro last week about his proposed law to abolish the State Library Board.

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Develop non-binding policies to protect children and I will pull Senate Bill 184 were his exact words to me at least two or three times in our conversation, Pena de Martinez said.

She noted that Sullivan did not use the term sexually explicit, a term conservatives have used to denote content inappropriate for minors.

The motion specified that the non-binding policies in question will honor the constitutional and legislative principles of intellectual freedom, including First Amendment protections. It also emphasized that libraries are required to exercise due care in [the] selection, classification and access for materials.

Three other board members besides Pena de Martinez voted for the motion: Pam Meridith of Cherokee Village, Jo Ann Campbell of Fort Smith and Chairwoman Deborah Knox of Mountain Home.

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SB 184 would also have eliminated the commission that oversees Arkansas PBS and transferred both boards powers and authorities to the Arkansas Department of Education.

A discussion between Sullivan and West Doss, chairman of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, saved the commission from extinction, Doss told the panel at its quarterly meeting March 6. SB 184 passed the state Senate on Feb. 17 with solely Republican support, and it has not been heard in a House committee.

Sullivan is a former colleague of Republican ex-lawmaker Jason Rapert of Conway, a member of the State Library Board who opposed the motion along with Shari Bales of Hot Springs, who was appointed alongside Rapert in 2023, and Sydney McKenzie of Rogers, the boards newest member as of January. McKenzie is the wife of Rep. Brit McKenzie, R-Rogers.

More board business

By the same 4-3 vote, the board narrowly rejected two motions Rapert made Thursday: one to eliminate all references to the American Library Association from the boards documents, and one to create an ad hoc committee of board members that would make recommendations to protect children from sexually explicit materials in public libraries.

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Rapert made similar motions at Februarys regularly scheduled board meeting. Since last year, he has consistently moved to withhold state funds from libraries where sexually explicit content is accessible by children, and the board has consistently voted down the motion.

He also made a twofold motion in February: to remove the ALA from the State Librarys standards for state aid to public libraries, and to remove participation in an ALA-accredited degree program from the State Librarys qualification requirements for scholarships aimed at librarians in training.

In the month since that meeting, a bill sponsored by Sullivan became Act 242 of 2025. The law will go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session. Public library directors in Arkansas will no longer be required to hold a masters degree from an accredited American Library Association program, and someone with work experience in the field of library operations but without a masters degree will be able to run a library with approval from its local governing board. Library directors spoke against the bill before a legislative committee Feb. 26.

Rapert and Sullivan have both criticized the statement within the ALAs Library Bill of Rights that access to libraries should not be restricted based on a persons age. Far-right conservatives nationwide have claimed this is proof that the ALA believes in forcing content about sexual activity and LGBTQ+ topics onto children.

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Former ALA President Emily Drabinski called herself a Marxist in a 2022 tweet; Rapert and Sullivan have said this means ALA supports a political agenda and expects libraries to do the same.

New legislative language

Late Wednesday night, Sullivan submitted an amendment to the State Librarys fiscal year 2026 appropriation bill, House Bill 1127. Under the proposal, the State Library would not be allowed to budget, allocate, or expend any funding to any library that is affiliated with the ALA, including as a member; refers to ALA in any of its official documents; or makes payments or grants of any kind to the organization.

The State Library Board would be required to make quarterly reports on libraries use of state funds to the Joint Budget Committee during legislative sessions and the Arkansas Legislative Council when the Legislature is not in session. Libraries that use state funds for ALA-related activities would be required to return the funds to the State Library.

HB1127 amendment 3.12.25

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In 2023, Sullivan sponsored Act 372, which would have changed libraries material reconsideration processes and created criminal liability for librarians who distribute content considered obscene or harmful to minors. The state is appealing a federal judges ruling that parts of the law are unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.

The Joint Budget Committee adopted Sullivans amendment into HB 1127 Thursday morning, and its Special Language subcommittee will be responsible for approving the amendment before the committee votes on the entirety of the bill. The subcommittees next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The amendment specifies that the State Library will be responsible for making reports to legislative committees if the State Library Board is abolished.

Rapert has expressed support for the dissolution of the board several times, including Thursday, when he said the board had probably sunk itself by voting against his motion to detach the State Library from the ALA despite knowing about Sullivans amendment.

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Arkansas PBS at least was smart enough in their commission to make some changes, to try to do the right thing, but no I think youre going to go walk the plank, Rapert told his fellow board members.

Sullivan has been a vocal critic of Arkansas PBS, particularly since its regularly scheduled 2022 audit indicated that administrators might have sidestepped state laws related to contract bidding. A specially requested audit that concluded last year led auditors to forward the findings to a prosecuting attorney.

Arkansas PBS CEO Courtney Pledger told lawmakers in September that the agency had learned from its mistakes and errors.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Amber Watermans appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court is set for next month.

The court will hear arguments on Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia as part of the Appeals on Wheels program, which brings court hearings to different parts of the state.

Watermans lawyers filed the appeal in Oct. 2024, arguing that Arkansas should not be able to charge her with capital murder in the deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby.

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She was already convicted in federal court last year and sentenced to life in prison for the killings, but Benton County prosecutors still want to pursue the death penalty at the state level.

Her legal team claims this violates double jeopardy, which prevents someone from being tried twice for the same crime, according to court documents.

University of Arkansas among 60 universities under federal investigation over DEI practices

Waterman case timeline

October 25, 2022: Investigators believe Amber created a fake Facebook account named Lucy Barrows to lure Ashley Bush into a meeting under the pretense of a job offer.

October 28, 2022: Ashley meets Lucy at the Gravette Public Library, where Lucy offers baby supplies. Ashleys fiance, Josh Willis, feels uneasy about the situation.

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October 31, 2022: Ashley is dropped off at a store by Willis but goes missing after texting him. Her phone is later found in a ditch. Meanwhile, Amber claims to have gone into labor and delivers a stillborn child that evening, with evidence suggesting the baby was cut out of her.

November 1, 2022: Police interview the Watermans and search their home and vehicle, discovering Ambers lost phone and inconsistencies in her statements.

Arraignment rescheduled for Garfield man accused of negligent homicide

November 2, 2022: The Watermans hold a memorial service for Ambers stillborn child. The Benton County Coroner later requests a DNA swab from the baby.

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November 3, 2022: Police seize a vehicle from the Watermans and find blood stains. Jamie Waterman confesses that Amber killed Ashley and led him to dispose of her body, which he burned.

After the arrest: The Watermans are arrested and booked into jail. Federal prosecutors request they be held without bond.

November 10, 2022: Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith charges Amber with two counts of capital murder and one count of kidnapping, seeking the death penalty. Jamie remains charged federally, lacking evidence for state charges.

December 2, 2022: Jamie Waterman pleads not guilty to the charges against him.

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July 30, 2024: Nearly two years after the crime, Amber Waterman pleads guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child. Her sentencing is scheduled for October 15, where she faces a life sentence without parole.

August 2024: Watermans attorneys file a motion to dismiss the charges in Benton County on the grounds of double jeopardy, arguing that she has already been convicted in federal court for the same conduct.

October 15, 2024: Jamie Waterman pleads guilty to being an accessory to kidnapping resulting in death. His sentencing date has yet to be set, but he faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

October 21, 2024: Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson reaffirms the states intent to pursue the death penalty against Waterman. Her defense argues that her federal conviction should prevent further prosecution at the state level.

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March 14, 2025: Amber Watermans appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court is set for April 24. Her lawyers argue the state charges violate double jeopardy. She was set to appear in Benton County court on April 7, but her legal team is requesting a delay until June or July.

This is part of continuing coverage. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Video: Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker addresses House committee

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The back-and-forth between Arkansas Supreme Court justices and Chief Justice Karen Baker entered a new phase with a Thursday ruling.

The ruling was regarding Bakers most recent filing in a complaint between her and the courts administrative office. In that case, Baker requested the dismissal of a human resources report filed by the Administrative Office of the Courts director, Marty Sullivan.

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Arkansas Supreme Court issues initial decision in Chief Justice Baker case

The request did not include a copy of the report.

A week ago, the court ordered Baker to file a redacted copy of the Human Resources report she had asked to be dismissed, arguing it could not decide on a report without reviewing it. The filing deadline was Thursday.

According to an order filed Thursday, Baker filed what was requested, but it was not redacted, although she requested it be sealed. The court, citing precedent, said it would not seal the report and ordered Baker to file a redacted copy by 1 p.m. Thursday. Court records show a redacted copy of the report was filed at 11:31 a.m.

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Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker addresses House committee

The report recounts several interactions between court staff and Baker in December, prior to her taking the oath of office on Jan. 1. It includes reports of her entering Sullivans office while he was not there and going behind his desk.

The report concludes that Baker harassed employees in violation of the administrative office of the courts anti-harassment policies.

Justice Baker intimidated staff, appears to have targeted female employees of color, indicated an intention to retaliate based on her perception of how employees voted, and indicated an intention to retaliate based on her perception of whether employees were cooperating with Judicial Discipline and Disability Commissions investigation into her colleagues conduct, the HR reports conclusion stated.

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It continued to recommend that Baker be prohibited from engaging with administrative office staff.

Chief Justice Karen Baker strikes down two orders opposed to her Arkansas Supreme Court, judiciary hiring and firing decisions

The current case of Bakers request for dismissal can be traced back to her firing Sullivan and maintaining she would determine who would be appointed to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Associate Court justices overturned those orders, a ruling that she struck down.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
On the afternoon of February 26, local time, the "Beautiful Anhui Engages with the World" Anhui Culture and Tourism Promotion Seminar was successfully held in Derbyshire, United Kingdom. The event was attended by local travel agencies, tourism media, and representatives from business associations in the UK.

In recent years, Anhui has continuously improved its tourism infrastructure and optimized services for inbound tourism, offering overseas visitors a more convenient and comfortable travel experience. Attendees at the seminar expressed great interest in the presentations by officials from Anhui Province and Hefei City's culture and tourism departments, showing eagerness to visit Anhui in person. They were captivated by the province's breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and rapidly evolving development. During the event, key tourism enterprises from Anhui Province established a partnership with MIC, a local UK tourism company.

The nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage, Hua Tuo's Five-Animal Exercises, showcased the wisdom and charm of traditional Chinese health-preservation culture. Meanwhile, the melodious and enchanting tunes of Huangmei Opera, known as "China's most beautiful rural music," earned continuous applause from the audience. Louis, a British theater enthusiast, shared, "Although I don't understand the language, the emotions conveyed through the music and performance deeply moved me."

At the concurrently held "Beautiful Anhui" photo exhibition, visitors frequently paused to admire the displays and expressed their admiration. Lisa, a British travel agent, remarked, "These photos have filled me with a longing to visit Anhui. I hope to have the opportunity to experience its stunning landscapes and rich culture in person."

The "Beautiful Anhui Engages with the World" Anhui Culture and Tourism Promotion Seminar in the UK has further strengthened the friendly relations between Anhui Province and Derbyshire, enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between the two regions. It has also elevated the international influence and reputation of the "Splendid Anhui Welcoming the World" brand.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. It's important to protect the region from any crises around us. Fortunately, the region of the South Caucasus for decades was an area of confrontation and hostility. So now, we have a relatively quiet period. So, we need to concentrate on that, President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Euronews TV channel, Trend reports.

We need to build security mechanisms that will be inclusive, eliminate any threat of another military confrontation, and try to live in the neighborhood as we used to in the times of the Soviet Union, the head of state noted.
Arlington National Cemetery has purged dozens of pages of information about famous Black, Hispanic and female veterans from its website to comply with President Donald Trumps diversity, equity and inclusion executive order.

The purge follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths declaration that DEI is dead as he implements Trumps agenda at the Pentagon.

One of Trumps many executive orders was banning DEI in federal programs, and Pentagon bosses have carried out orders to remove any content that promotes it.

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That includes removing internal links to educational materials on the cemeterys website.

On the websites Notable Graves dropdown menu, African American History, Hispanic American History and Womens History no longer appear, screenshots taken by Armed forces outlet Task & Purpose comparing it in December 2024 and now show.

Officials confirmed to the outlet that some pages had been unpublished. In a statement to The Independent, an Army spokesperson said it was working diligently to return removed content but did not specify when it would return.

The purge of famous Black, Hispanic and female war veterans comes after President Donald Trump, pictured at Arlington National Cemetery during his first administration, issued an executive order banning DEI in federal programs. (Getty)

We are proud of our educational content and programming and working diligently to return removed content to ensure alignment with Department of Defense instruction 5400.17 and Executive Orders issued by the President, the spokesperson said. We remain committed to sharing the stories of military service and sacrifice to the nation with transparency and professionalism, while continuing to engage with our community in a manner that reflects our core values.

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Some pages celebrating diverse veterans still exist and can be found in search, but are no longer available directly through the site itself, Task & Purpose reports.

They include the biographies of the youngest and first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Colin L. Powell, and the first Black man to sit on the Supreme Court, Justice Thurgood Marshall. A direct link to information about the Air Forces first African American female brigadier general, Lt. Kara Spears Hultgreen, is also no longer available, according to the outlet.

Historians and educational staff at Arlington carefully curate lesson plans for students, some of which are now no longer available on the cemeterys website. The Army said it was working diligently to return the removed content but did not specify when. (Getty Images)

The missing links and educational materials were first reported by Civil War historian Kevin Levin on his Substack.

Lesson plans for students created by Arlington staff covering Womens History and Medal of Honor recipients have also been removed from a dropdown menu, Levin noted.

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He said that Arlington staff did an excellent job in developing the lesson plans for teachers.

I have seen first hand the good work that they do with teachers and I know for a fact that teachers across the country have used these lesson plans, he wrote. So much good work has been lost, more than likely deleted by someone with no understanding or interest in American history.

Democrats and veterans groups hit out at the move. This is a terrible affront to the veterans posthumously dishonored and canceled and to their families, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin said. It is a pathological statement that the MAGA government cannot even accept inclusion in death.

Progressive Veterans group VoteVets accused the Trump administration of whitewashing history.

Arlington National Cemetery just erased DEI from its website  because Republicans threw a tantrum over honoring ALL who served, the group said. The same GOP that cuts Veteran healthcare now decides whos worthy of remembrance. This isnt patriotism. Its whitewashing history.
(KRON)  A 32-year-old man was charged with multiple felonies Thursday in connection with narcotics trafficking with a juvenile, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office announced. The alleged incident took place involving an undercover San Francisco police officer.

Two arrested in brazen armed robbery of Milpitas massage parlor

According to court documents, Santos Adan Ochoa-Carcamo sold narcotics, including methamphetamine, to undercover SFPD officers in the citys Mission District on three different dates: Jan. 21, Feb. 5 and March 3.

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The January incident took place near the El Capitan Hotel, located on the 2300 block of Mission Street, and police said a plan was arranged then to buy more drugs later. On the Feb 5. incident, police alleged Ochoa-Carcamo was assisted by a juvenile in the transaction. When police searched the homes of Ochoa-Carcamo and the juvenile on March 6, they uncovered a loaded handgun, a digital scale, packaging materials, 45.4 grams of fentanyl, 17.4 grams of cocaine and over $10,000.

Santos Adan Ochoa-Carcamo was charged with the counts listed below. He has pled not guilty to all charges and denied all allegations, according to the DA.

Two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with a firearm

Two counts of solicitation of a minor to use or sell a narcotic

Two counts of possession for sale of controlled substances

Three counts of transportation, sale and giving away a controlled substance

One count of transportation, sale and giving away a controlled substance

We will not back down from the fight to close open air drug markets and hold drug dealers accountable, especially those who would exploit juveniles, and do everything in our power to bring them to justice, said DA Brooke Jenkins in a news release. Drug traffickers should know that we are in this for as long as it takes and will continue to adapt our strategies and take the fight to them.

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Despite charges being filed, this remains an active case. Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411, starting the message with SFPD.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The News

Armenia and Azerbaijan struck a peace deal Friday to resolve their decades-long conflict over the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan that began with the fall of the Soviet Union, according to both countries foreign ministries.

European leaders welcomed the announcement, with European Council chief Antonio Costa hailing the finalization of the treaty text as a decisive step towards the full normalisation of relations.

The EU stands ready to support all further steps toward lasting peace and security in the South Caucasus, he wrote.

Some issues appear to be outstanding, however: Baku said Yerevan must renounce all territorial claims to Azerbaijan, which would require a revision of its constitution via referendum.
(Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on a finalised draft peace agreement wirh Azerbaijan in a phone call, the Armenian government said on Friday.

Armenian and Azerbaijani officials said on Thursday that they had agreed the text of a peace agreement to end nearly four decades of conflict between the South Caucasus countries, a sudden breakthrough in a fitful and often bitter peace process.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Arrest made in homicide of New Haven delivery driver

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  New Haven police have made an arrest in the citys first homicide of 2025.

Lashae Moore, 21, of New Haven, was arrested on Tuesday and charged in the Jan. 19 death of 26-year-old Raviteja Koyyada of Hamden.

BACKGROUND: New Haven PD investigates 1st homicide of the year

Koyyada worked for a Chinese restaurant in Hamden, and the address called in for the delivery may have been a trap, according to police. His car was also stolen, but it was located unoccupied shortly after and nearby.

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Moore was charged with murder, murder in the commission of a felony, criminal possession of a pistol, criminal possession of ammunition, and carrying a pistol without a permit. She is being held on a $2 million bond.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson held a press conference Friday at the New Haven Police Department headquarters. Watch in the video player below.

On Thursday, Police Chief Karl Jacobson said the incident seemed to be a robbery gone bad. Thanks to an abundance of physical evidence, they were able to make an arrest and credited the citys traffic cameras with helping track the suspect in the stolen vehicle.

2 men arrested in fatal July 2024 crash in New Haven

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Assistant Police Chief David Zannelli read a letter from Koyyadas family, who couldnt be at the press conference held by police on Thursday.

Koyyadas brother, in part, said, As we mourn this devastating loss, we ask for privacy to grieve, strength to seek justice, and the support of our community in ensuring Ravitejas memory is honored by holding the perpetrator fully accountable.

New Haven Major Justin Elicker said he visited the scene the night of the homicide and found it an unusual incident because, typically, crime in New Haven involves people who know each other and may have personal disputes.

In this case, he said Koyyada was working and not part of anything negative happening in the city.

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Sounds like (Koyyada) was a big brother and someone that looked out for his friends, Elicker said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
LONDON (AP)  British police said Friday the Russian captain of a cargo ship that collided with a U.S. tanker has been charged over the death of a crew member, who is missing and presumed dead.

Vladimir Motin, who was the master of the Portugal-flagged cargo vessel Solong, will appear in Hull Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with what English legal authorities term gross negligence manslaughter, Humberside Police said.

It wasn't immediately clear where Motin was being held or whether he has approved legal representation.

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Motin, 59, who is from Primorsky, St. Petersburg, was arrested in northeast England on Tuesday, a day after the collision with the MV Stena Immaculate, a tanker transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military in the North Sea.

Humberside Police confirmed that the missing crew member is now presumed dead after extensive searches. It said the family are being supported by specialist trained officers.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, has been named as the crew member who is presumed to have died in the collision.

We have authorized Humberside Police to charge a Russian national in relation to a collision involving two vessels in the North Sea off the east coast of England," said Frank Ferguson, head of the prosecutor's office special crime and counter terrorism division.

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Shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the Solong, has said previously that the ships 14 crew were a mix of Russian and Filipino nationals.

U.K. authorities have said there is nothing so far to indicate that it's connected to national security.

The U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also involved in investigating what caused the Solong, bound from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, Netherlands, to hit the stationary tanker, which was anchored about 10 miles (16 kilometers) off the English coast.

The investigation is being led by the U.S. and Portugal, the countries where the vessels are flagged.

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Port inspection documents show the Solong failed steering-related safety checks in Dublin, Ireland, in July, with the vessel's "emergency steering position communications/compass reading unreadable. Inspectors found a total of 10 deficiencies, including inadequate alarms, survival craft not properly maintained and fire doors not as required."

An inspection in Scotland in October found two other deficiencies. The ship wasn't detained after either inspection.
Port Freeport, Texas, marked a milestone March 4 with the inaugural visit of the Hoegh Aurora, the worlds largest vehicle carrier.

The Hoegh Aurora has a capacity of 9,100 autos, and is one of a series of multifuel pure car and truck carrier vessels in Oslo-based Hoegh Autoliners fleet.

The vessels arrival was made possible by the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project, which has enhanced the ports capabilities by deepening and widening the channel. This infrastructure upgrade has improved navigational safety and enabled the port to accommodate larger vessels like the Hoegh Aurora.

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Port Freeports partnership with Hoegh Autoliners (HAUTO.OL) continues to grow, bringing economic benefits and strengthening our role as a leading gateway for automotive trade, said Ravi Singhania, chairman of the Port Freeport Commission, in a release. The arrival of Hoegh Aurora reflects our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring that Port Freeport remains at the forefront of global shipping advancements.





The port and Hoegh first partnered in 2015. The arrival of the Hoegh Aurora further reinforces Freeport as a global commerce hub.

In 2024 Freeport handled 162,239 vehicles and signed an agreement with Volkswagen to process up to 140,000 imported vehicles annually by VW, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.

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Phyllis Saathoff, Port Freeport executive director and chief executive, in the release emphasized the ports ongoing investments in infrastructure.

With the deepening and widening of the Freeport Harbor Channel, we are enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable growth and economic prosperity. The arrival of Hoegh Aurora is a testament to the forward-thinking investments we have made to support our partners and accommodate the next generation of eco-friendly vessels.





The port currently ranks outside the U.S. top 10 for ro-ro but sixth nationally in chemicals trade, 14th in total foreign waterborne tonnage and 26th in containers. It is also a leading port for the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids.

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This article was updated March 15 to correct Hoegh Autoliners base as Oslo, Norway.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

US opening investigation into container shipping choke points

Container imports headed for summer doldrums, says NRF





Drewry suggests new normal for higher global container rates

Ocean container rates slide as US tariffs shadow logistics planning

The post Arrival of worlds largest car carrier marks Texas ports gateway strategy appeared first on FreightWaves.
Doritos brand chips in New York, on Oct. 2, 2024. Credit - Gabby JonesBloomberg/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) who has vowed to address chronic illnesses by making changes to the countrys food supply, recently told food companies that one of the Trump Administrations goals is to remove artificial dyes from food products.

The news comes just a few months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of one dye, Red Dye No. 3, in food and ingested drugsa move that predated Kennedys new role. Consumer advocates and some health experts have expressed concerns over other types of dyes as well, and at least a dozen states are considering bills that would prohibit certain dyes.

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Artificial food dyes, which add colors to food and drink products, have generated much debate among researchers and experts over whether theyre healthy for people to consume. Heres what to know about the issue.

Why was Red 3 banned by the FDA?

In 1990, the FDA prohibited Red 3 from being used in cosmetics and topical drugs, in light of research that found the dye caused cancer in male rats. Federal rules mandate that the agency ban food additives that have been found to cause cancer in animals or humans, so consumer and health advocates encouraged the FDA to ban Red 3 in foods as well. But it was only in January that the agency took that step.

In its announcement about the decision, the FDA clarified that the way Red 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans, adding that studies in other animals and in humans did not show these effects.

What common foods contain artificial food dyes?

Other artificial dyessuch as Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3are permitted by the FDA to be used in foods, and can be found in common food products. Kennedy on Monday spoke to executives from companies including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, both of which sell products that contain artificial dyes. Heinz Sweet Relish, for example, contains Yellow 5 and Blue 1, and Kraft Creamy French Dressing contains Yellow 5 and 6. PepsiCo owns Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, which contains Yellow 5 and 6, as well as Red 40.

Are artificial food dyes considered healthy for human consumption?

There is research that suggests some artificial food dyes could be linked to behavioral problems in some children, but the FDA hasnt established a causal link between the two (though the agency did recommend experts conduct further research into the issue).

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Jerold Mande, a former FDA senior adviser and former deputy undersecretary for food safety at the Department of Agriculture, says he cant definitively answer whether these dyes are safe for human consumption because we need more research into the impact that these dyes are having on human health. Theres different degrees of evidence showing harm, Mande says.

During confirmation hearings to head HHS, Kennedy said he would support expanding research into food additives at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA. On Feb. 7, NIH announced that it would slash funding, prompting 22 states to file a lawsuit, saying the cuts would devastate critical public health research at universities and research institutions in the United States. A federal judge recently blocked the cuts.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food Is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, criticizes the safety standards and processes for food additives in the U.S. It shouldnt be that were sure they cause harm before we remove them; it should be were sure theyre safe before we put them in food, Mozaffarian says.

He adds that artificial dyes have no nutritional value. If a food needs a food dye, if its that unappetizing and that unnatural, maybe we shouldnt be eating it all, Mozaffarian says. Thats probably the biggest question: why do we need food dyes at all? That highlights the fact that these are probably subpar foods, subpar ingredients, and we shouldn't need to make foods look fake to eat them.

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Mozaffarian says research indicates that the biggest threat to Americans health in the food system is a lack of healthy foods, rather than the excess intake of harmful foods. He says the second biggest issue is the overall intake of ultra-processed foods, but food additives like dyes are not the main problemother issues, such as the loss of food structure leading to rapid and unnatural digestion, which is what happens when a food gets overly processed, likely have a more significant impact on peoples health. As an example, he points to Froot Loops, which contains Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, and Blue 1. If we took the dye out, theyre still Froot Loops, Mozaffarian says. Its a problem, but its not the biggest problem.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
[Watch in the player above: What happens when you call 911?]

ASHTABULA, Ohio (WJW)  A man now in the city jail is accused of trying to drown a 7-year-old.

Ashtabula police on March 12 arrested Joshua M. Maynard, 32, of Ashtabula, on charges of attempted murder, felonious assault and endangering children, according to a Friday news release.

Helicopter crash in Portage County: Body recovered

Joshua M. Maynard (Ashtabula Police Department)

Maynard allegedly held the childs head underwater until the child became unresponsive and had stopped breathing, according to the release. The child was given CPR and revived.

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Maynard is now in the Ashtabula city jail on a $500,000 bond.

ODOT worker injured after car enters work zone

He did not enter a plea at his arraignment on Thursday, and is due back in court on March 21, court records show.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Rep. Brent Jacobson (R-Mosinee) said extended supervision, probation and parole are tools that give people a second chance with the expectation that they will not commit other crimes. Screenshot via WisEye.

The Wisconsin Assembly passed a slate of criminal justice related bills Thursday, including a requirement to revoke probation or parole for people charged with crimes and implementing financial penalties if Milwaukee Public Schools doesnt return police officers to school buildings.

Republican lawmakers said the bills were necessary to improve public safety in Wisconsin.

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Wisconsinites in almost every part of our state have seen that there are areas of our state that have sincere and real concerns, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said during a press conference.

Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said during floor debate that lawmakers should be crafting smart legislation to ensure people are safe across the state, but that the bills fall short of that goal. She said lawmakers should be focused on investing in safety.

We can use evidence based, data driven practices to lower recidivism, to save taxpayer dollars and invest in rehabilitation and treatment to keep our communities safe, Neubauer said. Democrats are serious about safety, but the majority of bills in front of us today are not.

Rep. Ryan Clancy said in a statement after the session that lawmakers spent the day on considering badly written, badly conceived bills that will harm people and waste public resources and said Republicans were refusing to acknowledge that mass incarceration and prison overcrowding are problems for the state.

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Its wildly irresponsible to even consider increasing penalties and interfering with the very few tools of leniency we have with a prison system holding 5,000 more people than intended, Clancy said. But here we are.

A couple of the bills would implement stricter requirements for dealing with criminal charges for people released from prison.

AB 85 would require supervising corrections officials to recommend revoking extended supervision, parole or probation for formerly incarcerated people who are charged with a new crime after their release. It passed 53-43.

The Department of Corrections found in a fiscal estimate that the bill would result in approximately 6,280 additional revocation cases each year. It also found that there would be an increase in operations costs by $85 million in the first year of enactment and a permanent increased operations cost of about $245 million after the population is annualized in the second year.

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Vos said that the bill should be simple. He said that people who are out on parole have been given the privilege of being released from prison.

Do you stand with the victim and the public or do you stand with the criminal who has reoffended and given up the privilege that he was briefly granted? Vos rhetorically asked. I think the price is worth it  $300 million to keep the people safe.

Jacobson said the bill is necessary to address the revolving door in the prison system and ensure criminals dont have the opportunity to victimize people. He said that extended supervision, probation and parole are tools that give people a second chance with the expectation that they will not commit other crimes.

In far too many cases, a person released under state supervision continues the behavior that resulted in them going to prison in the first place, Jacobson said. It seems like common sense that someone whos been convicted of a crime, is released under state supervision and returns to committing crimes, should have their release revoked. Far too often that is not the case.

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Clancy said in his statement that Republicans were openly misleading the public and their colleagues about the contents and impacts of those bills. He noted that the bill would be triggered when someone is merely charged with a crime but not found guilty.

AB 66 would require prosecutors to get a courts approval to dismiss certain criminal charges. It passed 53-44.

Rep. Alex Joers (D-Middleton) said the bill would remove prosecutorial discretion and impose limits on those trying to uphold the law.

Jacobson, who authored the bill, argued it would support law enforcement and protect Wisconsinites from being victimized. He noted that Wisconsin law allows prosecutors to dismiss or amend charges or enter into deferred prosecution agreements.

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In the Legislature, we can pass all the penalties we like. It wont matter if the justice system wont apply those penalties, Jacobson said. The bill, he said, would add an additional layer of oversight and transparency by requiring prosecutors to get court approval to dismiss or amend charges in cases involving one of seven serious crimes. Those include sexual assault, crimes against a child, theft of an automobile, reckless driving resulting in great bodily harm and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

These crimes leave lasting impacts and its our job as officials to take these seriously, Jacobson said.

Lawmakers also passed a couple of bills that would increase penalties for certain crimes.

AB 61, which would increase penalties for injuring or killing an animal used by police or firefighters, passed in a voice vote.

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Specifically, the bill would increase injuring an animal to a Class H felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six years. Killing an animal would be increased to a Class G felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

AB 86 passed in a voice vote. The bill would increase the penalty for child sex trafficking if the crime involved at least three victims who were children at the time the crime was committed from a Class C felony to a Class A felony. As a Class A felony, the crime could be punished with life imprisonment.

AB 89 would allow multiple acts of theft or retail theft committed by the same person to be prosecuted as a single crime, and the value of the thefts to be combined in determining the penalty. It passed 71-26, with 18 Democrats joining Republicans in support.

School resource officers in MPS

Lawmakers also passed AB 91, which would implement financial penalties for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the city of Milwaukee if either stop complying with a state law that requires police officers in schools.

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Wisconsin Act 12, which passed in 2023, provided increased state funding for local governments and also implemented requirements that MPS place 25 officers in its schools by Jan. 1, 2024. The district was late to begin following the law, and a judge recently ordered the district and city to comply with the state law and instructed the district and the city to split the cost for the officers evenly. The Milwaukee Common Council and MPS Board both approved an agreement to make this happen earlier this month.

The bill was introduced, its sponsors said, to ensure the district complies both now and in the future.

An amendment to the bill changed the cost-sharing from 25% for the city of Milwaukee and 75% for the district to an even split between the two entities.

If there is noncompliance, 10% of the citys shared revenue payment will be withheld by the state and 25% of the school districts state aid payments would be withheld.

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MPS has not had officers in schools since 2016, and the district ended its contract with the Milwaukee Police Department in 2020 in response to student and community opposition to the practice, a point that Rep. Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee) pointed out during floor debate.

Madison said that when he was a student at a school staffed with officers a friend of his had an encounter that left him in the hospital.

Two students were fighting. School safety officers came in and de-escalated the situation. As a friend of mine went to go check on his sister, who had been involved in the incident, I got to see school resource officers grab him, lift him in the air and body-slam him on the concrete of our lunchroom floor, Madison said. His shoulder was dislocated and his lip was busted, and he had to undergo surgery to navigate that situation. That wasnt the only time that this happened in our school, where students were harmed by school resource officers.

Madison said police officers in schools are a failed approach.

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Thanks to Act 12, and thanks to this bill. Well continue to create harms for our students Our schools shouldnt look like prisons. They shouldnt work like prisons, and we shouldnt treat students like prisoners in a space of learning, creativity and exploration. This takes Milwaukee schools in a bad direction.

Clancy pointed out that MPS is not the only school district without officers in schools. Some other districts are Madison Metropolitan School District, Sherwood, Nicolet, Glendale River Hills.

This is an attack on Milwaukee, and this is an attack specifically on the Black, brown, and Indigenous young people, Clancy said.

Bill author Rep. Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) said that the bill is needed because Milwaukee schools continue to call the police to deal with incidents. He cited a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report that found MPS averaged 3,700 police calls each year over 11 years.

If MPS doesnt want cops in their schools, why do they keep calling them? Donovan said.

Some say that this legislation or the penalties are not necessary. What is the alternative? The state just allow open defiance of state law? It took an MPS parent to sue the district before any movement was made, Donovan said. This legislation ensures this never happens again There must be consequences for breaking the law, and how can we expect MPS to teach our children respect for authority and the rule of law when they apparently have none themselves.

Other bills passed include

AB 75 to require the state Department of Justice to collect and report a list of facts about each criminal case filed in Wisconsin. It passed 54-43. Rep. Russell Goodwin (D-Milwaukee) joined the Republicans in voting for the bill.

AB 87 to require a person convicted of child trafficking to pay restitution immediately, and would authorize the seizure of their assets in lieu of payment. It also would require that anyone convicted of a felony must pay all outstanding financial obligations from their conviction before their right to vote is restored. It passed 53-44.

AB 74 to require public school boards, private school governing bodies and charter school operators to notify the parent or guardian of a student who is an alleged victim or target of a school employees sexual misconduct. It passed in a voice vote.

AB 78 to allow municipalities to impound a reckless drivers vehicle whether or not it belongs to the driver. It also requires police to determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen, and if it has been, to release it to the original owner at no cost. It passed in a voice vote.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. We are very enthusiastic about rebuilding our strong partnership relationship with the United States under Trump's administration, President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Euronews TV channel, Trend reports.

"It is what is happening in Washington, what is happening with respect to the new policy of the new American administration, and this once again demonstrates how the whole world is dependent on the decisions, which are made in the White House. This is a source of the global geopolitical change. It has just started, and we are just, as I said, in the early months of that geopolitical change.

Therefore, a gathering like this, with such a big crowd, is important for properly evaluating, sharing views, concerns, or expectations. If you follow my remarks, you may have noticed that I'm very enthusiastic about what is happening. Because, as I said in my comments, we were very disappointed with the deterioration of relations between the previous US administration and Azerbaijan due to, I would say, an unjust approach towards our national interest. Therefore, we are very enthusiastic about rebuilding our strong partnership relationship with the United States under Trump's administration," said President Ilham Aliyev.
President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday to announce additional steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada. In a 339-word post, the president made false claims about Canadian tariffs on American dairy exports, Canadas defense spending, and incorrectly stated that the U.S. provides a $200 billion annual subsidy to Canada.

Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on Electricity coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th. Also, Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous. I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area. This will allow the U.S to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada. If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA! Also, Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue. The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever  And Canada will be a big part of that. The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World  And your brilliant anthem, O Canada, will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!

Later that day, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick met with the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, after Ford announced a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Fords electricity tariffs were retaliatory, matching the 25 percent tariff rate Trump proposed on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to the U.S., leading to Trumps threat of doubling those metals tariffs to 50 percent. Following his meeting with Lutnick, Ford announced he agreed to suspend the electricity surcharge, and White House spokesman Kush Desai later announced that American tariffs on Canadian electricity tariffs would be at a rate of 25 percent as initially planned, and not jump to 50 percent, effective midnight on Wednesday.

Claim: Canada charges tariff rates of 250 to 390 percent on various U.S. dairy products.

This is not the first occasion Trump has made such claims. He was a fierce critic of Canadas tariffs on American dairy products in his first term. Canada charges the U.S. a 270% tariff on Dairy Products! he tweeted in June 2018. They didnt tell you that, did they? Not fair to our farmers!

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Canadian importers of U.S. dairy products are not paying tariffs of 250 percent or more. In fact, for most dairy products shipped from the U.S. to Canada, the effective tariff rate is zero percentthough additional trade restrictions come attached to that arrangement.

Canada allows a certain amount of dairy products to be imported from the U.S. tariff-free, known as a tariff rate quota (TRQ). The quota is measured in total weight of the imported product. However, if U.S. dairy exports to Canada exceed the quota, Canada applies a costly tariff ratemore than 300 percent for some dairy product categoriesfor any dairy goods imported. However, the U.S. has never hit that threshold.

This isnt a one-way street, either. The U.S. also has TRQs set for imports of Canadian dairy products. Before the quota is met, Canadian dairy imports face a tariff rate of zero percent. After that, certain products face tariff rates of 100 percent or more.

Furthermore, those TRQ thresholdswhich vary between dairy product categorieswere negotiated in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMA), signed by Trump in September 2018 along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Under the USCMAs predecessorthe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which the U.S., Canada, and Mexico signed in 1994Canada had TRQs for dairy products exported from World Trade Organization (WTO) member-countries, which similarly allowed dairy shipments into Canada at a zero-tariff rate until the quota is met, after which high-tariff rates set in. USCMA didnt discard those TRQs, but rather implemented additional TRQs to facilitate further trade with the U.S. While WTO TRQs are to remain available to U.S. dairy product exporters, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) noted in a report last updated November 2020, the new TRQs under USMCA are to provide additional access to U.S. dairy products into Canada.

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How close has the amount of U.S. dairy products imported to Canada come to reaching its U.S.-specific quota? It depends on the type of dairy product, as different TRQ levels are applied to 14 categories of dairy goods. But in the last year, only three of those dairy categoriescheeses of all types, industrial cheeses, and butter and cream powdersfilled at least half of the quota. The only category that came close to reaching the quota in 2024 was cheese, all types. Matt Herrick, executive vice president of the International Dairy Foods Association, explains that the cheese, all types TRQ comes close to being filled because some Canadian cheese processors have facilities in the U.S. too. Canadian cheese processors will import their own product within their own company since they have operations on both sides of the border, Herrick told The Dispatch Fact Check. For example, if a Canadian cheese processor is shipping an unfinished cheese product from the U.S. to one of its Canadian facilities to make the product ready for wholesale, it would be counted toward the TRQ.

Does this mean that any U.S. dairy producer can export their product to Canada tariff-free as long as the quota has not been met? Not quite. Canada leaves aside a certain portion of those quotas for specific dairy goods. For example, 85 percent of the milk and cream TRQs would be reserved for bulk shipments used for food processing, a CRS report last updated in December 2019 noted. The remaining portion would be for any use, including retail sales. Canada ensures that a set amount is set aside within the quota by requiring importers to apply for allocation within the TRQ. Without obtaining that allocation from the Canadian government, importers of American dairy products would be forced to choose between paying the high-tariff rate or switching to a Canadian alternative. The Canadian government establishes eligibility criteria for which importers may bring goods under the TRQ. For example, applicants must prove they manufactured, purchased or sold a certain minimum quantity of products related to that TRQ category, and is only open to Canadian residents. If accepted, the Canadian government provides an amount of the dairy good, measured by weight, the importer is allowed to ship into the country under the TRQ. After an importer becomes an allocation holder, they must also acquire an import permit before shipping their product into the country. As the Canadian government states on its website, Import permits for shipments of dairy products destined to the Canadian market are issued to allocation holders under Canadas tariff rate quota (TRQ) for dairy products. It added that those import permits are administered by the Canadian government agency, Global Affairs Canada. The agency charges a flat fee to obtain the permit, ranging between $10 to $26, depending on the total value of the imported good.

Why does the Canadian government require that certain levels of in-quota imports be reserved for bulk shipments for food processing? Many Canadian food processing companies rely on American-made food ingredients. Having access to those ingredients with a zero percent tariff rate helps those companies keep expenses down. Requiring those companies to pay a tariff of up to 315.5 percentthe highest over-quota tariff rate on dairy goods, per the CRSwould hurt those companies bottom line. Instead of having those companies choose between paying the exorbitant tariff rate or switching to more costly alternatives, Canada ensures that their dairy imports fall within the quota, allowing access to American dairy products with no accompanying tariff.

Claim: Canada relies on the U.S. for military protection.

Canada pays very little for National Security, Trump said in his social media post, relying on the United States for military protection.

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It is true that Canada spends less on defense than the U.S., both in nominal dollars and as a share of GDP. The U.S. does not directly subsidize Canadas military, but Canadians do benefit from some American defense spending. Canada currently benefits from U.S. spending per year on [the North American Aerospace Defense Command] NORAD defenses, and protection from the United States Air Force from foreign incursions, a White House official told The Dispatch Fact Check. The official added, citing a Canadian Broadcasting Company article, The U.S. covers about 60 percent of the bill for NORAD. NORAD, the U.S. and Canadas joint-defense command, does not have a publicly listed budget, although NORAD does receive some direct funding for equipment and other resources. For example, an 1985 U.S.-Canada treaty on NORAD stipulates that several high-tech radar systems are funded 60 percent by the U.S. and 40 percent by Canada.

Funding for specific NORAD missionswhich largely include monitoring the skies of North America for potential threatscomes from the U.S. and Canadian defense budgets. NORAD jets are property of either the U.S. or Canada, and its soldiers receive paychecks from their respective countrys government. For example, NORAD Commander Gregory Guillot concurrently leads the joint fighting force while serving in the U.S. Air Force.

The White House official also noted that Canada in 2022 announced a $4.9 billion investment into NORAD spread out across six years, and a $38.6 billion investment across 20 years, for various NORAD modernization projects. No similar funding has been publicly announced from the U.S. However, in 2021, a joint statement from the U.S. and Canada committed to enhancing NORAD modernization and stated that both the U.S. Defense Department and Canadas Department of National Defence intend to move forward deliberately with coordinated investments.

Claim: U.S. provides $200 billion in subsidies to Canada.

The U.S. is not subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year, as Trump claimed. When asked for the source of that figure, a White House official told The Dispatch Fact Check it included 1) the $70.6 billion U.S. trade deficit with Canada on all commodities in 2024 and 2) U.S. outsized spending on NORAD of which Canada also benefits.

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A negative trade balance is not a subsidy, and there are no public figures available on total U.S. outsized spending on NORAD.

A trade balance is not a complicated concept, Dispatch contributor Scott Lincicome wrote on Wednesday. Its simply the difference between what a nation exportsboth goods and servicesand what it imports. He added, If the former is greater than the latter, you have a surplus. If the latter is greater than the former, you have a deficit.

That difference does not represent a value to be paid from one country or taxpayer to another. An international current account deficit is not comparable to a private debt, P.J. ORourke wrote in his 2007 book on Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations. [Former Chinese President] Hu Jintao is not going to show up at my door threatening to repossess my DVD player because he has a fifty-dollar bill that I owe on.

Trade deficits do not represent subsidies or expenses to be paid later. Lincocome explained further that Trumps attempt to liken trade deficit to debt ignores that dollars we send abroad to foreigners buy us real goods and services that we value (or else we wouldnt buy them), and that  those same dollars eventually return to the United States as investment in the U.S. private or public sector (by mostly unrelated people).

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As for outsized NORAD spending charged to the U.S. that in part benefits Canada, as previously discussed, most costs associated with NORAD come directly from the countrys respective defense budget. There are no publicly available estimates for the outsized spending figure, its unclear why Trump estimated $200 billion between the trade deficit with Canada and NORAD spending.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

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Unionized workers of ATI, including those at Lockports Specialty Rolled Products facility on Ohio Street, rejected a new six-year labor agreement this past Monday.

The company and the United Steelworkers, which represents the employees, instead agreed to extend its expired agreement through April 30 as negotiations continue, having reached a tentative deal on Feb. 28. These negotiations also cover its facilities in Western Pennsylvania.

Of the reported 1,000 ATI workers that the union represents, 80 in Lockport would be covered by the contract. ATI spokesperson Natalie Gillespie said that the facility produces nickel melt for use in aerospace and defense applications.

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We were disappointed to learn that one of two ratification votes for this labor agreement was unsuccessful, Gillespie said, with a facility in Albany, Oregon having recently approved a six-year deal. We look forward to getting back to the table to understand whats needed to reach a contract that keeps ATI on the path of stability and consistency and enables us to continue rewarding our team.

Members from the Buffalo USW office did not respond to request for comment in time for publication. Bernie Hall, the District 10 director for the union, told the Buffalo News their bargaining committee will be focused on securing improvements the steelworkers there have earned and deserve.

A press release from ATI stated that, In the coming days, negotiations will reconvene toward reaching an agreement that keeps ATI on the path of stability and consistency, enabling us to continue operating and rewarding our team.

The Lockport workers were among 1,300 that picketed against ATI in 2021, which went from March 30 to July 13 that year. The four-year contract that resulted from that strike lasted until this past Feb. 28.
A former Atlanta VA employee and veteran, who was among thousands of probationary federal employees fired last month says he is hopeful, yet skeptical, after a federal judge Thursday ordered that the workers be rehired.

I think its a good thing. But like I said, knowing how the business is here in the VA, it is going to take a while before it goes into effect. What I saw on the news, now they are going to appeal it, said Nelson Feliz.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Judge William H. Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California found that the firing of the probationary workers has been done unlawfully by the Office of Personnel Management.

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The judge described the mass firings as sham.

Feliz, a 30-year Army veteran, has worked for the Veteran Affairs Administration since 2018. In January of last year, he was promoted from a security background check investigators at the VA hospital to a position in human resources.

Even though he had been in the position for a year, he was still considered a probationary employee. He says he had a stellar employment record. Regardless, he told he was fired in email sent from the Office of Personnel Management.

TRENDING STORIES:

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How can they do this? There is a procedure when they terminate people, said Felix.

Following the judges order for the Trump administration to rehire the workers terminated from six federal agencies, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the judge in a statement Thursday afternoon, vowing to immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order.

Feliz, 61, has been out of work for a month. He says he is encouraged the judges ruling but worries it will be dragged through the courts. He says if the case is appealed, he has no idea whether he or the other employee will be paid during the appeals process.

No one has communicated anything other than, come in and turn your computers in, said Feliz.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Heres your reminder to apply to join the Gates Fire District Citizens Fire Academy Seminar for 2025.

This is a free program for anyone 18-years-old and older to receive CPR, stop the bleed and fire extinguisher training. They also get to watch fire fighter demonstrations and put on the fire gear.

The seminar is April 26 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is open to anyone in the Gates Fire District.

To apply you can visit the Gates Fire District website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Attorneys Ben Crump (left) and Bakari Sellers demanded the release of footage showing Tyrone Masons fatal crash, alleging serious police misconduct. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Prolific civil rights litigators Ben Crump and Bakari Sellers called on North Carolinas leaders to let the public see footage of an Oct. 7 highway patrol chase that led to the death of 31-year-old Tyrone Mason.

Masons death has produced a shockwave through the states justice system. After it was discovered members of the North Carolina Highway Patrol falsely stated he died in an accident with no police pursuit, patrolman Garrett Macario and his supervisor Matthew Morrison were placed on leave. In January, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman dropped more than 180 traffic cases relying on their testimony, according to the News & Observer.

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We know that there was a lie from day one when they told her her son died as a result of a single-car accident, Crump said. When were here today, its to demand transparency. You dont need to say no more  just show the video.

Henrietta Mason, through tears, called for accountability for the death of her son, who is survived by four children of his own.

I never thought my baby would leave this world before me, she said. All that we ask is that everyone come together and get justice for my son, Tyrone Mason.

Holding back tears, Henrietta Mason calls for accountability for the death of her son, Tyrone Mason in a March 14, 2025 press conference. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

As soon as police told her that her son died in an accident with no witnesses, she knew the story was false, she said  and that instead, someone on the force had to be chasing my son.

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She sent hundreds of emails seeking answers from various government agencies before making contact with Raleigh attorney Sean Cecil, who pressed her case. She also went directly to the Wake County District Attorneys office to share her concerns, eventually triggering the State Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the troopers actions. Her advocacy also drew the attention of Crump and Sellers, nationally acclaimed civil rights attorneys aiming to shine a spotlight on Tyrone Masons story.

What drew Sellers to the case was in part a belief that it stems from a larger culture of misconduct and concealment within the State Highway Patrol  in his research, he said he has discovered a number of other cases in which troopers failed to render aid following police chases. He urged the Stein and Jackson to conduct a thorough examination of the Highway Patrol.

As were digging, were understanding that its not just about Tyrone Mason, that this actually is a culture, he said. The question has to be asked from the top to the bottom about what their policies and procedures are about chases, et cetera, and what theyre supposed to do on the scenes.

Sellers said that process of accountability starts with showing the people of North Carolina what happened in that Oct. 7 police chase, he said  and specifically, what in the footage was so concerning that it led to the dismissal of nearly 200 other cases.

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I want my good friend Jeff Jackson, I want my good friend Governor Stein to actually open their eyes and pay attention to whats going on with their state highway patrol, he said. Josh Stein and Jeff Jackson could simply say today that we are going to release those videos. They can make sure that these officers are arrested. They can make sure that these officers are fired.

Nazneen Ahmed, a spokesperson for Jackson, said the attorney generals office is not currently involved in Masons case, nor does it have the authority to release the footage.

Under North Carolina law, the law enforcement agency that is the custodian of those records must petition the court for its release, Ahmed wrote in an email. Additionally, the attorney generals office does not have oversight of law enforcement agencies and district attorneys offices.

Sellers and Crump expect to file a lawsuit related to Masons death in the coming days.

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Spokespeople for Stein and the State Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

We know something happened here that is more than they are telling us, Crump said. They would not have dismissed those cases if there were not something that on that video, from the dash cam and from the body cam that was just god-awful. They dont just drop cases like that.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- A Hurricane Helene Relief grant fund was given to Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity, allowing them to assist those still in need.

After applying for two different grants and showing proof, they raised fifty thousand dollars, the organization was accepted.

100-thousand dollars in grant money will help those in Richmond and Columbia Counties for now.

Now there are two versions, habitat and non-habitat

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Habitat helps homeowners who are a part of the habitat family.

Non habitat helps those that are not apart of the habitat family but need help with deductible assistance and minor repairs.

Once youre accepted theres a process you must follow.

What we do is we go and we see if we can repair it or we can work with a subcontractor to repair it, and then we go ahead and pay that on their behalf. And if they have insurance funds, they can contribute back, which would stretch our dollars even further. But we cover whatever your insurance isnt covering, said Bernadette Kelliher, CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat Humanity.

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Their goal is to help as many families as possible.

Were looking at a solid three, four or five years before we can really start to kind of put to the back that Hurricane Helene even happened. There are people who if you drive around and there are still tarps on their roofs. So, I mean, we are still just trying to get the basic necessities for people. So were prioritizing that when were making our selections. And were also prioritizing how can we help as many people as possible and keep the funding stretching out as long as we can, said Kelliher.

There are two apply links. If you are a habitat homeowner apply there, and if you are a non-habitat homeowner, click on that apply button.

For more information and how to apply click here.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Local businesses took center stage Thursday night at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerces annual meeting at the Bell Auditorium.

The theme was all about entrepreneurship and this meeting was an opportunity to highlight local businesses.

This is the largest chamber event each year and this was the 116th edition.

It is a wonderful evening and a wonderful way to celebrate our member businesses, our community, our achievements and our goals for the upcoming year. Its also an opportunity to say thank you to our board members, our outgoing board chairman and welcome our incoming executive leadership to include our new chair Kim Wilder, Angie Cox, President and CEO of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, said.

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The keynote speaker was James M. Bailey, the President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneuers.

The chamber also celebrated accomplishments present and past.

Cox said, We are always so thrilled to see new faces that have not been able to participate or attend a chamber event before and its a wonderful opportunity for folks to get to network and to meet each other, meet new friends and say hello to old friends.

Speakers shared some key goals for the year including enhancing their workforce development initiatives, supporting economic growth, and community engagement.

We have an amazing staff, an amazing board of directors, some awesome ambassadors who promote us on the streets and around town and we welcome new chamber members and entrepreneurs and new business in the area to check us out because we love to serve you and to be a voice for you and to advocate on behalf of you, Cox said.

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Cox also said she hopes people see how hard the chamber works for our community.

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The Aurora City Council on Tuesday evening approved millions of dollars in funding for community service organizations along with a new five-year plan that will guide the citys spending of federal funds on housing and community development.

The roughly $2.5 million in funding is being distributed to community service organizations for a variety of different uses, including housing projects, neighborhood revitalization, mental health, education and more. The funding mostly comes from the federal government, though some also comes from the citys tax on gaming.

The 20252029 Consolidated Plan, as well as a large portion of the funding, was approved as a part of the meetings consent agenda, which is typically used for routine or non-controversial items that are all approved with one vote and without discussion instead of needing to vote on and talk about each individual item.

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However, funding through the Quality of Life Grants program, which will provide around $910,000 for projects ranging from meeting peoples basic needs to supporting mental health, was discussed and voted on separately.

Although it was still approved with a unanimous vote  with Ald. Edward Bugg, 9th Ward, recusing himself from both the discussion and vote  some aldermen took issue with what they said was falling funding through the program for the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and the Aurora Historical Society.

The two organizations requested a total of $145,000 in funding, but city staff only recommended $70,000, according to a presentation given by Aurora Community Services Director Chris Ragona at the Feb. 25 meeting of the Aurora City Councils Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee.

Ald. Daniel Barreiro, 1st Ward, who retired from the city in 2021 as its chief community services officer, said the two groups used to be considered for funding separately, but now they are competing with other community organizations for funding through the Quality of Life Grants. For the next grant cycle, he would like staff to reconsider how the two organizations requests for funding are treated, he said.

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Ald. Michael Saville, 6th Ward, agreed with Barreiro, saying that the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and the Aurora Historical Society have been an important piece of the puzzle for economic revitalization in our downtown.

Previously, the two organizations used to each receive $150,000, which then fell to $75,000, last year was cut to $50,000 and this year is reduced again to $35,000, Barreiro said.

While the city has been a good partner to these institutions, museums have limited opportunities for funding and are not able to scale back services in the way other Quality of Life Grant recipients may be able to, according to Barreiro. Plus, he said the two groups are already on a shoestring budget and are having a hard time.

Mayor Richard Irvin said he agreed with both Barreiro and Saville, but that the reason funding has been falling is because the citys Hollywood Casino has been producing less and less tax dollars.

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The Hollywood Casino-Aurora used to produce around $15 million a year in gaming tax dollars for the city, dollars that go both toward the Quality of Life Grants program and alderman ward funds, Irvin said.

Now, those tax dollars have dropped to around $5 million a year, but projections show that, with the casinos currently-under-construction future location near Interstate 88 and the Chicago Premium Outlets mall, the casino will once again produce around $15 million a year in gaming tax dollars for the city, he said.

Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, said he agreed with everyone but pointed out that the city just asked for more property tax dollars from its residents in December.

In total, out of the 83 project applications sent to the city, which combined represented around $9.6 million in requests, the Aurora City Council approved 63 projects at a cost of around $2.5 million from a variety of funding sources.

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The city is expected to receive around $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Community Development Block Grant in 2025, according to Ragonas presentation at the Feb. 25 committee meeting. Of the 14 projects that would fit under this funding type, a total requested amount of nearly $2.3 million, 10 were selected to be funded, the presentation showed.

Organizations chosen for Community Development Block Grant funding included Hesed House, The Neighbor Project, CASA Kane County and Rebuilding Together Aurora, among others, a funding summary sheet included with Tuesdays City Council meeting agenda showed.

HOPE Fair Housing and Loaves & Fishes Community Services were also approved for a total of $150,000 in grants, with those funds coming to the city through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program  American Rescue Plan, according to a staff report included with the meetings agenda.

The 20252029 Consolidated Plan, which was approved alongside the grants and will guide the citys spending of federal funds on housing and community development for the next five years, looks to preserve and expand affordable housing in the city; make sure the citys existing housing stock is safe, healthy and accessible; give assistance to public services and improve access to amenities, officials said.

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The plans goals were intentionally left broad so that they could be flexible, according to past reporting.

Last December, Aurora asked for the communitys input to help create the plan, which the city is required to create so that it can receive an estimated $8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over the life of the plan.

In addition to community input, the plan was also created using significant research and analysis along with input from focus groups ranging in topic from housing affordability to senior assistance that were made up of representatives from 65 organizations.

A number of other plans and similar documents are set to work with the proposed 20252029 Consolidated Plan, including the 20252030 Affordable Housing Strategy, which was presented to Aurora City Council last year and is included in the Consolidated Plan.

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City staff are currently working to design a homelessness strategy, which is expected to also work with the 20252029 Consolidated Plan but is expected to be unveiled later this year, Ragona previously said.

The city has also received around $3.5 million through a state grant intended to expand shelters, Ragonas presentation on Feb. 25 showed. Those funds will be used to partner with Hesed House, a homeless shelter, and Mutual Ground, a domestic violence shelter, on expanding and modernizing their shelters, he said at the time.

Ragona recently told The Beacon-News that those projects are still going through the approval process, and a formal approval by the Aurora City Council is expected later this year.

rsmith@chicagotribune.com
Mar. 13An Austin man charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was sentenced Thursday to probation after being convicted on two of the three charges he was facing.

Mark Edward Hanson, 64, of Austin was sentenced in Mower County District Court to five years supervised probation for each of the two charges and was fined $50.

He has a long list of conditions he will need to follow and a violation of those conditions could result in 36 and 24 months in prison respectively for the two charges.

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A third count was dismissed.

The sentencing comes after a plea agreement in September of last year in which Hanson agreed to plead guilty to the two charges with the third to be dismissed.

According to the court complaint, Hanson was arrested in August of 2024 following a lengthy investigation that started in May 2024 when a detective with the Austin Police Department was alerted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension of a Minnesota Internet Crime against Children report.

The report indicated that Google had informed the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children that one of their users had uploaded 27 files containing suspected CSAM. Google provided information including the name "Mark Hanson," the user's phone number and date of birth.

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Through subpoenas requested by the BCA, the detective was able to track the report to Hanson and was able to confirm that three of the suspected files uploaded contained CSAM.

After further investigation, Hanson was questioned on Aug. 30, 2024, and when asked claimed that he saw CSAM from time to time, but cycled past it.

However, when asked if he searched Google for pornography, Hanson declined to speak any further.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Our understanding of the global order was absolutely correct because we did not rely on any institution or anyone with respect to our national interests. Whether it's a war between Russia and Ukraine, or a situation in the Middle East, tensions in Africa, in some other parts of the world, the countries should understand that their destiny is in their hands, President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Euronews TV channel, Trend reports.

The sooner they understand it, the better for them because if you always rely on someone's assistance, then first, you are vulnerable; second, you are not guaranteed that this assistance will be eternal; and third, you lose part of your sovereignty, the head of state added.
Australian officials said, "There has never been a better day" after an American influencer who posted a video of herself disrupting innocent wildlife was confirmed to have left the country.

Sam Jones, a hunting influencer from Montana, left sometime on Friday, March 14, after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke publicly announced that immigration authorities were investigating the incident as a potential breach of the conditions of her visa, The Guardian reports.

The young woman recently posted a video of herself wrenching a baby wombat from its mother and running off down the road with it swinging precariously between her hands. The baby could be heard screeching while its mother followed frantically along, and the clear distress of the animals immediately drew backlash over what RSCPA Australia called a callous act and blatant disregard for the country's wildlife.

A petition calling for her deportation and ban from the country reached nearly 40,000 signatures by the time of writing, but the publication reports that Jones elected to leave on her own.

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There has never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia, Burke said in response to the news, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested that Jones should try and take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there, per The Guardian.

Underneath the petition, the authors pointed out that the intent was "NOT a witch hunt."

"...we do not support anyone taking matters into their own hands," it added. "This petition is to send a message to Australian politicians and legal officers to not let this case go."

"Just because intent for harm was not meant does not mean harm did not happen," a commenter pointed out. "Its time for people to understand actions have consequences."

Next: St. Jude Addresses Fundraising Mailer Mistake After Viral Video Sets the Internet Ablaze
MONAHANS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- In honor of St. Patricks Day next Monday, we travelled to Monahans and visited Bennigans in search of a pot of gold, and a delicious meal.

The restaurant was decked out in green for its biggest party of the year and the Blarney Blast menu, available now through April 1, featured authentic Irish fare and creative cocktails and drink specials.

This years menu features both new creations and returning favorites:

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Angry Caramel Apple (New): Angry Orchard Hard Cider meets the smooth, rich notes of Ole Smoky Salty Caramel Whiskey, perfectly balanced with a splash of Monin Granny Smith Apple Syrup for a tart apple kick. Sweet, refreshing and just the right amount of bold, crisp flavor.

Salted Caramel Delight (New): Indulge in this rich and creamy treat with Ole Smoky Salty Caramel Whiskey, Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream and half & half. Topped with whipped cream and drizzled Monin Sea Salt Caramel Toffeesweet, smooth, and utterly irresistible.

Blarney Stone Kiss (Back by Popular Demand): Ole Smoky Tennessee Peach Whiskey, Paddys Irish Whiskey, Finest Call Premium Lime Sour, Finest Call Peach Puree, Monin Stone Fruit syrup and Red Bull Yellow edition.

Tableside Irish Coffee (Featured): Our classic signature cocktail! Warm and comforting, with a distinct whiskey flavor. Made with house-brewed coffee, Paddys Irish Whiskey and finished with fresh, lightly whipped cream and a sugar rim. Sweetened to taste.

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Angry Orchard Hard Cider (Featured)  Just like biting into a fresh apple! A perfect balance of sweetness and bright acidity from culinary apples and dryness of traditional cider-making apples, resulting in a complex, yet refreshing, hard cider.

Cupcake Chardonnay (Featured): Cupcake Chardonnay is crafted with grapes from Californias esteemed Monterey County. This barrel-fermented Chardonnay achieves a rich, creamy wine with flavors of apple, lemon, vanilla and a hint of toasted almond.

In addition, foodies sporting the green will find some of their favorite dishes alongside a trio of new scratch-made, Irish-inspired choices, including:

Blarney Blast Quesadillas (New)  A bold twist on a classic favorite! Tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, brushed with savory garlic butter and grilled to golden perfection. Served with a side of Thousand Island dressing for the ultimate dip-worthy experience. (Avg. price $14)

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Rueben Burger (New)  A juicy half-pound burger layered with chopped corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and served on toasted Rye bread. Served with Homestyle French fries seasoned with sea salt. (Avg. price $17)

Reuben Fritters (Featured)  Everything you love about a Reuben in one delicious bite! Handmade with diced corned beef, sauerkraut, cream cheese, and Swiss cheese, dipped in buttermilk and breaded in Panko breadcrumbs. Dusted with parsley and served with a side of Thousand Island dressing.

Irish Cream Cheesecake (New)  Our New York Style Cheesecake covered with our housemade Baileys Irish Cream ganache and topped with Shamrock candy sprinkles. A chocolate lovers dream! (Avg. price $11)

Along with its Blarney Blast menu, each Bennigans location will feature green beer, Corned Beef & Cabbage and Beer Cheese Soup during the week of St. Patricks Day, while supplies last.

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Our signature Blarney Blast menu is a true celebration of St. Paddys Day, and were thrilled that our guests have embraced it as part of their own traditions, said Legendary Restaurant Brands Chairman & CEO Paul Mangiamele. With our Legendary atmosphere, chef-driven Irish dishes and specialty cocktails, Bennigans fans can gather to enjoy great food, good fortune and the ultimate St. Paddys Day experience at the restaurant they love!

Youll find the restaurant at 603 W Interstate 20.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP)  A bestselling mystery writer has been sentenced to 3 1/2 to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child sexual abuse material.

Brendan DuBois, 65, was indicted by a county grand jury last year. He appeared in a New Hampshire court on Thursday after prosecutors agreed to drop two of six possession counts against him as part of a plea agreement.

DuBois was arrested in Exeter last July. He has been in jail since then, so more than eight months can be credited to his term.

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DuBois must register as a sex offender, according to court records. The judge recommended that he receive an assessment for sexual offender treatment at the state prison. Part of his minimum sentence could be suspended if he completes the assessment, or if it concludes that no treatment is needed.

An email seeking comment was sent on Friday to his attorney, Harry Starbranch.

DuBois website, which no longer appears to be working, had said he is a New York Times bestselling author who has written 29 novels. He co-wrote several of those with James Patterson, including Cross Down, Count Down, The Summer House and Blowback.

Severn River Publishing previously announced that it was removing his books from its website.
HEMINGWAY, S.C. (WCBD)  A man accused of shooting into a Hemingway home, killing one person and injuring another, has been taken into custody.

Jerry Devin Williams, Jr., 33, was arrested Thursday by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office and Florence County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies initially responded to a home on Washington Street in mid-February where they learned that someone fired multiple shots into the residence. Nakita Douglas was struck and killed, and two others were injured by the gunfire.

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Authorities say Williams was identified as the person who fired several rounds at the home.

He is charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into a dwelling, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a felony.

The investigation is ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Authorities issued urgent warnings in February after a diesel spill polluted the River Wandle, an "at-risk" chalk stream in southwest London, per the BBC.

What's happening?

An estimated 4,000 liters of diesel leaked from a bus depot storage tank in Thornton Heath, Croydon, ultimately spreading from Wallington to Wandsworth.

Merton Council confirmed that the spill has severely affected the Watermeads Nature Reserve, a vital habitat for species like brown trout and kingfishers. The public has been advised to avoid the area.

Why is this spill so concerning?

The River Wandle is one of London's few chalk streams, a globally rare ecosystem that has been the focus of conservation efforts. Residents have already reported birds coated in oil and struggling to clean themselves.

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"This should never have happened," said Bobby Dean, the Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, to BBC News. He noted that the spill has undone "decades of work by hundreds of volunteers who have helped restore the Wandle from an ecologically dead river to a thriving ecosystem."

Diesel spills are particularly harmful because diesel coats surfaces, suffocates aquatic life, and seeps into the food chain. The long-term consequences could include reduced biodiversity and contamination of surrounding wetlands.

According to the BBC, Thames Water has previously indicated that it "may not take action to protect the river from sewage until 2035" with "potential works on the Wandle possibly brought forward to 2027." Thus, this disaster raises concerns about immediate and ongoing threats to the Wandle's future.

What's being done about the spill?

The Environment Agency has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the spill. Once it has the information it needs, it intends to hold the responsible parties accountable. Meanwhile, conservation groups and local volunteers are working to rescue affected wildlife.

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"Our waterways and wetlands are precious environments, and any pollution incident can greatly affect our wildlife," said a spokesperson for the National Trust, which manages the Morden Hall Park and Watermeads Nature Reserve, according to The Standard. "Our teams are working closely with the Environment Agency to help ensure the site can recover as quickly as possible."

How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

There is hope for better spill detection and cleanup solutions in the future. For instance, researchers from China's Harbin Institute of Technology have developed a bio-inspired filtering system based on deep-sea sponges that could revolutionize oil spill response.

There have been other developments too. Scientists at Russia's Skolkovo Institute of Technology have created an artificial-intelligence-powered "e-nose" that can detect oil spills far more efficiently than current methods, allowing for quicker containment.

In the meantime, residents can help by reporting any sightings of distressed wildlife to local authorities, supporting conservation efforts, and volunteering with local environmental groups.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A missing toddler and his mother, who was accused of abducting him, were both found safe, authorities announced Saturday.

Stephanie Monique Ramos, 35, and her son, James Astuto, 1, were reported missing on March 8, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Thank you to the public, the media, Aero Bureau, and deputy personnel for their tireless efforts in the search for James and Stephanie, LASD said on Saturday.

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Although the pair were located, authorities did not release details on the location or the circumstances surrounding their discovery.

Stephanie Monique Ramos, 35, was last seen with her son, James Astuto, 1, on March 8, 2025. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

Details on Ramos custody arrangement regarding her son were not released. The mother and son were considered critically missing at the time.

A critically missing person is defined as:

A person who has no pattern of running away or disappearing

A person in critical need of medical attention

The victim of a crime or foul play

The victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction

A person who is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for him or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others

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Anyone with further information call LASDs Industry Station at 626-330-3322.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A pair of B-52H Stratofortresses on Tuesday carried out practice drops of live guided bombs at a Swedish weapons range, before flying over the nations parliament to mark the anniversary of Sweden joining NATO.

The bombers were taking part in a task force mission dubbed Viking Nebula, alongside a pair of Swedish JAS 39 Gripens. The Swedish fighters escorted the B-52s to Vidsel Test Range, where the bombers released GBU-30 joint direct attack munitions.

Joint terminal attack controllers from both the U.S. and Swedish militaries were on the ground supporting the drops, the Air Force said, and helped the forces practice how air and ground units work together with one another to deliver precision strikes.

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Vidsel is located about 580 miles north of Stockholm, and is the largest land proving ground in Europe. The Air Force said this was the B-52s first live weapons drop in Sweden since the country joined NATO last year.

A B-52H Stratofortress, escorted by Norwegian F-35 fighters, flies low over Oslo, Norway on Friday. B-52s have made public flights alongside the air forces of Scandinavian countries this week to show support for the NATO allies. (Norwegian Armed Forces)

The B-52s and their crew are deployed to RAF Fairford in England as part of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadrons Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment.

That expeditionary squadron, which contains four B-52s, air crew and other airmen needed to support the bombers, deployed from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota in February to train alongside NATO allies and partners in the region. Viking Nebula was the 11th operation this bomber task force completed.

And on Friday, a B-52 that is also part of the bomber task force conducted a low pass over Oslo, Norway as part of a mission dubbed Tower Blockhouse. That B-52 was escorted by two Norwegian F-35 fighters.

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The Air Force regularly rotates B-52s through Europe on temporary deployments  as part of bomber task forces  to deter Russian aggression and show U.S. commitment to NATOs collective defense and Europes regional security.

But this task force comes as the war in Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since the end of World War II, grinds into its fourth year. Russias invasion of Ukraine alarmed much of Europe, and prompted Sweden to cast off its traditionally neutral stance toward conflicts and seek NATO membership.

President Donald Trump has upended the U.S. long-established support of NATO, casting doubt on the value of the longstanding alliance and publicly suggesting America may not come to the defense of NATO members he feels are not spending enough on their own defense.
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - A federal judge in Baltimore on Friday rejected the city's effort to temporarily block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from emptying its reserves and returning the money to the U.S. Federal Reserve or Department of the Treasury.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox said Baltimore did not deserve a preliminary injunction because it was unlikely to prove the CFPB made or acted upon a "discrete and final" decision to defund itself.

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Baltimore and the nonprofit Economic Action Maryland Fund, formerly the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, sued on February 12 to stop CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought from starving the agency of cash and leaving it "dead in the water."

A lawyer for the plaintiffs said they are reviewing the decision. The CFPB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Many Republicans and business groups have long complained the CFPB has unchecked power.

Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge by two payday lender trade groups to how the agency is funded.

In seeking an injunction, Baltimore cited a February 8 letter to Fed Chair Jerome Powell where Vought said the CFPB needed no money in its next funding draw.

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It also cited a February 11 email where CFPB Chief Operating Officer Adam Martinez said the agency had contacted the Fed about its ability to return money.

But the judge said all Baltimore did was "challenge a disembodied and unrealized decision to drain the CFPB of its operating funds and reserves, without any evidence that such a decision has been reached at all or generated any legal consequences."

A separate lawsuit challenging Republican President Donald Trump's alleged effort to dismantle the CFPB is pending in Washington, D.C., federal court.

Senior CFPB officials have in that case expressed skepticism the agency's reserves could be returned.

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Jonathan McKernan, Trump's nominee to become CFPB director, pledged at his February 27 Senate confirmation hearing to fully enforce consumer financial protection laws, while saying he wanted to "right-size" the agency and make it more accountable.

The case is Mayor and City Council of Baltimore et al v CFPB et al, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, No. 25-00458.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD)  The deadly shooting last year of an armed U.S. Army veteran at his home by a Barry County sheriffs deputy is prompting the departments push for body cameras, the undersheriff said.

Now, the Barry County Sheriffs Office is looking for ways to cover the estimated $1 million price tag.

Its been a topic thats been discussed for a long time, but yes, not going to ignore the fact, yes, this incident has made this a need, Undersheriff Kevin Erb told News 8. We just need to have it.

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Widow: Husband killed by Barry County deputy did not deserve to die

Siphiwe Johnson called 911 on Oct. 28 to report her husband Jeremiah Johnson, 37, had threatened her at their home in Hope Township.

Hes holding a gun to my head, she told a dispatcher.

She told Target 8 that two deputies rushed into their bedroom unannounced as her husband was yelling and still holding a gun, though she said it was pointed down, no longer at her head.

They just pushed the door and came in, she previously told Target 8. He was standing here and they shot right away. They just got in and one said, Get down, and the other says, Gun, and shot right away.

Siphiwe Johnson describes the deadly shooting of her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, by a Barry County sheriffs deputy. (Feb. 12, 2025) Siphiwe Johnson describes the deadly shooting of her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, by a Barry County sheriffs deputy. (Feb. 12, 2025) Siphiwe Johnson describes the deadly shooting of her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, by a Barry County sheriffs deputy. (Feb. 12, 2025) Siphiwe Johnson describes the deadly shooting of her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, by a Barry County sheriffs deputy. (Feb. 12, 2025)

An autopsy report obtained by Target 8 shows a deputy shot her husband five times in the back. However, it could not determine how far away the deputy was from Johnson when he opened fire.

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Johnson was armed with a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol and investigators found a magazine of .45-caliber hollow-point bullets under his body, the autopsy report shows.

Police at the scene of a deadly shooting involving deputies with the Barry County Sheriffs Office. (Oct. 28, 2024)

A photo of Jeremiah Johnson from the U.S. Army.

Johnson had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and chronic migraine headaches, the report shows. It also shows he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.218  more than double the legal limit for driving  and that both he and his wife had been drinking.

Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt has said deputies had a different account than Siphiwe Johnson of what happened that night: That one opened fire to protect the other, who was fighting with Jeremiah Johnson over the gun, that he feared for their safety and the safety of Johnsons wife.

The prosecutor ruled the shooting justified, though she has not laid out what physical evidence may have supported the deputies story.

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Two stories, no bodycams after Barry County deputy kills man

The undersheriff said he believes his deputies, but said bodycams would likely have left little doubt.

In a case such as that, it would be very advantageous I think for both sides, because that way we would have factual evidence of what occurred and there would be limited amount of opinions or guess work or things of that nature, the Barry County undersheriff said.

His department is among the few police agencies in West Michigan without bodycams. The much larger Ottawa County Sheriffs Department last year agreed to spend $4.6 million over five years for them. Allegan, Kent and Muskegon deputies wear them.

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The Barry County Sheriffs Office the undersheriff said, is in talks with three bodycam providers and trying to get grants to pay for them. He said it could cost about $1 million to equip the departments 20-plus deputies. The department hasnt set a timeline for getting the cameras, he said.

Moneys tight, Erb said. Moneys tight for everybody, and so we have to be very careful on how we move forward with this. We know its a big, big purchase. We know that, but we also know that in the long run, it would benefit both sides to have the bodycams.

Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Jackson said hes hoping for help from the state. He said cameras would protect officers and other first responders.

I dont think Im versed to go into the depth of that whole situation, he said of the Johnson shooting, but when theres a he-said-she-said situation, it would have been critical to have that information. Its sad we didnt have it.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Turkiye serves as an example of a country that has successfully developed strategic autonomy, said Hikmet Cetin, the country's Foreign Minister from 1991 to 1994, at a panel discussion at the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

"Turkiye is an example of a country that has achieved strategic autonomy thanks to its unique geographical position, connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Eurasia," he said.

Cetin added that this position allows Turkiye to play a significant role in international politics, providing a balance between various regions and organizations.

The official emphasized that Turkiye is a member of NATO, an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and an active participant in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international structures. These multilateral ties, according to him, highlight Turkiyes importance as a strategic partner for Europe and other global powers.

"Turkiyes unique position enables it to play a key role in the peaceful resolution of global conflicts and ensure stability in various parts of the world," he noted.

Cetin also stressed that addressing global challenges such as climate change, migration, and economic instability requires more cooperation and collective actions from countries.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities."

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man accused of a shooting that injured his friend was arrested and charged.

Jeremiah Phillips, 20, was booked into jail on March 12 and charged with assault by drive-by shooting, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property. His bond was set at $125,000.

Deputies found a man with shooting injuries to both of his arms before 1 p.m. on March 5 in the 2700 block of Toulon Drive. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

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An affidavit states that the victim was shot in the arms and fled on foot before he was shot at again. The victim told investigators that hes known Phillips his whole life.

Suspect in Southern University campus shooting arrested in Texas

Latest News

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Donald Trump has long expressed a desire to make Canada the 51st state of the US, with tensions rising as the two countries engage in a trade war. Canada has implemented retaliatory tariffs against Trumps policies, and outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Trump of trying to weaken the Canadian economy to make annexation easier. Polling suggests 90% of Canadians say they would oppose becoming part of the US, but not everyone shares that view. Telegraph foreign correspondent Memphis Barker meets with those who believe joining the US might not be such a bad idea.

Plus, Thomas Wright, strategic and national security advisor in Bidens White House, speaks with Roland Oliphant about Trumps approach to Russia and China, and the surprising continuity between the Biden and Trump administrations.

Battle Lines, a podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world.

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Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local nonprofit delivered a big surprise to students in the Springfield School District Friday.

Life is hard, no one battles alone. Thats the slogan of Battle Pups because sometimes we all need a little buddy to help with the battle. Thats exactly what students got Friday  a friend for their fight on an emotional journey after losing a classmate in an accident that devastated the community.

Just over a week ago, 15-year-old Jason Daff and his mother Angela Brown were killed in a car accident. Jasons brother, 12-year-old Jayden, was injured. As heartbreaking as it has been for the brothers peers in Springfield, the students got the chance to smile during an assembly and special delivery from Way to Battle  a nonprofit that helps kids through hard times, and one of the ways it does that is through the Battle Pup program.

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For a lot of these kids, it was their first experience with a tragic event like this. It was kind of uncharted territory for them, said Springfield High School Principal David Malone.

Another school district nominated Springfield to Way to Battle to receive hundreds of the stuffed animals in an effort to provide comfort.

I know weve all felt the biggest sense of support from our local schools and community. It will never change the tragedy that happened, but it has helped everyone cope and feel supported, said Dr. Laura McBride, director of special services.

District officials said theyve been overwhelmed with the show of support from the community in the wake of this tragedy.

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Its been a rollercoaster the last two weeks. Who doesnt like a dog? The kids didnt know this was coming today so for them to have the funeral just last night for Jason  there were a lot of grim faces this morning just after going through that last night. This kind of put a smile on a lot of the kids faces which was nice, Malone said.

Delivering the Battle Pups started with Brady Martin a childhood cancer patient whose goal was to send 200 battle pups out to warriors fighting various personal battles. Way to Battle has now shipped more than 70,000.

This just started as a way to help my kid have better days at the hospital that he looked forward to. It was about being all right and being there for other people, said Kristin Martin.

Over 20,000 Battle Pups have ben sent to victims of floods in Tennessee and North Carolina and another 2,000 to fire victims in California  and hundreds more to students in Springfield.

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Youre never too young to change the world, and youre definitely never too young to impact someones life and make it better. Thats something I love that its grown so far beyond just our family, Martin said.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  In the face of a growing nationwide measles outbreak, San Francisco health officials have joined other Bay Area health officials in urging people to get vaccinated against the disease. The health departments are encouraging vaccinations for anyone who is unsure if theyve been previously vaccinated or did not have measles as a child.

Officials are also encouraging people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles.

Measles, according to the Association of Bay Area Health Officials (ABAHO), is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness and death. Health officials recommend the safe and highly effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to safeguard against the virus.

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Doctor convicted of raping woman he met on Tinder during Bay Area work trip

Protect yourself by making sure each member of your family who is 12 months to 3 years old is vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine, and each person who is age 4 or older has gotten two doses of MMR vaccine, health officials said.

As of Friday, over 300 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. This, according to health officials, includes a large outbreak among unvaccinated children in Texas and nearby states. So far, there have been two deaths associated with measles  the first measles deaths in the U.S. since 2015.

In California, there have been five reported cases of measles, all five of which were reported separately after international travel. There is no evidence, officials said, that they are connected to the Texas outbreak.

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Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, but it is preventable with the MMR vaccine, said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip. If children in your family are not fully vaccinated, or if you did not have measles as a child, please get the vaccine for the best protection.

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A BBC radio presenter apologised for misgendering Eddie Izzard on air  despite the comedian not caring about pronouns and gender labels.

Anita Anand said she was very very sorry after referring to Izzard as the man while presenting Radio 4s PM programme on Friday.

Yet Izzard, 63, who identifies as gender fluid and uses she/her pronouns, has previously confessed an indifference to such labels, telling The Telegraph last year: He, she  it doesnt matter.

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Izzard appeared on the afternoon news and current affairs programme to promote a new production of Hamlet, which is set to tour the UK with all 23 roles played by the comedian.

During the pre-recorded interview, Mrs Anand had asked Izzard to perform a snippet of the play for listeners, to which her guest politely refused. She revealed to listeners afterwards that Izzards response had amused Charles Carroll, a newsreader for Radio 4.

Anita Anand confessed you might have heard me accidentally misgender Ezzie Izzard by calling her the man - Andrew Crowley

Mrs Anand said: Just to let you know that Charles Carrolls belly laugh when I asked the man quite reasonably to do a bit, and he just went no, will be a thing Ill never forget.

The programme continued for 25 minutes before Mrs Anand chose a brief pause between segments to apologise for calling Izzard the man.

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She said: Now a little earlier in the programme you might have heard me accidentally misgender Eddie Izzard. Im very very sorry about that.

The broadcasters news style guide dictates that staff use the term and pronoun preferred by the person in question.

The BBC was approached for comment.

A highly controversial area

Last February, the BBC upheld a complaint against Justin Webb, the Today presenter, after he called trans women males on the BBC Radio 4 programme in 2023.

A listener complained that the comment amounted to Mr Webb giving his personal view on a controversial matter in breach of the BBCs requirements on impartiality.

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The BBCs editorial complaints unit agreed, saying it gave the impression of endorsing one viewpoint in a highly controversial area.

Gender-critical activists criticised the ruling, claiming it showed the BBC had lost sight of its statutory duty to be impartial.

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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI)  A New Bedford man is $800,000 richer after playing a $5 instant ticket game.

Leigh Corbin opted for the one-time cash option after turning in his winning $1,000 a Week for Life ticket, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Corbin plans to invest his winnings and upgrade his apartment.

MORE: Norton man wins nearly $400K off Lucky for Life ticket

The winning ticket was purchases at Americas Market on Acushnet Avenue.

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The News

Beijing signaled its anger over the sale of two Chinese-linked ports in Panama to a US asset manager, throwing the deal into doubt.

A forceful commentary in a Beijing-backed newspaper  republished by a Communist Party website  attacked Washington for using despicable means to reach the deal, which saw CK Hutchison sell ports on either side of the Panama Canal to BlackRock.

US President Donald Trump had claimed they could be used to restrict US-bound vessels passing through the canal, a vital sea lane which he has vowed to take back. The ports have become a flashpoint in the US and Chinas race to expand their foothold in Latin America: Chinas trade with the region grew almost thirty-fold between 2000 and 2020.
Belarus will not formally merge with Russia in the near future, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said on March 14 while addressing the Russian Federation Council.

"If we are going to burst through this open door, we will ruin everything we have done. It is necessary to go calmly, step by step," Lukashenko said.

In early January, independent Russian media Meduza reported, citing sources close to the Kremlin, that Putin may revisit plans to formally absorb Belarus once the war against Ukraine is resolved.

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Despite his claim of maintaining relations with a range og global actors including China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the EU, Lukashenko said that Minsk will "always side with Moscow."

"It can't be otherwise. Belarus will never leave Russia alone, just as Russia will never leave Belarus," he added, highlighting what he described as "open fraternal relations" between the two countries.

Lukashenko's visit to Russia marks his first trip since securing a seventh presidential term in an election widely denounced as a sham. On March 13, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Following their talks, Lukashenko and Putin signed a joint statement pledging to expand bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

Belarus has been largely cut off from the West following Lukashenko's violent crackdown on mass protests in 2020 against fraudulent election results.

Since then, his regime has further curtailed political freedoms and deepened its alignment with Moscow, providing logistical and military support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

Even before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin reportedly had devised a plan for the "creeping annexation" of Belarus by 2030.

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The plan outlined steps for "harmonizing" Russian and Belarusian laws, "coordinated foreign and defense policy," and economic integration based on Russian interests.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Feb. 14 that Russia is once again building up troops in Belarus, possibly in preparation for large-scale operations against NATO countries.

Read also: Putin sent additional signals to Trump on ceasefire proposal, Kremlin says

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Bella LaFemme Society is set to host its inaugural Presidential Honors ceremony this weekend, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to volunteerism in partnership with the organization.

The all-black formal event will be a community celebration. It honors those who make a lasting impact through their service.

We are gathering some of the greatest people of Louisiana to host our Inaugural Presidential Honors through the Biden Administration, said LaKeta M. Smith, Executive Director of A Bella LaFemme Society.

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A Bella LaFemme Society is a National Certified Organization, as stated on its website. This lets it give awards with each Presidents Administration.

On Sunday, honorees will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest national recognition for their service. It celebrates their contributions to their communities in 2024.

Among the honorees is Demetria Carter-Blanson, who works with offender re-entry programs to assist formerly incarcerated individuals in transitioning back into society.

Its an amazing feeling. So often, I just start working, doing the work, and dont even think about being recognized for doing the work, said Blanson.

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Calcea Johnson is another honoree. She is a Girl Scouts member and an environmental engineer. Calcea works hard to improve New Orleans infrastructure to fight flooding.

Im more about the impact directly. I didnt know that this would happen at such a young age. Im so very honored, said Johnson.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Baton Rouge Marriott, located at 5500 Hilton Avenue.

Tickets can be purchased in advance. For more information, visit the organizations website.

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SOUTH BELOIT, Ill. (WTVO)  South Beloit Police arrested Anthony Dusso, 52, for disseminating child pornography, according to reports.

Dusso is the pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Beloit, Wisconsin, according to the churchs website.

Investigations started in Dec. 2024 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported a social media account for distributing child porn.

Dusso was identified as the suspect on March 13th. His residence was searched and he was taken into custody.

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Officials took several electronic devices as evidence.

Dusso is charged with six counts of dissemination of child porn.

He was lodged in the Winnebago County Jail.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Republic of Angola has historically maintained robust engagements with Azerbaijan, Manuel Domingos Augusto, former Foreign Minister of Angola, said in an interview with Trend.

Speaking on the sidelines of the XII Global Baku Forum, Augusto highlighted that Angola, as a key player in the hydrocarbon sector, has established a robust synergy with Azerbaijan, leveraging strategic partnerships in oil and gas production.

The former minister also articulated his anticipations regarding the Global Baku Forum.

"This is my first time participating in the Global Baku Forum, and I am very pleased. Baku is hosting an amazing forum. The Azerbaijani people should be proud of this initiative by their government, His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev.

I believe this forum is crucial for international relations, especially given the high-profile participants from various countries and regions who have held significant roles in governments and international organizations.

The discussions here have the potential to contribute to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges, particularly the war in Ukraine in Europe and the ongoing situation in Gaza in the Middle East.

We must once again commend the Azerbaijani government for facilitating a space where people from diverse backgrounds can come together in Baku to address issues of immense global importance," he concluded.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities."

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
"Stumpy" might be no more, but the folk hero's legend lives on.

The iconic Cherry Blossom shot to fame for his look early in the pandemic and became a viral smash. Now, the tree has been removed, but that doesn't mean reminders of Stumpy aren't still in Washington, D.C., as Cherry Blossom season returns.

Stumpy gained popularity in 2020 when a Reddit user posted a photo of the tree. He was named "Stumpy" because of the way he looked: a little gnarled and stumpy. Despite the fame, the tree had to be removed in the years that followed. It still lives on in people's hearts and a mascot was created in its image to cheer on local runners.

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The tree's descendants will also soon return to the area, but not Stumpy. A local reporter made a note of the missing icon this week when she spotted the mascot.

"Thanks for reminding me about the loss of Stumpy," replied social media user @kreadstoomuch.

There's little under a week left until the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off and 1.6 million attendees descend on the nation's capital. Beautiful blooms are expected to fill branches in another two to three weeks.

Many who had previously visited the area and posed with the "popular folk-hero tree" may be disappointed to learn of his  yes, his  removal.

The beloved folk hero tree Stumpy became famous online at around the beginning of the Covid pandemic. He has since been removed from his spot near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. (AFP via Getty Images)

Why was Stumpy, age 25, uprooted from his signature spot? Blame climate change.

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Hes a victim of failing seawalls, according to the National Park Service. Twice a day, Stumpy would stand amid brackish waters around the Tidal Basin  located in the front of the memorial  during high tide. The water level has risen by about 13 inches since the seawalls construction in the 1940s, The Associated Press stated.

That wasnt the only threat to Stumpys life. With a reduced canopy of leaves to block the suns harsh rays, direct solar radiation was scalding Stumpy

[With] these factors, combined with depleted and compacted soils and old age, compounded with advancing fungi, Stumpy has entered what arborists refer to as a mortality spiral, the agency explained.

Stumpy and other trees in the area were the victims of rising water levels. The National Park Service said he had entered a mortality spiral (AFP via Getty Images)

Stumpy had been pruned by the National Malls arborist team. Because the tree had enough small and short roots present, it was able to sustain life and produce blossoms each spring despite the environmental hazards to its health.

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But, Stumpy needed to move on, the National Park Service said, along with more than 100 other trees to make way for a massive repair project for the seawall protecting the Tidal Basin.

Because he was weak, they said he would not survive an attempt to be moved.

It would be doubtful that the roots and woody portions of the trees would stay intact during such a move. Science tells us that survival would be doubtful and perhaps financially irresponsible, the agency said.

The spirit of Stumpy lives on through cloning. Four trees that are genetic matches of the cherry tree are reportedly alive and well (Getty Images)

Stumpy is no longer just online famous. News of his removal last May earned visits from diplomats and bottles of liquor, according to NBC 4.

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The National Arboretum used clippings from Stumpy to create trees that are genetic matches to be planted in the park upon completion of the seawall project in spring 2026. Four of them are reportedly alive and well.

The other trees that were removed would be mulched and returned to their home. When the project is finished, 277 cherry trees will be planted as replacements.

The park replaces about 90 cherry trees every year and looks forward to completing the Tidal Basin work and not only planting more than 270 new cherry trees, but creating conditions where the trees can thrive for generations to come, it said.
PORTAGE COUNTY (WJW)  The Northeast Ohio aviation community is mourning the tragic loss of one of its own. Anthony Andy Jones, a 52-year-old pilot from North Royalton, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash early Friday morning.

Jones, known for his unwavering passion for aviation, was more than just a skilled pilot. To those who knew him, he was a mentor, a teacher and a cherished friend.

Investigation into fatal helicopter crash in Portage County

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His sudden passing has left a profound void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the aviation community.

He loved flying. His passion was flying. He was a great pilot and just a great guy, said Ron Waldron, a close friend and owner of the Medina County Airport. He was always up and smiling. Oh my God, I am just going to miss him so much.

Waldron shared that Andy dedicated countless hours to the Northeast Ohio Helicopter Academy, mentoring aspiring pilots and sharing his deep knowledge and love for aviation. His commitment to teaching and guiding others made him a cornerstone of the community.

Myles Garrett speaks for first time since extension; thinks Browns are in a better place

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Waldron described Andy as not only a loving husband and father but also a vital part of the Medina County Airport community. His presence brought warmth and encouragement to everyone he encountered.

The tragedy is compounded by another heartbreaking lossAndys wife passed away earlier this month.

He had his daughters visiting. He was probably just going up to get some fresh air, clear his head, Waldron said.

Now, the community is grappling with the painful reality of losing both Andy and his wife in such a short span of time. The funeral service for Andys wife, initially scheduled for today, has been postponed.

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Ashtabula man charged with attempting to drown child

Ron shared that Andys legacy extends far beyond his flight hours. His true impact lies in the lives he touchedthose he taught, mentored, and befriended.

This airport is going to be hurting without him, Waldron shared. He was a big part of this airport. He was always up and smiling. I am just going to miss him so much.

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Benefit claims for minor mental health problems are to be rejected under Labour plans to cut the welfare bill.

Ministers have proposed changes to a key benefit scheme to make mental health problems less eligible for state support.

More than half of the rise in working-age disability claims since the pandemic is owing to claims relating to mental health or behavioural conditions, according to official figures, which now account for almost 45 per cent of total claims.

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The tighter restrictions form part of changes to the eligibility rules for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in a government green paper to be published in the coming days.

Sir Keir Starmer is already facing a backlash from Labour MPs and some members of the Cabinet over the planned changes, which include a reduction in the additional benefits paid to unemployed people who are unable to work.

Claimants for PIP are required to undergo an assessment of their ability to fulfil daily tasks, including cooking and engaging with other people face-to-face.

A claimants answer to the questions gives them a score which is used to decide what level of benefits they receive.

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Those who are successful receive payments based on the severity of their condition, divided into daily living support and help with mobility. Claimants can receive up to 184.30 a week, on top of other benefits.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is concerned that too many people with minor mental health problems such as anxiety are eligible for the benefit, adding billions of pounds to the welfare bill.

The plans could include changes to the scoring system for PIP claimants, or new criteria designed to weed out those with minor mental health conditions that do not require support.

Government sources declined to comment on the suggestion that mental health payments would be reduced, but confirmed that the PIP regime would be tightened for new claimants.

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The previous Conservative government announced in March last year that it would try to reduce the bill from mental health problems, arguing that some conditions were caused by the normal anxieties of life, rather than a medical problem that made it impossible to work.

The welfare bill has increased by 20 billion since the pandemic. A forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts spending on working-age adults alone will hit 75 billion by 2030.

Labour MPs mounted a rebellion over the benefit reform plans after they were reported last weekend, prompting Downing Street to hold in-person briefings for all 404 MPs.

Claimants locked out from seeking work

Sir Keir has argued there is a moral case for benefit reform, pointing to a system that effectively locked out some claimants from ever seeking work.

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The green paper is likely to include a new scheme for helping benefit claimants into work, and may also crack down on the appeals process that often results in rejected claimants later receiving approval.

The cuts to disability benefits, which are paid by the Government regardless of work status, are likely to cause consternation on the Labour back benches when they are announced.

The soaring number of mental health claimants comes amid an increase in diagnoses for many conditions since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In its election manifesto last year, Labour warned that Britain was suffering from a mental health epidemic that is paralysing lives and pledged to give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health in the NHS.

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Up to 80 Labour MPs are understood to be concerned about the plans, but will not be given the opportunity to express their frustration in a parliamentary vote.

The Government was thought to be planning to release its welfare policy paper this week, but was forced to delay it because of backbench opposition.

Downing Street has launched a leak inquiry into reporting about the plans, which emerged on Saturday.

Sir Keir told MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday that he was not afraid to take the big decisions on welfare, immigration or the public finances to fix what is broken.

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Frequently shirtless comedian Bert Kreischer is bringing his "Permission to Party" tour to Minnesota.

The comedian, who will release a Netflix special titled Lucky on March 18, will head to the Xcel Energy Center on Sep. 20, which will be followed on Sep. 21 with a show at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth.

Bert KreischerPhoto by Zach Catanzareti Photo/Flickr

While Kreischer made his name on a reputation for bits about partying, he's risen to become a major draw through his storytelling, often weaving details about the transition from "party-boy" to fatherhood into his jokes.

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Tickets to see the Tampa-born comedian and podcast host in St. Paul and Duluth are on sale today.

Related: Movies to see this week: 'Stop Making Sense,' 'The Master,' 'Lost Highway'
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, speaks at a post-march rally in Selma, Alabama, on March 9, 2025. The Democratic governor highlighted the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion during a Bloody Sunday 60th anniversary commemoration. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

FRANKFORT  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in Northern Virginia for a retreat with U.S. House Democrats used the opportunity to distinguish himself from California Gov. Gavin Newsom by criticizing a recent Newsom podcast.

Both Democratic governors are considered possible presidential candidates in 2028.

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Beshear told reporters Newsom should not have given a platform to Steve Bannon, a prominent ally of Republican President Donald Trump and supporter of MAGA politics, on a recent podcast, according to reports in the New York Times and Politico.

Beshear said, I think that Gov. Newsom bringing on different voices is great, the Times reported. We shouldnt be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone. But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger and even at some points violence, and I dont think we should give him oxygen on any platform  ever, anywhere.

Newsom started a podcast this month, the Times reports, bringing on prominent conservatives including Bannon and Charlie Kirk, who leads the conservative organization Turning Point USA.

Also speaking at the congressional retreat were Democratic Govs. Josh Shapiro, of Pennsylvania and Gretchen Whitmer, of Michigan, also considered possible candidates for president.

On his first podcast, Newsom talked with Kirk and called it deeply unfair for transgender women to be allowed to compete in womens sports, sparking widespread criticism among Democrats and LGBTQ+ allies.

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In Kentucky, the Republican-controlled legislature is giving Beshear a chance to highlight his support for the LGBTQ+ community. Lawmakers are set to send the governor a bill that would overturn his restrictions on conversion therapy and prohibit Medicaid from paying for gender-affirming medical care.

On Tuesday, at the 2025 Fairness Rally Beshear said he will veto the bill. Beshear is the first Kentucky governor to attend the annual rallies in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

When introducing the governor, Chris Hartman, the executive director for the Fairness Campaign, called him the most pro-equality governor in the history of the commonwealth of Kentucky and if we are lucky, he just might be the most pro-equality president.

Beshear, whose second and final term as governor ends in 2027, spoke last weekend in Selma, Alabama, at the 60th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday, a landmark moment in the civil rights movement  giving him an opportunity to expand his name recognition and support nationally among Black Democrats, a key constituency in choosing the partys presidential nominees.

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Eric Hyers, a political strategist for Beshear, told the Kentucky Lantern Beshear had a productive conversation with House Democrats during their retreat. Beshear emphasized the importance of Democrats taking back the House and how candidates should focus on communicating your why. The governor shared perspectives gained as a Democrat who has won a red state.

Last year, Beshear was voted chair-elect of the Democratic Governors Association for 2026  a key position for midterm elections.
New imagery shows the progress made on North Koreas shadowy airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an Ilyushin Il-76 Candid airlifter; you can read more about it in our analysis of when it first broke cover. Since the start of this year the aircraft now had its rotodome fitted, putting to bed any suggestion that its intended for a role other than AEW&C.

Satellite images obtained by TWZ from Maxar Technologies show how work on the aircraft has continued at Pyongyang International Airport over recent months. Throughout, the aircraft has remained in a new sectioned-off compound next to a maintenance hangar at the airport. As we reported in the past, the construction of this cordoned-off area seems to have begun in late September or October of 2023.

When the AEW&C was first revealed, there was work being undertaken on the top of its fuselage, just aft of the wing, where the radome would eventually be mounted.

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By mid-December 2023, it seems that the radome mounting had been attached, with the shadow cast by it also visible.

A satellite image of the Il-76 at Pyongyang International Airport on December 12, 2023. PHOTO  2023 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

In early August of 2024, the upper surfaces of the aircraft were draped with some kind of covering, although its unclear if this was intended to provide protection to the aircraft while work was being done or if it was intended to shield the aircraft from prying eyes.

Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

A month later, that shroud had been removed, with imagery now clearly showing the twin struts associated with the radome mounting, as well as the clamshell fairings on the engine nacelles open for access. By September 8, 2024, there was a large tent erected at the rear of the aircraft and a slightly smaller one at the front, as well as screens alongside the rear fuselage, in an apparent effort to conceal whatever work was happening.

A view of the aircraft as of September 3, 2024. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

The modified Il-76 as it appeared on September 8, 2024. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

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A closer view of the modified aircraft on September 8, 2024. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies

Reportedly, as of November 2024, the aircraft had been moved into a hangar adjacent to the compound and remained there until late February 2025, when it appeared outside the hangar with the radome mounted.

Imagery from earlier this month clearly shows the radome itself mounted on top of the struts and the aircraft. Meanwhile, the aircraft has been towed onto a taxiway, its tail pointing toward one of the airports runways. These developments were first reported last week by 38 North, a website specializing in North Korea studies.

A wider view of the aircraft seen on March 14, 2025. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies

Immediately noticeable is the distinctive triangle design on top of the radome, similar to that seen on certain Chinese AEW&C platforms, but not on Russian ones. In Chinese applications, these kinds of radomes house three non-rotating phased array radars, which provide full 360-degree coverage. It could be that the North Korean design is inspired by this, or it could be that China provided technology or assistance. Its also possible that the radome houses a different antenna array entirely.

02_closer view of awacs plane_sunan afld_north korea_14march2025_wv2. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies Wood, Stephen

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As well as possible Chinese assistance, we have speculated in the past about whether Russia might be helping North Korea build its AEW&C jet. After all, the burgeoning military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang could provide an opportunity for some kind of technology transfer. Some of the technologies from Russias A-50 Mainstay, or even the more advanced A-50U, could perhaps be supplied to North Korea in exchange for weapons and ammunition to be used by Russia in Ukraine.

At this point, we simply dont know whether China, Russia, or both might be involved in North Koreas AEW&C aircraft. However, the Il-76 is a well-established platform for this type of application. As well as the A-50 and Chinas KJ-2000 Mainring, AEW&C versions of the Candid are used by India and have, in the past, also been operated by Iraq and Iran.

A side view of a standard Chinese KJ-2000, albeit with the serial number censored from the photo. FYJS/via Chinese internet A side view of a standard PLAAF KJ-2000, albeit with the serial number censored from the photo. FYJS/via Chinese internet

Overall, however, an AEW&C aircraft may be a surprising addition to North Koreas veteran air force, but its one that could make a good deal of sense, as TWZ has explained in the past:

While its questionable to what degree more complex battle management and command and control functions could be mastered by North Korea, and hosted aboard an AEW&C aircraft, the ability to extend airborne radar coverage over considerable distances would be a great advantage, either providing prior warning of a potential attack from South Korea and/or tracking incoming aircraft and missiles during at least the opening moments of a conflict. The data it collects could also be shared with surface-to-air missile operators to help provide extra warning to enhance their operations. More importantly, it would provide a new tool for daily surveillance of North Korean and South Korean airspace and an avenue to learn to better perfect AEW&C capabilities.

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In particular, an aircraft of this type would provide a useful surveillance platform to detect low-flying cruise missiles launched from South Korea. With indications that Seoul may be considering fielding nuclear weapons, an adequate means of detecting incoming cruise missiles would become even more important for North Korea. Another low-flying threat is provided by drones launched from South Korea, examples of which have, in the recent past, been spotted flying over Pyongyang.

Ultimately, an airborne radar, as found in an AEW&C aircraft, provides a look down capability that can spot aircraft, cruise missiles, or drones among the ground clutter and is far less restricted by high terrain compared to ground-based radars. No such radar was previously available to North Korea.

On the other hand, there are no signs that North Korea is converting more than a single Il-76 for the AEW&C mission, which means this kind of coverage would be necessarily limited.

The aircraft would also be a prime target for South Korea and the United States in a time of conflict with the North. With that in mind, its wartime role might be strictly limited and likely very short-lived. Instead, perhaps, it might have greater value for more routine operations, keeping tabs on movements over the border and providing valuable intelligence and day-to-day surveillance.

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All in all, the emergence of North Koreas AEW&C system raises some interesting questions. With questions about the ability of North Koreas military-industrial complex to develop a fully functioning system of this kind, its again not surprising that observers are wondering whether China and/or Russia might also be involved.

For the time being, the program remains very much in the shadows and has not been disclosed by North Koreas state-run media. Nevertheless, the recent imagery does at least provide some insight into the progress thats now being made on North Koreas AEW&C aircraft.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Spring is a great time to get outside and visit many of the national parks across the United States.

By March, many of these stunning sites are coming out of their winter slumber, plants are blooming and temperatures are warming, but the crowds of summer arent there. So heres our short, but not exhaustive list of parks where you cant go wrong with a visit in March or early spring.

Pinnacles National Park

From its soaring peaks to the depths of the canyon floor, this park in California has options for beginners, seasoned hikers and climbers, and families. Its also one of the few places where you have the chance to see the California condor in the wild.

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Now heres the bonus to visiting in March through May: March brings the end of the rainy season, so it's the peak blooming season for the park's wildflowers.

The average high temperatures are comfortable, staying around 68 degrees.

Big Bend National Park

This park in southwestern Texas is one of the most remote in the country, so the crowds are small. And the park is huge  were talking 800,000 acres serving up mountains and desert landscapes filled with diverse flora and fauna.

In fact, a new plant species was discovered there in 2024; the tiny plant growing among the desert rocks was named "Wooly Devil." With average high temperatures in the mid-70s, March is a great time to see a Wooly Devil for yourself.

White Sands National Park

This park in New Mexico is home to the largest gypsum dunefield on the planet. Its so large, it can be seen from space.

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The white sand dunes can get as tall as 60 feet and sledding on them is one of the most popular activities. Its one of the newer national parks  it was established in 2019  and its also relatively small, covering just 176,000 acres.

All that wide-open space can be oppressively hot during the summer, but in March, high temperatures hang out in the low 70s and its one of the driest months in the region.

A woman sleds down a sand dune at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park in South Carolina is home to the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast. A winding boardwalk trail makes it an easy hike for visitors, but you can also canoe and kayak your way through the heart of the park on Cedar Creek.

March is a great time to visit this park because the mosquitoes are not out in full force. And although temperatures usually stay in the high 60s, rainfall is common this time of year, so you could feel a little muggy.

Biscayne National Park

If youre looking for a water adventure, Biscayne National Park in Florida is the place for you. Just south of Miami, 95% of the park is water and its home to one of the largest coral reef systems in the world. You can kayak, paddleboard, boat, fish, snorkel and scuba dive.

This watery wonderland is ideal in March because the warmer temperatures make the water perfect for diving in. The average high for this time of year is about 77 degrees.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)- The wait is almost overa lunar eclipse is expected to appear overnight, but you will have to set a very early alarm if you want to see it!

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon travels behind the Earth, placing the Earth in between the moon and the sun. This occurrence is the opposite of what we would experience during a solar eclipse.

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At its maximum, the moon will appear a copper red. Barlow Planetarium Director Teri Gee explains the science behind the moon taking on this different color.

It doesnt block out the light completely so because the earth has an atmosphere, the light from the sun is bent, the red light is bent in toward the moon and then the blue light is bent away, Gee said. What we end up with is the moon lit up by this red light and it turns this copper red color.

Gee said that lunar eclipses happen more often than solar eclipses. The last visible lunar eclipse in North America was on November 8th, 2022. This is the first of two visible lunar eclipses this year; however, the next one wont be visible in North America.

The big question is: What time of the night does this occur? In the dead of night. There are two shadows cast onto the moon. The outer is called the penumbra and the inner is called the umbra.

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The moon will pass into the penumbra at 10:57 p.m., but at that point you wont notice much change, at most, the moon will appear dimmer. At 12:09 a.m., the partial eclipse begins as the moon passes into the umbra and will start to get darker.

The copper red appearance wont occur until 1:26 a.m. when the total eclipse begins. The eclipse reaches its maximum at 1:56 a.m., finally coming to an end at 2:31 a.m., so you have about an hour of viewing.

While these do happen during the dead of night, Gee says there are some benefits compared to solar eclipses.

You dont need any special equipments, if you can see the moon, you will see the eclipse, says Gee. It is a lot easier then a solar eclipse since you dont have to travel, you dont have to have any special glasses.

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Clouds can be a factor in whether or not the moon is very visible or not. Will the clouds hold off tonight? Not fully, but we should never lose track of the moon as we will see some middle and high level clouds streaming through the area tonight. The clouds might be more present along the Wisconsin & Upper Michigan border.

If you happen to miss this one, the next visible lunar eclipse in North America will take place next March.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
This story was updated on March 14, 2025, to include a statement from the National Archives that debunked The Heritage Foundation's alleged proof that former President Joe Biden used an autopen.

In mid-March 2025, a rumor spread online that former U.S. President Joe Biden used an autopen  an automatic signing machine  to sign official presidential documents.

The claim spread through posts on Facebook, X and Reddit, as well as reports from media outlets including Fox News, Newsweek and The Independent. A Fox News Facebook post about Biden's purported autopen signatures has nearly 200,000 reactions and more than 55,000 comments as of this writing. President Donald Trump also said on his social media platform, Truth Social, on March 14 (archived) that the "person who controlled the autopen" was the "real president" during the Biden years. He then claimed on March 17 that Biden's pardons are "hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen."

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These rumors originated from a March 6 X post by the Oversight Project, an investigative arm of the conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation  the same group that authored Project 2025. "WHOEVER CONTROLLED THE AUTOPEN CONTROLLED THE PRESIDENCY," the X post read.

WHOEVER CONTROLLED THE AUTOPEN CONTROLLED THE PRESIDENCY



We gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency.



All used the same autopen signature except for the the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the https://t.co/CC3oJUkNr4 pic.twitter.com/mtNrZsALDu  Oversight Project (@OversightPR) March 6, 2025

The Heritage Foundation and its Oversight Project have a reported history of spreading misleading political information; the group did not respond to a request for comment for more information about its methodologies.

These reports are not credible evidence demonstrating Biden's purported frequent use of an autopen, given that the digitized version of official documents from the U.S. government all use the same image of the president's signature, regardless of who is in office. However, according to CNN, Biden used an autopen to sign at least one piece of legislation  although he would not be the first: Presidents have signed documents using signature copying devices since Thomas Jefferson in 1804; former President Barack Obama was reportedly the first to sign actual legislation with an autopen in 2011.

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It is unclear how often Biden signed other documents, including executive orders and pardons, via autopen. We were unable to reach Biden's team as of this writing.

Biden's signature

The Oversight Project, in its X post, claimed it "gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year."

Images of Biden's purported autopen signature, which reads

Biden's purported autopen signature (top) compared with the signature from his letter dropping out of the race (bottom). (Federal Register / Oversight Project on X)

Fox News claimed it "examined more than 20 Biden-era executive orders documented on the Federal Register's office between 2021 and 2024 and found each had the same signature." The Federal Register is the U.S. government's daily publication for executive orders and other official documents.

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While it is true that many of Biden's executive orders carry a signature matching the one posted by the Oversight Project, the National Archives, which runs the Federal Register, said in an emailed statement that official documents published in the Federal Register use a copy of the president's signature that "comes from one graphic file."

"At the beginning of each administration, the White House sends a sample of the President's signature to the Office of the Federal Register, which uses it to create the graphic image for all Presidential Documents published in the Federal Register," communications staff at the National Archives wrote.

As the Federal Register's digitized documents do not represent what the signature looks like on the original documents, the Oversight Project's claim lacks credibility.

Neither the project nor Fox News provided evidence that these are autopen signatures, other than the fact that the purported autopen signature looked different from the signature Biden used in a letter announcing he would drop out of the presidential race in 2024.

Two side-by-side versions of former President Joe Biden's signature at the end of his executive orders; the signatures appear to match.

Left: An image of Biden's purported autopen signature. Right: An image of Biden's signature from the Federal Register's digitized copy of a Jan. 26, 2021, executive order Biden signed by hand. (Oversight Project / Federal Register / Snopes Illustration)

Furthermore, there are photos of Biden signing  by hand and in person  executive orders that carry signatures matching the purported autopen signature. For example, see this Jan. 26, 2021, Getty Images photo matching this executive order on criminal justice and this July 8, 2022, photo matching this executive order on reproductive rights. One image shows him virtually signing an August 2022 executive order cited by the Oversight Project as supposed evidence that Biden used an autopen (he had COVID-19 at the time and was isolating).

A white man with short white hair in a suit, former President Joe Biden, signs an executive order using a fancy black and gold pen. A graphic overlaid on top of this image shows a zoomed-in and rotated version of his signature within the original image.

Biden signs an executive order on Jan. 26, 2021. A close-up and rotated screenshot of his signature in this image shows similarities to his alleged autopen signature but it does not appear to be an exact match. (Getty Images / Snopes Illustration)

The image of Biden signing the order by hand seems to show a signature similar to the purported autopen one but does not appear to have the loop in the "R" pictured on the Federal Register's copy, demonstrating that, as the National Archives said, the original signature on the documents is not reflected by the digitized versions.

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As Fox News noted, many of President Donald Trump's executive orders from both of his terms also use the same signature.

Four screengrabs of Trump's signature from four different executive orders. Each appear to match each other.

A sampling of Trump's signature on his executive orders published by the Federal Register. (Federal Register / Snopes illustration)

According to a May 2024 CNN story citing an anonymous White House official, Biden did use an autopen to sign a bill extending funding for the Federal Aviation Administration while in San Francisco. The same story said "the use of the autopen has been a rarity in the Biden administration. The White House has gone to great lengths at times to fly physical bills to Biden while he's traveling abroad, including a $40 billion Ukraine aid package the president signed while in South Korea in 2022 and a 2022 bill to avert a government shutdown while the president was on vacation in St. Croix."

Other reputable news outlets, including The Associated Press, covered the White House's efforts to fly bills both to South Korea and St. Croix.

History of the presidential autopen

Thomas Jefferson was the first U.S. president to use a version of the autopen, then known as the polygraph, just a year after its invention in 1803, according to the National Museum of American History. He called it "the finest invention of the present age."

An image of an old wooden device which allows the writer to sign two pieces of paper at once. The writer moved one pen and the other pen mirrored its movements.

A polygraph at Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. (Getty Images)

According to the National Park Service's official Facebook page for the White House and President's Park, the first commercially successful autopen was not developed until 1942, when it "quickly gained popularity in the government."

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"Harry Truman was said to have been the first to put the autopen to use, but Lyndon B. Johnson was the first to be photographed using it. In 1968 the National Enquirer published an article featuring those photos titled "The Robot that Sits in for the President," the post said.

The page noted that it would be "incredibly challenging" for a president to sign, by hand, the thousands of pieces of paper requiring a signature  "from bills and executive directives to letters and photographs."

In 2005, former President George W. Bush asked his Justice Department to determine whether signing legislation passed by Congress with an autopen is constitutional, given that the U.S. Constitution dictates in Article I, Section 7 that presidents "shall sign" bills into law. The government's lawyers determined the president "need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill he approves and decides to sign in order for the bill to become law" and may "direct a subordinate to affix the President's signature to the bill."

However, Bush never used an autopen to sign legislation; presidents reportedly did not sign legislation with autopens until Obama used one while in France to sign a four-year extension of the Patriot Act, a post-9/11 bill meant to combat terrorism, according to numerous news articles. Obama's use became the subject of controversy: 21 Republicans signed a letter calling on Obama to personally re-sign the Patriot Act and commit to signing legislation by hand. It is unclear whether Trump has signed legislation or policy with an autopen, although some reports suggest he signed campaign items for sale via the device.

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Thus, the claim Biden used an autopen to sign official documents may be somewhat truthful, but it lacks context. There is credible evidence that Biden's executive orders purportedly signed via autopen were signed in person and by hand. Furthermore, presidents have used versions of autopens since the 1800s due to the vast number of documents requiring the commander-in-chief's signature.

Sources:

ABC News. "Autographed Trump Hats and Books Sold on His Website Were Signed by Machine." ABC News, 18 Nov. 2016, abcnews.go.com/Politics/autographed-trump-hats-books-sold-website-signed-machine/story?id=43638238. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Baker, Peter, and Zolan Kanno-Youngs. "Biden to Sign Ukraine Aid Bill during His Trip to Asia." The New York Times, 21 May 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/05/21/us/politics/ukraine-aid-bill-biden.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Biden, Joe. "Executive Order 14076 Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services ." Federal Register, 22 July 2022, www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-07-13/pdf/2022-15138.pdf. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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---. "Presidential Documents 7483 Title 3- the President Reforming Our Incarceration System to Eliminate the Use of Privately Operated Criminal Detention Facilities." Federal Register, 29 Jan. 2021, www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-01-29/pdf/2021-02070.pdf. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

---. "Presidential Documents 49505 Title 3- the President Securing Access to Reproductive and Other Healthcare Serv- Ices." Federal Register, 3 Aug. 2022, www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-11/pdf/2022-17420.pdf. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Bloomberg. "US President Joe Biden Signs an Executive Order with US Vice..." Getty Images, 8 July 2022, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-joe-biden-signs-an-executive-order-with-us-vice-news-photo/1241779662?adppopup=true. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

"Chief Executive." Smithsonian National Museum of American History, americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/american-presidency/online/foundations/the-presidents-job/chief-executive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Fram, Alan, and Aamer Madhani. "Ukraine Aid Bill Hitching Ride to Seoul for Biden Signature." AP News, 20 May 2022, apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-south-korea-asia-seoul-b1c87ec419168374e321330886ef6746. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Freeman, Demetrius, et al. "President Joe Biden Signs an Executive Order Virtually during The..." Getty Images, 4 Aug. 2022, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/august-3-2022-us-president-joe-biden-signs-an-executive-news-photo/1242295417?adppopup=true. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Graves, Tom, et al. "Mr. President: On May 26, 2011, the House of Representatives..." CBS News, 7 June 2011, www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/AutopenLetter061711a.pdf. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Justice Department. "Whether the President May Sign a Bill by Directing That His Signature Be Affixed to It." Justice.gov, 5 Dec. 2006, www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/whether-president-may-sign-bill-directing-his-signature-be-affixed-it. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Knoller, Mark. "Obama Uses Autopen, Again, to Sign Bill into Law." Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2011, www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-uses-autopen-again-to-sign-bill-into-law/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

National Archives. "Executive Orders." Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Ngan, Mandel, and Getty Images. "US President Joe Biden Signs Executive Orders after Speaking On..." Getty Images, 26 Jan. 2021, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-joe-biden-signs-executive-orders-after-speaking-news-photo/1230803007?adppopup=true. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Saenz, Arlette, and Clare Foran. "Biden Signs One-Week FAA Extension via Autopen." CNN, 10 May 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/05/10/politics/biden-week-faa-extension-autopen/index.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Seabrook, Andrea. "Obama Wields His ... Autopen?" NPR, 27 May 2011, www.npr.org/2011/05/27/136717719/obama-wields-his-autopen. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Shear, Michael D. "Autopen Is Used to Sign a Bill into Law, a United States First." The New York Times, 28 May 2011, www.nytimes.com/2011/05/28/us/politics/28sign.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Stamp, Jimmy. "President Obama's Autopen: When Is an Autograph Not an Autograph?" Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph-574822/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Stokols, Eli, and Laura Egan. "Worst Trip to St. Croix, Ever." POLITICO, 5 Jan. 2023, www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook/2023/01/05/worst-trip-to-st-croix-ever-00076640. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

"The Robot That Sits in for the President." Archive.org, National Enquirer, web.archive.org/web/20140423055833/signaturemachine.com/company/robot.htm. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

The White House and President's Park. "Got a Pen? The White House Receives Thousands of Pieces of Paper That Require the Signature of the President..." Facebook.com, 24 Aug. 2024, www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=921319726701199&id=100064695398315. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Updates:

March 14, 2025: This story was updated to include a statement from the National Archives confirming that documents published in the Federal Register use an identical image of the president's signature.

March 17, 2025: This story was updated to include comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Biden's purported use of an autopen.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Starting Saturday, residents may start to notice a new bikeshare fleet in the city of Columbus.

Its been months in the making and its a story NBC4 has been following. City leaders hope this new system will be easier for riders to manage than previous fleets

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If youre one of the thousands who uses the citys bike-share system, youll soon start seeing a new company called Veo, which offers a variety of vehicles not seen before in the city of Columbus.

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Were really excited to be offering a new device vendor for our shared mobility program, Justin Goodwin with Columbus Mobility and Parking Services said.

Companies that were in the city including Lime, Bird and CoGo have already been removed from roadways, making room for Veo. Goodwin said the Spin is here to stay through at least 2025.

By offering new technologies, new innovative types of devices, we think were going to see a growing number of people who havent used the options that weve had to date, at least trying these things out, he said.

Veo offers a variety of vehicles including a pedal bike, e-bike, e-scooters and sit-down scooters.

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By bringing in a mixed fleet with multiple vehicles, weve, I think, maximized transportation, equity and accessibility, Veo Senior Policy and Partnerships Manager Joe Bott said. We connect people to transit, to work, to jobs.

Numbers from Mobility and Parking Services show that people take around one million trips a year on scooters and bikes in the city.

Its just a convenient way to get around without having to deal with parking a lot of times too, Nicholas Smith, who uses the citys e-scooters, said.

By 2025, the city expects the population to grow by one million residents.

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We cant add another million cars as we add another million people, Goodwin said.

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The hope is that by offering new technology the city has never seen before, people may opt for using electric scooters instead of taking a car.

This can really make the whole mobility system work better for everybody, Goodwin said.

He said that starting Saturday, residents will see the devices Downtown and in the Ohio State University campus area before expanding. One goal is to see fewer Veos and Spins lying around in random places throughout the city.

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Both vendors will be required to communicate that information in their device applications to their riders, Goodwin said, We will also require the issuing of surcharges or fines for riders if theyre consistently not parking in proper locations.

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The first rollout of Veo will be about 500 vehicles, with more coming in the following months. Veo is also offering promotions that run through the end of April; learn more about that by clicking here.

Goodwin said that Veo will bring in a different revenue structure. There will now be a consistent revenue coming to the city from Veo, Goodwin said; those funds will then be used to reinvest back into the system, specifically to improve device parking infrastructure.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Tools such as military insurance, guarantees, and risk insurance, including political risks, can play a crucial role in supporting the private sector in post-conflict conditions and stimulating investments, said Natalia Gavrilita, former Prime Minister of Moldova (2021-2023), Trend reports.

Speaking at a panel discussion on "Rebuilding for Peace-Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Regional Stability" at the XII Global Baku Forum, Gavrilita noted that security guarantees and internationally recognized rules are essential for businesses to operate in predictable conditions and confidently participate in the reconstruction of post-conflict regions.

"I am also convinced of the importance of financial instruments that allow the government and the private sector to share the risks of post-war recovery. Active planning of investments in post-conflict development can strengthen security guarantees and help prevent future wars," she said.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities."

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(Photo by iStock/Getty Images Plus)

A bill to boost higher education opportunities for prisoners cleared Virginias legislature with bipartisan backing and could soon be signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

House Bill 2158 would establish partnerships between the Virginia Community College System, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Works and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. A task force would develop a plan for strengthening educational offerings to prisoners that includes basic literacy, General Education Diplomas and college degrees.

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Since a decades-long prohibition barring prisoners from qualifying for Pell Grants was lifted in 2023, some strides in offering higher education to inmates have already been made. Pell Grants are a federal subsidy for some qualifying undergraduate students.

While a handful of colleges have partnerships with Virginia prisons, the number has been expected to grow and House Bill 2158 would help more prisons be able to offer higher education.

Kenneth Hunter, an organizer with the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, said the bill matters because of the potential it can kindle in people.

When Hunter was incarcerated, his own attempt to earn a college degree was interrupted during the course of various transfers within VADOC to facilities that didnt have college programs. If HB2158 becomes law, it could prevent others from sharing that experience, he said, adding that hes thrilled by the potential hope it can offer.

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Despite the setbacks in earning a degree of his own during his 22 years served for a nonviolent drug offense, Hunter has gone on to work in political advocacy. As an organizer with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison he lends his insights to lawmakers.

This past legislative session he said he had fun engaging with members of Virginias legislature, and has been grateful for the bipartisanship House Bill 2158 received.

Carried by Dels. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond and Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, it cleared the House and Senate with support from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Thats really refreshing for a criminal justice reform bill, Hunter said.

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He noted that the measure aligns with Youngkins Executive Order 36 from last summer, which directed state agencies to share data to bolster behind-bar opportunities for people and boost post-incarceration support.

That goal was to reduce recidivism, which is when formerly incarcerated people return to prison or jail after re-offending.

Theres no magic wand, Youngkin said of a single method to improve post-incarceration experiences when announcing his order last summer. Its a comprehensive collection of initiatives and relationships.

Hed added that recidivism reminds us that we must do better.

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Hunter sees education opportunities as a key component of keeping people out of prison. The ongoing efforts to offer education to prisoners represents a shift in penal philosophy, he said.

Sometimes just the prospect of getting your (General Education Diploma) is not enough, but if youre like I can get a GED and then I can pursue an associates degree, people may be more inspired to continue their education and focus on their post-incarceration careers, Hunter said.

Youngkin has until March 24 to take action on hundreds of bills that made their way to his desk. He can sign them into law, veto them or seek amendments  which the legislature can then accept or reject early next month. Advocates are hopeful this is one of the bills that will get Youngkins stamp of approval.

As of the time of this publication, a spokesperson for Youngkin said that he is still reviewing the roughly 900 bills that made it to his desk.





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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A bill that would give pesticide companies more legal protections regarding civil lawsuits over labeling is moving through the legislature despite Republicans and Democrats having different interpretations of the proposal.

If the proposed legislation is passed, pesticide manufacturers and sellers would not be held liable for civil action related to the labeling of the pesticide  including failure to warn suits  as long as the product had a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency under federal law when it was sold.

Lawmakers propose adding menstrual products as annual sales tax holiday items

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Some believe that would mean people would be barred from suing pesticide companies if their products made someone sick or caused other harm, as long as the product had an EPA-approved label.

That language blocks any claim under number one: failure to warn, number two: negligence [and] number three: defective design because all those theories of recovery hinge on what the label contains, Danny Ellis, president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association said.

However, others argue that because the EPA reviews and approves the information contained on the labels of pesticide products, companies shouldnt be held liable for failure to warn if the product has an EPA-approved label.

In addition, one farmer testified to lawmakers in a Senate Committee hearing Wednesday that farmers and consumers end up paying for the lawsuits brought against pesticide companies.

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The farmers ultimately pay the cost of this litigation. Through the attrition of farmers, your constituents will ultimately pay it, and I would submit theyre paying it right now in increased food costs, Stefan Maupin, executive director of the Tennessee Soybean Council, said.

However, Democrats criticized the bills sponsor, Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon). Stevens told lawmakers  after being asked  that representatives with Farm Bureau the agricultural association and Bayer, the company owned by the agricultural giant Monsanto, asked him to carry the bill.

I just think its very corrupt to bring a bill here that his own constituents havent even asked for, Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) said. Its making it easier for companies to not be held liable for the products that they produce and its making it harder for people who are going to be harmed by this, who potentially get cancer from these products, to be able to sue them.

Republicans said thats not what the bill would do.

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Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

There are companies out there that are being sued because the label was inaccurate, House majority leader, William Lamberth (R-Portland) said. It did not have proper warnings on it based on one study from another country. So if a label is not on there, that in itself should not be a lawsuit. If someone has gotten cancer from that, and they can prove that in a court of law, theres nothing about that bill that would affect that lawsuit. Its just about the labeling.

The bill is going through the committee process on both the House and Senate sides.

Bayer provided the following statement to News 2:

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Bayer stands behind the safety of glyphosate  backed by the EPA and all leading regulators around the world. It also supports legislation that would help keep crop protection tools in the hands of American farmers.

Proposed legislation at the federal and state level  such as bills being considered in a number of states  would simply help ensure that any pesticide registered with the EPA  and sold under a label consistent with the EPAs own determinations  is sufficient to satisfy requirements for health and safety warnings.

These bills are important because they reinforce the authority of the EPAs rigorous, science-backed labeling decisions, so that when the EPA determines what a crop protection label should say, that decision is consistent and reliable for everyone.

The notion of these bills  including HB 0809 being a blanket immunity shield is a false narrative positioned by the Litigation Industry as a distortion of the truth. No company should be afforded blanket immunity. Plaintiffs regularly allege various causes of action/claims including design defect, Breach of Warranty and others. These are different than failure to warn.

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Nicholas Costanzo, 31, rings up a customer at the Golden Scoop, an ice cream and coffee shop in Overland Park, Kan. Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline.

Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly round up of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: Bill to end subminimum wages falters; Republican bill would let workers send union dues to anyone; Hennepin Healthcare resident physicians move to unionize; U.S. Senate confirms Trumps labor secretary; and fired NLRB member returns to work.

Bill ending subminimum wages for disabled workers falters

A bill backed by Gov. Tim Walz to phase out subminimum wages for disabled workers by 2028 barely made it out of the Senate Labor Committee on Tuesday, signaling its unlikely to make it to the governors desk this year.

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Under a federal program known as 14(c) created in the New Deal of the 1930s for disabled soldiers, certain employers can pay less than minimum wages to disabled workers based on their productivity, usually for repetitive tasks like shredding documents or stuffing greeting cards in plastic sleeves in sheltered work environments. Most of these employers are organizations that also provide disability services and supervision.

Opponents of the program, including disability rights groups, argue the practice is demeaning and exploitative while often trapping disabled people in menial jobs.

Subminimum wage is an antiquated system that has continued to survive due to so many ideas that simply arent true, the worst of which is that people arent capable of more, Jillian Nelson, policy director at the Autism Society of Minnesota, told the Senate Labor Committee on Tuesday.

But supporters of the program, including many parents of severely disabled workers, say their children truly arent capable of landing a job in the mainstream workforce. If they were, they would already be working for higher wages.

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They argue eliminating the subminimum wage will shutter work programs for disabled people, depriving their children of a meaningful experience and the opportunity to earn any wages.

James Clapper told the Senate Labor Committee his son, Bob, has made incredible strides in his skills and productivity in the 17 years hes worked under the 14(c) provision, and his hourly wage has increased accordingly from about $2.35 to a little over $9.

He does require close supervision and has very limited language skills so probably has reached his potential, Clapper said. If 14(c) is eliminated in Minnesota, he will not likely make it to competitive integrated employment and may end up in just life enrichment and volunteer work only, which is unacceptable.

At least 16 states have already eliminated the subminimum wage, while the Biden administration proposed phasing out issuing 14(c) licenses.

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Minnesota has been moving toward eliminating the program as well, with a state Task Force to Eliminate Subminimum Wages recommending the Legislature end the practice by Aug. 1, 2025. The number of people paid a subminimum wage has been on the decline in recent years  now just over 3,000 workers in Minnesota  in large part because of a concerted effort to move disabled people into mainstream jobs.

Some employment service providers like Richfield-based Lifeworks have voluntarily exited the 14(c) program and instead focus on supporting disabled workers in finding and maintaining jobs in the mainstream workforce.

Keeri Tramm, director of disability initiatives at LifeWorks, told lawmakers that after the organization made the transition in 2017, some workers moved to competitive employment while others chose to retire or pursue non-work activities. Just one person opted to continue with subminimum wages through a different provider, Tramm said. Last year, the organization helped more than 500 people find or maintain work, with new hires earning on average more than $15 an hour.

Yet Republicans and some Democrats remained skeptical that the 14(c) program should be eliminated altogether if it means ending work opportunities for the most severely disabled.

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I want to make sure that these folks have an option to get in the door to employment, said Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, before voting with Republicans on an amendment that would have effectively killed the proposal.

The bill (SF2149), authored by Sen. Jen McEwen, DFL-Duluth, was sent to the health and human services committee without a recommendation for its passage.

Bill would let union workers to pay dues to anyone

Five Minnesota House Republicans introduced a bill to let union members send their dues to any national, state or local organization of their choice.

Its a unique variation on so-called right to work laws, enacted in 26 other states, that make paying union fees optional. In Minnesota, private sector workers covered by union labor agreements must at least pay fair share fees to support the cost of the unions collective bargaining.

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The bill (HF2240) is certain to fail in an evenly divided House and Democratic-controlled Senate but nevertheless sends a message about Republicans priorities should they win control of state government. Republicans have enjoyed a growing base of support among working-class voters even while sticking to a traditionally conservative policy agenda on unions, the minimum wage and worker safety laws.

Labor leaders say the bill is an attempt to hurt unions by siphoning away funds they use to negotiate contracts, challenge unfair labor practices, organize new workers and lobby for worker-friendly legislation.

What it comes down to is they want less power for unions, said Brad Lehto, secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.

Proponents of right to work say requiring workers to pay any fees as a condition of employment at a unionized job infringes on workers freedoms and forces them to bankroll political activities they may not agree with.

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The bills lead author, Rep. Ben Bakeberg, a Republican school administrator from Jordan, was not available for comment.

The bill includes public sector workers, although it would have no meaningful effect on them. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that public employees could not be required to pay union fees because it infringed on their right to free speech.

Since then, public sector unions have seen a significant drop in membership, though not as much as expected and they continue to be an influential force. About one-third of public-sector workers are union members nationally, about five times as high as the private sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Public sector unions have also seen a surge in new members since the Trump administration launched an unprecedented assault on the size of the federal workforce, with the American Federation of Government Employees growing to a record size.

Hennepin Healthcare resident physicians move to unionize

A majority of the more than 200 resident physicians at Hennepin Healthcare announced their intent to unionize on Wednesday, joining a wave of organizing campaigns by doctors and advanced health care providers across the country.

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Hennepin Healthcare resident physicians say they earn low wages while being pushed to the breaking point during long days treating some of the states sickest and poorest residents at the major Level I trauma center in downtown Minneapolis.

Resident physicians work under the supervision of attending physicians for several years after medical school, often putting in grueling 80-hour weeks. With a starting salary of around $67,000, residents complain they earn around the Minneapolis minimum wage of $15.97 an hour.

Attending physicians are not unionized at Hennepin Healthcare, and its still rare for doctors  traditionally the most privileged and valued of hospital staff  to pursue collective bargaining to improve their wages and conditions. But the consolidation of health care is making doctors increasingly feel more like workers on assembly lines than masters of their own practices.

The petition will be reviewed by the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services, which oversees public sector unions. If the agency verifies that a majority of the bargaining unit has signed in support of unionizing, then the union will be certified without holding another election.

Trumps labor secretary confirmed with Democratic votes

President Trumps Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer won Senate confirmation on Monday by picking up 17 Democratic votes including from Sen. Amy Klobuchar which more than offset the three Republicans who rejected her nomination.

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Chavez-DeRemer, a one-term Oregon congresswoman, hopes to bridge the divide between Republicans growing working-class base and the partys traditional pro-business agenda.

The daughter of a Teamster, Chavez-DeRemer had the backing of Teamster President Sean OBrien, who has curried favor with Trump by speaking at the Republican National Convention and declining to make an endorsement in the 2024 presidential election.

Chavez-DeRemeber was a rare Republican co-author of the labor-backed Protecting the Right to Organize Act  PRO Act  which would weaken red states right-to-work laws. Those laws bar unions from charging fees to non-members who are covered by their collective bargaining agreements. The bill would also add penalties for employers that violate labor law and make it easier for workers to unionize.

But during her Senate confirmation hearing, Chavez DeRemer walked back her support for the bill while not fully disavowing it, which did not seem to satisfy ardent supporters or opponents of the bill.

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Chavez-DeRemer takes the helm of the agency that investigates labor abuses and worker injuries  with the directive to carry-out massive layoffs as the president and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency purge the government of tens of thousands of workers.

Judge returns Gwynne Wilcox to National Labor Relations Board

National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox returned to work on Monday to cheers from supporters after a federal judge ruled that she was illegally fired by Trump, writing that an American president is not a king.

The firing paralyzed the board, which oversees union elections and unfair labor practice complaints, because its remaining two members were not enough for a quorum to issue decisions.

If we cant function  there are people who are waiting every day for our decision, she told supporters, according to HuffPost. So for every day that a decision is not issued, we are really not doing our jobs.

NLRB members are supposed to be shielded from presidential removal, except for neglect or malfeasance. The Trump administration quickly appealed the ruling in a case that could greatly expand presidential power if it goes before the conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  A new bill proposed in Illinois would reduce the distance convicted sex offenders are required to observe when living near schools.

Senate Bill 2254, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago), would reduce the distance sex offenders are required to stay from schools and playgrounds from 500 feet to 250 feet.

The bill also proposes changing the check-in requirement for sex offenders without a fixed residence from weekly to 90 days.

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The Illinois Sheriffs Association has voiced opposition to the bill.

And I think from a law enforcement perspective, you know, certainly we want to make sure that people can find viable housing. [We] understand that completely, but at the same time, if were going to err on this, were going to err on the side of caution that an increased distance or an enhanced distance of 500 feet today, that it should remain that, said executive director Jim Kaitschuk.

The bill was introduced in February and has not yet been assigned to a committee.

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Kaiser Permanente workers with the SEIU Local 105 union strike on Oct. 4, 2023, at the Lakewood Medical Offices in Colorado. (Lindsey Toomer/ Colorado Newsline)

A Colorado House of Representatives committee approved a bill Thursday that would make it easier to form unions in Colorado by removing the states requirement for a second vote.

Senate Bill 25-5, dubbed the Worker Protection Act, would eliminate a second election mandated by Colorados Labor Peace Act to form a union, a requirement unique to Colorado that passed in the 1940s. Federal law allows employees to unionize with a simple majority vote, but Colorado workers must participate in a second vote with 75% approval to determine if workers who dont support the union have to pay representation fees.

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Strong worker protections and thriving business go hand in hand, said Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat who sponsored the bill. All of us want business to thrive, but businesses thriving should not be on the backs of workers. It shouldnt be based on paying workers wages where they cant afford to live in the communities that they serve.

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The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, meeting at the Colorado Capitol in Denver, voted 7-5 to pass the bill along party lines, with Republicans voting against it after witness testimony ran late into the night. One Democrat on the committee, Rep. Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch, was excused during the vote. He offered an amendment the committee ultimately did not vote on because it was determined to be outside the scope of the bills title, and bill sponsors said neither workers nor business asked for the changes the amendment proposed.

In his opening remarks, Mabrey emphasized the fact that five former U.S. secretaries of Labor wrote to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in support of the bill in early February, saying the requirement for a second vote creates an unnecessary barrier to unionization. Polis has suggested that he will not support the legislation unless a compromise arises.

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At a press conference Thursday, Polis told reporters the bill is about the right of workers to have a say on whether theyre forced to pay union dues, and that a second election provides that. He said he will support a solution that presents a way of organizing thats more stable, though he would not state directly whether he would sign the bill as is.

Im optimistic that labor and business are talking. I hope that those conversations are fruitful, Polis said. I encourage both sides to come to an agreement that is good for business and good for labor.

Strong worker protections and thriving business go hand in hand.

 State Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat

Rep. Max Brooks, a Castle Rock Republican on the business committee, asked if the second vote was a barrier as bill sponsors described it, or more of an additional step. Assistant House Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat who also sponsored the bill, said the requirement for a second election adds more time that businesses and employers can dissuade workers from voting in favor of a union.

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If we know that a community of workers believes they want to work together, they should be able to make that decision once and not be challenged to have to do it again, Bacon said. If we want to call it step, Id be OK with that, but I do want to recognize that the step is much more rigorous than the first.

Terri Monley, who owns a family-owned and operated moving company in Denver that opened in the 1970s, said the requirement for a second vote is an antiquated law that serves no common good. She told the committee the decision on whether a contract should include union security should be between the workers and their employer.

For far too long, the state Legislature has put the economic desires and the wants of the wealthiest above the rest of us, Monley said. Putting arbitrary and onerous laws on people who are trying to form a union only delays and lengthens the process. There is no point to this tactic, except in helping businesses wear down their employees. And Colorado should have no role in this tactic.

Jeremy Ross, who spoke on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said not a single worker has testified in opposition to the bill. He said workers have choice throughout the whole process of unionizing and what the union will do for them.

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Not a single worker (came) up here and said, I am in a position where I was forced to pay union dues and I have no voice in where those union dues go, he said. The union process is a Democratic process from the very beginning, from the very second that you elect a union or if youre getting employment at a union employer.

Leaders with various business associations, chambers of commerce and companies testified against the bill. Sonia Riggs, president and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association, said the restaurant industry is being directly targeted by unions, listing businesses in the state that have unionized in recent years.

This bill is extremely burdensome for Colorado restaurant workers, Riggs said. Any employee who isnt able to be there for the proposed one and only union vote for any reason  a school exam, a sick child or parent, bad weather or simply working a different shift  is denied a voice in an important decision that impacts whether or not they are forced to pay union dues or quit their jobs.

The bill passed the Colorado Senate in a 22-12 vote along party lines in February, with Republicans in opposition. It will now move to the House Appropriations Committee before it is heard on the House floor.

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State Rep. Josh Hurlbert, a Smithville Republican, speaks Thursday in favor of his bill revising how utility rates are set by repealing a law prohibiting charges for new power plants during their construction. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)

The Missouri House on Thursday voted to repeal a utility consumer protection law passed by voters almost 50 years ago.

The bill that originated in the state Senate drew bipartisan support and opposition on the 96-44 vote, with 20 Democrats joining 76 Republicans to support it and 23 Republicans lining up with 21 Democrats to oppose it. Three Democratic members voted present.

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With the vote, the bill became the third measure to clear both chambers this session.

While the bill makes a variety of changes to utility law, the most controversial piece would give the Missouri Public Service Commission authority to allow customers to be charged for building new electric generating plants.

Known as a charge for Construction Work in Progress, or CWIP, it has been banned since 1976, when consumers were worried about the cost of nuclear power.

For backers of the bill, the question to be answered is whether Missouri will become the home to new electric generation plants. For opponents, the question is whether it will force power rates up faster than they would increase otherwise.

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If Missouri utilities arent given the CWIP allowance, they will be forced to buy power in the interstate competitive market when demand peaks, state Rep. Josh Hurlbert, the bills handler, said during debate.

If you truly care about the utility bills of your constituents, voting for this bill actually helps them, because it protects them from those massive prices at the other market, Hurlbert said.

Opponents of the measure have argued it will add as much as $1,100 a year to residential utility bills. Arguments that the power will be cheaper with the bill than without it are hard to accept, said state Rep. Ray Reed, a Democrat from St. Louis County.

Folks dont care how bad it could have been, Reed said. They just see that eggs are $9 and that we voted for utility bills to go higher.

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The CWIP charge would be allowed for power plants that use natural gas to generate electricity. In another section, it would be allowed for new generating plants, including nuclear, that are part of an approved plan for meeting power demands.

Supporters have said it is unlikely it will be used for nuclear power because the plant would have to be completed by 2035, when the allowance for CWIP charges expires.

Other provisions in the bill would:

Allow future test year rates. Currently, rates are set after the PSC examines the actual costs incurred to deliver service and determines if each expense was prudent and necessary. In a future test year scenario, the utility would outline what it expects to spend and the costs would be pre-approved by the PSC.

Require electric utilities to submit plans projecting demand for at least 16 years into the future and plans for meeting those demands. This is the section that allows CWIP for any form of generation approved in the resource plan.

Increase the assessment on utility revenue to fund the PSC and, for the first time, add an assessment to support the Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumer interests before the commission.

Change the shut-off rule for hot and cold weather. Instead of using 24-hour forecasts, the rule would use 72-hour forecasts, prohibiting shutoffs for non-payment in summer if the temperature is expected to exceed 95 and winter if it is forecast to go below 32 within that period.

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Passage of the CWIP repeal is the culmination of decades of work by utility companies. The last major effort came in 2009, as Ameren was seeking a license to build a new reactor at the Callaway nuclear plant.

Some of the Republican opponents to the measure objected to the heavy lobbying pressure for the bill. State Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, said there were squadrons of lobbyists roaming our halls but he hadnt heard from any utility customers asking for the bill to be passed.

Instead, he noted, even his voters, who get their power from rural electric cooperatives, are worried about higher prices. Electric cooperatives are not regulated by the PSC.

Ive had no less than 25 emails from constituents who are concerned about this, and Ive reassured them that theyre in coop, this doesnt affect them, Mayhew said. But that doesnt mean I shouldnt care about my friends and the Kansas City and the St Louis areas.

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State Rep. Brad Pollitt, a Sedalia Republican, said power from generating plants built in Missouri is more reliable than power from plants built elsewhere. Pollitt sponsored one of the House bills to repeal CWIP.

Its important that when we flip the switch, our lights come on, Pollitt said. In agriculture, its important that when we have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grain and grain bins, that those dryers are going to work.

Passage of the bill drew praise from business interests and scorn from environmentalists.

Reliable, resilient and affordable energy is essential to retaining and attracting business to the state, said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This legislation will help Missouri meet the growing demand for energy.

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The bill upsets the balanced utility ratemaking process that weighs consumer protection against utility profits, the Sierra Club said in a statement.

This bill will financially harm families and businesses, said Jenn DeRose, Missouri senior organizer with the Sierra Club, because increasing electric bills several years before a power plant begins producing power will drive up the price of everything, from eggs to electronics and beyond.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentuckys abortion ban allows an exception when the life of the mother is at risk, but where does the law draw that line? State lawmakers debated that question at length Thursday before delivering a clarification bill to the governors desk.

They are telling us that they are unable to treat women. Theres not a lot of clarity. And so that is what this seeks to do, Rep. Kim Moser (R-Taylor Mill) said on the House floor on Thursday.

The addition to this bill is false hope, Rep. Sarah Stalker (D-Louisville) argued later in the same floor debate.

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Members of medical community speak out against Kentuckys abortion bans

House Bill 90 passed the House with bipartisan support exactly one week ago. It was originally designed to create a legal framework for the operation of freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky. The newly modified bill still does that; however, on Wednesday night, a Senate committee added several new sections aimed at addressing the lone exception to Kentuckys abortion ban.

I cant vote for this legislation because I dont know if it takes us a step forward or it takes a step back, Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville) said on the Senate floor Thursday morning. I also cant vote against it because if there is a chance that it will save the lives of women in our state, I wont vote against that bill, she added.

The bill cleared both chambers before noon on Thursday. Supporters said the new language is intended to clarify the law determining when the life of the mother is at risk to end a pregnancy and remove any legal ambiguity around miscarriage management, molar or ectopic pregnancies, sepsis, or hemorrhaging.

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So, one question Im going to have is, is it more or less restrictive than the current understanding in the medical community? Gov. Andy Beshear said at Thursdays Team Kentucky briefing, giving no clear indication on if the bill will earn his signature or a veto.

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This was asked for by the medical community. They came to us to try to figure this out, Moser said when similar questions were asked on the House floor.

GOP supporters said the bill is just meant to give needed clarity on Kentuckys abortion law, but the chief concern from Democrats is if the list of conditions is exhaustive enough to cover all situations and if non-medical terms in the bill meet the muster of the law.

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Some of your TikTok feeds might feature the content of Kim Raymond Ray Feaste , a Black man who is often seen living his best life with his pet monkey, Thabo. However, the creator claims hes been the target of both critics and cops following a series of complaints.

Feaste toldLocal 10 News his life with Thabo began five years ago when a Las Vegas lab donated the baby monkey to him after the animals mother died in the lab. Thabo ended up in the labs custody from a long line of African vervet monkeys who were imported for polio vaccine research, some of whom escaped and found safety in the wild by Dania Beach, Fla., the report says.

Since the two have been together, Feaste documents his daily life with Thabo through a series of amusing social media posts. From them going on shopping trips to the supermarket, hopping about hotel rooms and munching down on chicken wings, the trend across content is often that Thabo is let loose in the environment. The two have rendered over three million followers.

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Here, Thabo appears to tear up a hotel room:

yall need to stop trying to domesticate wild animals  pic.twitter.com/PWo0YkSXVF  welp. (@YSLONIKA) August 28, 2023

Biologists Speak Out

Biologists have grown concerned about Thabos content, arguing the monkey needs to be in the wild instead of living the life of a domesticated pet. Veternarian Dr. Pete Otovic told Local 10 its highly unlikely a facility would simply give away their baby monkey.

Other monkey experts worry about the safety of human beings around these animals as well as the health of the monkeys themselves.

Im concerned for the welfare of the monkey, because I know hes not being properly taken care of and they do need lots of mental enrichment, healthy appetite, those types of things said Dr. Deborah Missy Williams, an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel.



Police Trouble

Experts arent the only ones who were bothering Feaste about his monkey. The creator uploaded a YouTube video showing body camera footage he obtained from the Dooly County and Turner County Sheriffs Offices in Georgia when he was stopped by officers back in October of 2024.

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In one clip, Turner County Sheriffs Deputy Justin Partain pulled Feaste over for allegedly following too close to the tractor trailer in front of him. Dash camera footage shows the two vehicles werent even in the same lane.

During the encounter, the video footage shows the officer notice Thabo, who was in a cage in the back of the vehicle, asking Feaste if he had paperwork to transport the monkey.

Theres no paperwork required if Im just traveling through the state, Feaste responded.

Yes sir, you got to have paperwork with you to transport a monkey, the officer said. Though, he never produced information as to what paperwork Feaste needed.

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As a result, Partain made Feaste step out of his car and frisked him for weapons. Then, he left Feaste with a warning.

I have two sheriffs departments that are conspiring and colluding to send me away to prison for literally no reason and all of the evidence to show that Im innocent is on video, Feaste said in the video, arguing that his constitutional rights were violated.

Prior Police Trouble

Further fueling the concern about Thabo is the fact Feastes record isnt necessarily squeaky clean. CBS reports that back in 2013, he was arrested in Florida on the suspicion of stealing an endangered loggerhead sea turtle as well as seizing sea turtle eggs from their nest. However, the charge was dismissed after the judge found officers didnt read him his Miranda rights and determined he was incompetent to stand trial, per Sun Sentinels report.

As of now, Feaste isnt on the radar of The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, allowing him and Thabo to continue living life like its golden, per Local 10. Though, the chance of him being apprehended by authorities is still likely.

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By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's security forces will "very soon" receive advice from Erik Prince, the private security executive, on fighting criminal gangs that are attempting to increase violence ahead of an April presidential runoff vote, Interior Minister John Reimberg said.

President Daniel Noboa, who is locked in a tight contest with his leftist rival, said this week the South American country would work with Prince, who founded Blackwater before renaming the private military company and selling it in 2010 after several employees were indicted on charges of unlawfully killing Iraqi civilians. The men were convicted but later pardoned by President Donald Trump.

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Noboa has declared a war on gangs as he tries to control violence with military presence on the streets and state of emergency declarations in dangerous areas.

"Erik Prince's group will help us and we are going to do what it takes to achieve it," Reimberg told Reuters late on Thursday. "It's everything we have to do, we don't rule out absolutely anything."

"People will come who are prepared to give the necessary support to our police and military forces to get out of this crime problem," he said.

Reimberg said the explosion of at least one car bomb outside a Guayaquil prison on Thursday morning, which killed one guard, was a reaction to Noboa's meeting with Prince.

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"That's fear about what we are willing to do to reduce crime," Reimberg said.

Criminal gangs are trying to stoke violence ahead of the April 13 runoff, Reimberg added.

Leftist Luisa Gonzalez, a protege of former President Rafael Correa, has challenged Noboa's security strategy and promised more social programs alongside security efforts.

The 2023 election, in which Noboa won his truncated term, was marked by violence, including the assassination of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Blake Livelys latest legal request in her ongoing legal battle against her It Ends with Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni has been granted, marking one of her first major victories in the case.

The 37-year-old Gossip Girl star is suing Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment on set and for later allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign intended to destroy her reputation in the months following the films release. Baldoni, who denies the allegations, has filed a $400m countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

Lively recently submitted a request that certain discoveries made in the case be available for their attorneys eyes only to protect against any leaks of sensitive information.

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There is an insatiable appetite for any information about this case, no matter how benign it is, Livelys attorney, Meryl Governski, told New York Judge Lewis Liman during a telephone conference earlier this month. The defendants have bragged in text messages about being able to publish information without fingerprints.

Governski said one category of information that needs to be kept between lawyers related to medical information, including mental health, and that personal and intimate conversations with unrelated third parties must be kept out of the public eye because  while the public relations value would be high  the evidentiary value would be virtually nonexistent.

Liman went ahead and ruled in favor of Livelys request on Thursday, agreeing that highly personal and intimate information about third parties will only be seen by lawyers. Neither Lively nor Baldoni will have access to the information, which includes details about the actors, such as medical records, trade secrets and security measures taken by each.

A judge has granted Blake Lively's legal request that certain materials discovered in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni remain only for their attorneys' eyes (Getty Images)

The risk of disclosure is great, Liman said of the potential for gossip and innuendo to spread if the sensitive information was somehow leaked.

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While Baldonis lawyers did not object to certain material being kept from the press and public, they argued that being unable to share the findings with their clients would make it difficult to litigate the case and potentially lead both sides to raise additional legal arguments.

Liman limited the attorneys eyes only material to information that was highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury. He noted that confidentiality would speed up the discovery process.

Early last month, Baldonis legal team launched a website containing documents and text messages linked to the case. Lively later requested that certain material be categorized as attorneys eyes only after she said she received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications after speaking out.

Baldonis legal team then accused Lively of trying to shield, from public view, documents and information exchanged herein for the sake of her reputation.

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Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Livelys claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence, Baldonis legal team wrote in a letter to the judge.

A trial date is set for May 29, 2026.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Today, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Asad Majeed Khan, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports, citing the nation's foreign ministry.

According to the ministry, the meeting focused on the opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the ECO, efforts to strengthen the organization's activities, preparations for the upcoming Summit, and regional issues.

Minister Bayramov emphasized Azerbaijan's significant role in the work of the ECO, highlighting the economic, trade, and transport-communication opportunities in the region covered by the organization. He stressed the importance of utilizing the regions existing potential.

The discussions also touched on Azerbaijan's leadership of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the importance of advancing environmental initiatives within the ECO framework.

During the meeting, other matters of mutual interest were also discussed.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Blake Lively has secured a significant win in her ongoing legal battle with "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni.

The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when the "Gossip Girl" alum sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, alleging that he made inappropriate remarks about her and Ryan Reynolds private life and openly discussed his past struggles with pornography addiction.

Now, the case has taken a turn as a judge has granted Blake Lively's request for a protective order, preventing Baldoni from publicly releasing sensitive material related to the case.

Blake Lively Scores Legal Victory As Judge Grants Protective Order In Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

MEGA

According to court documents obtained by Page Six on Thursday, Livelys legal team expressed concerns that Baldoni might leak private videos, emails, and text messages, some of which reportedly involve high-profile individuals, including her famous friends.

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The ruling ensures that certain evidence, including non-public photographs, videos, audio recordings, personal relationship details, and medical or mental health records, will be deemed confidential and restricted to attorneys eyes only.

However, a loophole in the ruling allows that any documents submitted as evidence during the trial in March 2026 will not be sealed, making them accessible to the public.

Livelys Legal Team Celebrates Court Win As Protective Order Secures Sensitive Evidence

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Despite this, Livelys legal team considers the ruling a victory.

The Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individuals security, her team told TMZ.

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With this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court," they added.

Baldonis Lawyer Pushes Back On Blake Livelys Legal Strategy Amid Protective Order Ruling

Jaxon / MEGA

Baldonis attorney, Bryan Freedman, also responded to the ruling, telling Page Six that they agreed with the decisions narrow scope of protections. However, Freedman took issue with what he described as Livelys exceedingly overbroad demand for documents spanning two and a half years.

We remain focused on the necessary communications that will directly contradict Ms. Livelys unfounded accusations, Freedman added. We will oppose any efforts by Ms. Lively and her team to hamper our clients ability to defend against her attacks by incorrectly categorizing important information as trade secrets.

The ruling follows a March 6 hearing, where Livelys legal team argued that without a protective order, there was a significant chance of irreparable harm to high-profile individuals with no relevance to the case if certain communications were made public.

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Baldonis team did not contest the need for confidentiality protections.

Justin Baldoni Escalates Legal Battle With New Website

Jaxon / MEGA

After Lively's initial filing, Baldoni countersued in January 2025, filing a $400 million defamation lawsuit against his co-star and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

He also launched a website displaying text message exchanges with Lively, which he claimed refuted her allegations. Baldonis legal team, headed by prominent attorney Bryan Freedman, informed TMZ that the website will be regularly updated to present a transparent, factual account of events. Their aim is to give the public access to the evidence, allowing them to draw their own conclusions. However, it seems that with the judge's latest order, this will no longer be the case.

One document on the website includes multiple text exchanges between Baldoni and Lively, offering insight into their professional dynamic during the development of the movie.

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A standout conversation from February 2023 captures Baldoni sharing script revisions with Lively as they worked together to refine the film. The messages suggest that beyond discussing the screenplay, they were also establishing a sense of trust and collaboration as co-stars.

In response to Baldonis notes, Lively reassured him by replying, "You're safe here," implying that he could express his thoughts openly without fear of judgment in their creative discussions.

Baldoni Releases Behind-The-Scenes Footage To Dispute Blake Livelys Harassment Claims

Jaxon / MEGA

In addition to the website, and in response to Livelys December 20 sexual harassment complaint, Baldonis attorney, Bryan Freedman, released behind-the-scenes footage from the set of the 2024 hit film.

The video was presented as evidence to challenge Livelys allegations, including a claim regarding an interaction during a "slow dance scene" in the movie.

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Lively alleged that Baldoni leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear down her neck, while whispering, It smells so good. However, the released footage offers a different perspective.

In the clip, Lively can be heard joking, Im probably getting spray tan on you, to which Baldoni laughs and replies, It smells good.

As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the courtroom showdown set for March 2026.
Roadways open after low visibility force closure in Deming area

UPDATE: All roadways are now open, according to NMDOT.

ORIGINAL: EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Roadways in the Deming area are closed due to high winds and no visibility on Thursday, March 13, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) said.

High winds, travel advisory issued for Southwest New Mexico

Roadways closed include the following, according to NMDOT:

NM 549 is closed from milepost 0 (Deming) to milepost 31.

NM 11 is closed from milepost 4 (Columbus) to milepost 26 (Sunshine Rd).

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The department said its monitoring the roadway and nearby areas.

This is a developing story and we will update once we learn more.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Update: The Idaho Department of Transportations website is no longer showing a crash on Interstate 184 as of 6:50 p.m. Thursday. Idaho State Police didnt immediately respond to an email seeking information on the collision.

Commuters driving near the Flying Wye area of Interstate 184 in Boise should expect delays Thursday afternoon following a wreck.

The eastbound ramp off of South Cole Road that connects commuters to I-184 or Franklin Road is partly closed, and drivers should be prepared to stop because of a crash, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.

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The right-hand lane of the ramp is blocked off with cones, and a sign has been put in the lane to inform drivers to merge to the left-hand lane, according to an image posted on Idaho 511.

Another camera located farther down the freeway as drivers merge onto I-184 showed a vehicle that had gone over the barrier and several Idaho State Police vehicles.

Its unclear what caused the accident. The Idaho Statesman reached out to Idaho State Police for more information.
Soldiers of the Sumy Border Guard Detachment, together with other components of Ukraines defence forces, have repelled an attack by a Russian subversive reconnaissance group.

Source: State Border Guard Service

Details: It is reported that yesterday [13 March  ed.], during a joint combat mission in Sumy Oblast, border guards and servicemen from other components of the defence forces discovered up to ten members of a Russian subversive reconnaissance group who had crossed the border from Russia and were moving deep into Ukrainian territory.

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The Ukrainian forces began firing on the saboteurs. A mortar unit was involved.

Border guards emphasise that counter-sabotage measures are now being implemented, with the assistance of additional soldiers.

Quote: "The coordinated actions of the units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine did not allow the enemy to implement their plans, forcing the enemy to retreat".

Background:

On 12 March, Andrii Demchenko, the spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, said that in an attempt to force Ukrainian units out of Kursk Oblast, Russian troops were conducting assault operations in Sumy Oblast, but without success.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Russians are using assault units of airborne troops and special operations forces to break through Ukrainian defences, push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of Kursk Oblast and transfer the fighting to Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts.

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MARFA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Welcome Dolly, the first foal ever born into a horse patrol detachment in the 100-year history of the Border Patrol. The U.S Border Patrols Big Bend Sector is marking a historic milestone with the birth of its new horse.

Her arrival represents an important achievement in the Border Patrols longstanding tradition of using horses to patrol rugged terrain along the U.S./Mexico border.

A little history about Dolly; she was born on March 9 to her mother, Juanita, at the Sierra Blanca U.S Border Patrol Station in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Dolly stands out from the rest of the sectors mounted patrol horses due to her striking unique one blue eye.

The name Dolly was picked from a list of names submitted by students from the Sierra Blanca Independence School District, showing the communitys involvement in this special occasion.

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Dolly is the first foal ever born on a U.S. Border Patrol horse, and she represents the potential of our program, Chief Patrol Agent Lloyd M. Easterling said. We are equally proud that the community had a hand in naming her.

The Big Bend Sectors Horse Patrol is a huge benefit to border security because the horses can go on roads that vehicles cannot reach. Horses provide a strategic advantage in remote areas by helping agents track, detect and interdict illegal activity while also strengthening the connection between Border Patrol and local communities.

Right now, both Dolly and her mother Juanita are being closely monitored to ensure the little one is growing strong and healthy. In the future, Dolly will start her journey with Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Station and then potentially joining the ranks of the Border Patrols trusted equine stable.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Years ago, I attended a conference on investigative reporting and a particular way of thinking about reporting stuck with me: Operate with the conviction that every piece of information you may need for a story is written down somewhere.

And: You are entitled to it.

Not just you, as a journalist, you as a citizen.

Think about it.

Every ticket written, every bill passed, every judgement filed, every contract signed, every bonus paid, every campaign contribution received, every dinner bought, every report filed  about inmates being punished, potholes being filled, travel being taken, taxes raised.

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Thats nothing to be alarmed about. Quite the opposite: Its something to be celebrated.

Thats what news organizations do each year, as they mark Sunshine Week, which begins Sunday. The week recognizes a bedrock aspect of our Constitution, the First Amendment, and two things that give it real teeth  open meetings laws and open records laws (often given the shorthand of FOIA, for the federal Freedom of Information Act).

Greg Borowski, new executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

Now, in practice, these laws carry some exceptions. We understand that. But the spirit is clear: Information about what government is doing should be available to the maximum extent possible, to be used by the people that government serves. Thats all of us.

At the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, we use these laws all the time in pursuit of stories that serve our readers and our communities. This ranges from exposing gaps in Milwaukee Countys Brady List of police officers found to be untruthful to gathering data from 72 Wisconsin counties to understand the real picture of gun deaths in the state.

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Weve also used public records to expose problems at the Milwaukee Housing Authority, in state prisons, Milwaukee Public Schools, even how the chair of the Milwaukee County Board expensed roller blades and a MAC membership.

Nowhere in those laws does it say this information is available to journalists. All of that same information is available to anyone.

Its why you can search court cases online, and check campaign contributions and read the same information elected officials do before they vote on bills and measures. If you want to see what youre paying in property taxes, compared to your neighbor, you can. If you want to see how many times cars have been ticketed for speeding on your street, you can.

Thats why Im especially proud of an initiative launched by our staff.

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To help bring more awareness to public records, Journal Sentinel staffers have been offering public records training sessions to resident-led groups across the city.

For instance, on a recent Saturday, reporters Ashley Luthern and John Diedrich  members of our investigative team  joined a dozen residents at Amani United's regular meeting to talk about public records. In an interactive presentation, the two walked through what a public record is  and is not  and where residents can find data, information and other records.

They gave practical examples: How to request a police report, where to look up property inspection records and how to find the latest on licensing of new businesses in the area.

Our reporters will be back with Amani United next month for a second session to give hands-on help to residents who want to find specific pieces of information or file their own records requests. If you would like reporters to join your neighborhood meeting to talk public records, let us know  you can email Ashley, our deputy investigations editor, at ashley.luthern@jrn.com.

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Thats one thing we can do.

What can you do?

First, you can support independent journalism. It can cost a lot of money to obtain records  from police body cam footage to databases to stacks of documents. Often, those holding the records will drive the costs as high as possible, causing some to abandon the effort.

There are many ways through the Local Media Foundation, a nonprofit group, that you can make a difference for our newsroom  including a donation that will advance our work.

Second, push back when a public official wants to give you less information, or create new barriers to getting information it should provide readily.

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Weve seen that most recently at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiners office, which suddenly is refusing to provide basic information to the public in a timely manner on deaths it investigates: homicides, fatal crashes, drug overdoses, weather-related deaths. This includes such key information as when and where an incident occurred.

Under the recently-retired Karen Domagalski, the office had set a gold-standard for openness. No longer. Combine the new hurdles with the Milwaukee Police Departments refusal in its news releases about incidents to even give the gender of a victim, and it means you know much less about the public safety picture in our community.

Now, as a newsroom, we can push back  and we will. And we will keep seeking the same information from alternate sources, from family members and others, in order to cover such a vital topic with depth and context. We will not be deterred.

But something important is lost when information becomes less available.

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And if it is harder for us to get it, that means it is harder for you as well.

So, if you have a question someone is refusing to answer, or the answers youre getting dont make sense, tell us about it. You can leave us a news tip at projects.jsonline.com/tips, or by emailing wisconsininvestigates@gannett.com, or by calling 414-319-9061.

Remember those two principles from the start of this piece?

What you want to know is almost certainly written down somewhere. And: With few exceptions, youre entitled to see it.

Heres a third: If someone says you cant, keep trying.

Because chances are there is something to see.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza and Wisconsin public records legal expert Tom Kamenick will be answering questions about open records requests on Reddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/wisconsin/ Monday at noon.

Greg Borowski is executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @GregJBorowski and reach him via greg.borowski@jrn.com.

Connect with the Journal Sentinel

Support our reporting on the environment, underserved communities and other areas: givebutter.com/milwaukee-journal-sentinel

Send a news tip: projects.jsonline.com/tips

Reach the newsroom: jsmetro@journalsentinel.com or 414-224-2318

Subscribe and support independent journalism: jsonline.com/deal

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Borowski: We fight for open records. When we do, we're figting for you
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A Box Elder County Judge, who was arrested and accused of engaging in graphic sexual chats with minors, has submitted his resignation and will step down from his role on the bench.

Box Elder County officials said it received and accepted the letter of resignation and retirement from Kevin Christensen earlier this week.

PREVIOUS: Tremonton fire chief and Box Elder judge linked in child abuse case, documents say

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Christensen, 64, was arrested for multiple alleged child sex crimes on March 6. Investigators say they found multiple chat threads of interest where Christensen allegedly had graphic sexual conversations with underaged girls as young as 13 years old. These chat threads allegedly included exchanging sexually explicit videos and pictures.

Upon his arrest, Box Elder County and the Supreme Court of Utah immediately put Christensen on administrative leave without pay.

Bye Felicia?: Salt Lake City not elaborating on report claiming Sundance may leave over pride flag bill

Box Elder County officials said The State of Utah Judicial Conduct Commission has started an administrative investigation into Christensens conduct. In the mean time, the County said it notified the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts of the vacancy left by Christensens resignation, who will then coordinate the process for finding a replacement.

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Tremonton Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen, 54, was also arrested for similar charges earlier this year. In court documents obtained by ABC4.com, FBI investigators say both Hansens and Christensens allegations were linked, accusing the two men of having an extensive number of chats that were graphically sexual and involved discussion of sexually abusing children.

Hansen is scheduled to make an initial appearance virtually in a Weber County Court on Monday, March 17. Christensen has been scheduled for an in-person initial appearance in a Weber County Court on Thursday, March 20.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
WAKARUSA  On Saturday, members of the Wakarusa Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts will be participating in a local food drive, the Scouting for Food project. The troops will be collecting non-perishable food items, such as pasta, cereals, canned products and personal care supplies. Donations will, in turn, be given to the Family Christian Development Center in Nappanee for distribution to families in need across the Wa-Nee district. Items can be bagged and placed in sight outdoors of businesses and residences beginning at 2 p.m.

ALSO UPCOMING

 The Wakarusa Dime Store will be hosting second-generation master silhouette artist Chris Casey on Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Casey creates fashion heirloom quality silhouette portraits using surgical scissors and fine paper, and promises a day of fun for the entire family. The portraits would make perfect Mothers Day gifts. The Wakarusa Dime Store is located at 103 E. Waterford Street. To sign up for this opportunity, visit eventbrite.com.

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 Young ladies who are students at NorthWood Middle School are invited to participate in the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival Queen Contest. The competition is open to girls in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Applications can be picked up at the NorthWood Middle School main office and must be returned by Monday.

 For homes located to the west of Elkhart Street, the town of Wakarusa is notifying residents and businesses that the Public Works Department will be cleaning sewers over the next couple of weeks. If you see the workers in your vicinity, it is advised that you keep toilet lids closed to prevent splashing that might occur.

 Beginning Monday and continuing for the rest of the week, Wakarusa Elementary School will be presenting the Scholastic Spring Book Fair. This event is an annual tradition to browse books and gifts for children and adults alike, and every purchase benefits Wakarusa Elementary School. Call 574-862-2000 for more details.

 Registration is just around the corner for Wakarusa Nursery School. Families with youngsters ages 3 through 5 are invited to sign up for classes on March 20 from 4-6 p.m. The school is located at 309 S. Elkhart St., just south of downtown Wakarusa. Forms will be available to pick up on that day, or children can be registered via the school website. There is a $50 non-refundable fee when enrolling children, and they are required to be fully potty trained. There are morning and afternoon sessions available, on various days of the week, depending upon the age of the child. For more details, call 574-862-1909.

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 The Waterbrook Academy, newly opened in the former Come n Dine facility, is hosting a Spring Fling Family Dance on March 21 from 6-9 p.m. Attire is semi-formal to formal. Call 574-336-3700 to learn more about how to register for this event.

 The NorthWood High School Performing Arts department is excited to present the rollicking musical, Oklahoma! on March 21-23. Journey back to the Wild West in a time when the great territory was on the verge of statehood, in this musical adventure from Rodgers and Hammerstein. Tickets are $8 for reserved presale center seating, and $6 for general admission tickets for all ages. To order advanced seating tickets, visit Ludus.com and search for NorthWood High School. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.

 This upcoming weeks Dial-a-Story feature, sponsored by the Wakarusa Public Library, will be Bessie Stringfield  Motorcycle Queen. To listen to this tale, call 574-444-2772.

 The Wakarusa Fire Department is in search of old buildings or structures to train in. If anyone knows of anyone who would like a structure burned down, or to be filled with smoke for training purposes, visit the departments Facebook page and submit a message.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. We welcome the completion of negotiations on the draft agreement text for peace and the establishment of interstate relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, said Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.

"We support this significant step toward achieving comprehensive and full Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, as outlined in the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia between 2020 and 2022.

We are committed to providing every possible assistance to further the peace process and resolve remaining issues between Baku and Yerevan, including those necessary for the signing of the peace agreement, the unlocking of transport communications, the delimitation of the shared border, and humanitarian matters, in a manner and form acceptable to the partners.

The Special Representative of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs for Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, Igor Khovaev, is ready to visit Baku and Yerevan for consultations on these matters. We reaffirm our proposal to provide a Russian platform for contacts between representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the entire spectrum of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization issues, including the signing of a peace agreement," she stated.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Indiana Gov. Mike Brauns latest executive order eliminating environmental justice protections is sparking concern in communities like Gary, a city long plagued by industrial pollution. Environmental advocates warn that gutting oversight will leave vulnerable residents with fewer safeguards against toxic emissions and hazardous waste.

Earlier this week, Braun signed an executive order eliminating environmental justice as a consideration when issuing permits or grants, saying that the term has been increasingly politicized. The move aligns with the Trump administrations broader rollbacks of U.S. environmental protections and follows the EPAs decision to dismantle its environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

The State of Indiana believes that the focus of environmental permitting and enforcement decisions should be on the protection of public health, natural resources, and economic growth without favoring or disadvantaging any group based on race, ethnicity, or other social criteria, Brauns executive order stated.



While Braun framed his legislation as a way to maintain neutrality in the decision-making process, Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, an environmental watchdog organization in the city, warns that eliminating oversight sends a clear message to polluters: Some communities are expendable.

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Shutting the EPAs Offices of Environmental Justice is a direct attack on cities like Gary and essentially signals to industry that there are sacrifice cities where they can do whatever they want, said GARD Secretary Carolyn McCrady.

The move comes as President Donald Trump has vowed to slash the Environmental Protection Agencys budget, fueling fears that already vulnerable cities like Gary, a nearly 80% Black community with a legacy of pollution, could face even fewer safeguards.

The country is going to see more people with asthma, cancer, lung diseases, and heart problems. This will be especially true in the communities like Gary that already suffer from being overburdened with air, land, and water pollution, said GARD President Dorreen Carey.

A 2024 national toxic emissions report by Industrious Labs found that low-income communities of color living near steel mills like Gary Works face cancer rates 12% higher due to air toxic exposure. The report also found that Gary residents are in the top 10% in the nation to develop asthma due to the release of toxic pollutants like benzene and lead from manufacturing plants.

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In a 2022 letter to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the EPA called Gary an environmental justice city citing the majority-Black areas burden and exposure to hazardous air pollutants. Local advocates have used agency resources, like EJScreen, to challenge hazardous projects, including Maya Energys trash facility and Fulcrum Bioenergys waste-to-jet-fuel plant.



Alan Walts, director of the EPAs environmental justice division for Region 5, which includes Gary and Chicago, spoke with Capital B Gary last year on the significance of the offices work. For the past five decades, Walts said, the EPA has made strides in studying the effects of harmful pollutants, and through its environmental justice division, it has applied that research to support communities disproportionately affected by them.



What environmental justice highlights for EPA is we, as an agency, have to do business in a way that is more focused on communities, he said.



We have to understand systemic impacts. We have to understand the multiplicity of stressors, and we have to get better at working together to solve systemic challenges, Walts said, adding that it is essential to collaborate with community partners, like GARD, and other governmental units for it to work effectively.



GARD warns that without safeguards from the EPA, environmentally vulnerable cities like Gary will be at increased risk if the agency follows through on its plan to gut regulations that limit toxic emissions, address climate change, and protect the countrys most vulnerable communities.

Cities like Gary will have to become even more vigilant to protect their residents. Our health and the future of our community is at stake, McCrady said.

The post Brauns Executive Order Sparks Alarm in Polluted Communities Like Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Gov. Mike Braun and First Lady Maureen Braun do an interview with WTHR in their Jasper home. (Courtesy of WTHR. WTHR retains copyright and republishing requires separate permission.)

Gov. Mike Brauns family home in Jasper will be getting at least $118,000 in various security improvements, paid for by the Indiana Department of Administration.

Such efforts include a helipad, updated fencing and gates as well as a temporary trailer for his round-the-clock security protection, the latter of which is provided by the Indiana State Police.

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We consulted with the Indiana State Police to determine what was necessary to secure the safety of the Governor while he is at the Jasper residence, said Molly Craft, Brauns deputy chief of staff for communications.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle asked for broad strokes of the governors protective detail, and the Indiana State Police confirmed that it wouldnt release specifics.

The Indiana State Police is responsible for the safety and security for the Governor of Indiana, it would be irresponsible of us to speak on any specific details of that security, said Sgt. John Perrine, who is the public information office for the Indianapolis District with the Indiana State Police.

State-approved contractor Glenroy Construction, one of the businesses used by the Indiana Department of Administration for job order contracting, will perform the work. Nearly one-third of the contract, or 32%, is non-pre-priced, meaning it is a necessary but incidental part of the job that doesnt have a pre-defined, unit price.

Details of the improvements

The Indiana State Police own three helicopters which could be used with the helipad, though the governors office implied that it wouldnt be used routinely. The 20-foot-by-20-foot gravel pad doesnt yet have a final estimate, though the bill is projected to be between $3,500 and $5,000.

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While Jasper, Indiana does have a helipad  according to AirNav  it is one of the dozens of privately owned helipads affiliated with a hospital and not available to the public. By car, the distance from downtown Jasper to the Governors Residence is two hours and 16 minutes, or 130 miles, according to Google Maps.

A plaque in downtown Jasper notes that the Braun family paid for the space, which sits across from the Dubois County Courthouse. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

A summarized contractor proposal shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle broke down the $114,424 in other costs, split between electrical work, fencing and gates, the trailer and an accompanying stone pad.

The $14,371 in electric costs include wiring for the gates and trailer but not lights for the helipad, which will be unlit. The gates and accompanying operating pads to access the Braun family home make up the largest part of the security improvements at $50,153.

Lastly is a security trailer for Brauns protective detail, in which the traditional bedroom will be converted to an office space. It will contain a restroom.

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The Indiana Department of Administration will foot the bill for the one-time cost of $42,707 for the trailer while ongoing heating and water costs will be paid for by the Indiana State Police.

The $7,194 stone pad for the trailer will be large enough to accommodate parking for two trooper vehicles, which used to function as an office space for traveling troopers.

Troopers do use their cars when there are no other options, confirmed Perrine.

In contrast to his recent predecessors, Braun has publicly said he intends to split his time between the Indianapolis Governors Residence and his Jasper home. Both Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence made the Meridian Street home their primary residence while former Gov. Mitch Daniels owned another property in Carmel.

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The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Braun home has a finished area of 9,787 square feet and two stories, according to Dubois County property records. The plot also has a barn and bird feeders along with a facility where Braun raises beagles, as shown in a 2024 home visit with WTHR.

The Governors Residence in Indianapolis is 10,500 square feet and has at least three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also has a separate Carriage House that Holcomb upgraded.

DOC031225-03122025100049

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BELEM, Brazil (Reuters) - The Brazilian state hosting a United Nations climate summit this year has denied any connection between a new road cutting through a protected area of Brazilian rainforest and the COP30 summit that will gather world leaders in November.

Work to build the divided four-lane highway, called Avenida Liberdade, began in 2020, before the state capital Belem was chosen to host the summit, said Para's state government.

The project, which follows the path of an existing power line through a conservation area south of the city, has not received federal funds from Brazil's efforts preparing the city for COP30, according to the state and federal governments.

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Still, some locals tie recent progress on the long-discussed highway to the approaching UN summit, when tens of thousands of delegates are expected to swarm the Amazon city home to 1.3 million.

"There's been talk about that project for over 20 years, but there was a lot of resistance. The need to prepare the city for a mega event ends up giving the necessary justification," said Ana Claudia Cardoso, a professor of urban studies at the Federal University of Para.

BBC reported that a state infrastructure secretary had listed the new road among 30 projects preparing the city for COP30. The state government said that report did not reflect the facts. Reuters could not reach the official cited in the report.

A BBC spokesperson said the report was "based on state government documents and an interview with a state government official" that "directly link the project to COP30."

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"Further documentation shows the project for Avenida Liberdade was only approved in 2024, despite the idea being discussed as early as 2012," the spokesperson added.

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia and Marx Vasconcelos in Belem; Editing by Brad Haynes, Diane Craft and Mark Porter)
JD Vance and his three-year-old daughter Mirabel were out walking in his home state of Ohio when they came into contact with pro-Ukraine protests.

He claims the demonstrators made his toddler anxious and scared. They claim everything he said was a lie.

Heres what we know about the vice-presidents Cincinnati run-in.

Footage of the encounter shows the vice-president pushing his three-year-old in a pram and calmly engaging with protesters, who accused him of selling out Ukraine and having no integrity.

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Today while walking my three-year-old daughter a group of Slava Ukraini (glory to Ukraine) protesters followed us around and shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared, Mr Vance said after the altercation.

He continued: It was a mostly respectful conversation, but if youre chasing a three-year-old as part of a political protest, youre a st person.

BREAKING: Here's video of VP JD Vance calmly speaking with Ukraine protesters who scared his 3 year old daughter.



"Today while walking my 3 year old daughter a group of "Slava Ukraini" protesters followed us around & shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious & scared," pic.twitter.com/5p1AIwm73W  Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) March 9, 2025

Critics accused Mr Vance of misrepresenting the protesters and others questioned how the secret service allowed them to get within yards of the vice-president.

I saw Mr Vances tweet and I was furious, said Ann Henry, 61, who, along with her daughter, was part of the group who confronted the vice-president.

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If the group had posed a threat to the vice-presidents young child, she said: The secret service would have tackled us to the ground.

A security source told The Telegraph: To the extent that we can, we dont suspend your rights to freedom of expression as an American because you happen to come up in proximity to the protectee.

Bobby McDonald, a former secret service agent who served in then vice-president Joe Bidens security detail, said that it was Mr Vances decision to engage with the protesters and that he makes the decision when its time to go.

Ms Henry said she decided to attend a demonstration near Mr Vances home in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati to protest against the administrations actions in Ukraine after a heated meeting between Mr Vance, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, in the Oval Office.

Pro-Ukraine protesters

The interior designer and her 26-year-old daughter planned to assemble with a group of around 20 friends before launching the protest.

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However at around 2.30pm when walking towards the site of the protest, they spotted a slow-moving motorcade following Mr Vance, who was pushing his daughter Mirabel in a pram.

They followed the motorcade chanting slogans including protect Ukraine as they marched.

As they approached a massage parlour, one of the protesters allegedly shouted Slava Ukraini towards Mr Vance, prompting the vice-president to turn around and walk towards the group.

This was in no way us chasing him, Ms Henry said. We were not threatening.

Footage of the meeting taken by her daughter, Madeleine Sykes, shows Mr Vance in a red coat and green cap talking to the protesters while holding the pram.

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He was flanked by three secret service agents, one of whom was handling a German shepherd.

As Mr Vance calmly attempted to explain his concerns about Ukrainian manpower problems and reliance on US support, he was heckled by protesters shouting: People are dying.

Tensions escalated when one protester told the vice-president he had no integrity for changing his views on Mr Trump.

Mr Vance responded by raising the presence of his young daughter, saying: Maam, look at my three-year-old daughter now. I told you Id talked to you for five minutes.

JD Vance carries his daughter Mirabel before boarding Air Force Two - Leah Millis

When a protester interjected by saying: You signed up for this job, thats what I agreed to, Mr Vance replied that he did not agree to have people yell at his child.

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I said if I talk to you for a few minutes, will you leave my three-year-old daughter alone and you said yes, so Id like you guys to respect that, he said.

She cant have been scared

According to Ms Henry, during their conversation with the vice-president, a motorcade of six black SUVs was parked just 15ft away, ensuring he and his daughter remained safe.

Ms Henry claimed Mirabel was asleep the whole time, so she cant have been scared.

Credit: Chauncey Dandridge - Anya Narysheva via Facebook - TikTok/me29526

Mr McDonald, now a lecturer of criminal justice at the University of New Haven, said that the secret service dont remove protesters and only react if there is deemed a physical threat to our protectees.

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Mr McDonald explained that when the vice-president is on an off-the-record movement, such as on vacation, the security shift surrounding him becomes flexible, meaning his motorcade trails behind, allowing Mr Vance to roam as he pleases.

The vice-president decided to stay there for a little bit, he said. He could have easily said: Hey, lets go to the cars and get out of here. He chose to stay until a certain point.

A security source added: [Mr Vances] full detail was with him and at no point was he in any jeopardy.

Turns out Vance is lying again!



The peaceful protesters were nowhere near his house and the entrance was blocked by police.



Your only goal, POS, is to incite hatred against Ukrainians. https://t.co/qs5XdFtBd5 pic.twitter.com/Df9ZSyihc1    |  (@tweet4Anna_NAFO) March 9, 2025

Diane Varga, 40, attended the Cincinnati protest to support her extended family who live in Ukraine.

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The married mother-of-two said she would never be okay with someone trying to scare a three-year-old but said the focus should be on the children of Ukraine.

She said: How scared are they right now, and how scared have they been for the past three years?

JD Vances office and the secret service were approached for comment.

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LOST CREEK, Ky. (FOX 56)  A 78-year-old Hardshell woman died in the hospital on Thursday morning after a crash involving a gravel truck on KY-476.

Kentucky State Police (KSP) said in a news release that troopers were dispatched at 9:15 a.m. on March 13 to the scene. Troopers determined that Carol Campbell, 78, of Hardshell, was driving north on the highway in a gray Toyota Camry when her car allegedly crossed the center line into the southbound lane.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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After crossing, state police said Campbells car allegedly struck a white GMC gravel truck. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Campbell was taken by ambulance to the Kentucky River Medical Center, where she reportedly died from her injuries. She was pronounced dead by the Breathitt County Coroners Office.

The driver of the gravel truck was not hurt.

Toxicology results and an autopsy are underway, and the crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
A marker for the U.S.-Canadian border sits between Skagway, Alaska, and Stikine Region, British Columbia. (Photo by Philip Yabut/Getty Images)

The government of British Columbia filed legislation Thursday that would permit the province to levy tolls on vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska.

The bill, known formally as the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, had been expected since BC Premier David Eby announced his intentions last week.

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Introducing the bill at the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in Victoria, Deputy Premier Niki Sharma said the bill provides a range of authorities to enable the government to quickly respond to the recent unprecedented threats to our province from the United States.

The bill does not automatically impose fees on vehicles traveling to and from Alaska, but it just gives BC the tools to do so down the road if Trump continues to escalate his threats towards BC and Canada, according to a statement from the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

This is not something British Columbia wants to do, but we need to have this tool if the U.S. does not back away from their unjust tariffs, the ministry said.

In addition to threatening tariffs on trade with Canada, President Donald Trump has threatened military action against the country and has said that it should be annexed to the United States in order to avoid economic consequences.

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Sharma, speaking to the Legislative Assembly, said that if enacted, the bill would allow government to impose a system of tolls, fees or other charges on vehicles using certain BC infrastructure, such as highways and coastal ferries. It will provide a broad, flexible power to government to address challenges to BC arising from the actions of a foreign jurisdiction to support inter-provincial cooperation.

According to the text of the bill, the amount of the tolls and their application would be decided by governmental officials.

The legislation would expire May 28, 2027, Sharma said.

We did not ask for this trade war, but we will fight for BCs economy, we will fight for BCs workers, and we will fight for this province with every tool that we have. We will take a Team Canada approach in our response, and I hope that every member of this House supports this bill, she said.

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The bill is expected to advance in the legislative process no sooner than March 31, after the Legislative Assembly returns from a weeklong spring recess.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has threatened to take economic action against British Columbia.

In a talk radio interview on Tuesday, Sullivan said he would seek to waive a federal law that requires foreign-registered cruise ships to stop in Canada when sailing between Washington state and Alaska.

All but a handful of the megaships that carry tourists to Alaska in the summer are registered to foreign countries, and the United States has already waived the law once before  in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

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You know, Canada, you dont want to mess with Alaska, Sullivan said in the radio interview. If you do, were going to work hard on having our cruise ships bypass your ports, and thatll help our economy tremendously, itll help our tourism industry tremendously, and itll really hurt their tourism.

The British Columbia transport ministry said the cruise ship industry employs thousands of people and supports hundreds of BC businesses who benefit from the arrival of ships.

We know that people want to experience British Columbia cities as part of their cruise experience, the ministry said.

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A jury has found Lance Burke, 45, of Bronx, New York, guilty of first-degree murder and illegal firearm possession in connection with the 2018 killing of David Green Jr. in Pittsfield.

The verdict was delivered Thursday in Berkshire Superior Court, following a trial that included witness testimony, surveillance evidence, and an extensive cross-state investigation.

Burke was convicted of fatally shooting Green while he was sitting in his vehicle on Willow Street. Authorities identified Burke as the suspect using video surveillance, cell phone tracking, and witness statements. Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue praised the verdict but acknowledged the lasting impact of the crime.

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Mr. Greens family has been waiting a long time for this day, said Shugrue. While we are pleased with the jurys conclusion, nothing can heal the wounds of losing a loved one in such a violent way. I hope today brings his family some sense of peace.

Shugrue emphasized his offices commitment to holding perpetrators of violence accountable. The death of Mr. Green was caused by a defendant who drove into Pittsfield and committed murder. Those who bring illegal firearms, attempt to establish drug trafficking networks, and bring violence to our neighborhoods will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The case relied heavily on technology and forensic evidence. Pittsfield Police, with assistance from New York State Police, used surveillance footage, digital tracking, and other investigative tools to link Burke to the crime. Trying this case was extremely difficult, Shugrue noted. The Pittsfield Police Department worked diligently, using all available technology to build a strong case against the defendant. Because of their efforts and the work of our prosecution team, justice was served.

The trial was also marked by incidents of witness intimidation. The witnesses who testified showed tremendous bravery, Shugrue said. During this trial, witnesses were directly threatened, and their families were also targeted. Law enforcement is actively investigating these acts of intimidation, and we will not tolerate interference with the judicial system.

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Burkes sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, at 9 a.m. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. This was Burkes second trial for the murder. His original trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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HORTON (KSNT)  State agents sealed shut a Mexican restaurant located in Horton this week for failure to pay nearly $70,000 in unpaid taxes.

The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) announced in a press release on March 11 that its agents, alongside deputies from the Brown County Sheriffs Department, executed tax warrants against El Cazador Mexican Grill at 449 East 15th Street in Horton. KDOR reports the restaurant was cited for failure to pay $69,586.82 associated with sales and liquor drink tax.

Sales tax owed  $65,097.54.

Liquor drink tax owed  $4,489.28.

Kansas law enforcement agencies sign up to help ICE conduct deportations

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Tax agents seized assets at the restaurant including on-site cash, personal property of the owner and all known bank accounts. El Cazador Mexican Grill was sealed shut with a public notice posted on its exterior. KDOR will sell off the assets it seized at an upcoming public auction with the proceeds being used to help pay off the taxes owed to the state.

KDORs policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law. KDORs responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes, but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend. These programs include education, highways, public safety, and human services. KDOR press release excerpt

People who may have had personal items seized during the execution of the tax warrants are encouraged to contact KDOR at 785-213-4453. 27 News has reached out to El Cazador Mexican Grill for comment on this situation.

Tax agents seize two Kansas Mexican restaurants for failure to pay $200,000

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Brown University announced its putting a temporary hiring freeze and other financial measures in place as it faces potential funding cuts.

Based on the uncertainty we now face from federal actions, we need to be more proactive in managing Browns expenditures, a letter from Provost Francis J. Doyle III and Executive Vice President Sarah Latham said.

The hiring freeze will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year.

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The measures also include a mandatory salary freeze for members of the presidents cabinet and other administrators, the letter said.

Read the full letter here

There will be some exceptions to the hiring freeze, however. Doyle and Latham said those include positions that are critical to the health and safety of the university, support infrastructure, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

The university is also directing all departments to reduce discretionary spending, which includes meals, catering, events, supplies and non-essential travel.

The funding restrictions are needed to continue the mission of teaching and research, according to the university.

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Brown was one of 60 colleges and universities that received letters saying they could lose federal funding if they dont make their campuses safe for Jewish students.

MORE: Some universities are freezing hiring as Trump threatens federal funding

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Court hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan and others, who are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression, were continued on March 14, Trend reports.

The hearings held at the Baku Military Court were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). Each of the accused was provided with an interpreter into the language of their choice, as well as defense attorneys.

Present at the review hearings were the accused and their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors in charge of public prosecution.

During the hearings, the accused were asked questions about their functions and positions within the criminal entity, the forcible seizure of power in Karabakh, which was occupied by Armenia, including the administrative territorial division in the self-styled entity that operated under the leadership and control of Armenia, the appointments and dismissals to and from various positions, the currency in circulation, foreign and domestic banking operations, import and export of various goods, the name of which country was indicated as a place of production of goods manufactured as a result of the illegal economic activities of the self-styled entity, matters related to customs, the issuance of permits or visas to persons traveling to the territories where the so-called regime operated, what citizenship Armenian residents had, which institution issued their identity documents, the procedure for collecting funds for the budget, as well as the role and participation of the Armenian state, its state institutions, armed forces, and high-ranking officials in the aforementioned processes.

First, the accused Bako Sahakyan was asked questions by the prosecutors in charge of public prosecution.

Answering questions from public prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, Bako Sahakyan admitted that the so-called regime's budget was formed at the expense of funds received from Armenia. He said that the funds had been provided on an annual basis and added: The budget was formed at the expense of loans provided by Armenia, as well as from individual incomes. In addition, a certain amount of money was collected every year and anyone from around the world could contribute to the fund.

The accused also acknowledged that although the funds allocated by Armenia were referred to as interest-free loans, it was never repaid. He said, We had not repaid a single amount sent from Armenia between 1991 and 2023, because this would have been illogical. Our personal resources were insufficient to meet our needs.

He also admitted that products manufactured in the once occupied sovereign territories of Azerbaijan were sold to foreign countries as made in Armenia.

Bako Sahakyan said that during the years of occupation, Armenian citizens could purchase property in Karabakh and Armenians living in Karabakh could purchase property in Armenia in the status of citizens of that country, also enjoying other rights. He said, Armenia was not considered a foreign country for us.

Answering questions, he said that the army of the self-styled entity, which was subordinated to the Armenian armed forces, was its largest armed formation.

In response to questions from the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, Bako Sahakyan noted that the appointment of the minister of defense, chief of the general staff of the Armed Forces and other senior positions in the self-proclaimed republic was carried out by the president of that country based on a nomination of the Armenian Ministry of Defense. He said that he was not involved in those matters and added: We did not hide it.

The accused acknowledged that all division and governance matters related to the so-called military structures of the self-styled entity were carried out by the Republic of Armenia.

Bako Sahakyan said that weapons and ammunition were brought to the occupied territories from the Republic of Armenia.

In response to the question about how the salaries of servicemen were paid in the occupied territories, he said, We did not have expenses related to the budget and army. All military expenses, salaries and the provision of soldiers were allocated directly from the Armenian state budget. This had nothing to do with the loans allocated to us.

Answering questions from public prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Bako Sahakyan said that he did not know the exact number of servicemen in Karabakh because the defense minister of the self-proclaimed entity reported to the military-political leadership of Armenia, not to him. He said that nevertheless, he had learned the unofficial number of servicemen because he was on good terms with the so-called regimes defense minister. The defense minister did not officially report to the president of Karabakh. But we had personal contacts, which is natural. Because the defense army was responsible for the security of Karabakh and I was supposed to know how many of us there were, he said.

The accused then said that the plan for military exercises in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan was approved by the leadership of the Armenian armed forces.

Bako Sahakyan also answered questions from the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, about the deployment of Iskander M, Tochka U and other destructive weapons in the occupied territories.

He stated that the mentioned weapons had not been deployed in the occupied territories and said, These weapons were not deployed in the territory of Karabakh. I can say for sure that during my term as president (2007-2020) these weapons were not brought to Karabakh.

The accused also noted, Although the head of defense structures was not obliged to report to the president of the self-styled entity, given the importance of these weapons, if they had ever been given to us, the army commander would have informed me about it.

When asked about the shelling of civilian facilities in Azerbaijan using the mentioned weapons and on whose instructions it was carried out, Bako Sahakyan said: I can say that these artillery shots were not fired from the territory of Karabakh.

Answering the questions of the Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, Tugay Rahimli, the accused Arayik Harutyunyan said that the products manufactured in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan were sold abroad through Armenia, with the words Made in Armenia written on them. He added, Because Karabakh did not have the right or the capacity to export anything. There were not too many exported products. Only a few companies were engaged in exports. Those companies were registered in Armenia and had their branches or sister companies. Because this was the only way for ensuring certification and documentation. At the final stage, these products were exported from Armenia. Or they were sent to a company registered in Armenia and processed through that company.

The accused said that the banking system of the self-proclaimed entity was controlled by the Central Bank of Armenia. Karabakh did not have a currency and a banking system of its own.

Arayik Harutyunyan said that during the period of occupation, Armenian citizens could be appointed as ministers of the so-called republic. Speaking about the financing of the regime's army, he said: The financing of the army was unequivocally provided by Armenia. The army was financed from the budget of the Armenian Ministry of Defense. In addition, all appointments were made by high-ranking officials of the Armenian Ministry of Defense. The commander of the defense army was also referred to as the defense minister. When we received a confidential decision regarding an appointment, we would state that this order was supposedly issued by us. Levon Mnatsakanyan could better describe the procedure for implementing such orders. We only said that we had appointed the defense minister, he said.

The Karabakh army was considered a unit of the Armenian armed forces. In my opinion, decisions were made from top to bottom  from the chief of the general staff downwards. All of this was done in a confidential manner. I am not familiar with the procedures. I believe Mnatsakanyan can give a more precise answer to this. The top military figure was the chief of the general staff of Armenia, both in war and peacetime. The minister of defense also had a number of functions in Armenia. I am not sure who had what powers, but the main responsible person was the chief of the general staff. Not only weapons and ammunition, but also all supplies were carried out by the Armenian Ministry of Defense, that is, everything.

He said he did not know the exact number of servicemen of Armenian origin in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, but most of them were Armenian servicemen.

Arayik Harutyunyan also spoke about his election as president of the self-proclaimed republic. I took over this position at the end of May 2020. It was the most active phase of the coronavirus pandemic. In June, there was a joint meeting of the Security Council in Armenia. There I met with the president and prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, and we talked about the political situation, that is, the process of negotiations. I understood from the negotiations that the Armenian army was not ready for long-term combat operations. When the prime minister of the Republic of Armenia came to Karabakh at the end of August, I received him.

Answering questions from public prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, Arayik Harutyunyan also spoke about the rocket fire on civilian infrastructure and civilians in the city of Ganja. He said that he had received information about this from the chief of the general staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan. He said, The chief of the general staff of the Armenian Armed Forces was Onik Gasparyan. I had a conversation with the chief of the general staff. At the first stage, he informed me about the attack on the airport in Ganja. After that, I had no contact with him.

Arayik Harutyunyan also spoke about Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of the Republic of Armenia who is currently on trial in Azerbaijan. He said that he knew him very well. I have known Ruben Vardanyan since 2005. We have met many times. The last meeting was scheduled to take place in August, September or October of 2023. He was the state minister for two and a half to three months.

The next court hearing is scheduled for March 17. The hearing will continue with questions to be asked of the accused.

We recall that a total of 15 Armenian nationals are being charged with numerous crimes involving direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, its state bodies, military forces and illegal armed formations, verbal and written instructions, orders and assignments, provision of material and technical support, central governance, as well as the exercise of rigorous control, with the aim of committing military aggression and acts of terror against the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territory of Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law, and involving Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan and others, including criminal acts committed during the course of the war of aggression waged by the aforementioned criminal group.

The said persons, i.e. Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, are being charged under Articles 100 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection), 103 (genocide), 105 (extermination of the population), 106 (enslaving), 107 (deportation or forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (enforced disappearance of people), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary service), 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 118 (military robbery), 120 (intentional murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal association (organization)), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO)  Janesville Fire and Footville Fire battled a brush fire that lasted 2 hours on Thursday.

Around 3 p.m., fire crews were dispatched to the 4200 block of Hanover Road in Rock Township for the fire.

The blaze rapidly spread across dry vegetation due to wind. Three separate areas were burning out of control.

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control around 5 p.m.

Janesville Fire warned residents to make plans with the weather in mind before igniting a controlled burn.

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WESTFIELD, Wis. (WFRV)  Two seasonal homes, a detached garage, and two sheds were completely destroyed after a brush fire spread in Marquette County, Wisconsin, on Thursday morning.

According to the Marquette County Sheriffs Office, no injuries were reported but multiple structures were lost after a fire began to spread around 3 a.m. on March 13.

Deputies say the fire happened in the Village of Westfield, on the north side of Lawrence Lake, when a brush fire in a pit quickly spread to nearby structures.

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Controlled burn sparks house fire in Fond du Lac County, leaving two without a home

Authorities say that two seasonal homes were destroyed in the fire, while a third seasonal home sustained partial damage. A detached garage and two sheds were lost in the fire as well, all of which were unoccupied at the time.

Marquette County Sheriffs Office

Marquette County Sheriffs Office

The swift response and cooperation from all agencies involved were crucial in containing the fire and preventing further damage. While the loss of property is unfortunate, we are grateful that no lives were lost or injured in this incident. Marquette County Sheriffs Office

The Marquette County Sheriffs Office, along with the Westfield Fire Department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are currently investigating the fire.

Moped driver in critical condition after truck misses stop sign in North Fond du Lac

Multiple agencies assisted during the incident, including the following:

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Oxford Fire Department

Newton Fire Department

Montello Fire Department

New Chester Fire Department

Harris Fire Department

Coloma Fire Department

Marquette County EMS

No additional information was provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Key takeaways

A total of sixteen people were killed Friday in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas during extreme winds and wildfires on Friday and Saturday.

Four people were killed in Oklahoma in relation to the fires and high winds, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed.

Three people were killed in car crashes Friday during a dust storm in Amarillo County, Texas and a third died in relation to wildfire smoke, authorities said.

At least 8 people were killed in a massive pileup on I-70 in Kansas on Saturday morning.



Powerful winds tore through New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on Friday and Saturday with gusts approaching 100 mph in some places. Multiple fires broke out amid the dry and blustery weather, with winds causing small blazes to grow and spread rapidly.

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The danger isn't over, a red flag warning is in effect for much of the state from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday due to gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation.

Wildfires, smoke, dust kill 7 in Texas, Oklahoma

A total of eight people were killed in Texas and Oklahoma during Friday's extreme winds and wildfire outbreak. Half of those fatalities happened in Oklahoma where officials have confirmed four people died in relation to the fire and high winds. More than 140 injured, the state's medical examiner said on Sunday.

More than 400 homes and structures have been destroyed and at least 170,000 acres burned in the state in the wake of the wind-whipped wildfires, prompting evacuations amid extreme fire weather conditions through the weekend.

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Multiple pileups occured across the region amid the wind and dust, including one on Interstate 27 south of Canyon, Texas, which involved dozens of vehicles.

In Texas, three people were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo County, according to Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety. One pileup involved an estimated 38 cars. A dramatic video from Amarillo showed heavy wind flipping several 18-wheelers like they weighed nothing. "There goes another one," storm chaser Blake Brown can be heard saying as the wind flips over another big rig.

"It's the worst I've ever seen," Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the Texas Department of Public Safety told the The Associated Press as she described the near-zero visibility. "We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled."

In Oklahoma, at least 6 people were injured following a pair of accidents on Interstate 35 during heavy blowing dust, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Officers are telling motorists to avoid all travel until conditions improve unless absolutely necessary.

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"This is terrible out here," truck driver Charles Daniel told the AP. "There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do."

(Photo credit: Newkirk Fire Department/EMS)

(Photo credit: Newkirk Fire Department/EMS)

Authorities across the region urged people not to go outside or travel in the wind and dust due to the dangerous conditions.

"We are strongly discouraging travel on interstate or highways. Wind gusts have been recorded at over 80 mph in Amarillo area. Zero visibility in some areas," The Amarillo Police Dept. posted on X. "Please stay home if possible. If you have to get out, allow extra time to get to your destination. Stay safe Amarillo."

"I've never seen such a large area of 70-mph wind gusts," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

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An 84-mph gust was measured at 12:01 p.m. CDT in Friona, which is about 70 miles southwest of Amarillo. An 82-mph gust was recorded in nearby Dimmitt at 11:54 a.m. CDT accompanied by the dust storm, which closed Highway 194. Gusts to 95 mph hit San Agustin Pass, New Mexico, earlier in the day.

Wildfires break out amid hurricane-force wind gusts

More than 130 fires were reported across Oklahoma, forcing evacuations in several communities in areas near the fires, including a senior living center in Mannford, located about 80 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

"This is about as an extreme event as there can be," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said.

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Fire warnings were issued early Friday afternoon in parts of the Texas Panhandle and across Oklahoma as wildfires flared up while winds howled across the region.

Weather satellites detected dozens of fires that erupted across Oklahoma by Friday afternoon. Strong winds and reduced visibility are making it extremely difficult for crews to battle to contain the rapidly growing fires.

Fires (black dots) break out throughout March 14, 2025 in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. (NOAA/COD)

At least 8 killed in major 71-vehicle crash in Kansas on Saturday

On Saturday, at least 8 people were killed in a massive pileup on I-70 in Kansas, the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reported in a social media post.

Troopers say at least 71 vehicles were involved in the massive crash that killed 8 people. (Photo credit: Kansas Highway Patrol)

The crash happened at 9:46 a.m. on March 15. Troopers say a total of 71 vehicles were involved and blame a combination of powerful wind gusts and blowing dust that whipped up a severe dust storm and created near zero visibility conditions in the area.

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The crash forced the closure of both eastbound and westbound I-70 from Goodland to Colby. The interstate was reopened by Sunday.

"My thoughts are with those affected by this tragic event," said Governor Laura Kelly. "I encourage all motorists to remain vigilant as the potential for further weather events continue today. Thank you to the first responders and emergency personnel who responded quickly and continue work to investigate and clear this crash."

Goodland Fire Chief Brian James reported the following on social media:

"I must say yesterday was the toughest and most emotional draining experience in my 22 years of being in the fire service. Trying to manage multiple agencies, over thirty patients, triaging patients, working over 55 vehicles, fighting the wind with dirt so bad you can't see over 50 to 100 feet, and trying to keep my crews and myself safe was just something to process. I don't think people realize the dedication these men and women give to make this community safe and secure. We had to think outside the box to get patients transported to hospitals in Goodland and Colby by using our fire department support vehicle with AEMT's in the back to using patrol vehicles from Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. I'm sorry for the lives lost in this incident, but I'm grateful for the ones we could save."
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  The West Virginia EMS Coalition, which represents the emergency medical service agencies in 51 counties in the state, is encouraging West Virginians to contact legislators amid the potential loss of an emergency services pay incentive program that could lead to extreme shortages in the industry.

According to the coalition, EMS Salary Enhancement Funds, a program that was put in place by the West Virginia Legislature in 2023 to make EMS positions in the state more competitive with neighboring states, has no funding source in the current FY 2025 or the proposed budget for FY 2026.

A release from the coalition said that unless funds are allocated for the program, EMS workers in West Virginia will lose $9 million through reduction in salaries, loss of stipends and cuts in retention pay and another million in mental health support.

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The loss could lead to a crippling shortage of EMS workers in the state, according to the coalition.

How recent USDA cuts will affect West Virginia farmers

EMS agencies are not just competing to recruit and retain EMTs and paramedics against other states, they are also competing for a workforce against other better paying health care professions in West Virginia which offer regular hours, holidays off and a more predictable work environment, the coalition said.

Counties with the most need were the highest recipients of the Salary Enhancement Funds and will be hit hardest if the program is not funded, but all 55 counties would be impacted.

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The group is urging Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) and the West Virginia Legislature to create permanent annual funding for EMS in the state, which will allow for continued EMS Salary Enhancement Funds. According to the coalition, the $10 million in retention efforts created by Senate Bill 737 is the only state funding provided for EMS in West Virginia, which is only about 1% of the total annual operating cost.

Additional information on the EMS Salary Enhancement Funds and how to contact legislators is available here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)  New lawmakers were sworn in on Friday to Bulgarias parliament after a court ordered a partial recount of the October early general election, which changed the makeup of the legislature.

The ruling by the Constitutional Court added new dynamics to the fragmented political landscape as another party  the nationalist and pro-Russian Velichie (greatness in Bulgarian) will now share parliamentary seats with eight other groups.

The recount found that Velichie, which had initially missed the 4% barrier by just a few votes, had reached that threshold and will now have 10 seats in parliament, which led to a shift in the other parties share of seats.

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After seven elections in the past four years, the Balkan country is still trying to overcome the consequences of the political crisis. And the latest court ruling will weaken the current coalition government as its support in the 240-seat chamber shrinks from 126 to 121 MPs.

Observers have warned that another early vote carries risks for the countrys intentions to join the euro area at the beginning of next year.

Former prime minister Boyko Borissov, whose center-right GERB party leads the current coalition government, accused his opponents of creating chaos through questioning election results.

He criticized President Rumen Radev, who has been at odds with the government over foreign policy issues, for allegedly trying to bring it down.

The conspiracy has succeeded, and we ended up being robbed. President Radev cant keep pretending that hes not involved, because his judges did all this, Borissov told reporters.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  Deputies with the Buncombe County Sheriffs celebrated an inmates achievement of completing his General Educational Development.

According to the deputies, Thomas Massey earned his GED while in custody at the Buncombe County Detention Facility.

Education and personal growth are important steps toward a brighter future, and we are proud of those who take the opportunity to better themselves, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post. Earning a GED requires dedication and hard work, and Thomas achievement is a testament to his commitment to self-improvement.

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Deputies and Massey celebrated the achievement with a celebration ceremony and desserts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
(FOX40.COM) The Sacramento Police Department arrested two suspected burglars using an Unscrewed Aerial System (UAS).

Police said two officers with UAS responded to assist with searching a building that was burglarized.

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District addresses incident at Crystal Middle School

The suspects hid in an attic and were found by the pilots that launched the UAS.

Both suspects surrendered to police and were arrested for burglary-related charges.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WETM)  The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will implement a burn ban starting on March 16th. A burn ban restricts starting fires. This ban will be in place until May 14th.

The burn ban is in place because the dead grass from the winter becomes very flammable in the springtime. When we have dry and windy conditions, a fire or anything on fire, can spread very quickly. This can cause acres and acres to burn.

Big Flats farmers actions save property from brush fire

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Some people may think that since weve been seeing a lot of rain and snow that the grass would be wet, but thats not the case.

The grass thats out there and any debris, the leaves or any other debris from vegetation, will burn very quickly because its dry, and this weather we had this week is perfect drying weather. Unfortunately, its also the perfect fire weather, says David Saltsman, the Fire Chief at the Big Flats Fire Department.

Steuben County declares burn ban amid wildfire risk

During a burn ban, you cant light fires unless they are in an approved container, like a campfire. You can burn old vegetation agriculturally as well. But, you cant burn feed bags, contrary to popular belief.

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So, make sure to be careful out there when starting fires and try not to light anything on fire from March 16th until May 14th.

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SNEADS FERRY, N.C. (WNCT)  Dixon Middle School parents are concerned for their childrens health as debris piles continue to burn across the street.

According to Onslow Countys project tracker, the land next to the school is being turned into a residential area. Parents said the burning has been going on for weeks.

Michael Cummings said he has had to pull his son out of school three times in the past weeks for health issues.

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Its affecting his breathing, his ability to sleep, Cummings said. Hes had to basically walk out and has been picked up a couple times because of it.

In a statement, leaders of the Onslow County School District said Our Chief of Operations and the OCS Facilities Management team have been actively involved in assessing and improving the air quality inside the school. HVAC controls have been adjusted to minimize the intake of outside air. Additionally, industrial HEPA air scrubbers equipped with activated charcoal filters have been deployed throughout the building to ensure the air inside remains cleaner than the air outside. To maximize their efficiency, large fans are being used to circulate air towards the scrubbers. Our ongoing indoor air quality tests confirm that the air inside the school is significantly better than the outside environment, which confirms that the scrubbers are effectively removing particulate matter from the air.

The statement continued: To further mitigate the situation, outdoor activities have been limited and maintenance staff have closed as many ventilation dampers as possible. We are continuously monitoring the air quality and will take additional steps as necessary to maintain a safe environment for everyone in the building. Unfortunately, the burning is taking place on land not controlled by the board of education and the direction of the smoke depends on the wind. We appreciate the communitys concern and support and we are dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff.

For parents like Rebecca Peterson, the large fans are even more distracting for her child who is hard of hearing.

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Shes complaining about not being able to focus and hear her teachers because of the fans in the classroom and in the hallways are just so loud, she cant hear, Peterson said.

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CHEYENNE  Besides the ongoing construction outside Frontier Mall, located at 1400 Dell Range Blvd., there has been just as much action going on inside, as many new businesses have opened since the start of the year, in addition to several that have closed their doors or relocated.

Nay&Jays: Opening Saturday

Local food truck Nay&Jays is opening a brick-and-mortar location in the Frontier Mall on Saturday.

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The food truck has served Cheyenne and surrounding communities food with a Midwestern theme. This includes comfort foods like patty melts, coney fries and their signature pizza puff.

Nay&Jays announced on its Facebook page on Jan. 15 that it will be opening a location at Frontier Mall. The food truck has continued to operate throughout February, but the owner was unable to be reached prior to publication to confirm whether the food truck will continue to operate after the location in Frontier Mall has its grand opening on March 15.

The space in the mall is the former home of Chick-fil-a, which began operating there in 1981, when the mall opened, and closed in 2020.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Store: Relocated

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Next to the soon-to-open Nay&Jays location is Twinkle Twinkle Little Store.

The local business moved to the mall this year and opened in February. It relocated from the Tivoli Building in downtown Cheyenne to the mall after an investment group purchased the building and chose to not renew the businesss lease, according to a Facebook post from Twinkle Twinkle Little Store.

The store is a metaphysical supply shop that offers crystals, candles, soaps, jewelry and books, among other things.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stores original location is at 3366 Ridge Road #7, and the second location opened at the Tivoli Building in 2023.

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According to Coldwell Banker, the Tivoli Building, built in 1892, was offered at $1.4 million. The Laramie County Assessors website lists the current owner of the property as Bravus Cowboy Properties, LLC, and it is unclear how the building will be used in the future. In 2016, Coldwell Banker listed the building for sale at $700,000.

Owners Patricia and Tim Miller said they are excited about the new location at Frontier Mall. I do feel (Frontier Mall) is headed in a positive direction, Patricia Miller said. But the reason why I feel that way is because its not all big businesses anymore, where you have a lot of local businesses, a lot of mom-and-pops, like my husband and our shop, and it feels more like community than I ever thought that it would.

Kacee Lillie Boutique: Opened

A new boutique has opened in the mall, as well, that primarily offers womens clothing and accessories.

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The sign for Kacee Lillie Boutique went up in the mall this week in the space most recently occupied by DAKY Native Treasures.

In addition to the mall location, which opened in February, Kacee Lillie opened a location at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base Exchange in December, the first brick-and-mortar location after the boutique had been only operating online.

DAKY Native Treasures closed in January but still operates a location at The Citadel mall in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Playground: Opened

The Playground also opened at Frontier Mall in February. This is the second location of the company after the original at the Greeley Mall in Greeley, Colorado.

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Located across from the Shoe Carnival in the former Rue21 space, The Playground is an indoor play space for children between the ages of 1 and 10 to burn off energy.

It is also available to rent out for parties for $159 and offers half-year and annual passes for individuals and families.

Bomgaars: Opened; JAX Mercantile: Closed

Iowa-based Bomgaars purchased the JAX Mercantile location in the Frontier Mall last year and recently opened its doors to the public.

The retail chain primarily sells farm and ranch supplies. Covering 15 states, 14 of Bomgaarss 180 locations are in Wyoming.

JAX, which still operates seven stores in Colorado and one in Iowa, closed its Cheyenne location on Dec. 31 after operating the location for five years.

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Jim Quinlan, JAX owner, previously told the WTE in an email that the offer was too good to pass up.

This was not a decision taken lightly, he wrote. The growth of online shopping, coupled with rising costs of labor, interest, insurance and other expenses have all resulted in a much tighter retail operating environment.

Joann: Closing this year

In January, the Ohio-based retailer Joann declared bankruptcy for the second time within one calendar year, the first being in March 2024.

Following this move, the fabric and crafts seller announced it will close all 800 of its stores across the U.S.

This list included the Cheyenne location inside Frontier Mall, along with the store in Rock Springs. It is unclear when the local location will shutter.

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Camp Kitchen: Closed

After opening in April 2024, Camp Kitchen closed after less than a year in January.

The restaurant, owned by Currents Custom, LLC, focused on selling handmade camping foods and prepackaged snacks.

On Jan. 23, the business announced its closure in a Facebook post.

It is with heavy hearts and many tears that we now must tell you Goodbye. We are unable to continue trying to make a go of Camp Kitchen. We will miss the friends we made, the business wrote. On a side note, if you or someone you know is looking for a turnkey restaurant space, you should look into Space 80. So many people wanted pizza, and it is set up for that. We were trying to be different, and I guess that was our mistake. Anyway, we wish all of you the best.

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Space 80 in Frontier Mall was previously home to Dough Daddy Pizzeria & Mac, which opened in May 2023 and also closed after less than a year.

Crossroad Collectibles: Relocated

Crossroad Collectibles announced in a December Facebook post that it would close its location at Frontier Mall by Dec. 29.

In the same post, the company announced it would open a new location at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base Exchange and intends to open a main location available to the public sometime this spring.

Crossroad Collectibles, which primarily sells Pokemon cards and other collectibles and merchandise, opened its F.E. Warren location on Jan. 13.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity that we have had and the growth we have seen over the past year. Without you all, we wouldnt be where we are today, the business wrote in the Facebook post announcing its departure from Frontier Mall.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Italy welcomes the announcement on the conclusion of the draft peace agreement negotiation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Italian Foreign Ministry wrote on its X page, Trend reports.

"Italy welcomes the announcement on the conclusion of the draft peace agreement negotiations and the resumption of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Italian Government will continue to support the normalization process to foster peace and stability in the region," the publication says.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Debate over whether the Sundance Film Festival will stay in Utah is heating up after a new report from Deadline claimed that the festival is in jeopardy of leaving Utah over a recent bill barring pride flags on schools and government property.

The Deadline report says the festivals concerns were discussed in a meeting held between Salt Lake City leaders and members of the festivals selection committee Tuesday. Local leaders confirmed the meeting took place but wouldnt specify what was discussed.

What Utah is doing to try to keep the Sundance Film Festival

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What are they thinking? a Sundance insider told Deadline about passing H.B.77. Utah is Utah, but this goes to the heart of the community Sundance has worked years and years to develop, the insider reportedly said.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall told ABC4 that there is not a state in this nation where inclusivity, diversity, and empathy arent under attack, adding that everyone has a role in standing up for those values.

Salt Lake City will never stop supporting our neighbors, including the lgbtqia community, and Sundance is an incredible partner in that support. The power of amplifying voices and creating change through art is needed now more than ever in this ongoing work, Mendenhall said.

Seemingly at the center of this is H.B. 77, which awaits Gov. Spencer Coxs signature or veto. The bill prohibits the display of pride flags in classrooms and government buildings.

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The bills House Sponsor, Trevor Lee (R  Layton), didnt mince words on Sundances reported concerns about the bill.

A pathetic excuse in my opinion, he said. This bill makes flags politically neutral on taxpayer-funded entities, not private, not businesses, those groups can still do whatever they want.

The bills Senate Sponsor, Daniel McCay (R  Riverton), took to social media with his thoughts, sharing the deadline article with the caption, Bye Felicia.

Sundance promotes porn, Sundance promotes alternative lifestyles, Sundance promotes anti-lds themes, McCay wrote. Sundance does not fit in Utah anymore.

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But not every Republican lawmaker agrees. Just over a week ago, Senate President Stuart Adams (R  Layton)  one of the states top GOP leaders  told ABC4 that he wants to keep Sundance in Utah. He said thats why lawmakers allocated $3.5 million, the amount the festival organizers requested, to support the film festival.

Im very clear. I want Sundance to stay, Adams said. Ive expressed that to them. I think many people have. I dont think theyll have the same notoriety if they leave Utah.

Lee said he doesnt care if Sundance leaves.

Its just not a good representation of what Utah is and what our values espouse in the film industry that they push there, and for that side of it, I would be okay if they left Utah, Lee said. As it pertains to the business and economics side, I mean, I really do believe well do fine without them.

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Sundances decision is expected in early spring.

ABC4 reached out to festival organizers for comment but did not hear back by the time of publishing.

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CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Five District Public Defenders in Louisiana learned that their contracts will not be renewed, including the 1st Judicial District Defender in Caddo and the 10th Judicial District Defender in Natchitoches Parishes.

The Public Defender Association of Louisiana (PDAL) announced an emergency meeting to discuss public defenders contracts in response to emails sent to DPDs, which was held on February 27, 2025, informing each individual that their contracts would not be renewed for the 2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the remaining 32 DPDs were required to schedule individual meetings with State Public Defender Remy Voisin Starns to review their contracts.

PDAL issued a statement saying, PDAL opposes the State Public Defenders continued pattern of exceeding his statutory authority and the multitude of decisions that run contrary to the American Bar Associations Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. Most notably, Principle 1 entitled Independence reads in pertinent part as follows:

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Public Defense Providers and their lawyers should be independent of political influence

 [and] [t]he selection of the head of the Public Defense Provider, as well as lawyers

and staff, should be based on relevant qualifications[n]either the chief defender nor

staff should be removed absent a showing of good cause.

Lawmakers seek to expand juvenile felonies through Louisiana constitutional amendment

The mention of political influence refers to a move made by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in 2024 in his efforts to reform the State Public Defenders Office. The move increased the governors power over public defenders by creating an office of the state public defender and hand-selecting a head, essentially muting the power and autonomy of the existing Louisiana Public Defender Board. Starns was Landrys chosen leader for the newly created office.

During a state legislative hearing, Michelle AndrePont, from the Caddo Parish Public Defenders Office, was among those to testify  primarily related to her offices budget and pay for its defense attorneys, which has been the subject of ongoing debate and frustration for board members and public defenders.

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In a statement, the five DPDs whose contracts will not be renewed issued the following statement.

We remain steadfast in our belief that opting to testify before the Louisiana Legislature in

attempts to maintain the independence of the Louisiana Public Defender System was not

only the right decision but our duty as public defense leaders. We believe independence is

crucial to a functioning criminal legal system. Additionally, all District Public Defenders

and line defenders must be free from political influence. Termination without cause for

speaking out is the antithesis of that freedom.

We are also very proud of our continued work with Governor Landrys newly appointed

Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board (LPDOB) to establish objective criteria for

fair compensation of District Public Defenders. We have privately and publicly supported

the Boards plan, despite the State Public Defenders objection to it, because it values

full-time public defense leaders and long-term service to the public defense system. We

believe Lousiana citizens deserves leaders who are as committed and hard working as

they are. For voicing these beliefs, we face termination without cause.

Our contract non-renewal flies in the face of the bedrock American value of Freedom of

Speech codified in the First Amendment. We are hopeful that Governor Jeff Landry will

support the Constitution and uphold the ideal of public defense independence.

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The public defenders say they will continue advocating on behalf of the Public Defense System in opposition to any abuse of statutory authority. A meeting of the Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board (LPDOB), as mandated by the Louisiana Legislature, is scheduled for late March. The association expects the decision not to renew the contracts of the five District Defenders and the review of the others will be part of the meetings agenda.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Firebrand Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California encouraged her colleagues and the public to fight back against President Donald Trumps attempts to remake the government in his vision through nonviolence  believing the president is on the edge of creating a civil war.

Waters, a longtime opponent of Trump, told reporters Thursday she believes the presidents recent string of policy-changing executive orders, mass firing of federal workers and implementation of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency is to rile up the public.

I think, perhaps, it is about gathering the power and bringing us to our knees so that when he changes America with his vision that we will begging for crumbs, basically, Waters said during a news conference with the Congressional Black Caucus.

California Representative Maxine Waters said she believes President Donald Trump is creating a civil war (REUTERS)

Trumps actions have sparked outrage from some Democrats and protests from the public.

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Im worried that Trump is on the edge of creating a civil war. He alluded to it more than once. He alluded to the fact that if he did not get re-elected, there could be a civil war, Waters added.

Over the last eight years, the president has made multiple references to the civil war. In 2019, Trump repeated a claim that if he was removed from office due to impeachment, it could cause a Civil War-like fracture. Last year, he touted that he believed the American Civil War could have been negotiated.

While the president has not directly stated there would be a civil war, he has made references to the potential for violence.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump did not rule out the possibility of violence if he did not win the election, saying it depends on the fairness of the election. However, he also has famously downplayed violence that took place on January 6, when a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.

Waters joined other leaders and protesters in rejecting Elon Musks recent ascent to power (Getty Images for MoveOn)

Based on his previous comments, Waters believes Trump is drastically changing the organization and authority of federal agencies and departments to get a rise out of Democrats and opponents but also fulfill his desire to be a dictator.

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Now we know he wants to be a dictator, we know hes in love with Putin, we know he even loves Kim Jong-un in North Korea, Waters said during the new conference.

I believe he expects violence. I believe he expects confrontation. I believe he is working toward a civil war, Waters said. Were not going to get goated, were not going to get tricked into that. Were going to continue to do our work.

Waters implored her colleagues to follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s teachings of peaceful, organized protests.

Were going to fight. We in this fight. Were going to fight. Were going to peacefully protest. Were going to talk to our people, Waters said.
When Jessica Millan Patterson took the reins of the California Republican Party in 2019, the media coverage invariably led with the history she made  how she was the first woman, first Latina, first millennial to lead the party.

The reality check usually came in the second paragraph: The longtime political operative and acolyte of Kevin McCarthy was assuming among the most thankless jobs in politics.

The state GOP had just lost half of its congressional delegation in the blue wave of 2018. The party was not only badly lagging Democrats in registered voters, it was outranked by voters registering no party preference. Republicans teetered on the brink of irrelevance in Sacramento and had even slumped in onetime strongholds like San Diego and Orange County.

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The vibes, as Patterson described it, were that California was a lost cause  and we were going to go the way of Hawaii.

And do I think that was absolutely possible? Yeah, I think that was absolutely possible.

Instead, Patterson, during an exit interview with Playbook marking the end of her tenure this week, sounded  as incongruous as it wouldve sounded when she started  triumphant.

To be clear, not too triumphant. Patterson, 44, is not the chest-thumping type. And Republicans are still resoundingly Californias minority party.

Nor was it always smooth sailing for six years. The failed recall against Gov. Gavin Newsom exposed the age-old fractures between the grassroots and establishment wings in the party, squelching the future of its most viable statewide candidate, Kevin Faulconer.

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But on balance, Patterson undoubtedly leaves California Republicans in stronger shape than when she took over. Her operation registered nearly 1 million new Republicans, clawing its way back into second place in state party identification behind just Democrats. The GOP flipped back some of the House seats it lost in 2018 and in 2022 was able to deliver the decisive win to make McCarthy, her longtime mentor, speaker of the House (at least for a few months, anyway). And last year, Republicans flipped legislative seats in both houses, the first time theyve done so during a presidential cycle since 1980.

Patterson, who raised $122 million during her tenure, benefited mightily from her close association with McCarthy. She was widely rumored to potentially be in the running for a top job at the national Republican Party when he was still in office (she told Playbook that working with McCarthy on national politics couldve been a possibility, but she was firmly against moving to Washington).

There is no person on the planet that is better at recruiting candidates, she said. People knowing that I had his support, they believed me when I came and said, we're looking for someone to help us make Kevin McCarthy the speaker. They knew I was speaking on behalf of him.

Pattersons approach to the GOPs main leader, President Donald Trump, was somewhere between a stiff-arm and a bear hug  a tightrope walk made possible since California is hardly a presidential battleground state. Instead, she urged her candidates to keep the focus local, tapping into voter frustrations with the ruling Democrats at home.

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Rob Stutzman, a veteran GOP strategist, credits Patterson with being an outstanding chair who managed to simultaneously appeal to the country club Republicans of yore and devotees of the new Trumpified version of the party.

Trump is intent on basically alienating traditional Reagan Republicans, Stutzman said. She had the ability to operate a state party that still felt welcoming to those Republicans while at the same time supporting the new direction of the party.

With Republicans falling to such a nadir, Patterson turned her focus on smaller incremental goals  better candidate recruitment, showing up in inland and ethnically diverse regions the party used to ignore  to chart a path to success.

We weren't trying to change the world. We weren't trying to go in there and say, we're going to turn California red, Patterson said. We have a limited amount of resources, and we're going to go into places where we believe that there is a pathway to victory, and we're going to find that pathway. We're going to find the right candidate, and we're going to win in these seats.

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In a sense, some of these gains were low-hanging fruit. The party put more emphasis on registration drives  using digital ads to target residents waiting at the DMV, for example, to sway potential Motor Voter registrants  than it had in the past, and lo and behold, the numbers went up.

Republicans had been perilously out-of-step with the states diversifying electorate, even though Patterson felt Democratic policies actually were harming the voters they purported to champion. Her favorite example: the plastic bag ban.

Every single time, we have to walk into a store and buy another damn bag, she said. I think it's the most regressive thing that you could possibly push upon people. I just didn't feel like the Democrats were speaking to the people that they were claiming to be fighting for. But Republicans weren't talking to them at all.

Now, Patterson says the new registered Republicans look more like the voters the party had once ignored  younger, more Latino, more working-class. She noted that theyve had more success flipping in inland parts of the state instead of the coast. Case in point: The Republicans improbable hold on Rep. David Valadaos Central Valley district, even though on paper it is a blue seat. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Dave Min pulled out a win in coastal Orange County district that includes wealthy, whiter enclaves such as Newport Beach, despite a slight GOP registration advantage.

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She also touted tangible operational changes, such as moving the Trailblazers recruiting program in-house, which let the party build up a bench starting from school boards and water boards, not just legislative seats.

Patterson may be the beneficiary of impeccable timing: She ascended to the post after her partys 2018 whupping, and shell be leaving before the midterms, which could very well be another rough cycle for the incumbent presidents party.

But she denies feeling any relief about being on the sidelines for the 2026 cycle. Instead, she says she feels a tinge of jealousy that the next Republican party chair may be able to accomplish the one thing that has eluded her  and the state GOP in general  for nearly 20 years: electing a Republican to statewide office.

I do think that California is ready, and we're seeing it in polls. We're seeing 47 percent [who] are willing to vote for a Republican, she said. I just think weve got to find them the right one.

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Patterson didnt identify which candidate she thinks will end the GOP statewide drought, but she thinks it will likely be the top prize  the governorship  that will flip before any of the other positions, and she suspects it will likely be someone outside of politics to pull it off.

I'm a little bit envious that the next [chair]person could be the person that helps get a statewide elected, she said. I will be cheering them on, for sure, but maybe be a little bit envious of what they have the opportunity to do.

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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated Jessica Millan Patterson's age.
SACRAMENTO, California  California lawmakers are calling for answers after the governors office floated a loan to bail out the states Medicaid program, bringing renewed scrutiny on the states coverage of undocumented immigrants.

The $3.44 billion loan, first floated to lawmakers Wednesday, will cover obligations for the state program, known as Medi-Cal, through March, but its raising questions about a bigger budget hole that may need to be filled later on. Lawmakers said on Thursday they were caught off guard by the news and still dont understand the extent of the shortfall.

Its especially a concern for the state as Congress eyes dramatic cuts from Medicaid that could eat into Californias funds, and as leading figures in Washington like Elon Musk slam the states undocumented coverage.

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Gavin Newsom has now put Medi-Cal on the brink of financial collapse because he decided to gift free health care to illegal immigrants a year ago, Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio said on Thursday. It's time for this madness to stop. It's time for us to protect citizens rather than prioritizing illegal immigrants at their expense.

The Newsom administration said the rising cost of health care has been a problem across the board and around the country, and its neither exclusive to undocumented immigrants nor to California.

This isnt new  as the administration already outlined in the Governors January budget proposal, additional funding is needed to support Medi-Cal, Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement Wednesday night. Rising Medicaid costs are a national challenge, affecting both red and blue states alike. This is not unique to California.

The administration has also pointed out that undocumented coverage is not the only factor running up the budget for the states insurance program for low-income people: Prescription drug costs are also on the rise, and more seniors  who require more expensive care  are on the program.

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But the news Wednesday of the shortfall prompted calls from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers for more information on how big the problem is and where the extra costs are coming from.

There are all these issues that I'm willing to admit are part of it, but we won't know, the citizens won't know, unless we have a [budget] hearing on this, said Republican state Sen. Roger Niello.

Democratic state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, who for years has advocated for expanding Medi-Cal to immigrants, said rolling back or ending benefits for undocumented people shouldnt be on the table. But she also called for more details from the Newsom administration  not just on the role of the undocumented program in driving up costs, but also on the whole system.

Our goal was to get as many people as possible onto health care, and we've accomplished that goal, Durazo said. As Californians, we should be very proud that we've gotten closer to everyone having access to health care, that that was our explicit goal. We weren't hiding about that.

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A spokesperson for Newsom declined to comment on lawmakers calls for more details.

Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, chair of the Senate health budget subcommittee, said she also hasnt gotten all the information she needs to understand the scope of the problem. Every part of the Medi-Cal program will need to be examined, she said, but health care costs are simply too high across the board.

The loan is the only thing that I've heard of. Now, are we going to need more? I do not know. I did not get a clear answer, Weber Pierson said.

Even the suggestion by Republicans of ending the benefits, though not popular with the vast Democratic majority in the Legislature, was enough to worry immigration advocates.

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Time and time again, immigrants are being scapegoated as the reason why certain programs aren't working as intended, said Carlos Alarcon, the health and public benefits policy analyst at the California Immigrant Policy Center. When we are seeing such a shortfall, immigrant communities are the first ones to be on the chopping block.

Contingency planning

Though lawmakers said they were surprised by the news of the shortfall, others in the health care world have been preparing for weeks, if not months, for the possibility of budget cuts. And the fact that state budget problems are playing out so publicly could bring even more federal scrutiny.

Doctors, clinics and hospitals have been talking among themselves about potential contingency plans to keep providing care to everyone if Medi-Cal is no longer an option.

California is one of only three states alongside New York and Illinois that provide any kind of coverage to undocumented immigrants outside of the emergency room, but Illinois announced this year that it would be defunding its undocumented insurance program.

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Congressional Republicans looking to cut from Medicaid without harming red states could potentially single out California and New York, impacting how much those states are able to pay doctors and hospitals.

I would consider [undocumented health care coverage] in jeopardy, said John Baackes, former CEO of the L.A. Care Health Plan  the largest publicly-operated insurance plan in the country. Baackes was also a major player in statewide Medicaid policy when he ran L.A. Care. If I were Gavin Newsom, Id be balancing this against that $40 billion [federal] request for the LA fires.

Before Newsom expanded Medi-Cal to undocumented adult immigrants, Los Angeles County created the Expanded Access to Primary Care program, which reimbursed doctors a set amount per undocumented immigrant to provide the care they needed, including pharmacy benefits and dental care. The program was underfunded but extremely successful, covering 28,000 people at one point, according to Jim Mangia, the president and CEO of St. Johns Community Health in Los Angeles.

St. Johns is a community clinic network that serves around 25,000 undocumented immigrants, one of the largest providers in the country. While EAPC was helpful, he said, Newsoms expansion of Medi-Cal has had a huge impact on the community he serves, making it easier to stay on top of chronic conditions and improving childrens health.

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This was an incredible accomplishment that he led, its a key part of his legacy, Mangia said of Newsom. It would be a mistake to allow this to sunset because of threats from Washington.

But Mangia said both he and his patients are worried about the future. His clinic gets 10-15 cancellations per day from people afraid to come in and face the risk of deportation. In response, St. Johns has started a home visit program to provide care with a lower threat of immigration enforcement.

I dont think its unrealistic to expect attempts by Trump to attack this program, Mangia said.
Unappealing schools

St. Joseph will never be attractive to new, young professionals until a new, state-of-the-art school is built. Were a wonderful community, but our schools look like 1910 prisons, which are very unappealing to incoming young families.

Town halls

When will Sam Graves have an open town hall in St. Joseph? And when is the last time hes had an open town hall?

Wheres he at?

The new health director, Kennedy, that all the Republicans put in, wheres he at with all this measles epidemic?

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Good riddance

I see where Rosie ODonnell has moved to Ireland. Good riddance.

Call your reps

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Call your representative while we still have a democracy.
When the United States was attacked by al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) did something it had never done before and has not done since: It invoked Article 5, the collective-defense provision at the core of the alliance. With Manhattan burning and the Pentagon in ruins, thousands of Americans dead, and the future uncertain, our allies came to our aid.

And that included our nearest ally, Canada.

Canada did not send a bloodied and wounded United States thoughts and prayers via social media: When it came time to go after Osama bin Laden et al. in Afghanistan, more than 40,000 members of the Canadian armed forces served in what was not, narrowly speaking, a Canadian cause. And 159 Canadian soldiers died there.

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That may not seem like a very large number, but it is 159 more than the Trump family has sent to fight for the American cause in the century and a half since that familys first draft-dodging ancestor fled military service in Germany. Frederick Trump, the horse-butchering Yukon pimp who brought the Trump family to the United States, had no plans to stay in the country long term, but was expelled ignominiously from his homeland for his cowardly evasion of military service. During the Trump familys time in the United States, Americans have fought in conflicts ranging from the Spanish-American War to the two world wars to Korea to Vietnam to the Gulf War to Afghanistan and Iraq. None of Trumps ancestors served in any of those conflicts, and none of his progeny has, either. The president has occasionally, however, taken the time to sneer at figures such as John McCain, whose service waswhatever you think of his politicsgenuinely heroic.

Other prominent American families saw that kind of service as a natural obligation of their class: Young George H.W. Bush volunteered on his 18th birthday and fought with distinction as a naval aviator in World War II. Gerald Ford served in the Navy in the Pacific theater during that Second World War, as did Richard Nixon. Dwight Eisenhower spent a sleepless night before D-Day preparing a letter taking full responsibility for the lossand it was far from obvious that the assault was going to be a successin case he wasnt around to do so afterward.

Donald Trump has his name on the front of The Art of the Deal. John F. Kennedys name is on Profiles in Courage. Both men used ghostwriters, but we may take these works as testament to their priorities.

From father to son to father to son, the Trumps have been a line of small, oafish, grasping, chiseling, dishonest, dishonorable, cowardly, conniving, dim-witted, donkey-souled plotters and plodders, and no sensible country would trade the lot of them for one of the 159 Canadians who died in Afghanistanor for one of the hundreds of British troops who died in Afghanistan, or for any one of the French, Germans, Italians, Poles, Danes, Australians, Spaniards, Romanians, Georgians, Dutch, Turks, Czechs, Kiwis, Norwegians, Estonians, Hungarians, Swedes, Latvians, Slovaks, Finns, Portuguese, Koreans, Albanians, Jordanians, Belgians, Bulgarians, Croats, Lithuanians, or Montenegrins who lost their lives in that conflict. And certainly not for the Ukrainians who served alongside U.S. forces in Iraq. Nor for any one of the British and European doctors and nurses who saved the lives of so many wounded Americans evacuated from those battlefields.

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These are our allies, not our enemies. Many of them are our trading partners, toonot a gang of pirates trying to victimize Americans with  abundant goods provided at reasonable prices.

Donald Trump seems surprised by the ferocity of the Canadian response to his attempts to strong-arm the country with his imbecilic bullying and threats to annex it. I am not. Canadian pride may sometimes take the form of toxic anti-Americanism, but there is no doubting the resolve or the patriotism of our neighbors to the north.

Other than the fact that he is one of the few conservative leaders in the Western world who has literally cut the size of government (by reducing the number of members on the Toronto city council), I do not know much about Doug Ford, the Conservative premier of Ontario who has promised to fight back against Trumps predations with such tools as he has at his disposal. But he has made a pretty good showing for himself so far.

His promise to one-up Trump and put his own tariff on Canadian exportselectricity sent to the United Stateswas clever and bold, and, of course, there is the blunter threat of simply turning off the juice entirely. And what was the response of the American president? To whine about how Canada was stooping so low in response to his attacks. Thats Donald Trump for you: He starts a fight and then complains when a relatively small figurethe provincial executive of Ontario, not even the Canadian prime ministerfights back. One wonders what Donald Trump thinks of as lowhed have to don climbing gear and an oxygen mask to rise high enough to see a snakes belly in a wagon rut.

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But we know what to expect from Trump, which is the same thing any intelligent person expects from him: cowardice.

And, for Donald Trump, cowardice is a family tradition.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Mark Carney, Canadas prime minister, took over from Justin Trudeau as leader of the countrys Liberal Party just in time for the outbreak of a trade war with the US, instigated by Donald Trump.

The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country... if they succeed, they will destroy our way of life, the former Governor of the Bank of England said in his acceptance speech.

Mr Trumps decision to impose tariffs on its northern neighbour sparked outrage from Canadians, upending the state of the federal election set to take place within months.

When will Canada hold an election?

Just weeks after taking office, the new prime minister announced a snap election for Monday, April 28th.

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This is months earlier than the October deadline stipulated by Canadian law, which requires a ballot every 5 years.

Who will be running in the Canadian election?

After nine years in post, Mr Trudeau stepped down in early January after weeks of growing pressure from his party. The Liberals were languishing 25 points behind their Conservative rivals at the time.

His resignation, however, instigated a dramatic comeback, the gap falling to just 4 points by the time his successor was sworn-in on Friday.

Escalating aggression from Washington  from Mr Trump first referring to Canada as the 51st state in December to the levying of 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium in March  saw Canadians rally around their defiant leadership.

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The Conservative Partys Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, stood accused of echoing the US presidents rhetoric and an awkward proximity with the US Right. His successful blaming of Mr Trudeau personally for Canadas ills also became moot overnight.

How do Canadian elections work?

The British and Canadian democracies present a number of similarities, not least in the nomenclature.

Canada is divided into 343 federal ridings, the constituents of which return a Member of Parliament to the House of Commons in the capital Ottawa. The first-past-the-post system is also used to select the winner.

The leader of the party with the largest number of MPs forms the government, with the runner-up forming His Majestys Loyal Opposition.

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Despite claims to the contrary, Mr Carney can be (and is) party leader and prime minister without representing a riding. Yet in keeping with convention, he is running to be the MP for Nepean, a southern suburb of the capital.

Ottawa is where Mark Carney raised his family, devoted his career to public service and always gave back to his community, the Liberal Party posted on X in making the announcement. He is widely expected to win the race.

This also means for the first time in Canadian history the two main contenders for the premiership are going after seats in the same city.

Mr Poilievres Carleton riding, which he has represented since 2004, is next-door to Nepean in Ottawa. The Conservative leader is also likely to prevail, but his polling margin has narrowed somewhat in recent weeks.

Where did we get the data?

The Telegraphs model uses polls from a range of reputable Canadian pollsters, compiled by 338Canada. These include Leger, Ipsos and Mainstreet Research.

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The result of each survey published since the last election on September 20 2021, has been weighted according to how well that pollster performed, and the size of the sample.

The trendline displayed is the Weighted Moving Average (WMA) of all polls published over the preceding 3 weeks.

How accurate are the polls?

Every poll comes with a measure of uncertainty. Although all pollsters strive to interrogate a representative sample, and make adjustments to reflect the makeup of the wider country, a margin of error is unavoidable.

In practice, the true position of a particular poll is likely to fall within 2 points of the quoted figure.

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Each pollster also has a bespoke approach to establishing headline voting intention. The precise wording of questions can vary, as does the way dont know responses are handled.

Studies have shown that an aggregated poll of polls helps mitigate the potential biases emerging from individual pollsters.

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Canada has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), asking it to dispute consultations with the U.S. regarding the tariffs on certain aluminum and steel products coming from Ottawa.

The WTO said the request was circulated to the trade body members on Thursday.

Canada said in the filing that Washingtons levies terminated the nations exemption from additional tariffs on certain steel and aluminum products and increased levies on aluminum that went into effect on Wednesday, a move that is inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.

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This is the second complaint Canada has filed with the WTO this month. The first one, which was circulated among WTO members on March 5, came as President Trumps administration slapped 25 percent tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10 percent levy on Chinese products.

In the initial complaint with the WTO, Canada argued that the U.S. tariffs were in breach of the GATT and the WTOs Trade Facilitation Agreement.

The Trump administration has implemented 25 percent tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports coming into the U.S. Ottawa fired back, slapping $20.7 billion in retaliatory tariffs on aluminum, steel and other items.

Canada is the U.S.s biggest aluminum and steel supplier.

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The European Union (EU) also swiftly sprung into action, vowing to implement a two-step retaliation approach.

The 27-member bloc said it would permit the suspension of current 2018 and 2020 countermeasures against the U.S. to expire on April 1. The trading bloc is also readying a new set of countermeasures on items coming from the U.S. that will be implemented in mid-April, totaling around $28 billion.

Trump also warned the EU on Thursday that if the bloc does not remove the current tariff on whiskey, the president would impose a 200 percent tariff on wine, Champagne and other alcohol imports from Europe.

The commander in chief told reporters in the White House on Thursday that his mind is unchanged on tariffs.

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Weve been ripped off for years and were not going to be ripped off anymore. Im not going to bend at all, aluminum or steel or cars, Trump said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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LA MALBAIE, Quebec  As G7 foreign ministers enjoyed Canadian hospitality in a five-star hotel in rural Quebec, their Canadian host sounded frustrated.

The topic: President Donald Trump's repeated threats to his northern neighbor's sovereignty.

"I think many of my colleagues coming here thought that this issue is still a joke, and that this had to be taken in a humorous way. But I said to them, this is not a joke," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Friday. "Canadians are anxious. Canadians are proud people. And you are here in a sovereign country."

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The previous day, Trump had said Canada "only works as a state"  the latest in a long string of his comments about annexing Canada as the U.S.' "51st state."

While Canadian sovereignty isn't an official topic of discussion at the G7, it was an issue impossible for members to avoid amid Trump's provocations and Joly's insistence that her counterparts take the matter seriously. She also offered stern words for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "What I said to the secretary is Canada's sovereignty is not up to debate, period," she said. "You're here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you're in our country, you respect our people. Period."

Rubio acknowledged the conflict but attempted to sidestep it.

"There's a disagreement between the president's position and the position of the Canadian government," Rubio said following the meetings. "I don't think that's a mystery coming in, and it wasn't a topic of conversation because that's not what this summit was about."

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The back-and-forth forced some other nations to respond. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters it was "not my job" to comment on the president's remarks: "For me, Canada will be Canada."

Asked whether Trump's rhetoric about a close ally shocked him, Tajani demurred: "We are working hard all together. The most important message today is the unity of the G7."

At a midday press conference, German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock did not directly condemn Trump's threats  but she did reinforce Canada's sovereignty.

"Borders are inviolable in Ukraine, in Greenland, in Panama, in Canada, anywhere in the world," Baerbock said in German.

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Trump frequently alludes to his interest in annexing Denmark's autonomous territory in the Arctic and taking control of the Panama Canal.

"Canada's unity inspires us. We Europeans, we Germans, and Canada are not only partners," she said. "We are close friends. And friends have each other's back. Always."

Asked about Trump's annexation talk by CBC News, U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy said: "This is not a time to sow unnecessary division."

Following his swearing-in ceremony as Canada's new prime minister on Friday, Mark Carney dismissed Canada's need for reassurance from abroad. "We dont need to hear it from [our allies], were in charge," he said. "Its always nice when people say nice things about you, but we dont need it. Were not seeking it."

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The Canadians initially took the annexation talk as a joke, but have long since stopped laughing. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has insisted the president is serious.

When Trump's punishing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods came into effect on March 4, Trudeau reiterated his view of the president's goal.

"What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that'll make it easier to annex us, is the second half of his thought," Trudeau said. "Now, first of all, that's never going to happen. We will never be the 51st state."

Carney is widely expected to call an election in the coming days, pitting him against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre  the favorite to win, but with a narrowing lead in the polls. Liberals have launched ads that paint Poilievre as a Canadian version of Trump.

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But the president hasn't had kind words for the Canadian Conservative. I think [Poilievres] biggest problem is hes not a MAGA guy. Hes really not. Hes not a Trump guy at all," Trump recently said in an interview with The Spectator.

"Mr. President, it is true. I am not MAGA," Poilievre replied on social media. "I am for Canada First. Always."
Recently, a China-Europe Railway Express train carrying 81 JAC Sunray 6 Series ambulances was released by the Luzhou Customs under Hefei Customs and departed for Kazakhstan via the "Rapid Railway Clearance" mode through Alashankou (Alataw Pass). Reporters learned from Hefei Customs that in the first two months of this year, the Hefei China-Europe Railway Express has operated a total of 117 trains, shipping 9,622 TEUs with a cargo value of 770 million yuan. This year, Hefei's China-Europe Railway Express has added four new international stations. As of now, it has reached a total of 20 countries and 160 cities. "Now everyone is willing to choose the 'Rapid Railway Clearance' mode for customs clearance," said Cui Wei, head of Hefei Zhonghang Customs Brokerage Co., Ltd. "In this clearance mode, not only are the procedures simplified, but the overall customs clearance time for exported goods is two to three days faster than before, and it also saves costs related to transit declarations." It is reported that the "Rapid Railway Clearance" mode is a facilitative measure launched by the General Administration of Customs to further smooth international logistics channels and promote the development of the China-Europe Railway Express. This mode allows for data sharing among customs, railways, and operating companies, facilitating joint supervision by all three parties. Under this model, customs audits, releases, and verifications of the electronic data of railway manifests streamline the regulatory procedures for the import and export goods transported by railway.

Source: Anhui Daily
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the announcements by Armenia and Azerbaijan on the conclusion of negotiations on the draft peace agreement, Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said, Trend reports.

"He is encouraged by the progress made by the parties towards normalization of relations and strongly supports their efforts to resolve all outstanding issues in the interest of long-term peace in the region", he said.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Government of Canada contributed an additional 33.4 million (CAD$50 million) to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund on Friday 14 March.

Source: Ukraines Ministry of Energy, as reported by European Pravda

Details: With the new contribution of 33.4 million, Canadas total contribution to the Fund has increased to 40.1 million (CAD$60 million).

Ukraines Ministry of Energy also announced that Canada has declared a future contribution of 6.7 million (CAD$10 million).

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Part of Canadas new contribution will be allocated to supporting energy supply for critical social infrastructure in the healthcare sector through the development of solar generation systems.

"Contributions to the Energy Support Fund are directed toward purchasing equipment necessary for restoring energy facilities after enemy attacks and ensuring the stable operation of Ukraines energy system," said Ukraine's Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko.

Ahmed Hussen, Canada's Minister of International Development, stated that this aid will help restore the critical energy reserves of energy companies and ensure the stable operation of the sector.

Currently, announced contributions from partners to the Fund exceed more than 1 billion. The Fund's donors come from both the public and commercial sectors in over 30 countries, including EU member states, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as international and regional organisations.

Background:

On 12 March, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated its grant agreement with the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which was set to provide US$75 million.

The initial agreement between USAID and the Fund was signed in 2023 for US$25 million, and in 2024, USAID had promised to provide the Fund with an additional US$50 million.

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Taylar Dawn Stagner & Joseph Winters

Grist

In Western legal systems, arguments against pollution or the destruction of the environment tend to focus exclusively on people: Its wrong to contaminate a river, for example, because certain humans depend on the river for drinking water.

But what if the river had an inherent right to be protected from pollution, regardless of its utility to humans? This is the idea that drives the rights of nature movement, a global campaign to recognize the intrinsic value of nonhuman nature  not just rivers, but also trees, mountains, animals, ecosystems  by granting it legal rights. Many Indigenous worldviews already recognize these rights. The question for many in the movement, however, is how to bring the rights of nature into the courtroom.

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Enter the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, a recurring gathering of Indigenous and environmental advocates who present arguments regarding alleged violations of the rights of nature and Indigenous peoples. Given international laws broad failure to recognize the rights of nature, the events provide a model showing what this type of jurisprudence could look like.

At the sixth tribunal in Toronto late last month, a panel of nine judges heard cases against Canadian mining companies, ultimately ruling that they had violated collective rights, Indigenous rights, and rights of nature.

Todays testimonies have emphasized the age-old stories of greed, colonization,  and the ongoing ecocide caused by the extractive industries, said Casey Camp-Horinek, an elder of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma and one of the tribunals judges. She and the other judges called for the ratification of a United Nations treaty on business and human rights, a report from U.N. experts on critical minerals and Indigenous peoples rights, and further consideration of minings impacts at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Those recommendations and the verdict against the mining companies are set to be presented later this year at COP30 in Brazil  the United Nations annual climate change conference  where the tribunal judges hope their findings will pressure countries to develop legal protections for nature and Indigenous peoples.

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Mining was selected as the theme of this tribunal because of the damage that resource extraction can cause to people and ecosystems, even though the sector is necessary for addressing climate change. Minerals like lithium and copper are needed in large quantities for electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and other renewable technologies to replace fossil fuels. A previous session of the tribunal, held in New York City last September, focused on oil and gas infrastructure.

Canadian companies were singled out because of their prominence in the global mining sector. According to a recent report by the nonprofit MiningWatch Canada, the country is home to more than 1,300 mining and exploration companies, 730 of which operate overseas. About half the worlds public mining companies are listed on Canadian stock exchanges.

The tribunal was also meant to contrast with this weeks annual conference of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which featured climate change and Indigenous issues in a way that speakers described as opportunistic  by now a familiar criticism.

Casey Camp-Horinek, International Rights of Nature tribunal judge and Ponca Nation of Oklahoma elder, said Canadian mining companies are violating the rights of both nature and Indigenous peoples in South America and Serbia. Courtesy of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature

James Yap, the tribunals prosecutor and acting director of an international human rights program at the University of Toronto, called out one particular event titled Caliente Caliente Ooh Aah: Latin American Mining Is Heating Up!, which invited attendees to dance to the Latin beat through the various regulatory issues affecting the region.

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Neither the law firm that organized the Latin American mining event nor the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada responded to Grists requests for comment.

Jeremie Gilbert, a professor of social and ecological justice at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, applauded the tribunal for building an evidence base of the alleged human rights and natures rights violations by transnational mining companies. His research has highlighted how most international law treats nature as a resource to be owned or exploited instead of having value in its own right.

Legal protections that include Indigenous knowledge and the rights of nature have already been implemented in several countries  most famously in Ecuador, which in its rewritten 2008 constitution acknowledged the rights of Mother Earth, or Pacha Mama, to the maintenance and regeneration of its life cycles, structure, functions, and evolutionary processes.

Whats required for the rights of nature is a pen and then enforceability, said Dov Korff-Korn, the legal director of Sacred Defense Fund, an Indigenous environmental group based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Korff-Korn said that giving rights to nonhuman entities like water, animals, and plants is already baked into how many tribes see the world, so using tribal laws and respecting sovereignty is a way forward.

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Weve got some unique rights and laws that have unique expressions, said Frank Bibeau, an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and a tribal attorney with the nonprofit Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights who has worked on cases that give rights to nonhuman relatives under Chippewa treaties.

A copper mine in Puerto Coloso, Chile. Sebastian Rojas Rojo / AFP via Getty Images via Grist

One example came during the fight against the controversial Line 3 pipeline proposed by the oil and gas company Enbridge in Minnesota. Bibeau listed manoomin, Ojibwe for wild rice, as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Minnesotas Department of Natural Resources, arguing that the rice had rights to clean water and habitat that would be jeopardized by the pipeline and the oil spill risks it would bring.

Bibeau said the lawsuit is an example of how many tribes see the rights inherent in nature. But since most settler courts dont, he argues that Indigenous treaties are a useful way to help protect nonhuman relatives.

Other ways to develop legal protections could involve tribal courts. This year in Aotearoa, also known as New Zealand, the mountain Taranaki Maunga was recognized as a legal person because the Maori see it as an ancestor. The country also recognizes the rights of the Te Irewera Forest and the Whanganui River, so there is a developing global precedent for this sort of legal framework.

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Protections like these could protect ecosystems in the examined cases of the tribunal, including in Brazil where a firm called Belo Sun has proposed the development of the countrys largest open-pit gold mine, and in regions affected by copper, silver, and other metals mining throughout Ecuador. One of the cases heard by tribunal judges related to a gold mine proposed in eastern Serbia by the Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals, and another centered on uranium mining within Canada.

In a presentation about heavy metals mining in Penco, Chile, Valerie Sepulveda  president of a Chilean environmental nonprofit called Parque para Penco  criticized the Toronto-based Aclara Resources for opaque operations and a failure to engage with residents near its mines. We must reevaluate what mining is really necessary and which is not, she told the audience. One of the judges, in describing the 2015 release of millions of liters of cyanide solution from a gold mine in San Juan, Argentina, said mining companies are sacrificing these towns so that Americans can have their Teslas.

Another judge  Tzeporah Berman, international program director at the nonprofit Stand.earth  told attendees she was horrified and embarrassed by the practices of Canadian mining companies. Canada must pursue human and environmental due diligence, she added while delivering her verdict. I hope that our recommendations will be used in future policy design and legal challenges.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Canadian Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will take over the finance ministry when Prime Minister Mark Carney is sworn in later on Friday, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation reported.

Dominic Leblanc will leave the finance ministry and take on a role focusing on intergovernmental affairs and the the Canada-US relationship, CBC said.

(Reporting by Caroline Stauffer)
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Canadas top ministers said the countrys change of leadership may provide a chance to reset its now troubled relationship with the US, its biggest trading partner.

Mark Carney, who will replace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, is expected to talk to President Donald Trump in the coming days, said Canadas Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Thursday.

They may take that opportunity to engage with the new prime minister in a different way, with respect, said Champagne. Standing alongside Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canadas ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman at a press conference in Washington, Champagne said the moment could be a chance for kind of a reset.

Trump and the incoming prime minister have spoken in the past, and Carney, a two-time former central bank governor, brings an outstanding level of experience and resume, understands the world, understands markets, understands the economy, which should help talks, Champagne said.

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The press conference followed a meeting arranged between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after a tariff dispute flared up at the start of the week. The leader of Canadas most populous province imposed 25% export taxes on its electricity exports to US states, prompting Trump to threaten doubling metals tariffs, before the two sides agreed to hold off on the duties and meet instead.

During the meeting with the Canadian officials, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Lutnick highlighted the administrations commitment to pursuing fair trade and Canadas potential role in those efforts, according to a White House readout.

In a conversation lasting more than one hour on Thursday, the two sides discussed issues including how Canadas aluminum  subject to a 25% US tariff since Wednesday  contributes to the US defense industry, Champagne said. However, Canada would not discuss changes to its dairy trade controls, though they are a Trump grievance, LeBlanc said.

While the Canadian officials struck an upbeat tone, it remains unclear whether Trump will retaliate against Canadas countermeasures on his steel and aluminum tariffs, as he has threatened to do against the EU, which took a similar response.

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LeBlanc declined to rule out more aggressive retaliation, such as export controls on key products. Weve said all these options remain on the table, he said. Our hope is we dont get to the point that were examining these sort of extraordinary steps.

Ford, speaking separately after the meeting, said it was positive. A spokeswoman later said Ontario would continue its pause on an export tariff on electricity to a handful of northern US States, a retaliatory tactic that Trump objected to earlier this week.

Ford said the two sides would meet again next week.

Champagne hinted that he and LeBlanc would remain in the new cabinet to be appointed by Carney on Friday, though they all face a national election as soon as the coming weeks.

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Asked if Canadians should be less combative in the trade dispute, Champagne said, theres no alternative than standing up for Canadians.

If theres one thing that President Trump respects, its strength, its frankness, he said.

(Updates with White House statement on the meeting in sixth paragraph.)

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Canada is determined to confront US President Donald Trump with tough measures as the two sides engage in a trade conflict, the Canadian foreign minister said on Friday.

"We will put maximum pressure on the Americans, and meanwhile, we'll work on finding off-ramps, because we know, ultimately, at the end of the day, the Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans," Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on the sidelines of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) leading nations in eastern Canada.

Joly made the comment after a "very long conversation" with her US counterpart Marco Rubio.

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Joly also emphasized that cooperation in resolving other crises must continue.

"What Secretary Rubio and I have been able to agree on was: We won't let things that we don't agree on stop us to agree on other things," she said.

Regarding Trump's repeated blatant threat of annexing Canada, Joly found clear words: "Well, you know what I said to the secretary is Canada's sovereignty is not up to debate. Period. There's no argument. There's no conversation about it. There's no need to talk about it. You're here. You respect us. You respect our sovereignty, you are in our country, you respect the people, period."
A Canadian woman who had appeared in an "American Pie" movie was detained for several days by U.S. immigration officials while attempting to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. to renew her work visa, according to her mother. The woman's father expects his daughter to be able to return to Canada as early as Friday.

Jasmine Mooney, a 35-year-old business consultant who appeared in several TV and movie roles including 2009's "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love," was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 3, her mother Alexis Eagles said Wednesday on Facebook. Eagles said Mooney attempted to cross the border with her visa paperwork and a job offer from a company in the U.S. An ICE spokesperson confirmed Mooney's detainment in a statement to CBS News, saying she didn't have legal documentation to be in the U.S.

Mooney was crossing the border to apply for a temporary visa known as a TN visa, which she had previously obtained successfully, according to Canadian broadcaster Global News. The TN visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. in certain professional jobs under the terms of the North American free trade pact known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

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Her visa was denied, and she was held at the San Ysidro border crossing in Southern California for three nights, according to Eagles. She was then transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego and held for another three nights.

The CoreCivic Otay Mesa Detention Center is seen in San Diego, California, Feb. 7, 2025. / Credit: Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images

On Sunday, an online detainee locator system showed that Mooney had been released, according to Eagles, but 24 hours later, there was still no sign or communication from her, leaving her family and friends in a state of uncertainty and worry.

"We eventually learned that about 30 people, including Jasmine, were forcibly removed from their cells at 3:00 am and transferred to San Luis Detention Center in Arizona," Eagles said on Facebook. "They are housed together in a single concrete cell with no natural light, fluorescent lights that are never turned off, no mats, no blankets, and limited bathroom facilities."

Mooney's friend Brittany Kors told Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency suddenly informed Mooney of her visa denial and she was detained as she was in the process of booking a flight back to Canada.

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"Without any warning about what was about to transpire, I was literally just taken," Mooney told CTV News in a phone interview from the Arizona detention facility. "I feel like I've been kidnapped."

On Friday, the ICE spokesperson told CBS News that Mooney was processed in accordance with one of the many executive orders President Trump signed after starting his second term. "All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the U.S., regardless of nationality," the spokesperson said in the statement.

Mooney's father, Stephen Mooney, said in an interview with CBC Radio that he expected his daughter will be brought to a detention center in Tijuana, Mexico, and released. He's expecting her to fly back to Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday evening.

Jasmine Mooney is seen with her dad Stephen Mooney in a photo provided to CBS News. / Credit: Susan Mooney

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Eagles said she purchased a plane ticket for her daughter and was waiting for ICE to approve it. She also said she was cautiously optimistic that Mooney will be home in the next couple of days.

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Mooney's mother said she was very concerned about her daughter's living conditions in detention. She called ICE's treatment of her daughter "inhumane and deeply concerning."

"Being detained is one thing, but there's NO excuse for the way people are treated while in custody or for the delays in deportation," she said. "They are not criminals, and they just want to go home."

Dina Destin, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, told CBS News in a statement that they are aware of a Canadian's detention in the U.S. and that consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather information and provide consulate assistance.

"Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on behalf of Canadian citizens with regard to the entry and exit requirements of another country," Destin said in the statement.

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Canadians are canceling trips to the US over growing US-Canada tensions.

US Airbnb host Robert Carlson tells BI a Canadian man canceled his $7,000 Palm Springs reservation.

It comes as Trudeau told Canadians to reconsider travel to the US after Trump's proposed tariffs.

Last week, Palm Springs Realtor Robert Carlson received a distressing message from a Canadian friend out of the blue. The 65-year-old retiree was returning to Vancouver and canceling all coming US travel for the year.

"I'm having real trouble sleeping here right now. I'm cutting my stay short and am going home to Canada," he wrote in an email to Carlson.

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The guest canceled a $7,000 booking at a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom Airbnb property that Carlson manages. Carlson is now worried that the next booking, a Canadian couple, will cancel a five-month $17,000 stay at the same property.

Carlson said that Canadians make up a significant portion of Palm Springs' population in the wintertime. He's right: A study conducted by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau found that about 300,000 Canadians visited nearby Indio, California, in 2017, spending about $236.5 million. Now, residents of Palm Springs are worried that more cancellations are coming.

"Nobody seems to have any good answers [about] what to do or to say to calm the situation," Carlson told Business Insider on Friday.

Canadians are canceling US trips amid increased tensions

The cancellation comes after outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadian citizens to reconsider travel to the US amid growing tensions between the two countries.

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Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has called the 158-year-old nation the "51st State" and proposed several tariffs. This week, he said there would be 50% tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, although those are seemingly delayed.

Some Canadians are responding. In February, the number of Canadians driving to the US fell 23% compared to last year, according to Statistics Canada, and was the second consecutive monthly decline.

A slowdown in Canadian visitors could have a major economic impact in the US. The US Travel Association projected last month that a 10% decline in Canadian travel could result in $2.1 billion in lost tourism spending in the US.

The White House didn't respond to a request for comment about Canadians canceling travel plans.

'People are fed up'

Canadian couple Gary and Carol Cruise told CNN they've canceled two upcoming vacations to the US. The couple said they traditionally spend $30,000 annually on road trips around the country.

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"We are furious and horribly insulted by the lack of respect coming out of the Oval Office," Gary Cruise said.

For now, the couple said they haven't officially canceled plans for a November trip to the US. They hope the once-friendly US-Canada relationship will be repaired by then.

"We love your country. We have seen almost all of your country. This is really horrible," Carol Cruise added.

In Provincetown, Massachusetts, a popular summertime destination in New England, vacation rental owner Kent Newton told The Cape Cod Times one guest has already tried to cancel an upcoming summer stay. Newton eventually had to negotiate a discounted rate with them to keep the booking.

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Canadian traveler Joe De Rome told the outlet that his family is canceling their annual trip to Cape Cod for the first time in 30 years. He specifically blamed Trump's barrage of comments about his country.

"People are fed up," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Canadians taking road trips to the US dropped by 23% last month, according to Statistics Canada.

Outgoing PM Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to take domestic vacations instead of visiting the US.

A business owner told BI he feared Donald Trump's tariffs might cause him to lose Canadian clients.

Canadians are pulling back on travel to the US amid a scrap between the two nations over tariffs first imposed by President Donald Trump.

According to Statistics Canada data released Monday, the number of Canadians driving to the US fell 23% in February compared with the same month last year, marking the second consecutive monthly decline and the second decline observed since March 2021.

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Leisure bookings are also taking a hit. Flight Centre Travel Group, a major travel agency in Canada, told Business Insider it saw a 40% decrease in leisure bookings to the US in February year over year.

"While Canadians remain eager to travel, they are increasingly shifting their focus to destinations outside the US," Amra Durakovic, a spokesperson for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, told BI.

The downturn follows a call from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  who's set to be replaced by Mark Carney on Friday  for Canadian citizens to reconsider visiting the US and instead support domestic tourism.

His comments came in response to Trump issuing executive orders on February 1 to levy 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

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One online survey suggested that Trudeau's message was resonating. In a Leger survey of about 1,500 Canadians, nearly half said they were less likely to visit the US this year compared with last year, while six in 10 said they planned to vacation in Canada instead.

"The drop in Canadian visits is closely linked to the US tariffs imposed on February 1," Rachel J.C. Fu, the director of the University of Florida's Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute, told BI.

"The 25% tariffs likely increased economic tension between the two countries, influencing Canadian consumer sentiment and travel choices," she said, adding that Trudeau's comments further discouraged travel to the US.

Economic fallout for the US

A drop in Canadian visitors could come at a cost to the US economy.

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Last month, the US Travel Association estimated that a 10% decrease in Canadian travel could result in $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses, with Florida, California, Nevada, New York, and Texas  Canadian tourists' top US destinations  most affected.

While the US travel and tourism industry is projected to generate $223.64 billion in 2025, losses could exceed current estimates if tensions persist, Adam Sacks, the president of Tourism Economics, told BI.

"Canada is the US top visitor market, so the stakes are high," he added.

Tony Poletti, the owner of the family-run Marketside Restaurant in Niagara Falls, New York  which sits on the border with Canada  told BI: "It's just a matter of time before we feel the impact of it."

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"It's going to have a bigger impact on businesses in Niagara County than people could imagine," he added.

Poletti, whose family has run the restaurant since 1939, said his "very dedicated" Canadian customer base had already expressed reluctance to travel to the US.

One longtime Canadian client told him her husband refused to let her visit because he was "very upset" by Trump's tariffs.

"What Washington is doing is they're cutting off their nose to spite their face," he said, adding: "It's not going to be long before it's going to hurt Americans."

Market jitters and long-term risks

Economic uncertainty has already rattled financial markets this week.

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Wall Street plunged on Monday after Trump refused to rule out a recession, saying in a Sunday interview on Fox News that the US was in "a period of transition."

Stocks slid again Tuesday after Trump wrote on Truth Social that he instructed his commerce secretary to place an additional 25% tariff on steel and aluminum coming from Canada into the US, bringing the tariff rate on those imports to 50%.

He later backtracked, with his trade advisor, Peter Navarro, telling CNBC on Tuesday afternoon that the 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum would no longer go into effect on Wednesday.

Markets continued to slide Thursday, with the S&P 500 entering a correction.

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Fu said that if the tariffs remained in place and continued to strain economic relations, the Canadian travel slump "could last for months or even two more years. "

"Unless the trade dispute is resolved or new incentives encourage Canadian travelers to return, the US tourism industry may need to prepare for a prolonged downturn in Canadian visitors," she added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Candidates for Peoria government elections engaged in a debate Thursday night, with topics running the gamut from crime to investing in the local economy.

It was held at 6 p.m. in the Peoria High School auditorium Thursday night, sponsored by the YANI Collective and other organizations from around the Peoria community.

The main debate was between incumbent Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and At-Large City Councilman John Kelly, who are both vying for mayor.

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Kelly reiterated his commitment to making Peoria a growth city multiple times during the debate, saying the city hasnt grown in 60 years and that needs to change.

By committing to reducing crime rates, being friendlier to businesses and developing the downtown, Kelly thinks the city will see that growth.

Ali said Peoria does not need new leadership, as she said under her watch the city has had investment into its infrastructure and small businesses.

Tensions ran high throughout the debate, including when Kelly spoke about Ali moving out of South Peoria and moving to the northern end of the city.

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When she and I first talked about this, she told me it was all white flight. And I said, Well, Rita, where did you come from and where do you live now? It wasnt all white flight. It was all kinds of people moving out of the south side, which was tragic, he said.

Ali took offense to Kellys comments, saying shes still connected to the south side of Peoria.

I still work with organizations and people that live in South Peoria. My family lives there. Me leaving has nothing to do with me rejecting the south side, she said.

Kelly defended himself by saying he wasnt implying anything negative, to which Ali said he was. He again said he was not implying anything negative.

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They also disagreed with some recent housing developments in the city, with Kelly saying that its Peoria residents, not New Jersey investors, that need to invest in the community.

Ali said the city needs quality rental and homeowner properties, and they are trying to accomplish that.

1st District Debate

Incumbent 1st District Councilwoman Denise Jackson debated James Kemper in the opening debate of the night, which centered around attracting more business to the city.

Kemper believes he has the acumen to get the job done, and that he knows what businesses want.

Jackson said the city has been friendly to developers and is committed to economic development.

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Shes blessed for the three and a half years she has spent on city council, and contends theres been a level of redevelopment over that time that hasnt been seen in decades.

2nd District Debate

Newcomers Estrella Diaz and Alex Carmona also debated as they vie to be the newest representative of the 2nd District.

Both want to address crime and see more business come to the city, with Carmona saying there needs to be a competitive business environment in order for Peoria to grow.

Carmona believes there are too many regulations for businesses trying to develop in Peoria and wants to make it easier on business owners.

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They disagreed over the citys purchase of the PNC building, with Diaz supporting it and Carmona against it.

The debate was ended early due to Diaz not feeling well.

4th District Councilman Andre Allen and 5th District Councilman Denis Cyr were also supposed to have debates against Jamie Messmore and Hind Abi-Akar respectively, but both could not attend due to prior engagements.

General Election Day is April 1. Early voting starts March 17.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The conclusion of negotiations on a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a historic moment, that will bring decades of conflict to an end, the UK Minister for Europe wrote in his X page, Trend reports.

"The desire for lasting peace is clear: I encourage both parties to sign the agreement as soon as possible to secure it," the he wrote.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)  Hundreds of students had the chance to meet dozens of companies looking for qualified workers Thursday at a job fair in Columbiana County. Many were looking for employees in skilled trades.

These expos can be just as valuable to the employer as they are to the employee.

Getting a job is a tough gig but career fairs like the one at the Columbiana Career and Technical Center help break the ice.

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If you talk to a lot of companies, one thing theyre looking for is people who can communicate and have social skills, said Student Services Coordinator Michelle Fitzsimmons.

The annual event is held on the second Thursday of every March.

This year, about 70 companies and colleges were on hand to chat with more than 400 students. Each spring, new businesses come into the fold.

I feel like there is a shift with the trades and this is a great resource for us to get in with the younger generation, said Ryan Krispinsky, with FPS Roofing.

Students get a chance to meet with each business, go over resumes and even conduct mock interviews.

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Its a great thing for us because it gets us a step ahead. We get those connections early on instead of trying to figure it all out on our own, said senior Camryn Cody.

It cuts out the middle man and gives students a chance to interact directly with businesses, giving them a leg up when it comes to getting into the workforce.

What I keep hearing is a lot of people in the trades are machinists, welders, and theyre starting to retire and theres kind of a gap there where certain age groups didnt follow the trades. So theyre trying to tap into the younger generation and get them right away so that they can recruit them to fill those positions where a lot of people have retired, Fitzsimmons said.

The expo is just as valuable for the students as it is for employers. Tapping into a ready-made workforce with trade-ready students makes for a seamless transition into the job market.

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Just being able to swing a hammer, knowing what tools are what tools. That really does give people a leg up on someone, maybe coming from high school with no prior experience, Krispinsky said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Justin Trudeau is out. Mark Carney is in. And his arrival as Canadas new leader creates an opening for the government in Ottawa to reset its tense relationship with the US and President Donald Trump.

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The former central banker will be sworn in Friday morning, officially becoming Canadas 24th prime minister. Hes taking over a country anxious about Trumps threats and implementation of tariffs and seething with frustration over his assertion that Canada should be the 51st US state.

Relations between the US and Canada are at their worst in decades and things became very personal between Trudeau and Trump in the past few months. Since his election, the president has repeatedly called Trudeau governor. After the first round of tariffs became reality on March 4, Trudeau returned the insult, publicly referring to his adversary as Donald instead of President Trump and calling his tariff decision dumb.

Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, comes to the job with a reputation as a technocrat and a better economic resume than Trudeau. In his successful campaign for the Liberal Party leadership, he said the countrys goal must be to build the strongest economy in the Group of Seven. Trump, of course, wants the same thing for the US.

Hes a different guy and doesnt have a history with Trump. There was some baggage with Trudeau, said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Thats positive because Trump is very sensitive to personal interactions. Theres a fine line between going after Trump and alienating him entirely.

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During a visit to a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday  the day Trumps 25% steel and aluminum tariffs went into effect  Carney indicated he wont rush into meeting with Trump, who has said Canada isnt a viable country. He said he would do it at the appropriate time, under a position where theres respect for Canadian sovereignty. In fact, his first foreign trip as prime minister is likely to be to France and the UK  a signal that he believes Canada needs to shore up relationships with major European democratic allies before tangling with the White House.

The difference between Carney and Trudeau is Carney doesnt seek to make a point or to virtue-signal. When he goes to see Trump, its about getting a deal, said Lisa Raitt, who was a cabinet minister in the government of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the same time that Carney was running the Bank of Canada. The presidents transactional, and Carney has a lot of experience in negotiating over the years.

After winning the Liberal crown on Sunday, Carney used his first speech to lay out a survival plan for the Canadian economy, and cited Trump in making a call for national unity.

Donald Trump thinks he can weaken us with his plan to divide and conquer, he said. We cant change Donald Trump. We can control our economic destiny. Canada is stronger when we are united. We can give ourselves far more than Donald Trump can ever take away.

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Canadas strategy on tariffs has seen officials make repeated lobbying trips to Trumps Florida resort and Washington, as well as to visits to US state governors. But Trudeaus government  unlike Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum  has also decided to bring in counter-tariffs almost immediately in response to US levies.

The so-called dollar for dollar retaliation policy means that when Trump put 25% levies on steel and aluminum this week, officials in Ottawa quickly produced a list of about C$30 billion ($20.8 billion) of American-made products that are now being taxed at 25% coming into Canada  including hundreds of steel items and consumer goods.

Carney has endorsed that approach. But its still an open question what he would do if Trump goes ahead with an even bigger set of tariffs next month, or escalates further by trying to destroy the Canadian auto industry, as he threatened to do this week.

Canada needs to continue having a proportionate response to any and all economic attacks from the US, a spokesperson for Carney said by email. We will do that, in part, by keeping our tariffs on the Americans for as long as they have their own tariffs and until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade.

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There were signs of a cooling of tempers between the neighbors on Thursday as two members of Trudeaus cabinet and Ontario Premier Doug Ford met with US officials including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The sides pledged to meet again next week, said Ford, who called it a positive and civil discussion.

The Ontario leader believes Carney will have a better relationship with Trump than Trudeau did because of his astute business mind. Others are more skeptical. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the standard-bearer of the conservative movement in the countrys resource-rich west, has said she thinks Trump is simply not going to like Mark Carney.

Carney does, in fact, represent many of the things that Trump and his supporters detest. Hes an avowed believer in global trade and climate change who endorses cooperation among countries through multilateral institutions. While governor of the Bank of England, Carney became a target of Conservatives who pushed for Brexit because of central bank forecasts about the damage that could be done to Britains economy. That controversy occurred during Trumps first term in the White House.

Carneys phlegmatic, intellectual nature also sets up a clash of styles with Trump, a president who loves to shock.

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In Carneys 2021 book Value(s): Building a Better World for All, he makes the case for aligning financial markets with the fight against climate change and for more equality. Its a wonkish book that underscores his vast philosophical differences with Trump. Carney promotes a truly inclusive globalization by easing trade barriers for small and medium-sized businesses, and cites David Ricardo, a British economist who developed influential theories about why free trade works.

In any event, Carney may have only a short amount of time to put his stamp on his governments approach to trade and US relations. Hes likely to force an election soon, thrusting him into a national campaign against Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is appealing to voters with ideas to curb public spending, reduce foreign aid, cut taxes and stimulate business investments. Some, like Albertas premier, believe Poilievre would be better at handling Trump.

The Conservatives still lead in some opinion polls, but Trudeaus resignation, Carneys ascension and Trumps sovereignty threats have brought the Liberals closer.

--With assistance from Brian Platt.

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(Bloomberg) -- Francois-Phillipe Champagne will be named as Canadas new finance minister when Mark Carney takes over as prime minister on Friday, according to people familiar with the matter.

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Champagne served in several cabinet roles under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including foreign affairs, trade, and most recently as industry minister, where he was responsible for foreign investment files, including the governments use of subsidies to try to attract automakers to build new plants.

The move allows Carney to shift Dominic LeBlanc, the current finance minister, to the trade ministry, where he will focus on US relations and negotiating on the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trumps administration, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. A spokesperson for LeBlanc did not comment on the report.

Carney is to be sworn in as Canadas prime minister around 11 a.m. Ottawa time on Friday, and will also name a new cabinet.

Champagne, a fluently bilingual politician who holds a seat in the electoral battleground of Quebec, endorsed Carney during the Liberal Party leadership race. The people who confirmed his appointment to finance spoke on condition they not be named in order to discuss a matter thats still private.

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Melanie Joly will remain in her job as foreign minister, according to media reports. Joly hosted Group of Seven foreign ministers at a meeting in Quebec this week.

Relations between the US and Canada are at their worst in decades as the country seethes with anger over the trade war and Trumps assertion that Canada should be the 51st US state. Canada has put counter-tariffs on about C$60 billion ($41.7 billion) of US products so far in response to Trumps tariffs on steel, aluminum and other items.

In his successful campaign for the Liberal Party leadership, Carney said the countrys goal must be to build the strongest economy in the Group of Seven. He backed the governments retaliation plan.

Joly told reporters earlier Friday that Canada needs to put as much pressure as possible on the US administration to back off on the trade war, but said the government is also seeking off-ramps. Champagne and LeBlanc were in Washington on Thursday for meetings with White House officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

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(Updates with additional information beginning in the second paragraph)

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Channelle Rodgers is currently thriving as the manager at the Starbucks on UNC-Charlottes campus, but about a year ago, she was in a very different place. She was in need of employment, with three little mouths to feed and behind on rent.

Along came Change Please Coffee. Its a cafe in Charlotte that employs and trains women and mothers experiencing housing instability to work in the shop, but then move on to more stable employment.

Theyre changing lives. They changed my life, Rodgers told Channel 9s Elsa Gillis.

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While at the cafe, theyre paid double the living wage and given wraparound services, breaking down barriers that get in the way of stability.

Were going to support you. You need someone to check on your resume, revive it? Were going to do that for you, Rodgers explains. They literally have gas cards. Do you have childcare? If you dont, we can help you ... so they have the resources, and theyre giving it to people that are overlooked.

ALSO READ >> Carolina Strong: UNC Charlotte students show elementary schoolers path to higher education

Rodgers isnt alone in her success.

Ryan McMillan with the Change Please organization says at the end of 2024, 73% of the years Charlotte graduates were still employed in their post-graduation jobs. The Charlotte cafe, which is part of a global program, opened in 2023.

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First year, a lot of fine-tuning, and then last year, so in 2024 you know, we did more trainees through our program in a two-week window in Denver, Colorado, in Charlotte, and in New York City than we had done an entire previous year, McMillan said.

He says in the Queen City, the goal continues to be supporting more and more people, like Rodgers.

You can visit the Change Please Cafe for a cup of coffee at the Innovation Barn in Charlottes Belmont neighborhood. You can also buy their coffee grounds and beans at this link to support their work.

(VIDEO: Carolina Strong: Nonprofit holding 100 Heroes in 100 days campaign for students)
CARROLL, IA (KCAU)  John Werden, the county attorney for Carroll County, Iowa passed away at the age of 69.

According to his obituary, he died on Thursday in Des Moines, which is where Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) is holding their spring conference on Thursday and Friday. Werden was elected as the 2025 President of the ISAC.

AAA to activate Tow To Go service ahead of St. Patricks Day

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He was first elected as the Carroll County Attorney back in 1998 and re-elected ever since. Werden previously served as the countys assistant county attorney.

A visitation is set to take place on March 18 from 4-7 p.m. at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Mass of the Christian Burial is scheduled for March 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church  St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A district court judge in New Mexico has ruled there was probable cause to proceed with first-degree murder charges against Otero County Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin after he allegedly shot and killed a 17-year-old boy in June 2024, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office.

The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office says on Thursday, March 13, District Attorney Sam Bregman, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Natalie Lyon presented evidence in court that included video, photos, and testimony.

The District Attorneys Office submitted first-degree murder charges against Diaz-Austin back in January in the death of Elijah Hadley, 17.

Elijah Hadley with his brother and niece. Photo courtesy of Hadley family.

Otero County deputy to be charged with murder in teens death

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As we have previously reported, on June 25, 2024, Hadley was involved in an officer-involved shooting when he was walking along U.S. Highway 70 near the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Diaz-Austin responded on a welfare check call when he opened fire, killing Hadley, the DAs Office said.

New Mexico State Police said that Hadley had allegedly pointed an airsoft gun at the deputy when he was shot and killed, according to the initial reports sent out to media last summer.

In July 2024, prosecutors with the 12th Judicial District in Alamogordo conflicted out this case and asked the Bernalillo County DAs Office to accept it and determine whether prosecution was appropriate, according to the Bernalillo County DAs Office.

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ALTADENA, California - Hugo Dalinger knew he couldnt go back. Not after a wall of flames swallowed his bright-white Altadena home during the January firestorm that took out most of his town. But he needed money to start over, so he reached out to a friend and veteran real estate agent for help.

Ramiro Rivas was skeptical. He grew up around Altadena and has sold hundreds of properties in 21 years - but a fire-scarred lot was new. He put the 10,500 square-foot ash-filled parcel up for sale on Feb. 3, pitching it as an incredible canvas for a custom-built estate.

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Opportunities like this where privacy, natural beauty, and limitless potential converge are truly rare, he wrote, with no mention of the disaster. Property sold as-is. Cash offers only.

He was surprised how fast offers came in. In nine days, Rivas closed Altadenas first post-fire residential land sale. The Dalingers now had $603,000 for a down payment on a smaller home in nearby Pasadena. Soon after, Rivas listed more lots.

This was very traumatic to me, said Dalinger, a doctor in his 70s who helps care for several of 12 grandchildren. I couldnt see myself rebuilding  there would be too many bad memories.

There has been a frenetic rush to buy and sell scorched lots since wildfires leveled thousands of homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades two months ago, surprising longtime local real estate agents and experts. The pace, and some of the price tags, have exceeded expectations - even in one of the countrys hottest housing markets. The damage hasnt deterred sales; it has accelerated them.

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With toxic debris still to be cleared from many of the 13,000 burned properties, more than 160 vacant and destroyed plots have hit the market, according to ATTOM, a firm that tracks property sales.

Dissonant real estate listings promise blank canvases for dream homes alongside photos of wreckage. For every available lot, one agent said there are at least 10 interested buyers - offers mostly from developers and builders. And like catastrophes before them, the fires have also prompted a swarm of opportunists - small-time land speculators and large-scale developers peppering owners with texts, calls and letters taped to their properties offering to buy the land in cash.

Nearly all lots sold have exceeded their asking prices, even if for less than the pre-fire value, real estate data shows. Land in the Palisades, one of the citys wealthiest enclaves, is selling at high prices, with one piece topping $3 million. In Altadena, a more racially-diverse, working-and-middle class community, advocates worry owners are taking offers that are too low. And as residents reckon with the reality they may need to sell, many wonder what it may mean for their families - and the fate of their communities.

People are getting shamed for selling, but the bottom line is people need money and want to get the most for their property, Rivas said. Every little cent counts right now.

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- - -

Theres not a mass exodus

From the day fires sparked on Jan. 7 to the end of February, 163 lots were listed in Altadena and the Palisades, compared to five during the same period in each of the prior two years, according to ATTOM data.

At least 17 have sold - 14 in Altadena and three in the Palisades - nearly all for tens of thousands more than the initial asking price, separate real estate data shows.

And more hit the market every day.

In Altadena, some lots seem to be selling for substantially less than they would have before the fires, said Mark Karlan, a real estate finance professor at UCLA.

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Something is wrong with the Altadena prices, especially for how big those lots are, he said after reviewing listings. And with many in financial distress, that can lure predatory buyers, he added.

In one contract reviewed by The Washington Post, a real estate investor offered a couple $400,000 in cash for their land. They had purchased the Altadena house that once stood there for $1.3 million in 2022.

Still, nearly all of the sold lots in Altadena fetched prices above asking. One listed for $350,000 has more than 11 offers, with two over $500,000. Another listed for $400,000 has eight offers up to $545,000.

In the Palisades, meanwhile, Anthony Marguleas was bracing for land values to plummet by up to 50 percent.

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That hasnt yet happened.

In fact, in one of the Palisades most exclusive sections, values appear to have appreciated by more than 10 percent, said Marguleas, the founder of Amalfi Estates real estate agency.

Theres not a mass exodus, said Marguleas, who lost his own home there. Property values are staying incredibly strong.

All three Palisades sales have exceeded asking price by more than $100,000. Each has gone for over $1 million.

Karlan, who also lost his Palisades home, said prices there have been shocking, some close to the value of an intact house.

Marguleas expects up to 1,000 burned homes will eventually be listed. David Berg, another longtime real estate agent, suspects many homeowners may wait to see how initial sales go before deciding what to do.

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But some cant afford to wait.

Retirees on a fixed income and residents with little or no insurance are more likely to sell out of desperation, said Jose Loya, an urban planning professor at UCLAs Luskin School of Public Affairs, an effort to recoup whatever money they can.

Theyre trying to sell their homes because theyre in a very vulnerable financial situation, Loya said.

- - -

The ones with all the resources

When he heard the price, Steven Lamb sat up straight against the back of his mothers antique blue couch. Theres no way he was going to sell his land, even if it was full of charred trees and burned orange metal, for that.

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A broker on the phone had just offered Lamb $462,000 in cash for his 8,900 square-foot plot. The lifelong Altadena resident and former developer was thinking about selling, but estimated the plot beneath the remains of his redwood craftsman should be worth at least $800,000.

I mean, thats just insane, Lamb replied, indignant. He pressed on: Dont you know what empty lots were selling for before the fire?

Yeah, the broker replied. I think youre going to see a new standard of compensation.

At 67, and now living with his sick, elderly mother, he and his wife have been debating whether a long and costly rebuild is worth it. But if they sold, who would the land go to?

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A company called AIE Realty, short for Always In Escrow, told Lamb in a letter it was a local real estate team working with a serious buyer to pay cash for their lot - toxic debris and all. Curious, Lamb picked up the phone.

But minutes into the call, hed heard enough.

These guys are sharks, he concluded. They are going to make a fortune.

Founded in 2023, the company is acquiring torched parcels for Ocean Development Inc., a conglomerate that mostly buys properties around south Los Angeles to develop low-income housing.

One draw for the companies such as AIE is the countys like for like rule, meant to cut red tape after the fires to fast-track rebuilding homes nearly as they were. AIE is planning on buying a few dozen lots, anything that mathematically makes sense, said an agent who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

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Other developers may be coming in too. An Arizona-based realtor said hes been in contact with a Northern California builder who wants to buy about 300 lots. The company did not respond to The Posts request for comment. Smaller builders are also eyeing the land, realtors say.

Rivas wants his community to bounce back and knows developers get a bad rap. But he tells people, we need the developers to bring Altadenas population back, to help surviving businesses stay alive.

They are the ones with all the resources to build back fastest, he said.

Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, understands why people fear big developers buying a bunch of lots and building houses next to each other that all look alike.

They want the culture of the town to remain the same, said Kohl, a real estate agent whose Palisades home burned. But no one is going to be able to have it just like it was.

- - -

A fork in the road

Los Angeles was already one of the countrys most expensive housing markets. But in the recent land rush, questions have emerged about opportunity and accessibility after a disaster: What kind of place emerges from the ruins of the old one? Who can afford to rebuild and continue to live there?

Disasters are typically an inflection point for a communitys identity, said Loya of UCLA. Some are abandoned and spiral into disinvestment, while others become more expensive, driven by the high cost of rebuilding and insuring homes in combustible areas - a gentrification by fire.

A neighborhood usually does not return to what it was, Loya said. It is a fork in the road.

In Altadena, where the rate of Black homeownership is double the national average, advocates are especially worried rapid development will further displace people of color.

The entire town could be taken from us twice, said Courage Escamilla, an organizer with Altadena Not For Sale, a group helping underinsured residents hold onto property.

Its one of many groups formed to support neighbors in financial trouble, and to keep land in local hands. Altadena Not For Sale wants to start land trusts to preserve affordable housing and is pushing for a temporary moratorium on the sale of multiple lots in the same area to a single company or investor.

About forty miles west, start-up founder Dustin Bramell launched a directory called Protect the Palisades after losing his home. The group matches residents looking to buy with those wanting to sell. The goal is to connect person to person and guard against outside parties who have no vested interest in the community, he said.

Nearly 1,000 people have registered, more than 8 in 10 of them hopeful buyers.

Lamb, a former Altadena council member of 20 years, thinks its an important effort - keeping land local. He just knows its a fight they may not win.

We chose and worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to live in the community that was Altadena, Lamb said. After the fight is over, where will I be? If I dont have Altadena, what am I doing? What am I fighting for?

- - -

Kevin Crowe contributed to this report.

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Cash-strapped local councils have raked in more than 300m in fees from controversial landlord licensing schemes, new figures suggest.

A rising number of private landlords are now required to have a licence regardless of how many tenants live in their property  the cost of which can vary between local authorities. This comes after Labour handed down new powers to introduce the schemes at their discretion in December.

Waltham Forest council, which earlier this year warned of a 23m deficit, has pocketed the highest amount across all types of scheme, according to figures provided by Kamma, a data analytics firm. The east London council, which charges landlords between 700 and 1,000 a year, introduced additional charges in 2020.

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Councils across England and Wales have made 327m through licensing schemes in total. The highest-earning councils were all in London, but Nottingham City council, which charges up to 512 a year and declared itself bankrupt in November, has made 15m in fees, the second highest of any council.

Chris Morgan, of Kamma, said: This data shows the true scale of licensing fees and their growing impact on the private rental sector.

With councils generating hundreds of millions from these schemes and enforcement efforts intensifying, landlords and agents must factor compliance costs into their business models.

As more local authorities introduce new schemes, staying ahead of these changes is now essential.

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The 2006 Housing Act has always required landlords to obtain a mandatory licence for houses in multiple occupation, those with five or more tenants.

The Act also allowed councils to implement additional licensing schemes, which apply to HMOs with three or more people forming two or more households, and selective schemes, which apply to all rental properties regardless of the number of people living in them.

In December, councils in England were given new powers to introduce a selective licensing scheme without first gaining the Secretary of States permission.

They have become more popular among councils seeking additional revenue streams in recent years  casting wider nets so the schemes apply to thousands more properties.

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This is despite the upcoming Renters Rights Bill, which will from this summer include a nationwide licensing scheme.

Theresa Wallace, of the Lettings Industry Council, a trade body, said: My view is that we need minimum standards in rental properties. However I am not sure selective schemes meet the objective.

Unfortunately, though, I do believe they are meant to wash faces, they are an income stream for local councils. Theyve seen other local authorities making that sort of money  thats why so many of them have jumped on board.

But just because you have a selective licence doesnt mean your property is safe.

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Failure to obtain the correct HMO licence can result in landlords being fined and forced to repay rent to tenants. In London, landlords have been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands, according to council data.

But Ms Wallace said many of those being caught out were simply making a human error, and that it was difficult for landlords with properties in different local authorities to know whether they needed a licence.

She said: There is inconsistency between all of the councils so it is hard to manoeuvre as a landlord and make sure youre getting it right.

Ms Wallace suggested the introduction of a private rental sector (PRS) database would reduce the need for licensing schemes, but added that councils wont want to lose the income.

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Waltham Forest council and Nottingham City council were both approached for comment.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils, was approached for comment.

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A lawyer for Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, has responded to the rapper's claims that the 2016 assault video released by CNN was edited.

The attorney, Douglas Wigdor, slammed the allegations, adding that the video "fairly and accurately" represents the assault incident.

He also expects that, regardless of the claims, the footage would be admitted into Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex crimes trial.

Cassie's Lawyer Says The Assault Video 'Accurately Represents What Happened'

A 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN shows Sean "Diddy" Combs violently grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation in a hotel in California. https://t.co/qgD40mRPtQ pic.twitter.com/1u7qJgn3mC  CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 17, 2024

Ahead of Diddy's sex crimes trial, his defense team claimed that CNN destroyed the only copy of a video allegedly showing the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura.

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They also alleged that the viral clip that the news outlet later released was edited to portray the rapper in a bad light.

Cassie's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, has now responded to these claims, telling TMZ that they are a "disingenuous argument" from Diddy's legal team, who are filing legal documents to exclude the video from his upcoming trial.

The attorney went on to say that the rapper's defense team's motion to exclude the video would fail, as he believes the footage accurately depicts what happened during the assault.

"I am confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, will be admitted into evidence," he said, adding that Diddy "will be held accountable for his depravity."

All About Diddy's Defense Team's Claims

MEGA

The claims from Diddy's lawyers were made in a joint letter about evidence in his federal case, in which the rapper is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

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"CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotel's surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video and then destroyed the original footage, even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal investigation," read the letter, per TMZ.

Elsewhere in the letter, they accused the news outlet of "covering the time stamp and then changing the video sequence."

The defense team also claimed that the video was sped up "to make it falsely appear that the actions in the video are taking place faster than they are."

"As a result, the CNN videos do not fairly and accurately depict the events in question," the letter further read.

Diddy Previously Claimed Federal Prosecutors Altered Cassie Video To Influence Judge's Bail Decision

MEGA

Months earlier, Diddy's lawyers also made a similar argument about the Cassie assault video being altered.

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At the time, he alleged that federal prosecutors presented an edited version of a viral video to influence his bail hearing negatively.

According to the claim from the rapper, the altered footage exaggerated Diddy's perceived threat, portraying him as more dangerous rather than framing the incident as a domestic dispute.

The music mogul's attorneys also alleged that the prosecutors had the unedited version of the video but chose to alter it to present their "most powerful evidence of danger and obstruction."

In the same documents containing the claims, Diddy's lawyers also attempted to explain away some of the violent acts depicted in the video.

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They said that the altercation was simply a "sad glimpse into a decade-long consensual relationship" and described it as just a "domestic dispute."

Furthermore, they claimed that the incident did not align with the federal prosecutors' claims of sex trafficking or forced sex.

The Rapper Apologized After The Video Was Released

Marlon Reid / MEGA

The release of Cassie's assault video caused a wave of backlash against Diddy, which prompted him to issue an apology for his actions in the clip.

In the since-deleted apology video, Diddy talked about hitting rock bottom at the time of his assault on Cassie, noting that he was "f-cked" up at the time.

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The rapper said, "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f-cked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior [in] that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I'm disgusted now."

He continued, "I went, and I sought out professional help. Had to go into therapy. Had to go into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to [being] a better man each and every day. And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry."

Diddy's Upcoming Trial

MEGA

Ahead of his trial, Diddy is being held in detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

He has been at the federal facility since his arrest last September, with his multiple requests for bail all denied.

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The rapper's trial is slated for May, and if found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Amid his detention, federal prosecutors added a forced labor allegation to the previous charges, per USA Today.

They claimed that he "maintained control over certain employees of the Combs Business" and "forced" them to "work long hours with little sleep, through use of, among other things, physical force, psychological harm, financial harm, reputational harm, and/or threats of the same."

However, the rapper, via his attorney, once again denied the accusation, just like he did for the earlier sex crimes charges.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the announcement by the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on concluding peace negotiations, and expressed hope that this historic step would consolidate bridges of communication, dialogue, and stability, to achieve development for both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and across the Caucas region, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

"Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, underscored that the UAE supports all measures agreed upon by the two countries to enhance security and peace at the regional and international levels, and consolidate a settlement that initiates a new period of sustainable and constructive cooperation. Nusseibeh underscored that the UAE has deep-rooted relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan and is committed to bolstering cooperation between them to achieve mutual interests," the ministry said.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Firefighters rescued a cat that was stuck on a tree in Chicopee on Thursday.

Chicopee fire leaves one dead, seven without home

The Chicopee Police Department states that on Thursday afternoon, crews were alerted to a cat stuck in a tree. The cat could have possibly been stuck up in the tree for multiple days on Burnett Road.

Chicopee Fire Department Chicopee Fire Department

Unfortunately, the tree was unreachable with the ground later, so their aerial ladder had to be utilized to access the cat. The cat was rescued and was brought down to safety.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Nina Helstein has been celebrating the memory of lawyer and Hyde Park resident Clarence Darrow with other Chicagoans nearly every March 13 at a bridge named after him in Jackson Park since she was a young girl.

We come, rain or shine, whatever the day is, Halstein said while holding a yellow daffodil in her hand. I have stood under umbrellas, and sometimes its very cold.

But this year, Helstein  now 81  got to enjoy the mid-March event in warm weather with blue skies, joining other attendees in reflecting on the words of the famed lawyer and activist, his dedication toward fighting for free speech and labor unions, and how his fight rings true today for many.

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The event to honor Darrows memory has been held every March 13 at the bridge since 1957, almost 20 years after Darrows death. Typically, a wreath is thrown into the Jackson Park Lagoon thats just behind the Museum of Science and Industry, but in more recent years attendees have thrown flowers into the lagoon, as they did Thursday.

The Chicago-based lawyer led the charge in multiple high-profile cases. Darrow defended teenagers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in their 1924 murder case, successfully ensuring that his clients would not receive the death penalty for killing Bobby Franks. Darrow was also a prominent defender of labor unions, representing union leader Eugene Debs during the 1894 Pullman strike, when the Pullman Co.s workers were striking for higher wages.

About a year after the Leopold and Loeb case, Darrow defended 24-year-old Tennessee high school teacher Thomas Scopes for teaching Charles Darwins theory of evolution in the classroom. At the time, teaching evolution in classrooms was not allowed in Tennessee, and Darrow felt it was important to challenge that law. Thursdays flower-tossing event noted this years 100th anniversary of the Scopes trial.

He felt that if today we prohibit certain kinds of teaching, tomorrow well be prohibiting certain kinds of speech and certain kinds of thinking, Anita Weinberg, whose parents helped organize the very first bridge event, said to the crowd. He saw the trial as a fight against an attempt to turn the country into bigoted, intolerant theocracy.

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For attendees, whether it is attacks on First Amendment rights or to the conditions of modern-day prisons, Darrows fight still rings true.

I really love doing this every year, but I particularly feel sort of a kinship and a connection to this during this time and this period. As we know, whats happening in D.C. has been an extreme attack when it comes to our civil liberties and our rights, state Sen. Robert Peters said to the crowd.

You would think that after we defeated a bunch of authoritarianism in Europe, we wouldnt be here, Peters said. And yet, looking at whats happened in D.C., it can be a depressing thing to look at.

In addition to commemorating the memory of Darrow, attendees also commemorated the bridge itself, which has been shuttered for years and was added to Preservation Chicagos 2025 list of most endangered Chicago structures.

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Jack Spicer, a board member of the Hyde Park Historical Society, said he and those working to help preserve the bridge have been waiting about six months for a report from the Chicago Department of Transportation on the current state of the bridge and what the agency wants to do to fix it.

CDOT, which owns the bridge, said in a statement to the Tribune that it recognizes the bridges historic importance and is working with state and federal partners on the preliminary engineering of the project.

Preservation groups have been fighting for years to make sure that this bridge, a significant fixture here in Jackson Park, is renovated and restored, said Ald. Desmon Yancy, 5th.

Designed by famed Chicago architectural firm Burnham and Root, the bridge, originally known as the Columbia Drive Bridge, has spanned Jackson Parks lagoon since 1880, offering picturesque views and passage to the lakefront.

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It predates the nearby Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, whose building was part of the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition. In 1957, the structure was renamed for Darrow, a Hyde Park resident who frequented the bucolic bridge while contemplating cases.

Jackson Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and the bridge also falls within the boundary of the 1994 Chicago Landmark designation for the Museum of Science and Industry. But the stone bridge has fallen into disrepair, with the CDOT cordoning it off to pedestrian traffic. It has been closed to the public since 2015.

Yancy said there are two commitments toward funding for the restoration project, one from the Obama Foundation and another that is supposed to come directly from the city. Money from the state is also supposed to go toward funding bridge repairs, Yancy said.

We are hoping that we can preserve it in such a way that they use all the available historic material and will resemble the original bridge as it was at the time of the fair, Spicer said. We have our fingers crossed, and weve been working as much as we can with CDOT to make this happen.

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Before throwing flowers into the water, participants read excerpts of Darrows opening statement in the Scopes trial.

It is impossible, if you leave freedom in the world, to mold the opinions of one man upon the opinions of another, only tyranny can do it, Scott Burgh, a retired law library director who had been coming to the event for years, read aloud. And our constitutional provision, providing a freedom of religion, was meant to meet that emergency.

A symposium to accompany the flower-tossing event will also be held at Harold Washington Library at 6 p.m. Thursday, where speakers from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom to Read Foundation will speak about what people can learn from the Scopes trial and why book banning is seeing a resurgence in the U.S.
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD)  From severe weather, federal cuts and funding drawbacks, the local election cycle to personal problems, sometimes the weight of it all can feel heavy.

Thats why mental health professionals say its important to find balance when it comes to your mental health. Sometimes thats easier said than done.

Lisa Schwab, a licensed clinical professional counselor and owner of Whole Life Solutions in Peoria Heights, explains one method she has to re-center yourself in times of stress.

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I kind of have the motto, My mission field is between my own two feet,' Schwab said. So wherever my feet are, thats where my attention is going to be, and Im going to try to effect change there as much as I can.

Busy Corner reopens four months to the day after fire

Another method mental health professionals recommend is box breathing which is inhaling, holding, exhaling, holding.

Taking deep breaths and focusing on being grounded to the here and now is crucial when it comes to keeping up with your mental health, which Schwab said includes being intentional with our life.

We have a choice in how we act, she said. I think a lot of times we are choosing to just react to things rather than going, How do I want to live my life? How do I understand there are people that may not agree with the way I want to live my life. I cant control that, but I cant control how I choose to live my life and how I respond to other people, whether theyre different or the same as me.

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The information we consume every day can be a lot, but it comes down to how we are able to process it, and finding resources if they are needed.

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SEBREE, Ky. (WEHT)  Aluminum smelting and production has taken place in Sebree for just over 50 years, and officials with Century Aluminum believe new tariffs on the steel and aluminum industry will help move the business forward. We take a lot of pride in what we make here, says Century Aluminum Sebree Technical Manager David Whitmore.

He says Century Aluminum believes recent tariffs on steel and aluminum will help in the long haul. The 25 % tariffs went into effect on March 12, and Whitmore says Sebrees 600-plus employees will reap the benefits.

We believe that the tariffs really provide some level of security and some level of competitiveness for the aluminum us industry, explains Whitmore. And we see it as giving us a level playing field. If you give us a level playing field with our competitors, I think its proven, and especially we know here with our employees here, that we can not only compete, but we can thrive in that global market, which is primary aluminum.

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Are there benefits to Trumps tariffs?

The company says similar tariffs in 2018 during President Donald Trumps first term helped sustain the steel and aluminum industry that had experienced loss. At Centurys Hawesville, Kentucky plant, hundreds of jobs were brought back with tariffs cited as the reason. In a press release in February, Century Aluminum says strengthened tariffs will help give domestic production a resurgence with plans to add a smelting facility somewhere in the United States.

That would be the first aluminum smelter built in over 45 years in the country, says Whitmore. I think its a testament to the efforts of President Trump and his administration to give us, at least the idea, that we can expand this industry, and we truly believe that metal can be made in the united states and supplied to our other industries that need this metal.

The aforementioned Hawesville facility went idle in 2022, citing rising energy costs as the reason for their temporary closure. Officials with Century Aluminum confirm that, as of March 2025, that location remains idled.

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The News

Chad was ranked the worlds most polluted country in 2024 in a new report.

The Central African country recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration  fine particulates known to be harmful to human health  more than 18 times above the World Health Organizations guideline.

A chart showing the worlds most polluted countries in 2024.

Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, which compiled the data, found that only seven countries met the WHO benchmark: Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand.

Africas air quality in 2024 remains a major public health crisis, said the report, with five of the worlds 10 most polluted countries in the region. But data gaps are a major challenge. The continent is home to only 400 air quality monitoring stations  0.6% of the global total: Nigerian megacity Lagos was notably absent from the report due to insufficient data.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  As D.C.s Black Lives Matter Plaza continues to be ripped up from the pavement north of the White House, messages of support for the movement have poured across several blocks of neighboring sidewalks.

After a GOP-controlled Congressional threat to block millions of dollars to D.C. if the mural wasnt removed, yellow block letters spelling out BLACK LIVES MATTER continued to become crumbling scoops of debris Thursday; a fourth day of work.

Things are being wiped away too quickly, Traci Dunn said Thursday afternoon while visiting D.C. from Alabama.

If you cut us off, youre cutting off our future: Students rally against federal spending plan that would slash DC budget

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Ahead of a planned protest against the Trump administration Friday, activist and event organizer Josh Johnson reacted to the multi-colored messages of support populating the sidewalks.

Scrape us away. You try to erase us? Well just move it and well keep going, and make it louder. It may start a little subtle, but its going to grow and grow and grow, Johnson said.

Self-described D.C. transplant JC said she recalls witnessing 2020 protests after George Floyds death in her previous hometown Dallas, reflecting on the removal of the Districts mural, saying, Its just a plaza, but theres more to it, I think.

JC walked away from 16th Street with a now-broken piece of the mural, which she described as a personal memento of the summer of 2020.

I think its important. Black lives will always matter whether this plaza is here or not, she said, while noting the chalk messages as well, saying, I think its beautiful. I mean, it still matters to people.

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Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge openings for maintenance

Replacing the plaza is expected to last several weeks. As of Thursday, mentions of the plazas name remained on Google and Apples digital maps features.

Keyonna Jones, one of several artists who painted the yellow letters, recently told DC News Now, This is a time in history that cant be erased, it may not be here, but the time that happened, happened and it cant be erased.

Ben Droz, a D.C.-based photographer said, I think that were going to be seeing a lot more tensions between the federal government, and the district government in this [Trump] administration, but, I hope that well be able to see ways to work together because we have no other choice.

DC News Now asked over one dozen people walking near the mural for comment on its removal and did not hear of any support for the move. We did reach out to the Republican Party of the District of Columbia, and await comment.

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As for the price? A spokesperson for the DC Department of Transportation said removal and road replacement at the plaza is estimated to cost the district around $610,000 and will be paid from funding already set aside, including to maintain the plaza.

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PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WJTV)  Charges have been upgraded against the man accused of killing his parents in Pascagoula, according to WXXV.

The Jackson County Jail docket showed that Darold Payne, 39, has been charged with two counts of capital murder and probation violation. He is being held on no bond.

Georgia man dies after car crashes into Mississippi patrol car

Authorities said the double homicide occurred at a home on Krebs Avenue around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

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When officers arrived at the location, they said Payne ran into his home and barricaded himself inside. After trying to negotiate with Payne, police said tear gas was deployed into the home, and Payne was arrested without further incident.

Darold Payne (Courtesy: Jackson County Jail)

The victims were identified as Harold Payne, 86, and Jittuan Payne, 72. According to the Jackson County coroner, the victims died from blunt force trauma.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Charlotte Plater, a beloved mother, daughter, and devoted woman of God. Charlotte departed from this life on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Austintown Healthcare Center.

She was born on September 3, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the union of Charles W. and Della McQueen Brown, where she would go on to leave an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Find obituaries from your high school

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Charlotte was a proud housekeeper, dedicating her skills and compassion to the medical and hospitality fields at Forum Health for three decades. Her unwavering work ethic and genuine care for others made her a cherished figure within her workplace and the broader community. She appreciated the beauty in simplicity and found joy in the little things of life, which she shared generously with her loved ones.

Charlotte was a faithful servant of the Lord and was a devoted member of Beulah Temple United Holy Church where she joined October 1, 1992. She was a church trustee, secretary of the Home Mission Department and a faithful served as an usher for many years. She was an encourager to the youth through the many cards she was send randomly. A woman who embraced the power of praise and prayer, her favorite worship song was He Is My Everything and Psalms 23 gave her fortitude and strength. She was known for her delicious harvard beets at church dinner functions.

As a devoted mother, Charlotte raised her children, Celeste (James)Bryant of Youngstown, Craig (Denise) Forest, Sr. of Youngstown and Curt (Iesha)Forest of New Jersey, with unconditional love and guidance. She was always there to offer support, encouragement, and a listening ear, embodying the definition of a caring guardian.

Charlotte was equally loved by her late father, Charles Brown and her late mother, Della Brown, who instilled in her the values of hard work and resilience that she would pass on to her own children, ten grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also treasured by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

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As her faith became sight, she was reunited in eternity with her parents; husband, Ernest Plater, whom she married September 20, 1985; brothers, John Young and Perlie Young; sisters, Carrie Colvin, Doris Sewell and Juanita Shaw and granddaughter, Carmen Forest.

Friends, family, and community members are welcome to join us in honoring the life of this extraordinary woman. Charlottes farewell will be celebrated with services at Beulah Temple United Holy Church, 523 Griffith Street, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with public viewing. The funeral will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Lawrence Freeman officiating.

In her memory, Charlotte will be laid to rest at Tod Homestead Cemetery after a committal service; a place where her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

In this time of loss, let us remember Charlotte Plater not only for her devotion to her family and work but also for the kindness and joy she spread so freely throughout her life. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

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At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the beloved family of Charlotte Plater elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.

A limb has fallen from the family tree.

I keep hearing a voice that says, Grieve not for me.

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.

The good life I lived while I was strong.

Continue my heritage, Im counting on you.

Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.

Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.

Go on with your life, dont worry about falls

I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes were together again.

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Send flowers to the service of Charlotte Plater.

A television tribute will air Sunday, March 16 at the following approximate times: 6:27 p.m. on WYTV and 6:58 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Washington should take lessons from Israels successful cooperation with Azerbaijan to strengthen its ties with the country and enhance its influence in Central Asia, wrote the founder and director of the Dona Gracia Center for Diplomacy, political analyst, and journalist, Rachel Avraham, Trend reports.

In an article published in Israel's popular outlet, Israel National News, citing the prominent U.S. think tank Atlantic Council, Avraham highlights the strategic importance of Azerbaijans role in expanding the Abraham Accords and fostering regional cooperation.

"Such a relationship could significantly benefit the US as the region holds vast mineral and energy resources and serves as a key transit route from Asia to Europe, bypassing Russia and Iran through the Central Corridor," it reads.

The article, titled "Azerbaijan and the Expansion of the Abraham Accords," also highlighted the recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The discussions focused on the continuation and expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly Azerbaijans potential accession to the "Abraham Accords," a platform for peace and collaboration in the Middle East.

Avraham emphasizes that Azerbaijan has been Israels most reliable partner in the Muslim world over the past three decades, underscoring its strategic importance to regional security. She also references a recent study by the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, titled "How to Effectively Engage Azerbaijan in Trump's Regional Plans and Israel's Interests: Practical Recommendations," which was recently published. The study argues that Israel and pro-Israel forces in the United States should actively support Azerbaijan's inclusion in American-Israeli regional partnerships for development, investments, and technology cooperation.

The article also highlighted that since the signing of the "Abraham Accords" in 2020, Israel has been fostering cooperation with Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE. Recently, the Jewish state initiated trilateral cooperation with Morocco and the United States in defense, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The goal is to expand this collaboration to include Gulf countries with existing ties to Israel. The author suggests that if Israel broadens its partnership with the Muslim world under the "Abraham Accords" to include Azerbaijan, it could positively influence the stance of other Muslim nations toward the initiative. This, in turn, would play a pivotal role in advancing peace and stability in the region.

"No country is more fitting than Azerbaijan, a Muslim country with unique historical ties to Israel and the Jewish people, to join the collaborations stemming from the Abraham Accords and additionally to join the effort to expand the Abraham Accords to other Muslim countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Azerbaijan can advise Israel on how to navigate interactions with various actors in these regions as the accords expand. One must not forget that Azerbaijan has always remained loyal to Israel, even during times when this was diplomatically difficult," the author concluded.

For a detailed read, the full article is available at this link: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/404924.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Mar. 13Look west and see the sun set. Look east, the full moon rises.

Seeing this phenomenon is impressive, but not unique, according to the Journal's astronomy expert, Kevin McKeown. In April, September, October and December a supermoon offers up the next easy chances. Stay tuned to the end to understand why.

The eastern plains of New Mexico, where it is so flat that you can almost see the back of your head when you stare into the distance, is the perfect place to experience this event, as is west Texas just east of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, where we experienced it in 2019. Or Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.

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Full moon was reached at about 10 p.m. March 20, 2019. There was no lunar eclipse.

Astronomical events are based on the actual positions of the sun and moon in the sky. The spring equinox is the precise moment the sun crosses the celestial equator, heading north.

"Nothing rare about seeing a full moon (full on the same day) rising in the east, with the sun setting in the west," says McKeown, who writes the daily Sky Watch column on the Journal weather page.

"Two things facilitated your very nice photos: First, the moon was nearing its major lunar standstill (December 2024), and running high. This placed the moon about 3 degrees north of the anti-solar point on the ecliptic. Secondly, atmospheric refraction was working for you. This 'lifts' both the sun and moon higher up above the horizon.

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"Now, a lunar eclipse occurring at the exact time of the equinox will rise just as the sun sets," McKeown said. "It must be a partial eclipse to see this, since it's a difficult, but dramatic observation."

On, March 20, 2019, the sun crossed the equator. This is the vernal equinox, the intersection of the ecliptic and the equator. Four hours later, the Worm Moon was exactly full. But since the full moon was running high along this stretch of the ecliptic, sunset and moonrise were visible at once. As you watched the moon rise, the sun illuminated your back.

The Chacoans understood the phenomenon of major and minor lunar standstills, which are caused by the 5.2 degree inclination of the moon's orbit to the ecliptic. Major lunar standstills occur every 19 years.

"At the time of the vernal equinox, the sun's motion northward is at its greatest pace," he said. "You'll notice how fast days get longer."

Note: a very clean horizon is needed to see these sunset-moonrise events.

Be like the people of Chaco Canyon and look up and appreciate the sky.

---
CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM)  Chemung County issued a lawsuit to New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, stating the actions done by Hochuls executive order are unlawful and prevent qualified individuals from gaining future employment in the county jail.

Chemung County Executive Chris Moss and Sheriff William Schrom, issued the lawsuit on Thursday, March 13, challenging Hochuls executive order 47.3, which stops municipalities from hiring any of the correctional officers fired for participating in the correctional officers strikes that took place across the state at most facilities.

We are taking this action to protect our ability to staff our jail with experienced personnel and to stand against unconstitutional overreach, said Sheriff Schrom

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DOCCS: Correction officer strike ends, over 2K fired

The county argues this directive unlawfully interferes with local hiring authority and puts more stress on the staffing shortages that are impacting jails and prisons. The county states the blacklisting of the fired individuals is unconstitutional.

In the lawsuit, it claims the blacklisting of unionized individuals is permanent through the executive order, but goes against specific standards and limits.

The lawsuit claims Hochul relied on N.Y. Executive Law  29-a as a basis for her authority. That law states the following:

Subject to the state constitution, the federal constitution and federal statutes and regulations, the governor may by executive order temporarily suspend specific provisions of any statute, local law, ordinance, or orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof, or any agency during a state disaster emergency, if compliance with such provisions would precent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster.

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NYSCOPBA announces lawsuits after negotiations ended poorly with state

In other words, this law can suspend laws, rules, and regulations during a state of emergency that would otherwise prevent, slow down, or make it harder for the governor to respond to the emergency.

However, the suspensions are subject to specific standards and limits stating the suspensions may not be more than 30 days, must protect the health and welfare of the public, and must be necessary to the disaster effort, within reason.

The lawsuit argues that Hochuls order for barring correctional officers does not meet these specific standards and limits as it creates a permanent blacklist that will last longer than 30 days.

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The lawsuit challenges Hochuls order by stating that prohibiting government entities from hiring qualified persons does not safeguard the health and welfare of the public, and is not reasonably necessary to respond to the strike.

Former Elmira superintendent speaks out on strike

Based on this and other items listed in the lawsuit, the county is requesting the order be canceled, and if it cant be canceled, to make it so it does not apply to Chemung County, especially for the hiring of fired individuals to work in the Chemung County Jail.

This order places an unnecessary burden on local governments and disregards our authority to make hiring decisions that best serve our community, Moss said.

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Hochul enacted executive order 47 shortly after the strikes began on Feb. 17. The order, issued Feb. 19, declared a state disaster emergency in New York. This allowed for Hochul to call on the National Guard to staff facilities across the state.

During the strikes, Hochul continually called the actions of the COs illegal as it went against the Taylor Law, a law preventing public employees from striking without formal permission from the union.

Union accuses NY Prison Dept. of unethical, illegal actions

The COs went against the union and went on strike for weeks while demanding better working conditions, a repeal to the HALT Act, an end to forced overtime, and solving understaffing issues.

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After days of mediation between the union (NYSCOPBA) and the New York State Department of Corrections (DOCCS), some needs were met and the strike was declared over on March 10. Around 2,000 employees who took part in the strike were fired, some of whom worked at the Elmira Correctional Facility, but an official number is unknown.

The strike lasted 22 days and, in total, four deals were offered to striking officers. In the latest deal, staff were required to return to work on Monday, March 10 at 6:45 a.m.

The case was filed in Albany County Supreme Court, with Chemung County seeking an expedited ruling to address its immediate staffing needs.

The entire lawsuit can be found below:

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It is easy to overlook the low-rise, cream-colored building on Chicagos Motor Row, a historic district that was a hub for auto dealers in the early 1900s.

Yet the newly purchased headquarters for Bronzeville Community Development Partnership at 2416 S. Michigan Ave. plays both a symbolic and substantive role in fulfilling the organizations mission of promoting clean energy and community-driven development in this predominantly Black, environmental-justice neighborhood on Chicagos South Side.

We want to be able to tell the story of the Great Migration and how we are replicating that age of innovation here in the 21st century, with the transition away from fossil fuels to beneficial electrification, said Billy Davis, general manager for JitneyEV, one of the partnerships initiatives. Not just in commerce and transportation but culturally in the arts as well.

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Since its foundation in 1989 as the Abraham Lincoln Center Business Council, BCDP has strived to promote sustainable economic development in Bronzeville.

The Bronzeville Microgrid, which the organization developed in collaboration with utility ComEd, is one of BCDPs main clean energy initiatives. As Chicagos first neighborhood-scale system of its kind, the microgrid services more than 1,000 buildings with solar panels, batteries, and fossil gasfired generators.

Another major initiative, through the JitneyEV program, is to expand EV adoption among Black and Brown drivers to reduce carbon emissions and other pollution, which have been disproportionately concentrated in environmental justice communities.

BCDP also advocates for the construction of public charging stations throughout the citys South and West sides, where many communities lack access to such infrastructure.

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This work, in addition to sustainability-focused development and cultural tourism projects, reflects a holistic approach to mitigating the adverse effects of disinvestment and climate change in environmental justice communities.

What happens when a community transforms infrastructure, heritage, and innovation from vision to reality? In Bronzeville, 2024 was the year we proved that sustainable development isn't just a conceptit's a lived experience, wrote Paula Robinson, president of BCDP and managing member of Bronzeville Partners LLC, in a January social media post. This year, we didn't just talk about change. We powered itliterally and metaphorically.

Bronzeville organization's new home links it with citys electric automobile past

BCDP moved into its current headquarters in June 2024 after purchasing the building with a grant from the state of Illinois, which included funding for a solar array and EV charging infrastructure. The organization also received a City of Chicago Climate Infrastructure Fund grant for energy-efficiency improvements to the building. JitneyEV was awarded a grant from that fund for purchasing EVs and installing charging infrastructure, according to Davis.

The complex, which is still being fitted out, includes a garage for JitneyEV; a visitor center and community meeting space; and spaces for the Urban Innovation Center, Innovation Metropolis, Bronzeville Studio, and the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area, all of which are affiliates of the larger BCDP collective.

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Owning the building allows BCDP to bring the various aspects of its work under a single umbrella and eliminates vulnerability to the whims of a landlord. At the same time, the building serves as a tangible symbol of the organizations focus on self-sufficiency and self-determination, which is especially relevant in the present political environment.



In Motor Rows heyday in the early 20th century, Chicago was home to multiple electric vehicle companies. And modern app-based rideshare services operate much like jitneys  taxi-like services that flourished in African American communities that conventional taxicabs often refused to serve. BCDP has married the two histories in its JitneyEV program, which aims to provide the community with an all-electric rideshare service and expand access to public EV charging stations.

BCDP recently purchased its first electric vehicle for the rideshare service and plans to purchase an electric passenger van in the future. BCDP also intends to install a public DC fast charging station on the outside of its new headquarters and a Level 2 charger inside the buildings garage for its own vehicles, according to Davis.

The building that we are in, the building that we own, was once home to electric automobile manufacturing companies at the turn of the 20th century, Davis said, adding that it housed showrooms for Detroit Electric, Chalmers Motor Co., and Cadillac.

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So, it just resonates somewhat, that we are returning home, so to speak, Davis said.



Once it is fully operational, JitneyEVs rideshare service will be especially useful in helping to fill in gaps in public transit in Bronzeville, which like much of the citys South and West sides, is underserved by public transportation.

BCDP is also adding its input into initiatives like the Chicago Transit Authority Better Streets for Buses plan, which aims to expand clean transportation options and develop safer streets in communities of color.

If you're gonna electrify your bus fleet, why would you launch the 20 or 30 new electric buses anywhere other than in a Justice40 community where the air quality is poorest, where the need for a clean energy transportation solution is greatest? Davis said, referring to the Biden administration program that aimed to ensure that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities would receive a substantial proportion of allotted federal funds and other resources.

A community-led approach to electric transportation planning

In 2024, BCDP participated in the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys Clean Energy to Communities program, which supports community-led projects. BCDP also collaborated with NREL, Argonne National Laboratory, and local universities to launch the EV Institute, according to Davis.

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The EV Institute, still under development, has been tasked with empowering the community to implement mobility and transportation equity. For example, there are plans to provide in-person and online education about the benefits of electric vehicles, according to Davis.

This holistic view reflects BCDPs forward-thinking approach to electrifying transportation, said Julia Hage, manager of the transportation team at the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago, which works with BCDP on its clean energy and community development initiatives.

Like many environmental justice community organizations, BCDP is taking the lead on its own initiatives around economic development, resiliency, and climate mitigation, Hage said.

While welcoming technical assistance and financial resources from outside organizations, environmental justicebased community organizations are nonetheless taking a more assertive approach toward self-determination. The Center for Neighborhood Technology has embraced its supporting role in empowering environmental justice communities to take their rightful seats at the clean energy transition table, Hage said.

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Oftentimes with these different progressions of technology and transportation, the communities are left behind because they're not included in these conversations, Hage said. A lot of harm has been done to communities because of top-down planning decisions.

Beyond collaborating with BCDP on transportation electrification, Hage said her organization is pulling the group into transportation equity work, too.

This approach was evident in a recent EV 101 information session that the Center for Neighborhood Technology conducted to educate community-based organizations on how to promote electric vehicle adoption, in which BCDP acted as both a participant and a subject-matter expert.

[BCDP was] able to also provide information to other CBOs, which I thought was a really cool benefit of having a cohort of community-based orgs, Hage said. No matter where they were in their journey of electrification or clean transportation, they could share with each other things that they knew from their experience.

What does federal funding disruption mean for environmental justice efforts?

While the Center for Neighborhood Technology and BCDP have multiple sources of funding outside the federal government, the sudden inability to rely on federal funding has made it harder for them to carry out their mission.

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That's part of our story now, too. We're going to continue this decarbonization even in the face of all these cutbacks, Davis said. We have community engagement programs that are now on hold that we were relying on for this year and the summer. That won't happen, at least not in a timely manner, but we're going to do this anyway because we're using mostly city and state funds.

The federal governments abrupt cancellation of promised funds has had a profound impact on the broader environmental justice community that the Center for Neighborhood Technology and BCDP are a part of. In the resulting atmosphere of uncertainty, many of these organizations are questioning any future reliance on the federal government, Hage said.

The really alarming thing is, we're seeing these full-on pauses and stop-work orders; resources that have been already allocated are being told to stop, Hage said. Some speculate like, Oh, it's just to confuse us. It's just to make us scramble. They'll have to go back on this. There's no way. And there's other folks who are kind of like, We can't even trust this money anymore. We're still just kind of on edge, like, Hey, is this going to happen?

One potential strategy is to advocate for state and local clean energy regulations and carbon-free transportation initiatives, along with increased emphasis and reliance on state-level organizations, such as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Hage said.

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I am sure organizations right now don't want to find themselves in this situation, Hage said. And I'm sure that they will want to redirect their focus on What are grants that won't be suddenly paused or suddenly taken away from us? And that's why I think the focus on state and local resources is in conversation. Though, a lot of state money comes from the federal government. So, it's kind of about How do we best utilize this money while we have it?

The federal governments purge of environmental justice data makes it harder to direct resources to where they are most needed. Nonetheless, BCDP and other environmental justicefocused organizations are determined to continue moving forward while acknowledging the significance of the challenges ahead.

The freezing of federal grants and loans previously appropriated by Congress has been disruptive and is being challenged in court as unlawful overreach. The ultimate impact, therefore, is not yet fully known, Davis said in an email.

However, we remain undaunted in our work advancing renewable energy and clean transportation as economic and workforce development opportunities that make our communities healthier, safer, more livable and sustainable.



A correction was made on March 31, 2025: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to the JitneyEV initiative as JitneyEV + EVCharge.


CHICAGO (WGN)  More questions than answers came out of Thursdays Chicago Board of Education hearing, the first of two to discuss how Chicago Public Schools plans to pay for several pending obligations.

The 21 board members have just one week left to decide if they will approve a proposed $139 million budget amendment that could potentially help pay for a new teachers contract or pay for pensions.

Were in a crisis that was not created by our CEO. It was not created by you, Mike. It wasnt created by any of us here, but its in our lap, said board member Jitu Brown, referring to CPS Chief Budget Director Mike Sitkowski.

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Sitkowski said the district is underfunded at the state level and that it remains to be seen how challenges at the federal level play out.

The amended budget would allow the board to use the extra resources to support three pending contracts, but not all of them. One of the contracts is connected to pension payments for non-teaching staff like janitors and cafeteria workers. Some city leaders as well as the mayor support the proposed budget amendment to meet the $175 million needed to pay for the pensions.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said CEO Pedro Martinez promised the city council that CPS would reimburse the city for CPS portion of the bill.

He made a promise to the city council, and so it is incumbent upon him to keep to his word, Johnson said Wednesday.

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If the city doesnt get the pension payment before the end of the month, they may be forced to dip into reserves and run a budget deficit.

If the amendment passes and then you also pass the (Intergovernmental Agreement) with the city, then youre basically  the board is making the decision to have that money be given directly to the city, said Martinez.

The district is also trying to figure out how much to pay for its contract with the union representing CPS principals and the Chicago Teachers Union contract thats been under negotiation for nearly a year.

Chicago Teachers Union petitions for final contract demands

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February 2025 | CTU rejects fact-finding report, negotiations to continue

As you prepare to vote on a budget amendment next week, I want to urge you to vote on a budget that invests in our schools and doesnt cut from our students, said CTU field representative Tenesha Rawls.

Martinez said that if the money is not available for the collective bargaining agreement, it may result in a potential strike.

The board of education will meet for another hearing on Friday at 10:30 a.m. They are expected to vote on a budget next Thursday.

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PETERSBURG, WV (WVNS)  A child died in an ATV accident in part of Grant County.

According to a press release, members of the West Virginia State Police responded to a reported ATV crash on a power-line right of way in the Petersburg area of Grant County at around 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Raleigh County man dies in Fayette County car accident

While on the way to the scene, responding West Virginia State Police members were informed by Grant County Emergency Communications that three minors were taken to a hospital due to the accident.

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Once at the scene, a member of the West Virginia State Police saw a 2023 Can-Am Defender ATV on its side, was informed by EMS that three minors were injured, and that the youngest, a 4-year-old male, was in critical condition.

The press release stated that the 4-year-old male died due to his injuries at Grant Memorial Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would include unborn children in child support cases, however, a recent amendment is receiving major pushback.

House Bill 2062 is making progress after passing overwhelmingly in both chambers. Anti-abortion advocates like Kansans For Life (KFL) say many women in this situation believe this bill is a crucial way to support them during pregnancy.

If they had the financial support or the emotional support that they wanted, they would have preferred their babies rather than have an abortion, KFL government relations director Jeanne Gawdun said. This is a way to help relieve some of that financial burden so that she feels more confident about choosing life for her baby.

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EXCLUSIVE: Satanic leader breaks silence on Black Mass at Kansas statehouse

Abortion rights advocates say it attacks a womans right to an abortion. They say Kansas courts can already consider pregnancy expenses in child support agreements.

The only new thing that this bill is doing is its adding fetal personhood language into child support law, Loud Light advocacy director Melissa Stiehler said. Using that logic, you couldnt possibly have a legal abortion.

In a move that got lots of blowback from Democrats, Kansas Senator Patrick Schmidt, (D), Topeka, proposed an amendment, which the Republican controlled legislature adopted. It would change the tax code, giving unborn children a taxpayer ID number which gives families a tax break for these children.

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It forces the house and the senate to vote on the bill again. They will have to determine if they want to take it out, Schmidt said. If that doesnt work, then it provides the best grounds to challenge the bills constitutionality and defeat it.

Because of the amendment, the bill heads back to the house and senate committees.

For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
By Tom Polansek, Mei Mei Chu and Laurie Chen

CHICAGO/BEIJING (Reuters) -Hundreds of U.S. meat plants granted access to China in a 2020 "Phase 1" trade deal with President Donald Trump are set to lose export eligibility on Sunday, threatening roughly $5 billion in trade to the world's largest meat market amid a renewed trade war.

Losing access to China would deal a fresh blow to American farmers after Beijing earlier this month imposed retaliatory tariffs on some $21 billion worth of American agricultural goods, including 10% duties on U.S. pork, beef and dairy imports.

Beijing requires food exporters to register with customs to sell in China. Registrations for almost 1,000 beef, pork and poultry plants, including some owned by Tyson Foods and Cargill Inc, are set to expire on Sunday, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) records and Chinese customs data. That's roughly two-thirds of all those registered.

The companies declined to comment or did not respond to Reuters questions.

China has not responded to repeated requests from U.S. agencies to renew plant registrations, the USDA said in a report last week, potentially violating an obligation under the Phase 1 deal.

Registrations for some 84 plants lapsed in February and while shipments from affected plants continue to clear customs, the industry doesn't know for how long China will allow imports.

"The risk involved in shipping product with a looming expiration date is high," Joe Schuele, spokesperson for the U.S. Meat Export Federation told Reuters.

"The situation is certainly dire if [registrations for] these plants are not renewed. The situation has the attention of every exporter."

The USDA has made the expirations a priority issue in discussions with Beijing, Schuele added.

Shanghai port has also imposed stricter inspections and documentation for U.S. meat cargoes, the Federation told members in a bulletin seen by Reuters, with some containers subject to full unpacking and inspection, raising processing time and additional fees.

To be sure, there are no signs to suggest that Beijing is imposing a blanket ban. Several hundred plants have had their registrations renewed until 2028 or 2029, according to a senior diplomat based in Beijing.

The U.S. was China's third largest meat supplier last year after Brazil and Argentina, accounting for 590,000 tons or 9% of total imports.

The USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to questions from Reuters on Thursday. China's Commerce Ministry and customs department did not respond to faxed questions.
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CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. shares plunged Friday after Chinas top office on Hong Kong affairs reposted a sharp attack on the conglomerates decision to appease President Donald Trump by selling its stake in Panama ports.

The commentary that the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office posted on its website originally appeared in the Ta Kung Pao newspaper and warned companies to be very careful about which side they should stand on.

It said that social media users have accused the conglomerate founded by billionaire Li Ka-shing of spineless groveling, ignoring Chinas interests and selling out all Chinese people in the quick deal announced last week.

CK Hutchisons shares fell as much as 6.7% Friday morning, the most since September 2022, highlighting investor concerns that Beijing might try to intervene in the deal. Lis company stands receive cash proceeds of more than $19 billion if the transaction goes through, roughly equivalent to the companys market value before the deal was announced.

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Faced with such a major event and a matter of great justice, the relevant companies should think twice, think carefully about the nature and crux of the issue, and think carefully about what position and side they should stand on, the commentary said.

CK Hutchison didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

While the deal, which involves only overseas assets, is unlikely to need Beijings sign-off, the apparent expression of disapproval by Chinese authorities underscores the balancing act facing executives whose companies get caught up in the widening China-US rivalry. CK Hutchison and sister company CK Asset Holdings Ltd. are registered in the Cayman Islands  a move carried out in 2015 as part of a group-wide restructuring. CK Hutchison accrues almost 90% of its revenue from outside of mainland China and Hong Kong.

Last week, CK Hutchison agreed to sell a controlling stake in Panama ports that had become a political lightning rod. The potential purchase by BlackRock Inc. would be one of the biggest acquisitions of the year, and marked a win for Trump, who had raised concerns over control of key ports near the Panama Canal.

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Its a massive complex deal, one that may take the better part of 2025 to complete; therefore gyrations in the share price will occur as deal specifics and various regulatory approvals are addressed, said David Blennerhassett, an analyst at Quiddity Advisors who publishes on Smartkarma.

The Ta Kung Pao commentary was face-saving bluster and to be expected, he added.

Trump argued that China had taken over the critical waterway, without providing evidence, and that the US was paying too much for the passage of ships. He previously demanded the fees charged on US naval and merchant ships be lowered, or else Panama should return the canal to the US.

Ta Kung Pao, a newspaper that tends to support Beijings policies, said in the piece the US would use the ports deal for political purposes and promote its own political agenda.

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Chinas shipping and trade here will inevitably be subject to the US, it added.

It also said the US was doing its utmost to contain and suppress Chinas development, repeating a line often used by the Asian nations diplomats when they criticize Washington.

The deal is widely perceived as commercially favorable for the company, valuing the port assets at the higher end of industry range, said Denise Wong, a Bloomberg Intelligence infrastructure analyst.

But there could be heightened concern over whether the company can realize the value of its assets if the sale falls through, she added, pointing out that CK Hutchisons market capitalization increased by about $5 billion following the announcement of the deal, just a fraction of the $19 billion the firm is expected to receive, which may partially reflect execution risks.

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It isnt the first time Li has faced criticism in Chinese state media, which reported that his companies were offloading their properties in the mainland and questioned his loyalty to China  an accusation that Lis office vigorously denied.

During months of political unrest in Hong Kong in 2019, Li again drew Beijings ire by publishing a vague message in local newspapers with lines from a Chinese poem that were widely interpreted as a call for not only halting the violence in Hong Kongs streets, but also stressing freedom, tolerance and the rule of law. He also urged the government to show leniency toward young people when dealing with the protests, while calling on the youth to consider the big picture.

--With assistance from Sangmi Cha.

(Adds analyst commentary in ninth, 10th, 15th and 16th paragraphs.)

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2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Chinese D-Day style barges have been spotted practising what appear to be amphibious landings in the South China Sea.

Footage shows the Chinese navy exercising the huge special landing barges, which defence analysts warn could prove critical in the event of a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.

The Shuiqiao barges, which seemingly draw inspiration from the Mulberry harbours built for the Normandy landings in 1944, have long road bridges measuring up to 120m (394ft) extending from their bows.

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The bridges act as a floating, retractable pier that could be used to rapidly unload tanks, fighting vehicles, heavy equipment or troops from ships on to enemy shores.

They may also allow Beijings forces to bypass beach defences or to reach beaches previously considered unsuitable for amphibious landings.

Credit: X/@visegrad24

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has piled military pressure on the self-governing island in recent years, deploying warships and fighter jets to simulate a future blockade and an invasion.

Open-source analysts had previously spotted three to five of the special purpose barges being built in Guangzhou shipyard in southern China.

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According to Naval News, each barge took just a few months to complete, although they have been in development since 2022.

The footage  which first emerged on Chinese social media platforms before it was deleted  was taken close to Chinas naval headquarters in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 600 miles south of Taiwan.

Tailor-made for an amphibious assault

The barges appear tailor-made for an amphibious assault, according to HI Sutton, a naval analyst who first reported on the barges in January, arguing they could be an early warning sign of a potential invasion of Taiwan.

It is possible that these ships can be explained away as having a civilian role. But the construction of so many, much larger than similar civilian vessels seen before, makes this implausible, he wrote in Naval News.

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Dr Emma Salisbury, a sea power research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, believes the barges could be the missing piece of the puzzle for a possible invasion of Taiwan.

She told The Telegraph: A core problem for the PRC [China] in invading Taiwan is getting the necessary heavy equipment over the Strait  and the solution to that problem is what we are seeing with these barges.

While landing forces on contested shores is always going to be difficult, these barges look to be ideal for moving tanks, armoured vehicles, and the like quickly and safely on to shore.

The fact that Beijing has permitted details of these barges to become public signals the threat China poses in the region, she said.

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The barges provide broadly the same function as the US militarys Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system (JLOTS) which it used in a failed attempt to deliver aid to Gaza last year.

The floating, interlocking humanitarian pier was only operational for 20 days owing to weather, technical and security problems.

Chinas version could also be vulnerable to high winds and seas and  in the case of an invasion of Taiwan  an easy target to destroy, according to Timothy R. Heath, a senior international defence researcher at RAND.

The slow moving barges are easily targeted so they are unlikely to survive in the middle of a battle on the beaches, he told The Telegraph.

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He added: The PLA has many better suited military-grade amphibious assault ships that could carry out similar tasks of unloading armoured vehicles.

Mr Heath argued the barges are more likely to be used to deliver humanitarian supplies to disaster-struck regions with poor port infrastructure.

Open-source analysts had previously spotted three to five of the barges being built in Guangzhou shipyard in southern China - Wang Meiyan/VCG/Getty Images

Yet, alarm bells should still be ringing in Taipei and Washington, warned Tom Shugart, a defence analyst and former submariner.

The new footage, he argued on X, does not suggest an attack is imminent, but there should be fears for when theyve fully tested these and perhaps built many more.

It comes amid growing concerns over Chinas rapidly growing naval fleet as part of its race to become a global maritime power.

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A new report suggests China has built the equivalent of the entire Royal Navy in just a few years, overtaking the US Navy in terms of hull count and nearing its fleet tonnage.

Between 2019 and 2023, four shipyards in the country  Dalian, Guangzhou, Jiangnan and Hudong-Zhonghua  produced at least 39 warships, which is more than the Royal Navys battle force fleet, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The next plenary session of the Azerbaijani parliament has begun, Trend reports.

The report on the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan for 2024 has been included in the agenda of the plenary session.

The report covers the government's work in 2024, addressing various issues related to the country's socio-economic situation. It also includes detailed information about the proposals and recommendations put forward by the deputies during the discussion of last year's report in the parliament.

The annual reports of the Cabinet of Ministers being heard in the parliament are of significant importance in terms of increasing communication between the parliament and the government, as well as objectively examining and addressing socio-economic development issues.

According to Article 1 of the Constitutional Law "On Additional Guarantees for the Resolution of the Issue of Trust between the Parliament of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan", the Cabinet of Ministers submits its activity report at the fifth session of the parliament's spring session each year.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The News

China, Russia, and Iran hit out at Western sanctions Friday as they held talks in Beijing over Tehrans nuclear program and called for multinational negotiations to restart.

Officials from the three nations emphasized the necessity of terminating all unlawful unilateral sanctions, The Associated Press reported.

US President Donald Trump has voiced openness to nuclear talks even as he resumes a maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, which is fast expanding its uranium reserves.

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The once-taboo issue of nuclear armament is increasingly a common subject among global policymakers: This week, Warsaw urged Washington to consider placing nuclear weapons in Poland, while calls are mounting in Tokyo for Japan to develop its own nuclear deterrent, remarks that would previously have ended political careers.

SIGNALS

China uses Iran nuclear issue as opportunity to flex diplomatic muscle

Sources: CNN, The Associated Press

China is using Irans nuclear issue as an opportunity to flex its diplomatic influence, analysts say. Beijings involvement in the nuclear talks comes as the country has sought to play a bigger role in Middle Eastern affairs as it seeks to present itself as an alternative global leader to the US, CNN reported, especially amid US President Donald Trumps foreign policy shakeup. And by including both Russia and Iran in the discussions, Beijing can highlight the significance of non-Western approaches to resolving global challenges, an analyst told CNN.

Withdrawal of US security guarantees in Europe threatens global nuclear proliferation

Source: Foreign Policy

US President Donald Trumps pivot toward Russia is a paradigmatic shift in foreign policy that threatens to provoke rampant nuclear proliferation, two experts argued in Foreign Policy. For decades, US security guarantees in Europe and Asia have acted as a nuclear deterrent, but Trumps withdrawal of those guarantees has shattered the credibility of the US nuclear umbrella, they wrote. Such global insecurity could likely encourage countries like South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, along with several European nations, to rapidly develop their own nuclear arsenals, raising concerns of potential nuclear accidents and inadvertent escalations.
By Ryan Woo, Xiuhao Chen and Laurie Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia stood by Iran on Friday after the United States demanded nuclear talks with Tehran, with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats saying dialogue should only resume based on "mutual respect" and all sanctions ought to be lifted.

In a joint statement issued after talks with Iran in Beijing, China and Russia also said they welcomed Iran's reiteration that its nuclear programme was exclusively for peaceful purposes, and that Tehran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be "fully" respected.

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In 2015, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions in a deal with the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. But in 2018, Donald Trump, a year into his first term as U.S. president, pulled out of the pact.

"(China, Russia and Iran) emphasised that the relevant parties should be committed to addressing the root cause of the current situation and abandoning sanction, pressure or threat of force," China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told reporters after the meeting.

China, Russia and Iran also emphasised the necessity of terminating all "unlawful" unilateral sanctions, Ma said.

Ma's meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi came days after Tehran spurned U.S. "orders" to resume dialogue over the nuclear programme.

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Last week, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing nuclear talks, adding that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal".

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that he would not negotiate with the U.S. while being "threatened", and Iran would not bow to U.S. "orders" to talk.

Iran was further enraged after six of the United Nations Security Council's 15 members - the U.S., France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain - held a closed-door meeting this week to discuss its nuclear programme. Tehran said the meeting was a "misuse" of the U.N. Security Council.

That meeting was also criticised by China, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying on Friday that the "hasty" intervention by the Council was not helpful in building trust.

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Despite Tehran's defiant rhetoric, engaging with the U.S. to hammer out a nuclear deal may be the more pragmatic option, with crippling sanctions weighing on the Iranian economy and stoking public unrest, according to Iranian officials.

NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

Iran has long denied that it is working on developing a nuclear weapon. But the International Atomic Energy Agency said last month that Iran was "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to near the roughly 90% weapons-grade level.

In February, Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

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"The Iranian nuclear programme is peaceful in nature," said Iran's Gharibabadi on Friday.

"It is under the surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran is receiving huge inspections from the IAEA, and our nuclear programme has never been diverted to non-peaceful purposes."

The main root cause of the current situation is the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 pact, Gharibabadi said.

China hopes all parties will meet each other halfway and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, Wang told the Iranian and Russian ministers separately after the trilateral meeting.

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The United States should show "sincerity" and return to talks with Iran as soon as possible, said Wang.

Separately, Iran's foreign ministry on Friday condemned new sanctions imposed by the United States on the Iranian oil minister and some Hong Kong-flagged vessels that are part of a "shadow fleet" that helps disguise Iranian oil shipments.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the new sanctions were "clear evidence of the falsehood... of repetitive claims by American officials about their readiness for negotiations", Iranian state media reported.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo, Xiuhao Chen and Laurie Chen; additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Kate Mayberry and Gareth Jones)
G7 nations have vowed that Iran must never be allowed to build a nuclear bomb and warned Tehran that it must change course and choose de-escalation and diplomacy.

The Islamic Republic is the principal source of instability in the Middle East and is increasing its use of arbitrary detentions and foreign assassinations to achieve its goals, the groups foreign ministers and the EUs top diplomat said after a summit in Canada on Friday.

However, Chinese and Russian diplomats at discussions in Beijing demanded that the world fully respect Irans right to use nuclear energy for peaceful means and called for all unlawful sanctions on the country to be lifted.

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Ma Zhaoxu, Chinas vice foreign minister, said after the talks on Friday: We emphasised the necessity of ending all illegal, unilateral sanctions The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force.

Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, Ma Zhaoxu, the Chinese vice foreign minister, and Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian deputy foreign minister, met for talks in Beijing on Friday - Lintao Zhang/via REUTERS

The Beijing discussions, which included representatives from Iran, came as the US renewed its maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, aimed at forcing the regime to renegotiate a landmark deal that limited its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

The deal, brokered by the Obama administration in 2015, was weakened substantially when Donald Trump withdrew Washingtons support in 2018. Since then, Iran has gradually stopped complying with its commitments and the deal is due to expire in October.

Efforts to reach another agreement were given a new urgency last month when the UNs nuclear watchdog warned that Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency said this was of serious concern as it was just a short step away from the 90 per cent level required to produce nuclear weapons.

Iran insisted this week that it does not have nuclear weapons and was not seeking them, and Russia and China said on Friday they welcomed the comments.

But Dr Alexander Bollfrass, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank in London, told the BBC: If Tehran decides to build a bomb, it could enrich enough uranium for multiple warheads within weeks.

He added, however, that designing a weapon that actually worked could take months to years: Iran is closer than ever to nuclear weapons capability. But it is still not clear if it has decided to develop nuclear weapons or if it is looking for negotiation leverage.

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The new US administration has ramped up efforts to force Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

Mr Trump has doubled down on sanctions and last week said he sent a personal letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, proposing new nuclear discussions.

There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal, he told US media.

On Thursday, Mr Trump imposed sanctions on Mohsen Paknejad, the Iranian petroleum minister, and blacklisted owners and operators of vessels which the US said were transporting Iranian oil to China.

Tehran said any conversations about its nuclear programme were off the cards until the sanctions were removed. Khamenei accused the US of bullying his country while Masoud Pezeshkian, Irans president, said he would not bow to American orders to talk while being threatened.

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Iran was further enraged on Wednesday when six members of the UN Security Council  the US, France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain  held closed-door meetings to discuss its nuclear programme.

Backing from China and Russia will come as a relief for Iran, with the three nations growing closer in recent years.

Members of Irans navy hold Chinese flags as they welcomed a Beijing warship to Shahid Beheshti Port earlier this week - Vahid Salemi/AP

Iran has provided thousands of drones to Russia for the war in Ukraine, while Moscow has sent ballistic missile technology and Western weapons captured in Ukraine to Tehran.

Tehran has, however, been weakened by its allies Hamas and Hezbollah being hit hard by war with Israel, and by the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads Syrian regime in December. Its economy is also stuttering, with inflation rates as high as 35 per cent.

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The idea of negotiations makes sense from the Iranian perspective, Ray Takeyh, a senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council for Foreign Relations, wrote earlier this week.

Diplomacy would be an effective means of shielding the program from such attacks since it is unlikely that either the United States or Israel would strike militarily while the talks proceed.

The question remains whether Iran is willing to make substantial concessions to get sanctions relief, he added.

Dr Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow on the Middle East and North Africa Security at RUSI, told The Telegraph that there was a palpable sense in Western diplomatic circles that the time for diplomacy is running out and that Iran is dangerously perched on the nuclear threshold.

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She added: The concern is that under maximum pressure, Iran may act less predictably, potentially rushing to a nuclear weapon if Tehran feels the pain of mounting isolation. All signs indicate that the US is preparing the E3 to implement the snapback ahead of the October deadline. Iran slammed the closed-door meeting and summoned the ambassadors of the E3 countries (United Kingdom, France, and Germany).

The trilateral meeting in Beijing today is a consequence of failed US and European attempts to make progress on the Iran nuclear file, but it also sends a message of unity among Russia, China and Iran at a time when each is branded as a threat to the international rules-based order. Beijing claims to have a unique approach to mediation that is distinct from the West, and the divide has become more pronounced since President Trump returned to office.

Since Trumps withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, Irans deepening reliance on Russia and China has hardened Tehrans position. Ahead of the snapback decision, the question that the UK and Europe must ask is whether a flawed, buying time, deal is still better than no deal at all?

The strongly worded joint statement released by G7 foreign ministers on Friday read: We stressed that Iran is the principal source of regional instability and must never be allowed to develop and acquire a nuclear weapon.

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We emphasized that Iran must now change course, de-escalate and choose diplomacy. We underscored the threat of Irans growing use of arbitrary detention and foreign assassination attempts as a tool of coercion.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Representatives of China, Russia and Iran called Friday for an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.

The three countries' meeting was the latest attempt to broach the matter and come after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote to Irans supreme leader in an attempt to jumpstart talks.

The letter, which hasnt been published, was offered as Trump levied new sanctions on Iran as part of his maximum pressure campaign that holds out the possibility of military action while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached.

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China, Russia and Iran emphasized the necessity of terminating all unlawful unilateral sanctions, Chinas Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu read from a joint statement, flanked by Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

The three countries reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard, Ma read.

In comments to the three representatives, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reinforced China's commitment to a peaceful settlement and opposition to illegal sanctions, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

He added that China remains committed to the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal between Iran and six major countries  the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany  as "the basis for new consensus.

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Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked Trump, saying he wasnt interested in talks with a bullying government, although Iranian officials have offered conflicting signals over the possibility of negotiations. Trump sent a letter to Khamenei in 2019 with no apparent effect on rising tensions.

China and Russia are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with France and Britain, that took part in the original 2015 Iran nuclear deal preliminary framework agreement. Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018, setting in motion years of tensions in the wider Middle East.

China and Russia have particularly close relations with Iran through energy deals and Iran has provided Russia with bomb-carrying drones in its war against Ukraine.

They are also seen as sharing a joint interest in diminishing the role of the U.S. and other liberal democracies in determining world events in favor of their own highly authoritarian systems.

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Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so.

Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Irans program put its stockpile at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity.

While Iran has maintained it wont negotiate under duress, its economy has been savaged by the U.S. sanctions. Protests over womens rights, the economy and Irans theocracy in recent years have shaken its government.

China has sought to become more involved in Middle Eastern affairs and a year ago hosted talks leading to the full restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

___

Associated Press journalist Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the US to show "political sincerity" in trying to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue after talks in Beijing that called for an end to "illegal sanctions" on Tehran.

Friday's talks between China, Russia and Iran, which also called for an end to "threats of force", were held days after Iran rejected Donald Trump's proposal to restart talks about the country's nuclear programme.

Wang, who met the Iranian and Russian deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Sergei Ryabkov on Friday, said: "China hopes that all parties will meet each other halfway and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible.

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"The United States should show political sincerity and return to the talks as soon as possible."

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang also expressed opposition to a "forced intervention" by the United Nations Security Council.

The US and five other countries called a closed-door meeting of the Security Council to discuss the issue, where Britain suggested sanctions could be reimposed if Iran expanded its nuclear programme.

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Wang added that history showed that negotiating from "a position of strength" would not help solve problems, adding: "Under the current circumstances, hasty intervention by the Security Council will not help the parties build trust and bridge differences.

"Initiating the rapid restoration of sanctions will destroy years of diplomatic efforts, so caution must be exercised."

In a joint statement, the three countries said diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on "mutual respect" were the "only effective and viable options" for addressing the issue

They added that all parties should work to "eliminate the root causes" of the problem, saying: "The three countries stressed the need to end all illegal unilateral sanctions. Relevant parties should ... abandon sanctions pressure and threats of force."

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The nuclear deal - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - was also signed by China, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union.

Last week, in a letter written to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and delivered by the United Arab Emirates, Trump suggested restarting the talks. He said in an interview the day after the letter was delivered that the US would have to "go in militarily" if Tehran did not want to negotiate.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that he would not negotiate while being "threatened", adding that Iran would not bow to US "orders" to talk.

Since pulling out of the deal, the US has reinstated many sanctions on Iran, including measures targeting its oil exports and finances.

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Iran has long denied that it wants to develop nuclear weapons - a position it repeated in Beijing on Friday - but since 2018 it has scaled back compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency and stepped up uranium enrichment.

Fan Hongda, a professor at the Institute of Middle East Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, said China's involvement in the Iran nuclear issue "has not increased significantly".

"I think it is difficult to make substantial progress in the negotiations in Beijing, because the Iranian nuclear issue ultimately rests on the relationship between Iran and the United States," Fan said.

He added that there were "very serious" internal disagreements inside Iran about what to do about the US. "More and more people support engaging with the US, but the hardliners in power still disagree," Fan said.

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Pezeshkian is seen as a relative moderate and has pledged to engage with the US, but Khamenei, the supreme leader, has been firm in his hardline stance.

Wang Jin, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at China's Northwest University, said Friday's talks were less about making substantive progress and more about presenting a united front.

"The tripartite dialogue is not a mechanism-based regular dialogue, but more of a posture-type dialogue, showcasing the shared stance of China, Russia and Iran," he said.

In a post on social media, Iran's ambassador to China Mohsen Bakhtiar, said the meeting was a "valuable initiative" in countering "America's unilateralism" and had discussed "the necessity" of a united front opposing US sanctions.

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On Friday, China, Russia and Iran also agreed to strengthen cooperation through Brics and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, two platforms increasingly used by Beijing and Moscow to provide an alternative to the Western-dominated global order.

The three countries have also been increasing financial and defence cooperation in the face of US pressure, including a joint naval drill in the Gulf of Oman this week.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
China, Iran and Russia called for diplomacy over pressure and threats and an end to all illegal unilateral sanctions following talks on Tehrans nuclear program Friday in Beijing, Chinese state media said.

The meeting, attended by the three countries deputy foreign ministers, comes as Beijing aims to position itself as a power broker on the urgent international security issue, just days after US President Donald Trump said there were two ways to handle Iran: a deal or militarily.

The relevant parties should be committed to eliminating the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions pressure and threats of force, Chinas Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said Friday, according to Chinese state media.

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Countries face pressure to find diplomatic solutions to manage Irans nuclear program  or trigger a return of United Nations sanctions  as a key deadline from a 2015 Iran nuclear deal looms.

Chinese officials have repeatedly voiced opposition to US sanctions on Iran and criticized the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign to deter the Middle Eastern country from developing nuclear weapons, launched after the first Trump administration withdrew Washington from the 2015 deal.

Following the meeting between Ma, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Beijing Friday, the three nations called on relevant parties to avoid actions that escalate the situation and jointly create a favorable atmosphere and conditions for diplomatic efforts, according to a joint statement released by Chinese state media.

There is an increasing sense of urgency around finding a diplomatic path to rein in Irans nuclear program amid conflict in the Middle East. The UN nuclear watchdog warns that Iran has rapidly expanded its stock of what is considered near-bomb-grade uranium. Iran denies it wants a nuclear bomb and insists that its nuclear energy program is entirely peaceful.

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Trump is pushing for a new deal, while European powers have held multiple rounds of talks with Tehran in recent months on the issue.

Observers say the diplomatic push in Beijing fits with Chinas broader aim to position itself as an alternative global leader to the US  a goal Chinese leaders see more opportunity to achieve as Trump shakes up foreign policy with his America First agenda.

China is increasingly motivated to deepen its involvement (in the Iran nuclear issue) to safeguard its interests, expand its regional influence and reinforce its image as a responsible global power, said Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank in Washington.

By having both Russia and Iran in the room, China may also aim to highlight the significance of non-Western approaches to resolving global challenges, he added.

China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu (center) hosts Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi (left) and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Beijing on Friday. - Courtesy CCTV

Competing to solve the issue

China has long been an advocate for the 2015 nuclear deal  or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement, originally negotiated between all five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Tehran, restricts Irans nuclear program.

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Beijing has criticized the US withdrawal from the pact, while opposing American sanctions on Iran. Tehran moved away from its nuclear-related commitments following the US withdrawal.

Under the 2015 deal, countries have until October to trigger a so-called snapback of international sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA.

We still hope that we can seize the limited time we have before the termination date in October this year, in order to have a deal, a new deal so that the JCPOA can be maintained, Chinas UN Ambassador Fu Cong told reporters ahead of a special UN Security Council meeting on Irans nuclear program on Wednesday.

Since coming to office, Trump has restored his maximum pressure campaign, calling for the US Treasury to impose sanctions on Iran and ramp up their enforcement. Last week, the US president told Fox News he had written to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, adding: there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal, because Im not looking to hurt Iran.

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But Iran has signaled in recent days it has no interest in speaking to Trump, with Khamenei criticizing efforts to negotiate from bully states.

Its unclear what form a potential new agreement would take  or how it would be brokered. But not reaching a deal could lead to escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East thats seen Israel and Iran exchange direct strikes or could see Tehran shift its position on nuclear weapons, observers say.

Effectively, everyones competing to solve this issue, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the London-based Chatham House think tank. In the climate of several parallel efforts, this was an opportunity for Russia and China to align and try to put forward their version of what a deal might look like.

Both Beijing and Moscow are united in not wanting to see Iran weaponize its nuclear program and trying to diplomatically look for a solution, but may want a narrower deal focused around Tehrans nuclear program, while Europe and perhaps the United States would like a broader agreement, according to Vakil.

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During the talks Friday, all three countries reiterated the importance of maintaining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, according to the Chinese readout, which also said that China and Russia welcome Irans reaffirmation of the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

The talks may be a boon for Tehran, observers say, pointing to how Irans leaders see China and Russia as potential allies in such discussions. Tehran and Moscow have heightened cooperation in recent years as Iranian drones help Russia wage war in Ukraine.

China remains a key economic and diplomatic backer for Iran, but also looks to balance its relationship with Tehran with growing ties to partners like Saudi Arabia. Last week, Russia, China and Iran held what Chinese state media said was their fifth joint naval drill since 2019.

For Iran, (the meeting in China) is a symbolic opportunity. It can continue to show its alignment with Russia and China  (and) continue to message that it seeks engagement, Vakil said.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi poses with Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani and Saudi Arabia's national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban in Beijing after the two Middle Eastern nations agreed to re-establish diplomat ties in March 2023. - China Daily/via REUTERS

Chinas calculus

A show of the trios alignment may also benefit Beijing at a time when the Trump administration seeks to undercut Beijing and Moscows close ties and push back against what they view as an emerging axis between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

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Russia has also offered to participate in nuclear talks between the US and Iran, a Kremlin spokesperson said, as Moscow-Washington ties warm under Trump.

The future policy directions of Russia and Iran will significantly influence Chinas strategic options in the Middle East and beyond, said Carnegie Endowmentss Zhao, pointing to this as one reason for Beijing to enhance its communication with Moscow and Tehran on such issues.

Such coordination also signals solidarity against potential US efforts to sow division among them, he added.

Beijing has much at stake in the Middle East.

China relies on the region for energy and has worked to deepen its strategic ties there, including with wealthy Gulf states and traditional US allies. Beijing showed its ambitions to become a power player in the region in 2023 when it played a role in brokering a rapprochement between longtime rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

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China is also likely warily eying the potential that its own firms commercial ties to Iran could become entangled in Trumps pressure tactics in Iran if no deal is reached, observers say.

The meeting in Beijing, however, is not an indication that China is interested in giving Russia and Iran a free ride here or allowing them to continue to subvert proliferation norms, said Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, founder of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation think tank.

What this reflects is Chinas serious concerns that this crisis could accelerate in the Middle East if the Iran nuclear program is not dealt with through negotiations, he said.

Still, there are limits to Beijings capacity to be a broker on this issue even as it looks to amplify its role. Its a comparatively inexperienced player in a region where the US has long been the dominant power, and despite its economic links to Tehran, observers say it has little sway over the countrys policy.

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The Russians and Iranians understand that this is a relatively new role that China is taking as a mediator for these larger international disputes. Theres a lot of realism about the extent to which China can actually be the architect of these negotiations, said Batmanghelidj.

But theyre both very happy to participate in the spectacle of China emerging as this new player, he said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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China and Laos are moo-ving toward more sustainable cattle farming with a crossbreeding agreement that marks the first export of China's coveted Huaxi cattle that are specifically grown to mature rapidly and produce high-quality meat.

The agreement focuses on crossbreeding local Lao cattle with high-quality breeds from China, utilising advanced breeding techniques to improve growth rates and body size, meat quality for market demands, adaptability to the local environment, and economic benefits for farmers, the Lao News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a memorandum of agreement signed by both sides on Tuesday.

"As one project in China's Belt and Road Initiative, the partnership is an important step for China's beef cattle seed industry in the international market, and it lays a solid foundation for the internationalisation of China's beef cattle seed industry," said a statement from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

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The Huaxi breed was independently developed in China over 43 years, and it holds proprietary intellectual property rights, with its growth performance and meat quality reaching international standards, according to CAAS.

The breed is adaptive to various climatic conditions, with a meat yield of 53.95 per cent per head. Bulls can grow to 900kg (1,984 pounds), while cows can reach 550kg.

As part of the partnership, China will provide Laos with 100,000 doses of frozen semen from the Huaxi breed - which was validated by the National Livestock Genetic Resources Committee in 2021 - as well as 10 Huaxi breeding bulls.

A significant step in agricultural collaboration between Laos and China was taken this week as they signed an agreement on the research and development of improved beef cattle breeds. Photo: Lao News Agency alt=A significant step in agricultural collaboration between Laos and China was taken this week as they signed an agreement on the research and development of improved beef cattle breeds. Photo: Lao News Agency>

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Scientists from CAAS have also developed China's first genome-based beef cattle breeding chip, dubbed the "Cattle 110K" chip, and established a genome-wide selection and evaluation system for the Huaxi breed.

Several Huaxi cattle breeding centres have been built across the country, with a breeding population of 23,400 head. There are now 12 provinces promoting the breed, according to Xinhua.

The high yield of the Huaxi breed will reportedly accelerate the development of China's beef cattle industry and boost farmers' income.

Chinese scientists are also intent on enhancing the influence of China's beef cattle breeding industry in the global value chain through the deepening of international cooperation by means of technology sharing, joint breeding, talent exchanges, demonstration farm construction and market cooperation, Xinhua added.

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Meanwhile, China's domestic beef prices remain sluggish, recently hitting their lowest level in about 11 years, due to supply-demand imbalances.

The average wholesale price of beef in China dropped to 57.22 yuan (US$7.90) per kilogram last week - a year-on-year decline of 17.2 per cent.

The China Animal Agriculture Association attributed the slump to a surfeit of imported beef, noting how inbound shipments grew eightfold over the 10 years leading up to 2023.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
China's state-owned oil companies are scaling back purchases of Russian crude due to concerns over U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported on March 14, citing industry sources.

Chinese firms have avoided buying oil from suppliers directly hit by sanctions. "They are taking a break for now while contemplating if there are ways to work around," a source told Reuters.

Russia remains China's largest crude supplier, accounting for 20% of its total imports. While Beijing has strengthened economic ties with Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has repeatedly denied allegations of directly supporting Russia's war effort.

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Despite China's deepening trade relationship with Russia, growing economic pressure has led many Chinese financial institutions to scale back dealings with Moscow, fearing secondary U.S. sanctions.

China's state-run Sinopec and Zhenhua Oil have halted supplies entirely, while PetroChina and CNOOC have continued shipments in March but with reduced volumes, according to sources familiar with the matter.

A Sinopec source said the company stopped purchasing Russian oil as it conducted additional checks on compliance with U.S. sanctions and awaits a "clear picture" of ongoing U.S.-Russia negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. The company may resume supplies if talks lead to an easing or lifting of sanctions.

PetroChina, a key buyer of Russia's ESPO (BCTO) crude from Russia's state energy company Rosneft, continued offshore shipments in March but at lower volumes, sources told Reuters. CNOOC, another major buyer, also reduced its shipments.

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In one of his final acts in office, former U.S. President Joe Biden imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia's energy sector on Jan. 10, targeting Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz; over 180 oil tankers transporting crude from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela; and insurance firms involved in Russian oil logistics.

Read also: How Ukraines defense tech is shaping the future of warfare

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After a weeks-long match of tug-of-war it seems that Senate Democrats are rolling over and allowing the passage of a Republican-led funding bill full of President Donald Trumps favored policies, averting a potential government shutdown that would have gone into effect Saturday at midnight.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer very publicly wrestled with the implications of his obstruction before caving on Thursday evening. He subsequently defended his decision in a flurry of social media posts late Thursday night.

Standing in the way of the bills passage would mean a government shutdown that would have cleared the way for Trump to fire untold numbers of federal workers and downsize the government even further without recoursesomething the president and his allies not-so-secretly have indicated they wanted.

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Allowing its passage, however, would avert the shutdown but hand more power over federal spending to Trump and his right-hand man, Elon Musk.

President Trump and Republicans Leaders would like nothing more than to pull us into the mud of a protracted government shutdown, Schumer claimed in one X post Thursday night, adding that it would come as a gift to Trump and his administration by distracting from their true agenda: delivering massive tax cuts to the rich paid for on the backs on American families.

U.S. President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sit in a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Schumer echoed his concerns in another late-night X post, writing that a shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

According to The Wall Street Journal , Schumer said he would vote to advance the bill during its scheduled initial vote Friday and claimed that he had enough Democrats joining him to ultimately satisfy the 60-vote rule needed to pass it.

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Only eight Democrats need to vote yes Friday to pass the bill.

I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people, Schumer said Thursday on the Senate floor. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.

U.S. President Donald Trump answers reporters' questions while hosting Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in the Oval Office at the White House on March 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Democrats have debated both approaches to the bill for weeks, with each option presenting more control for Trump over spending or federal downsizing, respectively.

The funding bill would hand the Trump administration the ability to cancel individual items in the budgettypically a power reserved for Congress, which traditionally holds the purse strings.

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Democrats have also objected to the bills cuts, which would affect domestic non-defense programs and the District of Columbias budget, while also boosting military spending.

A shutdown, however, would leave the door open for Trump to permanently shutter certain functions of the federal governmentanother nightmare scenario for Democrats opposed to the presidents slash-and-burn approach to governing in his second term.

Elon Musk walks to the White House after landing in Marine One on the South Lawn on March 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Trump ally and former Rep. Matt Gaetz made that point explicitly, giving his Republican colleagues an apparent thumbs-up to shut down the government Thursday.

Someone convince me that a shutdown doesnt just give Trump and @elonmusk the ability to put DOGE into overdrive, Gaetz wrote on X Thursday afternoon. And when lawsuits are filed.tough s***.things get shut down in a shut down.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) looks on during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on June 5, 2024 in Washington, DC. / Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Prior to Thursday, however, Republicans had spent weeks laying the blame for a potential shutdown at the feet of Democrats.

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The president himself even joined in, blatantly saying : if it closes, its purely on the Democrats.

If theres a shutdown, even the Democrats admit it will be their fault, Trump added. And Im hearing a lot of Democrats are going to vote for it and I hope they do.

Schumer previously criticized the bill for being drafted without any input from congressional Democrats.

Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort, Schumer said on the floor Wednesday. But Republicans chose a partisan path drafting their continuing resolution without any input from congressional Democrats.
Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The meeting with the Azerbaijani community living in Portugal's Lisbon was held, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The meeting began with the performance of the Azerbaijani National Anthem and a respectful tribute to the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Leyla Hamzayeva, head of the European Countries Department of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, and Ali Aliyev, the deputy head of the department, greeted the Azerbaijani community in Portugal and provided detailed information about the committee's activities, emphasized the importance of this first-ever meeting in Portugal, and touched upon the significance of organizing Azerbaijanis and uniting them around a common idea.

In the course of the meeting, a video presentation was screened on the activities of the committee, Azerbaijani homes abroad, coordination councils, weekend schools and various projects being implemented.

Mikayil Ramazanli, the counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Portugal, briefed on the activities of the Azerbaijani community in Portugal, noting that the development of the Azerbaijani diaspora has positively contributed to building relations between the two countries, emphasized the role of Azerbaijanis living abroad in promoting Azerbaijan and conveying the country's rightful voice to the international community.

The Coordinator of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis in Spain for Portugal Milana Seyidzade provided information about the activities of the Azerbaijani Coordination Council and highlighted the importance of strengthening the ties between Azerbaijanis living in various countries and Azerbaijan.

The community members thanked the committee for supporting the first gathering of the Azerbaijani community in Portugal. They highly appreciated the opportunity for discussions and expressed their commitment to contributing to the diaspora policy in the future.

The meeting concluded with a broad exchange of ideas, discussions on perspectives, the presentation of suggestions, and answering questions.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will be making an appearance in San Francisco next week. The appearance at the Sydney Goldstein Theater on Saturday, March 22 comes on the heels of the Senate Democratic Leaders announcement that he would be voting to advance a House GOP-drafted government funding bill.

Schumers unexpected backing of the bill has put him at odds with the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party, while giving cover to more centrist members who might be inclined to support the continuing resolution (CR). Progressives in the Senate including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have loudly opposed the bill.

California bill that would make it illegal to defend yourself pulled

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In the House, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a progressive figurehead, has also called on Democratic senators to vote against it.

Schumers SF appearance, which is co-presented with Mannys, comes in the midst of a Democratic firestorm over his backing of the bill, with Ocasio-Cortez saying There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal over the matter.

In his announcement on the Senate floor that he would back the bill, Schumer called the Republican CR a terrible option.

But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

The senator, who is the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in U.S. history, will be in conversation with Scott Shafer, a senior political editor with KQED. The event is open to the public and all tickets will come with a complimentary copy of Schumers new novel, Antisemitism in America: A Warning.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on Friday. Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images

WASHINGTON  The Senate on Friday unanimously approved a bill to fix one of the harshest provisions of the government funding bill that the Senate just sent to the presidents desk to avert a government shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Friday afternoon that senators had reached a bipartisan agreement to undo legislative language that would forcethe D.C. government to cut $1 billion from its budget over the next six months, potentially causing mass layoffs of teachers and firefighters.

The Senate adopted the bill unanimously, without a roll call vote or even a single senator yelling nay in a voice vote.

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Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the House included the cuts to D.C. government in the funding bill by mistake, and that the new bill would correct the error.

This bill would simply fix a mistake in the House [continuing resolution] that prevents the District of Columbia from spending its own tax dollars, Collins said.

Schumer said the followup bill would protect D.C. residents from police layoffs.

It will support law enforcement and firefighters and teachers and city services. The legislation is very good news for the residents of the District of Columbia, Schumer said.

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The D.C. fix still needs to be approved by the House, however, and that chamber is not scheduled to return to Washington for votes until March 24. Its not clear if House Republicans will embrace the measure, but no lawmaker has exactly championed the cut to the Districts budget, particularly since it became apparent it was put in by mistake.

I dont know what they saw, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a former House member, told HuffPost on Friday. He seemed a bit befuddled by the provision, even as he expressed skepticism that the city spent its money wisely.

A bipartisan bill shielding D.C. from a pointless cut  which wouldnt save the federal government any money  is something of a win for Schumer, who has been battered by members of his own party. On Wednesday, he said Democrats would filibuster the broader funding bill, then on Thursday said he himself would support it, prompting a backlash among his fellow Democrats.

Im happy were passing the bill today. I thank my colleagues for working quickly to bring this bill to the floor, Schumer said. Once the Senate acts, we urge the House to act quickly.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WASHINGTON  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., indicated Thursday he would vote to advance Republicans six-month funding bill that passed the House to avert a government shutdown Friday night.

The move is a major concession from Schumer, yielding to the GOP measure just one day after he vowed that Democrats wouldnt allow it to pass. It means the bill is likely to find enough votes to clear the 60-vote threshold and eventually pass with a simple majority, even as a growing number of Senate Democrats came out in opposition to it Thursday.

There are no winners in a government shutdown, Schumer said in a floor speech. Its not really a decision; its a Hobsons choice: Either proceed with the bill before us or risk Donald Trump throwing America into the chaos of a shutdown.

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For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR [continuing resolution]. It is deeply partisan. It doesnt address far too many of this countrys needs. But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option, he added. I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.

Schumer informed his colleagues in a closed-door meeting that he would vote for the procedural motion to advance the funding bill when it comes to the Senate floor Friday, according to a source familiar with his remarks. The New York Times first reported Schumers private comments.

If the Senate passes the bill, it would then go to President Donald Trumps desk for a signature. A shutdown occurs after 11:59 p.m. ET Friday if no law is enacted by then.

We have a choice between terrible and awful, said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

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Its unclear what, if anything, Schumer got in return for his decision to allow the House bill to proceed. He told reporters after his Senate speech that Democrats would "try to get some amendments on the bill.

Before his comments, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., hinted that Democrats could try to secure a vote on an amendment to the House bill to turn it into a 30-day, rather than a six-month, stopgap measure. But he didn't commit to dropping opposition to the bill if the amendment were voted down.

John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, is the only Senate Democrat who has said he'd vote to advance the House bill; several others have stayed quiet about how they would handle a procedural vote. Schumer told reporters that members are making their own decisions right now.

Earlier in the day, a growing number of Senate Democrats vowed to oppose the legislation. They included John Hickenlooper, of Colorado, who called the bill dangerous; Mark Kelly, of Arizona, who said it would give unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk; Ruben Gallego, of Arizona, who blasted it as a grab bag of extreme policies; and Mark Warner, of Virginia, who called it a terrible deal that would hurt Virginia.

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One thing is certain: If we pass this continuing resolution for the next half year, we will own what the president does, said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. I am not willing to take ownership of that.

From outside the Democratic lunch meeting, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., could be heard yelling about devastating impacts of a government shutdown, particularly now.

Senators have faced heavy pressure from House Democratic colleagues and liberal advocates outside of the Capitol to hold the line against the funding bill, which was crafted by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and the White House.

Earlier this week, just one House Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, voted for the bill, which party leaders in the chamber railed against.

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After Schumer spoke on the Senate floor, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal from House Democrats.

"There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States, who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people, in order to defend Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. ... Just to see some Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think it is a huge slap in the face, and I think that there is a wide sense of betrayal if things proceed as currently planned," she said.

Yet even as some Democrats were rallying against the House GOP bill, they struggled to offer a plausible endgame to avert a shutdown  or reopen the government if funding lapses after Friday night. They demanded a 30-day stopgap measure to continue funding at status quo levels to reach a full funding deal for fiscal year 2025.

That discombobulated approach clashes with the fact that Trump and Johnson have said they dont want an appropriations deal for a fiscal year that is already half over, as they want to move on to their party-line budget bill to address taxes, immigration and other priorities.

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Were trying to convince them. Now, they can be convinced or unconvinced, Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said about the GOPs rejection of a new appropriations deal.

Democratic senators have cited numerous objections to the House bill.

First, they had no input in developing it  some in the party fear that voting for it would empower Johnson and Trump to dictate outcomes without negotiating with Democrats to earn their votes.

Second, they object to provisions that would cut nondefense domestic spending by billions of dollars, including a hit to Washington, D.C.s budget, while boosting military spending  a move they see as sacrificing Democratic priorities for GOP priorities.

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Third, they worry that voting for the measure without guardrails on executive power would green-light Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musks moves to dismantle parts of the federal government or refuse to spend money directed by Congress.

A new memo Thursday from the Center for American Progress Action Fund, led by longtime Democratic adviser Neera Tanden, called on the party to hold the line against the House Republican bill, making the policy and messaging case for it.

While the consequences of a shutdown are real, Democrats bear no responsibility in fact or in public perception if they continue to support a clean CR or clean 30-day CR. However, supporting the MAGA plan will sap momentum that is building against Republicans, said the memo, which NBC News obtained from a congressional Democratic source who received it. Lawmakers must focus on connecting the so-called CR to how the Administration and DOGE are actively causing radical harm.

Some Democrats believe voters will blame Republicans in the event of a government shutdown. In a new Quinnipiac University national poll, 53% of registered voters said they would blame Trump or Republicans in Congress if the government shut down; 32% said they would blame Democrats. Another 15% didnt know or wouldnt say.

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Jiminy Christmas! Republicans control the House, Senate and White House, said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M.

But Senate Republican leaders say its time to dispense with the debate over fiscal 2025 funding, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday on the floor that the House bill was the only path to prevent a shutdown.

Democrats need to decide if theyre going to support funding legislation that came over from the House or if theyre going to shut down the government, he said.

Schumer told reporters after his floor speech that he's convinced he made the right decision because of how difficult it would be to reopen the government.

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There is no off-ramp, he said. Anyone who thinks there might be an off-ramp knows it depends on the Republicans, and I dont trust them at all. I think they want a shutdown, and I think they want to use the shutdown to decimate the federal government.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The City of Erie is investing more than $84,000 into small businesses to help them grow and thrive.

The administration announced their 2025 Flagship Grant awardees Thursday morning.

Erie tax expert offers tips of to navigate tax season

The atmosphere inside Erie City Hall Thursday morning was full of excitement as small business owners gathered for a special announcement.

Nineteen recipients were selected for the City of Eries Flagship Fund Micro-grant Program out of the more than 120 that applied.

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Their objective with these grants is to enhance the citys reputation in multiple areas including innovation, quality of life and environmental sustainability.

Typically we roll this out twice a year, said Chris Groner, director of the City of Erie Office of Development Services. It lets small businesses know that we appreciate what they do. Almost all of the economic development programs out there are really tailored to very large businesses, large projects.

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Groner said that small businesses invest and add to the well-being of our communities and deserve to quality for economic development assistance programs like large businesses.

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And thats why Mayor Joe Schember and his administration created this program.

Since 2018, they have continued to assist small business owners by using some of the interest that is being earned from their revolving loan fund.

Were just really happy to be able to directly support small business in a simple straight forward way, Groner said.

Wattsburg church nearing re-opening after 2024 fire

Funding awards are granted up to five thousand dollarsmatching money that businesses themselves come up with.

Some businesses that were selected were Lakeshore Towing Services for a specialized crane, Popluck for a new popcorn cooker, and Copy King for a backup generator.

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After 10 years of being downtown, El Amigo plans to use their funding to begin a renovation project including new flooring and bar upgrades.

The building itself is old fashioned and it looks really nice but theres some things that need to be changed, said David Saldana, owner of El Amigo. Thanks to the mayor this grant is going to help us reach our goal.

Saldana hopes to start construction next month to be ready by May for Cinco de Mayo at his Mexican grill.

We are thinking and hoping to have the biggest fiesta of the year and all time for Cinco de Mayo so were just going to get ready for that, Saldana went on to say.

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In addition to Cinco de Mayo, Saldana said they cannot wait for this summer season.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Mar. 14FORMER MAYOR and current school board member Bob Baines is very happy about a new mobile app the school district is offering.

The Manchester School District has partnered with Project Happy to help high school students find volunteering opportunities in the city and surrounding area.

The Project Happy mobile app connects students with a highly curated database of teen-appropriate volunteering opportunities in Manchester and surrounding communities.

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By connecting students with volunteer opportunities, Project Happy looks to improve teen mental wellness, help build a service mindset and encourage career exploration.

The Project Happy app also helps students track their community service hours by creating a verified resume of each student's volunteer work that can be downloaded and emailed or printed to secure high school credit or include with college applications.

At the March 10 school board meeting, Baines reported Mayor Jay Ruais convened a meeting at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester just before school vacation, which he and school board vice chair Jim O'Connell attended, along with Boys & Girls Club CEO Diane Fitzpatrick and stakeholders from other volunteer organizations.

"All these organizations are anxious for us to provide opportunities for our high school students to volunteer in the nonprofit world, and there's a lot of data that will indicate to you, the more we can connect students to the community, the better feelings that students have about themselves," Baines said. "We all know that we're all volunteers. We don't always feel good at the end of a meeting, but I think we all feel good about serving our community, and that's what this is all about."

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Project Happy kicked off this past week at West High School, with a "lofty but achievable" goal, as Baines put it, of 1,000 hours of volunteerism by West students by the end of June.

Baines said there are also talks underway to have a citywide kickoff for Project Happy at SNHU Arena in April.

"The idea would be to bring all the high school students in Manchester  not just the public high schools, but Trinity, Derryfield, and perhaps the charter schools  all together at the SNHU Arena the week before April vacation, which is spirit week in most of the schools," Baines said.

Baines said he has spoken with SNHU Arena Senior General Manager Tim Bechert about the event.

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Logistical details like the exact date and getting students from each school to and from the arena are still being worked out.

"Just think of having all of our high school students from Manchester who never really interact with each other in one place, rallying around this unbelievable project, the attention it would bring to our school district, I think, not only statewide, but nationwide, to have such an initiative start right here in Manchester for our public schools," Baines said. "I think we should try. I would recommend doing everything possible to make that idea a reality, because I see the magic in that.

"I think something of this nature around volunteerism could really help us promote a very positive image of our school district, and I'll do whatever I can to help make it happen."

Two years too short?

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Are two-year terms for city aldermen and the mayor too short? At least one Manchester resident thinks so.

Rick Blais contacted board members recently to suggest sending a proposal to double the length of terms in office for the mayor and aldermen.

"My thoughts behind this are simple: it is hard to accomplish any real plans in such a short two-year time frame," Blais writes. "After winning an election it takes 4-6 months to learn the new position and how other aldermen work. Then you start working together for the next six months. Now it is time to start campaigning and fundraising.

"No 'hard decision' vote will be made because it could cost votes."

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Blais said he spoke with City Clerk Matt Normand, who said changing them from two-year to four-year terms would save the city $85,000 in election costs.

"I truly believe that everyone on the board and mayor really wants a better, more vibrant city," Blais writes. "With a 4-year term, I believe it would be beneficial to our city's progress to amend the charter to help give you all time to work together and make some compromises that will help our city move into the future."

Blais says some aldermen, including Bill Barry and Chris Morgan, have expressed support for the idea.

"I'm not opposed to this on its face as it not only saves financial resources, it also allows city residents to not be in an election cycle every single year," Ward 4 Alderman Christine Fajardo said. "I'm sure there would be several details to discuss and consider and who knows what voters may say, but I'm certainly open to the conversation."

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Alderman at Large Joe Kelly Levasseur had a different take.

"I am not in favor of four-year terms  not now, not ever."

A discussion on the idea appears on the agenda for a meeting of the aldermanic Committee on Administration/Information Systems on Tuesday, March 18, at 6:15 p.m.

Not a prank

For those interested in attending, Goffstown zoning board Chairman Len Stuart reports a public hearing on April Fools' Day for a project located off Riverview Park Road  on the border between Manchester and Goffstown which impacts the Queen City's Phillip Street and Joseph Street Extension neighborhoods  will not be held at Goffstown High School as hoped.

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"We were not able to secure a larger venue on short notice, so arrangements will be made to get some extra seating in the room," Stuart said in an email. "The legal abutters will be re-noticed by the town."

The Goffstown Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on the application Tuesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. in the Mildred Stark Room (Room 106) in Goffstown Town Hall, 16 Main St.

Bridge work

Manchester public works officials announced that rehabilitation work on the Amoskeag Bridge will require the temporary closure of the bridge's eastbound on-ramp from Canal Street beginning March 17.

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Amoskeag Bridge eastbound will be reduced to a single lane, and the off-ramp to Canal Street will be closed. The Amoskeag Bridge westbound on-ramp from Canal Street will remain closed during this phase.

This traffic pattern is expected to continue through October 2026 to allow the eastbound bridge deck to be replaced, officials said.

The $18.9 million project, scheduled for completion in November 2026, will consist of the construction of the detour to reroute traffic onto the westbound bridge, a full eastbound bridge deck replacement, structural steel repairs and painting, and repair of the bridge concrete substructure (piers and abutments).

Funding is provided by state and federal highway sources (80%) and the city itself (20%).

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Construction work will begin with the closure and demolition of the Canal Street ramp, while the detour for the main Amoskeag Bridge eastbound is constructed.

Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes during this construction.

SleepOut rousted

The 11th annual Waypoint SleepOut on March 21, held annually to raise awareness and funds to help end youth homelessness in New Hampshire, will look a little different this year following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer.

The fundraising event supports services for homeless youth, including the state's only low-barrier emergency youth shelter, youth drop-in centers in Manchester and Rochester, and other supports.

On March 21, SleepOut will kick-off with an in-person gathering at Manchester's Bronstein Park (Hanover and Beech streets), across the street from Waypoint's Emergency Youth Shelter.

This year, instead of sleeping outside together as a public demonstration of support for youth experiencing homelessness, advocates will sleep remotely outside at a location of choice. Organizers say the change is necessary in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 regarding Grants Pass v. Johnson, which allows municipalities to criminalize sleeping in public places.

"While SleepOut traditionally brings people together as a group to sleep outside to raise awareness, the Supreme Court ruling over the summer made it allowable to criminalize homelessness," said Borja Alvarez de Toledo, President and CEO of Waypoint. "Our young people can now be fined simply for having nowhere to go."

Manchester aldermen voted last July to ban camping on city streets and in local parks, following a Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. Constitution does not prevent cities from prohibiting homeless people from sleeping in public.

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld anti-camping laws used by Grants Pass, Oregon, to stop homeless people from sleeping in public parks and byways.

Over the past decade, SleepOut has raised $2.9 million for programs in support of young people experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit WaypointNH.org/SleepOut.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The City of Huntsville and the Huntsville-Madison County EMA hosted a press conference to provide an update on preparations for inclement weather.

Representatives from the city and the EMA addressed the media about the incoming weather threatening the Tennessee Valley.

You can watch the entire news conference in the video player above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  City and state leaders asked for the publics input about the future of one of Savannahs landmarks, the Talmadge Bridge Thursday night.

Georgia Department of Transportation leaders said they wanted to hear what the public thinks about the two options they are considering. One option is to demolish the current bridge and replacing it with a taller one, the other would be taking it down all together and building a tunnel.

Both options were proposed with a replacement that would allow larger cargo ships to be able to dock at the Georgia ports just upriver.

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Some residents that WSAV spokes to said they worried about the potential environmental impacts.

The danger to both the historic district and to Hutchinson Island, to Elba Island and to the incredibly vulnerable ecosystem is really extreme and its like they just want to move the city out of the way and then they can just have a port, Savannah resident Anna Habersham Wright said.

Comments about the proposed project will be accepted until Thursday, March 27.

The meeting to discuss plans for the bridge was held at the Coastal Georgia Center on Fahm Street.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Context: Video aired on Oct. 3, 2024.

TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka land bank made a total of $500 since launching in June, the city said.

Director of Communications Dan Garrett said a local developer will use the land at 1326 Fillmore to create a new single family affordable housing project.

K-State freezes global food security labs after federal order

Garrett said 1326 Southwest Filmore Street sold for $500. He said the property was added to the land bank through the citys existing inventory of land, so there was no cost to acquire the parcel. The property was appraised in 2024 at $2,550.

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The city says the mission of the land bank, which is in a pilot phase, is to efficiently acquire, manage and transform vacant, abandoned, blighted and/or foreclosed properties into productive use benefitting the community.

Measles case confirmed in Kansas resident

The citys Land Bank currently has nine parcels for sale ranging in price from $1,510 to $26,342.

The City of Topeka purchased three properties in the Laurens Bay Neighborhood for a total of $42,060 in 2024.

You can search properties for sale in Topeka through the land bank by clicking here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The family of a transgender woman plans to file a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department after officers fatally shot her at a motel last month.

The family of Linda Becerra Moran says that she was suffering from a mental health crisis when she called 911 for help on Feb. 7. Body cam footage released by the LAPD shows Moran first holding a knife to her neck and eventually approaching officers, who opened fire. She succumbed to her wounds several weeks later.

The incident occurred inside a motel room in Pacoima, where Moran had reported being held against her will. The familys attorney claims that Moran was in crisis and likely a victim of trafficking.

Body camera footage shows officers talking with Linda Becerra Moran inside a Pacoima motel room moments before the shooting. Feb. 7, 2025. (LAPD)

Community activists and family members gathered outside LAPD headquarters on Friday, demanding justice and changes in the way police respond to mental health crises.

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The attorney representing the family insists that Moran did not threaten the officers.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate professional help by calling the nationwide mental health crisis hotline by dialing 9-8-8 on your phone.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The committee has not yet been approached regarding participation in reconstruction efforts in Syria, Anar Guliyev, the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, told reporters on the sidelines of the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

"However, in the past, following the earthquake in Turkiye, Azerbaijan provided support, allocated financial resources, and rebuilt a neighborhood through the State Housing Construction Agency," he said.

Guliyev also highlighted that certain reconstruction projects are being prepared in Ukraine, with more projects in the works.

"In the future, if necessary, Azerbaijan is ready to provide support to partner and friendly countries, sharing its expertise and experience," he added.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.".

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A senior civil servant tricked the Government into paying him for three full-time jobs as he used working from home to help him to go undetected for at least two years.

Cabinet Office documents reveal the man worked for both the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) between 2022 and 2024.

It added that the official held three jobs at the same time on two separate occasions and was only identified when a government fraud squad stepped in.

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The report blamed work-from-home culture for a rise in so-called polygamous working in the wake of lockdown.

It described it as an emerging risk area following changes to working practices since Covid-19, where many organisations now allow staff work remotely or on a hybrid basis as normal operating procedures.

It warned that a rise of working from home meant the system was also open to abuse from agency workers.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) report, published by the Cabinet Office, said: There is even more opportunity for individuals to commit fraud by gaining employment with several local authorities at the same time but failing to fulfil all of the roles.

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The report will pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to do more to reform the Civil Service after he vowed to slash the flabby state and make workers more productive.

The case, first reported by the i newspaper, showed the senior civil servant, who held higher security clearances in two government departments, was able to avoid initial detection by lying about his employment history.

He was subsequently sacked from Defra and two other roles.

A Defra spokesman said: We concluded that by taking part in the NFI, Defra was able to find and stop this simultaneous employment.

Civil servants are currently expected to spend at least 60pc of their working week at a government building or on official business, a commitment reiterated by Labour in October.

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However, Cabinet Office data show that just half of Whitehall departments met this target at the end of last year.

Defra employees were in the office just 46pc of the time in December, while civil servants in the Department for Work and Pensions  which is spearheading the Governments back-to-work drive  were in the office just 48pc of the time.

While Rachel Reeves has spoken about the benefits of office working, official data show that Treasury civil servants were in the office just 49pc of the time in December.

Ed Milibands Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has had the highest office attendance rate since Labour took power, with near 100pc attendance across October and November.

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Civil servants are rebelling over the policy, with workers at the Land Registry voting for industrial action in December over the 60pc attendance mandate.

The Cabinet Office also identified a case of dual employment at Barnsley Council where a man held two full-time contracts over a period of 10 months.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud.

A government spokesman said: While we cannot comment on specific cases, this Government has stepped up its efforts to fight public sector fraud.



We constantly look to improve detection processes and recently implemented new centralised checks to prevent this type of fraud. Moreover, we have expanded the use of data analytics within the National Fraud Initiative, which helped to identify 510m in fraud and errors across the public sector between 2022 and 2024.

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Clemson University staff attend The Ph.D. Project's annual conference. Clemson is among 45 colleges under federal investigation for its business school's partnership. (Photo provided by Clemson University)

Clemson University is among 45 colleges nationwide under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for its partnership with an organization that aims to increase the number of Black, Hispanic and Native American doctoral students and professors within the countrys business schools.

The federal agencys Office for Civil Rights investigation launched the probe into Clemson and other schools allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs by partnering with an organization called The Ph.D. Project, according to a Friday statement from the Department of Education.

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The agency will determine whether membership in the organization constitutes a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in education programs and activities receiving federal funding, the statement said.

If found in violation, Clemson could lose federal funds, including eligibility for Pell Grant and student loan programs. Clemson is the only college in South Carolina on the list.

Clemson is committed to ensuring compliance with all federal, local and state regulations, according to a statement from the university, adding that administrators will work with the federal agency to provide a response.

The investigation comes amid a broader pushback by President Donald Trumps administration against diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

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Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.

The Ph.D. Projects mission is to increase workplace diversity by increasing the diversity of business school faculty who encourage, mentor, support, and enhance the preparation of tomorrows leaders, according to its most recent annual report. The organization does this by creating a professional network for business professionals from underrepresented minority groups who may want to leave the board room to pursue a career in academia.

Universities that partner with the organization pay a $5,000 annual membership fee, according to paperwork on the organizations website.

That membership allows schools to post job openings for professorships on The Ph.D. Projects jobs board and attend the groups annual conferences to recruit potential students.

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A 2018 article from Clemson touted the schools attendance of The Ph.D. Projects annual conference and the opportunity to pitch the Clemson experience to some 300 aspiring business doctoral students.

Not only does it enable us to recruit prospective doctoral students, it helps in recruiting future faculty and puts us on a path to reaching inclusive excellence, Clemson business school Dean Wendy York said.

The article went on to say four of the business schools faculty members at the time had been part of The Ph.D. Project programs. Only two of those professors still teach at Clemson. The other two have since moved on to other schools.

The program opened so many doors for me that I am compelled to do the same for others who like me might leave business and return to school, one of the former Clemson professors, Delancy Bennett, said in the article. The Ph.D. journey is challenging, especially for a minority because youre a needle in a haystack among a field of haystacks.

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The Ph.D. Project, on its website, says it has 300 member colleges. Its unclear why the U.S. Department of Education picked the 45 on the list.

The federal education agency opened its investigation into some of those colleges following a Feb. 14 letter reminding colleges of the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision rolling back affirmative action programs in college admissions.

The letter takes the landmark court decision a step further arguing, the Supreme Courts holding applies more broadly. At its core, the test is simple: If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that persons race, the educational institution violates the law.

Federal law thus prohibits covered entities from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life, it continues.

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Mar. 13Central New Mexico Community College student Sebastian Ruiz didn't want to be a delivery driver forever. After giving some thought to go back to school, he figured "everybody needs an electrician" and solar electricity is "the future."

Ruiz, 27, is set to graduate in May with an associate's degree in electrical technologies with a photovoltaic, or PV, concentration. The degree is part of the only accredited PV program in the state.

Ruiz  who is enrolled in the program with his younger brother Max Ruiz, 19  is about to graduate at a time when clean energy jobs are growing at more than twice the rate of overall U.S. employment, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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CNM instructor Marlene Brown, who teaches the accredited PV program, knows the importance of adding solar panel installers to the workforce.

"I've been in Albuquerque over 30 years, and solar has grown the whole time  and it continues to grow," Brown said. "You know the big systems out on the highway? They need people to install that stuff."

Brown has a steady stream of employers interested in hiring her students. This includes Positive Energy Solar, which has collaborated with her class in the past. The company has offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Christopher Fortson, marketing director for Positive Energy Solar, called Brown's class "the premier, hands-on training" for solar technology.

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"The future for solar is continuing to expand, and we're going to need people who can hit the ground running with those skills," Fortson said.

PV program

Ruiz and his peers in Brown's program are aiming to be either solar panel installers or electricians in a solar company, depending on how much education they have, according to Brown.

"Some of (my students) will go into the (solar) field; some of them won't," Brown said. "But even if they don't choose a job directly in solar and they work for an electrical company, they will see (solar panels) out there.

Max Ruiz, like his brother, dreams of being a journeyman, a job in which he envisions being sent to a house or CNM to install solar panels.

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"Solar is a super-reliable job  recession-proof," Max Ruiz said.

Inside CNM's Ted Chavez Hall on Wednesday, students developed a plan to install eight solar panels on a makeshift roof on wheels, which was tested outside Thursday.

"It's not bad; they're pretty light," Sebastian Ruiz said.

High upfront costs but cheap bills in the long run

There may be good reason for Brown to help produce more solar panel installation workers. Brown, a retired Sandia National Laboratories employee, said solar panels can be easily marketed.

"Even though the conversion of sunlight to electricity is only 15%, people are very interested in solar electric (and) offsetting their electric bills," Brown said.

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The average cost of installing a residential solar panel system is $29,360, which can be reduced by close to $10,000 through federal tax credits, according to a report from NerdWallet, a personal finance company.

The cost of installation, however, can vary by state. In New Mexico, installing a home solar panel system can cost $18,594, the NerdWallet report added. On top of federal tax credits, New Mexico offers its own incentives, including up to $6,000 in credits off equipment and installation costs.

Sebastian Ruiz hopes people in his state are not intimidated by the installation cost.

"(The price) may be a little bit more, but in the long run, it definitely saves you money," he said. "The way I see it, the sun's always going to be out."
Sean Diddy Combs legal battle has taken another turn, as his defense team has made serious accusations against CNN regarding the 2016 surveillance video showing Diddy assaulting Cassie. The footage, which surfaced last year and plays a pivotal role in Combs upcoming trial, is now being questioned for its authenticity by the disgraced moguls legal team.

According to USA Today, in a letter submitted to the presiding judge by both Combs attorneys and federal prosecutors, his legal team asserted that a forensic analysis has uncovered significant alterations in the video. The defense claims that CNN substantially altered the footage, obscuring its time stamp and accelerating the playback speed to make it falsely appear that the actions in the video are taking place faster than they are.

Furthermore, they alleged that CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotels surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video; and then destroyed the original footage.

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With these allegations, Combs attorneys intend to have the video dismissed as evidence. Despite this, Combs has already publicly acknowledged his actions in the video, posting a since-deleted remorseful statement last year.

My behavior on that video is inexcusable I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. Im disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, (and) Im disgusted now, he confessed at the time. His legal team, however, claimed the hotel footage was not evidence of sex trafficking, but a moment of toxicity and drug use within his and Cassies tumultuous, decade-long relationship.

In a statement to USA TODAY, a CNN network spokesperson responded: CNN never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source CNN aired the story about the video several months before Combs was arrested. Despite CNNs denial, Combs attorneys remain steadfast. Our written and oral communications with CNNs counsel was clear  they destroyed the original video file they received from their source, they stated in response.

This is not the first time Combs team has attempted to challenge the legitimacy of the video. Last November, his attorneys accused prosecutors of manipulating the footage to justify his incarceration. They also previously claimed that federal agents leaked the video to CNN  an assertion prosecutors have dismissed as baseless. A judge ultimately ruled in favor of the prosecution, rejecting Combs request for an evidentiary hearing.

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Currently in custody after repeated denials of bond, Diddy is preparing for his May 5 trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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Americans are skeptical that President Donald Trumps approach to the war between Russia and Ukraine will bring peace to the region, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. Most Americans view Trumps handling of the conflict negatively, and 50% say his approach to the war is bad for the United States.

US diplomats are currently working to persuade Russia to agree to a temporary ceasefire in the war that has dragged on for more than three years since Russias invasion. While the Biden administration strongly backed Ukraine and unambiguously blamed Russia for the conflict, Trump has blamed Ukraine for causing the war and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator, drawing complaints from European allies and domestic critics.

CNNs latest poll finds that 59% of Americans think its not too likely or not at all likely that Trumps approach will bring long-term peace between Russia and Ukraine, while 41% say its at least somewhat likely. More broadly, nearly 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of Trumps handling of the US relationship with Russia (59%), and 55% disapprove of his handling of the situation in Ukraine.

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Half of Americans think that Trumps approach to the war between Russia and Ukraine is bad for the US, compared to only 29% who think its good for the US (20% say it does not make a difference). This mirrors Americans broader views of Trumps foreign policy moves so far in his second term: while 30% say his decisions have helped Americas standing in the world, more than half (54%) say that theyve hurt Americas standing.

A sizable share of Republicans express doubts about Trumps approach to foreign policy, including 15% who see his foreign policy decisions as having hurt Americas standing in the world, 18% who say his approach to the war between Russia and Ukraine is bad for the US and 28% who believe his approach is unlikely to result in long-term peace between the two countries. Democrats are more unified around negative views of Trumps foreign policy choices.

Deep partisan splits

A broad majority of Americans view Ukraine as either an ally or friendly to the US (72%) and Russia as either unfriendly or an enemy to the US (81%). The share that considers Ukraine to be an ally has climbed 7 points since 2014, just after Russias annexation of Crimea. Negative views of Russia have also changed since then, with the share describing Russia as an enemy climbing from 25% in May 2014 to 41% by 2018 and 44% now.

Americans are closely split on whether the US is doing too much (32%), too little (38%) or the right amount (30%) for Ukraine in its war with Russia. In January 2024, 30% of Americans said the US was doing too little for Ukraine.

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The publics view of Trumps handling of the war breaks sharply along partisan lines, with 84% of Republicans approving of how Trump is handling the situation in Ukraine compared with just 10% of Democrats. Nearly two-thirds of Democrats say the US is doing too little to help Ukraine in its war with Russia, while roughly half of Republicans say the US is doing too much.

Democrats and Republicans also differ in how they view the two countries. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to view Ukraine as at least friendly (82% of Democrats say so, compared with 64% of Republicans) and to view Russia as an enemy (54%, compared with 36% for Republicans).

Haley Romero, 6, stands beneath a massive Ukrainian flag held by demonstrators as they rally in support of Ukraine during a protest on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on March 8. - Craig Hudson/Reuters

In the aftermath of a highly publicized confrontation in the Oval Office between Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Americans are more likely to view Zelensky positively than negatively (39% to 33%, with 28% expressing no opinion). Roughly two-thirds of Democrats view Zelensky positively, and 63% of Republicans view him negatively. The poll finds both Trump and Vance with net negative favorability ratings overall (42% favorable to 52% unfavorable for Trump, 33% to 44% for Vance).

Broader foreign policy doubts

The poll also finds a majority of Americans with negative views towards Trumps broader approach to international relations. Nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs, while 54% say that Trump is not an effective world leader and 56% say that Trumps cuts to federal programs will hurt the nations standing in the world (compared to 28% who say the cuts will help, and 15% saying they will neither help nor hurt).

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This assessment of Trumps handling of foreign affairs comes amid a chaotic start to his second term: since the election in November, Trump has threatened to seize territories from allies, frozen foreign aid programs (resulting in intensifying humanitarian crises), announced a wide range of tariffs (including some targeting the United States largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico), cut off military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine in the aftermath of the Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, and suggested a plan to displace all Palestinians from Gaza.

Americans are split on whether the US should take a leading role in solving international problems (51% say it should and 49% say it should not). This cuts across party lines, with 58% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, and 50% of Republicans and Republican-leaners saying that the US should take a leading role. This is a reversal from the past: in 2015, only 37% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said they wanted the country to take a leading role and a slim majority, 54%, of Republican-aligned adults said the same.

Shifting views of allies, enemies

The poll also finds Americans views toward other nations shifting, as fewer see a deep connection to the USs traditional European allies, and unfriendly sentiments about Canada and Mexico are on the rise.

American sentiment towards traditional European allies tested in the poll has dropped uniformly since August 2018. Just 58% now describe Great Britain as an ally, down from 66% in 2018. That figure has dropped from 49% to 39% for Germany, and from 56% to 45% for France. Americans are also more likely to view Mexico and Canada negatively compared to the past  only about half of Americans call Canada an ally now (that has been as high as 65% in a 2000 CNN poll) and only 25% feel that way toward Mexico (40% felt that way in 2000).

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Americans views of Israel have also shifted somewhat more negative. While 73% call Israel an ally or friendly, similar to the 75% who felt that way in 2018, the 27% who describe it as unfriendly or an enemy is the highest share to say so in CNN polling back to 2000.

Across the countries tested in the poll, respondents are most likely to rate Iran as unfriendly to or an enemy of the United States (88%), followed by North Korea (85%), Russia (81%), and China (74%). Respondents split on their views of Saudi Arabia, with 50% describing it as an ally or friendly and 49% saying it is unfriendly or an enemy.

The poll also finds continued deterioration in Americans views of China. In 2011, 62% of Americans viewed China as an ally or friendly to the US, which declined to 45% in 2018 and 25% in CNNs most recent poll.

Americans generally warm views of Ukraine and Israel dont always translate to a desire for the US to support their war efforts. A quarter of those who view Ukraine as at least friendly say that the US is doing too much to help the nation in its war with Russia, and 29% of Americans who view Israel as at least friendly say that the US is providing too much assistance to the nation in its war with Hamas.

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Overall, 34% say that the US is doing too much for Israel in its war against Hamas, with 47% saying the US is doing the right amount and 19% too little. In January 2024, 29% said the US was doing too little for Israel.

The CNN poll was conducted by SSRS from March 6-9 among a random national sample of 1,206 US adults drawn from a probability-based panel. Surveys were either conducted online or by telephone with a live interviewer. Results among all adults have a margin of sampling error of 3.3 percentage points.

CNNs Ariel Edwards-Levy and Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.

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Students and teachers say Coastal Christian Preparatory School is a nurturing and structured faith centered environment with a well-rounded approach, offering academic, spiritual, emotional, and physical support. Coastal Christian receives the News 2 Cool School Award.



A ministry of First Baptist Church, Coastal Christian Preparatory School in the Old Village area of Mount Pleasant, has 260 students in Pre 2-k through 8th grade.

The private school with small class sizes offers a full curriculum beginning in preschool, and provides a vibrant faith based educational experience for students.

Congratulations Coastal Christian Preparatory School!

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
SAO PAULO (AP)  A Colombian diplomat in Brazil was wounded by a stray bullet on Friday and hospitalized to undergo surgery, authorities said.

Vice Consul Claudia Ortiz Vaca was passing by a robbery attempt on a vehicle in central Sao Paulo, local police said. An off-duty police officer witnessed two suspects approach a car and intervened, security officials said in a statement. Its unclear whether the gunshot came from the officer or one of the suspects, and where she was struck by the bullet.

The Colombian Consulate in Sao Paulo said in a statement that Ortiz Vaca was undergoing surgery and in stable condition.

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One suspect was arrested, and the other escaped, according to police. Local authorities said they would investigate the case.

Violent street crime is common in Brazil, and foreigners sometimes become victims.

Last December, an Argentine tourist was shot in Rio de Janeiro after he mistakenly drove his car into a low-income community on his way to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Gaston Fernando Burlon, president of the Argentine Chamber of Student Tourism, was then taken to a local hospital.
Potential buyers try out guns which are displayed on an exhibitors table during the Nations Gun Show on Nov. 18, 2016 at Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Colorado House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday that would set new safety regulations and requirements for gun shows that operate in the state.

House Bill 25-1238 passed on a 34-30 vote, with eight Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.

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Just as we expect other large-scale events to have security measures in place, gun shows should also take responsibility for the safety of their patrons and the surrounding community, Rep. Sean Camacho, a Denver Democrat, said during debate on the bill last week.

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Camacho ran the bill with Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat. It is sponsored by Democratic Sens. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge in the Senate.

This bill is about enforcing Colorado state law  laws that we have already passed. The intent of this is to make sure when you are going to a gun show, that it is safe for you and your family and your friends, Camacho said. Many people are already doing this. This bill is about those who are not.

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A 2022 analysis found that there were 417 advertised gun shows in Colorado between 2011 and 2019.

The bill would require gun show promoters to create and submit a security plan to local law enforcement two weeks before the event that includes the anticipated vendors, estimated number of attendees, number of security personnel who will be at the show and a floor plan of the venue. Gun show promoters would also need to have liability insurance for the event.

Vendors would need to have a federal firearms license and the state firearms dealer permit created by the Legislature last year. They would need to attest that they will comply with state laws around background checks, waiting periods, high-capacity magazines and ghost guns. Various notices of those state laws would need to be displayed around the venue. Vendors would also need to keep ammunition out of easy reach to attendees to comply with a bill expected to pass into law this year about ammunition sales.

Additionally, the bill would set standards for video surveillance of the parking lot, entrances and exits in order to deter theft and record any instances of crime. The promoter would need to retain that video footage for six months.

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I have veterans that have gun shows that arent going to be able to put cameras in parking lots in southeastern Colorado. Hell, they dont even have a paved parking lot in southeastern Colorado, said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, a Trinidad Republican.

Republicans argued that the requirements in the bill would limit gun show operations in Colorado and push the vendors to sell at shows in other states.

Camacho countered that there are companies that rent portable security cameras for parking lots at an affordable price.

The bill would also prohibit minors from attending gun shows unless they are with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian. The minimum age to buy a gun in Colorado is 21.

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Gun shows, in order to be able to continue selling guns, are likely going to say Were not admitting anyone 18 or younger, said Rep. Stephanie Luck, a Penrose Republican who questioned how a promoter could verify a familial relationship. It will switch from being a family-friendly event and a community-building event with food and quilts and all of the things we heard before, into just selling weaponry.

First violations of the bill would be a Class 2 misdemeanor, and subsequent violations would result in a Class 1 misdemeanor and a five-year ban from holding gun shows for promoters.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Democrats hold a 23-12 majority.

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Columbia University announced disciplinary actions on Thursday for students who took over a campus building last year during pro-Palestinian protests, a move that comes as the Trump administration seeks to deport one of the demonstrations organizers and cuts some $400 million in grants to the school over its handling of the unrest.

The discipline includes multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions, according to the school, which did not specify how many or which students were affected.

It said the punishments were levied against those who participated in the takeover of Hamilton Hall last April, an event that made national headlines when police were called in to oust the protesters.

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With respect to other events taking place last spring, the [Columbia University Judicial Boards] determinations recognized previously imposed disciplinary action. The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbias University Life Office, the university statement reads.

Columbia is committed to enforcing the Universitys Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes, it added.

Last Friday, the federal government said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the school over what it called a failure to combat antisemitism, warning additional cancellations were likely to follow.

The next day, Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who graduated from the university in December, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointing specifically to Khalils participation in the protests.

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We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country  never to return again, Trump said online. If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of Americas Colleges and Universities to comply.

The Hill has reached out to Columbia University for further comment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. On March 14, another phase of distance Chinese language education at Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) was inaugurated, Trend reports.

The event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Arzu Aliyeva, Ding Tao, Charge d'Affaires of the People's Republic of China in Azerbaijan, as well as teachers and students of the university.

In his opening remarks, UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva on behalf of the students.

Ding Tao, Chinas Charge d'Affaires in Azerbaijan, hailed the successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and China in all areas.

I am greatly pleased to participate in the inauguration of the Distance Chinese Language Teaching Center at Azerbaijan State University of Economics today. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China and President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan, China-Azerbaijan relations are rapidly developing. With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva, distance Chinese language courses have been operating since 2019 within the framework of the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages. To date, more than 500 students have attended these courses. Over the past seven years, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has played an invaluable role in preserving national identity and contributing to economic and social development, becoming a proud symbol of Azerbaijan. The Foundation maintains close cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan and implements projects aimed at improving the well-being of both nations. At the same time, it has made significant contributions to strategic cooperation between the two countries, Ding Tao emphasized.

He then congratulated the participants on the occasion of the Novruz Holiday.

Joining the event virtually, Dr. Agshin Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijani Language Department at the Faculty of Asian Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University, initiator and chair of the conference, stated that the Distance Chinese Language Teaching Center had started operating years ago.

"Leyla Aliyevas personal participation in today's inauguration of the distance Chinese language courses is a great motivation for everyone. On behalf of myself and my students, I express my deep gratitude. While five years ago, students viewed these courses as a hobby, today, an increasing number see them as a path to academic knowledge and career development. Interest in the Chinese language in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani language in China is growing year by year," he added.

Following the speeches, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva toured the exhibition presented at UNECs library, where they also viewed samples of Chinese culture.

At the end of the event, the students expressed their best wishes to Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva and thanked them.

The distance learning of the Chinese language at UNEC has been organized since 2019 under the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva.

The training, organized with the joint partnership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNEC, the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages, and Beijing Foreign Studies University, lasts for three months at each level, from beginner to intermediate.

During the courses, textbooks published in China are used. Each lesson consists of pronunciation rules, new words, texts, grammar, dialogues, reading exercises, translation, and work on hieroglyphs. Additionally, students are provided with extensive information about Chinese culture according to the subject.

Currently, the curriculum has been further optimized compared to previous years. The new curriculum is entirely focused on HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test). Students who successfully complete the distance courses can participate in the international Chinese language proficiency exam.
Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil added President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to a lawsuit demanding his release Thursday night, arguing that Trump administration officials have violated his constitutional rights and are engaging in a hostile campaign against pro-Palestinian advocates.

The amended petition accuses Trump, Rubio and other administration officials of targeted and retaliatory detention to prevent the Columbia University graduate from espousing his views and to chill other individuals from expressing views sympathetic to Palestinians.

Over the last year and a half, Mr. Khalil has been a mediator, an active participant in, and at times the public face of, student protests on Columbias campus related to Israels military campaign in Gaza, reads the 33-page petition filed in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Khalil seeks to have his lawsuit heard.

Anti-Israel agitator Mahmoud Khalil (in yellow jacket) added President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to his lawsuit. James Keivom

The Trump administration has made no secret of its opposition to those protests and has repeatedly threatened to weaponize immigration law to punish noncitizens who have participated, it continues.

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Lawyers for Khalil argue that the grounds the Trump administration seeks to deport under have been rarely invoked and are typically reserved for cases involving high-ranking government officials or an alleged terrorist removable on other grounds and subject to high-profile prosecutions in their country of origin.

It does not appear to have ever been applied to any person for engaging in First Amendment protected speech, the filing states.

Khalil  a Palestinian descendant who lived in Syria  was arrested at his Columbia University-owned apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Saturday.

The Trump administration is seeking to deport Khalil, a green card holder who is married to an American who is eight months pregnant with his child, over his role in disruptive and at times violent anti-Israel protests at Columbia last summer.

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This is an individual who organized group protests that not only disrupted college campus classes and harassed Jewish-American students and made them feel unsafe on their own college campus, but also distributed pro-Hamas propaganda flyers with the logo of Hamas, White House press secretary Karolin Leavitt claimed earlier this week.

The Trump administration is seeking to deport Khalil. Getty Images

The Trump administration is moving to deport Khalil under Section 237(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows any alien whose presence or activities in the United States are determined by the secretary of state to have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences to be removed, according to the Khalils lawyers.

The Rubio Determination and the governments subsequent actions, including its ongoing detention of Mr. Khalil in rural Louisiana, isolating him from his wife, community, and legal team, are plainly intended as retaliation and punishment for Mr. Khalils protected speech and intended to silence, or at the very least restrict and chill, his speech now and in the future, all in violation of the First Amendment, the complaint argues.

The complaint further claims that Rubios apparent decision to revoke Khalils green card and detain him also violate his due process rights and is arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, and viewpoint discriminatory in violation of the First Amendment.

The amended petition accuses Trump, Rubio and other administration officials of targeted and retaliatory detention to prevent the Columbia University graduate from espousing his views. AP

The amended lawsuit asks the Southern District of New York to assume jurisdiction over this matter; Vacate and set aside Respondents unlawful Policy of targeting noncitizens for removal based on First Amendment protected speech advocating for Palestinian rights; Vacate and set aside the Rubio Determination and order the release of Petitioner among other demands.

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Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that he expects more people to have their student visas or green cards revoked by the Trump administration.

This is not fundamentally about free speech, and to me, yes, its about national security, but its also more importantly about who do we as an American public decide gets to join our national community? Vance told The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham on Fox News. And if the secretary of state and the president decide this person shouldnt be in America, and they have no legal right to stay here, its as simple as that.

I think well certainly see some people who get deported on student visas if we determine that its not in the best interest of the United States to have them in our country, he continued.

I dont know how high that number is going to be, but youre going to see more people.
Department of Homeland Security agents executed search warrants on two Columbia University residences on Thursday evening, just days after graduate student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by immigration authorities, according to a statement from the university.

Katrina Armstrong, the university's interim president, said that no arrests were made, no items were removed, and no further action was taken by authorities. She said that DHS served the university with judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge to conduct the search.

"Our University Public Safety was present at all times," Armstrong said in a message to the school community. "Columbia continues to make every effort to ensure that our campus, students, faculty, and staff are safe. Columbia is committed to upholding the law, and we expect city, state, and federal agencies to do the same."

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Earlier on Thursday, seven current students sued the school in a bid to block it from producing disciplinary records to a House committee as school officials said they were sanctioning students involved in pro-Palestinian rallies last spring.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that the committee's request for the records violates the First Amendment and that the university's compliance with the committee constitutes a breach of contract.

Columbia officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder and Columbia graduate student who played a major role in student protests against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, is being held in a Louisiana detention center as immigration authorities seek to deport him. His wife told Reuters earlier this week that he arrived in the United States on a student visa in 2022 and gained his green card two years later.

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Just as the seven students filed their suit, the university announced multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations and expulsions for those who participated in the occupation of Hamilton Hall at the school's New York City campus.

An encampment in support of Gaza at Columbia University in New York City on April 27, 2024.

The university did not say how many people it had disciplined.

Among those disciplined was Grant Miner. Miner, the president of a union representing thousands of Columbia student workers, was fired and expelled, UAW Local 2710 said.

Thursday's developments came hours after dozens of protesters calling for Khalil's release were arrested at a sit-in at Trump Tower in New York City.

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Last week, the Trump administration said it would cancel nearly $400 million in federal grants to the university due to the schools continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.

Soon after, Columbia committed to engaging with Trump officials in hope of restoring the lost federal funds.

We are reviewing the announcement from the federal agencies and pledge to work with the federal government to restore Columbias federal funding. We take Columbias legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff, a spokesperson for the university said last week.

On Thursday, the Trump administration outlined conditions and policy changes Columbia would have to implement to restore its funding and maintain a "continued financial relationship" with the federal government. The nine bullet points of required policy shifts include the demand to abolish the University Judicial Board to centralize all disciplinary processes under the Office of the President.

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The letter to Columbia also required the university to complete disciplinary proceedings for students involved in the 2024 student protests.

Mahmoud Khalil stands by the gates of Columbia University on April 30, 2024.

In seeking Khalil's deportation, federal officials have cited a rarely used provision in immigration law that gives the secretary of state the authority to deport someone if it is determined that the person would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security has said Khalils activities "aligned" with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said he had distributed "pro-Hamas propaganda" at Columbia's campus.

Khalil's legal team has said the arrest violates his free speech rights and that there is no evidence he provided support to a terrorist organization.

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"There is no reason to believe, and I dont think anybody who knows him would argue otherwise or suggest, that he would have any connection with any of these entities, but thats also not what he stands for, said Amy Greer, one of Khalil's attorneys.

Khalil, 30, is an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent who is married to a U.S. citizen and is a legal permanent resident of the United States.

His wife, who is eight months pregnant, said in a statement this week that Mahmoud has been ripped away from me for no reason at all.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In a statement Thursday night Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia Journalism School, said that comments he made this week that critics blasted as effective surrender to Donald Trumps war on immigrants and the press were taken out of context by the New York Times. They were intended to protect foreign students, he says, and not intended as a directive to journalist.

On Wednesday, the New York Times published an account of an off-the-record meeting held Tuesday at Columbia with journalim students, where Cobb and adjuct professor Stuart Karle addressed concerns about Trumps attacks on the university, and his administrations detainment of recent Columbia grad Mahmoud Khalil.

During the meeting, Karle warned students with foreign visas, if you have a social media page, make sure it is not filled with commentary on the Middle East. According to NYT, when one Palestinian student objected, Cobb said, Nobody can protect you. These are dangerous times.

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This sparked criticism from some journalists who accused Cobb of advising students to obey in advance. Cobb disputed this in his statement Thursday night, asserting that as he told NYT, those words were technically accurate but practically misleading.

My words about protection came in response to a question about what the school was doing to protect via-holding students from potential arrest and deportation I went on to say that I would do everything in my power to defend our journalists and their right to report but that none of us had the capacity to stop DHS [Department of Homeland Security] from jeopardizing their safety, he continued.

It was important to speak directly to the threats journalists were more likely to confront in reporting on the situation on campus not to dissaude students but to give them a honest rendering of the risks it entailed, he continued. The Times story nonetheless presented my quotes in such a way as to convey the exact opposite sentiment.

Cobb also said quotes attributed to Karle do not reflect the spirit of his comments either.

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These are, in fact, dangerous times. They require as much caution as they do courage. It is my responsibility to lay out this fact as clearly as possible for the journalists in my charge. That is what I did on Tuesday and what I will continue to do for as long as it remains necessary, he concluded.

The post Columbia Journalism Dean Says His Comments on Self Censorship Were Meant to Protect Foreign Students appeared first on TheWrap.
Federal agents arrested a Palestinian student who had taken part in protests at Columbia University last spring and had overstayed her student visa, officials said Friday.

The student, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was previously arrested for her participation in the protests. Her visa was terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance, officials said.

Her arrest by immigration officers from the Newark, New Jersey, field office follows the self-deportation on Tuesday of a Columbia doctoral student from India, Ranjani Srinivasan, whom DHS accused of supporting Hamas. The State Department had revoked her visa a week earlier.

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It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.

The latest arrest comes as students at Columbia say they are fearful that they and their friends could be unjustly targeted amid a tense climate on campus, hours after federal agents executed search warrants on two university residences.

Todd Blanche, U.S. deputy attorney general, said Friday that the Justice Department is working with DHS as part of an investigation into Columbia's "harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus."

While school officials told students that no arrests were made and no items seized when DHS agents entered two student rooms on Thursday night, foreign students remained on edge.

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The Ivy Leagues campus in upper Manhattan has seen renewed demonstrations in recent days following the arrest Saturday of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and legal permanent resident who was publicly involved in negotiations during last years school protests.

Many students approached by NBC News declined to comment, but some who agreed to speak asked not to be named for fear of government retaliation.

"This is exactly what I was worried about months ago," said an engineering student from the United Kingdom who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations last spring over the war in Gaza. The student said he was worried about campus raids and other potential intervention by the federal government.

"It's also like, you don't know the scope of the people they're trying to target because thousands of students were involved in this in some capacity. It would have been on camera," the student said, adding, "Logically nothing is going to happen to me, but it's stressful."

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Columbias American students are rallying around their international counterparts as well after the federal agents searched the two student residences.

Another student, who is American, said she was "shocked" when she read the email from Katrina Armstrong, Columbia's interim president, informing students that DHS had served the university with judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge.

"It is pretty frightening. The school is doing everything in their power to do their best to keep students safe, but I think theres a limit to what they're able to do," the student, a junior, said. "Last night was evidence of that limit."

Sebastian Javadpoor, 22, said he was "overcome with rage" upon the latest search warrants.

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Javadpoor, who leads the university's student-led Democratic club, said he and about a dozen other student leaders met with school officials to convey their fears.

"We have students who are so scared about the possibility of retaliation, about the possibility of having ICE reported on them, that they're too afraid to call public safety if something happens to them," he said. "They're too afraid to call NYPD. They're too afraid to even seek support and services from the administration itself."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Khalil as part of an effort to revoke his green card and deport him, his lawyers said. Khalil, 30, an Algerian citizen and pro-Palestinian activist, is married to a U.S. citizen and was arrested at his university-owned residential building.

The Secretary of State has determined that your presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States, the Department of Homeland Security stated in a document obtained by NBC News.

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He is currently being held at a detention facility in Louisiana, where government officials want him to remain. His lawyers argue that he should be returned to New York and that the administrations actions violate the First Amendment.

Khalil's removal from campus came days after the Trump administration announced that it would cancel approximately $400 million in federal grants to the university "due to the school's continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."

The administration says the school must make sweeping policy changes, including a ban on masks "intended to conceal identity or intimidate others," and allowing for "full law enforcement authority, including arrest and removal of agitators." Columbia has said it would work with the administration to ensure funding continues and is "committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff."

A DHS spokesperson has said Khalil's arrest was in coordination with ICE and the State Department "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism" because Khalil "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization."

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His arrest was only the latest action to roil the campus after the last school year, when student protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, leading to dozens of arrests for trespassing. While nearly all of the related charges were eventually dropped, the school on Thursday said it has suspended or expelled some of the students who participated and temporarily revoked some diplomas of those who graduated.

On Friday, dozens of police barricades surrounded the university's main entrance. The university gates that once remained open to all New Yorkers were locked shut as students flashed their badges to get to class, shuffling past police officers, news cameras and flocks of campus security.

Some students participated in a walk out Friday afternoon in response to Khalil's arrest and the student sanctions.

University leaders want to unify the faculty  and potentially some students  by focusing discussions on how Columbia can best defend the school's independence in the face of unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration, as it cracks down on certain international students who engaged in pro-Palestinian protests that swept college campuses.

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Some faculty members feel that the Trump administration's demand that Columbia changes how the university operates goes too far and involves core prerogatives of the university. They hope to use this moment to spark a discussion of what the university stands for.

How do we prevent the university from being divided? an administrator, who asked not to be named because they werent authorized to speak publicly, said about the mood among university faculty and staff. People are more oriented toward what we need to do to defend the university.

A graduate student from India said she wanted to join student-led protests over Khalil's removal from campus in recent days, but feared doing so also could put her student visa in jeopardy.

"Your free speech is curtailed. As students, you should be having those kind of rights, but you dont, the 29-year-old said. You know whats going on, you do want to speak out, but as an international student, youre in a tough position, right?"

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11)  Columbia University has expelled, suspended and temporarily revoked the diplomas of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests last year.

A judicial board issued a range of sanctions for students who took over Hamilton Hall, finding their actions violated school code, a campus-wide email from school officials said. Columbia did not reveal how many students were disciplined.

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The sanctions announcement comes a week after the White House pulled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia, saying the school failed to protect Jewish students from harassment.

Around 200 protesters staged a sit-in at Trump Tower on Thursday, all demanding the release of Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil  the Syrian-born Palestinian refugee who rose to prominence as a student negotiator during the protests last year.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The White House is claiming he led activities aligned with the militant group Hamas, which Khalils lawyers called baseless and argued that his First Amendment rights are being violated.

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Khalil is also a legal green card holder and married to a U.S. citizen, his lawyers said. Khalils defense team is planning a news conference for Friday afternoon to lay out their case.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Following a pro-Palestinian protest last year that drew worldwide attention, Columbia University recently announced that it has expelled or suspended students involved in the protest.

In a campuswide email on Thursday, the university said that a judicial board has brought a variety of sanctions against students who participated in a building occupation in protest against the war in Gaza last spring, according to The Associated Press. Along with the suspensions and expulsions, the university has also revoked diplomas of people who have since graduated.

These suspensions and expulsions come after the Trump administration pulled $400 million of federal funding from the school, citing that it failed to fight antisemitism on campus. Also, just a few days ago, a Columbia campus activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested and was detained by federal immigration authorities, according to BBC.

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Trump has also threatened to pull funding from more universities that allow illegal protests" and from schools that fail to protect their Jewish students from antisemitism.

The university did not share how many students were suspended, expelled or had their degree revoked. According to the AP, Columbia stated that the outcomes were based on an evaluation of the severity of behaviors.

Columbias announcement of suspensions and expulsions came after a long process of hearings for each student that were led by the University Judicial Board, per the AP.

The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbias University Life Office. Columbia is committed to enforcing the Universitys Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes, the school said in a statement, according to BBC.

New York City police enter an upper floor of Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University campus using a tactical vehicle, in New York, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, after a building was taken over by protesters earlier Tuesday. | Craig Ruttle

What was the protest that students were expelled for?

On April 30, 2024, a group of students used padlocks and furniture to barricade themselves inside Columbias Hamilton Hall. This was a major escalation of college campus protests, according to the AP.

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This occupation of Hamilton Hall followed a tent encampment on campus, which inspired a series of similar demonstrations at campuses across the country.

According to the AP, hundreds of New York police officers, as requested by the university, stormed onto campus the following night and arrested dozens of people involved in the encampment and the occupation.

During a June court hearing, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office said it would not pursue criminal charges for a majority of the people originally arrested on trespassing charges. These students still faced disciplinary hearings and the possibility of expulsion or suspension from Columbia.

Students who were part of the encampment but didnt participate in the takeover of Hamilton Hall were informed that they would not face further discipline, per the AP.
NEW YORK  Columbia University has expelled some students for occupying Hamilton Hall last spring, school officials announced Thursday.

In a university-wide email, Columbia said that the outcomes of a months-long investigation also included multi-year suspensions and the temporary revoking of other students degrees.

Today, the Columbia University Judicial Board determined findings and issued sanctions to students ranging from multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions related to the occupation of Hamilton Hall last spring, read a statement from the university.

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Columbia is committed to enforcing the Universitys Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes.

Columbia became the epicenter for pro-Palestinian protests last spring when an encampment in support of Gaza launched copycat tent cities on American college campuses.

The demonstration came to a head in late April as protesters took Hamilton Hall, damaging property and trapping custodians inside. One officer accidentally discharged a gun, the NYPD said; students documented injuries among nine of the dozens of protesters arrested inside the building.

The universitys escalation in disciplinary action comes as campus tensions are at a recent high following the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, an international-studies graduate students who served as a negotiator during last springs campus protests. Khalil, a green-card holder, has not been accused of a crime.

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It was not immediately clear how many students had been issued expulsions. The Hamilton Hall protesters included 14 undergraduate students, nine graduate students, and two employees of the university. Columbia spokespeople did not immediately return a request for comment.

The expulsions technically marked the first for pro-Palestinian protest activity at Columbia. Across the street, the affiliated womens school Barnard College recently expelled three student protesters for their participation in the Hamilton Hall takeover or for disrupting a modern Israeli history class.

The discipline sparked an immediate uproar from student protesters, who in turn stormed both an administrative building and the Barnard library in a week. After a bomb threat at the second occupation, Barnard administrators called the NYPD onto campus, who arrested several activists who did not comply with directions to leave, including some Columbia and Barnard students.

This ruling is an important first step in righting the wrongs of the past year and a half, said Brian Cohen, the head of the Hillel at Columbia. I am grateful to the Rules Administrator and other members of the Administration for their roles in ensuring these cases were resolved.

_____
Between classes, when throngs of students stream into and out of Columbia Universitys campus, the security lines can back up like a TSA checkpoint. Theres a switch-back path of metal fencing that leads into a white tent, where two sets of guards check and then swipe campus ID cards before letting students in and out.

Inside, the campus is largely unchanged from when I was there as a graduate student a decade ago. All signs of last years protest encampments, which sparked a nationwide student movement in solidarity with the people of Palestine, have been wiped away. Protests sprang up on Columbias campus almost immediately after the beginning of Israels military campaign in Gaza, which has killed over 48,000 Palestinians since it began in October of 2023, after an attack by the militant wing of Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 more on Oct. 7.

Columbias protest movement was among the largest in the country, and its tactics captured headlines both for their boldness and the ferocity that authorities met them with. University administrators and local and federal law enforcement have handed down hundreds of arrests and disciplinary cases, suspending and in some cases expelling students affiliated with the movement. And earlier this month, the multi-faceted crackdown on dissent reached a new level, when one of the movements most visible leaders, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested inside his university-provided apartment. Khalils arrest, activists tell me, puts the future of dissent and free speech at one of the nations most famous universities on a razors edge, as students contend with new repercussions  not just from their academic administrators, but from President Donald Trump himself.

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On March 8, agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbias prestigious School of International Public Affairs. Khalil, a Palestinian born in a refugee camp in Syria, had played a key role in organizing the original encampments at Columbia and had served repeatedly as a negotiator between protesters and the university administration. ICE agents arrested Khalil inside of his university housing, with his pregnant wife, a U.S. citizen, present. Khalil is not a U.S. citizen, but is a legal permanent resident with a green card.

In the days since his arrest, protests have erupted across New York City and in Washington D.C., spurred by the Trump administrations explicit posts vowing to deport Khalil for his activism. Khalil has not been accused of any crime, and the Trump administration has provided only an extremely flimsy justification for his arrest: that his presence in the U.S. could have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

While the protests across New York have been raucous, loud, and heavily attended, activism on Columbias campus is being choked out by a university administration that has made it very clear they will not protect their students from prosecution by a hostile government.

The university and the city have shown that they will immediately bow to Trump, says Marie Adele Grosso, a third-year student at Barnard College and organizer with the Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition. They have proven time after time that they will put their trustees, donors, and powerful alumni above student safety and student health.

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On Tuesday afternoon, I went to Columbia ahead of a planned walkout from classes to protest Khalils arrest. When I arrived, I found a group of around 50 students sitting or standing on the steps around Columbias Alma Mater statue in front of the Low Memorial Library. Students were still filtering in, many draped in white and black keffiyehs  but were not permitted to join the demonstration, which had been cordoned off by more metal fencing. Columbia security personnel manned entrances to the steps, letting protesters who were already inside come and go, but not permitting other passerby from joining the protest, forcing close to a hundred students to sit in a row against the fence while a crowd of a few dozen watched.

It was an awkward, stilted affair  defiant, but far from the dramatic actions and long-lasting encampments last year.

Outside the fencing, a student wearing a white polo shirt with an Israeli flag printed on its sleeve poked around the crowd, taking photos of protesters and texting furiously on his phone, occasionally laughing with a few other students. He was shadowed by several keffiyehd protesters with orange armbands, who told me they were working as security for the event. Other protesters in armbands stood at the entrances to the closed-off area, shadowing their counterparts in campus security.

These measures are a response to some of the ugliest moments of the protest and counter-protest movements on Columbias campus. In January of last year, a number of protesters were sprayed with a noxious chemical compound by an Israeli student. The student was suspended, but later sued the university and won a $395,000 settlement over their suspension.

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Its important for people to realize that the various elements that were talking about work together as a whole, Jamil, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and PhD student at Columbia, tells me. Jamil says that Zionist organizations on campus regularly seek to weaponize the universitys disciplinary system against protesters, and claims that protesters are often harassed by counter-protesters spewing racist and violent insults, seeking to provoke a response.

Grosso, the third-year Barnard College student, says that the arm-banded security activists are there to watch for these provocateurs, or outright threats like the chemical-spraying student. Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe! protesters chanted on the steps of the library.

Jamil, like many activists on campus, requested to use a pseudonym for this story, fearing repercussions from the university. Those fears are not unfounded. In March, The Columbia Daily Spectator, the universitys student newspaper, reported that a network of current students and powerful alumni donors were collaborating to dox, or identify, protesters at campus events and push for their expulsion from the university using a private WhatsApp group that included several university faculty.

Some Columbia alumni and supporters last year pledged to withhold donations in order to exert pressure on the university administration, in response to the perceived antisemitism of the protests. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, for instance, said last spring that he was deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country, adding that he was not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.

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The nascent second Trump administration has quickly piled on, cancelling $400 million in federal funding to the university, including $250 million in National Institutes of Health grants that fund medical research on campus. On Thursday night, officials from the Trump administrations Department of Education, General Services Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services sent a list of demands to interim president Katrina Armstrong and the Columbia Board of Trustees indicating that they would continue to hold funding hostage until the demands were met. The list included that all students involved in the Hamilton Hall occupation face expulsion or multi-year suspensions, and that the university immediately place its Middle East, South Asian, and African studies department on academic receivership for five years, indicating that it wanted the university to take over direct administrative oversight of the departments teachings. Grosso, the Barnard student, said these demands were completely unreasonable, and said that the policies the Trump administration was asking for would put every student in danger.

The university has not yet said how it will proceed. But thus far, Columbias administration has repeatedly ruled against pro-Palestinian protesters. Earlier this month, the university expelled several protesters it accused of disrupting a class at Barnard College. Many protesters in the original encampment protests in April of last year were suspended. Earlier on Thursday, the university announced that it had concluded disciplinary proceedings for many of the participants of early actions in the encampment protests, including the occupation of the universitys Hamilton Hall on April 30, 2024, which provoked a massive NYPD response and over 300 arrests. The school said it had issued sanctions to students ranging from multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions.

There is no limit to the willingness of U.S. universities to repress the Palestine movement on their campuses, Jamil says.

Jamil says that Khalils arrest has inspired a sense of disgust among protesters, and not any increase in fear. Other students, however, are not shy about admitting how scared they are that they could be next.

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Every organizer I know at Barnard specifically has had the conversation: Are we willing to lose our education? Are we willing to lose our housing? Grosso says.

For international students, the risks are even higher. Renee, an organizer with the Student Workers of Columbia, the universitys graduate student union, says that many grad students have stopped coming to campus and moved their classes online since Khalils arrest, fearing ICE agents who may be present on campus.

Everyone in general is so scared to talk, says Renee. The university administration has been just so brutal and draconian, its really clear whose side theyre on.

That fear, Grosso says, has come to dominate almost every aspect of activists education at Columbia, even before Khalils arrest. Grosso says that many students are now afraid to speak about controversial topics in their own classes, out of fear that their peers or other students with ties to Zionist organizations will leak their statements to the press, dox them, or push for them to face disciplinary action.

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Grosso alleges that she has personally been the victim of numerous doxing attempts and rampant sexual harassment by Zionist supporters both on and off campus. Meanwhile, Grosso says there are around 60 current Columbia students who have served or are currently serving in the Israeli military, who face none of the same scrutiny as campus activists.

On Wednesday, Columbia announced that it had adopted a new Anti-Doxxing and Online Harassment Policy, which prohibits students, faculty, and staff from conduct such as: harassing messages, threats, or insults; impersonation for malicious purposes; publicly sharing personal or private information; and encouraging harassment of others. The policy, however, states that it does not apply retroactively, and activists say that they have lost faith in any kind of justice from the university administration.

Weve given up on reporting it, Grosso says. Its clear that they wont help us, and sometimes theyll use our reports against us.

There is a sense, among activists on campus, that there is almost no option for justice within the university administration. Students from multiple departments across the school shared similar experiences of silencing, paranoia, and discrimination as a result of their support for the Palestinian cause. As the protest on the library steps continued, I chatted with a group of Columbia Law School students who were hovering around the edges of the crowd. They were there to support the protesters, and didnt want to give their names  aside from one, who said I could call him Hunter. I already lost my job over this, he says, so who cares.

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Khalils arrest has had a chilling effect on campus, one student tells me, but in other ways has had the opposite effect: The campus is more engaged in the protest movement than it has been in months.

What happens next, Renee, the grad student organizer, says, is the existential question of the past several days.

I really buy into the thought that we have movements of revolution and moments of reform, says Renee. In the moment where things are popping off, you have to show up for them and if you dont that will make those quiet moments harder.

The student union, she says, is about to start bargaining on a new contract with the administration  which organizers believe could put tangible gains, like new commitments to academic freedom  on the table.

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Making the leap from the crisis to the boring structural thing like the contract is really difficult, Renee says. It takes a lot of time and conversations  conversations that people cant have if theyre afraid to have them.

As I left campus, I watched an NYPD drone unit packing their aircraft away into an unmarked squad car. Theyd been flying it above campus throughout the day, watching the small protest on the steps of the library. It had, apparently, stayed between the lines. There were no arrests.

For one afternoon, at least, a small group of students had been able to use their voices: within a cordon of metal fencing, flanked by security, and watched over by hostile groups both in the government and their own student body. At any time, they know now, even that small freedom can be taken away.

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NEW YORK (AP)  The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed illegal aliens on its campus, one of its top officials said Friday, as the Trump administration intensified its campaign to deport foreigners who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the school last year.

Agents with the Department of Homeland Security searched two university residences with a warrant Thursday evening. No one was arrested, and it was unclear whom the authorities were searching for. But by Friday afternoon, U.S. officials had announced developments related to two people they had pursued in connection with the demonstrations.

A Columbia doctoral student from India whose visa was revoked by the Trump administration fled the U.S. on an airliner. And a Palestinian woman who had been arrested during the protests at the university last April was arrested by federal immigration authorities in Newark, New Jersey, on charges that she overstayed an expired visa.

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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking at the Justice Department, said it was all part of the president's mission to end antisemitism in this country.

Just last night, we worked with the Department of Homeland Security to execute search warrants from an investigation into Columbia University for harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus, Blanche said. "That investigation is ongoing, and we are also looking at whether Columbias handling of earlier incidents violated civil rights laws and included terrorism crimes.

Blanche didn't say what evidence agents had of wrongdoing by the university. It was unclear whether he was accusing the school itself of terrorism crimes or saying that people involved in the protests had committed such crimes.

The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from the university about Blanche's accusations Friday.

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In a note to the school community following the searches Thursday night, interim university president Katrina Armstrong said Columbia was committed to upholding the law. She described herself as heartbroken that federal agents had been on campus searching student rooms.

I understand the immense stress our community is under, Armstrong wrote. Despite the unprecedented challenges, Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive.

Columbia has come under immense pressure from the Trump administration in recent weeks, with the U.S. government canceling $400 million in federal grants and contracts to the school, much of it for medical research, as punishment for not cracking down harder on students and faculty who criticized Israel's military action in Gaza during large protests last spring.

President Donald Trump and other officials have accused the protesters as being pro-Hamas, referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

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The administration threatened to permanently end federal funding to the Ivy League school unless it took a variety of steps, including changing its admissions process and ceding faculty control of its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department to a receiver for five years.

It also demanded that the school ban people from wearing masks on campus, change how it recruits international students, adopt a new definition of antisemitism, and abolish its student disciplinary process.

Students and faculty who participated in last year's protests at Columbia have insisted that criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights isn't antisemitic. Some Jewish students and faculty, though, complained that the anti-Israel rhetoric made them feel unsafe.

Columbia Universitys campus has been in crisis since the arrest Saturday of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead last springs protests.

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The Trump administration said Friday it had revoked the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student at Columbia, for advocating for violence and terrorism. Srinivasan opted to self-deport Tuesday, the department said. Officials didnt say what evidence they had that Srinivasan had advocated violence.

Her lawyers denied the accusations, and she told The New York Times that she wasn't involved in organizing any Columbia protests.

According to the newspaper, the Department of Homeland Security said Srinivasan didn't disclose two protest-related summonses on her visa renewal application last year.

Srinivasan told the newspaper she had received the summonses  for allegedly refusing to disperse and obstructing foot or vehicle traffic  after simply getting caught up in a crowd of protesters while trying to return to her apartment from a picnic last year. She said she left the summonses off her renewal form because her case had been dismissed.

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The woman who was arrested in Newark, Leqaa Kordia, was charged with failing to leave the U.S. after her visa expired. Columbia said it had no record of Kordia ever being a student there or being arrested on the campus. However, there were numerous protests and arrests in the streets outside of the university at the same time.

Kordia had previously received a student visa, but it was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance, the department said. She is being held in an immigration detention center in Alvarado, Texas, according to a government database.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Friday the Trump administration is expecting to revoke more student visas in the coming days.

____

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in La Malbaie, Quebec, contributed to this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. On March 14, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, another Iftar ceremony was organized during the holy month of Ramadan.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva attended the Iftar ceremony, which brought together members of martyr families from various regions and remote villages of Azerbaijan, war veterans, and gazis.

During the event, verses from the Holy Quran were recited, and prayers were offered for the souls of the martyrs.

Speakers at the ceremony highlighted the bravery of the heroic Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, as well as the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation. They also paid tribute to the heroism of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's independence and territorial integrity.

Additionally, well-wishes were expressed for the country and its people, including prosperity, peace, and stability. Prayers were offered for the martyrs, health was wished for the veterans, strength for the valiant Azerbaijani Army, and gratitude was extended to the countrys leadership.

The event, organized within the framework of the My Son is a Hero project by Fire Land Group, was supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. It also featured performances by prominent Azerbaijani artists.

A series of events are organized as part of the My Father is a Hero and My Son is a Hero projects, honoring the memory of fallen heroes and involving their families. These events, attended by martyr families, have been organized in various regions across the country.
A Columbine High School shooting survivors recent death has been ruled a homicide, according to an autopsy report, raising the death toll of the 1999 shooting to 14 victims.

Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was shot in the back during the school shooting, was found dead in her home in February. She was 43.

During the mass shooting, the two shooters killed 13 people and then later themselves. Because Hochhalters death was from complications she suffered from the shooting, the death toll has been raised to 14, not including the two shooters.

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Hochhalter died of sepsis on Feb. 16, and according to the report, the two gunshot wounds that left her paralyzed were a significant contributing factor in her death.

The manner of death is best classified as homicide, the report reads.

Columbine High School shooting survivor Anne Marie Hochhalter attends a vigil for the 25th anniversary of the mass shooting, on April 19, 2024, in Denver. Jack Dempsey via Associated Press

Hochhalter, who was a 17-year-old junior at Columbine High School when she was shot, told People in 2004 that she thought the shooting was a senior prank and the shots were from a paintball gun.

The shooting left Hochhalter paralyzed from the waist down and in need of a wheelchair.

Last month, Sue Townsend, whose stepdaughter Lauren was killed in the Columbine shooting, told the Denver Post that Hochhalter was fiercely independent and an advocate for the disability community.

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Hochhalter was also an advocate for victims of mass shootings. In 2012, she attended a vigil for victims of the mass shooting at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.

I would tell them that with time, it does get better. But it never goes away, Hochhalter said at the time.

Related...
UPDATE 3/13/25 9:08 p.m.: The Muscogee County Coroners Office released more details about the shooting on Woodruff Farm Road.

According to Coroner Buddy Bryan, Wyonda Thomas, 59, was pronounced dead on the scene after suffering multiple gun shot wounds. There was a second person dead at the apartment. He has not been named.

The shooting happened at an apartment complex in the 5300 block of Woodruff Farm Road. Details about the other victim have not been released at this time.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  Local law enforcement were called to a Thursday evening shooting in Columbus.

According to CPD, the shooting occurred in the 5300 block of Woodruff Farm Road. Officers say two people were pronounced dead.

Details are limited at this time. CPDs Violent Crimes Unit is leading this investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus police officer who was fired in January for allegedly being highly intoxicated at a Short North tavern and getting into a bar fight is now fighting to get her job back.

Amber Blackburn was three weeks away from the end of her probationary period when she went to the Town Hall Bar with a group of friends to celebrate her birthday.

Family accuses pet sitter of cremating dog without permission

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In an exclusive interview, Blackburn told NBC 4s Colleen Marshall a group of people at a nearby table were angry that Blackburns group was too close to them and the groups exchanged profanities.

Blackburn and attorney Sam Shamansky showed surveillance video that they said contradicts much of the information in a police report that was filed by two officers who were working special duty security at the bar. Blackburn said that although the report characterizes her as the aggressor, a woman in the other group threw the first punch.

They kept saying that they were going to punch me, fight me, Blackburn said.

Then the other woman pretends to punch me or smack me twice and then the third time is when we, I had my coat and my hands, and we told her that we were going to leave, and thats when she punched me in the side of my face, on the right side, Blackburn said.

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In the video, it is clear Blackburn then hit the other woman and the two scuffle until a male friend of Blackburns escorts her away.

COTA program for residents with disabilities faces criticism for late arrivals, no shows

At least on the video, no police officer is seen escorting Blackburn or asking her to leave. She claims as she was being led out by her friend that another woman spit in her face.

Shamansky said the police report is rife with claims that are proven false by the tape.

You see, Colleen, I have never seen a report with more documented falsehoods in my life, he said. Theyre so brazen. It almost, it defies your imagination because clearly they werent aware that this video existed, remembering that their body cameras are turned off. And so, they were making up allegations.

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Shamansky said the officers did not escort Blackburn from the bar, she was not intoxicated and unable to stand, and she was not the aggressor.

The fight happened in the early morning hours on Sunday, Jan. 26. Blackburn was fired the following day.

Unsolved Ohio: Where is Carla Losey? Columbus woman vanished 23 years ago

Why in the world would you fire her on the spot without taking the time to exercise other options, administrative leave? Shamansky said. Do an actual investigation before you tell the chief that shes so drunk she cant stand up and assaulted three people randomly in a bar and take her job when you know shes worked her tail off.

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No one from Columbus police would speak on camera, but send a notice from Civil Service Rule 11-D that states:

The service of any employee may be terminated by the appointing authority at any time during the probationary period by submitting a written report to the Civil Service Commission and the employee specifying the reason the employee is found unsatisfactory and such removal shall be final.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Many observers suggest that the United States is coming apart as a nation. They parse us into red states and blue states, urban areas versus rural. Some believe that our social and political divides are too wide to overcome.

I dont accept that.

As someone who grew up in Peoria, Illinois, lived and worked in Chicago, and is raising a family in suburban Schaumburg, I know theres a lot more that unites us than divides us.

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One of those things is the United States Postal Service, which even predates the founding of our nation. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin served as its champion and the first postmaster general. He knew that reliable mail service was necessary for the Colonies survival. For more than 250 years, the Postal Service has bound our nation together, ensuring that every American, no matter where they live, is a valued part of the whole.

Thats why its so concerning that an administration that pledges to Make America Great Again has put one of our greatest national assets on the chopping block.

In December, The Washington Post reported that President Donald Trumps administration is considering a move to privatize the Postal Service. Last month, the Post reported that, according to six people familiar with its plans, the administration is preparing to dissolve the leadership of the Postal Service and absorb the independent agency into the Commerce Department.

Perhaps this shouldnt be surprising. During his first term, Trump appointed business tycoon and top Republican Party funder Louis DeJoy as the postmaster general. During his time in that position, DeJoy attempted to save the Postal Service by raising the cost of stamps while simultaneously reducing its service standards  a prescription that predictably resulted in greater delays in receiving mail.

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Fortunately, DeJoy recently announced his resignation. But rather than replacing him with a better steward, the Trump administration is contemplating placing the Postal Service in private hands.

No private industry provides universal service, particularly to exurban and rural households whose service may not be profitable. Without the work of USPS letter carriers, more than 51.5 million households and businesses in rural communities would have no guaranteed delivery of critical items such as medications, ballots and bills.

In many small communities across Illinois and elsewhere, the post office is a center for local news and social activity. Losing their post offices could literally take these communities off the map.

Since its inauguration in January, this administration has undertaken a systematic slashing of institutions from Social Security and Veterans Affairs to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. These steps, taken at the direction of billionaire Elon Musk without transparency and bypassing Congress, threaten reliable, essential services upon which millions of Americans depend. Unfortunately, the Postal Service appears to be next in line.

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As a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has broad jurisdiction over activities of the federal government, I have asked for public hearings on any attempt by this administration to privatize the Postal Service.

Fortunately, the committees Republican chairman recently responded to my demand by promising to hold hearings, should the administration move forward with such plans.

We Americans are united by many things, including our historic Postal Service. It ensures that every person counts, no matter who they are or where they live. In a time of division and discord threatening our unity as a nation, we should preserve and protect the institutions that knit us closer together.

The U.S. Postal Service belongs at the top of that list.

____

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, has represented Illinois 8th Congressional District since 2017.

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GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp was paid $88 million in 2024  likely making him not only the highest-paid CEO in Greater Cincinnati, or Ohio, but among the best-compensated in the U.S.

Excluding changes in pension values, Culp was paid $87.6 million in 2024, according to the companys annual proxy filed on Thursday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Thats more than six times, or 539%, more than the $13.7 million he was paid in 2023 (excluding changes in pension values, per Associated Press assessment method).

Culps eye-popping payout easily tops Procter & Gamble CEO Jon Moellers annual compensation of $23 million reported in August, which until this week, made the consumer products executive the regions most richly paid.

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If Culp had gotten his payout a year earlier, it would have landed him at No. 5 on the Wall Street Journals list of highest-paid CEOs on the S&P 500 Index of Americas largest publicly traded companies.

GE Aerospace also disclosed Culp's giant payday widened the gap between him and the median company employee, who made $69,553 in 2024. The CEO to median worker pay jumped from 201 to 1 in 2023 to 1,279 to 1 last year. The latest median employee also changed: from an Italian worker who made $73,000 to the American that made $3,000 less.

Culps 2024 grant of $78.3 million in stock awards is what supercharged his compensation, according to the disclosures. In the previous year, he was given $5 million in stock grants or 6% of his 2024 award.

The biggest part of that grant was a $49 million incentive grant tied to his new employment agreement, the company said the proxy.

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After a string of tumultuous years amid the General Electric breakup, Culps contract was set to expire last summer before the Evendale-based aircraft engine manufacturer inked a deal to keep him through the end of 2027. Culp reportedly turned down an offer to take over as CEO of aircraft-manufacturer and defense contractor Boeing, according to a June report by the Wall Street Journal.

In 2024, Culps base salary has remained at $2.5 million, which hasnt changed in at least two years. He also received a $6.8 million in non-equity incentive (a cash bonus tied to company performance), up 21% from the $5.6 million he got in 2023. His other compensation (mostly perks, such as security services), declined 45% to nearly $316,000.

Last year, GE Aerospace earned a $6.7 billion profit on sales of $38.7 billion, according to its annual report.

GE Aerospace makes and services engines for both commercial and military aircraft. It employs 9,000 employees in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp paid $88M in 2024, $70k for median worker
Back in January, a shark tour operator on Oahu was attacked while on the job. The 23-year-old victim sustained serious injuries to his arm, requiring surgery, but thankfully, he didnt lose the limb.

And since then, the shark tour industry in Hawaii has come under fire with some calling it completely lawless. During a recent convention of marine biologists, fishermen, water experts, and shark tour operators, they discussed the situation, and potential remedies to prevent attacks.

Reportedly, there have been six attacks during shark tours in as many years.

Its the wild, wild west out there, said fisherman Eddie Ebusui. This industry needs to be regulated. There are at least 20 to 25 boats out there. And they [the sharks] are at the surface, following the boats.

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One of the main issues is feeding the sharks, or chumming, to attract them for clients.

Its against the law, said Dr. Michael Domeier, Director of the Marine Conservation Science Institute. Absolutely against the law. And the reason why that bothers me is because, if the state had intended to allow these boats to feed the sharks, they wouldve put a lot more regulations in place to keep people safe.

Related: Shark Tour Worker Attacked on Oahus North Shore

Regarding the attack on the shark tour employee in January, Dr. Domeier spoke with the victim.

I started getting messages from a lot of past and current employees, he said about Gavin Newland, the one who was attacked out of Haleiwa. I asked him a couple questions. I asked him first of all, did you have any training for this job? He said, none. No training at all. I asked him if there was any chumming. He said, every day. I said, was there a first aid kit on the boat. He said, no. The legislation needs to fix these things. If we have this industry, we need to keep people safe.

Hawaii state and local government prohibit chumming. However, there are no laws against getting up close and personal with sharks.

Related: Surfer Mauled by Shark in Chest-Deep, West Australia Water
Comptroller Brad Lander is demanding more information from the Adams administration about a probe aimed at migrant shelters, the Daily News has learned  coming as the mayor is facing increasing calls to take a tougher stand against the presidents increasingly aggressive immigration actions in the city.

The Department of Justice issued at least one criminal subpoena to a hotel seeking the names, origin and birth dates of migrants on Wednesday, sources have the News. This is reportedly part of a probe into the contracts and funding of the hotels, which the city has enlisted to house migrants.

In a letter sent to the Adams administration Thursday evening, Lander, who is running against the mayor in the June primary, demanded copies of the subpoenas, a briefing on the investigations and Mayor Adams plan to respond.

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Lander said that the request for migrants information may violate New York Citys local privacy laws that block city contractors and agencies from disclosing personal information, and he asked the mayor to file a motion to thwart the subpoenas if they did.

As City leaders, we must stand up to this cruel and corrupt presidency, rather than surrender in anticipation of lawless political attacks, Lander writes in the letter. I urge your Administration in advance not to comply with any unlawful or unconstitutional orders from the federal government.

The mayor faces increasing pressure to speak out against Trump as the president has ramped up attacks immigration protections in New York with both this probe and the deportation and arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist targeted for his pro-Palestinian advocacy.

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who is also running for mayor, slammed Adams at a press conference on Thursday morning.

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Right now President Trump is bullying New York City and Eric Adams is nowhere to be found, Myrie said, referring to the subpoenas and the arrest of Khalil.

We need a mayor in this city that is willing to stand up for New Yorkers, not someone willing to cave to a wannabe tyrant, he continued. Anybody that cannot stand up to Donald Trump does not deserve to sit in City Hall. Anybody that is silent at this moment does not deserve to represent our city.

Adams has expressed an openness to working with the president on immigration and has declined to publicly criticize the administration. Hes been accused of cooperating with the administration amid their plans to drop his corruption indictment. The DOJ moved to dismiss his corruption case in February. Adams has denied the charges and allegations of any quid pro quo.

Just like he has tried to do with every new administration, Mayor Adams wants to work with the president, not war with him, to better the lives of New Yorkers. Others can give uninformed comments and make empty promises that wont actually help New Yorkers, but they simply cannot match the mayors record, Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for the mayor, said, listingf housing, childcare and medical debt achievements.

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Garcia also emphasized the mayor sued the president over a $80 million federal migrant aid clawback and stated that he doesnt support mass deportations.

She said the administration would review Landers letter, though also took issue that Lander wrote other City leaders must step in to fight for the 8 million people who call this city home.

Hes a city leader, she noted, and all hes done for over a month is send City Hall letters.

The mayor said earlier Thursday he cant comment on the investigation, deferring to the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

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He told reporters that his heart goes out to city workers caught up as political collateral, but he didnt mention Trump or the migrants themselves.

While no city officials have received subpoenas in this probe, the shelters are contracted by the city, which is why the comptroller is writing to the administration.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Some Memphians are saying horse-drawn carriages and passengers in downtown Memphis should be banned.

For years, horse-drawn carriages transported passengers, many of whom were tourists, and have been a part of the downtown Memphis landscape.

On Thursday, the sight of what some thought were injured horses lying on the ground near a white carriage left some people disturbed.

Parents arrested after 3-year-old found dead at Arkansas home

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One of them was Memphian Annalisa Kirchner, who reached out to Your News Leader to share her concerns.

So, I was driving onto Mud Island taking the back way and saw a horse under a carriage laying down on the grass on the side of the road, people standing around it. It appeared to be sick or hurt, said Kirchner.

Some of the photos sent to WREG show carriage workers, witnesses, and first responders tending to the animals.

Woman says MSCS paid another company $34k for work she never did

There were a few people standing around and looked like the people who had been on the carriage and some people who stopped their cars to get out and help, said Kirchner.

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WREG learned the horses belong to Mark Bills, who owns Uptown Carriage Company. In a statement, Bills tells WREG what he says happened.

We were testing a team of new horses to make sure they are safe for the public, said Bills. But on the way to the barn, one of the horses stumbled, causing the other horse to fall.

Burglars bust into Memphis gas station with sledgehammer

Our team arrived on the site to transport the horses to the barn. Memphis Animal Services came by and inspected the horses, said Bills. There was not even a scratch on the horses, and they are fine.

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On the website change.org, some are calling for a ban on horse-drawn carriages on Memphis streets, similar to what was done in cities such as Chicago, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and others.

Kirchner said she and her friends signed the petition to see if they could make a change that way.

Man critically injured in Orange Mound shooting

This incident is extremely rare, and weve been in business for almost 30 years and like any industry youre going to have mishaps and at the end of the day the animals are safe, said Bills.

Kirchner said that she is still troubled that Memphis is continuing carriage rides and that the horses are being treated so poorly.

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WREG also reached out to animal control to check on the horses. Officers said that they were fine.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's conditions for a ceasefire are unrealistic and tantamount to demanding that Ukraine disarm itself and surrender, analysts say.

Putin said on March 13 that Russia was ready to agree to the U.S.-backed 30-day-long ceasefire in Ukraine but then followed by listing a number of demands  a ban on Ukrainian mobilization or training of troops and a halt on Western military aid for Kyiv.

Putin also hinted that Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast must surrender.

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Later the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow.

Trump reacted by saying on March 14, "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

"It appears that Putin pretends to accept a ceasefire in principle, in order not to be criticized for being obstructive, but demands concessions as a precondition," Richard Betts, professor emeritus of war and peace studies at Columbia University, told the Kyiv Independent.

"This is consistent with his previous demands that Ukraine must agree to concessions before Russia negotiates with it. In short, Putin appears to view negotiations for a peace agreement not as a bargaining process but as a process for arranging the conditions of Ukraine's surrender."

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Read also: Ukraine, EU move to deepen cybersecurity cooperation as Russian threat rises

Playing Trump's game

Peter Rough, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, argued that "Putin can't afford to say no to Trump altogether but will add a series of conditions."

"Putin may not be able to take Kyiv in this round of war, but he may be able to get the Donbas, and he will try to apply the Georgia model of hybrid war to take Kyiv later," he said.

"His response to the ceasefire proposal is only the first in a series of counter-proposals to achieve that goal. The bottom line is he hasn't changed his goal of subsuming Ukraine."

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William Wohlforth, a professor focusing on international relations at Dartmouth College, also said that "Putin's highly conditional 'unconditional' acceptance of the 'idea' of a ceasefire is meant to play for time and see how much pressure the Trump administration is willing to exert, and on whom, to make progress."

"To me, Putin's comments in response to the ceasefire idea suggest a desire to sustain momentum in the improvement in relations with the Trump administration while at the same time not saying anything that would compromise his larger political objective with respect to Ukraine," he added.

Putin's statement on 'root causes'

Putin said, "We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but they must lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis."

Bettina Renz, a professor of international security at Nottingham University and the author of the book "Russia's Military Revival," argued that "his demand that the 'root causes' of the war need to be addressed as a precondition for the ceasefire agreement is particularly concerning."

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"Thinking back to February 2022, the 'root causes' of and justifications for the invasion listed by the Kremlin were sweeping and included, amongst other things, NATO enlargement since the 1990s, a denial of the legitimacy of the democratically elected Ukrainian government, and the 'militarisation' of Ukraine," she said.

"If addressing these 'root causes' in Russia's favor is a precondition for a 30-day ceasefire agreement in the Kremlin's eyes, this is clearly unreasonable and unrealistic. At this point, it looks like the Kremlin will be prepared to agree to a ceasefire only under conditions that are ideal for Russia."

Disarming and 'demilitarizing' Ukraine

Putin also claimed that Russian troops were "advancing on almost all sections of the front line."

"Conditions are also being created there for us to encircle and block entire fairly large enemy units," he said. "How will these 30 days be used? Will forced mobilization continue in Ukraine? Will weapons be supplied there? Will newly mobilized units undergo training? Or will none of this happen?"

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Putin's claims about Russia's all-around advances were false.

Russia has been on the offensive in Donetsk Oblast since 2023. However, in recent months, its advance has slowed down in many areas, with Ukraine even conducting counteroffensives near the towns of Pokrovsk and Toretsk.

The Kremlin's only major success in recent weeks was Ukraine's withdrawal from a part of Russia's Kursk Oblast as Russian troops cut off logistical routes in the region.

Putin's demand that Ukraine should stop mobilization and training and should not receive Western military aid does not make any sense and will not be accepted by Kyiv, experts say.

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"Of course, Ukraine won't put limits on its own military forces. That would be suicidal," Rough said. "It also won't stop asking for and receiving weapons from the West. That would be suicidal as well. These are non-starters, and even Putin must understand that."

Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham, told the Kyiv Independent that Putin "wants a weak Ukraine that is unable to defend itself and has no ability to resist Russian pressure."

"The sooner he achieves that, the more likely it is that he can impose his own conditions," he added. "Part of his original war aims was the demilitarization of Ukraine, and part of this is depriving Ukraine of Western military support."

Renz argued that "Putin's concerns over Ukraine using a 30-day ceasefire to regroup and rearm, and over the difficulties of monitoring such a ceasefire, refer to limitations affecting any ceasefire agreement."

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"Ceasefire agreements are always merely a first step in the cessation of armed conflict and a compromise, and their success can never be guaranteed," she added. "Clearly, the Ukrainian leadership has similar concerns about a ceasefire agreement with Russia. However, in comparison to the Kremlin, the Ukrainian leadership willingly expressed the readiness to accept a ceasefire despite these risks."

Volodymyr Ariev, a member of parliament from the opposition European Solidarity party, told the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine could put forward counter-demands.

For example, Kyiv could say that Russia should stop transporting extra military equipment to Ukraine and recruiting soldiers for its war effort, he added.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

Alleged encirclement in Kursk Oblast

Putin also claimed that "in the coming days, a physical blockade (of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast) will take place, meaning that no one will be able to leave at all."

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"There will only be two options  surrender or perish," he said. "If we cease hostilities for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone there will be allowed to leave without a fight? Are we supposed to let them go after they have committed numerous crimes against civilians?"

No evidence has been provided for Putin's claim about alleged Ukrainian war crimes in Kursk Oblast, and there is no independent confirmation that Ukrainian troops are at risk of being blockaded.

Everything that Putin said is either false or has no immediate confirmation.

However, Trump has picked up some of the claims. On March 14, he urged Putin to "spare" the allegedly surrounded Ukrainian troops.

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Ukraine's General Staff denied Trump's claim that Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were surrounded.

Wolff said that Putin "clearly wants the troops out to deprive Ukraine of a critical bargaining chip (Kursk Oblast), but he also would probably prefer taking as many of them as prisoners rather than allowing them to strengthen Ukraine's front lines elsewhere."

"Perhaps Putin would have been more pliable if these negotiations had happened at some other time," a Russian author living in exile who asked to remain anonymous out of security concerns told the Kyiv Independent. "But now, against the backdrop of the events in the Kursk region and the latest statements and steps of the Trump administration, he seems to have only become more confident of his future impunity."

Monitoring a ceasefire

Putin also raised the question of how violations of the ceasefire would be monitored and how the ceasefire would be enforced.

Ukraine has also called for resolving this issue and suggested that European peacekeepers be deployed to enforce the ceasefire.

However, the Kremlin has rejected the deployment of Western peacekeepers.

Wolff argued that it "makes sense from the Kremlin's perspective to ask for 'neutral' observers because it weakens any potential security guarantees that Ukraine could get from having Western peacekeepers deployed."

"Putin's statement on the ceasefire proposal does not suggest readiness for peace, or at least not for a peace that would involve any kind of compromise from the Russian side," Renz said.

Kyiv Independent journalist Kate Tsurkan contributed to this article.

Read also: China is more likely than the EU to replace Starlink on the Ukrainian battlefield

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Connecticuts largest food charity is facing a $1 million funding cut from the federal government.

Connecticut Foodshare had participated in a federal program that helps food banks across the country purchase locally grown produce.

Jason Jakubowski, the CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, said he found out earlier this week that those funds were being pulled as President Donald Trumps administration seeks to reduce federal spending broadly and promote government efficiency.

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Norwich public schools to open NPS Loft to help families with essentials

Jakubowski said Foodshare had utilized the federal program to fund more than one million meals in the last three years.

Its not just the number of meals, Jakubowski added. Its also the fact that they were high-quality meals  fresh-grown meals.

Jakubowski said local Connecticut farmers were as much a beneficiary of the program as those fed by their fresh food.

As Connecticut Foodshare faces cuts from Washington, theyre looking to state lawmakers in Hartford to fill the gap.

Earlier this year, Jakubowski joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are part of the state legislatures Feeding Connecticut Caucus. They announced their joint support for $10 million in state funds for Connecticut Foodshare, which lawmakers said would help backstop federal cuts and address chronic need among the states food pantries.

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I think we have an opportunity through this Feeding Connecticut Caucus to fix that, State Sen. Eric Berthel said at the time.

Berthel, a Republican, co-chairs the Feeding Connecticut Caucus with State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat.

Theres no Democrat or Republican way to solve this issue, Jakubowski said. And regardless of who you are, there is a pantry in every legislative district in this state. And what pantries right now need is they need food.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 12. Azerbaijan demonstrated its reliability in difficult times and became a strategic partner for Bulgaria and other countries of South-Eastern Europe, said former President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev at a press conference dedicated to the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.

"We are proud of our strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. We are very grateful because, in a difficult moment, Azerbaijan proved its reliability. For example, when Gazprom stopped gas supplies to Bulgaria in one day, Azerbaijan was able to step in and develop a strategic partnership and trustworthy relations," noted Plevneliev.

He also emphasized that now Bulgaria and other countries in the region want to expand cooperation and increase bilateral trade volume.

"Contracts have already been signed with Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and other countries, including Georgia, for a new project that will be important for the supply of 'green' energy to Europe. Digital connectivity and transport infrastructure are also being developed," added the former president.

Plevneliyev pointed out that in the future, there will be an intensification of cooperation and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the Balkan countries, which is a positive factor for the entire region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH)  Democratic State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner faced a judge Friday in New London Superior Court after his DUI arrest earlier this month.

The state representative and his attorney requested that he be able to enter into a diversionary program for first-time offenders. Its an opportunity for a second chance.

Do you understand that if I grant your application, youll be required to attend alcohol education classes and begin those classes within 90 days? Judge Tamar Birckhead asked.

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Yes, your honor, Bumgardner said.

State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner arrested for DUI

Bumgardner will now be allowed to enter into the impaired driving intervention program.

Police said he was observed driving on a flat tire on March 2 on the Gold Star Highway in Groton. He allegedly failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, according to police.

I am so grateful that no one got hurt because that is a consequence to so many who have made that same poor choice, Bumgardner said.

He left court with his wife and family by his side. Bumgardner represents the 41st District, which is in both Groton and Stonington.

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He must complete about a dozen alcohol education classes and attend one victim impact panel as part of the program.

This is an opportunity. Nothing is going to be dismissed today, Birckhead said. You need to successfully complete the program.

Im squarely focused now on ensuring this never happens again, Bumgardner said. I would implore any individual to think twice before making the poor decision that I did.

Body cam footage details Rep. Bumgardners DUI arrest in Groton

I hope he learns a lot from what hes going through right now, Groton resident Ryle Beasley said. Thats amazing that theyre helping him, and he has support.

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Bumgardner said he is focused on completing the diversionary program and earning back the trust of his constituents.

Everybody has their problems, Groton resident Charles Boyd Sr. said. He can overcome this. Weve got to give him support.

I own it, and I bear that responsibility, and so, again, this is a tough day. This is a disappointing day, but Im ready to move forward, Baumgardner said. My family is ready to move forward.

If Bumgardner successfully completes the diversionary program, the charges against him will be dismissed. He is due back in court in a year on March 13, 2026.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Conservative former federal Judge J. Michael Luttig issued a stark warning on Thursday about what he described as President Donald Trumps escalating attacks on the legal system.

Speaking to MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace, Luttig condemned Trumps efforts to intimidate judges, lawyers and law firms.

Luttig specifically pointed to Trumps executive orders targeting legal outfits Perkins Coie, over its links to Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign against Trump, and Covington & Burling, for its work with special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Trump.

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The order against Perkins Coie has since been temporarily blocked.

Trump had effectively declared war on the rule of law even before returning to the White House and has since only upped his attacks on multiple fronts nationwide, said Luttig.

In the past several weeks, however, he has really launched a full-frontal assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, our system of justice and the entire legal profession, Luttig added.

The former judge said the law firms were targeted simply because they represented clients in the past who the president just didnt like.

Its one of the most sinister of the executive orders that the president has entered to date, he added.

Watch the full analysis here:

Related...
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Alex Austin, president of Campus Unity Club and Campus Unity Party, states, Hes an open racist and white supremacist. Theres very little actual support for him on campus. Theyre just trying to get a reaction, get people riled up, and thats what they want.

Colorado Mesa University is expecting an appearance by Jared Taylor, who was invited by a student group called Western Culture Club, and the impending visit has been the talk of the campus lately.

CMU President John Marshall issued a written statement that reads, in part: A campus student club has proposed and invited a speaker to campus who doesnt align with my values, is at odds with our campus values, and holds views that everyone I know will find abhorrent.

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On the issue of platforming or deplatforming, Marshall continues, This speaker has been invited by students of a campus student club. CMUs role isnt to dictate to student clubs, or faculty, who they can invite and what content they present. Our job as a university is not to platform or deplatform speakers invited by students or faculty, Marshall states.

In various online publications, Taylor rejects the notion that hes a racist or white supremacist, saying he believes in what he calls race realism. Often seen in that context as a euphemism for the pseudo-science of scientific racism.

But according to the Denver Post, Taylor may not associate with the white supremacist label, but hes been widely described as a white nationalist by experts and watchdog groups.

Austin states, So we heard about the racist speaker coming in. We heard about it last Friday, immediately after we attended the political science club, we just got some friends together.

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WesternSlopeNow spoke with Austin and Sam Hartley, who are the president and vice president of the Campus Unity Club And Campus Unity Party.

Hartley states, This is an opportunity for us to come together across political lines and close our gaps and our differences and stand together.

On Monday, Austin and Hartley announced a gathering for the following day to plan a protest for when Taylor arrives on campus.

Tuesdays meeting / Image courtesy: Alex Austin

This is a photo from Tuesdays gathering, attended by roughly 200 people, ranging from faculty and administrators to university students.

Hartley states, In the face of, like, overwhelming support for this from the community, the administration realizes that this is something that this community actually stands for, that we want to stand together, and they try to reflect those values.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer needed himself and the support of seven other Democratic colleagues to pass the Republican stopgap spending bill.

It turned out a total of ten Senate Democrats voted to advance the GOP measure Friday rather than trigger a government shutdown, including Nevadas Catherine Cortez Masto.

Shutting down the government gives President Trump and Elon Musk even more power to cherry-pick who is an essential employee, who they want to fire, and what agencies they want to shutter, Cortez Masto said in a statement released prior to Fridays vote.

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And a shutdown would force federal courts to slow work on lawsuits against this administrations illegal actions, Cortez Masto.

Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen campaigned for reelection last year touting both her willingness to break with her party and her ranking as one of the nations most bipartisan senators.

And Rosen did break with her partys leader Friday, but not to be bipartisan. Rosen lined up with the more than three-fourths of Senate Democrats voting against the Republican stopgap spending bill.

I cannot vote for an irresponsible and hyper-partisan bill that gives Trump and Musk even more power to hurt millions of Americans all while Congressional Republicans continue to push for cuts to Medicaid to pay for more tax breaks for the ultra-rich and giant corporations, Rosen said in a statement issued by her office prior to Fridays vote.

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Funding the government requires actually working together across party lines to find common ground, and the Republicans in power failed to do so, Rosen said.

Earlier in the week, all three of Nevadas House Democrats  Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee  issued statements blistering the Republican bill after voting against it. The measure narrowly passed the House with all but one Republican vote.

Horsford issued another statement after the Senate vote Friday.

The constituents I represent need Democrats to stand up to this rogue administration, Horsford said What they got from Senate Democrats today was capitulation instead.

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On social media after the vote, Titus said the bill shortchanges veterans, cuts housing programs, abandons seniors, and allows Elon Musk to gut federal services. This bill fails Nevadans.

This story was updated to note comments from Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus.
Cougar cubs have not been documented in Michigan in over 100 years, but state biologists can confirm recent photos officially ended the dry spell. On March 13, Michigan Department of Natural Resources released a trio of images that show a pair of tiny cougars roaming a snowy portion of the Upper Peninsula in Ontonagon County.

Although the big cats are native to Michigan, humans hunted them out of existence by the early 1900s. While the Department of Natural Resources has verified 132 sightings of adult cougars since 2008, all of them were believed to be transient males from western states. In the meantime, the local population has failed to rebound, and they remain on Michigans endangered mammals list.

The two people who first spotted them initially believed them to be bobcats. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

On March 6, a pair of motorists driving in the western Upper Peninsula spotted what they at first believed were kittens from a different wild cat species.

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He thought they were bobcat kittens, and so he took some pictures of them, and someone else actually stopped, and they both talked about them, like, Oh, neat kittens, Brian Roell, a wildlife biologist and Michigans large carnivore specialist, recently told local news.

But state biologists believed the tiny animals didnt match bobcat cubs after being tipped off to the pictures. Further consultation with out-of-state wildlife experts led them to confirm the kittens were actually 7-8 week old cougars. Given their young age, they also concluded their mother gave birth to them somewhere in the state. While the drivers didnt see her at the time, its very possible that she was somewhere nearby, since cougars remain with their mother until they are around two years old. That said, its also possible they were unfortunately already on their own.

The kittens were estimated to be 7-8 weeks old. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now. We dont know where they are or if theyre even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel, Roell explained in a separate statement to The Detroit News.

Regardless, just spotting the cubs at all is good news, since it represents the first known modern cougar births in the western Great Lake states.

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Its something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this, said Roell.

In any case, Michigan Department of Natural Resources representatives took the occasion to remind the public that, should they start seeing more cougars, to leave them alone. Its illegal to harass or hunt them, or even attempt to locate their dens. As such, Roell and his fellow wildlife biologists arent releasing more specific details on where the two cougar cubs were last seen. But with any luck, the photos may be the first of many to come as cougars return to the area.
Wildlife biologists from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources verified the presence of a pair of cougar cubs in Ontonagon County on Wednesday. Photos of the kittens taken on March 6 on private land by a resident provided the first potential evidence of cougar reproduction in the Great Lakes State since the cats were extirpated in the early 1900s.

Michigan DNR large carnivore specialist Brian Roell led the team that verified the cubs.

Its pretty exciting, but were also being cautious about what this actually means, Roell tells Outdoor Life. Its easy to blow this out of proportion, but truthfully, we cannot confirm that this is actual reproduction because we havent seen an adult with these kittens.

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Of course, two mountain lion kittens didnt just fall out of the sky. Roell says its logical to assume an adult is associated with these young cougars, even if there is no physical evidence. Roell says there have also been six confirmed trail camera pictures of an adult in the area since January.

We dont know if she bred here, Roell says. Given the three-month gestation period, there would have been enough time for an animal to walk here, although females dont typically range as much as males.

Cougars are not complete strangers to Michigan. The big cats once roamed the state freely. However, after decades of intense unregulated hunting and trapping, by the early 1900s, the animals had disappeared. The last known legally taken Michigan cougar was harvested near Newberry in 1906.

The cougar cubs were so small, they couldnt get over the snow banks. Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR

Today, sightings of the big cats are infrequent, although they have increased in recent years. The DNR has verified 132 reports of adult cougars in the state since 2008, Roell says. So far, however, the DNR has only confirmed the presence of male cougars in the state.This was accomplished with DNA samples collected by staff in the wild, and from the carcasses of two poached toms. Those males proved to be genetically related to cats in South Dakota.

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A citizen who wishes to remain anonymous spotted the two cubs along the side of a road on March 6. At the time, he thought they were bobcat kittens.

It was the day after a really big blizzard, Roell says. They were so young that they werent able to get over the snow banks on the side of the road.

Western biologists from areas with larger mountain lion populations consulted with Roell to confirm the identity and age of the cougar cubs, which they say is between 7 and 9 weeks old.

That means they were born right around Christmas, Roell says.

The resident who spotted the two cubs thought they were bobcats. Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR

Roell also received pictures of tracks where an adult traveled across a frozen pod on the private property adjacent to where the cubs were sighted. However, there were no kitten tracks with the set of adult tracks.

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The two cubs have not been seen since March 6, nor has the adult seen on trail cameras in the area.

Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now, Roell says. We dont know where they are or if theyre even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel.

Cougar cubs typically remain with their mothers for 18 to 24 months as they learn crucial survival skills and rely on them for protection. Only about one in six cougar cubs survive to adulthood.

I hope they are together, Roell says. If they are, that would confirm that Michigan has had reproduction, making us the first of the Great Lakes States. It doesnt mean it hasnt happened before. It just means it hasnt been documented.

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Read Next: A Dead Cougar Was Found in Arkansas for the First Time in a Decade. Experts Arent Sure What Killed It

Roell says the golden ticket in this situation would be an image of the kittens traveling with an adult.

There are private property owners over there that have a bunch of trail cameras, Roell says. I have been in contact with all of them, and they are anxious to share pictures of all three of them together. So, were hopeful.

You can log sightings and physical evidence, such as tracks, scat, or carcasses, on the DNR website via the agencys Eyes in the Field reporting system. Roell notes that cougars are listed as an endangered species in Michigan, which means it is illegal to disturb a den or harass them in any way.
NHS England, the worlds largest quango, is to be scrapped, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced this week, saying it must go to save money and reduce bureaucracy. Just because reform is difficult does not mean it should not be done, he stated.

But will this reform go far enough to save the NHS?

Think tanks, MPs and experts have suggested greater change is needed if the health service is to survive.

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While none suggest scrapping the principle that it is free at the point of use, some believe introducing charges for GP and A&E attendance, or fines for missed appointments, are vital to ensure resources are used responsibly.

So what are the options being proposed for revamping the health system? And what changes do the experts think could future-proof the NHS?

Policy Exchanges three strikes model

Policy Exchange, a conservative think tank, suggested various NHS reforms in its Portrait of Modern Britain: Health report, published earlier this year  including a three strikes rule and a 50 fine for missed appointments.

In society today, if you dont turn up to a restaurant booking, you get fined. If children repeatedly miss school, parents are fined. We do have penalties for misuse of services, and the NHS should be looking at this too, says Sean Phillips, head of health and social care at Policy Exchange.

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More than 15 million GP and hospital appointments are missed in England every year, costing the NHS in excess of 215 million annually.

Policy Exchange proposes patients should be fined if they clock up three strikes for missed appointments within a four-year period. Strikes would be removed from their record after four years, just like points on a driving licence.

But he stresses that any introduction of a penalty system must be accompanied by major improvements in NHS appointment admin and communications systems. That means ensuring patients receive appointment letters in good time, can choose times and appointment type (remote or face-to-face), are given timely reminders and are able to reschedule easily if necessary.

Phillips explains a three strikes rule would prevent patients being penalised for one-off mistakes and instead target a small cohort of repeat offenders.

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There are some people who have a sense of entitlement  and there are no consequences for misuse of services, he adds. While he agrees there are complex reasons why people miss appointments, he says the policy is about fair use of resources.

It is unlikely such a penalty would raise much revenue as the number of people fined is predicted to be small  instead it is hoped to save millions by incentivising people to attend or reschedule appointments.

The French insurance model backed by Farage

Speaking at a pre-election debate last June, Nigel Farage applauded the French system, saying those who can afford it through their taxes pay into an insurance scheme, while those that cant afford it dont pay in, so its for the mutual benefit of everybody.

Is this system why France has one of the best healthcare services in the world? Experts are not convinced.

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The line between insurance-based systems [like in France] and tax-based systems [like the NHS] are increasingly blurred, because there is often also a heavy state subsidy of insurance-based systems, explains Sarah Reed, senior fellow at the independent Nuffield Trust thinktank.

French patients typically pay upfront and then reclaim costs of 70 to 100 per cent through the states health insurance system.

It is funded by employee and employer contributions, as well as state subsidies. If the system was applied to the UK, it would mean employers contributing roughly 218 per month for every employer on the national average salary of around 37,000, while employees would pay in around 287 monthly  slightly more than the roughly 250 the average worker pays under our National Insurance system.

France invests 12.2 per cent of GDP in its health service - AFP

It costs around 30 (25.22) for a GP appointment in France, for example, but patients will get 21 (17.66) reimbursed by the state, so only end up paying 9 (7.56) themselves or using private insurance. Hospital patients have 80 per cent of their care reimbursed and must cover the remaining 20 per cent. Those on low incomes have 100 per cent of their costs covered by the state.

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Although the French system outperforms the NHS on many levels, that may not be down to its funding system. In fact, research shows the only factor that appears to make a significant difference to patient outcomes is the level of state investment in healthcare systems.

France invests about a tenth more than the UK into its health service, spending around 12.2 per cent of GDP annually, compared to 10.9 per cent here. Other countries like Sweden, Germany and Norway also spend more.

The Lord Darzi independent investigation into the NHS in England found it has been underfunded by 37 billion over the last 15 years, while the independent think tank The Health Foundation says the NHS needs an additional 38 billion over the course of this Parliament to make vital improvements.

You do get what you pay for, adds Reed. Its often the case that countries whose health systems we admire tend to spend more on healthcare.

The Swedish model of charging to see a GP

In Sweden, patients are charged small fees (copayments) for accessing healthcare, which are not covered by insurance. All patients must register for state healthcare cover but make additional payments, such as 100 to 300 Swedish krona (7.62 to 22.88) for a GP appointment. A hospital stay costs 100 krona (7.62) per day, while prescription charges are capped at a total of 2,300 krona per year (175.45).

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A similar system in France means that on top of the other costs covered by insurance, patients pay an additional 2 (1.68) per GP or doctor appointment, 20 (16.82) per night in hospital and 2 (1.68) per medical test, including X-rays, up to a maximum of 50 (42.05) per patient per year.

Patients must also pay an extra 4 (3.36) per ambulance journey and around 19.61 (16.49) flat fee for attending A&E if they are not admitted to hospital  or 8.49 (7.14) for exemptions, including people with certain chronic illnesses, women in the later stages of pregnancy and children under 12.

A principle behind such fees is that they help ensure responsible use of services  so patients only use what they need and dont take resources for granted.

So, could a similar system work here?

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, seen here meeting staff at a healthcare provider with Keir Starmer, has announced he will be scrapping NHS England - AFP

Charlotte Wickens, a policy advisor at The Kings Fund, an independent health policy charity, is sceptical. She highlights how the high cost of administrating such charges often outweighs the benefits.

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Englands 9.65 prescription charge is a case in point. Only 40 per cent of the population are liable to pay it because of exemptions for children, the over-60s, people on certain benefits and those with some health conditions, like diabetes. And because exempt groups are the most likely to need medical care, in reality nine out of ten prescriptions are dispensed for free.

It means the prescription charge covers just 5 per cent of the total cost of issuing prescriptions, she adds. You would end up in a similar situation with GP appointment charges  they wouldnt raise as much as you would think once you factor in all the exemptions and the cost of administration.

Research also suggests charges to access GP care tend to put people off seeking treatment until they end up in A&E  which costs the health service considerably more. Reed agrees. There is strong evidence [patient] charges dont work well and make little economic sense, she adds.

Which model is best?

Theres no one model you could take and say lets use this, says Wickens. They all differ  and every country is adapting its system all the time to respond to increasing pressures from ageing populations and rising rates of long-term conditions.

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She believes while the NHS is undoubtedly not where it should be, a new funding model would be a huge cost without necessarily solving any of its most pressing problems.

No country has ever completely overhauled its healthcare funding system, Reed points out. These systems are baked into our cultures, she adds. The cost of untangling them would be so expensive and have so many implications for how people access care, without any guarantee of solving the problems.

The latest comparable European figures from 2022 showed 27 per cent of UK men and 28 per cent of UK women were obese, compared with just 23 and 18 per cent respectively in Sweden, and 22 and 21 per cent in France.

Its difficult to think of healthcare in isolation from how healthy a society is, Reed adds. In the UK we have pretty stark inequalities and we have more and more people living with three or more long-term health conditions  these things all put extra strain on services. Its hard to say one system is working better when there are so many variables.

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Both agree the Government should focus on fixing the existing system and building on the NHSs strengths, such as its relatively low administrative costs  scrapping NHS England could help lower these further.

But Phillips believes any remodelling of the NHS needs to focus on incentivising people to use the system more fairly. He adds: On a broader level, it is important people take more personal responsibility for their health and for the way they use the health service.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  With enrollment declining at Hawaii public schools, Hawaii State Department of Education officials are considering a consolidation of campuses.

Hawaii public schools to see these price increases

The Department of Education initiated a discussion based on decreased student headcounts over the past decade.

HIDOE said they will spend the spring to engage with stakeholder groups and gain feedback on its process.

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How, where to see total lunar eclipse tonight on each Hawaii island

While no particular schools have been listed, identifications could be made in fall 2025 once enrollment counts have been completed.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Officials said the following factors would be considered:

What to know about U.S.s addition to human rights watch list

Enrollment trends and the ability of neighboring schools to accommodate students

Physical condition and usage of school facilities

Operating costs and potential financial savings

Social and community impacts

This proposal will happen in the midst of next session and I can assure you there will be pushback. No matter what the list looks like, theres going to be political pushback, said Roy Takumi, Board of Education chairperson.

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Is the American Dream dead in Hawaii? New report reveals 8 issues

Superintendent Keith Hayashi emphasized the departments commitment to delivering high-quality educational opportunities to Hawaii students and wants to make the best use of public resources.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

This review is an important part of planning for the future of our public school system. We understand the concerns that arise around school consolidations, and we will keep our communities informed throughout the process, Hayashi added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Did you see the total lunar eclipse last night?

As Earth's shadow spread across the moon, it was visible across all of Florida and North America, if weather cooperated in your area.

The only downside was that the timing wasn't the greatest if you like to sleep between midnight and 6 a.m.

Plenty of folks were awake, though, and shared their photos and videos on social media.

Enjoy!

The Blood Worm Moon as seen from Miami, Florida #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/NupeeyVZLM  David Vergel (@DavidVergel97) March 14, 2025

What a way to end the night.



As a photographer starting with sunsets, this was a shot I could truly only dream of until tonight. 5 shots, 30 minutes apart, 2025 Lunar Eclipse.#LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/AihMt89Q5z  Ringspaceflight (@ringspaceflight) March 14, 2025

The molten-red haze of totality has spilled across every crater of the Moons porcelain surface.



The March 2025 Total #LunarEclipse has arrived. pic.twitter.com/qEZEZK4Izn  Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) March 14, 2025

So Playboi Carti is releasing his album right on the peak of totality of the #BloodMoon eclipse? Very cool! #LunarEclipse #IAMMUSIC pic.twitter.com/Fpdwk2Zimw  Yanet (*Moon (@kornymoon) March 14, 2025

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Here's a video I captured of the phases of tonight's beautiful total lunar eclipse.#LunarEclipse2025 #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/xEkY0wxCde  LostWithNoDirections (@SkyGuyPNW) March 14, 2025

Lighting up the early hours of March 14, this #lunareclipse is a must-see! As the Moon reaches totality, it darkens before glowing redthanks to Earth's atmosphere bending sunlight, creating #BloodMoon.

 Begins: March 13, 9:57 PM

 Max Eclipse: March 14, 12:58 AM

 @NASA pic.twitter.com/zElJ8ni7mx  TELUS Spark Science Centre (@TELUS_Spark) March 12, 2025

Ok, broke out the telescope for tonight not bad difficult to hold the phone still over the lens #LunarEclipse #stlwx pic.twitter.com/y1oyxMuxEL  Matthew Smith (@mattssmith) March 14, 2025

I had lots of fun "tracking" the #LunarEclipse tonight! I tried to get some good photos but I forgot how difficult that can be sometimes  pic.twitter.com/UzzT8BKQF3  Storm Chaser Alina Cooper (@juststormchasin) March 14, 2025

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I had lots of fun "tracking" the #LunarEclipse tonight! I tried to get some good photos but I forgot how difficult that can be sometimes  pic.twitter.com/UzzT8BKQF3  Storm Chaser Alina Cooper (@juststormchasin) March 14, 2025

That right there is a thing of beauty #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/tKkVp9dMgR  Evan M. Bolla (@emboriginal) March 14, 2025

Its always transcendent to watch a celestial event and be reminded of how small we really are in this universe. #BloodMoon #LunarEclipse#lunareclipse2025 pic.twitter.com/E0NAVWxv9x  j (@ok_jawsh) March 14, 2025

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

The next total lunar eclipse visible in North America will be March 3, 2026.

When is the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from Florida?

On Aug. 12, 2045, a total solar eclipse will be visible over almost all of Florida, according to NationalEclipse.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Lunar eclipse March 13 2025 photos, videos
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a 12 million euro loan to Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka (CKB) to support green finance for businesses and homeowners in Montenegro, Trend reports.

The funding, backed by grants from the European Union and Japan, aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Of the total amount, 7 million euros will be allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments in energy and resource efficiency, as well as renewable energy. These businesses will also be eligible for EU-funded grant incentives, including cashback grants of up to 15% for renewable energy and agribusiness projects.

The remaining 5 million euros will support homeowners in adopting energy-efficient technologies such as insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels. They will receive cashback grants covering up to 20% of loan costs upon successful project completion.

This initiative is part of the EBRDs Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) and the EU-supported SME Go Green Programme, which promote sustainability in the Western Balkans. Since 2006, the EBRD has invested 933 million euros in Montenegro across 96 projects, focusing on competitiveness, green transition, and regional integration.
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto will deliver his annual State of the County address on Wednesday, March 26.

The Mayors Office says planned topics will include economic growth, achievements for the previous year and goals for the next decade. Topics that Wilson County residents feel are the most impactful will also be discussed, including housing and cost of living.

The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the address and luncheon at the Wilson Bank & Trust Operations center, located at 105 N. Castle Heights Ave. in Lebanon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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The Chamber is selling tickets for residents wishing to attend in person for $20, which will cover the cost of the luncheon. Catering will be done by Wildberry Catering.

The address will be recorded and broadcast for residents unable to attend. Viewers can watch on Wilson County Television, which can be seen on TDS Telecom Channels 7 and 1007, DTC Channels 198 and 498, Charter/Spectrum Channel 198 and AT&T/U-verse Channel 99.

Wilson Countys YouTube page will also have a recording of Mayor Huttos address.

It is an honor to deliver the State of the County Address. We have so many great things to brag about in Wilson County that we have to present the Address two times each year! We rank as one of the top counties in the state, and we believe that is because of the amazing people who live and work here, Mayor Hutto said. We hope to get these great facts out to as many citizens as possible on March 26th. Our office would especially like to thank the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and Wilson Bank & Trust for helping make this possible.
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A federal judge said California cannot enforce a state law meant to shield children from online content that could harm them mentally or physically.

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled on Thursday that the trade group NetChoice deserved a preliminary injunction because it was likely to show the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act violated its members' free speech rights under the Constitution's First Amendment.

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NetChoice said the law would turn its 39 members, including Amazon.com, Google, Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms, Netflix and Elon Musk's X, into state-deputized censors and "censor the internet under the guise of privacy."

The office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed disappointment on Friday, and said he "remains committed to tackling this issue and to defending California's common-sense statutes." It plans to respond to the decision in court.

Ambika Kumar, a lawyer for NetChoice, called the law "a breathtaking act of unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, content-based censorship. We are pleased to see it enjoined."

Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022, California's law required businesses to create reports addressing whether their online platforms could harm children, and take steps before launch to reduce the risks.

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It also required businesses to estimate ages of child users and configure privacy settings for them, or provide high settings for everyone. Civil fines could reach $2,500 per child for negligence and $7,500 per child for intentional violations.

In her 56-page decision, Freeman said the law imposed significant burdens and was not narrowly tailored to advance California's alleged compelling interest in protecting children from bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation, sleep loss and other harms.

"A regulation that focuses on the emotive impact of speech on its audience is content-based, and therefore must be drawn as narrowly as possible," the San Jose, California, judge wrote. "The state has not shown that the (law) is narrowly drawn here."

Freeman also enjoined the law in September 2023. A federal appeals court set aside part of her injunction last August and ordered a reassessment. The law was supposed to take effect last July.

The case is NetChoice LLC et al v Bonta, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 22-08861.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Richard Chang)
Six charged in jail fight

Six men were recently charged in a Lake County Jail fight on Feb. 3 that left a prisoner with a broken eye socket.

Stephon Joiner, Jailin David, Dexter Gilbert Jr., Robert Hudson, Damonte Jones, and Gregory Turner Jr., are all charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

Police wrote the fight started over miscounted lunch trays. The prisoner appeared to argue with Joiner first before others got involved.

Crown Point man gets 135 months for child porn

U.S. District Judge Gretchen Lund sentenced a Crown Point man Thursday to 135 months  just over 11 years  for sending child porn on a group chat.

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Adam Lee Taylor, 45, pleaded guilty in November to distributing child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay said in a release.

He will serve five years on supervised release after prison and has to pay $6,000 in restitution for support services for victims of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.

Federal authorities accused Taylor of uploading at least six videos to an encrypted group chat on Nov. 8, 2022. After a search warrant, police found more child porn.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Heater prosecuted, while defense lawyer Joseph Roberts represented Taylor. The FBI and Indiana State Police Forensics Unit investigated.

Gary man charged after driving 3X legal limit; killed motorcyclist in 2018

A Gary man is facing charges after driving three times the legal limit for drunken driving.

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Santiago Marquez, 42, is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person.

His next court hearing is March 19. He is being held without bail till March 27, when it is set at $5,000 cash surety.

A Lake County Sheriffs deputy pulled his grey SUV over on Ridge Road near Chase Street at 2 a.m. March 10 going 79 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. He blew a .27 on a breathalyzer, court records state.

Filings show Marquez was convicted after hitting and killing motorcyclist Marcus Harris, 40, in July 2018 near 5th Avenue and Colfax Street.

mcolias@post-trib.com
The Helsinki District Court in Finland found Voislav Tordenin (Jan Petrovsky), the founder and former commander of the Rusich military group, guilty of committing war crimes in Ukraine and sentenced him to life imprisonment on 14 March.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Finnish public service media company Yle

Details: During the hearing, the prosecution argued that the evidence available suggested Tordenin had committed five criminal acts in Luhansk Oblast on 5 September 2014. The court dismissed one of the charges.

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The charges relate to Tordenin's activities in the Rusich neo-Nazi military group, which fought on the side of the so-called Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) militants and which is backed by Russia.

The charge sheet stated that Tordenin, as a deputy commander, not only shot Ukrainian soldiers himself but also gave orders to others to do so. The evidence of the crimes mostly consists of video recordings, as the group filmed and posted these videos online.

At the trial, Tordenin denied all charges and denied any involvement in war crimes.

Background:

In February last year, Tordenin was sentenced to two years in prison in Finland for twice violating a ban to enter the country.

In December 2023, the Finnish Supreme Court ruled that the man could not be extradited to Ukraine because he would allegedly face degrading treatment there.

In October 2024 it became known that the Finnish Central Criminal Police had completed a preliminary investigation into Tordenin.

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A coyote bit a childs hand after it aggressively approached students at a bus stop in Washington, officials said.

Wildlife officers responded to the latest incident at 7:50 p.m. March 11 in Bellevues Factoria neighborhood, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a news release.

The child was bit on the hand by the wild animal and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

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Officers said they found two coyotes at the scene and killed one. The second animal ran off, so they are increasing patrols in the area.

There were four previous incidents reported regarding a coyote in the area, officials said.

March 6 : A woman was sitting on her back patio at about 5:15 a.m. in the Norwood Village neighborhood when a coyote bit her leg, officials said. She ran into her home and later went to a hospital.

March 7 : A coyote went into a mans garage at about 3 p.m. in the Factoria neighborhood and bit him on the leg. He also went to a hospital for his injuries.

March 7 : A student left her backpack on a sidewalk as she waited to be picked up near Tyee Middle School, officials said. A coyote snatched the backpack and ran into a bush.

March 11: A coyote approached students at a bus stop and tried to bite them, ripped their clothes and tried to take a backpack, officials said. The students were able to get on the bus after nearby adults intervened.

Bellevue is about a 10-mile drive east from Seattle.

What to know about coyotes

Coyotes can be found almost anywhere in North America, including in cities and neighborhoods, according to National Geographic.

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Adaptabilitythats the main reason for the success of the coyote. A coyote is naturally adaptable because it eats such a wide range of food, National Geographic reported. If it cant find mice or voles to eat, lizards, insects, or even garbage will do.

Heres how experts say you can avoid conflicts with coyotes:

Dont feed coyotes: Feeding a coyote in a residential neighborhood can cause the animal to lose its fear of people.

Dont let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, dont let pets out without a leash.

Dont run from a coyote: Instead, you should shout, wave your arms or throw something in its direction.

Dont haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.

Report aggressive coyotes: If the coyote doesnt show fear toward humans, let wildlife officials know.

Officers wrangle coyote by its tail from odd hiding spot in Aldi, Illinois video shows

Coyote looks like its doing backflip in snow  but photos show whats really happening

Coyotes and dogs die after poison is left in popular hiking area, Arizona officials say
SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI)  A home on Randall Street in Smithfield caught fire Thursday afternoon.

Smithfield Deputy Fire Chief Steve Quattrini said the fire started just before 1 p.m. and crews were met with heavy flames as they arrived on scene.

No one was injured.

The American Red Cross said its providing assistance to a family of three adults.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Quattrini said it may have been due to a wood-burning stove in the basement.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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MADISON  The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a number of criminal justice proposals on Thursday, which will now head to the state Senate. The bills include provisions for increasing penalties for those who kill or injure K9 officers, require notification for parents if a child is believed to be a victim of sexual misconduct by a school employee, and increasing penalties for child trafficking, among others.

State Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, issued a press release about the legislation. My Republican colleagues and I are serious about keeping our communities safe, Armstrong said in the press release. To mention a few, some of todays bills protect our states children, another ensures that district attorneys cant drop charges for serious crimes without a judges permission, and another makes it easier to revoke a criminals extended supervision if they reoffend. These are all commonsense proposals, and Im pleased that several of them  but unfortunately not all  enjoyed bipartisan support.

I dont want to sugarcoat anything at this point, he said. If we dont bring in the funds, the plan is we would have to close on May 1. Right now, were about $450,000 short, about six months worth, of where we need to be in the budget to be able to keep it open year-round. This isnt just a one time support. We really need to increase support year over year to be able to plan ahead and have the shelter be open.

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Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Minor said that the city of Eau Claire was notified of the problem by local Catholic priests in the area on Tuesday.

Mentioning the shock the community had with the sudden announcement of the HSHS hospital closures last year, he said the priests just wanted to be proactive in this case and look at the situation from a community standpoint. Are there other solutions out there, other ways we could look at to keep this a viable option?

A group of representatives from the city, the county, the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, and the Catholic Church met early that afternoon.

We have at least two, if not three, subsequent meetings coming up over the next month to continue to talk about the situation and what options we can identify, Minor said. This is critical to our community. If Catholic Charities is not able to keep it open come May, thats just going to exasperate the problem that we already have. I think, as a community, we have to look at this and see what can be done.

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Grover said that the financial situation the shelter has been facing began in 2020 during the pandemic and seems to be affecting many non-profits.

I think we have seen folks are giving less, and some of that is residual from COVID, Grover said. And to be honest as well, I think the last couple of years, people have been economically strained as well. Its kind of that perfect storm. People havent maybe come back from giving as much as they might have and theres also a lot of uncertainty not just with individuals, but within the greater business community as well.

He said that they rely on donations from both individuals and businesses, and that the organization is working to try to increase those donations.

But I think there is a lot of anxiety when it comes to economics right now, he said. I think that the problems were seeing arent just what were experiencing. Non-profit agencies all over the country are dealing with a lot of the same issues.

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Grover specified that the financial issue is not due to any federal grant limitations as the organization does not currently receive federal grants.

He said the biggest issue is that theyve been seeing a real drop off from private donors.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse is a separate legal entity from the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, though it works in partnership with the Diocese and receives some of its funding from the diocese.

When asked if the renovations to the building in 2023 were contributing to the increased costs in operating, Grover said, I dont want to say that it has had no effect, but the truth of the matter is the real effect has come down to a decrease in donations and foundational support. Even if we hadnt done the renovation, we would be facing some of the same issues.

This is a really really important issue that we have to solve and I want to see the city council and our city be a part of the partnership that is forming to basically support Sojourner House, said City Council member Andrew Werthmann.
Critics poured cold water on Trump White House counselor Alina Habba and Fox News Sean Hannity for mocking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) over her former job as a bartender on Thursday.

Habba and Hannity were questioning the notion that Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) are leading the intellectual thought of the Democratic Party when Hannity called out Ocasio-Cortezs criticism of top Donald Trump ally Elon Musk, sarcastically saying the New York Democrat is such a genius.

Habba chimed in: You were in the bar. You were in a bar. You were in a bar, AOC. Calm down. And not to have a drink, to serve one.

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Exactly, Hannity laughed.

Critics quickly condemned the commentary, the latest in a long line of jabs about Ocasio-Cortezs time in the service industry.

Many on social media suggested it exposed GOP hypocrisy as it attempts to paint itself as the party of the working class.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has hit back at similar attacks before, is yet to respond.

The party of the workers mocking the bartenders https://t.co/d9rvoXseuQ  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) March 14, 2025

Republicans have become so anti-worker it's amazing.   David  (@DaveSixFour) March 14, 2025

So the implication here is that bartenders are morons? I stand with our brave men and women bartenders.  OfCourse (@OfC0rse) March 14, 2025

Ive never understood how somehow it is considered an insult to mention that someone worked in a restaurant when they were younger. If Trumps dad wasnt a slum lord and he had to grow up working class hed be selling used cars right now. https://t.co/G9PER8ZoVz  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 14, 2025

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AOC went from serving drinks to writing laws. Habba went from serving Trump to embarrassing herself on national TV.  Nikos (@NikosReggae) March 14, 2025

Whats wrong with working class people?  Timothy Bellman (@Timothy_Bellman) March 14, 2025

The party of 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' and it's professional puppets like @seanhannity sure loves mocking people who actually did exactly that.  A Very British Dad in America (@MChowdry) March 14, 2025

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(Bloomberg) -- Senka Ugrin hasnt delivered a single baby in more than two years. The 62-year-old midwife works in the only maternity ward in the southern Croatian town of Sinj and remembers a time when hundreds of babies were being born within its walls. Soon the unit will close due to a lack of business. Its a scenario being played out across an ageing Eastern Europe which is experiencing its lowest birth rates in 250 years.

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Birth rates are cratering in many countries, and at all levels of income, around the world, leaving governments scrambling to figure out why so that they can try to reverse the trend to avoid economic and social crises. Croatias population has dropped by a fifth to 3.8 million people since it gained independence after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, with many people moving abroad for higher paid jobs. Those who stayed are having fewer, or no, children at all.

The fall in Croatia isnt even the steepest in Eastern Europe  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Lithuania  have all experienced greater declines. But Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovics government is one of the most active looking for solutions, and one of the most willing to accept migration  so far on the basis of short-term work permits  as part of efforts to find a fix.

We need to stop it, said Minister of Demographics and Immigration Ivan Sipic in the capital, Zagreb. Our economic security, our defense security, our very survival is at stake.

The minister, a native of Sinj, said authorities are preparing new legislation, dubbed Lex Specialis, aimed at increasing birth rates and bringing back the diaspora. He called it a horizontal demographic effort across all levels of government and including all ministries.

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Some 769 million ($822 million) will be set aside to finance the effort in 2026, according to Sipic, in the countrys biggest ever baby package. Thats up from the 685 million, nearly 1% of gross domestic product, it is spending this year. He wouldnt be drawn on details but said preventing the demise of towns like Sinj is a priority.

Known for a centuries-old equestrian competition held each summer, the town is emblematic of changes across Croatia. Its population has shrunk by about 12% to 23,000 since 1991, when the war for independence turned hundreds of thousands of citizens into refugees some of whom, in particular ethnic Serbs, never came back. More people, mostly young workers and families, left when the country joined the European Union in 2013.

Sinjs maternity ward has just a couple of beds for birthing and recovery, and two local gynecologists on call. Most pregnant women opt to give birth in the better equipped hospitals of Split, a major tourist destination on the Adriatic coast, roughly 40 kilometers (24 miles) away.

Leading Croat demographer Stjepan Sterc says the facility is caught in a vicious cycle of dwindling births and falling investment. And local authorities now plan to convert it into part of the clinics growing palliative care unit  another indication of Croatias ageing population. More than 40% of those living in the town are over the age of 50.

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Of the 20 countries to have recorded the fastest population drops over the past three decades, 17 are in Eastern Europe, meaning the region as whole is experiencing the worlds worst fall, the most recent World Bank data, from 2023, show. The others are St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Marshall Islands and Puerto Rico.

Thats largely because those who emigrated over decades stayed abroad, and so generations of Eastern Europeans have been giving birth outside the region. Though life has improved substantially since the fall of communism, structurally not enough has changed to keep the young at home, or bring them back, with Poland a notable recent exception. Wages are lower than in other parts of Europe; education, pension and healthcare systems need to be reformed; corruption and commitment to rule of law are generally still a problem.

Its also because women in Eastern Europe are having an average of 1.49 children, stubbornly below the 2.1 required for a population to be maintained.

You need to provide financial incentives, but this is not enough, said Iris Goldner Lang, a professor of EU law at the University of Zagreb, and chair of UNESCOs Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Inter-Cultural Dialogue. People with small children or people thinking of having children, are thinking where they want their children to grow up, or whether staying here or moving away will increase their chances of being successful and happy.

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Sipic, a member of the socially-conservative Homeland Movement party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, said authorities are committed to tackling these issues, including corruption. Since EU accession, a dozen ministers have left their jobs amid allegations of graft. One former prime minister is serving jail time. Throughout the post-war period, Croatia has been dominated by a single political party  the Croatian Democratic Union.

If Croatia keeps aging and shrinking at this rate, it may lose a million people by the end of the century, Sipic said. The minister, a theologian by training, called on young people to perhaps be a little less self-indulgent and have kids to help save the nation, a message likely to come across as old guard statism among, at least some of, the very people the government is trying to embrace.

How pensions will be paid and who will provide key services, meanwhile, is a dilemma that keeps growing. The government is already subsiding pension payouts from the budget because the worker to retiree ratio is 1.1 to 1, when it should be 1.4 to 1, according to Sterc, who advises the demography ministry, set up just last year. The timing and depth of any economic crisis depends on whether gaps in the labor market can be filled by foreign workers, he said.

Authorities lifted a quota on foreign workers in 2021, and some 113,000 migrants from as far away as the Philippines, India and Nepal, are currently in the country. But few have put down roots. And most of them fill low-skilled jobs in the booming tourism sector when Croatia also needs highly skilled workers, including doctors, nurses, and IT experts.

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As Croatia decides whether it wants such people to stay and be integrated into society or to continue issuing short-term work permits only, it will have to navigate delicate conversations that far-right populists can try to exploit.

Elsewhere in the region, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rose to power through the promotion of a nativist worldview that rejects immigration from outside some of the least multicultural parts of Europe and wants women to make more babies, then stay at home to raise them. His bi-annual demography summits have attracted global leaders like Italys Giorgia Meloni and UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage. And his latest incentive to boost birth rates  a tax relief to mothers with two or more children  was praised by Tesla owner and head of US President Donald Trumps cost-cutting and deregulation effort, Elon Musk.

But Orban has now become a target for political foes, and tensions are surfacing, as he is also forced to acknowledge that the economy is desperate for foreign labor.

Croatias dynamics are different. Although the rising cost of goods is putting pressure on the government, its economy expanded by 3.8% last year, making it one of the fastest-growing in the EU, along with Poland. And it is staunchly pro-EU. The Homeland Movement Party has been gaining momentum since it was set up in 2020, entering government for the first time after elections last April. In doing so, it has has softened its stance on many social issues, saying policies should be based on best European practices. Some of its followers are more hardline, however.

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Croatia, like the rest of Europe, is becoming a society of individuals. The richer the society, the more radical individualism, said Tihomir Cipek, political science professor at the University of Zagreb.

With the arrival of Trump and other populist movements, societies may go back to being a group, a tribe, and doing things that are good for the nation, like having more children if thats needed  well see how this phase develops, he said. But talking about other remedies, boosting population by foreign immigration, most countries in eastern Europe are not countries of immigration. Governments and societies dont seem ready to accept that, yet.

As for Sinj, when in February a baby girl was born in the towns maternity ward  the clinics first birth in more than two years  it was only because the mother was unable to reach Split in time. Any direct investment through the new law is likely to come too late; the units closure is all but inevitable, according to Marko Radja, head of the regions primary-level health care.

Some staff will retire. Others, like Ugrin, will probably work until they, too, can stop working aged 65.

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Thats reality, said Radja. In the last two had half years in Croatia, there have been more births in helicopters than in Sinj.

--With assistance from Slav Okov and Marton Kasnyik.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a 45.75 million euro loan to Albanias state-owned energy company, Operatori i Shperndarjes se Energjise Elektrike (OSHEE), to help restructure its debt and support energy sector modernization, Trend reports.

The loan will refinance part of OSHEEs 81.5 million euros in short-term commercial bank loans, originally secured in 2021 to fund electricity imports during high global energy prices. The restructuring will provide OSHEE with a more sustainable long-term financing arrangement and free up capital for green investments.

As part of the project, OSHEE has committed to investing up to 45 million euros over the next four years to strengthen Albanias electricity distribution grid, improve network stability, and support the integration of renewable energy sources. The agreement also includes technical assistance to enhance employee training and improve long-term investment planning.

The financing agreements were signed by EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone, Albanias Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj, and OSHEE Administrator Enea Karakaci. The EBRD has invested more than 2.2 billion euros in Albania through 159 projects to date.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. (WJTV)  Crystal Springs police arrested a pastor on multiple charges, including statutory rape and sexual battery.

According to investigators, arrest warrants were executed for Christopher Willett, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs, on Tuesday, March 11.

Off-duty Jackson officer charged with domestic violence after crash

Willett was charged with statutory rape, sexual battery, intercourse (unnatural), computer luring of person and child pornography. Police said he could face additional charges.

Christopher Willett (Courtesy: Crystal Springs Police Dept.)

Willett is being held in the Copiah County Jail with no bond.

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BALTIMORE  Just hours after empty coal train E730 rolled through the Howard Street Tunnel at 3:35 a.m. Feb. 1, a small army of contractors and CSX workers arrived to begin removing the 1.7-mile tunnels single track.

The 100-car coal train was the last through the 1895 Baltimore & Ohio tunnel, which will be shut down for six to eight months as work on the double-stack clearance project continues around the clock, seven days a week.

For now that means detouring 16 scheduled trains per day  five merchandise pairs, two pairs of intermodal trains and two locals  plus unscheduled unit train moves of coal, grain and other bulk commodities.

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CSX is using a couple of detour routes over rival Norfolk Southern.





One relies on existing trackage rights over NS between Youngstown and Ashtabula, Ohio, a route that links the former B&O main line with the former New York Central Water Level Route. This allows traffic to bypass Howard Street by running around the horn via Cumberland, Maryland, and Buffalo and Selkirk, New York.

We began to route trains daily via the Youngstown Branch in a phased approach about five months ago while we had ongoing track work north and in the tunnel in anticipation of the full closure. We are currently routing two merchandise train pairs over this route, railroad spokeswoman Sheriee Bowman said.

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Second, on Feb. 1 CSX began using temporary trackage rights over NS between Hagerstown, Maryland, and Philadelphia.

We are currently rerouting four trains a day, Bowman said.





While the tunnel is closed, CSX has truncated its Philadelphia-Jacksonville, Florida, intermodal train pair, I032/I033. The hotshots now originate or terminate at Curtis Bay Yard in Baltimore, south of the tunnel.

Executives say the railroad has preserved service for every customer that uses trains that previously were routed through the Howard Street Tunnel, even if it means trucking some freight to its final destination.

(Graphic: CSX)

Up to 200 people are working on the tunnel itself, as well as the three remaining bridge clearance projects north of the tunnel, says Brandon Knapp, the railroads Baltimore-based senior director of design and construction.

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CSX is increasing clearance to 21 feet by excavating the tunnel floor and installing new precast concrete inverts that will be tied into the tunnels existing footing.

The top of rail in most locations is going down between 2 and 3 feet, so well be excavating down about 5 feet in most locations to be able to build back up, Knapp said.

(Graphic: Maryland Department of Transportation)

One of the challenges of working in a tunnel, he says, is that there are only two ways in and out. Crews deliver new construction material via the north portal, while excavated material is removed via the south portal. CSX will shuttle the material to its Mount Winans Yard in air dump gondola cars. Bayview Yard will serve as a secondary dump site for whats expected to be the removal of 27,000 cubic yards of ballast, brick and soil from the tunnel floor.

Another challenge: managing the water that constantly seeps into the tunnel.

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This is a free-draining tunnel. There is quite a bit of water that comes in here, Knapp said.





Howard Street, a major city thoroughfare, and the Baltimore light rail system run above the tunnel.

We certainly dont expect to have any impact on the neighborhood above, Knapp said.

(Graphic: Maryland Department of Transportation)

But just in case, an array of sensors is keeping an eye out for any ground movement up on the surface.

Weve worked with the city and worked with the [Maryland Transit Administration] to be able to install those monitoring points to make sure that were getting good information, Knapp said. If were seeing any sort of movement, well take action.

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One of the adjacent bridge clearance projects is anything but run of the mill.

The four-arch North Avenue stone bridge  just north of the north tunnel portal  spans CSX, Amtrak and Baltimore light rail tracks, as well as Jones Falls. Overlapping infrastructure in the compact area complicates matters: The CSX main line sits atop Amtraks B&P Tunnel.

Its a very interesting structure. Its the location where the Amtrak B&P Tunnel comes underneath us, Knapp said. We actually sit essentially on a bridge over top of their tunnel, and then we have North Avenue over the top of us.

That, of course, meant that the only way to gain clearance was to go up. CSX is replacing one of the stone arches with a steel girder span. Clearance work is wrapping up at Guilford Avenue, while the Harford Avenue and North Avenue projects arent expected to be completed until early 2026.

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Were doing our best right now to help accelerate that schedule, Knapp said.

Once construction is complete  including the bridge clearance projects  CSX will be able to run double-stack intermodal service in the I-95 Corridor.

CSX also will be able to provide double-stack service between Chicago and the Port of Baltimore for the first time via the former B&O main. The railroad began double-stack service to the port in October after final clearance work was completed on bridges between Philadelphia and Baltimore. The service links the port with Chicago and other Midwestern destinations  but currently via the roundabout Philadelphia-New Jersey-Selkirk-Cleveland route thats about 350 miles longer than the direct route via the B&O.

The Howard Street project has been a long time coming. CSX had discussed it for decades, but the estimated $1 billion to $3 billion price tag was a showstopper.

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Weve been talking about Howard Street my entire career  20 years, Chief Financial Officer Sean Pelkey says. And forever it was Howard Street is the bottleneck in the network. It will never be fixed.

But CSX engineers learned from the Virginia Avenue Tunnel clearance project in Washington, which was completed in 2016. A 2016 study, conducted by CSX and the Maryland Department of Transportation, determined that the Howard Street Tunnel was structurally sound and did not need replacement or major reconstruction as part of a clearance project. The study also found that engineering advances would allow for the tunnel to be improved at a much lower cost.

Funding for the $566 million project includes $247.5 million from the state of Maryland, $170.75 million from CSX, $125 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $22.75 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The project includes the tunnel itself as well as 22 bridges between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

The Howard Street Tunnel was the centerpiece of the B&Os Baltimore Belt Line, which was built between 1890 and 1895 to create a through route through the city. The Belt Line  the first electrified railroad in the U.S.  allowed the B&O to connect its yard in Mount Clare, on the west side of Baltimore, to Bayview Junction on the east side.

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When built, the Howard Street Tunnel was 7,341 feet long and consisted of three sections: A 300-foot cut-and-cover section at the south end; a 5,900-foot section bored through rock and loose soil; and a 1,150-foot cut-and-cover section.

A pair of 20th century projects extended the tunnel to its current 8,700-foot length. In 1982, CSX extended the tunnel south by 1,393 feet as part of construction of the elevated Interstate 395. In the early 1990s, the southern end was extended by an additional 50 feet to allow the new light rail line to cross the CSX track.

Knapp says hes impressed with the craftsmanship and design of the brick-lined tunnel.

The tunnel is still in actually very good condition, he said.

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In a separate project begun last year, CSX has completed a reconfiguration of the yard in Cumberland that nearly doubles the flat-switching capacity of the former hump yard. This has allowed the former Baltimore & Ohio main line to handle merchandise traffic moving between the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest that had been routed the long way around via Selkirk on the former New York Central Water Level Route.

Related:

Improved Cumberland, Maryland, yard helps CSX reduce train starts

The post CSX detours 16-plus trains per day as Baltimore tunnel work begins appeared first on FreightWaves.
A motorcyclist is in critical condition following a crash in Berlin on Thursday.

The crash was reported around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Farmington Avenue and Lower Lane and involved a motorcycle and another vehicle, according to Drew Gallupe, deputy chief of the Berlin Police Department.

Gallupe said officers found that the motorcyclist, a 34-year-old Middletown man, was headed west on Farmington Avenue when he collided with a vehicle facing east that was waiting to turn left into the Stop & Shop driveway. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries.

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Gallupe said Life Star was initially called to the scene and was later canceled. The victim was taken in an ambulance to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. He was later flown on Life Star from New Britain to Hartford Hospital, where he remained in critical condition in the afternoon hours Friday, Gallupe said.

The driver of the vehicle involved did not report any injuries.

The Mid-State Accident Reconstruction Squad responded to the scene and is investigating the crash. Police are asking for the publics help finding the driver of a white Toyota RAV4 that was seen in the area and could possibly serve as a witness to the crash, according to Gallupe.

The Toyota driver was seen pulling into the Stop & Shop driveway and stopping briefly before continuing into the supermarkets parking area, Gallupe said, adding that investigators would like to speak to any occupants of the vehicle. Police released a photo of the vehicle on Friday.

Anyone with information is asked by police to call Officer Brendan Clark at 860-828-7080.
As President Donald Trumps administration and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slash federal spending, a new WalletHub study looks at which states are most and least dependent on federal funding in 2025.

The Lone Star state ranked in the middle of the pack, coming in at No. 38 overall in WalletHubs ranking.

Heres what else the study found.

How WalletHub came up with its rankings

WalletHub measured federal dependency in each state using three key metrics:

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Return on Taxes Paid To the Federal Government: WalletHub calculated this metric by dividing the amount of federal funding received in each state by the IRS collections from each state.

Share of Federal Jobs: The percentage of state workers employed by the federal government.

Federal Funding as a Share of State Revenue: The proportion of a states budget sourced from federal dollars in the form of intergovernmental aid, as of 2022.

Researchers compiled data from the IRS, Census Bureau, USAspending.gov and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate a score for each state and rank them accordingly.

Texas had a total score of 32.54 in WalletHubs study. It ranked No. 48 for both the amount of federal contracts received and the amount of grants received.

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Which states are the most federally dependent?

According to WalletHub, the top five most federally dependent states in 2025:

Alaska : More than half of its revenue comes from federal dollars, driven by high infrastructure costs, frequent natural disasters, and defense spending.

Kentucky: For every tax dollar residents pay, the state receives $3.35 in federal funding.

West Virginia: Nearly half of the states budget is powered by federal funds, returning $2.72 for every dollar paid in taxes.

Mississippi: Heavy reliance on federal assistance for social programs and disaster relief keeps it high on the dependency list.

South Carolina: Despite economic growth, it remains deeply dependent on federal subsidies.

Which states are the least federally dependent?

On the flip side, states with robust economies, high tax revenue, and fewer federal jobs have less reliance on federal money. The five least federally dependent states in 2025, according to WalletHub, are:
"We need your help."

That was the start of an email sent to staff at Zablocki VA Medical Center late Tuesday, detailing plans for coping with the loss of half the members of its supply team in recent weeks.

Under a contingency plan created by the VA, effective immediately, hospital staff were asked to retrieve medical instruments and supplies from the basement instead of relying on the well-stocked units within their wing usually managed by supply technicians.

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It's the latest squeeze of an already-depleted team of caregivers, employees say, and increases the risk of delayed patient care.

The loss of half the team that manages medical supplies and essential goods across the VA's facilities is the result of the Deferred Resignation Program and mass firings of probationary employees coordinated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and mega-billionaire Elon Musk, along with a hiring freeze ordered by President Donald Trump.

A spokesman for the VA said the cuts would not harm veterans' care.

"The Zablocki VA Medical Center is meeting its supply chain requirements by delegating duties across the remaining staff," VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz told the Journal Sentinel in an emailed statement. "There is no negative impact to clinical operations and Veteran care."

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The VA has a unique place within the federal entities targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency's push to radically shrink the federal workforce. Republicans have attempted to underline their support for veterans while defending the cuts; Democrats have blasted the decisions.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, dismissed the VA's planned layoffs of as many as 83,000 workers in a Wednesday morning WisPolitics event near the U.S. Capitol as "just a report" and said the cuts haven't yet happened. Instead, Johnson suggested bipartisan support for the VA and veterans is strong  to the point that it has bloated the workforce.

Everybody  bipartisan basis  will vote for (funding for veterans) to the point where we overfund it, Johnson said. He said the VA is not a particularly efficient organization.

One thing you dont have to worry about being underfunded is support for veterans, Johnson said. Doesnt happen. He said the VA receives substantial funding and insisted that is not going to change.

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U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, said in a Tuesday press release the Trump administration's assertion that cutting 83,000 VA employees will have no impact on veterans' care and benefits is "blatantly dishonest."

On Thursday, a California federal judge ordered six federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, to rehire thousands of workers with probationary status fired in February. Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, though some are longtime federal employees who have been promoted to new positions.

It's not yet known how the judge's order will affect Zablocki. Michele Malone, president of Local 3 AFGE representing Zablocki employees, said that in the 2021 transition from Trump to former president Joe Biden, wrongfully terminated VA workers were reinstated, offered backpay, or given lump sums for damages.

Protesters attend a rally in support of federal workers who have been terminated on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center at 5000 W. National Ave. in Milwaukee.

Veterans, employees push back against inefficiency claims

James Stancil, a 61-year-old veteran, was among the Zablocki employees laid off by the VA in February. He wasn't surprised to hear about the need for a contingency plan, which would change the cleaning schedule of utility rooms, eliminate a majority of the "cough stations" that provide masks, tissues and hand sanitizer in across the facilities and force care providers to travel to the basement to pick up medical supplies.

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"They basically cut an entire shift of workers," Stancil said.

As a fully trained technician who only had a couple months left of his probationary period, he said the situation is like watching a house burn down across the street, knowing he could help if only he were allowed.

"It wasn't the right place to make those cuts," Stancil said. "I understand the need to cut waste, but what was the point of this?"

It's unclear if Stancil's job will be reinstated.

William Townsend, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1732, which represents the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics, said that mass cuts like this will have a domino effect on an already exhausted workforce where "every job at the VA has a purpose."

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In the meantime, the possibility of imminent cuts continues to have a seismic effect on the mental health of staff. Townsend is also feeling the weight of that unpredictability.

"We're not getting rich working for the VA, but employment brings about a sense of service, a sense of pride in being able to help your fellow veterans. That's really important," Townsend said. "My service is helping one of my brothers or sisters. It's more than just a job. It's us continuing our service to our country."

In the days since he was fired, Stancil has created a GoFundMe focused on getting necessities like food, shelter and clothing to military veterans like him following what he, advocates and now a federal judge have called illegal firings. "We are the throwaway service men and women who wanted nothing more than to continue serving our country and you," Stancil wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Townsend said Sen. Johnson's criticisms of the VA being inefficient are a lie. Townsend, a disabled veteran who served in Iraq, doesn't like to think about his time overseas. But he knows that without the VA he was at risk of suicide and becoming homeless after his return from Iraq.

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Townsend went from being a patient at the VA to an employee at the Madison VA through the Veterans Rehabilitation and Education Act. He was connected with a therapist, whom he still sees, and went through employment training to reintegrate after his service.

"I went to the VA at the lowest point in my life, and it was the VA that actually saved me," Townsend said. "So these lies saying that the VA is inefficient and that the VA doesn't care about veterans, that's a bunch of bull."

Lawrence Andrea from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Johnson says VA overfunded as Zablocki staff face cuts, uncertainty
CYNTHIANA, Ky. (FOX 56)  Its a life Keela Milner never expected for her son.

In the middle of the night one night, he was ten days old when this happened; he was crying a lot, said Milner. And then when I changed his diaper, there was blood.

Her son Ozney was diagnosed with NEC, which is a gastrointestinal condition where the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and dies.

Lexington on edge following third deadly shooting, urges community action

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When we went to the hospital, they did x-rays and stuff and showed that he did have NEC, Milner said. And thats when they told me babies dont live from this; we were put in the ICU.

Baby Ozneys life started in the hospital, and hes rarely seen the outside since.

Our whole life has just been turned upside down, added Milner. Like my daughter never stayed away from me, and now that Im in the hospital with him, shes been staying with my mom.

She told FOX 56 that her doctors believe the NEC was caused by Similac formula, which wouldnt be the first time the product has been under fire.

Lawsuits against the formula allege the manufacturer failed to warn about the risk of NEC. It also claims Similac increased the likelihood of NEC in premature babies.

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With Ozney being full term, Milner said she is struggling to seek justice.

No lawyer can pick him up because he wasnt a preemie, Milner explained. So from what I gather from all the doctors, preemies are normally who get this because they cant fight off the NEC from the formula. But Ozney was a full-term baby that cant fight it off.

She said its been one battle after another, which is when a lifelong friend decided to lend a helping hand.

You need support; you need to have a backbone, said Milners friend Bethany Cox. Ive tried to be that for Keela, and I hope I have. And for Keela to have someone always willing, like when she goes into the hospital, I make sure that I reach out to the community for help.

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Cox started a GoFundMe for Ozney, hoping to relieve some of the financial burden off of Milner and her family.

But she said the biggest way shes trying to help is by seeking answers.

If theres a lawyer that can take his case to find these answers, help change the law to get this to where theres not only help for Ozney but maybe theres another mother out there struggling, Cox added.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Doctors told Milner her son likely wouldnt make it to a year. But now, at 11 months old. Ozney is home for now.

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Hes a tough little guy, Milner said. All he knows is to fight, and thats what he does.

FOX 56 News has contacted Abbott Public Affairs, which handles media inquiries regarding Similac formula.

We dont know the details of this situation. Our formulas have been trusted by families and pediatricians for 100 years. As it relates to our preterm infant formula and human milk fortifiers, these products are part of the standard of care for premature infants and have been used safely for 45 years, nourishing generations of NICU babies. The FDA, NIH, CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, the NEC Society, neonatologists and others have affirmed that preterm infant nutrition products are safe, do not cause NEC and are vital to the care of premature infants. Lawsuits involving these products seek to advance a theory that is not based in science and is not supported by the medical community or the health regulators in the U.S, Abbott Public Affairs said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn co-sponsored legislation aimed at preventing another infant formula shortage like the U.S. experienced during the pandemic. (Photo via Getty Images)

This week in Washington, D.C., Iowas all-Republican congressional delegation have introduced legislation to lower costs of crop insurance and baby formula.

Nunn proposes tax credit for U.S.-manufactured infant formula

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn introduced legislation Monday he says will help prevent another baby formula shortage from occurring.

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The Infant Formula Made in America Act of 2025, co-led by U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pennsylvania, and Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut, was proposed in response to the 2022 infant formula shortage. The shortage has been attributed to a combination of factors, primarily supply chain issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recall of Abbott Nutrition products after two infants died from a bacterial infection after drinking formula manufactured at a Michigan Abbott Nutrition plant.

Datasembly found that 43% of total consumption of baby formula in the U.S. was accounted for by the Michigan factory, which went out of stock during the recall and subsequent shutdown as the facility investigated the infection.

The Center for American Progress stated that three domestic producers, Abbott, Mead-Johnson, and Nestle, supply roughly 98% of all formula in the country, leading to massive shortages and price hikes when infections or other problems occur at these facilities.

Nunn said in a news release the legislation is an attempt to encourage more manufacturers to enter the infant formula industry. The legislation would create a transferrable tax credit for small domestic infant formula manufacturers, with businesses able to receive a credit equal to 30% of their qualified investment each year, and a production tax credit of $2 per pound of infant formula produced.

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Just few years ago, millions of parents were scrambling to feed their babies  some even traveling miles or paying out-of-this-world prices just to get the formula their child needed, Nunn said in a statement. We may be past that crisis now, but we should work to stop this from ever happening again. By supporting small-sized American manufacturers making infant formula, we can prevent another shortage and keep children fed and happy.

Feenstra introduces legislation to extend lower crop insurance costs for beginning farmers

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, alongside U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, introduced a bill Friday they said will help lower crop insurance costs for new farmers.

Under current law, federal crop and livestock insurance programs give certain exemptions and more benefits to beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as veteran farmers and ranchers, for a period of five years. The Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act proposes extending these provisions to a period of 10 years, which Feenstra said would align with other federal beginning farmer programs.

Born and raised in rural Iowa, ensuring that the next generation of Iowa farmers and producers can continue long-held family traditions and grow the food and fuel that our nation and the world depend on is important to me, vital to our economy, and critical to our national security, Feenstra said in a statement. To keep our farmland in the hands of Iowa farmers and away from China and our foreign adversaries, we need to cut operating costs for our young and beginning farmers so that they can grow, compete, and succeed  instead of calling it quits because of financial barriers.  This relief will help our young producers plant their roots in our rural communities, promote farm profitability, and strengthen Iowas status as the breadbasket to the world.

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A companion bill has also been brought forward in the Senate by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, also spoke about the importance of crop insurance Tuesday in a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing. She introduced Caleb Hopkins, a loan production officer for Dakota Mac in Halbur, who told the committee that crop insurance is the number one risk management tool in the belt for ag lenders, especially when facing uncertainty caused by natural disasters.

Ernst said crop insurance is the most effective and reliable risk management tool available to farmers that must remain affordable and accessible.

Over the years, Congress has approved multiple rounds of ad hoc disaster payments to help farmers recover from severe weather events, Ernst said. While these payments offer relief in times of crisis, they are slow, they are unpredictable, and subject to political gridlock  leaving farmers uncertain about when or if help will actually arrive. Iowa farmers  who have faced multiple natural disasters in recent years  have made it clear that they need certainty and protection in real time, not months or years after the damage is done.
The Kremlin has said it is cautiously optimistic about a ceasefire in Ukraine after a late-night meeting with the US envoy Steve Witkoff. But Putin will need a phone call with President Trump to settle any outstanding issues.



Kamal and Cleo speak to ally of President Trump, Secretary Robert Wilkie, and Ukraine: The Latest presenter Dom Nicholls who was with the UK Defence Secretary John Healey when he travelled to Paris for the emergency security summit this week.

And as an exclusive Telegraph poll reveals that Reform is likely to win big in the local elections, we assess the state of play in Westminster, with trouble brewing for the Government. The PM faces a rebellion on welfare cuts next week and there are more economic headwinds for Rachel Reeves with her spring statement fast approaching...

Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)  The Danville Fire Department will be hosting a community engagement event with the Red Cross to install fire alarms on Saturday.

On March 15 at noon, the fire department will be installing fire alarms in Lockett Drive and Kemper Road areas.

Join the Fun, Roanoke St. Patricks Day Parade & Shamrock Festival is this weekend

Crews will be going door to door as a part of a commitment to ensure homes have working fire alarms.

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If you or someone you know need working alarms, keep an eye out for Danville Fire Department teams.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Through the first weeks of March, attack ads have been playing on South Dakota televisions, and a truck with a video display has been driving near the Capitol in Pierre.

The ads claim that a group of state-level lawmakers from different states are sabotaging the goals of President Donald Trump, and one of the targets of these ads is Republican South Dakota State Senator Tim Reed.

KELOLAND News spoke with Reed on Thursday, who gave his thoughts on why he was targeted. It comes down to a bill he sponsored  SB154.

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The bill is an act to prohibit pharmaceutical manufacturers from interfering in contracts between 340B entities and pharmacies.

House rejects veto override of child care bill

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was established in 1992 and requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide discounts on certain drugs to eligible organizations with the goal of serving low-income and uninsured patients.

We had a bill that overwhelmingly passed both chambers here and was also signed by the governor that was against Big Pharma, said the Senator from Brookings. They were discriminating with a 340B program and they were stopping our local pharmacies, mostly our small town pharmacies, from able to participate in the program. And we all know how important those rural pharmacies are.

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Reed said this bill was why the group behind the ads  Building Americas Future  is attacking him.

The attack ads had nothing to do with the actual, you know, the actual bill that, again, overwhelmingly passed, Reed said.

Building Americas Future is a dark money group in national politics. Its sources of funding are not publicly available, though The New York Times has reported that it has raised over $100 million, and The Wall Street Journal reports that one if its dozen donors is billionaire-turned-Trump-official Elon Musk.

The organizations  its dark money. You dont know whos all involved with it, said Reed. I know, being involved with these types of bills before, that a lot of time its backed by big pharmaceutical companies.

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Reed said he hadnt exactly expected a national attack campaign against him when he brought the bill, but he also said he isnt shocked.

Ive been involved with a few other bills that are trying to hold the Big Pharma accountable, said Reed. Theyve made huge profits, and here theyre trying to squeeze, you know, our rural hospitals and pharmacies for even more money.

As for the effect, Reed says he has gotten comments from people and calls from constituents, but most of those have been supportive. Within the legislature, everybody knew that what [the ads] were saying wasnt true and really had nothing to do with the bill, he said. Ive heard from across the state people that are upset at the attack ads.

One thing that stood out to Reed about the attacks was the timing, appearing in the past two weeks.

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The bill passed, I think it was over two weeks ago, and the governor signed it here a few days ago, said Reed. They continue to run the ad  the bill passed overwhelmingly. So it was really a failure on their part.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. According to the State Statistics Committee, Azerbaijan produced industrial goods worth 10.7 billion manat ($6.2 billion) in the first two months of this year, reflecting a 1.9 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, MP Vugar Bayramov said on his social media account, Trend reports.

"In the first two months of this year, industrial production in the oil and gas sector fell by 3.2 percent, while the non-oil and gas sector saw a 6.7 percent increase. Additionally, crude oil production decreased by 6.2 percent, while natural gas output saw a slight increase of 0.1 percent.

60.9 percent of industrial goods were produced in the mining sector, 31.8 percent in manufacturing, 6.4 percent in electricity, gas, and steam production, distribution, and supply, and 0.9 percent in water supply and waste management. He pointed out that due to the significant share of the mining sector in the overall structure, the decline in oil and gas production had a direct impact on the total industrial output.

Despite the decline in industrial production during the first two months of 2025, growth in the sector is anticipated to recover in the coming months. The downturn in the oil and gas industry is largely attributed to seasonal factors. As a result, the projected growth rate for the industry in 2025 is expected to be realized by the end of the year," Bayramov said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
March 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1794, Eli Whitney was granted a patent for the cotton gin.

In 1812, the U.S. government authorized the issue of America's first war bonds -- to pay for military equipment for use against the British.

In 1950, the FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list appeared for the first time.

In 1951, Seoul was recaptured by U.N. troops during the Korean War as part of Operation Ripper, also known as the Fourth Battle of Seoul.

John McCain is purportedly rescued from Truc Bach Lake by the Vietnamese after his plane was shot down October 26, 1967. On March 14, 1973, McCain -- the future U.S. senator from Arizona -- and 107 other American prisoners of war were released by North Vietnam. UPI File Photo

In 1964, Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby was convicted of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the assumed assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Ruby was sentenced to death but the conviction was overturned and he died of cancer while awaiting a new trial.

File Photo by Frank Johnston/UPI

Former Congolese rebel commander Thomas Lubanga (C) sits in a court room in the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, on March 14, 2012. File Photo by Evert-Jan Daniels/EPA

In 1973, Navy pilot John McCain -- the future U.S. senator from Arizona -- and 107 other American prisoners of war were released by North Vietnam. He spent more than five years in a prison camp after his plane was shot down.

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In 1991, scientists reported the discovery of the gene that triggers colon cancer.

Organized by the United Nations Civil Assistance Command, the distribution of a daily ration of rice to the population of Seoul started three days after the liberation of the city on March 17, 1951. On March 14, 1951, Seoul was recaptured by U.N. troops during the Korean War. File Photo courtesy of the United Nations

In 1991, citing fresh evidence, a British appeals court overturned the convictions of the so-called Birmingham Six, who were sentenced to life in prison for the bombings of two pubs in 1974, the bloodiest assault by the Irish Republican Army on the British mainland. The false conviction of the six men, who were released, is seen one of the worst miscarriages of justice in modern British history.

In 2004, Vladimir Putin easily won re-election as president of Russia. He won a third term in 2012.

Chinese President Xi Jinping listens to a speech by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the opening of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress being held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2017. Xi began his term as president March 14, 2013. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

File Photo by Goran Tomasevic/UPI

In 2009, Australian authorities said a 230-ton oil spill from a Hong Kong-registered freighter caused an environmental disaster along nearly 40 miles of beach off the Queensland coast.

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In 2012, the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, in its first verdict as a permanent war crimes tribunal, found Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga guilty of using children in war.

In 2013, Xi Jinping began his 10-year term as president of China.

In 2023, a Russia fighter jet collided with an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing the unmanned military craft to crash into the Black Sea.
Federal agencies were required to submit downsizing plans by Thursday night as part of the Department of Government Efficiencys plan to carry out mass firings across government  but its unclear what comes next.

Elon Musks DOGE will work with the Office of Personnel Management  the governments human resources department  to review each agencys plans before carrying out the firings, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. But legal scholars say there are countless legal questions surrounding these large-scale firings that remain unanswered.

Not only are there millions of legal questions cascading out, but the million legal questions change with each different move of the political strategy, Don Kettl, former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, told The Washington Post.

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Thursdays deadline coincided with decisions from two federal judges ruling that President Donald Trumps administration must reinstate thousands of probationary workers who were fired as part of DOGEs work.

Federal agencies were required to submit plans for mass firings to the Office of Personnel Management and Elon Musks DOGE by Thursday night (REUTERS)

As questions mount, Rice University political science professor Mark Jones tells Reuters the Trump administration is in a rush to carry out these firings before the presidents honeymoon period ends.

"The Trump administration knows that it has a limited time horizon," Jones told the outlet. "The risk is they cut too much, or they don't cut strategically, and it has negative blowbacks in terms of the ability of the federal government to function."

Employment lawyer Kevin Owen argues that Trump wants to make agencies dysfunctional so he can dismantle them further down the road.

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Theyre breaking government agencies so that down the road they can point to it and say, Thats not working; we can get rid of it. Thats whats going on here, Owen told the Post.

A demonstrator holds a sign as they protest Musks DOGE (AP)

Federal employment attorney Debra DAgostino voiced a similar concern.

I dont think they really think through how much we rely on the federal government, she told the Post. Our food is safe to eat, our water is safe to drink, we can get on public transportation. Theres many things a government does that we dont notice on a day-to-day basis, but were surely going to notice if they stop happening.

What is clear, though, is that the White House expects this move to result in a mass reduction of the federal workforce.

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This reduction will streamline our broken bureaucracy, save taxpayers millions of dollars and make the government more efficient for all, Leavitt said.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields also told The Independent that all of Trumps executive actions are lawful, constitutional, and intended to deliver on the promises he made to the American people.

Partisan elected officials and judicial activists who seek to legally obstruct President Trumps agenda are defying the will of 77 million Americans who overwhelmingly re-elected President Trump, and their efforts will fail, Fields said. The Trump Administration is prepared to fight these battles in court and will prevail.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  If it seems like death penalty cases drag out in the courts already, new legislation introduced on Thursday would ensure that the process slows down even more.

Senate Bill 350 (SB350) changes the time frame surrounding execution orders. Instead of current requirements that the warrant for carrying out the death penalty be issued with a window of 60 to 90 days, SB350 would make it a window of 180 to 270 days.

Legal challenges that are common in such cases often lead to a second or even third warrant, which is required to set the week when for the execution within 15 to 30 days. SB350 would change that to 180 to 270 days.

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Rebas Law at Nevada Legislature toughens penalties for animal cruelty, torture

The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. James Ohrenschall, would allow lawyers more time to explore legal options and file lawsuits.

ALSO THURSDAY: A bill designed to keep guns out of the hands of people in serious mental distress was introduced at the Nevada Legislature.

SB347 builds on existing laws that allow police to place people on a mental health crisis hold. That authority can be used to hold a person  but not for more than 72 hours  for transport, assessment, evaluation, intervention and treatment during a mental health crisis.

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Shocked: Lawmaker bristles at where funds come from to bury Nevadas indigent prisoners

Democratic Sens. Melanie Scheible and Nicole Cannizzaro want to expand that authority to include the confiscation of firearms, either owned or in the persons possession. When the person is released, they will be provided with procedures for getting the firearm(s) back and police will also be notified.

But the return would not be immediate. The law enforcement agency would have 30 days to file a petition in district court to determine the dangers of returning the firearm. The person would be informed of the procedure for requesting a hearing on the matter and the consequences for failing to do so.

If a court determines that the return of a firearm would result in a substantial likelihood of serious harm to the person or others, the court may authorize the law enforcement agency to retain possession, sell, destroy, trade or donate the firearm.

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A second House Democrat has died in little more than a week.

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva died Thursday morning after a lengthy battle with lung cancer, his office said in a statement. He was 77.

Grijalva had been planning to step down after this term. The statement said his death was due to complications from his cancer treatment.

More than two decades ago, Rep. Grijalva embarked on a journey to be a voice for Southern Arizonans in Washington, D.C, the statement, signed by his staff, said. Driven by his community values and spirit, he worked tirelessly and accomplished so much  for Arizona and for the country.

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Grijalva was first elected to Congress in 2002. During his tenure, he chaired the House Natural Resources Committee and co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Rep. Raul Grijalva speaks at a press conference at the US Capitol on April 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill H.R. 8393, the Puerto Rico Status Act, that could move Puerto Rico away from its current status as a U.S. territory. / Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

Last Wednesday, another House Democrat died after experiencing a medical emergency following Donald Trump address to Congress. Rep. Sylvester Turner, 70, was a congressional freshman from Texas. He had previously served as the mayor of Houston for eight years.

The two deaths widen a previously razor-thin margin in the House. Now, Republicans hold a 218-213 majority, making it even harder for Democrats to block President Donald Trumps disruptive legislative agenda. Three Republicans would now have to defect in order for the Democrats to succeed.

Grijalva, who was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, has missed almost every vote while he has been receiving treatment over the last year. He did make an appearance in Congress to cast a vote for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker.

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Last month, an op-ed in a local Arizona newspaper called for him to resign over the fact that he wasnt casting votes.

Given the mans long service, it isnt easy to say, but I have to be cold and cruel, wrote Blake Morlock, who said he knew Grijalva personally, in The Tuscon Sentinel. Grijalva hasnt indicated hell be able to get back to work in the near future. His longterm illness has left the 7th Congressional District of Arizona without a vote in what the federal government does to it. Thats not acceptable. The time has come.
By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The death toll from a militant hijacking of a train in Pakistan's southwestern mountains has risen to 31 soldiers, staff and civilians, the military said on Friday as it accused India and Afghanistan of backing the insurgents.

The separatist Baloch Liberation Army, which claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack, released a statement saying its fighters had escaped with 214 hostages and since executed all of them, without giving any evidence to back that up.

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Militants took over the Jaffar Express in a remote mountain pass in Balochistan province, blowing up train tracks in the attack then holding passengers hostage in a day-long standoff.

Army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said soldiers killed 33 of the insurgents, rescued 354 hostages and brought the siege to a close. He added there was nothing to suggest the BLA had taken other hostages from the scene.

A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack and rescue mission, Chaudhry said, up from a previous estimate of 25 casualties.

He added that Pakistan had evidence that India and Afghanistan had backed the insurgents, echoing accusations made by the foreign ministry after the attack. Both countries have denied the accusation.

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The separatist group released a statement in response to the army, saying it had killed all the hostages in its custody. Pakistani officials have accused the group of making exaggerated claims in the past.

"This battle is not over yet but has intensified," the BLA said in its statement.

The BLA is the largest and strongest of several ethnic Baloch insurgent groups which have been fighting for decades to win independence for the mineral-rich province, home to major China-led projects including a port and gold and copper mines.

(This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of the army spokesperson's name to Ahmed, not Ahmad, in paragraph 4)

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Additional reporting by Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Andrew Heavens and William Mallard)
Mar. 13The early front-runner to secure the Democratic nomination for governor, Deb Haaland, got a divorce in February, according to court records reviewed by the Journal.

The split from her ex-husband Lloyd "Skip" Sayre comes after three and a half years of marriage and during the early days of her gubernatorial bid.

"After thoughtful discussion and consideration, we made the decision to end our marriage. We take this step with deep respect for each other and an appreciation for the time we spent together," a spokesperson for Haaland's campaign said in a statement. "We appreciate respect for our privacy on this personal matter."

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Documents in 2nd Judicial District Court in Bernalillo County state incompatibility as the reason for the divorce and list Haaland as the petitioner.

"I will support her for governor. I've supported her her entire political career, and this will not change that," Sayre told the Journal on Thursday.

He added that the publicity of the campaign was not a factor in the divorce.

Will it affect her run for governor?

Haaland is vying to succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, whose second term ends in 2026.

"Voters typically do not care about marital status, and single and married candidates fare equally well," Jennifer Lawless, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, wrote to the Journal. "The challenge with a divorce, of course, is being able to navigate a difficult personal time and a competitive statewide election simultaneously ... If candidates who are in the process of getting divorced tend not to fare well, it's likely because of the personal toll the change in circumstances takes."

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Divorces haven't been a big deal to a campaign for decades, according Jessica Feezell, an associate professor with the Department of Political Science at the University of New Mexico, pointing to Ronald Reagan who became the first elected president to have been divorced in 1980.

"I think that this is a personal matter, and the challenges that New Mexico faces, are, I think, bigger than this," Feezell told the Journal.

Those sentiments were echoed by Brian Sanderoff, a New Mexico political expert and president of Research & Polling Inc.

"I think we're way beyond that in society these days," Sanderoff said Thursday. "I would not expect a divorce to impact, to hurt her in a political campaign, frankly."

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New Mexico had the second-highest divorce rate in the country in 2022, according to a study from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University.

"Many of us have been divorced, a high proportion of New Mexicans and Americans have unfortunately experienced divorce," Sanderoff said. "Many of our elected officials, the same. It just seems to be a nonissue anymore in American politics."

He added that Haaland's early fundraising figures  over $2 million to date  give her in edge in the race.

"At this point, her strategy seems to be to raise as much money as soon as possible to dissuade other Democrats from entering the race," Sanderoff said.

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Few challengers to Haaland have emerged so far, but former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima told the Journal in February that he launched an exploratory committee to weigh a potential run.

There is around a year until the primary and roughly 20 months until the gubernatorial race.

"The most important thing voters want to know about a candidate is how their vision would make their lives better and if they believe that person can deliver on that vision," Karen Finney, a political consultant and spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run, wrote to the Journal. "It's very unlikely to be an issue in the election."
An empty high school classroom. (Dan Forer | Getty Images)

Its unlikely the candidates for state Superintendent will debate ahead of the April 1 election with incumbent Jill Underly turning down three opportunities and education consultant Brittany Kinser declining one.

The race for the nonpartisan state superintendent will appear on voters ballots alongside the high-profile state Supreme Court race. While the race is not as high profile as the campaign for Supreme Court, the results will be consequential for education in Wisconsin. The winner will be responsible for overseeing Wisconsins 421 public school districts and leading the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)  an agency whose responsibilities include administering state and federal funds, licensing teachers, developing educational curriculum and state assessments and advocating for public education.

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Underly, who is running for her second term in office, is running on a platform of advocating for the states public schools and has the support and financial backing of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Kinser, who is running on a platform of improving reading and math education, is a school choice advocate and has the backing of Republicans, with financial support from the Republican Party of Wisconsin and backing from billionaire Republican mega-donors.

Underly, after missing a Wispolitics forum ahead of the primary, told the Examiner that February was a busy month and she would be open to attending a forum in March before the primary. The day of the Wispolitics meeting Underly said that she had to attend a meeting of the UW Board of Regents and also attended a press conference about federal payments not going out to Head Start programs.

March is not as busy, Underly said at the time. I have other meetings and things that are standard, but like, February is just unreasonable Youre traveling so much and youve got a lot of obligations, so its hard right now, so yes, you know, next month, if there are forums and I dont have a standing conflict.

Since the primary, Underly has declined three debate opportunities.

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The Milwaukee Press Club along with WisPolitics and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee will host an event March 25, and said it invited both candidates to participate but Underlys campaign spokesperson said she was unavailable.

Marquette Law Schools Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education will host an event with Kinser on Thursday. Kevin Conway, Associate Director of University Communication, said the center extended invitations to both candidates for a general election debate ahead of the February primary.

While all candidates agreed in concept, the Lubar Center was subsequently unable to confirm a program time with the Underly campaign, Conway said. Given the circumstances, the Lubar Center pivoted to offering Get to Know programs to both candidates, and the Kinser campaign accepted.

WISN-12 had invited both candidates a chance to debate on UpFront, the channels Sunday public affairs program.

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So far, we cannot get both candidates to agree on a date, WISN 12 News Director Matt Sinn said in an email.

Underly said in a statement to the Examiner that her job as superintendent requires every minute I can give it, which means making choices which matter the most for our kids future, and advocating on their behalf every single day.

Underly has agreed to a forum being hosted by the Wisconsin Public Education Network, a nonpartisan public education advocacy group, and the NAACP.

Unfortunately the dates did not work for other debates, but we were able to agree to the Wisconsin Public Education Network forum, which is the forum for the education community, she said.

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WPEN Executive Director Heather DuBois Bourenane said WPEN had communicated with all of the candidates about a general election forum before the primary and the NAACP followed up with Kinser after the primary.

Kinsers campaign ended up declining.

DuBois Bourenane told the Examiner that the group is hoping Kinser will reconsider, noting that they want to have a fair and friendly conversation with the candidates to talk about their vision for Wisconsin kids. She said the League of Women Voters was also supposed to cohost the event, but the group doesnt sponsor events where only one candidate participates.

Its unfortunate that voters arent going to have an opportunity to hear from the candidates directly, DuBois Bourenane said. We hope Ms. Kinser will reconsider We would love to have her at the event, and as we said in our email, make every effort to make sure that its fair and that the questions reflect the concerns that are most pressing to Wisconsin kids.

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Underly said that Kinsers decision to decline speaks volumes that after working for years to defund public schools she doesnt want to show up and answer questions from public school advocates.

Kinsers campaign noted Underly declined each forum being hosted by members of the press, and accused Underly of hiding.

Wisconsinites deserve to hear from the candidates who will be responsible for our childrens future. Brittany Kinser has, when possible, made herself available to any organization, group, or voter who wants to learn more about her plans to restore high standards so every student can read, write, and do math well, the campaign stated, adding that Kinser would continue meeting with voters ahead of Election Day.

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Updated at 10:56 a.m. on March 14, 2025



Until the second Trump administration took over, the National Institutes of Healththe worlds single largest public funder of biomedical researchwas not in the business of canceling its grants. Of the more than 60,000 research awards the agency issues each year, it goes on to terminate, on average, maybe 20 of them, and usually only because of serious problems, such as flagrant misconduct, fraud, or an ethical breach that could harm study participants. I have been involved with legitimate grant terminations, one former NIH official, who worked at the agency for many years, told me. I can count them on the fingers of one hand.

Yet, in a few weeks, the administration has forced the agency to terminate so many of its active research grantsall seemingly on political groundsthat none of the dozen NIH officials I spoke with for this story could say for certain how many termination letters had gone out. Most thought that the number was now well above 100, and would likely continue to rapidly climb. This morning, in a meeting of grants-management staff, officials were told that approximately a thousand more grants could be targeted for termination, beginning today, one official told me. If the administration had not already, in a matter of weeks, exceeded the total number of cancellations the NIH has executed in the past decade, it will soonperhaps within hours.

The NIHan agency that has long prided itself on its mission of science funded by scientistsspends most of its $47 billion annual budget on driving biomedical innovation: developing new drugs and vaccines, containing epidemics, treating cancer, mitigating the harms of heart disease. But the growing scope of cancellations is revealing how willing Donald Trumps administration is to claw back those resources for political reasons. (All of the current and former NIH officials I spoke with for this story requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the federal government; the NIH did not respond to a request for comment.)

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This spate of terminations is the Trump administrations most aggressive attempt so far to forcibly reshape American science to match its agenda. At the same time, this might also be the most ham-fisted. Many officials told me that, as one succinctly put it, theyre just going in and picking random grants to terminate. Although the administration has said it doesnt want to fund science that touches on certain conceptsgender, DEI, vaccine hesitancythe terminations so far have few discernible criteria, and dont operate by consistent protocols; in several cases, they end projects that are only tangentially related to the topics the administration wants to purge. If anything, the grant cancellations have become a game of whack-a-mole, in which political appointees take a mallet to any seemingly relevant research projects that pop into viewwithout regard to the damage they might do.

Notice of grant terminations has arrived from NIH officials, on NIH letterhead. But the decisions about which grants to cancel and why are primarily being made outside the agency, with pressure coming from the Department of Health and Human Services, several NIH officials told me.

The first round of cancellations, which began on the evening of February 28, focused mainly on grants that included a DEI component or involved transgender participants; officials at the agency were also told to cut off funding to projects that allot money to China. Another round, which began on Monday evening, targets grants that mention vaccine hesitancy or uptake; that same night, the NIH posted on X that it would cut $250 million in grants from Columbia University, one of several institutions that the Trump administrations Department of Education is investigating for antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Two officials told me they expect several more rounds of cancellations, and several said that, based on recent emails sent to staff, grants involving mRNA vaccines, as well as grants that send funds to work in South Africa, may be next. (HHS did not respond to a request for comment.)

The list of grants related to vaccine hesitancy that officials were told to cancel targets dozens of projects. Somesuch as a study of vaccine uptake in Alaska Native communitieswere perhaps obvious choices, because they so directly addressed vaccine attitudes. But the list also included studies that use vaccine hesitancy as just one of several variables to mathematically model disease transmission. And several researchers who have dedicated their career to studying vaccine behaviors have not yet heard that their grants have been affected. Alison Buttenheim, a behavioral scientist at Penn Nursing, has been watching colleagues grants on vaccine uptake get canceled, but as far as she knows, her own NIH-funded work on vaccine hesitancy is still actively funded, though she expects that to change. I figure its only days until its axed, she told me.

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Its unclear why some of us are getting them or not, Brittany Charlton, who directs the LGBTQ research center at Harvards school of public health, told me. One of her colleagues, Nancy Krieger, told me that shed received a termination letter for a study about measuring discrimination in clinical settings (including sexism and stigma about sexual orientation or transgender identity). But Charlton has yet to receive a letter for her own NIH-funded studies, which focus much more directly on LGBTQ populations.

One NIH official put it more bluntly: It is such utter and complete chaos. In advance of the terminations, several officials told me, agency leadership solicited lists of grants that might, for instance, promote gender ideology, or that involved certain types of vaccine-behavior research. NIH officials responded with curated lists of research projects, in several cases including only the bare-minimum number of grants with the most relevance. But many officials then received back spreadsheets populated with a subset of the grants from their own lists, along with several other grants that made only passing mention of the targeted topics. It was as if, one official told me, someone had performed a Ctrl+F search for certain terms, then copied and pasted the results. Multiple rounds of terminations in, officials at some NIH institutes are still unclear on how this new system of cancellations is supposed to work. Nearly two months after Trumps executive order on cutting DEI programming, for instance, we still havent gotten a definition of DEI, one official said.

Typically, each NIH grant is shepherded by a team of officials, including at least one program officer, who oversees its scientific components, and a grants-management officer, who handles the budget. When terminations are on the table, those officials are always looped inusually so they can help determine how to remedy the situation. Terminations are the final option, one NIH official told me.

But these recent directions to terminate arrived without warning or the usual steps of deliberation, and they instructed grants-management officers to issue letters by the end of the day they received them, two officials told meleaving no time to push back, or even react. There is zero protocol, one official told me. It is just, We are told, and it is done. In at least one case, an official told me, a program officer learned that their grantees award had been terminated from the grantee.

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The emailed directives also handed NIH officials prewritten justifications for termination. None cited misconduct, fraud, or even low likelihood for success. But the ones targeting research related to transgender people or DEI claimed that the projects in question were antithetical to the scientific inquiry, often unscientific, or ignoring biological realities. The termination-letter templates also noted the NIHs obligation to carefully steward taxpayer dollars, accused the projects of failing to employ federal resources to benefit the well-being of Americans, and cited new agency priorities as a reason for ending studies. Letters issued to several researchers studying vaccines, for instance, stated, It is the policy of NIH not to prioritize research activities that focuses [sic] gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment. The terminations sent to scientists studying LGBTQ populations contained similar language, and in some cases said that their projects provide low returns on investment, and ultimately do not enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness.

Those assertions, though, directly contradict the conclusions of NIH officials and the outside scientists who helped award those grants in the first place. No project can receive NIH funds without first being vetted by multiple panels of experts in the field, who judge each proposal based on criteria such as the lead scientists track record, the rigor of the studys design, and the projects likelihood of addressing a pressing biomedical-research issue. And each proposal submitted to the NIH undergoes two layers of internal review, to ensure that the project meets agency policies and is aligned with the goals of the institute potentially funding it, one official told me.

Several letter recipients told me that their grants had received perfect or near-perfect scores in early reviews; others told me that their results were well on their way to publication, proof of some return on the agencys investment. And all addressed important issues in public health: One, for instance, was studying how stress affects alcohol consumption; another, mpox among men who have sex with men; another, the factors that might influence the success of a future HIV vaccine.





The NIH, a federal agency directed by a political appointee, does sometimes shift its priorities for scientific or ideological reasons. For instance, some NIH institutes have over time gotten pickier about issuing awards to candidate-gene studies, in which researchers try to confirm whether a specific gene affects a biological trait, one official told me. And the first Trump administration placed restrictions on research that could be done using fetal tissue. Both of those shifts, officials said, meant that certain new proposals werent green-lighted. But in neither case was the agency forced to issue mass terminations of projects that had already been declared worthy of funds, officials told me.

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The clearest example that the NIH officials I spoke with could recall of a grant being terminated at the behest of political leadership was also triggered by a Trump administration: During his first term, Trump pressured the agency to terminate a grant that had been issued to the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance, which was partnering with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, in China. But even that cancellation was partly reversed. In general, when an administration changes priorities, they change them going forward, one official said. They dont reach back and terminate awards.

Grant cancellations are tantamount to instantaneous salary cuts for scientists, and can force them to halt studies, fire staff, and tell participants that their time and effort may have been wasted. Jace Flatt, a health and behavioral scientist at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, has had two NIH grants axed, for projects looking at dementia and memory loss in aging LGBTQ populations. If he loses a third NIH grantas he expects to, he told memy lab is gone. Because the terminations arrived without warning, scientists also had no time to prepare: Sarah Nowak, a vaccine researcher at the University of Vermont, told me she found out that her grant investigating childhood vaccine hesitancy in Brazil was likely on the chopping block when she read an article on the vaccine-related grant cuts in The Washington Post on Monday. (Nowak received her letter the next day.)

Many studies, once terminated, would be difficult, if not outright impossible, to restart, Sean Arayasirikul, a medical sociologist at UC Irvine, told me. Medical interventions in clinical trials, for instance, cant simply be paused and picked back up; many studies also rely heavily on collecting data at small and regular intervals, so interruptions are equivalent to massive data holes. Plus, participants released from a study wont always be willing to come back, especially if theyre from communities that medical research has neglected in the past and that already have little reason to place continued trust in scientists. (Arayasirikul received a termination letter for their work investigating how stigma affects HIV preventive care for people of color who are also sexual and gender minorities.)

Terminating grants to match political priorities also creates a fundamental instability in the governments approach to scientific funding. If researchers cant count on grants to carry across administrations, their government-funded work will become a series of short-term sprints, making it harder for science to reliably progress. Biomedical breakthroughsincluding, say, the generation and approval of new drugs, or clinical trials for chronically ill patientstypically take years, sometimes even decades. And for an administration that has premised itself on efficiency, a never-ending loop of funding bait and switch does not exactly make for minimizing waste. This says, At any point, we can just up and change our minds, one NIH official told me. That is not good stewardship of federal dollars.

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Many of the administrations actions might well be illegalespecially its targeting of DEI, which a federal judge recently deemed a potential violation of the First Amendment. But NIH officials have been put in an impossible position, one told me. Their choices are to either carry out the administrations wishes and risk defying court orders or resist the changes at the agency and directly disobey their supervisors, putting themselves at risk of insubordination and therefore unemployment, the official said. Many have been choosing the first option, perhaps because the threat of losing their livelihood has felt so much nearer, and so much more tangible: They have now spent weeks watching colleagues resign, get fired, or be abruptly put on administrative leave. The environment at the agency has become suffocatingly toxic. People are being screamed at, bullied, harassed, one official told me. Some that once protested have since relentedperhaps because they now know that the immediate future will bring only more of the same.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
The Defense Innovation Unit announced on March 14 its awarding contracts to four companies to prototype long-range, single-use drones that can launch quickly, carry a range of payloads and operate in low-bandwidth conditions.

The vendors include two U.S. based companies, Dragoon and AeroVironment, and two Ukrainian firms, unnamed due to safety concerns. The Ukrainian firms are each partnered with a U.S. software company, one with Swan and the other with Auterion. All four firms will test demonstrate their capabilities in April and May, and DIU will make its selections soon after.

The program, called Artemis, was initiated last year by Congress following demand from operators in U.S. European Command and Indo-Pacific Command for low-cost, expendable drones as well as counter-drone capabilities. As part of a supplemental spending package for Ukraine, lawmakers allotted the U.S Defense Department around $35 million and directed it to identify and test low-cost uncrewed systems that can navigate and communicate through jamming and spoofing attempts.

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The intent was to move fast and prove that these systems could be ready to field much faster than a traditional, yearslong defense acquisition program. The Pentagons acquisition and sustainment office delegated the expendable-drone requirement to DIU last August, according to Trent Emeneker, the organizations lead for the effort.

In just three months, DIU solicited proposals, selected 16 promising concepts and staged an initial demonstration last December. Nine of the proposed systems were flight-ready and, from those, officials chose four to advance to the prototyping phase.

Emeneker told Defense News that DIU picked proposals that took different tacks at addressing the need. While there was a requirement for a flight range of at least 50km, two of the drones have a range of about 100km and the other two can fly more than 1,000km. In its solicitation, DIU said the vehicles should be hard to detect and track, have several pathways for two-way communications and be equipped with mission planning software. It also called for modular systems that can integrate new hardware or software in a matter of hours.

The smaller systems DIU is considering cost under $20,000 each, Emeneker said, while the price for the larger drones is closer to $70,000, depending on the cost of things like cameras and other subsystems as well as the number of systems DOD ends up buying.

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The goal, according to DIU, is mass deployment, though its not clear how many drones the department will buy. As part of its evaluation, DIU will consider each vendors production capacity and how quickly it can deliver in large quantities. Emeneker noted that one of the Ukrainian firms is already producing nearly 200 systems each month to support operations against Russian invading forces.

Unlike most other projects DIU takes on, Artemis didnt originate with an acquisition office, but was a congressional interest item, so the organization doesnt have a natural transition partner to buy and field the drones it selects.

Emeneker said DIU has pitched the project to a number of program offices that are working on programs with similar requirements, but its been a challenge to get the services to buy in  and disrupt their current work  before the prototypes have flown.

We have to prove we can do it, and if we cant do it, then I dont blame people for not signing up, he said. But when we prove we can do it  Im confident we will  we have to get that message out of, Hey, this solution works today. Its at the right price point, it is ready, its combat proven.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijani Caspian Sea Shipping Company (ASCO) Rauf Valiyev has met with an Uzbek delegation, led by the Director of the Center for Transport and Logistics Development under the Ministry of Transport Bekzod Khommatov, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, a source in ASCO told Trend.

The members of the delegation, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan and Uzbek Railways, were provided with detailed information on the important initiatives being implemented in Azerbaijan in the field of transport and logistics, as well as the activities of ASCO.

The meeting focused on the significance and relevance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor).

As part of the development of this corridor, attention was given to strengthening Uzbek-Azerbaijani transport links in the Caspian Sea, including addressing new challenges in the ferry transport segment.

The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Joint-Stock Company merged the countrys main fleets, the Azerbaijan State Caspian Sea Shipping Company and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republics Caspian Sea Oil Fleet. The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC has two shipyards and offshore support and commercial fleets. The merchant fleet has 51 ships: 20 tankers, 12 ferries, 16 dry cargo, 1 Ro-Ro, and 2 Ro-Pax. By integrating maritime fleets, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC takes on high-level responsibilities.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DEMING, N.M. (KRQE)  A Deming couple accused of physically and sexually abusing their eight children and making them live in filthy conditions will remain in custody until trial.

Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Jennifer DeLaney granted the states motions to hold Melvin Cordell and his wife, Valerie Cordell, without bond in the Luna County Detention Center as they await trial.

Story continues below

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Melvin Cordell, 50, pleaded not guilty to 24 charges of sexual assault and child abuse. Valerie Cordell, 41, is facing 18 charges.

Investigators believe the Cordells also allowed other people to sexually abuse their children, whose ages range from 16 years old to 6 months, and photograph the kids naked in the shower, according to court documents.

The couples oldest child told investigators that she got pregnant twice and had unwanted sex with her father and at least one other adult relative.

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She also claimed that her parents starved the kids as punishment.

The Sixth Judicial District Attorneys Office said in a news release that the children lived outside, year-round, sleeping on a mattress in a semi-underground cave with 4 to 6-foot tunnels, or in broken-down vehicles.

Officials believe the abuse took place between 2014 and 2024 on a 35-acre property on Opatah Drive NW. Investigators wrote in the criminal complaint that the property resembled a landfill as it was filled with trash, buckets of feces, soiled clothes, rotting food, broken appliances, and more.

Valerie and Melvin Cordell were arrested on Feb. 21, 2025, and booked into the Luna County Detention Center.

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New Mexico State Police began investigating the Cordells in October 2024 after the couples 16-year-old daughter reported the abuse while at the New Mexico National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy in Roswell. The children were placed in protective custody with the state.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Democratic Party was fracturing Friday as a torrent of frustration and anger was unleashed at Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, who faced what they saw as an awful choice: shut the government down or consent to a Republican funding bill that allows President Donald Trump to continue slashing the federal government.

After Schumer announced that he would reluctantly support the bill, he bore the brunt of that anger, including a protest at his office, calls from progressives that he be primaried in 2028 and suggestions that the Democratic Party would soon be looking for new leaders.

Nine other members of the Democratic Caucus  a contingent of mostly swing-state and retiring senators  eventually joined Schumer in voting to advance the Republican funding proposal, providing crucial support to bring it to a final vote. It passed late Friday with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Angus King of Maine voting with Republicans in favor.

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Since their election losses, Democrats have been hunkered against a barrage of Trump's early actions in office, locked out of legislative power and left searching for a plan to regain political momentum. But as Schumer let pass one of the rare moments when the party might regain leverage in Washington, the Democratic Party erupted in a moment of anger that had been building for months.

Many in the party felt the New York Democrat was not showing sufficient fight, arguing that a government shutdown would have forced Trump and Republicans to the negotiating table. Yet for Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since Trump took office in 2016, the choice ultimately came down to preventing a shutdown that he believed would only hand Trump more power and leave his party with the blame for disruptions to government services.

"A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive, Schumer warned on the Senate floor Friday, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency effort led by Elon Musk.

Schumer voted no on the final vote for the funding bill, which only needed a simple majority to pass. Nonetheless, House Democrats released a stream of angry statements and social media posts aimed at Schumer.

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Democratic Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana shared a photo of Trump and Schumer engaged in conversation with the caption, A picture is worth a thousand words!

Even in the Senate, hardly any Democrats were speaking up in support of Schumer's strategy Friday. It was a remarkable turn for the longtime Democratic leader, leaving him standing practically alone.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, his longtime ally and partner in funding fights of the past, said in a statement, Lets be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.

Pelosi added that the senators should listen to the women who lead appropriations for Democrats, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. They had proposed a 30-day stopgap plan instead of the Republican proposal that provides funding until September. The Republican bill will trim $13 billion in non-defense spending from the levels in the 2024 budget year and increase defense spending by $6 billion.

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As House Democrats, who almost all voted against the bill earlier this week, concluded a retreat in northern Virginia Friday, they also called for their Senate colleagues to show more fight. House Democratic leadership rushed back to the Capitol to hold a news conference and urge senators to reject the bill.

We do not want to shutdown the government. But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown, Jeffries said.

He also repeatedly declined to answer questions about whether he had confidence in Schumer.

Other Democrats, such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028 and also visited the Democratic retreat, called for a broader movement. He mentioned the recent 60th anniversary of peaceful civil rights protests in Selma, Alabama, and argued that Democrats need to find collective courage.

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When those individuals marched, there wasnt one voice," Beshear said. "There was a collective courage of that group that changed the world. That day opened up the eyes of the country to what was really going on.

Some were ready to start marching.

Were ready to get out of this building and head back to the Capitol at any moment and prevent the government from shutting down," said Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Now is the moment for Democrats to draw a line in the stand and say that we stand very firmly on the side of working class people and against the ultra-rich that are trying to corrupt our government for themselves, he added.

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Meanwhile, some of the nations most influential progressive groups warned of serious political consequences for Senate Democrats and predicted a fierce backlash when members of Congress return home next week.

Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, which has organized hundreds of protests across the nation, said that nearly 8 in 10 of the groups activists support primary challenges against Senate Dems who cave on the GOP bill.

He wrote on social media that the vast majority of those Democratic activists plan to express their anger at town halls or other public events next week. MoveOn, another progressive group that claims nearly 10 million members nationwide, predicted that its activists would also demand answers from Democratic officials in the coming days

Clearing the way for Donald Trump and Elon Musk to gut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is unacceptable. Its past time for Democrats to fight and stop acting like its business as usual, said Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn.

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Senate Democrats were also mostly unwilling to speak up to defend Schumer's move. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, even suggested that the party should be looking for new leaders in the coming years.

I think come '26, '28, well get some new leadership, he said. His office later said Warnock was answering the question broadly.

Mostly, though, senators just lamented that they had been jammed by a Republican Party that has found a new sense of unity under Trump. For years, House Republicans have not been able to muster votes for government funding on their own, forcing them into bipartisan negotiations. This time, they passed the bill on party lines and left Washington.

Were stuck with two bad choices presented by a unified Republican front," said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat.

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He voted against the bill, yet said of Schumer's decision: These are tough, tough calls."

___

Associated Press writer Leah Askarinam in Washington contributed. Peoples reported from New York and Brown reported from Leesburg, Va.
WASHINGTON  In every government funding fight, each side wins some and loses some. Republican and Democratic leaders keep their cards close to their chests and attempt to negotiate the best possible deal before coming to a compromise.

This time, however, Senate Democratic leadership relied on an early gamble that failed  leaving them with no cards to play by the time it was their turn.

Over the last two years, House Republicans have tried and failed to pass government funding bills without Democratic support to avert a shutdown. It became a leverage point for Democrats, and it gave them a major bargaining chip.

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So its hardly a surprise Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., relied on that strategy again.

The only problem was this time, President Donald Trump is back in the White House  and he managed to do the impossible: Convince nearly every House Republican to vote in favor of the six-month funding resolution and pass it without Democrats. And it worked.

That left Democrats in the Senate without any leverage, which some party members acknowledged early on.

The only time we had any leverage (was if) the Republican needed our votes in the House. The GOP delivered and that effectively iced us out, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said on Thursday. And that forces us to say, Are you gonna shut the government down? Or are you gonna vote for a flawed CR? And now for me, I refuse to shut the government down.

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Senate Democrats debated what to do for days, leaving the party bitterly divided on how to proceed.

Eventually, it all led to Schumer announcing on Thursday night he would vote to end the filibuster  opening the door for other Democrats to do the same and allowing Republicans to vote on their continuing resolution. That reversal came just one day after Schumer warned Republicans they did not have the votes needed to advance the bill, a bluff that did little to sway GOP leaders.

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse, Schumer said on the Senate floor. A shutdown would give Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE  the keys to the city, the state and the country.

That announcement left Democrats across the spectrum angry with the Senate party leader, particularly those in the House representing vulnerable districts who feel they took a risk voting against the CR just to have the Senate fold to GOP pressure.

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House Democratic leadership expressed their opposition to the bill during a press conference on Friday, urging their Democratic colleagues in the Senate to hold the line and vote against cloture.

We do not support a bill that is designed to hurt the American people that Donald Trump and far-right extremist Republicans are trying to jam down the throats of everyday Americans, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on Friday.

Jeffries then engaged in a number of tense exchanges with reporters, particularly after the House Democratic leader declined to say if he still supported Schumer or whether he thought it was time for new leadership in the Senate.

Next question, Jeffries said a number of times when pressed on the matter.

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Others were upset that Schumer is doing little to use what power he has to stop what they view as a dangerously partisan bill.

I cannot underscore enough how incorrect that is, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters on Thursday. What voting for this CR does is that it codifies the chaos and the reckless cuts that Elon Musk has been pursuing, the robbing of our federal government in order to finance tax cuts for billionaires is what is happening. And that is what Senate Democrats will be empowering if they vote for this CR.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., listens to the testimony of the witnesses during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington. | Rod Lamkey

Several Senate Democrats have also expressed disappointment, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who said I cannot support a Republican budget to grease the skids for tax giveaways to billionaires.

At least one Senate member has defended Schumer: Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democratic Party. King told reporters on Friday that Schumer had shown courage in his decision to take the fall for the rest of the party.

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Despite holding control of both chambers in Congress, Republicans still have a math problem in the Senate. To overcome a filibuster, 60 senators must vote to file cloture on a piece of legislation  meaning at least seven Democrats would need to cross party lines to advance the measure.

In this case, Republicans need at least eight Democrats after Republican Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., came out in opposition to the current CR proposal.

Fetterman was an early yes, with Schumer joining as the second with his bombshell announcement.

A growing number of Democratic senators have since come out against the bill, but a handful have not yet publicly indicated how they will vote. The Senate is scheduled to vote on ending the filibuster Friday afternoon, with another vote expected in the evening for final passage.

The government is scheduled to enter a shutdown after midnight on Friday, after which federal funding for a slew of agencies is set to lapse. However, consequences of a shutdown wouldnt be felt until at least Monday, which is likely to be avoided if the CR is passed by the Senate on Friday and delivered to Trump over the weekend.
The current condition of the Democratic Party is nothing if not uncertain. Paralysing anxiety and insecurity are clearly its present state, but glimpses into its possible future are beginning to appear, albeit not from among the partys troubled leadership in Congress.

Case in point, recent machinations from both former first lady Michelle Obama and California governor Gavin Newsom  each of whom has recently launched a podcast. The themes of their respective efforts  Newsoms is politics-focused, Obamas celebrity and lifestyle-themed  are almost inconsequential. What matters is the political and cultural fascination that both are managing to attract. True, Mrs Obama is the more iconic personality of the two. But she and Newsom are sending equally unignorable messages that they may be exploring respective runs for the White House.

America has been down this road before; barely a year ago, in fact  when Joe Bidens frailty became impossible to ignore. Both Obama and Newsom were touted as possible successors, before the force-fields around Kamala Harris permanently closed. She, of course, secured the nomination but lost the nation  paving the way for the whos next? conversations now arriving more quickly than perhaps expected.

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Whats interesting about Obama and Newsom is how much they overlap. Both with Harris and each other. Newsom, like Kamala, is a child of Northern California and its insular, incestuous political machine. Obama and Harris, meanwhile, are both trained lawyers who have race and gender in common. In other words, Newsom and Mrs Obama could each pick up where Harris left off, albeit in different ways: the former in cosplaying as a progressive-turned-centrist, the latter as a candidate who has a legitimate chance of becoming Americas first black, female president.

Both also have something to prove. Newsom that he can adjust to Americas new political mood, which demanded that he suck up to Trump after the new president arrived to inspect wildfire damage. Weeks later, on his podcast debut, Newsom furthered his shift to the centre when he suggested to his guest, Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, that he no longer supports trans athletes competing in female sports.

In Mrs Obamas case, the former first lady needs to convince America that she can escape from her husbands orbit. She needs distance from Barack  but calculated and finely-crafted distance. Sharing her podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson, was a clever bit of co-branding. Could even the revival of rumours about the state of the Obamas marriage be helpful in keeping her in voters minds?

Newsoms behaviour is equally interesting. Armed with his own fortune and Ken-doll persona, Newsom must now realise that hes the most presidential-looking of a decidedly sorry cast of viable Democratic notables. Compared to foul-mouthed Jasmine Crockett or a dour-yet-radical AOC, he is even beginning to look middle-of-the-road and old-fashioned, despite his liberal record in California. Rich, white, straight and male, hes the antithesis of the diversity that progressives fought for decades to impose. But diversity  in both 2016 and eight years later  failed to convince the electorate.

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Another failure was Kamala Harriss avoidance of new media forms  particularly podcasts, which Trump cannily exploited during the election and which both Newsom and Obama are wise to explore now. Low-tech and low-obligation, they are the perfect platform for Democrats in recovery mode from Novembers shellacking. Voters can try on candidates for an episode or three, with no demands for loyalty nor promises of commitment. This may also be why Newsom and, especially, Mrs Obama are tiptoeing into the spotlight via podcast; each can easily pull the plug, with minimal hits to either their legacies  or bottom lines.

Of course it may turn out that neither Gavin Newsom or Michelle Obama actually wants to run for president  but Id be highly surprised if they dont. Newsom has no higher office to which to aspire, while Obama may finally accept that, if she truly wants America to have a black female president, shell have to become it herself. After all, becoming is something Mrs Obama knows all too well. It was the name of the first book she wrote after leaving the White House.

David Christopher Kaufman is a New York Post columnist

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Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart and Assistant Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington talk as the upper chamber prepares to vote on the supplemental budget on March 11, 2025. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

This story will be updated.

The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is expected to meet on Friday afternoon to vote on a budget plan that addresses the immediate Medicaid funding shortfall, in light of the failed supplemental budget, as well as continuing services for the next two fiscal years.

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This move is reminiscent of how the Democratic majority approached the biennial budget last session, when it passed an initial continuing services budget to keep the lights on and then another spending package to incorporate policy changes.

As it did in 2023, this decision is likely to anger Republicans, who have already been expressing concern this session about Democrats passing another party-line budget. Passing a budget in this manner would undermine the minority partys ability to threaten a government shutdown over budget negotiations.

In statements shared on Friday, the presiding officers said the continuing services budget will prioritize core government functions and not include new initiatives, cuts or tax increases. However, the full picture of what is or isnt in this plan will not be known until the Appropriations Committee votes on what to include. It is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. in Augusta.

While we had hoped to pass a responsible supplemental budget to address urgent needs, political brinkmanship prevented that from happening, Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) said. Now, we must focus on passing an initial budget to ensure critical services remain funded and our constituents are not the ones who suffer from partisan gridlock.

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The final blow to the supplemental budget came Thursday when Senate Republicans maintained their opposition to the plan that would have filled the $118 million shortfall for MaineCare, the states Medicaid program, and provided funding for to treat a growing outbreak of spruce budworm, a destructive insect that threatens Maines northern forests. The plan was also amended to include some Republican demands  limits to General Assistance and promised cost-of-living adjustments for certain essential support workers that are being withheld by Gov. Janet Mills administration.

Another addition had been a review of MaineCare for fraud, waste and abuse, but Senate Republicans said it had to include structural reform of the program in order to get their vote.

Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) said on Friday that the supplemental budget negotiations demonstrated that Democrats cant count on Senate Republicans.

We must urgently address the supplemental budget in combination with the biennial budget in order to put Maine people first and end the political posturing, Fecteau said. Democrats are not willing to risk a government shutdown or neglect our states health and well-being. Its time to move forward.

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Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart of Aroostook and House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.

The Democratic leaders said they are encouraging their colleagues across the aisle to support the continuing services plan that will be hashed out Friday. Daughtry, reminiscent of her comments to Maine Morning Star ahead of the final failed supplemental vote on Thursday, added that she believes the fiscal uncertainty being seen in Washington D.C. can be avoided in Maine.

In D.C. on Friday, Congress will decide the fate of a stop-gap spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown on the federal level.

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On Friday, the Senate voted to advance a stopgap spending bill, essentially averting a government shutdown.

But the conclusion of the vote now opens up questions about the future of Chuck Schumers status as the top Democrat in the Senate after he threw Democrats for a loop by announcing late on Thursday evening that he would join with Republicans to support the bill, known as a continuing resolution, to keep the government open.

The way Schumer went about his decision surprised people as much as his actual words. Throughout Thursday, especially after the Democratic luncheon, more Democrats stated their opposition to the continuing resolution that House Republicans had passed on an almost exclusively party line.

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Then, almost as soon as the opposition floodgates began to open, Schumer unprompted, made a speech on the floor saying he would vote for the continuing resolution. That immediately prompted outrage from House Democrats of all stripes. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called it a tremendous mistake on CNN.

Chuck Schumer, leader of the Senate Democratic caucus, faced a revolt from his party (REUTERS)

Schumers announcement did little to quell the opposition to the bill as even swing-state Democrats like Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan came out and opposed it.

If I werent a preacher, Id tell you what kind of no Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia told The Independent. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a part of Schumers leadership team, also opposed it.

But perhaps the most damning part came when the triumvirate of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar left the House Democratic retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, to hold a press conference.

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Throughout the conference, when reporters asked Jeffries if he still had confidence of his fellow Brooklynite Schumer, he deflected, saying next question.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dodged questions about whether he still had confidence in Schumer. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Most Democratic senators refused to say whether this should prompt a change in Democratic leadership, with Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona flat-out saying I don't agree with that.

But Democratic activists made their anger clear.

Leah Greenberg, the co-founder of the progressive organization Indivisible, told The Independent over text that she was swamped by angry calls from leaders across the country who feel betrayed.

I would say that our people are uniform in strongly disagreeing with and feeling betrayed by his strategic call, but even people who actually agree on the ultimate outcome are horrified by how this has been managed, she said.

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To be clear, Democrats had zero good choices here. A government shutdown would have given Donald Trump and Elon Musk license to slash even more.

As much as House leadership said they wanted Republicans to come back to the table and negotiate a bipartisan appropriations bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have no incentive to reopen the government. Plenty of their members might even like a shutdown.

But Democratic activists find themselves increasingly angry and they want to see their elected officials fight back.

I havent heard from anyone who isnt disgusted, Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, told The Independent. We cannot win this way. The problem is that now no matter what he does, he looks weak. Its a colossal self-own.

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In addition, Watts said that any Democratic leader who fails to meet the moment should face a primary challenge.

Schumer has navigated the minefield of being the top Democrat in the Trump era for the eight years. Hes done so with a special level of pluck and affability.

When Democrats held the Senate during Joe Bidens presidency with only 50 votes, he managed to keep everyone from Bernie Sanders to Joe Manchin on the same page, which allowed him to pass consequential legislation. He did so largely by calling senators on his flip phone and raising large sums of money.

Hes a master retail politician who regularly traverses his home state of New York beyond the Big Apple to Upstate, which is how he wins over people who voted for Trump in his elections.

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But Democrats in the Senate and their voters have interpreted his geniality as being too conciliatory. In a time when Democratic voters want to see their party put up a fight against Trump and actively resist him, that makes being the leader in a deliberative body like the Senate much more difficult.

Whether Schumer stays on as leader, he will have shown he was unable to make the case to his caucus that he had made right choice. And now those calls on his flip phone might include some voice messages telling him to step aside.
Democratic committees are set to host town halls across the country to target vulnerable House Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The effort, which has been dubbed Peoples Town Halls, was launched Friday by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC).

The town halls will target Republican Reps. Juan Ciscomani in Arizonas 6th Congressional District, Gabe Evans in Colorados 8th Congressional District, Anna Paulina Luna in Floridas 13th Congressional District, Zach Nunn in Iowas 3rd Congressional District, John James in Michigans Nebraskas 10th Congressional District, Ann Wagner in Missouris 2nd Congressional District, Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvanias 7th Congressional District, and Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvanias 8th Congressional District.

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DNC Chair Ken Martin accused House Republicans of selling out voters by backing the Trump-Musk agenda.

Now theyre terrified to be in the same room as the people who sent them to Washington, Martin said. When 217 House Republicans voted for Donald Trumps billionaire tax handout, each one agreed to destroy Medicaid, keep food from kids and families in need, and target the programs that take care of our veterans  all in service of massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations.

The effort comes after National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) advised House Republicans to avoid in-person town halls in their districts.

That guidance came after a number of Republicans were met with angry attendees at district town halls, which led to videos of these confrontations going viral. Republicans have blamed many of those confrontations on Democratic activists and agitators.

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Several House Democrats told reporters at their annual retreat in Leesburg, Va., this week that they are heading to Republican districts to conduct town halls.

Were filling a void thats left open by our Republican colleagues who are too scared to show up to town halls in their own districts because theyre doing things that are not popular, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) told reporters.

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(NewsNation)  It looks like Democrats will have to wait a while longer for party unity. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Thursday night that he would vote for a Republican-sponsored budget bill to avoid a government shutdown, even while calling the legislation terrible. Its the same bill that House Democrats almost unanimously opposed on Tuesday, in part because House Republicans would not negotiate with them.

The bill, called a continuing resolution, would mostly keep current funding levels through September but would add $6 billion for defense spending and cut $13 billion from nondefense programs. Democrats oppose these cuts, which they say would impact health care, veterans, housing, food programs and more.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called Schumers decision a huge slap in the face, and one that she said leaves her and many Democratic House colleagues feeling betrayed and outraged.

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Nearly half of Americans say economy worsening: Poll

Ocasio-Cortez made these comments to reporters, including NewsNation, while attending the Issues Conference, a three-day retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, for House Democrats.

Through a series of news conferences at the event, it was clear that House Democrats are trying to hone their message to voters: that they are unified in pushing back against President Donald Trumps administration while proactively working to make Americans lives better.

While the Senate is set to vote on the GOP legislation Friday before the midnight funding deadline, its not yet clear whether eight Senate Democrats will join their Republican colleagues and vote for it to pass. But Schumers announcement makes it more likely, muddies any sort of unified front and highlights a leadership vacuum in the party.

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House Democratic leadership made clear their ire at Schumers announcement. Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and caucus chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., released a joint statement late Thursday night saying they remain strongly opposed to the far-right Republican funding bill, one they say will unleash havoc on everyday Americans, giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk even more power to continue dismantling the federal government.

Ironically, Schumer used similar logic to come to his decision. In a speech on the floor of the Senate, he said, A shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now under shutdown.

Trump pushes annexation of Greenland during meeting with NATO secretary

He said the Trump administration would have full authority to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel nonessential and worried that Republicans in Congress would cherry-pick the agencies and services to reopen, leaving others they dont like to languish.

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But Ocasio-Cortez and many others argue that a shutdown is not inevitable and that a 30-day continuing resolution could pass, allowing the parties to negotiate.

While Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NewsNation hes open to giving Democrats a vote on a 30-day funding bill, the chance of it getting the necessary support from GOP senators is slim.

On this continuing resolution, Republicans have outplayed Democrats, forcing them into a difficult decision: Vote for a bill you believe will hurt Americans, or vote for a government shutdown you believe will hurt Americans.

All hope is not lost for Democrats, though. At the Issues Conference, representatives expressed optimism that they were learning lessons from recent election losses and that they could flip the script on Republicans.

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Leading up to Novembers elections, Trump and Republicans would ask, Is your life better today than it was four years ago?

During a news conference for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., asked, 50 plus days into this administration, do you feel better today than you did 50 days ago? He believes its been chaotic and pointed out the fear some of his constituents have over Trumps actions, including tariffs.

During the election cycle, the GOP called out Democrats, saying they were too focused on culture-war issues and not on the economy. Dems are now beating that drum in return.

DOGEs next round of layoffs may harm veterans

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I appear to live rent-free in the minds of some of my Republican colleagues. I wish that they would spend even a fraction of the time that they spend thinking about me, thinking about how to lower the costs for American families, said Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Many members sounded a similar alarm on threats to the economy, housing, education and social safety net programs. Jeffries shared that Democrats would hold a day of action in support of Medicaid, with hundreds of events expected around the country on Tuesday, March 18.

And Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, announced that he and Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, launched a new podcast called The Fly-In to talk about politics and maybe even the Dallas Cowboys. He acknowledged podcasts are an important way to communicate with voters who get their news that way and are a messaging tool Democrats did not take enough advantage of last cycle.

Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., said that Democratic strategist James Carville spoke at the conference and advised Democrats to focus their message versus diluting it by responding to everything Trump does.

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That message is starting to come into focus. Democrats all share a belief that Trump is not focused on cost-of-living issues and instead, in partnership with Elon Musk, is looking to make cuts to programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security to enact tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.

Democrats just havent figured out a unified strategy to fight back. For the sake of their supporters, they need to hurry up.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The meeting between the head of Azerenergy Baba Rzayev and the delegation of Masdar Company headed by the operating director Abdulaziz Alobaidli was held, Trend reports via Azerenergy.

The meeting exchanged views on the current state and prospects of cooperation.

Furthermore, issues related to the operation of the Garadagh solar power plant and the strategy of megaproject implementation were discussed.
By Gabriella Borter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrats plan a series of town hall meetings in highly competitive U.S. House of Representatives districts currently held by Republicans, aiming to tap into anger over President Donald Trump's campaign to aggressively slash the federal government.

The move is an attempt to harness momentum from the eruptions at town halls last month against the Trump cost-cutting campaign led by Elon Musk. Democrats are targeting some of the roughly two dozen competitive seats that will determine control of the House in next year's midterm elections.

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At those meetings, voters decried the Trump administration's firings of federal workers and potential cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and Social Security in the Republicans' budget resolution, which was passed last month.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson last week advised his members to stop hosting in-person town halls.

Americans broadly support the idea of scaling back the federal government but believe Musk is moving too quickly in engineering the firing of tens of thousands of government workers, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

The campaign, organized by the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Association of State Democratic Committees, will kick off next week in 10 competitive districts, a DNC spokesperson said.

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It will continue for the rest of the year in all 50 states.

"We're filling a void that's left open by our Republican colleagues who are too scared to show up to town halls in their own districts because they're doing things that are not popular," Democratic Representative Max Frost of Florida told reporters at a gathering of House Democrats this week.

"That's not fair to their constituents."

TARGETING COMPETITIVE SEATS

The town halls will be hosted by local and national Democratic politicians, including Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, the 2024 vice presidential candidate, the DNC spokesperson said.

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The initial round will target competitive district seats currently held by Republicans Juan Ciscomani in Arizona, Gabe Evans in Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna in Florida, Zach Nunn in Iowa, John James in Michigan, Ann Wagner in Missouri, Don Bacon in Nebraska and Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania.

Representative Bacon accused Nebraska Democrats of using the town hall in his district to bring in "the most liberal Governor in America." Walz is expected to speak there next week.

A spokesperson for Evans said he planned to do his own town halls "in a way that allows constituents' concerns to be heard without being drowned out by yelling activists."

Spokespeople for the other members did not respond to requests for comment.

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Some of those Republican lawmakers targeted by the Democrats' town hall campaign had expressed hesitation about the House budget resolution before ultimately voting in favor of it.

The resolution outlined spending cuts that would likely slash funding for food assistance, Medicare and Medicaid, a program that covers healthcare for low-income Americans.

The House, where Republicans currently have a 218-213 majority, presents Democrats' best chance of regaining some control of the levers of power in Washington in the 2026 midterm elections.

Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and with a few Democratic senators retiring, the odds of their retaking that chamber have slimmed.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Scott Malone, Joe Bavier and David Gregorio)
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., on Jan. 21, 2025 Credit - Tom WilliamsCQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

In a dramatic break with much of their party, ten Senate Democrats voted alongside Republicans on Friday to pass a six-month funding bill, averting a government shutdown with just hours to spare. The move defied a majority of the chamber's Democrats who opposed the measure, underscoring deep divisions over how to confront President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada were among the first Democrats to publicly back the Republican funding bill, arguing that a shutdown would only strengthen Trumps hand. They were joined by six more DemocratsDick Durbin of Illinois, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Gary Peters of Michigan, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshireas well as Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats.

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This was not an easy decision, Cortez Masto, who represents a state that Trump carried last year, said in a statement. Im outraged by the reckless actions of President Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans in control of Congress, so I refuse to hand them a shutdown where they would have free rein to cause more chaos and harm.

For many Democrats, the bill was more than just an unfavorable spending deal; it was a moment to push back against what they see as the Trump Administrations creeping executive overreach. The legislation stripped away numerous funding directives, giving Trump the power to reallocate money as he saw fit without fear of judicial intervention.

Read more: In Averting a Shutdown, Schumer Ignites a Rebellion

The spending measure, which passed the House earlier in the week, was presented to the Senate as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. The vote in the Senate was 62-38, with 37 Democrats opposing the bill along with Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who wanted the measure to codify Trumps cuts to foreign aid.

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Schumers decision to support the bill marked a turn from earlier in the week when he sought a 30-day extension to negotiate a bipartisan compromise. His pivot drew sharp criticism from House Democrats, who had largely united against the measure. At a retreat in Leesburg, Va. Thursday night, they made urgent appeals to their Senate counterparts, with lawmakers texting and calling senators throughout the day. I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told reporters at the retreat. And this is not just about progressive Democrats. This is across the board. The entire party.

Prior to the vote, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democratic appropriator, published a list of examples of programs that the measure could allow Trump to change, such as diverting resources from combating fentanyl to funding mass deportation efforts and giving him more authority to pick which health-care or mental health programs to implement.

Adding to the opposition was the bills treatment of Washington, D.C., which would have been forced to roll back its budget to the prior years levels, requiring $1.1 billion in cuts. Schumer said immediately prior to the vote that he had negotiated a deal with Senate Republicans to pass a D.C. funding fixbut the measure would still need to pass the House, which is on recess.

The political implications of voting with Republicans are uncertain, but the vote ensured that the government would remain funded through September, averting furloughs for federal workers and disruptions to key services.

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However, the anger within the Democratic caucus is likely to linger, and could spell trouble for Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017. While no Senator has publicly called for his ouster, murmurs of discontent have grown louder, particularly among progressives who feel he has conceded too much ground to Republicans.

Here are the nine Democrats, and one independent, who helped avoid a shutdown:

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

The Senate Minority Leader, who has been the chambers top Democrat since 2017, sent shockwaves when he announced he would back the Republican spending bill on Thursday evening.

"While the [continuing resolution] bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse, Schumer said on the Senate floor in announcing his decision.

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He argued that a shutdown would allow Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to accelerate efforts to dismantle federal agencies. A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive, he warned on Friday. Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.

While Schumer framed his support as a necessary step to prevent Republicans from exploiting a shutdown, many in his party saw it as a surrender. His vote, combined with his leadership in pushing the bill forward, has fueled speculation about whether his position atop the Democratic Senate caucus remains tenable. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, when asked on Friday whether Schumer had acquiesced to Trump, Jeffries sidestepped the question: Thats a question that is best addressed by the Senate. Asked if the Senate needed new Democratic leadership following Schumers move, Jeffries replied: Next question.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)

Cortez Masto, who represents a state that Trump carried last year, emphasized that her decision to support the bill was not taken lightly. She cited concerns that a shutdown would provide Trump and his allies with more opportunities to erode federal institutions.

A government shutdown would be devastating for the American people, she said in a statement, arguing that it would force thousands of Nevadans to work without pay and delay the courts which are weighing lawsuits against the Trump Administration. The last government shutdown cost the American economy $11 billion and thousands of hardworking Americans were harmed. I cannot vote for that, she said.

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As one of the more moderate Democrats in the Senate, Cortez Masto has often navigated a fine line between party unity and the political realities in Nevada, where she was narrowly re-elected to a six-year term in 2022. In voting for the bill, she broke with fellow Democratic Senator from Nevada, Jack Rosen, who voted against it. The pair rarely split on issues.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, had not publicly shared how he would vote for the Republican spending bill before he walked onto the Senate floor. Ultimately, he voted for it.

In siding with Republicans and nine other Democrats, Durbin broke with fellow Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who said she was a hell no on the bill.

In a statement posted to X, Durbin said: There is very little about this CR that I likebut there is even less I like about shutting down the government. He added that he was disappointed that Republicans would not work with his party to pass a 30-day stopgap measure that would have given Congress more time to reach a bipartisan agreement.

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Durbin, who is 80, has served in the Senate since 1997 and is widely expected to retire soon.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)

Fetterman, who represents a state Trump won in both 2016 and 2024, has been an outspoken critic of his partys political messaging in recent months. He was the first Democratic Senator to announce his support of the Republican spending bill, arguing that a shutdown would have given Republicans the power to dictate the terms of reopening the government.

You dont start wars unless you have an exit plan. We had no exit plan, Fetterman said. That would give [Republicans] the absolute, absolute ability to decide, on their terms, how to reopen it after we shut it down, just to respond to our highly agitated left part of our party.

Fetterman, who was elected to a six-year term in 2022, has consistently positioned himself as willing to buck Democratic orthodoxy when he believes it serves working-class voters. His decision to back the bill fits within his broader critique of Democratic messaging, which he has repeatedly argued fails to resonate with key voting blocs.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

Gillibrand, who chairs the Senate Democratic campaign arm, joined her fellow New York Senator in backing the bill. While Schumers support carried the weight of party leadership, Gillibrands vote signaled that even some Democrats focused on electoral strategy saw avoiding a shutdown as the better political option.

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)

Hassan, a former governor, was once considered a vulnerable Democrat given her narrow win in 2016. Her lead in 2022, when she was re-elected to a second six-year term, was less narrow. But New Hampshire remains a competitive state for both parties. Last year, voters there backed Democrats for Congress and Kamala Harris for President, but also elected a Republican governor and expanded Republican majorities in the state legislature.

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Both Hassan, and New Hampshires other Senator, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, voted for the Republican spending bill.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine)

King, a Maine Independent who caucuses with Democrats, referred to the vote as two really bad choices in a video posted to X. He added that he voted for the spending bill because a shutdown would open the door to unprecedented, lasting damage.

While Maine is far from a swing state, it shifted slightly to the right in the previous presidential election. King, 80, is a particularly popular figure within the state; he has served in the Senate since 2013 and was a two-term Governor before that. King won a third six-year term in the Senate in November.

The problem is with a shutdown, the President and Elon Musk and the OMB have almost unfettered discretion about what happens, King said. Who's essential, who's not essential, what agencies can get to work, which ones don't. And in my view, and in the view of many of my colleagues, this is a significantly greater danger to the country than the continuing resolution with all of its faults.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)

Another Senator from a state Trump won in 2024, Peters defended his decision to vote for the Republican spending bill: I believe Congress must do its most basic job to keep the lights on, he said in a statement.

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When the first Trump Administration shut down the government, they repeatedly broke the law, he added. This time, they would take it even further.

Michigans other Democratic senator, Elissa Slotkin, voted against the bill. Their conflicting votes highlight the difficult balancing act for Democrats in battleground states, where political calculations often involve not just party loyalty, but also the concerns of a divided electorate.

Earlier this year, Peters announced he would not run for re-election when his current term ended in 2026.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

In a statement, Schatz called his vote a difficult and close call but said he ultimately made the determination that a flawed bill was better than no bill at all.

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I understand peoples frustration  I share it, he said. But Trump and the Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, presented us with a bad choice and a worse choice. Both would produce terrible outcomes, but a shutdown would be more devastating for everyone.

Referencing the opposition to his vote from progressives, he added that Democrats cant let disagreements about strategy and tactics divide us. Schatz has served in the Senate since Dec. 2012, easily winning re-election to a second full term in 2022.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

Shaheen, who announced earlier this week that she will not run for re-election in 2026, said in a statement that a government shutdown would have hurt Granite Staters and enabled President Trump and Elon Musk to do more harm.

She said she hoped Congress would stop relying on never-ending continuing resolutions like the one passed today, which she warned would only increase instability in government operations. A continuing resolution, also known as a CR, is a temporary funding measure that allows the federal government to keep operating at current spending levels when Congress fails to pass a full appropriations billa common theme in recent years.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
Dozens of people demonstrated inside Trump Tower in New York City against the arrest and planned deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student who played a leading role in last year's pro-Gaza protests on the campus of Columbia University.

Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that advocates for Palestinian rights, said on social media: "Police arrested hundreds of protestors including Jewish elders, descendants of Holocaust survivors, and students, dragging them out of a sit-in at Trump Tower by their arms and legs."

The demonstrators demanded, among other things, Khalil's release, as could be seen on livestreams and in images published on social media.

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According to media reports, the police ended the unannounced sit-in in the lobby of Trump Tower, a high-rise building in the middle of Manhattan where US President Donald Trump used to have his main residence.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said that some 150 people dressed in civilian clothes entered the building on Thursday morning and then removed their outer clothing to reveal red t-shirts with pro-Palestinian slogans.

"We ended up making 98 arrests of people trespassing, obstructing governmental administration in this building," NYPD Chief of Department John Chell said.

US immigration officials forced their way into Khalil's flat on Sunday and detained him, according to media reports. He was later taken to a detention centre in the US state of Louisiana, which lies some 2,000 kilometres away from New York.

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White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a briefing that Khalil, a student at Columbia, distributed propaganda for Palestinian militant organization Hamas, claiming that he "sided with terrorists."

Leavitt also said Khalil organized protest groups that disrupted classes and "harassed Jewish American students and made them feel unsafe."

The spokeswoman said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio "reserves the right to revoke the visa of Mahmoud Khalil," adding that he has a right to do so for "individuals who are adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests of the USA."

A court had initially blocked Khalil's deportation to allow time for a ruling, according to media reports.

Khalil, who, according to the New York Times, is married to a US citizen who is eight months pregnant, has an unlimited US residence permit, his lawyer says.
Dozens of people demonstrated inside Trump Tower in New York City against the arrest and planned deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student who played a leading role in last year's pro-Gaza protests on the campus of Columbia University.

Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that advocates for Palestinian rights, said on social media: "Police arrested hundreds of protestors including Jewish elders, descendants of Holocaust survivors, and students, dragging them out of a sit-in at Trump Tower by their arms and legs."

The demonstrators demanded, among other things, Khalil's release, as could be seen on livestreams and in images published on social media.

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According to media reports, the police ended the unannounced sit-in in the lobby of Trump Tower, a high-rise building in the middle of Manhattan where US President Donald Trump used to have his main residence.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said that some 150 people dressed in civilian clothes entered the building on Thursday morning and then removed their outer clothing to reveal red t-shirts with pro-Palestinian slogans.

"We ended up making 98 arrests of people trespassing, obstructing governmental administration in this building," NYPD Chief of Department John Chell said.

A court had initially blocked Khalil's deportation to allow time for a ruling, according to media reports.

Khalil, who, according to the New York Times, is married to a US citizen who is eight months pregnant, has an unlimited US residence permit, his lawyer says.
More than 100 House Democrats on Friday sent a letter to top Trump officials, decrying the arrest of a former Columbia graduate student as an attack on the First Amendment and questioning the murky legal authority invoked by the administration.

The lawmakers, including authors Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania, addressed the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The letter, first obtained by POLITICO, slams the use of a Cold War-era section of the Immigration and Nationality Act to deport Mahmoud Khalil as the playbook of authoritarians. The law was aimed at protecting national interests against potential foreign intervention.

The letter also calls on the administration to answer questions about its actions, including what evidentiary grounds Rubio has relied upon to conclude that Khalils presence in the United States threatens serious adverse foreign policy consequences  and what those foreign policy consequences might be.

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The letter asks the administration to respond by March 27 with answers, as well as documents, including legal memoranda, that explain the administrations findings.

The deployment of a dusty old statutory section to punish speech is a dangerous attack on both the First Amendment and on all, including lawful permanent residents, who enjoy its protection, the letter states. This maneuver evokes the Alien and Sedition Acts and McCarthyism. It is the playbook of authoritarians, not of elected officials in a democratic society who claim to be the champions of free speech.

Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who played a central role in campus protests at Columbia University over the Israel-Hamas war, was arrested over the weekend  marking a significant shift in the U.S. governments use of its immigration enforcement powers. Khalil is a permanent resident with a green card, but was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as President Donald Trump promised more such arrests are coming.

The administration has argued that the protests are antisemitic, and some Jewish students have reported feeling threatened by the demonstrations on college campuses against Israels attacks on Gaza. The administration has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned to Hamas, but has not provided specific evidence  nor has he been charged or convicted of any crimes.

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The administration is relying on a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952  a rarely invoked authority that allows Rubio to expel foreigners. The provision, which is set to be tested in the courts, says that any alien whose presence or activities in the United States the secretary of state has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable.

Khalils detainment sparked outrage from activists, free speech groups and several Democrats. A judge has halted his deportation, but his fate remains uncertain as the arrest raises a number of legal questions, including significant constitutional ones.

Weaponizing the immigration system to crush and chill protected free speech puts our nation on the side of authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the Democrats wrote. We urge you to turn back before you suffer another stinging loss in court and visit terrible damage on the country.
DENVER (KDVR)  New photos released by the Denver Fire Department on Thursday show some of the devastation after the explosion at Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Campus.

One photo shows what appears to be a charred transformer which Denver Fire said exploded after construction crews hit a power line. Another picture shows burn scars and rubble inside the facility.

Suspected DUI driver arrested after deadly wrong-way crash on I-70

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Denver fire said the facility has been boarded up to protect the residents property and that the facility would be closed for the unforeseeable future.

Crews respond to a reported explosion at an assisted living facility in Denver on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Denver Fire Department) A transformer was also reportedly on fire before the explosion at the assisted living facility. (Courtesy the Denver Fire Department) Inside an assisted living facility in Denver where an explosion was reported on March 12. (Courtesy the Denver Fire Department) Inside an assisted living facility in Denver where an explosion was reported on March 12. (Courtesy the Denver Fire Department) Emergency responders are at the scene of a reported explosion at an assisted living facility in Denver on March 12, 2025. (KDVR) Emergency responders are at the scene of a reported explosion at an assisted living facility in Denver on March 12, 2025. (KDVR)

Denver said eight people sustained minor injuries. Nearly 90 people were displaced, including 95-year-old Virginia West.

Wests family said shes staying in a hotel without her bank cards, identification card and her medications. They say they are doing what they can to help her.

Shes doing OK. Shes very stoic. She doesnt like being away from her things. Its hard for her not to be independent as much as she can be. Other than that, shes doing OK, said her grandson, Jeremy West.

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Suspect dies after standoff with law enforcement in Elbert County

The centers website says it offers independent and assisted living as well as memory care. Porch Light Chief Clinical Officer Steve Carleton said traumatic events can impact older populations in different ways.

You are going to see a little bit more agitation. You are going to see more distress, anxiety and depression, and youll see them withdraw more, and its common with people with memory issues, Carleton said.



It is not clear when residents will be able to return to the facility. On Facebook Thursday evening, the retirement community said that an initial estimate is that it could take up to four weeks before the investigation and assessment of damages are complete.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
NEW YORK  The Department of Homeland Security raided the dorm rooms of two Columbia University students on Thursday night, just days after authorities detained a prominent pro-Palestinian activist in university housing.

In an email, Interim President Katrina Armstrong wrote that she was heartbroken to inform students and faculty of the federal agents visit. The students were not arrested or detained, she said. As of Friday morning, no further action had been taken.

The University has a clear protocol in place, Armstrong wrote, linking to guidance on Potential Visits to Campus By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.

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Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice, and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings. Tonight, that threshold was met.

The announcement of DHS on campus came after ICE on March 8 arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a green card-holder, in his university-owned residence. The Trump administration has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. He has not been charged with any crime.

Armstrongs emphasis on Columbias longstanding practice followed revelations of a letter from the Trump administration outlining steps the university should take to restore $400 million in canceled federal grants and contracts. Among other measures, the three agencies directed Columbia to discipline protesters involved in last years demonstrations.

The University must complete disciplinary proceedings for Hamilton Hall and encampments, read the memo. Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension.

The same day, Columbia announced the expulsions of several protesters involved in the building takeover.
NEW YORK  The Department of Homeland Security raided the dorm rooms of two Columbia University students on Thursday night, just days after authorities detained a prominent pro-Palestinian activist in university housing.

In an email, Interim President Katrina Armstrong wrote that she was heartbroken to inform students and faculty of the federal agents visit. The students were not arrested or detained, she said. As of Friday morning, no further action had been taken.

The University has a clear protocol in place, Armstrong wrote, linking to guidance on Potential Visits to Campus By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.

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Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice, and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings. Tonight, that threshold was met.

An hour after Armstrongs email, protesters vandalized the university presidents mansion on Morningside Park with splattered red paint and the black spray-painted message: Free Them All, cops said.

It was not clear not clear if Armstrong was inside the building when the vandalism happened. There were no arrests.

The Trump administration had previously put Columbia on notice for not helping DHS arrest college students it accused of supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

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Columbia University has been given the names of other individuals who have engaged in pro-Hamas activity, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing on Tuesday, and they are refusing to help DHS identify those individuals on campus.

We expect all [of] Americas colleges and universities to comply with this administrations policy.

DHS and ICE did not immediately return a request for comment.

The announcement of DHS on campus came after ICE on March 8 arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a recent international-studies graduate student and green card-holder, in his university-owned residence. The Trump administration has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas. He has not been charged with any crime.

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Armstrongs emphasis on Columbias longstanding practice followed revelations of a letter from the Trump administration outlining steps the university should take to restore$400 million in canceled federal grants and contracts. Among other measures, three agencies directed Columbia to discipline protesters involved in last years demonstrations.

The University must complete disciplinary proceedings for Hamilton Hall and encampments, read the memo from Thursday, obtained by the Daily News. Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension.

The federal administration also directed Columbia to implement a mask ban with exceptions for health reasons, the placement of the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under receivership, and comprehensive admissions reform of Columbias recruitment of international students.

The same day, Columbia announced the expulsions of several protesters involved in the building takeover.

Students organized two protests for Friday afternoon.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The draft law On Approval of the Agreement on Partnership in the field of Digital Economy between the governments of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States has been submitted to the Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports.

The draft law was included in the agenda of the meeting of the Committee on International Relations and Interparliamentary Ties of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The draft law was considered at the meeting of the Committee and recommended to the plenary session.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A Kentucky jail says it will not send an involuntary manslaughter suspect back to St. Louis County to stand trial unless ICE orders it.

Endrina Bracho is accused of driving 35 MPH over the speed limit on the wrong side of the road when she caused a car crash that killed 12-year-old Travis Wolfe in 2023. This incident happened on Dunn Road in Hazelwood.

Police say Bracho was in the country illegally from Venezuela.

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She needs to be held accountable for these horrific crimes, said St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith.

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Assistant prosecuting attorney Jason Glaser says he is worried they will not get to bring justice for the Wolfe family.

We are concerned that there is a chance that she is deported, Glaser said.

Thats because Bracho is still in ICE custody after a controversial move in December.

Judge Bruce Hilton changed Brachos bond, allowing her to be released on her own recognizance. Then, ICE picked her up almost immediately.

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Now in ICE custody in Kentucky, a new court filing shows Bracho is set to be deported.

Obviously, if she were still in jail here, we wouldnt be playing this cat-and-mouse game. However, it is our intention and our goal to get her back here, Price Smith said.

In an effort to make that happen, Glaser filed a motion to bring Bracho back to St. Louis County.

Judge Mary Elizabeth Ott issued a new arrest warrant for Bracho and ordered that she be returned to the county by Friday.

Judge Ott is now hearing the case after Judge Hilton took over as presiding judge for the county. However, it is unclear if the judges order will make a difference.

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PHOTOS: Severe weather causes extensive impact in St. Louis area and beyond

FOX 2 talked to the jailer at the Grayson County Detention Center in Kentucky. He confirmed that he had received Judge Otts order but said he cannot and will not comply with it without ICEs approval.

FOX 2 reached out to ICE but, as of the time of publication, has not heard back. Glaser says it is a wait-and-see situation.

We know she has a court hearing at the end of the week so were hoping that this could potentially delay her deportation, and they will bring her back here, Glaser said.

Brachos attorney declined an interview but said he is confident Bracho will return to St. Louis County and stand trial in August as scheduled.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Authorities are taking action on a home thats been the center of community complaints, criminal activity, and a babys fentanyl overdose.

For nearly a year, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office has investigated multiple incidents at a home on Sides Road near Rockwell.

Now a judge has signed a consent judgment for the property.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: More suspects arrested at frequently investigated Rowan County home

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It said it has to be vacated and placed up for sale within 30 days.

The judgment also said anyone who trespasses onto the property will be arrested and charged.

VIDEO: Please hurry: Trooper jumps into action to save baby who wasnt breathing
Deputies in Volusia County are asking for help to solve a 43-year-old cold case.

Officials released a facial recreation image on Thursday of a man who was found dead in Ormond Beach in 1982.

Investigators say he has ancestral ties to French Canada, and his family may have lived in Massachusetts, Illinois, or Michigan before moving to Florida.

Deputies are asking anyone with French Canadian or Irish Canadian ancestry to give them a DNA sample to help identify him.

More information can be found here.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A person was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash in Wayne County Thursday morning, according to the Wayne County Sheriffs Office.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash was on eastbound I-70 near the 134 mile marker, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies arrived on the scene around 4:30 a.m.

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According to deputies, a 1996 Dodge Ram departed the roadway to the south, continuing through the ditch before hitting a hump, which caused the car to overturn multiple times.

Deputies say the driver was ejected from the vehicle, and they were found partially in the roadway where they were pronounced dead.

Investigators believe the driver was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The sheriffs office has not released the name of the person who died at this time, and the crash remains under investigation.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Deputies say a truck stolen from a Coldwater dealership was found halfway across the state in Clare County, alongside other stolen trucks.

On Wednesday morning, Branch County authorities contacted law enforcement in Clare County, asking for help finding a stolen truck. The 2025 Ford F-350 had been taken from a dealership in Coldwater, according to a release from the Clare County Sheriffs Office, but a ping of the vehicles location led authorities to the 2000 block of E. Haskell Lake Road in Clare Countys Frost Township.

Detectives say when they responded to the home on E. Haskell Lake Road near US-127, they saw the stolen F-350 parked there. They also saw two other Ford trucks parked in the driveway. Both turned out to be stolen, according to the sheriffs office  one out of Arizona, the other out of Colorado.

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When detectives carried out a search warrant for the property, they found an illegal marijuana grow site inside a pole barn, the release says. Detectives say they ended up seizing the three stolen trucks, an unregistered pistol, 75 marijuana plants, about a pound of cultivated marijuana and $10,000 in cash.

Deputies say the homeowner, a 40-year-old man from Florida who had recently moved into the Clare County home, was arrested and jailed. He was charged with receiving and concealing stolen goods over $20,000, maintaining a drug house, felony firearm and possessing a pistol without a license, according to the sheriffs office.

A second man, age 32, was also arrested and charged with receiving and concealing stolen goods over $20,000, the office says. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also placed a hold on the man, who is a Cuban immigrant and is not a citizen of the United States, according to deputies.

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The family of Marvin Fugan is asking the public for help in locating his body after he jumped off the Delaware Memorial Bridge last week.

Fugan, a 23-year-old Newark resident, jumped into the Delaware River about 5:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, according to the Delaware River and Bay Authority. His family is shocked, confused and devastated.

I have no idea why he would jump, said Fugan's mother, Cesia Montoya de Smith. He loved life. He didnt even like to talk about death or things like that.

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Delaware Online/The News Journal does not typically report on deaths by suicide or identify the deceased, but is doing so in this instance at the family's request as they ask for the public's health in locating Fugan's body.

The last time Montoya heard from her son, he was going to a University of Delaware party with friends, she said. He didn't come home.

Marvin Fugan

Why the family needs help

The Coast Guard, the Delaware River and Bay Authority and numerous police and fire agencies searched the area of the river around the bridge Friday morning but did not find Fugan's body.

Coast Guard boats and a helicopter were in use until the search was suspended around 9:30 a.m., Petty Officer Christopher Bokum said. Recovery efforts are ongoing, DRBA spokesperson James Salmon said, and his agency will be periodically searching the river for the body.

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Fugan's family is asking boaters and anyone along the shores of the Delaware River and Bay to keep an eye out for his body.

"We can't move forward," said Jason Smith, Fugan's stepfather. "We can't cremate him or have a service."

Fugan was wearing a green sweatshirt and jeans at the time, Smith said. He had a full sleeve of tattoos on his left arm, a large black panther tattooed on his back and other tattoos on his chest.

Marvin Fugan

If you find Fugan's body, call your local police agency or the DRBA Police Department at (302) 571-6343 immediately.

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What happened

When I woke up, I went to see if his car was home, Fugan's mother said. I looked out the window but didnt see it.

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She took her daughters to school and was heading to work when police contacted her, asking her to come home. She could see multiple officers at her house via her home security app and began to feel ill, she said. She knew it was bad news.

I felt my heart was stopping and my spirit leaving my body, Montoya said. I felt like I was fainting.

Unlocking silence: Fifth Sean's Room opens, first in a Delaware public school

Police ultimately came to her, she said, and asked about her cars and who drove them. They showed her a black-and-white photo of Fugan.

From that moment on, I felt I couldnt do more because they were showing me my sons photo, she said. They said they were very sorry, but my son had jumped off the bridge.

Who Marvin Fugan was

Fugan was born in Honduras, along with a sister. With plenty of danger there and an inability to support her young children, Montoya came to the United States around 2005.I had to come to this country because the situation in Honduras is terrible, she said. I had no work. I didnt have a way to provide for both of my children. When I came, I came to fight for a better life for my children.

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Montoya said Smith helped her bring her children to the U.S. about a decade later. Fugan moved to Delaware in 2018, attended Dickinson High School and was working in roofing and siding at the time of his death. He aspired to join the Army or be a police officer or firefighter, Montoya said.

He wanted to contribute to this country, Montoya said.

Shannon Marvel McNaught can be reached at smcnaught@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Family asks for help in recovering son's body from Delaware River
The Department of Homeland Security has arrested a second student who was involved with Columbia University protests, the agency announced.

Leqaa Korda was arrested by agents from Homeland Security Investigations for allegedly overstaying her expired visa -- which terminated on Jan. 26, 2022. She was also allegedly arrested in 2024 for her involvement in the protests, according to DHS.

Korda is a Palestinian from the West Bank, according to DHS.

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MORE: Border czar calls detained Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil a 'national security threat'

The arrest comes nearly a week after plain-clothed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who was also involved in the protests at Columbia University.

The agency said another student involved in the protests -- Ranjani Srinivasan, an urban planning student at Columbia and Indian citizen -- used the CBP Home app to self-deport.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. "When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self-deport."

PHOTO: Protesting Arrest of Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

Federal agents with DHS also searched two Columbia University student residences Thursday night but did not arrest or detain anyone.

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In a statement, Columbia President Katrina Armstrong said the DHS agents had two search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge authorizing them to enter non-public areas of the university and conduct searches of two student rooms.

"I am writing heartbroken to inform you that we had federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in two University residences tonight," Armstrong said in the statement. "No one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken."

The searches were part of the Trump administrations crackdown on individuals it has described as espousing the views of Hamas and threatening the safety of Jewish students, according to sources.

MORE: Experts say Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder, can't be deported without due process

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Khalil was one of the leaders of the university encampment protests last spring, and is being held in Louisiana.

Khalil, a green card holder who has not been charged with a crime, is set to appear before an immigration judge on March 27.

Trump administration officials have said Khalil was detained for his purported support of Hamas. Baher Azmy, one of Khalil's lawyers, called his client's alleged alignment with Hamas "false and preposterous."

Earlier Thursday, at least 98 people were arrested at a protest in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City calling for Khalil's release.

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Separately, Columbia University announced Thursday that students who occupied the campus' Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests last spring have been expelled, suspended for several years or had their degrees temporarily revoked.

DHS arrests another student involved in Columbia university protests originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Department of Homeland Security agents searched two dorm rooms at Columbia University Thursday night, the school said, a move that comes less than a week after the federal arrest of former grad student Mahmoud Khalil.

I am writing heartbroken to inform you that we had federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in two University residences tonight, interim Columbia President Katrina Armstrong said in a statement to the school.

No one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken, she added.

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Armstrong said the federal agents had two judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge that legally allowed them in nonpublic areas of the university.

Due to the warrants, she added, the university was obligated to comply with the law but University Public Safety was present at all times.

The Hill has reached out to DHS for comment.

On Saturday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested and moved to deport Khalil, a legal immigrant, over his participation in last years pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.

ICE is currently holding Khalil, a green card holder, in Louisiana as his lawyers argue for the case to be overseen by a New York court.

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His arrest has led to protest and outcry from many at the school, and First Amendment experts have questions the constitutionality of the detention.

Federal officials, including President Trump, said Khalils arrest was just the beginning of deporting foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests.

Columbia continues to make every effort to ensure that our campus, students, faculty, and staff are safe. Columbia is committed to upholding the law, and we expect city, state, and federal agencies to do the same, Armstrong said.

I understand the immense stress our community is under. Despite the unprecedented challenges, Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive, she added.

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The news comes as the Trump administration outlined a list of changes it wants to see Columbia make to its policies to even begin talks about restoring the $400 million in federal funding it took from the university due to what it called inaction on antisemitism.

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Department of Homeland Security agents executed search warrants on two Columbia University residences on Thursday night  just days after anti-Israel agitator Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE at an off-campus apartment, the Ivy League school announced.

Interim president Katrina Armstrong revealed the raids in a letter to the Columbia community and noted that nobody was arrested or detained when the feds searched the rooms of two students.

Federal agents from the DHS served Columbia University with two judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge authorizing DHS to enter non-public areas of the University and conduct searches of two student rooms, Armstrong said.

An email sent to the Columbia community informing about DHS search. Columbia University

The University has a clear protocol in place. Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice, and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings.

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The heartbroken leader said she was obligated to comply with the law, adding that no items were removed and no additional action was taken by the feds.

I understand the immense stress our community is under, Armstrong continued, providing university resources for students in need.

Despite the unprecedented challenges, Columbia University will remain a place where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished and fiercely protected, where the rule of law and due process is respected and never taken for granted, and where all members of our community are valued and able to thrive. These are the principles we uphold and that guide us every day.

Mahmoud Khalil speaks at a news conference with Jewish Barnard and Columbia students who were detained during an NYPD sweep of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on April 23, 2024. James Keivom

Thursdays raid comes after Khalil  a Palestinian activist who helped fuel the riotous and disruptive protests at Columbia University and Barnard College  was arrested Saturday in his Columbia-owned apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

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The Trump administration is seeking to deport Khalil, a green card holder who is married to an American who is eight months pregnant with his child, over his role in disruptive and at times violent anti-Israel protests at Columbia last summer.

Khalil leads Columbia United Apartheid Divest, a radical group which sympathizes with terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and calls for the end of Western civilization. The coalition is also responsible for the violent takeover of Columbias Hamilton Hall last April.

His arrest came days after President Trump yanked $400 million in grants and contracts from the Ivy League school, claiming Columbia didnt comply with anti-discrimination laws when it failed to protect Jewish students.

Protesters march during an anti-Israel demonstration on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in New York. James Keivom

Kahlil is being held in a Louisiana lockup while he fights his case  getting a win on Monday when a judge temporarily blocked any attempt to deport him.

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His arrest has sparked massive protests in New York, including on Thursday, when a mob of dozens flooded Trump Tower to push for Khalil to be freed, before cops began arresting the agitators.

Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that he expects more people to have their student visas or green cards revoked by the Trump administration.

This is not fundamentally about free speech, and to me, yes, its about national security, but its also more importantly about who do we as an American public decide gets to join our national community, Vance told The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham on Fox News.

And if the secretary of state and the president decided this person shouldnt be in America, and they have no legal right to stay here, its as simple as that. I think well certainly see some people who get deported on student visas if we determine that its not in the best interest of the United States to have them in our country.

DHS did not immediately respond to The Posts request for comment.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. Kazakhstan intends to ban import of chicken eggs from EAEU and third countries for six months, Trend reports.



This is declared in order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, published on the "Open NLA" portal (normative legal acts).

"All types of transport from third countries and EAEU countries, except for the transit of fresh chicken eggs through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as their movement from the territory of one member state of the Eurasian Economic Union to the territory of another member state of the Eurasian Economic Union through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the order says.

The draft order will be open for discussion until March 20, and if it passes, the ban will be in effect from April through September 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday it has revoked the visa of one Columbia University student and arrested another person involved in the pro-Palestinian protests, escalating its crackdown on those engaged in demonstrations over the conflict in Gaza.

The stripping of the visa comes just days after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former grad student at the university, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil has a green card, which can only be revoked by an immigration judge.

But Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen of India and doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, had her F-1 student visa revoked on March 5, according to DHS.

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The federal agency said Srinivasan was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organization, sharing a video of her passing through airport security.

Columbia said it would not comment on individual students.

Another protester, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying her F-1 student visa.

Kordias visa was terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance, and she was arrested in April 2024 over her involvement in the pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

Columbia has no record of this individual being registered as a current or former student at the University, a university spokesperson said.

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An official with the university said there is no record that Kordia was arrested on campus or involved in campus activities. The university believes she was arrested outside the school on public streets.

DHS did not give specifics about the alleged activities of either student.

In announcing Srinivasans departure, DHS promoted its new app, the CBP Home App, adding that the Srinivasan used the apps new self-deport feature by uploading her travel plans and indicating her intent to leave the country.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

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The Trump administration has been under fire by free speech experts for releasing few details about the foreign students it has targeted and potentially conflating their First Amendment right to protest with illegal actions such as giving a terrorist group monetary resources.

F-1 student visa holders only have 15 days to leave the country after the visas are revoked.

Student visas can be revoked for multiple reasons, including criminal concerns, prolonged absence from school, giving incorrect information or changing schools without permission.

The announcement shows an expansion of activity since ICE arrested Khalil, a lead negotiator during the Columbia pro-Palestinian encampment last spring.

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Immigration and civil rights advocates have blasted the move, calling it an abuse of federal immigration authorities to target free speech.

Khalils attorneys have sued to get his case moved to New York after ICE took him more than 1,000 miles away from his home to be held in Louisiana.

His lawyers noted Khalil has yet to be charged with a crime, and it is still unclear what activities the federal government targeted him over.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding to know the reason for the arrest.

Federal officials, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said Khalils detention was only the beginning of targeting foreign students who participated in the encampments.

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We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country  never to return again, Trump said. If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of Americas Colleges and Universities to comply.

The DHS announcement comes a day after its agents searched two Columbia dorm rooms, with the university saying the agents obtained two judicial warrants but gave no information about why the search was conducted or who was the target.

Updated at 3:06 p.m. EDT

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A second protester from Columbia University has been arrested by immigration officials, the Department of Homeland Security announced Friday, following the high-profile arrest of a green card holder earlier this week.

Immigration officials also said a third protester had their student visa revoked, who then self-deported via the CBP One app.

Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was arrested by local Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities for allegedly overstaying a student visa. Her visa was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance, DHS' announcement said.

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Kordia was among the pro-Palestinian activists arrested in the spring of 2024 for protesting at Columbia University, the agency added.

DHS also shared video footage of Ranjani Srinivasan, who is from India and had been studying for her doctorate at Columbia with a student visa, leaving the country Tuesday after having reported her intention to depart on the Customs and Border Protection app.

The State Department had revoked her student visa last week, a DHS announcement said, and the agency accused her of supporting Hammas [sic], a terrorist organization.

The arrest and deportation of more student protesters from the university come after Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE on Sunday and is facing deportation.

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Khalils arrest drew condemnation from Democrats who have blasted the move as a violation of the First Amendment, with over 100 House Democrats signing a letter to DHS demanding answers on the legal basis for detaining Khalil, whose green card gives him permanent residency.

President Donald Trump praised Khalils arrest earlier this week, vowing it would be the first of many to come.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.
(Bloomberg) -- Cybersecurity experts who worked to secure US government computers from Russian and Chinese hackers have been ousted from their roles following pressure from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, according to two people familiar with the matter.

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More than 200 people, split roughly between contractors and employees, were let go beginning in February from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, amid sweeping staff reductions across the federal government, said the two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share information with the media. Some of the workers had decades of experience, they said.

CISA, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for defending and protecting federal civilian networks and US critical infrastructure from hackers.

Among those recently terminated from the agency were contractors who worked on a red team, a specialist group that carried out simulated attacks on US government networks to find and fix potential weaknesses. Others who were dismissed had monitored the web for critical vulnerabilities and notified affected US government departments of any upgrades or patches necessary to keep their systems secure.

As a result of the cutbacks, theres now a shortage people carrying out these functions, leaving massive security gaps in the US government, one of the people said. At least one senior official at CISA resigned in protest over the cuts, the people said, amid concern about the governments ability to protect itself from potentially crippling cyberattacks waged by foreign governments or criminal gangs.

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Bloomberg is reporting on the resignation for the first time and new details about cutbacks at CISA. TechCrunch previously reported on CISA dismissals including red-team reductions.

A CISA spokesperson declined to comment on specific job cuts or resignations, but pointed to a statement published on its website on Wednesday stating that its red teams continue their work without interruption and said it had taken action to terminate contracts where the agency has been able to find efficiencies and eliminate duplication of effort.

The statement added that CISA regularly reviews contracts across the agency to ensure that we have the capabilities that we need and that we are allocating resources in ways that make the most impact. This was a contract action that did not impact the employment status of CISA personnel.

A White House spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

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Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency hacker who now works as a cybersecurity expert in the private sector, said the cuts at CISA were likely to have really serious consequences.

Williams said he was now advising his clients, some of whom are government contractors, that they should adopt increased caution when interacting with government computer systems, treating them akin to a hostile network to mitigate potential increases in cyber threats.

CISA has a lot of capability, but not the capacity, Williams said. If they had the capacity, they never would have had the contractors in the first place. Take 100 of them out and we are doubling down on problems.

The contractors were terminated in at least two rounds announce internally in late February and early March. They were made by CISAs executives, who were under pressure from Musks DOGE to slash spending, according to the two people familiar with the matter.

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While the latest round of reductions targeted contractors working with CISA, earlier in February more than 100 government employees working for the agency were also told their services were no longer required, the two people said.

CISA had been working in recent years to make its own cutbacks, in part by developing in-house tools and replacing cybersecurity solutions provided by third-party vendors, according to the people. With the people managing those in-house solutions now terminated, the agency would likely need to return to reliance on commercial products at higher cost, the people added.

CISA was expected to receive $3 billion in funding in 2025, which included salaries for 3,641 full time employees, according to a Department of Homeland Security budget overview.

Musk said in a Fox News interview earlier this month that DOGE was seeking to make government more efficient, eliminate waste and fraud and said that his aim was to cut $1 trillion in spending.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  In preparation for disasters, the state of Indiana had a tornado drill Tuesday.

However, the siren did not go off in Greene County.

The countys EMA Director, Roger Axe, said the message was sent to the siren as planned, but the sound did not go off. The problem was with the radio.

However, emergency management was able to send a backup signal and complete the test.

Axe said everything is working now, but he said the incident is another reason why the county is pushing reverse 911. It alerts residents when an emergency mandate is sent out from the county.

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Reverse 911 gives us more opportunity to send out a warning, Axe said. Outdoor warning sirens are just that, theyre outdoors. You dont necessarily hear them. We had the incident where they didnt get the message. Most people carry a cell phone, they travel. Even if theyre away from home, they can get the warning. We can let the populus know, with our system, we can tailor it to certain areas and not disturb the rest of the county.

If you are a Greene County resident and want to join the reverse 911 system, visit the countys website here.

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Advocates in Mexico are calling for an immediate and independent investigation after the discovery of what theyre describing as an extermination camp in Jalisco that cartels allegedly used to kill missing persons.

Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, a group dedicated to finding disappeared people, told CNN they discovered the site last week at a ranch believed to have been a criminal groups center of operations, where they presumably took the disappeared to be recruited and trained against their will.

There, the organization found at least three crematoriums with incinerated skeletal remains hidden under a layer of earth and a brick slab. The group said they also found dozens of personal items such as clothing, hundreds of pairs of shoes, backpacks, IDs and lists of names and nicknames.

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Indira Navarro, a representative of Warrior Searchers, told CNN that the existence of these types of forced recruitment and extermination centers was an open secret but that they had never seen one until March 5, when the group she leads managed to enter the ranch located near Teuchitlan.

They said they learned of the existence and location of this site through an anonymous tip.

The Jalisco Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that the ranch was originally discovered in September 2024 during an operation carried out by the National Guard, in which 10 people were arrested, two kidnapped people were released, and one person was found dead.

In their initial search of the ranch in September, authorities said they discovered weapons, vests, bullets and two batches of thermally exposed skeletal remains.

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But at the time, they failed to detect the other remains that were found last week because cartels had hidden them in a different underground space beneath a brick slab, a method previously unused by the criminal group, according to the states attorney generals office.

Suspicions of a cover-up

A collective of human rights organizations and relatives of the disappeared suggested that local authorities may have covered up the existence of the extermination camp.

It is impossible to accept that this mega-extermination camp (Teuchitlan) operated without the complicity of authorities or security forces, they said in a statement, which urged the federal government to take over the investigation.

When reached for comment by CNN, a spokesperson for the Jalisco Attorney Generals Office said that the agency does not issue opinions on statements made by actors from any sphere of society.

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In a separate statement, the office said the state prosecutor has been reviewing what happened and how thoroughly the site was inspected at the time, in order to determine whether any field procedures were neglected by the personnel then assigned during the previous Administration.

As recently as Tuesday, several experts from the Jalisco Attorney Generals Office were working at the site, recovering evidence.

Jalisco Attorney General Salvador Gonzalez said on social media Tuesday that work is underway to identify and determine the age of the human remains found.

Mexicos Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, reinforced the idea of a possible cover-up on Tuesday, saying that it is not credible that a situation of this nature would not have been known to the local authorities of that municipality and the state.

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CNN has reached out to local authorities in Teuchitlan for comment.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that the federal Attorney Generals Office, in collaboration with the Jalisco government, will investigate what happened at the site and that the responsibilities that must be determined will obviously be determined.

So far, Mexican authorities have not referred to the Teuchitlan property  where nearly 500 belongings were found, including at least 200 pairs of shoes  as an extermination camp.

CNN has asked authorities about the definition of that term, which the Warrior Searchers of Jalisco used in their complaints.

Another similar discovery

On Wednesday, the group Love for the Disappeared said another alleged training and extermination camp had been found in Reynosa, Tamaulipas.

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The organization said on Facebook that hundreds of personal belongings, as well as charred skeletal remains of an undetermined number of people, were discovered there, though CNN cannot independently confirm if the skeletal remains are human.

CNN is attempting to contact the organization for more information.

Mexicos Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection told CNN that it is aware of the discovery and is conducting relevant investigations.

CNN has requested more information from local police and the Tamaulipas Attorney Generals Office.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released a disturbing cause of death for a beloved snowy owl that was found dead in New Glarus, Wisconsin.

The animal died of "numerous intestinal worms," the DNR wrote in a press release on March 12, 2025.

The snowy owl had attracted a following. The owls "accessible location, small territory and diurnal activity drew dozens of visitors daily, ranging from casual onlookers to avid wildlife photographers. Some sought their first snowy owl sighting, while others hoped to capture their best images of this charismatic and often-elusive migrant from the Arctic," the DNR wrote.

A different snowy owl chases some terrified ducks in Duxbury Bay. Boston Globe/Getty Images

The owl's popularity "ultimately raised concerns about the owls welfare, as some feared that too many observers had negatively impacted its ability to survive," according to the DNR.

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The Wisconsin DNR announced the "necropsy results," indicating that, at first, there were "no apparent signs of the cause of death" when the creature was discovered deceased on Feb. 5, 2025, in New Glarus.

A DNR conservation warden "collected the carcass so that it could be submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison for necropsy and diagnostic testing," the DNR wrote.

"The most pronounced findings from necropsy were emaciation and numerous intestinal worms that impacted nutrient absorption, resulting in emaciation," revealed the DNR. "Heavy loads of intestinal worms are fairly common in birds of prey, with some individuals particularly susceptible due to genetics, immune status or feeding habits. Avian influenza was tested for but not detected."

The DNR indicated that the owl did not show any outward signs of problems before its death.

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"Despite no indication that human disturbance was involved in the owls death, this case highlights that looks can be deceiving. For most of its stay, the owl seemed to be doing fine, with many anecdotes of it being active and catching prey," wrote the DNR. "It did not appear to be starving. Yet, it was, for at least the final stages of its life. Moreover, the owl often allowed a close approach, suggesting it may have been trying to conserve limited energy reserves."

"Survival for wild animals is a challenge, even without humans. Disease, predation, injury, weather, unfamiliar territory and inexperience are all natural factors that can lead to death," the DNR noted. "Human-related causes, like vehicle collisions, secondary poisoning and electrocution, greatly amplify the toll for snowy owls that visit Wisconsin and other southern latitudes in winter."

As a result, snowy owls have a mortality rate nearing 80% for their first year of life, which is the estimated age of the New Glarus bird.
(KRON)  A North Carolina eye care doctor who was visiting the Bay Area for work in 2023 was convicted Thursday of raping his Tinder date at a SFO hotel, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office.

Nizar Fathallah Saleh Abdelfattah worked as an ophthalmologist in Durham, N.C., when he was at the SFO Marriott Waterfront hotel on Sept. 30, 2023, during a business trip. The 35-year-old used the dating app Tinder to connect with a woman, and the two met up for a drink, prosecutors said.

The woman told Abdelfattah that she was not interested in hooking up with him, the DAs office said, before they took a walk and returned to the Marriott at 1800 Old Bayshore Highway in Burlingame.

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Female victim dies after hit-and-run in Burlingame: police

Once inside his room, Abdelfattah forced himself onto the victim and she told him to stop. After the rape, the victim called her friend and immediately reported what happened to police, according to prosecutors.

Abdelfattah told police investigators that there were no sexual acts and he only kissed the victim, the DAs office said.

Following weeks of trial, jurors Thursday returned guilty verdicts for forcible rape and forcible digital penetration.

Abdelfattah, who had posted $100,000 bail during the trial, was remanded to the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office and put into county jail. The defenses motion to allow Abdelfattah out on bail until his sentencing on May 5 was denied.

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There is no surprise that the Russians have told Donald Trump they have thousands of Ukrainians surrounded.

Despite the claim being at odds with both Ukrainian military reports and independent expert analysis, it is a way of reinforcing the US presidents belief that the Ukrainians have no cards, encouraging him to apply further pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky.

But the Ukrainian president, like all his countrymen, has seen this movie before.

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To understand why the Ukrainians do not trust Vladimir Putin as far as they can throw him, it is worth remembering how he exploited encirclements in the past.

In the summer of 2014, Ukrainian troops fought their way into a Donetsk region railway town called Illovaisk.

They were at the spearhead of the southern pincer that had surged through separatist-held territory over the previous weeks.

For a while, they seemed poised to surround Donetsk and crush the Moscow-backed separatist uprising.

But at Illovaisk, the Ukrainians suddenly found themselves outgunned and outnumbered by heavily armed regular Russian forces.

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Pinned down and surrounded, they agreed a truce: the Russians would keep the town, but allowed the Ukrainians to withdraw to safety.

As they left, the Russians opened fire. Hundreds of men died. Within a week, the first Minsk Protocol, effectively securing the gains of Russian-puppet Donetsk Peoples Republic, was signed.

It did not last.

Five months later, the Russians launched an offensive against Debaltseve, the strategic junction where the northern Ukrainian pincer had halted following the ceasefire.

Again, regular Russian forces joined the fight and began to eat into the salient.

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Bending to the inevitable, Petro Poroshenko, Ukraines then president, signed a second Minsk agreement, making major political concessions to Putin in order to freeze the lines and save the troops.

Putin pocketed the deal, but he did not cease fire. His troops carried on until the Ukrainians had no choice but to flee across fields and up the road to the safety of Bakhmut, leaving tons of equipment behind.

Illovaisk and Debaltseve are remembered in infamy in Ukraine. Given how well they worked out for him last time, it should be no surprise that Putin wants to add Sudzha to the list.

He may have overplayed his hand.

In August 2014 and February 2015, the Russians had dominance up and down the line, not just at Ilovaisk and Debaltseve.

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Today, thats not true: while Russia attacked in Kursk last week, Ukraine went on the offensive in Donbas and has thrown Russian forces back around Pokrovsk and Toretsk.

Putin is more stretched than he would like to admit.

Whats more, at Illovaisk and Debaltseve, the encirclements were easily confirmed by on-the-ground reporting.

So far, there is no independent confirmation of a pocket in Kursk  only a Ukrainian retreat.

The Ukrainian general staff has denied an encirclement. Since the full scale invasion began three years ago, Ukrainian generals have proved adept at avoiding encirclements even when retreating.

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If Putin is telling the truth, then Mr Zelensky faces a tough choice: try to save the troops knowing Putin will likely betray them anyway; or consign them to surrender or death to save the country from the Kremlins trap.

If Putin is exaggerating or downright lying, things will be much simpler for Kyiv.

At this point, that might not matter. As long as he can create the impression of imminent massacre, and Mr Trump believes him, it may serve his purpose.

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(NewsNation)  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has begun plans to lay off 10% of the current workforce, cuts experts are warning could reduce the ability to accurately warn Americans of severe weather.

That comes as the country heads into the warmer months and faces increasing risks from severe storms. In 2024, there were a historic 1,796 tornadoes, 11 hurricanes and 27 weather disasters where losses exceeded $1 billion.

NOAA cuts hit key areas

Its not the first round of layoffs for the agency, and by the end of the cuts, NOAA will have eliminated 1 out of every 4 jobs.

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AOC: Schumers intent to vote for budget bill a slap in the face

This is not government efficiency, said former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. It is the first step toward eradication. There is no way to make these kinds of cuts without removing or strongly compromising mission capabilities.

In addition to layoffs, two NOAA facilities that are essential to weather forecasting were on a list of lease cancelations made by the Department of Government Efficiency. After reporting on the leases emerged, a White House source told Axios the leases had not been formally canceled but were under evaluation.

Already, the Trump administration has had to backtrack on some layoffs at the agency. NOAA recently rehired hurricane hunters caught up in layoffs. Those meteorologists fly directly into hurricanes to collect data that helps predict and track deadly storms.

What does NOAA do?

The agency is responsible for the National Weather Service, which provides daily weather forecasts. NOAA also provides monitoring and warnings about hurricanes, tornados, floods and tsunamis; provides navigation information to ships and weather data to the FAA; and also plays a role in warnings about space weather that could damage the electrical grid.

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Education Department investigating dozens of universities after DEI warning letter

NOAA also performs functions that couldnt easily be replicated by private industry, like radar and satellite data that require expensive building, launching and maintaining satellites and analyzing all the data that returns from them.

The Weather Channels Jim Cantore warned that NOAA cuts could lead to less accurate forecasting. NWS data is currently available for free and is not just used by individuals seeking forecasts but by private forecasting companies as well.

Could cuts put Americans at risk for severe weather?

Many Americans rely on the National Weather Services free forecasts, which are accessible to the public and also used by news media to warn of storms. The NWS is often the first to issue alerts for dangerous weather like tornadoes, giving people more time to take cover.

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Without the NWS, forecasting would fall to private companies. However, those companies, including ones like AccuWeather that offer free forecasts, typically rely on NWS data to generate their own forecasts. If the data provided were reduced, companies would have to figure out how to gather it (potentially at high cost) or attempt to forecast with reduced information.

Nearly half of Americans say economy worsening: Poll

Theres also the question of liability and whether media networks or private companies would want to take on the legal risk of issuing things like severe weather alerts where an inaccurate forecast could result in deaths.

The Heritage Foundations Project 2025, which lays out a conservative blueprint for the future of the country, suggests the NWS should retain its data-gathering capabilities but commercialize its forecasting operations.

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The document doesnt spell out what commercializing could entail, but in addition to the question of legal liability for forecasts, the loss of free public areas could harm small communities and rural America.

VIDEO: American Airlines plane evacuated in Denver after fire aboard

If the ability to warn people of severe weather becomes dependent on the ability to pay for a forecast, many Americans could be left with no warning of storms headed their way for no reason other than where they live.

NewsNation reached out to NOAA for comment. The agency declined to discuss management manners and said, NOAA remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nations environmental and economic resilience.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

___

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  As the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE continues to make cuts across many federal agencies, some people worry the moves could cause some issues for services.

DOGE is currently eyeing the Social Security Administration (SSA), where it has identified more than $800 million in cost savings for fiscal year 2025.

Areas DOGE has identified to cut back on include payroll, information technology, contracts and grants, space savings and other savings through new, common-sense approaches to printing, travel and purchase card policies.

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In payroll, the agency froze SSA and Disability Determination Services hiring and reduced overtime, which it estimates will be about $550 million in savings.

They identified an ITS budget reduction of $150 million by cancelling non-essential contracts and identifying reductions in other ITS contracts.

The agency is also looking to make cuts to its staff, moving from about 57,000 employees to 50,000.

What to know about Social Security office closures driven by Musks DOGE

I am very worried, especially as a new social security retiree, wondering what is going to happen, said Carla, who stopped by the Austin SSA office in south Austin after she said she waited hours on the phone to talk to someone.

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And they tell you your call will be answered in 120 minutes and nobody answered, Carla said.

After a long wait they decided to drive down just to talk to someone and get the information and paperwork they needed.

Stuart Greenfield, a professor of economics at Austin Community College, said these waits could get longer and cause delays for important information.

It will require more people waiting long hours on the phone to get explanations of their benefits, how to apply, how to appeal, Greenfield said. If you make things more difficult, you would expect fewer people will process successful applications.

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Now as a recent retiree, Carla said shes watching what unfolds closely.

Imagine the volume of work and there is no people, she said.

KXAN reached out to the SSA, a spokesperson referred us to a press release quoting the acting commissioner who said We have spent billions annually doing the same things the same way, leading to bureaucratic stagnation, inefficiency, and a lack of meaningful service improvements. It is time to change just that.

Its still unclear if any local offices have seen cuts.

KXAN reached out to Congressman Lloyd Doggetts office that told us no employees in Austin were fired. However, Doggetts office did say it has not been able to get that confirmed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
(Bloomberg) -- A staffer for the Department of Government Efficiency violated Treasury Department policies when he sent a spreadsheet containing personal information to two other people in the Trump administration, a federal official revealed in a court filing Friday.

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That DOGE staffer was Marko Elez, who left his job tracking Treasury payments after social media posts linking him to racist beliefs surfaced online. He has since been rehired by DOGE at the Social Security Administration.

The details about the data exchange come out of a forensic analysis Treasury conducted as part of a lawsuit brought by New York and other state attorneys general attempting to halt President Donald Trumps efficiency initiative from accessing sensitive payment information about US taxpayers, contractors, employees and beneficiaries.

The violation raises concerns about the data security practices of DOGEs work at the Treasury Department and other agencies as it digs into sensitive government databases. A federal filing earlier this week noted that any disruptions to the Treasury payments systems could have catastrophic consequences, including risking federal default on obligations or jeopardizing social support payments to millions of Americans.

The attorneys general responded in their own filing Friday that the revelation shows why the court shouldnt allow Elezs replacement have more access to data. The judge previously issued a order limiting DOGEs access to payments systems, which the government is seeking to modify.

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Plaintiffs have quickly reviewed the contents of these declarations and they do nothing to allay any of the concerns expressed by the court in its opinion about the rushed and chaotic nature of the Treasury DOGE Team onboarding process, the attorneys general said in a footnote to their own filing Friday. Rather, these new declarations confirm that the courts concerns were well founded.

The forensic analysis was conducted after the government revealed in an earlier court filing that Elez had briefly had read-write access to the payments data, when the court had previously been advised that his access was read-only. The analysis found that Elez did not make any changes to the payment data.

But after Elez resigned, Treasury found that he had emailed a spreadsheet containing personally identifiable information to two other officials at the General Services Administration, a separate agency that manages business operations for much of the federal government, according to the new filing.

The spreadsheet contained names  though Treasury didnt specify whether they were of individuals or entities  with the transaction type and an amount of money, according to the filing. Treasury also did not reveal how many payments were included.

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The names in the spreadsheet are considered low-risk PII because the names are not accompanied by more specific identifiers, such as social security numbers or birth dates, said the statement from David Ambrose, the chief privacy officer for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

But the distribution of personally identifiable information nonetheless violated Bureau of Fiscal Services policies because it was not encrypted and Elez did not obtain prior written approval, he said.

In filings in a separate court case, the Social Security Administration said this week that DOGE staffers need access to sensitive data on Social Security beneficiaries so they can review records needed to detect fraud. Elez is one of 10 DOGE staffers at the social insurance agency.

The SSA and Elez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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The judge in the Treasury case last month blocked DOGE-affiliated employees from accessing Americans personal and financial information at Treasury. But the judge gave the government an off-ramp, saying the Justice Department could seek to lift the injunction after providing details about training and vetting for DOGE employees. The filing on Friday outlined such training for the employee who replaced Elez, which specifically addressed the issues around his predecessors violation.

The states that sued argued DOGE was putting Americans data at risk by giving untrained staffers access to a vast trove of information. The data stems from a wide array of payments by the federal government to millions of Americans, including Social Security checks, veterans benefits, Medicare and Medicaid payments and child-tax credits.

Before joining DOGE, Elez worked as an engineer for SpaceX and social-media platform X, two companies owed by billionaire Elon Musk. Trump has tasked Musk with a wide-ranging effort to rein in federal spending, and the Treasurys payments system  which contains some of the most sensitive, non-classified information the government keeps  was an early target of that effort.

In a separate court filing on Monday, the agency said that there were 10 DOGE staffers working on eliminating waste and fraud in the nations social insurance program, and that they needed direct access to beneficiary data to do so.

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(An AI summary previously at the top of the story was removed because it incorrectly said Elez had sent the spreadsheet after he resigned.)

(Updates with filings by state attorneys general.)

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The federal government has ordered Kansas State University to stop working on agricultural research grants valued at up to $137 million that was funded by the United State's now-defunct foreign aid agency.

K-State announced Friday that it will suspend the operation of two agricultural research labs next month. The Capital-Journal previously reported that the future of the federal funding was in doubt amid turmoil in President Donald Trump's administration.

"After more than a decade of innovation labs that have helped feed the world and improve global food systems in partnership with the U.S. federal government, Kansas State University will suspend the operation of its two current Feed the Future Innovation Labs on April 12," university officials said in a news release.

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Feed the Future is part of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which was largely shuttered by the Department of Government Efficiency, the cost-cutting initiative led by Trump adviser Elon Musk.

K-State received stop-work orders in late January, which led to a pause in USAID grant-funded research.

"In late February, many stop-work orders became grant terminations, pausing or suspending various research on crop resilience and other projects," university officials said. "At K-State, students, scholars, post-doctoral fellows and some faculty connected to these projects are transitioning to other projects, and nine positions will be eliminated on April 12."

While the names of the specific programs don't show up on DOGE's website list of canceled grants, there are lines for unnamed USAID grants with corresponding dollar amounts that would match the two K-State labs.

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The university told The Capital-Journal that "K-State is ready and able to resume these programs should the stop work orders be lifted or grants restored."

Kansas State University is losing several million dollars in federal funding for agricultural research due to cuts by President Donald Trump's administration.

K-State awarded USAID-funded labs with funding of up to $137 million

USAID had awarded K-State with two significant investments in innovation labs for agricultural research, with at least $77 million and a potential for up to $137 million in funding.

The most recent, announced in November 2024, was the Climate Resilient Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab. The award was $50 million for five years, with a potential for a renewal for another five years and an additional $50 million.

At the time, K-State President Richard Linton called said "this international project represents one of the largest and most collaborative research grants in the history of K-State." Ernie Minton, dean of the College of Agriculture, said the research would "produce significant global impacts and greatly benefit Kansas by enhancing our knowledge of climate-resilient agricultural practices that improve productivity and sustainability."

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Earlier, in October 2023, was an announcement for the Climate Resilient Cereals Innovational Lab. The award was $22 million, with a potential ceiling of $37 million. That research was to advance breeding of four major world crops: wheat, sorghum, rice and millet.

It is unclear how much of the funding had been used before the project terminations.

The federal funding cuts also affect K-State grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

"While these specific programs are ceasing or pausing, K-State remains committed to advancing and enhancing global food systems and biosecurity and helping Kansas farmers overcome current and future challenges," Minton said Friday in a statement.

Congress previously supported Feed the Future

Feed the Future was started when the federal government launched a global food security initiative in 2010. In 2016, Congress put it into law with the Global Food Security Act.

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The law has been reauthorized by Congress since then, most recently in December 2022, as part of a larger bill on military spending. It appears that five of the six members of Kansas' congressional delegation voted for the final version of the legislation, and the one who voted against the final version had previously voted for a bill solely on reauthorizing the food programs.

With the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022, Congress provided for Feed the Future and its innovation labs through 2028.

While some in the Kansas congressional delegation have taken steps to counteract DOGE's apparent dismantling of Food for Peace, a different USAID program, they have not announced similar efforts to save Feed the Future from elimination.

K-State has history with USAID's Feed the Future

K-State has been awarded several innovation labs from USAID's Feed the Future since its inception.

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The new sustainable intensification lab and its potential 10 years of funding was going to replace a previous sustainable intensification lab that K-State had managed for the prior 10 years.

K-State had also had previously housed three other labs, dating back to 2013. Those were for the following:

Applied Wheat Genomics.

Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss.

Sorghum and Millet.

"Since K-State opened its first Feed the Future Innovation Lab in 2013, the labs and their researchers have been key players in building on the university's 160-year tradition of innovative agriculture research and helping feed the world by improving global food systems and resiliency," university officials said.

How foreign aid helped Kansas

K-State officials said in the news release that agricultural research as part of international aid was benefiting Kansas.

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"Agricultural research not only supports U.S. crop production and sustainability but also helps improve food security by understanding social, political and environmental factors related to food production," university officials said. "In turn, Kansans benefit from lower food costs, increased yields, higher farm incomes and better nutrition."

The university touted a 2022 analysis from a K-State agricultural economist. It found that more than 40 years of investment in international agricultural research, every $1 invested provided a return of $8.52 in economic impact benefiting the U.S.

"This work and these people are assets to the university, state and the agricultural industry," Minton said.

The terminated research had been benefiting farmers, including in Kansas, by developing wheat and sorghum crop varieties for different conditions, such as drought. The university said the affected research had also protected food systems from pests and diseases, and advanced safety with better storage practices.

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"K-State has proudly been a home for many international innovative agricultural research projects, including Feed the Future Innovation Labs, and university researchers continue to work with the federal government to provide scientific solutions and outcomes that impact not only Kansas but communities around the globe," K-State officials said.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: DOGE ends USAID agriculture research labs at Kansas State University
NEW YORK  A criminal investigation by Trumps Justice Department targeting migrants who sought asylum in New York City has spread alarm about a potentially dark new chapter in the presidents brutal crackdown on immigration.

The government, in a criminal subpoena, has demanded a Midtown hotel hand over the names, dates of birth and other details about migrant residents, sources told the Daily News. It wasnt immediately clear if other shelters have been targeted, despite media reports saying the Roosevelt Hotel and other locations were involved.

The feds are potentially also scrutinizing government officials involved in multimillion-dollar contracts the city entered into with hotels to deal with an influx of more than 200,000 asylum seekers beginning in spring 2022, according to a report in the Guardian.

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Josh Goldfein, an attorney for the Legal Aid Society, said the information demands represented a catchall attempt by the Trump administration to scare as many people as possible, the result of which will be that people have nowhere else to go.

Theyve been very clear that they were coming after New York regardless of whether that accomplishes their supposed goals, the attorney said. No one could defend this as a targeted approach to identify people who represent a danger. Its retaliatory and meant to frighten people.

The investigation is being handled by the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, which referred The Daily News to Department of Justice headquarters, indicating that senior officials in Washington, D.C., initiated the probe.

The move comes as the Trump administration has sharpened its focus on the Empire State, home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, with Trumps border czar on Wednesday threatening Gov. Kathy Hochul with doubling the number of federal immigration agents in New York if she didnt fall in line with the administrations policy objectives.

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While Homan was up in Albany, lawyers for the federal government were in Manhattan Federal Court defending immigration authorities detention of Columbia University graduate student and green card holder Mahmoud Khalil based on his political views regarding the conflict in Gaza.

The probe also comes amid a report on CNN that President Donald Trump plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which would give him sweeping powers to detain and deport citizens en masse if theyre determined to be from an enemy state. Last year, he vowed to invoke the wartime law to dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil.

Anti-immigrant politicians on the right have baselessly alleged migrant hotels in New York to be hotbeds of gang and drug activity.

In excusing the federal governments clawing back more than $80 million in FEMA grant money from New York City, lawyers for the Trump administration claimed the city was funding illegal alien hotels. Theyve claimed, without evidence, that The Roosevelt, which served as a primary intake center for new migrants arriving in the city, was being used as a base of operations for Venezuelan gang members.

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Luba Cortes, the lead immigration organizer at Make the Road New York, told The News she worried that Trumps actions and the mayors apparent willingness to cooperate, outlined in a deal to dismiss Adamss federal corruption case, have jeopardized the citys sanctuary policies and other protections.

Right now, we are in very difficult and harrowing times, Cortes said. (Migrants) shouldnt be used as scapegoats for the Adams administration or the Trump administration.

On Thursday, a source confirmed to the Daily News that The Hotel Chandler on E. 31st St. was targeted with the subpoena. The shelter, however, does not house asylum seekers, though it has a name similar to a nearby migrant shelter.

Sources who spoke to The News Thursday believed the feds may have mixed up The Chandler with the Candler building on W. 42nd St., an office space converted into a migrant shelter for single adults. A brawl between a group of asylum seekers and two New York Police Department officers outside that facility in January 2024 became a major political flashpoint in the immigration debate among right-wing politicians, who held it up as proof of a supposed migrant crime wave in the city.

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Manuel Castro, commissioner of the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs, emphasized that the citys sanctuary laws have not changed despite the federal governments probe into the hotels and encouraged migrants to continue to send their kids to school and seek care at hospitals.

To our immigrant New Yorkers, including our undocumented immigrant neighbors, friends, family members, know there are many people in our city, your fellow New Yorkers, that deeply care about you, he said.

In comments to reporters Thursday, Adams said the feds hadnt told City Hall anything about the probe. Adams expressed concern for shelter staffers but did not comment on the residents themselves.

The workers should not be getting caught up in the politics of it, Adams said. And that is who my heart goes out to. And I say to them, Im sorry youre going through all of that were seeing.

An attorney for Hotel Chandler did not respond to The News requests for comment.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE)  Dollywood is opening for its 40th anniversary season on Saturday, with the park, and Dolly Parton herself, giving season passholders a first peek at the exciting additions to the park this year.

Parton started off the event thanking guests for their love and support after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean.

MORE: Dolly Parton joins season passholders to celebrate Dollywoods 40th opening day

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Of course I will always love him, and Ill miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you.

To start off with the preview of what the park will look like, Dolly reflected on how the park began and shared a video of the coming season at the park will include.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the park shared that it has been wrapping up several major developments in Dollywoods parks and resorts. Company president Eugene Naughton told 6 News they are still hoping to hold onto traditions.

One of the upgrades is a refresh of Dollywoods Country Fair area, where the Demolition Derby, Lemon Twist, and Sky Rider riders are located. Some of the other upgrades include a new 750-space parking lot, and a new restaurant.

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New Ober Mountain upgrades allow for longer snow sports season in 2025

The 2025 season is also set to include all the festivals the park is known for, including the I Will Always Love You Music Festival that kicks off with Fridays event, the Flower & Food Festival, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, and Dollywoods Harvest Festival, leading up to another Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Laurel Falls Trail is closed, heres where to go in the Smokies instead

Following the video, Naughton joined Parton to talk about the changes at Dollywood, saying his job is to make sure they give wings to Dollys dreams. During the 70 days the park was closed, over 100 projects were completed.

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Among those projects was the conversion of the Heart Song Theater to the permanent Imagination Playhouse, which will open in mid-April, and the new restaurant in Wilderness Park. During the 40th anniversary season, the upgrades are expected to continue throughout the season, including a new show called Play On that will open on the parks anniversary weekend in May.

(WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE)

The announcements also included a glimpse at a new ride that will allow guests to take flight coming to Dollywood in 2026. Parton and Naughton said the Smoky Mountain themed project will be the biggest and most ambitious project the park has undertaken.

Parton wrapped up the event with a song called Celebrate The Dreamer In You.

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In addition to 2025 being the 40th anniversary season of Dollywood, it is also the25th anniversary season of Splash Country and the 10th anniversary season of the DreamMore Resort and Spa.

Friday afternoon, Dolly also waved and greeted guests during a parade through Dollywood.

Earlier this year, Dollywood hosted several hiring events to find staff to fulfil jobs across the park, with the park hiring staff for areas in its award winning and culinary and merchandise teams, as well as life guards and front desk positions.

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Donald Trump, in his speech at the Department of Justice on Friday, said it should be illegal for people to criticize judges, adding that it probably is illegal in some form.

Its not the first time the president has expressed this sentiment  on the campaign trail last year, Trump said people should be put in jail for criticizing the conservative justices on the Supreme Court.

Trump has, of course, consistently attacked the judges who presided over his criminal and civil cases. His comments Friday came just hours after his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stood outside the White House and attacked a judge who ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration had illegally fired thousands of probationary employees in a sham operation to circumvent employment laws.

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You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States, that is completely absurd, Leavitt said, adding that all of these injunctions have always been unconstitutional and unfair.

She asserted that as the executive of the executive branch, the president has the ability to fire or hire, further complaining about these lower-level judges who are trying to block this presidents agenda.

In recent weeks, as Trump and his top donor and advisor Elon Musk have torn through the federal government in a reckless, unilateral manner, some federal judges have stepped in to try to put a halt to their destruction. The administrations response hasnt been to accept the rulings and orders, or scale back its assault on the balance of power that has held the government together for centuries  but rather to repeatedly demand the conservative Supreme Courts assistance, and relentlessly attack the judges while claiming Trump should be able to decree whatever he wishes without oversight.

Lawless judicial tyranny, Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, wrote on X this week after a judge halted Trumps move to punish a law firm that represented Democrats during the 2020 election. Judges have no authority to force the executive branch to provide classified secrets to Democrat activist law firms.

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Under the precedents now being established by radical rogue judges, a district court in Hawaii could enjoin troop movements in Iraq, Miller wrote a few hours later. Judges have no authority to administer the executive branch. Or to nullify the results of a national election. We either have democracy, or not.

Musk  whose work leading Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has led to several legal challenges  has also argued that democracy means letting Trump do whatever he wants. If the will of the president is not implemented and the president is representative of the people, that means the will of the people is not being implemented, and that means we dont live in a democracy, we live in a bureaucracy, he told Sean Hannity last month.

The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges, Musk wrote on X a week after his comments to Hannity. No one is above the law, including judges. He has continued to regularly rail against the judges blocking Trumps orders to his 220 million X followers  including on Friday when he shared a story from a right-wing satire site about a judge naming himself president. Seriously, this is essentially whats happening!! Musk added.

Vice President J.D. Vance agrees. If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal, he wrote last month. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, thats also illegal. Judges arent allowed to control the executives legitimate power.

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So does Attorney General Pam Bondi. You got one district judge thinking he can control the money for the entire country, the head of the Justice Department said on Fox Business last week. They think they control everything and they dont, and that is why we are going after them every step of the way. The Justice Department will fight back.  It is the president of the United States decision who to hire, who to fire, where money goes  not these career bureaucrats.

Republican lawmakers have already introduced efforts to impeach two judges for ruling against the Trump administration.

Trump, for his part, has threatened to look at judges who rule against DOGEs efforts to gut federal agencies and freeze their funds.

Its hardly an idle threat  Trump viciously attacked the judge overseeing his criminal prosecution in the New York hush money trial. He went after the judges daughter multiple times, for having worked at a Democratic consulting firm, until the judge instituted a gag order  which Trump said was not fair.

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Trump also routinely slammed the judge overseeing his New York civil trials  calling him a bully and a terrible, biased, irrationally angry Clinton-appointed judge.

Somehow, on Friday, Trump decided to call out Democrats and the media for saying horrible things about judges who had ruled in his favor, characterizing it as truly interference.

They wanted to scare the hell out of the judges. And they do it, he said. And how do you stop it if youre a judge? Because you want to go home, you have a family, you have children, and The New York Times will write whatever these people say.

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US President Donald Trump has nominated Michael DeSombre, a former ambassador to Thailand, as his top diplomat for Asian affairs - a move that is expected to be welcomed in Beijing.

Trump said on Tuesday he had selected DeSombre to be assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, an appointment that will require confirmation by the Senate.

DeSombre, who spent two decades in Hong Kong as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, "did a great job" as the ambassador to Bangkok, Trump wrote on social media.

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He added: "I know Michael will work incredibly hard for our country. Congratulations Michael!"

DeSombre thanked Trump for the nomination, saying he was "honoured".

If confirmed he will take charge of Washington's foreign policy for East Asia and will oversee the Office of China Coordination.

The office, informally known as China House, was established in December 2022 as the centrepiece of the previous administration's diplomatic strategy in the global rivalry with China.

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The job of assistant secretary has often been filled by career diplomats, but Trump's pick reflects his preference for loyalists, according to Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.

Earlier, Trump also nominated businessman and former senator David Perdue as the next US ambassador to China.

Wang said the US president was "veering away" from conventional picks.

"Trump wants loyalty, and he wants to be in charge of making foreign policy, rather than simply giving a speech or signing some documents, and the foreign policy needs to reflect Trump's will," Wang added.

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"So from the point of view of Trump's emphasis on ties with China and his preference for the transactional approach, the nominations are strongly in Trump's style."

He added that these picks "would be helpful to bilateral ties between China and the US" - particularly when trying to arrange a summit between the leaders - and said he thought "this should be welcomed by China too".

DeSombre, a Harvard-educated lawyer, moved to Hong Kong in 1997 where he focused on mergers and acquisitions while working for the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.

According to industry website law.com, in 2018, DeSombre advised Credit Suisse as financial adviser to the Alibaba Group, the owner of the South China Morning Post, on the Chinese e-commerce giant's acquisition of a 33 per cent stake in Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group.

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After serving as Trump's ambassador to Thailand, he rejoined the company in 2021 where he worked from both California and Hong Kong.

He is also a long-term Republican donor and fundraiser who helped found the Republicans Overseas group and chaired its Hong Kong chapter.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A man charged in a 2021 murder had his bond revoked after allegedly shooting into an apartment building in February while out on bond.

Tyshawn Ford, who was on bond for capital murder in the 2021 death of a Hardy Gray, had his bond revoked today after picking up another charge last month for allegedly shooting into an occupied apartment building.

He shouldnt have never been out to start with on capital murder but Im glad he is revoked and back in jail, said Billy Gray, brother of Hardy Gray.

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Murder suspect caught on camera shooting into apartment while out on bond, police say

Dothan Police say Ford was caught on camera shooting a gun into Martin Homes on Tuskegee Avenue. The video was shown to the judge during his bond revocation Thursday.

But during the hearing, investigators claimed two people broke into Fords apartment at Martin Homes, one of them trying to shoot Ford, and he tried to defend himself and his property without calling police.

Police said he tried to take the matter into his own hands, going after the two people with a gun which he wasnt supposed to have while out on bond for capital murder, and fired shots into a residence the two people were in at the time.

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Police claim Ford ended up pistol whipping his childs mother who was apart of the break in, making him think she set him up.

Brundidge police chief, wife committed fraud using federal aid program, prosecutors claim

Im so glad nobody was hurt what if there was a little kid in there and they were hit by a stray bullet and they would have been going through what Im going through, said Billy Gray.

Hardy Gray was found by coworkers in his Pansey, Alabama, home with 5-6 gunshot wounds, fully clothed and lying facedown in his kitchen.

On top of the murder charge, Ford is facing first degree attempted assault and 3rd degree domestic violence.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
America faces a stark threat to its naval dominance in China. America has attempted to upgrade the Pacific Fleet, build alliances in the region, and pivot to Asia since 2010. So were not sleeping on this. But we are hitting the snooze button over and over again. Importantly, strategic submarine production is way down and way behind.

China is an ascendant naval power and, since 2021, has a larger navy than the U.S. The U.S. fleet has fallen from a recent peak of 289 ships in active commission in 2014 to 239 today. Meanwhile, the Chinese fleet is growing and hovers somewhere near 400 vessels.

But America has a plan to stem the tide: Grow the fleet, especially of submarines, in U.S. and allied service.

Submarines in the Pacific

The value of the submarines becomes more apparent the more you look at Pacific operations. For instance, right now, China relies on ballistic missiles to keep American carrier groups away, but those missiles are essentially useless against the smaller and stealthier subs that can evade them entirely by diving. Chinas growing fleet has little experience and is showing growing pains, especially in shipboard technology, and so its not clear that China can effectively hunt U.S. or allied submarines. American logistics in the Pacific, a strength overall, could be heavily challenged during a war, but submarines are self-reliant for months at a time.

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And, one of our strongest allies in the region, Australia, wanted to buy American submarines in order to improve interoperability and defend their own shipping lanes and shores. They even promised $3 billion in earnest money, and 2025s $500 million payment just hit the account in January. This deal is the first key to a security alliance between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K., named AUKUS.

AUKUS and U.S.

The deal calls for a batch of Virginia-class submarines followed by the SSN-AUKUS, a new submarine based on British design and stuffed full of the best American technology.

Just one small wrinkle: America has never met its goal for Virginia-class submarine production. It needs to double the current rate to do so, even as the Trump administration promises defense spending cuts of 8% per year for the next five years. And since Australia cant get those Virginia-class submarines without the Trump administration signing off that its willing to give them up, theres a surge in Australian calls to scrap the deal and find another submarine supplier, maybe France or Sweden, where Australia wont rely on American shipyards or spare parts.

If Australia backs out of the deal, the per-unit cost of Americas submarines will rise once again. And, for what its worth, the profit and wages from the deal would then flow entirely to Europe, not the states.

Attempts to fix submarine production

Obviously, policymakers are aware that were not producing as many subs as we would like. A February Congressional Research Service report found that America has produced 1.2 Virginia-class submarines per year since 2022. The Navy is trying to get that up to two per year by 2028 and then to 2.33 per year to service its own needs and the Australia submarine deal.

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And three Congresspeople just announced a new bill to try and get to the bottom of the issues. The Save Our Shipyards Act would create a commission charged with investigating what has gone wrong in American shipbuilding, whether its up to maintaining our national defense in its current state, and how to get it on track if not. The group is led by Army veteran and Republican Rep. Mark E. Green alongside Navy veteran and Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans and Air Force veteran and Democrat Rep. Don Davis.

Build Submarines

This isnt the first time America has tried to give submarine production a shot in the arm. The Build Submarines initiative from BlueForce Alliance and the U.S. Navy features a slick ad campaign and broad outreach to try and bring literally thousands of workers into the maritime construction pipeline. The results in the FY24 program report show some gaps, though. Industry partners listed over 105,000 jobs but only 58,000 job hunters created profiles. The report doesnt say how many job hunters made it into a role.

But program reports massive increases in candidates and job matches in areas with new, state-level training pipelines. A new series of pipelines in the northeast allowed industry there to hire 4 times the new employees they onboarded in FY23, reaching 2,700 new job placements. Obviously, growing those pipelines and similar programs across the U.S. would make a huge difference. And those jobs exist in all 50 states.

Australias submarine production woes

In this 2018 photo, the crew of USS Indiana salutes during the commissioning ceremony of the USS Indiana, the Navys 16th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine and the third ship named for the State of Indiana, in Port Canaveral, Florida. U.S. Navy / Senior Chief Petty Officer Leah Stiles

Of course, that could be cold comfort to Australia if America never actually catches up enough to sell to them. Meanwhile, some American allies are seeing the U.S. as less-than-reliable, like Portugal which suddenly pulled out of a deal to buy F-35s. The outgoing defense minister directly cited predictability of our allies as a deciding factor.

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And Australian leaders are under pressure at home to deliver submarines quickly and in-line with Australias defense needs. The Virginia-class and SSN-AUKUS subs are seen as potentially too big and coming too late. And the pressure only ramped up when it was discovered that China conducted live-fire drills between Australia and New Zealand in February. At least according to open-source reporting, Australia appeared to be unaware until commercial pilots reported that Chinese ships were diverting them away from the exercise.

What happens next?

The attack submarine USS Virginia makes her way up the Thames River to Submarine Base New London, after its first six-month deployment of a Virginia-Class Submarine in 2010. Virginia traveled more than 37,000 miles while conducting operations in the U.S. European and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo

Well, Congress is trying to wrap its hands around the problem. The Navy has worked with industry for a few years now to try and get caught up. If BlueForge Alliance can keep growing talent for its defense contractors, then the Navy might be able to improve its submarine production.

To that end, though, its worth noting that industry likes steady and predictable partnerships. But the roles of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations are both currently held by acting personnel after sudden firings in February. Congress has not yet set a date to vote on the nominee for chairman. And the Trump administration needs to nominate a new CNO. If America wants to get shipbuilding caught up, then it needs its leaders in place across the board.

The near-term question is whether Australia will stick with the deal, a major topic of debate in that country right now. Its important to remember that American subs, while expensive, are still much cheaper than Australia building its own capability from scratch. And some of the U.S. technologies cant be replicated from elsewhere. For instance, it would be extremely hard for Australia to get nuclear propulsion from another ally. So this is still Americas partnership to lose.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Residents of downtown Portland are expressing deep concerns about the resurgence of drug activity and dealing in their neighborhood.

This drug hot spot is one KOIN 6 has tracked closely for more than a year. Downtowns Safeway and Plaid Pantry were a drug epicenter.

New details in Dane Paulsens disappearance, death

Residents saw safer streets when can redemptions paused, but now they say its deja vu.

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Then the whole open-air drug market started all over again, Sandeep Divekar said. Whats unfolding is a tragedy in slow motion.

Neighbors describe the situation just outside their downtown highrise.

Drug dealings, drug activity, drug usemen sitting in wheelchairs, shooting up, said Larry Cusack. They sit on that wall and do their fentanyl.

Downtown residents rely on walking and transit but said rising drug activity in recent months hurts their quality of life. Mary Lou Cavendish is 90 years old, she said now doesnt go out as much anymore.

I used to say that I would go out at night and never worry about walking, but I wont do that anymoretoo many obviously homeless people on the streets using drugs, Cavendish said.

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It just doesnt feel safe, Cusack added. People are afraid to ride the streetcar, especially at night.

Other downtown residents said they live downtown because they are handicapped, requiring wheelchairs and walkers. The density of downtown and access to transit is essential for their independence.

More tents are popping up, making it harder to get around, said Keith Martin, who needs his scooter to navigate the sidewalks.

Once again, neighbors describe dodging drug dealers daily.

We are paying the highest tax rate in the city  my taxes are about $1,000 a month. So its a significant investment, Ray Bodwell said. And yet there are times you dont want to go to the South Park Blocks because theres a gathering waiting for a dealer.

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Alice Nayak has to walk the streets alone at 6 a.m. to get to her bus stop for work. She says thats the prime time for drug activity.

Id love to see the deals cut down because its scary to be around, and its unfair for [TriMet] operators to deal with some of this on the bus, Nayak said.

Adam Kriss says rising drug activity shut down his nearby medical clinic. Now, he pays for a taxi to Tigard for care.

I have a disability, so I dont drive, Kriss said. Its not just inconvenient for people like meit also impacts people economically as well.

Residents say cans-for-cash and harm reduction handouts are backfiring. They want stronger, common-sense action from local and state leaders to make downtown safe again.

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Winter storm watch issued for Oregon Cascades

We reached out to state and local leaders.

Sen. Lisa Reynolds and Rep. Shannon Isadore didnt respond to our request for comment.

Chair Vega Pederson said in a statement:

During the tri-county 90 Day Fentanyl Emergency last spring, the State chose to temporarily stop can collections at a few locations downtown, including the Safeway at 11th and Jefferson. This temporary measure expired a year ago. The requirement for grocery stores to accept cans for collection is State law and not under the purview of Multnomah County.

I support the Portland Police Bureaus crack-down on drug dealing and the legislatures focus on revision to our drug laws. Our work to respond to House Bill 4002 has resulted in the rapid increase of resources for this exact population through the Coordinated Care Pathway Center. Police who come into contact with people using drugs can get those folks immediately connected to services, and we will soon be expanding hours at the Center to 24-7 and increasing capacity to include sobering. All of this is in direct service to increased livability across Multnomah County.

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We are at the table to address the concerns of our neighbors. Weve been focusing on regular contact and collaboration with our partners, and work closely with the City, Portland Police Bureau, and the District Attorneys Office at meetings focused on addressing livability concerns in this area. Portland Solutions convenes bi-weekly Problem Solvers meetings for this area every other Monday. The most recent meeting was on March 3rd and recent developments include Portland Peoples Outreach Project agreeing to change location from near the Cathedral School, and the Provider-Police Joint Connection Project (which pairs police with mental health and addiction specialists) visiting the Couch Park area throughout March.

We are still waiting for comment from Multnomah County Commissioner Meghan Moyer, and will update this as soon as we hear back.

Tigard Tesla dealership shot for second time

Meanwhile, officers patrolling the area told KOIN theyve made drug-related arrests in recent months.

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The Bike Squad continues to work the area almost daily to address vice activity, said PPB Sergeant Kevin Allen. Every mission in recent months has included patrolling, making stops, and addressing illegal camps when appropriate.

Drug activity shifts, so police say theyre staying nimble to tackle public safety issues.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
MAJDAL SHAMS, Golan Heights (AP)  Dozens of clerics and others from Syrias minority Druze community crossed into the Israeli-controlled side of the Golan Heights Friday for the first time in decades.

The nearly 100 Syrian Druze crossed the heavily-fortified border area in three buses, escorted by members of the Israeli military. They are expected to visit a religious shrine on the Israeli side of the border.

The rare visit comes three months after the end of a five-decade grip on power by the Assad family in Syria. Israel has said it is ready to protect the Druze of Syria if they come under attack by the countrys new rulers.

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Many Druze have rejected Israels overtures, and critics accuse Israel of trying to weaken and divide Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

Nevertheless, a group of Druze from the Israeli-controlled Golan heights welcomed the Syrian Druze at the crossing point who waved the multi-colored flag of the religious minority, chanting in Arabic It is written on our doors, welcome to our beloved ones.

Historic crossing

This is a historic visit between families. We have families inside (Syria), and they are the same when they come. They have families here, said Majdal Shams, resident Jawlan Abu Zed. They are religious men who are coming to visit the holy sites, just like our Sunni brothers who go to visit Mecca, just like our Christian brothers who go to visit the Vatican.

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The Druze is one of the Middle East's most insular religious sect, beginning as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Most Druze religious practices are shrouded in secrecy, with outsiders not allowed to convert.

Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel and the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau seized from Syria by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Israels 1981 annexation of the area is recognized only by the United States, with the rest of the world considering it occupied Syrian territory.

Crossing from Syria into Israeli-controlled territory was restricted in the past. The religious leadership of the Druze sect in Lebanon have urged clerics not to visit Israel, saying those who do it will be violating its orders.

Although Israeli citizenship is open for the Druze of the Golan Heights, most have opted not to take it, though they have residency rights.

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Some families are split apart by what is known as the Alpha Line, the start of a buffer zone that separates the Israeli-controlled area of the Golan Heights from Syria. They navigate their historically Syrian identity while living under Israeli rule. On the Syrian side of the border, the Druze generally adopted Arab nationalism, including support for the Palestinian cause.

Recent violence in Syria

The rare visit comes days after clashes between fighters loyal to Assad and forces of the countrys new Islamist rulers in Syria that sparked the worst violence Syria has seen since December, when insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, overthrew Assad.

The clashes led to wave of revenge attacks in Syrias coastal region by Sunni gunmen against members of the minority Alawite sect to which the Assad family belongs.

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A war monitor said nearly 1,500 civilians, mostly Alawites, were killed within three days of clashes and shootings. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the figures.

Like many of Syrias ethnic and religious minorities, the Druze are concerned about how the new transitional government will treat them, although authorities have promised to include them in the political process. Syrias interim president, Ahamd al-Sharaa, is the leader of HTS, which was affiliated with al-Qaidas branch in Syria.

The Druze delegation from Syria is scheduled to meet with the religious leader of the sect in Israel, Mowafaq Tarif, to discuss the conditions for the Druze of Syria.

On Sunday, Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will allow Druze from Syria to enter the country for work although it is not clear when it will start.

____

Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed to the report from Beirut.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is President Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may have significantly underpaid his Social Security and Medicare taxes in recent years, according to a memo prepared by Democratic staff on the Senate Finance Committee and obtained by CNN.

A spokesperson for Oz pushed back on the claim from Democrats, saying that the doctor is compliance with the law.

Oz, who appeared before the committee Friday for his confirmation hearing, paid negligible Social Security or Medicare taxes in 2022 and no such taxes in 2023  avoiding $440,000 in levies, according to the memo and Sen. Ron Wyden, the committees ranking member.

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The celebrity doctor would be responsible for overseeing Medicare if he is confirmed. CMS provides health care coverage to more than 160 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges.

Oz took the position that he was not liable for certain taxes  including a self-employment tax, known as SECA  on income from his media entity Oz Property Holdings, the memo said.

What that means is the person who is nominated to run Medicare thinks that its acceptable not to pay his taxes into Social Security and Medicare, like nurses and firefights do out of every paycheck, Wyden said at the hearing.

Ozs accountant told the committees Democratic staff that the doctor was relying on the limited partner exception, which allows certain income to be excluded from self-employment earnings. But Democratic staffers contend that he was actively involved in the company that bears his name, noting that Dr. Ozs position is counter to the position of the Department of Treasury.

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Oz, however, told the staffers he would not amend his tax returns.

The Office of Government Ethics has conducted an extensive review of Dr. Ozs finances as part of the regular vetting process. OGE has transmitted to the Senate a letter indicating that any potential conflicts have been resolved, and he is in compliance with the law, Christopher Krepich, a spokesman for Oz, said in a statement to CNN.

At least one tax expert said that Ozs action is not against the law. Dr. Ozs position is aggressive, and one that I would not recommend. I would label Dr. Ozs a dodge, but not illegal, said Steve Rosenthal, a former senior fellow with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

Pressed on Medicaid

Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and longtime television host, was repeatedly asked during Fridays confirmation hearing about his position on Medicaid. The program covers more than 72 million low-income Americans and is in the spotlight as House Republicans are expected to seek cuts to its funding to help pay for extending the Trump tax cuts from 2017.

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Several of the committees Democrats pointed out that Medicaid serves a vital role in improving the health of children, mothers, people with disabilities and others. They noted that the program supports hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat of New Hampshire, asked the nominee if he supports the Republican budget plan that she said would terminate the health coverage of millions of Americans, including as many as 30,000 children in my state. She pointed out that Medicaid covers 40% of births in the US and half of births in rural areas.

I dont want children losing health care, Oz responded, adding, We do have to make investment, I believe, in maternal care in order to provide better services.

However, Oz also voiced support for several GOP critiques of the program. He ran for a US Senate seat in Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2022 but lost to Democrat John Fetterman, who was the states lieutenant governor at the time.

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The doctor said he is in favor of adding work requirements to Medicaid, a longtime GOP goal, but that the mandate should not be an obstacle to coverage  as critics say it has been in the two states that have implemented it. (Arkansas added a work requirement in 2018, but the mandate was struck down in court. Georgias program is in effect.)

Oz also touched on other controversial topics during the hearing, which lasted more than two-and-a-half hours. The doctor, who told reporters its game time as he entered the hearing, pushed the use of technology to improve CMS services for beneficiaries and its ability to reduce waste, fraud and abuse, as well as to make it easier for doctors to care for patients.

He advocated for using artificial intelligence to help speed the prior authorization process so physicians and their patients can learn more quickly if insurers have approved treatments or medications. But Oz also agreed that a human should have the final say when Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, pointed out that insurers have been accused of using AI to deny care.

Several Democrats also pressed Oz on his views about Medicare Advantage, which he often promoted on his television show. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren noted that the program, in which the federal government pays private insurers to provide Medicare coverage to beneficiaries, is more expensive than traditional Medicare. Part of the reason stems from a controversial practice called upcoding, in which insurers include additional diagnoses in patients records in order to receive higher reimbursements.

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Oz agreed that upcoding can be cheating, and that there are ways to make sure that people are being appropriately paid for taking care of sick patients, but not for patients who arent ill.

We have numerous tools, but part of this is just recognizing theres a new sheriff in town, he told Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, who also asked the nominee about getting better value in Medicare Advantage.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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(Bloomberg) -- Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trumps nominee to lead Medicare and Medicaid, told senators he would focus on chronic disease and improving the efficiency of federal health programs.

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His remarks to the Senate Finance Committee show an early glimpse of his agenda if hes confirmed to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees $1.7 trillion in federal spending.

Oz, a surgeon and TV star, cited higher costs for American health care compared to other countries and inefficiencies. He called for rethinking our outdated approach to treating symptoms rather than underlying causes of disease.

He refused to commit to opposing cuts to the Medicaid health program for low-income Americans, despite prodding from Democratic senators. Republicans in Congress are eyeing cuts to federal spending on Medicaid to extend tax cuts passed during Trumps first term.

Instead, Oz said he supports paying providers enough to do what is requested from them in Medicaid and ensuring there are enough providers that accept Medicaid to provide services. But he also supported work requirements for people on Medicaid and suggested the program has outgrown its original remit.

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The rapid expansion of the required expenses of monies for Medicaid is far beyond what was ever envisioned when ACA was originally passed, he said, referring to the Affordable Care Act, which expanded Medicaid coverage.

Private Insurers

Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Oz on addressing techniques private insurers use to boost their payments from Medicare, the US program for older and disabled people. Those practices within Medicare Advantage plans include home visits meant to identify diagnoses like peripheral artery disease that increase outlays even when patients dont need treatment.

Oz agreed that some practices amounted to cheating, a response that won praise from Warren.

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It doesnt just help the scoundrels who are stealing from the vulnerable, its actually hurting the people trying to take care of those vulnerable populations, Oz said, referring to some Medicare Advantage home visits used to boost payments.

Following the fatal shooting of a UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive in December, criticism of insurance companies surged, including how they perform prior authorization for care. Congress hasnt taken action on the issue, but several senators brought it up during the hearing.

Oz said prior authorization requirements are misused in some settings, and advocated for using technology to automate some processes to speed them up.

Intense Frustration

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Doing this rapidly, we cut out several percent of administrative costs, and deal with the intense frustration the American people have with pre-authorization, Oz said.

Oz also said that CMS should begin paying for new medical products as soon as the Food and Drug Administration approves them, making it easier for companies to create lifesaving tools. He cited his own experience developing a medical device called the MitraClip that treats leaky heart valves.

The change would be a boon for drug and device-makers. CMS separately evaluates whether to pay for some new products based on the evidence. The agency declined to pay for a controversial Alzheimers treatment approved by the FDA, seeking more evidence.

Oz was a surprise pick when Trump selected him to lead CMS. The agencys programs provide health coverage for 68 million people on Medicare and 79 million people on Medicaid. CMS also regulates marketplaces for individual coverage through the Affordable Care Act covering 24 million.

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These programs are already becoming flashpoints as Trump and Elon Musk seek to slash federal spending. US health insurers including UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Elevance Health Inc. get billions in revenue from administering private versions of Medicare and Medicaid plans, and hospitals like HCA Healthcare Inc. rely on the federal payments.

Trump has said he wont cut Medicare, though Musk has recently called federal entitlement programs a key target for cuts.

(Updates with additional comments from hearing, background information starting in fifth paragraph.)

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Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician who President Donald Trump has nominated to oversee the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), may have potentially underpaid on his Medicare and Social Security taxes.

That memo from the Democratic staff on the Senate Finance Committee, which was obtained by outlets like NBC News , Politico , and Reuters Thursday, outlines a review of Ozs tax returns from 2021 to 2023. It claims that Oz paid no Medicare or Social Security taxes in 2023 and negligible amounts in 2022.

NBC News additionally reports that Democratic committee staff found Oz to have allegedly underpaid on his Social Security and Medicare taxes by a total of roughly $440,000.

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Oz is slated to appear before the Senate Finance Committee for a confirmation hearing on his nomination on Friday.

Dr. Oz attends The Swift Hour during the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York Times Square on September 24, 2024 in New York City. / Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Summit

The physicians spokesperson, Christopher Krepich, told the Daily Beast in a statement: The Office of Government Ethics has conducted an extensive review of Dr. Ozs finances as part of the regular vetting process.

OGE has transmitted to the Senate a letter indicating that any potential conflicts have been resolved and he is in compliance with the law, he continued.

The panels chairman, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, additionally told NBC News that Oz followed the law in a statement.

Dr. Oz followed the law and provided significant amounts of documentation to substantiate his tax return positions as part of the committees rigorous vetting process, Crapo said. I look forward to holding his hearing tomorrow.

Dr. Mehmet Oz (L) shakes hands with Donald Trump during a rally at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport November 5, 2022 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. / Win McNamee/Getty Images

The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment.

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Dr. Ozs position is counter to the position of the Department of Treasury and results in him not paying into Social Security and Medicare, the very healthcare program he hopes to manage, Democratic staff wrote in their five-page memo, according to Reuters .

Oz is widely known for his eponymous talk show which ran for 13 seasons. As CMS administrator, he would oversee an agency which provides health care coverage to more than 160 million people in the country through Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Acts insurance exchanges.
Passengers were seen evacuating an American Airlines flight after it caught fire on the tarmac at Denver International Airport on Thursday, with dramatic scenes spreading quickly across social media. Footage showed passengers climbing onto the wing of the plane as it sat on the tarmac, engulfed in smoke.

The flight had taken off from Colorado Springs Airport en route to Dallas-Fort Worth before being diverted to Denver. The exact issue that caused the flight diversion wasn't immediately clear.

American Airlines flight 4012 just caught fire at Denver airport pic.twitter.com/EHIGMAqJjJ  Stone (@flynnstone) March 14, 2025

The fire started in one of the engines after the plane had already landed, American Airlines told Fox31 in a statement. The airline said the plane involved was a Boeing 737-800.

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Related: Terrifying Video Shows Highway Bridge Collapse That Killed One Person

"After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport (DEN), American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue," the company said. "The 172 customers and six crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal. We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority.

BREAKING: American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport pic.twitter.com/DwQvCCRrNz  BNO News (@BNONews) March 14, 2025

This is a developing story, check back later for more info.
Peace with honor was a phrase President Richard Nixon emphasized in an announcement to end the United States direct involvement with the war in Vietnam.

Throughout the 1968 presidential campaign, Nixon pledged to bring about an honorable end to our involvement in Southeast Asia and this turned out to be a campaign promise kept  albeit nearly five years late. A large portion of the Paris Peace Accords included the removal of U.S. military in the country and release of American and South Vietnamese prisoners of war held by the North. South Vietnam also released its Northern prisoners of war.

More: Drew Landry: Texas independence thrives with public education

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Did the exit of the U.S. military from southeast Asia end the war in Vietnam? It ended our direct participation, for sure, but there was no enforcement of the Peace Accord. Shortly after President Nixon began his second term, he was entangled in the Watergate scandal and that defined his presidency and legacy. Because of Watergates enormous grasp on American domestic politics at the time, Vietnam was no longer a front-page issue.

Despite it no longer serving as the top concern for voters, popularity for our involvement in Vietnam waned. By the time the Paris Peace Accords was signed in January of 1973, 60 percent of Americans felt sending our troops to Vietnam was a mistake. With Congress adoption of the Case-Church Amendment in June of 1973, which forbade sending money to Southeast Asia and to repair North Vietnam without Congressional approval and creating the War Powers Resolution to restrict unilateral presidential power concerning the military, not only was the legislative branch responding to the American public on Vietnam, it also responded to Americans approval of President Nixon. By the summer of 1973, his approval rating dropped to around 45%. Congress had no other option but to address two unpopular items on behalf of the people of the United States, our Vietnam involvement and President Richard Nixon.

By the time North Vietnam reinvaded South Vietnam, Nixon was no longer president and President Gerald Fords plea for more aid in Vietnam stalled in Congress. As we know, Saigon fell in April 1975 and Vietnam became a united, communist country. Diplomatic connections between Vietnam and the United States would be disconnected until 1995.

Was the goal of peace with honor achieved under Presidents Nixon and Ford respectively? With those events, I am unsure if it was.

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Now we have current President Donald Trump parroting the same Nixonian line. That we will have peace with honor in Ukraine with Russia. What the disastrous White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky  with members of Trumps cabinet and vice-president onlooking  displayed was not the U.S. dedication to end the Russian-Ukraine War with a peaceful resolution satisfying Russian, Ukrainian, and American interests. It displayed, however, Americas alliance with Russia and the abandonment of our ally in Ukraine.

President Trump wants President Zelensky to accept the terms of peace set by Russian President Vladimir Putin along with a raw materials deal from the United States. Zelensky  wisely  rejected Putins terms because there were no check of security put on Putin or relinquishing any of the invaded Ukrainian territories Russia took. Putins terms would have dismantled Ukraine and the only countries that would have enjoyed the peace would be Russia and the United States.

President Trump, however, believes if President Zelensky accepted the raw materials deal from the United States, which would essentially put Americans in Ukraine, it would serve as a security check on President Putin. Along with American interests, a coalition of the willing  currently consisting of the U.K. and France  is forming to possibly serve in a peacekeeping role in Ukraine.

While these steps are important to forge peace in Eastern Europe, what is more telling is President Trumps continual support for Ukraine to concede its role as the invaded and accept whatever peace Putins Russia puts forward. Why is President Zelensky and Ukraine gambling  as the president put it in the embarrassing White House meeting  with world conflict? Why was a leader literally defending itself against a military invasion scolded like a teenager who missed curfew?

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President Trump has great faith in his ability to make a deal. This president believes he can bring anyone to the negotiating table whenever he wants and this context broker peace. This president, however, overplays his hand with Russia.

Let me be crystal clear. Vladimir Putin is not to be trusted on any deal.

Former President Ronald Reagan used a phrase with negotiating with the Soviet Union during the 1980s. That phrase was trust but verify. This president believes he can simply trust Putin. Such naivete in an aggressive thug is more Neville Chamberlain than Winston Churchill.

Peace with honor is what we desire but what U.S. honor did Nixon keep by making promises to South Vietnamese leaders neither he nor Ford could not preserve? What American honor does Trump maintain in pushing Ukraine to accept Russias terms to end the aggression?

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We  as Americans  want peace in Eastern Europe between Ukraine and Russia. But it cannot be solely on The Great Bears terms and conditions. If current U.S. leadership continues turning its back on European allies and siding with Russia  whether it pertains to simply opposing a United Nations resolution blaming Russia for starting the war in Ukraine or going as far as refusing to share intelligence or provide military aid to Ukraine  the world is heading to a pre-World War II status.

That is unacceptable. It is peace without honor. It certainly is not peace through strength.

Landry

Drew Landry is an assistant professor of government at South Plains College. His views do not necessarily represent those of SPC.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Landry: Is Trump's Ukraine strategy really 'peace with honor?'
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group increased its financing in Poland by 10% in 2024, reaching 5.7 billion euros, Trend reports.

This investment supported the countrys urban development, energy transition, and business competitiveness. The total investment leveraged amounted to 13.5 billion euros, equivalent to 1.6% of Poland's GDP.

The EIB Groups financing covered several key areas, including climate action, energy supply security, and the modernization of urban infrastructure. Notably, the bank funded 2.5 billion euros for sustainable urban growth, with a focus on transport and regional projects in cities such as Warsaw, Poznan, and Rybnik. Additionally, 2.5 billion euros was directed toward energy transition projects, including agreements with ORLEN Group, ENEA, and PGE to enhance power distribution grids and promote renewable energy.

In the defense sector, the EIB signed its largest investment in 2024, providing 300 million euros to Polands satellite program. The group also supported Polands flood protection infrastructure with a 200 million euro agreement.

The EIBs support for innovation and business growth rose significantly, with a 127% year-on-year increase, reaching 840 million euros. The European Investment Fund (EIF) also doubled its financing to 1.3 billion euros, assisting 35,000 SMEs and contributing to the creation of 225,000 jobs.

Looking ahead, the EIBs 2025 investment plan totals 95 billion euros, with a focus on continued climate action, energy transition, and defense projects. In January 2025, the EIB committed 400 million euros to the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm, set to be the EUs largest wind farm.
SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Horry County will be flying drones along the coast starting in March to help map beach contours ahead of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach renourishment project, Surfside Beach Mayor Robert Krouse said.

Drones will be flown from March through May during certain low tide events, Krouse said.

The Town of Surfside Beach website explained that the drones will be capturing high-resolution topographical data of the beach and dune systems, as well as assessing and documenting shoreline conditions for environmental monitoring.

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I dont think this will be anything like New Jersey in the fall or even like the spy balloon a couple years ago, Krouse said in a newsletter. But if you see more drones in the air, especially during low tides, you will know why.

Twenty-six miles of Horry County coastline will be renourished following a $72 million contract from the Corps of Engineers.

The project is needed because of severe erosion along the coastline during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Debby in 2024.

The renourishment is being funded entirely by the Corps of Engineers and will help ensure the safety of both life and infrastructure beyond the dunes of the Grand Strand during future storms.

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The Corps of Engineers awarded a contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company to dredge up sand off the coast and put it on the beach to build back what was lost during the hurricanes.

The contractors will place two million cubic yards of material  thats 200,000 dump trucks along the 26 miles of coastline.

We want to have as close to the native sand that they have on the beach as possible, Wes Wilson, Project Manager at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, said. So, we do some significant amount of Geotech engineering, some surveys, some lab testing to ensure that we have that same, native sand as whats currently on the beach.

According to the Town of Surfside Beach website, the project is set to begin in June. Once the project begins, community members can track the progress online.

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* * *

Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.


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On back-to-back nights in August 1969 in Los Angeles, seven people lost their lives: Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. They were killed by members of Charles Mansons quasi-hippie commune, also known as the Manson Family.

The official narrative of what happened on those two horrifying nights in those houses near Hollywood was thoroughly and exhaustively laid out in the seminal 1974 book, Helter Skelter. In what is still the best-selling true crime book of all time, Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor in the cases against Charles Manson and his acolytes, laid out the Familys motives and crimes, and how the prosecution secured their convictions.



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So, why do some skeptics still have questions about the crimes commonly referred to as the Tate-LaBianca Murders? Some call out the holes in Bugliosis accounting of the crimes, while others say his Helter Skelter Theory came together a little too neatly. Fueling interest in the group and its crimes were how many rich and famous people intersected with the Manson Family during their time in Los Angeles but emerged unscathed.

Then theres the broader context in which these events unfolded. Iconic events that supposedly symbolized the end of the 1960sthe Manson murders, the Kent State shooting, Altamont, the death of Fred Hampton, and the disbanding of the Black Panther Partyhave all been recolored by revelations about the illegal actions of the U.S. government to deliberately sabotage the counterculture through programs like the FBIs COINTELPRO, the CIAs CHAOS, and the LSD-based mind-control experiment MKUltra.

Journalist Tom ONeill spent 20 years researching what eventually became his 2019 book, CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties, the most exhaustive reexamination of the motives of the Manson Family. And in March 2024, Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris, whose groundbreaking 1988 documentary The Thin Blue Line led to the exoneration of its subject, adapted ONeills book into the Chaos: The Manson Murders, now streaming on Netflix.

In CHAOS, ONeill paints Bugliosi as a man who put together the pieces of the Manson murders by deliberately leaving out anything that didnt fit the story he wanted to tell. In some cases, its implied that Bugliosi, who died in 2015, had massaged or even outright coerced testimony to cover up certain inconvenient facts about the case.

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But while ONeill speculates where some of the loose threads he uncovered might ultimately leadhinting at links to the mafia, the CIA, and secret Nazishe doesnt offer a single, definitive explanation that ties everything neatly together.

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This leaves us in the same place the police and the public were back in the summer of 1969: trying to shape shocking, senseless violence into a coherent narrative. But as we get further away from the conclusion of the tumultuous 60s, new theories about the Manson Familys motives have emerged that reflect both what weve learned in the ensuing decades and how weve come to view ourselves and the country during that seismic decade.

The Manson Family murders werent immediately connected

The first set of Manson Family murders, which took place at the house on 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon on August 9, 1969, shocked the city of Los Angeles. The victims included Tate, an actor and the wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski; Sebring, the preeminent hairstylist to the stars; and Folger, the heir to the Folgers Coffee Company. The deaths were brutal and possibly even ritualistic, as suggested by the message Pig smeared in blood on the wall.

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The shocking crime was such a big story in the newspapers the next day that newsstand owner John Fokianos discussed it with one of his regular customers, Leno LaBianca, at around 2 a.m. on August 10. Mere moments after that conversation, Leno and his wife, Rosemary, were murdered in nearly identical fashion.

Yet initially, the Los Angeles Police Department didnt think the same killers were responsible for the Tate and LaBianca murders. In fact, the LAPD posited that the LaBianca murders might have been a copycat of the Tate murders, despite the fact that the Tate killers were still unidentified and at large.

Initially, the murders were presumed to be drug-fueled freaky crimes

Los Angeles magazine, reflecting in 2019 on its original October 1969 coverage of the then-unsolved murders, acknowledged it had attempted to wrap drugs, youth culture, Woodstock, the Black Panthers, and Rosemarys Baby into the same package, suggesting the killings were part of a wave of freaky crimes.

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After investigators found drugs at the Tate crime scene, including marijuana, hashish, cocaine and a hallucinogen known as MDA, per The New York Times, the assumption began to circulate that the murders were the result of a drug deal gone awry. (As ONeill notes in his book, both Sebring and Frykowski allegedly bought drugs for the many Hollywood parties they hosted or attended.) As such, freaky crimes gave way to a sentiment of live freaky, die freaky, despite the LaBiancas having no such connection to the drug scene.



Spurned by Hollywood, Manson might have wanted revenge

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When charges for the murders were brought against Manson and his followers between October and December 1969, however, a new narrative began to emerge: Manson wasnt just a drug pusherhe was also the quasi-guru of a cult of kids living at an old movie ranch. More importantly, he was an ancillary figure in the Hollywood scene, having crossed paths with music luminaries like Neil Young, Mama Cass, The Beach Boys Dennis Wilson, and music producer Terry Melcher.

And while it wasnt officially clear what, exactly, Los Angeles power players got out of their relationship with Manson, when it came time for prosecutor Bugliosi to make his case, it hinged in part on what Manson had hoped to get out of Melcher: a record deal. Manson fancied himself a rock star, especially after The Beach Boys covered one of his songs without crediting him. Melchers rejection of Manson, Bugliosi submitted, is why the cult leader had targeted the Cielo Drive home; it had formerly belonged to Melcher, and Manson wanted to send him a message.

The Helter Skelter Theory capitalized on Charles Mansons race war prophecy

As for why the Family committed the killings at all, Bugliosi came up with the Helter Skelter Theory. This ascribed motive proposes that Manson preached to his followers of a coming race war between white and Black people, during which he and the Family would go into hiding, emerging when Black people had defeated white people. Manson and his Family would then subjugate the victors of the race war because they possessed superior intellects.

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As proof of his prophecy, Manson pointed to The Beatles 1968 album, colloquially referred to as The White Album. Manson suggested that songs like Revolution #9, Piggies, and of course Helter Skelter were all secret messages validating his assertions. The murders, then, were meant to act as a catalyst to incite Mansons prophesied race war, supposedly because they would be attributed to the Black Panthers.

Some theories point to government connections with the Manson Family

Years later, when journalist ONeill questioned Bugliosi about some of the inconsistencies in his conclusion, ONeill said the best-selling author wasnt just evasive but downright aggressive. That rebuke led ONeill to dig deeper and embark upon a 20-year search that uncovered Mansons larger connections, not just to the Hollywood elite, but the covert operations of the federal government.

ONeill discovered Manson and his followers had, on several occasions, been allowed to walk away from prior arrests in a manner that suggested Manson had perhaps been a police informant. ONeill also found Manson and his female followers frequented the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco, which was operated by Dr. Louis Jolyon Jolly West, a man known for his involvement with the CIAs infamous MKUltra project.

ONeill also picked apart the most seemingly believable elements of Bugliosis Helter Skelter Theory. If Manson had targeted Cielo Drive to scare Melcher, why was ONeill able to find previously suppressed testimony that showed Melcher had spent time with Manson after the murders had been committed?

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The author, meanwhile, who perhaps best answers the Manson motive question doesnt really answer it at all. Joan Didions famous essay The White Album portrays a late 1960s Los Angeles where everything was unmentionable but nothing was unimaginable.

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In Didions essay, most famous for the opening line We tell ourselves stories in order to live, she recalls the first reports of the murders on August 9: I remember all of the days misinformation very clearly, and I also remember this, and wish I did not: I remember that no one was surprised.

The Manson murders, in Didions view, arent so much the product of CIA experiments or Beatles-inspired delusions; they are simply an inevitability, something that was bound to happen eventually.

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(KRON)  A drunk driver crashed into a Catholic church Sunday night in Daly City, the Broadmoor Police Department announced Thursday. A gray Ford Mustang crashed into Holy Angels Church on San Pedro Road.

The passenger of the Mustang was the one person injured from the collision, police said. When officers arrived at the scene, they approached the driver who showed objective signs of intoxication. Police had the driver undergo several field sobriety tests.

The driver was then arrested for felony driving under the influence and was taken to the San Mateo County Main Jail.

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Police: Drunk mans trip to Petaluma In-N-Out Burger triggers chase

A car crashed into Holy Angels Church in Daly City on Sunday, March 9. (Photo: Broadmoor Police Department)

This is what will replace the longtime McDonalds at Stonestown in SF

Police said only the churchs paint and landscaping were damaged from the crash, adding the church building itself had no damage.

Broadmoor police did not specify what time the crash happened. The Daly City and Colma police departments also responded to the crash.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Reports said a man who fired a gun early Friday after being kicked out of a South Side store for being too drunk was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on weapons charges.

George Buchanan, 55, is expected to be arraigned later Friday in municipal court on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; and discharging firearms in city limits, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He was arrested after police were called about 12:10 a.m. to a store at the corner of Market Street and East Midlothian Boulevard for a report of gunfire. When they arrived, an employee told officers a man, later identified as Buchanan, was refused service in the store because he appeared to be drunk, so Buchanan went outside and fired two shots in the air before driving away.

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Police found the car Buchanan was in at a 3200 Market St. gas station and he was taken into custody there at gunpoint, reports said. He also appeared to be drunk, reports said.

Reports said inside the car, police found a loaded .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun. At the store, police found a .380 shell casing in the parking lot, reports said.

In 2017, Buchanan was sentenced in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to four years in prison for shooting and wounding a man during an argument over a tricycle at an apartment in the 100 block of East Midlothian Boulevard.

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By Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh

JULIS, Israel (Reuters) - A delegation of Druze religious elders from Syria crossed into Israel on Friday for the first such visit in more than 50 years, underscoring Israel's backing for the community amid growing tensions with the new government in Damascus.

Around 100 Druze sheikhs from villages on the slope of Mount Hermon in Syria, overlooked by the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, are due to visit shrines including sites held to be the tomb of prophet Shuayb, west of Tiberias, in the Lower Galilee.

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After entering the Golan Heights, cheered by Druze in traditional black clothes and white and red head dress, some waving the white, blue, yellow, red and green flag of the Druze, they travelled by bus to the town of Julis in Israel to meet Mowafaq Tarif, spritual leader of the group in Israel.

"Feeling proud and honoured to visit here. We are one family and brothers," said Nazeh Rakab, from Hadar in Syria, as he watched the welcome ceremony in Julis, where hundreds gathered to greet the delegation waving Druze flags, with some firing into the air from the rooftops in celebration.

The Druze, an Arab minority who practise a religion originally derived from Islam, live in an area straddling Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Golan Heights, connected across the borders by a web of kinship ties.

In Israel, many serve in the military and police, including during the war in Gaza, and some have reached high rank.

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Friday's visit is intended to be a purely religious occasion but its political significance was underscored by Israeli airstrikes on what Israel described as command centres of the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad movement in Damascus a day earlier.

Israeli ministers have expressed deep misgivings about the new government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham movement as a Jihadist group. The group was formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda but later renounced the connection.

On Thursday, Israel, which has been urging support for the Druze following the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December, sent truckloads of aid including oil, flour, salt and sugar, most to the southern province of Suwayda.

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Syrian Druze would be allowed to enter and work in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war, and Israel has also said it would protect Druze in Syria if needed.

(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
If you were to believe reporting from The New York Timeswhich is an increasingly unwise ideathe Trump administration is diverting the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from poor and minority communities that face "disproportionately high levels of pollution." But if you scratch the surface even a bit, you find that what's really being eliminated are "environmental justice" offices that infuse identitarian ideology into EPA enforcement efforts. Americans should welcome efforts to strip racial obsessions from the armory of regulators who already wield too much power.

Competing Takes on 'Environmental Justice'

"The Trump administration intends to eliminate Environmental Protection Agency offices responsible for addressing the disproportionately high levels of pollution facing poor communities, according to a memo from Lee Zeldin, the agency administrator," Lisa Friedman wrote for the Times. She added that the memo directed the reorganization and elimination of "offices of environmental justice at all 10 E.P.A. regional offices as well as the one in Washington."

Contrast that with a press release from the EPA, which states "that EPA will immediately revise National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives to ensure that enforcement does not discriminate based on race and socioeconomic status (as it has under environmental justice initiatives) or shut down energy production and that it focuses on the most pressing health and safety issues."

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Whatever you think of the Trump administration in general, EPA Administrator Zeldin is on the right side of this debate. As I wrote in 2022 when the Biden administration formally introduced "environmental justice" concerns to the EPA, the term refers to "a decades-old school of thought that seeks to graft identitarian politics onto environmental concerns. That allows practitioners to wield civil rights law in addition to traditional environmental laws against perceived malefactors. It also makes it possible to slam offenders as 'bigots' if their actions affect one community more than another."

There's no need to read between the lines to figure out what is meant by "environmental justice"its advocates are quite clear about their meaning. In 2021, the Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs published A User's Guide to Environmental Justice: Theory, Policy, & Practice by Ken Kimmell, Alaina Boyle, Yutong Si, and Marisa Sotolongo.

The Ideology's History of Racial Obsessions

"The demand for 'environmental justice' (EJ) has gained substantial traction in the last few years, as well it should," the authors wrote in their introduction. "A key pillar in EJ will be widespread, community-designed and community-supported investment in neighborhoods that have been economically and environmentally burdened by a long history of racist government and industry decisions."

"The environmental justice movement has evolved in parallel with and in response to traditional environmentalism to focus on the unequal distribution of environmental harms among different people and communities," the authors add in summarizing the history of the movement. "Research revealing the whiteness of the environmental community elevated concerns that social justice and racial justice were not prioritized in mainstream environmentalism."

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"Applying the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national originfrontline communities and others began to use the term 'environmental racism' to focus on the unequal (social and spatial) distribution of environmental burdens," they continue.

So, environmental justice is an ideology that infuses concerns about identityespecially raceinto the preexisting ideology of environmentalism, which is empowered in the case of the EPA by government. Regulators then enforce environmental laws with an eye not just to pollution and other damage, real or potential, to the environment, but also with a strong focus on the racial identity of those affected.

That doesn't sound like much equal protection of the law (whether or not the laws are good), because it's not. What it does sound like is a patchwork of ideological considerations piggybacking on an already established environmental movement to gain access to political power. What results is more than a little incoherent, held together by a shared willingness to ignore its own contradictions.

"The problem the movement faces is crucial, and probably unavoidable," Christopher H. Foreman Jr., then of the Brookings Institution, wrote in 1996 (he later expanded his concerns into a full-length book). "The movement has grown, and maintained internal harmony, through a blend of inclusiveness and ideological appeals that derails discussion of priorities and trade-offs."

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"The movement presumes that any person of color voicing any environmental-related anxiety or aspiration represents a genuine environmental justice problem," he added. "Indeed, a broader redistributive and cultural agenda, as well as a profound discomfort with industrial capitalism generally, lurks just behind the concerns over unequal pollution impacts."

That is, environmental justice combines identitarian concerns with hostility to the market system and a sort of absolutist environmentalism, held together by a refusal to consider gains and losses inherent in real-world policy choices. It's not just an ideological Trojan horse intruding into a government bureaucracy; it's a hot mess.

Ridding EPA of "Environmental Justice" Is Only the First Step

That's not to say the EPA will be fine and dandy once "environmental justice" is excised from its regulatory apparatus. The EPA is still an out-of-control bureaucracy that gets in the way of cleaner cars that consumers might actually want to buy, focuses on carbon emissions with an almost theological fervor, and sometimes seems committed to turning the lights off on industrial civilization while denying it the resources needed to keep it going. The EPA itself was a problem long before it added racialized environmentalism to the woes it inflicts upon us. It needs to go.

"Today, as environmental concerns butt up against other values, state and local governments have generally shown themselves to be more innovative, and more respectful of private property rights, than their federal counterparts," Jonathan H. Adler, a law professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, pointed out in the December 2024 issue of Reason. He advocates abolishing the EPA and dispersing whatever of its responsibilities are retained to other federal agencies, states, and localities. He also recommends "removing existing regulatory barriers to the development and deployment of cleaner technologies and alternative energy sources."

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So, let's celebrate the end of the "environmental justice" at the EPA. We're better off denying that toxic ideology access to power. But the job won't be completed until the EPA itself is gone.

The post Dumping Environmental Justice From the EPA Is a Good Step. Now Dump the EPA. appeared first on Reason.com.
MENOMONIE  The Dunn County District Attorney had announced she will not voluntarily recuse herself from prosecuting a fatal drunk-driving case on Dec. 24, where a Dunn County correctional officer died in the crash.

Mark A. Sokolowski, 41, 306 Minnesota St., Eau Claire, was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He is accused of driving drunk and killing corrections officer Jeff Reynolds, as well as injuring other people in Sokolowskis car. He also was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign, causing death. Sokolowski previously posted a $75,000 cash bond and remains free at this time.

Dunn County Judge Luke Wagner recused himself in early January, and the case is now being handled by Eau Claire Judge Jon Theisen.

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However, Dunn County District Attorney Andrea Nodolf recently told Theisen that she does not plan to voluntarily recuse herself, although defense attorney Harry Hertel has asked her to withdraw. Court minutes show that Nodolf questioned if she would be forced to recuse herself in every case that involved a Dunn County employee. Hertel then filed a motion to force Nodolf off the case.

A hearing slated for this week has been canceled. Instead, Theisen has asked Hertel to submit a written brief by April 1 on why he should order a new prosecutor to handle the case, and Nodolf must file a response by April 15. Theisen then set a May 7 hearing that will be done via Zoom conference call, and he will come up with a memorandum on how the case proceeds forward.

Hertel also has asked Theisen to impose an order that would bar the media from taking photos or video of people who attend hearings, as multiple law enforcement officers are likely to attend. Theisen requested Hertel to draft a proposal for him to review.

The drunk-driving case is currently on hold, as Hertel said the recusal matter needs to be resolved before they have a preliminary hearing. Hertel said he believes there is a bias due to the fact the victim was an officer, court minutes state. Hertel thought the $75,000 cash bond was out of line compared to similar cases, but Nodolf does not think it was an unusually high amount.

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Nodolf was reached this week, but declined to comment on the case, while Hertel did not respond to multiple attempts to reach him. At a hearing in early January, Hertel also indicated he may seek to have the case moved to a different jurisdiction.

As terms of his release, Sokolowski must maintain absolute sobriety and he cannot enter taverns.

Sokolowski has no prior criminal record in Wisconsin, according to the states online database.
(Bloomberg) -- As former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte rallied supporters in Hong Kong on March 9, his team seemed unconcerned about rumors that the International Criminal Court might soon issue an arrest warrant against him.

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Despite a bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Dutertes team believed any legal action would first take place in the Philippines, said Harry Roque, Dutertes former spokesman, in a phone interview from The Hague.

It was a fatal mistake.

In a span of two days, Duterte went from that Hong Kong rally to sitting glumly on a private jet delivering him to prosecutors at The Hague, where he faces accusations of being responsible for the extra-judicial killing of thousands of people from 2011-2019.

Read: Dutertes Dutch Jail Provides Spiritual Advisers, Volleyball

He didnt expect the government to humiliate him, said lawyer Raul Lambino, a member of Dutertes political party and legal team. Hes always maintained that if hell be imprisoned or killed, that itll happen in his country.

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Duterte made his first appearance before the court on Friday. After confirming his identity, age and place of birth via video link, Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set the next hearing, which will deal with whether the case can go to a full trial, for Sept. 23.

However the case at the ICC ends, the reverberations from the arrest and extradition wont subside soon.

The Philippines was already reeling from the impeachment of Dutertes daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, last month over accusations she asked someone to kill the president. With that fight still playing out, the nation faces midterm elections in May which could determine the outcome of the impeachment trial.

This is a political ploy of the Marcos regime, Roque said. They got rid of the biggest threat to the Marcos administration, and Im just sad that the ICC fell for a Marcos ploy, he added.

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Marcos has pressed back on those accusations. He said the government was just doing its job by cooperating with Interpol and rejected accusations that there was any political persecution.

The arrest we did today was in compliance with our commitments to Interpol, Marcos said Tuesday. It just so happened it came from ICC. But its not because it came from ICC, its because it came from Interpol.

Read: Why Dutertes War on Drugs Led to ICC Arrest Warrant: QuickTake

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor, in a statement Wednesday, said its investigation showed there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte bears criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of murder.

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If Dutertes family and supporters really did believe that the man known as The Punisher would be able to fight extradition in the Philippines, that illusion collapsed when police and an Interpol representative met the 79-year-old upon his return to Manila.

The ex-president had been prepared to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of Philippine authorities, not the ICC, Sara Duterte told reporters Tuesday night, when she said she attempted to join her father at the airbase where he was detained for hours but was barred.

A last-minute appeal to the Supreme Court quickly failed. Their options dwindling, the Duterte family fought to stave off the inevitable.

In what he characterized as deference to the Duterte familys pleas, the police general who led the arrest, Nicolas Torre, said on Thursday that the ex-president was given time to rest, get adequate food and receive medical attention while he conferred with lawyers. But as the hours dragged on, Torre said he felt like the requests had become just another delaying tactic.

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In a video shared by another Duterte daughter, Veronica, Torre can be heard telling Salvador Medialdea, a top former aide to the president, We can do this the hard way. We can do this the easy way.

The easy way was to pick three people to accompany Duterte on the plane to The Hague, immediately. The hard way was left unsaid. The former president boarded the chartered Gulfstream G550 jet, first to Dubai and then The Hague. In a Facebook video en route, he told his supporters not to worry.

His family was furious. Sara Duterte called the move a state kidnapping and, in a March 11 statement, said the extradition was a blatant affront to our sovereignty.

Yet in retrospect, she said she may have seen it coming.

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In 2023, Marcos publicly and privately rejected the ICCs jurisdiction in the case. In a Dec. 15, 2023 letter to the vice president seen by Bloomberg News, Marcos said he remained steadfast in my resolve that the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Republic of Philippines after the effectivity of its withdrawal therefrom is very much in question.

Read: Duterte Joins Rare Club of Ex-Leaders Arrested for ICC Case

Crucially, he added: To this end, this government will not assist the ICC in any way, shape, or form.

He reiterated that stance in January 2024. But a few months later, when Sara Duterte was serving concurrently as education secretary, she sensed something was changing during a conversation with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

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I noticed that he had very vague answers when talking about the governments position, the vice president said this week. The family started to prepare for battle, she added. But they werent ready for how quickly their plans fell apart.

Duterte still maintains a solid base of support in the Philippines, where many citizens lauded his tough on crime approach to drug trafficking. Its too soon to tell if sympathy will build for him and even help sway the election.

But with previous ICC cases having dragged on for years, its suddenly possible that a man whose opponents say ruled with near impunity  and who is now the first former Asian leader to be served an ICC arrest warrant  will never step foot in the Philippines again.

Roque, the former spokesman, said the legal teams priority will be to get provisional release and expedited procedures for the ex-president. Roque cited Dutertes advanced age as one reason to get him out of the ICC facility.

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I want to move quickly because of his old age, Roque said in the interview. I dont think he can stay in a detention center.

Before landing in the Netherlands ahead of his Friday court appearance, Duterte said in a video posted on his Facebook account that hed be taking responsibility for whatever happened in the past.

This will be a long legal proceeding but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country and so be it if thats my destiny, Duterte added.

--With assistance from Manolo Serapio Jr. and Sarah Jacob.

(Adds Dutertes appearance at ICC court in sixth paragraph.)

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EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN)  The East Palestine City School District is starting a new program to reduce truancy  the first of its kind in the area.

The program aims to address habitual truancy among students by providing resources for parents and students.

We understand that truancy can often be tied to an underlying challenge within a family, said East Palestine Superintendent James Rook. This program was designed to help provide families with the necessary tools and resources to create a supportive environment for their childrens overall education.

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The program includes interactive, educational sessions for students focusing on nutritional habits and other health topics, as well as parenting classes for their parents.

Sessions will also feature guest speakers to provide community support and guidance, and practical assistance such as dinner and gas cards to remove any barriers to attendance.

Parents who participate in this program will receive customized baskets containing items based on their needs.

The program will run every Wednesday evening in March.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Last year, a total of 24.6 billion cubic meters of gas were exported through the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe, Turkiye, and Georgia, according to the 2024 report of Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers, Trend reports.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Energy Partnership between Azerbaijan and the European Union, gas exports to Europe are set to double by 2027.

"In 2021, gas exports to Europe were just over 8 billion cubic meters, but by 2024, the figure had risen to around 13.2 billion cubic meters, with the number of European countries receiving Azerbaijani gas increasing to 10.

Given the role of the Southern Gas Corridor in Europes energy security, the European Commission has recognized Azerbaijan as a reliable partner and a key gas supplier for Europe," the report reads.
More Hurricane Helene relief money should be on its way to East Tennessee soon.

Money will "begin to move in the next few weeks," according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who spoke at the Georgia state capitol on Wednesday, March 12. The funds are a part of the more than $100 billion aid package that Congress passed in late December 2024.

We were given a deadline by Congress, which isnt often met, but for me, it was very important we meet it, of March 21," Rollins said. "We will actually beat that deadline, so youll be hearing more about that in the coming days.

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The bill was signed into law by former President Joe Biden on Dec. 21 and offered a 90-day deadline for funds to be dispersed.

The American Relief Act earmarks billions for disaster relief. It allocates $8 billion to rebuild damaged roads and highways, $12 billion in grants to help communities and individuals recover and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners.

The legislation also gave the Federal Emergency Management Association $29 million, which will help support East Tennesseans hard-hit by Helene. FEMA assistance can help to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, medical expenses or other disaster-related needs.

The bill supports also farmers and ranchers. The bill offers a one-year Farm Bill extension and a modified version of the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act of 2024 (FARM Act), according to Farm Credit Mid-America.

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"Today, the House acted to provide much-needed assistance as people across the country navigate a way forward," said Oklahoma Rep. Tim Cole who sponsored the bill. "We also supported our farmers, ranchers, and producers to safeguard family farms and ensure food and agriculture security for our nation. The process of recovering from monumental loss demands proper federal support, and this legislation is focused on helping the U.S. heal and rebuild stronger."

Both Tennessee senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty voted in favor of the bill. In the House, the votes were split. Rep. Tim Burchett and three others, including East Tennessee Rep. Diana Harshbarger, turned it down while five representatives voted in favor of passage.

More information about just how soon aid money will be dispersed will become available in the coming days, Rollins said.

When did Helene hit East Tennessee?

Hurricane Helene, by then a tropical storm, slammed East Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 27.

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In the days before Helene rolled through Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, there had been steady rainfall that saturated the ground, priming the region for flooding.

Helene also impacted Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

What was Helene's death toll in East Tennessee?

Eighteen people lost their lives in the storm in East Tennessee. This includes two people who remain missing.

Across the country, more than 200 people passed away because of Hurricane Helene.

Can Helene survivors still apply for FEMA aid?

No. The deadline has passed for East Tennesseans to apply for federal aid.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: East Tennessee to receive more Helene relief funds soon. Here's why
TERREL, Texas (KETK)  A Wills Point teenager was killed during a car crash in Terrell on Tuesday.

The Terrell Police Department received a 911 call at around 2:49 a.m. in regards to a crash detection notification from a cell phone in the area of State Highway 205 and Colquitt Road. When officers arrived, they found an orange 2020 Chevrolet Equinox that had struck a traffic light pole on the right side of the roadway.

Texarkana police search for suspect in February gun burglary

Mugshot of Preston David Grosvenor-Reed, courtesy of Terrell Police Department.

The passenger of the vehicle, 19-year-old Bryson Malachi Barnes of Wills Point, was pronounced dead at the scene, Terrell PD said. The driver, Preston David Grosvenor-Reed, 18 of Royse City, was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

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He was later transported to Kaufman County Jail where he was charged for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a weapon, marijuana possession and three counts of possession of a controlled substance, officials said. He is being held on a $270,500 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
COURTESY EAST-WEST CENTER The East-West Center had been without federal funds since President Donald Trump began his second term, and it has been using its financial reserves to stay afloat.

1 /2 COURTESY EAST-WEST CENTER The East-West Center had been without federal funds since President Donald Trump began his second term, and it has been using its financial reserves to stay afloat.

STAR-ADVERTISER / 2020 A woman wearing a mask walked past the East-West Center sign at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

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2 /2 STAR-ADVERTISER / 2020 A woman wearing a mask walked past the East-West Center sign at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

COURTESY EAST-WEST CENTER The East-West Center had been without federal funds since President Donald Trump began his second term, and it has been using its financial reserves to stay afloat.

STAR-ADVERTISER / 2020 A woman wearing a mask walked past the East-West Center sign at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The East-West Center, which has suspended nonessential expenditures  since being cut off from federal funding by the U.S. Department of State at the start of Donald Trumps administration, received $5 million in previously appropriated money Thursday.

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The center had been without federal funds since Trump took over the government. It has been burning through its financial reserves to stay afloat.

State Department officials did not immediately reply to Honolulu Star-Advertiser questions about why it stopped paying for the East-West Center despite congressional approval of the funds.

The center started as a University of Hawaii at Manoa faculty initiative in 1959, before Congress set it up in 1960 to strengthen American academic, cultural and political ties with nations throughout Asia and the Pacific through exchanges and research.

It receives about 52 % of its total budget from the federal government, roughly $22 million a year.

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However, due to continued uncertainty, the Centers measures to suspend nonessential expenditures remain in effect,  EWC Communications Director Derek Ferrar told the Star-Advertiser. Due to a recent pause in U.S. State Department grant dispersals and the potential for a federal government shutdown when budget legislation expires in mid-March, East-West Centers leadership has taken proactive measures to suspend nonessential expenditures until the funding outlook is clearer.

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EWC leaders continue to stay in close touch with federal liaisons  to gather more information and evaluate potential impacts.

As always, the Center remains dedicated to our statutory mission, enshrined in federal law, to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue,  Ferrar said.

The East-West Center, with a 21-acre Honolulu campus next to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, is a nonprofit organization funded by the federal government, private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations and governments in the Asia -Pacific region.

For 65 years it has served as a U.S.-based institution for public diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region with international governance, staffing, students, and participants. The Center has built a worldwide network of more than 70, 000 alumni and 1, 100 partner organizations,  according to its website.

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The East-West Centers Washington, D.C., office focuses on preparing  the United States for an era of growing Asia-Pacific prominence.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case told the Star-Advertiser that the East-West Center is one of Hawaiis preeminent institutions and an invaluable part of our countrys interrelationships with the Indo-Pacific.

It has been highly dependent on federal funding, which I have strongly supported in my House Appropriations Committee and otherwise. I have urged EWC for years now to diversify its funding sources to protect against attempted reductions in its federal funding, which totals $22 million in the current year, down from around 70 % just three years ago to about 52 % of its total budget,  said Case. As part of its unfortunate and counterproductive attack on foreign assistance, on February 12th the Trump administration paused current Fiscal Year 2025 already-appropriated and enacted funding to the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which is one of the main federal programs on which EWC relies.

The pause was scheduled to last 15 days but extended into March, causing great disruption in EWCs external contracts and general finances,  Case said.

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U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono did not respond to Star-Advertiser requests for comment.

The extended pause in this and other foreign assistance programs  has been subject to litigation as unconstitutional and illegal  since it seeks to halt money already appropriated and signed into law, and federal courts have ordered the current year funding to be paid,  Case said.

We have worked closely with EWC to address this disruption, and the withheld funding of approximately $5 million has been released. We will continue to advocate for the full release to EWC of all appropriated and enacted FY 2025 federal funding,  Case said. While this addresses the immediate situation, it does not solve the midterm challenge for EWC of continued attempts to reduce or defund altogether key federal programs and institutions that provide invaluable interaction with and assistance to our world.

Case cautioned that the Trump administration will likely continue trying to slash federal programs and operations into the next federal fiscal year. The EWC must seek alternative sources of government or private funding  to avoid depleting all of its financial reserves to make up for lost federal funds.
An Eastpointe father was sentenced to two years of probation after he pleaded no contest in January on charges after his young son shot himself in the hand with his father's handgun last summer.

Demetrius Owens pleaded no contest to a felony firearms safe storage violation and an added count of fourth-degree child abuse, a misdemeanor, in Macomb County Circuit Court in January. Three other charges, including second-degree child abuse, were dismissed at his sentencing Thursday, according to online court records.

The records indicate Owens also was sentenced to 93 days in the county jail, with 93 days credit, among other conditions, including his weapon is to be forfeited. His attorney, Adam Wolak, had no comment Friday.

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Owens, then 27, was charged after the county prosecutor's office said his son, then 3, shot himself in the hand with his father's handgun, which allegedly was not properly secured. The shooting occurred June 15, and the boy had surgery on his hand, according to a prior release from the county prosecutor's office.

Next month, Theo Nichols, of Warren  the first person in Macomb County charged under Michigan's new firearms safe storage law last year  is to be sentenced in the circuit court.

Nichols pleaded guilty in February, less than a year after his young son, then 8, accidentally shot himself in the face with his father's unlocked and loaded gun.

He pleaded guilty to a felony firearms safe storage violation and an added count of fourth-degree child abuse, a misdemeanor. Four other charges, including second-degree child abuse, are to be dismissed at his April 1 sentencing, according to online court records.

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Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastpointe dad sentenced after son shoots self in hand with dad's gun
The economist and former head of the Canadian central bank Mark Carney took office as the country's new prime minister on Friday, replacing Justin Trudeau, who resigned earlier this year.

Canada's Governor General, Mary Simon, presided over the ceremony in the capital Ottawa.

The 59-year-old inherits the challenge of leading Canada through the current political and economic turbulence, buffeted by US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy and threats of annexation.

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Last weekend, Carney took over the leadership of the Liberal Party from Trudeau, who had been prime minister since 2015 and announced his resignation in early January amid huge pressure to step down.

Carney is expected to call new elections soon, which must then take place by October at the latest.

It remains to be seen whether his party can continue to provide the prime minister or has to pass the reins of government to the Conservatives. Polls currently show a close race between the two parties.

Bank manager with crisis experience

Carney, who grew up in the western province of Alberta, is considered crisis-tested thanks to his wealth of national and international experience.

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Having headed the central bank for five and half years from 2008, he is credited with steering the country through the worst of the global financial crisis.

Between 2013 and 2020, Carney served as Governor of the Bank of England, coinciding with Britain's exit from the European Union, before working as UN Special Envoy for Climate Action until January of this year.
Ed Miliband will travel to China on Friday for talks about the shift to green energy  but wont mention Beijings coal.

The Energy Secretary will hold three days of meetings with Chinese officials to discuss climate change and the transition to net zero.

But The Telegraph understands that he will not directly address the reluctance of the worlds biggest polluter to commit to a hard deadline to phase out coal.

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Beijing has seen a resurgence in the construction of new coal-fired power plants, reaching record levels last year.

Meanwhile, the UK closed its last coal power plant in September 2024, followed swiftly by a ban on new coal mines by Mr Miliband as a signal to the world of the Governments green ambitions.

Mr Miliband will be the third Cabinet minister after Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, to visit Beijing amid efforts by Labour ministers to establish better relations with the worlds second-biggest economy.

Beijing defends coal use

The energy secretary will meet with vice premier Ding Xuexiang, Chinas climate envoy, to discuss cooperation in the lead up to this years Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, The Telegraph understands.

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Beijing has defended its coal use, arguing that it is vital for the countrys economic development and pushing back on global agreements that would limit its use.

China accounted for 93 per cent of new coal power constructions in 2024, according to a report last month from the Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Earlier this month, the EUs ambassador to China urged Beijing to halt its coal power growth, saying that it was undermining the countrys green credentials.

Gareth Redmond-King, the international lead at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, said the energy secretary could still have constructive conversations about the energy transition.

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If hes not going there to lecture them about coal, I dont think it necessarily means that hes avoiding the issue, he said.

Alongside rapid coal production, China also installed a record level of wind and solar power in 2024, with the amount of renewable construction nearly twice that of the rest of the world combined.

The UK has positioned itself at the forefront of global climate leadership, with Sir Keir Starmer one of just two G7 leaders to attend the Cop29 summit in Baku last year.

It was also the only major economy to commit to ambitious new targets to cut emissions in time for a UN deadline last month.

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Meanwhile, the return of Donald Trump to the White House also leaves a hole in international cooperation on climate change, after cooperation between Washington and Beijing during the Biden and Obama years.

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The clock is ticking on which governmental entity in Chicago  the city of Chicago or Chicago Public Schools, both supported by the same set of taxpayers  will make a required $175 million contribution to a pension plan covering nonteaching CPS employees as well as a hodgepodge of other city workers.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and several of his allies on the City Council are ramping up the pressure on CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and the Chicago School Board to cover that contribution as well as find nearly $140 million more needed for salary increases and other costs tied to new, not-yet-finalized union contracts for CPS teachers and principals. Martinez has urged the school board to say no to the contribution to the Municipal Employees Annuity & Benefit Fund, which under state law is the responsibility of the city of Chicago.

At the end of the month, city officials say, Chicago must close the books for good on 2024, and that budget will be out of balance if CPS doesnt reimburse the city for the $175 million pension payment, which the city government fronted in expectation of being repaid by the school district. If that happens, the citys credit rating may well be downgraded for a second time in 2025, which would make future borrowing more expensive.

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Oh, did we mention that the city plans soon to float a whopping $830 million in general-obligation bonds? Another downgrade sure would be poorly timed.

Keeping straight on which governmental body owes what to which other agency and the rationale each offers for why the other should pay is difficult for journalists and finance experts. Imagine how confused ordinary taxpayers are by this ridiculous, irresponsible, intergovernmental spat.

But the bottom line isnt hard to understand.

There isnt enough money, either in the citys budget or in the school districts, to pay for school workers raises and for what the city says should be the schools part in keeping a deeply underfunded pension plan from sinking into insolvency.

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In the real world inhabited by real people, the answer in such circumstances is to reduce expenses: find the parts of the household or business budget that would be nice to have but arent absolutely necessary. And then excise them.

But in the world inhabited by Mayor Johnson and his political benefactors at the Chicago Teachers Union, that option is anathema. Not ever worthy of a smidgeon of consideration.

So the mayors financial team have spent months coming up with various options for CPS to pay the pension freight that all add up to one result: incurring more indebtedness at a school system that already is the nations single largest issuer of junk-rated municipal bonds.

Team Johnsons latest suggestion is for CPS to refinance a portion of its existing debt and use the proceeds to make the pension payment. Theyve provided precious little detail to the public (or, as yet, CPS) on how this would work. But it sounds suspiciously like that dreaded strategy used in past tough times in Chicago financial history  scoop and toss. That means refinancing debt already on the books, extending the repayment schedule and plugging budget holes while hiking the debt burden on future taxpayers.

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Its a municipal finance practice thats deeply frowned upon for good reason and one the Johnson administration has boasted it hasnt used even while facing substantial fiscal pressures at the city level.

City officials said that CPS could use additional money the system expects to receive in the future as Chicago tax-increment financing districts expire to pay the higher costs tied to the refinancing, the Tribune reported.

Martinez, who will be departing as schools chief at the end of the academic year, consistently has said CPS has enough money to pay the higher costs of the anticipated new labor deals thanks to a record TIF release the City Council approved late last year, which provided windfalls to all property taxing bodies, including the schools. But that amount isnt enough to cover the pension payment, too. Not with the size of the anticipated labor deals.

A CPS budget amendment slated for consideration March 20 by the school board would allow for spending the $139 million remaining from the TIF surplus for either the pensions or the higher wages. The board should follow Martinezs recommendation and allocate that cash to the labor contracts.

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And the pension payment? Thats Johnsons problem at the city level. You know what says so? Long-established state law.

So long as Johnson and CTU (the two are joined at the hip) refuse to consider desperately needed school consolidations and other savings in a district in which a third of schools arent even half full, they should bear responsibility for the pension payment.

CPS and the city will encounter the same issue again in a few months when CPS must set its budget for next school year. If Johnson and his friends at CTU want schools to pay part of whats owed that pension plan, they should get the law changed in Springfield.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Democracy is dying  not in darkness, but in plain sight at the Florida Capitol.

Republican legislators want to make it outrageously expensive for citizens to launch ballot initiatives. In the past, voters have used their direct access to the ballot for a wide range of issues: An increased minimum wage; a ban on dog racing; multiple initiatives on casino gambling; term limits; the medical use of marijuana; voting rights for people who had prior felony convictions but had paid their debt to society; mandates for government in the sunshine; and other ethical issues.

Some were too minor to be in the constitution. But most were legitimate issues that legislators stubbornly ignored until voters forced their hand.

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Lawmakers have always hated these citizen-backed initiatives, and done everything possible to throw up roadblocks. But this year, they want to kill direct democracy  the only alternative left for frustrated Floridians.

House Bill 1205, approved on a 14-4 vote by the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Thursday, would require a $1 million bond before sponsors can begin a petition drive, restricts them to one at a time and shortens the deadlines for collecting and turning in signed petitions.

Combine these changes with other measures, and the path to a successful signature-driven ballot question becomes nearly impossible, particularly for the purer-minded efforts that dont have oceans of special-interest money behind them.

Fewer circulators, steeper fines

These attacks include some provisions that would serve little public purpose. If it passes, even volunteer petition circulators must be Florida residents. The bill imposes $50,000 fines on sponsors for each solicitor found to not be a U.S. citizen.

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All that may be unconstitutional. Its unquestionably unfair.

More than three hours of debate and intense testimony made it clear: The intent is to deter any more campaigns like those last year to restore abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana.

Both had heavy financial support, including out-of-state interests. Both drew majority support. But both fell short of the 60% approval required.

Its already very difficult to pass an initiative facing organized opposition. Both initiatives likely would have passed if Gov. Ron DeSantis hadnt misused state agencies and taxpayers money to oppose them.

Overwhelming opposition

In the House, more than 130 citizens signed up to speak against the bill or logged in opposition. Many were students, seeing first-hand how democracy in practice mocks its theory.

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So many registered to speak that the chairperson, Rep. Linda Cheney, R-St. Pete Beach, cut their microphone time from three minutes each to two, then one, and silenced overlong speakers in mid-sentence.

Cheney was determined to pass the bill before the panels noon adjournment time in the sessions first week. It has only one more committee stop, in House State Affairs, before reaching the floor.

One supporter, an anti-abortion activist, said the bill isnt tough enough and touted the Senate version, SB 1414, which is even worse. It would forbid sponsors from collecting signatures for their own petitions. Individual voters would have to submit them to county election supervisors, like vote-by-mail ballots.

This is the more onerous, DeSantis-backed version.

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The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee tackled that legislation Monday afternoon, with a similarly packed audience (though fewer attempted to speak) and the same outcome. Somehow, impossibly, the committee managed to make it worse by tacking on additional restrictions before passing it along party lines.

Floridas iron-fisted attack on direct democracy is a back-door maneuver to repeal the 1968 constitutional reform that established the initiative process, without actually amending the Constitution to remove it.

Thats harder. It requires 60% approval and it would likely fail, so the scheme is to suppress initiatives by creating a series of impossible hurdles. HB 1205 leaves the initiative wheezing. SB 1414 would strangle it. None of the other 23 states that allow initiatives, most in the Midwest and West, go so far out of their way to discourage them.

Its deeply disappointing that the statewide association of election supervisors supports HB 1205 with a couple of little tweaks, as its lobbyist, David Ramba, told House members.

Stay out of it, supervisors

Bad idea. Election supervisors should not take sides in a political debate involving ballot access. This could easily damage their hard-earned reputations for political neutrality.

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Its costly and time-consuming for supervisors to validate so many petitions, as nearly 900,000 valid signatures are required for an initiative to reach the ballot. But that comes with being agents of democracy.

Theres no doubt that some paid solicitors forge names, but thats already a crime. Prosecuting them under that law should suffice. Election supervisors have referred cases to prosecutors.

A DeSantis administration study that alleged voluminous forgeries in last years campaigns was unreliable because it was a projection based on forged petitions that supervisors had already detected in four counties.

These bills are the worst assaults in a relentless, years-long campaign against initiatives. Requiring 60% voter approval for amendments was just the beginning.

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Every Republican on the House panel voted for HB 1205 One Democrat voted with Republicans, to his discredit: Rep. Jose Alvarez of Kissimmee. Thats disheartening, as Alvarez seemed relatively supportive of voters rights during the 2024 campaign.

Floridians, Republicans and Democrats alike, deserve legislators who are willing to protect their constituents voices.

_____

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Executive Editor Roger Simmons, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Executive Editor Gretchen Day-Bryant, Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney and editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman. Send letters to insight@orlandosentinel.com.

_____
Rising temperatures have begun drawing winter-weary Chicagoans outside and theres reason already to be concerned about the safety of city dwellers and tourists in downtown Chicago.

Shots rang out among a large group of teens outside the AMC River East movie theater on Sunday. A 46-year-old woman in town with her 11-year-old son for a school choir conference was shot in the arm, hit by stray gunfire as they were on a sidewalk waiting to cross the street. She was in good condition, thankfully. But a mother and her son left town the next day with memories of a harrowing Chicago experience rather than the celebratory adventure the occasion should have been.

It should go without saying that, beyond the horror experienced by the people directly involved, such incidents are disastrous for Chicagos already-battered reputation when it comes to public safety. They demand urgency.

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Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, whose ward includes Streeterville, responded by calling (not for the first time) for moving the existing 10 p.m. curfew for minors who are downtown without an accompanying adult back to 8 p.m. For too long now, large groups of teens have amassed in the central part of the city, particularly on warm nights, and at times have created havoc, jumping on cars and otherwise making others downtown feel afraid. In the worst instances, there has been violence.

Teens rendering downtown Chicago unsafe, especially as its been repeated over the last few years, is not acceptable. Period. So we understand Hopkins frustration with Mayor Brandon Johnson, whos been reluctant to condemn the conduct unequivocally and who has responded to Hopkins call for action with arguably unrelated arguments tied to the mayors support for more summer jobs for youth.

I believe that by having policies in place that actually work and investing in people  thats our pathway to continue to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago, Johnson said while rejecting Hopkins call for the 8 p.m. curfew.

Hopkins erupted in frustration, calling Johnsons repetition of investing in people a meaningless cliche.

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We sympathize with Hopkins viewpoint and agree that Johnsons pivot to his summer jobs program, a good policy as far as it goes, doesnt address the issue of flash mobs downtown. Chicago police have tried a variety of tactics to respond to the problem with varying levels of success.

Johnson ought to condemn these teens behavior and allow police to do whats necessary to disperse large groups before they get out of control, not wait until after the melees break out.

But an 8 p.m. curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds  forcing them out of the heart of the city before the sun even sets during the summer months  isnt the answer. One of the joys of the warmer months in Chicago is seeing a movie, going out to eat and just walking around one of the most beautiful urban environments in the world. Barring teens from that experience is draconian and would be an admission of failure rather than a show of strength.

Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions. It remains primarily a law enforcement issue in our view.

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The mayor ultimately is responsible for this state of affairs. He needs to treat it with the seriousness it deserves and make it clear to teens causing trouble downtown  and their parents or guardians  that there will be consequences for the mayhem weve been seeing too often.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
EL PASO, Texas (EL PASO MATTERS)  El Paso Countys population grew by 0.1% in 2024, the slowest growth rate among Texas 10 most populous counties, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau Thursday.

El Pasos stagnant population is being driven by a continuing exodus of residents to other U.S. counties, a drop in the number of people being born in El Paso, and a sharp increase in deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic, Census Bureau data shows.

The county had 875,784 people as of July 1, 2024, an increase of 948 over a year earlier, according to the estimates. The population estimates released Thursday are for counties; the Census Bureau will release population estimates for cities later this year.

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Since the last census in 2020, El Paso Countys population has grown by just over 10,000 people, or 1.2%, according to the estimates. Thats also the slowest population growth among Texas largest counties.

El Pasos sluggish population growth in 2024 came at a time when other large metropolitan areas in the country were seeing population growth stronger than the national average of 1% since 2023, according to the Census Bureau.

El Paso Countys population challenges

In 2024, El Paso County experienced a net loss of more than 7,300 people in people coming or going to or from other U.S. counties, according to the Census Bureau. Since the 2020 census, the net loss has been 17,702, according to the estimates.

Between 2010 and 2019, El Paso County averaged an annual loss of about 6,000 people in domestic migration. The last year El Paso County saw a net gain in domestic migration was 2011, when Fort Bliss was expanding.

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A sharp decline in births, and a rise in deaths in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, also has contributed to El Pasos population stagnation.

From 2010-19, El Paso County averaged more than 13,000 births a year, according to Census Bureau estimates. From 2021-24, the average was just over 11,000 births annually, 15% lower than the average in the prior decade.

The county averaged about 5,100 deaths a year between 2010-19. Since 2021, the average has been about 7,300 deaths a year, a 43% increase over the prior decade.

The impact of immigration

The primary reason El Paso County has seen even small population growth has been net international migration, the movement between El Paso and other countries. El Paso County had a net gain of more than 4,300 people in international migration last year, according to the Census Bureau estimates.

Between 2010 and 2019, El Paso had an average gain in international migration of 1,932 people a year, according to Census Bureau estimates.

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International migration was the biggest driver of population gains in large metropolitan areas last year, the Census Bureau said.

Increasingly, population growth in metro areas is being shaped by international migration, Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureaus Population Division, said in a statement. While births continue to contribute to overall growth, rising net international migration is offsetting the ongoing net domestic outmigration we see in many of these areas.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) canceled two federal programs that provided about $1 billion in federal funds to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms.

One of the programs being cut is called the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA). The program allowed local food banks like El Pasoans Fighting Hunger to buy fresh produce.

Its been a great program over time. The food bank here in El Paso has been awarded about $2.2 million to purchase food from small farmers. The next round was supposed to take effect this summer, said Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger.

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Goodell adds that the recent cuts will impact the food bank like others across the country.

The vast majority, over 99 percent of the food that we get here in this community is donated. We cannot depend on local food supplies because were a desert. And so, theres very little food production here in El Paso. So, we are reliant on programs like LFPA and like getting food from other parts of the country, Goodell said.

Goodell said that in addition to the program cuts, another concern for the food bank is the potential tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico.

Over 40 percent of our food supply is fresh produce, and a very large percentage of that comes from Mexico. Theres just so much to try to navigate right now. And I dont have answers, but we are doing our very best to handle all of the things coming at us, she said.

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Officials add that donations are especially important right now, and every dollar donated is quickly converted into seven meals for someone in need.

To donate, visit https://elpasoansfightinghunger.org/donate.

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Mar. 13BISMARCK  Applications for North Dakota's elk, moose and bighorn sheep seasons

are now available

on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website at

gf.nd.gov

, and more elk and moose licenses are available than last year, the department announced Thursday, March 13. The application deadline is March 26.

A total of 960 elk licenses are available to hunters this fall, an increase of 127 from last year.

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Elk Unit E7 was created after discussions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, landowners and hunters to manage a growing elk herd in and surrounding the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. Nontoxic ammunition is required while hunting on the refuge. General lottery license holders from E7 will be able to hunt in unit E1W beginning Nov. 24.

Licenses in units E2 and E3 increased due to a stable to increasing elk population. Licenses in elk units E1W, E4 and E6 remain the same. Licenses in unit E1E will have the same number of any licenses but fewer antlerless licenses than 2024.

A total of 296 moose licenses are available, an increase of 54 from last year.

Licenses in units M10 and M11 increased slightly to align with the observed population in these units. Licenses in units M6, M8 and M9 remain the same, as the moose population appears to be stable with good hunter success in these units. Licenses in M5 were reduced slightly. Moose units M4 and M1C will remain closed due to a low moose population in these units.

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A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled for 2025, depending on the sheep population. The status of the bighorn sheep season will be determined Sept. 1, after summer population surveys.

Unit B2 was created, adjusting the boundaries of units B3, B4 and B5. This was done to encourage the harvest of select sheep populations.

Bighorn sheep applicants must apply for a license at the same time as moose and elk, but not for a specific unit. Once total licenses are determined for each unit in late summer, the bighorn lottery will be held, and successful applicants will be contacted to select a hunting unit.

Because the bighorn sheep application fee is not refundable as per state law, if a bighorn season is not held, applicants would not receive a refund.

Elk, moose and bighorn sheep lottery licenses are issued as once-in-a-lifetime licenses in North Dakota. Hunters who have received a license through the lottery are not eligible to apply for that species again.
Unelected White House advisor Elon Musk retweeted a post on Thursday that blamed the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong on  we are not making this up  public sector workers.

"Stalin, Mao, and Hitler didn't murder millions of people," the post, which he shared to his over 200 million followers, reads. "Their public sector workers did."

The baffling tweet further highlights Musk's toxic embrace of extreme right-wing beliefs. The billionaire's well-documented antisemitism came to a head earlier this year when he performed two Hitler salutes during Trump's inauguration celebration. Musk has also made light of the Holocaust by making distatestul Nazi puns on his social media network.

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The entrepreneur also made an appearance at a rally for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right nationalist party, telling the attending crowd that "there is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that."

The post also highlights Musk's long-established disdain for public sector workers. With the help of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the mercurial CEO has gutted government agencies while laying off thousands.

His latest retweet drew an overwhelmingly shocked response.

"Americas public service workers  our nurses, teachers, firefighters, librarians  chose making our communities safe, healthy and strong over getting rich," said Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the country's largest public sector union, in a statement. "They are not, as the worlds richest man implies, genocidal murderers."

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"Elon Musk and the billionaires in this administration have no idea what real people go through every day," Saunders added. "Thats why hes so willing to take a chainsaw to peoples jobs, Medicaid, Social Security and Medicare."

"Elon Musks disgusting defense of Hitler, Stalin and Mao is deranged," the Democratic Majority for Israel tweeted. "For an American official to try to whitewash the role of leaders who ordered mass murder is reprehensible and unacceptable."

"Musk should be removed," the group wrote. "He must apologize and accept counseling and education on the evils of the Holocaust and other episodes of mass murder."

The baffling tweet leaves plenty of questions unanswered. Does Musk genuinely think that public sector workers are really to blame for the atrocities committed by perpetrators of genocide? What does Musk have to gain from sharing such a callous argument?

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Users on social media were left appalled.

"Musk is an absolutely depraved and evil man," one user on Bluesky wrote. "Defending Stalin, Hitler, and Mao in order to justify firing VA nurses and park rangers? How does one come to hate civil servants so much? Insane, and dangerous."

Others pointed out that Musk's secretive cabal of DOGE operatives currently rampaging through the US government closely resembles the close ranks of leaders who actually carried out their crimes.

"So many of the murderers in these regimes were not career civil servants, but political toadies who jumped over existing cadres of civil servants because they could implement their dictator's will quickly," another user wrote. "Just like DOGE."

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On Musk's own social media platform, users took a lighter tone.

"We have reached the 'Hitler did nothing wrong' stage of Elon Musk totally not being a Nazi," one user tweeted.

More on Musk and Hitler: Elon Musk Has a Major Problem: Tesla Investors Are Absolutely Disgusted With Him
Tech billionaire and senior President Trump adviser Elon Musk visited the National Security Agency (NSA) this week after calling for an overhaul of the agency earlier this month.

Musk, who is spearheading the push to overhaul the federal government and align it with the vision of the president, met with the head of the NSA, Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, on Wednesday at the spy agencys headquarters in Fort Meade, Md., per an agency spokesperson. Haugh also leads the U.S. Cyber Command.

The spy agencys spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Hill that the NSA and Cyber Command are focused on the priorities set by president, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and that the meetings with key advisors ensure we are aligned.

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U.S. Cyber Command falls under the Department of Defense and, like the NSA, is located in Fort Meade.

Musks visit was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Musk, the worlds richest person, said in a post on the social platform X last week that the NSA needs an overhaul, but he did not outline any specifics.

The meeting is Musks first confirmed visit to a spy agency since his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) started cutting funds and slashing the federal government workforce.

During a February Cabinet meeting, Musk said DOGE is helping fix the government computer systems.

Many of these systems are extremely old. They dont communicate. There are a lot of mistakes in the systems. The software doesnt work. The  so, we are actually tech support. Its  its a  its ironic, but its true, the SpaceX executive stated.

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U.S. intelligence agencies have not experienced the administrations cost-cutting efforts to the same extent as the Department of Education and Veterans Affairs, for example.

However, similar to the CIA, the NSA has offered buyouts to some workers, The Associated Press reported.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Ange Kasongo and Sonia Rolley

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has long ruled out dialogue with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels rampaging through eastern parts of his country, but a string of defeats and waning regional support have forced him think again.

Neighbouring Angola caught many by surprise this week by saying Congo and M23 would sit down for direct talks in its capital on March 18, at a time when the rebels are still seizing territory rich with coltan, tantalum and other minerals.

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Tshisekedi's government has so far not committed publicly, but three government sources told Reuters this week he was seriously considering sending a delegation.

With Congo's army and allied forces putting up weak resistance to the rebel advance, regional powers appear in agreement that dialogue is the only way forward, diplomats and analysts said.

"I haven't talked to a single African country that says Kinshasa shouldn't talk to M23," one senior diplomat said.

"The line of everyone is, 'How do you stop the fighting if you don't engage with them?'"

One source said on Friday that government participation was a sure thing but that it was still too early to say who would represent Kinshasa in Luanda.

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Other sources said the debate was still ongoing and that a final decision was not likely to be made until next week.

M23, for its part, said on Thursday it was demanding an unequivocal commitment from Tshisekedi to engage in talks.

Both sides said they had questions about the framework and how the Angola-hosted talks would comply with decisions from regional bodies attempting to resolve the conflict.

Southern and East African foreign and defence ministers are due to meet in Harare on Monday to discuss the push for a cessation of hostilities and political dialogue.

'FAILED' MILITARY APPROACH

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M23 is backed by thousands of Rwandan troops, according to U.N. experts, and their superior weaponry and equipment has allowed them to seize east Congo's two biggest cities since late January along with a host of smaller localities.

Rwanda denies providing arms and troops to M23, and says its forces are acting in self defence against the Congolese army and militias hostile to Kigali.

Sitting down with M23 would likely be deeply unpopular in Kinshasa, especially after Tshisekedi's repeated vows never to do so.

But it would amount to an acknowledgment that Tshisekedi's pursuit of a military solution has "failed", said Congolese analyst Bob Kabamba of the University of Liege in Belgium.

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"Kinshasa's position of dialogue is understandable because it finds itself stuck, thinking that the (rebel alliance) must not reach a critical threshold," he said.

Congo's neighbour Angola may have made a similar calculation, wary of being drawn into a larger-scale regional war reminiscent of those that killed millions in the 1990s and early 2000s.

"Angola has clearly decided that it is necessary to intervene to prevent the advance of the M23 towards the west of the DRC," said Stephanie Wolters, a Congo analyst with South Africa's Institute for Security Studies.

The lack of faith in Tshisekedi's ability to turn the tide militarily was also seen this week in Southern African leaders' approval of the "phased withdrawal" of a regional deployment known as SAMIDRC that had a mandate to fight rebels.

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Although the deployment was too weak to mean much in the fight against M23, its presence was an important sign of regional support for Congo, Wolters said, making its departure a "significant blow".

(Additional reporting by Giulia Paravicini; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI)  An embattled Providence police officer accused of assaulting a suspect nearly five years ago appeared Thursday at a hearing to determine whether he can get his job back.

Sgt. Joseph Hanley was captured on police body-worn camera video in April 2020 hitting a suspect in handcuffs. After getting charged for the incident, Hanley spent the past four years tied up in court. He pleaded no contest in December to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in exchange for one year of probation.

Now, Hanleys future employment will be determined by a three-member panel of current or former police officers at a closed-door hearing under the states Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, or LEOBOR.

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Lawmakers reformed LEOBOR last year to change how the process plays out, including changing the makeup of the panel that hears cases. But Hanleys case will be considered under the previous version of the law since the department sought to terminate him before the new law came into effect.

If Hanley prevails, he could return to the job hes been suspended from without pay since late 2020. Hanley reached 20 years on the force last November, meaning he is also eligible for his pension.

Vincent Ragosta, the attorney prosecuting the administrative hearing on behalf of the Providence Police Department, told Target 12 that Hanley is facing 10 administrative charges.

That use of force and misconduct by him, which he pled to, is a crime unequivocally, without any condition, never contested it when he entered his plea all of that is the subject matter of the disciplinary case, Ragosta said. A case of criminal assault by a police officer in uniform, widely publicized since April of 2020 that is tarnishing.

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Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez was the only witness called on Thursday. He told Target 12 law enforcement is held at a higher standard, and that he was still seeking to terminate Hanley.

You compromise the ability to serve in an urban and diverse city, in a professional manner, Perez said.

Hanley and his attorney had no comment leaving Thursdays hearing.

The hearing is set to resume next week.

Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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I do enjoy argument very much, says Prof Jonathan Clark. When my wife wants to be mean to me, she says You would have made a good lawyer. Somebody once said [the same] to Samuel Johnson. Johnson got angry and replied Why do you say that to me now, when its too late?

At 74, it is possible Clark has left it too late for a law conversion course. As a provocative historian of 17th and 18th British and American history, however, he has had his share of contentious debates. He helped to coin the term long 18th century to describe the elongated period between the beginning of the Nine Years War in 1688 and the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. Now his latest book takes on his biggest challenge yet: the entire notion of the Enlightenment.

But it is Clarks views on how history relates to contemporary politics that are moving him out of the history pages and into current affairs. As well as being a strident critic of what he calls Wokeish language, Clark has coined the term far-Centre to characterise those in every party who depict themselves as balanced moderates, as experienced technocrats, as the only sensible adults in the room, he wrote in The Telegraph in January. These extreme centrists are more radical for being unable to recognise their own positions. The most intolerant people of all are those who insist most loudly on their moderation.

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Rather than believing in traditional ideologies, he says, these Centrists cling to shibboleths about climate change and human rights, protected by lawyers rather than voters. All parties are saying Our opponents are extremists, they are far-something Clark says, over tea and cake at his home in Northumberland. But according to what scale? What do [far-Centrists] believe? They dont believe very much coherently. There is no grand ideology.

Clark lives at Callaly Castle, just outside Alnwick, a Grade I listed pile, mostly built in the 17th century by the Clavering family, which has been subdivided into several handsome residences. Clarks neighbours include the financier Jeremy Hosking and the former Labour MP Chris Mullin. Courteous and punctilious, dressed in a suit and tie, Clark seems mildly out of time in an era when some historians seem to spend more time on social media than in the library.

He shows me into a grand drawing room decorated with ornate plasterwork. As Catholics, the Claverings hoped to fling open the doors and welcome Charles Edward Stuart and his triumphant Jacobites in the event of an invasion. This house would have been a power centre of the restored monarchy. Clark points out apparently-innocuous paintings that are in fact full of Jacobite symbols: a cottage with an open door, an oak tree, two herons fishing in the lake. [Herons] were Jacobite icons, he says. Theyre very quiet, they stand there silently and then suddenly they strike.

Callaly Castle, a Grade I listed pile, is home to Clark and his family, as well as former Labour MP Chris Mullin and financier Jeremy Hosking - Chris Watt

Clark argues that although the Enlightenment has come to look like a single neatly defined idea, it was in fact composed of many different strands of thought developed at many different times. During the 18th century, Clark says, while enlightenment with a small e was everywhere, the Enlightenment was nowhere. But in the 20th century, particularly after the Second World War, the Enlightenment was enshrined as a single concept, a period of secular and scientific liberalisation across Europe, from which many modern beliefs can be traced.

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At a seminar in Oxford two days after we meet, Clark defends his idea from good humoured but firm criticism by postgraduates and fellow academics in a packed room. One line of dissent is that Clark is fighting an old battle; that few modern historians of the Enlightenment would argue it is the kind of single concept he presents.

Perhaps this is because, for Clark, attacking the old view of the Enlightenment is also about breaking this connection with more recent social and political theories that he says are running out of steam. Twentieth-century movements for religious, racial and sexual equality all took the Enlightenment as a founding myth. If the Enlightenment is tired, so are other ideas.

The Enlightenment is an ideology, a doctrine and therefore it shares the experience of all the great ideologies, from conceptualisation through development, popularisation, hegemony, decline, to de-conceptualisation, he says. I think of myself as a de-conceptualiser.

Although the Enlightenment was coined in the 19th century as the German Aufklarung, Clark argues it was not until after the Second World War that it started to gain real traction in European thought. Whatever Nazism had been, the Enlightenment was its opposite. Over the following decades it became inseparable from liberalism and social reform. As Clark puts it, the Enlightenment was the abstract programme which makes possible modernity, and became a shorthand for all those people who have adopted causes of social reform, whether its education or state schools or the health service or the quality of daily life.

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He sees the exhaustion of political thought everywhere around him. At the last general Election I realised all the great ideologies have run out of steam. Liberalism was famously defeated by socialism; socialism ran out of steam and Tony Blair abandoned it. Conservativism was abandoned by Margaret Thatcher, who turned it into [Friedrich] Hayekian radical individualism. It was a great symbolic moment in the Conservative party when they threw Roger Scruton under the bus.

Some sort of reunion between the Conservative party and Reform has become inevitable, says Clark - House of Commons

The dearth of ideas was brought home to him when he did what he had never done before and read the party manifestos. They are, intellectually, remarkably shallow and astonishingly lightweight, he says. The Lib Dem manifesto doesnt express liberalism. The Labour manifesto doesnt express socialism. The Conservative manifesto makes no mention of conservatism. Theyre a collection of ideas scrambled together at the last moment. What draws them together? Nothing. They are not eternal truths. They are ideologies which have all hit the ground.

He is unsure about what will fill the vacuum. In Britain, he says some sort of reunion between the Conservative party and Reform has become inevitable, and that he was pleasantly surprised by what he found at a Reform UK meeting.

I went along wondering if I would find a collection of loonies and nutcases, racists and extremists, he says. But no, I found a collection of people who struck me like the Conservative party would have been 20 years ago.

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Then there is Scottish Nationalism, which may revive, and radicalised Islam which is powerful and may grow. We speak days before the German election, when it looks as though the AfD might do well. It might be a good thing if AfD becomes a larger organisation, he says. If you have proportional representation, whoever you vote for you get the same government. Germany has had the same government since the Second World War.

Perhaps the scariest force of all is wokery, or wokeish, which Clark sees as a grave threat to the intellectual fabric of the country. Without a new English, Wokeish will win, he wrote in an essay titled Bonfire of the Verities for The Critic last year.

The language of Wokeish is a wide application of the language of victimhood, which has been permitted by the rapid proliferation and diffusion of universal human-rights language, he says. Everyone is now a victim. Theyre not poor, theyre not suffering from disease. Theyre victims. The lever one has on society is to claim to be a victim. Nobody is interested if you say you are poor. There are many real victims in the world, but wokery ignores them. Thats why its objectionable. Equally, however, he says it is possible that a Trump-esque movement will be replicated elsewhere, and we will look back on wokery as a strange short-term aberration.

Clark: The language of Wokeish is a wide application of the language of victimhood - Chris Watt

Clark has seen first-hand the effect of wokery on university life, where it has perhaps been most pronounced. He was born in 1951 and grew up in Surrey. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother was a housewife. After grammar school he went on to study history at Downing College, Cambridge. He briefly worked at the London Stock Exchange before he returned to academia, via teaching posts at Cambridge and All Souls, Oxford. In 1989, he was teaching a seminar at Oxford when he noticed a graduate student had dropped her glove. I picked it up and said I think youve dropped your glove. He and Catherine married seven years later, around the time they moved to the University of Kansas, where Clark was appointed Joyce C. and Elizabeth Ann Hall Distinguished Professorship of British History, where they stayed for 20 years.

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Reflecting on his early time in academia, he says debate was much freer. There was much more free speech then, he says. Looking around me at Cambridge, there were giants. Their lives had been messed up by war and revolution and disaster but somehow they had struggled through. This was reflected in their willingness to think seriously about serious subjects. Now everything is identical and homogenised.

Its still difficult to get a job in academia but its more of assimilating oneself to the identical image, he adds. The academic world has been trivialised.

He retired from teaching in 2018, and he and Catherine swapped a townhouse in Oxford for their Northumbrian castle, where life is pleasantly social and one of the local sports is dinner parties. Geographically, Im between Chris Mullin, whos slightly north of me, and Jeremy Hosking slightly south of me. Im in the middle. Theres no difficulty or antagonism at all. Chris Mullin and I get on fine. One wonders whether a radical-Centrist would get such a warm welcome, if one were to make it to Northumberland.

North Northumberland is where you move to if you want to live in superb countryside but you dont want to mix with the people from the Cotswolds, he adds. Ive never lived in the Cotswolds but I can imagine them being part of group-think. We are more open to debate than they are likely to be.

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For the argument-loving Jonathan Clark, nothing could be more important.

The Enlightenment: An Idea and Its History by J. C. D. Clark (OUP Oxford) is out now

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Ailing Chicago mobster Frank The German Schweihs was all scowls in June 2018 when he was pushed into a federal courtroom in a wheelchair for a hearing in his racketeering case and two young federal prosecutors hed never seen before were staring back at him.

The feared Outfit hit man first barked a homophobic remark at one of them, Markus Funk, and said, You makin eyes at me? Then Schweihs glared at Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, who is Sikh and wears a turban. What are we, in some kind of foreign country? he cracked to his lawyer loud enough for the entire courtroom to hear.

If Bhachu was taken aback by the comment, he didnt show it, Funk recalled in an interview this week. He kept his arms crossed and remained expressionless, and the hearing went forward without missing a beat.

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Schweihs was trying to get under Amars skin and got no reaction at all, Funk told the Tribune.

The long-forgotten episode may have been a blip in one of the biggest organized crime prosecutions in Chicagos history, but it was also a harbinger of Bhachus unflappable style that would go on to serve him well as he rose through the ranks of the citys storied U.S. attorneys office.

Known as a dogged but fair litigator, Bhachu learned from Outfit-busting legends like Gary Shapiro and Mitchell Mars before eventually taking over the Public Corruption and Organized Crime Section, leading a series of bombshell investigations into mobsters, lobbyists, corporate CEOs and crooked politicians that culminated with the conviction last month of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

That landmark case, it turns out, will be Bhachus last.

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A 22-year-veteran prosecutor, Bhachu will step down from the U.S. attorneys office at the end of the day Friday, marking the end of a remarkable run under six different U.S. attorneys and acting bosses, from Patrick Fitzgerald to Morris Pasqual.

No reason for Bhachus departure was given, though whispers that he might leave after the Madigan case was over began circulating at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse last year, well before the Trump administration last month offered a buyout to federal employees.

The timing came as a surprise to many, however, given that Madigans case, which ended in a split verdict on Feb. 12, still has a ways to go. A forfeiture hearing has been set for June, and barring a successful appeal or decision to retry the deadlocked counts, a sentencing hearing will likely be slated further down the road.

It also leaves the U.S. attorneys office without yet another veteran prosecutor at a time when the office is struggling with attrition, morale and productivity issues, along with unprecedented uncertainty coming out of Washington. Several insiders who spoke to the Tribune on the condition of anonymity said that of all the recent departures, Bhachus stings the most.

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In a written statement, Pasqual, who has been Chicagos acting U.S. attorney since 2023, said Bhachu has served with distinction and made our office better each and every day.

I cannot thank Amar enough for his unwavering, humble leadership and wise counsel over the past 21 years, and I wish him the best going forward, Pasqual said.

Earlier this week, Pasqual appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker, a veteran of the Madigan trial as well as the 2023 case against former Ald. Edward Burke, as Bhachus replacement.

Regardless of his reasons for leaving, Bhachu had a fascinating final act. In January, he found himself face-to-face with Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, for a cross-examination for the ages.

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Thats you laughing, sir, isnt it? Bhachu asked Madigan after playing a now-infamous wiretapped recording where the former speaker chuckled about his friends making out like bandits.

Randall Samborn, a former federal prosecutor who served as chief spokesman for former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, said Bhachu represented a direct link to the influence of mentors like Mars and Shapiro, particularly when it comes to mob and public corruption cases.

His departure marks a generational divide from their combined legacy that stretches back a half-century, Samborn said. Former prosecutors often regale the Days of the Giants, but this might also be the end of an era.

Funk, who also worked under Mars and helped bring Bhachu over to the organized crime team back in the mid-2000s, said Bhachu quickly earned a reputation of his own for putting together big, sophisticated cases without fear or favor.

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If I were a criminal and I knew I did something bad, the last person I would want to see show up in court on my case is Amar Bhachu, said Funk, now a partner at Perkins Coie in Denver.

Meteoric rise

Bhachu, 53, was born in England and his family moved first to Canada and eventually to the U.S. when he was in grade school. His father, a mechanical engineer, and his mother, a trained midwife, were originally from Kenya. They settled on the East Coast, where Bhachus father had a lengthy career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Bhachu graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1996 and moved to Chicago soon after, working in private practice before joining the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago in 2003.

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Like most young assistant U.S. attorneys in the office, Bhachu was first assigned to a general crimes unit, prosecuting a range of cases from narcotics to money laundering.

One of his first cases to make news involved Adnan Aldarawsheh, of Willow Springs, a station manager for Royal Jordanian Airlines at OHare International Airport who helped run an illegal drug ring, using his position with the airline to help smuggle cash proceeds.

Bhachu did a significant stint in what used to be called the Narcotics and Gang Section before he was tasked to the public corruption unit. He was incredibly productive even in the gung-ho era of the U.S. attorneys office in the mid-2000s. Court records show in 2004 alone, Bhachu filed 20 new criminal cases involving 37 named defendants.

It was in those early days that Bhachu, despite his rather gruff demeanor in court, established himself as one of the offices premier pranksters, his former colleagues said, pulling stunts that might have alarmed bosses in todays world but in those days brought a sense of camaraderie to an office that has sky-high burnout potential.

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Jokes aside, however, Bhachu was also known for a quiet work ethic, much like his mentor, Mitch Mars, who died abruptly of cancer at age 55 after winning convictions in the landmark Family Secrets trial. Bhachu also adopted Mars rather old-school recordkeeping, according to colleagues who spoke to the Tribune.

Thick piles of papers were constantly growing in his office, at times making it difficult to squeeze in an extra chair. Adding to the throwback atmosphere were photos of some of Bhachus more well-known targets tacked to the office walls, including Outfit bosses Joey The Clown Lombardo and Frank The Breeze Calabrese.

He also keeps a photo of Mars taken after the Family Secrets verdict, which no one knew at the time would be Mars last time in court.

As he made his name in the office, Bhachu was among a group of hardworking assistants who were known to burn the late-night oil, staying in the office until midnight some nights working on cases, several former colleagues told the Tribune.

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One of them was Andrew Boutros, who like Bhachu was an up-and-comer in the office in the late 2000s  and a first-generation immigrant. He said Bhachu would sometimes walk past his office on the fifth floor of the U.S. attorneys office in Chicagos federal courthouse and see his light on and stop in for a chat.

Wed just be bouncing ideas off each other, talking about our cases and legal issues, said Boutros, who is now under consideration to become the U.S. attorney in Chicago. Amar has a tremendous work ethic.

That late-night ethos prevailed throughout Bhachus tenure at the U.S. attorneys office. Even when the COVID era relaxed rules on being downtown, he would often be seen coming back into the courthouse with a coffee in hand long after his colleagues had punched out for the day.

You always know Amar is going to cross the ts and triple-dot every i,' said longtime criminal defense attorney Joseph Lopez, who has represented a number of reputed mobsters and others prosecuted by Bhachu. Hes very thorough. And hes a hammer. But hes a true believer. He believes hes protecting society through the law and doing whats best on behalf of the United States.

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Lopez said that reputation was particularly well-known among underworld figures.

I think when they found out he was leaving they probably had a party, Lopez said.

Targeting organized crime

By far the biggest mob case Bhachu participated in was the landmark Family Secrets trial in 2007, which led to life sentences for several Chicago gangsters, including Lombardo, Calabrese, and James Marcello. The case was built on the turncoat testimony of Calabreses brother, Nicholas, who admitted killing 14 people for the Outfit over the course of more than two decades.

Bhachu had been set to take part in the case against Schweihs, which was severed from the other Family Secrets defendants due to Schweihss ill health. But after the Germans racist outburst in 2008, Bhachu never saw him again, as Schweihs died of cancer in a jail hospital in July 2008.

But other blockbuster cases followed. In 2010, Bhachu led the prosecution of Cicero mob boss Michael The Large Guy Sarno, Outlaw biker Mark Polchan and three others for running a lucrative illegal video poker racket, pulling off a string of armed robberies and planting a pipe bomb in front of a rival business cutting into their gambling turf.

Soon after the Sarno case ended, Bhachu found himself with a stunning opportunity to bring down Steve Mandell, an ex-Chicago cop and mob-connected hit man whod been a thorn in the side of law enforcement for years.

In 2012, the FBI learned that Mandell was plotting to set up a torture and killing chamber in a Northwest Side storefront as part of a plot to kidnap, torture and dismember Chicago businessmen and steal their property and cash. One of his first targets was Steven Campbell, a real estate magnate Mandell jokingly referred to as Soupy, who owned two dozen properties along Ogden Avenue and dealt largely in cash.

The scheme was foiled with the help of undercover informant George Michael, a real estate mogul and former banker who was secretly recording for the FBI when Mandell introduced himself at a lunch at La Scarola on Grand Avenue and started talking about his plans.

During Mandells 2013 sentencing hearing, Bhachu said Mandells attention to detail, from a circular saw to take the big bones out of Mr. Campbells body to goggles so blood splatter wouldnt hit him in the face, made it clear that hed participated in violent abductions before.

I think the thing that really strikes one from listening to all the evidence in this case is the fact that (Mandell) actually takes pleasure  he takes pleasure  from hurting people, Bhachu said. He likes it.

Michael told the Tribune this week that Bhachu always seemed to have a sense of humor even in the most tense and macabre situations. He chuckled as he recalled meetings in Bhachus office where the prosecutor jumped up onto his desk to close the blinds on the tall windows.

And he said hes still grateful to this day that Bhachu protected him when Mandell was allegedly trying to arrange Michaels murder from inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Mandell was with street gang members awaiting trial. Law enforcement wired up Michael and caught a known gang member talking about Mandells overtures.

I knew if you were always telling Amar the truth, you had a friend, Michael said. If you lied, you just lost your best friend. And he knew the difference.

Mandell was convicted of the grisly scheme to kidnap and murder Campbell and is serving life in prison.

Enduring criticism

While Bhachu earned the respect of most of the defense lawyers he battled in court, he also was criticized at times for taking an expansive and aggressive approach to federal fraud and bribery statutes, and for giving deals to cooperators who helped bring cases.

By far the loudest criticism came in the U.S. attorneys offices handling of former Ald. Daniel Solis, who agreed to go undercover for the FBI after being confronted with his own corrupt deeds and made secret recordings of both Burke and Madigan that were instrumental in bringing down two of the most powerful Democratic politicians in Chicago history.

Solis was given an unprecedented deferred prosecution deal for his efforts that will leave him without a felony conviction and collecting a six-figure city pension despite having admitted to taking bribes in his official capacity as Zoning Committee chairman.

Some cried foul, including then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who said she was deeply offended by the deal, as well as Solis replacement as 25th Ward alderman, Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who asked U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood to consider Solis rampant and unchecked corruption when deciding whether to go along.

Bhachu, however, argued strongly that Solis cooperation was perhaps singular even in the citys long history of political corruption, personally making hundreds of recordings and helping form the basis of government requests for wiretaps on others.

A lot of people talk about cleaning up corruption, and often all it amounts to is talk, Bhachu said. Its rare when someone actually delivers, and in this regard, Mr. Solis delivered.

Bhachu continued to defend Solis when Madigans attorneys raked him over the coals in cross-examination in December, revealing new information that the alderman had taken a suitcase of cash from a Chinese businessman in Shanghai and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from his sister that he never declared as income on his taxes.

You cannot trust Danny Solis, Madigan attorney Dan Collins told the jury in his closing argument. Cannot trust him. Hes got his own agenda, and hes as sly as a fox.

Bhachu countered simply that some of the defense claims about Solis were overwrought and that Solis dealings with Madigan were caught on tape, marginalizing the importance of his credibility.

Even Bhachus critics had a respect for him, and knew that if their clients dared to take the stand, they were in for tough cross-examination, often done without glancing at notes  but far from winging it.

Hes got a really quick mind and a great wit, Funk said. Hes not one of those prosecutors who has 10 bullet points he reads from and sticks to the script. He knows how to live in the moment in front of a jury or a judge.

Not one to shout or pace around, Bhachu would get points across instead with rapid-fire questions from the lectern that kept defendants off script and often used their own words against them. Straight-faced, hed also make it clear to the jury when a defendant tried to appear flippant or amused at his questions.

At one point during his cross of Madigan, Bhachu asked the former speaker, Again, Id like you to answer the question Ive asked  you knew on this day the project was not in trouble?

When Madigan started to chuckle, Bhachu cut him off. Is there something funny about my question?

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Ill be open with you: oil and gas is part of the future mix for decades to come. These are not my words, but those of our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, speaking in February 2025. The engine-room of Britains net zero transition, the Climate Change Committee, has made the same point on multiple occasions.

Yet although the UK is sitting on untapped natural gas resources that could transform its economy and reduce emissions, just last month the energy price cap was increased up by Ofgem, confirming that British consumers will now be paying an additional 111 a year to keep themselves warm.

From 2000 to 2023, the amount of energy produced domestically in the United Kingdom decreased by 65pc and we currently spend more money per annum importing energy than we do on either education or defence. Current forecasts estimate that dependency on gas imports could reach 80pc by the 2030s.

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Carpeting the countryside with wind turbines and solar panels will not eliminate our need for natural gas as an energy source. This may not be a comfortable fact for some in government to grapple with. But rather than burying their heads in the sand, or trotting out green energy superpower cliches, the electorate would be better served by our politicians firstly recognising and secondly addressing this, sooner rather than later.

Sadly, the current Government would appear to be on a mission to prevent further exploration for North Sea gas and to remove the possibility of shale gas extraction in Britain for good.

Cuadrilla is currently preparing to fill the countrys only viable shale gas wells with concrete. The process will begin on Monday. Our ability to further evaluate a potentially secure, cheap and greener source of gas is drifting out of reach at the very moment we could need it most.

Right now, our gas supply is neither secure, cheap nor green. Almost two thirds of our gas is imported. Our main supplier, Norway, is talking about limiting energy exports. The International Energy Agency is telling us that the global gas balance is fragile and companies are warning that domestic gas storage levels are worryingly low. We are being advised, by big bright flashing red lights, that things could get even worse.

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It is inevitable that politicians will eventually have to set aside misguided ideology and start recognising the reality of the situation. But in the meantime, it is ordinary households across the UK that will bear the brunt of any delay.

We might not have even seen the worst of it with last weeks price rise. The International Energy Agency has warned that European gas prices could go up by nearly a third this year. Almost 90pc of us heat our homes with gas in this country. When prices go up, we are powerless. Inefficient and expensive heat pumps are not the answer, and consumers have effectively told the Government so.

We cannot even console ourselves, as we lose feeling in our freezing toes, that we are at least helping to make the world a greener place. The carbon emissions associated with importing two thirds of our gas, particularly by sea as liquefied natural gas, dwarf the levels we would see with a strong domestic supply.

I have no doubt that politicians will eventually seek to make use of the vast shale gas resources that this country has at its disposal. The Bowland shale formation and the Gainsborough trough have enough gas to meet our own needs for decades to come. They are the envy of Europe  which, even today, despite Putins invasion of Ukraine, remains reliant on Russian imports of gas.

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In the face of such aggression, this reliance on Russian gas is Europes Achilles heel, and places the impetus on our government to change tact. Sir Keir has shown a real commitment to lead a coalition of the willing in order to bring peace back to our continent, but the UK can do much more, by using our vast resources to help end European energy dependence on Putin.

The shale gas wells are being decommissioned but the natural gas underneath remains available. With sensible policies and politicians its time will come.

Francis Egan is chief executive of Cuadrilla Resources

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An historic 75-year-old diesel locomotive that served Steuben County for decades will have new life at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

"Engine 5," which currently sits on the Bath & Hammondsport Railroad in Cohocton, has been acquired from the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency and the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad.

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will preserve Engine 5 and have it on display for visitors at its facility in Rush, about 20 minutes south of downtown Rochester. Jamie Johnson, executive director of the Steuben County IDA, said the train is an "important piece of local railroad history."

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"Engine 5 helped transport goods throughout the region, playing a vital role in supporting our economy and the efforts of the railroad museum will help educate the public on the role the railroad has and will continue to play in our business development activities," said Johnson.

Bath & Hammondsport 5 is currently in storage in Cohocton. Recognizing the historic value of this diesel, Steuben County agreed to sell the locomotive to Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum for preservation in February.

Engine 5's history in Rochester, on 'Champagne Route' in Finger Lakes

Engine 5, a 660-horsepower diesel switcher, was constructed in March 1950 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady. It was reassigned to a freight car manufacturing and repair facility in East Rochester in January 1965, according to the museum.

When the shops closed five years later, the train was sold to Steuben County for operation on the Bath & Hammondsport Railroad. The B&H can be traced back to 1872 when it connected Hammondsport at the south end of Keuka Lake with the Erie Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad at Bath.

The B&H became known as "The Champagne Route" as the wine industry grew in the Finger Lakes, with many wineries serving as customers of the railroad. The B&H expanded in 1976 when it became the operator of IDA-owned track between Bath and Wayland. Twenty years later, the county named Livonia, Avon & Lakeville the new operator of the combined B&H lines, which included a 2001 expansion from Bath to a connection with Norfolk Southern at Painted Post.

Diesel switcher No. 5 worked at Despatch Shops, Inc. in East Rochester, N.Y., from 1965 until it closed in 1970. It was used to move freight cars in and out of the shop for repair or delivery, as well as move materials between different areas of the manufacturing plant.

Engine 5 was sidelined and designated as surplus by LA&L in recent years as freight traffic increased on the B&H and more powerful diesel locomotives were required on the railroad.

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The museum acquired Engine 5 in February after the idea was presented by the Flour-by-Rail Legacy Project.

"We are excited to preserve this historic diesel locomotive and return it to Rochester," said R&GV Museum vice president Jackson Glozer. "Besides helping preserve the history of Bath & Hammondsport Railroad, this diesel also worked locally at Despatch Shops in East Rochester, replacing a steam locomotive of the same number which we also just added to our collection a few years ago."

More: Corning Inc. named one of America's Best Large Employers in 2025. See where it ranked.

How to support preservation of Engine 5

The museum has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset the cost of transportation from Steuben County to Rush.

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The campaign had raised roughly a quarter of its $9,500 goal as of Thursday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on The Leader: Railroad Museum buys Bath & Hammondsport train from Steuben County IDA
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlic-Radman, will visit Kazakhstan on an official trip at the end of April this year, Trend reports.

The minister declared this during the meeting with Kazakhstan's Ambassador, Daulet Batrashev.

Throughout the meeting, the parties deliberated on the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, as well as the implementation of agreements reached during the talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Zagreb last November. Special attention was given to strengthening political dialogue and economic ties.

In addition, the sides exchanged views on a number of important regional and global issues, as well as on cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organizations.

At the end of the talks, Grlic Radman confirmed Croatia's commitment to deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan and Croatia established diplomatic relations in 1992. Since then, they have maintained political dialogue and cooperation on the international stage.
Greenlands leaders issued a sharp rebuke of Donald Trumps renewed calls to annex it Thursday, after the president once again expressed his desire to take over the Arctic island.

I think it will happen, Trump said during a news briefing at the Oval Office, after being asked directly about his vision to acquire the semiautonomous nation. He added: We really need it for national security.

Outgoing Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede responded in a Facebook post: Enough is enough.

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Egede added that he planned to summon the leaders from all parties in Greenland to issue a joint rejection of Trumps overtures.

Snowcapped buildings in Nuuk, Greenland's capital.

Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the U.S. needs the island for international security. He added: We have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful.

Rutte, sitting next to Trump, did not directly comment on the presidents statement because he said he did not want to drag NATO into the issue, according to Reuters.

But, Rutte added, We know things are changing there, and we have to be there.

The sharp exchange between Trump and Greenland's leaders comes after the self-governing region of Denmark held a tightly contested parliamentary election earlier this week, in which the pro-business Demokraatit party defeated Egedes ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party in a surprise result. The Demokraatit party will now need to form a coalition government.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the country's likely next prime minister, has also rejected Trumps suggestion. In a Facebook post Thursday, he said the presidents statement was inappropriate and just shows once again that we must stand together in such situations.

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Greenland, the world's largest island, sparsely populated with 56,000 people, was thrust into the limelight after Trump took office Jan. 20 and called for its U.S. acquisition, saying its vast mineral wealth and existing U.S. military base are strategically important against rivals Russia and China.

All candidates ahead of Greenland's election said they did not want their island to become part of the U.S. amid growing calls for independence from Denmark, its former colonial ruler, which still controls decisions on foreign and defense policy.

Greenland won the right to hold a referendum to gain full independence from Denmark in 2009, but a poll at the time also found that many were divided on the pace at which to do so.

On Thursday, Trump also undermined Copenhagens claim to the island, saying it was very far away and really has nothing to do.

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A boat landed there 200 years ago or something? And they say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, he added.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has repeatedly rejected Trumps suggestion in the past, stating that Greenland is not for sale.

Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of the defense committee in Denmarks parliament, said in a post on X on Thursday that Denmark did not appreciate Rutte joking with Trump about Greenland like this.

It would mean war between two NATO countries, he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede criticized U.S. President Donald Trumps suggestion that the U.S. could annex Greenland in a Facebook post on March 13.

The U.S. president has once again aired the thought of annexing us, Egede wrote. Dont keep treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough.

Egede announced plans to convene a meeting with Greenlands political leaders to reinforce their rejection of Trumps proposal.

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Trump's most recent comments about Greenland came during a White House meeting on March 12 with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

I think it will happen, Trump said in response to a reporter asking the probability of Greenlands annexation.

He also claimed that the U.S. needs Greenland for international security.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO member state. The Arctic island houses both Danish and U.S. military bases and has vast reserves of mineral wealth.

Russia has said it is monitoring developments regarding Trump and Greenland due to Moscow's own "strategic interests" in the Arctic region.

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Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia needs war, Zelensky says in response to Putins preconditions for ceasefire

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The unprecedented Los Angeles wildfires nearly two months ago burnt down entire communities and displaced thousands of people have all been contained, but the questions about the extent of the remaining environmental disaster  and its impact on local communities  are still going strong.

Almost immediately after the fires broke out, many environmental experts warned that this is an urban wildfire unlike any weve seen before. So comparisons to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, other wildfires and major clean-up efforts were bound to fall short, they argued.

Months after the first fires broke out, many remain homeless, trying to get back to their communities or acquire access to potable water. For many others, concerns remain about the safety of air and water quality in the larger LA area, the second largest city in the United States.

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Few people in the area were immune to the fires: Ross Gerber, a climate activist, early Tesla investor and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, was only able to return to his Pacific Palisades home in early March.

"It's an environmental disaster, and they [city authorities] are pretending like, Oh, it'll just go away. But now it's sitting on our beaches, and it's just like going into the sand, and it's possible that, if they don't deal with this, it could be years of contamination for the LA beaches or more, Gerber told Salon.

Even influential money managers like Gerber felt seemingly helpless in the face of local governments response to the wildfires and their immediate aftermath.

"The lifeguards are standing there, and I was like, Dude, you're not going to tell these people to get out of the water? he said, describing a recent encounter on a beach. They're literally wading in toxic s**t. It's all over. And they're like, Yeah, whatever. I figured if I started telling people to get their kids out of the water, they would be like, leave us alone."

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Gerber has not been the only one concerned about the local response and on-the-ground application of city guidelines, as public officials scrambled to balance public safety with political considerations.

Were in a race against time to stop disaster after the disaster, Jane Williams, executive director at California Communities Against Toxics, warned during a webinar hosted by Coalition for Clean Air back on January 16, immediately comparing the Los Angeles wildfires to the impact of 9/11. [That was] one of the largest public health disasters in the countrys history, and were faced with exactly the same problem in Los Angeles now: trying to intercept those exposures.

Local authorities' response and messaging on health risks has been uneven, with many displaced residents struggling to get clear guidelines on the timeline of the cleanup or the status of the potable water in their districts.

In Pacific Palisades, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power found trace levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, in several locations and is still working on resolving the contamination, the Los Angeles Times reported. Meanwhile, Altadena communities are still waiting for the final clearance from the state to lift the do not drink notices.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes.

Many residents have turned to local Facebook groups and private messaging boards in an attempt to navigate local bureaucracies, often making tough, personal calls on what is safe for their families.

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The popularity of electric vehicles in California and the volume of electric cars damaged in the fires have added another layer of complexity to the cleanup efforts.

Steve Calanog, the EPA's incident commander for the Palisades and Eaton fires called it probably the largest lithium-ion battery pickup, cleanup, that's ever happened in the history of the world, according to an NBC Los Angeles report.

While some beaches that were previously closed due to fire debris have reopened, others remain closed. Health officials advise the public to check on the latest updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or call the beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 for the latest information.

When it comes to air quality, officials have mostly warned about avoiding outdoor activities in areas with visible ash or poor air quality, but some safety experts say that many toxic particles could be hard to see.

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The particles are so small they can get into the brain, said Ed Avol, professor emeritus at USC School of Medicine at the same Coalition for Clean Air event. The ability to focus, pay attention in school, dementia  were looking at a range of outcomes. It affects your metabolic system.

While California Governor Gavin Newsom touted the fastest-ever hazardous debris removal effort in the nation as of February 25, many questions about the safety of air, water and long-term health impact remain. Newsoms office did not respond to Salons request for comment.

They're driving those trucks right through West LA right through residential neighborhoods, Gerber said of the ongoing clean up efforts. The whole idea that they're using any level of safety is absurd."
The Environmental Protection Agency's plan to repeal or weaken more than two dozen regulations could deliver a direct blow to California policies on air and water quality standards, electric vehicle initiatives and efforts to curb planet-harming greenhouse gas emissions.

The changes announced this week are geared toward rolling back trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and hidden taxes on U.S. families, according to President Trump's new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who described the action on Wednesday as "the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history."

But environmental groups were quick to condemn the plan as an abdication of the EPA's responsibilities to Americans. In climate-conscious California, they say, it could reverse decades of progress.

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"This isn't just a step backward  it's a wrecking ball aimed at decades of progress," said Guillermo Ortiz, senior clean vehicles advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "California's leadership on clean energy and environmental justice is now directly under siege by the federal government."

Among the 31 items up for reconsideration is the EPA's long-held conclusion that carbon dioxide emissions endanger human health and welfare, formally known as the "endangerment finding" established in 2009.

California has been aggressive in its efforts to curb CO 2 , including a state law that requires a 40% emissions reduction by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2045. The state aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2045  five years sooner than the federal target set by the Biden administration.

Zeldin referred to the endangerment finding as "the holy grail of the climate change religion."

California has set an even more aggressive target than the federal government with the goal of banning the sale of gas cars by 2035  a move the Trump administration has already set out to block. (Nick Agro/For The Times)

"We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion," he said.

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The EPA's plan also takes aim at the Clean Power Plan, an Obama- and Biden-era policy that seeks to slash emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas, and at the mandatory greenhouse gas reporting program that compels approximately 8,000 large greenhouse gas emitters, such as power plants and factories, to report their emissions annually.

California is home to nearly 400 of those reporting facilities, and has made gains in its efforts to reduce emissions in recent years. The state's facilities reported 92.1 million metric tons of CO 2 equivalent emissions in 2023, compared with 116.1 million metric tons a decade prior.

Repealing such programs  and potentially undermining the endangerment finding  would be akin to "denying the concept of gravity," Ortiz said.

"It's not deregulation  it's science denial with a legal brief attached to it," he said.

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Read more: Trumps EPA takes steps to roll back dozens of environmental regulations

But the EPA isn't focused only on emissions from large power plants and oil and gas producers. Also on the chopping block are rules that govern vehicle emissions, the largest source of air pollution in the Golden State.

Among other changes, the EPA seeks to terminate the standards surrounding light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that provided the foundation for Biden's electric vehicle mandate, which set a goal for EVs to comprise half the cars sold in the U.S. by 2030.

Zeldin said the current federal rules impose more than $700 billion in regulatory and compliance costs, and that the EV mandate takes away Americans' ability to select the car of their choice while increasing the cost on all products delivered by trucks.

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California has set an even more aggressive target than the federal government on EV adoption, with Gov. Gavin Newsom's mandate banning the sale of gas cars by 2035  a move the Trump administration has already set out to block.

"California has been the leading state in advancing the clean transportation industry and market," said John Boesel, president of the clean transportation nonprofit CALSTART.

The EPA is aiming to terminate the standards surrounding light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that provided the foundation for Biden's electric vehicle targets. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Boesel noted that the EPA in January already failed to act on a plan known as the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which would have helped phase out heavy-duty diesel trucks in the state.

But the new changes could create even more hurdles for California's EV transition by potentially compromising federal tax incentives, hindering the expansion of a national charging infrastructure and encouraging fossil fuel production.

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"A lot of hard work went into developing the regulations and setting a direction for the future of the United States, and many companies have made major investments in a cleaner transportation future," Boesel said. "Having this kind of regulatory uncertainty will undermine a lot of the investment and possibly discourage innovation."

Read more: Trump, congressional Republicans seek to block California's 2035 ban on gas-powered vehicles

Mike Stoker, who served as the EPA's top official for California and the Pacific Southwest during the previous Trump administration, downplayed the impact on California, however, saying the Golden State can continue to set higher standards than the federal government.

"As a general matter, most of the states that have been really strong on the environment, like California, are going to exceed whatever the minimum standard is that the EPA is regulating," he said, adding that "these kind of actions have a much bigger impact on the states that have really opted to go more with the minimum standard route."

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The goal, he said, is to eliminate rules and regulations that are costly and time consuming and to ensure that those that remain are backed up by the best possible science.

Stoker also said the deregulation announcement is not taking direct aim at electric vehicles, but rather is geared toward letting consumers dictate the marketplace.

"Their message is they don't want the government to subsidize making electric cars happen before the market really demands it," he said.

But federal rules don't exist in a vacuum, said Ortiz, of the NRDC. The 31 regulatory actions are also occurring alongside job cuts and efforts to curtail California's authority to set tailpipe emissions. What's more, carbon dioxide and other pollutants have no regard for state lines.

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"California's climate goals and our air quality progress have been a beacon for the world, and gutting these EPA rules is like punching holes in that lighthouse," Ortiz said. "We're talking about more asthma in Fresno, we're talking about deadlier wildfires, and we're stalling out the EV transition that's been occurring."

Read more: 'Drill baby drill': Trump takes aim at clean energy, climate change and the environment on day one

The EPA's plan also takes aim at other issues that are popular in California, including environmental justice and air and water quality standards. The agency seeks to terminate its environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion arms, Zeldin said.

California  home to some of the worst air quality in the world  has for decades worked to rectify inequities that have left the state's low-income communities and communities of color disproportionately burdened by pollution, extreme heat, wildfire smoke and other environmental challenges, and experts fear that changes at the federal level could exacerbate those issues.

Wildfire smoke drifts through Los Angeles in September 2020. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Indeed, Zeldin said the agency will reconsider air toxic standards that target coal-fired plants, as well as National Ambient Air Quality Standards that regulate six harmful pollutants. Those pollutants include particulate matter 2.5, or sooty material that is released from vehicles, industrial smokestacks and wildfires.

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PM 2.5 was among the top air quality concerns in the wake of January's firestorm in Los Angeles. Only a year ago, the Biden administration's EPA tightened the rules around particulate matter in a move it said would prevent thousands of premature deaths.

What's more, some of the state's hard-won gains on water quality could be undone by the EPA's plan to revise the definition "waters of the United States" as it applies to the federal Clean Water Act of 1972.

The rules govern water quality as well as discharge requirements for farmers, landowners and businesses, which Zeldin said place an undue burden on Americans and drive up the cost of doing business.

Opponents said loosening such guidelines could leave water systems more vulnerable to dangerous pollutants and discharge, especially in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision that limited federal protections for wetlands in favor of property rights.

The EPA said it will revise the definition of "waters of the United States" as it applies to the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

"We cannot sit idly by while the U.S. Supreme Court, and now the Federal Administration, take calculated steps to compromise the federal Clean Water Act and the protections it has provided for decades," state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) said in a statement.

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Allen recently introduced legislation that would enshrine into state law the previous federal protections removed by the Supreme Court. The lack of these and other protections could threaten the health and well-being of millions of Californians, he said.

But experts cautioned that the EPA's proposed changes cannot be imposed unilaterally, and said due process must include scientific and legal justification for each decision, as well as listening and responding to public feedback. It is likely that many of the changes will face lengthy legal challenges from opposition groups.

Boesel, of CALSTART, said he remains optimistic that California will continue to make progress on climate change despite the potentially bumpy road ahead. But he underscored that it is important for the EPA to continue to show leadership at a national and global level.

"The United States represents about 5% of the world's population and generates nearly 20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions," he said. "So the United States really needs to be a global team player and do what it can to avert a climate disaster."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) said deputies are investigating an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that happened on Tuesday, March 11, after police responded to a road rage incident.

According to EPSO, on Tuesday at around 3:30 p.m., the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a report of road rage involving a gun. The reporting party gave officers information on a suspect that led them to an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Delta Drive near South Academy Boulevard and Chelton Road.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: No one injured after officer-involved shooting

Avery Denton, Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriffs Office

At around 9:30 p.m., officers attempted to contact the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Avery Denton, announcing themselves as police. EPSO said that when Denton opened the door, he was armed with a handgun raised and pointed it at the officers. At least one officer fired their weapon, but no one was hit. Denton was taken into custody shortly after.

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Per CSPD policy, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, and EPSO is investigating the incident.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has called for the suspension of Hungarys voting rights in the Council of the European Union due to its systematic actions against Europes common interests.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Tsahkna was commenting on the fact that the extension of the EU sanctions list for another six months was delayed by Hungarys demands, resulting in three Russian oligarchs being taken off the list.

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Quote from Tsahkna: "For political reasons, Hungary made the extension of sanctions conditional on the removal of Russian business figures Viatcheslav Kantor, Mikhail Degtyarev and Gulbakhor Ismailova from the sanctions list."

Details: Tsahkna stressed that there is no justification for lifting or easing sanctions against Russia, as it has not abandoned its goal of seizing Ukraine and reshaping Europes security architecture.

Quote from Tsahkna: "Hungary is systematically working against the common security interests of Europe, and therefore, we must quickly take specific steps and move forward with the Article 7 procedure, that is, suspending Hungary's voting rights."

Details: Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union allows for the suspension of certain rights of a member state if there is a serious and persistent breach of the EUs fundamental values.

Background:

The Financial Times has reported that Budapest's reluctance to extend a series of EU sanctions against Russia in recent days has led to intensified discussions among EU member states about the need to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in key EU decisions.

The FTs sources said that if Hungary attempts to block the renewal of another sanctions package against Russia in July 2025, the EU's determination to take action against Budapest may reach its peak.

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Estonian Intelligence has confirmed that Ukraine is gradually withdrawing its military contingent from Russias Kursk Oblast. It has also talked about the situation on the Donetsk front.

Source: ERR quoting Deputy Chief of Estonian Intelligence Janek Kesselmann, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Estonian intelligence officer said that the most active battles in the Russian-Ukrainian war are currently taking place in Kursk Oblast. He noted that Estonia can confirm that there is an "organised withdrawal of the Ukrainian contingent from Kursk Oblast".

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Meanwhile, the country's intelligence centre has no information that Russia has significantly increased its contingent on the Kursk front in recent months.

"The actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also indicate that the leadership of the Armed Forces has decided to withdraw from the Kursk front," he said.

The territories marked in green were liberated by Ukrainian troops. The territories in blue are Russian territories under Ukraines control.



Screenshot: DeepState map

Kesselmann stated that protracted combat continues in Kursk Oblast, allowing Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw.

He also said that a big Russian propaganda campaign is underway in the media.

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Regarding other fronts, Kesselmann stated that Russia continues to exert pressure on Donetsk Oblast, particularly in the area of Pokrovsk.

The territories marked in red are occupied by Russia.

Screenshot: DeepState map

Background:

On 10 March, UK intelligence reported that Ukraine's defence forces had conducted a series of counteroffensive actions near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, while in Russias Kursk Oblast, Russian forces were putting pressure on Ukrainian units.

On 13 March, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russians had attacked the positions of Ukraines defence forces 84 times on 10 fronts. The fiercest fighting was recorded on the Pokrovsk front. The hostilities continued in Kursk Oblast, where five Russian attacks were repelled during the day.

On 14 March, US President Donald Trump said that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position", probably referring to the latest developments in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

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A Republican push to oust a Democratic-Farmer-Labor state senator accused of felony burglary has stalled once again in the Senates ethics committee.

At a Thursday hearing, the Senate Subcommittee on Ethics deadlocked 2-2 on partisan lines on two new complaints against Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, who was arrested last April in Detroit Lakes on suspicion of breaking into her estranged stepmothers home to retrieve sentimental items, including her fathers ashes.

The committee will take up the matter again after Mitchells trial.

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Mitchell has faced calls to resign since her arrest  including from members of her own party  but Republican efforts to remove her from office have failed in the Senate, where Democrats currently have a one-seat majority.

Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell last year and renewed their efforts in February after prosecutors filed an additional felony charge against the senator.

New complaints

One of the two new complaints includes the additional charge. In a second complaint, Republicans argue Mitchell had a conflict of interest when she voted to block a Senate motion that would have opened the path to an expulsion vote.

When that motion came up in January, the Senate was tied 33-33 between the parties following the death of Minneapolis DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic. If Mitchell didnt vote, Republicans would have prevailed 33-32.

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However, if that motion did succeed, an expulsion vote still required backing from 45 of the Senates 67 members to pass. Its unlikely 12 DFLers would vote with Republicans to deprive themselves of a majority.

DFLers argue Mitchell should face due process, and that there shouldnt be any action on Mitchell until her trial is complete. Right now thats scheduled for June  after the legislative session ends. It was originally scheduled for January but Mitchells attorneys obtained a delay because state lawmakers can postpone trials if it coincides with the legislative session.

Hours of testimony

While prospects of Mitchells removal remain remote, the GOP continues to push for discipline. The four members of the Senate ethics committee  two DFLers and two Republicans  heard hours of testimony Thursday from Mitchell and Republican senators on the new complaints.

A measure to find probable cause that Mitchell violated Senate ethics rules and another to investigate Mitchell further failed on party lines.

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Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, argued Mitchell had a conflict of interest while voting on her own fate in the senate.

There can be no greater conflict of interest than the threat of losing ones job in its entirety, he said, noting the pay, benefits and other privileges that come from serving in office. She had everything to gain from casting her decisive vote on Jan. 27 and everything to lose.

Mitchell, meanwhile, argued Senate rules specifically apply to measures where a member has a financial interest such as ownership of a company or stocks, not employment.

We all vote on things that impact ourselves because we are also citizens of Minnesota, Mitchell told the committee, using bonding bills funding district projects as an example.

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Further, Mitchell said she did not vote on her expulsion, but a procedural vote which would have opened that possibility. If an expulsion vote happened, Mitchell said she would excuse herself.

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The EU Committee of Permanent Representatives has approved a mandate to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on introducing new tariffs on agricultural products and fertilisers from Russia and Belarus.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing a statement on the website of the Council of the European Union

Details: "The tariffs are expected to reduce Russian export revenues, thereby limiting Russias ability to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine," the statement reads.

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The EU had imposed taxes on specific Russian agricultural products in 2023, but these only accounted for 15% of total exports. Once the new measures are in place, all such products will be subject to restrictions.

Russia accounted for a major percentage of the EU's fertiliser imports in 2023, totalling 3.6 million tonnes and generating 1.28 billion for the Kremlin. The new tariffs will be implemented gradually over three years, alongside measures to diversify suppliers.

It is reported that once the European Parliament approves the measures, the EU Council will have the authority to grant final approval.

Background:

In October 2024, it was reported that the European Union was discussing the extension of protective duties on agricultural, food and fertiliser products from Russia and Belarus.

Russia supplies about one-third of the EU's urea fertiliser imports, with last year's volumes nearing record levels.

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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius have proposed that European countries reduce their reliance on the United States for strategically important military equipment, according to a draft paper obtained by dpa.

The draft for a so-called white paper on the future of European defence warns that the US could potentially decide to restrict the use or even halt the availability of key components for military operational capability.

The only way to overcome such dependencies is to develop the necessary capabilities through joint European defence projects, according to the draft.

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The initiative is largely driven by the Ukraine war, and Ukraine's recent experience of how the US uses its leverage as an arms supplier.

The Trump administration stopped arms supplies and the sharing of military intelligence after Kiev raised objections to US demands related to peace talks with Russia and did not sign a raw materials deal.

This sparked fears that the US could stop or restrict the use of weapons systems supplied to NATO partners in the future, especially in the event of disagreements or conflicts.

High-tech products, such as Lockheed Martin's F-35A Lightning II fighter jets  35 of which Germany ordered just three years ago  are a key concern.

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To accelerate European independence, Kallas and Kubilius are pushing for a directive that would prioritize the purchase of military equipment from European manufacturers.

The EU also seeks to expand their own production capacity in critical technologies, according to the draft.

The work on the new security and defence policy document is expected to be completed next week.

After that, the final version is to be considered by the EU commissioners and then will serve as a guide for the EU leaders.

The leaders are also meeting for a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday next week, where Ukraine will be high on the agenda.
Photo: Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Marat Karabaev, held a meeting with the Project Manager and Representative of the Management Board of the Rhenus Group Heinrich Kerstgens, Trend reports.

Throughout the meeting, the parties deliberated on current projects and prospects for implementing new Kazakh-German initiatives aimed at developing warehousing infrastructure and multimodal transport.

"We are confident that Kazakhstan, as a key transit hub, plays an increasingly important role in global logistics. It is important to continue developing terminal capacities and building new projects that will help significantly increase the country's transit potential," noted Heinrich Kerstgens.

Marat Karabaev, in turn, underscored the Ministry of Transport's readiness to cooperate with investors to fully unlock Kazakhstan's transport and logistics potential.

Rhenus, a company ranked among the top 25 largest logistics companies in the world, presented its plans to modernize and expand its terminal network, including a project to build a container terminal in the Aktau port area.

The company is a global logistics that provides a range of supply chain solutions, including transportation, warehousing, and freight forwarding services. The company operates in various sectors such as automotive, chemicals, healthcare, and retail, offering tailored services to meet the needs of their clients. Rhenus is known for its comprehensive solutions across road, air, sea, and rail logistics.
A majority of EU member states have spoken out in favour of less stringent genetic engineering rules, the EU Council presidency, currently held by Poland, said on Friday.

Representatives of the member states gave their approval in Brussels to a corresponding compromise, it said.

As the European Parliament must also approve the plan, negotiations on a final compromise can now begin with the

The EU Commission proposed the relaxation in summer 2023, essentially in order to reduce the barriers to researching and selling genetically modified organism or GMO plants.

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Part of the proposal therefore envisages relaxing labelling requirements.

GMO labelling less stringent

This would mean that supermarkets would not have to indicate if plants that have been modified using certain genetic engineering methods are used as food or for the production of food.

It also concerns changes that could also have been achieved through natural cultivation.

However, according to the information provided, individual EU member states could - in contrast to the original European Commission proposal - ban the cultivation of more heavily modified plants under the compromise that has now been reached.

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Critics cite the lack of transparency and few opportunities for consumers to make an informed purchasing decision. Until now, many were deterred by the labelling of products that indicate the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) on the packaging.

Importance of GMO labelling declining

According to the 2024 Forsa Nutrition Report, 64% of respondents said that labelling GMO-free food was very important to them. Ten years ago, however, the figure was 83%.
The European Union nations want to impose additional tariffs on food, fertilizer and live livestock from Russia and Belarus, which are aimed at reducing Russia's export profits and making it more difficult for Russia to finance its war against Ukraine.

The EU states are thus adopting a proposal made by the European Commission in January, they announced on Friday.

"The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia," the statement said, referring to figures from 2023.

Negotiations are imminent

If the European Commission's proposal is implemented, this would mean that all agricultural imports from Russia would be subject to duties, they said.

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Duties would also be levied on nitrogen-based fertilizer. This reportedly accounts for a quarter of all imports from Russia into the EU.

The European Parliament must give its approval for the tariffsto take effect. European Parliament members must form an opinion on the plan and then negotiate a final compromise with the EU states.

The lobby group Copa-Cogeca, an organization that promotes the interests of farmers, is calling for implementation to be postponed by a year. It also wants import duties on fertilizers from other third countries should be abolished.
The European Union has proposed that a fund be established to voluntarily provide Ukraine with military assistance ranging from 20 billion to 40 billion, circumventing a potential veto by Hungary.

Source: Euractiv, an EU-focused news and analysis website, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Last month, the European External Action Service proposed an EU-level initiative to supply Ukraine with additional ammunition. However, the text of the proposal, seen by Euractiv, did not specify the funding required for its implementation.

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Given Hungary's continued refusal to support Ukraine, the proposal has been rewritten so that "participating member states" could join in.

The latest version of the proposal states that countries "are encouraged to deliver military support to Ukraine in 2025 with a provisional value of at least 20 billion, and potentially reaching 40 billion pending Ukrainian needs".

As a first step, the text suggests that the leaders of the participating countries should agree to allocate 5 billion to procure 2 million large-calibre artillery shells in 2025.

Each country will contribute according to its economic capacity, either in cash or in kind. The EU plans to count 1.9 billion from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets as its share, even if these funds have already been committed and partially disbursed.

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The initiative's priorities should centre on large-calibre artillery ammunition, air defence systems, missiles, drones, fighter aircraft, etc.

The text was handed over to EU countries on Thursday 13 March ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers scheduled for Monday 17 March.

EU leaders will gather for a summit next week, primarily to discuss aid to Kyiv and the strengthening of EU defence capabilities.

The deadline for countries to express interest in joining the programme is 30 April.

Background: Following a European Council meeting on 6 March, several EU member states announced a commitment to allocate up to 15 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa said earlier.

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The European Union has reached a deal with Hungary to renew sanctions on more than 2,400 primarily Russian entities and individuals hours before they were set to expire on March 15, an EU official with knowledge of the negotiations told the Kyiv independent.

The EU had been braced for a standoff over the issue, just the latest diplomatic tussle between the largely pro-Ukraine bloc, and its most pro-Kremlin member.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine and warned that Ukraine's EU membership would "destroy" Hungary.

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He has maintained ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's full-scale invasion, amplifying Kremlin narratives in Europe.

In exchange for Hungary lifting its veto, the EU on March 14 agreed to remove four individuals from the list, fewer than half the initial number demanded by Budapest.

"We know very well that our sanctions are working. They are biting and crippling the Russian economy," Anita Hipper, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs said following the renewal.

"And this is exactly the intended effect, because what we want to achieve with this is to ensure that Ukraine is strong and Russia doesn't have the money and the fuel to put in its war machine."

Who remains on the list?

The sanctions list, renewed for another six months, includes Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, as well as members of the Russian State Duma and individuals responsible for sham elections and referenda in occupied Ukrainian territories.

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Individuals involved in the kidnapping and forced adoption of Ukrainian children, the atrocities in Bucha and Mariupol, as well as high-ranking officials, military personnel and Wagner group commanders are also among the 2,400 individuals and entities on the list.

Hungary had demanded that five more individuals be removed from the list but folded on those demands following extensive negotiations with EU officials.

Russian billionaires and businessmen Mikhail Fridman (L) and Petr Aven (R) pictured in Moscow, Russia, on March 16, 2017 (Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Mikhail Fridman

Oligarch Mikhail Fridmans removal had been high on Hungarys list of demands. Budapests Ambassador to the EU had explicitly stated that removing Fridman, one of Russias longest standing oligarchs, was a condition for lifting Hungarys veto. Despite this, he remains sanctioned.

Fridman has "cultivated close ties with Putin," according to the French sanctions register, and "he is cited among Russias biggest financiers and as a facilitator in Putins inner circle."

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Investigative reporters revealed in May 2023 that Alfa Insurance, a subsidiary of Alfa-Bank owned by Fridman and Petr Aven, provided insurance for vehicles used by Russian forces in Ukraine. The company has also reportedly serviced the Main Office of Special Programs, which is responsible for guarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Fridman also remains sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K.

Fridman and Aven had previously sold their stakes in Alfa-Bank and its insurance division in an effort to overturn the sanctions, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Feb. 6.

Petr Aven

A close associate of Fridman, Petr Aven was also on Hungarys wishlist.

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Aven is accused by the UK, France and Switzerland of "destabilising or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine."

According to the Swiss sanctions registry, Aven is "one of approximately 50 wealthy Russian businesspersons who regularly meet with Putin in the Kremlin."

He is accused of taking directives from Putin and implementing his foreign policy agenda.

"Aven and his business partner Mikhail Fridman have been engaged in the Kremlins efforts to lift the Western sanctions issued to counter Russian aggressive policy against Ukraine," it adds.

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Like Fridman, he is also sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K.

Alisher Usmanov

Hungary also wanted oligarch Alisher Usmanov to be delisted alongside his sister, Gulbakhor Ismailova, who was taken off the list.

The Russian-Uzbek businessman made his fortune in metal and mining operations after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Usmanov "is associated with individuals within the government of Russia who are involved in destabilising and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," according to the U.K.s sanctions list.

France also says that Usmanov "provided active material or financial support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine."

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Usmanov also remains sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K.

Alisher Usmanov's super-yacht Dilbar is pulled into a covered floating dock of Luerssen shipyards on the Weser river at the harbour of Bremen on September 23, 2022 (Focke Strangmann/AFP via Getty Images)

Dmitry Mazepin

Hungary also sided with Dmitry Mazepin, who EU judges described as "a member of the closest circle of President Putin."

He founded Uralchem Group, which is "one of the world's largest producers and exporters of nitrogen, potash and complex fertilizers," according to Forbes.

EU court documents state that "he is one of the leading businesspersons involved in economic sectors providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of Russia."

Mazepin is also sanctioned by the U.K.

Musa Bazhaev

Finally, Hungarian officials went to bat for Musa Bazhaev. Sanctioned by the EU and the U.K, Bazhaev is among the top 200 richest people in Russia and through his business operations as head of the Alliance group is deemed to be "providing a substantial source of revenue" to the Russian government.

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Bazhaev had challenged the EUs sanctions against him but his case was rejected by the EUs General Court.

Who has been taken off the list?



Mikhail Degtyaryov

Russias sport minister since May 2024, Degtyaryov will be delisted as part of the deal reached between Brussels and Budapest.

Degtaryov was involved in "the inauguration of the de facto embassy of the unrecognised so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic in Moscow, and he contributes to undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," according to the sanctions placed against him by Switzerland.

He remains sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K.

National Olympic Committee Chairman Mikhail Degtyaryov during a signing ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace, March 4, 2025, in Moscow, Russia (Contributor/Getty Images)

Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor

An Israeli-British-Russian businessman, Kantor has been described by the French sanctions register as maintaining "close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin" which have allowed him to "preserve his very large fortune."

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As he conducts business in "economic sectors which provide a substantial source of revenue for the Russian government," he therefore contributes to "destabilizing" Ukraine.

Kantor remains sanctioned by the U.K.

Gulbakhor Ismailova

Ismailova, the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, will also be removed from the list at the behest of Hungary.

"She relies on a network of shell companies to hide the wealth of her brother," according to the Swiss sanctions register.

Usmanov, who remains on the EU sanctions list "provided active material or financial support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine."

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She remains sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K.

Separately to the negotiations with Hungary, Russian businessman Vladimir Rashevsky will be removed following his legal challenge against the sanctions being upheld by the European Court of Justice.

Three other individuals will be removed as they are now deceased.

What next?

Hungary withdrawing its veto means these sanctions will be renewed for another six months but another fight between Brussels and Budapest looms.

Economic sanctions against Russia, including the freezing of nearly $200 billion in Russian central bank assets, also need to be renewed by the EU in July.

As the U.S. signals an openness to easing sanctions against Russia, EU member states worry that Hungary could become emboldened in its dealings with Brussels and block the renewal of economic sanctions.

As the EUs most pro-Kremlin member states continue to be a thorn in the blocs side, other member states are considering moving against Budapest.

If a majority of member states agree, Hungary could be stripped of its voting rights, and ability to veto, within the EU.

Such a move, though politically difficult, could indicate that EU member states have finally lost patience with Hungary.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

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The EU ramped up its migration crackdown this week, with a European Commission proposal to fast-track deportations and set up controversial return hubs outside its borders.

While some governments are pushing for even tougher measures, critics warn the plan could lead to human rights violations and legal battles.

The issue of returning rejected asylum seekers has caused heated debates in the European Union for years.

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A souring of public opinion on migration has fuelled hard-right electoral gains in several EU countries, upping pressure on governments to harden their stance.

Led by the governments of Sweden, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, EU leaders called in October for urgent new legislation to increase and speed up returns and for the commission to assess "innovative" ways to counter irregular migration.

On Tuesday, the commission responded with its plans for tougher deportation rules and stricter controls - which will now be scrutinized and possibly amended by EU capitals and the European parliament before passing into law.

According to the EU executive, currently only around 20% of people who are ordered to leave actually return to their country of origin.

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"With the new European return system, we will ensure that those who have no right to stay in the EU are actually returned," EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner told journalists in the French city of Strasbourg. "This will significantly strengthen trust in our common European asylum and migration system," he added.

Common deportation rules in the making

The set of measures is aimed at introducing common rules across the bloc on how to process rejected asylum seekers and people who overstay their visa, Brunner said.

Deportation orders issued by one EU country are to be automatically recognized by other member states to avoid repeat legal proceedings.

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The commission is seeking to give EU countries the possibility to sanction people who do not co-operate with the authorities, by imposing financial penalties, confiscating identity documents or imposing an entry ban.

Some EU lawmakers have however warned the proposal lacks stronger leverage on non-EU countries to take in deported migrants.

MEP Nicola Bartusek  whose Oath party is in the European Parliament's far-right and staunchly anti-immigrant Patriots for Europe group  said "the proposal is still too soft," adding that the EU could put pressure on these countries through its visa policy or the aid it pays to them.

Externalizing migration

Most controversial is the creation of "return hubs" outside the EU where rejected migrants could be sent pending transfer to their country of origin.

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This is not possible under current EU rules, which specify that migrants can only be transferred directly to their country of origin or a country they transited through, unless they agree otherwise.

The proposed regulation would allow EU countries to strike deals with other nations to set up such centres. The move follows a protocol signed between Italy and Albania, seen as setting an example within the EU of externalizing migration control procedures.

The agreement, signed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama in November 2023, envisages that up to 3,000 asylum seekers per month who are awaiting a decision on their case from Italy will be housed in Albania.

People with special needs such as the elderly, children or pregnant women are excluded from the deal.

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However, EU officials say the proposed return hubs are a fundamentally different concept  involving unsuccessful asylum seekers rather than individuals who are still awaiting a decision on their claim for European protection.

Fraught with legal and ethical concerns, some experts say return hubs are an expensive and impractical idea that is unlikely to see large-scale uptake any time soon, despite the commission's proposal.

Marta Welander of the International Rescue Committee warned the proposal was likely to result in "families being torn apart, people being held in prison-like conditions" and a heightened risk of rights violations.

"Keeping people deliberately out of sight and out of mind is not a sustainable solution to Europe's migration challenges," she said.

Irregular migration on the decline

Amid vocal demands from EU governments to crack down on migration, figures show that irregular entries have already fallen in several countries.

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Irregular border crossings detected into the EU were down 38% to 239,000 last year after an almost 10-year peak in 2023, according to EU border agency Frontex.

However, figures differ across the bloc.

Along the Western Balkan route, Slovenia reported 46,000 irregular border crossings last year, almost 25% fewer than in 2023. Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Wednesday that the country reduced irregular migrant entries by nearly 70% last year.

In Spain, on the other hand, the number of irregular migrants nearly reached a record high in 2024, with 63,970 entries according to Interior Ministry figures.

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The bulk of arrivals  73.2%  was recorded via the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of north-western Africa.

A report by NGO Caminando Fronteras said at least 10,457 migrants died or disappeared while trying to reach Spain by sea from January 1 to December 5, 2024  mostly along the Atlantic migration route from Africa to the Canary Islands.

Europe's walls and fences

Several EU countries, including Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, are pushing to further tighten entries at the EU level, including the strengthening of external borders.

Key initiatives are taking shape along the Poland-Belarus border, as well as the Greek and Bulgarian borders with Turkey.

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In 2022, Poland began building a five-metre-high, 186-kilometre-long metal barrier. Attempts by thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to enter Poland are seen by Warsaw as a hybrid operation by Belarus and Russia to destabilize Poland and the EU.

Turkey plans to build an 8.5-kilometre wall on its western border where Greece and Bulgaria have already erected their own fences, a local governor said.

In 2014, Bulgaria put up a 30-kilometre razor wire fence along its border with Turkey as migrants headed there to avoid the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing.

In 2024, Bulgarian border police prevented over 52,500 attempts by migrants to enter the country irregularly. Migration pressure has decreased by 70% year-on-year, Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov said during a meeting with counterparts from Austria, Romania and Hungary on Tuesday.

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The four countries launched a joint operation at the Bulgarian-Turkish border in February.

On January 1, Bulgaria became a full member of the Schengen free-movement area and controls were removed from all its borders with other EU member states, placing an additional onus on Sofia to prevent the country from being a gateway to the bloc.

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, ANSA, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, HINA, Ritzau, STA and TASR as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.
The News

Europe is ramping up efforts to strengthen ties with US partners spurned by President Donald Trump.

Brussels unveiled Thursday $5.1 billion in investments in renewable energy and vaccine production in South Africa, the continents biggest economy, and said it would open trade talks with Pretoria, which was left scrambling after Washington cut aid over a land redistribution law it said discriminated against white farmers.

And Mark Carney  who takes over as Canadas Prime Minister Friday  will make his first trip abroad to Britain and France, The Globe and Mail reported: Ottawa has been grappling with US tariffs and threats of further levies.

A new transatlantic alliance is taking shape in reaction to Trump, The Washington Post wrote.
The News

European authorities raided 21 sites, arrested several people, and sealed off two offices of the European Parliament over a corruption probe involving the Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Law enforcement officials have 15 current and former European parliamentarians on their radar, Belgian newspaper Le Soir, which first reported the probe together with outlets Follow The Money and Knack.

The investigation was immediately likened to a 2022 scandal dubbed Qatargate, in which Doha was accused of seeking to unlawfully influence lawmakers, sparking questions over foreign states ability to determine decisions by the European Unions top legislature.

These new allegations are as sweeping and serious as Qatargate and make a mockery of democracy at the European Parliament, Transparency Internationals Brussels director said.
Portugal is reconsidering the purchase of F-35s over changing US relations with Europe.

Portugal is gearing up to spend $6 billion transitioning its air force to the jet.

But its defense minister said Donald Trump's stance toward NATO "must be taken into account."

Portugal says it's uneasy about replacing its older US-made F-16 fighter jets with F-35s over doubts about President Donald Trump's behavior toward the US's allies, as well as future access to maintenance and parts.

On Thursday, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo told the newspaper Publico that "we cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices."

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He also said the most recent US posture toward NATO "must make us think about the best options."

Melo, who also leads Portugal's CDS-People's Party, did not entirely rule out buying the planes, but said: "The world has already changed."

If Portugal does reverse course, it would represent the loss of a lucrative contract for Lockheed Martin, the jet's manufacturer, that appeared to have been all but locked in.

Last April, Portugal's air force chief of staff, Gen. Joao Cartaxo Alves, said pilot training with Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force had already begun ahead of an anticipated $6 billion transition to the F-35.

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The F-35 Lightning II is considered one of the world's most advanced fighter jets.

A chill in the air

Melo's statements came amid a distinct chilling of relations between the US and Europe, particularly over military matters.

Trump has sidelined European leaders from recent Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations and has repeatedly criticized Europe's financial contributions to Ukraine's defense.

Melo said Portugal had always seen the US as a reliable ally but recent US changes in stance toward NATO and the rest of the world must be taken into account.

He also raised concerns that the US could place limitations on the maintenance and supply of components for the F-35: "Everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios."

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Portugal is facing snap elections after its government lost a vote of confidence this week, throwing further uncertainty over the country's long-term stance toward the jet.

At least 10 European countries have F-35s in their fleets, and Lockheed Martin has industrial partnerships in six European nations. The company has described the F-35 as the "NATO standard fighter of choice."

Norway announced in February that it had taken delivery of three more F-35s, bringing its fleet of the aircraft to 49.

Earlier this week, the Netherlands' defense minister, Ruben Brekelmans, told reporters that F-35 partner countries remained fully committed to the program.

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In a statement sent to BI, Lockheed Martin said it "values our strong partnership and history with the Portuguese Air Force and looks forward to continuing that partnership into the future."

It also said questions about foreign military sales of the F-35 were best addressed by the US government.

The White House and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hollywood films would have you believe that the best way to deal with an Earth-threatening asteroid is to blast it out of orbit.

But the European Space Agency (ESA) is looking at a far subtler approach to saving the planet - a gravity tractor.

The plan involves sending a spacecraft to rendezvous with a dangerous asteroid and use its tiny gravitational field to slightly alter the space rocks trajectory so that, over time, it would soar harmlessly past Earth.

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It is an idea that has been floating around for several decades, but has only recently become more pressing following the 2024 YR4 scare earlier this year - an asteroid that came seemingly out of nowhere and at one point had a one in 32 chance of hitting Earth in December 2032.

Joseph Aschbacher, the Director General of ESA, admitted he had been very worried about 2024 YR4 and said the space agency was stepping up its planetary defence capabilities.

Speaking to The Telegraph at Space-Comm expo this week, Dr Aschbacher said: I was very worried.

If the asteroid is in front of your door, more or less, its too late, and we probably cannot do much.

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The earlier you detect an asteroid that might impact planet Earth, and the earlier you can take action far away from planet Earth, the higher the chances are that it will not have negative impacts.

(A planetary defence mission) may actually start, by just sending a satellite there, and letting it fly close by the asteroid so that the gravity of the satellite influences the gravity of the asteroid itself.

Slightly by degrees, it would change the trajectory, and therefore may result in a different trajectory than the ones that might be directed to Earth. So the further away you can do it, the bigger the chances of minimising damage.

Apophis rock no longer a risk

Last year, ESA announced that it planned to rendezvous with the asteroid 99942 Apophis, a cruise ship-sized rock, which makes an exceptionally close flyby of Earth in April 2029, when it will be visible to the naked eye.

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The mission, called Ramses (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety), will give a crucial window into how asteroids are impacted by gravitational forces - in this case, the gravity of Earth.

Apophis was predicted to get dangerously close to Earth in 2068, but experts have since revised their calculations and no longer see it as a risk.

We have a mission planned already to encounter that asteroid before it comes to Earth, and to really measure it, added Dr Aschbacher.

We are not assuming it will hit planet Earth, but it will fly by very closely, and that will be quite a spectacle, in terms of every citizen being able to see it, but it is a unique opportunity to really study the asteroid close by.

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Most asteroids and comets have orbits that do not bring them very close to Earth, and they are only classed as dangerous if they come within 4.6 million miles and are larger than 460 feet.

But occasionally they can hit. The last major impacts include the Tunguska event in 1908 in Siberia which felled an estimated 80 million trees, while the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor is the only known incident in modern times which resulted in numerous injuries.

Only one asteroid deflection test has ever taken place in space. In 2022, Nasa sent its Dart (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft to crash into Dimorphos  a 525ft-wide moonlet which circles a larger asteroid called Didymos.

The team had hoped the impact would shorten Didymos 11 hour 11 minute orbit by a few minutes, but it ended up shaving off around half an hour.

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However, the impact had unexpected consequences, unleashing a storm of boulders as deadly as Hiroshima and proving that deflection strategies could have unintended consequences that leave smaller rocks on a collision course with Earth.

In contrast, a gravity tractor would cause less collateral damage, gently nudging an Earth-bound asteroid in a new trajectory.

Last year, ESA launched a spacecraft, named Hera, which is travelling to Didymos-Dimorphos to assess the true scale of the damage in a mission which will help determine which asteroid defence scheme will be chosen in the event of another scare. It is due to arrive in October next year.

Dr Paul Bate, the chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: Asteroids are one of the ways in which you show the power in space, so we are right to be worried.

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Whether we like it or not, these things have been happening literally since the start of the solar system. Were connected.

We dont have any choice, but we know we can actively choose to understand more and thats very important for deflection, for protecting our planet.

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It was while writing another piece on the dangers of European cities that I caught a glimpse of our nearest neighbours view of London. I was asking them about problems in their own locales  but they kept bringing it back to mine.

I moved back to Italy in 1999 and have no intention of going back, said Monica Cesarato, from the Veneto region. Meanwhile, interviewees from Paris and Rome mentioned their fear of phone thieves.

While other capitals have bounced back after Covid, there are whispers that London has lost its joie de vivre. Tourist spending in the capital was down year-on-year in the first half of 2024, according to Visit Britain, despite visitor numbers being up. And though the French were the second most frequent visitors to the UK in 2023, the number of tourists from the country was eclipsed by those from the USA, which totalled almost one third more. Have Europeans fallen out of love with London?

Danger zone

Thieves on mopeds and gangs with knives  these are the main worries for wary European travellers. Frances Ministere des Affaires etrangeres cautions tourists to stick to pavements that go against the flow of traffic in order to avoid the former.

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Crimes in London were up 2 per cent year on year in 2024, but though the rate is higher than in Rome, it remains slightly lower than in Paris. Its their aggressive nature that seems to be a concern, though. Assaults with injury have been growing over the last decade in the capital, according to a 2022 report from UCLs Centre for Global City Policing.

In a TikTok video that went viral in her home country of Spain, Ro Vargas cautioned: Its not just a little kid, who takes a shot at swiping your bag. Here, the criminals are savage. Walking with your mobile phone in the centre is impossible, because a hooded guy on an electric bike zooms by and takes it from you.

Some, however, are unconvinced of the dangers. I go there on average between three and four times a year and I have always felt safer than in France. Even in Croydon, which is supposedly scary, said one poster on the French Voyages a Londres Facebook group.

Crimes in London were up 2 per cent year on year in 2024 - Moment RF

Croydon could still be part of the problem though: thanks to the rising cost of accommodation in the capital, some tourists are being pushed into chain hotels in the suburbs  places so far from the centre both physically and metaphorically that it sways their view of the city. Hotel rates in the capital have risen sharply since the pandemic, with a further 3.6 per cent increase predicted in the coming year, according to Amexs Hotel Monitor 2025 report.

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Its one thing to step out of your hotel with an umbrella from the doorman and stroll through a rainy Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace; quite another to dash to East Croydon station and take the train and the tube in the freezing cold. Vargas had an opinion on Londons endless grey skies and drizzle in her video too. When you start living with rain every day, it becomes necessary to see a psychiatrist.

Last year was particularly dreary. Our nearest neighbours saw early signs that the British summer would serve up monotonous downpours and cloudy days and stayed away in the second quarter of the year.

Bad attitudes

Despite the gloomy outlook, Londoners generally welcome tourists and relish diversity. Research from The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford found that people living in the UK are tolerant: In 2022, only 5 per cent of the British public said they would not like to have immigrants as neighbours compared with 30 per cent in Japan, 26 per cent in Greece and 18 per cent in Italy, and only behind those in Germany, Brazil and Sweden.

But though theres very little anti-tourism sentiment, visitors still notice a marked aggression: cars beeping, sharp elbows and people quick to anger at perceived inconveniences. I think the mix between Brexit and Covid has brought out the worst in the British people. I think its brought out a generation of individualists, not just Britain but in general. But I really notice it in the British experience now compared to the Britain that I knew from when I lived there, from talking to clients, friends and seeing on the news, says Cesarato.

Despite tourism to the capital appearing to have plateaued, Londoners remain generally welcoming - AFP

When one American influencer family reported that they found London cold and unfriendly on social media, the response said it all. I live in London and Ive never smiled at my own kids, let alone yours, read one of the numerous comments on the video.

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To make things worse, some Europeans view Brexit as a sign they might be less welcome than before. From a German perspective, the UK has lost just a little bit of its appeal because of Brexit and travel not being as smooth as it used to be. This year, they even introduced a visa requirement for visits. It all makes it feel like we no longer are one. Having said that, London will always be an amazing city loved by so many. Me included, says education consultant Laura Buhl.

Priced out

Extra Brexit admin involved in a trip to the UK is viewed as an annoying and expensive inconvenience. From April, Europeans must pay 10 to obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation, valid for two years) through the UK government website.

Costs only spiral from there. London placed 13th in Numbeos cost of living rankings, behind lots of American cities, but behind only Zurich, Geneva and Reykjavik within Europe. In contrast, Paris was 35th and Rome and Barcelona were 71st and 73rd respectively. During trade association UK Inbounds Business Barometer for October 2024, 59 per cent of respondents surveyed stated that economic conditions such as rising costs were barriers to growth.

Across Europe, London has earned itself a reputation as being prohibitively expensive. French website topito.com highlighted the high cost of accommodation, underground fares and transport to and from the airport as particularly problematic. Meanwhile, Italian and French websites urge visitors to save on dining costs by embracing supermarket meal deals  possibly not the best reflection of the citys varied food scene and definitely not one for the travel slideshow on return.

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BRUSSELS (AP)  In the year after Russia launched outright war on Ukraine, NATO leaders approved a set of military plans designed to repel an invasion of Europe. It was the biggest shake-up of the alliances defense readiness preparations since the Cold War.

The secret plans set out how Western allies would defend NATO territory from the Atlantic to the Arctic, through the Baltic region and Central Europe, down to the Mediterranean Sea. Up to 300,000 troops would move to its eastern flank within 30 days, many of them American. That would climb to 800,000 within six months.

But the Trump administration warned last month that U.S. priorities lie elsewhere. Europe must take care of its own security, and those goals now seem questionable. Mustering just 30,000 European troops to police any future peace in Ukraine is proving a challenge.

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Billions of euros are being shifted to military budgets, but only slowly, and the Europeans are struggling to fire up production in their defense industries.

Beyond funding, tens of thousands more European citizens might have to complete military service, and time is of the essence. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Russian forces could be capable of launching an attack on European territory in 2030.

Concerned about Russia's intentions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wants to introduce large-scale military training for every adult male, and double the size of Poland's army to around 500,000 soldiers.

If Ukraine loses the war or if it accepts the terms of peace, armistice or capitulation  then, without a doubt  and we can all agree on that  Poland will find itself in a much more difficult geopolitical situation, Tusk warned lawmakers last week.

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The scale of Europe's military personnel shortage

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates that Europe, including the U.K., has almost 1.5 million active duty personnel. But many can't be deployed on a battlefield, and those who can are hard to use effectively without a centralized command system.

The number of Russian troops in Ukraine at the end of 2024 was estimated to be around 700,000.

NATO troops are controlled by a U.S. general, using American air transport and logistics.

Analysts say that in the event of a Russian attack, NATOs top military officer would probably dispatch around 200,000 U.S. troops to Europe to build on the 100,000 U.S. military personnel already based there.

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With the Americans out of the picture, a realistic estimate may therefore be that an increase in European capacities equivalent to the fighting capacity of 300,000 U.S. troops is needed, the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank estimates.

Europe faces a choice: either increase troop numbers significantly by more than 300,000 to make up for the fragmented nature of national militaries, or find ways to rapidly enhance military coordination, Bruegel said.

The question is how.

Making up the numbers

NATO is encouraging countries to build up personnel numbers, but the trans-Atlantic alliance isn't telling them how to do it. Maintaining public support for the armed forces and for Ukraine is too important to risk by dictating choices.

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The way they go about it is intensely political, so we wouldnt prescribe any way of changing this  whether to go for conscription, elective conscription, bigger reserves, a senior NATO official said on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to brief journalists unless he remained unnamed.

We do stress the point that fighting with those regional plans means that we are in collective defense and likely in an attrition war that requires way more manpower than we currently have, or we designed our force models to deliver, he added.

Eleven European countries have compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and non-European Union nation Norway. The length of service ranges from as little as two months in Croatia to 19 months in Norway.

Poland isn't considering a return to universal military service, but rather a reserve system based on the model in Switzerland, where every man is obliged to serve in the armed forces or an alternative civilian service. Women can volunteer.

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Belgiums new defense minister plans to write a letter in November to around 120,000 citizens who are age 18 to try to persuade at least 500 of them to sign up for voluntary military service. Debate about the issue goes on in the U.K. and Germany.

Confronting the challenges

Germanys professional armed forces had 181,174 active service personnel at the end of last year  slightly lower than in 2023, according to a parliamentary report released Tuesday. That means its no closer to reaching a Defense Ministry target of 203,000 by 2031.

Last year, 20,290 people started serving in the German military, or Bundeswehr, an 8% increase, the report said. But of the 18,810 who joined in 2023, more than a quarter  5,100 or 27% of the total  left again, most at their own request during the six-month trial period.

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The German parliaments commissioner for the armed forces, Eva Hogl, said that army life is a hard sell.

The biggest problem is boredom, Hogl said. If young people have nothing to do, if there isnt enough equipment and there arent enough trainers, if the rooms arent reasonably clean and orderly, that deters people and it makes the Bundeswehr unattractive.

At the other end of the scale, tiny Luxembourg has unique demographic challenges. Of its roughly 630,000 passport holders, only 315,000 are Luxembourgers. The number of people of military service age  18 to 40  is smaller still.

Around 1,000 people are enlisted. Thats small compared to some European powers, but bigger per capita than the U.K. armed forces. Recently, Luxembourg  where unemployment is low and salaries are high  has struggled to find just 200-300 military personnel.

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Military service comes with many challenges too, not least convincing someone to sign up when they might be sent to the front, and hastily trained conscripts can't replace a professional army. The draft also costs money. Extra staff, accommodation and trainers are needed throughout a conscript's term.

___

Geir Moulson contributed to this report from Berlin.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the end of an E.U. Summit in Brussels on March 22, 2024. Credit - Thierry MonasseGetty Images

The Ukraine peace process initiated by the Trump Administrationwhich this week saw Ukraine agree to a 30-day ceasefire and Russia respond with tough demandshas led to panic in European capitals about the U.S. abandoning its NATO allies, and their urgent need to be able to defend themselves against Russia.

A measure of European rearmament is indeed desirable. But for European governments to do this in a mad rush and atmosphere of panic risks decisions that they will regret later, will actually weaken European security, and cost far too much in ways that their populations will not support for long.

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First of all, European countries need to decide how much to spend and what to buy. The sums being discussed are not small. Leading European governments are calling for military spending to be increased to 3% of GDP. Some analysts want 3.5% and Trump has even floated 5%. E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set the immediate priority at 800 billion ($872 billion) to rearm Europe, with more expected to follow.

There are two main pitfalls that Europe needs to avoid. The first is to tailor rapid rearmament to the idea of sending a large military force to Ukraine to guarantee a peace settlement and if necessary fight Russia there. This is almost certainly not going to happen, and should not happen, though the idea seems to be alive in London, Paris, and Kyiv. Russia has repeatedly and categorically rejected Western troops in Ukraine, and the Trump Administration has refused to back such a force. It would therefore have to be ready and able to fight Russiaa nuclear superpowerwithout U.S. support. Majorities in almost every European country are against this, and it would require virtually the entire deployable strength of the U.K., France, and Germanywhich would mean stripping Poland and the Baltic States of protection.

The European drive to rearm is being driven, or justified, in part by the fear that Russia may try to test NATO by attacking Poland or the Baltic States. But as David Ignatius wrote in the Washington Post, European leaders say they are so worried about an attack that they want to send troops to Ukraine. That would give Russia the opportunity to test them at far lower risk and for far greater gain.

The second pitfall would be to imitate U.S. policy in recent decades, and spend vast sums on limited numbers of high-tech weapons platforms like fighter aircraft, battle tanks, and warships. Yet much cheaper weapons like surveillance and killer drones; anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles; howitzers and the shells to supply them; and landmines have actually proved critical in Ukraine.

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Read More: The Peril of Ukraine's Ammo Shortage

Then there is the question of where the weapons will come from. The Trump Administration has been encouraging Europe to buy American arms, as had the Biden and other administrations before it. But France and several European governments are emphasizing that rearmament should be based on European weapons, and are seeking to gain public approval by selling this as a program for industrial revival. Even in the best scenario this will take considerable time. Deep differences are already appearing. Poland, which together with the Baltics is most fearful of a Russian attack, wants to strengthen its forces rapidly with U.S. weapons and not wait for European ones.

The weakness of Europes military industry is largely due to the difficulty of co-ordinating and pooling production between different countries. For the sake of truly integrated and efficient weapons production, all would have to give up some of their existing industries, and some would have to give up almost all of them.

These negotiations will be extremely painful and difficult. But there is time given that there is no realistic prospect of a Russian attack on another NATO member in the foreseeable future, given its experience in Ukraine and any sensible examination of Russian motives and thinking.

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That time allows for a measured, well-thought out process tailored to Europes actual defense and industrial needs. It is now generally recognized that contemporary military technology strongly favors defense; and the Ukrainians destroyed virtually the entire Russian army that invaded in February 2022, and have fought subsequent Russian attacks to a standstill, not with tanks and fighter jets, but huge numbers of cheap drones, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, 155 mm howitzers, and landmines (with of course critical help from U.S. intelligence).

Without colossal new investment, Germany has already greatly increased its production of 155 mm shells, France can make many more Mistral hand-held anti-aircraft missiles, and European industry as a whole can produce huge numbers of drones. This will enable Europe both to deter another Russian attack and to provide enough long-term military aid to Ukraine to ensure that a new attack on that country would be horribly costly and dangerous for Russia.

The final reason European governments need to be cautious is what this all means for European unity and on other vital sectors of state activity. Italy and Spain, far from Russia and frontline states in the ongoing migrant crisis across the Mediterranean, simply do not see their own vital interests as threatened by Moscow. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that we will have to prioritize defense over other stuff, but this other stuff includes desperately needed investment in infrastructure and social welfare programs vital to domestic stability.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) called out President Donald Trump during an appearance Thursday on CNN for threatening Americas allies, and wagered Trump is only doing so because hes scared of confronting Americas actual potential enemies instead.

Heres the reason, by the way, that Donald Trump threatens our allies and not people that really deserve threats  because hes small, hes scared, hes a coward, and you can threaten your friends because you know youre not going to start a war over it, and it makes you look really tough, said Kinzinger.

If you tweet in all caps and then you threaten Panama, it makes you look like youre ready to go to war, and tough, he added. But he doesnt say much about Iran, hes pretty quiet on that, certainly Russia, and China hes been quiet on lately, because theres a reality with that.

Kinzinger: Donald Trump threatens our allies because he's small, he's scared, he's a coward. And you can threaten your friends because you know you're not going to start a war over it, and it makes you look really tough pic.twitter.com/OQUEArB0Fo  Acyn (@Acyn) March 14, 2025

Trump had yet to be inaugurated when he floated taking over the Panama Canal and using military force to do so. The U.S. military has since been ordered to draft up options for an increased presence there, two U.S. officials told NBC News on Thursday.

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Trump, who has also imposed tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico that economists warn will affect U.S. consumers the most, added Greenland to his list of potential new U.S. land in January  and recently cast doubt over Denmarks centuries-old claim to the territory.

Denmark is very far away, he said Thursday. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something and they say they have rights to it. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is  we really need it for national security  maybe youll see more and more soldiers go there.

The U.S. Department of State explains on its website that America and Panama are allies who work together to advance common interests, and that the U.S. has long enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Denmark  which now seems in jeopardy.

I have asked the bureaucracy to summon the party chairmen as soon as possible, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede wrote Thursday in a translated Facebook post. Because this time we need to tighten our rejection of Trump. Dont keep treating us with disrespect.

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Enough is enough, concluded Egede.

Related...
Increasingly fractious town halls are scaring Republicans as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency continues to roll out cuts from the federal workforce, according to former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Kinzinger was reacting to the latest blow-up which erupted at Republican congressman Chuck Edwards town hall in Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday evening. The representative for the states 11th congressional district was shouted down by a man who said he was a veteran, angry with his rights being whittled away under the current administration.

The man was escorted out of the event by law enforcement. And you wonder why folks dont want to do town halls? Edwards said at one point as attendees jeered and booed him.

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Speaking on NewsNight With Abby Phillip the same evening, Kinzinger said that Republicans now fear the meetings with their constituents. Cutting across a shouting match between GOP strategist Scott Jennings and, well, everybody else, Kinzinger appealed for the panel to listen to someone who has actually done this.

Okay, let me just say, as a congressman, you hate doing town halls. I mean, thats just a reality, Kinzinger said. Now, why did I hate doing town halls? I did a bunch, but truly, because youre facing people that are upset with you, and thats okay.

Adding that people have a right to be upset with you, Kinzinger said he had been faced with the same angry questions posed to many Republicans hosting town halls. Ive been asked the same things from Tea Party meetings. Why are you shredding the Constitution? Why is Obama shredding the Constitution?

A person is removed from the Chuck Edwards town hall



Do your job that you were sent there to do to represent us all. Im a veteran and you dont give a fuck about me pic.twitter.com/F9Hg6NiElf  Acyn (@Acyn) March 13, 2025

The reality is this: This is scaring Republicans, Kinzinger said. And it should, because this mimics what happened in 2010 when you saw the Tea Party rise up.

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In 2009, the right-wing Tea Party movement saw constituents protesting against the policies of the Democratic Obama administration. The following year, the Democrats suffered major losses in the midtermsincluding 63 seats in the House and consequently their control over the chamber.

Jennings, meanwhile, repeated a claim throughout the CNN segment that the people seen clashing with their Republican representatives this year are paid liberal mobs.

These are unrepresentative, unhinged mobs. I dont know what else to tell you. Thats what they are, he added.

Jennings theory came after comedian Roy Wood Jr. said that Republicans have been surprised by the level of pushback to DOGE cuts.

Jennings reacts as former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger says that some lawmakers don't like doing town halls. / CNN

Theres no way that Republicans were prepared for this level of response to these cuts, he said. Like the fact that people are there and that fervent. Were only six weeks into into Trump right now. I think they were very much shocked.

Several Republicans have been confronted by angry constituents this year, among them Texas Rep. Keith Self, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, and Georgia Rep. Rich McCormickencounters which House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to shrug off as the work of paid protesters.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was set to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands on Friday, the court said.

The 79-year-old, who landed in the Netherlands on Wednesday, is accused of crimes against humanity amid the "war on drugs" during his time in power, including the murder of at least 43 people between 2011 and 2019.

The court in The Hague said in a Thursday statement that Duterte would make his initial appearance at 2 pm (1300 GMT). The hearing was set to be streamed with a 30-minute delay.

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"During the initial appearance hearing, the judges will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings," the court said.

"He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute."

The former Philippines leader was detained at the airport in Manila on Tuesday on a warrant issued by the ICC, and flown out of the capital in a chartered aircraft the same day, with a stopover in Dubai. He was surrendered to the custody of the ICC on Wednesday, the court said.

Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, during which time he led a ruthless fight against drug-related crime.

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Police figures show that around 6,000 people were killed during the drug campaign, but human rights organizations estimate that the number was as high as 30,000.

Suspects were often executed without trial.

The arrest warrant states that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte was individually responsible for murders that may be considered crimes against humanity, first as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president.

It will likely take a few months before the indictment is examined in a preliminary hearing.

The ICC has been investigating the alleged crimes in the Philippines since 2018.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands on Friday, the court said.

The 79-year-old, who landed in the Netherlands on Wednesday, is accused of crimes against humanity amid the "war on drugs" during his time in power, including the murder of at least 43 people between 2011 and 2019.

Duterte was informed of the charges against him and of his rights as a defendant.

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The former Philippine leader was not present in the courtroom, but attended the session via video link from prison.

Duterte was not asked to comment on the charges. He only told the court his name and the date and place of his birth. Otherwise, he sat back in his chair, eyes closed, and followed the proceedings.

Human rights groups and relatives of victims welcomed the arrest and spoke of a triumph of justice. Hundreds of his supporters gathered in front of the court, demanding the immediate release of the former president.

Defence lawyer speaks of 'kidnapping'

His defence lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, protested against the circumstances of the arrest, describing it as a "pure and simple kidnapping." He also pointed out that his client was in poor health.

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However, the judges explained that Duterte had undergone a medical examination in the Netherlands and been declared fit to stand trial.

Duterte was detained at Manila airport on Tuesday on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the criminal court and flown to the Netherlands. He was surrendered to the custody of the ICC on Wednesday, the court said.

The charges will be reviewed in a preliminary hearing on September 23. If the judges consider the evidence to be sufficient, the way will be cleared for a trial. However, the proceedings could drag on for years. The maximum penalty can be life imprisonment.

Ruthless battle against drug-related crime

Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, during which time he led a ruthless fight against drug-related crime.

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Police figures show that around 6,000 people were killed during the drug campaign, but human rights organizations estimate that the number was as high as 30,000.

Suspects were often executed without trial.

The arrest warrant states that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Duterte was individually responsible for murders that may be considered crimes against humanity, first as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president.

It will likely take a few months before the indictment is examined in a preliminary hearing.

The ICC has been investigating the alleged crimes in the Philippines since 2018.
(Bloomberg Government) -- Ex-Sen. Richard Burr is mounting a comeback to Capitol Hill  as a registered lobbyist for Duke University and other clients reeling from threats of Elon Musks DOGE federal funding cuts.

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Now finished with a two-year ban on lobbying Congress that applies to all recent senators, Burr (R-N.C.) said he will represent Duke, its home-state rival University of North Carolina as well as Wake Forest University, his alma mater.

Duke, where Burr is a distinguished fellow in the Sanford School of Public Policy, said this week it would freeze hiring and eye cost-savings, as the Trump administration works to slash federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency.

Duke has retained DLA Piper for their services related to government relations activities in Washington, D.C., on issues including student aid, research and tax policies, said Steve Hartsoe, assistant director of media relations for Duke University. .Burr, who was the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions panel and one-time chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, also will lobby for the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, Eli Lilly & Co. and clients in life sciences, aerospace, and artificial intelligence at the firm DLA Piper where he is principal policy adviser.

Burr doesnt plan to be on Capitol Hill every day, but he said he doesnt view lobbying negatively and plans to file lobbying disclosures next week for his clients.

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I was the recipient of it for 30 years, he said. I tended to rate peoples effectiveness.

The goal, he said, is to tell clients whats on the horizon, a tall order in the Trump 2.0 era.

The changes underway in the Trump administration have clients and companies on edge, he said, with CEOs saying, I had no idea what to do because I dont understand whats going on.

Thats the gap were filling, Burr said.

Hes spent the past two years helping bulk up a strategic advisory unit on the third floor of DLA Pipers Washington office, an enclave he said feels almost like a tech startup.

I was a spark at the right time, he said in an interview there. The progress that weve made in really a short two years is by many measurements sort of astonishing.

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Fraught Time

DLA Pipers lobbying revenue in 2024 was up more than 13% to $11.6 million from $10.2 million the previous year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Government.

Washington is still very relationship driven, but it is also very transactional, he said.

Its a particularly fraught time in higher education, and more universities are hiring K Street help.

The Trump administration has moved to slash federal grants and government dollars for university research and said it wants to wind down the Department of Education. Education Secretary Linda McMahon offered a speech about the departments final mission.

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Lawmakers also have proposed increases to university endowment taxes.

Were very aggressive in the higher education space, and I think that will only grow based upon the likelihood theres no Department of Education going forward, Burr said.

AI Insight

AI and tech-focused clients are part of Burrs portfolio, and across industries he said he spends about 30% of his time on AI matters.

OpenAI Inc. and Lazarus AI are among the firms clients.

Tony Samp, a former aide to Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and founding director of the Senate AI Caucus, was already at DLA Piper when Burr joined.

Burr said that between the two of them, the firm had insight into a four-senator AI working group spearheaded by then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and that last year put out a policy roadmap for AI.

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It gave us access to what they were talking about, what they were thinking, which is absolutely vital to our clients, Burr said.

In the Trenches

Former members, like Burr, offer clients a unique view of and access to policy debates among their old colleagues, said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a corporate and influence watchdog organization.

The collegiality and friendships they formed, in the trenches doing the same job, gives them a different type of connection, one that has become a currency that theyre able to trade on, she said.

Burr served 10 years in the House starting in 1995. He then moved to the Senate in 2005, where he logged three terms and once was a chief deputy whip.

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Burr said he joined the firm in 2023, just after leaving the Senate, because of its global reach (it has offices in Brussels, Tokyo, and around the world) and legal bench. He brought along former aides including Michael Sorensen, Vanessa Le, Margaret Martin, and Rachel Portman.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kate Ackley at kackley@bloombergindustry.com

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Bennett Roth at broth@bgov.com; Robin Meszoly at rmeszoly@bgov.com

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  An investigation is underway after an accidental leak caused hydraulic fluid to spill into the Seekonk River near the Washington Bridge demolition site.

The spill caused a rainbow-like sheen to shine on the surface of the water early in Thursday afternoon. It dissipated by the evening, but oil residue could still be seen in the water.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) said workers immediately shut down the excavator that was leaking and used a spill kit to mop up the fluid from the deck. However, some of the fluid still got into the water.

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A RIDOT spokesperson said the contractor hired a clean-up company to address the spill.

U.S. Coast Guard members were seen investigating with a drone Thursday evening.

Jed Thorp, director of advocacy at Save the Bay, said he was concerned by what he saw, especially after receiving reports of debris and oil in the water all week long.

Obviously, the project is important. The project needs to go forward Thorp said. We need to get the bridge demolished, but there are safeguards and best practices that are supposed to be put in place to protect the environment while theyre doing that. It appears that those safeguards are not being properly followed, or at least not followed consistently.

(Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay) (Courtesy: Save the Bay)

Thorp said he just wants to make sure the demolition permit is being followed correctly.

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RIDOT said the contractor set up a turbidity curtain to help contain any demolition debris several weeks ago. The spokesperson added that the curtain helped contain much of the spill.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council were both consulted. RIDOT said no violations were issued.

However, some residents who live in the nearby are concerned about the environmental impacts.

Are we going to keep hearing these things, or is somebody going to take the initiative to take care of it before it gets worse? Amy Brown questioned.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Unique technology being used by the New Haven Police Department is giving law enforcement a real edge catching suspects.

Officers can now launch a specialized dart with the push of button and find you if a chase becomes too dangerous and it needs to be called off.

New Haven woman arrested for alleged drug sales, police say

News 8 Investigative Reporter Jeff Derderian got a behind the scenes look.

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Its called star chase, giving police officers an innovative way to track you on a GPS mapping system if youre on the run.

The supervisor can then start tracking that vehicle and set up a perimeter if need be, with whatever resources we have available, New Haven Police Sgt. Justin Cole said.

When police pursuits need to be called off for safety reasons, officers can use a special dart that is equipped with laser technology that sticks to your car without you even knowing it. The dart shoots out from the grille of a cruiser, and News 8 was given special access to how the technology works in a controlled environment.

I would say its been highly successful, and its led to seized guns, numerous guns, getting people in custody even stolen car recoveries and with juveniles arrested, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said.

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New Haven PD was one of the first departments in the state to use star chase. Others now have it.

So, you could be stopped at a light, and it can be utilized in that fashion or if you are actively driving behind someone in a vehicle, Cole said.

Inmate back in custody after escaping near Whalley Correctional Center in New Haven

The officers dash cam is recording your plate, and once the dart is on your vehicle it follows you, you can go from New Haven to California and it will track you.

News 8 is not disclosing how many vehicles have it or if its both for marked or unmarked cruisers. Officers who use the system are not allowed to track a car as theyre driving, thats only done under a specific protocol with a police supervisor.

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This tool gives new meaning to that old saying, you can run, but you cant hide.

We have technology that were gonna catch you, we might not catch it today, but well catch up with you I think its important for people to know that, Jacobson said.

Watch how the technology works above.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 14. The border agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan opens a new era in their relations and the entire region, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela wrote on X, Trend reports.

"I am very happy to be visiting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan at this historic moment. The border agreement between the two countries opens a new era in relations between them and also the whole region. It will also pave the way for enhanced trade and exchanges between both people," noted Jozef Sikela.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on the state border yesterday. This document was signed following negotiations between the heads of state of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, marking an important step in strengthening the relations between the two countries. In addition, a joint statement was signed on further strengthening friendship and good-neighborly relations.
GREECE, N.Y. (WROC)  Joining the Marines, serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and ultimately signing on with the Greece Police Department  all of that, Bryan Root says, can be linked to his familys commitment to public service through a volunteer fire department.



So, I knew a lot of the people working in the area already. And its just I took it as an honor, Root said.



A career highlighted by a number of promotions came a screeching halt in late October 2021 when an officer approached Root, who was a sergeant at the time, about an incident involving their chief, Drew Forsythe.



Root says the officer told him the drunk-driving crash was not being handled properly, suggesting it could be a cover-up, and that the chiefs car was in the impound lot.



I told him I would come up with a plan and I would execute the plan because thats the oath I took back in 2010 and multiple times through my military career, Root said. I went into the impound lot and took the infamous pictures.





Solution Info HDR : EV(0,3,-7), FC : (0), FC : (0,3,-7) Solution Info HDR : EV(0,3,-7), FC : (0), FC : (0,3,-7) , FC : (0,0,0)



Pictures that Root handed to a retired officer  a move that Greece would later claim broke protocol.



I asked him if he knew anybody that could help steer me in the right direction because I could not go to the supervisor or deputy supervisor, Root said. He told me to sit back and let the retirees take care of it.



The photos then appeared in the press. The Monroe County District Attorneys Office got involved and Forsythe resigned.

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Some other punishments got doled out but the harshest went to Root.



A 30-day suspension with the new chief, Michael Wood, saying his actions after the crash were not in compliance with the Greece Police Department Polices and Procedures', specifically their whistleblower policy.



Root says he felt betrayed.



The law enforcement community as a whole, no. To this day, absolutely, because the retaliation never stopped. I felt immediately betrayed by my town administration, Root said.



Root says over the next year-and-a-half he was passed over for promotion time and again, despite at least one glowing review by his supervisor.



Then came an anonymous complaint that claimed Root was spending time at his Greece home while on duty.

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The department pulled data from his police car and showed it to Root during a meeting.



Ill be the first one to admit when they showed me the data at the end, yeah, absolutely, maybe a couple of those days could be viewed as a little excessive, Root said.



Though Root argued he went home for lunch and often did paperwork there, the department determined the practice was egregious enough to warrant another suspension.



I almost laughed because one of one of the deputy chiefs who was doing the interview lived in an adjacent neighborhood and would go home all the time, it my career it was never an issue so I was shocked they were treating it like this, Root said.



A few months later, Root resigned and started looking for another job at another police department, but he would soon find out that was impossible.



Wood accused Root of misconduct the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, or DCJS.

DCJS then decertified Root, meaning he could no longer serve as a police officer in the state of New York.



The emotions, Root says, have been nothing like anything hes ever experienced.



Everything you can imagine. What bothered me the most is my children riding in the truck with me and seeing me worked up 10 and 13 years old saying dad you can do something else, it should havent had to be like this.



But Root says he doesnt want to do anything else which is why hes now suing to get re-certified, so he can be a cop again.

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In response to this attempt, Chief Wood told News 8 in a statement:

It is a great honor and privilege to wear the uniform of a police officer in the community. That honor is entrusted only to those men and women who are dedicated to upholding the law and service to our community. Not everyone is up to that high standard. I am grateful and proud of our police department members, who continue to serve honorably, and avoid the petty distractions.



In his own statement, Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich applauded Wood and his officers for, distancing themselves from those that were not up to the job of being a GPD officer and decided to turn to the courts.



Root responds saying he went to the courts for himself, but also other officers.



If the police chief and the current administration can get away with this, for what they accused me of doing, they can do to just about anybody, he said.

Roots lawsuit is currently moving through the court system.

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Meanwhile, hes being deposed in another case also linked to the Forsythe crash, with the town filing a motion to compel him to answers the questions and not plead the Fifth.



News 8 will follow that and, soon, well also look into concerns over the state process that lead to Roots decertification.





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Senate Democrats dropped their push for a vote on an amendment to the GOPs continuing resolution that would keep the government open for another four weeks without major changes, two sources confirmed to TPM.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has been calling for passage of a continuing resolution that would fund the government for an additional 28 days. Some Democrats  including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) earlier in the week  floated demanding a vote on the bill as an amendment to the GOP CR but, per a source familiar, Murray wanted the vote to be called off since it would fail, only serve a theatrical purpose and not affect the outcome of the vote on the GOP CR.

Murray is still separately pushing for the month-long CR.

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While its chances of passage as an amendment have been low, it provided a potential rallying point  or at least political cover  for Democrats who want to keep the government open without ratifying the extreme demands contained in the bill passed by the House GOP. That funding bill includes a provision that would cut D.C. government funding by around $1 billion, and other measures that could legitimize the mass purges of government workers that DOGE has undertaken during Trumps first weeks in office.

The amendment also served as a potential compromise: the government would stay open at current funding levels for four weeks, potentially giving legislators more time to reach a deal on the budget.

But the momentum for such a compromise only ever existed among Democrats. Republicans never showed any real interest in the proposal, instead pushing forward the House Republican CR that will keep the government funded for another seven months.

Schumer said Thursday night that he would help Republicans pass their CR due to his concerns about a potentially particularly painful shutdown.

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A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive. They can stay in a shutdown as long as they want. There is no off ramp, Schumer said Friday morning.

While its expected that a handful of Democrats will join Schumer, the vote is still in limbo as of Friday afternoon with a few public yeses, a few silent undecideds and the majority of the caucus who are public no votes.
By Antoni Slodkowski and Laurie Chen

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said it will install a senior diplomat to oversee its 1,300-strong embassy in Beijing and consulates in China while Washington's ambassadorial pick David Perdue awaits Senate confirmation.

Anny Vu, current political section chief at the American Institute in Taipei (AIT), Washington's de facto embassy in Taiwan, will become charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy on a temporary basis, a State Department spokesperson told Reuters late on Thursday.

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"Anny Vu will serve as Charge dAffaires ad interim at U.S. Embassy Beijing. She will lead Mission China until the arrival of a Senate-confirmed ambassador," the spokesperson said.

Reuters could not establish when Vu will take up the post. Her appointment comes at a fragile time for U.S.-China relations, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to escalate a trade war with Beijing after doubling tariffs on Chinese imports this month over the flow of fentanyl precursors from China into the country.

Deputy Chief of Mission Sarah Beran, an experienced career civil servant who was responsible for China on the former U.S. President Joe Biden administration's National Security Council (NSC), has been running the embassy since the former U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, left in January with the change of the U.S. president.

CHINA EXPERIENCE

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Before her Taiwan posting, Vu held a senior role in the State Department's "China House" policy coordination office in Washington, according to a biography on the AIT website.

She also worked at the NSC under the first Trump administration and the Biden administration in several roles, including at one point as China director.

In 2021 she won an American Foreign Service Association award for "constructive dissent" for her work in countering Chinese influence at the United Nations. She lobbied for alternatives to China's candidates during elections for the heads of two U.N. agencies, the awards website said.

Former Senator David Perdue was nominated by Trump in December to be the U.S. envoy to China. Trump highlighted Perdue's extensive business experience in Asia as an asset in managing current tensions in the relationship.

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Perdue, a Republican from Georgia who served in the Senate from 2015-2021, previously lived in Hong Kong during a 40-year career as a business executive.

Democrats have complained that he relied on outsourcing American manufacturing jobs to Asia in his business career, a practice Trump has vowed to end.

Members of the U.S. Senate can decide to fast-track an ambassadorial nomination, but the process can sometimes be delayed due to political reasons. No date has been set for Perdue's confirmation hearing.

According to the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China, the Beijing embassy complex houses more than 1,300 American and locally hired staff representing almost 50 different U.S. federal agencies.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen and Antoni Slodkowski in Beijing; Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Washington: Editing by Neil Fullick)
CHICAGO  Growing occasionally emotional, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday testified during a bench trial that she was disturbed and traumatized by a profane and racist death threat sent to her in 2022 through a city feedback email system.

Lightfoot, who served as Chicagos mayor from 2019 to 2023, took the stand at the Leighton Criminal Court Building to testify against William Kohles, a Michigan man who is charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official.

Cook County prosecutors alleged during opening statements that Kohles emailed a threat that said he had a bullet with her name on it if crime and violence in Chicago didnt stop. His attorney, though, countered that Kohles was just spontaneously venting after watching a Fox News segment about violence, and did not have any real intent behind the missive. He also said Kohles has learning disabilities and has suffered brain swelling from meningitis.

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The case is being heard by Judge Nicholas Kantas, who will issue a ruling at a later date.

The note, read out loud in court by the city worker who first saw the message, used racial slurs and contained a threat to shoot Lightfoot if she didnt reduce crime in the city. It was sent on Sept. 23, 2022.

The content of this particular threat was especially disturbing to me, Lightfoot told the judge. The content was incredibly profane. The writer  called me the N-word, which frankly directly hadnt happened in a very long time.

Lightfoot said the threat was relayed to her by the commander of her security detail, who she said was nervous to tell her about it because of the content. They increased her security and made protocol changes as a result.

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Her voice shook slightly and she grabbed a tissue as she told the court about talking to her daughter about the threat. She said she feared for the safety of her wife and daughter.

I was fearful of coming out of my house and being exposed to a potential sniper threat, she said. I live in a residential neighborhood.

Though she has received threats before, she said the content of this one rattled her.

Assistant States Attorney Elizabeth Dibler asked her if she is still fearful.

Yes, Lightfoot said, then paused. I mean this experience is very traumatizing.  I had to tell my daughter last night about this and discuss it with wife.

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Even as she appeared shaken by the threat, Lightfoots more familiar demeanor was on display moments later when she stiffened during cross-examination and took issue with some of the questions posed to her by Robert Fisher, who represents Kohles.

I hate to play lawyer here, she said at one point in response to a question, telling Fisher that he misstated her testimony.

Fisher asked her whether his client had actually addressed the threat to her specifically, or whether her name appeared in the threat.

The name Lori Lightfoot didnt, she said, but you would have to be deaf, dumb and blind to not know.

_____
As temperatures climb across the globe, more people are at risk of life-threatening conditions associated with diabetes.

What's happening?

Asha Sonawane, 65, recalls once working in agricultural fields for 12-hour shifts, but worsening heat in India's Maharashtra state has left her dehydrated, exacerbating her diabetes mellitus and forcing her to stay inside.

Sonawane is one example of a growing trend  Yale Climate Connections reported that rising global temperatures are making life harder for those living with this condition and possibly contributing to an increase in cases. For instance, the publication shared that one study determined that a 1 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures could lead to more than 100,000 new diabetes cases annually in the United States alone.

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"People realize how severe this is only after their health deteriorates to the point where they can't work in the fields anymore," Sonawane told the news site.

Why are worsening diabetes symptoms concerning?

According to the article, more than 2 million people across the globe died from diabetes and related kidney diseases in 2021. Extreme outdoor temperatures seem to exacerbate some life-threatening conditions related to type 2 diabetes, including low blood sugar and ventricular arrhythmia, a condition that can lead to fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.

Diabetes isn't the only health threat that scientists are worried about in the warming world, though. For instance, skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and cancer are worsening because of higher temperatures. And extreme heat, which the World Health Organization says is on the rise, can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.

Plus, extreme weather events linked to the changing climate are threatening crops and creating a mental health crisis for farmers in places such as Montana.

What's being done about rising global temperatures?

To help people better manage their diabetes in the heat, Yale Climate Connections pointed to recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include drinking plenty of water, testing blood sugar often, keeping medicine and equipment out of the heat, making a plan for power outages, and staying inside in air conditioning when it's hottest.

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Meanwhile, we can all do our part to slow the overheating of our planet by reducing our reliance on dirty energy sources including coal, oil, and natural gas, which the United Nations reports are responsible for more than three-fourths of all warming pollution. For instance, Wales is banning most new roadway projects to cut down on carbon pollution, while Tokyo is requiring most new buildings to have solar panels.

You can make an impact by taking simple actions such as enrolling in a community solar program, taking public transit more, and voting for candidates who support climate-action legislation.

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By Aaron Ross

(Reuters) - Longtime foes Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed towards war, officials in northern Ethiopia and regional experts have warned.

A conflict would signal the death blow to a historic rapprochement for which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and risk creating another humanitarian disaster in the troubled Horn of Africa region.

WHY HAVE FEARS OF WAR EMERGED?

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The warnings stem from fresh instability in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region, where a civil war from 2020-2022 resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

During the war, Eritrean forces crossed the border into Tigray to fight in support of Ethiopia's federal army against rebels led by the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

But the peace deal signed in November 2022 drove a wedge between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which was not party to the negotiations. The TPLF, which runs Tigray's post-war interim administration with the blessing of the federal government, has since split.

A dissident faction seized the town of Adigrat this week. It accuses those in power of selling out Tigrayan interests, while the interim administration accuses the dissidents of collaborating with Eritrea.

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Each side denies the other's allegations.

Experts say the standoff could lead to Ethiopia and Eritrea backing rival camps in Tigray and ultimately coming into direct conflict.

Eritrea ordered a nationwide military mobilisation in mid-February, according to a human rights group, and Ethiopia deployed troops toward the Eritrean border, diplomatic sources and Tigrayan officials told Reuters.

Eritrean and Ethiopian government spokespeople have not responded to requests for comment.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA-ERITREA RELATIONS?

The former Italian colony of Eritrea was annexed by Ethiopia in 1962. Rebel forces led by Isaias Afwerki waged a three-decade armed struggle that secured Eritrea's independence in 1993.

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Independent Eritrea, which is still led by Isaias, initially enjoyed warm ties with Ethiopia, where Tigrayan-led rebels had overthrown longtime military ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 with support from Isaias's rebels.

But clashes broke out in 1998 along the border over ownership of the disputed town of Badme, leading to a two-year war in which an estimated 80,000 people were killed.

The two countries remained formally at war - with all transport links cut and phone and postal services severed - until 2018 when President Isaias and newly-appointed Ethiopian prime minister Abiy agreed to normalise diplomatic relations and rebuild economic ties.

The deal led to the reunification of families who had not been able to communicate for two decades, direct flights between the capitals Addis Ababa and Asmara and pledges to jointly develop Eritrea's ports.

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WHY DID TIES SOUR?

Relations took a turn toward the end of the Tigray war, when Ethiopia signed the Pretoria Agreement with the TPLF to end the fighting.

Analysts say Eritrea was unhappy at being excluded from the agreement which allowed the TPLF, with which it remains deeply hostile, to govern Tigray.

Some Eritrean troops have remained on Ethiopian soil since the end of the conflict, the United States has said, despite the deal calling for the withdrawal of all outside forces. Asmara has not directly addressed the accusation.

Eritrean officials have bristled at repeated public declarations by Abiy since 2023 that landlocked Ethiopia has a right to sea access - comments many in Eritrea, which lies on the Red Sea, view as an implicit threat of military action.

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Last September, Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Eritrea - which had been a potent symbol of the countries' restored ties - after its bank account there was frozen.

The following month, Eritrea signed a security pact with Egypt and Somalia that was widely seen as aimed at countering Ethiopia's potential expansionist ambitions.

(Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Joe Bavier)
An explosion at an automotive metal shredding company sent residents of several Downriver communities into a frenzy around 10 a.m. on Friday.

According to Taylor Director of Communications Karl Ziomek, authorities from the Taylor Police Department confirmed Friday afternoon that the explosion took place at Fritz Enterprises' Taylor Auto shredding location, located between Telegraph and Pennsylvania roads. The vehicle burst into flames after the facilities' started demolishing the car, leaving them to believe that something left inside the vehicle contributed to the blaze.

More: New eatery opening in Bobcat Bonnie's space in Wyandotte

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Employees at Fritz's Taylor facility referred calls for comment to the company's headquarters in Trenton. The company did not respond for comment after the Free Press left a voicemail.

Residents took to social media to try to find a resolution, stating that the blast could be felt across cities including Taylor, Southgate, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Southgate, Riverview and Brownstown. Theories began to spread about a possible earthquake or meteor.

When asked if his department received any calls about the explosion, Allen Park Fire Chief Jeff O'Riley said that he hadn't heard anything, but did remember hearing a boom earlier in the day but never heard anything afterward.

Calls were also placed to both DTE and Consumers Energy to inquire about their knowledge of an explosion. Both companies responded that they were unaware of any issues.

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A meteorologist from the National Weather Service also ruled out any potential cause of weather-related issues leading to what could've made the explosion.

Contact Eric Guzman: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X: @EricGuzman90.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Auto shredder explosion, loud boom causes panic Downriver
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The MTA is running extra LIRR and Metro-North trains on Monday for the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade, the agency announced on Thursday.

Spectators should take a train to Grand Central Terminal, which will leave them minutes from the parade, according to the MTA. The Lexington Avenue subway line is also along the parade route, the agency said.

More Local News

Two extra trains are running on both the Babylon and Ronkonkoma branches of the LIRR, the agency said.

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The Metro-North will run five extra trains on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, according to the MTA. An extra train is also running on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines, the agency said.

More train service may be added to the Metro-North, depending on how many paradegoers there are, according to the MTA.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Alcohol will be banned on both the LIRR and Metro-North from 5 a.m. on Monday to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the agency said. To check train times, you can find them on the MTAs website or in the TrainTime app.

The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. along Fifth Avenue.

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Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday announced it would permanently restrict non-essential helicopter operations around the District of Columbias Reagan Washington National Airport after a deadly midair collision between an Army helicopter and a commercial jet in January.

The new rules, which seek to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic in the skies near National Airport, align with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations made earlier this week. The board discovered thousands of close calls between helicopters and planes near the airport in the past three years, culminating with a Jan. 29 crash between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane that killed 67 people.

The FAA said it will permanently close Route 4 to helicopters, a four-mile stretch of airspace between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge along the Potomac River. It also is evaluating alternative helicopter routes, as recommended by the NTSB.

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Should a helicopter need to fly through the airspace on an urgent mission, such as lifesaving medical, law enforcement operations or presidential transport, the FAA will keep those helicopters specific distances away from airplanes, according to an administration statement.

The FAA will also prohibit the use of runways 15/33 and 4/22 at National Airport when helicopters are conducting urgent missions nearby, and will limit the use of visual separation to certain Coast Guard, Marine and Park Police helicopter operations near the restricted airspace.

The new rules follow NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendys stark comments Tuesday when she called the existing separation distances between helicopter traffic and aircraft landing at certain National Airport runways an intolerable risk to aviation safety.

It does make me angry, but it also makes me feel incredibly devastated for families that are grieving because they lost loved ones, she told reporters. It shouldnt take a tragedy like this to occur. Unfortunately, one did, and so we are calling on action, but there clearly were indicators where safety trending could have occurred.

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An initial investigation into the crash, which killed all three pilots on the Black Hawk and all 64 people on the commercial flight, found the helicopter was flying 78 feet above the 200-foot limit for that location when it crashed into Flight 5342 just before 9 p.m. local time The helicopter was on a training mission, while the American Airlines flight was en route to National Airport from Wichita, Kan.

Homendy said the incident came after years of thousands of close calls around the airport, located in Arlington, Va., where military helicopters regularly conduct exercises, local law enforcement patrol the area, and government officials are flown in and out of Washington.

At best, were in a situation where were threading the needle allowing helicopters to fly down the same airspace as landing aircraft, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters Tuesday. And why this information wasnt studied and known before Jan. 29 is an important question.

The FAA also announced it is studying other airports in cities that have high volumes of mixed traffic, including Boston, New York, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles, and will have corrective action plans for any risks that are identified.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CHICAGO  Vendors who bill the City of Chicago for goods and services are being asked to discount their invoices, according to a copy of an email reviewed by WGN Investigates.

Dear Valued Partner, the message from Chicagos chief procurement officer Sharla Roberts begins. In light of the difficult economic times, the City of Chicago faces news challenges to reduces its costs. One sentence later the email gets to the point: Therefore, the City requests a price reduction of minimally 3% off all invoices sent to the City for the next twelve months off any contracts you currently hold as a prime contract with the City.

WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud

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One alderman laughed off the request as pointless saying vendors have previously negotiated contracts. They dont have to do sh*t, the alderman said.

Another alderman, Ray Lopez (15th Ward), posted to social media: What normally is loudly proclaimed in September as yearend efficiencies is now loudly demanded in springtime, proving @ChicagosMayor & his City Council amigos overcharged taxpayers in order to create another slush fund to cover the impending 2025 budget shortfalls. The question now: Who is getting the 3% whack next week?

Mayor Brandon Johnsons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. City Council approved a $17.1 billion budget was approved in December 2024. It included an increase in taxes and fees on parking, streaming services and grocery bags to close a $982 million budget gap

More: Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses Chicagos 2025 budget amid federal funding threats

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A $17.1 billion budget was approved in December 2024. It includes an increase in taxes and fees on parking, streaming services and grocery bags to help close a $982 million budget gap

Last month, Johnson began a series of public meetings about Chicagos fiscal future. We never compromised our value system. We negotiated the details around this budget so that it was a fiscally responsible, balanced budget, Johnson said. Most of the things people care about, we were able to deliver in this budget.

New concerns about the citys financial position have been accelerated by threats from Washington, with cuts to federal funding looming ahead.

Mayor Johnson is also leaning on Chicago Public Schools to make a $175 million dollar pension payment, by the end of the month. Without help from CPS, the city could be forced to dip into its reserves.

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The full text of the email is below:

FromSubject: Price Reduction Request

Dear Valued Partner:

In light of the difficult economic times, the City of Chicago (City) faces new challenges to reduce its costs and allocate resources in a way that accomplishes more with less ensuring service delivery to its citizens. The City has an obligation to taxpayers to pursue all avenues involving cost cutting measures. Vendors doing business with the City are no exception. Therefore, the City requests a price reduction of minimally 3% off all invoices sent to the City for the next twelve months off any contracts you currently hold as a prime contract with the City.

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The City will always seek to do business with vendors that offer the most competitive prices. Via email, no later than within five (5) business days of receiving this letter, please provide written confirmation indicating the price reduction you can provide the City under any contracts you currently hold as a prime contractor with the City. Please indicate your response separately for each contract on which you are a prime contractor. We would appreciate a response even if you are not able to accommodate the request at this time. If you have already received a request from the City to reduce pricing on a particular contract this year, please disregard this request with respect to that contract.

For purposes of this letter, the letter shall be considered received the day it is sent via electronic mail. The City will provide you with a formal amendment to your Contract after receiving your response regarding the price reduction you can offer the City.

Please contact DPS at DPSContracts@cityofchicago.org with your response to this request. The City looks forward to a continued partnership with your company and appreciates your cooperation as we navigate these challenging economic times. Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

Sincerely,

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Sharla Roberts

Chief Procurement Officer

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Facing a shortage at home, the United States has approached agricultural associations in Denmark and Sweden for help acquiring eggs, according to media reports Friday.

Danish industry representative Jrgen Nyberg Larsen told the trade magazine AgriWatch that the US had asked how many eggs could be delivered, and had also done so in Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Markus Lindstrom, managing director of the Swedish egg supplier Kronagg, confirmed in the newspaper Goteborgs-Posten that he had also been asked by US authorities for eggs  and at the same time dampened the hopes of American egg consumers: exports to the US are unlikely, Lindstrom told the newspaper.

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Not only do export regulations speak against it, but transport across the Atlantic is also difficult.

Bird flu has left its mark

Eggs are currently in short supply in the United States, and are significantly more expensive than usual. The reason for this is the latest outbreak of bird flu.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu is currently widespread among wild birds around the world. In the US, the virus has led to outbreaks in poultry and dairy farms. Numerous battery hens have been culled in an effort to contain the outbreak.

According to reports, Denmark's Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen has said that the US requests are a good example of how the United States continues to depend on Europe for trade.

According to a CNN report, Turkey, on the other hand, wants to significantly expand its egg exports to the US. The US government has not yet confirmed the various requests for eggs.
Claim:

The Arlington National Cemetery website removed links to webpages about Black, Hispanic and female veterans buried at the site.

Rating:

Rating: Mixture

Between December 2024 and March 2025, military news, culture and analysis outlet Task & Purpose found that Arlington National Cemetery removed links to webpages about Black, Hispanic and female veterans buried there from its website. From March 12 to March 17, 2025, the pages still existed at their original URLs but could no longer be accessed through the main site.

On March 19, Arlington National Cemetery said it had not "permanently removed" pages about any service members from the "Notable Graves" section of its website, one of three sections from which pages disappeared. Instead, the content from the de-linked pages was distributed onto other, existing pages.

The de-linked pages, "African American History," "Hispanic American History" and "Women's History" from the site's Notable Graves section no longer existed at their original URLs on March 26.

By March 26, the cemetery had also changed its "Education" section which was previously missing six "Themes." Links to three of these themes  "Civil War," "Medal of Honor" and "Service Branches"  appeared to have been restored, and two new Themes  "Civics" and "WWI"  added.

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In mid-March 2025, claims (archived) circulated online that the Arlington National Cemetery website had removed links to webpages about Black, Hispanic and female veterans buried at the site.

The Arlington National Cemetery website "scrubbed dozens of pages on gravesites and educational materials that include histories of prominent Black, Hispanic, and female service members buried in the cemetery" to meet Trump/Hegseth orders, via @PJMatthttps://t.co/hGoZaLpSGl  Haley Britzky (@halbritz) March 13, 2025

The claim circulated on X as well as Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Reddit (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers also emailed us to ask about the claim.

The claim originated from a report by Task & Purpose, a military news, culture and analysis outlet. The report found that between December 2024 and March 2025, several links to pages relating to Black, Hispanic and female veterans disappeared from Arlington National Cemetery's website.

Using archive.org's Wayback Machine, a website that archives pages from across the web, we verified the removal of links that Task & Purpose reported. The removed links included three pages from the "Notable Graves" section, six education "themes," two pages from the "History of Arlington National Cemetery" subsection and one page from the website's "Explore" tab.

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However, on March 19, Arlington National Cemetery addressed the missing "Notable Graves" pages in an online statement. The cemetery said the content from the de-linked "African American History," "Hispanic American History" and "Women's History" pages was redistributed onto existing pages.

The remaining missing pages  from the site's "Education" and "History of Arlington National Cemetery" sections  appeared to be partially restored by March 26. Therefore we rate this claim mixture.

According to Task & Purpose, cemetery officials confirmed that they "unpublished" the pages in question in compliance with a Trump administration executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion and a resulting directive from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth "targeting race and gender-related language and policies in the military."

We reached out to Arlington National Cemetery to confirm the above. We also asked the cemetery to confirm exactly which links officials removed and when. A cemetery spokesperson gave the following reply:

We are proud of our educational content and programming and working diligently to return removed content to ensure alignment with Department of Defense instruction 5400.17 and Executive Orders issued by the President. We remain committed to sharing the stories of military service and sacrifice to the nation with transparency and professionalism, while continuing to engage with our community in a manner that reflects our core values.

In a further March 14, 2025, email, the same spokesperson said, "We are hoping to begin republishing updated education modules next week."

Missing links led to pages paying tribute to Black, Hispanic and female veterans

The Task & Purpose report included a full list of links the outlet said disappeared from Arlington National Cemetery's site.

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Using Wayback Machine, we replicated Task & Purpose's findings. The missing links, removed between December 2024 and March 12, 2025, were as follows:

As of March 26, the Education "themes" listed above still existed and could be accessed through their direct URLs, but not through links on the Arlington National Cemetery website. "Environment at ANC" redirected to a pre-existing page called "Memorial Arboretum."

The Freedman's Village page was still available through its direct URL, though the History of Arlington National Cemetery section of the website no longer linked directly to it. The page detailed the temporary settlement housing formerly enslaved people that the federal government constructed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds in 1863.

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Section 27 of Arlington National Cemetery saw the cemetery's first military burial during the Civil War. More than 3,800 African American formerly enslaved people were also buried in Section 27, according to the page, which was still live but also not directly linked on the site on March 26.

Six "Themes" disappeared from the cemetery's Education portal between February and March 2025. (education.arlingtoncemetery.mil / web.archive.org)

From a page-by-page click-through of the Arlington National Cemetery website we also found a missing list of webinars under the website's "Explore" section. The Webinars subpage disappeared from the site between Feb. 22, 2025, and March 11, 2025. The page contained recordings of talks on topics including "Freedman's Village" and "75 years recruiting women" that might have qualified it for removal.

Links removed following DOD 'digital content refresh'

The U.S. Army, reporting to the Department of Defense, operates Arlington National Cemetery under the Office of Army Cemeteries. Therefore, policies enacted in the DOD also apply to the cemetery, its staff and its website.

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As noted above, an Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson said content on its site was removed to "ensure alignment with Department of Defense instruction 5400.17."

Confusingly, Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 only covers social media use within the DOD. The DOD updated the document on Feb. 14, 2025, to comply with Executive Order 14168, titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."

Instruction 5400.17 only mentioned the terms "gender," "sex" and "race" once, in a clause prohibiting "Hate speech or material that ridicules others on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation" on DOD social media accounts. It was unclear how exactly Instruction 5400.17 or Executive Order 14168 related to the removal of links leading to pages about Black or Hispanic veterans.

Another, more-likely source of the removal came in a memo U.S. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell released on Feb. 27. The memo asked all DOD public platforms to carry out a "digital content refresh." The memo read (emphasis ours):

By March 5, 2025, Components must take all practicable steps, consistent with records management requirements, to remove all DoD news and feature articles, photos, and videos that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). All articles, photos, and videos removed from DoD websites and social media platforms must be archived and retained in accordance with applicable records management policies.

The memo specifically mentioned "articles that focus on immutable characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, or sex" among content that must be removed as part of the digital content refresh.

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Snopes previously reported on NASA scrubbing its website to remove mentions of minorities and inclusion and the U.S. military's anti-DEI purge of WWII Enola Gay aircraft photos.

Sources:

African American History. 14 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241214104619/https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/African-American-History.

Arlington National Cemetery. "Freedman's Village." Arlington National Cemetery, https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/History-of-Arlington-National-Cemetery/Freedmans-Village.

---. "Section 27." Arlington National Cemetery, https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/History-of-Arlington-National-Cemetery/Section-27.

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@cebstill. "Arlington National Cemetery Has Removed Links Honoring Women, Black, Hispanic, & MEDAL OF HONOR Service Members Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice. ." Threads, 14 Mar. 2025, https://www.threads.net/@cebstill/post/DHLfKnzzRGs.

Civil War. 14 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241214191656/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/Civil-War.

Clapper, Carolyn. "Arlington Cemetery Site Drops Links to Notable Graves of Black Hispanic and Women Vets Including Metal of Honor Recipients." Facebook, 14 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/carolynclapper/posts/pfbid0PrMaiV88jTpjT3Psiew4q2GBhKRWfDu5m6A2Fwm1KDXzzZKusuermirMZs3pejJ2l.

"Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government." The White House, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/.

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Education > Themes > African American History. 13 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241213204639/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/African-American-History.

Environment at ANC. 13 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241213202745/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/Environment-at-ANC.

Explore the Cemetery. 11 Mar. 2025, https://web.archive.org/web/20250311044512/https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore.

---. 22 Feb. 2025, https://web.archive.org/web/20250222133741/https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore.

@halbritz. "The Arlington National Cemetery Website "scrubbed Dozens of Pages on Gravesites and Educational Materials That Include Histories of Prominent Black, Hispanic, and Female Service Members." X, 13 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/halbritz/status/1900232317534085531.

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Hispanic American History. 14 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241214090451/https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Hispanic-American-History.

iamfreetobeme.bsky.social. "Arlington Cemetery Website Drops Links for Black, Hispanic and Women Veterans. ." Bluesky, 14 Mar. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/iamfreetobeme.bsky.social/post/3lkcgz7uigs2c.

Medal of Honor. 16 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241216113824/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/Medal-of-Honor.

Office of Army Cemeteries. "About Us." Office of Army Cemeteries, https://armycemeteries.army.mil/About-Us/Our-Cemeteries.

Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. DOD INSTRUCTION 5400.17. Department of Defense, 14 Feb. 2025, https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/540017p.PDF.

Service Branches. 17 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241217003530/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/Service-Branches.

u/DonnyOOE. "Arlington Cemetery Website Drops Links for Black, Hispanic, and Women Veterans." Reddit, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Military/comments/1jaiie9/arlington_cemetery_website_drops_links_for_black/.

U.S. Department of Defense. "Pentagon Releases Digital Content Refresh Memorandum." U.S. Department of Defense, 27 Feb. 2025, https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4079501/pentagon-releases-digital-content-refresh-memorandum/.

Virtual Events. 15 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241215161055/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Webinars.

White, Matt. "Arlington Cemetery Website Drops Links for Black, Hispanic, and Women Veterans." Task & Purpose, 13 Mar. 2025, https://taskandpurpose.com/news/arlington-cemetery-scrubs-website-dei/.

Women's History. 15 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241215125043/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Womens-History.

---. 18 Dec. 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20241218004941/https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Themes/Womens-History.



Updates:

March 15, 2025: This report was updated to correct "Trust and Purpose" to "Task & Purpose."

March. 26, 2025: This fact check was updated to include Arlington National Cemetery's March 19 statement and resulting action to restore pages. The rating was changed from True to Mixture.
Claim:

An audio clip authentically features U.S. President Donald Trump saying daylight saving time must end because people "die faster" when the clock moves an hour forward.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

Context:

The clip is either a skilled imitation or the product of artificial intelligence technology. At the time of this writing, Trump's most recent public stance on daylight saving time was that it's a "50-50 issue."

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In mid-March 2025, social media users began spreading an audio clip supposedly of U.S. President Donald Trump saying daylight saving time "has got to go" because people "die faster" when the clocks move forward.

Here is a full transcript of the audio clip:

Daylight savings  it's gotta go, it's gotta go. Imagine you're dying, you're on your deathbed, you only have a little while to live, and they turn the clocks forward. You die faster. Sorry kids, Granny's dead, she lost an hour. It's a disgrace. We've got to stop it, and we're going to stop it.

The clip primarily spread on TikTok  see videos here, here and here  although it also popped up on Instagram and Facebook. Some commenters seemed to believe the clip was real. Others online questioned its authenticity  including Snopes readers, who wrote in to ask about it.

Trump did not make these comments about daylight saving time. Thus, we rate this claim fake. It was not immediately clear whether the audio was the product of artificial intelligence (AI) software or a person skilled at imitating Trump.

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The creator of the audio appeared to have been TikTok user @whmole, who deleted their account by the time of this writing. This user posted the clip and claimed it was "leaked Trump audio" from March 9, 2025, but provided no proof.

A Google search for direct quotations from the audio clip returned no results from reputable news outlets. If Trump had said the quote, it would have made headlines.

Many news outlets covered authentic comments Trump made about daylight saving time on March 6, when he described it as "a 50-50 issue" and said, "It's hard to get excited about it." A video clip of Trump's full March 6 comments on daylight saving time is available through NBC News' YouTube page:

Trump said in a December 2024 Truth Social post that he would end daylight saving time, calling it "inconvenient" and "very costly." However, his March comments made it appear that he was backtracking on that promise.

Sources:

NBC News. "Trump on Getting Rid of Daylight Savings: 'It's a 50-50 Issue.'" YouTube, 7 Mar. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UB0THtBAt0. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Trump, Donald. "The Republican Party Will Use Its Best Efforts to Eliminate Daylight Saving Time, Which Has a Small but Strong Constituency, but Shouldn't! Daylight Saving Time Is Inconvenient, and Very Costly to Our Nation." Truth Social, 13 Dec. 2024, truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113647254141876924. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

"'Turn the Clocks Forward' Trump 'Disgrace' 'a Little While to Live' - Google Search." Google.com, www.google.com/search?q=%22turn+the+clocks+forward%22+trump+%22disgrace%22+%22A+little+while+to+live%22. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

whmole. "Leaked Trump Audio March 9 2025." Tiktok.com, 9 Mar. 2025, www.tiktok.com/@whmole/video/7479825580238638366. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Claim:

China canceled all U.S. beef imports in March 2025 and will instead buy from Canada and Brazil.

Rating:

Rating: False

In March 2025, a claim (archived) circulated online that China had "canceled" U.S. beef and would instead buy from Canada and Brazil.

The claim was especially popular on Facebook (archived) but also circulated on X (archived), Threads (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers searched our website and emailed us asking about the claim.

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However, we found no evidence that China had stopped beef imports from the U.S. China did raise tariffs on a number of products from the U.S., including beef, on March 10, 2025. The rise came in response to a Trump administration executive order that raised tariffs (taxes imposed by a government on a person or company importing goods) on imports from China by 10%.

We reached out to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the U.S. about this claim and await their reply.

Joe Schuele, the senior vice president of communications at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said via email that the federation was not aware of China "canceling" U.S. beef or denying access to the market. We also found no credible media reports in English- or Chinese-language media stating this claim. Therefore, we rate this claim false.

Tariff rise came as US exporters awaited export registration renewals

Searches of reputable U.S. sources and Chinese news outlets did not reveal reports about China stopping beef imports from the U.S. Several Chinese outlets did report on China's retaliatory tariffs on beef and other goods following Trump's Feb. 1 executive order, but not on a "cancellation" of imports from the U.S.

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According to the USMEF, a looming deadline for export registrations for U.S. meat exporters might have instead fueled the claim.

According to the USDA, in February 2025, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) allowed 84 registrations for U.S. meat exporters to expire. Four of these were registrations for beef exporters, the USDA said.

The GACC controls exports and imports to and from China. Businesses must register with the GACC to export their products to China.

According to USDA and the USMEF, "several hundred" more registrations were due to lapse in March and April, including some belonging to beef exporters. The USDA noted in its report that the exporters with expired licenses had continued exporting as of late February 2025.

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Should the GACC decide to disallow access for exporters with expired registrations and also refuse to renew them, that could amount to a stoppage in U.S. meat exports to China. Given the latest report from the USDA, this does not seem to be the case.

The claim's second assertion  that China would instead purchase beef from Canada and Brazil  is not impossible but unlikely.

China imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canada in March 2025 after the latter announced a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made electric vehicles starting on Oct. 1, 2024. Though the tariffs imposed by China did not include beef, the retaliatory action could indicate a cooling trade climate between the two nations.

China was the largest recipient of beef from Brazil in 2024. However, in March 2025, Reuters reported that Chinese customs was suspending imports from some factories in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

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Spanish-language meat industry sites named three Brazilian factories as having lost their registration. The suspensions were unexplained, according to reports, but followed a Chinese government investigation in late 2024 into oversupply that drove up domestic meat prices.

The U.S. exported $1.58 billion worth of beef to China in 2024, making China the third-largest market for U.S. beef exporters.

Beef claim sneaked into popular list of Trump administration effects on US farming

The claim seemed to have originated somewhere between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15. On Feb. 8, a Facebook user named Georgie Lea Smith posted (archived) a summary of claims about the effects of the Trump administration on farming. On Feb. 15, a popular Facebook post (archived) reposted Smith's summary with an added bullet point: "China just canceled all USA beef and will buy from Canada and Brazil instead." Social media users across Facebook and other platforms shared this exact text.

The Feb. 15 post included text from a separate named user, Dennis Hammac. However, a Google search using the text allegedly written by Hammac did not reveal a post on a profile with a matching name, instead bringing up only reposts of the text.

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Smith's Feb. 11 post did not include the bullet point about China "canceling" U.S. beef. It was not clear who added this bullet point to Smith's text.

DeepL.com provided Chinese and Spanish translations for this article.

Sources:

Beef & Beef Products | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/commodities/beef-beef-products.

Cash, Joe, et al. "China Hits Back at Canada with Fresh Agriculture Tariffs." Reuters, 8 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/I5Dvs.

China: Exporter Alert - Lack of Response by China Customs on Establishment Registrations Creates Challenges for United States Protein Exports | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/china-exporter-alert-lack-response-china-customs-establishment-registrations-creates.

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Chu, Mei Mei. "China Investigates Beef Imports as Oversupply Squeezes Prices." Reuters, 27 Dec. 2024, https://archive.ph/6NWNk.

Department of Finance Canada. "Surtax on Chinese-Made Electric Vehicles." Government of Canada, 26 Aug. 2024, https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2024/08/surtax-on-chinese-made-electric-vehicles.html.

Dou, Lar. "China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil!! ." Facebook, 12 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/larry.dougherty.18/posts/pfbid02mzmp78k4LU8AAymvayGkrTWKVEQjfyuaRHpUzVckegP1xT5xnP2oDRchaMirLQQal.

Eurocarne. "Siete establecimientos carnicos argentinos, uruguayos y brasilenos pierden la autorizacion para exportar carne de vacuno a China." https://eurocarne.com, 4 Mar. 2025, https://eurocarne.com/noticias/codigo/65853.

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Ferreira, Cecilia. "China suspendio importaciones de carne de algunas plantas de Uruguay, Brasil y Argentina." Blasina y Asociados, 3 Mar. 2025, https://blasinayasociados.com/china-suspendio-importaciones-de-carne-de-algunas-plantas-de-uruguay-brasil-y-argentina/.

Fitzpatrick, Shawn. "This from the US." Facebook, 15 Feb. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/iNikonShawn/posts/pfbid028CvhDbDHxcoBuwdNNLhnx7U3EdWK7AfsoFrbsYzhC3D8gq6CU6T4Qe7c2H28GaVwl.

Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22We+have+a+%E2%80%9Cpresident%E2%80%9D+who+is+working+to+DESTROY+US+FARMERS.%22&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&oq=%22We+have+a+%E2%80%9Cpresident%E2%80%9D+who+is+working+to+DESTROY+US+FARMERS.%22&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgcIARAhGI8CMgcIAhAhGI8C0gEIMTQ1OWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Green-Kent, Patti. "China Cancelled All Beef Contracts. Now Buying from Canada and Brazil." Facebook, 1 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/pgreenkent/posts/pfbid0dCetVhGwMY9tuYfEYte6p6dEif3eTSZjShGK9f3e7nmXRaHhZoqc6xPV2Fd6mAivl.

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"Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People's Republic of China." The White House, 1 Feb. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/.

jerasikehorn.bsky.social. "BREAKING: China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil." Bluesky, 10 Mar. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/jerasikehorn.bsky.social/post/3lk2lx3khqq2w.

@jfuller1212. "China Just Cancelled All USA Beef and Will Buy from Canada and Brazil !!" Threads, 6 Mar. 2025, https://www.threads.net/@jfuller1212/post/DG2oG1hS92H/china-just-cancelled-all-usa-beef-and-will-buy-from-canada-and-brazil-this-is-hu.

"Joint Statement on Investigation Regarding Bovine Meat Imports Announced by China." Planalto, https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/latest-news/2024/12/joint-statement-on-investigation-regarding-bovine-meat-imports-announced-by-china. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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@KINGTRUMPUSLIAR. "Dear MAGA FARMERS." X, 7 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/KINGTRUMPUSLIAR/status/1897856235740778640.

NAN, ZHONG. Countermeasures Taken to US' Unilateral Tariff Hikes. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/05/WS67c7271da310c240449d897b.html. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Reuters. "China's Customs Suspends the Import of Beef Products from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay." Reuters, 3 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/sm3aY.

Smith, Georgie Lea. "EDIT: Wow! This Post Has Blown Up! ." Facebook, 8 Feb. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/georgie.l.smith.7/posts/pfbid02XRhsxtbzcS2FZzb8SkVBMUqyVKADDkRHWfUJEY5bSxdUt8Ttxt2mwUhY1smmA9R3l.


Claim:

In March 2025, Portugal's government said it would cancel its order of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of F-16s.

Rating:

Rating: Mixture

What's True:

On March 13, 2025, Portugal's Defense Minister Nuno Melo ruled out replacing its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets with F-35 Lightning fighter jets, citing concerns about the United States' predictability as a diplomatic ally and reliability as a trading partner. Portugal's air force has recommended replacing the old jets with F-35s. Melo said Portugal should instead consider fighter jets produced in Europe 

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What's False:

 however, the government and Lockheed Martin, the U.S.-based maker of these jets, had not yet signed a contract. Further, Portugal's government, a coalition of center-right parties, failed a no-confidence vote in parliament two days before Melo made these comments. The result of a new election will determine which fighter jets Portugal acquires.

As tensions rose between the U.S. and the European Union on diplomatic and trade matters following U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the White House, a rumor began to spread in March 2025 that Portugal had canceled its order of F-35 fighter jets, made in the U.S.

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For example, a post by Occupy Democrats on Facebook on March 13 suggested that Portugal's government had made that decision based on the U.S. unpredictability (archived):

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1118380947060145&set=a.201905688707680

The text on the image read:

THIS IS MASSIVE.

Portugal has CANCELED the order for F-35s from the U.S. and will replace their F-16s with European fighters.

"We have to be able to count on the predictability of our allies, which is NO LONGER the case with the United States."

@JDPOC

TRUMP HAS TURNED US INTO A PARIAH STATE JUST TO PLEASE PUTIN!

The post had gained 65,000 reactions and 5,900 comments as of this writing. The claim also spread on X. Further, readers searched the Snopes website to verify the claim, and others emailed to inquire about its veracity.

The claim has elements of truth in it, as well as incorrect information. For this reason, we have deemed it a mixture of true and false.

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On March 13, 2025, Portugal's Defense Minister Nuno Melo gave an interview to the digital daily newspaper Publico. The interview came after a vote of no-confidence in the country's parliament  which forced the government to call for a new election, the date of which had yet to be set. This means that the current government will remain in place until the election happens in a caretaker capacity, unable to make important decisions.

However, asked whether Portugal would go through with the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets to replace its fleet of aging F-16s, Melo replied that Portugal, as member country of the European Union, would have to consider European jets as an option:

The F-16s are at the end of their cycle and we will have to think about replacing them. But, in our choices, we cannot ignore the geopolitical environment. The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO and in the international geostrategic plan, has to make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies must weigh more heavily in our decision. We have to believe that, in all circumstances, these allies will be on our side. There are several options to consider, particularly in the context of European production and also taking into account the return that these options may have for the Portuguese economy.

The journalist, providing more context, reminded the minister that the Portuguese air force had recommended the F-35s. In response, the minister reiterated that Portugal could not ignore the change in the United Statese' position regarding NATO and the world since the second Trump administration began. He added that this change may affect Portugal's ability to obtain service for these jets:

And this ally of ours [the U.S.], which has always been predictable over the decades, could now bring limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios.

Beyond Trump's stance on NATO, on which he aligned more closely with Russia President Vladimir Putin, Trump's erratic shifts on tariffs since he took office also sowed uncertainty around the world for American trading partners, especially in the EU.

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Portugal's reasoning reflected a wider change across the EU, especially after Trump had a contentious meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Feb. 28, 2025. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and the two countries have been at war since. Ukraine has benefited from the support of both the EU and the U.S.; however, during following that meeting, Trump stopped providing material support for Ukraine, including by halting weapon deliveries (they have since resumed).

In reaction to Trump's pro-Russia stance, the EU leaders held an emergency meeting to decide whether to boost its defense of Ukraine and of the EU at large. They expressed concern that if Russia won the war against Ukraine, it would soon move to invade EU member countries, the most vulnerable of which included Poland, Estonia or Finland  former satellite states of the now-defunct USSR.

However, Melo didn't say the deal was definitively off the table, merely that his country should consider other options and that, should his coalition be reelected, they would explore purchasing jets made in Europe. Only Portugal's new government will be in a position to make the final decision.

Sources:

Green, Erica, et al. 'Trump Suspends Military Aid to Ukraine After Oval Office Blowup'. The New York Times, 3 Mar. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine-military-aid.html. https://archive.is/CeByn.

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'Poland Confirms Supplies of US Arms to Ukraine Have Resumed'. Reuters, 12 Mar. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-confirms-that-supplies-us-arms-ukraine-have-resumed-2025-03-12/.

Regan, Helen. 'Europe Scrambles to Rearm as Trump Threatens Security Guarantees and Russian Threat Looms. Here's What to Know'. CNN, 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/europe/europe-security-urkraine-defense-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html.

Santos, Helena Pereira, Susana Madureira Martins (Renascenca), Nuno Ferreira. 'Nuno Melo admite compra de cacas europeus a par de F-35. "O mundo ja mudou"'. PUBLICO, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.publico.pt/2025/03/13/politica/entrevista/nuno-melo-afasta-compra-f35-eua-causa-trump-mundo-ja-mudou-2125727.

Schultz, Teri. 'EU Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting to Scale up Defense Spending for Ukraine'. NPR, 6 Mar. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/03/06/nx-s1-5318678/eu-leaders-hold-emergency-meeting-to-scale-up-defense-spending-for-ukraine.

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'Trump Vows 200% Retaliatory Tariff on European Wine and Spirits'. Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/trump-vows-massive-retaliatory-tariffs-on-european-wine-and-spirits. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

'---'. Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/trump-vows-massive-retaliatory-tariffs-on-european-wine-and-spirits. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

'Trump's Erratic Trade Policies Are Baffling Businesses, Threatening Investment and Economic Growth'. AP News, 6 Mar. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add.

'What They Said: Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance's Heated Argument in the Oval Office'. AP News, 28 Feb. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-vance-transcript-oval-office-80685f5727628c64065da81525f8f0cf.

Wrona, Caroline Wazer, Aleksandra. 'Unpacking Claim Zelenskyy Called Vance an Expletive at White House Meeting'. Snopes, 3 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/03/03/zelenskyy-vance-white-house-meeting/.
President Donald Trump keeps telling a story about how he sent fire-plagued Los Angeles the critical water he says Californias leaders foolishly refused to provide.

But the story, which Trump delivered in an especially colorful form at the White House on Thursday, is not true.

The 2 billion-plus gallons of water Trump had released from two dams in Californias Central Valley agricultural hub in late January and early February did not actually go to Los Angeles. In reality, the water was directed to a dry lake basin elsewhere in the Central Valley  more than 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

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Not one drop of the water released into the Tulare Basin by the Army Corps of Engineers at the direction of the White House made it to Southern California, said Jeffrey Mount, a senior fellow in the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California think tank.

The only way that water got to LA is if an Angeleno driving by got mud on their tires, said Brent Haddad, an environmental studies professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Thats because the dams Trump had opened by the US Army Corps of Engineers have no automatic link to the California-run State Water Project that serves Southern California. The federally run Central Valley Project doesnt reach Los Angeles and ends around Bakersfield, Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, noted on Thursday.

Water policy experts and local water authorities widely described Trumps order to release the water from the dams as wasteful, harmful to farmers and poorly planned  and said it could have been catastrophic if the Army Corps of Engineers had released the 5 billion-plus gallons Trump initially made clear he wanted to flow, which experts said could have caused deadly flooding.

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CNN asked the White House for comment about why the president keeps telling the false story about the water releases flowing to Los Angeles and why he also falsely claimed Thursday, as he has before, that some of Californias water comes from Canada. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded by denouncing CNN, criticizing Newsoms fire preparedness efforts, and asserting that Trump released the water to save people from more tragedy.

Gallegos said, The federal administration appears to have some issues with basic geography.

I invaded Los Angeles

Heres what Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday while sitting beside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: I broke into Los Angeles, can you believe it? I had to break in. I invaded Los Angeles, and we opened up the water, and the water is now flowing down; they have so much water they dont know what to do. They were sending it out to the Pacific for environmental reasons.

That story doesnt make sense even using invaded as a figure of speech. Nothing about the water releases actually involved Los Angeles.

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The Army Corps of Engineers branch that manages the dams from which the water was released was shocked by the White House release order, two sources with knowledge of the matter told CNNs Ella Nilsen. A memo obtained by The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times showed that the Army Corps knew the water could not be delivered to Southern California directly and would remain in the Tulare Lake Basin without special coordination with Californias water department to employ a rarely used connection to the states water system. Californias water department made clear it could not get involved on such short notice, the memo said.

The White House noted to CNN that the connection exists and was used in 2023; Californias water department said then that this was the first time it was used since 2006. Regardless, it wasnt used this time, so Trumps repeated claims that the water flowed to Los Angeles remain untrue.

Trump had the water released from the dams after complaining, baselessly, that Los Angeles had not been sent enough water for wildfire prevention or firefighting efforts because Californias Democratic leadership wanted water kept in the northern part of the state to help an obscure fish species. The Los Angeles area had more than enough water to fight the January wildfires, though there were some localized water shortages in particular neighborhoods amid the extreme demand of the battle, and experts emphasized the fires and the fish had nothing to do with each other.

When the Army Corps of Engineers began releasing the water on January 30, firefighters happened to be reaching 100% containment on the January wildfires in Los Angeles. Fire officials said that 100% containment was reached on January 31; the unrelated federal water releases continued until February 2.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Claim:

Elon Musk left his home country, South Africa, in part to avoid mandatory military service.

Rating:

Rating: True

In early 2025, Trump adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) implemented cuts in the Veterans Affairs (VA) agency, leading to disruptions and widespread criticism from military veterans. A number of posts highlighted a detail from Musk's past growing up in South Africa, calling him a "draft dodger," a term for individuals who evade military conscription.

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An X user quoted Grok, an AI chatbot on X, stating: "Elon Musk is a draft dodger according to Grok! My brother spent a year in a South African prison as a conscientious objectoreating worm-infested porridgeagainst apartheid when he was conscripted. Who is Elon Musk to criticize any veteran?"



(X user @hissgoescobra)

Musk himself has admitted on more than one occasion that he left South Africa in part to avoid compulsory military service, saying he would not fight for an apartheid state. We thus rate this claim as true.

For example, in a 2013 interview with actor Rainn Wilson, Musk describes evading the military draft:

WILSON: You grew up in South Africa. [...] You were in the army there? MUSK: No. I left at 17. Well, in part, in order to avoid conscription in the army. WILSON: Oh, you left so you didn't have to deal with the army. MUSK: You know, spending two years suppressing Black people doesn't seem to be a great use of time. WILSON: I think that's the worst use of any human being's time. [...] Elon Musk, draft dodger!

The exchange takes place at the 1:34 mark:

Journalist Ashlee Vance reported that before leaving the country, Elon Musk had been "lazing" through school to avoid the army before dropping out. In the 2015 biography "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future," Vance wrote (emphasis, ours):

At 17, Musk left South Africa for Canada. He has recounted this journey quite often in the press and typically leans on two descriptions of the motivation for his flight. The short version is that Musk wanted to get to the United States as quickly as possible and could use Canada as a pit stop via his Canadian ancestry. The second go-to story that Musk relies on has more of a social conscience. South Africa required military service at the time. Musk wanted to avoid joining the military, he has said, because it would have forced him to participate in the apartheid regime. What rarely gets mentioned is that Musk attended the University of Pretoria for five months before heading off on his grand adventure. He began pursuing physics and engineering but put lackluster effort into the work and soon dropped out of school. Musk characterized the time at university as just something to do while he awaited his Canadian documentation. In addition to being an inconsequential part of his life, Musk lazing through school to avoid South Africa's required military service rather undermines the tale of a brooding, adventurous youth that he likes to tell, which is likely why the stint at the University of Pretoria never seems to come up.

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In 1967, South Africa required all white men over the age of 16 to participate in compulsory military service for nine months. The required service time increased in 1977 to two years and 30 days annually for eight years with deferments for those completing school or university. Military conscription was officially abolished in the 1990s with the end of the apartheid regime, and the creation of an integrated military.

Musk left South Africa in 1989 for college in Canada, where his mother held citizenship.

Sources:

"Compulsory Military Conscription." University of Cape Town, Faculty of Humanities, https://humanities.uct.ac.za/kaplan-centre/discover-our-web-exhibitions-green-and-sea-point-hebrew-congregation-its-origins-2010/compulsory-military-conscription." target="blank">https://humanities.uct.ac.za/kaplan-centre/discover-our-web-exhibitions-green-and-sea-point-hebrew-congregation-its-origins-2010/compulsory-military-conscription.">https://humanities.uct.ac.za/kaplan-centre/discover-our-web-exhibitions-green-and-sea-point-hebrew-congregation-its-origins-2010/compulsory-military-conscription. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Edlmann, Theresa. "The Lingering, Unspoken Pain of White Youth Who Fought for Apartheid." The Conversation, 2 Sept. 2015, http://theconversation.com/the-lingering-unspoken-pain-of-white-youth-who-fought-for-apartheid-46218." target="blank">http://theconversation.com/the-lingering-unspoken-pain-of-white-youth-who-fought-for-apartheid-46218.">http://theconversation.com/the-lingering-unspoken-pain-of-white-youth-who-fought-for-apartheid-46218. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Elon Musk; Tesla, Space X, And The Quest For A Fantastic Future Rocky by Ashlee Vance. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/ElonMuskTeslaSpaceX." target="blank">http://archive.org/details/ElonMuskTeslaSpaceX.">http://archive.org/details/ElonMuskTeslaSpaceX. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Rabin, Roni Caryn, and Nicholas Nehamas. "Chaos at the V.A.: Inside the DOGE Cuts Disrupting the Veterans Agency." The New York Times, 9 Mar. 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/us/politics/veterans-affairs-doge-cuts.html." target="blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/us/politics/veterans-affairs-doge-cuts.html.">https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/us/politics/veterans-affairs-doge-cuts.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Savage, Rachel. "The Making of Elon Musk: How Did His Childhood in Apartheid South Africa Shape Him?" The Guardian, 10 Mar. 2025. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/10/making-of-elon-musk-childhood-apartheid-south-africa." target="blank">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/10/making-of-elon-musk-childhood-apartheid-south-africa.">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/10/making-of-elon-musk-childhood-apartheid-south-africa. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Tesla's Elon Musk Meets Rainn Wilson in the Metaphysical van Long before the Cybertruck Was a Thing. SoulPancake, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMkwsSAIAfY&list=PLzvRx_johoA_7OmfoA_wZfh3tXl-jqvnD." target="blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMkwsSAIAfY&list=PLzvRx_johoA_7OmfoA_wZfh3tXl-jqvnD.">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMkwsSAIAfY&list=PLzvRx_johoA_7OmfoA_wZfh3tXl-jqvnD. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

"Veterans Are Speaking out on the Trump Administration's Plans to Cut the VA's Budget." AP News, 5 Mar. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/veterans-doge-va-trump-cuts-marines-opinions-370be785e1117ab0d82a58c95c639420." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/veterans-doge-va-trump-cuts-marines-opinions-370be785e1117ab0d82a58c95c639420.">https://apnews.com/article/veterans-doge-va-trump-cuts-marines-opinions-370be785e1117ab0d82a58c95c639420. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
By Lisa Barrington

SEOUL (Reuters) - Several airlines have updated their guidance on carrying lithium batteries onboard. The batteries are in devices such as cellphones and e-cigarettes, and can malfunction to produce smoke, fire or extreme heat.

In 2024, three incidents of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally every two weeks by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018.

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Aviation has long recognised the batteries as a safety concern, and rules are periodically tightened in response to accidents.

AIRLINES IN SOUTH KOREA

In January, an Air Busan plane was consumed by flames while preparing to depart South Korea. Investigators have not issued a final report into the cause of the fire, but the transport ministry said on March 14 that a power bank was the possible cause.

Air Busan was the first to change its policies to disallow power banks in overhead cabin bins, saying passengers should keep them on their person, to more easily spot any problems.

From March 1, South Korea tightened rules for all South Korean airlines, including keeping power banks and e-cigarettes with passengers and not in luggage bins, and not charging devices onboard.

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AIRLINES IN HONG KONG

Hong Kong's aviation regulator said local airlines from April 7 must not allow passengers to use or charge power banks during flights, and they must not be stored in overhead lockers.

On March 20, a Hong Kong Airlines flight departing China was forced to divert due to a "suspected hand carry baggage fire" in an overhead compartment.

Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department said on March 24 it was "highly concerned about recent safety incidents suspected to have been caused by passengers carrying and using lithium battery power banks (power banks) on aircraft".

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Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific said it would implement the new regulations, adding that it recognised the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety. The airline had earlier told Reuters it would not change its guidelines out of concern it would be hard to enforce and "may lead to negative unintended consequences".

AIRASIA

AirAsia, a budget airline owned by Malaysia's Capital A, said it will ban the use and charging of power banks on flights from April 1. Power banks must also be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat, and not in overhead compartments.

"These measures align with global aviation safety standards to reduce the risk of battery-related incidents during flights," the airline said.

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AIR ASTANA

Kazakhstan's Air Astana from March 13 prohibited charging or using power banks during flights and said lithium batteries, external batteries and e-cigarettes must be kept in hand luggage and placed on the luggage racks.

BATIK AIR

From March 14 passengers on Indonesia's Batik Air, part of the Lion Air Group, may not use power banks in flight. Two power banks may be carried on their person and not in overhead cabins.

"Passengers are also advised to exercise caution when carrying auto-magnet charge power banks, as these may pose additional risks," the airline said.

CHINA

China's aviation regulator has said from at least 2014 that passengers should not charge devices using power banks during flight.

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CHINA AIRLINES

Taiwan's China Airlines said from March 1 power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be used or charged during flights. It also recommended that passengers not store power banks in overhead bins.

EVA AIR

Taiwan's EVA Air prohibited charging and using power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights starting on March 1.

It advised that most plane seats are equipped with USB power outlets if passengers need to charge other devices.

MALAYSIA AVIATION GROUP (MAG)

MAG, the parent of Malaysia Airlines, said power banks will be prohibited in overhead compartments from April 1. "During the flight, you may store them in your carry-on bag under the seat, or in the seat pocket in front of you," it said.

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Magnetic wireless power banks must be kept in a separate bag and charging or using of power banks will be prohibited during flights.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SCOOT

Singapore Airlines, including budget airline Scoot, from April 1 has prohibited passengers from using or charging portable power banks during flights.

The airline told Reuters it regularly reviews in-flight procedures and regulations, and safety is the company's top priority.

THAI AIRWAYS

Thai Airways from March 15 prohibited the use and charging of power banks and portable batteries during flights.

VIETJET

Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet said on March 24 that power banks must not be charged or used during flights, and must be taken out of cabin baggage and carried in a way they can be monitored.

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IATA GUIDELINES

Airlines generally follow the lithium battery guidance in the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which state power banks must be carried in cabin baggage, not in checked baggage, and sets limits on the amount and strength of batteries that can be carried.

European airline group Lufthansa said it adheres to IATA guidance, which has not changed.

IATA's head of safety Mark Searle said that investigations into the Air Busan and Hong Kong Airlines incidents have not yet concluded.

"We really need the substantive evidence to be able to ensure whether there is a change to the system that needs an adaption of current standard operating procedures. Or actually it demonstrates that those standard operating procedures are robust and are doing what they're supposed to do," he told Reuters.

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Air India said it constantly reviews policies based on industry events and regulatory recommendations.

"As change from current practice may introduce new risks and there is no clear consensus on the best approach, Air India policy remains unchanged at this juncture," a spokesperson said.

(This story has been refiled to spell out Hong Kong Airlines in paragraph 41)

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; additional reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Ben Blanchard and Abhijith Ganapavaram; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Michael Perry, Jamie Freed, Kate Mayberry and Louise Heavens)
By Maria Martinez

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's lower house of parliament is set to vote on Tuesday on a massive surge in borrowing that could boost Europe's largest economy and stimulate growth across the region, as it faces trade tensions with top partner the United States.

German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz reached an agreement with the Greens on Friday, just days ahead of the vote, and Germany's constitutional court threw out on Monday new challenges by opposition parties against the plans.

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If passed on Tuesday, the parliament's upper house should approve the package on Friday.

This is what you need to know.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Of the promised infrastructure fund spending of 500 billion euros ($543 billion) over 12 years, 100 billion euros will be channelled into the climate and economic transformation fund, as requested by the Greens.

The rest is dedicated to additional infrastructure investments, with 300 billion euros designated for the federal government and 100 billion euros for the state governments.

FISCAL ROOM FOR THE STATES

Apart from the 100 billion euros from the infrastructure fund, each of Germany's 16 federal states will be allowed to run a small structural deficit of 0.35% of their economic output, as the federal government can, giving them an extra 16 billion euros to spend. Until now, states were not allowed to incur any debt.

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DEFENCE SPENDING

A reform of the nation's constitutionally enshrined "debt brake" - which limits public borrowing to 0.35% of gross domestic product - will exempt defence spending above 1% of GDP from the debt rule. The definition of such spending is broad, including civil protection, intelligence and "aid to countries under illegal attack".

UKRAINE SUPPORT

Germany will support Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion with 3 billion euros in military aid, upon its approval in the upper house of parliament. The vote is expected next week.

($1 = 0.9179 euros)

(Reporting by Maria Martinez; Editing by Toby Chopra and Tomasz Janowski)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to support the development of the capital market within its cooperation framework with Azerbaijan, said Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, ADB's Country Director for Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijan Capital Market Participants Association (AFBIA).

A meeting dedicated to the development of the local capital market was held with the participation of Durrani-Jamal, and representatives of the ADB research mission. The meeting also included Farid Akhundov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE), Ruslan Khalilov, Chairman of the Board of BSE, Ogtay Gasimov, Board Member of BSE, and Murad Yahyayev, Executive Director of the AFBIA.

In his presentation, Farid Akhundov covered all the bases regarding the recent capital market development reforms, including the upgrades to the market's infrastructure, the launch of new financial instruments, and the initiatives to entice local investors.

Ruslan Khalilov emphasized the steps taken to increase the liquidity of the capital market and improve trading mechanisms. He stressed the importance of applying international experience and expanding cooperation with foreign investors to increase the markets investment attractiveness.

The need for improving capital market financial literacy was highlighted by Murad Yahyayev, who spoke in depth about the association's efforts in this area. He emphasized that seminars, investor education, and training programs grounded in international expertise will all contribute to the growth of the market.

Sunniya Durrani-Jamal emphasized the significance of bolstering joint efforts to help the local market integrate into the global financial system in the future and said that the ADB is prepared to assist Azerbaijan's capital market development as part of its cooperation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DUBAI (Reuters) - Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose fighters led the offensive that toppled the Assad family dynasty in December, has said he will build an inclusive society in a country with a delicate sectarian and religious mix.

His pledge is being tested by a campaign of killings against Syria's Alawites - the minority sect to which ousted leader Bashar al-Assad belongs - that was triggered by an attack on new government forces by Assad loyalists.

Some Syrians and foreign powers have worried that Sharaa may impose strict Islamic governance or exclude some communities from positions of power in a country with numerous minority groups such as Druze, Kurds, Christians and Alawites.

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Syria kept a central role for Islamic law in a constitutional declaration issued on March 13.

Here is a look at sects and minorities in Syria, which has been destroyed by years of civil war following a 2011 uprising spearheaded by Syria's majority Sunni Muslims against the Alawite leadership.

* ALAWITES

- The small Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, which reveres Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Islam's Prophet Mohammed. Alawites are centred in Syria though there are also communities elsewhere in the Middle East.

- Most Alawites in Syria are poor farmers, coming from the western mountainous region on the Mediterranean.

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- The late Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, became the most powerful Alawite when he seized control of the country in a 1970 coup after rising within the ostensibly secular Baath Party.

- The ruling Assads recruited heavily from the Alawite community for state, security and intelligence posts but many Alawites say they continued to suffer - like other Syrians - from poverty and repression under the rule of father and son.

- Throughout their history, the Alawites have been persecuted. They were conquered by waves of Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans in addition to fighting internecine wars.

* SUNNIS

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- Sunni Muslims are the majority throughout the Islamic world, except in a handful of countries. Nearly all Arab states are ruled by Sunnis, and their leaders have long been suspicious of Assad's friendship with non-Arab, Shi'ite Muslim Iran.

- The elder Assad had crushed Sunni militants, killing at least 10,000 in the city of Hama in 1982 in the bloodiest single incident in modern Arab history.

- The elder Assad nevertheless fostered ties with the Sunni merchant classes of Damascus and Aleppo, Syria's commercial hub, and brought Sunnis into government positions. Some Sunnis say the younger Assad alienated the merchants by favouring the business interests of his Alawite kin.

- In March 2011, demonstrations against Assad's rule swept across Syria, demanding greater freedoms and end to corruption. After the government cracked down, the revolt spiralled into a civil war, pitting rebels mostly from the Sunni majority against Assad's forces backed by Shi'ite militias from across the Middle East.

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- Some Sunni extremists have a hatred for minorities, whom they regard as infidels, as well as for Shi'ite Iran, which backed Assad.

- Assad's government blamed Sunni Arab rulers for fostering the revolt and says enemy fighters include sectarian extremists.

* CHRISTIANS

- Many members of Syria's Christian communities stuck by Assad but said they did so out of fear that Sunni Islamists would trample on minority rights if they took power.

- Other prominent Christian figures joined Syria's opposition.

- The Christians are split into a number of denominations - some of them tiny communities with ancient roots in pre-Islamic Syria. Groups include the Greek Orthodox, Maronites, Syriac Orthodox and Catholics, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Armenian Orthodox and Catholics. There also are a few Protestants.

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DRUZE

- The Druze, an Arab minority who practise a religion originally derived from Islam, live in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, holding a distinctive position in the region's mosaic of faiths and cultures.

- In Syria, they are mostly based in the southern province of Sweida, although other communities live around Damascus and in northern Syria.

- The Druze have a close-knit identity and distinctive monotheistic faith that emerged in the 11th century and incorporates elements from Islam and other philosophies, emphasizing monotheism, reincarnation and the pursuit of truth.

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- They maintain a degree of secrecy around their religious practice.

- Israel has a small Druze community and some Druze also live in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day war.

- Israel has pledged to intervene militarily in Syria if the Druze there face any threats.

(Compiled by Michael Georgy and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
(FOX40.COM) The Fairfield Police Department is asking for the communitys help finding a missing 17-year-old boy.

Police said Heyzell Williams was last seen on February 24, attending class at Armijo High School, walking toward campus with friends around 3:25 p.m.

Video Above: How to report a missing person

He is 57, weighs 115 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes, police said.

Williams was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants.

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Man drives himself to hospital after being shot

Police believe he may have run away from home.

If anyone has information on Williams whereabouts, contact police at (707) 428-7300.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
OBETZ, Ohio (WCMH)  A family is fighting for answers after their pet unexpectedly died and the chance to say goodbye was taken from them.

NBC4 Investigates is uncovering just what lines may have been crossed and how a familys dog was cremated without their consent.

Many people on social media are outraged, and the Obetz family is heartbroken. Their one-year-old dog Sando died in the care of a professional pet sitter who apparently was not honest about what happened, and in a shocking move, the evidence is gone.

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COTA program for residents with disabilities faces criticism for late arrivals, no shows

It was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives; Cherelle and Joel Dublin were getting married.

We cant enjoy our marriage as much as we would like to, the beginning of our marriage, Cherelle Dublin said.

The couple left Sando in the care of an Obetz area professional pet sitter. The day after their wedding, they got a call telling them Sando was dead.

She told me specifically, verbatim, that she took Sando out. She gave him a treat. She noticed that he was in distress, Cherelle Dublin said. She immediately started to do the Heimlich maneuver, that wasnt working. So she rushed him to the emergency animal hospital.

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She called the vet.

Unsolved Ohio: Where is Carla Losey? Columbus woman vanished 23 years ago

She said, Oh, honey, he was brought in on Wednesday. This didnt happen this morning, like I was told, Dublin said. They took a look at him, deceased. There was no sign of choking and that was it.

But now, theres no way to check for sure, because of what the pet sitter did next.

I know accidents happen, but if it was an accident, why are you lying about the dates when this happened? Cherelle Dublin said.

NBC4 Investigates called the vet and confirmed Sando was brought in dead two days before the Dublins were told.

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Cherelle called the pet sitter back.

She says, Im on my way to take him to get cremated, and I said, Absolutely not, Cherelle Dublin said. I said, Youre not taking him nowhere.

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But Sando was cremated at a Worthington funeral home, without the permission of Cherelle or her husband.

Why? Why would you do that to us? Cherelle Dublin said.

We are not naming the pet sitter, her business, or the funeral home because they have not been charged with a crime. However, NBC4 Investigates did look into these businesses.

The pet sitters business has an active license with the state. According to the website Rover, which connects pet owners to care services, she was removed from the app a year and a half ago, though Rover would not tell us why.

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The pet sitter recently deleted her business Facebook page and LinkedIn profile. NBC4 Investigates called and messaged her. She messaged back saying: I have been advised not to speak to it until the investigation is complete.

I told her specifically, you do not have my consent to cremate him without me being there, Cherelle Dublin said.

NBC4 Investigates spoke with two different local pet crematories. They shared that a lot of the process is based on trust but both confirmed the person bringing the pet to be cremated has to confirm they are the owner.

What to know about Fridays lunar eclipse in Ohio, and when to watch it

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Jamie Wright is a lawyer with expertise in Ohio animal law.

It would be up to the owners to accuse her of fraud, Wright said.

NBC4 Investigates went to the Worthington funeral home and emailed, asking how Sando was cremated without his owners consent, and why now they wont release the documents to his legal owners.

Im literally telling you that we are the legal owners and we have documentation of proof that we are the legal owners, Cherelle Dublin said.

The funeral home did not respond to our email and said no comment in person.

Its very typical when someone has failed to comply with the law to not want to turn over the documentation, Wright said.

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I hope that they dont think were ever going to give up. Were never going to give up, Cherelle Dublin said. I dont understand at all, you took my family from me.

The family plans to file civil charges against the pet sitter and funeral home.

With the help of a third party, the Dublin family got Sandos ashes back. They are still fighting for the cremation paperwork.

We are waiting on paperwork, too. The City of Obetz has released its report on the Sando investigation and has found that Obetz does not have the jurisdiction to investigate further; instead, it refers this to Columbus.

The report outlines interviews with the pet sitter, where she at first stated Sando ingested plastic. In a separate interview, she says she may have mentioned plastic by mistake due to being worked up. The veterinary medical records say that the pet sitter told the vet: She just woke up and found the dog like this.

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The mayor of Obetz released a statement on Facebook saying:

The City of Obetz has completed its investigation into the recent concerns regarding the passing of a dog while in the care of a pet sitter. After a thorough review, we have determined that all relevant events surrounding this case occurred outside our jurisdiction. As a result, the appropriate agencies for further investigation are the City of Columbus and the Franklin County Humane Society. To ensure transparency, the full investigative report will be available as a public record this Friday. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy may do so through the proper records request process. For any further inquiries or to report additional concerns, please contact the City of Columbus authorities or the Franklin County Humane Society directly. We appreciate the communitys engagement and trust as we work to uphold public safety and animal welfare.

Columbus Humane records relating to Sando show the pet sitter told them he choked on a treat, and she brought him to the vet immediately. It also says she admitted to waiting until when she thought the wedding was over because she did not want to ruin [Cherelles] wedding.

The vet confirmed to police that Sando was brought in dead and was cold to the touch.

The humane records outline a previous visit to the pet sitters house. A complaint in 2023 was for sanitation and a skinny dog.

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She showed the humane agents her dogs, which the report says looked clean, but told them they would need a warrant to come in and look at the dogs she was boarding.

The documents show that one other person has emailed complaints to Columbus Humane about other dogs that have allegedly died in the pet sitters care.

Columbus Humane said that because there is no evidence of cruelty, the law does not allow them to open an investigation at this time.

An incident report shows the pet sitter did contact Columbus Police, saying she felt threatened by the Dublins, but CPD says there is no investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
SPRINGFIELD  The family of an 11-year-old boy fatally stabbed by the ex-boyfriend of the childs mother has sued the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, alleging the panel was negligent when it released the man from prison despite his history of domestic violence.

The lawsuit was filed with the Illinois Court of Claims almost one year to the day after authorities say Crosetti Brand broke into his ex-girlfriends apartment on Chicagos North Side and attacked her before fatally stabbing her son Jayden Perkins when the boy tried to come to her rescue. Brand, 38, is in custody awaiting trial for murder in the attack on March 13, 2024.

This horrific crime was entirely preventable  had IPRB fulfilled its duty to properly assess Brands parole eligibility, taken into account his history of violence, and imposed adequate restrictions, this tragedy would not have occurred, says the lawsuit, filed Wednesday. Jayden Perkins, just 11 years old, endured an unimaginable and violent death. He was forced to confront the very monster whom the legal system had already identified as a danger. He suffered the terror of an unprovoked, merciless attack, dying from grievous stab wounds that could and should have been prevented had the IPRB fulfilled its duty.

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The case became a political challenge for Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker as his Prisoner Review Board had come under scrutiny a couple years before the attack from state legislative Republicans for authorizing the early release of people convicted of killing police officers, children and committing mass murder.

Two review board members, including the chairman, resigned in light of Jaydens case. The crime also led to the appointment of an executive director for the board and efforts by the legislature to revamp the panels operations.

A spokesperson for the review board declined to comment Friday on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit accuses the board of gross negligence and wanton misconduct, a legal definition referring to actions considered reckless, in its decision to release Brand just prior to Jaydens death.

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Respondent IPRB has a legal duty to the public, including Plaintiffs, to conduct a thorough and competent risk assessment before granting parole to violent offenders, particularly those with an extensive and documented history of domestic violence, aggravated battery, and repeated parole violations, the lawsuit says, alleging that IPRB ignored its own protocols, disregarded critical risk indicators, and knowingly allowed Brand to return to the same community as his previous victims, without implementing necessary parole restrictions or protective measures.

The lawsuit contends that Jaydens family is entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses for the boy, medical expenses incurred by his mother, who was injured during the attack, psychological counseling for the mother and her other young son who witnessed the attack and loss of out-of-pocket expenses directly resulting from IPRBs gross negligence.

Brand was granted mandatory supervised release  Illinois version of parole  in October 2023. He was placed on GPS monitoring and ordered not to contact Jaydens mother as well as another woman he attacked in 2015, according to review board records obtained through an open-records request. The parole release was for the 2015 case in which Brand was originally sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Cook County prosecutors have said Brand sent Jaydens mother a text message on Jan. 30, 2024, threatening her and her family. He then showed up at her apartment two days later. Brand repeatedly rang the doorbell and pulled on the door handle in an apparent attempt to break in, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that action was a direct violation of a protective order Jaydens mother had against Brand.

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She immediately contacted Chicago police to report Brands presence and his violation of the order. But the officers wouldnt formally document the incident and Jaydens mothers concerns were dismissed, according to the lawsuit, which does not name the Chicago Police Department as a defendant.

A parole official later followed up with Brand, who claimed he was merely looking for an apartment, the suit alleges, though Jaydens mother informed the official he had been ringing her doorbell and pulling on the handle to force his way into her apartment. Brand surrendered to authorities on Feb. 2, 2024, and was sent to Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, cited for multiple parole violations, including contacting Jaydens mother while her protective order was still in effect, the suit says.

However, this brief incarceration did not result in any meaningful consequences, as Brand was subsequently released within weeks due to the systemic failures of the IPRB, the lawsuit alleges.

On Feb. 26, 2024, the review board held a hearing at which Brand changed his story and denied visiting Jaydens mothers apartment, the lawsuit says, falsely claiming that GPS monitoring data did not place him there. And without calling Jaydens mother to testify to corroborate her story, the Board accepted his version of events and released him from custody on March 12, 2024  just one day before the attack, according to the suit.

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On March 13 of last year, Brand forced his way into Jaydens mothers apartment and stabbed her multiple times in the back, chest, neck, shoulders and head while Jayden tried to protect her, the suit alleges. The lawsuit says Brand fatally stabbed Jayden while the womans 6-year-old son witnessed the attack.

The IPRBs failure was a direct and substantial factor in this tragedy, as it ignored credible evidence of Brands continued dangerousness, according to the suit.

After the attack, Pritzker said there could be changes to the boards practices. Within days, the review boards chairman, Donald Shelton, and board member LeAnn Miller, who drafted the order authorizing Brands release, resigned.

It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve and I am committed to ensuring additional safeguards and training are in place to prevent tragedies like this from happening again, the governor said last March.

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Since then, Pritzker has appointed an executive director for the review board, James Montgomery, who was formerly mayor of the central Illinois town of Taylorville.

Lawmakers have offered proposals ranging from making more board hearings available to the public via live broadcast to codifying provisions about training for board members - especially in the area of domestic violence - along with changes related to factors to be considered by the panel in deciding whether to grant early release. None of the proposals has passed through the General Assembly.

On Thursday night, about 100 people gathered outside the low-slung brick apartment building in the Edgewater community where Jayden lived with his mom and brother. Jayden was described by friends as a talented dancer, and he had just been chosen to play the lead role of Nemo in his school musical when he was killed.

Many dancers from the Gus Giordano Dance School, where Jayden had been part of a performing troupe, wore their stage makeup and sweats as they clustered around large white lanterns waiting to be lit.

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Dozens of electric candles spelled out Jay and a number 11 on the grass. Earlier that night, the school held a memorial event for Jayden that showcased a newly choreographed dance in his honor, titled Superhero. The piece is hip-hop, his favorite style of dance, and set in part to music by one of his favorite artists, Bruno Mars.

Jaydens parents lit the first lantern, which had a message written on it: Superstar, may your light continue to shine bright. We love you. Other groups  students from Peirce Elementary, from the dance school, friends and family  waited for their turns to light lanterns. Many wore black sweatshirts with Jaydens name printed on them.

Jayden received his first dance scholarship in 2021 and impressed his teachers from his first class, said Amy Giordano, the dance schools executive director.

He just wanted to learn, and the energy and the enthusiasm and the joy just radiated to every person, she said. I envisioned that we would give him every bit of training he needed.

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Hed learn new skills in class and go home to practice, Giordano said. When he came back, he would bring that energy into the room  not Oh, look what I can do, she said. It was like, We can all do this.

Jaydens dance school has started a scholarship program in his honor; Giordano said at least 10 have been awarded so far. The web page for the scholarships reads our superhero.



Kubzansky reported from Chicago.
The family of a homeless woman who suffered fatal injuries in a crash by a drunk driver as she slept in her van is suing the city of San Diego after her body was left undiscovered in an impound lot for over a month.

Monica Cameroni De Adams, 65, was sleeping in her parked van when 25-year-old Jordan Lopez plowed into the vehicle in the early hours of November 5, 2023. The damaged vehicle was later towed  with De Adams body inside.

Her family is convinced she was alive for a time and desperately needed medical attention  not to be towed in her van to an impound lot.

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It wasnt until weeks later that a towing company employee noticed a foul smell coming from the van, and De Adams badly decomposed body was discovered.

The last place you would think to look for a missing person was inside of a car, her familys attorney, John Carpenter told KMFB, apparently sarcastically.

De Adams family has now filed a $50 million claim against the city for failing to find her inside the van at the scene of the crash before towing it away.

According to KMFB, an autopsy report showed De Adams died from blunt force trauma injuries sustained in the crash.

Her family believes she was badly injured and needed medical help following the crash, but was simply hauled to the tow yard instead.

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The injuries, the claim states, were severe but survivable.

Her death was proximately caused by leaving her alone, struggling with her injuries inside of her car, entombing her in her car, taking her car to the tow yard and leaving her there to die, Carpenter said, KMFB reported.

Monica Cameroni De Adams suffered fatal injuries while sleeping in her van when it was struck by a drunk diver in November 2023. Her body wasnt discovered inside her towed vehicle for over a month, prompting her family to file a $50 million lawsuit against the city of San Diego (KMFB/ De Adams family)

De Adams disappearance was first flagged after she did not respond to birthday messages her family sent on November 13, 2023, leading her daughter to file a missing persons report with police.

Just because someone is homeless doesnt mean that they dont have a family that loves them. Things are difficult. Its easy to overlook people who are homeless, but they do have loving families and they do matter. This story exemplifies that, Carpenter said.

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Its incredibly difficult for [the family] to know that their mother passed this way, she added in a statement to McClatchy News. And to find out that their mother died in a car that was locked away like a piece of garbage left there to die by our government, by the city of San Diego.

The Independent has reached out to San Diego officials for comment on the lawsuit.

Lopez, was arrested at the scene of the crash with a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit. According to court records obtained by KMFB, he was charged with vehicular manslaughter. He later agreed to a plea deal on a charge of driving under the influence causing bodily injury.

He is due to be sentenced on March 19, and faces up to six years in prison.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department issued a material witness warrant for the owner of a minivan that was involved in a deadly hit an run accident in October 2024.

42-year-old Justin Romaine was killed in the accident and two others were injured.

Romaines sister, Emily Romaine, said she hopes the owner of the vehicle comes forward.

I just want him to come forward. I just want him to do the right thing. Like I said, if he did do it, just admit it. Own up to it. You know, he killed my brother. And thats not okay. So that left a hole in my heart. And my daughter doesnt get to grow up with her uncle now, Romaine said.

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Father, son arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a minor in Dallas County

Romaine said her brother was getting his life on track when he was killed.

I just never thought this would happen to me or my family, especially my brother. He was on the right path to getting sober and, you know, trying to find a job and just doing the right thing and that was taken from him and he was taken from us. And thats not fair. I, I miss my brother terribly, Romaine said.

Renato Virves

The Des Moines Police Department is looking for 32-year-old Renato Virves, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek.

Police said Virves was the owner of the van involved in the hit-and-run crash in the 800 block of Army Post Road on October 9, 2024. The eastbound van hit three pedestrians who were crossing the street to the south.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  After half of the 10 arrested for their role in the murder of a Rogers man, a Northwest Arkansas police department says youth violence is unfortunately becoming more common to see.

Five juveniles have been arrested for the alleged murder of Andres Fonseca, so KNWA/FOX24 reached out to one police department in our area to find out if crime among the youth is a growing trend.

Sgt. Stephen Mauk with Fayetteville Police Department says it isnt a problem thats unique to Northwest Arkansas, but itll take a community effort to combat it.

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10 people facing charges in connection with Rogers shooting death, 9 accused of capital murder

He says programs through the police department play a huge role, including school resource officers who prevent a lot of incidents from even taking place

When you see something that doesnt seem right, its much better to report that and have it be nothing, then not report it and it be something, Mauk said. Weve had a number of successful situations and were resolved before it turned violent. We were able to interdict a child who was bringing firearms to school.

Because of situations like that, Mauk says its extremely important to alert the proper authorities, and their number one goal is to always try and help the juvenile get back on the right path.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Law enforcement officials with the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an MS-13 gang member at Harry Reid International Airport on Friday.

A photo the FBI provided shows law enforcement walking the person out of a jetbridge from an arriving flight from New York.

This arrest emphasizes the vital importance of teamwork in safeguarding our community, FBI Las Vegas posted on X.

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The mans name was not provided nor had prosecutors filed a case against him in federal court as of Friday afternoon.

A photo the FBI provided shows law enforcement walking the person out of a jet bridge from an arriving flight from New York. (FBI Las Vegas)

MS-13 is a violent drug gang that was organized in Los Angeles in the 1980s and later spread to Central America, according to the federal government.

Over the second Trump administrations first 50 days, ICE arrested nearly 33,000 undocumented immigrants, including 75% accused of or convicted of a crime, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday. However, the department could not provide a specific number of arrests in southern Nevada when asked Thursday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a significant increase in funding for the real sector of the economy at the IV session of the National Kurultai (Congress), Trend reports.

"This year, funding for the real sector of the economy is planned to be increased almost twofold, to 8 trillion tenge ($16 billion). In the following years, the government will aim to raise funding for the real sector to 10 trillion tenge ($20 billion)," Tokayev said.

According to the president, this will be an unprecedented measure of support for businesses in the country and will help create new economic growth points in the regions, as well as eliminate existing imbalances in regional development. The president underscored that such steps are necessary to ensure the stability of the economy and stimulate the growth of the private sector.



Moreover, President Tokayev noted the implementation of large infrastructure projects, such as the launch of the gas processing plant at Kashagan, the construction of new main gas pipelines, and the modernization of energy infrastructure, which will also contribute to the development of the economy and improve the quality of life for the population.



The IV meeting of the National Kurultai (congress) with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is being held today in Kazakhstan's Burabay. The event is attended by speakers of the Majilis and Senate, members of the government, deputies, and members of the National Commission.



Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The FBI is investigating after a Bayer pharmaceutical executives New Jersey home caught fire earlier this month in a suspected arson attack.

No one was injured in the March 4 incident, though the home was occupied at the time, according to the Morris County Prosecutors Office.

The prosecutors office said the fire, which was reported around 7:30 a.m., was quickly extinguished by the Madison Fire Department and the structure sustained no significant damage.

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In addition to the FBI, the Morris County Prosecutors Office Arson/Environmental Crimes Unit, Madison Police, Morris County Sheriffs Office CSI Unit, New Jersey State Fire Marshals Office K-9 Unit, NJ Transit Police, MTA Police Department and New York Police Department are aiding the investigation.

Bayer confirmed the incident in a statement to CNN and said it would cooperate fully with the investigation.

The family is safe and unharmed, Bayer said. The safety and security of our employees are of utmost importance to Bayer. The incident is under active investigation.

We appreciate the quick response of local law enforcement.

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The incident comes three months after a man gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen New York City attack, setting off fears of copycat attacks elsewhere.

Those fears are justified, according to a Homeland Security report obtained by ABC News, which noted an increase in online threats targeting high-profile executives after Thompsons murder.

Related...
(WBRE/WYOU) Scammers are at it again hoping local turnpike drivers will get fooled into sending money to pay a toll debt. Experts say if you get that kind of text, dont fall for it.

Text messages like these ones have been popping up on peoples phones all throughout our area.

The FBI warns people about the sketchy text messages that are only trying to trick you.

Woman charged with pandemic fraud to benefit inmates

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I spoke with a Luzerne County woman who says she has gotten plenty of the phony scam texts, but took action immediately.

Gina Traver, of Sweet Valley, gets lots of phone messages a day, but some are not like the others.

Its nonstop. 20-25 an hour all hours of the day, voiced Traver.

The texts are threatening Your toll account balance is outstanding, Pay your fast track lane tolls by February 7, 2025 to avoid a fine and keep your license, if you fail to pay you will face penalties or legal action.

And traver isnt the only one who got them.

Employees at 28/22 News also received the threatening texts.

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Strange thing is, Traver doesnt even use the turnpike.

I dont leave the area so I know I dont have any tolls, explained Traver.

Traver says she has not opened the toll text messages shes received.

She deleted them instantly and the FBI is encouraging anyone who gets one to do the same and to not respond.

Im right here in the valley and Im getting them. Nobody has an idea where they are coming from or how they are getting our information, stated Traver.

According to the Associated Press, the texts are impersonating state road toll collection agencies to get people to give out their financial information.

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Its a form of phishing that relies on SMS texts to trick people into sharing their info.

I have them where they come through that they are going to discontinue my EZ pass. I dont have an EZ pass, explained Traver.

In Pennsylvania, drivers who travel the turnpike no longer stop at toll points.

An invoice with the travel information is mailed to the vehicles registered owner or theres the option of owning an EZ pass which discounts the toll charge.

So how do you pay your toll charges? By heading to the Pennsylvania Turnpike website.

Theres an option to pay by plate invoice, download the app, or register online.

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Its crazy. Its really crazy. Hopefully people see theres more being done about it because its really happening to local people, added Traver.

The FBI says those who receive the scams file a complaint with its IC3 internet crime complaint center and to delete the texts.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. health officials are tracking a rise in injuries tied to the misuse of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, including some brands that are sold in small canisters containing flavors like blueberry, strawberry and watermelon.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned consumers that inhaling the gas for its euphoric effects can cause dangerously low blood pressure, leading to loss of consciousness and injuries. The agency flagged a number products sold in colorful packaging at gas stations, vape shops and online including Cosmic Gas, Galaxy Gas and MassGass.

Nitrous gas is traditionally used as a sedative for patients in dental offices and hospitals. It's also found in pressurized cans of whipped cream. But teens and adults have long misused those products to get high. The gas can briefly disrupt oxygen flow to the brain.

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Companies selling the products cited by regulators advertise them for culinary use only and often include disclaimers on their websites warning against inhaling. But videos of young people using the products recreationally have circulated on social media platforms for years.

The FDA said it has seen an increase in reports of adverse events with nitrous products. And poison control centers have also reported emergency calls from people who had to be rushed to the hospital after collapsing while misusing the products.

There are no federal limits on who can purchase nitrous oxide, although some states have passed minimum age requirements. The FDA regulates the gas as a medical product when used by doctors and dentists, although it's unclear how much oversight it would have of products marketed for culinary use.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
By Maria Tsvetkova and Andrew Goudsward

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it was looking into what it said were possible violations of terrorism laws during protests over the Gaza war at Columbia University, putting fresh pressure on the epicenter of last year's nationwide anti-Israel activism.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation was part of President Donald Trump's "mission to end antisemitism in this country," calling it a pushback that was "long overdue."

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Civil rights proponents criticized the move, saying that protesters were covered by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which protects rights including free speech.

The announcement is the latest in a series of signals that the Trump administration has no intention of easing its crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activists and university policies that it says allow antisemitism to flourish on campus.

The Trump administration has told Columbia that the school must make a series of policy changes as a precondition for beginning talks on restoring $400 million in federal funding suspended last week.

The demands, spelled out in a letter dated Thursday, coincided with a search of two dormitory rooms by federal agents at Columbia's New York campus. The searches came a week after immigration agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, the leader of last year's protests at Columbia, in a bid to deport him that so far has been blocked in federal court.

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Earlier this week, the Department of Education warned that it was investigating 60 schools for allegedly tolerating a hostile environment for Jews. In a related move, it said on Friday it was looking into complaints that 45 universities engaged with a diversity program that set eligibility based on race. It said such activities violated a 1964 civil rights law.

DORM SEARCHES

The campus demonstrations that precipitated the federal scrutiny began after the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, and the subsequent U.S.-supported Israeli assault on Gaza, the Palestinian enclave controlled by Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group. Protesters demanded that university endowments divest from Israeli interests and that the U.S. end military assistance to Israel.

The Trump administration has accused Columbia of an inadequate response to the weeks-long encampment that activists set up on campus and to a brief occupation of a campus building.

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The university has defended itself, saying it has worked to combat antisemitism. At the same time, it has sought to fend off accusations by civil rights groups that it is letting the government erode academia's free speech protections.

Brian Hauss, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union and part of Khalil's legal team, said the Justice Department probe was misguided.

"The First Amendment does not allow for grounds to conflate between being pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas," he said at a briefing.

Agents from the Department of Homeland Security conducted the dorm searches after serving Columbia with warrants signed by a federal magistrate, interim president Katrina Armstrong said in a statement. No one was detained, no items were removed, and no further action was taken, she said.

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Blanche said the searches were part of a probe into whether Columbia University harbored immigrants on its campus who were in the country illegally.

Students say federal immigration agents have been repeatedly spotted at dorms and student housing around Columbia's Manhattan campus.

Among the demands in Thursday's letter to the school, the Trump administration said Columbia must formally define antisemitism, ban the wearing of masks "intended to conceal identity or intimidate," and place its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies departments under "academic receivership," which would take control out of the hands of their faculties.

It also demanded that the school reform its admissions and international recruiting policies in compliance with federal law, but offered no specifics.

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Columbia said it was reviewing the letter. "We are committed at all times to advancing our mission, supporting our students, and addressing all forms of discrimination and hatred on our campus," it said in a statement.

This week, it said it had meted out a range of punishments - including suspensions, expulsions and the revocation of degrees - to students who occupied the building last spring. It did not name the students or say how many were disciplined.

As hundreds of Khalil's supporters demonstrated at Columbia's main gate on Friday, a graduate student passing by who asked to be identified only by his first name, Demetri, said the mood on campus was depressing.

"The federal government can't be dictating what and whom it does and doesn't teach, like who can and cannot be admitted," he said.

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(This story has been refiled to add byline)

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova and Andrew Goudsward, additional reporting by Jonathan Allen and Luc Cohen in New York and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Writing by Frank McGurty; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Rosalba O'Brien)
NEW YORK (AP)  A video released Friday shows the moment federal immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student whose detention alarmed free-speech advocates.

The clip begins with at least three agents confronting Khalil in the lobby of his apartment building near the Columbia campus Saturday night. The agents inform him that he is going to be under arrest," then order him to turn around and stop resisting.

Theres no need for this, Khalil replies calmly as they place him in handcuffs. Im going with you. No worries.

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As his wife, Noor Abdalla, cries out in protest, asking in Arabic: My love, how can I call you? Khalil assures her that he will be fine and instructs her to call his lawyer.

Abdalla, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, then asks the agents to identify themselves. We dont give our names, one replies.

The video was released by Khalils attorneys the same day the Justice Department announced it was investigating whether the university concealed illegal aliens on its campus.

Khalil is a lawful U.S. resident with no criminal history. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he revoked Khalil's permission to be in the U.S. because of his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, saying they had riled up anti-Jewish sentiment and amounted to support for Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

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President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has warned that the attempted deportation will be the first of many of people who joined protests against Israels military action in Gaza

Federal officials announced Friday that they had arrested another woman tied to protests outside Columbia University and revoked the visa of a Columbia University doctoral student, who then left the country.

Khalil's wife, Abdalla, described his arrest as the most terrifying moment of my life in a statement accompanying the video. She said the arrest happened as the couple were returning home from an Iftar celebration.

They threatened to take me too," she said.

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The arrests have triggered fear among international students at Columbia and been condemned by free speech groups, which accuse the Trump administration of seeking to criminalize political dissent.

Khalils lawyers have challenged his detention in court.

In court documents, they described how he was rushed from New York to Louisiana last weekend after his arrest.

The experience reminded Khalil of when he left Syria, where he was born, shortly after the forced disappearance of his friends there during a period of arbitrary detention in 2013, the lawyers wrote.

According to the lawsuit, federal agents denied Khalil's request to speak to a lawyer. When he was taken to a federal office building in lower Manhattan, Khalil saw an agent approach another agent and say, the White House is requesting an update, the lawyers wrote.

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At some point early Sunday, Khalil was taken, handcuffed and shackled, to a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he spent the night in a cold waiting room. His request for a blanket was denied, the lawsuit said.

Then he was sent back to New York by van.

At 2:45 p.m. Sunday, he was put on an American Airlines flight from to Dallas, where he was placed on a second flight to Alexandria, Louisiana, arriving at 1 a.m. Monday.

Khalil is now being held in an isolated, low-slung ICE detention complex ringed by two rows of tall, barbed wire fences and surrounded by the endless pine forests. The complex, with a capacity of 1,160, is outside the small town of Jena, roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Baton Rouge.

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He now worries about his pregnant wife and is also very concerned about missing the birth of his first child, the lawsuit said.

In April, Khalil was to begin a job and receive health benefits that the couple was counting on, it added.

It is very important to Mr. Khalil to be able to continue his protected political speech, advocating and protesting for the rights of Palestinians  both domestically and abroad, the lawsuit said.
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A federal appeals court ruled against the city of North Myrtle Beach this week in a lawsuit filed by a local bar owner who challenged a controversial noise ordinance adopted in 2021.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals deemed the citys restrictions on vulgar and obscene language unconstitutional, agreeing with the owners of the Sky Bar, who claimed the ordinance violated the First Amendment by singling out a specific type of music.

The court said in its ruling that the city can impose noise restrictions but it has to be done in an evenhanded, content-neutral manner.

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Restrictions cannot single out a subset of constitutionally protected speech for special disfavored treatment in public spaces because some (or even most) citizens would prefer not to hear it, the ruling said. [The] fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it.

A city spokesperson told News13 in a statement on Friday that the city acknowledges the Courts decision.

Specifically, the Court found that the ordinances restriction on vulgar language was unconstitutional because it limited speech that is protected under the First Amendment, the statement said. The Courts prior ruling in favor of the City in its restriction of obscene language remains intact and was not affected by this ruling.

The statement said the city will review the ruling to determine how to move forward.

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Our primary objective remains ensuring a balanced approach that respects constitutional rights while maintaining the quality of life for our residents and visitors. At this time, our legal team is assessing the implications of the decision, and we will proceed accordingly.

The ACLU of South Carolina weighed in on the decision in a news release on Friday.

Now more than ever, it is critical to protect our First Amendment freedoms, ACLU staff attorney Meredith McPhail said. As we face increasing censorship and authoritarianism, this ruling reinforces the foundational American principle that the government cant use the threat of jail to silence speech that it doesnt like. Thats important not only for residents of North Myrtle Beach but for all South Carolinians.

* * *

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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In April, Karen Read will still go on trial for murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe.

According to a court filing obtained by Boston 25 News, a U.S. District Court refused to dismiss her second-degree murder charge Thursday night.

Reads attorney argued double jeopardy, saying jurors in the deadlocked first trial told Reads defense team they were never going to convict her on that murder charge.

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The federal court didnt agree with the argument, writing that, In short, any jury vote here was not final, as required by Blueford.

They also denied a request to dismiss the charge of leaving the scene of a deadly crash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency have frozen funds used to keep Tri-Cities families from losing their place to live.

The United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties said Thursday that their access to funding for the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program has been shut off.

Since 2020 FEMA has allocated more than $1.4 million through the United Way to help Tri-Cities families with food and to stay in their homes or find a new place to live, according to a news release.

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The nonprofit currently has $143,706 in funding for 28 grant requests frozen, leading to an immediate impact for these organizations. Without access to this money, the loss of funding will affect food banks, after-school meal programs, housing assistance efforts and programs to help Tri-Citians meet other basic needs.

In the past year the program has provided $5.4 million dollars in funding across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Community Impact Director Asta Bonheyo told the Tri-City Herald that the program helped more than 44,000 families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Way takes applications for grant funding from local nonprofits and then makes funding requests from FEMA. Their last request, made in January, still has not been disbursed.

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Bonheyo said the loss of that funding means smaller food banks that meet people where they are wont be able to help as many families, local agencies that provide rental assistance wont be able to do so and eviction prevention programs might not have the money to help keep families from losing their housing.

Its a really important program for our community, it helps a lot of people, she said.

United Way is asking community members to urge members of Congress to restore EFSP funding and protect critical services for community members in need.

Theyve created a Call to Action form to contact Washington lawmakers.

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Donations to the organization can also be made on their website.

The EFSP funding is just part of United Ways grant programs helping Tri-Cities families.

Some of the other community organizations that the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties provided grants to recently, include:
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  State leaders are giving their take on cuts being made at the U.S. Department of Education.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said some programs have already been terminated. One of those programs, the Farm to School Program, brings locally grown veggies to cafeterias.

Dr. Mackey said he has concerns about those cuts. He said his team couldnt reach the U.S. Department of Education yesterday. As Dr. Mackey explained, the department cited staffing issues as the reasoning. Communication has since been restored, and he said its been resolved. However, there are concerns.

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Were gonna do our work, said Dr. Mackey. Of course, I certainly believe that its the state government that has the most responsibility for education. And we know that. And, we take that very seriously. And were gonna continue to serve our students. No matter what happens in Washington.

Jefferson County EMA encourages planning ahead for severe weather conditions

Mackey assured teachers and parents there wont be disruptions.

Yesterday, a little bit of money that was used to reimburse some teacher salaries was held up. No teacher in this state is even gonna know whether that money was directed at their salary or someone elses salary, said Dr. Mackey. So, thats gonna be covered. Teachers dont need to worry about anything.

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Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said she is all for shrinking government.

Truth be known, every state has an education department. And I know weve got a good one in the State Board of Education and local boards that can handle education very well, she said. So, Im gonna trust President Trump on this one.

Despite the concerns, Dr. Mackey said he is excited about states having more freedom.

Maybe this will be the time they can really think about what would some innovation look like, and what would some flexibility look like,' he said. It wouldnt necessarily apply to whole states. It might apply to districts to say, can a district do this, or do that? And try something different.

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Dr. Mackey said about 10% of school funding for the state comes from Washington. Even with the cuts, he said he is optimistic about what it could mean for the future of education in our state.

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NC nonprofits providing services to homeless residents worry that an interruption in federal funding will impact their ability to provide help. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline)

Dr. Latonya Agard (Photo: Screenshot from Google interview)

A funny thing happened this week to Dr. Latonya Agard, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness (NCCEH), as she and more than 100 nonprofit leaders who serve people experiencing homelessness gathered on a Zoom call to share concerns with congressional aides about a funding freeze at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Early in the call, which took place Wednesday, Agard received a message alerting her that the HUD funding agreement shed been anxiously awaiting had actually been processed.

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Agard shared her good news with NC Newsline in an email.

I wanted to let you know that we just received a message from the HUD Field Office in Greensboro that our funding agreement is being processed and should be ready for signing by COB [close of business] today, Agard wrote.

A last minute reprieve

This graphic shows North Carolinas 12 Continuums of Care. (Photo: Screen Shot from Zoom meeting)

In an interview with NC Newsline ahead of the call, Agard was worried that NCCEH would have to lay off several staffers if a nearly $1 million HUD planning grant awarded to the organization remained frozen or was eliminated. The NCCEH provides technical assistance to nonprofits that deliver direct services to people experiencing homelessness. It helps them, for example, prepare funding applications to submit to HUD.

We are facing layoffs of four of our staff, which is incredibly difficult, Agard said before learning about the HUD award. Those four staff members work directly with our [NC] Balance of State partners and that [the freeze] diminishes our capacity even more. We will only have three staff members dedicated to this work to cover 79 counties.

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Several nonprofits that provide direct services to people experiencing homelessness also shared that their organizations were notified this week that funding had been restored.

Kerry Bashaw, executive director of Brick Capital, a Sanford-based nonprofit, said his organization received a HUD award letter Tuesday to continue a permanent supportive housing program for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

Brick Capital received the grant under the Biden administration, he said. It would have ended March 31 had it not been renewed. Brick Capital is still concerned, however, that it wont be able to access the award in time to pay rent subsidies next month.

Thats definitely a big relief, Bashaw said. Its been touch and go for the past month, month-and-a half. Now, its not a matter of if, which is nice. Now, its a matter of when. Will we be able to get our renewed funds by the end of this month so that we can help with the rental subsidies that are due for April?

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Brick Capital also relies on federal funding to develop housing and to provide homebuying opportunities and counseling for low-income families.

Ninety percent of Brick Capitals funding comes from federal sources, Bashaw said.

Its crucial for that to continue for us to continue to serve the families that we do, Bashaw said. We cant help those who are homeless, who need a hand up and help break the cycle of homelessness without HUD funding.

Brick Capital is part of the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care to which Agard referred. It was created in 2005 to help rural communities secure HUD funding. The funding supports homeless populations with permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing and supportive services. A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a collaborative effort for planning and funding homeless services. There are 11 smaller Continuums of Care throughout the state.

A plea for relief

Wednesdays meeting with congressional aides was called to give local leaders from the 12 Continuums of Care a chance to show congressional leaders the impact funding cuts and freezes will have on the people they represent.

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Agards and Bashaws stories and others shared by nonprofits during the Zoom session show the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the Trump administrations haphazard approach to cutting costs in the name of improving efficiency.

Through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, President Donald Trump has ordered massive layoffs, funding freezes and budget cuts. On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees fired from a half dozen federal agencies. The judge said the justification for the firings had been a sham.

Like many nonprofits across the country that depend on federal grant dollars, NCCEH and Brick Capital received an email in late January notifying the organizations that their HUD grants had been frozen. The email provided no guidance about when or if the grants would be restored.

Debra Susie (Photo: Screenshot from Zoom meeting)

With this came an abrupt absence of guidance from HUD and no technical assistance to help us understand how we were to proceed, said Debra Susie, a project specialist with NCCEH who moderated the Zoom call.

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A website where nonprofit organizations accessed approved funds to reimburse expenses such as payroll and rent to landlords went offline with no guidance of when the portal would come back up, Susie said.

The nonprofits immediately began contacting congressional representatives. Trumps executive order freezing funding was rescinded but the funding hasnt been restored as quickly as it was frozen.

Here we are, six weeks later to the day with grant delays and the continued confusion and uncertainty that generates among our local governments and organizations, Susie said. These agencies use those resources to effectively implement data-driven strategies to address homelessness across your congressional districts.

Making a tough time tougher

The chaos caused by the funding freeze could not have come at a worse time for organizations that provide services to people experiencing homelessness, Susie said.

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All of this comes at a time when that data reveals in the most recent years that two out of three North Carolinians experiencing homelessness are in it for the first time, Susie said.

HUDs most recent Point-in-Time (PIT) count found 11,626 individuals experiencing homelessness across the state. Thats an increase of 19% over the 2023 count. North Carolinas (PIT) count closely mirrored the nations count. The nation saw an 18% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, Agard said few nonprofits that provide services to people experiencing homelessness could have imagined how chaotic and anxiety-laden the new year would be in Trumps second term.

I really assumed it would be a fight to resume or increase funding levels, Agard said. I did not assume it meant, perhaps funding drying up or funding cycles being interrupted so that there is so much uncertainty in our system right now.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Azerbaijan took important steps towards implementing the Paris Agreement during COP29, former Prime Minister of the UK and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson said, Trend reports.

He made the remark in a video address during a panel discussion on the topic "COP29: Breakthrough to Belem  Accelerating Transformation" at the XII Global Baku Forum.

Johnson congratulated the Nizami Ganjavi International Center on the successful organization of the forum, which brought together world leaders and hundreds of top politicians and lawmakers.

He emphasized that it is crucial to stand with those fighting for democracy while continuing to focus on global issues, including environmental protection and emissions reduction.

"In the UK, we chaired COP26, where we successfully adopted the Glasgow Climate Agreement, leading to commitments from 90 percent of countries to reduce emissions through nationally determined contributions," Johnson said.

He also highlighted achievements at COP26, such as the Global Methane Pledge aimed at reducing methane emissions, which are significantly more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide. Johnson stressed that companies like SOCAR in Azerbaijan played a crucial role in these discussions.

"Regardless of political affiliation or country, everyone agrees that reducing emissions not only protects the planet but also helps create jobs, investments, and economic growth," he said.

The official pointed out that creating new sources of energy helps ensure energy security and protects against fluctuations in energy prices.

"I have always been a proponent of all countries reducing their emissions while seeing economic benefits from this," Johnson added.

He shared that he leads the organization Better Earth, which works with governments and international companies to address the issue of emissions reduction and benefit from this process.

Johnson also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between his colleagues at Better Earth and SOCAR, along with other companies, and emphasized the importance of accelerating the use of sustainable fuels and implementing projects for clean air.

"Better Earth is ready to continue its work and collaborate with any government or organization to find solutions and take joint actions," he concluded.

The XII Global Baku Forum is scheduled to take place from March 13 to 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions will focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum is expected to bring together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Salmon drying in Quinhagak, Alaska, in July 2023. (Photo by Alice Bailey/University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Federal fisheries managers did not mishandle trawl fishing rules amid Alaskas ongoing salmon subsistence crisis, a federal judge in Anchorage has ruled.

In a 45-page order published Tuesday, Judge Sharon Gleason ruled against the Association of Village Council Presidents and the Tanana Chiefs Conference, which sued the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2023 over its management of Bering Sea trawl fisheries in the years since a marine heat wave.

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This suit arises from the apparent tension between federal defendants management of the fishery and the needs of Alaskan communities in times of significant change in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region, Gleason wrote.

The warming event harmed salmon and contributed to the ongoing shortage of fish in Alaskas inland rivers. The two tribal groups argued in court that NMFS should have conducted a new environmental impact statement  the bedrock analysis behind federal fisheries decisions  before setting annual catch limits for the Bering Seas lucrative pollock and cod fisheries.

A new environmental impact statement could have resulted in additional restrictions on trawlers that occasionally catch salmon while pursuing pollock and cod, a process known as bycatch.

Salmon are critical for life in the predominantly Alaska Native communities along Alaskas rural rivers, while trawl industry experts argue that their ships catch relatively few salmon, many of which arent destined for Alaska rivers.

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Salmon, in particular, provide a crucial source of food and culture, Gleason wrote. As changes to the marine ecosystem in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands region have depleted salmon stocks, salmon bycatch in the groundfish fishery has further diminished stocks and escapement, which is the number of salmon that escape fisheries in the ocean and survive to return to freshwater streams to spawn.

But while Gleason acknowledged the tribal groups need for salmon, she found that federal managers annual scientific updates, known as Supplementary Information Reports, or SIRs, adequately updated the situation and allowed managers to make reasoned decisions on fisheries.

Plaintiffs had to prove that fisheries managers acted in an arbitrary and capricious way in order to overturn their actions as a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Plaintiffs didnt do that, Gleason concluded.

By reviewing up-to-date information and considering whether the information indicated a substantial change  NMFS considered whether supplementation was necessary and articulated its conclusion that it was not, as NEPA requires. Its harvest specifications decisions are therefore not arbitrary and capricious on this basis, she wrote.

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Gleason later added, regarding the fishery services handling of updated information and the environmental impact statement, NMFSs conclusion  that the information is not of a scale or scope to place it outside what was considered in the Harvest Specifications EIS  is inherently a factual determination that NMFS makes based on its expertise.

Plaintiffs, represented by the environmental law firm Earthjustice, could appeal Gleasons decision but did not immediately say whether they would.

In a written statement, they said they were disappointed by the decision.

The lack of salmon in our region has become a humanitarian crisis, the likes of which we have never before experienced. Despite this setback, we will continue to fight with all available tools and use all avenues to end the salmon crisis, said AVCP CEO Vivian Korthuis.

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Tanana Chiefs Conference Chairman Brian Ridley said that even in defeat, the case provided arguments to use in front of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which sets harvest limits.

We must correct how NMFS manages the natural resources it is responsible for protecting  because if they dont believe climate change is the cause (of salmon declines), then that leaves only poor management decisions and bycatch as the obvious answers, he said.

An official for the U.S. Justice Department, which represented NMFS in court, declined comment on the ruling.

The At-Sea Processors Association and United Catcher Boats, two industry groups that sided with the federal government during the lawsuit, issued a statement commending Gleasons decision.

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This decision underscores the complexities of fisheries management and the critical need for science-driven decision-making, said Andrea Keikkala, executive director of UCB. Our fleet operates under strict federal guidelines, including 100% coverage by federal fisheries observers in the pollock fishery, and we remain committed to working with regulators, scientists, and stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.

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Above: Nexstar Media Wire video on what DOGE is.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Multiple federal offices in and around San Diego County could lose their tenancy as early as this summer as part of a muddled push by Elon Musks cost-cutting team to terminate hundreds of government leases they believe waste money.

San Diego offices within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, and International Trade Administration are listed on the Department of Government Efficiencys website among the leases it plans to cancel, as well as the Internal Revenue Services taxpayer assistance centers in San Marcos and El Centro in neighboring Imperial County.

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A Social Security Administration location in Carlsbad is also listed on the website, although no such branch exists  the closest is the Oceanside outpost, located on the Carlsbad-Oceanside city line.

UCSD among 60 universities threatened with federal funding cuts

As the Associated Press reported, a planning document from the General Services Administration, which oversees the federal governments real estate, lists the IRS branch lease is expected to be terminated by Aug. 31, while the FDA branch lease could be canceled by Dec. 31.

Outside the planning document, what will happen to the impacted federal offices in the San Diego area listed on DOGEs website is unknown at this time.

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The lease terminations do not necessarily mean the locations will close permanently, as some federal agencies are reportedly looking to renegotiate their current lease, downsize their space or move to a new one.

A spokesperson for the General Services Administration did not provide any details specific to the San Diego-area leases, but said it is reviewing all options to optimize our footprint and building utilization.

This includes terminating soft term leases and working with the public-facing agencies to find a suitable alternative space.

The push by DOGE to restrict the physical footprint of the federal government has been a central strategy of the team to hit Musks goal of slashing its budget by $1 trillion. More than 700 offices across a number of federal agencies are included in these efforts.

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Traumatic times: Retired San Diego EPA employee discusses federal cuts

Yet the generated savings listed by the department, roughly $500 million, represent just a drop in the bucket towards this target  about 0.05%. It also does not account for additional costs taxpayers could foot to move or close federal branches.

According to DOGEs estimates, which have not been verified by FOX 5/KUSI, San Diego-area leases up for cancellation account for $2,030,750 in annual spending.

However, DOGE says only four of the six will result in savings over the remainder of the leases terms, totaling $2,476,027. The majority of this purported savings stems from the two IRS branches up for lease cancellation.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
WASHINGTON  Two judges ruled Thursday that President Donald Trumps administration needs to reinstate thousands of federal workers it fired across dozens of agencies, a significant blow to its efforts to cut the size of the government.

But for those people who lost their jobs, theres still a significant way to go before it all becomes real.

The people who committed these violations are still in power, and I have little to no faith in their ability to observe the rule of law, said Frank Zhu, who was fired from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Chicago on Feb. 14. Sorry if Im sounding very pessimistic or like Eeyore, but I dont feel like anything has fundamentally changed.

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Zhu was one of the many probationary workers cut by the Trump administration over the past month. The term applies to people who are newly employed by the federal government or recently switched jobs or agencies. They typically have less than two years of service in that position, and they lack full civil service protections, making it easier to fire them.

Frank Zhu.

Other recently fired federal workers who spoke to NBC News felt similarly  that theres so much uncertainty about whether theyll get their jobs back, especially because the legal developments arent over.

On Thursday, a federal judge in California ordered that thousands of probationary employees who were fired from the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, the Interior, Agriculture and the Treasury must get their jobs back. In a separate and more wide-ranging ruling later in the day, a federal judge in Maryland ordered the temporary reinstatement of tens of thousands of fired probationary employees across 12 departments and several agencies across the federal government.

Nathan Teich had worked as an ecologist for the Bureau of Land Management for six months. His termination forced him to scramble to change child care, and he quickly became a stay-at-home dad for his two young children. He said Friday that while his future is uncertain, he at least feels validated that his termination last month was illegal.

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I would love to have my job back. And, you know, my career as an ecologist and as a public servant was just getting started, he said. Its a lot of uncertainty, and Im trying to balance the things that are right for my career and my family, and its really hard to do that when the landscape keeps changing under my feet.

The administration had said in workers termination notices that they were being fired for performance reasons, despite many saying they had received nothing but stellar reviews. The judges on Thursday made clear that the governments justification for eliminating them was a lie.

It is sad, a sad day when our government would fire some good employee, and say it was based on performance, when they know good and well, thats a lie, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of California wrote in his order.

On Friday, there was no indication from federal agencies that they would immediately comply with the court decisions. The White House signaled that the administration is in no rush to re-employ these workers.

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A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch  singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the Presidents agenda. If a federal district court judge would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves. The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order.

The Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the civil service, had no comment and pointed to Leavitts statement.

More large-scale layoffs may be on their way, as the administration has told agencies to prepare for major reduction-in-force plans to cut staff.

One federal worker fired last month from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said the new court rulings are encouraging, but its still not clear what will come of them.

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Its quite honestly meaningless to people who are still in this situation, because I havent heard anything from my supervisor if Im coming back or not, the person said.

Even if I got an email right now saying youre reinstated  yesterday was the deadline for the reduction-in-force plans, the worker said, referring to the guidance sent to federal agencies last month. Who knows how those will play out? I know Monday is the start of return to office for pretty much everyone else.  Its hard for me to know what to care about or what to have faith in.

Trump touted the Department of Government Efficiencys work in his speech to Congress this month and claimed, without evidence, that hundreds of thousands of federal workers  have not been showing up to work.

This week, Trump said he felt very badly for the thousands of civil servants who have lost their jobs in recent weeks but claimed  once again without proof  that many of them dont work at all.

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When we cut, we want to cut, but we want to cut the people that arent working or ... not doing a good job, he said.

Some probationary employees are receiving other positive signs they could get their jobs back. Probationary workers at the Department of Agriculture began receiving back pay Wednesday from their date of termination after the Merit Systems Protection Board issued a 45-day stay on their firing.

The Department will work quickly to develop a phased plan for return-to-duty, and while those plans materialize, all probationary employees will be paid, a department notice said.

Eva Christensen was among those USDA employees fired last month. She was a Washington, D.C.-based agricultural science adviser and was tasked with addressing barriers to trade so U.S. farmers and producers had reliable access to open markets.

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Christensen said the employment whiplash raised questions about the expense and time costs of reinstating tens of thousands of employees who were fired.

How theyre going to onboard 40,000 people at once in any time-efficient manner is a mystery to me, she said, pointing to the time it takes for even small tasks, like reissuing and relaunching laptops and email. The Department of Government Efficiency is going to cost taxpayers millions of dollars just to onboard the people who they illegally fired.

Rachel Spaeth, a research horticulturalist with the Agricultural Research Service who was also fired in February, was informed about the back pay on Thursday. She said shes fairly confident shell get her job back.

The question is when? she said Friday. I dont know that anybody really has that answer.

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I would just say that this is really ironic, that this is supposed to be efficiency, she said. This doesnt feel very efficient. I think it would behoove them better to take a look at what theyre actually turning off and on before they just flip switches. There could be room for improvement in government, for sure, but this isnt how you do it.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A former Milwaukee police officer is facing federal charges after authorities say he offered to help a member of a violent street gang obtain guns and used his position to get license plates for stolen cars and addresses of rival gang members.

Juwon J. Madlock is accused of transferring ammunition to a felon, obstruction, lying to federal agents and possessing a machine gun after FBI agents found a gun with a switch device at his residence, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Thursday. Switches are designed to convert handguns into automatic weapons.

Federal agents recovered this gun at the residence of former Milwaukee Police Officer Juwon Madlock. The gun has a conversion device, known as a switch, to make it fully automatic.

The allegations came to light when a federal task force was investigating a suspected member of the BZF, also known as the Burleigh Zoo Family, and searched a house in Greenfield. During the search, investigators found a cellphone that had contacts between the suspect and Madlock, according to court records.

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In one string of texts, Madlock provided several potential addresses of a rival gang member, including one that had just been updated on the person's driver's license a month earlier. That kind of license information is not readily available to the public.

Madlock said to try that specific address because it was "probably where he feel safe," the court records say.

Investigators believe the man wanted the addresses of his rivals "for the purposes of shooting and possibly killing them," according to court documents.

MPD Officer Juwon J. Madlock is seen in his department-issued photo.

Madlock recently was highlighted in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation about the county's list of officers with a history of credibility concerns, bias or past crimes, known as the Brady list. Madlock had been added to the list in 2021 after internal affairs found he misled supervisors during an investigation.

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He was among two dozen law enforcement officers who kept their jobs after being added to the list, which is maintained by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. The investigation, "Duty to Disclose," was produced in partnership with TMJ4 News and Wisconsin Watch.

DATABASE: Who's on Milwaukee County's list of police with integrity concerns?

In a statement early Friday, the Milwaukee Police Department said it had become aware of "significant allegations of criminal misconduct involving one of its members."

The officer was arrested Wednesday by investigators from the FBI and the police department's Internal Affairs Division, and the officer resigned "during that contact," according to the department statement.

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When he was questioned by investigators, Madlock denied providing the suspected gang member sensitive information and stated the man had been a source of information for his work as an officer, federal records show.

Interviewers asked if Madlock had signed the man up as a confidential source or taken the required training needed for using confidential sources.

Madlock said he had not, nor could he show any examples of sharing information from the man with other police officers, according to the federal complaint.

In the department statement, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said he expects all members "to demonstrate the highest ethical standards in the performance of their duties and was extremely disappointed to learn about the misconduct in this case."

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"Chief Norman wants to remind the public that everyone is afforded the right of due process under the law, and as such, are innocent until proven guilty," the statement concluded.

Federal charges quote text messages about license plates, police chases and guns

The federal complaint filed against Madlock quotes extensively from text messages between him and the suspected gang member whose Greenfield home was searched Feb. 13.

The texts appear to show Madlock tipping the man off to law enforcement actions, using law enforcement databases to provide information and offering guns for sale.

Among the texts cited in the complaint:

In one sent about a year ago, Madlock warned the man to stay off 27th Street. The man asked if someone was "busting (expletive) down."

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"Yeah they got sheriff greenfield and mpd out," Madlock replied.

A couple of weeks later, the man sent a text complaining that a member of his crew was pulled over with a "switch, drac, dope"  referring to a machine gun conversion device, a gun and drugs  by District 7 officers.

The man said the driver should have fled, and Madlock appeared to agree, noting that having a switch is an "automatic fed," meaning federal crime.

Then Madlock sent a photo of the arresting officer.

"He got caught by a sassy (expletive) he definitely couldve took them on one," Madlock said, in an apparent reference to a high-speed chase.

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"I told you if you ever get in a speed get on that highway and just keep going," Madlock added later in the conversation, adding: "They gotta cancel it."

A month later, the man reached out to Madlock and asked if he had any guns, using a fireworks emoji. Madlock responded with photos of a full-size AK-47 style rifle and a mini-Draco, which is a shorter assault-style gun. The man said he wanted a handgun instead.

At another point, Madlock asks the man: "What cars yo people got rn?"

The man offers to sell Madlock a 2021 Lexus SUV for $3,000  a price so low that federal agents said Madlock, as a police officer, would know it was likely stolen.

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In another text thread, Madlock appeared to register and obtain license plates for the man to use on stolen vehicles, so they would appear properly registered to officers patrolling the city's streets.

"You think you will be able to get the paper plate today or tomorrow or by Friday Saturday," the man asked.

"By today," Madlock replied. "And send that address you want for the normal plate to come to."

Federal authorities reviewed security video from District 6, where Madlock was working, on that date and saw Madlock and the man meeting. Madlock appeared to give the man a temporary license plate.

Officer had prior suspensions after internal affairs investigations

Madlock was hired as a Milwaukee police officer in July 2015.

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Most recently, Madlock was assigned to District 6 on the far south side of the city. Prior to that, he worked in District 7 on the city's north side.

During his career, Madlock was investigated by Internal Affairs for six incidents, according to department records.

Several resulted in policy reviews or remedial training. Two incidents led to findings that he had violated the department's rules and policies.

One of those incidents occurred in 2021 when Madlock was working at District 7.

Madlock and another officer were working at the district station when a man reported that he had just been shot at in his vehicle a few blocks away, according to records from the department and the Fire and Police Commission.

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The officers did not write down his name, inspect his damaged car parked outside, interview witnesses, or ask him any other investigatory questions, even after the man took a call from someone involved in the shooting.

Instead, the other officer instructed the man to return to the crime scene by himself and told him a squad would meet him there.

So its cool for people to just go shoot at people now? the man replied.

Just go over there, Madlock said.

Madlock later told a sergeant the man had walked out on his own. Video from the lobby contradicted his account.

In an interview with internal investigations, Madlock acknowledged he had violated department policies and had been untruthful with a supervisor.

Internal affairs found both officers failed to thoroughly investigate and had not been forthright and candid with supervisors.

Norman suspended the officers for 10 days. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office added both to its "Brady list."

Later that year, internal affairs found Madlock had mishandled a separate domestic violence investigation.

Madlock and another officer, whose name was redacted from reports released to the Journal Sentinel, were called to a battery complaint.

A woman said her boyfriend had hit her in the nose. She said they were not living together and did not have children together.

Madlock told the woman that the man would be cited for battery.

Madlock and the other officer did not ask if woman if she and her boyfriend had ever lived together in the past, which is one of the legal criteria used to classify a crime as an act of domestic violence, an internal affairs investigation later found.

The couple had lived together as recently as a few months earlier, according to police records that Madlock and the officer had access to. Internal affairs later noted that Milwaukee police had responded to five other domestic violence reports involving the couple.

Officers found the suspect at his mother's house later that day, but he tried to close the door on police. As the suspect tried to get away, Madlock used a Taser on him. The suspect then jumped through an open window and ran away.

The man had a felony warrant for battery, an open warrant for a probation violation and was subject to a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim who had called police that day. Internal affairs reviewed body camera footage and confirmed the victim told officers the man had an open warrant.

Internal affairs found Madlock and the officer failed to connect, and act upon, all of this information and question the residency history of the subjects," according to a report authored by an internal affairs lieutenant. "As a result, domestic violence criminal reports were not created and sent to the District Attorney's Office for review."

Online court records show the man was not taken into custody for the 2021 felony warrant until October 2023.

Norman suspended Madlock for five days.

(This story was updated to add more information.)

Ashley Luthern is a reporter and deputy investigations editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at ashley.luthern@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police officer faces federal charges of helping street gang
Mar. 13Federal immigration agents recently arrested a man in New Lebanon on charges that he is in the United States illegally and faces a homicide charge in El Salvador.

Jose Antonio Alvarenga, who was living in the 200 block of Perry Street, was arrested in New Lebanon on March 3, according to federal court records.

Ryan Tincher, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent under Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in an affidavit that Alvarenga violated Title 8, Section 1326(a) of U.S. Code regarding illegal aliens found in the U.S. after deportation.

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Tincher's affidavit, filed in U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio, says that HSI agents in Cincinnati learned from a Border Patrol intelligence agent on Feb. 26 that despite an August 2012 deportation, Alvarenga was living at the Perry Street address in New Lebanon with his wife, April Alvarenga.

Alvarenga was the subject of an Interpol "Red Notice" indicating that he is a fugitive from El Salvador for the crime of homicide, according to the affidavit.

The attorneys listed for Alvarenga in the court filing did not comment Thursday when reached by the Dayton Daily News.

Federal agents said they watched the Perry Street house on Feb. 26, confirming Alvarenga's presence, and spoke with New Lebanon police about a Dec. 12 call for service at the house, during which police said Alvarenga was present.

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Tincher said he confirmed via Homeland Security databases that Alvarenga had not lawfully re-entered the U.S. since his 2012 deportation, leading to the March 3 arrest.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry ruled that detention was warranted pending trial, after Alvarenga, through his attorney, waived the detention hearing in open court.

Court records show Alvarenga waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over to the grand jury and remanded to a U.S. Marshal on March 6. The case was unsealed March 10, the most recent action on the docket.
A suspect arrested earlier this month in connection with a fatal shooting during a catalytic converter theft in Inglewood is now facing federal charges for allegedly illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

Jose Cristian Saravia-Sanchez, 30, of El Salvador, was charged this week with being in the U.S. illegally and unlawful possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles announced Friday.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Saravia-Sanchez was previously arrested by Border Patrol agents in Texas on June 13, 2013, and ordered removed back to El Salvador.

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Federal authorities said that Saravia-Sanchez eventually made his way back north across the border.

Saravia-Sanchez served 242 days in jail for taking a vehicle without the owners consent, after a May 2023 felony conviction in L.A. Superior Court, according to the federal complaint.

Homicide detectives with the Inglewood Police Department arrested Saravia-Sanchez and Wilver Alberto Rabanales earlier this month, in connection to the Feb. 25 murder of Juan Johnny Sanchez, 48. Sanchez was trying to prevent two men from stealing a neighbors catalytic converter when one of them shot him in the chest, police said.

The suspects were captured on surveillance camera fleeing in a gold Toyota Camry with tinted windows and a sunroof. Police tracked them down inside a room at the Bell Manor Motel. Inglewood police ordered them to exit shortly before 10 p.m. on March 6, according to the complaint. Rabanales surrendered but federal authorities said Saravia-Sanchez engaged in an hours-long standoff.

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Officers used a chemical irritant to force him out of the motel room, according to the complaint. Inside, authorities said they found a Ruger .380-caliber pistol in a bathroom trash can.

The family of the shooting victim, Juan Sanchez, described him as a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, and a cherished friend to so many in a GoFundMe campaign, which had raised more than $44,500 as of Friday.

He was the kind of person who always put others before himself, offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or a smile that could brighten even the darkest days, the post states. His strength, wisdom, and generosity were the foundation of his family, and his loss leaves a void that can never be filled.

Federal prosecutors also announced charges against 15 other people who allegedly illegally reentered the U.S. Many of those charged were previously convicted of felony offenses before they were removed from the U.S., according to the U.S. attorney's office.

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Being found in the U.S. after removal carries a sentence of up to two years in prison, according to federal authorities. Those removed after being convicted of a felony face up to 10 years and if removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony, up to 20 years.

Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After watching news reports of seemingly random immigration raids and hearing White House officials encourage undocumented immigrants to self-deport, a Venezuelan family decided to heed the governments advice and leave the United States for Canada a few weeks ago.

They were arrested trying to enter Canada, said their San Antonio lawyer, Laura Flores-Dixit.

Now the parents, who are in their 30s, and their two children, ages 6 and 8  who through Flores-Dixit declined to be identified or interviewed  are among the first families to be jailed at a South Texas immigration detention facility that the Trump administration has repurposed to hold families after former President Joe Biden greatly reduced the practice.

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The change at the Karnes County Detention Facility, about 50 miles southeast of San Antonio, is just one of a flurry of developments in recent weeks thats drawing attention to privately-run immigration detention facilities that have long been criticized for poor conditions, weak standards and even weaker oversight.

When President Donald Trump vowed to deport a record number of undocumented immigrants, it was clear he would face a number of logistical challenges, starting with a limited number of federal agents to search for and arrest people  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency charged with the job, has just an estimated 6,000 officers tasked with monitoring and finding undocumented immigrants. ICE has received help from federal drug agents, Texas state troopers and other law enforcement agencies as it searches for undocumented immigrants.

The second challenge is where to hold the people they apprehend.

Texas is likely to play an outsized role in detaining immigrants because it already has 21 detention facilities that as of late February held 12,186 undocumented immigrants  reportedly the most in any state.

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Texas is the state that has had the largest number of immigrant detainees in the country for quite some time, said Eunice Cho, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Unions National Prison Project. Texas is really the epicenter with respect to immigration detention in the United States.

More facilities may be opening in Texas soon. The Trump administration plans to reopen a facility in Dilley to hold families as well  which would add space for up to 2,400 people.

Public records obtained by the ACLU through a lawsuit show that ICE has been contemplating expansion of a detention facility in Laredo and considering opening another in Henderson, near the Louisiana border.

Last year, Trumps top immigration adviser, Tom Homan, said he would accept an offer from Texas state leaders to use a 1,400-acre Starr County ranch as a staging area for mass deportations. Since then, key parties have been largely mum about plans for the property, which the Texas General Land office purchased last fall.

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Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who made the initial offer to the Trump administration, said in a statement to the Tribune this week that Gov. Greg Abbott was leading conversations with the Trump administration about the property.

Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris told the Tribune that the governor looked forward to working with the president but did not offer additional details.

The Governor's Office remains in regular communication with the Trump Administration on effective strategies to secure the border, Mahaleris said. Under the Texas Constitution, any effort to lease or donate Texas land to the federal government must be conducted through the Governor's Office and these conversations remain ongoing.

Immigrants rights advocates are alarmed by the expansion of detention facilities and the resumption of detaining families. They say the private prison companies that run the facilities have an assortment of reasons to minimize costs and maximize profits  which for migrants can mean medical neglect and poor living conditions.

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Employees at privately-run detention facilities have been accused of sexually assaulting migrants, violating their religious freedom and using punitive forms of incarceration like solitary confinement.

Immigration charges are civil offenses that dont carry the same protections as those granted to people charged with a crime, said Edna Yang, the co-executive director of immigration advocacy group American Gateways.

Its really problematic, Yang said. With the jail facilities, there are several constitutional protections because youre in a criminal process and criminal proceedings that arent the same in the civil context. Also a lot of the kinds of protections for individuals in criminal proceedings are enforceable whereas the civil detention standards are not enforceable  they are guidelines.

No aspect of immigration detention draws as much condemnation as holding children.

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The Trump administration resumed the practice last week when it sent 12 to 15 families to the center in Karnes, according to lawyers who began communicating with detainees this week.

The families detained at Karnes are a mix of nationalities and have been in the country for varying periods of time, said Javier Hidalgo, a lawyer with Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, known as RAICES, which is representing numerous families.

The families came from Colombia, Romania, Iran, Angola, Russia, Armenia, Turkey and Brazil, according to RAICES.

Its not just folks who recently arrived and are being put through expedited removal, Hidalgo said. It seems like the intent is more punitive, which runs exactly against the whole notion that immigration detention isnt [the same as criminal incarceration]  Immigration detention is supposed to be civil detention  if there really is such a thing  and it cant be punitive for deterrence.

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The Biden administration greatly reduced family detention but did not stop it entirely. Now advocates are worried the Trump administration will ramp it up to new levels, with Texas facilities becoming the hubs.

Its just clear from every doctor, lawyer, anybody who cares about children that you are really committing child abuse when you lock up children with their parents, said Denise Gilman, co-director of the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, who is currently teaching at the Georgetown Law Center. This is government child abuse.

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NEW YORK  The U.S. Department of State revoked the visa of a Columbia University student, while federal immigration officials arrested a Palestinian protester for overstaying an expired student visa, the Trump administration confirmed Friday.

On March 5, Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia, had their student visa revoked over alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designed terrorist organization, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video on X of what she said was Srinivasan self-deporting on Tuesday, using a new app for immigrants to share with the federal government that they are leaving the country.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities arrested another protester, Leqaa Kordia, who is from the West Bank, for remaining in the United States after her student visa had expired. Federal officials said Kordia lost her visa more than three years ago for a lack of attendance.

Columbia has no record of Kordia being registered as a current or former student. She was arrested during last school years pro-Palestinian protests, DHS said  but along the perimeter of campus, not on private property.

The university did not comment on Srinivasan, whose Ph.D. profile remained live on the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation as recently as Friday afternoon.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America, Noem said in a statement. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.

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The heightened immigration activity came as Columbia is reeling over the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate student who served as a negotiator during last years campus protests. Khalil, who had a green card, was arrested in university-owned housing and is currently being held in Louisiana after a federal judge blocked his deportation.

Fears of ICE on campus climbed again on Thursday when the university president confirmed that homeland security authorities searched two dorm rooms that evening.

Columbia is facing $400 million in federal grant and contract cancellations after the Trump administration accused the university of not doing enough to protect Jewish students.

To get the funding reinstated, federal agencies directed Columbia to take a series of steps, including to expel or issue multi-year suspensions to student activists who occupied a campus building. The same day, several students were expelled.

_____
The federal government is withholding payments to Pima County for its shelter program over what it says are concerns that the county is encouraging migrants to come to the United States and illegally harboring them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent a letter on Monday to Pima County saying it will withhold millions of dollars from the countys now-shuttered Shelter and Services Program despite owing the county millions of dollars.

Tucson's two shelters closed at the end of January after changes to federal border enforcement policy drastically altered the number of asylum seekers released in southern Arizona. Funding for the shelters came through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Shelter Services Program, to reimburse the county for occupancy costs.

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According to the county, the federal government owes it about $10.3 million in reimbursable costs, with $5.7 million already submitted and $4.6 million still to submit.

Of the total $52.6 million the federal government awarded the county as part of the Shelter and Services Program, the county left $38 million unused after closing its shelters.

The countys temporary shelter program assisted more than 517,000 people from 2019 to 2024, helping legally processed asylum seekers move on to their next destination after being processed by agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In the letter, forwarded to the Pima County Board of Supervisors by County Administrator Jan Lesher, the Department of Homeland Security said it is concerned that entities receiving the grant funds are guilty of encouraging migrants to come to the United States as well as transporting them and shielding them from detection.

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The Department of Homeland Security has significant concerns that SSP funding is going to entities engaged in or facilitating illegal activities, Cameron Hamilton, senior official performing the duties of the FEMA administrator, wrote in the letter.

The letter said it was concerned the countys program may be encouraging or inducing an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States  transporting or moving illegal aliens  harboring, concealing, or shielding from detection illegal aliens.

In the letter, the Department of Homeland Security said it will withhold the funds while it conducts additional reviews to ensure the grant awards are in compliance with the law.

The county refuted the federal government's claim, noting that the Temporary Sheltering Program, which began during the first Trump administration, was conducted with the participation of agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.

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To be clear, it was Customs and Border Protection who brought to our shelters the asylum seekers they had processed and were releasing, Lesher said in a written statement. It was CBP that determined that the individuals brought to the shelters were in the United States legally.

The departments letter listed three grants affected by this new action, including $12 million from March 2023 to September 2025, $21.8 million from October 2023 to September 2026, and $18.7 million from October 2023 to September 2026.

Lesher said in her memo to the county, that Arizona, Maricopa County, Yuma County and a Maricopa County-based nonprofit organization got similar letters.

The county hopes the pause will lead to the reimbursement of legally incurred expenses, Lesher said.

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The County welcomes the federal review and hopes the pause will soon be lifted so that the expenses legally incurred by the County and its subcontractors in the conduct of what is a federal responsibility are fully reimbursed by DHS, she wrote.

Help resumes: Trump administration backs off order stopping legal services to migrant children

Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.

The Republics coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Feds withhold millions from Pima County for migrant shelter program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to hire more than two dozen temporary workers to help with fire recovery efforts in Southern California.

The agency announced the expanded workforce Thursday, saying the new employees would help in both the Eaton and Palisades disaster areas.

The workers will be hired for four months and possibly have their employment extended, depending on need, a FEMA spokesperson said.

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Twenty-six positions are available in acquisitions, civil rights, external affairs, disaster field training operations, hazard mitigation, human resources, individual assistance, information technology and other areas.

Read more: Government Resources to Support Rebuilding and Recovery after Wildfires

An announcement from FEMA said the expedited hiring process is intended to quickly grow its workforce while ensuring that it benefits from the local knowledge of hires from the Los Angeles area.

Local hire work is part of an expedited process that helps quickly grow the FEMA workforce while also providing economic stimulus and good job opportunities to communities where jobs may have been lost due to a disaster, FEMA spokesperson La-Tanga Hopes said in a statement.

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The hiring pitch promised many perks of federal employment, including excellent benefits, flexible work schedules, opportunities for professional growth, stability, and lateral movement across agencies.

Nonprofit groups that support federal agencies have said that hiring may be hampered in the face of the massive reductions across many federal agencies ordered recently by the Trump administration. The advocates said federal employment appears less stable than at any time in recent memory.

More information about the jobs is available at USAJobs.gov.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Explainer: What's wrong with U.S. reciprocal tariff policy?

Xinhua) 08:09, March 14, 2025

Customers shop at a Target store in Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

U.S. reciprocal tariff plan faces criticism for jeopardizing global trade stability and economic growth.

BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has set an April 2 deadline for implementing global reciprocal tariffs, meaning his country will impose tariffs equivalent to those charged by other nations.

However, this approach has drawn widespread criticism for its potential to undermine the established multilateral trade system and damage both the U.S. economy and the global market.

Here is why the U.S. reciprocal tariff policy is flawed.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE POLICY?

Liang Guoyong, a senior economist at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, said that the initiative is an effort to narrow the persistent trade deficit, boost federal revenues, and encourage the reshoring of manufacturing activities to revitalize strategic industries.

However, observers have said that despite these seemingly practical objectives, the policy is fraught with fundamental flaws.

At its core, the reciprocal tariff strategy disregards the well-established economic principle of comparative advantage. According to this principle, countries benefit from specializing in the production of goods for which they have a cost advantage, and then engage in trade with one another.

In a recent article released by the Cato Institute, Scott Lincicome, vice president of economics and trade at the Washington-based think tank, takes coffee as an example. Because of climate and geography, the United States produces relatively little coffee, imports a ton, and -- to the delight of caffeine addicts everywhere -- applies no tariff on imports of green coffee beans. Brazil, on the other hand, is the world's largest coffee exporter and applies a 9 percent tariff on imports.

Under a reciprocal tariff regime, the United States would mindlessly match Brazil's tariff, thereby accomplishing nothing for U.S. exports while harming millions of American coffee roasters and consumers.

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 7, 2025 shows a price tag on a shelf for eggs at a local supermarket in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

"Plenty of other food and beverage products, along with specialty or name-brand manufactured goods, are made only by specific countries and companies and would thus suffer the same fate. How silly is that?" said the article.

Reciprocal tariffs threaten to dismantle a trade framework that the United States itself helped establish, said Tu Xinquan, dean of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics.

Since the enactment of the 1934 Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act, the United States has been a staunch advocate of multilateral trade agreements based on the most-favored-nation principle, whereby any favorable trade terms extended to one country are automatically applied to all others with which the United States has similar agreements.

A stable multilateral trade system which has, for all its flaws, fostered miraculous rises in global prosperity would give way to arbitrary judgments made in the Oval Office, The Economist said in an opinion piece last month.

Critics also highlight the inherent unfairness of imposing uniform tariff rates irrespective of a country's level of economic development. Under current World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines, tariff structures are designed to reflect the developmental stages of different nations.

Developing countries often enjoy higher tariff rates on imports as a protective measure for their budding industries, while developed countries benefit from lower tariffs that facilitate open trade, said Liu Feitao, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies.

By insisting on equal tariffs, the United States would effectively strip developing nations of their ability to nurture their domestic industries. This could exacerbate global inequality, Liu added, as poorer countries lose critical policy tools to support their economic growth, further widening the gap between rich and poor nations.

If America decides that fairness means going tariff-for-tariff with all 180 or so trade partners, enacting that would produce around 2.3 million individual tariffs and result in outsourcing its trade policy to countries with entirely different industrial structures and interests. This could lead to absurdities, The Economist noted in another February article.

There are clear and immediate consequences for American consumers and the domestic economy. Economic forecasts by Yale University suggest that even in the absence of retaliatory measures from trading partners, U.S. consumer prices could rise 1.7 percent in the short term.

Should other nations respond with their own tariffs, price increases could be 2.1 percent, potentially dampening personal consumption expenditure and slowing overall economic growth.

WIDE BACKLASH

The international reaction to the proposal has been overwhelmingly negative. Analysts have condemned the move as a return to unilateralism and protectionism -- tactics reminiscent of a bygone era of power politics.

This photo taken on Jan. 29, 2025 shows the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Liu pointed out that if the "reciprocal tariffs" go into effect, they would alter the multilateral trade system based on rules such as the most-favored-nation treatment, further exacerbating the fragmentation of the global trade system.

Prominent international voices from the European Union to the WTO warn that unilateral tariff adjustments will not only strain diplomatic ties but also trigger a cascade of retaliatory measures, potentially igniting a full-blown trade war.

"Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and worse for consumers. They are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

While protection through tariffs may "relieve" struggling U.S. industries, it comes with a cost, CNBC reported, citing Lydia Cox, an assistant economics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an international trade expert.

Tariffs create higher input costs for other industries, making them "vulnerable" to foreign competition, Cox wrote in a paper titled "The Long-Term Impact of Steel Tariffs on U.S. Manufacturing" published in 2022.

These spillover effects hurt other sectors of the economy, ultimately costing jobs, economists said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. Today, the IV session of the National Kurultai (congress) was held in Kazakhstan's Burabai, during which the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, discussed the country's achievements in agriculture in detail, highlighting the progress of the agricultural sector, Trend reports.

In his speech, Tokayev announced that Kazakhstan harvested a record 27 million tons of grain in 2024, marking a historic achievement. He also emphasized that such results were made possible by significantly increased support for agricultural producers, including the development of rural infrastructure, the implementation of new technologies, and financial assistance programs.

"We have strengthened support for agricultural producers, developed rural infrastructure, introduced new technologies, and financial assistance programs. This allows us to achieve such high results in the agricultural sector," said the president.

Tokayev also noted that the government continues to actively develop the agricultural sector, aiming to increase production volumes and enhance export potential. The President stressed the importance of diversifying agricultural production, which will allow the country not only to meet domestic needs but also to expand its presence in foreign markets.

In addition to agricultural issues, the president highlighted other significant achievements in the country, such as housing construction, education, and international cooperation. However, according to Tokayev, the successes in agriculture are the foundation for Kazakhstan's food security and sustainable economic development.

In Kazakhstan's Burabai, the IV session of the National Kurultai is taking place with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The event is attended by the chairs of the Mazhilis (the lower house of the Kazakhstani Parliament) and the Senate (the upper house of the Kazakhstani Parliament), government members, MPs, and members of the national commissions.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel














PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ)  A Representative announced plans to introduce legislation that would declare Ukrainian Independence Day in the Commonwealth.

The bill, authored by Rep. Chris Pielli (D  Chester), would designate Aug. 24, 2025, as Ukrainian Independence Day in Pennsylvania. Pielli argued that the Commonwealth has made important contributions to Ukraines defense and fight for freedom, with Pennsylvania munitions plants providing critical weaponry.

Knowing Pennsylvanias history as the cradle of freedom and democracy, it is vital that we recognize and support the same spirit of 1776 exhibited by the brave Ukrainian freedom fighters, Pielli wrote in the legislation.

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On Aug. 24, 1991, Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, with over 90% of voters in the country supporting an independence referendum. In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine agreed to completely relinquish its nuclear arsenal in exchange for an assurance that the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia would respect Ukraines territorial integrity and refrain from the use or threat of military force.

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In February 2022, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. In the three years since Pielli noted that Russia has killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians while destroying large swaths of Ukraine. More recently, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was ready for a ceasefire but suggested that Ukraine had further conditions to accept before any agreement could be settled.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Mar. 14KIESTER  A crew from Investigation Discovery/HBO/Cinemax is filming a new documentary on the longtime cold case that originated in 1980 on Interstate 90 near Bricelyn.

Crew members set up Thursday in Kiester at the Urstad House Bed and Breakfast and were expected to interview three people tied to the case of the murder of Michelle Busha before moving to a different location in Mankato on Friday for additional interviews.

Alan and Hope Bauman, who opened the Kiester bed and breakfast almost three years ago, said they had received an email and phone call from the film crew a few weeks ago about taping some of the interviews at their bed and breakfast, but at first the couple was skeptical.

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After finding out more about the plans, they began working with the crew on what areas in the house they could use for filming, as well as furniture and other logistics.

Alan Bauman said he grew up in the area all his life and would have been 20 at the time Busha's body was found, but did not recall hearing about the case before. His wife, Hope, said she was in ninth grade and living near Bricelyn at the time Busha's murder and vaguely remembers something had happened and her parents being very protective.

Busha, who was 18 at the time of her abduction and murder, was hitchhiking near the Bricelyn exit, and her body was found nearby in a drainage ditch. She was unclothed and had been tortured, raped and strangled.

The case took many years to solve, and the killer, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper, confessed in 1989 after he was arrested for another crime in Texas. The body was buried in Blue Earth and remained unidentified for many years until the body was exhumed and identified in 2015 through DNA testing.

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A Blue Earth woman named Deb Anderson was concerned about the Jane Doe buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth and was the driving force behind the scenes in helping the body be identified.

The Baumans said the crew on Thursday was expected to interview former Faribault County Sheriff Roger Fletcher, current Faribault County Sheriff Scott Adams and the person who dug the grave for the young woman's remains at the cemetery. Anderson was expected to be interviewed Friday in Mankato.

The Baumans said they had been busy learning more about the case ahead of the visit Thursday.

They said they posted on their Facebook page about the crew being in town, and have had different emotions tied to it from members of the community.

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Hope Bauman said she can't help but recognize how sad it is, and how much different it would be having a happy event filmed there.

"When you start watching the documentaries, it's really a sad story," Alan Bauman said. "The good thing was that this lady was just dedicated to finding who this was even though she had no relationship. Think if it was your child and how much you would really want to know where she is ... "

"It's somebody's daughter, so you're going to do all you can to find out what happened," Hope Bauman said. "She has a name. She's not Jane Doe  she has a name."

The documentary is slated to air this fall.

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Arts Initiative opens new exhibition made completely with salvaged and recycled materials

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Vehicles broken into and other reports

Severe weather possible Friday evening

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House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, presents House Bill 90, which was amended to make changes in Kentucky's abortion law, March 13, 2025. (LRC Public Information)

FRANKFORT  As the 2025 regular session hurtles toward a break for the 10-day veto period, lawmakers are ironing out House-Senate differences and preparing to give bills final approval Friday to ensure Republicans have time to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears vetoes.

Lawmakers from both chambers planned to meet Thursday night to resolve their differences over House Bill 775, which blossomed from an inconsequential shell bill earlier this week into 107 pages of of tax law changes, including making it easier for lawmakers to incrementally lower the states income tax rate in the future. Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, of Greensburg, told reporters he didnt expect anything out of left field to come from the negotiations. The Senate is expected to take up the bill Friday.

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In a week of head spinning alterations to legislation, surprises continued Thursday, the 27th day of the 30-day session. Both chambers took only a few hours to approve changes in Kentuckys abortion law. A Senate committee moved to narrow public access to police records, despite bipartisan opposition. And the House voted to allow students to leave their public schools for an hour of moral instruction each week.

You dont have to hide it

Democrats, including Beshear, criticized what they said is a lack of transparency in how the Republican supermajority is moving significant new legislation with little notice by overhauling unrelated bills, piling on amendments or introducing committee substitutes. The deadline for filing bills was in late February.

Listen, if you think youre passing the right things, you dont have to hide it, Beshear said during his weekly news conference. And its time to stop a lot of this shell bill and committee substitute nonsense and embrace the people that elect you and allow them to actually see a transparent process.

Givens countered that the legislative process is available to all lawmakers. He pointed to Democrats trying to put forth committee substitutes of two GOP higher education bills in a Senate committee. Both failed to pass.

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I think if I were in the minority, I would complain as well, because being the minority, youve got to have some reason to stand up and talk, Givens said.

Democrats pointed to the changes in abortion law that surfaced for the first time Wednesday and were approved by both Republican-controlled chambers within 24 hours.

Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, said she hadnt received the bill substitute in time to understand it or consult experts. She slammed an intentional choice by the majority party in the way this legislation was moved to disenfranchise me and the people I represent on this very important issue.

Chambers Armstrong and other Democrats passed on the revised House Bill 90. The original bill only paved the way for freestanding birth centers in Kentucky. Supporters of the amended bill say it will provide medical providers with additional clarity on how they can treat complicated pregnancies and miscarriages without running afoul of the states near-total ban on abortion.

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I really hope that this bill does take a step forward in terms of allowing doctors to provide lifesaving care, Chambers Armstrong said. I truly hope that that is what this legislation does. However, I dont know that.

A free conference committee made up of House and Senate members reached an agreement on calamity days for schools that were frequently closed by winter weather and floods this year. The Senate had added a provision to House Bill 241 protecting the Kentucky Virtual Academy, a controversial online school, from an enrollment cap imposed by state education officials in response to concerns about poor student performance and failure to meet staffing requirements. Under the compromise, schools can still seek to waive five required days and make up for lost instruction by lengthening the school day, while the free conference committee also agreed to guardrails to limit enrollment at the Kentucky Virtual Academy. The Senate adopted the new changes and the House is expected to concur when it reconvenes Friday.

Following the 10-day veto period, lawmakers will return to Frankfort on March 27 and 28, when they can overturn gubernatorial vetoes and wrap up the session. Lawmakers can pass bills on the final two days but would have no opportunity to override Beshears vetoes, thus the push to wrap up GOP priorities by end of business Friday.

Bills that moved this week

Bills nearing final passage

Senate Bill 2, a high-priority bill to bar the use of public funds for hormone and surgical treatment of transgender prisoners, has passed the Senate and needs a House floor vote.

House Bill 38, which would make it a Class D felony to violate a protective order on the third instance, has passed both chambers and awaits concurrence.

Senate Bill 19  originally mandating a moment of silence at the beginning of school days  was changed in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Thursday morning to create a moral instruction option for public school students. The moral instruction would be provided by outside entities that would have to apply to and receive some vetting by school districts. Students could choose to leave school each week for an hour of moral instruction. Students not opting for moral instruction would participate in noncredit enrichment classes or other educational activities. The moral instruction component came from House Bill 607 which was never assigned to a committee but is sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie, chairman of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee which tacked it onto SB 19. The bill still requires a moment of silence in public schools. The House passed the amended SB 19 by a vote of 72-19. The Senate must decide whether to concur with the change made by the House.

A bill that originally added apartments with more than 48 units in the legal definition of building for industrial revenue bond laws was amended to add a swath of changes. Senate Bill 25 now includes establishing the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board, making the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman an office within the State Auditors Office, as opposed to an independent office, and funding various local infrastructure projects.

Bills with a question mark
The Helsinki District Court sentenced Russian neo-Nazi mercenary Yan Petrovsky to life in prison for war crimes committed in Ukraine, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported on March 14.

Petrovsky, co-leader of the Rusich paramilitary unit, was convicted of war crimes in Luhansk Oblast on Sept. 5, 2014, during Russia's invasion of Donbas.

Prosecutors presented video evidence showing him ordering and participating in the execution of Ukrainian soldiers.

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Petrovsky denied all accusations, but the court ruled that the video recordings provided sufficient proof of his involvement.

Rusich, a notorious Russian neo-Nazi group, has documented and published evidence of its own war crimes, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

One of the five charges against him was dismissed.

Ukraine had requested Petrovsky's extradition, but a Finnish court ruled on Dec. 8, 2023, that he could not be sent to Ukraine, citing concerns over prison conditions under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Rusich unit, linked to Russia's Wagner Group, has a long history of brutality. Co-founder Alexey Milchakov gained notoriety for publishing images of animal cruelty and openly celebrating war crimes.

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Petrovsky has been under EU and U.S. sanctions since 2022.

Read also: Putin still seeks control over Ukraine despite US peace efforts, WP reports

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BLACKWELL, Okla. (KSNW)  A 41-year-old woman is in custody after police alleged that she burglarized and set fire to a church Thursday.

The fire heavily damaged the House of Prayer Church, 900 S. 9th Street, in Blackwell.

The fire was in the building that houses the worship center and a food bank for people in need. The Blackwell, Tonkawa, and Newkirk fire departments worked to extinguish the fire, but by the time it was out, the church was heavily damaged.

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Extremely high threat for wildfires Friday

Investigators determined the fire to be an act of arson.

The Blackwell Police Department identified and arrested a suspect who had returned to the scene. Officers booked her into jail on suspicion of second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.



The Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Office is assisting with the investigation.

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VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A contained fire broke out Thursday evening at the Texas Roadhouse on Vestal Parkway, a Vestal Fire Department official told News 34.

At 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, crews responded to the reported fire at Texas Roadhouse. VFD says build-up in the duct from a grill in the kitchen had caused the fire to ignite.

There were no reported injuries, and the restaurant was evacuated during the fire.

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A fire at the New Jersey home of a Bayer pharmaceutical executive, sparked exactly three months after the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is actively being investigated as arson.

The blaze broke out around 7:30 a.m. on March 4 at an occupied residence on East Lane in Madison, the Morris County Prosecutors Office told CNN. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Madison Fire Department. The structure sustained no significant damage and there were no reported injuries.

While the prosecutors office declined to identify the homeowner, pharmaceutical giant Bayer confirmed the fire occurred at the private home of one of Bayers U.S. executives.

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The family is safe and unharmed, the company said in a statement.

The prosecutors ongoing arson investigation has come to span multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, amid concerns the fire was another targeted attack on a health care industry executive.

Individuals mobilized by economic grievances are using the murder of a health insurance CEO as inspiration for threats and attack plotting, Homeland Security said in a statement.

The house fire came on the three-month anniversary of Thompsons slaying in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4.

The UnitedHealthcare exec had been visiting the city from Minnesota for an investor conference at The Residences by Hilton Club, where he was slated to give a speech later in the day. Police said he was ambushed by a masked gunman around 6:45 a.m. as he walked toward the venue on West 54th Street near Sixth Avenue.

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Thompson was pronounced dead some 30 minutes later.

The accused gunman, 26-year-old Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione, was arrested at a McDonalds in Atloona, Pa. five days later, where he was found with a handwritten manifesto outlining his grievances with the health insurance industry.

Hes currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
A systems engineer is suing Honeywell after higher-ups forced him to undergo training on how to recognize and address unconscious bias, claiming the company-wide program violated his sincerely held religious beliefs.

Justin Wright, a practicing Christian who says he adheres to biblical teachings on human equality and morality, argues that the multinational conglomerate  which earns billions of dollars from federal, state, and local government contracts  was itself biased for sponsoring Pride parades, holding events for disabled and transgender employees, and allowing African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, and women to create in-house support networks.

On the other hand, there was no faith-based corporate messaging or invitations to faith-centered events, Wright, 38, argues in a federal civil rights lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

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Wrights complaint, which was filed in Atlanta on February 28, alleges his Christianity subjected him to antagonism and disparate treatment compared to racial minorities, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming communities. Those groups, the complaint states, were welcomed and given special status throughout the corporation, while employees holding faith-based, religious beliefs were not only disfavored but actively discriminated against.

Honeywell sent a clear message that Wright must check his sincere religious beliefs at the door when he comes to work and accept a worldview that rejects his faith, according to the complaint.

In fact, it contends, Honeywell made it clear that the belief system it espoused and required for continued employment forced employees to abandon their sincerely held religious beliefs or face immediate termination.

In early 2020, a maskless Donald Trump visited a Honeywell mask factory and lauded the workers making "high quality" N95 respirators as the Covid pandemic began sweeping across the world (AFP via Getty Images)

The filing comes amid a wholesale purge by the Trump administration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government. In 2020, at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, Donald Trump visited a Honeywell factory producing facemasks, and, without bothering to wear a mask himself, complimented the incredible patriotic and hardworking men and women of Honeywell making high-quality N95 respirators. Honeywell is a major player in the defense sector, making engines for military helicopters, missile system components, and advanced weaponry used by armies the world over.

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The Department of Defense recently flagged more than 26,000 images for deletion from a public repository in an effort to remove any content highlighting diversity efforts, among them pictures of the first women to successfully complete Marine Corps infantry training, the pioneering Black military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen, and, in what appeared to be an inadvertent error, photos of the Enola Gay, the B-29 aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima in World War II, simply because the description contained the word gay.

Large swaths of the private sector have also taken it upon themselves to dismantle DEI programs in line with the moves made by the White House, including Goldman Sachs, Walmart, Google, Meta, and Target.

In 2021, another Honeywell engineer, Charles Vavra, sued the company after it fired him for refusing to attend unconscious bias training, which he believed would vilify white people and treat people differently based on their race. His claim was shot down by a circuit court judge who said Vavras presumption [was] purely speculative and insufficient to make his belief objectively reasonable. In 2023, a New York State appeals court ruled against a school district employee who was fired for refusing to attend a compulsory anti-bias training, and sued on religious grounds. It upheld an earlier decision by a district court judge who found the plaintiff had not been terminated due to any sort of faith-based discrimination, but rather, for repeatedly refusing to attend a mandatory employee training.

Honeywell did not respond to requests for comment.

Honeywell manufactures the turbine engines used in the iconic Chinook helicopter (AFP via Getty Images)

Wright was hired by Honeywell in 2019, and worked on projects for customers that included Lockheed Martin and Boeing, according to his complaint. It says he was never disciplined for any performance issues and worked well with others.

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In 2020, Honeywell, like a significant number of U.S. companies, began requiring employees to undergo unconscious bias training, the complaint states. Wright completed it in 2022, although the complaint offers no reason for the two-year gap. However, it says Wright walked away from the training with a belief that [it] violated his sincerely held religious beliefs.

Justin believes that, as a Christian, all humans are made in the image of God and have worth regardless of any immutable characteristic, the complaint goes on. Justin believes that focusing solely on peoples immutable characteristics perpetuates derision and division between people and that this is contrary to his religious beliefs. The unconscious bias training Justin was forced to attend was based on the premise that peoples immutable characteristics are their defining attributes and that people are naturally divided by these attributes.

Wright, according to his complaint, believes that a person may harbor no biases.

On top of the mandatory training, Wright objected to Honeywells emphasis on the importance of employees race, sex, and sexual preference, sponsoring events, podcasts, and affinity groups for them, such as the Heighten Your Professional Experience Employee Network, which the complaint describes as an inclusion and diversity advocacy group. But when Wright emailed HR about setting up a Christian employee network, he says he didnt hear back.

Honeywell terminated Justin Wright in August 2024 for refusing to participate in mandatory anti-bias training (Getty Images)

Often, corporations go beyond a one-and-done approach, and provide yearly diversity refresher courses. In mid-2024, Wright was scheduled to sit for another unconscious bias session, the complaint states. This time, it says he objected, in writing, to his direct manager and upper management, telling them that completing the training would require him to endorse a worldview in direct conflict with his faith, and asking for an accommodation that would let him skip it.

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I am only asking that the rights granted to all Honeywell employees to protect their own autonomy be extended to me as well, he wrote in a June 2024 email. ... To the immediate, I will continue to support Honeywells customers and business until formally being told otherwise.

Honeywells HR director responded by telling Wright that he was out of compliance with company policy, which could result in disciplinary action up to termination, the complaint states.

Nearly eight weeks later, Wright says he was given an ultimatum: take the training refresher or lose your job.

When Justin would not compromise his religious beliefs to attend the offensive training again, he was summarily terminated, according to the complaint, which says he was let go on August 30.

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Wrights lawsuit says his firing has adversely affected his psychological and physical wellbeing, and is demanding he be reinstated to his position, with appropriate seniority, or award him lost pay for the past year-plus. He is also asking a judge to prohibit Honeywell from mandating employee training that violates religious beliefs without accommodation.

In addition, Wright is asking for compensatory damages, in an amount to be determined by a jury, for emotional distress, loss of professional reputation, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, [and] loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages sufficient to deter [Honeywell] from similar conduct in the future, and reasonable attorneys fees.

Honeywell now has until the end of March to formally respond to Wrights claims.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 14. The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, will depart on an official visit to Russia tomorrow, March 15, 2025, Trend reports.

According to the presidential press service, the visit is planned to discuss bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Russia in political, economic, trade, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as security, regional and international issues.

The visit will last for two days and will conclude on March 17. It is also anticipated that several agreements will be signed during the visit of the President of Tajikistan to Russia.
Myles McManus (top left) holds a sign for NOAA during a Stand Up for Science rally on the Arkansas Capitol steps on March 7, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Since being fired last month amid efforts to slash the federal workforce, Christopher Ford has been hopeful about getting his job back at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks.

Fords hopes were bolstered Thursday when a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately reinstate jobs for thousands of probationary federal workers  employees who had been recently hired or promoted.

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Its a good feeling, he said. Im very happy about this, and Im excited that other people are seeing exactly what I saw  that how they conducted this was illegal.

The Trump administration swiftly appealed the ruling, which directed the rehiring of tens of thousands of workers in various federal agencies, including the departments of Agriculture, Interior and Veterans Affairs. A second federal judge late Thursday also ordered probationary workers to be reinstated.

Christopher Ford (Courtesy photo)

Though the appeals process could take time, Ford said hes confident the courts will ultimately deem the administrations actions illegal.

Beyond the shock of being fired, Ford was frustrated by his termination letter citing poor performance because he said hes never been disciplined and has consistently received positive appraisals.

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That impacts me being able to get a federal job in the future, he said. As someone whos done 13-and-a-half years of federal service, Im committed.

The Florida natives experience includes nine years of active military duty and three deployments to the Middle East. He moved to Arkansas in 2019 and worked in a remote position until he was hired as an Equal Employment Opportunity program manager last June.

Having invested so much time as a federal worker, Ford said hed prefer to remain in the federal workforce for a few more years to earn a pension. The Northwest Arkansas resident said hed take his job back in a heartbeat because he loved what he did and working with veterans.

The VA fit me and I understood, and it was an honor and privilege working for all the people I worked with, he said. Thats why for me, I just want my job back.

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To assist in that goal, Ford filed a complaint over his firing with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. But theres been little movement on that front, he said, which is why hes grateful to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) for joining other organizations in suing the Office of Personnel Management.

AFGE Local 2201 is hosting a rally at noon Saturday at VHSOs Fayetteville campus, which Ford said hell attend. Local union President Bruce Appel said they began planning the rally prior to the Department of Veterans Affairs announcing last week a reorganization that will include cutting 80,000 jobs.

The announcement just added fuel to the fire, Appel said.

Our focus of the rally is going to be to try to get the public to understand that what they read in the news about all these federal employees getting cut and getting their jobs screwed with, hey, its going to impact our ability to take care of grandpa when he comes to our hospital, Appel said. That this has real consequences to their lives, and Im not sure that the general public is really understanding that.

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Amid the chaos and confusion of the last few months, protesting has become an accessible form of action for fired federal workers like Myles McManus, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data scientist working in Tulsa who participated in a Stand Up for Science rally at the Arkansas state Capitol last week while he was passing through town.

Myles McManus (Courtesy photo)

McManus, who grew up in Alabama, has about eight years of experience working for the federal government and was hired for his most recent position nearly 11 months ago. He was fired on Feb. 27.

These cuts are putting NOAA under the weather, and Im sick about it, he said.

The long-term effects of the federal workforce reduction is a concern for McManus, who said accurate, accessible datasets are needed for research and studies that can help predict things like 100-year floodplains.

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While its been a challenging time for many federal workers, McManus said the upheaval has provided an opportunity for the scientific community to rally and help the public understand how much science affects their lives  from weather forecasts to how fish get into their recreational lakes.

NOAA is an organization that does premiere scientific work thats used worldwide, and its primary strength are the people that work there, he said. So to minimize NOAAs efforts to bring commerce and science to the American people by going after the scientists that work there, in a way that is kind of blindsiding and a detriment to what public service is all about.

McManus has secured a new job, but said hed like to go back to NOAA because the agency will need people who can sustain any attacks on scientific integrity, and he feels called to provide that service.

Its not about the job availability on the private side, it was about doing something beyond just the monetary value, doing something beyond myself, and so losing that hurts in a way that getting another job for more money cant replace, he said.

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An estimated 650 NOAA workers have been fired nationally, and 1,000 more are on the chopping block. NOAA falls under the Department of Commerce, which was included in the second lawsuit ruled on by judges Thursday. The department was also sued over improper terminations in a separate lawsuit filed Tuesday.

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In March 2025, social media users claimed (archived) that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had rehired 6,000 employees after they were fired in February as part of the Trump administration's plan to reduce the size of the federal government workforce.

The claims spread across Facebook (archived), X (archived), Reddit (archived), Threads (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers also emailed us about the claim.

The claims originated from a March 11, 2025, statement from the USDA. The statement said the USDA would "place all terminated probationary employees in pay status," essentially putting them back on the USDA payroll. Probationary employees at USDA agencies faced mass firings in February; an investigation found that 5,900 people were fired.

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The March 11 statement followed a March 5 order by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent agency that adjudicates federal employment cases, to "stay," or halt, the firing of probationary employees at the USDA for 45 days. A fired USDA employee brought a case to the MSPB suspecting prohibited personnel practices, resulting in the stay.

The MSPB's order pertained only to the USDA. However, on March 13, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California ordered several federal departments, including the USDA, to reinstate employees fired following Office of Personnel Management orders, according to several reputable news sources.

Alsup's order was a significant rejection of the stated "workforce optimization" plan enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency. However, the OPM could appeal the order.

Also on March 13, federal agencies faced a deadline to submit "Agency Reorganization Plans"  plans to carry out the large-scale "reductions in force" laid out in a Feb. 11 executive order. These plans were not publicly available at the time of this writing, and it was unclear how they would affect USDA probationary employees.

Court found OPM issued unlawful guidance

According to reporting by NBC, Alsup wrote in his March 13 order that the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, Agriculture and Treasury must: "offer reinstatement to any and all probationary employees terminated on or about February 13." An earlier order in the case and an investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel found that the OPM ordered mass firings of probationary employees on or around Feb. 13.

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The Office of Special Counsel is a federal agency that exists to protect federal workers from prohibited personnel practices, or practices that violate the merit system. The agency is carrying out its own investigation into the firing of probationary employees at USDA  more on this below.

The plaintiffs in the case against the Office of Personnel Management alleged that the OPM unlawfully directed agencies to fire probationary employees. This direction included a memo dated Jan. 20, the day of Trump's inauguration, titled "Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details."

The memo asked agencies to "identify all employees on probationary periods, who have served less than a year in a competitive service appointment, or who have served less than two years in an excepted service appointment" and "promptly determine whether those employees should be retained at the agency."

The OPM argued that its memo did not amount to orders. A revised edition of the Jan. 20 memo added a section reading:

Please note that, by this memorandum, OPM is not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees. Agencies have ultimate decisionmaking authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions.

Alsup's March 13 order essentially agreed with the plaintiffs  the OPM had overstepped its authority in ordering agencies to fire probationary employees and thus the fired staff should be reinstated.

Alsup order supported by federal employment tribunal

Prior to Alsup's order, the Merit Systems Protection Board had already found fault with the OPM's methods.

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On Feb. 28, the Office of Special Counsel brought the case of "John Doe," a forestry technician who was fired from the USDA while within the probationary period. The OSC investigation found that the USDA carried out firings of approximately 5,900 probationary employees following the OPM's Jan. 20 memo.

The OSC recommended that the MSPB, a quasi-judicial agency that adjudicates cases from the OSC, order a stay for 45 days for the termination of John Doe, as well as any other probationary employees fired by USDA using the same wording as John Doe's termination letter.

The MSPB granted the stay on March 5. The order stated that:

probationary employees whom the agency has terminated since February 13, 2025, pursuant to letters stating, "The [a]gency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the [a]gency would be in the public interest," shall be placed in the positions that they held prior to the probationary terminations.

The OSC investigation found that this email template was used to fire John Doe and the nearly 6,000 other probationary employees through the use of mass termination letters. According to the OSC request to the MSPB:

USDA officials testified that the agency created two templates, one for probationary employees in the competitive service and one for probationary employees in the excepted service, which it used to draft the mass termination letters it sent to Complainant and each of the nearly six thousand other probationary employees it has terminated since February 13, 2025.

The USDA based its mass termination letters on an OPM template seen by the OSC, the investigation found.

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The MSPB stay will elapse on April 18. The OSC investigation into the firings continues.

Sources:

American Federation of Government Employees. "Public Service Unions and State Democracy Defenders Fund Challenge Unlawful, Mass Federal Firings." American Federation of Government Employees, 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.afge.org/publication/public-service-unions-and-state-democracy-defenders-fund-challenge-unlawful-mass-federal-firings/.

American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. United States Office of Personnel Management . C 25-01780 WHA, 28 Feb. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.444883/gov.uscourts.cand.444883.45.0_1.pdf.

Ezell, Charles. Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 20 Jan. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.444883/gov.uscourts.cand.444883.37.0_1.pdf.

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Gerstein, Josh, and Kyle Cheney. "Thousands of Fired Federal Workers Must Be Rehired Immediately, Judge Rules." Politico, Politico, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/13/fired-federal-probationary-employees-court-ruling-00228721.

Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details | CHCOC. https://chcoc.gov/content/guidance-probationary-periods-administrative-leave-and-details. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Har, Janie. "Judge Orders Trump to Rehire Probationary Workers Let Go in Mass Firings across Multiple Agencies." AP News, 13 Mar. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb.

Have A Gay Day. "USDA Hires Back All 6,000 Fired Workers from Past Month with Back Pay!" Facebook, 12 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/mygayday/posts/pfbid025Hm688QbbKFmrntXdwrz2kCir7etot85XyHTmKo5GiFonfrA5XRXmHidwuqYCKTMl.

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Hay, Andrew. "US Forest Service Fires 3,400 Workers, Park Service Cuts 1,000." Reuters, 14 Feb. 2025, https://archive.ph/TTWxf#selection-1097.0-1104.0.

"Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative." The White House, 11 Feb. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative/.

"Judge Orders Some Federal Agencies to Reinstate Thousands of Probationary Workers." NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/judge-orders-federal-agencies-reinstate-thousands-probationary-workers-rcna196275.

@Marcia_Brown9. . ". @USDA Says It's Bringing Back More than 5,000 Probationary Employees after the Merit Systems Protection Board Temporarily Paused the Firings." X, 11 Mar. 2025, https://x.com/Marcia_Brown9/status/1899537061289263599.

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Marie, Melissa. "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA CHECK MATE ." Facebook, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/Ninjabyday101/posts/pfbid0372tV8aPjq6fn8mASyNhraXVSWTG5tCnAFDDFBZxGsnrFLmdaPfyFnRxNpPRf6aj6l.

ORDER ON STAY REQUEST. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD, 5 Mar. 2025, https://osc.gov/Documents/PPP/Formal%20Stays/Order%20on%20Stay%20Request%20(no%20cert%20plus%20errata).pdf.

Prohibited Personnel Practices Overview. https://osc.gov/Services/pages/ppp.aspx. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

@rayloco2. "USDA to Rehire Approximately 6000 Workers Fired by Musk in Feb with Back Pay." Threads, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.threads.net/@rayloco2/post/DHIAfIuNUxl.

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"Stay." LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/stay. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

taniel.bsky.social. "The Agriculture Department Is Having to Rehire More than 5,000 Fired Employees through at Least Mid-April: ." Bluesky, 5 Mar. 2025, https://bsky.app/profile/taniel.bsky.social/post/3ljnwhlqzj22o.

u/bazryel. "USDA Hires Back All 6,000 Fired Workers from Past Month, Including Public Land Employees." Reddit, 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Wildfire/comments/1j91eah/usda_hires_back_all_6000_fired_workers_from_past/.

U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL'S INITIAL REQUEST FOR STAY OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS . UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD , 28 Feb. 2025, https://osc.gov/Documents/PPP/Formal%20Stays/USDA%20Systemic%20Stay%20(redacted).pdf.

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USDA Status Update on Probationary Employees | Home. 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/03/11/usda-status-update-probationary-employees.

Vought, Russell T., and Charles Ezell. Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing The President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative. 26 Feb. 2025, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/latest-memos/guidance-on-agency-rif-and-reorganization-plans-requested-by-implementing-the-president-s-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative.pdf.


CHICAGO  Fire crews were sent into high gear on Friday morning after a mayday call was sent out for a trapped firefighter as crews battled a blaze on the citys Northwest Side.

The fire erupted inside a three-story apartment building in the 2000 block of West Thomas in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Residents in the building said they initially thought the smoke was the result of food burning, but things changed when they saw the fire trucks arrive.

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I didnt know what to grab. I just grabbed what was in front of me and ran out, one resident said.

The mayday call went out after a firefighter on the scene became trapped on the second floor while battling the blaze, but officials said he was eventually able to escape under his own power.

Officials said the firefighter, who has been with the department for around seven years, was able to exit the building using a ladder and even had a cat that he rescued on his back as he escaped.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

He was later taken to the hospital for evaluation and no other injuries were reported.

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It is currently unclear what sparked the blaze, and an investigation is now underway.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
It was just a regular day for the first responders of the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department. Until it was not.

The firefighters were called to respond to an emergency with a bird stuck high up in a tree, as WESH reported. That, to say the least, was intriguing since birds rarely get stuck in trees.

For the firefighters of New Smyrna Beach, their mission goes beyond putting out fires. They're dedicated to safeguarding all lives, whether human or wildlife, whenever danger strikes.

So, without hesitation, the team responded to the call and found the bird, a heron, dangling from its foot. According to the firefighters, the heron's leg got tangled in fishing line, trapping the bird and leaving it vulnerable to exhaustion, or worse.

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Armed with their ladder truck and training, they were able to rescue the bird, which had been injured from hanging upside down for what could have been hours. They left the bird in the care of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help it recover before its release to the wild.

While this news ended with a happy rescue, accidents involving ghost gear, like the fishing line the bird was trapped in, are common.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, ghost gear  abandoned, discarded, or lost fishing gear  impacts 66% of marine animals and 50% of seabirds and sea turtles worldwide. And more than 136,000 marine animals get trapped each year, according to World Animal Protection.

Despite these concerning facts, it's never too late to help. Communities can help by advocating for the proper disposal of fishing gear so it doesn't injure marine life or trap birds on top of trees.

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Want to do more? Take action by getting involved in local conservation efforts.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.




TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Storms could impact the Wabash Valley in the coming days and one local church is getting prepared.

Thursday afternoon, the American Red Cross was at First Baptist Church in Bloomfield to take a look at their life center. Greene County is making the space a disaster shelter.

Mass Care Coordinator for the American Red Cross, Brian Southern, said they look for a number of things during inspection.

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We want to know how many people we can possibly host overnight, how many people we can feed, Southern said. We always make sure that the facilities are ADA compliant, thats a requirement for us. Ideally, they have nice bathrooms with showers, which this one does. This is a wonderful opportunity for a facility.

To become a disaster shelter, the American Red Cross requires that the space have room for hundreds of guests and be able to provide them with basic neccessities.

The center has a gymnasium, multiple classrooms, and a food pantry. However, John Bailey, Moderator of First Baptist Church, said it wouldnt affect any services next door.

Its right next to our church, but it is also separate from the church, Bailey said. Activities could be going on day and night here and not interrupt the worship services that we would have. Its big enough that we would have parking facilities that would still accommodate this center, as well as the church services at the same time.

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Despite just being signed off by the red cross on Thursday, the center is already stocked up on things such as non-perishable food and is ready to host local residents.

We would be ready to go any time the disaster hits, Bailey said. This facility is ready. We have the resources, we have a great kitchen, shower facilities. We have everything needed in order to support people.

With an American Red Cross Disaster Shelter, Greene County is looking to build a network of volunteers to help in case of emergency.

If you would like to help out with things like local disaster shelters, you can call 888-684-1441 for volunteer services.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan has confirmed its first case of measles this year. The Oakland County Health Department confirmed a case involving international traveland that people other than the patient were exposed.

The health department held a news conference at 4 p.m. Friday, which can be viewed in the player above.

As of March 13, 15 states had reported 301 confirmed measles cases: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

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According to the CDC, 95% of those infected were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. 3% had one dose, and 2% had two doses. 34% of those infected were children under 5, 42% were between 5 and 19 years old, 21% were over 20, and 3% were of unknown age.

17% of these cases required hospitalization50 of 301 cases. Officials have confirmed one death from measles and are currently investigating another.

6 News will update this story with more information as it comes into our newsroom.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
WILLIAMSTON, S.C. (WSPA)  Anderson County Sheriffs Office Deputy Dalen Creamer decided to start a side business about ten years ago.

He didnt know how much it would change his and his familys life.

Creamer said he was a military brat and grew up moving from place to place as his father, a fighter jet pilot, took on new assignments.

We have a long history in my family, either you go in the military or in law enforcement, Creamer said. So, I knew I automatically was going into law enforcement. I got tired of moving around so much with the military.

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Creamer worked for Williamston Police and the Anderson County Sheriffs Office for years in a wide range of roles. Hes been a K9 handler and now heads the sheriffs office Internal Affairs.

About a decade ago, he got into the laser engraving business. Its called LazerWerk, but it found another direction in 2016.

When Allen Jacobs was killed at the Greenville (Police Department) the agency contacted me and asked for bracelets for everybody within their agency. I told them I didnt feel that was right for businesses to make money off of bracelets. Ive lost four guys in my career. Its personal to me.

LazerWerk produced 4,400 Allen Jacobs memorial bracelets for the Greenville Police Department. Deputy Creamer was just getting started.

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Agencies dont have funds sitting aside to purchase bracelets, so I decided to start a 501 C3 non-profit, Creamer told 7NEWS. The LazerWerk Memorial Bracelet Foundation produces bracelets to cover law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and military units (line of duty or suicide deaths) along with canines.

Last year, we sent out 6,700 bracelets to the foundation at no cost to families.

Deputy Creamer is in charge of the Anderson County Sheriffs Office Internal Affairs department. His wife, Ashley, is an investigator with the sheriffs office.

You know, with my wife being in law enforcement with me, it could be our names on those bracelets at any point in time, he said.

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Those memorial bracelets can show up in the most interesting places. Creamer said he saw a sheriffs office visitor wearing one that was in honor of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. The celebrated sniper died tragically in 2013, but his autobiography became a best seller and was made into a major motion picture.

Creamer told the man he made that bracelet.

Since Helene hit western North Carolina in September, Creamer has taken on another mission. Hes part of a group thats delivered tiny houses to people living in that area who lost their homes to the hurricane.

Sam Byler is the one thats really taking the lead on it, according to Creamer. He had a goal of one hundred  and from my understanding  were over 500 so far that have been delivered there.

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Theres been sheds or tiny homes delivered from Florida, Maine, Texas, and theyre all working the logistics of getting them all to the people in need.

You can find out more about the LazerWerk Memorial Bracelet Foundation by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
On a damp and grimly grey winter day in Paris, Bill Francois is a beacon of positivity.

After a brief stroll along the River Seine, he comes to a halt at the Henri IV Dock with Notre Dame Cathedral just about visible through the mist. Here, Francois flicks his wrist back and then gently launches a fishing line out into the choppy waters.

"The Seine is a wild place in the heart of Paris," enthuses Francois, who has come prepared in an all-weather outfit that includes a cap, sunglasses, and waterproof pants. "It's like an aquarium. The water is quite clear these days and the fish are multiplying."

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Francois, pictured below, a marine biologist by training, fishes in the Seine several times a week in different locations, surveying what he catches for long-term population monitoring by Parisian fishing associations. And year by year, Francois and other fishers are finding more and more, Reasons to be Cheerful reports.

Peter Yeung for Reasons to be Cheerful

The Seine's Comeback Sparks a Revival of Biodiversity

In fact, in the 1970s, only three fish species were left in the 777-kilometer (482-mile) river, which spans northern France and cuts through the capital city. But after decades of urban water policies alongside community efforts, nearly 40 have been officially registered, with new species appearing constantly.

Beyond fish, according to Francois, there are also other kinds of creatures such as jellyfish, crustaceans, sponges, shrimp and kingfishers coming back to the Seine.

"The restoration efforts of this river have been a real success," adds Francois.

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The Seine's thriving biodiversity is largely due to an improvement in urban wastewater treatment and the quality of water that is now being discharged into the river, according to French officials.

"We were pioneering almost by obligation," says Vincent Rocher, who co-authored a report published in November 2024 for SIAAP, the French public utility that has been tasked with collecting and treating wastewater in the Paris region since 1970.

Peter Yeung for Reasons to be Cheerful; Le SIAAP

The Seine's Restoration Signals a New Era for Urban Rivers

Thousands of years ago and even up to the Middle Ages, Paris was a city of marine life, the Seinewhich is over 14,000 years oldwas teeming with eels and salmon. But the municipal sanitation network became vastly inadequate as the city industrialized in the 19th century and as its population rose from about four million in 1900 to 12 million in 2020.

"We dumped a lot of organic matter in the water over that period," explains Rocher. "The population growth far exceeded our clean up capacity. So the Seine was biologically dead, there wasn't oxygen for wildlife. The fish almost disappeared."

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Such was the dire state of Parisian waterways that one little-known fluvial cousin to the Seine, the Bievre, was gradually concreted over and eventually buried by 1912. (Efforts are currently underway to restore the river.)

Rocher, whose report covers the development of sanitation in the Paris region from 1875 to present day and projections to 2050, said the turnaround began in 1929 when Paris laid out its first strategic plan and built a water purification station.

Since then, many more urban purification stations have been built, and they have become more sophisticated, treating not only waste like carbon and organic matter, but also nitrogen and phosphorus, helping to stop the proliferation of oxygen-hungry algae, which can starve other aquatic life. Since 1970, when SIAAP was founded, there has been a 10-fold reduction in ammoniacal nitrogen pollutants and a 20-fold reduction in fecal matter in the Seine.

The early progress was so promising that former prime minister Jacques Chirac promised in 1990 that he would swim in the Seine within three years. That claim proved to be too ambitious. However, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo finally fulfilled the dream in July 2024 ahead of the Olympic Gamesand in summer 2025 three public swimming sites along the Seine will open to the public.

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"It's a spectacular result," says Rocher, who is director of innovation, strategy, and environment at SIAAP. "That's the fruit of our purification stations. The Seine is breathing again."

Yet recognition must also be given to the associations of fishermen in Paris, who, mostly on a voluntary basis, have been monitoring fish populations for years, as well as adopting sustainable practices such as banning fishing in reproductive seasons.

"There are more than 1,000 members that coordinate across WhatsApp groups, recording all of the species that we observe," says Francois.

SIAAP has also been working more directly to support marine life, with a team of about 10 "ecological engineers" working on the ground to maintain fish habitats on riverbanks. The organization occasionally releases oxygen in key fish habitat areas of the Seine when levels drop too lowsomething usually required due to pollution overflows. It has also begun monitoring using environmental DNA, or eDNA, which involves taking samples from the environment rather than directly from fishes, minimizing disruption.

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While Paris has proven to be a leader in the field, many other European cities have taken huge strides when it comes to protecting urban rivers, particularly in light of the European Union's Water Framework Directive, rules established in 2000 to protect Europe's rivers, lakes and groundwater. Experts say that healthy urban rivers offer a number of benefits, including better flood management, protected habitats for wildlife, air quality improvements, and nature spaces to improve residents' well-being.

"Many cities have experienced massive improvements," says Iwan Jones, a professor at Queen Mary University of London and head of the River Communities Group, a U.K.-based project studying how freshwater ecosystems can be managed sustainably. "This is down to changes in legislation on the national and European level."

Professor Jones also attributes changes in public opinion to helping ease urban river restoration. "We used to turn our backs on rivers," he says. "But as people have seen the improvements, they have demanded more. Things like swimming in the Seine at the Paris Olympics brought a focus on the river being an asset rather than a liability."

As a sign of that change of public perception in recent years, fishing in the Seine has even become popular among younger urban residents, including rappers and graffiti artists, in a scene known as "Street Fishing."

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Nonetheless, the flow of urban river restoration hasn't all been one way.

Major research in the journal "Nature", co-authored by Jones in 2023, found that the recovery of European freshwater biodiversity has "come to a halt"pointing to threats such as new pollutants, climate change and the spread of invasive species.

The SIAAP report echoed those concerns, warning that climate change "will certainly accentuate the fragility of the rivers" in the Paris region and that other challenges to river health and biodiversity, such as micropollutants, are emerging. An ongoing difficulty is the challenge of stopping sewage from overflowing into rivers when there are extreme rains, which are becoming more common due to climate change, but Paris has been building extra capacity over the past 20 years to combat this.

Meanwhile, in a paper published in November 2024, scientists at Utrecht University in the Netherlands argued that urban rivers, for generations overlooked, are the "missing piece" when it comes to restoring Europe's ecosystems. The authors argued national restoration plans "need to neither disparage nor forget urban rivers or riverscapes" and incorporate targeted and place-specific actions for their restoration.

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Francois, too, is concerned about limited surveillance of companies who pollute in the Seine, and plans to develop areas like La Bassee, a protected nature reserve that, according to him, is one of the few places where the Seine is still wild.

"There is a big margin for improvement," he says.

Waterline is an ongoing series that explores the solutions making rivers, waterways and ocean food chains healthier. It is funded by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

This story was produced by Reasons to be Cheerful and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Dr. Devdutta Sangvai talks with NC Sen. Kevin Corbin after a Senate committee meeting. (Photo: Lynn Bonner)

At Dr. Devdutta Sangvais confirmation hearing Thursday, a co-chair of the Senates health committee pressed Sangvai for his assessment of the states COVID-19 response of four and five years ago.

As secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mandy Cohen was a key advisor to former Gov. Roy Cooper throughout the hard pandemic years.

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Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance) wanted to know what advice Sangvai, as head of DHHS, would give Gov. Josh Stein.

Cooper issued a stay-at-home order and required all but essential businesses to close when the pandemic first started sweeping the globe five years ago. Restrictions loosened gradually.

When vaccines were developed, some state employees were required to show they had received shots or be tested weekly for the virus before returning to the office.

More than 29,000 deaths in the state were attributed to COVID-19.

The need for a reckoning

The shut downs, the incredible upheaval of the fundamental fabric of our society. Did we do the right thing? asked Galey, one of the Senate Health Care Committee chairs. What lessons have we learned? If there is another contagion, how would you advise Gov. Stein on how to deal with an emergent public health threat?

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Galey asked a variation of the question three times.

Sangvai offered nearly the same response each time. He would use available information to protect peoples safety.

My commitment is to make sure that we use the evidence to guide us, make sure that we make decisions in consultation with all the right people, and importantly, continuously reevaluate as new evidence emerges and our understanding continues to improve, he said.

Sangvai was president of Duke Regional Hospital before joining the Stein administration to lead DHHS.

Galeys questions indicated that while far fewer people track COVID like they did five years ago, the states COVID response survives as a political issue.

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Galey said Thursday she had not seen a reckoning of what happened or what was learned.

Senator Amy Galey (R-Alamance Co.) (Photo: NCGA)

I think it would be really helpful for people to know that the public health community is wrestling with those questions, she said. And whats the answer? It feels like the answer is hidden under a bushel somewhere because its going to make somebody look bad. If it makes Gov. Cooper look bad, it might make President Trump look bad. It might make Mandy Cohen look bad. Well, if they need to look bad, they should, she said. If we did everything great, that would be really nice to know too.

Republicans wanted schools and businesses to reopen much quicker than Cooper did.

During the pandemic, the Republican legislature passed bills that would have open bars, gyms, and other businesses. Those bills did not survive Coopers vetoes. Republicans also criticized Cooper for being too slow to allow students to return to in-person learning. Student academic performance in North Carolina and nationwide plunged and still has not fully recovered.

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Republicans included a provision in the 2023 budget that prevents any state or local government office from firing employees or not offering people jobs because they wont be vaccinated for COVID.

Galey represents the county thats home to Ace Speedway, which defied a state ban on large public gatherings in 2020. The state shut down the race track for a short time. Its owners are suing the state, saying the business was singled out.

The 2020 governors race turned on the states COVID health precautions. Then-Lt. Gov. Dan Forest was the Republican candidate for governor. He opposed the mask mandate, and wanted schools opened for at least some public school students in Fall 2020. His campaign events were notable for a lack of social distancing and mask-wearing. Cooper won reelection that year by about 5 points.

Journalist Leoneda Inge spoke to Cohen for an episode of WUNCs Due South that aired this week.

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Cohen recalled that no one knew much about the virus in the earliest days.

We were learning so quickly, and everything was changing so quickly, she told Inge. There was so much we both didnt know about the virus, how was it transmitted, who was it most impacting, how fast it was moving. And, there were no tests, vaccines, treatments, or enough protective masks, gloves and gowns for health care workers.

We were trying to learn from every corner of the globe, and bring the best of that knowledge of North Carolina, she said. Cohen later ran the CDC for about 18 months under former President Joe Biden.

Cohen has acknowledged that COVID-19 underscored the need for clearer, more transparent communication to restore public trust.

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Kody Kinsley succeeded Cohen in leading the state agency for the final three years of Coopers term. As DHHS Secretary, Kinsley worked tirelessly to rebuild bridges with Republican legislators, which helped the legislature ultimately agree to expand the states Medicaid program.

Relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle are crucial as the state agency faces an ambitious to-do list and uncertainty about federal funding under the Trump administration.

Confirmation could come next week

Sangvai was sworn into office in January and has been doing the job leading DHHS.

The Republican legislature passed a law in December 2016, after Cooper won his first term but before he took office, requiring him to submit names to the Senate for confirmation. Most appointees are approved, but a 2021 Senate committee rejected the nomination of Coopers choice for secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.

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The Senate Health Care Committee is set to vote Wednesday on Sangvais nomination.

Most of Thursdays questions for him were about his goals for the department and challenges it faces.

Improving the child welfare system is a focus, Sangvai said. Children are sleeping in county social services offices because they have nowhere else to go.

A new software program that will ease communication among social services workers across county lines and a new Medicaid insurance plan set to launch later this year to help smooth coverage as children move from place to place offer hopes for improvement.

Nearly a quarter of DHHS jobs are vacant. Vacancies in front-line jobs at the states psychiatric hospitals drive up the average.

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Sangvai told the committee he wants to reduce employee turnover and offer paths for career growth.

Promoting primary care and attention to non-medical social needs such as health food and transportation are priorities.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The Florida Democratic Party is launching a statewide effort to hold town halls in red districts.

The project is part of a larger push from Democratic representatives to target vulnerable House Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who represents Clearwater and Largo in Floridas 13th Congressional District.

Democrats are heading to GOP districts for town halls: Were filling a void

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Earlier this month, National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) advised Republican representatives to avoid hosting in-person town halls.

That came after a series of viral confrontations between Republican representatives and angry constituents demanding answers for some of the actions taken by President Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency.

Were filling a void thats left open by our Republican colleagues who are too scared to show up to town halls in their own districts because theyre doing things that are not popular, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said.

The town hall for the 13th District will be held on Saturday in Clearwater and is being hosted by FDP Chair Nikki Fried and Whitney Fox, the Democrat who lost the seat to Rep. Luna.

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In addition to Clearwater, town halls are be held in Pensacola, Hastings, Melbourne, Coral Gables, Wildwood and Winter Springs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (WFLA)  In a new twist, police said a Florida man who is currently serving a life sentence for killing his family has been linked to a murder-for-hire plot involving a reality TV star.

The Las Vegas Police Department said investigators believe Grant Amato and Victoria Goodwin were plotting the murder of her husband Aaron Goodwin, who is known for his role on the show Ghost Adventures.

Man claims amnesia after St. Pete police say he rammed couple off road, killing them

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The two were apparently in love, and Victoria Goodwin had set aside $11,515 to pay a hitman to get rid of her husband, according to information reported by NBC affiliate WESH. Their relationship began when Victoria Goodwin started writing to Amato after seeing him in a true crime documentary, an arrest report stated.

Amato was convicted in 2019 for killing his parents and older brother at a Seminole County home. The killings were further examined in a three-part documentary series titled Ctrl+Alt+Desire that aired in April 2024.

Corrections officers at the Okeechobee Correctional Institution seized Amatos phone and found text messages between him and Victoria Goodwin that dated back to October 2024, according to the arrest report obtained by WESH.

In one message, investigators said Victoria wrote, Im so anxious LOLOL, I just cant believe its happening how did I get to this point, and Am I a bad person? because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce.

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Human trafficking victim rescued in disturbing Hillsborough investigation: sheriff

She also is believed to have been providing Amato information about her husbands whereabouts. Police said Amato would then check in with the hitman, at one point messaging, [Aaron Goodwin] is asleep right now in the hotel room brother. I need to know what is going on. Can I get an update? Was it done?

Victoria Goodwin was arrested last Thursday in Nevada, where she and her husband live, and charged with solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She is being held in Clark County, Nevada on a $100,000 bond.

As of March 13, Aaron Goodwin had not yet commented on the investigation.

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The Florida Department of Corrections provided the following statement to WESH regarding the situation:

FDC maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of cell phones in prisons. Institutions conduct routine cell checks to search for contraband of any kind. When contraband is discovered, FDC, in partnership with the Office of the Inspector General, holds individuals accountable and maintains a thorough record of such actions. FDC staff are dedicated to maintaining a safe work environment, and under the leadership of Secretary Ricky Dixon, we proudly collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and security of both staff and inmates within FDC correctional facilities and the community.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has sought to evict an art house cinema from city property for screening Oscar-winning "No Other Land," a film about the Israeli displacement of a Palestinian community in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

He also wants to halt future grant payments to the non-profit O Cinema in South Beach. City commissioners are expected to vote on legislation introduced by Meiner next week, according to a resolution document made public on Thursday.

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Meiner has described the movie as one-sided propaganda and an attack on Jewish people, while the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and other civil rights advocates have condemned his actions as being against free speech.

The film's co-directors, Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, dismiss allegations that it is antisemitic.

Kareem Tabsch, co-founder of O Cinema, told Axios the non-profit was "hoping to engage in a thoughtful conversation with our mayor and elected officials," before the vote.

But the cinema was willing to take "whatever avenues" necessary to remain in South Beach and would seek to protect its freedom of expression and right to exist, Tabsch was quoted as saying.

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Reuters was not able to immediately reach Tabsch for comment.

Despite winning the Oscar for documentary feature film this month, "No Other Land" has not been picked up by mainstream U.S. distributors.

The film shows Israeli soldiers tearing down homes and evicting residents to create a military training ground and the encroachment of Jewish settlers on the Palestinian community.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The bloodshed triggered the latest phase of a decades-old conflict.

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Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, Gaza officials say, while internally displacing Gaza's entire population, causing a hunger crisis and leading to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.

O Cinema's website, as of Thursday, listed upcoming screenings of the film on March 19-20.

Meiner's actions were reported earlier by the Miami Herald.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Florida Republicans are attempting to roll back state laws on the legal age of gun ownership, which was raised following the deadly 2018 Parkland school shooting that left 17 people dead.

A bill sponsored by congresswoman Michelle Salzman would lower the legal gun-buying age back down from 21 to 18 so that all adult citizens in Florida are afforded their full Second Amendment rights.

"The ability to purchase and utilize a firearm is your constitutional right, and reinstating those rights is the right thing to do for Floridians," Salzman said on Wednesday. "We must stop infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding adults who are old enough to serve in our military and make other significant life decisions."

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The bill cleared its first committee stop in the House on Wednesday, with the GOP-controlled House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voting 13-5 along straight party lines to approve the proposal.

Florida Republicans have come one step closer to rolling back state laws on the age of gun-ownership, which were raised following the deadly 2018 Parkland school shooting, with a bill to lower the age to 18 passing its first committee stop on Wednesday (Sun Sentinel 2018)

"Concerns about the maturity of 18- to 20-year-olds have been raised," Salzman said. "But this group is already entrusted with significant responsibilities, such as voting, serving on juries and enlisting in the armed forces."

Floridas age of gun ownership was raised to 21 in 2018 following a massive lobbying effort by survivors and family members of the 17 people killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which is one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

The horrific killings were carried out by a former student, Nikolas Cruz, who was 19 years old and legally able to buy guns under the state's laws at the time.

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Weeks later, following the lobbying attempts, then-Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a package of gun safety measures, including the provision raising the gun-buying age.

The horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, that left 17 people dead, was carried out by Nikolas Cruz  who was 19 and able to legally buy guns at the time (AFP via Getty Images)

Within hours, the National Rifle Association filed suit to challenge the law, a dispute that is still playing out in federal court.

At Wednesday's hearing, the committee heard from both sides of the aisle, including pro-gun safety groups and others such as the NRA, Gun Owners of America, and Florida Carry.

"As a father, I want my daughter to be armed when she is under the age of 21 and she is living outside my house, so she is able to protect herself," Luis Valdes of Gun Owners of America told the House panel, per CBS. "Right now, the law disarms women. It disarms our college students."

Others argued from the stance of child development. "We must think harder and longer," said Democratic congresswoman Dianne Hart. "Eighteen-year-olds don't need guns. We don't let them drink alcohol for a reason. They are not ready yet."
The Florida Supreme Court has refused to block the scheduled execution of a murderer in Seminole County.

Edward James killed a woman and her 8-year-old granddaughter in 1993.

His attorneys argued James had cognitive decline, and questioned whether executing him would violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

James is scheduled to be executed next Thursday.

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LAKE WALES, Fla. (AP)  As Trevor Murphy pulls up to his dad's 20-acre (8-hectare) grove in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, he points to the cookie-cutter, one-story homes encroaching on the orange trees from all sides.

At some point, this isn't going to be an orange grove anymore," Murphy, a third-generation grower, says as he gazes at the rows of trees in Lake Wales, Florida. "You look around here, and it's all houses, and that's going to happen here.

Polk County, which includes Lake Wales, contains more acres of citrus than any other county in Florida. And in 2023, more people moved to Polk County than any other county in the country.

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Population growth, hurricanes and a vicious citrus greening disease have left the Florida orange industry reeling. Consumers are drinking less orange juice, citrus growers are folding up their operations in the state and the major juice company Tropicana is struggling to stay afloat. With huge numbers of people moving into Floridas orange growing areas, developers are increasingly building homes on what were once orange groves.

Many growers are now making the difficult decision to sell orange groves that have been in their families for generations to developers building homes to house the growing population.

Others, like Murphy, are sticking it out, hoping to survive until a bug-free tree or other options arrive to repel the disease or treat the trees.

Mounting concerns

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When Hurricane Irma blasted through the state's orange belt in 2017, Florida's signature crop already had been on a downward spiral for two decades because of the greening disease. Next came a major freeze and two more hurricanes in 2022, followed by two hurricanes last year. A tree that loses branches and foliage in a hurricane can take three years to recover, Murphy said.

Those catastrophes contributed to a 90% decline in orange production over the past two decades. Citrus groves in Florida, which covered more than 832,00 acres (336,698 hectares) at the turn of the century, populated scarcely 275,000 acres (111,288 hectares) last year, and California has eclipsed Florida as the nation's leading citrus producer.

Losing the citrus industry is not an option. This industry is ... so ingrained in Florida. Citrus is synonymous with Florida, Matt Joyner, CEO of trade association Florida Citrus Mutual told Florida lawmakers recently.

Nevertheless, Alico Inc., one of Floridas biggest growers, announced this year that it plans to wind down its citrus operations on more than 53,000 acres (21,000 hectares), saying its production has declined by almost three-quarters in a decade.

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That decision hurts processors, including Tropicana, which rely on Alicos fruit to produce orange juice and must now operate at reduced capacity. Orange juice consumption in the U.S. has been declining for the past two decades, despite a small bump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A prominent growers group, the Gulf Citrus Growers Association, closed its doors last year.

Location, location, location

Pressure on citrus farming is also growing from one of the state's other biggest industries: real estate.

Florida expanded by more than 467,000 people last year to 23 million people, making it the third largest state in the nation. And more homes must be built to house that ever-growing population.

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Some prominent, multigenerational citrus families each have been putting hundreds of acres (hectares) of groves up for sale for millions of dollars, or as much as $25,000 an acre.

Murphy owns several hundred acres (hectares) of groves and says he has no plans to abandon the industry, though last year he closed a citrus grove caretaking business that managed thousands of acres for other owners.

However, he also has a real estate license, which is useful given the amount of land that is changing hands. He recently sold off acres in Polk County to a home developer, and has used that money to pay off debt and develop plans to replant thousands of trees in more productive groves.

I would like to think that were at the bottom, and were starting to climb back up that hill, Murphy says.

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A bug-free tree

A whole ecosystem of businesses dependent on Florida citrus is at risk if the crops fail, including 33,000 full-time and part-time jobs and an economic impact of $6.8 billion in Florida alone. Besides growers, there are juice processors, grove caretakers, fertilizer sellers, packing houses, nurseries and candy manufacturers, all hoping for a fix for citrus greening disease.

Tom Davidson, whose parents founded Davidson of Dundee Citrus Candy and Jelly Factory in Lake Wales in 1966, says the drop in citrus production has impacted what flavor jellies the business is able to produce and the prices it charges to customers.

Were really hoping that the scientists can get this figured out so we can we can get back to what we did, Davidson says.

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Researchers have been working for eight years on a genetically modified tree that can kill the tiny insects responsible for citrus greening. The process involves inserting a gene into a citrus tree that produces a protein that can kill baby Asian citrus psyllids by making holes in their guts, according to Lukasz Stelinski, an entomology professor at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' Citrus Research and Education Center.

It could be at least three years before bug-resistant trees can be planted, leaving Florida growers looking for help from other technologies. They include planting trees inside protective screens and covering young trees with white bags to keep out the bugs, injecting trees with an antibiotic, and finding trees that have become resistant to greening through natural mutation and distributing them to other groves.

Its kind of like being a Lions fan before the Detroit Lions started to win games, Stelinski says. I'm hoping that we are making that turnaround.

___

Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform X: @MikeSchneiderAP
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  This flu season in South Dakota, there have been at least 50 deaths related to the flu Thats the highest number in the past 7 years.

At schools and day cares, it can be easy for sicknesses to spread.

Little Tykes University in Sioux Falls knows that first-hand.

I think this year, we have been struck a little bit harder than we normally have, which is everybody has. Theres places that have shut down entire school districts. We have seen a lot of illness from kids, Little Tykes University Owner, Corri Poore said.

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And with sick kids, often come sick staff members.

House rejects veto override of child care bill

This flu seasons been so bad that Tykes to do something its only done once before.

We actually had to close this facility down for a day because we just did not have the staff to be able to maintain, Poore said.

Theyre not alone. Influenza numbers have been up across South Dakota.

We know its about 20,000 cases in the state, which is the highest number weve seen over the last ten years, Chief Medical Officer of Sanford Health, Dr. Jeremy Cauwels said.

Dr. Jeremy Cauwels says one of the biggest reasons for the increase in cases is the lack of people receiving a flu shot.

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So we have seen a fairly pronounced correlation between people not getting their vaccine and the number of flu cases that were seeing, Cauwels said.

For the children at Little Tykes University, staff will continue to do what they can to keep the flu and other illnesses at bay.

When we do start to see things ramp up, then we are even more cautious, more vigilant in those cases. So, the surfaces that would have been cleaned anyway, were going to clean them a little bit more, wiping down walls, door handles, things of that nature, Poore said.

Dr. Cauwels says the flu shot is responsible for preventing 50% of hospitalizations of adults and over 70% for children.

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The New Hampshire House voted to ban cell phones from schools on Thursday, adding to the issues momentum in the state and across the country.

Sponsored by Rep. Melissa Litchfield, R-Brentwood, the bill would require school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone free education. It directs schools to restrict cell phone use during class instructional time, with exceptions for student medical, disability, or language needs. It would also set aside $250,000 in state funding to reimburse schools for the implementation of such policies.

The bill, HB 781, passed the House unanimously on the consent calendar Thursday. It will now go to the Finance committee before heading to the Senate.

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HB 781 is one of a few bills that seek to ban or limit the use of cell phones in schools currently moving through the state legislature. All have been received positively in the House and the Senate, and Gov. Kelly Ayotte has also voiced support for such a measure.

This rare bipartisan support has been seen both in New Hampshire and across the United States. Both Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, have vocally supported keeping cellphones out of class time. According to an October 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 68% of U.S. adults support a ban on middle and high schools students using cellphones in class.

Nine states already have enacted such bans, including both Arkansas and California, and many others, like New Hampshire, are considering bans this year.

Cincinnati Country Day freshmen work on the yearbook, Monday, April 15, 2024. At the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, the school, in Indian Hill, instituted a no cell phone policy. Although most students said it was an adjustment, the flip side is more interactions with each other and not their phones. (L-R): Nicole Hardesty, 15, Ireland Beckett, 15, Josie Haden, 15, Tatum Hensley, 15, and Live Sweeney, 14.

Why does New Hampshire want to ban cell phones from schools?

Those in favor of limiting cell phone use in schools cite the impact screen time has on childrens mental health as well as how the phones act as a distraction in class.

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Screens are negatively impacting our learning environments, drawing students' attention away from their classes, and becoming a barrier for teachers to do their jobs, said Ayotte in a post on X. No more.

Rep. Rick Ladd, R-Haverhill, is sponsoring HB 131, another bill that would ban cell phones from class time. He said the bill would help address the decline in students attention spans and force them to interact more with each other.

Used to be it was a great social experience, said Ladd of school during a hearing. Kids were yanking around with each other, having fun, talking to each other, looking at the whites of the eyes. Now what are they looking at? The white of the cellphone.

Teachers who testified said that removing phones from class led to better scores. Advocates have pointed out other dangers cell phones pose, such as cyberbullying and sexually explicit content. And even eighth grader Cameron Marvin testified in a hearing that that his school in Pelham is more peaceful now after it banned cellphone use during class time.

Lawmakers return to the State House following a break on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

What are the arguments against banning cell phones?

Some parents have raised safety concerns over cell phone bans, saying they need to be able to contact their children in case of emergencies. Many students also dont like the idea, some putting together petitions to overturn bans already in place.

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Others say that state governments should not implement sweeping bans, but let individual communities decide whether to allow cellphones in classes. It could be better to teach kids responsible cell phone use like theyll have to practice as adults, some say.

Another reason against legislated bans is because cellphones can be used as a learning tool in districts where students dont have laptops. However, the money provided in Litchfields bill might give some assistance to schools wanting to buy technology such as Chromebooks to make up for the ban.

What states already have bans?

While policies and implementation dates vary, at least nine states have already enacted measures banning or restricting cell phone use in schools.

Those states include Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginiaa mix of red and blue states.

What states are also considering bans?

In addition to New Hampshire, at least a dozen other states are considering policies to restrict cellphones.

They include neighboring Vermont, as well as Texas, North Carolina, and Arizona.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH House votes to ban cell phones from schools: What to know
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 14. European Commission has confirmed its readiness to continue cooperation with Tajikistan, focusing on sustainable economic growth and agricultural development, by signing new documents, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Jozef Sikel wrote on X, Trend reports.

He further highlighted the importance of affordable and reliable energy for the countrys future.



"Reliable and affordable energy is key to economic growth, as is sustainable agriculture. And we, along with our partners, are ready to work together with Tajikistan to achieve this," Sikela noted.

Sikel also underscored that today, two crucial agreements were signed, aimed at improving Tajikistan's energy infrastructure and supporting its agricultural sector:



One of the agreements was a 20 million euro grant from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the modernization of Tajikistan's power grid. This project aims to reduce energy losses and create conditions for investments in renewable energy sources. The result will be lower electricity costs and enhanced energy security for the country.



The next one was a $20 million program with Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aimed at increasing productivity and resilience in the cotton sector, as well as improving climate change adaptation. This will allow Tajikistan to increase exports of its products.

These initiatives are expected to contribute to the long-term development of Tajikistan, ensuring economic growth and resilience in the face of climate change.



Germany's company GIZ provides technical assistance, expertise, and capacity-building programs to help countries and organizations implement projects aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They work closely with governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations around the world.
TOWN OF TRIANGLE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Our Food and Farm Showcase returns with a look at how the sap is running at a local maple syrup farm.

Coles Maple Syrup in the Town of Triangle is a perennial winner at the New York State Fair, having won three Best of Show awards and multiple ribbons at the State Fair and Broome County Fair.

Owner Gary Coles grew up making syrup with his brother in a bathtub.

In 1995, he started tapping trees on his 400 acres and in 2019 took the operation to another level with the installation of a reverse osmosis system and an oil-fired evaporator.

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These days, he produces anywhere from 500 to 1,000 gallons a year, enough to be able to sell his product year-round.

Coles says when the sap is flowing, it must be boiled down immediately or it risks spoiling. That can mean up to eight hours a day spent in the sugar house.

This is kind of my retirement. It keeps me out of mischief because I get bored sitting and watching the TV like a lot of people who are retired go sit there. I probably wouldnt survive. At least keep active, said Coles.

Coles currently taps 2,000 trees, but at age 75, he says hes looking to slow down a bit.

He also operates a Christmas tree farm, and cuts lumber on his property.

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Coles says he wont judge this years season until its over, but its bucking the recent trend of maple season coming earlier in the year.

He says for people seeking locally produced, all-natural products, you cant beat maple.

I have pancakes every Sunday night. I test my product every Sunday night. Thats my standard Sunday night meal. Make the pancakes from scratch, get my maple syrup out. Ive taken my maple syrup when I was in Australia and New Zealand and that type of stuff. Ill probably take it to Africa when Im going this year, said Coles.

Coles says hell be in Africa this year during the state fair, but hes already asked a fellow sugar maker to bring his syrup to the competition.

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Coles sells a variety of grades of syrup, maple cream, sugar shapes and granulated sugar out of his home on Route 206.

For more information, go to ColesMapleSyrup.com.

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In this photo illustration, Froot Loops are on display on Nov. 22, 2024 in Miami, Florida. If House Bill 2354 becomes law, Froot Loops and other foods that use certain artificial dyes, won't be sold in West Virginia starting in 2028. (Joe Raedle | Getty Images)

Lobbyists for the food and beverage industry are fighting a bill that would ban synthetic dyes in food, paying thousands of dollars for ads that say it will drive up food prices and result in empty grocery store shelves. Sixty percent of grocery products could be pulled, they say.

Republicans behind the legislation say the food industry is using scare tactics and choosing poison over profit.

Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley

If you cant make a product that doesnt poison children, then dont put it on our shelves. I think thats the message were sending, said Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley.

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The measure, House Bill 2354, would ban a list of artificial colorful dyes in foods sold in West Virginia stores and in school meals by 2028. Bill supporters say the synthetic dyes, like Red No. 3, are unnecessary, dangerous and the cause of some behavioral issues in children. There are natural and safer alternatives, they say.

The House of Delegates and Senate had signed off on the bill with bipartisan support, then the House amended the measure Thursday, removing language that would have penalized anyone who was selling a food item under $5,000 that contained the banned dyes.

I want to make sure that Toby and Edith arent prosecuted for selling something at a bake sale, said Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell.

The Senate has to sign off on the Houses changes before it would head to Gov. Patrick Morriseys desk for consideration. Barrett, who has spearheaded efforts on the bill in the Senate, expects his colleagues, then Morrisey to approve it. It would make West Virginia the first state in the nation to pass a sweeping ban on food dyes.

Del. Evan Worrell

Im confident that hes going to sign the bill, Barrett said.

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Americans for Food & Beverage Choice is pushing for Morrisey to veto the bill should it reach his desk. The group has spent more than $19,000 in radio ads in the last week, according to filings with the Federal Communications Commission, and theyre expected to spend more on ads in the coming days. A text message ad campaign is underway, as well.

The radio ads say that politicians go way too far with this ban and that there are more sensible solutions.

This is a law that would impact six in 10 grocery store items, effectively making them illegal. It will lead to higher prices, fewer choices and empty shelves, said Stacie Rumenap, spokesperson for Americans for Food & Beverage Choice. The alternative ingredients simply dont exist to scale.

The West Virginia Beverage Association also opposes the legislation, saying the supply of alternative colors simply does not exist and will take years to catch up.

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This bill will only succeed in one thing: emptying grocery store shelves over ingredients that are proven safe and approved worldwide  We ask Gov. Morrisey to veto this misinformed bill and protect our economy and West Virginians freedom to decide whats best for their family. Lets work together on pragmatic solutions to address these concerns, they group said in a statement.

A West Virginia nutrition director previously told lawmakers that the ban would affect only about 30 items currently offered in schools.

Rumenap said the bill also puts jobs at risk due to its potential major disruption to food suppliers.

Donnie Perdue, vice president of the Teamsters local 175 union, said the bill would result in layoffs at all Pepsi and Coca Cola facilities represented by Local 175.

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Both Pepsi and Coke have said the dye bill would cause a 50% decrease in their current inventory levels, he said. There has been no economic analysis done to actually see what the impact would be if all these drinks and food is banned from West Virginia  The states that border West Virginia will be the only winners with this bill as West Virginians travel to their state to get their favorite drinks and food because we no longer have them.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told food executives this week that removing artificial food dyes is an urgent priority. As dozens of states are considering legislation to ban food dyes, Barrett said he is very confident that the no food on the shelves argument is a scare tactic.



Some of these big manufacturers like the American Beverage Association are saying, Were gonna pull these products off the shelf. Well, good. Thats what were trying to do, Barrett said.

He notes that Aldi, which banned synthetic colors in its store-brand items, sells its own version of Pop-Tarts without dyes and its product is cheaper than the Kellogg option. Watermelon juice can be used to color food instead of a synthetic dye.

Marty Gearheart, R  Mercer

Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, spoke against the measure, saying it removes his ability to choose a product thats been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Products like Gatorade could be pulled from the shelves, he said.



Theyre simply not going to ship that product to our state, he said. It appears to me  that we want government to do for us and for our children what we wont do ourselves, and that is restrict consuming.

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Worrell, who prioritized the bill as House Health Chair, said it was unfortunate that lawmakers had to step in to regulate food.

I dont want to run bills like this. I wish we could trust our manufacturers not to put poison in our food, he said. They have chosen these poisonous chemicals to make a dollar because we allow this. Theyre allowed to do this cheaper.

Morriseys spokesperson didnt return a request for comment for this story.

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Fiona Hill, a former senior National Security Council official and expert on European and Russian affairs, has revealed new insights into President Donald Trumps previous interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin  and how she believes Putin actually mocked Trump during their exchanges.

In a lengthy interview with Foreign Affairs released Thursday, Hill described Trump as unprepared for meetings with his Russian counterpart and overly fixated on personal interactions rather than diplomatic strategy.

Hill, who served Trump during his first term and testified during his first impeachment for attempting to extort Ukraine, pointed to one incident in particular as evidence.

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The very first time I was in one of the phone calls with Putin, I was listening very carefully to the Russian, because the interpreters dont always capture everything, they dont capture the nuances, particularly when its the Russian interpreter whos translating into a language thats also not their native language, all kinds of things are missing, she remembered.

Trump, who for years has expressed his admiration for Putin and has recently parroted Russian talking points in his bid to broker a peace deal to end Russias invasion of neighboring Ukraine, described the exchange as great, she said.

But Hill recalled thinking that it really wasnt.

There was all kinds of menace in what Putin had said, he chooses his words very carefully, she explained.

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Many times when Putin and Trump are interacting, Putins actually making fun of him, she continued. Its just its completely lost in the translation. I can give lots of episodes of this, or hes goading him and urging him on to something, because hes trying to see how hell react and the translation smooths over all that. That context is absolutely missing. And he doesnt do a readout afterwards.

All of this is amateur hour, added Hill, who is now a senior foreign policy fellow on the U.S. and Europe at Washington-based think tank Brookings.

Listen to the full interview here:

Related...
As Big Lots continues shuttering all of its remaining stores, four former Wisconsin locations of the retailer are now Ollie's Bargain Outlets.

Big Lots, a discount retail chain, filed for bankruptcy in 2024 amid widespread store closures. The company shut down hundreds of stores nationwide, including most of its 12 locations in Wisconsin. By December 2024, Big Lots announced it had reached a deal with asset liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners to sell off most remaining stores.

According to USA TODAY, Ollie's Bargain Outlet has acquired 63 of the former Big Lots stores, adding to the 568 stores that the discount retailer already operates across 31 states.

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"Everything about these stores lines up well with our business and growth strategy," Eric van der Valk, president and CEO of Ollies, said in a news release of the former Big Lots stores. "These locations are the right size, come with favorable lease terms, are located in existing and adjacent trade areas, and have long serviced value conscious consumers.

Here's which shuttered Big Lots locations in Wisconsin are now Ollie's stores, as well as the latest on the final remaining Big Lots stores.

Which former Big Lots locations are now Ollie's Bargain Outlets?

The following Wisconsin former Big Lots locations are now Ollie's Bargain Outlets, an Ollie's spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel. The locations reopened in mid-February.

Are there any Big Lots locations left in Wisconsin?

According to the company's store locator, there are no Big Lots stores stores left in Wisconsin.

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As of January, the only remaining locations in Wisconsin were in Milwaukee and Green Bay, at 5667 S. 27th St. and 1507 W. Mason St., respectively. Both locations were on a list distributed by Gordon Brothers last month of former Big Lots leases available for sale. Offers for the leases were due on Feb. 17.

More: Big Lots announces 'going out of business' sales at Milwaukee and other remaining Wisconsin stores

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Four Big Lots stores in Wisconsin reopen as Ollie's Bargain Outlets
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A former Buffalo Public Schools music teacher pleaded guilty earlier this week to a charge related to attempting to meet up with a person he believed was a teenager, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Friday.

Steven DeMart, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted endangering the welfare of a child on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said DeMart attempted to meet with an individual who he believed was a 13-year-old. DeMart had communicated with the person, who was actually an adult, multiple times through social media apps, including sending sexually explicit videos. The attempted meeting happened on May 28, 2024 and he reported the incident to the Amherst Police Department the same day.

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DeMart was suspended from his position after the incident was reported to police. As part of his sentence, which was one year of conditional discharge, he was ordered to surrender his teaching license.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH)  A former custodian at Pickerington Local Schools pleaded guilty to voyeurism charges Thursday and was given a jail sentence.

Prosecutors said Edward Dorst, 64, of Baltimore, Ohio, hid a cell phone in a staff restroom at Tollgate Elementary School, where he worked. Dorst was arrested in October, when the phone was found.

Columbus police officer fired for bar fight wants job back

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The district immediately placed him on leave; his contract with the district was terminated in February.

In January, a spokesperson for the teachers union told the school board that one-third of the staff at Tollgate was recorded by the phone; no students were involved, according to investigators.

Dorst was sentenced to 90 days in jail for each of six charges of voyeurism with three of those terms suspended. He is ordered to pay a $25 fine, be under four years of probation following his release, must register as a sex offender, and complete a treatment program.

Family accuses pet sitter of cremating dog without permission

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Our focus remains on supporting our employees, and we appreciate the strength and professionalism they have shown throughout this difficult time, a spokesperson for the district said.

Dorst is also ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Pickerington school properties and all the victims. He will also surrender his phone to the Fairfield County sheriffs office.

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EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN)  The City of East Liverpool announced the loss of former Mayor Jim Swoger.

Swoger passed away Tuesday. He served from 2004 until 2015.

Swoger will be remembered for his love of East Liverpool, especially the children. Making sure they had a place to make summer memories, Swoger quietly donated year after year to keep the Thompson Park Pool.

As mayor, he implemented the Land Reutilization Board, started cleaning up blight, and was a big part of bringing the New Castle School of Trades downtown.

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To those who knew him, he was kind, loved dearly and served selflessly.

Swoger was 73 years old.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The Golden Pride employee accused of stabbing and killing his coworker pled no contest to second-degree murder. Video from inside the Golden Pride on Lomas Blvd. shows then-employee Ethan Sheppard pacing in the kitchen before eventually grabbing what police say is a knife from his pocket and stabbing his coworker, Justin Husted, to death.

Case moves forward for suspect in 2021 murder of teen in Albuquerque

The 38-year-old is facing a sentencing range from 15 to 20 years but a date has not yet been set.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Marialexa Sanoja left her job as a police officer at Wyandotte High School to start Mission Despegue after she felt her concerns over student safety were not addressed. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)

KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Marialexa Sanoja publicly quit her job as a Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools police officer over concerns with the districts handling of student safety needs and founded a nonprofit to help kids escape the challenges in Wyandotte County.

In the three-and-a-half months Sanoja was stationed at Wyandotte High School, the districts largest school with 1900 students, Sanoja said she filed 140 incident reports and that in most instances the district failed to take action. The district, through its YouTube channel, disputed her figures and asserted it handled concerns responsibly.

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It didnt take long for me to find out that the students were not in the best interest of anybody, Sanoja said. When the police officer becomes a safe space for students, there is something wrong with that.

After her resignation in December 2023, Sanoja founded Mission Despegue, translated to mission takeoff, a nonprofit that helps parents and students document their grievances with the school district to hold the district accountable for its handling of safety issues.

Sanoja saw the districts response to a sexual assault case and its communication as inadequate, and experts echo her concerns. Now, Sanoja works with current and former students to get their GED certificates, drivers licenses, mental health care and prevent substance abuse.

Sanojas concerns

Sanoja said much of the Latino community, which makes up 72% of Wyandotte High School, is afraid to complain or make a scene because many of them are new to the country. She aims to empower them, and help them achieve the American dream.

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One reason Sanoja resigned  and a former student dropped out  was because of the districts response to the former students experience of being sexually assaulted at school. Kansas Reflector doesnt identify minors who have been sexually assaulted.

According to an incident report filed by Sanoja, the former student was a freshman and alone in the Wyandotte High School stairwell when a group of older boys groped her and made sexual remarks. She began recording the boys with her phone, which prompted them to leave, the report said.

Sanoja was off duty that day. The former student asked the on-duty officer to file a report, which Sanoja says she never saw. The day after, Sanoja and the former student said they filed an incident, criminal, and Title IX report. The former student wanted to press charges.

After that, I just stopped going to school, because I didnt feel safe, the former student said in an interview with Kansas Reflector.

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Sanoja said security camera footage and the former students video showed the boys faces. The former student said the district told her that because the boys never returned to school, it could not suspend them. However, the former student said she continued to see the boys on campus.

Ultimately, the district didnt do anything about it. We were asking, at least, for suspension. That didnt happen, Sanoja said.

A spokesperson from the district told Kansas Reflector it was unable to provide comment on the former students case, or the districts responsibility to handle reports of sexual assault.

Sanoja publicly resigned with a letter that accused the district of failing to communicate with parents. She wrote that she was worried about instances where students brought guns to school property and all parents werent notified.

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In a response video to Sanojas resignation, district superintendent Anna Stubblefield said those incidents are not always relayed to all families. Not because were hiding anything, but because the impact is low and to protect the privacy of our students.

A district spokesperson told Kansas Reflector the administration is required to contact parents regarding student issues  such as absences, drug-related concerns, or fights  in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Marialexa Sanoja looks over her resignation letter a year after she resigned. The eight-page letter highlighted concerns over student safety she had while working as a school police officer. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)

Expert opinions

Ken Trump, an expert in school safety communications who is not related to the president, said parental anxiety over school safety is rising nationwide.

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Its very easy to get caught up if youve got a couple thousand kids in a school, dealing with incidents and other things. But you need to take a tactical pause in this, and go back to looking at the communications, Trump said. You cant go back to the old-school mindset of if someone finds out about it well talk. That doesnt work anymore.

Sanoja said that after a student overdosed at school and she contacted the parents directly, the high school principal told Sanoja to route all communication with parents through administration.

Sanoja said that she continues to receive videos of physical fights in the schools, totaling in the hundreds, since her resignation.

Michael Dorn, a school safety expert who assists schools after major acts of violence, said Sanojas allegations were concerning. He said he would have responded to her concerns differently than the school district did.

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I was a school district police chief for 10 years, Dorn said. If an officer in my department wrote that kind of resignation letter, I would request a state police investigation. I would ask for a polygraph test, and I would ask that she be polygraphed. I wouldnt do anything like that, but if someone alleged that I did and I didnt do it, I would request that to clear my name.

Sanoja worked as a police officer in Lenexa before transitioning to the school district and said Wyandotte High School presented the most significant challenges shes seen. She believes the problems are within the culture of the school.

Everybodys tired of the way the district is handling things, Sanoja said. Theyve been failing these kids for years.

Fixing root causes

Through her nonprofit, Sanoja helps students who leave the district, like the former student who was sexually assaulted, earn their GED certificate.

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When theyre out of the school environment, Sanoja said, they thrive.

Sanoja said most of the families she works with are immigrants, and the parents do not speak English.

We face the daunting task of ending the stigma, shame and judgement that come with our culture, Sanoja said.

Mission Despegue seeks to fix the root causes of the problems seen in school  like substance abuse, violence, bullying, and mental health issues. Sanoja said she sees these problems reflected in things like the graduation rate of the district. For the 2023-2024 school year it was 78.1%, which is 11.4 percentage points lower than the state average.

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Through donations, Sanoja covers the cost of mental health appointments, DMV license and GED class registrations, and laptop purchases for students pursuing their GED certificate without one. In February, she began converting first-time offenders court fees, in hopes of reducing recidivism.

With the help of more than 100 volunteers, Sanoja has hosted events where she provides Narcan and educates parents about the dangers of substance abuse. She also guides volunteers to further training, like drug prevention and compassion fatigue workshops.

Sanoja said she doesnt get paid for her work with Mission Despegue. She said she needs an assistant, because she has a long list of people that need help.

I see something in them. I know theyre going to be successful, Sanoja said. I want that opportunity for every kid I have.
Ex-workers of a lithium tech startup have sued the company, alleging toxic chemical exposure.

Lilac Solutions, a company bankrolled by Bill Gates, countersued for trade secret violations.

An attorney for the ex-employees said Lilac's suit is a "pressure tactic to scare" his clients.

Four ex-employees of a lithium startup bankrolled by Bill Gates' climate investment firm have sued the company, accusing it of "recklessly" exposing them to toxic chemicals that left them sick and injured.

The former workers at Lilac Solutions say in a 60-page lawsuit they were fired after they repeatedly sounded the alarm to upper management about their "overexposure" to hazardous dust and fumes inside a poorly ventilated Oakland, California, warehouse.

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Lilac hit back against the ex-employees with its own lawsuit in late January, alleging the ex-workers "intentionally misappropriated" the startup's trade secrets through their public court filings.

The company, which has said it raised more than $165 million in funding led by Gates' climate investment firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures, developed new technology to extract lithium, a crucial material in electric car batteries.

Gates is not personally affiliated with the lithium company. His investment firm is not named in the ex-workers' lawsuit.

A previous Business Insider review found companies are using trade secrets law as a legal strategy against workers who have accused them of wrongdoing.

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Nick Yasman, an attorney with West Coast Trial Lawyers who represents the former employees, told BI that Lilac's countersuit is a "pressure tactic to scare" his clients into backing down, and called the suit "utterly unmeritorious.

A Lilac spokesperson, though, told BI that "the allegations against the company are completely without merit."

"Lilac Solutions will vigorously defend itself and its employees in this lawsuit, and we are confident that the legal process will vindicate us from these baseless allegations," the spokesperson said. "Our focus remains on delivering industry-leading technology that unlocks faster, cheaper and cleaner lithium production to meet growing industry demand."

Lilac 'sacrificed human health,' lawsuit says

The former employees' lawsuit against Lilac alleges that the company "sacrificed human health and safety in pursuit of its goals."

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Plaintiffs Michael Mitchell, Khiry Crawford, Tyler Echevarria, and Anthony McCune worked out of Lilac's Oakland processing plant, assisting in the manufacturing of tiny ceramic ion exchange "beads" used in the company's process to extract lithium from brine, the lawsuit, filed in late November in California's Alameda County Superior Court, says.

The beads or ion exchange material, referenced in court papers as "IXM," "was comprised of many different toxic and hazardous chemical compounds," says the lawsuit, which highlights a specific chemical compound, only identified as "Compound A," containing "a toxic chemical" only referred to as "Chemical 1."

"While Compound A can be a benign material at small exposure levels, significant exposure to Compound A can lead to high levels of Chemical 1 in the human bloodstream," the lawsuit says. "High enough concentrations of Chemical 1 in the bloodstream can lead to Chemical 1 poisoning, which is a toxic condition caused by overexposure or chronic exposure to Chemical 1."

The plaintiffs allege Lilac stored its stock of "Compound A" in torn bags that were "carelessly" piled on the warehouse floor, allowing particles to escape into the air.

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Test results eventually confirmed that the ex-employees were "actively being exposed to toxic and dangerously high levels of Chemical 1 every work day," the lawsuit says.

Prior to their employment at Lilac, the lawsuit says the plaintiffs were physically healthy. Yet when they were at the company and after they left, they experienced symptoms including severe respiratory pains, coughing, difficulty breathing, abnormal gastric pains, loss of balance, nervous system tremors, uncontrollable shaking in their hands and limbs, severe insomnia, anxiety, and depression, their lawyers allege in the complaint.

The plaintiffs say that throughout their employment with Lilac from 2021 to 2024, they were "regularly warned by colleagues about the danger of the materials they worked with," but were provided with "extremely minimal and grossly insufficient personal protective equipment."

The ex-workers say in the complaint their physical injuries were "substantially caused by LILAC's willful concealment of the identities of many toxic chemicals," as well as arsenic.

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The former employees allege that their desks and workspaces were "constantly" covered in chemical dust and engulfed by fumes and that the "toxicity was inescapable."

As early as 2021 and through January 2024, the employees complained to management about the "grossly insufficient" ventilation system in the warehouse, the lawsuit says.

"Despite Plaintiffs complaints, LILAC took no measures to increase ventilation and air purity within its warehouse until January 2024, after Plaintiffs were terminated," it says.

On January 16, 2024, the workers were notified of their terminations and told it was the result of a "reduction in force," the lawsuit says.

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The lawsuit argues that the plaintiffs' complaints about workplace health and safety and "whistleblower complaints" about Lilac's "noncompliance with state and local health and safety codes and regulations, substantially caused and contributed" to the company's decision to end their employment.

The lawsuit alleges California labor code violations, whistleblower retaliation, negligence, and discrimination.

"It's a whistleblower retaliation case where the people who complained the most were the same ones who were fired," Yasman told BI.

After their firings, the plaintiffs filed complaints of retaliation against Lilac with California's Labor Commissioner's Office and complaints with the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, resulting in OSHA issuing Lilac four citations, the lawsuit says.

Lilac alleges the ex-workers breached confidentiality agreements

Lilac filed its countersuit against the ex-employees on January 31, calling it " a case of clear and intentional misappropriation of trade secrets" in court papers.

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The former workers, Lilac's lawsuit says, "gained access to Lilac's trade secret information relating to the chemicals and processes Lilac uses to manufacture certain ceramic beads."

It's a process that "none of its competitors do, know how to do" or were aware that Lilac does, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit, which also alleges breach of contract, says the ex-employees were made aware that the chemicals and processes used to manufacture the so-called "IX beads" were "highly confidential and that they were not permitted to be disclosed to anyone outside of Lilac."

Lilac alleges that the company "has been and continues to be irreparably harmed" as a result of the ex-workers' "misappropriation of its trade secrets."

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Its lawsuit says a draft of the former workers' legal complaint included repeated references to "Chemical 1," which the company describes in the court papers as "the most important chemical in the manufacturing of the IX Beads."

Yasman, during an interview with BI, argued that the trade secrets Lilac has alleged can be found on the company's own website or in publicly filed patents.

The attorney and his team have filed a special motion to strike the case under California's anti-SLAPP law that's designed to curb meritless lawsuits and protect free speech rights.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Agreements reached at COP29 in Baku under Azerbaijans chairmanship have instilled great hope, said Rashid Alimov, former Foreign Minister of Tajikistan and former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Trend reports.

Speaking during a panel discussion on "COP29: Breakthrough to BelemAccelerating Transformation" at the XII Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, Alimov expressed his congratulations to the government of Azerbaijan for successfully hosting the COP29 summit in 2024.

"The agreements reached under Azerbaijan's chairmanship at COP29 inspire great hope. In particular, the Loss and Damage Fund, which was fully launched at COP27 in Italy, has been a long-awaited solution. The fund must operate efficiently, transparently, and promptly, responding to the needs of countries that are in dire need of this support. And of course, the most important thing is ensuring that the fund receives the necessary financing," he said.

Alimov also articulated that Tajikistan is strategically positioning itself to achieve a comprehensive transition to renewable energy modalities by the year 2032.

"Today, 98 percent of the electricity in Tajikistan is produced through hydropower. The country is 93 percent mountainous, with glaciers, thousands of lakes, and 1,450 rivers, which serve as a source of drinking water for 80 million people in our region," he added.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A former medical assistant convicted of sexually assaulting four patients was sentenced today to 9 to 12 years in prison Friday.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury returned six guilty verdicts for indecent assault and battery against Damien Knighton earlier this month.

He was ordered to serve 3 years of probation following the prison time.

Additionally, Knighton was ordered to register as a sex offender and never work in the Massachusetts medical field again.

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The 41-year-old was a medical assistant at Back Bay Medical Center, where victims alleged he tricked them into going into exam rooms where he assaulted them.

A civil suit has also been filed against Mass General Hospital.

It is important that MGH is held to account for what Knighton was allowed to do and to ensure that MGH never again allows its employees to have free rein to sexually abuse patients, said attorney Tyler Fox.

25 Investigates spoke exclusively with one of the victims in this case who shared their story as a warning to others.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Matt Pinfield is alive and recovering after suffering a major stroke in January.

Guys, Im alive, Pinfield, who was in a coma in the ICU, told The Hollywood Reporter. Im recovering and am going to come back swinging. I was unresponsive for two months. Friends were thinking they were coming to see me for the last time. The doctors never expected me to speak or to walk again.

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The former MTV VJ and SoCal Sound radio host is currently on his way to full recovery in a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles. Pinfield, a onetime Columbia Records VP of A&R who has had a number of radio gigs over the past 20 years  most recently co-hosting The Power Hour on AXS TV  suffered the stroke on Jan. 6.

He also opened up about his eldest daughter Jessica assuming temporary conservatorship of the media personalitys medical and financial decisions. Shes the one who saved my life, Pinfield told the publication of his daughter. She protected me.

Pinfield added for grateful he is for all the people that that were wishing me well. The love of the community helped me get through this. He is looking to be discharged from the hospital by the end of the month, and continue with outpatient care. Im definitely going to take some time to recover, he explained. Then Ill do my radio shows again and get back to work doing what I love, which is to entertain people playing music.

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(WHTM) A former Pennsylvania police officer pleaded guilty to conspiring to use excessive force when arresting people over three years.

According to the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, former Lt. David Donkochik, age 53, of the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, was indicted on June 15, 2023, alongside former Officer Jonathan McHugh, 36, and former Officer Kyle Schauer, 36, on charges of conspiracy to deprive rights under color of law.

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The attorneys office said one or more of the defendants kicked, punched, choked, or used other forms of excessive force that caused injury to victims during 22 different arrests.

Additionally, the three former officers attempted to ensure that police body cameras did not capture video evidence of said arrests.

Donkochik and the others also falsely reported that their victims were being violent, charging them with aggravated assault and resisting arrest in an attempt to hide their own violence, the attorneys office said.

Proposed bill would require Ten Commandments in Pennsylvania schools

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According to the attorneys office, former officer Kyle Schauer pleaded guilty to the charges on Oct. 24, 2024. The maximum penalty for Schauer and Donkochiks offenses is 10 years in prison and a fine.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Rodrigo Duterte, who served as Philippine President from 2016 to 2022, appeared for the first time at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Friday.

The hearing signifies the start of a lengthy trial over the charges of crimes against humanity lodged against him for leading a brutal anti-drug campaign in his home country that human rights groups in the Philippines say killed more than 30,000.

Duterte, 79, appeared at the hearing via videolink, with Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc citing his long journey with considerable time difference. However, his counsel, Salvador Medialdea, was present in the courtroom. Medialdea told the court that Dutertes delivery to The Hague was degrading, and called it a pure and simple kidnapping.

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The first Asian former head of state to appear before the court, Duterte arrived in The Hague after a swift arrest on March 11 in Manila upon arriving from Hong Kong. Philippine authorities immediately flew Duterte to the Netherlands, and he has stayed in the ICCs detention unit in the seaside suburb of Scheveningen since his arrival.

Judge Motoc said the confirmation of charges hearing is on Sept. 23.

In a video posted on social media shortly after midnight local time Thursday, while appearing to take responsibility for the police and military who implemented his anti-drug campaign, Duterte also recognized that this would be a long legal proceedings.

The ICC has been constantly doubted for its slow trials and low conviction rateswith 11 convictions and four acquittals since its establishment in 2002. But Dutertes critics, among them people who had family members killed during anti-drug operations, are pleased he is appearing in court.

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The National Union of Peoples Lawyers said in a statement Friday that Dutertes arrest and surrender is an incredible illustration of processes [of] how persons suspected of crimes are to be arrested and taken into custody by authorities, adding that these are processes that victims of the war on drugs have barely enjoyed.

Dutertes drug crackdowns in the Philippines saw thousands of summary and extrajudicial killings, with the brutality dating back to 1998, while he was serving as mayor in the southern Philippine city of Davao. In October, during a Senate hearing, the former Philippine President admitted to having his own death squad made up of gangsters, and that he ordered police officers to encourage drug suspects to fight back so officers could justify killing them.

Read More: The Meaning of Rodrigo Dutertes Arrest

Duterte is lucky he has due process, but my child who was killed did not have due process, said Emily Soriano in a press conference in Manila. Sorianos teenage son, Angelito, was killed in anti-drug operations back in 2016. He sleeps in a nice bed, while my child is rotting in the cemetery, she added.

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Randy delos Santos, the uncle of Kian delos Santos, a teen who was also shot dead in August 2017 anti-drug operations in Manila resulting in one of the campaigns most high-profile cases, told local reporters after Dutertes arrest: Our former President is fortunate because he is given the chance to defend himself My nephew was never brought to court. Many accusations were thrown. Then he was killed.

Good for [Duterte] that he was just arrested by police, while our relatives were killed on the spot, said Jane Lee, whose husband was killed by unidentified assailants in 2017.

Protesters, some holding posters portraying Rodrigo Duterte, rally in support of his detention outside of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 14, 2025. Nicolas TucatGetty Images

Outside the ICC on Friday, anti-Duterte protesters expressed support for his detention, with some holding posters that read: Hold Duterte accountable and bring him to trial! Pro-Duterte protesters, meanwhile, chanted Dutertes name, saying, Bring him home!

Dutertes legal team in the Philippines and supporters have questioned the legality of the former Presidents arrest, with some even protesting in front of the ICC detention center in Scheveningen. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, asserted that the Philippines followed every single necessary procedure in implementing the ICCs arrest warrant and that the Philippines complied with its commitments to international bodies. The Marcos and Duterte families used to be political allies, but had a public falling out last year.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack said.

Paul Baird, 44, of Keene, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to aiding and abetting the production of child pornography, McCormack said. Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for June 25.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on Jan. 29, 2024, Baird took at least one sexually explicit photograph of the minor victims genitalia and posted sexually explicit images of the minor victim on a dark website dedicated to child pornography.

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During the investigation, law enforcement found images and videos that constitute child sexual abuse material on Bairds cell phone.

At the time of his arrest, Baird was employed as a bus driver by the Student Transportation of America, which is a school transportation company that services the Contoocook Valley School District, prosecutors said.

For the charge of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography, Baird faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, with assistance from Keene Police.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA)  A former president of the Tarpon Springs Little League was arrested on Friday after being accused of appropriating league funds for personal use, according to the Tarpon Springs Police Department.

Police said Nicole Lampadarios Free, 49, withdrew at least $23,085.30 from the leagues accounts while operating as President of the Tarpon Springs Little League from June 2023 to March 2024.

Floridas famous orange groves may soon disappear

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Lampadarios Free then used the misappropriated funds for her own purposes.

Credit: Tarpon Springs Police Department

According to TSPD, board members became suspicious when payments to League vendors were returned for insufficient funds.

Police arrested Lampadarios Free and charged her with grand theft of over $20,000.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Alan Simpson, an old school moderate Republican senator who helped craft major U.S. immigration reform in 1986 and made friends across the aisle, died on Friday in Cody, Wyoming, his family said in a statement. He was 93.

He was surrounded by family and friends after struggling to recover from a broken hip in December, the statement said.

The No.2 Republican in the Senate for a decade, the lanky Simpson was a blunt talker who was not afraid to promote unpopular causes in his party such as abortion rights and gay equality, yet he remained for years a part of the Republican establishment.

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A six-foot, seven-inch balding giant, the affable Simpson served as a U.S. senator from Wyoming for nearly 20 years, including from 1985 to 1995 as minority whip -- the second-ranking Republican post in the Democratic-controlled Senate of the time.

His chief legacy in the Senate was the overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that was signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Some 2.7 million illegal immigrants would eventually win legal status in the United States under the law, which Simpson put together with Democratic Representative Romano Mazzoli.

The reform was criticized by some Republicans as effectively allowing an amnesty, although it also tightened legal penalties on employers who hired undocumented foreigners.

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In 2011, shortly after he retired from the Senate, Simpson lamented how political bi-partisanship had declined.

"Now it's just sharp elbows, and instead of having a caucus where you sit down and say, 'What are you going to do for your country?' you sit figuring out how to screw the other side," he told Time magazine.

Simpson's friendly style helped him form alliances with rivals on the other side of the floor, and in 2022 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by Democratic President Joe Biden, his longtime friend and former Senate colleague.

Born on Sept. 2, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Alan Kooi Simpson served in the U.S. Army in West Germany in the 1950s. His father, Milward Simpson, was a Wyoming governor and U.S. senator.

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The younger Simpson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1964 through 1977 before himself making the leap to the U.S. Senate in the 1978 election.

While a proud advocate for most conservative causes, Simpson had a strong libertarian streak that supported abortion rights and gay rights.

"Who the hell is for abortion?" Simpson told MSNBC in 2011. "I don't know anybody running around with a sign that says 'Have an abortion, they're wonderful.' They're hideous. But they're a deeply intimate and personal decision and I don't think men legislators should even vote on the issue."

"We've got homophobes in our party. That's disgusting to me. We're all human beings, we're all God's children," he added.

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Simpson was known for his sense of humor, a quick temper and earthy language -- some would call it profane -- and did not mind using those traits to respond to those he disagreed with.

After reporters used a 1987 White House photo opportunity to shout questions to Reagan about the Iran-Contra scandal, Simpson accused them of sadism.

"You know very well that you're not asking him things so you can get answers," he said in anger. "You're asking him things because you know he's off balance and you'd like to stick it in his gazoo."

Although willing to challenge the establishment, Simpson generally owed his effectiveness to his ability to work within it.

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Under Democratic President Barack Obama, the then-retired Simpson formed one half of the Simpson-Bowles presidential commission on deficit reduction that was at the center of raging congressional arguments over the U.S. debt and deficit.

In 2006, he was one of 10 people chosen to form the Iraq Study Group that gave 79 recommendations to Republican President George W. Bush on how to change course in the Iraq War.

When the Republicans returned to power and took control of Congress after the 1994 elections, Simpson lost his leadership role to Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, who led a new conservative revolt within the party.

In 1996, he decided not to run again.

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Simpson gave a eulogy at the funeral service for President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in December 2018.

He used the occasion to take a dig at the highly charged political atmosphere in the United States during the first presidency of Republican President Donald Trump.

"Hatred corrodes the container it's carried in," he told the assembled mourners, which included Trump and former presidents.

(Reporting by Alistair Bell, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's chief diversity officer made a series of poor financial decisions, including approving substantial salary increases and authorizing excessive travel spending, according to newly released records that shed light on the employee's demotion earlier this year.

The decisions by LaVar Charleston throughout 2023 and 2024 coincided with a period of intense scrutiny by state Republican lawmakers over the value of campus diversity offices. In one of the most brazen examples cited in the report, Charleston approved bonuses for 85% of his employees just three days after UW leaders struck a sweeping budget deal with legislative leaders that had stalled for months over DEI.

"It strains credulity to believe that he did not grasp the acute sensitivity of this action," the internal UW-Madison report said. "This lack of communication and timing demonstrates a significant lapse in judgment and fiscal responsiblity."

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The findings released Friday are sure to fuel critics of DEI, who see diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as financially wasteful and racially divisive. And the timing is less than ideal for the UW System. The GOP-controlled Legislature will vote on the UW budget for the next two years in just a few months.

The UW-Madison report concluded the university's decentralized organization led to a lack of oversight that enabled Charleston's poor decision-making. UW-Madison has made several changes to increase financial accountability.

"We believe this was an isolated case, and as we dug into that more, we saw this was clearly an outlier in (spending)," UW-Madison chief financial officer Rob Cramer said in an interview. "We do take very seriously our responsibility to the state and to taxpayers and donors. When we find an issue like this, we try and take swift action."

UW-Madison diversity office under scrutiny

Charleston led the the university's Division of Diversity, Equity and Education Achievement since 2021. The office offers student-focused support programs and fosters a welcoming culture on campus. DEI advocates say the work is critical in helping students and employees who have historically been left out of higher education, including Black and Brown students, veterans and those with disabilities.

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UW-Madison removed Charleston from his leadership position in January. He remains employed at the university through his faculty appointment. His salary was cut from about $324,000 to $133,000. The university said he is on voluntary paid leave through April 10.

Charleston did not return a request for comment Friday. But he defended his decisions in a memo to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. He said he was encouraged by Cramer and the former UW-Madison provost to spend down the surpluses that had accumulated in his division from unfilled vacancies in previous years. Among the hundreds of records released were at least two memos outlining the division's plan to spend more money.

The review began last fall when UW-Madison said it conducted budget reviews of several units, including Charleston's division. The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau also dove into the financial data, spurred by Republican lawmakers who requested an audit of diversity efforts across state agencies.

Charleston's division had a $21.8 million budget as of last school year, Cramer said. Most of the spending questioned in the report came from a fund that is a mix of state taxpayer and tuition money.

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Cramer declined to speculate on whether the division's budget or employee base may shrink in the future. He said the report was strictly a review of the divisions' financial activities, making no judgment on the effectiveness of its programs.

UW diversity division approved bonuses for most staff

Charleston's decisions did not violate state laws or university policies but demonstrated a lack of judgment, records released to the Journal Sentinel show.

Across UW-Madison, for example, less than 3% of employees annually receive bonuses. In Charleston's division, he approved bonuses to 85% of his staff without consulting senior leadership, the report said. The bonuses totaled nearly $219,000 and came four days after the UW System brokered a deal with the Legislature in late 2023.

The overwhelming majority of the bonuses amounted to more than 3% of employees' base salaries, straying from the more modest bonuses other units distributed. In addition, more than half of the division's 71 employees had already received a bonus in the previous year.

La Var Chaleston increased employee salaries without justification

Between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, Charleston also approved salary increases ranging from 10% to 23% for 12 employees.

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Charleston told UW-Madison officials conducting the review he awarded the raises for equity reasons. But he provided no information on market pressures or pay of employees with similar appointments to justify the increases. The raises were also processed as performance adjustments, not equity adjustments.

Charleston suggested the university's central finance office endorsed his compensation decisions because the office processed the transactions, an assertion the report rejected. While the central office provides guidelines and recommendations on salary decisions, responsibility lies with the unit leader.

UW diversity division's spending on travel, events, furniture spiked

The report said Charleston's division spent the most on travel, training and events of any unit on campus  about $11,000 per employee in 2024. Other divisions averaged about $3,300 per employee.

Travel and event spending rose sharply compared to previous years. The division spent $1.2 million in 2019. This ballooned to $1.7 million in 2023 and $2.65 million in 2024.

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Supply spending also increased, from $326,00 in 2019 to nearly $600,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Some of the expenses were questionable, the report said.

Among the charges: $18,000 for student massage therapy services, $21,000 for a senior leadership retreat at a Lake Geneva resort, $14,000 for Maui lodging costs for seven students and staff for recruitment purposes.

"The collective total amounts to unacceptable action by a Vice Chancellor," Cramer wrote in a report to Mnookin this week.

UW-Madison increases financial oversight and accountability

As a sprawling and complex enterprise with 20,000-plus employees and more than 50,000 students, UW-Madison has a long history of decentralization. This organizational structure allows units to be more responsive to their own distinct needs. But it comes with risks, as Charleston's case shows.

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The division did not go over its budget. What paved the way for the spending was a practice allowing units to carry over unspent funds into the next year. Before Charleston took over the division, the unit had underspent, in part because of unfilled vacancies in the division. This led to the accumulation of large carry-over balances he could then tap.

Beginning this fiscal year, UW-Madison units can carry over only 10% of unspent money. The rest will go to a fund controlled by central administration.

Among other changes outlined in the report:

All vice chancellors are now required to consult with the chief human resources officer on compensation decisions outside of normal, approved ranges. This includes any raises exceeding 10% of an employee's base salary and bonuses exceeding $5,000.

Unit finance leads will now dually report to their unit leader and to the associate vice chancellor for finance.

Workday, a new financial software system expected to launch this summer, will improve internal controls.

Deloitte, an outside financial firm, will conduct a review.

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(This story was updated to add new information and a video.)

Kelly Meyerhofer covers higher education in Wisconsin. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: University of Wisconsin demoted DEI chief LaVar Charleston due to spending
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Fort Smith police say they responded to a stabbing incident near Darby Middle School on Friday morning.

A news release from the department said that officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at the 800 block of North 14th Street.

Muldrow man pleads guilty to three counts of child abuse

Once on the scene, authorities found a male victim with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

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FSPD said this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing.

Fort Smith Public Schools released the following statement regarding the stabbing:

Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) is writing to inform you that this morning, Tilles Elementary and Darby Middle School were placed on a precautionary lockdown due to a police presence in the surrounding neighborhood. Local law enforcement has addressed the incident, and the lockdowns have been lifted at both campuses.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
The Fort Worth Police Department said it was not aware that its officers appear on the Tarrant County Sheriffs Offices list of law enforcement agencies approved to investigate in-custody deaths.

Sgt. John Phillips and Lt. Richard Demore of the Fort Worth Police Department appear as secondary investigator and secondary investigator supervisor on the Custodial Death Notification Roster the Sheriffs Office submitted to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in October 2021. Demore was unaware his name was on the document, the department said.

The Star-Telegram received the roster through an open records request to the jail commission.

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The Texas Rangers are listed as the primary investigating agency on the roster. The secondary investigator is tasked with the investigation when the primary declines for whatever reason.

The Texas Rangers did not immediately respond to a request for comment about 26 deaths in the Tarrant County jail that were not independently investigated per the 2017 Sandra Bland Act. Tarrant County Jail Administrator Shannon Herklotz told the Star-Telegram in February that the Rangers do sometimes decline to investigate.

A police department spokesperson said Demore had not previously seen the provided document, nor did he know who had submitted the form. The spokesperson was also unaware of the roster. He did not mention Phillips or clarify if he is still with the department. His name is not on the most recent city employee salary database.

The Sheriffs Office did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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The Police Department said its officers do not investigate jail deaths for the Sheriffs Office, despite the names of two listed as investigators.

Members of our department conduct reviews, and both of the listed officers were assigned to the unit which conducts the review, the police spokesperson said in an email exchange.

The Sandra Bland Act requires the jail commission to appoint a third-party law enforcement agency for independent investigations of deaths in county jails.

A Star-Telegram investigation published in February found that by having sheriffs offices and jail administrators submit the rosters, rather than making the appointments itself, the jail commission has been in violation of the law for over seven years.

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County medical examiners offices are among the acceptable agencies for sheriffs offices to choose, according to the roster, but medical examiners offices are not law enforcement agencies.

Jail commission Executive Director Brandon Wood did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The jail commissions public records office said that the roster is the most recent one it has on file for the Sheriffs Office.

The first of the 26 jail deaths that were not independently investigated was that of Leon Jacobs on Oct. 30, 2021, the same month the roster was submitted.

Krishnaveni Gundu, executive director of the advocacy group Texas Jail Project, linked these 26 cases directly to the roster.

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The fact that the roster remains on file with the jail commission nearly five months after it was widely reported that the outside agency listed on it was not conducting investigations is yet another example of the Sheriffs gross disregard and contempt for state laws, she said.

More disturbing is the fact that (the jail commission) continues to let (the Sheriffs Office) get away with violating basic protocols and procedures mandated by the law in question, she said. At what point will the state regulatory agency decide to do its job and hold (the Sheriffs Office) accountable by issuing a non-compliance?

Earlier this week, the Sheriffs Office failed to comply with state law requiring it file a report with the Attorney Generals Office within 30 days of a death in custody. The office blamed it on on a clerical error.

The Sheriffs Office, Police Department, jail commission and other law enforcement agencies have a circle-the-wagons culture based more on protecting each other than rendering justice, according to Katherine Godby, board chair of the advocacy group Justice Network of Tarrant County.

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The people in charge of these institutions have relationships with each other that seem pretty incestuous, she said. Its an attitude of, Well, Im above the law because I am the law. Its absolutely outrageous that they get so defensive about having people look at whats going on in there.

Cassandra Johnsons son Trelynn Wormley died in the Tarrant County jails Green Bay facility in July 2022. His death was attributed to a fentanyl overdose, and Johnson has sued the county, alleging that drugs run rampant in the jail.

His death is one of the 26 that were not independently investigated.

Johnson denounced all the finger-pointing she has seen in her attempt to get answers in her sons case.

I dont know the law and the politics, she said. But I do know when something is not right.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Successful climate problem-solving requires the combination of global solutions with local actions, said the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Trend reports.

Speaking during a panel discussion on "COP29: Breakthrough to BelemAccelerating Transformation" at the XII Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, Mohd Sharif emphasized that cities, which make up just two percent of the Earth's surface, consume 70 percent of the energy and produce 70 percent of carbon emissions.

She also noted that by the year 2050, 70 percent of the worlds population will live in cities, underscoring the importance of incorporating urban areas into global climate strategies.

"For addressing climate issues, it is essential to consider the role of local governments and communities that face the direct impacts of climate change, such as floods, fires, and water shortages. Cities can become a crucial part of the climate solution if they are integrated into global climate initiatives," the mayor said.

The XII Global Baku Forum has started on March 13 and will continue until March 15, 2025.

The forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will be held under the theme "Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities."

Discussions focus on key global issues, including geopolitical shifts, multilateralism, the global health crisis, recovery and regional stability, COP29, and more.

The forum has brought together over 300 world leaders from more than 60 countries, including more than 25 former presidents, over 15 former prime ministers, around 10 UN and international agency heads, and over 25 former ministers and deputy ministers.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Week nine of the 95th General Assembly showed an increasing number of bills becoming law.

Forty-one bills were signed into law this week, alongside legislation changing the nature of electrical utilities for ratepayers, movement on the governors signature higher-education bill and legislation on nitrogen gas execution to the governors desk.

University of Arkansas among 60 universities under federal investigation over DEI practices

NEW LAWS

Alongside more mundane items like budget appropriations, 41 bills signed into law Thursday included legislation on campaign contributions, medical marijuana and election laws, including laws for write-in candidates. This makes 299 bills signed into law this session.

ELECTRIC UTILITIES

A bill that has garnered a lot of debate in the Senate cleared that chamber and was sent to the House on Wednesday. Senate Bill 307 changes the relationship between the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) and electric utilities by charging rates on construction projects in process.

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League of Women Voters submits Arkansas ballot question to roll back initiative changes

A related matter is a bill filed on Friday by Sen. Matt McKee (R-Pearcy) requiring the PSC to approve any power plants being closed. Part of the support for SB307 by senators, including McKee, was that Arkansas is due to lose two of its coal-fired power plants in 2030.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The House and Senate passed identical bills to put Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders higher education revamping Arkansas ACCESS for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships, and standardization, closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 246 and House Bill 1512 were transmitted to their opposite chamber, where they were voted and moved to committee on Thursday.

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One sticking point with legislators was the original legislations language stating that absences for public policy advocacy or attempts to influence legislation and political protests would count as unexcused absences. Sponsors made an amendment Monday afternoon for schools to allow an excused absence for public policy advocacy or to influence legislation if parents provide written permission, but political protests would remain unexcused.

University of Arkansas among 60 universities under federal investigation over DEI practices

NITROGEN GAS

Legislation allowing the state to use nitrogen gas to execute death-penalty inmates has passed both chambers and been sent to the governor for signature as House Bill 1489. Arkansas currently has 25 inmates on death row.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Four Tesla cars were allegedly set on fire in the German capital Berlin during the night, police said on Friday.

The State Security Department of the State Criminal Police (LKA), which is responsible for political acts, is investigating. Police said a political motive cannot be ruled out.

The four fires started within a period of about half an hour in different neighbourhoods, they said. Five other cars were damaged in the process.

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"All the vehicles burnt out completely," police said, referring to the Tesla cars. They said firefighters extinguished the fires.

Criticism of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has increased significantly since he started working for US President Donald Trump. Attacks have been reported on Tesla trucks in the United States.

A burnt-out Tesla stands in Berlin's Steglitz district after four Teslas were reportedly set on fire overnight in suspected arson attacks. The State Security Division of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is investigating possible extremist involvement, with police stating that a political motive cannot be ruled out. Christophe Gateau/dpa

A burnt-out Tesla stands in Berlin's Steglitz district after four Teslas were reportedly set on fire overnight in suspected arson attacks. The State Security Division of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is investigating possible extremist involvement, with police stating that a political motive cannot be ruled out. Christophe Gateau/dpa

A burnt-out Tesla stands in Berlin's Steglitz district after four Teslas were reportedly set on fire overnight in suspected arson attacks. The State Security Division of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is investigating possible extremist involvement, with police stating that a political motive cannot be ruled out. Christophe Gateau/dpa

A burnt-out Tesla stands in Berlin's Steglitz district after four Teslas were reportedly set on fire overnight in suspected arson attacks. The State Security Division of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is investigating possible extremist involvement, with police stating that a political motive cannot be ruled out. Christophe Gateau/dpa

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Police in Berlin are investigating politically motivated arson after four burnt-out Tesla cars emerged as possibly the latest in a string of protests against the electric car brand owned by far-right tech billionaire Elon Musk.

"All vehicles were completely destroyed," said police, who suspect arson by extremists after the four cars, parked in city streets around Berlin, were set on fire on Thursday night.

The fires, which also damaging five nearby cars, all started within about half an hour of each other in separate districts, including both wealthier areas of former West Berlin and the traditionally poorer former East Berlin.

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The apparent attacks come amid rising protests against Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk in Germany, in part over his backing of the country's far-right Alternative for Germany.

With a gesture interpreted by some as a Nazi salute at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Musk had also touched a sensitive nerve for Germany, a country where the symbols and gestures associated with Nazism are illegal.

Police are also investigating after an image of Musk doing a straight-armed salute was projected onto the Tesla factory outside Berlin in January, spelling out the phrase "Heil Tesla", a play on the Nazi rally call of "Heil Hitler."

In Grunheide, south-east of Berlin, Europes only Tesla factory is located has created around 12,000 jobs, but also prompted protests over its plans to raze forest areas and over its environmental impact on a water protection area. Tesla argues its factory enables a switch to cleaner electric mobility.

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Tesla registrations appear to have slumped in Germany in recent months, even as electric vehicle sales rise. Earlier in March, the mayor of the small Rhineland town of Eltville, Patrick Kunkel, announced he was saying goodbye to his Tesla car since he associates the brand with "autocratic thinking."

Germany's Tesla drivers' association previously said some owners in Berlin are so worried about their cars being damaged by anti-Musk protestors that they have stopped parking them on the streets.

In the US, meanwhile, Tesla cars have been vandalised and company dealerships have drawn protest since Musk emerged as a major backer of Donald Trump's successful US presidential campaign.

The Tesla fires, which also damaging five nearby cars, all started within about half an hour of each other in separate Berlin districts. Christophe Gateau/dpa

Within a short space of time, four Tesla cars were set on fire at different locations around Berlin. Amid rising protest against Tesla boss Elon Musk, police suspect it was a coordinated attack. Christophe Gateau/dpa

A burnt-out Tesla in Berlin: Germany's Tesla drivers' association previosly said some owners in Berlin are so worried about their cars being damaged by anti-Musk protestors that they have stopped parking them on the streets. Christophe Gateau/dpa

Berlin's apparent Tesla attacks come amid rising protests against the company's chief executive Elon Musk in Germany, in part over his backing of the country's far-right Alternative for Germany. Christophe Gateau/dpa

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CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS)  The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced assistance for those residing in areas impacted by recent flooding.

According to a press release, residents that lived or worked in Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, and Mingo counties and were affected by flooding from February 15, 2025 to March 16, 2025, may qualify for Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) benefits. Benefits may be used to buy food, but cannot be used to buy non-food items, alcohol, or tobacco products.

How to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

We are honored to be able to help support our fellow West Virginians in this time of crisis. Our staff will be available for extended hours to help facilitate applications for this program. Residents who are not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP due to the differences in this disaster-related program. Things that might make you eligible for D-SNAP include inability to access money in checking or savings accounts, unreimbursed disaster-related expenses or loss/reduction in income as a result of the disaster. Janie Cole | Commissioner, Bureau for Family Assistance, Department of Human Services

Eligibility is based on the households net income, determined by adding available income, cash on hand, and accessible bank accounts, then subtracting unreimbursed disaster-related expenses such as damage of property and food loss.

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McDowell County heads back to in-person classes

Those residing in eligible counties can visit the following locations to apply for benefits:

McDowell County DoHS Office located at 840 Virginia Avenue in Welch.

Mercer County DoHS Office located at 350 Davis Street in Princeton.

Wyoming County DoHS Office located at Route 10, Main Street in Oceana.

Mingo County DoHS Office located at 203 East Third Avenue in Williamson.

The locations are open to accept D-SNAP locations from March 17, 2025 to March 21, 2025, from 8:30 am to 7 p.m.

The release stated that residents are encouraged to bring the following items when applying:

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Drivers license or photo ID

Proof of residence during the time of the disaster

Income verification from February 5, 2025 to present

Verification of assets including checking and savings accounts

Verification of disaster-related expenses

Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits available for communities affected by storms and flooding in February 2025

The majority of benefits will be made available within one day of application completion. Benefits received must be used within 90 days, the release noted.

Households in the approved areas receiving SNAP benefits may qualify for a one-time disaster supplement. The extra benefits will bring their monthly benefit amount up to the maximum benefit amount allowed for the size of their household.

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In order to be eligible, households need to request replacement benefits since the disaster or complete a form that describes their disaster-related expenses. Those already receiving the maximum amount of benefits for their household will not qualify for more funds.

SNAP benefits are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and assist in helping low-income households and individuals access proper nutrition.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
It was three years ago today that Fox News senior correspondent Benjamin Hall was severely injured when his crew vehicle was struck by incoming fire in Ukraine.

Hall lost one leg and both feet, his sight in one eye and the use of one of his hands along with severe burns in the explosive attack. Two of his colleagues, cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, who was working as a freelance consultant for the network, were killed.

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Hall published a memoir about what happened in 2023, Saved: A War Reporters Mission to Make It Home, and he has recently followed that up with a new book, Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds, as well as a Fox Nation series tied to the theme of facing adversity.

As part of his recovery, Hall continues to need surgeries and suspects that he will be having little operations forever. But also said that they dont play a big part in my life.

The main thing is about switching your mind to say, Its not a lifetime recovery. Its about adapting. Its about realizing that this is who I am, and these are things I can no longer do, but there are other things I can do, he said. Its about accepting the differences, accepting what you can and cant do, and making your new schedule feel like your new normal life.

Deadline spoke this week with Hall about how his experience has changed his reporting and career. He also addressed the situation in Ukraine, including serious concerns that Donald Trump, in his insults of Volodymyr Zelensky, is coddling Russia and Vladimir Putin.

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Everyones looking for peace. Everyones looking for a ceasefire. The real negotiations have yet to happen, Hall said. So I think weve entered the period where they will be discussing the long-term security guarantees, etc. But I think to start off with a ceasefire is a good first step.

DEADLINE: What was your reaction to the Oval Office meeting with President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky?

BENJAMIN HALL: I think that its fair to say that the way that President Trump negotiates and works is different to previous presidents.  I think that we have to wait to see how this all plays out. If there ends up being long-term peace in Ukraine with some security guarantees, then I suppose President Trump would argue that the end is what youre working for. But certainly we havent seen anything like that in the Oval Office before, but this is a presidency that does things in a different way.

DEADLINE: There was some criticism that it looked like the U.S. was switching sides in the war. Is that valid?

HALL: I guess it would depend on how the negotiations moving forward play out. There will be pressure on Russia now to come and agree to the ceasefire, and I think we hope that we have to see equal pressure on Russia that was put on Ukraine. I think that is President Trumps position. He says is that hell put pressure on both sides if it means getting them to the table. And I guess we will only really know when they when they reach an agreement.

DEADLINE: You mentioned talking to Ukrainians. How did they view President Trump and the Oval Office meeting? Are they alarmed by it?

HALL: I havent spoken to any Ukrainians specifically about the Oval Office address itself, but the Ukrainians I speak to  I speak to soldiers and I speak to diplomats in general  and everyone knows that theyre looking for peace. Thats what they want, but it is making sure that the peace they get is long term, and not just something that, for example, allows Putin to rearm and try again in a few years. So look, they think that when you have negotiations like this, both sides have to make concessions. And the question is, what concessions will be asked of Russia? What concessions will be asked of Ukraine? And again, we dont quite know what those will be.

DEADLINE: Did it surprise you when there has been this talk coming from the administration that Ukraine kind of brought it on by itself?

HALL: I think President Trump and his administration, obviously, they have that their own form of diplomacy, that they work in a way that other administrations have not. I think that it will depend on the finished product, on the what happens at the end.

DEADLINE: Your new book, Resolute. What made you decide there is more to tell?

HALL: This is far more reflective book. Its far more a personal book. And whats interesting is that so many people think of the injuries, and they think of what happened when I was in hospital, but I actually found those moments to be in some sense easier than what came afterwards, because you are surrounded by people to help you.  But when I went home, and tried to do normal-day chores, and discovering how my life had changed, that that was the moment that actually became a bit more difficult. The different way in which people interacted with me was something that surprised me. And so the tough part of the journey, I thought going home was the end of it, and I had achieved it and I was back. But actually is what came after that that I found to be quite difficult.  I am now in a position where Im well aware that I will forever be dealing with my injuries. And it wasnt this, This happened and I got better. My life will forever be different. And its coming to terms with that.

DEADLINE: Did you have depression?

HALL: No. I wouldnt call it depression. I write about one trip where I came over to the U.S., and I was actually going to the White House Correspondents Dinner, and I found myself in a hotel room, and I was unable to get in the shower, and I found myself just in a pretty dark place. I couldnt move, and I was on the floor. It was wet, and there was just suddenly that moment, and that happened a few times, where the weight of how your life was different, and how there was no one there to help you was bit overwhelming. But Im also very good at catching that and saying, Alright, pick yourself up, drag yourself back, pull yourself up, sit down. Think about it. Get through whatever youve got to get through, and then keep moving.

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People talk about resilience as this thing [where] if someone is resilient, it means that maybe everything is easy for them, and they are strong. What I found resilience to mean is that its an understanding that you can get through any difficult moments. There will constantly be difficult moments, but as long as you know in the difficult moments, you can get to the other side of them, that if you work hard, you reach out to people, and you talk about it, that will pass. And I think thats probably the biggest lesson Ive learned. Its not about trying to hide or get away from the most difficult moment. Its about understanding that they will come in everyones life, but that you can get through absolutely any of them.

DEADLINE: Do you have any trouble talking to people about your injuries?

HALL: I like talking about it, and I often raise the topic because it sometimes puts other people at ease. The physical injuries dont bother or worry or upset me at all, and I think talking about them is a positive thing. Again, I think that hiding from bad things, trying to run away from things that have happened, trying to ignore them or pretend they didnt happen is the worst thing you can do. Its one of the reasons I went back to Ukraine. I didnt want to hide from what happened. I wanted to just send a message that we will face up to anything that happens to us.

DEADLINE: Were you surprised that you had that resilience?

HALL: I always wondered in conflict, and Ive seen people injured, what it would be like if it was me, how would I react? And I dont think you truly know that till its happened. I think I would have always assumed that I would have behaved, that I would have been resolute about it, that I would have been strong, and in the end, I was. I honestly think, though, that when people are right up against a wall the way I was, that there is that resilience in everybody. Many people never have to discover that. They never go through something this bad, where they have to find that resilience inside them. But I think that it is inside everyone. Its about learning how to switch it on. Its about learning how to utilize it, and thats more difficult.

DEADLINE: Were coming up on the anniversary.

HALL: Of course I think about the day a lot, and there are two sides to it. On one side, as weve been saying, This is my life. This is what happened to me. I dont want to forget it. I think its important I remember it. It makes me feel so much more grateful about life, and in that sense, I want to talk about it, because I think it is important to face up to everything that happened and not be afraid of it. At the same time, it makes me think of Pierre and Sasha, and thats the first thing I think of on those days, because thats the day that they passed away.  So on the day itself, the first thing I will always do is talk about Pierre and Sasha.

DEADLINE: How do you cope with those memories of the trauma of that day?

HALL: Ive spoken to people who have very severe PTSD and I have nothing near that, but I still have flashbacks. I still think that certain things scare me for brief moments. Whenever my doorbell rings at home, which happens all the time, theres always Amazon deliveries or something like that, the first thing I think is it someone coming in to raid the house. Every single time. And its a brief millisecond, but I see that as who I am. Those are the experiences Ive had in my life, and I accept them. I dont let them frighten me. They happen. I go thats happened again, and Im able to move on and say, I have been through something that is pretty traumatic. It will forever be part of me. It would be strange if I was running away from that and expected that never to happen. And so I guess again, its about embracing what has happened to me. Its about realizing that it is part of my life.

DEADLINE: Do you think that this experience has changed the way you actually report and talk to people and interview people?

HALL: As a journalist, its what we strive to do, is to have people open up and talk to us, to share their real emotions. And I used to think that I did it quite well. But there was one moment that I really realized that it was different. I was interviewing a girl named Maya. She had been taken by Hamas and held hostage in Gaza. She had similar injuries to me, and I was in Israel, and I spoke to her when she was released, and it was the first time in my entire career where I understood the suffering. I understood what shed gone through. And I think that that, in some cases, will make me a better journalist. We would always go to war zones, and you would try to write about the pain someone was feeling or what theyd gone through, but its almost impossible to really understand what that feels like unless youve gone through it yourself. And I think that has made me that sense a better journalist. I understand not just the pain of what someone goes through, but also the effect it has on the people around you, the fact how community can come together to help you or not. And so I just think that I have learned an awful lot about peoples experience going to difficult moments, and I think that that allows me to not only to convey and write it better, but allows me to ask better questions.  So as far as being a journalist has gone, I would say it has made me a far more understanding journalist, certainly someone that understands the complexities of going through something traumatic.

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Fox News host Jessica Tarlov on Thursday summed up Americans displeasure with President Donald Trumps second term as she argued that Democrats messaging is going pretty well despite some painful moments.

If you look at the latest Quinnipiac poll, theres over 50% disapproval of Trump himself, how hes handling the economy, how hes handling the federal workforce, how hes handling Ukraine-Russia, how hes handling trade with Mexico, how hes handling trade with Canada, she said on The Five.

So basically, hes underwater on everything.

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The White House has seen brutal polling data in recent days as most Americans disapprove of the presidents handling of the economy, per a new CNN poll, while a separate Reuters/Ipsos poll found about 57% of Americans believe Trumps economic moves have been too erratic.

Tarlovs remarks arrived as part of a panel discussion on messaging from the left as Democrats are hiring influencers, including some who have advised them to keep things real and be meaner, according to a new report by independent journalist Tara Palmeri.

Her comments come just a day after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told MSNBC that he owns the mess that Americans are in following Trumps victory over him and Kamala Harris in November.

Tarlov, who gave the former vice presidential candidate props for the remarks, added that a lot of the reason for Trumps disapproval in the polls is due to Democrats holding town halls, like Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), who reportedly spoke to the highest turnout of his constituents since taking office in 2019.

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And we know about the Republicans havingtown halls and then having to run away or asking questions like, What do you think of DOGE? and expecting people to say something positive and then they are screaming, she continued.

Tarlov went on to blast conservatives who have claimed that there are fake constituents at the town hall events.

If you dont think that cutting tens of thousands of workers, if you have a plan to take away hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid isnt going to animate people, 2026 is going to be pretty bleak, she said.

Related...
PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Russia must accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal put forward by the United States and Ukraine.

Macron added he had discussed the situation on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said he and Macron had discussed the "state of diplomacy, the possibilities that exist and the...technical aspects of overseeing a ceasefire".

Zelenskiy said that in all these matters, "we have clear support from France".

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Michel Rose and Ron Popeski; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Local HIV/AIDS resource center is hosting an event with free food, drag performances to raise awareness on the impacts of HIV Criminalization.

Philadelphia Centers HIV Awareness Day includes a free lunch with community partners,the Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization & Health (LCCH) and special guests Mr. Robert Smith and Dr. Robert Darrow.

The lunch will be held at the Supper Club, 610 Commerce St., Shreveport, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16th for an afternoon of incredible drag performances by Ms. Gay America Louisiana 2024: Sarina Styles and ZaZa Gigante.

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According to the LLCH, during a 2024 legislative session Representative Aimee Freeman attempted to modernize the current HIV Criminal bill. Currently, if a person intentionally exposes another human to HIV they shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both.

34th annual Philadelphia Center Auction Against AIDS

Additionally, it states, if a person commits the crime of intentional exposure to HIV against a first responder, in that case, they shall be fined not more than six thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than eleven years, or both.

Following the Sunday event, the Philadelphia Center invites the public to return to the Supper Club on Monday afternoon, March 17th, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a deeper dive into the ins and outs of HIV criminalization. Lunch is provided.

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They detail LCCH staff will facilitate a community discussion exploring how HIV criminalization specifically impacts communities in northern Louisiana and teach members how to get involved with the coalitions work come dig in with us!

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO)  A Freeport felon with outstanding felony warrants was arrested Thursday night after a foot chase with police officers.

According to the Freeport Police Department, authorities were called to a home in the 600 block of W. Pleasant Street after a caller reported a man was hiding in their yard.

Officers attempted to make contact with Zachary Schaney, 20, but he ran, initiating a foot pursuit that resulted in his capture.

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Police say Schaney had multiple warrants for his arrest related to pending felony cases in Stephenson County.

Officers said a loaded pistol and an assortment of prescription medication, including codeine and prescription pain medication, were found at the scene.

Schaney faces charges of Armed Violence, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and Unlawful Possession fo a Controlled Substance.

He was booked into the Stephenson County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing.

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Metras trains on the Milwaukee District North Line were halted Friday afternoon in the north suburbs after a freight train fatally struck a man in his 70s, according to the Lake Forest Police Department.

Lake Forest police and fire departments responded to the area of Everett Road and Waukegan Road for reports of an accident involving a train and pedestrian, police said. At the scene, authorities found the man deceased with injuries that appeared to be from a train collision.

Police said initial information indicated that a northbound Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern freight train struck the man at the Everett Road grade crossing. The train was traveling from Bensenville to Portage, Wisconsin, police added.

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An investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, police said. The Lake County coroners office will provide information about the mans identity following family notification, police said.

Metra experienced extensive delays after the collision with inbound and outbound trains halted, but police said train traffic was continuing on one track by 3 p.m. Friday. Roads near the crash will be closed until the investigation is complete and the train is removed, police said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. The European Union welcomes the signing of a final border agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the shared border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, said High Representative, Vice-President Kaja Kallas, Trend reports.

"This is an important moment and a significant step forward based on dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. The agreement will strengthen the resilience and stability of Central Asia.

The European Union supports regional cooperation, a principle on which it is itself founded, and stands ready to support the implementation of the agreement, in line with its Strategy for Central Asia and the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia," the statement reads.

Yesterday, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on their state border, following talks between the two countries' leaders. This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations. Additionally, a Joint Statement was issued to further enhance friendship and good-neighborly ties between the two nations.
(KRON)  Fremont District 4 Councilmember Yang Shao claims his Tesla was vandalized, according to his Facebook post on Thursday. He says his electric vehicle was keyed by someone, which essentially means someone with a key or a similarly sharp object caused damage.

Shao does not know when or where the alleged act took place; the scratch (pictured below) was above the right rear tire. Teslas have built-in security surveillance that records footage from cameras placed throughout the vehicle. The surveillance is called Sentry Mode.

Shao told KRON4 via text message that Sentry Mode was not able to capture the alleged incident of vandalism.

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Today, I was astonished to find out that my Tesla was keyed by someone. I dont know when and where it happened. I wonder why someone would do this to a Tesla owner, Shao wrote on his Facebook page.

Fremont once again named happiest in US for 5th straight year

Fremont councilmember Yang Shao claims his Tesla was vandalized at an unknown location. (Photo: City councilmember Yang Shao Facebook)

SUV crashes into Los Altos Rite-Aid in weather-related incident: officials

Several commenters in Shaos post say that it isnt right for peoples anger toward Tesla CEO Elon Musk to be taken out on owners of the vehicle. It is sad that they are targeting you because you have a Tesla and for their hatred for Musk, one comment said.

The damage done to Shaos Tesla comes at a time of controversy surrounding Musk, primarily due to the billionaires role within the Trump administration. There have been numerous protests outside of Tesla dealerships in the Bay Area. In addition, there have been Tesla owners locally who are being targeted and urged to sell their vehicles.

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Some Tesla owners are even trying to disassociate themselves from Musk. Anti-Musk Tesla stickers have been seen throughout the Bay Area and beyond. You may have seen a sticker on a Tesla that says, I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy.

(Photo: Mad Puffer Stickers)

Throughout the country, Tesla cars and dealerships have been vandalized. Gunshots were fired at a dealership in Oregon, and a fire destroyed four Cybertrucks at a Tesla lot in Seattle.

President Donald Trump has publicly defended Musk and Tesla.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A French nuclear-powered attack submarine left locals bewildered after it surfaced in an eastern Canadian province, just 300 miles from the U.S. border.

The French Navy Suffren-class submarine, the FS Tourville, arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia earlier this week.

Baseless claims quickly spread online that it was in response to Donald Trumps annexation threats after the president repeatedly called on Canada to become the 51st U.S. state and named departing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau governor. Those rumors, however, were quickly quashed.

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The FS Tourville made its way across the Atlantic after the Royal Canadian Navy announced its plans to invest C$60 billion ($42 billion) to renew its aging submarine fleet, according to French national newspaper Le Parisien.

France and Canada signed a joint declaration in September, while Trump was still on the 2024 campaign trail, to strengthen their partnership in defense and security.

The FS Tourville is 99 meters long, displaces 5,200 tons when submerged, and can dive to a depth greater than 350 meters (Bruno Heluin/Linkedin)

A pleasure to welcome French submarine #Tourville to Halifax. Allies and friends working together. Enjoy your stay, the office of Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia Mike Savage wrote on X Thursday.

According to Canadian news channel CTV News, the submarine is expected to remain in the harbor until March 21.

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The FS Tourville is 99 meters long, displaces 5,200 tons when submerged, and can dive to a depth greater than 350 meters.

The French naval sub is powered by a nuclear reactor, which provides substantial endurance and operational autonomy and can reach speeds of over 25 knots.

Its armed with naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy wire-guided torpedoes, and modernized Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles.

The stealthy and highly-equipped sub is said to be suitable in all oceans and can be out at sea for more than 270 days per year, allowing it to be used for intelligence missions.

Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia Mike Savage (second left) welcomed the FS Tourville crew after its transatlantic journey this week (Lt Gov NS/X)

Ottawa intends to put between six and 12 new submarines into service, with the Navys first replacement submarine to be delivered by 2035. A supplier is due to be selected by 2028.

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The Naval Group, which finished building the FS Tourville at its Cherbourg-en-Cotentin shipyard last summer, is reportedly attempting to land the contract after a request for information from Canada last month, according to Cherbourg-based newspaper La Press de la Manche.

According to the French Embassy in Canada, the FS Tourville is expected to carry out experiments in the far north of Canada and test navigation in icy conditions.

After experiments with basic ground-laying in the Canadian far north and navigation in ice, Franco-Canadian cooperation was strengthened with the stopover of the SNA TOURVILLE, the latest attack submarine, Bruno Heluin, the Defense Attache at the French Embassy in Ottawa posted on LinkedIn Monday in a post translated by Google.

This Marine Nationale ship has just made its first transatlantic crossing. It is an excellent opportunity to share operational, human and industrial expertise. At a time when Canada is announcing that it wants to revive its submarine capacity, France can undeniably bring a unique know-how.

Stronger together, he signed off.
Frits Bolkestein who has died aged 91, was, as leader of the Dutch Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in the 1990s, the pin-up boy of Hollands Eurosceptic movement, reviled by the Left for his Thatcherite views.

From 1999 to 2004 he served as an outspoken EU commissioner for the single market under Romano Prodi, but his attempts to shake up the Brussels establishment, stop it meddling in matters best left to nation states and promote free trade, were stoutly resisted by vested interests.

A polyglot Greek scholar, mathematician and former oil man, Bolkestein achieved a notable coup in October 2002 when the Eurosceptic Sun newspaper hailed him as a hero for backing British booze cruisers.

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Bolkestein had announced that he was taking the British government to the European Court of Justice over its rigid interpretation of guideline levels of alcohol and tobacco goods that could be brought into Britain from the Continent, levels that were being treated as maximum limits by some customs officers, who had the power to confiscate goods (and in some cases vehicles) if they thought they were destined for the black market.

Cross-border shopping within the internal market is a fundamental right under EU law and should not be regarded as a form of tax evasion, even if it gives rise to revenue losses for the UK exchequer, Bolkestein declared.

Bolkestein in 1998 - REUTERS

The dispute was eventually settled after Bolkesteins retirement in 2006 under a compromise which fell well short of what some had hoped, under which the UK government agreed to allow shoppers caught with amounts of booze and tobacco so large that they were clearly not for personal use to pay duty and a penalty against the goods  but only for a first offence.

Bolkestein also lent his name to the Bolkestein Directive, which he launched in 2004 as a draft measure to liberalise the internal market in services and to kick-start the so-called Lisbon Agenda. This was a strategy, agreed in 2000, to make the EU the worlds most dynamic and competitive economy by 2010 by making it easier for goods, services and people to cross its internal borders. The services sector, which accounted for nearly 70 per cent of employment in the EU, was the most glaring example of a market in dire need of liberalisation.

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A key provision in Bolkesteins draft, known as the country of origin principle, was that when a service was performed in one country but received in another, the former countrys law should apply. But the idea sparked angry protests from those who feared that the directive would lead to an influx of cheap labour (the Polish plumber) from poorer to richer member states, despite the Commissions insistence that workers would have to comply with employment rules, including minimum wages, in the country where they worked.

Thousands of red flags marched the streets of Brussels in protest and the idea caused near panic in Germany, Austria, Belgium and other bastions of protectionism. Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroder declared it unacceptable, while in 2005 French voters delivered a no vote to a draft EU constitution in protest at what Leftists dubbed the Frankenstein directive.

MEPs eventually reached a compromise, and to cheers from all sides the European Parliament adopted the directive in December 2006, two years after Bolkestein left office. But the final text was shorn of the country of origin provision, excluded a wide range of services from healthcare to public transport, and allowed national governments to cite public security or environmental factors as reasons for excluding foreign service providers.

My rule of thumb, wrote David Rennie in The Daily Telegraph, is that, if a piece of market-opening legislation is cheered by French MEPs and earns you bear-hugs from German socialists, something has gone badly wrong... Small surprise that free marketers in the parliament were sunk in gloom ... in mourning for the good and liberalising Bolkestein directive [which had] its heart ripped out at the orders of Paris and Berlin.

A polyglot Greek scholar, mathematician and former oil man - Alamy

Frederik Frits Bolkestein was born on April 4 1933 in Amsterdam, where his father was a judge. During the Second World War his grandfather was a minister in the Dutch government-in-exile.

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From the Amsterdam Barlaeus Gymnasium, Bolkestein read mathematics at Oregon State College and took a BSc in mathematics and physics at the University of Amsterdam, followed by an MA in philosophy and Greek.

From 1960 to 1976 he worked for Royal Dutch Shell, with postings in East Africa, Honduras, El Salvador, Indonesia, the UK and France. During his time with the company he completed the first part of the economics programme at the LSE and took a law degree at Leiden University.

Bolkestein left Shell in 1976, became an MP for the centre-right VVD and served two terms as a cabinet member in the coalition government of Ruud Lubbers  as State Secretary for Economic Affairs (1982-86) and Minister of Defence (1988-89). In 1990 he was elected leader of the VVD, a position he held until 1998.

After a first marriage ended in divorce, in 1993 Frits Bolkestein married Femke Boersma, a Dutch actress, who survives him with three children and a stepchild.

Frits Bolkestein, born April 4 1933, died February 17 2025

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Budapest's reluctance to extend a series of EU sanctions against Russia in recent days has led to intensified discussions among EU member states about the need to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in key EU decisions.

Source: Financial Times, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Financial Times reported that the day before, EU ambassadors argued all day with the Hungarian ambassador to Brussels, who demanded that Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman and seven other individuals be removed from the sanctions list. Otherwise, Budapest threatened to refuse to support the extension of some anti-Russian sanctions for another six months.

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Faced with the possibility that around 2,000 sanctioned individuals, including Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, could be exempted from sanctions due to a Hungarian veto, 26 ambassadors agreed to remove three individuals from the list. They had agreed to remove one more name a week earlier.

Eventually, according to sources, it was decided to extend the sanctions for six months.

But Hungary's latest attempt to blackmail the rest of the countries to gain benefits for the Kremlin has pushed the patience of other capitals to the limit.

More details: Meanwhile, if Hungary repeats its blackmail in July, when the decision to extend economic sanctions against Russia, including the freezing of state-owned natural resources in Europe, is made, the EU's determination to take action against Budapest may reach its peak.

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Failure to extend the sanctions could actually unfreeze up to 30% of Russia's total frozen assets. According to estimates, it could be about 60 billion of unfrozen funds or even more.

Read more: Hungary defies sanctions: Trump ally moves to unfreeze billions in Russian assets

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South Dakota surpassed 7 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program when Reed Petersek enrolled his Lyman County land in 2017. The program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, helps landowners build on existing conservation efforts and do more. (Courtesy of USDA-NRCS/Flickr)

What happens in Washington, D.C., can oftentimes feel far away, disconnected from everyday life in the rest of the country. The U.S. Department of Agricultures recent efforts to streamline the federal government have, and will continue to have, unintended consequences for farmers and ranchers efforts to conserve water, soil and wildlife habitat if cuts continue with a hatchet instead of a scalpel.

Freezing conservation funds promised to farmers, many of whom have already spent the money, and slashing Natural Resources Conservation Service staff are only exacerbating the uncertainty farmers feel every year during planting. Efforts to make government more efficient and responsive to local needs may be pulling the rug out from Americas farmers when certainty is whats needed most.

DOGE in SD

For more about the impact of mass federal firings, funding freezes and grant cancellations in South Dakota, see Searchlights DOGE in SD page.

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U.S. agriculture is already dealing with record costs, labor concerns and an uneasy global trading market. The freeze on conservation funding, coupled with NRCS staffing cuts, is not just an inconvenience; its a threat to the economic viability of American farms and ranches, our communities, and the stewardship of land and prairies we depend on.

This funding pause is preventing tens of millions of dollars from being spent in South Dakota. In 2022, Congress invested nearly $20 billion into USDAs voluntary, incentive-based, private lands conservation programs at NRCS nationwide. The funding began to hit the ground in 2023, and since then, over $29 million have been promised to South Dakotan producers, allowing farmers and ranchers to adopt conservation practices on over 600,000 acres.

Many of these producers have already spent thousands of dollars of their own money to implement practices like planting cover crops, implementing rotational grazing and installing new irrigation systems  all with the understanding that they would be reimbursed in a timely manner, as usual. USDAs freeze means that many of those farmers are now in limbo, hoping they will receive the reimbursement they are contractually owed.

News is starting to trickle out that some pots of funding are starting to be unfrozen. Although this is a good start, there is still great uncertainty about which funding pots and contracts are being unfrozen. It goes without saying that existing contracts should be honored, at a minimum, and producers should be provided with certainty about the availability of new funding for this year.

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Conservation programs dont just benefit farmers; they have broader economic impacts. When farmers engage in conservation practices, theyre not only improving their land for future generations, but theyre also investing in their communities. Conservation practices often result in better water quality, enhanced wildlife habitats and improved soil health. These improvements boost local economies by ensuring that farms can operate profitably over the long haul and contribute to the broader rural economy.

Another consequence of the freeze is its impact on conservation easement funds that we, at Northern Prairies Land Trust, use to facilitate land protections for farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and Nebraska. Easement funds are often used to protect and restore prairies and grasslands  the fastest disappearing ecosystem in the world. Grasslands, threatened by urban sprawl, conversion to other uses, and a changing climate, are critical as duck and waterfowl breeding habitat, for water filtration, and as migration corridors for big game and other wildlife. The uncertainty caused by the funding freeze is slowing the conservation of prairies at a time when they need it most.

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Beyond the funding freeze, USDAs Farm Service Agency and NRCS have local offices here in South Dakota that are facing significant staffing reductions, which will only exacerbate these challenges. NRCS and FSA have locally based staff who administer USDA programs, execute contracts and help farmers address natural resource concerns on their farms. They help farmers and ranchers apply for financial assistance, provide technical assistance and guide them on best practices for land management and conservation. USDA funding delivered by NRCS and FSA staff provides significant support to farmers in South Dakota and across the country, and many of these staff have built strong, trusted relationships with producers and conservation groups in the state.

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Unfortunately, plans to further reduce staff and even close down some of these offices will leave farmers and ranchers unsure about who to turn to when they have questions about a program, natural resource concern, or reimbursement for money theyve already spent. Delays will prevent landowners from accessing the technical support they need to implement effective conservation practices now, while they are planning for the whole year.

Farmers are already on the frontlines of extreme weather, which has been increasing in frequency and severity for years. Now, USDAs funding freeze and staffing cuts are making their job even harder. Its time to put political divides aside and follow through for our South Dakota farmers and ranchers.
(Bloomberg) -- At a Canadian mountain retreat, some of the USs closest allies tried to divine over private conversations and public interactions where Secretary of State Marco Rubio really stands vis-a-vis his boss.

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It was no easy feat. The top US diplomat had to contend with President Donald Trumps moves to impose 25% tariffs on global steel and aluminum, the threats of 200% tariffs on European alcohol and the insistence that Canada become the 51st state.

The setting  Charlevoix, Quebec for a meeting of the groups foreign ministers  amped up the tension even further. This is where Trump ripped up the G-7 communique back in his first term.

Yet both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes, Rubio maintained comity with his counterparts, tamping down worries from some officials that he might be tempted to play a more disruptive role, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private meetings.

Instead, the G-7 agreed to a communique out of the meeting, overcoming early fears that US resistance over language on Ukraine, the Middle East and other matters would scotch the statement, which carries no legal weight but is meant to be a symbolic show of unity.

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This was a good meeting of friends, and friends also tell each other honestly how they see things differently, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Rubio agreed.

It was another example of the tricky balancing act Rubio has had to perform as Trumps top diplomat, both delivering his bosss more combative America First message while also looking to cultivate allies and gather support for US priorities via groups like the G-7.

Rubio has had to walk a fine line on maintaining that economic policy promoted by Trump, said Torrey Taussig, a former Biden administration official who is now director of the Atlantic Councils Transatlantic Security Initiative. The bottom line is that its in no ones interest to show disunity coming out of this G-7.

Another mystery diplomats tried to solve was the status of Rubios relationship with Trump, and how much sway he has in the wake of recent reports suggesting a tenuous relationship with Elon Musk, the special adviser who is leading the charge to slash the federal workforce.

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The New York Times said last week that Rubio clashed with Musk at the White House, with the worlds richest man reportedly jeering Rubio for failing to carry out sweeping staff cuts.

The State Department declined to comment. But a senior US official said Rubio is close to the president and he took the job of secretary of state because he agrees with Trumps priorities.

Rubio Makes Nice on First Trip Abroad But Keeps an Eye on Trump

Ministers discussed contentious issues with Rubio, including Trumps tariffs and his stated desire to acquire the Panama Canal, Greenland and Canada. Other members tried to make clear to Rubio that China would be happy to jump in if US should cut trade relations with its allies.

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The US official, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, said Rubio had candid conversations with G-7 counterparts, and the conversations were valuable because they made clear the US position at a time when Trump is making major shifts on policy linked to Ukraine and trade. The person said Rubio sought to make clear what Trump has said publicly  that US trade relationships have become too unequal.

At one meeting, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told Rubio the pens were made with Quebec aluminum  a jab at Trumps push to impose 25% on the metal from Canada and other countries. Rubio quipped that he hoped he wouldnt have to pay a tariff.

And he later swatted aside Trumps comments about Canadian statehood.

Theres disagreement between the presidents position and the position of the Canadian government, Rubio told reporters as the event wrapped up. I dont think thats a mystery coming in, and it wasnt a topic of conversation.

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There were limits, however. Rubio, who had just flown in from Saudi Arabia, didnt join a gathering on Wednesday night where ministers made smores around an open fire in below-freezing temperatures. He skipped a session the next day where his counterparts made taffy out of maple syrup.

Joly focused on the positives at the end of the meeting, saying there was a great deal of unity within the G-7. But she also made clear that there was more diplomacy to do, describing their conversations as blunt and frank.

Of course, Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate, and we had a long conversation on tariffs and trade, she said.

--With assistance from David Gura, Iain Marlow and Eric Martin.

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The Group of Seven (G7) economically developed Western democracies has after lengthy talks agreed on a common position on the US course towards securing a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"All these seven foreign ministers agree with the US proposal of a ceasefire that is supported by Ukrainians," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Charlevoix in eastern Canada.

After the negotiations reached a strong consensus on a number of issues, the Russian reaction to the US initiative would now be scrutinized, Joly said.

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In addition to Canada and the US, the G7 comprises Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is taking part on behalf of the US.

The conference in Charlevoix is taking place in the shadow of the recent change of course taken by US President Donald Trump in Ukraine policy and also towards neighbouring Canada.

The US administration's apparent pivot towards Russian President Vladimir Putin is of particular concern to the G7 partners. At the same time, the meeting was marked by efforts to achieve unity and a joint stance towards countries such as Russia and China.

According to participants, it had been unclear for a long time whether the round could agree on a joint final declaration.
The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have called for the release of all hostages in Gaza during their talks in Canada, according to a joint statement on Friday.

The G7 - Canada, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan - also urged the return of the remains of deceased victims in the Middle East conflict.

The group also called for "unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza" and a "permanent ceasefire," after Israel halted aid deliveries.

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Due to pressure from the United States, there is no mention of the two-state solution, which envisages an independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.

Instead, the ministers highlight the need for a negotiated solution "that meets the legitimate needs and aspirations of both peoples."

The foreign ministers add that they are seriously concerned about the increasing tensions and hostilities in the West Bank.
The Group of Seven (G7) economically developed Western democracies has after lengthy talks agreed on a common position on the US course towards securing a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"All these seven foreign ministers agree with the US proposal of a ceasefire that is supported by Ukrainians," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Charlevoix in eastern Canada.

After the negotiations reached a strong consensus on a number of issues, the Russian reaction to the US initiative would now be scrutinized, Joly said.

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In addition to Canada and the US, the G7 comprises Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan.

G7 emphasize 'unwavering' support for Ukraine

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, representing the US, joined the other nations in reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, despite the recent change of course taken by US President Donald Trump in Ukraine policy and also towards Canada.

"We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence," a joint statement by the G7 foreign ministers said.

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According to participants, it had been unclear for a long time whether the round could agree on a joint final declaration.

The G7 ministers added that they welcomed US-brokered efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine and that Ukraine's commitment to an immediate ceasefire was "an essential step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

Rubio has expressed hope for a de-escalation following the agreement on a united stance towards Ukraine and said there was reason to be "cautiously optimistic" that a lasting peace could soon be achieved.

"I think we have a very strong statement from the G7," he added.

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He described a meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to discuss a possible ceasefire as "very positive and productive."

Over the weekend, the US will examine Russia's position more closely and Trump will ultimately decide on the next steps.

Germany to increase Ukraine aid by 3 billion

On the same day, Germany's conservative bloc (CDU/CSU), the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens agreed to increase aid to Ukraine by 3 billion ($3.3 billion) in their negotiations on a massive infrastructure and defence package.

Friedrich Merz (CDU), who is likely to become the country's next chancellor, said he expects the money can be spent as additional expenditure once approved by Germany's upper house of parliament.

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The outgoing lower house or Bundestag could pass the package on Tuesday and it would then need to be approved by the Bundesrat - on Friday.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the country's spending package a signal to Ukraine, Europe and the world, adding that Germany was taking responsibility amid global challenges.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 14. The 5th meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held on 12 March 2025 at the OTS Secretariat building in Istanbul, Trend reports.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Turkiye, Mekan Ishangulyev, participated in the meeting.

The meeting focused on the implementation of the decisions made during the 11th OTS Summit, joint activities within the organization, and the 2025 Action Plan. During the session, the heads of affiliated international OTS organizations presented reports on their activities in 2024.

The Turkmen delegation highlighted the relevance of the topic of peace and trust. Mekan Ishanguliyev provided detailed information about the country's efforts in this direction and emphasized the significance of Turkmenistan's 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality in 2025.

The Turkmen representatives also underscored the importance of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, initiated by Turkmenistan. In this context, the role of Turkmenistans foreign policy in consolidating international efforts to strengthen peace and trust was emphasized.

The Organization of Turkic States, founded in 2009, is an international organization that includes Turkic-speaking countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond. It aims to promote cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, and diplomacy among its member states.
The G7 countries have warned Russia that it will face further sanctions if it refuses to comply with the ceasefire.

Source: draft joint statement of the G7 countries, which was seen by Reuters, European Pravda reports

Details: In the statement, the countries stressed the need for reliable "security arrangements" to ensure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

They warned Moscow that it should meet Kyiv halfway in reaching a ceasefire agreement, otherwise it would face further sanctions.

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"G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully," the final draft statement reads.

The G7 representatives reported that the draft, approved by senior diplomats, still needs a green light from ministers.

"They emphasised that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression," they said.

Background:

On 13 March, Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire. Without rejecting it outright, he hinted that Moscow might put forward its own conditions for any agreement.

US President Donald Trump said that Putins statement was very "promising but not complete". He also said that if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, it would be a "disappointing moment for the world".

On Friday, 14 March, European Pravda reported, citing sources, that EU ambassadors had agreed to extend a number of EU sanctions against Russia after reaching an agreement with Hungary, which had intended to block the decision.

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(Reuters) - U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has pledged to crack down on people within the intelligence community who leak information to journalists.

Gabbard, who oversees 18 spy agencies, said she would be "aggressively pursuing recent leakers" in order to hold them accountable for unauthorized disclosures.

"Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated," Gabbard wrote on Friday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Gabbard listed recent examples of what she said were leaks of information concerning Israel-Iran, the U.S.-Russia relationship and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to media outlets including Huffington Post, The Washington Post, NBC News, and the Record.

"Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such," Gabbard said.

During his first term, Republican President Donald Trump was angered by leaks to news outlets and his administration pursued both journalists and their sources inside the federal government.

His administration secretly secured data on members of Congress, their staffers, journalists and a former White House lawyer as part of a probe into leaks of classified information - a move that prompted former Attorney General Merrick Garland to strengthen Department of Justice policies on obtaining records of lawmakers in 2021.

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Garland's Justice Department also changed its policy to broadly ban prosecutors from subpoenaing reporters' phone and email records after an outcry over its actions during the Trump-era leak investigations.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog in 2024 found that prosecutors' decision to subpoena phone and email records from members of Congress and their staff during Trump's first term risked a chilling effect on congressional oversight.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by Alistair Bell)
GALENA, Kan.  The Galena Unified School District is hoping voters help it make some key improvements.

Our community have been so such great supporters of our school district. So we have high hopes for this, on April 8th, said Galena USD 499 Superintendent Toby Vancleave.

The Galena Unified School District has put a $7.5 million school bond on next months ballot.

The money would fund a number of projects including a new preschool center. Currently, the district uses modular units at Spring Grove.

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Were going to build a new preschool center there that has an age-appropriate safe playground on the campus, as well as a hardened structure in one of the classrooms for a storm shelter, said Vancleave.

There would also be cosmetic upgrades made at Liberty Elementary  which has been a fixture in the community for more than eighty years.

The bones of that building are very solid, very good, an architect tells us that we can go in and do a remodel of that building and really bring it back to life.

That means adding a new coat of paint, windows, and new HVAC units as well as repairs to the building. At the same location, they want to add improvements to the connector between the high school for students and teachers safety.

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Between the Liberty and the high school building with an awning on top of it. Well, during weather events and rain, its not the best environment to walk back and forth.

There will also be some changes made to the Gene Russell building classrooms will be added and designed for special education students.

Vancleave says there wont be an increase to the mill levy but instead will extend what citizens are already paying.

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Were improving educational spaces for our kids. Were making things more safe for our students and to try to upgrade some of the facilities in our community, said Vancleave.

The last bond passed was in 2013  which, in part, helped fund the high school gym, concessions and a safe rooms.

The bond question will be on the April 8 ballot.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Early voting starts on Saturday, as voters across Louisiana decide whether to change the states constitution and make decisions about local quality of life issues for the election on March 29.

Polls will be open March 15 through March 22 (excluding Sundays) from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Early voting can be done at your parish Registrar of Voters Office or other designated locations in your parish.

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment 3 explained

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Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry suggests that voters download the GeauxVote mobile app to learn their precinct, view sample ballots or a list of early voting locations. The app will also provide real-time updates on every ballot measure as precinct poll results come in.

In order to vote, you need a valid Louisiana Drivers License, special state ID, or generally recognized identification with your photo, such as a military ID or passport. You can also use the LA Wallet mobile identification app.

Dont have the GeauxVote mobile app yet? You can click the link to view sample ballots.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
A general view of the entrance to the Santa Fe Summit neighborhood where Gene Hackman lived, in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Credit: RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

The estate of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are seeking to block the release of autopsy reports, photographs, and other material stemming from the investigation into the couples deaths.

Julia Peters, who represents the couples estate, filed a request with a Santa Fe district court to seal the records, citing Hackmans discreet and exemplary private life, his familys constitutionally protected right to grieve privately, as well as the gruesome nature of the photographs and body-cam footage of the couples home from when police discovered their deaths, the Associated Press reports.

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While New Mexico law blocks the dissemination of potentially sensitive images of citizens deaths as well as medical records, the nature of Arakawas death  her main cause of death was hantavirus, a rare respiratory disease usually transmitted by rats and mice  could potentially present a public health concern and thus be available under the states Inspection of Public Records Act.

Details regarding Hackmans will have also emerged, with the actor  who died a week after his wife, with heart disease and Alzheimers the main causes of death  leaving the entirety of his fortune to Arakawa. TMZ reports that Arakawas will stated that if she preceded her husband in death, she would leave the majority of her assets to Hackman.

However, Arakawas will also had a clause that said if the two died within 90 days of each other, their fortune would be donated to charity. While Hackmans three adult children werent listed as beneficiaries in either will, due to the bizarre nature of the actor and Arakawas death and New Mexicos community property laws, the Hackman children are in line for the actors share as his only living heirs.

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The estate of beloved Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has filed court documents seeking to ban the public release of death scene photos and police body cam video.

Thats according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, which broke the news of the filing on March 13.

The actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman were both discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home. Authorities said in a news conference that they believe Hackmans wife died first on or around February 18, and that the 95-year-old actor, who was afflicted with Alzheimers Disease, passed away about a week later, perhaps without ever having realized that his wife died. He was found in a mud room with his sunglasses and walking cane next to him, authorities said.

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The bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker and security guard who then called 911. Police then found the tragic scene.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa during Gene Hackman Sighting at Spago - September 5, 1986 at Spago in West Hollywood, California, United States. Ron Galella/Getty Images

And its that body cam footage that the estate doesnt wasnt the public to see, along with any photos of the scene.

Attorney Kurt Sommer is representing the estate and filed the petition seeking to block the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Department and Medical Examiner from releasing the photos and video, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The publication also reported that Hackmans will was filed in court as well, although its not clear what it says. Hackman had three kids with his first wife.

The sheriff and medical examiner previously revealed in a news conference that Arakawa-Hackman died of Hantavirus Syndrome, which is contracted after exposure to mouse droppings, and Hackman died of hypertension and cardiovascular issues, with his Alzheimers Disease contributing to his demise.
The late Gene Hackman made no mention in his will of his three children, opting instead to leave his entire $80 million fortune to his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, who died days before her Oscar-winning husband.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Hackman designated Arakawa his sole beneficiary back in 1995 and had not updated his will since. However, her recent death, which closely coincided with her husbands, complicates the proceedings.

Arakawa also chose to leave most of her assets to Hackman, though her will included a stipulation that should they die within 90 days of each other, all of her assets would go to charity.

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While its unclear what exactly will happen to Hackmans fortune, its likely that his kids, as his most direct living heirs, will see at least a piece of the pot.

The 95-year-old actor shared one son and two daughters with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese: Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58.

Hackman had previously spoken about the difficult relationships he sometimes had with his children, admitting his commitment to his career meant he wasnt always around during their formative years.

You become very selfish as an actor, he told The New York Times in 1989 of finally breaking into Hollywood in the 60s. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me.

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While his children occasionally joined their father at awards shows or premieres, they mostly chose to avoid the spotlight as kids and young adults.

Its tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity, Hackman said during a 2000 interview with The Irish Independent. I couldnt always be home with them when they were growing up, and then, living in California, theyve had my success always hanging over their heads.

Its unclear whether the strained relationships played any role in Hackman leaving his children out of his will, though theyd reportedly grown much closer in recent years.

He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa, his daughters and granddaughter said in a statement following his death. We will miss him sorely, and are devastated by the loss.

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His youngest daughter also expressed grief over the death of Arakawa, saying her father and stepmother had a wonderful marriage.

Betsy took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health, Leslie said in a statement. I am appreciative to her for that, and Im very saddened by her passing.

The decomposing bodies of both Hackman and Arakawa were discovered on Feb. 26 inside separate rooms of their $4 million New Mexico mansion, tucked inside a gated community called the Santa Fe Summit.

According to state Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell, Arakawas autopsy indicated she died about two weeks earlier, likely on Feb. 11. The 65-year-old was discovered on the floor of a bathroom, while her Australian Kelpie mix was found dead in a nearby crate.

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Early findings suggested Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal rodent-borne disease that can spread to humans.

Hackman was meanwhile found inside a mudroom at the back of the home. Authorities said he died on Feb. 18 due to severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimers as a significant contributing factor.

_____
A sobbing security guard's 911 call reporting concerns at the Gene Hackman estate has been revealed.

According to The New York Times, a worker discovered Betsy Arakawa's body eight days after the day Hackman likely died. The worker "called a security guard to the house after no one came to the door," The Times reported.

Daily Mail identified the security guard as Roland Lowe Begay and reported that the guard, known as "Ron," made the 911 call.

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"I think we just found a deceased person inside the house," the security guard told police, according to Daily Mail, swearing. Barking dogs could be heard in the background.

"I don't know, sir, just send somebody up here quick," the guard sobbed, according to Daily Mail. "The house is closed, it's locked... I can't go in, but I see she's laying on the floor."

Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa pose for a portrait in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

The guard continued, "They're not moving. Just send somebody up here."

Authorities said in a press conference that two of Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dogs were found alive in the home. One of the dogs led authorities to the body of Hackman about 30 minutes after they found Arakawa deceased inside the home, the fire chief told USA Today.

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Another maintenance worker Jesse Kesler was with Begay when they contacted authorities and told Daily Mail, "I wish I'd gone in quicker... I might have been able to save Gene or the dog." Kesler told the publication that, at first, when he didn't hear from Hackman or Arakawa, he assumed that they were angry at him for some unknown reason. After more time passed, he went to check things out, Daily Mail reported.

The Santa Fe County sheriff and medical examiner said in the news conference that Arakawa died of Hantavirus Syndrome, which is caused by exposure to rodent droppings, and Hackman died about a week later of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, with Alzheimer's Disease as a contributing factor. He was located in a mud room, and she was found in a bathroom, authorities said.
The estate of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their New Mexico ranch last month, has asked a court to stop sensitive images from the investigation into the couple's deaths becoming public.

Julia Peters, representing the estate through the Sommer Udall Law Firm, filed a legal petition Tuesday to prevent the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office and the local medical examiner from releasing documents related to the case, particularly photos and video, such as body-worn camera footage.

"A preliminary injunction is necessary to protect the estates of Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa-Hackman's right to privacy," said the document filed at the First Judicial Court in Santa Fe County.

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The petition argued that "during their lifetime, the Hackmans placed significant value on their privacy and took affirmative, vigilant steps to safeguard their privacy." "Accordingly, the Hackmans led an exemplary private life for more than 30 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle," it added.

Authorities announced last week that Hackman was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and died from heart failure seven days after his wife died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a virus found in rodents.

But much remains unexplained about the couple's last days before maintenance workers arrived at the sprawling Santa Fe home and called authorities Feb. 26.

Hackman's pacemaker was last active Feb. 18, meaning the couple's bodies were left unattended for some time and may have deteriorated. The high level of media interest in the case was driven not just by public affection for Hackman's work, but also by swirling unanswered questions surrounding the deaths.

Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, told The Associated Press that blocking the release of case evidence could impact public accountability.

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"I do think it does infringe on transparency if the court were to prohibit release of all the investigation records, including the autopsies," she said. "The whole idea of those records being available is to ensure accountability in the way those investigations are done."

Lavin added that the involvement of hantavirus, which suggests a problem with rodents at the property, is a public health concern.





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 14. Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan (Russia), Alexey Pesoshin, held talks with Behzod Musaev, Director of the Migration Agency, Trend reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the convening, the stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding the prevailing landscape and prospective trajectories of bilateral synergy in labor relations.



Focused emphasis was placed on the vocational development and acclimatization of individuals within the context of collaborative initiatives, alongside the streamlining of processes for intellectual property authorization.

Additionally, a meeting was held with the Deputy Prime Minister  Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Oleg Korobchenko. During the talks, the parties reviewed ongoing migration projects and mechanisms for implementing new agreements.

As a result of the discussions, an agreement was reached to further strengthen cooperation.

Uzbekistan and Tatarstan have strong economic ties, particularly in labor migration, trade, and industrial collaboration. Uzbekistan provides a workforce for Tatarstans construction and agriculture sectors, while Tatarstan exports machinery and industrial products to Uzbekistan.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A geology professor believed that aerial photos from the 1950s show evidence of an ancient city under Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand.

By viewing the landscape from above, researchers discovered a linear embankment positioned off a canal.

The way the embankment forms a near-square with the canal suggests its evidence of an ancient civilization.

The old city of Nakhon Ratchasima in northeast Thailand already has a centuries-long historyit was likely formed when King Narai the Great ruled the regions Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1656 to 1688 A.D. But despite its calling card, Nakhon Ratchasima might not even be the oldest city on its own land. Researchers at Chulalongkorn University believe theyve found an even older city buried under the central region of this already historic settlement.

In a translated release from the university, Santi Pailoplee, head of the research project that made this doscovery, said that he and his team discovered what they believe to be an ancient city underneath (and twice the size of) Nakhon Ratchasima.

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Using aerial photographs taken in 1954 by the Royal Thai Survey Department, Pailoplees team scoured the area around the Old Takhong Canal, which is now a densely populated area. They found an ancient earthen embankment that extended in a straight line to the north, west, and east of the canal. The team believes the embankment was once a boundary for another ancient community north of the old city.

Pailoplees team combined the photographs with known behaviors of two streams in the areawhich they claimed had abnormal stream behaviorto determine that the embankments were once created by an ancient community. The stream behavior matched with other waterways near other ancient Thai communities that had created similar embankments to direct the flow of water, perhaps toward ancient settlements nearby as part of a system of drainage channels.

While sections of the western and eastern embankments now overlap with the citys moat, the team believes that one of the embankments eventually turned into Chompai Roadthe main arterial that cuts through the center of the old city. This road may have been the southern boundary of the ancient community before the old city of Nakhon Ratchasima was founded.

The original southern embankment may have been repurposed from its original function as a community boundary marker to become the citys main central road in old Nakhon Ratchasima, Pailoplee said.

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According to the Chompoi Road hypothesis, the ancient community was nearly a squarenot a rectangle, which holds significance. In ancient Khmer culture, water reservoirs were typically rectangular (with a 1:2 ratio in nearly every case), while cities were more often surrounded by a square. Pailoplee said the team measured the ancient city, and found that its dimensions were 1.2 miles wide by one mile long, meaning that the settlement was not only most likely a community, it was about twice the size of the old city of Nakhon Ratchasima and larger than other ancient communities previously discovered in the region.

The next step in sorting out the history, Pailoplee said, will require archaeological surveys and excavations to suss out the accuracy of the aerial interpretation.

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WALTHALL COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT)  One person was killed and another was injured during a chase in Mississippi, according to troopers.

Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said troopers responded to the crash on Highway 27 in Walthall County around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13.

74-year-old man dies in Wilkinson County crash

According to MHP, a 2026 Kia Soul was traveling south on the highway while fleeing from Pike County deputies. They said the vehicle collided with a pursuing deputys vehicle, which was also traveling south.

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The passenger of the Kia Soul, Michael Ardizone, 38, of Cumming, Georgia, received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Sara Edmonds, 22, of McComb, Mississippi, received serious injuries and was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson.

The crash remains under investigation by MHP.

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A police officer from the northwest Georgia city of Chickamauga has died several days after he was shot and critically injured in a murder-suicide that killed three other people.

Officer Charles Chuck Dunn died on Thursday night, Chickamauga city officials posted online just before midnight.

Even in his passing, his selflessness continues, saving lives just as he always did in uniform, city leaders wrote on social media, saying his family would be donating his organs.

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He was off duty and not in uniform at the time of the shooting.

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The shooting took place at a Rock Springs home on Woodstation Road, according to the news release. The investigation showed Russell David Payne, 54, of Marietta, drove to the home and fired multiple rounds into the back of the residence.

Jacklyn D. Payne, who was separated from Russell Payne, died in the shooting, as well as her father, Eugene Jack Denny, who she had been staying with. The sheriffs office said Russell Payne died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A fourth person was injured in the shooting. Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson confirmed to WTVC-TV in Chattanooga that Dunn was the fourth victim.

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They say he was a longtime family friend and was at the home at the time of the shooting.

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Chuck was more than an officer. He was a friend, a protector, and a light in the lives of so many. His sense of humor could brighten the darkest days, his kindness knew no limits, and his love for people and animals alike made the world a better place. There are no words to truly capture the loss we feel, but there is comfort in knowing that his impact will never fade. His laughter, his heart, and his unwavering dedication to others will live on in the lives he touched and the ones he now saves. Rest easy, Chuck. Your watch may be over, but your legacy will never be forgotten. City of Chickamauga

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(Bloomberg) -- The selloff in Germanys bonds spilled over to a second week as Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz won crucial political backing for a debt-funded spending package to boost defense and infrastructure.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Longer-dated bonds took the brunt of the weakness, with the 10-year yield rising as much as eight basis points on Friday to 2.94%. Its now within touching distance of the 3% milestone last breached in 2023.

Merz told reporters in Berlin on Friday afternoon that he reached an agreement on the spending package with the Green party, which had rejected the initial plan and demanded a greater commitment to climate protection. The deal is a breakthrough for Merz, and overcomes a key hurdle ahead of a crunch vote in parliament next week.

If this goes through, it will change the perception of Germany. For ages, its been the country that has been reluctant to increase debt, said Ugo Lancioni, fund manager at Neuberger Berman. Spending will probably occur over several years and the positive growth impact in Germany and Europe related to recent measures will likely be felt from 2026.

Lancioni said European yields are attractive and encourage adding exposure gradually. German rates spiked on reports about the deal but pared the advance when Merz confirmed the agreement, suggesting the current level of yields may be starting to entice some buyers.

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Germanys 10-year yield is up more than 50 basis points this month as investors adjusted to the perspective of more borrowing from Europes largest economy. That drove the gap between two- and 10-year rates to 70 basis points, the steepest since mid-2022.

The moves spread to the rest of the region, driving Frances long-term borrowing costs to the highest level since 2011. A Bank of Americas sentiment survey published earlier Friday showed investors turned underweight on core euro-area fixed income for the first time since 2023.

Core Europe duration longs collapsed as future economic growth and bond supply get priced in, BofA strategist Ralf Preusser and colleagues wrote in a note earlier.

What Bloomberg Strategists Say...

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The agreement in Germany for a potentially huge debt package is predictably pushing German and other European bond yields higher. However, the asset swaps fall has been modest this year, indicating there is no significant marking down of German credit risk.

 Simon White, Bloomberg Macro Strategist. Read more on MLIV.

The euro, in the meantime, got another boost as hopes of more spending and growth are seen limiting the room for further interest-rate cuts from the European Central Bank. The currency rose as much as 0.6% to $1.0912, taking its advance this month to 5%, one of the best among major currencies.

Game on again for the euro, said Brad Bechtel, head of FX at Jefferies, adding that peace talks for Ukraine are adding to the currencys momentum.

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Less than three weeks since winning the Feb. 23 election, Merz and the SPD are racing to approve the debt-financing package in the current parliament before the new Bundestag convenes on March 25. That includes sweeping measures that would release defense spending from debt restrictions and set up a 500 billion ($542 billion) fund for infrastructure investment.

Constitutional changes in the newly formed assembly face a higher threshold, since a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany and anti-capitalist Left mean that they hold an effective block on a two-thirds majority.

The agreement on Friday also lift European stocks, with German shares outperforming.

Transatlantic Gap

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The German bond rout came just as Treasuries rallied on growing US economic concerns, causing the spread between yields across the Atlantic to narrow sharply.

The difference between 10-year US and German rates tightened almost 40 basis points this month to 140 basis points. Societe Generale SA strategists including Jorge Garayo see it collapsing to just half a percentage point by year-end, a level not seen since 2013.

The forecast highlights the generational shifts at play in bond markets as Merz leads Europe toward an era of higher spending. The regions leaders have been left scrambling to modernize defense systems and infrastructure as the decades-old Transatlantic alliance starts to buckle under US President Donald Trumps America First policies.

The yield gap was as big as 230 basis points just three months ago, when expectations of higher-for-longer interest rates in the US were at their peak and drove a selloff in Treasuries. At the same time, the prospect of deep cuts from the ECB to support the blocs stuttering economy were capping local bond yields.

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Now, Germanys shock-and-awe debt package can push the 10-year yield to 3.2% by year-end, according to Societe Generale. They see the US 10-year yield sliding from 4.3% now to about 3.75% as the impact of Trumps start-stop trade tariffs erodes investor confidence and hampers the economy.

--With assistance from James Hirai.

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The trial of a woman in Germany charged in connection with a failed coup and plot to kidnap the country's health minister appears to be heading for an acquittal.

Both her defence lawyers and the prosecution on Friday argued for the 39-year-old to be set free. The senior public prosecutor said that the allegations against her had not been confirmed.

The defendant was accused of being a member of a terrorist organization, preparing high treason and possessing knuckle dusters. She was alleged to have participated in planning a violent coup against the German government in 2022, which included a plan to kidnap Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

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The prosecutor argued however the woman had approached the police on the fringes of a demonstration against the government's coronavirus measures in February 2022 and warned them of the impending crimes.

"I also believe that she was afraid of reprisals from the group," the prosecutor told the higher regional court in the northern town of Celle.

The defendant described in detail during the trial how she was recruited by the so-called Kaiserreichsgruppe (Empire Group), which was behind the plot.

"They were completely unscrupulous, they didn't care that people would die," she said in mid-February.

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In his closing statement, the woman's defence lawyer emphasized that his client had warned the police and requested that she be acquitted.

The verdict is to be announced on March 21. Several other courts across Germany continue to hear cases against alleged members of the Kaiserreichsgruppe.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called for a unified European approach toward defense procurement in order to avoid bureaucratic delays, Reuters reported on March 12.

"We don't have time for this, it's excessive and expensive," he said.

His remarks followed a meeting with defense ministers from the U.K., France, Italy, and Poland in Paris, where they discussed strengthening European defense and supporting Ukraine.

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Pistorius also called for coordinated and consistent arms purchases across Europe.

"We want to buy more, we want to buy consistently and simultaneously... together we can buy cheaper," he stated.

Under German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's leadership, Germany has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S.

Germany allocated around 8 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine in 2024.

Read also: Ukraine, German arms maker seek to triple IRIS-T air defense supply

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed positive impressions of the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after a meeting of the G7 nations in Canada on Friday.

While US President Donald Trump's recent changes in Ukraine policy and towards Canada had raised concerns that the meeting could end in conflict, Baerbock said she felt like she was sitting next to a friend during the discussions, referring to Rubio.

She also highlighted the benefits of small formats like the G7, where participants also spend a lot of time together and said the atmosphere was different from the outside temperature, which was as cold as minus 19 degrees Celsius.

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She described the meeting as a very good gathering of friends, although she acknowledged that conflicts had been addressed, saying that friends also honestly tell each other the truth when they see things differently.

In addition to Canada and the United States, the G7 comprises Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan.
The German parliament's oversight committee has called on the government to share the findings of an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic with the public, after reports that the government covered it up.

"The committee expressly welcomes the interest in clarification and the investigation process itself," the committee said in a statement after a meeting on Thursday evening.

It added that it expects the government to inform the public accordingly after the conclusion of the investigations.

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The meeting came after several newspapers reported that the German chancellery had asked scientists to examine evidence from the national BND spy agency regarding a theory that the virus had originated in a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The reports published in the Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Suddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit said the BND had concluded in 2020 that there was a strong likelihood the coronavirus accidentally leaked from a Chinese lab, but the finding was never released to the public.

Investigators concluded there was an 80-95% likelihood that a lab leak was to blame, based on information in the public domain, the papers said.

The theory posits that the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which conducted research on coronaviruses.

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The evidence was to be evaluated by a panel of experts, the Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported.

The other major theory for the pandemic's origin is that the virus had a natural origin, just like the SARS outbreak in 2002-03.

Questions over data source

The virologist Christian Drosten, who was involved in the evaluation, said he was impressed by the BND's summary of the results, but that the source data had not been made available to the group of scientists.

"I therefore cannot make a scientific judgement simply because I do not have access to the data," he said.

Drosten added that the information that is publicly available so far clearly points to a natural origin of the virus.

The intelligence committee said it has taken note of the media reports and that the German government's account of the facts at the meeting differs in some respects from them. Nonetheless, it said the government should have informed the committee about the different theories regarding the pandemic's origin.
The German parliament's oversight committee has called on the government to share the findings of an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic with the public, after reports that the government covered it up.

"The committee expressly welcomes the interest in clarification and the investigation process itself," the committee said in a statement after a meeting on Thursday evening.

It added that it expects the government to inform the public accordingly after the conclusion of the investigations.

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The meeting came after several newspapers reported that the German chancellery had asked scientists to examine evidence from the national BND spy agency regarding a theory that the virus had originated in a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The reports published in the Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Suddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit said the BND had concluded in 2020 that there was a strong likelihood the coronavirus accidentally leaked from a Chinese lab, but the finding was never released to the public.

Investigators concluded there was an 80-95% likelihood that a lab leak was to blame, based on information in the public domain, the papers said.

The theory posits that the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which conducted research on coronaviruses.

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The evidence was to be evaluated by a panel of experts, the Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported.

The other major theory for the pandemic's origin is that the virus had a natural origin, just like the SARS outbreak in 2002-03.
By Andreas Rinke, Holger Hansen and Sarah Marsh

BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said on Friday he had secured the crucial backing of the Greens for a massive increase in state borrowing, clearing the way for the outgoing parliament to approve the historic deal next week.

Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats, who are in negotiations to form a government after an election last month, had proposed a 500 billion euro ($544 billion) fund for infrastructure and sweeping changes to borrowing rules to bolster defence and revive growth in Europe's largest economy.

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With the Greens, they now likely have the two thirds majority necessary to pass constitutional amendments that upend decades of German fiscal conservatism.

A vote on the proposals is scheduled for Tuesday.

Merz has justified the urgent need to push the package through the outgoing parliament with recent shifts in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, warning that a hostile Russia and an unreliable U.S. could leave the continent exposed.

"It is a clear message to our partners... but also to the enemies of our freedom: We are capable of defending ourselves," Merz, whose conservatives won the election, told a news conference.

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"Germany is back. Germany is making a significant contribution to the defence of freedom and peace in Europe," he added.

Merz's measures cleared another major hurdle on Friday, with the constitutional court throwing out complaints against them.

News of the deal lifted euro zone government bond yields, shares and the euro on expectation the borrowing plan would boost the wider European economy. Germany's benchmark DAX stock index was up 1.6%, while the mid- and small-cap indexes rose over 2.6% and 3.2% respectively. The euro rose 0.3% - taking its gains so far this month to nearly 5%.

WINNING OVER THE GREENS

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Merz wants to secure the funds before a new parliament convenes on March 25, where they risk being blocked by an expanded contingent of far-right and far-left lawmakers.

The compromise reached with the Greens includes the allocation of 100 billion euros for the climate and economic transformation fund from the 500 billion euros earmarked for infrastructure.

All the money must be spent on new programs, not to plug holes in the budget, over a 12 year period, the Greens, SPD and conservatives agreed.

They also agreed on a broader definition of the defence spending to be exempt from the constitutional spending cap above 1% of economic output.

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Spending on civil defence, IT security and "aid to states attacked in violation of international law" - a clear reference to Ukraine - will also count as defence spending, meaning in theory Germany can borrow unlimited sums to finance them.

The swiftness with which Merz has reached such a historic deal could augur well for more decisive leadership from Germany going forward, despite his lack of experience in government, some analysts say.

His critics though, including the Greens, accuse him of "voter fraud" for promising not to open the spending taps during the campaign only to announce a tectonic shift in fiscal policy just days after winning.

Merz cannot afford to many defectors on Tuesday as his conservatives, SPD and Greens are set to clear the two thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments with just 30 votes to spare.

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DEBT BRAKE 'BURIED'

The reforms, if passed, would mark a major rollback of the so-called 'debt brake' imposed after the 2008 global financial crisis but since criticised by many as outdated and putting Germany into a fiscal straitjacket.

"With todays plan, the debt brake might not be entirely dead but rather buried alive," said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING.

"The only limiting fiscal rule for the German government will be the (EU) Stability and Growth Pact. And we know from past experiences that these rules can be soft as butter if needed."

Eurointelligence think tank also said it would amount to a "de facto abolition" of the debt brake, noting this would be positive if accompanied by structural reforms to ensure the economic revival were long-lived.

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The planned infrastructure fund alone could raise German economic output by an average of more than two percentage points per year over the next 10 years, the DIW economic institute said.

The package is a "major boost and a turning point in German fiscal policy," said Daniel Hartmann, chief economist at asset manager Bantleon. "It creates new growth impulses in Germany but also increases the risk of inflation.

($1 = 0.9191 euros)

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Holger Hansen and Sarah Marsh; Additional reporting by Markus Wacket, Thomas Escritt, Rachel More, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams and Friedrike Heine; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Germany's conservative bloc (CDU/CSU), the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens agreed on Friday to increase aid to Ukraine by 3 billion ($3.3 billion) in their negotiations on a massive infrastructure and defence package.

Friedrich Merz (CDU), who is likely to become the country's next chancellor, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had agreed to release the funds once the financial package is approved.

"So I assume that, at the latest, with the Bundesrat's decision next week, these 3 billion can be spent as an additional expenditure. There is confirmation of that," Merz said.

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The Bundesrat is the upper house of parliament and consists of the premiers of Germany's 16 states.

The outgoing lower house or Bundestag could pass the package on Tuesday and it would then need to be approved by the Bundesrat - on Friday.

The agreement was also confirmed by members of the SPD and the Greens. The 3 billion for further arms deliveries to Ukraine had been hotly debated during the election campaign.

Scholz had only agreed to the measure on the condition that the debt brake would be lifted for it. As part of their financial negotiations, the conservative bloc of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party, the SPD and the Greens agreed to relax the debt brake for defence spending.
Germany braces for major changes as incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to reshape the countrys role on the continent. The Kyiv Independent sat down with Jorn Fleck, senior director with the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council, to discuss what the new German government means for Ukraine and beyond. Speaking on Feb. 28, less than five days after Merzs party's election victory, Fleck saw potential for bolstering Ukraines war effort and Europes autonomy but also warned of the rising strength of radical, pro-Russian parties.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday praised the agreement on a multi-billion euro package for defence and infrastructure, saying it's also a signal to Ukraine, Europe and the world.

Speaking at the end of a meeting with fellow G7 foreign ministers in Canada, Baerbock said the outcome was in line with the global challenges German is now facing.

She added that the decision on the massive spending plan not only makes Germany more secure, but also sends a signal to Ukraine, Europe and the world.

The foreign minister stated that Germany was taking responsibility and that significant investments in intelligence services, cybersecurity and civil protection was necessary, especially in view of the hybrid threats that Europe is increasingly facing.
A fashion statement from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has delighted the hosts at the G7 meeting in Canada.

Baerbock and Kallas appeared at the conference on Friday dressed in the Canadian national colours of red (Kallas) and white (Baerbock).

The two posted two pictures of themselves on Bluesky - a selfie and a rear view in the Canadian colours

"We've got your back," the two diplomats wrote.

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The gesture was a show of solidarity with Canada in the face of US President Donald Trump's unprecedented threats of punitive tariffs and annexation.

"It was a great fashion statement. as a woman I was really happy to see that them wearing red and white," Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.

"I have really good relationships with my German colleagues Annalena Baerbock," Joly added.

She is "a friend," as is the foreign affairs representative Kallas, Joly said. Meanwhile, she called Trump's threats to annex Canada "absurd."
Germany's Federal Electoral Commission on Friday confirmed the results of the parliamentary election on February 28 with no changes to the distribution of seats.

According to the final results, the conservative bloc comprised of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) received 28.5% of the vote.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 20.8% and the Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz took 16.4% of the vote.

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The Greens received 11.6% of the vote, while The Left party took 8.8%.

The Free Democrats (FDP), which were part of the current government coalition until November, won 4.3% of the vote, failing to reach the 5% threshold typically needed to enter the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany's parliament.

The populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) also narrowly missed out on entering the Bundestag, with 4.98% of the vote according to the final figures. The preliminary figures put the BSW at 4.972% of the vote.

This leaves the distribution of seats unchanged from the preliminary figures, with 208 seats for the CDU/CSU, 152 for the AfD, 120 for the SPD, 85 for the Greens, 64 for The Left and one seat for the South Schleswig Voters' Association (SSW), a party which represents Danish and Frisian minorities and which benefits from a special provision in the electoral law.
Public outrage is growing after a fight in a middle school classroom in Colton left a girl unconscious, an incident captured on video that has sparked accusations of racial bias.

According to the Colton Police Department, the fight occurred Monday morning at Jehue Middle School, 1500 N. Eucalyptus Ave.

In the video, a much larger Latino boy is grappling with a smaller Black girl when she grabs a laptop off a desk and slings it at his head. The boy then slams the girls head into the desk, knocking her unconscious and drawing gasps from the other students.

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Police said both students are 14 years old, and they were issued citations and released to their parents.

Many, however, say thats not enough. The California Legislative Black Caucus issued a statement describing the incident as a brutal assault of a young Black student and demanding a full investigation and accountability. The unedited video included several audible racial slurs.

All students, especially our young Black girls, deserve to be safe, valued, and protected while they are on our school campuses, the statement said.

While some, including activist Najee Ali, believe the boy should be expelled and the girl cleared of any wrongdoing, police reportedly believe the girl instigated the incident.

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The Colton Police Department stated that the girl was cited for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting the boy multiple times in the head with a metal hydro flask before the recorded video began, news radio station KFI reports. The boy, on the other hand, was cited for battery, not for the incident in the video, but for earlier horseplay with a water pistol.

Colton Police Sgt. Mike Sandoval told the San Bernardino Sun that the girl faces a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon, and the boy was charged with misdemeanor battery. Both also were suspended from school and face possible expulsion.

As for the motivation behind the fight, Sandoval said it does not appear to be racial in nature.

Theres no indication of that at all, Sandoval told the Sun.

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Its unclear what actions, if any, were taken by adults during the leadup to and immediately after the incident.

School officials say a substitute teacher was in charge of that classroom, and a call was made to school safety officers.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, the Rialto Unified School District said in a statement.

The District does not condone the violent actions of the students and does not tolerate hate speech on any of its campuses, the statement said.

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This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

Girl Scout cookie season is here  if you drive around your neighborhood, youll likely spot groups of kids in uniforms, ready to sell boxes of cookies. The Girl Scouts of America organization, founded in 1912, has evolved but remains focused on empowering youth to take risks and build agency. A key part of this mission is its entrepreneurial program, which teaches kids important life skills as they sell treats like Samoas and Thin Mints to eager customers. However, in recent weeks these beloved baked goods have faced controversy with claims of toxic ingredients. And just a few days ago, those concerns escalated to a serious lawsuit.

Heres what we know: On March 10, 2025, Amy Mayo, a woman from New York, filed a federal lawsuit against the Girl Scouts of America organization, along with cookie manufacturers Ferrero U.S.A. and Interbake Foods. She claims they are selling cookies containing heavy metals and herbicides.

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The lawsuit draws its fuel from a study funded by Moms Across America and GMO Science, which found that 100 percent of the cookies tested contained traces of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Additionally, the findings show that 13 cookie flavors had high levels of the herbicide glyphosate.

Its important to note that this study hasnt been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal and relies on a small sample size. So the Kitchn spoke with Wade Syers, a food safety specialist at Michigan State University, to get a clearer understanding of whether theres really cause for concern. More importantly, we wanted to know if people should think twice before buying Girl Scout cookies.

Syers emphasizes that the claim of Girl Scout cookies being contaminated with heavy metals and herbicides is a serious one. Exposure to lead could cause lowered IQ, nervous system damage, slowed growth, hearing problems, and other issues, he says. However, he notes that the likelihood of these symptoms would depend on the specific contaminant, how much is present, and how long someone is exposed.

When asked if hed buy a box of Thin Mints or Samoas, Syers said, At this point, Im not too concerned. With years of experience in food safety, he explains, There has not been a recall issued, and there are safety mechanisms in place that check for dangerous levels of contaminants. For instance, the FDA has a pesticide residue monitoring program that ensures many foods do not exceed limits.



Last month, when reports surfaced about the possibility of the cookies being tainted with toxic materials, the Girl Scouts of America responded in a press release, saying, The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority. Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume. The organization also pointed out that its iconic treats are made with ingredients that meet food safety standards set by the FDA and other relevant authorities.

Further Reading

We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing

Le Creuset Launched a Pan Thats Perfect for Everything from Stews to Stir-Fry  and Its Already on Sale

Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!")

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Iran welcomes the agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on peace deal terms, said Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmail Baghaei, Trend reports.

He welcomed the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the terms of a peace deal, calling it a crucial step toward lasting stability in the South Caucasus.

Baghaei expressed hope that "with the commitment of both sides to resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, we will soon witness the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries and lasting peace and stability in the region".

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of negotiations on the draft text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"At the same time, we once again reaffirm Azerbaijans long-term and principled position that the main condition for signing the agreed text is the amendment of Armenia's constitution to remove claims to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We also stress the need for the official dissolution of the outdated and non-functional OSCE Minsk Group and related structures. We are ready to continue bilateral dialogue between the two countries on these and other issues related to the normalization process," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The visitor center at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, pictured on March 10, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

The superintendent of Glacier National Park is adding another National Park Service site to his portfolio.

Dave Roemer, who became the 23rd superintendent of Glacier Park in 2022, will also oversee Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, a working cattle ranch located in Deer Lodge.

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In addition, Glaciers administration officer, Emily Keil, will also cover similar duties at Grant-Kohrs.

Several NPS employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the arrangement, but could not share details.

Glacier National Park spokesperson Gina Icenoggle told the Daily Montanan all questions regarding Grant-Kohrs, and staffing changes in general, should be directed to the national press office.

The newly combined administrative roles come as thousands of federal workers have been fired and tens of thousands more took a deferred buyout from the Trump administration earlier this year. Among the National Park Service, 1,000 employees, roughly 5% of the agencys workforce, were fired and another 700 reportedly accepted the buyouts.

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Many existing vacancies are also not being filled under the new administrations goal to streamline and shrink the federal workforce.

The National Park Service recorded record-breaking visitation in 2024  331.9 million visitors but NPS communications employees have been told not to publicize their parks numbers, according to an internal memo, including issuing press releases or posting on social media.

At Glacier, 2024 saw the second-highest visitation on record, with more than 3.2 million individuals passing through park entrances.

A sign outside the administrative office at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, pictured on March 10, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

Meanwhile, Grant-Kohrs Ranch recorded 27,479 visitors last year  the highest number since 1997.

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Grant-Kohrs Ranch has been seeking an Administrative Officer for seven months, according to an NPS job posting on LinkedIn, and has had an acting superintendent since 2022.

Keil was on site at Grant-Kohrs Ranch on Monday, but did not answer questions in person about her new role.

Specific questions about the administrative changes at Grant-Kohrs sent to the national press office did not receive a response, but the Daily Montanan was sent a generic response under the subject Workforce Query (please see below)

Workforce Query

The Daily Montanan sent questions to the national press office for the National Park Service. However, in lieu of specific questions about the changes, it received the following generic response:

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The National Park Service is hiring seasonal workers to continue enhancing the visitor experience as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management. We are focused on ensuring that every visitor has the chance to explore and connect with the incredible, iconic spaces of our national parks.
(NewsNation)  Interpol has issued an international alert for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing during a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic.

A yellow notice is typically issued for unexplained disappearances, according to Interpol. The notices are used to give high, international visibility to cases, and since abducted or missing people are flagged to border officials, it makes travel difficult.

Konanki, a citizen of India and a permanent U.S. resident, was last seen at the Riu Republica Hotel, just north of Punta Cana in the La Altagracia district, around 4 a.m. on March 6. She was one of six female University of Pittsburgh students who traveled together for spring break on March 3.

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Missing college student timeline: Where is Sudiksha Konanki?

Police say she disappeared at a beach near the hotel before dawn, after she and other guests had headed outside amid a power outage. The group was accompanied by two American men. Konanki stayed on the beach with one of the men while the rest of the group returned to the hotel.

The Dominican Civil Defense and a search-and-rescue unit have been working to locate Konanki. Drones, helicopters and detection dogs are also being used in the search.

Dominican police say theyve been reinterviewing people who were with Konanki before she went missing. Investigators have been using drones, helicopters and detection dogs to search waters off the islands east coast.

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The public prosecutors office said Konankis friends have been interviewed.

Wisconsin police release details on missing teens recovery

Police also spoke with a man in his 20s who was allegedly at the beach around the same time as Konanki and may have been the last person to see her. NewsNation will not name the man unless he is named officially as a person of interest or a suspect in this case.

Authorities have not said there is any sign of foul play, and the leading theory among law enforcement is that she drowned. Konankis family is pushing investigators to consider the possibility she may have been abducted.

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NewsNations Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
(This March 14 story has been corrected to show that 27 countries account for nearly all of global displacements, not nearly a third, in paragraph 4)

GENEVA (Reuters) - Some 6.7 million additional people are expected to be newly displaced around the world by the end of next year, the Danish Refugee Council said on Friday, just as aid cuts from key donors like the United States take effect.

The U.N. refugee agency said last year that the number of forcibly displaced people around the globe stood at over 117 million people and warned that number could rise.

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"These are not cold statistics. These are families forced to flee their homes, carrying next to nothing, and searching for water, food, and shelter," said Charlotte Slente, secretary general of the Danish Refugee Council in a statement.

Twenty-seven countries account for nearly all of global displacements. The projection is based on an AI-driven model that predicts displacement trends by analysing over 100 indicators including factors such as security, politics and economics in those countries.

It forecasts that nearly a third of new displacements will be from Sudan, which is already the world's worst refugee crisis after nearly two years of war. Another 1.4 million people are expected to be forcibly displaced from Myanmar, the report said.

U.S. President Donald Trump is cutting billions of dollars in foreign aid programmes globally as part of a major spending overhaul by the world's biggest aid donor.

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The Danish Refugee Council is one of the aid groups hit and has had more than 20 contract terminations.

Cuts from Washington and other key donors are already impacting refugees.

The U.N. refugee agency said that funding shortages had shuttered programmes to protect adolescent girls from child marriage in South Sudan and a safe house for displaced women in danger of being killed in Ethiopia.

"Millions are facing starvation and displacement, and just as they need us most, wealthy nations are slashing aid. It's a betrayal of the most vulnerable," said Slente.

(Reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva; Editing by Nia Williams)
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A GoFundMe was created to raise money for the family of a Baton Rouge teen boy who was shot and killed by another teenager.

Scotlandville High School student Anthony Robinson, 17, was shot and killed before 3 p.m. March 10 after he got off the school bus. Detectives believe it was a targeted shooting.

The fundraiser has raised nearly $2,000 as of Friday morning before noon. The description written by the victims aunt said he had the brightest future ahead of him.

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A 16-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and illegal use of weapons.

District 2 Metro Councilmember Anthony Kenney called for local and state officials to address youth violence. He said he wants to address the root of why youth are resorting to crime.

Baton Rouge Police sees increase in youth violent crimes

Police said an investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact BRPDs Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD)  Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois unveiled its new employment program to help young adults who are neurodivergent find jobs.

The new program, Beyond Barriers, took about two years to put together. Now the program will help these individuals find support like resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, job search assistance and more.

Lori Johnson, the director of program services with Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, said, Our mission at Goodwill is to transform the donations we receive into life and job skills and education services for those in our community in need. And by that, we will help our community prosper.

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According to Austyn Harms, the Beyond Barriers program manager, the goal of the program is to help employers and the organizations clients find the best fit. She said Beyond Barriers will help anyone that is willing and motivated to find employment.

Harms said, Some of our clients have never had any type of work experience. Theyve never done any type of volunteer work. So really, theyre starting from the very beginning with their employment journey.

She added, Things that are very common to us are not so common to some of the clients, like leaving an interview and shaking a hand and making that direct eye contact that employers look for those types of things, but not everyone knows to necessarily do that.

Breaking Barriers connects with many organizations and schools in the area to help young adults overcome roadblocks, gain the skills they need, and receive support. This way, the organization can help young adults with autism and other neurodivergencies navigate the next step in their lives.

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The most important takeaway is just that everyone is capable of learning and capable of getting all opportunities, Harms added.

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(NewsNation)  Google is under fire for alleged discrimination against faith-based programming by YouTube TV, which the tech giant owns and operates.

In a letter to Google and parent company Alphabet, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr told CEOs Neal Mohan and Sundar Pichai that he has received complaints that YouTube TV has an unwritten policy that discriminates against faith-based content.

Carr cites the example of Great American Media, which says that YouTube TV refuses to carry it, despite being the second fastest-growing channel in cable television. He said the network is carried on cable and streaming services Comcast, Cox, Hulu, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream.

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Why Christians use eggs in Easter celebrations

In a post on X, Carr said hes asking Google for answers. In his letter, he said the allegations come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented surge in censorship.

NewsNation reached out to Google and its parent company for comment, and this story will be updated with their response.

In an interview with NewsNations Adrienne Bankert, Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott said the channel celebrates faith, family and country. Since the channels launch in 2021, Abbott said the positive response from viewers has been overwhelming: I get an outpouring of affection, and a feeling of like, we have nowhere else to go, and after a long, hard day, its great to be able come home, put your channel on and know we are going to have something to enjoy that wont in any way be dark or drive us to feel divisive.

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Great American Family, the companys flagship network, bills itself as Americas premiere destination for quality family-friendly programming, featuring original Christmas movies, rom-coms and classic series that celebrate faith, family and country. Its available in 50 million households via cable and satellite providers, according to the channel.

Former VP candidate Nicole Shanahan gets baptized

Star power

In 2022, Candace Cameron Bure, a devout Christian, joined the channel as its chief creative officer. The actress, producer and best-selling author grew up playing D.J. Tanner on Full House and revived the role for a Netflix original series, Fuller House. She starred in Hallmark Channel movies before joining Great America Media. Cameron Bure caused controversy after saying the Hallmark Channel was a different network than when she started, and she believed Great American Family would keep traditional marriage at its core.

What really differentiates our channel from some of the other ones out there is that were not afraid to talk about God and Gods hand in our lives instead of fate or providence, Cameron Bure told The Hollywood Reporter.

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In a statement to NewsNation, a YouTube TV spokesperson said, we welcome the opportunity to brief the FCC on YouTube TVs subscription service and the strategic business decisions we make based on factors like user demand, operational cost and financial terms, and to reiterate that we do not have any policies that prohibit religious content. The company pointed to some examples of faith-based content on YouTube TV, including The 700 Club and Joel Olsteen.

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Del. Lesley Lopez (D-Montgomery), in the House chamber Thursday, defended her bill to create a fund to help pay for abortion services for uninsured and underinsured women. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Lawmakers on both sides of the abortion debate shared personal and emotional stories Thursday, with one holding back tears at one point, in a failed Republican attempt to derail a bill that would make millions available to help pay for the procedure.

The House ultimately voted 98-37 along party lines Thursday night to approve House Bill 930, but not before 40 minutes of debate during a House session earlier in the day when Republicans tried to put up a variety of amendments. The debate, at times, got personal.

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Del. Tiffany T. Alston, (D-Prince Georges County), said the state should stay out of decisions about an abortion, which should be made between a doctor and a patient.

As someone who has had a transvaginal ultrasound and had an ectopic pregnancy, you do not get those sounds out of your head, Alston said. It was a medical emergency  and it is not the governments business about what happens with my body, when I am meeting with my doctor. We should not be legislating this stuff.

On the other side, Del. April Rose (R-Frederick and Carroll) told the story of a niece who was encouraged to end her pregnancy due to presumed medical issues of the fetus.

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My niece had a transvaginal ultrasound. Her baby was the size, actually smaller, than this bottle, she said, holding up a standard-sized disposable water bottle.

She was told that she should abort the baby because of all of the potential health implications. He is 4  and he is fantastic, Rose said, her voice starting to shake as she held back tears. I am standing for him, and for the women who should have the opportunity to make the choice of life.

Many of the amendments debated Thursday were recycled versions of measures that have been tried and killed in recent committee hearings or in previous years by the heavily Democratic and pro-abortion legislature. Anti-abortion arguments can be a tough sell in Maryland, where voters in November voted 3-1 for a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights, but that didnt keep Republican lawmakers from trying.

They were challenging Del. Lesley J. Lopezs (D-Montgomery) HB930, which would give the state Department of Health access to about $25 million in funds that were collected as part of the federal Affordable Care Act, but have not been spent down. The money comes from $1-a-month fee that insurers in the ACA marketplace are required to collect on every policy, to fund abortion services for their policyholders.

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The fund has been growing by about $3 million a year for the past 15 years, as collections have outpaced need. If the bill is passed and signed into law, those funds would be distributed to providers to help cover abortion costs for uninsured and underinsured individuals, along with other situations.

Del. William J. Wivell (R-Washington and Frederick) offered several antiabortion amendments during debate Thursday on HB 930. (Photo by Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters).

Del. William J. Wivell (R-Washington and Frederick) offered an amendment that would require data collection on abortions done in the state, including the method of abortion, age of the fetus and reason for the abortion.

Lopez reminded him that he submitted similar language in a bill back in 2020, when it died a dignified and peaceful death in a drawer, she said, meaning the bill was never brought to a vote because it was not likely to pass out of the Health and Government Operations Committee.

The reason why the committee did not move on it, was because it was out of alignment with the will of the committee and the will of the body, Lopez said. We have been actively working to try to protect data on reproductive care for years.

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When that amendment failed on party lines, Wivell offered an amendment that would have required a 24-hour wait time after a transabdominal ultrasound before a pregnant patient could receive an abortion. It would also have the physician offer to let the patient hear the fetal heartbeat.

The amendment resembled legislation that was scheduled for a hearing in February but withdrawn by the sponsor, said Lopez, who called for its defeat.

I think its important to note that just last November, our voters, in almost every single legislative district, voted to enshrine reproductive rights without conditions into our constitution  and what this amendment does, is introduce a condition for care, Lopez said.

Del. Susan K. McComas (R-Harford), didnt see it that way, and argued that Wivells amendment was a matter of informed consent.

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I have been corresponding with a lady out in Western Maryland who has had two abortions, McComas said She is very, very sorry that she was not allowed to know that she could have a sonogram, and she might not have had those two abortions if she knew she could hear a heartbeat.

That amendment failed, as did three other GOP proposals, including one to require the collection of data on how many, if any, taxpayer dollars go to abortion services for out-of-state patients. Another would have restricted use of the ACA grants to abortions provided to Maryland residents, excluding patients who come in from out of town.

The last amendment would have required that abortion providers receive training to spot signs of sex trafficking victims. Lopez said that was unnecessary, since medical providers already get similar training.

Lopez urged passage of her bill, saying the ACA dollars would otherwise go to waste.

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These funds have been collected for the past 15 years, and they have no other purpose than going to provide abortion services, Lopez said. If we do not use those funds, if we do not have a grant program, they will continue to get dusty, they will go unused.

Full House approval of the bill comes just days before Mondays cross-over deadline, the date by which a bill must be approved by one chamber of the legislature to be guaranteed a hearing in the other.

The Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill 848, was approved 8-3 in a party-line vote in the Finance Committee earlier this week. It is likely to come up for a vote by the full Senate soon.

In committee, Republicans unsuccessfully offered two familiar amendments to SB848, which was sponsored by Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard).

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Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Middle Shore) on Wednesday offered an amendment to require reporting on the use of taxpayer funds toward abortion, specifically looking at how many residents are benefiting from the fund compared to the number of out-of-state patients, similar to an amendment that would be offered on HB 390 the following day.

Same goes for an amendment that Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll) offered, to require that ACA-funded grants for abortion services be restricted to Maryland residents.

Both Republican-backed amendments failed.
Republicans are playing a game of chicken with Democrats over funding the government.

And youll never believe who looks like theyre ready to capitulate.

Government funding is due to run out Friday at midnight, which will spark a partial government shutdown absent the passage of a new stop-gap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution  or CR in the jargon of Capitol Hill.

Republicans control both houses of Congress, and have already pushed a fiercely partisan CR bill through the House. But this is a rare moment when Democrats have actual leverage in the legislative process. The assent of more than half a dozen Democrats is needed to reach the 60-vote threshold necessary to end debate on the CR in the Senate, and move on to final passage  which would then require only a majority vote to become law.

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But Democrats, fearful of being blamed for shutting down the government, are showing signs of going wobbly, and assisting the MAGA GOP, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk in their project to deform America.

Heres what you need to know:

In the normal course of business, a clean CR  one that keeps the government on its current spending course  is not a heavy lift. But Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans have teed up a dirty CR, one that includes poison pills that caused every Democratic member in the House, save one, to oppose it. (After passing the bill, Johnson adjourned the House, sending lawmakers home  ending any possibility for good-faith negotiation before federal funding runs out.)

The GOPs unclean CR would keep the government operating through September. But it gives a green light for Trump and Elon Musk to continue on the path thats been crashing the stock market and eviscerating the functions of major government agencies, while kicking thousands of federal workers to the curb.

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According to progressive budget watchers, the Republican CR boosts Pentagon funding by more than $12 billion. On the non-defense side, it shifts $3.5 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, as it likely strips funding away from Head Start and Community Health Centers.

(The increase to the military comes as Trump rattles his saber at Panama and Greenland. The DHS boost would fuel ICE arrests, which this week included an effort to deport a permanent resident, with a green card, over accusations he has undermined Americas national security by protesting on behalf of Palestine onat Columbia University.)

More consequentially, the bill would:

Block Congress ability to end the emergency declaration that Trump has relied on to impose massive tariffs on U.S. importers who trade with our allies, including Canada and Mexico. It represents Congress forfeiting part of its constitutional prerogative to control taxation.

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Require the government of Washington D.C. to slash its municipal budget, seemingly out of spite, imposing austerity on the city at a moment when the District of Columbia is reeling from Trumps campaign of firing federal employees en masse.

The bill also does not advance the Democrats top priority in these CR negotiations  which is forcing Trump to actually spend the money legally appropriated by Congress. In fact, the administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance, whipped House Republicans to pass the CR by promising that the administration would keep using a strategy called impoundment to claw back funding it doesnt like and to continue to shut down whole swaths of government.

Impoundment appears to be both illegal, under the Nixon-era Impoundment Control Act, as well as unconstitutional, because the power of the purse is invested in Congress. Nevertheless, Republican Rep. Chip Roy, for one, praised the CR on Tuesday because it allows for the president to use impoundment.

To recap: This is CR is a MAGAfied spending bill that increases funding for Trumps priorities, decreases Congress power to check the executive branch, cuts funding for Democratic priorities, and will embolden Trump and Musks rolling shutdown of agencies from the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Department of Education.

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Yet it may well pass.

And thats because Democrats  still shaken after their losses in the 2024 election  are petrified of being blamed for anything unpopular, much less a partial government shutdown.

Democrats in the Senate are all nominally opposed to the Republican CR. But Sen. John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, has already come out saying he wont join any effort to tank it, posting on X: Voting to shut the government down will punish millions or risk a recession. I disagree with many points in the CR, but I will never vote to shut our government down.

The hazards of a government shutdown are, indeed, real. It would create even more uncertainty for an economy that Trumps erratic governance has placed on a shaky footing. And it would leave government employees without paychecks until the standoff is resolved. Worse: Trump would be in control of what essential functions of government remain in operation  offering new avenues for his anti-government hijinks.



But the notion that voters would blame Democrats for the shutdown  instead of Republicans who failed to negotiate in good faith, and pushed forward a bill they couldnt pass on their own  is dubious. It is also true that previous government shutdowns have typically been short-lived and have typically ended with GOP extremists backing down to embrace a more-moderate path forward.

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Instead of locking arms as a party however, Democrats in the Senate are reportedly trying to stage political kayfabe they think will extract them from a political pickle. One strategy would have party moderates provide the GOP with enough votes to reach the 60 needed to end debate on the CR, on the promise that Democrats could then put forward a competing bill as an amendment  a bill to fund the government at current levels, no strings attached for another 30 days.

The outcome here, however, would be predictable. The Democratic bill would fail. And then the Republicans could ram through their unclean CR on a party-line majority vote. (In another post on X, Fetterman called this approach total theater that is neither honest with constituents nor a winning argument.)

The outcome is still uncertain. Centrist Democrats including Virginias Mark Warner are speaking out against helping Republicans reach 60 votes, calling the CR a terrible deal that Democrats should fight with everything weve got. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to numerous reports, is willing to give Republicans his vote to advance the bill.

Progressives like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, are also whipping against Democratic Senators giving Republicans the 60 cloture votes they need to advance the CR, posting on Bluesky: Tomorrow is the cloture vote. KEEP CALLING  Tell your Dem Senator to vote NO on Cloture and NO on the Republican spending bill. Do NOT assume your Senator will be good on this. Trust me.

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GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. (WWTI)  The village of Gouverneur will be getting a boost from New York State to invest in its historic downtown area.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Village of Gouverneur will each receive $4.5 million as one of the North Country winners of the third round of NY Forward. For the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the third round of the NY Forward Program, each of the States 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million from each program, to make for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

American Red Cross aids one person after Massena fire

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According to the state, Gouverneur will capitalize on its historical charm, vibrant and expanding downtown business community, safe, friendly, and walkable environment and its proximity to major regional employers to enhance quality of life, strengthen resilience and increase economic opportunities for both current and future residents. Additionally, Gouverneur aims to attract visitors to experience its rich recreational, cultural and retail assets, positioning the village as a regional destination.

On behalf of the Village of Gouverneur, I would like to thank Governor Hochul for this opportunity. This NY Forward Grant will be such a benefit to our community and we look forward to revitalizing our downtown. Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall

In the press announcement from the governors office, the village was called is a charming historic community located along the Oswegatchie River. The Village embodies the feel of community with a beautiful downtown and park area. The Village is home to many festivals and events, including the St. Lawrence County Fair, that entertains residents and attracts visitors from across the region.

Gouverneur is a true treasure to the 117th Assembly District, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush said. I always like to see NYS invest in our rural villages. When you invest in downtowns you invest in small businesses and residents. I am always in support of that.

Malone and Keeseville were also winners of the latest round with Malone getting $10 million and Keeseville receiving $4.5 milllion.

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The three municipalities will now start the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the eort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI and NY Forward grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation, will advance the communitys vision for their downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the states investment.

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria before recommending these communities as nominees.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. Any discussions or dialogue will focus on resolving issues related to Irans nuclear program and the removal of sanctions against Iran, said the country's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, Trend reports.

In his statement today following a meeting in Beijing between the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, China, and Russia regarding Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, Gharibabadi highlighted that a comprehensive array of topics was deliberated during the convening, which occurred at the deputy foreign ministers' echelon.



Central to the discourse was the imperative to abolish unilateral and extralegal sanctions imposed on Iran, engage in constructive dialogue and diplomatic negotiations, and cease the application of coercive measures or military force.

He further elaborated on the causes of the current situation, specifically the US' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the failure of the three European countries (the UK, France, and Germany) to fulfill their commitments. According to him, the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, as well as the timeline for removing Irans nuclear program from the Security Councils agenda in October 2025, were also highlighted, and the necessity of avoiding any actions that could worsen the situation was underscored.

Additionally, Gharibabadi pointed out that the meeting emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could weaken the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) technical and impartial stance. Continuing consultations and cooperation among Iran, China, and Russia were noted, along with the strengthening of ties within international organizations and multilateral groups, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group.

To recall, on January 16, 2016, the JCPOA came into force between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) regarding Irans nuclear program. However, on May 8, 2018, the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions on Iran starting from November 2018.

By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent.

Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction.

On February 14, the IAEA Director General Grossi reported that Iran is increasing the amount of uranium enriched to 60 percent by nearly seven times. In the coming weeks, Irans stock of 60 percent enriched uranium is expected to reach around 250 kilograms. Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, a development that has raised international concerns.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
PALMETTO, Fla. (WFLA)  Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Palmetto on Friday to award $2 million to Manatee County Port Authority through the Job Growth Grant Fund for key port infrastructure improvements.

Part of the funds will be allocated toward rebuilding and repaving South Dock Street at Seaport Manatee, and will also go towards stormwater mitigation.

This award will help fulfill the demand for current and new businesses as they expand their operations and create new jobs, said DeSantis. The project is expected to create 300 jobs.

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The conference took place at the North Gate Access Control-SeaPort Manatee located at 1705 Piney Point Road.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue was also in attendance.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Alabama, as severe weather is expected to impact many this weekend.

WEATHER ALERT Friday night through Saturday Night for strong tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail

The state of emergency will go into effect at 2 p.m. Friday and will remain in effect for the duration of the severe weather threat. Ivey sent out a proclamation Friday, which directs the Alabama National Guard to prepare to be activated on order of the Governor to respond to this severe weather event.

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The state of Alabama is at risk for potentially dangerous, severe weather throughout this weekend, so it is critical that everyone stays very aware of their local forecasts. Now is the time to make any preparations and have a plan, should the weather conditions become dangerous. Certainly, we are no stranger to Mother Natures wrath, but I encourage Alabamians to be vigilant beginning tonight. Stay weather aware and stay safe!  Governor Kay Ivey

You can read the full proclamation below:

2025-03-14-State-of-Emergency-Severe-WeatherDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Gov. Phil Scott presented to the legislature a new public safety plan that addresses bail, young offenders and a catch and release system that he says is causing people to lose trust in the government.

Vermonts criminal justice system has long had critics, but repeat offenders being reintroduced to the streets at a higher rate, and with growing crime rates, Burlington residents are louder than ever about their desire for a change.

A public safety meeting was held by Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak last September, where City Attorney Jessica Brown explained why repeat offenders are so common.

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A backlog of cases leads to many individuals returning to the streets with "little consequence." As of summer 2024, Brown said Chittenden County has 2,800 pending cases, 1,300 more than the next highest county of Rutland. With those high numbers, it is challenging to meet deadlines.

While some of Burlingtons problems may not bear resemblance to problems in rural parts of the state, it has grown to be an issue that needs intervention at a state level. Gov. Scott said he hopes this bill will be the help that residents are begging for his administration to provide.

Having a community that is safe is something that they expect and something we should deliver on, Scott said at the Statehouse Wednesday.

Phil Scott before his 2025 budget address.

What does the public safety bill include?

The bill includes 10 items:

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Repealing a law that raises the age of youthful offenders to 19. Reforms to youthful offender laws to allow for rehabilitation for those who want to engage and accountability for those who dont. Bail revocation reform to address repeat offenders. Universal sealing of criminal records instead of expungement. Limiting the courts discretion on sentence reduction for repeat violent offenders. Streamlining the extradition process. Redefining recidivism so it can be measured better. Expanding a pretrial supervision program thats been working in Orleans County. Creating more tools for substance abuse and mental health treatment. Repealing a law that would not allow people incapacitated by intoxication to be housed at a correctional facility after July 1.

Gov. Scott previewed the public safety bill in mid-January. Legislators said they are working to take on parts of the bill right now.

Gov. Scott and other representatives stated that they know this won't solve all of Vermont's public safety problems, but providing the system funding and resources is a step in the right direction.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: VT legislature to consider Gov. Phil Scott's public safety plan
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Just hours before the midnight deadline, Congress is set to vote on a bill to avert a government shutdown.

The Senate needs 60 votes to pass the bill and thats causing political drama.

Republican lawmakers crafted the spending bill, and Republicans are delivering the majority of votes for it, but votes from a few Democrats are needed to get it over the finish line.

It would be bone deep down to the marrow stupid to shut government down. Nobody wins, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.).

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The Senate is working to avoid a shutdown with a short-term spending bill to fund the government through September.

The bill keeps funding at relatively the same level as last year but boosts the Pentagon budget while cutting non-defense spending.

The bill causes real pain for communities across the country, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

Democratic lawmakers are critical of the cuts Republicans wrote into the bill but some Democratic senators want to pass it, saying a shutdown would be worse.

I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

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That choice has caused infighting among Democrats.

I think it is a huge slap in the face and that theres a wide sense of betrayal, said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Some say by not standing united against the bill Democrats are ceding control to Republicans and the Trump administration to continue with their agenda of major government cuts.

Its a license to destroy, said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Because of the Senate filibuster the bill needs Democratic votes to pass and some argue the party should use that as leverage to force Republicans to negotiate.

When youre in the minority, you only have a few real points where you can use the powers that you have, said Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.).

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Democrats supporting the bill say with Republicans in the majority they dont have much of a choice.

What leverage do we have? Democrats show up to a knife fight with a casserole, said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

The vote is expected to happen sometime Friday night.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The Senate is expected to vote Friday on a stopgap funding bill to keep the U.S. government running. Unlike previous continuing resolution showdowns, this time it's the Democrats who may vote against it in protest of President Donald Trump's policies.

The Republican-controlled House approved the bill by a 217-213 vote on Tuesday, but the Senate requires a supermajority of at least 60 votes to pass. Republicans have 53 seats in the Senate and Sen. Paul Rand, R-Kentucky, has said he'll vote against it. Some Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania are against a shutdown.

Democrats don't want to be blamed for a shutdown, but are against a funding extension that they say empowers President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue cutting government staff and spending.

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If the funding bill does not pass, millions of Americans would be affected almost immediately.

When would the government shutdown happen?

The 99-page bill keeps the federal government funded at near-current levels until Sept. 30. If the funding measure is not passed by midnight today, the shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 15.

What happens during a government shutdown?

The federal government has to pay its bills or services stop.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed without pay for the duration. Some federal workers considered "essential," such as active-duty military, air traffic controllers, etc., are required to continue working without pay but will receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

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All federal agencies and services that are not deemed essential will close their doors. Hiring and training of new employees stops. Funding for SNAP and WIC programs stops. New Head Start grants will not be available. Many food, health and clean water inspections from the FDA, OSHA and the EPA would stop. The Small Business Administration stops reviewing or approving loans.

Where federal employees work

How quickly does a government shutdown go into effect?

As far as the public is concerned, immediately. For the government employees involved, staff deemed nonessential will have a few hours to secure their files, hand over any information essential employees might need, pay invoices incurred before the shutdown and generally close up shop. If such preparations will take longer than half a day, the Office of Management and Budget must be notified.

How long can a government shutdown last?

Until Congress passes the necessary appropriations bills to fund government services and President Donald Trump signs them, however long that takes.

There have been 21 shutdowns since 1977, with an average of eight days each. The longest government shutdown was 35 days during Trump's first term, from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019, the third shutdown to happen during his administration.

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The president with the most shutdown days was Jimmy Carter, with 56. The president with the most shutdowns was Ronald Reagan, with eight.

Who gets paid if the government shuts down?

Federal workers who are deemed essential will continue to work, but will not be paid for the duration of the shutdown and will receive back pay when it ends. Some federal employees whose jobs aren't funded by annually appropriated funds will receive their normal pay, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

However, not everyone can keep working for long without getting paid. If the shutdown continues for an extended period, expect more services to slow or fail due to staffers leaving to find other employment to feed their families.

Does Congress still get paid if the government shuts down?

Yes, but their staffs will be working unpaid. Salaries for members of Congress have been funded by a permanent appropriation since 1983, according to the Congressional Research Service.

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The president will also get paid, per Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution.

Will a government shutdown affect Florida hurricane forecasts?

Not in the short term, judging from previous shutdowns. Workers at the National Hurricane Center are considered essential and will be working without pay. But social media posts may be limited to forecast and warning information only.

Meanwhile, hurricane analysis and research on improving forecast models will stop, as will training for new emergency managers and any outreach or education programs.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which oversees the National Weather Service and the hurricane center has already been forced to lay off nearly 2,000 employees in recent weeks as part of President Donald Trumps mass overhaul of the federal government. It's unclear how this may affect operations and weather forecasts.

Will a government shutdown affect FEMA?

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency would still respond to disasters, a federal shutdown would greatly reduce its impact. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told a House transportation panel in 2023 that a shutdown would restrict the agency to whatever was in its Disaster Relief Fund for existing and new relief efforts.

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"We would have to further reduce those types of life-saving operations that we are working on based on the amount of funding that we have available," she said.

The Trump administration has also laid off more than 200 FEMA employees, according to NBC News, and Trump has discussed an interest in abolishing the agency entirely and returning disaster relief to the states.

Will a government shutdown affect the military and national defense?

Active-duty military service members will remain on active duty, including more than 69,000 military personnel in Florida, but they won't be paid until the shutdown is over. However, many other aspects of the U.S. military such as systems testing and production will be affected.

"If the government shuts down, testing [of systems] will stop and acceptance by the government of equipment when it is finished and ready to be accepted [could] stop," William A. LaPlante, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, said last year.

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Contracts awarded before the shutdown will continue, according to Reuters, but federal contractors impacted by the shutdown will not be compensated for the time.

Will the government shutdown affect the Post Office?

No, The U.S. Postal Service is funded by sales of stamps and other services and is not impacted by a shutdown, the USPS said. Mail service will continue and employees will be paid as usual.

Will the government shutdown affect veterans benefits?

No. The Veterans Benefits Administration has received advance appropriations since 2017 and any carryover balances in discretionary accounts can be allocated for current operations, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are over 414,000 VA employees and the department says 96% of them will be fully funded or considered essential and required to work without pay.

VA healthcare payments and pensions will continue, as would the National Cemetery Administrations assorted burial functions. But direct oversight of the NCA's programs would stop. So would IT functions that are deemed necessary, anything beyond basic HR support, representation by the VA Secretary before the courts for veterans claims, any public outreach or education, investigations of misconduct for a VA leader, and multiple oversight and quality review teams.

Will a government shutdown affect Social Security?

Social Security recipients will still get their checks, and Medicare benefits will not be interrupted. But employees in those departments may be furloughed on top of any losses in workforce, which may lead to delays in customer service.

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To comply with demands from the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency group, the Social Security Administration announced in February it would be reducing its size by 12%.

Will the government shutdown affect food stamps?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, would continue as long as it has funds but a lengthy shutdown could result in hardships for the nearly 3 million Floridians who receive food safety net benefits.

But funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) would stop immediately, according to former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a press briefing last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a contingency fund that may extend the program for a day or two, and some states may have leftover unspent WIC benefits that could be used to keep it going in that state for up to a few weeks.

Can I get a passport if the government shuts down?

Yes. According to the Department of State's contingency plan, consular services such as passports, visas and assisting U.S. citizens abroad will remain "100% operational," as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. Passport offices that are in larger government buildings may be forced to shut down, however, for lack of access.

Will the government shutdown affect air travel?

Possibly, if the shutdown continues for very long. But short term, you may not notice since TSA agents and air traffic controllers are considered essential employees.

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What stops will be development of new air traffic control specialists, facility security inspections, routine background investigations, development and testing of new technologies, air traffic performance analysis, law enforcement assistance support and various other administrative functions.

During previous shutdowns, effects on travel were minimal. However, the Trump administration has fired hundreds of air traffic controllers  although it is now trying to bring more in  and fired more than 200 TSA employees before ending collective bargaining for nearly 50,000 TSA officers last week. It's unclear how long the remaining employees would choose to continue doing the job unpaid if the shutdown stretches on.

Will national parks be closed during the government shutdown?

Unclear. There are no specific laws requiring them to shut down, although employees would be limited to law enforcement and other necessary personnel. During past shutdowns in 2013 and 2018 the government decided to keep them open and close them down, respectively, and both decisions received backlash.

Will the government shutdown affect the Coast Guard?

Last year, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that most its employees would be retained during the shutdown. All emergency and life-saving functions will continue but any non-essential services will stop.

During a government shutdown, do I still have to pay my student loan bills?

Yes.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Government shutdown and services that would be reduced or closed
March 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate on Friday night averted a looming midnight shutdown of the federal government by passing a funding bill after approving a key procedural vote with the support of enough Democrats.

The measure passed 54-46, nearly along party lines, with Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and independent Angus King voting yes and Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky voting no.

The bill now goes to President Donald Trump, who flew to his Mar-a-Lago estate from Washington, D.C., early Friday evening.

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The earlier vote to end the filibuster needed to be approved by at least 60 senators.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was among nine Democrats and one independent to approve a motion to end the filibuster 62-38. Paul of Kentucky was the lone Republican to vote against the cloture to end debate.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks to reporters outside the White House on Friday. Photo by Al Drago/UPI

Other Democrats voting for cloture were Richard Durbin of Illinois, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Kristen Gillibrand of New York, Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto of Hawaii, Gary Peters of Michigan, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. King also approved the cloture.

There are 53 Republicans, so help to end the filibusters was needed from Democrats. In some matters, including the funding bill, only a majority vote is needed with the Senate president, usually the vice president, breaking the tie.

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., walks to the Senate Chambers during a series of votes at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The Senate voted on the six-month government funding bill that was passed by the House, which adjourned until March 24.

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The 99-page bill includes a slight increase in military spending but a $13 billion cut in domestic nondefense spending.

Sen. Ted Crux, R-Texas, leaves the Senate Chambers between a series of votes at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Schumer announced on the Senate floor on Thursday that he would be voting for it.

He explained his vote to CNN on Friday.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"My job as leader is to lead the party and if there's going to be danger in the near future, to protect the party," he said. "And I'm proud I did it. I knew I did the right thing, and I knew there would be some disagreements. That's how it always is."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Friday morning he expected the chamber would avert a shutdown.

President Donald Trump prepares to board Marine One as he departs Washington, D.C., en route to his home in Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday. Photo by Al Drago/UPI

"The sooner we get this wrapped up the better, honestly, but you know, obviously it's somewhat dictated by the tempo the Democrats are dictating," Thune said.

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On Friday, President Donald Trump praised Schumer, writing on Truth Social: "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing - Took 'guts' and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning!"

The CR bill, which will fund the federal government through Sept. 30, passed the House on Tuesday almost exactly on party lines at 217-213, with one Democrat voting for and one GOP member against.

House Democrats largely remain against the CR, as a statement released Thursday by their leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated that Democrats in Congress "remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill under consideration in the Senate."

U.S. Rep., Nancy Pelosi of California, who was aligned with Schumer when she was the House Speaker until 2023, criticized Senate Democrats backing the GOP funding bill.

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"Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America," she said in a statement on X.

House Democrats, with their session adjourned, gathered 40 miles away in Leesburg, Va., at their annual policy retreat.

More than 50 House Democrats signed a letter critical of Schumer, including fellow New Yorker, Ocasio-Cortez, who called the decision "a tremendous mistake." ABC News reported some Democrats are calling for her to primary him in the next election in 2028.

"What voting for the CR does is that it codifies the chaos and the reckless cuts that Elon Musk has been pursuing," Ocasio-Cortez said. "The robbing of our federal government in order to finance tax cuts for billionaires, is what is happening, and that is what Senate Democrats will be empowering if they vote for the CR."

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Schumer spoke on the Senate floor Thursday, saying that Democrats had tried to offer "a way out" of the possible bill failure, a stopgap measure to fund the government for another month, but Republicans rejected that proposal "outright." He accused Trump of wanting "full control of government spending," and forcing GOP senators "to cower into submission" instead of working out a CR that would be more agreeable to both parties.

He said a shutdown would give Trump and Elon Musk, who runs the Department of Government Efficiency, "full authority to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel non-essential, furloughing staff with no promise they would ever be rehired," leaving the decision of what would be considered essential "solely" to the Executive branch, "with nobody left at the agencies left to check them."

Democrats were pushing for a 30-day continuing resolution.

Their private caucus meetings became hostile.

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This week, CNN reported Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet got angry during one of the Senate Democrats' private meetings.

Two sources said that Bennet accused Senate Democratic leadership of having "no strategy, no plan and no message" on the spending bill.

Tina Smith of Minnesota said in a statement: "This bill we are voting on is not a 'clean Continuing Resolution,' and it does not continue the spending and policy law that Congress passed last year," she said in noting funding would be slashed for health needs.

"President Trump and House Republicans wrote this bill on their own, with no consideration for my views or any of my Democratic colleagues, and they will own the consequences. From the beginning, President Trump and the Republicans set this up as an unprecedented power grab."

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Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said the bill gives the Trump administration too much flexibility in how to spend funds. She called it "slush funds for the Trump administration to reshape spending priorities, eliminate longstanding programs, pick winners and losers."

Fetterman announced Wednesday on X that "I will never vote to shut the government down." He was the first Democrat to support the measure.

He told CNN: "There are going to be people that are going to vote no on this, but they will be free riders because they know, secretly, they know that shutting the government down is (going) to be a disaster."
Andrea Gunderson and Ramon Maestas. (Photos courtesy of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court)

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday morning announced appointments for two new judges to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.

Andrea Gunderson and Ramon Maestas, both of Albuquerque, will take their oaths of office on Saturday to take the bench for the court located in their hometown, the governors office said in a news release.

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Metro Court judges handle petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor crimes; driving under the influence and domestic violence cases; and civil lawsuits involving disputes worth $10,000 or less, except for landlord-tenant cases.

Gunderson and Maestas will both work in the courts Civil Division, according to a Metro Court news release.

The wealth of knowledge and experience both judges bring to the Metropolitan Court bench will allow for a smooth transition as they take on some of the busiest civil dockets in the state, Chief Judge Joshua Sanchez said in a statement.

Gunderson, the special commissioner in the Second Judicial District Childrens Court, previously worked in private practice doing criminal defense and civil litigation with a focus on child welfare.

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My work leading up to this point in my career has been an amazing adventure. I look forward to the new challenges and experiences this opportunity brings, and I intend to serve my community with pride, Gunderson said in a written statement.



Maestas serves as chief clerk of the New Mexico Court of Appeals. Previously, he worked as deputy general counsel for the Second Judicial District Court and a felony prosecutor for the Second Judicial District Attorneys Office.

Its an honor to serve the citizens of my hometown and Bernalillo County in this new role and continue working in line with the judiciarys mission of providing equal access to justice under the law, Maestas said in a statement.

Both judges received their law degrees from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Gunderson is a Rio Grande High School graduate and Maestas is a Valley High School graduate.

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The Metropolitan Court has a total of 19 judges who serve-four year terms. Voters will decide whether to keep Gunderson and Maestas on the bench in the 2026 election, according to the courts retention schedule.

Parties can appeal Metro Court rulings up to the Court of Appeals or the Second Judicial District Court, depending on the case.

The two new judges will replace Linda S. Rogers and Frank A. Sedillo, who are both retiring, according to the governors news release.

The Legislature created the Metro Court in 1980 to merge the functions of the Albuquerque Municipal Court, Bernalillo County Magistrate Court and Small Claims Court. Its the only court of its kind in New Mexico.

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ALABAMA (WHNT)  Governor Kay Ivey has issued a State of Emergency on Friday due to an impending series of severe weather events.

In a release sent by the Governors office, Alabama will experience a series of severe weather events, including straight line winds, lightning, hail and tornados.

CLICK HERE for News 19s Interactive Radar 

This severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury and loss of life, the proclamation read.

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The state of emergency goes into effect at 2 p.m. on March 14. State law specifies that a state of emergency lasts 60 days, however, the Governors Office says it may end earlier than that.

You can find the complete press release on Governor Iveys website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont Governor Phil Scott has vetoed the budget adjustment bill H.141 due to uncertainty around federal funding, and the proposed extension of Vermonts motel/hotel housing program.

Given growing uncertainty around federal funding and the potential for significant funding cuts to critical programs, spending additional general funds in the budget adjustment for expenses that are not time sensitive is irresponsible, Scott wrote in a letter to the General Assembly.

Vermont Senate approves Saunders as Secretary of Education

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He also expressed concerns over the proposed summer extension of General Assistance Emergency Housing, claiming it was far too expensive and fails our constituents, communities and taxpayers.

Expanding the free hotel/motel program, moves us backwards, reversing important progress made towards reforming this failed program, agreed upon by the Administration and Legislature just last year. After nearly five years of experience, we know this approach is far too expensive and fails our constituents, communities and taxpayers.

The Governor previously proposed a compromise which would provide flexible grants worth $2.1 million to municipalities in the upcoming months. This, he proposed, would allow local communities to develop better ways of helping the unhoused while limiting unnecessary appropriations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Richard Mille sets the bar high, including in the field of Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)! Through Ninety boutiques, the brand manages the resale of its watches on the grey market while cultivating a privileged relationship with its clients.

A racing beast tested at 103G on Formula 1 circuits by Felipe Massa? A "Hommage a Boucheron" watch to celebrate the jewelers 150th anniversary? An ultra-limited edition model, sold exclusively to regulars of the Saint-Tropez polo tournaments? These are just some of the timepieces that are difficult to find, occasionally available at Ninety.

The movement wheels of this RM 018 "Hommage a Boucheron" are cut from rhodonite  Nathan Blard / WorldTempus

In the Ninety boutiques, which sell 95% of the brands watches but also feature works of art and jewelry, Richard Mille models benefit from ahighly refined resale environment with a "cosy" touch. After London, inaugurated in 2020 at 90 Mount Street (hence the name), Geneva has welcomed this concept since 2023, with plans to expand to the Middle East.

Controlling the Grey Market

Richard Mille is a young brandonly 60,000 pieces have been produced since its founding in 2001. With controlled growth of +5% per year, the brand deliberately limits its production (5,900 pieces planned for 2025) to maintain exclusivity. This limited production, combined with the brands success, has heightened the desirability of its watches.

In this context, the grey market has not hesitated to soar: in just a few years, "some Richard Mille watches can see their prices multiply five- or six-fold" explained the boutique manager. The Ninety concept, developed by the brand, provides a secure, transparent alternative that offers an experience in line with Richard Milles ultra-luxury standards. Both clients looking to sell their watch and buyers benefit from optimal conditions.

Furthermore, since the brands official boutiques have very limited stock, these CPO watches help expand the range of available models.

The RM 011 "St Tropez" was produced in only 25 pieces in 2013 to celebrate the partnership between Richard Mille and the Polo Club of Saint-Tropez  Nathan Blard / WorldTempus

Dedicated to pampering the clients

The Ninety experience does not end with the models available in the boutique. Clients can create their own "wishlist" and will be informed when a piece they are searching for reappears. This tailor-made approach strengthens the bond between the brand and its collectors.

Ninety serves as an extension of Richard Milles customer service. Thus, when an owner wishes to resell their watch, he contacts the boutique where he purchased it, which then reaches out to Ninety for a potential acquisition. There is no cold calling of Richard Mille owners or blind transactionseach piece is selected on a case-by-case basis, according to the models already offered for sale and their condition. Each watch is fully serviced and comes with a two-year warranty, "delivered in a condition close to new," explains the brand.

The boutique also plays an educational role, raising clients awareness of the intrinsic value of Richard Mille watches, "with prices ranging from 200,000 CHF to over a million, or even up to a million and half" explained the boutique manager. While it observes grey market practices and sets prices according to market trends, it does not simply replicate them.

The RM 006 Felipe Massa features a carbon baseplate and an unprecedented lightness of 43 grams  Nathan Blard / WorldTempus

Renowned Former Owners

Some Richard Mille watches have particularly unique histories. Rarely, but occasionally, some of the brands partnerssuch as top athletesentrust their watches to Ninetys Certified Pre-Owned circuit. These pieces, potentially tested under extreme conditions, are distinguished by their PR 00 case number, meaning "Prototype." Transparency and authenticity are paramount, as each watch is accompanied by a certificate mentioning the name of its previous owners before being passed on to its future buyer. While such models are considered Holy Grails, this identity is only revealed at the time of purchase.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed his bill to address the rising burden of property taxes on South Dakota homeowners.



The governor did that Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda in front of a large crowd.

216 is a win for South Dakota homeowners the bill is impactful and will certainly buffer any future tax increases, Rhoden said.

The bill limits the increase on property tax assessments to just 3% for the next five years.

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According to people in the real estate business, thats huge for anyone looking to remodel or add on to their home.

Peace of mind, thats how the Realtors Association of the Sioux Empire describes this bill.

Dark money group attacks South Dakota Senator

Last year property taxes on average in Sioux Falls went up by about 3.8%.

But that wont happen again, now that assessments will be capped at 3%.

So thats real savings every year families are going to get, Kenley Lamberty with the Realtors Association of the Sioux Empire said.

And they say that savings can be a selling point for those looking to buy a house.

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Itll be great for homebuyers, if youre coming into Sioux Falls and say I want to buy a house, well, now every year I know Im getting that 3% maximum assessed value, so every year Im in my home, 3% is the max, Lamberty said.

Right now when I take buyers around and we look at what the property taxes are and they know what they are going to need to escrow and they know what their payment is going to be if they have to look forward as in the past and anticipate a 10% raise each year thats a little unnerving and they are like I dont think we can afford this, but if they know going forward that its only going to be 3% that basically goes along with their cost of living raise and they assume they can absorb that kind of an expense, real estate agent Callie Wockenfuss said.

Plus, they say people might be more willing to make improvements to add value to their homes knowing now their assessments wont go up by more than 3%.

The governor also said hes not done bringing property tax relief to South Dakotans.

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He said hes working on another proposal that he described as a real property tax cut.

The governor plans to share more on that in the near future.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
A person walks into the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C. The department, with offices in every state, announced it is cutting about 80,000 jobs, part of a large-scale effort to reduce the federal workforce. States are stepping up to hire laid-off workers. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Among the thousands of federal workers whove been forced out or taken buyouts in the past month, surely some would be perfect fits for the many vacancies in Pennsylvanias state government.

That, at least, is the thinking of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who recently directed his state to not only offer aid to laid-off constituents, but also to repost some job openings.

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Hes catching up to governors in other states  from Hawaii to Maryland  who see opportunity, even as theyre scrambling to help panicked residents. The Trump administration and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency task force have been culling federal workers across agencies while also threatening anyone who doesnt list in an email how theyre making good use of their time.

The number of announced terminations tracked by global data company Statista exceeded 16,000 as of Feb. 25. Thats in addition to the 75,000 federal employees who accepted buyouts offered by the administration in its earliest days. And President Donald Trump has directed Cabinet agencies to continue mass layoffs.

States are looking to hire those workers, though officials face challenges, such as offering lower salaries and having slower hiring processes.

In Maryland alone, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore estimates about 10,000 of his constituents could lose work in the shake-up. There are more than 5,000 openings in state government.

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Pennsylvania has some 5,600 critical openings, from accountants to registered nurses, now described on a newly created website tailored to federal employees.

This is an act of self-interest for the people of Pennsylvania, because I believe the commonwealth can benefit from the experience and expertise of these federal workers who have been forced out of their jobs, Shapiro said.

Officials in New Mexico, New York and Virginia  among the states with the highest numbers of federal workers  say theyre offering a silver lining for all that displaced talent, providing ways to streamline the transition from federal government to jobs at the state and local level.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, made her recruitment pitch clear, stating, The federal government might say, Youre fired, but here in New York, we say, Youre hired.

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Hawaiis Operation Hire Hawaii is working to fast-track former federal employees into state agency jobs. Washington state lawmakers have introduced legislation to prioritize these displaced workers in hiring processes.

In Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, launched the Virginia Has Jobs program  a website designed to help laid-off federal workers quickly connect with available state jobs.

Despite these efforts, states face significant hurdles in matching federal workers to state jobs. There are differing skill sets, mismatches in salaries, and the time it takes for a job application to wind its way through a state bureaucracy.

For workers, though, a lot of the difficulty is about coming to terms with the mind-boggling turn of events.

Emotional turmoil

For Victoria, who asked that she be identified by her middle name out of fear of retaliation, working for the federal government wasnt just a job  it was a commitment to nonpartisan public service.

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She worked for three years as a contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration before being hired last year to a permanent federal position.

The reason I wanted to be a federal employee in the first place is because its supposed to be nonpartisan work, she said. Were supposed to serve the public in pursuit of a mission, and for the FAA, that mission is aerospace safety.

Her probation was to end in April. She didnt make it.

I got a call from our office manager at 6 p.m. on a Friday night, telling me I was being let go, Victoria recalled.

She got her official termination email hours later, minutes before midnight. It included a list of resources she couldnt access because they were, for her, suddenly behind a government firewall.

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For people trying to assist workers such as Victoria, the scale and speed of the firings outpaced even what they figured was coming.

Caitlin Lewis is executive director at Work for America, a nonprofit that runs the new Civic Match initiative to help state governments recruit former federal workers. She foresaw a need for the project following the 2024 election.

When we launched Civic Match in November, we anticipated about 4,000 political appointees and campaign staff seeking new jobs after the election. But what weve seen in the new year is a massive surge in laid-off civil servants looking for work, said Lewis.

One of the biggest obstacles? State hiring is slow.

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The average time to hire in state government is 90 days. In local government, its 136 days. Thats a long process for workers who need jobs now.

If states dont act quickly, they risk losing experienced talent to the private sector, which moves faster in recruitment, she said. Many former federal workers are already transitioning into corporate roles, nonprofits and consulting firms rather than waiting for state job openings.

Beyond slow hiring, another challenge is that not all laid-off federal employees want to stay in government.

Im not actually 100% sure that every single one of those workers who may be impacted is looking for another job in government, said Nicole Overley, commissioner of Virginia Works, a state agency focused on reemployment. Virginia has over 4,500 open state jobs. But Im not sure every individual who is transitioning from the federal workforce is necessarily looking for a state job.

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Overley added that many federal employees may not even be aware of state job resources available to them.

In the last 48 hours, weve had over 1,000 job seekers register for the March 5th virtual job fair, she said early this month. I dont know if all federal workers who are impacted know about the resources that are out there  and thats where workforce development comes in.

Some states are working to speed up the process. Hawaii, for instance, has expedited its state hiring process through an executive order from Democratic Gov. Josh Green. In Pennsylvania, Shapiro has told the states hiring office to compare federal work favorably to state work for the purposes of notching experience.

Marylands schools desperately need substitute teachers now, Moore said in announcing resources recently, and anyone with an associates degree can apply.

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New Mexico is launching statewide initiatives that include a resource webpage, recruitment events and access to education and training programs.

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Murial Bowser has encouraged laid-off workers to consider district job openings, but she also wants to ensure they have access to unemployment benefits and housing support. The federal government is the districts largest employer, and the layoffs could devastate the citys economy.

Lower salaries

Another key hurdle is pay disparities between federal and state jobs.

In many states, federal workers make, on average, significantly more than state employees. They include Maryland, where federal workers earn 183% of state worker salaries, Virginia (175%), West Virginia (163%) and Idaho (157%), according to a Stateline review of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

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In states where federal workers earn less than state employees, such as New York (77% of state workers salaries) and California (97%), the transitions might be easier, though the costs of living in those states are among the highest in the nation.

For Hawaii, the challenge is particularly stark. The state has one of the highest concentrations of federal employment outside the District of Columbia and Maryland  and federal jobs in Hawaii pay about three times more than state government positions.

To ensure laid-off federal employees can move quickly into state roles, Hawaii has set up an expedited timeline of 14 days from job application to hiring. That means, for example, passing along resumes from human resources to hiring departments on a daily basis and cutting some processes down to hours or days, Brenna Hashimoto, director of the states Department of Human Resources Development, wrote in an email to Stateline.

Its too early to say how the system is going, Hashimoto wrote, but the state will collect data and report to the governors office.

Some success

Despite the hurdles, there are signs of success in transitioning federal employees into state jobs.

Shane Evangelist, CEO of Neogov, which manages hiring software for state and local governments, said the potential scale of transitions is significant.

Evangelist shared examples of successful federal-to-state career transitions, including a former IRS employee to a state internal auditor, a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employee to a state epidemiologist, and a Census Bureau employee to an IT support analyst.

However, he warned that states risk losing the most skilled workers to the private sector unless they hire right away.

The most talented workers move first, said Evangelist. The ones who are smart, experienced and articulate  the kind of employees the government needs most  will be the first to go.

There are thousands of potential new job applicants.

On Jan. 19, federal civil servants made up only 8% of Civic Matchs candidate pool. By late February, that skyrocketed to 45.1%. More than 3,300 former federal workers have signed up for Civic Match in just weeks, according to Lewis.

These are not entry-level employees, Lewis said. Many of them have spent over a decade in government roles, gaining deep expertise in policy, finance, environmental management and IT.

Struggles ahead

Despite state efforts, some former federal employees say they are struggling to find equivalent jobs in both government and the private sector.

Ive heard from people with 20 years in government who are being told their experience isnt transferable, said Victoria, the laid-off FAA worker.

Its a nice gesture that the states are saying all of them want us to work for them, but how many state or private sector jobs actually have an equivalent to what I was doing at the federal level? she said. Its not a one-to-one match.

Some private-sector employers are undervaluing federal work experience, she noted, forcing federal employees to start at lower levels.

Ive heard from people with 20 years in federal government who were told theyd have to start three or four steps behind where they were, she said. These companies know were desperate, and theyre using it to devalue our skills and pay us less.

For Victoria and others like her, the hardest part isnt just losing a job  its the way federal employees have been portrayed.

Were not some faceless deep-state bureaucrats, she said. Were your neighbors, your friends, and the people you see walking down the street. We got into government because we wanted to serve.

And if we were in it for the money, we wouldnt have chosen public service in the first place.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson contributed to this report.

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ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered a cabinet reshuffle Friday as his conservative government works to address declining public approval over a deadly 2023 rail disaster and a rise in support for far-right parties.

In a nod to traditional conservatives, Makis Voridis, a politician with a far-right background, was named as the new migration minister  a high-profile appointment as the governing party battles a loss of support to fringe rightist parties.

Other notable changes include moving a popular former minister of digital governance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, to head up the finance ministry. Pierrakakis, 42, is seen as a rising star in the governing New Democracy party and a political centrist.

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Kostis Hadtzidakis, the outgoing finance minister, was named as a new deputy prime minister. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias held on to their positions along with several other ministers in key government posts.

The new government ministers will be sworn in on Saturday.

The cabinet reorganization came a day after veteran conservative lawmaker Constantine Tassoulas was sworn in as Greeces new president, replacing Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who was the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial position.

Opposition parties criticized the appointment of Voridis, 60, who was a prominent member of far-right and nationalist political groups and parties before joining New Democracy in 2012. He has held several senior cabinet positions, and will now be tasked to redouble government efforts to seek direct funding from the European Union for the ongoing border wall extension.

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Regarding the move of Mr. Voridis to the ministry of migration, I hope that his actions will not reflect his views, Natasa Gara, a spokeswoman for the left-wing Syriza party, said in a local radio interview.

When someone with extreme political views is placed in charge, I seriously question what kind of migration policy we will follow  both in terms of European commitments and national legislation, she said.

Mitsotakis, despite his strong lead in opinion polls over a fractured opposition, is struggling to restore public confidence after the 2023 train collision that killed 57 people and sparked widespread protests over perceived government accountability failures. His center-right New Democracy party has seen its approval ratings slide in recent weeks as the government continues to grapple with the disasters political fallout.

Despite his mainstream policies on the economy and Europe, Mitsotakis has taken a tough line on migration since taking over in 2019. His government extended a wall along the Greek-Turkish border and introduced controversial interception policies for boats carrying migrants from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands  actions that were politically popular and reflect a hardening of attitudes among many European governments.
The leaders of all five parties in Greenlands parliament put out a rare joint statement on Friday rebuking President Donald Trumps renewed threats to take over the Arctic island.

The unified response came after Trump once again suggested this week that the U.S. could seize the self-ruling Danish territory. He has repeatedly threatened to grab Greenland in recent months, setting off alarm bells in Copenhagen and Nuuk by not ruling out using military force.

I think it will happen, Trump answered Thursday when asked by a reporter if the U.S. could annex Greenland during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

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Greenland hit back on Friday, with the party leaders calling Trumps saber-rattling unacceptable and lambasting his attempts to create discord.

We "cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland, the leaders of the five parties elected to Greenlands parliament wrote, adding it was "unacceptable" behavior targeted toward an ally.

Greenland held a closely watched election this week which saw the center-right Democrats defeat the governing left-wing coalition. An ardently pro-independence party which favors increased cooperation with the U.S., including a potential free association agreement, came in second place, and coalition talks are currently underway to form a new government.

But a change in government is unlikely to shift Greenlands position on whether it should join the U.S.

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All of Greenlands major parties support the islands independence from Denmark. And the islands population of about 60,000 are not in a hurry to align themselves with Washington either, with a January poll revealing 85 percent are opposed to becoming American.

With its abundant mineral resources, strategic Arctic location and expanding shipping lanes due to climate change, Greenland's role on the world stage is becoming increasingly crucial. Trump has said Greenland is vital to American interests and international security, citing apparent threats to the island from rivals China and Russia.

During his presidential speech to Congress earlier this month, Trump addressed Greenlanders directly, saying he supported their right to self-determination  before sounding a more ominous note and vowing to take the island by any means necessary.

And I think we're going to get it one way or the other. We're going to get it, he said.
LONDON (AP)  All five parties in Greenlands parliament issued a joint statement on Friday rejecting President Donald Trumps latest effort to take control of the strategic Arctic island.

The statement was issued by the leaders of all five parties that won seats in parliament in an election held earlier this week.

We  all party chairmen  cannot accept the repeated statements on annexation and control of Greenland, the statement said. We, as party chairmen, find this conduct unacceptable to friends and allies in a defense alliance.

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Greenland is a self-governing region of Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States.

The party leaders released their statement after Trump reiterated his desire to take control of Greenland, which guards strategic air and sea routes through the Arctic.

During a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday, Trump was asked about his vision for annexing Greenland.

Well, I think itll happen, Trump responded.

He added "weve been dealing with Denmark. Weve been dealing with Greenland. And we have to do it. We really need it for national security.

Trump reminded his audience that the U.S. already has military bases in Greenland.

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Maybe youll see more and more soldiers go there, he said. I dont know.

Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede was even more outspoken than his parliamentary colleagues in rejecting Trumps comments.

"Our country will never be the USA, and we Greenlanders will never be Americans, he said on Facebook. Greenland is one country. We are united.
(Bloomberg) -- The leaders of Greenlands political parties condemned Donald Trumps latest approach to take over the Arctic island, calling the US presidents comments unacceptable.

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We - all party chairmen - cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland, the heads of the islands five biggest parties said in a statement after a Friday meeting called by acting Prime Minister Mute B. Egede. As party chairmen, we find this behavior unacceptable towards friends and allies in a defense alliance.

Trump on Thursday said I think it will happen, when asked about a possible US annexation of Greenland. He also said the results of Tuesdays Greenlandic election were good for his cause.

The five Greenlandic parties who won seats in this weeks parliamentary election all want more independence from Denmark, to varying degrees, but none of them favor joining the US. While Egedes leftist Inuit Ataqatigiit lost more than a third of its backing in the vote, the party winning the most votes, the pro-business Demokraatit, seeks to boost the territorys economy before breaking away from Denmark. It is set to lead talks on building a new government coalition.

Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said in an interview with Danish broadcaster DR on Friday that Trump is misinterpreting the election result, noting there is no indication whatsoever that they want to leave the commonwealth in favor of becoming American.

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Rasmussen also spurned the presidents latest approach to gaining control of Greenland.

You cant annex an allied country, or any other country for that matter, its against international law. Thats pretty clear, he said.

(Updates with joint statement from party chairs.)

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Greenland's outgoing leader has sent an irate riposte to US President Donald Trump after his latest comments about the annexation of the world's largest island.

"Now the US president has once again floated the idea of annexing us. I cannot accept that under any circumstances," wrote acting Prime Minister Mute B Egede on Facebook.

He would convene the other political leaders as soon as possible, Egede said three days after his party's election defeat, because this time the rejection of Trump must be tightened.

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Such disrespect of Greenlanders could no longer be tolerated, said Egede, adding in his post late Thursday: "Enough is enough."

His possible successor as head of government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen of the centre-right Demokraatit (Democrats) party, also rejected the US president's comments.

"Trump's statement in the US is inappropriate and just shows once again that we have to stand together in situations like this," Nielsen wrote on Facebook.

Nielsen campaigned for Greenland's right to decide its own future as it moves toward independence from Denmark. Underscoring this, his party's election manifesto stated: "Greenland is not for sale. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever."

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However, Trump has been talking for months about wanting to take control of Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark.

At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House on Thursday, he further stoked the issue when responding to a reporter's question about his plans for a possible annexation.

"I think it will happen," said Trump, emphasizing the island's great strategic importance and the fact that Denmark is very far away from it.

Egede has repeatedly emphasized that his countrymen want to be neither Danes nor Americans, but Greenlanders.
Assemblyman Lou Greenwald was among the lawmakers who appeared before the Board of Public Utilities Friday to rail about energy rate hikes. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

Assembly Democrats aimed displeasure over rising electricity rates at grid operator PJM Interconnection in testimony before the Board of Public Utilities Friday.

Several lawmakers  including Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), and a handful of first-term lawmakers in competitive districts  said PJM has favored a fossil-heavy energy mix to the detriment of New Jerseys renewable goals.

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PJM has prioritized dirty energy and has consistently worked against our agenda to create clean, affordable energy right here in this state. PJM has consistently placed profits to dirty out-of-state energy producers ahead of the cost to the people of New Jersey, Coughlin told the board.

Lawmakers delivered their comments at a quarterly meeting where the board takes public testimony, which it does not take at its regular meetings.

Lawmakers comments come after a series of rate hikes and uncharacteristically cold weather caused electricity bills to surge this winter and just months before another hike that will add about $25 to ratepayers monthly bills takes effect in June.

Those increases, the result of a basic generation service auction held in February, will kick in just days before New Jerseys primaries. The governorship and all 80 seats in the Assembly are up for a vote this year.

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The timing and the severity of the looming increases  which come after a combination of auction prices and separate rate-setting by the Board of Public Utilities caused double-digit increases last year  threaten to undercut Democratic messaging on affordability, which the party said was its chief focus after 2021s close gubernatorial election.

PJM, the grid operator for New Jersey and 12 other states, on Thursday said dwindling supply and spikes in demand were driving up the price of electricity, particularly as the state imports more of its power.

New electricity generation projects in New Jersey have not filled gaps left by the closure of existing plants, including the 2018 decommissioning of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

Regulations on the sale of electricity and the repeated hurdles faced by renewable projects in New Jersey  chiefly its offshore wind projects, nearly all of which are stalled after a federal permitting freeze  had contributed to the increases, and the interconnector said it was not responsible for those issues.

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We have done everything within our power to assist in New Jerseys offshore wind efforts, Dan Lockwood, a spokesperson for PJM, said Friday. These comments are unfortunate and will not help to solve the clear challenge of needing more electricity supply to meet increasing demand in the state.

The firm on Thursday noted not all states on PJMs grid faced similar rate increases.

Democrats criticism is in line with talking points recently circulated among their members. Those talking points, first reported by conservative blogger Matt Rooney, leveled criticism at PJM, the Board of Public Utilities, and state Republicans, who have broadly opposed wind projects.

Republicans, meanwhile, have blamed Gov. Phil Murphys renewables-focused energy policy for rate hikes. Renewable sources like solar and wind accounted for roughly 8% of the states electricity generation in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and nearly 90% of that electricity was produced through solar.

Assemblyman Michael Torrissi (Amanda Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

We need the other side of the aisle to commit to not decommissioning power plants until we have the energy ready to replace the energy lost. Solar and wind simply cannot power the entire grid at the moment. Mandates are crushing us, Assemblyman Michael Torrissi (R-Burlington) said in a statement.

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Christine Guhl-Sadovy, the Board of Public Utilities president, said increased demand spurred by AI data centers in other states on the grid and PJM market rules, which excluded some plants from earlier capacity auctions, had contributed to the spikes.

We understand that this is not a comfort to people who need to pay their bills, she said during Fridays meeting.

Though most lawmakers who testified focused their criticism on PJM, the board did not entirely escape their scrutiny. Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Passaic) blamed board members for allowing rate increases.

One of the very first actions I was forced to take was to stand against greedy utility companies prioritizing profit above all else. With all due respect, the BPU has allowed energy suppliers and utility companies to gouge New Jersey residents. It is completely unacceptable, he said.

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Ukrainian Americans in greater Boston were cautiously optimistic about the proposed 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

Thursday, Russias president Vladimir Putin said hed be open to a proposed 30-day ceasefire. However, the details of that ceasefire are unclear currently.

At Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church, signs of the ongoing war are scattered across their property.

Ukrainian Americans and locals have gone to the same property to show their support for Ukraine.

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How many ceasefires have they busted before? asked John Robinson, a Jamaica Plain resident, Thursday. Youre making a deal with the devil.

Robinson told Boston 25 Thursday he began donating to the church after President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to the Oval Office.

Other Ukrainian leaders in greater Boston, like Vsevolod Petriv, president of Bostons Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, were skeptical of Putins interest in a ceasefire.

He added, Its groundbreaking if it results in something... This is a longstanding battle between, in some ways, good and evil.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts also spoke to Boston 25 about the proposed ceasefire.

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Ukraine needs security guarantees, he explained, referencing the structuring of the deal. Its a question of, How are you imposing that ceasefire? Is it from a position of weakness, or is it from a position of strength?

The Christ is King Ukrainian Catholic Church said they still hold services for their Ukrainian brothers and sisters every Sunday, and all of them are dedicated to peace in their homeland.

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Felipe Torres Medina with a copy of his book 'America: Let Me In,' in his New York apartment in February 2025.

Felipe Torres Medina, 33, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 2013, with a clear goal: to write comedy for television. But the path was far from straight-forward.

His first step was to pursue a masters degree in screenwriting, while simultaneously traveling to New York on weekends to train in improvisational theater. Little by little, he began contributing to well-known publications like The New Yorker and BuzzFeed, while making a living in the advertising industry. Six years later, he landed a position on the team at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he currently works writing jokes. Unknowingly, as he was building his dream career, he was also learning about the complexities of the immigration system. To work in the field he admired so much, he needed to secure the right visa.

My first panic attack was due to an immigration situation, he recalls. Obtaining a visa involves deciphering processes explained in technical language, investing money, and grappling with the uncertainty of the outcome. Every American has an opinion on immigration, Torres Medina reflects from his apartment in Harlem, New York, but very few understand the system and can explain it. Faced with this, he decided to create a humorous guide.

Felipe Torres Medina at his apartment in New York City on February 28, 2025. Jaclyn Licht (Jaclyn Licht)

In America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story, Torres Medina uses a choose your own adventure format to immerse readers in immigration scenarios that blend bureaucracy and humor. For instance, on page nine, readers must select the difficulty level. If they choose Easy, they are directed to page 11, where it says: Wrong! There is no easy way to move to America.

The book includes stories like that of a French millionaire who decides to start a pastry business, and a student who, after taking the hand of a strange woman, finds herself in a meadow filled with centaurs who are incredibly attractive, but in a tender and affectionate way. It also shares anecdotes from Torres Medinas own journey toward his dream of writing for television. As the narrative unfolds, readers encounter satirical explanations of the various types of visas available, along with the advantages and difficulties of obtaining them.

On the occasion of the launch of his book, the author speaks with EL PAIS about his career and hopes for his debut novel: selling 10 million copies and winning a Nobel Peace Prize. Easy.

Question. Comedic stories about immigration arent common. Its a topic fraught with difficult procedures and experiences, yet you chose to approach it with humor. Why?

Answer: I realized that Americans have no idea about this immigration system. I remember at the end of my masters degree, they were like, You have to get a job. And I was like, Yeah, but I also have to get an OPT permit. They werent aware of all the limitations I had as an international student. Then, in 2016, I was getting my artist visa. Technically, its called a visa for Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, which sounds absurd! It was Donald Trumps first election. And finding yourself in that dichotomy where the candidate whos going to win is saying that countries arent sending their best people to the United States, while the government is asking me for 10 letters of recommendation from experts in the field to prove that Im a person of extraordinary ability, presents a very absurd juxtaposition. Thats where the humor comes from. Since Im not an immigration lawyer, an activist, or a journalist  Im a comedian  what I could do was write something funny. And Latin Americans are people who deal with absurdity all the time, and we deal with it with a lot of humor.

Q. Where else did you find humor and absurdity in the U.S. immigration system?

A. It first happened while filling out a tourist visa application, which has questions like: What is your mothers name? What is your fathers name? How many times have you come to the United States? And later: Have you participated in human trafficking? Have you been part of a terrorist organization? Obviously, you cant lie on those forms, so it seems absurd to me to think about the person whos going to answer Yes. But in the process of writing the book, I also discovered that the H-1 visa, which is the work visa, is based on a lottery. So students from all over the world come here to receive training with, supposedly, the best education in the world in science, computers, whatever. And, at the same time, the largest companies  Facebook, Google, etc.  cant hire them because suddenly that person comes from India, China, or Colombia and needs an H-1 visa. So, even if you have the best grades in college, the best recommendations, and the best job offer, youre still subject to a lottery.

Felipe Torres Medina during the Tuesday, October 10, 2023, broadcast of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' CBS Photo Archive

Q. When did you start thinking that these observations could be turned into a book?

A. It was in 2017. That year I sat down to write, but I didnt like what I wrote. I wasnt ready. One thing I noticed was that I didnt want to just talk about my story, because memoirs are written by very interesting people who have had very interesting things happen to them. Im not that interesting. Many years later, my friend Reed Kavner, whos a comedian and producer in New York, invited me to a comedy show called Next Slide Please, where you make a PowerPoint presentation on any topic you want. I did an interactive show where the audience could choose any of these immigration paths that would later appear in the book. They were stories based on visas I knew, that my family and friends had received. And people liked it. When I sat down to write the book, I decided to include the O1 visa for extraordinary talent and the F1 student visa. Which led me to think, I have personal experience and some funny things have happened to me that I can include.

Q. And for whom is it written?

A. For everyone. At least to some extent. My wife is American, and shes also a comedian; she writes for John Olivers HBO show. She asked me: Wouldnt you have liked to have a book like this when you were a student doing this? Wouldnt you have liked to have someone who could talk about visas in a friendly way? So, in part, the book is for all the immigrants who are trying to do this. But its also for Americans, for my friends who ask a thousand times: But are you a citizen yet? And its also for the anti-immigration conservative who has very clear opinions and demands that people have to come here the right way. Here Im showing them how complicated that path is.

Q. When you open your book, you find a narrator speaking directly to the reader. What inspired you while writing the book?

A. Yes, the book has that conversational tone, a bit inspired by Hopscotch [by Julio Cortazar]. Another inspiration was Italo Calvinos book, If on a Winters Night a Traveler, which is also super playful because it starts out by saying, You are about to begin reading Italo Calvinos new novel. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought.

Q. In the acknowledgments, you mention George Saunders

A. He also inspired me. His stories are funny, but he manages to talk about heavy stuff and still have a brilliant humanity and humor.

Q. And as a comedian, what has inspired you?

A. On television, Monty Python is a group of English short comedy sketches from the 1960s and 1970s. What they did was present humor that was both very silly and very intelligent, and thats what I find fascinating. Also Les Luthiers, from Argentina, who I think were inspired by them. Stephen Colbert, who is now my boss. And Tina Fey. It wouldnt have occurred to me that you could write funny books if I hadnt read Bossy Pants, which is her memoir. As a huge nerd and Star Wars fan, I later discovered that Carrie Fisher, who plays Princess Leia, was a great comedian. Her writing has been quite formative.

Q. The book doesnt mention undocumented immigrants. Why not?

A. This book doesnt tell those stories because, for me, they require a more serious tone. All Im saying is that the people who come here illegally, for the most part, are trying to find a better future. They came in the same way and under the same conditions as the 20th-century waves of migration from countries like Ireland, Poland, Germany, and Russia. I think it would be worth learning all those stories, but not in this book. I dont find them funny. Someone else might make fun of them, but not me.

Felipe Torres Medina at the New York coffee shop where he wrote the most of his newest book, 'America: Let Me In,' on February 28, 2025. Jaclyn Licht (Jaclyn Licht)

Q. And they are making fun of them

A. Yes, and they work for the federal government.

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It has been revealed that US President Donald Trump's social media post regarding a talk with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin related to Putin's meeting with US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, rather than a direct conversation between the two leaders.

Source: a clarification from the White House, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Guardian

Details: The confusion arose from Trump's social media post, in which he welcomed the discussion with the Kremlin leader and said he had "strongly requested" Putin to "spare the lives" of Ukrainian servicemen allegedly encircled in Russian Kursk Oblast, giving the impression that he had spoken with him directly.

Background:

Trump said on social media that Washington had "very good and productive discussions" with Putin.

On 13 March, Witkoff visited Moscow.

On the same day, Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, neither rejecting it outright nor accepting it, but suggesting that Moscow might set its own conditions.

On 14 March, the Kremlin stated that "additional signals" had been transmitted to Trump through him.

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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The Gulf Coast is facing severe weather this weekend, and News 5 is tracking all event and facility closures and schedule changes.

For convenience, this page has updates divided by county. We will update these listings as more information becomes available.

Gulf Coast school closures due to severe weather

Baldwin County

The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festivals organizers have announced abbreviated Saturday hours ahead of severe weather.

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The festival is now scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Read more here: Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival adjusts hours due to severe weather

Escambia County, Florida

Big Bounce America, a limited event featuring The Worlds Biggest Bounce House at the

Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, has rescheduled all sessions from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 16.

Our Customer Service team will be reaching out via email to all impacted ticket holders with further details, a Facebook post said.

In addition, We have also worked with our location partners to add an extra event day next Saturday, March 22, the post said. If youre unable to attend your new session on Sunday, you have the option to move your booking to Saturday, March 22.

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If youre unable to attend either date, you can request a refund.

Escambia County EMSs Open House  which would have been held Saturday, March 15, has been rescheduled to April 12, according to a county news release.

Out of an abundance of caution due to Saturdays moderate severe weather risk, Escambia County EMS has rescheduled its Open House event to Saturday, April 12 from 12-4 p.m., the release said.

The event will take place at the Escambia County Public Safety building.

Attendees can tour the EMS facility, look at new ambulances, learn CPR, participate in kids activities, and enjoy the EMS employee chili cook-off.

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The event is free to attend.

Pensacon Day has been rescheduled from March 15 to March 22, according to an event news release.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Splash City Adventures, 6709 Pensacola Blvd.

LOCATION:

Admission is free, and attendees can enjoy all amusement park rides with complimentary tickets distributed at Pensacon 2025.

Cosplay is encouraged, and the day will feature Pensacon giveaways including passes to Pensacon 2026, Pensacon swag and other exciting items, the release said.

West Florida Public Libraries will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, according to an Escambia County news release.

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Due to severe weather forecasted for Saturday, March 15, all West Florida Public Library locations will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, the release said. All programs and events scheduled for 1 p.m. and later have been canceled.

Normal library operations will resume Monday, March 17. Visit MyWFPL.com for library hours of operation, upcoming events, and more.

Mobile County

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Marine Patrol Division has canceled a Boating Basics and License Course scheduled for Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mobile Police Department.

Santa Rosa County

The Gulf Islands National Seashore has closed the Fort Pickens Area for incoming day users and campers. All visitors and campers were required to evacuate by 3 p.m. on March 14.

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Park staff will assess conditions on Sunday, March 16, a news release said.

All Santa Rosa County Public Libraries will close at noon on Saturday, March 15, due to potential severe weather, according to a county news release.

Regular operating hours will resume on Monday, March 17, the release said. Find other library locations and hours at www.santarosa.fl.gov/659/Libraries.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
At a six-hour hearing before the Connecticut legislatures Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, legislators and advocates debated whether gun manufacturers and retailers should be held responsible for harm done by their weapons if they dont work to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

Advocates, including teachers, parents, Sandy Hook residents, gun control groups and doctors, say HB 7042 would provide for a civil remedy for victims of gun violence and incentivize those who manufacture, market and sell guns and accessories to ensure their products are not purchased by straw purchasers, firearms traffickers, those prohibited from owning guns, someone who is reasonably likely to harm themselves or someone else or to use them illegally.

But opponents, including gun owners and retailers of firearms, ammunition and accessories, say the bill amounts to government overreach that would harm those in the firearm industry from manufacture to sale by driving up insurance costs and opening them up to unfair prosecution.

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Among those was state Rep. Greg Howard, a Republican on the Judiciary Committee who argued in response to testimony from CT Against Gun Violence Executive Director Earl Bloodworth that the bills purpose is punitive.

The laws that we currently have on the books already prevent those sort of illegal purchases: straw purchases, illegal transfer of firearms, etc., Howard said. We have a law on the books now on the number of handguns someone can buy in a month. We have all those law existing. I would submit to you that this piece of legislation is aimed at driving up the cost of insurance, driving up the cost of doing business for firearm manufacturers to run them out of this state. And I would let you know that I have an OFA estimate that last year alone $5 million in revenue came from firearms dealers in this state in sales tax alone. That doesnt include jobs, real estate taxes for their shops, that doesnt include income taxes for themselves, their businesses and their employees.

Democratic committee Co-Chair Rep. Steve Stafstrom had already interjected in a back-and-forth between Bloodworth and Rep. Craig Fishbein, a Republican attorney and ranking member of the committee, with a reminder that committee members should ask a question and allow for its answer.

Tom Maloney, research coordinator for Connecticut Citizens Defense League, echoed Howards argument.

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This bill really amounts to simply lawfare, plain and simple. Its an attempt to potentially financially ruin retailers  These retailers are already doing the best they can, Maloney said, warning that driving legal dealers out of business would exacerbate the problem.

Sen. John Kissel thanked Maloney and said that attempting to increase gun control is a natural thing for a lot of people when they see these terrible acts that take place across the country but that Connecticuts laws are sufficient.

Ive often stated that I think Connecticut is, if not the most heavily regulated state regarding gun control in the nation, that were certainly in the top three with maybe Illinois and California, Kissel said, noting that gun control hasnt done a heap of good for Chicago and that I think we have enough gun laws on the books already.

Michele McBrien, who said she owns PatriotWare Holsters LLC with her husband, came with a message: This bill that is on the table will literally put us out of business with one civil lawsuit. We sell holsters. I dont sell firearms. I sell holsters, I sell belts and I sell weapon lights and carry needs.

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McBrien was emotional and exasperated as she addressed the committee and said We are constantly attacked year after year. I have a clean record  Yet I have to worry every day that Ill be shut down or that Ill be doing something because these laws are so convoluted that will get me in trouble and I dont understand how that makes sense to anyone here.

Gun control advocates said that continued gun violence drives the pursuit of further regulation.

Dr. Jennifer Dineen, associate director of UConns ARMS Center for Gun Injury Prevention, testified in favor, calling HB 7042 a crucial step in incentivizing responsible control over the use and transfer of firearms and related products.

History has shown that industry liability is an effective tool for improving health and safety outcomes for products that, through negligence, accident, or misuse, can cause harm. Even when manufacturers do not voluntarily enhance safety measures, evidence demonstrates that litigation can drive improvements, she said.

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Bloodworth, who testified first, said Connecticut has been a leader in gun laws and should continue to be.

For too long, the firearm industry has operated with near-total immunity, profiting while communities suffer the devastating consequences of gun violence, he wrote in submitted testimony. This legislation will be a preventative deterrent to save lives so that lawsuits are not a necessary course of action. In the same token, Connecticut is taking the necessary steps to ensure that firearm manufacturers and dealers who engage in reckless and unlawful practices are held accountable  just like any other industry.

Many of those testifying in favor of the bill noted that nine other states had passes similar legislation that had held up in court. Among them was Karen Edwards, a retired pediatrician, who said the bill will strengthen Connecticuts approach to gun violence prevention.

As a pediatrician and public health professional, I am particularly concerned about preventing gun violence in children and teens. In 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death in U.S. children from birth to age 19, she said in written testimony. Beyond the deaths and injuries caused by gun violence, it affects those who witness it, especially children, and those who live with fear of gun violence in their communities. HB 7042 will be another way to prevent harm to residents of our state by firearms.

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Rachel Khanna, a former Democratic state representative from Greenwich, argued that the industry is uniquely protected from liability.

Current federal law provides unusual protections for and makes it very difficult to sue the gun industry. Consequently, many victims of gun violence dont get justice. Civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers with a history of irresponsible behavior provide accountability by allowing those harmed by misconduct to sue and potentially recover from those responsible, Khanna said. Roughly 90% of crime guns are sold by just 5% of firearms dealers whose lax practices endanger our communities. Irresponsible marketing can put weapons of war in the hands of dangerous individuals without liability consequences for the manufacturers. Holding manufacturers and dealers accountable for their actions will reduce the number of firearms that are illegally flowing into our cities and towns and will help to reduce the incidence of community gun violence across Connecticut.

Attorney General William Tong also offered testimony in support of the bill and also said the industry has been exempted from legal liability but that the families of of the victims of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 opened the door to holding the industry responsible.

While there is no one solution to the epidemic levels of gun violence experienced in the United States, requiring accountability within the gun industry is a commonsense step we can take to protect the public from bad actors.  This bill will not impact responsible gun owners or responsible industry professionals. It is, rather, intended to provide a civil remedy to hold accountable those who act outside the law, similar to other products liability laws. 

This bill, if enacted, would bolster the Attorney Generals ability to curb gun violence. The Attorney General would be able to bring civil enforcement actions not just for illegal marketing and advertising of firearms, but for the unreasonable failure to prevent sales to individuals likely to pose a risk to the public and themselves.
Authorities are searching for a suspect who shot through the wall of a motel room in San Bernardino County.

The shooting occurred Thursday at Motel 6 on the 72500 block of Twentynine Palms Highway in Twentynine Palms, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

The victims, a 77-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman, were visiting from San Diego and staying at the property.

The suspect, identified as Royce Roche, was in the room next door when he allegedly fired his gun. The bullet pierced through an adjoining wall and into the victims room.

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Surveillance video showed Roche leaving the motel with a towel wrapped around his left hand. He fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Roche is currently wanted out of Colorado for a probation violation. His vehicle is a white 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer with California license plate 9NJB143.

The suspected gunman, Royce Roche, was seen leaving his motel room after reportedly firing a shot into an adjoining room at Motel 6 in Twentynine Palms on March 13, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department)

He is likely armed with a firearm and should be considered armed and dangerous, deputies said.

Neither the victims nor anyone else on the property were injured during the shooting, deputies said.

Anyone who may have seen Roche or knows his whereabouts is urged to call SBSDs Morongo Basin Station at 760-366-4175. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Some Georgia lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation that would slash Gwinnett County school board members pay if they fire another superintendent without cause.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The bill would reduce board members compensation to $50 per meeting until any superintendent buyout is fully paid.

Were paying someone $1.3 million not to work, State Rep. Dewey McClain, D-Gwinnett County told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson.

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McClain is referring to the estimated $750,000 payout for recently fired Superintendent Calvin Watts and the $580,000 paid to former Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks.

The legislation, House Bill 767, comes after the school board terminated Watts without providing public explanation, effective in April. The board is currently searching for its third superintendent in four years.

After years of stability and high academic performance in the Gwinnett school system, a lot of parents have reached out to me and are very concerned, said State Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, a co-sponsor of the bill. Its just been a rocky last few years, and we want to bring back some stability to Gwinnett.

Hilton says the bill that has backing from both Democrats and Republicans was born out of necessity.

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Im a big proponent of let the locals do what works best for them, he said, but when things start to hurt our students, absolutely, I step in and fight.

The legislation also addresses board member communication rights after Chairwoman Dr. Adrienne Simmons reprimanded a fellow board member, Steve Gasper, for speaking to Channel 2 Action News in January.

As chair, I should be the face of the board and conversing with the media, Simmons said to Gasper during a recent work session in February.

Gasper voted against firing Watts and spoke to Channel 2 about the decision behind his vote.

Just a gross misuse of our powers at this time, Gasper said in January after the vote.

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McClain defended board members speech rights in the bill. It includes a provision to prohibit the infringement of communications made by members of the such board.

I will make sure that his First Amendment right is protected, said McClain, just like anybodys First Amendment right is protected.

The legislation would only affect future superintendent terminations and requires 12 signatures from Gwinnett Countys legislative delegation to move forward. The bill has secured the minimum required support and awaits committee consideration.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Gwinnett County Board of Education on Thursday evening for comment but has not heard back.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Five Romanians have been linked to the theft of EBT benefits in Kern County.

In court, prosecutor Anthony Yim said the Romanian Gypsy Church of Riverside is the bail sponsor for them. Court documents say Reverend Doru Bobby Moise, pastor of the Romanian Gypsy Church, knows defendant Bogdan Boceanu.

Reports said Reverend Moise offered to post part of the $150,000 bond as a gift for a, charitable contribution. The money would come from his business, Green Solution Environmental Services, where he is CEO and President.

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However, Moise said Thursday he regrets posting bond for the defendants, and was told by their family members, who attend his church, that they were victims in need of help.

17 News reached out to an FBI spokeswoman about Romanian crime rings. The spokesperson directed us to a year-old court case in San Diego, where seven people were charged with benefit theft there.

California bill that would make it illegal to defend yourself pulled

Six of whom were Romanian citizens.

Their crimes are almost identical to the cases in Kern County. EBT account information is stolen to make fraudulent withdrawals at ATMs. Benefits are then drained from accounts almost immediately, typically early in the month, right after benefits are reloaded onto the cards.

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In the San Diego case, the U.S. Secret Service developed evidence that the defendants stole California EBT account information through skimmers. Often in communities with higher concentrations of public benefit recipients.

U.S. Census data says Kern County has 922,529 residents. Human Services said it has 88,821 cases of cash aid and food stamps combined.

The District Attorneys Office wont say if there is a Romanian crime ring operating in Kern County, or if the five Romanians accused of EBT theft were working together.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
Grocery store chain H-E-B will open another location in Denton, according to a newws release posted Thursday.

The store will be on a 20-acre property at the northwest corner of Interstate 35 West and Robson Ranch Road, according to the release.

Construction of the store is expected to begin this spring and details for a groundbreaking ceremony will be released soon, the release states.

Since 2022, the grocery store chain has opened seven locations in the Metroplex and currently has six new locations under construction in the area.

The San Antonio-based company has over 435 stores across Texas and Mexico and also operates the Central Market and Mi Tienda brands.
The video is from KSNs coverage of a February public hearing on the proposed battery facility in Halstead.

HALSTEAD, Kan. (KSNW)  The City of Halstead says there have been incorrect comments and assertions about a planning and zoning meeting this coming Monday. One agenda item includes zoning regulations for a proposed battery storage system at the industrial park.

In October 2023, a Boston-based energy company announced it wanted to construct a large battery storage system in Halstead. The facility, if constructed, would store excess electricity produced by renewable sources during low-demand times, which could be used to deliver power during high-demand times like heat waves or cold snaps.

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The proposed facility would be built at the Halstead Industrial Park and could create additional jobs in Harvey County.

Not everyone in the community supports the idea. At a public meeting in February, some residents voiced their concerns about a facility like that in their community.

The city says online rumors are now making untrue claims of canceled public hearings. So, the City of Halstead issued a news release Friday to help dispel the rumors.

The City of Halstead did not cancel a public hearing for BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) on March 17, there never was an official public hearing scheduled for BESS on March 1, the release says.

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The city says Mondays Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is still scheduled and has not been canceled.

Per state law, those meetings must be open to the public, and notice must be given. Halstead says that since the battery facility was first announced as a possibility, they have held one public information session and three public hearings on draft regulations to govern the facility if it were to be built.

The city says there have been over 10 public meetings where the Battery Energy Storage System was on the public agenda. While Mondays meeting on the facility is not a public hearing, it doesnt mean the city wont have additional public hearings about it at Planning Commission or City Council meetings.

Extremely high threat for wildfires Friday

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Halstead also emphasizes that the Planning Commission sending proposed regulations to the city council for consideration does not mean that the facility has already been approved or can be built. Even if the city adopts zoning regulations related to the battery facility, it does not mean it has won approval to start construction.

The city says it was not notified about a mailer that went out to residents announcing that Mondays meeting was a public hearing. The city says if it had been contacted, it would have been able to correct the information to reflect that while the public can attend and observe the planning commission meeting, it is not a public hearing where people can comment or ask questions.

The citys news release reminds residents that the planning commission is an all-volunteer position, and everyone on it lives in Halstead, too. The city says it does not monitor or engage in the comment sections on its social media pages.

Residents with questions or concerns should contact the city in person at city hall, by phone at 316-835-2266, or by email at cityclerk@halsteadks.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Palestinian militant group Hamas said Friday that it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual nationals who had died in captivity. The Israeli prime minister's office cast doubt on the offer, accusing Hamas of trying to manipulate talks underway in Qatar on the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Hamas, which rules over what remains of the Gaza Strip, didn't immediately specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would take place  or what it expected to get in return.

Alexander was 19 when he was abducted from his base on the border with Gaza in southern Israel during Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that sparked the war, which has been the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas.

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It wasn't clear which mediators proposed what Hamas was discussing. Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. have been guiding negotiations, and none had confirmed making the suggestion as of Friday night.

U.S. officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, said Friday that they had presented a proposal Wednesday to extend the ceasefire a few more weeks as the sides negotiate a permanent truce. The officials said in a statement that Hamas was claiming flexibility in public while privately making entirely impractical" demands.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Israel had "accepted the Witkoff outline and showed flexibility, but that Hamas was refusing to do so.

At the same time, it continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare  the reports about Hamas willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations, read a letter from the government to hostage families.

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Israel's negotiators return home

It added that Israels negotiating team would return Friday from Qatar's capital, Doha. Netanyahu said that he plans to convene his ministerial team Saturday night to hear from the negotiators and decide on the next steps.

Hamas, meanwhile, sent a delegation to Cairo to discuss the ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian officials.

Hamas official Husam Badran reaffirmed Friday what he said was the groups commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases. He warned that any Israeli deviation from the terms would return negotiations to square one.

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The White House announced last week that American officials had engaged in ongoing talks and discussions with Hamas, stepping away from a long-held U.S. policy of not directly engaging with the militant group. That prompted a terse response from Netanyahus office.

The U.S. said Friday that under its proposal, Hamas would release Alexander and other living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The militants were told that the proposal would have to be accepted soon, the U.S. statement said, adding that delay would not pay off for Hamas.

The first phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago, but the pause in fighting has held  if tensely  for now. The initial phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza and hundreds of trucks of aid entered daily until Israel cut off supplies to the territory's 2 million people two weeks ago.

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Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.

Hostages' families press for comprehensive deal

The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most captives' families, said Friday it welcomed plans for any releases, but without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages.

Israel has been urging Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for an extension of the first phase, and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. The supply cutoff came as Israel pressed the militants to agree. About 80% of Gaza's residents have lost access to food sources, and 90% can't access clean drinking water, according to the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza.

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Hamas wants to start negotiations on the ceasefires more difficult second phase, which would entail the release of the remaining hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace.

Muslims pray during restrictions at Al-Aqsa mosque

The developments came as Jews began celebrating the Purim holiday, and Muslims continued marking the holy month of Ramadan. Around 80,000 Muslim worshippers prayed Friday at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, according to the Islamic Trust, which monitors the site. Israel is allowing only men over age 55 and women over 50 to enter from the occupied territory.

The conditions are extremely difficult, said Yousef Badreen, a Palestinian who left the southern West Bank city of Hebron at dawn to make it to Jerusalem. We wish they will open it for good.

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Hamas accused Israel of escalating a religious war against Palestinians, casting the Al-Aqsa restrictions as systematic targeting of Muslim religious practices." The Israeli government didn't immediately respond.

___

Associated Press writers David Rising in Bangkok, Jennifer Peltz in New York and Darlene Superville in Kissimmee, Florida, contributed to this report.
Jack Reacher, or simply Reacher, is a former U.S. Army military police major who roams the country. By choice, he has no possessions except for a folding toothbrush, an ATM card, and a passport. He has a strong sense of duty to do the right thing, which leads him to step in to help people in need, taking odd jobs, and investigating suspicious, often dangerous situations, some of which are personal in nature.

The mind behind Reachers adventures is James Dover Grant, 70, better known as British author Lee Child. For almost 30 years, this character  acclaimed by critics as the thinking mans action hero  has not only sold more than 100 million books worldwide, he has but also made the leap to film with Tom Cruise as the lead and, more recently, venture into television with a series entitled Reacher, which has just released its third season on Prime Video.

After two seasons, which adapted the books Killing Floor (1997) and Bad Luck and Trouble (2007), Reacher, now played by Alan Ritchson, returns for a third installment. This time, he dives into the dark underworld of a vast criminal enterprise while attempting to rescue a DEA informant. In the process, he uncovers a world of secrets and violence that forces him to confront problems from his past.

Mariah Robinson and Alan Ritchson in a scene from the third season of 'Reacher'. Prime

Child began his writing career in an unexpected way: he was fired from his job as presentation director at Granada Television, where he had worked for 18 years. Returning home from a holiday in 1995, he found a voicemail informing him of a company restructuring and that his severance check was waiting for him in the mailbox.

I thought, What am I going to do next? I was a kind of worried, like normal people are, Child says via video call. But then I came up with the idea of inventing a character who had also lost his job. Reacher was in the U.S. Army, and after the end of the Cold War, the army got smaller, and he was kicked out. I wanted to use him as a kind of consolation for me. He was not worried. He didnt care. He was happy. He was free, he didnt have to do what he was told anymore. And I wanted to make myself feel better. It also made other people feel better, people who were in the same situation as me.

The writer, who has 29 Reacher books under his belt and is the executive producer of Reacher, finds the evolution of his character over the three seasons fascinating. By adapting the books almost chronologically, actor Alan Ritchson was able to learn and discover the character in his new life on the small screen, much like the production team.

Roberto Montesinos (left) plays Agent Guillermo Villanueva and Sonya Cassidy (right) plays Agent Susan Duffy. jasper savage (Prime)

In season two, Reacher was a lot more settled. More secure. He knew what he was doing. And that continues in season three. Hes a man of tremendous self-confidence. Hes putting himself in a very dangerous situation, but he thinks hes good enough to deal with it, says Child.

In this third season  which consists of eight episodes like its predecessors and is based on the book Persuader (2003)  the protagonist faces a new challenge: a character even more imposing than Reacher himself. This antagonist matches Reachers stature, standing at 1.95 meters tall and weighing between 100 and 110 kilos of pure muscle.

Normally Reacher is the dominant character. Hes big, strong, capable, tough. Nothing threatens him. So I invented this guy who is a giant, full of steroids, angry and huge, explains Child. And I thought thats the challenge. In season three, the way thrillers work, we know hes going to have to take on this big guy at some point. We know theres a big fight coming. Can he deal with someone much bigger than him? Thats one of the tensions in the show, and we have to wait and see.

In season three, Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson (second from left), delves into the dark side of a criminal enterprise to try to rescue a DEA informant. jasper savage (Prime)

Reacher, Child explained in a 2018 interview, was not only a product of being fired from his job but also a reflection of a sense of justice that he had developed since his school days in Birmingham during the 1960s. His height and strength made him the defender of the underdogs on the playground. I always hated bullies. I get angry at arrogant people who think they can get away with anything. I really do, he shared at the time.

Decades later, that same sense of justice remains with Child, who imagines how a man with strong moral convictions  someone who believes in justice and institutions  would react to the unconstitutional actions of Donald Trumps administration.

Reacher, having served in the military, knows that institutions endure regardless of the people in charge, Child explains. Child believes his character would feel the same way about Trump, that while the United States does not have great people in leadership at the moment, the institution is probably stronger than the people in it. Reacher is always on the side of the little guy, the people who need help and protection. He would be opposed to a lot of the policies of this administration because they tend to be cruel to the little guy. And by nature, he sticks up for them, he says.

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Hamas said on Friday it intends to release a US-Israeli dual national taken hostage in Gaza.

Four dead hostages, who are said to be dual nationals, will be handed over at the same time. The Palestinian Islamist group did not specify the other nationalities of the four dead Israelis.

The plan came after a proposal by mediators, the group said.

It is so far not clear when the handover will take place.

According to the Israeli side, Islamist militants in the Gaza Strip are still holding 24 hostages, as well as 35 bodies of abductees.

Previous hostage releases have taken place as part of an exchange for the release of many Palestinians in Israeli jails.
March 14 (UPI) -- As Hamas on Friday offered to release American Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the remains of four other hostages held in Gaza, Israel's prime minister called it psychological manipulation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Hamas was manipulating hostage release talks with "psychological warfare" by refusing to release more living hostages.

His comments blasted Hamas for not agreeing to a hostage release plan proposed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff that would have freed 10 living hostages.

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"While Israel has accepted the Witkoff proposal," the prime minister's office said, "Hamas remains firm in its refusal and has not budged one millimeter."

Hamas said in a Friday statement that it has responded to the latest cease-fire extension proposal "responsibly and positively."

Yael Alexander, mother of Edan Alexander, speaks to the press outside the West Wing of the Oval Office after meeting with President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI

Hamas refused Witikoff's proposal that would create a new cease-fire lasting until April 20 with half the remaining hostages released o nthe first day of the new agreement and the other half released at the end of the new cease-fire.

Netanyahu's office said it will block all Gaza aid because Hamas rejected Witkoff's proposal. That action would violate international law.

Adi Alexander, father of Edan Alexander, speaks to the press outside the West Wing of the Oval Office, after meeting with President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI

Hamas called that threat a "war crime" and "cheap blackmail."

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According to a senior Hamas official cited by the New York Times, the armed Palestinian group's offer to release Alexander was conditioned on Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, restoring aid to Gaza and agreeing to engage in negotiations on the cease-fire's next phase.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, speaks to members of the media outside the White House in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Photo by Al Drago/UPI

The Trump administration has repeatedly called for Alexander's release.

The next phase of the Israel-Hamas talks is supposed to reach agreements on Israel fully withdrawing from Gaza and ending the comprehensive war against Hamas in return for release of all remaining living hostages and a Palestinian prisoner release.

Little to no progress has been made on that phase.

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Alexander is a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen serving in Israel's army. He was abducted in Israel during the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed some 1,500 Israelis.

He was born in Tel-Aviv and grew up in New Jersey.

Hamas said Friday the only way Israeli hostages will be released if the current cease-fire is adhered to and negotiations start immediately to start the second stage.
Hamas has said it will release the last living US hostage as well as the bodies of four other dual nationals, following an intervention from the White House.

In what could mark a breakthrough, the terror group said it would free 21-year-old Edan Alexander, having responded positively to a proposal to restart the stalled negotiations.

It follows intensive efforts by the US administration to secure the release of its citizens, which risked a rupture with Israel.

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The ceasefire deal has been in limbo since the beginning of March, with Israel unwilling to discuss a complete withdrawal of its forces from Gaza because of its determination to wipe Hamas off the map.

In its statement on Friday, Hamas said: The movement reaffirms its full readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the second phase of the deal, stressing the need to ensure Israel fulfils its commitments in full.

The apparent agreement follows a visit this week by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, to the official talks in Qatar.

The result could be seen as a significant victory for the White House at the expense of Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Mr Trump is primarily focused on securing the release of hostages  he posted an emotional threat against Hamas following meetings with freed detainees  whereas the Israeli prime minister is seen as being at least as focused on destroying the terror group, with many in Israel accusing him of prioritising this more than securing future releases.

Credit: X/@WhiteHouse

On Friday, Mr Netanyahus office issued a furious denunciation of Hamas, accusing it of manipulation and psychological warfare and saying it had rejected the Witkoff proposal of a multi-week ceasefire extension in exchange for a greater number of released hostages.

The statement said the Israeli negotiating team in Doha had been recalled.

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The identities of the dead hostages to be released are not currently clear, other than they will be dual-national, according to Hamas.

The group is believed to be holding the bodies of four US-Israeli hostages.

It matters because any suggestion that the White House has effectively seized control of the formal negotiations to prioritise its own citizens could be politically problematic for the Israeli government, which has consistently promised not to prioritise dual-nationals in the process.

It comes after Israel sought to ratchet up the pressure last week by cutting off all aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, and this week cut off the electricity to a major desalination plant.

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Mr Alexander, a US-Israeli citizen who spent most of his life in New Jersey, was serving in the Israel Defence Forcess (IDF) Golani infantry brigade when he was abducted on Oct 7.

Aged 19 on the day of the massacre, the Tel Aviv-born man told friends he would rather enlist in the IDF than enrol in college.

He is believed to be the last living US citizen in Hamas captivity.

His family had not been notified of any change to his status as of midday on Friday, it was reported.

Edan Alexander was serving in the Israel Defence Forcess Golani infantry brigade when he was abducted on Oct 7

The announcement follows the controversial news last week that the White House had engaged in direct talks with Hamas, in parallel to the stalled formal negotiations, to secure the release of its hostages.

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Israel, who were aware of the talks but not included, reportedly leaked the information to the press in a bid to derail them.

Mr Trump was subsequently forced to issue a reassurance that the talks, headed by Adam Boehler, his special envoy on hostages, were for the benefit of all the remaining captives, of whom 24 are thought to be alive.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, acknowledged this week that the direct Boehler talks were a one-off which had not borne any fruit.

It was reported on Friday that, while Israel accepts the framework of ongoing talks laid down by Mr Witkoff, it may demand more hostages in return for being prepared to discuss the future of Gaza, raising the possibility that Mr Alexanders release could yet be scuppered.

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However, the wording of the statement suggests Mr Alexander and the four hostagess bodies might be released ahead of the start of talks about Gazas long-term future, meaning that in the short-term it may cost Mr Netanyahu nothing politically.

Hamas has refused to countenance going into exile at the end of the ceasefire process.

The total expulsion of the terror group is a red line for the Israeli government as well as Mr Trump, who has called for the displacement of the Palestinian population to allow for the full reconstruction of the enclave.

Reports have now emerged that both US and Israeli government officials have been discreetly lobbying Sudan, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to take Gazan civilians.

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Mr Trump has previously said the Palestinians would be relocated somewhere beautiful.

Sudan has reportedly rejected the idea, while Abdirahman Dahir Adan, Somalilands foreign minister, said: I havent received such a proposal, and there are no talks with anyone regarding Palestinians.

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(Bloomberg) -- Hamas said its willing to release all American-Israeli hostages, including one still alive, in a surprise move dismissed by both Israel and the US as unhelpful to negotiation efforts to end the war.

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The Palestinian militant group said it had agreed to free Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a US citizen, as well as the bodies of four other dual nationals, according to a statement on Friday. Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi later confirmed the deceased are also Israeli-Americans.

Hamas said the offer was a response to a proposal from mediators  made up of Qatar, Egypt and the US  seeking to end the 17-month conflict between the group and Israel. The movement affirms its complete readiness to begin negotiations on a longer ceasefire, Hamas said.

US envoy Steve Witkoff responded that while Washington has made clear to Hamas, via Qatar and Egypt, that Alexander should be released immediately, the statement by the Islamist group represents a very bad bet.

Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire, Witkoffs office said in a statement. Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not.

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A senior Israeli official, who asked not to be identified, said the move was really intended to sabotage negotiations and drive a wedge between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and the US, its chief ally. Hamas, which still holds about 60 hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks that triggered the war, hasnt genuinely changed its position, the official said.

The development comes almost two weeks after an initial Israel-Hamas truce period came to an end, without an agreement on whether or how it should be extended. Thats left the conflict in limbo, with Hamas still holding the hostages, of which Israel believes about 25 are alive. US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas there will be hell to pay if they arent freed.

The US said it has presented a bridge proposal that would extend the truce beyond the Ramadan and Passover holidays  into April  and see Hamas release living hostages in exchange for prisoners. That would enable more humanitarian assistance to enter war-ravaged Gaza and work to continue on a durable halt to fighting.

Netanyahus office said that Hamas is engaging in manipulation and psychological warfare.

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There would likely be anger in Israel if there was a perception that American hostages  even ones with dual Israeli citizenship  were prioritized over others.

Trumps administration has said it would not seek a deal favoring Alexander over other captives. An American official recently held direct talks with Hamas  designated a terrorist organization by Washington and many other countries  a move that angered Israel. Washington has since signaled there wont be any more such negotiations.

Witkoff was in Qatar this week to meet other mediators and Israeli negotiators.

Netanyahus office said he would convene a ministerial team on Saturday to discuss a report from the governments negotiators. They will then decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages.

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Israel remains committed to its war goal of destroying Hamas both as a governing and military entity, while the Islamist group wants Israeli forces to withdraw completely from Gaza.

--With assistance from Fares Akram and Galit Altstein.

(Updates with US statement from first paragraph.)

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Hamas said it is prepared to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.

The militant group said Friday it had responded to a proposal to extend the Gaza ceasefire, which included its approval to release Alexander. It did not initially go into detail about what it wanted in exchange.

Qatar and Egypt have mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

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The movement responded with responsibility and positivity, submitting its reply at dawn today, which included its approval to release Zionist soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four others with dual nationality.

Late Friday night, the group provided further details on its conditions for the releases, saying it was based on the three-phase ceasefire deal signed by all parties on January 17, 2025.

Releasing Alexander and the other hostages, it said, was conditioned on Israel abiding by terms laid down in a multi-phased ceasefire agreed by the parties in January, including releasing Palestinian prisoners, allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, Israels withdrawal from the Gaza-Egypt border, and starting negotiations on phase two of a ceasefire  which Israel has resisted.

Alexander would be the first male soldier to be released from Hamas captivity. In previous exchanges, Hamas has demanded a much higher price for the freedom of male soldiers than it has for civilians or women.

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The group hasnt identified the names of the dead hostages it is willing to release or specified when any hostages may be freed.

The United States has put forward a new proposal that would secure the release of a handful of living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a month-long extension of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

Under the US proposal, which was presented this week in Qatar by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Israel would also lift its blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly two weeks.

Its announcement comes days after the US said it was negotiating with Hamas directly over the ceasefire deal, going against its tradition of not talking to groups it considers terrorist organizations.

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It also comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff visited the Qatari capital Doha for meetings with Arab officials on Wednesday, according to an Arab diplomat, and as Israel sent a delegation this week to Doha.

In a statement Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said that while Israel has accepted the Witkoff outline, Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal and has not budged a millimeter.

At the same time, it continues to engage in manipulation and psychological warfare, it said, adding that the prime minister will convene with his team on Saturday night for a detailed report from the negotiating team, and to decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages.

Israel alleged that Hamas rejected a proposal put forth by Witkoff last week, which sought to extend a ceasefire in Gaza over the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Jewish Passover holiday, without a commitment by Israel for a permanent ceasefire.

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A senior Hamas official told CNN Friday that the group is still committed to the initial deal agreed with Israel that could bring the war in Gaza to an end. The official said the group accepted a proposal from mediators to release Alexander and the bodies of four dead dual national hostages as an exception.

Hamas has previously said it does not oppose releasing Alexander as part of negotiations to end the war, according to Hamas-affiliated Al Aqsa TV, citing senior Hamas official Taher Al Nunu. Hamas had relayed that message to US officials during recent talks, Al Nunu was cited as saying.

An all-American kid

Alexander is the only American hostage believed to be alive in Gaza. Four other dead Americans are also held by Hamas  Judi Weinstein Haggai and her husband Gad Haggai, and soldiers Itay Chan and Omer Maxim Neutra.

At least 12 American Israelis are thought to have been captured during the militant groups attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.

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Hamas released a propaganda video of Alexander three months ago, showing the Israeli- American hostage pleading with Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump not to forget him and to do whatever they can to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Netanyahus office had called it the publication of the brutal psychological warfare video in which an important and exciting sign of life was received from Edan.

Alexanders father, Adi, told CNN Tuesday that they had seen the video, and that Alexander was just holding up.

He is there, and he is alive, and just waiting patiently, Adi said, adding that the family knows hes not in a great condition.

He lost a lot of weight, maybe suffer some injuries on October 7, because he was brutally attacked by more than more than 20 militants, he said, describing his son as an all-American kid.

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The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum has criticized prioritizing the release of captives based on their nationalities, and called for the freeing of all hostages regardless of the passports they hold.

The hostages returning should only be the opening to an agreement that will return everyone in one step and immediately, the forum said, adding that otherwise it is abandonment that is based on a foreign passport.

If Israel insists on stopping halfway and abandoning its citizens behind, every Jewish mom will know that she must issue a foreign passport to her child, or they will be abandoned, the forum said.

Meanwhile, the fate of more than two million Palestinians in Gaza hinges on Israels next move. Israel has cut the flow of electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and has closed its main crossings with the enclave to aid.

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The United Nations World Food Programme said on Friday that since March 2, the agency has not been able to transport any food supplies into Gaza due to the closure of all border crossing points for both humanitarian and commercial supplies, adding that the WFP has the equivalent of two to three months of distributions for 1.1 million people, pending authorization to enter Gaza.

CNNs Nadeen Ebrahim, Abeer Salman, Jeremy Diamond and Lucas Lilieholm contributed reporting.

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Hamas announced it will release American hostage Edan Alexander and "the bodies of four other dual nationals" after receiving a a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations.

The group said in a statement Friday it responded "responsibly and positively" to the latest ceasefire extension proposal.

The White House said on Friday that it presented a bridge proposal to Hamas on Wednesday to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover to allow time to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. The White House said the bridge proposal "would have to be implemented soon -- and that dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately," the White House said in a statement.

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Under the bridge proposal, hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Israel would allow humanitarian assistance to flow into Gaza, and the U.S. would work toward a durable solution to permanently end the conflict, according to the White House.

PHOTO: People carry pictures of Edan Alexander, 19, near a symbolic Shabat banquet table, Oct. 27, 2023. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

"Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire. Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not. Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes," the White House said in a statement.

The parents of two of the U.S. hostages being held -- both deceased -- told ABC News they have not heard anything so far from the Israeli government or the Trump administration.

"Well, I think our priority always as government is always that we care about all the hostages," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday in comments at the G7. "We want all the hostages. We believe they should all be released."

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MORE: Hamas threatens to kill hostages if Israeli attacks resume

Israel accused Hamas of "manipulation and psychological warfare."

"While Israel has accepted the Witkoff outline, Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal and has not budged a millimeter," the Israeli Prime Minister's office said. "At the same time, it continues to engage in manipulation and psychological warfare. The Prime Minister will convene the ministerial team on Saturday night to receive a detailed report from the negotiating team, and to decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages."

PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, poses for photos with the family of Edan Alexander at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, Oct. 7, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

PHOTO: A woman holds an image of hostage Edan Alexander in Jerusalem, Oct. 25, 2023. (Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, proposed a new agreement that would last until April 20. On the first day of his outline, half of the hostages will be released in one fell swoop of the hostages. At the end of the outline  if an agreement is reached  the remaining hostages will also be released, all at once.

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Hamas has refused this proposal, saying it already agreed to a ceasefire agreement. Israel has agreed to the Witkoff proposal after stalling negotiations on the second phase of the signed ceasefire agreement.

Due to Hamas' refusal of the Witkoff proposal, Israel said it will block all aid goods and supplies from entering Gaza, a move that violates international law.

PHOTO: General view of rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, Mar. 13, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)

Hamas condemned Israel's decision to halt entry of aid into Gaza and described it as a "cheap blackmail," "war crime" and a "blatant coup against the agreement."

Hamas said that "the only way" to return Israeli hostages is to adhere to the ceasefire and "immediately enter into negotiations to begin the second stage," in a statement earlier this month.

PHOTO: Palestinian men walk near rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, Mar. 13, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)

The second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel has not begun, with ceasefire negotiations ongoing in Doha, Qatar, despite a nearly two-week blockade of aid into Gaza.

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In the ceasefire agreement signed earlier this year, Hamas and Israel had agreed to sustain calm, permanent cessation of military operations and all hostilities to be implemented before the exchange of remaining Israeli male hostages, civilians and soldiers for an agreed-upon number of prisoners in Israeli jails and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas says it will release American hostage Edan Alexander originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hamas said Friday that it agreed to release American Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other Americans, following a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations with Israel over a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Steve Witkoff, President Trumps envoy for negotiations, presented the proposal, which reportedly includes Israel lifting a blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Strip.

A source familiar with the negotiations told CNN that the Witkoff proposal includes a monthlong ceasefire to secure the release of a handful of living hostages. The exact number of living hostages to be released and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are part of ongoing negotiations.

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The ceasefire extension would run until the end of Passover on April 20, CNN reported, and renew humanitarian aid deliveries through the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Israel accepted the framework but is convening a Saturday night meeting to receive a detailed report from negotiators before deciding on the next steps for the release of the hostages, according to a statement from the office of the Israeli prime minister.

Hamas holds 59 hostages, about half of whom are believed to be alive. The group kidnapped them from southern Israel as part of its attack launched Oct. 7, 2023, when it killed about 1,200 people.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has pushed for an immediate and comprehensive deal to secure the release of all the hostages. Hamas released dozens of hostages as part of a first-phase ceasefire deal that went into effect Jan. 19, and those released described being held in tunnels, chained, tortured and starved.

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We know from our loved ones who were released about the horrific conditions those still in captivity endure. Without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement Friday.

As President Trump has assured our families and the world, and as he has stated time and again, the return of all hostages is a top priority for his administration. His commitment to bringing our loved ones home has given us hope during this darkest of times.

President Trump said he was shocked hearing the personal testimonies of recently released hostages, after welcoming them into the Oval Office.

Witkoff, in earlier remarks to the press, said the administration is committed to returning all of the hostages.

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Hamas said Friday that it had agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four dual-nationals.

Nothing has been finalized, Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman told NBC News. But he said that the militant group had agreed to a proposal put forward by mediators and was awaiting the results of further negotiations.

The decision to free Alexander, an American Israeli, was first announced in a statement posted to Telegram on Friday. It said that Hamas was ready to begin negotiations to start the second phase of its ceasefire deal with Israel.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement that Hamas was engaging in manipulation and psychological warfare. It added that Netanyahu would convene his ministerial team on Saturday to receive a detailed report from the negotiating team, and to decide on the next steps for the release of the hostages.

Talks around maintaining the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continued in Doha, Qatar. The first phase ended without an agreement on starting the second phase of the deal, which has brought a pause to the war in Gaza.

The State Department and National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment.

The Trump administration has been engaged in direct talks with Hamas over the release of U.S. hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, the White House said this month.

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Hamas said that its leadership had received a proposal on Thursday from mediators to resume negotiations and that it had responded responsibly and positively Friday morning, including its agreement to release Alexander and the bodies of four other dual nationals.

Hamas is believed to be still holding the bodies of four Israeli-Americans: Itay Chen, 19; Omer Neutra, 21; Judith Weinstein, 70; and her husband, Gadi Haggai, 72.

Relatives and supporters hold placards of Israeli hostages, including Edan Alexander, in Tel Aviv on Dec. 30, 2023.

Edan Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey and had volunteered to serve in Israels military, is the last living hostage with U.S. citizenship. He was stationed outside Gaza when he was among around 250 people taken hostage during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

Since then, more than 48,500 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip after Israel launched a sweeping military offensive in the Palestinian enclave, according to local health officials, while around 70% of the infrastructure in the territory has also been destroyed, according to the United Nations.

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The current ceasefire deal, which took effect Jan. 19, calls for the remaining 59 hostages in Hamas captivity to be released during the second phase, during which plans for an end to the war would be negotiated.

With the ceasefire's first phase having come to an end without the agreement of a second phase, Israel has pressed Hamas to instead accept an extension to the first phase, demanding the release of half of the remaining hostages in return for a guarantee of negotiating a lasting truce.

Hamas has said it wants to begin negotiations on the second phase of the deal, which would see the hostages who remain in its captivity released, along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces and ultimately, an end to the war.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
JERUSALEM  Hamas said Friday it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual-nationals who had died in captivity. The Israeli prime ministers office cast doubt on the offer, accusing Hamas of trying to manipulate talks underway in Qatar on the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

The militant group in the Gaza Strip did not immediately specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would take place  or what it expected to get in return.

Alexander was 19 when he was abducted from his base on the border with Gaza in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war, which has been the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas.

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It was not clear which mediators had proposed the release to Hamas and the militants didnt name them. The United States, led by Trump administration hostage envoy Steve Witkoff, has been pushing for a proposal that would extend the truce and see a limited number of hostage for prisoner exchanges.

Following the Hamas statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said Israel had accepted the Witkoff outline and showed flexibility, but said that Hamas is refusing and will not budge from its positions.

At the same time, it continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare  the reports about Hamas willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations, read a letter from the government to hostage families.

It added that Israels negotiating team would return Friday from the Qatari capital of Doha. Netanyahu said he plans to convene his ministerial team on Saturday night to hear from the negotiators and decide on the next steps.

Ceasefire is at a tense point

The first phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago but the pause in fighting has held  if tensely  for now.

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The White House last week made a surprise announcement, saying that American officials had engaged in ongoing talks and discussions with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held U.S. policy of not directly engaging with the militant group. That prompted a terse response from Netanyahus office.

It was not immediately clear whether those talks were linked to Hamas Friday announcement about releasing Alexander and the remains of the four additional captives, whose names were not disclosed.

In a separate statement, Hamas official Husam Badran reaffirmed what he said was Hamas commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases. He warned that any Israeli deviation from the terms would return negotiations to square one.

The first phase of the ceasefire allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

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Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza, and hundreds of trucks of aid entered daily until Israel cut off supplies to the territorys 2 million people two weeks ago.

Hamas is believed still to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.

Hostages families press for comprehensive deal

A group that represents the families of most captives said Friday that it welcomed plans to release any but that the focus must remain on returning all.

Without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages, the Hostage Families Forum said in a statement.

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Israel has been urging Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for an extension of the first phase, and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. The supply cutoff came as Israel pressed the militants to agree. Eighty percent of Gazas residents have lost access to food sources, and 90% are cant access clean drinking water, according to the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza.

Hamas wants to start negotiations on the ceasefires more difficult second phase, which would entail the release of the remaining hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace.

Muslims pray amid restrictions at Al-Aqsa mosque

The developments came as Jews began celebrating the Purim holiday, and Muslims continued marking the holy month of Ramadan. Some 80,000 Muslim worshippers prayed Friday at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, according to the Islamic Trust, which monitors the site. Israel is tightly controlling access to the prayers, allowing only men over 55 and women over 50 to enter from the occupied territory.

The conditions are extremely difficult, said Yousef Badreen, a Palestinian who left the southern West Bank city of Hebron at dawn to make it to Jerusalem. We wish they will open it for good.

Hamas accused Israel of escalating a religious war against Palestinians, casting the Al-Aqsa restrictions as systematic targeting of Muslim religious practices. The Israeli government did not immediately respond.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

The difficulty in making a satirical biopic about Donald Trump is that Trump himself will always be capable of shocking us more than anything we might say about him. The U.S. president is busy turning everything he does into a reality show, with his CEO Elon Musk and his Vice President J. D. Vance in prominent roles.

The televised bullying in the Oval Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a leader resisting an invasion, would have been hardly credible in a movie, yet it happened in front of the cameras. Even the brilliant Saturday Night Live skit on the debacle performed the next day fell short of the jaw-dropping scene we had witnessed in the White House. The Trump show hasnt let up since: the chaos of tariffs, the threats to his allies, migrants deported in chains, the compulsive signing of executive orders, Musks chainsaw, the Tesla showroom on the White House South Lawn, the so-called Gulf of America, and the end of his love affair with Wall Street.

Directed by Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice is a biting biopic of the early Donald Trump, from the time he leaves his fathers business empire to build his own in the decadent New York of the 1970s to when it took off in the 1980s with the inauguration of the iconic Trump Tower. Over that period, we see not just an evolution but a transformation: at first, he is an impetuous and insecure young man, eager for recognition; later, he is narcissistic and ruthless and many other things besides.

In a very unpoliticized Academy Awards ceremony, due to the fact that Hollywood appears to be as cowed by Trump as the Democratic opposition, the film was up for two gongs: Sebastian Stan as lead actor for his portrayal of Trump and Jeremy Strong as supporting actor for his role as Cohn. Strong could just as well have been nominated for the former category as his role is far from supporting. The title is of course the title of the reality show presented by Trump from 2004 for its first 14 seasons. The constant Youre fired! on the show was a sign of things to come.

But the actual show does not feature in the film; the title is simply used to portray the fact that the tycoon was himself an apprentice to a man with few scruples and a shady history: Roy Cohn, a mafia-style lawyer and ultraconservative activist with a tough mask and plenty of secrets; a follower of Machiavelli whose coldness reminds us of Strong himself in the HBO series Succession.

Out of this period, Trumpism is born: it is the moment in Trumps life when he replaces his millionaire father with whom he has a tricky relationship with Cohn, the mentor who will shape him and his future. Cohn dictates the three commandments that Trump will go on to apply to the letter. The first: attack, attack, attack; the second: admit nothing, deny everything; the third: no matter what happens, never assume defeat, but declare yourself the winner. Basically, aggression and lies. Or rather: What is truth? The truth is what I say.

The portrayal is not kind, but it avoids moralizing. We start with a young Trump chasing delinquent tenants and end up with him resorting to extortion and blackmail against anyone who gets in his way, hand in hand with Cohn. We also see him betray his family and lash out against local authorities who wont give him what he wants. Naturally, Cohn himself will be discarded like a used Kleenex when it suits Trump  which happens to be before he dies of AIDS in 1986, a disease he denied until the end to avoid admitting he was gay.

Maria Bakalova and Sebastian Stan, as the Trump couple in The Apprentice. Vertigo Films

The film even dares to portray Trump at his most intimate  taking amphetamines, and having a hair transplant and liposuction. But the most shocking scene is the one in which he rapes his first wife, Ivana Zelnickova, after informing her of their separation the way he might fire an employee  the rape was mentioned by Zelnickova in the divorce proceedings. It is grotesque, but far from a parody: everything is based on published news and biographies. Against the odds, The Apprentice succeeds in shocking viewers. Seeing everything Trump gets up to in his early years is brutal, although todays reality is no less so, and we are only 50 days into his second term.

The film was presented at Cannes in May and was released in the U.S. in a few theaters in October, weeks before the November election. As was to be expected, Trump blasted it as defamatory, cheap and politically repugnant work; and a Hollywood electoral interference. His lawyers demanded that the production company cancel the premiere, but there is no record of the promised lawsuit being filed.

Director Ali Abbasi says that this film is not about Trump, but about his relationship with Cohn, about how power corrupts and about the broken reality in which truth and lies are confused. In a way, the stark portrayal of the immorality of the U.S. president forces us to face a problem affecting the whole of society: nothing we know about Trump is going to dissuade those who vote either for him or for others like him.

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Hamilton Elementary School, Moline, has announced its selection as a Model School at the 2025 Model Schools Conference in Washington, D.C., June 22-25, a news release says.

Staff at Hamilton Elementary School (Moline-Coal Valley School District)

Hosted by the Center for Model Schools, this highly anticipated event honors forward-thinking

schools that drive transformation, inspire change, and implement groundbreaking strategies to

improve student outcomes.

Chosen from a competitive group of schools nationwide, Hamilton has demonstrated an

unwavering commitment to student success and innovation. By fostering a culture of

collaboration, ambitious instruction, and continuous improvement, the school exemplifies

excellence in education.

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We are honored to be recognized as a Model School, said Lynsy Oswald, principal at

Hamilton Elementary School. Every child deserves a learning environment that is welcoming to

all families, has high expectations for student achievement, and has a strong sense of

belonging. Our staff goes above and beyond to provide this. I feel very fortunate to work with the best.

As part of this recognition, Hamilton Elementary School will present at MSC 2025, engaging with more than 5,000 educators to share insights on their success. Last year, the Moline-Coal Valley School District was designated as an Innovative District at the 2024 Model Schools Conference held in June. Three district leaders presented on Prioritizing Culture to Drive Student Achievement, engaging with educators and enabling them to learn how to embrace the power of creating culture led by data to maximize personalized learning. The three presenters included Brian Prybil, deputy superintendent; Oswald, and Steven Etheridge, former principal of Bicentennial Elementary and now director of elementary education.

About the Center for Model Schools

The Center for Model Schools, a division of HMH, is the only organization devoted to providing

year-round leadership support through its namesake Model Schools Conference, leadership

cohorts, and 1:1 consulting. Each team member at The Center for Model Schools has a proven history of successfully driving student growth  with specializations that include creating equitable and inclusive learning environments and building cultures of collaboration.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
When Armand Hammer opened his namesake museum in Westwood in 1990, the collection contained the oil tycoons personal collection of old masters. The 92-year-old had long favored the works of Rembrandt, Monet and Cezanne, but when he died three weeks after the grand opening, the nascent museum partnered with nearby UCLA to take over operations.



For 25 years, the institution was run by Ann Philbin, who many have said transformed the institution into a world-class museum, quadrupling attendance and doubling the amount of programming. On Jan. 1, London-born Zoe Ryan took over operations and shares her plans for the newly expanded Hammer Museum.

Related: Bong Joon-ho, 'Mickey 17' and the Fine Art of Following Best Picture

Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal, installation view. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, February 9-May 4, 2025Photo by Joshua White.

Q: How have the first few weeks gone?

A: Im still in temporary accommodations and my family is going to join me in the summer. Were house hunting as we speak. Right now, Im really focused on getting to know the curators and hearing what excites them. The current show on Alice Coltrane is an incredible project that celebrates a really multifaceted person for art, music, and spirituality.



Q: You started out at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London?

A: I interned there and started my career in the States in New York about 20 years ago. I was in Chicago for 14 years and Philly for four. Ive done a lot of work on the history of exhibitions and am very interested in architecture and design  everything from how you enter an exhibition and are taken on that journey to the entire sequence of how you tell a story. Every aspect of the show is a full-body experience and just the beginning of a future conversation.



Q: Do you think a good exhibition is theatrical?

A: I think it can be, but for me its about how we create spaces that can be places of dialogue and exchange, to get us to think beyond ourselves. Artists and designers are so fantastic at creating work that gets us to open our eyes and think differently. I did a show about smell when we were coming out of COVID. You smell before you see and youre smelling the world and thinking of things and making connections and remembering things and I loved this. Creating unexpected experiences and opportunities in museums is sort of at the heart of what I enjoy the most.

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Q: What makes the Hammer special?

A: The whole idea of museums has transformed. I think our film program is absolutely fantastic as much as I think the exhibitions are the jewel in the crown. The Hammer is a campus and you can come here for exhibitions or really experimental programming or to have a great meal at Lulu. I find the courtyard magical and love to see the community engaging with one another and having fun and seeing great and inspiring work here.

Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal, installation view. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, February 9-May 4, 2025Photo by Joshua White



Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal, an exhibit on musician and spiritual leader Alice Coltrane, runs through May 4 at the Hammer Museum
KNXOVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The threat of a government shutdown is looming as lawmakers have a little over 24 hours to strike a deal. A government shutdown would mean any non-essential functions must stop until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. However, all essential services and mandatory spending programs would continue.

Political commentator George Korda said this is a problem for both sides of the aisle.

Oneida teacher receives national educator award and $25,000 prize

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Its a political dilemma for both sides, Korda said. Typically, not always but typically, Democrats blame Republicans for not going along with legislation that would avert a shutdown. In this case, its going to be Democrats who say, no we arent going along with this.'

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he plans to vote to keep the government up and running. However, if enough votes arent secured how could this impact Tennesseans and Americans alike?

They are going to be affected to the degree that government cant fund various things. I was reading a story earlier today, monuments, national parks will shut down and there will be other impacts as well, Korda explained. You make X amount of money, all of a sudden you cant pay for what you want so what do you do? You dont do it and thats the exact situation the federal government is in.

End of USDA funding for fresh local produce hits Grainger County Schools

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Oftentimes, the issue of a government shutdown comes when the government runs out of authority to borrow the money it needs. George Korda saying with a $1.7  $1.8 trillion deficit annually, it is not sustainable to run long-term.

This is because the government needs the authority to borrow more money, Korda added. It always comes down to this negotiating, bashing into each other because the Republicans want to cut spending. The Democrats dont want to cut spending. They want to grow spending. Each side uses this as a game of chicken to get the other one to give a little bit and thats how we keep winding up here.

 See more top stories on WATE.com

They will try to close down the least painful things first but somethings its going to be a problem, Korda said. Then at some point, depending on who feels the most heat, when you feel the heat you see the light, who feels the most heat, then one side will buckle.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
BROWNSBORO, Texas (KETK)  The Brownsboro community came together to hold a birthday parade for a 4-year-old child battling leukemia.

CHRISTUS Health breaks ground on new Cancer Center in Longview

Brownsboro native, Oliver Reece, was diagnosed with leukemia in July, 2024 and his 5th birthday is March 20. Under his oncologists recommendation, he is not allowed to be around other people due to his immunosuppression.

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Oliver, also known as Bear, will undergo chemotherapy on his actual birthday, so the community came together to celebrate him early. The family shared the parade route on social media and the parade stretched a mile long down the road.

Everyone else from there just sharing it on Facebook, all the things, it just it exploded, Olivers big sister, Chloe Bishop said.

Bishops supervisor at UT Health, Danielle Groves, helped spread the word and first responders from Smith to Henderson County all joined in the parade.

Ive been trying not to cry all the way up here, trying to hold back my tears right now, but Im so excited to be such a big part of this, UT Health EMS supervisor, Danielle Groves said.

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Olivers friends, church members and even strangers drove by honking their horns and bringing him gifts. Olivers dad said it is overwhelming and comforting.

Boy battling cancer made honorary Secret Service Agent

Anything to bring him just a little bit of something fun because going to playgrounds, going to IJump, going to Urban Air, going to the escape rooms, we cant do that. Unfortunately, were kind of on lock here, Reece said.

Oliver was so excited to see everyone go by in the parade, he was up at 6 oclock in the morning to count down the minutes. He loved seeing the cool cars and the first responders in their trucks. When he grows up, he wants to help people.

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Its an honor to be able to serve our community, to get out there, be with people, have them look up to you. Its such an excellent feeling when you have the little kids just look at you and they come up and talk to you. No matter if youre EMS, fire, police officer, theyre all amazing positions and such a great way to serve the community, Groves said.

The Reece family embraces Olivers bravery with a hashtag #BraveLikeBear.

One of my kiddos said hes going have to be really brave, you know, brave like a bear and it just stuck, Reece said.

Reece said Oliver has a treatable cancer with a duration of around 3 and a half years.

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Everyone here at KETK News wants to wish Oliver a very Happy Birthday!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Two Harvard medical school professors claim in a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration that their research was pulled from a public government website because it referred to the LGBTQ community.

Gordon Schiff and Celeste Royce said removing their work from the website, which focuses on patient safety, violates their First Amendment right to free speech. They claimed the administration unlawfully and dangerously suppressed their information on how to improve patient diagnoses, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S District Court in Boston.

Each year, about 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled due to misdiagnosis, according to the suit filed on behalf of Schiff and Royce by the the American Civil Liberties Union and the Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic.

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Allowing the government to censor research regarding patient safety for political reasons will almost assuredly increase that number, the suit read.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, removed the private doctors peer-reviewed articles solely because they contained terms such as LGBTQ and transgender, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit names the U.S. Officer of Personnel Management, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as defendants.

The lawsuit said the articles were removed because it was perceived that they violated an executive order on gender ideology signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20.

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The White House did not return a request for comment Thursday.

The site, Patient Safety Network, emailed Schiff and his co-authors on Jan. 31 to inform them an article on suicide risk that included the words "LGBTQ" and "transgender" was being removed, the lawsuit said.

Another article on the medical condition endometriosis was removed because it mentioned the word transgender, it said.

Rachel Davidson, an attorney with the ACLU of Massachusetts, said removing the articles and censoring medical research is a serious constitutional violation.

It is a fundamental principle of the First Amendment that the government cannot restrict speech just because it disagrees with the viewpoint of that speech, she said. We think that is especially important in areas of scientific inquiry and debate and research.

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Schiff and Royce could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Both say in the lawsuit that they refuse to censor their medical conclusions, and they brought the lawsuit to defend the integrity of medical research and the safety of patients from the governments dangerous, arbitrary, and unconstitutional censorship.

Schiff, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard, is a founding member of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine and the American Public Health Associations Quality Improvement Committee.

Royce is an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology. One of her areas of study is the role of clinical reasoning in improving patient safety, according to the lawsuit.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In a recent social media thread, dozens of people  even those with serious medical conditions  are speaking about the unnaturally long times they have to wait for an appointment with a specialist.

The original poster shared that her friend couldnt get a neurology appointment after a stroke until May 2026 (yep, you read that right), and she herself couldnt get an appointment with a gastrointestinal doctor until November. Several other users replied with similar sentiments about this problem  which is one of many in the U.S. health care system.

Many theories about why this is happening are floating around, and many of them are correct, doctors say. Below, specialists tell all about whats going on behind the scenes and what they advise patients to do until more systemic changes can be made.

Theres a shortage of specialists.

Doctor examines patient's neck in a medical office. Posters and shelves in the background

The first reason is perhaps the most obvious: People have to wait forever to see a specialist because there simply arent enough.

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I am a vascular stroke specialist and there are not enough stroke physicians to handle the volume of stroke follow-ups required, said Dr. Ashish Nanda, a neurologist at Providence St. Jude Medical Center. Im sure similar challenges are being faced by other specialties, like cardiovascular.

Dr. Samuel R. Browd, a neurosurgeon and the chief medical officer and cofounder at Proprio, has seen this, too  especially in rural areas and smaller hospitals.

The problem is only set to worsen: The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians in the U.S. by 2036, he added. Whats more, it takes thousands of hours (at least 13 years) of rigorous training to become a surgeon, further limiting the pipeline of specialists available to meet demand.

As a pediatrician and pediatric interventional cardiologist, Dr. Alesandro Larrazabal, chief medical officer and cofounder of Clarity Pediatrics, can also attest to this. He said fewer doctors are entering his specialty.

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Last year, 30% of pediatric residency programs did not fill their positions, he said. And those who do enter pediatrics are less incentivized to pursue a subspeciality because of the lower compensation than offered by most adult subspecialties.

Specialists arent always in network with insurance providers, which limits availability.

Doctor and patient talking during a consultation. The doctor smiles while holding a tablet, engaging with the seated patient attentively

Not only is the health care field low on specialists, but its low on specialists who accept insurance, Nanda said  which is especially needed with the higher costs of specialty care. You may have a longer wait if youre trying to see a specialist who takes your insurance because, well, everyone else is, too.

More patients need to see a specialist in the wake of COVID.

Person wearing a face mask has their temperature taken with a forehead thermometer by someone also wearing a mask in a healthcare setting

We can also thank long COVID, or symptoms that persist long after the infection started, for these extensive waits.

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Theres been a marked increase in chronic conditions and complex health issues requiring specialist care, particularly post-COVID, said Dr. C. Vivek Lal, a physician whos well-versed in pediatrics, neonatal and perinatal medicine, and pulmonary and vascular biology.

Particularly, hes seen an uptick in patients coming in with persistent respiratory symptoms, fatigue and inflammatory responses that require specialized care.

Additionally, many patients delayed care during the height of COVID to avoid getting sicker  and unfortunately, the effects of that are hitting them now.

Patients who postponed regular checkups and preventive care are now presenting with more advanced conditions that require more intensive specialist intervention, Lal said. This is particularly true for conditions affecting gut and respiratory health  areas where early intervention is crucial.

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Last but not least, many people were and are super stressed, which brings its own health problems that fill up specialists workdays.

The pandemics psychological impact has manifested in physical health problems, creating a complex web of symptoms that often requires multiple specialists to address effectively, Lal added.

More and more people are getting diagnoses.

Doctor examines an elderly man's abdomen during a medical check-up. The patient is sitting, and the doctor listens with a stethoscope

Doctors are seeing more health diagnoses that arent related to long COVID but require specialist care, too. Two examples include ADHD and asthma.

ADHD diagnoses have surged, which could be for various reasons. And again, its one of many conditions on the rise.

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The latest numbers show that over 40% of school-aged children and adolescents are managing at least one chronic condition, Larrazabal said. This rise in chronic conditions has brought the traditional pediatric care model to an inflection point.

Administrative work takes a lot of specialists time.

A woman sits at a desk using a tablet and computer, while another person stands by a window in the background

If youve had to wait a while to even get the opportunity to make an appointment with a specialist, youre not the only one.

Browd explained whats going on. Institutional policies now impose stricter barriers on specialist access, making it more difficult to schedule direct appointments without first meeting specific criteria, he said. While this approach has benefits, including improving health care efficiency and ensuring specialists spend their time where their expertise is needed most, it also creates additional layers of approval that can delay care because primary care physicians must conduct initial assessments and triage before specialists review cases.

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In other words, your primary doctor has to do more testing and work to prove you need specialist care, which takes time, too.

The work that has to be done during and after an appointment also is extensive for specialists. In fact, the increasing amount of administrative work and documentation that specialists are required to do can consume almost 50% of their time, according to Nanda. As a result, they only have time to see a certain (low) number of patients a day.

What do specialists advise with these long wait times?

A woman sits on an examination table talking to a healthcare provider in an office. A medical chart is visible on the wall

With such discouraging news, where do we go from here? Specialists share their best advice:

Dont delay seeking a referral.

Seeing a specialist is expensive and takes time out of a busy schedule. These are only a couple reasons why its understandable that you may not seek a referral ASAP. At the same time, doctors dont recommend this, saying it can hurt your case.

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If your primary care physician suggests seeing a specialist, start that process immediately, given the current wait times, Lal said.

Make telehealth appointments when its appropriate.

Telemedicine wont work for every condition, and its certainly not the preferred option for many of us. But, it can be an option for some specialist consultations, Lal said, that may offer shorter wait times.

While it may not be all you need to address your health concern, it may give you some answers that can prevent your condition from worsening.

Its probably not surprising to hear that Larrazabal considered virtual care a game-changer. He added how it gives you access to specialists who are farther away  so more options  without sacrificing the quality of the provider.

Stay in close communication with your primary care provider.

While a PCP cant do some of the work a specialist can, they help in other ways. Lal urged keeping in contact with them so they can help you manage your condition and advocate for expedited appointments if your condition worsens.

Consider group-based care.

Yes, this is a thing! Talk to your doctors office or local hospital about it.

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Group sessions allow providers to support multiple families simultaneously, reducing wait times while creating valuable support networks, Larrazabal said.

It can also be uniquely beneficial from an emotional and social point of view.

As a pediatrician, Ive seen how parents often feel isolated in managing their childs health challenges, he continued. Group-based care helps them realize theyre not alone, and these shared experiences can be incredibly validating.

These sessions can be offered virtually, he added, which allows caregivers to get that support without necessarily needing to arrange child care or time off from work.

Advocate for yourself.

Doctors may dismiss patients concerns for many reasons, unfortunately  some of which require systemic change. But sometimes, standing up for yourself and providing as much info as possible can help you avoid that.

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Often, delays arent due to doctors not listening but rather needing more information to make the right referral, Browd said. Thats why we encourage patients to ask questions and advocate for themselves  our ability to provide the best care depends on the information we receive.

Some tips that may help you self-advocate include keeping a diary of your symptoms, bringing a support person, asking questions and pushing for a referral.

Try not to lose hope.

Specialists are aware of the barriers you face, and theyre trying to address them.

Doctors genuinely care about their patients and recognize that every moment matters, Browd said. While we work to reduce wait times and improve care, systemic change takes time.

AI is even making a difference. It can automate routine tasks and enhance decision-making, he continued, giving clinicians more time for patients.This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  State officials are closely monitoring the potential local impacts of tariffs, especially on construction.

The Department of Accounting and General Services said some projects may have to reduce their scope to stay on budget.

How tariffs could impact Hawaii

DAGS budget for current projects in design is about $1.8 billion and that budget can not change, but costs will have to be cut if if national-level tariffs increase the price of local goods.

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So always our first choice when we have to cut costs is to cut the scope of the project. Typically, our projects are sized to provide the spaces necessary to provide services to the people of Hawaii, said DAGS Public Works administrator Gordon Wood.

The director of DAGS said tariffs on steel and aluminum could have the most severe impact on local construction  especially projects that are not yet in the construction phase.

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It is not clear when prices could spike.

Thats a really great question. I think thats the billion dollar question, right. As it relates to tariffs and how its going to impact us. We simply dont know. Right? Because until something is finalized and, you know, the tariffs are either in play or theyre not in play, really speaks to that question, said DAGS comptroller Keith Regan.

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Supporters of the Trump Administration policy argue that tariffs would be reciprocal and an example of fair trade.

What are tariffs and how do they work?

So what you charge us, well charge you. Thats fair trade. If they want it to be free trade, which would be ideal for everyone, then they should remove their tariffs on us, said House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Diamond Garcia. Foreign companies from across the globe is now moving to America to invest and build and operate. Thats good for Americas economy.

DAGS added that planned, large-scale projects like a new prison on Oahu and a new Aloha Stadium will require a lot of metal products and it is a wait-and-see game to learn about impacts on those.

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Were already struggling with the budget on that and theres going to be a lot of steel there, Wood said, even the new stadium there will be a lot of steel and so as the prices of materials go up, that stadium is going to get smaller.

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Theres a track record. President Trump served for four years previously and he implemented tariffs and the economy did not suffer the way that the media currently is painting it out to be, said Rep. Diamond Garcia.

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COURTESY PHOTO V.R. Hinano Rodrigues COURTESY PHOTO V.R. Hinano Rodrigues A special member of the state Commission on Water Resource Management, whose appointment by Gov. Josh Green in October led to litigation, has resigned.

V.R. Hinano Rodrigues stepped down from his position as the commissions traditional Native Hawaiian water management expert, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

DLNR, which oversees the water commission, said Rodrigues notified the Office of the Governor that he decided to withdraw from what is known as the commissions loea, or expert, seat, for the reason of healing with this community and our people.

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The seven-member commission governs the state water code, which can include determining how the public-trust resource is divided by competing interests such as developers, industrial agriculture, small farmers and natural ecosystems.

Rodrigues is a Native Hawaiian who grows his own taro and previously served as the History and Culture Branch chief at the State Historic Preservation Division of DLNR.

However, the way Rodrigues was selected for the water commissions loea position generated concern and conflict among some Hawaii environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations.

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Green picked Rodrigues in October from a list of three candidates recommended by a nominating committee after a prior committee had recommended a different slate of four candidates in February 2024.

The governor asked for the do-over after two candidates recommended by the first committee withdrew themselves from consideration. Green said he needed a new list of candidates because in his view the law required him to have at least three choices from the list.

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In September about 70 Hawaii environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations expressed concern in a letter to Green about his water commission candidate list do-over.

Then in January a group of Hawaii residents concerned about state water policy filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the appointment of Rodrigues and force Green to pick from the two remaining candidates on the original list.

The lawsuit, filed by environmental law firm Earthjustice on behalf of community group Hui Kanawai Oia i o, in part contended that the governor unlawfully circumvented state law with his selection of Rodrigues because Green didnt like the two remaining candidates on the original list recommended by the first committee.

State law governing commission selections requires that the nominating committee give the governor a list with at least three candidates.

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Rodrigues had been serving on the commission in an interim capacity subject to confirmation by the state Senate. This years legislative session began Jan. 15, and Green submitted his nomination of Rodrigues to the Senate on Jan. 23 for a term through June 30, 2028. A confirmation hearing had yet to be scheduled. On Wednesday, Green withdrew the nomination.

Green, in a statement, thanked Rodrigues for volunteering to serve his community.

At the time of his nomination, his extensive experience and understanding of Hawaiis cultural and environmental landscape and his previous years of service that worked to preserve and protect our states natural resources, equipped him with the insights and skills necessary to navigate the complex challenges facing CWRM commissioners,  Green said.

The commissions chief executive, Ciara Kahahane, in a statement also thanked Rodrigues.

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DLNR said a new nominating committee is expected to make new recommendations to fill the commissions loea seat, along with two other vacancies, from applicants interested in the volunteer roles.

Applications for the other two seats are due by March 31. A deadline to apply for the loea seat will be stated as part of a planned public notice to be posted on the commissions website announcing that applications are being sought.

Harley Broyles, an Earthjustice attorney, said in a statement that plaintiffs in the lawsuit are continuing with the litigation aimed at having the governor fill the commissions loea seat with a candidate from the nomination list he received a year ago.

We agree with Governor Green that our resources are better protected when we all work together,  she said. Following the law is how we do that.
HAZARD, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentucky State Police found a Hazard man on Friday who had been missing since early March.

On Friday, KSP said Ryan Whitaker had been found safely.

 MISSING IN KENTUCKY

Troopers said Whitaker hadnt been seen since March 6 at the Knott County Central Gymnasium. However, known associates of Whitaker claim they have spoken to him electronically until March 11, but no communication has been reported since.

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KSP described Whitaker as standing 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing around 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing grey pants and a black shirt bearing the Hazard High School logo on the front and gold sleeves.

Donald Ryan Whitaker, missing since March 6 (Kentucky State Police)

Whitaker was last known to drive a 2013 maroon Nissan Maxima, according to KSP.

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Health officials are warning dairy lovers to avoid drinking raw milk from a New Hampshire farm.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says raw milk from Brookvale Pines Farm with a best used by date through March 22, 2025 may be contaminated with Listeria bacteria.

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food officials notified the health experts that a cow at the farm was diagnosed with a listeria infection.

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Brookvale Pines Farm raw milk was sold in half-gallon containers at the Brookvale Mercantile in Brentwood, New Hampshire, the NHDHHS says.

The farm has stopped selling the raw milk while further testing is ongoing. The raw milk was last available for purchase on March 12.

The NH DHHS says Brookvale Pines Farm is working to help conduct milk testing and contacting customers who may have purchased raw milk from the farm

Raw milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization, a heating process that gets rid of harmful germs, said Iain Watt, Director of the DHHS Division of Public Health Services (DPHS). As a result, raw milk may contain bacteria like Listeria, which can cause serious health concerns.

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While some people can be asymptomatic, the bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Early Listeria symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often resolve on their own without antibiotic treatment.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense announced this Thursday that it has regained full control of Sudzha, the largest municipality Ukraine had conquered in the Russian province of Kursk. Images being released since Wednesday by the Russian military reportedly confirm that Kremlin troops control the urban core of Sudzha, although Ukrainian analysts and military personnel in the area claim that fighting continues on its outskirts. The fall of this town would be the Kremlins penultimate victory in Kursk: the next one will more than likely be the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from enemy territory they have occupied since August 2024. Ukraine only holds 10% of the conquered territory, according to reports from Moscow and confirmed by Ukrainian military analysts.

The Ukrainian General Staff had not released its long-awaited report on the situation on the front lines by late Thursday, but Deep State, Ukraine's leading war analysis agency, has reported that infantry fighting continues in the northern and western suburbs of Sudzha. Rybar, a pro-Russian group analyzing the invasion, claims the priority is to eliminate small groups of Ukrainian soldiers in the area, isolated from the rest of the contingent.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets opened an investigation on Thursday into visual evidence that has emerged on social media of the execution of five Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk by Russian fighters in recent days. Cases of Russian units killing soldiers who had surrendered have been frequent in Kursk.

Ukrainian soldiers interviewed by EL PAIS on Monday in Sumi province, the rearguard of the operation in Russian territory, took it for granted that the withdrawal from Kursk was a matter of days or weeks. The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that Ukrainian soldiers are being evacuated from their province. This is partially true because, although there is no complete withdrawal order at the moment, thousands of combatants are leaving the area, as this newspaper was able to verify on Tuesday from the border. Soldiers from the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, 15 kilometers from the Russian border, had managed to leave Russia after walking for 40 kilometers. The road connecting Sumi with Sudzha, the main logistical route for the Ukrainian army, is dominated from the air by Russian drones and artillery.

A Ukrainian serviceman patrols a street next to buildings damaged during recent fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Ukrainian-controlled town of Sudzha, August 16, 2024. Yan Dobronosov (REUTERS)

Oleksandr Sirsky, head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated on Wednesday night that his priority is saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, and to do so, if necessary, maneuvering to more advantageous positions, that is to say, retreating. Sirsky confirmed that his men were fighting in the suburbs of Sudzha and had abandoned the center of the municipality. We will remain in Kursk as long as it is effective and necessary, the Ukrainian army chief added.

Ukrainian special forces officer Bogdan Sigeti explained Tuesday in a video shared on social media that both the transfer of weapons and the relief of soldiers via the Sumi highway are virtually impossible. The fighting is extremely tough, our men are retreating on foot, 15-20 kilometers, its like a horror movie, Sigeti said, referring to the pursuit of Russian drone bombs against retreating soldiers. Sigeti added on Wednesday that the probability of being hit by a Russian drone while in a moving vehicle is 85%. A captain of the Territorial Defense Forces had estimated in an interview on Monday that the probability was 80%.

The Russian army is primarily attempting to force the complete expulsion of the Ukrainian military from its territory in a ringing operation that could lead them to reoccupy parts of Sumi province. This was acknowledged on Wednesday by Andrii Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard, although he emphasized that the Russians are currently being held back. The main pressure is being exerted in the border village of Novenke, where neither side controls the situation, but where Russia is expanding its sphere of action, according to Deep State.

Zelenskiy: Difficult situation, but under control

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy assured on Wednesday that the situation is difficult but under control: Our troops in Kursk are fulfilling their duties. The Russians are applying maximum pressure on our fighters, but our military command is doing what must be done, saving the maximum number of lives of our soldiers. Zelenskiys remarks coincided with the replacement of General Dmitry Krasilnikov as head of the Northern Operations Command, partly responsible for the Kursk offensive from Sumi.

The General Staff has emphasized that Russia is advancing rapidly this March in Kursk, largely because it has transferred some of its best regiments to the region, which were fighting on the Ukrainian front in Donetsk at least until February. Military personnel interviewed this week in Sumi by EL PAIS confirm this and another fact highlighted by Sirski: that the enemy has outnumbered them thanks to the incorporation of some 10,000 North Korean soldiers.

Multiple military sources have added that the 10-day suspension of U.S. military and intelligence assistance ordered by Donald Trump has also had an impact on Ukraines defenses in Kursk. With this decision, the U.S. president sought to pressure Zelenskiy into accepting his proposal for a temporary ceasefire. After a common position was agreed upon at Tuesdays meeting in Saudi Arabia between envoys from both countries, Trump lifted the suspension. The main effect of the suspension was the lack of satellite images of enemy movements and the lack of coordinates for attacking Russias rearguard.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the Ukrainian military has apparently run out of ATACMS, the long-range missiles that former U.S. President Joe Biden authorized transferring to Ukraine toward the end of his term, including to strike targets in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a command center in Kursk on Wednesday, where he was received by Russian Army Chief Valery Gerasimov. Dressed in camouflage, Putin said he had given the order to liberate as soon as possible the Russian territory where Ukrainian forces are still stationed. This territory, still under Kyivs control, represents 10% of what Ukraine managed to conquer in its surprise offensive on Kursk in August 2024.

Victory at Kursk will be a propaganda coup for Putin among his population. The Kremlin had also stated that it has no intention of negotiating anything with Kyiv until its soldiers leave the Russian province. A complete withdrawal from Kursk will be a serious political setback for Zelenskiy, as he has been the main backer of the operation. Officially, this incursion into Russian territory is considered a success because it has forced Moscow to reduce military assets in its offensive in Donetsk. However, the truth is that since late 2024, prominent Ukrainian officials and analysts have criticized the president, arguing that the losses have been enormous and that the nearly 30,000 soldiers who fought at Kursk should have been defending Ukrainian territory.

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BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A woman accused of deadly romance scams will be tried in Benton County following her return to the United States.

Aurora Phelps, 43 (Courtesy: FBI Las Vegas)

Aurora Phelps, 43, is charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for the alleged drugging and scamming of older men. Phelps is facing charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft and kidnapping resulting in death.

In Benton County, Phelps faces charges of theft of property and fraudulent use of a credit card stemming from a 2019 incident.

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Phelps has been unable to appear in Benton County due to being arrested and held in prison in Guadalajara, Mexico.

According to court documents, Phelps has been rescheduled to appear since Aug. 2023 due to her arrest in Mexico, the most recent filing being on March 12.

According to that filing, Phelps is set to appear in Benton County on Aug. 13, if she is returned to the U.S. by then.

Phelps Cases in Arkansas

In 2019, Phelps was accused of drugging and stealing a womans credit card whom she had previously been friends with.

The woman claims she met Phelps at a Benton County hotel in 2019 where she bought three beers, briefly leaving them unattended.

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Woman accused of deadly romance scams facing theft, fraud charges in Arkansas

According to a probable cause affidavit, the woman then became drowsy, unable to move her body. When she woke up, the woman said she could not find her wallet.

Phelps returned the womans wallet and phone later that day to her home.

Aurora Phelps, 43 (Courtesy: FBI Las Vegas)

The woman later noticed her credit card was missing and began receiving alerts to verify charges of more than $5,000, the affidavit said.

After trying to cancel the card, the woman was told by her credit card company that another woman was attempting to have a new card sent to a Las Vegas address. Phelps denied taking the womans card and making purchases.

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Detectives with Bentonville Police Department found a $1 transaction was made with the womans credit card at the hotel on June 11, 2019. This purchase was tied to Phelps room.

After further investigation, authorities learned her credit card was also used to purchase a flight from Northwest Arkansas to Las Vegas.

Phelps was sentenced to three years of probation in 2018 in a separate case for filing a false report with a law enforcement agency. Her sentence was relocated to Benton County in July 2019 after she was charged with theft of property and fraudulent use of a credit card.

To read more details about Phelps case, along with a full breakdown of her federal case with the FBI, click here.

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ADEL, Iowa  As Heart of Iowa Community Services prepares for its closure in June, clients worry about future mental health and disability assistance availability.

In May 2024, Governor Reynolds signed HF 2673, which dissolves the Mental Health Disability Services program and incorporates it into the Iowa Behavioral Health and Disability Services program. In doing this, several programs, including Heart of Iowa Community Services, are being forced to close.

Established in 1999, Heart of Iowa Community Services has helped more than 16,000 people with care services across 13 counties. The organization offers jail alternatives, childrens navigation, and created crisis programs including mobile crisis and transitional living programs.

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Historic Des Moines streetcar building up for sale

At the end of February, Heart of Iowa released a statement saying they would work to make sure the individuals they serve gain access to other services.

HICS was founded on a passion to serve our community, and we are truly grateful to our employees and our partner providers. We have been blessed to touch many lives in our communities, and we are thankful for all of them. HICS will continue to provide the same high level of care to Iowans in our 13 counties through this transition. We are committed to working with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the transition is seamless. Darci Alt, Heart of Iowa CEO

Tina has been assisted by Heart of Iowa for more than eight years and says the program has helped her gain control of her health and given her independence.

It means a lot to me and that I have something I can count on, someone I can rely on, and somebody that I can talk out my problems with, said Tina.

Tina says the announcement in February made her worried for her future.

I fill empty, I feel really sad, Im lost, and I know a lot of people feel the same way I do about this, Tina said.

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Tina doesnt know what programs will be available to her once Heart of Iowa closes and worries about her journey without the program.

Heart of Iowas CEO says they are awaiting direction and assistance from HHS regarding how the transition for the people they serve is going to look. Heart of Iowa will remain operational till June 30, with the merger happening on July 1.

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Mar. 13New Mexico's Democratic senators are standing firm in their opposition to a Republican bill to keep the government funded through September because they say it would remove guardrails on federal funding and give the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk "unprecedented leeway" to decide what gets funded.

Without a funding bill, the government will shut down at the end of Friday. The Senate could vote on the House's temporary funding bill, which would keep funding most programs at the same level. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he will vote for the GOP bill, making it seem likely there will be enough Democratic votes to avert a shutdown.

"Donald Trump and Elon Musk have already grossly abused their power. Now Republicans want to pass a yearlong continuing resolution that gives Trump and Musk even more tools to harm our communities," Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan said in a joint statement Thursday. "We want to see the federal government funded and functional, and we have been fighting every day to force this administration to put the chainsaw down when it comes to the health care, education, and VA benefits our communities depend on. But we won't stand by as Republicans try to shove through this power grab masquerading as a funding bill."

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pressured Democrats to fall in line with the Republican funding bill during a speech on the Senate floor Thursday.

"I'm not sure how long the Democrat leader thinks we should drag out the funding process for fiscal year 2025," Thune said. "Until fiscal year 2026? Beyond?"

All three of New Mexico's representatives voted with their party Tuesday against the continuing resolution in the House, which passed on a 217-213 vote. Only one House Democrat voted in favor of the resolution, and only one Republican voted against it.

For Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., the Republicans' continuing resolution not only represents a break from tradition but also an abdication of duty.

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"The Republicans who are pushing this are abdicating their responsibility to serve the people, to listen to the people," Leger Fernandez told the Journal.

Leger Fernandez said that the Republicans' funding bill lacks congressional directives for spending and instead creates something closer to a slush fund. She argued that it would allow Republicans to "cut whatever programs they want," even if those programs are popular with Americans, because the executive branch would have more funding discretion.

"It is Congress's authority to fund these programs," Leger Fernandez said. "You can't just fire these people."
WASHINGTON (AP)  Helicopters will be permanently restricted from flying near Washington, D.C.'s airport on the same route where a passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided in midair, killing 67 people, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.

The move comes just days after federal investigators looking into the cause of the crash recommended a ban on some helicopter flights, saying a string of near misses in recent years showed that the current setup poses an intolerable risk.

The FAA, which manages the nations airspace and oversees aviation safety, has come under criticism after the National Transportation Safety Board said there had been an alarming number of near misses in recent year in the congested skies around Ronald Reagan National Airport.

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The closure of the helicopter route near the airport makes permanent the restrictions put in place after Jan. 29 midair collision. The FAA order will allow a few exceptions for helicopter use, including presidential flights along with law enforcement and lifesaving missions.

The FAA also said it is studying cities with airports where there are a high number of different types of aircraft sharing the same space, including eight metro areas with busy helicopter routes: Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.

It also is looking at offshore helicopter operations along the Gulf Coast. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that the FAA will use artificial intelligence to analyze data to look for similar danger areas.

But first Duffy vowed to adopt the NTSBs recommendations for reducing airspace congestion near Reagan National and stop helicopters from threading the needle by flying under landing planes.

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The Army supports the FAAs efforts to improve aviation safety around the nation's capital and will use "alternative routes to mitigate impacts on training and readiness, spokesman Matt Ahearn said Friday.

Before the collision, there were 28 government agencies authorized to fly helicopters near Reagan National, including the Department of Defense, military services, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.

The Army Black Hawk involved in the January crash belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion based at Davison Army Air Field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. That unit has a classified mission to ensure continuity of government by getting certain officials to safety in case of an attack.

It is also tasked with ferrying high-ranking government and military officials to bases throughout the region. Before the crash the now-closed route was a regular part of their mission routes and training.

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The impact on the unit and flights around Reagan National is expected to come up at a March 27 hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing where Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, director of Army aviation, is expected to testify alongside the acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau and National Transportation Safety Board chairman Jennifer Homendy.

In a letter to Braman, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz pressed for answers on whether the Army Black Hawks regularly operate without transmitting location data, and how many flights it regularly conducted to transport dignitaries and high-ranking officers.

___

Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio.
NEW YORK (AP)  If it's March, and it's green, it must be St. Patrick's Day.

The day honoring the patron saint of Ireland is a global celebration of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more so than in the United States, where parades take place in cities around the country and all kinds of foods and drinks are given an emerald hue.

In fact, it was among Irish American communities that the day became the celebration it is, from its roots as a more solemn day with a religious observance in Ireland.

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But even in America, it was about more than a chance to dye a river green (looking at you, Chicago) or just bust out a favorite piece of green clothing, it was about putting down roots and claiming a piece of the country's calendar.

Who is St. Patrick and why does he even have a day?

Patrick was not actually Irish, according to experts. Born in the late fourth century, he was captured as an adolescent and ended up enslaved in Ireland. He escaped to another part of Europe where he was trained as a priest and returned to Ireland in the fifth century to promote the spread of Christianity.

Several centuries later, he was made a saint by the Catholic Church and like other saints had a day dedicated to him, which was March 17. He became Ireland's patron saint, and even when religious strife broke out between Catholics and Protestants, was claimed by both, says Mike Cronin, historian and academic director of Boston College Dublin.

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How did an Irish saint's day become an American thing?

The short answer: Irish people came to America and brought their culture with them. St. Patrick's Day observances date back to before the founding of the U.S., in places like Boston and New York City. The first parade was held in Manhattan in 1762.

While the day was marked with more of a religious framing and solemnity in Ireland until well into the 20th century, in America it became the cultural and boisterous celebration it is today, marked by plenty of people without a trace of Irish heritage.

It was because people in Ireland started seeing how the day was marked in the U.S. that it became more of a festival in the country of its origin rather than strictly a religious observance, Cronin says, pointing to the parades, parties and other festivities that are held.

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Oh, and by the way, for those who like to shorten names: Use St. Paddy's Day, not St. Patty's Day. Paddy is a nickname for Padraig, which is the Irish spelling of Patrick.

Why is it such a big deal?

Holidays aren't simply days to watch bands go by, or wear a specific outfit or costume.

Being able to mark a holiday, and have others mark it, is a way of putting down roots, showing that youve made it in American culture, says Leigh Schmidt, professor in the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. You've made your claim on that American calendar, in American civic life, by having these holidays widely recognized.

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The spread of St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S. was a way for Irish immigrant communities, who in the 19th century faced discrimination and opposition, to stake that ground, he says: Its a kind of immigrant Irish way of combating nativist antagonism against them.

What's with four-leaf clovers, anyway?

A popular sight around the holiday is the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, linked to Ireland and St. Patrick.

The lucky ones, though, come across something that's harder to find: a four-leaf clover. That's because it takes a recessive trait or traits in the clover's genetics for there to be more than the normal 3 leaves, says Vincent Pennetti, who has been fascinated by the plants since high school.

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Four-leaf clovers are real. They are rare, he says.

That doesn't mean they can't be found. People just have to keep their eyes open and get really good at noticing patterns and breaks in the patterns, and they just start jumping out at you," he says.

Katie Glerum finds them. She says it's not unheard of for her to be somewhere like out in a park and see one. She usually scoops it up and often gives it to someone else, to a positive response.

If it happened every day, then I probably would be less excited about it, she says. But yeah, when it happens, it is exciting.
Parents are encouraged to get their children tested for lead poisoning  for free at clinics offered by the Milwaukee Health Department, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Childrens Wisconsin.

The clinics come as four MPS schools have now been temporarily closed because of unsafe levels of lead, and three others have had work done because of lead hazards.

Which schools have been closed?

Fernwood Montessori School, Frances Brock Starms Early Childhood Center and Robert M. LaFollette School will close Monday, according to a joint letter from the city Health Department and Milwaukee Public Schools.

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Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies in Bay View reopened Friday, nearly two weeks after being closed due to unsafe lead dust levels.

What other schools have had work done to address lead hazards?

In addition to the schools that closed, the Health Department has ordered MPS to address lead hazards at Golda Meir Lower Campus, Albert E. Kagel Dual Language School and Maryland Avenue Montessori.

It is also assessing seven additional schools for potential lead hazards: Hopkins Lloyd Community School, Brown Street Academy, Anna F. Doerfler School, H. W. Longfellow School, Westside Academy, Auer Avenue School and Benjamin Franklin School.

When and where will lead testing clinics be held?

March 15 , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bradley Tech Trade High School, 700 S. Fourth St. This clinic is specifically for students at the seven MPS schools where lead hazards have been identified, including the three closing Monday. Families will have results within a few minutes from a lead screening based on a finger prick. If the result shows a need for additional screening, a blood draw will be done the same day. Those tests must go to a lab to be processed, so results will not be available within the same day.

March 19 , 4 to 6 p.m. at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers' Chavez Clinic, 1032 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive.

Beginning March 20 , from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Childrens Wisconsin Next Door Clinic, 2561 N. 29th St. No appointment needed.

Second and fourth Saturdays of the month at MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary, 2461 W. Center St. This clinic is open to children younger than 10 years old and will be run by Children's Wisconsin.

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Parents can also reach out to their pediatricians for lead screening.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis said he hoped to have additional testing clinics.

Have any MPS students been identified as having been lead-poisoned at school?

Yes. At least two  and potentially as many as four  Milwaukee Public Schools students have been poisoned by lead at school, city health officials said previously.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about getting MPS students tested for lead poisoning
The Texas Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to outlaw AI-generated child sexual abuse material in a move lawmakers said will give police better tools to crack down on child exploitation.

Senate Bill 20 by Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, would criminalize the possession of obscene material appearing to depict a child, "regardless of whether the depiction is an image of an actual child, a cartoon or animation, or an image created using an artificial intelligence application or other computer software." Under the proposal, the offense would be a state jail felony but a charge could be upgraded for previous convictions.

"Technology, whether through AI or other programs, has enabled child predators to produce material that is obviously so offensive, and I believe it has no redeeming value whatsoever," Flores said from the Senate floor Wednesday. "In fact, these materials are often used to groom and abuse children."

Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) listens to discussion on public education funding as the Senate Committee on Finance meets at the Texas Capitol Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the three-term Republican who presides over the Senate, designated SB 20 as a priority for the 89th Legislature and praised the chamber for its vote.

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"With the proliferation of AI-generated pornography, steps must be taken to protect Texans, and specifically children, from harmful computer-generated content and the crimes that arise from it," Patrick said in a statement. "I named SB 20 as a priority because Texas law must do more to eliminate all types of child pornography and stop the crimes that result from it."

The Senate on Wednesday also approved SB 1621, a bill by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, that would make additional changes to the penal code to tighten child pornography laws and includes a provision outlawing AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Senate OKs bills to crack down on AI-generated child porn
Recently, some U.S. politicians have pointed out that Adolf Hitler dismantled a constitutional republic in "one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes" as they draw comparisons between Nazi Germany and the current U.S. administration. If you're wondering exactly how things went down in 1933, you're in luck  this timeline will lay it all out for you.

On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed the 15th chancellor of the Weimar Republic. With the end of World War I in 1918, Germany shifted away from being a monarchy and transitioned into a republic. 15 short years later, Hitler managed to usurp the constitution in less than two months.

Ten years prior, Hitler had led an attempted coup on the government, now known as the Beer Hall Putsch. A group of armed Nazis marched on the Burgerbraukeller, a beer hall where the state commissioner was speaking, and Hitler demanded that leaders get behind their cause. In less than 24 hours, the coup failed  leaving 14 Nazis and four police officers dead. Hitler escaped that night but was arrested two days later.

Historical photo of a large group of people in uniform outside a building. The scene likely depicts a moment of gathering or waiting

For his involvement in the coup, Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for high treason, where he penned Mein Kampf  but he only served nine months before being released in 1924. Historian Christopher R. Browning said, "Hitlers lesson from the failed putsch was that he needed to pursue revolution through 'the politics of legality' rather than storm Munich City Hall. The Nazis would use the electoral process of democracy to destroy democracy."

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Later, the Nazis would redefine the putsch as "a heroic effort to save the nation," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. They even built a memorial to their party members who were killed in the attack. The plaque shown here listed all of their names, notably excluding the four police officers killed during the coup.

Monument featuring a large eagle and swastika symbol atop a stone slab inscribed with German text, located in an indoor setting with arched ceilings

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum also notes that "Only after World War II did authorities of the German Federal Republic dedicate a plaque memorializing the four police officers killed on duty in defense of the Weimar Republic."

With the speeches made during his trial, the release of Mein Kampf, and the impact of the Great Depression on Germany (which made wages drop 39% from 1929 to 1932), Hitler continued to build support for the National Socialist German Workers' Party, aka the Nazi Party. In the July elections of 1932, the Nazis won more votes than any other party (37% of the popular vote). Shortly thereafter, the majority parties were unable to form a coalition to govern, and the Reichstag (German parliament) was dissolved.

In the following election in November, the Nazis won slightly less at 33%, but it was still the largest share of votes. The Nazis needed to form a coalition with another party to form a government, but they refused to work with other parties. Hitler felt that he had a mandate and demanded that he be appointed Chancellor.

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Eventually, the German President, Paul von Hindenburg, gave in.

"Despite his distaste for Hitler, Hindenburg made him Chancellor on January 30, 1933, and gave his Nazi Party two seats in the Cabinet... Hindenburgs advisors believed that this scenario would allow them to govern behind the scenes," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Paul von Hindenburg sits next to Adolf Hitler in a motorcade, dressed in formal early 20th-century attire. Hindenburg holds a hat and cane. The scene suggests a historical event or parade

Browning said, "Hindenburg exercised one of the emergency powers granted to him under the Weimar constitution (in this case, the power to appoint a minority chancellor when political polarization and gridlock meant that no majority government could form)."

Once he had the Chancellorship and the Cabinet positions, Hitler began to put his loyalists in positions of power. He appointed Wilhelm Frick as Minister of the Interior and Hermann Goring as Interior Minister of Prussia.

Wilhelm Frick, Adolf Hitler, and Hermann Goring stand together in suits in a historical setting, looking directly at the camera

Ryback said Hitler then "put his two ministers to work targeting the Weimar Republics key democratic pillars: free speech, due process, public referendum, and states rights."

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Hitler wanted to pass his "empowering law," which Ryback describes as designed to "revive the economy, reduce unemployment, increase military spending, withdraw from international treaty obligations, purge the country of foreigners he claimed were 'poisoning' the blood of the nation, and exact revenge on political opponents."

In order to do so, he would need the support of two-thirds of the parliamentary electorate. But at the time, his opposition, the Social Democrats and Communist parties, held 221 out of the available 584 seats. On that first day as Chancellor, Hitler immediately called for new elections to be held in early March in an attempt to gain more power in the Reichstag.

On February 4, Hitler issued the "Decree for the Protection of the German People," which restricted the press and allowed the police to shut down any political meetings or marches. This made it difficult for any of his opposition parties to campaign.

Even so, the Nazis seemed more likely to lose support in the upcoming election than to gain it. "On February 18," Ryback notes, "the center-left newspaper Vossische Zeitung wrote that despite Hitlers campaign promises and political posturing, nothing had changed for the average German. If anything, things had gotten worse. Hitlers promise of doubling tariffs on grain imports had gotten tangled in complexities and contractual obligations."

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But everything changed on February 27, 1933, six days before the election, when an arsonist burned down the Reichstag building. "Though the origins of the fire are still unclear, in a propaganda maneuver, the coalition government... blamed the Communists," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The Reichstag building in Berlin is engulfed in smoke during the fire of 1933, with figures in the foreground observing the scene

"The Communists blamed the National Socialists. The National Socialists blamed the Communists. A 23-year-old Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was caught in flagrante, but the Berlin fire chief, Walter Gempp, who supervised the firefighting operation, saw evidence of potential Nazi involvement," said Ryback.

According to Rudolf Diels, Head of the Prussian Political Police, when Hitler arrived at the scene of the fire, he said, "There will be no mercy now. Anyone who stands in our way will be cut down. The German people will not tolerate leniency. Every Communist official will be shot where he is found. The Communist deputies must be hanged this very night. Everybody in league with the Communists must be arrested. There will no longer be any leniency for Social Democrats either."

Rudolf Diels classic suit and tie gazes intently; vintage-style portrait

Rudolf Diels

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The following day, the "Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State" aka the Reichstag Fire Decree, was signed into law by President Hindenburg.

"The decree permitted the restriction of the right to assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, among other rights... the regime was free to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without specific charge, dissolve political organizations, and suppress publications. It also gave the central government the authority to overrule state and local laws and overthrow state and local governments," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

With the decree in place, the government began to arrest members of the opposition parties  namely the Communists, who they blamed for the Reichstag fire. Within months, they had also destroyed the free press, and the Nazi Party's main daily newspaper, theVolkischer Beobachter, had a circulation of over one million people.

A group of men sit solemnly in a courtroom, some in uniform, during a historical trial scene

Marinus van der Lubbe (3rd from left), the man blamed for igniting the Reichstag fire.

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On March 5, the elections went forward as planned. The Nazis won 44% of the vote; with the Communist party banned from participating, Hitler could now form a majority coalition.

Hindenburg accepted Hitler's new power, signing a decree that allowed the National Socialists swastika banner to be flown beside the old German Imperial flag. He also allowed Hitler to create a cabinet position called the Ministry of Propaganda and Public Enlightenment, where Hitler appointed Joseph Goebbels.

Historic building with columns and dome, displaying a Nazi flag. An article discusses its significance in news

Ryback added that on March 21, a decree "was issued amnestying National Socialists [Nazis] convicted of crimes, including murder, perpetrated 'in the battle for national renewal.' Men convicted of treason were now national heroes."

On March 23, the Reichstag delegates met across the street from the burned ruins of the Reichstag in the Kroll Opera House. Hitler brought forward his aforementioned "empowering law," now called "The Law to Remedy the Distress of the People," aka The Enabling Act.

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The Communist Party had been banned, vacating 81 seats, and 26 Social Democrats were detained in "so-called protective detention in Nazi-controlled camps," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This left the Reichstag without a large number of voting members present.

Although all Social Democrats voted against the bill, the rest of the members voted in favor of it, providing the required two-thirds support. The Enabling Act was passed, allowing Hitler to enact laws that violated the Constitution without the approval of parliament or the President.

Historical photo showing Adolf Hitler addressing the Reichstag in Nazi Germany, with officials seated around him and a large audience present

Afterward, the Supreme Court did not challenge the bill at all, instead accepting the majority vote even though Communist and Social Democrat delegates were under arrest. They viewed Hitler's government as legitimate and continued to see themselves as "state servants who owed him their allegiance and support," according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

To sum it up, a minor punishment for a failed coup attempt, the rounding up of political adversaries, and appeasement by those around him helped Hitler demolish the democracy of the Weimar Republic in only 53 days. After President Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler named himself the leader, or Fuhrer, of Germany, combining the powers of Chancellor and President. From that point forward, he had full control over the government and army until he died by suicide in 1945 during WWII, ending the Third Reich.

A historical Nazi rally with Adolf Hitler giving the Nazi salute in a public space, prominent Nazi symbols displayed

So there it is, all laid out. What do you think? Does any of this feel eerily familiar? Let us know in the comments.
The Trump administration is readying to slash the Department of Health and Human Services workforce again, according to seven people familiar with the plans who were granted anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the changes.

The announcement could come soon, three of the people said.

HHS employees have braced for changes after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took over as health secretary in early February. In addition to Kennedys goals, the Trump administration has tasked him with downsizing key agencies and overhauling their policy priorities. As part of that, HHS agencies were asked to submit budgetary plans, including workforce reductions.

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Discussions of a reorganization come as the courts are pushing back on Trumps initial attempts to shrink the federal government. On Thursday, federal district court Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ordered agencies to immediately rehire the tens of thousands of probationary employees fired in February under the Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Its unclear whether Alsups decision would dissuade the administration, which is likely to appeal the decision, from making further cuts.

Cuts are expected agency wide, according to the people. More specifically, job cuts could impact staff working with the assistant secretary for technology policy and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, according to four of the people, as well as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Administration for Children and Families, three of the people said.

HHS did not respond to a request for comment.

During Trumps first eight weeks in office, he made blunt policy shifts and unprecedented reductions in the federal workforce. Changes to HHS have been especially chaotic. Trumps administration fired thousands of workers over Valentines Day weekend, only to backtrack days later on some positions after members of the health care industry spoke out against the cuts.

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HHS technology employees might be particularly vulnerable to cuts. They oversee certification of electronic health records, which ensure patients and doctors can access relevant health data. President Joe Bidens administration overhauled their division so it could wield more influence over how HHS uses technology and it released a broad strategy for how the department would support artificial intelligence innovation and set AI policy in the future shortly before Biden left office.

The Trump administration has moved to unwind much of that work, wiping the departments strategic AI document from the web and dismissing newly hired senior staff in charge of data, technology, and AI policy.

Trump administration officials have discussed how much to cut down the tech office, which now has around 180 employees and could go as low as 30, according to two of the people with knowledge of the plans. The Trump officials are also debating whether to move the Office of the National Coordinator into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the people said.

ONC is one of those organizations that was created and is now there forever, far past its initial use, said Brian J. Miller, a nonresident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

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The rumors of a sweeping reorganization at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which studies ways of improving health services, has had a chilling effect on the health research industry.

A researcher who was granted anonymity to speak freely likened a possible overhaul of AHRQ to the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Trump administration has effectively closed USAID down. The researcher said theyd been unable to get in touch with HHS or representatives of the Elon Musk-led DOGE and worry that cost-cutting at AHRQ would mean disrupting ongoing studies.
New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and Dallas are some of the hundreds of cities that have experienced significant growth between 2023 and 2024, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures. This growth is largely due to migrants settling in these cities.

According to the census, the countrys 387 metropolitan areas registered a positive net international migration over that period, which translated into nearly 2.7 million migrants coming from abroad and settling in urban areas. In total, with births factored in, cities gained 3.2 million inhabitants, a hike of 1.1%, amounting to 293.9 million people. This is a slightly higher rise than that of the country as a whole, which was 1%. The population in these cities also grew faster than in 2022-2023 when the increase was 0.9%, again due to migration.

According to census demographer Kristie Wilder, the population rise in cities is increasingly being influenced by international migration. While births continue to contribute to overall growth, it is increasing international migration that is offsetting the domestic outflows from cities that we see in many areas, she says.

Census figures also show that between 2022 and 2023, immigration was responsible for total population growth in the U.S., according to data analyzed by the Migration Policy Center. This is the first time this has occurred since the mid-19th century when these inflows began to be recorded; inflows which are key to maintaining a dynamic labor market. However, these hikes come at a time when Donald Trumps administration is preparing to fulfill its electoral promise of large deportations and this may have a significant impact on urban areas as migrants flee to areas where they might be less easily detained.

The demographic uptick has coincided with a downward trend in the countrys fertility rate, which fell by 2% in 2023 to 1.6%, according to provisional figures. This downward trend started in 2007 and consistently falls below full replacement level.

But as nearly 90% of US cities grew, numbers that fell during the Covid pandemic in areas such as New York, Jersey City or Oakland have been replaced. The countrys most populous county, Los Angeles, however, has not regained the estimated population of just over 10 million of April 2020. As of July 2024, some 9.75 million people lived in Los Angeles county. Meanwhile, the counties of Harris, Maricopa, San Diego and Miami-Dade in Texas, Arizona, California and Florida, respectively, are among those whose population has grown since 2020.

Of course, as the population increases, the rental market also tightens. According to Ellimans report for February of this year, New York price wars have sent rents spiraling to record highs. The average rent in Manhattan is $4,500, up 6.4% from last year and more than 28% higher than five years ago. Only 2.4% of apartments are vacant. In Queens, the average price is $3,466, up 7% from February 2024, despite a 103% increase in apartment availability.

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Scroll down for the latest information on evacuations and fires.

DEWEY COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  A Fire Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for multiple for counties in Oklahoma.

According to KFOR meteorologist Aaron Brackett, the fire and wind threat has increased due to fast winds and dry air.

Limited visibility in Weatherford due to dust. Image KFOR.

Low visibility was reported just west of Enid.

Low visibility due to wind and fires near Enid. Image KFOR.

Many towns issued evacuation orders for residents.

Wildfire in Leedey, Oklahoma. Image KFOR.

Wildfire in Leedey, Oklahoma. Image KFOR.

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Wildfire near Reno and Eastern. Image KFOR.

Wildfire near Reno and Eastern. Image KFOR.

Local fire departments are releasing tips to stay alert and avoid wildfires:

Avoid any activities that could create sparks (welding, grinding, campfires, burning debris, etc.).

Secure outdoor items that could be blown into power lines or cause sparks.

Properly dispose of cigarettesnever toss them on the ground.

Avoid driving or parking on dry grass; hot exhaust systems can ignite fires.

Have an emergency plan in placeknow at least two ways out of your neighborhood in case one is blocked by fire or emergency crews.

Keep roads clear for emergency vehiclesdo not block access or follow fire crews.

Be prepared for possible power outages and road closures.

Report fires immediately by calling 911.

Officials say extra resources and task forces are ready to respond to all grass fires to keep them from spreading.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
HIGHFILL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Months after a Benton County judge denied Highfills request for a preliminary injunction to stop the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) from detaching, the dispute over sales tax and land detachment continues.

XNA filed the detachment petition following the judges ruling in September 2024, which allowed the process to move forward.

According to the city of Highfill, XNAs interpretation of a bill passed by the Arkansas Legislature threatens the citys financial stability.

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The city said that while XNA had previously indicated the bill would have minimal impact, the airports interpretation now requires the immediate impoundment of all city sales tax revenue until Highfills bonds are paid off. This includes taxes collected from all businesses in the city, even those unrelated to the airport.

University of Arkansas among 60 universities under federal investigation over DEI practices

Unfortunately, no city can survive impoundment of all of its sales tax revenue  and Highfill is no exception, the statement read.

In response, the city of Highfill has proposed several solutions, including:

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Amending the legislation to allow city sales tax collections to continue until the Highfills bonds are paid off by April 2036, without impoundment.

Limiting the detachment of land to properties acquired by XNA before January 1, 2000.

Allowing voters to approve a 3% sales tax on all sales within the airports footprint, with proceeds directly benefiting the airport.

If the tax measure does not pass, a fair distribution of sales tax revenue generated from the airport footprint must be negotiated.

However, XNA disputes claims made by Highfills mayor that the city needs additional time to recover lost tax revenue.

XNAs proposal, initially made on November 21, 2024, would allow Highfill to retain $746,650 in annual sales tax revenue for operational use for the next 5.5 years, based on forecasts provided by the airport. The remaining sales tax revenue would go toward paying off Highfills water and sewer bonds.

Arkansas Supreme Court to hear Amber Watermans appeal in April

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The airport said that Highfill has already received two years of sales tax revenue since the passage of Act 769. Additionally, XNA claimed that the city has misappropriated nearly $800,000 of sales tax revenue in violation of detachment law since XNA filed its petition to detach.

XNA has made every effort to reach a fair resolution, including a final attempt last week to

reach a settlement. We have a responsibility to ensure that public funds are used

appropriately and in accordance with state law. We have done everything we can to find a

reasonable solution, and we urge Highfill to come to the table and agree to the dealone

that benefits both parties. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 33-year-old man is now behind bars and facing a charge of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury after a Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigation.

Bryan Cunningham, 33, was arrested on March 12 by deputies and booked into the Douglas County Detention Facility, where he is now facing the Class 3 felony.

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The sheriffs office said that it was first notified of injuries to a 3-month-old male baby who was at a local hospital. Special Victims Unit deputies investigated, as officials believed that the infants injuries could have been the result of child abuse by one of the parents.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office arrested a man in connection to a seriously-injured infant. (Courtesy the Douglas County Sheriffs Office) The Douglas County Sheriffs Office arrested a man in connection to a seriously-injured infant. (Courtesy the Douglas County Sheriffs Office)

The sheriffs office did not say that Cunningham was one of the childs parents but said he is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.

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Cunningham is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on March 17.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
LAURA RUMINSKI /WEST HAWAII TODAY Duncan Mahi appears in Kona District Court, in September 2022, for a preliminary hearing. Mahi was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison for abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old Kona girl from a West Hawaii beach in 2022.

LAURA RUMINSKI /WEST HAWAII TODAY Duncan Mahi appears in Kona District Court, in September 2022, for a preliminary hearing. Mahi was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison for abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old Kona girl from a West Hawaii beach in 2022.

A 54-year-old Hilo man, who abducted a 15-year-old Kona girl from a West Hawaii beach and sexually assaulted her in 2022, was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison.

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Duncan Mahi negotiated a plea deal and pleaded no contest Dec. 31 to first-and second-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault.

Kona Circuit Court Chief Judge Wendy DeWeese sentenced Mahi to consecutive sentencing in the two kidnapping charges for a total of 30 years and ordered a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.

She also sentenced him to 20 years for the sexual assault to run concurrently with the kidnapping sentence.

The girl told police she was with her boyfriend at Anaehoomalu Beach on Sept. 16, 2022, when she was kidnapped at knifepoint by Mahi. He forced her to smoke meth, made her perform sexual acts, and took her to his Hilo property.

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She managed to escape while at a Hilo restaurant when the manager recognized her from an Amber alert.

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This was Hawaii Countys first-ever Amber alert.

The state, in accordance with the plea agreement, dropped the other charges of first-and third-degree sexual assault, methamphetamine trafficking, two counts of first-degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening.

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The Home Office has paid a police force 2 million to monitor a camp for asylum seekers despite no migrants ever being held there.

Documents released by the Home Office show it paid Lincolnshire Police 1,936,531 to protect and oversee policing of RAF Scampton, which was once the Dambusters squadrons wartime air base.

The camp was developed by the Tories to house migrants but never used.

Labour decided to abandon the scheme, which had already cost 60 million to prepare, because the final 122 million cost by the end of its use in 2027 was deemed to not be value for money.

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However, in a note published on its website, the Home Office has revealed the net policing costs were 1.8 million for 2023-24 and an additional 136,531 for the year afterwards.

This comes on top of 1,014,457 for the policing of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Port, Dorset, which has also now been shut down, and RAF Wethersfield in Essex, which has received about 700 migrants.

RAF Wethersfield in Essex has received about 700 migrants - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A National Audit Office report found housing migrants on the Bibby barge and the two former RAF bases would cost the taxpayer 46 million more than if they had remained in hotels.

The money for Lincolnshire is understood to have paid for the force to oversee security of the site and deploy officers where necessary.

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However, this would have meant that front-line police were diverted from fighting crime.

It comes after Lincolnshire Police drew up plans to cut 200 officers from its 1,200-strong force, as well as a further 200 police staff to cover a 14 million funding gap. It also cancelled a new intake of officers for March.

The Dambusters 617 squadron was formed at RAF Scampton. It was from there that 19 Lancaster bombers departed for the raid in 1943 to destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germanys industrial heartlands with bouncing bombs designed by the renowned engineer Barnes Wallis.

Rishi Sunaks government envisaged turning it into a camp for 2,000 asylum seekers despite opposition from local politicians, the council, and historians.

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Forty historians  including Sir Antony Beevor, Sir Max Hastings and Dan Snow  wrote to the Home Office, describing plans to use the site as an asylum camp as an act of cultural desecration.

However, in September, Labour announced it was abandoning the plan and handing it over to West Lindsey council, which has 300 million plans to turn the base and its historic runway into a aviation and aerospace hub and national heritage site.

On Friday, the High Court found that Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, acted unlawfully in accommodating three victims of trafficking and torture at RAF Wethersfield because of the effect the conditions had on their mental health.

A Home Office spokesman said: This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, but we are determined to cut the unacceptably high costs of asylum accommodation to the British taxpayer, which is why we ended the use of the costly Scampton and Bibby Stockholm sites.

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We also remain committed to ending the use of hotels over time, and continue to explore a range of options to deliver better value for money to the taxpayer.

Where asylum accommodation continues to be required, protecting the safety and security of the local community, the staff and those staying in that accommodation remains of paramount importance, and the Home Office has worked closely to that end over a number of years with local forces across the country, especially those with large sites in their areas.

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NEW YORK  The Department of Homeland Security raided the dorm rooms of two Columbia University students on Thursday night, just days after authorities detained a prominent pro-Palestinian activist in university housing.

In an email, Interim President Katrina Armstrong wrote that she was heartbroken to inform students and faculty of the federal agents visit. The students were not arrested or detained, she said. As of Friday morning, no further action had been taken.

The University has a clear protocol in place, Armstrong wrote, linking to guidance on Potential Visits to Campus By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.

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Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice, and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings. Tonight, that threshold was met.

An hour after Armstrongs email, protesters vandalized the university presidents mansion on Morningside Park with splattered red paint and the black spray-painted message Free Them All, police said.

It was not clear if Armstrong was inside the building when the vandalism happened. There were no arrests.

Later Friday, the Trump administration confirmed the State Department had revoked the visa of a Columbia University student and federal immigration officials arrested a Palestinian protester for overstaying an expired student visa.

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On March 5, the student visa for Ranjani Srinivasan  a doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia  was revoked over alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designed terrorist organization, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities arrested another protester, Leqaa Kordia, who is from the West Bank, for remaining in the United States after her student visa had expired. Federal officials said Kordia lost her visa more than three years ago for a lack of attendance.

The Trump administration has put Columbia on notice for not helping DHS arrest college students it accused of supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Columbia University has been given the names of other individuals who have engaged in pro-Hamas activity, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing on Tuesday, and they are refusing to help DHS identify those individuals on campus.

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We expect all (of) Americas colleges and universities to comply with this administrations policy.

DHS and ICE did not immediately return a request for comment.

The announcement of DHS on campus came after ICE on March 8 arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a recent international-studies graduate student and green card-holder, in his university-owned residence. The Trump administration has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas. He has not been charged with any crime.

Armstrongs emphasis on Columbias longstanding practice followed revelations of a letter from the Trump administration outlining steps the university should take to restore $400 million in canceled federal grants and contracts. Among other measures, three agencies directed Columbia to discipline protesters involved in last years demonstrations.

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The University must complete disciplinary proceedings for Hamilton Hall and encampments, read the memo from Thursday, obtained by the Daily News. Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension.

The federal administration also directed Columbia to implement a mask ban with exceptions for health reasons, the placement of the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under receivership, and comprehensive admissions reform of Columbias recruitment of international students.

The same day, Columbia announced the expulsions of several protesters involved in the building takeover.

Students organized two protests for Friday afternoon.
The latest wildfires in California have left homeowners in and outside the state uncertain about insurance coverage and rates. According to The Park Record, homeowners in Utah may experience higher insurance rates as a result of the climate crisis.

What's happening?

Over the past few years, homeowners in Summit County, Utah, have faced increasing wildfire insurance rates. In some cases, residents have lost their coverage completely, per The Park Record.

With the recent wildfires in Southern California, experts warn homeowners that rates may increase even more. As The Park Record explained, insurance companies rely on national risk assessment formulas to determine coverage. So for homeowners in Summit County, more wildfires along the West Coast equals higher risk.

While insurance companies used to evaluate homes on an individual basis, now updated software examines communities as a whole, using average statistics to assess entire areas. As rising global temperatures cause more intense and frequent wildfires, insurance companies have used their risk software to increase premium rates or remove coverage completely in high-risk areas.

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"Some Summit County homeowners have seen their insurance prices double," co-owner of C&W Premier Insurance Clair Christoffersen told The Park Record. "And homeowners associations are seeing increases as high as 300%."

Why are rising insurance rates important?

The wildfire insurance situation out West serves as yet another example of the consequences of the climate crisis. As temperatures continue to rise and result in extreme weather events, homeowners in vulnerable areas are struggling to maintain affordable coverage.

Worse still, the continued use of dirty energy only exacerbates the globe's warming temperatures, which in turn yields more powerful storms that endanger communities.

What's being done about the climate crisis and increasing insurance rates?

Politicians have proposed new legislation to address the insurance crisis in Utah. State Representative Casey Snider, for instance, proposed House Bill 48, which is specifically designed to retarget and outline risk zones using a state-run mapping system. With the state-mapping systems, homes would be evaluated based on individual neighborhoods and properties, creating fairer risk assessments for homeowners.

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Outside of policy action, residents can help combat rising global temperatures by making eco-friendly changes. Simple lifestyle adjustments, such as ditching single-use plastics, transitioning toward clean energy, and shopping secondhand, can make a big difference over time.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
HOPKINTON, R.I. (WPRI)  Its been a rough couple of years for Aidan and Evan Fahlman.

The 17-year-old identical twins have been forced to navigate the rest of their lives without their parents, who both passed away unexpectedly and without warning.

Their father, 42-year-old Eric Fahlman, was found dead inside his fully-engulfed travel trailer in October 2022.

I always thought he was superhuman, Aidan said. I didnt think he would ever pass away. That was really hard  We didnt really know how to comprehend it. It just always felt like something was missing.

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Their grief compounded just days before Christmas last year, when their mother, 43-year-old Erin Brown, passed away after battling a sudden illness.

The boys are now living with their grandfather in their childhood home in Hope Valley.

For Aidan, the loss of their mother is still fresh.

Its been so hard, Aidan said. It feels like youre missing your keys at home.

Aidan said walking by his moms room is difficult, especially when their cat opens the door and sneaks inside.

Sometimes it gets my hopes up [seeing her bedroom door open], he said.

Though its been difficult, the twins have a strong support system  especially in one another.

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I cant imagine not having a twin, Evan said. Whenever I need someone, I have my brother.

You always have an automatic best friend, Aidan added.

Aidan and Evan do everything together, and have channeled their grief into wrestling.

This is everything to me, Evan said, referring to wrestling. It really gets me through a lot of my days.

The boys spend most of their free time at sparring together at Mayo Quanchi Judo and Wrestling in Coventry.

This is kind of like our happy place, Aidan said.

Ed Cekala told 12 News his son Ethan grew up with the twins, which is why he and his wife felt compelled to support them.

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Weve been trying to be people they can lean on, if they need to lean on anybody, Cekala said. Weve been trying to be here for them. I think they need more than just a rock, they need a lot of rocks.

Thats why the Cekalas arranged a comedy show fundraiser for the twins at the Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. in South Kingstown. Cekala said the proceeds will be put toward the twins expenses down the road.

The cards are stacked against them, and were trying to level the playing field here a little bit, he said.

A GoFundMe was also created on the twins behalf to provide them with financial support moving forward.

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Both Aidan and Evan are grateful for the overwhelming amount of support theyve received.

I get butterflies in my stomach, Aidan said. I just cant believe this many people want to support us.

Im at a loss for words, Evan continued. Im just so thankful.

The comedy show fundraiser is slated for Saturday, March 15, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending the fundraiser can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the door for $30 each.

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The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is not only outdated, its one of the most infamous laws in the countrys history. It has only been used three times, all in wartime; during World War II it was used to send Japanese Americans to prison camps. Now, President Donald Trump intends to invoke it in his plan for mass deportations of illegal immigrants to increase expulsions, including to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Trump could invoke the law as early as Friday to order the arrest and deportation of suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which his administration has placed on the list of foreign terrorist organizations, according to information first reported on by CNN. The Alien Enemies Act grants U.S. presidents extraordinary powers to order the arrest and deportation of foreigners over the age of 14 who come from a nation that seeks to stage an  invasion or predatory incursion of the United States.

The possibility comes as the U.S. administration appears to have paused, or even definitively abandoned, its plan to send illegal immigrants to the Guantanamo Bay naval base. Since its inception last January, the plan has cost $16 million and transferred 290 people, apparently in vain: this week, the 40 illegal immigrants still held at the facility were returned to U.S. soil, according to the Pentagon.

The returns to U.S. territory, at least for now, have been carried out in a discreet manner that stands in stark contrast with the presidents explosive announcement of his plans, in a press conference in the Oval Office almost immediately after his inauguration in January. At that time, Trump announced plans to house up to 30,000 illegal immigrants at Guantanamo Bay, where the United States also maintains a prison for suspected Islamist terrorists and where some of the worst U.S. human rights abuses of this century have been perpetrated. The idea was part of his project for the largest deportation in the countrys history.

The 40 immigrants held at the naval base have been sent to Louisiana, where they are being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Alexandria. Two weeks ago, the Department of Homeland Security transferred another 48 people from Guantanamo to the same ICE facility. In addition, on February 20, the United States deported a group of 177 Venezuelans to their home country after sending them to Guantanamo.

Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo Bay arrive on a deportation flight at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, La Guaira, Venezuela, on February 20. Leonardo Fernandez Viloria (REUTERS)

Unlike the transfers to the Guantanamo base, when the U.S. government used 17 expensive military flights and shared images of them on social media, the return trips have been arranged on ICE charter flights, which are much more economical.

In total, the Republican administration has transferred 290 undocumented immigrants from 27 countries to the naval base since Trumps order was implemented. Of the 40 that remained there before this weeks flight, 23 were considered high risk and had been held in the bases prison, while the remaining 17 were being held at the Migrant Operations Center. Before Trumps January order, that center was being used to house migrants intercepted at sea while their release to their home nations or third countries was processed.

The reason for their return to U.S. territory is unclear. The initiative had generated a wave of protests and lawsuits from civil and immigrant rights organizations, as well as allegations of mistreatment by those deployed there. A federal judge in Washington was scheduled to hold a hearing this Friday to examine two lawsuits challenging the plan to relocate them to the base.

One of the lawsuits, filed on February 12, focuses on the detainees' lack of access to legal counsel. The second, filed on February 1, seeks to prevent 10 undocumented migrants detained on U.S. soil from being sent to the naval base.

The U.S. government claims that Guantanamo Bay, and the prison within it, is an excellent place to hold illegal immigrants considered dangerous, such as the Venezuelans it claims are members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who visited Guantanamo Bay in February, has asserted that the prison, nicknamed Camp 6, houses the worst of the worst of the criminals among the detained immigrants. A delegation of Republican and Democratic members of congress also traveled to the naval base last week.

Tents erected to house immigrant detainees at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, in February 2025. U.S. Navy/AFN Guantanamo Bay Pub (via REUTERS)

But so far, the U.S. government has not proven that the individuals it sent to Guantanamo have any connection to the Tren de Aragua. Most of those whose identities are known have no criminal record.

Lawyers for the plaintiff organizations argue that U.S. law does not allow the United States to transfer detainees to countries with which it has no ties, nor to detain anyone outside of U.S. soil. To these arguments, the Administration counters that the Immigration Act authorizes the government to detain undocumented immigrants in facilities under its control, and the base is one of them.

Immediately after Trump issued his order, the Pentagon moved hundreds of additional troops to the basewhich is home to nearly 6,000 peopleto prepare it for the thousands of expected migrants who have not arrived. These troops erected 195 tents with a capacity for 500 people, but U.S. authorities have acknowledged that the camp is not fit to accommodate anyone: in an area of intense tropical heat, they lack air conditioning to make the temperatures bearable, for example.

It was clear that this idea was entirely for show, and because Donald Trump wanted to be able to say he was sending immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, with its history of human rights abuses, in a decision with no real operational value, Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jacobs told ABC News on Wednesday. Jacobs was one of the members of the congressional delegation that traveled to the base last week. U.S. officials told the network that at least some of the additional troops deployed could be assigned elsewhere for operations to enforce the U.S. southern border.

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A former Horry County Police Department leader is under investigation for alleged misconduct regarding a shooting that killed a North Carolina man and involved a North Myrtle Beach restaurant owner.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said Thursday evening that it has opened an investigation involving Brandon Strickland and his conduct as it pertains to the investigation involving the death of Scott Spivey, said SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich by email.

Former Horry County Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland is under investigation by SLED for alleged misconduct involving the shooting death of Scott Spivey in September 2023.

Strickland resigned his position as deputy chief on Tuesday, according to a text from Horry County spokesperson Mikayla Moskov. Moskov said that Strickland was not one of the officers investigating the shooting but would not provide additional information.

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SLED is not re-opening the investigation into the death of Spivey at this time, Wunderlich said. SLED reviewed the case in 2024 and determined that there was not enough evidence to charge the two men who were involved in the shooting of Spivey.

Weldon Boyd, a North Myrtle Beach restaurant owner, and Kenneth Williams, a passenger in Boyds vehicle, claimed self-defense in the shooting. Neither man has been charged.

Scott Spivey died in a hail of gun fire on Camp Swamp Road near the intersection of Highway 9 in the Longs area in September 2023.

A shoot out occurred between the occupants of two vehicles near the intersection of Camp Swamp Road and S.C.Highway 9 on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Scott Spivey, 33, of Tabor City, North Carolina, was killed in the incident. Charges have not been filed against the occupants of the other vehicle. Sept. 25, 2023.

Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt announced Wednesday that the department has requested the case be reviewed once more by both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.

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The request was made after Horry County received continuing questions related to Spiveys shooting. The shooting was previously investigated by SLED and reviewed by the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office.

Kevin Wheeler, FBI spokesperson, said that the FBI has been asked but could not say whether the agency would investigate.

It is not known what Strickland did, but Strickland, who has been with the department since 2005, headed the Administration Bureau, which includes Criminal Investigations, Recruiting and Hiring, Training, Tech Unit, Logistics and Accreditation, Property and Evidence, and Records and Court Liaison units, according to Horry County Police.

There are several photos of Boyd with Strickland on his restaurants Facebook page, as well as other Horry County Police officers. The restaurant has hosted many events with the department and even provided donations of equipment for officers.

Spiveys sister Jennifer Foley has pushed for answers in her brothers death, refusing to accept that the shooting of the 33-year-old North Carolina man was in self-defense  a determination originally made by Horry County Police and the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office.

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Foley filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2024 against his shooters, Weldon Boyd, a North Myrtle Beach restaurant owner, and Kenneth Williams, a passenger in Boyds vehicle.

Boyd told 911 dispatchers that Spivey was waving a gun out his window and that he too had a gun and was prepared to shoot him, according to 911 tapes released.

Boyd did not immediately return a message left Wednesday, and his attorney Ken Moss said he could not comment until he spoke to his client.

The family has only asked for the truth, Foley said Wednesday. This family has had to find the truth for themselves. Thats from the beginning all we have ever wanted.

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Horry County Police closed the case in April, announcing they would not seek prosecution in Spiveys shooting.

That decision followed the state Attorney General Offices report that it, too, closed the case, concluding insufficient evidence to merit criminal prosecution. The Attorney Generals decision was based on SLEDs investigation.

SLEDs investigation is active and ongoing, Wunderlich said.
The House Commerce Committee on Monday is scheduled to take up a bill aimed at eliminating a requirement that Floridas two remaining thoroughbred horse tracks hold races to be able to offer other types of gambling.

The bill (HB 105), sponsored by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, would be positioned to go to the full House if it is approved by the committee.

It cleared the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee last month, amid opposition from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and other critics who said it posed a threat to areas such as Marion County, which is a major player nationally in horse breeding.

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In a concept known as decoupling, the bill would erase a requirement that Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs hold live races to be able to operate cardrooms and, in the case of Gulfstream, slot machines. Anderson said during last months meeting his goal is to support the horse-racing industry.

He argued decoupling would give the tracks the tools that they need to make better business decisions to make their tracks more profitable.

But opponents argued it would lead to an end of racing in the state. Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, has filed a Senate version of the bill (SB 408), which has not been heard in committees.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tussled with reporters Friday, pushing back against the notion that the Democratic Party is fractured as some Senate Democrats, including their leader, were on the cusp of joining Republicans to avert a government shutdown.

"Is it time for new leadership in the Senate?" a reporter asked.

"Next question," Jeffries answered, notably withholding his public support for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

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"There are some colleagues of yours here in the House that are feeling betrayed. Is that what you're feeling right now?" another reporter asked.

PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks alongside Reps. Pete Aguilar and Katherine Clark during a press conference on Capitol Hill March 14, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP)

MORE: Schumer defends support for GOP funding bill ahead of Senate votes to avoid shutdown

"The vote hasn't happened yet," Jeffries said.

"Have you lost confidence in him -- since you guys see this so differently?" a reporter asked.

"Next question," Jeffries repeated, dismissing the biting query.

"None of you are willing to say at this point that you have confidence in Chuck Schumer as leader?" Rachael Bade, an ABC News contributor and Politico's Capitol bureau chief and senior Washington columnist, asked.

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"You keep engaging in these parlor games because you want to take the focus off the American people," Jeffries dodged.

PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during a press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025. (Will Oliver/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

MORE: 'Tremendous mistake': Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasts Schumer over GOP funding plan vote

It was a common strategy from Jeffries, who repeatedly rejected attempts from reporters to learn more about the divisions between House Democrats and Schumer, who announced Thursday that he would vote to keep the government open.

Schumer's announcement has been met with full-throated criticism from House Democrats, who were powerless to block Republicans from passing the measure earlier this week.

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"House Democrats are here. We're ready to pass a four week spending bill that keeps the government open and will allow the House and the Senate to negotiate an actual agreement that meets the needs of the American people," Jeffries, D-N.Y., said. "But we do not support a bill that is designed to hurt the American people that Donald Trump and far right extremist Republicans are trying to jam down the throats of everyday Americans."

Jeffries continued to push for a month-long stop-gap measure, holding out hope that Senate Democrats will stop the bill from passing and appropriators will reconvene bipartisan negotiations.

"We'll see what happens over in the Senate, there are still undecided and undeclared senators, and we anxiously await that vote," Jeffries said.

As the caucus melts down internally over Schumer's decision, House Democratic leaders returned to the Capitol fired up Friday morning following their caucus retreat in Leesburg, Virginia this week.

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"What the American people need to know is that House Democrats are willing to work in a bipartisan way to keep government open for 30 days," House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said. "That's all we want. That's our solution."

PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks on the floor of the Senate, Mar. 14, 2025. (Senate TV)

MORE: Schumer spending bill fallout a symptom of disjointed Democratic strategy: ANALYSIS

While Schumer's influence over his caucus remains to be seen ahead of the planned vote this afternoon, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark also dismissed the so-called "parlor game" dividing the Democratic Party -- and downplayed Schumer's national celebrity and influence  even though he's served in the Senate for a quarter century and been the party leader since 2017.

"Most American people, they can't name us. They don't know who Chuck Schumer is, but they do know what this administration and Elon Musk and the GOP are planning for them," Clark, D-Mass., said.

PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a press conference with U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar on Capitol Hill in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025. (Annabelle Gordon/Reuters)

When asked if he's afraid to say if he has confidence in Schumer, Jeffries grew defensive if not outright angry.

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"Do not characterize my remarks. I am not afraid about anything, anything. I was very clear that we look forward to working with every single one of our Senate Democratic colleagues, every single one of them to push back against the Trump administration," Jeffries said on-camera, leaving the newser in a gaggle with reporters.

"Do you think this is what the American people care about right?" Jeffries quipped, when pressed again on his confidence in Schumer.

House Democratic leader Jeffries pushes back on divisions with Senate Democrats originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
House Democrats are furious at their fellow Democrats in the Senate for supporting a Republican spending bill, saying Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other aisle-hopping senators are set to empower President Trump to gut the government at the expense of their own constituents.

There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said. And this is not just about progressive Democrats, This is across the board  the entire party.

The lower-chamber Democrats were virtually united Tuesday in rejecting the partisan GOP spending package  a forceful show of opposition they hoped would inspire Senate Democrats to take the same resistant stand. And House Democratic leaders have also taken the rare step of publicly urging Senate leaders to reject the bill, which was crafted by House Republicans without Democratic input.

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Huddled at their annual strategy retreat in Northern Virginia, House Democrats of all stripes had spent parts of Thursday bombarding their Senate colleagues with calls and texts urging them to kill the Republican bill.

Schumer rejected those entreaties, announcing Thursday evening that he wont support a filibuster  the single most powerful tool at the disposal of the minority Democrats  but will instead join Republicans to help advance the proposal.

The Republican bill is a terrible option, Schumer said on the Senate floor. It is deeply partisan. It doesnt address far too many of this countrys needs. But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

That argument did nothing to satisfy House Democrats, who said Senate Democrats were abandoning the voters who sent them to Washington to fight against the GOP agenda.

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I cannot underscore enough how incorrect that is, Ocasio-Cortez said.

Its an awful decision, Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) echoed. People are angry. We were almost to a person in unison [on the House vote].  And a significant percentage of their caucus is voting to allow the Republicans to do whatever they want to do.

The GOP spending bill extends government funding largely at current 2024 levels through September. But it also includes roughly $13 billion in cuts to nondefense programs, and roughly $6 billion in additional spending for the military.

Democrats oppose the spending cuts, warning theyll erode critical public services. But theyre sounding even louder alarms over the absence of specific language designed to ensure that the Trump administration spends the money as Congress intended  language House Republicans have rejected. That omission, the Democrats say, will allow billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to continue slashing federal agencies and programs unchecked by Congress.

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Right now, they are openly saying that they will take this money that is in this bill and then they will just appropriate it for whatever they want, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said.

People have to know what Democrats stand up for, and theyve got to see us fighting for them, she added. And if were just the same, and were just going to enable Republicans to do what theyre doing, I think thats obviously why people are frustrated.

Another reason for that frustration is this: A long list of vulnerable House Democrats facing tough reelections, including a dozen who represent districts carried by Trump last November, had stuck with Democratic leaders in opposing the partisan measure. If Senate Democrats cave and help pass the GOP bill, some lawmakers said, then the risky vote was for naught.

There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people, in order to defend Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, Ocasio-Cortez said.

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Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing Elon Musk  I think it is a huge slap in the face.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, piled on, saying the GOP bill is specifically designed to allow Trump and Musk to continue plundering the taxpayers to enrich themselves.

First and foremost, Senate Republicans should back down from screwing over their own constituents, Casar said. And then second, Senate Democrats should do the same thing House Democrats did, which is fight for our constituents and block this bill.

Democrats were elected to fight for working people, not put up a fake fight.

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It isnt clear yet how many vulnerable Democrats in the Senate will follow Schumers lead. Several had said earlier in the day they would oppose the bill, and Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), both of whom represent swing states, said after Schumers announcement that they would vote no.

Still, Schumer as minority leader holds sway over his caucus, and him voting yes could give others cover to do the same.

Ocasio-Cortez, for one, is not giving up the fight just yet. Heading into the late hours of Thursday night, the liberal New Yorker said shes hoping the combination of pressure from angry constituents and House Democrats will force Schumer to reconsider.

People are texting, calling, carrier pigeons, she said. And I know that many House Democrats are leveraging their relationships and hopefully can ensure that we do the right thing here.

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The idea that theres nothing that we can do because  because what? Because people dont want to stay on a Saturday? she added. We have much greater responsibilities to the American people than that.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The House of Delegates chamber in session in a file photo. (Photo by Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters)

The House voted 101-38 for final approval Thursday night on a parole reform measure that advocates have said will not only allow more people to be released from state prison and other correctional facilities, but will also diversify the states Parole Commission.

House Bill 1156 would increase the current 10-member Parole Commission to at least 15 members but no more than 20. Instead of being appointed by the secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, as is the case now, new Parole Commission members would be appointed by the governor, who would draw from a list of nominees prepared by a 12-member nominating panel. That panel would include three people from the general public, a prison rights advocate and law enforcement and education officials.

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The bill, sponsored by Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County), would take hearing examiners out of the process of recommending parole approval or denial. Under the current law, the commission can skip a hearing on a parole case and accept the hearing examiners recommendation as final, if there are no objections from the inmate or the department.

Prior to the vote, House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick) said the bills fiscal note of more than $1 million makes it too costly, especially as the state faces a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall for fiscal 2026. According to the note, the money would be spent on 10-full time commissioners and another 11 employees.

I dont think the change is there, or necessarily the best interest of public safety, in my opinion, Pippy said.

But Phillips, pointing to the roughly $60,000 the state spends per year to care for each incarcerated person, said the savings would more than make up for the money cited in the fiscal note.

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We could clear up the backlog for those persons who deserve to be released, he said. [Releasing] those individuals will actually, over the long term, be reducing the cost. For that reason, I think we need to vote for efficiency and effectiveness of our parole system.

The bill now heads over to the Senate.

Prescription drug board expansion bill passes Senate vote

Both the House and Senate have now approved bills that would expand authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help bring down drug costs in Maryland  and days before crossover day, the key deadline for legislation to be approved.

The Senate, in a Wednesday night session, voted 35-12 to pass Senate Bill 357, sponsored by Sen. Dawn Gile (D-Anne Arundel) and Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery). The bill would expand the authority of PDAB, which is currently tasked with finding ways to reduce the cost of prescription drugs on the states health plan, saving some taxpayer dollars in the process.

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The bill would expand the boards authority to set what are called upper-payment limits on prescription drugs in the commercial market. Doing so would limit how much drug purchasers could spend on certain medications, which supporters hope would result in savings for more Marylanders.

The Senate vote came almost three weeks after the House voted 94-38 on party lines to pass its own version of the bill  but not before debate devolved into a partisan shouting match. After Republicans argued that the bill would limit access to health care for some, Majority Leader David Moon (D-Montgomery) said the real threat to health care were the cuts being made to federal health agencies by the Trump White House.

The two-chamber approval of companion bills is an improvement over last year, when similar legislation stalled in committee. But its not a done deal: The Senate bill passed Wednesday is slightly different than the House version, and those differences will need to be worked out before lawmakers can agree on a final bill to send to the governor for his signature.

The Senate version has provisions that expand the size of the boards stakeholder council to include more perspectives from different points of the prescription drug industry. It also issues different reporting requirements on how the PDABs actions affect access to certain drugs.

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Despite the differences, health care advocates are energized by the legislations progress, calling the Senate vote amazing news.

Too many people in our state struggle to pay for their essential medications, and we must do more to make drugs affordable for all, Vincent DeMarco, president of Maryland Health Care for All, said in a written statement Wednesday.

Metzler steps down from Lifebridge Health

The LifeBridge Health board of directors said it will mount a national search to replace President and CEO Neil Meltzer, who announced plans to retire after 37 years at the company, 12 as its head.

The company operates five acute care centers in Baltimore City and Carroll and Baltimore counties, and more than 130 offices throughout Central Maryland, according to its website. It said the $2.2 billion nonprofit system has doubled in size during Meltzers tenure, adding Carroll Hospital in Westminster and Grace Medical Center in Baltimore in that time.

LifeBridge Health President and CEO Neil Meltzer has announced his retirement.(Photo courtesy LifeBridge Health)

LifeBridge Board Chairman Lee Coplan said the board is deeply grateful to Neil for his extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on our organization and community.

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Neil has led LifeBridge Health with a bold vision, creating seamless connections across the continuum of carefrom a fitness and wellness center to long-term and specialty care, Coplan said. His leadership has strengthened our ability to serve our community holistically.

Meltzer joined Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1988, eventually becoming president and chief operating officer a decade later. He became CEO of LifeBridge Health in 2013. He is currently chair of the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and serves on the boards of the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Maryland Hospital Association, among others.

Meltzer will continue to serve as CEO until a successor is in place.
Mar. 13dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN  The House of Delegates unanimously passed on Thursday a bill to allow schools to hire or contract for armed security officers.

HB 2164 blends its original House school safety officer bill with the Senate's West Virginia Guardian program.

The House portion says public and charter schools, along with private and religious schools, may employ school safety officers. SSOs must be former law enforcement officers and may carry firearms. They may detain but not arrest a suspect.

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The hiring school must cover the equipment costs and provide insurance coverage. The bill prescribes training for the SSOs.

The Senate's West Virginia Guardian program merged into the bill allows public schools, including charters (private and religious schools do not appear in this section), to contract with a retired law enforcement officer to provide Guardian services.

The powers are essentially the same as for an SSO. Adding this to the House version gives schools a choice of bringing on an officer either as an employee or as an independent contractor.

One change from SB 450 is that HB 2164 cuts a provision providing qualified immunity from civil and criminal liability for the school and the Guardian. It substitutes an insurance requirement.

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For both SSOs and Guardians, this is an option for a school, not mandatory.

The vote was 93-0, with no debate, and the bill heads to the Senate.

But just a few hours after the House passed HB 2164, Senate Finance took up and approved SB 450 and sent it to the full Senate. The committee did not wrap the House portion of HB 2164 into its bill.

Retired West Virginia State Polcie Capt. L.J. Deskins told the senators, "Any time that we can have more protection in our schools, I'm entirely in support of it."

If the bill is properly funded and used, he said, it would allow someone like him to go into a school. And at a meeting last fall, the bill had broad support among law enforcement, including retired members.

While the Senate's intention is unclear at this point, we note that last year, the competing House and Senate approaches went to conference committee on the last day of the session but went unresolved before the session adjourned and both bills died.
In her budget trailer bill, Gov. Kelly Ayotte called for removing income caps on students receiving EFAs only for students who had attended public school for at least a year. Here, Ayotte delivers her inaugural address at the State House on Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Ethan DeWitt/New Hampshire Bulletin)

The New Hampshire House and Senate passed two separate bills to remove income caps from the states education freedom accounts program Thursday, heralding a shift among Republicans since the program began.

But the two chambers bills differed in their implementation, and each included some guardrails.

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In a 198-180 vote, the House passed House Bill 115, which would phase-in universal eligibility over two years. Under the bill, in the 2025-2026 school year, the income limit would be increased from the current 350 percent of the federal poverty level to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or from $112,525 in total income for a household of four to $128,600 for that same household. Then, in the 2026-2027 school year, the program would be open to all students in the state regardless of income level.

No House Democrats voted to support HB 115; 10 House Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the bill.

And in a 16-8, party-line vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 295, which would remove income limits immediately, but would include a 12,250-student cap on the program. That would allow the program to more than double  there were 5,321 students in the program at the start of the 2024-2025 school year  but it would also mean that applications could be limited in future years after more students signed up.

Both bills would expand the program further than what Gov. Kelly Ayotte has proposed. In her budget trailer bill, Ayotte called for removing income caps on students receiving EFAs only for students who had attended public school for at least a year. Under Ayottes plan, families of students who had been home schooled or were already enrolled in private school would still face the 350 percent income cap.

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Republicans hailed the universal eligibility bills as a logical endpoint for the education freedom account program, which began in 2021. The program currently allows income-eligible families to use the per-pupil state adequacy aid that historically had been given to public schools and apply it to private school and home-schooling expenses.

This bill ensures children will no longer be turned away from education that best meets their needs, prioritizing students over systems, said Rep. Valerie McDonnell, a Salem Republican.

But Democrats, who have long opposed the EFA program, warned that removing the income eligibility caps would require the state to spend much more on the program, and draw more from the states Education Trust Fund. The state is expected to pay about $27.7 million for the current school year; Democrats said that annual amount could rise by an additional $60 million under the Houses bill if every student currently attending private school or home school took an EFA. The Trust Fund spends about $1.2 billion per year on education, largely toward public schools.

I think its really, really high time that elected representatives, elected legislators get real about the cost associated with this and what impact it has, not only on the state budget and the state state resources, but also on their school districts that are vastly underfunded by the state, said Rep. Dave Luneau, a Hopkinton Democrat, at a press conference Thursday shortly after the vote on HB 115.

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It is unclear how Ayotte and Republican lawmakers plan to reconcile their different proposals for expansion. Asked in February whether she would support universal education freedom accounts, Ayotte said she supports the concept but believes the state should take a more incremental approach to get there, noting the underperformance of the states business taxes in recent months. Ayottes own, more limited expansion proposal would not take effect until the second year of the two-year budget, July 2026, a date that aligns with the governors projections that business taxes will rebound.

HB 115 and SB 295 are heading next to the House Finance Committee and Senate Finance Committee, respectively, and must both pass the Senate and House again. And either bill could be added to the state budget, which the House Finance Committee is currently reviewing.

For Republicans in the Senate, Thursdays vote represented a change from previous years. In 2024, the Senate rejected a bill by the House that would have raised the income eligibility from 350 percent to 500 percent; some Republican senators worried about the impact on the states Education Trust Fund and asked to compromise at 400 percent.

On Thursday, Republican senators also voted down a number of attempts by Democrats to impose more oversight and stricter income reviews over the EFA program. One Democratic bill would have required families to prove their income eligibility every year in order to qualify for the EFAs. Currently, families need to do so only in the first year and may continue receiving EFA funds until that child graduates, even if their household income later increases beyond the limit.

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Another would have required the Department of Education to administer the program, rather than the Childrens Scholarship Fund, the nonprofit group that currently contracts with the state to do so.

Democrats said the measures would keep the program in check and target the funding to families who needed the funds. Sen. Tim Lang, a Sanbornton Republican, disagreed. These bills threaten to cripple the EFA program with unnecessary bureaucracy and overregulation, he said in a statement.
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Thursday that his office handed out gift vouchers to rookie Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers but maintained that the practice does not pose legal problems, dealing a fresh blow to the ruling party still reeling from a slush fund scandal.

Ishiba said the gifts, delivered to the first-term lawmakers before they met for dinner at the prime minister's official residence on March 3, were intended to reward their hard work and paid out of his own pocket. A voucher gift was worth 100,000 yen ($676) per person, according to participants of the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after media reports about the incident drew immediate criticism from opposition lawmakers, Ishiba apologized for causing "worries" but ruled out stepping down over the matter.

"It wasn't a donation but was meant to be a token of appreciation for family members (of the lawmakers). I paid for the vouchers myself, and it was not against the law," Ishiba said.

"While there are no legal problems, I have to apologize for causing trouble," he added.

An aide visited the offices of lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives last October to hand out the vouchers as souvenirs before the dinner meeting got underway, but all 15 members later returned them, according to sources familiar with the matter. A person close to Ishiba said, "It was done with good intentions."

The revelation came a day after upper house lawmaker Shoji Nishida, one of the LDP's more conservative members, questioned Ishiba's leadership and called for his replacement ahead of the House of Councillors election this summer.

Besides Ishiba, the March meeting was attended by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and two deputy chief Cabinet secretaries -- Keiichiro Tachibana and Kazuhiko Aoki.

One of the participants said, "I don't see any problem because I returned it. I didn't see what was inside" the paper bag delivered by Ishiba's secretary.

Japan's political funds control law bans donations from individuals to politicians to support their political activities. The distribution of vouchers could be seen as a violation of the law depending on its objective, experts said.

The Oct. 27 general election marked a turning point for the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito, as they lost control of the lower house amid the slush fund scandal. Since then, Ishiba has had to rely on opposition support to pass bills and budgets.

Opposition party members quickly went on the offensive against Ishiba at a sensitive time for the government, as it needs parliamentary approval for the draft budget plan for the next fiscal year starting April.

"It's out of the question from both Ishiba's side and those who accepted the gifts," Hiroshi Ogushi, executive deputy president of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told Kyodo News.

"If this is true, it means that the LDP has no regrets whatsoever over the secret money scandal," he added, in reference to revelations that some LDP members underreported portions of income from fundraising events.

A senior member of the opposition party said, "The prime minister must resign."

Related coverage:

Japan PM to attend ceremony at WWII battle site Iwoto on March 29

Japan PM tells ruling LDP to unite, be humble to bring election success
A Texas man has been charged with murder, after allegedly bludgeoning his wife to death with an iron at their home.

Chance Zane Chavez, 34, who was covered in blood, surrendered to police after officers were called about a suspicious event on Wednesday morning.

According to the Houston Police Department, a neighbor called authorities after Chavez rang their doorbell, covered in blood. The neighbor said Chavez had told him something tragic had just happened in his home.

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Upon arrival, officers from the HPD found Chavez standing in the doorway to his residence with his hands up.

According to a police statement he had blood on his arms, legs and clothing. Following a search of the house officers found Chavezs wife, Kristen Chavez, unresponsive in a bedroom.

Chance Zane Chavez, 34, has been charged with murder, after allegedly bludgeoning his wife to death with an iron at their home in Houston. He surrendered to attending officers covered in blood (Houston PD)

The 32-year-old had suffered blunt force trauma to her body and was pronounced deceased by paramedics, the force said.

Fox26 reports, per police sources, that Chavez had hit his wife multiple times with an iron.

Chavez was arrested, subsequently charged and booked into the Harris County Jail. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

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Neighbors told KHOU 11 that the couple had been living in the home for just over a year, and that the horrific incident was unexpected.

"It saddens me because she was extremely friendly," one told the outlet. "They didn't get into arguments or anything like that in front of us. They never looked like there was tension. There never looked like something could be wrong."

Chavezs motive is currently known and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Chinese tech giant Huawei has vowed a "zero tolerance policy" towards corruption or other wrongdoing as authorities investigate alleged bribery within the European Parliament.

"Huawei takes these allegations very seriously and will immediately look into the investigation to better understand the facts," the telecommunications company told dpa on Friday.

Huawei is also "committed to ensuring that we and our employees comply with all applicable laws and regulations at all times," it said in a statement.

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Belgian authorities accuse the company of illegally influencing political decision-making processes in the European Parliament.

Around 100 police officers were deployed in Belgium and Portugal to investigate suspected bribery and forgery. Several people were provisionally arrested and questioned, it was reported on Thursday.

The investigating judge additionally requested the sealing of the offices of two parliamentary assistants in the European Parliament who are suspected of being involved in bribery.

The public prosecutor's office did not say whether - and if so, how many - former or active members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are the focus of the authorities. There were no indications that MEPs were also arrested.

The proliferation of Chinese technology in Western mobile communications has been a contentious topic for years. Critics of Huawei fear that China could gain access to mobile networks through the company.
Federal agencies will begin to vacate hundreds of offices across the country this summer under a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musks budget-cutting advisers to terminate leases that they say waste money.

Musk's Department of Government Efficiency maintains a list of canceled real estate leases on its website, but internal documents obtained by The Associated Press contain a crucial detail: when those cancellations are expected to take effect. The documents from inside the General Services Administration, the U.S. government's real estate manager, list dozens of federal office and building leases expected to end by June 30, with hundreds more slated over the coming months.

The rapid pace of cancellations has raised alarms, with some agencies and lawmakers appealing to DOGE to exempt specific buildings. Several agencies are facing 20 or more lease cancellations in all, including the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Many of the terminations would affect agencies that aren't as well-known but oversee services critical to many Americans.

They span from a Boise, Idaho, office of the Bureau of Reclamation  which oversees water supply and deals with disputes across the often-parched American West  to a Joliet, Illinois, outpost of the Railroad Retirement Board, which provides benefits for railroad workers and their survivors.

The lease terminations do not mean all the locations will close. In some cases, agencies may negotiate new leases to stay in place, downsize their existing space or relocate elsewhere.

Some agencies are saying: Im not leaving. We cant leave," said Chad Becker, a former GSA real estate official who now represents building owners with government leases at Arco Real Estate Solutions. I think theres going to be a period of pushback, a period of disbelief. And then, if necessary, they may start working on the actual execution of a move."

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Errors add to confusion

DOGE says GSA has notified landlords in recent weeks that it plans to terminate 793 leases, focusing mostly on those that can be ended within months without penalty. The group estimates those moves will save roughly $500 million over the terms of the leases, which in some cases were slated to continue into the 2030s. The Bureau of Reclamation cancellation in Boise, for instance, would take effect Aug. 31 and is expected to save a total of $18.7 million through 2035.

But DOGEs savings estimates  a fraction of Musks $1 trillion cost-cutting goal  have not been verified and do not take into account the costs of moves and closures. The group has released no information about what they will mean for agencies.

My initial reaction is this is just going to cause more chaos, said Jim Simpson, an accountant in Arizona who helps low-income people file taxes and serves on an IRS panel that advocates for taxpayers. Theres a lot of room to help with government efficiency, but it should be done surgically and not with a chainsaw.

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Simpson said he was surprised to learn that dozens of IRS offices, including local taxpayer assistance centers, were facing upcoming lease cancellations. He refers clients there to get paperwork to file returns and answer IRS inquiries, and he said losing services would cause a lot of anxiety and delay refunds.

Plans to cancel the leases at several of the IRS centers and other sites were in error and have been rescinded, according to a person with direct knowledge of the changes who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity in order to avoid retaliation. Those changes are not yet reflected on DOGEs list, which only removed one and added dozens more in its latest update published Thursday.

The GSA walked back the cancellation of a Geological Survey office in Anchorage, Alaska, for instance, after learning it did not have termination rights, according to the person familiar with the matter.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said Monday that hed convinced DOGE to back off lease terminations planned for the National Weather Center in Norman, a Social Security office in Lawton and the Indian Health Services office in Oklahoma City. But all three leases remained on DOGEs list of cancellations as of Thursday.

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GSA's press office didn't respond to inquiries.

The real estate market is blindsided

While there was already a bipartisan push to reduce the governments real estate footprint, the mass cancellations blindsided an industry known for its stability.

Landlords who had been expecting government agencies to remain tenants, for several more years in some cases under their existing leases, were stunned. Some agencies learned from building managers, not their federal partners, that their leases were being canceled, according to real estate managers.

Becker, whose firm is tracking the DOGE lease cancellations, and other observers said they expect some agencies will be unable to move their personnel and property out of their spaces within such tight timelines. That may force some agencies to pay additional rent during whats known as a holdover period, undermining DOGE's stated goal of saving taxpayer money.

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The Building Owners and Managers Association, which represents the commercial real estate industry, told landlords in a recent advocacy alert to be prepared to seek payment from any federal government tenants who stay beyond their leases.

Many affected agencies aren't speaking up

Asked about plans for buildings with leases that will soon expire, the IRS did not respond. A Social Security Administration spokesperson downplayed the impact of its offices losing leases, saying many were small remote hearing sites, did not serve the public, were already being consolidated elsewhere or planned for closure.

Several other agencies provided little clarity  saying they were working with GSA to consider their options, in statements that were nearly identical in some cases.

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But a spokesperson for the Railroad Retirement Board expressed concern over the upcoming lease cancellations of its offices in Joliet, Illinois, and eight other states, saying it was working to "maintain a public-facing office presence for the local railroad community.

Government Accountability Office official David Marroni told a congressional hearing last week that the push to unload unnecessary federal real estate was long overdue, saying agencies have for too long held on to unnecessary space. But he warned the downsizing must be deliberate and carefully planned to generate substantial savings and mitigate the risk of mistakes and unexpected mission impacts.

That process had already started before Musks team arrived, with the federal governments real estate portfolio steadily declining over the last decade. Indeed, critics of DOGE say if it were truly interested in cost-cutting it could learn from GSA, whose mission even before Trump took office was to deliver 

A law signed by former President Joe Biden before he left office in January directed agencies to measure the true occupancy rates of leased spaces by this summer. Those that did not meet a target of 60% use rate over time would be directed to dispose of their excess space.

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There is a logical and orderly way to do this, Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat, said at last weeks hearing. Instead, he said, DOGE is pursuing a reckless approach that threatens to harm the delivery of public services.

Industry observers cautioned that each situation is different, and it will take months or years to understand the full impact of the lease cancellations.

It really depends on the terms. But it is a shock, there is no question, that all of a sudden, boom, in six weeks all these things have happened, said J. Reid Cummings, a professor of finance and real estate at the University of South Alabama. Its like a blitzkrieg.

__

Foley reported from Iowa City, Iowa; Goodman reported from Miami; and Keller reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.
Hungary has used its veto to force the lifting of EU sanctions on several Russians, several diplomats confirmed to dpa on Friday.

One of the Russians involved is oligarch Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, a major shareholder in one of Russia's largest fertilizer manufacturers who has close ties to President Vladimir Putin.

In addition, a sister of the well-known Russian entrepreneur Alisher Usmanov and two other people are included.

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According to diplomats, Hungary's used the imminent Saturday deadline to extend the EU's sanctions on Russia as leverage.

The EU sanctions affect a total of around 2,200 people and organizations. A decision to extend the sanctions requires a unanimous resolution by all 27 EU member states, every six months.

Hungary threatened to block this unless several Russians were removed from the list.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has already stated on several occasions that he does not consider the EU's Russia sanctions to be effective, although it is not clear why he decided to put his foot down on this occasion or for these individuals.

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EU sanctions have generally included travel restrictions, the freezing of assets and a ban on the provision of funds or other economic resources by third parties.

In most cases, the sanctions were imposed in response to what the EU sees as Russia's unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.

There had been weeks of discussion about Hungary's demands because a number of member states initially refused to accept them. They argued that the lifting of sanctions could provide other Russians with arguments for legal action against the EU's punitive measures.

The sanctions decision regarding Kantor stated that his close ties to Putin had helped him to secure his considerable fortune. He had expressed his support and friendship for Putin on numerous occasions and maintained good relations with the Kremlin.

As a result, he had benefited from Russian decision-makers who were responsible for Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimea peninsula.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reportedly already $2 billion short to keep up its current pace of operations through the end of this fiscal year, as it races to keep up with the Trump administrations promises to rapidly deport millions of undocumented migrants.

The immigration agency could get an infusion of $500 million as part of the ongoing government funding negotiations in Congress, but that still wouldnt plug the hole, Axios reports.

"Just the bed space alone becomes very significant. And to just be able to detain people for a couple of days while they're processing, and then to be able to move out flights ... is exceptionally expensive, Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma told the outlet.

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The Department of Homeland Security, ICEs parent agency, could pull funding from other component agencies like the Coast Guard or Federal Emergency Management Agency and redirect it toward immigration efforts.

The Independent has contacted ICE for comment.

The agency said this week it is already thousands of bed above its max detention capacity, and is holding some 47,000 detainees awaiting deportation.

ICE is reportedly running low on money and bed space to keep up current deportation operations (AFP/Getty Images)

An ICE official told reporters the agency is working with federal partners at the Defense Department, Marshals Service, and Bureau of Prisons to ramp up bed space.

Continued funding and facilities expansion will likely be needed if ICE keeps up its current blistering pace of deportations.

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It has made about 32,000 immigration arrests since Trump took office, according to Reuters, a faster pace than the final fiscal year of the Biden administration, Reuters reports.

We need the money to continue, dont we? White House border czar Tom Homan said earlier this month. ICE is already in the hole, and we need Congress to step up and give us the funding we need so President Trump will keep his promise to American people.

At the same time, some of the agencys deportation efforts have wound down. In February, the government emptied out facilities holding migrants at the Guantanamo Bay naval station, in the midst of a lawsuit accusing officials of denying migrants access to legal aid.

ICE may face further strain if the administrations plans take effect.

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The Department of Homeland Security has said it will cost $26.9 billion to fully enforce the recently passed Laken Riley Act, which dramatically expands the ranks of those held in detention before deportation to include those accused of low-level crimes.

The White House is also reportedly preparing a controversial step to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a law that grants broad powers for mass deportations with minimal review, a provision thats only been used in times of war.
The New York State Park Polices swift water rescue team assisted the New York Power Authority with removing a section of the Lake Erie ice boom from the rapids above Niagara Falls on Thursday.

Using a crane, the New York Power Authority lifted the 3,800-pound pontoon from the water near the pedestrian bridge at Goat Island. State Park Police officers entered the water and attached the pontoon to the cranes lift cable. The pontoon was slowly lifted from the water.

Not only was this done in an effort to retrieve NYPA property, but it is also was done for public safety reasons. Due to its location, the pontoon was in danger of being dislodged with any increase in water flow or wind and potentially go over the Bridal Veil Falls, posing a danger to the Cave of the Winds attraction and any patron of it.
(NewsNation)  Some Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers have reached maximum capacity, according to Trump administration officials.

The detention centers are currently holding 47,600 migrants, a senior official with ICE told reporters Wednesday.

ICE officials on the call said the agency is working on expanding its capacity with support from the United States Defense Department, U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons.

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Other facilities, meanwhile, are still closing their doors, including Firefly, which opened in Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2022. Its not the only one closing  others along the southern border will be as well as migrant crossings drop.

However, high-level sources within Customs and Border Protection tell NewsNation they are still keeping a few open to help with arrests and deportations done under the Trump administration.

What alcohol would cost more under 200% Trump tariff?

Now, ICE is calling on Congress to provide it more money for housing, as it currently has more than 6,000 more detainees in custody than it has the funds for.

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We need the money to continue, dont we? border czar Tom Homan said earlier this month. ICE is already in the hole, and we need Congress to step up and give us the funding we need so President Trump will keep his promise to American people.

There is a facility in Dilley, Texas, that is being reopened after being shut down for about a year, and a facility in Karnes County, Texas, that regularly houses single adult men, which is now transitioning to detain family units.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts office said he has been in regular conversations with the Trump administration about available land and facilities for use, as any effort to lease or donate Texas land to the federal government must be conducted through the governor.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
LA MALBAIE, Canada - The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven democracies on Thursday agreed to step up their efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine and were set to condemn China's aggressive maritime actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

While a cease-fire proposal brokered by the United States topped the agenda at their meeting in the Canadian resort town of La Malbaie, Quebec, the ministers also held a session dedicated to China and the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to a post-meeting joint statement, the G7 plans to issue a separate declaration concerning maritime security that is likely to denounce China by name.

A draft copy of the document seen by Kyodo News said the ministers "condemn China's illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions."

The wording of the envisaged declaration could still change before the ministers conclude their talks on Friday, a G7 source said, but the copy pointed out moves by China such as land reclamation and the building of outposts for military purposes.

The ministers also plan to express growing concern over Chinese activities to "expand national jurisdiction through use of force and other forms of coercion," including across the South and East China seas and the Taiwan Strait.

During the session, they recognized that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific has become increasingly indivisible, according to the Japanese government.

The top diplomats of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, renewed their opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo "by force or coercion" and voiced concern about North Korea's development of nuclear and missile capabilities, the government said.

It said Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stressed the need for the G7 to work even more closely to crack down on malicious cyber activities by North Korea, including thefts of crypto assets that have been funding such development.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, Japan has repeatedly warned that "Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow," in light of China's continuing military pressure on Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

While North Korean soldiers have been fighting alongside the Russian military, the other G7 members have said they share Japan's view that ending the war on Russian terms could embolden China and North Korea.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, chair of the meeting, said the G7 should discuss how it can continue to support Ukraine in the face of "Russia's illegal aggression."

"We all want to see just and lasting peace in Ukraine," she said.

But U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States does not want to use "antagonistic language" regarding the war in the joint communique, suggesting it would make it harder to bring Russia to the negotiating table.

The foreign ministers came together just two days after the United States agreed to resume its provision of military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, which was suspended after Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed at the White House in front of reporters and cameras.

Following hours of talks between senior officials of the two countries in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine said it was ready to accept an immediate 30-day cease-fire with Russia, as proposed by the Trump administration.

The ministers hailed the U.S.-brokered plan and agreed on the G7's "unwavering support" for Ukraine, the Japanese government said, adding that some members noted the importance of the group working together to press Russia to respond to the proposal positively.

It remains uncertain if Russia will accept the proposal unconditionally, as U.S. officials try to persuade the Kremlin to help the nascent peace process move forward.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is in favor of the U.S. idea in principle, but there are many important issues that need to be sorted out beforehand, signaling he is not necessarily interested in halting the fighting soon.

Putin asserted at a press conference in Moscow that the ongoing process should lead to lasting peace and eliminate the "root causes" of the conflict.

Since Trump's public spat with Zelenskyy, Europe's concern about the U.S. president's affinity for Putin has grown.

With tensions escalating between the United States and the EU, as well as Canada, over the Trump administration's tariff threats, it remains to be seen to what extent they can present a united front on upholding a rules-based international order and supporting Ukraine in their planned joint statement.

Related coverage:

G7 foreign ministers gather to discuss Ukraine, China

G7 members discussing leaders' statement over Ukraine after summit

Japan urges G7 unity over Ukraine to avoid "wrong lesson"
CHANTILLY, Va. (DC News Now)  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it and some of its partners took hundreds of people in Northern Virginia who were in the country illegally into custody.

ICE said the 214 arrests came during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders March 1 to March 13.

ICE noted that among the groups targeted were MS-13 and 18th Street gangs.

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The agents and officers involved in this enhanced operation truly made a difference in the Northern Virginia communities. The apprehension of 214 alien offenders is impressive and was only made possible through strong partnerships, said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. The level of dedication to this operation by the entire team was impressive to witness. Each of our law enforcement partners brought their own expertise to the mission. This was truly a team effort. ICE will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle transnational criminal organizations working in our neighborhoods.

American University police investigate social media claims of ICE agents presence on campus

ICE said among those arrested who were in the United States illegally were:

A 26-year-old Salvadoran and member of MS-13 previously convicted for malicious wounding and larceny.

A 46-year-old, previously removed Salvadoran and member of MS-13 previously convicted for carrying a concealed weapon, trespassing, illegal re-entry after removal, and disorderly conduct.

A 40-year-old Salvadoran and member of MS-13 who is wanted by authorities in El Salvador for aggravated extortion.

A 37-year-old Jamaican previously convicted for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

A 46-year-old Mexican previously convicted for indecent liberties with a minor and soliciting a minor for prostitution.

A 27-year-old Honduran previously convicted for object sexual penetration. The alien is currently detained pending removal proceedings.

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In its news release about the operation, ICE did not mention if the remaining 208 people taken into custody were wanted for crimes other than entering the country illegally.

In a recent, smaller operation in Northern Virginia, DC News Now found that the majority of people arrested had no criminal record other than illegally entering the United States.

They should be sent back where they came from: Gov. Youngkin deputizes Virginia State Police to help ICE enforcement

ICE said its partners who were involved in the operation from March 1 to March 13 included U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Office of the Virginia Governor, the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, Virginia State Police, and Virginia Department of Corrections.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives a press conference after delivering his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, in the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho Capitol. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law an expanded grocery tax credit that is intended to offset the sales tax Idahoans pay on food.

Little signed House Bill 231 into law, according to a news release Little issued Thursday afternoon.

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The new law increases the grocery tax credit all Idahoans receive to $155 a year.

Currently, most Idahoans receive a grocery tax credit of $120 per year.

I love the signal we send to Idaho families every year when we deliver even more tax relief while taking care of the needs of a growing state, Little said in a written statement. As we continue to deliver historic tax relief, we must ensure our budget balances as the Idaho Constitution requires.

In order to pay for the expanded grocery tax credit, House Bill 231 reduces state revenue by $50 million per year. The grocery tax law is written so it took effect retroactively Jan. 1. That means Idahoans will be able to receive the full credit when they file their taxes next year.

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Earlier this year, Little signed into law House Bill 40, which reduces the corporate and individual tax rates down from 5.695% to 5.3%. To reduce the income tax rates, House Bill 253 reduces state revenue by $250 million every year.

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AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP)  A home, two sheds, and a fence were damaged from a brush fire that spread on Franklin Street in Agawam Thursday afternoon.

Springfield crews put out brush fire on Anglesea Street

Agawam Fire told 22News that the brush fire spread after a resident attempted to burn yard waste and leaves, without a permit.

The resident was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, and is expected to be okay. The towns fire department is reminding residents that you must have a permit to burn yard waste, and are only permitted to burn authorized materials.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois Republican legislators have proposed a set of bills to lower property taxes.

Currently, Illinois has the second-highest property tax rate in the nation, with an average of more than $6,000 a year.

Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said Thursday that 420,000 people have moved out of Illinois since 2020.

A majority of property taxes are levied at the county level, with a large portion going to school districts.

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Ugaste introduced House Bill 9, which would take 25% of the state budget, around $13 billion, and use 20% to pay off state pensions and send the remaining 5% to school districts, with a mandate that they lower property taxes.

Lets say Illinois is a building, the fifth largest in the state and its on fire, Ugaste said. [Lawmakers] are the firefighters. However, Democrats are the ones with the keys to the firehouse and they wont let us in so we can use the equipment we have inside to put out the fire.

It is a five-alarm fire right now, because look at other states growing, said Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford). We lose congressional seats, other states are growing dramatically. States around us, same weather, grow 1% a year, so its a huge problem right now and were chasing more and more people out of Illinois if we dont address it immediately.

Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) introduced House Bill 4010, which would cap an individuals yearly property tax at 5%, and House Bill 4011, which would cap property tax assessment increases at 3%.

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All of the bills would require bipartisan support to become law, but House Republicans say Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, wont let them in on the conversation.

Democrats announced a working group to discuss property tax relief, but Republicans are not included in the partisan group.

Im eager to join this working group and to hear from a wide range of stakeholders and policy experts so we can craft smart new approaches to cutting property taxes, said state Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). Im confident that my colleagues are as committed as I am to relieving that strain and allowing people to put their money towards creating better lives and helping their communities flourish.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO)  The State Board of Education says efforts to recruit teachers to fill shortages in Illinois appear to be working.

In 2023, the state showed nearly 41,000 vacant positions, while the new data shows about 38,000.

Administrators at Machesney Parks Harlem School District said there has been an increase in the number of applicants for teaching positions this year.

There was a handful of years there where we really struggled to fill some of our positions, explained Harlems Assistant Superintendent Jason Blume. We had very small candidate pools. But we have noticed, definitely, an increase over the last year or two in the number of individuals applying for teaching positions.

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Human Resource Administrator Shelley Wagner said Harlems recent applicant pool, the largest in 4 years, is the result of a concerted recruitment effort.

This year has been the best year as far as applicant pools that Ive seen, she said. Instead of getting very little, like single digit numbers, were getting double-digit number applicants. This is the first year that weve been under 50 total openings and that includes all of our categories. So bus drivers, maintenance, custodial teaching positions.

Blume said the school is also focused on reaching out to students, in an effort to make a career in education something they would choose for the future.

We need our young students in high school and middle school, to consider this as a career option and an option that is fulfilling and joyful. We need to do our part to make sure that our kids that are going through our system see this as a viable option for them, Blume said.

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Harlem said even though recruitment efforts are improving, they are still facing a teacher shortage, along with a deficit in bus drivers and custodians.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Flags engender such loyalty and pride, they often become very personal emblems with quirky or quaint nicknames: Old Glory, Union Jack, Maple Leaf  or SOB.

That would be (state) Seal on a Bedsheet, the derisive moniker with which some have burdened the Illinois state flag, a gleaming white banner emblazoned with the state's bald eagle-themed emblem.

Some forward-looking lawmakers set up a contest to design a new flag and put it to a vote. In a landslide, a winner was chosen.

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And it's the current flag.

The SOB wins in a landslide

Of nearly 385,000 votes cast, the existing bunting received 43%  more tallies than the next six finalists combined.

Some may call it an SOB and the vexillogical community (flag experts) may hate it, but people overwhelmingly prefer our current state flag, said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose archivist chairs the Illinois Flag Commission. Its members were chosen by the governor, legislative leaders and state education and museum administrators.

Created in 1915, the current emblem is a white field featuring the state seal adopted in 1868: A bald eagle before a rising sun, a shield in its talons and in its beak, a banner expressing the Prairie State's dual tenets: State Sovereignty, National Union. In 1970, Illinois in block letters was added at the bottom.

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10 finalists, plus the current and 2 former flags

Last fall, residents were invited to submit their vision for a new standard. More than 4,800 did  most of them serious. The commission whittled it down to 10 finalists, then added the current 1915 flag, and banners created for the state's 1918 Centennial and 1968 Sesquicentennial.

What I tried to convey to people was, this is not a process that is mandating a new flag. Were going to test the waters and see what people say, so I respect those results," said Rep. Kam Buckner, who sponsored the law creating the flag inquiry.

But the Chicago Democrat was quick to point out that while the existing flag received nearly 166,000 votes, there were 219,000 votes for new colors. "There were more people who thought that maybe we should move in a new direction," said Buckner, who found the contest's runner-up  a star-haloed sun rising above converging green stripes of prairie  to be super cool.

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Ginning up some pride

It's not over just yet. The General Assembly gets the final say. However, Buckner doubts there will be an appetite to change course given the overwhelming vote for the status quo.

Regardless of the outcome, Buckner said the contest, which drew entries from various regions of the state and from young and old, accomplished part of his goal: Ginning up some pride about Illinois.

This reminded me that people really care about where they live, and care about the way we present ourselves to others, Buckner said.

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Buckner's name.
YUMA, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 07: A Cuban mother and daughter watch the sunrise while waiting to be being taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border on December 07, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona. They had crossed over from Mexico the previous day to seek political asylum in the United States. Border Patrol detention facilities in Yuma were overwhelmed with thousands of new arrivals, with many families trying to reach U.S. soil before the court-ordered re-implementation of the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy. The policy requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico for the duration of their U.S. immigration court process. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Immigration was the biggest factor in population growth for many booming Sun Belt counties as well as for the agricultural Midwest, according to a Stateline analysis of new U.S. Census Bureau county estimates.

The analysis shows the significant impact immigration had between mid-2020 and mid-2024 in fast-growing states such as Arizona, Florida and Texas, as well as how it boosted growth or minimized population loss across the country.

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The surge of newcomers to the United States was the primary driver in population changes for 38% of counties nationwide and for most counties in states across a large swath of the Midwest: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota. Immigration also was the largest growth factor in most counties in Louisiana and Massachusetts.

In Iowa, immigration more than doubled population growth in the two counties that surround the state capital of Des Moines and Iowa City. Local advocates are planning to bolster services for new arrivals.

The census estimates, to be released Thursday, March 13, are the first at the county level to use a new method that tries to count asylum-seekers and other immigrants based on government data on green cards, visas, international students, refugee admissions and border releases.

Eric Jensen, a senior research scientist for the Census Bureau, said the new immigration estimates will be tweaked next year to better account for where asylum-seekers and refugees may have eventually settled.

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In Texas, where Houstons Harris County saw the nations largest population growth, the immigration of more than 260,000 people accounted for the bulk of the roughly 278,000-person increase. The rest came largely from births.

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The new numbers have helped clarify how much of the states growth has come from immigration, said Texas state Demographer Lloyd Potter.

Weve been saying for a while now, where are all these people coming over the border? Theyre not showing up in census data, Potter said.

Floridas Miami-Dade County, home of Miami, had the states largest population growth since 2020. But the county would have shrunk without the immigration of almost 321,000 people to offset more than 205,000 people who moved away.

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Florida has complained for many years that new immigration was not reflected accurately enough in population estimates, said Richard Doty, a research demographer for the states Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida.

From a Florida perspective, the big news is the dramatic increase in their population estimates driven entirely by the Census Bureaus revised estimates of [immigration], Doty said. The change increased Florida and U S. population estimates not just for the current year but also for all years since 2020, he said.

Immigration was the largest factor for five of the nations top 10 growth counties, which included Arizonas Maricopa County, home of Phoenix; Nevadas Clark County, home of Las Vegas; and Floridas Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.

Newcomers from around the country were the biggest factor in the other top 10 counties, including Collin, Denton, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties in Texas, as well as Floridas Polk County, south of Orlando.

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Those Texas counties are fast-growing exurbs of Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston with a lot of new housing developments, Potter said.

That creates its own kind of issues. People are moving in, bringing a couple of cars, and theyre going to need retail and a whole range of infrastructure and transportation, Potter said.

Nationwide, 278 counties in 42 states and the District of Columbia would have shrunk in population were it not for immigration.

They include: Ohios Franklin County, which includes Columbus; Floridas Orange and Broward counties along with Miami-Dade; Washington states King County, where Seattle is located; Dallas County in Texas; Middlesex County in Massachusetts, near Boston; Salt Lake County in Utah; Middlesex County, New Jersey; and Sacramento County, California.

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Immigration also helped stem population losses in many counties that ended up shrinking anyway: Los Angeles County in California lost more than 260,000 people since 2020, but the losses would have been much larger without about 257,000 new immigrants.

Louisianas Jefferson Parish, in the New Orleans metro area, lost almost 14,000 people since 2020, but the loss would have been more than double if not for 16,000 new immigrants. Public schools there have been plagued by absences amid fears of immigration raids under the Trump administrations plans for mass deportation, according to press accounts.

Immigration also minimized population loss in 958 counties in 47 states, including: Chicagos Cook County, Illinois; four New York City boroughs; Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; suburban Prince Georges County in Maryland; Detroits Wayne County, Michigan.

Polk County, Iowa, which includes Des Moines, saw most of its growth of almost 24,000 people from new immigration. The county plans a welcoming center for immigrants in Des Moines, called Global Neighbors, but the county also has been roiled by mostly false rumors of immigration raids.

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Mak Suceska, who will direct operations for the center, is a refugee from Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia who arrived in the United States in 1993. At an event this week in Iowa City, he described the planned $4 million center as a space for refugees and immigrants to call home.

Iowa City in Johnson County, another area where immigration more than doubled population growth since 2020, is also interested in more immigrant services, said Peter Gerlach, executive director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, speaking at the March 12 event.

Its really important to learn from each other, from like-minded communities, about how we can support and create welcoming communities, Gerlach said, especially given the ways in which our refugees and immigrants are being targeted.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

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Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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A Cuban mother and daughter watch the sunrise while waiting to be being taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 7, 2021, in Yuma, Arizona. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Immigration was the biggest factor in population growth for many booming Sun Belt counties as well as for the agricultural Midwest, according to a Stateline analysis of new U.S. Census Bureau county estimates.

The analysis shows the significant impact immigration had between mid-2020 and mid-2024 in fast-growing states such as Arizona, Florida and Texas, as well as how it boosted growth or minimized population loss across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The surge of newcomers to the United States was the primary driver in population changes for 38% of counties nationwide and for most counties in states across a large swath of the Midwest: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota. Immigration also was the largest growth factor in most counties in Louisiana and Massachusetts.

In Iowa, immigration more than doubled population growth in the two counties that surround the state capital of Des Moines and Iowa City. Local advocates are planning to bolster services for new arrivals.

The census estimates, to be released Thursday, March 13, are the first at the county level to use a new method that tries to count asylum-seekers and other immigrants based on government data on green cards, visas, international students, refugee admissions and border releases.

Eric Jensen, a senior research scientist for the Census Bureau, said the new immigration estimates will be tweaked next year to better account for where asylum-seekers and refugees may have eventually settled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Texas, where Houstons Harris County saw the nations largest population growth, the immigration of more than 260,000 people accounted for the bulk of the roughly 278,000-person increase. The rest came largely from births.

The new numbers have helped clarify how much of the states growth has come from immigration, said Texas state Demographer Lloyd Potter.

Weve been saying for a while now, where are all these people coming over the border? Theyre not showing up in census data, Potter said.

Floridas Miami-Dade County, home of Miami, had the states largest population growth since 2020. But the county would have shrunk without the immigration of almost 321,000 people to offset more than 205,000 people who moved away.

Florida has complained for many years that new immigration was not reflected accurately enough in population estimates, said Richard Doty, a research demographer for the states Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From a Florida perspective, the big news is the dramatic increase in their population estimates driven entirely by the Census Bureaus revised estimates of [immigration], Doty said. The change increased Florida and U S. population estimates not just for the current year but also for all years since 2020, he said.

Immigration was the largest factor for five of the nations top 10 growth counties, which included Arizonas Maricopa County, home of Phoenix; Nevadas Clark County, home of Las Vegas; and Floridas Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.

Newcomers from around the country were the biggest factor in the other top 10 counties, including Collin, Denton, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties in Texas, as well as Floridas Polk County, south of Orlando.

Those Texas counties are fast-growing exurbs of Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston with a lot of new housing developments, Potter said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That creates its own kind of issues. People are moving in, bringing a couple of cars, and theyre going to need retail and a whole range of infrastructure and transportation, Potter said.

Nationwide, 278 counties in 42 states and the District of Columbia would have shrunk in population were it not for immigration.

They include: Floridas Orange and Broward counties along with Miami-Dade; Washington states King County, where Seattle is located; Dallas County in Texas; Middlesex County in Massachusetts, near Boston; Ohios Franklin County, which includes Columbus; Salt Lake County in Utah; Middlesex County, New Jersey; and Sacramento County, California.

Immigration also helped stem population losses in many counties that ended up shrinking anyway: Los Angeles County in California lost more than 260,000 people since 2020, but the losses would have been much larger without about 257,000 new immigrants.

Louisianas Jefferson Parish, in the New Orleans metro area, lost almost 14,000 people since 2020, but the loss would have been more than double if not for 16,000 new immigrants. Public schools there have been plagued by absences amid fears of immigration raids under the Trump administrations plans for mass deportation, according to press accounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Immigration also minimized population loss in 958 counties in 47 states, including: Chicagos Cook County, Illinois; four New York City boroughs; Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; suburban Prince Georges County in Maryland; Detroits Wayne County, Michigan.

Polk County, Iowa, which includes Des Moines, saw most of its growth of almost 24,000 people from new immigration. The county plans a welcoming center for immigrants in Des Moines, called Global Neighbors, but the county also has been roiled by mostly false rumors of immigration raids.

Mak Suceska, who will direct operations for the center, is a refugee from Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia who arrived in the United States in 1993. At an event this week in Iowa City, he described the planned $4 million center as a space for refugees and immigrants to call home.

Iowa City in Johnson County, another area where immigration more than doubled population growth since 2020, is also interested in more immigrant services, said Peter Gerlach, executive director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, speaking at the March 12 event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its really important to learn from each other, from like-minded communities, about how we can support and create welcoming communities, Gerlach said, especially given the ways in which our refugees and immigrants are being targeted.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
NAGOYA - A Japanese court rejected Friday a request to revoke the approval given by the country's regulator to extend the operations of three nuclear reactors on the Sea of Japan coast beyond the service period limit of up to 40 years in principle.

The Nagoya District Court ruled in favor of the continued operation of the Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant and the No. 3 unit at the Mihama plant, all in Fukui Prefecture and run by Kansai Electric Power Co., in the first judicial decision in lawsuits seeking revocation of approval for extending the operation of reactors.

Presiding Judge Ryo Kenmochi said the court "does not recognize any unreasonable points in the Nuclear Regulation Authority's assessments or conclusions."

All three reactors started operating in the 1970s. They cleared stricter safety regulations implemented following the Fukushima nuclear accident triggered by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster and were granted approval in 2016 to extend operations for up to 20 years beyond the limit.

The latest suit was filed in 2016, with the plaintiffs, including residents of Fukui and Aichi prefectures, arguing that the regulator made errors in its assessments of the safety of the reactors.

They said the standard used to check the aging of the reactors' pressure vessels was unreasonable and that the containers face the risk of collapsing if cooled rapidly during an emergency.

The court rejected the argument, with Kenmochi saying that "validity including that of outside experts was confirmed."

Following the nuclear accident, the government introduced rules mandating that nuclear units can operate for up to 40 years, with extensions to 60 years possible pending approval by regulators.

But as the government considers nuclear power vital in the resource-poor country's energy mix, the parliament enacted in 2023 a bill to introduce a new system allowing reactors to operate beyond the 60-year limit, with the introduction slated in June this year.

Under the new rules, reactors may be granted additional operating years by exempting their offline periods from their total service time, provided the periods are due to reasons beyond a utility's control, such as a safety review or court-ordered suspension.

Related coverage:

Japan marks 14th anniversary of quake-tsunami, nuclear disasters

Court rejects request to halt western Japan nuclear reactor

Appeal to charge ex-TEPCO executives over Fukushima accident rejected
An asylum-seeker from Cuba, along with her young daughter, watches the sun rise while waiting to be being taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in December 2021 in Yuma, Ariz. Immigration drove population growth in many booming Sun Belt counties and the agricultural Midwest, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show. (John Moore/Getty Images)

This story originally appeared on Stateline.

Immigration was the biggest factor in population growth for many booming Sun Belt counties as well as for the agricultural Midwest, according to a Stateline analysis of new U.S. Census Bureau county estimates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The analysis shows the significant impact immigration had between mid-2020 and mid-2024 in fast-growing states such as Arizona, Florida and Texas, as well as how it boosted growth or minimized population loss across the country.

The surge of newcomers to the United States was the primary driver in population changes for 38% of counties nationwide and for most counties in states across a large swath of the Midwest: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota. Immigration also was the largest growth factor in most counties in Louisiana and Massachusetts.

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In Iowa, immigration more than doubled population growth in the two counties that surround the state capital of Des Moines and Iowa City. Local advocates are planning to bolster services for new arrivals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The census estimates, to be released Thursday, March 13, are the first at the county level to use a new method that tries to count asylum-seekers and other immigrants based on government data on green cards, visas, international students, refugee admissions and border releases.

Eric Jensen, a senior research scientist for the Census Bureau, said the new immigration estimates will be tweaked next year to better account for where asylum-seekers and refugees may have eventually settled.

In Texas, where Houstons Harris County saw the nations largest population growth, the immigration of more than 260,000 people accounted for the bulk of the roughly 278,000-person increase. The rest came largely from births.

The new numbers have helped clarify how much of the states growth has come from immigration, said Texas state Demographer Lloyd Potter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve been saying for a while now, where are all these people coming over the border? Theyre not showing up in census data, Potter said.

Floridas Miami-Dade County, home of Miami, had the states largest population growth since 2020. But the county would have shrunk without the immigration of almost 321,000 people to offset more than 205,000 people who moved away.

Florida has complained for many years that new immigration was not reflected accurately enough in population estimates, said Richard Doty, a research demographer for the states Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida.

From a Florida perspective, the big news is the dramatic increase in their population estimates driven entirely by the Census Bureaus revised estimates of [immigration], Doty said. The change increased Florida and U S. population estimates not just for the current year but also for all years since 2020, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Immigration was the largest factor for five of the nations top 10 growth counties, which included Arizonas Maricopa County, home of Phoenix; Nevadas Clark County, home of Las Vegas; and Floridas Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located.

Newcomers from around the country were the biggest factor in the other top 10 counties, including Collin, Denton, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties in Texas, as well as Floridas Polk County, south of Orlando.

Those Texas counties are fast-growing exurbs of Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston with a lot of new housing developments, Potter said.

That creates its own kind of issues. People are moving in, bringing a couple of cars, and theyre going to need retail and a whole range of infrastructure and transportation, Potter said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nationwide, 278 counties in 42 states and the District of Columbia would have shrunk in population were it not for immigration.

They include: Floridas Orange and Broward counties along with Miami-Dade; Washington states King County, where Seattle is located; Dallas County in Texas; Middlesex County in Massachusetts, near Boston; Ohios Franklin County, which includes Columbus; Salt Lake County in Utah; Middlesex County, New Jersey; and Sacramento County, California.

Immigration also helped stem population losses in many counties that ended up shrinking anyway: Los Angeles County in California lost more than 260,000 people since 2020, but the losses would have been much larger without about 257,000 new immigrants.

Louisianas Jefferson Parish, in the New Orleans metro area, lost almost 14,000 people since 2020, but the loss would have been more than double if not for 16,000 new immigrants. Public schools there have been plagued by absences amid fears of immigration raids under the Trump administrations plans for mass deportation, according to press accounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Immigration also minimized population loss in 958 counties in 47 states, including: Chicagos Cook County, Illinois; four New York City boroughs; Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; suburban Prince Georges County in Maryland; Detroits Wayne County, Michigan.

Polk County, Iowa, which includes Des Moines, saw most of its growth of almost 24,000 people from new immigration. The county plans a welcoming center for immigrants in Des Moines, called Global Neighbors, but the county also has been roiled by mostly false rumors of immigration raids.

Mak Suceska, who will direct operations for the center, is a refugee from Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia who arrived in the United States in 1993. At an event this week in Iowa City, he described the planned $4 million center as a space for refugees and immigrants to call home.

Iowa City in Johnson County, another area where immigration more than doubled population growth since 2020, is also interested in more immigrant services, said Peter Gerlach, executive director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, speaking at the March 12 event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its really important to learn from each other, from like-minded communities, about how we can support and create welcoming communities, Gerlach said, especially given the ways in which our refugees and immigrants are being targeted.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
After her niece went missing, Jeannie Locklair Bush found it difficult to write.

Ciera (Breland) was my biggest fan, Bush said in a message to IndyStar. She used to beg me to publish (my writing) ... After she disappeared, it was just too hard.

Ciera Breland, a mother who lived in Carmel, has now been missing for just over three years. Her last known location was in Johns Creek, Georgia.

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She was visiting family with her husband, Xavier Breland Jr., their infant son and her white labradoodle during the week of Feb. 20, 2022, before she went missing, according to the FBI.

Bush used to share her notebooks full of fictional stories with her niece, and theyd laugh and read together. To honor her niece, she published her first book earlier this year, but for Bush and the rest of her family, they think about the loss of Ciera Breland often.

We still have no answers, Bush said in a message to IndyStar. Still not knowing what happened, truly saying goodbye and grieving is impossible. We are all trying our best to move forward and honor Ciera.

More news: The 96th Street/Allisonville roundabout was supposed to ease traffic. Instead crashes soared

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Ciera Brelands husband reported her missing on Feb. 26, 2022, to the Carmel Police Department, but investigators havent found any evidence that she returned home to Indiana after the trip to Georgia, according to the FBI.

Law enforcement has not ruled out foul play in Ciera Breland's disappearance and her family believes she is dead because she would have never left behind her young son.

While Xavier Breland Jr. has been named a person of interest in the case by law enforcement, he has not been charged in connection with the disappearance more than three years later.

What do we know about Ciera Brelands disappearance?

Ciera Breland was 31 years old, 5 feet tall and 120 pounds with blonde hair when she went missing.

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The Carmel Police Department initially released information on Feb. 26, 2022, asking the public for help locating her. At the time, investigators stated she was last seen in Carmel. About a month later, investigators said there was no evidence Ciera Breland ever returned to Indiana from her trip to Georgia.

Her last known location in Johns Creek, Georgia, was in the 10500 block of Highgate Manor Court on Feb. 24, 2022, at 7:17 p.m. She was driving a white 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, according to the FBI.

Why is Xavier Breland Jr. in prison?

Xavier Breland Jr., 40, was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon in connection with a shot being fired at his Carmel home, according to court records.

Just four days after Ciera Breland was last seen in Georgia, police were called to her and Xavier Breland Jr.s home in the 14000 block of Baldwin Lane in Carmel on a report of an accidental discharge of a firearm.

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Xavier Breland Jr. told police he was moving a Christmas tree in the garage when he heard a gunshot and ran. He returned to the garage and unloaded the firearm. He also offered the responding officer a missing person flier for Ciera Brieland, court records read.

Police found a semi-automatic handgun in the garage near the Christmas tree. The day before, police served a search warrant at the home in connection with Ciera Brelands disappearance and found two other handguns in the house, detectives said. Investigators noted that while searching the home on the warrant, the tree was moved and a gun was not located nearby at the time.

More news: Carmel, Westfield mayors are already eying reelection bids, and they're raising plenty of money

The probable cause affidavit for Xavier Breland Jr.s arrest states he was convicted of burglary in Marion County in 2005, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm.

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In July 2024, Xavier Breland Jr. was found guilty on the unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon charge and sentenced to 12 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. He is appealing the sentence, while being held at a facility in Pendleton.

An attorney for Xavier Breland Jr. in the appeal case declined to comment for this article.

Xavier Breland Jr. was also charged with aggravated stalking in connection to a woman in Georgia who had a temporary protective order against him in 2021, according to police. It was alleged he placed a tracker inside a stuffed animal owned by his daughter to monitor the childs mother, who was his ex-wife.

In August 2022, a Georgia jury returned a not guilty verdict and Xavier Breland Jr. was cleared of the aggravated stalking charge, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta.

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More news: 'I want my money back': Westfield is out $1.8M, blames Trump hiring freeze for delayed census

Bryan Howard, a Georgia defense attorney who represented Xavier Breland Jr. in the aggravated stalking case, did not respond to a request for comment before publication of this article. In 2022, Howard told WSB-TV that he believed Xavier Breland Jr. was innocent in his wifes disappearance.

Hes cooperated with police, Howard told the TV news station. Hes made statements to the police and tried to help them in any way possible.

Xavier Breland Jr. reported to police he last saw his wife around 10 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2022, when she left their home and walked to a store in Carmel, but family members have said police told them she never arrived at the store and there was no surveillance video of her there, according to Fox 5 in Atlanta.

Are there any updates in the disappearance of Ciera Breland?

Lt. Eric Rozier, of the Johns Creek Police Department in Georgia, said he does not have any new updates or active investigative leads to share with the public.

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Its important to keep this story alive because information from the public is often a way for cold cases to break, Rozier said in an email to IndyStar.

There is still a $10,000 reward available for information leading to the whereabouts of Ciera Breland from the FBI in Atlanta.

Tipsters can call the Johns Creek police tip line at 678-474-1610. The Carmel Police Department can receive tips at 317-571-2500.

Xavier Breland Jr. is still considered a person of interest in the case because he was the last known person with Ciera Breland, Rozier said.

"Its important not to forget Ciera Brelands tragic disappearance, Rozier said via email. I have faith that the truth will come to light at some point. That will be a great day, and we want nothing more than to bring justice to Ciera and provide closure for her family.

Ciera Breland was loving mother, attorney before disappearance

Ciera Breland is the mother to a young son and worked as an attorney for the law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani.

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When Ciera found out she was pregnant that was the greatest dream come true for her, said Jeannie Locklair Bush, Ciera Breland's aunt.

Ciera Breland practiced commercial litigation, as well as employment law, and had an office in Indianapolis. She was an aunt and loved to take her niece and nephew Christmas and back-to-school shopping.

"Even after she grew up and moved away, she would come at least once a month and spend time with me and the rest of the family, Bush said.

Before she went missing, Ciera Breland road-tripped with her husband, son and dog from Carmel to Cleveland, Georgia. Then they drove to Johns Creek to stay with Ciera Brelands mother-in-law before they were supposed to drive back home to Indiana, Locklair Bush said.

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Losing someone, not knowing how or why it is the absolute worst feeling, Bush said. I cant describe it, none of us can move forward (and) theres just this constant pain and heaviness of not knowing.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Carmel's Ciera Breland went missing 3 years ago. Police are still looking
BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN)  Property insurance policyholders in Bazetta could soon pay less for insurance because of an improved fire department score.

As of June 1, businesses and homeowners in Bazetta could see lower insurance costs.

Thats a good thing I hope cause the reason why is vets and everybody else of retirement age -Im 83 years old  need some breaks somewhere, said homeowner Larlun Williams.

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Its all thanks to the fire departments improved ISO rating. A recent Insurance Services Office Review upgraded its score from a Class 3 to a Class 2. Its now one of about 118 fire departments in the state to achieve a Class 2 ranking.

Its a big deal, said Bazetta firefighter Rob Wasser.



These reviews are done every five years. It grades the fire departments equipment, personnel and training, water supply system, and communications.

Firefighters say access to water is on the list of factors that contributed to the improved score. A water line project in the township added about two dozen new fire hydrants. Another enhancement is the fire departments access road to Elm Road.

You figure that that cuts out two and a half to three minutes of response time which is significant; fire doubles in size every minute, Wasser said. Those are the big things that insurance companies look for  how far are you away from a hydrant or a water source  you know what kind of response is coming out your fire department station.



Firefighters say the improved rating is something theyre proud of.

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Every day that we come to work this is what were all about  the community and improving our department, our personnel which ultimately benefits the community and everyone that lives here as well as the businesses that are here, said Wasser.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
After six excruciating days, a 41-year-old woman who crashed her car in an embankment and was reported missing has been rescued and reunited with her family.

According to multiple reports, Brieonna Cassell crashed her car in northeast Indiana last week after leaving her mother's house. It's believed she fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a deep ditch.

The car was merely feet from the road she veered off of but the car was out of sight from passing traffic. At a news conference on Tuesday, Cassell's family said she couldn't move her legs and lost power on her cell phone. She survived by soaking her hoodie in a nearby creek and sucking the water.

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She would take her hoodie and toss it, like shes fishing, Cassell's father said at the news conference. And bring it back and suck on it to have water.

When the family couldn't get in touch with Cassell they reported her missing. While trapped in her car, Cassell's family said she could hear the cars passing by, but it wasn't until a Good Samaritan, Johnny Martinez, spotted her while he was operating an equipment vehicle while working for a drainage company.

Related: Bodycam Footage Shows Cops Rescuing Children From Miltons Destruction

Martinez is said to have contacted a friend who happened to be a fire chief. The duo checked on the vehicle and that's when they found Cassell alive and conscious.

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Cassell was airlifted to a hospital in Chicago where her family met her.

"I am so happy. Today is the happiest day of my life," Cassell's mother said. "I have not been able to do anything but cry and pray and thank the Lord today for letting my baby come home."

Cassell, a mother of three, is expected to make a full recovery.
Indiana Supreme Court Justices, left to right, Geoffrey Slaughter, Mark Massa, Loretta Rush, Derek Molter, Christopher Goff (Supreme Court Flickr)

A yearslong legal battle over a Columbus City Council members candidacy sparked a sharp exchange Thursday between Indianas Supreme Court justices and Bartholomew County Democratic Party Chair Ross Thomas.

At issue in the underlying case was Thomas 2023 challenge against Republican Joseph Jay Foyst, which alleged Foysts candidacy in that years municipal election was invalid because the Bartholomew County GOP missed the deadline to file notice for a party caucus with the clerks office.

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Foyst was initially selected as the Bartholomew County Republican Partys nominee during a party caucus in July 2023. The caucus was convened after no Republican filed to run for the office in the partys May primary, leaving a vacancy in the general election.

Republican Columbus City Council member Joseph Jay Foyst (Photo courtesy Foysts campaign website)

After the county election board upheld the challenge, the Bartholomew County Republican Party held a second caucus  again selecting Foyst to fill the vacancy.

Thomas repeated attempt to challenge Foysts candidacy was denied by the Bartholomew County clerk because the deadline had passed for him to file a challenge, prompting Thomas to file a lawsuit.

Despite the pending litigation, Foyst was ultimately elected to the Columbus City Council in November 2023  beating out his Democrat opponent, Bryan Munoz. A trial court judge upheld the Republicans candidacy shortly after.

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But Thomas appealed, and the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed that the GOP caucus and certificate of candidacy were filed late, meaning Foyst was never a legal candidate. The decision reversed the election result and declared Munoz the winner of the 2023 general election.

Foyst petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court last August to take up the case and reinstate him as the race winner.

His attorney, George Hoffman III, held Thursday that Thomas has no standing to bring the lawsuit because he has no injury. Munoz, for example, would be better suited to bring a case, Hoffman said.

The lawyer affirmed, too, that the appellate ruling unconstitutionally disenfranchised 454 voters who voted to elect Foyst.

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Thomas, meanwhile, maintained that Indianas election laws give a special purpose to county chairs in filling the ballot and in making these challenges. The case is clear, he argued: Late filers are void  if you miss a deadline, youre finished.

Thomas is an attorney and argued the case himself.

But the high court justices appeared skeptical, grilling Thomas for much of his allotted time before them. Contention largely centered around any injury  or lack thereof  that Thomas has personally suffered, and whether or not he was the appropriate party to seek legal remedy. The justices also questioned whether the overall issue was moot, given that the election in question already happened.

An agency isnt a court. You may have statutory right to bring a claim in an administrative proceeding  whether its the (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission) or the local election board  thats a very different matter from having judicial standing to seek and obtain judicial relief, said Justice Geoffrey Slaughter. When you go to a court of law, youve got to have an injury.

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Its now up to the court to decide whether they will take up the dispute. If they dont, the appellate court decision in Thomas favor would be final.

Candidacy challenge

Foyst, the Republican candidate for the Columbus City Councils District 6 seat, argued in court documents that his county GOP substantially complied with election law.

While the notice of the initial caucus was filed one day late, the meeting was still held  and Foyst was properly selected as the partys candidate, his counsel wrote.

Bartholomew County Democratic Party Chair Ross Thomas (Photo courtesy Bartholomew County Democratic Party)

The Bartholomew County Circuit Court Clerk accepted the late filing, opining that the delay was minor and should not invalidate Foysts selection. Foyst further noted he was actively campaigning and publicly recognized as a candidate throughout the election cycle.

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After Thomas successfully challenged the first caucus, the Bartholomew County Republican Party held a second caucus, invoking a state law that allows for a vacancy to be filled even after a successful challenge.

The county election board allowed Foysts second candidacy to proceed, and he bested Munozs 309 votes with 454 votes.

Hoffman maintained Thursday that overturning the election would be unfair to the electorate and set an unfair precedent for courts to override local election outcomes based on technicalities.

Justice Christopher Goff questioned whether the court should weigh in at all. He pointed to a 1985 decision in which the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that if you miss a deadline like this  that (candidate) is void.

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Im concerned that we might be doing damage to our own precedent by injecting ourselves into this citywide election, Goff said. This challenge was known at the time of the election.

Jenna Lorence, with the Indiana Attorney Generals Office, additionally spoke on Foysts behalf and cited existing state law for pre-election challenges.

If you have a pre-election challenge where someone remains on the ballot that is ultimately found to be improper, there are standards for what to do in order to fill that seat. Essentially, its viewed as a vacancy. The remedy is never to (make) the person who won the fewest number of votes  the winner of the election, Lorence said. The times in which the results of an election will be reversed, the only instances we see of that in Indiana law is when theres a tabulation error.

High court justices grill Thomas

Thomas reiterated, however, that Foyst was never a legal candidate because the county Republican Party failed to meet a key legal deadline.



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A section in Indiana election law requires a caucus notice to be filed with the county clerk at least 10 days before the gathering. The Bartholomew County Republican Party filed the notice one day late. Thomas said that meant the clerk was legally barred from accepting filing, making Foysts initial selection invalid.

But Thomas also maintained that Foysts second candidacy should not have been allowed.

Although Foyst was renominated in the second caucus under the successful challenges exception, Thomas argued that exception did not apply because Foyst was never legally a candidate in the first place.

If the clerk had followed the law, (Foyst) would have been sent away. He would not have been a candidate. There would have been no challenge, and he would not have been a candidate removed from challenge. He would have been a candidate who missed the deadline and wasn't on the ballot.

 Bartholomew County Democratic Party Chair Ross Thomas

As the only legally eligible candidate, Munoz remains the rightful winner, Thomas said.

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Justice Mark Massa asserted that there are a myriad of ways to challenge a candidate.

So, why are we carving out this one special defect regarding deadlines? he asked.

Thomas said the law is plain. He said Foysts candidacy was never valid and should not have qualified to be challenged in the first place.

If you miss a deadline  the statute says the clerk may not accept the late filing  not that we can accept some of them, and if it was no big deal, well think about it. It says may not, Thomas responded. So, what is being suggested is that if you can get the clerk to make a mistake, that makes you a candidate on the ballot subject to challenge.  If the clerk had followed the law, (Foyst) would have been sent away. He would not have been a candidate. There would have been no challenge, and he would not have been a candidate removed from challenge. He would have been a candidate who missed the deadline and wasnt on the ballot.

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Slaughter repeatedly probed Thomas about injuries and questioned if Munoz or the county Democratic Party would be better positioned to file a lawsuit. When Thomas remarked that he was, in fact, representing the party, Slaughter pushed back.

Youre here on your own behalf, as a pro se litigant. And thats the question, the justice said. Why is this not brought by the party with you, perhaps, as its lawyer? That fixes all the standing problems in the world, doesnt it?

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Thomas continued his position that the county chair is the person who is best equipped to bring these kinds of challenges  even more so than a candidate.

The county chair is given the authority to put people on the ballot, to decide who gets to be a candidate, Thomas said. A county chair can tell a person, Im sorry, you dont fit the criteria, Im not letting you on the ballot. Thats the county chairs role.

Still, Justice Derek Molter seemed to doubt that Thomas post-election challenge could result in any resolution.

The only relief you asked for in your complaint that you havent abandoned was a declaratory judgment that Foyst should not appear on the general election ballot, but the election already happened. He already appeared on the ballot, Molter said. We cant give you that relief.

Thomas told the justices he wants the same relief he unanimously received from the Court of Appeals, which says that a candidate who misses a deadline is never a candidate, and if youre not a candidate, you cant win an election.

The only thing available to me as the chair and the party is to seek declaratory judgment, Thomas continued. It is not moot.  The pre-election challenge that was pending could have been decided before the election. But for numerous delays, many of which were from Mr. Foyst to push the case past the election  it was a pre-election challenge that was decided after the election.

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ANDERSON  The Indiana Supreme Court has denied a request by the developers of the proposed Lone Oak solar facility to consider a decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

The Court of Appeals denied the request of the developers to overturn a decision by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to assume jurisdiction in a complaint filed by Invenergy, affirming a decision in April not to take jurisdiction.

The Indiana Supreme Court Thursday voted to deny transfer of the case to the states highest court.

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Lone Oak also spends a significant portion of its petition to transfer discussing whether the IURC has a right to restrict statutory eminent domain authority for public utilities, wrote attorney Kevin Koons, representing Madison County. However, this is a red herring, as this case has never been about eminent domain. Lone Oak has never asked to exercise it or even suggested a need to exercise it.

The company in its filings with the court contends that counties dont have jurisdiction to regulate the solar industry through local zoning ordinances.

Madison County attorney Jeff Graham said in 2014 that Lone Oak is trying to take jurisdiction for the whole project out of the countys hands.

Graham said that Madison County is a test case, and the matter represents an attempt by the industry to remove local control of solar energy projects in the state.

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Previously, Invenergy asked and the IURC agreed not to exercise jurisdiction over the project.

In last year's complaint, Invenergy maintained that it was unreasonable for the Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals to require that the Lone Oak facility in the northern part of the county be operational by Dec. 31.

The company wanted the IURC to rule that the countys decision not to grant a two-year extension was unreasonable and that the countys 2017 solar ordinance should be voided.

If that action was not approved, the company wanted the state commission to provide an additional three years to complete the project.

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The original request for the IRUC to assume jurisdiction asked that one of two steps be taken to allow for future construction of the $110 million project that would produce 120 megawatts of electricity on 800 acres.

The company was asking the IURC to rule that the countys solar ordinance is unreasonable or void.

In its decision, the IURC noted that Invenergy has requested a judicial review of the BZA decision and that the review is pending in Grant County. The court action has therefore been delayed by action taken by the company, the commission found.

Invenergy maintains that it couldnt begin work on the Lone Oak facility for several reasons, including a pending lawsuit by remonstrators that hindered financing, the COVID-19 pandemic and related supply-chain issues.

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At a 2023 hearing, Michael Hill, an attorney for Invenergy, said that if the IURC declined to exercise jurisdiction, the ordinance and BZA denial of the extension would effectively kill the facility.

Hill also said that the company intended to meet all the conditions of the special-use permit that was issued by Madison County, except for the operational date, as well as contractual obligations to landowners and the county.

The countys position was that Invenergys complaint should take place in a court.

Previously, Invenergy asked, and the IURC agreed, not to exercise jurisdiction over the project.
Students at the Invent Learning Hub charter school in Indianapolis board buses the school pays for at the end of the school day. (Patrick ODonnell/The 74)

Shawanda Tyson loves the Paramount charter schools in Indianapolis where she sends her young son.

Theres just one big drawback for Tyson in this city where more than half of students attend charters  transportation.

Like most other states, Indiana doesnt require or pay for buses to bring charter students to classes, which advocates are pushing for as Indiana continues its aggressive support of charter and private schools.

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The lack of busing is such a hot button issue that one Indiana charter network advertises on billboards that they offer student transportation. And one Indianapolis charter school director called the lack of busing an equity issue.

Though some Indianapolis charter schools dig into their budgets to pay as much as $1 million a year for buses, most, like Paramount, dont want to sacrifice academics for transportation. That leaves parents like Tyson to fend for themselves, often making logistically complicated arrangements such as carpooling with other families or relatives.

Tyson usually drops her son, 9, off with an aunt early each morning who then brings him and other kids to Paramount. Its a major issue, said Tyson. Parents like me have to reach out to other parents to get help.

Tyson and her aunt have developed a system to get their kids to school. Some days Im off work and I do the pick-up, she said,  but it gets hard.

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Transportation has long been a pressure point in Indiana and nationally for charter and voucher schools, with backers arguing students have to be able to get to a school for it to be a real choice.

School districts often balk at paying to take students to schools they view as competition. Practically, district and charter school schedules dont always align, creating conflicts around drop off and pickup times.

The KIPP Indy charter schools know busing can be a draw for parents, so they advertise having transportation for students on billboards. (Patrick ODonnell)

In Indiana, some Republican state legislators want an overhaul of school transportation and have proposed combining busing for district, charter and private school students into a single system in Indianapolis and four other cities.

The education pro-charter advocacy group ExcelInEd rates Indiana as one of 20 states with limited transportation for charter and private school students. Neighboring states such as Illinois and Ohio, are rated as fair to charter students by offering similar busing as district students.

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A busing bill has been on hold, however, while the state is embroiled in a battle over the broader issue of how it pays for charter schools.

The Indianapolis Public Schools board has pushed back, calling for a moratorium on adding new charter schools and maintaining local control. Board members and residents object to state plans to take money from the district and give it to charters, saying it would force them to close 20 schools.

The bill drawing district complaints, Senate Bill 518, would shift some local property taxes from school districts to charters. It passed the Senate last month after heated debate.

Backers say sharing taxes is needed to close a funding gap between districts and charter schools  a gap of $8,000 in Indianapolis with the district spending $18,500 and charters $10,600. Critics say districts will have to close schools and cut programs if they lose money.

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If passed, the tax-sharing bill could give charters enough money to afford buses for students. Thats one reason parents like Ada Remus, whose son attends Edison School of the Arts, an unusual independent school in Indianapolis, supports the tax-sharing, even as the Indianapolis Public Schools district opposes it.

Even when great schools exist, they often lack transportation, leaving families like mine on the far east side without access, Remus told the Indianapolis Public Schools board last week. If funding were more equitable, more families, including mine, would have access to better schools without worrying about how to get there.

Other Indianapolis parents and teachers blasted state officials for threatening to take money away from the district and raised concerns over what might be cut.

Everyone in this room, commissioners or not, must realize that for the foreseeable future, the state will be run by rural and suburban Republicans with neither interest in nor affection for the city of Indianapolis, city resident Guthrie Beyer told the board.

Alecia Ostler, executive director of the Invent Learning Hub charter school, said she decided to pay for buses when the school launched six years ago to make sure transportation didnt prevent families from enrolling. She now pays nearly $200,000 a year for three buses that transport 60 percent of her students.

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This is inner-city, so quite honestly, there are just some situations where families are like, I dont feel comfortable with my child having to walk there, Ostler said. But then we have some families that dont have transportation, so they really lean on that bus. Theyre not going to be able to get them here without that.

Transportation is an equity issue, she added. There needs to be consideration given to the needs of families.

A small group of charter or independent schools avoid those expenses by partnering with the Indianapolis Public Schools as part of its unique Innovation Schools network  in which the district shares a mix of busing, school buildings and technology support with 30 schools that would typically be shunned as competitors.

District officials estimate they spend about $12 million a year to provide transportation for 17 of the 30 Innovation Schools. Those include KIPP Indy charter schools that boast of having Transportation Available on billboards promoting them.

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Its core and essential to our model, said Andy Seibert, KIPP Indys executive director.

Advocates are still holding out hope for a common transportation system that would drastically change school busing in the city. State Rep. Bob Behning, chairman of the House education committee, has proposed creating a central authority to oversee transportation for students of district, charter and private schools.

Indianapolis Public Schools officials object to how Behnings proposal would put busing under a new panel mostly appointed by state officials. District officials oppose the states Republican supermajority picking a panel overseeing the citys largely minority and Democratic residents.

The question really needs to be debated by the community instead of as a piece of legislation that comes down the pipeline, said IPS Deputy Superintendent Andrew Strope. It kind of takes away the power of the people through an elected board.

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The Milwaukee Public Market is doing its own St. Patrick's Day celebration this weekend.

Public market goers can stop by St. Paul Fish Company's inflatable Irish pop-up pub on Sunday and Monday and order a variety of festive drinks, including Guinness on tap, green Miller Lite and the restaurant's margarita  with a green twist.

Attendees can listen to live music from The Pubbys Band and Frog Water. Bagpipers are also slated to perform on both days.

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A portion of the event's proceeds will be go towards CelticMKE, an Irish and Celtic heritage organization and host of Milwaukee's annual Irish Fest.

For more information, you can visit the event's webpage.

More: Here's what to know about Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's 57th annual Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day parade

When will the inflatable Irish pub be at the Milwaukee Public Market?

Location: St. Paul Avenue sidewalk in front of the market

Date: Sunday, March 16 and Monday, March 17

Time: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

More: Milwaukee County Transit System will offer free bus rides on St. Patrick's Day weekend again this year

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: St. Patrick's Day 2025: Inflatable pub pop-up Milwaukee Public Market
The internet was aghast over a video that an American influencer shared while in Australia. Sam Jones sparked a huge controversy online after she plucked a baby wombat away from its mother on the side of the road. The footage is so upsetting and now people online are absolutely furious.

The video has since been deleted from the internet, but a clip of the interaction has been shared by ABC News.

The footage is pretty disturbing. It shows Jones leaving her car by the side of the road so she could track the wombat down. She ran to the animal, picked it up, and then trotted back to the vehicle  dangling the creature between her fingers as she ran.

Related: Orphaned Wombats Belly Scratches From Vet Spark a Meltdown of Cuteness

"I caught a baby wombat," Jones said in a copy of the clip that was shared by the news outlet. "OK, mom is right there and she is pissed. Lets let him go."

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It wasnt just the animals mother that was upset. The baby wombat was screeching, trying in vain to escape the womans grasp. The video cuts off before Jones returns the animal, if she does that is. Its certainly upsetting to see someone carelessly pull a baby animal away from its mother.

The clip sparked a huge outrage from commenters, who demanded that Jones be deported for her cruelty. BBC News reports that a petition to get Jones deported has been circulating around online even after the clip was taken down. It reportedly has over 10,500 signatures on it.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke spoke with the news outlet and agreed that if Jones was going to disrespect the natural wildlife of Australia  she needed to go.

"Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I'll be surprised if she even bothers," Burke explained in a statement.

Wombats Are Native to Australia

Its not just peoples sense of injustice that was triggered by the incident. If the case is pursued, Jones could face serious legal repercussions too. Wombats are a legally protected species in Australia. That means that the law prevents people from disturbing the native species, including harming animals or taking wildlife.

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"It's just unacceptable, and we're glad she's being called to account, said Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia. Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it's very possibly illegal under state or national laws," she added, before reminding people that wombats are not a photo prop or plaything.

Other videos from Jones social media show the woman holding an echidna and little shark.

While it might seem harmless, an animal in distress can really suffer at the hands of a human  they could even die from the stress. Which is why Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong argued that what Jones did was 100 percent wrong.

"I think everyone who would have seen that would have thought, leave the baby wombat alone, the news outlet reports she said. Leave it with its mum.



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TOKYO - A 42-year-old man arrested over the fatal stabbing of a young woman while she was livestreaming on a Tokyo street said he wanted the world to know she had failed to repay debts to him, investigative sources said Friday.

The statement by the suspect, Kenichi Takano, came after he was arrested Tuesday over the killing of 22-year-old Airi Sato in a residential area of Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's busiest wards. He claimed she owed him over 2 million yen ($13,000).

"I thought the world would know what she had done if I created an incident and a trial was held," he was quoted as telling investigators, the sources said.

Takano said that he had taken out 1 million yen in loans from two consumer credit companies to lend Sato, the sources said. He was sent to prosecutors Thursday on a charge of murder.

During a search of his home in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture, police seized more than 10 receipts for bank transfers, some of which were to Sato.

Takano approached Sato while she was walking alone and started stabbing her without saying a word, the sources said. In all, he inflicted more than 30 injuries including fatal wounds to her neck and chest, according to the police.

Takano first learned of Sato through her streams in February 2021. Around August 2022, he began frequenting her workplace and later started lending her money after she claimed to be struggling to pay her living expenses, the sources said.

After losing contact with Sato around January to February 2023, Takano sued Sato that August over the unreturned money. A court then ordered her to pay 2.5 million yen to Takano, the sources said.

In January 2024, however, he consulted local police, saying Sato had gone missing following the ruling, according to the sources.

Takano purchased the survival knife used in the incident by mail order two to three months ago and brought it from his home to the Takadanobaba district.

Related coverage:

Woman killed in Tokyo while streaming stabbed over 30 times
Social media influencer Sam Jones is currently drawing intense criticism after a video of her picking up a baby wombat and taking it away from its mother in Australia went viral on Instagram. Many have called out Jones for her behavior, given that wombats are a critically endangered species.

So, heres everything you need to know regarding the recent controversy surrounding the popular internet personality.

Sam Jones faces backlash after picking baby wombat

A recent video online featuring the social media influencer saw her grabbing an infant wombat by the road, after which she paced to her car, leaving behind the animals concerned mother. The man filming Sam Jones reacted to the situation by laughing and saying, Look at the mother, its chasing after her!

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Moreover, Jones relayed her excitement by stating, I caught a baby wombat. During this, the infant marsupial struggled to escape her grasp. She also added a caption to the now-deleted video, which read, My dream of holding a wombat has been realized! Baby and mom slowly waddled back off together into the bush.

The internet personality also took time to respond to the backlash in the comment section of her post. She wrote, The [wombat] baby was carefully held for one minute in total and then released back to mom. They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed. I dont ever capture wildlife that will be harmed by my doing so, as per BBC.

The resultant criticism has led to Sam Jones making her Instagram account, which boasts a follower count of around 92,000, private. In her bio, she has even stated that she is a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist. Meanwhile, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has conveyed that immigration officers are currently reviewing Jones visa.

Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, Ill be surprised if she even bothers, said Burke in a statement to BBC. This development comes after a petition was filed on Change.org, demanding Jones deportation. At the time of writing, the appeal has garnered over 31,000 signatures.

The post Influencer Sam Jones Faces Backlash After Picking Baby Wombat in Australia appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSAV) The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) released the arrest warrant for an inmate charged with killing his cellmate.

Javontay Savon Rogers, 31

Javontay Savon Rogers, 31, is charged with murder in the death of Patrick chase Massey on December 10, 2024. Rogers and Massey were cellmates at Ridgeland Correctional Institution. The charges allege Rogers strangled Massey with a nylon strap.

Rogers was serving a five-year sentence for assault and battery and pointing a firearm. He was released to the custody of the Jasper County Sheriffs Department last week because his sentence with SCDC ended. He is being held in the Jasper County Detention Center.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  A Texas senator is taking action after a KXAN investigation revealed that no state agency is tracking the thousands of students school districts send to court over absences. This week on Inside the Investigation, we explain how the proposed legislation could shed light on what is happening in Texas truancy courts.

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New Texas bill could unlock mystery of what happens to students in truancy court

12,000+ Texas kids sent to court for missing class, no one tracks what happens next

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Join KXAN Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley every Friday at 10:30 a.m. on YouTube, Facebook, or KXAN.com for a live recap of the latest headlines and in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team.

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You can also listen to KXANs investigative podcast, highlighting some of our award-winning teams latest reports exposing corruption, safety concerns and system failures across Texas. We also feature audio versions of our weekly Inside the Investigation discussion with the journalists working on those stories.

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Year after year, in shutdown fight after shutdown fight, in debt-limit standoff after debt-limit standoff, you could count on this: While Republicans would be bickering and taking potshots at each other, Democratic leaders would stay in lockstep  giving their members a united front to rally behind.

That all exploded in dramatic fashion this week, culminating Friday at a news conference unlike any I have seen in my career covering Congress, where the No. 1 House Democrat repeatedly dodged questions about whether the No. 1 Senate Democrat was fit to lead.

Should Senate Democrats ditch Chuck Schumer? House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as the kids say, chose violence: Next question.

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It was the diss heard around the Capitol and in Democratic circles around the country. It marked the end of decades of relative peace atop the Democratic ranks and exposed the friction between two Brooklyn natives who had worked closely together last year to engineer a new presidential ticket. And it sent a worrying signal to their party: In the future, these two leaders wont necessarily be singing from the same political hymnal.

The stunning breach comes just as President Donald Trump takes a wrecking ball to the federal bureaucracy and pushes the limits of his constitutional powers. And yet the Jeffries-vs-Schumer drama has emerged as the biggest show on Capitol Hill this week  a distraction for Democrats that is yanking the headlines away from Trumps tough polling and a spiraling stock market.

Ashley Etienne, a former top communications strategist for ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi who has vocally criticized Hill Democrats agitating for a shutdown, told me it amounted to a complete meltdown for Democrats.

Trump had given the party a gift  the economy is tanking, his tariff wars are devastating Americans pocketbooks, and the courts are finally checking his authority  yet weve found a way to squander it, she said, To beat Trump, we need clarity of purpose, discipline and coordination. Its clear none of that exists right now.

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While the Democratic base will hold Jeffries up as a hero, even some Jeffries fans are privately questioning his approach. Before the news conference, I heard from several former House Democratic leadership aides who were puzzled by Jeffries posture.

One, a Democratic strategist with close ties to Pelosi granted anonymity to speak frankly, texted me out of the blue to say that hes afraid Jeffries is letting the Caucus emotional response get the best of him and his relationship with his home state counterpart.

Sure weve had disagreements in the past  but I cannot recall a moment when our bicameral leadership went this hard against each other, the person added.

So how did two Democrats of different generations but similar politics and a shared Brooklyn upbringing end up so dramatically at odds?

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Many of the Democrats I heard from said it was a long time coming and represented a deeper divide between the two leaders that had been obscured during the hothouse of the 2024 campaign.

Leader Schumer sees Leader Jeffries as a new leader who needs to learn a lot about the nuances of governing and negotiating, said the Pelosi-linked strategist. Jeffries sees Schumer as someone who has lost touch with the sentiment of the base and whose tactics and style are a relic of the past.

Yes, the clash was exacerbated by the different political realities that the two men were inhabiting. With House Republicans able to put up the votes to fund the government, Jeffries didnt have to make the hard choice about whether he was leading his members into a shutdown. He could instead use the moment to ingratiate himself with the base, and he did.

Schumer, on the other hand, was the last man standing between the lights being shut off and 2 million federal workers being furloughed without pay. Further compounding the dilemma: real fears that Trump and Elon Musk would have even more power in a shutdown than they would otherwise.

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Typically in situations like this, leaders graciously give each other space to do what they need to do  even if they privately disagree. Case in point: Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have vastly different ideas about the size and scope and strategy for Trumps agenda  and yet we have not seen them spar publicly.

Its not a difficult line to walk. Heres Sen. Mark Warner managing to do it just fine: I'm a no on this  but I have total respect for members who are voting yes, because these were both crappy choices, the Virginia Democrat said after announcing his opposition to the House GOP bill.

Thats not what happened here, however.

Jeffries and his leadership team worked over the course of days to stir up opposition to the House bill even after it passed, loading pressure on Senate Democrats even as many in the party knew they would eventually have to swallow it.

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And all came to a head with Jeffries curious choice to return to the Capitol for a news conference Friday, after two days holed up with his caucus at a suburban Virginia resort, knowing full well he would be inundated with questions about Schumer  with pat answers at the ready except to indirectly accuse his Senate counterpart of posing a false choice between shutdown and surrender.

Jeffries comments at the presser, some House Democrats speculate, were the results of a pressure campaign that had been building at the Democratic retreat. As they huddled in Leesburg, members complained to Jeffries about Schumer throwing in the towel. They felt like they had gone out on a limb to vote against government funding, and they felt Schumer was being weak in refusing to follow suit.

Jeffries also felt blindsided by Schumers decision, according to someone close to him. While Schumer gave Jeffries a heads up that he would back the GOPs funding bill just before announcing his intentions publicly, Jeffries had believed for days that Schumer would likely come down on his side on the vote.

Jeffries leadership team first put out a joint statement Thursday hours after Schumer announced his decision, in which they said they would not be complicit in advancing the funding bill.

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Meanwhile, Jeffries privately argued to his members that they were in the right, invoking the words of Martin Luther King Jr., no less: The time is always right to do what's right. This week, House Democrats did what was right. We stood up against Donald Trump, he said at the retreat, according to my colleague Nicholas Wu.

A person close with Jeffries told me he did not mean to cast aspersions on Schumers leadership during the news conference by dodging the questions and meant instead to keep the focus on Republicans.

Tell that to Schumer. Now with Jeffries keeping mum on Schumers future as Senate Democratic leader, he has essentially given Democrats a green light to question whether he should stay at all.

The dynamic is a major break from the relationship Pelosi and Schumer had back in the day. One of the former leadership aides said those two would have been bending each others ears daily to strategize  and certainly never would have let their disagreement spill out into the open.

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I dont know that Pelosi would have ever gotten into an open confrontation with the Senate like this, said a senior House aide. (Notably, Pelosi herself released a statement Thursday that was quite similar to what Jeffries was saying, lamenting the "false choice" presented by Schumer.)

The most surprising part of it, these people told me, is that Jeffries pounced even after Schumer explained that he was trying to do what he believed was right  taking the hard position on behalf of whats best for the party despite knowing hed take heat from the base.

This is the [Mitch] McConnell thing, right? the former House leadership aide said. He would take the shit and eat the sandwich  and thats what you do when you are leader. Pelosi did it, too. These guys [in the House], they dont have the same experience.

So why create all this chaos for his counterpart across the Rotunda? The immediate political incentives for Jeffries were clear: He was already getting pummeled by the base for the tepid response from Washington Democrats to Trump and Musks slash-and-burn campaign. Given the opportunity to reverse that narrative, he took it.

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Look, it takes a lot of heat off our leadership, said one senior House Democratic aide when asked about why Jeffries was doing this.

Another senior House Democratic aide told my colleague Nick that the situation allowed front-line Democrats to keep the base happy while someone else took out the trash.

But it may have come at the cost of upending the lockstep relationship between leaders that has historically been essential to parties out of power. The usual pattern in Washington is that nothing unites a party quite like being in the minority  witness Kevin McCarthys marriage of convenience to the hard-liner Jim Jordan, who once blocked him from the gavel.

The breakup also underscores the continuing divide in the Democratic Party over how to oppose Trump.

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A longtime former House Democratic leadership aide, who was also granted anonymity to speak frankly, called it evidence of the lack of experience by House leaders. The aide warned that this could have long-term repercussions.

The cool sexy thing is, fight, fight, fight.  But its one thing to gin up pressure on [Sens. Kyrsten] Sinema and [Joe] Manchin, the person said, referring to the retired Senate moderates. This is different. This is gonna be terrible for their relationship.
Roads in Steinhatchee remain covered in debris on Oct. 3, 2024, following Hurricane Helene. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Florida lawmakers peppered the states sitting and former insurance commissioners for three hours on Friday to demand answers about why they didnt bring immediate attention to a 2022 report detailing money transfers from Florida insurers to out-of-state affiliates.

At the time, Florida property insurers were pleading for legislative reforms because of liabilities from major storms and excessive litigation. Nevertheless, they were paying billions of dollars to affiliated companies, the document found.

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) commissioned the report, prepared by Risk and Regulatory Consulting, in 2020 and it was published in March 2022, several months before a special legislative session made it harder to sue insurance companies.

House Speaker Daniel Perez called Fridays meeting of the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee following a bombshell Tampa Bay Times story about that report, which found that insurers who were claiming financial ruin after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018 had paid $680 million in dividends to shareholders while simultaneously funneling billions to affiliated companies.

The report showed that 53 insurers reported a total of $61 million in net income, while their affiliates, known as MGAs (managing general agents), reported $14 billion in income.

Hillsborough County Republican Susan Valdes asked David Altmaier, who was insurance commissioner at the time the report was commissioned, whether he found the disclosure alarming.

Red flags

It certainly raised some red flags, which is why it was important for us to determine whether or not this was accurate, Altmaier said.

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Lawmakers pressed Altmaier and his successor, Michael Yaworsky, about why the office never made the report public. Their response was that it was in draft form and not ready for general release.

A draft is a very real thing to us, and it is an indication that it is not a completed product, Yaworsky told the committee.

Under further questioning, Yaworsky mentioned discussions that concluded sometime later in 2022 between the OIR and Rise & Regulatory Consulting to perfect the document. He said he didnt know the details, adding that his office was dealing with between six or seven companies at the time that had gone through insolvency, as well as investigating other insurance companies.

I think its possible that they were simply overwhelmed, he said.

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Speaking under oath, Altmaier said the office had become aware of transfers with affiliated companies in 2014, but it wasnt until 2021 that they were able to get legislation passed that specifically authorized them to investigate the affiliate payments.

Even before we got this draft report, the office was very mindful that this allegation was out there. We were very mindful that we needed to increase our authority to answer these types of questions, not just for you but for your constituents and our consumers and all kinds of other stakeholders, he said.

Altmaier wasnt able to answer why, if he thought the report was so important, he didnt follow up when the OIR received it in 2022.

Hindsight being 20/20, theres probably some opportunities where I could have poked a little bit to make sure that this work was continuing. But, as the commissioner said, we were dealing with a lot, Altmaier said.

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Pinellas County GOP Rep. Adam Anderson asked to what extent can excessive affiliate fees affect policyholders premiums?

There is a factor in there that is fees that you pay to your affiliates, Altmaier replied. If thats being done correctly, then thats a reasonable fee to have in the rates. One of the reasons why this work was so important to us was, if this is being abused, then it can have detrimental impact on policyowner premiums. The challenge is, we didnt fully answer that question during my tenure, he said.

Yaworsky, who served as chief of staff to Altmaier between 2017 and 2021, was named Insurance Commissioner in early 2023. He said it wasnt until late last year that he was even aware of the report.

That prompted several members of the committee to ask why he didnt share the information from the report when appearing before lawmakers since then. They wanted to know whether the affiliate payments were directly responsible for the escalating property insurance rates that have become the single most important issue to Floridians, according to multiple polls taken over the last year.

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Yaworsky pushed back, disputing that the transfers explain why some carriers have become insolvent or closed their businesses in Florida.

Insurers continue to blame excessive litigation

I think the problem at its crux with companies is pretty easy to demonstrate  that it was  due primarily to litigation, but also natural catastrophes and the cost of reinsurance, he said. The companies went broke because rates simply could not be raised fast enough to accommodate that, and the market did not exist to support that. Theres not a lot of evidence that MGA fees or affiliate entity fees were the proximate cause of any insolvency.

Also at the center of the discussion was what is considered a fair and reasonable amount for those companies send to their associated groups. The state of Florida to this day does not have a defined standard in law about what is fair and reasonable.

The Tampa Bay Times made a public information request to see the report in 2022, yet did not receive it until late last year. Several committee members questioned what led to that delay. There was so much going on in 2022 that this did not take the priority, Yaworsky said. Thats a plausible explanation for what happened here.

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Some lawmakers reacted with disgust.

Our purpose here today is to find out if insurance companies have been allegedly ripping the citizens of Florida off. Why rates are so high? We want to find that out. And this reports the states attempt at determining the answer to that, said Palm Beach Republican Mike Caruso.

Yet its still in draft form. Its only seven pages long. It deals with data from 2017 to 2019. Todays 2025. And I find it, as a legislator, thats outrageous that were getting something thats so antiquated and so full of flaws.

Caruso and other lawmakers asked whether the office plans an updated report. That remains uncertain at this time, although committee chair Brad Yeager said after the meeting that he believed lawmakers would push to make that happen.

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The report cost $150,000 and was paid for by a trust fund within the OIR, and not from taxpayer money.

The future

In his State of the State address last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed that the states homeowners insurance market is finally seeing some stability, noting 130,000 new private policies over the past year and that Florida had the lowest increase in rates of all 50 states.

However, the Tampa Bay Times reported earlier this week that the vast majority of the almost 1 million policyholders with state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will pay higher rates beginning on June 1. Known as the property insurer of last resort, it remains the largest in the state in terms of the number of policies written.

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First responders are currently investigating after a train and a car collided in Worcester County Friday morning.

The collision between a CSX train and a sedan happened at the railroad crossing on Sterling Street in Clinton just before 6:30 a.m., a member of the Clinton Fire Department told Boston 25 News.

Two people inside the vehicle were transported to a local hospital, a CSX spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

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The train does not carry passengers and none of the crew onboard were hurt, according to the CSX spokesperson.

While the train was able to continue along the tracks, a Boston 25 News crew was able to find the heavily damaged car with its engine hood completely sheared off.

Boston 25 News is working to learn if the driver of the car or anyone inside the train was hurt in the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley (R) said that the Iowa House Republican caucus is looking to get some of the house school supplemental aid funding proposals into the final, agreed upon bill.

House Republicans sit at a 2.25% increase, with some one-time funding added. Senate Republicans and Gov. Reynolds called for a 2% increase. With both chambers passing through their own proposals, there is a stalemate in the negotiations.

A look inside the National Weather Service Office in Johnston ahead of Fridays storms

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To 2.25% with some of those one-time fundings, as well as some of the other operations sharing transportation pieces we feel pretty strongly about that. And were hopeful that we can find some resolution and maybe incorporate some of those into an agreement. But at this point in time, the house feels pretty confident, were going to continue to stand strong for what we passed, Said Speaker Grassley, (R) District 57 from New Hartford. Were hearing back from Iowans that they want us to continue to stand firm with our number.

Meanwhile, Iowa House and Senate Democratic leadership are frustrated, urging the majority party for answers as school districts work up against a deadline.

Where is the school funding bill? Were now nine weeks into the legislative session. A full month passed a deadline to produce SSA supplemental school aid, said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D) District 45 from Iowa City. So, once again, this year, republicans have blown past their own legislative deadline.

School districts must submit budgets for public input by March 15, and then final budgets are submitted by April 15, with new teacher contracts having to be issued by April 30.

Iowa News:

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(Bloomberg) -- China and Russia joined Iran in denouncing US sanctions and backed efforts to restore a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran that President Donald Trump abandoned in his first term and now wants to replace.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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The three countries  all sanctioned by the US to varying degrees  stressed the need to end unilateral restrictions and urged the resumption of international talks over Irans atomic activities at a meeting in Beijing on Friday, according to a joint statement.

Russia and China were key participants in the Obama-era agreement that restricted Irans nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief, before Trumps withdrawal in 2018. The US has long been concerned Iran is capable of building a nuclear weapon if it chooses to do so, something Iranian officials have denied, saying the work is for civilian purposes.

As the standoff drags on, Iran has expanded its stocks of near-bomb grade enriched uranium while Washington has toughened its sanctions.

Chinas Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu hosted Fridays meeting, which was also attended by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. A separate meeting included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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Political and diplomatic engagement and dialog based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option, Ma told reporters after the meeting.

Last week, Trump reiterated his interest in striking a new nuclear deal with Iran and warned the only alternative for the Islamic Republic was to face military action.

The Beijing gathering follows a flurry of diplomatic activity on Irans nuclear program as world powers try to evade another crisis, at a time when wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are posing risks to energy prices and the global economy.

William Figueroa, assistant professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands who studies China and the Middle East, described the meeting as diplomatic maneuvering.

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Its a strong rejection of Trumps position with the support of allies, he said, adding that the position didnt represent a shift in policy.

Iran has already had at least two rounds of preliminary nuclear talks with diplomats from the UK, France and Germany in Geneva in recent months. Trump also wrote a letter addressed to the Iranian leadership which was received in Tehran on Wednesday via a top official from the United Arab Emirates.

The contents of the missive arent known and theres been no official response.

Critical Juncture

Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has dismissed Trumps call for talks as a trick designed to lead his country toward more sanctions.

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The USs latest raft of penalties on Iran were announced on Thursday and include a sanction on Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad.

The participants in Beijing emphasized the need for all countries to abstain from actions that would undermine the inspection activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency monitors still working in Iran. The United Nations watchdog last month reported a surge in nuclear activity in Iran over the past few months.

The situation has reached a critical juncture again. We must buy time for peace, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and oppose the use of force and illegal sanctions, Wang, who also met with Ryabkov and Gharibabadi, told reporters.

European countries party to the 2015 nuclear deal  known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action  have set plans in motion to reimpose United Nations Security Council Sanctions when they expire in October. Should they do so, Iran has warned it could leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

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Irans departure from the NPT  the key arms control treaty developed during the Cold War  would significantly increase the risk of conflict, because Tehran would no longer be bound by international inspections or prohibited from developing a weapon.

--With assistance from Allen Wan and Alan Wong.

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) -The leader of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed, Iraq's prime minister said on Friday, describing him as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world."

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i, also known as Abu Khadija, had been killed by Iraqi security forces, with the support of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State.

Islamic State imposed hardline Islamist rule over millions of people in Syria and Iraq for years, and has been trying to stage a comeback in the Middle East, the West and Asia.

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Former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate over a quarter of Iraq and Syria in 2014 before he was killed in a raid by U.S. special forces in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed.

The U.S. Central Command said last July that the group was been attempting to "reconstitute following several years of decreased capability."

The command based its assessment on Islamic State claims of mounting 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria in the first half of 2024, a rate that would put the group "on pace to more than double the number of attacks" claimed the year before.

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah in Dubai and Muayad Hameed Suadi in Baghdad; Additional reporting by Jana Choukeir, Writing by Nayera Abdallah, Editing by Alison Williams and Timothy Heritage)
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japan PM faces backlash over gift vouchers to rookie party lawmakers

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday came under fire for his distribution of gift vouchers worth 100,000 yen ($676) each to rookie lower house members of his scandal-mired ruling Liberal Democratic party.

Opposition party leaders questioned the legality of Ishiba's handing out the vouchers ahead of a March 3 dinner meeting at his official residence, ramping up pressure on the premier to fully explain himself. Some opposition members demanded he step down.

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Japan's Iwaya calls U.S. tariffs "regrettable" in talks with Rubio

LA MALBAIE, Canada - Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Thursday he had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the imposition of tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports by President Donald Trump was "regrettable."

Shortly after their meeting in the small Canadian resort of La Malbaie, Quebec, Iwaya told reporters that he had asked Trump's administration to exempt Japan from planned auto and reciprocal tariffs.

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Suspended bullet trains in Japan restart after decoupling incident

TOKYO - Suspended coupled bullet train services in northeastern Japan resumed Friday, the operator said, after safety checks were completed following an incident last week in which linked shinkansen trains disconnected while in motion.

JR East said full operations are expected from Saturday and metal fittings will be used to secure coupling levers in drivers' compartments to prevent a recurrence.

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No. of foreign residents in Japan hits record high for 3rd year

TOKYO - The number of foreign nationals residing in Japan reached over 3.7 million as of the end of 2024, up 10.5 percent from a year before and hitting a record high for the third straight year, government data showed Friday.

The number of people granted refugee status dropped by 113 to 190. But 1,661 -- mainly Ukrainians -- were given status under "complementary protection," a new program that allows those fleeing conflict to stay in Japan, similarly to those granted refugee status, by in principle giving them long-term resident visas.

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Japan court denies request to revoke extension of aging nuclear units

NAGOYA - A Japanese court rejected Friday a request to revoke the approval given by the country's regulator to extend the operations of three nuclear reactors on the Sea of Japan coast beyond the service period limit of up to 40 years in principle.

The Nagoya District Court ruled in favor of the continued operation of the Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Takahama nuclear plant and the No. 3 unit at the Mihama plant, all in Fukui Prefecture and run by Kansai Electric Power Co., in the first judicial decision in lawsuits seeking revocation of approval for extending the operation of reactors.

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A-bomb victims to attend nuke confab preparatory meeting in N.Y.

TOKYO - Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors and winner of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, said Friday it will send two members to New York for a meeting starting in April to prepare for a major nuclear disarmament conference next year.

The group, also known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, will dispatch Hiroshi Kanamoto, 80, and Jiro Hamasumi, 79, to the third meeting of the preparatory committee for the review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, with 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.

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Suspected killer of livestreamer wanted world to know of unpaid debts

TOKYO - A 42-year-old man arrested over the fatal stabbing of a young woman while she was livestreaming on a Tokyo street said he wanted the world to know she had failed to repay debts to him, investigative sources said Friday.

The statement by the suspect, Kenichi Takano, came after he was arrested Tuesday over the killing of 22-year-old Airi Sato in a residential area of Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's busiest wards. He claimed she owed him over 2 million yen ($13,000).

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Baseball: Pitching rehab going as planned, focused on hitting: Ohtani

TOKYO - Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Friday tamped down concerns about his return to the mound by explaining why the team has had him stop throwing a bullpen session.

Ohtani has not thrown in the bullpen since Feb. 25 and is not expected to face hitters until after the Dodgers return from their season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome beginning Tuesday.

Video: Museum featuring popular 'Kochikame' manga opens in Tokyo
On Thursday morning, President Trump took to Truth Social to threaten massive 200% tariffs on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES.

Trump has spent the last few months teasing, delaying, imposing  and occasionally even retreating from  big taxes on friends and foes alike: a 25% tariff on certain Canadian and Mexican imports here, two rounds of 10% tariffs on Chinese goods there.

But Thursdays outburst was the first time the president has floated such an enormous levy on any of Americas trading partners.

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What provoked Trumps 200% threat  and what could happen to the cost of, say, a can of Heineken if he actually follows through? Heres everything you need to know.

Why Trump is threatening a 200% tariff on European booze

Strangely enough, it doesnt have much to do with the actual U.S.-EU spirits industry, which has been a model for fair and reciprocal trade with zero-for-zero tariffs since 1997, as Chris Swonger, leader of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, pointed out in a statement Thursday. Between 1997 and 2018, transatlantic sales of wine, beer and liquor shot up 450% as a result.

The problem is that messing with alcohol prices tends to attract a lot of public (and therefore political) attention  making it a convenient target in any trade war.

For instance, when Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum during his first term, the EU retaliated, in part, with a 25% charge on American whiskey. The goal? To put pressure on then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky (aka the home of American bourbon). The U.S. hit back with 25% tariffs on European liquors and wines.

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The Europeans suspended their whiskey tariffs under the Biden administration, but they never took them off the table entirely. As long as Trumps steel and aluminum tariffs didnt return, the status quo would continue. But if Trump were to bring his tariffs back, the EU had already announced it would resume taxing U.S. whiskey on March 31, 2025  at 50%, double the previous rate.

The point was to avoid another trade war.

Which brings us to Trump 2.0. On Wednesday, Trump imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on every country that sells steel and aluminum to the U.S.  including many European nations. The EU responded as promised: by moving forward with plans to tax U.S. whiskey at 50% as part of a $28 billion package of retaliatory tariffs targeted at states with strong Trump support.

As predictable as this tit-for-tat might have been, Trump was apparently peeved.

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The president was totally annoyed that the Europeans did this, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg Television. Why are Europeans picking on Kentucky bourbon? ... Its disrespectful.

Nasty, Trump added on Truth Social. He then went on to call the European Union one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, claiming it was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States.

A 200% tariff on European alcohol, he added, will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.

Would this actually be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.?

Trump has long insisted that tariffs will level the proverbial playing field by incentivizing companies to retain American workers and ramp up U.S. manufacturing  all while funneling trillions of dollars in new revenue to the federal government.

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Tariffs are gonna make us rich as hell, he said in January. Theyre gonna bring our countrys businesses back that left us.

Yet nearly all economists disagree with Trumps take, noting that a tariff is actually an import tax paid by the company doing the importing  not by the foreign country (or foreign business) sending its goods to the U.S.

The same experts have found that most importers simply pass the added cost of tariffs on to U.S. consumers by jacking up their prices. Then other countries retaliate with tariffs of their own, risking a global trade war and recession.

What does this mean in the alcohol world? A lose-lose situation. During Trumps last trade war over booze, from 2018 to 2021, American whiskey exports to the EU fell 20 percent; EU liquor and wine exports plummeted as well. It simply became too expensive for some businesses to trade in those products  on both sides of the pond.

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According to the New York Times, it was a setback that damaged the industry for years  while the threat of tariffs has continued to hamper its expansion.

And that was just from 25% tariffs. Levies as high as 200% would be a whole different story.

So what happens next?

Its possible that Trumps 200% European booze tariff will never become a reality. The European trade commissioner reportedly reached out to his American counterparts after the EUs announcements on Wednesday  and calls were being prepared.

But unless Trump backs down from his steel and aluminum tariffs, the EU is unlikely to retreat from its whiskey tariffs  meaning the president will be forced to decide whether or not to follow through on Thursdays threat and escalate the transatlantic alcohol wars to a previously unthinkable level.

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If you make him unhappy, he responds unhappy, Lutnick said Thursday, referring to Trump.

A 200% tax on beverages such as Veuve Clicquot champagne, Pilsner Urquell beer and Domaine de Chevalier bordeaux would be prohibitive for any U.S. company that has built its business around importing them, or for any U.S. retailer  such as a liquor store, bar or restaurant  that has built its business around carrying them.

To avoid hemorrhaging money, the choice would be either to stop offering those products altogether or to charge customers roughly twice as much.

Its possible, as Trump suggested on Truth Social, that equivalent U.S. beverages could fill the gap, at least somewhat. (Trumps son Eric owns Trump Winery, which is based in Virginia.) But with a smaller market abroad and less foreign competition at home  Trump has also threatened Mexican tequila and Canadian whisky  domestic producers might choose to raise their prices too. And ultimately, nothing would stop the EU from hitting U.S. exporters with even bigger tariffs of its own.

We urge President Trump to secure a spirits agreement with the EU to get us back to zero-for-zero tariffs, which will create US jobs and increase manufacturing and exports for the American hospitality sector, Swonger, the Distilled Spirits Council leader, said in his statement. We want toasts not tariffs.
Israel said on Friday that a Hamas plan to release a US-Israeli dual national taken hostage in Gaza along with the bodies of several other dead hostages was waging "psychological warfare" on the families of the abductees.

Four dead hostages, who are said to be dual nationals, would be handed over at the same time, according to the plan announced by the Palestinian Islamist group. Hamas did not specify the additional nationality of the four dead Israelis.

The plan came after a proposal by mediators, the group said.

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At the start of the month Hamas and Israel reached the end of the first phase of a ceasefire deal, which involved the release of hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. But it is not clear how the process will move forward in order to avoid a return to all-out conflict in Gaza.

According to the Israeli side, Islamist militants in the Gaza Strip are still holding 24 hostages, as well as 35 bodies of abductees.

The Israeli government described the latest Hamas offer as insufficient and manipulative.

While Jerusalem had accepted a more far-reaching proposal by US special envoy Steven Wittkoff, "Hamas persists in its refusal and continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Israeli settlers attack West Bank village

Radical Israeli settlers have caused extensive damage to property in a Palestinian village in the north of the occupied West Bank, media reports said earlier on Friday.

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The settlers set fire to three houses and two cars during the night in the village of Duma, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, citing local residents.

Five houses were set alight by settlers from a nearby encampment, which typically consist of caravans, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited security sources as saying.

The Israeli army said that the masked settlers had reportedly entered the village and set fire to property there, and that Israeli forces had moved in to disperse those involved. It reported no arrests.

The Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service said that the suspected arson attacks were being investigated.

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Haaretz reported that the settlers live in a nearby outpost, meaning an improvised smaller settlement. According to the Haaretz report, the residents accused Palestinians of trying to steal sheep from the outpost.

Israel's army and police said they had received reports that several Palestinians had tried to steal a herd of cattle from the settlers. These allegations could not initially be independently verified.

WAFA reported that Israeli soldiers forcibly prevented the villagers from putting out the fires, although there was also no independent verification of this.

The Israeli military is repeatedly accused of not doing enough to prevent attacks on Palestinians and their property, which occur regularly in the West Bank, and of protecting the Israeli settlers.
Israel intends to hold five strategic locations on Lebanese territory near the border "for an indefinite period," official statements said on Friday.

Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the army to prepare for an extended stay in southern Lebanon, Katz's office announced.

This is happening despite potential negotiations over disputed points in the border demarcation with Lebanon. Israel said it needs the positions to protect residents in northern Israel from threats.

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Katz informed the army of the decision on Thursday during a meeting with Israel's new Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, his office said.

The ceasefire, agreed upon at the end of November after a year of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, included a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.

By mid-February, Israel had withdrawn from all parts of southern Lebanon except for five positions near the border.

At that time, Israel described the maintenance of the five locations as a "temporary measure," as the Lebanese army had not advanced quickly enough.

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The Lebanese military is supposed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and prevent the return of Hezbollah to areas in southern Lebanon, according to the agreement.

The Lebanese leadership considers Israeli troops remaining at five strategic points a violation of the agreement and has protested against it multiple times.

Israel and Lebanon intend to discuss several contentious issues such as their land border in the future, Israel has said. Representatives from Israel, the United States, France and Lebanon had met in Lebanon a few days ago regarding this.
DUMA, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Khirbet al-Marjam in the occupied West Bank on Thursday night, burning three houses and a number of cars in the latest in a series of raids that have surged during the war in Gaza.

Local residents said settlers stormed through the village, firing live ammunition and hurling teargas bombs at people trying to put out the flames. CCTV footage showed masked individuals entering Palestinians' property, throwing objects around and destroying a security camera.

"They climbed on top of the house and started to throw stones," resident Maysoom Msalam said. "They broke the door and the windows. Then they burnt this door and entered and set fire inside the house."

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The Israeli military said troops and police intervened to disperse a group of masked Israelis who had set property on fire. It said there had been an earlier report that Palestinians had attempted to steal a herd of animals belonging to Israelis.

Ghassan Daghlas, governor of the nearby city of Nablus, dismissed suggestions that Palestinians had provoked the attack.

"This is an attack aimed at expelling citizens from their lands by settlers, a project to displace Palestinians from their lands," he told Reuters.

"Through this attack, the settlers are telling Palestinians, either you leave, or we will burn you. The situation is very difficult, the settlers are getting more violent."

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The attacks have come as Israeli ministers have been calling openly for a full annexation of the West Bank, a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, which Palestinians see as the core of a future independent state along with Gaza and East Jerusalem.

According to figures from the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA there were at least 1,580 attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers that resulted in casualties, property damage or both last year, and another 220 since the start of this year.

In one of the biggest recent attacks, Bedouin families in the Jordan Valley, said bands of Israeli settlers stole hundreds of sheep and goats last week, having first accused the Bedouin of trying to steal their animals.

Most countries consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal, a position rejected by Israel, which cites the Jewish people's historical and Biblical connection to the land.

(Reporting by Raneen Sawafta and Ali Sawafta; writing by James Mackenzie)
(This March 14 story has been corrected to say 'several' instead of 'four' in paragraph 2)

By Alvise Armellini

ROME (Reuters) - Italian unions are mobilising against possible job cuts for local staff at U.S. military bases as part of government downsizing plans spearheaded by President Donald Trump and his billionaire tech mogul ally Elon Musk.

NATO-member Italy hosts several military bases on its territory, employing more than 4,000 Italian civilian personnel such as cooks, waiters, shop clerks and also engineers, architects and mechanics.

"If we don't get plausible and clear answers, it's clear that there will be protests and sooner or later also a strike," Uiltucs trade unionist Angelo Zaccaria said.

Zaccaria, who represents staff at the Aviano air base in northeast Italy, said the site already experienced cuts for local staff before Trump took office in January, with 44 redundancies announced in September.

After negotiations, they were reduced to 30, he said.

Italian staff at several U.S. bases have received - some directly, some forwarded by superiors - an email in which Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) asks federal workers to provide a list of their accomplishments for the week.

Italian employees also had their work credit cards frozen for a month, starting from March 2, and were informed of a hiring freeze, meaning that any of their colleagues who retire would not be replaced.

"Workers are worried," Roberto Del Savio, a representative of another trade union, Fisascat-Cisl, at the Aviano base, said, adding that "so far, I have not seen any written document" pointing to U.S. disengagement from the site.

"There are elements that make us wonder," he added, referring to the DOGE emails and the credit card and hiring freezes.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Alex Richardson)
ROME (AP)  Heavy rains hit the Italian regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna on Friday, pushing the main rivers in the regions above alert levels for flooding.

In the central Tuscany region, schools remained closed in several cities, including Florence, where the local administration closed museums, cinemas and theatres.

Local authorities and civil protection heightened the alert level for the main river Arno, which crosses the cities of Florence and Pisa, and was expected to reach its peak later on Friday afternoon.

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Regional governor Eugenio Giani wrote on social media that the most critical situation was in the town of Sesto Fiorentino, a few kilometres from Florence, where the Rimaggio stream broke its banks and flooded the central streets.

Heavy rain also battered the northern Emilia-Romagna region, including the areas of Forli, Ravenna, Bologna and Ferrara, where local rivers were above alert levels in the Apennine areas.

Local authorities in Bologna ordered the evacuation on Thursday of ground floors due to torrential rain and flooding risks.

Emilia-Romagna was hit twice by extreme weather events in the past two years, with flooding killing dozens of people and severely hitting agricultural businesses.
LA MALBAIE, Canada - Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Thursday he had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the imposition of tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports by President Donald Trump was "regrettable."

Shortly after their meeting in the small Canadian resort of La Malbaie, Quebec, Iwaya told reporters that he had asked Trump's administration to exempt Japan from planned auto and reciprocal tariffs.

Iwaya also said he had told Rubio that the two countries should further strengthen the bilateral alliance in line with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's agreement with Trump in February during their summit at the White House.

Iwaya met with Rubio on the sidelines of a Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting. Iwaya quoted Rubio as saying the U.S.-Japan relationship is "extremely important" and he would convey Tokyo's concerns to Washington.

During their around 30-minute meeting, the third since Trump's nonconsecutive second term commenced in January, they also discussed issues related to Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, Iwaya said, without elaborating.

Among Trump's planned tariffs, targeting U.S. allies as well as rivals, Japan is particularly concerned about his proposed duties of around 25 percent on imported cars, up from the current 2.5 percent.

Along with reciprocal tariffs, targeting imports from all countries with matching duties, Trump has said the auto levies will be introduced on April 2, a move that would deal a severe blow to the Japanese car industry.

In 2024, Japan shipped about 1.37 million vehicles to the United States, accounting for 28.3 percent of its total exports to the world's largest economy in terms of value, according to official Japanese trade data.

Japan has no tariffs on imported cars, trucks or buses. But Trump has constantly carped that very few American cars are driven in Japan and many other countries.

Regarding Japan, Trump aides have claimed that American car brands are unpopular due to structural barriers, such as safety regulations.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs took effect on Wednesday. Two days earlier, Japanese trade minister Yoji Muto met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other senior officials in Washington but failed to secure assurances that the U.S. ally would be exempt from higher tariffs.

Iwaya's meeting with Rubio also came a week after Trump complained that his country's long-standing security treaty with Japan is one-sided, as he intensifies pressure on allies to boost their defense spending and buy more American products.

While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on March 6, Trump said, "I love Japan. We have a great relationship with Japan, but we have an interesting deal with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don't have to protect us."

"That's the way the deal reads...and by the way, they make a fortune with us economically," he added.

On Thursday, Iwaya also held separate talks with his Canadian, British and Italian counterparts, agreeing with them to reinforce bilateral cooperation and work closely on key global issues, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.

Related coverage:

U.S. enforces 25% tariffs on all steel, aluminum imports

U.S. makes no promises on tariff exemptions for Japan in trade talks

Trump complains security pact with Japan nonreciprocal
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A James Island man who police said used Molotov cocktails to burn Tesla chargers in North Charleston is now facing federal charges.

Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, was arrested Thursday in connection with the incident, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina.

North Charleston officers responded March 7 to a Tesla charging station on Tanger Oulet Boulevard around 7:15 p.m. following reports of a suspected arson.

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When they arrived, witnesses explained a White man in a grey jacket/hoodie with a black face mask spray-painted F*** Trump, long live Ukraine in red next to the Tesla charging stations near the area.

Authorities said the man then threw Molotov cocktails made out of beer bottles at the charging stations, damaging them, before leaving the scene.

Witnesses advised that the suspect had accidentally caught their own back on fire while throwing the devices, the initial police report stated.

While we will defend the publics right to peaceful protest, we will not hesitate to act when protest crosses the line into violence and mayhem, said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community. We are grateful for the prompt response of our first responders and law enforcement.

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We must remain united in our commitment to safety and respect for all, regardless of political differences, Andrews continued.

Tesla dealerships and charging stations have been the target of suspected arson attacks nationwide in recent weeks as Tesla CEO Elon Musk faces backlash over his efforts to slash government spending and drastically cut the federal workforce.

Fire crews cut power to the charging stations shortly after the alleged attack. No injuries were reported.

The North Charleston Police Department, the North Charleston Fire Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire, and Explosives investigated the case.

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Clarke-Pounder was arraigned in federal court Friday afternoon. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

He is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 17 at 1:30 p.m. in Charleston County.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Jane Fonda is among several Democrats slamming Gavin Newsom for cozying up to Steve Bannon after the California governor had the far-right political figure as a guest on his podcast.

By doing so, Fonda argued, the democratic politician forfeits his ability to inspire and protect the very people that elected him.

She described the moment as Newsom shifting from being Winston Churchill  the British prime minister who led the nation to an allied victory over Hitler during World War II  to Neville Chamberlain, his predecessor whose appeasement tactics were seen as caving to the Nazi leader.

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Leaders are made or broken in times like this, and we have to ask ourselves [about] our governor Newsom: Is he Chamberlain, or is he Churchill? she told Fox L.A. anchor Elex Michaelson.

Hes Chamberlain [now]. Hes been Churchill. This is whats so insane. He has been a great leader, she continued, criticizing Newsoms willingness to let Sable Offshore restart Exxons former oil and gas plant off the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara.

Watch the full moment below:

Jane Fonda sat down w/ @Elex_Michaelson. Fonda criticized Gavin Newsom over his podcast interview with Steve Bannon:



Is he Chamberlain or is he Churchill? Fonda asked.



She said Newsom has been Churchill, but right now resembles Chamberlain.



pic.twitter.com/udzZdgp9rv  Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) March 14, 2025

He has been braver than most past governors. He stood up and passed a bill, Senate Bill 1137, that outlawed neighborhood drilling, kept new oil wells out of communities. Fantastic. He stood up to oil companies who were gouging us at the pump. And hes been brave about a lot of things, she continued.

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We need him to stand up, she said. We need leadership, its a cause of concern to see him, this brave governor, suddenly gets silent and and not step up.

Michaelson asked why she thought Newsom was now sitting down with conservative media personalities like Bannon and Charlie Kirk.

Because hes running for president? she speculated. I dont know. Thats what everybody assumes. The actress and activist said she would still consider voting for Newsom as president, but it depends on on which governor shows up for us here.

Michaelson suggested that in talking to people like Bannon, maybe theres lessons to be learned about why the Democrats lost the 2024 election.

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Fonda emphatically replied, No, youre not going to learn any lesson from Steve Bannon about why Democrats lost, or any of the other Republicans hes had. [If] anybody wants to find out why Democrats lost, talk to people in the middle of the country, or working people here. Working class people are the people that can explain to the Democrats what went wrong. Not Steve Bannon.

The View co-host Sunny Hostin also slammed Newsom as despicable for hosting Bannon.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear weighed in to say, I dont think we should give [Bannon] oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.

The post Jane Fonda Slams Gavin Newsom for Cozying Up to Political Rival Steve Bannon | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
March 14 (UPI) -- Japanese high-speed bullet trains, suspended over a decoupling while in motion issue, resumed service Friday.

East Japan Railway Co. said full operations are expected to be in place Saturday.

The decoupling happened for the second time in six months on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line.

On March 6 Hayabusa and Komachi trains on that line decoupled at low speed -- about 37mph -- triggering automatic brakes. Passengers were not injured.

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The suspension of service also affected Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen line trains.

According to East Japan Railway, metal fittings will be installed to secure coupling devices in the train driver compartments to prevent future decoupling incidents.

East Japan Railway, also known as JR East, is the only rail company that connects different types of trains for the Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo to Japan's northeast.

The Hayabusa-Komachi No. 9 train was the first to resume service Friday.

The fix intended to prevent future decouplings of bullet trains are metal parts fabricated by JR East to stop couplers from inadvertently unlocking.

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The added parts are designed to block unintended decoupling even if an electrical signal is sent to decouple.

Safety testing was done with those parts installed before the bullet train suspension was lifted Friday.
(Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed that he distributed gift vouchers to 15 lawmakers, raising questions about whether he skirted political funding laws and casting another cloud over his already weak position as support for his minority government sags.

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From how I understand it, this is not something that infringes on the law, Ishiba said when addressing reporters late Thursday on a matter first raised in a report by the Asahi newspaper.

The premier maintained that the vouchers, with a value of 100,000 ($676) each, didnt run afoul of funding or election laws because they werent intended as donations for political activity, and the lawmakers dont live in Ishibas constituency. Vouchers can be exchanged for goods at department stores.

Ishiba apologized for causing concern and said he wont stand down from his post.

The voucher fracas comes as Ishiba faces rising pressure from within his own party as lawmakers prepare for a national election this summer. Public support for Ishiba has slipped over the last month due in part to rising costs of living. Overall inflation accelerated to 4% in January, helping to push real wages 1.8% lower even as nominal base pay rose the most in more than three decades.

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The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has struggled to clean up its image and rebrand itself after public trust in the party eroded following a scandal in which unreported campaign money was funneled into factional slush funds. Bills concerning the capping of political donations from corporations have been under discussion in parliament this week - an irony not lost on some of Ishibas critics.

Opposition party leader Yoshihiko Noda called the vouchers far too expensive for social convention, saying in a press conference Friday morning that he believed such distributions would be considered a political donation. Im sort of surprised that this happened when we are discussing political donation bills in parliament, he added.

Shoji Nishida, an upper house member in the Liberal Democratic Party, told reporters that Ishiba should stand down once the budget for the fiscal year starting next month is passed, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Ishibas position has been tenuous from the start after the LDP performed poorly in an election last October not long after he took up his post as premier.

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I paid for these vouchers out of pocket, with my own pocket money, as a token of appreciation for the lawmakers families, Ishiba said, admitting that the vouchers were distributed to the offices of newly-elected lawmakers ahead of a dinner earlier this month.

Ishiba has struggled to pass the national budget for next year. He successfully struck a deal with an opposition party to secure enough votes to pass the budget in the lower house, but has since flip-flopped on his position on high-cost medical care, requiring the budget to be revised in the upper house.

(Updates with comments from Yoshihiko Noda)

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JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has charged a Jasper County man with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree.

Thomas Michael Wolcott, 42, of Jasper County, was charged on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. This

charge comes after the Jasper County Sheriffs Office (JCSO) charged Wolcott this past October with five counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree.

The SLED investigation was requested by the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.



Wolcott remains booked in the Jasper County Detention Center.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said he would be "shocked" if the White House agreed to a Polish request to deploy American nuclear weapons on its territory as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.

"I haven't talked to the president about that particular issue, but I would be shocked if he was supportive of nuclear weapons extending further east into Europe," Vance told Fox News on March 13.

The statement was in response to a statement from Polish President Andrzej Duda earlier on March 13 who said such a move would be justified given Russia had already taken similar steps by deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.

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"The borders of NATO moved east in 1999, so 26 years later, there should also be a shift of the NATO infrastructure east. For me, this is obvious," Duda said.

"Russia did not even hesitate when they were relocating their nuclear weapons into Belarus," he said, adding: "They didn't ask anyone's permission."

Duda said he recently discussed the idea with Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, and hopes to revive a nuclear-sharing proposal that he unsuccessfully presented to former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration in 2022.

The proposal comes amid mounting warnings from Western leaders and intelligence agencies about the possibility of a large-scale war in Europe within the next five years.

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Russia's tactical nuclear weapons are designed for use on the battlefield in Europe and Asia and have a more limited range compared to strategic nuclear weapons, which could reach the U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly issued nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

While those threats have not materialized, concerns persist over Russia's military ambitions beyond Ukraine.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha were booed while attending a concert at the renowned Kennedy Center in the US capital Washington on Thursday evening.

A video by a journalist from The Guardian newspaper showed the vice president and Mrs Vance taking their seats in the gallery. The audience in the hall then began to boo loudly.

The couple were attending a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra. The Washington Post reported that the concert began about half an hour late due to the high security precautions.

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The video of the incident shows Vance laughing at the boos. He waves and takes a sip from a wine glass. According to reports, Vance and his wife Usha watched the entire performance.

US President Donald Trump dismissed several members of the board of trustees, took over the chair himself and made former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell president. Trump spoke of a "golden age of art and culture" going forward.

Grenell responded to the Vance incident on X, writing that "the intolerant Left are radicals who cant even sit in the same room with people that don't vote like they do."

The Kennedy Center building on the Potomac River has traditionally showcased all genres of theatre, dance and music. It was named after former President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).

Since Trump sacked the former leadership, a number of acts have cancelled their appearances at the Kennedy Center, including the cast of the award-winning musical "Hamilton."
A dispute between Jersey Shore neighbors ended Monday with a husband and wife hospitalized with critical injuries and another man dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The chaos unfolded around 4:45 p.m. in Berkeley Township, New Jersey. Officers were called to a home on Drake Drive and found the husband and wife suffering from a gunshot wound, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a news release.

A disturbing 911 call obtained by NBC New York reveals the woman's frantic plea for help.

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"My neighbor. We got shot by our neighbor," she tells the dispatcher. "Please hurry!"

"My husband I think he's dead outside and my leg is killing me," she says.

The woman begs for the dispatcher to send help quickly.

"Please hurry, it hurts so bad," she says.

At one point, the wife tells the dispatcher that she can't move her leg and there's "blood everywhere."

"Please get the cops here. I'm bleeding to death. I can't leave my kids," she says. "If I do please tell them that I love them."

The couple had allegedly been involved in a feud with their neighbor, John Adamo, 54, for years, NBC New York reported. The couple set up security cameras and posted a sign outside their house that read: "private property no trespassing Mr. and Ms. Adamo!!!!"

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Police had been called to the home about six times in the last year, according to NBC New York. It's not clear why the feud escalated.

The prosecutor's office said that Adamo allegedly shot the husband while he was outside and then shot into the couple's home, striking the wife. Adamo then went into his own home.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and a crisis negotiating team responded to the shooting and surrounded Adamo's home in an attempt to have him surrender.

After about two and a half hours, SWAT forced their way into the home. Video obtained by NBC New York showed law enforcement blowing open the front door to gain access to the residence.

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Adamo was found dead in an upstairs bedroom. Authorities believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the news release states. A pressure cooker was also found in his bedroom, but it was determined it was non-explosive.

The husband and wife were airlifted to a hospital in Neptune, New Jersey, in critical but stable condition.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE - Jessie Holmes (15), of Alabama, mushes down Fourth Street during the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska., Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File)

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Bundled-up well wishers lined a street along the Bering Sea coastline in the early morning darkness Friday, cheering musher Jessie Holmes as he won Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Holmes pumped his fist as he ran alongside his sled with a headlamp beaming from his forehead, as he and his 10-dog team finished the 1,128-mile (1,815-kilometer) race across the Alaska wilderness in the Gold Rush town of Nome. The distance for this year's running was the longest in the Iditarod's 53-year history.

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He said his win felt magical and he gave credit  and hugs  to his dogs, whom he described as family.

Who is Jessie Holmes?

Holmes lives in the Interior Alaska community of Nenana, about 300 miles (480 kilometers) north of Anchorage, where he is a carpenter and lives a subsistence lifestyle. He found reality TV fame as a yearslong cast member of Life Below Zero, a National Geographic program that documents the struggles of people living in remote parts of Alaska.

Originally from Alabama, Holmes has lived since 2004 in Alaska, where he found a passion for the wilderness and competing in sled dog races.

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This year was Holmes eighth Iditarod, and he has now finished in the top 10 six times, including third last year and in 2022. In 2018, his first Iditarod, he won Rookie of the Year honors with his seventh-place finish.

His win this year comes on the heels of adversity. He was helping repair buildings in the remote community of Golovin after the region was walloped by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok in 2022 when part of a house fell on him. He suffered several broken ribs and a broken wrist and was forced to train that winter with one arm, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

His dog team

Holmes said he bred the 10 dogs that took him to victory, adding that he had held each of them in his hands as puppies.

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Im really proud of these dogs and I love them. And they did it. They deserve all the credit, he said.

He lavished particular praise on his lead dogs, Hercules and Polar, who were adorned at the finish with floral wreaths.

These are the best in the world, right here, he said, smiling, his arms draped around them.

The trail

A lack of snow this year forced changes to the route and starting point of what is typically a 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race.

There are checkpoints along the route for rest or refueling. Mushers feed their dogs and put out straw for them to lay down, and catch some sleep themselves if they can. Mushers' sleds must be able to carry and provide cover to injured or tired dogs, in addition to equipment and food. They must carry adequate emergency food for their dogs when leaving a checkpoint, as well as routine meals and snacks.

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The temperature in Nome when Holmes finished was -6 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 Celsius). He crossed the finish line after 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds of racing. He came in about three hours ahead of the second place finisher, Matt Hall. Paige Drobny finished third.

I'll tell you one thing: I damn sure ain't tired, Holmes said to a chorus of cheering fans. It's hard to put into words, but it's a magical feeling, and it's not about this moment now. It's about all those moments along the trail.

He described witnessing a beautiful sunset, the moon shimmering on the snow and the northern lights, and said he had time to ponder his mentors and race winners who had died, looking down on me and telling me I could do it. I just wanted to join that club with them. I've wanted that for a long time.

What does Holmes win?

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Holmes is taking home $57,200 for his victory, in addition to awards including $4,500 worth of gold nuggets and 25 pounds of fresh salmon for finishing first in earlier stages.

He described the race as 10 quality days. I got my moneys worth.
A humanitarian organization hosted an iftar dinner for nearly 1,000 orphans in Syria's capital Damascus on Wednesday, bringing joy to young Syrians in tough times.
Jimmy Fallon on Thursday addressed the potential government shutdown, turning his commentary into a burn of the Trump administration. (Watch the video below.)

Our government could stop functioning, the Tonight Show host said. Its big news: Apparently our government has been functioning.

A shutdown would result in the furlough of thousands of federal workers on top of the haphazard cuts already made by the so-called Department of Government Efifciancy if a deal isnt passed by the Senate on Friday. But Democrats were debating whether to approve the bill because blocking its passage could enable the Trump administration to choose which federal agencies would remain open or closed  maybe permanently.

Fast-forward to 2:55for Fallons take:

Related...
In a call with a No Labels, a self-proclaimed centrist organization, Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, described his decision to vote for a Republican continuing resolution that stands to empower billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump as him taking the high road.

Golden, speaking Thursday just before Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced his support for the same CR, was the sole Democrat in the House to back the GOP plan, which pairs spending cuts with funding to keep the government open for another six months. Many Democrats expressed concern that, while the passage of the CR would avoid a government shutdown, it would also further empower Trump and Musk to make unilateral cuts to congressionally authorized programs.

Indeed, Politico reported this week that Vice President JD Vance promised House Republicans wary of approving more spending that the administration would pursue impoundment, which legal experts decry as an unconstitutional attempt to seize Congress' power of the purse.

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During the No Labels event, however, Golden suggested that it was he who was standing up to the administration. I think people on the left are not really thinking this through, and they should be careful what they ask for, he said in reference to people actively opposing the Republican bill.

Anyways, Joe Manchin always told me, 'Don't  if you can't go home and explain something to people, then you probably ought not to vote for it.' And I cant explain what good would come out of a shutdown, Golden said.

Golden continued: I also want to point out that right now, anyway, where [Trump] is exceeding his authority as president, the courts are doing a pretty good job so far.

Asked about Vance's promise, Golden suggested in an email to Salon after the No Labels call that it didn't affect his decision.

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"Statements by the vice president, or anyone else for that matter, didnt factor into my vote for the CR at all," Golden said. "I voted to keep government open because I know that right now a shutdown will make things worse, not better. A shutdown will mean more people going home without pay, more federal agencies having their doors closed."

The "real fight," Golden said, is coming up: "I voted to keep federal spending at more or less current levels through the end of the fiscal year and to keep the governments lights on so we can move on to the real fight, which is stopping the House GOP from using reconciliation to cut taxes for the wealthy while potentially taking health care away from hundreds of thousands of my constituents."

But plenty of Democrats disagree with that assessment.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., described her issues with the CR at a House Rules Committee hearing earlier this week, calling the bill a blank check that allows Trump to keep impounding." The bill, she charged, is filled with cuts and policy changes while abandoning Congress responsibility to decide how and why to spend taxpayer dollars.

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Impoundment refers to when the president decides not to spend money appropriated by Congress. The power is both statutorily illegal under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, and constitutionally illegal as the Supreme Court ruled in Train v. City of New York.

Golden's remarks come as most House Democrats are urging their Senate counterparts to stand firm and oppose the Republican CR. No Labels, the group that hosted the Maine lawmaker, presents itself as a counterweight to progressives, but a review of its finances shows that it has often backed Republicans. In 2024, the group donated more than $1.6 million to Republicans, compared to $236,000 to Democrats. Golden himself received $2,000 from the group. Other Democrats the group supported by No Labels include Reps. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.

While No Labels has historically sought to keep its donor roles a secret, an investigation by Mother Jones published in 2023 found that many of the groups wealthy benefactors are business moguls.Some of the donors include Michael Smith, the billionaire founder of Freeport LNG, who has donated millions of dollars to support Republican efforts to control the Senate, and Tom McInerney, a private-equity investor with connections to the Republican National Committee and GOP affiliated super-PACS.
As he returned to the BBC airwaves without a crackle of emotion in his voice, John Hunt did not hint at the unimaginable horrors he has faced. Yet the broadcasters appearance in Cheltenhams commentary box above the winning post was an emphatic message to Kyle Clifford.

Hunt had been delivering on a pledge he sent 72 hours earlier to Clifford, the crossbow killer. I want you to see what real courage is, Hunt had told Clifford, who was gutlessly absent from Cambridge Crown Court as a judge handed down three whole-life sentences.

In contrast to Cliffords cowardice, Hunt had vowed to carry on no matter what to honour his murdered wife and two daughters. You failed, he had told Clifford.

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Returning to the Radio Five Live airwaves at 1pm, and exchanging pleasantries with presenter Mark Chapman, Hunt gave another example of his class. Introducing Hunt to listeners, Chapman said: John is in his usual commentary position yet again.

Hunt replied with: I am thinking about the individuals who illuminate this sport. Nothing else matters Mark. Galopin des Champs is the Antoine Dupont of horse racing. He has looked magnificent. His form is rock solid.

Chapman reminded listeners that this is the 30th Festival that Hunt has covered, and that the first Gold Cup he called was won by the great Best Mate.

Hunt said: It really does take me back. Everything about Best Mate was geared to Cheltenham. Galopin is even better than Best Mate. The weight of history can prove too heavy a toll and strange things can happen  hes still got 22 fences ahead - but if hes cherry ripe he will bring this home.

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Chapman added: And John will call them home as only John can.

Cliffords failure to face up to what he had done this week could not have felt more stark as Hunt returned to his day job in unthinkably difficult circumstances. Colleagues knew the consummate professional would not want a fuss. There was barely a whisper in the Alastair Down press room as he pulled the headphones back on.

I am lucky, Hunt had insisted on Tuesday, a barely conceivable statement after three-quarters of his family  wife Carol along with daughters Louise and Hannah  were murdered by Clifford at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July last year.

His moving 1,900-word courtroom statement  after sitting through horrifying details of the case  made plain that life must go on, beginning with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day, he had said. His statement on Tuesday had moved a courtroom to tears, but Hunt has now said his piece.

Friends, BBC colleagues and contemporaries in the press box at Cheltenham described Friday as a chance for him to start turning the page. There was little surprise too that Hunt, as he had done after initially returning to call races last autumn, made no reference on air to the horrors he had endured.

Tributes flowed at the racecourse for Hunts refusal to let Clifford break him. Those to express admiration include Cornelius Lysaght, the former BBC racing correspondent who had recommended him to corporation bosses in the early 2000s.

Hunt, who worked for the police before beginning his broadcasting career with Ladbrokes in the 1980s, just loves Cheltenham and will have felt a duty to listeners, Lysaght explained. Because so many people listen to the radio who dont necessarily switch on a racing TV programme, his voice has become absolutely synonymous with some of the great Cheltenham events of the last 20 years or so, Lysaght said as he welcomed Hunt back.

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People love his voice at Cheltenham, and he so obviously loves Cheltenham. The timing of everything at the moment is just unimaginable, but he loves this place  he knows the importance of this place to so many people, and I think that he will want to be part of it yet again, and people who listen to the radio will want him to be part of it, but all the time, thinking of the absolutely unimaginable things that hes going through at the moment.

Two of Hunts daughters, Louise (left) and Hannah (right), and his wife Carol were murdered by Kyle Clifford

Hunt had confirmed with BBC colleagues in midweek that he was ready to return. Darren Owen, who had been deputising for Hunt as lead commentator on the opening three days, described how the racing family had rallied behind him. All of us are behind him 100 per cent of the way, he said. You cant put into words what actually happened. He is the most lovely, lovely individual.

Such sentiments are shared by Rupert Bell, the Talksport commentator who has also been in text message contact with Hunt in recent weeks. He is a remarkable human being, said Bell. I know how desperate its been but its great that hes been able to get back, even in keeping a low profile on racecourses. Its just wonderful to hear him out doing his job. Hes so good at it.

Theres no one who would remotely have a bad word to say about him. Everyone just always enjoys him being around. He always seems to have a charming smile on his face.

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Admiration and messages of support for Hunt are not just reserved for racing. Chapman had paid a tearful on-air tribute last summer on the day the horror unfolded.

Thinking of John Hunt and family. Nice mention from Mark Chapman before the match here pic.twitter.com/9Z2gt5B5wI  Adventure Art (@Adventure_Art1) July 10, 2024

Mark Pougatch, Dan Walker, Jacqui Oatley and former England striker Michael Owen, a keen horse-racing enthusiast, also sent messages of support.

Those at the course on Friday point out the wave of well-wishers was not just out of sympathy, but out of genuine admiration for a commentator at the top of his trade.

Months before the murders, clips of Hunts thrilling calling of the Grand National had gone viral. A BBC Instagram post described it as racing commentary at its finest.

Bell said the entire broadcast world is in admiration of his professionalism. Even to hear him now on commentary, you wouldnt think anything had gone on. He is an outstanding commentator, not just in racing. His swimming commentaries are as good as anyone in the past. I just hope Cheltenham is a great opportunity for him to go out and do his day job and be able to feel the love and appreciation of everyone around him, because its obviously been a wretched year. I have nothing but admiration for him and always have.

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Nick Luck, the former Channel 4 Racing presenter who now hosts the Nick Luck Daily podcast, added: Johns not only the most exemplary professional, brilliant at his job, but he has always been someone that everyone in the press room has looked up to. Old and young alike and from every walk of life  he would treat everybody in exactly the same way. He is somebody that youd always feel that if you had something on your mind, you could go and speak to. The strength of feeling for him over the last few months has been immense.

It came as little surprise to those who admire his work that his witness statement in court on Tuesday was so well crafted. To put Clifford in his place, the commentator had quoted Harper Lee. Louises favourite novel from her schooldays was Harper Lees classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, he had told the court.

She was captivated by the goodness of Atticus Finch both as a father and a lawyer. She would often quote lines from the novel to match lifes challenges... All their lives Carol, Hannah and Louise similarly spent their time bringing joy and colour and happiness to other peoples lives. You killed three beautiful Mockingbirds, Kyle.

Hunt again cited the book while giving an insight into his own determination to carry on. Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times. He said, I want you to see what real courage is. Instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. Its when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.

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That courage was evident in bucket loads at Cheltenham.

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BALTIMORE  More than 2,000 positions related to global health are being cut from the Johns Hopkins University after the Baltimore institution saw $800 million in federal grants disappear, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Hopkins medical school; the Bloomberg School of Public Health, including its Center for Communication Programs; and JHPIEGO, the universitys health initiative that focuses on global public health, will be affected by the cuts. USAID was the main funder for both JHPIEGO and CCP.

This is a difficult day for our entire community. The termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work here in Baltimore and internationally, Hopkins spokesperson said in a statement.

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The Trump administration, through advisor Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, is slashing federal spending across agencies in an effort to end wasteful spending. Such cuts have an outsized effect on Hopkins, which comes in first of all universities in federally funded research. By extension, those cuts affect Baltimore and Maryland, where Hopkins is the city and states largest largest private employer. Hopkins says it accounts for more than $15 billion in economic output in the state.

It is difficult to overstate the significance of Johns Hopkins University as a cornerstone of Marylands economy, Carter Elliott IV, spokesman for Gov. Wes Moore, said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun earlier this week. Its influence extends far beyond Baltimore, shaping industries across the state and driving Marylands reputation as a global leader in research, healthcare, and education.

In the statement, the Hopkins spokesperson said the elimination of foreign aid funding has led to the loss of 1,975 positions in 44 countries internationally and 247 in the United States in the affected programs. An additional 29 international and 78 domestic employees will be furloughed with a reduced schedule.

Employees in the United states will have at least two months advance notice before their positions are cut or furloughed, and the university said it is providing comprehensive support with additional benefits, assistance, and resources to help employees navigate this transition and explore new opportunities.

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For international employees, the university said it will be complying with local employment laws.

With almost half its funding coming from the federal government, the universitys president warned earlier this month that Hopkins faced drastic cuts in its research and medical work at home and abroad as a result of the Trump administrations slashing of spending.

Referencing a cascade of executive orders and agency actions, Johns Hopkins President Ron Daniels wrote in a letter that the Baltimore-based institution, the nations first research university, was bracing for systemwide shocks.

Cuts to federal research will affect research faculty, students, and staff and will ripple through our university, Daniels wrote. Budgets, personnel, and programs could all be impacted, he said.

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In its statement Thursday, the Hopkins spokesperson said the university is immensely proud of the work done by our colleagues in Jhpiego, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine to care for mothers and infants, fight disease, provide clean drinking water, and advance countless other critical, life-saving efforts around the world.

_____
Joplins 152nd birthday and recognition of the citys Irish fathers in observance of St. Patricks Day will be celebrated Monday with speakers who will make presentations at a Joplin City Council meeting.

Chad Stebbins, executive director of the Missouri Press Association and retired director of Missouri Southern State Universitys Institute of International Studies, will present Joplins Irish Heritage. Stebbins has authored books about Thomas Connor, an Irish immigrant who made his way to Joplin during the rise of lead and zinc mining and was Joplins first millionaire. Connor built what became the famous Connor Hotel at Fourth and Main streets.

Another important Irishman in Joplins history is Patrick Murphy, an Irish immigrant who came from Pennsylvania and settled a 40-acre tract west of Joplin Creek in 1871. That tract became Murphysburg, which merged with Joplin, a settlement on the hill east of the creek in 1873. Murphysburg is Joplins first historically designated residential district.

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Another speaker, Brad Belk, community historian at MSSU, will speak about the significance of remembering Joplins founding. The actual date when the city was chartered is March 23, 1873.

Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, will recognize the history and significance of Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main St., where council meetings are held. It was once the Newman Building, which was a significant retail business for decades.

Ahead of the council observance, the Joplin Celebration Commission will hold ceremonies for the public at 1:30 p.m. Monday to unveil two new storyboards on the Heritage Trail.

One of the new storyboards tells the history of John C. Cox, Joplins first homesteader and the man who gave the city its name. The unveiling of that storyboard and another, titled Unrest, about conflict between mining camps, will be held at the end of the driveway where the Cox estate is located, 619 E. Persimmon Ave.

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These are the eighth and ninth Heritage Trail markers to be placed. The initial markers along the trail between Landreth Park and the Broadway Bridge were dedicated in 2022, and three more were added last year in Spiva Park.

The celebration commission also is working on plans for Route 66s 100th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both in 2026.
A federal judge gave final approval Wednesday to a class-action settlement between the Defense Department and LGBTQ veterans who were discharged because of their sexual orientation under dont ask, dont tell and similar earlier policies.

The settlement could affect the more than 35,000 veterans discharged between 1980 and 2011, because of real or perceived homosexuality, homosexual conduct, sexual perversion, or any other related reason, according to court documents.

A group of veterans filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in August 2023, alleging that the effects of dont ask, dont tell  which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and was in effect from 1994 to 2011  violated their constitutional rights.

A veteran visits the grave of Leonard Matlovich in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington on the 10th anniversary of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" in 2021.

Service members who received less than honorable discharges from the military are disqualified from accessing certain benefits, such as medical care through the Veterans Health Administration and a pension. Those who were honorably discharged but whose discharge form says they separated from the military due to homosexuality could be outed when they are required to present the form to receive benefits or during background checks.

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The agreement, which was reached in January, will allow veterans who received a less than honorable discharge because of their sexual orientation to be eligible for an immediate review and an upgrade to an honorable discharge. Veterans who received an honorable discharge, but whose discharge form states that they separated from the armed services because of their sexual orientation, will be able to have that characterization removed from the form within months.

As part of the settlement, the Defense Department has to create a streamlined process for veterans to request a review of their discharge paperwork. The department now has until mid-August to post information on its website and mail letters to class members telling them how to apply for a new military discharge form. Once the new process is in place, class members will have three years to submit requests for new discharge forms.

In response to a request for comment on the settlement, a Pentagon press officer referred NBC News to the Department of Justice. The DOJ and the plaintiffs lawyers did not immediately return a request for comment.

This weeks class-action settlement comes as another federal judge weighs whether to block President Donald Trumps administration from banning transgender people from military service. The ban stems from an executive order signed by the president on Jan. 27 that reinstates a policy from his first term and rescinds an order from former President Joe Biden that allowed trans people to enlist and serve openly.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs and her Republican challenger, Judge Jefferson Griffin. (Courtesy photos)

The state Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Judge Jefferson Griffins lawsuit against the state Board of Elections on March 21.

Griffin, a Republican Appeals Court judge, is trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs. She leads by 734 votes, an advantage that has been affirmed by two recounts. Griffin is suing to throw out more than 60,000 ballots in an attempt to win the seat.

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Panels of three Appeals Court judges are usually assigned to hear cases.

Republicans dominate the court 12-3.

Riggs asked that the entire Appeals Court hear the case. Having a full-court hearing is unusual. She also asked that Judge Tom Murry be barred from hearing the case because Murry used money from one of his campaign accounts to contribute to Griffins legal defense fund. Griffin has already recused himself.

The Appeals Court denied Riggs request for the full-court hearing. An order from the court said three judges voted for her request, and that Murry did not participate in the decision.

Murry was not assigned to the three-judge panel, so Riggs request for his recusal was deemed moot.

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Two Republican judges, John Tyson and Fred Gore, and one Democrat, Tobias Hampson, will sit on the panel. The hearing will be held via WebEx and will stream online starting at 10 am.

Griffin is challenging three sets of ballots. He claims more than 60,000 votes were cast by people who are not legally registered because they did not include partial Social Security numbers or drivers license numbers on their registration applications. In the last few months, voters Griffin is challenging have come forward to declare they did include the information, but it was not attached to electronic voter rolls due to data mismatches or typos.

Griffin is challenging about 5,500 military and overseas absentee voters because they did not include photo ID with their ballots. The state Board of Elections does not require these voters to submit photo ID.

He is also challenging voters who have never lived in North Carolina but are connected to the state through their parents.

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The state Board of Elections dismissed Griffins election protests in December.

Last month, a Superior Court judge affirmed the election boards actions. The Boards decision was not in violation of constitutional provisions, was not in excess of statutory authority or jurisdiction of the agency, was made upon lawful procedure, and was not affected by other error of law, the judge wrote.
A judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit by Running Aces Casino against five tribal casinos in Minnesota that it accused of offering games not allowed under state law.

The lawsuit was filed last spring under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, and named 39 current and former executives and employees at Mystic Lake, Little Six, Grand Casino (Hinckley and Mille Lacs) and Treasure Island Resort Casino as defendants.

It alleged the casinos were offering games  such as Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em  not permitted under state compacts set up through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988.

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But U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz dismissed the case Tuesday, saying that the current and former employees named did not adequately represent the tribal nations, and as a result the tribes could be negatively impacted by the ruling in a lawsuit in which they are not listed as defendants.

However, the judge also acknowledges that sovereign immunity protects tribes from lawsuits such as that filed by Running Aces.

"Setting that aside, even if Running Acess claims have merit, the remaining ... factors  especially the Tribes sovereign immunity and the magnitude of the prejudice that the Tribes could suffer from a judgment entered in this case  weigh in favor of dismissal. Indeed, courts frequently find that an absent tribes sovereign immunity outweighs the plaintiffs lack of an alternative forum."

"As noted, the gaming that is challenged in this lawsuit is of enormous economic importance to the absent Tribes, and protecting the economic sustainability of tribes is a primary goal of IGRA specifically and federal Indian policy generally... The Court therefore has little trouble concluding that the Tribes interests in protecting a critical source of funds and jobs outweigh Running Acess interest in a forum for its claims of competitive injury," it continues.

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The suit was dismissed without prejudice, meaning a similar lawsuit can be filed in the future, and Running Aces President and CEO, Taro Ito, told Bring Me The News he does intend to file again.

He said he was "surprised" to hear of the judge's ruling, claiming the dismissal related to "procedural issues" rather than the merit of his casino's case. He also said the judge's dismissal highlights there is little legal recourse for complaints against tribal casinos, saying tribes can simply claim sovereign immunity.

"Obviously it's disappointing because we feel very strongly about our case," he said. "We'll take this to the Supreme Court if we have to."

BMTN has reached out to Grand Casino, Mystic Lake, Treasure Island and Little Six for comment on the outcome but haven't heard back.
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  A northern Virginia judge determined embryos are not property that can be divided up, rejecting a previous analysis by the court saying such fertilized eggs could be considered divisible goods or chattel based on 19th-century slave law.

Nearly 10 months after closing arguments, Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Dontae L. Bugg wrote in an opinion letter earlier this month that he would dismiss a cancer survivors partition lawsuit against her ex-husband  a legal action that one property owner can take against another. The former wife, Honeyhline Heidemann, sued Jason Heidemann over access to two embryos they froze during a 2015 cycle of in vitro fertilization but agreed to leave in storage during their divorce three years later.

In the bench trial, Honeyhline Heidemann testified the embryos were her last chance to conceive another biological child after a cancer treatment. Jason Heidemann's attorney argued he did not want to become a biological father to a child by force, even if he wasn't required to be a parent.

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The dispute attracted national attention in 2023 when Judge Richard E. Gardiner  who is no longer assigned to the case for unrelated reasons  referenced slavery-era law when overruling Jason Heidemanns pleading that the states partition statute did not include the embryos. Bugg wrote in his March 7 letter that he took issue with Gardiners reliance on state law predating the passage of the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery.

Bugg wrote that Virginia lawmakers have since 1865 removed references to slavery to excise a lawless blight from the Virginia Code, the institution of slavery applicable to fellow citizens, which removal supports that human beings, and by extension embryos they have created, should not as a matter of legislative policy be subject to partition.

Buggs dismissal of the case comes during a growing national debate on whether fetuses are human. Seven states have defined embryos, fertilized eggs or fetuses as a person, human being or another in their homicide code, according to Pregnancy Justices unpacking fetal personhood report from last September.

In 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are people.

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And later that year, U.S. Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would make it a right nationwide for women to access in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatment after then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer forced a vote on the issue.

Before this trial, there was little case law in Virginia governing the treatment of embryos.

Jason Zellman, Honeyhline Heidemanns attorney, acknowledged in court that the case touched on sensitive issues, but he also suggested Bugg didnt need to establish any sweeping precedent. Honeyhline Heidemann, who had a daughter with Jason Heidemann through the same in vitro cycle, also testified that she hoped to acquire both remaining frozen embryos, but would also accept if Bugg separated the fertilized eggs between her and the former husband.

Carrie Patterson, Jason Heidemann's attorney, argued the judge should not conclude that embryos could be sold or divided. Although Virginia courts have the power to direct the sale of property, Patterson also referenced that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine had deemed the sale of fertilized eggs unethical.

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Bugg wrote there was no case law suggesting fertilized eggs should be valued, bought or sold  nor did he have evidence there would be a mechanism to carry out such a process given embryos' nature.

It is obvious that these two human embryos, if implanted and carried to term, would not result in the same two people, he wrote. In fact, the embryos are as unique as any two people that may be selected from the population, including siblings with the same biological parents.

___

Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  A Maryland judge formally sentenced Adnan Syed on Friday to the time he's already served in prison, appearing to finally bring to a close a long-running case with numerous legal twists and turns that received worldwide attention from the true-crime podcast Serial.

Judge Jennifer Schiffer had already decided that Syed would remain free in a written ruling last week, even though his conviction in the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 1999 when they were in high school still stands.

Syed's sentence was modified under a relatively new state law that provides a pathway to release for people convicted of crimes committed when they were minors. The modified sentence includes five years of supervised probation.

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At a brief hearing in Baltimore, Schiffer modified his probationary conditions slightly to enable him to travel to Washington, D.C., and Virginia, without seeking specific permission from a probation agent. Syed, 43, has a job at Georgetown Universitys Prisons and Justice Initiative. He also has family in Virginia.

Syed's attorney, Erica Suter, requested unsupervised probation at the hearing, but the judge decided not to go that far.

I am mindful that Mr. Syed requested unsupervised probation, but given the relief that this court has already granted on these extraordinarily serious and tragic charges, I believe Ive shown more consideration to him than anyone could have expected," Schiffer said.

The judges ruling followed a February hearing that included emotional testimony from Syed and relatives of the victim, Hae Min Lee, who was strangled and buried in a shallow grave in a Baltimore park.

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Both prosecutors and defense attorneys told Schiffer that Syed doesnt pose a risk to public safety. The judge reminded Syed, who watched Friday's proceedings online, that his suspended sentence still potentially looms over him. He was sentenced in 2000 to life in prison plus 30 years for first-degree murder and other charges.

I hope Mr. Syed, and I trust, that this will be the last time we see each other," Schiffer said. "Otherwise, I dont have to tell you the amount of time thats hanging over your head.

Syed, who was 17 when Lee was killed and has maintained his innocence, was released from prison in 2022 after Baltimore prosecutors said they had uncovered problems with the case and moved to vacate his conviction, which was later reinstated on appeal.

Lees family and their attorney said old wounds were ripped open when Syeds conviction was vacated by a former state's attorney. The family later succeeded in getting the conviction reinstated after challenging the ruling on procedural grounds, arguing they didnt receive proper notice to attend the hearing that freed Syed from prison, where they participated only through a video connection.

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David Sanford, an attorney for Lee's family, said Friday's hearing brings to a close the long saga of Adnan Syed. He said the family was grateful to the court for giving them "due respect throughout these proceedings, allowing us to fully argue to the court the victims position.

The family is also thankful to the Maryland Supreme Court for its historic decision in this case, which grants victims particular rights previously enshrined generally in the Maryland State Constitution, Sanford said. "As a result, victims now have the right to be heard, the right to be present, and the right to meaningfully participate in criminal justice proceedings.

The current Baltimore states attorney, Ivan Bates, who publicly raised doubts about the integrity of the conviction before becoming the citys top prosecutor, said last month that his office believes in the jurys verdict and has no plans to continue investigating the case.
Local farmers work for the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project in Central River Division, Gambia, on March 13, 2025. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

BANJUL, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Gambia's agricultural productivity has been steadily increasing, with rice production surpassing 48,000 tons in 2024, marking a historic high, Sabally said, highlighting that innovations in infrastructure and the introduction of high-yield agricultural technologies by Chinese teams have been instrumental in reaching this milestone.

"Chinese technical teams have provided assistance in the Gambia by introducing various high-quality rice varieties, including high-yield and hybrid seeds, which are crucial for our agricultural development," Sabally said.

The recent years have seen agricultural technology cooperation between the Gambia and China deepening significantly. On Feb. 24, 2023, the second phase of the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project officially began.

Currently, the project's second phase is progressing smoothly, with major achievements in high-yield technology demonstrations, variety selection and promotion, technical training, and infrastructure support. Gambian authorities have widely praised the initiative, particularly for its contributions to high-yield cultivation techniques, the mechanization of rice production, and support for local agricultural cooperatives.

Sabally said that Chinese experts have helped address numerous challenges in Gambia's farming sector.

"During both the first and second phases of cooperation, many Gambian agricultural officials were sent to China for training, while Chinese agricultural experts have been providing technical guidance to local officials and farmers in the Gambia," he said. "Thanks to these training programs, our agricultural production has achieved mechanization in land preparation, planting and transplanting, harvesting, and processing."

With the promotion of high-yield cultivation techniques, large-scale farms in the Gambia have achieved a maximum hybrid rice yield of 10.8 tonnes per hectare, while farmer-managed plots have reached an average of about seven tons per hectare. Core demonstration areas have showcased over 20 high-yield rice varieties, covering all 11 mainstream conventional rice varieties of the Gambia and nine Chinese hybrid rice varieties.

Sabally has visited China twice between 2023 and 2024, deeply impressed by the country's agricultural modernization and urban development.

"We have also greatly benefited from China's development experience. Decades ago, China's economic situation was similar to that of the Gambia, but they achieved a great leap forward through efficient development strategies," he noted.

During his visits, Sabally toured multiple rice-growing regions, where he observed China's highly efficient land planning, irrigation systems, and water resource management. "Our goal is to learn from China, achieve food security, and ultimately reduce reliance on imports. Gambia aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2030," he said.

Sabally stressed food security as a matter of national security, which remains a top priority for the Gambian government. "A country lacking food security cannot achieve stability and development. That is why we are investing significant resources in farmland development, agricultural mechanization, and talent cultivation while actively seeking cooperation with countries like China to learn from their successful experiences," he explained.

Sabally concluded that Gambia will continue to send agricultural personnel to China for advanced training and looks forward to deeper cooperation in agricultural modernization, technological innovation, and talent development. 

Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Banjul, Gambia, on March 12, 2025. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Local farmers work for the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project in Central River Division, Gambia, on March 13, 2025. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 13, 2025 shows farmland of the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project in Central River Division, Gambia. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 13, 2025 shows farmland of the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project in Central River Division, Gambia. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Photo take on March 13, 2025 shows rice produced by local farmers using Chinese agricultural technology and rice varieties in Central River Division, Gambia. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 13, 2025 shows farmland of the China-Gambia agricultural technology cooperation project in Central River Division, Gambia. China's support and technical assistance have played a crucial role in driving significant progress in Gambia's agricultural sector in recent years, Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)
NEW YORK  A federal New York judge has granted a modified protective order in Blake Livelys ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, the It Ends With Us director and co-star she has accused of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman on Thursday granted the protective order to ensure the confidentiality of certain nonpublic and confidential material that could be found during discovery, according to court documents viewed by the Daily News.

The protective order does not grant blanket protections on all disclosures, but rather applies merely to limited information or items that are entitled  to confidential treatment.

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Liman attributed the order to the knowledge that discovery in this case will pose potential harm to those involved if confidential documents or information are publicly disclosed.

The Attorneys Eyes Only designation will only be attributed to information that falls under trade secrets, such as confidential business or creative projects; security measures or medical information, as well as highly personal intimate information not directly relevant to allegations in the case.

That designation will also extend to nonpublic photographs or recordings of family or other personal relationships  the latter likely affecting texts between Lively and pal Taylor Swift.

Liman said hes unlikely to seal or make confidential any discovery material introduced in evidence at trial, and further stated the protective order will extend beyond the end of the case. Within a month of the cases conclusion all relevant confidential or Attorneys Eyes Only material  and their copies  are ordered to be destroyed or returned to the person who produced them. Anyone who doesnt respect the order could be found in contempt of court.

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In late December, the Gossip Girl alum filed a complaint accusing 41-year-old Baldoni of harassment and subsequent astroturfing  allegations detailed in an explosive New York Times piece.

On Dec. 31, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times.

In January, he filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively as well as her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, also accusing them of civil extortion.

The order will ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individuals security, a Lively spokesman told People in a statement, adding that the actress will now move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in court.

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Baldonis lawyer Bryan Freedman, meanwhile, told People they remain focused on the necessary communications that will directly contradict Ms. Livelys unfounded accusations.

Freedman said they are fully in agreement with the narrow scope of protections  as opposed to Ms. Livelys exceedingly overbroad demand for documents for a 2.5-year period of time, which the court rightly quashed.

Livelys camp previously argued the confidentiality is necessary given the high-profile nature of the case, which is set to head to trial in New York next March.
A federal judge in California has ordered six agencies to reinstate the employment of probationary employees who were fired by the Trump administration, including employees in Eastern Washington.

The agencies include Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Energy, Defense and Treasury departments, with the potential for the judge to add more agencies to the order.

Probationary employees are those on probation  usually for a year, but sometimes two years or longer  after being hired or promoted at federal agencies.

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Todays order is a win for the employees that will be reinstated and the rule of law, but this case is not over, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said Thursday after the ruling by Judge William H. Alsup of the Northern District of California U.S. Court.

Employees could again be laid off if lawful procedures are followed.

The state of Washington joined the lawsuit filed initially on behalf of a coalition of labor groups and other impacted organizations.

Washington has more than 12 million acres of federal land managed by agencies thrown into chaos by efforts to fire federal employees en masse, according to the Washington state Office of the Attorney General.

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The firings damage Washington residents in multiple ways, including the reliability of the states energy supply, wildfire and forest management, services to veterans and support for small businesses, according to the office.

Elk roam the 580-square mile of the Hanford site nuclear reservation, including the Hanford Reach National Monument, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Alsup found that firing probationary federal employees was illegal because the Office of Personnel Management had no authority to order the terminations.

The judge not only ordered probationary employees to be reinstated, but forbade the Office of Personnel Management from giving any guidance to federal agencies on which employees should be terminated, according to the Washington state Office of Attorney General.

The Department of Justice is expected to appeal.

More federal job cuts

The probationary employees are just a portion of federal employees losing their jobs under the Trump administration.

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Other employees volunteered for layoffs with pay promised through the end of the fiscal year in September.

Environmental cleanup is underway at the Department of Energys Hanford nuclear reservation in Eastern Washington after the site was used to produce plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program.

And more rounds of layoffs are expected.

Thursday was the deadline set by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Office of Personnel Management for federal agency heads to submit reduction-in-force and reorganization plans to further significantly cut the federal workforce.

The memo requiring plans for RIFs said the federal government is costly, inefficient and deeply in debt and that tax dollars are being siphoned off to fund unproductive and unnecessary programs that benefit radical interest groups while hurting hard-working American citizens.

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The memo gave suggestions such as renegotiating provisions of collective bargaining agreements and eliminating functions that are not mandated by law, plus firing underperforming employees and reducing staff through attrition.

Tri-Cities area federal employees

Federal agencies have released little or no information on how many probationary jobs were cut in Eastern Washington, but Washington state and Oregons U.S. senators, all Democrats, and others have discussed what they know.

A Bonneville Power Administrations 75-mile-long high-voltage power line near Paterson that was completed in late 2011.

More than a dozen probationary employees at the Department of Energy Tri-Cities offices overseeing work at the Hanford nuclear site or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland are believed to have lost jobs last month, according to the Washington Congressional delegation.

The Washington State Standard reported that an estimated 125 to 200 Bonneville Power Administration employees who were probationary were laid off, although the Trump administration later moved to rehire some employees.

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Much of the electricity used in the Tri-Cities area is purchased wholesale from BPA and delivered on BPA transmission lines.

Eight or nine workers at Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser reportedly were let go, along with a few workers at the Mid-Columbia River and Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complexes, according to industry groups and others. The headquarters for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges is in Burbank, just south of Pasco.

Veterans Affairs released a few probationary staff members at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, according to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

The number of probationary employees who may have lost their jobs in the Walla Walla District of the US Army Corps of Engineers has not been made public.

But the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association has said it believes there were more than 600 probationary employees in the Corps Northwestern Division headquartered in Portland, Ore., most of them in the Portland, Seattle and Walla Walla district.s
Mar. 13ROCHESTER  A property management firm that owns six Rochester apartment complexes was ordered to pay tenants after charging them hundreds of dollars in addition to rent.

Renters who signed a lease agreement with Monarch Investment and Management Group (MIMG) may be entitled to a $125 cash payment as a result of a class action lawsuit.

The Colorado-based property firm owns 21 properties throughout the state, six of which are located in Rochester: Gates of Rochester, Olympik Village, Heritage Manor, Crystal Bay, French Creek, and Winchester apartments.

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The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged MIMG violated Minnesota state law by using "confusing lease provisions," which enabled the properties to charge tenants with "hidden fees."

For example, one of the class representatives, Jemicia Mitchell, lived at the Gates of Rochester. She was evicted after failing to pay "unlawful utilities charges," which added to $2,593.66. The charges consisted of $1,199.10 in "repairs and replacement fees," $752 in legal fees, $100 in "VCR fees," among other smaller fees.

According to an Olmsted County judge's order filed on Feb. 21, MIMG must begin to reform tenants' lease agreements and enforce the settlement. The settlement agreement lists the expungement of eviction actions filed by MIMG.

People who have rented with MIMG may be part of the settlement if they signed a lease agreement with MIMG in the state of Minnesota before Feb. 1, 2022.

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MIMG did not immediately respond for comment. The MIMG-owned properties in Rochester declined to comment or did not respond.

Visit homelinesettlement.com for more information about whether you qualify for the settlement.
A federal judge has ordered half a dozen federal agencies to immediately reinstate probationary employees fired last month as part of the Trump administrations effort to rapidly shrink the federal workforce, calling the effort a sham.

The preliminary injunction issued from the bench Thursday by US District Judge William Alsup requires the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury to rehire the employees. The judge said that he might extend the order to cover other federal agencies at a later time.

Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, said he was making the ruling because he believes the Office of Personnel Management unlawfully directed the agencies earlier this year to lay off the probationary employees, who generally have been on the job for less than a year.

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The court finds that Office of Personnel Management did direct all agencies to terminate probationary employees with the exception of mission critical employees, he said, rejecting arguments from the Justice Department that OPM merely issued guidance to the agencies that then led to the firings.

The judge said the order is effective immediately: This is the order and it counts.

The Justice Department indicated Thursday that it will appeal the ruling to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

The ruling came in a case brought by labor unions and others challenging OPMs role in the firings, which affected thousands of employees and sent shockwaves through various federal agencies, some of which later rehired some of the workers.

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Alsup was highly critical of the administrations justification for firing the employees. OPM had provided agencies with a template termination letter that cited the employees performance as the reason they were being let go. But the judge said that rationale was the governments attempt to end-run federal law setting up specific rules for reducing the federal workforce.

The reason that OPM wanted to put this based on performance was at least in part in my judgment a gimmick to avoid the Reductions in Force Act, the judge said. Because the law always allows you to fire somebody for performance.

It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie, he added. That should not have been done in our country. It was a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements.

Federal probationary employees have typically been in their positions for one year, but some jobs have two-year probationary periods. The employees may be new to the federal workforce, but they also could have been recently promoted or shifted to a different agency.

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Alsups ruling is one of the most significant yet in cases testing the administrations authority to quickly reduce the number of federal employees  a key priority that has been central to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

The White House called the ruling absurd and unconstitutional.

A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch. The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch  singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the Presidents agenda, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X by another White House aide.

If a federal district court judge would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves, Leavitt said.

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A second federal judge ruled later Thursday, in a similar case brought in Maryland by Democratic state attorneys general, that probationary employees laid off en masse by the Trump administration must be temporarily reinstated. That judges temporary restraining order, which will last two weeks, applies to 18 agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Agency for International Development.

I tend to doubt that youre telling me the truth

The preliminary injunction came after Alsup unloaded on the Justice Department for not making the acting head of the Office of Personnel Management available to testify about the Trump administrations decision to fire scores of probationary employees.

He had ordered acting OPM Director Charles Ezell to testify during Thursdays hearing, where he would likely face tough questions from attorneys representing the labor unions that are challenging his agencys role in the firings.

But the Justice Department refused to make him available and instead withdrew a declaration Ezell submitted last month that had served as the governments only evidence in the case.

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Youre afraid to do so because you know cross-examination will reveal the truth, Alsup told DOJ attorney Kelsey Helland. I tend to doubt that youre telling me the truth.

Alsup told the DOJ attorney Thursday: You cant just say, heres a declaration, you have to accept it without question when there is a question.

Youre not helping me get at the truth. Youre giving me press releases  sham documents, the judge said, referring to documents submitted by the DOJ to the court that they say shows how the agencies were making the termination decisions themselves.

The declaration from Ezell said that OPM did not direct other agencies to terminate probationary employees  the central issue in the case brought by labor unions and others.

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Helland pushed back strongly on the judges assertion, and argued during the hearing that the agency heads had sought to cull their workforce on their own, not at the direction of OPM.

I respectfully disagree that we have submitted false evidence, he said at one point, adding later: Decisions on these employment actions were made by these agencies and were fully endorsed by their political leadership.

The Trump administration has been targeting probationary workers because they have fewer job protections and can be dismissed more easily. While they generally cannot appeal their termination to the Merit Systems Protection Board, they can if the action stemmed from partisan political reasons or marriage status. Also, they are protected from prohibited personnel practices.

Part of Thursdays hearing concerned whether the employees at issue in the case have the option of appealing their firing to the MSPB, something Alsup had initially understood was possible. But the judge said he wanted the parties to submit more written legal arguments on the issue before he decides how to factor it into his ruling.

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One former probationary employee who was fired last month from the IRS, an agency within the Treasury Department, told CNN that he and his colleagues were thrilled with the ruling.

Everyone on the group chat is celebrating, the former IRS employee said, referring to a text chat where his former colleagues have been consoling each other in recent weeks.

CNNs Tami Luhby, Tierney Sneed, Samantha Waldenberg and Marshall Cohen contributed to this report.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the title of acting OPM Director Charles Ezell.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
March 13 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Thursday night ordered President Donald Trump to temporarily reinstate thousands of probationary employees at a dozen agencies, dealing another blow to his effort to reshape and downsize the federal government.

Judge James Bredar of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a 14-day temporary restraining order in a case brought against the Trump administration earlier this month by Democratic attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

The order concerns all probationary employees fired at 12 departments and six other agencies since Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20.

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Since Trump returned to the White House, federal agencies have been conducting mass firings of probationary workers, claiming they were being let go for performance reasons.

In the states' lawsuit, filed March 6, the attorneys general argued the mass terminations were, in fact, a so-called reductions in force, which require federal agencies to provide employees and states with 60 days notice to ensure they are prepared for the shift in unemployment.

Bredar, a Barack Obama appointee, agreed.

"Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the States weren't ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up. They remain impaired in their capacities to meet their legal obligations to their citizens," he wrote in a memorandum supporting the order.

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"Because the federal government's recent discharge of thousands of probationary employees was not executed in compliance with rules intended to ensure that states are ready to bear the load cast upon them when mass layoffs occur, and because the Plaintiff States are not yet in fact so prepared, and this because of the violations, the recent directives of various federal agencies terminating probationary employees must be stayed."

Employees that will be reinstated were fired from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation and Treasury, Veterans Affairs.

The reinstatement also applies to employees let go from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, General Services Administration, Small Business Administration and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The order, however, let's stand firings at the Department of Defense, the Office of Personnel Management and Archives as the attorneys general provided "insufficient evidence" that those fourghloughs were reductions in force.

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The move comes hours after a judge in California directed the White House to reinstate workers furloughed at half a dozen agencies.

That case was brought before the courts by several workers unions. Judge William Alsup's order affected fired employees at the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Veterans Affairs and Treasury.
A photo of the fence on Erik Briones property that stretches across the Pecos River submitted by attorneys for the state of New Mexico in the recent escalation of lawsuits against landowners blocking public access to rivers. (Courtesy photo New Mexico Department of Justice)

A state district judge issued an order Thursday permanently barring landowners on the Pecos from building fences or posting signs that would stop citizens from recreating in streams.

Fourth District Judge Michael Aragon, based in Las Vegas, ruled that Terrero landowners illegally put up No Trespassing signs and fencing across the Pecos river, and knowingly violated New Mexicans constitutional right to access streams.

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A 2022 ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court found the public has the constitutional right to access streams for paddling, fishing and wading, including the right to walk on privately owned land beneath waters. Any use of the beds and banks must have minimal impact, according to the court.

In August 2024, the New Mexico Department of Justice sued several land owners for maintaining fencing and alleged they threatened people recreating in the stream.

In October, the state named Richand and Jean Jenkins in the lawsuit. In a March hearing, Jenkins attorney Mark Ish told the court that the Jenkins had removed the fence and requested the judge disregard the request for a permanent order to bar them from doing so again.

Aragon disagreed, writing, Though the Jenkins removed the fence and improper signage after this action was filed, there remains a live cause or controversy between the parties.

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The order permanently bans Richard and Jean Jenkings from erecting fencing to interfere with stream access; posting signs suggesting that river access or touching the banks is trespassing; or using coercion.

The order allows fencing for livestock, but said it must not interfere with floating or wading.The Jenkins agreed not to appeal the order and both parties will pay their own attorney fees, according to the order.

In a written statement Attorney General Raul Torrez called Thursdays ruling a win for the people of New Mexico.

This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to enforcing the law, protecting our communities, and ensuring public access to our natural resources, Torrez said. We will continue to fight for justice and stand up for New Mexicans rights to enjoy our states natural beauty.

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A federal judge has denied the Justice Departments attempt to apply President Donald Trumps blanket pardon for members of the Jan. 6 mob at the Capitol to one defendants conviction for possessing illegal guns hundreds of miles away, at his Kentucky home.

In a ruling Thursday night, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, became the first judge to reject outright the Justice Departments recently adopted position about the scope of Trumps clemency.

Reversing its initial stance in the weeks after Trumps inauguration, the department is now arguing that Trumps pardon extends to crimes with no connection to the attack on the Capitol other than the fact that law enforcement agents uncovered evidence of them during the Jan. 6 investigation.

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Friedrich said DOJs position contradicts the clear and unambiguous language of Trumps Day 1 executive order granting pardons to about 1,500 people convicted of participating in the riot.

Friedrich noted that Trumps order said it applied to individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The judge found illogical the contention that the order extended to other crimes authorities came across as they conducted that investigation.

To interpret the Presidential Pardon to apply to any type of offense  no matter when or where that offense was committed  simply because evidence of that offense was uncovered incident to a January 6-related search warrant would defy rationality, Friedrich wrote, quoting an earlier court precedent.

Trump could clarify or expand his Jan. 6 pardon directive at any time, but he has not done so, perhaps because that could draw more attention to the subject and to other crimes committed by some involved in the Capitol riot. So far, the Justice Department has also declined to offer any sworn declaration or other evidence about what Trump intended in his order.

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Friedrich ordered defendant Dan Wilson, whom she absolved of his Jan. 6 charges, to report to prison on his unrelated gun conviction. Friedrich previously sentenced him to five years in prison. In an order Thursday, she also granted Wilson the right to immediately appeal her ruling on the pardon to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the weeks after Trumps Inauguration Day pardon  which erased the convictions of more than 1,000 people who joined the Capitol mob and ordered the Justice Department to dismiss pending cases against hundreds more  prosecutors forcefully rebuffed defendants who claimed the clemency should apply to their unrelated charges.

However, advocates for Jan. 6 convicts pushed back, mounting an assertive campaign to pressure prosecutors to take an expansive view of Trumps pardon.

In recent weeks, DOJ reversed itself, claiming consultation with department leaders and new clarity led it to the belief that Trump wanted to pardon unrelated offenses uncovered when the FBI searched homes during the Jan. 6 investigation. Among the charges they say should now be dropped: Florida defendant Jeremy Browns conviction for possessing grenades and classified information; California defendant Ben Martins conviction for possessing a firearm despite a history of domestic violence; and Maryland defendant Elias Costianes conviction for illegally possessing firearms.

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Friedrich was the first judge toexpress doubt about the Justice Departments new interpretation, suggesting at a hearing last month that she agreed with the governments initial position of the pardons limited scope. Since then, three federal appeals court panelshave pushed back or questioned prosecutors about DOJs changing position.

A federal judge in Tennessee rejected one defendants effort to extend the pardon to a conviction for conspiring to kill his FBI investigators. In that case, the Justice Department successfully opposed reading the pardon to cover defendant Ed Kelleys unrelated charge.

Friedrich was particularly perplexed about how prosecutors determined which unrelated charges were covered by the pardon and which werent, saying the Justice Departments attempt to explain it was not cogent. She noted that the department similarly argued that a defendant facing a child pornography possession charge in North Carolina was also not included in Trumps clemency, even though the materials were discovered during a search related to the Jan. 6 investigation.
Welcome back, Deadline: Legal Newsletter readers. When we left off last week, the Trump Justice Department was making its final plea to dismiss Eric Adams criminal case without prejudice  meaning, the Republican administration was still pushing for the option to revive the Democrats corruption indictment in the future (hence the quid pro quo allegations, which both sides have denied). Heading into this weekend, were awaiting U.S. District Judge Dale Hos ruling on the matter, which could come anytime.

The Trump DOJ pushed the presidents version of law and order on other dockets. In doing so, the government continued its abnormal streak of top officials appearing at hearings to advance Donald Trumps goals. Last month, it was Emil Bove's New York appearance at the Adams hearing. This week, Attorney General Pam Bondi's chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, was in a Washington, D.C., courtroom defending Trumps executive order that sought to take various actions against law firm Perkins Coie for its Democratic-aligned work.

It sends little chills down my spine, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said of Trumps directive, against which she issued a temporary restraining order. This may be amusing in Alice in Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts yells, Off with their heads! at annoying subjects and announces a sentence before a verdict, the Obama appointee said. But this cannot be the reality we are living under.

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Howell wasnt the only district judge disturbed by the governments behavior this week. U.S. District Judge William Alsup called it a sad day when our government would fire some good employee, and say it was based on performance, when they know good and well, thats a lie. Ordering several federal departments to rehire employees, the Clinton appointee in California said the government tried to frustrate his ability to get at the truth of what happened here. Alsups preliminary ruling was one of two big ones against Trumps mass firings, with another from Obama appointee James Bredar in Maryland.

Pardons made news on several fronts  including, somehow, in a Mel Gibson-related situation. DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer, a Biden appointee, said she was fired after refusing to help restore the Trump-allied actors gun rights, which he lost after his 2011 domestic violence conviction. Separately, Trump pardoned Brian Kelsey, a Republican former lawmaker from Tennessee, who was two weeks into a 21-month campaign finance fraud sentence. Decrying the weaponized Biden DOJ that prosecuted him, Kelsey reportedly said his clemency request likely resonated with the president, whom he called victim No. 1 of political persecution.

And how far does Trumps blanket Jan. 6 pardon go? We got new answers to that open question, which has been raised by defendants testing the extent to which the clemency covers actions beyond that day at the Capitol in 2021. In one case, U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan in Tennessee said Trumps pardon doesnt cover Edward Kelleys 2022 plot to kill federal agents who investigated him. In another case  in which the DOJ sided with the defendant after initially opposing him  Trump appointee Dabney Friedrich said the pardon didnt cover Dan Wilsons Kentucky firearms conviction.

President Trump alone has the constitutional authority to pardon Wilson for all of his crimes, Friedrich wrote. He still may do so. But this Court cannot  it is duty bound to enforce the Presidential Pardon as written.

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Will Trump redeploy his pardon Sharpie to clean up any unfinished Jan. 6 business? If the Trump DOJ thought the pardon should apply to Wilson, then the defendant and anyone else in similar situations might have some reason to hope. But judges unwilling to do that work for them means theyre at the presidents mercy once again.

Have any questions or comments for me? Id love to hear from you! Please email deadlinelegal@nbcuni.com for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The fight to get Julie Chrisley out of prison continues as her attorney filed a reply in Federal Appeals Court on Friday, demanding that her sentence be vacated once again and saying she should be resentenced in front of a new judge to ensure the reality and appearance of justice.

In June, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Chrisleys sentence saying her original sentence of seven years in prison was based on lack of evidence.

The judge then ordered her to be resentenced by the lower court in September. The District Court judge resentenced her to the same prison time.

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Her attorney claims in Fridays filing that Chrisleys sentence in September was in retaliation for her daughter, Savannah Chrisley, being so outspoken about her mothers treatment throughout her incarceration.

The court refused any downward variance while expressing displeasure with Savannahs public statements. This sequence - a successful appeal, followed by judicial displeasure over public criticism, culminating in an increased sentence without objective justification - presents compelling evidence of vindictiveness requiring reassignment, the document said.

Last month, federal prosecutors filed a brief saying the court added two years to Julie Chrisleys supervised release when she was resentenced in September and admitted the judge in the case got it wrong.

The five-year term of supervised release on counts 7 and 12 is plain error, because it exceeds the maximum term authorized by statute, prosecutors wrote. In such situations, this Court vacates the district courts judgment only with respect to the supervised release term and remands with instructions to correct that issue.

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Counts 7 and 12 were for wire fraud and obstruction of justice, respectively.

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Prosecutors said they too missed the change, and neither side objected to the sentence during Septembers hearing.

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But now prosecutors are asking the appeals court to have the case sent back to district court to resentence Julie Chrisley to the same terms, but this time with 5 years supervised release.

The Chrisleys were first indicted in August 2019. Prosecutors said the couple submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans.

Julie Chrisley sent a fake credit report and bank statements showing far more money than they had in their accounts to a California property owner in July 2014 while trying to rent a home.

A few months after they began using the home, in October 2014, they refused to pay rent, causing the owner to have to threaten them with eviction.

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The money the Chrisleys received from their reality television show, Chrisley Knows Best, went to a company they controlled called 7Cs Productions, but they didnt declare it as income on federal tax returns, prosecutors said.

The couple failed to file or pay their federal income taxes on time for multiple years.

The family had moved to Tennessee by the time the indictment was filed, but the criminal charges stemmed from when they lived in Atlantas northern suburbs.

Channel 2 Action News first started investigating the Chrisleys in 2017, when we learned that Todd Chrisley had likely evaded paying Georgia state income taxes for several years.

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Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens.

The couple eventually went to trial and a federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion.

Daughter Savannah Chrisley has flat out said that the family is asking President Donald Trump to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley.

Last month, Savannah attended a lunch at the White House and spoke in front of CPAC about her parents incarceration.

I refuse to stop speaking out. The fight for justice is far from over, she said. This week reminded me why I do this. The road is long, the fight is hard, but justice is worth it.
JUPITER  One boy is dead and a second one hospitalized after the e-bike on which they were riding crashed with a vehicle near Military Trail in Jupiter on Thursday night, police said in a news release posted on their Facebook page.

Investigators did not immediately identify the boy who died.

The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. at Indian Creek Parkway and Pennock Lane, just west of Military and near the entrance of the Paseos neighborhood. Police did not detail how the car and the e-bike  a bicycle equipped with an electric motor  came into contact.

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Safer kids, safer streets: Jupiter police crack down on e-bike riders who ignore rules

Medics also took the driver of the vehicle to an unspecified hospital with minor injuries, police said. The make and model of the vehicle also not immediately available.

Jupiter police are seeking the publics assistance for information related to the crash. Those with information or who may have been in the area when the wreck happened are asked to call (561) 746-6201.

Tom Elia is an editor at The Palm Beach Post, overseeing coverage of public safety, the courts and Palm Beach Countys northern and western communities. You can reach him at telia@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter police: One boy dead, another injured as e-bike, vehicle crash
GARDEZ, Afghanistan, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Three commuters perished as their car collided with a head-on truck in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province on Friday, provincial police spokesman Munib Zadran said.

The deadly mishap took place outside the provincial capital Gardez city in the wee hours of Friday, killing three travelers, including a woman, on the spot, the official added.

This is the second road accident in Afghanistan, which occurred in a span of hours.

At least 19 travelers, including women and children, were injured as a passenger bus overturned in the northern Baghlan province late Thursday night. 
The video in this story is from a previous report

BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)  A jury convicted a man in a shooting and kidnapping that happened in June 2023, the Bradenton Police Department announced.

Former Tarpon Springs Little League president accused of stealing over $41K in funds

Demitrius Tyrone Bell, 51, was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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On June 5, 2023, Bell returned to the Tropicana Bradenton plant after his shift and shot a co-worker, a 39-year-old man, before forcing a 38-year-old woman, who was also his co-worker, to leave with him, BPD said.

Demitrius Tyrone Bell, 51 (Credit: Bradenton Police Department)

The co-worker was seriously injured from the shooting.

The woman was released by Bell on June 7 in Hillsborough County.

On April 14, 2024, the Bradenton Police Department Crime Reduction Team got a tip that Bell returned to Bradenton and conducted surveillance on his locations.

Bell took off during an attempt to arrest him.

According to BPD, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Aviation Unit located Bell on the roof of a storage facility and BPD took him into custody.

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A firearm Bell had on him during the time of the arrest matched a shell casing found at the scene of the shooting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A tiny house community in east Austin said the sights and sounds coming from a nearby property is more than they can bare.

The noise started when a new industrial business moved in next to Village Farm Austin. Tiny home resident, Lisa Apfelberg, said the community is centered around their organic farm.

We all have fabulous porches around our houses. We spend a lot of time socializing and sitting out on those and we have a lot of amenities, Apfelberg said. Hammock areas, outdoor kitchens and picnic tables.

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Apfelberg said its typically peaceful with calming sights and sounds.

Apfelberg said she, her husband and their two dogs have lived here for two and a half years. (Photo: KXAN) Apfelberg said she, her husband and their two dogs have lived here for two and a half years. (Photo: KXAN) Apfelberg said she, her husband and their two dogs have lived here for two and a half years. (Photo: KXAN) Apfelberg said she, her husband and their two dogs have lived here for two and a half years. (Photo: KXAN)

We live in this gorgeous place with butterflies and birds. Its just amazing, Apfelberg said. Its so idyllic.

But near all of their green space is now piles of silver car parts. Apfelberg said for about two months now, the neighborhood wakes up to loud industrial noises.

Most days about 7:15 a.m. Im hearing this awful clanging, and its this metallic clanging. Its my new alarm clock. Lisa Apfelberg, Tiny Home Resident

An industrial business moved in next door.

The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN) The property owner said hes working with the industrial tenant to fix the noise issues. (Photo: KXAN)

The noise is just horrifying. It shakes your skull and it just reverberates in your brain, Apfelberg said.

Apfelberg said residents brought their concerns to the property owner, who owns both the tiny home community and the land with the industrial business.

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Hes very sympathetic, and asked us to give him some time to work with them on all this, Apfelberg said.

KXAN spoke with the property owner by phone. He said he takes these concerns seriously and hes already spoken to the industrial tenant. He said once interior renovations of a building on that property are complete, the tenant will relocate their operations inside.

The property owner said theyre confident the noise will be significantly reduced when that happens. He hopes that will be within the next week or two. After that, the owner said theyll continue to monitor the noise levels to make sure they stay within the standard commercial industrial area guidelines.

Apfelberg hopes to get some relief after this change. But ultimately, shed like to see the business move elsewhere.

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KXAN went to the business, but no one was there to speak with us at the time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Kenosha County courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

Nearly four years ago, Justin Blake joined a group of peaceful protesters outside the Kenosha County Public Safety Building after learning that the Kenosha officer who shot and paralyzed Blakes then-29-year-old nephew Jacob  triggering protests and riots in 2020  was returning to work. At the April 25 2021 protest, Justin Blake was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting/obstructing an officer. A jury found Blake not guilty earlier this week. Now he is seeking justice for the torture he allegedly endured at the hands of sheriffs deputies, as described in an ongoing federal civil rights lawsuit.

Our big brother and our family were infuriated, and the community at large, upon hearing that officer Rusten Shensky was back on duty, Blake told Wisconsin Examiner. It was a decision the Kenosha Police Department (KPD) made without informing the family or community, said Blake. So in order to bring light to this, we elected to protest peacefully.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation.

Protesters wanted to deliver a letter to local law enforcement leadership asking why Sheskeys return to work hadnt been publicized, and questioning why the officer hadnt been reprimanded for breaking procedure when he shot Jacob Blake in August 2020. Sheskey was responding to a domestic dispute when he shot Blake seven times, as Blake walked away from him and attempted to leave in a vehicle. Blakes family said he was unarmed, though police claim that a knife was found at the scene. After investigations by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Kenosha County district attorney declined to file charges against Sheskey. Then-KPD Chief Daniel Miskinis said Sheskey acted within the law, that his behavior fell within policy guidelines and that he would not face internal discipline.

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Court records show that a detective, sergeant and two sheriffs deputies were called to testify about Justin Blakes involvement in the April 2021 protest. Two of those Kenosha County sheriffs personnel, Detective Allison George and Deputy Kyle Bissonnette, contributed narratives to the civil complaint filed against Blake for disorderly conduct in the Kenosha County Circuit Court. The complaint states that some participants in the protest, which it describes as peaceful, began obstructing access to the Public Safety Building to citizens attempting to report routine crimes or other complaints with the sheriffs office, so that members of the public needed to be directed to alternative entrances by staff.

Blake and two other protesters were arrested during the protest. During the trial, attorney Kimberly Motley  representing Blake  successfully argued that aspects of the narrative deputies put in the civil complaint against her client did not match video and witness testimony.

According to a federal civil rights complaint filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin court, Blake was placed in an emergency restraint chair after refusing to speak with deputies while he was in custody. The complaint alleges that some of the sheriffs deputies knew who both Blake and his nephew were. At least eight sheriffs deputies and one health care worker allegedly wrestled Blake into the chair, where his arms, legs and chest were tightly strapped for nearly seven hours.

We should not have been detained, arrested. We had broken no laws, we were peacefully protesting, Blake said. We utilized the Constitution. We have the right not to talk, not to communicate.

An example of a challenge coin distributed within the Kenosha Police Department following the unrest in August, 2020. (Photo | Kenosha Police Department)

This is why its so important that this case get more publicity, Blake told Wisconsin Examiner. Because theyre challenging people to say that you cant even protest, not even peacefully. And thats in the Constitution. So its imperative that people stand up and fight. Blakes father marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he said, in Selma, Washington, and in Chicago, where Blake is from. We come from fighters, and by no means are we going to allow them to charge us with any kind of charge and not fight it.

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Blake feels that he and his family attracted the ire of law enforcement because they refuse to be silent. Over dozens of protests, rallies and marches, and hours spent contacting local elected officials, and building alliances with community activists, Blake said the attitude of law enforcement became clear. They despised us, said Blake, and they wanted to put us in our place. And we believe thats what this was about. The Kenosha County Sheriff has yet to respond to a request for comment for this story at the time of publication.

Blake told Wisconsin Examiner that his familys activism will continue, since few changes have been made in the Kenosha area since the unrest of 2020 and, he said, the underlying problems that triggered the protests in the first place have not been addressed.

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KEVIN FUJII / POOL PHOTO Sina Pili, 39, is arraigned in Circuit Court Thursday, represented by Deputy Public Defender Samson Shigetomi.

KEVIN FUJII / POOL PHOTO Sina Pili, 39, is arraigned in Circuit Court Thursday, represented by Deputy Public Defender Samson Shigetomi.

Sina Pili, who holds a masters degree in social work, pleaded not guilty Thursday to manslaughter and related charges in the 2023 abuse and torture death of her 11-year-old adopted daughter, who had learning disabilities.

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The 39-year-old Laie woman was arraigned Thursday on charges of manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor and persistent nonsupport with regard to Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You, whom she adopted two months prior to the childs death on Dec. 22, 2023.

While waiting for her arraignment, Pili, dressed in a white paper jumpsuit, smiled wistfully at her tearful mother, who sat in the courtroom gallery along with numerous other family members.

Circuit Judge Ronald Johnson confirmed Pili, in custody at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, be held without bail.

Deputy Prosecutor Julia Kaneshiro asked the judge to confirm no bail due to the seriousness of the charge of potential tampering with minor witnesses.

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Johnson agreed and said there is a serious risk that Pili poses a danger to others, including children.

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There are other children involved,  he said. Even if they had been removed from the home, he said, Pili may be able to gain access to the children through other means.

He said the court is concerned there may be obstruction or intent to obstruct justice by intimidating prospective witnesses who may have lived in the home at the time.

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Deputy Public Defender Samson Shigetomi said he would reserve argument for bail.

The judge had issued a no-contact order March 7 that prohibits Pili from contacting three children born between 2014 and 2016.

Four children, ages 12, 9, 8 and 7, under Pili and her husbands care, were placed in protective custody by Child Welfare Services. Pilis husband is under police investigation but has not been arrested.

Pilis trial is scheduled for May 12 before Judge Rowena Somerville.

Pilis mother and other family members declined comment after the arraignment.

Pili-Ah You was in the custody of another family two months before she was adopted.

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Pili, a behavioral health specialist and senior class adviser at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, was arrested March 7 on campus. She was placed on leave March 7 pending investigation.

It appears from a previously posted Brigham Young University Hawaii directory that Pili was also a faculty member in education and social work. However, BYU Hawaii did not return a call to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for confirmation, as the link to the directory showing Pilis name is no longer available.

Pili earned a masters degree in social work Aug. 14, 2010, from the University of Hawaii.

As foster parents and parents who adopt children in foster care, Pili and her husband received payments ranging from $649 to $776 per child depending on age, and up to an additional $570 a month for each child with special needs.

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The 11-year-old was found with multiple injuries from child abuse, police said.

Police said that on the day the girl died, Pili slapped and punched the girl multiple times over a period of 30 minutes at their Laie home.

Responding officers saw Pili-Ah Yous father giving her lifesaving care in the home, before firefighters attempted to resuscitate her, police said. She was pronounced dead at the Kahuku Medical Center.

Pili-Ah You had extensive and deep bruising, multiple abrasions to her face, head, neck, chest, back, arms, hands and legs. She also had apparent bite wounds and internal injuries to her neck likely from being choked, broken ribs and bleeding to the scalp and evidence of pneumonia in her left lung, police said.

Her body tested positive for pneumonia, flu and COVID-19.
Kansas City, Mo  The Kansas City Back to Business grant program is designed to support small business storefronts impacted by recent vandalism and break-ins.

The fund provides financial assistance to help local businesses recover and rebuild, ensuring they can continue serving their communities.

Trader Joes recalls 61K sparkling water bottles  heres why

The fund is making two types of grants available:

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Vandalism Recovery Grant: Up to $3,000 per business, available as reimbursement for damages caused by vandalism incidents occurring between July 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

Vandalism Prevention Grant: Up to $5,000 per business, available for reimbursement of security measures acquired between July 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.

These grants will help cover the cost of repairs, security enhancements and other improvements to prevent future incidents. In addition to financial support, the program will provide resources and guidance to help businesses secure their premises and manage the challenges arising from these unfortunate events.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

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For details, please read the full Back to Business Fund Program Guide and Application Packet available here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas top law enforcement agency and some sheriffs offices are signing up to help enforce immigration laws in the Sunflower State. But what is included in these new partnerships?

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) recently signed an agreement with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February this year. The stated purpose of the agreement was that it would allow a limited number of KBI agents to work alongside ICE personnel to enforce the nations immigration laws in Kansas.

Melissa Underwood with the KBI told 27 News the agency has yet to make any arrests or deportations yet as of March 10. She said a total of four assistant special agents in charge (ASAC) are receiving specialized ICE training as part of the agreement.

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Bats, sex offenders and dangerous area prompt KBI to search for new home in Topeka

The agreement provides our agents, in coordination with ICE, the ability to leverage federal powers of arrest and deportation of non-U.S. citizens who are committing acts of violence or distributing drugs in our communities, Underwood said. The KBI does not plan to target individuals for immigration violations, but rather plans to use this partnership as another tool in KBI priority cases.

Danedri Herbert with the Kansas Office of the Attorney General said in February the new partnership is allowed under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) put in place in 1952. This section allows ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform some specified immigration officer functions while under the federal agencys oversight.

Justice was finally served: Shawnee County District Attorney speaks on Dana Chandler trial

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ICE lists three different models that can be enacted under the Section 287(g) program that allow it to work together with state and local law enforcement agencies. These include the following:

Jail enforcement model (JEM)  Delegates some authority to state/local law enforcement agencies to identify people living in the nation illegally who are in state or local custody and place them into immigration proceedings.

Warrant service officer (WSO)  gives legal authority to state/local law enforcement officers to execute civil immigration warrants on behalf of enforcement and removal operations within the confines of their detention facilities.

Task force model (TFM)  acts as a force multiplier for state/local law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with oversight provided by ICE during their routine police duties.

Controversial FAFSA high school graduation requirement removed in Kansas

Kansas is not alone in working together with ICE to enforce immigration laws. ICE reports that, as of March 14, it has entered into multiple agreements with different law enforcement agencies in states across the nation.

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76 JEM agreements in 23 states.

143 WSO agreements in 22 states.

140 agencies in 16 states.

ICEs website shows that six Kansas law enforcement agencies are registered with the Section 287(g) program to help federal officials deport people living in the state illegally. These include the following:

Cowley County Sheriffs Office  WSO agreement.

Finney County Sheriffs Office  WSO agreement.

Jackson County Sheriffs Office  WSO agreement.

KBI  TFM/WSO agreement.

Reno County Sheriffs Office  WSO agreement.

President Donald Trump issued executive order 14159 Protecting the American People Against Invasion on Jan. 20, calling for Section 287(g) to be used in the nation. Trumps new policies were credited in the more than 20,000 deportations reported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Feb. 26 after his first full month in the White House.

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Kansas gov. moves Black Mass outside of Statehouse

27 News reached out to the Kansas Office of the Attorney General for an updated comment on its relationship with ICE on Monday, March 10 but has yet to receive a response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas school nutrition programs and food banks are facing significant setbacks after $10.5 million in funding was cut off by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) is expecting to receive more than $7.9 million for the state school nutrition program and the Child and Adult Care Program through the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFSCC). Those programs were expected to receive:

School Nutrition Program: $5,773,573

Child and Adult Care Food Program: $2,209,057

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KSDE spokeswoman Denise Kahler said that at the time of the agreements termination, Kansas had not received any LFSCC funds or nor any funds to child nutrition program operators.

City of Topeka nets $500 from Land Bank in 2024

These funds represented 100% allocation for Kansas products, Kahler said. There would not have been any overhead, administrative costs, or any miscellaneous costs. These are true dollars that would have benefitted Kansas producers and provided access to high quality meals to Kansas children.

Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Director of Communications Heather Lansdowne said the KDA was expecting around $2.6 million from the LFSCC allocation. She said the program distributed Kansas-grown and processed foods to underserved communities, families and individuals across the state over the past two years.

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Lansdowne said that after news of the cancellation, there will be no additional purchases under the program in Kansas. She said funding for the program was announced by the USDA in December 2024 and that cooperative agreements were signed in January 2025.

Kansas food banks used these funds to purchase fresh, local foods directly from farmers and producers in their areas, Lansdowne said.

Lansdowne said the KDA partnered with Harvesters, the Kansas Food Bank and the Second Harvest Community Food Bank. Purchases made by food banks were made at their own discretion until their allocated funds were spent. The products were required to be produced locally in Kansas to be eligible for sale under the program, according to the KDA website.

K-State freezes global food security labs after federal order

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27 News reached out to Topeka Public Schools spokesman Dr. Aarion Gray who said the USDA funding cuts wont affect the free breakfast and lunch programs at Topeka Public Schools.

About $660 million has gone to schools and childcare centers since the pandemic-era programs were introduced, according to The Associated Press. The USDA told the AP the programs were a legacy of the pandemic and are no longer priorities for the agency.

For more weather, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Karen Reads defense team is challenging a federal courts decision to not dismiss the charges against her.

Her defense team filed paperwork with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Friday, a day after the U.S. District Court judge refused to throw out two charges, including second-degree murder, Thursday.

The defense team has argued that their clients double jeopardy protections were violated because several jurors who came forward after a mistrial was declared in her first trial indicated that Read was found not guilty of two of the three charges she faces in OKeefes death, second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a deadly crash.

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A federal judge said jurors comments after the trials conclusion dont count as a verdict and said re-trying Read on all three charges doesnt violate double jeopardy.

Read is accused of hitting OKeefe with her Lexus SUV on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die after a night of drinking. The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home and then dragged outside and left for dead.

The push to drop Reads charges was also denied by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in February, upholding Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannones initial decision to reject the motion to dismiss.

Reads second trial is scheduled to get underway with jury selection on April 1.

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Once an industrial mechanic, now a bakery owner, Kaylas Sweet Treats has opened up inside of Urbaniak Brothers.

When the opportunity arrived, Kayla Gelletta, jumped on opening her bakery in the former herb and honey location.

Annual St. Patricks Day parade going on this weekend

All of her sweet treats are made from scratch daily, ranging from the classic chocolate chip to her famous pepperoni balls.

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Gelletta says that being at that location is extra special to her.

Wattsburg church nearing re-opening after 2024 fire

In here it feels just like Im at home. Andy Urbaniak gave me my first job as a teenager so Ive been here forever. Grew up right across the street so I know the neighborhood pretty well, I know most of the clientele really well so I figured this was the best place to be right back at home, she said.

Gelletta is Italian Hungarian and said she has either created all of her recipes or they have been passed down from her family.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The disapproval rate for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet rose 4.0 percentage points from the previous month to 44.1 percent in March, the highest level since the launch of his administration in October last year, according to a Jiji Press survey.

The approval rate, meanwhile, fell 0.6 percentage points to 27.9 percent, the opinion poll showed Thursday.

The survey, conducted over the four days through Monday, covered 2,000 people aged 18 and older across the country with valid responses at 59.3 percent.

When asked about the reason for supporting Ishiba's cabinet, 11.8 percent of respondents, the largest group, said there is no one else suitable to be prime minister.

The most common reason for disapproving of the Cabinet, cited by 27.1 percent, was that it is not promising. 
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  KCATA outlined proposed service cuts to riders Thursday evening.

The proposal calls for eliminating close to half the routes and reducing hours and eliminating most weekend service for remaining routes.

Kansas Citys budget summary as proposed by Mayor Quinton Lucas and suspended City Manager Brian Platt says its actually increasing its portion of KCATAs budget slightly. But multiple factors have KCATA looking at reducing spending and as a result buses.

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Charges filed in deadly shooting outside Kansas City QuikTrip

Riders packed KCATAs East Village Transit Center to find out if the buses they ride most often were being eliminated and, if so, why?

Im supposed to be at work right now but I figured I should take care of the way I get to work,

Mundia Chinonge told a KCATA official.

He rides the #11 Northeast-Westside route each day to and from work. Its one of 13 of the citys 29 bus routes currently on the chopping block expected to impact 6,838 average daily riders.

One of the most essential things that a city does is moving people around on the bus. What are we doing? Chinonge said.

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The latest Kansas City budget proposal calls for $40.6 million from the 3/8 cent sales tax and $30.4 million from the Public Mass Transportation Fund. But KCATA says its suffering from rising costs and the loss of COVID-relief federal dollars.

The routes that are most likely to be cut are the ones that have low ridership, or lower efficiency. Efficiency being a fiscal measurement of cost per boarding, Tyler Means, KCATA Chief Strategy Officer said.

Remaining buses would only run from 5am to 11pm and weekend service would be eliminated for all but 7 routes and reduced on the rest. The plan also calls for saving about 8 million dollars by eliminating the on-demand ride-share program IRIS.

The bus lines are being cut. Its going to affect thousands of residents. They are going to have a difficult time getting around the city going to work and whatnot. So cutting the program is like digging a hole and digging a bigger hole on top of that. So the negative impact will be massive, IRIS driver Bakar Mohamed said.

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Right before the pandemic Kansas City eliminated bus fares. We heard the same thing over and over again from riders Thursday.

Yeah, I enjoy being able to get on the bus without having to pay anything. But I think most people, working people, are willing to pay money to keep their buses, Chinonge said.

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But KCATA says restoring fares is not that easy technologically and time isnt on their side.

The system we have today is a 1999 system. We cant just turn it on. Too many of them will be broken and wont work, Means said about the bus fare collection system.

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Means said implementing a system based on the riders ability to pay would take about a year and could raise between $10 million and $13 million a year.

As it stands now the city will approve its budget March 27th and KCATA says if funding goes unchanged reduced service would start May 4.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
WICHTIA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Anderson County Rural Water District #4 public water supply system. The advisory is in effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

The advisory was prompted by a waterline break, which resulted in a loss of pressure in the distribution system, according to the KDHE. A drop in water pressure can lead to bacterial contamination and reduced chlorine residuals, making the water unsafe for consumption.

Nitrate levels in water still too high in Yoder area

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Residents served by the affected water system are urged to take the following precautions:

Boil water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, or preparing food. Alternatively, bottled water can be used.

Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from household automatic icemakers.

If tap water appears discolored, flush the water lines by running the faucet until the water runs clear.

Disinfect dishes and food contact surfaces by soaking them for at least one minute in clean tap water containing one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

Bathing is generally safe, but children should be supervised to prevent ingestion. Those with open wounds or severe rashes may wish to consult their physician before using the water.

KDHE officials emphasized that only the agency can lift the advisory after testing confirms the water is safe. Until that happens, residents should continue to follow the recommended safety measures.

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A month into his new role as health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is beginning to make his priorities for the country clear  and confirming some public health experts worst fears.

Since Kennedy was sworn in Feb. 13, the agencies he leads have canceled or postponed meetings about flu shots and other vaccines and announced plans to investigate already debunked links between vaccines and autism. He has downplayed the importance of vaccination in the Texas measles outbreak while endorsing unproven remedies for the highly contagious disease.

At the same time, Kennedy has begun to act on his long-standing concerns about the U.S. food system, directing the Food and Drug Administration to tighten a rule about the use of food additives and railing against seed oils in a Fox News interview.

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As a whole, these actions and statements indicate that Kennedy has not abandoned some of the fringe beliefs that made him a controversial pick. His early moves on vaccines have worried health experts, who fear he is sowing confusion that could ultimately lead to the spread of preventable diseases.

Taking steps to make it less likely that people will get vaccinated is 100% on brand for a Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-led Health and Human Services Department, said Andrew Kelly, associate professor of public health at California State University, East Bay. All of this just adds to increasing apprehension, misinformation and fear around vaccines.

In response to questions about his recent actions and his critics concerns, Stefanie Spear, Kennedys principal deputy chief of staff at HHS, referred NBC News to his earlier releases, videos and op-eds. Spear also highlighted other actions the health secretary has taken, including meeting with doctors to discuss protecting patients from surprise medical bills and hosting discussions about chronic disease among children  an issue he has said is a top priority.

Elevating unproven remedies for measles while downplaying vaccines

When the United States saw a resurgence of measles in 2019, then-Health Secretary Alex Azar stressed the importance and safety of vaccines.

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Thats not what were seeing from Robert F Kennedy Jr., Kelly said.

As the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has swelled  sickening more than 290 people and killing an unvaccinated child, with another suspected death under investigation  Kennedy has touted unproven remedies and emphasized that getting vaccinated is a personal choice. He has also warned, without evidence, about harms associated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot.

A health worker prepares a dose of the measles vaccine at a health center in Lubbock, Texas, on Feb. 27.

There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year. It causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, Kennedy told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an interview Monday.

There have been no deaths linked to the MMR vaccine in healthy people, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and immunocompromised people arent advised to get it. Most people dont have side effects, though some may experience a fever, rash or joint pain and stiffness.

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What Kennedy has done, in my view, is set a cartoonishly high standard for what constitutes scientific evidence, said Matt Motta, an assistant professor of health law and policy at Boston Universitys School of Public Health. The chances of getting hurt by a vaccine are infinitesimally small, whereas the chances of getting sick with measles  which, by the way, is the most infectious disease on Earth  are much, much higher.

Kennedy also told Hannity that protection from measles vaccines wanes in many people, though in reality, infections are rare among those who are fully vaccinated.

Kennedy has spoken more favorably about alternative remedies for measles, a disease for which there is no approved treatment. On Fox News last week, Kennedy said Texas doctors had seen very good results from treating measles with the steroid budesonide, the antibiotic clarithromycin and cod-liver oil. None of these treatments have been shown in studies to be effective against measles.

Demonstrators participate in a "Stand Up For Science" rally at Washington Square Park on March 7, in New York City. Kennedy's stance on vaccines have been widely protested.

Vitamin A, which is found in cod-liver oil, is used to treat severe measles in developing countries, where vitamin deficiencies are common, but its unclear how beneficial it is in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its measles website last month to say that infants and children can be treated with vitamin A.

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Kennedy wrote in an op-ed for Fox News that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality, citing a study largely based on results in African countries. He noted, as well, that vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity.

A Trump administration official pointed to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and from a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases summit, both of which say that children who get measles should be given vitamin A as part of the disease management protocol. The official said that medical professionals use of vitamin A is critical to save lives and that the CDC guidance is rooted in the latest medical consensus. However, doctors interviewed by NBC News have not all agreed.

The CDC maintains that vaccines are the best defense against measles, the official said.

Changes to vaccine meetings and research

As HHS secretary, Kennedy oversees 13 agencies, including the CDC, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health.

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Public health experts worry that by instituting gradual changes in the way these agencies study or evaluate vaccines, Kennedy could make immunizations harder to access over time.

In February, federal health officials canceled a public meeting of the independent FDA vaccine advisory committee meant to select the strains for next seasons flu shot. Instead, a group of officials from the FDA, the CDC and the Defense Department met behind closed doors Thursday to make the decision without the committees input.

The cancellation came roughly a week after the Department of Health and Human Services announced the postponement of a CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting, in which members had planned to discuss new or updated vaccines for meningococcal disease and the chikungunya virus, as well as a nasal spray for influenza. Andrew Nixon, a senior HHS spokesperson, said at the time that the delay was intended to allow time for public comment. No new date has been announced.

States depend on the federal government for information about what vaccines ought to be recommended and when and for whom. What Kennedy can do is obscure that information, Motta said. Thats one of the things that hes doing right now by canceling these meetings.

People protesting personnel cuts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hold signs outside the organization's main headquarters on March 12., in Atlanta, Ga.

Kennedy has previously accused the members of the CDC advisory committee of having conflicts of interest, citing ties to the pharmaceutical industry. On March 7, the agency released a database of some members previous work on clinical trials or vaccine research funded by drug companies, though much of the information was already public. Nixon said at the time that the department wanted to make the disclosures more easily accessible.

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You want to have people on these committees who are experts in vaccines and infectious diseases, said Dr. Richard Besser, the former acting director of the CDC and current president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health-focused nonprofit. Those individuals are often in academia or in industry, and they will get funding from the government, and they will get funding from industry. Thats highly appropriate, as long as its disclosed  and it is.

Kennedy also appears to be shifting research priorities about vaccines. The Washington Post reported Monday that, according to an internal email it obtained, the NIH had terminated grants for research on vaccine hesitancy and increasing uptake. It is not clear if Kennedy played a role in the move. The CDC, meanwhile, is planning to research potential links between autism and vaccines, a source familiar with the agencys planning previously told NBC News.

Hundreds of scientific studies have already debunked any purported connection between vaccines and autism. However, Kennedy, the founder of a prominent anti-vaccine group, has spent much of his career questioning the safety of vaccines and amplifying the false theory.

Nixon said earlier this month that the CDC will leave no stone unturned in its mission to figure out what exactly is happening.

Cracking down on food additives

This week, Kennedy took action on a less controversial goal: removing chemicals from the U.S. food supply.

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He directed the FDA to revise a rule that allows food manufacturers to use additives that are generally recognized as safe  either because theyre commonly consumed or have been scientifically evaluated  without notifying the federal government. If the rule is changed, companies that want to add new ingredients to food products would instead have to start notifying the FDA and providing safety data.

Kennedy also directed the FDA and the NIH to assess additives already allowed because of the current rule, and he met with food industry executives Wednesday to discuss removing artificial dyes.

Nutrition and food safety are major planks of Kennedys agenda. He has repeatedly blamed ultraprocessed foods for chronic diseases (such foods are indeed linked to obesity and heart disease) and suggested that seed oils such as canola and safflower oil are poisoning Americans.

Kennedys interview with Hannity on Monday took place at the fast-food chain Steak n Shake, which Kennedy praised for frying its french fries in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil  a switch the company announced in January.

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We want to do everything that we can to incentivize these companies to be transparent, to switch over from ultraprocessed food, he said. (French fries, hamburger buns and many other fast-food items, however, are considered processed foods.)

A convenience store advertises that they except EBT cards in Fall River, Mass., in 2024.

Kennedy also suggested last month that participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  formerly known as food stamps  should not be allowed to use the benefit to purchase junk food.

Several public health experts said Kennedys criticisms of processed food have merit, but efforts to increase regulation might conflict with the current gutting of federal agencies.

Regulating ultraprocessed foods takes expertise, it takes personnel, it takes resources, and all of those things are being cut by the Trump administration, Kelly said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
HAZARD, Ky. (FOX 56) Betty Jean Carter, Daniel Hayner, and their two small children lost everything in Februarys floods right after moving to Kentucky at the beginning of the month. When they heard about the impending floods, they decided to get a hotel room, and its a good thing they did.

Our house was split in half and gone, and our neighbor actually passed away. So, I fully believe that if we wouldve been in the home, it would not have been good for anybody. I dont know if we would be able to get out, said Carter.

Their home and property were deemed a total loss, but because they are Leslie County residents, which has not yet been approved for individual assistance from FEMA, the family has been staying at a shelter in Perry County.

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We paid off our house, we paid off our land, and we thought we were doing the best thing for our family. And if we would have known, well, you know, we know now, things might have been a lot different, Carter said.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

While campers are set up in Perry County for flood victims just down the road, priority is currently given to Perry County residents.

This is currently not an option for residents in Leslie County and highlights the need for local organizations like Roscoes Daughter to help.

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Were trying to find a camper, a tiny home, or a mobile home that can be placed on their property out of the flood zone, because there is a portion of their land that they own that is higher up out of the flood zone, Kate Clemons, founder and CEO of Roscoes Daughter, told FOX 56.

Leslie Countys Judge Executive, William Lewis, said he requested individual assistance from FEMA on February 17. It has not yet been approved.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Roscoes daughter had several families from Leslie County pleading with us to help them because they did not have a shelter. They did not have a place to go. This has been ongoing. Were a month out, and there have been no answers, said Clemons.

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With the shelter set to close on Monday, the clock is ticking, and the future remains uncertain for this devastated family.

Im scared. I dont want to fail my kids. I want to be a good dad to them, and I want to be able to give them a life they deserve, said Hayner

Clemons encourages those in Leslie County to continue documenting flood damage if FEMA aid is granted.

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FLEMING COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Kentucky man has been charged following an officer-involved shooting Thursday afternoon.

Kentucky State Police said a Fleming County sheriff tried to pull over a pickup truck around 2 p.m. The truck briefly got stuck but regained traction and drove off after the sheriff exited his vehicle.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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KSP said the truck began moving toward the sheriff, prompting him to fire his gun, striking a window. The driver then got out and was promptly arrested.

The driver, 34-year-old Isaac Spears, was medically cleared before being taken to the Mason County Detention Center, per KSP. Hes facing numerous charges, including reckless driving, fleeing or evading the police, and wanton endangerment.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

KSP confirmed that no officers were injured in the shooting.

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Family members of Kathy Kinney gather around her in a vehicle near her flooded home at Ramsey Mobile Home Park in Pikeville, Feb. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

FRANKFORT  A bill to set up a state aid fund for Kentucky communities affected by recent flooding received Senate approval Thursday a couple of days after passage in the House.

Gov. Andy Beshear has said the bill, which appropriates no new money, isnt enough and wont be enough.

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The Senate version raises a $50 million cap that the legislature had imposed last year on the Beshear administrations emergency spending without receiving legislative approval.

Senators unanimously passed House Bill 544 in a vote of 38-0. Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, introduced the bill in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Tuesday morning. Hours later, the House passed the bill by a vote of 99-0.

The bill would establish a new SAFE fund, or State Aid for Emergencies, like Kentucky started after earlier floods and tornadoes. The bill allows $48 million to be transferred from the previous SAFE funds to the new one created by the bill.

The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee adopted a new version of the bill Wednesday morning, which would allow $100 million to be spent on flood aid from the 2024-26 state budget for governor-declared emergencies, instead of the $50 million limit per fiscal year set by the legislature last year.

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Beshear said the Senate changes make the bill a little bit better from where it originally was by allowing funds allocated for next fiscal year to be used now. But that also could present a problem if the funds used now end up being needed for a future disaster.

Beshear said the bill as it is now means cities and counties responding to the February floods will have to pay for cleanups and infrastructure repairs and then carry significant amounts of money while waiting for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which can take years in some cases.

The governor said the state has had 13 federally declared disasters in the time hes held the office  which is about two a year.

We will run out of money, not just in responding to this natural disaster, but we wont have any that has been authorized, and in fact, has been limited and capped for the first time ever, when were hit by our next natural disaster, the governor said.

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Beshear has previously called on lawmakers to remove the caps for the executive branch. When the legislation was introduced earlier this week, his spokesperson Crystal Staley said in a statement lawmakers received a substitute bill Monday night that would have provided up to an additional $100 million in possible reallocations by the governor for flood recovery, but that provision was eliminated in Tuesday mornings committee meeting.

On Thursday, Beshear raised concerns that Kentuckians facing the aftermath of the February floods wont receive the same help Kentuckians affected by the 2022 floods or 2021 tornadoes did. He called that wrong.

In the end, my job is to help people as much as we can, and so while the bill isnt nearly enough, Ill sign it, Beshear said.

Earlier in his press conference, Beshear warned Kentuckians about possible severe weather this weekend.
Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil told his lawyers he felt as if he was being kidnapped while being detained by different law enforcement officers and agents in New York on Saturday for his role in pro-Palestinian protests on the schools campus last year.

Throughout this process, Mr. Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped. He was reminded of prior experience fleeing arbitrary detention in Syria and forced disappearance of his friends in Syria in 2013, his lawyers wrote in court filings.

It was shortly after this that Mr. Khalil left Syria. At no time throughout this process did any of the agents identify themselves.

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Khalil, who was born to Palestinian immigrants in Syria and maintains citizenship in Algeria, is a U.S. green-card holder. He said he was initially denied medication required daily for his ulcer while officers refused to provide him with a pillow or blanket throughout his stay, according to court filings.

The ex-Columbia students wife said agents forced Khalil into an unmarked car Saturday evening after they returned from an iftar dinner to mark the end of their fast for Ramadan.

Agents then transported him to Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey before flying him to Dallas and eventually Louisiana, where he remains detained at a facility in Jena, according to The Associated Press.

His lawyers say they have had little to no contact with Khalil, who has not been criminally charged.

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Hes being charged with having ideas and speaking out about them. Ideas that the government disapproves of. And really, thats all there is to it, Khalils attorney Donna Lieberman said during a Friday appearance on CNN.

This is a targeted, retaliatory and extreme attack on the right of free expression.

Some lawmakers have agreed with the stance and detailed their concerns in a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, urging her to release Khalil immediately.

Its an attempt to bully and intimidate students from speaking out, faculty from speaking out. And its an attempt to bully the rest of us into being quiet and going with the administrations program. Last I heard, we were a democracy, Lieberman told CNN.

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This attempt to quell free speech is absolutely terrifying. If they can disappear somebody for doing nothing but having ideas that the government disapproves of, it should be terrifying to everybody.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Khalil during court proceedings, while the Justice Department has requested to move the case to New Jersey or Louisiana instead of New York.

Khalils attorney and federal prosecutors were asked to submit a joint letter by noon EDT Friday detailing when they plan to submit written arguments in the case.

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JERUSALEM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will maintain its presence at five strategic locations in southern Lebanon "indefinitely," regardless of ongoing negotiations over 13 disputed border points.

During a security assessment on Thursday with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials, Katz emphasized that the IDF will continue to hold these five positions, which control the buffer zone in Lebanon, as a measure to safeguard northern Israeli communities.

"This decision is entirely independent of any future negotiations concerning disputed border points," his office stated in an announcement, adding that Katz has instructed the IDF to reinforce its positions at these strategic sites and prepare for an extended deployment.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been in effect, bringing an end to prolonged clashes between Hezbollah and Israel triggered by the Gaza war.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target "threats" posed by Hezbollah. Israeli forces also remain in several strategic locations in Lebanon despite the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline outlined in the agreement. 
A man suspected of kidnapping a woman and her two small children in South Florida has been arrested following a police chase through Northeast Florida.

The St. Johns County Sheriffs Office said it first learned about a car wanted in connection to the Broward County crime on March 3rd from the Margate Police Department, which believed he may have been driving through the area.

Officials said deputies with SJSO located the car before being led on a high-speed chase into Putnam County.

In police audio released by the Sheriffs Office, it was suspected to be a white Chevy Malibu rental driving on the wrong side of Highway I-95 at more than 130 miles an hour

The driver, listed as Michael McNeal, reportedly crashed at Highway 17 and Comfort Road in Putnam County before running from deputies on foot.

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The woman and her two children, which could be heard crying in the video, were rescued from the car.

A pursuit began with support from an SJSO helicopter and K9 units. Officials said McNeal was eventually spotted using a thermal camera hiding inside a dump truck outside of a nearby junkyard north of the crash site.

Thermal camera shows suspect hiding inside dumptruck: SJSO

Video shows McNeal eventually exit the truck with his hands up before being taken into custody.

He faces multiple charges within St. Johns and Putnam counties, including aggravated fleeing and eluding of law enforcement, resisting law enforcement, child neglect, and reckless driving.

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In an upsetting bit of news, police in New England have arrested a woman for shooting her neighbor's dog with a pellet gun. The dog is an adorable one-year-old French Mastiff named Zuri.

Zuris mom, Yolanda Todman, was shocked by this whole ordeal. According to a news report, she is at a loss for words upon learning that the authorities arrested her neighbor for shooting poor Zuri.

According to this news clip, the shooting took place earlier this month within Yolandas fenced-in backyard where Zuri was simply minding her own business.

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Security cameras in Yolandas backyard recorded the sound of two BB gunshots followed by Zuri's whimpering in pain, followed by the one-year-old Mastiff limping away.

Related: Why Pony Rides Are Not Animal Cruelty: A Horse Trainer's Opinion

A report was made, and the authorities quickly became involved, launching an investigation into this violent incident, which led them to arrest Yolandas neighbor, a 32-year-old woman named Lynette Ayala.

Thankfully, Zuri is on the mend, and her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of her medical bills.

Laws Against Animal Cruelty

The United States has animal protection laws that can be enforced at every level of government. Although most animal protection laws exist at the state level. There are some animal protection laws at the federal level as well.

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The primary federal animal protection law is the Animal Welfare Act, which was signed into law in 1966. This law mostly pertains to the transportation and treatment of zoo and laboratory animals.

The most recent law is the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, which was signed into law in 2019. It makes many of the most heinous forms of animal cruelty, such as crushing, drowning, burning, impaling, and sexual abuse, and impaling a federal crime.

Conclusion

New England states, such as Rhode Island, have their own penalties and animal cruelty laws. They specifically pertain to malicious acts, such as torture, killing, beating, mutilating, overworking, or placing any animal in a situation that could seriously harm it or result in a fatality.

These laws also include the failure to provide animals with necessary essentials, such as shelter, food, water, or medical attention. Remember, neglect is also a form of abuse. Individuals found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to $1,000 and/or face two years of jail time.

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However, repeat offenders can face fines of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison. The state also mandates that people report any suspected cases of animal cruelty to the authorities.

While it remains unclear why this senseless act of violence was committed against this poor, defenseless dog, it is, without question, unacceptable. Thankfully, law enforcement was able to catch and arrest Lynette Ayala for committing this cruel crime.

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Twenty-one states are suing over Donald Trumps Department of Education cuts. One of the attorneys general who signed on to that lawsuit, Democrat Matt Platkin of New Jersey, joins MSNBC to discuss.
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  The Killeen Independent School District superintendent held another press conference regarding the fatal stabbing.

Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey hosted the press conference at the Administration Building, located at 200 N. WS Young Drive, on Friday afternoon.

This came after the community is looking for answers from the Killeen Independent School District after Mondays fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Serenity Baker at Roy J. Smith Middle School.

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Following the stabbing, FOX 44 News attended the emergency board meeting held by Killeen ISD on Tuesday morning, where parents voiced their concerns about the traumatizing incident. However, many parents left unsatisfied.

Other parents asked the school board for more communication, saying it has been lacking for a long time, and some say they have lost trust in the school district.

PREVIOUS STORY: Looking for Answers from Killeen ISD

On Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m., FOX 44 News attended another press conference held by Killeen ISD Police Chief Erik Hydorn and Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey. We hoped to get answers the Killeen community has yet to receive.

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Unfortunately, neither the police chief nor superintendent were able to answer any questions reporters had, although they were told Dr. Fey would answer questions.

Following the press conference, Rudolph advised the group of reporters to submit any questions for the superintendent via email.

New Details Revealed in Friday Press Conference

Dr. Fey addressed several points during the Friday press conference, offering new insights into the investigation and the security measures at Killeen ISD campuses.

Fey clarified the weapon used by the suspect was a 3 1/2-inch tactile folding knife.



Fey clarified that there was a misconception circulating in the community about the suspect. People believed the suspect had just returned to school Monday after a suspension for possessing a knife on campus. However, Dr. Fey confirmed that this information was inaccurate.



The investigation into the incident is being conducted by an outside investigator connected to an attorney to prevent any mistrust from the community regarding the school districts administration. The district brought in this external party to ensure an impartial investigation that will uncover any important details, preventing such incidents from happening again.



Dr. Fey also confirmed that Serenity had not been suspended for violent behavior prior to the stabbing. She could not, however, confirm whether Serenity and the suspect had any prior altercations or interactions before the incident.



What Happened During the Incident



The details of the stabbing were further revealed by Killeen ISD Police Chief Erik Hydorn. He confirmed that the stabbing occurred during a passing period in a common area, not in a classroom. Chief Hydorn also stated that Serenity was stabbed in the neck, but he was unable to say how many stab wounds she received.

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It has been confirmed that there is video surveillance of the incident.



In response to questions about whether the incident was the result of bullying, Dr. Fey confirmed that there had been no bullying reports submitted through the districts bullying reporting system. However, it was still unclear whether any verbal or written reports had been made to campus administration by students or parents.



Security Measures Under Review



As for the security systems, Dr. Fey explained that the Evolve Weapons Detection System at Roy J. Smith Middle School failed to detect the knife used in the stabbing. She clarified that the system is designed to detect weapons, not just metal objects, but it was not functioning correctly on the day of the incident.

She explained that there are three different detection systems in place across the district. One of them is the Evolve Detection System, which is used at some campuses, along with traditional metal detectors and wands.

We are not confident that it would have share that information with us and it has to do with the type of system that the evolve detection system is. Its not there to detect metal. Its there to detect weapons which are which are different, she explained.

We want to make sure that we share that as we have shared the gap with our evolve system today. It was not working on that day we do not know why, we are investigating why,.

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When asked about the weapon used in the stabbing, Dr. Fey confirmed that it was a 3  inch tactical folding knife.

Regarding the safety protocols on campus, Dr. Fey addressed the issue of faculty presence in the halls. We are certainly looking at campus-level monitoring both inside and outside of our buildings, including our hallways during passing periods, she explained.

We are evaluating every safety protocol, she added, referring to the pressing question on whether cellphone policies are subject to change in case of emergency.



Whats Next?

As the investigation continues, Chief Hydorn mentioned that county prosecutors would decide whether the suspect would be tried as an adult. He also stated that it was too early to say if the juveniles parents would face legal action.



While the district continues to investigate the incident and review its safety protocols, both parents and community members are awaiting more answers about how this tragedy unfolded.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Here are the top headlines from this morning.

State lawmakers in Iowa are still debating school funding, even as schools face a budget deadline tomorrow.

Iowa House Republican leadership holding strong on its education funding proposal

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden vetoed a bill that would have helped more child care workers afford care for their own kids.

SD House rejects veto override of child care bill

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Property tax increases are limited in South Dakota after Governor Rhoden signed a bill into law.

SD Gov. Rhoden to offer new way to counter property taxes

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Investigators are searching for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing on a spring break trip with her college friends in the Dominican Republic last week.

Multiple international agencies have been searching for Konanki since she disappeared March 6 as the investigation nears its second week.

Here's what we know about the case.

Who is Sudiksha Konanki?

Konanki, 20, is a junior in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff's Office. She is an Indian citizen and permanent U.S. resident who lives with her family in Chantilly, Virginia, which is in Loudoun County.

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She traveled to Punta Cana from Pitt on March 3 with five female friends for spring break, the sheriff's office said.

Konanki is in the South Asian fusion a cappella group Avaaz at college, according to the groups Instagram account.

Sudiksha Konanki.

When was Konanki last seen?

Konanki was last seen early March 6 after she went to the beach with friends.

She disappeared after 4:15 a.m., after her friends left the beach but she stayed behind with people she met on the trip.

Security video showed Konanki and her friends entering the beach area in the Riu Republica Resort, where they were staying, Dominican Republic National Police said.

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Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman told NBC Washington on Monday that Konanki's friends returned to the hotel after about 40 minutes and that Konanki stayed with the others whom she met and who were not friends from college.

One of the last people who had contact with her said that "a wave hit them while they were on the beach and caused some kind of situation," Dominican President Luis Abinader said at a news conference Monday, citing local reports. Abinader said at the time that authorities were trying to piece together what happened.

Konanki's friends went on an excursion Thursday and did not realize she had disappeared until they returned, about 12 hours later, at which point they told the hotel about their missing friend, National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira said.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office was then notified of her disappearance, Chapman said.

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National Police launched a search effort Friday morning, using drones, helicopters, divers, boats and canine units. The search effort was expanded Monday.

Konanki's friends were supposed to return to the United States on Friday but stayed back to aid in the search, sheriff's spokesperson Thomas Julia said.

The hotel said that beach access is always open and that security guards are stationed around the hotel and the area.

What do we know about the investigation?

Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, which is being led by Dominican police, the Dominican attorney general's office, the FBI and a U.S. Embassy liaison. The U.S. Coast Guard is also involved.

Military personnel search for Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Monday.

The University of Pittsburgh said it was in contact with Konanki's family and offering support in the investigation. The Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic is also helping in the investigation, Chapman said.

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Konankis family traveled to Punta Cana to aid in search efforts but returned to Virginia. They declined to comment on the search.

La Altagracia Civil Defense, the local Dominican emergency operations agency, shared photos of multiple agencies searching the beach over the weekend. The hotel was also assisting in search efforts, it said.

Authorities have said it's not clear whether Konankis disappearance is accidental or whether foul play was involved. No signs of blood or violence were found at the beach, Pesqueira said.

National Police sent teams to monitor the beach overnight at least twice to watch how the water moves to see where a body would drift if someone drowned and to see where the waves crash.

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A hotel spokesperson said red flags  which indicate "that the sea had a strong current and very high waves"  were flying when Konanki disappeared.

Dominican authorities said Thursday morning that the search was moving from the Riu Republic Resort to Macao Beach.

Officials are also looking into Konanki's phone and texts, said Chapman, the Loudoun County sheriff. She did not appear to have a history of excessive drinking, he said.

The sheriff's office said it filed for Interpol to issue a yellow notice, a worldwide police alert for a missing person, which will alert authorities if she travels to another country.

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"We are going on the presumption that shes still alive," Chapman said Monday. "We want to make sure that we're exhausting every possible lead that we can, and we feel we're doing that."

Has a person of interest been identified?

A person of interest has been identified and was interviewed at length, Julia, the sheriff's office spokesperson, told NBC News. The sheriff's office has no jurisdiction over the case but sent detectives to the island to assist local investigators.

A person of interest is "not the same thing as a suspect, as this is not a criminal matter. It is still a missing person case," Julia said.

National Police said Thursday morning that they do not use the term "person of interest" in their investigations and that no one is considered a suspect at this point.

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The man, Joshua Riibe, spoke to local authorities Thursday, a sheriff's spokesperson told NBC News on Friday.

Riibe may have been the last person to see Konanki alive. He told local investigators they were on the beach "in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little," according to a transcript of the interview that NBC News obtained.

Then, a wave crashed, sweeping them both "out to sea," Riibe said in the interview.

"I kept trying to get her to breathe, but that didn't allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water," he said. He told local authorities that he used to work as a lifeguard and that he made sure to get them both back to shore.

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That's when she disappeared, he said.

"The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn't hear her answer," he said. "I looked around and didn't see anyone. I thought she'd grabbed her things and left."

According to the interview, Riibe said he was surprised to later learn that Konanki was missing.





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In the Nov. 5, 2024, elections, Republicans gained 55 state legislative seats, Democrats lost 54, and Independents and minor party officeholders lost one, Ballotpedia reports.

That means the overall partisan composition across all 50 state legislatures changed by 0.7% in favor of Republicans. In 2022, the partisan composition changed 0.4% toward Republicans, with Democrats losing four seats, Republicans gaining 27 seats, and Independents and minor party officeholders losing 20 seats. Both 2024 and 2022 produced a smaller shift than the 2020 elections, when Republicans gained 141 seats, Democrats lost 133, and Independents and minor party officeholders lost eight.

Here are the states where each party saw their largest gains in 2024:

Ballotpedia

Republicans lost veto-proof supermajority in Montana

Democrats saw their largest gains in Wisconsin, Montana, Ohio, Connecticut, and Oregon. Notably, while Montana Republicans did maintain majorities in both legislative chambers, they lost their veto-proof supermajority. That means Montana Republicans can no longer override gubernatorial vetoes without the votes of at least some Democratic legislators. Democrats gained that ability in Connecticut, where they won five seats.

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Republicans saw their largest gains in Vermont, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, and Arizona. Republicans gained 24 seats in Vermont, or 13.3% of the legislature, their most from any state in 2024. This is after the 2022 elections where Democrats gained 17 seats in Vermont (9.4%), their most from any state that year. In 2024, Vermont Democrats maintained majorities in both chambers but lost their veto-proof supermajority.

There were also 18 states in 2024 where one party gained seats in both state legislative chamberssix for Democrats and 12 for Republicans. The map below shows those states by party.

Ballotpedia

Republicans gained seats in 20 states, Democrats gained in 13

Across all 44 states that held legislative elections in 2024, Democrats gained seats in 13 states and lost seats in 21, Republicans gained seats in 20 states and lost seats in 14, and Independents and minor party officeholders gained seats in two states and lost seats in one. In 2022, Democrats gained seats in 16 states and lost seats in 19 states, Republicans gained seats in 21 states and lost seats in 18, and Independents and minor party officeholders gained seats in two states and lost seats in 11.

Ballotpedia

Composition of state legislatures before and after the 2024 elections

The table above shows all 50 state legislative compositions before and after the 2024 elections.

This story was produced by Ballotpedia and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  Central Pennsylvania is expecting a Blood Moon Thursday night into the early morning hours Friday.

A total lunar eclipse will stretch across Central Pennsylvania, turning the moon red for everyone on the nighttime side of the earth, which is how this phenomena earned the name of Blood Moon.

The only light that can reach it is first filtered through earths atmosphere and as it is, all the different wavelengths of color are sucked out except the red wavelengths. And so thats the only part that can actually hit the moon, making it the blood moon, said Jim Krug, Planetarium Director of the Neil Armstrong Planetarium at the Altoona Area School District.

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WEATHER FOR THURSDAYS ECLIPSE: East wind holds temps in the 50s/60s.total Lunar Eclipse tonight

Lunar eclipses are not entirely rare, but sky viewers are especially excited about this lunar eclipse. For the first time in a while, this lunar eclipse will happen in the middle of the night, putting the moon high in the sky for viewing.

The nice thing is lunar eclipses are very generous eclipses. Unlike a solar eclipse, where only people on very narrow pathways on the Earth can see it, and only for a couple of seconds to maybe a minute, everybody on the nighttime side of Earth can see it, Krug said.

While totality will be from about 2:30 to 3:30 Friday morning, Krug said not to worry if you sleep through it. The eclipse will span from just before midnight until about 5:30 in the morning.

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To view the eclipse, all you need is your naked eye. Krug said that while the moon isnt known to hurt your eyes, looking at a full moon through binoculars or a telescope could make your eye hurt after a period of time.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

Krug hopes the lunar eclipse serves as a reminder for everyone to take a moment and enjoy all the wonders the world has to offer: We get so busy in our modern society, we dont look up anymore like our ancestors. Were just always looking down. Events like this kind of cause us to take a break. They give us pause, and they remind us that we are a part of a much, much greater cosmos out there.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Police in California have accused an Arizona man of engaging in an "elaborate vehicle fraud scheme," selling a car that was rented through Turo, a company that allows customers to rent vehicles directly from their owners.

The car seller, who had an active warrant for conspiracy and auto theft, used a vehicle rented from the online rental company Turo for the scam but didn't rent it himself, police said. A woman who bought the car responded to an ad on Craigslist, receiving a title and registration from the man. The documents were forged, the woman later learned.

The self-described "car rental marketplace" has been tied to several other controversies, including deadly incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas that both took place on New Year's Day.

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Here's what to know about the peer-to-peer rental company, Turo.

What is Turo?

Turo describes itself as "the world's largest car-sharing marketplace." Unlike traditional rental car companies, which own massive fleets of vehicles and rent them directly to users, Turo doesn't own cars  rather it lets customers book a car directly through its owners.

The company, formerly known as "RelayRides," is based in San Francisco.

It's been likened to other peer-to-peer rental companies like Airbnb.

How does Turo work?

Turo lets people rent out their cars for cash.

Renters can search available vehicles based on their location, then they arrange a pickup and drop-off spot with the car's owner.

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Like other peer-to-peer sharing services, users communicate through an app, where the owners and renters can communicate, share information needed to lock and unlock the car and "rate" their experiences.

Who are Turo's competitors?

Turo promotes itself as an alternative to big rental companies like Hertz, Enterprise and Avis and encourages users to "skip the rental car counter."

Other companies like Getaround and SnappCar are trying for the same peer-to-peer model. The company HyreCar offers a similar service, but it focuses on renting cars to rideshare drivers.

What happens if you damage a Turo car?

Like with a typical rental car, damaging a vehicle rented through Turo can cost you.

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The company warns renters they're responsible for damage that takes place during their trip, whether or not they're at fault.

If an accident happens, the company calculates the cost of damages and charges users an initial "damage deposit." Those costs can be mitigated depending on the protection plan the renter chose when booking the car, if the renter was at fault for the accident, or if the renter has personal insurance that can help cover costs.

Turo offers a "roadside assistance center" available 24/7 to help in the event of an emergency, according to the company's website.

Does my insurance cover Turo?

Many, but not all, personal car insurance policies cover peer-to-peer rental services like Turo. The company recommends renters confirm with their insurance carriers that their coverage will apply.

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You dont need personal insurance coverage to rent a car through Turo. The company also offers liability insurance and other protection plans in case the vehicle gets damaged.

Where are you supposed to meet the Turo host?

Turo users receive pickup and drop-off instructions when they book a car. Some hosts offer to deliver the car to the renter or leave it at an airport.

Who owns Turo?

Turo is a private company, though it has been eyeing plans to go public for several years. According to the company's LinkedIn page, some of its investors include Kleiner Perkins, Canaan Partners, August Capital, GV, Shasta Ventures, Sumitomo Corporation and IAC.

Is Turo cheaper than renting through a traditional rental company?

Turo's prices are more variable than traditional rental companies, according to the website NerdWallet. The baseline cost of a Turo rental can be lower, but it can come with extra fees.

What are the recent incidents involving Turo?

Cars rented through Turo were used in two high-profile incidents around New Year's. In New Orleans, someone drove a truck through a crowd, killing more than a dozen people and injuring more; and in Las Vegas, someone exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel.

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Turo incidents have also happened in the Valley. On Feb. 1, three men were briefly held at gunpoint by Glendale police after the Turo vehicle they rented turned out to be stolen. More recently, an Arizona man was arrested on suspicion of selling a Turo rental to a woman for $23K in cash.

When contacted Tuesday evening, a Turo spokesperson said the man arrested was not a Turo customer, but they were aware of the incident. The company later acknowledged that "these criminals teamed up with people who passed our rigorous screening process to steal and sell cars listed on Turo."

The company added that neither of the people involved in the New Year's Day incidents had criminal backgrounds.

Republic reporter Ray Stern contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about Turo, the company where you can rent out your car
Judges in lawsuits joined by 22 states and D.C. have issued nationwide orders blocking Trump's executive action, which civil rights groups and Democratic-led states say is at odds with the nation's history and the Constitution. The order, signed on Trump's first day back in the White House, denies automatic citizenship for new babies if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident -a population some studies have estimated at more than 150,000 newborns per year.

In its request to the Supreme Court, the administration asked the justices to limit the nationwide orders to the individuals or states involved in the litigation while those cases make their way through the court system, or to at least allow the relevant federal agencies to begin developing plans and issuing public guidance for banning birthright citizenship if Trump's effort eventually passes legal muster.

Nationwide court orders "prohibit a Day 1 Executive Order from being enforced anywhere in the country  [and] compromise the Executive Branch's ability to carry out its functions," acting solicitor general Sarah M. Harris told the justices.

If the Trump administration were successful in persuading the Supreme Court to limit the injunctions to states participating in the litigation, it could allow the administration to begin denying automatic citizenship to the children born in 28 states and other U.S. territories.

Such a scenario would be unmanageable, said Amanda Frost, an immigration law professor at the University of Virginia who has written extensively about the legal questions around nationwide injunctions. Migrants might feel compelled to travel between states to give birth, she said, and parents or interest groups could file hundreds or thousands of legal challenges on behalf of children not covered by the existing orders.

"It would create chaos to have inconsistent rules and overwhelm the courts - it's not administrable," Frost said.

The administration's filing noted that nationwide injunctions have halted many of Trump's efforts to dramatically shrink the size of the federal workforce, halt spending and dismantle agencies. Judges issued more orders blocking Trump's executive actions in February, the filing said, than through the first three years of the Biden administration - a data point probably related to the volume of Trump's directives and the fact that many seek to dramatically change the way government works.

"This Court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched," Harris said. "Years of experience have shown that the Executive Branch cannot properly perform its functions if any judge anywhere can enjoin every presidential action everywhere."

Presidents from both parties - and several Supreme Court justices -have raised concerns about the power of a single judge to block an administration's initiative nationwide. During President Joe Biden's tenure, judges halted his administration's mask mandate for air travelers, his student loan forgiveness plan and a coronavirus vaccine mandate for certain workers.

Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, is facing eight separate lawsuits across the country. In addition to the three nationwide injunctions, in cases in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington, a federal judge in a New Hampshire issued an injunction in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, though the scope of that injunction is uncertain. A court hearing in that lawsuit is scheduled for Friday.

Some legal analysts questioned why the administration was seeking to limit the injunctions rather than ask the Supreme Court to fast track a decision on the underlying constitutional questions involved in Trump's order. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin (D), who is leading the Massachusetts lawsuit, said he expected the Trump administration's request to be denied.

"Every court to consider President Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship by Executive Order has found it is flagrantly unconstitutional, and all three appellate courts to review DOJ's emergency applications have rejected them," Platkin said in a statement. "We expect that the Supreme Court will reject it too. The Trump Administration offers no good reason to upend centuries of constitutional law recognizing birthright citizenship through this rushed, emergency petition."

The birthright citizenship cases involve the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War in 1868 to establish citizenship for freed Black Americans, as well as "all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." The citizenship clause reversed the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, which had denied citizenship to Black Americans.

Trump and his allies say they have the authority to ban birthright citizenship because unauthorized immigrants are in the country illegally and, therefore, are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States government. Since the 1990s, some restrictionist groups and Republican lawmakers have pressed to ban birthright citizenship, which they consider an incentive for people to enter the country illegally.

Most legal scholars, however, have rejected that analysis because noncitizens can be arrested and charged with crimes, put in jail or deported. There is also wide agreement that the argument conflicts with more than a century of Supreme Court precedent that protects citizenship for most everyone born on U.S. soil, except for the children of foreign diplomats.

"The president's order is radically cruel and unconstitutional, and it's disappointing that the Department of Justice continues to try to enforce it against babies being born across the country," said Cody Wofsy, the lead attorney in the ACLU's lawsuit. "We and the other organizations and entities bringing these suits will keep fighting until this executive order is finally laid to rest."

The Supreme Court upheld the right to birthright citizenship in 1898 when it ruled for Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to parents of Chinese descent. The court said he was a U.S. citizen after he was denied reentry to the United States after a trip abroad.

In its filing Thursday, the Trump administration said that individual states lack legal grounds to assert citizenship rights on behalf of individuals residing in those states and that the lower court orders have made it more difficult for Trump to set immigration policy for the nation.

In the Washington state case, Judge John C. Coughenour of the U.S. District Court in Seattle said birthright citizenship "is a fundamental right, a constitutional right," and criticized Trump for trampling on the Constitution to pursue "political or personal gain."

Coughenour, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, said the Trump administration must pursue a constitutional amendment if it wants to change the 14th Amendment - a step that would require ratification from a large majority of Congress and the states.

"The fact that the government cloaked what is in effect a constitutional amendment under the guise of an executive order is equally unconstitutional," Coughenour said during a hearing in which he issued the nationwide injunction. "The Constitution is not something the government can play policy games with."

His ruling is on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and expected to be scheduled for argument in June.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
BAGHDAD, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said on Friday that security forces had killed a senior Islamic State (IS) leader.

Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an operation by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, with support from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command and international coalition forces, al-Sudani's office said in a statement.

Abu Khadija was the group's so-called "deputy caliph" and leader in Iraq and Syria, as well as the overseer of its external operations, the statement said. He was described as one of the world's most dangerous terrorists, though no details were provided on when or where he was killed.

Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State in 2017, but the group continues to wage attacks on security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. 
Mar. 13With goals of eventually opening a new hospital, Kootenai Health and MultiCare are building a new 30-acre medical campus in Post Falls.

The expanded partnership between the two health care nonprofit companies will connect Kootenai Health's services in Coeur d'Alene and MultiCare's presence in Washington at Deaconess and Valley hospitals. The "Prairie Medical Campus" will be located at the south-east corner of Highway 41 and Prairie Avenue in the north-east corner of Post Falls.

"Working together we do what we can't do alone," MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson said. "The opportunity and challenge in health care is best served in partnership."

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Robertson added that the first phase of the project should be completed "fairly rapidly" in the next two to three years.

That phase will include a micro-hospital with a 12-room emergency department, imaging services and rooms for overnight patients. A medical office space built in the initial construction will have a new ambulatory surgery center and house physician practices for Kootenai Clinic and independent physicians.

Kootenai Health spokesperson Caiti Bobbitt said that many Kootenai clinics are at full capacity at their Coeur d'Alene facilities, and the increased access to health care in the region "will be significant."

As Post Falls' population grows, the partners hope to expand the facility to a full hospital.

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The latest population estimate for Post Falls is 48,500 people. Five years ago, the city had 39,250 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's estimate of county populations.

"The Prairie Medical Campus in Post Falls is a transformational investment in the future of our region's health care," Kootenai Health CEO Jamie Smith said in a statement. "It is our mission to serve this rapidly growing part of our community. We are excited to partner with MultiCare; working together allows us to build on the strengths of both organizations for the benefit of our patients. It allows us to create something bigger, faster and better in the Post Falls to Liberty Lake corridor than either of us could alone."

MultiCare and Kootenai Health jointly purchased land for the project several years ago, but the long-planned expansion stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bobbitt said. While MultiCare provides a financial investment to the project, the campus will be under Kootenai Health administration and branding. Both organizations declined to answer what the financial cost is to each nonprofit for creation of the campus.

MultiCare and Kootenai health previously collaborated to start a joint electronic health record system and on two urgent care locations in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden.

Editor's note: This story was changed on March 13, 2025 to correct the name of MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson.
Fridays Top Stories

Fridays Five Facts

[1] Storm system with strong winds, dust and cold air moves into New Mexico  A powerful storm brings high winds through Friday evening with possible wind damage, blowing dust, and high fire danger. A line heavy snow is also possible in western New Mexico. This line of rain and snow will move east across the western half of the state and eventually into the Rio Grande Valley. Westerly winds could gust as high as 80 mph early Friday afternoon across eastern New Mexico. Up to 55 mph gusts are likely elsewhere across the state.

[2] Law Enforcement Certification Board considers proposal to suspend citizen complaints  The state board that licenses police officers is weighing whether or not it will continue to accept citizen complaints. Currently, citizens can file complaints against officers to the states Law Enforcement Certification Board. One board member spoke in favor of the change, saying the policy opens the door for anyone to file a complaint for any small gripe. Former officer and now attorney Thomas Grover says that hasnt happened while the policy has been in place.

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[3] NM district court rules in favor of state in stream access lawsuit  New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is declaring victory in a case over public access to New Mexicos streams and waterways. In August of last year, the state filed a lawsuit against two San Miguel County landowners, accusing them of obstructing streams and having signs falsely claiming access was restricted. New Mexicos Fourth Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the state in that case. The permanent injunction from the district court prevents the landowners from building fences, putting up signs or interfering with public access to waterways in any way.

[4] Lobos defeat San Jose State in MW tournament  New Mexico won its opening game of the Mountain West conference tournament against San Jose State 63-52 on Thursday afternoon. UNM got a game-high 25 points from Donovan Dent and a double-double from Nelly Junior Joseph. The Lobos move on to play Boise State with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

[5] Less than 24 hours remain for Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims to file claims  Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims have less than 24 hours to submit their compensation claims to FEMA. Those impacted by the 2022 fire and flooding that have not yet filed a claim must submit a notice of loss by 6 p.m. Friday night. After the deadline passes, it will no longer be possible to request compensation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Meteorologists with KRQE News 13 continue to visit schools around the metro area as part of KRQEs Weather Academy. Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud spoke with a group of young students at Double Eagle Elementary School about New Mexicos diverse climate.

The Weather Academy is full for this school year and is not accepting any requests for the 2024-2025 school year. However, KRQE is now accepting requests for the 2025-2026 school year.

Teachers interested in bringing the KRQE Weather Academy to their students, fill out the form here. Also, at this time, the Weather Academy is only available for 2nd  6th graders in the Albuquerque-Metro area.

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Kentucky State University President Koffi C. Akakpo urges lawmakers to "give me your votes" for releasing money to design a health science building on his campus. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

FRANKFORT  After hearing a plea from Kentucky State University President Koffi C. Akakpo, a Senate committee reversed itself Friday and approved releasing funds to design a new home for KSUs nursing program.

Earlier in the day, the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee had rejected House Joint Resolution 53 after chair Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, voted against the resolution. McDaniel said because KSU has underperformed for a dramatic period that he wanted to see sustained improvement before releasing the $5 million appropriated by the legislature last year.

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The committee later reconvened in a special meeting at which Akakpo told McDaniel he understood the senators concerns, noting that the states only public historically black college was in a financial crisis before he became president in 2023.

I understand things are not coming out fast enough, Akakpo said. This has been the hardest job in my life, but I am committed to making it happen. Give me your votes. Trust me, Ill come back next year and show you what we have been able to accomplish.

Some Republican senators who had earlier opposed releasing the money changed their vote, and the resolution was approved 9-2, though McDaniel still voted against it. McDaniel said Akakpo is doing magnificent work at KSU but that the institution still has steps to take as a whole.

They need your leadership to do it. They need to be listening to your leadership and following it, McDaniel told Akakpo. I look forward to you utilizing the funds here in a good manner.

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The full Senate later voted 34-3 to release the $5 million. McDaniel voted for the resolution on the floor.

The measure also requires KSU to submit to the legislature a comprehensive business plan for the health science building project including how the project would work within and supplement the current health science programs of other Kentucky universities.

KSU has dealt with a number of controversies including misused funds under a former administration and had received a warning in 2023 from its accreditation body. The legislature in 2022 put the university under a management improvement plan and provided $23 million to help it recover from a budget hole.

The legislature had set aside last year $60 million for campus maintenance and repairs, along with the $5 million for the design of the health science education building. Akakpo told the Lantern last year his vision for moving the university toward sustainability meant supporting academic programs that meet the needs of the region and state.

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Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, praised Akakpo after the vote for the university presidents dedication and diligence for concrete progress that clearly has been made.

This is going to be good not only for the students, not only for future students that come there. This is going to be good for Kentucky, and I think its a win all the way around, Neal said.

This story was updated with the Senate vote.
By Jana Choukeir and Emma Farge

DUBAI/GENEVA (Reuters) - The Kurdish-led group which governs northeast Syria on Friday rejected a constitutional declaration issued by the new Islamist leadership in Damascus and called for it to be rewritten.

The declaration, issued on Thursday, is intended to form the basis of a five-year interim period under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Sunni Islamist who led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December in a lightning offensive capping 14 years of civil war.

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It upheld the central role of Islamic law and provided for freedom of opinion. But the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council said it did not go far enough in protecting the rights of Syria's diverse communities.

In Geneva meanwhile, the United Nations' special envoy for Syria urged the new authorities in Damascus to forge an inclusive transitional government. He also called for an investigation into recent sectarian violence in which hundreds of people were killed.

"Syria now stands at a pivotal moment," Envoy Geir Pedersen said in a statement read out by a spokesperson on the 14th anniversary of the start of an uprising against Assad that turned into all-out war.

During the conflict, Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria set up an autonomous system after decades of marginalisation under Assad family rule. They fear the new leadership in Damascus will roll back many of their rights - including teaching the Kurdish language in school and having women in senior governing posts.

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In a written statement on Friday, the SDC "completely rejected" Sharaa's constitutional declaration, saying it "reproduced authoritarianism in a new form" and granted the executive unchecked powers.

It called for the decree to be rewritten to distribute powers more fairly and adopt a decentralised ruling system.

"Any constitutional declaration must be the result of genuine national consensus, not a project imposed by one party," the council said.

The SDC is the political leadership of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which signed a deal with the Damascus government on Monday to join Syria's new state institutions and hand over key border crossings, oil fields and an airport to government control.

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Implementation is due by the end of the year, but the accord does not specify how SDF's military operation will be integrated into Syria's defence ministry.

U.N. envoy Pedersen said in his statement he hoped Sharaa's

declaration would move Syria toward restoring the rule of law and an orderly transition.

Sharaa has promised to run Syria in an inclusive way but has been grappling with the aftermath of a wave of sectarian killings in the coastal region blamed on fighters aligned with his government.

Pedersen called for an independent investigation into what he described as the "appalling violence".

"In this regard, a climate of distrust and fear could endanger the entire transition," he said.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir in Dubai and Emma Farge in Geneva, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Ukraine's General Staff on March 14 denied claims that Ukrainian troops were encircled in Kursk Oblast amid Russia's ongoing offensive in the region.

The General Staff said that Russia had been reporting an alleged encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast "for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners."

The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said that his administration held "productive discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 13, during which he urged him to "spare" surrounded Ukrainian troops.

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"At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position," Trump wrote, without providing any evidence.

Speaking on March 13 about a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire, Putin claimed that the ceasfire would be beneficial to Kyiv given the situation in Kursk Oblast. He did not rule out a "complete physical blockade" of Ukrainian troops.

"The units have regrouped, moved to more favorable defense lines and are completing their assigned tasks in Kursk Oblast," the General Staff said. "There is no threat of encirclement of our units."

"Our soldiers are repelling the enemy's offensive and inflicting effective fire damage from all types of weapons."

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Moscow claimed on March 12 to have retaken over 86% of seized territories in the region, including a key town of Sudzha, captured by Ukrainian troops at the start of the Kursk incursion in August 2024.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged on March 12 the "difficult situation" in the region but said that Ukraine will hold the defenses "as long as reasonable and necessary."

Ukraine launched the cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially seizing around 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. Since then, Russian forces, reinforced by North Korean troops, have steadily pushed back against Ukrainian forces.

Read also: John Bolton on how Putin plays Trump and why separating Russia from China is almost impossible

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For more than two months, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced lacerating criticism over her handling of the Palisades fire  her absence from the country when it erupted, her wobbly public appearances once she returned, even her failure to preserve her text messages.

In recent days, pro-Bass forces have been pushing back hard, arguing that she is under attack from "wealthy oligarchs," including real estate developer Rick Caruso and Nicole Shanahan, a Trump supporter who is helping to bankroll a campaign to recall her.

Bass' backers are portraying the attacks as highly partisan, amplified by a hard-right media apparatus and  at least for some  rooted in racism. Those arguments offer a potential preview of the political case that will be made for Bass as she runs for reelection and seeks to fend off the recall in deep blue L.A.

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In a recent email to Bass supporters, Joanne Kim, chief of staff to City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, said right-wing billionaires have "weaponized" the Jan. 7 fire, using it to wage a "disinformation campaign" against the mayor. Kim, who worked on Bass' 2022 campaign, took aim at not just Caruso but also billionaire Elon Musk, who has posted diatribes against the mayor on social media.

Read more: Fewer than 20% of L.A. residents give Mayor Bass high marks for fire response, poll shows

"This is their strategy: exploit tragedy, distort reality, divide the people. We wont let them," Kim wrote in her 1,000-word email. "I ask you to use every communication platform you have to shut down the lies and show we stand with our Mayor."

Vahid Khorsand, president of the city's Board of Public Works, recirculated Kim's email to his followers, repeating the warning that billionaires are "coming for L.A." Khorsand, a high-level Bass appointee, praised the mayor for her Zoom webinars on the recovery process and for securing a commitment from federal officials to cover the city's expenses from the wildfire, which destroyed huge swaths of Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas.

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"This is exactly why the right is coming after her. Its why theyre using any means they can  like this windstorm  to attack her. They know Karen puts people first," he wrote.

Staffers at Community Coalition, the South L.A. nonprofit founded by Bass and others 35 years ago, have also lined up behind the mayor, testifying at City Hall and posting on social media in recent weeks.

Doug Herman, a strategist for Bass' 2026 reelection campaign, said Angelenos should not be surprised to see the mayor's closest allies rallying behind her in the face of a recall. He said the mayor's team did not ask Kim, Khorsand or the others to advocate on her behalf and did not work with them on their messaging.

"These are her strongest supporters. They're responding in the strongest way. I don't think there's anything unusual about that," Herman said. "They're speaking out about the things that bother them using their 1st Amendment rights."

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The rallying cry from the mayor's allies follows the toughest two months of her political career, which includes six years in the state Legislature  including two as Assembly speaker  and a dozen in Congress.

Bass has taken heat in recent weeks for ousting L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who has been embraced by the firefighters union for saying publicly that her department is severely underfunded. The mayor also came under heavy criticism for arranging a three-month, $500,000 salary for her wildfire recovery czar, which was scrapped after the uproar.

Still others have asserted that Bass' aides are to blame for failing to alert her about the forecast of potentially dangerous Santa Ana winds before she went on a diplomatic mission to Ghana.

Bass has responded to the criticism by highlighting the progress the city has made since the disaster. Water was restored to the Palisades two months after the fire, much faster than in the community of Paradise after the 2018 Camp fire. Removal of toxic debris in burn areas  the responsibility of the federal government, not city agencies  also took place faster than initially expected.

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Bass' defenders have taken a more pugnacious approach, saying she is being wrongly blamed for a wildfire they attribute to climate change.

Kim, whose email went out from karenbass.com, an account provided to her when she worked on Bass' 2022 campaign, said Caruso wasted no time in scapegoating the mayor, "pushing out what looks like a campaign ad" while the Palisades fire was still raging.

Caruso, who ran against Bass in 2022 and whose family lost two homes in the Palisades fire, dismissed the criticism.

"Angelenos want and deserve leadership that will rebuild their communities and get them back into their homes  not more political spin and talking points," said Eric Koch, a Caruso spokesperson, in a statement. "Rick Caruso is focused only on results, not more excuses, delays, and buck-passing."

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Fernando Guerra, who heads the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, said it makes sense for the mayor's supporters to turn the focus on billionaires. Many Democrats in L.A. have recoiled at the decisions made by President Trump and senior advisor Musk, Guerra said.

"If I was a political consultant" advising Bass and her supporters, Guerra said, "I would say absolutely, use the word billionaire, attack billionaires."

The mayor's allies have grown increasingly outspoken in recent weeks, largely in response to two events: Crowley's firing and subsequent effort to get her job back, and the rollout of the recall effort.

Kim advised Bass' supporters to take inspiration from a seven-minute Instagram video posted last month by Alberto Retana, Community Coalition's president and chief executive.

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Retana told his followers that those who have contributed to the climate crisis  fossil fuel companies, corporations and the 1%  are responsible for this year's devastating fires, not Bass. He said that Trump and his allies have created a narrative around diversity, equity and inclusion that is now being used to pummel Bass.

"This may be hard for many to listen to, but I know she is under attack because she is a Black woman," he said on the video.

Gerald Sirotnak, a strategist for the recall effort, called such assertions "an insult to the diverse coalition of Angelenos who feel abandoned by this administration."

"This recall is not about identity  its about results," he said in an email. "And the results under Bass have been catastrophic."

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Sirotnak said the people leading the recall are neither billionaires nor right-wing extremists but include families who lost their homes to the Palisades fire and business owners facing widespread crime.

On Monday, the group served Bass with its notice of intent to pursue a recall, arguing that she has mishandled the wildfire, public safety and other issues. Days earlier, the group posted a campaign video focusing heavily on the Palisades fire.

That video featured a clip of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, saying he felt it was a mistake for the newspaper to endorse Bass in 2022. Soon-Shiong told The Times that he is not involved in the recall effort and did not know that the recall campaign was using the clip, which was from a mid-January interview on The Morning Meeting show.

The mayor's supporters also mobilized for the hearing on the former fire chief, telling City Council members that the movement to reinstate her was part of a larger attack on Bass' leadership.

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"Let's call it what it is," said Siris Barrios, one of nearly a dozen pro-Bass speakers to raise the issue. "It is an attack on her authority, her decision-making, and let's not ignore the obvious  her as a Black woman in power."

Firefighters took a sharply different stance, saying Crowley was a truth teller for spreading the word about the Fire Department's financial struggles.

Read more: Former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley loses bid to get her job back, winning just two votes

Several of the pro-Bass speakers were current or former staffers with Community Coalition, which has extensive connections to City Hall.

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Two of Bass' top aides served on Community Coalition's board of directors, while two others worked for the group directly. The mayor's office oversees the city's Gang Reduction and Youth Development program, which has a three-year, $3.4-million contract with Community Coalition.

Harris-Dawson, perhaps Bass' closest ally on the council, was in charge of Community Coalition before winning his seat in 2015. Kim worked for the group for about two decades before joining Harris-Dawson's office.

Kim told The Times that she wrote the email because she was frustrated by "disinformation" and right-wing attacks. She said she should have used her own email address, not her old karenbass.com account.

In the email, Kim accused critics of attacking Bass over the Palisades fire while remaining quiet about the political leadership of Altadena, where the Eaton fire destroyed thousands of homes.

Altadena is represented by L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who is white and a registered Republican.

"While they attack Mayor Bass, they stay silent on the Eaton Fires, which devastated a less wealthy community under the watch of a White Republican L.A. County Supervisor," Kim wrote.

Barger has been an outspoken defender of Bass, telling reporters that the mayor was "very engaged" in the wildfire emergency while returning from overseas. Asked about Kim's email, she said in a statement that she will work on the recovery with all elected officials, "regardless of party."

"People want results, not political blame games, Barger said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
How do you solve a problem like Reform? Its a question that has already taken up countless hours of discussion in Downing Street under both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. It has also occupied the best strategic minds of all the mainstream parties. And with every new survey of public opinion carried out, the answer becomes ever more evasive.

Consider the public spat that has erupted between two of Reforms leading figures, Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe. Reform only had five MPs after the last general election and now one of them has been suspended  thats 20 per cent of the parliamentary party. A commensurate collapse in support must now be on the cards, surely?

On the contrary, Reforms polling figures remain at a historic high. They are still fighting for elbow room with both Labour and the Conservatives at the top end of voters preferences. Lord Ashcrofts latest polling in Runcorn and Helsby, where a by-election is due following the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, gives Reform a striking lead, even though it has yet to choose a candidate.

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And, as revealed by The Telegraphs exclusive MRP poll today, the public and increasingly vicious feud between the partys two most prominent MPs would not have prevented Reform from sweeping the board at this Mays elections had the government not postponed polling day in some areas where a local government reorganisation is now planned. As it now stands, the Conservatives look to benefit by winning the most seats in May. But this is only by default.

This is not how politics is supposed to work. Voters are not meant to support divided parties. That has become a reliable touchstone in the science of psephology, and it has been confirmed numerous times by  to name but two examples  the experience of Labour in the early 1980s and the Conservatives in the mid-1990s.

Yet in the case of Reform, the party sails happily forwards. The laws of political gravity seem to have been suspended for now.

We should be wary of drawing too many parallels from the United States, but with the appropriate amount of caution, the triumph of Donald Trump can be an informative one. The Democrats became complacent about their own prospects because they simply couldnt bring themselves to believe that a man who had been indicted on so many criminal charges, and who had been impeached for his role in encouraging the storming of the Capitol on January 6 2021, could ever win again. The traditional rules of politics made such a thing impossible.

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And then the voters had their say, and the Democrats still havent even begun to understand why their suppositions proved so calamitously wrong. You can see much of the same arrogant assumptions being made here about Farage and Reform. Hes a racist, hes thick, hes a populist, he has no policies, hes inconsistent Theres no way people will vote for him or his party.

And yetWe are drawn to the conclusion that those voters now considering voting for Reform  and they come from Labour as much as from the Conservatives  are flirting with Farages party not necessarily because they have a great deal of faith in his ability to govern. They support Reform because it is a disruptor.

This is the most worrying aspect of the threat the party poses to the status quo: that it is supported, not to provide an alternative to the existing parties, but to explode the entire system.

Not that potential Reform voters are unconcerned by policies as such  in fact they are united in disgust by a series of high-profile failures by the two main parties. The utter failure of both Labour and Conservative administrations to stop the small boats; the establishments refusal to even admit, let alone investigate, the cultural and racial implications of the grooming gangs scandal; the record levels of immigration on which voters were never consulted; the advance of racist and misogynist woke ideologies throughout our public institutions  there is no shortage of issues on which voters can become enraged.

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When the main parties launch their withering attacks on Reform, their naive expectations that the attacks will have some effect are quaint and almost adorable. They seem not to understand that the attraction of Reform lies in the fact that it is not a political party like all the others; its leaders say things that a significant number of voters agree with even if they might not admit so in polite company.

Therein lies the threat to the established parties. People have become impatient with the judgemental aspect of modern British society. Intolerance of widely-held opinions was dressed up as the opposite thing  tolerance  and for decades British citizens complied. They tolerated rainbow flags on their coffee cups and in their workplaces. They nodded along to lectures about diversity, equity and inclusion. They bit their lips when told to adhere to the unevidenced assertion that diversity is our strength.

But they are no longer prepared to bite their lips  at least not in the privacy of the polling station. That, the running out of patience with mainstream politicians complacent assumptions, is what drives Reform.

Farage is taking advantage of that disillusion, but make no mistake: it was the established parties arrogance and misjudgments that created the opportunity for his party to thrive. It was Labour and the Conservatives who created the monster, and it is they who must now face the electoral consequences.

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A coalition of leading charities has urged Labour to introduce new rental laws which will ensure poorer tenants are not filtered out of the housing market.

Unfair guarantor rules are allowing landlords to discriminate against undesirable tenants, they say, and should be changed as part of Labours forthcoming renters bill.

Research from Shelter has found that one in three renters who are asked for a guarantor struggles to provide one, meaning around 600,000 renters have struggled to secure a home in recent years.

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In an open letter to housing secretary Angela Rayner, 28 organisations including Shelter and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation say that this issue will only grow worse if not brought in alongside other anti-discrimination measures set to come into effect as part of the bill.

This is because landlords, will simply switch to further abusing their power to request a guarantor, even when there is very little danger that a tenant will not pay rent, the letter said.

Angela Rayner said the Governments plans would unleash the biggest building boom in a generation (Leon Neal/PA) (PA Wire)

Co-ordinated by the Renters Reform Coalition, the letter asks the deputy prime minister to make an amendment to the Renters Rights Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, which she is spearheading.

The signatories do not call on the government to scrap guarantors entirely. Instead they ask Labour rules out demands for a guarantor where tenants income is sufficient to cover the rent, or where the landlord has insurance to cover any non-payment, and limit guarantor liability to six months rent.

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If unchanged, these rules are likely to become more discriminatory against poorer tenants and those in receipt of benefits, they write, as they will be less likely to be in a position to know a high-earning homeowner well enough for them to offer to guarantee rent

Kelly, 41, said: I feel like this is discrimination against people who receive housing allowance. (Supplied)

Kelly, 41, a mother-of three from Leeds, currently lives in a home with severe damp and mould issues which have been exacerbating her familys medical problems.

She is looking to move, but has found it impossible due to letting agents insisting she must have a guarantor who earns at least 38,000. This is despite her having enough income, with her housing benefit, to cover rents in her area.

She said: Even though I could afford the rent, guarantor requests have repeatedly stopped me from renting a home as I am not in a position to appoint someone earning that sort of money.

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I feel like this is discrimination against people who receive housing allowance. Why shouldn't I be able to find a home like everyone else?"

Sean, 55, says he was refused six rentals in six months due to unfair guarantor rules (Supplied)

Sean, 55, from Glasgow, recently faced a similar experience. Despite working as a senior copywriter and earning up to 50,000 a year, he was rejected from multiple rental properties in Newcastle, Coventry and Birmingham as his required guarantor, his 80-year-old mother, was a pensioner.

This happened to Sean six times in six months, he says. The situation left him with no choice but to rent Airbnbs and sleep on friends couches until he was finally able to find a spare room with a relative.

Sean said:"I had a good job, well paid and with three months' worth of bank statements and I was refused rental(s), owing to my required guarantor being a pensioner.

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Other letting agents wanted six months' rent up front, three years' worth of bank statements (which my bank refuses on security grounds and I agree) AND a guarantor (again, refused on age grounds, my mother being a pensioner).

Dan Wilson Craw, Deputy Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said: Everyone needs a safe, secure, and affordable home. Unfortunately, many tenants face discrimination from landlords when searching for a place to live. Even if you can afford the rent, if youre self-employed or relying on benefits, landlords can demand multiple months rent upfront, or that you get a homeowner to guarantee your rent.

While the Government's move to limit rent in advance is a positive step towards ending discrimination while renting, it will continue through excessive guarantor demands. The Government must act to close this loophole. If you can afford the rent, there should be no need for a guarantor."

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said the rules are under review (Jessica Taylor/PA) (PA Media)

Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley Alex Sobel introduced an amendment during an earlier stage of the bill which would have prevented landlords from requiring a guarantor providing a tenant could pass an affordability check, but this was not voted on.

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Addressing the amendment, housing minister Matthew Pennycock said there was a strong case, adding: I appreciate fully that obtaining a guarantor can be difficult for some prospective tenants, and I understand the reasoning behind his amendment.

However, I am also mindful that in some instances the use of guarantors can provide good landlords with the assurance necessary to let their properties to tenants who may otherwise find it difficult to access private rented accommodation.

The minister concluded that the matter remains under review and that there will be more discussion on it in the weeks and months to come.

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: We have no plans to restrict the use of guarantors, but we are clear landlords should not discriminate against any prospective tenants and consider them on a case-by-case basis.

Our Renters Rights Bill will create a fairer housing market by stopping landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance, while the reforms will further strengthen tenant rights and protections by abolishing section no fault 21 evictions, empowering tenants to challenge excessive rent hikes, and ending unfair bidding wars.
LOS ANGELES, March 13 (Xinhua) -- An American Airlines plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport in the U.S. state of Colorado on Thursday, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The AA Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800 plane, was diverted to Denver shortly after departing from Colorado Springs, Colorado after the crew reported "engine vibrations," according to the FAA.

The plane was originally headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in the U.S. state of Texas but landed at Denver International Airport at around 5:15 p.m. local time (2315 GMT), said the FAA.

The agency said it would investigate the incident.

While taxiing to the gate after landing, one of the plane's engines caught fire, prompting passengers to evacuate the aircraft using the slides, the FAA added.

There were 172 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight, according to American Airlines.

"After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport, AA Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue," the airline said in a statement.

The passengers and crew members deplaned and are being relocated to the terminal, the airline added. 
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Lackawanna man pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography after he used social media to engage in sexually explicit conversations with a 14-year-old victim, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Friday.

In August 2022, Maxwell Gawley, 34, discussed having sexual contact with a teenage boy on Snapchat. Gawley also asked the victim to send him pictures of himself, which the victim complied with.

Gawley implied that he would go visit the 14-year-old if the two were in a relationship. He also engaged in sexually explicit conversations with someone else and shared child pornography on Snapchat in September 2022.

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Complaints were received by the app in December 2021 and January 2022 as well. He was arrested in October 2023 and released on conditions.

Gawley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years if convicted. He is expected to be sentenced July 8.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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Lacy Lakeview, TX (FOX 44)- The Texas A&M Forest Service has awarded $2.1 million in grants to volunteer fire departments across the state. The big boost in funding will help these fire departments buy lifesaving items necessary to fight fires safely and efficiently. The Lacy Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department is one recipient of the funding  awarded $25,000 for their hard work and dedication to protecting their community.

Volunteer firefighters typically work for little-to-no pay and often use their own money for equipment and improvements. In fact, 75% of all fire departments across the country are volunteer and rely on government grants and donations to stay afloat. At the Lacy Lakeview VFD, funding also comes from a small portion of citizens water bill and through billing insurance companies.

In light of recent misinformation spreading, Chief Adrian Huff says fire victims do not get billed after the VFD puts out the fire.

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The biggest thing I want to say is that we are not trying to get into our citizens pocketbook. Were not, we wont. If they are insured, all we have to do is call the company, say we were there and that we did this. If we can do that and its not getting into our citizens pocketbook, then why wouldnt you? We did not want to be any other burden on our citizens that we serve, says Huff.

He adds that there typically isnt any pushback from the insurance companies. With the grant, the Lacy Lakeview Fire Department was able to purchase a much-needed mobile-control center, sirens, and replace outdated A-E-Ds.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  In Gov. Ned Lamonts last two State of the State addresses, one policy proposal garnered more bipartisan applause than just about any other: getting phones out of Connecticut classrooms.

Specifically, Lamont has promoted the use of lockable pouches produced by Yondr. Concertgoers and fans of stand-up comedy might be familiar with the pocket-sized pouches. The concept is simple enough: the phone goes in, a teacher or school official locks the seal and the student gets to hold onto their treasured device while not being able to use it.

Gov. Lamont promotes $300 million plan for free preschool

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Many districts across Connecticut have deployed Yondr pouches in classrooms. Others have opted for more low-tech approaches, like requiring students to leave their phones in the front of the classroom upon entering.

Lamonts education department has issued guidance encouraging phone restrictions and his current budget proposal includes $100,000 in competitive grants for districts to purchase storage materials.

Its a proposal that Republicans, Democrats, educators and childhood development experts all seem to agree on in principle.

I think youll find wide support for this here in Hartford, State Rep. Joe Canino, the youngest Republican in the legislature, said. We want our students in environments where theyre free to focus on their studies and nothing else.

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In addition to elected officials, students themselves have also expressed support for the change  or at least thats what they tell the governor when he visits their schools.

Lamont has made several visits to Connecticut high schools in the past year to gauge responses to cellphone bans. At each stop, hes heard stories of students who feel a sense of liberation by rules that force them to put their phones away and focus on their studies and on face-to-face interactions with each other.

Wethersfield High School was the site of Lamonts latest visit on Thursday. The school has implemented its own version of a cell phone ban that keeps students off their phones during class.

Our phones prevent us from learning, one Wethersfield High School student told Lamont on Thursday. It prevents us from understanding new things. And were not able to apply new knowledge anymore because of those distractions.

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Testimony to regulate AI use in workplace heard at state capitol

At each of his school visits, Lamont has also heard descriptions of what policymakers have dubbed phone addiction.

One Wethersfield high schooler described a feeling of withdrawal from her cell phone when shes in school.

For me, I felt almost punished with the policy, the student said. My phone then became a reward when I got home. The minute I come home from school, I sit on my couch and Im there for two hours.

Another student, Lorelei, doubled down on the theme of phone addiction, pointing the finger squarely at the firms that develop the apps that populate the smartphones of Americas teenagers.

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It is a lot about discipline and teaching people what the right thing to do is, Lorelei said. But I think that overall, the problem comes from the companies that create these apps.

That statement struck a chord with state Attorney General William Tong, who was also in attendance on Thursday. Tong is part of a 42-state lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, which alleges the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens.

When he heard Loreleis remarks, the attorney general responded simply, Send me your resume.

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LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A woman who was shot earlier this week by an armed man died from her injuries Thursday, just three days after a 6-year-old boy died from his injuries, following a violent encounter that ended with police fatally shooting the suspect.

Lancaster County authorities continue to investigate the deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred along Mosteller Drive on Sunday, March 9.

The incident has claimed the lives of a 6-year-old boy and a 44-year-old woman, both of whom were critically injured. The child, whose name has not been released, was confirmed dead on March 10. The woman, Christina McVay, 44, passed away from her injuries on March 13.

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Lancaster man killed by police, accused of killing 6-year-old, did not have criminal history: SLED

The suspect, Jacob Tyler Sobieraj, 24, died in a shootout with law enforcement officers following a standoff. Sobieraj had reportedly called 911 to confess to the shooting, claiming responsibility for the deaths of both the child and woman. Both victims were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries at that time before both passing away.

Sobieraj, who authorities confirmed did not have any prior criminal history in South Carolina, died during the confrontation with Lancaster County deputies.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the investigation. Authorities have not disclosed details about the suspects relationship to the victims or a possible motive.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner was not chosen to lead the Clark County School District, the fifth-largest district in the country, composed of almost 400 schools and well over 300,000 students.

6 News sister station KLAS reports the Clark County School Board of Trustees voted unanimously to instead elect Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Nevada Department of Education, to the position.

During the interview process, 6 News received a statement from Shuldiner, saying he was not actively searching for a new position.

I was honored to be asked to apply for the position of Clark County School District Superintendent. I am even more honored to be among the incredible set of six proposed slate members for the first round of interviews. My inclusion in this illustrious group is truly a testament to the amazing work all of us in Lansing have done over the last four years. I also want the Lansing community to know that I am very thrilled to live here and spend every day working for the Lansing School District. I am not actively searching for a new position. I am so proud of the work we are doing here and know that there is much more to be done. However, the Clark County School District opportunity, when presented to me, was a ring I felt I had to throw my hat into. I do hope you all understand and that you all know that my love for Lansing and our children is, as always, unwavering. Ben Shuldiner  Lansing School District Superintendent

Shuldiner has been in charge of LSD since 2021, which has seen record-setting graduation rates since he took the reins.

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Shuldiner has previously been a deans fellow and distinguished lecturer in New York, NY at Hunter College. While at Hunter College, he was a board member for the largest school district in the US, New York City.

His previous experience also includes history department chair, teacher, and then Principal in Brooklyn, NY for 10 years. He was also the longest-serving president of the Association for Curriculum Development.

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A bomb squad with the Los Angeles Police Department has been sent to a Westchester neighborhood to investigate a report of a suspicious package Friday morning.

The call came in around 5:45 a.m. on the 7500 block of Dunfield Avenue, an LAPD spokesperson confirmed.

Sky5 was over the scene at 9 a.m., where an LAPD robot was visible in front of a residence with its arm extended into what appeared to be a patio area.

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No further details about the incident were immediately available.

The LAPD bomb squad investigates a report of a suspicious package in the Westchester area on March 14, 2025. (KTLA)

There were reports that a protest took place near the home before the package was found but that was not confirmed by police.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A large fire covering over 1,000 square meters engulfed the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 14, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.

Several explosions were heard by residents in the region around 5 a.m. local time. Videos posted on social media show a large fire burning in the location of the depot.

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Kondratyev later claimed on social media that the explosions were a results of an attack carried out by Kyiv.

A gasoline storage tank is currently ablaze as over 100 emergency personnel are working to extinguish the blaze, Kondratyev added.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify claims made by the Russian official. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the attack.

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No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage caused or whether there are any casualties.

Ukraine has previously targeted the Tuapse oil refinery on numerous occasions, including in a strike as recently as Feb. 26.

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The Tuapse oil refinery, with an annual processing capacity of 12 million tons, is significant in supplying fuel to the Russian military.

Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian fossil fuel infrastructure, aiming to disrupt revenue sources funding Moscow's war effort.

Ukraine regularly conducts deep strikes on military and industrial targets in Russia, predominantly using domestically developed drones.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia needs war, Zelensky says in response to Putins preconditions for ceasefire





Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 was registered off the coast of Apulia in southern Italy on Friday, according to the National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

The tremors were felt in major cities such as Bari and Foggia, as well as in neighbouring regions.

Several aftershocks of a magnitude up to 3.8 were reported.

Barbara Valenzano, head of Apulia's civil protection, told ANSA news agency that they were monitoring the situation and that there had been no reports of critical incidents.

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Firefighters and other authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.

Southern Italy has been hit by several tremors recently.

On Wednesday night, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Phlegraean Fields area near the city of Naples. Another earthquake, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, struck on Friday evening.

The Phlegraean Fields are an area of high volcanic activity.
Law enforcement officers were called to the hotel where authorities say Sam Nordquist was tortured to death at least eight times throughout his captivity, sheriffs office call records obtained by NBC News show.

Deputies from the Ontario County Sheriffs Office went to Pattys Lodge in Canandaigua, New York, in January to perform two welfare checks at the hotel, respond to three instances of family trouble, address a neighbor dispute, complete a probation check and issue a warrant for an unnamed individuals arrest, according to the call records.

However, none of those calls specifically referenced Room 22, where Nordquist, 24, was allegedly held captive from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2., Ontario County Sheriff David J. Cirencione told NBC News shortly after this story was published. Nordquist was beaten, sexually assaulted and starved by seven people in Room 22 before he died from his injuries, prosecutors said last week.

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The call records do not indicate which rooms authorities visited, and its unclear whether anyone heard anything. But anyone on the property would be within several dozen feet of Room 22; the hotel is on a small lot of land with about two dozen rooms grouped by four one-story buildings.

Sam Nordquist.

Pattys Lodge could not immediately be reached for comment.

In recent weeks, the gruesome killing of the 24-year-old transgender Black man has garnered national attention and prompted outrage from LGBTQ advocates across the country.

Prosecutors have said there appears to be no indication that witnesses heard any of the abuse in Room 22, though it went on for weeks and involved multiple people. No one reported any suspicious activity at the hotel, officials said. The Ontario County District Attorneys Office did not immediately return a request for comment regarding the call logs.

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Nordquists family, who live in Oakdale, Minnesota, requested a wellness check to Room 22 while Nordquist was still alive in October. New York State Police Troop E confirmed that they completed the wellness check, adding that Sam told the Trooper he was fine and did not need any medical or law enforcement help.

The family again requested a welfare check to Pattys Lodge on Feb. 9 and reported him missing to their local Oakdale police on Feb. 10, the family said. His body was found three days later in a field not far from Pattys Lodge, wrapped in plastic bags, prosecutors said last week.

Payne Road in Yates County, N.Y. Nordquist's remains were found in a field off the road.

Prosecutors detailed last week that seven people  including Nordquists girlfriend  are accused of kicking, punching, starving and sexually assaulting him, and forcing him to consume feces, urine and tobacco juice. Two young children were also coerced to join in, according to the indictment.

The seven were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison without parole if convicted. On Tuesday, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Starving families in a famine-struck camp in west Sudan have been forced to eat animal feed, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is alarmed by the deteriorating conditions in the Zamzam camp outside El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

"The camp, where famine was confirmed last year, is estimated to be hosting some 500,000 displaced people," OCHA said. "Partners at Save the Children warned yesterday (Wednesday) that severe food shortages have forced families to consume animal feed to survive."

Save the Children reported stocks of essential medicines and therapeutic foods have run out, leading to rising levels of malnutrition. Medical supplies in the camp's mobile clinics are also running out.

Zamzam residents have endured seven months of famine, with the collapse of essential services making survival increasingly difficult, OCHA said. Recent heavy shelling and escalating violence put families at even greater risk and made humanitarian access nearly impossible.

OCHA again called for an immediate de-escalation, so civilians can reach the life-saving assistance they need.

The office said health authorities in El Fasher reported that a halt to hostilities allows humanitarians to meet the region's worsening health crisis. However, funding shortages are forcing the closure of community kitchens, serving as a lifeline for millions across Sudan.

Mutual aid groups, which provide food, health care and other critical support in the country, reported more than 70 percent of the 1,400 community kitchens in Sudan have ceased operations due to lack of funds, including in areas facing famine.

"Without them, hundreds of thousands of people are at increased risk of severe hunger," OCHA said. "The budget required to sustain these kitchens and other essential front-line services provided at the community level is estimated at 12 million U.S. dollars per month."

The humanitarians urged the international community to act now to prevent further disruptions to life-saving humanitarian support and curb the worsening food crisis in Sudan.

Catherine Russell, executive director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), told the Security Council on Thursday that children are paying the highest price in the Sudan conflict.

She said nearly two-thirds of Sudan's total population of more than 30 million people will require humanitarian assistance this year and 16 million of them are children.

Famine is in at least five locations in Sudan, with an estimated 1.3 million children under the age of 5.

Russell said the agency will need 1 billion U.S. dollars to deliver support to 8.7 million of the most vulnerable children in the country. 
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  If you think an officer has done something wrong, you can always file a complaint to the police department or an oversight agency, like the Civilian Police Oversight Agency in Albuquerque. Bigger complaints can also be made to the state board that licenses officers. But that board is considering putting a pause on accepting citizen complaints.

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Tasked with ensuring accountability in law enforcement, the states Law Enforcement Certification board is weighing a policy change. Right now, citizens can file complaints against officers, the report is known as an LEA-90, for the most egregious behavior that rises to a level of the officer possibly losing their law enforcement certification. These complaints have to include evidence or documentation of the allegation. The LECB is considering temporarily suspending the policy allowing citizens to file an LEA-90 and discussed the agenda item at a Thursday meeting.

In that meeting, former officer and now attorney Thomas Grover spoke out against the proposed change. My concern is that it provides an avenue in which the leaders of agencies across the state are essentially immunized from any complaints, said Grover.

Its unclear at this point who one the board put the proposal on the agenda, but one board member who spoke in support of the change said the policy opens the floodgates for anyone to file an LEA-90 for any small gripe against an officer.

Grover disagrees. The notion that theres going to be a flood of complaints is weak at best if not totally unfounded, said Grover in to the board in Thursdays meeting. The reality is that hasnt happened in the last 13 or so years since this practice had been in existence.

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One of the most high-profile examples of these complaints, which was mentioned in Thursdays meeting, is Albuquerque City Councilor Louie Sanchezs LEA-90 against Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina.

Councilor Sanchez filed his request in August 2024, after the New Mexico Department of Justice said it would not criminally charge Chief Medina the month before following an independent crash report by the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office.

Mayor Tim Kellers office has called Councilor Sanchezs LEA-90 political. An APDs spokesperson responded to KRQE News 13s request for comment saying the crash involving Chief Medina was investigated by multiple entities. APDs Internal Affairs found Chief Medina did break policy and the chief acknowledged this in his letters of reprimand.

On Thursday, the LECB tabled the proposal. The board decided to gather more information and input on it from the attorney general with plans to address it at their next meeting in June. The board also decided to suspend processing any current LEA-90 until the proposal is sorted out, which includes Councilor Sanchezs. My greatest concern is the citizens of Albuquerque, the citizens of New Mexico, will continue to lose confidence in our city and our states police department, said Councilor Sanchez.

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He and Grover noted the timing of this proposal during the federal investigation into the DWI corruption scheme. This is not the time to curtail the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies but this is a time where it should be increased, said Grover.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Protests continue over the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and green card holder who the Trump administration is trying to deport over his role in campus pro-Palestine protests.

The White House has said that Khalil, who is not formally accused of breaking any laws, is deportable because a rarely used portion of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act lets the Secretary of State deport people deemed to risk potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Khalils lawyers and supporters, meanwhile, argue he is being unlawfully targeted for exercising his First Amendment rights.

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Thirty years ago, another figure voiced concerns over the same provision at issue today: Donald Trumps sister, federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry.

In 1996, she wrote the opinion in a case in New Jersey federal court regarding a Mexican diplomat the U.S. was trying to deport as he faced an investigation in his home country.

The law, Barry noted, had never been interpreted in a past opinion, but should be considered unconstitutional, as it represented a breathtaking departure from the principles that deportations and extraditions are based on clearly defined offenses and involve a process allowing migrants to hear and challenge the basis of their removal.

Trumps sister wrote in 1996 ruling that Secretary of State personally deciding on deportations under provision was breathtaking and unconstitutional (Getty Images)

Foreign policy cannot serve as the talisman behind which Congress may abdicate its responsibility to pass only sufficiently clear and definite laws, the judge added.

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The law, however, remains in place.

Barrys opinion was overturned on procedural grounds, and U.S. officials eventually opted to indict the Mexican official instead, though he died before ever facing a trial.

That puts the administrations present arguments in mostly untested legal territory.

Trump administration officials have said that Khalils participation in the protests harmed the U.S. foreign policy interest in stopping antisemitism and cracking down on officially designated terror groups like Hamas.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, told The Independent on Sunday that Khalil was arrested in support of President Trumps executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.

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Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, they added.

The White House has accused a protest group Khalil helped lead with distributing pro-Hamas materials, though havent shown evidence that the former student himself ever created or distributed such materials.

When you hand out leaflets inciting violence on a college campus, thats illegal, White House border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Being in this country with a visa or a resident card is a privilege, and you got to follow certain rules.

In a complaint filed Thursday in New York federal court, Khalils attorneys argue this rationale doesnt past muster, and that the arrest is a violation of First Amendment and due process rights.

Trump administration argues it can deport student activist with green card because he threatens U.S. foreign policy interests (REUTERS)

The arrest, in which immigration officers reportedly did not show Khalil or his attorneys a warrant or know he was a green card holder, was plainly intended as retaliation and punishment for Mr. Khalils protected speech and intended to silence, or at the very least restrict and chill, his speech now and in the future, the complaint argues.

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The suit cites various Trump administration actions and statements, including a January executive order explicitly describing a goal to deport all non-citizens who joined in pro-Palestinian protests, and a top Department of Homeland Security official who told NPR Khalil was arrested for engaging in pro-Palestinian activity, while declining to answer if any form of protest against the U.S. or Israel could count as a deportable offense.

The student activist, who is in immigration detention in Louisiana, is petitioning to be returned to New York, where he was arrested at the university-owned apartment he shares with his eight-month-pregnant wife, a U.S. citizen.

Attorneys for Khalil and protesters argue hes being targeted for his political speech, rather than breaking any crime (Online_Yes)

Experts say the case is only just getting started.

Returning to New York may well be just the beginning of a long haul for the Palestinian student, University of California, Davis, law professor Gabriel J. Chin wrote in a recent article.

Courts have proved reluctant to second-guess security grounds rationales in immigration cases. For these reasons, cases like Khalils may go on for years, the professor said.

Barry died in 2023.
Mar. 13SANTA FE  New Mexico lawmakers are forging ahead with a bill establishing outside oversight of the state's troubled child welfare agency, despite opposition from the agency's secretary.

The bipartisan push during the final days of this year's 60-day legislative session could set the stage for a rare veto override attempt, though Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham did not definitively say Thursday whether she would use her veto pen to strike down the legislation.

"We'll have to make those decisions when it gets to my desk," she told the Journal.

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The bill, House Bill 5, would create a new Office of the Child Advocate to investigate child welfare complaints involving the Children, Youth and Families Department. The office would be administratively attached to Attorney General Raul Torrez's office.

The legislation passed the House last week on a 64-0 vote and is now heading to the Senate floor after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee late Wednesday without a single no vote.

During that hearing, Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, acknowledged he blocked similar legislation from advancing during previous sessions at the urging of a prior CYFD secretary.

"For the last several years, I've tried to resist this kind of initiative and I've come to the end of my rope," said Cervantes, who serves as chair of the influential committee.

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He also directed blunt remarks to CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados, saying, "I've been hoping for a change, and it hasn't happened."

"You're failing, and I can't put it nicely," Cervantes added.

Earlier in the hearing, Casados urged senators not to approve the bill, saying it would be punitive and could negatively impact morale for CYFD workers.

"I think it's scary for employees that are doing the work every day," said Casados, who said there are better options for increasing oversight of the agency.

Instead, she implored legislators to advance a separate bill, Senate Bill 363, that is similar but would create a nine-member child protection authority. That body would be attached to the Regulation and Licensing Department, which is run by a Lujan Grisham appointee.

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Several other CYFD-related bills are also pending at the state Capitol, including a measure moving the state-level control of a program dealing with newborns born with substance exposure, like drugs or alcohol, away from CYFD. The Senate approved that bill on a 38-0 vote on Thursday.

A turbulent recent history

New Mexico's child welfare agency has struggled to reverse chronic staff shortages and the state's rate of repeat child maltreatment increased last year to 15%.

The number of children in state care also increased last year, despite a 2020 settlement agreement that established new targets such as not placing any children in state offices or hotels.

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Casados has led CYFD since May 2023 and is the agency's third Cabinet secretary since Lujan Grisham was elected in 2018.

In the run-up to this year's session, lawmakers expressed increasing frustration about the direction of the agency after a string of recent child abuse cases.

After oversight bills stalled in recent sessions, House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, has joined top House Republicans this year in calling for change at CYFD.

Martinez personally testified during Wednesday's committee hearing, alongside the bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Michelle Abeyta, D-To'hajiilee.

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"I'm not a child well-being expert," Martinez told senators. "But as speaker of the House, I've heard from my chamber."

Possible veto override vote

While the outside oversight bill still faces several legislative hurdles at the Roundhouse, it's expected to be approved in the coming days by lawmakers.

That would leave it in the hands of Lujan Grisham, as the governor would have to act on the bill before the session ends, as long as it arrives at her desk before midday Wednesday. The session ends March 22 at noon, per the state Constitution.

If she were to veto the bill, lawmakers could seek to override her veto before adjourning.

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The Democratic-controlled Legislature has not voted to override any of Lujan Grisham's vetoes since the governor took office in 2019.

The last time a New Mexico legislative chamber voted to override a governor's veto was in 2017, when the Senate voted to override then-Gov. Susana Martinez's veto of a teacher sick leave bill. But a House vote to confirm the override failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.

Lujan Grisham on Thursday questioned legislators' inaction on issues like school absenteeism and juvenile crime during this year's session.

"I do expect them in the time they have left to be a bit more balanced," she said.

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"It seems to me like it's less about really solving issues and more about creating opportunities for other folks who may or may not want to sort of pound their chests," the governor added.

However, Lujan Grisham also shouldered some ownership for CYFD-related issues, saying, "I get that we need to do more. We will."
TALLAHASSEE  State regulators told lawmakers on Friday that a state report showing insurers losing money while their affiliates made billions raised red flags but was incomplete because it was never finished.

During a three-hour hearing, Floridas current and former insurance commissioners were grilled by Republicans and Democrats about why the report was left undone in 2022 and never given to the Legislature.

I find as a legislator that thats outrageous, that were getting something so antiquated and so full of flaws, said Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach.

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The Times/Herald last month revealed the never-before-seen state report, which found that insurance companies funneled billions of dollars to affiliate companies while claiming to lose money between 2017 and 2019, when the states insurance crisis began.

In response, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, ordered a House committee to investigate whether insurers were using accounting tricks to hide profits.

The first-of-its-kind study was commissioned by former Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier in 2021, after hearing concerns about insurers' use of affiliate companies.

Insurers create affiliates that charge the insurance company for basic services, such as handling claims and writing policies, at sometimes inflated rates  allowing them to extract profits beyond what state regulators would normally allow.

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The state paid a consultant $150,000 to analyze the relationships. The consultant gave the report to the state on April 1, 2022, according to emails.

The results certainly raised some red flags, Altmaier told lawmakers.

I think what we said was, Theres a lot of smoke here, and we need to make sure we go and see if theres a fire burning or not, Altmaier said. That was the effort I thought was underway when I left the office. He left the office in December 2022.

But the office never investigated further. Instead, the report was left in a draft form and never followed up.

Lawmakers repeatedly asked how that could happen.

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Why did the investigation stop? said Rep. Susan Valdes, R-Tampa. Who made that decision to say, This isnt important enough?

I would say nobody made that decision, Altmaier said. Candidly, when I was asked to come and speak here today, thats the one question that I havent been able to come up with an answer to.

Altmaier, who began consulting for insurers three months after leaving office, said he didnt recall telling his successor, Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner Mike Yaworsky, about it.

Hindsight being 2020, if I could go back and do it all over again, maybe I would call him and said, Dont forget to finish that report, Altmaier said.

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Yaworsky said it could have been dropped because regulators were understaffed and dealing with the height of the insurance crisis that year. Lawmakers met twice in emergency legislative sessions in 2022, after the report was produced, to pass reforms making it harder to sue insurance companies.

Some lawmakers at the time questioned the role of affiliate companies in the insurance crisis.

The Times/Herald first requested the report under the states public records law in November 2022.

Yaworsky said he wasnt aware of the report until October 2024. Thats when a lawyer for the Times/Herald demanded the state turn it over.

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The office told the Times/Heralds lawyer that it did not exist, before providing the reports seven-page executive summary in December last year.

Multiple lawmakers asked Yaworsky about why it took the office more than two years to turn over the records. He said he didnt know, but that he took ownership for the shortfall and that the office has since streamlined its responses to records requests.

Yaworsky and Altmaier said the report was never given to lawmakers because it wasnt complete.

The report was produced by a consultant for $150,000. The author determined that the insurers in the study, minus a couple of national outliers, showed a net loss of $432 million, while their affiliate companies showed a net income of $1.8 billion. The insurers also spent $680 million on dividends to shareholders during the period.

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The result left some insurers financially weaker and potentially unable to pay claims, but able to justify bigger rate increases.

The author of the report concluded most of the arrangements between Florida-based insurance companies and their affiliates were not fair and reasonable under her understanding of state regulations.

Yaworsky said the report was a good initiative by the office to better understand the industry, but he disagreed with the authors methodology.

It doesnt mean the conclusions are wrong or incorrect, he said.

It was also flawed, Yaworsky said, because 23% of insurance companies either did not respond to the offices request for information or provided limited data.

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The state hasnt renewed the analysis since, but Yaworsky said he would happily do it each year if legislators wanted it.

I think were all screaming for it, Caruso responded.

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee will continue to hold hearings, including potentially hearing from insurance company executives, said chairperson Brad Yeager, R-New Port Richey.

I wont be satisfied until we get to the actual truth and get answers on this, Yeager said.

Insurance companies' improper use of affiliates, some of which are referred to as managing general agents, have been cited in numerous company insolvencies in the past.

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In 2013, the Office of Insurance Regulation fined Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co. $1.3 million in part because one of its affiliates made $44 million in profit while Universal lost money.

If you are a commissioner of insurance, and you dont have a concern about perverse incentives that can exist in holding company arrangements, MGAs (managing general agents) and affiliated transactions, then you shouldnt have the job, Yaworsky said. It is constantly on my mind.

Since 2022, the office has pushed for more oversight of those affiliate companies, but lawmakers havent granted some of the tools the office has requested. Yaworsky is again asking to define fair and reasonable services in state statute, which would allow him to hold companies accountable.

But Yaworsky said none of the insolvencies in recent years have been due to affiliate relationships. He and Altmaier said excessive litigation, storms and rising costs were why companies went out of business.

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Ultimately, Floridas one of the most volatile insurance markets, Yaworsky said, and agreements with affiliates is the business model companies have found to attract investors.

How many of you would like to invest that $100 million into a Florida domestic property that you may never get back? he asked.

Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman, R-Tampa, raised her hand.

After reading the report about the MGAs (managing general agents), Id want to invest.
State. Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O'Fallon, speaks with Jeff Altmann, a lobbyist for the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, about his bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products on Tuesday (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

A second proposal backed by Missouris hemp industry to regulate products like hemp-THC seltzers and edibles was defeated in a House committee Thursday morning, after the hemp-beverage distributor who helped draft the bill emailed committee members that morning asking them to kill it.

The 5-7 vote in the House General Laws committee came after Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of OFallon, the bill sponsor, spent hours last week trying to come up with a compromise among the splintered hemp industry leaders on regulations.

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The same committee voted down a bill backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association last week in a 1-13 vote.

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After that defeat, Hinman incorporated a number of the hemp associations requests into an amended version of his bill, which he presented Thursday. State Rep. Ben Keathley of Chesterfield, the chair of the committee, applauded Hinmans attempt to bring the hemp leaders together.

A lot of interests are working against each other in this bill, and its very difficult to come up with something that everyones going to be happy with, Keathley said. I think the bill sponsor put together a good package that allows us to do the most important thing of protecting Missouri children.

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Hinmans amended bill addressed some of the concerns committee members had about costs of testing and increased the sales tax on these products to be the same as marijuana products, 6%. The bill also addressed concerns by hemp companies, he said, by allowing small-scale beverage manufacturers to self distribute and increased the maximum amount of THC per container.

But the fatal flaw that bill drafter Steven Busch, owner of Krey Distributing, could not support was allowing the continued sale of THC-A flower, which looks and acts very similar to marijuana buds.

Busch said hes had discussions with Hinman previously about his concerns that THC-A is an unstable compound of the cannabis plant that becomes intoxicating when heated. And that process can happen when it sits on the shelf too long, he told committee members in emails and text messages Thursday morning.

Hinman told the committee he spoke with several industry experts who advised him the instability could be addressed by proper packaging requirements, which the bill included.

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Earlier this week, Busch had told Hinman, whom he says he still highly respects, that he was pulling his support for the bill.

It would really jeopardize the whole industry if they keep trying to push THC-A as hemp, Busch told The Independent in an interview Thursday. If somebody wants a product like that, they can very easily get it at a dispensary and thats where it should be obtained.

The two defeats essentially knocked the hemp industry out of the race to get regulations passed, clearing a path for two opposing bills backed by the marijuana industry.

The Missouri Cannabis Trade Associations two bills, which have both gained approval by House and Senate committees, would ban intoxicating hemp products from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries  with the exception of hemp beverages, such as THC seltzers currently sold in bars and liquor stores.

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Busch said hes now switched his support to the MoCann bills, sponsored by Republicans state Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green and state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance. His company distributes 11 different hemp beverages in eastern Missouri.

They have all the protections that we need for our consumers and businesses in there to make the product safe and properly regulated, Busch said. So I feel very confident that if they do pass, were going to be in great shape. If they dont pass, were going to be in no mans land again.

Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, speaks with Republican state Reps. Jeff Myers, Brad Christ and Dane Diehl during the associations annual lobby day on Tuesday (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

Hinmans bill allows beverages, edibles and vapes to continue to be sold outside of dispensaries, but be licensed and regulated under the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Hinman said it was designed to protect about 2,000 hemp companies that will be destroyed under the MoCann bills.

Hinman respects Buschs work on his bill to try to protect the entire hemp industry, he said, and acknowledged that Busch could have chosen early on to simply protect the hemp beverage industry, which is what the MoCann bills do.

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With his and Bakers bill now out, Hinman said lawmakers will be faced with a very hard decision.

The choice is to put all these family businesses out of business and put their employees out of work, he said, and again feed into what I call a corporate monopoly, or to do something to protect kids.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Association has opposed every bill except Bakers, which only set an age restriction on purchasing the products in its final draft.

Currently, theres no state or federal law saying teenagers or children cant buy intoxicating hemp products or stores cant sell them to minors  though some stores and vendors have taken it upon themselves to impose age restrictions of 21 and up.

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The products lawmakers are trying to regulate have THC derived from hemp  which often comes from outside of Missouri  and face no government oversight. In contrast, marijuana must be grown in Missouri, and the plants are tracked from seed to sale by state regulators.

While the two products have the same effect, they fall differently under federal law. Federally, marijuana is a controlled substance, and hemp is legal  though several states have passed laws to prohibit intoxicating hemp products. Missouri legislators have tried for the past two years to do that as well.

The main challenge the MoCann bills face is another year of complete inaction by lawmakers to regulate these products, said Andrew Mullins, executive director of MoCann. He believes his groups proposals address public health and safety and protect hemp businesses.

Thats why I believe were still advancing and our coalition is building, Mullins said, versus the disintegration of these various voices and needs.

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Hinman said last week he sat down with several hemp association members and the groups three lobbyists, along with two lobbyists who represent individual hemp businesses.

He incorporated a number of the associations requests, he said, including the THC-A provision.

I made changes to my bill in good faith that they would be on board, he said of the association, which now I regret making changes for them, as I think thats part of the big problem of why my bill was defeated.

Baker also expressed frustration with the association during a committee hearing last week when his bill was defeated.

Jeff Smith, the hemp associations lobbyist, said that while organization doesnt support Hinmans bill it appreciates his efforts to craft a compromise, and we definitely plan to continue conversations to try and reach one.

Hinman, however, said for him and Baker, this is the end of the road.

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Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this column misidentified Rep. Beverly Pingerelli's political party.

Arizonas legislators are now one giant step closer to having to follow Arizonas traffic laws.

The House this week approved a plan that would allow voters to decide whether to put a stop to the time-honored tradition of legislators using their positions to duck speeding tickets.

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The surprise isnt that the bill passed, given the recent spate of legislators behaving badly.

The surprise, a stunner really, is that fully a third of the House  20 of its 60 members  votedto block their constituents from ending their entitlement  an antiquated provision of the state Constitution known as legislative immunity.

There was Rep. Rachel Keshel, R-Tucson, explaining that political skullduggery may ensue if she loses her right to scream down Arizonas highways while the Legislature is in session. Without immunity, Keshel says some caculating governor might dispatch a few Department of Public Safety goons to prevent legislators from reaching the Capitol.

If  they wanted to weaponize this against a member of the Legislature and stop us from being able to cast a very important vote on a very important piece of legislation, they would be able to do that if we get rid of this, she warned on the House floor.

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Never mind that that hasnt happened in oh, the last century or so.

Doing 71 mph in a 35 zone ...

What we have seen is legislators barreling around their own districts, often late on weekend nights, claiming they cant be touched when theyre pulled over. Legislators like Keshels now-former seatmate, ex-Sen. Justine Wadsack, stopped last March for going 71 in a 35-mph zone on a Friday night in Tucson.

Wadsack was eventually cited, once the Legislature adjourned a few months later, but not before throwing a fit and claiming political persecution.

There was Rep. Laurin Hendrix, R-Gilbert, assuring his fellow lawmakers that legislative immunity doesnt really protect legislators.

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Its not protecting us. Its protecting the voter that elected you, he reasoned. The voter elected you to be able to be here and do your job and vote....

This is not a privilege giving you anything special.

Doing 48 mph in a 30 mph zone ...

Like, for example, Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, cited in January for doing 48 mph in a 30 mph zone on a Friday night in Prescott. He demanded that the ticket be dismissed, citing his immunity, and it was.

A move that apparently  protected his constituents?

Shortly after Finchems display of entitlement came to light, his seatmate Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 2053, asking voters to end immunity for lead foot legislators.

Doing 89 mph in a 65 mph zone ...

And that was before news broke that Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek had been pulled over for doing 89 mph in a 65 mph zone on U.S. 60 in January. Thats a crime but the officer didnt issue Hoffman a ticket, instead noting his privilege from having to follow the traffic laws.

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HCR 2053, the first step in ending such privilege, passed Tuesday on a bipartisan 37-20 vote.

It now goes to the Senate, home of two of the lead foots (and former home of the third).

Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, who has said he supports the bill, assured me he wont be assigning it to Hoffmans Government Committee. More likely, itll go to Judiciary (chaired by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff) or Public Safety (chaired by Sen. Kevin Payne, R-Peoria).

Stay tuned to see if it gets a hearing.

Meanwhile, here are the House members who voted to preserve their immunity by voting no on HCR 2053:

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Republicans: Leo Biasiucci of Lake Havasu City; Laurin Hendrix of Gilbert; Rachel Keshel of Tucson; Alexander Kolodin of Scottsdale; David Livingston of Peoria; David Marshall of Snowflake; Justin Olson of Mesa; Beverly Pingerelli of Peoria; Khyl Powell of Gilbert; Tony Rivero of Peoria, and James Taylor of Litchfield Park.

Democrats: Alma Hernandez of Tucson; Consuelo Hernandez of Tucson; Lydia Hernandez of Phoenix; Sarah Liguori of Phoenix; Christopher Mathis of Tucson; Elda Luna-Najera of Tolleson; Mae Peshlakai of Cameron; Mariana Sandoval of Goodyear, and Stephanie Simacek of Phoenix.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz, on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz and on BlueSky at @laurieroberts.bsky.social.

Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These Arizona legislators say they're above the law | Opinion
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit between the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and a man who was publicly strip-searched by officers.

Court documents dated for the end of February show that the man who filed the lawsuit was dropping it after reaching a settlement with Sheriff T.K. Waters.

Related: Jacksonville City Council approves measure to give sheriff a say in settlements involving JSO

The lawsuit was filed after the man was inappropriately strip-searched on the side of a Jacksonville road in 2022.

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Video of the incident, first obtained by The Tributary, shows multiple JSO officers pulling down the mans pants and underwear, exposing his genitalia to onlookers.

In the body camera video, he could be heard saying You cant bend me over like that bro. I know my rights.

Police had believed that he was carrying illegal drugs. The Tributary reported that those drugs were never found, but he was charged with possession anyway.

Those charges were later dropped.

Action News Jax told you last year when three involved officers were disciplined for the conduct, which JSO said violated department policy.

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While Florida statute does authorize law enforcement to conduct strip searches for narcotics upon receiving written approval from a supervising officer, JSO policy only allowed corrections officers to conduct the searches.

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During the internal investigation at JSO, at least two of the three officers involved stated they didnt believe what they had done to the man during his arrest constituted a strip search, but after reviewing state statute, they came to believe it was a strip search.

Those same two officers, Joel Belgard and Nicholas Hackley, both testified they were never trained on the agencys strip search policy.

But according to JSO, all officers are trained on the agencys strip search policy.

All police officers receive training concerning searches, to include that strip searches are to be performed by corrections officers rather than police officers, said PIO for JSO in an emailed statement last year.

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The terms of the settlement were not immediately available upon Action News Jax search of the court records.

Read: Lot of questions: Family waiting for answers after mother killed outside Jacksonville daycare

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The Sycamore teacher who was suspended after making racial comments at a school board meeting has given up her position as president of the teacher's union, according to her lawyer.

Here's what we know.

Danielle Scrase, 54, was suspended and later reached a settlement with the district following the incident.

Scrase's lawyer, Robert W. Sauter, told The Enquirer on Friday that Scrase had resigned as president of the Sycamore Education Association, which represents more than 500 teachers and other staff members in contract negotiations with the Sycamore school board.

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Sauter could not say Friday when Scrase resigned. Members of the union could not be reached comment.

What happened

Scrase was accused of being intoxicated, making erratic comments and exposing herself in a hallway at the Sept. 18 board meeting.

According to the district's investigation, Scrase referred to Sycamore High School Principal Taylor Porter as an "incompetent Black man," and texted the the district's community relations director: "U know Ur a joke Rite? And ur lucky 2 have ur job and pay."

Scrase told the investigators she had mixed medication with alcohol unintentionally, and was not implying Porter was incompetent because he was Black.

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The investigation also stated she exposed her "bare buttocks, while walking towards the restroom," and said these incidents were caught on video. In her rebuttal, Scrase said this didn't happen in a "common area" because she was the only person in that part of the building during that time.

Scrase files a grievance claiming retaliation

In December, Superintendent Chad Lewis suspended Scrase for 45 days without pay. In January, Scrase filed a grievance against Lewis saying he had a history of retaliatory behavior against her.

The school board approved a settlement with Scrase later that month. As part of the agreement, Scrase dismissed her grievance against Lewis and agreed not to talk about it again. She was also required to attend counseling sessions and undergo an independent medical evaluation by a medical professional with substance use training.

Scrase's lawyer, Sauter, said Friday that she has complied with the terms of the agreement.

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In turn, the school district agreed to remove records referencing Scrase's inappropriate behavior from her personnel file and reduced her 45-day unpaid suspension to 15 days. So instead of returning to work on March 6, Scrase returned to the classroom on Jan. 23.

The Enquirer has requested video and comment in relation to the investigation and latest developments.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lawyer: Sycamore teacher has stepped down as union president
Defense attorneys for former House Speaker Glen Casada. and an aide claim federal prosecutors have evidence that could discredit potential witnesses. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Attorneys for former House Speaker Glen Casada and his onetime aide have alleged prosecutors failed to turn over evidence that could cast doubt on the credibility of key witnesses in the corruption charges against them  among them current House Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Casada and Cade Cothren, Casadas former chief of staff, are due to stand trial April 22 on federal bribery and kickback charges.

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A pre-trial motion filed Thursday asks U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson to compel federal prosecutors to disclose information in their possession about Sexton and Connie Ridley, the now retired director of legislative administration. Both are expected to serve as witnesses for the prosecution.

Counsel reasonably believes that the prosecution possesses materials and information that significantly undermine the credibility of these witnesses, the motion said. The materials likely include investigative reports or memorandum, witness interview notes, and otherwise.

The legal filing acknowledged that prosecutors have turned over some information about Sexton, citing a March 4 disclosure from prosecutors. That information is not publicly available and prosecutors had no comment.

The disclosure confirmed that Sexton was actively engaged with and communicating with the FBI prior to Phoenix Solutions, the defenses motion said. The motion cited Twitter, now renamed X, and news articles about Sexton to support their claim that prosecutors may be withholding information.

Phoenix Solutions was a campaign consulting firm that prosecutors alleged was secretly operated by Cothren. Casada directed business to Cothren from Republican House members, prosecutors alleged.

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Sexton has been open about his cooperation with the FBI, but Thursdays filing is the first notice the House Speaker was allegedly working with the federal government prior to Phoenixs creation.

A spokesman for Sexton referred to a 2021 statement, which said Sexton was cooperating with federal authorities.

Casada and Cothren were indicted in 2022 on charges of bribery, kickbacks and conspiracy to commit money laundering for their role in Phoenix Solutions.

Phoenix Solutions registered as a limited liability corporation in Santa Fe, New Mexico in December 2019, less than six months after Casada stepped down as speaker following a no confidence vote by members of the Republican caucus. Sexton was subsequently elected as House Speaker.

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The vendor received more than $202,000 in payments from House Republicans. FBI agents raided offices in the Cordell Hull Legislative Building and the homes of three lawmakers  including Casadas  in January 2021.

Since the pairs indictment, Cothren has claimed his reputation was so tarnished once he was fired amid a racist and sexist texting scandal that involved Casada that he set up Phoenix Solutions and operated it under the name Matthew Phoenix, believing it to be the only way he could obtain work from the GOP Caucus. In 2023, Cothren filed a request to subpoena subpoena records from Verizon Communications and Confide Inc., an encrypted message service, to show communications between him and Sexton during 2019 and 2020. Cothren claimed he helped Sexton win the 2019 speakers race.

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Lawyers representing the family of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK, are seeking a posthumous pardon from the King and for her execution to be ruled a miscarriage of justice.

Elliss grandson, Stephen Beard, has instructed senior partners from law firm Mishcon de Reya to pursue legal action to secure a pardon for the woman convicted of murdering her boyfriend outside a pub in 1955.

Jurors at the Old Bailey had taken only 14 minutes to find the 28-year-old guilty of murder by fatally shooting David Blakely, a 25-year-old racing car driver, four times in Hampstead, north-west London.

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She was hanged at Holloway prison on July 13, 1955.

Mr Beard, 36, has maintained that his grandmother had been in a physically and sexually abusive relationship with Blakley and that this had not been taken into account by the court during her trial 70 years ago.

Mr Beards lawyers told The Times newspaper that he and his family argued that substantial evidence was not put forward at Elliss trial and she was wrongly convicted of murder.

Lawyers acting for Mr Beard said that while the pardon in Elliss case would not eliminate the conviction, it should be given if it can be shown that a convicted person was morally and technically innocent.

Ellis with David Blakely, who her family claims physically and mentally abused her - Mirrorpix

The family would like the British state to formally acknowledge Ruths conviction as a miscarriage of justice, the firm told the newspaper.

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The King has the power to grant a royal pardon through the royal prerogative of mercy and can either be a free pardon or a conditional pardon.

Mr Beard has claimed that Ellis was driven to shoot Blakely because he had physically and mentally abused her and that her lifestyle and work as a nightclub hostess had unfairly affected her case.

He previously said: I wonder whether there is a KC who believes theres enough substance and weight here for Ruths case to be taken back to the courts

If handled professionally and mercifully, the conclusion would have been that this was a case of both battered woman syndrome and diminished responsibility.

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The pair had met in a London club, with Blakely quickly moving into Elliss flat while being engaged to another woman.

Ellis told the jury during her trial that only weeks before the killing, she suffered a miscarriage after Blakely punched her in the stomach.

Elliss case led to a petition with 50,000 signatures being sent to the Home Office for clemency, but none was granted. Significant media attention made her execution a high profile event, which was a significant driver to ending capital punishment in the UK.

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OSLO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Greenlandic political leaders have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's latest comments on the potential annexation of Greenland, stressing the need for unity and a strong stance against external pressure.

During a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he believes the United States would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Rutte said that any discussion of Trump's intentions regarding Greenland fell outside his purview and that he did not want NATO to be involved in the matter.

Trump's statement was met with swift condemnation from Greenland's political leadership.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of Demokraatit and the leading figure in ongoing negotiations to form Greenland's next government, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate."

In a Facebook post, Nielsen urged Greenlanders to remain united against external pressure. "Trump's statement from the U.S. is inappropriate and once again shows that we must stand together in such situations," he wrote.

Incumbent Prime Minister Mute Egede also denounced Trump's comments, calling for an urgent meeting of Greenland's party leaders. "Once again, the American president has floated the idea of annexing us. I cannot, in any way, accept this," he wrote on social media.

Despite his expected departure from office following recent elections, Egede emphasized his responsibility in addressing the issue.

In Greenland's recent parliamentary elections, Demokraatit secured 29.9 percent of the vote, emerging as the largest party in the Inatsisartut. 
Mar. 14More than 130 recently-fired federal employees in Alaska have applied for state unemployment benefits in recent weeks, amid efforts from the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency to slash the size of the federal workforce.

In Alaska, fired federal workers include meteorologists, fishery scientists, and national park rangers, among others, who say their departures will be acutely felt by Alaskans and visitors alike.

Director of Alaska's Employment and Training Services Paloma Harbour told a legislative panel on Wednesday that 138 federal employees have applied for benefits in recent weeks, an increase from the typical average of 10 claims per month from federal employees.

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The number is likely an undercount of the number of federal employees who have been fired in recent weeks  which has not been publicly shared by DOGE, Trump administration officials or Alaska's congressional delegation  because some federal employees were ordered to leave their workplace so suddenly that they were unable to gather the necessary paperwork needed to file unemployment claims with the state.

"I still to this day do not have access to any of my employment documents as required to file for unemployment benefits by law," said Charles Warren Hill, who was fired from his job working in Lake Clark National Park on Feb. 14, after two decades in the National Park Service.

Hill was one of three recently-fired federal employees who testified before the Alaska House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. All three said they had been told their skills no longer fit the needs of the federal government, despite having specialized knowledge and experience. All three said they would return to their jobs if given the opportunity.

Two federal judges on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to offer jobs back to all probationary employees who were fired last month from numerous departments, opening the window for Hill and others to get their jobs back.

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Probationary employees are generally those in their first year of employment with the federal government. But in Alaska, numerous fired federal employees were considered probationary because they had recently been promoted, or because they had recently been hired in a permanent position after several years in seasonal or temporary posts."

The order comes as the Trump administration is expected to take additional steps to shrink the number of federal employees, including through a reduction in force process currently underway.

'Disproportionate impact here'

Alaska has more than 15,000 federal employees, of which over 1,300 are considered probationary, meaning they lack some of the workplace protections generally afforded to the federal workforce.

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Brock Wilson, an economist with the University of Alaska Anchorage's Institute of Social and Economic Research, told lawmakers that federal employment plays a significant role in the Alaska economy.

Civilian federal employees in Alaska make up more than 3% of the workforce. Only Hawaii and Maryland have a greater percentage. The federal government employs more Alaskans than natural resources and mining industries, and its average salaries are among the highest in the state, according to data Wilson presented.

"Any reduction in federal employment in Alaska is largely going to have a disproportionate impact here compared to other states," Wilson said.

Harbour, with Alaska's Department of Labor, said Wednesday that though the federal employees who lost their jobs have been told they were let go because their skills and knowledge were not a fit for the federal government, the federal agencies later reported to the state that the employees had lost their jobs due to "restructuring."

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"If an employer says that an employee was discharged due to misconduct, the burden is on them to prove it to us. So they have to provide us with actual documentation. So far we have 138 active federal claims. From the agency responses, 95% have said 'laid off due to restructure.' The other 5% have just said 'layoff,'" said Harbour.

"So we have not had anyone accused of being discharged for misconduct," she added. "If we did, they would have to show that there was actually something they were doing wrong ... Not just because they wanted to get rid of  because they were on probation and they could be let go."

That means that unemployment insurance penalties would not apply  but also calls into question the reasoning given to employees for their termination.

Aaron Lambert was fired on Feb. 27 from what he called his "dream job" as a fishery management specialist in the Sustainable Fisheries Division of the Alaska Regional NOAA Fisheries office. Lambert said his termination email stated that his "ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the agency's current needs."

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"This was a blatant lie," said Lambert, who had studied fisheries and statistics at the University of Alaska Juneau and the University of Alaska Fairbanks and had developed new statistical models to predict fishery populations before he was hired.

Rep. Sarah Vance, a Homer Republican, asked fired federal employees to apply instead for state jobs. In doing so, she echoed a message from Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Trump ally, who encouraged fired employees to seek jobs with the state.

"We need great people to fill some of the positions so the state can provide services," Vance said on Wednesday. The state has for several years contended with high vacancy rates that have hampered state services.

Lambert said he wants to return to his federal job, but had in the meantime been hired for a temporary position by a lab in Juneau where he previously worked, and would consider employment with the state.

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"There are other jobs that are similar, such as biometricians for the state. However, they do pay about 40% less than what I was making, and it would take me about 10 years to get back to my salary I had a couple months ago," he said.

Harbour said that the state has enough funds to pay unemployment benefits to fired federal employees  who must prove they are seeking alternate employment options to qualify. However, Harbour said the staffing at Alaska's unemployment insurance offices is "at a very low level," which could lead to delays in determining eligibility for impacted workers if the number of claims balloons.

'Fisheries products in Alaska will suffer'

Alaska's unemployment benefits rank near the bottom of the nation when taking into account average claim payments and cost of living, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Numerous fired workers have said that their termination would likely compel them to leave Alaska altogether.

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The number of funded positions in Alaska's unemployment insurance office is 163, down more than 10% from the number in 2018. But a large number of those are unfilled, as the office contends with "ongoing staffing challenges," Harbour reported. The unemployment insurance office has 51 vacant positions across the state, Harbour said Thursday.

Fired federal workers told state lawmakers that their departures from the federal workforce could mean critical tasks entrusted to the federal government are abandoned. State and private organizations would not be able to step in every case, they said, leaving Alaska's popular national parks with no one to take care of facilities, and leaving Alaska's fishermen and oversight agencies with no data on which to base catch limits.

Andrew Dimond was recently fired from the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Juneau.

Dimond was born in Juneau and planned to continue living in the community, after spending 20 years commercial fishing in Alaska and earning a degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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He has worked on fishery and environmental surveys for NOAA for nearly a decade  first as a seasonal survey technician, then as a temporary worker, and beginning in 2024 with a full-time, permanent job. He was 11 days from the end of his probationary period when he was terminated.

Dimond's job was critical to annual longline surveys that provide data on groundfish species, and ecosystem surveys of the Bering Sea and Arctic, which provide data for chinook and chum salmon forecasts in the Yukon River, and pollock stock assessments.

"If these surveys don't happen, fisheries products in Alaska will suffer. Stock assessment authors that don't have the accurate information these surveys provide may be more conservative with their forecasting. This directly impacts the fishing industry," Dimond said.

"I'm solely responsible for deploying complex electronic data collection systems which save tons of hours because you're no longer hand-entering data that's written on sheets," he said. "That expertise that I've developed over nine years walked out the door with me when I was terminated."

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Dimond said he would take his job back if it was offered to him.

"I absolutely have confidence that at some point in the future I will be back at that facility. Whether it's in two years, four years, or six years  I don't know," he said.

Lambert said he was hired in August, in part to help oversee a court-ordered federal salmon fishery in the Cook Inlet. He was also responsible for ensuring that the federal government responds adequately to fishery disaster declarations.

Lambert said he was "assured that because our office was already running lean" and "we facilitated incredibly important fisheries worth billions of dollars  that our jobs would surely be secure." His firing came last month nonetheless, even as numerous other positions in the office remain vacant.

"As a result of my termination, there's a possibility that the Cook Inlet stock assessment may not be conducted, risking that a newly court-ordered fishery may not proceed or proceed with outdated stock numbers," he said.

Hill, who previously worked in Lake Clark National Park, said 20% of the Lake Clark park staff members were terminated. Those fired reside in Port Alsworth, a gateway community to the park with fewer than 200 residents, where other employment opportunities are virtually nonexistent. Without his job back, he said he would have to sell his Native land allotment and leave.

"There's no longer anybody left there with any supervisory level experience," said Hill. That could mean that roads, trails and facilities will no longer be maintained and fire and safety codes will not be followed. "All that's left is literally our janitors and our laborers."

"There's nobody there in our administrative buildings to answer phone calls about visits to the park," he said. "It's really disheartening for a place I love."

Do you have additional information about actions involving the federal workforce in Alaska? Reach out to reporter Iris Samuels, Michelle Theriaut Boots or Sean Maguire via email at isamuels@adn.com, mtheriault@adn.com or smaguire@adn.com or via encrypted message on Signal at irissamuels.11, michelletheriaultboots.53 and SeanBMaguire.11. Reach editor David Hulen at dhulen@adn.com or via Signal at davidhulen.99.
LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL)  Three men in Lee County are being indicted for discharging a weapon into an occupied building or vehicle, with enhanced charges under Alabamas Criminal Enterprise Act.

In a release sent by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Jamaroun Dayshun Satterwhite, Demarious Ross, and Timothy Bell each face four felony counts originating from their alleged involvement in the crime.

The three men are each charged with:

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Two counts of shooting or discharging a weapon into an occupied building or automobile

Two counts of possession, use, or carrying of a firearm

Timothy Bell (Photo provided by Alabama Attorney Generals Office)

Jamaroun Dayshun Satterwhite (Photo provided by Alabama Attorney Generals Office)

Demarious Ross (Photo by Alabama Attorney Generals Office)

This investigation was a collaboration between the Attorney Generals Office, the Lee County Sheriffs Office, and the Lee County District Attorneys Office.

Attorney General Marshall claims the crimes are gang related, thus the need for the enhanced charges under the Criminal Enterprise Act.

The Alabama Legislature has equipped our state with the tools necessary to directly combat gang activity, and today, we are putting those tools into action. Gang violence is a plague on our communities, and the cure is strong enforcement and tough sentences, said Attorney General Marshall. My office has worked alongside law enforcement to create and enforce the law and secure our communities, and we are committed to holding violent offenders accountable. Let this serve as a warning: if you bring violence to our streets, law enforcement will be there to meet you, and you will face the full force of the law.

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According to the office, each defendant faces up to 99 years if convicted, plus an additional 20 years of mandatory time for firearms possession related to a criminal enterprise.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
The Democratic base wants a fight. Chuck Schumer wont give it to them.

The Senate minority leader on Thursday backed away from the shutdown confrontation that many liberal voters and activist leaders had been pushing for  arguing that closing the government would only empower President Donald Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk in their bureaucracy-slashing campaign.

That decision sent shockwaves through the left and had many in their ranks seething at a top party leader who had sought to win them over in recent years.

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Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of the liberal grassroots organization Indivisible, quickly dubbed it the Schumer surrender.

I guess we'll find out to what extent Schumer is leading the party into irrelevance, he said in an interview, adding that his decision tells me maybe he's lost a step.

The news that the top Senate Democrat would be backing down dejected scores of House members who were gathered at a resort about 25 miles outside of Washington for the Democratic Caucus annual policy retreat.

They had stuck together behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who had wrangled all but one of his members to oppose Republicans seven-month funding patch earlier in the week.

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Extremely disappointed, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said after he heard the news. It gives them the ability, Elon Musk the ability, to go through and continue to do the shit hes doing.

And further outside Washington, longtime party activists and high-dollar donors fumed about Schumer: He sucks, one state party chair who was granted anonymity to respond candidly, adding that the cave constituted political malpractice.



In anticipation of the criticism he was certain to receive, Schumer delivered a 10-minute speech on the Senate floor defending his decision, later holding a question-and-answer session with Capitol Hill reporters and publishing a New York Times op-ed.

His points were two-fold: First, a shutdown would play into Trump and Musks hands, he argued, allowing them to put their slash-and-burn campaign into overdrive. His second argument was more political  and in keeping with his long history as a leading strategist counseling his party to pay heed to the concerns of Americas middle class above all else.

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For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift, Schumer said. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda.

Right now, Donald Trump owns the chaos in the government. He owns the chaos in the stock market, he added. In a shutdown, we would be busy fighting with Republicans over which agencies to reopen, which to keep closed, instead of debating the damage Donald Trump's agenda is causing the American people."

Some Democrats offered some sympathy, given the dilemma he and other senators faced. The GOP-written stopgap cuts some $12 billion in domestic funding while adding money for migrant deportations and some other programs Democrats oppose. It also contains no language that would stop the Trump administration from continuing to hold back congressionally approved spending.

But Schumer argued there was no telling what Trump and Musk would do in a shutdown, where the White House would have full authority to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel non-essential, furloughing staff with no promise they would ever be rehired, he said.

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I dont think he had a choice, Democratic National Committee member Joseph Paulino Jr. said, adding that Democrats dont have any cohesive plan. They dont have a strategy. They dont have any clear direction where they want their  opposition to go.

Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, called it a challenging choice for Schumer even as she called a temporary shutdown a better option than passing a bad bill." She predicted blowback from grassroots activists but demurred on how lasting it might be.

"There will be strong reactions, she said. But the exact consequences, I think it's too soon to know.

Prior to Schumers remarks, progressive groups were encouraged by the succession of Senate Democrats who had publicly announced opposition to the GOP funding measure. More than a dozen did so Thursday, many of them echoing the language used by activists.

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I don't want a shutdown but I can't vote for this overreach of power, giving Trump and Musk unchecked power to line their pockets, said Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey in an online post.

Joel Payne, the chief communications director at MoveOn, called the moment pretty disappointing, adding that it crystallized for many in Democratic activists that Schumer and other Democratic leaders might not be equipped for fighting a more brazen, second-term Trump.

I think it does say a little something about whether or not these folks truly understand the fight that we're in right now, Payne said. And I think that's a question that a lot of folks are asking.

The irony is that Schumer had spent much of the past five years patching up his relationship with the Democratic Partys left flank. Once known as a friend of Wall Street interests and an ally of moderates, he faced similar criticism as minority leader during the first Trump term, then retooled his reputation after becoming Senate majority leader in 2021  embracing the expansive pandemic-era spending plans of President Joe Biden and winning converts among liberals.

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Now Schumer is facing sharp backlash from some of Bidens top advisers. His former top domestic policy adviser, Susan Rice, told Schumer to please grow a spine. And quickly. Neera Tanden, who held the same top policy job, expressed exasperation after Schumer told reporters Trump would be more unpopular  and Democrats would be better positioned to fight  in the fall.

HE'S UNPOPULAR NOW, she responded on X. LORD!

Schumer did not take any incoming fire from his fellow Democratic leader and Brooklyn native, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Speaking to his members at the retreat, Jeffries told them that their votes were something they can be proud of now and tomorrow and years from now but did not criticize Schumer directly, according to three people granted anonymity to describe the private remarks.

We stood up against Donald Trump. We stood up against Elon Musk. We stood up against the extreme MAGA Republicans, Jeffries said. We can defend that vote because we stood on the side of the American people.

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A leader of the Democratic left in the House was not as oblique. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York  often mentioned as a potential primary rival for Schumer  said on CNN Thursday that Schumer had made a tremendous mistake.

"To me, it is almost unthinkable why Senate Democrats would vote to hand [one of] the few pieces of leverage that we have away for free, she said.

Asked Thursday to respond in advance to possible calls for new Democratic leadership in the Senate, Schumer said he made a tough choice  based on what I thought were the merits. (None of his Senate colleagues, notably, joined in the firestorm of criticism.)

You have to make these decisions based on what is best for not only your party but your country, and I firmly believe and always have that I've made the right decision, he continued. I believe that my members understand that  conclusion and respect it.

Mia McCarthy and Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The fate of Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman remains uncertain as courts debate whether execution by nitrogen hypoxia violates his constitutional rights.

Hoffman, 46, was scheduled to be executed on March 18 for the 1996 kidnapping and murder of Molly Elliott in New Orleans. However, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction delaying the execution, ruling that the controversial method may violate Hoffmans Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment.

Attorney General Liz Murrill, who has strongly supported resuming executions in Louisiana, immediately appealed the ruling, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court has already upheld nitrogen hypoxia as a constitutional method of execution. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is now weighing the case.

Debate over nitrogen gas executions

Nitrogen hypoxia involves replacing oxygen with nitrogen gas, leading to death by suffocation. Supporters of the method claim it is painless and humane, while opponents argue that recent executions in Alabamawhere the method has been used four timessuggest otherwise.

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Witnesses to Alabamas nitrogen executions have reported that inmates convulsed, gasped, and struggled for extended periods before losing consciousness. Death penalty opponents argue these visible signs of distress indicate nitrogen hypoxia is not as humane as proponents claim.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, a spiritual advisor who witnessed Alabamas first nitrogen execution in January, described the process as torture.

Saliva, mucus, all sorts of things were coming out of [Kenneth Smiths] mouth and nose, hitting the front of the mask, Hood recalled. It looked like a waterfall of body fluid.

Murrill, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that movements during execution are involuntary and expected. She also emphasized that Louisiana law requires carrying out executions as prescribed by the courts.

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This is the justice that was promised to these people under the law of Louisiana, Murrill said.

Louisiana execution protocol unsealed: Heres how the state plans to use nitrogen gas

State pushes to move forward with execution

Murrill has framed the legal challenges as a last-minute attempt to delay justice, citing previous Supreme Court rulings allowing nitrogen hypoxia.

We disagree with the district courts decision and immediately appealed to the Fifth Circuit, Murrill said. Theres nothing legally preventing us from moving forward with executing Jessie Hoffman if the injunction is lifted.

Hoffmans attorneys counter that Louisiana rushed to implement the execution method without adequate transparency. They argue that the states secrecy surrounding its execution protocol prevented proper legal scrutiny.

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The state of Louisiana is trying to avoid scrutiny of its cruel and experimental execution protocol, said Cecelia Kappel, an attorney representing Hoffman.

What happens next?

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing the states appeal of the injunction. If the court sides with Louisiana, Hoffmans execution could proceed as planned on Tuesday. However, if the injunction is upheld, the execution would be delayed indefinitely while legal arguments continue.

Murrill has stated that she expects multiple executions to take place in Louisiana this year, pending court decisions.

Louisiana First News will continue to follow developments in this case.

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Trump administration lawyers sent the Supreme Court an emergency appeal this week with a "modest" procedural request, not to uphold new limits on birthright citizenship but rather to narrow the scope of rulings that blocked the limits from taking effect.

It's a move that surprised and puzzled many legal experts.

They questioned the practicality and the fairness of having a citizenship rule that applied at least temporarily in some parts of the country but not others.

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"This is a terrible case to raise this issue," said University of Virginia law professor Amanda Frost. "Without a nationwide injunction, it would be chaos."

She said pregnant women might have to cross state borders to ensure their babies were registered as citizens at birth. Judges might have to decide case by case on whether those birth registrations are proper.

Read more: Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow some birthright citizenship restrictions

Shortly after President Trump issued his executive order proposing to end birthright citizenship, three judges  in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state  declared the change unconstitutional nationwide. They ruled in cases brought on behalf of 22 states, including California, and several groups that represent immigrants.

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"If ever a universal injunction makes sense, it's in a case like this," George Mason University saw professor Ilya Somin wrote in a blog post. "Nationwide lawbreaking by the federal government requires a nationwide remedy. And that's especially true if the illegality affects the rights of large numbers of people, many of whom could not easily or quickly bring individual suits to challenge it."

But Trump administration lawyers argued that district judges should not be allowed to issue rulings that apply nationwide. And they said the court should act now to rein in these judges.

If the justices were to agree, it could deny citizenship in much of the nation to children whose mothers were in the country without legal status.

"Years of experience have shown that the Executive Branch cannot properly perform its functions if any judge anywhere can enjoin every presidential action everywhere," wrote acting Solicitor Gen. Sarah M. Harris. "The sooner universal injunctions are eliminated root and branch, the better."

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The justices, however, signaled they are not ready to move quickly. They set April 4 as a deadline for responses from the lawyers who won the rulings blocking Trump's order on birthright citizenship.

In recent years, several justices have questioned the power of a single judge to hand down a ruling that applies nationwide.

Sometimes judges seek to "govern the whole nation from their courtrooms," Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said last year.

Democrats complained when judges in Texas and Louisiana issued nationwide rulings to block Biden administration regulations.

Two years ago, a conservative judge in Amarillo, Texas, ordered a nationwide ban on abortion pills. The Supreme Court blocked his order and then overturned it entirely on the grounds that the antiabortion plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.

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During Trump's first term, Republicans complained when judges in San Francisco and New York blocked his regulations including the travel ban that halted visitors from several Muslim-majority counties.

Harris said the problem has grown worse.

"Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current Administration," she wrote. "District courts have issued more universal injunctions and [temporary restraining orders] during February 2025 alone than through the first three years of the Biden Administration."

Read more: Third judge blocks Trumps order ending birthright citizenship for children of people in U.S. illegally

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Much of the difference may be due to the unusual number of far-reaching executive orders issued in Trump's first weeks in office.

This week's appeals do not ask the court to weigh in on the underlying dispute over the meaning of the 14th Amendment adopted after the Civil War. It says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside."

That rule of citizenship based on birth has been well-established and not seriously questioned in the courts.

But Trump and his supporters assert that some authors of the 14th Amendment did not think it extended to children born of women who are in the country temporarily.

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Trump's executive order, if it becomes law, would make two changes. It would deny citizenship to a child if the "person's mother was unlawfully present in the United States" and the father was not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident or if the mother was in the country legally but temporarily, such as on a student or tourist visa.

The administration's appeal could allow those changes to take effect in a large part of the country.

But if the justices are not ready to uphold those changes, Harris proposed a fallback option.

The justices, she wrote, "at a minimum" should make clear the administration may develop and issue "guidance explaining how they would implement the Citizenship Order in the event that it takes effect."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Chris Fugate, R-Chavies, said a committee substitute for the original bill would protect police officers and agencies from providing records that could compromise an active investigation. (LRC Public Information)

FRANKFORT  Open government advocates warn a late-changing bill could make it easier for law enforcement agencies to withhold records via an exemption that they say agencies have misused in the past.

Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, police agencies or those involved in administrative adjudication can withhold records if premature release of information would harm an investigation or informants.

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A Kentucky Supreme Court decision last year found that the Shively police department in Jefferson County had erroneously used the exemption to withhold from the Louisville Courier-Journal investigatory records involving a fatal car crash. The police department, the states highest court found, made no effort to explain in its records denial letter how the public inspection of investigatory records related to the crash would harm the agencys investigative or prosecutorial efforts.

Michael Abate (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

This provision has been misused for decades, said Michael Abate, a media law and First Amendment expert who serves as general counsel for the Kentucky Press Association.

Abate said law enforcement agencies had regularly exploited that exemption to wrongfully withhold law enforcement records. The Supreme Court decision, he said, made clear that agencies had to specifically articulate how the open records exemption applies to a case.

No one is saying you cant withhold sensitive investigative material. You just have to explain why, in generic terms, why it would harm an investigation, Abate told the Lantern.

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But a Kentucky bill that has been changed through a legislative maneuver late in this years session has Abate and another open government advocates deeply concerned it could create a categorical exemption for investigative records just months after the court ruling.

House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate R-Chavies, was changed Thursday morning through a committee substitute in the Senate State and Local Government Committee and advanced only after a Republican senator changed his no vote to continue the conversation on the bill.

Controversial proposed changes to the open records law

Fugate, a former Kentucky State Police trooper, told lawmakers his bill, by changing the language of the open records exemption, would protect police officers and agencies from providing records that could compromise an active investigation.

It protects the investigation, it protects witnesses, it protects confidential informants, and it also protects the life of the police officers when investigations are compromised, Fugate said.

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Fugate, speaking alongside the executive directors for the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, said he cared about transparency but that witnesses needed to be protected in investigations involving murder, sexual abuse and drugs.

Instead of requiring agencies to certify that records disclosure would harm an agency, the amended version of HB 520 allows agencies to withhold records if disclosure could pose a risk of harm to the agency or its investigation.

Amye Bensenhaver, the co-director of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition and a former deputy attorney general specializing in open government laws, said that language change  from would harm to could pose a risk of harm  would make it much easier for law enforcement to justify withholding records. In the past, before the Supreme Court decision, agencies routinely withheld records by saying that investigations were perpetually pending and open.

The main thing this does is essentially establish a very diluted standard for establishing harm to withhold public records in an ongoing investigation, Bensenhaver said. Its gone from a really pretty rigorous standard  which was the ability to articulate a concrete risk of actual harm, thats a pretty high standard  to this very nebulous standard.

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The bill also adds a reference to the open records exception in another part of state statutes related to the disclosure of intelligence and investigative reports once an investigation is completed.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported when the Shively Police Department tried to argue in court that those state statutes also allowed them to withhold records, the Supreme Court ruled those statutes, KRS 17.150(2), had no bearing on whether public records can be disclosed before a criminal prosecution is completed or a determination not to prosecute has been made.

Abate said the reference in HB 520 to KRS 17.150(2) is seemingly an attempt to create a backdoor way to withhold entire investigation files.

He said its not entirely clear what the purpose of the reference is in the bill because they sprung this on us through a committee substitute.

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It would be a really terrible change that would harm transparency in a meaningful way, Abate said.

Bill advances, barely, to the Senate floor

Senators on the State and Local Government committee on both sides of the aisle were skeptical of the revamped bill, and HB 520 nearly failed to advance out of the committee.

A few Republican senators expressed hesitation about the proposed rewording of the open records law, grappling with the stated desire by proponents to protect police investigations but also maintain government transparency.

I do understand the need to protect your investigationI still struggle with the word could, in that that seems too broad to me, said Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester.

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Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, a University of Louisville law professor, echoed a concern Abate has about the bill  that it could shift the power of who gets to ultimately decide whether an open records exemption applies in a case to law enforcement agencies, not the courts.

Generally, if records are denied under the Open Records Act, those denials can be appealed to a local circuit court or the Kentucky Attorney General.

If someone makes a request for records related to an investigation and law enforcement says this would harm our investigation, there are processes for a court to review those records, Armstrong said. Help me understand how this doesnt let law enforcement or agencies enforce the Open Records Act.

J.D. Chaney, the executive director for the Kentucky League of Cities, responded to Armstrong by saying there would still be an appellate process available to those who feel theyve been erroneously denied records.

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The bill had initially failed to pass the committee after Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield and Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington joined two Democrats on the committee in opposing the bill. Elkins initially voted against but changed his vote to continue the conversation about the bill.

Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, voted in favor of the bill, citing the difficult investigations and circumstances law enforcement can deal with during sensitive investigations.

Sometimes the people that you deal with are far more of a danger to the overall administration of justice in our society than is the delay in the release of the records, McDaniel said. Were talking about a space that gets very dangerous very quickly for victims, for law enforcement officers.

Fugate on Thursday declined to comment to the Lantern about the changes made to HB 520, saying the bill could potentially change again. The bill could be voted on by the Senate on Friday and sent to the House of Representatives to either concur or reject changes made in the Senate committee.

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Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, R-Greensburg, told reporters Thursday afternoon senators would be discussing HB 520 among other bills still needing final passage.

Im aware that the vote in that committee was rather close on the legislation, but House Bill 520 did make it out, Givens said.
To the editor: Athletes do more than dribble, do more than hit or tackle ("Should the Dodgers balk at a White House invitation this year?" March 13). They are citizens who have views about their community, their state and our country. Yes, weve politicized almost everything in the past few years since Trump and his bullying, anti-immigrant, name-calling tactics became the norm, all while his followers look the other way.

I hope Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani and every other 2024 World Series champion Dodger thinks twice about having his picture taken with President Trump. They should instead think twice about saying it's OK to meet up with someone who doesnt respect or care about so many of them  or those of us who respect the Constitution, don't think most immigrants are rapists and criminals and care about helping the disabled and the poor.

Barbara Azrialy, Los Angeles

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..

To the editor: Isn't this a no-brainer? Follow the lead of Betts and other athletes of character by refusing to give Trump the photo op that would satisfy his weak ego. Send the message that his attacks on California, the American people and our allies abroad are cruel, foolish and vengeful.

Steve Slakey, Glendora

..

To the editor: I've always disagreed with boycotting the celebratory party with President Trump. These athletes have a chance to meet with the president of the United States. That doesn't happen to everyone. Go to the party. Be respectful and later pull the president aside and say, "We come from different backgrounds. Here's our issue, we need your help. Can we get you on board?" Meet the president and see what happens.

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David L. Bore, Winnetka

..

To the editor: Should the Dodgers refrain from accepting an invitation to spend time with a convicted felon who has separately been found liable of sexual abuse by a jury? The question answers itself. As Johann Wolfgang Goethe once said, Tell me with whom you associate and Ill tell you who you are.

Bill Waxman, Simi Valley

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: How on Earth did the U.S. win World War II and land astronauts on the moon without the Department of Education ("Trump guts the Education Department with massive layoffs; shock waves reach California," March 12)? Those afraid that education will suffer when that federal department is eliminated should stop and think about all that the country accomplished without it. Then they need to compare schools before that bureaucracy was created with schools now to see that they are now much worse off on every measure of learning. Anyone who cares, really cares about education, should cheer the elimination of the department.

F. Stephen Masek, Mission Viejo

..

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The policies being put forth go beyond the immediate effect on poor and disabled students. They include allowing taxes to pay for private or religious schools that tend to narrow what is being taught. Public schools were meant to be levelers, broad and small "d" democratic.

If parents can "choose" a private school with no financial burden, that will surely mean a return to segregation, already a growing problem because of charter schools. Many fought and died for civil rights in the United States, and school desegregation was a true focus point. So many of the policies being enacted and proposed are rolling back the small gains made for equality. Continuing in this direction will certainly take this country back at least to the last century.

Margo Kasdan, Seal Beach

..

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How dare President Trump attempt to just erase the Department of Education? We know he doesnt give a damn about any poor kid making it to college or even high school graduation. Just whatever the rich can do is just fine, right?

Cheryl Clark, Long Beach

..

To the editor: Maybe it makes sense to cut staff and funds to the Department of Education. Since its founding in 1979, Americans have gotten dumber and most lack any understanding of government or the U.S. Constitution. Trump's recent reelection is all the proof one needs. Perhaps with a better-educated electorate, this mistake will not happen again.

Michael Krubiner, Valley Village

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The dumbing down of America has gone too far with President Trump and [White House advisor] Elon Musk making massive cuts to education. Isnt it bad enough that this president has given carte blanche to the worlds richest billionaire to take away social programs for the needy that have sustained millions of the less fortunate over the years?

Joan Speckin, Ladera Ranch

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Progressive Democrats wasted no time eulogizing the legacy of Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a progressive lion of the lower chamber who died on Thursday at the age of 77 after a battle with lung cancer.

Huddled at the Democrats annual retreat in Northern Virginia, the melancholy lawmakers remembered Grijalva not only as a fierce champion of the environment, immigrant rights and economic justice, but also as a mentor to like-minded lawmakers who viewed him as a hero and role model.

Grijalva, said Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), was a real giant of the House and of the progressive movement  a champion of the environment and environmental justice  and he was a real mentor and friend to me.

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Casar, 35, said he knew Grijalva as a legendary figure for his fight against a controversial Arizona law, known as SB-1070, that targeted immigrants living in the country without legal status. Passed in 2010, the show-me-your-papers law required those in the country legally to carry documents proving their status or face arrest.

Later, after arriving on Capitol Hill in 2023, Casar said he relished the opportunity to talk with Grijalva about music, and dominoes and about when we were going to get real Mexican food in D.C.

Really as a young Latino in politics, there were not that many Latino progressives with a real national profile to look up to, Casar said. And hes somebody who I was just so proud to call somebody that I looked up to  and was able to serve with far too briefly.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a former CPC chair, has similar memories. She recalled a discussion with Grijalva when she was poised to replace him as a co-chair of the CPC in 2019. Grijalva had held that post for the previous decade  the longest-serving chair in CPCs history  and she knew she had big shoes to fill.

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I remember when we had the conversation about it  I was the first vice chair  he said, It is so important that we have somebody who has been fighting in the movement already. And I said, Well, were just following in your path, Raul, Jayapal said.

You never had to wonder where Rep. Grijalva was going to be on a critical vote. He was always going to be in the place of the people, and he was an incredible support to me personally, she continued. He was a champion on so many big issues. I was sleeping in church basements for SB-1070 when he was fighting as an elected official.  It is an immense loss, and my thoughts go out to his family. And I hope they know how strong his legacy will be for a very long time.

Grijalva, a son of a Mexican migrant worker, was first elected to Congress in 2002 and quickly established himself as a liberal champion of the low- and working-classes. He rose to become a co-chair of the CPC in 2009, and when Democrats won control of the House in 2019, he ascended as chair of the powerful Natural Resources Committee.

From that perch, Grijalva helped lead the Democratic charge in the battle against climate change and helped to craft the Democrats sweeping climate bill, which passed under former President Biden.

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Following Grijalvas death on Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) hailed the Arizona veteran for his long career in public service  which began long before he came to Washington  and hailed him as a progressive warrior who always fought for the least, the lost and the left behind.

He was a mentor to many and a friend to all, Jeffries said, and we will miss his principled presence and wisdom greatly in the Congress.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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PARIS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration recently announced a 25-percent tariff on imports of steel, aluminum, and certain steel and aluminum-containing products from the European Union (EU). In response, the bloc announced on Wednesday a 50-percent tariff on American whisky.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200-percent tariff on all wines, champagnes, and other alcoholic beverages from France and other EU member states unless the whisky tariff is lifted immediately.

France, one of the biggest European wine and spirits exporters, was among the first to respond. The wine and spirits sector is the country's third-largest revenue generator.

French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin warned on Thursday that France would retaliate if Washington follows through on its tariff threat. "France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners," He said on his X account, emphasizing that neither France nor the EU would give in to pressure.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine echoed the stance, saying that there would be an "immediate, firm, and appropriate" response if Washington enforces the new tariffs.

During a visit to South Africa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU is open for negotiations with the U.S. over the tariff row, but stressed that the bloc will defend its interests.

Speaking to local media on Thursday, Luka Brkic, professor at Croatia's Libertas International University, cautioned that tariffs do no good to anyone, "least of all to the country that imposes them."

On Wednesday, the Federation of French Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS) warned that the European wine and spirits sector remains highly vulnerable due to economic and geopolitical pressures.

At the European level, spiritsEUROPE, a representative body for European spirits producers, urged both sides to keep alcoholic beverages out of unrelated trade disputes.

The Irish Whisky Association also warned on Thursday that tariffs could have a severe impact on both businesses and consumers. 
ROME  Donald Trump turned geopolitics on its head this month with his determination to do business with Vladimir Putin while pouring scorn on Americas allies.

But there is one country in the world where tense competition between the United States and Russia continues apace, keeping the Cold War vibe alive with no nod to rapprochement.

Libya has just had a training visit from a USAF B-52 bomber as U.S. generals try to tempt local leaders to eject the ever increasing number of Russian troops stationed in desert bases in the country.

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The U.S. visit last month was aimed at winning over Gen. Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who runs the eastern half of the North African country and is allowing Russia to use it as a bridgehead to back regimes further south which are hostile to Washington.

Italy bristles at prospect of Russia moving ships from Syria to Libya

The February visit came after Haftar and his sons, Saddam and Khaled, paid a call to Russias close ally Belarus, a sign of ever closer ties with Moscow.

Jalel Harchaoui, an analyst at the RUSI think tank in London, said U.S. attempts to win over Haftar were being led by the Pentagon.

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The Biden administration had no real policy to peel him away from the Russians, and the Trump administration has had no time for Libya, so the Pentagon is conducting its own diplomacy here, he said.

Visitors from U.S. Africa Command who held ground targeting exercises as two B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew overhead invited military personnel from Haftars forces as well as from Eastern Libya, which is run by a separate government in Tripoli.

The two sides of the country split in 2014, three years after the ousting for former leader Muamar Ghadaffi.

Haftar tells the U.S. he would work with them but says Russia gives him air defenses and military training. The U.S. tells him it would give him more if only he would distance himself from Russia, said Harchaoui.

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After the U.S. visit, Russias deputy defense minister, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, was back in eastern Libya for another of his frequent visits.

Meanwhile at Libyas Brak al-Shati airbase, the number of Russians stationed there has risen from 300 to approximately 450 since November, said Harchaoui.

Ben Fishman, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said he was very skeptical about Haftar turning away from Russia.

Those B-52s wont change his mind, nor will attempts by the U.S. to unite the two militaries, since Haftars forces are a real mechanism while in the west local militias are more influential than the army, he said.

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Mohamed Eljarh at consultancy firm Libya Outlook was more optimistic, claiming Haftars son Saddam  who commands eastern Libyas land forces  is seeking ties with the United States.

There is a belief the Russians were playing a double game in Libya with both Haftar and Ghadaffis son, Saif Al-Islam. Saddam is leading efforts to be closer to the U.S. and visited the U.S. last year, he said, adding, The Russians are understandably concerned and want him to visit Moscow but that seems off the table for now.

If Saddam engages with the U.S., it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will reciprocate, said Umberto Profazio, an analyst at the IISS think tank.

There is no sign of the Trump administration yet, and given its unorthodox view of Russia and wish to disengage with overseas theaters, we may see the U.S. providing leeway for the Russian presence in Libya, he said.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent monitors asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Stephanie Ali did not think she and her family were being deported to Honduras in late January, until they reached their gate inside a Houston airport.

Earlier that day, she, her mother Claudia Hernandez and younger brother Jason met with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents near their home in Metairie, where they were told they were going to Houston for a hearing in immigration court, Stephanie said.

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But instead of escorting them out of the airport when they deplaned in Houston, agents walked them to another gate, according to Stephanie. The flight display said McAllen  a Texas city close to the Mexican border.

I was so scared, Stephanie said in a phone interview with Verite News from her aunts home in San Pedro Sula, a city in northwestern Honduras. Even just to think of it right now, I start to cry because its so horrible.

She said ICE agents in Louisiana had assured her family that they were not under arrest and werent being deported.

But by the following day, they were back in Honduras  the country where Stephanie was born, but barely remembered. By the time the ICE agents returned her there in January, the family had been living in the United States since she was 10, 14 years earlier.

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Jason, who was three when the family came to the United States, couldnt remember Honduras at all.

Soon after they flew into the country, the Alis travel visas expired. The family, however, remained.

For years they sought a legal way to stay in the U.S, applying for asylum on the basis that theyd been targeted by gangs. The claim was denied.

New Orleans was home for us, and they literally just took it away from us like they didnt care about us, Stephanie said.

An Ali family photo. From left: Stephanie Ali, Claudia Hernandez, Jason Ali and Julio Ali. (Photo courtesy of Ali family)

Days before the familys abrupt removal from the country, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as U.S. president. As a candidate, Trump promised to take an extremely hard line on immigration  enhanced border security, vastly expanded use of immigration detention and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

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On his first day in office, Trump signed a series of executive actions related to immigration, including one that expanded the expedited removal process, making it easier to quickly deport undocumented immigrants. After Trumps election, immigrant activists in the New Orleans metro area warned communities to brace for increased encounters with ICE.

The Ali family had been on ICEs radar, facing removal, for some time. They had a pending application for a temporary reprieve from deportation when, in mid-January, a case manager working for an ICE contractor asked them for a meeting at a nearby office, promising good news.

For months the family had been monitored through one of ICEs alternatives to detention programs, which use various technologies to track immigrants who are not detained and pose little or no security threat. The case manager said the family didnt need to be under surveillance anymore.

When they arrived ICE agents were waiting for them. Less than 36 hours later, they were in Honduras.

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While deceptive, such ruses, as they are referred to in internal agency memos and operational manuals are neither illegal nor new. But some immigrants rights advocates said they are concerned that agents will increase their use of ruses under Trump, creating chaos in immigrant communities.

Theres a huge human cost, said Jeremy Jong, an attorney at immigrant support organization Al Otro Lado. Lets say a single parent gets tricked and detained and they dont have any time to make sure people are responsible for their kids. What happens to their kids?

ICE did not respond to multiple requests from Verite News for interviews, answers to questions about methods used to arrest immigrants and about the events surrounding the Ali familys deportation.

Attorneys for the family, at Mayeaux and Associates in Baton Rouge, declined an interview request but confirmed Stephanies timeline of the events leading up to the Jan. 29 deportation.

Yall lied to us

Members of the Ali family had been facing removal since 2018, when they were denied an asylum claim that would have allowed them to remain in the country legally. They were then placed under a removal order.

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In 2023 the family applied for a temporary stay on deportation. But that application was still in process when, in October of last year, they were placed in the surveillance program, which required them to be tracked through a GPS monitoring app on their phones and to meet periodically in person with a case manager.

Hernandez, Stephanies mother, said she was nervous when they were first placed under supervision. The immigrants she knew in the program had only recently arrived in the U.S.

The Ali family had been in the country for more than a decade, moving here to escape gang violence, according to filings in the familys immigration case, which were reviewed by Verite News.

Those filings also show that in Honduras, Julio, who worked as an accountant, had become a target for extortion simply because gang members assumed he had money.

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My husband and I decided to flee for this reason, because we did not want to be killed by the gangs, Hernandez said in a sworn statement from 2023.

The Alis arrived in the United States in 2011. Here, Claudia said, she finally felt safe.

You could be free to do your things, be yourself and you dont have to hide anything, she said, speaking Spanish while Stephanie translated.

The family made a life in the New Orleans area, settling in Metairie. Julio worked in construction until his death in 2022. Hernandez said she worked as a cleaner on construction sites when the family first arrived, but switched to cleaning houses because the schedule allowed her to be home when her kids returned from school.

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The children grew accustomed to American life. Jason said he only realized his family was undocumented as an adolescent.

Stephanie, now 24, had received a life-saving open heart surgery at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans when she was 11 and later attended Grace King High School in Metairie.

The family asked for the stay of removal on the basis of Stephanies still-delicate heart condition.

Their request was still pending in mid-January, when Stephanie and Claudia were contacted by the surveillance case manager with good news.

The meeting was to be held at an office in St. Rose  about a 20-minute drive from the familys Metairie house  used by the federal contractor that manages the surveillance program. When the family arrived, they were ushered into a room with ICE agents, Stephanie said. She said one agent  a woman  said the family needed to attend a court hearing in Houston that day for an immigration judge to decide whether they would remain in the U.S. or not.

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I started to worry, Stephanie said. I was like, This is not what were here for. Yall lied to us.

Stephanie Ali, right, is pictured with her friend Melisa Escobar and Escobars daughter, Elizabeth Lilith. Before she was deported to Honduras, Stephanies last message to Escobar was, Give a kiss to Lili. (Photo courtesy of Melisa Escobar)

Stephanie said the agent assured her and her family that they were not being deported and that they were not under arrest. Still, according to Stephanie, the agents did not let them leave the office and told them they could not call their immigration attorney until they got to the Houston court.

Although New Orleans has its own immigration court, agents told the Alis that they would get a hearing faster in Houston, where there are three immigration courts, Stephanie said.

The agents took away their electronics, their jewelry and even their hair ties, Stephanie said. Before agents took her phone and turned it off, she managed to send some messages in Spanish to a friend in New Orleans, Melisa Escobar.

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I dont know if we will return or if we will get deported, Stephanie wrote on WhatsApp.

She wrote: Give a kiss to Lili, referring to Escobars three year old daughter. Then Stephanie stopped writing.

Agents had the family mark a couple of documents with their fingerprints, barely allowing a chance to read them, Stephanie said.

Stephanie said agents told her they would provide her with medication for her heart condition once they arrived in court in Houston, then placed the family into a van on its way to Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Three agents accompanied them on a flight from New Orleans to Houston, telling the family not to worry because everything would be OK, Stephanie said, adding that the agents told her they had already booked her family a flight back to New Orleans after the hearing was over. But once they arrived in Houston, she said, the agents escorted them to another gate in the airport terminal to wait for a connecting flight to McAllen.

Are we not coming back to New Orleans? Stephanie said she asked the agents. Whats going on? But they were no longer talking to her.

After arriving in McAllen, Stephanie said the family was taken to a hotel for the night. There, she said, an ICE agent visited their room and confirmed that they were being sent back to Honduras.

They lied to us from the beginning, Stephanie said. What they did was wrong.

She said the agent provided her with a 60-day supply of her medication. When she asked what would happen once it ran out, the agent indicated shed be on her own, Stephanie said.

New Orleans was home for us, and they literally just took it away from us like they didnt care about us.

 Stephanie Ali

I was devastated, Stephanie said. Its heartbreaking for a country that you see as home treating you this way.

The next day Stephanie, her mother and brother were put on a plane to San Pedro Sula, where, she said, they were finally given back their belongings and called their attorney in Louisiana.

According to Stephanie, the familys attorneys said there was nothing the family could do to change their situation, now that they were in Honduras. They would likely be banned from entering the U.S. for years as a penalty.

Stephanie called Escobar to tell her what had happened. And then, in a message, she assured her friend that shed be OK, even if she didnt quite believe it herself.

No te preocupes mi mely. Dont worry, my Mely, she said. Todo estara bien. Everything will be fine.

Theyre leaning into the tricks

Although Stephanie and her family felt blindsided by ICEs tactics, the deceptive methods that they say ICE agents used to deport them are not only legal, but also have also been encouraged for years.

A 2005 Department of Homeland Security memo provided guidance on the use of ruses in immigration, reminding agents at one point that if their ruses involve adopt[ing] the guise of a different agency, a supervisor should inform that agency of the deception. A 2010 fugitive operations handbook for ICEs enforcement and removal operations department details how ruses are designed to control the time and location of a law enforcement encounter.

The agencys use of ruses reportedly increased under the first Trump administration. And in the early months of Trumps second term, Jong, from Al Otro Lado, said he and other immigrants rights advocates have noticed an increase in incidents of agents using deception to arrest, detain and deport immigrants.

Its everywhere, Jong said. Weve been hearing from people across the country that theyre using tricks to get people to come in and get arrested.

Last month, the Gulf States Newsroom reported on a separate case of an unnamed migrant under ICE supervision in Louisiana who received a text message saying they were being placed on a reduced level of surveillance, only to be arrested at an in-person meeting. And in Florida, a Venezuelan man under supervision was arrested at a routine check-in, according to a report from NBC News.

Jong said he and fellow immigrants rights advocates have seen a range of ruses used on their clients. Immigrants rights advocates have argued that ruses  especially in order to enter a subjects home to conduct a warrantless search  can violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

They almost never have a warrant, Jong said. ICE really relies on people giving themselves up and thats why theyre leaning into the tricks.

Its just so humiliating

Stephanie said she never imagined her family would be deported. She said she feels cut off from the community shes known since she was a child. Her friends, her doctors and her fathers grave are back in the U.S.

As bad as it is for her, she said feels worse for those who have not yet been ensnared by the federal immigration system but soon may be.

People think that [they] are criminals, because they arrest them. They handcuffed their hands and their feet and everything, Stephanie said. To my Latino people, looking at them like that, its just so humiliating.

Enrollment in one of ICEs supervision programs does not shield anyone from deportation.

Jong said he fears that Trumps second term will bring increased data sharing between government agencies, which could allow ICE to target undocumented immigrants under surveillance who are applying for legal ways to stay in the U.S.

Whenever theres a Trump administration, theres always this idea of, If you apply for something, we can use that information against you, Jong said.

The new Trump administration, meanwhile, appears undeterred in making good on the presidents pledge to carry out the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history.

According to an NBC News report last week, the feds are gearing up for an operation targeting undocumented families with minor children, like the Alis. Stephanie said she worries for others who may meet the same fate as her family.

Its just something that I wish nobody could go through, she said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
A community is coming together Friday night to support four local businesses after a devastating fire.

I dont feel like this is reality, Megan Booher, owner of MB Aesthetics, said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As crews gut out the burnt remains after a fire on East High Street in Piqua, other business owners want to lend a helping hand.

So they can start back up because I know Meghan wants to start but she lost everything, Jennifer Deaton, owner of Top Shots by Jen said.

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My life flipped upside down in that moment. This week has been an emotional rollercoaster, its been very hard, Booher said. Sometimes I feel like Im feeling better but then the next I hit rock bottom again.

Deaton and other businesses planned a fundraiser at Liquid Lounge just a block from where the fire broke out.

Fundraiser organizers hope to add more money so all businesses recover.

Businesses from the Miami Valley to Kentucky will provide the activities and donate proceeds to the rebuilding fund.

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Last year, the Oklahoma Legislature eliminated the states portion of sales tax on grocery items. This 4.5% cut was estimated to save the median Oklahoma household approximately $235 a year, but citizens in our state can be forgiven if they still feel a financial pinch when they go grocery shopping.

Recent reports have listed Oklahoma in the Top 10 states with the highest cost of groceries, highest share of monthly household income spent on groceries, and the highest proportion of incomes used to purchase groceries. All these reports were published after the state eliminated its portion of the sales tax on grocery items, so what is keeping the price of groceries so much higher in our state?

Look no further than the Unfair Sales Act of 1949.

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This little-known law requires all retailers in the state to presume a proportionate part of the cost of doing business of 6% added to their costs. Essentially, this means that every business in Oklahoma is allowed to mark up the cost of their goods by 6%, meaning you are paying an artificially mandated mark up on groceries that is higher than the state sales tax was. And this law doesnt only apply to groceries. The law covers the sale of gasoline, certain medications, pet food, baby supplies, and many other items as well.

The justification for this legislation is that it claims to protect small business owners against large retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Homeland.

While this may be partially true, the economic science on protectionism is clear: the gains accrue to a small number of producers at the expense of the rest of the community. And this expense is not shared equally. While we all suffer from these higher prices, those who suffer the most from such laws are low-income households who already struggle to pay for necessary items but must pay a disproportionate share of their earnings toward this markup. The failure of protectionism is clear here. The costs are passed on to all of us while the benefits are shared by the few owners who get to reap inflated profits.

Fortunately, the Oklahoma Legislature may be prepared to provide relief to its citizens. Senator Julie Daniels (R-Bartlesville), has filed SB 638 which would eliminate the price markup requirement currently in state law. This simple change would bring a larger relief to Oklahoma households than the reduction in the states portion of the sales tax on groceries, and it would cost the state nothing, as these funds flow directly into the hands of the companies that benefit from the markup. The bill was approved by the Senate Business and Insurance Committee. Daniels bill will help decrease prices on groceries, gasoline, and other important items Oklahoma families purchase every day.

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While the House recently passed similar legislation (HB 1024), this bill would not impact the 6% markup currently required on gasoline  essentially forcing Oklahoma families to continue paying inflated prices at the gas pump.

If local communities are concerned that large retailers will undermine the ability of locally owned businesses to operate, they have a variety of policy tools they could implement to help protect their small business owners including subsidies, tax credits, campaigns to shop local, and many other forms of support. However, those local communities, and the special interest groups whose members benefit from the price mark-up requirement, should not be allowed to impose an extra cost on Oklahoma families trying to buy gas for their cars or put food on their table simply to protect business owners who want to avoid additional competition and grow their own pocketbooks.

James Davenport

Samantha Johnson

James Davenport is the associate dean for Social Sciences, the executive director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Rose State College and a professor of political science. Samantha Johnson is a lecturer in the economics department at the University of Oklahoma, where she also serves as the faculty sponsor for the student economics club.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Oklahoma groceries remain high despite tax cut | Opinion
Oklahoma firefighters have responded to a staggering number of fires on Friday caused by high wind from a historic weather system that led to fast-moving, dangerous wildfires that led to evacuations, burned homes and traffic accidents.

The wildfire threat will continue overnight and into the weekend, and the long-range forecast indicates a risk of critical fire weather through next week.

The powerful low-pressure system racing across the United States reached the central plains on Friday, bringing heavy winds gusting up to 60 to 70 mph to Oklahoma, which created a critical-to-extreme risk of wildfire, the National Weather Service said.

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The NWS has issued fire warnings for portions of Oklahoma on Friday due to wildfire conditions and weather patterns. Oklahoma residents are urged to stay aware of their surroundings and be prepared to evacuate if requested by the authorities.

Langston University evacuated, NAIA games postponed

7:55 p.m.

Langston University has been evacuated, according to Oklahoman reporter Murray Evans.

Evans was at the NAIA women's basketball tournament when officials told everyone to leave. Firefighters are battling several fast-moving wildfires in the area.

-Dale Denwalt

Dangerous fires continue across the state

6:40 p.m.

Several large and complex fires are still burning in Oklahoma, forcing residents to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to evacuate.

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Several fires near Lake Carl Blackwell, west of Stillwater, caused disruptions to travel and triggered some evacuations.

Repeated flare-ups in western Oklahoma near Camargo and Leedey also forced residents to evacuate.

In Cleveland County, areas east of Norman and around Lake Thunderbird were evacuated.

Authorities in Oklahoma City were still responding to multiple fires in the metro area Friday evening.

The threat of fires will continue overnight even though the wind is expected to die down. The wind has also caused damage to structures and power lines. Make sure your mobile device is configured to receive emergency alerts and stay clear of emergency vehicles.

Air quality across much of the state is poor to hazardous. Blowing dust and smoke have obscured roadways, leading to several injury accidents. Remain indoors if you can.

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-Dale Denwalt

Another round of dust for NW Oklahoma

6:10 p.m.

A massive cloud of dust is being blown into northwestern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.

Air quality in that part of the state is currently listed as "hazardous." Stay inside if you can.

The high winds today have pulled together one all-timer of a dust storm across our area. It's not done, either - northwest Oklahoma is seeing its lowest visibility yet as dust gets wrapped around the storm from the north. pic.twitter.com/BhdugazRaj  NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) March 14, 2025

-Dale Denwalt

Tonight's NAIA basketball tournament in Langston delayed

6:05 p.m.

The first round of the NAIA women's basketball tournament at Langston University has been delayed at least one hour. The games were scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The school's athletic director just told fans at the arena that they should shelter in place while officials determine whether it's safe to continue playing tonight.

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-Murray Evans

Evacuations continue east of Norman

5:46 p.m.

The Norman Police Department is urging residents in the following areas to evacuate immediately:

120th Ave SE to Lake Thunderbird between Rock Creek & Franklin Rd

Etowah to SH-9 between 84th Ave SE & 144th Ave SE

Full evacuation and shelter information for the area can be found here.

-Dale Denwalt

See photos, video from Oklahoma fires

5:38 p.m.

Oklahoman photographers were out in force on Friday, documenting the wildfire outbreak that hit the state. See photos and videos here:

-Dale Denwalt

Winds calming across Oklahoma, but fire risk remains

5:29 p.m.

Heavy winds have calmed somewhat across the state, but still remain high enough that the wildfire threat remains.

5:00 pm - Winds have come down slightly from their peak, but we have still seen numerous 50-60 mph wind gusts. These will continue for the next several hours before dropping toward 30-40 mph after 8 pm. Posted by US National Weather Service Norman Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, 2025

-Dale Denwalt

New fire reported near Chandler

5:19 p.m.

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Another fire has been reported northeast of Oklahoma City near Chandler.

The NWS issued a fire warning five miles north of Chandler. The blaze is moving rapidly northeast. Affected areas include Highway 18 north of Chandler, Parkland, and Kendrick.

-Dale Denwalt

New fire near Oilton, Yale

5:09 p.m.

Authorities have spotted a fire three miles west of Oilton in eastern Payne County.

The fire is moving rapidly northeast. Affected areas include rural areas southeast of Yale.

-Dale Denwalt

Authorities evacuating Highway 51 near Lake Carl Blackwell

4:59 p.m.

Oklahoman photographer Sarah Phipps is reporting that authorities have evacuated vehicles from State Highway 51 on the south side of Lake Carl Blackwell.

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Fire has jumped over the road near Meridian Road, Phipps said.

-Dale Denwalt

Flight delays, cancelations hit OKC airport

4:50 p.m.

Heavy wind and blowing dust has led to at least 25 flight delays and 20 cancelations at OKC Will Rogers International Airport.

Check your flight status before heading to the airport.

-Dale Denwalt

Fires in Pottawatomie, Cleveland Counties could lead to evacuation

4:47 p.m.

NWS issued a Fire Warning over Norman for parts of Pottawatomie and Cleveland counties.

Numerous wildfires were discovered burning at 4:37 p.m. from the east side of Moore, Lake Thunderbird, Bethel Acres and Pink. Fires are said to be moving northeast 3 to 5 mph.

The affected areas include eastern Cleveland County and west central Pottawatomie County.

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Residents in the area should be prepared to evacuate quickly if requested by local emergency management officials.

-Josh Kelly

Oklahoma Mesonet: Largest wind storm in decades

4:37 p.m.

The Oklahoma Mesonet, a network of weather monitoring stations across the state, is reporting that it has seen more severe wind gusts of at least 58 mph today than at any other time in its 30-year history.

More than 50 Mesonet sites have reported severe wind, which, on Friday, fueled dozens of large, dangerous wildfires in Oklahoma.

-Dale Denwalt

Fire warning issued for Chickasha

4:27 p.m.

Oklahoma Forestry Services have reported a wildfire southwest of Chickasha, moving in a direction toward the city.

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The fire is located two miles from Chickasha and is moving rapidly northeast. Residents in the area should be prepared to evacuate. Do not drive into smoke and follow instructions from local authorities.

-Dale Denwalt

Dust Storm working through central Oklahoma, air quality ranges to hazardous

4:22 p.m.

The National Weather Service stated a "powerful dust storm" is moving through the area. This dust will reduce visibility and be harmful to those with respiratory issues.

NWS advises those in the area to consider using mouth coverings before heading outside this evening.

4:20 pm - A powerful dust storm is moving through our area. In addition to reducing visibility, this dust could be harmful to those with respiratory issues. Consider covering your mouth before heading outside this evening.  NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) March 14, 2025

The Air Quality throughout Oklahoma ranges from moderate danger to 'Hazardous' levels in northwestern Oklahoma.

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-Josh Kelly

Edmond Police confirm fire is contained

4:09 p.m.

After battling a fire that sparked just before 3 p.m., the Edmond Police Department posted on Facebook that the fire department has been able to contain all fire.

Though the fire is contained, EFD is still on the scene and they ask that drivers still avoid the area.

-Josh Kelly

Fire reported near I-35 east of Guthrie

4:04 p.m.

A wildfire has been reported three miles east of Guthrie, moving rapidly northeast.

The fire will affect southeast Guthrie, areas along I-35 and Langston, according to the NWS. Anyone in this area should be prepared to immediately evacuate if requested.

-Dale Denwalt

Power outages affecting nearly 75,000 customers statewide

4:02 p.m.

According to Poweroutage.us, across the different utility providers in Oklahoma, a total of 74,996 customers were without power on Friday. Roger Mills County nears the highest with roughly 55% of the county without power.

This site states that Oklahoma County is also experiencing 13,430 outages currently.

-Josh Kelly

Fires that occurred throughout Friday

3:48 p.m.

This is a list of fire warnings issued by the National Weather Service and Oklahoma Forestry Services as of 3:40 p.m. These indicate dangerous wildfires where residents are being advised to prepare for an evacuation if requested:

Velma - two miles southeast

Meridian/Arcadia - three miles south of Meridian

Camargo - west of the town

Orlando - three miles east

Lake Thunderbird/Norman - several fires and a large evacuation area

Leedey - evacuated Friday afternoon

Pawhuska - five miles west

Southern Osage County - south of Skedee

-Dale Denwalt

New fire threatens Velma in southern Oklahoma

3:38 p.m.

A wildfire has been spotted two miles southwest of Velma in Stephens County. Velma is east of Duncan.

The fire is moving northeast, so residents of Velma should be prepared to evacuate if requested.

-Dale Denwalt

Fire spotted in Osage County

3:32 p.m.

Firefighters are responding to a dangerous wildfire five miles west of Pawhuska. According to the National Weather Service and Oklahoma Forestry Services, the fire is moving rapidly northeast.

The Pawhuska Airport and Pearsonia are affected. Smoke and fire will present a threat to life and property.

The Osage Nation said its offices will be closed on Friday due to high winds, power outages and wildfires.

NOTICE | Effective immediately all Osage Nation offices are closing due to high winds, power outages and wildfires. Be cautious and drive safe! Posted by Osage Nation on Friday, March 14, 2025

-Dale Denwalt

Another fire threatens western Oklahoma town

3:24 p.m.

A wildfire near Camargo in western Oklahoma's Dewey County is moving rapidly, and the NWS has issued a fire warning.

This area is north of Leedey, which was evacuated earlier today.

Anyone in this area should be prepared to evacuate immediately.

-Dale Denwalt

Fire spreading west of Stillwater

3:23 p.m.

A dangerous and fast-moving wildfire has been spotted west of Stillwater, just southeast of Lake Carl Blackwell. The fire is moving northeast with the wind.

As with any fire today, be prepared to immediately evacuate if requested by emergency personnel. Make sure your phone is configured to allow emergency alerts.

3:00 - A dangerous wildfire is just southeast of Lake Carl Blackwell and moving rapidly northeast. If you live just west of Stillwater, be ready to evacuate immediately. Posted by US National Weather Service Norman Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, 2025

-Dale Denwalt

Rose State College closing early on Friday

3:01 p.m.

After experiencing a day of high winds and high fire risk, Rose State College closed early at 3 p.m. The school said all programming would be closed by 3 p.m.

-Josh Kelly

OKC-area wildfires visible to NASA satellites

2:57 p.m.

The wildfires popping up around Oklahoma today are being noticed by specialized NASA satellites that monitor fire outbreaks.

The Fire Information for Resource Management System, also known as FIRMS, is used to highlight significant fires in real-time.

In this image, the location of fires can be seen as red splotches.

Wildfire is visible on this map provided by NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System, also known as FIRMS.

-Dale Denwalt

Water, power outages impacting Oklahoma

2:39 p.m.

Almost 33,000 OG&E customers are reporting outages throughout their system as of 2:34 p.m. The majority of outages have affected Oklahoma and Cleveland counties.

Oklahoma County is reporting 14,455 while Cleveland reports 5,786 customers affected.

According to the city's utility department map, a few water outages occurred on Friday. Since 8:30 a.m., three different outages have begun in Nichols Hills, Warr Acres and Edmond.

Based on previous reports from officials, they website's report of 446 impacted customers is an estimate and could be more or less.

Water is currently expected to be off until 5:30 p.m. at the latest.

-Josh Kelly

NWS calls for Fire Warning in Payne County

2:34 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a Fire Warning for eastern Payne County.

A dangerous wildfire was located 5 miles south of Yale, moving rapidly northeast at 3 to 5 mph. The affected area is between Cushing and Yale.

Pay attention to emergency alerts and be prepared to evacuate immediately if requested.

A dangerous wildfire has been spotted three miles southeast of Meridian. A fire warning has been issued for southeastern Logan and northwestern Lincoln Counties.

-Dale Denwalt

Downed power lines in OKC, traffic diverted

2:24 p.m.

Downed power lines have closed all lanes of Interstate 240 between Western Ave. and May Ave. in south Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is diverting traffic off of the interstate.

-Dale Denwalt

Evacuation area in Norman, Lake Thunderbird expanded

2:23 p.m.

An evacuation order has been issued for the north side of Lake Thunderbird in the vicinity of 108th and Tecumseh Road. Residents are directed to evacuate to the Little Axe Recreation Center.

-Dale Denwalt

Fire warning issued for Arcadia, Oklahoma

A fire warning has been issued for areas north and east of Arcadia. Residents should be prepared to evacuate if requested by emergency officials.

144 PM - A Fire Warning has been issued for areas near and to the north and east of Arcadia. Be prepared to evacuate if requested by local officials. Posted by US National Weather Service Norman Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, 2025

-Dale Denwalt

Evacuation ordered for southeast Norman, Lake Thunderbird area

Officials have issued an evacuation notice for areas south and east of Lake Thunderbird and Norman in rural Cleveland County due to wildfire.

The evacuation area is along and east of 108 St. to 132 St., north of Post Oak Road to State Highway 9.

Residents are being told to evacuate to the Little Axe Recreation Center or Cross Point Church.

-Dale Denwalt

Extreme winds, low visibility causing crashes, halting oversized loads

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is responding to several accidents around the state caused by extreme wind gusts. The state has also suspended any transportation of oversized loads.

Use caution when driving today, especially if you have a tall vehicle.

-Dale Denwalt

NWS: "Fire Threat Increasing Rapidly" over Oklahoma City, Dust advisory

The newest reports out of the National Weather Service Norman station report that the capital city is seeing an increase in fire threats. Several portions of Oklahoma, from Lawton to Woodward and Ponca City, have an escalated fire danger.

It is expected to expand over the next several hours to Southeastern parts of Oklahoma, including Ada.

The National Weather Service Norman says that fire danger will continue to worsen over several parts of western and central Oklahoma.

Further, the station reports that with blowing dust, visibility has lowered to one-quarter to one mile and issued a blowing dust advisory. This is in place until 9 p.m.

-Josh Kelly

Leedey, Oklahoma, advised to evacuate due to fire

Officials with the town of Leedey are advising residents to evacuate the area after the NWS issues an immediate evacuation. They are encouraging families to meet in Hammon at the Oklahoma FEMA Gymnasium for safety.

-Josh Kelly

OG&E reporting 8,000+ outages across Oklahoma

OG&E's outage map reports over 6,000 outages in Oklahoma and Cleveland counties as of 12:54 p.m.. The map updates every 10 minutes.

Oklahoma County is experiencing 5,512 outages, while Cleveland is seeing 936. The utility service reported over 8,000 outages at 12:54 p.m.

Other counties now include Blaine, Carter, Canadian, Creek, Grant, Le Flore, Lincoln, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Noble, Payne, Seminole, Sequoyah and Woods counties are also experiencing at least one customer without power.

-Josh Kelly

OG&E reporting over 2,000 outages across Oklahoma

OG&Es outage map is slowly reporting more customers without power on Friday. The outage map, which updates every 10 minutes, currently shows over 2,000 customers without power.

By county, Oklahoma County is reporting the most affected customers, with 1,443 customers experiencing an outage as of 11:54 a.m. It is unknown if these are related to the strong winds throughout the state.

Pottawatomie County is reporting 509 customers affected by four outages currently.

In addition, Muskogee, Lincoln, Creek, Seminole, Cleveland, Canadian, Carter, Blaine, Woods and Grant counties are also experiencing at least one customer without power.

If you lose your power at any point during the day, heres how you can still remain safe.

-Josh Kelly

NWS issues Fire Warning over NE Oklahoma as fires burn in NE, south

Multiple fires were actively burning in the eastern half of the state Friday, including at least one new fire that began this morning.

A fire broke out at 10:25 a.m. near Barnsdall, according to the Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Service. It's reported to be taking place over an acre of land with an undetermined cause.

The NWS issued a Fire Warning over parts of Roger Mills and Dewey counties at the request of Oklahoma Forestry Services. They discovered a "dangerous wildfire" near Angora moving rapidly northeast at 3 mph.

The state remains under a High Wind Warning from the National Weather Service until 8 p.m. tonight. Westward winds are between 40 and 50 mph, with 70 mph gusts.

-Josh Kelly

Oklahoma City Fire Department warns of high fire danger on Friday

In a post on Facebook, the Oklahoma City Fire Department told residents to be prepared for chances of high fire danger on Friday. They cite the dry vegetation, low humidity and wind gusts of 60-70 mph as factors.

"Just one spark could ignite a fast-moving wildfire," the department said.

The agency listed ways residents could stay alert and help prevent the spread of wildfires. These include securing outdoor items, properly disposing of cigarettes and having an emergency plan in place.

If you spot a fire, alert first responders by calling 911.

-Josh Kelly

Oklahoma fire map: See smoke, wildfires across state, red flag warnings

Track the latest wildfire and smoke information in Oklahoma with data that is updated frequently based on input from several incident and intelligence sources.

If you can't see the map below, please click here.

What is a high wind warning?

The National Weather Service issues a number of alerts to advise the public about high wind events.

High Wind Warning : This alert is issued for sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts that require people to take action. In these situations, make sure you have shelter from loose objects like branches or weak structures. If you are driving, keep both hands on the wheels and slow down.

High Wind Watch : Weather watches are meant to urge residents to make preparations for severe events. During a high wind watch, sustained, strong winds are possible. Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.

Wind Advisory : Although a wind advisory doesn't carry the same urgency as other alerts, it still means that strong winds are occurring. Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.

Dust Storm Warning: This secondary effect of heavy winds gets an alert when visibility of half a mile or less due to blowing dust or sand, and wind speeds of 30 miles an hour or more.

What is a red flag warning?

Red flag warnings are delivered when an area experiences a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds. According to the NWS, these three factors can increase the risk of fire.

During red flag warnings, NWS advises that the affected areas be extremely careful with open flames. They state that if you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels should be covered with a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than three-quarters of an inch.

The following is not advised during a red flag warning:

Throwing cigarettes, matches, etc., out of a moving vehicle as it may ignite the dry grass

Leaving flames unattended

Throwing live charcoal on the ground

How to prepare, respond to fires

Preparing for a wildfire is the best way to respond to one. Having an emergency plan and staying notified by news outlets and government agencies can prevent you from playing catch-up in quick-reaction moments.

But even if you havent had the time to prepare, heres how to respond to a wildfire.

Recognize warnings and alerts. Know what each alert and warning means, whether they are high wind warnings or air quality warnings.

Contact first responders. Notifying 911 will ensure that responders are on the scene as quickly as possible, reducing the spread to surrounding areas.

Listen to local authority recommendations. Local authorities will notify the public of how best to respond to the event. In the meantime, learn evacuation routes and alternates, as the roads may be filled with first responders.

How to evacuate during a wildfire

If you are outside trying to leave by road, be sure to follow the first responder's recommendation if they are present. If they are not, while always trying to leave with haste, be sure not to cause further damage or risk to those around you.

If you find yourself in a vehicle evacuating, the USDA recommends these tips while driving:

Turn on your headlights and hazard lights. This will notify other drivers of a hazard and give you more light while you drive.

Drive slowly. While the tip may indicate slow travel, it doesnt mean you should drive as slow as possible. Rather, drive as needed.

Close or block air vents . By doing so, you will block any debris or smoke from entering through the vents.

Roll up windows . Similar to the air vents, this will prevent debris and smoke from entering the vehicle.

Use recirculated air from the air conditioner. Doing so will provide clean air in the vehicle to be used as opposed any harmful air from outside.

Use dry materials to over your face and skin. Doing this will provide a natural filter for you to breathe through.

How to prevent wildfires

While severely warm weather can worsen a wildfire spread, most are the result of human behavior. In fact, nearly 85% of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by humans, according to the National Park Service.

With its wide acres, rural areas and inconsistent weather patterns, Oklahoma is prone to grass fires. Forestry and safety experts offer several guidelines for residents on how to avoid starting a fire, which can often breakout from just one wrong spark.

Avoid using welding equipment.

Never drive on a flat tire.

Extinguish cigarettes completely before properly disposing of them, and never throw them outside of a window while driving.

Avoid parking on dry grass or dragging chains behind your car.

More: How to help Oklahoma residents impacted by the fires

Closings due to weather, wildfires

Keep up with school, church and event closings using the link below.

Oklahoma City Severe Weather Closings: Schools, churches, other services

National Weather Service updates

Tweets by NWS Norman

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Live: Evacuations, power outages in Oklahoma as wind, fire persist
The death toll increased overnight from a powerful storm system that caused havoc in the middle of the country, triggering wind-driven wildfires and blinding dust storms in the Plains before spawning multiple destructive tornadoes in states like Missouri and Mississippi.

Here's what we know so far from overnight:

- Tornadoes and severe storms killed at least three people in Missouri. Two deaths were confirmed in Ozark County and one person was killed in Butler County.

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- At least three deaths from dust storm car crashes in Amarillo County in the Texas Panhandle, according to the Associated Press.

- Damage from severe storms and tornadoes in several towns in Missouri, Illinois and Mississippi.

- Winds sparked more than 100 wildfires in the central U.S.; homes and structures were destroyed in multiple fires.

Here were our updates from throughout the day on Friday:

(08:36 p.m. EDT) What Were Watching Overnight

This dangerous storm system will continue brewing in the overnight hours, as todays level 4 risk of severe weather slowly escalates to a high risk (level 5) for tomorrow. The overnight threat, stretching from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, will continue to bring devastating storms, possibly impacting the areas around St. Louis and Memphis late tonight into early tomorrow.

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The storms have potential to intensify as darkness falls, so be ready to take action quickly. Nighttime tornadoes are twice as likely to be deadly, and since this system could develop rapidly overnight, the ability to get overnight alerts will be critical. Stay vigilant and prepare to stay in your shelter through the night, as the worst of the danger could hit while youre asleep.

Dont have a storm shelter? Read our advice for what to do here.

(08:09 p.m. EDT) A Check On Radar

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A squall line called a quasi-linear convective system is swiveling through the Midwestern states of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. We just recently had our first tornado of the evening as moisture has become more conducive for thunderstorm growth. This growth should increase as Gulf moisture shoots northward through the Mississippi Valley. This means that the tornado threat should increase in Missouri, Illinois and neighboring states over the next few hours. Strong winds continue to batter the Plains and have recently arrived in parts of the Midwest.

(07:58 p.m. EDT) What To Know About Supercells

A tornado-warned supercell has been observed in Seymour, Missouri, where conditions are reaching a boiling point.

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Heres what you should know about supercells:

Supercells, the kings of thunderstorms, can last for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and spawn massive hail, destructive winds, and violent tornadoes. Their eerie "mothership" appearance and signature hook echo on radar often signal extreme weather is brewing. These storms thrive in volatile conditions with strong wind shear, making them the powerhouse behind most of the worlds deadliest tornadoes.

Read more about the four types of thunderstorms here.

(07:45 p.m. EDT) Tornado Captured On Camera In Missouri

A local meteorologist captured an image of the warned tornado outside of Springfield, Missouri.

The area looks to be transitioning slowly toward more of a tornado threat as storms begin to break apart in Southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

(07:30 p.m. EDT) Fire Weather Like This May Become More Rampant

Texas and parts of the Plains may face an unprecedented wildfire threat as fire seasons grow longer and more extreme. Changing weather and more volatile weather events (like the wind and dust storm event in the region today) are driving a massive increase in fire weather days, with parts of west Texas now seeing nearly two extra months of prime wildfire conditions compared to 50 years ago.

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Hot, dry, and windy conditions create the perfect storm for wildfires to ignite and spread at dangerous speeds, putting homes, power lines, and entire communities at risk. As flames rage across Texas, experts warn that these extreme fire conditions will only become more frequent and destructive in the years to come.

Click here to read more about which areas face the biggest wildfire threat.

(07:15 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Warning Issued

A tornado warning has just been issued near Springfield, Missouri, where radar indicated an imminent tornado threat. Its time to take cover.

Even if a tornado doesnt touch down in the area, powerful winds remain a serious threat to life and property in the region.

(06:59 p.m. EDT) Watch Wind And Dust Span Texas

The National Weather Service shared a dramatic satellite loop of the dust storm spanning Texas and Oklahoma. The video highlights the vast and intense nature of the storm, showcasing its sweeping impact on the region.

(06:45 p.m. EDT) Firefighters Vs. The Wind

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

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One thing that firefighters are going to have to battle this evening is a changing wind. The low pressure system is going to move northeastward, meaning that much of Oklahoma will see winds change from out of the southwest to out of the northwest or west-northwest. This has potential to break firelines and threaten different structures.

(06:32 p.m. EDT) Wind Events Are More Likely In Spring

Spring is the season of wild winds, especially across the West, Plains (as weve seen today), and Southeast. So whats stirring up all that air? Its all about clashing temperatures. Chilly Canadian air fights against warm, tropical air pushing north. When these high and low pressure systems get too close, air rushes between them, creating stronger winds. The bigger the pressure difference, the harder the wind blows - making spring a season of big, and sometimes dangerous gusts.

Read more about springs wind ingredients here.

(06:12 p.m. EDT) Weather Update For The Evening

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

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A bit of a double-barrelled threat is developing as we moved into the last few daytime hours. To the north, a squall line has developed with strong winds in the Midwest. This squall line should intensify as we darken the skies and a tornado threat should evolve. To the south, a shorter-lived tornado and wind threat could evolve in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee this evening before and after dark. The threat level will continue to increase overall in both areas over the next few hours.

(05:54 p.m. EDT) What Meteorologists Mean By Severe Weather

Severe weather isnt just about thunderstormsit comes in many dangerous forms, from tornadoes and hurricanes to blinding snow and deadly ice. Any weather that threatens lives and property falls into this category, including floods, lightning, and powerful winds, like weve seen today. To officially qualify as severe, a storm must produce quarter-sized hail, gusts of at least 58 mph, or pose a tornado threat (all of which are either confirmed or likely within todays storm system).

No matter the season, when severe weather strikes, staying informed and prepared can be the difference between safety and disaster.

Read more about the different severe weather qualifiers here.

(05:37 p.m. EDT) What To Know About Squall Lines

Were starting to see a squall line form in western Missouri, so its a good time to remind you why these types of thunderstorms can be dangerous.

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Squall lines are fast-moving walls of thunderstorms that can unleash destructive winds, blinding rain, and even tornadoes. Stretching for hundreds of miles but only about 10 to 20 miles wide, these storms often appear as fierce, bow-shaped formations on radar. When they last long enough and hit hard enough, they earn the name "derecho"a storm system capable of hurricane-force devastation. If you see a squall line approaching, brace for intense winds, torrential rain, and nonstop lightning.

Read about the five biggest dangers posed by squall lines here.

(05:29 p.m. EDT) Wind-Fueled Fire Prompts Evacuation In Oklahoma

A quickly-spreading wildfire, fueled by powerful winds, has forced the urgent evacuation of the entire town of Velma, in Stephens County Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is closing parts of OK-7 to keep people out of danger as flames tear through dry grass.

Fire crews are battling against the intense winds, but the situation is rapidly unfolding, and officials are urging residents to leave immediately.

(05:18 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Watch Of The Day Now In Effect

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

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The first watch area for the bullseye of todays severe weather threat has been put into effect for much of Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas. Communities in this tornado watch could see some of the worst impacts from storms into this evening, including strong tornadoes and wind gusts up to 90 mph. You should begin heading to your storm shelter or being near it if youre in this watch area. Make sure you can receive weather warnings through your phone, tv or radio this evening.

(05:08 p.m. EDT) Students At OSU Shelter In Place

Students at Oklahoma State University have been told to shelter in place as a fast-moving wildfire threatens the area near Highway 51 in Stillwater. Thick smoke is filling the air and flames are moving quickly, creating a dangerous situation just outside campus. Emergency crews are working to contain the fire as officials urge everyone to stay indoors and avoid smoke-filled streets.

(04:58 p.m. EDT) Baseball-Sized Hail Expected

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

While the threat of damaging winds and tornadoes is significant in the Mississippi Valley through tonight, NOAAs Storm Prediction Center also notes some severe thunderstorms could contain hail up to the size of baseballs. That hail whipped by wind gusts from 60 to 100 mph can smash windows of homes and vehicles. Its just another reason why you should seek shelter with any severe thunderstorm warning today and tonight as you would a tornado warning.

(04:44 p.m. EDT) Smoke Seen From Fire Near Stillwater

A dramatic video posted to social media captured massive plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky as wildfires rage along Highway 51 near Stillwater, Oklahoma. The fiery scene turned the road into a hazy landscape as the flames crept closer to oncoming traffic.

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Our meteorologists point out the combination of wind, smoke and dust have made parts of Oklahoma look like the surface of Mars:

(04:35 p.m. EDT) Strongest Gusts So Far

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

Here are the strongest wind gusts weve seen reported so far today, since before sunrise:

95 mph: San Augustin Pass, New Mexico

87 mph: Northwest of Two Buttes, Colorado

85 mph: Near Arapahoe, Colorado

83 mph: Amarillo, Texas

82 mph: Near Canyon, Texas

81 mph: Lubbock, Texas

75 mph: Frederick, Oklahoma, and Roswell, New Mexico

74 mph: Stillwater, Oklahoma

As a rule of thumb, wind gusts of 75 mph or higher are capable of downing many trees and can peel roofs off some buildings.

(04:25 p.m. EDT) Threat Moves South

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

In the newest update from NOAAs Storm Prediction Center, they increased the threat level for severe weather along the southern end of tonights threat area. The biggest change was to extend the level 4 out of 5 area southward into central Mississippi and far northern Louisiana. Lower threat levels were also extended westward in Louisiana and Texas. The main reason for this change was increased confidence that supercells will develop there this evening. These supercells are expected to produce tornadoes and they could be strong tornadoes that last a long time.

(04:20 p.m. EDT) Sting Jet Prominent On Satellite

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A sting jet is intensifying over western Oklahoma amid already terrible fire weather conditions and a dust storm. Sting jets work to locally enhance wind gusts well above winds nearby. Wind gusts have already surpassed 60 mph this afternoon and these gusts could escalate into this evening. This sting jet could make any firefights in central and eastern Oklahoma and could create new fires.

(04:11 p.m. EDT) Emergency Services In Oklahoma Overwhelmed

Dangerous winds are whipping through Kay County, Oklahoma, creating zero-visibility dust storms and sparking several fires. Emergency crews are responding to multiple crashes, including a rollover accident where a child was trapped. A fire department vehicle rushing to help was hit by another car, sending two firefighters to the hospital. With fires still spreading and crashes piling up, local EMS is running out of resources and requesting help from other counties.

(03:59 p.m. EDT) This Is All The Same Storm

This powerful and sprawling storm system is responsible for extreme weather across multiple regions, leaving a trail of destruction from the West Coast to the Midwest. In Southern California, it unleashed heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and even a rare tornado near Los Angeles, while dumping more than 30 inches of snow in the Sierra. As the system moves east, its fueling fierce winds across New Mexico and Oklahoma, triggering deadly dust storms, a wildfire outbreak from Texas up through Missouri, and hurricane-force gusts that toppled trees and trucks. As the day progresses, this same storm is shifting toward the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and South, where it is set to bring dangerous thunderstorms and a high tornado risk.

(03:46 p.m. EDT) Dangerous Fire Weather Captured On Satellite

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

This visible satellite image shows a pair of impressive features. First, the thick plumes of lofted dust from eastern New Mexico across western and northern Texas into Oklahoma and eastern Kansas. Some of those plumes are over 800 miles long.

The orange dots show areas where the satellite is detecting hot spots, likely new or existing wildfires. Satellite is a key tool for meteorologists to give local fire crews an early heads up on new fires.

(03:36 p.m. EDT) Power Cuts In Texas

Officials in Tulia, Texas are preparing to cut off the power to prevent wildfires from spreading, as the state battles fierce winds and extreme fire danger.

More than 100,000 people are already in the dark across the state, with outages spreading quickly.

(03:26 p.m. EDT) First Thunderstorm Watch Of The Afternoon Issued

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The first severe thunderstorm watch of the day has been issued for parts of Kansas and Missouri, including Kansas City, through 7 p.m. CT. Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are right for destructive wind gusts, a few tornadoes and some damaging hail.

(03:14 p.m. EDT) Latest Wind Damage Reports

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman

Heres a few of the latest wind damage reports received in the last hour by the National Weather Service:

A roof of a supermarket was peeled off in Clovis, New Mexico.

A roof was blown off a portion of an apartment complex in Lubbock, Texas.

Many powerlines were reported down throughout the Wichita, Kansas, metro area.

(03:04 p.m. EDT) One Dead In Texas Dust Storm Pileup

Local media are reporting that at least one person has died in Bovina, Texas, citing the Bovina City Manager. The victim was involved in a multi-vehicle crash that involved three semi-trucks and at least four other vehicles.

Details about any other injuries from the wreck have not yet been released.

(03:00 p.m. EDT) Why High Risk Is Such A Big Deal

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

High risks for severe weather are rare on any day, but they're even more rare when issued for the next day. This requires not just the atmosphere to cooperate 100%, but also confidence in the forecast has to be all in.

These are the days that you should be in or near your storm shelter for the duration of the event with multiple ways to receive warnings.

(02:47 p.m. EDT) Wind Shuts Down Amarillo Interstate

Extreme winds (one gust was clocked at around 85 mph) are flipping trucks and kicking up blinding dust across New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, making driving incredibly dangerous. Amarillo even shut down parts of the interstate as the threat of pileups skyrocketed.

At least one multi-vehicle crash was reported in the Texas Panhandle. Other roads have been closed due to spreading wildfires in the area.

(02:30 p.m. EDT) Why Wind Can Be The Most Dangerous Part Of A Storm

Severe thunderstorm winds are no jokethey account for 70% of all severe weather reports and can be just as destructive as a tornado. These winds can snap tree limbs, knock out power, or even send entire trees crashing through homes and cars.

In some extreme cases, thunderstorms can spawn a derecho, a long-lived windstorm with gusts over 100 mph, strong enough to cause widespread destruction. If a severe thunderstorm warning mentions damaging winds or a derecho, take cover immediatelyjust as you would for a tornado.

(02:16 p.m. EDT) What Do The Severe Weather Threat Levels Mean?

Coming on the heels of the news that tomorrows outlook has been upgraded to a rare "high risk," our meteorologists have this explainer that breaks down the different threat levels, both how youd see them on our app and how theyre worded by the Storm Prediction Center.

(02:01 p.m. EDT) Alabama Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state ahead of the severe weather expected to arrive there this weekend. Alabama is just one of the states in the Deep South facing the highest risk for severe storms on Saturday. Get our detailed forecast here.

(01:49 p.m. EDT) Saturdays Forecast Upgraded To Rare High Risk In South

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has updated their forecast for Saturday in the Deep South by adding a rare high risk severe weather threat from central Mississippi into central Alabama. Long-tracked and potentially violent tornadoes are possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

A tornado outbreak is likely on Saturday across the central Gulf Coast states and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, said the SPC in this afternoons update. Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected on Saturday afternoon and evening.

This highest threat level is only issued two to three times per year. You can see the high risk area in darkest red below. But it should be noted a much larger area from eastern Louisiana to western Georgia and northward to Tennessee also has a serious tornado and widespread wind damage threat, as shown in the other red shadings.

(01:39 p.m. EDT) Some Updates To Severe Storm Forecast

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The Storm Prediction Center has made a minor tweak to their forecast for this afternoon. They are now anticipating a slightly earlier start for the storms, likely in the neighborhood of 3-4 p.m. CDT, maybe a little earlier. This means that the level 2-4 outlooks in Missouri were nudged slightly westward.

Fridays updated severe thunderstorm forecast map is below; click here for the complete forecast.

(01:25 p.m. EDT) Brutal Winds In Texas Panhandle

70-mph wind gusts were recorded in Vega, Texas, west of Amarillo, where dust storms made it nearly impossible to see. One driver shared some scary video as he made his way through the area. He said he experienced more than 150 miles of low visibility on his drive from New Mexico.

(01:15 p.m. EDT) What's Happening Right Now

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

The severe thunderstorm outbreak hasnt begun yet, but strong low pressure is contributing to intense non-thunderstorm winds in West Texas, leading to blowing dust.

Gusts have topped 80 mph this morning in Lubbock and Amarillo, and the peak gust is 87 mph in Pine Springs.

You can see the dust in satellite imagery in this post on X from the National Weather Service.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office is investigating a Thursday night drive-by shooting in Albany, just outside the city limits.

Sheriff Jason Ard said that deputies were called to Skinner Lane just before 9 p.m. on March 13 after reports of gunfire. According to Ard, an unknown suspect or suspects fired multiple rounds toward a home from the road, striking the residence multiple times. No injuries were reported.

Investigators believe the suspects vehicle is a small white sedan. Authorities ask residents to check their security footage. If you see anything, share it with law enforcement.

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New Orleans shooting suspect arrested in Baton Rouge

Anyone with information can contact LPSO at 225-686-2241 ext. 1, submit a tip via the LPSO app, or reach out to Capital Region Crime Stoppers at 225-344-STOP (7867) for a possible cash reward.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A local business owner warns others to be on the lookout and check their bank accounts after she fell victim to scammers stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her.

Erica Lincoln owns Gymboree but was forced to cut down her staff to save some money after someone stole close to $40,000 from her business bank account last March.

Avoid tax season scams by filing early

I was on a trip to Mexico so it was a cruise ship and I didnt have access to my bank account so I wasnt able to monitor it, said Erica Lincoln, theft victim. When I got back, to make a long story short, checked my bank account and saw 50 something dollars left in my account.

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She disputed the charges with her bank for withdrawals of more than $2600 at a time until her account was empty.

How, where to see total lunar eclipse tonight on each Hawaii island

Lincoln said someone forged her signature on a bank transfer and when she called their number, it was someone foreign.

Its really crazy. I dont know how these people can do that and get away with it, said Lincoln. It seems like such an easy thing to do and its scary.

What to know about U.S.s addition to human rights watch list

When you think about the global nature of crime and how easy it is for anyone to set up shop and start with a computer in an internet cafe anywhere in the world to start trying to get access to peoples information, its something that we all have to be aware of, and it is happening all the time, said Dale Dixon, Better Business Bureau.

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Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The Better Business Bureau advises to always lock your information down and be careful who you share it with.

If someone does get a hold of sensitive information, contact your bank immediately and monitor your accounts constantly.

Lincoln said she has moved on and is only looking forward now.

One year later, she wants to warn everyone that something like this could happen to anyone and to always be safe.

I would just say hey monitor your bank account every single day and do what I do  check if first thing in the morning, check it at lunch, check it before you go to bed, said Lincoln.

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Lincoln added she started selling stuff on the side  boiled peanuts and stuff from her closet  to make some extra money.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

If you start feeling negative, youll get nowhere, said Lincoln. You know you have to stay positive and just push forward and just do what you have to do.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Weve seen 11 government shutdowns and near government shutdowns in the last 20 years; another is on the horizon.

If a resolution does not surface by Friday night, it will impact federal workers in Virginia.

If theyre not essential, then those employees get furloughed temporarily until they get some sort of continuing resolution or a full budget, Chapman Rackaway, the chair of the department of political science at Radford University, said. Its even worse for essential employees because theyre not getting paid, and they still have to work.

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There is also a $30 billion agriculture support package that could be stripped from Virginia farmers.

Theres also another $30 billion inclusion to expand rural broadband coverage.

Local expert weighs in on how close we are to a recession

One of the things that was exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic was just what a big gap there is between urban and rural places in the US, and particularly here in Virginia, when it comes to broadband access, Rackaway said. That is not something that a lot of companies want to put the money towards the infrastructure that would deliver it.

Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Morgan Griffith both want to avoid the shutdown, if possible, but differ on how to do it.

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Lets do a 30-day completely clean continuing resolution, Kaine said. Just keep spending for the next 30 days like we did the last 30 and then hammer down an anonymous appropriations bill for the rest of the year, which we are very close on.

They seem to think that we can just spend ourselves into oblivion and there would be no consequences; I disagree with that, Griffith said. I think you have to have some spending cuts, and I think we cant continue to have the federal government adding more and more people.

The longest government shutdown in United States history was 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
CHIPPEWA FALLS  An agreement to buy the former HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls has been signed by a group that is planning to construct a new hospital in Lake Hallie.

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announced Thursday it has reached a purchase agreement with Hospital Sisters Health System for the building in Chippewa Falls. The cooperative and HSHS initially signed the letter of intent in December 2024.

The Cooperatives goal is to start taking care of patients as fast as possible, using the Chippewa Falls medical building as an interim healthcare facility to provide urgently needed services while the Cooperative builds the new sustainable, future-forward hospital, the press release states.

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The deal has not yet been finalized. The cooperative has 90 days to conclude due diligence to determine if reopening the hospital is financially possible, the press release states. If its feasible, the cooperative could open its doors at the St. Josephs campus as early as winter 2025, the press release states.

We are thankful that HSHS has worked collaboratively with the Cooperative while we ironed out the details of the contract, said Robert Krause, Chair of the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative, in the press release. Weve made good progress in our due diligence process during that time and are moving forward as quickly as possible with the rest of the required due diligence now that we have full access to the facility.

HSHS announced in January 2024 that the hospital would shut down. The final day it was open was March 22, 2024, and it has been shuttered for nearly a year.

Last week, the cooperative announced local architect River Valley Associates has been awarded the assignment of designing the new state-of-the-art hospital that will be built in Lake Hallie on the west side of U.S. 53, near the Melby Street exit. The new hospital will be around 144,000 square feet and will include 48 hospital beds, including a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), emergency department, medical-surgical services, labor and delivery, critical care units, and a comprehensive cancer center. It will also offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

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The projected cost for the new hospital is $120 million, with a total project cost of $158 million, including start-up costs, substantially less than initial estimates. They have already entered into an agreement to purchase a 20-acre parcel for the hospital. So, the St. Josephs site would be temporary until the new hospital is ready.

Since we started the Cooperative, weve been singularly focused on making locally governed high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for Chippewa Valley residents here as fast as possible, Krause said.

Mike Sanders, managing director of 1100 Partners and former CEO of Monroe Clinic, who has been working with the Cooperative since it was formed, added, While the cost to modernize and make the St. Josephs facility financially feasible for the next 50 years is prohibitive, we hope the we can open it and fill a critical need in the near and short term. We believe most expenditures required to open the Chippewa Falls facility will be transferable to the new hospital and give us a leg up on operations.

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is an independently governed, locally rooted nonprofit organization committed to making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for the residents of the 18 counties in Wisconsins Chippewa Valley region.

Formed Feb. 29, 2024, the cooperative is a Wisconsin Chapter 193 cooperative and a registered 5013 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. More information at www.chippewavalleyhealthcooperative.org.
A child observes the Ramadan tradition of Gargee'an in Capital Governorate, Kuwait, March 13, 2025. From the 13th to the 15th day of the holy month of Ramadan, Kuwaitis celebrate Gargee'an, a festive tradition where children dressed in traditional attire go door-to-door to receive sweets and nuts from their neighbors while singing traditional songs. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

Children observe the Ramadan tradition of Gargee'an in Capital Governorate, Kuwait, March 13, 2025. From the 13th to the 15th day of the holy month of Ramadan, Kuwaitis celebrate Gargee'an, a festive tradition where children dressed in traditional attire go door-to-door to receive sweets and nuts from their neighbors while singing traditional songs. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

Children receive sweets as they observe the Ramadan tradition of Gargee'an in Capital Governorate, Kuwait, March 13, 2025. From the 13th to the 15th day of the holy month of Ramadan, Kuwaitis celebrate Gargee'an, a festive tradition where children dressed in traditional attire go door-to-door to receive sweets and nuts from their neighbors while singing traditional songs. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local roofing company made a local veteran very happy after he won a contest for some pretty substantial home renovation.

Read next: Rainbow trout to be stocked in this local lake

Liberty Roofing Pros, based out of Fredonia, Pennsylvania, services Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northwestern West Virginia. The team decided they wanted to give back to veterans, so they started a contest to award a veteran a free roof.

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The big winner this year was retired veteran Tim Esterly of Boardman. Esterly saw the contest on WKBN, and his daughter decided to enter him. The team from Liberty Roofing Pros showed up to surprise Tim on Veterans Day, which also happens to be a very special day for him for another reason.

I went to Fitch, I graduated 1984, went into the Air Force for 10 years, active duty. Weve been here since 1999, said Esterly. They came to our door on Veterans Day with balloons. Veterans Day is also my birthday.

Liberty Roofing Pros decided to start working on Esterlys roof on Friday morning.

A couple of years ago, we decided we wanted to start doing an annual roof giveaway for Veterans Day. This is our second one were doing, said Liberty Roofing Pros owner Abner Miller. We appreciate his service and it was also his birthday. So it was pretty awesome coming here and being able to tell him, you know, youre getting a free roof along with happy birthday.

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Miller said they couldnt think of a better way to give back to the community.

Ive always been personally appreciative of the veterans that fought and gave us the freedom we have today, he said. Thats kind of why we have the company name we do, along with the brand, the colors and stuff.

Esterly said winning the contest couldnt have come at a better time.

I am really appreciative. The roof really needed to be done, he said. Its excellent. I cant believe it.

If you know a veteran you think is deserving for next years contest, you can nominate them at LibertyRoofingPros.com.

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LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Laurel County paramedic is at the center of an FBI investigation regarding his alleged role in a dark web child sexual abuse material (CSAM) network.

The investigation reportedly dates back to September 2023, when an FBI agent identified 37-year-old Bradley Callahans IP address tied to an account subscribed to a dark web child pornography website.

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Court documents note that since creating the account, Callahan has made references to his collection, making at least 29 posts distributing or commenting on links containing CSAM involving children as young as under eight years old.

An affidavit reported the site was shut down in 2024, and the FBI began surveillance on Callahans home in March 2025.

A special agent approached Callahan on Wednesday, March 12, at Ambulance Incorporated of Laurel County, where he served as a paramedic, and agreed to accompany them for an interview. There he allegedly admitted to accessing two CSAM networks via the dark web and connecting with other users to trade material on other sites, like Instagram.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

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Court documents state that according to Callahan, the last time he accessed child pornography was around Monday, March 10, and he had CSAM saved on his laptop.

Callahan was arrested on March 12 on distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography charges.

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Strong to severe thunderstorms, bringing the potential for strong tornadoes, are expected across portions of Florida this weekend and into Monday.

"Long-track tornadoes, some EF2 or greater," are possible in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Additional hazards include small to marginally large hail and damaging wind gusts.

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

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Of special concern to forecasters is the timing, with some storms expected to reach some Florida communities during the night. Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, the National Weather Service Mobile suggested.

The storms are part of a "major multiple-day outbreak of severe weather that includes multiple strong tornadoes from the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast, Great Lakes and Atlantic coast," AccuWeather said.

National weather radar: Track storms moving across US toward Florida

Timing: See where severe weather is expected and when

According to AccuWeather, the storms moving across the U.S. are expected to impact about 1 million square miles across 30 states as it moves east Friday through Sunday:

Friday : Thunderstorms capable of producing severe weather with tornadoes are expected over the Mississippi Valley before expanding into states as far south as Texas and Louisiana and as far north as Minnesota.

Saturday: Severe weather  especially tornadoes  is expected to peak Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. "The greatest risk for tornadoes will focus from just south of Interstate 40 in Tennessee to near Interstate 10 in southeastern Louisiana and the panhandles of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Multiple tornadoes are likely on Saturday in this area, some of which may be strong and on the ground for more than just a couple of minutes."

Sunday : A risk of severe weather extending from northern Florida to New York will continue into Sunday, March 16. "Strong wind gusts and torrential downpours will be the greatest threats from the storms on Sunday as they progress from the I-81 and I-85 corridors to I-95."

Monday: Some heavy, gusty thunderstorms may occur on the tail end of a strong cold front in South Florida and the Keys on Monday, March 17.

Weather alerts issued in Florida

Tornadoes, hail, damaging wind in Florida's weekend forecast

The greatest threat for Florida residents with the storms is in the Panhandle and North Florida, although some storms are possible later in the weekend and extending into Monday for the rest of the state.

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Here's what to expect and when:

Long-track tornadoes, EF2 or greater, possible for Florida Panhandle, Pensacola

Showers and thunderstorms with possibility of isolated tornadoes could start Friday night in the western Florida Panhandle "prior to significant event on Saturday ... several long-track tornadoes, some of which could be EF2+ in intensity" are possible Saturday, along with the potential for large hail and damaging winds.

 NWS says 'strong' tornadoes possible as severe storms move toward Florida this weekend

"Strong, long-track tornadoes and winds up to 70 mph" are possible. "Expect multiple waves of severe storms" to move through the area late Saturday afternoon and overnight, according to the National Weather Service Mobile.

Strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts possible for Tallahassee, Florida

Severe weather is forecast for Tallahassee March 15, 2025.

A moderate  level 4 or 5  risk for severe weather Saturday evening into Sunday morning has expanded east into our forecast area, the National Weather Service Tallahassee said.

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"A significant severe weather event is likely, including higher probabilities for significant severe weather, including strong EF2+ tornadoes and 70+mph damaging wind gusts."

"Most concerning at this time is the potential for strong nighttime tornadoes (EF2+)," the National Weather Service said.

 Tornadoes, heavy rain possible with 'potent' weekend storm system in Tallahassee

Some areas could see wind gusts as high as 40 to 45 mph before storms arrive late Saturday night.

"While Southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle have higher potential for severe weather than areas farther east, all of our Florida Panhandle, western and central Big Bend (including Tallahassee), and southwest Georgia counties have the potential for strong and potentially long-track tornadoes overnight Saturday night into Sunday morning."

Isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts possible for Jacksonville, Northeast Florida

Damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are possible as storms move through Northeast Florida March 16, 2025.

There's a slight risk of severe thunderstorms in Northeast Florida as a squall line of strong to severe thunderstorms moves through the area on Sunday," according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.

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"Storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes." Damaging wind gusts of 45 to 65 mph, along with heavy downpours and small to marginally large hail are possible.

Severe storms with threat of tornadoes expected along Florida's west coast

Severe storms are possible for portions of the Nature Coast March 16 into March 17, 2025.

Severe storms are possible Sunday night into Monday for the Nature Coast through the Tampa Bay area, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.

Primary hazards include possible tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, lightning and heavy rainfall.

A few storms possible along east coast, South Florida toward end of weekend, Monday

Less severe weather is expected the farther south you go down the Florida peninsula. Here's what to expect where you live:

East central Florida: "An approaching cold front will bring the chance for lightning storms Sunday evening through Monday morning. A couple of storms have the potential to become strong to severe through Sunday night." There's a moderate risk for rip currents.

South Florida: A few isolated thunderstorms could develop Sunday night into Monday as a cold front pushes through the area.

Track storms as they move across Florida

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida weather forecast: Tornadoes, hail, strong winds all possible
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) A Longview man was sentenced to 100 years in prison after being found guilty for multiple counts of sexual abuse to a child.

Mugshot of Justin Eugene Howard, courtesy of Gregg County District Attorneys Office

Tyler man sentenced to life for murdering person at birthday party

According to the Gregg County District Attorneys Office, on Thursday Justin Eugene Howard was sentenced to 80 years for aggravated sexual assault of a child to run consecutively with a 20 year sentence for sexual assault of a child followed by 10 years of probation for indecency with a child by sexual contact.

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Officials said that Howards convictions come from his continuous sexual abuse of a girl that began back in 2008, when the child was 6-years-old and it continued through 2020. The testimony at trial showed that Howard committed several sexual offenses against the child from 2008 to 2020.

Because of the level of control his heinous acts had on the child, she did not report his crimes immediately but was able to bravely come forward once she became an adult and courageously spoke out, the DAs office said. The survivor gave emotional impact statements following sentencing.

More than 30 people sentenced for Angelina County meth trafficking ring

The DAs office said they would like to thank the Longview Police Department Detective Debra Stiles for her work in the case since verdicts like this wouldnt be possible without her time and effort.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  In November 2019, a mysterious pneumonia appeared in Wuhan, China. The strange virus then appeared in Thailand, followed by Taiwan. By March 1, 2020, the first case was confirmed in New York City.

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic 10 days later, and the United States soon went on what we thought was going to be a temporary, two-week lockdown.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already confirmed nearly 1,700 case in the U.S. Ten days later, the caseload jumped to 40,000 and the numbers kept climbing.

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By that time, the virus was already in Horry County. Conway Medical Center had its first COVID-19 patient on March 17. Hospital staff quickly realized how much they didnt know about the virus.

Dr. Paul Richardson remembers scrambling to follow shifting guidelines for testing, treatment, and protection. These changes in protocol led some people to distrust science, but Richardson said that learning curve was part of the process.

Thats part of the way we do learn, he said. Thats just the way science works.

Healthcare workers converted hospital hallways into isolation chambers for COVID-19 patients. They built intubation boxes to prevent transmission and constructed makeshift M.A.S.H. units for triage, testing, and treatment.

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The hospital implemented a universal masking policy and closed the main entrance. In many cases, iPads were the only way patients could see their loved ones.

Another challenge to frontline workers was being exposed to the virus without bringing it home to their families. They were also exposed to people who didnt believe COVID-19 was dangerous.

I witnessed it, Richardson said. I was an eyewitness to what happened. I will absolutely 100% testify, COVID exists. It existed very much.

Indeed, the Horry County Coroners Office said theres no disputing a dramatic spike in the countys mortality rate. The numbers went up drastically from the year before to 2020.

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Chief Deputy Tamara Willard remembers not having the necessary equipment.

We had a really hard time getting protective gear, body bags, things of that nature, Willard said. They also struggled to find storage space to accommodate those who had passed.

Staying home to stop the spread brought its own set of problems, like isolation, depression, and anxiety. For some, the fear of the virus was too much.

We did have a few suicides from people that were so afraid of COVID, Willard said. They would rather end their life than worry about when, and if, and how, and we did have some suicide notes that were reflective of that.

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In the end, there were more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 across the state. In Horry County, 1,159 people were lost to the virus. Thanks to President Trumps Operation Warp-speed in 2020 and President Bidens vaccine rollout in 2021, the deadly airborne virus that spread across the world was mitigated.

Despite the many conspiracy theories, Richardson said it was science that saved us.

The bottom line is, if we want to stop the spread of disease, we use vaccination, Richardson said.

Looking back, he reflects on the frontline workers, who he calls superheroes.

It didnt start here at the hospital, it didnt stop for them, and there was no escape for these folks yet they came in every day and did a magnificent job to take care of our community and the folks in it, Richardson said. So I just cant say enough good things about people in this building.

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In December 2020, Dr. Stephen Brady became the first person in South Carolina to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Over the next three months, Conway Medical Center administered more than 30,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

In May of 2023, the World Health Organization declared the end of the pandemic.

The CDC says 64% of the U.S. population is now fully vaccinated and protected from the virus.

* * *

Morning anchor Alexis King is a South Carolina native with 20-plus years of experience in the news industry. She began her on-air career doing the ski report in Aspen, Colorado, and has been a producer, reporter, and anchor in television markets across the country. Most recently, she worked at our sister station in Savannah, Georgia. You can read more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Mar. 14My favorite part of "The Princess Bride" is when Vizzini, a sly criminal mastermind who is not that sly nor much of a mastermind, responds over and over to events with a shout of "Inconceivable!"

The swordsman Inigo Montoya  brilliantly played by Mandy Patinkin  eventually looks at his boss quizzically.

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

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The line runs through my head frequently these days. It's usually when I hear the word "fraud."

The simple definition of fraud is a deception for personal or financial gain. The legal definition, per Black's Law Dictionary, is a scheme "to get an advantage over another by false suggestions or suppression of the truth."

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk claim to have found an absolute avalanche of fraud. When asked for examples, press secretary Karoline Leavitt points to things such as contracts for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and climate change.

In his joint session speech last week, Trump mentioned a foreign aid program for male circumcision in Mozambique. Musk made the United States Agency for International Development one of his earliest targets because he called the non-governmental organizations frequently contracted "one of the biggest sources of fraud in the world."

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It doesn't matter if the programs were legally contracted or even if they were authorized by Congress, the branch of government that decides what America is paying to do and why. They are simply stamped with the scarlet letter F.

It seems that anything one doesn't like can now be called a fraud. Musk described Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. If so, it's a Ponzi scheme that is the only thing keeping many seniors from starving to death. It's a legally constituted program that millions of Americans have paid into for generations. It doesn't matter. It is now tarred as fraudulent.

Let's be clear. I believe fraud happens in our government. Take the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program, in which boatloads of money were taken, often by people who had no paychecks to protect. The Small Business Administration's inspector general said in 2023 that about 70,000 of the loans made under it were possibly fraudulent.

I believe these things have happened under both parties. I believe it has happened in a bipartisan fashion. I believe it has probably been committed in some way since the ink was still wet on the Constitution. In fact, one of George Washington's cronies, second to Alexander Hamilton, was one of our first insider traders.

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But that doesn't mean everything the government does represents fraud.

When we apply the word to programs that are simply not in keeping with the current administration's goals, it devalues the government's broader authority. It means what the government says today means nothing tomorrow. It means signing a document with the government has no lasting bonds between parties.

And it makes people look like a foolish, overpuffed huckster in a kids' movie, continually using a word without understanding its meaning.

Lori Falce is the Tribune-Review community engagement editor and an opinion columnist. For more than 30 years, she has covered Pennsylvania politics, Penn State, crime and communities. She joined the Trib in 2018. She can be reached at lfalce@triblive.com.
MADISON, Miss. (WJTV)  Residents in the Town of Lost Rabbit in Madison County are fighting to preserve a neighborhood green space.

Last month, members of the Lost Rabbit HOA met with the Shoreline Development Committee of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. They urged the panel to reject any development proposals for the greenspace.

Lost Rabbit residents fight to keep green space

Some developers hope to build four single-family homes in the area that neighbors call Shoreline Park.

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We felt good coming in. The attorney said a lot of things about what has happened in the past. We know what they said moving forward, that all this land was green space, and they presented it in print advertising, media advertising, and this is how theyre selling it. And based on where you live, the closer you get to the water, the more expensive the land. And they sold it based on that, that wed always had this green space. So, you devalue the land and everyones property by taking that away, said Thomas Carrigan, who lives in the Town of Lost Rabbit.

Residents started a GoFundMe to raise about $13,000 for legal support. However, the committee did reject the proposal for the development.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  An individual from Louisiana was indicted Wednesday for an attack that happened outside of a Smithsonian museum in January.

The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) for D.C. said in a news release that 52-year-old Kelly Williams of New Orleans is facing charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, aggravated assault while armed and other offenses.

Rat infestation at Cleveland Park apartment complex prompts safety concerns

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The USAO said that Williams followed a tourist from New Zealand who was walking past the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Williams pulled the victim to the ground and started to punch the victim in the face before pulling out a knife and repeatedly trying to cut the victims neck.

During the attack, Williams stabbed the victim in the face, causing a serious wound requiring roughly 40 stitches, the USAOs release said.

According to USAO evidence, Williams didnt stop the attack until other bystanders intervened.

Williams arraignment is scheduled for March 27.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
PARIS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Louisiana man is accused of traveling to Logan County to sexually abuse a child, according to court documents.

Christopher Palmer, 19 (Courtesy: Logan County Sheriffs Office)

Christopher Palmer, 19, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on March 7 for sexual indecency with a child and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.

A probable cause affidavit from Arkansas said on Sept. 13, 2024, said Palmer traveled from Jonesville, La., to Paris, Ark. to meet with a teenager he spoke with over Snapchat.

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WATCH: Former Fort Smith officers filmed hazing colleagues

A jury trial was scheduled for Mar. 10, however, no further updates have been filed.

This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

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A lawmaker has filed a bill that could thwart a process underway to challenge the firing of five chief public defenders. (Getty Images)

Five local public defenders say the state official who oversees their offices violated their right to free speech when he fired them from their positions. They are asking the Louisianas State Public Defender Oversight Board to intervene in the coming layoffs.

I believe my pending termination is an act of retaliation against me for the exercise of my 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech, Brett Brunson, who has run the Nachitoches Parish public defenders office since 2007, wrote Wednesday in a letter to the oversight board.

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Remy Starns, who has been state public defender since 2020, sent notices to the five local public defender chiefs at the end of February informing them their employment contracts would not be renewed in July.



Starns and the districts chief public defenders have had several standoffs in the past two years over their compensation. The attorneys have fought off Starns plans to cut their pay and to pressure them into opening private law practices alongside running their local public defender offices.

Louisianas 37 chief public defenders hire and manage lawyers who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford their own attorneys.

More than a dozen of the chiefs testified in opposition to Starns plans for public defense during state legislative hearings and public defender board meetings over the past year. The five who stand to lose their jobs have been among the most vocal about their objections.



They include Brunson, Michelle AndrePont in Caddo Parish, Deirdre Fuller in Rapides Parish, Trisha Ward of Evangeline Parish and John Hogue, who works in Tensas, Madison and East Carroll parishes.

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Fuller is the president and AndrePont the secretary of the Public Defender Association of Louisiana, which represents hundreds of attorneys who provide criminal public defense.

The five district defenders say their firings are in retaliation for speaking against Starns proposals publicly. They are asking the oversight board to grant them each a hearing and investigation into their removal.



Since no cause is stated for my termination, and none exists, I contend this action by the State Public Defender was not taken in good faith and was without just cause, Ward wrote in her letter sent Thursday.

Starnes declined to comment on why he was letting the district defenders go when approached by a reporter after a legislative hearing Monday. He could not be reached by phone Thursday for comment about the challenge to the terminations.

But the chief public defenders have fewer options for fighting off the terminations than they did just a year ago. With the backing of Gov. Jeff Landry, Starns passed a new law in 2024 that weakened the state public defender board and strengthened his own power over chief public defender contracts.

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Starns had been in a dispute with the previous state public defender board over chief public defender salaries a few months before the law was approved to dissolve it. The defunct boards members overruled him in 2023 and put in place a standardized compensation plan for chief public defenders that gave Starns less control over their pay.

Though not as powerful, the new public defender oversight board has also backed the standardized compensation plan created by the old board over Starns objections.

Last year, the new board, made up mostly of Landry appointees, voted twice to keep chief public defender pay level even after Starns had suggested it should be reworked. He wanted to cut some chiefs salaries and raise others.

After the oversight board voted against his pay proposal for a second time, Starns told its members he didnt think they had the authority to block him from putting it into effect.

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Public defenders represent nearly every criminal defendant in Louisiana. In fiscal year 2022-23, 88% of people charged with crimes relied on a public defender, according to a state public defender financial report. Collectively, they had approximately 142,000 clients that year.

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TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A member of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) has been killed during a training exercise in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, the GSDF said Friday.

At around 6:45 p.m. local time Thursday during a training exercise in the Matsumoto Garrison, a machine gun weighing approximately 7 kg fell from a GSDF member on top of a 15-meter-tall training tower and hit another member, who was controlling training on the ground, in the left chest.

The 41-year-old male was taken to the hospital where he received treatment but died about two and a half hours later.

The GSDF member on top of the tower had been connected to the one-meter-long machine gun with a string, but it is believed that the string became loose for some reason.

The GSDF has set up an accident investigation committee to investigate the details of the incident. 
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Several Republican lawmakers will be in the Lowcountry on Friday to participate in a roundtable discussion on tax policy in South Carolina.

Hosted by the South Carolina chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP-SC), the roundtable is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel on International Boulevard in North Charleston.

Legislators are expected to discuss ongoing efforts at the State House to implement tax reform, with a specific focus on phasing out the state income tax.

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With the highest income tax rate in the southeast, we expect our local lawmakers to address the ways our state can flatten the tax code and get on path to being income tax free, said AFP-SC State Director Matt Humm. Were excited to lead the conversation on allowing South Carolinians to keep more of what they earn and hear ideas to generate new investments to bolster our communities.

SC Senate plans to discuss law enforcement car chase bill

The event comes just days after the House passed its $14 billion spending plan that lowers the states top income tax rate from 6.2% to 6%, an initial step in delivering on leaderships promise of historic reform.

The hardline Freedom Caucus pushed for an even bigger reduction in the income tax rate  down to 5%  during the nearly 20 hours of debate, which they said could be accomplished by cutting $1 billion from the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, the Associated Press reported.

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This is not just a trim. This is a fundamental reshaping of the way we think about government just as President Trump has proven in Washington, said Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley).

Pace introduced two bills this session that deal with the individual income tax: one would eliminate it entirely, and the other would eliminate tax on the first $1 million of income. Neither has advanced through the House Ways and Means Committee.

On the Senate side, Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R-Spartanburg) introduced a measure that would take the income tax rate down to 3.5% and exempt corporations from paying income tax. That bill currently resides in the Finance Committee.

Pace is expected to attend Fridays roundtable alongside Reps. Mark Smith and Mark Teeple, and Sen. Tom Fernandez. Humm and Charleston County GOP Chairman Andrew Boucher are also slated to participate.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  LSU Health Shreveport medical students awarded the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana a check for $10,000 toward the Thrivers Program to support healthy habits for cancer survivors.

According to a press release, Thrivers is a 12-week program at the YMCA where survivors attend 2 fitness classes/week with instructors specialized in working with cancer survivors. They have free access to the YMCA during the program, and access to discounted membership rates upon completing it.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the Thrivers group, said YMCA of Northwest Louisiana Thrivers Coordinator Mary Simpson. Guiding cancer survivors on their wellness journey is a privilege. As a cancer survivor, I was supported by the YMCA during my treatment and recovery. I am overjoyed that we can share that same support with the Thrivers.

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Shreve Memorial Librarys teen programs for International Ideas Month

According to Dr. Richard Mansour, Interim Director of Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, the Thrivers Program at the YMCA is a testament to the power of community and support for cancer survivors.

We are immensely grateful for the generous gift from the LSU Health Shreveport medical students, said Mansour. This partnership with Ochsner LSU Health ShreveportFeist-Weiller Cancer Center is a beacon of hope, providing essential resources and a sense of belonging for those on their journey to recovery from cancer.

According to the release, this partnership is supported by LSUHS Cancer Walking Group student interest group and their annual fundraiser, the Cancer Survivorship Walkathon. In 2022, inspired by the stories of cancer survivors and moved to make a difference in the local community, LSUHS medical students formed the Cancer Walking Group and Survivor Saturdays  a weekly walking group including the students, survivors, and supporters at Betty Virginia Park.

Cancer Survivorship Walkathon in April of 2024

The release added that in June of 2022, Cancer Walking Group students joined forces with OLHS Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and the LSUHS Foundation to hold the first-ever Cancer Survivorship Walkathon to celebrate survivors, those in treatment, and a community of supporters in North Louisiana while raising funds for survivorship programs at Feist-Weiller.

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Its incredibly rewarding to see our efforts make a tangible difference in the lives of cancer survivors, said MS3 and Co-President of the Cancer Walking Group Amanda Ragland. The

Thrivers Program is more than just a partnership; its a community of support and hope. Were

honored to contribute to such a meaningful cause and to witness the resilience and strength of

these survivors.

This years Cancer Survivorship Walkathon will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 9 a.m. at Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Ave in Shreveport. Participants will walk at least one mile to honor survivors and those receiving treatment. Food stations, a health educational fair, and more will be available following the walk.

For more information and to register, visit runreg.com/walkathon.

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Two months into the 89th Texas legislative session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a second slate of priority bills he hopes the Senate will approve this session as lawmakers in the upper chamber continue to pass bills at a "breakneck pace."

Patrick, the three-term Republican who presides over the state Senate, announced the first 25 of his top 40 priorities in late January, with many of those bills buttressing the conservative culture-war agenda the lieutenant governor has championed alongside Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens during the debate of SB 2, the school voucher bill, at the Capitol Wednesday February 5, 2025.

Ten of Patrick's 40 priorities have already passed out of the Senate, including three items on his new list released Thursday. Six of those bills had not yet been filed. Patrick said he hopes all 40 of them will head to the House by mid-April for consideration.

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"We are moving rapidly to ensure all these bills, which reflect the will of the conservative majority of Texans, have ample time to pass the Texas House and arrive at Gov. Abbotts desk to be signed into law," Patrick said in a statement. "This session has started out with a hopeful working relationship with Speaker (Dustin) Burrows. Working together with the House, this could be the best session ever for all Texans and especially for conservatives."

Which priority bills have already passed the Texas Senate?

By Thursday, the Senate had already passed a smattering of priority bills, including its version of a school voucher proposal, which proponents call "school choice." Senate Bill 2 would provide up to $11,500 in public money annually to students to attend a private school. The Senate passed the measure largely along party lines in early February. The House is now considering in committee its version of a voucher bill.

More: House committee members clash over details of proposed Texas school voucher bill

The Senate has also passed a teacher pay bill, a bail reform package, an increase to the property tax homestead exemption, and a ban on lottery courier services. The chamber has also voted to outlaw AI-generated child sexual abuse material, advanced legislation to "make Texas healthy again" and taken steps to establish a dementia research center and a state Bitcoin reserve.

What are Patrick's new priorities?

Patrick's second round of priority bills include a teacher pay bill that would give educators a raise of up to $10,000 and boost funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which is meant to reward high-performing teachers. SB 26 passed unanimously late last month.

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The Senate has also passed a proposed ban on lottery courier services, which act as a physical proxy for a lotto player who buys a ticket online. The practice has recently been thrust into the spotlight after a courier sold the winning ticket for an $83.5 million jackpot in February, drawing scrutiny from Patrick who has pointed to a longstanding Texas law that bans lottery sales via telephone.

More: Here's why the Austin store that sold $83.5M Lotto winning ticket is under investigation

Winners Corner is a lotto courier in North Austin Monday February 24, 2025.

The lieutenant governor's priority list also includes legislation that have not yet been filed, including a proposal for business tax relief and a pair of apparently abortion-related bills. SB 31 is dubbed the "Life of the Mother Act" and could be related to calls from Abbott and Republican leaders to clarify the state's wide-ranging abortion ban to protect mothers at risk of death.

Dan Patrick's priority bills

Here's the list of Patrick's top 40 priority bills, including those previously announced, with the short description provided by the lieutenant governor's office.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Legislature: Dan Patrick releases top 40 Senate priorities
Hundreds of people filed into the Fellowship Chapel on Detroit's west side Friday to pay their respects to Luther Keith, a pioneering Black journalist, activist and bluesman.

Keith, a born and raised Detroiter from an iconic civil rights family, was known for both good words and good deeds. His blues weren't bad either. Eventually.

Dozens of people gather to pay their respects to trailblazing journalist Luther Keith during his funeral service inside Fellowship Chapel in Detroit on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Keith died unexpectedly on March 5, just hours after finishing a gig at Baker's Keyboard Lounge. He was 74.

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Elected leaders from the city, county and state level were among those who came, bearing proclamations in his honor.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist read a state tribute to Keith, noting how many lives he touched through his writing and other forms of advocacy.

"I consider myself one of those lives," Gilchrist said. "As a young man, when I got a chance to meet him through his brother, (Wayne County Probate) Judge Terrence Keith, he always encouraged me to try to be as multifaceted as he was. He encouraged young people ... to use all of the creativity and courage that God gave them to make their community better and thus the world better."

Keith was born in Detroit in 1950 and came of age during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He was the nephew of federal Judge Damon Keith, known for numerous civil rights decisions on discrimination, warrantless wiretapping and secret deportation hearings.

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Those experiences powered Keith's journalism and his activism throughout his life.

His newspaper career began on the loading dock of The Detroit News, where he loaded and unloaded papers. When he graduated from the University of Detroit in 1972, he got a job inside as a reporter in a newsroom that was overwhelmingly white.

He would go on to a series of firsts. Keith was the first Black sportswriter at a major daily newspaper in Detroit, the first Black Lansing correspondent, the first Black editor at The News and the first Black person to have his name appear on the paper's masthead.

Trailblazing Detroit journalist, musician Luther Keith dies at 74: 'An incredible loss'

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Luther Keith died this week. He was my best friend. | Opinion

Keith recognized the need for more diversity in journalism and he helped found the Journalism Institute for Minorities at Wayne State University in the 1980s. It recruited aspiring journalists of color to the program, offering them scholarships, internships, mentorship and a shot at full-time jobs upon graduation.

Several of the students who studied under that program were acknowledged at the funeral, including Detroit Free Press Executive Editor James G. Hill, former Detroit News reporter and current Free Press columnist Darren Nichols and longtime radio reporter Vicki Thomas, who now works for Mayor Mike Duggan.

Thomas said Keith was her adviser in the 1980s and helped her get her start in the business. Like Keith himself, she went on to a career that would earn her a spot in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

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"If there's a takeaway, I think, from Luther's life, it would probably be that Luther lived life out on the skinny branches," she said. "He was not holding on to the heavy trunk, he was out on those branches, fearless, chasing his dreams, fulfilling his dreams. He mastered everything he touched."

One of those was blues music, a passion he developed midlife. Several speakers cracked that Keith struggled to learn it and his singing was not great when he started out. But he was persistent and eventually got better, playing at clubs across the city and beyond under his stage name Badman.

Keith's daughter Erin Keith said she took many lessons from her father's life.

"The first thing that my father bequeathed me was his legacy of hustle," she said.

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When she was a child of 8 or 9, she said, he would bring her to his blues gigs and have her work the crowd selling CDs of his music.

"He would say, 'See that little girl with the pigtails right there? That's my daughter and you know, I gotta keep her in private school, so make sure you buy a CD,' " she said.

She eventually recruited her friends to help because her father gave them a 10% commission on everything they sold. She also noted how many people spoke of his role as a mentor to young people, something she tried to emulate.

"He was always holding the door open for someone else and so the question I would ask today is, 'who are you helping get ahead of you?' " she said. "Because that's how you honor his legacy."

Pallbearers carry the coffin of the late Luther Keith, outside the Fellowship Chapel in Detroit on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Keith left journalism in 2005 to found ARISE Detroit!, a nonprofit that helps volunteers tackle neighborhood issues like crime, drugs, illiteracy and unemployment. Through that work, Keith came to know people in every corner of the city.

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The Rev. Wendell Anthony, longtime president of the Detroit NAACP, said Keith's presence in the news media allowed him to lift voices of everyday Detroiters who were often overlooked in news coverage.

"He wrote and covered stuff that they didn't write and cover and gave another perspective," he said.

Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: jwisely

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Luther Keith remembered for his good words and good deeds
French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that Russia must accept the US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

Source: Macron on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: On Friday 14 March, Macron said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the "progress made possible by the meeting between the US and Ukraine on Tuesday [11 March  ed.] in Jeddah."

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Quote: "Now Russia must accept the US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Russian aggression in Ukraine must stop. The abuses must stop. The delays in statements must also stop."

Details: Macron also noted that a meeting took place in Paris on 11 March, attended by around 40 army chiefs of staff.

On 15 March, Macron declared that he will keep working to strengthen support for Ukraine and achieve long-term peace in a videoconference with Starmer, Zelenskyy and other partners.

Background:

On 13 March, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, neither rejecting it outright nor accepting it, but suggesting that Moscow might set its own conditions.

US President Donald Trump said Putin had made a promising statement but insisted it was incomplete. He also said that if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, it would be "a very disappointing moment for the world".

On 14 March, the Group of Seven (G7) nations announced their readiness to impose further sanctions on Russia and strengthen support for Ukraine if Moscow refuses to accept a ceasefire.

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About a week into his second term as president, Donald Trump announced a plan that he seemed rather excited about. Reversing several years worth of progress, the Republican began a process that would detain tens of thousands of migrants at the U.S. military camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Republican assured the public that the facility would detain the worst criminal illegal aliens, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted soon after that Guantanamo Bay was a perfect place for migrants.

In hindsight, perhaps perfect wasnt an ideal choice of words. The Washington Post reported:

The Trump administration has removed all the migrants who were being held at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba and flown them back to the United States, a Defense Department official said Wednesday. The 40 men have been transported to Louisiana, where there is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alexandria. It comes two weeks after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent another group of 48 migrants back to the same city from Guantanamo.

The article dovetailed with a related report from The Wall Street Journal that noted there are still hundreds of U.S. troops guarding an empty and unused tent city, although theyll soon be redeployed. The Journal added, The operation has so far cost at least $16 million, according to lawmakers who recently toured the naval base.

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There are several recent examples of the Trump administration reversing course and abandoning controversial ideas, but in nearly all of those instances, those reversals came in response to court rulings, political pressure, embarrassing news coverage or some combination thereof.

The collapse of Trumps Guantanamo Bay policy, however, is qualitatively different: The administration is backing down, not because of a judge or public backlash, but because its own officials grudgingly acknowledged the unavoidable fact that the misguided policy was a poorly thought-out disaster.

As NBC News reported last week, [A]s agencies spar over responsibility for operations [at the base] and over blame for what has gone wrong, there is a growing recognition within the administration that it was a political decision that is just not working. The report added:

Among the major issues, especially as the Trump administration works to slash spending throughout the government, is the cost. Taking detained immigrants to Guantanamo means flying them there, and the administration has sometimes chosen to use military planes that are expensive to operate. On Tuesday of last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was on hand at Guantanamo when a military C-130 carrying nine immigrants landed at the base. The Defense Department calculates the cost per flight hour to operate a C-130 at $20,756, so for a trip of five to six hours, it cost the Pentagon $207,000 to $249,000 round trip, or $23,000 to $27,000 per detainee.

There is no reason to spend American taxpayer money so ridiculously. I realize that the camera-ready trips made for a few dramatic segments on Fox News, but there was no substantive or security need for these incredibly expensive flights.

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The entire policy was mired in bureaucratic and logistical challenges from the outset, which was probably inevitable given that the entire idea apparently stemmed from one of Trumps hollow impulses and subjected to no serious governing analysis.

This isnt the White Houses only fiasco, but when drawing up a list of head-shaking debacles, be sure to keep Guantanamo Bay near the top.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* Its done: Senate Republicans teamed up with a small band of Democrats on Friday to advance a stopgap funding bill, clearing the path for a final vote to avert a government shutdown. The bill cleared a key procedural hurdle on a 62-38 vote, with 10 Democrats joining all but one Republican in voting in favor. Sixty votes were needed to overcome a filibuster.

* Does Rubio know the White House has already said there is a trade war? Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied the U.S. was in a trade war Friday as he wrapped up his trip to a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies. Theres not a trade war, Rubio said.

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* Two closely watched cases: Two judges ordered federal agencies on Thursday to reinstate tens of thousands of workers with probationary status who had been fired across 19 agencies as part of President Trumps government-gutting initiative.

* Two days in a job is an exceedingly short tenure: The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) chief counsel resigned two days after her appointment, according to a Thursday announcement from the agency. Hilary K. Perkins has resigned from her position as Chief Counsel of FDA, effectively immediately, the FDA wrote in a post on the social platform X.

* Grijalvas passing: Longtime Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., a leading progressive voice on the environment and climate change, died Thursday from complications of his cancer treatment, his office announced in a statement. He was 77.

* A provocative decision from a NATO member: Portugal is getting cold feet about replacing its U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of Donald Trump  in one of the first examples of the U.S. president undermining a potential lucrative arms deal.

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* Noted without comment: It was supposed to be a moment of celebration: Vice President JD Vance was attending a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Thursday evening for the first time since President Trumps stunning takeover of the institution. Instead, as Mr. Vance took his seat in the box tier with the second lady, Usha Vance, loud boos broke out in the auditorium, lasting roughly 30 seconds, according to audience members and a video posted on social media.

Have a safe weekend.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
By any fair measure, Pete Hegseths new career as secretary of defense got off to a rough start. In the weeks immediately following his confirmation, the former Fox News host faced heckling and protests from military families at U.S. European Command headquarters; he made public comments that even Republicans panned as a rookie mistake; and he inexplicably brought a right-wing influencer and conspiracy theorist with him on an overseas trip.

But as the Republican settles in at the Pentagon, conditions are clearly getting worse, not better.

In the wake of his early stumbles, Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations and information operations against Russia. And made indefensible hires. And derailed the Defense Departments efforts to take the climate crisis seriously. And shuttered the Office of Net Assessment, the Pentagons internal think tank for the last half-century that focused on long-term security threats.

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But perhaps most important of all, Hegseth fired several key officials, including the top lawyers for the Army, Navy and Air Force. The removal of three judge advocates general sent shockwaves through the military community and triggered a stunning New York Times op-ed from Frank Kendall, the former secretary of the Air Force.

Our country is in uncharted territory, Kendall wrote. We have an administration that is waging war against the rule of law. The evidence is everywhere. We dont yet know how far it will go as it seeks to control, reinterpret, rewrite, ignore or defy legal constraints, including the Constitution itself. The replacement of the military JAG leadership is one skirmish in that war, but its time for the American people, across the political spectrum, to recognize what is happening. America has a rogue president and a rogue administration, and we need to acknowledge that and respond.

A couple of weeks after that piece was published, Hegseth began the process of replacing the JAG  and he started by hiring his own personal lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, as a Navy commander in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps.

If Parlatores name sounds at all familiar, its probably because he had another very high-profile client: Parlatore was part of Donald Trumps legal defense team after the president was charged with multiple felonies in the classified documents/Mar-a-Lago scandal.

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But as Jason Dempsey wrote for The Atlantic, thats not what makes Hegseths decision notable.

[Parlatores appointment] reflects not just the norm-breaking approach that Hegseth is bringing to the job, but an odious philosophy of warfare. Like his new boss at the Pentagon, Parlatore has a pattern of providing support to soldiers accused of grave misconduct, even war crimes. He notably represented Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL court-martialed on charges including the murder of a captured fighter (though he was found guilty only of one, lesser charge), along with a second SEAL accused of serious sexual offenses. Elevating a lawyer with this record does not bode well for the armed services Hegseth hopes to build.

The Guardian reported the controversial Pentagon chief is expected in the coming weeks to start a sweeping overhaul of the judge advocate generals corps as part of an effort to make the US military less restricted by the laws of armed conflict.

The report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, added that the changes are poised to have implications across the military, as Hegseths office considers changes to the interpretation of the US rules of engagement on the battlefield to the way that charges are brought under the military justice system.

Its worth emphasizing for context that Hegseth suggested in one of his books that the U.S. military should disregard international human rights treaties, including the Geneva Conventions. In the same book  published just last year  he derided judge advocates general as jagoffs and, as the Times David French recently noted, blamed them for restrictive rules of engagement and for war crimes prosecutions of American service members.

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Fifty Senate Republicans voted to confirm Hegseth. With each new decision by the secretary, the scope and scale of those senators consequential misjudgment comes into sharper focus.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas appeared on CNN earlier this week and had nothing but positive things to say about Elon Musk and the quasi-governmental Department of Government Efficiency. I think its good for us to have this dialogue, the GOP congressman said. DOGE is very popular in my district.

A day earlier, The Associated Press reported that Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, expressed great optimism about the 2026 election cycle  because, the North Carolinian said, The cuts pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency are resonating with voters.

Theres a whole lot of evidence to the contrary. Consider the latest national poll from Quinnipiac University, which included a summary of public attitudes about Donald Trumps biggest campaign donor and his radical DOGE endeavor.

Sixty percent of voters disapprove of the way Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, are dealing with workers employed by the federal government, while 36 percent approve. ... Fifty-four percent of voters think Elon Musk and DOGE are hurting the country, while 40 percent think they are helping the country.

The day before the Quinnipiac data was released, a national CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that Americans attitudes toward Musk are largely negative.

Just 35% of Americans express a positive view of Musk, with 53% rating him negatively. ... Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say that Musk has neither the right experience nor the right judgment to make changes to the way the government works. There is uneasiness about Musk even among some of the presidents supporters: 28% of those who see Trumps changes to the government as necessary doubt the tech billionaire has the judgment to carry them out.

This comes on the heels of a Washington Post/Ipsos poll that found the billionaire Republican megadonor with a 34% approval rating. (For more information on the surveys methodologies and margins of error, click on any of the above links.)

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The obvious response to results like these is that public attitudes toward Musk are of limited relevance. He is not an elected official; his name will probably never appear on a ballot; and he need not worry about re-election. Perhaps, the argument goes, he has the luxury of indifference when it comes to the prevailing political winds.

The closer one looks, however, the harder it is to believe this argument. Even putting aside the likelihood that Musks popularity (or lack thereof) will affect his business empire and its stockholders, the more politically salient point is that Republicans interests have suddenly become intertwined with the DOGE initiative  which necessarily means that as his public standing sinks, Musk is likely to drag his GOP allies down with him.

All of which brings us back to the NRCC chair, who apparently believes the cuts pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency are resonating with voters. My follow-up questions for Hudson are simple:

Are you sure? Are you willing to bet your partys near-future on those assumptions?

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
NEW YORK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Johns Hopkins University (JHU) announced Thursday that it has begun laying off more than 2,000 workers worldwide after 800 million U.S. dollars in funding were cut by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump.

This marked the largest layoff in the history of the leading scientific research university, affecting 247 domestic workers and an additional 1,975 positions across 44 countries.

"The largest layoffs in the university's history," JHU said, will affect its medical and public health schools, programs and a nonprofit organization.

"This is a difficult day for our entire community," the university said in a statement.

The Baltimore-based university is also the largest private employer in Maryland and appears to be among the hardest-hit research institutions by the federal cuts.

Thursday's layoffs follow the Trump administration's push to reshape the federal government, including major cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

This week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83 percent of USAID's programs will be canceled, with the remainder folded into the State Department.

The university also filed a lawsuit in February against another federal institution, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is also cutting funding for "indirect" costs, including facilities and laboratory maintenance.

JHU is the largest recipient of NIH funding. If the cuts proceed, it will lose 200 million dollars per year, according to court filings. The NIH has also paused funding to JHU and other institutions.

The Trump administration has recently also revoked 400 million dollars in funding from another institution, Columbia University.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen institutions in the United States have reportedly announced limits on hiring for faculty and staff positions, among other measures, in the last two weeks. 
Throughout Donald Trumps first term, the president had an odd habit of arguing that the European Union came together as part of an anti-American initiative. The Republican never explained why he believed this or how he even arrived at such a conclusion, but he peddled the false claim quite a bit.

As his second term unfolds, hes picking up where he left off.

A couple of weeks ago, for example, at the first White House Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump declared that the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. The president added, I mean, look, lets be honest. The European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. Thats the purpose of it.

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His use of the lets be honest phrase suggested Trump perceived his comments as candid, but he clearly had no idea what he was talking about. In fact, soon after, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who ran the European Council during Trumps first term, stepped up to explain reality, though that message apparently didnt make its way to the Oval Office.

On the contrary, in a social media message this week, the American president wrote that the European Union was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States. An hour later, the Republican echoed the sentiment, condemning the polluted thinking of the European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of screwing the United States of America.

The historical record on this is unambiguous. Kevin Kruse, a historian at Princeton University, wrote a piece responding to Trumps rhetoric and explained that the presidents characterization is 100% backwards.

At every stage of its creation and evolution, the European Union was designed to facilitate American foreign policy goals and to protect American interests from the pressures of the Soviet Union. Its origins and evolution were, in fact, closely tied to the greatest foreign policy initiative of the post-World War II era  the Marshall Plan. ... At every step of the way, the European Union was understood  by Americans and by everyone else  as a measure that was promoted and perfected with the full support of the United States of America.

This support was bipartisan and enduring  at least until Trump came along.

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With this in mind, Kruse described the presidents claim as deeply stupid.

The question then becomes who put this absurdity in Trumps head in the first place. I wont pretend to know the answer, though there can be no doubt that seeing an American repeatedly and publicly rebuke the European Union is exactly what Russias Vladimir Putin wants.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As the details of Mahmoud Khalils arrest by U.S. immigration agents first emerged this week, attorneys I spoke with were so astonished that they wondered if the government had made a mistake. President Donald Trump and other administration officials had been threatening to punish protesters by taking away student visas, but Khalil was a legal permanent resident with a U.S.-citizen spouse. The Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student hadnt been charged with a crime.

It turns out Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified a second individual to be deported, and included that person alongside Khalil in a March 7 letter to the Department of Homeland Security. Both were identified in the letter as legal permanent residents, The Atlantic has learned.

Rubios letter notified DHS that he had revoked both targets visas, setting in motion plans for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and attempt to deport them, according to a senior DHS official and another U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe how the operation against Khalil took shape.

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In addition to the two names in Rubios initial letter, the State Department has also sent the names of one or two more students whose visas it has revoked, according to the DHS official, who described the first group of names as an opening move, with more to come.

The officials did not disclose the name of the second green-card holder, and did not know whether the person is a current or former Columbia student, or had been singled out for some other reason. The person has not been arrested yet, the U.S. official said.

Khalil, 30, a graduate student who became a prominent leader of campus demonstrations against the war in Gaza last spring, was taken into custody one day after Rubio sent the letter to DHS. The circumstances of his arrest and detention have set off alarms about the Trump administrations willingness to test First Amendment protections and wield its power over noncitizens in order to intimidate protesters.

Trump has said on social media that Khalils is the first arrest of many to come.

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The ICE agents who arrested Khalil on March 8 were from the agencys Homeland Security Investigations division, which typically handles counternarcotics, counterterrorism, and other transnational crimes, rather than civil immigration enforcement. Khalils attorney did not respond to inquiries today.

[Read: ICE isnt delivering the mass deportation Trump wants]

A copy of the charging document ICE filedpublished yesterday by The Washington Postsuggests that the governments formal allegations against Khalil were drafted in haste.

The document, called a Notice to Appear, identifies Khalil as a citizen of Algeria who was born in Syria. It states that he was admitted to the United States at unknown place on or about unknown date, even though DHS is the federal entity in possession of visa holders entry data.

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The document then appears to make a significant error, according to Andrew Rankin, a Memphis immigration attorney who has been following Khalils case.

It states that Khalil became a legal permanent resident under a specific statute in immigration law, which is true, but refers to the wrong one. The document was written very unprofessionally, Rankin told me. When DHS realizes what theyve done, theyll be begging the judge to let them correct it.

Although the State Department has broad latitude to revoke a foreign students visa and DHS can deport them, someone with legal permanent residencya green-card holderhas to be stripped of that status by an immigration judge before they can be deported.

That routinely happens when a green-card holder commits a serious crime. But Khalil has not been charged with a crime. Trump-administration officials are trying to remove him using an extraordinary and seldom-cited authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the secretary of state to personally determine that an immigrants presence in the United States has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

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[Jonathan Chait: Anti-Semitism is just a pretext]

Troy Edgar, who was confirmed earlier this week as DHS deputy secretary, struggled to explain that rationale during a contentious NPR interview broadcast this morning. When Edgar claimed that Khalil had engaged in anti-Semitic political activities in support of Hamas, the NPR host Michel Martin pressed Edgar to say what specific laws hed broken or whether he had engaged in pro-Hamas propaganda.

As Edgar grew flustered, he told Martin she could see it on TV.

Weve invited and allowed the student to come into the country, and he put himself in the middle of the process of basically pro-Palestinian activity, Edgar said.

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Martin asked if protest activity constitutes a deportable offense. Edgar didnt answer.

At Columbia, Khalil was one of the protest movements most prominent figures. Administration officials say his criticism of Israel fueled anti-Semitism on campus and aligned with the violent radicalism of terrorists. But their case for his deportation rests with the rarely tested authorities of the secretary of state to expel someone based on U.S. foreign-policy interests.

Immigration attorneys tracking the case say the administration is looking to test the boundaries of U.S. immigration law and speech protections. The First Amendment does not protect speech that incites violence, Rankin noted. Trump officials, including Rubio, claim that Khalil and other protesters threatened and intimidated Jewish students, but have not cited specific acts.

There are kids at these schools that cant go to class, Rubio told reporters this week, referring to Jewish students, many of whom had faced harassment. You pay all this money to these high-priced schools that are supposed to be of great esteem, and you cant even go to class.

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If you told us thats what you intended to do when you came to America, we would have never let you in, he added. If you do it once you get in, were going to revoke it and kick you out.

The day after Khalils arrest, the government whisked him to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. His attorneys said they were unable to speak privately with him for several days.

If U.S. immigration courts side against Khalil and declare him deportable, he could file an appeal. If he loses, his attorneys could ask a U.S. district court in Louisiana to stop his deportation. Because he is in Louisiana, his case would fall under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has a reputation as the nations most conservative appeals court. Two DHS officials said the government moved him to Louisiana to seek the most favorable venue for its arguments.

[Adam Serwer: Mahmoud Khalils detention is a trial run]

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Ira Kurzban, a Miami immigration lawyer and the author of a widely used legal sourcebook, said the governments claims against Khalil have no recent comparison, and would likely be precedent-setting. This is a test case, he said.

Khalils lawyers are trying to get him returned to New York. A district-court judge in New York has barred the government from deporting Khalil until his case is resolved, but the judge has not ordered the administration to return him to New York. Khalil is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Louisiana on March 27.

In a filing Thursday night, Khalils attorneys told the district court in New York that their client was being punished for engaging in legally protected protest activity. The Trump administration has made no secret of its opposition to those protests and has repeatedly threatened to weaponize immigration law to punish noncitizens who have participated, his attorneys said, asking the court to bring Khalil back from Louisiana, order his release, and block the governments case.

Trump-administration officials view the moves targeting foreign students as part of their wider immigration-enforcement crackdown. Trump is planning to invoke executive authorities, including a wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, as soon as tomorrow, according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss internal plans.

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Trump has grown frustrated that the pace of deportations has lagged behind what he promised on the campaign trail, and he has urged DHS officials to accelerate their efforts, the official said. The official also said the president may try to use the 18th-century law to target specific groups, including suspected members of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that the administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization.

Trump previewed that move while he signed executive orders in the Oval Office on Inauguration Day. The White House official cautioned that the timing was fluid and that the administration may not publicize it in advance, because it is convinced that press leaks have hindered previous deportation operations.

Jonathan Lemire contributed reporting.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Mahmoud Khalil and other Columbia University students are suing the university and a Republican-led House committee to block thousands of student records from getting into the hands of members of Congress investigating pro-Palestine protests on college campuses.

Khalil, a prominent student organizer, is currently detained in Louisiana and being processed for deportation after his shock arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

He is a lawful permanent resident with a green card and has not been charged or accused of committing any crimes, but Donald Trump and federal law enforcement officials have labelled him a threat to national security who should be forced out of the country for pro-Hamas activities.

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Last month, the Republican-led House Committee on Education and Workforce demanded Columbia produce student disciplinary records surrounding campus demonstrations and warned the school it would lose federal funding if it didnt comply.

In a lawsuit filed in New York on Thursday, lawyers for Khalil and other student plaintiffs argue the committees letter is clearly intended to chill students First Amendment rights by exposing the students to negative publicity and investigation, pervasive and persistent harassment, doxing, and threats to their safety and lives.

Mahmoud Khalil was a prominent organizer with pro-Palestine demonstrations on Columbia Universitys campus (REUTERS)

They argue that Republicans are jawboning, in which government officials turn to bullying institutions and organizations to do their work for them when they have run out of options.

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the university announced students involved with the occupation of a campus building last fall now face multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions.

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The Independent has requested comment from the university and the committee.

Columbia Universitys apparent willingness to comply with the Congressional request to disclose private student records sets a dangerous precedent that undermines academic freedom and student privacy, Khalils attorney Amy Greer of the firm Dratel & Lewis wrote in a statement. Our lawsuit seeks to protect the constitutional rights of students who should not be subjected to political intimidation or invasive government overreach. We will continue to fight for the privacy and dignity of all students.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators protested U.S. support for Israels war in Gaza in long-running campus protests at Columbia University in New York (AFP via Getty Images)

The lawsuit  which is supported by the Council on American Islamic Relations  takes aim at the committees letter on antisemitic harassment and intimidation, which attorneys wrongfully conflates First Amendment-protected protests against Israels war in Gaza in an attempt to make instrumentalized accusations of antisemitism to attack ideas it ideologically opposes.

As with all other forms of hatred and discrimination, antisemitism is unacceptable and should be confronted. The urgency of this issue is not disputed here. However, the records demanded by the committee are not substantially related to antisemitism, they wrote.

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The committee trafficks in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic dog whistles to justify unjustifiable intrusions on First Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit.

The Trump administration has already stripped $400 million from the university, part of what the plaintiffs see as a part of the administrations attempts to chill and punish protected speech and protest activity, lawyers added.

Plaintiffs said the records the committee seeks contain demographic, academic, and financial information, and at most, personally identifying information, student group affiliations and associations, and related private information that could be and have been used to harass, make threats against, and dox the individuals whose records are turned over to the committee, and whose personal privacy and safety would be jeopardized by the committee's politically charged investigation.

Lawyers for Khalil are asking a judge to move him back to New York as they continue a legal challenge for his release, which has sparked international outcry and concerns over threats to First Amendment-protected dissent. Government lawyers have asked a judge to either dismiss the challenge or move the case to Louisiana.
President Donald Trump weaponize[d] immigration law against a Columbia University grad student protestor facing deportation, a new court filing alleges.

In an amended habeas petition, detained Columbia student activist Mahmoud Khalil accused President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio of abusing the power of the federal government to send a political message.

Per Khalils attorneys, the Trump administration engaged in targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protestor because of his constitutionally protected speech.

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Neither Secretary Rubio nor any other government official has alleged that Mr. Khalil has committed any crime or, indeed, broken any law whatsoever, the petition claimed, noting that Rubios determination alone triggered his arrest.

Khalil was arrested last weekend by Department of Homeland Security officers who initially told him his student visa was revoked. When Khalil presented his green card, they told him that, too, had been revoked, without so much as a hearing.

Khalil alleges that his arresting officers never showed him a warrant when they arrested him in the lobby of the Columbia University-owned student housing he lived in

After an initial petition was filed, Khalil was moved by authorities to Louisiana  a state within the more conservative and Trump-friendly Fifth Circuit Court  in what his attorneys called blatant retaliation and punishment for Mr. Khalils protected speech. Ahead of the amended petition, a judge put the Trump administrations attempt to deport Khalil on pause on Wednesday.

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The Trump administration has taken an unusual interest in Khalils removal, the filing alleges, with Khalil claiming that the White House requested an update from agents while he was in detention. The president made it clear earlier this week that many more student activists would face arrest or deportation, too, for pro-Palestinian speech.

At least one other Columbia student, Leqaa Kordia, was arrested for overstaying a visa this week after participating in the Gaza solidarity encampments, DHS announced Friday.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Every ticket was sold Thursday for an event in Youngstown honoring a man and his organization that has done so much for the area.

Youngstown CityScape awarded Bill Lawson and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society with this years Sweet Grass Roots Award.

Since becoming executive director in 1991, Lawson has expanded from the societys offices on Wick Avenue to opening the Tyler History Center, where the event took place, and the soon-to-be-opened addition in the former IBM building on East Federal Street.

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Were very happy to host this event but also for all the love and honor that were getting out of it too for the Historical Society, which were coming up on our 150th anniversary and again we have been very much engaged in downtown and the university district and this is very sweet for us, said Lawson.

Lawson was presented with a commissioned art piece by artist Daniel Rauschenbach depicting the three buildings owned and operated by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

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Mar. 13AUGUSTA  The Maine Senate killed a $121 million supplemental budget bill Thursday after Republicans refused to drop their demand that permanent MaineCare reforms be included in the emergency funding measure.

The impasse means lawmakers will likely have to negotiate a new bill to balance the state's budget over the next three months. It also means Maine hospitals and other medical providers will not be fully reimbursed for medical care to MaineCare patients until a new deal is reached.

The Senate began a final debate late Thursday morning after weeks of negotiations ended with the abrupt collapse late Tuesday of a compromise bill that was initially endorsed in both the House of Representatives and Senate.

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Most Senate Republicans voted against the legislation when it came up for final enactment, resulting in the Senate failing to secure the two-thirds approval needed to pass the bill as an emergency measure.

After a sometimes tense debate and a series of motions to try and salvage the bill on Thursday, senators failed to break the deadlock, leaving the Senate at odds with the House and resulting in the bill being declared dead.

Leaders from both parties said the outcome was disappointing and they are trying to figure out next steps, while Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who put forward the original bill, blamed Senate Republicans for sinking the budget and harming MaineCare providers.

"The refusal of Senate Republicans to support the bipartisan agreement on the supplemental budget is harmful for Maine health care providers and their patients," Mills said in a written statement Thursday.

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"Providers have said loudly, and clearly, that this stalemate is endangering their finances and will impact care for vulnerable people all around our state. Yet instead of paying hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers what they are owed, Senate Republicans have put them at even greater risk."

NO AGREEMENT DURING DEBATE

Republicans have continued to call for reforms to MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, and told Democrats on the floor Thursday that they want to see changes to the program to ensure its future sustainability before they will vote for the budget. They have specifically called for enrollment limits for "able-bodied" childless adults as well as a requirement for work, education or community service.

"I'm incredibly frustrated," Assistant Senate Minority Leader Matthew Harrington, R-Sanford, said after the bill was killed. "Going back over a month, we've laid out plenty of opportunities for (Democrats) to come to the table and they flat out told us no, they weren't able to do anything on MaineCare. And that's where we are."

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Democrats on Thursday were encouraging Republicans to reconsider Tuesday's decision to vote down the proposal and support an amendment they had initially approved. They have also said that debate on MaineCare reforms is better suited to discussions around the two-year budget and not the supplemental budget, which lawmakers are under pressure to pass quickly.

"The question before us is simple," Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, said during the Senate floor debate. "Will we fulfill our responsibility to provide critical health care services and make sure we prevent a devastating infestation of spruce budworm in the most forested state in the nation? Or are we going to let nursing homes, clinics and the timber industry suffer from our inaction?"

Nearly all of the $121 million supplemental budget is dedicated to closing a $118 million deficit in MaineCare costs through June, the end of the current fiscal year. Another $2 million is proposed to fight spruce budworm infestations threatening Maine forests.

Some Republicans, including Harrington, called for separating the two issues and making the spruce budworm funding a separate bill if the MaineCare debate is going to continue. "A standalone bill could easily be brought forward and we could provide funding for that immediately," Harrington said, adding that his caucus is prepared to submit such a bill.

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The compromise amendment that received initial support in both chambers Tuesday included new limits on housing assistance, a requirement for an independent audit to look "for fraud, waste and abuse" in the MaineCare program and cost-of-living pay increases for direct care workers, which all stem from priorities Republicans had pushed for.

Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, who was one of just two Republican senators who supported the bill with the amendment earlier in the week, tried to keep the bill alive Thursday with a motion that included forming a committee to try and find common ground. After the proceedings, however, he said lawmakers will likely need a new bill.

"I tried every move I could think of to put the bill in a position where people could take a breather and have a chance with each other," Bennett said. "I think there's a lot of common feeling, but we're apparently past that point and people are pretty dug in."

Tuesday's final Senate vote on the measure was just two votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to pass on an emergency basis and take effect immediately, so Democrats were hoping to persuade two additional Republicans to support the bill.

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Republicans argued that they were making the stand in part because they had been shut out of the budget-building process in the past when Democrats used their majority to adopt two-year budgets on partly-line votes.

Sen. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, said during the course of debate that he planned to vote in favor of the bill after being absent Tuesday, but he wanted a commitment from Democratic leaders that Republicans would be able to help shape the two-year budget that lawmakers will vote on in the coming months.

No Democratic leaders responded to Bickford's request on the floor, though some Democratic senators did, and he ultimately did not vote in support of the bill.

WHAT'S NEXT?

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Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, said after the proceedings that she was unable to answer Bickford's question while she was presiding over the Senate.

"I am always going to keep working towards that (two-thirds support of the two-year budget), but we are going to have to get creative to make sure the lights don't turn off before the end of the year," Daughtry said.

The Maine Constitution requires the governor to submit and lawmakers to pass a balanced budget, which often requires the Legislature to approve updates when actual revenues and expenses don't align with projections. In this case, the supplemental budget before lawmakers would have closed a deficit in the current two-year budget ending June 30.

Lawmakers are also working on another two-year budget in which the current Legislature can set its spending priorities. That's usually where bigger policy debates take place and enacted.

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The supplemental budget bill that was killed Tuesday could be revived with a vote of two-thirds support in both chambers, though it is unlikely after lawmakers already failed to get two-thirds support on it. Lawmakers could also take up a brand new bill.

"We're at a place where we weren't able to get over this threshold and every single day we've been delaying, there are financial concerns," Daughtry said. "So we need to get creative and find a way to deliver for Mainers."

HOSPITALS: HEALTH CARE IS AT RISK

Failure to pass the legislation on an emergency basis means the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has had to start reducing MaineCare payments owed to health care providers.

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On Wednesday, the department began paying only 70% of prospective interim payments to critical access hospitals, while withholding payments for all hospital claims greater than $50,000 and payments to large retail pharmacies, large durable medical equipment providers, and out-of-state providers of hospital, ambulance, pharmacy and durable medical equipment services.

Critical access hospitals are smaller, isolated, rural community hospitals designated by the federal government to receive higher reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid, while prospective interim payments provide a steady source of revenue based on anticipated MaineCare reimbursements so that facilities can pay fixed expenses throughout the year.

The department is also temporarily withholding payment for multistate chain, large health system, and out-of-state retail pharmacies.

Jeffrey Austin, vice president of government affairs and communications for the Maine Hospital Association, said he was "very disappointed" by the Senate vote.

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"We have members who cannot handle this challenge," Austin said. " Hospitals will continue to do our job. We're frustrated the Legislature didn't do its job."

Dr. Jeffrey Barkin, a past president of the Maine Medical Association, said the Senate's failure to pass an emergency supplemental budget will have "profound" impacts that would lead to a reduction of health care services not only for MaineCare patients, but for everyone.

"I don't view this as a partisan issue  I view this as a health and safety issue," Barkin said. "This is really scary."

Barkin said hospitals are struggling financially and most don't have enough cash on hand to last much more than a month, let alone until September, which is when funding could become available if Democrats pass the budget without two-thirds support needed to qualify as an emergency. He said providers are already making contingency plans to leave the state.

"It's incomprehensible to me how members of any party would put us in a position where the average Mainer has to fear that the health care for themselves, their children or their families is at risk," he said. "And if the (emergency) supplemental doesn't pass, it is."

Barkin agrees that lawmakers need to discuss ways to make MaineCare more sustainable, but risking the stability of medical providers is not the way to do it.

"Right now (reform) not the issue. The issue right now is not to destroy the whole system," he said. "The time to discuss the color of an umbrella is not in the middle of a hurricane. And that's where we are right now."

Staff Writer Randy Billings contributed to this report.

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Some 56% of Americans believe that U.S. President Donald Trump is "too closely aligned" with Russia amid shifting U.S. foreign policy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on March 13 found.

A total of 40% of respondents disagreed with the statement, the poll showed, while 4% chose not to answer.

Since taking office, Trump has distanced the U.S. from its traditional role as Ukraines primary supporter, instead questioning Kyivs commitment to peace and implying that Ukraine shares blame for the ongoing war.

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Those agreeing with the statement were split heavily along partisan lines, with 89% of Democrats and just 27% of Republicans agreeing that Trump is "too closely aligned" with Russia.

Trumps recent stance on Ukraine, including his public rebuke of President Volodymyr Zelensky and short-lived halt on U.S. military aid to Kyiv, has drawn praise from Russian officials while raising concerns among European allies.

His administrations position has prompted Russian officials to express optimism about a potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on March 3 that "the new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations," calling the shift a positive development that "largely aligns" with Moscow's interests.

Since taking office Trump has called for Ukraine to sign a mineral resource deal with the United States. The deal was derailed after a spat between Zelensky, Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Feb. 28.

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Despite the complexities of the deal, a plurality of Americans, or 44%, said they support Trump's plan of "conditioning U.S. military support for Ukraine on the U.S. getting a share of Ukraine's mineral wealth."

The poll was conducted online among 1,422 U.S. adults between March 11-12 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia needs war, Zelensky says in response to Putins preconditions for ceasefire









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MALAKOFF, Texas (KETK)  Malakoff Independent School District held a special board meeting Wednesday as the Board of Trustees named Dr. PJ Winters as lone finalist for superintendent.

Womens History Month: How The Headless Librarian offers welcoming space for East Texas book lovers

Winters brings over 20 years of experience in education including as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and associate professor at East Texas Baptist University. He has worked at various East Texas schools including Jefferson ISD, Big Sandy ISD and Marshall ISD.

Courtesy of Malakoff ISD

Winters became a principal at Big Sandy High School in 2010 before returning to Jefferson ISD, where he was also a principal for two and a half years. Afterwards, he started working at the university level and became a professor.

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At East Baptist University he spent eight years working as an associate professor. In June 2022, Winters joined Malakoff ISD, becoming director of elementary curriculum.

The Malakoff ISD Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to have Winters as their lone finalist. He will formally take over the role once the required 21-day waiting period is over.

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(Bloomberg) -- A Malaysian journalist was charged in court for allegedly receiving a bribe in return for backing off an investigation into an alleged migrant worker trafficking syndicate.

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B. Nantha Kumar, a reporter with local online news outlet Malaysiakini, was charged at the Sessions Court in Selangor state with receiving 20,000 ringgit ($4,500) in exchange for retracting and not uploading articles about a foreign workers cartel.

Kumar pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of at least 100,000 ringgit, five times the value of the alleged bribe.

Kumars case also comes amid increased concern about press freedom under the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia fell 34 places to 107th in a 2024 ranking by Reporters Without Borders.

The reporter was arrested by anti-graft officials last month for allegedly taking the bribe from an agent that deals in foreign workers. Kumar said in a March 7 statement that he had not solicited the bribe, but instead took an envelope, which he believed contained money, because he planned to surrender it to a senior immigration official as evidence of the agents wrongdoing.

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We continue to stand by our journalist who is innocent until proven otherwise in court, said Malaysiakini Managing Editor Ng Ling Fong after the court proceedings.

The court set bail Kumars bail at 10,000 ringgit with one surety. He was ordered to surrender his passport and report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office once a month.

Malaysian press groups rallied in support of Kumar. The National Union of Journalists Malaysia urged the anti-graft agency on Monday not to harass or intimidate journalists.

Press freedom must be upheld, and journalists must not be treated as criminals for exposing wrongdoing, NUJM General Secretary Teh Athira Mohd Yusof said in the statement.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man accused of sexually assaulting a child multiple times in Salt Lake County in 2017 is now being extradited from Spain to face felony charges, according to county officials.

Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, is returning to Utah after he was caught by immigration authorities in Spain, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office. District Attorney Sim Gill announced the planned extradition on Thursday, March 13, seven years after the charges were filed.

READ NEXT: 19-year-old charged in murder of West Jordan victim

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In 2018, Utah authorities filed a warrant for Farfans arrest after a 10-year-old victim reported the alleged sexual assault to police. Farfan was charged with four counts of rape of a child and one count of sodomy upon a child, all first-degree felonies.

The warrant stated he was a flight risk as he had a Peruvian passport, and authorities believe he fled to Peru immediately after being accused before traveling to Spain.

In January 2024, Farfan requested asylum from Spanish authorities and was taken into custody shortly after. Now, nearly exactly a year later, Spain granted Salt Lake Countys extradition request and turned Farfan over to U.S. authorities.

Farfan is being transported by the U.S. Department of Justice and is expected to arrive at a local jail within the day.

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Although justice was delayed for this young victim-survivor, it will not be denied, Gill said. We appreciate the West Valley City Police Department for their diligent pursuit of the defendant over the last seven years. I am proud of the work our prosecutors did in coordination with local and federal authorities to ensure the defendant could be brought back to Utah to be held accountable for his alleged crimes.

Chief Colleen Jacobs of the West Valley City Police Department echoed Gills statement, saying the detectives and officers relentless pursuit of justice shows their commitment to the victim.

I am grateful to see this day come, she said. Their hard work and tenacity reflect the highest standards of law enforcement and the deep respect they have for those they serve.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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TEHRAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday Tehran welcomes the agreement reached by Armenia and Azerbaijan on the terms of a peace treaty between the two countries.

He made the remarks in a statement released by the ministry one day after Armenia and Azerbaijan announced that they had agreed to a peace agreement that would put an end to decades of conflict between the two neighbors.

Baghaei described the development as a "necessary and important step" towards the establishment of a lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.

He expressed hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan would soon finalize the peace agreement, paving the way for lasting peace and stability in the region. He emphasized the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts and dialogue in resolving their differences.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that negotiations on the text of the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations with Armenia have been concluded. The Armenian Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that the peace agreement is "ready for signing."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988. Peace talks have been going on since 1994 when a ceasefire was agreed on, despite sporadic clashes since then. 
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  The man accused in a bomb threat that shut down miles of Interstate 85 in Greenville County reappeared in court Thursday afternoon.

28-year-old Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, has been charged with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, conveying false information about a bomb threat and operating an unregistered vehicle.

Law enforcement pulled over Alhendi for an unregistered tractor trailer near mile marker 44 on January 2. All six lanes of the interstate were shut down between mile markers 42 and 46.

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No explosive devices were found inside the tractor trailer, according to the Department of Public Safety.

South Carolina Highway Patrol estimated that more than 10,000 cars were stopped for more than four hours.

State troopers said that when they asked if Alhendi was serious about the bomb, he responded by saying Do I look serious?

A judge had previously granted Alhendi a $20,000 bond but reconsidered due to a pending ICE detainer. He once again came before a judge Thursday due to health concerns he faced while during his time at the detention center.

Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi appears in bond court for a second time on March 13, 2025. (WSPA Photo) Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi appears in bond court for a second time on March 13, 2025. (WSPA Photo)

Alhendis attorney, Thomas Adducci said Alhendi was in a motorcycle accident years ago, breaking both femurs. Metal rods were put in his legs, Adducci said, but they became infected and Alhendi had to take antibiotics.

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However, concerns over a future hearing to determine the 28-year-olds immigration status was the leading reason for his bond being denied  again.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a hold on Alhendi, a Jordanian national. The agency said Alhendi entered the United States legally in 2018 but failed to comply with the terms of his legal admittance.

According to the state, Alhendi came into the country on a spouse visa.

When you make that application, they do investigate that marriage, and [they] determined that marriage to be a sham marriage, Andrew Culbreath, the Chief Deputy Solicitor said.

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Culbreath explained a sham marriage is one that is not lawful, but rather an attempt at gained citizen status.

If the court determines that he was not interred into good faith then he will be removable. If the court doesnt determine that, then my understanding is he would continue to have his permanent residence, Adducci said.

Adducci said an immigration hearing is scheduled for August 6, 2026 to determine if Alhendi should be deported.

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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police say a man is being charged after he allegedly kidnapped a child, and held them at gunpoint for ding-dong ditching around the neighborhood.

The Scranton Police Department stated on March 7, around 10:30 p.m., officers were called to East Elm Street for a 12-year-old reporting that a man pointed a gun at her.

The victim told police she was playing ding-dong ditch with her friends when the group knocked on 56-year-old Robert Ulrichs door.

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Officers said the victim claimed two men from inside the home came out, grabbed the victim, and put a handgun to her head. The victim said one of the men then asked if she wanted to die, as stated in the affidavit.

FBI search for wanted armed and dangerous Pa. fugitive

According to court documents, while holding the victim at gunpoint, Ulrich and the second man made her walk with them to West Scranton Middle School to look for her friends and stated, he is from Canada, and all these kids want a bullet in their head.

Police say the victim was able to get away from the men and call 911 with her friends. Investigators then obtained surveillance video from the West Side Middle School, where they saw Ulrich and the other man walking with the victim to the front of the school.

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The victim was able to identify Ulrich as the one who pointed the gun at her head.

Ulrich was charged with kidnapping of a minor, unlawful restraint of a minor, simple assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and harassment.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is facing charges after he was accused of breaking into a business and stealing more than a thousand dollars worth of baby clothes.

Robert Fletcher has been charged with burglary of a building and theft of property.

According to the Shelby County Sheriffs Office, detectives responded to a burglary at Camryn and Craig Boutique on Airline Road on Tuesday. The owner reportedly told detectives that $1,500 worth of baby clothing had been stolen.

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2023 fatal hit-and-run suspect back in jail after bond changes

The sheriffs office says detectives determined that a suspect in a black vehicle pulled into the parking lot near the boutique, got into the business through the back door, and ran out with an arm full of clothing.

According to the sheriffs office, detectives found the vehicle and identified Fletcher as the suspect. The sheriffs office says that Fletcher is an employee of a nearby business.

Detectives reportedly took Fletcher into custody during a traffic stop in Arlington. The sheriffs office says detectives also searched Fletchers vehicle and found the baby clothes.

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Fletcher has also been charged with possession of marijuana.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A man is facing a federal charge after he allegedly made plans to meet a child under the age of 12 for sexual activities in Knoxville.

The Knoxville Police Department announced the arrest on Friday, saying Ryan Garrett, 40, was facing a federal complaint of coercion or enticement of a minor for the purposes of an illegal sexual act. Garrett was arrested on Thursday.

Teen injured, man charged after car drives through barrier on I-275 in Knoxville

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According to KPD, the investigation, led by the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, revealed Garrett was making plans to meet with a child under the age of 12 years old in Knoxville to engage in sexual activities. He arrived to meet the child, but was instead taken into custody by KPD detectives and U.S. Department of Homeland Security special agents.

Garrett was booked into the Knox County Detention Facility. He is scheduled to have his initial appearance before the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville on Friday.

White Pine teacher accused of assaulting 4-year-old student

KPD is the lead agency of the Tennessee ICAC Task Force, which is a partnership of 74 state and local law enforcement agencies as well as federal law enforcement. The task force seeks to protect children from predators that entice and exploit them online.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 43-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, March 12, for aggravated robbery, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

Angel De La Torre, 43, was arrested on an aggravated robbery charge and was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $100,000 bond, the Sheriffs Office said.

The Sheriffs Office said that on March 11, deputies were called to the 7000 block of Second Street in Canutillo about a domestic violence call.

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According to the Sheriffs Office, deputies discovered that De La Torre had assaulted two victims at the location and stole a vehicle belonging to one of the residents.

On March 12, deputies located and apprehended De La Torre at the 9000 block of Doniphan Drive, according to the Sheriffs Office.

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A 31-year-old man was arrested after police say he battered a 25-year-old and intentionally dropped a child from a second-story porch.

Milwaukee police said they are investigating a child abuse and domestic violence incident Thursday at about 5 p.m. on the 4700 block of North 41st Street.

The 25-year-old, who was battered, and 1-year-old child were transported to a hospital with nonfatal injuries, police said.

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Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man intentionally dropped child from second story, Milwaukee police say
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was recently arrested in connection with two separate shooting incidents that happened last year, the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

The Third Judicial DAs Office said that Alex Cuellar has been charged with shooting at a dwelling and shooting at or from a motor vehicle in both incidents.

The first incident happened on June 9 and the second one on October 22, 2024, the DAs Office said.

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The DAs Office said that following a lengthy investigation, arrest warrants were served on Cuellar on Monday, March 10.

Days later, on Thursday, March 13, Judge Douglas R. Driggers presided over Cuellars hearing, where he was ordered to be held with no bond pending trial for both cases, the DAs Office said.

The DAs Office said Cuellar is alleged to have indiscriminately fired multiple rounds into a house without regard for the safety of others.

The investigation uncovered that at least one of the shootings  where a residence was struck with over 40 rounds of gunfire  was reportedly carried out as an act of retaliation for the shooting of a fellow gang member, Chief Deputy District Attorney Melissa Garcia said. We are pleased to be able to present thoroughly investigated cases to help keep Las Cruces safe.

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We presented clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions would reasonably protect the safety of any person or the community, District Attorney Fernando R. Macias said. This decision underscores the severity of the charges and the threat posed by Cuellars actions. Our commitment to ensuring that those who endanger the safety of our community face appropriate consequences is unwavering.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man was arrested on gun and drug charges late Thursday afternoon after reports said he drove through the backyard of an East Side apartment complex to get away from police.

Jonathan Marrero-Ortiz, 44, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies; improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; and possession of fentanyl, a fifth-degree felony.

Reports said police tried to pull over a truck Marrero-Ortiz was driving at about 5:35 p.m. on Albert Street for an obstructed plate and an improper turn but the truck would not stop.

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Instead, the truck down Springdale Avenue to a small apartment complex in the 900 block of North Garland Avenue. The truck then drove through the backyard and stopped at a fence, where Marrero-Ortiz and a passenger got out.

Reports said police found a capsule of fentanyl in Marrero-Ortizs pockets and officers found a loaded .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun in the grass near the truck.

The passenger gave police false information about who he was, reports said. Reports said police found crack cocaine in his pockets. He was booked into the jail as a John Doe on a fifth-degree felony charge of possession of crack cocaine.

Both men are expected to be arraigned later today in municipal court.

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OTTAWA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man is facing multiple charges in Franklin County, including attempted murder, following a burglary, shooting, and chase.

The Franklin County Sheriffs Office says it began around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday when deputies were dispatched to a home near K-68 Highway and Georgia Road, west of Ottawa. Someone reported that shots were fired by a man who had just burglarized a home while someone was inside. No one was injured.

Ottawa County grass fire spans 1 mile, crews contain blaze

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A deputy spotted a vehicle speeding from the same area as the crime and said it matched the description of the suspects vehicle. Deputies pursued the car west on K-68, and the chase continued into Osage County.

Osage County deputies joined Franklin County deputies in pursuing the vehicle into Lyndon, where stop sticks were deployed and stopped the vehicle. Authorities say the suspect fled on foot, and following an extensive search using K9s from Franklin and Osage County, he was found and taken into custody.

On Thursday, Curtis L. Lucas, 33, was formally charged in Franklin County District Court with one count of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated residential burglary, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, flee or attempt to allude, theft, and driving while suspended.

Lucas is currently being held on a $500,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 20.

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JAKARTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude struck off Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province on Friday evening, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.

The tremors occurred at 18:13 Jakarta time (1113 GMT), with the epicenter located 68 km northwest of Tolitoli Regency at a depth of 10 km beneath the seabed, the agency reported.

No tsunami warning was issued.

The tremors were felt by residents in Tolitoli Regency, causing panic, but no damage or casualties were reported, Muharjun, a senior official from the provincial disaster management agency told Xinhua.

Indonesia, an archipelagic nation with 127 active volcanoes, frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location within the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and the impact of tectonic activities. 
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man has been charged after driving across the state to Tampa to commit armed robbery and shooting an employee in the face, the Department of Justice announced.

Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney filed a criminal complaint that charged Phillip Johnson, 21, Cocoa, with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, robbery, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

(Department of Justice)

According to the complaint, on Feb. 1, 2025, three individuals traveled from Brevard County in the early morning hours to Tampa to commit a robbery.

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Woman killed on her birthday trying to help dog on Dale Mabry Highway

When the three arrived in Tampa, they entered Dreams Club near Ybor City wearing all black clothing, ski masks, and armed with rifles and handguns.

The complaint said the three demanded money from the victim and Johnson immediately shot the victim in the face.

If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.

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This booking photo provided by Austin Police Department shows Solomun Weldekeal Araya. (Austin Police Department via AP)

A man was charged Friday with intoxication manslaughter after five people were killed and several injured in a late-night wreck in Austin, Texas, that involved over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 35, authorities said.

Authorities said that the five people killed in the crash that involved 17 vehicles Thursday just before 11:30 p.m. included three adults, a child and an infant. First responders said that 11 people were taken to hospitals.

Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, was charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault after the crash, Austin police said Friday. Police said he was in custody in Travis County Jail. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Jail records did not list an attorney for him.

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Police have not detailed the circumstances that led to the wreck. Police said in an email Friday that they were still early in the investigation and had no further information available to release.

The southbound lanes of I-35 were closed following the crash, and they remained closed into Friday before reopening at about 1 p.m. The wreck left a stretch of the interstate littered with mangled vehicles and debris.

The collision was very large and very complex, police Officer Austin Zarling said at an early morning news conference.

Edgar Viera told the KXAN television station that he was at a nearby store when he heard the crash and went to try to help those involved.

We didnt have the proper tools to open the vehicles, so we just did what we could, Viera told the station. It was hard to see this.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who an affidavit said was cited by Campbell police for letting a dog run loose earlier this month may now be deported.

Dino De Laurentis Rivera-Lopez, no age given, was taken into custody earlier this week by members of the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement Agency on a charge of reentry into the United States after deportation.

A criminal complaint was filed against him this week in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio. He was arrested Tuesday at Campbell Municipal Court, where he was to appear for his ticket and is being held in federal detention at the Mahoning County Jail following his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Henderson.

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An affidavit accompanying his criminal complaint said Rivera-Lopez first entered the country illegally in February 1999 from Honduras, was caught in Texas and ordered deported in February 2000. He was deported that month and returned to the United States illegally in March of 2000, the affidavit said.

In October 2016, Rivera-Lopez applied to stay in the United States but the application was denied, the affidavit said. He was taken into custody in November 2017 at a home on Penhale Avenue in Campbell by immigration officials, taken to Cleveland and ordered to be deported in January 2018.

The affidavit said he returned to the United States in 2019 in Laredo, Texas from Honduras, but was deported in January 2020 because he came to the country illegally.

Under the terms of his deportation, he was not allowed to enter the United States for 20 years, the affidavit said.

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The affidavit said on March 7, Rivera-Lopez was issued a citation by Campbell police for failing to keep his dog on a leash. The affidavit did not say where the citation was issued.

Federal agents showed a picture of Rivera-Lopez to police Monday and they confirmed it was him, the affidavit said. When he showed up in court Tuesday for his hearing, he was taken into custody.

The affidavit said Rivera-Lopez admitted he came to the United States illegally three times and did not have permission to be here.

A federal grand jury will now consider his case.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  The man accused of killing a woman and injuring her boyfriend faced a judge for the first time on Thursday.

Police said Kyle Hill, 33, intentionally ran the couple off the road after mistaking their vehicle for his ex-girlfriends car.



Kyle Hill sat slumped in a wheelchair wearing an orange jumpsuit, showing signs of pain from the crash that police said he caused.

Hill, you have a murder in the first-degree charge and attempted murder in the first-degree, Judge Philip Federico read to Hill.

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Police said Hill was drunk and furious when he chased an innocent couple on 34th Street North on Sunday, thinking they were his ex-girlfriend, before intentionally running them off the road.

They ran into a concrete pole, as you can see, to my left. The pole came down on the car and crashed on top of Medina, where she died, Federico.

The impact was so violent it caught the attention of people blocks away.

Based upon my military experience, it looked like it hit a car bomb, thats how horrific the first car was, the Honda Accord and the pickup truck was upside down, Captain James Van Thach, who heard the accident, said.

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The driver, Norbelis Figurego-Campos, was seriously injured and his girlfriend, Arislenni Blanco-Medina, was killed.

In court, the judge questioned Hill about the crash but Hill claimed he had no memory of it. For the victims family, however, there is no forgetting.

All her daughter can say is how bad she wants her mom again, the victims loved one, Nicole Galvan said.

Judge Fedrico asked, Apparently, your car is not in good shape after the accident situation, was that paid off? Hill responded, I dont remember anything, sir.

The man who was seriously injured is currently still listed in critical condition. As for the suspect, Kyle Hill, he received no bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A man currently serving time for child molestation is facing additional charges for child molestation after new victims came forward.

Buckland Darrell, 45, who has already been convicted of three counts of first-degree child molestation, is being charged with additional counts of first-degree child molestation and first-degree rape of a child.

He was first arrested in December 2022 for child molestation. In March 2023, Redmond detectives arrested Darrell after he allegedly had sexual contact with a minor in 2020 while attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Redmond.

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Darrell was released on bail in both cases.

After more victims came forward, Redmond detectives re-arrested Darrell in April 2023 on additional counts of first-degree child molestation involving three new victims who had come forward to report incidents occurring between 2017 and 2021.

Its unclear if these victims were also attending the same church.

Redmond police believe there are more minor victims and ask anyone with information to contact them at 425-556-2500




MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was arrested after crashing a car into a southwest Memphis home while fleeing from police on Thursday, reports say.

According to an affidavit, around 8:21 p.m., an MPD officer watched a gray Infiniti G37 speed through a stop sign at Western Park and Ford Road. The officer tried to pull the car over, but the Infiniti continued to speed and refused to stop.

The officer did not chase the vehicle, but shortly afterward, officers heard what they described as a loud crash in the area.

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The Infiniti struck a 2008 Saturn Vue in a driveway and hit the front of a home on Ford Road, reports say.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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The driver, identified as 33-year-old Keon McShane, was taken into custody on the scene. A handgun was found in the car along with two bags of marijuana, and $3,200 was taken from McShanes pocket when he was arrested.

Keon McShane (Photo courtesy of the SCSO)

A community activist says he was at home when he heard all the commotion.

They run from the police. They, you know, put other peoples lives in danger and quite frankly, mane people in the neighborhood is just sick of it, Barlow said. As he came down my way, he kind of lost control because he was going at a high rate of speed and just landed. When he got control, he went straight up to the house, and as you can see, he damaged it pretty good.

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McShane is charged with two counts of Vandalism $10,000-$60,000, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Evading Arrest, Violation of Financial Law, No Drivers License, and Reckless Driving.

I just hate to see stuff like this happen to people because they work so hard for their stuff, Barlow said.

Memphis Police say McShane caused more than $30,000 worth of damage.

They have a place where you can do all the donuts that you want to do, Barlow said. You can do all that racing and all that you want to do. But yall choose to do it on residential streets and stuff like that. You know, Im saying run from the police not caring about nobody. You could have died. You could have killed somebody. You could have hit somebodys child.

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His bond has not been set, but he is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.

In 2014, McShane was convicted of a felony arrest for evading and eluding with a motor vehicle and a felony drug charge in Texas.

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Mar. 14A man already deported to Mexico seven times after committing crimes will stand trial in Hamilton in May on charges he allegedly killed a Hamilton woman, Butler County Judge Jennifer McElfresh ordered this week.

Fermin Garcia-Gutierrez, 47, was arrested last April for the death of Fernando Reyna Oviedo, whose body was found in a garage. Shortly after Garcia-Gutierrez's arrest, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said in a press conference the defendant has been deported seven times.

He is charged with charged with several felony counts, including aggravated murder and two counts of murder.

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His attorney, Keith Fricker, filed multiple requests, including for medical records from the Butler County Jail, a use of force report and the jail calls Garcia-Gutierrez made to prepare for the upcoming trial.

The Journal-News reported in December the defendant's attorney said police violated his rights, and his alleged confession should be thrown out. In addition to the aggravated murder and murder charges, Garcia-Gutierrez is charged with two counts of felonious assault and kidnapping with a firearms specification.

Oviedo, 41, was found dead on April 1, 2024, after Hamilton police officers were called about a body in the 1100 block of South 13th Street. Investigators believe Garcia-Gutierrez committed the homicide before he was arrested on other charges.

He was arrested on March 16, 2024 on possession of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon, using weapons while intoxicated, and obstructing official business.

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Fricker had previously moved to suppress evidence, claiming because Garcia-Gutierrez is illiterate and "the Hamilton detective interrogated the defendant knowing he was unable to read or write either (English or Spanish) and without the aid of an interpreter being present."

McElfresh eventually overruled the motion to suppress last month.

Both criminal cases will be tried the week of May 12, McElfresh ordered, and Garcia-Gutierrez has a $5 million cash or surety bond.
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) faced a wave of backlash from constituents while hosting a Thursday town hall in Asheville, which he held against the advice of party leaders. One attendee, who identified himself as a veteran, was removed from the event.

He has nothing to say but lies. Youre lying, the man shouted from his seat during Edwardss remarks, according to video from CNN.

Im a veteran, and you dont give a f about me, he screamed before standing up and pointing at the second-term lawmaker, who represents the western corner of the state.

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Edwardss security detail approached the individual and asked him to calm down. Instead, the man became more irate and was escorted out by multiple Asheville Police officers.

He was one of 2,000 residents who came to voice their concerns, with some focused on the House-passed continuing resolution that includes cuts to nondefense spending on health care and related research.

Many waited outside the community college auditorium, which seats only 360 people, to protest the planned mass firings at the Department of Veterans Affairs and closure of the Social Security Administration office in Franklin, N.C. The facility was listed on the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) website as a site that should be shut down in an effort to curb federal spending levels.

Earlier in the day at another town hall in Canton, N.C., Edwards was approached by another concerned citizen who was also warded off by local police.

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Congressman, thank you so much for bringing home these dollars, but if you cut Medicaid and you knock 40 percent of our kids off Medicaid and you dont bring dollars home to these schools, the county schools [will] have a shortfall, Nate Roberto told Edwards, according to the Smoky Mountain News.

The North Carolina lawmaker reportedly walked away in search of an ice cream truck, which escalated the situation.

If you cant hold yourself responsible, then were going to come at you, Roberto said while inching toward the podium where Edwards was standing, the Smoky Mountain News reported. Canton Police escorted him away from the venue.

Edwardss office did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment.

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The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.

Edwards joined President Trump on two visits to the area after the storm, most recently in January shortly after the inauguration.

Ashevilles proposed recovery plan was rejected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments due to an included diversity, equity and inclusion program that conflicts with Trumps January executive order.

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Apronale Mulungi, a student from St. James Secondary School, poses for a photo after winning the Kingfisher Community Youth Drawing Competition in Kikuube District, western Uganda, March 12, 2025. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

KIKUUBE, Uganda, March 13 (Xinhua) -- On an escarpment overlooking the Chinese-operated oil field in Uganda's western district of Kikuube, 30 students sat with paintbrushes and canvases, envisioning a future where nature, heritage, and modernization coexist.

Under the shade of trees shielding them from the blazing sun of the Great Rift Valley, students from 16 local secondary schools participated in the Kingfisher Community Youth Drawing Competition.

The annual event, organized on Wednesday by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Uganda Limited and the Chinese embassy, encouraged youngsters to depict both what they saw -- the Kingfisher Oil Field on the shores of Lake Albert -- and their vision of the future inspired by the landscape.

Down in the valley, at the oil field operated by CNOOC, work was in full swing as Uganda prepared to extract its commercially viable oil deposits. Amid the towering oil rigs and heavy machinery, local residents carried on with their daily activities, such as fishing on Lake Albert, tending to cattle, and engaging in trade.

After hours of painting under the guidance of Chinese and Ugandan artists, 19-year-old Apronale Mulungi from St. James Secondary School in Hoima District emerged victorious in the competition under the theme of "A Beautiful Balance Between Heritage and Modernization."

His artwork featured a lush green landscape interwoven with modern structures and traditional huts, as well as a woman in cultural attire carrying modern items that symbolized the coexistence of heritage and progress.

"I loved the theme because I value both nature and customs while embracing modernization," said Mulungi upon receiving his trophy.

Paul Beihuel Aliker, a student at St. Andrews Kahaawa's College in Hoima District and last year's winner, finished as the runner-up, stressing the importance of balancing tradition and modernity.

"I depicted traditional life -- farming, livestock, and classic huts -- alongside the Kingfisher project," Aliker said. "The theme of the competition reminds us to respect our origins as we move forward. We must ensure that both modernization and cultural heritage contribute positively to our environment."

While launching the event, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong emphasized that economic progress should not come at the expense of cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.

"CNOOC, as one of the largest Chinese investors in Uganda, remains committed to environmental protection in its operations," he said.

CNOOC has invested more than 4 billion U.S. dollars in Uganda's oil sector over the past decade, making it the largest single Chinese investment in the country.

Economic transformation is already visible around the Kingfisher project. The fishing village of Buhuka, home to CNOOC's main operations, is experiencing significant infrastructure improvements. Government services such as immigration and tax offices have been established to facilitate business and cross-border movement between Uganda and the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, CNOOC has also improved local living conditions by providing access to clean and safe water, addressing past challenges of water-borne diseases. In addition, thousands of students have benefited from CNOOC-funded scholarships, furthering their education and enhancing local human capital.

The view of advancing economic growth while prioritizing preservation resonated with Liu Xiangdong, president of CNOOC Uganda Limited.

"As the oil and gas industry drives modernization, it is crucial to safeguard our cultural identity, history, and environment," Liu said. "This competition challenges young artists to depict how development and tradition can coexist, ensuring a future where innovation respects heritage."

Ongoing investments in Uganda's oil sector, along with initiatives like the drawing contest, are shaping a future where economic development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation go hand in hand. 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP)  A man who was serving a life sentence for a Winston-Salem murder is scheduled to be executed in South Carolina in connection with another murder case, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Mikal D. Mahdi, 41, will be executed on April 11. Two weeks before that date, he will be asked to choose whether he will be executed by lethal injection, electric chair or firing squad.

Mikal D. Mahdi (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

Mahdi was sentenced to death in 2006 for murder, burglary and grand larceny. In July 17, 2004, he shot James Myers, a police captain from Orangeburg, South Carolina, nine times before covering the body in diesel fuel and lighting it on fire.

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Mahdi is also serving a life sentence from North Carolina for murder. Three days prior to killing Myers, Mahdi shot and killed Christopher Boggs, a convenience store worker in Winston-Salem.

Man sentenced to decades in prison after sexually assaulting 8-year-old while working at Winston-Salem recreation center

During his time behind bars, he successfully escaped from prison on March 10, 2005, and tried to escape three times in December 2006, October 2014 and November 2022.

The crimes were part of a three-state crime spree that started in Virginia on July 14, 2004, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette citing court documents.

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Mahdi stole a pistol, a set of license plates and a station wagon in Virginia before heading to North Carolina.

In Winston-Salem, he stopped at an Exxon gas station to buy a beer and shot the clerk, Boggs, point-blank in the head. He then shot Boggs again while his body was on the floor. Mahdi tried unsuccessfully to open the cash register and left for South Carolina.

In Columbia, S.C., Mahdi carjacked a driver and replaced the vehicles license plates with the ones he had stolen in Virginia, South Carolina Daily Gazette reported.

He stopped for gas at a gas station in Calhoun County. When the pump rejected his card, clerks called the police. Mahdi then tried to run away.

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He found a nearby farmhouse and hid in a workshop. The property belonged to Myers. After getting home from a beach trip, Myers went to his workshop and found Mahdi, who shot him nine times with one of Myerss own rifles. He then poured diesel on Myerss body and lit it on fire.

He stole Myerss police truck and was finally caught in Florida on July 21, 2004.

Mahdi pleaded guilty to all charges.

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The man who last saw missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki told investigators he tried to save her from the ocean, and that he thought she was OK and had "taken her things and left."

Authorities believe Konanki, a 20-year-old who went missing while on spring break in Punta Cana, died by drowning, officials told ABC News.

PHOTO: A member of civil defense canine unit searches for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, March. 10, 2025. (Francesco Spotorno/AP)

MORE: Missing Univ. of Pittsburgh student believed to have died by drowning in Dominican Republic

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On March 5, Konanki was part of a group that went to a nightclub and then for a walk on the beach, three Dominican officials involved in the investigation told ABC News. Most of the group went back to the hotel around 5:55 a.m. One man -- 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a college senior in Minnesota -- stayed with Konanki on the beach, and the two went for a swim, according to a Dominican Republic investigative police report.

Riibe, who met Konanki that night, confirmed he and and the 20-year-old kissed after a night of drinking, he told a prosecutor Thursday, according to a transcript provided to ABC News from two Dominican Republic sources.

"A big wave came and hit us both, then the tide pulled us into the ocean," he told the prosecutor. "When we surfaced, we tried to plead for help, but there was no one there."

PHOTO: Sudiksha Konanki is seen in this undated photo shared to Meta. (Sudiksha Konanki via Meta)

Riibe, a pool lifeguard, said he "held her under my arm and swam to get her out of the water."

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"I was trying to make sure that she could breathe the entire time -- that prevented me from breathing the entire time and I took in a lot of water," he explained.

When I finally touched the sand, I put her in front of me. Then she got up to go get her stuff since the ocean had moved us," Riibe told the prosecutor. "She was not out of the water since it was up to her knee. She was walking at an angle in the water."

MORE: New details emerge in search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic

"The last time I saw her, I asked her if she was OK. I didn't hear her response because I began to vomit with all the water I had swallowed," he said. "After vomiting, I looked around and I didn't see anyone. I thought she had taken her things and left."

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"After I saw her walking away, while she was walking in the water, I never saw her again," he said.

Riibe said he passed out on a beach chair and woke up to the sun and mosquitoes on him. He was seen on surveillance footage returning to his room several hours later.

Authorities said Riibe is not a suspect and is cooperating. But the prosecutors office said it is "conducting multiple investigating steps that extend beyond a possible accidental event."

Riibe is "deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has fully cooperated in the search," his parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, said in a statement Friday.

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"His faith and values have guided his path, and those who know him can attest to his integrity and good heart," they said.

"Despite his full willingness to cooperate, Josh has been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday," his parents alleged. "We recognize that this is a complex and painful situation for all parties involved, and we trust that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and justice. Our only interest is that due process be respected and that actions be taken with the fairness that the situation requires."

"We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the family of Sudiksha Konanski during this painful time," the parents said. "Above all, we wish to contribute to the search efforts and understand the anguish and uncertainty they are going through and we share the hope that Sudiksha will be found as soon as possible."

ABC News' Caroline Guthrie contributed to this report.

Man who last saw missing Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki thought she took 'her things and left' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man linked to a 1990 cold case murder through DNA is projected to be released from prison on Friday, March 14.

In 2023, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police released new DNA evidence in the 1990 cold-case murder of Kim Thomas, following a judges order.

Thomas, 32, was found dead in her Cotswold home on July 27, 1990.

In the years following her death, her husband, Dr. Edward Friedland, was charged with her murder, but the case was later dropped without prejudice.

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However, in November 2022, CMPD revealed that Marion Gales DNA might be linked to the crime. Gales, who is currently incarcerated at the Tabor Correctional Institution, had his DNA collected during an investigation into another murder.

The DNA tests matched Kim Thomas DNA with four men, including Gales, Friedland, and two other individuals, though some evidence was inconclusive.

Gales is set to be released on March 14, 2025.

David Rudolf, Friedlands attorney, responded to the release of the DNA reports in early 2024, criticizing CMPD for not pursuing charges against Gales sooner.

2023 news releaseDownload

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man who intentionally set a major fire that destroyed the May Apartments of the Goose Hollow neighborhood almost two years ago has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison.

On Friday morning, a judge sentenced Garrett Repp to 16 years and 4 months in prison for the massive fire.

A Multnomah County jury previously reached a guilty verdict against Repp on Oct. 2, 2024, more than 16 months after he used an accelerant to start the fire in the historic building where he lived. This left more than 100 people displaced from their homes on May 16, 2023.

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He is guilty on 55 of 56 counts, including arson, reckless endangering and criminal mischief.

I didnt start this fire, but I do understand losing everything, Repp said to the judge prior to his sentencing. I feel like Ive lost the most out of everybody.

Prosecutor Eric Palmer called this statement offensive and building co-owner Valerie King told KOIN 6 News the words left her numb.

If a person cannot admit to what they did to harm others, that 16 years may not suffice for a punishment, she said.

Repps sentence was far less than the 30 years sought by prosecutors, with the judge taking into account his recent schizophrenia diagnosis.

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Prior to the fire, police said they responded to the complex 14 times within a year and fire crews responded 28 times. Evacuees told KOIN 6 News Repp also had a history of pulling the fire alarm.

Additionally, court documents revealed Repp had already been evicted from his apartment and owed thousands of dollars in back rent before the fire. Further, Multnomah County Sheriffs deputies were scheduled to remove him roughly an hour and a half after the arson.

I think if we would have been able to have less time waiting for a sheriff lockout, this could have been prevented, said property manager Rachel Elkins.

Afterwards, residents were blocked from getting their belongings because the city deemed the site unsafe and restricted access. Many also reported looting despite security at the site and the damage to the building was so severe that it had to be demolished.

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While many of the victims lost everything that day, Palmer said he hopes to highlight their resilience and the way residents rescued one another.

Lets not fixate on the evil or horror caused by the defendant but instead recognize the courage and inspiration of the survivors, he said. They rescued each other from the flames, they held each other while their homes burned and they cared for each other through the trial. They are an inspiration to me.

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  The Georgetown County Sheriffs Office is investigating after a man was shot in the hand during a confrontation.

Deputies report that the shooting took place at a residence on Walter Hurrell Drive in the Andrews area.

Two men were involved in a confrontation over a woman, resulting in one man receiving a bullet wound to his hand.

According to the sheriffs office, they are interviewing the 39-year-old woman involved and the injured 41-year-old man at a local hospital. Deputies are still searching for the other man who fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting.

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The Georgetown County Sheriffs Office says the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 843-546-5102.

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Hours after prominent Ukrainian activist Demyan Hanul was gunned down in Odesa, law enforcement detained a potential suspect.

Hanul, 31, was a well-known public figure, blogger, and founder of the Street Front NGO. He participated in the EuroMaidan Revolution and the May 2 clashes against pro-Russian forces in Odesa.

The activist had been active in rallies supporting Ukraine, charity fundraisers for the military, and campaigns to dismantle the city's Soviet and imperial monuments.

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He was shot dead in central Odesa on March 14.

Following the murder, the shooter fled the scene. According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, a weapon that was allegedly used was found in the apartment where the detainee was hiding.

The suspect is allegedly a 46-year-old deserter, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed.

In reaction to the murder, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that dozens of law enforcement officials are involved in the investigation.

"I have instructed the interior minister, the head of the Security Service, the acting prosecutor general to throw all the necessary forces and means to establish all the facts," Zelensky said.

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The SBU did not rule out Russia's involvement in the murder.

Hanul had previously reported threats against his life. In July 2024, he claimed Russian sources had leaked personal information about his relatives and that a $10,000 bounty was offered for an attack on him.

Read also: Finland sentences Russian neo-Nazi mercenary Yan Petrovsky to life for war crimes in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
JOPLIN, Mo. (KSNW)  A man wanted for attempted murder in Kansas has been arrested following a standoff situation in Joplin.

Our sister station, KSNF in Joplin, reports that it began around 11 a.m. when police were notified that the wanted man was staying at a local hotel. Police went to the mans room and tried several times to contact him, but he refused to come out.

Great Bend police seize drugs, guns after suspicious package found at UPS warehouse

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The SWAT team was called to the hotel, and the 39-year-old man was taken into custody. He was wanted in Cherokee County for a shooting that took place on May 16, 2023, north of Riverton.

He is accused of shooting multiple times at a family member, who was uninjured. He is facing charges in Kansas of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and criminal threat.

Hes currently being held in the Ferguson County Missouri Jail.

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MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH)  The Manchester Road Race Committee announced that it will be donating $100,250 from the proceeds of last years Thanksgiving day run to organizations in the community.

President of the Manchester Road Race Committee Dr. Tris Carta said MRRs donations increased by 18 percent this year. These donations will benefit 18 charities and non-profit organizations.

We are sincerely grateful to our runners, financial sponsors, volunteers, and spectators, Carta said. Thanks to them, we held another highly successful road race last November, and we are able to make these donations to the groups that do such great work assisting our community.

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Lamont visits Wethersfield High School to discuss effectiveness of cell phone bans

MRR is donating its proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Community Emergency Response Team, Gentle Love Diaper Pantry, Manchester High School, the Manchester Police Activities League and more.

In honor of Mark Carroll, the Irish Olympian and two-time MRR champion, MRR gave $600 to the Irish Cancer Society. In addition, the MRR Honors Club Program made a $12,000 donation to the Lutz Childrens Museum.

The 89th annual MRR Thanksgiving Day run is scheduled for Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. and registration opens on Sept. 1.

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Students at Texas Tech University were sent home early for spring break after a series of fires, explosions and power outages on campus, university officials said Wednesday.

An explosion at a substation caused power outages and prompted the evacuation of the universitys Engineering Key section Wednesday night, according to a copy of a university alert.

Roughly an hour after the original alert, an explosion at a manhole sent green flames shooting out of the ground, according to video posted to social media.

Classes were canceled for Thursday and Friday, and students living on campus were urged to delay departure until daylight Thursday morning, officials said Wednesday.

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Lubbock Fire Rescue responded to the campus Wednesday evening and found multiple manhole covers with active fire and smoke issuing from them, according to a post on the departments Facebook.

Fire crews remain on campus monitoring the conditions of underground utility vaults, officials with the department said Thursday.

The cause of the explosions was not immediately known Thursday evening.

Most campus facilities, including dining halls, the student health center, the library and on-campus museums, will remain closed, according to the office of the provost.

The university will assist students with housing until they can leave for break or over the break if they had planned to stay on campus, according to the provosts office.
MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV)  A four-term incumbent matches up against a local business development and marketing entrepreneur in the Manitowoc mayoral race.

The League of Womens Voters teamed up with the Chamber of Manitowoc County to host a forum with the two candidates on Thursday night at city hall in the council chambers.

Incumbent Justin Nickels became the citys youngest mayor ever (22 years old) when voters first elected him in 2009. Since then, voters have re-elected him three more times.

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Im not a career politician, Ive just given my career to this point to the citizens of Manitowoc, its been the greatest honor of my life, Nickels said.

Fox Cities Chambers honors 10 teachers for 2025 Excellence in Education Shining Star

Nickels challenger Jason Prigge is a marketing and business development professional, radio host, and artist. He started his own company to market the city of Manitowoc and encourage people to visit called Coolest Coast. Hes also served on the boards of multiple local non-profits.

Ive been like the mayor said one of the biggest cheerleaders for this community for a very long time, Prigge said during the forum.

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Mayor Nickels had an opportunity to tout his accomplishments during the forum, making the argument that his long tenure is an asset for his candidacy because of his experience. He said that revitalizing downtown Manitowoc and removing blighted areas from around the city were some of his most significant accomplishments as mayor.

Under my leadership, the city has lowered its debt and balanced its budget allowing us to invest in the critical services that you the citizens expect from your local government every single day, he said.

Prigge said the city needs a fresh perspective in the mayors office. He stressed his ability to collaborate with all different types of people and said making sure hes fiscally responsible with the citys budget is also a priority.

There is a sacred bond that a taxpayer has with their government and you should have a say in how that is used (taxpayer money), he said. Right now were being taxed out of our homes.

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Prigge said building that responsible budget would be his top priority if he earns the right to become mayor. He also emphasized growth pointing out that there are still empty downtown storefronts and talked about the importance of adding a variety of affordable housing options. He floated tiny homes as a way to bring housing to the Manitowoc community.

Nickels said if re-elected his biggest priorities would be maintaining and fixing the roads and continuing to beautify blighted areas in the city.

Weve made decisions that made it (Manitowoc) a better place, a place that a lot of people are proud to call home, Nickels said also pointing out that developers want to build in their city.

C.D. Smith Construction, industry professionals celebrate Women in Construction at Marian University

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When you realize that you have a limited amount of time on this planet you want to do whats best for the rest of your days, Prigge said referring to a serious motorcycle accident over the summer that seriously injured him and his wife. I want to dedicate myself to the service of this city. If Im the smartest guy in the room then Im in the wrong room.

The candidates also discussed how to bring more childcare options into the city, how to address homelessness, and how tax incremental financing districts can benefit the city.

Audience members had the opportunity to ask the candidates questions during the forum as well.

The election is on April 1.

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, was promoted in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, on Thursday.

The promotion conference saw business leaders, community partners, and media from Auckland and Wellington.

Wang Chengguang, consul from the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, said that the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland will continue to provide support for New Zealand businesses participating in the fair, further promoting China-New Zealand economic and trade cooperation.

The fair will feature an optimized exhibition structure with diversified supporting activities. It will offer convenient online and in-person participation services.

Anna-May Isbey from the New Zealand Business Roundtable in China said that health and wellness, e-commerce, and sustainable development are becoming growth hotspots in China with strong consumer demand from China's second- and third-tier cities. These demands provide significant opportunities for New Zealand brands. 
Many state employees will stash their work-from-home sweatpants, get out their dress shirts and commute to the office starting on Monday.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order in February requiring state employees under the authority of the governor to return to the office full time by March 17 with some exceptions. This comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic made work-from-home common for about 15,000 state workers.

The largest union representing state employees has noted the savings and extra productivity telework has brought and filed grievances about DeWine's order.

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About 44,000 employees are under the authority of the governor. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services said 65% of these workers never worked remotely, even during the pandemic, because their work had to be done in-person. That means about 15,400 employees are hybrid or remote.

About a quarter of employees under the governor, approximately 11,000 employees, work hybrid schedules and only about 10%, or about 4,400, are fully remote. Fully remote workers mostly work call center or customer service jobs.

DeWine's order came after many private companies  some of which are the largest employers in central Ohio  mandated their workers return to office along with President Donald Trump's order for federal workers to return as soon as practicable.

"As we are seeing the private sector now move more and more people back, it made sense to me to have a general rule that people would move back with exceptions," DeWine previously said.

Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order returning state workers to the office will go into effect Monday

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services reduced many state agencies' real estate portfolios, which has led to $15 million a year in savings, according to DAS Director Kathleen Madden.

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The Ohio Civil Service Employee Association, the largest union representing state workers, has said these savings show the strength of telework because workers can be as productive or more productive from home.

OCSEA filed a grievance against DAS to request to negotiate the terms of return to office policies and claimed the state violated their shared agreement by refusing to negotiate with it. The state denied that request.

Two things have become abundantly clear during this process: the state lacks enough office space, without spending more tax dollars, and some jobs are best done remotely to remain cost-effective," OCSEA President Chris Mabe said in a statement. "As we move forward, we must judge the governors return-to-office mandate against the benefits of telework, keeping in mind the financial impact on taxpayers and the challenges of retaining our skilled and experienced workforce."

What agencies divested the most from office space?

Various state agencies consolidated their office spaces and opted to not renew leases they did not need because they had fewer in-person workers. These four agencies make up most of the yearly savings on facility costs as a result of telework, according to DAS spokesperson J.C. Benton:

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Department of Job and Family Services - $5.4M per year

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities - $2.3M per year

Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction - $2.2M per year

Bureau of Workers Compensation - $1.6M per year

Workers exempt from the return to office mandate

Not all workers will be required to return on day one. DeWine's order and the policy changes made by DAS allow agencies to give exemptions for field workers, workers in offices that do not have enough renovated space to fit all of their employees and people living 40 miles away from their office at the time of the order's signature.

There will also be secondary considerations including for days with inclement weather. DAS policy requires agencies to maximize all state-owned or leased office space.

OCSEA spokesperson Mike Rowe said some union members will continue their current hybrid and remote schedules following Monday's deadline but the amount varies from agency to agency depending on office space limitations and what kind of job they have.

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Rowe said he did not have an estimate of how many workers will stay remote. Benton said DAS is not tracking the number of exempt workers.

State agencies not under the governor's authority, including the Attorney General, Auditor and Treasurer's Offices, are not affected by this order. Dominic Binkley, deputy press secretary for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, said in a statement the AG office has a plan in place that complies with DeWines order by using existing office space and it has saved about $2 million a year from eliminating rental space.

Auditor of State spokesperson Ben Kindel said in a statement the Auditor Office never needed a back-to-work order because its workforce did not go home. Auditor of State Workers provide support in person and most of the staff works from its Columbus office, with a few exceptions for hybrid and remote workers.

Those away from the office work regional positions that provide support at county boards of elections, he said.

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Spokespeople for the Treasurer and Secretary of State have not responded to requests about changes to their remote work policies.

How will this affect traffic?

Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson Matt Bruning said the return to office will lead to more congestion during rush hour. He said ODOT is not making any specific adjustments for the deadline day, but reminded people to expect heavier traffic during morning and afternoon commutes and allow themselves extra travel time.

Donovan Hunt is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's Statehouse News Bureau.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: State of Ohio workers return to office Monday, here's what we know
CPAC

Mark Carney pledged Canada will never become part of the US as he used his inauguration address to take a swipe at Donald Trump.

The former Bank of England governor was sworn in as the countrys new prime minister on Friday after a landslide win in the Liberal leadership race following Justin Trudeaus resignation.

Mr Carney, who does not have a seat in the Canadian House of Commons, used his first address as the Canadian leader to hit back at Mr Trumps continued suggestion that the country should be absorbed as Americas 51st state.

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He said such talk was crazy, adding: We will never, ever in any way, shape or form  be part of the United States. America is not Canada.

The Liberal Party leader, who is the first Canadian prime minister to have never held elected office, said Canada is fundamentally different from the US.

After taking the oath to become Canadas 24th prime minister, Mr Carney also said he hoped his government could find ways to work together with the Trump administration.

Mr Carney, 59, called Marco Rubios comments that Canada would be economically better off if it became the USs 51st state crazy.

Mr Rubio told reporters Friday that Mr Trump loves Canada and has simply made an argument for why Canada would be better off joining the United States from an economic perspective and the like. Hes made that argument repeatedly, and I think it stands for itself.

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Mr Trumps secretary of state made the comments as he attended a G7 meeting in Quebec.

The Goldman Sachs banker has taken the reins at a tumultuous time for Canada, when the country has been hit by punitive tariffs by the Trump administration.

Mr Carney also said there are no set plans for him to meet with Mr Trump but he looks forward to speaking with him at the appropriate moment.

Speaking on Wednesday, after Canada was hit by an increased tariffs of 25 per cent on all steel and aluminium imports, Mr Carney said: I am ready to sit down with president Trump at the appropriate time under a position where there is respect for Canadian sovereignty and we are working for a common approach, a much more comprehensive approach for trade.

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Melanie Joly, the Canadian foreign minister, told Mr Rubio the countrys sovereignty was not up for debate on Thursday as diplomats from the G7 nations gathered in Canada this week to discuss a range of global issues, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Of course, Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate, Ms Joly said she told Mr Rubio.

We will put maximum pressure on the Americans when it comes to tariffs and trade, Ms Joly told reporters at the G7 on Friday, detailing her conversation with Mr Rubio.

Meanwhile, well work on finding off-ramps because we know ultimately, at the end of the day, the Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans.

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Ms Joly said she and Mr Rubio agreed that they could still try to reach a consensus on various issues even while they disagreed on some others.

What Secretary Rubio and I have been able to agree on was: we wont let things that we dont agree on stop us to agree on other things, and that was the essence of the meeting, she said.

Ms Joly said a call between Mr Carney and Mr Trump was being planned for some time in the next few days.

Mr Carneys comment comes after he used his Liberal leadership victory speech on Sunday to claim Mr Trump wants to destroy Canadas way of life.

By law Mr Carney will have to hold a general election by October, which will likely be a tight race against the Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

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However, the Liberal Party has enjoyed a boost in popularity since Mr Trump began threatening tariffs and annexation.

In his speech on Sunday, Mr Carney fired out criticisms of the US president, declaring him a threat intent on attacking Canadian families, workers, businesses.

They want our resources, our water, our land, our country... If they succeeded they would destroy our way of life, Mr Carney said of the US, until recently one of Canadas closest allies. He repeated the warning in both English and French.

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OTTAWA  Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister Friday in the middle of a trade war and with an election battle on the way.

To win the next election, the new prime minister must quickly prove he is Canadas best hope of managing relations with the White House. On Friday, Carney introduced his new Cabinet built to go head-to-head with President Donald Trumps administration, as Ottawa lawmakers navigate the fallout of the presidents protectionist policies that one way or another will reshape Canadas economy.

This new Cabinet is fully aware of our responsibilities to strengthen the foundations of our nation during this crisis, Carney said in his first press conference as prime minister.

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We need to build an even better Canada, he added.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau left office on icy terms with the president, and their relationship was viewed by some politicians on both sides of the border as a contributing factor to rising tension between the two countries.

Carney kept key players from Trudeaus A-team  senior politicians with deep contacts in the Trump administration. But his Cabinet is about half the size of Trudeaus and intended to signal that Carney is hyperfocused on tariffs, the economy and protecting Canadas sovereignty. Since winning the Liberal leadership race this week, Carney spent the week in briefings on trade, border security and Canada-U.S. relations.

Melanie Joly keeps her job as foreign affairs minister. Shes Canadas top diplomat and maintains close relations with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

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The only constant in this unjustified and unjustifiable trade war seems to be President Trump's talks of annexing our country through economic coercion, she said this week. Canadians have made it very clear that we will not back down and we will not give in to this coercion.

Dominic LeBlanc, who is texting buddies with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, will be Canadas trade minister. The two met Thursday in Washington alongside Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is now Carneys finance minister, to discuss Trumps tariff assault.

Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, who has been working with Trumps border czar Tom Homan on security measures, remains in his post.

Chrystia Freeland, whose explosive exit from Cabinet led to Trudeaus resignation, will take over as transport and internal trade minister. In her resignation letter last December, she warned that how Canada deals with Trump will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer.



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This Cabinet is unlikely to be around for long. Carney has hinted he will call a federal election before March 24, launching the nation into a campaign that has been turned upside down by Trump's volatile rhetoric and policies. For the first time in years, the governing Liberals are ascendant.

Champagne said this week that Carneys arrival offers a reset for the Canada-U.S. relationship  a notion that was discussed Thursday on Capitol Hill when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee grilled Pete Hoekstra, Trumps pick for U.S. ambassador to Canada.

From Trumps fixation on annexing Canada and the tit-for-tat tariff battle, the bilateral relationship has grown increasingly tense.

This week, the White Houses 25 percent global steel and aluminum duties came into effect. Canada countered by slapping tariffs on C$29.8 billion worth of American goods. The latest measures are in addition to the C$30 billion in counter tariffs Canada applied to U.S. goods on March 4, following Trumps concerns about fentanyl.

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We get along with the American people, but it has to be on the basis of respect, Champagne said. I think Mark Carney will have the respect of President Trump.

A call between Trump and Carney, which is being facilitated by Joly and Rubio, is expected in the days ahead. The two met in Quebec this week for a G7 foreign ministers gathering where Joly rebuked her U.S. counterpart  reinforcing that Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate.

On Friday, Rubio deferred to Trumps economic argument that Canada should seek statehood, telling reporters the proposal "stands for itself. To which Carney responded: Its crazy. His point is crazy.

The prime minister has said earlier this week hes ready to sit down with Trump at the appropriate time, but it must be under a position where theres respect for Canadian sovereignty.

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Starting Monday, Carney plans to flex his standing on the world stage  as Canada seeks to grow its trade and military relationships with Europe, the U.K. and other U.S. allies. He has been invited to London by Keir Starmer and to Paris by Emmanuel Macron.

The Liberal government has cautioned Canadians and G7 counterparts that Trump is serious about annexing the country through economic force, galvanizing Canadians around their identity and sovereignty.

In December, there were worries within the party that Liberals would be wiped out from the House of Commons following an election.

But since Trudeaus resignation, Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative Party has drastically fallen in national opinion polls, showing the election is sure to become a horse race.

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Although Carney is a political rookie, who is viewed by many in the public as boring, he serves as an antidote to Trumps unpredictable and dramatic nature.

Capturing the mood of the nation, Liberals have unleashed a new catchphrase under Carney: Uncertainty cannot become the new certainty in North America.
By Promit Mukherjee and David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Ex-central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as prime minister of Canada on Friday and immediately said he could work with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is promising tariffs that could devastate the Canadian economy.

Carney succeeds Justin Trudeau, who had a combative and often cold relationship with Trump. Carney, 59, made clear his approach would be different.

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"We respect President Trump - President Trump has put some very important issues at the top of his agenda. We understand his agenda," he told reporters after being sworn in, noting he had worked with Trump at international meetings.

"In many respects, part of my experience overlaps with that of the President - we're both looking out for our countries. But he knows, and I know from long experience, that we can find mutual solutions that win for both," he said.

Carney, who said he had no immediate plans to talk to the president, also said Trump administration talk of annexing Canada was "crazy".

He reshaped his 24-person cabinet with a view to dealing with Washington, cutting almost half the ministerial positions he inherited from Trudeau.

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Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc moved to the international trade portfolio and was replaced by current Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stays in her post.

The next election must be held by October 20 and the Liberals will face the opposition Conservatives, who had long campaigned against a Trudeau-era consumer carbon tax. Carney, who promised to scrap the measure, signed an order eliminating it during his first cabinet meeting.

"This will make a difference to hard-pressed Canadians," he told cabinet.

Carney's appointment caps a momentous rise for a man who becomes the first Canadian prime minister without any serious political experience.

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Carney said he would visit London and Paris next week. Canada has sought to shore up alliances in Europe as relations with the United States founder.

Carney crushed his rivals on Sunday in a race to become leader of the ruling Liberal Party. He replaces Trudeau, who spent more than nine years in office.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whose shock resignation last December triggered a crisis that helped push out Trudeau, becomes transport minister.

Carney, a former head of both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, successfully argued his position as an outsider with a history of tackling crises meant he was the best person to take on Trump, who has repeatedly talked about annexing Canada.

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"We will never, ever in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States," he said on Friday.

The cabinet is unlikely in office for long, since Liberal insiders say Carney is set to call a snap election within the next two weeks. If he changes his mind, opposition parties say they will unite to bring down the minority government in a confidence vote at the end of March.

Once the election is called, Carney will be limited in what he can do politically because convention dictates he cannot make major decisions during a campaign.

Opinion polls currently suggest it will be a close race with the Conservatives, with neither party gaining enough seats for a majority government.

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Until recently the Conservatives had enjoyed a double-digit lead in opinion polls, in large part due to unhappiness over a spike in living costs and a housing crisis.

"100% of Carney's ministers were in Trudeau's caucus  helping hike carbon taxes and double the debt, housing costs and food bank lineups," said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, in a post on X. "A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal."

(Additional reporting by John Irish in La Malbaie; Editing by Nia Williams and Chizu Nomiyama)
DES MOINES, Iowa  A Marshalltown woman pled guilty to stealing medications from her patients while she was a nurse at two hospitals.

According to the United States Attorneys Office Southern District of Iowa, 37-year-old Amanda Nicole Manatt pled guilty to diverting controlled substances for her own use and falsely noting the administration of a controlled substance in a patient record on Thursday.

Des Moines cuts neighborhood mosquito spraying, decreases other abatement

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The charges stem from an investigation into Manatt regarding stolen medications that began in 2023. According to court records, Manatt worked as a registered nurse at a hospital in Story County and in Marshall County.

In her role, Manatt was supposed to be administering medications like fentanyl, morphine, and Dilaudid to patients at the hospitals; but instead of giving the patients the medicine she took them for herself, a criminal complaint states.

One incident took place in November 2024 when a child was admitted to the emergency room at a hospital in Marshall County for a serious dog bite, a criminal complaint states. Manatt was supposed to give the child pain medication, but took the drugs for herself, the complaint states.

Manatt was also accused of falsifying patient records in an attempt to hide her crime.

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Manatt faces up to five years in prison. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 11, 2025.

Iowa News:

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Mar. 13U.S. Marshals Service agents arrested a Bonners Ferry man who had been in hiding since last year when he was convicted of possessing bombs.

Daniel Floyd, 58, whose remote residence is near a spot called Good Grief in the northernmost reaches of the state, was found and apprehended in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Thursday morning. He was scheduled to be sentenced last month but failed to show up in court, according to a news release from the Marshals Service.

A judge issued a warrant for his arrest, and investigators learned he had fled the state, the release said.

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Upon collaboration with law enforcement task forces in Idaho and Indiana, Floyd was arrested and booked at the Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne.

According to reports in the Bonners Ferry Herald newspaper, Boundary County deputies found pipe-style bombs at Floyd's property last April. A test on one of the devices by a bomb technician with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms resulted in an explosion.
Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue at the Oct. 25, 2023, news conference announcing the launch of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative. (File photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

The Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative in December released a list of 18 recommendations aimed at ending racial disparities in the criminal justice system, several of which were taken up by lawmakers during this legislative session.

Collaborative members were back Thursday with a new, more detailed report, just four days before the General Assemblys cross-over date, the deadline by which a bill has to pass out of one chamber to be guaranteed consideration in the other.

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Advocates said theyre back now because they know the problems will not be solved in one legislative session, and they want to make sure they get it right.

While we worked diligently to get the 18 recommendations teed up as soon as we could, knowing that some of them will present themselves as legislation in the 2025 General Assembly, the more detailed report took a little bit more time, said Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), the co-chair of the justice collaborative. We wanted to make sure that we got it right.

The other co-chair, Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, said during the online news conference with Brown on Thursday morning, that the report symbolizes a call to action.

We as individuals, we as the collaborative, cannot do it alone, Dartigue said. We must all come together. The report is a comprehensive roadmap to how we can achieve a more equitable Maryland.

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The 111-page report, originally scheduled for release in January, reiterates many of the problems cited previously. While Blacks account for about 30% of the states population, they represent almost 44% of drivers pulled over for secondary vehicle problems, and they make up 71% of the states prison population. Blacks accounted for about 77% of state inmates who served 20 or more years, the report said.

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Dartigue said several of the recommendations that require legislative action have been taken up, with varying levels of success as the General Assembly enters its last three weeks.

One recommendation in the report became the Second Look Act, sponsored by Baltimore Democrats Sen. Charles Sydnor III and Del. Cheryl Pasteur.

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Their bills would let incarcerated individuals petition to have their sentences reduced once they have served at least 20 years. The petition, filed in the circuit court where they were originally sentenced, could be approved by the court if the judge determines that person is no longer considered a danger to the public.

There were several hours of sometimes emotional testimony for and against the measures when they were heard in the respective Senate and House committees.

Support for Second Look was part of a historic meeting earlier this week when six legislative caucuses convened as a group for the first time. But neither bill had received a vote as of Wednesday.

Another report recommendation taken up by some lawmakers request the state to end non-safety-related traffic stops.

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Sydnor also sponsors of Senate Bill 292 that would reclassify some primary traffic offenses  such as tinted windows, failure to illuminate a license plate and driving without a mirror or with obstructed or damaged mirrors  as secondary offenses. A driver can still be cited for a secondary offense, but cannot be pulled over unless there was another, primary violation allowing for the stop.

A Jan. 28 hearing before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Sydnors bill lasted more than two hours. A House version of the traffic stop bill, sponsored by Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County), was heard before the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12.

As of Wednesday, neither committee had voted on those bills.

At least one collaborative-recommended measure, Senate Bill 181, sponsored by Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County), received final approval in the Senate on Thursday afternoon. The 36-10 vote on the measure, which garnered support from three Republicans, now heads to the House of Delegates.

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It is the fourth year Hettleman has sponsored bills to reform the parole process for medical and age reasons.

Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County) after the Senate approved her bill on geriatric and medical parole Thursday. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

Im just thrilled that this body passed this. Its been a long time coming, Hettleman said after the Senate session where the bill passed. It is important to be able to realize that people change.

The bill was amended last week to raise the age when incarcerated individuals can seek parole from age 60 to 65. In addition, the time served was increased from 15 years to 20, and a five-year pause was added between petitions.

During a hearing on the Senate bill in January, Maryland Parole Commission Chair Ernest Eley Jr. said the current parole structure has permitted one person to be released on geriatric parole in the last 10 years.

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Also on Thursday evening, the House gave preliminary approval to House Bill 1123, sponsored by Dels. J. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel) and Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery).

After the House Judiciary Committee recommended approval Wednesday evening on the bill, Bartlett said that House Bill 190 got rolled into HB 1123, which removes the governor from the medical parole process. There are a few differences from the Senate bill in the House measure, which says a person must be age 60 to petition for parole and must way three years between petitions.

Its just a matter of coming to an agreement on that, and well probably have to do that in conference, Bartlett, vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday. We can totally reach a compromise because were so close.

The collaboratives report notes it cost $202 million in fiscal 2023 for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide medical care for people in state prisons.

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All the recommendations in the report are broken down based on the collaboratives seven work groups:

Criminal law and sentencing reform;

Education, workforce development and economic opportunity;

Health and human services;

Law enforcement policies and practices;

Prison, jail and detention facility reform;

Promoting successful reentry and preventing reincarceration; and

Youth justice reform.

The report summarizes other recommendations, including calls for the Department of Education to keep track of data on school-based arrests with information on race, gender and disability status; to pass legislation mandating the implementation of non-policing crisis response systems in all jurisdictions; and to mandate that police officers take cognitive behavioral theory training programs.

We recognize that the problem that were addressing is not years or even decades in the making. These are centuries-old problems, Brown said. While theres a sense of urgency, theres no expectation that the problem is going to be solved in 2025 or even 2026, but the commitment needs to be to addressing the recommendations.
The Scene

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore had a charmed political career. He won the first campaign he ever ran, winning Annapolis back from Republicans in a 2022 landslide. Last year, when Republicans recruited his predecessor Larry Hogan to seek the states open Senate seat, he helped now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks through the primary; she clobbered the most popular Republican in the state by 12 points.

But Kamala Harris wasnt so lucky. The second Trump presidency has given Moore massive economic challenges  a one-two punch of layoffs threatening the states 160,000 federal workers, and the termination of $800 million in grants to Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University.

When the country catches a cold, Moore told Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith this week, the DMV [DC/Maryland/Virginia] region catches pneumonia.

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This is an edited transcript of their conversation at BlackRocks retirement summit.

The View From Wes Moore

Ben Smith: Theres a lot of political pressure in Democratic Party, maybe not to lower the retirement age, but to lower the age of politicians. Do you think its time for some congressional leaders to move on?

Wes Moore: I think that the people in their districts have to decide that. But honestly, at what point do you know that it is time, right? So for example, I look at Steny Hoyer, and I believe Steny is 84, and I cant keep up with him. Steny is a remarkable public servant, and its not just the institutional knowledge  frankly, its the energy that Steny brings to this work. I think he continues to add tremendous value to his district, and I think thats why his district continues to re-elect him overwhelmingly. So its up to the individuals to decide when it is time, and then, I think, its up to voters to decide if that person is the best one to serve them.

One of the undercurrents in the politics of retirement is often a kind of resentment from private sector workers and voters about the traditional pensions and the younger retirement ages that often come with federal, state and local government jobs. How do you think about that?

I joined the army when I was 17 years old, and I was too young to sign the paperwork. My mother had to sign the paperwork for me. But after my teenage years, she signed whatever the army put in front of her. And there are people who I signed up with when I was 17 and 18 years old who would serve on active duty, who had done their time, and would do repeat deployments, and were, at 37 to 40 years old, then eligible for retirement. I also think about the service thing, that in many cases were asking people to leave their families, to risk their lives, to miss birthdays and holidays  basic things that many of us kind of take for granted. Thank you for your service shouldnt just be a statement, but something that we believe in and reinforce.

Just to push on this point a little, there are a lot of people who are not serving in the military, but who have normal office jobs like me. And theres a relationship in a lot of state capitals where the state workers unions elect representatives who sweeten their pensions, and that becomes a real fiscal burden that Im sure youre navigating all the time. Is that a problem, that essentially some of these groups have too much political power in state capitals and that that, in a way, distorts the system?

I come from the business world. And I do believe that in this moment, we have to think about what type of workforce is necessary and required.

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So, for example, when I came on board there were over 10,000 vacancies within state government, and that meant a lot of basic functions just werent being performed. Its the reason that we were dealing with things like people waiting 18 months for unemployment checks, and people calling 911 and waiting over an hour to get a response. Its the reason that a little after my first day in office, we had to deal with something called Charlotte Hall, which is one of the largest veterans centers inside of Maryland, and which was not just in disrepair  what was being done to those veterans living in Charlotte Hall was abhorrent.

You had this atrophy of basic functions and services. So then, people say, Well, if you know theres over 10,000 vacancies, does that mean you bring on 10,000 working people? The answer is no, because Im not interested in rebuilding someone elses government. Im interested in having a government that actually works. So tell me how to right-size it, and then tell me how you can add measurements and accountability where you can utilize technologies to increase efficiencies and to get rid of waste and fraud. One of the first hires I made was a chief performance officer. Weve been doing DOGE in Maryland long before anyone knew what that word was.

This is a good segue, because you, maybe more than any other public official right now, are reckoning with the consequences of these big cuts, both to the federal workforce and to the number one USAID recipient, with close to a billion dollars, which is Johns Hopkins. How are you thinking about this?

If you believe in cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, the answer is that so do I. And thats what weve been doing. Weve pulled together initiatives, doing everything from fleet management to IT consolidation, to looking at procurement reform  were doing massive procurement reform looking at real estate. Theres certain buildings, for example, that are on state rolls  I dont know why these buildings are on the state rolls, so get them off the balance sheet! But were being transparent, and we really are focusing on how you can have a measure of expertise thats helping to guide the decisions about what is necessary and what is not. Were not doing what are oftentimes seemingly arbitrary and ideological and cruel cuts. For example, I think they are very clear about their intention to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. You need to create some delta if you want to be able to fulfill those numbers. But its about a larger sense of prioritization that I think has been pretty destructive.

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Im now going on my third year as governor. And for the third straight year, our budget is actually smaller than the year before. But you can do that and also still increase efficiencies, increase accountability and increase your output. But I think you have to be really smart about the way that its done, so youre not actually laying off people who were serving essential tasks. So I believe that we can actually do this together, and Im eager to be a partner with the federal government. I just know that when those decisions are being made, its good if there are people who actually have expertise in those areas who are helping you to make those decisions - because we would - versus people who, frankly, have no idea what these agencies even do, and those people are making decisions on what the head count should be.

A lot of your Democratic constituents would probably say theyd like you to fight back harder, that they want Democrats  whatever this means  to fight. Do you feel that pressure, that Democrats ought to be more confrontational?

Im not the leader of the resistance. Im the governor of Maryland. My job is to make sure that the six and a half million people who I represent are being seen, supported, heard and protected. Now, to do that, that sometimes means pushing back hard on what this federal government is doing, and specifically because when youre looking at some of these cuts, this is having a distinct impact on the people of my state. We have over 160,000 federal employees in the state of Maryland. We have the highest percentages of federal employees on a per capita basis that are inside of the state of Maryland. This is already having distinct impacts on our economy, on our income taxes and on our unemployment rates. So this is very real for me. It is something that I think we all have a unique responsibility to be able to address. But I would say that the message I keep on getting from voters is that fight back means to make sure were doing the job of protecting our people.

What does that mean concretely, with these job cuts?

Well, weve already had to be pretty creative. In fact, just last week, we launched five specific initiatives that were focusing on supporting our federal workers. There are places in the state of Maryland where we know there are real vacancies. So, for example, we have tens of thousands of vacancies for certified teachers inside of our classrooms. And if we have people who can serve as educators, who can serve as nurses, who can serve in other roles that have real shortages, Ive instructed our Department of Health and our head of education to get them the certifications they need, the teacher licenses they need. If theres a person whos qualified and we know we have a shortage, well, guess what? Need, and asset  meet them and do it quickly. And its the same thing with the private sector, where were working with a lot of our partners there.

I was talking with the lead head of a large technology company, and he said, Youre telling me you have a person with a PhD and with a TS clearance, whos been working at NIH, working on something that is very specific, and now they are out of a job? I would really like to know their name. And so this is a time when I think the private sector also has a chance to go after some real talent that is available, people who are working really important jobs for the federal government who now, pretty arbitrarily, find themselves out of that role. I think this is actually a place where the public and private sectors can actually get together and do some interesting work.
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus first began spreading across the globe five years ago, some predicted that it could take five years for things to recover. Now that we've reached this seemingly impossible point, it seems some of those warnings were correct. Though infections are at a relative low these days, we're still dealing with COVID-19, which kills hundreds of Americans per week and disables countless others.

To date, the death toll from COVID is approximately 1.2 million Americans, the most deaths of any country, across two administrations. The fact that this was essentially allowed to happen, and that Americans were at greater risk than we could have imagined, is an eye-opener. So too is the fact that there has been no accountability. And that people continue to die from, and be disabled by, SARS-CoV-2 infection without any movement to change the situation.

But its not just our life expectancy at birth that COVID has changed, or our probable risk of dementia. The pandemic has been a broader un-masker as well. Since perhaps FDR's New Deal and World War II, the interests of the average American have been understood to be inseparable from U.S. democratic capitalism. But since the pandemic, those interests have diverged sharply from the interests of the leaders and power-brokers of that system, regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans. (In other countries there's been a similar divergence between a wealthy minority and the majority most negatively affected by the pandemic.)

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Of course, the arrival of COVID five years ago merely accelerated and facilitated existing trends of inequality, commodification and ownership consolidation of housing and agriculture (and everything else). It spurred massive geopolitical shifts, a class of increasingly precarious workers drawn from what was once a heartier middle class, the rise of tech authoritarianism and proto-fascism along with old-fashioned xenophobia, and the decline in public health and the scientific literacy, interest, trust and funding that support it. Perhaps most of all, these trends include acceptance of mass death, and of huge suffering among one identifiable group after another.

An interest in keeping us well

In the wake of COVID, existing trends in the spread and re-emergence of almost-forgotten diseases  trends mostly reflective of an increase in poverty, inequality and global travel, as well as in the alliance of so-called alternative medicine with the political far right  have been exacerbated.

A rise in syphilis cases in many countries over roughly the decade preceding the pandemic, for example, has accelerated since 2020, with congenital syphilis, where a mother passes the disease on to her child during pregnancy, rising 30% between 2021 and 2022 in the United States. University of Toronto infectious diseases researcher Ian Bogoch told the BBC that a lot of this is reflective of a breakdown in public health care.

Indeed, a letter in the journal Science last week argued that preparing for an H5N1 pandemic is urgent, requires global cooperation, and must focus on equitable public health response funded by the government in collaboration with other sectors. Six years ago this might have read as a serious and realistic call for action. Now, it sounds more like a utopian incantation: read it aloud three times on a hill under moonlight and perhaps it will come true. Because the odds of such a serious, urgent, equitable and cooperative public health response being realized in the current reality seem incredibly unlikely.

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Syphilis is not a complicated disease to treat: it just needs penicillin. During the early phases of the pandemic, testing and treatment were delayed, and so rates of reported syphilis, like tuberculosis rates in this period, were artificially high for a while once testing began to catch up. But that issue has largely passed, without public health care returning to what it was. And syphilis is far from the only sign of a terribly sick health care system.

Even as funding for necessary health care vanishes, essential data is removed from the public eye, and programs are forbidden from focusing on where theyre most needed, ordinary people are losing faith in the system, contributing to the problem by refusing simple, self-protective public health measures like wearing masks in indoor spaces or vaccination. Of course, not all groups are affected equally by these disparities.

When we think about racial disparities in vaccination, its really important to get to the heart of why they exist and continue to persist, Dr. Maimuna Majumder, a computational epidemiologist and faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Boston Childrens Hospital, told Salon in an email in relation to declines in measles vaccination fuelling the current outbreak of the disease.

Ultimately, under-vaccination has many causes. For example, in educated white folks, its often because of [factors like] lack of direct experience with [measles] itself; confidence in knowing the needs of their children, driven by their own education attainment; and so on. But in marginalized groups, the reasons can be completely different, Majumder said, going on to note that a primary reason shes seen in her own work is a lack of trust in the authorities that have themselves been responsible for their marginalization.

An interest in us believing our own eyes

We all saw the images of body bags stored in refrigerated trucks, and if we were in New York or another major city, we might viscerally remember the sirens. All this has faded awfully fast from our mass cultural memory. Could we really have lived through a situation in which, in that city alone, hospitals had to move bodies by forklift into makeshift truck morgues, in which bodies were stored in funeral home viewing rooms and chapels, in which four crematoria worked around the clock and bodies were buried in the same potter's field that has taken in the victims of past yellow fever, tuberculosis, HIV and influenza victims?

When we hit 100,000 American lives lost to COVID in May 2020, the New York Times published a moving tribute with detailed memorials to victims of the disease. When the figure reached one million the following year, the Times waited two weeks before representing all one million Americans as dots in a nonetheless valuable investigation of disparities in death rates. Thankfully, deaths have declined sharply from their peak during the Omicron surge, thanks to vaccination and acquired immunity from previous infections, which can make it feel like the virus is in the rearview.

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But COVID  no longer subject to the precautions and policies of a national public health emergency or mandatory reporting of the disease  is still very much with us. Between 23 and 39 thousand Americans died directly of COVID in just the past six months, but their faces are no longer memorialized on the New York Times' front pages.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes.

In several years of writing about the opioid painkillers, the intersection of drug use and homelessness, and speaking with low-income people who used street drugs like illicit fentanyl or methamphetamine, I was struck by how often my interlocutors used the word "genocide." War on drugs policies that increase the unreliability of the underground drug market, combined with policies that criminalize poverty, were resulting in the regular deaths of the people around them. When they described it as a genocide, they were alluding to what they couldnt help suspect was a concerted government policy to kill off drug users and the poor. The fact that the intersection of those two categories more often than not went along with one or more of being Native American, Black, disabled or queer only exacerbated these fears.

Conspiracy thinking in the absence of evidence is not helpful in understanding either COVID or toxic drug supply. But my respondents were accurately identifying a phenomenon of mass social abandonment. In their case, it began  or perhaps accelerated  as the impact of housing-commodifying policies of the 1990s coincided with the rise of illicit opioids, producing a class of extremely poor people with very little hope of emerging from desperate poverty. Addiction was really beside the point.

COVID-19 Drive-Through Test Site

So for two decades there has been mass death and displacement without any substantial ripples in the rest of society or significant policy changes to stop it. Rather, victims were increasingly criminalized. Attending funeral after funeral until it feels like an emergency, but seeing society continue as if nothing is going on is, for these people, a kind of gaslighting by policy.

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Drug overdoses escalated from the start of the pandemic. While the rate has slowed, deaths have yet to decline back to where they were before COVID  a possibly significant drop just this year may be attributable to incomplete data, the CDC notes.

Meanwhile, the sense of a crisis of mass death that society ignores as a whole, and policymakers in particular, has gone on to hit more and more identifiable groups. We stopped keeping track of COVID deaths almost altogether sometime in 2023, and given the lack of testing, there are no longer published death rates that can be said to accurately reflect actual deaths. There is evidence to suggest that some deaths attributed to natural causes, such as strokes, pneumonia or organ failure, during the first 30 months of the pandemic actually resulted from COVID. And now? All we know is that COVID, as a vascular disease, can have long-term effects on virtually every system of the body, worsening existing health conditions and creating new ones. But when someone dies of a heart attack now, or pneumonia, it is even less likely to be attributed to COVID. So we really don't know how many people are being killed as a result of past or current infection with SARS-CoV-2. But  as the National Organization for Women pointed out earlier in the pandemic  Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American and Alaskan Native populations [are] suffering much higher rates of exposure, hospitalizations, and deaths.

These disparities are unlikely to have changed for the better. But those rates are no longer recorded.

For many of us, this all feels anything but normal. The continuing toll of the coronavirus is officially unrecognized while being exacerbated by official policies that suppress the signs of a pandemic  without suppressing the virus itself. Immunocompromised and disabled patients are told that unmasked hospital waiting rooms are safe when we know they are not. Or that we must send our kids to crowded classrooms, but are not allowed to even donate an air filter to reduce our risk of life-changing infection.

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Those living with postacute sequelae of COVID (PASC, or long COVID) are routinely gaslit about their symptoms by medical professionals. Rates of numerous conditions for which there is a clear association with SARS-CoV-2 infection and even a demonstrated mechanism seem to be on the rise  heart disease and strokes or new onset type 2 diabetes, for example  but we are told that it has nothing to do with ongoing high wastewater rates of the virus. Patients go into hospital for surgery and come out with COVID. Or, sometimes, they dont come out.

The same president who was the single largest driver of misinformation about COVID  as Cornell University researchers concluded in a 2020 study that looked at 38 million pieces of English-language content that year  has returned to power, vigorously pursuing the agenda that was briefly interrupted by the Biden administration.

And then, of course, since Oct. 2023 we have watched war crimes livestreamed on our screens, even as the students protesting it and calling for ceasefire in Gaza have been treated as criminals. It's not just a war, it's also a public health crisis that, a couple of months of ceasefire aside, bridged the change in administration, assuring us that the cross-partisan tendency to gaslighting remains constant in regards to global geopolitics, as in regards to the pandemic. Jewish students holding open Shabbat dinners at encampments in support of Palestine, even, have been slandered as antisemitic. Its enough of an inversion of truth, expected adherence to international law, the values that supposedly guided Western sympathy toward Ukraine, and basic compassion to give you whiplash.

It all likely contributed to the return of Donald Trump, whose disregard for the Democratic tendency to use social justice rhetoric to mask billionaire-benefiting policy, and whose naked use of the presidents office as a profit-making, land-grabbing opportunity, takes unmasking of priorities to a whole other level.

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The current administrations attempts to visually and then literally wipe out concepts like racial disparities in health care outcomes, or health impacts of climate change, pollution and wildfires, or the vulnerability of groups like those over 60 or under 5 to infectious disease, fit right into the environment thats been created: one in which ones own experience is at odds with the official line.

At which point, were told by friends, doctors, pundits and our political leaders that were clinically anxious, paranoid or even dangerous for the very logical skepticism and mistrust that result.

As a Muslim scientist, a good deal of my community engagement involves reassuring my ummah that the government isnt trying to chip us every time we get a vaccine  but I want to stress that this fear is not unfounded and does not deserve the ridicule it tends to receive, Majumder explained, pointing out that Muslim Americans are extremely over-surveilled. "Many of us have first-hand experiences with inexcusable governmental infringements on our right to privacy."

"And sadly, we are not at all alone in this struggle, either; after all, our country has a long-standing history of government-financed eugenics programs that have targeted American minorities, Majumder went on. "Its extremely important from a health communications perspective to treat well-founded fears from a place of respect and empathy; thats the only way marginalized communities  that are rightfully distrustful of the authorities  can be reached."

An interest in keeping us alive

Very early in the pandemic it became clear that, as is common for pretty much all diseases, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not evenly distributed across the population. Some groups have higher infection rates: like children under five, despite early and even continuing pronouncements about kids not getting COVID; Black people versus white, Hispanic versus non-Hispanic; men versus women.

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Others get more severe COVID if they get infected, and are more likely to be hospitalized or die (men; younger people with disabilities; older age groups.) Others are more vulnerable to long-term effects (women, people over 65, people with autoimmune diseases.) Still others live in areas or come from groups that have worse access to life-saving health care, or are less able to afford personal protection  everything from N95 masks to driving a private car instead of cramming into a packed subway car.

Study after study has revealed differential risk of death, likelihood of positive tests, or ability to isolate from family members to prevent spread of infection. The obvious course of action, once we learned that, for example, people with diabetes were at higher risk of dying due to infection, was to increase protection for people with diabetes. At the start, that meant giving them greater access to personal protective equipment and quick testing, and increasing their ability to get food delivered and to work from home.

Later, the ways to protect what came to be generalized as "vulnerable people" included treatment with monoclonal antibodies and antivirals; and universal masking so that the amount of potential pathogen in any indoor space was reduced.

You do expect the state to save capitalism from its own worst instincts to some degree, in order to preserve social stability, John Clarke, a long-time anti-poverty organizer who now teaches the history and practice of social struggle in Toronto, told Salon by email. He observed two ostensibly different responses play out around the globe  the Trump-style denialists, and leaders like Biden who purported to be responsible, but whose response was weak and inadequate, still put corporate profit over public health in reopening prematurely and without adequate mitigation. In practical terms, both approaches hung workers and those at risk of infection out to dry. In large part for this reason, more people ultimately died of COVID under Biden than Trump, as former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who held this role under the first Trump administration, reminded Salon in December.

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That said, if we hadn't reopened as early as we did (Trump issued his reopening plan in April of 2020, a month after everything closed, while Georgia, Alaska, and Oklahoma began to reopen against public health advice April 24th), it's possible that the less infectious original strain of SARS-CoV-2 would have eventually fizzled out for lack of transmission, like SARS-1 and MERS, other coronaviruses with pandemic potential. Instead, mitigation was uneven and half-hearted, stoking frustration without effectively preventing spread of the disease, and paving the way for the backlash that followed.

What was striking about the pandemic was how weak that limited restraining influence proved to be, Clarke said. "In the face of a terrible virus that could have been even worse, measures of public health and social protection took a back seat to the needs of short-term profit in country after country. Lockdowns were too late and too little and temporarily improved income support and tenant protections were cast aside as rapidly as possible."

A registered nurse administers the COVID-19 vaccine into the arm of a woman

While we often heard about peoples vaccine fatigue or pandemic fatigue or masking fatigue, rarely did the media cover a far more entrenched structural issue: labor rights fatigue. Majumder told Salon that the second primary reason for low vaccination rates within marginalized communities is the lack of worker protections that would make it easier to get vaccinated. The majority of Americans consider themselves middle class, whether or not their lived reality or ability to afford housing or share of aggregate income reflect what we used to consider middle class. Thus they may not see themselves as marginalized. Still, if were considering who lacks worker protections, the term marginalized communities must refer to an amorphous but increasingly populated group that includes restaurant workers, daycare staff, delivery drivers, personal support workers  anyone who has trouble taking time off or who has an unpredictable work schedule and wages that are low in comparison to the cost of necessities.

Such a group overlaps notably with that of workers who have difficulty voting because they cant get the time off work: low-wage, more likely to be women, people of color, and working parents with young children. This is the group that needs daycare and good health insurance but is less likely to have it; that commutes large distances because they cant afford rent near their workplace; that was disabled by COVID but lacks long-term disability insurance; and that was pushed back to in-person work most quickly and insistently, and before COVID rates justified it in epidemiological terms. This is often the group that were lauded as essential workers or heroes. Within this broad group, researchers have identified multiple identities that were hit with higher death rates than outside it.

An interest in real estate  over workers

The move to remote work had its downsides, for sure. But for many people, the change represented a significant improvement in their work-life balance and quality of life, and allowed for workforce participation among people with disabilities, including those newly disabled from COVID. It also reduced workers' risk of new COVID infection, disability and death. A 2021 study based on a survey of one million Americans, for example, found that non-health care front-line workers experienced a sustained higher risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-frontline workers from Sept. 2020 to March 2021. These days, were all less likely to know if we are infected, so this kind of data is harder to collect. But we know that people continue to die of COVID, and they are largely not the CEOs who are pushing people back to in-person work or arguing against mitigations such as sick leave provisions or improving indoor ventilation and filtration in these workplaces. While there are strong cases to be made for hybrid or flexible workspaces that allow workers to spend time in person with colleagues, to get out of the house, and to interact with clients or customers in person, the push to return to in-person work has been imposed very definitely from above.

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Its not even because workers are more productive when theyre in an office workplace. Theyre not. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrates that what they call total factor productivity growth, a concept that tries to account for different ways of measuring productivity, rose along with the rise in proportion of remote workers across 61 private sector industries between 2019 and 2022. This holds even after you account for pre-pandemic productivity trends. The authors of the Bureau report dryly note: productivity gains accrued to businesses, however, did not result in increased compensation to workers.

Despite the advantage to many businesses of reducing non-labor costs by remote work, the commercial real estate sector has needs. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute report on remote work estimated $800 billion of commercial real estate value was at stake by 2030 across nine major world cities. Then there's the twitchy desire to maintain control over employees time. Together, these factors seem to have motivated the push to get low-wage workers back to in-person work in unmitigated environments, while white-collar workers and high-level decision makers continue to enjoy hybrid or work-from-home arrangements and the resulting lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. One of Donald Trump's first executive orders was to send the entire federal workforce back to the office.

Majumder noted another way in which public health outcomes relate to worker protections, or lack of them: Its important to remember that many unvaccinated folks actually arent vaccine-hesitant; rather, they simply dont have adequate accessibility to vaccination (i.e., easy access), driven in no small part by poor worker protections. Some of her early pandemic research looked at the importance of paid sick leave in being responsive to public health interventions.

Vaccines are an excellent example of a situation where paid sick leave can be essential, especially if folks are worried about (minor, albeit disruptive) side effects. Moreover, it can be tough to even make it to the vaccine clinic  whether it be for yourself or for your kids  if you work a job where you cant get time off for this essential public health activity, Majumder told Salon.

In effect, reports that emphasize vaccine hesitancy or talk about pandemic fatigue may conflate policymakers' goals of pushing people back into the workplace and of maximizing productivity at the expense of well-being with workers sheer exhaustion and barriers that make it hard for us to take part in protecting our own interests, whether through votes or vaccines.

So who is all of this for?

As documented in A Poor Peoples Pandemic Report, after its first wave, COVID-19 became largely a poor peoples pandemic, with poor communities grieving nearly two times the losses of richer communities. As this became evident, the were all in this together slogans petered out. Media and politicians began declaring the pandemic over, well before the epidemiological indicators bore this out in any way.

The international reopening consensus that emerged as the pandemic ground on represented, in my view, a de facto consensus on social abandonment, Clarke said. There is no plan to deal more effectively with any future pandemic and the same is true of climate impacts. The cost of living crisis that followed the pandemic saw austerity intensified, wage demands resisted and an even more naked effort to deal with all social and economic crises in ways that served the needs of the vested interests. In conditions of 'polycrisis,' governments are more determined than ever to shape public policy in ways that favor the few at the expense of the many.

Following the pandemic, homelessness skyrocketed. And the homelessness crisis that hit wealthy cities like San Francisco was by no means confined to people who used illicit drugs, or to the unemployed.

This is the context in which the pandemic accustomed the rest of us to mass death, mass amnesia about that death, and criminalization of those who refuse to forget.

While U.S. politics have been dominated by the wealthy for as long as any of us can remember, and while Republican and Democrat representatives send their children to the same Ivy League schools where they will make the connections that lead to the same corporate boards, and while the dramatic concentration of wealth that results in inequality levels that would shock Marie Antoinette began ramping up in the '90s, the fallout of the pandemic has been such that the U.S. now have a government committed to avoiding any gestures towards the 99%.

The concentration of wealth has escalated through and since COVID. By the time the Omicron strain first turned up in South Africa in Nov. 2021, its current most famous son, Elon Musk, was already $293.7 billion richer than at the start of the pandemic. Collectively, Americas billionaires gained $1.8 trillion over that same interval, even as rents skyrocketed and 28.2% of lower-income adults lost their jobs, compared to just 7.8% of upper-income workers. They often ended up with more precarious positions or, as was the case for working women with children and people disabled by the pandemic, being pushed out of the workforce. And changes made in the wake of the pandemic have married wealth to power and governance as never before.

Essentially, the world  including the majority of Americans  are being held hostage by a tiny group of people of unimaginable wealth. Just 36 fossil fuel companies are responsible for half of the worlds CO2 emissions. A majority of Americans have, since two weeks after Oct. 7, 2023, expressed support for restrictions on or reductions in weapons sent to Israel, and for a ceasefire in Gaza. But U.S. policy under Biden and under Trump has involved sending ever-greater amounts of money and weaponry that are then used to flatten or dismember Palestinian children.

And we are asked to see the "vulnerable" as a small number of whiny people on deaths door anyway. Its a straight-out lie  after all, being over 65, being overweight or obese, suffering from depression, having ADHD or having either type of diabetes are just a few of the all-too-common factors that put you on the CDCs at increased risk list  but its been an enormously successful one. Its success during the pandemic, as a million Americans died of COVID-19 within a year, has emboldened those who steal the worlds resources and exploit our labor while putting us at risk we would never have tolerated decades ago, when it seemed that a rising tide was lifting all boats. Risk of disease. Risk of unemployment and homelessness. Risk of global climate collapse and constant disaster, for which we can no longer find insurance to help rebuild nor expect government support to do so.

And resistance will be criminalized

Authoritarianism has been a hallmark of the post-pandemic world. Human Rights Watch described, four years ago now, how at least 83 governments around the world had already used the COVID pandemic to justify attacks on free speech and peaceful assembly. In the wake of the pandemic in the U.S., we've seen a sharp increase in authoritarian response to social movements. This is despite initial successes of the Black Lives Movement and protests of police killings of unarmed Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd during the pandemic. Protests of Floyd's murder were perhaps "the largest, broadest and most covered political protests in American history." But establishment and corporate support for changes to structures of systemic racism and racist policing proved short lived.

As sociologists Deanna Rohlinger and David Meyer argued, "movements may have difficulty working with partners whose financial interests are likely to supersede political goals." Indeed, responses to exercise of the democratic right to protest have, especially in the case of student-led demonstrations against the U.S.-funded siege and bombardment of Gaza, been characterized by excessive use of police force that has been criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, and U.N. experts, including the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to education.

Meanwhile, over the first two years of the pandemic, policing in Houston, Texas shifted from reactive to proactive, relying on increased police presence and targeting of perceived sources of disorder or violence as a way to prevent crime before it happens and avoid accusations of police brutality. However, in practice this might mean clearing encampments of homeless people, surveilling student activists, or targeting specific ethnic or income-defined neighborhoods.

Harassment of mask-wearing individuals, followed by outright mask bans, has been a feature of this post-pandemic life, with even personal ways to attempt self-protection perceived first as an affront, and then as evidence of suspicious intentions, and even as a crime. At the same time, mask bans fulfill the authoritarian purpose of ensuring individual protesters can be identified by authorities in a climate that is ever more punitive of people exercising their rights to free assembly and freedom of expression.

Perhaps, perhaps, the pandemic sowed the seeds of future resistance by revealing to more and more of us that the world we live in isn't designed with most of our best interests (or the planet's) in mind. There are certain inflection points in history where you can imagine how things might have gone differently. If Martin Luther King Jr. hadnt been assassinated, might he have succeeded at marrying his anti-war and economic inequality work with the civil rights advocacy for which he remains famous? Might we now all enjoy affordable housing and fair working conditions thanks to his economic bill of rights, rather than preparing for the worlds first trillionaires? If Al Gore had become President, would we now be wondering why climate change indicators are veering towards the worst case scenarios, or whether well perish by water or fire?

And if it hadnt been for that spiky little virus, would we all be one happy family? Or might we just still think we are?
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is investigating one case of healthcare-associated Legionnaires disease at Beth Israel Hospital.

Health officials confirmed the case and have been in contact with the hospital. They also added that infection control measures have been added to the hospital and must be implemented.

Legionnaires disease is a serious form of pneumonia that is caused by the Legionella bacteria, a water-borne organism found naturally in the environment and not transmitted person-to-person.

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If multiple cases were linked to a specific location, for example, an improperly maintained water system, then remediation may occur.

The Department of Public Health has said that isolated cases routinely occur and are not a cause of health concern for the public.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Friday, calling on both countries to expand cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as socialist comrades and brothers, China and Laos should earnestly implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties and countries, intensify high-level exchange, deepen political mutual trust, and work together to safeguard security and development interests.

Ding called on both countries to strengthen their development strategy alignment, advance the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and improve the quality and efficiency of the China-Laos Railway.

Thongsavanh congratulated China on its successful convening of the "two sessions," noting that Laos firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Laos is willing to deepen its comprehensive, practical cooperation with China and push the construction of a Laos-China community with a shared future to a new level. 

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
Massachusetts State Trooper Terence Kent pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and indecent assault on Thursday.

The Middlesex County District Attorney says that Kent sexually assaulted someone while on the job.

The DA says that back in August, Trooper Kent had blocked in a persons car at a parking lot off Soldiers Field Road in Brighton, using his State Police cruiser.

The victim told investigators that Trooper Kent had told him his car would be towed because his registration and insurance had expired, but Kent would help out the driver if they met at a Department of Transportation property in Lexington.

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Thats where the victim says Trooper Kent requested a sexual act as a favor and in exchange, he wouldnt have the car towed.

We are asking for a stay away, no contact from the alleged victim, whose identity is currently being withheld as a victim of a sexual assault allegation, said Megan McGovern, the prosecutor in court Thursday.

Trooper Kent graduated from the State Police Academy in 2017.

Massachusetts State Police says Kent has been suspended without pay since the department learned about these allegations in November.

The defendant in this case allegedly used his position of power as a sworn police officer to commit a sexual assault. These allegations, if true, are a blatant violation of the public trust and his obligation to uphold high ethical standards and the values of the community, said Marian Ryan, Middlesex County District Attorney in a statement.

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As you saw in there, my client has pled not guilty, Id like to remind everyone that as any criminal defendant, hes presumed to be innocent at this point, said David Yanetti, defense attorney for Kent. You also can see he has the full support of his family.

Kent was released on personal recognizance Thursday and has another hearing in April.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  On Friday, March 21  just a week away  more than 40,000 medical students around the country will find out where they will be serving their residencies. About 300 of those graduates are from UNLV, UNR and Touro University, but there arent enough residencies in the state to keep them here.

Natalie Osborn, a fourth-year student at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine who is working toward a career as a pediatrician, wants to stay in Nevada. A Coronado High School graduate who went to UNLV, Osborn isnt alone, but opportunities in Nevada are limited on match day.

Instead of hoping that our students come back to practice in Nevada, I would love to see more opportunities for students to train where their roots are so we can give back to the community that grew us, Osborn said Thursday, one of several medical students on hand to testify in support of legislation that would allocate $9 million over the next two years toward grants under the Graduate Medical Education Advisory Council, which was created in 2023.

Natalie Osborn wants to stay in Nevada, but pursuing her career in pediatrics might mean leaving for an out-of-state residency. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature)

Fellowships and residencies are expensive training programs, but they are a key part of keeping doctors in Nevada.

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Mark Kahn, dean at UNLVs Kirk Kerkorian Medical School said there is a significant shortage right now.

2024: Las Vegas medical students matched with residency programs

More details came from Jeffrey Murawsky, chief medical officer for HCAs Far West Division, which includes Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Sunrise Childrens Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital.

As was mentioned, we are at the bottom of the physician ranking. It would take 1,589 new doctors with none of us retiring to get to just average for access. The best way to close this gap, as Dean Kahn mentioned, is to grow our own, Murawsky said.

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Senate Bill 262 (SB262) has wide support among Democrats with 10 primary sponsors led by Sen. Julie Pazina. Another 25 lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors.

Kahn told senators on the Health and Human Services Committee that increasing the number of doctors comes with a choice: import more or grow your own. And residencies have proven to be an effective way to keep medical students from leaving. Kahn said about 40% of Nevadas med school graduates practice here, and about 60% of residents remain rather than leaving for another state. But if you do both, it goes to about 80%, Kahn said.

Without a surgery residency program here, my path and the paths of many aspiring surgeons like me, will lead us out of state, UNR medical student Jacob Lamay told lawmakers on Thursday. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature)

Jacob Lamay, a UNR medical student, said, The reality is that without a surgery residency program here, my path and the paths of many aspiring surgeons like me, will lead us out of state. This summer and fall I will be traveling to different states to showcase my skills as a fourth-year medical student to hospitals that train doctors in my surgical field of choice. I hope that they choose me when I apply for residency this September but I would have preferred to stay here in Nevada if this were possible.

Kelsie Little, a gold miners daughter from Elko and now a fourth-year medical student at Touro, is another example. Hopefully, matching next week. Nevada is my number one.

Kelsie Little is a gold miners daughter from Elko, Nevada. When Match Day arrives in a week, she may be leaving to take a residency out of state. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature)

Without a residency here, the opportunities are out of state. I would like to be a physician for the community that served me, but I may not have the chance to, she said.

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SB262 realigns the committee that would supervise the grants, moving it under the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Not much has happened since it was created two years ago, but lawmakers think that will change under DHHS.

Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, dean at Touro University Nevada, believes that the program will need to grow significantly. We need to talk about $50 million, he said. But for now, he acknowledged, With little, we can do a lot. With nothing, we can do nothing.

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LA MALBAIE, Canada  Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied the U.S. was in a trade war Friday as he wrapped up his trip to a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies.

Theres not a trade war, Rubio said. The United States is resetting its trade relations globally to a level of equilibrium, to a level of reciprocity.

That comment was in direct conflict with Melanie Joly, Canadas foreign minister, who just hours earlier told reporters that the Trump administration was engaging in a trade war against Canada and European countries. On Thursday, President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on alcohol from the European Union after slapping 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada on Wednesday.

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Joly said she had a very long conversation with Rubio.

We will put maximum pressure on the Americans, she insisted.

The contradiction between the two diplomats overshadowed the G7 meetings official agenda, which included Russias war in Ukraine and relations with China. Instead, turmoil over tariffs loomed over the gathering. The newly frosty relationship between the longtime allies unfolded as frigid temperatures greeted the foreign ministers when they first arrived for the meeting on Tuesday. On Thursday, Trump once again mocked Canada from the Oval Office as the diplomats met in Quebec.

Canada only works as a state, Trump said. We dont need anything they have.

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On Friday, Joly blasted the comments and insisted she did not take them as a joke  but instead, as a serious threat.

Canadas sovereignty is not up for debate, she said. Period.

The diplomatic tussle between the U.S. and Canada also escalated in Ottawa Friday as Mark Carney was sworn in as the new prime minister.

Its crazy. His point is crazy. Thats it, Carney said. We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States.

After initially stressing that the topic did not come up during his conversations with G7 diplomats, Rubio was pressed about whether Trump was serious when he says Canada should become the 51st state.

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The Canadian government has made their position, how they feel about it clear. The president has made his argument as to why he thinks Canada would be better off joining the United States for economic purposes, Rubio said. Theres a disagreement between the Presidents position and the position of the Canadian government.

Rubio also noted the president says he loves Canada.

Joly said she was trying to find an off-ramp to the trade dispute, but Rubio claimed there was no need for one because this was about the U.S. resetting its trade policy.

Rubio also said Trumps tariff policy was not hostile to countries around the world, despite Trump calling the European Union hostile and abusive Thursday on social media. In the Oval Office later in the day, Trump added: The European Union is very, very nasty.

The G7 foreign ministers meeting in La Malbaie, Quebec, on Thursday.

During an interview with NBC News, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security policy, said it was an overall good G7 meeting and touted the discussions about Russias war in Ukraine and a variety of issues. But she acknowledged the EUs diplomats didnt like Trumps Thursday comments.

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Of course, these kinds of statements come as a surprise because we have long been friends and allies with the United States, she said. Weve done a lot of good things together.

We dont really understand how we have deserved these comments, she said.

Still, on Ukraine, the U.S. drew incrementally closer to its G7 allies Friday  at least for now. The gatherings joint foreign ministers communique supported Ukraines territorial integrity and warned Russia to accept a ceasefire or face possible further sanctions.

Rubio denied it marked any shift in U.S. policy.

Ive never heard President Trump say that Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there, he said. So thats not inconsistent with that statement.

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The agreement followed weeks of tension between U.S. allies and Trump over his Ukraine policy.

The agreement among the G7 nations  comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S.  emphasized the need for security arrangements to secure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, although Rubio declined to offer specifics on what those security arrangements might be. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had famously clashed with Trump in the Oval Office over the issue of the U.S. providing security guarantees to move along a peace deal.

Speaking with reporters, Rubio also touted a positive and productive engagement between Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladamir Putin Thursday in Moscow, but he declined to speculate about the next steps in any ceasefire negotiations because Witkoff was still en route back to the U.S.

I think there was reason to be optimistic, Rubio said. By the same token, we continue to recognize this is a difficult and complex situation.

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Rubio was asked by NBC News whether he trusted Putin.

I think its an irrelevant question, he responded. I think in foreign policy, its not about trusting. Its about actionYou cant just say you want peace. You have to do peace  and thats true for both sides in any conflict.

This is not about personalities, he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is accusing President Trump of seeking to start a civil war.

The California Democrat, a longtime adversary of Trump, said the early flood of presidential policies  the disruptive tariffs, mass firings of federal employees and empowerment of Elon Musk to gut the government and the services it provides  may appear haphazard on their surface. But theres a unifying theory behind them, she said: Trump wants to incite violence.

This president is putting us in a position where hungry people are going to be on the street. Where nonprofits, who were waiting for their checks, are not going to get them. Where seniors waiting for their Social Security check, will not get it. Where poor families with children will not get what they believe the government has agreed to do, Waters told reporters during the Democrats annual issues retreat in Northern Virginia.

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And so when that happens, what does Trump expect? Oh, I believe he expects violence. I believe he expects confrontation. I believe hes working towards a civil war.

Waters went on to say that Trumps effort will fail. Democrats will speak out, organize and take to the streets in protest, she said. But the party  and especially those in the Congressional Black Caucus, of which shes a senior member  will not take the bait and be provoked into violence.

It places the responsibility on us to live and do like Dr. Martin Luther King told us to do. He taught us to organize and to protest, but he taught us nonviolence, she said.

Hes going to get closer and closer in our face, and were going to have to be real responsible  were going to have to pray, were going to have to ask god to help us remember what Martin Luther King told us: Dont ever let them goad you into violence, she continued. Because we dont know whats waiting in the background for us if were silly enough to do something like that.

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Trump has long flirted with the notion that a civil war is brewing in America. During his first impeachment in his first term, he promoted comments from a conservative pastor that booting him from office would spark a civil war-like fracture. In 2021, he encouraged thousands of his supporters to march to the Capitol to protest Congresss certification of his 2020 election defeat  a protest that became a riot when hundreds of those people attacked law enforcers and stormed into the building.

More recently, after Trump was convicted of 34 felonies last year related to hush money payments to a porn actor, he shared another post on social media predicting a return to 1776  except this time the fight is not against the British, its against communist Americans.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, emphasized Waters was speaking for herself, not the entire Democratic Party. Still, Clarke didnt rule out the possibility of violent conflict as a result of Trumps confrontational policies.

It is very clear that what Donald Trump is doing right now is violently impacting the communities that we represent, Clarke told reporters at the Leesburg, Va., retreat.

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Whether that ultimately ends in a civil war remains to be seen.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Buffalo mayoral candidate Sean Ryan, speaking at a news conference on Friday, said a state audit would be conducted of the city should he be elected as mayor later this year.

He said that the audit would be conducted by the New York State Comptrollers office in order to address exactly how much the citys eight-figure budget deficit is. He will also ask the fiscal stability board to issue a report on available funds as well as anticipated expenses.

Ill evaluate the money thats being left on the table for important capital projects by the City of Buffalo because each and every year the city fails to apply for available state money, Ryan said Friday. We leave way too much money on the table. That needs to end.

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In May 2024, the Buffalo Common Council approved a $618 million city budget. In July, it adopted a resolution to address a $40 million budget shortfall. Finally, in December, the council approved Buffalo Acting Mayor Chris Scanlons $110 million capital budget, the largest capital investment in the citys history.

Ryan said that as mayor, he would work with other government agencies, including Erie County, to improve efficiency in city government and end wasteful spending, which he said would increase revenue. That would include a top-to-bottom evaluation of each of the citys departments and cut every ounce of waste for programs that dont work for the city.

We need to get rid of duplicative services, we need to crack down on cronyism and nepotism and ensure that theres more oversight on all state and federal funds we use, he said.

It would also include listening to those involved in the programs to figure out the best ways of carrying out certain tasks, including the Department of Works when it comes to snowplowing.

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If you sit down with snow plow drivers, theyll tell you exactly how we can plow our streets more efficiently. Theyll tell you what equipment they need to get the job done faster, Ryan said. You sit down with the City of Buffalo fire department, theyll tell you what they need to get their work done.

Working with BPS, new superintendent

Ryan said that he would work with the next Buffalo Public Schools superintendent to improve schools across the city.

BPS will have a new superintendent beginning this summer after the impending retirement of Dr. Tonja Williams-Knight in June after just under three years on the job.

The BPS superintendent has been something of a revolving door over the years. The new superintendent, which BPS said last month it is hoping to announce this month, will be the districts 10th in 21 years. Many have served for a year or less.

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For far too long the City of Buffalo has ignored its school system. It pretends it has nothing to do with them. Its funding for the schools has remained flat for almost 20 years. Every year the state puts in more money and the city doesnt put in any more money, Ryan said. They dont take any responsibility.

Buffalos mayor cannot implement policy in the school district, but they do have the ability to influence it. He also wants to continue development of the community schools model that was implemented in 2016.

Its a big district. Theres a lot of people who work really hard in the district, Ryan said. We need to continue to promote the community schools model that the state allowed a few years ago. Thats really helped, it brings services into the schools, it brings parents into the schools. Its a real 360.

You can view Ryans full news conference in the media player above.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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(NEXSTAR)  More than 300 cases of measles, one of the most contagious viruses in the world, have now been confirmed across more than a dozen U.S. states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday.

The actual case count is likely higher. The agency said its aware of more probable measles cases that are still under investigation.

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As of this week, the virus is now confirmed in three additional jurisdictions: Maryland, New York and Vermont. (Previously, measles had been identified in New York City, but not elsewhere in New York state).

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The biggest outbreaks are in Texas and New Mexico, but there are also cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Measles is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. The virus then spreads from the respiratory tract throughout the body, causing a high fever; runny nose; cough; red, watery eyes, and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

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T-Mobile customers to get payments up to $25K next month after data breach: Heres who qualifies

Measles isnt usually deadly, but it can have serious complications, especially for young children. Among kids with measles, about 1 in 20 develops pneumonia, which can be fatal. About 1 in 1,000 also suffers swelling of the brain called encephalitis, which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability.

One death related to measles has been confirmed in Texas, and another in New Mexico is under investigation.

What is hantavirus and how common is it?

Of the 301 known cases, 50 have required hospitalization. Most of the cases are impacting children, and the vast majority  95%  of those infected were not vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

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The best way to avoid measles is to get the vaccine, health experts say. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak, said Scott Weaver with the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

Adults with presumptive evidence of immunity generally dont need measles shots now, the CDC said. Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC noted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Canadian ministers emerged from a lengthy, high-level meeting between Canada and the United States on Thursday without immediate relief from U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, but they said the discussion was constructive and that talks would continue.

Speaking to reporters at the Canadian embassy in Washington, Canadian Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc spoke about economic security and national security with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, making clear the impact tariffs would have on both sides of the border.

"I would say that we leave Washington, I think, better equipped in making sure that we can defend Canadian interests," Champagne said.

LeBlanc said the two sides agreed to continue discussions.

(Reporting by David Lawder, Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Ismail Shakil)
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanagh will be the high court's chief justice once outgoing Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement leaves her seat on the bench in the coming months.

Cavanagh, through a court spokesperson, announced Thursday she was unanimously tabbed by her fellow justices to take on the role of chief justice. She will replace Clement, who announced last month she was leaving her position on the court for an administrative role with a national court-focused organization. Clement said she will vacate her role by April 30.

Cavanagh was elected to the court in 2018 after being backed by Democrats at the party's convention that year. Her term as chief justice will run through the end of next year. She is up for reelection next year, as well.

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While I love the case work that is central to serving as a Justice, I am ready to tackle the administrative responsibilities that come with the role of Chief Justice," Cavanagh said in a statement. "From continuing the build out of the statewide case management system to the expansion of e-filing, technology implementation will remain central to our efforts to help our court system be more efficient and better able to meet the needs of the people we serve.

My focus will be on strengthening collaborative efforts like the Michigan Judicial Council in which justice system stakeholders come together to weave a shared agenda that combines the best ideas and experiences. I believe strongly that collaboration and cooperation are the keys to building public trust in our branch of government.

Cavanagh is one of five Democratic-nominated justices on the Michigan Supreme Court currently  once Gov. Gretchen Whitmer names Clement's replacement, Democrats will have a 6-1 advantage on the court. The Michigan Supreme Court is the states highest court, tasked with ruling on and resolving disputed rulings from lower state courts.

Before being elected to the court, Cavanagh was an attorney practicing private law and had over 15 years of experience practicing appellate law, according to her court bio. Cavanagh was also previously a shareholder at the Garan Lucow Miller law firm in Detroit.

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Whitmer has not named a replacement for Clement, an appointee of former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican. Cavanagh and Clement's eventual replacement will both be up for reelection in 2026.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Supreme Court selects Megan Cavanagh as next chief justice
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), declined to say he would commit to opposing cuts to Medicaid, a government program that provides health care coverage to millions of Americans and that Republicans are eyeing for steep cuts.

At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Friday, Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon who hosted a popular daytime talk show, dodged questions from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on cuts to Medicaid.

Oz pointed to his past experience with the program but was quickly interrupted by Wyden, who repeated his question.

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I want to make sure that patients today and in the future have the resources to protect them if they get ill, Oz replied. The way you protect Medicaid is by making sure that its viable at every level, which includes having enough practitioners to afford the services, paying them enough to do what you request of them, and making sure that patients are actually able to use Medicaid.

Let the record show that I asked a witness who said he cherishes this program, Will you agree to oppose cuts? Wyden said, and he would not answer a yes-or-no question.

Republicans in Congress have proposed deep cuts to Medicaid, which provides coverage to some 83 million Americans who are low-income or have disabilities. Last month, GOP lawmakers directed the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to find at least $880 billion in cuts to its programs.

Some Republicans have said they do not want to slash funding for Medicaid or Medicare, and Trump himself has said neither program is going to be touched. But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office calculated that Republicans are unlikely to reach their budget goals to advance Trumps agenda without significant cuts to either program.

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Besides some light grilling from Democratic senators on the finance committee, Ozs confirmation hearing was largely devoid of the kinds of tension faced by Trumps other controversial Cabinet picks.

Oz did, however, echo a now-familiar line that others have used when asked a hypothetical about Trump directing them to carry out an unlawful order.

If directed by the president to take action that would break the law, would you follow the law or follow the the presidents directive? asked Sen. Maggie Hassan, a New Hampshire Democrat.

The president would never do that, Oz said.

To which Hassan replied, Thats absurd. And its a disappointing answer.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A defense spokesperson on Friday denounced Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for intoxicating themselves with the illusion of soliciting U.S. support for "Taiwan independence."

They willingly act as a pawn and betray the people of Taiwan, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, commenting on a recent statement from the DPP authorities claiming that the United States is unlikely to give up Taiwan.

The U.S. side attempts to contain China with Taiwan, and is doubling down on arming Taiwan, while the DPP authorities are seeking to exploit such a situation to increase the defense spending, Zhang said.

Their actions have gravely harmed the security and well-being of people in Taiwan, and severely undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he added.

Ultimately, the DPP, the useful fool, will end up being an abandoned tool, Zhang said. 
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  An East Memphis doctor has been arrested and indicted on charges of theft and TennCare fraud.

Dr. Rande Lazar has been charged with theft of property and TennCare fraud between $10,000  $60,000. He was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Thursday.

Woman claims former East Memphis doctor to blame for botched surgery

The indictment alleges that between December 31, 2017, and November 11, 2022, Lazar submitted false claims to TennCare to receive more money than he was authorized to receive.

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Lazar allegedly received between $10,000 and $60,000 in fraudulent payments.

Lazar practices at ENT Memphis at 791 Estate Place.

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MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV)  A Dunkin Donuts shop in Menasha is participating in a fundraiser for a community group that helps first response crews provide on-scene support to victims.

The Menasha Police Department posted about the fundraiser on Facebook, as participating Dunkin Donuts locations raise money for the Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team.

Lodge Kohler plans beer garden, VIP experience for NFL Draft

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General Manager Samantha Jeske said that this isnt a one-time thing with the Menasha Police Department, as the two work one-on-one with plenty of things like this. She emphasized that it feels nice to be able to help the community.

On top of it bringing new people in to donate, it helps regulars realize what were here for, Jeske said. A lot of our regulars that tip us say they want to appreciate our team, but we want to let them know we appreciate this other team, and were willing to give up our tips to help out.

The Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team is a volunteer-organization designed to help law enforcement and other first responders provide on-scene support to community members in the wake of a crime.

Local award winning barbers express pride in representing Green Bay at Midwest barbershop competitions

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Additionally, the organization provides follow-up support to ensure that victims get as much support as they may need after these traumatizing events.

More information on the Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team is available here.

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MOVILLE, Iowa (KCAU)  The MercyOne clinic in Moville is changing locations, but still staying in city limits.

MercyOne Moville Family Medicine at 410 Main St. is officially moving to 631 Frontage Rd. starting Monday, March 17, MercyOne said in a Friday release.

Rural Iowa counties seeing decline in number of birthing centers

Patients who visit the clinic will still receive the same care with the same providers. Hours at location will also remain the same. The facilitys hours are below.

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Monday: 8-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday 8-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8-4:30 p.m.

Thursday 8-12 p.m.

Friday 8-4:30 p.m.

*The clinic is closed noon-1 p.m. each day.

The two providers at the clinic, Ashley Pollema, ARNP, and Rebecca Denton, ARNP, are accepting new patients. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling 712-873-5225.

A MercyOne spokesperson told KCAU 9 that the Moville Community Board began fundraising for this new medical facility a few years ago as the lease was coming up, creating the perfect opportunity to move locations.

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(Bloomberg) -- Germanys chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz reached an agreement with the Greens party on a fiscal reform package for large investments on infrastructure and defense, according to a report by newspaper Handelsblatt.

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Caucus meetings are scheduled for 1 p.m. local time in Berlin to inform officials about the state of the negotiations, according to the report. The report cites unidentified people close to the caucus groups.

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(Bloomberg) -- German conservative leader Friedrich Merz reached a tentative agreement with the Green party on a debt-funded spending package for defense and infrastructure, people familiar with the discussions said.

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The deal needs to be approved by party lawmakers, the people said on condition of anonymity as negotiations go on behind closed doors. Merzs Christian Democratic-led bloc, the Social Democrats and the Greens have called meetings with their lawmakers for 1 p.m. local time.

Merz, who aims to succeed Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the coming weeks, said late Thursday that hes very optimistic that the landmark debt-spending package will be approved after a parliamentary debate on Thursday laid bare a deep rift with the Greens.

Germanys bonds slid to extend a recent drop on reports of an agreement Friday. The 10-year yield rose as much as eight basis points to 2.94%, just short of a recent peak reached Wednesday. Its already surged more than 50 basis points since the start of March.

Merzs Christian Democratic-led bloc and the SPD are rushing to secure a supermajority in parliament to approve sweeping constitutional amendments that would release defense spending from debt restrictions and set up a 500 billion ($542 billion) fund for infrastructure investment.

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For that, the main parties  which are cobbling together a new coalition government after last months election  are courting the Greens, who have rejected the package as a grab bag for election favors.

The agreement on Friday spelled out that the infrastructure funding would be earmarked for new projects  and that 100 billion will be channeled to the governments existing climate and transformation fund, according to news organization RND. Handelsblatt reported earlier that an agreement had been reached.

Monika Schnitzer, who chairs the German Council of Economic Experts that advises the government, said the Green critique of the package was valid and that policymakers needed to ensure that the new fiscal leeway not be used as presents to clients  a tax break here, a subsidy there.

The really crucial thing at this point is to make sure that the new investment will be additional to what investment we have been doing so far, Schnitzer said in an interview on Bloomberg Television.

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A debate in the lower house, or Bundestag, on Thursday showed that the environmental party had still been unmoved days before a final vote in the chamber on Tuesday.

Merzs debate performance came under scrutiny after he initially lauded the Greens for their cooperation, only to brusquely insist the party should be satisfied with climate-related measures on offer. What more do you want than what we have proposed to you? Merz asked, prompting jeers from the party.

The prospective chancellor fumbled the speech and alienated the Greens at a critical moment in the negotiations, a senior SPD lawmaker said. A failure to get the financial package over the line would also remove the basis for coalition talks between Merzs CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD, the lawmaker said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the delicate talks take place behind closed doors.

(Adds market reaction, background, comment from economic adviser from fourth paragraph.)

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The Douglas County District Attorneys Office say a 38-year-old man pleaded guilty to multiple sex crime charges.

Law enforcement officials say Bobbie Cochran pled guilty to the charges of aggravated sexual battery, and multiple charges of sexual exploitation of children on Monday.

Officials say on August 10, 2022, they learned Cochran had access to sexually explicit images of a child on his laptop after his victims stepmother and another family member reported him to police.

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Cochran reportedly told family members not to go through his laptop because there were things on it that he did not want others to see.

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The victims stepmother found the laptop, and unlocked it, where she found multiple videos of the victim, a relative of Cochran.

After an interview was conducted with the victim, she revealed Cochran abused her for three years.

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Cochran reportedly made the victim sleep in bed with him where he touched her inappropriately.

After pleading guilty, Cochran was sentenced to life in prison with the first 20 years to be served in prison.

He is also required to register as a sex offender.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Authorities took a man with a prior sexual assault conviction into custody Wednesday night after finding him in a Bellevue parking lot with a stolen vehicle and a loaded weapon.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said detectives found a silver 2025 Chevrolet Silverado with a Florida license plate in a Home Depot parking lot off Highway 70 South.

Inside the truck, officials said they found 30-year-old Dalonte Marquies Ball, who had an outstanding felony sex offender registry violation warrant. The truck had been reported stolen after Ball allegedly rented the truck from Enterprise in February and failed to return it.

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VIDEO: Ashland City police find cocaine in car after wrestling with suspect

Per an affidavit, police found a loaded Glock 27 handgun  which had a loaded magazine and one round in the chamber  in the truck. According to law enforcement, Ball said the gun belonged to a friend who left it in a motel room nine days earlier, so Ball was holding onto it for him.

Authorities said they also seized an Illinois drivers license with Balls picture but another mans information. Ball reportedly told the detectives he made the fake ID online.

(Source: MNPD)

When informed of the arrest, a shopper going into the Bellevue Home Depot told News 2, If the cops are out there and doing their job, thats what I expect.

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The shopper also wondered how the convicted felon got the gun.

He told the cops he was holding it for his buddy, News 2s Andy Cordan explained.

The shopper shook his head and shrugged, saying, Still not allowed to have it.

And he also had a fake ID and he admitted he made it online, Cordan continued.

Right, a lot of that going on, the shopper replied.

Man accused of strangulating officer during traffic stop in Hopkinsville

News 2s sister station, KTVI, reported in 2014 that Ball and another man were charged with forcible rape and sodomy of a woman in a Missouri basement in 2013. Meanwhile, MNPD said Ball was convicted of deviate sexual assault in 2016 in Missouri.

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According to a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections, Ball was in Missouri state prisons from September 2016 to December 2021, entering the departments custody with 643 days of credit from time served in county jails. The spokesperson added that Balls seven-year sentence started in December 2014 and he was released after serving his full sentence.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

I believe anybody that commits rape or a child molester or anything, you cant be rehabilitated, [in] my opinion, the Home Depot shopper said. Its a sickness, and he needs to be charged, held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

When he was taken into custody Wednesday, Ball was out on a $7,500 bond from a Feb. 23 arrest for three counts of sex offender registry violations, police said. However, according to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, he is now being held on a $92,500 bond for the sex offender registry violations, vehicle theft, possession of a handgun as a felon, and identity theft. Hes scheduled to see a Davidson County judge on Friday, March 14.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A metro family is frustrated with the healthcare system, after struggling for days to get their elderly parent a room in the ER.

Its the most helpless, horrible feeling I could ever describe, said Jennifer Wallis, mother stuck in ER.

Wallis says it all started Tuesday when she received a call from her mothers doctor saying she was in renal failure and needed to go to the emergency room at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center.

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Shes 81 years old, she has dementia and chronic kidney disease, so we took her there and they stuck her on a stretcher and put her in a hallway in the E.R., said Wallis.

Wallis says her mother received little care, only an IV drip and occasional checks every four hours.

She was crying, she wanted to go home and see her cat and she didnt understand why she was there, said Wallis.

Search continues for missing man last seen in Grady County

After two full days of being left in the hallway, Wallis took matters into her own hands.

They paged the doctor, I asked for the nurse three times, no one ever came, so I found a wheelchair and we left, said Wallis.

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It didnt end there. Wallis was stunned when police showed up at her mothers home. She says INTEGRIS called them, and when she explained the situation police were understanding

Even though it might be a bold move, Im going to fight for my mom and Im going to fight to get her the care that she deserves, said Wallis.

Her mother is now at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, where she got a bed immediately.

A metro woman says her elderly mother was left on a stretcher in a hallway at INTEGRIS for 48 hours. Image courtesy Jennifer Wallis.

A metro woman says her elderly mother was left on a stretcher in a hallway at INTEGRIS for 48 hours. Image courtesy Jennifer Wallis.

I really appreciate health care workers. I know theyre doing the best they can, but our health care system is failing and definitely needs an overhaul and we need to put patients first and that is not what is happening, said Wallis.

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News 4 reached out to INTEGRIS and they declined an interview, but sent a statement.

Patient care and safety is always our top priority. In addition to caring for patients needing urgent, high-level care and intervention, we are experiencing an influx of emergency room patients due to the flu, COVID and other circulating illnesses. This is causing longer than normal wait times. In the emergency room, patients are triaged and seen in the order of their severity. Being a high-acuity hospital, we routinely receive patients who require immediate life-saving care. On occasion, like other health systems across the metro, we will create temporary hallway rooms to accommodate the high patient load. While we cant comment on this particular situation due to patient privacy laws, we do work very hard to keep our ER wait times to a minimum. INTEGRIS Health spokesperson

News 4 also reached out to other hospitals across the metro to see if their rooms are full.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital has experienced an increase in patients being hospitalized this winter due to respiratory illnesses, including the flu. We have increased our inpatient capacity to care for more patients during the surge. Our capacity routinely changes throughout each day. At this time, we are pleased to accommodate patients at every level of care. SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital spokesperson

Mercys Emergency Departments in Oklahoma City and Edmond are open and patient volumes are normal for this time of year. There are no excessive wait times and our caregivers are ready for patients. The flu season peak that temporarily crowded our emergency rooms started trending down in late February. Remember to call 911 in life-threatening emergencies. Dr. Lance Watson, Emergency Department Manager at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City

Norman Regional has three emergency departments in Norman and Moore. All are prepared to care for the community. Nursing leaders report that the Emergency Department is busy, but no specific diagnosis is contributing to the volume. I cannot provide exact wait times in the Emergency Department as patients are triaged and seen by the severity of their illness. Our system also offers three Urgent Care clinics for minor injuries and illnesses in Norman, Moore and Goldsby. Norman Regional Health System spokesperson

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BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China, Russia and Iran issued a joint statement on Friday, reaffirming that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue remains the only viable and practical option for the Iranian nuclear issue.

Relevant parties should abandon sanction, pressure or threat of force and refrain from any action that may escalate the situation, according to the statement issued after a trilateral meeting at the vice foreign minister level in Beijing.

The three countries reiterated the importance of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the statement said.

China and Russia welcomed Iran's reiteration that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, and not for development of nuclear weapons, the statement read.

The statement also noted that China and Russia supported Iran in continuing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and stressed the need to respect Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Beijing meeting was a useful effort by China, Russia and Iran in seeking to advance the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing on Friday.

She said China is calling on parties to strengthen communication to accumulate enabling conditions for talks and negotiations to resume at an early date.

China is ready to work with other parties for a just, balanced and sustainable resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote international and regional peace and stability, Mao added. 
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Its been a tough few days for Mexico Beach City Administrator Chris Truitt. Along with a letter of reprimand from Mayor Richard Wolff, Truitt is also being accused of workplace harassment from at least two other city employees.

City leaders met to decide if they should hire an outside HR firm to investigate the allegations.

Mayor Wolff suggested a Tallahassee firm the city has used in the past. Council members know this is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

Safety before shamrocks; local authorities warn about DUIs ahead of the St. Patricks day weekend

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We were asked to look at some firms that were able to investigate the claims. So our handbook asks us to move as rapidly as possible and get through it in a timely manner, Wolff said.

Council members also realize there could be more harassment complaints in the future.

My concern is that we have just had two complaints, is that what weve got? Im afraid were going to have more, Councilman Jerry Smith said.

One council member suggested a quick way to solve the allegations and issues surrounding Truitt.

Yeah, I know were here for this. But I mean, you know, my thing is I think we need to ask the city administrator for his resignation, Councilman Jason Adams said.

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Smith quickly agreed with Adams on that point. After a brief deliberation, the conversation turned back to hiring the HR firm Mayor Wolff suggested to investigate the Truitt complaints.

Port St. Joe Police Department cracks down on seatbelt safety

One council member voiced her concern about choosing a firm without looking at others, as well as the fact that the name of the potential firm was leaked to the public.

It concerned me that it was already out publicly to citizens when I didnt even know about it. Whats the scuttlebutt on that? Therefore, I feel like we need to have three bids and three different organizations to consult with, Councilwoman Linda Hamilton said.

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In the end, the council voted 3 to 1 in favor of soliciting bids from at least 3 different firms.

Mayor Wolff was the lone vote against the motion. Council members say the investigations interview process alone could cost a little under $6,000. Its important to note that city administrator Chris Truitt was not at tonights meeting.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is declaring victory in a case over public access to New Mexicos streams and waterways.

More speed cameras to be installed in Bernalillo County

In August of last year, the state filed a lawsuit against two San Miguel County landowners, accusing them of obstructing streams and having signs falsely claiming access was restricted. Thursday, New Mexicos Fourth Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the state in that case.

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Just because you are privileged enough to be able to own property along the river, doesnt mean you own the river. That is a public resource and natural resource, Torrez said in 2024.

Thursdays permanent injunction from the district court prevents the landowners from building fences, putting up signs or interfering with public access to waterways in any way.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  The New Mexico House passed a bill strengthening regulations on hemp-derived products including synthetic cannabinoids. In a four-month long Larry Barker investigation, he uncovered gas stations across New Mexico are selling illegal cannabis products labeled as legal hemp.

Wildfire prevention bills make their way through the Roundhouse

House Bill 346 aims to close the loophole that leaves hemp products unregulated. The bill would give the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board authority to establish safety rules and allow the states Environmental Department to regulate hemp products.

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The bill is now off to the Senate for further consideration.

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UPDATED with statements from O Cinema and International Documentary Association/Art House Convergence and details of meeting to vote on the cancellation of the cinemas lease: The mayor of Miami Beach, FL is threatening to shut down an arthouse movie theater for showing the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, branding the film as antisemitic.

Mayor Steven Meiner issued a draft resolution calling for his city to terminate a lease agreement with O Cinema, located at Old City Hall, a property owned by the city. The resolution, to be debated at a city commission meeting Wednesday, March 19, also would eliminate about $40,000 in grants provided by Miami Beach to the nonprofit that runs the theater. O Cinema began screening No Other Land last Friday, five days after it won Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.

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The film, directed by a collective of four Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, provides a ground-level view of life for Palestinian residents of the rural Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank who live under an expulsion order by the Israel Defense Forces, which wants the land for a military training zone. The documentary shows IDF forces knocking down Palestinian homes and schools pursuant to the expulsion order, as well as violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians.

Filmmaker Basel Adra in No Other Land

In addition to the Oscar, the film has won more than 60 awards around the world, including the top prize for documentary at last years Berlin Film Festival. In an Associated Press review, critic Mark Kennedy described the film as a piece of resistance but also humanization. He wrote, It is a wrenching movie to see: Soldiers, with vague permission from a court that Palestinians have no say in, push old women and children, not answering their pleas to stop and merely waving away residents whose families have lived in the region since the 1830s.

Steven Meiner, mayor of Miami Beach, FL

In a newsletter distributed to his constituents, however, Meiner offered a sharply different take. Noting I watched the film, he wrote No Other Land can best be described as a false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our City and residents. Meiner continued, I am a staunch believer in free speech. But normalizing hate and then disseminating antisemitism in a facility owned by the taxpayers of Miami Beach  is unjust to the values of our city and residents and should not be tolerated.

In a letter of March 6 to the mayor, Vivian Marthell, CEO of O Cinema, appeared to concede Meiners point, writing, Due to the concerns of antisemitic rhetoric, we have decided to withdraw the film from our programming.

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But the next day, O Cinema reversed course. In a statement sent to Deadline on Thursday night, Marthell explained, My initial reaction to Mayor Meiners threats was made under duress. After reflecting on the broader implications for free speech and O Cinemas mission, I (along with the O Cinema board and staff members) agreed it was critical to screen this acclaimed film.

Marthells statement added, in part, Our decision to screen No Other Land is not a declaration of political alignment. It is a bold reaffirmation of our fundamental belief that every voice deserves to be heard.

The ability to present diverse perspectives without fear of political retribution is the cornerstone of a free and democratic society. Efforts to pressure or censor artistic expression set a dangerous precedent that threatens the creative and intellectual freedoms of all.

(L-R) No Other Land directors Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham accept the Oscar for Documentary Feature Film

At the Oscars, No Other Land received a standing ovation from the audience in the Dolby Theatre when it was announced as the winner. Filmmakers Basel Adra, who is Palestinian, and Yuval Abraham, who is Israeli, spoke on behalf of the quartet of directors. About two months ago, I became a father, Adra said, and my hope to my daughter [is] that she will not have to live the same life Im living now  always fearing settlers violence, home demolitions and forceful displacements that my community, Masafer Yatta, is living and facing every day under the Israeli occupation. No Other Land reflects the harsh reality that we have been enduring for decades and still resist, as we call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.

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Abraham added, We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger. We see each other  the atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end; the Israeli hostages, brutally taken in the crime of October 7th, which must be freed.

Deadline has reviewed a letter Meiner wrote to Marthell on March 5, in which he wrote, The film directors comments at the Oscars prove the antisemitic nature of the film using Jew-hatred propaganda and lies such as ethnic cleansing. Unfortunately, Jews for thousands of years have heard this antisemitic rhetoric; I am just surprised that O Cinema, utilizing Miami Beach taxpayer funding, would willingly disseminate such hateful propaganda.

(L-R) Israeli director Yuval Abraham and Palestinian director Basel Adra speak on stage after receiving the Berlinale documentary award for No Other Land

Deadline received a statement from Abraham reacting to Meiners threat to shut down O Cinema. He wrote, When the mayor uses the word antisemitism to silence Palestinians and Israelis who proudly oppose occupation and apartheid together, fighting for justice and equality, he is emptying it out of meaning. I find that to be very dangerous. Censorship is always wrong. We made this film to reach U.S. audiences from a wide variety of political views. I believe that once you see the harsh reality of occupation in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, it becomes impossible to justify it, and thats why the mayor is so afraid of No Other Land. It wont work. Banning a film only makes people more determined to see it.

(L-R) Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham in No Other Land

O Cinema has added screenings of No Other Land on March 19-20. The film, which is being self-distributed in the U.S., has made over $1 million domestically, with a worldwide total of $1.3 million.

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The documentary was shot between 2019 and 2023 and completed before Hamas, which governs occupied Gaza, launched its terror attack of October 7, 2023 on Israel (Hamas does not govern the West Bank; a portion of it is ruled by the Palestinian Authority, with the rest under Israeli military and civilian control).

In his newsletter, Meiner said, Hate under the banner of culture is still hate; perhaps even more dangerously so. Nazi Germany used its advanced culture to disseminate and mainstream Jew hatred culminating in mass murder. Hamas and Hezbollah indoctrinate hatred to justify its attacks on Jewish civilians, including woman [sic], children and the elderly. The 9/11 terrorists were indoctrinated to hate innocent Americans who were just going to work to help feed and support their families.

In her statement Thursday night, Marthell, the O Cinema CEO, said, Now, we call on our friends, colleagues, and allies in the arts community to stand with us to continue to bring unrestricted and uncensored arts and dialogue to this community. Join us at the Miami Beach City Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 19, at 8:30 AM as we affirm our right to tell stories that matter.

Here is a joint statement released Friday by the International Documentary Association and Art House Convergence:

As representatives of the Art House Convergence and International Documentary Association (IDA), we find the threat made by the mayor of Miami Beach to pull the funding and lease of O Cinema gravely concerning. Programming decisions by independent film exhibitors must not suffer political interference in the form of First Amendment violations. It is doubly concerning that the documentary No Other Land, which has been critically acclaimed by the highest levels of the global film industry, including an Oscar and four awards at the 2024 IDA Documentary Awards, has triggered such a censorious response. Threats to defund cinemas and film festivals based on their programmatic content runs directly counter to the right to free speech for art, artists, and exhibitors as a whole. If these threats are carried out, it is not only filmmakers but also audiences who will suffer.



Art house theaters play a critical role in our society as a vital space for free expression. They are cultural institutions where disparate ideas, perspectives, and creative visions provide audiences and communities the opportunity to engage in civil discourse around important social, political, and cultural issues. It is in the spaces of art house cinemas that we, as a society, have the chance to reflect, debate, and challenge one another in meaningful and generative ways. O Cinemas lease from the government precisely illustrates the value of independent cinemas as public spaces, which is reflected in the many other cultural institutions in this country operating in government-owned spaces. Threatening the existence of their programming, or restricting access to films based on undue political influence or outside pressures, undermines the very essence of free speech the U.S. was founded on.



Suppressing content not only denies audiences access to indispensable works, it normalizes opposition toand even violence againstthose with opposing viewpoints, rather than creating a safe space to explore areas of collective agreement.



It is imperative to protect the First Amendment rights of art house cinemas and the communities they serve, ensuring they remain a sanctuary for thought-provoking, boundary-pushing content that reflects the needs of our society. To let the decision to close O Cinema stand is a direct affront to the United States foundational value of free speech, the constitutional rights afforded by our democracy, and the commitment public officials have made to serve their constituents and their communities.



Sincerely,



Dominic Asmall Willsdon, Executive Director, IDA

Kate Markham, Managing Director, Art House Convergence



Best of Deadline

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Drivers may soon cruise down Grind With Me Terrace as they navigate Miami.

They might turn right onto Act Up Street or find parking on Big Money Baller Street. At rush hour, navigation apps may warn that theres a traffic delay on Its Ya Birthday Street.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

All signs point to a one-of-a-kind effort in Miami.

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The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners is considering a proposal that would rename two dozen streets after songs by rap and hip-hop artists hailing from the metro area. The debate has split the county commissioners, who spent hours last week weighing whether titles like We the Best and Still Da Baddest should hang from street signs in Miamis Liberty City neighborhood.

Supporters of the proposal say it celebrates the citys culture and legacy, and would uplift an otherwise neglected area. Opponents question whether the street names are appropriate and how the change might impact local businesses.

Commissioner Keon Hardemon, the bills sponsor, said the proposal would breathe life into the citys Northwest 18th Avenue corridor. The area in recent years has been plagued by dilapidated buildings, substandard housing, broken sidewalks and little lighting - symptoms of an overall lack of investment, he said.

Its bigger than the street names, he said, adding, Miami has a storied history in the music scene. These are all names or lyrics that people will instantly recognize and truly just reflect a good time and positive feelings about Miami culture.

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The proposal, first reported by the Miami Herald, runs the gamut of artists born or based in Miami-Dade, including Trina, Flo Rida, Uncle Luke and City Girls. Liberty City, where the signs would be installed, is a historically Black northern Miami neighborhood thats the subject of a major county redevelopment project.

Other proposed street names would honor Betty Wrights No Pain, No Gain, Major Nines Soul Ties, and Born N Raised, a track from DJ Khaled, Pitbull, Rick Ross and Trick Daddy.

Its establishing a space unlike any place in America - a place where you can actually come and interact with Miami history, Hardemon said. It is a place I envision people will come because it is unique, because it has funny sayings that they know. It has such a role in our history, and it also really gives a reason for people to smile at street names and say, Hey, this is something different.

Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins wasnt convinced.

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How do you get to my house? Oh, go up 18th Avenue and make a right on Poor Little [Rich] Girl Street and make a left on Big Money Baller Street and, right in front of Chase This [Dis] Money Street, you can find the corner store where we can meet, Cohen Higgins said during a commissioners meeting last week. It kind of opens the door to us naming streets in ways I dont feel comfortable about. I dont want Back That Azz Up Boulevard anywhere in Miami-Dade County, for example.

Cohen Higgins asked what the move might do to the areas property values - and insisted that community members needed a chance to share their thoughts.

Their address is going to change to 89 Poor Little Rich Girl Street, Cohen Higgins said. This is not naming street names after legendary artists that have been pillars in our community. These street names include slang. (At the same meeting, commissioners agreed to rename a road in honor of Miami rap legend Luther Uncle Luke Campbell - dubbing it Luther Campbell Way.)

One commissioner likened the unorthodox plan to wearing sneakers with a suit - a display that merges cultural worlds. Another commissioner argued that this move may perpetuate stereotypes about the neighborhood and its residents.

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After nearly two hours of debate, the commissioners remained divided, voting 5-5. They agreed to reconsider the issue at their meeting next Tuesday.

Hardemon is hopeful that his street names will get a green light this time.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Comedian Michael Ian Black, best known for Have I Got News For You is no stranger to Savannah.

The Wet Hot American Summer actor tours as a comedian but lives in the Hostess City, thanks in large part to his son once attending the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). Black, at one time a Connecticut resident, was first tipped off to the Coastal Empire after a Zillow search.

Savannah was on the list, Black said. Our son was already going to school here, so I just went on Zillow and I was like, Whats for sale in Savannah? And then we saw something and then we bought it a week later.

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This was after his son was enrolled in the school. Black has lived here ever since, and every once in a while shares his talent with the community. In December, he recited Truman Capotes A Christmas Memory at the Old Dairy Farm, hosted by the Flannery OConnor Childhood Home Museum.

Soon after that reading, it was announced that his latest role as a panelist on CNNs Have I Got News For You would continue, with season two premiering on Feb. 15.

Courtesy of CNN_BBC_Hat Trick Productions

The comedy show hosted by Daily Show alum Roy Wood Jr. combines game show and panel chat show for a new formula that turns dishing on topical subjects into play. Black is a regular on the panel along with comedian, talk show host and Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Amber Ruffin.

Black and Ruffin are joined by two guest panelists apiece, divided into Micheals Team and Ambers Team.

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The formula is not new, but it has only recently made its debut in the United States.

The show was created 35 years ago, said Black. Its been running in the U.K. for decades. So, I dont know what the impetus was. And I know theyd been trying to bring it over here for several years. I was actually involved in one of those efforts, I mean, I feel like over ten years ago, and I didnt even remember that I had been involved in one of those efforts until I came back to do it this time. And the executive producer and producer reminded me that I had been I had done a pilot of this show already, and I had forgotten. But I think the real question is why did CNN choose to take this show as it was? You really its not just like, lets put some funny pictures up and do some things. Its youve got some researchers and some producers that are pretty politically savvy, right?

Have I Got News For You skewers the current Trump administration, a task that in a time of intense political volatility, Black says it is harder than you think.

Theres two problems that were dealing with, said Black. The first is that none of us find whats happening funny, like when were not backstage, just like slapping our knees at the news cycle. I would I dont want to say it feels existential, but its not that far off from being existential. And then the second problem is because certain individuals in our government are dominating, they essentially are competing for every last molecule of oxygen that we have.

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Despite this, Black insists that the weekly show offers a range of opinions, particularly from guest panelists. While the hosts lean liberal in their ideologies, guests such as Republican U.S. Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-13) and Tim Burchett (TN-02) have brought an opposing viewpoint to the panel.

The way I look at it is if were inviting you on to this show, it is akin to inviting you to our home, Black said.

While Black insists on inviting others into his TV home, he remains welcomed in the Savannah community that he continues to call home.

Have I Got News For You airs Sunday nights on CNN at 9:00 p.m. ET, and each episode can be viewed on Max.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at March 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 13 drawing

Midday: 3-0-4

Evening: 8-1-5

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 13 drawing

Midday: 2-8-0-3

Evening: 1-5-3-1

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 13 drawing

19-24-27-32-38, Lucky Ball: 12

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from March 13 drawing

10C-2D-4D-5H-7S

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from March 13 drawing

02-04-16-32-33

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04-05-08-15-29

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from March 13 drawing

02-06-07-10-12-15-18-19-31-32-38-41-43-44-45-53-56-57-59-60-72-74

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for March 13, 2025
Michigan's first measles case of 2025 was reported Friday in an adult from Oakland County who recently returned from international travel, and likely exposed people in three instances from March 3-10 at a restaurant and hospital in Rochester, said Kate Guzman, Oakland County health officer.

The exposures occurred:

5:30-9:30 p.m. March 3 at Kruse and Muer Restaurant, 327 S. Main St. in Rochester.

3:40 a.m. March 8 to 9:32 a.m. March 9, when the person was in the emergency department at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, 1101 W. University Drive, Rochester, and was briefly admitted to the hospital before being discharged.

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 10 at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital's emergency department.

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"We're really looking for you to be watchful of those symptoms if you were at the restaurant or at the hospital emergency room during those times," Guzman said. "My request to the public: Please do not go to the emergency room if you have these symptoms without calling first. We need you to notify your health care provider so they can put the proper isolation protections in place so they can protect the public and other patients in that facility because ... measles is highly infectious."

Measles is among the most infectious diseases in the world. Viral particles can remain in the air for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves a room. About 90% of people who don't have immunity from previous infection and are unvaccinated will become infected after exposure.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms typically start within seven to 14 days after exposure, but also have been known to appear as long as 21 days after initial exposure and can include:

Fever, which may rise above 104 degrees.

Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, and conjunctivitis or pink eye.

Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots, known as Koplik spots, may develop on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash that is red, raised and blotchy appears. It usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs.

What should I do if I think I was exposed?

Health officials also urge people who may have been exposed to monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure. If symptoms develop, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care center, or hospital emergency department so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others.

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More: State's top doctor: Measles outbreak likely in Michigan because of low vaccination rates

More: Measles cases send Michigan health authorities scrambling to avoid bigger outbreak

People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis, which can prevent infection or make the illness milder, health officials said, but the timing matters.

If fewer than 72 hours have passed since initial exposure, people who have been exposed to measles may be eligible for a dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to reduce their risk. And people who are within six days of exposure may be able to be treated with immunoglobulin.

How serious is a measles infection?

Measles can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages.

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As of Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 301 confirmed U.S. cases of measles in the following states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

Among those cases, 50 of the people infected with measles were hospitalized and two died, according to the CDC. More than three-quarters of the cases have been among children and teens ages 19 and younger, and 95% were among people who were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, according to the CDC.

About 1 in 20 kids with measles develops pneumonia. Roughly 1 out of every 1,000 children who have measles infections also will have encephalitis. Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.

Anywhere from 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles dies from respiratory or neurologic complications from the virus.

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"We've had the vaccine since 1963, and before the vaccine was available, every year across the U.S., between 400 and 500 people died," Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive, told the Free Press for a previous story. "Four hundred to 500 people may not seem like ... huge numbers, but it is a lot, especially if you're talking about your loved one or your child."

The virus causes high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (red, inflamed eyes) and rash that typically starts at the head and spreads down the body. People are contagious up to four days before symptoms appear and the rate of complications is high, Bagdasarian said.

"About 20% of folks who go on to develop those symptoms end up hospitalized," she said. "The complications can include things like encephalitis or swelling around the brain, severe pneumonia and even death. All of those complications are preventable with the vaccine. The efficacy of the vaccine is 93% if you get a single dose and between 97% and 98%, if you get two doses."

How can measles be prevented?

Make sure you and your loved ones are fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following when it comes to the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine:

A first dose for children at 12-15 months old, with a booster dose administered between ages 4 and 6.

Anyone born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles or documentation of having been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated. The second dose should be given no sooner than 28 days after the first.

People exposed to measles who cannot document immunity against the virus should get post-exposure prophylaxis  a dose of the vaccine to potentially provide protection within 72 hours of initial exposure, or immunoglobulin within six days of exposure.

The CDC changed its recommendations in 1989 from one dose of the MMR vaccine to two doses, which provides longer-lasting and more robust protection. People born between 1957-1989 who have had just a single dose of the vaccine may be at a higher risk of contracting the virus in an outbreak setting.

"We do get a lot of questions about adults that have only had one dose of MMR," Guzman said. "Do you need a booster? Possibly, yes.

"We typically say, if you work in health care, if you travel a lot, if you have some possible exposure to measles, and you are an adult that only has one dose on board, it would be a great idea to get a second.

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"As cases are increasing nationwide, worldwide, we will start to see more in our community. Think about getting that booster dose."

Where can I get a vaccine for measles?

Vaccines are available through primary care providers and pharmacies.

Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover the MMR vaccine at no cost. Low- to no-cost vaccines also are available at local public health department offices.

Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program also may receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost. To learn more, go to: Vaccines for Children (VFC): Information for Parents | CDC.

The Oakland County Health Division offices in Southfield and Pontiac also will have MMR vaccines available. Its offices are open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays at:

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North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac.

South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield.

Go to www.oakgov.com/health for more information on measles, or contact its Nurse on Call, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com.

Nurse on Call will be open additional hours this Friday and Saturday, March 14-15:

Until 7 p.m. Friday.

9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's 1st measles case of 2025 exposed others in Rochester
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A Midvale man has been sentenced after a federal jury found him guilty of bankruptcy crimes, according to the U.S Attorneys Office, District of Utah.

Richard Villanueva Mitchell, 54, of Midvale, was sentenced to two years probation for bankruptcy fraud, false bankruptcy declaration, and bribery in bankruptcy in Aug. 2024.

Mitchell filed for bankruptcy in May 2017 in an effort to get rid of over $600,000 in debt. He disclosed little to no assets at the time, according to court documents.

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LDS Church announces General Conference dates and time schedule

In Oct. 2017, authorities found that Michell owned multiple storage trailers full of hundreds of new household appliances. Mitchell was in possession of dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers and ranges. He had previously borrowed around $500,000 to buy the items, officials said.

Evidence brought forth at trial reportedly showed that Michell was planning to hide the assets from bankruptcy court and sell them for his own benefit. He was self-employed  supplying, installing, and repairing appliances for building contractors.

Mr. Mitchell attempted to selfishly deprive the bankruptcy system established for honest debtors seeking relief in a financial crisis, Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah stated. Fortunately, our hardworking law enforcement partners and prosecutors were able to gather strong evidence of Mitchells guilt and achieve a guilty verdict in this case.

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The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office investigated this case.

No further information is available at this time.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Thursday launched multiple airstrikes in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa region, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources.

Several Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of the villages of Qousaya, Al-Sha'ara, and Janta in the eastern mountain range, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported.

Additionally, three sound bombs were dropped over the village of Kafr Kila in southeastern Lebanon, and an Israeli warplane flew "in a spiral pattern at high altitude over the city of Baalbek and its surrounding areas," said the report.

"Israeli warplanes fired six air-to-ground missiles at the eastern mountain range near Baalbek," a Lebanese security source told Xinhua, without providing further details.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike earlier in the day "on infrastructure at a site used by Hezbollah for manufacturing and storing strategic weapons" in Bekaa.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been in effect, bringing an end to prolonged clashes between Hezbollah and Israel triggered by the Gaza war.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target "threats" posed by Hezbollah. Israeli forces also remain in several strategic locations in Lebanon despite the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline outlined in the agreement. 
Long-serving Rep. Raul Grijalva died Thursday after a battle with lung cancer, ending his decades-long career in public service and leaving a gap in Arizona's representation on Capitol Hill.

One of Arizona's longest-serving congressmen, Grijalva was a fixture of Tucson politics, and eventually became known in Washington as a standard-bearer of the left wing of the Democratic Party.

"He will be sorely missed," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said on social media.

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Now, with more than a year and a half left in the current congressional term, Arizona will soon hold special elections to pick Grijalva's successor.

Rep. Raul Grijalva: His death leaves a vacancy in Arizona's representation on Capitol Hill. How will his seat be filled?

The Democratic primary will be especially competitive, considering the district's heavy partisan tilt.

With the news of Grijalva's passing still fresh, no major candidates have announced concrete plans to run in the upcoming special election. But some Tucson-area political heavyweights are expected to get into the race, and political observers are watching two powerful Democratic families that have sometimes found themselves on opposite sides of local political struggles.

Adelita Grijalva

Pima County District 5 Supervisor Adelita S. Grijalva (left) and Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher (right) attend a news conference at the Lukeville Port of Entry in Lukeville, Ariz., on Jan, 4, 2024.

Grijalva's daughter, Adelita, has long been seen as a natural successor to the seat. She now sits on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, a position her father held decades ago before he successfully ran for Congress.

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She wrote an emotional social media post Thursday remembering her father.

"My dad has said 'it's all about the love' for as long as I can remember. I remember watching him give speeches as a little girl and was just so impressed by him  a feeling that has never changed," she wrote.

"It's been my honor to be Raul Grijalva's daughter  a badge I wear with immense pride," she continued. "For now, I will just say thank you for being my Dad and for showing this world what the son of a bracero and a kid from Sunnyside can do when they work hard and dream big."

John McCain: From upstart to national icon, chronicled by The Arizona Republic

Hernandez siblings

Rep. Alma Hernandez speaks in support of a procedural vote to fast-track the repeal of the 1864 abortion ban during a legislative session at the Arizona House of Representatives.

Some observers are expecting a member of the politically active Hernandez family to run for Grijalva's seat. The trio of siblings has occasionally clashed with the late congressman and his allies, and they all boast political resumes serving in Arizona's Legislature.

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Chief among them is Daniel Hernandez, a former state representative. Reached for comment Thursday, he didn't directly answer a question about whether he will run. But he expressed sympathy for the Grijalva family, referencing his own father's death late last year.

"Losing a father is an indescribable pain  one that I unfortunately had to experience recently," he wrote. "My heart goes out to the entire Grijalva family as they navigate through this tremendous loss. I hope they find comfort in the legacy and decades-long commitment to public service that the Congressman leaves behind. His unwavering dedication to Southern Arizona leaves an enduring mark on our community."

His sister, state Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, has also been part of the conversation around Grijalva's seat, publicly criticizing the congressman's decision to stay in office as his cancer treatment kept him away from Capitol Hill. However, she has told the Tucson Agenda that she won't run for Grijalva's seat.

State Rep. Consuelo Hernandez told The Republic Friday she won't run for Grijalva's seat, either, and sends her condolences to his family.

Adrian Fontes

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is also "seriously considering" entering the race, according to his senior adviser Steven Slugocki.

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Fontes grew up in Nogales. He was elected Maricopa County Recorder in 2016 and has served as Arizona's Secretary of State since 2023.

Regina Romero

Mayor Regina Romero answers questions during an interview in her office Jan. 13, 2025, at City Hall in Tucson.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who is married to Grijalva's longtime aide Ruben Reyes, was seen as another possible candidate hailing from Grijalva's political clan, though she put out a statement Friday saying she will not run to replace him.

"I know that serving as the Mayor of Tucson is a distinct honor in these challenging times and is the best way for me to continue our work on behalf of Tucsonians," she wrote.

She's positioned herself as a rising star in the Democratic Party: She spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, addressing attendees in Spanish and English and praising the party's national platform.

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Before Grjialva's passing, Romero was a key voice defending his decision to stay in office despite his health challenges. She told local Tucson media that "there have been a number of Arizonans serving in Congress who have sustained injuries or experienced health concerns," including former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the late Republican Sen. John McCain.

Other candidates

A lesser-known candidate by the name of Manuel Vega already has announced plans to run for the seat, introducing himself in a letter to media as a Democrat with experience in nursing and health care.

Prior to Grijalva's death, three other Democratic candidates  Andrew Becerra, David Bies and Abdul hadi Ghulam Habib  had filed paperwork indicating their interest in running for the seat in 2026.

Republican candidates Daniel Francis Butierez Sr., Jorge Rivas, Raul Verdugo and Jimmy Rodriguez had also indicated their interest in the race.

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Butierez unsuccessfully challenged Grijalva in 2024.

When will the special elections take place?

Under state law, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs must call for a special election within 72 hours. After that, a primary election will be held about four months later, which puts it on track to take place during the summer of 2025. The general election will be held two to three months afterward.

Grijalva, D-Ariz., represented Arizona's 7th Congressional District, a bright-blue stronghold that includes much of Arizona's border with Mexico. That means whoever wins the Democratic primary is overwhelmingly likely to win in the general election.

Last year, Grijalva ran unopposed in the primary, and he easily beat a Republican challenger by a 63%-37% margin.

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Candidates interested in succeeding Grijalva don't have long to make up their mind: Per state law, they are required to file paperwork with elections officials within 30 days after the special election is called.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who might run to succeed the late Rep. Raul Grijalva on Capitol Hill?
The Ventura County Sheriffs Office said deputies seized a cache of dozens of firearms and gun parts, including at least one weapon designed for military use, in Camarillo on Tuesday.

As detailed in a news release, 38-year-old Jaqueline Randall of Camarillo was identified as a suspect in an assault with a deadly weapon incident in February, and investigators discovered the weapon used during the aforementioned crime was an assault weapon.

Investigators searched her vehicles, home and property, and she was detained while in her vehicle.

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Also detained was Camarillo resident Timothy Creech, 58, who was also in Randalls car, investigators said. Creech, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms.

In Randalls vehicle, investigators found ammunition and a usable amount of methamphetamine, leading to charges against Creech of being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

At Randalls residence, deputies found a 9mm handgun, hundreds of rounds of various caliber ammunition as well as numerous high-capacity rifle and pistol magazines, the release said.

That wasnt all they found, however, as detectives obtained information that a large cache of weapons, magazines and ammunition had been transported to a storage unit in the City of Camarillo prior to the warrant service.

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In that storage unit, officials found 42 firearms, including an Intratec TEC-9 pistol, an AK-47-style rifle with a bayonet and collapsible stock, and several thousand rounds of various caliber rifle and pistol ammunition  and hundreds of high-capacity magazines, the release said.

Mark Koscielski and Barbara Bergstrom exhibit two extremes of the gun dealers inventory: an AR-50, the civilian version of the .50 caliber military sniper rifle, and an AB 10 (formerly and popularly known as the TEC-9), a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, on Dec. 14, 2000. (Duane Braley/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Perhaps most notably, detectives found an ArmaLite AR-50 anti-materiel rifle chambered in .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun ammunition.

This rifle is designed and engineered specifically to engage and destroy vehicles, aircraft, fortifications and other hardened targets which require a high level of penetration and stopping power, the VCSO explained. It uses the same ammunition as the M2 Browning machine gun, which has been used by militaries since 1933.

Investigators also found several hundred rounds of .50 caliber BMG.

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Randall was arrested for unlawful transfer of a firearm and possession of a .50 BMG rifle.

Both were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, though jail records indicate theyve been released.

No information about upcoming court dates was available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Hmong American woman who has lived in the Milwaukee area since she was 8 months old was deported last week to Laos, a country she has never visited, and says she is stranded in a rooming house surrounded by military guards.

Ma Yang, 37, a mother of five, said she does not speak the Lao language, has no family or friends in the country and that the military is holding all her documents. She was born in Thailand, the daughter of Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War, and she was a legal permanent U.S. resident until she pleaded guilty to taking part in a marijuana trafficking operation.

Michael Bub speaks to his longtime partner Ma Yang, who was deported to Laos, outside of their home on Thursday March 13, 2025 in South Milwaukee, Wis.

"The United States sent me back to die," she said. "I don't even know where to go. I don't even know what to do."

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As President Donald Trump pushes the mass deportation of immigrants, Yang believes she is one of the first Hmong Americans to be deported to Laos in recent years. As of November, the U.S. considered Laos an "uncooperative" country that accepted few, if any, deportees. Zero people were deported to Laos in the last fiscal year, according to federal data.

Once she arrived in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on March 6, she said she was questioned by military authorities then sent to a rooming house, where guards did not allow her to leave or contact anyone for five days. She paced in circles around the compound and ate food the guards gave her.

A few days ago, she was taken to buy a cellphone and withdraw cash. She could finally reach out to her partner of 16 years, Michael Bub of South Milwaukee, a U.S. citizen. The military official in charge of her situation  she does not know his rank or title  then said she could leave if she wanted. But she is scared to venture out.

"How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now."

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Yang has no insulin for her diabetes and dwindling supplies of high blood pressure medication, she said. She is the only deportee in the house, she said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, did not provide comment Thursday on Yang's case.

Michael Bub speaks to his longtime partner Ma Yang, who was deported to Laos, outside of their home on Thursday March 13, 2025 in South Milwaukee.

More: They came to the U.S. legally with American sponsors. Trump put their future in jeopardy.

Criminal conviction laid groundwork for deportation order

A longtime Milwaukee resident, Yang worked as a nail technician and a receptionist at nail salons before the COVID-19 pandemic. She was earning a living for her children, who range in age from 6 to 22. Her partner, Bub, is disabled: he has had two brain surgeries, is partially paralyzed and suffers from memory loss.

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During the pandemic, the family moved into a house that prosecutors say was part of a marijuana trafficking operation.

Yang was among 26 people indicted in a sweeping federal case in 2020. It alleged Yang helped count and package cash that was mailed to marijuana suppliers in California. Prosecutors found bags of cash taped between pages of magazines, according to a complaint.

She took a plea deal and served 2 1/2 years in prison. She said her attorney incorrectly told her the plea deal would not affect her immigration status as a green card holder. But her legal permanent residency was revoked.

Yang would've traded a shorter prison sentence for a longer one if she could have kept her green card, she said. She needs to be home with her kids.

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"I made a mistake, and I know that it was wrong," Yang said. "But I served the time for it already."

Ma Yang, second from right, is seen with her family at a Hmong New Year celebration. Born in Thailand, she came to the U.S. at 8 months old with her family, who are Hmong refugees. She was deported to Laos earlier this month.

At the end of her sentence, Yang was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Minnesota. There, at the advice of another attorney, she signed a document agreeing that a deportation order would be entered against her in exchange for being released from detention.

Despite agreeing to be deported, she and her attorney believed it wouldn't happen, since only a small handful of people are deported to Laos each year, if any, and Laos typically has refused to accept U.S. deportees. Nearly 5,000 citizens of Laos with final deportation orders remained in the U.S. as of November, according to an ICE report.

Yang also expected the second attorney to reopen her criminal case and get the conviction thrown out on the grounds she had poor legal representation the first time. If it were thrown out, she reasoned, the deportation order would become irrelevant. But the new attorney did not reopen her case, she said.

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"I just keep getting screwed in this system," Yang said.

More: Inches from resettling, an Afghan refugee family looks to Wisconsin senator for help

Check-in appointment leads to jail in Indiana, flights to Laos

After being released from detention, Yang and Bub bought a house in South Milwaukee, and she was attending regular check-ins with ICE. In mid-February, she got a call from ICE asking her to go to their downtown Milwaukee office for a check-in. It was nine months before her scheduled date, but she went.

There, officers detained her, then sent her to a jail in Brazil, Indiana. Someone there told her she'd likely sit in the jail for a few months, then get released, since Laos wouldn't take her back. But after two weeks in Indiana, she was sent to a holding facility in Chicago, and then to the airport. She really was being deported, she realized.

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Yang says an officer forced her to provide her fingerprints on a document stating she would not return to the U.S.

And then she was off on commercial flights: Chicago to Atlanta to South Korea to Laos.

On its website, ICE said it asks foreign governments to confirm the citizenship of deportees, issue travel documents and accept them from commercial flights.

It appears that ICE has been deporting citizens of countries that will not accept them. Over 100 people from such countries were being held earlier this month in a remote jungle camp after being flown to Panama, the New York Times reported.

Ma Yang is pictured with her partner of 16 years, Michael Bub. On March 6, Yang, a mother of five, was deported to Laos, a country she has never visited.

At a loss for what to do next, deportee searches for answers

Yang's had trouble getting answers to questions from the Laos military officials about her living situation and what she's supposed to do next.

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Bub and Yang's children have taken her deportation hard, they said. Bub hasn't been sleeping and has struggled to care for the children as a single dad.

Beyond her own situation, Yang sees the return of Hmong refugees to Laos as a betrayal by the U.S. Recruited by the CIA, Hmong soldiers helped the American military in the Vietnam War, then faced persecution and violence for their role.

"How do you send us back when we fought for you guys?" Yang said. "How is this OK?"

Yang's mother, who had two strokes and needs daily care, moved in with the family after Yang got out of prison. Her mother called Yang on Wednesday.

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"I miss you," her mother said. "Nobody takes care of me like you do. What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know. What am I supposed to do?" Yang replied, desperate. "I can't even take care of myself. Everything is unknown."

Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Contact her at scarson@gannett.com or 920-323-5758.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: South Milwaukee woman deported to Laos is stranded with few options
Prosecutors have charged a Milwaukee real estate agent in a sexual assault and human trafficking case that they say involved violent punishment of women staying at his home.

Also named in a criminal complaint, but not charged, is a Milwaukee defense attorney who prosecutors say controlled access to key documents such as birth certificates and social security cards for women living in the home.

The real estate agent, Austin Parie Chronister, 38, is charged with human trafficking, false imprisonment and two counts of second-degree sexual assault with domestic abuse assessments. He made his initial appearance in court Friday. Milwaukee County Jail logs indicate he was in custody.

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Wisconsin real estate license records list Chronister's employer as Mahler Sotheby's International Realty in Milwaukee. The brokerage's website did not list Chronister among its staff as of Friday.

More: What to do if you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship

Prosecutors brought charges on behalf of two women victims who said they suffered threats as well as sexual and physical violence from Chronister while living in the house, which is located on Milwaukee's west side in the Concordia neighborhood.

According to the complaint, one woman told prosecutors there were consequences for not completing household tasks, such as mowing the lawn. She also felt she wasn't allowed to turn down sex or leave the house. Chronister hit, choked, tripped and kicked her if she disobeyed him, she said.

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The woman's paychecks were monitored by the defense attorney, who also kept the woman's vital records in a lockbox only accessible to the attorney.

More: Housing is the bedrock of safety. For survivors of domestic violence in Milwaukee, it can be hard to find.

In one instance, according to the complaint, Chronister placed the woman in a headlock during an act of non-consensual sex, cutting off her breathing, and she passed out. She left the home in 2020 after living there over three years.

Another woman told prosecutors that Chronister violently beat her in 2023 when she said she wanted to leave the house. She lost consciousness during the beating and woke to find the man was sexually assaulting her, according to the complaint.

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That woman told prosecutors that house residents signed contracts that included regular payments, "sex on demand" and other rules.

If convicted of all four charges, Chronister would face up to 111 years in prison.

Where to find help for domestic violence

Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.

The Milwaukee Women's Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.

The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828.

We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.

The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510.

The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526.

Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090.

The Hmong American Womens Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man charged with sexual assault, trafficking in violent case
The story of a Milwaukee-area Hmong American woman who was deported to Laos, a country she has never visited, has resonated with readers.

Ma Yang, 37, a nail technician and mother of five who has lived in Wisconsin since she was a baby, was detained at a check-in appointment with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in mid-February and was flown last week to Laos, she said.

She says she is now stranded in a rooming house in the capital of Vientiane, surrounded by military guards, with little idea of what to do next.

Ma Yang is pictured with her partner of 16 years, Michael Bub. On March 6, Yang, a mother of five, was deported to Laos, a country she has never visited.

Yang's story reflects the Trump administration's push to send deportees to countries that do not typically accept them. Yang believes she is one of the first Hmong Americans to be deported to Laos in recent years, as the U.S. had designated Laos an "uncooperative" country that did not receive its deportees.

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Here's what to know about Yang's immigration status and deportation.

Where is Ma Yang from?

Yang was born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War. She was 8 months old when her family resettled in Milwaukee.

She was a legal permanent U.S. resident starting at age 7, but that status was revoked when she pleaded guilty to taking part in a marijuana trafficking operation in 2022.

Opinion: We want to hear from you: Milwaukee woman was deported to Laos. Was that right?

Yang, 37, worked as a nail technician and a receptionist at nail salons in the Milwaukee area. Her children range in age from 6 to 22, and she has a 7-month-old granddaughter. She and her longtime partner, Michael Bub, recently bought a house in South Milwaukee.

Why was Ma Yang deported?

Yang was among 26 people indicted in a sweeping federal case in 2020. It alleged Yang helped count and package cash that was mailed to marijuana suppliers in California.

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She took a plea deal and served 2  years in prison. She said her attorney incorrectly told her the plea deal would not affect her immigration status. Her green card was revoked.

At the end of her sentence, Yang was transferred to an ICE detention facility. There, at the advice of another attorney, she agreed to a document stating that a deportation order would be entered against her in exchange for being released.

Despite agreeing to be deported, she and her attorney believed it wouldn't happen, since only a small handful of people, if any, are deported to Laos each year, and Laos typically has refused to accept U.S. deportees.

No deportees were sent to Laos in the last fiscal year. And nearly 5,000 citizens of Laos with final deportation orders remained in the U.S. as of November, according to an ICE report.

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At a February check-in, ICE officers detained Yang, then sent her to a jail in Indiana, and then put her on a series of flights to Laos, where she arrived March 6.

Ma Yang, second from right, is seen with her family at a Hmong New Year celebration. Born in Thailand, she came to the U.S. at 8 months old with her family, who are Hmong refugees. She was deported to Laos earlier this month.

Where is Ma Yang now?

Yang said she was questioned by military authorities in Laos, then sent to a rooming house in Vientiane, where guards did not allow her to leave or contact anyone for five days.

A few days ago, she was taken to buy a cellphone and withdraw cash. The military official in charge of her situation then said she could leave if she wanted. But she is scared to venture out. She has no friends or family there, does not speak the Lao language and the officials took all her documentation, she said.

Yang has no insulin for her diabetes and dwindling supplies of high blood pressure medication, she said.

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Meanwhile, her partner, Bub, is disabled and struggling to care for their children as a single dad.

Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Contact her at scarson@gannett.com or 920-323-5758.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why was a Hmong American woman from Milwaukee deported to Laos?
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  New Vision New Day Ministry collected toys Friday to donate to patients at Akron Childrens Hospital.

Youngstown Councilwoman Amber White picked up the items. She said the toys are extras from the Toys for Tots program from over the holidays.

The ministry has been doing this for years.

White talked about the big impact a small gesture like this can have on children.

They get a new toy, it brightens up their day, you know? And it gives them something to play with and it puts them in a better spiritfor a lot of children that are there, she said.

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White says this is just another way New Vision New Day Ministry gives back to the community.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A Minnesota student may have information connected to the disappearance of an American woman in the Dominican Republic.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, was reported missing while vacationing with five friends and staying at a Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

Police say Konanki is a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, a citizen of India and a permanent resident of the United States. She was last seen on the beach in the early morning of March 6, with the hotel stating her disappearance coincided with a power outage that resulted in many of its guest heading to the beach.

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CNN reports on Thursday that new video has surfaced that shows multiple people being on the beach as authorities continue to work to identify them.

Sudiksha Konanki.Facebook

A 22-year-old Iowa man, who is a student at St. Cloud State University, has been identified by the sheriff's office as someone who may have information regarding Konanki's whereabouts, as he had been with her on the beach on the night she was last seen.

A spokesperson with the sheriff's office tells Bring Me The News the man "is not a suspect" and as of Thursday afternoon the investigation isn't considered to be criminal.

A St. Cloud State spokesperson confirms the man is a student at the university and has been since 2023. The senior majors in land surveying and mapping sciences.

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The man wasn't originally with the group that Konanki traveled with, authorities said.

Bring Me The News isn't naming the man as he hasn't been charged or suspected of any crime.

The sheriff's office is working with the Dominican National Police, the FBI and the U.S. Department of State as the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities are conducting a search by land, air and water, using multiple methods in the form of helicopters, drones, divers, boats, and canines, among other methods.
JAKARTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia announced on Friday that it will resume sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia after President Prabowo Subianto lifted the country's 2015 moratorium on worker placement.

Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Abdul Kadir Karding said that Saudi Arabia currently requires approximately 600,000 Indonesian workers, including around 400,000 domestic workers and 200,000 formal workers.

To formalize the reopening, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia will soon sign a memorandum of understanding in Jeddah. The first batch of migrant workers is expected to depart by June 2025, with quotas to be adjusted by the Indonesian government.

"The president has approved this decision and instructed us to prepare a comprehensive training and placement scheme. We will submit a follow-up report on our plans," Karding said.

Indonesia had suspended migrant worker placements to Saudi Arabia since 2015 due to widespread cases of illegal recruitment, which led to the trafficking of at least 25,000 workers annually. 
The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, has taken a troubling turn as Venmo transactions highlight her final movements before vanishing from a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Konanki, who was vacationing with five friends during spring break, made two payments on the popular payment app on March 5, just hours before she was last seen at the five-star Riu Republica hotel, the Daily Mail reported .

The first payment, made at 2:54 p.m., was sent to an unnamed new user, with a sailboat emoji as its description. This was followed by a second transaction at 3:38 p.m., this time to one of Konankis friends, Ananya Chilakamarri, with the description Coco Bongoa well-known nightclub in the area. Authorities have found no indication of wrongdoing on Chilakamarris part, The US Sun reported .

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Konanki, a pre-med student from Chantilly, Virginia, disappeared under mysterious circumstances after spending the evening at the resort with friends.

The search for Konanki has now entered its second week, with both local authorities and international agencies including the FBI and Interpol involved in the ongoing effort. A yellow notice, a global missing person alert, has also been issued for her.

Missing student Konanki sent two Venmo payments shortly before she disappeared. / Venmo

The last person seen with her was Joshua Riibe, a 24-year-old senior at St. Cloud State University. Although he is not currently considered a suspect, he has given conflicting accounts of the nights events.

Riibe claimed that he saved Konanki from drowning after they were swept into the ocean by a wave while on the beach at around 4 a.m. According to his police interview, he attempted to rescue her by swimming through the water with her, but he became fatigued and ultimately collapsed on the beach.

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Riibe said, We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit. A big wave came and hit us both. And when the water returned, it swept us out to sea.

He explained that he tried to use his former lifeguard experience to try and save them, but I was getting tired. I realized she was getting tired too. I grabbed her and pulled her out.

NBC / NBC

After reaching the shore, Riibe claimed Konanki was still in knee-deep water. When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasnt out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water.

He said he asked if she was alright but started to vomit the water he had swallowed before she could respond. And when he looked around for her, she was gone, and so he assumed she had left.

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Hotel CCTV footage shows Riibe walking alone back to the resort at 9:55 a.m., while Konankis friends reported her missing later that afternoon. Despite intense searches, including drones, divers, and sniffer dogs, no new leads have emerged.

The Dominican government has pledged to continue searching until at least Sunday, according to Noticias SIN.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The body of a missing person was found near the Mississippi River levee on Thursday.

According to the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office, at around 6 p.m., the sheriffs office received a phone call from a person who reported seeing the victim. On March 1, a vehicle reportedly went into the water behind the levee in Morganza.

Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux, his team, and search and rescue units confirmed it was the missing individual. The recovery was complete shortly after 7 p.m.

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Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, said Thibodeaux. We appreciate the efforts of all agencies involved in the search and recovery.

Police have not yet released the identity of the victim and the cause of the incident.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
The last person believed to have seen missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has reportedly told investigators that he lost sight of her after they both went for an early morning ocean swim and were overcome by an intense wave, which he said he rescued her from.

In an interview with prosecutors in the Dominican Republic where he and Konanki had been vacationing, American Joshua Steven Riibe said he pulled Konanki to shore and last saw her walking in knee-deep water on March 6 before he passed out on the beach, NBC News and CNN reported.

The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didnt hear her answer because I started vomiting up all the seawater I had swallowed, he reportedly told authorities. After vomiting, I looked around, and I didnt see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.

University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki vanished while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook

Riibe, who said he had experience as a lifeguard, said he fell asleep on a beach chair and woke a couple hours later. He returned to his hotel room alone and was later told by his roommate that Konanki never made it back to hers.

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After I saw her walk away while she was walking in the water, I never saw her again, he reportedly told authorities.

Konanki, who was visiting the beach for spring break with friends, was seen on surveillance footage walking to the beach in Punta Cana with five women and two men around 4 a.m., the Dominican RepublicNational Police said.

Video obtained by Noticias SIN appears to show Konanki walking with her arm around a man while with the group. Both appear to be staggering.

The group had been drinking in the hotels lobby before heading to the beach, CNN reported, citing a source with the Dominican Republic National Police.

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About a half hour later, five women and a man left the beach. Missing from the group was Konanki and one of the men, later identified as Riibe. Riibe was seen leaving the beach alone at 8:55 a.m., People reported.

Riibe has not been named a suspect or charged with any crime in the case, though he has been named a person of interest by the sheriffs office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where Konanki lives.

Civil defense boats search for Sudiksha Konanki near a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March. 10. Associated Press

Related...
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippi communities are preparing for severe weather this weekend that could cause damage. Some areas in the state have already had more than their fair share of severe weather this year.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has a team preparing to keep Mississippians informed about the forecast.

Brain Grantham, the Rankin County EOC director, said neighbors should not rely solely on outdoor weather sirens. He suggested monitoring more than one source for weather notifications.

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MEMA warns Mississippians to prepare for tornadoes

The technology is very old inside the sirens. Its not reliable. Just because it worked last weekend, may not mean itll work this weekend. Trying to find somebody to work on those are extremely difficult. So, thats when we started looking at hey, most people carry cell phones. If not, we can also call their landline inside their home if they dont have a cell phone, Grantham said.

Weather notifications have been crucial for neighbors in Wayne County. Three tornadoes have caused damage in the area recently.

Thats really rare to kind of see that and just really unfortunate that on three different occasions you had storms that just went right through, you know, a portion of a county and caused, you know, kind of devastation, said Chad Entremont, a meteorologist with the NWS.

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Storm Team 12 is also tracking the forecast. Click here to keep up to date.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Today, March 14, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-19, which declared a state of emergency in Missouri in anticipation of severe weather.

Under the order, the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan has been activated. That plan allows state agencies to work directly with local entities to provide quick assistance to those in need.

FOX4 Forecast: Severe storm risk this afternoon

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The National Weather Service has warned that this fast-approaching storm is likely to bring severe weather across the state, including high winds and an increased risk of tornadoes, said Governor Kehoe.

I urge all Missourians to stay alert, monitor weather forecasts, and follow official warnings.

Storms are expected to hit the west side of Missouri around 3 p.m. and move east into the evening and overnight. Some of the main concerns include high-powered winds, tornadoes, hail and more.

Kehoes announcement also included that those with plans outdoors are strongly urged to consider staying inside. Also, make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, warnings and reports.

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While I hope this declaration proves unnecessary, ensuring our emergency management teams are fully prepared is my top priority. The states emergency operations center will be activated at 1 p.m. today to support coordination efforts, said Gov. Kehoe.

Joes Blog: Strong winds, nasty storms on the way (FRI-3/14)

As the storms are expected to be fast-moving, its also important to have a plan in case of a tornado. The safest place in a residence during a tornado is an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor  preferably the basement.

Gov. Kehoes executive order will expire on April 14.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks during a mid-legislative-session press conference with GOP leadership on Thursday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

To say the GOP legislative supermajority in Missouri is functioning again would be an understatement.

After years of Republican infighting left the General Assembly mired in gridlock and setting new records for futility, a unified party entered the 2025 legislation session determined to move past the dysfunction.

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On Thursday, as the session approached its midpoint and lawmakers headed home for spring break, Republicans took a victory lap.

The folks standing behind me, and Ive been around this building several years now, have certainly produced incredible results, Gov. Mike Kehoe told reporters as he stood with GOP members of the House and Senate on the Missouri Capitol steps Thursday. Party unity early in the session has been a big piece of it.

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Two high-profile bills that have historically faced fierce resistance have already found their way to Kehoes desk this week.

One is a sweeping utilities bill that repeals a consumer protection law passed by voters almost 50 years ago.

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The other is a state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, a key piece of the governors public safety agenda.

Both would have been unthinkable in previous years, when the tumult made even routine legislation a heavy lift.

Numerous other Republican priorities have cleared one legislative chamber or the other, ranging from a $1.3 billion tax cut plan to state foster care system reforms to public school open enrollment to a permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormone treatment for transgender minors.

It was the right year to join the Senate, said state Sen. Brad Hudson, a Republican from Cape Fair who joined the chamber in January after several years in the Missouri House.

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State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, said this is the first time in her two years in the Senate where cooperation, instead of confrontation, is the major theme.

People dont hate each other, she said.

Meanwhile, Democrats have been forced back onto defense, with only 10 seats in the suddenly functional 34-member Senate and no Republican discord to gum up the legislative process.

The vibe shift has caught the party flat footed at times, such as when they were slow to respond to a permanent ban on gender-affirming care getting tacked onto an unrelated bill as an amendment earlier this year and thus were ultimately unable to get it removed.

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There were a lot of people who were lulled to sleep over the last few years, said state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat who joined the chamber in January. There was a bit of a slow awakening early on this session, because everyone was so accustomed to nothing happening and were shocked when bills started moving. But people are starting to get their legs under them.

The bills that are being debated arent what Democrats would have chosen if they were in charge, Webber said. But being vastly outnumbered, they arent going to be able to dictate terms to the majority party.

A lot of bills have passed, he said, but theres also been a lot of negotiation to try to make bills better where we can.

He pointed specifically at the state takeover of the St. Louis police.

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Democrats werent able to stop the bill, but a number of provisions were added that have been longtime party priorities  such as banning the shackling of pregnant prisoners, establishing a fund for the wrongfully convicted to receive restitution from the state and limiting what jails and prisons can charge inmates for phone calls.

In the House, where Democrats have even less power with only 52 of the chambers 163 seats, the onslaught of the Republican agenda has some calling for a change in strategy.

Democrats, we have to think strategically and come up with our own comprehensive plan to leverage our power in this chamber, said state Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat. I dont think were doing a very good job of that this year.

New leadership

House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican, talks about legislative priorities passed in the first half of the 2025 legislative session during a GOP press conference Thursday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

A big factor in the GOPs early success is the change in the governors office, said House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican.

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Kehoe was sworn in as governor in January, after six years as lieutenant governor and eight as a state senator. Unlike his predecessor, Republican Mike Parson, Kehoe has made it a priority to be a visible presence in the Capitol and personally work closely with individual lawmakers.

Hes walking the halls, talking with members, Patterson said, and that leadership really makes a difference.

There was also a lot of turnover in the Missouri Senate, both among rank-and-file members and leadership.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Luektemeyer, a Parkville Republican who assumed his leadership position in January, said that when his caucus can focus on our shared principles and working as a team, we can deliver real results for the people of Missouri.

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State Rep. Marlon Anderson, a St. Louis Democrat and assistant House minority leader, didnt share Luektemeyers rosy outlook on how the session has gone so far.

Anderson pointed specifically at Republican efforts to overturn Proposition A, an initiative petition overwhelmingly approved by voters in November that guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15.

The House approved legislation Thursday that would repeal the sick leave law and modify the minimum wage increase.

But Republicans were unable to muster enough votes to enact an emergency clause, which takes a two-thirds majority, meaning that even if it were to pass and get to Kehoes desk it wouldnt go into effect until Aug. 28  months after the sick leave law kicked in.

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The GOP is also determined to overturn Amendment 3, another voter-approved initiative petition that enshrined abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution.

Bills in the House and Senate would put another question on the ballot asking voters to reinstate Missouris abortion ban, but this time with a narrow exception for survivors of rape and incest who report the crime to police.

We are basically fighting to uphold the will of the people, Anderson said of his fellow Democrats. The people voted in November. Were going to stand with the voters.

Education, tax cuts and Roundup

State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, begins his tenure in the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

While abortion and paid sick leave legislation will run into Democratic resistance, several issues remain that could create fissures in the Republican caucus.

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The House passed legislation that would shield German pharmaceutical company Bayer from liability in lawsuits that allege its herbicide Roundup causes cancer.

Nine Republican senators  including members of the Freedom Caucus, which was the focal point of GOP infighting the last two years  declared outright opposition to the bill, vowing to block it from coming up for a vote.

Tensions within the party have even emerged on tax cuts.

A $300 million capital gains tax cut bill approved by the House earlier this year ran into problems in the Senate when GOP state Sen. Mike Cierpiot of Lees Summit joined with Democrats in voicing concerns about its impact on the states finances and which Missourians would benefit most.

Its just very skewed to the most wealthy people, Cierpiot said of the proposal. The 8,000 wealthiest families (in Missouri) will get more than half of the benefit.

A public school open enrollment bill managed to clear the House with 22 Republicans joining with all but three Democrats in opposition. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it has stalled year after year..

Overall, a functioning legislature is a good thing for Missouri, Webber said, though it definitely comes with downsides.

There are things that need to be done that were nearly impossible when the Senate didnt function, so its good that were able to pass some bills, he said. But there are some really bad ideas that now have more potential to pass because the place is functioning.

The Independents Rudi Keller contributed to this story.

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Minnesota lawmakers are once again debating whether the state should lift a three-decade ban on new nuclear power plants in the state. Though in order for that to happen, advocates will need to persuade skeptical Democrats and a Dakota community whose land is right next to an existing plant.

At a Thursday hearing for a new bill to lift Minnesotas nuclear moratorium, the House Energy Committee heard from advocates who say nuclear power will be key to the states clean energy transition and opponents concerned about costs, safety and storage of nuclear waste. Republican members advanced the bill for a vote of the full House, though its prospects are unclear.

The Prairie Island Indian Communitys approval could be key to securing support from Democratic Farmer-Labor lawmakers, and while a tribal representative said he was encouraged by conversations with bill author Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, more needs to be done before they could support an end to the ban.

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Blake Johnson, a lobbyist for the southeast Minnesota tribe, acknowledged the role of nuclear energy in producing carbon-free electricity for the state, but said the community needs more assurance it is protected from expansion of nuclear power.

Our tribal members have lived next to spent nuclear waste for 30 years and next to a generating plant for 50 years, he said. What would you say if your people are struggling with what sits in the earth and adding more means that it will be a problem we leave for our children, our childrens children, and so on?

Existing nuclear plant

Prairie Island sits about 700 yards away from the nuclear power plant and more than 1,000 tons of radioactive waste, closer than any other community in the United States, tribal or otherwise, Johnson said.

The nuclear plant was constructed without tribal consent half a century ago, just a few years before Prairie Island received electricity and running water, Johnson said. The state approved on-site waste storage with the promise thered be a moratorium on new nuclear power and an eventual federal long-term solution for storage.

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Igos bill would allow the state Public Utilities Commission to issue a certificate of need for a nuclear power plant again and contains language specifically banning the construction of a new nuclear plant or waste storage facility on Prairie Island.

Minnesota has two nuclear power plants that started operating in the 1970s: a two-reactor plant at Prairie Island near Red Wing and a one-reactor plant in Monticello. None have been built since following a moratorium on new plants enacted in 1994.

Carbon neutral by 2040

Advocates argue nuclear power will be key as the state transitions to carbon-free electricity to combat climate change. The DFL-led Legislature passed a bill in 2023 requiring all energy in the state to be carbon neutral by 2040, and nuclear would be a key part of providing reliable baseload power, they say.

Republicans have repeatedly tried to remove the 2040 mandate, but they say nuclear power will help if it remains in place.

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Its important that we utilize every tool in the tool box that we pursue an all of the above energy approach, Igo said. And if were going to get there and were going to make sure to keep energy affordable and reliable, we need to use everything at our disposal.

Some DFL members of the House Energy Committee said they were curious about nuclear power but wanted more reassurances about safety, waste and costs.

Rep. Athena Hollins, DFL-St. Paul said she was happy Igo had worked with the Prairie Island Indian Community, but added lawmakers should do more to ensure waste doesnt end up elsewhere in the state.

We always end up putting it in the communities that are most vulnerable and are historically disadvantaged, she said. I think that it needs to be a broader conversation.

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Concerns about Prairie Island, practicality of building new plants by 2040, and environmental risks have kept most Democrats from openly supporting an end to the moratorium, but some senators have gotten on board.

2025 bill

A 2025 bill sponsored by Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton, has the support of Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, and Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin. It hasnt seen success in the DFL-controlled Senate.

Xcel Energy, which runs the states two nuclear plants, says nuclear will play a foundational role in the transition to carbon-free electricity. The company is open to expansion in Minnesota, but has not taken a position on lifting the moratorium.

While we believe that advanced nuclear energy resources should be one of the options as we continue the energy transition, any discussion about lifting the states moratorium on new nuclear plants must include the Prairie Island Indian Community as a key stakeholder, spokesman Theo Keith told the Pioneer Press in a statement.

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Minnesota Power, which provides electricity in northeastern parts of the state, said the state should approach lifting the moratorium with care and intent.

We believe that ensuring reliability and affordability as we decarbonize our system, means all emerging technology and options, including nuclear power, need to be carefully considered to help meet the energy needs of the future, said Minnesota Power spokesperson Amy Rutledge.
Screenshot of viral video of woman separating a baby wombat from its mother in Australia

This is a screenshot from the now-deleted video that may cause a Montana influencer to lose her visa to Australia. In the video, Samatha Strable grabbed the baby wombat on the side of the road, separating the protected species from its mother.

A Wyoming and Montana social media influencer is under fire and threat of visa removal in Australia after a viral video showed her separating a wombat baby from its mother.

In the now deleted video, Samatha Strable, who said she grew up in Great Falls in a 2023 interview, picks up a baby wombat and runs with it down a road. Strable then released the wombat on the side of the road.

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Wombats are a protected species in Australia, and the incident quickly drew condemnation from government officials in the country. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Sky News Australia that Strable, who goes by Sam Jones on Instagram and Threads, could be at risk of losing her visa.

The department is now working through the conditions on her current visa and determining whether immigration law has been breached, Burke told Sky News, adding, I cant wait for Australia to see the back of this individual.

The Associated Press reported that Stable left Australia voluntarily on Friday.

Strable appears to have been in Australia for more than a year, according to her Facebook page. A recent post also shows her with a bear cub and its mother, dressed in a National Park Service uniform. Strables Instagram and Threads profiles include wildlife biologist in her biography, though its unclear if she held such a position with the Park Service.

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Strable, who was homeschooled in Great Falls and wrote pieces for the Tribune, is an avid hunter, posting as recently as February about hunting Axis deer. She was also at one time part of the Montana Game Wardens Charitable Trust Youth Hunter Program.

Strable did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Daily Montanan, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com.

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A months-old baby was burned after a hookah fell on the child in Boston Thursday.

Boston police officers responded to a report of a burned child on Bunkerhill Street around 9:47 p.m., a department spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

Officers were told that a 2-month-old baby had non-life-threatening burns after a hookah was knocked over onto the child.

The child was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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At this time there have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing, a BPD spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning Americas schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

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Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In a statement, the PhD Project said it aims to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other.

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"This year, we have opened our membership application to anyone who shares that vision, it said.

Arizona State said the business school is not financially supporting the PhD Project this year, and on Feb. 20, told faculty that the school would not support travel to the nonprofit's conference.

A statement from Ohio State said the university does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected class, and our PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants.

Six other colleges are being investigated for awarding impermissible race-based scholarships, the department said. Those schools are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of South Florida and the University of Oklahoma at Tulsa.

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An initial press release from the Education Department erroneously identified the University of Tulsa as one of the schools under investigation.

Additionally, the University of Minnesota is being investigated for allegedly operating a program that segregates students on the basis of race, the department said.

The Feb. 14 memo from Trump's Republican administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

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In the memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, had said schools and colleges' diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline."

The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
KABUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 600 drug users have recovered and reintegrated with their families after receiving medical treatment in a rehabilitation center in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, the local media outlet TOLOnews reported on Friday.

The recovered addicts have also received professional and vocational training at the rehabilitation center, the report said, adding that all the 600 people have reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, the former drug users were trained in six professional fields, such as electrician and carpentry, and they also received a package of professional tools to work and earn a livelihood after reuniting with their families.

The Afghan caretaker government, in addition to taking drug users to rehabilitation centers, has banned poppy cultivation and drug trafficking in an effort to keep the nation from drug menace and addiction. 
Winter weather was not done drenching metro Phoenix, dumping snow in northern Arizona and shutting down highways due to hazardous conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

Partly sunny skies were expected Friday with a high temperature near 58 degrees. Southwest winds were forecast around 5 mph and a 30% chance of rain, the weather service in Phoenix reported.

Showers were expected to roll into metro Phoenix by 5 p.m. and continue through early Saturday. Most shower activity was expected between 9 p.m. and midnight Friday, Alex Young at the National Weather Service in Phoenix said.

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By Friday night, the chance of precipitation was expected to jump to 90% with showers expected to continue through 2 a.m. Saturday.

The weather service warned of potential localized heavy downpours, occasional gusts near 30 mph with some stronger showers possible, and meteorologists could not rule out a few isolated embedded thunderstorms.

The low temperature was anticipated to drop to 47 degrees and a 5 mph west-southwest wind should calm later in the evening.

The weather system was anticipated to end Saturday with a forecast of sunny skies, a high temperature around 67 degrees and calm winds blowing west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

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Saturday night in metro Phoenix was anticipated to be clear with a low near 46 degrees and 5 mph southwest winds calming in the evening.

Sunday was expected to be sunny with a high around 74 degrees and calm winds moving east around 5 mph. Clouds should start rolling in later Sunday, and skies were forecast to be mostly cloudy with a low temperature near 53 degrees and calm winds Sunday night.

Which highways in Arizona are closed?

The cold, wet weather prompted several road closures on Arizona highways at higher elevations due to hazardous driving conditions.

Closed highways as of Friday afternoon included:

Interstate 40 eastbound near Kingman and in Ash Fork (milepost 71 and 146)

Interstate 40 westbound in Williams, Winslow and Holbrook (milepost 158, 252, and 289)

Interstate 17 northbound at State Route 179 (milepost 299)

State Route 89A in both directions between Sedona and I-17 (mileposts 375 and 397)

State Route 87 southbound just south of Winslow (milepost 338)

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The Arizona Department of Transportation said it expected the roads to be closed through Friday night.

Will Flagstaff get more snow?

A winter weather advisory was forecast into effect Friday evening in Flagstaff and should remain in effect through Friday night.

In the Flagstaff area, Friday weather was expected to start with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 32 degrees and southwest winds between 15 and 21 mph with the possibility of gusts reaching 32 mph. There was a 40% chance of snow showers mainly after 2 p.m.

Widespread rain and snow was likely Friday afternoon through Saturday morning with the heaviest precipitation expected between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday, according to a forecast report by the National Weather Service in Flagstaff.

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There was a 70% chance of precipitation Friday night in Flagstaff with 3 to 5 inches of new snow accumulation possible.

Snow showers were likely to slow by late evening Friday and continue before 2 a.m. Saturday, and snow can be heavy at times. The Flagstaff area was expected to see mostly cloudy skies late Friday, a low near 25 degrees and southwest winds between 10 and 17 mph, which could possibly reach up to 30 mph.

The weather service in Flagstaff forecast a sunny day Saturday with a high near 41 degrees and west wind between 11 and 14 mph with the possibility of gusts reaching 22 mph.

Saturday night was expected to bring mostly clear skies with a low around 21 degrees with a west wind becoming light between 5 to 10 mph.

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Sunny skies were expected Sunday morning with a high near 56 degrees and west winds between 6 and 8 mph moving south in the morning. Winds could reach as high as 15 mph.

Clouds were likely to start rolling in by the end of Sunday evening and bring a low temperature near 31 degrees. Southwest wind was expected between 5 and 7 mph.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix and Flagstaff weekend weather forecast
MSNBCs Chris Matthews had some harsh words for President Trump on Morning Joe on Friday, saying he does not like The West and cuddles up to Russias Vladimir Putin.

For some strange reason, weve never gotten to it, really, Trump has this love affair with The East. Its always to the East. Its something about him, Matthews said.

The veteran MSNBC personalitys criticism of the president kicked off the six-person panel on Morning Joe, after co-host Joe Scarborough started the show off by saying everything keeps going down economically. Matthews was just getting started.

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He cuddles up to Vladimir Putin  the guy rides around [on] a horse with his shirt off, Matthews harangue continued. Why does he like that dictator? And why does he not like Zelenskyy, who was elected? I mean he [was] freely elected and could lose the next election.

He finished his segment by asking: What is Trumps problem with Democracy and The West? He doesnt like The West.

Matthews did not point to specific examples as to why the president hates The West in his eyes, or why he believes he loves Putin.

His comments come a few weeks after a now-infamous meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that went off the rails. Trump and Zelenskyy appear to have patched things up since then, though, and earlier this week the Trump Administration said Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire deal in its war against Russia; Putin on Thursday indicated he is not a fan of the ceasefires current framework.

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You can watch Matthews comments in the clip below:

MSNBCs Chris Matthews says President Trump doesnt like The West and cuddles up to Putin pic.twitter.com/CgIKStNZcg  Sean Burch (@seanb44) March 14, 2025

In related news on cable news, MSNBC and CNN have enjoyed a recent ratings jump, following President Trumps inauguration, although both channels are well below the viewership they received a year ago. Fox News, meanwhile, just had its best February ever.

The post Morning Joe: Trump Doesnt Like the West, Chris Matthews Argues appeared first on TheWrap.
In todays issue:

Shutdown risk fades; Senate Dems to join GOP

Trump raises tariff heat on Europe

Putin backs away from ceasefire with Ukraine

Judge: Fired workers should be reinstated

Senators are working down to the wire to avoid a midnight funding lapse in Washington that would carry major ramifications.

Despite widespread Democratic criticism of the Houses stopgap bill, a number of Democrats are expected to vote today to pass the legislation. They argue that keeping the lights on in Washington is paramount, even though they say the bill would create a slush fund for President Trump and Elon Musk. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday urged his fellow party members to approve the measure, emphasizing that Senate Democrats have little appetite for being the face of a shutdown.

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I will vote to keep the government open, and not shut it down, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Schumer is only the second Senate Democrat to confirm hell vote to advance the GOP-written bill  joining Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). But its likely his decision will give political cover to other Democrats. Schumer said he agrees with Democratic colleagues who say the continuing resolution (CR) is a bad piece of legislation but warned that the alternative would be worse.

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse, he said. For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR, it is deeply partisan. It doesnt address far too many of this countrys needs, but I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

House Democrats are furious at their fellow Democrats, saying Schumer and other aisle-hopping senators are set to empower Trump to gut the government at the expense of their own constituents.

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There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said. And this is not just about progressive Democrats, This is across the board  the entire party.

Schumer is also facing pushback from Senate Democrats who have come out against the proposal, writes The Hills Alexander Bolton. Liberals, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), argued the House bill would give Trump and Elon a blank check to spend your taxpayer money however they want.

Senate Republicans control 53 seats and would need six Democratic votes, in addition to Schumer and Fetterman, to advance the measure. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he will vote against the bill because it doesnt do enough to cut the deficit. Those Democratic votes could likely come from senators facing tough 2026 reelection campaigns, as well as those who are retiring.

The Hill: Congress is poised to pass a funding bill this week that D.C. officials warn would lead to a $1 billion cut to the citys local budget, a move that has been catching members of both parties off guard.

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Trump on Thursday said Democrats would be to blame if government funding runs out this weekend, and he suggested a shutdown could delay GOP efforts to extend expiring tax cuts. On Capitol Hill, Republican lawmakers told Politico that if they oppose the GOPs funding plan that gives Trump further power to slash the federal government, a shutdown would allow the president even more leeway.

To ease the pain of voting for the package, some Democrats are demanding the Senate first vote on their own, clean 30-day stopgap, which would be doomed to fail on the floor. Some members see it as a way to make a point while also avoiding a shutdown. Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) have discussed that plan, though decisions are not final about how the upper chamber will proceed to a final vote.

Despite Schumers appeals on the floor, several Democrats from both wings of the party have declared they cannot back the stopgap because it allots too much power to Trump and Musk. They lamented that House Republicans drafted a partisan bill, passed it narrowly and then left Washington  punting the responsibility, and blame, for avoiding a shutdown into the Senates court.

What everyone is wrestling with is that either outcome is terrible, said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). This president has put us in a position where, in either direction, lots of peoples constituents are going to get hurt and hurt badly. So people are wrestling with what is the least worst outcome.

Smart Take from Blake Burman is off today but will return next week.

3 THINGS TO KNOW TODAY

 Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a House veteran who rose to power in the Democratic Caucus, died Thursday of complications after treatment for lung cancer. He was 77.

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 Why did Trump punish well-known law firm Perkins Coie using an executive order and why did a federal judge on Wednesday say the presidents move sent little chills down my spine?

 Stock prices for the worlds largest technology companies tumbled in the past month after years of gains driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

LEADING THE DAY

President Trump is not relenting when it comes to barbs aimed at U.S. trading partners while exchanging tit-for-tat tariffs that many economists predict could raise prices for U.S. consumers.

On Thursday, Trump said he might impose 200 percent tariffs on alcohol from the European Union in response to the EUs 50 percent tariffs on U.S. whiskey. That action by the EU had been aimed at retaliating against Trumps application of steel and aluminum tariffs.

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Trump accused the 27-nation bloc, one of this countrys closest allies, of being among hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities globally. He asserted the EU was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States.

The EU, in fact, came together in 1993 to strengthen political, national security and economic ties under the Maastricht Treaty. European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said the regions trade minister contacted U.S. counterparts on Thursday after the presidents comments.

Trump posted on social media, The U.S. doesnt have Free Trade. We have Stupid Trade. The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!! The U.S. remains the worlds largest importer of both wine and champagne, with the former comprising $4.9 billion in annual sales and the latter more than $1.7 billion. Meanwhile, U.S. exports of wine rank fifth among all nations at about $1 billion, while its exports of champagne and sparkling wine total just $67 million, 12th in the world.

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 The Hill: Canada filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over certain U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs.

 NewsNation: What would alcohol cost under Trumps proposed 200 percent tariff?

 Reuters: Many Americans in a new Reuters/Ipsos survey said they view Trumps actions on the economy as too erratic.

14TH AMENDMENT AND SUPREME COURT: The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to narrow lower-court rulings that blocked Trumps plan to end automatic birthright citizenship, which guarantees that those born in the U.S., regardless of parentage, are automatically citizens under the Constitutions 14th Amendment.

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Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris said in three concurrently filed emergency applications in different cases that it was a modest request. Federal judges in lower courts have suggested that the Constitution is clear-cut on the subject.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, states, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

BBC explainer: Trump issued an executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of migrant parents without legal status or who are in the U.S. on temporary visas. The U.S. is among 30 countries that grant birthright citizenship. What do other countries do?

NOMINEE WITHDRAWN: Trump on Thursday withdrew his nomination of David Weldon to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because Weldon did not have enough support to be confirmed in the GOP-controlled Senate. The president has not named a new CDC nominee.

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GUANTANAMO BAY: Migrants ordered to the U.S. base in Cuba by Trump are now gone from Guantanamo Bay after expenditures of at least $16 million, plus the cost of military transport. The Wall Street Journal reports that tents pulled out of storage to shelter migrants designated for deportation are empty and the U.S. military has begun making plans to draw down personnel deployed to the naval base in the coming weeks

WHERE AND WHEN

The House will hold a pro forma session at 9 a.m. House Democrats conclude an issues conference in Leesburg, Va., today.

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

The president will sign executive orders at 2 p.m. in the Oval Office. Less than an hour later, Trump is scheduled to head to the Justice Department to deliver remarks at 3 p.m. The president will travel at 4 p.m. to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Palm Beach. Trump is expected to arrive at Mar-a-Lago at 7:10 p.m.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio concludes his participation in a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Canada.

ZOOM IN

NOT SO FAST: Two federal judges on Thursday ruled that fired federal employees should be reinstated. A federal judge in California ordered probationary employees (usually those lacking civil service protections) who were fired by the Trump administration to be offered reinstatement at six departments and agencies, including the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury. He called the Trump administrations firings unlawful. U.S. District Judge William Alsup said he might extend his order later to cover additional federal agencies. Hours later, a federal judge in Maryland issued a similar order covering probationary workers previously employed at more than a dozen government agencies and departments.

ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUE ADMINISTRATION: Two days after the Trump administration fired more than 1,315 Education Department employees, a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general filed suit in Massachusetts federal court, arguing the dismissals were illegal and unconstitutional. The effort is led by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal, James said in a statement.

The one city and states joining forces with New York in the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

The Education Department ended the Biden administration with 4,400 employees and will lose about half its workers in the early wave of Trump administration deconstruction of a department created under former President Carter. It will cause a delay in nearly every aspect of K-12 education in states bringing the court challenge, James said. They seek to halt the downsizing.

The Washington Post: How Education Department layoffs hit student loans, academic testing and civil rights.

SAY WHAT? (MUSK RETWEETS ABOUT HITLER): Musk, who has more than 219 million followers on his social media platform X, retweeted a post Thursday saying Soviet revolutionary Joseph Stalin, former Chinese Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong and Adolf Hitler did not murder millions of people, Their public sector workers did.

ELSEWHERE

UKRAINE: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he was in no hurry to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine and wanted to continue negotiating with Trump. Putin told reporters that Russia was in favor of a 30-day truce with numerous conditions that would be devastating for Ukraine. They include no more weapons supplies or mobilization, surrender rather than withdrawal of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, and most importantly the removal of underlying causes of this crisis.

The idea itself is the right one, and we definitely support it, Putin said. But there are questions that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to talk them through with our American colleagues and partners.

Earlier Thursday, Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the proposed ceasefire gives nothing to Russia and only benefits Ukraine. Trump dispatched his senior envoy for Russia, Steve Witkoff, to speak with Russian officials about a ceasefire this week. Trump warned he can do very bad things to Russia financially if they rejected talks to end the war with Ukraine.

A 30-day temporary ceasefire. Well, what does it give us? It gives us nothing. Ushakov told Russian state media. It only gives the Ukrainians the opportunity to regroup, gather strength and continue the same thing in the future.

 CNN: Ukraine loses grip on key Russian territory, as Trump says peace is up to Russia now.

 The Washington Post: Russia should work to weaken the U.S. negotiating position on Ukraine by stoking tensions between the White House and other countries, according to a document prepared for the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations sought to show a united front in Canada on Thursday after seven weeks of rising tensions between U.S. allies and Trump over his upending Ukraine and his tariff threats.

Peace and stability is at the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russias illegal aggression, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in brief remarks at the start of the meetings. Of course we want to foster long-term stability as well in the Middle East.

GAZA CEASEFIRE: As the fragile Israel-Hamas truce hangs in the balance, Witkoff has presented an updated U.S. proposal for extending the ceasefire in Gaza by several weeks in return for additional hostage releases and the resumption of humanitarian aid to the enclave, Axios reports. The proposal is an effort to buy more time for negotiators to settle on the second phase of the ceasefire deal.

Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim said of the negotiations: Things are at a standstill.

 The Associated Press: The U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories to potentially resettle Palestinians from Gaza.

 Reuters: New Liberal Party leader Mark Carney will be sworn in as Canadas next prime minister this morning, marking the final day of Justin Trudeaus more than nine years in power.

OPINION

 Putin doesnt want a ceasefire in Ukraine. He still wants to win, by Max Boot, columnist, The Washington Post.

 Whole Hog Politics: Your way-too-early Senate race ratings, by Chris Stirewalt, political editor, The Hill.

THE CLOSER

And finally   Congratulations to this weeks Morning Report Quiz winners! With Womens History Month in mind, we asked about womens firsts.

Here are the champion puzzlers who went 4/4: Sari Wisch, Pam Manges, Harry Strulovici, Lynn Gardner, Kenny Kraft, Phil Kirstein, Jess A. Elger, William Chittam, Jenessa Wagner, Mark Roeddinger, Luke Charpentier, Linda Field, Laura Rettaliata, Mark Williamson, Anthony R. Fellow, Rick Schmidtke, Steve James, Brian Hogan, Robert Bradley, Luther Berg, Jim Dykstra, Sharon Banitt, Karen Mitchoff, Tim Burrack, Jane Heaton, Chuck Schoenenberger, Liz Prystas, Carmine Petracca, Sherry Westerman and Terry Pflaumer.

They knew after surveying the options that former first lady Michelle Obama was never taking part in Blue Origins planned, all-female spaceflight.

Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) was the first Black woman elected to the Senate.

Susie Wiles became the first female White House chief of staff in January. State representative is a job she has not held during her career.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos first female president, persuaded Trump to postpone tariffs on Mexican goods.

Stay Engaged

We want to hear from you! Email: Alexis Simendinger (asimendinger@thehill.com) and Kristina Karisch (kkarisch@thehill.com). Follow us on social media platform X (@asimendinger and @kristinakarisch) and suggest this newsletter to friends!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Patients have their blood pressure checked and other vitals taken at an intake triage at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile dental and medical clinic in Grundy, Va. Potential cuts to Medicaid would hit working-age adults who live in small towns and rural areas especially hard. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Working-age adults who live in small towns and rural areas are more likely to be covered by Medicaid than their counterparts in cities, creating a dilemma for Republicans looking to make deep cuts to the health care program.

About 72 million people  nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States  are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides health care coverage to low-income and disabled people and is jointly funded by the federal government and the states. Black, Hispanic and Native people are disproportionately represented on the rolls, and more than half of Medicaid recipients are people of color.

Nationwide, 18.3% of adults who are between the ages of 19 and 64 and live in small towns and rural areas are enrolled, compared with 16.3% in metro areas, according to a recent analysis by the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University.

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In 15 states, at least a fifth of working-age adults in small towns and rural areas are covered by Medicaid, and in two of those states  Arizona and New York  more than a third are. Eight of the 15 states voted for President Donald Trump.

Twenty-six Republicans in the U.S. House represent districts where Medicaid covers more than 30% of the population, according to a recent analysis by The New York Times. Many of those districts have significant rural populations, including House Speaker Mike Johnsons 4th Congressional District in Louisiana.

Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao of California, whose Central Valley district is more than two-thirds Hispanic and where 68% of the residents are enrolled in Medicaid, has spoken out against potential cuts.

Ive heard from countless constituents who tell me the only way they can afford health care is through programs like Medicaid, and I will not support a final reconciliation bill that risks leaving them behind, Valadao said to House members in a recent floor speech.

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U.S. House Republicans are trying to reduce the federal budget by $2 trillion as they seek $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. GOP leaders have directed the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and Medicare, to find $880 billion in savings.

Trump has ruled out cuts to Medicare, which covers older adults. That leaves Medicaid as the only other program big enough to provide the needed savings  and the Medicaid recipients most likely to be in the crosshairs are working-age adults. But targeting that population would have a disproportionate impact on small towns and rural areas, which are reliably Republican.

Furthermore, hospitals and other health care providers in rural communities are heavily reliant on Medicaid. Many rural hospitals are struggling, and nearly 200 have closed or significantly scaled back their services in the past two decades.

Before the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, there were far fewer working-age adults on the Medicaid rolls: The program mostly covered children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. But under the ACA, states are allowed to expand Medicaid to cover adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level  about $21,000 a year for a single person. As an inducement to expand, the federal government covers 90% of the costs  a greater share than what the feds pay for the traditional Medicaid population.

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Last year, there were about 21.3 million people who received coverage through Medicaid expansion.

One GOP cost-saving idea is to reduce the federal match for that population to what the feds give states for the traditional Medicaid population, which ranges from 50% for the wealthiest states to 77% for the poorest ones. That would reduce federal spending by $626 billion over a 10-year period, according to a recent analysis by KFF, a health research group.

Nine states  Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia  have so-called trigger laws that would automatically end Medicaid expansion if the feds reduce their share. Three other states  Idaho, Iowa and New Mexico  would require other cost-saving steps.

States will not be able to cover those shortfalls, said Jennifer Driver, senior director of reproductive rights at the State Innovation Exchange, a left-leaning nonprofit that advocates on state legislative issues. Its not cutting costs. It is putting people in real danger.

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Studies have shown that Medicaid expansion has improved health care for a range of issues, including family planning, HIV care and prevention, and postpartum health care.

Another idea is to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work. That would affect an average of 15 million enrollees each year, and 1.5 million would lose eligibility for federal funding, resulting in federal savings of about $109 billion over 10 years.

In heavily rural North Carolina, which has a trigger law, there are about 3 million people on Medicaid, and 640,000 of them are eligible under the states expansion program. About 231,000 of the expansion enrollees live in rural counties. Black residents make up about 36% of new enrollees under the states eligibility expansion, but only about 22% of the states population.

Brandy Harrell, chief of staff at the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, an advocacy group based in Cary, North Carolina, that focuses on rural issues, said the proposed Medicaid cuts would deepen the existing disparities between white people and Black people and urban and rural residents.

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It would have a profound effect on working families by reducing access to essential health care, increasing financial strain and jeopardizing childrens health, Harrell said. Cuts could lead to more medical debt, and also poorer health outcomes for our state.

Two of the North Carolina lawmakers with about 30% of their constituents on Medicaid, U.S. Reps. Virginia Foxx and Greg Murphy, represent heavily rural districts in western and coastal North Carolina, respectively.

Foxx has supported GOP budget priorities in social media posts. Murphy, a physician and co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus in the House, has focused his statements on taking care of what he says is abuse and fraud in the Medicaid system.

But North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein last week sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders of both parties, saying the states rural communities disproportionately rely on Medicaid and that cuts would upend an already fragile landscape for rural hospitals in the state.

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The damage to North Carolinas health care system, particularly rural hospitals and providers, would be devastating, not to mention to people who can no longer afford to access health care, Stein wrote.

In Nebraska, 27% of residents live in rural areas, and state lawmakers are already scrambling to make up for reduced federal Medicaid funding.

Dr. Alex Dworak, a family medicine physician who works at an Omaha health clinic that serves low-income and uninsured people, said a dearth of health care options in rural Nebraska already hurts residents. He has one patient who drives up to three hours from his rural community to the clinic.

It wouldnt be just bad for marginalized communities, but it would be worse for marginalized communities  because things were already worse for them, Dworak said of proposed Medicaid cuts. It will be an utter disaster.

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Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein and Statelines Barbara Barrett contributed to this report. Scott S. Greenberger can be reached at sgreenberger@stateline.org.

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The highest risk of severe thunderstorms and dangerous tornadoes this year wont be in the Plains Tornado Alley region, forecasters predict.

Instead, there will be a shift east, with the greatest threat focusing on the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, long-range experts at AccuWeather said this month.

Families and businesses across the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys need to prepare for a stormy spring. Tornado Alley roared back to life in 2023 and 2024, but we expect the highest frequency of severe thunderstorm and tornado threats to shift farther east this year, AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said in a statement.

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This forecast is concerning because more people are in harms way, compared to Tornado Alley. More people live in the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, and more of those families are in vulnerable buildings without basements like mobile homes, he noted.

The risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes will shift east this year, according to forecasters at AccuWeather. The company says Americans need to prepare for a storm spring in the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys (Getty Images)

Tornado Alley is an area of the U.S. where there is a high potential for tornado development. It stretches from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.

Last year, tornado activity across the country reached near-historic levels, according to the National Weather Service, with nearly 1,800 tornadoes preliminarily confirmed. Activity in the spring roared to life, resulting in the second-most tornadoes on record.

Texas was the top state with tornado reports, with 169. There was also an unusually high number in Florida thanks to Hurricane Milton.

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Tornadoes led to the deaths of 54 people, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This year, AccuWeather says there will be between 1,300 and 1,450 tornadoes spinning up: slightly above the historical average of 1,225 tornadoes. An outbreak of severe storms is likely for the U.S. Friday across the central U.S. The storms could bring significant tornadoes. This month, there could be as many as 150, and between April and May, there could be between 200 and 350, forecasters say.

Last year saw near-historic levels of tornado activity. Dozens of twisters were whipped up by Hurricane Milton as it hit Florida (AFP via Getty Images)

The risk this year is shifting east, according to Pastelok, because of a large area of high pressure over the Southwest that could limit severe thunderstorms to part of the Plains. AccuWeather says severe thunderstorms are expected to ramp up in the coming months, with cooler weather right now preventing tornadoes across the northern states.

By May, however, AccuWeather says a shift in weather pattern will raise the possibility for more storms in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Tornado Alley.

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"Though it is early to determine where these may form, we are leaning toward the central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley based on the pattern forecast and research," Pastelok said.

The warming atmosphere is increasing the risk for severe weather outbreaks. Its also resulting in more tornadoes outside of the traditional season (Getty Images)

AccuWeather also noted the warming climate impacts the production of tornado storms, with severe weather outbreaks occurring more frequently and the risk of tornadoes occurring outside of the traditional spring season.

Our warming atmosphere can hold more moisture, unleashing intense rainfall rates that can trigger dangerous flash flooding, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Climate Expert Brett Anderson said. As water temperatures continue to increase in the Gulf, warmer air with more moisture can be forced northward into the Southern states ahead of a cold front, providing an extra boost of energy for severe thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes.

Researchers are still working to pinpoint possible links and effects that climate change is having on tornadoes in America, he said. One thing is clear: extreme weather and billion-dollar disasters are happening more frequently as our climate continues to warm.
(WJW)  A Utah mother of three, known to thousands of fans as a popular travel influencer, has died from severe burns sustained during a multiple-vehicle pileup crash last week.

The crash happened on March 6, as Elise Caffee and her husband Dan were heading to a wedding in Mexico, the family announced on an Instagram page.

They were involved in a 10+ car pileup on a freeway in Cancun where a truck of hot asphalt hit them, flipping their car, trapping Elise underneath and dumping steaming hot asphalt on top of her as well as the people in front of the other cars, the post said.

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Strangers help save drivers life after pickup truck bursts into flames on I-90

Nearby hospital workers quickly responded to the scene, and the family said Caffees body was badly burned, but her face is not.

As reported by People, Dan announced on social media that he wasnt injured, but his wife was fighting for her life and their driver, Luis, died at the scene.

Family members continued providing updates on the mother of three for days, letting fans know she was flown back to a hospital in Salt Lake City and taken to the burn unit in critical but stable condition. While there, she underwent surgery for serious burns.

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On Wednesday night, the family confirmed that she passed away.

We are absolutely heartbroken to share the news of Elises passing tonight. She held on so long and fought so hard against an impossibly difficult set of circumstances, the post said. Absolutely everything that could have been done for her was done and we are so grateful she was able to make it back home to say goodbye to her family before leaving us.

Ohio family accuses pet sitter of cremating dog without permission

The post was accompanied by a photo of Caffee with her husband and three daughters.

We believe in eternal families and know well see our beautiful mom, sister, wife and daughter again, the post continued. Were grateful for all the prayers and love that have buoyed us up in the last few days and that we know will continue to in the days ahead.

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Caffee spent years vlogging her travels on the Instagram account 3 Kids Travel. On the account, which has more than 47,000 followers, Caffee described herself as an expert travel mom who believes you can take your kids everywhere.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Clark County grand jury indicted a mother on murder and child abuse charges in connection with the death of her four-year-old son, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Amari Taylor, 24, drowned JaKari Davis in December, according to a criminal complaint. The complaint refers to Taylor baptizing and/or drowning the boy between Dec. 28 and Dec. 29.

The Clark County coroners office has not yet officially determined the childs cause and manner of death, a spokesperson said.

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In a separate case, Taylor is charged with battery on a protected person, a gross misdemeanor. Taylor allegedly struck a Las Vegas Metro police officer with a car door by kicking it on Dec. 29, according to a criminal complaint.

Clark County District Court Judge Christy Craig found Taylor competent to stand trial on Feb. 14 after an evaluation. It was not immediately clear when she would appear in court following the indictment.

Taylor remained at the Clark County Detention Center on Thursday. She declined an interview request from jail.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

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Liliia Averianova, the mother of renowned fallen Ukrainian pilot Andrii "Juice" Pilshchykov, has expressed gratitude to the United States for its assistance in Ukraine's just struggle for life, sovereignty, and independence.

Source: Liliia Averianova on Facebook

Details: Thus, the mother of the killed pilot, who became a strong advocate for arming Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets to adequately resist Russian aggression in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, joined the flash mob organised by Ukrainian pilots.

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The video message, which was also shared by Ukraines Air Force on X (formerly Twitter), was filmed in English.

Quote from Liliia Averianova: "The skies of Ukraine are under reliable protection! We thank the people of the United States for supporting Ukraine in its struggle for life, sovereignty and independence. We thank the US Department of State, the Congress and the Senate for launching the F-16 programme and providing air and missile defence systems. You have saved thousands and thousands of lives of Ukrainian civilians. Our soldiers are bravely defending our country from brutal invaders. Ukraine wants peace. But peace must be defended. Many thanks to our allies, our brothers in arms! Stay with Ukraine on the right side of history!"

Read more: Plane-spotting in the weeds, unwanted fame, and the Ghost of Kyiv made out of Lego. Andrii Pilshchykov's mother tells the story of her son's life

For reference: Pilots Andrii Pilshchykov and Oleksii Mes were posthumously included in the Ukrainska Pravda 100 list in 2024 for their incredible contribution to the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

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They became famous worldwide after a week in the US media. Back then, they called for Ukraine to receive F-16s in the United States and held dozens of meetings with the American establishment: senators, congressmen, and the military.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
KABUL, March 14 (Xinhua) - Construction has commenced on four development projects in northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province, the state-owned Bakhtar news agency reported on Friday.

With a total investment of 822 million afghanis (about 11.62 million U.S. dollars), the projects are being funded by domestic organizations. According to the report, the initiatives include the construction of roads, parks and markets, all of which are expected to be completed within two years.

The launch of these projects has already created employment opportunities for hundreds of local residents, potentially improving the living conditions of thousands of families in the province.

The Afghan interim government has outlined plans for further agricultural and infrastructure projects across the country, aiming to alleviate economic hardships and generate more job opportunities in the poverty-stricken nation. 
Mounds View police asked for the publics help Thursday night to find a man suspected in a shooting that injured another man.

The afternoon shooting led to a SWAT response, a search and a shelter in place issued.

Officers were called to the 2100 block of Buckingham Lane in Mounds View about 12:05 p.m. Thursday on a report that a male had just been shot and the suspect ran away. Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to the leg, and he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for treatment.

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The Minnesota State Patrol, New Brighton Department of Public Safety and the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office assisted Mounds View police with setting up a perimeter and searching.

Through the investigation, law enforcement identified the suspect as Alex Robert Quevedo-Holmes. The 20-year-old is about 6 feet 2 inches tall, 168 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes, according to Mounds View police.

Investigators are processing multiple scenes and found a firearm. Quevedo-Holmes hadnt been located as of Thursday night and Police Chief Ben Zender said he is considered armed and dangerous, so do not approach. Police ask anyone who sees him to call 911.

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MSNBC's Rebecca Kutler and her senior executives are feverishly working behind the scenes preparing for the network's spin-off from its longtime corporate sibling NBC News.

The network is in the process of looking for new office and studio space. It recently hired Scott Matthews to oversee its newsgathering buildout and is looking to hire more than 100 journalists.

With the impending loss of NBC News' content and digital footprint, MSNBC is looking at this opportunity as a fresh start.

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As it embarks on its startup journey, MSNBC will lean heavily toward its progressive stance in creating its new identity.

According to The New York Magazine, MSNBC, "backed by a $7 billion corporate parent, gets to build something bespoke to its audience."

Kutler's cleared white board offers her the chance to launch new products, including a new streaming service to complete its linear service.

Other opportunities that may be explored include further expanding its live event business, growing out its digital and audio businesses, and working with political platforms and brands with ready-built audiences.

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TVNewser reached out to MSNBC for comment and received no response as of this story's publishing.

MSNBC has had success and can quickly build on its live event business. Launched in 2023 MSNBC Live Event are intimate forums and large-scale audience experiences with the network's anchors and hosts participating and interacting directly with their respective fanbases.

This past January it co-hosted the fourth and final Democratic National Committee leadership forum alongside Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public, in Washington D.C. This was the network's second event in the nation's capital with the first one taking place in Oct. 2024.

In Sept. 2024, it held two Democracy 2024 sessions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York. This featured MSNBC's top talent, providing audiences with in-depth discussions of the country's political landscape as it approached the 2024 presidential election.

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MSNBC Live Event is part of the network's continuing mission to engage its core audience beyond the screen.

As the network recovers from a rough ratings spell period at the end of 2024, it is set to unveil a refreshed programming schedule in the next few weeks.

The opportunity MSNBC has been presented with as it sets on an independent path gives it the leverage to explore new opportunities at brand expansion.

It does this as its linear business faces challenging headwinds.
MT. AIRY, N.C. (WGHP)  A doctor will spend over two years behind bars and owe millions in restitution after a money laundering and healthcare fraud scheme.

According to a press release from the Middle District of North Carolina, Wendell Lewis Randall, 72, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,049,747.47 in restitution after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud and money laundering.

This sentence will run consecutively with an 18-month sentence Randall is currently serving for a conviction out of Virginia.

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Randall was the owner of the National Institute of Toxicology in Mt. Airy, where he often prescribed opioids and controlled substances to his patients without regard to if they needed them. He would also order unnecessary drug tests for his patients on every office visit.

According to the release, from August 2018 through December 2021, Randall billed Medicare and North Carolina Medicaid for drug tests that reimbursed at the highest pay for nearly all of his patients that used Medicare or Medicaid. As a result, Randall got $753,446.70 from Medicare and $1,296,300.77 from Medicaid for fraudulently billed drug tests.

D.H. Griffin cited by labor department after employee killed by train in Greensboro

He used the money to make large purchases, such as a nearly $100,000 building on property near his home.

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Randall abused his position as a medical provider to gain excessive profit from

government-funded insurance programs, said Acting U.S. Attorney Galyon. This Office

will continue to seek out fraud and abuse perpetrated on our health insurance system and

hold those responsible accountable.

This health care provider stole taxpayer dollars for his own profit while he worsened our states opioid crisis, said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Doctors have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide the quality health care that patients need. When they dont, our office and our federal and state partners will hold them accountable.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Donald Trump held a press availability with the NATO Secretary, former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, on Thursday which was anticipated to be a bit contentious considering Trump's hostility to the alliance. After all, he has made it very clear that he has nothing but contempt for the organization and could be expected to pull the U.S. out of it with the smallest provocation. And he was already very angry that Europe was retaliating against the tariffs he had enacted for no reason, writing on Truth Social that the EU is one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States." His fuse was short.

But Rutte was deferential to Trump, laughing excitedly at his "jokes" and making sure to let him know how much he appreciated him and it seemed to loosen the president up. Trump regaled the press with anecdotes about how he "invaded Los Angeles" and reiterated his plan to seize Greenland, saying "Denmark is very far away. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something and they say they have rights to it. I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually" before declaring that there may have to be more soldiers there. He called the EU "nasty" and again made it clear that he is dead serious about annexing Canada:

Trump: "To be honest with you, Canada only works as a state. We don't need anything they have. As a state it would be one of the great states. This would be the most incredible country visually. If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it." pic.twitter.com/oxzF3jzLOC  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 13, 2025

He seemed, as he often does lately, more than a little bit off his rocker. But the demands for obeisance from everyone around him, foreign and domestic, aren't new. It's just that now that he believes that he's achieved vindication for his Big Lie about the 2020 election and all the criminal and civil investigations from which he escaped, he's demonstrating that he'll use the power of the United States government to punish any offender if they look at him sideways.

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In the last administration, Vice President Mike Pence set the standard for adoring toadyism. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has taken it to a whole new level in this term:

Lutnick: "He thought he'd be the big man and tackle Donald Trump, but you know you can't tackle Donald Trump. He's the most important, the smartest, the most capable leader in the world." pic.twitter.com/DsIn6iKbCS  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 12, 2025

Lutnick: Why are we doing all this business in Canada if theyre not respectful and thankful? pic.twitter.com/fhSHSbwNrt  Acyn (@Acyn) March 13, 2025

As Bloomberg reported, Lutnick is very upfront about what Trump expects:

Lutnick says Europe and Canada are being disrespectful and Trump is growing tired of it. If you make him unhappy, he responds unhappy, Lutnick said of Trumps threat to put a 200% tariff on wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages from France and elsewhere in the EU.

It's been clear since the campaign that Trump was serious about exacting revenge on his enemies and he's doing just that, every day. (He's even going after the law firms that defended them.) But never let it be said that Trump doesn't also do favors for his friends. Just this week it was reported that his DOJ (and it is "his") fired a pardon attorney for balking at restoring his friend Mel Gibson's gun rights without any vetting. (He was convicted of very serious domestic violence.)

And everyone knows that if you want an exemption from Trump's tariffs, you have to ask very nicely and even then he might or might not agree. The same holds true for the DOGE billionaire Elon Musk who is in charge of destroying the federal government. CNN reported that he met with Republican lawmakers and gave them his phone number if they wanted to make the case to him directly to reverse a cut that hurts their constituents. (Needless to say, Democrats have not been offered the same privilege.)

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I think everyone has struggled to perfectly define what's going on here. Is this autocracy? Oligarchy? Kakistocracy? Is Trump simply out of control, behaving like a Mad King, even worse than the one this country rebelled against in the first place? A widely read Atlantic article from last month by Jonathan Rauch gives a definition to the process that makes the most sense to me. He reaches back to German sociologist Max Weber who defined this as something called "patrimonialism."

Weber believed that rulers gain legitimacy from two one of two systems, the first being what Rausch calls "rational legal bureaucracy (or bureaucratic proceduralism), a system in which legitimacy is bestowed by institutions following certain rules and norms." That would be the system we have been operating under since the founding of our country under the Constitution. Patrimonialism, on the other hand, is the system under which nearly everyone on earth lived until pretty recently in human history. Quoting a book called "The Assault on the State: How the Global Attack on Modern Government Endangers Our Future" by Stephen E. Hanson, a government professor at the College of William & Mary and Jeffrey S. Kopstein, a political scientist at UC Irvine, which defines it as the state being "little more than the extended household of the ruler":

Patrimonialism is less a form of government than a style of governing. It is not defined by institutions or rules; rather, it can infect all forms of government by replacing impersonal, formal lines of authority with personalized, informal ones. Based on individual loyalty and connections, and on rewarding friends and punishing enemies (real or perceived), it can be found not just in states but also among tribes, street gangs, and criminal organizations.In its governmental guise, patrimonialism is distinguished by running the state as if it were the leaders personal property or family business.

That's what Trump and Musk are in the process of creating: A pre-modern patrimonial government where everything is decided through them on a personal basis.

Rausch makes the case that this is not necessarily authoritarian since authoritarian systems like Hitler's Germany or the Soviet Union were heavily bureaucratized. It can even begin as a democracy. But over time it almost always devolves into autocracy.

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Rausch says that patrimonialism has two inherent weaknesses that make it vulnerable: incompetence and corruption. Once you chase out all the people who know how to make things run (bureaucrats) and allow corruption to supercede the needs of the people it breaks down.

Rausch says, "corruption is patrimonialisms Achilles heel because the public understands it and doesnt like it. It is not an abstraction like democracy or Constitution or rule of law. It conveys that the government is being run for them, not for you." It's the most potent argument against this patrimonial presidency, that's for sure.

I've never understood why more wasn't made of Trump's outright corruption in his first term. Now they are just waving it in our faces and it's a thousand times more blatant. Musk waving around a chainsaw and Trump hawking Teslas on the White House driveway last week says it all. Let's hope the opposition can get it together enough to pound that message home this time.
Wisconsin is less dependent on federal funding than more than half the other states, according to a new report.

Personal finance company Wallethub compared states to determine which relied most on federal funding. To find out how large the federal dependence is from state to state, WalletHub compared states in terms of the following metrics: the return on taxes paid to the federal government, the share of federal jobs and federal funding as a share of state revenue.

States receive federal aid to fund programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, among others, which served more than 700,000 people in Wisconsin last year, according to state data.

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Meanwhile, thousands of federal employees, including those in Wisconsin, are being targeted in President Donald Trump's mass layoffs in order to slash the size of the federal workforce across the country. The Trump administration has not provided details on how many federal employees have been laid off, but reports estimate it to be in the tens of thousands nationwide.

Here's a breakdown of how much federal money Wisconsin relies on compared to other states, per the WalletHub study.

How much does Wisconsin rely on federal money?

Wisconsin ranked 33rd.

Total score: 35.98

State's residents' dependency rank: 19th

State government's dependency rank: 39th

What are the most federally dependent states?

Source: WalletHub

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Alaska Kentucky West Virginia Mississippi South Carolina

What are the least federally dependent states?

New Jersey California Delaware Massachusetts Utah

RELATED: DOGE says it terminated 16 federal real estate contracts in Wisconsin. Where are they?

USA Today reporter Chris Mueller contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How much Wisconsin depends on federal money, according to WalletHub
MULDROW, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse in Indian Country.

James Dean Bledsoe, 32, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to abusing three children between January 1 and September 24, 2024, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

WATCH: Former Fort Smith officers filmed hazing colleagues

He was accused of restraining the children, covering their mouths, punishing them with cold water and withholding food, according to a news release.

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The abuse took place in Sequoyah County, within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Muldrow Police Department.

Bledsoe will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Two more candidates have filed paperwork with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to run for state superintendent of public instruction in 2026 and a third candidate has announced hell also join the race.

Ana Davine Landsaw, of Tahlequah, and Riley Williams, of Calera, joined current Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller in formally filing paperwork to enter the race on the Republican side. Current state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, also a Republican, hasnt yet announced if he will be running for reelection, for another office or not at all.

Landsaw said on her campaign website she grew up in Bristow and now works as the assistant director of the Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) Institute at Northeastern State University, which provides training for career professionals transitioning into a teaching career.

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She said one of her campaign priorities is to provide an open forum at the Oklahoma State Department of Education where all Oklahomans can access educational resources, receive professional development, and voice concerns freely without backlash. She also wants to reclaim control of education by empowering local communities, educators and families to have a stronger voice in shaping policies that impact students.

According to her LinkedIn page, Williams spent more than five years with the Federal Aviation Administration, most recently as a radiation safety program manager. In December, she started the Innovating Education podcast, with a focus on discussions on education reform, policy advancements and innovative teaching practices.

Her campaign website notes she has two children who need extra educational support, including a son with Down syndrome. Among her ideas to improve Oklahoma education are competency-based, personalized learning, the thought that students should advance based on understanding and skill development, not seat time.

Multiple Tulsa-area media outlets have reported that former Tulsa Public Schools board member Jerry Griffin also will run for state superintendent. Griffin sent out a press release saying, Its time to put education back in the hands of educators, strengthen our schools, and prepare students for a future of success.

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It's unclear if Griffin, who served on the Tulsa school board from June 2020 through January 2024, is running for a party nomination or as an independent. As of Thursday, he hadnt yet filed campaign paperwork with the Ethics Commission.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 3 more candidates say they're entering race for state superintendent
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Multiple counties across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are currently under burn bans, according to the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Washington, Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin and Johnson counties are under a burn ban in the River Valley.

Benton County issued a second 24-hour burn ban on Mar. 15, which is issued when weather conditions exist temporarily to ban outdoor burning.

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Carroll and Boone counties in the northern part of the state, along with five others in the northeast part of Arkansas, are under burn bans.

LIVE WEATHER BLOG: Critical fire danger expected Friday

All of northern Arkansas is currently under high wildfire risk, while the rest of the state is at moderate risk.

The Your Weather Authority Team is tracking critical fire danger across the area and has a live blog with the latest updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
HANGZHOU, March 14 (Xinhua) -- In a mesmerizing display at a recent show in Hangzhou, eastern China's leading tech hub, a dozen humanoid robots twisted and twirled in perfect sync, their joints clattering to the rhythm of joyful music as they captivated the audience and drew waves of cheers.

The spectacle reflects a growing trend, with businesses and individuals increasingly renting humanoid robots for performances, exhibitions, and livestreams to grab public attention.

These robots shot to fame earlier this year when a fleet from Unitree, a Chinese robotics startup, mesmerized audiences with a synchronized dance in colorful jackets at the Spring Festival Gala, one of China's most-watched broadcasts. The overwhelming public attention and ensuing robot craze have since turned them into a sought-after commodity in the rental market.

"Orders for Unitree's G1 humanoid robot rentals have been surging since early February, with bookings already lined up through late March," said Gao Lai, who has been engaged in the robot rental business for over a decade. His company provided the rented robots for the show in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.

"The daily rental price for a humanoid robot ranges from 8,000 to 15,000 yuan (about 1,115 to 2,091 U.S. dollars). With the booming demand, we anticipate our earnings to rise by 80 percent this year," Gao added.

In terms of presale, Unitree's G1 model starts at 99,000 yuan, while the H1 model has a starting price of 650,000 yuan.

Industry insiders told Xinhua that the growing demand for robots in business events, exhibitions and shows is fueling the expansion of the robot rental market, which holds great potential.

On Xianyu, one of China's largest second-hand goods trading platforms, renting a Unitree robot can cost thousands of yuan, often covering transportation, machine adjustments and on-site support.

In Hangzhou's Yuhang District, where the recent show took place, local authorities plan to host more robot shows and tutorial sessions in rural areas by renting robots.

"Dancing with robots grabs attention, and we hope to partner with companies to introduce AI to rural communities," said Zhang Jingcan, a district official.

"The concept of humanoid robots is nothing new. Since the first one was developed in Japan in the 1960s, they've been a focal point of global competition," said Xiong Rong, a professor at Zhejiang University and head of Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.

"Powered by AI, our robots are making progress faster than I anticipated," said Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics. "We've upgraded the software algorithms in our humanoid robots to make them more agile and improve their dancing skills."

However, some uncertainties exist when applying humanoid robots in more complicated scenarios at home or in businesses that require more flexible and diverse human-robot interactions.

"Humanoid robots will reach new heights by the end of this year, and if all goes well, we could see them deployed in some service or industrial sectors next year or the year after," said Wang. "However, home-use models might see slower adoption due to higher security requirement."

Emphasizing the importance of security in robot applications, Xiong said: "Only by ensuring the safety of human-robot interactions, the robot itself, and the data can we achieve large-scale production."

Many industry insiders agree that the ultimate goal for humanoid robots is to evolve into general-purpose robots capable of adapting to diverse environments and performing a wide range of tasks without relying on specific sites or tools. Achieving this goal will require advancements in AI, high-end manufacturing and new materials, driven by academia and industry collaboration.

With surging demand and continuous innovation, China's humanoid robot market is forecast to see exponential growth in the following years, clinching a significant share of the global market.

According to a report on the humanoid robot industry released at the 2024 World AI Conference in Shanghai, China's humanoid robot market was estimated at 2.76 billion yuan last year. By 2029, it is expected to reach 75 billion yuan, accounting for 32.7 percent of the global market. 
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to move into the Miami Valley this weekend.

A Wind Advisory goes into effect Saturday from 2 a.m. until 8 p.m. for most of the region.

Photo from: Britley Ritz/Staff

This includes Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, and Warren counties in Ohio.

It also includes Union and Wayne counties in Indiana.

There is also a Wind Advisory for Randolph County until 4 p.m. Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Our Storm Center 7 meteorologists continue to TRACK this system. They have the latest TIMING and IMPACTS today on News Center 7 at Noon and 5 p.m.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The first line of storms is expected between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Photo from: Britley Ritz/Staff

Heavy rain, occasional cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty winds look to be the main issues. An isolated storm may have damaging winds. A few may become severe.

During the daytime hours, Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Britley Ritz says it will be partly cloudy, warm, and very windy. She said isolated thunderstorms may develop.

Photo from: Britley Ritz/Staff

Any storm that develops during the day may be strong to severe, she said. Damaging winds, isolated hail, or isolated tornado threats are possible during this window. During this timeframe, single-cell storms are most likely. While they will attempt a linear shape, single-celled storms have a greater risk of becoming severe and running the risk of rotating.

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Saturday night into Sunday morning, the timeframe for these storms is roughly 7 p.m.-3 a.m.

Photo from: Britley Ritz/Staff

Another widespread round of rain and storms is expected, Ritz said. Heavy rain and damaging wind gusts will be the main concerns here. Hail is unlikely during this timeframe. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

This round looks more of a heavy rain threat. It could potentially bring a heightened flood risk with over three inches of rain possible throughout the entire weekend.

Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding. This is most likely late Saturday into early Sunday.

Photo from: Britley Ritz/Staff

It will be windy from Friday evening through Sunday morning. Wind gusts not associated with thunderstorms may exceed 45 MPH at times.

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Prolonged strong wind gusts may eventually lead to downed trees (uprooting of trees due to saturated grounds) and spotty power outages.

We will update this story.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




Two people were killed Thursday in a shooting at Hunter Run Apartments, the Columbus Police Department said.

CPDs Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation in the 5300 block of Woodruff Farm Road, the department said in its post on X at 6:21 p.m.

Police responded to a call at 5:47 p.m. and are on the scene of the complex at 5358 Woodruff Farm Road, CPD public information officer Brittany Santiago told the Ledger-Enquirer.

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Muscogee County coroner Buddy Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer the shooting is a domestic homicide-suicide. He identified the homicide victim as Wyonda Thomas, 59. She was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

The suicide victims name wont be released until his family is notified, Bryan said.

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 988. It provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources. The organizations website is 988Lifeline.org.
Elon Musk has reposted a tweet suggesting that Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong were not responsible for murdering millions of people.

The post amplified by Musk to his 219.6 million followers blamed public sector workers for the atrocities carried out in the name of some of the most barbarous tyrants in modern history.

It was unclear whether the DOGE boss was seeking to defend the infamously ruthless former leaders of Germany, China, and the Soviet Union, or seeking to encourage debate over the mass killings carried out in their names.

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The MAGA millionaire shared a post on his X platform by an account with the username @TheAlice Smith that read: Stalin, Mao and Hitler didnt murder millions of people. Their public sector workers did.

By highlighting a post blaming public sector workers and painting them in a negative light, Musk is likely to draw the ire of the thousands of federal staffers his Department of Government Efficiency has targeted for job cuts and slashed budgets during the unrelenting purge of government departments since Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945) in Munich in the spring of 1932. / Heinrich Hoffmann/Getty Images

While the post doesnt suggest a denial of the Holocaust that left six million Jews dead during World War II, as it appears to concede that millions were murdered, it will almost certainly raise questions once more about Musks motivation in promoting such a controversial message.

The Tesla founder faced a storm of criticism for a gesture at a Trump inauguration event in January that was remarkably similar to the Nazi salute used by Hitler and his followers. The controversial gesticulation was subsequently celebrated and aped by neo-Nazis and other far-right groups.

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Musk was condemned by Jewish leaders, but later condemned his critics on X, saying: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is soo tired.

Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.



The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired  https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025

The worlds richest man didnt add any comment to his repost on Wednesday night.

Six million Jews were systematically killed as a result of Hitlers maniacal quest for what he saw as racial purity during his reign as Germanys Fuhrer between 1933 and 1945, when he shot himself in his Berlin bunker as Allied troops stormed the German capital towards the end of World War II.

Stalin, who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953, had nearly a million of his own citizens murdered and millions more are thought to have perished in forced labor camps, famine, and massacres under his regime.

Chairman Mao Zedong founded the Peoples Republic of China and led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976. During that time, tens of millions died as a result of maltreatment, starvation, and Communist Party purges.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Elon Musk met this week with the leader of the National Security Agency, suggesting the nation's spy services won't escape the billionaire's scrutiny as he looks to slash spending and personnel across the federal government.

Musk met Wednesday with Gen. Timothy Haugh, who directs the NSA as well as U.S. Cyber Command, which coordinates the Pentagon's cybersecurity work, the NSA said Friday. In a statement, the NSA said the meeting was intended to ensure both organizations are aligned with the new administration's priorities.

The meeting with Haugh was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

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Musk, leading the new Department of Government Efficiency, has roiled the federal government by slashing personnel and budgets at dozens of agencies. America's spy services have largely escaped the deep cuts, such as those at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Education, but recent announcements suggest that may be about to change.

Like the CIA, the NSA has offered buyout proposals to some employees. The CIA said earlier this month that it has begun reviewing the employment of recently hired officers and plans to lay off an unknown number of them.

America's spy agencies have played a critical role in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia, supplying information and intelligence that have given Ukraine warnings about expected Russian strikes as well as targeting information to help it strike Russian invaders.

Under President Donald Trump, the CIA and other agencies temporarily restricted the flow of intelligence to Ukraine, but this week officials announced the intelligence sharing had resumed following Ukraine's support for a 30-day ceasefire.

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Haugh has led both the NSA and Cyber Command since 2023. Both departments play leading roles in the nation's cybersecurity. The NSA also supports the military and other national security agencies by collecting and analzying a vast amount of data and information globally.

Cyber Command is known as Americas first line of defense in cyberspace and also plans offensive cyberoperations for potential use against adversaries. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently ordered the office to pause some offensive cyberoperations against Russia, in another sign of how Trump's administration is transforming the work of the nation's intelligence community.
A claim has spread online that U.S. President Donald Trump's government efficiency adviser, tech billionaire Elon Musk, announced he intends to severely cut Social Security benefits or entirely "abolish" the program.

As of this writing, however, Musk has not explicitly promised to cut Social Security benefits  although he has stated that he wants to cut "waste and fraud" from federal entitlement spending.

The Trump administration has cut 7,000 jobs from the Social Security Administration as part of its Department of Government Efficiency initiatives, leading to fears benefit payments may be delayed. DOGE reportedly also considered ending phone services at the Social Security Administration, which would have forced elderly and disabled people to rely on the internet and in-person field offices, before backtracking and deciding to roll out a more limited restriction on phone services.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump announced tech billionaire Elon Musk would help lead a new Department of Government Efficiency in November 2024, various rumors have spread about Musk and the Social Security program, which provides income for American retirees and other eligible participants.

For instance, many social media posts  including one in Snopes' Facebook tip group  have attributed this quote to Musk: "It will be my objective to phase out Social Security, to pull it out by the roots!"

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In March 2025, news outlets  including The Associated Press, Time magazine and Rolling Stone  began reporting that Musk was considering or "teasing" cuts to Social Security and other benefit programs. Social media users on X  including Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan  shared a clip of Musk on Fox Business, claiming he said on the news program that he wants to cut Social Security.

Musk said the quiet part out loud: he's going after your Social Security and Medicare. Period.



Mark my words. They will make you pay in every part of your life. pic.twitter.com/Hjv31xn58B  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) March 11, 2025

Some media articles claimed Musk "declared war" or is "coming for" Social Security. Meanwhile, some posts on X suggested that Musk wants to "abolish" or "eliminate" Social Security entirely.

As of this writing, however, Musk has not explicitly promised to cut Social Security benefits  although he has stated that he wants to cut "waste and fraud" from federal entitlement spending. Entitlement spending includes benefit programs like Social Security. He also hasn't said he wants to "phase out" Social Security or "pull it out by the roots." In reality, Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, apparently made that statement in 2010, according to a widely circulated video of the senator. (Elaborating on his position in 2023, Lee released a statement in which he referenced his 2010 remarks and blamed Democrats for miscontextualizing them.)

While Musk has publicly advocated for reductions to federal spending in the trillions of dollars, there was no explicit evidence of him saying he wants to cut Social Security benefits, specifically, as of this writing. However, efforts by DOGE to cut the federal workforce reportedly may affect Social Security benefits, and The Washington Post reported that DOGE considered ending the Social Security Administration's phone services as part of its attempts to root out alleged fraud before backing down.

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We reached out to Musk's team to learn more about his position on federal spending on Social Security benefits, and we'll update this report if we receive a response. Snopes previously confirmed a claim that Musk called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme."

Musk's public comments and actions on Social Security

On March 10, 2025, Musk spoke of entitlement waste as the "big one to eliminate," sparking headlines from news outlets that said Musk was "eyeing" Social Security cuts. (So-called entitlement spending is mandatory spending required by U.S. law; Social Security is a form of entitlement spending and the federal government's single largest program.) Here are his full comments, available in this clip with conservative broadcaster Larry Kudlow from Fox Business (emphasis ours):

MUSK: The goal here is let's not have America go bankrupt with waste and fraud. So that's what I'm here for, and we're making good progress. KUDLOW: Yes you are. You going to go another year? MUSK: I think so, yes. KUDLOW: Final report, middle of next year? MUSK: Well, we're just getting things done as opposed to writing a report. Reports don't mean anything, you gotta actually take actions. I mean, the waste and fraud in entitlement spending  which is most of the federal spending, is entitlements. So that's  that's like the big one to eliminate. That's the sort of half a trillion, maybe six, seven hundred billion a year.

Musk has previously claimed that Social Security is rife with fraud, although his evidence lacks credibility. Thus, his comments on Fox Business suggest he wants to cut this supposed fraud from Social Security; this is also in line with previous comments he's made about "eliminating waste and fraud" from Social Security and other benefit programs. However, he did not outright say he wants to cut benefits, and a White House news release in response to news reports about Musk's comments said that neither the Trump administration nor Musk have said they want to cut Social Security benefits.

The release pointed to Government Accountability Office estimates that taxpayers lose between $200 billion to $500 billion annually to fraud, with much of that connected to entitlement programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

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"What kind of a person doesn't support eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending that ultimately costs taxpayers more?" the White House release said. However, as part of DOGE's efforts, the Social Security Administration announced it will cut 7,000 employees  which experts say may affect the administration's ability to pay out timely benefits.

The Washington Post also reported in March 2025 that DOGE was considering eliminating phone service at the SSA "for millions of Americans filing retirement and disability claims" before the agency backtracked, rolling out restrictions on providing banking information by phone instead. "The agency's toll-free number is a mainstay for older customers who do not have internet access or who have trouble navigating the web," the Post reported. "But it has struggled with wait times of several hours in recent weeks."

The SSA released a statement claiming "recent reports in the media that Social Security plans to eliminate telephone services are inaccurate" and confirmed the agency would be eliminating the ability to change bank information through the phone, requiring two-factor authentication or in-person verification  a practice the administration said aligns "with most major banks."

Musk has also hinted that he's open to overhauling the entire system. On Dec. 2, 2024, he quoted a thread by Lee that called Social Security an "outdated, mismanaged system."

Interesting thread https://t.co/G50cntLkVG  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 3, 2024.

It was that repost of Lee's thread that sparked the claims about Musk supposedly "declaring war" on Social Security.

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Social Security Works, a group that says it's "fighting to protect and expand Social Security," responded to Musk's repost of Lee's thread with a news release titled, "Republican Elon Musk Just Declared War on Social Security." The news release described Lee's thread as a "blueprint for destroying Social Security" and Musk's amplification of it as a "declaration of war against seniors, people with disabilities, and the American public."

Opinion writers, including Montini and Ryan Teague Beckwith at MSNBC, also speculated that Musk may be interested in cutting Social Security benefits after Musk said at an Oct. 27 Trump rally that he thinks it's possible to cut $2 trillion from the federal government's budget.

What people around Musk have said

After the closed-door meeting on DOGE priorities, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina who attended, told Fox Business that "nothing is sacrosanct" in terms of the group's targets for potential cuts. "They're going to put everything on the table," Norman said.

The Fox host noted that targets for potential cuts could include Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.

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In a CNBC interview on Dec. 6, the day after the meeting, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who also attended, said such meetings were "brainstorming" sessions and that no ideas were set in stone. Also, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told CNBC that he was open to requiring stricter verification for Social Security benefits, a change that could reduce the number of people who can access them.

Meanwhile, a day before the meeting, on Dec. 4, Ramaswamy told Axios that while DOGE would look for wasteful spending and fraud in programs like Social Security, any decision about large cuts to benefits "belongs to the voters." He also echoed Scalise's views on tightening restrictions on who can apply for benefits. "Right now, there are hundreds of billions of dollars flowing out the door of all of those programs, ending up in the hands of people who, even under the statute, should not be receiving those payments," Ramaswamy told Axios.

In summary, while Musk has been in conversations with lawmakers about reforming federal spending, has indicated interest in overhauling the Social Security program and has championed efforts to cut the Social Security Administration's workforce, he has not, as of this writing, outright said he would cut, phase out or abolish such benefits.

Sources:

"About Us." Social Security Works, socialsecurityworks.org/about/.

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Beckwith, Ryan Teague. "Can Trump Actually Cut Social Security Benefits?" MSNBC.com, MSNBC, 5 Dec. 2024, www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-social-security-republicans-elon-musk-rcna182711. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Doherty, Erin. "Vivek Ramaswamy to Axios: DOGE Not Planning Cuts to Social Security, Medicare." Axios, 4 Dec. 2024, www.axios.com/2024/12/04/vivek-ramaswamy-doge-entitlement-spending-cuts. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

"Elon Musk Says He Doesn't Want the Government to Go Bankrupt with 'Waste and Fraud.'" Fox Business, 10 Mar. 2025, www.foxbusiness.com/video/6369857448112. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

"Elon Musk: We Can Cut $2 Trillion from US Budget." Bloomberg.com, 28 Oct. 2024, www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-10-28/elon-musk-we-can-cut-2-trillion-from-us-budget-video. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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"FACT CHECK: President Trump Will Always Protect Social Security, Medicare." The White House, 11 Mar. 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/03/fact-check-president-trump-will-always-protect-social-security-medicare/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Hinkle, Mark. "Press Release | Press Office | SSA." Ssa.gov, 28 Feb. 2025, www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-28. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Konish, Lorie. "As Social Security Plans to Cut about 7,000 Workers, Some Experts Worry That May Affect Benefits." CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/03/03/social-security-plans-to-cut-about-7000-workers-that-may-affect-benefits.html. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Montini, EJ. "Hey MAGA Voters, Elon and Vivek Are Coming for Your Social Security | Opinion." The Arizona Republic, Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024, www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2024/12/06/elon-and-vivek-are-coming-for-your-social-security/76813978007/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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Mordowanec, Nick. "Video of Mike Lee Vowing to Gut Social Security Resurfaces." Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2022, www.newsweek.com/video-resurfaces-senator-mike-lee-vowing-gut-social-security-1756796. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Musk, Elon. "X." X (Formerly Twitter), 9 Dec. 2024, x.com/elonmusk/status/1866151552617939319. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

---. "X." X (Formerly Twitter), 2 Dec. 2024, x.com/elonmusk/status/1863777030766022779. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Natanson, Hannah, et al. "Social Security Scraps Far-Reaching Cuts to Phone Services after Post Report." The Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/12/social-security-phone-doge-elderly-disabled/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Picchi, Aimee. "What to Know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, Led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy." Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-department-of-government-efficiency-doge-elon-musk-ramaswamy/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

"Press Release | Press Office | SSA." Ssa.gov, 12 Mar. 2025, www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-03-12. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

"Republican Elon Musk Just Declared War on Social Security." Social Security Works, 3 Dec. 2024, socialsecurityworks.org/2024/12/03/elon-musk-declares-war-on-social-security/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Rupar, Aaron. "Aaron Rupar (@Atrupar.com)." Bluesky Social, Bluesky, 2024, bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lclrv2eyrk2h. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

U.S. Government Accountability Office. "Fraud Risk Management: 2018-2022 Data Show Federal Government Loses an Estimated $233 Billion to $521 Billion Annually to Fraud, Based on Various Risk Environments | U.S. GAO." Www.gao.gov, 16 Apr. 2024, www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-105833. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Wilkins, Emily. "DOGE's Musk, Ramaswamy Want Congress to Pass Huge Spending Cuts. That's a Tough Sell." CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024, www.cnbc.com/2024/12/06/doges-musk-ramaswamy-try-to-sell-congress-on-huge-spending-cuts.html. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Tully-McManus, Katherine. "Lawmakers Meet with Musk and Ramaswamy to Talk DOGE Priorities - Live Updates - POLITICO." POLITICO, Politico, 5 Dec. 2024, www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/05/congress/first-major-congress-doge-meeting-begins-00192779. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
A Muskogee man was charged Wednesday with murder in a Saturday shooting death in Oktaha.

Aaron ONeal Wilson-Bogar, 26, was charged in Muskogee County District Court with one count of first-degree murder in the death of Amie Maxwell.

Another woman, Kimberly Clay, was injured in the shooting. Bogar also was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

Muskogee Police say Bogar is a suspect in a second Saturday fatal shooting. A Muskogee Police media release stated Bogar fled to Muskogee where he is the suspect in the shooting death of Rolando Donta McConnell.

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Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson told the court that the state anticipates amending those charges by the end of this week or the first of next to add another count of murder in the first, another count of shooting with intent and a possible offense of child neglect.

After fleeing the scene of the McConnell shooting, Bogar was surrounded by law enforcement at Arrowhead Mall and shots were exchanged, according to the release.

Bogar suffered several wounds in the exchange and was transported to a Tulsa hospital, where he remained until being transferred to the Muskogee County City Detention Center.

Bogars next court appearance is slated for April 1.
It is deeply troubling that Islamophobia across the world is growing. In the UK, it is at record levels: hate crimes against Muslims have nearly doubled in the last year. Tell Mama, who record anti-Muslim incidents, says that they logged 6,313 cases in the previous year, a rise of 43 per cent in twelve months.

According to a report they released last month, there has been a surge in rhetoric that falsely portrays Muslims as terrorists or terrorist sympathisers, noting that this spike in hate crimes reflects the deepening impact of harmful stereotypes that fuel societal divisions and reinforces false notions about Muslim identities.

Britain risks becoming ever more polarised and increasingly divided if mistrust between communities is not addressed.

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This is why the Muslim World League welcomes the UK Governments announcement of a new working group to provide a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia. At a time when tensions are high, this definition needs to reassure Muslims while embracing the British values of tolerance and free expression.

At the UN General Assembly today, the Muslim World League has called out hatred across the globe, promoting our message of tolerance and co-existence. As an organisation, we have taken phenomenal strides to promote the positive integration of Muslim minority communities. Our message is simple: pride in Islam and adherence to its teachings enhance, rather than undermine, national belonging.

Islam has no fixed schools of thought. We believe that no one person is infallible. And a spirit of continuous interpretation is to be encouraged. The UK working group should heed these words when considering its own definition of Islamophobia.

As Muslims it is our duty to keep our faith is open, building bridges with those of other faiths and none. But let me be clear: peaceful co-existence cannot be achieved unless governments around the world ensure that hostility towards Islam; targeting Muslims for their faith; or discriminating against people for their religion is dealt with swiftly and robustly.

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Ramadan is a time for Muslims around the world to deepen our connection with Islam and reflect on how Muslims interact with the world around us. Many of us approach this blessed month with an open heart, seeking empathy for those less fortunate and strive to better ourselves.

Islamic identity doesnt contrast with international and national laws around the world. This identity requires Muslims to obey and respect their national constitution, laws, and cultures wherever they are. Muslim identity should not lead to hostility from non-Muslims. In the UK, Muslims should be able to be proud of their faith and proud to be British. The new definition should embrace that spirit.

We at the Muslim World League offer our support to the Government and the team working on this initiative and remind both Muslims and non-Muslims that the UK is a home for everyone.

Dr. Al-Issa is Secretary General of the Muslim World League, an NGO based in Makkah that represents adherents of the Islamic faith around the world

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Residents of a Westchester neighborhood are understandably on edge after finding dozens of crows shot to death around a community elm tree, with many saying they are now worried about pets and people getting hurt by the shooter.

The crow killings have been a mystery in the 8300 block of Chase Avenue for years, though resident Brenna Lenoir and her neighbors say the situation has recently escalated.

They also say there appears to be no rhyme or reason for the shootings, that sometimes several crows are found dead from gunfire, while other times its just one or two.

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Lenoir told KTLAs Mary Beth McDade that she and her neighbors can hear the shots coming from the east, one block over.

Crows seen shot in the Westchester neighborhood of L.A. (viewer image) Crows seen shot in the Westchester neighborhood of L.A. (viewer image) Crows seen shot in the Westchester neighborhood of L.A. (viewer image)

Its really scary because I dont know if a bullet is going to ricochet or something, she explained. You dont know who the person is or their mental state.

The most recent incidents happened on March 8. Three crows were found shot dead, while another was injured.

Swatting call locks down campus of Southern California college

Lenoir treated the bird and took it to the California Wildlife Center in Calabasas in hopes that they could save the animal.

Residents say that over the years, at least 100 of the birds, including two hawks, which are illegal to shoot, have been killed, most likely with a pellet or Airsoft rifle.

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Police have responded to the area several times and suggested neighbors pool their resources and set up cameras facing east to see if they can catch any of the activity.

I just want this to stop, Lenoir told KTLA. I want us to feel safe and I dont want to have dead birds all around our neighborhood anymore. Its pretty upsetting.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
When is launch day for NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 astronauts? After an initial launch attempt that ended in a scrub minutes before liftoff, Crew-10 will try again on Pi Day.

A hydraulic ground issue at launch pad 39A sparked a scrub of Crew-10's Falcon 9, which was scheduled to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:48 p.m. EDT Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Officials announced another try for 7:03 p.m. EDT Friday, March 14, 2025. March 14 is known as "Pi Day" because it's 3/14 or 3-14 or 3.14 aka the shortened version of the mathematical figure "Pi."

On Friday, March 14, crew members will take seats aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule for their journey to the International Space Station, which will set up the return to Earth of Crew-9  including Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

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After soaring skyward along a northeasterly trajectory, the Falcon 9 first-stage booster will trigger sonic booms in the Space Coast, Florida, area by returning for a landing 7 minutes, 39 seconds after liftoff at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Cape Canaveral is an hour east of the Orlando theme parks. Depending on cloud cover, weather and visibility, people from Orlando, Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach and Vero Beach to Lake Worth Beach might see a nice streak in the sky  given the proximity to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Space Coast of Florida includes 72 miles of coast, from Mims and Titusville to Melbourne and Grant-Valkaria.

If you're not near Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral or surrounding areas from Florida's Space Coast, you can still see the NASA and SpaceX rocket launch liftoff  virtually (see below). USA TODAY Network Space Team launch coverage will include NASA, SpaceX Crew-10 updates, starting two hours before liftoff.

What time is NASA SpaceX Crew-10 launch from Florida? How to watch Crew-10 mission from Florida online

Mission: NASAs SpaceX Crew-10 crew members will launch for a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Launch time and day: An initial attempt at 7:48 p.m. EDT Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida was scrubbed minutes before liftoff. Another attempt will be at 7:03 p.m. EDT Friday, March 14, 2025.

Trajectory: Northeast

Sonic booms: For those on the Space Coast of Florida (Brevard County, home of Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Titusville), there will be sonic booms.

Live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Networks Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock and SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch livestream at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type "floridatoday.com/space" into your browser.

In Florida, we can best see this historic moment in person if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic.

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When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, theres an opportunity for unique photos  the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.

Can a rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, Florida, be seen outside of Florida? Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, yes. For example, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach.

Who are astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore? When will NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore come home?

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were on board Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024, when the rocket lauched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were sent to the International Space Station for what was supposed to be a monthlong mission. With the launch of NASA, SpaceX Crew-10, this sets in motion a return for Crew-9 (Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore).

Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch?

Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.

Where to watch SpaceX rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida

Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch  in certain areas, you can get an amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches.

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If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river.

If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast.

Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots).

Some hotspots to check out:

Jetty Park Beach and Pier , 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there's a charge to park.

Playalinda Beach , 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there's a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn't always granted depending on capacity and time of day.

Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park , 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge.

Space View Park , 8 Broad St., Titusville

Sand Point Park , 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville

Rotary Riverfront Park , 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville

Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village , 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway)

Cocoa Village , near the parks and shops or near the docks

Various parks on Merritt Island

Rotary Park , 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island

Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island

Port Canaveral , with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port

Alan Shepard Park , 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.

Cocoa Beach Pier , 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies.

Lori Wilson Park , 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way.

Sidney Fischer Park , 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs.

Downtown Cocoa Beach , along Minutemen Causeway

Tables Beach , 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach

The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach

Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach

Pineda Causeway

Eau Gallie Causeway

Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne

Indialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A

Paradise Beach Park , aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park)

Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)

How to watch NASA, SpaceX Crew-10 mission rocket launch from your phone, iPad or tablet with FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage

When and where: Full coverage of NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, including a live webcast with live tweets and updates, kicks off about two hours before the launch time, at floridatoday.com/space (you can type this on your browser on your phone). The interactive livestream will feature in-depth coverage. Ask our FLORIDA TODAY space team reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards questions and strike up a conversation. You also can watch coverage via the FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play. FLORIDA TODAY is part of the USA TODAY Network.

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How to watch NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 launch on TV, how to watch SpaceX rocket launch on YouTube

If you have streaming services on your flatscreen, computer, tablet or phone, you can watch NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch lift off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will require the FLORIDA TODAY app (see above) and the option to "mirror" from your phone to the TV.

From your TV apps, select the YouTube app, search for NASA's channel and click on the Crew-10 mission videos to learn more.

Get NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch updates from Kennedy Space Center on X or Twitter (and whom to follow!)

Follow along with FLORIDA TODAY experts on Twitter: Space Team at @SpaceTeam, Rick Neale at @rickneale1, Brooke Edwards at @brookeofstars with amazing visuals from Craig Bailey at @cbphoto1. We'll link back to our live coverage at @Florida_Today and at floridatoday.com. For more updates or background about NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 launch from X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter and owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, follow @nasa and @spacex. Launch coverage will be available on X via FLORIDA TODAY.

Can you watch NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center on Instagram?

For those wondering, NASA has an official Instagram account (@nasa) as well as an official account for NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@nasakennedy).

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NASA, NASAs Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX all have official Instagram accounts. Likely, those accounts will post about the Crew-10 mission on those social media network profiles. Instagram users may post Instagram Reels, posts or an Instagram Story about the NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch if they're viewing it live from the Space Coast of Florida or just outside of Brevard County.

FLORIDA TODAY will have coverage of the NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 rocket launch on Instagram via @Florida_Today and veteran award-winning photojournalist Craig Bailey at @crbphoto1.

Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX, NASA Crew-10 Florida launch: Liftoff time near Cape Canaveral?
TEHRAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Friday condemned fresh U.S. sanctions targeting several individuals, vessels, and companies linked to Iran's oil exports.

The ministry said the move comes a day after the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad as well as several companies and vessels tied to the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent sanctions.

Baghaei dismissed U.S. claims of readiness to negotiate with Tehran, saying the sanctions prove Washington's hostility toward Iran's development and welfare.

He said Iran would hold the U.S. government accountable for the fallout from what he described as unilateral and illegitimate measures, adding that the move violated international law.

Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program while keeping in place sanctions reimposed after the U.S. exited the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

In July 2015, Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

After the U.S. withdrawal and the reinstatement of sanctions in May 2018, Iran scaled back some of its nuclear commitments, and efforts to revive the deal have stalled, with Iranian officials insisting that negotiations cannot proceed under continued sanctions pressure. 
(Reuters) - NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with plans to launch the space agency's Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station on Friday, March 14 at 7:03 p.m. EDT (2303 GMT), the U.S. agency said in a blog post on Thursday.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)
(This March 14 story has been refiled to remove the redundant 'on Sunday' in paragraph 5)

By Joey Roulette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NASA and SpaceX on Friday launched a long-awaited crew to the International Space Station that opens the door to bringing home U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck on the orbital lab for nine months.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. ET (2303 GMT) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying four astronauts who will replace Wilmore and Williams, both of whom are veteran NASA astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots and were the first to fly Boeing's faulty Starliner capsule to the ISS in June.

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Otherwise a routine crew rotation flight, Friday's Crew-10 mission is a long-awaited first step to bring the astronaut duo back to Earth - part of a plan set by NASA last year that more recently has been given greater urgency by President Donald Trump.

The Crew-10 launch occurred as Wilmore and Williams were asleep in their daily schedule on the station, Dina Contellam deputy manager of NASA's ISS program, told reporters after the launch.

After the Crew-10 astronauts' ISS arrival on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET, Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to depart on Wednesday as early as 4 a.m. ET (0800 GMT), along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Hague and Gorbunov flew to the ISS in September on a Crew Dragon craft with two empty seats for Wilmore and Williams.

The Crew-10 crew, which will stay on the station for roughly six months, includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.

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PLANNING FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Minutes after reaching orbit, McClain, part of NASA's astronaut corps since 2013, introduced the mission's microgravity indicator - per tradition in American spaceflight to signal the crew safely reached space - as a plush origami crane, "the international symbol for peace, hope and healing."

"It is far easier to be enemies than it is to be friends, it's easier to break partnerships and relationships than it is to build them," McClain, the Crew-10 mission commander, said from the Crew Dragon capsule, her communications live-streamed by NASA.

"Spaceflight is hard, and success depends on leaders of character who choose a harder right over the easier wrong, and who build programs, partnerships and relationships. We explore for the benefit of all," she said.

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The mission became entangled in politics as Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, who is also SpaceX's CEO, urged a quicker Crew-10 launch and claimed, without evidence, that former President Joe Biden had abandoned Wilmore and Williams on the station for political reasons.

"We came prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short," Wilmore told reporters from space earlier this month, adding that he did not believe NASA's decision to keep them on the ISS until Crew-10's arrival had been affected by politics.

"That's what your nation's human spaceflight program's all about," he said, "planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. And we did that."

The Crew-10 mission is part of a normal crew rotation happening at an unusual time for NASA's ISS operations - rather than a dedicated mission to retrieve Wilmore and Williams, who will return to Earth as late additions to NASA's Crew-9 crew.

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Musk says SpaceX had offered a dedicated Dragon mission for the pair last year as NASA mulled ways to bring the two back to Earth.

But NASA officials have said the two astronauts have had to remain on the ISS to maintain adequate staffing levels, and that it did not have the budget or the operational need to send a dedicated rescue spacecraft.

Having seen their mission turn into a normal NASA rotation to the ISS, Wilmore and Williams have been doing scientific research and conducting routine maintenance with the other five astronauts.

Williams told reporters earlier this month that she was looking forward to returning home to see her two dogs and family. "It's been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us," she said.

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"UNUSUAL" MISSION PREPARATIONS

Trump and Musk's demand for an earlier return for Wilmore and Williams was an unusual intervention into NASA operations. The agency later brought forward the Crew-10 mission from March 26, swapping a delayed SpaceX capsule for one that would be ready sooner.

The pressure from Musk and Trump has hung over a NASA preparation and safety process that normally follows a well-defined course.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, said preparing for the mission had been an "unusual flow in many respects."

The agency had to address some "late-breaking" issues, NASA space operations chief Ken Bowersox told reporters, including investigating a fuel leak on a recent SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and deterioration of a coating on some of the Dragon crew capsule's thrusters.

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Bowersox said it was hard for NASA to keep up with SpaceX: "We're not quite as agile as they are, but we're working well together."

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Kevin Liffey, Leslie Adler and William Mallard)
(NewsNation)  The first woman in a NASCAR Cup Series since 2018 made her debut at the Phoenix Raceway in Arizona in perfect timing for Womens History Month.

At the Shriners Childrens 500, Katherine Legge became the first woman to compete at NASCARs top level since Danica Patrick nearly a decade ago.

The English driver is the 17th woman to race in the Cup Series and one of only two to drive in the Indy 500.

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Legge, 44, joined NewsNations Morning in America to discuss how she has inspired young girls and women looking to get into the sport.

Katherine Legge the 1st woman in 7 years to compete in NASCAR Cup Series race

When you set out down a career path, you never really think, OK, Im going to do it for all of the women, or Im going to be a role model or a trailblazer or anything like that, she said. Youre literally just following your dream, and along the way, somewhere you realize that there is a certain element of that, and with that comes responsibility.

She said women and young girls approach her, praising her for what she does.

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(Theyre) like, We see you doing it, and therefore we think we can do it, and thats special, Legge said.

Last weekend wasnt an easy race. Legge spun in the first few laps before crashing out a couple hundred laps later, colliding with other cars. At the time, Legge called the experience baptism by fire.

First female NBA scout talks trailblazing for Womens History Month

It was just one of those things where I think everybody whos gone into the Cup Series has made a mistake. Just happened to be in front of everybody when everybody was paying attention because it was Womens History Month, Legge said.

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It was a learning experience, and she said she would be ready for the next race.

At the end of the day, I feel so much better having got that first race under my belt and that experience because I know that when I go out there next time, itll be a totally different kettle of fish, she said.

Legge had a few words of advice for young girls.

Just keep your head down, keep at it, and never, ever give up, she said. Believe in yourself, even if you have to fake it till you make it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Nassau County officials want a full audit of the Long Island Rail Road  saying taxpayers are forking over $36.5 million a year to prop up the transit system with questionable results.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Comptroller Elaine Phillips said Thursday the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has failed to maintain the 58 LIRR stations throughout Nassau  leaving them literally falling apart.

It is time to ask the hard questions. Where is our money going? Phillips told reporters at a press conference at the Long Beach LIRR station.

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Phillips estimates Nassau taxpayers drop $36.5 million per year to keep the LIRR up and running  roughly $100,000 a day, or $1,700 per day per station  with another $100 million in revenue the MTA pulls in from other sources.

By our estimate, we are paying over $137 million to the MTA per year, and that doesnt count the fare, Phillips said. With the money spent on this upkeep, you would think the MTA stations would be five-star hotels  not five-alarm safety hazards.

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips presents all Nassaus tax dollars and various extra fees Long Islanders pay towards the MTA outside of the deteriorating Long Beach LIRR station. Office of the County Executive

She pointed to examples like aging and crumbling infrastructure that has fallen on top of and injured riders, water leaks, rusted pipes and deteriorating steel beams  as well as an overall neglect of maintenance throughout the countys stations by the MTA.

Phillips said that nearly 30% of Nassaus stations do not have a bathroom and that the MTA treats a fresh coat of paint like a luxury, pointing to the deteriorating walls of the platform behind her.

Blakeman and Phillips said Thursday the MTA has failed to maintain the 58 LIRR stations throughout Nassau. Office of the County Executive

Blakeman said all Nassau stations need immediate repairs and upgrades.

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This has to end  we have got to get a return on the investment that we make each and every day to the MTA, Blakeman, a Republican, said.

The pair announced that they have sent a formal letter to the MTA requesting an audit of each Nassau station.

Blakeman said all Nassau stations need immediate repairs and upgrades. Christopher Sadowski

The Democratic county legislator running against Blakeman agreed it was time for a breakdown on local spending  both from the MTA and his opponents administration.

Transparency and accountability are crucial, and I agree that the MTA should provide a clear breakdown of how these funds are spent on Long Island, Legislator Seth Koslow told The Post.

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At the same time, Nassau County residents deserve the same level of transparency when it comes to how their local tax dollars are managed. Accountability should be a priority at every level of government.

The Democratic county legislator running against Blakeman agreed it was time for a breakdown on local spending. Glen Sager/LIRR

The LIRR transports almost 300,000 passengers a day, and despite the complaints from local leaders, has an overall satisfaction rate of 76%, according to the most recent MTA data.

Some riders believe there is room for improvement through the countys stations, but think that Blakeman and Phillips actions are anti-transit and merely a distraction.

Nassau County is trying to distract from its real agenda of avoiding paying its fair share of the bill, said Danny Pearlstein, a spokesperson for Riders Alliance, a public transit-focused nonprofit that has supported Manhattans congestion pricing toll.

Phillips said that nearly 30% of Nassaus MTA stations do not have a bathroom. Office of the County Executive

Riders need Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders to pull together and make the investments we need to maintain the recent progress founded on congestion relief. New York can afford to keep fixing the subway and restoring aging infrastructure across the region. We cant afford to disinvest, Pearlstein continued.

The MTA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
It's National Pi Day, so treat yourself to some pie  pizza, dessert or both, whatever your heart desires!

That first "Pi" isn't a typo and differs from the tasty "pie" we eat, though we could easily draw some geometric similarities between the two. So before we dive in, we should probably clarify...

What is pi?

March 14 (think 3.14) is commonly referred to as Pi Day, a day that aims to celebrate the ratio of the circumference of a circle.

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The number is known as 3.14 or  and can actually go on forever. The most accurate value for Pi, according to Guinness World Records, is more than 62 trillion digits (62,831,853,071,796 to be precise), calculated in August 2021 by the University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland.

While the day is popular in math circles, it is also a day for those looking to score great deals on actual pie, pizza pie and other circular treats.

Several chains are offering discounts or freebies to celebrate the unofficial holiday. Here's how you can score a deal in Texas on March 14.

Buy one, get one deal at Blaze Pizza on Pi Day

Blaze Pizza is offering customers a buy one 11-inch pizza, get a second pizza of equal or lesser value for $3.14 on March 14.

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Additionally, each customer taking advantage of the deal on Pi Day will receive a code, redeemable in the Blaze Pizza app, that unlocks another buy one, get one for $3.14 any time through the end of March. This offer also includes delivery orders made through the company's app.

The company said this is its 12th straight year celebrating the day and the offer will be available at all of its nearly 300 locations across North America, which includes 21 in Texas.

Click here to find a Blaze Pizza near you.

Get a medium pizza at Marco's Pizza for $3.14 on Pi Day

Customers at Marco's Pizza can get a medium 1-topping pizza for $3.14 with the purchase of any large or extra-large menu-priced pizza, with code "PIDAY."

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The offer is available for online and app orders only, according to the company.

With nearly 200 locations, Texas claims the highest number of Marco's Pizzas among states.

Click here to find a Marco's Pizza near you.

Cici's Pizza offers BOGO deal on Pi Day

Cici's Pizza customers who buy one medium or large 1-topping pizza with Cici's original round crust can purchase a second pizza of the same size for $3.14. The offer can be redeemed in-store or online with the code "PIDAY."

"At Cici's, we jump at every chance to deliver more of what our guests love at an unbeatable value," said Jeff Hetsel, President of Cici's Pizza, in a news release. "Pi Day is the perfect opportunity to have some fun while staying true to our mission  offering delicious pizza at a price thats worth celebrating."

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With over 100 stores, Texas claims one third of all Cici's Pizza locations in the U.S.

Click here to find a Cici's Pizza near you.

California Pizza Kitchen celebrates Pi Day with discounted pizzas

For two days only, on March 13 and 14, CPK Rewards members can get an Original BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni, or Traditional Cheese pizza for $3.14 with any purchase of $25 or more.

Non-members can enroll in CPK Rewards on CPK.com or on the CPK app anytime through March 14 to get the deal, which is available for dine-in, takeout or delivery.

"Pi Day has become a mathematically proven pizza holiday, and were thrilled to deliver an amazing value to help guests celebrate," said Chef Paul Pszybylski, Executive Chef and Vice President of Culinary Innovation at California Pizza Kitchen, in a news release. "Your favorite CPK pizza at an unbeatable price is the best value equation I can think of."

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Texas has two California Pizza Kitchen locations, one in Houston and the other in Plano.

Papa Murphy's

Papa Murphy's is offering customers 31.4% off your online order, no minimum purchase required, using code "PIDAY25." The discount is applicable to regular priced menu items only.

Click here to find a Papa Murphy's location near you.

Customers who join Papa Johns' rewards program by Friday can buy one large or extra-large pizza and receive another of equal or lesser value for $3.14 on March 14.

Click here to find a Papa Johns near you.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut will offer its "pizza charcuterie" meal, which includes two medium pizzas, eight boneless wings and breadsticks for $25, on March 14.

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Click here to find a Pizza Hut near you.

Round Table Pizza

Round Table Pizza is offering Royal Rewards Members a Personal Pizza with a choice of one topping for $3.14 with the purchase of any Large or XL pizza at participating locations on March 14. The deal is valid for Royal Rewards Members who have signed up for the rewards program prior to March 14.

Click here to find a Round Table Pizza near you.

Mountain Mike's Pizza

Mountain Mike's Pizza is offering Mountain rewards members a free mini pizza with the purchase of a 20 oz. bottled beverage on March 14.

Click here to find a Mountain Mike's Pizza near you.

7-Eleven and Speedway

7-Eleven and Speedway convenience stores will offer whole pizzas for $3.14 on Pi Day. Toppings include plain cheese, pepperoni and supreme (pepperoni, sausage, bell pepper, onion and mushroom).

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Click here too find a 7-Eleven near you.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

Grimaldi's Pizzeria is offering their giant slices for $3.14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14.

Click here to find a Grimaldi's Pizzeria near you.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

When dine-in customers purchase one regular, full-size Pizookie at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse on March 14, they can get a second one for $3.14.

Click here to find a BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse near you.

The Brass Tap

The Brass Tap is offering customers $12 pizzas, available at participating locations only.

Click here to find a location near you.

Schlotzky's

Schlotzky's is offering Rewards Members a pizza or flatbread for $3.14 on March 14. The offer is valid online or in-store at participating locations.

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Click here to find a Schlotzky's near you.

Crust Pizza Co.

Customers at Crust Pizza Co. can buy a large pizza and get a large 1-topping pizza for $3.14 on March 14.

Click here to find a Crust Pizza Co. near you.

Burger King

Members of the Royal Perks reward program who spend $3.14 or more at Burger King can get a free Hershey's chocolate pie, available on March 14 while supplies last.

Click here to find a Burger King near you.

Famous Dave's

Famous Dave's is offering a free slice of Bakers Square pie with a $10 minimum purchase on March 14.

Click here to find a Famous Dave's near you.

Village Inn

Village Inn is offering a free slice of pie with the purchase of an entree and beverage on March 14, available for dine-in customers at participating locations.

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El Paso has six Village Inn locations.

 USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: National Pi Day 2025 deals, freebies on pizza, pies in Texas today
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The Newport and Morehead City branch of the National Weather Service hosted a Skywarn Class Thursday, Mar. 13, 2025.

This class helped people to learn how to spot and report severe weather in Eastern North Carolina, which can help save lives.

The main focus this Spring is to talk about tornadoes, high winds and hail. Everyone here today will get a brochure and magnet, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Erik Heden said. They will learn how to report that information to us. They arent storm chasers and dont seek the storm, but if they get bad weather where they live, they call us up and let us know whats happening.

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With weather here in Eastern North Carolina varying from town to town, its important for people to be able to accurately spot weather happenings like funnel clouds, hail size, and rain amounts.

There is water around us, some see sunshine, other folks get thunderstorms. Just the other night we had thunderstorms on the coast, Greenville and other inland places, Heden said. The weather varies neighborhood to neighborhood and these folks help us out by reporting that information to us.

It can be very beneficial to the National Weather Service for people to be able to accurately report rainfall or hail.

One thing we go over is a simple rainfall measurement. Well talk about how people can purchase a rain gauge, Heden said. Just knowing the exact quantity of exact rainfalls can help with flooding and also drought. Simple tools like having a ruler when you have hailstones at your house and measuring the size of them.

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To learn more about Skywarn and how to report severe weather in your area, head to our website at wnct.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
PARIS  NATO will ask alliance members to raise their military capability targets by 30% as the organization seeks to boost its force posture, according to the commander in charge of defense planning at the 32-nation alliance.

The proposed capability targets have been accepted by 80% of the allies, with a goal of full consensus before a NATO summit in The Hague; Netherlands, in June, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Adm. Pierre Vandier said in a March 12 press briefing at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum here. He said the biggest NATO members are signed on, even those who didnt usually accept, without naming countries.

The capability targets refer to the pool of forces and capabilities NATO considers necessary to fulfill its missions. Vandier said NATO asks allies to provide capabilities such as a localized brigade or an air and naval group rather than numbers of troops or equipment, with the details for national governments to fill in, and with no time constraints on when countries meet the targets.

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Allies are already 30% behind in delivering on existing capability targets, so the proposed increase means theres a huge hole, Vandier said. Were at a moment in time where everything is important, were lacking everything, and so we have to be quite astute.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said European NATO allies need to pay more for defense, threatening to deny security guarantees to those who dont spend enough. The alliance is expected to agree on higher budget targets ahead of the June summit, even as a third of its members in Europe last year failed to meet the current goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense.

Mind the gaps: Europes to-do list for defense without the US

Vandier said any discussion about U.S. disengagement from the alliance is highly speculative, with the Trump administration saying NATO is important, should be stronger and more lethal, and that the Europeans are going to pay. He noted the U.S. has accepted the 2025 capability targets, and hasnt said they wont contribute.

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What is certain is that today, the Americans have not said they are disengaging, what we can in fact imagine is that there will be a probable capacity rebalancing, Vandier said. The issue is not NATO, the issue is the weight of the U.S. in Europe.

The budget of United States European Command is estimated at $60 billion to $70 billion, which includes the cost of some 100,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, according to Vandier.

Allied Command Transformation is pushing for NATO members to rebuild an arsenal of offensive weapons as a priority in order to ensure deterrence, Vandier said. The U.S. currently provides the bulk of offensive tools such as rocket artillery, so reinvesting in battlefield ballistics is extremely important.

Europeans need to be more aware that NATO seeks both to defend and to deter, according to Vandier. He said a shield without offensive capabilities deters no one, even encourages adversaries to try to pierce the shield, whereas conventional deterrents create strategic and tactical dilemmas for an adversary that make an attack more costly or complex.

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If we want to avoid war, the offensive tools must be sufficiently dissuasive, Vandier said. Defensive strategies are systematically losing strategies. He called the European Long-range Strike Approach project for long-range, ground-based conventional missiles a very, very good initiative that recreates deterrence tools.

Offensive electronic warfare and weapons to destroy enemy air defenses are two other extremely important areas for investment, according to the commander.

NATO members also need to build up overall force strength, as both the shield and the sword are too small, Vandier said during a round table at the forum. That translates into more battalions, tanks, ships, artillery and other equipment  This is a big shopping list.

NATO asks for capabilities, not objects to achieve the effects requested by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Vandier said. If an allys mechanized brigade would consist of 20% drones and be twice as lethal as a result, that would allow that country to achieve its capacity targets faster than by adding soldiers with machetes and bayonets, he said.

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European NATO stepping up may mean the continent handling its conventional defense and critical infrastructure, while the U.S. remains in charge of air or space as well as nuclear deterrence, said Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone , chair of the NATO Military Committee.

Dragone said Europe may need a multi-speed approach to avoid slowing down its defense buildup, where nations that have strong military capability could lead operations and power projection, while others provide cyber, supply and enablers. Rebalancing of defense means some nations will be less dependent on or even independent from the U.S., he said.

European armed forces need to invest in critical enablers, now mostly provided by the U.S., Vandier said. That means bolstering logistics, air-to-air refueling, command-and-control tools, ISR, electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defense and deep fires.

Some enablers will be easy to build up, others will take complicated, long-term investments and a long-term commitment, Vandier said.

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There are countries that are more eager to have a form of strategic autonomy, to use the French term, and others that are not at all interested in this matter, Vandier said. What is certain is that especially with regards to command tools, we can clearly see that we have a real issue.

Another priority is new capabilities, including drones, artificial-intelligence tools, space-based imagery and robotics, according to Vandier. The advantage for Europe is that many of those new areas rely on dual-use technologies, allowing the military to tap into civilian capabilities, he said.

The same satellite sensors that measure carbon emissions from space or detect forest fires can detect an aircraft taking off from a military base, while automotive-industry knowledge on robotics can be applied to military production, Vandier said.

Space is the subject of rampant militarization, including threats such as space-based lasers that can disable friendly satellites or hostile assets that can de-orbit them, according to Vandier. Europe cant ignore the Russian and Chinese military capabilities in space, and needs to think about the tools complementary to those of the U.S. to allow for maneuvers in space, he said.

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NATO is lacking in integrated air-missile defense, and we cant even say today that we are protecting our deployed soldiers satisfactorily, while on critical capabilities to protect logistics and ammunition depots and command centers we are really struggling.

There is a considerable effort to be made, and I think NATO will be satisfied with any initiatives to fill the considerable gaps, Vandier said.
(Bloomberg) -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said relations with Russia should eventually be normalized once the fighting ends in Ukraine, while stressing the need to keep pressure on Moscow to ensure progress in ceasefire negotiations.

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Its normal if the war would have stopped for Europe somehow, step by step, and also for the US, step by step, to restore normal relations with Russia, Rutte said in an interview on Bloomberg TV Friday. But we are absolutely not there yet, we have to maintain the pressure on them to guarantee that Russia takes the negotiations seriously, he said.

Rutte met with President Donald Trump Thursday in the White House, where the two discussed a potential US-brokered ceasefire in Ukraine. Europe has largely been sidelined in the negotiations, a fact that has rankled many leaders on the continent.

Rutte has been engaging in intense diplomacy in recent weeks to keep the transatlantic alliance together as Trump has pared back support for Ukraine and has indicated that the US will step back from its traditional security role in Europe. The surprise move has sent European countries scrambling to boost defense spending and rethink their military positioning.

The NATO chief said he was confident Trump was committed to NATO and there was no room for doubt there, while also praising him for breaking the deadlock between Russia and Ukraine.

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His biggest task is to keep the US engaged in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization amid Trumps common refrain that members are taking advantage of Washington by not spending enough on defense. Trump has previously threatened to pull the US out of the military alliance.

Rutte is walking a fine line between the US  NATOs most important member  and Europe, which is dealing with an increasingly aggressive Russia.

After Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys televised clash in the Oval Office, Rutte called on the Ukrainian leader to repair the relationship while praising everything the US had done for Ukraine. Most European leaders immediately offered words of support for Zelenskiy.

Ruttes rapport with Trump has been considered to be one of his strong suits as he stepped into the role. He was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Trump on his re-election and one of the first to visit him in Mar-a-Lago in November.

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The two men built a solid working relationship during Trumps first mandate when Rutte was prime minister of the Netherlands. Since taking over at NATO, Rutte has made boosting defense investment and increasing spending one of his main messages, which resonates well with Trump.

Talking to Bloomberg Friday, Rutte praised recent announcements of extra defense spending by the EU and individual member states, describing them as staggering and historic.

NATO will seek to boost its members defense spending target to at least 3% at the next summit in June. Trump has demanded allies spend 5%  a goal widely viewed as unrealistic and one even the US doesnt meet.

Touching upon Trumps regular calls to buy more American weapons and criticism of imbalances in the EU-US trade, Rutte pointed to the fact that Europeans were buying four times more defense products in the US than vice versa and that it was bound to increase.

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I dont mind the difference, he said, adding that the US is getting a better deal here than the Europeans.

--With assistance from Eric Martin, Katharina Rosskopf and Michal Kubala.

(Updates with additional Rutte comments from the fifth paragraph.)

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte demurred on Thursday when President Donald Trump baited him into backing his dream of the United States annexing Greenland.

Ruttewho has been nicknamed NATOs Trump whisperer for his tact in handling the mercurial politicianshared laughs with the president throughout their Oval Office meeting on Thursday. He sat silently as the president rambled about the possibility of Canada, a NATO member, becoming a U.S. state.

But the former Dutch prime minister drew the line at Greenland.

Donald Trump and Mark Rutte share one of many laughs in the Oval Office on Thursday. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS

When asked if he still believed the U.S. would take over the Danish autonomous territory, Trump said, I think it will happen before turning to Rutte.

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I didnt give it much thought before, but Im sitting with a man that could be very instrumental in the effort to take over Greenland, he said. You know, Mark, we need that for international security.

Rutte, who appeared uncomfortable but remained composed, brushed off the remark.

When it comes to Greenland, yes or no, joining the U.S., I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion, because I dont want to drag NATO into that, he said.

Donald Trump and Mark Rutte were joined in the Oval Office by Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS

Polls show Greenlanders do not want to join the U.S. by overwhelming margins. The only pro-Trump candidate in the countrys elections, which took place last week, brought in a dismal 1.1 percent of the vote.

The elections winner, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, described Trumps rhetoric about Greenland as a threat to our political independence. Voters apparently resonated with that message, as his Demokraatit Party tripled its total seats in parliament.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that relations with Russia should ultimately be normalised once the fighting in Ukraine comes to an end.

Source: Rutte in an interview with Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte believes that it would be "normal" to, "step by step, restore normal relations with Russia" after the war.

"But we are absolutely not there yet, we have to maintain the pressure on them to guarantee that Russia takes the negotiations seriously," he said.

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Rutte emphasised that pressure must continue on Russia to make sure they are willing to seriously engage in talks with the US administration and with the Ukrainians.

Background:

On 13 March, Rutte visited US President Donald Trump. The meeting took place immediately after Russian ruler Vladimir Putin made remarks about the 30-day ceasefire.

During the meeting with Trump, Rutte stated that NATO members were lagging behind Russia and China in arms production, while the US president boasted that his coming to power made NATO "much stronger".

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TAIPEI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- People from various sectors in Taiwan have expressed strong concerns over the latest statements made by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, warning such comments could lead to escalated tension and standstill of cross-Strait exchanges.

At a press conference on Thursday, Lai portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter so-called threats facing the island.

Taipei-based The United Daily News warned in an article that Lai's latest move could push Taiwan toward "quasi-martial law" and significantly roll back cross-Strait exchanges.

"An invisible shackle has emerged when the mainland's measures about Taiwan are all labelled infiltration," the article wrote.

The Commercial Times raised concerns about heightened military risks, deepening societal divisions, and the potential erosion of Taiwan's cultural identity. The newspaper urged a more rational approach to cross-Strait relations.

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, described Lai's policies as "bordering on martial law" and accused him of political manipulation.

Business leaders have also voiced concerns. Jivan Huang, a senior executive at a leading federation of industries, warned that prioritizing ideology over pragmatism would restrict Taiwan's economic flexibility.

Noting that the mainland remains Taiwan's most important investment destination and a major source of trade surplus, Huang said Lai's latest move will severely weaken the competitive edge of enterprises in Taiwan.

Lin Por-fong, chairman of the influential Third Wednesday Club, criticized excessive restrictions from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on economic ties with the mainland, arguing they would ultimately harm Taiwan's economy and drive more local businesses out of the island.

In the tourism sector, Ringo Lee, chairman of the High Quality of Travel Association, lamented that the DPP authorities are stigmatizing those seeking cross-Strait engagement and regular cross-Strait exchanges will definitely be affected.

There seems little hope that the authorities would lift the ban on group tours to the mainland, which the tourism industry has long called for, he said.

Meanwhile, Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua accused Lai of trying to cover up his poor performance as the region's leader by sacrificing the interests of tourism and agriculture sectors. 
A U.S. Navy administrative order released Thursday outlined a new policy that forces transgender service members to separate from the military.

The guidelines, intended for military personnel who the order states have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria, stated that the Navy will revoke exceptions that allowed troops to follow the standards of a sex different from their identification in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

The latter is a database of information for every uniformed service member, according to the Defense Department website.

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Cross-sex hormone therapy will be allowed to continue while personnel are employed by the Defense Department, if recommended by a DoD health care provider.

The order recommended that service members with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria consult with a Defense Department health care provider for mental health counseling.

Active-duty and Reserve transgender service members can request voluntary separation or retirement, if eligible, no later than March 28, with some service members eligible for voluntary separation pay that equates to twice the amount of involuntary separation pay, according to the order. Those who volunteer will receive an honorable discharge, per another Navy order.

Once a request is placed, personnel will receive a non-deployable status.

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Service members who fail to submit a voluntary separation or retirement request will face involuntary separation.

Transgender troops will be separated from military, Pentagon says

The Navy order came several weeks after the Defense Department released a Feb. 26 memo, announcing its intent to kick out transgender service members.

The medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service, the memo read.

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On President Donald Trumps first day in office, he signed an executive order  entitled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government that said the United States would only recognize two sexes, male and female, in accordance with the sex assigned to an individual at birth.

Across the country, ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex have increasingly used legal and other socially coercive means to permit men to self-identify as women and gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women, from womens domestic abuse shelters to womens workplace showers, the order stated.
A Navy veteran and his wife said they were blindsided when Tricare, the militarys health care program, rescinded over $100,000 in medical claims it had approved and paid several years ago.

Harve Smith, 71, received a $470 bill in January for dermatologist visits in 2020. He thought it was a one-off error until he discovered that Tricare had retroactively denied 26 more claims for a total of about $3,000 worth of services it had already reimbursed providers for since 2019, when he first enrolled in Tricare For Life, a plan for Tricare-eligible people who have Medicare.

Tricare also reversed approvals for at least 10 claims, totaling about $100,400, for his wife, Janice, in the same time frame, while nine other claims that had once been marked as completed are being re-processed, according to records from her Tricare portal, which NBC News reviewed.

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We dont know where this ends, said Janice Smith, 67, who has multiple sclerosis and worries the stress will aggravate the autoimmune disorder.

Harve Smith, pictured in 1983, served in the Navy for 15 years until 1994.

The couple, who live in Fallon, Nevada, said they would have to use their retirement funds or remortgage their home, which they fully own, to clear the debt. Anxiety has kept Harve Smith, who served in the Navy for 15 years until 1994, from sleeping through the night. It just kept waking me up, said Harve Smith, a former lieutenant commander. Did I do something wrong?

It is unclear what prompted the reversals, which appear to be legal under federal law, according to two health care attorneys.

In Nevada, recoupment time frames are usually set by contracts between private health insurers and providers, Las Vegas-based attorney Ayesha Mehdi said. The contracts often allow insurers to recoup payments within a year or two and sometimes four years, she said.

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But because federal law is stronger than state law, Mehdi said, Tricare, a federal program, is allowed to rescind payments under its regulations, which permit recovery for up to 10 years in cases of overpayment or mistakes.

The Defense Health Agency, which oversees Tricare, did not say whether it had overpaid or made an error or whether the couples case was unique. Spokesperson Brenda Campbell said that it cannot comment publicly on individual health cases but that it would work with the Smiths to investigate further.

Health Net Federal Services, the former contractor for the Tricare west region, also said it could not comment on specific cases, citing health privacy laws, but it said it is actively looking into the matter.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which took over the contract this year, deferred comment to Health Net, which it said is responsible for processing and paying claims before Jan. 1. TriWest said it has not recouped or tried to recoup any payments from the Smiths and is not allowed to take such actions under its contract with the Defense Health Agency.

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After having spent weeks calling the agencies and being bounced around between departments, the Smiths said, they have not gotten clarity.

Meanwhile, the $470 bill from the dermatologist has already gone to collections. The Feb. 7 collections notification, which was reviewed by NBC News, instructs Harve Smith to pay the balance within the next 30 days or face adverse credit reporting.

The Smiths said they do not plan to pay the bills out of pocket until they have confirmation that it is their responsibility to do so. Documents in Harve Smiths Tricare portal, which NBC News also reviewed, show that Tricare did issue payments to the dermatologist in 2020.

Janice Smith said: It has been so stressful, and it is so scary. We cant be the only ones in this position.

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Millions of service members, retirees, their families and network providers nationwide have felt cascading disruptions following Tricares contract changes this year.

About 16,000 health care providers on the East Coast alone have not been paid this year, officials said, forcing many to drop Tricare patients, reduce their hours or consider closing their clinics. On the West Coast, federal officials said, beneficiaries are struggling with a host of issues, including long wait times at call centers and stalled referrals and authorizations.

On Jan. 1, TriWest began managing Tricare benefits on the West Coast and in six Eastern states that were reallocated to the west region. The Defense Health Agency said the new contract would improve health care delivery, quality, and access for U.S. beneficiaries. But it has acknowledged that several challenges have cropped up nationwide since then.

The Smiths said it took weeks of calling Tricare before anyone picked up the phone. During one attempt, they said, they waited on hold for over two hours.

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I was so exhausted. I just started crying, Janice Smith said.

Janice and Harve Smith in 2023.

She said they called Tricare For Life, which is Tricares Medicare program, but were redirected to at least three other numbers. When they finally reached a representative for the militarys Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database, which holds information for every service member, Janice Smith said, they were told the officials had to manually fix her husbands records. The Smiths said database system did not elaborate on what was wrong with his records or what caused the apparent error. They were told to complete a Tricare form asking to reinstate their enrollment, even though they did not know whether they had been removed.

In the meantime, they do not know whether they currently have health care coverage and whether they are on the hook to repay all of the claims out of pocket.

Janice Smith said Tricare had initially approved her and her husbands services, which included brain scans to monitor her condition, hip replacement surgery, physical therapy and annual checkups.

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Were not going to pay. We are not in the wrong, she said. We were covered. We had insurance.

The Smiths, who have been married for 42 years, had been enjoying their retirement and spending their time visiting their daughters in Hawaii and Virginia.

They said the claims reversals, which have triggered at least two medical bills so far, have caused them to live more frugally, limiting their travel and even lunch dates.

We were the epitome of footloose and fancy-free, Janice Smith said. Now we have this looming over us.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 13: A North Carolina constituent points at Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) before a congressional town hall meeting on March 13, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina. The event comes as Republicans have faced protestors at town halls critical of the Trump administration slashing federal jobs. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11) did his best to remain composed as he addressed an angry audience Thursday night in Asheville, North Carolina.

With Republican members of Congress advised to avoid holding in-person events, Edwards took the stage at Ferguson Auditorium and tried to put a positive spin on the first few weeks of the second Trump administration.

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Edwards told the audience that President Donald Trump was committed to helping western North Carolina rebuild from Hurricane Helene and made his first trip to the region after his inauguration.

My responsibility now is to get the money into the hands of western North Carolina, said Edwards, in a rare moment that drew applause.

As the Republican talked about his own efforts to fix FEMA, cut bureaucracy and speed debris removal, the crowd turned angry.

Stop selling yourself!

Listen to us now!

The American people sent President Trump back to the White House and the Republican majority to restore Americas economic dominance, said Edwards, reading from prepared notes.

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Liar!

Throughout the 90-minute event streamed live by Blue Ridge Public Radio, Edwards was repeatedly drowned out by boos from an audience upset by Trumps indiscriminate cuts to federal agencies.

The audience peppered Edwards with questions about jobs being eliminated in veteran services, the U.S. Park Service, and USAID.

As the tone grew heated, Edwards remained calm, telling the audience that the nations debt crisis had been ignored for far too long.

I was proud to vote for the House budget resolutionthat provides for Congress to secure the border.

That statement was greeted by another round of loud jeers.

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Others in the audience expressed disapproval of Trumps handling of the Ukraine war and his failure to support Americas closest allies.

A new poll released Friday by CNN finds half of Americans believe Trumps approach to the war has been bad for the U.S. Nearly 6 in 10 dont support his relationship with Russia.

Edwards voiced support for Ukraine but also spoke of his support for Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE cuts, the effort led by billionaire Elon Musk.

We dont need butts in seats at the Pentagon, we need missiles and planes, said Edwards in a nod of support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

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Im trying get your opinion on this  yes or no  do you support Trump on annexing Canada or Greenland? Is that the way the United States should act to our closest neighbors? pressed one gentleman in the audience. Do you enjoy the way hes trying to extort minerals from the Ukraine, from people that need our help?

Do I support annexing Greenland or Canada? The short answer to that is no.

Edward said as for the minerals deal with Ukraine, he would support the effort by Trump to help American taxpayers recoup some of the billions of dollars it has provided in military support for the war-torn country.

Another constituent told Edwards cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and Medicaid will severely harm children with disabilities. About 2.8 million children and adults in North Carolina are covered under Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program as of last September.

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Edwards said he agreed that vulnerable populations needed to be protected, but that could be accomplished with an adjustment of federal law.

States would be given a block grant to do what the federal government is doing, responded Edwards.

That elicited another round of boos and thumbs pointing downward in collective disapproval.

As the town hall drew to a close, many attendees did not appear to be any more satisfied than when they first arrived.

For Edwards, he offered a final olive branch.

I really appreciate the energy you brought, the contradiction of opinions, the passion that I hear, and the patriotism that I sense.

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On March 11, approximately 9,600 gallons of wastewater was accidentally released into Lincoln Creek near North 32nd Street and West Hampton Avenue in Milwaukee.

The incident occurred when workers from Veolia Water Milwaukee, a contractor for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, mistakenly released the wastewater into a storm sewer rather than the sanitary sewer, according to the sewerage district. The discharge can be likened to a sewer overflow, although on a much smaller scale. It occurred between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and the release was equivalent to about four Veolia vacuum truck loads.

The workers were removing water from an underground utility vault, using a vacuum truck when the incident occurred, said Jonathan Hoisak, vice president for Veolia Water Milwaukee. Hoisak explained that there are numerous pipelines and manholes near each other at the location, and the workers picked the wrong one. At that location, the storm sewer funnels water directly into Lincoln Creek, which flows into the Milwaukee River and ultimately Lake Michigan.

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The workers identified the mistake after the job was complete, and notified supervisors right away, Hoisak said.

There are no indications of significant environmental impact yet, Hoisak said. On March 12, the company took steps to address the issue by plugging the storm line and cleaning it. Workers confirmed there was no debris along the creek.

To prevent this from happening again, Hoisak said, workers must now obtain supervisor approval to ensure that the manhole leads to the correct line before discharging wastewater into it. He said the situation is rare and not routine, though, as most of the time wastewater is brought back to the plant. Veolia has also scheduled a refresher training for its field crews on proper discharge procedures.

As the permit holder of the pipelines, the sewerage district has submitted a report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Veolia Water Milwaukee may face fines, though the DNR and sewerage district will investigate before making final conclusions.

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The story was updated to add more information and because an earlier version contained an inaccuracy.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com, follow her on X @caitlooby and learn more about how she approaches her reporting.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 10,000 gallons of wastewater dumped in Lincoln Creek, Milwaukee River
Opponents of LB 556 spoke at a news conference in January to protest the Gov. Jim Pillen-backed bill introduced by State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. At the podium is Nature Villegas, who shared testimony of being detained as a youth. (Courtesy of Chad Green, ChadCRG Images)

LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers heard more than seven hours of public testimony Thursday on a trio of bills related to minors and crime  including a controversial proposal that, in part, would allow alleged offenders as young as 11 to be detained.

Those addressing the Legislatures Judiciary Committee were wide-ranging: law enforcement, elected officials, nonprofits, educators, moms of victims, Nebraskans imprisoned as youths and more.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The lengthiest and most emotional discussion came in response to Legislative Bill 556, which State Sen. Merv Riepe has named his priority this session. The Ralston lawmaker said he introduced the measure at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, with support from Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.

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Under LB 556, the age at which a Nebraska youth could be detained for an alleged crime would be lowered, from 13 to 11, and the age at which a minor could be charged as an adult for the most serious felonies would drop from 14 to 12.

Another tool in toolbox

Riepe said he did not see the bill as punitive, but rather as another option for law enforcement, particularly in Douglas County, where officials told him they are seeing more violent crimes committed by kids at younger ages. He acknowledged the stir caused by age-related changes.

But your child, your grandchild, is not like the child at issue, he said. Were talking about a very serious set of young offenders who have engaged in serious or repeated criminal activity, offenders who are currently required to be released even if there is a clear evidence they will continue to commit crimes.

Riepe said he viewed the bill as an early intervention effort that would not only protect the public, but also the alleged juvenile offender.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, a committee member who has been a vocal opponent, challenged Riepe and other proponents on various points. He asked Riepe if he had spent time in communities that likely would be disproportionately affected.

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I cant say Ive been up to your community, so Id have to plead that I havent done a very good job on that, Riepe said.

Hanson  speaking among the LB 556 proponents who were outnumbered by opponents  told the committee that overall juvenile crime may be down, but that he was focused on the escalation of high-risk juvenile repeat offenders in Douglas County.

Proponents of the Gov. Jim Pillen-backed juvenile crime bill speak at a January news conference. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, at the podium, is flanked by Pillen and State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Hanson told the committee that two juveniles in 2017 committed five or more unique felonies and that the number increased to 36 in 2023 but dropped to 28 in 2024.

He described the bill as another tool in the toolbox for dealing with high-risk repeat offenders.

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Said McKinney: Were not talking about screws or building material, were talking about kids and real-life situations and humans on both sides, whether its the kid doing the offense or the victims.

Tried as an adult at 15

Many opponents said the state should put more effort into rehabilitation programs for juveniles, pointing to research that a youths brain is still developing.

Olivia Cribbs, 23, told the committee she was tried as an adult and incarcerated for seven years for crimes committed at age 15. Choking up at times, she recalled suicidal thoughts and other psychological damage and urged more support to encourage change for the youngest of the states offenders.

Children are still learning and developing emotionally and mentally, and they deserve equal opportunities for guidance and support rather than harsh punishments, she said.

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Kimara Snipes, who testified as an Omaha community leader and someone who has been impacted by gun violence, said the real crisis is mental health.

She said she experienced arrest at a young age and recounted how her sons father was murdered, shot eight times by a young person.

I know the devastation this brings, Snipes said. If we truly care about public safety, we must invest in prevention, mental health resources and community solutions  not more incarceration.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Rodgers said he expected county taxpayers to incur added expense if the bill were passed.

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We dont have a chronic crisis, Rodgers said. We are not Chicago. Were not Philadelphia.

Not willy-nilly

Bill Reay, president and CEO of Omni Inventive Care, expressed concern about a lack of detail on where and with whom pre-teens might be detained. He said there are better community-based alternatives.

This bill doesnt talk about what detention would look like for an 11-year-old or a 12-year-old, he said.

State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, a member of the committee, expressed frustration at the hyperbole shes heard surrounding LB 556.

Were talking about a small percentage here, she said of those potentially affected. It is very frustrating for me when I see the hyperbole that all of a sudden were locking up an 11-year-old willy-nilly, thats not true. Thats not what this bill says.

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She said that by the time a youth reaches a point of involvement in such horrific applicable crimes, theyre screaming for help. She said she did not see the bill as punitive.

Said Storer: This is as much for the help of that young individual.

Questions by a few committee members, including State Sens. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha and Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, both lawyers, indicated an interest in limiting the detention period to perhaps 24 hours for assessment of the youth.

Bosn compared it to a time out of sorts, where a judge, law enforcement and family members could discuss what might be the most successful path.

Possible compromise

The other juvenile crime bills discussed Thursday:

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LB 407, introduced by State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, would lower to 13 the age at which a youth could face adult penalties for felony charges. However, cases involving kids accused of major crimes, as young as 13 and up to 15, first would have to be handled in juvenile court, which Cavanaugh said is focused more on rehabilitation.

Cavanaugh has framed his bill as a compromise of sorts for those wanting adult consequences for younger kids involved in serious crimes and those who favor a more rehabilitative approach.

LB 584, introduced by State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, would ease penalties for certain felony crimes committed by people under age 18.

The Judiciary Committee did not take immediate action on any of the three bills.

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If theres one thing most Israelis agree on after nearly a year and a half of war, its the need for a deep, impartial investigation into the catastrophe of October 7laying bare what went wrong that day, beforehand, and possibly after. The demand for such an inquiry has escalated, voiced in equal measure by gaunt ex-hostages and the outgoing, guilt-ridden, military chief of staff.

And if there is one thing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want, it is such an investigation. The reason isnt hard to fathom. A serious probe will likely hold Netanyahu responsible for Hamas catching Israel unprepared. Its conclusions could echo the signs directed at the prime minister at street protests: Youre the boss. Youre guilty.

Commissions of inquiry are the normal mechanism by which Israeli governance reckons with its response to extraordinary events. The procedure for creating one is enshrined in law: The cabinet votes to create the commission and defines the scope of its inquiry. The chief justice of the supreme court appoints the members, and a senior judge or retired judge chairs. In the weightiest investigations, the chief justice has chaired the commission. The panel can subpoena witnesses and documents. It can find individuals responsible for actions and omissions. The findings arent criminal convictions, but they can include recommendations to dismiss high officials.

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[Yair Rosenberg: Why 70 percent of Israelis want Netanyahu to resign]

The best-known inquiry commissions have near-mythic status in Israeli memory. One investigated how Israel was taken by surprise at the start of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and its preliminary report sparked the resignation or dismissal first of top generals and then of Prime Minister Golda Meir, ending her career.

Another examined Israels role in the 1982 massacre, by a Lebanese Christian militia, of Palestinians in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in Beirut. The inquirys most resounding conclusion was that Defense Minister Ariel Sharon bore personal responsibility, because he ignored the danger of acts of revenge and bloodshed by the militia. Sharon resigned. Even when he became prime minister many years later, he did not hold the defense post again, as some prime ministers have done.

With rare exceptions, the law on commissions of inquiry requires the government to decide to investigate itself. This is the procedures weakness, but popular pressure has historically proved effective in forcing the governments hand. Meir decided to create the commission that ultimately forced her out in response to the public anger, spurred by army reservists returning home from the front. Prime Minister Menachem Begins government understood that it needed to act after an estimated 400,000 demonstrators flooded central Tel Aviv in what was then the largest protest the country had ever seen.

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This history best explains why the public today expects an inquiry commission, and why Netanyahu resists appointing one: Disasters beget commissions, and commissions can beget upheaval.

Polling shows that up to 83 percent of Israelis, including a large majority of voters for parties in the ruling coalition, want a state inquiry into October 7. And in recent days, pressure for an inquiry has grown. One reason is that a slew of internal army investigations have been released, probing, among other things, the failure to defend border communities on the morning of the attack, and the years of overly sanguine assessments of Hamas.

Those inquiries reinforce earlier press reports based on leaks and add frightening detail. The Military Intelligence Directorate had stopped listening in real time to Hamas walkie-talkies. It had acquired Hamass plan for an invasion of Israeland dismissed it as purely aspirational. Completely misreading Hamas, the army believed that it was deterred from attacking Israel by the outcome of previous fighting. That bias led it to dismiss multiple signs of the impending attack in the hours before it began.

The armys investigation and a parallel one by the Shin Bet counterintelligence agency lay out those bodies mistakes. Only obliquely, though, do they say anything about the decisions or negligence of the government. This makes sense; an army investigation of elected leaders would have the scent of a coup. But the publication of the army probes draws attention to the governments refusal to be investigated.

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It also fits a pattern. Generals have acknowledged that they let the country down; Netanyahu hasnt. The military chief of staff on October 7 and after, Herzi Halevi, resigned just after the current cease-fire began in January and left office last week. The disaster occurred on my watch, and I bear responsibility, Halevi said when he turned over command. Then he addedpointedly, as Netanyahu was presentIts not right that only the Israel Defense Forces investigate an event like this. Establishing a state commission of inquiry is necessary and essential.

Early this month, opposition parties managed to force the Knesset to hold a debate on establishing a state commission. An opposition parliamentarian read a letter from Yarden Bibas, who was taken captive on October 7 and released in the first stage of the now-stalled hostage deal. Bibas was still observing the traditional Jewish week of mourning for his murdered wife and two small children, whose bodies had been returned from Gaza. I call on you, Mr. Prime Minister, Bibas wrote, to unite the people of Israel, bring peace to our souls, fulfill the will of the people and the [victims] families. Announce today the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

Netanyahu was required to respond, and he did so with a speech of more than half an hour that included jibes at the opposition and an attempt to link the former prime minister and outspoken government critic Ehud Barak to Jeffrey Epstein. On the inquiry issue itself, he conceded that its crucial to investigate thoroughly everything that happened on October 7. But, he claimed, a state commission would be politically tilted and its conclusions known in advance.

What he and a majority of the people wanted, he said, was an objective, balanced inquiry panel. He appeared to be referring to plans that his inner circle had reportedly floated to get around the commission law, possibly by establishing an ad hoc parliamentary panel with coalition and opposition members. Under the commission law, Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit would choose the panel, and the retired chief justice Esther Hayut could conceivably chair it. The prime minister and his coalition regard both judges as too liberaland too independent. But what they seem to be suggesting instead is to choose the panel on the basis of party, which would be overtly political, as well as lacking the long precedent and settled law of a state commission.

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[Read: How Netanyahu misread his relationship with Trump]

Netanyahu was prime minister for 13 of the 14 years before October 7. A commission of inquiry might look into his strategic choice to allow Hamas to remain in control of Gaza as a means of keeping the Palestinians divided. It might also determine whether the notion that Hamas had been deterred, and so did not pose an immediate threat, was the armys and that Netanyahu simply failed to question itor whether generals shaped their evaluations to fit what the prime minister wanted to hear. Such an inquiry could determine what warning signs the prime minister may have ignored in the days and years before the catastrophe.

In Israel, a state commission of inquiry is not merely a judicial instrument or a means of settling facts. Its a ritual of national closure that allows people to put events in order and move on. The commissions summary of errors and of horrors, its assessment of culpability, its recommendations for the futureall of these help turn trauma into history.

Netanyahu is more aware than anyone of what an inquiry might discover beyond what the public already knows. The longer and more insistently he opposes a state commission, the more he reinforces the expectation that he will be weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a weekly look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

Just hours after Islamist rebels ousted longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at edge of the occupied Golan Heights and looked out over Syria. The historic downfall will create very important opportunities for Israel, he said in a video message.

As Syria plunged into chaos after Assads fall  its war-ravaged people grappling with an uncertain future and its ethnic and religious minorities wary of the new leaderships jihadist history  Netanyahus government saw an opportunity to advance his quest to reshape the Middle East, one that envisions splitting Syria into smaller autonomous regions.

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A stable Syria can only be a federal Syria that includes different autonomies and respects different ways of life, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told European leaders at a meeting in Brussels last month.

Since Hamas October 7 attack and ensuing regional conflicts, Netanyahu has repeatedly boasted about changing the face of the Middle East in Israels favor. He views the developments in Syria as a direct result of Israels actions and is now seizing the opportunity to expand territorial control and establish zones of influence by seeking alliances with minority groups in Syrias peripheries.

In the days that followed Assads ouster, Netanyahu ordered an unprecedented ground push into Syria, driving Israeli forces deeper into the country than ever before and upending Israels 50-year tacit detente with the Assads.

The escalation quickly abandoned Netanyahus initial pledge to practice good neighborliness to the new Syria. Hundreds of airstrikes targeted the remnants of Assads military to prevent them from falling into the hands of militant groups, and Israeli forces seized Mount Hermon, Syrias highest peak, and a strategically vital position overlooking Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. On Monday, Israel targeted radar sites and military command centers in southern Syria, and on Thursday, it targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Civil defence members stand at a damaged site after Israel carried out an air strike on the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday. - Firas Makdesi/Reuters

Israel has vowed to continue, with an Israeli official telling CNN that the country wont allow the new Syrian regimes forces to deploy in southern Syria, seeing them as a threat to Israeli citizens.

Shifting border

Israels border with Syria had remained largely unchanged since the 1967 war, when it occupied and later annexed the Golan Heights from Syria in a move rejected by most of the international community but endorsed by US President Donald Trump during his first term. But Israels recent actions in Syria have blurred the lines of that border as it takes more territory. Israel has never fully demarcated its borders with its neighbors.

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For half a century, Hafez al-Assad and his son, Bashar, ruled Syria ruthlessly, enduring wars, rebellions, and uprisings while stoking sectarian fears to deter calls for change. The younger Assad avoided direct confrontation with Israel but provided its archenemy, Iran, with key supply routes to Tehrans armed proxy groups, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon, which fired thousands of rockets at Israel during the Israel-Hamas war.

Syrias new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa  formerly known by his nom du guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and once linked to Al-Qaeda  ousted Assad in a Turkish-backed lightning offensive before assuming power in December. Shedding traditional attire and military fatigues, he adopted a suit and tie, repeatedly telling foreign news outlets that he had no interest in confronting Israel.

He thought he could court Israel in the sense of reassuring it that there would be no violence along its border and no fight with Israel but Israel is emboldened by the last year-and-a-half, and with the support of the Trump administration is looking for greater ambition, Natasha Hall, a senior fellow with the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, said.

Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Syrian capital Damascus on December 8 after ousting Bashar Al Assad. - Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images

Israeli officials now say there will be an Israeli military presence in Syria indefinitely and have called for the protection of Syrias Druze and Kurdish people, significant minorities living in Syrias south and northeast respectively. The Druze populate three main provinces close to the Israeli-occupied Golan heights in the south of the country.

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Jolani (Sharaa) took off his galabiya (robe), put on a suit, and presented a moderate face  now he has removed the mask and revealed his true identity: a jihadist terrorist from the Al-Qaida school, committing atrocities against the civilian population, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said last week after forces loyal to Sharaa killed hundreds of members of the Alawite minority in response to an attempt by supporters of Assad to take control of cities near Syrias Mediterranean coast.

The slaughter, which claimed more than 800 people on both sides, underscored the danger to Sharaas fragile regime as regional players intensify efforts to forge alliances with different communities within Syria.

If Israel succeeds in creating a demilitarized zone in Syria with the backing of local Druze residents, it will bring large parts of the countrys south under Israeli influence, representing Israels most significant territorial control in Syria since its founding.

There is a real danger that eventually that will kick in to create a spiral of escalation, Charles Lister, a senior fellow and head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, told CNN. The (Syrian) interim government has done nothing in response to all these Israeli actions.

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If that changes, all hell can break loose, he added.

In recent weeks, Sharaa has taken a harsher stance on Israels moves, condemning its advances as hostile expansionism while moving to reconcile with the very minorities Israel has courted.

A day after the bloody violence on the coast over the weekend, Sharaa signed a landmark agreement with Kurdish-led forces to integrate them into state institutions, and is reportedly close to signing a similar deal with the Druze in southern Syria.

Carmit Valensi, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, said that Israels actions are driven by its concern that Syrias unrest and instability will spill over into its territory.

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What motivates Israel is the fear (of) the emergence of an Islamist regime near our border that is hostile to Israel they decided not to count on whats going on right now but to make sure that if a threat were to emerge it will be there to curtail it, Valensi told CNN. The prevalent perception in Israel is that we shouldnt rely on the pragmatism that Sharaa is demonstrating so far, and that we should be prepared for the negative scenario.

Courting Syrias minorities

As Netanyahu seeks to expand Israels influence in Syria, he has singled out Syrias Druze for protection, seeking to ally with a religious minority that could become disenfranchised by Syrias new Islamist rulers.

Netanyahu and Katz instructed the Israeli military earlier this month to prepare to defend the Druze in Syria and said that Israel will not allow the extremist Islamic regime in Syria to harm the group. Syrian Druze may also be allowed to work in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The Druze, an ethnic Arab group following an offshoot of Islam, also have a significant presence in Israel and the Golan Heights. Although most Golan Druze identify as Syrian Arabs and reject the Israeli state, some have accepted Israeli citizenship. In Israel, Druze citizens are required to serve in the military  unlike their Muslim and Christian Arab compatriots.

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Many members of the Syrian Druze community have rejected Netanyahus offer for support since the fall of Assad. Crowds took to the streets of Suwayda, a Druze majority Syrian city, to protest his call to demilitarize southern Syria and regional leaders representing the group accused Israel of expansionary goals.

Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese Druze leader who is widely respected by Druze outside Lebanon, warned about Israels ambitions last week.

Israel wants to use tribes, sects and religions for its own benefit. It wants to fragment the region, he told a news conference in Beirut Sunday. The Druze should be careful, he added.

However, some community members, worried that Sharaa may impose strict Islamic rule in Syria, have privately welcomed Netanyahus offer, seeing it as a guarantee for protection in an uncertain future, a local activist and a journalist told CNN. In the wake of Netanyahus comments, a few thousand Druze members formed an armed faction called the Military Council, they said.

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The group barely registers on a scale of relevance, Lister said. There is a very, very small faction in Suwayda that appear to be hinting at the idea that they would be open to some kind of external protection.

Israel also sees Syrias Kurds as a potential ally and has called for them to be protected against a Turkish military campaign. Turkey blames Syrias Kurdish militants of being linked the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant separatist group in Turkey.

The problem with creating alliances with non-Sunni Muslim minorities or non-Arab minorities is that most Syrians actually want to have unity, so I think Israel will continue try to create tension because Israel was so outward in its ambitions that it has had an opposite effect and created a moment of unity amongst Syrians, Hall said.

Israeli tanks are seen at Al Hamadyeh region near the occupied Golan Heights in Quneitra, Syria on January 16. - Ercin Erturk/Anadolu/Getty Images

Spheres of influence

While Israels moves in Syria may have been the most visible, it is not the only regional or global player that has sought to expand its influence there.

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Turkey, which had long opposed the Assad regime and pushed for his ouster, plans to sign a defense pact with Sharaa that could see the deployment of fighter jets in two bases in central Syria.

Turkey does have plans with Damascus permission to occupy at least two major airbases in central Syria, deploy fighter jets into Syria in order to exert some semblance of Syrian sovereignty, Lister said. Of course that is directed at Israel.

Saudi Arabia, where al-Sharaa was born and spent his early years, deployed a royal jet last month to transport him to Riyadh for meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a bold gesture that underscored the kingdoms intent to reassert its dominance in the region while signaling the decline of Irans once-formidable sway over Syria.

Meanwhile, Russia, which was pivotal in keeping Assad in power in exchange for a strategic military presence on the Mediterranean, has now lost its foothold in Syria. Reuters reported last month that amid Trumps lack of clarity on Syria and concern over Turkeys growing influence, Israel is lobbying the US to let Russia keep its military bases there in an effort to keep the country weak and decentralized. CNN could not confirm the report.

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If any other force in Syria today believes that Israel will permit other hostile forces to use Syria as a base of operations against us, they are gravely mistaken, Netanyahu said in a news conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month.

Israel will act to prevent any threat from emerging near our border in southwest Syria.

CNNs Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this report.

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The Netherlands will not guarantee its unconditional approval of the European Union's planned multi-billion-euro rearmament package, Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday.

When it comes to taking out joint loans and greatly relaxing the budget rules, the country will not agree should this become necessary, Schoof said in The Hague.

Last week, he agreed to the 800 billion ($652 billion) EU plan in Brussels, but was then rebuffed by three coalition parties.

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In a subsequent crisis meeting, Schoof and the party leaders agreed to a compromise.

The main point of criticism is the planned financing of rearmament through joint loans and an increase in national debt.

The Netherlands now intends to take a "constructive stance" in the EU negotiations, Schoof said. However, the government reserves the right to reject parts of the package or to abstain from voting.

Debt must remain limited and financial stability must not be jeopardized, according to a letter from the government to parliament.

Legislators had rejected the EU defence plan by a narrow majority with votes from the governing parties. The right-wing populist Geert Wilders, parliamentary group leader of the largest governing party, demanded that the non-partisan Schoof withdraw his approval in Brussels.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nevadas two Democratic senators split their decisions Friday ahead of a vote in the U.S. Senate to avoid a potential partial federal government shutdown.

At least eight Democrats need to join Republicans to advance the spending bill to a 60-vote threshold. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said Friday morning she would vote yes, while Sen. Jacky Rosen said she would vote no.

The continuing spending measure, which would fund the government through September, narrowly passed the U.S. House on Tuesday. One Democrat joined Republicans in voting yes, while one Republican voted against it. Southern Nevadas three Democratic representatives voted no.

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Congress has been unable to pass the annual appropriations bills designed to fund the government, so its resorted to passing short-term extensions instead. The legislation before the Senate is the third such continuing resolution for the current fiscal year, now nearly half over.

The spending plan would trim non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increase defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.

A government shutdown would be devastating for the American people, Cortez Masto said in a statement. It would force tens of thousands of Nevada military personnel, union members, law enforcement agents and nurses to work without pay. Shutting down the government gives President Trump and Elon Musk even more power to cherry-pick who is an essential employee, who they want to fire, and what agencies they want to shutter. And a shutdown would force federal courts to slow work on lawsuits against this administrations illegal actions. The last government shutdown cost the American economy $11 billion and thousands of hardworking Americans were harmed. I cannot vote for that.

The senator said it was not an easy decision.

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Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have complete control of the federal government, and theyre using their power to help Elon Musk continue to systematically dismantle basic government functions from veterans health care to aviation safety and cancer research, Rosen said in a statement. I cannot vote for an irresponsible and hyper-partisan bill that gives Trump and Musk even more power to hurt millions of Americans all while Congressional Republicans continue to push for cuts to Medicaid to pay for more tax breaks for the ultra-rich and giant corporations. Funding the government requires actually working together across party lines to find common ground, and the Republicans in power failed to do so.

Republicans control all branches of government, though with slim majorities in the House and Senate, need bipartisan support in the upper chamber.

The spending bill before the Senate is separate from the GOP effort to extend tax cuts for individuals passed in Trumps first term and to partially pay for them with spending cuts elsewhere in government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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KHARTOUM, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Thursday suspended all imports from Kenya for the latter's hosting of activities involving the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in late February.

"The import of all products from Kenya via all ports, crossings, airports, and entry points is suspended starting from this date until further notice," said a decree issued by Sudan's Acting Minister of Trade and Supplies Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali, a copy of which Xinhua obtained.

On Feb. 22, the RSF and its allied political and armed groups signed "a political charter" in Nairobi expressing intention to form a "parallel government" in Sudan.

Two days later, the Sudanese government slammed Kenya for supporting the RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since mid-April 2023, and called Kenya's hosting of the signing ceremony "a hostile act and blatant interference in Sudan's internal affairs" and a violation of all international charters and agreements.

The Kenyan Foreign Ministry defended its hosting of the RSF event, saying it was "consistent with Kenya's role in peace negotiations, which requires it to provide non-partisan platforms for conflict parties to seek resolutions."

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the SAF and RSF since mid-April 2023, claiming at least 29,683 lives by the end of 2024, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring group. 
Andy Beshear, the Democratic Kentucky governor, ripped into his California counterpart Gavin Newsom for making nice with Donald Trumps former White House advisor Steve Bannon in his new podcast.

Newsom recently invited Bannon, host of the far-right podcast War Room, for a conversation described by popular podcast host Kara Swisher as too chummy on his podcast This is Gavin Newsom.

The California governor has aimed to foster dialogue with prominent MAGA figures, including Turning Point USAs Charlie Kirk.

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But Beshear, who has been floated as a presidential contender for 2028 , said Newsom made a mistake by hosting Bannon.

I think that Governor Newsom bringing on different voices is great, we shouldnt be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone, Beshear said at a Democratic policy retreat in Virginia. But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger, and even at some points violence, and I dont think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.

In the hour-long podcast, Newsom and Bannon dived into an array of topics, including the unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The Democratic governor also probed Bannon on his rocky relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk .

In an emailed statement to Politico on Wednesday, Newsom defended his interview with Bannon, emphasizing the importance of understanding Trumps movement and analyzing how it managed to succeed in previous campaigns.

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I think we all agreed after the last election that its important for Democrats to explore new and unique ways of talking to people, Newsom said.

I am in shock at the stupidity of @GavinNewsom inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast. Many of us on the right sacrificed careers to fight Bannon, and Newsom is trying to make a career and a presidential run by building him up. Unforgivable and insane pic.twitter.com/QD25h1mxT5  Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini)  (@AdamKinzinger) March 12, 2025

Former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger also tore into the stupidity of Newsom for inviting Bannon on his podcast.

Many of us on the right sacrificed careers to fight Bannon, and Newsom is trying to make a career and a presidential run by building him up, he wrote in a social media post. Unforgivable and insane.

Newsom plans to host Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on his next podcast episode.
Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, speaks with reporters following a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

An FBI request to seize U.S. Rep. Scott Perrys cellphone in 2022 shows the Pennsylvania Republican was in contact with the Trump campaign, administration officials and others working to overturn the 2020 presidential election, including Rudy Giuliani and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

The law enforcement agency filed an application for a warrant to seize records and data associated with Perrys iPhone during special prosecutor Jack Smiths investigation of the fake electors scheme that followed President Donald Trumps 2020 loss to former President Joe Biden. Perrys office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

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In what the Justice Department described as a fraudulent scheme to change the outcome, Trump supporters and Republican officials sought to substitute alternate electoral college votes for Trump in place of those won by Biden in seven swing states, including Pennsylvania.

The heavily-redacted warrant application was released by order of U.S. District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson in Harrisburg after a 2-year court fight by PennLive.com and the York Daily Record and York Dispatch newspapers. Much of the information has already been published as part of other court filings related to the 2020 election investigation.

Since the 2020 election, county, state and federal judges and public officials of both political parties, and election experts, have concluded the vote was free and fair.

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Judge Wilson ordered the application to be released publicly on the recommendation of a federal magistrate who found the First Amendment presumption that court proceedings are public outweighed the interests of the Justice Department. The magistrate judge found the government failed to show that blocking out portions of the document would not protect its interest in secrecy.

Perry communicated with at least two people in Pennsylvania about the fake electors plan, the warrant application says. One is identified as the Pennsylvania Republican Party chairman, who was Lawrence Tabas in 2020. Tabas was selected as an alternate elector but ultimately did not serve as one because the state party conceded that Biden had won. Trump appointed Tabas to the Amtrak Board of Directors this week.

The application states Perry also had phone calls with another person who did sign a Pennsylvania elector certificate for Trump.

Rep. Scott Perry talking to reporters at the Capitol Sept. 19, 2023 (Jennifer Shutt/ States Newsroom)

And Perry pushed for the appointment of a former Justice Department environmental lawyer, Jeff Clark, as acting attorney general after then-Attorney General Bill Barr refused to go along with efforts to overturn the election results, the application states. Perry persisted in the effort despite possessing no evidence of fraud in the election and statements that the Justice Department had no evidence to support concerns of fraud.

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One official, whose name is redacted, told Perry, we havent seen fraud on the scale that changed the outcome in Pennsylvania.

Although the names of those with whom Perry communicated via phone calls, emails and messaging apps such as Signal are redacted, additional information included in the application makes it possible to identify some of the people.

Wilsons order gives the newspapers until March 26 to notify the court whether they accept the redactions and leaves open the possibility of further proceedings over the document. Attorneys for the newspapers and the Justice Department did not return calls Wednesday.

Perry has been re-elected twice since 2020, including last November, when he defeated Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson. The Republican fought Smiths efforts to access the data on his phone, which FBI agents seized and copied in August 2022.

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A court filing made public in 2023 showed Perry had exchanges with a number of Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers, each of whom signed a letter to members of Pennsylvanias congressional delegation urging them to reject electors appointed by then-Gov. Tom Wolf for Biden.

The U.S. House Jan. 6 committee that investigated the Capitol insurrection subpoenaed Perry in 2021, citing his involvement in attempts to install Clark as acting attorney general. In its final report, the J6 Committee found Perry had tried to help Trump overturn the election results.

Perry refused to testify before the committee but was the focus of a hearing in June 2022 that centered on efforts to pressure the Justice Department to support unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.

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The panel cited messages to Meadows, Trumps chief of staff, on Dec. 26, 2020, noting that there were only 11 days until Congress was to certify the results and urging him to call Clark. Perry has never explained why he believed Clark should be appointed AG, since Trump only had days left in his administration.

It also noted that a White House visitor log showed Perry brought Clark to meet with Trump on Dec. 22, 2020, the day after Republicans, including Perry, met with the former president to discuss how to overturn the election.

Perry said in a January 2021 statement that he had worked with Clark, an assistant attorney general, on legislative matters throughout the Trump administration. When President Trump asked if I would make an introduction, I obliged.
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger's junta has ordered three Chinese officials working in the oil sector to leave the country, two sources familiar with the decision told Reuters on Friday, in the latest move by regional military governments to assert greater control over resources.

The request for the departure of the Niger-based directors of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the West African Oil Pipeline Company (WAPCo) and the joint venture oil refinery SORAZ was communicated Wednesday, the sources said.

The Chinese officials were given 48 hours to leave, and one source close to the government said on Friday they were out of the country.

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The other source, who is close to the affected companies, said the directors were asked to leave because of disputes over pay for local staff and the pace of work on projects.

Separately, Niger's tourism ministry last week rescinded the license for a Chinese-operated hotel in Niamey, citing discriminatory practices.

Spokespeople for the military junta, which took power in a coup in 2023, and the West African country's oil ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

WAPCo and CNPC did not respond to requests for comment. SORAZ could not be reached for comment.

Niger last year signed a memorandum of understanding with CNPC worth $400 million linked to the sale of crude oil from its Agadem oilfield.

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The Niger junta has torn up defence agreements with the United States and former colonial power France. Authorities also took control of French nuclear fuels company Orano's Somair uranium mine.

Military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso have similarly used legal disputes to assert greater control over resources including gold.

(Reporting by Moussa Aksar and Boureima Balima; Writing by Ayen Deng Bior; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Diane Craft)
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  An attempted motor vehicle stop resulted in a New Jersey school being placed on a brief shelter-in-place Friday afternoon, according to the Haledon Police Department.

Haledon Public School was put under a shelter-in-place.

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At 1:50 p.m., officers observed two males wearing ski masks riding motorized scooters on West Broadway near Cliff Street. Officers attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, but the suspects fled onto Court Street, police said.

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The suspects discarded their scooter and several items, including a knife, cellphone, and keys, on the schools playground and fled on foot. As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff, they remained indoors.

Both suspects were later apprehended and taken into police custody, authorities said.

It remains unclear why the suspects were stopped and if they will face criminal charges.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

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James Carville scorched Donald Trump on Thursday as he lambasted the president for being the most serious crisis that America has ever faced.

The longtime Democratic strategist  in an interview with Chris Cuomo  got very serious as he tore apart Trump, who regularly touts his policies as America First and has hugged and kissed the U.S. flag on several occasions.

I am not convinced at all that Donald Trump loves the United States, said Carville, once an adviser for former President Bill Clinton.

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Carville, earlier in Cuomos podcast, sounded the alarm on Trumps second term as he warned that the entire idea of the United States is in jeopardy.

I think its fundamentally that profound a problem, he said.

And I think if the Democrats act clever and determined, understand where they stand at this moment in history, I think that it would be very successful.

His comments follow weeks of a federal budget-slashing campaign by Trumps billionaire Elon Musk and an all-out trade war spurred by the presidents tariffs, moves that have rattled Wall Street as of late.

Carville, when asked to clarify why he thinks theres never been a crisis quite like the president, swiftly laid into Trump.

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We have a president who is siding with Belarus and North Korea and Russia. Im sorry, thats a crisis, he told Cuomo.

We have a president that has appointed some of the most incompetent people you can imagine to the United States Congress.

He continued, We have a president who is starting a trade war with our three biggest trading partners, and were watching the beginnings of which could be a financial meltdown that we can hardly imagine.

Carville went on to press that Trump doesnt respect American institutions along with the limits to  and the separation of  powers in the Constitution.

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I can think of no bigger crisis that this country has been in in my lifetime. Ever, said the Democratic strategist, who contrasted Trumps moves from mistakes such as the Iraq War during President George W. Bushs administration.

You can check out more of The Chris Cuomo Project below.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury declined to return an indictment in the case of a man accused of abuse of a corpse.

According to police reports, officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of State Route 7 shortly after midnight Dec. 7 for reports of a woman who wasnt breathing.

Emergency crews pronounced the woman dead on the scene. Both Brookfield Police and the Trumbull County Coroners Office said the woman died of natural causes.

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Police arrested Francis Brennick at the scene after determining that the womans pants were tampered with and after reportedly finding photos on Brennicks phone.

Brennick is not facing charges in the case now.

Erin Yudt contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN  Lisa Lynch and Beth Logue have mourned the loss of their mother since she died in a car crash four years ago.

Moira Perna died after crashing her car into a telephone pole in South Kingstown in September 2020. The 80-year-olds vehicle was ignited by live wires and burst into flames.

Perna couldnt be saved.

While Lynch and Logue have grieved each day without their mother, the first responders who were there that day face trauma of their own.

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RELATED: Nonprofit looks to reunite trauma survivors with first responders

The women came face-to-face with those first responders at the Kingston Fire Department for the first time on Thursday.

Ive wanted to say thank you for four years now, Lynch told the first responders. Its been great to meet everybody.

It helped with our journey of grief and loss to meet these folks  who are so passionate about what they do to save lives every day, Logue added.

Craig Stanley, chief of emergency medical services in South Kingstown, responded to the deadly crash.

Its a very positive thing for first responders to meet the family because the first responders, they dont always have closure, Stanley explained. They respond to the call, they treat the patient and they may learn the outcome, but sometimes they dont.

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For them to learn the outcome and get thanks from the family, that means a lot, he continued.

If anyone knows how healing moments like this can be, its Lisa Brunetti.

Brunetti met one the first responders who saved her life months after she was hit head on by a wrong-way driver. She has since started a nonprofit called Universe Juice with the goal of connecting others with the first responders who treated them on their worst days.

First responders can see some horrible things, and if we can shine a light by bringing them together with people they have saved or family members who are appreciative of what theyve done, despite what the outcome may have been, thats what its all about, Brunetti said.

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Pernas daughters are paying it forward, too. The driver who was behind their mother when she crashed her car told them he wished hed had a fire extinguisher in his vehicle at the time so he couldve saved her.

That inspired the sisters to launch Moiras Mission, which has donated more than 160 fire extinguishers to the South Kingstown Fire Department to eventually be handed out free of charge.

I think she would just be so thrilled and delighted that weve taken something so tragic, and now, with the hopes of raising awareness, maybe someones life can be saved, Lynch said.

The fire extinguishers can be picked up starting March 17 at the Union Fire District office on Asa Pond Road. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP)  Theres a now a website where citizens can let the state know about needed repairs for roads and bridges impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Helene caused significant damage to over 8,000 private roads and bridges that often serve as the only access route for many ambulances, fire trucks, mail delivery vehicles, school buses, and for people to get to school, work, and run errands, said Governor Josh Stein. If left unrepaired, these critical private roads and bridges pose a substantial risk to public safety, including preventing repairs to peoples homes. If you need bridge or road repair, I encourage you to apply through this portal.

Stein issued Executive Order #2 on Jan. 2, directing North Carolina Emergency Management to assist with the repair of private roads and bridges.

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NCEM is working to contract services from vendors to facilitate these repairs.

There is a webpage and interest form to allow property owners to express their interest in the program.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  Before answering an attendee's question about President Donald Trump's destructive and disastrous trade war, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his Thursday town hall in Asheville, North Carolina.

Let me answer and then if you don't like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you'd like to do, Edwards said, visibly exhausted.

As he expanded on Trump's use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, it took less than a minute for the crowd to break out in outrage. He continued to plow ahead in his response and eventually punctuated it by telling attendees he would stop there and you can yell. The crowd gladly took him up on the offer.

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For about an hour and half, Edwards endured a constant barrage of jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies. About 300 people crammed inside a college auditorium for the town hall, while the boos from more than a thousand people outside the building rumbled throughout the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls, saying demonstrations outside of them were the work of professional protesters. Edwards addressed the Republican leader's advice, saying he didn't want to shy away from conversations with the people of western North Carolina  even if they disagreed.

But less than 30 minutes into the town hall, Edwards started to change his tune as a majority of attendees interrupted him with vitriolic disruptions. Asheville is a deep-blue dot amid a sea of red in North Carolina's mountains. North Carolina went for Trump in the 2024 election.

And you wonder why folks don't want to do these town halls, Edwards said over shouting.

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Edwards kicked off his town hall discussing western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene. Asheville is still rebuilding after the devastating storm, which killed more than 100 people in North Carolina and caused a record-shattering amount of damage  about $59.6 billion in damages and record needs, according to the state.

But as Edwards touted the work he said the Trump administration has been doing for the region's recovery  which could include the president's proposal to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency  attendees shouted him down and demanded he address questions immediately. One person was escorted out of the venue after hurling expletives at the congressman.

Listen to us now! several people screamed from various parts of the room.

Edwards fielded scathing questions on a variety of topics, ranging from sweeping cuts to various government agencies at the hand of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to the future of health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Questions on slashing jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia received standing ovations from most in the crowd.

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The representative mostly stayed in line in supporting the Trump administration's policies, reiterating that part of his job was seeing what decisions his constituents disagreed with so the federal government could go back and look at what it could improve on.

Edwards kept good humor throughout the raucous town hall, telling attendees at the end that he enjoyed hearing the crowd's passion and patriotism. In a news conference afterward, Edwards said Trump and Musk were over the target in what they set out to accomplish.

I take away from what I heard today that we're doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington D.C. to do, Edwards said, as several protesters pounded on the doors nearby.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A 53-year-old North Carolina man died in Thursday afternoons shooting near Longs, according to the Horry County Coroners Office.

Don Johnson of Fair Bluff, North Carolina, died at a local hospital after the shooting, which also injured another person. It happened at about 2:15 p.m. on Freemont Road, and Horry County authorities initially said one person was critically injured.

DaShauan Kamarion Knox, 20, of Longs, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is being held without bond at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Knox allegedly shot Johnson multiple times in the stomach after an argument, killing him, arrest warrants show. He is also accused of shooting another person in the arm.

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Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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JERUSALEM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces shot and killed two individuals attempting to cross the Jordanian border into Israel overnight, Israel's Kan TV News reported on Friday.

The incident occurred near the Israeli city of Beit Shean, north of the occupied West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the individuals were detected crossing the border, prompting the deployment of alert squads.

The individuals approached the soldiers "in a threatening manner," the IDF said in a statement, leading forces to open fire. Two were killed and six were arrested.

Israeli media quoted military sources reporting that the eight individuals appeared to be "migrants looking for work."

Separately, the IDF reported the arrest of over 100 individuals in the West Bank in the past week as part of a "counterterrorism operation," adding that weapons were confiscated and multiple suspects interrogated.

The IDF statement referenced a Tuesday incident in which three Palestinians were killed during an operation in the West Bank, saying they were killed in an exchange of fire after barricading themselves in a structure.

Israeli forces have conducted extensive operations in the northern West Bank, including Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, and adjacent refugee camps for around 50 days.

Violence in the West Bank has escalated since October 7, 2023. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that more than 900 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire or shelling in the territory during this period.

Israel's expanded military operations in the West Bank have prompted U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to express alarm last month at rising Israeli settler violence and calls for annexation. 
A man who identified himself as a veteran heckled a Republican congressman on Thursday as yet another GOP town hall event descended into chaos.

The action erupted as Representative Chuck Edwards held a town hall in Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday evening. The lawmaker was speaking to constituents about voting yes on the House budget resolution when the crowd started booing.

And you wonder why folks dont want to do town halls anymore? Edwards quipped.

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In response, a man in the crowd stood up, identified himself as a veteran and began shouting at the lawmaker.

Representative Chuck Edwards hosted a less-than-pleasant town hall for him Thursday in Asheville, North Carolina (C-SPAN)

You have nothing to say but lies, the man yelled, as his fellow audience members laughed and cheered. Youre lying. Im a veteran, you dont give a f*** about me.

You dont get to take away our rights, the man continued as security guards approached him.

Four officers surrounded the man, leading him from his seat as he continued his profanity-laden rant.

F*** you, he yelled as the officers walked him out. He continued to shout while walking out of the auditorium, accompanied by continued cheer and applause.

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You dont get to do this, he said as he left the room.

Officers lead out an angry constituent shouting at Representative Chuck Edwards's town hall Thursday (C-SPAN)

Edwards called the incident unfortunate in a statement to The Independent.

After multiple attempts by security to urge the individual to control his outbursts, which contained obscenities, the individual was removed from the event, the lawmaker said. I welcome and appreciate a vigorous and healthy debate with any and all constituents. A person shouting expletives in a public setting does not fit that bill, and it was unfortunate that one individual chose to use foul language and aggression to bring attention to himself and disrupt what was otherwise a peaceful assembly.

The ugly confrontation comes after the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee advised GOP lawmakers to avoid town halls after raucous encounters over federal job cuts went viral earlier this year.

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Chairman Richard Hudson, a GOP lawmaker from North Carolina, warned that "in-person town halls are no longer effective because Democrat activists are threatening democracy by disrupting the actual communication at town halls."

He offered no evidence that the town halls were populated by Democratic activists.

One of the problematic town hall events was hosted last month by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, NBC News recounted.

When Marshall told constituents that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees were fully vetted, the crowd erupted in boos. Then, when a constituent asked about job cuts impacting veterans, Marshall simply walked out of the town hall. Audience members booed again and complained he didnt stay for the full hour.

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Similarly, Republican Mark Alford drew angry shouts of opposition from a dozens-strong crowd as he tried to defend sweeping government cutbacks while speaking to his constituents in Missouri last month.

GOP Representative Rich McCormick found himself in a similar situation in Georgia, as his constituents confronted him over DOGEs chainsaw approach to slashing federal spending.
A teenager from North Carolina says her pride in her Native American culture helped inspire the research that was just recognized for a national science prize.

WTVD reports Ava Grace Cummings of Johnston County won a six-figure prize after placing 2nd in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Cummings won the prize for her research on Native American myopathy, also known as the muscle disorder stac3. WTVD spoke with the teen, and she said it was a subject that was close to her.

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Just bringing more resources and more advocacy and more awareness to medicine within these areas. I was able to contribute to that by looking at this disease thats specific to my tribe and also using our traditional practices and finding a solution, Cummings told WTVD.

CHECK IT OUT >> Charlotte high school student wins scholarship for designing homes meant to weather rising seas

According to WTVD, Cummings tested adult flies and larvae for her research. She combined an experimental amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug called Tirasemtiv with a nettle herb and found that the pair improved movement.

She told WTVD shes a member of the Lumbee and Coharie tribes.

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One of the approaches I used in my project was bridging western medicine and also traditional indigenous practices, she told WTVD.

Cummings says she was accepted into Yale University and hopes to major in bio-medical engineering. WTVD reports the $175,000 she won from the talent search will go towards her college tuition.

(VIDEO: How local students got to visit Jimmy Carter at the White House in the 1970s)
A North College Hill police officer resigned last last month after he was set to be terminated in light of allegations of theft and fraud, records from the Ohio Attorney General's Office show.

Lt. Frank Petrocelli retired on Feb. 28 in lieu of termination after a yearlong investigation that started March 25, North College Hill officials confirmed to The Enquirer.

City officials added Petrocelli has not yet signed his paperwork, but they will provide comment once he does. They said they will also disclose the details of his separation, including the number of accrued and unused vacation and sick hours he will receive compensation for.

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The police department has been in flux, with Police Chief Ryan Schrand being placed on paid leave shortly before Petrocelli was.

Officials have had little to say despite repeated requests for comment. The Enquirer sued the Cincinnati suburb in November seeking answers about Petrocelli, Schrand and other issues.

Petrocelli was the longest-serving officer on North College Hill's police force when he was placed on leave. The 60-year-old faced allegations of "creating a hostile work environment" and "unsatisfactory work performance," according to records from North College Hill.

His leave also followed accusations from city officials that he mishandled the drowning of an infant and that he was illegally working two jobs at once.

Petrocelli investigated for theft

The document from the attorney general's office explains the separation between Petrocelli and North College Hill as "possible theft in office with details and being on shift simultaneously." The Ohio Auditor of State's office is investigating, it adds.

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No charges have been filed.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office did not return The Enquirer's request for comment.

The investigation followed a tip from North College Hill City Councilwoman Mary Jo Zorb. In August 2023, Zorb emailed the state auditor's office, which was preparing for an audit of the city.

Zorb says in her email Petrocelli may be claiming to work at the police department while also working a part-time job during the same hours. She also says in her email she believes the police chief, Schrand, will cover for him.

10-month-old drowns

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office investigated Petrocelli after his colleagues accused him of mishandling the death of a baby on March 5, 2024.

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Petrocelli was on duty that day when he responded to a drowning call on Joseph Court. He arrived to find a 10-month-old child not breathing, according to a report from the sheriff's office professional standards division.

Petrocelli told investigators he heard the mother say she had left the child in the bathtub unattended. However, Petrocelli "makes no attempt to gather information about the patient or the parents' information," the record reads.

He decided he had sufficient evidence for a child endangerment case on the mother because he had what she said on his body camera footage, according to the report. Investigators asked Petrocelli if he had checked the condition of the baby and confirmed whether he was wet to corroborate the mother's statement. Petrocelli said "no."

Later that night, the hospital informed officers the baby had died. Petrocelli was advised to immediately secure the residence in case it was a crime scene and until a detective could get a search warrant. Petrocelli left the crime scene unattended to go back to the station to get his cellphone, the report reads.

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According to the autopsy report, the infant's death was a homicide from being left unattended in the bathtub.

North College Hill police said Thursday the investigation into the drowning is finished and the mother of the 10-month-old will not face charges.

Shortly after the drowning, North College Hill Police Lt. Craig Chaney wrote a letter to Schrand about Petrocelli's conduct. "I don't believe the actions taken at the original time of the call or after we were notified of the child's death represent us as an agency," he said.

The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office found Petrocelli guilty of neglect of duty, among other issues.

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City officials told The Enquirer there was "malfeasance," but the misconduct was not significant enough from a legal standpoint for Petrocelli to be fired because of it.

Police chief remains on paid administrative leave

Schrand remains on paid administrative leave after roughly a year. North College Hill Mayor Tracie Nichols placed Schrand on leave on March 19 after she received a report against Schrand that alleges he created a hostile work environment. Chaney was named interim police chief shortly after.

A third-party human resources consulting company is investigating the complaints, according to city records. The city has not disclosed the name of this company or how much they are paying the company.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: North College Hill police lieutenant leaves force amid investigation
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  A north country CEO is now leading the charge for the areas American Heart Walk.

North Star Health Alliance CEO Rich Duvall will lead the charge as the 2025 American Heart Association Heart Walk chairman. Under Duvalls leadership, top executives throughout the area have united to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds and awareness to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.

CNY doctor warns of heart attack signs in women

I have a deeply personal connection to the mission of the American Heart Association. Both my mother and my wife died unexpectedly from cardiac issues. Im looking forward to bringing people together for a powerful cause, driving awareness and leading the change with a commitment to heart health and saving lives. Rich Duvall, North Star Health Alliance CEO

The association has been saving lives for 100 years and has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival. Duvall and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in the area are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

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The walk helps drive corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Northern New York. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the AHAs Nation of Lifesavers initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on April 12 at Jefferson Community College. Hundreds of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. Companies interested in participating can contact Stacy Spaziani at Stacy.Spaziani@heart.org. For more information about the Heart Walk, visit www.NorthCountryHeartWalk.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
Oil well pump jacks operate near Killdeer, North Dakota on Feb. 1, 2024. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Nearly half of North Dakota oil wells now qualify for a tax exemption as low-producing wells, contributing to a reduction in tax revenue projections for the upcoming budget cycle.

But even if technology advancements lead to higher oil production, those wells would continue to qualify for the tax exemption under current state policy.

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Lawmakers on Thursday discussed the state revenue forecast, which is largely driven by oil tax revenue.

Oil producers pay a 5% oil extraction tax and a 5% gross production tax. Low-producing wells, referred to as stripper wells, arent subject to the 5% oil extraction tax. A well in the Bakken or Three Forks formations can qualify as a stripper well after 12 consecutive months of producing no more than 35 barrels per day.

The tax department has seen a significant increase in the number of wells qualifying for that tax exemption, Joe Morrissette, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told a joint session of the House and Senate appropriations committees. An estimated 48% of wells are no longer required to pay the 5% oil extraction tax, Morrissette said.

That means the state is collecting the equivalent of a 4.3% oil extraction tax, Morrissette said.

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Projections for the 2025-27 budget cycle reduce that to 4%.

Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pointed out the growth in exemptions means a 20% drop in oil tax revenue for the state. He added that lawmakers had been expecting a reduction in oil tax collections. Bakken and Three Forks wells produce the most oil when they are newly completed and the oil production declines over time.

It just seems like its happening faster than most of us expected, and probably to a higher degree than we expected, said Bekkedahl, R-Williston.

The drop in oil production is why the industry is pushing to use enhanced oil recovery to squeeze more oil out of existing wells. The state has supported tax incentives and research dollars for using carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery.

Some lawmakers questioned whether wells classified as stripper wells would be subject to the oil extraction tax if their production increases. Morrissette said once a well qualifies for the exemption, it continues to qualify even if there is enhanced oil recovery.

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What are we getting for our investment, if its always going to stay with no extraction? asked Sen. Ron Sorvaag, R-Fargo.

Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby, said the state should consider policies to prevent wells from getting to the stripper well designation.

Thats a pretty good deal, but not a very good policy from a statewide standpoint in my opinion, Nelson said.

A study released in January projected that enhanced oil recovery could bring an additional $2.9 billion to $9 billion in revenue for North Dakota, primarily in oil taxes.

The state has about 10,500 active wells considered to be stripper wells, with about 8,500 of those in the Bakken and Three Forks formations, according to the Department of Mineral Resources.

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The tax exemption is meant to encourage the continued operation of wells that might otherwise be unprofitable, said Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson.

The stripper well tax exemption does not apply to the 5% gross production tax, which is imposed in lieu of property taxes.

This legislative session, lawmakers are considering House Bill 1483, which would expand a tax break to new wells drilled outside of the Bakken and Three Forks formations. The bill passed the House and a Senate committee this week discussed an amendment that would increase the impact of the tax break.

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The North Dakota Senate on Thursday rejected a resolution that would have asked the Supreme Court to revisit its landmark 2015 ruling on marriage equality.

Senators voted 31-16 against the resolution, introduced in January by Republican state Rep. Bill Tveit. It would have called on the Supreme Court to overturn its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and leave unaddressed the natural definition of marriage as a union between one man, a biological male, and one woman, a biological female.

Its past time for the good citizens to speak their displeasure with this Supreme Court decision, and call for restoration of the definition of marriage as only of the legal union between a man and woman, Tveit said while testifying in favor of the resolution in February.

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If same-sex couples desire a collaborative union of a sort, or a legal bonding, they must call it anything but marriage, he said.

North Dakota state Rep. Austin Foss, a Democrat and one of three openly gay men in the state Legislature, said he never thought he and his husband, whom he married last year, would have to fight to be recognized as a married couple under the law.

This hurts, Foss said in February. I dont come into your church, into your home, and force you to relabel your relationship just because I dont agree with it.

The North Dakota House passed the measure Feb. 24 on a 52-40 vote, with 29 Republicans voting with all Democrats to reject it. State senators voted on the measure Thursday after just 10 minutes of debate.

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In a statement following Thursdays vote, Cody Schuler, advocacy manager for the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota, said rejecting the resolution was the right thing to do.

Were disappointed, however, that because of the blind vote, North Dakotans will not be able to see how their senators voted, he said. Advocating for the reversal of Obergefell v. Hodges disregards the progress made toward inclusivity and equal rights and undermines the pluralistic and inclusive fabric of our society, and our elected leaders need to be accountable to their constituents with their votes.

North Dakota has many real, complex problems that the legislature should be addressing. Our legislators shouldnt be wasting time on toothless virtue-signaling, Schuler said.

GOP lawmakers in at least four states this year have introduced resolutions that, if passed, would ask the Supreme Court to overturn its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) publicly rebuked a similar effort by state House Republicans to request the court reverse the landmark ruling.

Nationwide, support for marriage equality remains high, though it dipped slightly last year driven in large part by opposition from Republicans, according to Gallup. A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that Americans in states where same-sex marriage would remain legal if Obergefell v. Hodges were overturned are more likely to support marriage equality than those in states where it would become illegal.

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UPDATE: The city says the property was referred to Shelby County Environmental Court under the Neighborhood Preservation Act.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Residents in North Memphis are calling for the demolition of a vacant church at the corner of Dunlap and Faxon they say is a danger to the neighborhood.

Neighbors said the church building in the 500 block of Dunlap Street has been vacant for well over a decade and, in more recent years, has fallen into a state of disrepair.

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Joseph Griffin said the property is not only an eyesore at the end of the street but also a safety hazard.

500 block of Dunlap Street in North Memphis. WREG photo

My solution to this problem is demolish it. Get rid of it. Sooner or later, something bad will happen in this building, and then uh oh. Too late. Should of had it demolished a long time ago, said Griffin.

Griffin said a tree heavily damaged the front of the year about five years ago, making the structure unstable. It appears someone has tried to board up the entrance, but there are still openings that give anyone access to the building.

500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo Dunlap & Faxon in North Memphis. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo Dunlap & Faxon in North Memphis. WREG photo Dunlap & Faxon in North Memphis. WREG photo Dunlap & Faxon in North Memphis. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo Dunlap & Faxon in North Memphis. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo 500 block of Dunlap Street. WREG photo

Chester Mitchell lives next door to the church and says children have been going inside. Mitchell said every time someone breaks into the building, he and others from the neighborhood have to try and secure the structure to prevent it from happening again.

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Put the door back up. Put something on to keep kids from running in and out of it, said Mitchell. I thought the city would have come in torn it down.

WREG contacted the City of Memphis and was told code enforcement would be looking into the matter,

According to the Shelby County Assessor, the property on Dunlap is owned by Gods Amazing Grace MBC and is worth about $4,500.

Griffin believes that building materials falling off the church are also a health hazard. He and others are afraid the structure might collapse.

Its very ugly. I mean, something needs to be done about it, said Griffin.

Griffin said he speaks for the entire neighborhood. He said he hopes the city can get in contact with the owners of the building or take action to get rid of the building before someone gets hurt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass (WWLP)  City Council members in Northampton voted to censure one of their own following egregious conduct last month.

Its unfortunate that the body has to take action against one of its own members, said Northampton Ward 1 City Councilor Stanley Moulton.

The Northampton City Council held a vote for the censure of Ward 3 City Councilor Quaverly Rothenberg after a February 18th phone call with public safety dispatchers in regards to icy conditions in her ward.

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A child who had slipped and sustained a traumatic brain injury to a parent who had sprained their wrist to constituents who were really worried about a slippery road, Rothenberg described the conditions her residents were calling and telling her.

But Rothenbergs actions, quickly became egregious according to City Councilor Moulton.

(from Rothenbergs phone call with public safety dispatchers)

Rothenberg: What protocol do you think makes it not possible for you to share the emergency number with me?

Dispatcher: Thats just per protocol

Rothenberg: The City Council out ranks the Mayor

Full obligation to provide services to the public lies with the Council if the Mayor has only directed dispatch to give out sand, said Rothenberg, and we need something else I am the one who is responsible to make sure that my constituents are safe.

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But the Council called a special meeting for Rothenbergs actions.

Moulton said Rothenbergs call violated the city charter, showed a lack of understanding of the city charter, and in particular [her actions] were troubling because she falsely reported that the director of the department of public works in Northampton had resigned suddenly.

(from Rothenbergs phone call with public safety dispatchers)

Dispatcher: Donna is in charge of the DPW. You could possibly try to get in contact with her.

Rothenberg: I have heard that Donna put in her resignation today

Although Rothenberg couldnt say where she heard that.

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Im very surprised that that left that dispatch call. I think we all expect that when we call dispatch during an emergency and we reveal sensitive information, that doesnt travel into our community

When asked if she was then shocked the entire 17 minute call was released, Rothenberg said, Im not shocked that the call was released. Im glad it was released.

The council said councilor Rothenberg recused herself from Wednesdays meeting, but she told 22News, she was left with no choice but to recuse herself.

The council said Rothenberg was attempting to use her status as a councilor to secure unwarranted privileges.

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Rothenberg told 22News it is a crime to use your status for unwarranted privileges and therefore it carries a $10,000 fine so by putting that in the resolution, that meant that I had a financial conflict of interest in that meeting.

But she told 22News, she was doing her job to keep the people of Northampton safe.

City Councilor Moulton told 22News there are no next steps after this censure, it is a way for the council to show that they disapprove of Councilor Rothenbergs behavior, but it has no impact to her status at a city councilor or any of the boards she is a part of.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  Drug overdoses claimed 270 lives in Northeast Tennessee in 2023, a 2.3% increase from the year before despite the first statewide decrease in years, new Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) data show.

The increase of six from 264 in 2022 was entirely due to Sullivan and Greene counties, where overdose deaths rose by 16 and 9, respectively. Deaths decreased in Carter, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.

Overall, 3,616 people died of overdoses across Tennessee in 2023 (TDH data lags by more than a year), down 5.5% from 2022s total of 3,826. The decline was the first year-to-year drop since Tennessee began monitoring overdose data in 2013, according to the TDH Drug Overdose Report.

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Alice McCaffrey, director of the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition (SCAD), said many of the factors that have sent overdoses and overdose deaths skyrocketing in recent years remain in place.

Barriers to treatment remain too high, McCaffrey said, noting that quite a few people who die of overdoses have had nonfatal overdoses in the past. Stigma prevented many from receiving the support they needed to recover.

Drug overdose deaths increased in Sullivan and Greene counties in 2023, but declined in Northeast Tennessees other counties. (Photo: WJHL)

The new figures show East Tennessee with the highest overdose death rate (deaths per 100,000 population) of any of the states three grand divisions, more than 40% higher than either Middle or West Tennessee.

The highest age-adjusted rate of all was in Knox County, with the next highest rates in a cluster of counties around Knox. Northeast Tennessee counties also had higher rates than much of the state, with Sullivan County  which had 93 deaths, up from 77 in 2022  posting the regions highest age-adjusted rate.

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The highest overdose rates in the region (non-age adjusted) were in Greene County (67 per 100,000), followed by Carter and Sullivan both at 59 per 100,000. The state rate, not age-adjusted, was 52. (News Channel 11s figures are based on the 2020 census.)

Fentanyl was a factor in 159 of the Northeast Tennessee deaths, or 59%, compared to it being present in 75% of the deaths statewide. Stimulants, on the other hand, were present in a higher percentage of Northeast Tennessee deaths (67%) than the state overall (61%).

Fentanyl was still the primary driver of Sullivans overdose deaths in 2023, SCADs McCaffrey said. Stronger counterfeit pills and illicit drugs were available, often distributed as a stimulant, putting people who didnt realize what they were taking at risk.

Many overdose deaths reveal multiple drugs present, causing individual drug classes to add up to a higher number than the overall total.

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McCaffrey said naloxone, which reverses overdose symptoms and has saved countless lives, is more widely available than ever.

Anyone who loves someone with a substance use disorder needs to have it available and know how to use it, she said.

National statistics from the Centers for Disease Control also show a slight decrease in overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, down 2.7% to just over 105,000. With the exception of a decrease in 2018, deaths had increased every year since 2003.

Total 2023 overdose deaths by county, with the 2022 total in parentheses, were:

Sullivan  93 (up from 77)

Washington  65 (down from 68)

Greene  47 (up from 38)

Carter  33 (down from 34)

Hawkins  17 (down from 25)

Johnson  9 (down from 14)

Unicoi  6 (down from 8)

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Non age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 population were:

Greene: 67

Sullivan: 59

Carter: 59

Northeast TN: 53

Johnson: 50

Washington: 49

Unicoi: 34

Hawkins: 30

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Norways Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth met with European Union officials as the Nordic country seeks an exemption to any broad protective tariff the bloc could levy as a response to a US initiated trade war.

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There is a lot of uncertainty, but the EU knows our position very well, Myrseth said by phone on Friday. She met EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic a day earlier to argue on behalf of Norway, but secured no concrete promises of exemption, she said.

On Friday, Norway agreed to implement 79 EU directives at a meeting with its European Economic Agreement partners  the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The Nordic country is speeding up the approval of EU laws to improve its negotiating position and avert a scenario in which it has to pay tariffs to sell goods in the EU, its main trading partner.

This is very important and something that the EU Commission really cares about, Myrseth said.

The risk is that the EU enacts so-called safeguard measures, which the World Trade Organization rules say must treat all countries equally, according to the Foreign Ministry. But the government in Oslo hopes a written exemption from the EU will override the WTO rules. That was the case in 2018, when Norway was excluded from levies set by the EU on steel imports.

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Norways Labor government has made EU integration a priority ahead of a September general election that the ruling party is well positioned to win, according to latest polls. Theres still a backlog of about 520 EU directives waiting, some of them dating years back. With the new laws incorporated, Norways backlog was reduced by about 40 directives, the Foreign Ministry told Bloomberg.

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MOSCOW, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, but nuances exist, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

"We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be one that would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis," Putin said at a press conference with visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin noted the difficulty in monitoring ceasefire violations along the 2,000 km contact line of the conflict and raised the issue that Ukraine might use the temporary ceasefire for mobilization and weapons supplies.

He mentioned the nuance regarding the Kursk region, where Russian forces have been pushing back Ukrainian forces following their surprise cross-border attack in August 2024.

"As for the situation on the ground..., it is changing rapidly," Putin said, noting Russian forces' recapture of the key town of Sudzha in Kursk on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the day that the Russian operation in Kursk had entered its final stage.

Putin said he might call Trump to discuss the issues.

Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict and reach acceptable agreements based on the situation "on the ground," the president said.

Ukraine on Tuesday signaled its readiness to accept a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, according to their joint statement.

The statement also said the truce could be extended by mutual agreement, adding that "the United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace." 
A 52-year-old Norwich man who served more than three decades in prison for fatally shooting three teenagers with a shotgun in Hartford in 1989 was charged Friday with a slew of new charges, including home invasion, kidnapping and assault.

At 5:30 a.m., Ronnie Hinton, of 96 Roath St., was served with arrest warrants by Norwich police, a state police task force and U.S. Marshals related to incidents on Oct. 19, 2024 and Feb. 24. He was charged with home invasion, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, second-degree kidnapping and sale of narcotics in the October case.

Hilton was additionally charged with first-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct related to the February incident.

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At the time of his new arrests, Hinton was on parole after being released from prison in 2023 after serving 33 years. A jury convicted Hinton on three counts of murder in the shotgun deaths of the three teens. He was initially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but was resentenced after a state Supreme Court ruling struck down mandatory sentences of life without the possibility of release for juveniles.

Hinton was 17 when he killed the victims in what police at the time described as a gang-related ambush attack.

Hinton was later charged with attacking two fellow inmates with a shank fashioned from a toothbrush while incarcerated at the Corrigan-Radowski Correctional Center in June 2011. That case was dismissed after prosecutors declined to try the case.

Hinton was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Norwich Superior Court.

j.penney@theday.com
Evalina Sain, an Omaha Central High School student and executive director of Students for Sustainability in Nebraska, speaks at a rally of mostly young people calling for adoption of a Green Amendment in the state. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

Pure water. Clean air. Healthy soil. A livable environment.

These things should be guaranteed as integral to the well-being of our beautiful state, as a well-functioning government or the Earth spinning on its axis.

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Yet for decades, the workings of fossil fuels and carbon emissions have made things like a clean environment precarious. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to the point at which, in 2024 alone, extreme weather cost Nebraska $2 billion in damages. Climate change is costing Nebraska business.

Its costing us health. Its even costing us lives. And its making countless Nebraskans wonder: What will happen when the droughts keep killing our crops? When the heat waves keep forcing us indoors? When the summer storms keep destroying our homes?

Change needed

Thats why we and others want the Nebraska Legislature to consider Legislative Resolution 22CA, also known as the Green Amendment. LR 22CA, introduced by State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, states that all people have a right to a clean and healthy environment and that the state, and each subdivision thereof, shall serve as trustee of the natural resources of Nebraska.

The Green Amendment would promote policies to

stabilize our climate  stability that Nebraska desperately needs. While Nebraska does have some provisions related to the environment in its constitution, there is no outright affirmation of what we all know to be true: that every Nebraskan deserves access to a safe, healthy environment. The Green Amendment would change that.

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Additionally, the Green Amendment would unlock actions to protect Nebraskas life-giving natural resources. Three states, New York, Pennsylvania and Montana, have versions of a Green Amendment, and in Montana, a group of young people used this once-symbolic amendment to push for real climate action in their state.

Montana shows way

In Held v. State of Montana, 16 young plaintiffs sued the Montana state government over its inaction on climate change, stating that not acting on such a crisis restricted access to a clean environment and was therefore unconstitutional. They won.

This example from Montana shows what a driving force a Green Amendment can be  legally, politically and socially. Just like in Montana, a Green Amendment in Nebraska would allow young Nebraskans to start uniting around climate action.

It would allow us to use the court system to hold corporations and the government accountable for climate action. It would empower Nebraskans of all ages to work with our communities and local governments toward a sustainable future.

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In fact, were already starting. The youth environmental group Omaha Students for Sustainability organized a rally on Feb. 26th, along with organizations like the Nebraska Sierra Club, to show our support for LR 22CA. Dozens of proponents testified at the hearing before the Natural Resources Committee that day, and their testimonies made it clear that the Green Amendment would not only promote climate action, but also would demonstrate how much the government cares about the futures of young Nebraskans.

Brain drain fight

Forward-thinking legislation is more crucial now than ever, especially with Nebraskas oft-discussed brain drain. The University of Nebraska at Omaha reported that in 2022, roughly 31,600 people 25 years of age and older migrated out of Nebraska. Young people are consistently leaving our state for reasons ranging from a lack of economic opportunity to political discontent.

A Green Amendment would be a major step toward stopping this brain drain. Cementing the legal right to a clean environment would show young Nebraskans that their elected officials, no matter their party, prioritize the future of our state and the people living in it.

I dont think anyone disagrees that all Nebraskans deserve a clean and healthy environment. They may disagree on how to achieve that goal. Not everyone, understandably, thinks it should be up to the government to create a perfect world.

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But were not asking for a perfect world. Were asking for a livable one, and I think the government has a responsibility to provide at least that.

Victoria Bogatz is a student journalist and climate activist who currently attends Bellevue East High School.

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The ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States on Tuesday and accepted by Ukraine is part of a plan, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to end this conflict in a way thats enduring and sustainable.

Its a promise fraught with risk for Ukraine. The last time it signed a peace accord with Russia, 10 years ago this February, it brought only sporadic violence, mounting distrust, and eventually full-scale war.

I told President Trump about this, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview last month with CNN affiliate CNN Turk. If you can get Putin to end the war, thats great. But know that he can cheat. He deceived me like that. After the Minsk ceasefire.

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The Minsk accords  the first signed in September 2014 and, when that broke down, a second known as Minsk II just five months later  were designed to end a bloody conflict between Kyivs forces and Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, in Ukraines eastern Donbas region. Russias Vladimir Putin and Ukraines then-leader Petro Poroshenko were signatories, along with the OSCE.

The accords were never fully implemented and violence flared up periodically in the seven years that followed.

Now, as Ukraine and its allies attempt to forge another path to peace, experts warn the failures of Minsk serve as a cautionary tale for todays peacemakers, and that the risks of history repeating are clear. Heres what weve learned:

1. Strengthening Ukraine militarily is critical

In 2015, Western military aid to Ukraine was minimal, and mostly limited to non-lethal supplies, though the Obama administration did supply defensive military equipment. The crisis cannot be resolved by military means, said then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a speech at the 2015 Munich Security Conference, which coincided with the talks on Minsk II. Her assessment of those diplomatic efforts was blunt: Its unclear whether theyll succeed.

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It didnt help that both Minsk accords were signed right after, or during, major military defeats for Ukraine.

The first agreement followed whats believed to be the deadliest episode of the conflict in the Donbas, at Ilovaisk. In late August 2014, hundreds of Ukrainian troops were killed as they tried to flee the town to avoid encirclement.

Six months later, Minsk II was signed while fierce fighting raged for another Donetsk town, Debaltseve. That battle continued for several days beyond the initial ceasefire deadline.

Marie Dumoulin, a diplomat at the French Embassy in Berlin at the time, says those defeats put both Ukraine and its allies firmly on the back foot in the talks.

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Basically the main goal, both for France and Germany, but also for the Ukrainians, was to end the fighting, she told CNN. But, she added, Russia through its proxies, but also directly, was in a much stronger position on the battlefield, and so could increase the intensity of fighting to put additional pressure on the negotiations.

From a military perspective, Ukraines Western-backed, almost million-strong army of today is almost unrecognizable from the underfunded and under-equipped force that took on the Russian-backed separatists in 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump had a very public falling-out in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, in Washington. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

And yet, as Ukraine accepts a temporary ceasefire proposal, it faces a double challenge.

Firstly, Russia, has been inching forward in recent months on the eastern front (albeit at a huge cost to personnel and equipment), and inflicting almost daily aerial attacks on Ukraines cities. And secondly, the US, Ukraines biggest backer, has now withheld crucial military aid, in response to a public falling-out between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The aid is now restored, but the episode has left Ukraine on shaky ground.

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That makes Ukraines situation now very precarious, said Sabine Fischer, senior fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Ukraine from the Trump administrations perspective has become an obstacle to this normalization that they want for their relationship with Russia.

2. No quick deal

Experts agree the Minsk accords were put together hastily as violence escalated. Johannes Regenbrecht, a former German civil servant who was involved in the negotiations, pointed out in a recent paper that Ukraines allies had reached the point in February 2015 where they worried that allowing Russia to continue unchecked would have resulted in the de facto secession of eastern Ukraine under Moscows control.

With hindsight, experts say, the resulting document left too much ambiguity when it came to implementing the deal. The thorniest issue was how to link the military provisions (a ceasefire and withdrawal of weapons), with the political ones (local elections, and a special regime in the separatist-controlled areas).

Ukraine was saying, we need security first and then we can implement the political provisions. Russia was saying, once political provisions are implemented, separatists will be satisfied and will stop fighting, said Dumoulin, now director of the Wider Europe program at the European Council on Foreign Relations. That initial disagreement was an early sign of what Dumoulin and other experts see as Moscows ultimate intention to use the political provisions of Minsk to gain greater control over Ukraine.

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Fischer argues that Trumps desire to end the war quickly suggests the US may not only be at risk of reaching a flawed deal in haste, but may actually be willing to settle for something that doesnt offer long-term solutions. Comprehensive ceasefire agreements are not negotiated quickly theyre very complicated, many intricacies And I dont think that this is what the Trump administration is aiming for, she told CNN.

(L-R) French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meet in Berlin, in April 2015, to examine the implementation of the Minsk accords. - Clemens Bilan/AFP/Getty Images

3. Beware the false narratives

In the end, the biggest issue with the Minsk accords, especially Minsk II, wasnt what was in the text, but what wasnt. Theres not one mention of Russia in the entire text, despite clear evidence that Russia was both arming the separatists, and sending reinforcements from the Russian army.

Everyone knew that Russia was involved, but for the sake of the negotiations, this was not recognized, said Dumoulin. The agreements were based on the fiction that the war was between separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk and Kyiv, and that it was ultimately a domestic conflict.

There is no direct parallel today but there is, experts say, a risk Moscow is now using the false narrative that Zelensky is illegitimate because he failed to hold elections  Ukrainian law clearly states elections cannot be held during martial law  to rebrand the war as something that should be solved internally in Ukraine, and ultimately bring about regime change.

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And even more concerning for Ukraine is that the US has taken a similar line, with Trump last month labeling Zelensky a dictator without elections, although he subsequently appeared to distance himself from that statement.

The failure of the Minsk accords leaves no doubt as to the risks of perpetuating such falsehoods.

Back then, the fiction that Russia wasnt an aggressor or party to the conflict, along with insufficient pressure on Moscow in the form of sanctions or the provision of lethal military supplies to Ukraine, ultimately meant Minsk never addressed the root cause of the conflict.

The fundamental contradiction of Minsk, wrote Regenbrecht, was that Putin sought to end Ukraine as an independent nation Consequently, he had no interest in a constructive political process.

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Theres no evidence that that position has changed. In his speech on February 21, 2022, three days before the full-scale invasion, Putin described Ukraine as an inalienable part of our own history, culture and spiritual space, before claiming, Ukraine actually never had stable traditions of real statehood.

In January this year, one of his closest aides, Nikolai Patrushev, said he couldnt rule out that Ukraine will cease to exist at all in the coming year.

And so, even amid US promises of keeping Ukraine out of NATO, and forcing them to accept territorial losses, the negotiating teams in Saudi Arabia have so far, it seems  just like their predecessors in Minsk  come nowhere close to tackling that core issue.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  An Austintown man who pleaded guilty to the fatal hit-and-run death of a township woman was sentenced Friday to six years in prison in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

James Stehura, 50, received the sentence from Judge Anthony Donofrio to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident, both third-degree felonies.

Prosecutors had recommended a maximum sentence of six years and Judge Donofrio followed that recommendation. Defense attorney Sam Amendolara argued for a lesser sentence.

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Stehura was accused of the March 11, 2024, death of Linda Adams, 66, as she was walking with her wife on Lancaster Avenue at Carlisle Drive. Her wife was not hurt.

Stehura fled the scene, police said. Investigators found the truck that hit Adams and traced that truck back to Stehura.

He turned himself in when police charged him and had been free on $15,000 bond prior to his sentencing.

Assistant Prosecutor Katherine Jones said Adams and her wife were walking a dog and wearing reflective clothing and carrying flashlights when Adams was struck.

Jones said Stehura was drinking at a bar before the accident, and his truck was seen on Ring camera driving left of center before hitting Adams.

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Stehura continued driving to a business he owns and parked his truck there to conceal the damage, Jones said.

Anna Hanson, Adams wife, said the pair had reflective arm bands while walking their dog even though it was early evening.

At first, Hanson said, they saw the truck on their walk but were not concerned because it was not going fast.

As she walked, Hanson said, the truck passed very close, she heard a noise and suddenly noticed Adams was not there.

It all went so fast, Hanson said.

Hanson said she noticed a heap of clothing which was Adams in a nearby yard. The truck was gone.

Whoever was driving left me to fend for myself, Hanson said.

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Hanson said she has lost half her heart with the death of Adams and she does not agree with the recommended sentence for Stehura.

Six years is not enough, she said.

Amendolara said his client has worked his whole life and has been undergoing counseling since Adams was hit.

Stehura was having dinner with an attorney discussing a civil matter before Adams was hit, Amendolara said, and he has also been heavily involved in community matters and events.

Stehura is remorseful and accepts responsibility for what he has done, Amendolara said. A presentence investigation also found that Stehura is not a risk of reoffending, Amendolara said.

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He made a terrible, terrible mistake, and he made a terrible, terrible mistake after that, Amendolara said.

Reading from a statement, Stehura apologized for his actions

I made a terrible decision that has led to the loss of a life, Stehura said. Every day, I am haunted by the knowledge of what I have done.

He said he has taken responsibility for his actions and he will continue his counseling.

I cant change what happened, but I can work to ensure this never happens again, he said.

Judge Donofrio said it is clear that Stehura has a lot of community support and that he has remorse for what he has done, but the fact that he got in a vehicle while under the influence and left the scene of an accident was troublesome.

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You may not have intended to strike Miss Adams, but you did try to cover it up, Judge Donofrio said.

Dave Sess and Johnny Skoloda contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Hundreds gathered in Brooklyn, New York on Friday to express their discontent with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his support for advancing a GOP budget extension.

On Thursday, Schumer said he was backing the Republican continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown, breaking with his Democratic colleagues in the House, who argue that doing so will enable President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue slashing away at federal agencies.

The message at the early morning rally outside the 74-year-olds New York City home was clear: vote no or go.

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Organized late Thursday night by Indivisible Brooklyn, a progressive group thats been pushing Democrats to fight back harder against Trump's agenda, the rally was the product of a massive online backlash against Schumers capitulation on a six-month continuing resolution that includes billions of dollars in budget cuts.

He is not the leader for this moment, Lisa Raymond-Tolan, an Indivisible Brooklyn organizer, told rally-goers. We need him to fight back or get the f*** out.

Block cloture  no help for fascists, one sign read. Schumer, you f****** coward, read another.

Speaking to Salon, Raymond-Tolan said the protest was a testament to how many people are upset," noting that hundreds "came out at 8 o'clock in the morning on a weekday to let the senator know that he is off course and capitulating to fascism  and we wont stand for it.

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The Brooklyn demonstrators message to Democratic leadership? Tear up the old playbook.

Throw out decorum. Throw out bipartisanship. We can't play by old rules. We need to stop, obstruct, block, delay, throw sand in the works that literally every opportunity, Raymond-Tolan said.

Schumer, along with a number of other Democratic senators, plan to back cloture on the Republican CR, meaning that the GOP could pass the measure with a simple majority, waving through a budget that all but one Democrat in the House rallied against.

Schumer told reporters on Thursday that while the GOP budget proposal was terrible, allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

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But critics say the Trump-Musk shutdown has already begun. Social media users argue the party was in a position to extract concessions, including a continuing resolution without cuts or a bill binding the executive branch to spending commitments made by Congress.

The Senate thinks its voting to avoid a government shutdown. The shutdown is already happening, and it is permanent, University of Michigan Public Policy professor Don Moynihan wrote in a post on Bluesky.

Protesters said Schumer, whose office lines go straight to voicemail, wasnt getting the message.

Weve been here outside of Chuck Schumers house for years, and people will say, Why are you bothering him? Julie Peppito, a Brooklyn resident whose mother will be impacted by the GOP budgets cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, said in a speech to the crowd. Well, look where we are.

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The organizers behind the rally said the senators inclination towards inaction is not an option in the second Trump era.

It's not hard to rally the troops because people are really f****** angry, Indivisible Brooklyn organizer Jennie Spector told Salon. [Schumer] has incredible power to stop [the CR] and to put the brakes on it But he doesn't do that, and he doesn't know how to use his power. And we, the people who he works for and who elected him, need to tell him what to do. Thats why were here.

It isnt just the partys left flank voicing opposition to Schumers concessions. Moderate Democrats Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice and former Biden adviser Neera Tanden were among those who urged the Senate minority leader to grow a spine.

House Democrats  including the subject of his own Brooklyn protest over feckless leadership, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries  also condemned the planned vote for cloture on Thursday night, with party leaders releasing a statement arguing that the far-right Republican funding bill will unleash havoc on everyday Americans.

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And demonstrators were clear with Schumer: He needs to act or get out of the way. Amid rumors that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., may be consdering a primary challenge against Schumer, some expressed support for ditching the old guard Democrats. I wish AOC was my senator, one sign read.

The demonstration marks the latest salvo in the party's internal battle over its opposition strategy to Trump. Groups like Indivisible and MoveOn, and some Democratic elected officials, have urged Congressional leaders to take the threat of Trump's lawlessness more seriously, leading an unsuccessful push to demand that Schumer use his power to slow down the administration's cabinet confirmations.
This story has been updated to add new information.

SOUTH BEND  The University of Notre Dame is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for alleged racial discrimination, following President Donald Trump's orders to abolish diversity, equity and inclusion programs in K-12 and higher education institutions.

In a letter sent to campuses and states around the country, Craig Trainor, the Education Department's acting assistant secretary for civil rights, calls these programs discriminatory to white and Asian American students. He adds that schools reliant on federal money are now prohibited from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.

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In a press release published on March 14, the Education Department said 45 colleges and universities, including Notre Dame, are "under investigation for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs."

When reached for comment, Erin Blasko, Notre Dame's associate director of media relations, told The Tribune in an email, "As always, The University of Notre Dame follows the law and in no way practices or condones discrimination. As a Catholic university, we are fully committed to defending the dignity of every human person and ensuring that every person can flourish."

According to the latest available data from the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2023, Notre Dame had a total student population of 13,174. Of the 8,968 undergraduates, 61% were white, 5% were Black or African American, 6% were Asian, and 14% were Hispanic or Latino. The university's website says there are 8,923 undergraduates currently enrolled.

Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Education Department investigates Notre Dame after anti-DEI orders
We are two and a half months into 2025, and according to data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), they are currently investigating 140 plane crashes in the U.S. Three are in Washington.

Of those crashes, the NTSB says 16 were deadly  including one in Ellensburg.

2025 CRASH & ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

January

 53 investigations

 7 deadly crashes

February

 71 investigations

Feb. 5  A Japan Airlines aircraft hit the tail of a parked Delta plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Details. Feb. 20 - A Cessna with two people on board crashed in Waterville. No one was hurt. Details.

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 6 deadly crashes

March

This data is from March 1 to 14, 2025.

 16 investigations

 3 deadly crashes

March 4  A pilot died after their small plane crashed near Ellensburg. The pilot left the Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field and was en route to the Lake Chelan Airport but never arrived. Details.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO LAST YEAR?

In 2024 NTSB data shows that there were 1,417 aviation crashes. Of those incidents, 258 were deadly. While it may seem that we are seeing more crashes in 2025, the federal data says that isnt the case.

January 2024

 60 investigations

Jan. 16 - Auburn, WA (no injuries)

 13 deadly crashes

February 2024

 71 investigations

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Feb. 16 - Everett, WA (no injuries) Feb. 27 - Dallesport, WA (serious injuries)

 7 deadly crashes

March 2024

This data is from March 1 to 14, 2024.

 45 investigations

March 5 - Bellevue, WA (no injuries) March 16, Asotin, WA (minor injuries)

 5 deadly crashes
People who call a Myers Park nursing home are forced to pack and move because the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) allegedly stopped paying for care, citing health and safety concerns.

CMS sent a notice to The Citadel at Myers Park saying it is ending its partnership with this nursing home, which is why patients and residents must move. The move-out process has already started.

It is not the first issue for the owner of The Citadel at Myers Park along Providence Road.

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Channel 9 spoke with Ronald Barber in February 2022 after his 98-year-old Aunt Dorothy died at The Citadel Salisbury.

READ MORE: Salisbury nursing home sued after family says resident died during COVID-19 outbreak

He told Channel 9 that nobody notified him of Dorothys death until a funeral director did after she was already embalmed.

The facility in Salisbury has closed, but records show it was owned by the same operator as the one in Myers Park, which is Accordius Health.

Federal records show The Citadel at Myers Park doesnt have an overall rating because CMS said it has a history of serious quality issues.

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The facility has had several complaints in the past three years, which led to 20 citations.

In its latest health inspection, the facility received 12 citations.

CMS said the priority is finding homes for the residents.

The Citadel at Myers Park has received $14 million from Medicaid and Medicare, according to records.

Accordius Health has other facilities in the area including on Reddman Road and Shamrock Drive in Charlotte.

Channel 9 has reached out to Accordius Health for a response.

VIDEO: Citadel owners respond to lawsuit
SEOUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Price for imported goods to South Korea fell in February due to cheaper crude oil and the local currency's appreciation versus the U.S. dollar, central bank data showed Friday.

Import price index slipped 0.8 percent in February from a month earlier, after going up for the past four months, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

Price for Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 77.92 U.S. dollars per barrel in February, compared to 80.41 dollars in the previous month.

The average won/dollar exchange rate reached 1,445.56 won per dollar in February, compared to 1,455.79 won in the prior month.

Price for imported raw materials dived 2.3 percent in February on a monthly basis, turning downward in five months.

Import price for intermediary goods dipped 0.2 percent last month on the back of lower price for chemical products and electrical equipment as well as computer, electronic and optical devices.

Price for imported capital goods increased 0.3 percent, but consumer goods price retreated 0.2 percent in the cited month.

Export price index shrank 0.6 percent in February from a month ago, marking the first reduction in five months. 
NEW YORK  Comptroller Brad Lander is demanding more information from the Adams administration about a probe aimed at migrant shelters, The New York Daily News has learned  coming as the mayor is facing increasing calls to take a tougher stand against the presidents increasingly aggressive immigration actions in the city.

The Department of Justice issued at least one criminal subpoena to a hotel seeking the names, origin and birth dates of migrants on Wednesday, sources have told the Daily News. This is reportedly part of a probe into the contracts and funding of the hotels, which the city has enlisted to house migrants.

In a letter sent to the Adams administration Thursday evening, Lander, who is running against the mayor in the June primary, demanded copies of the subpoenas, a briefing on the investigations and Mayor Eric Adams plan to respond.

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Lander said that the request for migrants information may violate New York Citys local privacy laws that block city contractors and agencies from disclosing personal information, and he asked the mayor to file a motion to thwart the subpoenas if they did.

As City leaders, we must stand up to this cruel and corrupt presidency, rather than surrender in anticipation of lawless political attacks, Lander writes in the letter. I urge your Administration in advance not to comply with any unlawful or unconstitutional orders from the federal government.

The mayor faces increasing pressure to speak out against Trump as the president has ramped up attacks on immigration protections in New York with this probe and the deportation and arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist targeted for his pro-Palestinian advocacy.

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who is also running for mayor, slammed Adams at a news conference on Thursday morning.

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Right now President Trump is bullying New York City and Eric Adams is nowhere to be found, Myrie said, referring to the subpoenas and the arrest of Khalil.

We need a mayor in this city that is willing to stand up for New Yorkers, not someone willing to cave to a wannabe tyrant, he continued. Anybody that cannot stand up to Donald Trump does not deserve to sit in City Hall. Anybody that is silent at this moment does not deserve to represent our city.

Adams has expressed an openness to working with the president on immigration and has declined to publicly criticize the administration. Hes been accused of cooperating with the administration amid their plans to drop his corruption indictment. The DOJ moved to dismiss his corruption case in February. Adams has denied the charges and allegations of any quid pro quo.

Just like he has tried to do with every new administration, Mayor Adams wants to work with the president, not war with him, to better the lives of New Yorkers. Others can give uninformed comments and make empty promises that wont actually help New Yorkers, but they simply cannot match the mayors record, Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for the mayor, said, listing housing, childcare and medical debt achievements.

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Garcia also emphasized the mayor sued the president over a $80 million federal migrant aid clawback and stated that he doesnt support mass deportations.

She said the administration would review Landers letter, though also took issue that Lander wrote other City leaders must step in to fight for the 8 million people who call this city home.

Hes a city leader, she noted, and all hes done for over a month is send City Hall letters.

The mayor said earlier Thursday he cant comment on the investigation, deferring to the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office.

He told reporters that his heart goes out to city workers caught up as political collateral, but he didnt mention Trump or the migrants themselves.

While no city officials have received subpoenas in this probe, the shelters are contracted by the city, which is why the comptroller is writing to the administration.
PR firm that wrote op-ed disavowed by Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes operated under $38k contract

The New York City Probation Department spent $37,500 last year to hire a public relations consultant in part to write an op-ed that the agencys commissioner, Juanita Holmes, then oddly disavowed last Friday, the Daily News has learned.

The benign 794-word op-ed published Oct. 10 in the Amsterdam News became controversial during a Council budget hearing last week after Bronx Councilmember Amanda Farias asked Holmes to comment on her statements in the piece about combating recidivism.

That is not my op-ed. It was never approved by me, never edited by me and released without my permission, declared Holmes, a former NYPD chief who is close with Mayor Adams and was appointed by him in 2023.

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A spokesperson for Mercury Public Affairs, the consultant hired by Probation, immediately countered the company had worked closely with the commissioner and her team to help craft and submit the op-ed. Probation even provided the picture of Holmes to go with the piece, a source said.

Now, contract documents reviewed by The News show Probation hired Mercury months earlier in June 2024 and paid the firm $20,000 on Oct. 2 and $17,500 on Oct. 7, three days before the op-ed was published.

Farias said Wednesday she was alarmed by the costly outlay.

I specifically asked Commissioner Holmes about the op-ed, and she denied any knowledge or approval of it. Now, to learn that the op-ed was part of a $37,500 contract with an outside PR firm raises even more red flags, Farias told The News. How could a public relations firm produce and publish an op-ed on behalf of a city commissioner without the commissioners knowledge or approval? It feels disingenuous, and frankly, it undermines public trust in the agencys transparency.

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Moreover, Farias questioned why the department would need to outsource communications in the first place.

The DOP has its own press office and access to the communications resources of City Hall, so outsourcing basic communications functions like this  especially without apparent oversight or accountabilityraises serious concerns, she said. We need to ensure that public funds are being used wisely.

In the past week, Holmes has come under fire from her own staffers, Council members and the unions that represent her employees for high staff turnover, attrition in the probation officers ranks, and allegations of favoritism in hiring, as The News reported March 6.

On Thursday, officials with six municipal unions met with Holmes to hash out differences that have been building for months. The complaints focused on a lack of communication by Holmes and high-level staff turnover, people familiar with the discussion said.

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In an interview Wednesday, Holmes doubled down on her assertions about the Mercury contract, saying, I never looked at it, I didnt read it. I didnt approve it. When that op-ed came out I was heated.

She flatly denied working on the op-ed at all. Absolutely not. They did not work closely with this commissioner, she said.

She said the Mercury contract encompassed a media campaign and planning for a recruitment effort to cost $2.5 million. She claimed she was dissatisfied with the pitch and canceled the contract on Oct. 8.

On Oct. 10 they released my op-ed. I was really, really annoyed, she said.

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A Mercury spokesperson countered that the company, a large public relations firm with offices in 12 cities, assembled tiered plans for a recruitment and retention campaign.

That was intended for the Departments advertising agency to implement and was not revenue that we would have been paid, the spokesperson said.

Not surprisingly, the Commissioner continues to misrepresent the facts involved in our short engagement. We are not going to continue to go back and forth on this and wish her and the department the best.

A source familiar with the sequence said the op-ed was submitted and approved by Probation weeks before it was published, but constant staff turnover and Holmes erratic leadership put the company in an impossible situation.
The Department of Educations mammoth $41.2 billion budget plan for next year is a whopping third of the entire citys  but it still wont be enough, school officials claimed Thursday.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos told the City Council that the DOE still needs hundreds of millions more to enact a controversial new class size law, plus additional bucks for Gov. Kathy Hochuls pending phone ban.

We also have major expenses looming on the horizon, most significantly compliance with the class size mandate, she pointedly told councilmembers during a budget hearing.

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This funding and headcount are not currently in the preliminary budget.

The city will need to hire 4,000 more educators to deal with the new United Federation of Teachers-backed requirement that classroom sizes max out at 20 students for early childhood grades and up to 25 for high school, the chancellor said.

The gobsmacking, arguably vague cash plea comes as New York City schools  the largest district in the nation  faces years of declining enrollment, middling test scores and chronic absenteeism, despite raking in ever-increasing mountains of dough.

People need to stop pretending that the NYC Department of Education is about serving the kids, said Ken Girardin, research director of the Empire Center for Public Policy.

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Its about job creation for adults. Accept that and everything else makes sense.

The proposed education budget for the 2026 fiscal year is already an enormous slice  36%  of Mayor Eric Adams $114.5 billion total spending plan, even without the additional cash.

If approved by the Council, the school budget would increase by nearly $820 million compared to this fiscal years adopted budget, education officials said.

Spending per-student is already at a whopping $32,284, even as enrollment has dipped 12% since the 2018-19 school year, according to an Empire Center report.

Enrollment in the city public school system has declined dramatically, but there has not been an adjustment in the budget, said Danyela Souza Egorov, senior policy fellow at the Manhattan Institute think tank who authored a recent report that found a whopping 35% of city students are chronically absent.

School officials revealed Thursday that the Department of Educations (DOE) gigantic $41.2 budget plan for next year that will take up around a third of the entire citys budget still isnt enough money. Gabriella Bass

The question that policy makers should ask is how do we improve learning outcomes for New York City school children, rather than asking for more money.

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The city is simply paying more and educating fewer kids, said Girardin, noting enrollment used to stand at 1.1 million kids.

Now, the school system has roughly 900,000 students, city schools data shows.

Girardin argued the class size law  signed by Hochul in 2022 and only affecting New York City  will only make things worse.

The UFT strongly pushed for the law, contending it would improve conditions in classrooms and help better educate kids.

Aviles-Ramos told the City Council the DOE needs Hans Pennink

The bill caps kindergarten through third grade classes at 20 students, with further limits for fourth through eighth grade at 23 students and high school classes at 25 students.

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The city has to slash classroom sizes by the 2027-28 school year under the law.

Adams and his administration fiercely opposed the mandate, maintaining itd saddle the city with roughly $500 million a year just for elementary schools  with no real help from the state.

DOE officials didnt respond to The Posts request for estimates of how much exactly they expect to pony up in the coming school year on the class size law.

They also didnt respond to a request for the expected cost of Hochuls proposed cell phone ban, which Aviles-Ramos said required increased funding to make it effective and sustainable.

The proposed education budget for the 2026 fiscal year is already an enormous slice  36%  of Mayor Eric Adams $114.5 billion total spending plan, even without the additional cash. EPA

The governor has also proposed a statewide cell phone ban, a much-need step, but one that requires increased funding to make it an effective and sustainable effort, Aviles-Ramos said.

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Beyond paying for the class size law, the proposed budget calls for $7.7 billion for pension and debt-related funds and $816.6 more in spending than last years adopted budget.

And thats not all  the nearly billion-dollar jump doesnt account for the fact that the DOE is set to go over budget by more than $500 million this fiscal year.

Thats mostly due to so-called Carter Cases, in which parents can be reimbursed by the city school system if they enroll their child in private schools in cases where public schools cant meet their kids special needs.

Eric Nadelstern, a former deputy chancellor in the DOE under Mayor Mike Bloomberg, said educators must demonstrate that spending is tied to student performance, not just keep asking for more money.

If the DOE budget plan is approved by the City Council, the schools budget will increase by almost $820 million compared to the current fiscal years adopted budget. Michael Nagle

He said schools whose enrollments plummet should not be rewarded with the same amount of funding.

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Schools that lose students and cant recruit new students should see budget cuts. Otherwise, youre rewarding failure, Nadelstern said, alluding to the hold harmless provision.

Recent scores showed just 33% of fourth graders were deemed proficient in math, and 28% in reading. Just 23% of eight graders were proficient in math, and 29% in reading.

The Councils Committee on Education Chair Rita Joseph acknowledged the lagging test scores and truancy rates, but argued it showed school programs should get more funding.

Our levels of chronic absenteeism are still higher than before the pandemic. Students are still recovering from learning loss and mental health issues are still of high concern  Now is not the time to slow down our investment while we look to support our teachers, students and families, she said.

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Council Member Robert Holden (D-Queens), meanwhile, called for a full audit of the DOE as he lambasted the class size law.

The DOE already takes up a whopping one-third of the citys budget, yet theyre demanding even more while many schoolsespecially in my districtlack the space to meet the class size mandate, he said.

Instead of throwing more money at the problem, we need a full audit, reforms to wasteful policies like the rubber room, and a real plan to make DOE live within its means.

 Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy
The leaders of New York Citys public school system let slip Thursday that they are not currently acting on any contingency plans amid growing threats to federal funding.

The nations largest school district receives about $2.3 billion in federal funding each year, including more than $1 billion from the U.S. Education Department that President Trump has promised to shutter. Earlier this week, his administration announced mass layoffs as the latest move to wind down the agency.

At this point, there is not a contingency plan, because we are hopeful we will continue to receive all the funding we deserve from both the federal and state level, Emma Vadehra, deputy chancellor for operations and finance, said at an annual hearing on the local education budget.

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The approach was met with criticism from the City Council committees chairperson, who urged the school system to take precautions, even if a loss of funding does not seem imminent. Plans are reportedly under consideration to move Education Department funding streams under different federal agencies.

I think we shouldnt have to wait till it happens to be scrambling, said Education Chairperson Rita Joseph (D-Brooklyn), a former teacher. I think we should plan. As educators, we plan. We dont sit and wait for it to happen, and wonder, What are we going to do?'

The largest funding stream local schools receive from the federal government is Title I, or financial assistance for schools with high concentrations of poverty. The city receives around $700 million each year through that Education Department program, while other federal agencies pick up the tab for school meals and childcare programs.

Overall, federal funding contributes about 5% of the city school systems budget. Vadehra said it is hard to know which funding streams are at greatest risk  but said a local food-purchasing program that has provided $8.4 million over the last couple of years is being cancelled for next year.

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Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos pushed back against the characterization that the local school system was unprepared.

Its not necessarily that were waiting to make a contingency plan, she said. Were having internal conversations around all the possibilities. But we cannot enact on a plan with certainty when there are so many moving pieces  including waiting to see which cuts actually happen from the federal government.

Contributing to the uncertainty is Gov. Hochuls plan to change the states education funding formula, known as Foundation Aid, which is widely believed to be out of date.

One of the tweaks Hochul proposed would result in $350 million less for city schools than they would have otherwise received under the original formula  although they would still receive an overall increase in state funding.

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That reduction from the state is half of our entire Title I allocation from the federal government, right? Vadehra said. Just to put things in perspective here.

Also, on the city level, several education programs created or expanded with federal stimulus dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic were continued with one-year, temporary funding after the emergency aid expired. They, too, are at risk of cuts or cancellations under Mayor Adams preliminary budget plan, including the citys popular preschool program for 3-year-olds, known as 3-K.

Also on Thursday, city education officials said they want to hire 4,000 more teachers to help principals implement school-level plans to lower class sizes, in accordance with a new state law.
Four people are believed to have jumped in front of New York City subway trains in less than 24 hours, transit sources told the Daily News Thursday, characterizing it as a particularly grim day on the system.

Service was delayed on the No. 7 line Thursday afternoon after an unidentified person jumped in front of a Queens-bound train as it entered the 103rd St. Station in Corona shortly after 2:30 p.m.

The incident happened barely an hour after another person was hit by an uptown No. 1 train as the subway entered the 191st St. Station in Washington Heights. A transit source told The News that that person survived the apparent suicide attempt, and was rushed to an area hospital.

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Another person was killed Wednesday night after sources say they jumped in front of a No. 2 train at the 96th St. Station on the Upper West Side around 7:30 p.m., less than an hour after another apparent Wednesday night suicide-by-train at the 207th St. Station on the No. 1 line.

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that no criminality was suspected in any of the four incidents.
WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  An NYPD officer is recovering in the hospital after he was pinned between two vehicles while on the job in the West Village on Friday morning, authorities said.

The crash happened at W. 13th Street and Seventh Avenue just after 7 a.m. A 43-year-old man driving a Dodge Charger was changing lanes on Seventh Avenue when he somehow crashed into a sanitation street sweeper, according to police.

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The driver then ran into a 26-year-old on-duty police officer who was walking to his vehicle, officials say. The uniformed officer was pinned between his own vehicle and the Dodge Charger, according to authorities.

The police officer was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive. Meanwhile, the driver of the Dodge Charger remained on scene and was also taken to the hospital, police say.

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The Dodge driver was later taken into custody but whether he would face charges was not immediately made known by officials.

Investigators are continuing to look into what may have lead to the crash.

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Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

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The U.S. Education Departments emaciated civil rights arm launched an investigation into New York University and dozens of other colleges across the country on Friday, as part of the Trump administrations campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The federal agency accused NYU of engaging in race-exclusionary practices in its graduate programs. President Trumps son Barron is an undergraduate student at the college.

The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination, said U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a statement, pointing to ongoing probes related to pro-Palestinian campus protests and transgender students.

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Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes.

The inquiry came a month after the Education Department warned that it could pull the federal funding of any universities that continue diversity programming. But as a Feb. 28 deadline came and went, few New York colleges made significant changes.

More recently, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued joint guidance with other state attorneys general, notifying schools that Trumps attempts so far to ban DEI programs were on shaky legal ground. The federal governments anti-DEI directive is currently facing court action from the nations two largest teachers unions.

The federal investigation takes aim at NYUs partnership with an organization called The Ph.D. Project, which provides doctoral students with support obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities. The Education Department said the program limits eligibility based on the race of participants.

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The Ph.D. Project, which has operated for three decades with little controversy, reaffirmed its mission to create a broader talent pipeline of business professionals through mentorship, events and other means. This year, the organization opened its membership application to anyone who shares that vision.

The Ph.D. Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms, which remains our goal today, read a statement.

An NYU spokesman would not comment on the record.

The investigations launch comes as the Education Department moved to fire about half of its workforce, including the closure of the civil right divisions regional headquarters in New York City. A department spokeswoman has insisted civil rights personnel would continue to investigate complaints and enforce laws.

With Daily News Wire Services
(KRON)  An Oakland woman faces 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery, the Department of Justice announced Friday. Yasmin Charisse Millett, 22, was accused of committing at least 10 bank note robberies across Vallejo, Suisun City, Benicia, Concord, Antioch and Sacramento from June 2023 through September 2024, according to court documents.

The Justice Department said Millett would enlist coconspirators and teach them how to rob banks and credit unions. The suspects were taught to enter the businesses with sunglasses, a purse, and a threatening demand note.

On July 17, 2023, court documents said Millett and two others committed one of the bank robberies at a credit union in Suisun City. One of the suspects entered the business while Millett remained in a stolen Audi A7. A note was passed to a credit union employee which demanded money and threatened to shoot them if orders were not followed. After getting the cash, the trio fled in the car.

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Doctor convicted of raping woman he met on Tinder during Bay Area work trip

The Audi was pulled over the next day by law enforcement and Millett was found to be behind the wheel. During a search of the car, officers found bait money from the robbery and a crumpled Post-it demand note with the message: Dont Make eye contact Dont look suspicious Dont Push emergency Button Put smile on your face or I will shoot.

Following her guilty plea, Millett faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the DOJ said. Sentencing is set for June 26.

Charges against two of Milletts codefendants, identified as Dontae Jones Jr., 20, of Northern California with no fixed address, and JoMya Mauriyne Futch, 21, of Richmond, remain pending.

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Eric Holder, who served as attorney general of the United States under President Barack Obama, will be campaigning in support of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford, according to the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs.

Holder is among the first major national leaders to campaign in support of Crawford.

PHOTO: Eric Holder attends Lambda Legal Hosts 2024 National Liberty Awards, May 30, 2024, in New York. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

"The fight for our democracy is unfolding at the ballot box in Wisconsin. This race is a choice between a court majority that is fair, balanced, and pro-democracy, and one that is anti-democracy, acting as another arm of an extreme right-wing agenda," Holder said in a statement to ABC News.

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"Judge Susan Crawford is the commonsense candidate Wisconsinites want and deserve on their states highest court -- somone who will follow the facts and the law as she evaluates the cases before her," he added.

While the race is technically nonpartisan, Crawford is running with the support of Democrats, while her opponent, Brad Schimel, has the support of Republicans.

PHOTO: Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford participate in a debate, March 12, 2025, in Milwaukee. (Morry Gash/AP)

Redistricting, or the redrawing of congressional and legislative district maps based on population data, is one of the issues that has come up in the closely watched race because the court has previously dealt with redistricting cases.

In 2024, the court ruled in favor of keeping Wisconsin's current congressional district map in place after previously rejecting legislative district maps.

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Holder will be campaigning in support of Crawford on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin, and on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is on April 1, and the contest for the seat of retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is technically a nonpartisan race, though whoever wins the seat will help determine the ideological bent of the court -- which currently leans liberal.

Obama attorney general endorses candidate in Wisconsin Supreme Court race originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
XINING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A special winter investigation on Kiang living in northwest China's Qinghai Province has been completed, aiming to better protect this endemic species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

This was the first round of a province-wide Kiang investigation undertaken by the Qinghai provincial forestry and grassland bureau and Qinghai Normal University.

"Kiang plays a very important role in the whole ecosystem here on the plateau. By carrying out this investigation, we aim to better understand how the population of this species interacts and uses its habitat," said Zhang Yu, director of the wildlife conservation department of the Qinghai provincial forestry and grassland bureau.

Qinghai Province is one of the major areas where Kiang is distributed. The current investigation will gather data on the population size, density, distribution, habitat status of Kiang, as well as its shared grasslands with domestic ungulates such as yak and Tibetan sheep.

The investigation will provide a scientific basis for the continued efforts to strengthen the Kiang protection, Zhang added.

Six teams with 24 members participated in this winter investigation. They traveled about 17,000 kilometers across Qinghai, covering all distribution areas of Kiang in the province.

A total of 13,060 Kiangs were recorded in the area such as the Qilian and Kunlun mountains, as well as Sanjiangyuan, where the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers originate.

Kiang, a large herbivorous mammal, normally lives on plateaus, alpine desert grassland and mountain desert areas. It often has a reddish brown coat, with white hair on the chest, belly and legs. Its body length can reach more than 2 meters.

It is categorized as a national first-class protected wildlife species in China.

Kiang conservation is significant as the species plays a vital role in the ecological chain of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, according to Zhang.

Following this winter investigation, two more investigations will be carried out in the Kiang breeding in August and the mating season in November this year.

Then, the population density and size of Kiang in Qinghai will be estimated based on the investigations and ecological modeling, according to the Qinghai provincial forestry and grassland bureau.

Once the population size, density and distribution of Kiang in Qinghai are confirmed, suggestions will be proposed to balance the relationship between Kiang protection and husbandry grassland utilization in the province, the bureau added. 
If there's one thing I admire about Princess Anne, it's her strong work ethic. The 74-year-old princesswho was crowned the hardest-working royal five years in a rowhas already kicked off 2025 with several engagements, from her visit to Southmead Hospital to her adventures in Cape Town, South Africa. This time around, she's celebrating a milestone anniversary, and I couldn't help but notice her body language.

On Instagram, the royal family released new photos of the princess visiting the Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA) to mark a special occasion. The caption reads, "Marking its 90th anniversary, The Princess Royal has made her first visit to the Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA), as its newly appointed Admiral. The position was previously held by HRHs father, The late Duke of Edinburgh, and grandfather, George VI."

Based on the slideshow, the newly appointed admiral and patron was in good spirits, radiating confidence and showing signs of enjoyment.

I instantly noticed that the princess displayed a genuine smile in nearly every photo, while also maintaining her composure and a confident posture. In the second slide, as she speaks with one of the charitys supporters, she leans in and listens intently, revealing that she's fully engaged. However, in the third slide, I noticed that she pulled a Prince William and stood tall with her hands folded in front of her body.

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The common gesture indicates a desire to stay composed and closed off, and since her hands are in front of her body, it's likely a safety move to help her stay on guard. And this isn't the first time I've spotted the royal taking this stance.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

In October 2024, when she attended QIPCO British Champions Day at the Ascot Racecourse, she was pictured closely watching the event with her hands folded while maintaining her usual calm composure.

Considering how often the hard-working princess steps out for royal engagements, it makes total sense that she would default to a protective gesture. But it's always a treat to see her step out for a good cause.

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Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall Enjoy Double Date at the Race Trackand Twin in Burgundy
ODESSA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Odessa man who pleaded guilty to rape and other sexual crimes against two children under the age of 13 has been sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison, as reported by the Schuyler County District Attorneys Office.

Marcel Veilleux, 67, was sentenced on Thursday, March 13, by Hon. Matthew C. Hayden to the maximum sentence of 25 years for rape in the first degree, 25 years determinate in state prison for criminal sexual act in the first degree and the maximum of two and one-third to seven years in state prison on two counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, all of which will be served at the same time.

Original story: Schuyler County man arrested in North Carolina on child sex crimes

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In addition to his prison sentence, Veilleux was sentenced to 20 years of post-release supervision and is required to register as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act. An order of protection was also issued for the victims of the crimes, which will be in place for 33 years.

The DA states that during Veilleuxs sentencing, it was revealed that he had begun sexually abusing the two children when they were seven and nine years old and that the abuse occurred for at least two years. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan stated that the abuse went on for so long due to Veilleux telling the children that they would be arrested and go to jail if they told anyone about it.

Previous story: Odessa man pleads guilty to rape charge involving children

During this time, Veilleux raped the children through vaginal and oral sexual intercourse amongst other additional crimes. In addition to raping the children, Veilleux also took hundreds of photographs showing both of the children during the sexual acts. These photos were stored on multiple devices, including Veilleuxs computer and cell phone.

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The DA states that Hourihan argued for the maximum sentence for Veilleux by stating that he had targeted and groomed the children by showing them pornography before the abuse occurred. Veilleux then manipulated and threatened the children so that the abuse could continue and would even abuse the children while other adults were present in the home.

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Another Columbia University pro-Palestine activist has been arrested by immigration officials, the Department of Homeland Security announced Friday, as Trump issued an ultimatum to the university over its federal funding.

Officials arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank, for overstaying her student visa. According to DHS, she had overstayed her visa, which was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance. Kordia was also arrested in April 2024 for her involvement in protests at Columbia.

In addition, the Trump administration revoked the student visa of Columbia doctoral student Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen, on March 5. Srinivasan decided to self-deport, the department said.

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In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home App to self-deport.

This comes as Trump on Thursday ordered Columbia to enact broad policy changes and place its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department under academic receivership for at least five yearsor risk losing all federal funding.

All of this follows the administrations decision last week to detain legal permanent resident and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who organized pro-Palestine protests at Columbia, in an effort to deport the activist. At the time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.

Trump also celebrated Khalils arrest and detention Monday, crowing on his Truth Social account and saying Khalil was the first arrest of many to come. Kordias arrest and Srinivasans visa revocation appear to be making good on Trumps words. The administration appears to be making an example out of Columbia, which was home to one of the highest-profile protest encampments against Israels war in Gaza and in support of Palestinians.

Last week, the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal grants to the university, a clear warning against any pro-Palestine activism at U.S. universities and in spite of Columbias crackdown on student activists. It appears that in Trumps second term, the First Amendment to the Constitution is under threat at American colleges and universities, historically a home for activism.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Disturbing cases of children allegedly tortured and killed by their foster and adoptive parents are raising major concerns.

Some say money is driving these individuals to get involved and officials are calling on the Department of Human Services to take immediate action.

Woman accused of killing adopted daughter pleads not guilty

Ariel Sellers and Geanna Bradley were the two girls allegedly killed by the people the state entrusted to care for them.

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Attorney Randall Rosenberg said in cases like these, money was a motivating factor.

They get a stipend per child. They get more money if the child is special needs. They get even more money, theres a bonus if the children are related, they take more than one, Rosenberg said.

According to the Department of Human Services, those resource caregivers, foster parents and adoptive parents can receive between $649 and $776 each month, and an extra $570 more if the child is special needs.

Rosenberg is the attorney for both families of Geanna Bradley and Ariel Sellers in civil lawsuits against the state.

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He said legal documents prove that Isaac and Leihua Kalua, the adoptive parents of Sellers, lied about their finances in their DHS application.

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They had multi six-figure debt for both husband and wife. There was no way that those two parents financially qualified to be able to take on four children, three of them special needs, two of them infants under the age of two and they were first-time parents, Rosenberg added.

DHS said the licensing process does renew finances, but Rosenberg argues its not being verified.

They accept the information theyre being given and theres no attempt to find out if theyre being told the truth. If they verified the income, just as a start, how hard is that? That would weed out a lot of these people who are lying, who are just showing up to grab these kids and get the money for it.

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Representative Lisa Marten chairs the Human Services and Homelessness Committee.

We absolutely should have oversight. We do have oversight in the case of foster children, and we now have oversight in the case of permanent placement with guardian ad litems, Marten explained.

But Ariel Sellers had been adopted so the Kaluas were still getting paid, but the state no longer had oversight in that case.

We really need to use more of a carrot than a stick at that point to incentivize people to let us have eyes on them, Marten added.

In 2023, there were an estimated 1,225 keiki needing care in the foster system each month and only 843 licensed resource caregiver homes.

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Without an orphanage in Hawaii, foster parents are essential and Marten said the majority are good people doing it for the right reasons.

We need the system and for most kids, they are in good placements and we are desperately grateful for those people that give that part of their home to take care of kids.

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A New Hampshire man found dead after a house fire early Thursday morning has been identified.

Lawrence Boak, 77, of Rumney, was the victim found inside a home on Main Street in Rumney, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Friday.

Boaks cause and manner of death remain pending. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.

An investigation into the fatal fire is underway, state and local officials said.

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At 2:25 a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to a report of a fire at a single-family home on Main Street in Rumney, State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said in a joint statement with Rumney Fire Chief Evan Hacker and Rumney Police Chief Gregory Patten.

When initial crews arrived, firefighters saw widespread flames and tried to search the home but were pushed back by deteriorating conditions, Toomey said.

Firefighters brought the fire under control hours later, at 5:09 a.m., Toomey said. No firefighters were injured.

Boak was found dead inside the home. Toomeys office and the Rumney Fire Department are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.

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Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The price you pay for electricity is going up. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission gave OG&E the OK to charge customers more.

Most customers will see their bills go up by about $13 each month.

OG&E says the money is needed to keep up with growing demand. Others argue OG&E doesnt need to charge customers more, pointing to hundreds of millions in profit.

We notified our customers that were adjusting the fuel charge on their bills, Aaron Cooper with OG&E said. Its going to result in an increase of about $12.65 for the average residential customer.

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LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma City man says social security benefits terminated without warning or explanation

OG&E says it is now paying more for fuel to generate electricity. As a result, customers will pay more too.

Fuel is something we dont make any money on, Cooper said. Its strictly a pass through costs. We go out on the market, we buy the fuel necessary to generate electricity, and then thats the cost we send on to our customers. So, we had spent more money than we had predicted because of those factors.

OG&E also points to an unusually warm start to winter.

Because of the increase in prices and that extra use we werent expecting in October, November, weve actually, you know, had to spend more money than we forecast, Cooper said.

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AARP of Oklahoma, which fought the higher charge, sent a statement explaining why they believe added cost are not needed.

This order will make final OG&Es saddling residential customers with a historic $126.6 million rate increase and raise utility bills more than $9 a month, an amount many customers simply cannot afford. OG&E began collecting this unprecedented rate hike on an interim basis on July 1, 2024, and the OCC approved OG&Es interim rates on November 27, 2024. While AARP is disappointed in the overall outcome of the case, we are pleased our efforts were successful in rejecting OG&Es proposed monthly customer charge increase from $13 to $21 a month. More than 3,700 AARP members called, emailed and signed petitions pleading with Corporation Commissioners not to approve yet another unreasonable rate hike from a company that made more than $425 million in profits last year. While customers are forced to choose between buying food and medicine and keeping the lights on, OG&E, year after year, rakes in millions of dollars in profits and continues to raise rates with no end in sight. OG&E will be back at the trough with another rate case expected to start mid-year. AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl

Ultimately, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission sided with OG&E.

LOCAL NEWS: 4Warn Storm Team tracking wildfire risk Friday

The OCC doesnt reimburse us, Cooper said. Theyre just strictly a regulatory agency. They are a state agency. So, they review and regulate us. Thats how that works.

We reached out to OCC but did not hear back.

OG&E says it is doing all it can to save customers money.

Weve increased our storage capacity, weve adjusted our purchasing practices so that we can try to get fuel at a better price, so that we can pass along those savings to our customer, Cooper said.

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The extra charge went into effect March 1st.

OG&E says it will be spread out over nine months, and they will re-assess fuel costs this summer to see if more increases are needed or not.

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With the decision by Ogden leaders to pursue neighborhood revitalization efforts on a site where a facility for the chronically homeless had once been proposed, Weber Housing Authoritys search for a location will continue  now outside the city.

It's a setback to long-standing efforts by the nonprofit organization to secure a site for long-term housing for the chronically disabled and homeless. Concern among some city leaders that Ogden bears a disproportionate burden in caring for Weber County's homeless figured in Tuesday's Ogden City Council action, culminating debate dating back to late last year.

"A location outside of Ogden is difficult because the resources are in Ogden and the homeless population is in Ogden. I am optimistic that we can move quickly and identify something that will work, however," Andi Beadles, the Weber Housing Authority executive director, said in a statement.

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Moreover, the turn of events puts on public display concerns frequently voiced over the years by some in Ogden that other Weber County cities don't do enough to assist the homeless or low-income residents. During discussion on the issue, Councilwoman Marcia White noted the lack of housing projects geared to low-income people in Weber County that are outside Ogden.

"Not one in North Ogden, not one in Marriott-Slaterville, not one in Plain City, very few in Farr West, very few in Roy, very few in South Ogden," she said.

Likewise, Mayor Ben Nadolski alluded to difficulties in working with leaders from other Weber County locales via the Weber Area Council of Governments, a coalition of local leaders, in addressing the need for low-income housing. Ogden is the largest of 15 locales in Weber County.

It's been a struggle "because we can't get support and help from other cities in the county to help resolve the housing problems," he said. "And we can't do it by ourselves, yet everyone continues to put the pressure on us as though we hold the cards to everything in this entire county. We don't."

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The mayor referenced moves in the Salt Lake County area to expand housing options for the homeless outside Salt Lake City, where they have traditionally been concentrated. The "old model" of concentrating housing for the homeless where services are located "is not the model that's working elsewhere," Nadolski said.

As for the old Aspen Care Center location in Ogden's older core neighborhood  the preferred site of the proposed facility for the chronically homeless and disabled  it is now earmarked for development into housing. Instead of granting Weber Housing Authority permission to pursue its plans, the City Council voted to acquire the site from the organization for $2.2 million. The one-acre parcel will be developed into housing  single-family homes or townhomes, possibly  under the auspices of Ogden's Quality Neighborhoods Initiative, meant to "stabilize and revitalize" city neighborhoods. The Aspen Care Center building would be razed.

Concerns among some that allowing the Weber Housing Authority project to proceed would represent a step back in efforts to bolster the fortunes of the aging neighborhood factored in the debate. White noted city efforts in recent years to build new homes in the area to replace older housing and a relatively new school in the neighborhood.

"We're seeing the fruits of that, and this is a neighborhood where it really needs some love and help," she said.

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Councilwoman Angela Choberka, for her part, wonders how Weber County will address the issue of the chronically homeless going forward "because there's nowhere else in the county to house them, which is a shame." She backed the Weber Housing Authority plans.

Beadles, meantime, said she and the Weber Housing Authority will begin anew, probably resuming the search for a site in the next few weeks. They'll maintain the vision of creating a single facility to assist the chronically homeless and disabled population rather than spreading them to scattered housing units, as is currently the case.

Weve needed a resolution to this and we can now begin to move forward. It wasnt the outcome that we had hoped for, but well make the best of it, she said.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants teachers' public pension fund to sue Target Corporation over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and LGBTQ pride campaign.

In a letter issued Friday to the State Teachers Retirement System, Yost said investors lost money on Target stock due to the DEI and pro-LGBTQ initiatives. STRS lost about $5 million, Yost said.

A federal securities lawsuit filed in Florida against Target claims that the retailer misled investors by making false statements about its DEI and environmental, social and governance mandates between August 2022 and November 2024. It also alleges that Target's Pride Month marketing campaign triggered widespread customer boycotts and a subsequent stock price slide.

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This marks the second time this year that Yost has demonstrated an appetite for pushing back on retailers that have diversity, equity and inclusion policies. In January, Yost joined 18 other state attorneys general to tell Costco to drop its DEI policies or explain why it hasn't done so.

Yost, a Republican, is running for governor in 2026.

Yost said the STRS board's decision not to join the lawsuit violates board members' fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the retirement system.

In the letter, Yost said he's been informed that STRS decided not to join the lawsuit because $5 million in losses are too small to pursue in court and some board members may not agree that Target's initiatives should be subject of a lawsuit.

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Yost said the board can't pick and choose when to sue, based on the alleged conduct or identity of the defendant.

STRS is Ohio's second largest public pension fund with $96 billion invested for 500,000 current and retired teachers. It is governed by an 11-member board.

When reached Friday afternoon, STRS did not yet have a comment on Yost's letter.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio AG Dave Yost wants STRS to join lawsuit against Target
State Rep. Steve Demetriou, R-Bainbridge Twp., speaks during an Ohio House session. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

Ohio House lawmakers have begun hearings on cryptocurrency legislation aimed at protecting people who spend it and businesses that mine it. One bill even seeks to establish a state cryptocurrency reserve.

State Rep. Steve Demetriou, R-Bainbridge Twp., is championing the effort, and describes it as a way to position Ohio as a leader in the digital asset space.

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If we truly want to lead, we have to show our country and the world that we are ready to put our money where our mouth is by diversifying our investments via crypto currency, he said when introducing legislation related to cryptocurrency.

But there could be headwinds. Even as he introduced his crypto reserve legislation, Demetriou acknowledged ongoing discussions with the Treasurer of States Office and that changes reflecting that input are likely.

Cryptocurrency reserve

Demetrious cryptocurrency reserve bill grants the state treasurer authority to invest as much as 10% of the uncommitted money in the general revenue fund or states rainy-day fund, as well as the trust fund that covers lottery winnings.

It grants but does not mandate the treasurer of the state to invest, he added.

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The proposal also limits the digital assets the treasurer can purchase to those with a market capitalization of $750 billion or more. With a market cap of roughly $1.5 trillion, Bitcoin is currently the only cryptocurrency that qualifies.

State Rep. Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, pressed Demetriou about how the treasurer is supposed to assess the financial risks of using state dollars to buy Bitcoin.

Demetriou said the intent of his bill is to park that money as a long-term investment.

Were not looking for the treasurers office to start day-trading, he said.

Demetriou argued that although Bitcoins value fluctuates like any other asset, its more stable than one might realize.

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So, I think as of like the 23rd of (February), the S&P 500s 60-day historical volatility index was somewhere around 12.5%, he said. Bitcoins was under 3%.

In addition to limiting the cryptocurrencies in which the treasurer may invest, the measure also limits how the treasurer does so. Under the bill, investments could be handled through a bank or similar institution, or in-house with a secure custody solution.

That would include hardware for controlling the assets in at least two separate locations with multiple people involved in authorizing transactions. Smartphone access is explicitly forbidden under the bill.

The Capital Journal reached out to the treasurers office about Demetrious legislation but got no response.

Blockchain basics

Cryptocurrencies rely on a public ledger tracking all previous transactions to establish mutual confidence in the assets value. But that ledger, known as the blockchain, can be used for other transactions, too.

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Ohios U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno started a company that uses blockchain technology to transfer vehicle titles online.

Demetrious blockchain basics measure establishes several limits on how blockchain companies and users can be regulated in Ohio  the overall object being to prohibit policies that disfavor blockchain companies.

For example, the Blockchain Basics Act prohibits the government from treating anyone differently for transacting with digital assets through unnecessary taxes or fees, he explained. And it also ensures that Ohio businesses can accept digital assets as a form of payment.

He added that the measure would place limits on local zoning.

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It prevents undue discrimination against the data centers that make Bitcoin function, he said. Local municipalities can still put forward restrictions, but they need to be general, or at least on par with restrictions that would apply to other similar businesses.

Demetriou described it as balancing local authority against ensuring that Ohio does not miss out on this quickly growing industry.

Data centers focused on mining digital assets are ideal candidates for interruptible load energy services, which get shut off when demand is high, he said. Notably, a power customer must first opt in to an interruptible load program.

More fundamentally, however, Demetriou said the proposal sets down clear definitions for elements of the blockchain industry that could serve a statutory foundation into the future.

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So moving forward, he said, other legislators that want to regulate this even more, or deregulate  whatever they want to do  they have some sort of framework to work within.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky

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MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A gasoline storage tank in Russia's Krasnodar Territory was on fire as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said Friday on his Telegram channel.

Preliminary reports indicate that there were no casualties, the governor added.

Kondratyev said that the fire spread over an area of more than 1,000 square meters, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. A total of 121 personnel and 39 units of firefighting equipment were deployed to contain the fire. 
CLEVELAND (WWTI)  A 61-year-old Cleveland man has pleaded guilty to a number of counts in connection to a sexual abuse case of a Jefferson County teen.

According the United States Attorneys Office, David Greulich pleaded guilty to driving more than 400 miles across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, to child exploitation, to transporting visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography.

Watertown man faces charges for terroristic threats to police

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According to court documents, in February 2024, Greulich started communicating with a 14-year old victim living in Jefferson County, on the Snapchat cellphone application. After chatting through the apps messenger for several weeks, the defendant drove from his home in Cleveland to New York and picked up the victim from her home on April 20, 2024.

He then took the victim to a hotel, where he kept her for two days while he violently and sexually abused her which he recorded on a digital device. Greulich then drove across state lines from Ohio to New York a second time on May 11, 2024, to again engage in illicit sexual conduct with the same victim. He took video and photographs of the victim which he later emailed to himself.

During an executed federal search warrant of Greulichs home in Cleveland, investigators obtained several electronic devices which were found to contain CSAM, including a cellphone with more than 100 images of the victim by herself as well as with the defendant. Upon further investigation, an additional 14 sexually explicit video files of the victim were found in his personal cloud storage account.

Greulichs sentencing has been scheduled for June 23, where the maximum sentence varies per count. The defendant could get a maximum combined prison term of 180 years.

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The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Cleveland Office, with assistance from the Jefferson County (New York) Sheriffs Office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio State University announced this week it will once again require ACT/SAT scores for first-year applicants, starting in 2026.

Five years ago this week, Ohio State shut down due to COVID-19, and it has not required test scores since. OSU said the pandemic caused disruptions in traditional testing, but now the university said it is time to end its test-optional pilot program.

Our goal is to find and admit students who will succeed at Ohio State, and test scores provide valuable insight into academic success at our university, Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda said.

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Ohio has 13 traditional public colleges, and Ohio State is the first among them to announce a full return to requiring test scores. The other 12 public universities are all test-optional in various forms, so Ohio State is set to be the only public university requiring test scores for all first-year applicants.

Colleges like Kent State and Ohio University have committed to long-term test optional application requirements, where many others have only announced they will be test-optional through 2025 or 2026. At some universities, test scores are required for certain majors or scholarships, but not for general admission.

The ACT and SAT is used in the application process to provide insight into a students performance, Ballamkonda said. Some test-optional Ohio universities have additional requirements if a student does not submit test scores. The University of Toledo, for instance, requires a higher minimum GPA for students not submitting test scores, and Wright State requires some form of English literacy proof ranging from SAT scores to a high Duolingo level.

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How Trumps spending freeze and tariffs are affecting an Ohio brewery

Ohio State said it will not rely solely on test scores when making admission decisions, folding them into their larger application review process. Scores are also only required to attend Ohio States main campus in Columbus, as regional campuses have open-access policies for Ohio students and generally do not consider test scores. Transfer students are also not required to send in scores.

The ACT/SAT score complements other measures to create a fuller picture of future academic success at Ohio State when used as part of a holistic review process, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management James Orr said. Our analysis shows Ohio State students who submit test scores have higher grade point averages and are more likely to progress through the university.

According to the College Board, which administers the SAT and AP tests, Ohio State admitted students test scores typically range between 1290 and 1440 on the SAT and between 27 and 32 on the ACT. A perfect SAT score is 1600, and a perfect ACT score is 36.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Department of Education is investigating Ohio State, alleging the university engaged in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

In a news release, the Department of Education announced investigations into 45 U.S. universities, including OSU and the University of Cincinnati. The release said the universities under investigation failed to end the use of racial preferences in education after a warning letter sent Feb. 14.

Ohio State does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected class, and our PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants, a university spokesperson said.

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The 45 universities are under investigation for partnering with The PhD Project, an organization that works to develop business school faculty and PhD students. The Department of Education alleged the organization limits eligibility based on race. Its annual conference is a networking opportunity that is invitation-only, according to its website.

The conference is geared toward Black, Indigenous and Latino students, but the nonprofit told NBC4 they expanded their eligibility this year.

Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events, the organization said in a statement. This year, we have opened our membership application to anyone who shares that vision.

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The PhD Project says it believes diversity is crucial to businesses, and the organization works to increase workplace diversity. It is a nonprofit organization and links to Ohio State as a university partner, but the link to a page on the Max M. Fisher College of Business displays an error message stating that page is inactive.

NBC4 received a copy of the letter OSU received from the Department of Education, which states they received a complaint on Jan. 20 alleging OSU discriminates against students based on race and ethnicity. The complaint alleged OSU supported a conference this school year that was only available to university students who identify as Black, Latino or Indigenous.

According to the federal letter to OSU, the university has been asked to submit information about its investigation and the universitys relationship with The PhD Project by March 31.

Bill addresses decision making for Ohioans with developmental disabilities

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According to The PhD Projects website, four Ohio universities partner with the program as doctoral granting institutions: OSU, Case Western, Kent State and the University of Toledo. Six Ohio universities partner with The PhD Project as non-doctoral granting institutions, including three public colleges: Bowling Green, Miami and Ohio University.

The University of Cincinnati is not listed as a partner but is included on the Department of Educations list. None of the five other public Ohio universities associated with The PhD Project are under investigation, per the Department of Educations announcement.

Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.

After the Dear Colleague warning letter, OSU dissolved two diversity offices on campus and reorganized other DEI efforts. The Department of Education also disclosed this week that OSU  Vice President J.D. Vances alma mater  is under investigation for alleged antisemitism along with 59 other universities.

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The use of telehealth for abortion care has continued to grow in the U.S., according to the latest #WeCount report, particularly since five states passed laws legally shielding providers who work with patients living in states with bans. (Warodom Changyencham/Getty Images)

When it comes to health, low-income rural communities in Ohio and elsewhere face a double whammy: residents tend to be sicker and they tend to have fewer health professionals.

A report released this week by KFF Health News shows that some of those communities actually face a triple whammy. They also lack sufficient broadband to allow health professionals to remotely diagnose and treat people who otherwise lack access.

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Ohio  particularly its Appalachian southeast  has more than its share of such dead zones, according to the report. The analysis found that 3 million people in the United States lived in such dead zones.

Compared with those in other regions, patients across the rural South, Appalachia, and remote West are most often unable to make a video call to their doctor or log into their patient portals, the report said. Both are essential ways to participate in the U.S. medical system.

The analysis used data from the Federal Communications Commission, George Washington University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Census Bureau to identify areas where primary care or mental health providers were lacking, and whether they had adequate high-speed internet. It also looked at income and the prevalence of certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity.

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Counties were considered broadband deserts if less than 70% of households had adequate service as defined by the FCC. Primary care deserts were defined as counties that ranked in the bottom third in terms of providers per Medicaid patient. Mental health deserts were counties that ranked in the bottom third in terms of the number of behavioral health providers per resident.

In Ohio, six counties met the analysiss definition of a dead zone  they had inadequate broadband service and they were Medicaid primary care as well as behavioral health deserts. Those counties were Carroll, Meigs, Monroe, Pike and Vinton counties.

Another five  Adams, Brown, Harrison, Hocking and Holmes counties  lacked adequate broadband and had one care desert. Gallia, Highland and Washington counties didnt have care deserts, but ranked as broadband deserts.

Broadband shortages are especially concerning in an era of aging populations and growing provider shortages.

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The National Institute of Healthcare Management Foundation reports that shortages are growing especially quickly in rural areas, and it estimates that by 2036, the United States will be short more than 85,000 doctors. So, adequate broadband will only become more crucial if states are to fill the gap through virtual visits.

More than $42 billion was earmarked to expand broadband this year as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. But Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trumps secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce, last week announced a rigorous review of the spending. In his announcement, Lutnick complained of woke mandates the Biden administration built into the program. That is raising fears that the funding could be on the chopping block.

Such cuts might be bad for Ohioans health.

According to the KFF Health News analysis, the Buckeye State is slightly better than the national average when it comes to the percentage of homes with adequate broadband access, 93.7% vs. 93.1%. But it has a higher-than-average percentage of residents in rural areas, 23.7% vs. 20%.

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And Ohio lags significantly when it comes to life expectancy, 75.6 years vs. 77.6, median household income, $69,680 vs. $78,538, and rate of poverty, 13.2% vs. 12.%.

Meanwhile, Ohio has higher rates of hypertension, 35.6% vs. 32.7% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 9.5% vs. 6.8%, diabetes, 13% vs. 12%, obesity, 38.1% vs. 33.3%, stroke, 4.3% vs. 3.6%, and suicide, 15 per 100,000 vs. 14.4.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A local retiree says his Social Security benefits were suddenly suspended without warning  and with no explanation given when he reached out. He worries it may have to do with the place he was born, and ongoing DOGE cutbacks.

The man, who was born to an active duty U.S. Solider at an overseas U.S. Army base, says because of recent comments from Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk, hes worried his benefits were cut because of his foreign birthplace.



Earlier this month, Musk, the billionaire head of DOGE, pushed for major cuts to Social Security, calling it a Ponzi scheme, claiming the system is rife with people fraudulently receiving benefits.

Particularly, Musk claimed during an interview with Fox Business, with no evidence, that many illegal immigrants are receiving social security, calling for them to be removed from Social Securitys rolls.

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Will Social Security be around when I retire?

The Hill reported economists say the levels of fraud Musk has talked about just dont exist.

Earlier this month, NBC News reported former Social Security administrator Martin OMalley warned that DOGEs cuts to Social Security could disrupt benefits for millions of Americans for the first time since Social Securitys founding.



Now, James McCaffrey, a retiree living in Oklahoma City, worries he may have been one of the first of them.

McAffrey, 66, says he there was one thing he most looked forward about retirement.

More time with the grandkids, McAffrey told News 4.

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He says he made sure to save up enough retirement money toquite franklyspoil his three grandkids.



I went out and bought [my granddaughter] a new jacket, McCaffrey said. Shes thrilled. And then her sister says, well, you know, she got a new jacket. Wheres mine? I said, Ill get you one.

He also looked forward to being able to travel more with his wife, who is nearing retirement herself.

Why Donald Trumps Social Security promise could be hard to keep

But he thought all those dreams would have to come to a halt, after he opened his mail on Tuesday.

Id hate to have to turn around and say, Well, I have to worry about my next check, he said.



Thats because in the mail was a bill from Medicare  that he wasnt expecting.



It said that I needed to pay $740 before the 25th of this month or I was going to lose my Medicare, McCaffrey said.



That seemed odd, since his Medicare payment is normally deducted from his Social Security check.



So I called Medicare, he said. They returned my call after a wait and told me that they were unable to process it through my Social Security payment, that there was some problem with it. We talked for a bit. He kind of let it out that he thinks its a possibility that my Social Security was suspended.

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Social Security beneficiaries at risk of delays amid GOP funding fight

And that  definitely didnt make sense to McCaffrey.



I thanked him for his time and called Social Security, he said.



After more than two and a half hours on hold with Social Security, he finally got a callback.



They confirmed that my account was suspended, McCaffrey said.



He says Social Security never sent him any sort of notice this was happening, so he cant be certain the exact day his benefits were canceled.

But he knows it must have been sometime between the day he received his February Social Security check early in the month, and Feb. 27, the date written on the bill he received from Medicare.

He asked the Social Security agent if theres anything she could do to fix it.



She said she was going to input some stuff and that she hoped that would take care of it, he said.



And by the next morning, sure enough, the issue had been fixed.

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I just got a simple email on my phone, McCaffrey said. It said that my normal payment was going to resume in April.

List of Social Security Administration offices DOGE is closing

The email didnt mention anything about the March payment he never received.

He took it upon himself to check his bank account, where he saw his March check had now been deposited.

Well, thats fine and dandy, McAffrey said. I enjoyed that, but they gave me no explanation.

For him to get an explanation, he had to become his own detective of sorts.

He thought back to an experience he had two years ago when he first went to a Social Security office to apply for benefits.



The first person I talked to at the Social Security Administration told me that I was not an American citizen, McCaffrey said.



McCaffrey was born on a U.S. Army base in Germany, where his father was stationed for active duty.

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Social Security Administration: Reports of phone service elimination inaccurate

He has an American birth certificateofficially stamped and sealed by the federal government.



I was on American soil, he said. Im American. She told me I was going to need to hire a lawyer, get a naturalization before I could even apply for Social Security.



But when he returned another day with his birth certificate and passport, a different employee told him there was no issue.



Got a different person, presented my things to him, and he says, I dont need these. Youre fine. I dont know what. Shes just misinformed. And Ive never had a problem with anything until [Tuesday], McCaffrey said.



Then he remembered something he had recently seen on TV.

Elon Musk, the billionaire in charge of DOGE, spoke about Social Security during an interview on Fox Business Network.

In the interview, Musk suggested, without citing evidence, that non-citizens in large numbers are receiving Social Security benefits, and called for them to be purged from the system.

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House passes spending bill

[Federal entitlements] is also a mechanism by which Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants, by essentially paying them, Musk said during the March 10 interview on Fox Business. If we turn off this gigantic money magnet for illegal immigrants, then they will leave.



That made McAffrey wonder about his own situation.



I think they went into Social Security and suspended all foreign addresses, whether you reside at home, born on them, he said.



News 4 reached out to the Social Security Administration for an explanation, but officials declined to comment, citing confidentiality rules.

The News 4 to put them in touch with McCaffrey.

Does DOGE have your personal information?

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He says a representative with the Social Security Administration called him on Wednesday, but still offered no explanation for why his benefits were terminated.



It makes me wonder how many other people are going to getor have gottenthat same Medicare letter, McCaffrey said.



He worries about people who may not have the time and resources he had to get to the bottom of what happened and get his benefits back.



Ive been a diligent Boy Scout type, I prepared, he said. But, no, I shouldnt have to.

He also worries about people who may not share the same savings or the same financial cushion the he had to fall back on. And you interrupt that for seven days, two weeks or even longer, and theyre in bad trouble, he said. They could be out of the house. They could be out of food. I dont know.

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As a veteran, an elected official, and a proud Oklahoman, I believe in fair elections where the people  not anonymous dark money groups  decide who represents them.

But for too long, undisclosed donors have flooded our campaigns by the tens of millions, silencing real voices and influencing outcomes without accountability. Thats why I sponsored a resolution in the Oklahoma House to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution  an amendment that would return control of campaign finance laws back to where our forefathers envisioned a majority of power residing: with the states and the people.

I am proud the House gave unanimous support to its passage last week. We must stand up and protect election integrity before its too late.

Undisclosed funds infiltrate campaigns to sway voters

I know firsthand the damage that unchecked money can do. In 2018, paid advertisements lied about me and tried to influence voters in House District 5 falsely. Thankfully, my constituents knew the truth about my commitment to them and our state. But since then, the amount of unrestrained money flowing into campaigns without any way to trace it has only grown worse across Oklahoma.

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We may never know exactly where these anonymous funds come from, but we must remain vigilant. While my colleagues in the state Legislature cast votes based on principles and their constituents wishes, unrestrained interests lurk in the background, wielding their influence through unlimited, untraceable funding.

Consider this: In 2024, I voted to restrict and prevent foreign government adversaries from buying Oklahoma land. But foreign interest doesnt just stop on the surface; foreign interests want a stake in our public utilities, infrastructure, domestic energy production and agriculture businesses. With our five military bases, oil and gas storage, these foreign threats have prompted more bills this year in the legislature that are being considered to protect Oklahomans and our states standing as the epicenter of Americas national security.

Opinion: Oklahoma political campaigns face an urgent problem. Lets fix it.

By restoring power to the states to shape campaign finance laws, Oklahoma would be positioned to enforce a ban on foreign influence in our elections through dark money entities. Right now, we are powerless.

States need stronger laws to rid elections of foreign influence

When states have a stronger role in campaign finance laws, Oklahoma will undoubtedly protect the voice of our constituents and their values while also fighting to weed out those threatening Oklahomas sovereignty.

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So why does this effort need to originate in the state Legislature? While elected officials can proudly state their support of free speech, Congress has failed to address some of the unintended consequences of U.S. Supreme Court rulings around campaign finance dating back to the 1970s. Thats why Im joining the ranks of my colleagues in Wyoming, Texas, Utah and Arizona this year  leaders who refuse to sit idly by  on a crusade to restore this enforcement authority to the states.

History shows that when states unite, Washington listens. This is how we take our elections back  by leading from the ground up and forcing Washington to do its job.

Opinion: Bad bill alert  Senate proposal would undermine direct voice for the people

This isnt about party politics. Its about ensuring Oklahomas future is determined by Oklahomans, not foreign interests.

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This resolution is about the future of our state. Its about ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a democracy where every voter is well-informed and every election is fair. Other states  23 so far  have stepped up, and Oklahoma must join them in this fight.

Ill be on the front lines. I choose action. And I urge my colleagues and fellow Oklahomans to join me. The future of our elections  and our state  depends on it.

Rep. Josh West

Rep. Josh West, R-Tulsa, is the House Majority Floor Leader.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK, states should regulate campaign funds. Not Washington | Opinion
State Superintendent Ryan Walters sits at the head the table during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Jan. 28 at the state Department of Education in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Ethics Commission will pursue an ethics complaint against state Superintendent Ryan Walters in district court and plans to settle other complaints outside the courtroom, the agencys director said Thursday.

Following the commissions meeting Thursday, Executive Director Lee Anne Bruce Boone said the body will pursue in the Oklahoma County District Court alleged violations of campaign finance rules from Walters 2022 election committee, Walters for State Superintendent 2022 Committee. Records do not state what specific violation Walters is alleged to have committed and it did not appear a case had been filed Thursday afternoon.

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Bruce Boone said the commission will also be working to reach a settlement agreement for a second case stemming from Walters use of state resources and his social media account to advocate for Republican President Donald Trumps election.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Grace Kim, said in a statement Thursday that Walters has always committed to following guidelines and transparency.

No information has been provided to Superintendent Walters on any perceived issue regarding any new matter, she said.

While ethics complaints are not usually public, the Ethics Commission voted in January to release two reports on investigations into Walters because they were in the public interest.

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The commission first authorized an investigation into alleged violations of campaign finance rules in October, according to the first report.

The board requested further documents for their investigation with a subpoena, which Walters legal representation said in a written response they would not provide because they believed the matter was already resolved, the request was too broad and there were no responsive documents.

The commission followed up with a second subpoena.

Walters had signed a separate settlement agreement in March 2024 which settled outstanding Compliance Orders for the late filing of several campaign finance reports, according to the released report.

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The second investigation surrounds Walters social media posts and cites several posts and publications made in 2024, according to a second report released by the commission.

The Ethics Commission alleged Walters posted materials using state funds, property or time to advocate for a candidate for elected office.

The investigation report includes posts from his X account during the 2024 presidential election, both in favor of President Donald Trump and against then-Vice President Kamala Harris, where he includes his official title of superintendent in his displayed name. Harris at the time was running as the Democratic nominee for U.S. president.

Walters is also accused of using state letterhead to condemn what he called the Hamas War Against Israel and wrote that Trump, who was seeking a second term in the White House, offered Israel better relations with the United States than Democratic President Joe Biden, according to publicly released Ethics Commission records.

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Another post, from the Oklahoma State Department of Educations official X account, shows migrant children climbing over a wall at the border, which the Ethics Commission said gives the impression the State Department of Education does not support Joe Bidens presidency and is advocating his defeat.

The parameters of the settlement for the social media cases are unknown. Bruce Boone said the settlement is able to be made public once it is signed.

Nuria Martinez-Keel contributed to this report.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  On Thursday, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to pursue prosecution against State Superintendent Ryan Walters for alleged campaign violations.

There were several votes regarding Walters. The one that ended up pushing toward prosecution was about Walters allegedly withholding certain information about donors from his 2022 campaign committee.

The committee was titled Walters for State Superintendent 2022 Committee. The commission began to probe him a little over a year ago when he was told to pay over $7,000 surrounding filing late campaign reports.

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A settlement was reached between the commission and Walters, but they started asking for information surrounding donors.

That led to this vote where they decided to pursue prosecution. According to the ethics rules, the prosecution would be civil in a district court.

The commission said they would send him a notice that Walters will have 20 days to respond to.

Another vote on Thursday resulted in the commission pushing ahead for a possible settlement agreement.

Oklahoma Supreme Court temporarily blocks OSDE Bible purchase request

This came from the allegations surrounding the politically-charged posts, specifically alleging his use of state social media accounts and OSDE communications staff to share politically charged opinions, which may have violated state ethics laws.

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The letter sent out a couple of months ago listed several examples of posts Walters made to his X (formerly Twitter) account.

The profile picture on his X account is his official state portrait, and the accounts name is Superintendent Ryan Waltershis official state title.

Another post the Ethics Commission flagged was an October post Walters made to his X account, in which he shared a video of himself giving an interview on Fox Business Network.

The commission voted to send ahead a settlement agreement. We were told by Executive Director Lee Ann Bruce Boon that they would send the press the settlement discussed, possibly this week.

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I know the Ethics Commission does an excellent job so I trust their findings and in what they do. Well have to see what happens, said Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton.

When asked for a response to the Ethics Commission votes on Thursday, an OSDE spokeswoman responded with no comment here.

UPDATE: The OSDE spokeswoman was asked again later Thursday for a statement and she replied, No information has been provided to Superintendent Walters on any perceived issue regarding any new matter. Supt. Walters has always committed to following all guidelines and transparency in his political operations. Please refer all following ethics questions to the campaign.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma firefighters are bracing for a historic weather system that's expected to bring widespread heavy winds and the threat of fast-moving, dangerous fires this weekend.

The powerful low-pressure system currently racing across the western United States will reach the central plains on Friday. The effect on Oklahoma will be heavy winds gusting up to 60 to 70 mph, which spell a critical-to-extreme risk of rapid fire growth, the National Weather Service said.

As the wind blows across the U.S., it will pick up dust that could also reduce visibility for highway travelers and trigger air quality alerts.

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Friday live updates: High wind, red flag warnings in Oklahoma as extreme fire danger expected

Firefighters, aircraft deployed in Oklahoma

Most Oklahoma counties are under a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Oklahoma Forestry Service personnel are currently stationed in Guthrie and Woodward with fire engines and earthmovers that can be used to create fire breaks. Additional firefighting personnel from Arkansas are expected in Woodward on Friday, and more out-of-state support could be called if conditions warrant.

The Oklahoma Forestry Service also said preparations for Friday's fire weather risk include positioning of support aircraft in western Oklahoma at Burns Flat. These aircraft include those that are used to spot fires and drop water or fire retardant.

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The Oklahoma City Fire Department also is preparing by increasing staffing in response to the high fire danger expected Friday.

"The conditions are ideal for a large wildfire  dry vegetation, low humidity and warm winds mean that just one spark could ignite a fire," said Scott Douglas, Oklahoma City Fire Department spokesman. "Many urban-rural interface areas are at risk, particularly neighborhoods bordering wildland areas. To enhance our response, we will dispatch a task force to all grass fires and allocate additional resources quickly in an effort to contain fires before they escalate into larger wildfires."

In a call with reporters on Thursday, AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned people should prepare for a quick evacuation in case fire approaches their location.

"Any flame that develops, or any spark, can result in significant growth of wildfire," Porter said. "That is a real serious concern. What we've seen in past wildfire emergencies across this part of the country is that towns can be threatened if a fire approaches."

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Already this week, a fast-moving wildfire in Pawnee County forced residents of Terlton to evacuate their homes.

"A little bit of preparation goes a long way," Porter said. "The first thing to understand is, what is your safety plan?"

More: Are you ready for an emergency? Make yourself a go-bag with these essentials

OG&E is also monitoring the weather for extremely high winds, and the company said it is ready to respond should outages occur.

High winds can sometimes make working on the grid dangerous, and OG&E modifies its work during high winds to keep their crews and customers safe. In a statement, OG&E said crews will work as quickly and safely as possible  provided its safe to do so.

Fire isn't the only risk facing Oklahoma, U.S. residents

Both Accuweather and the National Weather Service warned Thursday that the storm system is also likely to kick up dust. Travel will be difficult due to hazy conditions, and the high winds could affect high-profile vehicles  especially ones that are traveling north or south.

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Even without fire, the winds could cause damage by blowing down trees and power lines. Electrical outages are possible.

More: Weather forecasting agency NOAA to cut another 1,000 workers, reports say

The powerful storm will create significant weather in virtually every part of the United States. On Thursday, the storm was bringing heavy mountain snow and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada and heavy rainfall over parts of coastal southern California.

A "regional outbreak of severe storms" is expected across much of the Mississippi Valley, eastward to the Lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys late Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning, the Storm Prediction Center said. "All severe hazards are possible, including swaths of intense winds and tornadoes."

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At the same time, blizzard conditions could hit Nebraska, the Dakotas and Minnesota. As the storm system moves east toward the Atlantic coast on Sunday, some areas could see torrential rainfall and flooding, with some isolated tornado threats.

How to prepare your home for wildfire threats

Guidance from the Oklahoma City Fire Department urges residents to consider two factors. First, the weather plays a big role when it comes to the possibility and eventual severity of a wildfire. The other major factor is the fuel available to a fire as it spreads.

You can take these short-term and long-term precautious to make it harder for a fire to spread on your property:

Clean up downed branches and leaves from your yard and gutters.

Use fire-resistant materials on the home's exterior; vinyl can melt and expose dry wood walls, and wooden shingles can catch fire due to floating embers.

Remove branches and limbs that hang over your home. Prune low-hanging limbs that are 6-10 feet off the ground.

Any openings into the structure (soffit vents, gable vents, etc.) should be covered with very fine (no more than 1/16 inch) mesh screening to prevent embers from entering the structure.

Keep flammable plants and mulches at least 5 feet away from your homes perimeter. Other combustible material like wood piles should ideally be at least 30 feet away from the home.

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If a wildfire is nearing your location, call 911 to report the fire and follow these instructions:

Close all entrances, windows and other openings.

Have tools and water accessible. Have a shovel, rake and long water hose available. Fill buckets and other bulk containers with water.

Dress to protect yourself. Wear cotton/woolen clothing including long pants, long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.

Wet down the roof.

Turn on the sprinkler system if equipped.

Turn off residential fuel. If you use natural gas or butane, turn it off at the tank or the meter.

Prepare the automobiles. Place your vehicles in the garage and close the garage door. If you must evacuate, close the garage door behind you as you leave.

If evacuation is necessary, take your family and pets to a safe location. Pay attention to local media outlets or your mobile technology to see if evacuation instructions are being given.

Evacuate early! If you feel that a wildfire may be approaching your home, it is best to leave as soon as possible. This is the safest thing for you and your family, and it also gives space to personnel arriving to fight the fire.

USA Today reporter Doyle Rice contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma weather: Red flag warning in effect for Friday, what to know
BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank will work to cultivate a financial ecosystem that supports technological innovation, the central bank said on Friday.

The bank will provide targeted support for key national technology initiatives and small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of tech, according to a statement issued by the People's Bank of China.

It will enhance the quality and effectiveness of green financial services further, providing strong support for the green, low-carbon development of China's economy and society.

It will also enhance its capability to provide financial services for the elderly care sector, and develop digital finance actively and steadily.

Efforts will be made to defuse financial debt risks associated with financing platforms, supporting local governments to promote the market-oriented transformation of those platforms, the bank said. 
The indictment of former megachurch pastor Robert Morris on child sex abuse charges this week was made possible by an accuser who refused to quit, a novel legal theory and an archaic section of state criminal code that dates to Oklahomas origins on the wild frontier.

Morris, a leading national figure in the American evangelical movement and the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was charged Wednesday with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. The indictment by a multicounty Oklahoma grand jury came nine months after Cindy Clemishire publicly accused Morris of repeatedly molesting her over a four-year span when she was a child in the 1980s.

Clemishire was 12 and dressed in flowery pink pajamas the first time she says Morris touched her. It was Christmas night in her childhood bedroom in Oklahoma. It would be their secret, she recalled him saying afterward.

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After Clemishire went public with her account in June, Morris released a statement confessing to what he described as inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady. Days later, he resigned as senior pastor at Gateway. Following news of his indictment this week, a Gateway spokesperson said church leaders were grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions.

Morris didnt respond to messages requesting comment.

Pastor Robert Morris in Dallas in 2020.

When she spoke out last year, Clemishire had little hope that Morris would face legal consequences. The statute of limitations for bringing a civil lawsuit or criminal charges had long since expired.

Or so she believed.

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Enter Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Twenty years ago, when the Republican lawyer was still in private practice, he represented Clemishire  an old family friend  as she attempted to negotiate a settlement with Morris over her allegations, which she first brought to church leaders in the 1980s. The 2005 deal fell apart when Clemishire refused Morris demand that she sign a nondisclosure agreement, Drummond said. That was the end of his involvement in the matter, he said, but the case stuck with him.

Cindy Clemishire on Christmas in 1982; Robert Morris and his wife and child while staying at Clemishires childhood home in 1984.

After Clemishires accusations made national headlines last year  helping spark a reckoning over the handing of sex abuse allegations at Gateway and several other North Texas churches  Drummond said his prosecutors asked for permission to pursue a criminal investigation, and he gave it.

I frankly have walled myself from that investigation and prosecution and was pleased that the grand jury believed that there was enough evidence to indict Mr. Morris, Drummond told NBC News in an interview Thursday.

Drummonds office expects Morris to turn himself in to authorities next week.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

The prosecution turns on what Drummond called an extraordinarily unusual application of a very old statute that is most often used when prosecuting cold cases. More than a century ago, when outlaw cowboys roved the Old West committing crimes as they moved between states, Drummond said Oklahoma and other frontier states implemented a provision that essentially pauses  or tolls  the statute of limitations when someone commits a crime and then flees the state.

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Morris was a traveling evangelist who preached to crowds at churches and revivals across the Southwest when he entered Clemishires life in the early 1980s. Like the out-of-state marauders who terrorized Oklahoma towns in the early 1900s, Morris did not reside in Oklahoma, so Drummond said his office determined that the statute of limitations did not apply.

Certainly that will be challenged in a court of law, and we are prepared to meet that challenge, Drummond said. I anticipate that there will be, ultimately, case law made on this case.

Tracy Pearl, a professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, said the attorney generals interpretation appears to be supported by case law.

And from a policy perspective, I think these sorts of provisions that toll the statute of limitations when somebody is located out of state makes sense, Pearl said. We dont want to disadvantage the state or prosecutors in cases in which they may have a really limited ability to find the defendant and then extradite them back to the state.

Gateway Church sex abuse scandal

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In an interview Thursday with NBC News, Clemishire called the announcement of criminal charges surreal. She said she and her family felt validated after years of struggling with the trauma she says Morris inflicted on her as a child.

Were deeply grateful to the authorities that have worked tirelessly to make this day possible, and we remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail, she said.

After Morris resigned from Gateway, the church hired an outside law firm to investigate its handling of the allegations. In November, the church announced it had dismissed elders and church employees who knew about Clemishires allegations or should have done more to investigate them.

In a statement following Morris indictment, a Gateway spokesperson said church leaders continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church, and for all of those impacted by this terrible situation.

Cindy Clemishire said last year that Robert Morris began sexually abusing her when she was 12.

In response to Clemishires story, Texas state Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican, has introduced legislation to give more rights to victims of childhood sexual abuse, including extending the time period that victims have to file lawsuits against their attackers or those who enabled them. Clemishire testified in support of changes during a Texas House committee hearing in October.

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In Oklahoma, Drummond told NBC News that he supports eliminating the criminal statute of limitations in cases of rape. In the meantime, he said he hoped Morris indictment inspires more survivors to come forward.

If you are a victim of child abuse, one, my heart goes out to you, he said. Two, if it occurred in the state of Oklahoma, contact me. Lets not assume that we cannot bring your offender to justice.

If you are a child being abused, or know a child who may be facing abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453, or go to www.childhelphotline.org. States often have child abuse hotlines, but if you suspect a childs life is in imminent danger, call 911.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
HARRODSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56)  A tourist commission in central Kentucky is committed to maintaining one of its annual traditions.

Every fall, hundreds of people gather in Harrodsburg for the annual Oktoberfest, a festival that has become a staple of the community. So, you can imagine the shock and disappointment when neighbors learned it might not be taking place this year.

Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

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Just a few weeks ago, festival organizers announced over social media that they would be discontinuing the event. Thats when the Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission stepped in to save it, adding that they recognize the hard work it will take to recreate the event their community knows and loves, but they arent willing to let this cherished tradition fade away. The community seems to agree, with their announcement gaining lots of attention and excitement.

Its just always been a community favorite but, you know, a few years ago they had people from 48 of the 50 states and other countries. So, from a tourism industry, its huge because its bringing people from all over the United States, and then for our local community, its just another fun event for them to do, Daarik Gray, executive director of Mercer County Tourist Commission, said. Were super appreciative of the group who has brought this to life and has continued the tradition and were excited to keep that tradition going and hopefully we can make it just as good as it has been in the past, and were looking forward to hopefully at least ten more years or more.

Organizers said this new project will be its biggest festival, and the numbers show it.

Its a day full of food, drinks, music, and other activities, bringing in 20,00 people annually and an economic boost the city cant afford to lose.

The last two years, its brought close to 23,000, so just over 20,000. I dont think you can measure the economic impact, especially, you know, for the many businesses downtown, and even surrounding, the hotels in the communities stay booked that weekend, the other restaurants when people are traveling in, even your fast-food restaurants, people are on their way in stopping, I mean even when theyre leaving, theyre stopping too. So, I think itd be hard to measure just how important and how big the impact is, said Gray.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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As part of its ongoing planning efforts, the Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission is introducing new ideas to enhance Oktoberfest in Harrodsburg. More details will be announced in the coming months.

For more information or to contact, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Old Lyme  A group has begun work to educate residents about the town's place in the country's 250-year history, its role in the American Revolution, social progress and development of the country's founding ideals.

The town's America 250 Committee is scheduled to launch its website March 15, an auspicious date in town history, said committee member and Selectman Jim Lampos.

March 15 is the birthday of David Ruggles, an abolitionist born 1810 in Lyme, which then encompassed Lyme and Old Lyme. He was the first Black publisher in the country, a founder of the nonviolent civil disobedience movement and associate of Frederick Douglass.

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He published books, articles and pamphlets denouncing slavery, opening what was likely the first Black-owned bookstore before a group burned it down. He was a major conductor" of the Underground Railroad, aiding at least 600 Black people to freedom, including Douglass, according to the New England Historical Society.

"We have amazing stories to tell," Lampos said.

"We want our residents to have a lot of pride in the town," added committee member Cheryl Poirier.

The celebration will last through July 4, 2026, Poirier said, and more information on festivities is to come. The town is going to take part in a nationwide event, "Two Lights for Tomorrow" this April, Poirier said. It commemorates Paul Revere's midnight ride warning of the British Army's approach before the battles of Lexington and Concord, both in Massachusetts.

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Yet another historical figure from Lyme the group will tell residents about is Stephen Johnson, a pastor and pamphleteer who was a main opponent of England's Stamp Act, which imposed an extra tax on paper materials produced in the colonies, Lampos said.

"Our country is based on an idea, that we're created equal with inalienable rights," Lampos said. "That was first codified in one of Stephen Johnson's pamphlets. The ideology of the Revolution can be traced to Old Lyme.

Poirier said about 100 Lyme troops marched from Connecticut to one of the two first armed conflicts of the American Revolution, the Battle of Lexington, including Black soldiers and men from the Nehantic Tribe. The group also plans to tell residents more about the history of the town's Black residents, and of its precolonial inhabitants, the Nehantic, and of important suffragists and artists the committee says deserve more attention.

The group will have free tours of local landmarks and historic houses, Lampos said.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  State prosecutors have rested their case in the 36-count felony fraud trial of James Staten, former owner of Olympus Pools.

The defense has begun its witness testimony to support its argument that Staten did not intend to defraud his customers and therefore is not guilty.

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Staten was accused of using $1.3 million in his clients money to fund his lifestyle while failing to finish their pool. The state argues he encouraged his sales staff to continue to sell pools, even when he and staff knew it was unlikely the pools would be completed.

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Defense Attorney Dino Michaels asked Staten if he blamed other people when the business failed?

Yeah, I probably did some of that, Staten said. In fact, I know I did some of that. I was angry at the whole world.

Michaels asked who was responsible for the implosion of Olympus Pools.

Ultimately, its my responsibility, Staten answered.

Staten testified that when business tanked, he sold some of his personal jewelry, his kids dirtbikes and his truck to help pay back victims.

Olympus Pools owner was not truthful on construction license application: investigators

He explained he got in over his head and couldnt deliver on all of the pools he sold post-pandemic, but he said it was always his intention to finish the jobs.

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The state prosecutor then grilled Staten, confirming details in testimony from victims who paid for pools and did not receive finished projects.

She asked about out-of-state incentive sales trips to places like Las Vegas, Key West and Italy and a $12,000 mortgage payment that the state alleges he paid for with customers pool money.

The defense called one other witness, a retired fraud investigator from the IRS who now runs a consulting firm.

The consultant testified that he disagrees with some of the analysis of state financial investigators that the prosecution used to build its case. He also testified that as an investigator he would want to review a larger sampling of business activity dating back further than what the state highlighted in its investigation.

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Prosecutors countered with tough questions about how much the defense paid for his review and his time sitting in court and testifying, concluding it is around $30,000.

Statens attorney argues that he did not defraud any customers, but simply made bad business decisions. He said there was no intent to not build the pools, therefore it should not be a criminal case.

The defense attorney pointed out that the business was successful from 2013 until consumer complaints started rolling in in 2021. That was also when some Olympus Pools clients began reaching out to Better Call Behnken for help, claiming they paid upfront for their pools, but were left with dangerous holes in their yards.

Staten was arrested in August 2023.

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If he is convicted on all 36 counts, he would face a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
When a couple from Colombia who was planning their wedding showed up for a check-in with U.S. immigration authorities, one was given his next appointment date. The other was detained and deported.

Jhojan doesnt know why Felipe was detained at the Feb. 5 appointment with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But Jhojan was so worried after Felipe's deportation that he didnt show up for his next check-in a month later. Jhojan insisted The Associated Press withhold the couples last names, fearing retribution.

He is among many people who now fear that once-routine immigration check-ins will be used as an opportunity to detain them. The appointments have become a source of anxiety as President Donald Trump presses ahead with a campaign of mass deportations and the number of people in ICE custody has reached its highest level since November 2019.

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The check-ins are how ICE keeps track of some people who are released by the government to pursue asylum or other immigration cases as they make their way through a backlogged court system. The government has not said how many people ICE has detained at such appointments or whether thats now standard practice, but immigration advocates and attorneys are concerned people might stop showing up, putting themselves further at risk of deportation.

If you show up, theyll deport you. If you dont, theyll deport you, too, Jhojan, 23, told the AP this week.

The U.S. government is saying little

ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, did not respond to repeated requests for comment about immigrants being detained at check-ins.

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With the federal government releasing little information, its hard to sort out facts from rumors as fears run rampant in many immigrant communities. However, Trump has made it a priority to deport anyone who is in the U.S. illegally, a sharp shift from his predecessor, Joe Biden, who focused only on immigrants who were deemed public safety or national security threats and people stopped at the border.

ICE has arrested 32,809 people since Trump took office, a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said Wednesday during a call with reporters. About 47,600 people are in ICE detention, according to the ICE official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with guidance set by the administration.

Its the first time in four years that ICE has arrested more people than Customs and Border Protection, indicating that more immigrants are being detained inside the U.S. than along its borders.

Immigration check-ins

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ICE calls people in for appointments for several reasons, including issuing a court date. If an immigrant breaks the law during that time or a judge declines their appeal to stay in the U.S., ICE can detain and deport them.

In Louisiana, ICE detained an immigrant last month who was asked to show up under the guise of being eligible for another program with less supervision, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, which declined to offer further details.

ICE also has locked up some people it just recently deemed as likely to qualify for asylum and unlikely to flee authorities.

John Torres, a former ICE acting director, said its hard to comment in detail without more information about each case. But, he added, the major reason those things take place is because something has changed in their status or somethings been discovered about their background.

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Some asylum-seekers have been targeted

An immigrant from Ecuador who is in his 20s is among the asylum-seekers who have been detained, according to attorney Rosa Barreca.

It happened at the man's first check-in, on Feb. 3. The man had turned himself in to border agents after entering the U.S. illegally three weeks earlier. ICE officials at that time interviewed him and released him from custody, concluding he had a reasonable fear of persecution if he returned to his home country, according to Barreca.

Releasing him suggested that ICE wasnt concerned he would flee. The fact that he didn't made it easier for ICE to jail him.

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The family called me surprised and in a panic, said Barreca, who runs a private practice in Philadelphia, where the man's family lives. When I asked the reason, he just said it is based on the executive orders and didnt specify anything further.

He had no criminal convictions and no contact with police during his few weeks in the U.S., Barreca said, ruling out every red flag she can imagine.

Lawyers are telling immigrants to prepare

Lawyers cannot advise clients to simply skip the meetings, which would lead to deportation orders. Instead, advocates and lawyers urge immigrants to prepare for appointments and the possibility of detention. Theyre cautioning immigrants to note sudden changes in how their check-ins are conducted  such as appointments that were always virtual instead being done in person.

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They are also encouraging immigrants to make emergency child care arrangements and to provide details of their cases with friends and family. That includes sharing a unique identification number that ICE uses to track people.

Immigrant rights groups say people should bring someone, preferably an attorney, to ICE appointments.

Advocates are also returning to a tactic from the first Trump administration by telling people to have a group of supporters walk them to their check-ins and wait outside.

When people feel unsafe going to report, its setting everything up for failure, said Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center. It undermines the trust that people need to have.

___

Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed.
"Lewis & Drydens Marine History of the Pacific Northwest recounts the terrible wreck of the American barque Industry on the Columbia River Bar on March 16, 1865.

After two weeks of rough weather that destroyed water casks and washed away supplies, the Industry approached the bar. After waiting outside for several days, hoping for assistance, the water ran out. Desperate, Capt. Lewis was about to make a run for it.

Then he spotted a pilot boat, but it didn't approach to put on a pilot. The captain misread their signals to him and followed the boat into the north channel. The wind failed during the attempt, so he set anchors to keep from running aground. The flag was flown upside down as a distress signal, but there was no response.

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When the wind picked up, he got underway again but drifted into shallow water and ran aground stern first. Not one to give up, the captain kept trying to work the vessel over to the middle channel, but then the Industry ran hard aground, receiving fatal injuries to her hull, and began taking on water quickly.

After a boat was lowered and became immediately swamped, drowning the mate, all hands took to the rigging at 9 p.m. During the night, all of the upper works of the vessel were carried away, and the rest of the boats were demolished.

In desperation, two rafts were constructed in the morning to get help. The five people on the first were rescued by a lifeboat from Fort Canby. On the second raft, only two of its eight passengers reached shore safely. Seventeen of the 24 passengers and crew aboard the Industry perished.

One of the survivors was C.W. Shively, son of J.M. Shively, Astorias first postmaster. He wrote an account of the disaster for the Daily Alta California  there was no Daily Astorian yet  blaming the loss of life on the pilot boats for ignoring the Industry's distress flag.

Coincidentally, the elder Shively was no stranger to disasters at sea himself. Returning from the gold rush in California in 1850, he lost everything in a shipwreck, only to arrive in Astoria to find out hed been replaced as postmaster. Hopefully, after the demise of the Industry, the family avoided all things nautical. (Painting: Ivan Aivazovsky)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Police are investigating a shooting that took place on Thursday in west Topeka.

Rosie Nichols with the City of Topeka said in a press release that police were called around 10 p.m. on March 13 on reports of gunshots in the area of Southwest 17th Street and Southwest McAlister Avenue. Police arriving in the area were told by callers that gunfire was coming from two vehicles in the area.

What Kansas law enforcement agencies are helping ICE conduct deportations?

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Law enforcement found one person who was grazed by gunfire at the scene who was treated for minor injuries. The incident is under investigation.

Nichols told 27 News the victim and the suspect in this shooting are not known to one another. No arrests have been made yet at the time of this report.

Police ask that anyone with information related to this incident reach out to the Topeka Police Department by emailing telltpd@topeka.org or by calling 785-368-9400. You can also contact Shawnee County Crime Stoppers by calling 785-234-0007 or by clicking here to leave an anonymous tip.

Murder charge filed in Topeka deadly shooting case

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For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
In a letter to the US government, OpenAI slammed its fast-rising Chinese rival, DeepSeek.

"While America maintains a lead on AI today, DeepSeek shows that our lead is not wide and is narrowing," OpenAI wrote.

The letter also outlined policy recommendations to secure America's lead in AI.

OpenAI has launched an attack on its fast-rising Chinese rival, DeepSeek.

In a 15-page letter to the US government on Thursday, OpenAI called DeepSeek's latest model, R1, a "noteworthy" development  one that signals China's growing AI ambitions and underscores the tightening competition between the rival countries.

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"While America maintains a lead on AI today, DeepSeek shows that our lead is not wide and is narrowing," Chris Lehane, OpenAI's vice president of global affairs, wrote to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Founded in 2023 by Chinese entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek shook up the AI industry and the US stock market with its low-cost reasoning model, R1, unveiled in January. The company said its R1 model rivals top competitors, like ChatGPT's o1, but at a fraction of the cost.

The company behind ChatGPT didn't hold back its criticism of the Chinese model. Lehane warned that using DeepSeek in critical infrastructure and other high-risk applications poses a "significant risk" because DeepSeek could be pressured by the Chinese government to manipulate its models.

The US Navy has warned service members against using DeepSeek, and Taiwan banned it in government agencies in February over security concerns.

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"Because DeepSeek is simultaneously state-subsidized, state-controlled, and freely available, the cost to its users is their privacy and security," Lehane wrote.

Lehane also said DeepSeek's AI is "more willing" to generate responses for illicit and harmful activities, including identity fraud and intellectual property theft.

"The Chinese Communist Party views violations of American intellectual property rights as a feature, not a flaw," he wrote.

Lehane warned that China would use AI as a geopolitical tool by offering DeepSeek to countries needing AI tools and infrastructure funding  a move aligned with its existing Belt and Road initiative. For over a decade, China has used this program to spend more than $1 trillion on infrastructure programs globally.

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OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman called DeepSeek's R1 an "invigorating" competitor in January, saying it would push his company to release "better models" faster.

Securing America's lead in AI

OpenAI's letter also outlined policy recommendations to secure America's lead in AI.

The letter was written in response to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's request for public input in February.

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the US to "sustain and enhance America's global AI dominance" while revoking the Biden administration's order demanding greater transparency from AI companies.

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His administration is now tasked with developing an AI Action Plan by July.

Lehane on Thursday proposed a series of "freedom-focused" policies, including a regulatory strategy that would relieve American AI developers from complying with "overly burdensome state laws."

The company also said the US government could make it easier for AI companies to train on copyrighted material, arguing that strict copyright laws could slow innovation and restrict access to training data.

OpenAI and its peers have been criticized for using copyrighted content to train models. Authors and news outlets, including The New York Times, have sued OpenAI, saying the startup is breaking copyright law.

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Lehane proposed a copyright strategy that would protect creators' rights while safeguarding America's AI leadership and national security.

"The federal government can both secure Americans' freedom to learn from AI, and avoid forfeiting our AI lead to the PRC by preserving American AI models' ability to learn from copyrighted material," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The layoffs of half of the employees of the U.S. Department of Education clearly demonstrate the Trump administrations follow-through on one of Project 2025s mandates, which intends to eliminate the resources, protections and opportunities that millions of children and families across this nation rely on.

It is evident that the White House will not stop until it wipes out the most basic protections and supports for the American people, including the youngest children. The first step was the attempt to defund Head Start and Early Head Start, impacting 800,000 young children across the nation. This order was halted by a federal judge in Washington, thanks to the lawsuits filed by Democracy Forward and attorneys general from 23 states.

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The mass layoffs will severely hamper the departments ability to execute on its core responsibilities. This move is a direct assault on millions of students, teachers and families. It is clearly a precursor to dismantling the department without congressional consent, which would have an even more devastating impact. The department serves and protects the most vulnerable children and young adults, ensuring that they have equal access to education. This includes:

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26 million students from low-income backgrounds  more than half of all K-12 students  who rely on the department for reasonable class sizes; school meals; tutoring; afterschool and summer programs; school supplies such as laptops and books; parent engagement programs; and, in some cases, transportation

9.8 million students enrolled in rural schools



7.4. million students with disabilities



5 million English learners



1.1 million students experiencing homelessness



87 million college students who receive Pell Grants and student loans

The department was created in 1980 with a single, crucial purpose: to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. Its creation followed decades of systemic inequities that left children in disadvantaged communities without the same learning opportunities as their more privileged peers. The departments work has been a critical safeguard against discrimination in schools, whether on the basis of race, disability, gender or income.

Without the federal governments intervention and oversight, the more than 13 million children who live in poverty would be even more vulnerable to systemic inequities. The department ensures that federal dollars are distributed to those students most in need, ensuring that underserved children have the same opportunities for success as their wealthier peers. Without the federal oversight and the departments support, these students will fall even further behind, and the national achievement gap will grow wider.

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Going for Blood: After Mass Firing, Many Wonder How Ed Dept. Will Function

The federal government is the only entity that can ensure a baseline level of educational equity across the entire nation. The department holds states accountable for ensuring that all children, regardless of where they live or what their socioeconomic status may be, receive a quality education. If this accountability is removed, the children most at risk  those in underfunded schools, children of color, children with disabilities, English learners and those experiencing homelessness  will be the first to suffer. These children would be denied the critical services and protections they need to succeed in school and in life.

Moreover, the presidents plan to turn education policy over to the states would completely dismantle the federal safety net that ensures that the most vulnerable children are not left behind. Each of the 50 states has different priorities, resources and political climates. While some might be able to provide excellent educational opportunities, others will leave children behind, particularly in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. Inequities between states could widen to an intolerable degree, and the resulting lack of uniform educational standards would only further disadvantage the children who need the most help.

To be clear, the department cannot be dissolved at the whim of a sitting president. Under the Constitution, only an act of Congress can create or dismantle a federal agency. The president does not have the unilateral power to eliminate an entire federal institution that serves the educational needs of millions of children across this country. Attempting to do so would not only undermine the law, but also inflict tremendous harm to the very foundation of Americas educational system.

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The idea that dismantling the department could somehow improve that system is not only misguided, but dangerously naive.

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The Political War Over the Department of Education is Only Beginning

Its vital that we, as a nation, recognize the long-term damage this action would cause. The attempt to dismantle the Department of Education is not just an attack on a government agency  it is an attack on the future of Americas children.

To parents across the country: This policy is not only unconstitutional  it is a grave threat to your childrens future. Whether your child is in a classroom in New York, Los Angeles or a small town in the Midwest, the U.S. Department of Education has worked to ensure that their educational opportunities are protected, funded and regulated. A president who seeks to eliminate this essential agency is jeopardizing the future of every single student in America.

This is why we must all rise up and make our voices heard. We must demand that our leaders stop this dangerous plan in its tracks, that they fix what isnt working and that they use this opportunity to reimagine public education and invest in a more effective, equitable system that gives all children the opportunity to succeed.
Over the last century, U.S political power has become increasingly centralized. Although some hoped centralization would increase democracy and national unity, discord defines much of our political atmosphere while the presidents powers grow.

None of this would surprise James Madison, known as the Father of the Constitution. In 1791, Madison warned that consolidating power in the national government would inevitably increase the power of the president, silence the voice of the people and lead to national disunity.

Madison realized that Congress, as a large, deliberative body, could not take on every local government issue. If Congress tried, it would become overwhelmed and would defer to the executive, who could act quickly, thus increasing the executives powers and diminishing Congress.

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Madison also predicted that the people of the United States are too diverse to speak as a whole. Hence, any expressions of the public mind would only be partial. Without a clear public voice to guide them, the national government would determine its own course. In other words, Madison foresaw a deep state and the disconnect between the public and national officials.

If Madisons diagnosis is correct, then the solution is not simply that Congress exerts itself more against the executive. Rather, the solution must include federalism: a division of powers that limits the national governments responsibilities and allows state and local governments to fully direct their affairs.

The U.S. Constitution institutionalized federalism as a fundamental element of our governing structure. Etymologically, federalism comes from the Latin word foedus, meaning treaty, pact or covenant. While novel in its separation of powers and responsibilities between two distinct governments, the philosophy and practice of federal governance goes back to ancient Israel. In the Hebrew Bible, a federal or covenant agreement bound members as equal partners to address common problems. Authority was divided, roles and responsibilities might differ, and the partnership was limited to preserve a realm of liberty for the partners.

Federalism was brought to America by religious pilgrims seeking to escape Europes top-down, centralized governments that opposed popular sovereignty and covenant-based societies. The Mayflower Compact was one of many political covenants signed by Americans in order to establish federal societies.

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Over the next nearly 170 years, American colonists experimented with many federal arrangements. In time, secular liberal and republican ideas were mixed into their political thinking, but a strong culture of popular sovereignty and covenant order always remained. Hence, the people of Massachusetts in 1780 described their constitution, like their Pilgrim forebears, as a covenant.

This long federal tradition in the American colonies culminated with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. At the heart of these two founding documents is an agreement that binds the nation, states and people into a federal partnership to address limited collective objectives. Each partner in this agreement has different roles and responsibilities, and the partnership is limited to preserve a realm of liberty and autonomy for the states and the people.

In the last century, a commitment to federal principles has been eclipsed by an emphasis on consolidated government to foster national unity and democracy. The consequence is, however, as James Madison predicted, the exact opposite.

The Constitution has united our nation multiple times in the past and could again if we heed the call to renew, revitalize and recover our practice of constitutionalism, as Yuval Levin suggested in his recent book, American Covenant. Among those practices is a proper understanding of, and governing commitment to, constitutional federalism. This would decrease the national governments responsibilities and allow Congress to focus on truly national concerns. It would bring the policies that affect daily lives closer to the people, thus allowing state and local governments to better represent and reflect the diverse interests and values of their citizens.

Unfortunately, we have neglected this heritage and our founders wisdom. A renewed focus on federalism animates HB488, which just passed the Utah Legislature and will provide nonpartisan federalism training for the states government officials and otherwise assist in supporting a balanced partnership with the national government. Utahs dedication to fostering this fundamental principle of the United States Constitution could serve as the basis for a more democratic and united political society.
A worker fries spring tea leaves for the farmers at a workshop in Fengling Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

A worker fries spring tea leaves for the farmers at a workshop in Fengling Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

This photo taken on March 14, 2025 shows tea trees on a hill in Shuanglian Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Farmers pick spring tea leaves on a hill in Shuanglian Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Farmers deliver fresh tea leaves they picked to the tea factory for processing, which is convenient for sale, at a workshop in Fengling Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists taste spring tea in Fengling Village of Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

A worker weighs and packages freshly fried tea leaves at a workshop in Zhongtai sub-district, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 14, 2025. Local farmers are busy picking fresh tea leaves as the harvest season of spring tea has started in Zhongtai. The sub-district has about 1,040 hectares of tea fields, with an annual output of about 285 tonnes of tea and an output value of 195 million yuan (about 27.09 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
As the U.S. withdraws into isolationism, European nations are racing to fill the vacuum, but they face great challenges.

Following his appalling treatment in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a heros welcome in Britain, including a private meeting with King Charles at his Sandringham estate.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking the lead in organizing a coalition of the willing to provide Ukraine with the security guarantees it desperately needs before it can engage in meaningful negotiations with Russia.

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Starmer is providing Ukraine weapons, loans and the promise of British peacekeeping troops once a deal is reached. He said that while the NATO allies need U.S. support, Europe must do the heavy lifting.

French President Emmanuel Macron went further. I want to believe that the U.S. will stand by our side, he told the French people, But we have to be ready for that not to be the case.

In addition to promising Ukraine aid, Macron has raised the possibility of extending Frances nuclear weapons umbrella over the rest of Europe to deter Putin from further aggression.

Frances 290 nuclear weapons dont come close to matching Russias 6,375, but they dont need to for an effective deterrent. If just 10 percent of these weapons reach their targets, they might destroy 29 cities  far more than any nation on the planet could afford to lose.

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Germany is seriously considering reinstating conscription.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told his parliament We will try to have a model ready by the end of this year so that every adult male in Poland is trained in the event of war so that this reserve is comparable and adequate to the potential threats.

Other European countries are increasing their defense spending.

At the emergency summit in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that to ensure its security, the European Union is determined to invest more, to invest better and to invest faster together. She backed that pledge with a plan to increase defense spending by $843 billion and offered 150 billion in loans to help meet that goal.

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Leaders of the 27 nations also agreed to loosen budget restrictions, allowing member states to spend more on defense.

These developments suggest that Europe may finally be stepping up to develop the common defense policy that has been the subject of so much discussion but little action in past decades.

Encouraging though the signs are, turning the continents extensive resources into military assets will take time, which Ukraine may not have.

With a population of 448 million (larger than the U.S. and more than double that of Russia), a GDP of $18.4 trillion, and the largest share of trade in manufactured goods and services (14 percent), the EU could produce a military to match that of the U.S. and exceed that of Russia.

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Even before the proposed build-up, member states already have considerable combined power.

While no individual nation comes close to matching the 1.5 million military personnel in Putins war machine, collectively EU armed forces far exceed it with a combined strength of approximately 1.9 million in 2020.

Although European nations, as well as Ukraine, have grown dependent on U.S. armaments, the EU has the resources, infrastructure and technological capacity for a defense industry renaissance, provided there is the political will to implement it.

Europe has recently surpassed the U.S. in the proportion of weapons provided to Ukraine, although the U.S. still provides the most advanced air defense and offensive systems.

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Creating a European defense force, however, requires more than adding up the capabilities of EU member states and increasing weapons production.

Common doctrine, interoperability (standardized ammunition, communications, etc.) and an overall command system are necessary to meld the various militaries into a unified force.

Fortunately, NATO membership has provided some of these requirements, including a military command committee capable of strategic planning.

Estimates on how long it would take for Europe to build up its militaries to match Russias range from 2-5 years.

Beyond developing its forces, the real challenge for Europeans will be maintaining the political will to act in concert. While EU states would certainly stand together to resist a full-scale Russian attack, how might they respond to lower-level threats? For example, what would they do if Putin used the large Russian minorities in Latvia and Estonia to launch an insurgency against their governments and intervene to support it?

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Ukraine will be a test of solidarity.

Military experts estimate that Starmers coalition of the willing could deploy 30,000 of the up to 200,000 international peacekeepers Zelensky says would be necessary to deter a renewed Russian offensive following a ceasefire.

Europe will not be able to build up its forces in time to save Ukraine, although it might provide enough money and hardware to delay defeat.

Without U.S. military aid and intelligence, experts believe the Ukrainian military could start to crack within four months.

Even if Kyiv and Moscow hammer out a deal and especially if Ukraine falls, the EU would be wise to forge ahead with its aggressive defense buildup and complete it as soon as possible.

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The threat from Russia will not go away.

Putin has made clear his intent to rebuild as much of the Soviet empire as possible and to reassert Russian power on the world stage.

EU states boarding Russia and Belarus (a Moscow satellite) are particularly vulnerable and will need the same security guarantees Ukraine demands.

The current U.S. administrations pull-back from NATO may be temporary, but it serves as a grim warning that Europe can no longer count on unconditional American support.

A robust defensive capability would not only enable the EU to defend itself against Russia. It would also enable Brussels to stand up to Washington.

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American dominance of NATO does not benefit either Europe or the U.S. It leaves our allies vulnerable and allows our government to bully rather than lead.

Tom Mockaitis is a professor of history at DePaul University and the author of  Conventional and Unconventional War: A History of Modern Conflict. 

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A young woman places a paper that reads "You chose politics over people. You broke my heart, on a door at the Oklahoma State Capitol in opposition to House Bill 4156 on May 15. A federal challenge to the controversial immigration law has been dismissed, but other opponents remain committed to fighting against it. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A Tulsa group vowed Friday to continue the fight to block implementation of a controversial anti-immigration law despite the U.S. Department of Justices decision under the Trump administration to stop challenging its enforcement.

Elissa Stiles, one of the attorneys representing Padres Unidos de Tulsa, said the immigration advocates plan to pursue their challenge and will absolutely continue to fight to continue for the injunction blocking the implementation of House Bill 4156.

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It was unclear Friday afternoon whether the law is currently enforceable following the federal governments dismissal.

House Bill 4156, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in April, created the crime of impermissible occupation for entering the United States without legal authorization.

The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in county jail and a fine of up to $500 or both. The person would be required to leave the state within 72 hours.

A second offense is a felony with up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The Department of Justice, which at the time was led by the Biden administration, and Padres Unidos de Tulsa both swiftly sued separately to block implementation. The two suits, both in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, were combined June 5, according to the federal injunction.

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A federal judge put the law on hold in June, days before it was set to go into effect on July 1. Opponents of the law argued that federal authorities are responsible for immigration enforcement and the law circumvents their authority.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who pushed for the legislation to be passed, appealed the injunction in July.

Because the dismissal was just filed, the court has not issued any orders on the case yet, Stiles said.

Both the federal government and Padres Unidos filed for the preliminary injunction, so the groups motion was dismissed as moot because the federal governments motion was granted first, she said.

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Stiles said Padres Unidos motion for a preliminary injunction will need to be reconsidered and decided on its merits since it was originally dismissed as a duplicative effort.

Drummond said in a statement this is a commonsense law and marks the start of a new day for public safety.

For far too long, Oklahoma law enforcement was stymied because the federal government had declined to do anything about deporting the illegal immigrants found working on these grows, Drummond said in a statement. The nations porous southern border has been a serious threat to the safety and security of Oklahomans. The sooner we can finally enforce HB 4156, the better.

House lawmakers on Thursday advanced a measure to the Senate that would create a new felony for being in the country illegally. It allow an individual to be arrested and charged with a new felony punishable by five years in prison if they are apprehended for a violation of Oklahomas criminal law and are determined to be an undocumented immigrant. This effort would also repeal House Bill 4156.

A spokesperson for the governor did not respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon is seeing its worst flu activity since the Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus 15 years ago, leading state health officials to encourage Oregonians to get their flu shots.

On Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority announced significant influenza activity in the state, noting Oregonians are continuing to be hospitalized during the time of the year when statewide flu activity starts winding down.

OHA is encouraging Oregonians to get vaccinated against the virus, especially as the state could see a late-season uptick in flu cases, which the state has seen in recent years.

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Downtown Portland sees open-air drug market resurgence after return of can redemptions

This has been a year of very high flu activity, said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. We want to remind people that there is still a lot of flu out there and to get their flu shots. Spread of flu can be unpredictable, and we often see another peak late in winter.

According to OHA data, fewer people are getting flu shots, with vaccinations down 4% from 2024, and has been steadily dropping since 2022. As of March 1, more than 1.2 million Oregonians have received a flu vaccine this flu season.

We would like 100% of people to be vaccinated to prevent the risk of severe disease, but weve seen the vaccination rate slip, said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHAs Public Health Division.

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Stretch of Historic Columbia River Highway closed indefinitely

The influenza virus causes a contagious, respiratory tract infection with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue, OHA said  adding that the virus can cause severe illness leading to hospitalization and death.

Some groups, such as older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with certain health conditions are at a higher risk for serious complications from the flu, health officials said. Rates for hospitalization are the highest for people who are 65 years old and older.

According to OHA, the 2024-25 flu season has seen nearly 1,600 hospitalizations for flu across Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Oregon Department of Revenue building in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Photo by Alan Cohen/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon lawmakers will consider nearly doubling funding for a program that provides free tax preparation to low-income families, which participating organizations say is stretched to its limits.

The Legislature created the Tax Infrastructure Grant Program in 2022 to help low-income Oregonians claim the tax credits they earned and work past barriers like limited English proficiency. More than a dozen participating organizations across the state receive funding from the Department of Human Services through this program to provide low-income families with free tax preparation year-round, but department spokesman Jake Sunderland said most need additional funding to keep up with the demand for their services.

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A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced House Bill 2991 to increase the programs funding from $8 million to $14 million per two-year budget cycle, as demand for free tax preparation rises.

Current grantees include Oregon State University, Oregon Legal Aid Services, tribes and nonprofits that serve immigrants and farmworkers. Most are staffed with volunteers and interns and offer one-on-one tax assistance in person. The program also funds universities and high schools to train students on tax preparation and provide hands-on experience serving low-income communities.

Free tax preparation funded by the Tax Infrastructure Grant Program complements the perks of Direct File Oregon, a program created last year for eligible taxpayers to file online for free, according to Daniel Hauser, deputy director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy. However, people with language barriers or limited access to the internet may need in-person attention that they cant get with these programs, he said.

More than 14,000 taxpayers filed through the program in 2024 and they had an average gross income of $27,818, according to a report from DHS. 15% of them had never filed taxes or had done so intermittently in the previous five years.

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In 2021, the most recent year with data, 75.2% of eligible taxpayers in Oregon claimed the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, a rate lower than any other state except Alaska and Washington, D.C. Reaching 90% would require about 60,000 more eligible taxpayers to file and claim the credit each year, according to the report.

Eligible taxpayers in Oregon that dont claim tax credits are mostly single with no dependents, work part-time and live outside of the Portland area, according to the report. They are also more likely to get significant amounts of withholding refunded once they file.

To qualify for the federal EITC and the Oregon Earned Income Credit, last year single taxpayers without children must have earned less than $18,591. Single filers with one child could have earned up to $49,084, those with two children $55,768 and those with three or more children $59,899. Married couples filing jointly have slightly higher minimums to qualify.

Limited coverage in rural areas

Most participating organizations are in urban areas and the coast, leaving eastern Oregon with few accessible and affordable tax preparers.

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To qualify for grant funding, tax preparers must go through strict training and security protocols, Sunderland said.

Rural communities often have fewer professionals able to support this work, he said.

However, if the Legislature approves additional funding for the program, it will be able to open new sites in rural counties  which have the highest rates of taxpayers eligible for tax credits  and expand the capacity of the existing organizations throughout the state, Sunderland said.

Return on investment

In 2022, the most recent year with data, $460 million was awarded through the EITC to 218,000 Oregon taxpayers, representing an average of approximately $2,100 per claimant.

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For people like Brandy Nelson-Chalmers, a 52-year-old waitress from Coos Bay, this money can make a big difference. She received $3,995 in tax credits in 2023 after filing with Moneywise, a tax preparer organization funded by the Tax Infrastructure Grant Program.

Nelson-Chalmers needed in-person help to file taxes and described the process as quite easy and straightforward. She is using the money for repairs and other household costs.

I plan on fixing my doorway because its rotting out, she said.

Although Nelson-Chalmers filed every year, the program serves others with backlogs of several years without filing. In some cases, families who havent filed taxes in a few years end up receiving thousands of dollars in refunds for prior years once they have help filing taxes, Hauser said.

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Low-income Oregonians could get almost $100 million more per year from the EITC alone if all eligible taxpayers filed, the Oregon Center for Public Policy estimates. More money in the hands of Oregonians would lead to higher spending at local businesses and a stronger Oregon economy, Hauser said.

The money that goes into the Oregon economy in tax credits through the program is well in excess of the cost, making it highly efficient, Hauser said.

Additional funding for the Tax Infrastructure Grant Program is not the only proposal this session that tackles tax credits and tax preparation. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would double the Oregon EIC amount starting next year, also sponsored by members of both parties.

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Mar. 14Claiming a clean and sober life, an Oregon man was sentenced following his conviction for stealing several guns from a Rexford residence last year.

Zachary Carl Porter, 42, of Newburg, Oregon got a 5-year suspended sentence March 3 in Lincoln County District Court from judge Matt Cuffe. Porter was also ordered to pay $5,683 in restitution to the owner of the property.

Porter, who sported a tattoo on the right side of his forehead, apologized for his actions.

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"I'm very sorry for the things I did to my landlord. They were drug induced and I'm clean and sober today and I just want to do the right thing."

Following a plea deal between the county and Porter, he pleaded guilty to felony theft Jan. 3.

According to a narrative by county deputy Bo Pitman, the offense came to light following a disturbance call New Year's Day 2024 at a residence on Mountain View Road in the West Kootenai.

Pitman said he was driving on Highway 37 when he learned Porter was headed his way in a yellow pickup. The vehicle soon passed the deputy and Pitman soon caught up to the suspect at a pullout at Pinkham Creek.

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Porter said he and his girlfriend, Tasha Crandall, had argued about their finances. The suspect also said he'd spent time in prison and had a gambling problem. Porter said he worked for Bessette Construction and would find somewhere to sleep for the night.

Pitman then traveled to the Mountain View Road residence and spoke to Crandall. She said Porter stole three guns from their landlord's "man cave" and they were pawned in Columbia Falls. She said Porter's friend, Brent Plantiko, pawned the guns because Porter didn't have a Montana ID. She said Brent didn't know the guns were stolen.

She also said Porter took a snow blower from the residence, but didn't know what he did with it. Pitman asked Crandall if the home owner, a Canadian citizen, had a property manager. She said he didn't, but a woman named Amanda Benge did assist the couple in contacting the owner.

Pitman said a record check indicated Plantiko pawned two handguns on Dec. 14, 2023, and a shotgun on Dec. 19, 2023. The following day, Jan. 2, 2024, deputy Pitman called First National Pawn in Columbia Falls and was told that Plantiko took all three guns out of pawn on Dec. 28.

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Pitman spoke to Plantiko on Jan. 3. Plantiko told the officer that Porter said the guns, two Ruger .357 revolvers and a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, belonged to Crandall. He confirmed he took all three guns out of pawn on Dec. 28 and got the money from their boss Marc Bessette Sr.

Porter than told Plantiko he was going to ask Bessette if he would take the guns in exchange for the money he gave him.

When deputy Pitman spoke to Bessette, he said he knew nothing about it and that he didn't buy anything from Porter. He also said that Porter came to his house a day after Christmas and said his power was going to be turned off if he didn't pay $1,300 in electric bills. Bessette said he gave Porter the money and told him he'd take it out of his wages.

Pitman spoke to the home owner who said he wanted the guns reported as stolen. When they spoke about Benge, Pitman reported she evidently conducted an inventory/inspection of the victim's property. Benge and her husband were planning on driving to the West Kootenai property on Jan. 4 to look around, Pitman reported.

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Pitman's investigation also determined Porter pawned two chainsaws in McMinnville, Oregon and that he had an extensive criminal history in Oregon. He also learned he'd been to the state prison and was on probation. Pitman also reported Porter had multiple assault and stolen vehicle charges with multiple probation violations.

Porter was eventually arrested March 26, 2024, in Yamhill County, Oregon on the Lincoln County arrest warrant.

The property owner also filed a suit Feb. 12 against Crandall to have her evicted from the property. Court filings indicate Crandall never answered the suit and a default judgement was entered against her.
Teachers at Brooklyn Elementary School in Baker City watch Professor Ronda Fritz demonstrate a reading lesson. Baker City School District will get about $242,000 from the Common School Fund in 2025, according to the Department of State Lands. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregons 197 school districts will get nearly $77 million in additional funding this year from revenues generated from leases and industry permitted on state lands.

Thats a record payout from the Common School Fund and $2.5 million more than schools received from the fund in 2024, officials from the Oregon Department of State Lands announced Thursday. It is $12 million more than districts received from the fund three years ago, in 2022.

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All districts receive funding based on the number of students they serve. The average district in 2025 will get about $390,000  enough to hire about five teachers, according to calculations from the Department of State Lands.

The states largest district, Portland Public Schools, will get about $6.6 million. Smaller districts, such as the 2,100-student Ontario School District in eastern Oregon, will get about $300,000. Districts typically receive their first payments in February and their second in July.

The Common School Fund has been around for more than 160 years, when Congress decided to allocate nearly 3.4 million acres of land to the newly established state of Oregon to be used to earn money for schools.

The state sold much of the land. Today, just about 20% of the original allotment remains producing revenue for schools through land leases to farmers and ranchers, tribal governments, logging companies and other businesses.

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Those lands contribute about $7 million dollars a year to the Common School Fund, which is invested by the Oregon State Treasury. The fund today is worth nearly $2.4 billion, but just about 3.5% of the fund is distributed to schools annually.

The Common School Fund is consistent and can be used for anything, from keeping the lights on to providing instruction, Willamette High School social studies teacher Benjamin Dodds said in a news release.

The Bethel School District, where Dodds works, will get more than $800,000 in 2025 from the fund.

Schools get the bulk of their funding from the states general fund, which provides about two-thirds of school budgets. Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the Legislature to allocate almost $11.4 billion to Oregon schools for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, up from $10.2 billion during the last two-year budget cycle.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A suspect connected to a New Orleans shooting was arrested in Baton Rouge on Thursday.

Baton Rouge Police Departments Special Investigations Unit and the Special Response Team carried out a search warrant at a home on Third Street in Baton Rouge around 6 a.m. The operation started after investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip about the suspect, 25-year-old Broderick Butler.

Police said a search warrant was obtained after a March 5 shooting on Magazine Street in New Orleans. BRPDs Special Investigations Division teamed up with New Orleans Police Department detectives and identified Butler as the suspect.

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Police investigate double shooting on Hooper Road in Baton Rouge

Upon execution of the search warrant, Butler was taken into custody without incident. During the search, officers seized:

Oxycodone/acetaminophen pills

A stolen 9mm Glock 19 with an extended magazine

A significant quantity of cash

Butler was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and charged with Illegal possession of a stolen firearm and possession of schedule II substances. He faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon in connection to the New Orleans shooting.

Multiple agencies assisted in the operation, including the BRPD Special Response Team, BRPD Crime Scene Unit, NOPD and the Baton Rouge ATF Field Office.

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As immigration policies continue to stir debate across Florida, the Osceola County Sheriffs Office is stepping into the conversation by hosting a highly anticipated town hall meeting Thursday at Gateway High School to address the sweeping concerns surrounding the role of law enforcement in the county.

With over 50% of Osceola Countys population being Hispanic, the town hall meeting comes one month after Governor Desantis signed several immigration laws that aimed to carry out President Trumps deportation agenda.

The law itself is difficult. Its messy and its cruel, said Maria Revelles, Co-Director of La Mesa Boricu.

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During the meeting, the department highlighted two of the stricter immigration laws, such as SB 2-C, which would enhance punishment for unauthorized aliens, force law enforcement to notify the State of Attorney if a person in custody is on an immigration detainer, and SB-4C which would impose the death penalty if an unauthorized alien is guilty of a capital offense.

The meeting also detailed what can happen if a government agency does not comply with the law, like a forced suspension from office.

The Sheriff did say the department is lending a hand to ICE because it has been overwhelmed with immigration, and deputies will be focused on criminals and those that are a threat to public safety and they are not walking into schools and churches locking up people randomly and deporting them.

Its not like they are just going to be throwing people out. Every situation. Every circumstance is going to be different. Were assisting them right now because they are overwhelmed with this issue, said Marcos Lopez, Osceola County Sheriff.

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During the meeting, the sheriff displayed a PowerPoint slide show with examples of past undocumented individuals who have committed violent crimes underscoring the urgency behind these efforts, with law enforcement making it clear that their collaboration with ICE is not about statusits about safety.

Like many in the room, Revelles said there are still blurry lines between the roles of local government and the new law questioning what this enforcement might look like in practice and can these laws affect trust in law enforcement and the communities.









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NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR)  Norman residents are still demanding answers after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced changes to the Cleveland County Turnpike.

The 15-year $8.2M plan was first announced in 2022, but stalled due to challenges, including a legal battle that went to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The court ruled in favor of the Turnpike Authority and the resumption of the project is now underway.

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Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation, also known as Pike Off OTA, held a town hall meeting on Wednesday night for Norman residents.

Tassie Hirschfeld was one of the speakers and is a board member of Pike Off OTA.

Theyve announced theyre moving the route, but they wont tell people where. They always will say that its still in process and theyre still developing the final route, Hirschfeld said.

The portion still being decided is the southern part of the extension that was originally proposed right along Lake Thunderbird.

Social Security Administration: Reports of phone service elimination inaccurate

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Terri Angier, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, said the proposed route did not meet all requirements of the Bureau of Reclamation, which is common.

This is absolutely the very early stages on this, Angier said.

Angier also said they worry about misinformation regarding the project.

We dont know where the route will end up being. The earlier they can work with us, the better in terms of really minimizing the impact and thats what were asking, she said.

Hirschfeld said residents are worried their homes may be on the chopping block.

Theres been no community input. They dont listen. They dont work with the city. They just act like a very autocratic government agency, Hirschfeld said.

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OTA says theyre aware of the concerns and they want to work with residents to see where the route should be placed.

Angier said they know residents will lose their homes, but ultimately want to work with homeowners.

If you have a concern, Angier asks that you dont wait until public meetings. Those dates are still in the works, but its best to voice your concerns prior.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  As of 6 p.m. Thursday, 834 bills were filed in the Texas legislature, one day before Fridays deadline to file. In Texas, lawmakers only have the first 60 days of each regular legislative session to propose new laws, typically leading to a mad rush at the end  particularly for those newer to the State Capitol.

Theres sort of a dual experience. Theres priority bills usually being filed by people in the majority party that controls the legislative process where you can get the help from the Speaker, you can get the help from the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor, Former Democratic Texas State Rep. Mark Strama said. Theres also the more junior members of the legislature or those in the minority party  or the worst of both where youre a junior member in the minority party  and you might not have had your whole legislative agenda shored up before the start of the session.

However, with only 60 days to file bills, their agenda needs to be shored up quickly.

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Then youre rushing to get your bills passed through the administrative process of legislative council in time for the filing deadline, Strama said. If youre just now getting your draft back from the legislative council and filing it at the deadline, youre already behind the calendar because your bill needs to be set for hearing almost immediately and if youre a junior member of the minority party getting a committee chairman to set your bill as soon as you file it is not an easy lift.

Larger bills with priority from the lieutenant governor or House speaker are the most likely to pass among the sea of bills filed Thursday. On the Senate side, five of those were filed to achieve Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks goals to increase water supply, curb nuclear verdicts, establish a Texas Homeland Security division, reform faculty senates and protect Texas trucking.

Outside of exceptions for local bills, the only way to propose a bill after the deadline is with a 4/5ths majority vote in either the House or the Senate. Bills relating to emergencies set by the governor can also come in after the deadline.

There is another tactic for introducing legislative ideas midstream during session, Strama said. In 1995, I was working as a staff member for Rodney Ellis and we attached a 200-page reorganization of the states workforce development agencies to an otherwise 100-page welfare reform bill that was a priority of then-Gov. George W. Bush. We amended it onto the bill on the Senate floor, shut down the Senate for four hours while they printed copies of the amendment and adopted it that night. That bill was not going to pass through normal means, but it passed as an amendment.

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Some very crafty legislators over the years have passed almost entire legislative packages as an amendment on other bills, former Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen said. Doesnt happen a lot though.

The urgency to file bills grows even greater since the Texas legislature only meets every other year, meaning bills not filed Friday will have to wait until 2027. However, Bonnen said thats the way its meant to work.

Remember the founding fathers intent was conservative to not pass a lot of bills, Bonnen said. Last time I checked most Texans think were doing a pretty darn good job and we dont need more government, more laws, more intrusion. And so the structure of the process is to make it very hard to change the law or have a new law.

We meet 140 days every two years, most Texans would probably prefer we meet two days every 140 years, Strama said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump attacked the Democrats over their response during his address to Congress on March 6 and targeted Schumer when he was asked about corporate taxes.

"Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I'm concerned. He's become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He's not Jewish anymore. He's a Palestinian," Trump said.

Previously when he served as Senate majority leader, Schumer was the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States.

His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump's remarks were condemned by leading civil rights groups.

"President Trump's use of the term 'Palestinian' as a racial slur is offensive and beneath the dignity of his office," Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a statement. Criticizing the "continuing dehumanization" of the Palestinian people, Awad called on the president to apologize to Palestinians and Americans.

The Anti-Defamation League, the country's most influential Jewish civil rights group, also denounced the use of "Palestinian" as a slur, arguing that presidential power doesn't include deciding "who is and isn't Jewish."

"Instead of weaponizing people's identity, use the power of the bully pulpit to bring the American people together," the ADL said on X, sharing a screenshot of a news item on Trump's comments.

Amy Spitalnick, chief executive of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, mentioned the Trump administration in a social media post, saying its goal appeared to be weaponizing "antisemitism to go after their political enemies, advance an extreme agenda, and undercut democracy."

Trump has used similar language before to target Schumer. While sharing his vision for a U.S. takeover of Gaza in February, Trump likened the New York Democrat to Palestinians. And in August, Trump falsely accused Schumer of being "a proud member of Hamas."

Trump has similarly assailed other Democrats and targeted Doug Emhoff, the Jewish spouse of former vice president Kamala Harris.

In a Senate speech in 2024, Schumer addressed Trump's comments about Emhoff.

"Calling Jews fools and suggesting they are bad or disloyal because of their political beliefs is not just some juvenile insult," Schumer said. "It's an old antisemitic trope that goes back centuries, one of dual loyalty. It's been used for a very long time to drive Jews out of their homes, to paint them as untrustworthy, to deny their basic dignity."

Schumer is the author of a new book titled "Antisemitism in America: A Warning," due to be released next week.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
CARACAS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela and the United States agreed on Thursday to resume repatriation flights for undocumented Venezuelan migrants in the United States as part of the South American country's "Return to the Homeland" plan.

According to a Venezuelan government statement, the agreement was reached with U.S. special envoy Richard Grenell "to repatriate Venezuelan brothers and sisters in the United States" in line with Venezuela's commitment to defending human rights and promoting "family reunification."

The statement emphasized Venezuela's commitment to supporting its citizens no matter where they are and expressed joy at the reunion of families as Venezuelans return home.

The repatriation flights had been suspended following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to revoke energy corporation Chevron's operating license in Venezuela. 
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistans military accused neighboring India on Friday of sponsoring insurgents in the restive southwest as more survivors recounted their ordeal from the unprecedented attack by armed separatists this week that killed 26 passengers aboard a hijacked train.

The scope of the attack in Balochestan province underscored the struggles that Pakistan faces in efforts to reign in militant groups as attacks across the country escalated in recent years.

Accusing India and neighboring Afghanistan has been Islamabad's go-to strategy in the past. No evidence was offered for the latest accusation, which New Delhi promptly rejected.

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In the attack Tuesday, members of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army ambushed a train in a remote area, took about 400 people onboard hostage and triggered a firefight with security forces. The standoff lasted until late Wednesday, when the army said 33 hijackers were killed.

Oil- and mineral-rich Balochistan is Pakistans largest and least populated province. Ethnic Baloch residents have long accused the central government of discrimination  a charge Islamabad denies.

International condemnation

The attack has drawn condemnation from the international community, including the United States, China, Turkey, Iran and Britain. On Friday, the members of the U.N. Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on the train in Balochistan.

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The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, the council said in a statement.

The military points at India

At a news conference in Islamabad, army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif said Friday that in this terrorist incident in Balochistan, and others before, the main sponsor is your eastern neighbor, referring to India.

He offered no proof. It was the first time the BLA  which has been fighting for more autonomy if not outright independence and a greater share of the provinces resources  had hijacked a train, although it had attacked trains before.

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Some assailants escaped, and a search operation was underway to find them, Sharif said. When asked by a reporter, Sharif said most of the fatalities on the train were security forces protecting the passengers and troops traveling to their home cities.

Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, told reporters that Pakistan has solid evidence of Indias involvement in attacks but didn't share any specifics.

Sharif added that an Indian naval officer arrested in 2016 and convicted of espionage in Pakistan had worked for Indian intelligence to help the Baloch separatists and other militant groups. The officer, identified as Kulbhushan Jadhav, has been sentenced to death. Sharif did not link him to the train attack.

Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed rivals with a history of bitter relations. They have fought three wars since they gained independence in 1947 from colonial power Britain.

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We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, Indias foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

Earlier, Pakistans Foreign Ministry claimed the train attack was orchestrated from Afghanistan. Kabul denied the accusation and said that the BLA has no presence in Afghanistan.

Still, Sharif claimed the train attackers had been in contact with handlers in Afghanistan and that they had weapons originating from both India and Afghanistan.

Dealing with the aftermath

Pakistan has suspended all train services to and from Balochistan since Tuesday's attack. Sharif Ullah, a railway official, said repairs on the tracks, which were blown up by insurgents to stop the train, have not yet started.

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Survivors have recounted their harrowing ordeal during the 36-hour hijacking.

Muhammad Farooq, a resident of Quetta, described how BLA stopped the train and ordered passengers to disembark.

They checked identity cards and started killing people who worked for the armed forces, Farooq said. Many passengers, he said, fled successfully while the hijackers were exchanging fire with Pakistani troops.

Mohammad Tanveer, who was traveling from Quetta, Balochistan's provincial capital, to the eastern city of Lahore, said he was wounded but managed to escape the hijackers. The attackers were looking for members of the military and security forces, and started killing them in small groups, one after another, he said.

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College student Nair Husnain said he saw the militants go through the train, asking people to stand up and tying their hands before shooting them several times. They first killed soldiers, then minority Shiites and Punjabis. Balochs were spared.

Husnain, who also made his escape while the hijackers were exchanging fire with Pakistani security forces as they laid siege to the train, recounted how a mother traveling with three sons  all soldiers  had to watch as they were shot and killed.

Those scenes are still before my eyes, he said.

___

Sattar reported from Quetta, Pakistan. Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

ROYAL PALM BEACH  HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is taking steps to increase security on its Southern Boulevard campus following the Feb. 18 beating of a nurse by a patient that fractured "essentially every bone in her face and put her at risk of going blind.

The nurse, 67-year-old Leelamma Lal of Royal Palm Beach, remains at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach nearly a month after the attack.

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Palms West on March 10 opened a work station for the Palm Beach County Sheriff Office inside its emergency room, HCA spokesperson Louis Lochte said. The hospital is "in talks" with PBSO to hire an off-duty deputy to provide added security, Lochte later confirmed.

'This is unimaginable': Palms West nurse's children react to mother's beating by patient

Palms West Hospital may pay to hire off-duty PBSO deputy for patrols

A sheriff's spokesperson said the agency has not stationed a deputy at the private hospital and that the work station only serve as a "courtesy space" that private businesses can offer law-enforcement officers where they can fill out reports and make calls if they choose to do so.

"Our job is to be patrolling the area in which we're expected to patrol, not to be sitting in a hospital, the sheriff's office spokesperson said.

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The hiring of an off-duty deputy would be on the terms that any business would receive, the sheriff's office said.

LeeLamma Lal, 67, is a nurse who has served at HCA Palms West Hospital for over 21 years before being attacked on Feb. 18, 2025 by a mental-health patient.

Deputies arrested Stephen Scantlebury, the patient who beat Lal, on a charge of attempted second-degree murder on Feb. 18. The sheriffs office placed a hate-crime enhancement on the case after deputies said Scantlebury "made utterances" about the Lal' race after the attack. Lal, a nurse at Palms West for 21 years, is from India.

The State Attorney's Office on Wednesday charged Scantlebury, 33, of Wellington with attempted second-degree murder "while evidence prejudice," meaning the hate-crime will enhance the charge to a first-degree felony.

Lal was caring for Scantlebury, who had come to Palms West complaining of chest pains. The 33-year-old's family said he had been experiencing moments of paranoia, and the staff was evaluating him to see if Palms West needed to send him to a hospital certified to handle mental-health cases under the state's Baker Act.

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When Lal entered the room, Scantlebury allegedly jumped on top of her and hit her face repeatedly with his fists. Scantlebury then ran out of the hospital and was detained as he ran along Southern Boulevard.

Circuit Judge Howard Coates on Feb. 27 ordered that Scantlebury kept in custody prior to his trial, citing security concerns.

Palms West attack: CEO decries 'unprovoked, senseless violence' in patient's beating of nurse

State agency: 'No deficiencies' at Palms West; lawyer questions finding

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration released a report this week stating a Feb. 24 evaluation at HCA Palms West found "no deficiencies at the time of the survey. Palms West CEO Jason Kimbrell disclosed the finding in an email to his staff on Feb. 25.

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Karen Terry, the attorney representing Lal, questioned the depth of the evaluation and said Palms West's lack of security allowed Scantlebury to attack Lal and then flee from the hospital.

She added the hospital shouldn't even have been treating the patient because it is not a facility that receives patients under the Baker Act, which allows for a 72-hour involuntary hospitalization for those who might harm others or themselves.

Terry filed last week a request to the court to access Scantlebury's medical history, the hospital's security camera footage and a list of its policies regarding Baker Act patients.

"I don't know how to explain that finding, with everything I've seen," said Terry, a partner at the Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley law firm in West Palm Beach.

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Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palms West, PBSO to discuss security staffing after beating of nurse
UPDATE 3/14: Wilson Jones was released on a $20,000 bond.

***

CORINTH, Miss.  A parent is worried about a former Corinth Middle School teacher accused of using artificial intelligence to create explicit child pornography.

Wilson Jones, 30, was charged with production and possession of a morphed image of child pornography. He is being held in LaFayette County without bond and is scheduled to be in court Friday.

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He was a teacher at Corinth Middle School when the alleged crimes occurred on or before November 19, 2024.

Ex-MS school worker accused of AI porn videos of students

According to documents filed in Federal Court in Oxford, the former Corinth teacher allegedly used AI to morph pictures of several students in his class and use them to create sexually explicit material.

I hope and pray they get the situation taken care of and if he didnt do it that his name will be cleared and if he did then justice will be served, said one parent, Jasmica Wade.

According to the affidavit, the images depicted Corinth students engaging in inappropriate behavior, including kissing and exposing themselves.

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Jones claimed the content was not sexual and resigned on November 21, 2024.

Mother of woman charged in pastors death believes fear led to shooting

None of the students between the ages of 14 and 16 were aware of what Jones was allegedly doing.

Jones activity on his school-issued computer triggered the school systems program, which scans for illicit content being downloaded or shared.

According to reports, Corinth Schools did not notify the Mississippi Department of Education till Jan. 29. Corinth Police and FBI seized evidence on Mar. 3rd, and Jones was arrested on Mar. 12.

MS gas line issue leaves thousands without service, 3 injured

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We need to know whats going on at our schools and with our children and not only our own but anybody elses children, said Wade. Thats what we send them to school to learn, but not to go through this, they shouldnt have to go through that.

The Corinth School District will not comment as the investigation is ongoing.

Corinth Police is urging anyone who may have unknowingly become a victim of Jones to contact police at (662) 286-3377.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
WEINER, Ark.  The parents of a three-year-old boy are now in custody after the child was found dead at an Arkansas home on Thursday.

Sharece Monique Scott, 30, and Ridge Brandon Noel, 31, were arrested and charged with First-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

The Weiner Police Department says the child was found unresponsive at a South Street home in Weiner, Arkansas, Thursday evening. The childs cause of death is currently unknown.

Sharece Monique Scott and Ridge Brandon Noel (Photos courtesy of the Poinsett County Sheriffs Office)

The Poinsett County Sheriffs Office said in a media release on Friday that Scott was not at the home when emergency personnel arrived. She was later found at a motel in Jonesboro, Ark. and was taken into custody at around 1:40 a.m. on Friday.

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A search warrant was executed at the home, where officers reportedly found drugs, firearms (including one that was reported stolen), and a marijuana growing operation. Noel was taken into custody at that time.

The childs body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine a cause of death.

Home in Weiner, Arkansas (Photo by WREG)

Four other children were reportedly in the house at the time of the incident. Officials say they are now in the care of their next of kin.

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy, said the sheriffs office in a statement.

This is a very small community, and there really isnt anyone in town who wouldnt do anything for anyone, said Deana Berryhill, resident of Weiner, Ark.

Burglars bust into Memphis gas station with sledgehammer

This is definitely a shocker; its heartbreaking. Anytime a kid is involved in something like this or anybody, period, its devastating, said Williester Black, Chief of Weiner Police Dept.

When WREG arrived, the dad was sitting in the chair closer to the door, holding the child when the fire department came.

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Black said that WPD has never had any issues with the family, and neighbors havent complained about the two parents.

According to reports, there were four children in the home. WREG was told the Department of Human Services released the four to other family members.

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Parents and community members are outraged. In less than one week, two antisemitic incidents happened in Cobb County schools.

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Outrage over hate is growing, and calls for change are growing just as strong.

Last week, someone drew a Swatiska in a locker room at Dickerson Middle School and earlier this week at Wheeler High School.

Mindy Harrison, a member of Cobb Parents Against Antisemitism and Shield says students in an advanced placement (AP) class saw a hateful slide that a teacher used in a PowerPoint presentation while defining ethnic cleansing.

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It showed an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier sweeping up little bodies over a map that you could tell said Palestine and his broom said ethnic cleansing, Harrison explained. There are a lot of allies that are not Jewish that dont want to see this behavior and this type of platform abused.

TRENDING STORIES:

The district sent Channel 2 Action News the following statement about the incident at Dickerson Middle School that says in part:

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Once administration has identified who is responsible, consequences for this unacceptable, hateful behavior will be as severe as policy and the law allows.

The following statement was sent about the incident at Wheeler High School, that says in part:

While ethnic cleansing is a standard in the class, the graphic used to teach the definition was wildly inappropriate and completely wrong. The graphic has been removed from the lesson and should not have been used.

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Harrison says the slide is still accessible to parents and students online.

Put some guardrails up on their learning platform, CTLS, so teachers cant upload this type of thing that would be helpful, Harrison said.

District officials told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell they are trying to determine who, how, and where the PowerPoint came from. They also told Newell the hateful graffiti was removed promptly from the middle school.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who was on parole and arrested on a gun charge is going back to prison for one year following his arrest in Youngstown.

William Robinson, 32, entered into a plea deal that was recorded Thursday in Mahoning County Court showing that he pleaded guilty to one count of having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony; and cocaine possession, a fifth-degree felony.

Robinson was immediately sentenced to one year in prison on the charges.

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Reports said police were called about 11:30 a.m. to the Adult Parole Authority offices after agents learned that Robinson was in a recent video on social media with an unidentified man who was wielding a gun.

Someone on probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm can not have a weapon and not be around someone who has a weapon or in the same place as a weapon.

Robinson was drug tested and tested positive for cocaine, reports said. Police searched his car and found a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun underneath the drivers seat, a magazine of .22-caliber ammunition, a bag of crack cocaine, and a scale that had marijuana residue on it.

Robinson can not have guns because of a 2013 sentence in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for aggravated robbery, a second-degree felony. Court records show he was sentenced to six years in prison on the charge by former Judge Lou DApolito.

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Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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Dozens of passengers were forced to stand on the wing of an American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport as they evacuated the aircraft after one of its engines caught fire Thursday evening, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.

This is the latest incident in a spate of alarming aviation disasters and close calls which have stoked worries among flyers.

American Airlines Flight 1006, a Boeing 737-800 en route to Dallas-Fort Worth from Colorado Springs with 172 passengers and six crew aboard, diverted to Denver around 5:15 p.m. local time, after the crew reported engine vibrations, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

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After landing and while taxiing to the gate an engine caught fire, the statement said.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

Airplane passengers are seen exiting the plane and standing on the wing as smoke rises around them at the Denver airport on Thursday. - @steve_schilsky/X

Shortly before landing, the planes pilot notified air traffic controllers in Denver that the flight was experiencing engine issues, but it was not an emergency, according to air traffic control audio from LiveATC.net.

American 10,006, uh, 1006 just to verify not an emergency still, correct? the controller asked.

Nah, we just have a high engine vibration so we are cruising slower than normal, the pilot responded.

The situation appeared to quickly escalate several minutes later, after the plane landed, when someone on the radio yelled Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Mayday!  engine fire!

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The plane arrived at gate C38, a Denver International Airport spokesperson told CNN. The fire was extinguished and all passengers were evacuated, the spokesperson said.

Images from the scene show dozens of passengers exiting the aircraft and standing on the wing as smoke filled the air. Some passengers evacuated the plane on a slide, video published by Reuters showed.

Twelve passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Denver Fire Department told CNN. All have been released, according to American Airlines.

We thank our crew members, DEN team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, American Airlines said in a statement.

Everyone started screaming

Passenger Ingrid Hibbits described the panic and flames when the engine caught fire.

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Everyone started screaming, and you hear, Fire! Hibbits told CNN affiliate KTVT.

When she looked out the window, she saw flames and the window bubbling, like melting, Hibbits said.

Everybody was kind of pushing to get out of the plane, she said. Eventually, Hibbits evacuated the cabin and stood on the planes wing.

Hibbits said she panicked because she was separated from her family. While Hibbits was in the middle of the plane, her two daughters were toward the front, and her husband was toward the back.

Another passenger, Michele Woods, told KTVT she noticed one engine sounded louder than the other when the plane took off.

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When the plane diverted to Denver, everything seemed fine  until the plane landed, Woods said.

Smoke started to fill the cabin, and people started screaming and pushing and jumping and yelling, Woods told KTVT. People were saying, Dont push, dont push.

Woods said she tried to calm two young girls next to her.

I was just like, Dont worry about your bags, you dont need your bag, Woods told the girls. Lets just get off the plane.

I was terrified for those passengers

Video captured by a Montana woman inside the airport waiting for a connecting flight shows a large cloud of smoke emanating from the plane and dozens of passengers running away.

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Kristal Leonard, who was flying in from Helena, Montana, told CNN she was waiting inside the Denver airport for her connecting flight to Colorado Springs. Thats when she looked outside and saw flames and smoke engulfing the plane.

I was terrified for those passengers, Leonard said. I cant even imagine how scared they mustve been.

A frame from a video shows flames under a plane and black smoke rising at the Denver airport. - Courtesy Joshua Sunberg

Ground crews appeared to extinguish the fire relatively quickly, according to a video filmed by a passenger inside the airport. Footage shows bright orange flames and black smoke disappearing and turning into a misty white haze as workers put out the fire.

American Airlines is sending a replacement aircraft and crew to Denver to help customers continue on to Dallas, the airline said.

A preliminary report will be ready in a month

The NTSB said it was sending two investigators with expertise in commercial aircraft and powerplants Friday.

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Once on site, the investigators will begin the process of documenting and examining the aircraft, conducting witness and crew interviews, and obtaining other data that could contain information relevant to the investigation, the NTSB said in a statement.

A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database with the NTSB number DCA25FA159, the agency said.

The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the event along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months.

A spate of high-profile crashes

Thursdays plane engine fire comes just three weeks after a Delta Air Lines flight crashed, turned upside down and caught fire on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

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That incident was preceded by deadly crashes this year in Alaska, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, where an American Airlines plane collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in January, killing 67 people.

In December, aviation disasters in South Korea and Kazakhstan killed more than 200 people.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Holly Yan, Jeremy Grisham, Ashley R. Williams and Kia Fatahi contributed to this report.

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The engine of an American Airlines plane caught fire at the Denver Airport on Thursday evening, forcing passengers to evacuated onto the wing of the plane.

The plane was on its way from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Dallas, Texas, when it diverted to Denver because the crew reported engine vibrations. The jets engine caught fire after the aircraft safely landed and was taxiing to the gate, according to Reuters.

All 172 passengers and six crew members aboard the plane were able to evacuate safely. There were 12 people transported to hospitals due to minor injuries, per media reports.

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After landing safely and taxiing to the gate at Denver International Airport, American Airlines Flight 1006 experienced an engine-related issue, the airline said in a statement according to The New York Times.

American Airlines plane catches on fire at Denver airport.



pic.twitter.com/EJgteMeeZP  Pop Base (@PopBase) March 14, 2025

Videos from bystanders posted on social media showed passengers standing on the planes wing and climbing down a portable staircase, as gray smoke filled the air and orange flames could be spotted at the base of the airplane.

A large fire was seen under the planes right engine.
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States is tightening restrictions on Russia's oil, gas and banking sectors by limiting their access to U.S. payment systems, according to CBC News.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday ended a 60-day exemption introduced by the Biden administration in January, which allowed certain energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks to continue, CBC News reported. As the waiver expired, these banks may no longer use U.S. payment systems for major energy deals.

The move to tighten access to U.S. banking systems makes it harder for other countries to buy Russian oil, potentially driving prices up by as much as 5 U.S. dollars per barrel.

The tougher restrictions come as the Donald Trump administration is trying to convince Russia to agree to a proposed 30-day ceasefire to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 
CHICAGO (WGN)  First Canada, now the European Union: The escalating trade wars and reciprocal tariffs could pave the way for a devastating economic toll on Chicago businesses.

Volo Restaurant Wine Bar and their vast wine list has been a Roscoe Village staple for the last 20 years. But owner Jon Young may have to slim down the selection of wines following a threat from President Donald Trump, who, on social media Thursday, proposed a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne, and spirits if the EU moves forward with a 50% hike on American Whiskey.

Just hearing that, it turns my stomach, Young told WGN News. When I hear news like this, I feel like we are kind of like pawns on a chess board.

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Trump threatens Europe with 200 percent tariff on wine, Champagne

Youngs business features wines from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia.

Lots of Europe repped here, he said.

The proposed 200% tariff on European wine was in response to steel and aluminium tariffs by the US, in what Young called another tit for tat move that could potentially impact peoples livelihoods.

I think it demonstrates a huge disconnect or even disregard for the average consumer and the average American, Young said.

The alcohol industry is thriving in the States, and Chris Swonger, the CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, told Nexstars NewsNation that fair and reciprocal trade is vital.

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We are working closely with the Trump administration and the EU and Canada to try to untangle this industry, he said.

Still, Young feels President Trumps proposed actions would harm the US wine industry more than benefit.

EU retaliates as Trump steel, aluminum tariffs take effect

Its going to drive down consumption of wine in the US, he said.

For wine drinkers, Young added that enthusiasts cannot replace a French Chablis with a California Chardonnay, and the hope now is that Trumps threat remains as such  a threat.

Everyday it seems shocking, Young said. Today I woke up and guess what, this directly affects me. How long is it before it directly affects you?

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(Reuters) - The U.S. military must work to provide options to ensure the United States has full access to the Panama Canal, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

President Donald Trump has said repeatedly he wants to "take back" the Panama Canal, which is located at the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America and is considered one of the world's most strategically important waterways, but he has not offered specifics about how he would do so, or if military action might be required.

One U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a document, described as an interim national security guidance by the new administration, called on the military to look at military options to safeguard access to the Panama Canal.

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A second official said the U.S. military had a wide array of potential options to safeguard access, including ensuring a close partnership with Panama's military.

The Pentagon last published a National Defense Strategy in 2022, a document which lays out the priorities for the military. An interim document sets out broad policy guidance, much like Trump's executive orders and public remarks have done, ahead of a more considered policy document like a formal NDS.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The interim document was first reported by CNN. NBC News earlier on Thursday reported that the White House had ordered the Pentagon to create options for the Panama Canal.

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Trump has asserted that the U.S. needs to take back the canal because China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests. In his inaugural speech in January, Trump repeated accusations that Panama has broken the promises it made for the final transfer of the canal in 1999.

Any move by a foreign power to take the canal by force would almost certainly violate international law.

The U.S. and Panama are treaty-bound to defend the canal against any threat to its neutrality and are permitted to take unilateral action to do so.

The U.S. acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century. In a treaty signed in 1979, during the administration of Democratic President Jimmy Carter, the U.S. agreed to turn over control of the canal to Panama at the close of 1999.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart. Additional reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Donald Trump has ordered his military to draw up options to reclaim the Panama Canal  including by force.

The president has repeatedly said he wants the US to regain control of the strategically important waterway, which was handed over to the Panamanians by American authorities in 1999.

Wide-ranging proposals being developed by the US Southern Command include a new partnership with Panamanian security forces, an increase in troop numbers in the region and seizing the canal by force, officials told NBC News.

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The sources said the use of force would depend on whether Panamanian security forces would agree to co-operate with the US in a partnership.

Mr Trump wants to reclaim the canal in order to diminish Chinas influence in the region, the officials added.

Panama has denied claims that it has granted Beijing greater influence over the waterway in recent years and said only its government could determine the canals future.

Tensions between the US and China have increased since Mr Trump returned to the White House in January, with Beijing accusing Washington of coercing Panama to block aid projects.

On Thursday, a comment piece in a state-backed newspaper urged CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong conglomerate, to think twice about plans to sell most of its ports business, including assets in the Panama Canal, to the US firm BlackRock as part of a $22.8 billion (17.6 billion) deal.

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The article, which was shared by Chinas office for Hong Kong affairs, accused the US of using despicable means to force through the deal, which it said would harm Chinese trade.

[Critics] say this is a spineless, grovelling, profit-seeking move that sells ones integrity for personal gains, and an act that disregards national interests ... [which] betrays and sells out all Chinese people, said the opinion piece.

The Panama Canal is one of the worlds busiest waterways, with the majority of cargo passing through heading to or from the US.

A series of draft strategies were presented to Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, earlier this week, ahead of his trip to the Central American country next month.

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Mr Trump reportedly wants a visible increase in the number of troops in Panama as a show of force. Some 200 troops are currently stationed there.

Washington could also position troops near Panama in the event of a regional war or conflict involving the US. In that scenario, officials said troops would seize the canal, blocking Chinas access to it.

However, an invasion of Panama is unlikely, officials said. They added that an increase in troops in the region would probably be enough to ward off other foreign influence.

Mr Trump believes Chinas presence in the area is too great, and fears Beijing could shut access to the canal to American shipping in the event of a conflict.

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Panama gained control of the waterway under a 1977 treaty signed by Jimmy Carter, the then US president, though it did not come into effect for another two decades.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, told Panamanian authorities during a visit last month that the status quo of Chinese presence in the region was unacceptable.

Jose Raul Mulino, Panamas president, told Mr Rubio that only his government could administer the canal and denied giving China power over the waterway.

Last year, Gen Laura Richardson, who at the time headed the US Southern Command, accused China of playing the long game in attempting to gain control of the canal.

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While Beijing insisted its intentions were peaceful, Gen Richardson said it was targeting strategic naval choke points.

Mr Trumps promise to reclaim the canal is part of his wider strategy to expand US influence. He has pledged to make Canada Americas 51st state and to get Greenland.

On Thursday, the chairman of Denmarks defence committee said any move to acquire Greenland would mean war between two Nato countries.

Panama confirmed last month it would not renew its agreement involving Chinas foreign investment programme following a meeting with Mr Rubio.

Instead, Mr Mulino said Panama will allow its 2017 trade and development pact, which is tied to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, to expire, adding that it may even end one or two years earlier and could lead to US investment.

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Beijing has used the initiative, established in 2013, to invest in foreign infrastructure, increasing influence around the world.

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HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT)  The 22nd annual Taste of Homewood took place Thursday night featuring 32 local vendors. Hundreds of people came together to enjoy some of the local cuisine the city has to offer.

Ive been in Homewood over 20 years now. Ive raised 4 kids here, and Homewood is such a special place, and I think Taste of Homewood just kind of embodies that, Homewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shay Gartman said. Its just family-friendly and fun.

It was a melting pot of flavors and people as crowds showed up from all over the metro-area for the Taste of Homewood.

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The socializing areas that they have, green spaces and things like this. Theres a real sense of community, said Jo Kittinger from Hoover.

Homewoods community described by many as warm, friendly and welcoming.

LIST: St. Patricks Day events in the Birmingham area

Ive heard people say that it feels like Mayberry, and I think it does, Gartman said. Its kind of a small town in the middle of a big city, and I think thats what sets us apart.

Some of the citys newer restaurants made their Taste of Homewood debut. Corbeau Wine Bar opened at The Edge in October. Owner Dean Maio says hes ready to meet his new neighbors.

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Homewood is just happening. Homewood is just a cool place, Maio said. I mean, just looking around, this is one of the few times that Ive been down here, and it just has a great vibe, great community base and we just want to be a part of it.

Other featured restaurants are tried and true community staples.

Im from a different part of the world and they just welcome me here like a family, said Shiki manager Yoga Saputra. Youre not going to find this around Birmingham. I think only us have this one. Its called Opor Ayam, thats special. This is from Indonesia.

An event like Taste of Homewood can produce a lot of leftover food. This is the first year the Homewood Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Grace Klein Community to make sure that food is given to people in need.

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Probably [Friday] or over the weekend, well take [the leftover food] and well distribute it out to the families at one of our drive-thru sites, or well put it into smaller meals, and we take those to families who cant get around easily, said Jackson King, community business development at Grace Klein Community.

For more information about Grace Klein Community, visit its website HERE.

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ALLENDALE, Mich. (WOOD)  A large crowd of protestors gathered at Grand Valley State Universitys campus Thursday afternoon.

Demonstrators protested a speaker brought to campus by a conservative student organization to share her story about detransitioning genders at a young age.

Turning Point USAs GVSU chapter invited Chloe Cole, a conservative figure, to host Exposing the Trans Agenda: A Talk With a Detransitioner in the Kirkof Center on campus.

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Protesters outside argued they feel the event promotes anti-transgender ideologies and harms the transgender community. Zack Telly, a senior at GVSU, told News 8 he protested to show his support for the transgender community.

MHSAA waits on guidance for transgender athletes

Its dehumanizing, its hurtful to see. I hate seeing that its here at Grand Valley because I have always thought of this as a really safe space and that hurts my feeling of safeness and I am not even a trans individual, he said.

Zacks friend Alyssa Leineke, another senior at the university, joined the protest as well.

I do feel that its harmful, this sort of narrative that she is sending to young people, Leineke said.

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It was a sentiment shared by their friend Ashlyn Jenkins.

She was making everyone fearful in a way that that was blatantly transphobic, she said.

TPUSA GVSU President Andreanna LaRue told News 8 that free speech is encouraged on campus and the group wants to bring different voices to the table.

Our goal today, as is our mission for our chapter on this campus, is lets bridge that gap of conversation, LaRue said.

News 8 was not allowed inside the event due to what the organization said was capacity issues, but did speak with Cole afterwards.

I want to talk not only about my experiences but to invite everyone else to join the conversation, Cole said. I think that everyone that is experiencing these feelings with their body and their sex have this trauma that is making them feel this way. They deserve grace, they deserve compassion. But I dont think that looks like lying to them about who they fundamentally are or that they can become somebody that they never will be.

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Cole said that she came to this event to invite others to be part of the discussion. She also responded directly to claims that she is against the trans community.

Corewell Health limits gender-affirming care for minors

I have plenty of friends who identify as transgender and while I might personally disagree with their life choices, I love them the way that they are, and I still consider them my brothers and sisters, she said.

News 8 reached out to the university for comment. They responded with the following statement:

This speaker was invited by a student organization to speak on campus. As a public university, GVSU upholds the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly without viewpoint-based restrictions. We recognize some may find this speaker objectionable and may choose to peacefully protest her message, which is also their right. GVSU will not restrict anyones ability to use their voice in a lawful and non-disruptive manner that is in compliance with the Grounds and Facility Use Policy and all other applicable university policies. Grand Valley State University

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Retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig said Thursday that President Trumps executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie is one of the most sinister that he has entered to date.

Speaking on MSNBC, Luttig said Trump had declared war on the rule of law even before he returned to the White House.

In the past several weeks, however, he has really launched a full-frontal assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, our system of justice and the entire legal profession, Luttig added.

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On Wednesday, a judge temporarily froze parts of Trumps executive order on Perkins Coie, which claims it is being targeted over its past work for Democrats.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, an appointee of former President Obama, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from barring Perkins Coie personnel from entering federal government buildings and requiring government contractors to disclose if they do business with the firm.

Perkins Coie has been a frequent target of Trumps anger for its role in advising Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign and collaborating with Fusion GPS, which is linked to the discredited Steele dossier that contained negative claims about Trump and his alleged ties to Russia.

This latest executive order represents the most extensive effort by the president to go after the firm.

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In his Thursday remarks, Luttig accused the Trump administration of targeting law firms because they represented clients in the past who the president just didnt like.

Its one of the most sinister of the executive orders that the president has entered to date, he added.

The conservative former judge has long been a critic of Trump. Just a week before last years presidential election, he wrote an op-ed for The New York Times saying Trump was not fit to return to the White House.

One week from today, we will decide whether Donald Trump is fit to be president of the United States again. He is not, Luttig wrote at the time.

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The Hill reached out to the Trump administration for comment.

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A motorized skateboard rider is dead after an accident Thursday night in Lake City. The accident occurred at about 8:39 p.m. as the person was skateboarding eastbound on NE Washington Street, approaching NE Chestnut Avenue, a Lake City police news release states.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Police said the rider lost control and fell onto the roadway. Officers arrived on the scene and saw the person lying in the street with significant injuries, the news release states.

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The victims name was not released.

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The last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance in the Dominican Republic told authorities he had pulled her out of dangerous waters before losing her in the darkness.

Joshua Riibe, 22, was previously confirmed as a person of interest by Virginia police, though it was clarified he is currently not a suspect. Konankis disappearance is currently being treated as an accident, but a missing persons investigation is ongoing. However, Riibe reportedly did not answer eight questions from investigators on the advice of his lawyers.

Dominican authorities have also confiscated Riibes passport, NBC News reports. The 22-year-old has been confined to the hotel since the investigation began and has a permanent police escort, his attorneys told the outlet.

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He is not free to leave, his attorneys said.

Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student, was last seen at 4:15 a.m. on March 6 entering a beach while vacationing with five female college friends on spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

The last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance on March 6 says he fought to pull the 20-year-old out of dangerous waters in the Dominican Republic (Defensa Civil La Altagracia)

After her friends returned to their hotel room just before 6 a.m., Konanki stayed on the beach with Riibe  a former high school wrestler from Iowa. Its not immediately clear if or how the pair knew one another before meeting on the Caribbean Island.

He told police he went for a swim with Konanki, and the two had kissed in the water, before she was swept up by a big wave, ABC News reported.

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I was a lifesaver. I grabbed her and pulled her out, Riibe told the Public Ministry, according to an interview transcript obtained by Dominican Republics Noticas Sin. A big wave came and hit us both and as the water returned, it came back and swept us out to sea.

Konanki, a pre-med student, was last seen at 4:15 a.m. on March 6 entering a beach while vacationing with five female college friends on spring break in Punta Cana (Facebook)

Riibe said he had put Konanki under his arm to swim back to shore. It took me a long time to get her out, it was difficult. I was a lifeguard in the pool, not in the sea, he said, per the outlet.

He added that he had swallowed a lot of sea water during the incident and could have lost consciousness several times.

Riibe said he recalled hearing Konanki saying she was going to get her belongings as the water had pushed them away from the area they had set up, but was walking at an angle.

Riibe told police he went for a swim with Konanki, and the two had kissed in the water, before she was swept up by a big wave and he had swum to shore with her under his arm (AP)

The last time I saw her, I asked her if she was OK, Riibe said according to the transcript. I didnt hear her answer because I started vomiting all the sea water I had swallowed. After I threw up, I looked around and didnt see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.

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He added that he had thrown up and passed out on a beach bed. When he awoke, Riibe said, Konanki was nowhere to be found.

Loudoun County Sheriffs Office, in Virginia, where Konankis family lives, confirmed to The Independent that Riibe was a person of interest in the case.

Investigations in the Dominican Republic remain ongoing. Authorities in Virginia, where Konankis family live, say Riibe is a person of interest, but not a suspect (AP)

This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her, so is of particular interest, the spokesperson said. This is not at this time a criminal investigation, so to be clear, he is not a suspect, the spokesperson added.

According to The New York Post, Riibe did not answer several questions from police, instead responding: My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice.

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The questions reportedly related to further details about the night of Konankis disappearance including his feelings on the matter, and who he had informed about the incident.

Riibe allegedly provided three different accounts to authorities, the Post reported. However, CNN said there were "no inconsistencies" in the person of interests recounting of events, and that translation issues may have been to blame.
(KRON)  Officers responded to a shooting at a Motel 6 in Fairfield on Thursday evening, the Fairfield Police Department (FPD) said. Around 5:45 p.m., police were called to the motel on Holiday Lane.

Upon arrival, police located one victim with minor injuries. According to FPD, the suspect shot at the victims car outside of the motel. The injuries were from the cars broken glass and not bullets from the shooting, police said.

Witnesses said the suspect ran away to a room at the motel after shots were fired, according to FPD. The shooting prompted all other Motel 6 guests to temporarily shelter in place.

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Fairfield school district addresses incident of teacher grabbing students neck

Fairfield police negotiated with the suspect through the motel room phone. Eventually, the man exited the room and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was described to be a 63-year-old Fairfield man. The investigation remains ongoing.

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BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday urged Japan to draw lessons from history and exercise prudence in the field of military security.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a media inquiry concerning Japan's disclosure of its development of a new ballistic missile with a range of 3,000 kilometers.

In recent years, Japan has moved further down the path of military expansion, which is dangerous and goes against the will of the people, Zhang said.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Zhang urged the Japanese side to do more for regional peace and stability, and to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.

He was also asked about a Japanese vessel's recent navigation in the Taiwan Strait, as well as Japanese defense officials' recent remarks on "serious concerns" about Chinese military activities near Japan.

"We firmly oppose any country stirring up trouble in the Taiwan Strait, undermining China's sovereignty and security, or sending erroneous signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," Zhang said.

He also voiced firm opposition to Japan's groundless accusations concerning China's regular military exercises.

The activities of the Chinese military in relevant maritime and airspace areas are legitimate, reasonable and beyond reproach. They are entirely in line with international law and international practices, the spokesperson said. 
Just watching the lifeless body of your beloved child, its so unnatural, Henry Rivera said through tears on the steps in the Capitol rotunda in Albany, New York, last week.

Rivera, whose 18-year-old son was killed in 2007 by a driver high on cocaine, was testifying before the legislature about the need to close a loophole in New York state law. Currently, in order to be prosecuted for driving while under the influence of drugs, the specific drug needs to be listed in state law. But with new drugs, such as the veterinary tranquilizer known as tranq, proliferating more quickly, the law is not keeping up. The proposed legislation supported by the relatives of victims, like the Riveras, would expand the definition of a drug to include any substance or combination of substances that impairs someones physical or mental abilities.

The problem of driving while impaired is much bigger than this common-sense legal change, though. Indeed, the evidence suggests that our society is actually going backward on this issue. Driving while under the influence was a fairly common occurrence in the middle of the 20th century. Watch an episode of Mad Men if you want some examples. But drunk driving fell off significantly in the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to public education campaigns from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and stricter state laws.

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Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began recording alcohol-related statistics in 1982, the number of persons under 21 killed in drunk driving crashes decreased 74% from the record high  from 5,215 in 1982 to 1,345 in 2022. This was true even as our population was expanding. But drunk driving incidents have been climbing. That 2022 number represents a 49% increase from a record low of 904 deaths in 2019.

In this image provided by KFOR-TV, a heavily damaged vehicle is seen off a road in Tishomingo, Okla., following a two-vehicle collision in which six teenage students were killed, March 22, 2022. The crash has the National Transportation Safety Board urging parents to warn teenagers about the risk of driving after using marijuana. | NewsNation KFOR via the Associated Press

The number of drug-related accidents has been more difficult to categorize, in part because of the explosion in cannabis use and the lack of a uniform way to measure whether someone with cannabis in their system is impaired. But we know that cannabis-related crashes have grown. According to a study conducted at the University of Ottawa, marijuana-related traffic accidents that required a visit to the emergency room rose 475% between 2010 and 2021.

While it is probably lower than the number of incidents involving alcohol, cannabis is definitely climbing as a percentage, too. A 2024 study by University of California, Davis researchers of 490 drivers injured in motor vehicle crashes in the previous year found that alcohol was present in 10% of the drivers and cannabis was detected in 9% of them. This is hardly surprising given that daily cannabis use now outpaces daily alcohol use in the U.S.

As far back as 2019, before cannabis use became as widespread as it is today, a survey by AAA found that an estimated 14.8 million drivers said that they have operated a vehicle within an hour of using marijuana. We may not have a good test yet for figuring out how to distinguish between a driver who is impaired by cannabis and one who has it in his or her system from a while ago. But it is reasonable to assume that using pot an hour before driving is not a great idea. Nevertheless, a survey of cannabis users in eight states found that About 1 in 5 (19.0%) thought their driving was worse after use, while others viewed their driving as the same (46.9%), a little better (14.7%), or much better (19.4%).

A marijuana leaf on a plant at a cannabis grow on May 20, 2019, in Gardena, Calif. | Richard Vogel

Also concerning is that while many observers have speculated that cannabis might replace alcohol in certain contexts, a recent study from Boston University found that people who died in crashes involving cannabis had 50% greater odds of having alcohol in their system as well.

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Perhaps it is not surprising that we have to learn the same lessons over and over again. When a problem seems to be less common, people dont think about it and they dont remember how it was solved in the first place. (See also measles outbreaks.)

Were kind of painting the plane as we fly it when it comes to cannabis liberalization, Jake Nelson, the director of traffic safety advocacy and research at AAA, told The New York Times recently. Public health and safety has been more of an afterthought.

Fixing this problem will require not only a rethinking of the legalization efforts across the country. It will also require a renewed public messaging campaign. In preparation for this, MADD rebranded last year, removing the trademark martini glass from its logo and replacing it with a warning red triangle. Now the organization has committed itself to ending impaired driving. Lets hope they can be as successful this time around.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has ended a four-day hunger strike that he began in protest of his trial on rebellion and other charges, judicial authorities announced Friday.

A judicial clerk informed the Supreme Court's panel overseeing the case that Castillo ended the hunger strike Thursday afternoon after being released from a hospital where he was taken that same day because of a health problem.

Castillo has been detained since Dec. 7, 2022, when he gave a televised speech in which he declared the dissolution of Congress and his intent to rule by decree. Congress removed him from office that same day.

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Now, the former president faces a trial on charges of rebellion, grave abuse of authority and disturbing public tranquility in a case that has polarized the South American nation. The prosecution is seeking 34 years in prison for the former president.

Castillo has described his trial as politicized and a pantomime and has refused legal counsel provided by the judicial system.

The removal of Castillo, Perus first Indigenous president, had sparked large protests in the south of the country, in which at least 49 people were killed in the weeks following his ouster. He was replaced by then-Vice President Dina Boluarte.

Castillo was a rural school teacher with no political experience when he won Perus 2021 election. In addition to the current trial, he faces a criminal investigation over alleged corruption during his time in office.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Jailed former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared Friday by videoconference before judges at the International Criminal Court, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly  war on drugs  that he oversaw while in office.

The 79-year-old Duterte didn't show up at the court in The Hague, but appeared on a video screen from the detention center where he is being held, about a mile (1 kilometers) away.

For families of victims of the drugs crackdown, Duterte's appearance in court was a long-awaited sign of hope. Duterte's vocal supporters call the arrest illegal.

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His lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, used the hearing to slam his arrest in Manila as a pure and simple kidnapping. He said Duterte was denied all access to the legal recourse in the country of his citizenship, and this all in the nature of political score-settling.

Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a pretrial hearing date of Sept. 23 to establish if prosecution evidence is strong enough to merit sending the case to trial. If a trial does go ahead, it could take years, and if Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Estimates of the death toll during Dutertes presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported and up to 30,000, according to numbers from human rights groups.

The ICC judge said that Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first hearing by videoconference because he had just come off a long flight.

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Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, listened to the hearing through headphones, often with his eyes closed. He spoke in English to confirm his name, and his date and place of birth. He was not required to enter a plea. The hearing, which started about a half-hour late, lasted around 30 minutes.

Medialdea said that Duterte had been under observation at a hospital because of health issues.

The judge, addressing Duterte, said: The court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully mentally aware and fit."

Duterte's daughter greets supporters outside court

Duterte was arrested Tuesday amid chaotic scenes in the Philippine capital after returning from a visit to Hong Kong. He was swiftly put on a chartered jet and flown to the Netherlands.

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His daughter, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, visited him in the court's detention center Friday and met with supporters outside the court. Duterte is a political rival of the current president.

She said her father is in good spirits and well taken care of, and his only complaint about his conditions is that he misses Filipino food.

She too decried what she called a political arrest. There will be a day of reckoning for all, she said, as excited crowds around her chanted Duterte! and yes, yes!

Meanwhile, activists marched in the Philippine capital region, demanding justice for the thousands of suspects killed in Dutertes brutal crackdowns. Families of those killed watched the ICC proceedings on screens set up around the country, some holding portraits of their slain loved ones, as they listened to charges read out against Duterte in a courtroom across the world.

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What is Duterte accused of?

Prosecutors accuse Duterte of involvement as an indirect co-perpetrator in multiple murders, amounting to a crime against humanity for allegedly overseeing killings from November 2011 until March 2019, first while he was mayor of the southern city of Davao and later as president of the Philippines.

According to the prosecution request for his arrest, Duterte, as Davao mayor, issued orders to police and other hitmen who formed so-called Davao Death Squads, or DDS.

He told them that their mission was to kill criminals, including drug dealers, and provided clearance for specific DDS killings, prosecutors allege, adding that he recruited, paid and rewarded the killers and provided them with the necessary weapons and resources, and promised to shield them from prosecution.

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The document seeking an ICC warrant for Duterte said that prosecutors built their case using evidence including witness testimony, speeches by Duterte himself, government documents and video footage.

The reaction of rights groups

Human rights groups and victims' families have hailed Dutertes arrest as a historic triumph against state impunity, while the former president's supporters have slammed what they call the governments surrender of a political rival to a court whose jurisdiction they dispute.

We are happy and we feel relieved, said 55-year-old Melinda Abion Lafuente, mother of 22-year-old Angelo Lafuente, who she said was tortured and killed in 2016.

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"Dutertes appearance before the ICC is a testament to the courage and determination of the victims, their families, and Filipino activists and journalists to pursue justice no matter how long it takes, said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Other leaders facing ICC arrest warrants, like (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu, should take note that even those who seem untouchable today can end up in The Hague.

Duterte's defense

Dutertes legal team said that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s administration shouldn't have allowed the global court to take custody of the former leader because the Philippines is no longer a party to the ICC.

Medialdea said that two troubled entities struck an unlikely alliance. An incumbent president who wishes to neutralize and choke the legacy of my client and his daughter," and "a troubled legal institution subject to delegitimization.

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Judges who approved Dutertes arrest warrant said that the court has jurisdiction because the crimes alleged in the warrant were committed before Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the court in 2019.

___

Jim Gomez, Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, and Ahmad Seir in The Hague contributed to this report.
The Arizona woman convicted in the killing of her two children was suddenly found dead after spending two years in prison for her crimes. However, authorities ruled out foul play leading them to another, tragic conclusion.

Retta Cruse, 36, was currently serving a life sentence for the 2021 killing of her two daughters. Back then, Phoenix police responded to her home after one of the girls fathers, Michael Coleman, called 911 to report finding the children unresponsive. Police said one they walked inside the home, they found 9-year-old Aleyah and 4-year-old Royal deceased in a bed. According to ABC 15s report, police determined Cruse fed them both prescription and over-the-counter medications to purposely cause the two to suffer an overdose.

At the time of the incident, Cruse was still inside the home, police said. However, they said she was barricaded in her bedroom, unconscious on the bed with self-inflicted knife wounds on her body.

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According to court documents, Cruse admitted to the killings, claiming her motive was bitterness behind losing a custody battle for her eldest child, via 12 News. She also allegedly told police she premeditated a plan to kill both herself and her children, per AZ Centrals report.

Cruse pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to two life sentences behind bars in 2022 and booked into the Arizona Department of Corrections. However, the department issued a notice last month saying she died Feb. 21.

The announcement said prison staff discovered Cruse unresponsive in their housing unit and conducted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. The responding medics pronounced her dead at the scene. The department concluded she died in an apparent act of self-harm by hanging.

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An American Airlines jet caught fire in Denver, and people evacuated with their carry-ons.

Passengers ignoring safety rules by taking bags can slow evacuations and risk lives.

People on a Russian plane in 2019 died because some survivors didn't abandon their carry-ons.

Photos of a burning American Airlines jet on Thursday show dozens of evacuating passengers standing on the wing with their bags in tow  breaking one of the most important safety rules.

Flight attendants explain during pre-flight briefings that carry-ons must be left behind during emergencies to ensure a quick evacuation and increase survivability.

American Airlines Flight 1006 passengers walking on the plane wing on Thursday after landing at Denver airport on Thursday. aX/@xJonNYC

Federal regulations require airline cabin crew to be able to deplane everyone within 90 seconds, under the assumption everyone follows crew instructions.Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas previously told Business Insider that bag-related bottlenecks could slow the evacuation and waste vital time.

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"You've got to get all the passengers out in 90 seconds," he said. "Now, we're seeing evacuations taking six and seven minutes because passengers insist on taking their bags."

Thursday's incident occurred after the crew reported "engine vibrations" en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas/Fort Worth and diverted to Denver. The engine caught fire after landing, prompting the evacuation.

12 people of the 172 on board were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, Denver International Airport said on X.

Evacuating with carry-ons could be life-or-death

A slowed aircraft evacuation could lead to more injuries or even fatalities, and there's a precedent for this life-or-death concern.

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In 2019, a Russian airliner crash-landed and caught fire in Moscow, killing 41 of the 78 passengers and crew.

The back of the Russian Aeroflot plane, where people got stuck and died during the evacuation, was destroyed in a fire in Moscow. City News "Moskva"/Handout via REUTERS

Many of the survivors were seen fleeing the plane with their carry-ons, which aviation experts say likely stalled the evacuation and led to a higher death toll.

The opposite happened in January 2024, when a Japan Airlines jetliner collided with a smaller plane on the Tokyo runway.

All 379 people on that aircraft  which was carrying five times the number of people as the Russian plane  survived. Aviation experts say part of the reason was because passengers abandoned their bags.

The Japan Airlines plane ablaze in Tokyo. Everyone lived despite the fireball. Issei Kato/Reuters

The Delta Air Lines crash-landing in Toronto in February also saw some passengers evacuating with carry-ons and flight attendants telling them to leave their stuff behind.

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A week later, another Delta plane filled with smoke. Again, evacuated passengers were seen with their bags. Everyone lived in both cases.

Still, history shows not everyone is as lucky.

Air travel remains relatively very safe, and fatal crashes are still extremely rare, despite the uptick in crashes and near-misses in recent months.

When incidents do happen, and a speedy evacuation is necessary, it's imperative you listen to the flight attendants and leave your personal items behind.

Stuff can be replaced  lives can't.

Read the original article on Business Insider
March 14 (UPI) -- A 10-year-old British boy celebrated the run-up to the math-themed holiday Pi Day by breaking a world record for the most decimal places of pi recalled in one minute.

Bristol student Alberto Davila Aragon said his memorization of the mathematical constant pi started with a March 2024 contest at his school.

"In March 2024, my school organized an exciting pi digits competition with an amazing prize: the chance to pie our headmaster in the face," Aragon told Guinness World Records.

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Aragon won the contest by memorizing 150 digits of pi, but he kept working on it even after smashing the pi into his headmaster's face.

He has now broken the Guinness World Record by rattling off 280 digits of pi in just one minute.

Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14, a reference to the first digits of pi: 3.14.
What is pi?

Each year, on March 14, it's become traditional for numerophiles and mathematicians to pause and reflect on the most famous of irrational numbers, pi.

Pronounced pie, written as , and summed up by the numbers 3.14, this seemingly simple figure now serves as a reminder of just how practical, poetic, and profound mathematics can be in our modern world.

So why does pi get the honor, and not e? Or the golden ratio? Should we be making more out of tau day instead?

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Not everybody agrees pi deserves its praise. But that doesn't mean it's not without its charm.

What is pi?

Pi () is a constant describing the ratio between a circle's circumference and its diameter. It is an irrational number usually summarized to two decimal places as 3.14.

Want to know the rest of it? Given it never ends, it might take a while to write it out. But here are the first 200 decimal places, in song form. Try singing along!

The Greek letter for P was chosen by the 18th century Welsh mathematics teacher William Jones, most likely to stand for 'periphery'.

Symbolically, the term pi was chosen to stand for something more than a mere number. Prior to its use in the early 18th century, the quantity was represented by terms and fractions, none of which adequately reflected an incomprehensible, infinitely long sequence of non-repeating decimals.

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Jones might have suspected that "'the exact proportion between the diameter and the circumference can never be expressed in numbers", but it wasn't until the 1760s that the Swiss polymath Johann Lambert came up with a proof of its irrationality.

When was pi first calculated?

It seems that for as long as we have been playing with circles, we've been aware that it takes roughly three diameters to make up a circumference, no matter the shape's size.

There's even evidence of this ratio among the mathematics of ancient Babylonians, around 4,000 years ago, who understood the perimeter of a hexagon sitting neatly inside a circle was equal to six times its radius, giving us a value of 3.125.

The Rhind Papyrus (below), produced roughly 1650 BCE in Ancient Egypt, claimed if you were to remove "1/9 of a diameter and construct a square upon the remainder; this has the same area as the circle", which equates to a value of 3.16049.

The Rhind papyrus

(British Museum Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan/PD)

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Archimedes of Syracuse also had a good stab at the problem. Using polygons much as the Babylonians had, multiplying out the sides, he came up with a more theoretical value of between 3 and 1/7, and 3 and 10/71.

Why is pi so popular?

As a constant for all circles, pi is an axiom  a fundamental principle  that can be used to help describe a broad range of phenomena and concepts throughout physics and geometry.

This makes it useful in a huge range of applications for analyzing and describing the natural world, from the meandering of rivers to the construct of atoms.

Even where circles don't seem immediately involved, pi can make a strange appearance. For example, the probability that any two integers will have no common positive factors  what's described as being relatively prime  is 6/^2.

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Beyond its practical and mathematical applications, pi has captured the public's interest purely out of a sense of poetry and aesthetic. A staff member and physicist at San Francisco's Exploratorium named Larry Shaw noted at a staff retreat in 1988 how the date March 14 reflected the first three numbers of pi, 3.14.

From there a day of celebrating science and mathematics was born: Pi Day. More than three decades on and the day is celebrated worldwide, with the sharing of pi trivia, mathematical problems, and the baking of the most famous of circular deserts: the pie.

A baked pie with the pi symbol on top

(ScienceAlert)

This article is adapted from a previously published ScienceAlert Explainer article.

Related News
The Pierce County Sheriffs Office is looking for two suspects who broke into a Glacier West Self Storage location about a month ago, according to a post on Facebook from Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County.

The burglary occurred at 3 a.m. on Feb. 14 when two men, both about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, allegedly broke into two storage units at the facility, located at 5706 160th St. E. in unincorporated Pierce County, according to the post. One of the suspects was wearing Nike Air Max 90s Essentials shoes.

The suspects reportedly carried off numerous firearms and various ammunition, and nearly a dozen collectable Park West paintings, the post said. Park West Gallery is a large art dealer that often hosts art auctions on cruise ships, and at fine hotels and galleries, according to the organizations website.

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The post also said the two men were driving a white Ford F-150 truck without a tailgate or visible license plates.

The post requests tips via the P3 Tips app, website tpcrimestoppers.com or phone at 1-800-222-TIPS, offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrest and charges filed.
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Credit: Canderella via CC 2.0

The co-founder and financial backer of file-sharing website The Pirate Bay, Carl Lundstrom, has died after a plane he was flying crashed in Northern Slovenia. Lundstrom was flying solo.

The 64 year-old Lundstrom was, to put it mildly, a controversial figure with far-right political leanings and some extremely questionable associations. The Register once called him The Pirate Bay's "neo-Nazi sugar daddy" due to his links to various far-right and outright fascist groups. Lundstrom also had a sideline in Holocaust denial, claiming Nazi Germany did not set out to systematically murder concentration camp prisoners.

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The news was first announced by the Alternative for Sweden party, for which Lundstrom was a candidate in the 2021 elections.

"Lundstrom, a legend and veteran of Swedish nationalism, died in a plane crash on Monday," reads the party's statement (thanks, Metro). "He was taking off in his Mooney M-20 from Zagreb en route to Zurich... but crashed in Slovenia."

The news was confirmed by journalist Christian Peterson, who called Lundstrom his "friend" and "one of [the] Swedish opposition's most significant and fearless veterans."

Credit: Fredrik Persson/AFP via Getty Images

Reports say the plane split in two after crashing into a wooden cabin on the Velika Planina mountain in northern Slovenia on Monday. Rescue teams were not able to reach the scene until Tuesday due to bad weather.

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While Lundstrom's status as a co-founder of The Pirate Bay is questioned by some (see the reaction on Hacker News), it is undeniable that his considerable resources (Lundstrom was an heir to the billion-dollar Wasabrod crisp bread empire) and company Rix Telecom were integral to the site's early days.

Lundstrom was one of those charged in a Swedish copyright trial and part of the so-called "Pirate Bay Four." He was found guilty, sentenced to prison and fined in 2009, though his custodial sentence was reduced to four months on appeal.
Try that in a small town.

The founder of beloved cheese-puff brand Pirates Booty claims to be the mayor of a newly formed Long Island town-within-a-town in a legal maneuver that is being brushed off by officials of the already-existing enclave.

Robert Ehrlich, who created Pirates Booty in 1987, has invoked an arcane New York state law called the Citizen Empowerment Act to create a new village within Sea Cliff, which is located within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, and install himself as its mayor, News 12 reported.

Robert Ehrlich, 66, is using a little-known New York law to declare himself mayor of a village within the village of Sea Cliff, Long Island. James Messerschmidt

I have so many great ideas. I love Sea Cliff from the bottom of my heart, and I dont want this to go in the wrong way, Ehrlich pitched in a video on Facebook, according to News 12.

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The legal chicanery came to a dramatic crescendo at a Sea Cliff village town hall meeting earlier this week, where Ehrlich declared his authority to village officials who were outraged and incensed at the presumptuous, soft-peddaled insurrection.

The 66-year-old arrived with a crew of three men and a list of demands for village officials  including requiring his own office space and the resignation of all current employees.

Upon arrival, Ehrlich presented a statement falsely asserting his authority as mayor, demanding access to office space, and declaring that the entire Village staff was fired effective immediately but could reapply for their jobs, the Village of Sea Cliff said in a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday.

Ehrlich believes that he has good ideas that would benefit the small Nassau County village, though officials think otherwise. James Messerschmidt

The would-be mayor and his trio of advisers became irate when village officials attempted to dismiss the outrageous demands  raising their voices, cursing and issuing direct threats for nearly an hour, according to that post.

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The activities of daily governance are unchanged, and the Village of Sea Cliff continues to operate under the guidance of its duly elected Board of Trustees, the statement read.

Not all Sea Cliff residents were opposed to the possibility of an Ehrlich mayoralty.

I think hed do a great job because hes proven himself in the field of business with Pirates Booty, he ran that like a tight ship, Sea Cliff resident Tim Ayres told News 12.

Not all Sea Cliff residents were opposed to the possibility of an Ehrlich mayoralty. James Messerschmidt

Ehrlich created the beloved cheesy puff snack Pirates Booty in 1987. James Messerschmidt

Another resident told the outlet that she thought Ehrlichs unorthodox approach was illegal, but it was good for him to try anyway, the report stated.

Ehrlich was attempting to utilize the little-known Citizen Empowerment Act, which allows voters to dissolve their government through a petition submitted to the clerk of the targeted town or village.

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A successful dissolution requires 10% of the population of the town or village to sign the petition, according to the state of New York.

Sea Cliff boasts a population of around 5,000 people, meaning 500 signatures would be required to dissolve its government.

The village is set to hold elections this coming Tuesday, with Mayor Elena Villafane running unopposed. Ehrlich has declared himself a write-in candidate for the election, according to News 12.

Neither Robert Ehrlich nor Elena Villafane responded to The Posts requests for comment.
HOHHOT, March 13 (Xinhua) -- A city in northern China has promised cash rewards in a latest effort to boost birth rate and cope with the ageing society.

Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, will offer a one-time subsidy of 10,000 yuan (about 1,394 U.S. dollars) for couples having their first child, according to a new regulation released on Thursday.

A second child will receive 10,000 yuan per year until he/she reaches five years old. For the third child or more, the annual subsidy is 10,000 yuan until the child turns 10, with the total amount reaching 100,000 yuan, a relatively high amount compared with other cities.

Yang Zhong, deputy director of the city's health commission, said the measures are aimed at boosting birth rate and spurring population growth. "These policies come as a powerful measure to deal with the current local population development situation," he said.

Data shows that China's population on the mainland stood at 1.40828 billion by the end of 2024, a decrease of 1.39 million from the previous year, representing the third consecutive decline since 2021.

Figures show that Hohhot, about two hours' train ride north of Beijing, has a population of around 3.6 million. The city's birth rate showed a declining trend from 2019 to 2023, Yang said. The birth rate stood at 5.58 births per 1,000 people in 2023, though it slightly picked up in 2024 as more couples were willing to have babies in the Year of Dragon.

Though experts say the result of the birth incentive is still to be tested, many couples have welcomed the policy.

Yang Lixin, 30, who works at a private firm in Hohhot, already has a five-year-old. "The policy made us more assured in making our mind to having a second child. The subsidies can reduce the financial costs, especially for maternity and childcare," she said. 
WARSAW, Poland  The Polish government has reacted to the new foreign policy course in Washington by doubling down on its commitment to more defense cooperation with the United States.

But while nods to Washington play an important role in Warsaws discourse, Polands authorities are also increasingly demonstrating willingness to tighten defense connections to key European allies.

During his official visit to Poland in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the nation for its efforts to allocate 4.7% of GDP to its military, an unprecedented level in the nations history. Hegseth called on other countries across the region to follow suit and bolster their defense budgets.

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Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polands deputy prime minister and defense minister, reciprocated by vowing his nation is readying further acquisitions in the United States for its armed forces, and discussing investments in joint ventures between the Polish and American defense industries that could involve ammunition production, among others.

Alongside these declarations, however, Warsaw is hedging its options by deepening defense ties closer to home.

Tomasz Smura, program director at the Warsaw-based Casimir Pulaski Foundation, told Defense News that the coming years are likely to bring more joint projects between Polish and European partners in the field of defense.

Polands relations with the United States are very close and good, and this is a constant trait of Warsaws foreign policy that has remained unchanged for decades, he said. However, Prime Minister Tusk signaled in his speech that, while making efforts to maintain these strong relations, Poland will also invest to reinforce the second pillar of the countrys security which relies on cooperation with European partners.

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Speaking at the Sejm, the parliaments lower chamber, on March 7, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government recognizes the new administration in Washington is aligning its foreign policy towards Russia with new priorities.

We are dealing with a deep adjustment of the American policy in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. We cannot get upset with the reality. Every country, and in particular a great power such as the United States, has the right and obligation to shape its foreign policy and its strategy, Tusk said.

But every country, including Poland  has the right and obligation to very honestly and precisely evaluate what is in our interest, what is in the interest of our security, and what can create a problem.

The prime minister said, Poland does not change its opinion on the necessity, which is absolutely fundamental, to maintain the tightest relations with the United States and the North Atlantic Pact. At the same time, Tusk cited Warsaws ongoing talks with Paris on involving Poland in Frances nuclear deterrent program as an example of how a further defense rapprochement with key European partners can increase the nations security.

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We are holding serious talks with the French on the idea of a nuclear umbrella over Europe. It is high time for Poland, using the resources that it has and also its own experiences  to look with more courage at the most modern weapons, the prime minister said. Purchases of conventional weapons, the traditional weapons, will not suffice.

Tusks comment came in response to French President Emmanuel Macrons recent statement that his country is considering to extend its nuclear arsenals coverage over European allies. Alongside these discussions, Polish President Andrzej Duda has called on the US to deploy nuclear weapons to his country as a deterrent to Russia.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has boosted efforts to expand and modernize its military. This year, the Polish cabinet aims to allocate a total of PLN 186.6 billion ($48.5 billion) to defense. A large share of the countrys defense expenditure finances major purchases of weapons from the US, including the ongoing programs to acquire F-35 fighters jets , Boeing AH-64D copters , M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks , and Patriot air defense batteries , among others.

At the same time, the Polish government has declared its willingness to participate in the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative , a continent-wide project to coordinate countries air defense-related purchases and procedures. Last year, Polands state-run defense group, PGZ, expressed interest in joining a program supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF) to create a new main battle tank .

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Concerned that Moscows talks with Washington could impact on US military presence in Poland, Warsaw is also seeking stronger defense ties with European allies such as Germany, France and the U.K.

Polands authorities are aware that, as the U.S. is gradually withdrawing from supporting Ukraine militarily, Europe will need to largely take over the effort, according to Smura.

As the Polish government accepts that Ukraines accession to NATO is no longer viable, this topic will be shelved, and Poland will shift its dialog with the United States to an approach anchored in more realism, he said.
TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK)  A 10-year-old girl and her mother were shot in their sleep around 12:30 Friday morning in the 3000 block of Mason St., according to the Texarkana Police Department.

Police say they were alerted to the incident by neighbors who reported hearing several shots. When officers arrived, they learned both were injured and another house had been caught in the crossfire after several rounds were fired.

Sulphur Springs man arrested after shooting victim in leg, police say

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The mother and daughter were taken to a Texarkana hospital, but the girl was then transferred to a childrens hospital for additional treatment.

As police investigate this case, if anyone has more information on this shooting theyre asked to contact Texarkana PD at 903-798-3116 or Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
(KRON)  A lengthy chase involving a Sonoma County Sheriffs helicopter was triggered by one Petaluma mans intoxicated trip to an In-N-Out Burger restaurant, police said.

Someone called police just before 7 p.m. on March 9 to report a suspected drunk driver who was in an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru line in Petaluma. The driver, Christian Gaussen-Butler, appeared to be intoxicated while officers stopped and questioned him, the Petaluma Police Department said.

Gaussen-Butler, 26, decided to flee from police by driving onto Highway 101 and speeding, according to PPD.



Officers pursued Gaussen-Butler for approximately three miles on southbound Highway 101 before ultimately terminating the pursuit based on Gaussen-Butlers erratic lane changes, excessive speed, and passing other motorists on the shoulder, PPD wrote.

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Officers lost sight of Gaussen-Butlers car just prior to the San Antonio Road exit. Ten minutes later, the car crashed into a power pole. A California Highway Patrol helicopter, Henry-1, spotted the driver hiding on a heavily-wooded hillside a quarter mile from the crash scene.

(Image via Sonoma County Sheriffs Office)

The helicopter crew coordinated a perimeter with Petaluma police officers, Sonoma County Sheriff deputies, and California Highway Patrol officers on the ground.

Officers contacted Gaussen-Butler on the hillside where he again fled on foot through several creek beds, fences, and open fields. Ultimately Gaussen-Butler surrendered and was taken into custody with minor injuries, the police department wrote. Video of the foot chase can be viewed in the video player above.

Thursday is last day to drive along SFs Great Highway

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The man was treated at a hospital for his injuries. He was later arrested on suspicion of felony evading, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, and resisting arrest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Police are investigating whether the 21-year-old man shot dead outside a Brooklyn auto repair shop was targeted as part of a beef involving the Trinitarios gang, police sources said Thursday.

Joharis Rivas had just pulled his black BMW sedan up to Robel Auto Repair shop on Meserole St. near Union Ave. in Williamsburg when he was shot around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, cops and witnesses said.

A witness to the brazen daylight shooting said the victim made eye contact with a man on an e-bike, who then pulled out a gun, fired and quickly fled the scene.

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Medics rushed him to Elmhurst Hospital Center, but he could not be saved.

Rivas is not listed in the NYPDs gang database, but detectives are exploring whether the shooting was linked to an internal feud within the violent Trinitarios street gang, according to police sources.

Prior to his death, the victim was being sought for questioning in connection with a February 2024 robbery in East New York, Brooklyn, where two men on a red moped stole a mans cellphone and $80 in cash, according to sources.

Rivas also witnessed the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Erickson Rivera on Dinsmore Place near Chestnut St. in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, in April 2023, and police were seeking to question him about it, sources added.

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The Dominican Republic native had three young daughters, with the eldest just 2 years old, the Daily News previously reported.

They are going to grow up without their dad and thats so sad, said family friend Junior Davis, 17. I really loved his daughters. Thats why were going to look out for [them].

Rivas lived in Cypress Hills with Davis and his family, who took him in when the victim fell on hard times a couple of years ago, the teen said.

Police are still searching for the gunman.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  As the weather gets warmer, Columbus Division of Police data shows that often coincides with an increase in crime.

Columbus police and the Short North Alliance are teaming up to be proactive and bring back extra safety measures in the arts district this weekend.

Cannabis dispensary plans second central Ohio shop with pickup window

Regardless of whats happening, if its a special occasion, youre usually finding people who wish to celebrate it in the Short North, Short North Alliance Executive Director Betsy Pandora said.

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Pandora said officers will be in full force this weekend ready for St. Patricks Day celebrations. She said this would be especially true during the late-night hours.

People can expect to see increased patrols moving forward through the summer months.

Thats a team of special duty police officers who are dedicated to patrolling our neighborhood, Pandora said. Theyre there to enforce safety initiatives and really their main task is to prevent crime.

She said people will also notice stronger lighting and red signs on light poles throughout High Street, alerting people of security cameras.

COTA program for residents with disabilities faces criticism for late arrivals, no shows

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They can be monitored in real-time and often are, and its an important thing, I think, for anyone to know, whether its someone whos out and about and excited to be a part of the community or somebody who maybe doesnt have the best of wishes, Pandora said. Those things exist.

People who live in the arts district said they are happy with the safety upgrade.

I think its more, at the end of the day, itll deter people rather than catch somebody doing something that I think would be good for the community, resident Solomon Sparks said.

Pandora said the neighborhood has seen an 18 percent drop in violent crime in the last year and hopes the proactive moves continue that trend.

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What to know about Fridays lunar eclipse in Ohio, and when to watch it

As we grow and evolve, its really important to us that we have the ear of the city, the community members, just their own sense of vigilance and that everybody works together to make sure that we can all enjoy our community in a way that is safe and exciting, Pandora said.

Pandora said anyone with a non-emergency need can call the Short North Ambassadors hotline at 614-636-5100. She said the ambassadors can help support any concern that you might be encountering. Response times vary and theyre out there from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and then 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department responded to a double shooting on Thursday, March 13.

Officers were called to the 4800 block of Hooper Road around 4:20 p.m. and found that two people were struck by gunfire. BRPD said the two shooting victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency medical services confirmed that two people were taken to a local hospital. The investigation into this shooting remains ongoing.

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Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

Virginia couple visiting Louisiana for bowling tournament hit by car

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We wanted to provide information on a social media post concerning Shrewsbury Elementary. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority, and we want to assure you that we take all allegations of threats very seriously. Any time that alleged threats are reported, we immediately and thoroughly conduct an investigation.

We were made aware of a situation alleging that threatening statements were made by a Shrewsbury Elementary student directed toward two other Shrewsbury students. In collaboration with the Southern Regional Police Department, we immediately and thoroughly investigated the allegations and issued appropriate consequences. The incident in question was confined to a verbal altercation between students in which one student allegedly verbally threatened another student.

The district takes all alleged threats seriously and conducts investigations utilizing our threat assessment team protocol. The threat assessment team includes our School Resource Officer, Safety and Security Coordinator, building administrators, school psychologist, and school counselor. The team works to put together an understanding of the allegations and to respond appropriately. Consequences, supportive measures, and other steps are determined to ensure the safety of all students. With any alleged threat, we continue to investigate any new information received.

Southern Regional Police and school district administration work together to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students every day. While there is no current threat to staff and students at Shrewsbury Elementary, out of an abundance of caution, we will have additional police presence at the school.

We understand that incidents like this can cause concern. Please know that appropriate steps are being taken to address the matter, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all our students.
A massage parlor in New Prague was raided by police earlier this week, with allegations contained in a search warrant claiming staff were offering sexual services to clients.

An investigation into 4 U Massage at 821 1st Street Southeast has been ongoing for more than two years before police executed a search warrant on Monday, with a woman believed to be its owner later arrested.

The search warrant stated that police were seeking to seize paperwork, point-of-service systems, condoms and sexual paraphernalia, towels and sheets that authorities believed may be potential pieces of evidence.

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Bring Me The News sought comment from the business in the wake of the raid, and found the facility empty, signage removed, and a dumpster placed outside the business.

Jonathan Harrison/Bring Me The News

According to the search warrant affidavit, authorities first received a report on Dec. 29, 2022 from a man who said he went to the business for a massage and was "nonverbally" offered a sex act, which he turned down.

On July 22, 2024, another tip was provided to the Fridley Police Department regarding an advertisement for escort services on a website that listed the same phone number and address used by 4 U Massage.

Then, in January and February, three men advised law enforcement of women working at the business that offered them sex. Two of the men suspected that cameras were installed in the ceiling, capturing the acts carried by the employees.

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The New Prague Police Department says a 49-year-old woman  the owner  was arrested on suspicion of solicitation, inducement and promotion of prostitution, and 2nd-degree sex trafficking. She was released from jail on Wednesday and no official charges have been filed as of Friday afternoon.

Bring Me The News isn't naming the woman at this time as she hasn't officially been charged with a crime.
STOUGHTON, Wis. (WFRV)  Police in south central Wisconsin say they have arrested a person matching the description of a man who reportedly exposed himself to children in a playground Thursday evening.

According to the Stoughton Police Department, a report came in around 6:04 p.m. on Thursday reporting that a man had exposed himself to children in Virgin Lake Park at 1901 Roby Road.

Green Bay police arrest suspect after fight leaves one injured

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The man reportedly did so near the park playground, and left the area on foot on the walking path south towards Buckingham Road.

Anybody with information is asked to call the dispatch center at (608) 873-3374.

No additional details are available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday came under fire following revelations that his office handed out gift vouchers worth 100,000 yen (about 676 U.S. dollars) each to 15 ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers earlier this month.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ishiba apologized but reiterated that the vouchers were paid out of his own pocket and were intended as tokens of appreciation, not donations, for the families of the lawmakers who were elected for the first time in last October's Lower House election.

On Thursday evening, the Asahi Shimbun reported that Ishiba had dinner with 15 rookie lawmakers at the prime minister's official residence on March 3, but hours before the gathering, Ishiba's staff delivered vouchers to the office of each of the first-term members.

All of the newly elected lawmakers later returned the vouchers, Kyodo News reported, citing sources with knowledge of the situation.

"There are no legal problems concerning this," Ishiba said, arguing that the vouchers were not political donations prohibited by the law.

Japan's political funds control law bans individuals from making donations to politicians and to people running for public office for their political activities, with exceptions for campaigning activities.

Ishiba added that the action also did not violate the Public Offices Election Act, which prohibits politicians from giving monetary donations or gifts to people in their constituency, as none of the lawmakers live in his own electoral district.

However, the revelation deals a blow to Ishiba, who became LDP leader and therefore prime minister about five months ago with a pledge to regain public confidence in politics tainted by a slush-funds scandal involving LDP heavyweights. On top of that, for the minority government, the draft budget plan for fiscal 2025 is still under deliberation in the parliament, with no prospects for final approval.

Opposition party leaders pressed Ishiba on the matter, questioning the legality of his handing out of the vouchers ahead of the dinner meeting.

"From a mere common sense perspective, the sum is way too high," said Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, adding that "letting one's guard down at such a sensitive time makes me wonder about (Ishiba's) political sensitivity."

"At a time when the public is suffering from high prices, and the government claims there are no financial resources, it seems like a contradiction to give 100,000 yen as a souvenir to lawmakers in your own party," Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki wrote on social media.

"It is a bribe of some sort. It's totally inappropriate, and he should seriously reflect on his behavior," Seiji Maehara, the co-head of the Japan Innovation Party, told reporters. 
One month after seeking treatment for bronchitis, Pope Francis remains hospitalized, but his care team believes he is out of danger and has shared several positive health updates in recent days.

The 88-year-old pope is currently being treated for bilateral pneumonia, which he developed after being admitted to Romes Gemelli Hospital.

In a Monday update, the Holy See Press Office said hes responding well to treatment but that hell need to remain hospitalized for additional days, as the Deseret News previously reported.

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On Thursday, the pope enjoyed cake with hospital staff members to celebrate the 12th anniversary of his election as pope.

A woman shelters against the rain as she follows a live broadcasted rosary prayer for Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. | Francisco Seco

Key moments during popes illness

Pope Francis has been in the hospital since Feb. 14. Heres an overview of whats happened since then.

Feb. 14  Pope Francis enters Gemelli Hospital in Rome with bronchitis.

Feb. 17  The popes care team determines he is suffering from a complex respiratory tract infection.

Feb. 18  A chest CT scan shows that Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia.

Feb. 22  The pope experiences a prolonged respiratory crisis that the Holy See Press Office compares to asthma. He receives high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions.

Feb. 24  Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state for Vatican City, hosts a prayer service focused on the pope in St. Peters Square.

Feb. 28  Pope Francis inhales vomit during a bronchospasm, adding to his respiratory issues. His care team puts him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

March 3  The pope experiences two instances of acute respiratory insufficiency, which require additional treatment.

March 5  Pope Francis marks Ash Wednesday in the hospital by receiving ashes and the Eucharist from a celebrant.

March 6  The pope surprises participants in another St. Peters Square prayer service with an audio message. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square; I accompany you from here, he said.

March 10  The popes care team announces that hes no longer in imminent danger, but adds that he will need to remain hospitalized for the foreseeable future.

March 13  Pope Francis marks the 12th anniversary of his election as pope with a cake brought to him by medical staff members.

Pope Francis remains in charge

While hospitalized, Pope Francis has remained engaged with other Catholic leaders and participated remotely in several events at the Vatican.

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He receives top Vatican officials, reads briefs, approves decrees to declare new saints and blesseds, nominates bishops for dioceses worldwide, responds to Jubilee events and expresses concern for the worlds conflict situations, including in Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan and Myanmar and for the flood victims in his homeland, America magazine reported.

The article noted that the pope is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another week.
Pope Francis' condition remains stable, the Vatican said Friday, as he marked his 29th straight day in the hospital.

"Recovery is slow and it takes time," the Vatican press office said.

"The Pope continued praying during the day as well as therapy -- both breathing and physical movement," it added.

The Vatican noted it too early to talk about the pope's release from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he was admitted on Feb. 14 and diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.

PHOTO: Vatican Pope Health (Domenico Stinellis/AP)

Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of when he was elected pope on Thursday from the hospital.

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His medical staff celebrated the anniversary with a cake and candles while the pope continued his respiratory therapy Thursday afternoon and followed the evenings Lenten spiritual exercises, the Vatican said.

MORE: Pope spends 12th anniversary as head of Catholic Church in hospital as recovery continues

Pope Francis' condition remained "stationary" on Wednesday with no further updates from the Vatican given on Thursday as tests confirmed his improvement, according to the Vatican.

A chest X-ray performed on Tuesday confirmed improvements recorded over the past few days, the Holy See, the Vatican's press office, said in its Wednesday evening update.

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The pope continues to undergo high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and "noninvasive mechanical ventilation during his night rest," the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pontiff will continue "for additional days, the pharmacological medical therapy in a hospital environment" due to the "complexity of the clinical picture and the significant infectious picture presented at hospitalization," the Vatican said.

Francis' doctors said there are positive signs of the pontiff's recovery, but caution remains, according to Vatican sources.

Pope Francis' condition remains stable on 29th day in hospital, Vatican says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Community members are up in arms after a recent decision by the Portland City administrator to cut a number of things from the city budget. That includes community centers.

Portland is facing a $93 million budget shortfall, which is less than the $100 million originally projected.

St. Helens superintendent resigns

Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan suggested a number of cuts in his budget proposal last month, including some public agency funds, Portland Bureau of Transportation repairs, and several local community centers.

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Parents at the St. Johns Community Center told KOIN 6 News spots like this are a hub for the citys underserved communities.

Its the heartbeat of the community. Here we have a beautifully diverse community, here in the North Portland, which is a historically underserved community in Portland. And it just feels like its the heartbeat of the community. I work in the community here. I see my students working at the community center here. My students teach here and teach my kids here, said parent Kathryn Henderson. I see them out in the community, and I see them working here. And it just feels like more and more is just taken away from us here in the North.

Downtown sees resurgence in open-air drug market

The potential closures are not set in stone just yet; the city is still accepting feedback from the community during recently planned community listening sessions.

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City officials said this is a preliminary, first draft and that these ideas serve as a starting point.

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LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal could replace its ageing American-made F-16 fighter jets with European jets rather than F-35s following U.S. President Donald Trump's policy shifts, the country's defence ministry said on Friday.

Defence Minister Nuno Melo told Portugal's Publico newspaper the unpredictable nature of Trump's policy towards NATO and Europe could determine the country's pick of aircraft.

"The recent U.S. stance in the context of NATO and the international geostrategic dimension, makes us think what are the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a factor to be reckoned with," he said.

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Trump's apparent lurch toward Russia in his second term in the White House has shocked traditional NATO allies in Europe. Trump has also demanded that Europe's NATO members ramp up their defence spending and questioned his country's predominant bankrolling of NATO.

"This ally of ours, that has behaved in a predictable fashion for decades, could impose limits on the use, maintenance, components, and all that is linked to having the aircraft operational," added Melo, a member of Portugal's centre-right government, which this week moved into a caretaker position ahead of an election on May 18.

The defence ministry said on Friday that Melo was not ruling out the potential acquisition of F-35s but that they were being considered along with "different models available in Europe" as part of a process still in preliminary stages.

"The current geopolitical context shows the need to reinforce the European pillar of NATO defenses, and that includes the strengthening of respective production in the areas of defence," the ministry added.

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The European Commission wants EU countries to outline their most pressing defence needs and launch "large-scale pan-European flagship projects" to enable Europe to defend itself against potential a Russian attack. The Commission has said European equipment should be purchased where possible.

(Reporting by Andrei Khalip, editing by Aislinn Laing and Christina Fincher)
A routine American Airlines flight turned into a mid-air horror show when a passenger, seemingly experiencing paranoia by demonic forces, got into a violent scuffle with flight attendants. According to CBS Miami News, a 31-year-old man named Delange Augustin began throwing punches, kicking staff, and even swallowing a rosary in what witnesses dubbed the most disturbing thing Ive ever seen.

Captured in shocking footage, Augustin can be seen thrashing at the front of the plane, swinging wildly at flight attendants and kicking his legs as fellow passengers rushed to restrain him. The chaos reached another level when his sister, also on board, began chanting what witnesses described as unsettling hymns while Augustin ingested the rosary beads.

They were possessed, a passenger named Rob Rosenberg recalled. That was a very, very, very disturbing scene. Ive seen a lot of stuff in my life, but that was probably the most disturbing thing Ive ever seen.

The ordeal began just after takeoff from Savannah, Ga., on Monday night (March 10) when the Miami-bound flight encountered turbulence. Augustin reportedly started shaking violently and screaming, leading some passengers to initially believe he was suffering a seizure. But it quickly became clear that something far more bizarre was happening.

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He started stomping his feet violently, like heavily and screaming  it was kind of a chant, Rosenberg told CBS Miami. He was talking about devils and possession. You have to kind of see-it-to-believe-it sort of thing.

Tensions escalated when a flight attendant approached Augustin, only to be met with a kangaroo kick to the chest, sending them flying across the aisle and crashing into a window. Alarmed by the outburst, the pilot made the call to turn the aircraft around and return to Savannah. He was being so violent, you were like, this is not normal, he doesnt care anymore, the witness added.

Augustin continued his rampage, reportedly destroying the seat in front of him with a barrage of punches and kicks before the plane could land. As soon as they touched down, he charged toward the front exit, fists swinging, with his sister right behind him. Passengers, including Rosenberg and his friend, intervened, wrestling Augustin to the ground. But even pinned down, Augustin reportedly latched onto his sisters hair and pants, refusing to release his grip as authorities arrived.

They tased him, once, twice, three times. He still didnt let go. At that point, they had to cut the womans hair to make him let go, Rosenberg recounted.

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Additionally, Augustins sister later told authorities that he swallowed the rosary because the beads serve as a weapon of strength in spiritual warfare. According to an affidavit, the siblings had been en route to Haiti to flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature. Augustin had warned his sister mid-flight to close her eyes and pray because Satans disciples had followed them onto the plane and the legion did not want the Augustins to make it to Haiti.

Despite the terrifying incidinet, only eight passengers were on board at the time, and no one sustained serious injuries. Augustin was hospitalized after ingesting the rosary beads, and has since been booked in jail on multiple charges, including misdemeanor battery and criminal property damage.

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A "swatting" call about an active shooter triggered a massive police response at Claremont McKenna College on Thursday evening, a day after a similar false report caused panic and evacuations at Loma Linda Children's Hospital in San Bernardino County.

Students were warned to shelter in place at the five undergraduate colleges in the Claremont consortium after the Claremont Police Department received a call warning of a gunman on campus around 4:45 p.m., according to the department.

"The caller told dispatch they were in a restroom on the Claremont McKenna College campus, holding someone captive and threatening to harm them," the department said in a statement. "They also stated they had a bomb and were going to walk around with a rifle and shoot anyone they saw on the campus."

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Multiple law enforcement agencies responded and conducted a search of Claremont McKenna College and the nearby Pomona College, Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College and Pitzer College campuses. There was no sign of an active shooter or any victims, police said. The shelter-in-place order was lifted at 7:30 p.m.

"I was just doing some homework  I have a paper due  and I just get a text: potential shooter,' a student identified as Gabe told KTLA. "I look out the window, SWAT teams, cops, and it said you got to get off campus, get to safety and lock the doors. We just started going away from campus."

A similar pattern played out at Loma Linda Children's Hospital on Wednesday evening after the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received a call from someone who said he was inside the hospital armed. The call prompted a huge law enforcement response before an all-clear was issued around 8 p.m.

Law enforcement officers responded from two counties, taking away their ability to handle emergency calls in their own communities, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement. All of this caused by a hoax to falsely portray a catastrophic event.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a bulletin last year that swatting calls "often come in clusters" and "are typically made to harass, intimidate, and/or retaliate against their intended target."

According to Homeland Security, in January 2024 the FBI and National Counterterrorism Center tracked more than 100 threats to more than 1,000 locations in 42 states during a one-month period.

Read more: 'Swatting' call about gunman at Loma Linda hospital prompts massive police response, evacuations

Last month, a young Lancaster man was sentenced to four years in prison after he made nearly 400 swatting calls to high schools, universities, places of worship and government officials.

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Thursday evening's call, though fake, caused real fear on campus.

In a 6:15 p.m. email, Claremont Mckenna College Dean of Students Jimmy Doan said he knew the situation was "very scary" and sent out a form to students to track their locations, according to reporting by student newspaper the Claremont Independent.

Classes were canceled during the incident but will resume Friday, according to a Pomona College statement on X. The college advised students that counseling resources remain available at Student Health Services until 9 p.m. Thursday and that 24/7 mental health services are available through TimelyCare's online platform.

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The United States Postal Service said it has signed a deal with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut costs at the agency.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told congressional leaders in a letter that he had signed an agreement with Elon Musks DOGE to cut jobs and spending at the agency that has long lost money.

DeJoy said the organization has spent the past four years transforming from a battered government bureaucracy that experienced financial losses into a higher quality service, but it is still not achieving its goals.

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Last night I signed an agreement with the General Services Administration and DOGE representatives to assist us in identifying and achieving further efficiencies, DeJoy said. This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done. We are happy to have others assist us in our worthwhile cause.

The Postal Service is an independent agency that has remained untouched by DOGEs presence in other departments, until now.

The postmaster general said his agency plans to reduce its workforce by 10,000 workers within the next month through a voluntary early retirement program.

DeJoy said the DOGE team asked about the big problems facing the Postal Service. He cited various issues including miscalculations and mismanagement over its retirement plans that have several billion dollars of burdensome funds, mismanagement of its Workers Compensation Program, unfunded mandates as a result of legislation that require the service to participate in costly activities, and burdensome regulatory requirements that restrict normal practices.

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He noted these services are housed within other departments, including the Office of Personnel Management, the Treasury Department, the Labor Department and Congress.

I ask that you please engage with the Postal Service, our DOGE representatives, and the Federal agencies that need to adapt to the critically necessary changes involved and to correct for the deficiencies of the past that can and must be corrected, DeJoy wrote to the members of Congress.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, replied to DeJoys letter criticizing the decision to team up with DOGE.

The only thing worse for the Postal Service than DeJoys Delivering for America plan is turning the service over to Elon Musk and DOGE so they can undermine it, privatize it, and then profit off Americans loss, Connolly said in a statement. This capitulation will have catastrophic consequences for all Americans  especially those in rural and hard to reach areas  who rely on the Postal Service every day to deliver mail, medications, ballots, and more.

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DeJoys agreement and letter follow his announcement in February that he would be stepping down from his leadership position. He was appointed during President Trumps first term and said he wanted to begin the process of finding a successor.

He said it was important to provide enough notice and time for the Postal Service to bring in a new postmaster general who can carry on the cost-cutting and efficiency work he began.

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POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  The Poway Unified School District is considering eliminating up to 100 positions to help close a $13 million budget deficit over the next two school years.

The districts plan is to shrink the budget gap by $10 million in the 2025-26 year and then another $3 million in 2026-27. At Thursday nights meeting, trustees noted budget cuts are necessary due to declining enrollment and the end of one-time COVID-19 funds.

It was standing room only as the school board voted unanimously to initiate the process of eliminating positions, making PUSD the third district in the county this week to discuss staff layoffs as they face budget shortfalls.

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Of the 100 positions on the chopping block, ten are management at the district, but most are classified staff holding support roles in schools, which includes Instructional Assistants and Student Services Assistants.

The district committed to working with us to look at unnecessary expenses all year prior to considering classified cuts and theyve gone straight to classified cuts. It wasnt collaborative. It wasnt transparent, and its certainly not best for kids, said Courtney Martin, Poway School Employees Association President. The union represents over 3,000 classified employees within PUSD.

Martin said the impact of these roles is immense, especially with younger students, which middle school student Amanda Gasia explained she can relate to.

Last year when I was in fifth grade I had a really tough thing with my friend, said Gasia, who credits a Student Services Assistant for helping her through a tough time. She added, they dont deserve to be kicked out like this, and the schools really need them because it helps the kids a lot.

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Trustees acknowledged making staffing cuts would be difficult. Meanwhile, a staff report shows the district would be operating with $49 million in reserves in the next school year.

After Thursday nights meeting, the district will look into other ways to reduce spending, such as cutting services and subscriptions. Employees whose positions are at risk of getting cut will receive preliminary notifications by March 15.

The exact number of people actually laid off wont be clear until June when the school board adopts a final budget. A spokesperson for the district noted some positions are currently unfilled, and some personnel may resign or retire before the budget is finalized.

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PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has truly changed the lives and destinies of many people across the world, a Cambodian senior minister said here on Friday.

Speaking in a speech at the opening ceremony of the Shapingba Hotpot Carnival in Phnom Penh, Ly Thuch, a Cambodian senior minister in charge of special missions, said the BRI is a global initiative that has provided mutual benefits, win-win cooperation, and shared prosperity for all participating countries.

"The BRI has truly changed the lives and destinies of many people around the world, and Cambodia is one of the countries that has greatly benefited from this initiative," he said.

He added that the BRI has not only boosted the development of connectivity infrastructure, but also promoted people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Meanwhile, Thuch expressed his heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the Chinese government and people for all the great progress and achievements that China has achieved so far.

He said China has played a greater role on the international stage in ensuring peace, security, stability, common development, and shared prosperity toward building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Speaking of Cambodia-China ties, Thuch said the two countries have an "unbreakable" ironclad friendship and both sides are working together to build a high-quality, high-standard and high-level community with a shared future.

He was also grateful to the government and people of China for having provided assistance to Cambodia for economic, social, trade, and physical infrastructure development. 
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Red River Gorge can be a beautiful location any time of the year for visitors and local Kentuckians, but it can also be dangerous.

But as of Friday, there is one less rescue team to respond if someone is in danger in the gorge.

Red STAR Wilderness EMS posted on Facebook that after a decade of partnership with Powell County, team members have been instructed not to respond to emergencies following the termination of their staffing agreement.

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We are unable to provide medical care to the public or to search and rescue teams in the Red River Gorge or elsewhere, the team wrote.

Rescue personnel announced on Friday that the team will carry out private training courses under the name RedSTAR Inc., with additional plans to launch a new independently licensed EMS training center.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

RedSTAR Wilderness EMS members said questions remain as to the impact this will have on the safety of those visiting the Red River Gorge, and other search and rescue teams.

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On Saturday, Powell County Search and Rescue posted on Facebook announcing that team members are still active and will respond to calls for mutual aid within the county.

We, however, will not be accompanied by our sister agency Red STAR Wilderness EMS, team members wrote. Kentucky regulations prohibit any rescue squad from providing medical care beyond first aid. Any care needed beyond that scope will be provided by the county EMS service, pending available resources.

On Saturday afternoon, Eddie Barnes, Powell County judge executive, posted on Facebook to address the staffing agreement decision, saying he would be willing to return to the negotiation table.

I am willing to call a special meeting with RedSTAR and the Powell County Fiscal Court to try to come to an agreement that is suitable to both parties, Judge Executive Barnes said.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Bay County residents came together Thursday night for an evening of fun. The annual Bay County Chamber of Commerce block party brought out people of all ages.

Chamber members say the event celebrates growth in the community.

Its really to give back into our community here in Bay County is so supportive of our businesses. So we want to give back. And we are chamber of commerce, but were also chamber of community, Bay County Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Chapin said.

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Completed Econfina Creek improvements promote safety and efficiency

Crowds lined the streets, stopping to listen to live music by arcade sounds. Dozens of local businesses joined in, handing out free food, drinks, and ice cream.

Kids burned off energy with hula hoops and the bounce house. The bounce house is one of the many things here for kids to enjoy.

But the main event of the night is the t-rex relay race. 20 teams competed against each other in three engaging mini-games that participants must complete before reaching the finish line.

Handlers led the t-rexes through each challenge.

They each have a handler. Now, the handlers are really the heroes of all of it because these things are mean animals, Chapin said.

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Short arms proved to be a challenge for the T-rexes.

Safety before shamrocks; local authorities warn about DUIs ahead of the St. Patricks day weekend

The claws did not work very well with the water balloons, but other than that, it was super fun, Dinosaur Beth Klein said.

Even Captain America and Black Widow showed up to get in on all of the fun.

In May, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating tourism appreciation month. One of those events will be Punch on the Porch at the Mexico Beach Welcome Center on May 3rd.

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TOWN OF WHEATFIELD  The presence of a large piece of construction equipment on the former Bell Aerospace property raised concern among local preservationists on Wednesday.

A representative from the company that manages the Niagara Falls Boulevard site said planned demolition work involves one building town officials ordered demolished due to its dilapidated condition.

It was the Town of Wheatfield that put us on notice that the building had been condemned and we needed to take immediate action to take the building down, said Michele Kiernan, vice president and asset development manager for IRG Realty Advisors, a subsidiary of the propertys owners. The main facility and the main manufacturing plant is all still there. This is a piece of the property. It is not the entire thing.

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On its Facebook page on Wednesday, the Western New York non-profit group Preservation Buffalo Niagara posted a demolition alert with a picture of an excavator located near one of the buildings on the former Bell Aerospace property.

By Wednesday evening, the post garnered 244 comments, offering a mix between those who expressed support for protecting the historic integrity of the site and others who argued time had come for it to be demolished to make way for new development.

Emily Jarnot, preservation planner and Niagara Falls liaison for Preservation Buffalo Niagara, said she and other representatives from her group spent several hours on Wednesday contacting local and state officials in an effort to determine what exactly was being demolished and if there was any chance to delay the project to come up with an alternative to demolition.

With limited preservation codes in place and no historic preservation commission in the town, Jarnot said there were limited legal options available.

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We were never even able to propose a local landmark, Jarnot said. Because its there in the Town of Wheatfield, theres just no way.

Jarnot believes the entire property warrants preservation status as it served for decades as the home of Bell Aerospace, a company that built U.S. fighter aircraft during World War II and developed the Bell 47 helicopter and the Bell X-1, which was the first airplane to break the sound barrier. She noted that the site also includes space that once served as the main office for industrialist and Bell Aircraft Corp. founder Lawrence Larry Bell.

It is a huge visual landmark in the area, she said. What gets me is the amount of stories that have been pouring out about the building on Facebook all day. The outcry of stories included someone who posted a picture of President Harry Truman at that plant. This company built the first jet to break the sound barrier. It helped build U.S. aircraft in World War II. Everybodys grandpa and grandma worked there.

People are just coming in with how it tied into their family and generations and what it meant to the war effort and what it meant to aerospace and aviation and the advancements that happened there, she added.

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Kiernan said pending demolition involves a two-story building covering roughly 300,000 square feet that is attached to a main building. The demolition work is being supported by a grant through New Yorks Restore New York program. Administered by the Empire State Development Corp., the program offers grants to support municipalities efforts to demolish, rehabilitate and restore blighted structures and transform them into vibrant residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. The application for $1.5 million in state grant funding, which is tied to a larger $3.2 million redevelopment project on the property, received support from both the town and the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.

The Niagara Gazette previously reported in a story about a planned public hearing for the project described the building covered in the grant application as being roadside at 2221 Niagara Falls Blvd. in front of other buildings making up the property currently known as Wheatfield Business Park. The building included in the application was described as being vacant since 1996 and having previously housed engineer work when the site operated as part of Bell Aircraft.

Kiernan said the town and county approached the propertys owners about assisting in the application for grant funding to pursue the demolition and redevelopment.

This was something the town and the county were excited about because it would improve the visibility of the existing property, Kiernan said.

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We have a lot of vacancy in the existing building, she added. There are no immediate plans to build anything new. We do hope it improves the appearance of the main building and gives us an opportunity to create more access points at truck docks so that we can continue to lease up the main building.

While preservationists had requested access to the building to take pictures before any demolition work started, Kiernan said that was not possible due to the condemnation order from the town. She described the structure as uninhabitable and as a building that has never been pointed out as anything of particular interest.

Its been condemned and its unsafe to enter, she said.

Jarnot said its unfortunate any of the buildings on a site with such a rich history fell into such disrepair. She argued that, with the proper foresight and planning, the property owners, the town, the county and the state could have taken a different path, one involving documentation of historic structures to allow for the application of restoration grants as part of a larger redevelopment project.

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She said the present course stands as a sharp contrast to the opinion of many area residents who believe the site warrants preservation, not demolition.

A building can get condemned for simply having the water shut off or the utilities shut off, she said. A lot of times bringing it back from condemned status involves getting the utilities turned back on and getting the right funding to make it work.
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On Wednesday, March 12, Kensington Palace announced that Prince William was making his first overseas trip of the yearand his first visit to Estoniabut some royal fans were left disappointed that the Princess of Wales wasn't traveling with him. However, just hours later the palace released a second bit of news, sharing that Princess Kate would be making her official return to St. Patrick's Day duties.

The Princess of Wales, who serves as Colonel of the Irish Guards, will visit the regiment at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in London's Wellington Barracks on March 17. The princess was forced to skip last year's parade due to her cancer diagnosis, which she publicly announced on March 22, 2024.

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Per Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales "will award long service and good conduct medals to soldiers within the regiment." And along with presenting sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen, she'll take part in one of the most anticipated parts of the parade by greeting Turlough Mor (otherwise known as Seamus), the regiment's Irish Wolfhound mascot. And, per tradition, she'll enjoy a pint of Guinness in the dining hall where guardsmen will propose a toast to the princess.

Although Prince William often accompanies his wife at the traditional St. Patrick's Day event, he will not be attending this year.

The Princess of Wales made her last appearance at the parade in 2023. | Credit: Getty Images

Prince William and Princess Kate enjoyed a Guinness during the St. Patrick's Day 2019 celebrations at Wellington Barracks. | Credit: Getty Images

The princess made her first appearance at the event in 2012, attending the St. Patrick's Day parade solo less than a year after she married Prince William.

Since then, the Princess of Wales has attended the parade every year except for 2016, when she decided to spend time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at their Norfolk home ahead of a royal tour to India and Bhutan. In 2020 and 2021, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As for Prince William's plans next week, he'll be visiting Estonia on March 20 and 21. The prince will visit the Mercian Regimentan infantry regiment of the British Armyin his role as Colonel-in-Chief. He'll also learn how the country is responding to the conflict in Ukraine and will take on engagements related to renewable energy and technology.
(KRON)  A repeat retail theft offender has been charged with multiple shoplifting charges after stealing from the same CVS multiple times, according to the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkinss Office.

Colton Sheppard, according to the DA, was banned from entering a CVS in Union Square since Feb. 28 due to habitual shoplifting. Sheppard, who was on supervised probation, entered the pharmacy store and stole $65.06 worth of merchandise. Witnesses were familiar with prior thefts Sheppard allegedly committed and contacted the police.

A short while later, San Francisco Police Department officers located Sheppard with stolen merchandise and arrested him.

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2 teens burglarized Dollar Tree, stealing instant noodles: PD

According to the DA, video evidence shows Sheppard stealing from the same CVS on Feb. 4 and in November of last year.

Sheppard, 36, is charged with two counts of petty theft with two or more priors, two counts of violating a stay away order and one count of shoplifting.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department tip line at 415-575-4444.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Mayor Ben Walsh says Syracuse has a cancer in the form of a delinquent landlord that the city is trying to ban from owning any property.

This week, the City of Syracuse filed a lawsuit against Mendy Keltzky, of Brooklyn, for 18 regularly delinquent properties in Syracuse.

Mayor looking to ban Syracuse slumlord who is a danger to public health

Mayor Walsh and an officer with the citys code enforcement division took NewsChannel 9 to a neighborhood impacted by the landlords violations.

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Family with small kids, said Mujahid Muhammad, who once inspected the home he was showing. They go to the school just down the block there.

When Muhammad first saw the property in 2002, it was bad. On Thursdays tour, he found it worse.

With people living inside, pieces of siding and trim were falling down. Trash and debris covered the yard, along with the illegal amount of garbage set out on the curb.

Mayor Walsh said: For me, it is personal, because behind these deteriorated properties are my constituents, the people I serve.

The mayor took NewsChannel 9 to Wall Street on Syracuses West Side, where Kletzky has five properties in a row.

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Its a rare step. Its a step of last resort. But he has made it clear that he has no intention of complying with our orders.

Kletzky owes $2.8 million in fines from violations and almost $400,000 in unpaid taxes.

He has made it very clear that he doesnt care about Syracuse, and we dont care to have him in our community anymore, said Mayor Walsh.

Walsh says good landlords spur neighborhood improvement.

His properties are a cancer in the neighborhoods that they exist. That cancer spreads. When he neglects his properties, it sends a message, a signal to his neighbors that perhaps they shouldnt care about theirs, said Walsh.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A proposal in the Nevada Legislature would require public transit companies to install safety barriers and panic buttons amid an uptick in driver assaults.

Democratic Assem. Linda Hunt introduced Assembly Bill 361, which would amend state law to apply to bus agencies in counties with 100,000 people or more.

Key parts of the proposal include the barrier installation and signage to alert passengers about potential criminal penalties. The safety measures would be required on any transit vehicle that requires a commercial drivers license.

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The proposal comes a month after a man attacked a driver and then drove a bus in northern Nevada, Ross Kinson, the president of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council, testified Thursday.

Passenger-on-operator assaults have remained steady in Clark County over the past several years, according to data the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. In fiscal year 2022, the Regional Transportation Commission recorded 32 assaults. In 2023, the number was 35.

That year, the 8 News Now Investigators reported on several high-profile incidents on RTC buses, including a murder. At the time, transit operators said they did not feel safe.

In 2024, the number of passenger-on-operator assaults number dipped slightly to 26.

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Public transit should not be a dangerous profession, Kinson said. Many of these workers are older adults or single parents who take on these jobs because they offer flexibility and a livable wage.

RTC buses already have barriers and panic buttons, though drivers have said they are ineffective or inoperable. RTC hired a new senior director of security in late 2023.

Several people testified in favor of the bill Thursday. No person testified against the proposal.

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(WHTM)  A Pennsylvania lawmaker proposed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments and multiple other foundational documents to be displayed in Pennsylvania public schools.

The Creation of Law in Our Schools Act, proposed by State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33), would require the display of the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the Pennsylvania Consitution, and the U.S. Constitution in the states public schools.

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A nation that does not know its history is doomed to lose its identity. By ensuring that our students see and engage with these bedrock documents, we will instill in them a greater appreciation of law, responsibility and the sacrifices made to build this great nation, Mastriano said on Friday.

In June of 2024, Louisiana approved its own version of the bill, becoming the nations first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom, according to the Associated Press.

The bill sparked some controversy, with critics arguing that, due to the commandments religious origins, having them in American public schools violates the Constitution.

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Similar bills have been proposed in states such as Texas, Utah, and Oklahoma, but the threat of legal battles over the bills constitutionality has prevented them from passing, per the AP.

Mastriano said his bill aims to ensure that students in Pennsylvania grow up understanding the laws, rights, and freedoms that define Americans, claiming that the bill is about preserving the very principles that make America great.

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OSLO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Friday dismissed speculation that Greenland might become part of the United States, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting a potential U.S. annexation of the island.

Speaking about the recent election in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Rasmussen said that it would be incorrect to interpret the results as a sign of imminent independence or any intention to join the United States.

"If I read the Greenlandic election correctly, I believe that Greenland will remain part of the Danish Commonwealth for quite some time," Rasmussen said. "This is a Commonwealth that needs to be renewed and modernized, and I hope we will work together to strengthen the Greenlandic economy even further."

He also dismissed any suggestion that Greenlanders wished to abandon their ties with Denmark. "I do not see any indication from the Greenlandic election that there is a desire to leave the Commonwealth in favor of becoming American," he said.

Trump, speaking on Thursday during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, claimed that he believed the United States would eventually annex Greenland, calling Denmark "very far away" from the territory despite its status as an autonomous region within the Danish Kingdom.

In response, Rutte distanced himself from the issue, stating that discussions regarding Greenland's status fell outside his purview and that NATO should not be involved.

Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark with Greenlanders given Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy. 
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Nathan Gingles, the man accused of fatally shooting his wife, her father and an unsuspecting neighbor as he hunted her down through her Tamarac neighborhood last month, according to a notice filed Thursday.

A grand jury indicted Gingles on three counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, kidnapping, two counts of child abuse, and violation of a domestic violence injunction last week. He pleaded not guilty.

In their notice to seek the death penalty, prosecutors with the Broward State Attorneys Office pointed to several aggravating factors in each of the three deaths: the number of people Gingles is accused of killing at the same time; that he is accused of killing them while kidnapping his daughter, 4-year-old Seraphine; that each murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel and committed in a cold, calculating and premeditated manner; and that two of the people he is accused of killing, his wife Mary Gingles and her father, David Ponzer, either had a domestic violence injunction against him or were family members of the person with the injunction.

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Prosecutors also argued that Gingles killed Andrew Ferrin, the neighbor, and Ponzer in order to avoid arrest.

Mary Gingles had documented her husbands intent to kill her in court petitions and law enforcement incident reports dating back to when they lived together. In the months leading up to her death, her situation grew more dire, and she wrote in her most recent petition for a domestic violence injunction that she thought he would kill her by the end of February.

In addition to telling their daughter about his desire to kill her, he had entered her home while she was out, left windows ajar with a ladder underneath and placed a bag full of suspicious items in her garage, including a note about air embolisms, according to Mary Gingles petition.

Should Gingles defense team seek to argue that his mental health is a mitigating factor, prosecutors are asking for advanced notice and to have him examined with a mental health expert of their own choosing if he is convicted.

His next hearing is set for May 15.

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Facing near-constant jeers and boos from the audience, Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards answered questions about Ukraine, Elon Musk and federal layoffs at a town hall Thursday evening.

Hundreds of protesters gathered before, during and after Edwards town hall at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, expressing anger over federal cuts and layoffs, President Donald Trumps tariffs and the war in Ukraine.

Edwards took questions from the audience for over an hour, sometimes struggling to answer above the noise. Police escorted one protester out of the building at Edwards instruction after he yelled expletives at the congressman.

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The second-term congressman from Waynesville held the town hall despite many Republicans  including House Speaker Mike Johnson  urging against the events after many GOP lawmakers found theirs inundated with protesters.

There are a lot of folks around the country right now that have chosen, for one reason or another, to not do that, Edwards said. One of the things that Im most proud of in my privilege to serve you as the congressman from N.C. 11, is my accessibility to the public.

Why not do a town hall? Im accountable to the people in Western North Carolina.

Im at Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards town hall in Asheville. Theres people protesting federal layoffs and calling for aid to Ukraine. Story to come @theobserver pic.twitter.com/4RVZSsKQlS  Nora O'Neill (@noroneill) March 13, 2025

While the audience applauded his willingness to show up, Edwards town hall was filled almost entirely with dissatisfied constituents.

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Nearly every attendee stood and clapped for certain questions that criticized Trump, Musk or Edwards. At one point, Edwards asked the crowd for quiet while he tried to get through an answer, and said attendees could boo, and hiss, afterward. The silence lasted less than 10 seconds.

Outside, hundreds more who didnt fit in the auditorium booed and chanted while Edwards spoke.

A protestor was just escorted out of the town hall by police at Edwards instruction. pic.twitter.com/qTzTR6Ultv  Nora O'Neill (@noroneill) March 13, 2025

Despite the interruptions, Edwards answered most questions and told reporters afterward he would do it again.

I really appreciated the opportunity to be here, he said. I appreciated the energy that I heard from the folks here even though they might disagree with me, even though they might disagree with President Trump.

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I certainly appreciated the opportunity to talk about how I believe that President Trump and Republicans are living up to the promises that we made last election.

Protests continue even after the town hall has wrapped, as people bang on the doors to the room where Edwards is speaking to press. One officer: you could go to jail for destruction of property. pic.twitter.com/bANXNFcW1C  Nora O'Neill (@noroneill) March 13, 2025

Elon Musk, federal layoffs

Many protesters held signs criticizing Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One attendee asked Edwards to name five things he did that week to help his constituents, a reference to the departments February email requesting some federal employees to outline five things they did in their jobs that week.

Though Edwards acknowledged the judges ruling made earlier Thursday that required some U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of federal employees laid off by Trump, he mostly expressed support for increased government efficiency, and finding ways to save the federal government money.

There are about 2 million federal employees that you are paying for every single year. (The) government has bloated exponentially since the pandemic, Edwards said. I believe that we owe it to the taxpayers to go and look for efficiencies that are out there.

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Edwards repeated some misleading claims made by Trump and Musk about government spending. That included the claim that too much grant money was going to fund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and that federal dollars were spent to make mice transgender, the latter of which has been fact checked as false.

Helene recovery

Few questions were asked about Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by the moderator or audience members, though Edwards took time at the beginning of his town hall to discuss his work since the storm in his district. Efforts include creating a hotline for people struggling to get help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and his authorship of the $110 billion disaster relief bill signed by former President Joe Biden.

These billions of dollars will do much to supercharge our recovery here, from restoring I-40 to its pre-storm condition with enhanced resiliency measures, to getting thousands of downed trees off the ground in the Pisgah Forest, Great Smoky Mountains forest, to prevent future wildfires, Edwards said. The state that I see us in now is my responsibility to help get the money out of the doors in Washington, D.C. into the hands here in Western North Carolina.

Ukraine

Attendees asked numerous questions about the war in Ukraine and expressed dissatisfaction with Trumps interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his decisions over military aid to Ukraine. Edwards called Putin a murderous dictator, and said he disagreed with the characterization of Trump as sympathetic to Russia.

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I believe that the president is very supportive of Ukraine. I believe the president recognizes that Putin is a murderous dictator, he said. I also believe that we see the author of The Art of the Deal working his magic to try to create a situation where folks would come to the negotiating table that might not otherwise do that.

Edwards said he would support a deal with Ukraine to bring minerals and oil to the United States in order to recoup the cost of aid, but also that he will always vote in support of Ukraine.

I had an opportunity to look into the weeping eyes of widows that had lost their sons and husbands from the invasion of Ukraine, and I came back committed that the world cannot stand idly by and watch the type of evil taking place that we see taking place over there, he said.

We need to protest

Barbara St. Hilaire, a 63-year-old Asheville resident, said she came to the town hall to protest Trumps federal layoffs and program cuts.

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He is destroying our democracy and our country, and he is dismantling it so quickly that we cant even respond to one thing before the next shoe drops, she said. And theyre not even shoes, theyre bombs.

We need to protest, she said. We need to stand up for what we believe in, and what we believe in are the government agencies that support the middle class and the lower class.

St. Hilaire said she believes Edwards is a good person, and said she would vote for him if he pushed back against the cuts.

He is brave to even have this town hall. He was told not to, and here he is. I hope he understands that his constituency is greater than just the Republican supporters, she said. If he pivots and protests against these cuts and joins with the American people, I will vote for him. Im not looking for somebody who believes everything I believe, Im looking for somebody who supports our country.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The steps of the Youngstown Board of Education building were the backdrop again Thursday for a protest on how public education is being handled nationwide and in Ohio.

These were the same steps used 10 years ago to protest House Bill 70  which resulted in the state takeover of the Youngstown City Schools. Thursdays protest centered on cuts taking place and being proposed that this group claimed could end public education as we know it.

Youngtowns Harding Elementary is one of many schools nationwide and in Ohio that students can attend tuition-free.



Ninety percent of our children go to public schools in Ohio, said State Representative Lauren McNally.



McNally was one of 20 people who gathered on the steps of the Youngstown Board of Education to protest proposed cuts in public education on the federal and state levels.

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We should be asking for the best education possible for all our children, McNally said.

McNally said shes opposed to Ohios Universal Education Voucher Program created in the last budget which she said took $2 billion from public schools and reallocated it to private and charter schools. She said the new budget would increase the voucher program to $2.5 billion while 87 percent of public schools would be cut.

Politicians in Columbus arent interested in transparency, responsible usage of taxpayer funds or providing equitable resources for all kids. They care about their power. They care about their profits, said McNally.

Were on a mission to destroy public education, said Reverend Ken Simon.



Simon, chairman of the Community Leadership Coalition on Education which sponsored the event, was critical of President Trumps efforts to eliminate the Department of Education.

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Dismantling it means defunding programs that feed, educate and protect our most vulnerable and underserved students, said Simon.

I know that regardless of where you come from you can do great things, said parent Jakeista Cundiff.



Two of Jakeista Cundiffs children have graduated from the Youngstown Schools  and one still attends.

When you take away that public education youre saying that only the few are allowed to be educated. Only the ones that have the money and the means are worthy and Im here to tell you that is not so, Cundiff said.

On Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m., the Community Leadership Coalition on Education will hold a Town Hall meeting at New Bethel Baptist Church on Youngstowns South Side in support of public schools.



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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Nearly 30 people gathered at the Mountain Home VA to protest President Donald Trumps efforts to reduce the size of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides healthcare for veterans. However, after recent DOGE-related job cuts, the department is considering departing with 80,000 probationary employees.

PREVIOUS: James H. Quillen VA Medical Center has dismissed a small number of probationary staff

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News Channel 11 was at the protest and spoke with Terryl Yates, a protester who was passionately against the job cuts.

Because so much of the budget that theyve cut is actually for veterans health, this is going to be very, very bad for the health of our veterans, the people who actually have stood between us and the evil of the world, Yates said. These people are the ones being targeted among other groups. But were here today to talk about the veterans.

Quarry, truck traffic concern Erwin neighbors taken by surprise

Yates said veterans deserve more resources to support them after service rather than having them taken away as part of a tax reduction.

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We should always be doing more for the veterans, not looking for ways to cut, Yates said. Most of us are very much against the tax cuts until our budget is balanced. There should not be tax cuts for anyone, especially billionaires.

Yates said people driving by the protests showed signs of support; one person even apologized for his November vote.

And the people whove driven by, they have honked, they slowed by and told us their support, Yates said. We had one person who rolled down his window and said he voted for Trump but was sorry that he did.'

Fridays protest was part of a nationwide effort. More protests are planned, including one on Saturday at Cumberland Park in Bristol, Virginia, at 4 p.m. End Hate Dont Discriminate will address marginalized communities in Bristol, including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Weve got many more things that are planned in the future to let people know that we are here and were watching, and were not going to be quiet, Yates said.

Kevin Jenkins, a former congressional candidate for Tennessee District 1; Neal Osborne, a councilman in Bristol, Virginia; and Kate Craig, a former Tennessee State Senate District 3 candidate, will speak at the protest on Saturday.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Department of Education on Friday morning to protest mass firings and what some are calling an effort to dismantle the federal education system.

The Trump administration wants to shift federal education funding to the states, arguing the move would improve teaching and learning but critics say the plan threatens key programs and resources for students.

Portia Allen-Kyle, an advocate with Color of Change, said the firings impact civil servants who have dedicated their careers to expanding educational access and opportunities.

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Civil servants have taken it and made it their lifes work and mission to expand that access and opportunity, Allen-Kyle said.

Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union, worries about how the changes could affect students, particularly those in low-income communities.

What is going to happen to after-school programs? What is going to happen to breakfast after the bell? Rodrigues asked. Hungry kids cant learn, there is going to be classroom disruption.

Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono, also spoke out against the administrations plan.

When we dont have an educated population, I think everybody can figure out thats not going to be good for our economy and our communities, Hirono said.

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Republican lawmakers, however, support the plan saying it will provide states with greater control over education policy.

It will be better for the local educator, the local principal, the local county board, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

Moore Capito reassured parents that federal funding would remain available for low-income families and students with disabilities.

Federal support will be there in terms of dollars, just that the bureaucracy will not be present here in Washington, she said.

The Department of Education said it is committed to supporting underserved communities despite the restructuring efforts.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The Providence City Councils chief of staff was arrested Thursday during a protest at Trump Tower in New York City.

Council President Rachel Miller told 12 News in a statement that the councils top staffer, June Rose, was with 97 other Jewish anti-war advocates who rallied against the detention of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil.

Rose was released the same day, Miller said, and was back at work on Friday.

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MORE: Trump Tower occupied by Jewish protest group in support of pro-Palestine protester

After news of the arrest surfaced, Councilman James Taylor called for Rose to resign.

The Chief of Staff is the Councils highest paid employee and carries the responsibility of representing the council and the city of Providence as a whole, whether or not they are officially on the clock, Taylor told 12 News in a statement.

Roses salary is $136,579, according to City Council spokesperson Roxie Richner.

The arrest happened the same day as a Finance Committee meeting that focused on a potential tax hike proposed by Mayor Brett Smiley.

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This is historically the busiest time of the year for the Council and this year, we are currently facing a massive budgetary shortfall that can and will have major impacts on our constituents finances, Taylor added. The idea that our lead staffer decided to leave the city during such a critical period to focus on their own personal political views, and jeopardize their future availability to the city by getting arrested, is telling that they are more concerned with their own points of view over doing the work for the people of Providence.

ALSO READ: Providence panel OKs Smiley proposal, but puts a limit on potential tax hike

Taylor also said he was also concerned that Rose was making headlines for their second arrest in recent months. (Rose was arrested in July during a demonstration in Washington, D.C., that called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a ceasefire.)

Councilman Miguel Sanchez, the councils majority whip, said on social media that Rose had his full support.

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Im so proud that we have staff members who not only do so much for our city but also use their voice to fight for a better world, Sanchez wrote.

Regarding Roses arrest, Miller said she and her colleagues are laser-focused on the issues facing Providence.

We are working hard to determine the best path forward and dedicating all of our resources to efforts that support our residents, Miller continued. That being said, this is a perilous moment for our democracy and taking action is not something to be scorned. June was using vacation time yesterday and chose to use their time to defend constitutional freedoms.

Alexandra Leslie contributed to this report.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Providence finance officials painted a grim picture of the citys budget projections Thursday, as councilors advanced a measure that could force taxpayers to pay hundreds of dollars more per year.

Krystle Lindberg, the citys deputy finance director and budget officer, explained how the citys finances were coming into focus in a meeting of the Providence City Councils Committee on Finance to examine a proposal to exceed the state-mandated tax cap of 4% annual increases.

The 2026 budget will be tough, but 2027 will be even tougher, Lindberg said.

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Providence is facing a budget gap primarily as a result of a $15 million settlement the city reached last fall with the R.I. Department of Education, which still controls the Providence Public School District. The city has already paid $4 million to the schools, but owes the remaining $11 million in the next fiscal year.

The agreement also requires that school funding be increased in the citys annual budget in the years ahead.

In 2026, Providence will earmark $147 million for schools, an $11.5 million increase over 2025. The following years increase would be determined by the requirements of the Crowley Act, the state law on school takeovers, as long as the district remains under state control  a point of contention between the city and RIDE.

This is a fixed cost that will reside in our budget in perpetuity, Lindberg said. We are making a generational investment.

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In addition to the money obligated through the schools settlement, the city has increases to other fixed costs, including an additional $4.7 million to pension payments, $3.7 million in contractual raises for city employees, and $1.9 million in increases to medical insurance.

Mayor Brett Smiley began warning about potential tax hikes and budget cuts to offset the budget gap as early as last fall.

That has to come from one of three places: either property taxes, other revenue, or cuts to city budgets, Smiley told Target 12 last week. And in my plan that Ill introduce to the City Council when I introduce the budget at the beginning of April, well have a combination of all three of those things.

The current fiscal landscape brought Smiley to ask for support from the General Assembly to go over the state-mandated 4% annual cap on tax hikes.

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A hearing before the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing scheduled for last week was postponed so the Smiley administration could first earn the support of councilors.

Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan introduced an amended resolution Thursday night in support of the city exceeding the cap, but putting the maximum increase at 8%.

We need to have this levy cap option, Ryan said. Its another tool in our toolbox to help us achieve a balanced budget.

Last week, Council President Rachel Miller called for an upper limit on the overall levy increase, but also emphasized the importance of identifying alternative, sustainable, new, non-residential property tax revenue.

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Theres other items that we can be talking about in the next few weeks, [that] we should be talking about together with the General Assembly, Miller said at Thursdays meeting.

The city said for every 1% increase in the tax rate, that would mean the average homeowners annual property tax bill would increase by $42.

If the citys tax rate increased by 4%, for example, that would mean an average increase of $168 more per year. But if the city were to use a maximum increase of 8%, it would be an increase of $336.

Several councilors in attendance argued the impact could be devastating for residents already struggling to make ends meet.

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Councilor Miguel Sanchez said even a $20 increase is extremely harsh, and would be difficult for some city residents to manage.

People are really worried, Councilor Sue AnderBois said. People are hurt with the chaos at the federal level. Peoples budgets are even more strapped than they were before that.

Councilor John Goncalves, the senior deputy majority leader, asked if the city could assist residents who cant handle an extra burden. Chief Financial Officer Larry Mancini said every consideration was in motion.

I think its vital that we really, really dig down on other revenue sources, Finance Committee Chair Helen Anthony said on Thursday. This is going to be an impossible situation for a while.

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Lindberg said the city is looking at every departmental cut possible, in addition to examining all municipal fines and fees. But she warned some revenue sources may not be immediate.

It may take a couple of years, Lindberg said.

Lindberg explained if the city does not get approval to go over the cap, there are several options on the table for cuts, like transitioning from weekly trash pickup to biweekly, or eliminating all community grants  a measure that would pose major problems for the citys libraries.

RELATED: Providence libraries on the chopping block amid school funding fight

Lindberg also said the city is considering a 10% reduction in city employees, eliminating youth summer jobs, reducing snowplowing operations and recreation programming, or even eliminating PVDFest.

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We are pursuing every single possibility, Lindberg said.

One thing the city cannot do, Lindberg said, is dip into its so-called rainy day fund. Finance leaders explained that use of the funds would mean the city would be in a deficit for the year.

Using the Rainy Day Fund is almost like applying a one-time solution to a perpetual cost, she said. Once that Rainy Day Fund is used, its gone.

Councilor Shelley Peterson said with uncertainty about the city receiving additional federal funding, the city should also consider renegotiating existing voluntary payment agreements with nonprofit organizations  like hospitals and private colleges  that are exempt from paying property taxes.

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RELATED: Providence reaches first-ever proposed PILOT agreement with Lifespan

I do believe that meds and eds should be contributing far more, Peterson said.

The five-member committee unanimously approved the amended resolution, which now heads to the full City Council for consideration.

In a statement following Thursday nights decision, Smiley said his administration would continue to work alongside the council to find solutions.

Tonights action does not set the tax rates but rather gives us the ability to move forward in crafting a budget that weighs all the difficult choices ahead, Smiley said.

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Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China will host the first meeting of International Military Cooperation Organs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States for 2025 on March 26 and 27, a defense spokesperson said Friday.

The meeting will be held in Qingdao in Shandong Province, east China, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference.

Representatives from defense ministries of the SCO member states and the SCO secretariat will attend the meeting to exchange views on future defense and security cooperation, Zhang said. 
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)  South Dakota child care providers say theyre heartbroken over Governor Larry Rhodens veto of a bill intended to address the child care crisis in the state.

An effort to override the governors veto fell short in the House Thursday.

The bill would have expanded subsidies from the state to help more child care workers, so they in turn, can afford child care expenses of their own.

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South Dakota child care advocates expected the heaviest lift of the child care bill to be in the state senate.

When it passed the senate, we cried, because we were so relieved, Embe Director of Curriculum & Licensing Sarah Meagher said.

Once it was over that hurdle, child care providers expected an easy glide path to the governors desk. Until he vetoed the bill.

To be so far in the process, to receive a veto, it was shocking and it was heartbreaking, Meagher said.

House rejects veto override of child care bill

Governor Larry Rhoden says the bill expanding eligibility for government assistance would have given child care workers unfair preferential treatment. Opponents of the bill also cited added cost to the state.

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I think the threat of the cost was what derailed it and just the fact that they dont want to use child care, the child care assistance program in order to increase our workforce in the child care industry, Rep. Erin Healy, (D) Sioux Falls said.

Meagher says members of a task force, that included people from Rhodens own administration, never raised objections to expanding the child care assistance.

Of the dozens of solutions, this was one that felt like it was possible and we didnt hear at any time in this process that it wouldnt be able to pass, Meagher said.

Despite her disappointment at the governors veto, Meagher sees some hope in the future, since the child care bill came so close to crossing the legislative finish line.

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The conversations that weve had far exceed what had been talked about in the past, so that gives me reason for hope. But I dont know what comes next, Meagher said.

Rep. Healy was one of the House members who voted Thursday in favor of overriding the governors veto.

She was the main sponsor of the bill in the House and expects lawmakers to take the summer to come up with new ideas addressing child care to present to next years legislative session.

She says they wont try to revive the bill that was vetoed by Rhoden.

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Semiconductors power nearly every aspect of modern life  cars, smartphones, medical devices and even national defense systems. These tiny but essential components make the information age possible, whether theyre supporting lifesaving hospital equipment or facilitating the latest advances in artificial intelligence.

Its easy to take them for granted, until something goes wrong. Thats exactly what happened when the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major weaknesses in the global semiconductor supply chain. Suddenly, to name just one consequence, new vehicles couldnt be finished because chips produced abroad werent being delivered. The semiconductor supply crunch disrupted entire industries and cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

The crisis underscored a hard reality: The U.S. depends heavily on foreign countries  including China, a geopolitical rival  to manufacture semiconductors. This isnt just an economic concern; its widely recognized as a national security risk.

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Thats why the U.S. government has taken steps to invest in semiconductor production through initiatives such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to revitalize American manufacturing and was passed with bipartisan support in 2022. While President Donald Trump has criticized the CHIPS and Science Act recently, both he and his predecessor, Joe Biden, have touted their efforts to expand domestic chip manufacturing in recent years.

Yet, even with bipartisan support for new chip plants, a major challenge remains: Who will operate them?

Minding the workforce gap

The push to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S. faces a significant hurdle: a shortage of skilled workers. The semiconductor industry is expected to need 300,000 engineers by 2030 as new plants are built. Without a well-trained workforce, these efforts will fall short, and the U.S. will remain dependent on foreign suppliers.

This isnt just a problem for the tech sector  it affects every industry that relies on semiconductors, from auto manufacturing to defense contractors. Virtually every military communication, monitoring and advanced weapon system relies on microchips. Its not sustainable or safe for the U.S. to rely on foreign nations  especially adversaries  for the technology that powers its military.

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For the U.S. to secure supply chains and maintain technological leadership, I believe it would be wise to invest in education and workforce development alongside manufacturing expansion.

Building the next generation of semiconductor engineers

Filling this labor gap will require a nationwide effort to train engineers and technicians in semiconductor research, design and fabrication. Engineering programs across the country are taking up this challenge by introducing specialized curricula that combine hands-on training with industry-focused coursework.

Clean rooms, a vital part of semiconductor factories, are also where the next generation of tech innovators conduct research. Here, a Ph.D. candidate is seen in an air shower room before entering a clean room at Tokyo University on May 1, 2024. Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images

Future semiconductor workers will need expertise in chip design and microelectronics, materials science and process engineering, and advanced manufacturing and clean room operations. To meet this demand, it will be important for universities and colleges to work alongside industry leaders to ensure students graduate with the skills employers need. Offering hands-on experience in semiconductor fabrication, clean-room-based labs and advanced process design will be essential for preparing a workforce thats ready to contribute from Day 1.

At Missouri University of Science of Technology, where I am the chair of the materials science and engineering department, were launching a multidisciplinary bachelors degree in semiconductor engineering this fall. Other universities across the U.S. are also expanding their semiconductor engineering options amid strong demand from both industry and students.

A historic opportunity for economic growth

Rebuilding domestic semiconductor manufacturing isnt just about national security  its an economic opportunity that could benefit millions of Americans. By expanding training programs and workforce pipelines, the U.S. can create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, strengthening the economy and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

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And the race to secure semiconductor supply chains isnt just about stability  its about innovation. The U.S. has long been a global leader in semiconductor research and development, but recent supply chain disruptions have shown the risks of allowing manufacturing to move overseas.

If the U.S. wants to remain at the forefront of technological advancement in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and next-generation communication systems, it seems clear to me it will need new workers  not just new factories  to gain control of its semiconductor production.

Michael Moats does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
(NewsNation)  A former political prisoner jailed in Russia has bad news for anyone who thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about peace with Ukraine.

Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza says there will be no lasting peace in Ukraine or throughout Europe so long as the authoritarian leader remains in power.

The only way to have lasting peace, stability and security on the European continent is a democratic Russia, Kara-Murza told CUOMO on Thursday.

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What are Ukraines critical minerals and why does Trump want them?

His comments come in the wake of Putins assertion that hes interested in a ceasefire with Ukraine, although Putin hedged his comments to say any peace plan must address root causes of the conflict.

Kara-Murza said the root cause is Putin himself. He described the Russian leader as this old, deranged Soviet KGB officer sitting in the Kremlin.

Hes the reason for all this, hes the aggressor, Kara-Murza said.

Putin will talk, and fight: Clark

Putins suggestion he supports a ceasefire comes with many caveats that could scuttle a peace deal, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark says.

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Ukrainian leaders have already agreed to a 30-day halt in fighting, and now, U.S. representatives are seeking Russias acceptance so that talks for lasting peace can begin in earnest.

Whats the root cause? The root cause is Ukraine wants to be aligned with the West. It wants protection from Russian interference, Clark told NewsNation Now.

Putin would like to roll back NATO and absorb additional close neighbors such as the Baltic states and Bulgaria, the retired U.S. Army general said.

He predicted Putin may take part in negotiations while trying to maintain the upper hand militarily.

Its talk, talk, fight, fight, Clark said.

Putin has limits: Ex-ambassador

Putin is a former KGB official who knows how to manipulate people, says John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under President George W. Bush. Herbst told Elizabeth Vargas Reports that Putin will try to manipulate President Trump if Ukraine peace talks move forward.

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Of course he cant be trusted, Herbst said of Putin. And hes demonstrated that over the past 20 years, breaking multiple treaties, breaking multiple commitments.

And yet, Putin realizes he cannot be seen as double-crossing Trump, the former ambassador said.

I would not dismiss the idea that Putin has a certain wariness with Trump, Herbst said. He believes hes able to persuade him, but he also understands, I think, that if he crosses Trump and Trump understands that, that can be very bad for Putin and for Russia.

No accountability for Putin: Breedlove

Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, another former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said Russia has consistently avoided consequences for its actions. This week, a cargo ship captained by a Russian national collided with an American tanker hauling jet fuel in the North Sea.

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Its absolutely not a coincidence, Breedlove told On Balance on Thursday.

This is all a part of that grey zone war, war below the lines, or what NATO likes to call hybrid war, he said. Mr. Putin has been getting away with these actions, and until hes held accountable, why would he stop?

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As a U.S. delegation in Moscow worked to hammer out a ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader responded by demanding extensive concessions in exchange for a ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

So far, Trump has made harsh demands on Ukraine while avoiding putting similar pressure on Russia. Now, attention turns back to Trump as to whether he will continue his trend of appeasement or double down and force Russia to accept a deal.

Speaking at a press conference on March 13, Putin demanded guarantees that Kyiv will not mobilize or train troops nor receive military aid during the proposed 30-day ceasefire, which some experts see as an attempt to prolong negotiations rather than a sincere attempt at peace.

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Putins comments came two days after Kyiv agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Washington during talks in Saudi Arabia on the condition that Russia also accept the terms.

Putin also said that further talks are needed to prepare for a ceasefire, including a conversation directly with Trump. The delegation in Moscow was headed by Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, and left in the early hours of March 14.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speak during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentyev / Sputnik / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump responded that Putin's statement was "very promising" but "wasnt complete," adding he is willing to meet with the Russian president.

Ahead of the Russian leaders demands, Trump was very clear: Accept this or I am going to get tough on you, John Herbst, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under George W. Bush, told the Kyiv Independent.

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Trump's going to look like a world-class fool if he lets Putin get away with saying no to this proposal. Now that doesn't mean that Trump, therefore, must do something. But there will be serious pressure on him to do something against Russia, he added.

One potential response could be increasing sanctions, a move that Senator Lindsey Graham has pushed for in the event that Putin rejects the ceasefire proposal.

If Russia refuses (a ceasefire), we should sanction the hell out of them, Graham wrote on X on March 11 after Washington and Kyiv inked their deal.

Russia has escaped pressure  so far

Nothing in Trumps actions since his inauguration in January has indicated any willingness to put pressure on Russia, said Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at the U.K.'s Aberystwyth University.

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Trump has escalated pressure on Ukraine by halting military aid and intelligence sharing until a ceasefire deal was signed, demanding Ukraine sign over natural resource rights to the U.S., berating President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting in the Oval Office, suspending a Ukrainian refugee program, and ending USAID funding used to rebuild critical infrastructure struck by Russian missiles.

In contrast, despite threats of doubling down on Russian sanctions, Russia has largely evaded escalatory pressure from Trump.

"One of the few constants in the foreign policy of Trump 2.0 is the affinity for Russia."

Whether or not Trump is willing to change this stance is still up in the air. Another question is whether or not Trump will view Russias new ceasefire demands as a rejection.

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Trump seems to be in the mindset of viewing any demands from Russia as reasonable rather than insane, and no list of concessions demanded from Ukraine (by Russia) as outrageous, Mathers said.

Still, a scenario where Trump responds to Putin rejecting the deal by throwing his support behind Ukraine is not entirely far-fetched, she said.

Trump is notoriously vain and thin-skinned and easily offended. If he decides that Putin is making him look like a fool in the eyes of the world and not showing him respect, then he could lash out. But even if that happens, Trump could change his mind again, Mathers added.

Honestly, one of the few constants in the foreign policy of Trump 2.0 is the affinity for Russia.

Putin needs this war

The ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine signed on March 11 featured limited details, including a resumption of U.S. weapons and intelligence, the option to extend beyond the 30 days, and a vague admission of American corporations into Ukrainian mining.

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It doesnt include the preconditions for a ceasefire Putin named last June, which were largely seen as a non-starter and would have been an effective surrender for Ukraine. The demands Putin set included a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four eastern oblasts  Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia  which Russia does not fully control.

Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 31, 2024. (Maxim Shemetov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

According to Ryhor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, entering peace negotiations may be a delay tactic while Putin furthers his goal of political capitulation from Ukraine.

Putin will try to prolong the negotiations, which in the meantime will give him opportunities to definitely further deteriorate or disrupt relations between Washington and Kyiv and Washington and its European allies within the process, said Nizhnikau.

Sergei Parkhomenko, a Russian-born columnist and political commentator, agreed that Putin may choose to engage in long, tedious negotiations, but that he isnt yet willing to make concessions or sign a peace deal.

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He needs this war for its own sake, more than he needs victory in it, more than he needs Ukraine, and more than he needs anything else, Parkhomenko told the Kyiv Independent. For him, war is a way of life, a method of governing the country, a way of maintaining himself in power.

In his evening address after Putin made his comments, Zelensky echoed the same sentiment.

"Putin is afraid to say directly to President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians. That's why they in Moscow demand such preconditions for a ceasefire that will make it impossible or will (postpone it) as long as possible," Zelensky said.



Read also: There will still be war  Ukraines soldiers on ceasefire proposal, Russia, and Putin

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When it comes to foreign policy, Vladimir Putin has two modes. One is moving fast and breaking things. The other is stalling. What we are witnessing today is a masterclass in what the KGB used to call deza  short for dezinformatsiya. His mouth and eyes are talking; he is pretending to engage with Trumps ceasefire deal. His hands, meanwhile, are frantically moving to stack the deck in his favour.

The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it, Putin said of US proposals to halt the fighting. But while he agreed in principle with the notion of peace, Putin claimed to be more interested in addressing the root causes of the conflict. He also claimed that Ukraine would use the proposed 30-day ceasefire to re-arm and regroup. This is a classic piece of Putin gaslighting. He is turning the main reason that Kyiv is nervous of a ceasefire precisely on its head.

Putin faces a dilemma. On the one hand, he cannot afford to annoy the famously mercurial Donald Trump. The Kremlin has not forgotten that upon entering the White House in 2017 Trump actually turned out to be far harsher on Russia than Barack Obama had ever been.

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Trump sanctioned Gazproms Nord Stream 2 pipeline and ratcheted up the quantity and lethality of the arms America supplied to Ukraine.

On the other hand, Putin believes that time is on his side. His troops are winning, slowly and bloodily, on the ground.

Ukraines forces have been fighting without a break or rotation for 3 years; they are exhausted. There is also deepening backlash in the country against forced mobilisation. Ukraines impressive military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, has reportedly warned a closed session of parliament that the army faces a potential collapse by this summer.

Putins solution  stalling  makes sense. His task is to keep talking peace for as long as possible while pushing forward on the ground by any means necessary.

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Trump and Putin are mismatched sparring partners. Trump is by far the most powerful of the pair. But he is also unwilling to risk damage or even make much of an effort. To him, this is a low-stakes fight. Putin, by contrast, is much weaker but far more desperate for victory.

Trump could compel Putin to agree without firing a shot. Imposing hard sanctions on all importers of Russian oil and gas would cut the economy off at the knees. But Russias list of customers include not only India and China but also Europe; the continent has increased its imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia by 20 per cent in 2024. The resulting energy price crisis would shake the already fragile economies of the West.

But at the same time Putins own resources are finite  his economy and army are also feeling the strain. He began this war to force Ukraine back to Moscows sphere of influence. Objectively, Nato membership for Kyiv is very much off the table. So is the prospect of returning occupied territory. And the Kremlin has refused to countenance European peacekeepers on Ukrainian land. What remains on Putins wish list is to replace Zelenskys government (Ukrainian voters may very well oblige), secure international recognition for the new borders, and limit Kyivs armed forces.

It would be wrong for Putin to lay conditions, complained David Lammy. As usual, our Foreign Secretary is precisely incorrect. The truth is the opposite: neither Ukraine, nor Nato, nor even the United States have succeeded in defeating Putin. The conditions are, within limits, Putins to lay.

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Our support for Ukraine, and that of other partners, remains ironclad, continued Lammy. This is also sadly wrong. Collectively, Europe has given more money to Russia for oil and gas since the invasion than it has given in financial aid to Kyiv. In practice only the US has the economic and military heft to wield real influence over Putin. The only question is whether Trump is willing to pay the price of using it.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his agreement to a US-proposed ceasefire in the war against Ukraine conditional on his previously stated maximum demands in the more than three-year armed conflict.

At a highly anticipated press conference on Thursday, Putin expressed concerns that the ceasefire would be broken  and that both warring parties would blame each other for such incidents.

Putin also hinted that Ukraine could use the ceasefire to take a breather, rearm and recruit new soldiers, and then continue the war.

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For its part, Ukraine sees the danger that Russian troops could use a ceasefire to reposition themselves.

The Kremlin also reiterated its territorial claims. The situation on the ground must be taken into account in the negotiations, said Putin, flanked by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who was in Russia on an official visit.

Moscow is demanding that Ukraine completely withdraw its forces from the areas it has declared part of its own territory  Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson. The rest of Ukraine is to be largely disarmed, according to the Russian side.

Ukraine insists that it must receive extensive security guarantees for a long-term peace. The United States does not want to make such a commitment, but has indicated the Europeans should do so.

Zelensky says Putin's response to ceasefire offer is 'manipulation'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the conditions set by Putin for agreeing to a ceasefire as "manipulation."

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Putin does not dare to tell US President Donald Trump openly that he wants to continue the war, Zelensky said in his evening video message.

"And that is why they in Moscow link the idea of a ceasefire with such conditions that nothing can come of it overall or nothing can be achieved for as long as possible," Zelensky asserted.

The Ukrainian leader said this was a trick by Putin, who, Zelensky claimed, would do anything to either delay or prevent its practical implementation instead of saying a clear "no."

Trump sees 'things going okay' in talks with Russia

Trump meanwhile expressed satisfaction with the first talks of a US delegation in Moscow to discuss the conflict.

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At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington on Thursday, Trump spoke of "getting word of things going okay in Russia."

The US special envoy Steven Witkoff is in Moscow having "very serious discussions" with Putin and others," Trump said.

Earlier, Putin had thanked Trump for his initiative to end the war in Ukraine, speaking positively about a cessation of hostilities but stressing what was needed was a lasting peace.

"We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities, but we

believe that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace," he was cited as saying by state news agency TASS.

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Regarding the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which was conditionally accepted by Kiev earlier in the week, he said that the issue of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region would have to be clarified.

Russia was also interested in ending the conflict by peaceful means, however questions remained about how to monitor a ceasefire, he said.

Questions such as how to monitor the long physical border between the two countries would need "careful examination," Putin said.

Ceasefire proposal

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, and has since taken control of and illegally annexed four areas of eastern Ukraine. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Moscow has refused to give up any of these territories.

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Kiev has however demanded that all territory occupied by Russia be returned to Ukraine.

During negotiations with a US delegation in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, Kiev agreed to the 30-day temporary ceasefire, if Russia were to also accept. Zelensky earlier on Thursday accused Russia of dragging its feet when it came to the proposals.

Also speaking prior to Putin's comments, his foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said he was sceptical of the ceasefire plans, arguing that they only reflected Kiev's interests.

Ushakov said that any peace settlement must consider Russia's "legitimate interests," the Interfax news agency reported.

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Separately, in an interview with the TV channel Russia 1, Ushakov dismissed the proposed ceasefire as merely a "respite for the Ukrainian military."

He said he conveyed this position to Mike Waltz, US President Trump's national security adviser, in a recent phone call.
Russia has sent "additional signals" to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a proposed ceasefire through special envoy Steve Witkoff, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on March 14.

Witkoff landed in Moscow on March 13 and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin late in the evening, according to Peskov. Following Witkoff's report to Trump, Moscow and Washington will discuss potential dates for a phone call between the leaders, he added in comments reported by Russian state media.

"Additional information was provided to the Russian side. Through Witkoff, Putin also passed information and additional signals to Trump," Peskov said.

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The visit comes as the U.S. seeks Russian agreement on a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Kyiv accepted during talks in Jeddah on March 11. The agreement led Washington to restart military and intelligence support for Ukraine after halting it last week.

Putin said on March 13 that Russia is prepared to accept the ceasefire but demanded that Ukraine halt mobilization, military training, and foreign aid deliveries during the truce.

Trump called Putin's remarks "very promising" but said they were "not complete," addinghe is open to meeting with the Russian leader.

President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin's response as "manipulative" and suggested the Russian president is preparing to reject the proposal.

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"Now we have all heard very predictable, very manipulative words from Putin in response to the idea of silence at the front  he is, in fact, preparing to reject it as of now," Zelensky said in his evening address on March 13.

Witkoff previously traveled to Moscow in February to negotiate the release of U.S. teacher Marc Fogel from Russian prison. He claimed he spoke directly with Putin for over three hours during that visit.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

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Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, has reported that Putin received US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, on the evening of 13 March, through whom "additional signals" have been conveyed to Donald Trump.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing Peskov in a comment to journalists

Details: Witkoff arrived in Moscow on the morning of 13 March, two days after Ukraine and the US held talks in Jeddah, following which Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire.

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"He [Witkoff  ed.] was here yesterday, he was received by President Putin late last night. Additional information was provided to the Russian side. It was also through Witkoff that Putin communicated information and additional signals to President Trump," Peskov said during a phone call with the press. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president  ed.]

The talks between Putin and Witkoff were held behind closed doors. Trump's envoy departed Moscow by plane on the morning of 14 March.

Background:

Before meeting with Witkoff, Putin announced that Russia agreed to the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but only on the condition that it would lead to long-term peace. He added that several "nuances" needed to be taken into account.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow was deliberately "surrounding the idea of a ceasefire with so many preconditions that nothing will come of it, or that it will be delayed as long as possible".

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over the eighth plenary meeting of the State Council on March 14, 2025. China's State Council on Friday convened a plenary meeting, studying General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping's important speeches during the "two sessions" and outlining its major tasks this year. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Friday convened a plenary meeting, studying General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping's important speeches during the "two sessions" and outlining its major tasks this year.

Premier Li Qiang presided over the plenary meeting. Noting that China faces increasingly complex and volatile challenges and more arduous and formidable tasks in the near future, he said the government must act in a swift and decisive manner, tackle problems proactively, and deliver tangible results.

Li urged government departments to comprehensively advance the implementation of objectives and tasks outlined in this year's government work report, and to develop strong drivers and levers in the work to fully leverage their role in boosting overall development.

Efforts should be made to launch special initiatives to boost consumption, build a unified national market, advance the AI Plus initiative, and promote the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector, he said.

A people-centered approach should be taken to promote new urbanization, while efforts are needed to nurture highly-skilled workers and improve one-stop government services, the premier said.

He also stressed the need to expand high-standard opening up and stabilize foreign trade and investment to effectively mitigate external shocks.

The premier also called for intensifying policy efforts and stimulating market forces to promote positive interactions and achieve synergy.

Stressing maintaining security, stability and other bottom lines, Li urged greater progress in developing new quality productive forces, strengthening domestic economic flows, accelerating green transition, and enhancing people's well-being, among others. 
President Donald Trump rarely stops bragging about his great relationship with Vladimir Putin.

A skeptical world will soon find out whether the supposed mind-meld counts for anything.

The Russian president, author of an unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine, responded in time-honored Moscow fashion Thursday to the US plan for an immediate ceasefire that the administration forced Kyiv into supporting. Putin produced a long set of obfuscations and new demands that would be unacceptable to Ukraine. But they may have been designed to tempt a US president who is desperate for the kind of win a truce would represent.

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Putin did not reject Trumps overture. He called it great and correct and said he supported it in principle. He was careful not to alienate a US president who has already offered a series of concessions to Russia before formal peace talks begin, including an understanding that Ukraine would never have a path to NATO membership.

But Putins objections and calls for further discussions, including with Trump, were an attempt to buy time, with his troops on the cusp of pushing Ukrainian forces out of Russias Kursk region  one of the few bargaining chips Kyiv would have at future peace talks.

Putin also raised questions about the monitoring of any ceasefire, and whether Ukraine would be allowed to rearm during any cessation of fighting, in a way that suggested he was already seeking to shape any eventual agreement to ensure Russian dominance. Putin also referred to the need to tackle the root causes of the war. This is code for a number of Russian grievances that include the existence of a democratic government in Kyiv. It also refers to Moscows claims that it is threatened by NATO expansion after the Cold War and to its desire to see alliance troops withdrawn from former communist states once in the Soviet Unions orbit, such as Poland and Romania.

Russias response is out of its classic diplomatic playbook, which typically seeks to suck interlocutors into exhausting negotiations that stack up delays and conditions that enable the Kremlin to pursue its strategic goals in the meantime.

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Thursdays events showed just how hard it will be for the Trump administration to move Russia away from its position and into serious negotiations on a ceasefire.

Russias stalling contrasted with Trumps rush for a valuable breakthrough as his trade policies set off stock market slumps and cast a cloud over the economy. I think were going to be in very good shape to get it done. We want to get it over with, Trump said at the Oval Office on Thursday, in an outburst of optimism that jarred with reality.

Trump upbeat despite Putins stalling

Trump put the best spin on Putins response, saying hed issued a very promising statement, but it wasnt complete. He added: Now were going to see whether or not Russias there. And if theyre not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world. Trumps optimism was understandable as he seeks to build momentum for a fledgling diplomatic initiative. But his willingness to ignore a new set of onerous conditions from Putin made for a stark contrast with his fury when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sat in the Oval Office and tried to explain why he wouldnt trust Russias word in a peace deal without security guarantees.

Retired Adm. James Stavridis said Thursday the Russian leader was staking out a careful line: If you put it on a scale between nyet, no, and da, yes, hes right in the middle, he told CNNs Jim Sciutto. Stavridis, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said the Russian president would take a couple of punches from Trump but would not stop pressing toward his own goals.

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Trump repeated Thursday his frequent refrain that there is ocean between the continental US and the largest land war in Europe since World War II. Those closer to the threat are far less optimistic about Americas peace proposals. I am pessimistic and skeptical about Russias intentions and Russias will to proceed with a just and sustainable peace, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds told Isa Soares on CNN International. He said that Russia was using its typical salami tactics to reach its strategic goals, namely by slicing up its overarching political goals and dealing with them piece by piece.

A person walks through the remains of a residential building in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, that was destroyed by a bombing attack, on Thursday - Jose Colon/Anadolu/Getty Images

Trump has laudable goals, though Putin may not share them

Should Trump forge a lasting, sustainable peace in Ukraine, he will deliver a great achievement that might be worth the Nobel Peace Prize that he reportedly craves. More importantly, thousands of lives  Ukrainians and Russians  will be saved. There may also be some truth to the frequent claim of administration officials that only this president has a chance to end the war. While President Joe Biden rallied the Western alliance effectively to provide Ukraine with arms, ammunition and financial aid that saved its independence, there was never a track for peace talks with Putin, who was ostracized after his invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Trump may also be tapping into fatigue among many Americans at the cost of that support, although his claim that the US has spent $350 billion is a wild exaggeration. And some analysts believe that the new administration is only stating the obvious  that Ukraine will be unable to liberate eastern regions captured by Russia and Crimea, annexed by Putin in 2014. Furthermore, theres agreement, even among European governments that have sided with Zelensky after Trumps bullying, that some kind of partition will be needed to end the war.

But Trumps excessive deference to Putin in his first term and his early praise for the invasion of Ukraine, along with his longtime fascination with the Russian leader, raise doubt about his motives in his push to quickly end the war. Since taking office for a second time, the president has strong-armed Zelensky in a notorious Oval Office photo op and switched official American government sympathies from the victim of a vicious onslaught to its perpetrator, Putin. The president cut off vital US intelligence-sharing that helps Ukraine on the battlefield and to protect its civilians from waves of drone attacks. He also halted US military assistance to force Zelensky to accept his demand for an immediate ceasefire. US supplies and intelligence are flowing again, but the interruption sent a clear message to Zelensky that Trump could end the war on his terms if he wanted.

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But will any such pressure be brought to bear on Putin, now that he, unlike the Ukrainian leader, has spurned Trumps terms? After all, the US president has said for weeks that he was convinced that Putin wanted to stop the fighting. Thursdays response shows that, at least for now, the Kremlin wants to keep the war going.

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday. - Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

The president has this week threatened tariffs on Russian imports and banking sanctions that he said would devastate Moscows finances  but after three years of efforts to cut Russia out of the global economy, business interactions between it and the United States are minimal. And Moscow has established channels, including through China, to support its wartime economy.

Trump refused to say on Thursday what leverage he could bring to bear on Putin that might work. But its been clear ever since the president took back the White House that he sees Ukraine as a stepping stone on the way to a restored superpower relationship with Russia. The president has, for example, called for Moscows return to the Group of Seven. The rich-nations club was known as the G8 until Russia was kicked out after it snatched Crimea. He appears barely able to wait for the opportunity to hold a summit with Putin in person that would restore the Russian leaders place on the world stage. And Trumps expansionist rhetoric about folding Canada and Greenland into the US recall Putins justifications for the invasion of Ukraine. So there could come a time when the incentives for a broader relationship with Washington convince Putin that its time to shelve, probably temporarily, his obsession with Ukraine.

In Trumps first term, there was rampant speculation about whether he was compromised by Russia; why Moscow intervened in the 2016 election to help him, as US intelligence agencies assessed; and why he admired Putin so much.

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The roots of Trumps obsessions remain unclear, though the allegations hes an asset of Moscow were never proven and still seem far-fetched.

But in his second term, Trump has attacked longtime US allies and blamed Zelensky for the war instead of the Russian leader who started it.

Thats why traditional US foreign policy experts and governments worry about what the answer would be if Putin asked Trump to help oust Zelensky as a condition for a peace deal  especially since the US president has already suggested, falsely, that the Ukrainian leader who got caught up in his first impeachment was a dictator. And how would the president respond if the Russians called for him to withdraw NATO troops in Eastern Europe to address what Putin falsely calls the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict?

The question is whether Trump is negotiating with Putin or whether the Russian leader is manipulating him.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his maximalist goal of controlling Ukraine, despite U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire, the Washington Post (WP) reported on March 13, citing sources familiar with classified U.S. intelligence reports.

Putin has a "long-standing desire to restore Mother Russia'" and remains determined to assert power over Kyiv, one official said commenting on the U.S. intelligence assessment circulated among President Donald Trump's administration on March 6.

Some officials reportedly believe that even if Russia agrees to a temporary truce, Moscow will use the pause to rearm, violate the agreement, and create provocations to blame on Ukraine.

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Ukraine had agreed to the truce during talks in Jeddah on March 11, provided Russia did as well. The deal led Washington to resume military and intelligence support for Kyiv.

Putin said on March 13 that Russia is prepared to accept the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, but only if Kyiv halts mobilization, military training, and arms imports.

Read also: Putin has likely rejected Trumps ceasefire proposal  what now?

Zelensky later dismissed Putin's conditions as "Russian manipulations" and called for tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Trump, who has previously warned of "devastating" financial consequences for Russia if the war continues, said on March 13 that Putin's statement was "very promising" but "wasn't complete."

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Moscow views Trump as weak, lacking a basic set of principles, and potentially open to manipulation, a European intelligence official told WP, citing fresh intelligence.

If a permanent ceasefire is reached, Russia is likely to revert to the "hybrid" or non-military tactics it used to undermine Ukraine before its full-scale invasion in 2022, the official added.

U.S. officials are reportedly cautious in assessing what peace terms Putin might agree to, but see no indication that he has backed down from his demand to bring Kyiv into Russia's sphere of influence.

Western security officials told Bloomberg on March 10 that Putin has deliberately set "maximalist" demands on territorial concessions, peacekeepers, and Ukraine's neutrality, knowing they are likely unacceptable to Kyiv and European nations.

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Read also: Putin is afraid to tell Trump he wants to continue war in Ukraine, Zelensky says

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DAMASCUS (AP)  Qatar will provide natural gas supplies to Syria with the aim of generating 400 megawatts of electricity a day, in a measure to help address the war-battered countrys severe electricity shortages, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported Friday.

Syrias interim Minister of Electricity Omar Shaqrouq said the Qatari supplies are expected to increase the daily state-provided electricity supply from two to four hours per day.

Under the deal, Qatar will send 2 million cubic meters of natural gas a day to the Deir Ali power station, south of Damascus, via a pipeline passing through Jordan.

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Qatars state-run news agency said that the initiative was part of an agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program and aims to address the countrys severe shortage in electricity production and enhance its infrastructure.

Syrias economy and infrastructure, including electricity production, has been devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war and crushing Western sanctions imposed on the government of former President Bashar Assad.

Those who can afford it rely on solar power and private generators to make up for the meager state power supply, while others remain most of the day without power.

Since Assad was ousted in a lightning rebel offensive in December, the countrys new rulers have struggled to consolidate control over territory that was divided into de facto mini-states during the war and to begin the process of reconstruction. The United Nations in 2017 estimated that it would cost at least $250 billion to rebuild Syria, while experts say that number could reach at least $400 billion.

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The United States remains circumspect about the interim government and current President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former leader of the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Washington designates HTS as a terrorist organization and has been reluctant to lift sanctions.

In January, however, the U.S. eased some restrictions, issuing a six-month general license that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions.
Rep. Raul Grijalva talks during the first-ever candidate forum hosted by Indivisible Tohono in Sells, Arizona, on the Tohono Oodham Nation on June 29, 2018. Photo Courtesy of Indivisible Tohono

Tribal nations and leaders throughout Arizona honored U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died Thursday, as a warrior for Indigenous communities and commended his continuous efforts to support Indigenous peoples fights to protect the environment, water and natural resources.

It was well known that Congressman Grijalva was a champion of tribal nations and worked to ensure that tribal communities had a voice in Congress to speak to important policy issues, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier said in a statement.

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Harvier said that, as the longest serving member of the Arizona congressional delegation, Grijalva was keenly aware of issues impacting tribal communities within his district and across the state.

In this time of need, we acknowledge the sacrifice he and his family gave in service to the country and we send our deepest condolences and prayers, he added.

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Grijalva passed away at 77 from complications related to lung cancer treatments, his office announced on Thursday. He revealed his cancer diagnosis last April and expressed his intention to pursue an aggressive treatment regimen.

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I called him Tio Raul, Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly said. Although unrelated to the congressmen, she said she used the Spanish term for uncle to show respect and affection for someone she deeply admired.

Cazares-Kelly first met Grijalva on the Tohono Oodham Nation during his numerous visits to the Tohono Oodham Community College, where she was employed.

Despite his powerful title, he was incredibly friendly and intentionally sought out conversations with everyday people, she said, adding that he made people feel important and inspired them to think bigger.

Cazares-Kelly said the congressmen advocated for several important issues dear to her, including tribal colleges, environmental concerns and voting rights.

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When she was elected Pima County recorder, she said Grijalva continued to encourage her and emphasized the importance of standing her ground, especially in the face of white supremacy.

I am honored to have personally known him and spent time learning from him, she added. He will be greatly missed.

Grijalva, of Tucson, spent more than 50 years in public service representing the people of southern Arizona, including more than 20 years in Congress.

He represented Arizonas 7th District, which includes the Tohono Oodham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe and the Cocopah Tribe.

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Indivisible Tohono co-founder April Ignacio said they are devastated by the loss of Grijalva. She said the group was the pebble in his shoe when they began, but he was always gracious.

He made space for us, Ignacio said, even though their organization first met Grijalva when they crashed one of his town hall meetings in Tucson in 2017.

She said that Grijalva told the crowd that night that no one gets a pass and they need to hold all elected officials accountable. Ignacio said Indivisible Tohono went to that town hall to hold him accountable and he still took the time to take a picture with them.

He was tough on us, but we know he believed in the heartwork we found ourselves in, Ignacio said, adding that the best advice he gave them was to stick to your guns.

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Indivisible Tohono wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren, his staff and all those who knew him as we did, she added.

With a passion for his community and the planet, Grijalva served as the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and he was a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

As a congressman, Grijalva routinely included Indigenous communities in his legislative efforts, from infrastructure developments and road maintenance to environmental protection and health care access.

We have an atrocious history of injustice towards the Indigenous people of this land that goes against the very values of our country and that we must constantly work to rectify, his website states.

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Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez shared a statement on his Facebook page honoring the congressmen, stating that he and his staff were essential partners during his administration.

Nez said that Grijalva helped the Navajo Nation secure the funding and resources needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect public lands near the Grand Canyon.

Grijalva was always a strong ally to the Navajo Nation and Indian Country, Nez said. He served as a true public servant for the people of his district and of Arizona.

Nez said that his legacy will live on through the impacts of his public service and the countless people he touched along the way.

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Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren released a statement on his Facebook page in honor of Grijalva, saying that no words can express his deep gratitude for the congressmens tireless efforts on behalf of the tribal communities across Arizona.

He was a champion who answered the call of those who had often been overlooked and unheard, Nygren said. In a world where such calls can be easy to ignore, Rep. Grijalva was always there to lift those voices.

Nygren said that Grijalvas work was instrumental in protecting sacred lands, including the Grand Canyon, and his commitment as a co-sponsored for the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which will secure water for the Navajo Nation.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, and I pray that the holy people provide them with comfort during this difficult time, he said.

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Rachel Maddow finally got her hands on the transcript of the U.S. District Court of Californias hearing with the Trump administration following its decision to fire thousands of federal workers. The MSNBC anchor excitedly laid out all the details of what went down in a full-blown reenactment.

It never seemed like that was legal that the White House would have the authority to make those kinds of mass firings, Maddow said Thursday during her broadcast. I just got the transcript of what happened there  I really want to share this with you. Alright, so, let me set the scene.

On Thursday, Judge James Bredar issued a sweeping order to rehire all probationary workers that were terminated last month as part of Trumps move to reduce the number of federal staffers. Maddow first started as the lawyer who sued the Trump administration on behalf of fired federal workers.

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Your honor, what we have before the court is record evidence that conclusively establishes that OPM directed the terminations at issue. We have a very unusual circumstance where the Government has not attempted to say they factually dispute that, Maddow read from the transcript. They have actually withdrawn the declaration by which they were attempting to dispute that, and there is no record evidence on the other side by which they have disputed this fact.

She then goes into her Bredar impression, who is now the second judge to order the reinstatement of federal workers.

I tend to agree with you on that. And the Government I believe has tried to frustrate the Judges ability to get at the truth of what happened here. And then set forth sham declaration to sham declaration. They withdrew it, then substituted another, Maddow said quoting Bredar. Thats not the way it works in the U.S. District Court. Im going to talk to the Government about that in a minute. I had expected to have an evidentiary hearing today in which these people would testify. And if they wanted to get your people on the stand, I was going to make that happen too. It would be fair. But instead, we have been frustrated in that. Id like to hear your views on what relief should be issued today. T-O-D-A-Y.

Taking a break from her performance, Maddow explained the excuse Trumps legal team gave for the mass firings was that nobody wanted them.

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All of these other agencies  virtually all of them decided not to bring back the probationary employees that their leadership had decided to terminate, Maddow read from the transcript quoting Trumps lawyer.

Things heated up when Bredar called out Trumps lawyer for failing to bring in members from Trumps camp to be questioned about their decision before the court, adding that they have been avoiding it because that would mean they would have to face the truth, and maybe some consequences.

Well, maybe thats why we need an injunction that tells them rehire them. You will not bring the people in here to be cross-examined. You are afraid to do so because you know cross-examination would reveal the truth, Maddow said as Bredar, replaying the moment. This is the U.S. District Court, whenever you submit declarations, those people should be submitted to cross-examination, just like the plaintiffs side should be. Then we get at the truth of whether your story is actually true. I tend to doubt it. I tend to doubt that you are telling me the truth whenever we hear all the evidence eventually. Why cant you bring your people in to be cross-examined or deposed at their convenience?

Bredar then specifically pointed out the lack of attendance by U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director, Charles Ezell. The judge said he requested a two-hour deposition with the official at his convenience.

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And you withdrew his declaration rather than do that? Come on, thats a sham, Maddow said quoting Bredar to Trumps lawyer. Go ahead, Im, Im  it upsets me. I want you to know that. Ive been practicing or serving in this court for over 50 years and I know how we get at the truth, and you are not helping me get at the truth. You are giving me press releases, sham documents. All right, Im getting mad at you and I shouldnt.

Instead of waiting to write out a ruling, he issued one that day, and called the entire attempt to remove probationary staffers from their positions a gimmick.

It is a sad day when our Government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie, the judge said referring to one stellar employee that was terminated. It was a sham order to try to avoid statutory requirements.

And ultimately, the judge ruled: The court finds that OPM did direct all the agencies to terminate probationary employees. The court rejects the governments attempt to use these press releases and to read between the lines to say that the agency heads made their own decision with direction from OPM.

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This is the order and it counts effective immediately. Please dont say Oh, Im waiting for the written order. This is the order from the bench. Maddow quoted Bredar as he closed his ruling. If you want to appeal to the Court of Appeals, God bless you. I want you to because Im tried of seeing you stonewall at trying to get at the truth.

In addition, a temporary restraining for the employees was extended, the Veterans Administration will immediately offer reinstatement to any and all probationary employees that were fired on the order. Bredar found the terminations to be unlawful because Ezell did not have an authority to make the order, among other directives. The workers now have their jobs back and OPM is now further prohibited from giving guidance on whether any employee should be terminated.

You can watch the full segment in the video above.





The post Rachel Maddow Excitedly Reenacts Courtroom Transcript Ordering Thousands of Federal Staffers Fired by Trump Back to Work | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
The U.S. government-backed broadcaster Radio Free Asia expects to start furloughing most of its 300-odd U.S.-based staff next week due to a suspension in funding by its parent agency, according to the outlet.

If this situation continues into next week, we have little choice but to begin furloughing the majority of our staff starting Friday, said an RFA spokesperson granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about the organizations budget crisis. The media platforms overseas operations wont be affected, he added.

While the furloughs are in keeping with ongoing mass staff reductions across the federal bureaucracy under the Trump administration, the cuts at Radio Free Asia are notable because they will effectively shut down one of the few tools the U.S. government has to combat Chinese propaganda and reach people living under authoritarian regimes across Asia.

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Staff were told on Thursday that furloughs will begin as early as next Friday because of the funding cut said one of two people familiar with the broadcasters plan, adding that the broadcaster will try to continue operations with a skeleton staff. Both people were granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about the broadcasters funding troubles.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media  which oversees RFA and other media platforms including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty  didnt respond to a request for comment.

The furloughs are imminent unless AGM delivers in the next few days on the funding it owes the broadcaster for its March operations, the broadcasters spokesperson said.

Representatives of Elon Musks Department of Government efficiency imposed a 30-day freeze on funding to RFA and other AGM outlets including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Middle Eastern Broadcasting Network earlier this month as a possible first step to a permanent cut in government support to those outlets. RFA has informed AGM about the urgency of the RFAs finances but has yet to get a response. DOGE didnt respond to a request for comment.

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If RFA ends up shuttering, it would also eliminate a valuable source of analysis of political and military developments in authoritarian countries in Asia including China and North Korea, said Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and an expert on Beijings foreign influence operations.

RFA reporting from countries like China has been great for our foreign policy leaders and our elected officials, because we get better insight into what's happening there, which serves the American interest. We don't do this just out of the goodness of our hearts, Sobolik said.

RFA has other problems even if government funding resumes. AGM special adviser Kari Lake canceled $53 million in contracts that supply the media platforms it supervises, including RFA, with wire service content from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France Press. Lake called those contracts expensive and unnecessary in an X post Thursday. Lake didnt respond to a request for comment.

That cancellation has serious implications for RFAs news operations.

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If youre a reporter out there in Phnom Penh, Jakarta or even Taiwan, you need the wires just to find out what happened overnight or in some other country, so that you can then decide where to focus your attention, said an RFA adviser granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of their remarks.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the nature of the staff reductions at Radio Free Asia.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An emergency rally to defend a Columbia University student protestor wrapped with a peaceful demonstration on Portland State Universitys South Park Blocks.

The case is sparking widespread outrage, with many condemning his arrest as political repression. His supporters say its a powerful test of free speech in America.

It all stems from the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by U.S. Immigration authorities last weekend.

FILE  Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file)

PSU protester Finn Cunningham rallies against the arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. March 13, 2025 (KOIN).

Were here to demand his release, said Finn Cunningham with the Students for a Democratic Society.

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Downtown Portland sees open-air drug market resurgence after return of can redemptions

Supporters, like Cunningham, argue that Khalils arrest is politically motivated, tied to his activism against Israeli actions in Gaza.

The 30-year-old is of Palestinian descent and became a U.S. Green Card holder last year.

The Trump Administration, however, labels him a Hamas sympathizer and accuses him of distributing Hamas propaganda.

If you end up having a green card, not citizenship, but a green card, as a result of that Visa while youre here in those activities, were gonna kick you out. Its as simple as that. This is not about free speech, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Despite no criminal charges, the U.S. Government is pursuing deportation for Khalil. This comes as the Trump Administration threatens to crack down on student protesters.

A protest at PSU was held to rally against the arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. March 13, 2025 (KOIN).

A protest at PSU was held to rally against the arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. March 13, 2025 (KOIN).

Portland State, like Columbia, drew attention after a pro-Palestinian protest occupied the campus library last spring, sparking an antisemitism investigation.

Khalils case has ignited widespread protests, including in New York, with his legal team arguing his arrest violates his First Amendment rights.

We have freedom of speech  We have freedom to protest  And we have power in numbers, Cunningham said.

The Trump Administration is investigating 60 colleges, including PSU.

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The U.S. Government is working to deport Khalil under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to deport individuals deemed a threat to U.S. Foreign policy interests.

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RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA)  One Central Illinois Superintendent said that he believes the U.S. Department of Education is actually very efficient.

But President Trumps administration doesnt share that opinion after deciding to cut half of the agencys employees. With these cuts and the Secretary of Education working to close the department what does this mean for Central Illinois schools?

Proposal in the State Capitol would legalize online gambling

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Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods said he disagrees with these cuts. He said the agency gives money to the states for education and then makes sure its being used correctly.

For his district, 22% of their budget comes from federal dollars  although not all of it is from the Department of Education. Hes worried about who would make sure states are using their money correctly without the federal government.

Its the fifth largest federal department, and they have 4,300 employees, Woods said. The next largest department is the Department of Agriculture, and they have a similar size budget with 100,000 employees. So, I think the U.S. Department of Education is already pretty efficient at what they do.

IL early childhood education advocates rally for more funding

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The Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said these layoffs reflect a commitment to efficiency. She also said money thats been promised will not be taken away from school districts.

McMahon and Trump have both said they want to give educational authority held by the Department of Education back to the states.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Theres a rat infestation at a Northwest D.C. apartment complex.

Neighbors living in the Quebec House apartments in Cleveland Park ark say theyre living in unsafe conditions.

Since at least September, people living at the Quebec House apartments have seen rats in their apartments.

When I saw the rat it was sitting on top of my dogs water bowl and drinking out of it, one resident, Adrienne, said.

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Thats not the way Adrienne wanted to wake up at 4 a.m. two weeks ago.

It was really gross. Especially living in a studio. And it was overnight. I get back in bed and cant go back to sleep because I dont know where they are, she said.

She said management did patch the holes within a day, but the issue isnt gone.

I can still hear them sometimes in the walls, Adrienne said.

Chalk Black Lives Matter messages written on sidewalks where DC mural is removed

Adrienne lives on the first floor, but its down in the basement behind these doors where some of the worst problems are. We went down and smelled that ourselves, noting a heavy odor. And the people who live here are worried for their health.

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Rats carry a lot of disease, especially in their droppings. And with that stench, you know that the air down here is not particularly safe to breathe, Hayes said.

Quebec House Tenant Association President Shannon Hayes says the amenities in the basement are now closed.

They dont have a laundry room and havent for over a month and a half now with no end date in sight, Hayes said.

Instead, neighbors have to use the laundry and gym across the street in the Quebec House north building.

Once a week, I wake up at 6:00 in the morning to go do laundry because I cant handle the stress of, not knowing if theres going to be a dryer available for me, Adrienne said.

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Hayes said she has been in contact with the Department of Buildings, as well as the D.C. Office of Attorney General because Quebec House is advertising amenities that arent available.

PHOTOS: Car crashes into Silver Spring barber shop

People have gone to management and really been met with this attitude of, you know, if you dont like it, you can move, Hayes said.

Hayes acknowledges that the rat problem isnt unique to just Quebec House, but she believes management hasnt been transparent.

They did not, in our opinion, take forceful enough measures at first and let it get really, really bad, Hayes said. We fundamentally lost that sense of trust that they are acting in our best interests. And and just, frankly, I find it hard to believe that theyre refusing to compensate residents in any way for the the real impact this is having on peoples lives.

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Quebec House management released a statement:

Quebec House is keenly aware of the rodent situation in the building and has been acting diligently and expeditiously to eradicate the problem. Rodents are a Washington DC wide problem. Notwithstanding the utmost care that our maintenance team has provided at Quebec House, we too are now plagued by this situation. We have been working with multiple professional pest control companies, doing everything we can to resolve it as quickly as possible, including hiring canines for detection and abatement. We acted immediately and have been working tirelessly to resolve this issue. We anticipate that this will be resolved in the next several months as it takes time and is a process to remove rodents from a building. All residents have access to our second gym and fitness center in the other building on-site. We answer all resident concerns with understanding and civility. We will continue to tackle this problem with professionalism and vigor until it is resolved, and we thank the residents for their patience. Quebec House statement

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Rachel Reeves is prepared to bail out Thames Water with taxpayer cash if the utility companys rescue deal falls through, the Environment Secretary has said.

Steve Reed said the Government was ready to take whatever actions necessary in the event the companys 3bn rescue plan falls through.

A costly state rescue would put huge pressure on the Chancellor as she prepares for her Spring Statement on March 26, where she needs to identify sweeping savings to avoid breaking her fiscal rules. Restructuring experts have warned that a bail out of Thames Water could cost the taxpayer up to 4.1bn.

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The fate of Britains biggest water company has been thrown into doubt after a 3bn loan from its lenders was subjected to a legal challenge by a group of rival backers and a Liberal Democrat MP.

Without the cash, the company could run out of money later this month  potentially forcing Ms Reeves to tear up her spending plans for the Spring Statement.

A state bailout is not thought to be likely given the rescue funding is in place and can be accessed should the court challenge fail. However, the fact that Thames Water only has enough cash on hand to last it a matter of weeks means a state rescue cannot be ruled out.

Campaigners protest against a potential bailout of Thames Water outside the High Court - Toby Melville/Reuters

Mr Reeds statement on Wednesday was the first time that the Government had signalled it was willing to bail out the company if the private deal fell through, with Sir Keir Starmer previously refusing to get involved.

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Ms Reeves is already said to have earmarked several billion pounds of spending cuts for her Spring Statement, with a focus on the welfare bill. A Thames Water rescue would likely force her to deepen those cuts.

Asked if ministers were prepared to step in if the rescue plan was thrown out by the Court of Appeal, Mr Reed said: Well, theres a process that would be followed if there was a need for special administration.

As things stand, the company is able to continue. Were keeping a very close eye on it, but were ready to take whatever actions necessary if the situation arises.

He insisted that the companys creditors would eventually reimburse the taxpayer for any upfront costs.

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But this was queried by sources close to Thames, who said the burden would fall on the public purse.

Brink of collapse

The aim of a special administration regime is to keep vital services running while a long-term solution is sought for a company on the brink of collapse. It is backed by the taxpayer, with the Government seeking to recoup all the costs through the sale or rescue of the company when the scheme comes to an end.

Thames Water is Britains biggest water company, serving 16m households in London and the South East. It has been pushed to the brink of collapse as it struggled under the weight of its near 20bn debt pile.

Mr Reed was speaking during a visit to Havant Thicket near Portsmouth, the site of one of nine new reservoirs designed to prevent England running out of water by the mid-2030s.

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It is being funded through 100bn of private sector investment in Britains broken water system, the largest of its kind in the sectors history.

Sir Keir previously pledged to nationalise the water industry in his pitch for the Labour leadership in 2020.

But he went on to abandon the promise, insisting that a pragmatic approach was needed in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Failures of regulation

Asked if it was wrong to privatise the sector in the first place, Mr Reed said the problem lay with regulation, rather than ownership.

He said: Whatever people think about the rights or wrongs of the decision that was originally taken, we now have a privatised water system, and if we were to consider nationalising it, it would cost in excess of 100bn just to buy out the current owners.

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The problem in our water system has been caused by failures of regulation and of governance  and that we can correct.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: The restructuring plan sanctioned by the High Court is the best way to resolve the issues facing Thames Water.

We remain confident in our plan and are focused on its delivery. It does not financially impact taxpayers across the UK or our customers, and it allows us to continue to invest in our network to improve critical infrastructure for our customers and the environment, without further delay.

It is better than any other alternative course of action, and we do not believe that the grounds for appeal meet the required thresholds.

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ISTANBUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities have detained five individuals accused of spying for Iran by leaking sensitive information on military bases and critical infrastructure, prosecutors said on Friday.

The suspects were apprehended in coordinated raids across Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin provinces. According to a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, they were allegedly in contact with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization.

The operation was carried out jointly by the prosecutor's office and Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Authorities said the suspects had gathered intelligence on Turkish military installations and strategic locations, transmitting the information to Iranian handlers. No details were provided regarding the suspects' nationalities or specific roles.

There was no immediate response from Iranian officials.

The arrest came following a minor escalation between Iran and Turkiye following Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's warning late last month to Tehran against actions that could undermine Syria's stability, which led to the summoning of the Turkish and Iranian ambassadors by Tehran and Ankara.

Turkish authorities have previously accused Iran of conducting espionage operations on multiple occasions.

Turkiye and Iran, neighboring regional powers, have long maintained a complex relationship. Despite Western sanctions on Tehran, Turkiye remains a key trade partner. However, the two nations have found themselves supporting opposing sides in regional conflicts, including those in Syria and the South Caucasus. 
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  West Virginia farmers are bracing for impact after the USDA announced more than a billion dollars worth of cuts this week, which eliminated funding to two programs. One of which would have given nearly $4,000,000 to schools to buy locally grown and raised food.

The two programs in question are the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement Program (LFSCC), which provides funds for schools and child care centers to buy locally grown food, as well as the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which provides similar funds to places like food banks.

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) told 12 News in a statement that it was poised to receive $3,770,060 this year for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative program. That would have been divided between the school food budget, which would have received $2,727,150 and the child care budget, which would have received $1,060,910.

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The statement read in part:

These funds represented 100% allocation for West Virginia products. There would not have been any overhead, administrative costs, or any miscellaneous costs. These are true dollars that would have benefitted West Virginia farmers. This money was in addition to the standard meal reimbursements that schools receive. The Commodity Credit Corporation had been tapped many times since the pandemic to provide extra funds for school meals as they grappled with supply chain challenges and high prices which of course continue now and are expected to increase.

West Virginians may have been exposed to measles, health officials say

The WVDE was sent a termination notice letter by the USDA dated March 7, 2025, with the reason for termination being that AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) has determined this agreement no longer effectuates agency priorities and that termination of the award is appropriate.

The letter also said that Local Food for Schools (LFS) agreements that were in place prior to LFSCC will continue to be in effect for the remainder of the period of performance.

Where youre seeing a lot of the frustration is this is really damaging because farmers have already invested their time and money into creating these products that now dont have a market so it could be potentially devastating to a small business, WVU Extension Public Health Specialist and Director of SNAP-ED WV Kristin McCartney said.

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Its still unknown how big of an effect this will have on local farmers who have relied on these partnerships, like ones with food banks, for years.

LFSCC-Termination-Notice-West-Virginia-Department-of-EducationDownload

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Groups of mourners gather for a prayer vigil after a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis in 2021. Indiana is one of 21 states that have a red flag law, which allow police and family members to petition a civil court to remove a firearm from someone who may be a danger to themselves or others. (Jon Cherry | Getty Images)

Adriana Pentzs brother could be alive today.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.

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In 2017, Luc-John Pentz was 30 years old and starting to struggle, burdened by lifes stressors and trying to cope by leaning heavily on alcohol. Adriana soon found out he had purchased a gun months earlier.

Of her three siblings, she had the most in common with Luc growing up  they were both academically driven and competitive swimmers. They remained close into adulthood, with Luc supporting her when she became a mother. So, when she noticed his behavior starting to shift, she was immediately troubled.

I was scared when I found out that he had a gun, she said. I know that it offered him a sense of security, a sense of protection, which he felt like he needed at that particular point. But my siblings and my mom didnt feel comfortable that he was not in a good place, and we knew he had something at home that was dangerous.

Her brother died by suicide May 23, 2017, in the woods near his home in Wallingford, Connecticut.

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What Adriana Pentz didnt know at the time was that Connecticut had a law that would have allowed her, her family or police officers to petition a civil court to seize his gun when it was clear he was a potential harm to himself or others.

In 1999, Connecticut became the first state in the country to pass what is commonly known as a red flag law, which allows family members, law enforcement and sometimes health care workers, friends and co-workers to file what is often called an extreme risk protection order.

After considering evidence and hearing from both the petitioner and the gun owner, a judge may temporarily take a persons weapon if they deem the gun owner to be a potential danger to themselves or the community. Orders usually last one year.

Now, 21 states and the District of Columbia have such laws. Voters in Maine will decide in November whether to join that list. The use of extreme risk protection orders has surged in recent years, with petitions filed across states that have such laws jumping by 59% in 2023 over the previous year, according to data collected by Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control research and advocacy group.

Luc-John Pentz, seen here with his sister Adriana on her wedding day, died by suicide in 2017. (Courtesy of Adriana Pentz)

But the laws effectiveness relies on their implementation, supporters say: Law enforcement and judges must be trained properly and the public needs to be aware that the law exists.

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The challenge in this is that too many people, too many law enforcement people, too many families, are not aware that there is an extreme risk law in their state, Sarah Burd-Sharps, the senior director of research at Everytown, told Stateline.

A Stateline analysis shows the usage rates rose from six petitions filed per 100,000 residents in 2022, to 10 per 100,000 in 2023. The analysis used Everytowns petition data and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for the District of Columbia and the 19 states with active red flag laws in 2023.

In 2023, there were 46,728 gun-related deaths in the United States, including suicides, murders and accidents, with a national rate of 14 gun deaths per 100,000 people, according to the latest data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suicides accounted for nearly 6 in 10 of the gun deaths. Recent research on the protection orders impact estimates that one suicide is prevented for every 17 to 23 petitions filed. Based on this estimate, nearly 990 lives could have been saved in 2023 for every 17 petitions filed.

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Pentz feels her brothers death every day. It was a horrible, horrible, horrible moment in our lives to have lost him, she said.

I know for sure that if it was something that I was aware of in 2017, I would have petitioned to have my brothers gun taken from him in that moment of crisis. I do believe it could have saved his life.

Training the police

As retired detective Christopher Carita travels around the country to meet with law enforcement agencies on how to better use their states red flag laws, he consistently hears one concern: Is this a gun grab?

Law enforcement, were gun folks, said Carita, who worked for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in Florida. Theres always this hesitancy when it comes to risk protection orders and removing firearms that needs to be overcome.

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So, when he designed his training, he emphasized due process protections embedded in these laws: Gun owners get ample notice about the petition, and they have the right to defend themselves in court through multiple hearings. The laws are based off long-held domestic violence and other civil orders and are backed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

More often than not, the respondent understands, said Carita, who works with 97Percent, a gun safety organization focused on including gun owners and non-gun owners in the conversation around policy solutions for gun violence.

Even if theyre hesitant at first, he said, ultimately theyre appreciative that their family member cared enough to intervene, and that that intervention is something that is temporary and affords them some time and space away from the most lethal means to get the help they need.

Carita encourages officers to build better relationships with their local Department of Veterans Affairs agency and area nonprofits, so they have someone they can refer the gunowner to when theyre removing a firearm for suicide risk.

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Even before New Mexico imposed a red flag law in 2020, some law enforcement officials opposed it, citing concerns over Second Amendment rights and potential government overreach. In its first two years, police in the state filed only 23 petitions. Then in 2022, Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham established a task force to raise awareness and improve enforcement of the law.

The number of petitions has increased significantly, rising from 47 in 2023 to 96 in 2024, according to court data. More than half of last years petitions were in Bernalillo County, the states most populous jurisdiction and home to Albuquerque, the capital.

In February, the New Mexico House passed a bill to streamline the process. The bill would clarify more clearly that police officers can directly file petitions and would remove the 48-hour waiting period for firearm relinquishment, addressing concerns that the delay could pose unnecessary risks. The legislation is now in the Senate.

Gun violence experts say the goal of red flag laws isnt necessarily to increase their use for the sake of numbers, but to ensure they are applied in the most dangerous situations.

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We have to be realistic about expectations that [extreme risk protection orders] arent going to prevent all forms of firearm violence and lead to huge decreases in gun violence, said Stephen Oliphant, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention at the University of Michigan.

After Maryland adopted its red flag law in 2018, Darrin Popkin, the executive director of both the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs Association, traveled the state to educate 17,000 law enforcement officers from 160 agencies on what he calls another tool in the belt for officers to save lives.

In the first six months of having the law, Popkin said, law enforcement prevented several potential school shootings. Hes received phone calls from people who said that if they didnt have the gun-removal order, their family member would no longer be alive.

In recent years, the state police academies took over that training, teaching officers how to apply for a petition, testify in court and carry out the gun-removal order. The state also is investing in media and advertising outreach for the public, along with training health care workers.

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According to data from Everytown, Maryland is a national leader in issuing extreme risk protection orders. In 2023, there were approximately 11 petitions filed per 100,000 Maryland residents.

Popkin, who until 2022 served as Montgomery County sheriff across the border from Washington, D.C., attributes the high numbers to how the legislation was crafted, a process that included perspectives from law enforcement officers, health care workers and gun rights advocates. He also points to how the people granting the orders, Maryland District Court commissioners, are available 24 hours a day.

There will always be people in crisis, Popkin said. There will always be a need for people to get help.

The next step, he said, is to increase the laws usage among health care providers.

The treatment and care approach

Whenever The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore treats someone who might be a danger to themselves or others and may own or be about to buy a weapon, the hospital contacts Quinita Garrett.

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Garrett, the director of call center and system coordination for Baltimore Crisis Response Inc., a nonprofit crisis center known as BCRI, is leading a pilot program to test a partnership between a local hospital and social workers.

Shell go to the hospital and visit the patient at their bed, asking about their mental health, whether they have access to a gun at home or through others, their intent on purchasing a weapon, and their history of aggression, violence, homicidal thoughts, suicidal thoughts or any attempts. Shell also ask questions about their impulse control, if they want to hurt anyone and if they have a support system.

Sometimes, a person is just having a bad day, and they have support in their life and dont own a weapon or plan on buying one. But other times, a person might have a history of aggressive or abusive behavior and may own a weapon, and shell quickly petition the Eastside District Court. Shell see the process through until the end, testifying before a judge shortly after filing the petition.

It doesnt happen often; over the past year and a half, shes gone to the hospital around 15 times. But the number has been increasing recently to one or two requests a week, which she attributes to the hospital educating its staff.

Garrett also might be referred to cases through calls coming into BCRIs local suicide prevention hotline.

She recalled talking with one mother in 2023 who was scared to live in her own house, worried that her son was going to kill himself or someone else. Garrett walked her through the process, and the mother eventually petitioned the court. Although her son was mad at her, at least she knew he and those around him were safe, Garrett remembers her saying.

It can really save lives, Garrett said. I definitely think that is good as a temporary option, so people can actually be linked to treatment and care.

Combining a law enforcement response with one centered on behavioral specialists, social service workers and medical professionals has led to a paradigm shift in Maryland and New York, the only two states that allow health care workers to file extreme risk protection orders, said Shannon Frattaroli, the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy. Shes led the nationwide effort for better implementation of red flag laws, training law enforcement or other government agencies that seek to further use extreme risk protection orders.

When we think about how to make this accessible and less threatening, more therapeutic, starting the process with clinicians just makes a whole lot of sense, she said.

In surveys that reached thousands of physicians, psychologists and clinicians, Frattaroli found that there is broad support for the idea of extreme risk protection orders. However, many think it is challenging to complete the paperwork and to get to court to see the process through on top of their full-time work.

Thats where partnerships with people like Garrett come in, she said. Court data that Frattaroli has collected shows that less than 1% of petitions are filed by clinicians; theres vast room for improvement, she said.

Tightening judicial procedures

Indianas red flag law  passed in 2005  came under scrutiny in 2021 following the mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, where a gunman killed eight people and wounded several others.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears declined to file a red flag case against the shooter, even after Indianapolis police had seized a shotgun from him a year earlier. Police criticized that choice, but at the time, Mears said loopholes in the law could have led to the shotgun being returned to the shooter.

Without a court ruling barring the shooter from future gun purchases, he legally bought the Ruger AR-556 and the HM Defense HM15F rifles used in the attack.

Marion County Superior Judge Amy Jones then issued new guidance requiring all red flag cases filed by law enforcement agencies in the county to go directly to the court rather than the prosecutors office.

Under the revised process, police must file a case within 48 hours of seizing a firearm, and a judge then determines within 14 days whether a hearing should be held.

Cases are now being filed and resolved much more quickly, Jones told Stateline, and respondents are ensured due process. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow some red flag records to be sealed and expunged, while still ensuring that people later found to pose a danger can still have their firearms seized.

Maybe itll be seized or taken away for a period of time, but following these proceedings, it may not be all that long in the grand scheme of things, Jones said. You do have that protection to the public and the people that this individual is around.

I know for sure that if it was something that I was aware of in 2017, I would have petitioned to have my brothers gun taken from him in that moment of crisis. I do believe it could have saved his life.

 Adriana Pentz

Adriana Pentz, who lost her brother, knows family members often see troubling signs before anyone else. But whether they know extreme risk protection orders are available is another story.

Average people need to know how to create a petition, she said, and states and communities must do a better job of promoting red flag laws.

Love and support just isnt enough, she said. You absolutely need something that can help keep an individual and their surrounding community safe in a moment of crisis.

Stateline reporter Matt Vasilogambros can be reached at mvasilogambros@stateline.org. Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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The Refugee Partnership of WNY extended its fundraising campaign deadline to midnight Saturday, having raised $1.19 million toward its $1.5 million goal.

Lauren Maguire, vice president of development and community engagement for Jewish Family Services, said they extended the initial 30-day period because a number of community fundraisers are still ongoing. They wanted to give them enough time to make sure those donations counted.

Were blown away by the communitys support, she added.

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The five organizations behind the fundraiser are Jewish Family Services of WNY, Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Journeys End Refugee Services, the International Institute of Buffalo, and Jericho Road Community Health Center.

Funding will go toward supporting 731 refugees that arrived in WNY in the 90 days before the fundraiser started. Programming offered will help get them more acclimated to life in the United States.

The refugees arrived from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and had been vetted and screened more intensely than other immigrants. Of that number, 75 were settled in Niagara Falls.

Some have waited decades in refugee camps for their turn to find safety and security in the U.S., Maguire said.

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The campaign was launched after the U.S. Department of State froze funds for the Reception and Placement program, which compensates refugee agencies for how many people they work with. The Trump Administration also suspended refugee acceptance back in January. These organizations went through layoffs due to cuts in federal funding.

Maguire said they are focused on settling these 731 refugees and getting them on the path to self-sufficiency. They do not anticipate any changes in federal policy that would allow more refugees to come into the country.

They are working with partners in state government to get more funding through the states Enhanced Services to Refugees Program so they have the capacity to help those already in the region.

(Buffalos) population grew in the last census due to refugees, Maguire said, noting they have contributed to growing the regions economy and culture.

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On top of all the individual donations received, foundations and businesses that contributed include the Western New York Foundation, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, M&T Bank, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, Patrick P. Lee Foundation, and the Tower Foundation.

Donations can still be made online through www.refugeepartnership.org or by making checks payable to the Jewish Family Services of WNY.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday March 20, 2024. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

Conversion therapy hurts kids. Theres no legitimate disagreement about that. And the harm it causes is the one fact above all others that should anchor any discussion about the practice, especially in context of the law, and even more when supposed religious rights threaten to muddle moral clarity.

Lets state this clearly at the outset: The right of a person to exercise religious faith does not confer special child-harming privileges.

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That principle should be easy enough for most people to accept without hesitation, but it comes in for challenge in a Colorado case whose outcome now rests with the conservative U.S. Supreme Court. The case involves a Christian counselor from Colorado Springs who claims a state ban on conversion therapy infringes on her First Amendment rights.

Lower courts have correctly rejected her argument, but, as the counselor no doubt knows, several MAGA-aligned justices are eager to take a closer look.

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Conversion therapy involves efforts to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. In practice its invariably an attempt to coerce LGBTQ+ people into straight, cisgender lifestyles. The fundamental flaw in the practice is the false premise that a nonconforming sexual orientation or gender identity is an illness subject to therapy. Mainstream mental health professionals have long acknowledged LGBTQ+ expressions as normal and healthy, and, conversely, they have rejected efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity as harmful, since those efforts can lead to suicidal behavior, depression and other serious symptoms.

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Thats why Colorado in 2019 passed a law that banned doctors and mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy for minors. As of today at least 22 states and the District of Columbia have passed similar bans.

One of the sponsors of the Colorado bill, state Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat, said, We heard gut-wrenching testimony as well as research and data about the lifelong consequences of conversion therapy and even stories of suicide. The evidence was overwhelming: conversion therapy is deeply and often permanently harmful to youth.

But Kaley Chiles wants to elevate her Christian faith over research and evidence. A licensed professional counselor at Deeper Stories Counseling in Colorado Springs, Chiles sued the state in federal district court over its conversion therapy ban, claiming it violated her constitutional guarantee of free speech and free exercise of religion.

The district court rejected her claim, and the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court ruling.

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Those courts found that the state was properly regulating conduct, not speech, to protect residents. They determined that any restriction on speech was incidental and that Colorados ban on conversion therapy, being neutral and applicable to everyone, does not unconstitutionally abridge Chiles right to freely exercise religion.

Crucially, as the 10th Circuit opinion noted, Chiles never substantially challenged the medical consensus that conversion therapy is ineffective and harmful.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced this week that it will review Chiles case during its next term, which starts in October. The legal matter before the Supreme Court is limited to the free speech question, but Chiles herself makes clear in her appeal to the justices that her case is about religion.

Her petition at the outset says, A practicing Christian, Chiles believes that people flourish when they live consistently with Gods design, including their biological sex.

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In other words, she believes gay and transgender people cant flourish, because her church says so, and the church knows better than medical professionals.

This posture of God told me this, so I have a right to hurt people like that shows up in other cultures, and its revealing to consider one of those examples, since many Americans are desensitized to Western cases like conversion therapy.

Many Muslim groups, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, practice genital mutilation on young girls. Most Americans, and most Western Christians, likely recoil in horror at the thought of this barbaric tradition. Unlike conversion therapy, genital mutilation inflicts immediate, grievous physical damage, but the same principle of faith-justified-harm is at work, and there is no doubt in the medical literature that conversion therapy can lead to serious damage, even death. The only humane response is to recoil at the practice of conversion therapy.

Religion itself is not the problem. Many believers flourish mainly because of their faith, and their personal practice of religion should not be begrudged or infringed. Furthermore, there is plenty of legal room for Chiles to discuss faith with her clients in a professional setting.

But she does not have a right, legally or ethically, to engage in the child-harming practice of conversion therapy.

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This month marks the 60th anniversary of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, capping the struggle to pass the Voting Rights Act.

It was the apex of the civil rights movement  fueled mainly by the unimaginable courage of young people, from lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro to the Childrens Crusade in Birmingham to the Freedom Rides to Mississippi Freedom Summer to Selma.

I was so inspired by the moral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the bravery of those in the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) that when we received the telegram from King at my colleges student government office pleading for volunteers, my two closest friends and I boarded a bus to Selma.

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Student government expertise with messy mimeograph machines got me assigned to the office at Brown Chapel to assist Rev. Andrew Young, Kings lieutenant for the planned 54-mile march to confront then-Gov. George Wallace at the capitol in Montgomery.

The national response to the march and the shocking murder of Viola Liuzzo, the Detroit mother of five who also came to Selma to volunteer, and other Klan murderous violence helped secure passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

The inspiration of Selma 60 years ago stayed with me, leading to a 45-year career as director of two state ACLU affiliates fighting for civil liberties and especially voting rights.

If Selma was the apex of the civil rights movement, we are now witnessing the apex of the anti-human rights backlash  heard in President Donald Trumps absurd claim, echoed by acolytes like Gov. Ron DeSantis, that DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is the source of all social ills.

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This attitude has roots in resentment over the 1964 Civil Rights Acts requirement of equal accommodations and the cartoonish characterization of affirmative action as a mandate to hire unqualified minorities over more qualified white candidates. The personification of this movement seems to be Archie Bunker, the sitcom character from All in the Family.

The current hostility to human rights is also aimed at reproductive freedom, which is essential for womens equality. Unfortunately, we have yet to see that apex. Same story with regard to demonizing immigrants.

And then there is the assault on transgender youth, supported by the belief that there are no non-binary persons and that gender dysphoria does not exist. It is, they claim, a political ideology to be shunned, therefore legitimizing discrimination against trans people.

Eventually, folks will catch on to the many cons that bolster the backlash:

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We will end voter fraud and restore election integrity. This is cover for we can cling to power by making it difficult for the wrong people to vote.

We will restore a merit-based system. Anyone notice the qualifications of Trumps cabinet appointees?

We will be true defenders of free speech, but we are OK removing books from library shelves and restricting university discussions about Black history.

We will restore sanity to our educational system. This means that we will replace curriculum we dislike with our propaganda.

It is naive to take it for granted that our democracy cant be disassembled. Study what happened in Viktor Orbans Hungary. Thats the model leaders of the backlash have in mind for the U.S.

An authoritarian right-wing populist won power in a democratic election  and then consolidated control over the judiciary, the universities, the media and other centers of dissent. Elections are manipulated to give the illusion of democracy.

Democracy needs defending. This generation has a rendezvous to cross its Edmund Pettus Bridge. Let them take inspiration from the courage and humility of leaders like the late John Lewis, a hero of Selma, rather than the arrogance and historical blindness of J.D. Vance.

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Most of all, defending democracy depends on staying engaged  not retreating into silence and submission.

Howard L. Simon served as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida from 1997-2018. He is president of the Clean Okeechobee Waters Foundation.

Simon






BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Anoushka Shankar, a sitar player carrying on the legacy of her iconic Indian musician of a father, will be performing in east Alabama later this month for a special performance.

Shankar, daughter of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, will perform at the Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University on March 22 as part of its 2024-25 celebrity series.

Born in London, Shankar first took up the sitar when she was 8 years old and made music her life ever since, often performing and touring with her father up until his death in 2012. In her own right, Shankar has released eight albums and received 11 Grammy Award nominations. Shankar has also crossed over from Indian classical music to more popular music, recording music with her half-sister, pianist Norah Jones, as heard on tracks such as Easy and Traces of You.

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The performance will start at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $90.

For more information, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BALTIMORE  Baltimore-area leaders are fed up with the U.S. Department of Agricultures cut of two programs that provide more than $1 billion for schools and food banks across the country to buy food from locally sourced farmers and ranchers.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, a Democrat who represents most of Baltimore City, blamed President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk for the cuts and suggested they do not care about addressing food insecurity.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk dont give a damn about feeding children and supporting local farmers, Mfume said in a phone interview Thursday. By instituting these cuts, they are saying that food assistance in our country is no longer a priority.

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But the Trump administration  which is on a mission to slash waste, fraud and abuse  has described the programs as examples of unnecessary government spending.

The USDA notified state officials last Friday that it was suspending fiscal year 2025 aid for the Local Food for Schools (LFS) and Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs. More than 40 states signed agreements to participate in these programs in previous years, according to the School Nutrition Association.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture was expected to receive $4,850,663 from LFPA in fiscal 2025 to distribute to various food banks in the state, according to agency spokeswoman Jessica Hackett.

The cuts come months after the USDA under former President Joe Biden announced more than $1 billion in new funding for the two programs via the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA fund used to buy agricultural commodities.

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In a statement, a USDA spokesperson confirmed funding announced by the Biden administration last October will be terminated following 60-day notification.

These programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer effectuate the goals of the agency, the spokesperson wrote, adding that LFPA does not plan to pursue a second round of funding for fiscal 2025.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins echoed this rhetoric during a Fox News interview Tuesday, characterizing the Biden-era programs as unnecessary government spending by Democrats.

As we have always said, if we are making mistakes, we will own those mistakes and we will reconfigure, Rollins said. But right now, from what we are viewing, that program was nonessential, that it was a new program, and that it was an effort by the left to continue spending taxpayer dollars that were not necessary.

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Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, a Democrat who chairs the councils Public Health & Environment Committee, has introduced legislation to promote preventative child healthcare in Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). Porter said she was sad about the cuts and suggested improved partnerships between BCPS and nonprofits/other private organizations could alleviate food insecurity issues.

As a public health practitioner, fresh food is something that we need in the schools. And so any cut or reduction to that would be adverse to my vision and mission, Porter told The Sun Wednesday.

Mfume told The Sun he has spoken with Porter and leaders of the Maryland Food Bank regarding the USDA cuts and is planning to meet with BCPS soon. The discussions centered around protecting food assistance in Maryland and around the nation, according to Mfume.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski, a Democrat who represents Baltimore and Carroll counties, drew on his background as a former social studies teacher in opposing the cuts. Olszewski characterized USDAs moves as a giveaway to so-called Big Ag at the expense of local farmers.

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I understand the value in ensuring every child has access to fresh and healthy food from my time as an educator  just as I know that investing in Maryland farmers instead of Big Ag makes good economic sense, Olszewski said in an emailed statement. I urge the Trump Administration to reconsider this shortsighted and heartless cut.

Rep. Andy Harris, Marylands only Republican congressman and chair of the House Freedom Caucus, did not respond to a request for comment.

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Rep. Nancy Mace starts her speech on the House floor Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Screenshot from C-Span)

One of the four men that U.S. Nancy Mace accused of doing some of the most heinous crimes against women filed a libel and defamation lawsuit Friday against the 1st District congresswoman.

Brian Musgrave of Fort Mill was among the men Mace labeled as sexual predators during a bombshell speech on the U.S. House floor last month.

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All four men, who include Maces ex-fiance, immediately denied the allegations and have continued to do so.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Charleston comes 15 days after Musgraves lawyers, Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter, told Mace in a letter to either disclose evidence of the allegations, publicly apologize, or prepare to get sued. The letter gave her a 10-day deadline, which was March 9.

The 37-page complaint, shared with the media, states that Mace provided no evidence. And theres been no apology.

Congresswoman Nance Mace and her team destroyed the lives of Brian Musgrave and his family. Perhaps the Defendants felt that the message was so powerful that a little collateral damage in the form of Brian Musgraves name and reputation was acceptable, the lawsuit reads.

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It is not acceptable to Brian Musgrave. It is not acceptable to his family, it said, which notes he and his wife of 22 years have two children.

The 1st District congresswoman said she discovered thousands of photos taken with hidden cameras as well as recordings the men made of themselves sexually assaulting women over years. She was among the victims. Some were underage girls, she said.

A Mace spokesperson declined comment Friday. Instead, as she did regarding the Feb. 27 letter, she again referred the SC Daily Gazette back to the congresswomens Feb. 10 speech.

The case will test the limits of speech or debate clause of the U.S. Constitution, which shields members of Congress from lawsuits for what is said in either chamber.

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After the hour-long speech, which included photos of the four men and where they live on a big posterboard as she spoke, Mace continued to mention the men in multiple social media posts over the following days. Those posts have been collectively viewed more than 5 million times, according to the lawsuit.

It points to seven posts on X as evidence.

Part of Musgraves argument is that her protections dont extend outside the halls of Congress.

It does not transform the floor of Congress into a sanctuary for defamation, nor does it protect Congresswoman Maces extra-Congressional defamatory statements surrounding her speech, the lawsuit said.

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The lawsuit also accuses Mace of conspiring with several unknown people referred to only as Jane/John Does who helped the congresswoman deliver her accusations.

Now, it is with unbridled disgust that Brian Musgrave through this lawsuit is forced to utter the words: I am not a rapist. I am not a predator. I am not a sex trafficker,' it reads. Through this action, Brian Musgrave seeks to recover that which has been wrongfully taken from him  his good name and reputation.

It asks a jury to award an unspecified amount sufficient to impress upon the defendants the seriousness of their conduct and to deter such similar conduct in the future. It also seeks to have her cover his attorneys fees.

Eric Bowman of Sullivans Island, another man accused by Mace, said Musgraves lawsuit is the first, but it wont be the last.

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Unfortunately, there will be more lawsuits, and they will last years, he told the SC Daily Gazette, declining to say more.

After Maces speech, the State Law Enforcement Division confirmed that her ex-fiance, Patrick Bryant, is being investigated for assault, harassment and voyeurism. The investigation began in December 2023 after SLED was contacted by U.S. Capitol Police, SLED said in a statement Feb. 10, which made no mention of the other three.

Mace and Bryant broke up in late 2023, which would be after Mace said she found evidence on his cellphone. He alleges her accusations are political.

Nancy is blatantly using congressional privilege under the Speech and Debate Clause for political gain, and to destroy reputations, both of which are inexcusable, he said in a statement earlier this month. I vehemently deny all of her criminal allegations. This has been and continues to be painful for my family, and these lies must end immediately  she cannot be trusted.

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On March 10, a day after Musgraves attorneys deadline for Mace passed, Bryant posted on Facebook that absolutely everything his ex-fiance said about his best friend of 36 years is a lie.

Musgrave is the most honorable, trustworthy man Ive ever known, Bryant wrote. She had 10 days to show the evidence, and those days are up.

Mace is one of five expected candidates for South Carolinas 2026 gubernatorial election.

There is no one officially in the race.

But others publicly saying theyre considering a bid include Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov Pam Evette, and state Sens. Sean Bennett and Josh Kimbrell. Gov. Henry McMaster cant run again.

The congresswoman has taken numerous jabs at both Wilson and Evette on social media.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  One of the four men U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) accused of being a sexual predator in a House floor speech last month is now suing the congresswoman for defamation.

In an explosive Feb. 10 speech, Mace detailed how she said she accidentally found evidence of rape, nonconsensual photos and videos of women and underage girls, including herself, perpetrated by four individuals. All have publicly denied the allegations.

The lawsuit, filed March 14 in Charleston County, claimed that Mace knowingly spread false information during that speech and has continued to do so in the subsequent weeks.

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On February 10, 2025, Congresswoman Mace spent over an hour on the floor of Congress systematically defaming [plaintiff] and destroying his good name and reputation, the complaint reads.

Mace has maintained that her speech is protected under a provision of the Constitution known as the speech or debate clause, which gives members of Congress broad protection from prosecution for what they say while performing their official duties.

Attorneys for the plaintiff disagreed in Fridays court filing, citing multiple re-publications of the allegations on social media following Maces floor speech.

While the speech and debate clause of the United States Constitution affords broad protection to members of Congress acting as part of its deliberative process, it does not transform the floor of Congress into a sanctuary for defamation, nor does it protect Congresswoman Maces extra-Congressional defamatory statements surrounding her speech, they wrote.

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Attorneys specifically referenced multiple posts made on Maces official and unofficial X accounts  which have racked up millions of views  where the claims were repeated.

The lawsuit also notes that a poster with the mens names and pictures labeled predators has been on display outside her Washington, DC, office for the past several weeks.

After February 10, 2025, through her social media posts and other communications, even if Congresswoman Mace alleges that she was acting to inform the public and other Members of Congress, the transmittal of such information is not a part of the legislative function or the deliberations that made up the legislative process so as to afforded protection under the speech and debate clause, the complaint continued.

A spokesperson for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said in a Feb. 10 emailed statement to News 2 that it opened an investigation into allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism in December 2023 after being contacted by the U.S. Capitol Police.

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The subject of the investigation is one of the people named by Mace but not the one named in the March 14 lawsuit.

Editors Note: News 2 has chosen not to identify the accused as they have not been charged with a crime.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
In a statement they wrote, "Whoever controlled the autopen controlled the presidency. We gathered every document we could find with Biden's signature over the course of his presidency. All used the same autopen signature except for the announcement that the former President was dropping out of the race last year."

Also, in an interview Heritage attorney Samuel Dewey noted one other signature that they believe was also done in person. It was the pardon of Hunter Biden which he described as 'shaky.' Once again this begs the question, who exactly was running the country for 4 years?

The report comes after Biden's four-year presidency was riddled by accusations and concerns over his mental acuity and fitness to serve. Evidence of his mental and physical deterioration has been seen by millions of Americans during the four years he served and following his debate with President Trump finally admitted to by Democrat leaders. I figured there was something wrong with Biden even before he became president, when he stayed in hiding in his basement during the 2020 campaign.

"For investigators to determine whether then-President Biden actually ordered the signature of relevant legal documents, or if he even had the mental capacity to, they must first determine who controlled the autopen and what checks there were in place," the Oversight Project stated.

The use of an autopen allows for a mechanical devise to sign documents rather than an individual. In general there is nothing illegal in using it. In fact it has been used by presidents and lawmakers for decades. The big difference with Biden is how frequently it was used. Almost totally for his entire tenure in the Oval Office. No president has used it to that extent before. This constant use of an autopen doesn't pass the smell test, as they say.

The Oversight Project shared what it had found regarding Biden's use of an autopen after the Republican Attorney General of Missouri Andrew Bailey called for a Justice Department investigation. Bailey wrote last week he wanted them to look into whether Biden's 'cognitive decline allowed unelected staff to issue orders without an accountable president of sound mind approving them. Bailey cited an example where Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson recently claimed Biden did not appear to know what orders he had been signing in a conversation they had.

Johnson recalled in the interview about how he went back and forth with the 81-year-old president, and Biden said that he signed an order to conduct a study on the effects of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The speaker told Bari Weiss he believes the former president 'genuinely did not know what he had signed.'

Attorney General Bailey sent a letter to the Justice Department inspector general on March 4, requesting a probe into the former president's final days in office. Ultimately if Biden was being exploited, all the orders are 'null and void' and states need to know.

If it can be proven that Biden didn't really know what orders were being signed in his name it only means that some unelected person or persons behind the scenes were calling the shots from day one of his presidency. If true, this makes the Watergate coverup look like just another little plumbing problem and the Teapot Dome scandal just a minor oil leak.

My common sense and every bone in my body tells me Biden was nothing but a stooge put up by the Democrat machine and controlled by Obama and his people. The only questions are, will anything ever be done about this? Will anyone be held responsible? Who will dig into this? President Trump is busy trying to get our country back to normal and stop the wars in Europe and the Middle East, so he has his hands full. It's up to Congress to pursue this scandal. Will they?

Time will tell.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned recent mass killings of civilians in the deadly violence in Syria's coastal region, and urged the interim government to "protect all Syrians without distinction."

In a presidential statement adopted unanimously, the Security Council condemned the widespread violence in western Syria's Latakia and Tartus provinces since March 6, including mass killings of civilians among the Alawite community, "calling on the interim authorities to protect all Syrians without distinction."

It also condemned attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, urging all parties to immediately cease violence and inflammatory activities and ensure the protection of all civilian populations and infrastructure, as well as humanitarian operations.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, reported that nearly 1,500 people, including more than 1,000 civilians, have been killed in the violent escalation in the costal region since last week.

Underlining the urgency of inclusive, transparent justice and reconciliation in Syria, the council called for swift, transparent, independent, impartial and comprehensive investigations to ensure accountability and bring all perpetrators to justice, the statement said.

The 15-nation organ called on all states to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize the country.

Furthermore, the council called for the interim government to engage in an inclusive political process led and owned by Syrians, facilitated by the UN and based on the related resolution. "This includes safeguarding the rights of all Syrians -- regardless of ethnicity or religion -- meeting their legitimate aspirations and enabling them to peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures," the statement said. 
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a more than two-decade veteran of the House who rose to high levels of power in the Democratic Caucus, died on Thursday. He was 77.

A fixture of progressive politics in Washington, Grijalva was a well-known figure in Congress, recognized nationally for his appearances in committee rooms and on cable television spots, and locally for more informal interactions on Capitol Hill. He served as Natural Resources Committee chair and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

The Office of the 7th District of Arizona is saddened to announce the passing of Congressman Raul M. Grijalva. Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle. He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments, the statement reads.

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The Arizona Democrat was the longest-serving member of Arizonas congressional delegation, having been first sworn in 2003. He was re-elected to serve a 12th term in November, but had been absent for the opening weeks of the new Congress as he fought lung cancer.

Grijalva announced his cancer diagnosis in April 2024, revealing a few months later in July that he completed treatment . In October, he said the 2024 election, which he won handedly, would be his last .

Grijalvas last public appearance in the Capitol was on Jan. 3, when lawmakers convened to formally begin the 119th Congress and elect a Speaker.

Grijalvas open seat will have immediate ramifications in the House. With this vacancy, the new breakdown in the lower chamber is 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, meaning the GOP can lose two votes on any party-line effort and still get it over the finish line, giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) more wiggle room in his razor-thin majority.

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Grijalva is the second House Democrat to pass away in this month. Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) died last week.

Grijalva, the longtime Democratic leader on the House Natural Resources Committee, was a forceful fighter against many Trump-era efforts to ease environmental regulations.

He was also a powerful voice for environmental justice  highlighting the harms that disproportionately fell on lower income people of color.

He was steadfast in his commitment to produce lasting change through environmental policies  as he would say, its for the babies. He led the Natural Resources Committee without fear of repercussion, but with an urgency of the consequences of inaction, his staff said in a statement.

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In doing so, Rep. Grijalva also had the privilege to stand with communities across the country  from the San Carlos Apache near Oak Flat to the residents of Louisianas Cancer Alley  where residents are bravely fighting for justice after decades of industry pollution and exploitation, they added.

Grijalva was pushed aside from committee leadership in the wake of his cancer treatments, however, as other lawmakers complained he was unable to attend meetings and was infrequently spotted on the Hill after his diagnosis.

Grijalva was a regular at a Capitol Hill dive bar, Tune Inn, and was often spotted there after votes, eager to chat and joke with reporters, staff and lawmakers alike.

Grijalvas staff stressed his openness to all.

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Rep. Grijalvas kind and humble nature was known to many. He was approachable by all because he believed people should be treated as equals. He loved to give gifts, blare music in his office, and get to know people for who they are.

Updated at 6:11 p.m.

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PARIS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  United States Congressman Bruce Westerman was back in Arkansas Thursday, taking a step away from Washington D.C. to spend time in District IV town of Paris.

Weve been spending a lot of time in D.C., so I always enjoy getting out. Its a beautiful spring day in Arkansas. How can you not like this? Westerman said.

Amidst a looming government shutdown, Westerman expressed confidence that U.S. Senate Republicans would vote in favor of the continuing resolution, meaning that the decision would likely be left to Senate Democrats.

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A continuing resolution is where you just continue the same funding bill that you had the year before. We passed the continuing resolution out of the House before we left Washington, D.C., Westerman said. I think Senate Republicans will vote for it. So, itll be up to Chuck Schumer, and well need seven Democrats to come along and vote to get that C.R. passed and to keep the government up and operating.

Westerman also touched on recent jobs cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency, especially those impacting Arkansans.

There were five positions cut in the national parks that were probationary employees. Four of them on the Buffalo River, one at Pea Ridge, Westerman said.

Buffalo National River saw most visitors on record in 2024, NPS data says

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Westerman is the current chair of the Natural Resources Committee, and while the federal park system is a priority to him, he does agree that government operations need to be streamlined.

Its hard to say its a positive thing, but at the end of the day, the government needs to be more efficient, and I think in the big picture, were going to see benefits from this down the road, Westerman said.

Even locally, Westerman believes inefficiency can be seen.

Weve got an issue with the locking dam at Lake Dardanelle where people used to fish there. Sen. Boozeman and I made a trip there. The Corps said were going to fix that where people can fish again, and thats been months and months. And, theyre still not anywhere close to having people being able to fish again, Westerman said. They just dont ever get you answers. We have issues dealing with the VA. We have issues dealing with the Forest Service. Weve got a road up in Johnson County, a gravel road, that its going to take six years to fix. Thats just unacceptable. So, weve got to make the federal government more efficient.

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Westerman expressed a primary interest in keeping Arkansas natural, even re-introducing the Fix Our Forests act, a bill that gained national attention after Californias devastating wildfires.

He believes that the bill will also benefit Arkansas.

Its something Im passionate about growing up here in Arkansas. Were very blessed to have great places to read, great outdoors, you know, everything from floating the Buffalo, to hiking, to hunting and fishing, Westerman said. What [the bill] will do is allow the Forestry service to actually manage the forest and to keep the forest healthy. Weve got such great potential with our forest here in Arkansas, not just for timber production, but for wildlife habitat and for people to have outdoor recreation opportunities.

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GEORGE F. LEE / 2022 Homes at Koa Ridge in Waipahu. Without school impact fees, large residential projects such as Hoopili and Koa Ridge would not be required to set aside land or provide funding for new schools, leaving communities without assurance of the educational infrastructure necessary to accommodate increasing student populations.

GEORGE F. LEE / 2022 Homes at Koa Ridge in Waipahu. Without school impact fees, large residential projects such as Hoopili and Koa Ridge would not be required to set aside land or provide funding for new schools, leaving communities without assurance of the educational infrastructure necessary to accommodate increasing student populations.

The state Department of Education is warning that repealing school impact feesa move now under consideration by lawmakerscould eliminate a critical funding source used to build new schools in growing residential communities across Hawaii.

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DOE Deputy Superintendent of Operations Dean Uchida, in a report to the Board of Educations Finance and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday, said the repeal would severely limit the DOEs ability to secure land and funding for schools needed to support future housing developments.

Without school impact fees, large residential projects such as Hoopili and Koa Ridge would not be required to set aside land or provide funding for new schools, leaving communities without assurance of the educational infrastructure necessary to accommodate increasing student populations.

Two bills moving through the Legislature would either eliminate the program entirely or exempt certain developers from paying the fees. House Bill 422 would repeal the School Impact Fee law and transfer the unencumbered $19.9 million collected to date to the Hawaii School Facilities Authority, to be spent at its discretion. Supporters of the bill argue that eliminating the fees would help lower housing costs and address the states ongoing housing crisis. Meanwhile, HB 1088 would exempt developments by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from paying impact feesa requirement that was reinstated in 2022 after a previous exemption in 2021.

The DOE opposes both measures, warning that together they would drastically reduce its ability to secure land and funding for schools tied to new housing developments. While the DOE acknowledges the pressing need for affordable housing, officials argue that removing school impact fees would leave communities with new homes but without the necessary schools to serve the families who move in, exacerbating school overcrowding and limiting access to quality education.

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Established in 2007, the School Impact Fee Program allows the DOE to collect fees from developers of new residential projects within designated school impact districts. The program replaced an earlier fair-share contribution  system that required developers to provide land or monetary contributions as a condition of project approval. School impact fees ensure that developers contribute to the cost of public school facilities needed to support the increase in student enrollment generated by new housing.

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According to DOE officials, the fees are the only dedicated funding mechanism outside of legislative appropriations available to support the construction of new school facilities to meet the demands of growing residential communities.

Although the program was initially administered by the DOEs Facilities Development Branch, its operational management and oversight were transferred to the Hawai i School Facilities Authority in 2020. There are five school impact fee districts across three islandsKalihi to Ala Moana and Leeward on Oahu, Central Maui, West Maui and West Hawaii island. However, although West Hawaii island was approved as a district by the Board of Education in 2010, impact fees have not been collected there due to policy conflicts with the County of Hawaii administration.

As of December, approximately $19.9 million in school impact fees has been collected from four active districts. The fees are split between a land component and a construction cost component, with the SFA determining whether developers fulfill their land obligation through land dedication or monetary fees in lieu of land. Construction impact fees are calculated based on a formula approved by the Board of Education in 2007 and are used for planning, engineering, architectural services, permitting, financing, administrative expenses and other capital equipment costs related to educational facilities. The use of fees was expanded to include improvements or renovations of existing structures for school use and temporary or portable facilities, though the fees still cannot be used to expand school capacity unless specific conditions are met.

Developers of residential projects with 50 or more units are required to meet with the SFA to determine how they will satisfy the land component requirement before receiving building permits. Monetary fees in lieu of land may also be used for surveying, appraisals and legal fees, although their use for architectural services and other costs is limited outside of urban Honolulu and designated transit-oriented development zones.

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Since January 2011, school impact fees have been collected from developers in Central Maui and West Maui.

In Central Maui, developers pay fees ranging from $5, 373 to $5, 560 for single -family units and around $2, 400 for multifamily units. In West Maui the fees are $5, 778 for single-family units and $2, 055 for multifamily units.

Beginning in 2013, Leeward Oahu developers have been charged $5, 504 for single-family units and $4, 334 for multifamily units. Since October 2018 a flat fee of $3, 864 per unit has applied to both single-family and multifamily units in the urban corridor from Kalihi to Ala Moana.

Although West Hawaii island was designated as a fee district in 2010, fees have not been implemented there due to a lack of cooperation from Hawaii County. The DOE noted that if county cooperation is eventually secured, a new appraisal and analysis would need to be conducted and submitted to the Board of Education before fees could be collected.

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Currently, there are exemptions to the school impact fee requirement, including housing that permanently excludes school-age children, developments that pay the transient accommodations tax, nonresidential developments, projects with an existing educational contribution agreement, developments by the Hawaii Community Development Authority and projects exempted under Gov. Josh Greens emergency proclamations on affordable housing.

According to the report, without school impact fees the DOE would be stripped of its ability to be part of the planning and solution for essential school facilitiesleaving communities at risk of overcrowded schools and lacking the infrastructure needed to serve new families.
The U.S. government is asking European countries, including Denmark, to ramp up egg exports as American poultry farms reel from the spread of the avian flu, hiking up egg prices. The request comes after President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened Denmark, saying the U.S. would annex its territory of Greenland, while also threatening Europe with steep tariffs on alcohol.

The U.S. egg shortage has pushed the government to lean on Europes egg supplies, even as President Donald Trump threatens some countries with economic sanctions and steep tariffs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has contacted Denmark and other European countries, asking them to ramp up egg exports amid the U.S. poultry farms battle with avian flu. A USDA representative in Europe formally contacted the Danish Egg Association in February about the trade organizations willingness and capability to export eggs, according to letters viewed by Reuters.

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"We're still waiting to get more guidance from Washington on next steps, but do you have an estimate of the number of eggs that could be supplied to the United States (assuming they meet all the import requirements)?" a USDA letter sent earlier this month to the Danish Egg Association said.

"Washington is trying to get an estimate of the amount they could feasibly source," it continues.

The USDA did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

The USDAs reported openness to accept exports from Denmark is markedly different in tone than President Donald Trumps. He repeatedly claimed he would annex Denmarks self-governing territory Greenland, even threatening economic sanctions and refusing to rule out military action to seize the island for its natural resources.

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The administrations broader entreaty to Europe also contrasts with its combative stance on trade. In addition to tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, Trump has also called for a 200% tax on European alcohol imports.

The U.S. isnt putting all its egg export hopes in one basket. The efforts to diversify egg supply are part of the USDAs proposal to invest $1 billion in addressing egg costs, which have spiked to a record high of $5.90 for a dozen in February, a 10.4% increase from a year before and up 189% from an August 2023 low, according to the consumer price index.

The avian flu has hobbled U.S. egg supply chains, resulting in the death of more than 20 million egg-laying hens in American farms in the last quarter of 2024. The U.S. has already sought help from Turkey, which plans to export 420 million eggs to the U.S. this year, according to the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey.

Still, that pales in comparison to typical domestic supply. The U.S. produces 7.5 billion dozen eggs per year, according to the American Egg Board, but that number could decline should avian flu continue to ravage U.S. poultry farms.

Denmark responds

The Danish Egg Association, for its part, is open to the idea of sending eggs to the U.S. over the next six months, but has not received any additional details from the U.S. regarding the quantity of eggs the country can accommodate, Jrgen Nyberg Larsen, CEO of the trade group, told Fortune.

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Larsen said the country doesnt have a large oversupply of eggs with which to increase exports, and likely wont in the near future because of increased demand ahead of Easter. The Danish Egg Association also plans to supply its long-term, loyal customers before shifting attention to the U.S. Exports from Denmark would likely be in modest numbers at best.

European countries also process their eggs differently, leaving on their natural protective coating. This means European eggs do not need to be refrigerated, as they are in the U.S. The different hygiene standards could complicate how eggs are shipped.

The risk and reward of importing eggs

Relying on European eggs is a far cry from a certain success. Following the laws of supply and demand, more eggs should help relieve sticker shock in the grocery aisle, according to Thomas Kull, professor of supply-chain management at Arizona State Universitys W.P. Carey School of Business. Moreover, cheaper eggs from Europe could also pressure domestic producers to take a pricing hit and lower consumer costs, he told Fortune.

But in addition to Europe possibly not having eggs to spare, the U.S. will be concerned with how those eggs will arrive in the U.S., Kull said. Theres plenty of technology to transport delicate goods that are sensitive to vibrations, but the U.S. and exporting countries may lack the infrastructure to accommodate large egg shipments, with transport systems needing time to orient.

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Above all, however, leaning on Europe for eggs could be a way for Trump to assert that his administration is trying to curb the supply problem.

The ultimate goal is to show that something is being done, or someone's trying to do something, Kull said. You don't know exactly whats going to work.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene landlord is accused of stabbing an unwanted guest at a property in north Abilene.

Morris Hernandez was taken into custody for Aggravated Assault Serious Bodily Injury with Weapon in connection to the incident that took place at a home on the 1200 block of Houston Street around midnight Thursday.

Hernandezs arrest report states he is accused of entering a residence where one of his tenants had invited guests to move in without his consent.

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Once inside, the documents state Hernandez confronted the guests and an altercation ensued.

Witnesses claim that during this altercation, Hernandez brandished a knife, prompting one of the guests to use a taser against him, which is when Hernandez allegedly stabbed the victim with a pocket knife, according to the documents.

The victim did sustain a serious bodily injury during the stabbing.

Hernandez remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $70,000 bond.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A Kellam High School student received racist harassment from a group of six other students at the school, according to officials with Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

A letter sent to the school community Thursday did not indicate when the racist harassment took place  a School Board member indicated on social media that it took place earlier that day  but it said the matter is being investigated, with the students involved to be disciplined to the fullest extent possible based upon the school divisions code of student conduct.

The Virginia Beach NAACP stated they were deeply disturbed by the news.

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Virginia Beach NAACP deeply disturbed by reports of racial harassment at Kellam High School

And while the letter sent to parents didnt detail the harassment, 10 On Your Side has learned School Board members were given more details.

According to an email from Chief of Staff Cheryl Woodhouse, the incident involved six White students and one Black student.

Thursday, according to the email sent to board members, the White students approached the Black student in the hallway with a bag filled with perceived stereotypical Black items and a card filled with racial slurs.

They allegedly presented the items in the hallway and laughed while encouraging the student to read the card aloud. According to the school division, a staff member who witnessed this incident immediately intervened.

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However, District 5 School Board member Melinda Rogers said more needs to be done.

I feel that we have to do better, Rogers said.

Especially since, she said, this isnt just a Kellam problem.

Previously: Remainder of Kempsville varsity baseball season forfeited over allegations of racism and harassment

What I am hoping  with the student body at Kellam [is] that they do have more ongoing education about bullying, harassment, racism and that all of that is continuing conversation, Rogers said, that we arent just being reactive, but that were being proactive in our responses, that we are continuing to educate, continuing to tell our students these are the things that we need to be careful of.

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Previously: Racism on Kempsville baseball team no surprise to NAACP leader

Rogers said in a social media post Thursday that she is sickened, disgusted and heartbroken at the actions that occurred at Kellam High School today.

As a parent, I want my children attending a SAFE school, where they know their peers will at the very least, allow them to exist in the same space peacefully, Rogers wrote on her School Board Facebook page Thursday. The actions of the students at Kellam made my childs school and my community a place that is not safe for some. This is wholly unacceptable. There is no room for racism in our communitynot now, not ever. While the perpetrators were children, they must be taught that these egregious acts will not be tolerated in Virginia Beach or at Kellam High School.

The following went out to the Kellam High School community at 5 p.m. Thursday:

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Kellam High School community,

Ensuring a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students and staff is always our top priority. Unfortunately, we regret to inform you about a deeply concerning situation where one of our students was subject to racist harassment from a group of other students. This matter is being fully investigated, and the students involved will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible based upon the school divisions code of student conduct. Please know it is the policy of the School Board to prohibit any and all discrimination, harassment and bullying based on an individuals race, color, religion  This behavior is not representative of the Kellam High School community, and we are taking the matter very seriously. We continue to counsel and educate our students about creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and staff. VBCPS has long-standing policies emphasizing zero tolerance for acts of this kind. As such, our staff regularly receives training on the importance of belonging and well-being. I fully trust our team in this regard, and together we will continue this critical work. I commend the staff member who witnessed this incident and immediately intervened, exemplifying the high standards we expect in recognizing and addressing concerning situations. As always, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. I encourage you to discuss with your children the harmful impact this behavior has on our school community. Together, we can foster a supportive space where we value differences and uphold Kellams core values of leadership, integrity, and unity.

The citys Commonwealths Attorneys Office has reviewed a police investigation into the incident and said in a statement the behavior doesnt rise to the level of a crime under Virginia statutes.

The situation that occurred at Kellam High School is reprehensible. We understand that people believe the actions of these students should be punished criminally. A thorough investigation was conducted by the Virginia Beach Police Department and reviewed by the Commonwealths Attorneys Office. The Office has determined that this behavior doesnt rise to the level of a crime under Virginia statutes. Its important to note that Virginias hate crime statute is not a punitive statute but rather provides the definition of hate crime that can then be used to escalate punishment under other criminal statutes.

 Macie Allen, public information officer for the Virginia Beach Commonwealths Attorneys Office

10 On Your Sides Brett Hall is investigating and will provide updates throughout the day.

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A street in Providence's Silver Lake neighborhood. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

Affordable homes available for rent in Rhode Island are getting fewer and farther between, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLICH).

The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, released annually by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, counted 46,341 extremely low-income households in Rhode Island, but only 21,662 affordable rental homes available to them. That means Rhode Island has just 47 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes.

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Rhode Island is at least doing better than the national average of 35 affordable rental homes available for every 100 people. But the availability of affordable rentals dropped dramatically: The state had 74 affordable rentals for every 100 people in the 2023 report.

The annual Gap report continues to demonstrate what were seeing across the state: that we are still behind in meeting the housing needs of the lowest-income Rhode Islanders, Melina Lodge, executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island, said in a statement.

Connecticut was the only New England state to be below the national average with just 33 affordable rentals available for every 100 people. Rhode Island tied with Maine and Vermont, which also had 47, while Massachusetts had 44, and New Hampshire had 39.

Low-income renters are defined as those making less than 30% of area median income and are often employed at minimum wage or are older adults, have a disability, or are single adult caregivers.

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A household earning the states median renter household income of $45,560 could afford to rent in only one Rhode Island town  Burrillville  in 2023, according to the 2024 HousingWorksRI Factbook.

Rhode Island has just 47 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes. (Source: National Low-Income Housing Coalition)

In Rhode Island, 64% of extremely low-income renters spend more than half of their income on housing, leaving little for necessities like food and health care, the report found. A person making the state minimum wage of $14 an hour would have to work 78 hours per week to afford a fair market one-bedroom apartment, according to 2024 data from the NLICH. The state increased the minimum wage to $15 an hour as of Jan. 1, 2025.

With more so many renters barely affording to keep pace with their payments, its no surprise that the states unhoused population continues to rise, said Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director Kimberly Simmons

At least 2,442 unhoused people across Rhode Island were counted when volunteers conducted an annual survey in late January 2024  up 35% from the 2023 count. The coalition conducted its annual Point-In-Time count for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Jan. 28, but results arent expected to be released until some time in the summer.

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All Rhode Islanders will need to work to support the funding and development of resources needed to address the growing crisis, Simmons said in a statement.

Advocates want state leaders to expand the states housing stock. The NLICH report calls on lawmakers to subsidize the rental market.

Rhode Islands government has made some strides in trying to encourage new home construction, including a proposed package of a dozen bills from the states House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi this year.

Shekarchi did not immediately respond to comment on the report.

Six of the bills from this years housing package received their initial hearing before the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing Tuesday, where they were held for further study, as is standard procedure when legislation is first considered.

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The report was released the same week Johnston Town Council voted to take legal action to seize 31 acres of undeveloped land by eminent domain, blocking a proposed 252-unit apartment complex for low- to moderate-income renters. The owner of the land filed suit against the town in federal court, claiming the town was abusing its power to strip them of their rights.

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Students and faculty at Claremont McKenna College on Thursday rushed to shelter in place as police responded to reports of a possible shooter on campus, only to learn hours later that the report originated from swatting call, the second such large illegal incident in Southern California this week.

A swatting call is a dangerous and illegal prank in which the caller claims a life-threatening emergency at a specific location, leading to a large emergency response.

The caller told dispatch that they were in a restroom at Claremont McKenna College Campus, holding someone captive and threatening to harm them, officials with the Claremont Police Department said in a news release. They also stated that they had a bomb and were going to walk around with a rifle and shoot anyone they saw on the campus.

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The call, understandably, lead to a heavy police presence and chaos on the campus for students and faculty.

According to The Student Life, the universitys paper, campus safety notified the school community at 4:55 p.m., saying there was police activity and a potential shooter on the campus. Shortly after that, the campus community received orders to shelter in place.

Students on and near the borders of CMCs campus were told to evacuate the area, running in clusters north towards Harvey Mudd College, the school outlet reported. Cars and individuals initially headed toward the area at the time were redirected to shelter by Campus Security. Many CMC students were also evacuated to Pitzer College.

Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (Inland News) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (KTLA) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (Inland News) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (KTLA) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (KNN News) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (KTLA) Police on the scene at Claremont McKenna College after reports of a shooter on campus on March 13, 2025. (KTLA)

Aerial footage of the campus captured by Sky5 showed a SWAT Bearcat vehicle, as well as several police cruisers in front of the college and students, with hands on their heads, being escorted out of at least one campus building.

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Police were also seen searching students moments before they allowed them to return to at least one of the campus buildings.

Routine knee surgery ends in disaster as man loses part of leg

I was just doing some homework, I have a paper due and I just get a text potential shooter,' a student identified only as Gabe said of the incident. I look out the window, SWAT teams, cops and it said you got to get off campus, get to safety and lock the doors. We just started going away from campus.

As officers with the Claremont, La Verne, Ontario and Upland police departments created a perimeter around the school and searched for a possible shooter, school administrators canceled evening classes due to the incident.

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Two hours after receiving the threat, officials gave the all clear and lifted the shelter-in-place order.

This incident comes just one day after a swatting at Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital, which created a dangerous situation for pediatric patients undergoing treatment, their families and hospital staff.

Authorities in that case said they already pursuing a lead on the possible source of the hoax, which can come with felony charges, jail time and heavy fines.

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Republican Representative Chuck Edwards decided to hold a town hall meeting in his district Thursday, and it went so badly that he had to call for security to escort him out.

Edwards was bombarded with angry questions from his constituents in Asheville, North Carolina, over President Trumps disastrous policy decisions. One constituent asked the congressman some blunt questions that got support from the raucous crowd.

Do you support Trump on annexing Canada or Greenland, and do you like the way he treats the premier or the president of Canada, calling him governor? Is that the way youd do as a diplomat? Is that, is that the way the United States should act to our closest neighbors? the constituent asked, drawing applause from the audience. He followed up with more direct questions.

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Do you enjoy the way hes tried to extort minerals from the Ukraine? Do you like bullying people that need your help? Do you go for kicking the guy when hes down? Do you support Trump in these things? This is a yes or no, he pressed further.

holy shit this question at the Rep. Chuck Edwards town hall  pic.twitter.com/Sh1V1bKNtC  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 13, 2025

Edwards managed to muster up a response, replying, The short answer to that is no, I do not, drawing his own small amount of applause. But then he lost the crowd when he backed Trumps stance on extracting Ukrainian resources in exchange for military aid, and spoke on his decision to support the Republican-drafted continuing resolution to fund the government, drawing boos.

The congressman tried to deflect the Bronx cheers, remarking, And you wonder why folks dont want to do town halls anymore?

One man stood up and cursed at Edwards.

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You have nothing to say but lies, the man, who called himself a veteran, said loudly, to laughter and cheers from the audience. Youre lying. Im a veteran, you dont give a fuck about me. Security moved to remove him from the room while he yelled, You dont get to take away our rights!

A person is removed from the Chuck Edwards town hall



Do your job that you were sent there to do to represent us all. Im a veteran and you dont give a fuck about me pic.twitter.com/F9Hg6NiElf  Acyn (@Acyn) March 13, 2025

Edwardss bad experience indicates why Republican leadership doesnt want GOP representatives, particularly those in vulnerable districts, holding town halls. The public is angry at the actions of the Trump administration, as well as the Department of Government Efficiency initiative led by Elon Musk. Protesters at the Asheville town hall even chanted Deport Musk at one point. All of this may not bode well for Trump or Republicans in next years midterm elections.
UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Friday that 63,000 metric tons of food await an end to the Gaza aid blockade, enough for 1.1 million people for two to three months.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the 12-day aid blockage hinders relief operations.

"This means, for example, that the World Food Programme (WFP) has not been able to transport any food supplies into Gaza due to the closure of all border crossing points for both humanitarian and commercial supplies," OCHA said. "WFP has about 63,000 metric tons of food destined for Gaza, stored or in transit in the region."

WFP said it has enough stocks to support active bakeries and community kitchens for up to one month and can also provide ready-to-eat food parcels for more than 500,000 people for two weeks. However, before the ceasefire, WFP reduced the quantity of ready-to-eat food parcels so that families could stretch their supplies and serve more people.

It isn't just a shortage of food. A lack of fuel affects vehicle movements across Gaza and slows first responders.

OCHA said oxygen supplies and electricity generators are also critically needed to maintain life-saving operations at hospitals in Gaza. At least two dozen additional generators are in short supply for health centers, as the ones in use need maintenance and spare parts.

In the West Bank, the humanitarian office warned that settler violence is escalating in certain areas across the region, causing casualties, property damage and placing communities at high risk of displacement.

Over the past two years, OCHA has documented the displacement of more than 2,000 Palestinians across the West Bank due to heightened settler violence and access restrictions.

In the northern West Bank, the Israeli military operation entered its eighth week.

The office said people continue to be displaced, and last week Israeli forces raided at least 10 mosques across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

"Since Monday, operations in Jenin city have intensified, with more than 500 people displaced from three neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city, according to the municipality," OCHA said. "The UN and its partners warn that food insecurity is rising, as operations by Israeli forces, displacement, and movement restrictions limit access to food."

Also, OCHA said there was a sharp increase in the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank over the past week and a half. The number of structures demolished during the first 10 days of Ramadan this year exceeds the total for all of Ramadan in 2024. 
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., faced a rowdy crowd at a town hall with constituents Thursday evening, the latest such event to go viral on social media as Republicans face backlash over President Donald Trump's mass layoffs of federal workers and budget cuts.

In video captured by NBC News affiliate WYFF, Edwards spoke in front of a packed auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina  until he was drowned out by the jeers of attendees.

I was proud to vote recently for the House budget resolution, which provides the framework"  Edwards told the crowd before cutting himself off as boos washed over him, while other attendees raised their hands to give him a thumbs-down.

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Afterward, Edwards was greeted outside by protesters holding Ukrainian and Palestinian flags and signs that read "Fire Elon," referring to Trump adviser Elon Musk, who has led the Department of Government Efficiency's effort to fire thousands of federal workers in recent weeks.

Edwards represents North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, a solidly Republican area that includes Asheville and surrounding rural communities. The congressman won it by more than 13 percentage points in 2024.

But he decided to hold Thursday's town hall after the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to get Republicans elected to the House, advised Republican lawmakers against doing such in-person meetings because of repeated constituent confrontations. House Speaker Mike Johnson.R-La., also cautioned lawmakers against holding such open forums to connect with their constituents.

In a statement to NBC News on Friday, Edwards said, "Being accessible, listening, and answering questions for the people of Western North Carolina are among my favorite activities. We may not agree on every issue, but hearing the concerns of Western North Carolinians and answering their questions will continue to be a priority of mine."

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"I was able to answer questions from multiple different constituents at the town hall, and dispel some of the misinformation currently being spread around. I look forward to doing so again soon at my upcoming tele-town hall, the congressman added.





The Edwards town hall meeting Thursday in Asheville, N.C. Other GOP House members have also faced angry constituents at such meetings.

Other congressional Republicans have faced similar disruptions at their town hall events. Generally, the protests have centered around the mass layoffs of federal workers, President Donald Trump's criticisms of Ukraine's leadership as his administration pushes for a ceasefire in the country's war with Russia and the House Republicans' passage of a budget blueprint that would make deep cuts, potentially including to programs like Medicaid.

Earlier this month, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, left a town hall early after constituents confronted him about the employees working at DOGE.

A man shouts Thursday at the Edwards town hall meeting in Asheville, N.C.

And in Texas, GOP Rep. Keith Self faced criticism and chants of "Vote you out," during a town hall in his district a few weeks ago.

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In response, Republicans have accused Democrats of organizing protesters to disrupt their events, which Democrats have denied.

But on Friday, the House Democrats' campaign committee, alongside the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties, announced a series of town halls in Republican-held districts across the country, accusing GOP lawmakers of dodging their voters.

Jack Spirtos, center, and Adrea Blalock, center right, make their views known Thursday. Edwards is at left.

Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, accused Republican House lawmakers of being "terrified to be in the same room as the people who sent them to Washington," citing the advice from the NRCC for GOP lawmakers to avoid town halls.

"If they wont talk to their own voters, then Democrats will. Thats why well be hosting Peoples Town Halls in all 50 states across the country, starting now with vulnerable GOP-held target districts," Martin added.

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Edwards' district is not one of those that Democrats will be appearing in, as they plan to focus on competitive districts that tend to be decided by more narrow margins that North Carolina's 11th.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON  A government funding bill that passed the Senate on Friday could force the city government here to slash its budget by about $1 billion, a cut city leaders say could force them to fire workers  including police officers.

The Senate quickly passed a follow-up bill to fix the cut, which turned out to be a mistake, but its unclear how soon the House will consider it or if it would pass the lower chamber.

Speaking outside the Capitol earlier this week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) implored Republicans to reconsider the cut, which she described as a mistake.

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Theres no way to cut that kind of money in the time that we would have in this fiscal year not to affect police and not to affect teachers and not to affect some of the basic government services that allow us to keep our city clean, safe and beautiful, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said Monday outside the Capitol.

The citizens of Washington, D.C. get to elect their own leaders, but ultimately Congress has authority over the city, and the government funding bill, which passed the House this week and has to clear the Senate by midnight Friday order to prevent a government shutdown, represents one of Republicans most dramatic incursions on home rule in years.

The mayors office said in a fact sheet the funding bill will require a 16% reduction to the citys budget, and that the police department is one of 10 agencies making up 70% of the citys spending, with personnel accounting for 90% of the Metropolitan Police Department budget.

Bowser wouldnt outright say that police officers would definitely be laid off, however.

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It would never be my first choice to lay off anybody, Bowser said in response to a reporters question.

In the past, Republicans have been far less circumspect in describing the impact of potential funding cuts on city police. When Bowser proposed a budget for fiscal year 2022 trimming police funding by nearly 6%, House Republicans repeatedly accused the citys Democrats of scheming to defund the police, summoning city officials for briefings and hearings.

Republicans used progressive calls to defund the police as a rallying cry that year on their way to winning control of the House of Representatives after a surge of violent crime in cities across the country. Democrats have highlighted their apparent change of heart in the nations capital.

If you fire cops, the regions gonna be less safe, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told HuffPost.

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President Donald Trump has mused about taking over the city, and Republicans have introduced legislation that would revoke home rule, but its not clear if Republicans actually intended to cut the citys budget in the government funding bill.

The legislation mostly holds federal spending to fiscal 2024 and does the same for the city, even though the city is on its 2025 budget, a discrepancy that House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said at a hearing would only result in minor reductions. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she was surprised by the provision and opposed it, though not enough to let the federal government shut down. Later on Friday, she said the House included the provision by mistake shortly before the Senate unanimously approved a fix.

In general, however, most Republicans are happy to give the finger to Washington, even if cutting the citys budget merely disallows the city from spending locally-raised revenue and doesnt save the federal government a dime.

My Democrat colleagues keep complaining how unfair this [continuing resolution] is to the D.C. residents, but there are over 160,000 federal employees in the District of Columbia, which, quite frankly, is more than there should be, Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) said on the House floor, adding that a government shutdown would take their paychecks away.

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Republicans have also frequently criticized the city as disorderly.

If theyre talking about law enforcement, Id like to know what theyre doing, because you cant drive around here without seeing these scooters going all through the red lights, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told HuffPost, referring to delivery scooters that are ubiquitous in the capital. The homeless population is everywhere, illegal drug activity is taking place constantly, so I get it [about cutting funding]. I dont know why I wasnt part of that decision-making, but I would raise questions.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) pivoted from the citys police budget to commentary on the citys residential trash collection, which he suggested is subpar.

No Republican wants to defund police. The Democrats are the ones who want to defund police, Scott said. When were talking about D.C., maybe they could start picking up my trash.
Between President Donald Trumps actions to slash government spending and cut the federal workforce, and efforts by the Republican-led Congress to assert power over the citys governance, Washington, D.C., is on the precipice of economic recession. Collectively, the damage to the nations capital will not be limited to the District of Columbiathe devastation will be felt across the entire Washington metropolitan region.

For district residents, its a situation that harkens back to the infamous New York Post headline alleging that President Gerald Ford wanted that city to drop dead. The lifeblood of Washington is the federal government, and dramatic slashes to the workforce and funding will be as an arterial wound to the regional economy. But the damage from that wound will not be confined to the D.C. metro area. It will likely be felt in communities far beyond the Beltway, proving that Washington is not as disconnected from the rest of the country as many Americans believe.

Everything begins with one of the nations most precious resources: the civil service. The federal government employs nearly 450,000 workers in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. (To locals, the DMV does not only refer to the Department of Motor Vehicles but is a commonly used shorthand for the regionindicating how intertwined the three are culturally, politically, and economically.) A recent report by researchers at the Urban Institute estimated that if the federal workforce is significantly reduced, unemployment rates will increase in the surrounding metropolitan areas. As the majority of state tax revenue in Maryland and Virginia is derived from personal income tax, if federal workers lose their jobs, that would mean a drop in income tax revenues to the states. Unemployed former federal workers may also spend less, meaning that the states will not gain as much in sales tax revenue, in addition to the economic effects on local communities.

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If they lose their jobs, obviously they are not going to be contributing to the income tax anymore. And if they have less money, discretionary money, their spending is going to go down dramatically, said Lucy Dadayan, a senior research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Institute and one of the authors of the Urban Institute report.

But these changes would not only affect federal workers. It would have several knock-on effects, said Terry Clower, the director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Area restaurants and stores serving fewer customers as former federal workers cut down on spending could also trim costs by shedding employees. For every federal job loss, Clower said, there will be an additional 0.4 jobs lost in the region.

Then there is the impact of freezes and rollbacks to federal grants: The Urban Institute report also found that nonprofits in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia receive 18 percent26 percent of their revenue from government sources, meaning that funding cuts would have detrimental effects on local nonprofitsand, by extension, their employees.

Moreover, Musk has suggested that federal buildings in D.C. should be sold to save money; a janitorial contractor at a federal building would lose their job if that building was sold. Even without the federal governments actions, vacant office space downtown has been a concern for D.C.s economy; the districts chief financial officers report this month noted that the office real estate market poses a significant risk to the forecast, with the growing volume of vacant office space a major concern.

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How the federal government reduces its footprint in D.C. will have repercussions for the local economy, said Yesim Sayin, executive director of the D.C. Policy Center. If it happens gradually and with a well-designed plan, with a pitch to the private sector at the same time about why its a good deal to come and take these buildings and turn them over, its one thing, said Sayin. Its another thing if everything drops on the market without any coordination between the D.C. government and the federal government. That will be another depressant, so to speak.

The speed of change is part of the larger problem, as the rapidity of job losses, particularly in the federal sector, may prevent easy absorption by the private sector. The region has some capacity to absorb some of these workers in particular occupationsto be clear, not nearly all, but some. But that process takes a little time, said Clower. If the pace and severity of federal job losses continue, Clower said, there will be recessionary pressures in the region.

Due in large part to the uncertainties around federal layoffs, Moodys Analytics has predicted that D.C. will enter a mild recession in the next year. Adam Kamins, a senior director at Moodys who co-authored the report forecasting the D.C. recession, added that it would likely have spillover effects for neighboring Maryland and Virginiaespecially Maryland, which houses some of the agencies that have already seen dramatic cuts in funding, such as the National Institutes of Health.

At the moment, were looking at a full-fledgedmild, but full-fledgedrecession for D.C.; for Maryland, a very noticeable slowdown; and for Virginia, a slowdown as well, but maybe not quite as dramatic, said Kamins. The collar counties surrounding D.C., such as Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland, are also at risk of recession, said Kamins.

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The districts CFO estimated last week that local revenues in Washington are expected to decline by more than $1 billion over the next three years, citing ongoing and planned federal workforce reductions. The forecast for income tax, sales tax, and property tax revenue was revised downward from 2026 through 2029.

Federal job losses could push people to seek jobs outside of the D.C. area. Housing listings have spiked in the region in recent weeks, indicating a desire by local homeowners to sell their houses. Much of D.C.s tax revenue is sourced from property taxes, and so changes in the housing market could affect that revenue source. Moreover, out-migration of former federal employees would mean a regional loss of skilled and largely college-educated workers.

A lot of them moved to D.C. for these federal government jobs. If that job is no longer there, theyre not going to be as tethered to the region anymore, said Kamins. The long-term effects could be seen beyond the current administration: One of the appeals of federal jobs over higher-paying private-sector jobs has long been the relative stability of working for the government. That social contract is now being broken, meaning that workers would be wary of working for the federal governmentand potentially, by extension, moving to the D.C. areaeven after Trump has left office.

Anyone whos lived through this sort of shock, or even just witnessed it from afar, now has this new understanding that federal government jobs are stable up until the next administration comes in, and [then] who knows what they might do to this job, Kamins said.

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Clower speculated that the chaos over the cuts could affect planned development efforts in the district, such as investments to revitalize the Chinatown neighborhood. In real estate, anytime you have a delay in whats going on, those carrying costs continue on, said Clower. Itll cost more in the short run and the long run.

Moreover, if there is a larger national recession, it would exacerbate the districts and the regions economic woes. In the past, said Sayin, a national recession might result in greater federal hiring. But with government employees losing their jobs, the issues plaguing Americans across the countrysuch as higher prices of grocerieswill be felt even more heavily in the DMV.

Meanwhile, the economic future of D.C. itself is also under threat by Congress. The continuing resolution that will keep the federal government funded through the end of September included a provision that would functionally undo the districts 2025 budget. While overseen by Congress, the citys local budget is typically written by the D.C. Council and funded by district taxpayers. (Indeed, Congress approved the districts 2025 budget last year.)

But by undoing years of precedent and treating Washington as a federal agencyforcing it to function under 2024 spending levelscity officials warn that the government funding measure would effectively slash $1 billion overnight. The cuts are likely to affect law enforcement and education services, potentially resulting in the reduction in numbers of police officers, first responders, and teachers. On Thursday, hundreds of D.C. residents, including children, flocked to Senate office buildings to protest the passage of the bill, warning of how it would affect the city.

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This does nothing to the federal governments bottom line, nothing. But it does reduce the quality of life in D.C., said Sayin. Despite being opposed by nearly every Democrat in the House of Representatives, the continuing resolution passed Friday in the Senate with the support of 10 Democrats. The Senate later passed a separate measure to correct the budget issue, which will need to be approved in the House as well. Republican Senator Susan Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said on Friday evening that the bill had been endorsed by Trump.

Its unclear how the specific financial struggles of the D.C. area will affect the country writ large, aside from the impacts on Maryland and Virginia. But the decisions that are being made in D.C.the ones disproportionately affecting the Washington metropolitan areawill have consequences across the nation. Federal workers are employed in every state, for example, meaning that job losses among government employees will be felt across the country. Research institutions around the nation may see their funding slashed, contractors will see their projects canceled, and farmers reliant on federal assistance could see those funds frozen, among other potential impacts.

I dont know if the D.C. recession itself would spill over, but some of these policy decisions, in terms of just shrinking the size of the federal government and what that means, will have impacts elsewhere as well, and could lead to recessions, said Kamins.

Still, as former federal workers look abroad for new jobs elsewhere, theyll be followed by the same policy decisions that are currently driving toward the decimation of the regional economy they left behind. Even with federal judges ordering the Trump administration to rehire thousands of terminated employees, economic craters may form in those places where government money once kept communities running. As research money dries up, colleges and universities will feel the strain. State and local economies will heft new burdens as the federal government slashes spending for previous priorities such as food safety, consumer protection, climate change response and education.

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And while there is a high concentration of federal workers in the Washington metropolitan area, these cuts are not just happening in the DMV. There are more than three million government employees across the country. So while the damage may be centered in the nations capital, the impact will inevitably be felt by all Americans.

This article has been updated with the correct spelling of Lucy Dadayans name and to include the outcome of the Senate vote on the continuing resolution.


A Tulsa County judge has ordered a former state Senate candidate to pay a Republican political consultant $4 million in damages for running advertisements that damaged his reputation. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A Tulsa County judge has ordered a former state Senate candidate to pay a Republican political consultant $4 million in damages for running advertisements that damaged his reputation.

A Tulsa County district judge found Jarrin Jackson liable for libel and invasion of privacy claims stemming from actions taken against Republican political consultant Fount Holland during a 2022 primary election battle for Senate District 2, which includes Tulsa and Rogers counties.

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Holland managed the campaign for Jacksons Republican opponent, Ally Seifried, who went on to win the seat.

Holland sued Jackson in 2022, alleging Jackson published advertisements accusing Holland of being crooked, implying he had a felony conviction, was involved in a charter school scandal, used taxpayer funds for campaigns and tried to steal an election, according to the lawsuit.

Holland said Jackson made the campaign more about Holland than Seifried.

The lawsuit alleged that there was no admissible evidence that Holland was arrested, charged, or convicted of any crime. False statements were highlighted in mailers, aired in commercials and were published by a number of third parties, the suit alleges.

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On Thursday, a judge awarded Holland and his company, Campaign Advocacy Management Professionals, $3 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.

The $3 million is what it would take to clean up his (Hollands) reputation and compensate for his lost business, and the $1 million in punitive damages  thats to punish him (Jackson), said Taylor Burke, Hollands attorney.

Jackson and attorneys who represented him in the case did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Holland said he hopes the verdict will send a message to other campaigns about complying with the rule of law.

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I think it will have some chilling effect, at least in Oklahoma, and maybe nationally too, Holland said.

Holland has represented hundreds of candidates, including Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice when she served in the state Senate, former House Speaker Charles McCall, former House Speaker T.W. Shannon, current House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, and all three of the current corporation commissioners.

Holland said he has run some negative campaigns, but what Jackson did was over the line, just way, way over the line.

This story was updated at 5:46 p.m. to correct the spelling of Markwayne Mullins name.

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The skid steers hydraulic breaker rose up toward the sky, then plunged into the street below, rupturing the concrete and the yellow paint overlaying it. The jackhammers staccato thundered over the din of passing traffic. It was a Tuesday morning in March, and people walking by covered their ears. Others took out their phones to capture the destruction. The bright-yellow paint, now fragmented into a growing pile of concrete, had spelled out the words Black Lives Matter over two blocks on 16th Street Northwest, about a quarter mile from the White House.

The city-sanctioned mural had been created in 2020, after the Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes. Floyds death catalyzed racial-justice protests nationwide, including in Washington. On June 1, federal authorities used smoke grenades and tear gas to remove protesters from Lafayette Park; President Donald Trump then marched across the park so that he could pose with a Bible in front of a nearby church. Four days later, the area was renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza and the mural was painted.

Many believed that it would become a permanent fixture in the district, and originally, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said that it would be, so it could serve as a gathering place for reflection, planning and action, as we work toward a more perfect union. But a few weeks ago, Republican Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia introduced legislation that would withhold millions of dollars in federal funding from the city if it did not remove the mural and change the name of the area to Liberty Plaza. D.C. was already facing funding uncertainty and has been shaken by layoffs of federal workers in the thousands. Mayor Bowser decided that fighting to preserve the mural was not a battle worth having.

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[From the January/February 2024 issue: Civil rights undone]

The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we cant afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference, Bowser wrote in a post on X.

I made my way to Black Lives Matter Plaza on Tuesday, the day after construction crews began removing the mural. I have spent the past several years writing about our collective relationships to monuments and memorials that tell the story of American history. I have watched statues being erected, and I have watched others taken down. In both the United States and abroad, I have wrestled with whether monuments are meant to perform a shallow contrition or honestly account for historical traumas. Part of what I have come to understand is that such iconography can rarely be disentangled from its social and political ecosystem. Symbols are not just symbols. They reflect the stories that people tell. Those stories shape the narratives people carry about where they come from and where theyre going. And those narratives shape public policy that materially affects peoples lives.

The removal of the mural is not the same as a change in policy, but it is happening in tandem with many policy changes, and is a reflection of the same shift in priorities. It is part of a movement that is removing Black people from positions of power by dismissing them as diversity hires, rescinding orders that ensure equal opportunity in government contracts, stripping federal funding from schools that teach full and honest Black history, and suing companies that attempt to diversify their workforce. This goes far beyond an attack on DEI; my colleague Adam Serwer calls it the Great Resegregation:

What its advocates want is not a restoration of explicit Jim Crow segregationthat would shatter the illusion that their own achievements are based in a color-blind meritocracy. They want an arrangement that perpetuates racial inequality indefinitely while retaining some plausible deniability, a rigged system that maintains a mirage of equal opportunity while maintaining an unofficial racial hierarchy.

Near the construction site, I walked up to one of the workers holding a stop sign near an intersection. Antonio (he asked me to use only his first name because he wasnt authorized to speak with reporters) wore a highlighter-yellow vest, his dreadlocks falling down his back from beneath his white hard hat. He told me he lives in Southeast D.C. and remembered feeling a sense of pride when the mural was painted. When he found out that he would be part of the team removing it, he asked not to be behind the wheel of any of the machines. I just told them I dont want a part in touching it, he said, shaking his head. He looked over at the jackhammer pummeling the concrete on the other side of the street. It was a memorial for the culture, and now I feel like something is being stripped from the culture.

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On the other side of the street was a woman in colorful sneakers and a green beanie. Nadine Seiler stood alone holding up a large cloth sign above her head that read Black Lives Matter Trump Cant Erase Us.

The reason that this is happening is that people want to make America great again, she told me. But the same people who want to make America great again dont want white children to know how America became great in the first placeby exploiting people who are not white.

Theyre trying to erase everything, she said.

Seiler doesnt blame Mayor Bowser for removing the statue: She has been put in a difficult position, because ultimately shes going to lose anyway. She blames President Trump, the Republican Party, and the American people themselves who are standing by and allowing democracy to erode all around them.

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While I was there, Seiler was the only person I saw rallying against the removal of the mural. She came to the United States from Trinidad 37 years ago, and has become something of a full-time protester. She has history with the Black Lives Matter Plaza: She was among the activists in 2020 who hung hundreds of signs affirming Black lives and inveighing against Trump along the fence that surrounds the White House. On multiple occasions, people came and tore the signs down, so for three weeks Seiler lived on Black Lives Matter Plaza to protect them. She told me shes since become the custodian of those signs, and holds many in storage.

I told Seiler I was surprised that more people werent there protesting. She said that she wasnt surprised, but she was disheartened. It was reflective, she said, of the tepid resistance Americans have put up to the new administration more broadly. Shes attended protests over the past several weeks focused on some of Trumps earliest executive actions: the dismantling of USAID and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords and World Health Organization; the indiscriminate firing of thousands of federal workers; the blanket access the president has given Elon Musk and his DOGE team to sensitive and classified information; the assault on the rights of trans people; the effort to end birthright citizenship; the pardoning of Capitol insurrectionists; and more. At those protests, she told me, shed seen maybe 100 or 200 people. This is wholly inadequate given the gravity of what is happening, she said: There should be thousands of people in the streets. There should be millions of people in the streets.

[Thomas Chatterton Williams: How the woke right replaced the woke left]

Someone drove by, slowed down, and took a picture of Seilers sign before driving off. Were not rising up, she continued. In many other countries, she said, there has been more robust resistance to the rise of authoritarianism. Were just sitting here and taking it without barely any pushback. She added, Its very disappointing to me, because Im an import, and I was sold on American democracy, and American exceptionalism, and American checks and balancesshe lowered her sign and folded it up under her armand we are seeing that all of this is nothing. Its all a farce.

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Seiler, despite having gotten citizenship two decades ago, doesnt think that it will protect her if the Trump administration starts going after dissenters. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a green-card holder who led protests against Israel at Columbia University and is now in immigration detention, has only reinforced a sense that her days are numbered. I feel eventually theyll find a way to come at me, she said, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Behind us, the pulverizing of concrete continued. Clouds of dust rose up and surrounded the machines that were cracking the street open. It will take several weeks of work for the mural to be completely destroyed and paved over again. I looked down at the fragments of letters in front of me. The first word they chose to remove was Matter.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Columnist Eric Thomas wants parents to emphasize the children's reading skills over spring break this year. (Eric Thomas illustration for Kansas Reflector)

Dear Kansas parents,

Perhaps the biggest gift that you can give your student over the upcoming spring break is this radical educational practice:

1.) Create a window of phone-free time for your student.

2.) Require that they read a book.

3.) Talk with them about that book.

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Thats it. By doing that, you will be an extraordinary parent in 2025.

After the week that I had on campus in Lawrence, I will be doing exactly this with my teenagers. Why? Because Ive increasingly seen how high schools dont ask students to read books.

Teens are reading fewer novels. They are reading shorter novels. They are reading partial novels.

Their nonfiction textbooks are mostly online and, for that reason, repellant  difficult to read, clumsy to annotate and largely optional.

If they do read for school, the number of books they finish is likely fewer than what you, dear parent, read at the same stage in school.

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This modern era of American book-phobia crashed down on my head (again) this week while meeting with students at the University of Kansas. Many of them surged to my office hours in full crisis mode after Exam No. 1 in my class, a survey course that tackles the history of media and journalism. As context, I have them read fewer than one chapter each week: 12 chapters in a 16-week course.

When I asked how they studied for the exam, they replied, A lot, which doesnt really answer the question. When I asked to see their study materials, they provided study guides. They pulled up online flashcards. They showed me impeccable lecture notes. They mentioned Quizlets, a supposed hack for studying that really just convinces students that they know more than they do as they flip through online flashcards.

Then they showed me their textbooks. They were immaculate. The textbook spines cracked as I, their instructor, opened them for the first time. No highlighting. No marginalia. No annotations. The pages were chaste white.

Each student blushed and said, I know

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Their Exam No. 1 mistake: They didnt read.

Actually, their biggest mistake was being in American high schools and middle schools during the past 10 years, if we can call that a mistake. I asked the same question to each student: How many books did you read in high school? The most common answer: zero. One out-of-state student said that he had read three.

Thats better than most students, I said.

I didnt read them for school, he said. That was on my own. My school didnt assign me any.

My generational rant here is the latest in a parade of doomsday journalism about reading during the past few years. Im just providing another note of concern for curricular literacy in America. The last few months have been especially prolific, with writers citing one another, mentioning many of the same in-depth think pieces and studies about youth reading habits. You could click through a roundabout of hyperlinks, returning to the story where you started. The reading fear is here.

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The chorus of concerned commentary lists these causes:

The rise of smartphones: Teens spend more time online, which is clipping their attention spans and competing for their time.

The COVID-19 pandemic: Schools squashed student expectations during remote schooling and havent stretched the classroom goals back into proportion.

Standardized tests: Students endure endless reps of reading short passages and answering questions because that is a staple of state and national testing.

Class time: High school classes must cover so much that in-depth reading vanishes.

Student apathy: Students find the selected readings boring and sidestep chapters by looking up summaries online.

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These causes  while mostly cited with anecdotal evidence  are persuasive.

A caveat: I love high school teachers. My best teachers came during my teenage years. And then, for a dozen years, I taught grades 9-12. A handful of high school teachers remain as my mentors. Recently, their classrooms, in addition to being ground zero for culture wars and political mayhem, are driven by cookie-cutter lesson plans that they dread. Celebrate your best teachers. Teaching is one part profession and one part community service.

With that said, I would like to add another cause of this reading slide, and its an indictment of how reading is handled in many American high schools. Ask the closest teenager to you right now. Which of these scenarios is most common in their classroom?

A.) After a long and challenging reading assignment, my teacher requires us to show what we learned with a quiz, a written response or another assessment. We students must discover and articulate the main ideas.

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B.) After a long and challenging reading assignment, my teacher often presents the main ideas to the class. We write them down, word for word. Next, the teacher provides a study guide that points students to those same main ideas, the ones we wrote down exactly as they were on the PowerPoint slides. Sometimes the teacher will also provide a practice test, which (huge surprise!) questions students on the identical main ideas. Finally, the exam asks students about the same main ideas.

The students I talked to this week? They said their high school classes were answer B followed by answer B. In fact, it was B-B-B-B-B-B-B all the way. Students became strategic after the first few classes.

Why would I read when they give me the main ideas? Those main ideas are the test answers. Our classes teach them how to avoid reading.

Students often lack the skill of sifting through knowledge and selecting the most vital ideas. In a few cases this week, I read sample paragraphs aloud to students and asked them to locate the essential idea. Many struggled.

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Another looked back at me and said, This is a really good way to read! These are university students.

They arrive in my class during the first week, when I warn them that reading is vital. I give them data: On the first exam, the questions that students most often miss come from the textbook. To incentivize them, I reward students who read in advance of lecture.

But still, the habit of shirking reading, atrophied during teenage years, is difficult to bend. Just this week, I provided four practice questions: two from lecture notes and two from readings. The average score on lecture-based questions: 89%. The average score from textbook-based questions: 43%.

Many college instructors have reduced the number and length of readings. Some courses eliminate them altogether, not only to match student appetites but also to reduce student book costs.

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While that might seem a logical tactic  Lets meet students where they are  I resist while ensuring the my textbooks can be found cheaply or on loan in the library. Assigning challenging readings and testing students about them is a signal that learning and college are important. In the coming decade, students and parents will increasingly question the value of a four-year college degree, especially in the face of rising costs. We shouldnt water down the value through slimmed down reading assignments that deliver less rigor.

When I talked to my students this week about my anxiety about their reading, I asked them to set down their phones, close their notebooks and shut their laptops.

I looked them in the eyes and told them, Im sorry. On behalf of the American educational system, Im sorry. We have done you wrong by not insisting that you read  and not insisting that you read in-depth.

At that moment, they were with me. They made eye contact. They nodded along. They raised their hands when I asked them if this all seemed familiar: the high school wasteland of reading that they emerged from, only to encounter instructors like me who insist on something entirely different.

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In their eyes, I saw a frustration that they werent more prepared, and a bit of fear that they dont know how to approach upcoming readings.

Thats where you come in, my fellow Kansas parents. Plan an unlikely destination for your familys spring break: the family bookshelf, the airport bookstore or the community library.

The educational goal of forming your students into great readers  a young person who bends the books binding from cover to cover  unfortunately sits squarely on you.

Eric Thomas teaches visual journalism and photojournalism at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
SWANNANOA, N.C. (WGHP)  A small business in Swannanoa is using its property to help neighbors six months after Hurricane Helene hit.

Swannanoa is doing OK. We are very resilient Appalachian mountain people, said Jenica Grooms from Swannanoa.

Road to Recovery

Grooms said since Helene hit their community, they have been loud enough to get continued support from people across the country for the past six months.

The path to recovery has been long and slow, but at the same time, there has been progress.

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There is a noticeable difference, but there are still piles of debris and lots of debris lining the roadways. At Dark City Customs, they cleared their old collapsed building and instead filled the area with supplies to rally their community together to rebuild.

We smile a little bit more, Grooms said.

She has hope for the future.

We keep fighting for what is ours, Grooms said.

She also has the motivation to keep going.

My goal was to keep people in the community. Otherwise, people were going to move out, but at the same time, it was to keep people safe, Grooms said.

She wanted to build 10 homes for their neighbors in need on their property.

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We built them to last. We built them to be sturdy. We built them to keep people warm, Grooms said.

All the costs of construction, supplies and delivery were donated.

It is pretty fantastic to know people are still seeing us, hearing us and want to help, Grooms said.

In total, they built 105 homes. All of them are 12 feet by 16 feet, but they handed out more than just the bare bones of the building. Each month, tens of thousands of dollars of donations come from Michelle Moore in Nashville.

I give her a list of all the needs and necessities for western North Carolina and the area, and then they hand pick and palletize all of it, Grooms said.

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Inside storage containers, there are piles and piles of food.

You are not using regular ovens. You are using burners, electric griddles, grills  it is not one hundred percent fresh food, but it is food that it can be stored, Grooms said.

There are also bedding, towels and rugs.

You are putting all of these structures on mud. They are not going on green pastures, so it was really important to give them some rugs to be able to put their shoes on, Grooms said.

There is constant cleaning at home and around town.

It is still going to take years and years and years, Grooms said.

Crumbled buildings and scattered debris are still around Swannanoa, but the community is connected after their bridge was repaired just a short time ago.

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It is happy tears because, to a lot of people, that bridge means nothing. To us, it was everything because now it connects our worlds, and it makes things easier here for us, Grooms said.

Whats Next?

Its time for Grooms to switch to the next phase. The construction of houses has moved off the property because its time to get back to business and get an income.

The job that I applied for is actually working with Helene victims and helping the families, doing kind of what I have been doing for the last five months, Grooms said.

She has thought about starting again somewhere else but has decided against it.

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I would be lying if I said we didnt think about it  I dont know if I could just walk away from here without knowing that we tried everything before we were to try to pack up and leave, so it is worth fighting for. For now, it is worth showing our kids not to give up, Grooms said.

She said she has been denied by FEMA for home repairs, denied by insurance for their business and denied for loans from the Small Business Administration.

But she hopes Dark City Customs will still make its return to Swannanoa somehow and in some way.

If we dont ever get to build back on our property  I am just hoping that at least our property  went out helping our community, Grooms said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Aa stone relief on the Capitol depicting the attack John Mason led on a fortified Pequot village in 1637. (Photo by Mark Pazniokas/CTMirror.org)

Connecticut commemorates the Holocaust every May with a solemn ceremony at the state Capitol building, a Victorian landmark that features an overlooked stone relief depicting a 1637 attack on a Pequot village that preceded what historians now view as a genocide.

There remains some debate over whether the attack led by John Mason, a Connecticut Colony founder honored with a statue in a niche on the Capitol, can be celebrated as Pequot War victory or a criminal massacre of women and children. Most accounts lean to the latter.

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But there is no question that the document drafted by the victorious colonists to formally end the war, the Treaty of Hartford of 1638, directed that surviving Pequots be sold into slavery and stripped of their lands, history and tribal name. The text of the treaty speaks for itself.

And that meets the definition of genocide, David Simon, the director of the Yale Genocide Studies Program, said in written testimony submitted for a hearing Friday by the General Assemblys Government Administration and Elections Committee.

The testimony was submitted in support of a resolution proposed by Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, that would condemn the Treaty of Hartford.

This resolution is so meaningful for our tribe in so many ways, and we believe that this is long overdue  the condemnation of the genocidal provision of the 1638 Treaty of Hartford, an agreement that sought to erase the very existence of our people, said LaToya Cluff, vice chair of the Mashantucket Pequots.

LaToya Cluff, vice chair of the Mashantucket Pequots Tribal Council, testifying Friday at the legislature. (Photo by Mark Pazniokas/CTMirror.org)

Osten, whose district includes the tribal lands of the Pequots and the Mohegans who warred with them as allies of the colonists, said she abandoned a similar effort last year, fearing it would be subsumed in the present-day debate over whether the Israel war on Gaza was an act of genocide.

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The time seemed right to try again, she said.

It is, in my opinion, of utmost importance that we, as a state and a governmental institution, recognize and condemn the actions induced by the language of this treaty, which was repeated over and over again across the United States as we populated this country, and our treatment of indigenous people, which I think cannot be minimized, Osten told the committee.

Simon testified that his predecessor at the Yale program, the historian Ben Kiernan, included the Pequot War as an episode of genocide in his book, Blood and Soil: A World History of Genocide and Extermination from Sparta to Darfur.

It would be another 310 years before the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide would convene in 1948 to define genocide as a crime.

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Its central definition matches closely to what the Treaty of Hartford commanded, Simon wrote.

Addressing such a past is always relevant, he wrote.

I believe that we have a responsibility to acknowledge the complicated past in our own history and that we can only be faithfully educating the next generation to confront the challenges they may face if we do so in the awareness that we are not covering up historical wrongs, Simon wrote.

Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, told Cluff, the tribal vice chair, he disagreed with such sentiments.

The problem with these types of issues is that there are multiple sides of these stories, and Im not taking a side by any stretch of the imagination, Sampson said. I dont know enough about Pequot history or what happened in 1638.

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Ostens resolution asks the General Assembly to make a very powerful statement about something that I dont think that the majority of our membership has any real knowledge, Sampson said.

The text of the treaty is online and a quick read.

Cluff invited Sampson to visit her tribes museum and research center if he wanted to learn more.

Sampson said the treaty was struck by English colonists, more than a century before the colonies became a nation.

Im curious why you feel its necessary for an entirely different country, the United States of America, to address this issue. Have you brought this concern across the pond, you know, to England? Sampson said. And Im just curious why its important for Connecticut to address it.

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Cluff replied that it is part of Connecticuts history.

An effort four years ago to remove Masons statue failed. Cluff said the tribe still would like to see it removed and placed on display at the Old State House in a historical exhibit providing context.

I think we should learn from history, and I think thats important, said Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott. Removing them actually takes them out of history.

Cluff disagreed, saying erasing Mason from history is the last thing the tribe wants. It just doesnt want him celebrated in a niche high in the Capitol overlooking Bushnell Park.

This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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The National Museum of African American History and Culture illuminates the brutalities of slavery and Jim Crow while also celebrating black Americans' political, intellectual, and cultural achievements. The D.C. museum is currently featuring "In Slavery's Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World," running until June 8 before traveling the globe.

The brilliantly curated exhibition gives voice to the 12 million Africans trafficked across the Atlantic (and their descendants) and to those who remained in the homelands rent asunder by the slave trade. Its displays include 100 objects, 250 images, and 10 multimedia interactives and films. These include clear explanatory maps, iron implements of torture and control, effigies of spiritual liberation, accounts of rebellions on land and sea, and contemporary artworks. The persistence of efforts to control black people's movements is illustrated by contrasting early 19th century copper slave passes from South Carolina with late 20th century South African passbooks.

"In Slavery's Wake" aims to reveal the hidden, often willfully misrepresented, history of how "enslaved and colonized people resisted overwhelming oppression, refused dehumanization, and planted the seeds of liberation across centuries and geographies," as the scholars Paul Gardullo and Johanna Obenda explain in the book accompanying the exhibition. It succeeds wonderfully.

The post Review: D.C. Museum Exhibit Illuminates the Brutalities of Slavery appeared first on Reason.com.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Pennsylvania State Police are seeking information regarding a 2016 Franklin County homicide.

State Police say that on April 14, 2016, 75-year-old Lee Johnson was found deceased in his driveway on the 17000 block of Spring Run East in Fannett Township.

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Troopers believe Johnson encountered someone in his driveway during the overnight hours and sustained a gunshot wound to the torso. At the time, State Police said they believed this was an isolated incident and that the public was not in danger.

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Any person with information is asked to please contact Troop H  Chambersburg Station at (717) 264-5161 or PSP Tips Toll-Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online.

Those who contact PSP Tips are eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest or the solving of a crime/cold case.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A Palestinian mourns over victims killed by the Israeli army, at a hospital in Gaza City, on March 14, 2025. At least four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli shelling of the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, according to local sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli shelling of the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, according to local sources.

Eyewitnesses who require anonymity told Xinhua that the victims were directly targeted when collecting firewood near the Subha Al-Harazin elementary school.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that it had struck several militants who were spotted operating near its troops in central Gaza and attempting to plant explosive devices on the ground.

The shelling occurred shortly after Hamas announced that it had agreed to a proposal from mediators on releasing Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other dual nationals.

Also on Friday, Hamas said in a separate statement that its negotiating team had headed to Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials and follow up on developments in talks on the Gaza ceasefire.

Israeli forces have recently intensified airstrikes in Gaza amid uncertainty over the durability of a phased ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in January. The first six-week phase of the deal expired on March 1, and negotiations on the second phase remain stalled.

The Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Thursday that the death toll in Gaza since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, had risen to 48,524, with 111,955 others injured. 

Palestinians carry the body of a victim killed by the Israeli army, at a hospital in Gaza City, on March 14, 2025. At least four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli shelling of the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, according to local sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian mourns over a victim killed by the Israeli army, at a hospital in Gaza City, on March 14, 2025. At least four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli shelling of the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, according to local sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian mourns over victims killed by the Israeli army, at a hospital in Gaza City, on March 14, 2025. At least four Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli shelling of the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, according to local sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A major push to clean up ingredients in American foods is underway as part of what the Guardian has called "a bipartisan movement," and it could potentially mean a big win for public health.

In a recent meeting with top food executives, per CNBC, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made it clear: The time to ditch artificial food dyes is now.

Kennedy emphasized that removing these additives is a priority, stating that he is willing to take action if companies refuse to respond proactively. The meeting brought together CEOs from PepsiCo North America, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Tyson Foods, and other industry giants.

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The move aligns with a growing shift toward healthier, more transparent food options. Many artificial dyes, like Red No. 3  which the Food and Drug Administration recently banned for most uses, effective in 2027  have long been linked to potential health concerns. Studies have suggested that certain artificial dyes may contribute to hyperactivity in children and other health risks.

Kennedy has been a polarizing figure in politics, with wide-ranging views about health that can best be summarized as a distrust of the status quo. His "Make America Healthy Again" initiative has drawn criticism for a mistrust of vaccines and some food and health practices that are supported by a consensus of scientists. Parts of his initiative, though, have received bipartisan support: mainly those that tackle what he calls the "worst ingredients" in the American food system.

Not all ingredients Kennedy has flagged have broad support for elimination  such as seed oils, a Kennedy crusade the Associated Press reported is "baffling" nutrition scientists. While Kennedy's mistrust is not always supported by science, the goal of prioritizing nutritious foods over additives and processed options is to reduce chronic disease and promote better overall health. If successful, the key parts of this effort could encourage or require food brands to reformulate their products, leading to a cleaner and healthier food landscape for consumers.

Artificial food dyes are at the top of that list, because, as Thomas Galligan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest told The Cool Down earlier this year, they have no nutritional benefits and are "added to our food exclusively to increase their visual appeal, to make them look a certain way so that consumers want to buy them." Most are made from petroleum, like gasoline and plastic, and would not otherwise be considered worthy of consuming.

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Food industry leaders who attended the meeting with Kennedy acknowledged the importance of the discussion.

"It was a constructive conversation and we look forward to continued engagement with the secretary and the qualified experts within HHS to support public health, build consumer trust and promote consumer choice," said Melissa Hockstad, CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, in a statement to CNBC.

When you're choosing health and beauty products, which of these factors is most important to you? Cost Brand name Ingredients Packaging Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

The finalization of this long-drawn push comes from Kennedy's consistent concerns about ultra-processed foods, poor nutrition, food additives, and toxins among other issues.

"Bobby Kennedy and Trump have bonded over tying the core of MAGA  which is a distrust of institutions and getting corruption out of institutions  to our health care industries," said Calley Means, an adviser to Kennedy, to NPR before Kennedy's nomination to HHS Secretary.

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Staying healthy is important, and any push for healthier ingredients could make a difference for families looking to make better food choices without navigating confusing labels.

Consumer Reports and Galligan's CSPI joined with over 20 scientists and organizations to get the modern effort against dyes off the ground with a petition to the FDA against Red No. 3 back in 2022, and the momentum continues to build.

With major brands now in the conversation, the future of grocery store shelves could be looking a lot cleaner.

If you want to make your voice heard, you can sign Consumer Reports' latest petition against food dyes here.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
As recently as last year, denouncing plastics was a key part of RFK Jr.s political identity. Running for president as an icon of the health-conscious, he called plastic pollution a crisis for human health and the environment. He promised to support an international plastics reduction treaty and to limit the domestic production of plastic. He castigated President Biden for failing to fix the problem. He espoused ambitious solutions to the problem, alarming the plastics industry.



These positions, along with concern for food safety and commitment to Making America Healthy Again, won support for his presidential campaign from yoga moms and fitness bros alike. Many of these supporters were then excited when Trump appointed him head of Health and Human Services. His microplastics concern even won him some grudging credit from us here at TNR, alongside sharp criticism of his anti-vaccine actions and other dangerous quackery, which have indeed only gotten more troubling with the death of an unvaccinated child in Texas last montha tragedy that RFK seemed to minimize in a string of bewildering falsehoods.

Now RFKs alarmist stance on microplastics is going mainstream. Just as RFK Jr. himself gets quieter on this topic, a host of scientific studies are suggesting that the problem of microplastics may be far worse than we thoughteven approaching the scale of climate change as a threat to life on earth.

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A preliminary Chinese study published on Monday found that microplastics are interfering with plant photosynthesis, a problem that could put more than 400 million people at risk of starvation. Another study, published the next day and authored by researchers at Boston University, found that microplastics could be contributing to the proliferation of dangerous antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Last month, researchers analyzing the brains of dead humans found, on average, a spoonful of microplastics, which cant be good. Another new paper found that microplastics were increasingly entering our food supply through fertilizers. All this is especially alarming given that microplastics emitted into our bodies and into the environment have sharply increased over the last decade and, if they continue unchecked, are expected to double by 2040.

If this were a normal administration and RFK Jr. a normal activist, such reports would lend momentum and legitimacy to his crusade, perhaps even leading to significant policy change. But this is not a normal administration, and Kennedy is not a normal activist.

Despite reports that one of his pet issues is even more urgent than previously supposed, Kennedy seems to have changed the subject. Last week he called antisemitism a malady that sickens societies and kills people with lethalities comparable to historys most deadly plagues, as his administration ignores or mishandles both bird flu and measles. (All forms of bigotry can affect human health, but that statement, timed with Trumps unprecedented crackdowns on universities and on pro-Palestine student protesters, looked more like apologetics for Trumps authoritarianism.) Another moral panic RFK Jr. has been vocal about is men playing womens sports, by which he means the tiny number of transgender athletes joining their peers on a ball field, another bit of right-wing grandstanding irrelevant to public health.

He has not issued a single tweet, press release, or policy on microplastics since assuming charge of HHS.

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Not only is Kennedy saying little about microplastics, even as science mounts to confirm that he has been right to sound the alarm on this issue, but hes part of an administration that is doing more than any in history to dismantle every mechanism that we could use to address this problem. The Trump administration has decimated the Environmental Protection Agency, is attempting to gut the Endangered Species Act, and is wrecking all the provisions for water protections that it can possibly find. On Wednesday, in what EPA hatchet man Lee Zeldin called the most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history, the administration began rolling back the Clean Water Act itself, lifting most oversight of the nations wetlands and waterways, in a dramatic reversal not just of Biden policy but of most other presidents since Nixon.

Another policy that will badly hamper any plastic-fighting efforts is the withdrawal of more than a billion in National Institutes of Health dollars for scientific research. Some of these cuts are being delayed by a court challenge, but the policy has already disrupted medical research on many levels. In the case of Columbia, RFK celebrated the cuts (because of alleged antisemitism) on his X account and on the HHS website. Research is inextricable from finding solutions to the microplastics problem, since it is so new and there is still so much that we dont even understand about it: for example, why do people with dementia have much more plastic in their brains? Is the plastic causing the problem, or is there a quality to the brain tissueor the blood-brain barrierthat makes it more absorbent or weaker? Without support for science, we wont even have enough information to attack this problem.

The truth is, if RFK Jr. were sincere about addressing food and environmental problems, he probably would never have joined the Trump administration in the first place. Indeed, the longer he stays in it, the more he just looks like yet another rich guy with a weird personality helping to sabotage our government. Despite a lifetime of environmentalism and vocal concern for public health, it is his own administration that is the biggest threat right now to our health and our planet. At this point, hes going to be lucky if history remembers him as the freak who left a dead bear in the park. He could go down as the guy who sounded the alarm on microplastics, only to sit back and let them addle our brains and threaten our food supply.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making one of his first significant moves as the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by attempting to close a controversial safety loophole within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

On March 10, Kennedy announced that he is directing "the acting FDA commissioner to take steps to explore potential rulemaking to revise its Substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Final Rule and related guidance to eliminate the self-affirmed GRAS pathway." This, he shared, "will enhance the FDAs oversight of ingredients considered to be GRAS and bring transparency to American consumers."

Here's what you need to know about the GRAS rule and what Kennedy plans to do about it.

What is the GRAS rule?

As Food & Wine previously reported, the FDA's GRAS designation allows companies to decide whether the additives they put in their food products are safe for consumption, allowing them to bypass review if it's "generally" recognized as safe.



In a 2013 report, the Pew Research Center wrote that it was a legal loophole intended for common food ingredients; manufacturers have used this exception to go to market without agency review on the grounds that the additive used is generally recognized as safe. It noted that the FDA interpreted this law as having no obligation on firms to tell the agency of any GRAS decisions. As a result, companies have determined that an estimated 1,000 chemicals are generally recognized as safe and have used them without notifying the agency.

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Related: The FDA Just Officially Banned Red Dye No. 3  Here's What to Expect

And all this is decided by consultants and experts hired by the individual companies, which is a definite conflict of interest.

The law does not give the FDA the authority it needs to efficiently obtain the information necessary to identify chemicals of concern that are already on the market, set priorities to reassess these chemicals, and then complete a review of their safety," Pew added. "Moreover, the agency has not been given the resources it needs to effectively implement the original 1958 law.

According to a 2022 review by the Environmental Working Group, almost 99% of all food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlit under GRAS and not via a review by the FDA.

What issues has the GRAS loophole created?

Over the years, several issues have emerged, notably in 2022, when hundreds of people were hospitalized after consuming Daily Harvest's French Leek and Lentil Crumbles, with 39 individuals requiring gallbladder removal. The likely cause was identified as the company's new ingredient, tara flour, which was used under the GRAS rule. In 2024, the FDA determined that tara flour "in human food does not meet the GRAS standard and is an unapproved food additive."

So what does Kennedy want to do now?

For far too long, ingredient manufacturers and sponsors have exploited a loophole that has allowed new ingredients and chemicals, often with unknown safety data, to be introduced into the U.S. food supply without notification to the FDA or the public, Kennedy shared in the statement. Eliminating this loophole will provide transparency to consumers, help get our nations food supply back on track by ensuring that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe, and ultimately Make America Healthy Again.

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The HHS statement also noted that removing the GRAS rule would necessitate companies to inform the FDA of any modifications to their formulations or new ingredients, including safety data and how they intend to use the ingredients in their products. And it appears the FDA is on board with the change.

Related: California Just Became the First State to Ban Sell-By Dates

The FDA is committed to further safeguarding the food supply by ensuring the appropriate review of ingredients and substances that come into contact with food, Dr. Sara Brenner, the Acting FDA Commissioner, added. The FDA will continue to follow our authorities and leverage our resources to protect the health of consumers to ensure that food is a vehicle for wellness.

As for the businesses this will affect, Sarah Gallo, a senior vice president at the Consumer Brands Association, shared a cautiously optimistic statement, noting, "As the administration looks to revise GRAS, we stand ready to work with agency experts on continued analysis of safe ingredients and increase consumer transparency.

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However, other advocates for food safety say this statement is still too tame.

"Simply pledging to take steps to explore changing a system that has been broken for more than 60 years is not the change consumers rightly expect," Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Groups senior vice president for government affairs, shared. "Until the FDA takes real action to put itself in charge of food chemical safety, this announcement is best seen as a 'plan to plan,' not real progress toward ensuring our food is safe."



Read the original article on Food & Wine
SOUTH KINGSTOWN - A state laboratory that examines and analyzes gun-related evidence in Rhode Island criminal cases is scheduled for its own full-blown examination by an accrediting board this weekend.

Last year, the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory suspended certain in-house forensic work after it became clear that employees in its facility had linked spent bullet shells from the scene of a 2021 Pawtucket homicide to the wrong gun.

Since then, the lab has relied on mutual aid from other New England states and private contractors for certain work that involves identifying connections between bullets and the guns that fire them.

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The lab has also learned about another case of misidentification, akin to the Pawtucket case, that also dates back to 2021, said Dennis Hilliard, the lab's director.

Lab to rely on private contractors during assessment

Two examiners from a private contracting company will help at the lab during the upcoming accreditation assessment on the weekend of March 17, Hilliard said.

Those same outside examiners, Hilliard said, have helped with the lab's workload following the departure of three employees who were involved in the "misidentification" in the Pawtucket case.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board, which is a subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is expected to carry out the accreditation assessment next month.

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ANAB assesses forensic laboratories, forensic services and police crime units for compliance with internationally recognized standards.

The Rhode Island lab, which went through a full assessment in 2023, was due for a partial assessment this year. But due to the recent issues, the accreditation board is providing another full assessment, Hilliard said.

Ronald G. Nichols, a forensic science expert, found that the Rhode Island crime lab lacked a leader who "was sufficiently proficient in the discipline" of cartridge cases.

Another "misidentification"

Some work performed in Connecticut, Hilliard added, brought attention to another previous misidentification by Rhode Island's in-house analysts.

Like the situation in Pawtucket, the misidentification involved a shooting that took place in 2021, Hilliard said. He declined to identify the particular shooting case.

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The office of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has been notified of the misidentification, Hilliard added.

The particular work initially handled by some other state facilities received priority status due to the court schedule. It involved 17 cases, Hilliard said.

Massachusetts' state police lab handled 13 of the cases, New Hampshire's state police lab handled one and a lab administered by Connecticut's state Department of Public Safety handled three, Hilliard said.

A 3D image of the cartridge casing sent to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, a database which allows investigators to match ballistic evidence with other cases across the nation.

Toolmark analysis

The previous lab work that has drawn scrutiny falls into a discipline known as toolmark analysis.

A bullet is a projectile. But before its discharge through the barrel of a gun, it's part of an assembly known as a cartridge, which includes not only the bullet but other components, such as the propellant, and the case that holds it all together.

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Many people casually refer to such cases as bullet cases, but experts scrupulously refer to them as cartridge cases.

When someone fires a bullet, different components within the gun, such as the firing pin, leave distinctive marks on the case, which typically falls on the ground.

Then, if the shooting itself is a crime, investigators are likely to collect the cases as evidence at the scene.

The mark left by the firing pin is like a fingerprint. If detectives recover a suspected gun, analysis at a crime lab with microscopes can often determine, very authoritatively, if the firing pin of that particular gun, and only that gun, created the toolmark on the case.

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Due to its reliance on contractors right now, the lab is not positioned to do as much work with microscopes, Hilliard said. In general, a full examination with the scopes is not happening in non-homicide investigations when investigators haven't identified a suspect or they haven't seized a gun as evidence, he said. The lab is open to making an exception in a special circumstance, he said.

The lab continues to process evidence into a system maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network catalogues images of the marks on cartridge cases. The system detects similarities in the images. It can tip off investigators if a particular gun is responsible for cases discarded at a particular crime scene or at multiple crime scenes.

Providence police investigators process a crime scene on June Street at the Chad Brown housing complex on Aug. 3, 2023, after three young men were shot.

Relying on less "mutual aid" from counterpart labs in other states

The work handled by counterpart labs in other states was part of an overall caseload of about 30 pending cases, involving 36 defendants, which the lab focused on last year after suspending its in-house firearms examinations and analysis.

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Most of the firearms-related work is complete although some of it awaits verification or technical review or administrative review, Hilliard said.

The presence of outside examiners represents a deliberate strategy to shift away from certain firearms-related lab assistance that the counterpart-labs in other states provided to Rhode Island last year without charging for it on a mutual aid basis.

The only expense to Rhode Island taxpayers stemmed from shipping the firearms or other types of evidence, Hilliard said, adding that Rhode Island must cover any travel costs for out-of-state examiners who appear in local court.

But Hilliard didn't want to abuse the good intentions of such mutual-aid support.

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The lab has taken steps to rely more heavily on private contractors and to pay for that it has tapped money that became available after the departure of three in-house staffers.

New York-based Stria Consulting Group has supplied the two examiners working under a six-month contract.

What's next

The lab, which has a budget of $1.7 million, in the fiscal year that ends June 30, continues to seek qualified candidates for jobs requiring firearms examination and analysis.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fallout of forensic errors: RI crime lab faces accreditation review
27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI)  Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI) has announced the winner of the second annual Elwood Johnson Outstanding Service Award.

Rhode Island State Police Corporal Kyle Shibley has been named the recipient of the award, which seeks to honor members of the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Torch Run community.

The annual running event raises both funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

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MORE: 3 Special Olympics RI athletes to compete in 2025 World Winter Games

While all 15 nominees are outstanding members of law enforcement and committed supporters of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Rhode Island, Corporal Shibleys extraordinary service and deep connection with our athletes set him apart, said SORI President Ed Pacheco. For over a decade, he has been a driving force in fundraising and advocacy, a constant presence at competitions, and a friend to so many of our athletes.

Shibley spoke to 12 News on Thursday and shared why he cares so much about Special Olympics.

Just to be involved with Special Olympics and to see the smile on these athletes faces when you put a medal over their head, it really means a lot, Shibley said. We will continue this tradition of the state police supporting Special Olympics Rhode Island for many many years to come.

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The award is named in honor of Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnston who has been a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Rhode Island and the Torch Run.

Those who are up for the award are nominated by their respective departments or agencies.

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Richard Fortey, who has died aged 79, enjoyed a long career as head of palaeontology at the Natural History Museum, with a particular interest in trilobites, woodlouse-shaped marine arthropods that roamed the oceans for around 270 million years  well before the dinosaurs and 200 times longer than humans beings have walked the earth  before becoming extinct 250 million years ago; their evolution can help date the history of the earth.

Avuncular, authoritative, slightly craggy, fluent and humorous, Fortey was a born communicator whose documentaries for BBC Four explored such diverse interests as The Secret Life of Rockpools, The Magic of Mushrooms and Islands of Evolution, a three-parter in which he investigated why islands are natural laboratories of evolution.

The wide range of his interests was reflected in popular science books, rich with human stories and literary references, that drew praise from scientists and ordinary readers alike. His Life: An Unauthorised Biography (1997) was listed as one of 10 Books of the Year by The New York Times and cited by John Gribbin as the best natural history of the first four billion years of life on earth.

A trilobite - DEA / G. CIGOLINI

It was a history to which Fortey had contributed through his fascination with trilobites, which had been sparked aged 14 when, fossil hunting in Wales, he saw a promising-looking rock and tapped it with a hammer. The rock simply parted around the animal like some sort of revelation, he wrote in Trilobite! Eyewitness to Evolution (2000). I was left holding two pieces of rock  surely what I held was the textbook come alive. The long, thin eyes of the trilobite regarded me and I returned the gaze. More compelling than any pair of blue eyes, there was a shiver of recognition across five hundred million years.

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Over six decades his search for the fossils took him to Norway, Canada, the Nevada desert and Australian Outback. As well as discovering many examples new to science, he even ate the closest living relative of a trilobite, a horseshoe crab, in a Bangkok restaurant, noting that it had a rather overwhelming rancid-fishy taste.

Fortey earned scientific renown by discovering another purpose for the study of trilobites, which take many shapes, each distinct to a geographical area. While it was known that the continents were once joined in a single land mass, it was less well-known that previously they were apart.

Fortey with a lizard in Hawaii in an episode of Islands of Evolution - BBC

It became clear that trilobites could inhabit three or four major habitat types, he told The Biologist journal in 2016. I could find shallow water ones where shallow seas had flooded former continents, deeper-water ones surrounding the edges of the continents, sometimes intercontinental ones. This coincided with a revolution in plate tectonics, when people started to realise that during the age of these trilobites, the continents were totally different So for 20 years I was involved in trying to reconstruct what the world was like, using trilobites to define the position of the continents.

In a 2001 interview with The Sunday Times he likened the fossils to postage stamps issued by a particular continent: I kind of remade the world according to them. When I meet one of my commuting acquaintances on the 6.21 home to Henley-on-Thames, they occasionally inquire what I have done that day. I have been known to reply: I moved north Africa 200km to the east.

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Richard Alan Fortey was born in Ealing, west London, on February 15 1946 to Frank Fortey, and Margaret, nee Wilshin. He was fascinated by natural history from early childhood, searching out strange-looking fungi to fossils on holidays with his father, who ran a couple of fishing tackle shops and was a keen fly-fisherman.

Unusually, Ealing Grammar School had a geology teacher who took Forteys class on a trip to the Natural History Museum and pointed to a door where, he said, lived experts who work on fossils. I thought: Id like to be that, Fortey recalled.

Fortey with a fossil - Alamy

Fortey took his passion for trilobites to Kings College, Cambridge, where he read natural sciences, specialising in palaeontology and taking a PhD under Harry B Whittington, one of the worlds foremost experts on trilobites.

He began his career as a research fellow at the Natural History Museum in 1970, eventually retiring as senior palaeontologist at the museum in 2006. As well as publishing more than 250 scientific papers, he wrote the museums book on fossils, now in its fifth edition, while indulging a quirky humour in two pseudonymously penned books in 1981, The Roderick Masters Book of Money Making Schemes, and Not Another Cube Book! (as WC Bindweed), which he described as an opportunistic work [which] hit the Christmas market and sold vast numbers of copies.

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In 2008 Fortey would publish Dry Store Room No 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum, an affectionate look at his former employer (Dry Store Room No 1 is the place where miscellaneous junk ends up in limbo), with amusing accounts of the politics, scandals and intrigues that have shaped it over the centuries.

Survivors

Forteys first foray into popular science was The Hidden Landscape: A Journey into the Geological Past, which was named Natural World Book of the Year in 1993. Trilobite! An Eyewitness to Evolution was shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize.

Before becoming a documentary presenter, Fortey appeared in several David Attenborough series including Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives (1989) and First Life (2010), in which the two men travelled to the Atlas mountains to find trilobite fossils.

In 2011 he used some of the proceeds of his television appearances to buy four acres of ancient beech-and-bluebell woodland in the Chiltern Hills near his home in Henley-on-Thames. He spent two years tempting former colleagues from the Natural History Museum  experts on everything from lichens to moths  to carry out a natural inventory of the wood, and wrote a book about it: The Wood for the Trees (2016).

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As well as several medals for his academic work, Forteys popular science books earned him the Lewis Thomas Prize for science writing (2003) and the 2006 Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize for the public communication of science.

His other books included Earth: An Intimate History (2005), which was shortlisted for the Royal Societys Aventis prize, and Survivors: Animals & Plants Time Left Behind (2011) about living fossils such as horseshoe crabs which have survived almost unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.

Earth

In his last book, Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind (2024), he returned to one of his first loves, drawing together history, geography, language, literature, scientific method and even touches of science fiction in celebration of the morels, puffballs, stinkhorns, inkcaps and magic mushrooms found on his rambles over more than 60 years.

Fortey was Collier Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology at Bristol Universitys Institute of Advanced Studies in 2002 and visiting professor of palaeobiology at the University of Oxford from 1999 to 2009.

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He was elected president of the Geological Society of London for its bicentennial year of 2007. Elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1997 and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2010, he was appointed OBE in 2023.

Fortey had a son from his first marriage, to Bridget Thomas, and two daughters and a son from his second marriage, to Jacqueline Francis.

Richard Fortey, born February 15 1946, died March 7 2025

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In April 2024, hundreds of students protested Indiana Universitys support for Israels attack on Gaza. On the first day of the protests, demonstrators were swarmed by militarized riot police wielding assault weapons, grenade launchers and shotguns while being flanked by armored vehicles, helicopters and drones flying overhead, as well as snipers on a roof with the rifle pointing down at the students.

I was among the 50 people arrested during two separate raids on the protest encampment. For reasons that are still unclear, I was given a five-year ban from campus. Shortly after my arrest, friends who were monitoring police radio chatter told me that the sniper had mentioned me specifically, singling me out as a main actor.

Body cam footage from the officers on the ground shows them specifically targeting me and another student for arrest, labeling me Black afro guy. Minutes after this, while attacking other protesters, police pointed at me, told me not to run, to get on the ground and then put me in zip-ties.

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Pamela Whitten: I visited all 92 counties. Heres what Hoosiers want from Indiana University.

Even though the Monroe County prosecutor quickly dismissed the arrests as "constitutionally dubious," and all of the bans were eventually rescinded, the administration has yet to issue any apology for its actions.

Quite the opposite: Since last summer, the board has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to a law firm to produce a report to justify the administrations actions. The board has formalized its hostility to dissent by implementing a speech restriction policy that is arguably unconstitutional and currently being challenged in a lawsuit by the ACLU (in which I am one of the plaintiffs).

The board has also decided to award IU President Pamela Whitten a $200,000 salary increase and a contract extension to 2031. The money and contract extension is seemingly Whitten's reward by a body that has demonstrated that it has no interest in the academic or social mission of the university.

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This would be outrageous if the assault on Dunn Meadow protesters was Whitten's only transgression, but it goes far beyond that. The attacks on student protesters came shortly after graduate workers went on a three-day strike for union recognition and a living wage in which I participated. Despite years of organizing and a four-week graduate strike in 2022, the university has refused to recognize these workers rights to collectively bargain.

Indiana University President Pamela Whitten, left, and Board of Trustees Chair. W. Quinn Buckner walk in during Indiana University's 195th undergraduate commencement proceedings at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The April strike also came on the heels of a historic, university-wide vote in which over 90% of faculty voted no-confidence in Whitten alongside Provost Rahul Shrivastav and Vice Provost Carrie Docherty. Unlike many similar cases at universities in which overwhelming votes of no-confidence result in removal or resignation of the president, IUs board and president responded to faculty with a middle finger in the form of widely-mocked "listening sessions."

The vote In part this was a response to the summary suspension of professor Abdulkader Sinno for his role in assisting the Palestine Solidarity Committee book a room for a speaker. But, in part, the no-confidence vote was the culmination of tensions simmering since Whitten was selected to be president against the recommendations of faculty and with clear disregard for established processes.

After the board of trustees created a 17-member search committee made up of faculty and other stakeholders, the body came back with four final candidates. The board then rejected these candidates without explanation and instead chose Whitten. Since then, the board has refused to offer any meaningful explanation.It's clear that Whitten is at the university to advance an unpopular agenda of corporatization, program-cutting and union busting. Under her leadership, the university has mandated cuts to the humanities departments deemed to be unprofitable. Important centers of research have been defunded. The intensive freshman seminar, a key program that assisted me during my first year at IU, is now being cut.

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The board of trustees dont seem to care. At its core, this is a reflection of the rot within the U.S. political system. The Indiana General Assembly recently passed a bill that ensures seven of the nine board seats are controlled by the governor. Given that the Republican Party is waging a war against higher ed around the country, it is unlikely that Gov. Mike Braun has any love for higher education.

How do we change a university system that displays such hostility to the needs and desires of the community it is ostensibly there to serve? The answer is, and has always been, to organize.

Bryce Greene is an organizer and doctoral student studying informatics at Indiana University. His writing has appeared in Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting, Salon, Current Affairs and other publications.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU's Pamela Whitten gets $200K raise for serving GOP agenda | Opinion
Suspects wanted for pistol-whipping and robbing two people outside a smoke shop in Los Angeles's Fairfax District were found in relatively quick fashion Thursday night after they were found driving in a yellow Lamborghini.

The four suspects were allegedly involved in an assault and robbery at a smoke shop on Melrose Avenue that involved 12 men and at least two vehicles, according to police.

The suspects lured two victims to a smoke shop with the promise of filming a music video around 9 p.m., Los Angeles police told news station KABC. The shop was in the 7200 block of Melrose Avenue, police said.

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The suspects then pistol-whipped and robbed the two victims, cutting one in the head and knocking some of the other's teeth out, according to KABC. The suspects made off with jewelry and firearms in two vehicles  a black BMW sedan and a yellow Lamborghini Urus, the station reported.

Police were able to find the Lamborghini about 30 minutes later in the San Fernando Valley. When officers tried to pull the vehicle over, a chase began. The Lamborghini headed into Ventura County, and police captured the suspects in a gated Moorpark community, about 45 minutes after the chase started. The California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Sheriff's Department assisted in searching for the suspects, while the LAPD took the suspects into custody.

The four men were arrested on suspicion of robbery, according to the LAPD. Police recovered a 9-millimeter handgun that was taken from the victim as evidence, according to authorities, but there was no additional information about what else was stolen.

The suspects in the black BMW have not been caught.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LOS ANGELES, March 14 (Xinhua) -- NASA and SpaceX launched a new crewed mission to the International Space Station on Friday, a critical step to bring home NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore who have been stranded in space since last June. 
Plymouth County District Attorney has announced that a Rochester man has been sentenced to state prison after being found guilty of a 2023 fatal shooting.

Cody Perry, 36, was convicted on Wednesday, March 12, of Voluntary Manslaughter and Assault & Battery with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

Perry was arrested back on April 7, 2023, following the death of 41-year-old Justin Doberck.

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According to police, the incident occurred when Perry and Doberck had a disagreement at a Bonfire at 259 New Bedford Road.

The situation escalated quickly when Perry went inside the home to retrieve a firearm, which he used to fatally shoot Doberck. Perry was arrested on scene without further incident.

Perry will be facing 8-10 years in State Prison.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Bishop David Malloy, of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, is calling on Catholics throughout the state to oppose efforts to make assisted suicide legal in Illinois.

Both Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 1328 contain efforts to legalize suicide for terminally ill patients.

The End of Life Options Act would provide prescriptions to terminally ill patients who want to pass away peacefully.

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In his letter, Malloy said, In states with legalized suicide, there are documented cases of insurance companies refusing to pay for the necessary care of the terminally ill while at the same time, they will cover the small cost of the drugs resulting in the end of life.

The bills are modeled after laws in authorized jurisdictions, including Oregon, which established a similar law 28 years ago.

The Oregon Health Department said in the first three years since the state legalized assisted suicide, suicides rose 42% higher than the national average.

Malloy also quoted the American Medical Association as saying, Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physicians role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would provide serious societal risks.

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A poll taken two years ago showed that 7 out of 10 Illinois voters supported medical aid in dying legislation.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Rose Marie Mott, 88, passed away peacefully, Monday afternoon, March 10, 2025, at Austintown Health Care with her loving family by her side.

Rose Marie was born July 9, 1936, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Barshick Smolen.

Find obituaries from your high school

She grew up in Sharon and was a proud graduate of Sharon High School, Class of 1954.

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She moved to the Youngstown area in 1956, where she built a life filled with love, devotion and cherished memories. Rose dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family.

She was a member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church, where she was active in the church womens groups, Altar Guild and Phoebe Circle.

She also participated in various social groups and enjoyed the companionship of her card club friends. She had a creative spirit and expressed herself through poetry and artwork. One of her poems was published in Readers Digest, a testament to her talent and insight. She also found joy in cooking, doodling and was a gifted seamstress but above all, Roses greatest joy came from the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who held a special place in her heart.

Rose is survived by her three sons, Gary Edward Mott of Youngstown, Terrence (Nancy) Mott of Diamond and Thomas B. (Maryann) Mott of Powell; her daughter, Amy J. (Michael) Andersen of Austintown; five grandchildren, Nicholas (Dee-Dee) Mott, Adrienne (Brad) Miller, Molly Ann (Zachary) Lowe, Joshua Mott, Jillian (Jacob) Williamson and A.J Irwin and her beloved great-grandchildren, Harper, Cara, Riley, Emma, Sofia and Emilene. Rose is also survived by several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

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Her husband of 58 years, Edward H. Mott, whom she married September 18, 1954, died September 10, 2012.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 11:00 a.m.  1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where a funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m.

Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage, where Rose Marie will be laid to rest beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, Rose Maries family suggests memorial contributions be made to Lutheran World Relief PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD, 21297-1061 or via https://give.lwr.org/ or to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital via https://www.stjude.org/.

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A television tribute will air Sunday, March 16 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (WFLA)  Several hurricane survivors are facing uncertainty as they continue to rely on temporary housing help from FEMA.

Many have been caught in the permit backlog and are still unable to begin the process to rebuild their homes.

Rays cannot move forward with new ballpark deal, owner says

However, theyre also up against a looming deadline thats catching many people off guard.

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Spring break is here and the rooms at the Plaza Beach Hotel are booked, but dozens of guests are uncertain about the length of their stay.

Every two weeks youre going to be on eggshells about whether youre going to be here or not, said Bobby Sather. Mentally, its been very draining.

Sathers home was destroyed in the storms; however, he has been able to stay afloat with help from the FEMA Temporary Shelter Assistance program.

For a long-term solution, I would get a storage unit and put my items in there, Sather said. If the weather was really inclement, I would stay there until the weather was over.

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Robert Czyszczon is the owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel.

He reserved all rooms for those recovering from the storms, but this week he received a surprising notice from FEMA that requires several storm victims to check out on March 13.

Many will have to leave abruptly without a place to live.

Venice replacing damaged seawall, adding 4-foot tall glass flood barrier

Today is the 13th, but people that have the extension until the 24th had the rug pulled from them, and now they have to leave on the 13th rather than the 24th when they assumed they were going to leave, Czyszczon said.

Its almost like a roulette table when you have no idea how the dice is going to roll, Czyszczon added.

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The FEMA deadline also comes with a caveat.

We dont know where were going to be from two weeks to the next or where were going to go when the money from FEMA runs out, said Wendy Athens.

Meanwhile, Sather is still picking up the pieces while holding onto memories and hope.

Theyre in my mind, but I cant pick them up and hold them, he said.

FEMA responded to the deadline concerns with the following statement:

Transitional Sheltering Assistance is a temporary program to help survivors transition to more permanent housing. Upon reviewing with our team, we checked on the hotel you asked about and there have been 6 households who have had to check out this week because they no longer met TSA eligibility criteria. These applicants were provided 7-day notices of their ineligibility. As of today, we can report another 42 households remain eligible for TSA and using this hotel. FEMA

FEMA also provided the following information:

Transitional Sheltering Assistance

Transitional Sheltering Assistance is available for Floridians displaced by Helene or Milton in 52 counties and for tribal members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) was requested by the state of Florida and approved on Oct. 15 for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As of March 10, just over 8,000 Households (19,966 people) are checked into TSA participating hotels and motels in Florida, Alabama and Georgia.

Generally, every 14 days FEMA will review applicants eligibility for continued TSA. Applicants who meet the conditions of continued eligibility may remain in TSA.

Eligible applicants may choose to stay at any TSA participating lodging facility where a vacancy is available.

FEMA provides a list of approved lodging facilities on femaevachotels.com, lodging information on disasterassistance.gov and help through the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Examples of when an applicant will be deemed ineligible for TSA:

Pre-disaster primary residence is deemed safe to occupy through a FEMA inspection.

The home noted in the applicants registration is not the applicants primary residence.

An applicant is linked with another applicant who may be receiving FEMA assistance.

An inspector was not able to complete a home inspection after three attempts to contact the applicant or the applicant failed to show for one or more inspection appointments.

The applicant received rental assistance from FEMA.

The applicant has insurance that provides Additional Living Expenses or Loss of Use coverage or has not submitted documentation to prove they do not have these coverages.

Failure to comply with the TSA Terms and Conditions.

The applicant indicated they did not have damage to their primary residence at the time of application.

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Cheyenne River, S.D. (KELO)  The Route 13 fire on the Cheyenne River Reservation is currently around 38-thousand acres.

Officials say its now 50 percent contained.

You just need to look around to see how far the Route 13 Fire has spread.

Crews have been working around the clock to keep it from growing even larger.

Were in a D-2 drought so were going to have things burning under the ground. So it may look like its out, and the next day we can come back and its going to be popping up. So its going to take a long time before we can even call this thing 100%, Zone Field Specialist Julian Red Buffalo said.

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Local Iowan a person of interest in Dominican disappearance

With this weeks changing winds, the fire got close to the Takini School forcing students to evacuate on Monday.

A domino effect. Every kiddo got to eat, every kiddo got right on the bus in a single file order and we got them out in just the nick of time, Takini School Principal Tiffany Moore said.

Ranchers in the area have been helping by spraying water from their tanks, and even drawing fire lines with their tractors.

Too much fuel you know grass wise, and too much wind. You know, I didnt really do any good until way away from it and made a big barrier to somewhat slow it up, Local Rancher Sean Deal said.

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Tomorrow if students head back to school, fire crews will be sticking around.

With the wind event coming, were going to be monitoring pretty heavily on the north side of this thing. Still have a bit of heat popping up, Zone Field Specialist Julian Red Buffalo said.

Today Moore and her staff have been out delivering food to their students at home, all thanks to the men and women on the front lines.

Look warn and tired, and knowing that theyre all here just for the purpose of fighting this fire for our community, for our students, for everybody here, I mean it means the world. The Takini School cant even thank everyone enough because they literally saved our school, Moore said.

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The Tri Community Development Association has been providing meals for firefighters.

The Cherry Creek Clinic is also offering debriefing and counseling sessions for people in need.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
According to a royal aide, it was exhausting for Queen Camilla as she balanced royal duties and her husband King Charles cancer diagnosis last year.

Following a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate in January 2024, the King announced his cancer diagnosis on February 5. Even more devastatingly, the next month Kate Middleton also announced her cancer diagnosis following a procedure in January. (The Princess of Wales announced this past January that her cancer is now in remission.)

It would have been draining for a woman half her age, the aide told Newsweek of Queen Camilla handling the delicate balance. But I think if one is to attempt to see a benefit from that period, actually it did give a chance for the media and the world to see some of the work that she had always been doing with greater interest and clarity.

Getty Images Queen Camilla Queen Camilla

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla on January 29, 2024 King Charles and Queen Camilla on January 29, 2024

A particularly difficult moment was Camillas January 31, 2024 royal engagement at a London cancer center, after she had privately learned that her husband of nearly 20 years had been diagnosed with cancer, but a few days before it was announced to the public.

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She had to undertake public duties knowing that the King had been diagnosed with cancer, including a visit to a Maggies center in London, and yet not be able to show the slightest flicker of vulnerability when she went there knowing what she knew privately, the aide continued, adding that it was astonishing to see how the Queen dealt with her public life while also reckoning with her own private anxieties.

Getty Images Queen Camilla on February 15, 2024 Queen Camilla on February 15, 2024

Next month, Charles and Camilla are due to head to Italy for a royal tour, and, though the Kings cancer treatment continues, I think everyone is looking forward to a year of a full schedule and uninterrupted engagements, royal photographer Samir Hussein told Us Weekly. Certainly the King is eager for that to be the case, and its very encouraging the amount of jobs he has been able to take on despite his treatment.

Getty Images King Charles and Queen Camilla on December 4, 2024 King Charles and Queen Camilla on December 4, 2024

Camillas son Tom Parker Bowles told The Daily Express last year that the Kings treatment is going well, and of his mother, she was doing well also, adding, Shes tough, my mother.

Read the original article on InStyle
The Royal Navy has used drones in a drugs bust for the first time.

Sailors and Royal Marines onboard HMS Lancaster located the drug smugglers after the new Peregrine remote-controlled mini-helicopters were launched from the warships flight deck and operators spotted suspicious activity in the northern Arabian Sea.

After the drones fed back intelligence from what they could detect from two boats side by side in the dead of night, the Wildcat helicopter was launched for closer inspection.

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When the crew arrived at the scene they could clearly see packages being transferred from a small fast boat onto a dhow, which transpired to be a total of 5.4m class A drugs.

Drones identified suspicious activity which led to the drugs bust - Lt Nathan Boal

The Peregrine, which is three metres long, can conduct sorties of up to five hours at ranges well over the horizon.

As the first remotely piloted helicopter operated by the Navy, the Peregrine scours hundreds of square miles of ocean on every flight, feeding data, live radar picture and imagery directly into displays monitored in the warships operations room.

A Navy source told The Telegraph the drones had become a game-changer for drug busts.

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The Royal Navy is at the forefront of embracing autonomous technology, she said.

This drug haul is a great demonstration of how using crewed aircraft and uncrewed systems will enhance our operational capabilities.

HMS Lancaster operates out of Bahrain where she has been based for two years - MoD/PA

As the transfer continued, HMS Lancaster charged down on the scene at full speed, leading to the smugglers attempting to get rid of their illegal haul by dumping the packages overboard.

The crew of the warships seaboat fished the packages out of the water then ferried them back for testing on board. They were found to contain 340kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine.

Commander Sam Stephens, HMS Lancasters Commanding Officer, said the success was an outstanding team effort and underscored the usefulness of the new Peregrines, which were only introduced on operations at the end of 2024.

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He said: I am extremely proud of my whole team for their professionalism and dedication in achieving this success.

We have removed 5.4m of class A substances from the black market and disrupted those who threaten our interests.

The Navy fished packets from the sea containing 319kg of heroin and 83kg of methamphetamine from the vessel - Lt Nathan Boal

Able Seaman Tom Urie described the drugs bust as hugely rewarding, while Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Commander Rachel Rychtanek, who is on exchange with the Navy from the US Coast Guard, said: This success has strengthened allied partnerships and signifies the importance of upholding international law.

HMS Lancaster was operating as part of the international Combined Task Force 150 which is committed to clamping down on illegal activity in the Middle East region.

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The frigate operates out of Bahrain where she has been based for more than two years.

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As Prince William prepares for his upcoming visit to Estonia on March 20, a little-known royal story has reemerged about another member of his family and an unexpected royal proposition.

In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, Estonia sought to establish its new identity. While most newly liberated Eastern European nations embraced democracy, Estonia's Independent Royalist Party had different aspirations. After securing eight parliamentary seats in the country's first elections in 1994, the party embarked on an extraordinary missionto transform Estonia into a constitutional monarchy.

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Their royal candidate? Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son. Although he seems like an unusual choice, Edward was far enough down the line of British succession to make him pretty much off the table as its future King. He also wasn't married, although the prince was dating his now-wife, Sophie, at the time.

The Estonian group was so serious about Prince Edward that they actually contacted Buckingham Palace about the matter. The Sunday Telegraph reported in 1994 that party leadership made a formal approach to the palace, describing Edward as the "perfect" candidate for their vacant throne. The admiration was apparently "enormous," with the party indicating Estonia would be "honored" by his acceptance.

Prince Edward is seen at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. | Credit: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are seen during their 2025 visit to Nepal. | Credit: Getty Images

"Your background as an actor and television producer would be ideal to create the majesty a new king would require to combine ancient culture with modern political reality," the letter read, in part (via People).

Buckingham Palace acknowledged the suggestion as "a charming idea but a rather unlikely one," ending any possibility of King Edward of Estonia.

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Instead, Estonia established itself as a parliamentary republic and eventually joined both NATO and the European Union. And rather than becoming a European king, Prince Edward went on to earn his late father Prince Philip's title, becoming the Duke of Edinburgh when King Charles granted his brother the honor on his 59th birthday.

And even though he's not a monarch, Prince Edward is now one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, even if he was once dubbed "Prince Brat" after a disastrous 1987 press conference for the show It's a Royal Knockout.

Prince William's upcoming two-day visit to Estonia marks his first official time visiting the nationa country that, in a parallel universe, might have welcomed him as the nephew of their monarch rather than as a representative of the British crown.
Following a week of intense pressure, the UKs Royal Television Society (RTS) has U-turned on its special award recognizing the work of journalists in Gaza and is discussing how this will take place.

The body sparked anger when it scrapped the award, telling jurors it did not wish to add fuel to the fire around Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, the BBC documentary that was pulled after it was revealed that the child narrator was the son of a Hamas minister.

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But eight days on and following a letter signed by nearly 400 journalists and copying in King Charles, the award will now take place in some form.

Following the decision to pause the presentation of the award, the RTS met this week as part of the Societys previously announced review process, a spokeswoman said. The Society remains committed to recognizing the work of Journalists in Gaza and will be making the Special Award. It is discussing how this will take place. The review process referenced was due to take place regardless of the Gaza saga.

The spokeswoman reiterated that it was felt strongly that there was potential at the ceremony on the night for the recent controversy around some Gaza coverage to overshadow the Award. At the time of the award snafu, RTS television journalism awards chair Adrian Wells explicitly referenced attacks against the BBCs film from right-wing newspapers, as well as criticism of Channel 4 News for featuring the same teen in an email to jurors.

The letter was signed by hundreds of journalists including Jonathan Dimbleby, Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Orla Guerin, with Dimbleby later calling the RTS cowards for its decision. The letter copied in RTS royal patron King Charles and sought a meeting with the King.

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The group of signatories, which is calling itself the UK Screen Industry and is working with Artists for Palestine UK, welcomed the RTS reversal but said it does little to allay our concerns.

The RTS now claims the award was merely paused due to unspecified potential for controversya justification never previously mentioned, said the statement. It also refers to a previously announced review process that was entirely unknown to us. It is clear that this award must be presented at the RTS Programme Awards on 25 March with full recognition and honour.

Th statement added: This mishandling has tarnished not only the RTS but also the reputation of the British media, with widespread national and international condemnation.

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MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua)--Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers that are currently in the Kursk region will be guaranteed life if they surrender, local media reported Friday.

"If they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," he said during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration "had very good and productive discussions," with Putin yesterday, adding that there is a very good chance that the "horrible, bloody war" can finally come to an end.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that thousands of Ukrainian troops were currently surrounded by the Russian military, adding that he urged Putin to spare their lives.

Putin noted that in order for Trump's call to be carried out, Ukraine's leadership must order its troops to surrender.

In an earlier statement on Friday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied the reports that Ukrainian troops had been encircled in Russia's western Kursk region.

The Ukrainian army launched an offensive into Russia's Kursk region in August, seizing about 1,300 square kilometers of land. As the Russian army intensified its counterattack in recent weeks, the situation for the Ukrainian forces in the region is reportedly deteriorating rapidly. 
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeking to expel South Africas ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, after the official criticized Donald Trump during a forum early on Friday.

South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country, Rubio wrote on X later that day.

South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.



Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.



We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025

He accused Rasool of being a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates [the president of the United States] @POTUS.

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We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA, Rubio added.

The Independent has contacted the South African Embassy in Washington for comment.

Rubio, in his announcement, pointed to remarks from Rasool at a recent panel hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank.

Under ambassadors tenure, U.S. has cut aid to South Africa and countries have sparred over genocide allegation against Israel in international court (Getty Images)

During his comments, Rasool argued that Trumps Make American Great Again movement, as well as Elon Musk and JD Vances efforts this year boosting right-wing parties in the UK and Germany, were part of a global movement catering to the anxieties of white communities.

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It may not be true, it may not make sense, but that is not the dog whistle that is being heard in a global, white base, the ambassador said.

The ambassador, who served the same post in the Obama administration, had already reportedly been struggling to get meetings with Trump administration figures and top Republicans in Washington.

A man named Ebrahim, who is Muslim, with a history of pro-Palestine politics, is not likely to do well in that job right now, a South African diplomat told Semafor.

South African official said Musk and Vances effort to boost Germanys AfD and other right-wing parties is part of global movement based on white grievance (Getty)

The expulsion effort is the latest a swift deterioration thats taken place in the U.S.-South Africa relationship during the opening months of the Trump administration.

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Last month, the White House said it would cut off U.S. aid to South Africa in protest of the country accusing Israel of genocide in the International Court of Justice.

The Trump administration also cited opposition to a land expropriation law meant to remedy the countrys history of racial inequality and past forced displacement of Black families.

The White House has accused the law, which in some cases allows expropriation without compensation, of being racist against white Afrikaners in South Africa.

South Africa has also announced plans to spend more on health, with cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development. The country cares for the worlds largest HIV population and has over 5 million of people on antiretroviral drugs supported by the U.S. in the past.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africas ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in the country, in the latest Trump administration move targeting the African nation.

Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a race-baiting politician who hates President Donald Trump. Rubio declared the South African diplomat persona non grata.

Neither Rubio, who posted as he was flying back to Washington from a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, nor the State Department gave any immediate explanation for the decision.

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But Rubio linked to a story by the ultraconservative Breitbart news site about a talk Rasool gave earlier Friday as part of a South African think tank's webinar in which he spoke about actions taken by the Trump administration in the context of a United States where white people soon would no longer be in the majority.

Both Trump and his ally Elon Musk, who grew up in South Africa, have criticized the country's Black-led government over a new land law they claim discriminates against white people.

It is highly unusual for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador, although lower-ranking diplomats are more frequently targeted with persona non grata status.

At the height of U.S.-Russia diplomatic expulsions during the Cold War and then again over Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, allegations of interference in the 2016 U.S. election and the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian intelligence officer in Britain, neither Washington nor Moscow saw fit to expel the respective ambassadors.

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A statement from the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said it had "noted the regrettable expulsion" of Rasool and called on its diplomatic officials to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter.

South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America, the statement said.

Rasool previously served as his countrys ambassador to the U.S. from 2010 to 2015 before returning to the post in January.

As a child, he and his family were evicted from a Cape Town neighborhood designated for white people. Rasool became an anti-apartheid campaigner, serving time in prison for his activism and identifying as a comrade of the countrys first post-apartheid president, Nelson Mandela. He later became a politician in Mandelas African National Congress political party.

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In Friday's webinar, Rasool, speaking by videoconference, talked in academic language of the Trump administration's crackdowns on diversity and equity programs and immigration.

The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white," the South African ambassador said,

He pointed to Musks outreach to far-right figures in Europe, calling it a dog whistle in a global movement trying to rally people who see themselves as part of an embattled white community.

Rasool made no pointed attack on Trump and instead offered tips for dealing with his administration, saying, This is not a moment to antagonize the United States and Lets avoid things that cock a snoot at the United States."

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His ouster comes after Trump signed an executive order that cut aid and assistance to the Black-led South African government. In the order, Trump said South Africas Afrikaners, who are descendants of mainly Dutch colonial settlers, were being targeted by a new law that allows the government to expropriate private land.

The South African government has denied its new law is tied to race and says Trumps claims over the country and the law have been full of misinformation and distortions.

Trump said land was being expropriated from Afrikaners, when no land has been taken under the law.

The law allows the government to take land in specific instances where it is not being used, or where it would be in the public interest if it is redistributed. It aims to address some of the wrongs of South Africas racist apartheid era, when Black people had land taken away from them.

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Trump also announced a plan to offer Afrikaners refugee status in the U.S. They are only one part of South Africas white minority.

Musk, who heads Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, has highlighted the land law in social media posts and cast it as a threat to South Africas white minority.

Musk, earlier this month, also targeted South Africa's government over business decisions, saying in a post on X that it had opted not to do business with his Starlink because I'm not black.
This post was created in partnership with Brandwatch

A brand's response to a crisis can define public perception for years. In an era where misinformation spreads in seconds and consumers demand swift, transparent action, companies must navigate high-pressure moments with precision to maintain trust.

During an ADWEEK House Austin Group Chat, co-hosted with Brandwatch, a panel of industry leaders tackled this challenge head-on. They shared how brands can distinguish between fleeting online backlash and a true crisis-and, more importantly, the strategies that ensure an effective, trust-building response.

Defining and measuring a crisis

(L-R), Bobbie's Kim Chappell, Brandwatch's Christina Wu, DKC's Sean Cassidy

With misinformation spreading online, distinguishing between a viral controversy and a real crisis is crucial. Christina Wu, customer success director and crisis response lead at Brandwatch explained how social listening tools help brands assess crisis severity. "We use a crisis index-measuring sentiment, post velocity, and engagement-to determine whether something needs immediate action or simple monitoring."

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Sean Cassidy, CEO of DKC, emphasized the importance of operational alignment during a crisis. "The best crisis management teams ensure marketing, social media, and PR are all in sync before a crisis hits," Cassidy shared. "Speed, empathy, accuracy, and transparency are critical in managing public perception."

Multiple panelists agreed that empathy should be at the center of a brand's response. Brittany Brown, director of the digital and technology division at NASA, shared how her team navigated a recent misinformation crisis when false reports claimed astronauts were stranded in space.

"I saw a viral X post that said the astronauts would lose oxygen in 43 days, which was fake news. There were 7 million people who had seen this and believed it as truth. So, I made a recommendation that we publish FAQs on our website about how the space station works, what we have on the station available to the crew, and information about this mission," Brown explained. "Within a day, 90,000 people viewed the post, 80% from Google searches. Thats a good example of being present, being transparent, and educating your audiences, especially when theres misinformation out there."

Action over words

(L-R) DKC's Sean Cassidy, Group Black's Bonin Bough, NASA's Brittany Brown, ADWEEK's Will Lee

A common pitfall in crisis response, according to the panelists, is issuing statements without taking meaningful action. Kim Chappell, chief brand officer at Bobbie, a fast-growing infant formula company, described how her brand pivoted during the California wildfires.

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"We had a major campaign launch scheduled, but within 24 hours, we shifted focus to supporting parents affected by the fires-sponsoring any parent who was impacted by this for the remainder of their feeding journey. We didn't stop to calculate ROI. We acted. Consumers recognize real action over performative messaging," Chappell explained.

Eden Zeilo, head of marketing at Sienna Naturals, echoed this sentiment: "We saw backlash against brands that posted our hearts go out' statements without doing anything tangible. Consumers are looking beyond words-they expect brands to step up."

Building brand advocates for long-term trust

(L-R) MacPaw's Garrett Krivicich, Southwest Airline's Carlye Thornton, Blogilates' Jen-Ai Notman

Crisis response is stronger when employees and loyal supporters are part of the conversation. Carlye Thornton, digital strategy specialist, culture and communications at Southwest Airlines explained how employee advocacy strengthens crisis response. "We empower employees with key messages so they can serve as informed brand ambassadors. Their voices often carry more weight than corporate statements."

Brown supported this point, emphasizing the power of an engaged online community. "With a social media following of more than 400 million people, we have a network that self-polices misinformation," she said. "The trust we establish daily helps when we need to correct false narratives."

Navigating social media's role in crisis response

With platforms like TikTok and Instagram becoming primary news sources, crisis management teams must adapt their strategies to meet audiences there. "Gen Z often turns to social media before Google for information," explained Zeilo. "Brands must be proactive in addressing misinformation directly on these platforms."

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Wu reinforced the need for a digital-first approach, noting that brands no longer control their own narratives-the internet does. "Staying engaged, transparent, and action-oriented is the only way to maintain trust in an always-on digital landscape."

In the end, panelists agreed: The brands that navigate crises best don't simply react-they lead. Success comes from acting with honesty, empathy, and decisive action.

Featured Conversation Leaders
PIKE COUNTY, Mo.  A mysterious death in Pike County, Missouri, is now the focus of a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation.

Nathaniel Mueller disappeared in December. The 23-year-olds keys and clothes were reportedly found inside a running and abandoned car. His remains were recently discovered, raising even more questions.

Muellers friends and family are desperately seeking answers about how he died.

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Theres somebody out here that knows what happened, Ashley Ashby, Muellers godmother, said.

Ashby took a FOX 2 News crew to the spot her godsons car was found on Dec. 21, 2024, parked on a dirt patch near the intersection of Routes C and E in Frankford, Missouri.

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His engine running; air conditioning on full blast, she said. His clothes that he had on his back was in that vehicle. It was 20 degrees with a negative 8 windchill that night.

Ashby said his wallet was also in the car and he did not have his phone.

Ashbys cousin, Sherita Morrison, and friend, Kelley Hendricks, have joined in the search for answers. They wear shirts with Nates image.

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From the beginning all of this just smelled funny, Morrison said.

Yet six days after the disappearance, the Pike County Sheriffs Office sent a news release saying foul play was not suspected.

They just thought my baby took off and had issues, Ashby said.

About two months later, Mueller was found exactly one and a half miles from the spot where his car was found, in a pond on his grandparents property.

Family and friends dont believe he left his car so far away from a property he knew and walked in freezing temperatures naked and barefoot.

PHOTOS: Severe weather causes extensive impact in St. Louis area and beyond

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Im grateful that he was found, Hendricks said. At least we have that closure, but we need to know what happened to him and if anybodys involved.

FOX 2 contacted the Pike County Coroner, who said she couldnt discuss matters involving an ongoing investigation. This past Wednesday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said it was investigating Muellers case. Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte said he couldnt talk because of the highway patrols involvement.

I just gotta breathe through it, Ashby said. My babys face was smashed.

Meanwhile Muellers loved ones say they go on Facebook Live every night to pray and ask for tips.

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Everything revolving around Nathanial. We are not going to stop, Ashby said.

During our investigation into this report, we learned the Bowling Green police chief obtained evidence that he said implicated Pike County Sheriffs deputies for allegedly having knowledge of the location of Muellers body, much earlier than his body was found.

Chief Ty Bounds hired attorney Chris Lozano to write a whistleblower letter to the Pike County Commission. The whistleblower letter, attached below, also invokes the rights to protect Pike County Sheriffs Detective Steve Kolthoff, who also reportedly has information that can help lead MO State investigators to the truth. A news conference is planned in Bowling Green for noon Friday. FOX 2 News will be there.

Whistleblower Letter from Bowling Green police chief by KevinSeanHeld on Scribd

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
IDA GROVE, Iowa (KCAU)  For many Iowans, starting a family is a big decision. The choice can be even harder for those who live in rural areas, where the closest birthing center is often a half-hour away.

Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa was built in 1965 and had a maternal health unit until June 2012.

New Iowa Behavioral Health Districts to affect Siouxland health services

We were only delivering about 40 babies [a year] toward the end of that, which isnt very many when you think about it, its only a few a month, Horn Memorial Hospital quality director Kristin Dixon said. So its hard to make sure that your staff are trained to the level that they need to be to take care of those two people at one time. And then we also got to where we only had one physician that would deliver babies as well.

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As a result, soon-to-be parents now have to travel miles out of town to give birth.

A lot of our patients then had to go to Storm Lake, maybe Carroll, Sioux City, [those] are kind of the local area hospitals around us that are delivering babies, Dixon said. Theyre probably within 45 to 60 miles from us.

According to the American Medical Association, 57% of counties in Iowa dont have a maternal health unit. However, Floyd Valley Healthcare continues to provide services to the communities around them.

So we solicit feedback from our providers, our community and our staff and the patients that we serve to really hear what they want and for their maternal health experience, chief nursing officer Tara Geddes said. And so with that came this beautiful new unit that we have expanded. We doubled the square footage of their patient rooms, a more secured unit, more privacy.

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In total, Floyd Valley Healthcare delivers roughly 100 babies a year for both local and rural parents.

Multiple lanes of Hamilton Blvd to close for utility repairs

We really want to make sure were providing care on the full spectrum of everybodys health care, so from birth until the end of life, Geddes said. And we want to make sure that were here for all of those moments, for all the families that we serve. And we know that families dont want to have to travel very far if they dont have to. They trust our providers, they trust our staff.

Iowa lawmakers are currently working on addressing issues like maternal health units at the state capitol.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A Chattahoochee Valley Sheriff is in Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with top government officials, including President Trump.

Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor was in a group that met today with FBI Director Kash Patel this afternoon.

WRBL spoke exclusively to Sheriff Taylor via Zoom.

Taylor is on the National Sheriffs Associations Board of Directors. Thursday they met with the FBI Director, and Friday, they will be at the Department of Justice with President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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Sheriff Taylor says this trip to DC offers him a chance to see where key leaders like Patel plan to take the FBI.

He wants to bring agents back to local communities, state and local agencies working to combat crime in our neighborhoods and around the country, Taylor said. What was exciting for me and for Alabama residents is that he did confirm that he would be sending 500 agents from headquarters here in D.C. to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. So for, you know, the state and for Alabama residents, I think that was a really exciting news.

Todays meeting with Patel was held at the Fairfax County public safety building in Virginia. About 100 people attended.

Patel told the group he plans to relocate some FBI agents to Alabama

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Taylor tells WRBL that the meeting with President Trump and the attorney general will focus on stopping the illegal flow of fentanyl into the county.

The National Sheriffs Association was also invited to attend a meeting tomorrow at the Department of Justice, where the attorney general, Pam Bondi, and President Trump will be in attendance, Taylor said. And theyre going to talk to us about the. My understanding is about this potential war on fentanyl and what their plans are to combat fentanyl around the country.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Ukraine is calling on the OSCE to pay attention to the illegal deportation of 19,546 Ukrainian children by Russia and the disappearance of 1,700 other children who have fallen victim to Russian aggression. Kyiv is demanding more active participation from international organisations in bringing these children home.

Source: Yurii Vitrenko, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to international organisations in Vienna, during a regular meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, as reported by Ukrinform

Details: Vitrenko emphasised that these actions violate international norms and constitute a deliberate genocidal policy by the Kremlin against the Ukrainian people.

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"The illegal deportation and forced Russification of Ukrainian children are part of the Kremlin's genocidal policy against the Ukrainian people. Ukraine will never agree to compromises on this issue," he stressed.

Vitrenko reported that at least 380 Ukrainian children had been placed under so-called "temporary guardianship" (illegally adopted) in Russia. Only 1,227 children have been successfully brought back, while Russia continues to obstruct this process by all possible means.

He highlighted the importance of involving the international community in addressing this issue and urged the OSCE to take more active steps to ensure the children's return and reintegration into Ukraine.

Quote: "We consider this a matter of critical importance for future generations. Ukraine expects the OSCE to take an active role in facilitating the return of all deported children, illegally detained civilians and medical workers, in protecting the rights of prisoners of war and in securing the release of Crimean political prisoners."

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Details: In his speech, Vitrenko also specifically highlighted the systematic torture and other forms of unlawful treatment suffered by Ukrainian civilians and POWs in Russian captivity.

"The issue of Russia holding Ukrainian civilians and military personnel in isolation remains critically important, as does the prohibition of access to them for representatives of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross," he stated.

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HELSINKI (Reuters) -Russia accused Norway of militarising the Svalbard archipelago, a claim Norway denied in a comment to news agency NTB after Russia on Friday had summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Moscow over the matter.

"Moscow called on the Norwegian side to renounce any activity that undermines the international legal foundations of the archipelago's regime," a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

It added such activity could lead to escalating tension or increase conflict potential in the Spitsbergen territory.

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Norwegian foreign ministry spokesperson denied the claim.

"Svalbard is part of Norway and part of NATO. Norwegian authorities obviously act in accordance with the Svalbard Treaty," Ministry press officer Mathias Rongved told NTB.

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, located roughly halfway between the North Pole and the European mainland.

Svalbard is governed under a 1920 treaty giving Norway sovereignty but allowing citizens of signatory states to settle there without a Norwegian visa.

The treaty restricts the military uses of the archipelago, but the islands are not a demilitarised zone.

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There are two Russian settlements on the island, Barentsburg and Pyramiden, with some 340 residents currently, out of a total population of 2,945, according to Statistics Norway.

Norway is NATO's monitor for the vast 2 million square kilometre area of the North Atlantic used by the Russian northern fleet's nuclear submarines. The area Norway monitors includes the waters between Svalbard and the mainland.

Russia has in the past accused Norway of militarising Svalbard.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche and Essi Lehto, editing by Alex Richardson and Diane Craft)
The Russians have attacked Ukraine with 27 Shahed attack UAVs and decoy drones of various types since the evening of 13 March. Ukraine's air defence has managed to down 16 drones and nine others failed to reach their targets.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Quote: "As of 09:00, 16 Shahed attack UAVs have been confirmed shot down over Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. In addition, nine enemy decoy drones disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects)."

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Details: Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts came under attack.

The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

Mobile fire groups were involved in repelling the attack.

Background: The Russians attacked the town of Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 13-14 March. The roof of a hospital caught fire and one person was injured.

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The Russians are planning to build seven grain silos to store Ukrainian grain in the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Ukraines National Resistance Center

Quote: "The Russians are preparing to rob Ukrainian lands even more actively  seven grain silos are planned to be built in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast, each of which will be able to hold 20,000 tonnes of grain."

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Details: As the National Resistance Center stated, the Russians are currently storing about 165,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast for further illegal sale.

It is noted that the grain is exported to other countries  in Luhansk Oblast, agricultural products are transported by train to the Caspian Sea, and from there to Iran.

Background: In 2023 alone, the state-owned company created by the Russians exported almost 212,000 tonnes of grain from the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, worth an estimated US$46 million. Ukrainian grain is exported to Turkiye, Libya and Israel, and European companies are also involved.

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Cai Guiyang, the leader of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team, prepares to perform a surgery on a patient at an operating room of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, capital of Gambia, on March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

by Si Yuan

BANJUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At the rehabilitation clinic of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, a patient winced briefly when thin acupuncture needles were eased into her legs.

This was the patient's first acupuncture treatment, but the relief was almost instant.

"My mother-in-law is 63 years old. She used to suffer from severe knee pain, sometimes making it impossible for her to walk," said Ebrima Bah, the patient's son-in-law. "Since receiving acupuncture treatment, her pain has significantly reduced, and walking has become much easier."

The acupuncturist, 38-year-old Gao Shiqi, is a member of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia, a country known as the "Smiling Coast" of West Africa.

Bah is grateful to Chinese doctors for also treating his son, who suffered almost constant back pain. The boy, now 18, is back in school after acupuncture sessions greatly improved his condition.

At Edward Francis Small, Gao and nine other members of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team work with Gambian colleagues in consultation rooms and operating theaters, providing health and warmth to locals with professionalism and compassion.

China dispatched its first batch of medical professionals to The Gambia in 1977.

Since their arrival last July, Gao and his Chinese colleagues have treated over 2,000 patients and performed more than 200 surgeries and surgical training sessions. They have also promoted traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques like acupuncture.

"Their performance is exemplary," said Mustapha Bittaye, the hospital's chief executive officer (CEO).

Bittaye, himself an obstetrician-gynecologist, praised the Chinese colleagues for their diligence, saying that beyond providing medical services, they also train local healthcare workers, donate medical equipment, and help enhance the hospital's capabilities.

He said that laparoscopic surgery, once unavailable in The Gambia, has now become a routine procedure at Edward Francis Small, thanks to the Chinese team's support.

At one operating room, Cai Guiyang, the leader of the current Chinese medical team, was performing a laparoscopic surgery on an infertility patient, with the assistance of local colleagues.

Under bright surgical lights, Cai maneuvered the endoscopic devices with precision, looking at images on the monitor. Surrounding him, Gambian medical students watched intently, occasionally whispering to each other and taking notes as Cai explained the procedure and guided them in handling the instruments.

"Our goal is not only to provide medical care for Gambian patients but also to equip the local healthcare system with sustainable development capabilities through technical training, talent cultivation, and equipment support," said Cai, 42.

Over the past eight months, in addition to routine clinical work, Cai and his team have conducted multiple outreach programs, bringing free medical services to both urban and rural communities across The Gambia. More than 700 people have benefited from these initiatives.

Furthermore, Edward Francis Small has established a partnership with Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. The collaboration includes academic exchanges and remote training sessions.

"This partnership is extremely beneficial. We have learned a great deal about advanced medical techniques and hospital management from our Chinese colleagues," said Bittaye, the hospital's CEO. 

This photo provided by the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team shows members of the medical team offering free medical services in Banjul, capital of Gambia, on Sept. 13, 2024. (Xinhua)

Gao Shiqi, a member of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team, performs acupuncture at the rehabilitation clinic of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, capital of Gambia, on March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 12, 2025 shows a view of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, capital of Gambia. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)
Kremlin officials are spreading disinformation narratives similar to those Russia used to justify its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin is trying to create an information environment to justify its potential aggression against NATO countries, including Finland and the Baltic states.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Kremlin officials continue to utilise rhetoric similar to that which has been employed to justify Russia's invasions of Ukraine.

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In an interview with the Russian national security magazine National Defence published on 13 March, Russian presidential aide and former Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev stated that NATO "traditionally" relies on threats as its primary tool in international relations. He also argued that NATOs "European wing" persists with its policy of "blocking" Russia in the Baltic region.

Patrushev further claimed that the UK is "orchestrating" NATOs efforts to aggravate the situation as part of a broader strategy to disrupt talks over Ukraine and derail Russian-American attempts to normalise their bilateral relations.

He also asserted that while Finnish authorities are hostile towards Russia, the Finnish population is more welcoming. He accused the UK of granting Finnish authorities the freedom to "do everything to deprive their country [Finland] of its sovereignty".

Patrushev issued a veiled threat, declaring that the Gulf of Finland has a historical "geographic affiliation with Russia" and emphasised that "it should not be forgotten that Finland was part of the Russian Empire". He insisted that the Russian Empire "respected" and "preserved" the Finnish people and their language, while accusing the West of "again turning [Finland] into a springboard" for aggression against Russia.

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Quote: "The Kremlin has used similar false narratives about the Ukrainian government's discrimination of Russian-speaking minorities in Ukraine and the military threats that Ukraine supposedly poses to Russia in order to justify Moscow's invasions of Ukraine.

Patrushev's claims that the UK is 'orchestrating' Finland's and the Baltic states' allegedly threatening behaviour are likely part of the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to drive wedges between the United States and Europe and to weaken NATO.

The Kremlin appears to be using the same general narrative playbook that it has used against Ukraine and other former Soviet states but is adjusting its narratives to exploit any tensions among Western states."

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 13 March:

Russian leader Vladimir Putin rejected the ceasefire proposal that the United States and Ukraine recently agreed upon in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and offered an alternative proposal that undermines US President Donald Trump's stated goal of securing a lasting peace in Ukraine.

Putin is offering an alternative ceasefire agreement that is contrary to the intentions and goals of the US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal.

Putin's envisioned ceasefire agreement would grant Russia greatly disproportionate advantages and set conditions for the Kremlin to renew hostilities on terms extremely favorable to Russia.

Putin is holding the ceasefire proposal hostage and is attempting to extract preemptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war.

Russian forces continue to clear Ukrainian forces from Sudzha and its environs as Russian troops advance closer to the border in Kursk Oblast slowed on 13 March compared to recent days.

Russian milbloggers theorised on 13 March that Russian forces may launch an organised offensive operation into northern Sumy Oblast in the coming weeks and months and may also attack into Chernihiv Oblast  in line with Russian leader Vladimir Putin's 12 March statements.

Kremlin officials continue to use narratives similar to those that the Kremlin has used to justify its invasions of Ukraine to set informational conditions to justify future aggression against NATO member states.

Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in violation of international law.

Russia will likely expand its permanent military base in Belarus to enhance Russias force posture against NATOs eastern flank.

Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Lyman, Siversk and Toretsk.

Russia continues its crypto-mobilisation efforts against the backdrop of US efforts to start the negotiation process to end the war.

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A Russian sea captain has been charged with manslaughter after his container ship crashed into a tanker off the Yorkshire coast.

Police said Vladimir Motin, 59, will appear at Hull magistrates court on Saturday charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

It comes after a sailor died when Mr Motins ship, the MV Solong, crashed into the tanker MV Stena Immaculate off the Humber Estuary on Monday.

The dead crew member had now been named as Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

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Police said that Mr Motin, 59, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, had been remanded in custody since Monday.

The Russian citizen was arrested after the Solong T-boned the Stena Immaculate, which had anchored while waiting for a berth at a port on the River Humber.

Credit: BBC

The Russian embassy said on Friday it was in contact with Mr Motin, as well as his wife in Russia, and was supporting both.

A police spokesman said: On Monday March 10, Humberside Police received a report at around 11am that a collision had occurred between the two vessels, resulting in one crew member being reported missing.

Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased. The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

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An American government source reportedly told a maritime news blog earlier this week that foul play had not been ruled out as a cause of the collision, which saw the container ship crash into the tanker while doing 16.4 knots (18.9mph).

Stena Immaculate had been chartered by the US Military Sealift Command and was carrying 220,000 barrels (34.9 million litres) of Jet-A1 aviation fuel.

The tanker is still at anchor at the point where the collision happened, about 12 miles off the East Yorkshire coast, near Withernsea.

The Solong drifted south of this location, to a point where it could be seen off the Lincolnshire coast.

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All 23 American crew aboard the US-registered Stena Immaculate made it safely off after abandoning ship when it caught fire shortly after the collision.

One person from the Solong crew was treated by medical personnel in Grimsby after being rescued but the other 13 members of its company who made it ashore were unharmed, its owners Ernst Russ, of Germany, said.

Both vessels stable

On Friday, Paddy OCallaghan, the Chief Coastguard, said the vessels were stable and salvors had boarded them both to continue damage assessments.

He said: There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the Solong which are not causing undue concern.

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Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels locations.

Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the Stena Immaculate or from the Solong.

Mr OCallaghan said: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and continues to advise that any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low.

The UKSHA will keep risk assessments under continual review as further information becomes available.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said on Thursday the situation was reasonably contained.

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Pressed on calls for a Cobra meeting to assess the potential environmental damage, he said: We are absolutely monitoring this 24/7 and Ive got teams doing that and assuring me of whats going on.

At the moment, the situation is reasonably contained. And, obviously, we will do whatever is necessary.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch, which is leading the safety probe into the incident, has said that the Solong altered course at about 1.30am on Monday, as it passed to the east of Longstone lighthouse, on to a heading of approximately 150 degrees, which is a south-east direction.

The crash happened eight hours and 17 minutes later. The Solong frequently travelled between Grangemouth in Scotland and Rotterdam and regularly used the route it took on the day of the collision, the statement added.

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Intent to Destroy

Russias Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine

by Eugene Finkel

Basic, 336 pp., $30

AFTER YEARS OF WAR, and after months of trying to negotiate some kind of settlement, a Ukrainian official finally had the sitdown meeting with a high-ranking American counterpart hed long sought. With Russian forces still ransacking Ukraine, the Ukrainian official laid out his case, listing out all the reasons Kyiv needed American support. Ukraine, the official declared, deserved to be free. And it needed American aid and American backing to make it so.

The American official listened to the Ukrainian, and came back with a simple response: No. America would do nothing for Ukraine, or for Ukraines efforts to beat back marauding Russian forces. Not now, and not in the future. As the Ukrainian official later remembered, any attempts to explain why Ukrainians desired recognition and support as an independent country were rebuffed, met as they were with a mixture of ignorance and a Russo-centric perspective. As the American official said, Russia was an American allyand as such, Ukraine must submit to Russian authority. Kyiv must give in to a Ukrainian federation with Russia, which, for America, was the bestand, for [Washington], easiestsolution. There was no alternative. There was nothing Ukraine could do to convince Washington otherwise.

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This, of course, could pass for a sketch of how the United States has treated Kyiv under the second Trump administration: viewing Ukraine a liminal nation, hardly deserving of independence, destined for a return to Russian embrace. Drenched in pro-Kremlin propaganda, the Trump administration has largely dismissed Ukraines desires for aid, trying to force Kyiv back under Russian dominionall while Washington flirts with an outright alliance with Moscow.

Yet the meeting quoted above between the Ukrainian and American officials didnt take place last week, or even last month. It took place, instead, just over a century ago, when Ukrainian diplomat Arnold Margolin approached U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing at the Paris Peace Conference following World War I, part of a broader effort to obtain much-needed American aid to stave off both Red and White forces running roughshod over Ukraine in the midst of the Russian Civil War. With the tsars empire imploding, Ukraine had finally tasted independence, declaring a free, sovereign Ukraine for the first time in history. Given that President Woodrow Wilson had already included calls for recognizing sovereignty as part of his Fourteen Points proclamations, Ukrainian representatives naturally thought they could count on American backing for their efforts at freedom.

They, like so many other stillborn nations elsewhere, thought wrong. Wilson evinced no interest in backing Ukrainian efforts at independence. With a rank mixture of disdain, condescension, and ignorance of regional history, Wilson and his administration instead preferred to throw Ukraine back into the Russian maw. In so doing, they set an example that future American administrations would mimicand created, perhaps more than anything else, a blueprint for Donald Trumps policy on Ukraine more than a century later.

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WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF DEFENSE, the one industry that has benefited from Russias war against Ukraine is the long-overdue production of Ukrainian history in English. One recent addition to this category, Johns Hopkins international affairs professor Eugene Finkels book Intent to Destroy, is a necessary corrective for Americans who view Ukraine as a plaything for Russian imperialistsand who have missed the fact that Ukrainians have been staving off Russian revanchism for multiple centuries. The book is a riveting read. Finkel not only unearths chapters of Ukraines history that have long been subsumed by Russian propaganda and Western apathy, but also places Russias ongoing war in Ukraine in a far wider context, as part of a generations-long Russian project to destroy Ukrainian statehood and even Ukrainian identity.

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Finkels book could not be timelierand not just for the historical resonances between Wilsons and Trumps treatments of Ukraine. Had it been written decades ago, it could have steered Western policymakers down a far safer path than the one they chose, which consistently succored Russia and constantly sidelined Ukraine. At the center of Finkels story is a propaganda narrativea lie, grounded in historical mistruthsthat Russia and Ukraine are, in fact, a single nation, separated only by the quirks of history. This is a lie that Putin has swallowed fully; anyone who read Putins 2021 screed on the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians recognizes why the Russian dictator believes an independent Ukraine is an oxymoron. But its also a lie that Russians have been telling themselves for centuries, long before Putin ever ascended to the Russian presidency. It is, likewise, a lie that gullible Westerners have also absorbed, taking at face value Russian claims to Ukraine, and watching with a mixture of confusion and concern when Ukrainians have fought back.

Instead of retracing every step of Ukrainian independence, Finkel details how the lie that there is some inherent, unified identity tethering Russians and Ukrainiansas well as Belarusiansfirst emerged. As he writes, the fiction is surprisingly recent, having been invented long after Kyivs founding in 482, or even Moscows founding in 1147. Finkel traces the lie to the middle of the nineteenth century, when an expansionist Russian empire needed a story to tell itself and others to explain its imperialist thrusts south, east, and west in its efforts to demolish lands and nations neighboring the tsars domains. As Finkel writes:

Up until the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth centuries, Russian intellectuals rarely considered Ukraine part of their history and identity; the region was increasingly referred to as Little Russia, but the historical unity narrative later promoted by Putin simply did not exist. The change came when, because of the Napoleonic Wars, young Russian aristocrats could no longer go on previously mandatory grand tours of classical Europe and instead switched to visiting the much closer but still unknown Ukraine. As a result, Russian elites finally discovered Ukraine . . . which the Russian Empire had gained only in the late eighteenth century after the partitions of Poland.

It was arguably Ukraines cultural distinctiveness from Russiaespecially its Polish influencethat first led Russian officials and mouthpieces to claim Ukraine as some part of Russia proper. With multiple Polish uprisings spanning much of the era, tsarist officials realized that they needed some excuse to lay claim to the broader swaths of Slavic lands from the Nieman to the Dniester. Polish rebellions prompted the [Russian] empires government and intellectuals, many of them based in Ukraine, to work intensely to uncover the regions supposed original Russianness through cultural preservation, archaeological research, ethnography, and historical writing, Finkel writes. Suddenly, rather than a cultural backwater, Ukraine became, as writer Aleksei Khomiakov claimed in 1839, an organic and inseparable part of a single . . . Russian nation. Nor were these simply pro-regime mouthpieces; as Finkel finds, even as staunch a liberal as the writer and critic Vissarion Belinskii viewed Ukrainians as just a tribe, their history simply one episode of broader Russian history and the Ukrainian language only a regional dialect of Russian. Russian intellectuals of the mid-nineteenth century were a fractious lot, but on the question of the Russian origins of Ukraines Orthodox population, there was soon little disagreement.

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From there, the lie at the heart of Russias domination in Ukraine only expanded, seeping across the Russian body politic. By the 1860s, Russian officials were claiming that the Ukrainian language never existed, does not exist and cannot exist. With the tsars signoff, Ukrainian writing and education were banned. All of it marked a watershed moment in relations between the empire and its Ukrainian subjects, Finkel notes. The [ban] was the first instance of Russian authorities attempting to destroy Ukraine: as an idea, an identity project, and a literary language.

All of it set a pattern that would continue well into the twenty-first century. By the 1910s, Russian officials were claiming that Ukrainian national ideology was a heresy originating from Polish intrigues. By the breakout of the Russian Civil Warwhich was in reality, as scholars have noted, multiple civil wars, fracturing much of Eastern Europe and Northern Asiait seemed that the only thing uniting divergent Russian nationalists, monarchists, and liberals was the notion that Ukraine rightfully belonged to Russia.

As the wars wound on, the White monarchists refusals to grant any rights to non-Russian nationalities, including Ukrainians, allowed Communist forces to sweep to power, pledging as they did to respect local identities, cultures, and languages. (As the Whites surely realized, its tough to gain Ukrainian support when your rallying cry is Russia, one and indivisible.) But even those Red allowances extended only so far. The Bolsheviks supported national self-determination, but only if they were to rule the new entities that would emerge, Finkel notes. When Ukrainians had the gall to fight back, nascent Soviet authorities quickly turned against them, and it wasnt long until the Ukrainian language itself was considered counterrevolutionary.

Such was the situation when Wilson and the United States entered the picture. At the Paris Peace Conference, with Europe in ashesand with Ukraine, having just declared sovereignty, grasping at formal independence for the first timeUkrainian representatives stated their case. They laid out their historic claims, and the rotten lie at the heart of both tsarist and Soviet revanchism in Ukraine. They launched multiple lobbying offensives targeting American diplomats in Paris, all the way into Wilsons inner circle.

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But at every point American officials spurned them. Wilson remained convinced that the new Soviet regime was set to crumble, with the flailing Russian liberalsor perhaps even the fascistic monarchistsonce more returning to power. Aside from places like Poland or Finland, Wilson had no interest in supporting separatists trying to break free from Kremlin control. He turned his back, and Washington shunted the Ukrainians to the sideand cost the United States the best chance it had to strangle the Soviet Union in the crib and prevent many of the massacres, genocides, and wars that would drench the twentieth century in more bloodshed than the world had ever seen prior.

FINKELS BOOK HAS FAR MORE on the topic of Russian domination in Ukraine: discussion of Stalins genocidal famines, of post-WWII Ukrainian resistance fighters trying to beat back Soviet domination, of underground Ukrainian scholars and patriots keeping the flames of Ukrainian identity alive as the Soviet behemoth trudged toward collapse. He also has far more on how, with the Soviet fracture, the idea of the historic unity of Russia and Ukraine found new life, from the supposed liberals in Boris Yeltsins administration to the fascists now in the Kremlin. Several of these subjects have been well-mined elsewhere. And readers of Finkels book will find little to surprise them in the gullible responses of Westerners, who seemed at times to barely understand that Ukraine was an independent nation, with a history and identity separate from its former imperial overlords.

But taken together, the conclusion, as Finkel deftly demonstrates, is inescapable: Russia has spent centuries peddling a lie, both to itself and to ignorant Westerners, that Ukraine belongs to Russia alone. Its a lie at the core of Russias ongoing war of annihilation against Ukraine. Its a lie that continues to infect the White House, and many Western policymakers beyond. Its a lie that now threatens Europe with a much larger war. And its a lie that will threaten the rest of us for far longer, until it is finally dismantled, in Russia and far beyond.

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Russian troops attacked a residential area in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with ballistic missiles injuring at least 12 people, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Two boys, aged 2 and 15, are among the wounded.

Explosions in Kryvyi Rih were reported almost immediately after the Air Force said on March 14 that Russia had launched missiles.

The Russian attack damaged four apartment buildings and four houses along with an undetermined number of business facilities.

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Six people were hospitalized, Lysak said.

The full consequences of the attack are yet to be determined. Emergency service workers are currently working on site.

Last week, Russia struck a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, killing six people and injuring over 30 others, including children.

Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, remains a frequent target of Russian missile attacks. With a population of about 660,000, it is the second-largest city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the nearest front line.

Read also: Conditions for Ukraines surrender  Why Putins demands for ceasefire make no sense

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The Russians attacked the town of Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 13-14 March. The roof of a hospital has caught fire and one person has been injured in a drone strike.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The enemy struck the hospital in Zolochiv at around midnight. The roof caught fire as a result of the drone strike. The enemy launched a second attack with two more drones 40 minutes later."

Hospital on fire

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Photo: Syniehubov on Telegram

Details: Syniehubov said the fire had been extinguished.

"A 33-year-old woman, an employee of the emergency medical team, suffered an acute stress reaction," he added.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that Ukrainian troops remaining in the Kursk region of Russia will be ruthlessly destroyed if they continue to fight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's request to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk, saying that Russia would guarantee their safety if they surrendered.

Medvedev posted on social media that this was a humane gesture but the flipside for Ukraine was that "if they refuse to lay down their arms, they will all be methodically and mercilessly destroyed".

He said the coming hours would show what choice Kyiv would make.

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Joy and resilience as resistance.

That was the theme of this years Iftar gathering at The Center in Greenwich Village.

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The event brought together dozens of Muslim New Yorkers who are also members of the LGBTQ community. During Ramadan, they prayed and shared a meal as they broke their fast at sundown.

Mohamed Q. Amin, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Equality Project, was one of the speakers and organizers.

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Amin told PIX 11 News, This space has always been a safe space for queer Muslims to come, gather, break fast, and celebrate Ramadan with each other.

This was the Ninth Annual Iftar at the Center on West 13th Street.

Amin said the first one was held in 2017 in response to the Trump Administrations announcement of a Muslim Travel ban.

Amin said, Nine years later, here we are, celebrating resilience and joy, but were also calling for our communities to really be protected. Were seeing immigrants, queer Muslims, are being attacked, being detained, were seeing trans erasure at a national level.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Inside the observatory on Saint Vincent Colleges campus is a large telescope that students use for different projects  and to get a closer look at the sky. Its a little bigger than your average telescope. That will come in handy overnight Thursday into Friday morning when a total lunar eclipse will be visible in the night sky.

With this telescope, youll be easily able to see craters, canyons, mountains on the moon that you wouldnt be able to see by looking at it with your eyes alone, said Dr. Dan Vanden Berk, Physics Professor at Saint Vincent College.

Lunar eclipses are common, happening a few times a year across the world. This is the first total lunar eclipse in North America since 2022. But this one is different.

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The ones where the moon goes very deeply into the earths shadow and gets that really dark reddish-brown color, those are more rare, Vanden Berk said.

That dark reddish-brown color is why some call it a blood moon lunar eclipse. Vanden Berk said it all has to do with how the sun shines through the earths atmosphere.

Although the moon is fully in the earths shadow, some of the suns light passes through the earths atmosphere, it scatters by our atmosphere and the light that emerges is a very reddish, brownish color, and that light will reflect off the moon and thats how we can see the moon, he said.

Unlike last years solar eclipse, you dont need any special glasses to watch this eclipse. You can just look up at the moon from your own backyard. But if you want to look through a telescope and get a closer look, Saint Vincent College is throwing an eclipse viewing party.

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You can head to the campus from 2 a.m. until 4 a.m. Friday. Thats the time frame when totality will be at its peak.

The partial eclipse will start a few hours before then.

Aside from the main observatory telescope, we will have some other telescopes set up outside of the observatory and in front of the science pavilion on campus, so you can come by and there will be plenty of opportunities to look through a number of telescopes, Vanden Berk said.

You might have to stay up late or wake up early, but Vanden Berk said itll be worth it.

If you get a chance, this is a really good one to see, he said.

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SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A Salt Lake City police officer who shot and injured a victim hiding in tall grass last year was deemed not justified in his use of force, but due to legal constraints, he will not be facing charges.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill walked through the incident while showing bodycam footage. He concluded that they could not justify Officer Mitchell Baileys use of force as there was nothing that actually put him in danger.

We do not believe that the facts in this case satisfy the elements of a justified use of force and we conclude that Officer Bailey was not justified in shooting his weapon and injuring Mr. Caster, Gill said.

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On June 29, 2024, Utah Highway Patrol troopers spotted a speeding pickup truck with a headlight out. The trooper attempted a traffic stop but the truck fled and was found abandoned near 5600 West 700 South.

The trooper called for SLCPD K-9 backup to track the suspects, and one K-9 unit and Officer Bailey were dispatched to the scene.

PREVIOUS STORY: Officer-involved shooting may have been unintentional (GRAPHIC)

Body camera footage shows police wading through tall grass with flashlights searching for the suspects. When one of the suspects  later identified as Bobby Joe Caster  was found hidden in the grass, the video shows Bailey pulling out a gun and almost immediately a gunshot rings through the audio followed by him saying, Oh st.

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The footage captures the other officer yelling, Let me see your fg hands! and the suspect responding, He shot me in the hand, he shot me, he shot me and he blew my hand off.

Paramedics began attending to the suspect on scene and medical personnel treated him for his serious hand injury. He was later taken to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a federal hold. The other suspect was also booked in jail on outstanding warrants.

Authorities said there was no evidence that Caster was armed or appeared to be armed with a weapon.

At the time of the incident, the Salt Lake City Police Department said it was possible the discharge of the officers firearm was unintentional. After the investigation, Gill came to a similar conclusion, saying the shooting was likely accidental.

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As the officers use of force could not be justified, Gill said he then considered two criminal charges that could be appropriate for this incident. He considered felony discharge of a firearm, but the Utah State Legislature has barred officers from being charged with that crime.

We would be able to charge civilians with a felony for discharging a firearm  but the Utah Legislature has specifically exempted police officers for any culpability for the discharge of a firearm, and as such the criminal offense of felony discharge of a firearm would not be available to us to file charges against this officer, Gill said.

He then considered the misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment. However, after speaking with prosecutors, Gill said he did not feel they could meet the legal standard of recklessness since they could not prove there was a conscious disregard of the risk.

The reckless standard as articulated, we have to demonstrate that he was aware that he was putting his finger in the guard and nonetheless acted in a reckless way as a conscious disregard of that conduct, which we cannot prove either, Gill said.

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SLCPD Chief Brian Redd said they are completing a thorough internal review of this case and their focus remains on learning and improving as a police department.

We take every officer involved critical incident seriously to examine our policies, procedures, and training. Our priority is making sure our officers have the necessary skills to safely and effectively respond to high-risk, rapidly evolving and challenging situations. I am committed to supporting our officers and will do everything I can to provide them with the best training, resources, and guidance to do their job safely and within the high standards our department and community expects. Chief Brian Redd

Brent Weisberg, SLCPD spokesperson, confirmed with ABC4 that Bailey is still employed with the police department. As the departments internal investigation is still ongoing, Weisberg said they could not provide additional comment on the details of the incident.

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CAIRO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and 12 others wounded after a minibus was hit by a train in northeastern Egypt's Ismailia province on Thursday, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.

It happened when the minibus attempted to cross quickly from an undesignated crossing, said the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) in a separate statement.

Some 13 ambulances rushed to the scene, and the victims were transferred to the El Qantara Sharq Central Hospital for treatment.

The ENR urged drivers and pedestrians to use designated railway crossings to prevent further tragedies.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has instructed the Ministry of Social Solidarity to allocate 100,000 Egyptian pounds (some 1,974 U.S. dollars) as compensation for the family of each victim.

The country's deadliest rail disaster occurred in 2002 in the Ayyat district of Giza province, as a fire broke out in a train traveling from Cairo to Luxor, killing more than 380 people. 
Eyebrows are being raised following a report that San Antonio, Texas, also known as Military City, U.S.A., awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to a company that was previously linked to the unlawful sale of vehicles belonging to active-duty military service members.

Now, years after paying a hefty settlement, the city has granted Vehicle Management Solutions (VMS) a 10-year, $98 million contract to help run one of its impound lots again, according to News 4 San Antonio.

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Former Air Force Staff Sergeant Paula Rangel was one of the complainants in the vehicle auction case. She says her car had been sold off while she was deployed in Afghanistan.

I was devastated and I felt let down, she told the local broadcaster in a story published Feb. 26. I had just come back from a combat zone for seven months and to be just told Oh, well, got to start over.

Vehicle auctions

Rangel wasnt the only military member to experience the same plight.

An investigation by the U.S. Justice Department found San Antonio had auctioned at least 227 vehicles registered to active military personnel between 2011 and 2019 without obtaining the necessary court orders first. The city was ordered to pay over $100,000 in penalties and set up a settlement fund to compensate victims.

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Service members who serve our country honorably should not have to come home to find that that their only means of transportation and its contents have been auctioned off to the highest bidder, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said in a news release.

The company used to sell the vehicles, according to News 4 San Antonio, was called UR Vehicle Management Solutions (URVMS)  since changed to simply VMS.

Around the time of the settlement, the broadcaster says it reported the company had also auctioned 67 civilian vehicles without the required notifications. This prompted the city to temporarily halt auctions, conduct an audit and replace URVMS with a new contractor.

Read more: An alarming 97% of older Americans are carrying debt into retirement  heres why and 4 simple things you can do if youre stuck in the same situation

New systems in place

So, after paying a big settlement due to problems with this company, News 4 San Antonio asked, why would the city hire them again?

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The city has put in place tools and processes to ensure that citizens vehicles are not sold without them receiving notification two times and then 30 days passing, San Antonio Police Department assistant director Rick Riley told the news outlet.

He also pointed out that the city has implemented new systems to better identify military member vehicles. However, questions remain.

When asked by News 4 San Antonio whether city council members were briefed on the lawsuit and settlement before voting on the contract, the city responded: Since the Justice Department alerted us to the issue involving protected service members vehicles, the City of San Antonio has implemented new tools, procedures and training to ensure it will not happen again. For example, the City hired a third party that enables us to search for vehicle ownership and military status when vehicles are impounded. These tools were approved by the Justice Department and have been in place since 2022. This history was not discussed before the Councils vote last week because the issue has been resolved.

The broadcaster says it reached out to three city council members on the public safety committee, but none wanted to comment. It also contacted VMS, which referred them to city officials.

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Service members and their dependents who feel their rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act  which provides legal and financial protections to active military members  have been violated can reach out to the nearest military legal office for support.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Sanaa Cafe was ordered to cease all operations last month exactly one year and three days after it opened on Hertel Avenue.

A sign on the door at 1201 Hertel Ave. dated Feb. 13 describes the reasoning for the closure as non payment of licenses. The notice said the business must acquire necessary City of Buffalo licenses and/or permits or risk further legal action.

An eviction notice dated Feb. 28 is also posted on the storefront.

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Sanaa Cafe serves premium and authentic Yemeni coffee as well as Yemeni style tea and pastries. They opened their Hertel Ave. location, their second location in the U.S., on Feb. 10, 2024.

The cafe can only be visited in the country at eight locations in California. Five more will be opening in The Golden State soon.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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(KRON)  Santa Rosa police said an 80-year-old Los Angeles woman was found guilty on 24 felony charges tied to an elaborate Ponzi scheme targeting the elderly community. One of the victims included a Santa Rosa woman who was tricked out of $1.5 million, said police.

Women with fake San Francisco childcare center swindled $500K in welfare: DA

Elana Cohen-Roth, who was arrested for the alleged crimes back in 2022, was sentenced Thursday by a Sonoma County Superior Court after a three-week long trial.

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Cohen-Roth, a former IRS Field Agent and IRS Tax Auditor, was working as an enrolled agent and tax return practitioner in LA, when the financial abuse occurred, according to authorities.

Police said the unidentified Santa Rosa victim was duped into thinking she was funding lucrative high-yielding investment opportunities. She made 24 transfers to Cohen-Roth between 2013 and 2019 that amassed to more than $1.5 million, said police. The woman was eventually forced to take a reverse mortgage on her home, so she could continue investing with Cohen-Roth. Before long, she was $270,000 in debt. It was when the victim ran out of money and asked for her investments to be liquidated that the suspects demeanor and communications raised suspicions, which led to Santa Rosa detectives being alerted.

Investigators believe that Cohen-Roth took in more than $4.8 million from numerous victims in the schemes duration.

In January 2022, Cohen-Roth was arrested by Santa Rosa Police Property Crimes Investigators in conjunction with Los Angeles police at her Marina del Ray home. She was ultimately released on bail and remained out of custody until her trial concluded. After her guilty verdict, Cohen-Roth was ordered back into custody for several charges, including:

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20 counts of felony financial elder abuse

3 counts of felony money laundering

1 count of felony aggravated white-collar crime

Santa Rosa police wrote in a Facebook post, The Santa Rosa Police Department extends its gratitude to the members of the jury in this trial for their time, service and dedication to the pursuit of justice. We would also like to thank the Sonoma County District Attorneys Office for their diligence and commitment throughout this case.

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Saudi Arabia is 2,000 miles from Ukraine and even more politically distant, so at first glance it might seem like it has nothing to do with the ongoing war there. But the Gulf state has emerged as a key intermediary in the most serious ceasefire negotiations since Russia invaded its neighbor three years ago.

While it is U.S. officials who are undoubtedly leading the efforts for an agreement, it is the Saudi capital of Riyadh that has been staging the crucial talks.

In a flurry of diplomatic activity on March 10, 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the countrys top political authority, hosted separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

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The following day, senior Saudi officials facilitated face-to-face meetings between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations.

The resulting agreement, which is now being mulled in Moscow, is all the more notable given that it followed a diplomatic breakdown just weeks before at the Oval Office between Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Whether the proposed interim 30-day ceasefire materializes is still uncertain. On March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agreed with the proposal in principle, but he added that a lot of the details needed to be sorted out.

Should a deal be reached, there is every reason to believe it will be inked in Saudi Arabia, which has hosted not only the latest U.S.-Ukrainian talks but earlier rounds of high-level Russian-U.S. meetings.

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But why is a Gulf nation playing mediator in a conflict in Eastern Europe? As an expert on Saudi politics, I believe the answer to that lies in the kingdoms diplomatic ambitions and its desire to present a more positive image to the world. And in the background is the goal of better positioning the nation in the event of diplomatic maneuvers in its own region, notably in regards to any talks between U.S. and Iran.

The diplomatic conversion of MBS

Saudi Arabias growing diplomatic role has been a feature of the kingdoms foreign policy since 2022.

Crown Prince Mohammed, who that year succeeded his father as prime minister, views Saudi Arabia as the convening power in the Arab and Islamic world.

Accordingly, officials in the kingdom have been directed to lead regional diplomacy over a number of pressing issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan.

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At the same time, Saudis have started the process of reconciliation with Iran, which has long been perceived as the chief regional rival to Saudi influence.

This turn to diplomacy marks a shift away from the confrontational policies adopted by the crown prince during his rise to power in Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2018. Policies such as Saudi Arabias military intervention in Yemen, its blockade of Qatar, the detention of Lebanons Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the conversion of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh into a makeshift prison all fed an image of the young prince as an impulsive decision-maker. Then in 2018 came the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

This approach brought little in the way of stability. Rather, it left the country ensnared in an unwinnable war in Yemen, a fruitless row with Qatar, and diplomatic isolation by Western officials.

A friend to Ukraine and Russia

In regards to the war in Ukraine, Saudi Arabias intermediary role is helped by a perception of the kingdom as a neutral nation on the conflict.

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Saudi officials, in common with their counterparts in the other Gulf states, have long sought to avoid taking sides in the emerging era of great power competition and strategic rivalry. As such, the kingdom has maintained working relations with both Russia and pro-Western Ukraine since the outbreak of war in Europe.

In 2022, for example, Saudi Arabia and Russia  both leaders of OPEC+  coordinated oil production cuts to cushion Moscow from the effects of global sanctions the West imposed after it invaded Ukraine. Yet just months later, Saudi Arabia invited Zelenskyy to address an Arab League summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

It was a prelude to a 2023 international summit, also in Jeddah, which brought together representatives from 40 countries to discuss the ongoing war.

Despite failing to produce a breakthrough, the meeting illustrated the convening reach of the crown prince and his intention to act as a diplomatic go-between in the Ukraine-Russia war.

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Saudi Arabia and neighboring United Arab Emirates later facilitated occasional prisoner exchanges between the two countries  rare diplomatic successes in three years of conflict.

Staging ground for diplomacy

Direct engagement in high-stakes international diplomacy over the largest war in Europe since 1945 is undoubtedly a step up in Saudi ambitions. But the countrys efforts arent purely altruistic. Riyadh believes theres mileage to be gained in such diplomatic endeavors.

The advent of a Trump presidency has fit Saudi desires. Trump has made his desire to be seen as a dealmaker and peacemaker clear, but he needs a neutral venue in which the hard work of diplomacy can flourish.

Just weeks into the new U.S. administration, the Saudi capital hosted the first meeting between a U.S. secretary of state and Russian foreign minister since Russia invaded in 2022.

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It yielded an agreement to re-establish the bilateral relationship and establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants in ties.

The two rounds of dialogue in Riyadh  first with Russia, then Ukraine  have positioned the Saudi leadership firmly in the diplomatic process. It has also gone some way to rehabilitate Mohammed bin Salmans image.

The sight of the crown prince warmly greeting Zelenskyy contrasted sharply with the images from a fractious White House meeting that went around the world, presenting the crown prince as a statesmanlike figure.

Turning to Tehran

Such positive optics would have seemed inconceivable as recently as 2019, when the crown prince was shunned and then presidential candidate Joe Biden labeled the country a pariah state.

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Changing this negative global perception of Saudi Arabia is crucial if the kingdom is to attract the tens of millions of visitors that are pivotal to the success of the giga-projects  sports, culture and tourism events that the Saudis hope will drive its economy and allow the kingdom to be less economically dependent on fossil fuel exports.

Whereas easing tensions with Iran and supporting Yemens fragile truce are about derisking the kingdoms vulnerability to regional volatility, facilitating diplomacy over Ukraine is a relatively cost-free way to reinforce the changing narratives about Saudi Arabia.

After all, any breakdown in the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine negotiations is unlikely to be blamed on the Saudis.

Indeed, Saudi officials may view their engagement with U.S. officials over Ukraine as the prelude to further diplomatic cooperation. And this will be especially true if Crown Prince Mohammed is able to establish himself as an indispensable partner in the eyes of Trump.

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Saudi officials were excluded from the last major talks between Iran and the U.S., which also involved several other major world powers and led to the 2016 Iran nuclear deal. Trump withdrew from the deal shortly after assuming office for the first time in 2017, and U.S.-Iranian relations have been moribund since then.

The U.S. administration has already mooted the idea of a resumption of negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear capabilities.

Placing Saudi Arabia in the middle of any attempts to secure a new nuclear agreement that would replace or supersede that earlier deal would be a high-risk move, given the intensity of feeling on both the U.S. and Iranian sides and the uneasy coexistence between Tehran and Riyadh.

But doing so would give the kingdom what it most desires: a seat at the table.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Rice University

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Kristian Coates Ulrichsen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Mar. 14DIXON  The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce's Professional Women's Network committee is holding a Lunch and Learn professional networking and educational event on Wednesday, April 30.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Champs Banquet Venue, 11 E. Third St. in Sterling, where speaker LeAndra Hartman will review key components from American psychologist and author Daniel Goleman's research on emotional intelligence and leadership.

The event costs $25 for SVACC members and $45 for non-chamber members, which includes training, lunch from El Jacalito and networking with Sauk Valley-area professionals.

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Hartman has dedicated her career to education, starting at Lanark High School after earning a degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Northern Iowa. She also holds a master's degree in curriculum development.

Hartman retired from the Eastland School District in 2012 before becoming the WACC-CEO facilitator in 2013, helping to introduce the CEO program to the Sauk Valley, which after 12 years has expanded to two classes.

To attend the event, register by Wednesday, April 23, at saukvalleyareachamber.com/pwn or call the SVACC at 815-625-2400. For more information, message SVACC Executive Director Dallas Knack at director@saukvalleyareachamber.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Hans Christian Andersens The Little Mermaid has been performed as a ballet before, but the Savannah Ballet Theatre (SBT) is putting their own spin on it for two performances in March.

Its a powerful story about love and sacrifice, says Rebecca Dugal, the SBTs company manager. There is something for everyone to relate to.

Dugal says, even if youve seen The Little Mermaid before, as a ballet or the Disney movie, this production is a modern take on the age-old fairy tale.

Sue Braddy, the Savannah Ballet Theatres artistic director, has choreographed this performance, says Dugal. And her daughter, Abigail McCuen, has written beautiful musical compositions for the performance too.

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The cast of dancers is impressive too. The Savannah Ballet Theater, a non-profit organization, is the only professional ballet company in southeast Georgia. Talented dancers from across the United States attend dance classes every season from the fall to the spring. This year, the role of Ariel, the little mermaid, is being danced by Cristal Hernandez. Hernandez recently graduated from Savannah Arts Academy and this is her first year with the Savannah Ballet Theatre.

You have two opportunities to see The Little Mermaid: Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, at the Ben Tucker Theater in the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. Dugal says the venue is unique.

We usually perform in venues where the audience sits lower than the stage, looking up at the dancers. The Ben Tucker Theatre offers a very intimate experience for the audience. Youre closer to the dancers. You can see them breathesee them sweat. Its powerful and energetic.

Get your tickets to the Savannah Ballet Theatres performances of The Little Mermaid here.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  The budget debates happening at the statehouse could affect the safety of your childs school.

The number school resource officers has increased in recent years, however there are still 177 schools in South Carolina without an SRO on campus. Its one of the things Governor Henry McMaster wants changed by this years budget.

A School Resource Officer is a member of law enforcement, whose goal is to prevent crime and keep students safe in schools.

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SROs first, were law enforcement officers, but also with several heads, mentorship, law related educators and things of that nature,  Officer Kalema Grant said.

Grant has been a school resource officer for Westwood High School for four years. The Department of Public Safety decides which schools will receive money for a SRO, with a formula.

It depends on tax levels and if SROs are ready to be hired in the district or county.

The officers presence in the school, especially in this climate now is needed, Grant said. Not only for their safety, which is first, but cultivating those positive relationships with them. So when they look at officers, theyre not afraid but they feel safe.

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McMaster asked the General Assembly to give an additional $21.1 million of recurring funds to get an officer in every school.

The governor will continue to urge the general assembly to finish the job this year and protect the students, teachers, and staff at these remaining schools, said Brandon Charochak, a spokesman for the Governor.

The House Ways and Means Committee provided an additional $3.7 million to the SRO section of the budget, which falls short of the Governors goals.

Representative Neal Collins (R  District 5) is a member of the Committee. He said some counties have spent local money securing SROs.

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Some of the wealthier districts are trying to, get the state to pay for, the S.R.O.s, and I completely understand that, and Im not opposed to that, Collins said. Its just, were trying to get our arms around what exactly is the situation?

Grant said its crucial to have an SRO in every school because she sees firsthand what SROs can do for students.

Ive had several students, come up, step out of line at graduation and hug me and tell me thank you, Grant said. I lead a female mentorship group called Ladies of the Castle. I know for a fact that Ive impacted lives, and that is the most rewarding thing.

Representative Collins said his main goal for this budget cycle was increasing the teacher starting salary, but he said he can speak for the House and said SROs are important for every school in South Carolina.

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Here is a list of how many schools need an SRO in South Carolina:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA)  A major loss in federal funding has left school nutrition leaders scrambling as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cut two programs that provided about $1 billion in federal funding for farmers supplying schools and food banks with fresh produce.

Jenaffer Stevenson, President of the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina, says she just got back from Washington, where she was pushing for support for the Local Foods for Schools program. It was cut the day before she arrived.

We provide books, Stevenson said. We provide transportation, why wouldnt we provide meals across the state? That is what feeds the future of our nation.

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According to the USDA, the Local Foods for Schools Program was set to provide around $660 million this year across 40 states. Another $420 million was for the second program, one aimed more toward feeding local communities. Stevenson says the programs were created during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that she is shocked they were cut.

Why would it go away, Stevenson said. It is money well spent. It is feeding our students. It is feeding our community in the food bank situation. Why would you take it away?

Stevenson says in South Carolina schools, students will still be fed but students will no longer receive as many fruits and vegetables, or as much food in general on their plates.

Stevenson says schools all over South Carolina rely directly on local farms. She says the loss of funding means a huge hit will be felt by all public schools and farmers.

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We also scratch cook a lot of our meals, and so we utilize a lot of products across the state to cook and prepare those meals, Stevenson said.

Stevenson says that another program, the Community Eligibility Provision, is also at risk. This program provides breakfast and lunch to students at no cost. According to the South Carolina School Nutrition Association, more than 600,000 students participate in the program. A new reconciliation package proposed could reduce the number of eligible students to less than 360,000.

Our programs are always on the chopping block, and it doesnt make sense because, I mean, we are feeding our futures, Stevenson said.

State nutrition leaders say that they are still looking at ways to get more federal funding. How that will be done is yet to be determined.

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The USDA cut comes as the Trump administration aims to reduce what it deems to be government waste.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
SC Senate plans to discuss law enforcement car chase bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  A bill in the senate is focusing on how South Carolina Law Enforcement should handle high-speed chases. If passed, Lawmakers said the bill would prioritize public safety and ensure high-speed chases only happen if necessary.

Right now, the only thing the law says is that each agency has to develop their own policy. Some policies can be as simple as be careful or, you know, just dont take unnecessary risks, said Senator Darrell Jackson (D  District 21).

According to the bill, a vehicular pursuit is when an officer in a marked vehicle, with activated lights and sirens, tries to stop a driver who evades arrest by speeding or driving recklessly.

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The bill said in most cases Law Enforcement would be required to have a supervisors permission to engage in a chase. Geoffrey Alpert, a Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor at USC, said the language in the bill needs to be fixed.

Its very difficult for an officer whos in the heat of the chase to consider 42 different variables, Alpert said.

The bill also said officers would be allowed to engage if there is probable cause, reasonable suspicion, or they believe the driver is a threat to public safety.

Officer J.J. Jones from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association said chases are important for everyones safety.

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Pursuits in South Carolina are important for the safety of our citizens and for our Law Enforcement. Innocent bystanders are hurt just as often as law enforcement is. So, we need to make sure whenever bad guys or offenders run from law enforcement, they face the charges, and they face felonies. 

Senator Darrell Jackson said hes willing to work with law enforcement to find a compromise.

I would be devastated if we lose another innocent life, because we did not have a policy that could be as simple as, Im chasing behind this person, he said.

Other states have already passed this bill, and Jackson said it needs to be a top priority for South Carolina lawmakers.

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The bill is scheduled to be discussed in front of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee next week.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Outside the Richland County Courthouse on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  A South Carolina sheriff and a former county supervisor stand accused of laundering $27,000 in federal COVID relief funds to illegally inflate the sheriffs paycheck.

A grand jury indicted newly suspended Williamsburg County Sheriff Stephen Gardner and the countys former supervisor, Tiffany Cooks, on five counts each, which included charges of money laundering, embezzlement, misconduct, ethics violations and conspiracy. Each crime carries maximum sentences of five to 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

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Judge Heath Taylor released both Gardner and Cooks following a hearing held Friday in Columbia on the promise they would make all court appearances. If either were to miss a hearing they would be jailed and held on a bond of $100,000.

Neither Gardner nor Cooks made any kind of statement in court.

Outside the Richland County Courthouse on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

Gov. Henry McMaster suspended Gardner, a Kingstree native with 25 years of law enforcement experience, after the indictment Wednesday. The governor appointed Clemson Wright Jr., a special agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, as the countys acting sheriff.

Gardner, a Democrat first elected in 2016, was re-elected sheriff in November with no opposition in the rural county of fewer than 30,000 people.

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Cooks, elected supervisor in 2018, served one term but was defeated in the 2022 Democratic primary election by former county Sheriff Kelvin Washington. She is currently working as administrator for the town of Estill, 130 miles away in Hampton County.

In court, state prosecutor Creighton Waters alleged Gardner and Cooks schemed to re-route tens of thousands of dollars in coronavirus relief funds to pay the sheriff overtime wages, despite the fact the sheriff was a salaried county employee already earning six figures and therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

Waters claimed they did this by overpaying a friend of the sheriff contracted to do landscaping work for the county. Cooks would cut checks to the landscaper, who would then cash them and give the money over to the sheriff.

The two would meet off site in a parking lot and the landscaper would hand over a big old pile of cash, said Waters, assistant deputy attorney general.

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The sheriff then paid the landscaper his hourly wages out of the cash and pocketed the rest himself.

Both Gardner and Cooks allegedly approached the landscaper telling him that all of this was above board, and he would not get in any legal trouble.

Ultimately, your honor, this was a farce, Waters told the judge.

The State Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation into the Williamsburg County officials in February 2023, after Cooks successor discovered a combined $210,000 in overtime pay to salaried elected officials in the county, The Post and Courier and The Kingstree News previously reported.

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In addition to the sheriff, Cooks allegedly funneled money to herself, the treasurer, the clerk of court, the auditor and a probate judge. Those other alleged payments were not part of the indictment from the attorney generals office.

Federal prosecutors traditionally have taken the lead on these types of cases involving misappropriation of the federal funds doled out to businesses, non-profits and individuals, as well as state and local governments strapped for cash in the midst of a global pandemic.

Waters told the SC Daily Gazette federal prosecutors ultimately did not pursue federal charges and handed the case over to the state attorney general about three months ago. He declined to say why.

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MAPUTO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The passage of Tropical Cyclone Jude through northern Mozambique has claimed 14 lives and affected over 100,000 residents across several provinces, according to a preliminary report released Friday by the Mozambican government.

Government spokesperson Inocencio Impissa presented the report at a press conference in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, saying that the fatalities were recorded mainly in the provinces of Nampula and Niassa, resulting from collapsing walls, lightning strikes, and drowning.

He said the cyclone caused damage to about 20,000 houses, with over 7,000 completely destroyed and more than 13,000 partially damaged, leaving thousands of families displaced.

In the health sector, 30 health facilities were damaged, while in education, 182 classrooms in 59 schools were destroyed, affecting 17,402 students and 264 teachers. Road infrastructure also suffered significant damage, with the destruction of six access roads, particularly in Nampula province, the spokesperson noted.

Moreover, 19 electricity poles were knocked down, two water supply systems were battered, and 1,262 hectares of crops were affected.

"The impact is severe across multiple sectors, and we are mobilizing all necessary resources to support the affected communities," Impissa said, noting that the government has activated nine accommodation centers, currently sheltering over 100,000 people in Nampula province.

The Mozambican government has intensified efforts to assist affected populations. Support teams have been deployed to the affected provinces, and emergency operational centers have been reactivated in various districts, said the spokesperson.

"Measures include the dissemination of information, preventive evacuations, distribution of shelter materials and food, as well as increased awareness campaigns through community radio stations," said Impissa.

The government also reported that emergency food supplies and other essential goods have been allocated to support vulnerable communities, along with mobile brigades to disseminate information and weather alerts. 
(NewsNation)  The price of gold is forecast to rise above $3,100 per troy ounce in the coming months, and scammers are capitalizing on the interest to con people out of their money.

Interest in gold has surged as the global economy is mired in uncertainty amid President Donald Trumps tariffs, which have sparked trade wars with other countries.

Gold scams are surging, too, with American seniors being scammed out of $126 million last year alone.

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Worst treatment of humanity: Police on man allegedly held captive for 20 years

Scammers target seniors, many of whom are too scared or embarrassed to come forward and report their losses.

Cumberland, Maine, police Chief Charles Rumsey recently arrested someone for their role in emptying residents bank accounts.

We had a Cumberland resident come here to the police department to report that she believed she had been scammed out of over $100,000, he said.

Rumsey said he believes a group of people was working together, making her think they were acting on her behalf.

In fact, they had maliciously taken over her computer, convinced her that they were computer engineers from Microsoft and that in order to keep her money safe, they needed to have her take her money out of her financial institution, converted to gold and then they sent a courier here in Cumberland to pick up this gold and take it to Washington, D.C., for safekeeping, he said.

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Trumps Irish golf course damaged by pro-Palestinian activists

But the money was never taken to D.C., and the scammers made off with the gold.

That same scam is happening around the country. Pop-up ads scare people, mainly seniors, into calling the number on the ad for help. On the other line, scammers tell victims their money isnt safe, but they can help them.

Couriers are sent to pick up gold bars, ostensibly to take them to a safe bank, but instead, criminals make off with the gold.

In Denver, police arrested a courier when officers showed up to deliver gold instead of the victim. The same thing happened in Maine when the courier showed up, thinking they would get another $100,000 of gold off their victim.

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Sheriffs office uses AI to make suspects photo appear to speak

Couriers are often the low men in the scams organization. Currently, FBI agents are investigating two call centers in India, where they have traced some of these gold scams to.

The AARP and FBI, along with police, are also warning people not to fall victim to scams, trying to educate people and warning them not to click on links in pop-up ads or emails.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Mar. 13SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday appointed four new Western New Mexico University regents, more than two months after demanding the resignations of their predecessors.

The four appointees include former Republican state Sen. Steven Neville of Aztec, who did not seek reelection last year, and John Wertheim of Albuquerque, an attorney and former state Democratic Party chairman.

The other two appointees are Keana Huerta of Hurley and Joseph Reed of Albuquerque.

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The appointment of the new regents comes with less than two weeks left in the 60-day legislative session.

A Lujan Grisham spokeswoman said Thursday the governor has directed the Senate Rules Committee to start the confirmation process for the four regent appointees without delay.

"The Governor's Office conducted an exceptionally rigorous vetting process for these appointees during a busy 60-day legislative session," Lujan Grisham spokesperson Jodi McGinnis Porter said. "Each candidate was subjected to comprehensive due diligence specifically focused on proven financial management expertise and demonstrated accountability credentials."

For the last year and a half, the Silver City campus has been beset by an ethics scandal involving former board members, the university's president, Joe Shepard, and his wife, ex-CIA agent Valerie Plame. The scandal, involving over $360,000 in wasteful public spending, led to Shepard resigning with a $1.9 million payout approved by the former board.

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The parties are currently embroiled in a lawsuit with New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez.

Four of the five former board members resigned in early January at the insistence of Lujan Grisham. The student regent, Trent Jones, kept his position to fulfill his duties as the university treasurer.

All four appointees will have to be confirmed by the state Senate in order to be seated as regents, but Senate Rules Committee chairwoman Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, pledged earlier this session to prioritize WNMU regent hearings upon the governor's appointment.

A confirmation hearing for Neville is scheduled for Friday, while confirmation hearings for the other three appointees are set to take place Monday, Duhigg told the Journal.

Jack Crocker, WNMU provost and acting interim president, said in a prepared statement Thursday that the campus community "welcome(s) our new regents and look forward to ... the insights and leadership they bring."
Funding for schools in Washington State is under pressure from national and local forces.

Locally, what state lawmakers have allocated for education spending has fallen from 52% in 2018, when the States Supreme Court found lawmakers were finally meeting their legal school funding obligations, to 43% today. School districts say inadequate state spending, namely in Special Education and Transportation, has cut into their spending and, at times, forced them to pass levies to fund programs the state otherwise should be.

Reykdal sent a letter to lawmakers this week expressing his concern, As we approach the halfway point of Session, it is clear the two chambers are very far apart in their approaches to funding the states basic education obligation.

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Reykdal requested $2.9 billion to fully fund basic education programs, as well as maintenance, supply, and operation costs for districts. Reykdal requested $501 million for 2026 and an additional $1.5 billion in 2026. In SB 5263, passed this week, state senators fulfilled the request while also removing a cap on special education enrollment that limits how much districts receive from the state. Reykdal noted that State House Representatives keep what he calls the legally questionable cap in place, with around $150 million generated for special education programming.

Similarly, state senators have passed $190 million in maintenance funding over two years, while the state House has proposed $50 million.

Its the one place in the Constitution that says its the paramount duty. Its the number one priority. So Im not too shy about saying this is what we need, Reykdal said in an interview with KIRO 7 News.

Reykdal says schools will likely face program cuts if significant investments are not made, pointing to cuts some schools have already made

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Reykdal said in the letter it is heartening that lawmakers are considering new revenue for schools, amid a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. That may mean taxes, as Reykdal advocates for not cutting social safety net programs in order to fully fund basic education, saying, making cuts in one area will affect the other.

Were still a state that under-taxes, relative to the national average... Low-income people bear the brunt of it because of our dependence on sales tax, explains Reykdal.

Nationally, Reykdal fears that cuts to Department of Education staff could be a harbinger of financial cuts to come to schools across the nation.

The current regime in Washington, D.C. is not interested in growing federal budgets, even education budget. So I think its only going to get worse, Reykdal said to KIRO 7.

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Reykdal believes Washington State will be better off than most states, as federal funding makes up an average of 6.95% of district budgets. However, his office posted a map showing communities that are more reliant on federal funding, showing that rural districts on the Olympic Peninsula, Northern, Eastern, and Central Washington are the most reliant on federal funding, some up to 44%, paying more than $15,000 per student.

In announcing cuts to staffing, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said it represents a commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.

My vision is aligned with the Presidents  to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children, McMahon said on the Department of Education webpage.

Reykdal countered, saying that was a pretense to privatizing education through school choice and school vouchers, limiting federal funding for schools.

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We keep saying is its kind of already the framework. So we get all the decisions in the States right now around our credit requirements and our grad requirements and our curriculum choices, Reydal said, What the federal government does is take care of the most vulnerable people.

There are three buckets of federal funding Reykdal worries about: Title I funding for low-income students, special education grants, and meal programs. Especially given the states already tight budget, he doesnt see a scenario where the States budget would be able to supplement what federal funding provides.

If the feds would pull away dollars and then give us our money back, we could figure it out, right? We donate $22 billion a year more in our income taxes than we get back in the state. $22 billion a year. That would solve our states budget deficit for years and years and years to come, Reykdal said.




WEST PALM BEACH  A former after-school counselor who had sex with a teenager avoided prison Wednesday in part by arguing that his victim was a "willing participant" of the crime.

The teenager agreed. In a letter to the judge, she said 27-year-old Sebastiano Scionti "is by no means a threat to society and never was." The young woman, who was 17 at the time of Scionti's arrest and has since turned 18, asked Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer to spare him from prison and let the two contact one another  something they'd been forbidden from doing since his arrest in 2023.

Suskauer obliged.

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He sentenced the Royal Palm Beach man to 30 days in the Palm Beach County Jail and three years of sex-offender probation, departing from the 5.5-year minimum penalty recommended by state sentencing guidelines. The judge did not adjudicate Scionti a felon and said the sex-offender label he inherited when he pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor will follow him for life.

He will pay for this for decades," Suskauer said.

The girl's father listened with a hand pressed to his eyes. He and his wife had begged the judge to send Scionti to prison for the sexual relationship he pursued with their daughter.

"I don't believe that there should be any mercy or any leniency whatsoever," the father told Suskauer. "It's put a wedge in our family. It's separated my son and his sister more so than they were before. And the fact that my daughter is probably on Zoom trying to defend this whole thing is aggravating."

In texts, man said jail was 'worth it' for sex with teen. He backtracked in court.

Jupiter police arrested Scionti on Nov. 29, 2023, after discovering him and the teenager in the back of a parked car at Indian Creek Park after hours. Scionti told officers he believed the girl was 18, but his texts to the teenager indicated that the opposite was true.

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In one conversation, the girl reminded Scionti of her age and the potential consequences of his actions.

"AHEM 17 AHEM," she wrote. "AHEM JAIL AHEM"

He responded: "AHEM WORTH IT AHEM."

Scionti's attitude changed in court, where he and his relatives argued that he did not belong in prison.

"I am a thoughtful, kind, caring, intelligent human being who will always put the needs of others before myself," Scionti told Suskauer. "I'm also a very hard worker."

Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer listens to Sebastiano Scionti, an after-school counselor at Jupiter Farms Elementary School convicted of having sex with a minor, testify at the Palm Beach County Courthouse on March 10, 2025.

Scionti said he is neither a threat to society nor a sex offender, though legally, he is the latter. He apologized to the girl's parents and described growing close to their daughter at Jupiter Farms Elementary, where they both worked. He said he knew pursuing a relationship with the girl would "present a challenge" but maintained that they "were two people in love."

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Scionti's defense attorney, Greg Salnick, added that the first prosecutor assigned to the case  listed in court records as former Assistant State Attorney Justin Chapman  felt that this was "not a sex-offender case." Salnick said the prosecutor offered a deal which would have let Scionti plead guilty to an amended charge in exchange for a withhold of adjudication, three years of probation and no sex-offender designation.

Scionti accepted the offer. Days before the plea conference, Salnick said Assistant State Attorney Nicole Corring took over the case and revised the deal, offering the same terms she sought Wednesday: two years in prison and three years of sex-offender probation.

Prosecutor calls request for non-prison penalty 'offensive'

The prosecutor didn't sway from that recommendation even as Scionti's mother wept into a courtroom microphone that her son "never thought that falling in love with another person would bring so much harm and anguish."

If he truly loved her, Corring said, he could have retreated from the relationship for one year. The prosecutor pointed to texts in which Scionti advised the girl on how to deceive her parents about her whereabouts and told the teen it would be "so hot to f***" in their boss' bed.

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"That is a 25-year-old man's words to a 17-year-old minor child," Corring said. "To not ask for incarceration, to not ask for adjudication in this case is, quite frankly, offensive."

Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer speaks with Assistant State Attorney Nicole Corring and defense attorney Greg Salnick at the Palm Beach County Courthouse on March 10, 2025.

Corring said a sex-offender designation alone is not punishment for the crime but did not object to Scionti's "willing participant" argument, conceding that Suskauer had the legal grounds to depart from the sentencing guidelines.

"Although I have a moral objection to it  I don't believe a child can be a willing participant  the case law is clear," she said. "A minor can be deemed a willing participant."

Suskauer deemed her as such. At Wednesday's hearing, he read aloud parts of the victim's letter in which the teenager said that despite her best efforts, the prosecutor refused to believe "this is not like her other cases." To label Scionti a sex offender, Suskauer continued reading, was "both unethical and unwarranted."

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The judge suggested that Corring and others at the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office "don't appreciate" the weight of a sex-offender label.

"For the rest of his life, he will always be labeled a sex offender," Suskauer said. "You may as well write a tattoo across his forehead that says sex offender. When he tries to get a job, when he tries to have a good relationship with someone, when he tries to bring his kids to school. That's a significant consequence."

'It's wrong': Teen's father frustrated over leniency for first-time offenders

Though the teenager did not attend the sentencing hearing, Suskauer said her opinion influenced his decision the most. Her position is clear, he said, and it resonated with him.

The girl's parents, who also wrote letters in addition to testifying at the sentencing hearing, left the courtroom after Suskauer announced the sentence. Though they declined to comment on the outcome, their statements in court were clear, too.

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"Unfortunately, our justice system tends to allow a time or two to go by before they actually start punishing these people, and it's wrong," the teen's father had said. "I'm not a lawyer, but it's wrong."

Plea deal: Palm Beach yacht captain accused of rape avoids prison, thanks to prosecutors

Marc Freeman, spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office, said the facts of the case were never in dispute; only the terms of Scionti's punishment were.

"At the time of the crime, the defendant held a position of trust in the community, working at a local school," he said. "The charge of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, which under Florida law requires a sex offender label, is entirely appropriate and warranted based on the facts of the case."

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Scionti pleaded guilty to the charge in November, days before the one-year anniversary of his arrest. Suskauer said Wednesday he would not have been surprised if  had Scionti maintained his innocence and proceeded to trial  jurors acquitted him entirely.

Hannah Phillips covers criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: School worker who had sex with minor calls victim 'willing participant'
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on March 13, 2025. Credit - Kayla BartkowskiGetty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

The Senates move Friday to avoid a government shutdownessentially ceding spending power to President Donald Trump and downgrading Congress to an advisory rolewas an epic climbdown that is rightfully sending the Democrats base into a spiral.

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The rage among Democrats trained on one figure: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who signaled a day earlier that the fight was over and it was time to move on. The choice was to hold open the doors of a scaled-down government or to slam it closed on what stood before, and the outcome tells the story.

That does not mean anyone in the party was happy about how this went down.

Asked Friday if it was time for a new Leadership team for Senate Democrats, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to throw Schumer a life preserver. "Next question," Jeffries said. In other spaces, there was an open talk of primarying Schumer when he is next on the ballot in 2028.

Nine Senate Democratsand Independent Angus King of Maine who caucuses with themjoined all but one Senate Republican on Friday to sidestep a government shutdown. The stopgap spending plan gives the White House a freer hand to shutter dozens of federal functions created by Congress and eliminate thousands of jobs. Congress, at least through Sept. 30, is in effect legislating a stronger executive branch that can basically do anything with the money lawmakers release.

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It was a crap ending to whats been a crap week for Democrats, frankly. On top of all of the chaos unfurling from the Trump White House by way of new executive orders, hires, fires, and tariffs, they have also had to face this ticking clock of a government shutdown. House Republicans jammed Democrats with a party-line spending plan that is especially heinous in its cuts to the District of Columbia. Then, the House ditched town, giving the Senate zero say to tweak the spending. Then, Schumer on Wednesday asserted the framework had insufficient support to get across the finish line. And, then, a day later, he said he would support the spending structure to block a shutdown.

The whiplash from the shut-it-down to keep-it-alive posturing only fed the contempt that many Democrats were already harboring toward their current leaders.

Whatever happens will happen, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who was a no vote and used the hours ahead of the votes to telegraph a dark fatalism.

That resignation has been bleeding through Washington in recent weeks. The fight among anti-Trumpers of all stripes has faded in recent days as Trumps brazen conquest of the spending system was looking increasingly inevitable. The chest-thumping celebrations in the White House and the antics of its pet-project DOGE intersected to rile up Democrats, who have been trying to defend all corners of the federal cogs.

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Ultimately, though, the Democrats in a position to thwart Trump and his GOP allies caved. Republicans have majorities in the House and Senate, plus control of the White House. But Senate rules require 60 votes to get balls rolling, and Republicans had just 52 yes votes in the Upper Chamber. That meant GOP lawmakers needed to get eight converts among Democrats.

Senate Democrats looked at the math, polling, and their own talents. They made the call that the mismatch of their desire to oppose Trumps unilateral power grab did not match their ability to actually stop it. Poli-sci nerds will tell you that actual power lies at the point where will and capacity are synced up. Democrats had the power to shut down the government but lacked the bandwidth to sell it as the other guys fault, or put forth a unified plan on how to reopen the government on better terms.

The problem now lies with how Democrats deal with the Schumer sitch. They are very, very quiet at the moment, but there are the faintest of rumblings about whether Schumer gets to hold his position as Minority Leader for the balance of this term. Progressive and rank-and-file corners of the party alike were uneasy about this call, and steering this unruly ship into 2026 is a job that is not something to be taken lightly.

To be clear: Schumer is not at risk of being deposed in short order, and Democrats do not carry House Republicans appetite for cannibalizing their own. Schumer acts on calculations, not confidences. His decision to side with keeping the government open at the expense of legislative branch power came from a place of rationality, not rashness. But it still carried costs, and the first among them was his standing with frustrated Democrats who want the opposition party to do its job: to oppose an administration hellbent on dismantling a government it holds in sheer contempt.

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Government, for the moment, survives. Democrats, for the foreseeable future, find their ability to check Trump diminished. And, until Congress reverses itself, the legislative branch takes a secondary role to the executive.

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Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) surprised Washington on Thursday by announcing on the Senate floor that he would vote to advance a House Republican-drafted six-month government funding bill, splitting with fellow Senate Democrats who are loudly calling for the bills defeat.

Schumers announcement provides crucial political cover to Senate Democratic centrists who are thinking about voting for the House-passed bill to keep the government from shutting down, even though they have serious concerns about the House bill.

Centrists such as Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) have come under intense pressure from Senate Democratic liberals and progressive activists outside of Congress to defeat the House bill.

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Liberals including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are spearheading calls to vote against the House proposal, which would make cuts to nondefense programs and wouldnt prevent Trump from shifting around funding to favor his own priorities.

Warren argued the House bill would give President Trump and Elon Musk a blank check to spend your taxpayer money however they want.

We need to push back, she declared.

Sanders said it would literally take food out of the mouths of hungry children, take health care away from seniors, and give a huge tax break to the wealthiest people on the planet.

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It cannot pass, he declared.

Merkley said the House Republican plan is horrific.

And we should be, Hell No.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a progressive who is popular with the partys base, urged supporters on social media to call Democratic senators and ask them to vote NO on Cloture and NO on the Republican spending bill.

She called a potential Senate vote on an alternative 30-day clean continuing resolution (CR) a meaningless gesture.

Senate needs to fight, she posted on the social platform X.

Under growing pressure from their left flank, several Democratic centrists said Wednesday evening and Thursday that they would vote against the House GOP spending proposal, even though they had earlier warned that the failure to pass it could trigger a devastating government shutdown.

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Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), two centrists up for reelection in 2026, announced they would vote to block the House bill, as did Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who as recently as Monday warned that blocking the bill and possibly triggering a shutdown would be a huge risk.

Ossoff, who is considered the most vulnerable Senate Democratic incumbent, announced late Thursday evening  after Schumers announcement  that he would oppose the House bill.

He said the bill guts NIH research into diseases like Alzheimers and maternal mortality, funding for the prevention of violence against women, and Army Corps of Engineers construction of water infrastructure.

Slotkin, who won election to the Senate last year in a state that Trump carried, also announced late Thursday evening that she would vote against the House bill.

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I will be voting no on the continuing resolution tomorrow. First, because this bill is bad for Michigan. It makes significant cuts to Michigans key infrastructure projects, she said. But on top of that, my Republican colleagues offered no assurances that the money wouldnt be redirected at the whip of Elon Musk, she said.

One Democratic senator familiar with the tense internal debate over strategy said the strong arguments of liberal senators and the growing pressure from the base had moved votes in the caucus.

Some of them may be changing their viewpoint here, the senator said of colleagues shifting stances on the House bill. Weve had that robust debate.

Well see, the lawmaker said Thursday morning of how the final vote would turn out. I think people will see this as a massive sellout to an authoritarian president. You dont stop a bully by handing over all of your lunch money.

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Faced with growing opposition within the Democratic caucus to the House bill  and a dwindling number of potential Democratic votes who could get the bill across the finish line  Schumer made the dramatic decision to tell colleagues at a lunch meeting Thursday that he would vote to advance the House bill.

Schumer then announced his decision on the Senate floor  marking an abrupt shift from what he said a day earlier, when he told Republicans that there werent enough votes to pass the House bill.

Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House [CR], he declared on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 CR that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass. We should vote on that, he insisted.

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But Schumer backed away from that stance over the span of less than 24 hours.

Republican senators, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), swiftly rejected the idea of voting for a 30-day government funding stopgap, arguing it was too late and that the House had already left town for the week with no plans to return before the Friday deadline.

With the 30-day clean CR that he demanded dead in the water, Schumer faced the possibility that Democratic colleagues would follow the urging of more liberal senators and vote down the House-passed bill, which would likely trigger a shutdown.

Schumer intervened by announcing on the Senate floor that he would vote to advance the House bill.

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He acknowledged the House bill is very bad but warned that a government shutdown would produce a far worse result.

I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down, he said.

He warned that a shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

He said it would give the Trump administration full authority to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel non-essential, and furlough federal workers indefinitely.

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And he warned that there would be nobody left at agencies to check Trumps political advisors and appointees.

He noted that many federal employees and government experts fear that a temporary shutdown could lead to permanent cuts and that congressional Republicans would use their majorities to cherry-pick which parts of the government to reopen.

Asked if the House bill would have enough Democratic votes to squeak through the Senate, Schumer told reporters that his colleagues are reviewing it.

There are a bunch of undecided votes, and as members study it and look at it, each will make his or her own decision, he later told reporters at a pen-and-pad briefing.

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Schumers decision to vote to advance the House bill was immediately criticized on the left, including by Ocasio-Cortez.

The progressive firebrand from New York told CNN on Thursday that it would be a tremendous mistake for Schumer to vote for the cloture motion to advance the bill.

Asked if she would Schumer for his seat in 2028, Ocasio-Cortez said, I think what we need right now is a united Senate Democratic Caucus that can stand up for this country and not vote for cloture and not vote for this bill.

Asked if he was worried about the criticism, Schumer told reporters Thursday evening that he did what he thought best.

The bottom line is you have to make these decisions based on what is best for not only your party, but your country, he said.

I firmly believe  that Ive made the right decision, he said. I believe that my members understand that I came to that conclusion and respect it.  People realize its a tough choice but realize I made the decision based on what I thought were the merits and I think they respect it.

Democrats across the Senate slammed the House bill this week as an atrocious piece of legislation.

Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called it a dumpster fire.

She noted it would cut nondefense spending programs by $15 billion in 2025 and argued it would hand a blank check to Trump and Elon Musk to pick winners and losers and steal from our constituents.

She warned it would cut 44 percent from the Army Corps of Engineerss work to protect against floods and hurricanes and leave a $280 million shortfall in the National Institutes of Health budget.

She called for Congress to immediately pass a clean four-week CR instead.

But Schumer told reporters Thursday evening that the monthlong stopgap couldnt pass the Senate.

Patty Murray worked extremely hard  as did our Appropriations Committee members  to get Republicans to go along with a 30-day bill so they could do what they really like to do, which is write a whole big appropriations bill, and they wouldnt go along, he told reporters.

Thats regrettable. Very, very regrettable, he said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Senate passed a House-approved government funding bill that averts a government shutdown that was set to be triggered at the end of the day Friday.

The Senate voted 54 to 46 to pass the bill. The approval of the bill follows several Democrats voting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to keep the funding bill moving forward despite blowback from other members of their party.

Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen voted in favor of the bill. All other Democrats voted against it.

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was on the only Republican to cast a vote against the bill.

Earlier, 10 Senate Democrats provided the necessary votes to allow a test vote to advance. Democrats voted with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to keep the funding bill moving forward, despite blowback from other members of their party.

"I know a lot of members didn't like the CR -- the government shutdown would be far worse. A government shutdown gives Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE almost complete power  to close down because they can decide what is an essential service," Schumer said on CNN between the votes.

"My job as leader is to lead the party," he added. "And if there's going to be danger in the near future to protect the party. And I'm proud I did it."

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MORE: Schumer announces he'll vote to keep government open, likely avoiding shutdown

The vote comes after Schumer took to the Senate floor Friday morning to defend his decision to support the Republican short-term funding bill -- a move that has drawn criticism from other Democrats.

His surprise reversal, first announced Thursday evening -- a day after he said he and Democrats would try to block the bill -- means there will almost certainly be enough Democratic votes to advance the measure to a final Senate vote Friday just hours before the shutdown deadline.

"As everyone knows, government funding expires at midnight tonight. As I announced yesterday, I will vote to keep the government open. I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm that the Trump administration will do to the American people," Schumer said Friday.

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He said he believes the short-term funding bill -- or continuing resolution -- is a "bad bill" but said he believes if the government were to shut down, it would be a far worse outcome for the country.

"The CR is a bad bill. But as bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option," Schumer said.

PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks on the floor of the Senate, Mar. 14, 2025. (Senate TV)

Schumer said he believed a government shutdown would mean President Donald Trump and Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would have even more authority to "destroy vital government services at a much faster rate."

He said they would also have the power to determine which federal employees are considered essential -- potentially giving them more power to lay off or fire more government workers and shutter federal agencies.

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"A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive. Let me repeat, a shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive. It would give Donald Trump and DOGE the keys to the city, state and country," he said. "Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate than they can right now and over a much broader field of destruction that they would render."

He continued, "In a shutdown, Donald Trump and DOGE will have the power to determine what is considered essential and what is not and their views on what is not essential would be mean and vicious and would decimate vital services and cause unimaginable harm to the American people."

"Musk has told everybody he wants a shutdown because he knows it will help him achieve his horrible goal of just decimating the federal government from one end to the other. In other words, if government were to shut down, DOGE has a plan in place to exploit the crisis for maximum destruction," Schumer said.

"A shutdown would be the best distraction Donald Trump could ask for," he added.

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MORE: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasts Schumer over GOP funding plan vote

Schumer also defended some of his Senate Democratic colleagues who have come out opposed to the short-term funding bill. He acknowledged the tough decisions they as a caucus had to weigh.

"Our caucus members have been torn between two awful alternatives, and my colleagues and I have wrestled with which alternative would be worse for the American people," Schumer said.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Mar. 13, 2025. (Pool via AP)

Trump praised Schumer in a post on his social media platform on Friday, saying it took "guts" for the New York senator to signal his support for the GOP bill.

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"Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing -- Took "guts" and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming," Trump posted on Truth Social.

"We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning," Trump wrote.

Two separate letters were sent to Schumer on Friday, urging senators to reject the GOP continuing resolution -- one from freshman California Rep. Derek Tran and the second from Ranking Member of House Appropriations Committee Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.

Tran's letter, which has 66 signatures so far and is addressed directly to Schumer, states that "as members of the House Democratic Caucus, we write to express our strong opposition to the passage of a partisan continuing resolution that potentially legitimizes President Trump and the Republican party's dismantling of government."

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"We urge you to reject the partisan continuing resolution coming before the Senate and stand with the American people in opposing these draconian Republican cuts. All parties must come back to the negotiating table and work across party lines to keep the government open in a responsible way," the lawmakers wrote.

DeLauro's letter, which came from Democratic lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee, echoed similar sentiments.

"As members of the House Committee on Appropriations, we urge our Democratic colleagues in the Senate to reject the partisan and harmful continuing resolution that will only serve to enable President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republican Party's ongoing efforts to unilaterally and unlawfully destroy the agencies and programs that serve the American people," the appropriators said.

"We urge all Senate Democrats to stand with House Democrats and with the American people, reject this continuing resolution," they added.

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Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, appeared to be distancing herself from Schumer's decision, slammed Democrats who support the House GOP bill.

"America has experienced a Trump shutdown before -- but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People," she said in a statement Friday.

At the same time, Pelosi applauded House Democrats for their near unanimous vote against the measure.

"I salute Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his courageous rejection of this false choice, and I am proud of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for their overwhelming vote against this bill," she said.

ABC News' Isabella Murray contributed to this report.

With Democrats' help, Senate votes to avert a government shutdown originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) announced on the Senate floor Thursday that he plans to vote to advance a House-passed six-month government funding bill, despite the strong opposition of many Democrats who say the bill would create a slush fund for President Trump and Elon Musk.

I will vote to keep the government open, and not shut it down, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Schumer is only the second Senate Democrat to state definitively his intention to vote to advance the GOP-written bill  joining Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). But its highly likely he will give political cover to other Democrats to vote to advance the 99-page package.

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He said there are a number of undecided votes in his caucus and that colleagues are reviewing the House bill carefully.

As of [Wednesday] there were not enough votes to pass it, I thought I would let people know that. But there are a bunch of undecided votes and as members study it and look at it, each will make his or her own decision, he later told reporters at a pen-and-pad briefing.

Still, his announcement didnt immediately stem the tide of Democratic no votes.

Sen. Jon Ossoff (Ga.), who is considered the most vulnerable Senate Democratic incumbent, announced late Thursday evening that he would oppose the House bill.

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He said the bill guts NIH research into diseases like Alzheimers and maternal mortality, funding for the prevention of violence against women, and Army Corps of Engineers construction of water infrastructure.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who won election to the Senate last year in a state that Trump carried, also announced late Thursday evening that she would vote against the House bill.

I will be voting no on the continuing resolution tomorrow. First, because this bill is bad for Michigan. It makes significant cuts to Michigans key infrastructure projects, she said. But on top of that, my Republican colleagues offered no assurances that the money wouldnt be redirected at the whip of Elon Musk, she said.

It also followed similar pronouncements earlier in the day.

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Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (R-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) all also said they are against it, panning Republicans for their one-sided crafting of the bill and airing concerns that the bill allows Trump and Musk to continue running roughshod over the government.

I cannot vote for the Republican plan to give unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Kelly said in a statement. I told Arizonans Id stand up when it was right for our state and our country, and this is one of those moments.

Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) still need to work out a time agreement for voting on the House funding package. Democrats want amendments to the bill, including a substitute proposal to fund the government for 30 days.

Congress must pass a funding measure by the end of Friday to avoid a shutdown.

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Schumer said he agrees with Democratic colleagues who say the bill is a bad piece of legislation, but he warned that failure to pass it could trigger a far worse outcome: a government shutdown.

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse. For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR, it is deeply partisan. It doesnt address far too many of this countrys needs, but I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option, he said on the floor.

Schumer argued that a shutdown would lead to the shuttering of regional Veterans Affairs offices, leaving veterans without crucial services, and could empower Trump to lay off more staff at the Social Security Administration, hurting seniors and people with disabilities.

The Democratic leaders announcement on the Senate floor marks a dramatic turnaround from the day before, when he declared that the House GOP bill did not have enough votes to advance in the upper chamber and demanded a vote on a clean 30-day government funding stopgap sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

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But Schumer on Thursday evening said the efforts to muster Republican votes for Murrays proposal fell flat.

Patty Murray worked extremely hard as did our Appropriations Committee members to get Republicans to go along with a 30-day bill so they could do what they really like to do, which is write a whole big appropriations bill, and they wouldnt go along, he told reporters

Thats regrettable, very, very regrettable, he said.

Schumer told Senate Democratic colleagues at a lunch meeting earlier Thursday that he would support a procedural motion known as cloture to advance the House-passed bill.

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Senate Republicans control 53 seats and need eight Democratic votes to advance the House GOP-drafted continuing resolution to a final vote. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he will vote against the measure because it doesnt do enough to cut the deficit.

The legislation, which would increase defense spending by $6 billion and cut non-defense programs by $13 billion, needs 60 votes to advance to a final vote.

Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the House-passed funding bill a dumpster fire.

Schumers decision to support the House bill was met with immediate criticism from Democratic progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

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Ocasio-Cortez told CNN in an interview Thursday afternoon it would be a tremendous mistake for Schumer to vote to advance the House Republican funding resolution.

Asked about criticism of his decision, Schumer said, The bottom line is you have to make these decisions based on what is best for not only your party, but your country, he said.

I firmly believe  that Ive made the right decision, he said. I believe that my members understand that I came to that conclusion and respect it.  People realize its a tough choice but realize I made the decision based on what I thought were the merits and I think they respect it.

Updated at 9:58 p.m. Al Weaver contributed.

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Every year as part of the citys St. Patricks Day celebrations, thousands of onlookers clad in green cheer on a boat crew sprinkling orange powder into the Chicago River to turn it a festive shade.

But with the federal government considering sweeping rollbacks to environmental protections, this Saturday many may wonder: How will the bright green water affect the underwater denizens?

Last year, an extensive scientific study of fish behavior in the Chicago River system led by researchers from the Shedd Aquarium, Purdue University and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant offered a clue. In mid-March, as researchers studied aquatic activity they found a handful of the over 80 fish they were tracking were in the main branch downtown. On the day of the 2024 St. Patricks parade, none of the tagged fish rushed to find shelter from their suddenly green surroundings.

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(It) was the first time that we could actually track how individuals behave when the river is dyed green, said Austin Happel, a research biologist at the Shedd. We didnt see changes in what they were doing that day, or even the next couple of days afterward, so it doesnt seem to be causing them to be agitated.

Since June 2023, the scientists have been following largemouth bass, common carp, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappies, walleyes and green sunfish, among others, with tags that ping every minute or so. These signals are picked up by acoustic receivers throughout the Wild Mile in the North Branch, Bubbly Creek in the South Branch and by the Riverwalk downtown, letting the scientists know how the fish respond to habitat restoration initiatives, flooding and sewage overflows, as well as seasonal changes.

St. Patricks Day celebrations in 2024 gave scientists a peek into the traditions impact on aquatic life, a matter that has concerned environmentalists since its origins in 1962.

That first year, an oil-based Air Force dye kept the water green for nearly a month, which caused an outcry. A vegetable dye has been used ever since. While its ingredients are not public knowledge, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has previously said the dye has no toxic effect.

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Green is not the only color the rivers main branch has been tinted: It was turned blue in 2016 to celebrate the World Series champion Cubs on the day of the teams victory parade and celebration.

Happel contrasted the unbothered behavior of some of the studys aquatic participants during the river dispersal of dye last year to another event that made the fish they were tracking in Bubbly Creek swim for cover.

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When the city of Chicago experiences very heavy rainfall, combined rain and untreated wastewater may overflow from sewage pipes and into local waterways. One such overflow happened during massive rains in early July 2023, a month into the study, and caused fish to swim to other areas where sewage had not depleted oxygen levels. If they are unable to leave the presence of a contaminant, the toxins can lead to a fish kill, or sudden death in large numbers in a specific area over a short period of time.

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A lot of our fish were moving long distances as if they were looking for a place to hide, Happel said. So we can contrast those. With the river dyeing, we have yet to see a fish kill associated.

He hopes some of their tagged subjects will be in the river downtown for the Saturday celebration so the researchers can continue monitoring any possible effects of the dye on aquatic life. It would be ideal if it were the same five fish that were there last time, Happel said, because each fish, like humans, has their own personality and behavioral quirks. But its unlikely since the scientists cant control where the animals decide to spend their time.

At least, with the river dyeing, its always the same event, he said. The same kind and amount of dye offers a baseline for scientists to understand the fishs response. Its harder with the sewage when, each time, its a different amount.

Even though vegetable dye may not have a negative impact underwater, environmentalists worry that putting a foreign substance in the river to tint it an unnatural color sends the wrong message about stewardship.

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Advocates say the Chicago River is healthier now than it has been in the past 150 years. It is home to all kinds of animals, including migratory birds, beavers and turtles, as well as 80 species of fish  up from fewer than 10 in the 1970s. The system has become a natural resource for local businesses and recreation.

Environmental groups question whether dyeing is appropriate for a waterway that, despite a historical reputation of pollution, has come such a long way. Several advocacy nonprofits, including the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter, Friends of the Chicago River and Openlands, have spoken out against the tradition, arguing that the city must rethink how it interacts with the river as a signal to residents.

For instance, in 2023, what began as a joke on social media became a trend that had people dumping Mountain Dew soda in the river to mess with out-of-towners and convince them it was how Chicago dyes the water. Rogue dyers have been a problem, too, with a few cases of unsanctioned dumping of colorants into the North Branch of the river despite the presence of conservation police patrols.

If you see one person, say, throw a piece of trash down, youre more likely to throw a piece of trash down  or youre more likely to care less, Happel said. While we like to say that the river has bigger issues to tackle before St. Paddys Day, the general image of dumping stuff  is not the best image of how to care for the environment.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
A search is continuing for an "armed and dangerous" man wanted in connection with a shooting in Mounds View on Thursday.

The shooting just after midday was reported at the Townsedge Terrace Mobile Home Park on the 2100 block of Buckingham Lane, sparking a major police response and a shelter-in-place that impacted surrounding residents and schools.

The suspect, 20-year-old Alex Robert Quevedo-Holmes, allegedly shot a man and then fled the scene.

Mounds View PD

As of Friday morning, he remains at large, with police warning he's believed to be armed and dangerous, and say that the public should not approach him, but call 911.

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He's described as a 6'2" tall Hispanic man with brown hair and eyes. He is wanted for 1st-degree assault.

The incident caused a number of schools in the area, including Irondale High School and Sunnyside Elementary, to delay their dismissals. New Brighton Police Department said the students were released in an update at 3:43 p.m. Thursday, with Old Highway 8 also reopened to traffic.

No details have been provided as to the shooting victim's condition.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
KAMPALA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the western district of Kyegegwa.

The laboratory results from samples taken from a 28-year-old male from Kazizi village in the sub-county of Kyatega, who is under isolation at Bujubuli Health Center, tested positive for the fever, the ministry said in a statement issued here.

The patient experienced excessive nose bleeding, headache, and general body weakness on Feb. 28, sought treatment at a clinic, and self-referred himself to Bujubuli health facility on March 7.

The statement said two more suspected cases have been admitted to the isolation unit at the Bujubuli Health Center.

The ministry said health workers are focused on conducting active case search and contact tracing.

According to the World Health Organization, the CCHF is a tick-borne illness transmitted to humans through tick bites. It can also be transmitted among humans through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. The fever, endemic in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East, is associated with a high fatality rate ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent. 
SEBRING, Ohio (WKBN)  A Sebring man pleaded guilty to charges in a domestic case and was sentenced on Thursday.

Jacob Fullerton, 23, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of domestic violence, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Police said Fullerton was accused of punching a woman in the face and throwing her phone at her.

Fullerton was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail and one year of probation.

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Fullerton is to have no contact with the victim, and he was ordered to pay court costs.

His jail sentence will begin on Monday, court records state.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A federal judge Thursday night ordered that thousands of federal workers fired by the Trump administration be temporarily reinstated.

U.S. District Judge James Bredar in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order against dozens of agencies, departments and their leaderships across the federal government that had terminated workers as part of reduction-in-workforce efforts.

In this case, the government conducted massive layoffs, but it gave no advance notice. It claims it wasnt required to because, it says, it dismissed each one of these thousands of probationary employees for 'performance' or other individualized reasons," Bredar wrote in his ruling.

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"On the record before the Court, this isnt true. There were no individualized assessments of employees. They were all just fired. Collectively, he added.

Hours earlier, a federal judge in California directed that the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, Agriculture and Treasury offer reinstatement to the thousands of probationary employees the Trump administration terminated last month. The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal in that case.

Follow live politics coverage here

The order from Bredar applies to 12 departments that have fired probationary workers: the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.

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It also applies to probationary workers who were terminated recently at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the General Service Administration and the Small Business Administration.

They were given a deadline of before March 17 at 1 p.m. ET to reinstate the affected employees.

Bredar acknowledged the impact of his order amid the government's dismissal of about 200,000 probationary employees  workers who are either recent hires or had taken new positions  since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The Court is not blind to the practical reality that the relief being ordered today will have far-reaching impacts on the federal workforce and will require the Government to expend considerable resources in an effort to undo the [reductions in force] that have been put into place, Bredar wrote.

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When, as is likely the case here, the Government has engaged in an illegal scheme spanning broad swaths of the federal workforce, it is inevitable that the remediation of that scheme will itself be a significant task, he added.

A group of states with Democratic attorneys general had brought the lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow the terminated employees to have their jobs restored, arguing that the Trump administration ignored protocol for the mass terminations of federal employees.

The Defense Department, the Office of Personnel Management and the National Archives were excluded from the judge's order due to the provision of "insufficient evidence" that a reduction in force had occurred, Bredar wrote.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta lauded the ruling in a post on X.

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Were pleased with the courts decision to restrain the Trump Admins reckless directive and well continue to monitor and ensure compliance," he wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A federal judge has ruled that fired workers in 18 government agencies must be reoffered jobs on Monday.

That includes the USAID, CFPB, and Departments of Veterans Affairs and Education.

The ruling is temporary and lasts only two weeks for now.

A federal judge ruled on Thursday that probationary employees in 18 agencies fired by the Trump administration must be reinstated for at least two weeks.

Senior US District Judge James Bredar is now the second federal judge to rule against the mass layoffs after US District Judge William Alsup made a similar decision earlier on Thursday in a separate lawsuit.

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In the earlier case, Alsup had ordered from San Francisco that the Trump administration has to reoffer jobs to thousands of fired workers across six Cabinet departments.

Bredar's new temporary restraining order  from the Maryland district court  goes much wider.

His ruling targets 12 departments, including the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Transportation, State, and Homeland Security. It did not cover the Defense Department, though Alsup's ruling did.

Additionally, Bredar ordered reinstatement at six other agencies, including the US Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, both of which have been under immense pressure from the White House.

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Bredar and Alsup didn't buy into the Trump administration's stated reason for firing employees without notice: that the workers' individual performance or conduct wasn't good enough.

"Here, the terminated probationary employees were plainly not terminated for cause," Bredar wrote in his memo.

"The sheer number of employees that were terminated in a matter of days belies any argument that these terminations were due to the employees' individual unsatisfactory performance or conduct," he added.

Many of these cuts were made under the recommendations of the White House's DOGE office, which has spearheaded President Donald Trump's effort to reduce the federal workforce.

Reinstating jobs will be tough, but appropriate, judge says

Bredar, an Obama appointee, wrote that the 18 departments and agencies he named must reinstate their employees by Monday, March 17, at 1 p.m. ET.

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Under this ruling, the terminations are to be suspended for 14 days.

Bredar added that he knew this would likely be a mammoth effort.

"When, as is likely the case here, the Government has engaged in an illegal scheme spanning broad swaths of the federal workforce, it is inevitable that the remediation of that scheme will itself be a significant task," he wrote.

His ruling came as part of a lawsuit filed by a combined 20 Democratic state attorneys general against multiple branches of the federal government over employee terminations.

Their legal challenge argues that the Trump administration ignored protocol and bypassed federal laws requiring employers to notify state governments when conducting mass layoffs.

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With their lawsuit proceeding, Bredar wrote in his memo that the court would likely soon consider a longer-term decision regarding the return of the probationary workers.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted Alsup's ruling on Thursday.

"A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch," she said in a statement. "The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch  singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the President's agenda. If a federal district court judge would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves."

Thursday's rulings are among the first in a mounting series of high-profile legal challenges and orders seeking to regulate DOGE's sweeping moves.

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The agency was recently told by multiple judges to comply with requests for information about its operations.

As DOGE leads federal employee cuts, job terminations in the US government hit 172,017 in February, the highest monthly level since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave of layoffs in June 2020.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Security advisers to the leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany and France have departed for Washington on an unannounced visit.

Source: Welt, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Welt reported that Jens Plotner, the German Chancellor's security adviser, and his UK and French counterparts, Jonathan Powell and Emmanuel Bonne, went to the United States on 14 March.

They are expected to meet with Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump's national security advisor, at the White House.

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The previously unknown trip was planned on short notice, according to Welt, and comes amid Europe's refusal to participate in negotiations to "end the war" in Ukraine.

Background:

This week, Ukraine and the United States held talks in Saudi Arabia and agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia's consent.

Following this, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Trump described the talks as "good and productive".

The United States has previously stated that Europe's participation in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine is tied to the sanctions imposed on Moscow.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WFLA) Senator Ashley Moody proposed legislation to relocate NASA headquarters to Floridas Space Coast.

The Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiency at Canaveral Act was brought to legislation proposing the relocation of NASA headquarters.

NASA is expected to rebuild its headquarters in Washington, but the current building was filled at only 15 percent capacity which is an example of nonsensical government waste, a press release from Senator Ashley Moody said.

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Florida is the leader in space exploration and aerospace innovation. Establishing NASAs headquarters within the Space Coast will bridge the bureaucracy gap from the top down and bring stakeholders together. Florida is the gateway to space and this commonsense proposal would save taxpayers money, encourage collaboration with private space companies, and tap into Floridas talented workforce to spur further innovation. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we must ensure that any new building will be filled with employees, not empty like we have been seeing in Washington the last four years. Lets pass the CAPE Canaveral Act and get NASA headquartered in Florida where it will thrive, Senator Ashley Moody said.

According to Sen. Moody, Florida is a world leader in space exploration and the ideal location for rocket launches, partnerships with space companies, and a skilled aerospace workforce that could bring collaboration to NASA.

Senator Rick Scott is a cosponsor of the CAPE Canaveral Act.

Theres no better place for NASAs headquarters than Floridas Space Coast, where our nations brightest minds innovate and help America reach for the stars. Moving to Florida will not only save Americans tax dollars, it will enhance efficiency and streamline operations in this important industry with proximity to private-sector partners and a top-tier workforce ready to help America reach its space exploration goals. We have worked hard to make Florida the thriving aerospace hub it is today, and I look forward to the quick passage of our legislation and welcoming NASA to the best state in the nation! Senator Rick Scott said.

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NASAs Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, seaport facilities at Port Canaveral, and the headquarters of Space Florida are all located in Cape Canaveral.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Mar. 13During fire season, the National Weather Service deploys meteorologists to major wildfires to keep firefighters updated on changing wind conditions and to predict where the fire will spread.

"I can't imagine going through this season without that accurate information for the safety and protection of our firefighters and the communities that they're responding in," Sen. Patty Murray said Thursday during a press call with the former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and several West Side employees who were recently laid off in President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency Service cuts.

About 650 NOAA employees have already been dismissed, and another 1,000 firings  about 10% of the agency's workforce  are expected to begin this week. NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service, employs more than 700 people in Washington state.

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Murray said the agency plays a critical role for public safety and the economy, and warned of "very dark clouds coming if Trump and Musk do not reverse this course."

Farmers, firefighters, pilots and regular Americans rely on accurate weather data from NOAA to make important decisions, she said.

For example, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center produces long-term seasonal forecasts that help farmers decide what and when to plant and harvest. The current outlook predicts equal chances for above or below average temperature and precipitation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho from April through June.

Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, who led the agency under President Joe Biden, said he expects to see degraded or eliminated forecasts for extreme weather, seasonal outlooks for drought and flooding, tsunami warnings and space weather-induced power outages. He also expects delays for ships navigating the ports of Puget Sound.

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"The (Trump) administration, I would say, is out to lunch and has no plans for protecting American lives or property, nor working to stimulate righteous economic development," Spinrad said.

Murray said she doesn't know about firings at specific locations like the National Weather Service in Spokane, because the Trump administration is not providing that information.

Between deferred retirements and probationary terminations, there were 200-250 people removed from the weather service, Spinrad said. Although they were not evenly hit, with 122 weather forecast offices around the country, that means one or two employees from each location on average.

NOAA's office of communications did not immediately respond to a request for details, though a notice on its website says that due to the recent layoffs, journalists might experience delays in responses to inquiries.

James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly to avert a government shutdown after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a handful of Democrats broke from the majority of their party to vote with Republicans on a spending bill.

All but one Republican senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted for the bill, along with 10 Democrats, voted to invoke cloture and therefore prevent a filibuster. That paved the way for the final passage of the bill that will now head to President Donald Trumps desk.

House Republicans passed the bill on an almost exclusively party-line vote, with many House Democrats objecting to the spending cuts and the fact that it was negotiated without them, criticisms also leveled by Democrats in the Senate.

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Many Senate Democrats came out against the bill on Thursday before Schumer said he would vote to support the continuing resolution that evening.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer broke with many members of his party to pass a stopgap spending bill with Republicans. (AP)

We had a Hobson's choice, an awful CR bill that had no democratic input, very bad bill, Schumer told reporters on Thursday evening. But the other choice was having a shutdown. I think that would be the far worse choice.

Schumer said that a shutdown would give Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, free rein to make cuts that could be even more draconian than the ones in the stopgap spending bill.

In effect, a shutdown gives Trump and his minions keys to the city and the country, he said. And I thought that had to be avoided.

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But many Democrats still opposed the legislation. On Thursday evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar held a press conference before the vote where Jeffries repeatedly dodged when asked about whether he continued to have faith in Schumer.

Schumers decision did little to quell the rebellion, as many Democrats from battleground states came out against the legislation.

If I werent a preacher, Id tell you what kind of no, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia told The Independent. Specifically, Warnock criticized cuts to veterans care. It looks like our military men and women are yet one more casualty on the way to making sure that the billionaires get everything they want.

During a press conference on Friday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, right, repeatedly dodged when asked if he still had faith in Schumer, left, as Senate minority leader (AP)

The legislation would keep the government open until the end of September, the close of the fiscal year. Democrats had hoped to put a 30-day continuing resolution on the floor to allow for spending bills to be negotiated in a bipartisan way.

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The passage of the continuing resolution gives Democrats one less piece of leverage to use against Donald Trump and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Schumer had argued that over time, Democrats would have more leverage as Trumps popularity continues to decline amid his escalating trade war with Canada, Mexico and Europe, and as the economic outlook grows increasingly grim, an idea Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia echoed.

When those local communities have put up their share of the dough, doesn't have a project come through, I think that a lot of this is going to start bubbling up from Republican officials, Warner told The Independent.

Warner and his fellow Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia opposed the legislation due to cuts in the federal workforce that hurt federal employees in their state.

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Overwhelmingly, the people reaching out to our office are thank you for saying that, Kaine told The Independent. Kaine said that many U.S. government employees are relieved when they hear their jobs have not been slashed by DOGE.

Usually uncertainty is bad, but uncertainty is about the most optimistic thing I hear from people these days, he said. My project hadn't been canceled yet, but I'm worried that it will be.

House Republicans had passed the spending bill with only one Democratic vote and one defection earlier this week as a way to get around the normal appropriations process, which likely would have required them to work with Democrats and would have caused conservatives to vote against the legislation.

Democrats had hoped that voting no would force Republicans to return to the negotiating table, but there is no indication Republicans would want to vote to reopen the government it if it were shut down, factors Schumer mentioned in his decision to vote to keep the government open.

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Many Democratic activists criticized the decision by Schumer, with some saying that he could find his leadership of the Democratic caucus in jeopardy.

Any Democrat who helps to pass funding bill with blank checks for Musk and Trump will be cursed by it just like [Hillary Clinton and [John] Kerry were by their votes for the Iraq war, Murshed Zaheed, a Democratic strategist and a former senior leadership aide for former Senate majority leader Harry Reid, told The Independent.

But many Democrats brushed back the idea Schumer would be pushed aside.

Ill only speak about my own vote, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who opposed the bill, told The Independent.

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The move also symbolizes a victory for House Republicans, who historically have hated passing continuing resolutions because they keep spending at previous levels and forces them to work with the Democrats.

The move allows Republicans to move toward their major goal of passing massive legislation to extend the tax cuts Trump signed in 2017, increase defense spending, beef up spending at the US-Mexico border and increase oil exploration.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A Senate Bill introduced in West Virginia last month is looking to do away with a long-standing tax credit for wind turbines in the state.

Senate Bill 439, which was introduced by Senator Chris Rose (R  Monongalia, 02), would repeal 11-6A-5a of the West Virginia state code and is currently under review in the Senate finance committee. Currently, 11-6A-5a designates wind turbines as pollution control facilities. In West Virginia, pollution control facilities are taxed at a much lower rate than other kinds of property, and its this reduced tax rate that Rose says is unfair to other energy sectors in the state.

Electrical wind turbines on top of a mountain in Mount Storm, West Virginia, generating electricity.

When youre taxed on the real property value of your home, or a coal mine or a gas facility is taxed on theirs, you pay at a much higher tax rate than what the windmills are receiving, Rose told 12 News in an interview over Zoom. This was a special carve out that only they receive, which many of us around the state feel is unfair for the rest of the industry.

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Rose argues that unlike coal mines, windmills arent required to pay a severance tax on the energy it produces; in West Virginia, a piece of coal is taxed as soon as it is extracted or severed from the ground. Even without being considered a pollution control facility, Rose says wind turbines would still be at an advantage over the coal industry because turbines do not pay the state severance tax.

On the other hand, Senator Joey Garcia (D  Marion, 13) says that SB 439 would be seen as a betrayal to the businesses that have already invested into wind energy in the state with 11-6A-5a in mind.

Its kind of a slap and an affront to those businesses in West Virginia, including those energy businesses that want to bring new investments to the state of West Virginia, Garcia told 12 News. I think its had a bad effect already from what Ive heard. Just the fact that were debating the bill means that you have some of these companies wondering, are we going to keep our promises as the state of West Virginia and give them some foreseeability about whats going to happen in the future?

West Virginia is the countrys fifth largest producer of energy according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but only about 7% of the states energy came from renewable sources like wind, solar and hydroelectric. However, wind accounted for more than half of the states renewable energy production with 428 turbines scattered across the Allegheny Highlands.

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West Virginia Department of Agriculture wants to treat 17k acres to kill invasive moth

Instead of looking at one sectors tax treatment, Garcia said he wants the state to pursue an all of the above approach when it comes to energy production, especially when many industries, not just wind production, receive tax incentives in some form or another. But if the state did want to seriously invest in improving renewable energy generation, wind may not even be the best choice for large-scale production.

Legislators have at least shown some interest in nuclear energy when it repealed a ban on nuclear power plants in 2022, but Garcia says nuclear power projects would be a long-term investment that may not provide returns until a decade later.

If you want to follow SB 439 for yourself, you can track the bill on the West Virginia state legislature website.

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Mar. 13dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN  The Senate Energy Committee gave its blessing on Thursday to a bill aimed at incentivizing utility companies to invest in coal, natural gas and nuclear assets over wind and solar. The committee also advanced a pro-coal resolution intending to create a West Virginia Coal Renaissance Act.

The blessing came over objections from the Public Service Commission, which said the bill does nothing except add to its paperwork burden.

SB 505 is called the Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act. The wording is convoluted and the bill is hard to understand, but testimony by Isaac Orr, vice president for research for Always On Energy Research, helps to break it down into its pieces.

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It requires the PSC, when considering a utility's request to adjust its rates, to consider the reliability of the generation asset (a power plant, windmill or solar site) it's proposing to build, buy, scale down or shut down.

The utility and PSC must evaluate the reliability of the asset relative to the utility's required contributions to the power grid, and how the proposed action will affect reliability and capacity demands.

The PSC would then determine if the proposed rate increase is fair, just and reasonable and deny recovery of any costs determined not to be so, and approve a rate of return based on that determination.

Orr told the committee he is the bill's author and has presented it in several other states, including Arizona, Michigan, Arkansas and Ohio.

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"We firmly believe that families and businesses should only pay for what they get, " he said.

There's a significant difference, he said, between dispatchable power  coal, natural gas, nuclear  that's available on demand, and intermittent wind and solar that is only available at certain times.

The regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, gives each source a reliability rating: nuclear, 95 %; coal, 84 %; gas, 62-79 %; wind, 35 %; solar, 14 %.

However, he said, a coal plant's value will depreciate, and the utility will find more incentive to invest in more profitable intermittent generation.

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The bill is designed to lessen that incentive by allowing a utility to profit from only the reliable portion of its assets. The utility could still recover the costs of construction or acquisition of wind and solar, but the profit factor would be limited. The utility would be less inclined to shut down older, dispatchable facilities.

Along with keeping ratepayer costs at affordable and reasonable levels, he said, the bill would enable utilities to reliably meet the increasing grid demands from data centers and manufacturing growth.

PSC chair Charlotte Lane also testified, saying their main job is to make sure the lights stay on. "Reliability is our number one goal."

She said she's sure the bill is well intentioned, but "it is very difficult to understand what it is trying to get to."

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The PSC already has the jurisdiction to do what the bill calls for. It would only add to its administrative burden by piling up more reports.

Following questioning of the witnesses, the members approved the bill in a voice vote without debate or amendments. It was unclear if any members objected.

Emmett Pepper, policy director for Energy Efficient WV, issued a statement on the bill.

He said, "The so-called Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act does nothing to address the significant reliability issues we have here (some of the worst in the nation) and will result in less affordable electricity, so it's actually the exact opposite of what it says.

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"I hope that our Legislature gets serious someday about lowering electric bills, " he said, "as well as empowering people to take control of their energy bills on their own, instead of forcing us to keep subsidizing monopoly-owned power plants. But here we are. Another bill to subsidize power plants that can't survive on the free market, and that we have to keep subsidizing them, apparently forever."

SB 505 goes next to the Government Organization Committee, as it affects the PSC.

Coal resolution SCR 18, announcing the intention to create a West Virginia Coal Renaissance Act, cites the changing views about energy as the Trump administration follows the more renewable-minded Biden and Obama years. It says those years saw coal employment decline by 50 % and six coal-fired plants closed.

It says the PSC has set a 69 % capacity factor for optimal plant operation (Lane clarified that to say the figure is a goal, not a mandate) but utilities have ignored that in pursuit of "anti-coal climate policies."

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Gov. Patrick Morrisey's energy views are in line with President Trump's, the resolution says, and the state's coal plant operators must change their behavior.

Therefore, it says, the Coal Renaissance Act, along with programs and initiatives, will encourage and foster greater coal usage, and state agencies will develop strategies to fully develop coal production and consumption, including new coal-fired plants and efforts to keep current plants open.

The resolution goes to the full Senate.
by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to further opening-up to the world is expected to bring significant benefits to the global economy and developing countries, an Egyptian expert has said.

"China has launched global initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and the China International Import Expo, which have strengthened economic ties between China and the rest of the world," Mohamed Youssef, executive director of the Egyptian Businessmen's Association (EBA), a non-profit business organization, told Xinhua in an interview.

These initiatives have already shown "positive results," he said, adding that China's commitment to enhancing its global openness benefits the world economy, particularly the nations of the Global South.

"I see a promising and positive future for China's relations with the Middle East, Africa and the Arab world in general, through its policy of opening-up to the outside world," said the EBA executive director.

He spoke highly of China's business environment, which ensures equal opportunities for all companies operating within the country.

"This approach demonstrates China's commitment to addressing global economic challenges by offering investment incentives and a competitive environment for foreign businesses," Youssef added.

Youssef attributed China's extraordinary economic development to the country's reform and opening-up policy.

"China has successfully implemented a unique economic reform program," he said, stressing that the world's second-largest economy is also leading the way in scientific research and industrial strategies.

Looking ahead, the Egyptian business leader sees a "golden opportunity" for China to deepen its partnerships with the developing world.

China can offer a fairer, more sustainable model of economic cooperation, stepping in where other major countries have failed to create mutually beneficial relationships, he said, adding that the growth of Egypt-China trade relations has been remarkable, with Egyptian exports to China significantly increasing.

"Thanks to the Egypt-China comprehensive strategic partnership, more Egyptian products started to enter the Chinese market," Youssef said. 
Senate Democrats appear poised to vote for a spending bill they hate to avoid a worse fate: Allowing a government shutdown that could enable President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to make deeper cuts to federal agencies.

The announcement late Thursday by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he would support the House GOPs seven-month stopgap measure was an acknowledgment that Democrats have little choice if they want to avoid empowering Musks Department of Government Efficiency initiative to unilaterally halt more federal programs under the cover of a shutdown.

The Democrats have A or B: Keep the government open or yield the authority to the president, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a Trump ally who speaks frequently with White House officials, said in an interview.

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In a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday night announcing he would support the House-passed stopgap, Schumer said he had little choice as the Friday shutdown deadline loomed.

Musk has already said he wants a shutdown, and public reporting has shown he is already making plans to expedite his destruction of key government programs and services, said Schumer. "A shutdown would give Donald Trump the keys to the city, the state and the country.

The White House would not telegraph its shutdown plans, including whether it would unilaterally halt federal programs and furlough workers. Nor would it detail the work DOGE could undertake if most of the federal government were non-operational.

But on Capitol Hill, Republican lawmakers were saying the quiet part out loud: By opposing the GOPs funding plan in protest of Trumps dismantling of government, Democrats would, in fact, be helping his cause.

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We're cutting employees right now, because were trying to save costs, Mullin continued. And if the Democrats are going to play a game and shut it down  and then yield the power to him  itll be really easy for them to lift up the hood, look at all the essential and non-essential employees. Seems like to me it plays in their favor.

Punctuating that threat, Musk on Wednesday night responded on X with a thinking-face emoji to a suggestion from another social media user that furloughed workers should not be brought back on the government payroll after a shutdown.

Handing Trump the power to decide what parts of the federal government are essential has been high on the list of risks Senate Democrats have been weighing. They essentially face a lose-lose choice between letting federal funding lapse and advancing a funding bill that cuts non-defense programs by about $13 billion while giving Trump leeway to shift federal money.

Both outcomes are the opposite of what Democrats tried to achieve during weeks of bipartisan funding negotiations, where they fought unsuccessfully for language to block Trump from halting spending Congress already approved and firing tens of thousands of federal workers.

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Now Democratic senators worry that Trump and Musk could use a shutdown to fire more government employees, including military veterans, and shutter some agencies indefinitely.

At one point during a closed-door lunch meeting Thursday, Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York warned her colleagues of serious harm if federal funding were to lapse and that this will not be a normal shutdown  raising her voice so loud that her comments were audible outside the room.

We could see more veterans lose their jobs. We could see government departments that never open up again. So that's a bad option, said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Thursday.

Kelly has said he plans to oppose the stopgap bill, however, and it remained unclear Thursday night whether enough Democrats would join Schumer to support a procedural vote necessary to move onto final passage of the legislation. With Schumer and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania committed to voting "yes," Republicans need six more Democrats to seal the deal  Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has long said he'll vote "no."

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Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have argued it would be Democrats who risked further stressing the federal workforce under a shutdown scenario.

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, a member of Republican leadership, said Thursday that a government shutdown would obviously be a clear moment to declare whos essential and non-essential, and that's a moment right now in the middle of the DOGE conversations."

Federal workers are going through a lot right now. There's a lot of challenge for them, a lot of stress for them. Democrats are literally adding more to it, Lankford said in an interview. Not being pejorative, but one of the things I've said to my colleagues: Do you really want to do this right now to federal workers and their families?

One former Trump administration official, granted anonymity to share their insights, said that using a shutdown to accomplish the administrations bureaucracy-slashing goals was a crazy strategy but one that could not entirely be ruled out.

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The person said the White House could be very comfortable during a shutdown, which would give broad latitude to Trumps Office of Management and Budget, and his budget director, Russ Vought, to make unilateral decisions about spending.

Its going to prove their point, if you only have essential employees and things work fine, the former official said. You could have a painless shutdown and prove a metaphorical point that we need less government.

Republicans have been preparing to lay blame for a potential shutdown at Democrats feet. Trump himself insisted to reporters Thursday that a shutdown would not be Republicans fault, especially after he personally lobbied members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus to vote to keep federal programs afloat.

People were amazed that the Republicans were able to vote in unison like that, so strongly, Trump said.

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A White House official had declined earlier in the day on Thursday to offer any further specifics on the possibility of a shutdown, how the administration would handle it and what it would mean for DOGEs ongoing work, beyond the presidents remarks.

But past examples hinted at the authority the administration believes it has during a shutdown. As budget director during Trumps first term, Vought played a key role steering the administration through a 35-day partial shutdown in 2019 sparked by a fight over border wall funding. During that shutdown, federal agencies used creative approaches to mitigate some of the public backlash.

Some of those strategies were later found to have been illegal: After the Interior Department diverted money from visitor fees to pay for operations at National Parks during the shutdown, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office issued a legal opinion concluding that the Trump administration move violated federal laws.

OMB also at that time allowed agencies to perform certain duties they would not normally be allowed to execute under a shutdown scenario. The budget office, for instance, allowed the IRS to recall staff to prepare and process tax returns and later permitted the agency to resume paying tax refunds. The Agriculture Department continued to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and the Fish and Wildlife Service called back furloughed staff to clean up wildlife refuges.

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Former Trump White House officials point to that shutdown to demonstrate the broad purview OMB has over spending during a federal funding lapse and how it can work to make the experience as painless or painful as possible  depending on what is most helpful for the administration in power.

One unanswered question is just how aggressive a second-term Trump administration could be during a shutdown in further shrinking the federal bureaucracy. William Hoagland, who spent several decades working on the Senate Budget Committee and advising Republicans on budget matters, said lawmakers were right to fret about what might happen.

The administration is breaking a lot of china, he said, and doing a lot of things that are unprecedented.

Lisa Kashinsky, Rachael Bade and Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate approves bipartisan bill to increase penalties for fentanyl trafficking, sending it to House (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert erroneously reported the bill would be sent to Trump.).
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota House and Senate passed the states fiscal year 2026 budget that looks different than the budget proposed by former Gov. Kristi Noem.

Dark money group attacks South Dakota Senator

Noem had called for about $3.6 million to be cut from the budget of the South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Noem had also proposed a $1.3 million cut to the state library program. The cut in state funds would have meant the loss of $1.4 million in federal money. The state still cut $825,000 in state money but the state library will still be able to access The $1.4 million in federal money.

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Noem had also recommended a $16.9 million cut from the maintenance and repair budget of which not all was cut as lawmakers said Thursday morning they were able to preserve money for maintenance and repairs.

In general, lawmakers said Thursday morning the budget is not everyone is totally agreeable with the budget. On the House floor, Republican Rep. Chris Kassin said he was proud of the work joint appropriations did on the budget.

Democrat Sen. Liz Larson said in the Senate Thursday morning lawmakers were able to maintain a mostly good level of funding for the library system.

All the different cuts proposed by the executive (branch) were difficult to navigate, said Republican Sen. Chris Karr, who is also a member of joint appropriations.

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From day one, we had very frank discussions, Republican Sen. Ernie Otten said. Otten is a member of joint appropriations.

Joint Committee on Appropriations member Democrat Rep. Erik Muckey said during a news conference Thursday it was a challenging budget session. The Democrats, we wanted to make sure we restored full funding to South Dakota Public Broadcasting. That was a key priority, he said.

The restoration of funds made a clear statement, Larson said of the general rejection of some of Noems recommended cuts.

Muckey said in the news conference and Larson said on the Senate floor that the work was a cooperative effort.

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Still, lawmakers did pass a budget with some of Noems recommendations.

Republican Sen. Mark Lapka said some of the key priorities were the 1.25% increase for K-12 education and a 1.25% increase for health care providers. Those were two of Noems recommendations.

Lapka also cited investing in items where its needed most.

And we left money aside to address prison needs, Lapka said.

The budget includes $2.46 billion of ongoing general receipts for FY26.

Budgeted amounts include $14.3 million for the South Dakota Department of Health with 387.4 full-time equivalent employees, $799.9 million for the State Department of Education with 196.5 FTEs and $322.4 million for the Department of Human Services with 557.9 FTEs.

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The legislature also passed a bill on funding for FY25 which ends on June 30. House Bill 1046 adjusts funding for the fiscal year including about $99 million in reductions that allows for changes for a total of about $74 million in cuts.

HB1046 did get some push back in joint appropriations earlier this and on the House floor on Thursday.

HB1046Download

Republican Sen. Jack Kolbeck said during joint appropriations he objected to placing $22 million in an unclaimed property trust fund that was created this session by July 1 there will be money available for trust fund. There are better uses for the $22 million.

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Muckey shared some similar concerns during joint appropriations and Thursday morning on the House floor. Muckey, and joint appropriations committee member Republican Sen. Glen Vilhauer said during joint appropriations, the $22 million wasnt an original part of a plan and they objected to that.

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Senate Republicans led the passage of legislation that will avert a government shutdown.

Nine Democrats voted to avoid a filibuster, despite strong objections from others in the party.

Republicans can now focus on their sweeping border and tax cut legislation.

Senators voted on Friday to avert a government shutdown just hours before it would occur, sending President Donald Trump legislation that would slash non-defense spending and boost the Pentagon's budget.

The final vote was 54 to 46. Only one Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, joined almost all Republicans in passing the bill. Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats, also voted for the bill. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican, voted against the funding legislation.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday night that he would support allowing the bill to progress, breaking a filibuster and its 60-vote threshold. Nine Democrats and King joined nearly every Republican to advance the bill to its final simple-majority vote.

Likely in exchange for the Democratic votes moving the bill forward, Senate Majority Leader John Thune allowed Democrats to vote on three different amendments to the funding bill. All of them failed to pass, including a measure by Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a Democrat, which would have effectively shut down the White House DOGE office, which is effectively led by Elon Musk.

After passing the government funding bill, senators are expected to pass a bipartisan fix to a provision in the funding bill that would have required Washington, DC, to cut $1 billion out of its budget. The House would need to pass that legislation when they return.

A shutdown would have begun in the early hours of Saturday morning if Congress failed to pass new funding.

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This is a major victory for Trump, who is expected to sign the legislation shortly, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Johnson essentially jammed Senate Democrats by passing the bill through the House on a near-party line vote. He then sent lawmakers home, daring Schumer and Democrats to vote down the legislation and cause a government shutdown.

"Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took 'guts' and courage!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday morning before the vote. "The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming."

Dissent among Democrats

In contrast, many Democrats are furious with Schumer for pushing to advance the bill. They view the legislation as a green light to the DOGE office and Musk.

"Donald Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy. They plan to take a chainsaw to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans benefits and public schools  all in order to give massive tax cuts to their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies and his two top deputies said in a joint statement. "House Democrats will not be complicit."

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Schumer said that he feared a shutdown would further empower Musk and Trump, warning that there was no clear way out of a potential weekslong standoff.

The legislation includes a $6 billion increase in defense spending compared to fiscal year 2024. The bill increases funding for nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children (WIC) by $500 million. At the same time, the bill cuts overall non-defense spending by $13 billion compared to the last fiscal year. Notably, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has warned of a $1 billion cut to the budget of the nation's capitol.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other progressives had urged Democrats to kill the House GOP-led funding bill citing concerns over its failure to rein in the DOGE office. Some top Senate Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, refused to go along with Schumer's move. Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the bill was a "vote to turn YOUR taxpayer dollars into Trump & Elon's personal slush funds."

Republicans still have tough votes ahead

The bill extends government funding through September 30. Its passage means Trump and Republicans won't have to worry about a potential shutdown as they enter the thick of negotiations for their massive border security and tax bill. Johnson has pledged to send Trump legislation by Easter, an ambitious timeline requiring both houses to reach an agreement soon. The House and Senate are still negotiating whether the legislation will include Trump's tax cuts or if they punt that issue to another time.

This isn't the final fiscal deadline looming. Congress still has to raise the debt limit in the months ahead, possibly as early as this spring.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate passed a Republican-led spending bill Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

The essentially party-line vote, 54-46, didn't give the full picture of gnawing Democratic angst over how to confront the Trump administration as its Department of Government Efficiency fires federal workers and dismantles operations. Democrats argued over whether to fight even risking a shutdown and fumed that Republicans drafted a measure that included little of their input, shortchanging health care, housing and other priorities.

But in the end, enough of the Democratic senators decided a government shutdown would be even worse, and backed Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer's strategy to allow the bill to come forward.

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A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive, Schumer said. Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.

Democrats were confronted with two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting funding lapse. All told, 10 Democrats voted to break the partys filibuster to advance the bill to a final vote. On final passage, two Democrats supported the bill, and one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposed it. It funds the government for another six months.

Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but abruptly switched course and made clear on the eve of voting that he would not allow a government shutdown. His move outraged many in the party who want to fight the Trump agenda, but gave senators room to side with Republicans and allow the continuing resolution, often described as a CR, to advance.

Democrats from all corners looked to pressure senators to kill the bill. House members wrote letters, posted on social media and held press conferences in the hours before the vote.

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The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican dysfunction and chaos, said a letter from 66 House Democrats to Schumer.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and his team dashed back to the Capitol urging senators to block the bill and negotiate a true compromise with Republicans. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi called the bill unacceptable.

Some Democrats also argued that Republicans would take the blame for a shutdown, given they controlled all the levers of power in Congress and the White House.

If you refuse to put forward an offer that includes any Democratic input and you dont get Democratic votes, thats on Republicans, said Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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In contrast, Schumer picked up one unexpected nod of support  from Trump himself, who just a day earlier was gearing up to blame Democrats for any shutdown.

Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took guts and courage! the president posted on his social media account.

Congress has been unable to pass the annual appropriations bills designed to fund the government, so they've resorted to passing short-term extensions instead. The legislation before the Senate is the third such continuing resolution for the current fiscal year, now nearly half over.

The legislation would fund the federal government through the end of September. It would trim non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increase defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.

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The Republican-led House passed the spending bill Tuesday and then adjourned. The move left senators with a decision to either take it or leave it. And while Democrats pushed for a vote on a fourth short-term extension, GOP leadership made clear that option was a non-starter.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and others made the case that any blame for a shutdown would fall squarely on Democrats. And House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Republicans stood together to get the job done.

Meanwhile, some House Democrats lashed out at their colleagues across the Capitol after the vote.

The constituents I represent need Democrats to stand up to this rogue administration, said Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev. What they got from Senate Democrats today was capitulation instead.

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But Schumer said Trump would seize more power during a shutdown, because it would give the administration the ability to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel non-essential, furloughing staff with no promise they would ever be rehired.

Democrats were critical of the funding levels in the bill. But they are more worried about the discretion the bill gives the Trump administration on spending decisions. Many Democrats are referring to the measure as a blank check for Trump.

Spending bills typically come with specific funding directives for key programs, but hundreds of those directives fall away under the continuing resolution passed by the House. So the administration will have more leeway to decide where the money goes.

For example, a Democratic memo said the bill would allow the administration to steer money away from combating fentanyl and instead use it on mass deportation initiatives.

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Several amendments to the bill failed, but one to eliminate funding for DOGE drew support from a Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

The spending bill before the Senate is separate from the GOP effort to extend tax cuts for individuals passed in Trump's first term and to partially pay for them with spending cuts elsewhere in government.

That second package will be developed in the months ahead, but it was clearly part of the political calculus.

You're looking at a one-two punch, a very bad CR, then a reconciliation bill coming down, which will be the final kick in the teeth for the American people, said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

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Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the Democratic arguments for voting against the bill were hypocritical because they were essentially calling for shutting down the government to protect the government.

Democrats are fighting to withhold the paychecks of air traffic controllers, our troops, federal custodial staff, Cotton said. They can't be serious.

Senators also unanimously approved a separate bill to fix an unexpected provision in the package that would require the District of Columbia to revert to 2024 budget levels, a cut of some $1.1 billion, even though the district raises most of its own money. That bill, which now goes to House, would allow spending at 2025 levels.

___

Associated Press writers Leah Askarinam and Matt Brown contributed to this story from Leesburg, Va.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed her concerns on the Trump administrations plan to fire over 80,000 veteran affairs employees, Thursday.

Such cuts to the VA will unquestionably harm our nations vets and jeopardize the lives of those who are at risk of suicide and.lifesaving medical research that is critical to providing healthcare. Gillibrand said.

With 600,000 veterans in the state, New York holds the eighth-largest population of veterans in the country.

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While the administration states that cuts are not set to affect veterans abilities to access health care, Gillibrand is in disagreement, considering the claims to be dishonest.

Last week, with a group of more than a dozen other senators, Senator Gillibrand called on the Trump administration to reverse the cancellation of over 500 contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the cuts, calling for veterans to be protected.

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Senator Richard Blumenthal slammed the FCC for launching unprecedented, intrusive investigations under arbitrary and capricious pretenses into the Paramount-Skydance deal, Comcast, NPR, PBS, Verizon, KCBS Radio (Audacy) and ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates on Thursday.

In a letter addressed to FCC Enforcement and Media Bureau acting chiefs Patrick Webre and Erin Boone, the Democrat senator from Connecticut blasted the agency for singling out media broadcasters that faced the wrath of President Trump during his Presidential campaign, including actual litigation or outright threats of investigations in retaliation for perceived negative coverage.

He noted that the exclusive targeting to the apparent benefit of the President is further reflected by FCC chairman Brendan Carr deciding to not renew a news distortion complaint against a Fox TV station nor launch any investigation into News Corp. around its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

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The agencys actions under scrutiny include reinstating news distortion complaints against WPVI-TV over ABCs fact-checking of Trump during a presidential debate and WCBS-TV over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris and a complaint against WNBC-TV alleging Harris appearance on Saturday Night Live violated the agencys equal time rule.

It also is allowing the public to weigh in on Harris 60 Minutes interview video and transcript it requested as part of its investigation into WCBS-TV and as it reviews the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount mergers required transfer of broadcast licenses.

Additionally, the agency launched investigations into Comcast and NBCUniversal and Verizon over their diversity, equity and inclusion practices, NPR and PBS for alleged violations of the agencys underwriting rules for noncommercial broadcasters and KCBS Radio for allegedly violating public interest obligations for describing an immigration raid during one of its news broadcasts.

Blumenthals letter continued: The Commissions investigations appear predicated on dubious legal theories that deviate from the FCCs public guidance, rules, and past enforcement actions, raising the question of whether the FCC is operating under a new set of standards. Chair Carrs vexatious investigation of opponents of President Trump represents a threat to the First Amendment and inflicts upon newsrooms, affiliate groups, local media, nonprofit organizations, and religious broadcasters an ever-looming risk of retaliatory federal investigations for protected speech.

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In response to Carrs actions, the Senates Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has opened an inquiry requesting information from the agency, including:

Its investigatory process for complaints involving broadcast news distortion, equal time, underwriting, non-discrimination, and public interest obligations

The parties responsible for administering, reviewing, and approving each step of the FCCs investigatory process.

All statutes, regulations, legal precedents, guidance, and Commission reports and memoranda related to news distortion, equal time, underwriting, non-discrimination, and public interest obligations that the FCC relies on to initiate its investigations, set aside orders and seek public comments and enforcement against a broadcaster

All enforcement actions, warnings, briefings, interpretive rules, cases, records, advisories, letters, and any other documents from the Commission related to news distortion, equal time, underwriting, non-discrimination, and public interest obligations since Jan. 1, 2005, including the outcome of such actions.

All statutes, rules, or guidance related to the public disclosure and handling of complaints, referrals, or investigations by the FCC, including rules and standards related to the disclosure of investigations or enforcement matters and disclosure of evidence obtained in enforcement actions.

Copies of all precedents, guidance, memoranda, or other documents referenced in response to requests 1-4, unless readily available to the public.

All communications regarding the reopening of the WTXF-TV complaint closed on Jan. 16, 2025, to include any deliberations or decisions that took place regarding its possible reopening.

All complaints or investigations referred to, or opened by, the Media and Enforcement Bureaus into news distortion, equal time, underwriting, non-discrimination, and public interest obligations since Jan. 20, 2025.

The committee has set a deadline of March 26 for the information and records. Representatives for the FCC did not immediately return TheWraps request for comment.

The post Senator Richard Blumenthal Slams FCCs Unprecedented, Intrusive Investigations Into Paramount-Skydance, Comcast, NPR and PBS appeared first on TheWrap.
A Cincinnati-area doctor who has been formally charged for false statements, and writings related to a 1989 cold case rape is no longer allowed to practice medicine.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

News Center 7 previously reported that Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, is charged with four counts of making false statements to an agency or officer of the United States and two counts of making or using a false document or writing, according to the Department of Justice.

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On March 12, 2024, the State Medical Board voted to accept the permanent surrender of Tanzers medical license.

A permanent surrender is the furthest action that can be taken by the Medical Board, according to a media release.

TRENDING STORIES:

Tanzer lived and practiced medicine in Ohio, Kansas, and Colorado, according to our news partners at WCPO.

According to a criminal complaint, Tanzer was identified in 2024 as a prime suspect in a 1989 Cincinnati rape.

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Investigators said they were able to get Tanzers DNA from a coffee cup that he had thrown away and match it to DNA on the victims underwear.

Authorities said Tanzer knew the victim. When he was recently brought in for questioning, FBI agents said he lied to them.

Agents found items including cable zip ties, restraints, a gag, and a black hat inside Tanzers dresser drawer when they searched his home last week, court documents claim.

Court documents allege the 66-year-old was not a one-time offender, preying on multiple women as a serial sexual predator for more than three decades.

In Ohio, sex crimes that occurred in the 1980s could only be prosecuted up to six years from the time of the crime. The 1989 rape Tanzer is charged in connection with happened 35 years ago.

Its beyond the statute of limitations, said Patrick Mulligan, Tanzers attorney. Its not really chargeable.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Rep. Tippi McCullough, D-Little Rock, speaks against HB 1669, on the floor of the Arkansas House on March 13, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas lawmakers during the ninth week of the 95th General Assembly advanced legislation backed by the governor that would overhaul the states higher education system and the state employee pay plan.

Arkansas ACCESS, the higher education bill, debuted Monday in the Joint Education Committee where critics focused on a provision to prohibit excused absences for students who participate in protests or attempts to influence legislation.

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After opponents kept raising concerns about infringing on free speech, the committee approved an amendment that would allow excused absences for attempts to influence legislation if students obtain parental consent. Opponents noted that the amendment only applied to students in high school, not college.

Arkansas ACCESS, which was filed as two identical bills in the House and Senate, will likely clear final legislative hurdles next week and be sent to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders desk.

Sen. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, asks a question about Arkansas ACCESS from the Senate floor on March 13, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

On Tuesday, lawmakers turned their attention to a proposed overhaul of the state employee pay plan, which is expected to cost $139 million. Sanders has previously said the goal of the plan is to recruit and retain employees in hard-to-fill positions, and to clarify the promotion ladders in each state agency. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the bill next Tuesday.

An Arkansas House committee on Wednesday also approved two bills that mirror stalled federal legislation aimed at regulating companies online interactions with children. Protecting childrens online activity is another stated goal of Sanders administration.

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House Speaker Brian Evans, R-Cabot, told reporters Thursday that lawmakers made really good strides this week as they pushed to stay on track to wrap up their business by April 16.

Weve seen really good movement, committees have worked long, Evans said. Weve had committees thats been meeting up into the night, and the purpose of that is just to make sure that the public is being heard, staying however long it takes.

Longer days are likely to continue next week, he said, as lawmakers continue considering a variety of bills, including a $750 million appropriations bill for a Franklin County prison project thats expected to generate discussion.

1) FOIA bills

A Senate committee approved two bills this week that would define a public meeting, an effort to bring clarity to the states government transparency law.

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Senate Bill 376 defines a public meeting as any gathering of more than two members of a public body. Senate Bill 227 would set parameters for what members of city councils, quorum courts or school boards can discuss outside of a public meeting.

SB 227 also would amend the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to add a cybersecurity breach as a reason to meet in executive session, introduce and regulate remote meeting attendance, and allow a court to nullify official actions taken as a result of violations of open meetings law.

SB 227 passed out of the Senate Thursday. SB 376 is on the upper chambers agenda on Monday.

2) Energy and environment

Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday approved an amended bill to streamline the process for building electricity-generating plants in the state, one week after rejecting the original proposal.

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Senate Bill 307 sponsor Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, said the bill aims to mitigate the sharp increase in rates thats expected when the state purchases or generates new energy to meet anticipated demand in the coming years.

Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Ferndale, said he appreciated Dismangs work on the amendments, but he still didnt believe the bill did enough to protect ratepayers.

Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Little Rock, asks a question about Senate Bill 307 on March 12, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Meanwhile, legislation that would make it harder to protect Arkansas watersheds from possible pollution from large animals farms finally got a hearing Tuesday after weeks of deferrals. The proposal by Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning, received support from agricultural interests and opposition from environmental advocates.

Johnson ultimately pulled Senate Bill 290 for revisions.

3) Nitrogen gas

Arkansas could become the fifth state to allow executions by nitrogen gas after lawmakers approved House Bill 1489 and sent it to the governors desk this week.

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Supporters of the bill say the state has a responsibility to carry out capital punishment and must find new ways to do so as securing the necessary drugs for lethal injection has become increasingly difficult.

Alabama is the only state to have carried out nitrogen gas executions, and HB 1489 opponents have criticized the method as experimental and inhumane.

4) New bills

Arkansas lawmakers filed about 140 bills by Thursday evening, including:

Senate Bill 426 by Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, establishes enhanced penalties for immigrants lacking legal status who commit a serious felony involving violence, ensures that sheriffs offices and the Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Correction can participate in the Warrant Service Officer program, and expands the states ban on sanctuary cities to include counties and unincorporated areas.

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Senate Bill 433, by Sen. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville, would require the 10 Commandments to be displayed in public schools and taxpayer-funded buildings.

Senate Bill 434, also by Dotson, would require that a majority of all registered voters eligible to vote approve a constitutional amendment in order for it to become law.

Senate Bill 450 by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, would require the Arkansas Department of Education to include a human fetal growth and development discussion in the relevant standards during the states academic standards revision cycle. Davis opposed a similar bill that stalled in committee after critics questioned its age appropriateness, medical accuracy and inclusion of a video developed by an anti-abortion group.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol on Monday for one more week of meetings before taking the following week off for Spring Break. Meeting schedules, agendas and livestream videos are available on the Arkansas Legislatures website.

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A St. Louis judge has granted a new trial in a case Abbott Laboratories won in the fall, in which a mother alleged that the companys cows milk-based products for premature infants contributed to her sons severe illness.

The ruling is a setback for Abbott, which continues to face nearly 1,500 other lawsuits over the issue of whether its cows milk-based products for premature infants contribute to the development of a life-threatening intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

In late October, a jury decided in favor of north suburban-based Abbott, formula maker Mead Johnson Nutrition and St. Louis Childrens Hospital, saying the three were not liable for Elizabeth Whitfields son developing NEC after he was fed cows milk-based products for premature infants. Whitfields son now faces lifelong medical issues.

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It was the third lawsuit to go to trial alleging that cows milk-based products for premature infants caused babies to develop NEC  and one of 1,490 lawsuits Abbott now faces in federal and state courts over the issue, according to Abbott. Juries in the first two cases ruled against the formula makers, delivering verdicts of $495 million against Abbott Laboratories and $60 million against Mead Johnson.

The case that wrapped up in October was the first victory for the formula makers.

But St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Michael Noble on Thursday granted a motion for a new trial in the Whitfield case, citing errors and misconduct in the original trial. The defendants repeatedly introduced inadmissible evidence, the judge wrote, related to issues including statements from outside groups about formula and NEC and improper expert opinions, among other things.

The court finds the errors and misconduct were so prejudicial that affected the credibility of evidence with an extreme passion and bias that denied Plaintiff a fair trial and undermined the entire judicial process, the judge wrote in his order and judgment.

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Abbott said in a statement Friday that it was disappointed by the courts extraordinary decision to allow a new trial and that it planned to appeal that decision.

Twelve citizens of the City of St. Louis served on a jury for five weeks, heard all the evidence, including from leading experts, and unanimously found that Abbotts formula does not cause NEC, Abbott said in the statement. Their verdict was correct. It was consistent with the consensus of scientists, governmental regulators, and the neonatologists who treat these vulnerable patients in intensive care units every day.

Mead Johnson also said in a statement Friday that it would appeal the decision, saying, This decision is at complete odds with the law and the facts.

The lead attorney representing Whitfield in the case, Tim Cronin of Simon Law, said in a statement: The Courts ruling speaks for itself. The misconduct in this case was appalling, and we certainly felt it led to an unfair trial and unjust result for our client.

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St. Louis Childrens Hospital did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

The decision to allow a new trial  along with the many other lawsuits Abbott and Mead Johnson continue to face  could have implications for both the companies and families with babies born prematurely.

Though Mead Johnson said in the fall that it had no plans to pull its cows milk-based products for premature infants off the market, Abbott Chairman and CEO Robert Ford has warned in the past that it would be difficult for any company to keep offering the products if they continue to face potential liability.

The specialized products, generally given in hospitals, represent only a small slice of Abbotts $42 billion in 2024 sales.

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Doctors and medical groups worry about what might happen if Abbott continues to face lawsuits and decides to pull the products off the market. Though doctors agree that mothers breast milk should always be the first choice of nutrition for babies born very prematurely, its not always available, and donated breast milk is also not always an option.

Shortly after the $495 million verdict against Abbott last year, the then-president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, released a statement saying: Providing special formula is a routine and necessary part of care of these preterm infants and we must take steps to protect the supply of infant formula for those who need it.

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health released a joint statement on NEC and premature infants, saying, There is no conclusive evidence that preterm infant formula causes NEC.

Available evidence supports the hypothesis that it is the absence of human milk  rather than the exposure to formula  that is associated with an increase in the risk of NEC, according to the statement. The three federal agencies wrote that important scientific gaps exist when it comes to understanding NEC and how feeding practices may relate to it.

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Many of the cases against Abbott have been centralized in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and one of those is set to go to trial in May in federal court in Chicago.

In a note to investors Friday, analysts at TD Cowen wrote that the legal process will likely take years to complete, but its possible a global settlement could be reached. Its also possible regulators or the government could step in to help to protect the supply of specialized formulas for preterm babies by limiting the legal risk Abbott faces, similar to how the U.S. government gave companies making and distributing COVID-19 vaccines immunity from liability in 2020.

Abbott shares closed Friday at $126.71, down $3.18, or 2.45%.
The News in Brief Friday, March 14, 2025

Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, has called for the elimination of repressions against civil servants, emphasizing that such practices must end alongside the current regime. His remarks came following an event at Expo Georgia, where the Coalition for Change presented its vision for supporting civil servants.According to Gvaramia, the coalition has concrete plans to address issues affecting public sector employees, including compensation, reinstatement, and salary increases. He underscored the crucial role of civil servants in guiding the country toward its historical goals and economic prosperity, stressing that no government should punish them for their political beliefs."Civil servants are the most important group that leads the country forward, toward its historical goals, leading people to prosperity. Under no government should they be punished for their political views. They have the full right to express their opinions in any form they choose.We believe that the repressions currently being carried out against civil servants must be eliminated together with the regime. We have specific plans for this, including compensation that must be paid, reinstatement that must be ensured, and professional work conditions with even higher salaries," Gvaramia stated.Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has weighed in on the recent court ruling against former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, emphasizing that personal well-being should be funded through private savings rather than public resources. His comments followed the verdict in which Saakashvili was sentenced for embezzling a large amount of budget funds.Speaking to journalists, Kaladze criticized the misuse of public money, stating that it is unacceptable for any official, regardless of rank, to finance personal expenses at the expense of taxpayers. He underscored that such actions erode public trust and violate ethical governance."It is very bad when an official-no matter their position-uses public funds for personal well-being. It is unthinkable to finance, for example, the education of your children or gifts for your girlfriends from the budget. If you want to do this, you should use your own savings and income, not taxpayer money," Kaladze asserted.The Tbilisi City Court recently sentenced Saakashvili, Georgia's third president, to nine years in prison for the embezzlement of significant budgetary funds.
A man works at the site of a train-minibus crash in Ismailia province, Egypt, on March 13, 2025. At least eight persons were killed and 12 others wounded after a minibus was hit by a train in northeastern Egypt's Ismailia province on Thursday, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. (Str/Xinhua)

CAIRO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- At least eight persons were killed and 12 others wounded after a minibus was hit by a train in northeastern Egypt's Ismailia province on Thursday, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.

It happened when the microbus attempted to cross quickly from an undesignated crossing, said the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) in a separate statement.

Some 13 ambulances rushed to the scene, and the victims were transferred to the El Qantara Sharq Central Hospital for treatment.

The ENR urged drivers and pedestrians to use designated railway crossings to prevent further tragedies.

The country's deadliest rail disaster occurred in 2002 in the Ayyat district of Giza province, as a fire broke out in a train traveling from Cairo to Luxor, killing more than 380 people. 

Photo taken on March 13, 2025 shows the wreckage of a minibus at the site of a train-minibus crash in Ismailia province, Egypt. At least eight persons were killed and 12 others wounded after a minibus was hit by a train in northeastern Egypt's Ismailia province on Thursday, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. (Str/Xinhua)

A man checks a minibus destroyed in a train-minibus crash in Ismailia province, Egypt, on March 13, 2025. At least eight persons were killed and 12 others wounded after a minibus was hit by a train in northeastern Egypt's Ismailia province on Thursday, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. (Str/Xinhua)
Attorneys representing former U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets filed seven more sexual assault complaints against the Coast Guard on Thursday, bringing to 29 the number of such complaints theyve filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The latest complaints were filed on behalf of women who allege they were sexually assaulted while they were cadets at the academy in New London or, in one case, while attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School, or NAPS, in Newport, R.I.

That cadet had been accepted to the Coast Guard Academy provided she first attend NAPS, according to court documents.

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Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, the national law firm representing the former cadets, provided redacted copies of their complaints. According to the firm, several of the cadets were sexually assaulted in their dorm rooms by classmates who entered with the help of an academy policy that prohibited cadets from locking their doors.

One cadet woke up on several occasions during her tenure at the academy to find a drunk, naked male classmate lying on top of her, sexually assaulting her, the firm said. Another complaint details how a cadet was drugged while attending a party, accepted a ride home from fellow cadets and woke up the next morning having been raped.

Another was repeatedly sexually assaulted in a single night while staying at an academy lieutenants house with fellow cadets, the firm said.

Additional Coast Guard Academy sexual assault survivors continue to reach out to me, Christine Dunn, a Sanford Heisler attorney, said in a news release Thursday. Ive heard story after story of the sexual violence they endured at the academy and how the academy turned a blind eye. The Coast Guard can no longer be allowed to sweep sexual assault under the rug.

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The academy referred a request for comment to the Coast Guards media relations office, where a spokesman said the Coast Guard had yet to receive the latest claims. In any event, federal law would prevent it from discussing them, the spokesman said.

The Coast Guard will resolve these claims in accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act and any other applicable law, he said.

Sanford Heisler filed Thursdays tort claims as well as the 22 previous claims it filed last September and October against the Coast Guard; its parent agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and its former parent agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation. The claims, each of which seeks $10 million in damages, are believed to be the first collective action by sexual violence survivors against a U.S. service academy.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, or FTCA, an individual can bring legal claims against federal agencies for torts, or wrongful acts, committed by their employees. Before filing an FTCA complaint in court, an individual must first file an administrative complaint with the agency at fault. The agency has six months to investigate the claim.

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The complaints against the Coast Guard have come in the wake of the services mishandling of Operation Fouled Anchor, its internal investigation of decades of sexual misconduct at the academy. CNN, the cable news network, revealed the existence of the report in 2023, prompting hearings and ongoing investigations by congressional panels.

Adm. Linda Fagan, the former Coast Guard commandant, was removed from her post in January, soon after President Donald Trumps second inauguration, in part because of her handling of the Operation Fouled Anchor scandal.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com
Several Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed over Moscow and the Moscow region overnight, with some coming as close as two miles away from the Kremlin, Russian officials said.

According to Russian authorities, seven drones were intercepted overnight over Moscow.

While no casualties have been reported, it is the second Ukrainian attack on Moscow in a week.

The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, claimed Russian air defense forces repelled an attack on the capital by four drones while Krasnodar's governor confirmed a fire is currently burning following a strike on Tuapse oil refinery.

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Moscow's governor Andrey Vorobyov confirmed on Telegram that a drone was shot down in the Yuzhnaya Bitsa microdistrict, and that its wreckage fell onto an unoccupied multi-story building under construction.

CCTV from a shop on Yuzhnyy Bul'var captured the moment of the blast in Bitsa, Yeninsky district Moscow, as car alarms can be heard in the aftermath.

Krasnodar's Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed on Telegram on Friday that a fire has spread to an area of more than 1,000 square meters following a Ukrainian strike on an oil refinery in Tuapse.

PHOTO: Russia Ukraine (AP)

Video recorded by a train passenger pulling into Tuapse station shows flames engulfing the oil refinery.

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"It's near Rosneft", "it's oil", "it's an oil refinery", a voice can be heard exclaiming in Russian.

All this comes as Trump's Middle East envoy landed in Moscow on Thursday morning for discussions on the proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine -- a step leaders in Kyiv and Washington, D.C., hope will facilitate a larger peace deal to end Russia's three-year-old invasion of its neighbor.

Steve Witkoff's trip is "part of our continued efforts to press Russia to agree to a ceasefire and stop its brutal war against Ukraine," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a Wednesday briefing.

The ceasefire proposal is "phase one" of the peace process, Trump said, noting that discussions on a final agreement have touched on who will get certain pieces of land and a "very big power plant."

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U.S. and Ukrainian officials agreed to a total 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier this week. The ball is now "truly in their court," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said of Russia following the talks in Jeddah.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin's comments "very predictable" and "manipulative" in his Thursday evening address.

"Putin, of course, is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, wants to kill Ukrainians. And that is why they there, in Moscow, are setting the idea of silence with such preconditions that nothing will work out at all or that it will not work out for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said. "Putin often does this -- he does not say 'no' directly, but does so in a way that practically only delays everything and makes normal decisions impossible. We believe that all this is now -- another Russian manipulation."

ABC News' Helena Skinner contributed to this report.

Several Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight just 2 miles away from Kremlin, Russia says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After the House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday to fund the federal government and avoid a shutdown, two Oregon state lawmakers are denouncing proposed cuts that threaten public safety projects, including earthquake and wildfire preparedness in the state.

On Wednesday, Oregon Senator Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) and Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth) urged federal lawmakers to reinstate $30 million in Community Project Funding already allocated to 15 projects in the state.

Those cuts from the federal budget include funding for the Central Oregon Ready-Responsive-Resilient (CORE3) Project, a proposal to build a $2 million emergency coordination hub for Central and Eastern Oregon.

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These are the most federally dependent states in the U.S.: WalletHub

Without the hub, Broadman and Evans argue that Oregon would be severely unprepared for a catastrophe, such as large-scale wildfire evacuations  which comes after 2024s record-breaking wildfire season  and the looming Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

This is short sighted and dangerous, said Sen. Broadman, who sits on the CORE3 leadership team. When the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake happens, Oregon will be at the center of a devastating natural disaster. We must prepare for that disaster right now, and every second and every dollar counts. Oregonians deserve safety and preparation.

This partisan Continuing Resolution makes us less safe and less prepared, Rep. Evans added. The CORE3 center will be a vital resource for the entire Western Seaboard and beyond, ensuring coordinated emergency response efforts that will support communities across the country.

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Aiming to break ground in the spring of 2026, CORE3 would fill a gap as the region lacks a multi-agency emergency coordination center, according to the project website.

The hub will sit on 300 acres of land near the Redmond Airport, and will house a training facility for local, state and federal public safety officials and emergency management personnel.

Some of the long-term goals for the hub, include building space for wildland fire training, an emergency supply cache, and training for de-escalation, train car derailment, vehicle extrication and other rescue operations.

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Graffiti out, ivy in to make Portland beautiful again

We cannot afford to play politics with public safety, Sen. Broadman continued. I will fight to ensure that Oregon gets the resources we were promised to keep our communities and the entire region safe from disasters.

After the House passed the resolution in a 217-213 vote on Tuesday, the legislation heads to the Senate, where some Democrats have signaled opposition to the Republican-led bill, as reported by The Associated Press, noting its unlikely that enough Democrats will vote against the bill to cause a government shutdown.

If the bill passes, it will strip $2 million needed to build the CORE3 facility, which has already received funding from the state  including a $9.5 million investment from the state legislature in 2022 along with a $500,000 investment from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

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2 Oregon waterfront hotels named among best in the U.S.: Newsweek

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz  who is on the CORE3 leadership team  said officials are continuing to look for funding pathways.

Many Central Oregon and statewide agencies have been actively working to identify funding options for the initial planning and building phases of the CORE3 project. CORE3 will be a critical facility to provide high-quality training to our communitys first responders. It will also play a pivotal role in providing support to the entire state during times of natural disasters or emergencies, Chief Krantz said.

The earmark request for the CORE3 project from the federal government is a key financial support piece that I was hopeful would be approved. The CORE3 Executive Board will continue to work with our local staff and elected officials to identify potential funding sources, Krantz added.

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Multnomah County saw slight population growth in 2024, Census Bureau says

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) voted against the resolution, stating, Garbage in, garbage out. This is a trash bill with unmet promises to our district. They cut public safety funding, clean drinking water, and job creation. Its merely an attempt to pour water on my neck and call it rain. Oregonians were promised $30 million to carry out 15 projects across our district, from Portland to Salem to Bend, to make our lives better. This bill breaks that promise and leaves our communities hanging. Its a trash budget top to bottom.

The first-term congresswoman continued, And let me be clear: my vote against this bill was not a vote to shut down the government. My vote was a demand for Republicans to work together with Democrats on a solution that works for all of us, not just some of us. Instead, they went full steam ahead without any Democratic input on a bill that harms Oregonians, gives Elon Musk more control, and fails to deliver for Americans at a time of need. No thanks.

Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02) was the only member of the Oregon delegation who voted in favor of the bill. Bentzs office did not immediately respond to KOIN 6 News request for comment on his vote and funding for CORE3.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
(KRON)  As San Francisco continues to battle illegal drug markets that pop up throughout the city, the San Francisco Police Department announced that officers took dozens of suspected drug offenders into custody Wednesday night.

Two arrested in brazen armed robbery of Milpitas massage parlor

San Francisco police said their mobile command van has a 24-hour visible presence at 16th and Mission streets, in the citys Mission District neighborhood, to ensure the area is safe and clean.

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In this latest slew of arrests, police said officers nabbed 23 individuals in the area on various drug charges. It is not yet known if this was a planned drug arrest operation.

In a SFPD video post on X, formerly Twitter, Police Chief Bill Scott said, the mission is clear and concise is to have an SFPD presence on this plaza where weve had all kinds of problems: vending, drug use, drug sales. The one thing we know from our experience is that when were here, and we have a presence here, those problems seem to be far fewer.

San Francisco police added, we will never stop combatting the illegal drug markets in our city. Thank you to our city partners @SheriffSF and @sfpublicworks for your support in this work.

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HALEIWA, Hawaii (KHON2)  Shark experts are looking for more regulation on shark tours in Hawaii, after there have been six shark bites on a shark tour in as many years.

On Thursday, marine biologists, fisherman, water experts, and shark tour operators who do shark tours with cages, discussed the seemingly popular shark tourism industry as a panel with about 50 people in attendance.

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Right now its completely lawless, said Haleiwa fisherman Eddie Ebisui. Its the Wild West out there and this industry needs to be regulated.

He said in the 24 years since shark tours began on North Shore, hes noticed a change in shark behavior and also an increase in tiger sharks.

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Dr. Kim Holland has been studying shark behavior for decades and said the last time he studied shark tours and shark behavior, there was no change in their behavior, but that was 15 years ago.

I think its really important that as much objective information gets shared with the public, he said on Thursday about why he decided to be on the panel. Shark attacks arent typically linked to shark tourism.

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He said 15 years ago there was no evidence the sharks were associating with the cage, and they would leave. The number of tour operators has increased, whether they apply today, I dont know, he said.

The panel then watched several minutes of shark tour operators swimming with, and trying to get the attention of, tiger sharks.

The tiger sharks were at the surface and popping their heads out of water continuously. After a few minutes, Dr. Holland shook his head. He then was given the microphone and said, that is not typical shark behavior.

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He said it was hard to determine if it was the same shark in all the videos or all different sharks.

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Ebisui said he sees about 20 to 25 boats out by the shark diving area daily and said hes noticed sharks will follow the boats at the surface, which is a risk to humans.

The panel said there are no definitive numbers on how many shark tours are operating out of Haleiwa, but guessed around 10.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it has approximately three commercial permits for shark tours.

Shark experts, like Dr. Michael Domeier, said he sees the value in shark tourism for research purposes but said feeding sharks is not only illegal  its dangerous.

Its against the law, and it bothers me because if the state intended to allow these boats to feed sharks, they would have put a lot more regulations in place to keep people safe, he told the group.

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He said he saw a video on social media in early 2019 showing over a dozen sharks circling behind the back of a boat in Haleiwa. He said he knew the sharks were being fed because sharks dont behave that way if they arent being fed.

He said he wrote a letter to the DLNR warning there could be consequences of these tours. He said a few months later, the first person on a shark tour was bit in Haleiwa.

He said he also started gaining the attention of the shark tour operators.

Protecting Hawaiis apex predators for a healthier ocean, ecosystem

I started getting messages from past and current employees of these operators, and they were afraid to talk because many make them sign a non-disclosure agreement, and then they would tell me off the record were feeding these sharks every day but dont tell anyone.' Dr. Domeier said any non-disclosure agreement is void if the activity itself is illegal.

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Experts on the panel said the current penalties are not good enough to deter people from chumming the waters, and said fines and penalties need to be significant to protect people.

According to the DLNR website, all six swimming with sharks attacks in Hawaii occurred in Haleiwa and are all considered provoked.

The first was in May 2019, then three people were bitten in September 2019, followed by another person bitten in June 2024, and then an employee named Gavin who was attacked in January 2025.

Gavin contacted me, and this is a picture of him, hes young, hes strong and he got a job with one of these shark tourism boats, Dr. Domeier showed the panel.

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He said Gavin told him the boat was chumming the waters that day, and it was enough that there were bait fish around and under the boat.

The employee told Dr. Domeier that the captain told everyone to get out of the water but a visitor needed help getting out. So Gavin jumped in to assist and the bait ball surrounded him and a shark went in and bit Gavin.

Its graphic, but I think you need to see it, Dr. Domeier said while showing the room the photo of what was left of the young mans forearm.

I asked if he had any training for this job and he said none at all, I asked if they chummed the water and he said, every day. I asked if there was a first aid kit on board and Gavin said no. Legislators needed to fix this, if were going to have this industry, we need rules in place that protect people better, Dr. Domeier added.

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Both the state and federal government prohibit chumming in their waters.

Legislators have tried to pass rules on the industry for decades, but the DLNR said there are currently no rules against getting too close to a shark.

**Editors note: There are some shark tour operators that do not chum the waters when conducting tour sessions.

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Catherine King, a 51-year-old newlywed, put her life at risk to see if she could help someone who had crashed on the freeway.

The action, which proved fatal to King, was in line with her caring nature, according to family members.

"She would give you the shirt off her back," said Davene King of Memphis, Tennessee, Catherine's cousin. "Anyone you talked to would say the same thing."

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While on the way to work at about 5:30 a.m. on March 9, the Mesa woman stopped her car on the right emergency shoulder of Loop 202 to check on a Dodge Durango that had hit a median near 40th Street and flipped around, facing the wrong way. She turned on her hazard lights and stepped outside of her vehicle to check on the SUV's occupants. Catherine didn't realize the Durango's driver had already fled the scene.

Another driver mistook the Durango for a wrong-way driver and veered to the right, striking King, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Catherine died after being rushed to a hospital.

Her close-knit family across several states is reeling over the loss, Davene said.

She was originally from St. Louis, Missouri, then moved to Memphis and followed her adult son to Arizona a few years ago, working in logistics, Davene said. She got married in October to her boyfriend, Anton Avington.

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"She found love, she found happiness, she had a car wreck," Davene said, her voice cracking. "She was a beautiful person. She had a very large family."

Family members in several states talked routinely on video calls, she said.

Catherine was still grieving the loss of her mother, who died a few years ago.

"She never went a day without mentioning how much she missed her mother," Davene said.

Avington, who Davene said was too distraught to take any more calls about his wife, started a GoFundMe page for funeral expenses.

"Cathy's heart was shown in the last moments of her life as she pulled over to assist a motorist who was involved in an accident," Avington wrote on the page. "For those of us who know Cathy, her act of heroism makes complete sense."

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DPS is awaiting lab results to determine if the driver who hit Catherine was impaired, said spokesperson Bart Graves. The driver of the Durango was never found.

After Catherine was struck, another driver crashed into the Durango but wasn't hurt. Inattention at the accident scene caused another crash involving three vehicles and one driver suspected of DUI.

"We always advise people to pull off the road and call 911," Graves said. "Let us close down traffic and attend to the collision."

Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Loved ones remember Mesa newlywed killed trying to help crash victim
For the record:

10:40 a.m. March 14, 2025: A previous version of this story stated that Republican Shannon Grove was a member of the state Assembly. Grove is a state senator.



The Democratic-led Legislature's efforts to shield immigrants from the Trump administration's aggressive deportation efforts, and attacks on so-called sanctuary states, promise to be among the most contentious issues during a session expected to focus heavily on public safety.

Along with immigration, efforts to implement the tough-on-crime ballot measure approved by voters in November, Proposition 36, and funding its drug treatment component are expected to create the biggest rifts among Democratic and Republican lawmakers, while efforts to combat human trafficking may be among the concerns that both political parties could find common ground.

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Everyone in this building has heard the voters loud and clear, said Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), chair of his chamber's public safety committee. They dont feel safe. But we can't lose sight that our justice system needs to be just."

Schultz and his Democratic counterpart on the state Senate's public safety committee, Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley), told The Times that they expect California lawmakers to fight to protect Californians and their progressive ideology from aggressive attacks from the Trump administration, while focusing on recovery efforts from this year's deadly wildfires and addressing voter concerns about crime.

President Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities and states such as California. The California Values Act, also known as Senate Bill 54, took effect in 2018 and limits how police in the state can work with federal immigration enforcement and also prevents police from investigating or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes.

"I don't understand what the issue is," said Arreguin, the panel's chair. "I think the law is clear, and I think the law struck a balance."

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Arreguin and Schultz expect Republicans and Democrats to agree on issues relating to human trafficking and cracking down on the sale of untraceable ghost guns, but they probably will diverge on issues such as immigration.

SB 554 by Senate minority leader Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), is an effort to overhaul the sanctuary law. The bill aims to "ensure violent criminals are not shielded" from federal immigration authorities. The bill also would prohibit jurisdictions from adding more restrictions beyond what current sanctuary law allows. The Deputy Sheriffs' Assn. of San Diego County supports the bill.

"This is a simple reform to tighten up California's sanctuary state policy in favor of better public safety," Jones said during a news conference this month.

Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), the bill's co-author, said that making sure violent offenders are not shielded from federal authorities would create a "safer environment" for everyone, including other families lacking documentation.

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Charis Kubrin, a criminology professor at UC Irvine whose research found that the state's sanctuary state law did not cause an increase in crime , said she is concerned that crime policies are based on "moral panics and fear."

"If we care about crime and want to enhance public safety, targeting immigration as the solution to the crime problem is a fool's errand," she said.

Under California's sanctuary state law, local law enforcement can notify federal immigration agents of someone's upcoming release. It also can transfer them to immigration custody if the person has certain convictions, including many felonies and higher-level misdemeanors. State prison officials have no limits regarding whom they can transfer to immigration custody, but they do have to give the person written notice.

The immigration bills brought forward by Democrats include SB 48 , introduced by Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), which aims to strengthen protections for families with children in grades K-12 and impose regulations on federal immigration officials' interactions with schools, protecting the sharing of a student's data to federal officers without a warrant.

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Arreguin's SB 81 would restrict immigration officers' access to hospitals and limit the information available to them.

"I believe very strongly that healthcare is a basic human right and that we should not prevent people from accessing critical healthcare because they're afraid of being arrested and deported," he said.

The chairs of both public safety committees also said implementing Proposition 36 will be one of the top priorities in the Legislature this year.

An overwhelming majority of voters in November passed the measure, which reforms a pivotal 2014 law that made some low-level, nonviolent property and drug crimes, including stealing merchandise valued at less than $950, misdemeanors instead of felonies.

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Schultz, who before the Legislature spent time in the attorney generals office and as mayor of Burbank, supports parts of Proposition 36, but he expressed concerns over its drug court component, especially the promise that individuals convicted of a third drug-related offense can choose treatment over jail. According to testimony during legislative hearings last month, some counties are unprepared for an expected influx of cases and lack the funding needed to support treatment.

Schultz said voters were sold on a promise that he is unsure can be fulfilled.

He has introduced a handful of bills, including two related to public safety that would give courts more authority to determine when to charge an individual with a misdemeanor and another that focuses on adult release and rehabilitation for parolees.

Proposition 36 was presented as a potential solution. Will it be? I dont know, Arreguin said.

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Arreguin, whose district includes Oakland, said rising crime is a major concern for his constituents, who want more policing and more accountability. He faces the challenge of balancing safety with the need to avoid backpedaling on prison reform.

"How do we keep our communities safe without going backward?" he asked.

The public safety bills introduced by Republicans include classifying the rape or sexual assault of a person who has a developmental disability as a violent felony, and adding Tianeptine, also known as gas station heroin, to the list of Schedule I substances, which means they have the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

In the last two years, Republican Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, a MAGA conservative, has earned political points after the passage of her two bills that created stiffer penalties for the selling and purchasing of child sex trafficking. This year, she is bringing back a third bill with co-author Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento), a former federal prosecutor. The proposed legislation would make it a crime to loiter with the intent to purchase sex and ensure that the crime of purchasing a minor for sex applies in any case in which the victim is under 18.

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Gun regulation will continue to be a top priority for legislators. SB 704 , introduced by Arreguin, would regulate the sale of gun barrels to curb the rise of ghost guns. Arreguin said people are "getting creative" to evade current laws.

Both Arreguin and Schultz know theyre in for a tough assignment.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO)  A fight in Freeport late Thursday resulted in a 29-year-old man shot in the leg, police said.

According to the Freeport Police Department, officers were called to the 1100 block of S. Chicago Avenue around 9:55 p.m.

Investigators determined a fight had occurred in the area of Frank Street and Chicago Avenue.

When the fight was over, a suspect fired one round from a gun, which traveled into the house and struck the victim in the leg. He was taken to FHN hospital for treatment and later released.

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Authorities ask that anyone with information on the crime contact Freeport Police.

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UPDATED, 10:59 AM: Donald Trump congratulated Chuck Schumer for his decision to advance a GOP bill to keep the government open  but its hardly the kind of praise that the Senate Democratic leader needs.

Fellow lawmakers and party activists are irate at what they see as a massive cave to Republicans as a time when Elon Musk is slashing the federal government and Trump is enacting retribution on political enemies. D.C.s non-voting representative, Eleanor Holmes Norton, says that the funding bill, which would avert a government as shutdown as it would finance spending through the end of the year, is an act of fiscal sabotage on a city that voted more than 90% in favor of Kamala Harris. District officials point to a provision that would force them to make more than $1 billion in cuts for the rest of the fiscal year.

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Republicans partisan spending bill turns the federal government into a slush fund for Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) wrote on X. Its unthinkable that any Senate Democrat would hand them a blank check by voting for cloture.

Others, like Jack Schlossberg, mocked Schumers move.

Schumer announced Thursday night that he would vote to advance the GOP bill later today. He acknowledged that the bill is very bad, but said that the consequences of a shut down would be much, much worse. He suggested that it would accelerate Trump and Musks cuts and closure of federal agencies.

The risk of allowing the president to take even more power via a government shutdown is a much worse path, Schumer wrote in a New York Times op-ed.

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He added, In a shutdown, we would be busy fighting with Republicans over which agencies to reopen and which to keep closed instead of debating the damage Mr. Trumps agenda is causing.

After Schumers announcement, House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar released a statement that did not directly reference Schumers decision but said, House Democrats will not be complicit.

Later, at a press conference, Jeffries was asked whether he still has confidence in Schumer, and he said, Next question.

We strongly oppose any efforts to cut the healthcare of the American people, veterans benefits and nutritional assistance, all of which are in the partisan Republican bill, Jeffries said.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in, saying a statement, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America. Lets be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.

Republicans still need to line up a half dozen more Democratic votes to advance the bill this afternoon, with a deadline of midnight ET before the government closes.

PREVIOUSLY: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Thursday that he will vote to advance a Republican bill to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, potentially averting the threat of a government shutdown.

As Democrats bashed the bill as one that will slash health and veterans benefits and remove more than $1 billion from the budget of Washington, D.C., Schumer warned that a shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk even more opportunity to decimate federal agencies.

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While the [funding] bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse, Schumer said.

Government funding runs out at midnight Saturday.

His decision could motivate other Democrats to vote to advance the bill to the floor on Friday morning. Republicans need seven or eight votes to reach the 60-vote threshold to cut off debate on the legislation, something that gave Democrats some leverage to block the legislation.

Throughout the day today, a number of House Democrats urged Senate colleagues to stick together, and a number of them did vow to vote against sending the bill to the floor.

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But Schumer said that for Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda right now. Donald Trump owns the chaos in the government. He owns the chaos in the stock market. He owns the damage happening to our economy from one end of the country to the other.

Schumer said that with a shutdown, congressional Republicans would weaponize their majorities to cherry pick which parts of the government to reopen in a protracted shutdown.

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House and Senate Democrats on their chambers appropriations committees have been saying for weeks that they want to negotiate bipartisan spending bills to keep the government open for the remainder of the fiscal year. The only thing theyve requested in return  for their cooperation in helping to pass a short-term spending bill to keep the government open and/or as part of the typical top-line spending amount negotiations  is some sort of guarantee that constitutionally protected separation of powers will be restored. They want Republicans to commit to a return to the world in which Congress, and not the White House or a random billionaire, makes spending decisions.

It is extremely difficult to reach an agreement on how to keep the government open when the President is illegally blocking vast chunks of approved funding, when he is trying to unilaterally shutter critical agencies, and when an unelected billionaire is empowered to force his way into our governments central, highly-sensitive payments system, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said early last month.

Democrats and Republicans alike must be able to trust that when a deal gets signed into law, it will be followed, she said.

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So Democrats have insisted for weeks that, in order to get their help on any type of short-term spending bill to keep the government open, theyd need some assurance that Trump and Elon Musk will stop lawlessly shutting down agencies and ending funding for federal programs.

Republicans called the request a non-starter. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) even described it as a violation of separation of powers.

Trump was able to bully enough Republican holdouts to get in line and support the continuing resolution (the funding bill) that it passed the House earlier this week without Democratic support. But he was reportedly, in part, able to do that by assuring those Republicans, who have built their brand on never approving government spending, that his administration would pursue impoundment to not actually spend the money that Congress will have appropriated.

The extent to which that latest almost certainly illegal assertion was a negotiating tactic to bully members of Congress into line remained unclear. But Fox News is reporting today that it spoke with sources who claim the threat is real. Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought are reportedly gaming out how exactly theyll impound the funds from the Republican CR if it passes the Senate.

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From Fox News Digitals report this afternoon:

Two people familiar with the conversations told Fox News Digital that President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought are working on a strategy for impounding federal funds that Congress is expected to allocate this week, before the partial government shutdown deadline on March 14.

Senate Democrats were already loathe to help Republicans pass the CR  either by invoking cloture on the legislation so that Senate Republicans can pass the MAGA bill with a simple majority (in exchange for Republican leadership giving Dems a vote on their 30-day spending bill) or by giving them the votes they need to overcome the filibuster.

But the impoundment news only exacerbates the real problem that Democrats have been trying to keep front and center for weeks: the Trump administration is already not following the law. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) expressed that exact sentiment to my colleague Kate Riga this afternoon, after the Fox News story broke.

From our liveblog coverage:

Republicans in the House of Representatives and Republicans in the Senate are complicit in allowing President Trump to violate the law, he told me. Theyre letting it happen and its already happening today.

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Catch up on our live coverage here: Senate Democrats Decide Whether To Take A Stand On Republicans Poison-Pilled CR

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NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will explore homegrown solutions to finance its critical services, particularly its healthcare systems, as shifting geopolitical dynamics alter traditional funding structures, a senior government official said on Friday.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi warned that relying on external funding is no longer sustainable, given the evolving global political and economic environment.

"We must graduate from complaining about Universal Health Coverage to fixing what needs to be corrected for it to work," Mudavadi said during the launch of the Kenya Diaspora Policy 2024 in Nairobi, the capital.

"Nobody is going to underwrite the healthcare of the people of Kenya. It has to be underwritten by Kenyans themselves," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Kenyan foreign ministry.

Kenya must transition from dependency to self-reliance, Mudavadi said, emphasizing that Nairobi can no longer rely on external donors to underwrite critical services.

Mudavadi talked about the withdrawal of U.S. donor funding for health programs and called for a policy shift that enables Kenya to stand on its own.

"If we create the right environment, we can tap into this expertise to strengthen our own healthcare system," he said.

Mudavadi said the Kenyan diaspora, when given the right investment frameworks, can play a critical role in transforming the country's infrastructure.

"We cannot continue facilitating investment in a way that disadvantages our citizens," he said, calling for policy adjustments to strike a balance between foreign direct investment and local economic empowerment.

Special economic zones (SEZs) should not just attract international capital but also create tangible opportunities for Kenyan businesses, manufacturers, and workers, Mudavadi said.

He said the diaspora must be integrated into the SEZ strategy, ensuring they benefit from the incentives currently extended to foreign investors. "If we can offer tax breaks and incentives to foreign companies setting up in our SEZs, why not extend the same to our diaspora?"

Mudavadi proposed that diaspora-focused industrial hubs be established within SEZs, allowing Kenyans abroad to set up manufacturing plants, innovation centers, and logistics hubs that support economic growth while keeping profits within the Kenyan economy.

Through proper policy alignment, the diaspora community could use SEZs to create job opportunities, transfer skills, and invest in large-scale industries that drive national development, he said.

Mudavadi reaffirmed the government's commitment to facilitating diaspora investment, highlighting initiatives such as the Diaspora Bond and efforts to lower remittance costs. 
By Ruma Paul

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuters) -The United Nations will do all it can to help prevent food rations being cut for Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday during a visit to the worlds largest refugee settlement.

Guterres visited the border district of Cox's Bazar, in southern Bangladesh, after the U.N. World Food Programme announced potential cuts to food rations for the Rohingya refugees due to a funding shortfall.

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Bangladesh is sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya - members of a persecuted Muslim minority who fled violent purges in neighbouring Myanmar - in camps in the Coxs Bazar district, where they have limited access to jobs or education.

Guterres said "dramatic" cuts in humanitarian aid announced by the United States and European countries meant there was a risk of food rations to the camp being reduced.

"I will be talking to all countries in the world that can support us in order to make sure that funds are made available to avoid a situation in which people would suffer in even more," Guterres said.

The WFP has said it may reduce food rations for the Rohingya from $12.50 to $6 per month from April because of a lack of funding, raising fears among aid workers of rising hunger in the overcrowded camps.

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"My voice will speak loud to the international community, saying we need urgently more support because this population badly needs that support to be able to live in dignity here in Bangladesh," Guterres said.

Later, accompanied by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladeshs interim government, Guterres said Cox's Bazar was "ground zero" for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need.

"UN agencies  as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs  are confronting the prospect of enormous funding cuts. This will have a direct and dire impact on people," he said.

Guterres was speaking as tens of thousands of Rohingya participated in the Iftar - the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan - holding placards that read, "UN, take us back to our home!" and "We are Rohingya, not Stateless!"

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The WFP said this month the reduction was due to a broad shortfall in donations, not a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to cut U.S. foreign aid globally.

But a senior Bangladeshi official told Reuters the U.S. cuts likely played a role as the U.S. has been the top donor for Rohingya refugee aid.

"Whatever we are given now is not enough. If thats halved, we are simply going to starve," said Mohammed Sabir, a 31-year-old refugee from Myanmar who has lived in the camps since fleeing violence in 2017.

REFUGEES FEAR BEING FORGOTTEN

Many Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2016 and 2017. About 70,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh last year, driven in part by growing hunger in their home state of Rakhine, Reuters has reported.

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"We are not allowed to work here. I feel helpless when I think of my children. What will I feed them?" said Sabir, a father of five. "I hope we are not forgotten. The global community must come forward to help."

The WFP has said it requires $15 million in April to maintain full rations for the refugees. But fears are growing about the impact on food security during the holy month of Ramadan, which this year ends in the last days of March.

Bangladeshs interim government hopes Guterres' visit will help draw international attention to the crisis and mobilise aid.

"Without work or income, this will have catastrophic consequences," 80-year-old refugee Abdur Salam said of food ration cuts. "What kind of life is this? If you cant give us enough food, please send us back to our homeland. We want to return to Myanmar with our rights."

(Additional reporting by Sam Jahan, Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Editing by Gerry Doyle, Timothy Heritage and Alex Richardson)
Democrats across the ideological spectrum are sharply criticizing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for caving on his threat to block a Republican bill to avert a government shutdown.

Schumer on Wednesday announced Democrats would filibuster the legislation, but then on Thursday revealed that he himself planned to vote for it, signaling that the filibuster likely wouldnt happen after all.

Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), a member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, compared Schumer unfavorably to former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

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McConnell abused the filibuster to make America worse, Casten wrote on social media. Schumer is refusing to use the filibuster to... accomplish what, exactly?

I think it is a huge slap in the face, and I think that theres a wide sense of betrayal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a leading progressive, told reporters.

Democrats unwillingness to stand up for Congresss constitutional right to prevent Trump from unilaterally shutting down social security offices or firing veterans is craven, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), another progressive, said on social media. If were afraid of blame, we need to get better at persuasionnot rolling over.

The House passed the bill on Tuesday with all Democrats except Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) voting against the measure. The vote was a rare feat of unity for Republicans, with even far-right members who hate government spending lining up behind House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and President Donald Trump, who threatened to punish dissenters.

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All eyes then turned to the Senate, where Democrats have the power to block the bill, since it takes 60 votes to pass legislation and Republicans hold only 53 seats. The threat of a filibuster and subsequent government shutdown represented one of Democrats few points of leverage to check Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk.

Even though Musk and Trump have been unilaterally canceling congressionally mandated spending and flattening federal agencies, Schumer reckoned that a government shutdown would only give them more leeway to do what they wanted. In a shutdown, it would be up to the Trump administration to determine which personnel and policies count as essential and are allowed to continue.

A shutdown would give Donald Trump the keys to the city, the state and the country, Schumer said on the Senate floor when he announced his decision.

But nobody really knows how a shutdown would be different this year than in years before. Other Democrats said not shutting the government would have essentially the same result Schumer described. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told reporters Wednesday that the House bill provides, in my view, a continuing blank check to shut down government agencies, as theyre doing right now.

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The legislation funds the government until September. It omits language Democrats had sought to prevent Trump from continuing his efforts to stifle spending. Its harshest provision will force the city of Washington, D.C. to cut $1 billion from its budget, potentially meaning layoffs for hundreds of teachers and police officers.

Past government shutdowns, on the other hand, have resulted in thousands of federal workers being sent home without pay, with interruptions to nonessential functions such as food inspections, customer service at national parks and benefits verification at the Social Security Administration. Of its own initiative, of course, the Trump administration has been sending workers home and considering potentially major alterations to the way Social Security interacts with beneficiaries.

The limited public polling indicates voters were set to blame Republicans for the shutdown. A Quinnipiac University survey released Thursday found just 32% of registered voters would have blamed congressional Democrats for a shutdown, while 31% would have blamed congressional Republicans and 22% would have blamed Trump.

On social media, a wide range of liberalpundits, including many frequently loyal to the Democratic Party, called for a primarychallenge to Schumer, who is not up for reelection until 2028.

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The criticism did not exclusively come from the partys left wing. Stefanie Feldman, a longtime aide to former President Joe Biden, did not directly name Schumer but suggested on social media that Democrats were doing little but giving up congressional authority.

The shutdown is already happening. It is called Trump and Musks demolition of our government, she wrote. The question is whether Congress will cede its remaining checks on the powers of the president.

Among the few Democrats willing to defend Schumer was Adam Jentleson, a former top aide to Sens. John Fetterman and the late Harry Reid, who argued Democratic leverage in the moment is minimal.

Schumer is right. Dems are understandably spoiling for a fight but this was not it, Jentleson wrote on social media. The idea that there was leverage in a shutdown was magical thinking - itd be a gift to DOGE, more people would be hurt and it wouldve ended with a worse deal.

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Speaker Johnson adjourned the House after Republicans approved the bill on Tuesday, sending representatives home from Washington. House Democrats headed to nearby Leesburg, Virginia, for an annual retreat billed as an issues conference. Lawmakers looked at their phones Thursday afternoon eager for news about the Senate vote and anxious that their colleagues would cave.

We keep hearing this mandate language when in fact, the election was far closer than people will give credit to and at the end of the day, were basically an evenly split nation, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, told HuffPost. And right now, were being forced by a slim majority in the House of Representatives to eat what theyre dishing out, and were not willing to do that.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misidentified Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a Republican. He is a Democrat.
U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) held a livestreamed town hall on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Screenshot

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) plans to vote against advancing a stopgap spending bill that must be signed into law before Saturday to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Slotkin said during a virtual town hall Thursday evening that she would vote against the Republican spending plan because of cuts to infrastructure projects, Veterans Affairs services and programs aimed at protecting the Great Lakes.

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The junior senators plan to vote against the bill marks a break from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said Thursday that he would vote to advance the short-term budget.

Slotkin said that she would also not vote for the plan unless given assurances that President Donald Trump would spend the funds as appropriated by Congress, citing concerns that Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, would try to redirect or withhold funds.

Im a former federal government employee. I dont like shutdowns. But I think that we need to have an honest, bipartisan conversation, Slotkin said. Adults can get in the room and negotiate on these things so that we have some assurances that the money we put out in our bill is going to be spent accordingly.

Slotkin said it is potentially a nail biter whether Republicans will be able to gain enough support from Democrats to hit the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the bill.

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She said her office has received more than 20,000 calls, letters and emails about DOGEs federal government reforms.

The first-term senator said she agrees with the mission of cutting wasteful spending, but argued that the way DOGE has gone about it has been reckless, pointing to cuts targeting new employees that ended up also cutting long-term employees who had recently been promoted into new supervisor positions.

I worked at the CIA. I know theres fat on the bone. If you would have given me the task of cutting it, I can tell you exactly where Id start, Slotkin said. But I do think theres a responsible way and a reckless way, and a way that doesnt have to harm our state and harm our security.

She said the cuts could affect the upkeep of trails and other parks in Michigan, as well as the ability to predict natural disasters or other weather events.

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Slotkin also took aim at the uncertainty caused by Trumps introduction of and delays on implementing tariffs.

You cant do that forever, Slotkin said. You cant threaten and then not do it, and threaten and not do it, and it continue to work.

She said that while tariffs are a tool worth having, countries like Canada should not be treated the same as countries like China  and that if Trump did go through with implementing the tariffs on Canada, the Senate could counteract it with legislation.

Should the tariffs go into effect, Slotkin said home prices could increase by up to $20,000 while car prices could increase by as much as $12,000.

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Slotkin, who earlier this month delivered the Democratic response to Trumps first Joint Address since retaking office, faced several questions during the town hall about whether Democrats were doing enough to push back on Trump.

She said the Democratic strategy is focused on legislation, litigation and communication.

While Slotkin acknowledged that some Democrats may have wanted her to be a hardline vote against all of Trumps cabinet appointees, she said she felt it was important to have a relationship with the department heads so that she can advocate for her constituents.

Im getting the calls from so many Michiganders who need help and who want me to call these people and get something moving for them, so I made the decision, just as someone whos very practical, that I cant just be an activist, that I have to be able to get things done, Slotkin said.

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Slotkin said she and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) received a tip last week that a federal government office in Michigan was set to cut up to 1,000 employees, but after the senators called the agency head, who they had voted for, and implored them to reconsider, the cuts were seemingly averted.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  A new Smith County animal shelter could be in the works soon. The news comes on the heels of a social media post made Wednesday by Smith County Judge Neal Franklin addressing recent backlash against Smith County Animal Control and Shelter.

Smith County euthanizes 10 dogs rescued from dog fighting ring

Judge Franklin spoke about how his office receives up to 80 calls a day regarding where to go to pick up animals.

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Oftentimes when will we receive 30 to 80 calls a day, Franklin said. I mean it varies, but a lot of these are actually to go out and pick up animals.

Judge Franklin said more animals make their way to the countys animal shelter everyday. Thats just one of the issues, he outlined in a 16-point Facebook post on Wednesday.

I just wanted to make sure and answer questions, and I received a lot of calls, Franklin said.

Judge Franklin touched on several points during the 16-point Facebook post including the centers process of operations, kennel cleaning issues, business hours and their euthanasia policy. He pointed out in his post that a solution to some of these problems could come from a new location.

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Shelter supervisor Amber Greene said a new location is needed, adding their current building was not made to hold animals, especially this many cats and dogs.

The facility that were in now it used to be Crescent Laundry, Greene said. They just kind of remodeled it for an animal shelter.

AFFIDAVIT: Detective reveals horrific conditions of dogs found at alleged Smith County fighting ring

According to Greene, cleaning the kennels takes between five and six hours every day. The shelter also doesnt have an official space for potential adopters to meet the animals.

The stuff that we put on it on a day-to-day basis has proven to be more than what it can handle, Greene said. So, we are looking to build a new shelter. And of course, we need a little bit bigger than what we are here.

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Greene said she hopes the new space will help with the shelters ultimate goal of getting these animals adopted.

So, we want to be able to have that inviting atmosphere for potential adopters and volunteers and just a community to come out to kind of see what we have, Greene said.

The planning stages are in the works and the county hired Shelter Planners of America to research what the county needs. A timeline for the new shelter has not been set yet.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Shawnee (SNCO) County Commissioner, Kevin Cook, joined the 27 News morning show on Friday to discuss the construction project on 46th Street, north of Topeka, and two local park upgrades!

At Shawnee County Commission on Thursday, March 13, the commissioners approved temporary traffic control changes, which are directly tied to the NW 46th Street Improvement Project.

End will justify the means: Contentious 46th Street construction moving forward

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The temporary traffic controls will remain in place until NW 46th Street reopens to unrestricted traffic. The reopening is anticipated later in 2025, after the completion of the improvement project.

SNCO Commissioner Cook also talked about the commission giving the green light to amp up two local parks with new playground equipment. These additions are being put in at Nellie Hogan Park and Horne Park. Commissioner Cook talked about where the money is coming from, why its important to keep the parks updated, how it will benefit the community, and why these upgrades will be good for these specific locations.

To hear more about what SNCO Commissioner Cook had to say on both topics, you can watch the interview above to learn more.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  This weekend will see an increased law enforcement patrol presence across the Miami Valley.

St. Patricks Day weekend is a much anticipated time for many, but the effort of safety has not lightened in the minds of local law enforcement.

To reduce the number of alcohol related traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, the Dayton Police Department and members of the Combined Agency OVI Task Force of Montgomery County will operate two sobriety checkpoints.

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The checkpoints will be in place on Friday, March 14, from 7 p.m. to midnight. They will be located at 1500 E. Third St. (near Terry Street); and in the area of South Keowee St. and East Fifth Street.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office will join the Combined Agency OVI Task Force of Montgomery County on Monday to operate a sobriety checkpoint as well. More information on where that checkpoint will be is yet to be announced.

Extra patrolling will also be happening in Mercer County, as the sheriffs office announced its St. Patricks Day Blitz.

Those on patrol will be looking for impaired, aggressive and criminal-based drivers, as well as distracted drivers and those not following seatbelt requirements.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
(Getty Images)

The state may enforce its 2024 slaw limiting social media use for minors for now, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled Friday in Tallahassee.

Associations representing social media companies requested a preliminary injunction against HB 3, which prohibits Floridians under 13 from using social media and 14- and 15-year-olds from using them without parental consent.

The associations, NetChoice and Computer & Communications Industry Association, failed to prove members including Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube would be harmed by the law, Walker ruled.

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The only pieces of evidence that plaintiffs have produced on this point are vague, conclusory assertions in each of the four declarations attached to their motion for a preliminary injunction that the declarant understand[s] or believes that one of their members may be or appears to be covered by the law, Walker wrote in a 13-page denial of the preliminary injunction.

Those claims were not enough, Walker decided.

The attorney generals office and the associations met in front of Walker on Feb. 28 for a hearing, the Phoenix reported.

The arguments lasted for more than three hours with the tech giants arguing the states approach was draconian; lawyers for the state argued Floridas law differed from other states social media laws, such as Utahs, which also restricts minors (younger than 18) accounts. A judge in Utah blocked the law in September.

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Specifically, the state argued, the Florida law allows use by minors if social media companies can meet certain criteria  that they dont use addictive features like infinite scrolling and push notifications for young people, and apps on which at least 10% of users younger than 16 spend more than two hours per day.

The ruling offers a suggestion about how companies could prove they would be affected, with Walker noting that the associations never argued the data were unavailable or burdensome to collect.

This Court has never suggested that plaintiffs must hand over data showing with certainty that one of their members meets the time requirement, Walker wrote. What is required is for plaintiffs to adduce some evidence from which this court could reasonably conclude that it is likely that at least one specific member meets this requirement.

During a bill signing in March 2024, former House Speaker Paul Renner, who pushed the law as a priority, name-dropped NetChoice, predicting the group would sue the day after the bill was signed.

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The associations attorney, Erin Murphy, referenced the press conference as a reason his members fear the law would apply to them, Walker ruled that the remarks didnt prove the companies would suffer.

Even assuming, for the sake of argument, that the Florida Legislature designed the law with some of plaintiffs members in mind and that the Attorney General believes some of plaintiffs members are likely covered by it, the law can only be enforced against one of plaintiffs members if its platform meets each of the four specific coverage criteria, Walker wrote.

The state agreed not to enforce the law until court proceedings played out, despite its Jan. 1 effective date.

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President Donald Trump caused yet more controversy Thursday by once again talking up the idea of America seizing control of the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland.

We have to do it. We really need it for national security. I think thats why NATO might have to get involved, in a way, as we really need Greenland for national security, Trump told reporters during an Oval Office briefing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Trump noted how U.S. service members are already stationed on the island and teased, Maybe youll see more and more soldiers go there?

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I dont know, he continued, before turning to Fox News personality-turned-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ask: What do you think about that Pete? Dont answer that Pete, dont answer that.

Critics used social media to slam Trumps rhetoric.

We do not appreciate the Secr. Gen. of NATO joking with Trump about Greenland like this. It would mean war between two NATO countries. Greenland has just voted against immediate independence from Denmark and does not want to be American ever.pic.twitter.com/eh7enEHoA8  Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) March 13, 2025

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Welcome back to the Social Rundown, where you can learn about the online trends happening globally and in Texoma, too!

Want to get the latest tea or news on whats trending on social media? Tune in daily!

Denver explosion at assisted living

An assisted living in Denver, Colorado, has gone under investigation as an explosion has injured more than 10 people and displaced dozens. According to The Denver Post, construction crews were working near the senior facility when they hit a power line, which caused the explosion. It was also said that staff members and first responders worked tirelessly to find places for the residents to go as they loaded them onto buses.

Denver Internation Airport Fire

Passengers onboard American Airlines Flight 1006 were evacuated at Denver International Airport on Thursday, March 13, after the aircraft caught fire.

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The plane traveling from Colorado Springs Airport to DFW International Airport was diverted and safely landed at Denver International Airport. According to the FAA, the aircraft`s engine caught fire after landing and while taxiing to the gate, and passengers were evacuated using the slides. The FAA said they were investigating the incident.

Total Lunar Eclipse

What a beautiful sight! Yesterday, a total Lunar Eclipse occurred, and many people worldwide tuned in.

In South America, specifically Chile, we saw the red moon, which occurs when the earth casts a shadow that can partially or totally block out the moon. Lunar Eclipses can occur anywhere from four to seven times a year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
EAU CLAIRE  Representatives from Catholic Charities and the Catholic Church met with local leaders Tuesday to discuss the financial situation of Sojourner House in the hopes of finding a way to prevent the homeless shelter from having to reduce its operations.

The homeless shelter, which opened in 2011, is contemplating reducing its operations from a year-round service to operating for six months out of the year.

Basically, being open for the coldest part of the year, said Rob Grover, advancement director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse. Let me be very clear. We do not want to do this. It is not set in stone. We are currently seeking community partners and donations, whether it be private businesses, whether it be the city, the county, or the state to not have to do this, but if we cant find the funding, then we would close on May 1 [and] reopen November 1.

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Grover wasnt very optimistic that a solution will be found in time. He said the shelter costs $75,000 to $80,000 a month to operate.

I dont want to sugarcoat anything at this point, he said. If we dont bring in the funds, the plan is we would have to close on May 1. Right now, were about $450,000 short, about six months worth, of where we need to be in the budget to be able to keep it open year-round. This isnt just a one time support. We really need to increase support year over year to be able to plan ahead and have the shelter be open.

Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Minor said that the city of Eau Claire was notified of the problem by local Catholic priests in the area on Tuesday.

Mentioning the shock the community had with the sudden announcement of the HSHS hospital closures last year, he said the priests just wanted to be proactive in this case and look at the situation from a community standpoint. Are there other solutions out there, other ways we could look at to keep this a viable option?

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A group of representatives from the city, the county, the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, and the Catholic Church met early that afternoon.

We have at least two, if not three, subsequent meetings coming up over the next month to continue to talk about the situation and what options we can identify, Minor said. This is critical to our community. If Catholic Charities is not able to keep it open come May, thats just going to [exacerbate] the problem that we already have. I think, as a community, we have to look at this and see what can be done.

Grover said that the financial situation the shelter has been facing began in 2020 during the pandemic and seems to be affecting many non-profits.

I think we have seen folks are giving less, and some of that is residual from COVID, Grover said. And to be honest as well, I think the last couple of years, people have been economically strained as well. Its kind of that perfect storm. People havent maybe come back from giving as much as they might have and theres also a lot of uncertainty not just with individuals, but within the greater business community as well.

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He said that they rely on donations from both individuals and businesses, and that the organization is working to try to increase those donations.

But I think there is a lot of anxiety when it comes to economics right now, he said. I think that the problems were seeing arent just what were experiencing. Non-profit agencies all over the country are dealing with a lot of the same issues.

Grover specified that the financial issue is not due to any federal grant limitations as the organization does not currently receive federal grants.

He said the biggest issue is that theyve been seeing a real drop off from private donors.

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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse is a separate legal entity from the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, though it works in partnership with the Diocese and receives some of its funding from the diocese.

When asked if the renovations to the building in 2023 were contributing to the increased costs in operating, Grover said, I dont want to say that it has had no effect, but the truth of the matter is the real effect has come down to a decrease in donations and foundational support. Even if we hadnt done the renovation, we would be facing some of the same issues.

This is a really really important issue that we have to solve and I want to see the city council and our city be a part of the partnership that is forming to basically support Sojourner House, said City Council member Andrew Werthmann.
Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira (L) meets with Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kacou Houadja Leon Adom in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on March 14, 2025. Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Kacou Houadja Leon Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

ABIDJAN, March 14 (Xinhua)-- Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Leon Kacou Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan.

A key focus of their discussions was the signing of an aviation cooperation agreement aimed at establishing direct flights between the two countries, which will likely be operated by one of the two countries' airlines.

Beyond aviation, the ministers explored opportunities for collaboration in education and diplomatic training. Vieira emphasized the strong social and cultural ties between Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire, noting significant potential for growth in bilateral trade.

"We aim to strengthen cooperation and provide more opportunities for young Ivorian diplomats to study at Brazil's diplomatic academy," he stated.

Adom highlighted the economic similarities between Cote d'Ivoire and Brazil, particularly in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. He mentioned the potential for development and optimization of these resources through South-South cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships.

"We plan to sign a strategic partnership agreement to identify key areas for collaboration and inject new momentum into our bilateral relations," he added.

The two officials also exchanged views on multilateral issues, including the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and the upcoming COP30 set to take place in Brazil in November 2025.

During the meeting, Vieira extended a formal invitation to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and his Ivorian counterpart to visit Brazil. 

Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kacou Houadja Leon Adom speaks during a meeting with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira (not in the picture) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on March 14, 2025. Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Kacou Houadja Leon Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira speaks during a meeting with Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kacou Houadja Leon Adom (not in the picture) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on March 14, 2025. Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Kacou Houadja Leon Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira (L, Front) meets with Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kacou Houadja Leon Adom (R, Front) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on March 14, 2025. Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Kacou Houadja Leon Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira (L) meets with Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kacou Houadja Leon Adom in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on March 14, 2025. Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Cote d'Ivoire on Friday and had talks with his Ivorian counterpart Kacou Houadja Leon Adom at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A number of soldiers from a Columbus-based unit of the U.S. Army Reserve are scheduled to parachute at Wright-Patterson Airfield on Friday.

According to the 88th Air Base Wing, soldiers from the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) will be jumping out of a KC-130J aircraft.

One year later: Indian Lake reflects on devastating tornado

In the afternoon, around 100 soldiers could be included at around 3:45 and/or 4:45 p.m. In the evening, roughly 80 soldiers could parachute around 8:45 and/or 9:45 p.m.

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The airborne operation is an important part of the training and readiness efforts of the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, which plays a vital role in supporting U.S. Army operations through civil military engagements, said the 88th Air Base.

If weather conditions are poor, the operation could be postponed or canceled.

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Dr Tom Catena cant remember the last time he had a day off. The American missionary running the biggest hospital in Sudans Nuba mountains says he has been on call pretty much 24 hours a day since he opened the facility 17 years ago.

Its been years, he said. I had pulmonary tuberculosis back in 2017I guess that was the last time I really took some time off.

Known by locals as Dr Tom, the 60-year-old strives to show the love of Christ through his medical work. You do it as a complete service, he said, adding that his Catholic faith is his driving force.

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Its good he has faith, because he is up against it.

With Sudan mired in civil war, more than a million people have fled to the relative safety of the Nuba mountains, piling pressure on its already overstretched healthcare system. There are now four million people living in the region, but only two hospitals to meet their needs.

Dr Tom was awarded the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity in 2017 - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

On top of that, the region is in the grip of a devastating famine, which is stretching Dr Catenas resources to breaking point and creating the most challenging moment for the region since it came under attack in 2011.

Dr Catena has no idea how many people have arrived in the Nuba mountains since fighting broke out in Sudan almost two years ago, but many have risked their lives to reach the Mother of Mercy hospital which he runs  word of its work has travelled far and wide.

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We heard of Dr Tom, they say he has treated millions of people, said Layla Mohammed, 40, who travelled by TukTuk for five days to reach the hospital for her daughter to be treated for severe malnutrition. Hes a good man, we love him.

Dressed in dusty scrubs and a worn-out Brown University t-shirt  Dr Catena studied engineering at the Ivy League school in the 1980s before converting to medicine  he told The Telegraph that the food security situation in Nuba is by far the worst its been.

In December, famine was declared in at least five areas in Sudan, including the Western Nuba Mountains and Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.

Layla Mohammed, centre, travelled for five days so her daughter could be treated for severe malnutrition - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Food shortages are so severe that the hospital has been forced to start rationing the high-calorie peanut paste called Plumpy Nut which is used to treat severe malnutrition in children and breastfeeding mothers, said Dr Catena.

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Fresh supplies arent expected until April, he added.

A significant proportion of the patients he and his small team of staff, most of whom are locals he has trained himself, see are suffering from malnourishment as a result of the famine.

While he credits his faith with giving him the strength to keep going, its a struggle.

Often seeing over 100 patients a day, Dr Catena said he finds it hard to switch off: Im a major insomniac.

Ill wake up in the night and Ill start going over an operation that I didwhen your brain starts doing that, forget about it. Its really, really hard to sleep, he said, removing a pair of battered circular glasses to reveal dark rings under his eyes.

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Ive had these glasses for 10 years. Theyre so scratched I have to keep taking them off to see properly!

A child in the nutrition ward at the hospital - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Dr Catena lives in a basic brick compound attached to the back of the hospital with his wife Nasima, who is from Nuba, and their two adopted sons: Francis, seven, and Vincent, who is six months old.

There is no mobile-phone signal, there are no paved roads and there is no running water. Its a far cry from the city of Amsterdam in upstate New York, where he grew up as a devout Catholic with his parents and six siblings.

Dr Catena is no stranger to war. In 2011, the Sudanese government dropped more than 10,000 bombs on the rugged mountainous region in a scorched earth campaign against a local rebel group who refused to accept the imposition of Islamic law.

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Air strikes hit Dr Catenas hospital and home, and the region suffered under a total aid blockade.

Every other doctor, aid worker and even major international organisations including the United Nations, left as soon as the assault began.

Dr Tom with a young patient at the hospital - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Despite never having treated trauma wounds before, only Dr Catena was left to care for Nubas three million inhabitants.

Truckloads of up to a hundred wounded would come. Wed put them on sheets or trolleys in the courtyard, and we just started doing triage, Dr Catena recalled.

In recognition of his work and bravery in staying behind, delivering babies, treating shrapnel wounds and performing amputations, Dr Catena was awarded the prestigious Aurora prize  the top humanitarian award.

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The Telegraph met Dr Catena in January  before the USAID cuts  and he said he was happy Donald Trump is now president.

I just didnt like the way the country was going. It just seemed we were losing our moral compass, he said, calling uncontrolled immigration in the US complete madness.

But he said that denigrating immigrants is of course wrong, adding that it was incredibly difficult for his Sudanese wife Nasima to accompany him on a recent trip.

Children wait outside the hospital - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Dr Catena thinks that Trump will probably have very little effect on Sudans civil war. He is not engaged, he said.

George Bush was the last president interested in Africa, he gave us Pepfar, he said, referring to the landmark HIV/Aids programme.

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A Catholic mission hospital, the Mother of Mercy doesnt provide birth control or abortions under any circumstances.

As a doctor and as a human, you sympathise with people that are in a bad situation, but it is completely forbidden, said Dr Catena. Culturally, in the Nuba mountains, it is an anathema to have an abortion anyway.

In an effort to offset the dire shortage of medical professions in a region that is largely dependent on poorly paid doctors coming from abroad, in 2022, Dr Catena and a small team opened the St Bakhita Health Training Institute on the hospital grounds.

A man waits to be seen at the hospital - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Its the first institution in the Nuba mountains to provide accredited medical courses  a remarkable offering in an area where most dont finish secondary school  and Dr Catena hopes its graduates will one day be able to carry on his work.

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One of our main goals over the past ten years has been to bring care closer to the people as access to care is such an issue, he said. These new graduates will help to transform health care in Nuba as it will double the workforce in our badly under-resourced region.

They currently have 19 clinical officer students and 29 midwifery students. By June 2026, they will have a new intake of around 30 nurses and midwives for the three year diploma course.

But even with a solid blueprint for his legacy in place, Dr Catena shows no sign of slowing down.

As if on cue, his pager beeped  a message from one of his students asking him for advice on a surgical procedure  and he was back on his feet and striding towards the operating room.

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MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia rejects any proposal that would undermine the Palestinian peoples right to live peacefully on their ancestral land, its foreign minister said on Friday.

Ahmed Moalim Fiqi told Reuters that Somalia also rejected any plan that would involve the use of its territory for the resettlement of other populations.

(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh, Writing by George Obulutsa, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Move over, Chicago  the windiest city in the United States is actually in Texas.

Its no surprise that the Lone Star State is home to some of the windiest cities in the U.S., thanks to the persistent winds of the High Plains and the powerful gusts along the Gulf Coast.

But did you know that Texas is so windy, it claims five of the top 10 windiest cities in America?

More: Why is the sky red in Texas? 'Patchy blowing dust' and 'extremely gusty winds' on Friday

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More: Storms that caused flooding in California is headed to Texas. Why it's a 'triple threat'

What are the windiest cities in the United States?

Redfin, the real estate brokerage known for its various studies and rankings, compiled a list of the windiest cities in the U.S.

It may surprise you that Chicago didnt even make the top 10. While the city is famous for its nickname "The Windy City," the title actually refers not only to the powerful winds off Lake Michigan but also to the long-windedness of its politicians and Midwesterners. So, thats probably why it didnt make the list.

The list was based on the highest average annual wind speed, prioritizing consistency throughout the entire year.

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Here are the windiest U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or greater:

10. Abilene, Texas

Average wind speed : 10.9 mph

Highest wind speed: 78 mph (1983)

9. Fargo, North Dakota

Average wind speed: 11.1 mph

Highest wind speed: 110 mph (1999)

8. Wichita Falls, Texas

Average wind speed: 11.2 mph

Highest wind speed: Unknown

7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Average wind speed: 11.3 mph

Highest wind speed: 151 mph (2011)

6. Boston, Massachusetts

Average wind speed: 11.5 mph

Highest wind speed: 90 mph (2019)

5. Wichita, Kansas

Average wind speed: 11.5 mph

Highest wind speed: 101 mph (1993)

4. Corpus Christi, Texas

Average wind speed: 11.7 mph

Highest wind speed: 161 mph (1970)

3. Rochester, Minnesota

Average wind speed: 12.0 mph

Highest wind speed: 74 mph (2019)

2. Lubbock, Texas

Average wind speed: 12.0 mph

Highest wind speed: 90 mph (1952)

1. Amarillo, Texas

Average wind speed: 12.9 mph

Highest wind speed: 84 mph (1949)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Where is the windiest city in the US? Texas claims 5 of top 10
Soulja Boy is seen leaving the Gucci store on December 1, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. - Credit: MEGA/GC Images

Soulja Boy, the Grammy-nominated rapper, appeared in a California courtroom Thursday for the first day of his civil trial involving allegations he beat and raped a woman while she was working as his personal assistant for nearly two years, ending in late 2020.

The Crank That artist, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, denies the allegations. In opening statements, his lawyer said the evidence will show Way never hired the woman, who sued anonymously as a Jane Doe. He said the two had a consensual romantic relationship that overlapped with the three months Way spent in jail for a probation violation linked to his 2014 conviction for possessing a loaded revolver in a car.

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In the lawsuit at the center of the trial, Doe claims that just weeks after she started living with Way at his Malibu mansion, purportedly earning $500 a week, he sexually assaulted her for the first time in February 2019. Her lawyer told jurors Thursday that Way forced himself on Doe after they ran into a bathroom to hide during a raid of the home by law enforcement.

She was told she had to get rid of guns because Mr. Way was concerned they were after the guns that would have violated his probation, Does lawyer, Ron Zambrano, said in his opening. This was the first time he sexually assaulted her, in the bathroom, because he thought he was going to prison and was never going to be with a woman for a little while.

Zambrano said his client was dragged into a vicious cycle of violence and abuse that was complicated by what he described as a highly toxic romantic relationship that also developed between Way and Doe. He said Way manipulated Doe with apologies and proclamations of love, and that his client also felt isolated and dependent on Way until someone in Ways inner circle passed along a number for a lawyer that helped her finally build up the courage to leave.

Doe, who filed her lawsuit in January 2021, is suing Way with claims he subjected her to sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, emotional distress, unpaid overtime, and a hostile work environment. She claims Way punched her in the head on at least ten separate occasions. She claims one incident was so brutal that she lost consciousness and woke up in a locked room with no food or water.

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Way, 34, has also been accused of physical and sexual assault by former girlfriends Kayla Myers and model Nia Riley, the daughter of musician Teddy Riley. Way appeared on the reality shows Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and Marriage Bootcamp with Riley.

In 2021, Riley sat down with YouTube vlogger TashaK and said Way threatened her with a gun and kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. A lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe in May 2021 mirrors the allegations made publicly by Riley. That case initially resulted in a default judgment, but Way is challenging the default, blaming his prior lawyer for failing to share his proper contact information.

In a separate lawsuit, Myers claimed she had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship with Way that ended when the rapper allegedly held a gun to her head, threatened her life, and assaulted her at his home on Feb. 1, 2019. A civil court jury found Way liable for the assault and kidnapping of Myers at a trial.

On Thursday, Ways lawyer, Rickey Ivie, said his client never agreed to hire Jane Doe as an assistant. He said they lived together as boyfriend and girlfriend, sharing the household responsibilities until they broke up.

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The plaintiffs claim is not supported by reliable evidence, Ivie said. The claims are driven by the ulterior motives of jealousy, revenge, and financial gain.

He questioned Does credibility, claiming she said during a deposition that she was prevented from leaving Ways home because on one occasion when she tried to run away, she was chased by a mountain lion.

He said the Doe also told investigators that photos of her alleged injuries were linked to an alleged assault by Way that would have occurred after a date on which she sent the same photos to Ways manager.

The trial is set to resume Monday in Santa Monica.

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SEOUL (Reuters) - A spare power bank is a possible cause of a fire that engulfed an Air Busan plane in January, South Korea's transport ministry said on Friday, citing interim investigation results.

Scorch marks on the debris of a power bank found where the fire was first detected indicate the blaze may have started because insulation inside the battery had broken down, the statement said.

Investigators cannot yet state what may have caused the breakdown, however, according to the statement.

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Lithium batteries in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, electronic cigarettes and power banks can produce smoke, fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short circuit.

No abnormalities in the plane's own electrical systems have been identified, the statement said.

The fire on Jan. 28 was first detected in a luggage bin above row 30 on the left side of the plane about 20 minutes after the delayed flight to Hong Kong from Busan, in South Korea, had been scheduled to depart, investigators have said.

All 170 passengers and six crew were evacuated from the Airbus A321ceo plane, which the fire destroyed.

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South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board is leading the investigation. Friday's investigation update is not a final accident report, which states are obliged to produce within a year of an incident, according to global aviation standards.

Aviation has long recognised lithium batteries as a safety concern, and rules are periodically tightened in response to accidents.

From March 1, South Korea changed rules on carrying batteries onboard flights, including keeping power banks and e-cigarettes with passengers and not in overhead bins, and not charging devices on board.

Last year three incidents every two weeks of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Ed Davies and Gerry Doyle)
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A crew of astronauts who will take over duties on the International Space Station from NASAs Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore  allowing the duo to return home after a days-long journey turned into a nine-month, politically charged trip  have arrived at the orbiting laboratory.

The Crew-10 mission, part of a routine staff rotation jointly operated by NASA and SpaceX, took off at 7:03 p.m. ET Friday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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A SpaceX Dragon capsule, riding atop one of the companys Falcon 9 rockets, carried the four Crew-10 astronauts  NASAs Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov  to orbit.

The four crew members docked with the space station around 12:04 a.m. ET on Sunday. They will spend a few days in a handover period with Williams, Wilmore, and their fellow Crew-9 astronauts, NASAs Nick Hague and Roscosmos Aleksandr Gorbunov.

The Crew-9 Dragon capsule has been docked at the space station since September. If all goes according to plan, Williams, Wilmore, Hague and Gorbunov will climb aboard the Crew-9 spacecraft and head back to Earth as soon as March 19.

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts Don Pettit, bottom center, hugging Kirill Peskov as astronauts greet each other after the SpaceX Crew-10 capsule docked with the International Space Station on Sunday. - NASA/AP

NASA had slated Williams, Wilmore and the other Crew-9 astronauts to return as soon as Sunday. However, their departure hinges on the safe arrival of the relief crew  and SpaceX called off an attempt to launch the Crew-10 mission on Wednesday due to issues with the companys launchpad ground systems.

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The new date is closer in line to a late March departure time that NASA gave the astronauts in December before SpaceX opted to swap the Dragon capsule it used to fly Crew-10 in an attempt to accelerate Williams and Wilmores return.

Launch attempts are routinely called off because of technical issues, but the slight delay in getting Crew-10 off the ground has reignited conversations of Williams and Wilmore being stuck or stranded in space  descriptors the two astronauts have rejected.

Thats been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck  and I get it, we both get it, Wilmore told CNNs Anderson Cooper in February. Help us change the narrative, lets change it to: prepared and committed despite what youve been hearing. Thats what we prefer.

After the hand-off of duties to Crew-10 astronauts is complete, the Crew-9 astronauts can board their capsule and undock  and that milestone will kick off the final stretch of Williams and Wilmores fraught journey.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule Endurance carrying the Crew-10 mission lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday. - Gregg Newton/AFP/Getty Images

While their stay in space has become increasingly politicized, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump asserting the Biden administration abandoned the duo in space, Williams and Wilmore have known since at least last summer they would return home with Crew-9 as part of a routine staffing rotation.

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Acting NASA administrator Janet Petro said during Fridays launch webcast that she spoke to Williams and Wilmore and their crewmates last week.

She said they suspect the four astronauts will have mixed emotions.

Every time you get to go to space  which is what all astronauts want to do  you never know it might be your last time, because you might not be selected for another mission, Petro said. So I bet they have mixed emotions leaving their colleagues up there at the space station. Im sure theyre anxious to get home and put their feet on Earth and spend time with their family  but I think that they have enjoyed their time in space.

From Starliner to Crew Dragon

NASA astronauts commander Anne McClain and pilot Nichole Ayers, alongside mission specialists JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, are seen here ahead of launch on Friday. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Williams and Wilmore began their trip to the International Space Station in June when they piloted the inaugural crewed test flight of Boeings Starliner capsule. But multiple problems with the vehicle cropped up en route to the station, including propulsion issues and helium leaks. Those challenges prompted NASA to extend Williams and Wilmores stay on the space station as mission teams assessed the issues.

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Ultimately, NASA decided last summer that it would be too risky to return Williams and Wilmore home aboard the Boeing vehicle. The space agency announced in August it would instead fold Williams and Wilmore into the official space station staff  making them part of the routine crew rotation  which set them up to return home with SpaceXs Crew-9 mission.

Agency officials made that decision in lieu of flying a separate mission outside the regular space station schedule, which could have cost millions of dollars.

Steve Stich, the program manager for NASAs Commercial Crew Program, told reporters in August it just didnt make sense to go ahead and accelerate a (SpaceX) flight to return Butch and Suni earlier. He added that NASA never considered that option  referring to the idea of flying a separate SpaceX mission dedicated to retrieving Williams and Wilmore rather than returning them aboard a routine, prescheduled flight.

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is seen docked to the International Space Station on July 3, 2024. This long-duration photo was taken at night from the orbiting laboratory as it soared 258 miles above western China. - NASA

In his latest posts about the matter on X, however, Musk has said SpaceX could have brought Williams and Wilmore home months ago, but the offer was denied for political reasons.

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A former senior NASA official, however, told CNN that SpaceX never communicated such an offer to agency leadership  and NASA likely would not have entertained the idea regardless.

If Musk had made the offer to someone outside NASA leadership, the source noted, Im sure they would have responded and said, Well, that would cost us several $100 million extra that we dont have for a new Dragon capsule and Falcon 9.

Musk has since said that the offer was not made to NASA but was taken directly to the Biden White House, which refused to allow it.

Its unclear why such a deal would be discussed with the White House, which does not typically have any involvement in NASA crew assignments or space station staffing matters.

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A former White House staffer did not respond to a request for comment.

When asked about the matter Friday, Sarah Walker, SpaceXs director of Dragon mission management, said she was not involved in the conversations Musk referred to.

Im grateful for the leaders in our nation in the spheres of politics and policy. My sphere is engineering, Walker said. What I do know from almost 15 years of working with this exact team, with commercial crew and ISS, is that NASA is always looking at multiple options  every option available for any operation that they may go do  and then many contingency options for when the unexpected inevitably happens.

Williams and Wilmore react

Astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams wave to the crowd before the Boeing Starliner launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 5, 2024. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For their part, Williams and Wilmore have repeatedly said they enjoy their time in space.

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This is my happy place, Williams said in September. I love being up here in space. Its just fun. You know, every day you do something thats work, quote, unquote, you can do it upside down. You can do it sideways, so it adds a little different perspective.

The duo has also sought to dispel accusations that the Biden administration left them behind.

While acknowledging that there have been difficult parts to the mission, Williams and Wilmore have repeatedly sought to express they were well-prepared to extend their stay in space and were not abandoned.

We have plenty of clothes. We are well-fed, Wilmore said in January.

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Williams added, Its just a great team and  no, it doesnt feel like were castaways.

Eventually we want to go home, she added, because we left our families a little while ago, but we have a lot to do while were up here.

Still, Wilmore added fuel to speculation about Musks claims regarding an offer to return the astronauts early during a March 4 news conference conducted from the International Space Station.

I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says is absolutely factual, Wilmore said.

However, he added, We have no information on (a deal SpaceX may have offered), though, whatsoever. What was offered, what was not offered, who was offered to, how that process went  thats information that we simply dont have.

How Crew-9 is bringing Williams and Wilmore home

The SpaceX capsule that will serve as Williams and Wilmores ride home from the space station launched in September, with Crew-9s Hague and Gorbunov flying a SpaceX Dragon with two empty seats for Williams and Wilmore.

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The four astronauts have since been engaged in typical station activity  conducting spacewalks, carrying out science experiments and keeping up with routine space station maintenance. Williams even took over as commander of the space station.

The timing of Williams and Wilmores return trip has always been contingent on the successful launch of the Crew-10 mission. NASA has maintained that two crews are needed to undergo a handover period because its essential to space station operations.

Allowing Crew-9 to return before Crew-10 would also have left only one US astronaut on board the space station  NASAs Don Pettit, who arrived on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in September. NASA and Russias Roscosmos space agency jointly operate the orbiting laboratory with the European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Canadian Space Agency.

NASA aims to keep at least four astronauts from the United States or partner space agencies on board the space station at all times.

With a possible government shutdown looming, NASA spokesperson Steve Siceloff told CNN that the Crew-10 mission would not be impacted because its deemed mission critical.

You may see some changes to the broadcast channel if a shutdown does happen, he said, referring to NASA TV. It wouldnt be a situation where theres no signal but you would just probably see less of it, he added.

 CNNs Nick Valencia and Devon Sayers contributed reporting

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(NewsNation)  NASA and SpaceXs mission to relieve Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been in orbit for nine months,has officially launched.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 is expected to dock at the International Space Station on Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

Watch: American Airlines plane evacuated after fire

Once on board the ISS, there will be a handover period, which has been shortened due to concerns about commodities on the ISS after an upcoming supply mission experienced an issue.

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The Crew-9 will then return, along with Wilmore and Williams. Theyre expected to depart the ISS no earlier than March 19, pending weather at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida, NASA said.

SpaceX fixes launch pad hydraulics issue

NASA astronaut Anne McClain is leading the Crew-10 mission, accompanied by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.

Crew 10, from left, cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, astronaut Nichole Ayers, astronaut Anne McClain and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi leave the Operations and Checkout building before heading to Launch Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for a mission to the International Space Station on March 12. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

The mission was originally set to blast off Wednesday night, but the launch was canceled because of a hydraulic ground issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket, NASA said.

Blood moon visible across North America in total lunar eclipse

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NASA has reported SpaceX successfully flushed a suspected pocket of trapped air in the system.

The mission was originally scheduled for a Crew Dragon spacecraft, but due to delays, NASA instead opted for the Dragon Endurance.

Starliner astronauts stuck in space for 9 months

Wilmore and Williams blasted off on Boeings Starliner last summer for a mission initially meant to last two weeks. However, after multiple issues, including helium leaks in the service module and docking issues, NASA deemed it unsafe for them to return.

FILE  In this photo provided by NASA, Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Stations Harmony module and Boeings Starliner spacecraft on June 13, 2024. (NASA via AP, File)

The two have pushed back against claims that they are stranded in space and have said they are thrilled to spend more time in orbit.

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The Starliner returned to Earth safely in an autonomous flight, but its unclear if NASA will move forward with plans to use the spacecraft for future crewed missions.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
ULAN BATOR, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia and Poland have signed several cooperation documents to enhance bilateral ties, according to the Mongolian presidential office website on Friday.

The documents, which include a joint declaration on comprehensive partnership between Mongolia and Poland, as well as memorandums of understanding on cooperation in health, education, science, paleontology, media, culture, and film industry, were signed in Warsaw, capital of the Republic of Poland.

Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh arrived in Warsaw on Thursday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Polish President Andrzej Duda, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation.

The visit marks the first by a Mongolian president to Poland in 12 years, and it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Poland.

Mongolia and Poland established their diplomatic ties in 1950. 
Following a scrubbed launch on Wednesday, NASA and SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station Friday evening.

The Crew-10 mission lifted off from Floridas Kennedy Space Center on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.

The mission includes NASAs Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos Kirill Peskov. They have already boarded the Dragon capsule.

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Take two, McClain wrote in a post on social media before the launch.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off, carrying NASA's Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center (REUTERS)

Wednesdays attempt was thwarted by a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the rocket. The issue has reportedly been fixed.

The astronauts arrival at the orbiting laboratory is designed clear the way for Crew-9 to return to Earth, including NASA astronauts Barry Butch Wilmore and Sunita Suni Williams. The pair have been on board since last June.

Crew-10 is expected to dock by 11:30 p.m. Saturday. It is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceXs human space transportation system and its 11th flight with astronauts.

The rocket is due to dock mid-morning Saturday (REUTERS)

After a brief handover, and pending good weather, Crew-9 NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will head back home. Gorbunov and Hague came to the space station on a mission after Williams and Wilmore arrived.

NASAs SpaceX Crew-10 members launched to the International Space Station Friday evening. The launch will make way for the return of Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore (Getty Images)

That will happen no sooner than next Wednesday, NASA said, pending weather at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida.

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Williams and Wilmore have spent an extra, and unexpected, nine months in zero gravity following issues after their Boeing Crew Flight Test: the first crewed mission of the Boeing capsule. The capsule returned to Earth without them last September in an unexpected uncrewed return after technical difficulties. That left Williams and Wilmore in space for longer than intended.

NASA astronauts commander Anne McClain and pilot Nichole Ayers, alongside mission specialists, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, are seen waving at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday. This was the second attempt at a launch for the Crew-10 astronauts (Getty Images)

While the astronauts have refuted continuous narratives that have been stuck on the space station, President Donald Trump has repeatedly placed blame on the Biden administration for [allowing it] to happen.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who now has an advisory role in the Trump administration, also previously claimed on social media that his aerospace company could have brought the duo back months earlier. Trump has pleaded with Musk to rescue the astronauts.

Williams (back far right), Wilmore (back far left), and the rest of the Expedition 72 crew pose for a portrait inside the International Space Stations Harmony module. Wilmore and Williams have been on the orbiting laboratory since last June (NASA)

What was offered, what was not offered, who it was offered to, how that process went  thats information that we simply dont have, Wilmore said in a recent briefing to reporters.
MADRID (AP)  Spain's prime minister has told European allies recently that his country is willing to spend more on defense  and faster  as the continent scrambles to rearm, faced with potential U.S. disengagement.

But Pedro Sanchez 's pitch this week to political leaders back home reveals there's no easy path to make good on those pledges.

Sanchez met with the leaders of nine Spanish political parties to discuss increasing the defense budget after announcing last week that Spain would accelerate plans to hit NATOs target of 2% of GDP on military expenditure. It currently spends the least of any NATO member  just an estimated 1.28% of GDP last year.

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The Socialist leader of the eurozones fourth-largest economy heads a minority government with hard-left coalition partners that oppose defense and military increases. And a bitter relationship with the largest party in Parliament, the opposition conservative Popular Party, makes it unlikely the two parties could cut a deal.

After meeting the Spanish leader on Thursday, the Popular Partys leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said Sanchez has no plan, and that any increase should go through Parliament.

A government that hasnt been able to govern under normal circumstances is hardly prepared to face an extraordinary situation like this, Feijoo said.

Less contentious issues have proven difficult for Sanchez to garner support; his government is still using the budget from 2023 because he hasnt managed enough votes to pass a new one.

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There's also reluctance among Sanchez's own allies, said Antonio Fonfria, an economics professor at Spains Complutense University of Madrid who specializes in defense issues.

One part of the government doesnt agree with spending increases in defense, because it thinks it will be at the detriment of other types of spending, for example social spending, health, or education," said Fonfria.

Sanchez has not said exactly when or how Spain will reach the target, and has stressed that doing so will not affect social spending.

European and NATO leaders have called on members to increase their military budgets after U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt on U.S. commitment to the transatlantic alliance and pointed fingers at European countries for not contributing enough.

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Spain is very low, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office in January when asked about Spains NATO contributions.

At a February summit with European leaders in Kyiv, Sanchez pledged another 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) to Ukraine in military assistance, as it did last year. Spains Defense Minister Margarita Robles emphasized Spains commitment to Ukraine, pointing out at a meeting Friday with Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, that Spain has trained some 7,000 Ukrainian troops since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country.

In making his pitch for more military spending at home, Sanchez has acknowledged that Spain faces different security threats than eastern European or Nordic countries.

Our threat is not Russia bringing its troops across the Pyrenees, he said Thursday, referring to the mountain range dividing France and Spain. When we talk about Russia its more a hybrid threat. Its the threat of cyber attacks. So what we have to do is not just talk about defense, but fundamentally talk about security.

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Sanchez has downplayed ideological differences about defense spending among members of his coalition, and hasn't ruled out using executive action.

Even if he were to pursue that approach, Spains strong economic growth could make his challenge greater. Last year, Spains economy grew faster than any major advanced economy at 3%, smashing the 0.08% eurozone average, according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data.

That means a larger price tag to meet the 2% of GDP target  which NATO leaders have signaled they could again increase in coming months.
Spain and Ukraine signed an agreement on military training for Ukrainian troops on Friday, 14 March.

Source: Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov following a meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Margarita Robles, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Umierov and Robles discussed key security issues and ways to further strengthen Ukraine's defence forces.

Following the talks, the ministers signed a major agreement on Ukrainian military training, ushering in a new phase of bilateral cooperation.

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Umierov stated that the meeting identified key areas that require special attention, including deeper industrial cooperation, improved air defence systems, and the delivery of ammunition and armoured vehicles to Ukraine.

Background:

In late January, Jose Manuel Albares, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, announced a further 10 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

On 24 February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a 1 billion military aid package for Ukraine for 2025.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Editors Note: This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Before the years state legislature comes to an end, one Midland law maker is putting oil field theft in the spotlight. Senator Kevin Sparks recently announced that his final legislative priority package would address the theft of petroleum products, as well as oil and gas equipment.

Its a real problem in the Permian Basin, as seen this month when someone tried to steal petroleum products in Reeves County and caused a tank battery explosion. Its a problem that Sparks hopes to tackle head-on with three pieces of legislation.

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RELATED: Reeves County tank battery explosion caused by petroleum thieves

One of those would establish a statewide law enforcement task force. Thats something the Ector County Sheriffs Office is already running at the local level. Sheriff Mike Griffis said partnering with federal agencies helps law enforcement keep criminals in jail longer.

We deal with a lot of oil field thefts. We try to use some federal resources when we can and even federal prosecution when we can because the federal prison system will keep them in prison longer than the Texas prison system will and we enjoy them not coming back to our community and committing other crimes. We dont like recidivism, but weve made some headway, Griffis said.

While the pay day for thieves can be large, law makers know the local oil and gas operators have been hurt in the process. Griffis said millions in oil field equipment was stolen last year and theyve only seen case continue to rise in 2025.

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We seized over a million dollars of oilfield equipment, skid-steers, backhoes, tractor-trailers from an individual  a million dollars worth of stuff, Griffis said.

Heres a closer look at the legislation introduced by Sparks:

SB 494: Industry & Law Enforcement Task Force: Forms a statewide task force to examine the impact of organized oilfield theft and provide recommendations to address these ongoing challenges and enhance coordination between energy stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.

SB 1320: Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit: Specialized Department of Public Safety (DPS) unit that will target criminal organizations profiting from the oil and gas industry, particularly in the Permian Basin.

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SB 1806: Energy Resources Theft Reform: Authorizes trained law enforcement officers to inspect cargo tanks transporting petroleum products on public roads or railroads, collect samples for forensic analysis, enhances penalties for unlawful appropriation of petroleum products and equipment, and establishes criminal penalties for operating disposal wells without a permit.

Protecting our energy resources is essential to the Permian Basin and the state as a whole, stated Senator Sparks. Oilfield theft has been a persistent problem throughout Texas, impacting the state for years, and its time we take a collaborative approach to fighting organized criminal activity through the establishment of an industry task force, DPS prevention unit, and increasing penalties to deter these crimes and strengthen prosecution efforts.

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Audio streaming service Spotify has removed a "pimping" podcast from controversial online influencer Andrew Tate for violating the platform's policies, a company spokesperson said.

Spotify's policies state that content should not "promote violence, incite hatred, harass, bully, or engage in any other behavior that may place people at risk of serious physical harm or death."

The removal comes after Tate and his brother, Tristan, have faced charges in Romania that include human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate also faces an additional charge of rape.

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The brothers, who are dual U.S. and U.K. citizens, have said they "categorically reject all charges." Last month, the Tates left Romania for the U.S. after a travel ban on the brothers was lifted. It was not clear why the brothers were allowed to leave, the Associated Press reported. The Tates are supporters of President Trump and have millions of online followers.

A lawyer for the Tates did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Spotify podcast removal.

Tech media outlet 404 Media first reported the news.

In 2022, Spotify faced public pressure to remove "The Joe Rogan Experience" from its platform for COVID-19 misinformation, even garnering the support of musician Neil Young, who left the streaming platform over the issue.

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Last year, Young's music returned to Spotify; the musician said at the time that other streaming services had "also started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify" and that he could not remove his music from all of those services.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Word is spreading that Sauer Brands Inc.  owner of Greenville's beloved mayonnaise brand  has been sold to none other than a northern company.

If you are a southerner who uses Duke's mayo to whip up your sandwiches, you heard that right.

The completed acquisition of Sauer Brands, previously owned by Falfurrias Capital Partners, to Advent International was announced in a Feb. 19 press release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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"We are thrilled to welcome Sauer Brands into our portfolio and build upon the success the Company has already achieved to date," said Tracia Glynn, a managing partner with Advent. "Our aspirations are to discover and fall in love with Sauer's brands, including Duke's Mayo, Mateo's Gourmet Salsa and Kernel Season's."

Here's what to know about Boston-based Advent International, and a look back at the Duke's mayo origin story.

What is Advent International?

Advent is a leading global private equity investor that works with management teams, entrepreneurs, and founders to transform businesses. The company, founded in 1984, has 16 offices across five continents, overseeing over $93.5 billion in assets under management. It has also made more than 420 investments across 43 countries. Previous Advent investments include Sovos Brands (sold to the Campbell's Company), Group CRM (sold to Nestle), IRCA, and international leader in chocolate, creams, and high-quality semi-finished food ingredients, and Indian snack food manufacturer BFM Foods, according to Perishable News.

Jan 3, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Signage for the Dukes Mayo Bowl between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

A timeline of the Duke's Mayonnaise origin story

 1881: Eugenia Thomas is born in Columbus, Georgia. She is the 10th of 10 children.

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 1900: Thomas, now 19 years old, marries Harry Duke.

 1910: The Dukes move to Greenville so Harry Duke can work at Southern Power Co.

 1917: Eugenia Duke uses her homemade mayonnaise to sell sandwiches to soldiers at Fort Sevier. Each sandwich is priced at a dime, and she earns 2 cents of profit per sandwich.

 1918: After Eugenia Duke sells her 11,000th sandwich, she purchases her first delivery truck.

 1920: Eugenia Duke begins selling her sandwiches at drug stores and local grocery stores. During the same year, she begins selling her now popular sandwiches at downtown Greenville's The Ottaray Hotel, setting up shop at the Ottaray's Duke's Tea Room.

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 1923: Duke's salesman C.B. Boyd comes up with the idea to further the business by bottling the homemade mayonnaise and selling it separately. This business endeavor proves to be very successful, and Eugenia Duke quits her sandwich business to pursue her mayonnaise full time.

 1926: As demand grows, Eugenia Duke transitions production from her property's facility to her first official plant operation.

 1929: Eugenia Duke sells her business to the C.F. Sauer Company on Feb. 9, who help her manage the in-demand product. She stays with C.F. Sauer as a chief salesperson.

What is Duke's mayo made of?

Duke's mayo ingredients include soybean oil, eggs, water, distilled and cider vinegar, salt, oleoresin paprika, natural flavors, and calcium disodium EDTA to protect flavor.

The Duke's Mayo mascot on the sidelines at the Duke's Mayo Classic NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Southern staple Duke's mayo sold to northern private equity firm
ST. LOUIS  With less than a month away from the April 2025 municipal election for St. Louis mayor, incumbent Tishaura Jones and challenger Cara Spencer faced off in a spirited debate Thursday evening at the FOX 2 news studios.

The candidates tackled a range of critical issues to make a compelling appeal to voters. The debate covered topics critical to this election cycle, including public safety, the economy, public services and the proposed state takeover of the St. Louis Police Department.

Heres a closer look at five memorable moments within the debate that highlighted where Jones and Spencer stand on key issues.

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CLICK HERE for the full debate between Jones and Spencer.

State takeover of SLMPD

The debate opened with discussions around a Missouri crime bill awaiting the governors approval, which would shift control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the mayors office to a state-controlled board.

Spencer spoke first on the topic, expressing her desire to keep police oversight at the local level. However, she criticized Jones for not talking to enough Missouri representatives to prevent a state takeover. Spencer also emphasized the importance of protecting residents and ensuring the city has a voice in negotiations with the governors office.

Jones warned that a state takeover could erase progress she claims was made under her administration in reducing crime through the St. Louis police force. She called the bill a violation of peoples rights, noting that in 2012, more than 60% of voters support ending the Civil War-era policy of state control.

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Both candidates acknowledged uncertainties surrounding the potential takeover and outlined plans to recruit and retain officers regardless of the outcome. Spencer stressed the need to build coalitions and clarify the role of elected leaders in addressing policing issues beyond state control. She also highlighted the importance of competitive pay to attract officers.

Jones detailed her administrations efforts to recruit and retain officers, including raising police salaries twice during her term and hiring a police chief from outside St. Louis. She touted the citys data-driven approach to crime prevention and a policy ensuring that officer applicants receive a response within 24-48 hours.

Public safety

One FOX 2 viewer submitted a video question for the debate, sharing that he grew up in the county and frequently visited the city, but no longer feels safe doing so. The candidates were asked how they would restore confidence in people like him to visit and live in St. Louis.

Jones pointed to SLMPDs real-time crime tracker and local crime reports, stating that crime has dropped by double-digit percentages since she took office. She encouraged people to look at the data for themselves and said, I would give us a chance to take a look at what goes on downtown, also highlighting the citys sporting events as a reason to visit.

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Spencer challenged Jones assessment, arguing that while homicides have decreased, vehicular manslaughter has risen. She said, The reality is, people dont feel safe. Spencer also pointed to a shortage of police officers in enforcing laws, particularly for traffic.

Jones, then asked about her stance on traffic law enforcement, said policing alone isnt the answer. She highlighted $300 million in transportation upgrades and her push to reinstate red-light cameras to hold drivers accountable without disproportionately harming vulnerable communities. She also addressed temp tag enforcement and noted that to be the states responsibility.

Spencer criticized the focus on infrastructure, arguing it doesnt address enforcement issues. She maintained that the city, not the state, should ensure vehicles have proper plates and called red-light cameras absolutely useless in solving the problem.

Along with that, the candidates were asked about the citys automated 911 system. Spencer criticized it, arguing that every emergency call should be answered by a person. She advocated for a fully-staffed 911 center and partnership with surrounding municipalities to improve emergency response.

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Jones pushed back, acknowledging the 911 response delays have been a longstanding issue, but stating that the automated system has actually improved response times. She noted her administration secured funding for a new 911 center expected to open in 2026, which will streamline dispatcher roles and include behavioral health support.

Local economy

Throughout the debate, Jones and Spencer were asked about various financial responsibilities of the St. Louis mayors office, leading to some of the most heated exchanges of the night.

On the unallocated Rams settlement funds, nearly $300 million, Jones emphasized the importance of investing for the long-term. She warned that federal spending freezes and budget cuts could redirect some of the money elsewhere, making it critical to secure lasting investments. She stood by her support for a bill aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods and expanding childcare services.

Spencer then pivoted the focus to ARPA funds, criticizing their slow distribution and stressing the urgency of effectively allocating the remaining $500 million before deadlines. She then expressed that a portion of the Rams settlement funds should go toward infrastructure improvements, citing frequent water breaks as a major issue. She also criticized Jones for securing only $111,000 in national funding for infrastructure projects.

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Jones rebutted, blaming the state for only sending $111,000 in infrastructure funds, then challenged Spencers remarks, saying, I wish you would start telling the truth when youre answering the questions.

Later on, the debate led to a discussion on St. Louis 1% earnings tax and the possibility next year of voters deciding not to retain it.

Jones stated that she signed an executive order for a commission to study how to diversify revenue sources if the earnings tax is phased out. She framed this as a step toward financial stability.

Spencer warned that eliminating the earnings tax could prove devastating for city services, noting the earnings tax makes up a third of the city budget. While she credited Jones for forming the commission, she vowed to fight to keep the tax while also exploring alternative revenue streams.

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Before the Rams settlement and earning tax talks, the candidates also briefly discussed the finances behind a proposed north-to-south MetroLink expansion known as the Green Line. Spencer questioned whether $10 million allocated annually for this plane would be enough to fund what she envisioned as a $1 billion project. She said a revised Green Line plan was a poor truncation of the original vision, arguing that a larger project with more community input is needed.

Jones dismissed Spencers claims as patently false and emphasized the projects funding comes primarily from a dedicated sales tax.

City services

Jones and Spencer were asked to clarify their positions on snow removal, trash removal and the handling of city jail services.

First, Jones clarified that a comment of a B-minus grade she made on the citys snow removal efforts from an early-January snowstorm, the citys largest in six years, was taken out of context. She stated that main streets were plowed, allowing people to get out of their homes. She acknowledged residents frustrations and emphasized the need for better communication. Jones also mentioned her administration has since worked with urban planning officials to prioritize plowing smaller residential streets to help children get to school and noted the city acquired four new trucks to improve service on non-arterial roads.

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Spencer emphasized that the city must be ready to adapt to changing weather patterns, especially with climate change increasing unpredictable snow events. She proposed adding overtime for snow crews and ensuring around-the-clock monitoring. Spencer argued that execution failures in clearing snow and ice stem from Jones administration and noted that alderpersons also struggled to get responses from the street department to address resident complaints.

On trash removal, Spencer advocated for modernizing the refuse department by installing tracking technology on trucks to monitor missed alleys. She stressed that if residents dont report complaints, their trash may not get picked up. Spencer argued for transparency in tracking trash removal services.

Jones acknowledged that the city is unable to contract private companies for trash collection due to prior administration decisions. She accused Spencer of misleading voters by using a private dumpster photo to criticize city services. Jones also defended existing efforts to improve services, stating a GPS system already tracks the movement of trash trucks.

Spencer quickly countered Jones comments and noted that trash collection data should be made public. Jones responded that the same trash truck drivers who work for the city also attend Spencers campaign events, implying a direct engagement with workers and once again labeling her opponents comments as misleading.

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After that, came a heated conversation on the citys jail services, during which the Workhouse Jail, the St. Louis Justice Center, and the removal of jail director Jennifer Clemmons-Abdullah were all addressed.

Jones defended the handling of jail leadership, and explained that proper disciplinary procedures had to be followed before replacing the previous director. She asserted that new leadership is already making improvements in detainee health and facility conditions.

Spencer criticized the closure of the Workhouse jail as one without a comprehensive plan, arguing that the remaining jail faced security issues, including malfunctioning locks. She then blamed Jones administration for an increase in jail deaths, accusing her of preventing oversight boards and lawyers from monitoring conditions. She called conditions under Jones leadership reprehensible.

As Jones dismissed these claims, Spencer countered that the security locks at the Justice Center were not working until recently and reiterated that jail deaths have increased under Jones tenure. Jones pushed back with the comment, Have you ever been in a jail? marking one of the more tension-filled moments of the debate.

Business and population concerns

In the second viewer-submitted video question for the debate, a resident described St. Louis business economy as being on life support and asked candidates about their specific visions to revive it.

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Spencer pointed to declining tax revenues and emphasized downtowns role in subsidizing the rest of the city. She called for stronger public safety measures and collaboration with big businesses, particularly along the riverfront, to attract investment.

Jones highlighted $2 billion in investments under her leadership, including the Millennium Hotel redevelopment. She accused Spencer of prioritizing corporate interests instead of advocating for housing development in north St. Louis to drive economic growth.

Spencer refuted the claim, citing her role in revitalizing Cherokee Street and noting that similar strategies could be applied to north St. Louis. She also touted the use of eminent domain to push for redevelopment efforts of key properties like the Railway Exchange building.

Jones countered that two-thirds of business revenue leaves the community and highlighted her efforts to revitalize MLK Drive as a step toward fostering local economic growth. She claimed that eminent domain cases, such as the Millennium Hotel, were delayed due to campaign contributors seeking higher payouts. Additionally, she accused Spencer of supporting legislation that weakened the citys earnings tax revenue.

The St. Louis Devlopment Coperation added a correction to the mayors statement. They say that when the mayor referred to eminent domain, she was referring to the Railway Exchange Building, not Millennium Hotel.

As the debate shifted from a business exodus to a population exodus, it came to attention that the city fell below 280,000 residents, according to new Census figures released Thursday.

With this in mind, Jones proposed an economic justice plan aimed at expanding the tax base and focusing on revitalizing north St. Louis to attract residents. While she acknowledged that population loss has continued, she argued the rate of decline has slowed compared to previous years.

Spencer pushed back on Jones population claim, stating that St. Louis is losing residents faster now than at any point in her lifetime. She blamed the population loss on failing basic city services and a breakdown in public trust, claiming the situation is getting monstrously worse.

This led to a broader discussion on affordable housing initiatives, during which Jones promoted expanding the Home STL program, which provides $50,000 in down payment assistance to St. Louis homebuyers. She set a goal of building 10,000 affordable housing units by 2030 and claimed the city is already on track to meet this target.

Spencer agreed on the need for home ownership improvements, but criticized the city for failing to fully staff the Affordable Housing Commission, which she says is currently operating at less than half capacity. She called for stronger staffing of the department and better resource allocation to improve housing programs.

The Election

The General Municipal Election for the St. Louis mayors race between Tishaura Jones and Cara Spencer is April 8.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
MONROE COUNTY, Ill.  Almost 24 years after a woman went missing in St. Louis, her case is making breakthroughs.

The Columbia Illinois Police Department announced Friday that a Jane Doe they discovered in 2002 was idenitifed as Carol Jean Hemphill.

Hemphill went missing on July 27, 2001, in the 5200 block of Davison Ave. in the Walnut East Park neighborhood. She was 40 years old at the time. She left behind children, a husband, siblings, and more family members.

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Less than a year later, on March 28, 2002, Columbia Illinois Police discovered a body near a creek bed south of Gall Road. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was a homicide, and the body was sitting in the creek for at least six months.

As lab testing wasnt advanced enough at the time to provide answers, Hemphill became Jane Doe for 23 yearsup until last month.

Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill said solving this case of Jane Doe was one of his priorities when taking office. In December 2022, the case was selected to receive a grant to fund forensic genealogy testing.

The Day After: Shocking new photos reveal massive storm damage across St. Louis metro

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After going through testing in Texassupported by the FBIdetectives received a report in October 2024 linking DNA samples between the remains and Gale Howard, the biological son of Hemphill. Further samples were then gathered from Hemphills husband, daughter, and sister.

A positive match was confirmed on Feb. 24, 2025.

We are going to continue our effortsthis case is not done today, however, is about officially reporting that Carol Hemphill has been identified and is no longer missing, Columbia Illinois Police Department Chief Jason Donjon. It is about getting Carol back to her loved ones for proper services.

The family of Hemphill traveled from Texas to Illinois for the announcement Friday, all wearing shirts of her picture reading, Your wings were readybut our hearts werent.

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Its a relief for me, because Ive been going through a lot through the years, Hemphills sister, Deborah, said. Theres been this heaviness on me that feels like its started to be lifted a little Im glad that we can put her to rest.

Police said they will continue their investigation into Hemphills case.

Were still hurtingit gives us hope that maybe (police) will find (who was responsible, one family member said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SINGAPORE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 1.7 million Singapore dollars (approximately 1.275 million U.S. dollars) have been lost to scams involving impersonation of officials and institution representatives since January, Singaporean authorities said on Friday.

In a joint statement, the Singapore Police Force and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) warned the public about scams in which fraudsters posed as MAS officials, representatives from the National Trades Union Congress, and financial institutions.

Typically, victims receive unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be from these institutions, alleging outstanding premiums linked to a new or expiring life insurance policy under the victims' names. Victims are then redirected to a second scammer, who requests personal information under the guise of verifying policy details. To "cancel" the policy, victims are instructed to transfer funds to verify their bank accounts.

In some cases, victims are further misled by another scammer impersonating an MAS officer, who falsely claims that their bank accounts are linked to money laundering activities or that their personal information has been compromised. 
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Local health officials said trips to the emergency department spike on St. Patricks Day.

WSAV spoke to doctors at Memorial Health, and shared some tips they want you to keep in mind while youre having fun:

The number one thing is to stay hydrated. They recommended that you consume water after every drink.

Doctors also warn about the dangers of accepting drinks from strangers as they see a lot of sexual assault cases on St. Patricks Day due to date rape drugs.

If youre going to be with an elderly person or a child, pay close attention to them to make sure they arent getting over heated or consuming harmful things for them such as THC or alcohol.

If you or someone you know is becoming incoherent, seek medical help immediately.

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Doctors said you should seek emergency care if you need it. They also said they will not call the police on you if you consumed illegal substances, or you are underage.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  As St. Patricks Day is coming up, many across the state will be celebrating, but how Irish is Massachusetts?

Holyoke bars compete to fund St. Patricks Parade

U.S. News & World Report states that approximately 162 million Americans, which is more than 20 times Irelands population, plan to celebrate on this years St. Patricks Day. New Hampshire (20%) is the most Irish state by population share, where one in five residents say they are of Irish descent, but what about Massachusetts?

How Irish is Massachusetts

Massachusetts comes in second place right behind New Hampshire with 19% of the population share being of Irish descent. In third comes Rhode Island with 17%, Vermont at 16%, and Maine at 16%. Fewer than 5% of Hawaiians claim Irish roots, making Hawaii the least Irish state.

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22News will be celebrating the holiday at the historic 72nd Holyoke St. Patricks Parade on March 23. This cherished cultural celebration will be broadcast live at noon on WWLP-22News and streamed on WWLP.com.

History of St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, according to USA Today. He was brought to the Emerald Isle when he was kidnapped and enslaved. He eventually escaped, but he returned and advanced Christianity throughout the island.

Another one of the legends surrounding St. Patrick is the way he used the shamrock to teach others about Christianity. He explained how the shamrock has three leaves but still one flower. This parallels the Holy Trinity, where there is God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet still one entity. The shamrock is now the official flower of Ireland and is worn to commemorate St. Patricks Day.

This day gives Irish and Irish Americans the opportunity to celebrate their heritage. It was once a solemn religious holiday and didnt take on the drinking stereotype until America started celebrating the day. St. Patricks Day is celebrated on March 17th because it is believed that is when St. Patrick is believed to have died.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A Stamford man was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice.

Ricardo Georges, 35, was arrested on May 7, 2022 following a March 2022 shooting incident, according to court documents.

Large-scale fentanyl distributor arrested in Stamford

He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon on April 24, 2024.

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Georges was in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, which at the time of his arrest was a violation of federal law as he was a previously convicted felon.

Police also found quantities of fentanyl in his backpack.

George has a criminal history, with convictions in Connecticut and New York for assault on public safety personnel, first-degree robbery criminal possession of a firearm and multiple drug offenses.

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There is often a gulf between what Russian President Vladimir Putin says and what he actually means.

Asked about the US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, Putin gave a long and convoluted answer during his Thursday news conference. Some sentences were made-for-TV, with short quotes that sounded very favorable  when seen out of context  to the Trump administrations plan, which Ukraine has already agreed to.

Early on in his answer, Putin said we agree with the proposal  a quote that made headlines across the world. But he went on to make it clear that Moscow will not agree to an actual deal any time soon.

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In his full response, Putin effectively shut down the idea  demanding concessions from Kyiv, raising numerous questions and repeating the maximalist demands that Russia has held since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump himself commented positively on Putins reaction to the ceasefire proposal, saying in an upbeat tone that it was promising but it wasnt complete.

But a closer look at what Putin said makes it clear that Russia is stalling and remains entrenched in its long-held positions:

Its not the first time Putin has urged eliminating what he calls the root causes of the war, and the Kremlin has previously claimed the current democratically elected Ukrainian government is part of those.

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One of the Kremlins rationales for the war was that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys election was illegitimate.

Putin would instead like to see a pro-Russian leader installed in Ukraine. (In recent weeks, Trump has echoed the Kremlins calls for Zelensky to be replaced, going as far as claiming that the Ukrainian president is a dictator.)

The root causes also refer to the Kremlins claims that Russia is threatened by NATO expansion after the Cold War. That reflects Putins desire to see the military alliance withdraw from former Communist states that were part of the Soviet sphere of influence, such as Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic.

A resident walks at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine on March 8. - Nina Liashonok/Reuters

In the past, he has falsely claimed that NATO made a commitment not to expand eastwards after the fall of the USSR. In fact, NATO has always had an open-door policy.

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Putin has repeatedly used NATO as an excuse for his invasion of Ukraine and demanded that Kyiv is blocked from joining the alliance and accept permanent neutrality.

To Putin, the root cause of the conflict is Ukraines desire to be an independent country and choose its own path in domestic and foreign policy, said Brian Taylor, a political science professor at Syracuse University. Further, he pointed to nuances and proceeded to ask at least 16 questions about the details of any ceasefire agreement.

The Russian president questioning how a ceasefire would be implemented effectively restates his opposition to European proposals to put peacekeeping forces on the ground in Ukraine in the event of a deal.

The Kremlin has previously said it would be unacceptable for troops from NATO countries to be present in Ukraine, even under national flags. On Thursday, Russias foreign ministry spokesperson went further, saying Moscow would consider any foreign military presence in Ukraine unacceptable.

The Druzhba hotel was badly damaged after a Russian missile attack on March 12 in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. - Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Putin then called for painstaking research from both sides suggests that he intends to drag out negotiations for a long time.

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His stalling could be a tactic to buy time for Russias advancement in the Kursk region, where Ukraine still occupies some territory. Russian forces have made swift moves this week to reclaim ground in Kursk, which could remove one of Kyivs only bargaining chips as peace talks progress.

Here, Putin is arguing that Ukraine  not the United States  is actually the side pressing for a ceasefire.

The Trump administration, however, has repeatedly emphasized its desire for a quick resolution to the war and publicly said Ukraine doesnt hold any cards in the peace negotiations. I think were going to be in very good shape to get it done. We want to get it over with, Trump said in the Oval Office on Thursday night after Putin made his comments.

Putin reiterated at several times during his Thursday news conference the Kremlins argument that a temporary 30-day ceasefire would benefit Ukraine, potentially allowing the country to regroup and have more weapons delivered. (Russia would also benefit from regrouping.)

Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine on March 11. - Nina Liashonok/Reuters

That may be an attempt to further the idea that Zelensky doesnt want to achieve long-term peace  a narrative Russia is pushing despite invading Ukraine unprovoked in 2014 and launching a full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Saying Russia is all for it but then calling for drawn-out negotiations and a discussion of nuances is a good reflection of Putins position on a ceasefire:

Did the Russian leader want to sound favorable to Trump, expressing solidarity with his position? Yes.

Did Russia actually shift on any of its previous demands? It doesnt appear so.

Putins answer seems carefully crafted to sound like a yes to Trump but be a no in practice, unless Ukraine is forced to submit to Russias demands, Syracuses Taylor said.

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Voters wait to register to vote at the MetraPark Expo Center in Billings, Montana on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

The Montana Secretary of States Office and the Commissioner of Political Practices have come to an agreement with two groups which successfully challenged a 2023 law that would have made it crime for residents to be registered to vote in two places simultaneously, even if it didnt result in double voting.

As federal court judge Brian M. Morris made clear in the stipulated agreement signed late last week, double voting in Montana is already a crime. However, House Bill 892 made it a crime to be registered in one place and voting in another, something that evidence and testimony says happens all the time for a variety of reasons.

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The agreement will technically leave Montana Code 13-35-210(5) on the books, but make it unenforceable, with both the Secretary of State and COPP agreeing that theyll not enforce it because its likely a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit was brought by the Montana Public Interest Research Group and the Montana Federation of Public Employees. They were represented by Raph Graybill of the Graybill Law Firm and notable voting rights legal team, the Elias Law Group in Washington, D.C.

In litigation that has already had the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals weigh in on it after state attorneys challenged an injunction ordered by Morris, federal courts had determined that HB 892 likely impedes residents efforts to vote, or threatens them in a way so that they will not vote.

The courts also found that while double voting  or voting in the same election in two different places  happens, its exceptionally rare and current state law already makes it a crime. Instead, HB 892 would make it a crime to be registered in two different places and could have required residents to prove they had transferred their registration before being allowed to vote. The testimony and court documents said updating voter rolls or transferring voting eligibility is usually something done by election officials, not residents.

The court case also pointed out different scenarios where a resident may be eligible to vote in several locations, for example in the case of college students or retired residents who split their time between two different places. The law allows for such a scenario so long as residents cast only one ballot per election cycle.

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Morris, in April 2024, had issued a temporary injunction against the law because of its effect on the right to vote and the First Amendment implications, which encompass the idea that speaking about candidates and voting is political speech and should be the most protected from government interference.

That meant that the State of Montana had to prove that HB 892 was narrowly crafted and easily understood so that it couldnt be seen as an obstacle to voting.

Because First Amendment freedoms need breathing space to survive, the government may regulate in the area only with narrow specificity, Morris said.

However, Morris said the vague language of the law leaves too much room for speculation. For example, does the law just apply to new voters in Montana? What about those who previously registered in a different Montana county?

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The court remains concerned that voters lack notice as to what Montana requires of them when registering to vote, Morris said.

He said that the concerns are even more heightened because HB 892 subjected citizens to criminal penalties.

The court was also concerned that the law conflated double voting  or casting ballots during the same election in two different places  with being registered in two different places, something that other federal courts have upheld as legal.

The Seventh Circuit rejected Indianas reliance on the criminalization of double voting to support its argument that registering to vote in a new jurisdiction implied that the voter no longer wanted to registered in their old jurisdiction. Indiana equated double registration with double voting, the judge said. The Seventh Circuit acknowledged the fundamental distinction between the two circumstances: While double voting is surely illegal, having two open voter registrations is a different issue entirely. In the overwhelming majority of states, it is not illegal to be registered to vote in two places.

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The court also raised concerns it was treating different classes of voters differently because college students, young people and voters who temporarily relocated for job reasons may all have reasons to have multiple voter registrations.

HB 892 imposed criminal penalties of as many as 18 months in prison and as much as a $5,000 fine.

The only thing that HB 892 accomplished was making it harder and more intimidating for Montanans to register to vote, said Aria Branch, a partner with the Elias Law Group. This victory reinforces that our elections laws should make voting easier, not create unnecessary traps that expose lawful voters to criminal liability.
The Alabama State Board of Education prepares to vote at its meeting on Feb. 13, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. Left to right: Board members Jackie Zeigler; Tracie West and Kelly Mooney; Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey; Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey; and board members Tonya Chestnut; Yvette Richardson; Marie Manning and Allen West. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama State Board of Education Thursday unanimously approved an updated code relating to education preparation programs (EPPs), which regulate universitys teaching programs.

But State Superintendent Eric Mackey said universities should step up to regulate their programs.

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They are universities, so theyre supposed to be managing their syllabus and their content, Mackey said in an interview. I mean, I would like to think that the trustees at the universities will take some responsibility and say, We want to make sure were turning out quality teachers.

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The code also updated language relating to special education teaching programs. The board heard from educators from across the state, some in opposition to the changes.

Sara McDaniel, a special education professor at the University of Alabama, said the new language is too broad and said it did not point to the individual nature and comprehensive nature of what our special education graduates need to know.

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McDaniel pointed out that the new language significantly cuts the state codes section on standards for special education teachers, which used to be 15 pages. Disability rights advocate and former U.S. Department of Education employee Victoria DeLano discovered the change in February and expressed concern on social media.

I know this state and what is happening, and Im deeply concerned about that loss of expertise. Retaliation is the norm here, and families do not file complaints because of the very real fears, she wrote in a comment on LinkedIn. There is likely to be no push back from parents because they wont know what is happening until their kid has fallen through.

Mackey said that universities should manage the quality of their teaching programs and rely on the state as little as possible.

If it turns out that universities come back to us and say, Look, we simply cannot guarantee quality on our own. We need the department to manage the quality control for us, then well do that, he said. But I would like to think universities could do that on their own.

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By Paul B. Johnson

GUILFORD COUNTY  A bipartisan group of local legislators is supporting a bill that would secure $8.3 million for the tutoring and learning hub programs of Guilford County Schools.

House Bill 342 was filed this week in the N.C. General Assembly. The legislation would secure $5 million to hire more tutors, expand tutoring subject areas and offer more tutoring sessions.

The bill also would provide $3.3 million to support the learning hub program, which provides high school students who are at risk of not graduating with individualized programs to complete graduation requirements and increase the school districts graduation rates.

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The state funding would be for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year that begins July 1.

GCS started the tutoring and learning hubs programs as part of its response to academic declines following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both were initially paid for with federal pandemic relief money, but when that money expired last year, both programs were reduced. Tutoring now is done only in elementary school English and middle school math, and learning hubs were reduced from operating four days a week to two days a week.

The programs have received national acclaim for their results with student achievement.

Superintendent Whitney Oakley said at a High Point Schools Partnership event Feb. 27 that while reduced, both programs continued to show improved academic results.

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Guilford County Schools leadership is seeking the tutorial and learning hubs funding as part of the annual legislative goals of the Guilford County Board of Education.

Cosponsors of House Bill 342 are Reps. Alan Branson and John Blust, R-Guilford, and Reps. Cecil Brockman, Amos Quick, Pricey Harrison and Tracy Clark, D-Guilford.

House Bill 342 is a priority request to support funding of critical targeted programs for getting all of our students where they need to be, said Brockman, who represents the vast majority of High Point. This is a bipartisan initiative developed in consultation with the local school board and with the full support of the Guilford legislative caucus. We trust that our colleagues will appreciate the importance of this request for North Carolinas future success.

pjohnson@hpenews.com | 336-888-3528 | @HPEpaul
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Islands unemployment rate increased in January, according to new data from the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, and is more than half a percentage point higher compared to last year.

Omar Mohammed, an economic reporter for Boston Globe RI, joined 12 News at 4 to discuss the states current job market and where things are headed.

Read the full story in The Boston Globe Rhode Island: Rhode Islands unemployment rate ticked up in January, even as employers added jobs

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Mar. 13With the Mead School Board saying it's caught in a "legal dilemma," Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal cautioned the board to follow his guidance as the Trump Administration's executive orders continue to contradict Washington civil rights laws.

In a recent letter, the Mead school board told federal officials it felt it was in a double bind  conflicting state and federal directives meant risks to funding when following either directive.

President Donald Trump's orders on transgender athlete participation or bathroom access, for example, are not law until Congress passes such policies or the courts weigh in his favor, Reykdal said in a press call with reporters Thursday.

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"There's no evidence yet that the Trump administration is pulling money out of states when you're not in compliance with their view of the world, because I think they know they don't have a legal authority to do that, short of Congress making those laws," Reykdal said.

Mead school board members wrote that if they complied with Washington anti-discrimination laws, they'd be disregarding executive orders and risking federal funding that constitutes more than 5% of their budget.

If they complied with any of Trump's executive orders, which Reykdal contends don't hold the weight of law, they'd fall out of line with Washington civil rights law. Noncompliance here could jeopardize state allocations worth more than 80% of their budget.

"What I would say is, follow state law, follow state law, and then, if you're not sure, follow state law," Reykdal said.

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Pulling funding is within Reykdal's enforcement authority for districts breaking civil rights laws, though it's an authority he's never used.

"We've never had to take a single penny from a school district when they're out of civil rights compliance, because we give them technical assistance. We work with them. We get to a really good place. I am confident we can do that statewide," Reykdal said. "The non-discrimination law in our state ultimately gives OSPI the authority to withhold funds if a school district is willfully, intentionally violating the law and civil rights. So it's a tool we have; it's one I don't expect to use."

The nexus for the Mead board to send its letter was a recent civil rights review where OSPI found the district's "transgender students" policy on pronoun use and restroom access out of line with state guidance and told it to make changes. Reykdal said while the Mead school board has some flexibility in the wording of the policy in relation to the blueprints provided by the Washington State School Directors Association, policy should still fall within the state's civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.

The surefire way for boards to ensure legality is through referencing the state association's provided examples, called model policy. Model policy is vetted legally, by attorneys, OSPI and sometimes the Attorney General's office or legislative legal counsel.

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"Model policy is the safest way for districts to land on compliance. I don't necessarily want to say that they have to be word for word, but they certainly need to meet the civil rights protections and make sure there's no discriminatory policy," Reykdal said. "Clearly, the direction that some of our districts have indicated is they are intent on violating state law because they just happen to agree with the way they think the President sees the world, and that's going to be a problem legally."

The Mead school board on Monday decided to review potential changes to the district's policies on pronoun use and bathroom access at the next board meeting on March 24.

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Celebrations for St. Patrick's Day are underway across Milwaukee.

St. Patrick's Day is officially on Monday, March 1 but events will continue through this weekend. Milwaukee has a long history of celebrating the Irish holiday; the city's first St. Patrick's Day parade was in 1843.

Here's a look at how you can partake in the tradition at some St. Patrick's Day-themed events this weekend in the Milwaukee area.

Downtown Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade

Lolo Caro with Kujawa Enterprises Inc. gets ready for the downtown St. Patrick's Day parade in Milwaukee in 2023. The 2025 parade starts at noon March 15 at King Drive and Wisconsin Avenue.

The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's St. Patrick's Day parade, a tradition that goes back to 1967, steps off at noon March 15 at the corner of King Drive and Wisconsin Avenue. From there, it will head east to North Plankinton Avenue, north to Kilbourn Avenue, back to King Drive and north toward Juneau Avenue. It will end at North Water Street and East Highland Avenue. Check the website for the range of post-parade festivities. Info: saintpatricksparade.org.

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RELATED: Milwaukee County Transit System will offer free bus rides on St. Patrick's Day weekend again this year

Milwaukee Public Market's Inflatable Irish Pub

Public market goers can stop by St. Paul Fish Company's inflatable Irish pop-up pub on Sunday and Monday and order a variety of festive drinks, including Guinness on tap, green Miller Lite and the restaurant's margarita  with a green twist.

Attendees can listen to live music from The Pubbys Band and Frog Water. Bagpipers are also slated to perform on both days.

A portion of the event's proceeds will be go towards CelticMKE, an Irish and Celtic heritage organization and host of Milwaukee's annual Irish Fest.

The Official Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

Attendees will be hopping between bars in Milwaukee, enjoying exclusive drink specials and festive giveaways. The Official Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl is presented by Crawl with Us and kicks off at 4 p.m. on March 15. Price is $10. You can find more information on its website here.

Wauwatosa's Lucky Leprechaun 7k

Runners and walkers can embark on the 13th annual Lucky Leprechaun 7k, presented by Festival Foods, on March 15 starting at 10 a.m. The route starts and finishes in the historic Hart Park.

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The post-race party includes live music at Leff's Lucky Town, at 7208 W. State St. in Wauwatosa. You can sign up for the race here.

St. Patrick's Day Organ Concert

Saint Patrick's Day Organ Concert features three artists performing music inspired by Irish and Gaelic melodies in the historic All Saint's Cathedral, at 818 E. Juneau Ave., in Milwaukee. The concert is open to the public on March 16 at 3 p.m. with a free-will offering. Parking is available at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church lot, at 1100 N. Astor St. You can find more information on its website here.

County Claire St. Patrick's Day afterparty

You can head over to the County Claire for a Parade Day afterparty on March 15. The $5 cover charge proceeds are donated to charity.

Attendees can enter through the tent, which is open from noon to 10 p.m. County style food service with a limited menu is available in the restaurant from noon until 9 p.m. You can find a list of bands and artists performing at the event here.

St. Patrick's Day at The Pharmacy Bar

The Pharmacy Bar, 2238 N. Farwell Ave., is serving festive drinks and specials from March 14 to 17. Featured cocktails include "Lucky You," a blend of Two Gingers Irish Whiskey, Ole Smoky Mint Chocolate Chip, Creme de Menthe, cream and chocolate bitters.

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RELATED: An inflatable Irish pub is coming to Milwaukee for St. Patrick's Day

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: St. Patrick's Day 2025: Parade, bar crawl in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A panel from North Carolina's intermediate-level appeals court will hear arguments next week about a still-unsettled November election for a seat on the state's Supreme Court.

The March 21 hearing by three judges on the Court of Appeals was announced Friday, the same day the court rejected a request by incumbent Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs to have the entire Court of Appeals consider the matter now instead.

After recounts and election protests, the registered Democrat Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million ballots cast in their race for an eight-year term on the highest court in the ninth-largest state.

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While The Associated Press declared over 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the North Carolina Supreme Court election is the only race nationally that is still undecided.

Griffin, himself a Court of Appeals judge, filed challenges to over 65,000 early or absentee ballots cast that his lawyers have said should be removed from the tally. The State Board of Elections dismissed his protests in December, and a trial judge upheld the board's decisions last month  prompting Griffin's appeal.

Lawyers for Riggs said in a recent legal brief that the case should first be heard en banc"  meaning by the full Court of Appeals  in part to save time, given that a losing party in any decision by the three judges would still have the right to rehearing by the full court.

But Griffin's attorneys said having a thorough review of more than 30 issues presented by legal parties in the protests by a smaller panel first was warranted, especially because the trial judge issued bare-boned orders affirming the board's rulings.

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The Court of Appeals has 15 judges, but Griffin has recused himself from deliberations in the case before the court. Friday's unsigned order denying initial en banc review said that only three of the court's judges agreed with Riggs' request. The order did not say how the judges voted. Of the 14 remaining judges, 11 are registered Republicans.

The court did reveal Friday which judges are hearing the case  two Republicans in John Tyson and Fred Gore and registered Democrat Toby Hampson.

Most of the ballots challenged by Griffin were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a drivers license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.

Whatever the Court of Appeals result, the case likely will head to the state Supreme Court, where Riggs has recused herself from the case. Five of the six remaining justices are registered Republicans. Majorities on the court have rejected efforts for it to rule on the challenged ballots without the election protest appeals first going through lower courts.

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And should Riggs lose in state court and the removal of ballots flip the race to Griffin, a federal appeals court already has told Riggs she can return to federal court to challenge decisions on federal elections and voting rights laws.

Griffins lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution. Lawyers for Riggs and the board have said the ballots were cast lawfully and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures.

Riggs' allies have held rallies state demanding that Griffin concede. They have offered as speakers voters whose choices in the race could be removed from tallies if Griffin's arguments are successful.

Also Friday, Court of Appeals Judge Tom Murry ordered that Riggs motion to have him recused from participating in Griffins appeal be dismissed as moot because he is not on the three-judge panel hearing the case. Riggs attorneys had cited Griffins legal defense fund receiving in December a donation from a Murry campaign committee as grounds for recusal.
A clerk at the Amoco gas station in downtown Stillwater called police in October to report that a 75-year-old woman was feeding $20 bills  one after the other  into a cryptocurrency ATM.

By the time police arrived, the woman had deposited $5,820 into the machine and was planning on depositing another $14,180 she had in cash, said Det. Dave Wulfing of the Stillwater Police Department.

Someone called her and told her she had a $20,000 overpayment to her PayPal account, Wulfing said. They told her to drive to her bank (Royal Credit Union in Oak Park Heights) and withdraw $20,000.

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Since Jan. 1, 2023, Stillwater police have taken 31 crypto-related scam reports from residents totaling almost $213,000, with at least half of that amount having been deposited into cryptocurrency ATMs located in the city, he said. One resident, a 70-year-woman, lost $29,000 in August, he said.

Earlier this month, the Stillwater City Council discussed moving forward with a plan to ban crypto ATMs within city limits. There are at least four such machines currently in operation in Stillwater, and city officials say it is difficult to determine who owns or operates them.

Mayor Ted Kozlowski said the machines have become essential tools for fraudsters and give international criminals a local pipeline into victims bank accounts. It makes it far too easy to prey on people, and its impossible to trace if we need to recover funds, Kozlowski said.

Warnings not working

Cryptocurrency ATMs accept cash from the customer and then either credit it to the account of another person; move it from one account to another account for the same person, or relinquish control of the currency to another person, said City Attorney Korine Land.

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Theyre not the same as an electronic funds transfer from bank to bank or a cash dispensing ATM, she said. These ATMs only accept cash and then perform one of those transfers with it.

State law requires that any person engaged in cryptocurrency as a business is required to have a state license from the Commissioner of Commerce, disclose certain details to the customer before the transaction can begin and maintain records of all transactions for five years, but Land said few of the businesses actually obtain a state license.

Each machine must post a warning asking users if they have been sent to make a payment before a transaction can commence.

WARNING: LOSSES DUE TO FRAUDULENT OR ACCIDENTAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT RECOVERABLE AND TRANSACTIONS IN VIRTUAL CURRENCY ARE IRREVERSIBLE, the warning reads. VIRTUAL CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS MAY BE USED BY SCAMMERS IMPERSONATING LOVED ONES, THREATENING JAIL TIME, AND INSISTING YOU WITHDRAW MONEY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE VIRTUAL CURRENCY.

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But the warnings dont seem to be working.

The cash amounts deposited in these transactions are astounding, and the funds are nearly impossible to recover and attempts at doing so require significant local, state and federal resources, Land wrote in a memo to the Stillwater City Council. The transactions are nearly impossible to trace.

RELATED: Once its gone, theres no getting it back: Scammers sending victims to cryptocurrency ATMs

Regulate or ban

State law only licenses the cryptocurrency business, not the ATM location.

Officials in Forest Lake and Woodbury are considering ordinances that would require the registration of the business that hosts the ATMs. Users would have to interact with a store clerk before starting a transaction, employees would be obligated to report suspicious activity and warning signs would be required, among other things, Lands memo stated.

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Wulfing said he is glad that Stillwater, population 19,000, is moving to ban the ATMs. The citys police department has limited resources, and the scammers are getting more and more sophisticated and harder and harder to track down, Wulfing said. We dont have the budget to fly investigators out to foreign countries.

Police Chief Brian Mueller said he sees no value in having cryptocurrency ATMs in the city.

Were looking at $11,000 a month in fraud just over the past 12 months, he said. We just dont see any good being done.

People who legitimately deal in cryptocurrency generally dont use ATMs because there are significant fees associated with those transactions, Mueller said.

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Det. Austin Peterson of the Stillwater Police Department has been researching ordinance language. Land is expected to introduce an ordinance that would ban cryptocurrency ATMs in the city at the April 1 council meeting. The proposed ordinance requires two readings and then must be published before it would be effective; the earliest that could happen is the end of April, Land said.

One win

Anyone asked to make a deposit into a cryptocurrency ATM should call 911 and speak with local law enforcement before taking any action, Kozlowski said. These criminals are getting very adept at using artificial intelligence to fool people into thinking a family member is in trouble or someone has compromising info about you personally.

Wulfing said the department received good news this week regarding the October case involving the 75-year-old woman. Police were able to recover $4,339 of the $5,820 that she deposited, he said.

Det. Ryan Mitchell determined that the suspect lived in West Bengal, India, and served a legal process on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange, Wulfing said.

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The exchange is the location that exchanges the crypto from the victim to the suspects digital wallet,' he said. The $4,339 was still in the wallet that the exchange sent it to, so we were able to have them freeze the wallet with a Law Enforcement Request letter.

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Mitchell drafted a legal process that was served on Binance officials to seize the $4,339, which they did, he said. They then sent the money to a wallet controlled by the Stillwater Police Department Investigations Unit.

We then returned it to the victim, Wulfing said. We were very fortunate that the money had not been moved out of the wallet prior to the freeze.

Wulfing said this was the first time investigators used a new seizure program initiated to try to claw back some of that money, and it worked, he said. A lot of times, though, its gone. Theyll put a whole bunch of victims money into one wallet, and then theyll spread it out over 200 wallets, and then itll go to 200 more wallets, and eventually, the trail just runs dry.
ST. LOUIS  He was just full of life and smiled constantly. I think he encouraged other people to, I guess, live their life to the fullest, said Rochelle Ameer, remembering her son Ameer.

Andrew Ameers smile was as bright as his future.

He told me, Mom, I made a decision. I want to go to graduate school and become a psychologist, Rochelle said.

Ameer says her son was committed to accomplishing his goal.

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Thats why he decided to start driving for Lyft so he could have more room for school, Rochelle said.

On Sept. 28, 2020, Andrew Ameers dreams and his familys world shattered.

That night, Ameer was driving for Lyft when he answered a call for a ride at Riverview and Gast in north St. Louis. Police say Ameer was lured to the location.

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When he arrived, two teenage boys tried to carjack him at gunpoint, ultimately shooting and killing Ameer.

I saw his car sitting there with the door open and the lights on. I guess the engine was running and police were all around it. The app was open on his phone. He was brought to the hospital. They tried to save him, but they couldnt. He was shot multiple times. I think about if he suffered before he passed away. It was unbelievable. He was 27, Rochelle said.

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What happened to Andrew Ameer is the focus of a wrongful death lawsuit against Lyft.

The lawsuit alleges Lyft knows its drivers face a very high risk of assault but failed to take reasonable steps to protect them from that risk.

The suit accuses Lyft of having mechanisms to protect drivers but doing nothing to ensure their installation and use. It also alleges Lyft does not use its technological capabilities to screen or implement safety mechanisms that mitigate the risk of violence against drivers.

It kind of all starts out with this legal fiction that the drivers themselves are not employees of Uber and Lyft, that theyre their own, you know, own bosses and own companies, said Attorney Johnny Simon of the Simon Law Firm in St. Louis.

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Simon is representing Rochelle Ameer in this case.

On March 3, the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed a trial courts decision to dismiss Ameers wrongful death lawsuit against Lyft. For the first time in Missouri history, the court ruled a rideshare app is a product and subject to Missouris product liability laws.

I think it comes down to the fundamental premise of, you know, companies who send products or services into the marketplace and reap billions of dollars in profits, what recourse are we going to give? What comes with that right? What? What recourse do consumers have against those entities? Simon said.

The night Andrew Ameer was killed, the lawsuit alleges the people who lured him to the scene created an account in the Lyft app using a false name, a false email address and an anonymous form of payment.

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In other states, Lyft requires passengers using the Lyft app with an anonymous form of payment to provide identification showing their name or mailing address. But Missouri law doesnt require those security features.

PHOTOS: Severe weather causes extensive impact in St. Louis area and beyond

I think when you try to legislatively enact one-size-fits-all solutions to a wide range of circumstances, thats never going to be good, and in this circumstance in particular, its not good for those who are most egregiously injured by ride share misconduct, Simon said.

A Lyft spokesperson told FOX 2 News the company cannot comment on specific incidents involving pending litigation.

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In a statement, Lyft said it condemns violence of any kind, and our hearts go out to victims affected by this type of behavior, which has no place in our society. Safety is fundamental to Lyft and our Community Guidelines make it clear that violence, harassment, and any form of harm are unacceptable on our platform.

Rochelle Ameer says shell keep Andrews memory alive by pushing for policies she believes could prevent similar deaths.

I try not to be angry about it, but I feel like there is some responsibility when this happens to someone. Things werent done right and maybe if they were, this wouldnt have happened, and I dont want it to happen to anyone else, Rochelle said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Access to a long-awaited alternative water source for much of Southwest Missouri, including Joplin, has been approved.

Roddy Rogers, executive director of the nonprofit Southwest Missouri Water, said the Army Corps of Engineers has decided to allow access to Stockton Lake water storage to members of the organization. Rogers said that supply could serve nearly a million people in the future through a pipeline that would be constructed from the lake.

The organization has been working with the Corps and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for about 18 years to secure an alternative source for water currently used in the area.

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Rogers said the decision is very significant to ensure access to water.

A 2003 groundwater study commissioned by Missouri American Water and the city of Joplin showed that the Ozark aquifer, which is the source of groundwater now, could not sustain long-term population growth in the Joplin area. There also was potential for water-quality risks to occur in the aquifer due to contamination that exists in the overlying Springfield Plateau aquifer, the study concluded.

As a result of that study, the water organization made a request in 2007 for reallocation of water storage from three Southwest Missouri lakes, including Stockton.

Storage space in Stockton will now be reallocated to provide for drinking water and industrial water supply to communities that participate in Southwest Missouri Water, Rogers said. Approximately 38 million gallons of water per day will be available, which Rogers said would provide over half of the projected available future supply to meet demand through 2060.

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That doesnt mean well use it all, but its there. That sounds like a lot of water, but we lose about the same amount in evaporation every day, Rogers said.

The amount allocated to Southwest Missouri Water is 6% to 7% of the available water in the lake.

Its not going to have a significant effect on the lake, he said, adding there have been 15 years of study to determine the impact on the body of water.

In addition to securing water for Southwest Missouris future, this project will be a long-term economic driver. In the near term alone, it will inject close to a billion dollars and thousands of jobs into the Missouri economy as the water distribution network is completed, Rogers said.

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It will supply water for business and manufacturing as well as for residential use.

The 2060 planning horizon seems like a long way out, but its not. It takes 20 years to get to this step, Rogers said. Its a huge economic driver that could bring 8,000 jobs and a billion dollars into our economy, he said, adding that Wall Street has begun to invest in water for water supply. They say it will be a trillion-dollar industry and will define this century just like oil did the last century.

The next step will be to secure contracts with the organizations members that want to cement their participation in the future water supply system.

In speaking to the Joplin City Council last year, Rogers said, the long-term view is the key to waters future. Weve got to drive our future. We cant wait for it to come to us when it comes to planning for future water resources, he said.

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We are right on target with what weve been doing with what is going on with the global water industry, he added.

The city of Joplin and Missouri American started the effort to secure an alternative water supply. Last year, the City Council approved a $2.5 million allocation designated for future water supply development that Joplins public works director, Dan Johnson, sought for the list of projects to be funded with the citys three-eighths-cent capital improvements sales tax.

The organization covers 16 counties and includes cities such as Springfield, Carthage, Branson, Monett, Mount Vernon, Nixa, Republic, Pierce City, Willard and Ozark.

Rogers said Missouris congressional delegation was instrumental in ensuring the projects approval. The lawmakers saved Southwest Missouri tens of millions of dollars through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which became law Jan. 5, Rogers said.
A slide from the presentation Forest Service officials gave this week to staffers for Southwestern congressional staffers. An aide told Source NM that officials refused more than 10 times to say how many Forest Service employees were fired in the region. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

An annual wildfire briefing earlier this week between staffers for Southwestern members of Congress and Forest Service officials was unusual for two reasons, according to a congressional aide in attendance:

First, the private briefing happened about a month earlier than is typical, a sign of the acute risk of wildfires this season in New Mexico and Arizona amid years of climate change-caused drought and especially low snowpack this spring.

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Second, even as Forest Service officials laid out alarming weather forecasts and wildfire predictions, they refused more than 10 times in the meeting to say how many Forest Service employees had been fired, how many resigned and what might come of wildfire dispatch centers if the Trump administration terminates their leases.

Well have to send this to Washington and they will get back to you, was the standard response, according to a Congressional aide who asked to remain anonymous to preserve the aides ability to have candid conversations with government officials.

The meeting embodied how fraught the relationship has become between Forest Service and congressional staff amid President Donald Trumps blunt efforts to slash federal spending. New edicts require D.C.-level officials to approve all communications, including those with members of Congress or their staffs.

As a result, the aide said that what has for years been a free-flowing conversation about the upcoming fire season, with candid discussions of staffing levels and the effect of climate change on the regions snowpack and forests, instead unfolded as a tense and frustrating 2.5-hour lecture during which the word climate was never mentioned.

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The unique wildfire risk in the Southwest this season made the change in tone all the more stark, the aide said. According to the Forest Services powerpoint presentation, which Source NM obtained, above-normal temperatures, prolonged drought, proliferation of fine fuels and near-record-low snowpack will all factor into an early overall start to the large fire season.

A slide summarizing the factors leading to an early start for the spring wildfire season. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

The hazardous conditions present so early this fire season mean there will be few opportunities and resources to conduct prescribed burns, according to the presentation.

Frustration among the 50 or so staffers on the call grew and even spread to some lower-level Forest Service employees who could be seen on video holding their faces in their hands or throwing their arms up, the aide told Source New Mexico. Stonewalling is the best way to put it, the aide said.

As the call went on and Forest Service officials continued talking through the latest forecasts, anger spilled into the chat feature of the virtual Teams meeting.

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We have been in touch with your Washington DC office and they would not speak to any personnel issues, one staffer wrote, according to screenshots of the chats Source NM obtained. They will not give anyone information as to how many staff have been fired.

Dont we have someone from the Washington Office on the call? another staffer wrote.

This is unheard of, the first staffer added, to not communicate important issues that put our communities at risk.

Another staffer noted in the chat that the questions about regional staffing and recent terminations are easily anticipated, and have already been asked by multiple Congressional offices. The information is readily available to the [Forest Service], prompting four staffers to like the comment.

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As Forest Service officials noted on the call, New Mexico and Arizona face a potentially devastating wildfire season.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture fired nearly 5,700 probationary employees, an estimated 75% of whom had red cards, meaning they can be recruited to help suppress wildfires if needed.

A summary slide showing the window closing for prescribed burns this spring, including the Southwest encountering resource challenges due to expected national fire activity. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

Two judges this week ruled the Trump administrations firing of probationary employees illegal and the federal Merit Systems Protection Board had previously paused the firings for 45 days. The status of those employees, and whether theyve been able to return to work as ordered, remains uncertain, the aide and other sources told Source.

In addition to the firings, two New Mexico offices housing interagency wildfire dispatch centers may close due to federal lease terminations. The Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center monitors for blazes in Central New Mexico and parts of Oklahoma and Texas, and the Silver City center covers most of Southwestern New Mexico, including the Gila National Forest.

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Source requested an interview with New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy, who said she attended the first hour of the meeting. She responded to a list of questions via email, in which she said she believes staffing, aviation and ground resources will be adequate this fire season.

Still, The conditions are formidable, with abundant fine fuel that will carry fire if it starts on a windy day, she told Source New Mexico in an email Thursday.

The aide who spoke to Source New Mexico said most staffers were concerned about whether the Forest Service would have enough personnel to adequately respond to one or more big wildfires in the Southwest this season.

A Forest Service official said in the presentation that 1,500 personnel will be available in the Southwest region at the peak of the fire season, and that those numbers will be similar to 2024 capacities. The slide also said that onboarding efforts are ongoing.

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Despite that claim in the presentation, staffers remained skeptical after several follow-up questions, the aide said.

Even if the answer was, We are fully staffed in that one specific area, they still couldnt say, We dont anticipate operations being impacted, the aide said.

The pre-fire season briefing occurs every year, usually with less tension, the aide said, and is vital for keeping members of Congress up-to-speed on where things stand and what to expect if and when the first spark ignites that year. Congressional offices often stay heavily involved in emergency response, including helping constituents obtain disaster assistance.

Weve never had issues with communication and correspondence, because this is something that the congressional delegations, just across the board with the Forest Service, we are all invested in making sure that we are able to respond to fires the best way possible, the aide said.

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But that collaboration was completely absent Tuesday. The officials from Washington, D.C. on the call, while they rarely spoke, made their presence well-known, the aide said.

The aide has participated in these briefings for years and said, Its the first time thats happened. The individuals on the call from the Washington office also would not answer questions. They were ultimately there to make sure that those questions werent answered.

Are you an employee or former employee at dispatch centers or other national forests in New Mexico? Reach out to reporter Patrick Lohmann securely on Signal at Plohmann.61 or by using this link.
A slide from the presentation Forest Service officials gave this week to staffers for Southwestern congressional staffers. An aide told Source NM that officials refused more than 10 times to say how many Forest Service employees were fired in the region. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

An annual wildfire briefing earlier this week between staffers for Southwestern members of Congress and Forest Service officials was unusual for two reasons, according to a congressional aide in attendance:

First, the private briefing happened about a month earlier than is typical, a sign of the acute risk of wildfires this season in New Mexico and Arizona amid years of climate change-caused drought and especially low snowpack this spring.

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Second, even as Forest Service officials laid out alarming weather forecasts and wildfire predictions, they refused more than 10 times in the meeting to say how many Forest Service employees had been fired, how many resigned and what might come of wildfire dispatch centers if the Trump administration terminates their leases.

Well have to send this to Washington and they will get back to you, was the standard response, according to a Congressional aide who asked to remain anonymous to preserve the aides ability to have candid conversations with government officials.

The meeting embodied how fraught the relationship has become between Forest Service and congressional staff amid President Donald Trumps blunt efforts to slash federal spending. New edicts require D.C.-level officials to approve all communications, including those with members of Congress or their staffs.

As a result, the aide said that what has for years been a free-flowing conversation about the upcoming fire season, with candid discussions of staffing levels and the effect of climate change on the regions snowpack and forests, instead unfolded as a tense and frustrating 2.5-hour lecture during which the word climate was never mentioned.

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The unique wildfire risk in the Southwest this season made the change in tone all the more stark, the aide said. According to the Forest Services slideshow presentation, which Source NM obtained, above-normal temperatures, prolonged drought, proliferation of fine fuels and near-record-low snowpack will all factor into an early overall start to the large fire season.

A slide summarizing the factors leading to an early start for the spring wildfire season. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

The hazardous conditions present so early this fire season mean there will be few opportunities and resources to conduct prescribed burns, according to the presentation.

Frustration among the 50 or so staffers on the call grew and even spread to some lower-level Forest Service employees who could be seen on video holding their faces in their hands or throwing their arms up, the aide told Source New Mexico. Stonewalling is the best way to put it, the aide said.

As the call went on and Forest Service officials continued talking through the latest forecasts, anger spilled into the chat feature of the virtual Teams meeting.

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We have been in touch with your Washington DC office and they would not speak to any personnel issues, one staffer wrote, according to screenshots of the chats Source NM obtained. They will not give anyone information as to how many staff have been fired.

Dont we have someone from the Washington Office on the call? another staffer wrote.

This is unheard of, the first staffer added, to not communicate important issues that put our communities at risk.

Another staffer noted in the chat that the questions about regional staffing and recent terminations are easily anticipated, and have already been asked by multiple Congressional offices. The information is readily available to the [Forest Service], prompting four staffers to like the comment.

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As Forest Service officials noted on the call, New Mexico and Arizona face a potentially devastating wildfire season.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture fired nearly 5,700 probationary employees, an estimated 75% of whom had red cards, meaning they can be recruited to help suppress wildfires if needed.

A summary slide showing the window closing for prescribed burns this spring, including the Southwest encountering resource challenges due to expected national fire activity. (Slide obtained by Source NM)

Two judges this week ruled the Trump administrations firing of probationary employees illegal and the federal Merit Systems Protection Board had previously paused the firings for 45 days. The status of those employees, and whether theyve been able to return to work as ordered, remains uncertain, the aide and other sources told Source.

In addition to the firings, two New Mexico offices housing interagency wildfire dispatch centers may close due to federal lease terminations. The Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center monitors for blazes in Central New Mexico and parts of Oklahoma and Texas, and the Silver City center covers most of Southwestern New Mexico, including the Gila National Forest.

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Source requested an interview with New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy, who said she attended the first hour of the meeting. She responded to a list of questions via email, in which she said she believes staffing, aviation and ground resources will be adequate this fire season.

Still, The conditions are formidable, with abundant fine fuel that will carry fire if it starts on a windy day, she told Source New Mexico in an email Thursday.

The aide who spoke to Source New Mexico said most staffers were concerned about whether the Forest Service would have enough personnel to adequately respond to one or more big wildfires in the Southwest this season.

A Forest Service official said in the presentation that 1,500 personnel will be available in the Southwest region at the peak of the fire season, and that those numbers will be similar to 2024 capacities. The slide also said that onboarding efforts are ongoing.

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Despite that claim in the presentation, staffers remained skeptical after several follow-up questions, the aide said.

Even if the answer was, We are fully staffed in that one specific area, they still couldnt say, We dont anticipate operations being impacted, the aide said.

The pre-fire season briefing occurs every year, usually with less tension, the aide said, and is vital for keeping members of Congress up-to-speed on where things stand and what to expect if and when the first spark ignites that year. Congressional offices often stay heavily involved in emergency response, including helping constituents obtain disaster assistance.

Weve never had issues with communication and correspondence, because this is something that the congressional delegations, just across the board with the Forest Service, we are all invested in making sure that we are able to respond to fires the best way possible, the aide said.

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But that collaboration was completely absent Tuesday. The officials from Washington, D.C. on the call, while they rarely spoke, made their presence well-known, the aide said.

The aide has participated in these briefings for years and said, Its the first time thats happened. The individuals on the call from the Washington office also would not answer questions. They were ultimately there to make sure that those questions werent answered.

Are you an employee or former employee at dispatch centers or other national forests in New Mexico? Reach out to reporter Patrick Lohmann securely on Signal at Plohmann.61 or by using this link.

Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Goldberg for questions: info@sourcenm.com.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Storm Chaser Heath Lollar said he and his crew will be on the ground in central Alabama Saturday feeding information to weather services when the anticipated storm hits.

Lollar said their goals is to be the eyes and ears on the ground.

Its been a while since severe season really hit this region, so were just getting back reacquainted, getting all the equipment adjusted, said Lollar. Were able to be on live while the storms are occurring, giving ground truth. The reason why that is so essential is because a radar is not constantly looking at a storm or a set storm, were actually able to be their eyes while the radars back is turned.

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WEATHER ALERT Friday night through Saturday Night for strong tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail

Tyler Robertson is another storm chaser who said he will be doing the same, driving to Birmingham, AL from Texas.

Its going to be severe, and people should heed the warnings, said Robertson. Public awareness and safety, that is the main goal, and main mission is to get eyes on things that meteorologist cant see visually.

Being those eyes is what the National Weather Service does on a daily basis, and through their storm spotter training program they say theyre able to safely put those boots on the ground.

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We currently have over 600 trained storm spotters that are in our data, base but were always looking for more, said Birmingham National Weather Service Morning Coordinator Meteorologist John De Block.

De Block said he does not recommend storm chasing but said storm spotters are helpful in safely recording information as they remain in a safe place within their community.

We have our radar; we have our data, but we need those extra pieces of information to complete the picture so that we can get those warnings out in time to save lives and property. said De Block.

De Block said anyone can sign up to become a certified Storm Spotter for the National weather Service through their training program.

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Click here to view the Birmingham National Weather Storm Spotter Training class schedule and for information to sign up.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  First responders in Shelby County are staffing up for the severe weather expected to move into central Alabama.

What weve seen over the years is mainly flying debris, but head trauma is the big thing in these storms that we want to protect, said Chief Coby Carden, Chief Southeast Shelby County Emergency Medical Services.

CBS 42 News stopped by one of two storm shelters in Calera on Thursday. This one on 8th Avenue which holds about 100 individuals. Earlier in the day we stopped by the storm shelter in Columbiana to get some tips from EMAs Hub Harvey. He said those with kids might want to bring cards or board games, something to keep the kids entertained, as well as snacks and bottled water.

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This is the first half of it here, Harvey explained on our brief tour of the building. Weve got different areas and different ways for people to come and sit.

Harvey, who works with Shelby County EMA says this storm shelter located directly behind the police station and city hall in downtown Columbiana can hold up to 150 people.

It has a powered air system and is made of re-enforced steel: All community saferooms nationwide have to meet the same FEMA standards and so regardless of how they may look, they may look more like a traditional building or an office complex, he explained.

Strong Storms Possible Today, WEATHER ALERT Friday night through Saturday

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All of them have to meet that same standard of 250 mile per hour winds.

We asked Chief Coby Carden, with Southeast Shelby County Emergency Medical Services where you dont want to be during severe weather:

Last time around we had two elderly people that was in a mobile home and the mobile home was actually turned upside down and so they were trapped in the home, he explained.

We would just suggest RVs, mobile homes, please get out of those and seek shelter.

There are 14 community storm shelters in Shelby County. They will open to the public once a tornado watch has been issued. Shelby County now uses an emergency alert system for tornado warnings that you can sign up for by clicking here.

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To see the list of storm shelters in Shelby County click here and scroll down.

Chief Carden with Southeast Shelby County Emergency Medical Services remarked that since most of the injuries theyve seen over the years during severe weather events tend to involve head trauma, its a good idea for adults and kids to wear helmets. Brown Lumber and Building Supply in Columbiana has also been busy selling chain saws and this flashlight/lantern combination ahead of the storm.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Rain, snow, and lightning strikes have moved across New Mexico as strong winds are covering across most of the region with several weather alerts almost covering the entire state as persistent winds will remain as another storm system arrives tomorrow with more chances for dust, fire danger, as well as blowing snow, as while almost the entire northwestern two-thirds of the region have dropped below the freezing mark with colder air on the backside of the potent Pacific front, its still very mild for now for some areas in the Pecos River Valley with southwesterly winds sinking down the east slopes of the Sacramento Mountains through the Guadalupe Mountains.

Forecast Continues Below

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Unstable atmospheric conditions in the form of the powerful low pressure system in the northern mountains is dragging down colder air aloft in the form of potentially damaging winds to come today, especially in the east highlands with areas to the southeast, warming up to several degrees on either side of 60 degrees, will remain mostly dry with the higher fire threat being accompanied by widespread blowing dust, while westerns areas through central to northern areas will have lingering precipitation with some blowing snow in the higher elevations as temperatures will struggle to reach the 40s for most with even colder air in the mountains.

Another chance for chilly rain showers and mountain snow will occur in the northwest half of the region tomorrow with breezy conditions leftover, but then clearer skies will return late this weekend into early next week with temperatures back on the rise with calmer winds temporarily.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The major storm system that caused severe flooding in Southern California is now sweeping across the U.S., threatening 100 million people through tomorrow as it moves through the Central and Southern states, including Texas.

The storm could soon trigger "the most significant severe weather outbreak of the year," according to AccuWeather. Meanwhile, meteorologists with The Weather Channel have labeled it a "triple threat."

This massive system brings a range of hazards, from blizzard conditions in the northern Plains to tornadoes, wildfires and large hail in the South. Parts of Texas are at risk.

What is an atmospheric river?

Two atmospheric rivers drenched Southern California late Thursday, causing severe flooding, tornadoes, avalanches and mudslides. The extreme weather prompted evacuations and rescues from southern Santa Barbara to Orange County.

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, atmospheric rivers are essentially "rivers in the sky" that transport water vapor outside of the tropics. While atmospheric rivers can vary greatly in size and strength, the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

When will storms reach Texas?

The system will move through Texas today into tomorrow. Much of Texas is already experiencing powerful wind gusts, with "high wind warnings" and "extreme fire danger" issued across the state.

In the High Plains, sustained winds are forecast at 50 to 60 mph with gusts up to 80 mph, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area is expecting sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop in East and East-Central Texas early Saturday, from around midnight through mid-morning, from the coast to the Oklahoma-Texas border, west of Interstate 35.

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According to The Weather Channel, there is a slight risk of hail and tornadoes in these areas.

Statewide, the greatest threats are high winds with blowing dust also posing a concern and wildfires.

Tornado watch vs tornado warning: What's the difference?

Tornado warning: Tornadoes have been spotted or indicated on weather radar, and residents should seek shelter immediately.

Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible and residents should be alert.

What is a Fire Weather Watch vs. Red Flag Warning?

A Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions supports extreme fire danger, according to the National Weather Service.

Each NWS office creates local criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings.

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The key differences are that:

A Fire Weather Watch is issued up to 72 hours before the above conditions are expected to occur.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when the conditions above are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours.

Texas wildfire risk near you: Search by address

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Major storm system brings powerful wind, Red Flag warnings to Texas
HANOI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence has proposed a new law to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday.

The move reflects the country's commitment to aligning its national policies with global efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous weapons, amid rising concerns over their accessibility, according to the media outlet.

The proposed law is set to focus on several key areas, including refining general regulations on weapons of mass destruction non-proliferation and strengthening border controls. 
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW)  A group of good Samaritans is being credited with helping save a driver who was thrown from his vehicle as it rolled over and then burst into flames.

It was just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday when a pickup truck, that may have clipped another vehicle, careened out of control on Interstate 90 near Route 44 in Lake County.

Investigators say the truck rolled over several times before coming to rest in the median, and then erupted into a fireball.

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The driver was ejected from the cab and was dangerously close to the heavy flames.

Fortunately, a group of drivers who stopped for the accident jumped out of their vehicles, rushed to the victims side and then pulled him away from the burning wreckage.

Megastorm may bring blizzards, tornadoes, flooding and even fires across much of US

Concord Township firefighters arrived at the scene and put out the fire. They credit the good Samaritans with taking decisive action to protect the victim.

When we got there, there was a lot of fire. The fuel tank had ruptured so the whole median, the vehicle, there was lines of fire. These people stopped, they didnt hesitate, they got out and grabbed the male and carried him to safety. You know, there was a lot of fire and, I mean, things could have been a lot worse, said Concord Township Fire Lt. Mike Fearing.

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Authorities said the victim is fortunate that he landed in the grassy area of the median instead of the highway pavement, and he is fortunate that the rescuers, which included a nurse, acted so quickly.

Its amazing, said Fearing. Im sure this man thanks God that these people stopped to help him because, in addition to his injuries, he could have been burned up or been hit by another vehicle.

The victim was taken by ambulance to the University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center in Lake County and then transferred by medical helicopter to the University Hospitals Medical Center in Cleveland.

Ohio company recalls 15,000 cases of oyster crackers

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Firefighters said once they arrived at the scene, some of the good Samaritans got out of their way and eventually left the scene without anyone even knowing their names.

Of course, were never going to tell anybody, you know, put yourselves in harms way for a stranger and we dont want other victims, so were always going to discourage doing that, said Fearing. However, theres a time and a place for everything and sometimes people, they step up and they make a difference and quite potentially they saved this mans life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Protesters march with signs in hand during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Distress and concern about the immigrant community among students and faculty staff, whether Latino or of other ethnicities, were the feelings expressed by the nearly one hundred protesters who gathered Thursday evening outside the Hannah Administration Building on the Michigan State University campus to protest and march against the deportation of immigrants.

The Para la Raza march was organized by the student organization Cultura de las Razas Unidas, or CRU.

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Stay away from ICE and let them do their job is what the MSU administration tells our professors, which is nonsense. Arent they going to protect their students or staff? The people who bring value and pride to this community. Thats wrong, and thats why Im here, said Eli Folts, a Social Relations and Policy student.

As the protesters arrived, CRU members began a speech before the march began.

Today, we march for our families, for our friends, for our community members who live in uncertainty, who face barriers, and who choose to persevere despite the odds. We march because no one should live in fear regardless of their immigrant status, said Nechelle Calderon, 22, marketing student and president of CRU. We march because this country was built by immigrants, and yet too often, their contributions are met with exclusion rather than appreciation.

Nechelle Calderon, 22, CRU president, gives her speech to the public before the march started at the Hannah Administration Building. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the march began through the streets of the university campus along a route previously planned by the organizers. Students and community members carried posters with messages written in English and Spanish in support of the immigrant community throughout the march. Messages such as Aqui estamos, aqui nos quedamos, which in Spanish means Here we are, here we stay and The wall must fall.

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Chants like El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido (The people united will never be defeated in Spanish) were heard along the route, which had its first stop at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations, where water was provided for the protesters.

Many students expressed their concern over the lack of consistent action from MSU authorities, who, for many of them, show support through words but not through actions. This creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, compounded by the various cases of racial harassment on campus, which, according to many, have increased during the 2024-2025 period and have resulted in no punishments or consequences.

The Para la Raza march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

I think more can definitely be done, as right now there isnt much, and there are resources that could be directed toward immigrant and minority communities. Id like to see the administration do more, said Calderon. There are some resources for us as Latinos and immigrant students that we can find, for sure, but I wish there could be more, especially in these uncertain times.

Some of the grad students who participated in the march also expressed their concern.

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Now, on campus, I feel that people are becoming bolder in telling not only Latinos but also other immigrant students and children of immigrants to go back to their countries, mentioned Leeslie Herrera, 22, a masters student of Science in Cybercrime and Digital Investigations.And I feel that the administration just gives excuses and statements, but they are just words without results.

Members of Cultura de las Razas Unidas (CRU) speak to the public before the "Para la Raza" march started at the Hannah Administration Building. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters gather at the Hannah Administration Building for the "Para la Raza" march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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The "Para la Raza" march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

The "Para la Raza" march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

The "Para la Raza" march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Dozens of protesters carrying signs supporting the immigrant community march through the streets of the MSU campus in the "Para la Raza" march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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Dozens of protesters enter the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations as the first stop on the march route. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

A protester holds her sign, written on her phone. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters listen to speeches at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters listen and applaud the speeches at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

CRU members address the public about the importance of the immigrant community and the current situation at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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A protester holds her sign at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the "Para la Raza" march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters hold their signs at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the "Para la Raza" march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters march with signs in hand during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters march with signs in hand during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Reflection from bus windows of protesters marching during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

Protesters march with signs in hand during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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Protesters march with signs in hand during the "Para la Raza" march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  Students and teachers are advocating for civics education to get kids involved with local government and community issues.

These advocates are requesting a funding increase in the upcoming budget to provide grants to Massachusetts schools to run civics education programs.

These programs can take many formsfor some Massachusetts schools, it means completing social change projects, while for others, it may mean arguing a first amendment case in mock court.

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For one civics teacher, the biggest accomplishment students can achieve is to no longer need his help to interact with their local government.

You give them the tools, you give them the knowledge, they learn the levers of change and how they work, and they dont need you anymore, said Patrick McGravey, eighth grade civics teacher in the North Andover school district.

One legislator, who was behind the push for civics education when a bill establishing funding was passed in 2018, says this program is more essential than ever as deep blue Massachusetts struggles to work together with the federal administration.

We are going to need an engaged generation. Many engaged generations. To lead this commonwealth and the country, said Needham Democrat Senator Rebecca Rausch.

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With federal funding in question this year, and significant cuts to the national department of education, lawmakers expect the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to be very tight.

Lawmakers say that keeping funding level to previous years for the civics education program would be a win, and theyre hopeful that funding can increase in future years.

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A couple of weeks ago, President Donald Trump posted this message on Truth Social: "All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Social media post threatening to stop federal funding for educational institutions allowing illegal protests, with consequences for agitators and students

Over the weekend, ICE arrested Palestinian activist and legal resident Mahmoud Khalil in New York City. As a leader in Columbia University's pro-Palestine student encampment protest last spring, Khalil became one of the faces of the national movement on college campuses.

Protesters hold signs demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, some wearing keffiyehs

CBS News reported that according to Khalil's attorney, during the arrest, authorities claimed to be acting on a State Department order to revoke his student visa. His attorney purportedly informed them that "Khalil, who graduated in December, was in the US as a permanent resident with a green card, the agent said they were revoking that too."

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Then, on Monday, President Trump again posted to Truth Social, saying this was "the first arrest of many to come" and that his administration "will not tolerate" similar protests on college campuses.

Post from Donald J. Trump about detaining a student at Columbia University and addressing pro-terrorist activities on campuses

So, we're asking students to share how they're feeling about all of this.

Were you involved in the campus protests last spring and now worry about being expelled because of it?

People at a protest holding signs, including one reading "From Harlem to Palestine Occupation."

Are you an international student concerned about being detained and deported?

Person writing notes in a book, holding a pencil. An open textbook lies underneath

Maybe neither applies to you, but you're still worried about what this means for free speech on college campuses.

A person with a megaphone leads a protest, surrounded by others carrying signs

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Whatever the case may be, we want to hear from you. Get real in the comments or on this anonymous form. Your responses may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community article.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (KETK)  The Sulphur Springs Police Department said theyve arrested a man in connection to a Wednesday shooting on Putman Street.

Longview officer injured in weekend shooting released from hospital, recovering at home

An arrest report obtained by KETK showed that Sulphur Springs police officers responded to reports of shots fired on Putman Street at around 2:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

Mugshot of Turon Jenard Murray, courtesy of Hopkins County Jail records.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who was shot in the leg and began applying medical aid. Witnesses at the scene identified the suspect and one witness told officers that the person had taken their car and left the scene, according to arrest documents.

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Officers discovered a possible location for the shooting suspect on Beckham Street.

An arrest report showed that officers found the witnesss vehicle at a home on Beckham Street along with the man identified by witnesses, Turon Jenard Murray, 51 of Sulphur Springs. Murray was arrested for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

He was transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident and hes currently being held on a total bond of $200,000, according to jail records.

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Summer may not be around the corner, but now is the time to start working on our summer body. Gabriela Estrada and her team at Bloom Wellness Center can help make you look fit with non-invasive body sculpting. Spirit Day: Appletini 3 oz Apple Juice 2 oz Lemon Juice 3 oz Vodka In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine ingredients. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Good Day Statelines Spirit Day is sponsored by LimaMar Restaurant & Cocktail Bar at 221 E. State Street in downtown Rockford. LimaMar is the brainchild of owners Ross and Rosana Terry, who hoped to bring Rosanas Peruvian heritage to life in Rockford when they opened in 2019. From the rich authentic decor that youll find on every wall inside the cozy space, to the dishes that Rosana creates in the kitchen, Peruvian culture takes center stage at LimaMar. The menu is filled with traditional Peruvian dishes like Ceviche, Conchitas and Causa, which find their roots in Japanese, Chinese and Spanish cuisine. Youll find Peruvian influences on the cocktail menu, too, with Perus most popular alcohol, Pisco, in many of their inventive drinks. The most popular cocktail in Peru is the Piscosour, its so popular theres an entire day devoted to celebrating it each year. LimaMar lives by the motto, We eat with our vision first, then comes the notes of the aroma & your palate will tell you the rest..
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  In a since-updated social media post, the Sumner County Sheriffs Office used artificial intelligence to make a wanted suspects photo appear to speak.

Nicholas Townes of Westmoreland was wanted for felony evading arrest. Additionally, Townes criminal record dates back to 2020 and has previously been charged with domestic assault, reckless driving and more. Using AI, the SCSO made a photo of Townes appear to talk and share ways for the public to report Townes to law enforcement.

VIDEO: Sumner County student performs CPR, saves mans life

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The video quickly gained traction on Facebook and was shared more than 100 times. Many comments applauded the SCSO for their creativity while others took issue with the use of AI in that context. In the eyes of defense lawyer David Raybin with Raybin & Weissman, P.C. in Nashville, the post set a poor precedent.

Youre creating a terrible danger there of putting innocent people at risk by putting things up on the internet that are not correct, Raybin said. It may be attention-grabbing, but if the point is to apprehend the individual, youre doing exactly the wrong thing.

Raybin said as of publication, there are no set guidelines for law enforcement agencies when it comes to how they use AI other than the rule of common sense. Raybin said it could be utilized for investigative purposes.

There are some purposes for AI and that would be for age-enhancement, for example, Raybin explained. But to take someone like this and add their voices to it and animate it is ridiculous.

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Raybin said a disclaimer  something that communicates the use of AI in the video  should have been displayed across the SCSOs original post. But could Townes file a lawsuit against the SCSO for their video? Raybin said no.

He cant sue at all because, whats happened is  if hes a wanted individual and theyve made this animation of him  theres no right of privacy in that kind of thing, said Raybin.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

News 2 spoke over the phone with the SCSO Thursday morning. Chief Deputy Tommy Greer said the post was the agencys way of engaging with the public in a different, more interactive way; one that generates more interest, as the post did.

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Greer pointed out that the SCSO took Townes into custody hours after the post was published. However, the original post has since been changed to a static photo of Townes.

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NEW DELHI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the east Indian state of Bihar have sounded an alert in view of the bird flu (Avian Influenza H5N1) outbreak in some districts, officials said Friday.

The outbreak was reported from Patna, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Jehanabad districts.

The special teams from veterinary and animal husbandry officials have carried out culling of chickens at several poultry farms following the outbreak. The samples collected were sent to the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, which tested positive.

Reports said the areas have been sanitized to contain further spread of the outbreak. Besides this, the control and containment measures are underway in the affected districts.

Authorities have put a blanket ban on the sale and purchase of poultry and poultry products in the infected zones.

Alerted over the spread of Avian Influenza, the local government has directed the officials of the education department to stop the supply of eggs served to government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The supply of eggs will be reinstated immediately after the situation returns to normal, according to local officials.

Free Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched by the government in India some years back to tackle hunger and boost attendance in government-run primary schools.

Meanwhile, the government has stressed upon the need for an awareness campaign to check the spread of bird flu in the state.

Last week, the federal government's department of animal husbandry and dairying asked all states to increase surveillance in high-risk areas like poultry farms and bird markets.

The department has issued an alert on the H5N1 virus or bird flu after nine states, including Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, reported outbreaks since January.

Bird flu, a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, can occasionally infect humans as well. 
Michal Roseberry (left) said hotel employees ignored signs she was a sex trafficking victim and is arguing against legislation to limit lawsuit awards. Charles Tarbutton, a Sandersville trucking company CEO, said he speaks for the little guy who is getting hurt by large jury damage awards. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

This story was updated at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025.

With fewer than 10 legislative days to go until the gavel falls to send state lawmakers home on April 4, pressure is mounting on both sides of the fight over the future of Georgias civil litigation landscape.

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Although Senate Bill 68, the omnibus lawsuit overhaul bill backed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, passed quickly through the state Senate, it has languished in the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform, a sign that the bills proponents in the House are still working to gain the support needed to ensure its passage.

The special subcommittee has held four separate hearings on the bill over the past two weeks, each featuring hours of public testimony, but lawmakers adjourned Wednesday without voting on the legislation. A companion bill with more bipartisan support, Senate Bill 69, has yet to be heard in the committee.

And as the end of session draws nearer, both supporters and opponents of the bill are getting organized, sending letters to lawmakers, providing testimony in committee and holding press conferences at the Georgia Capitol in an effort to plead their case to state lawmakers.

At a Thursday morning press conference held on the north steps of the Capitol building  a prominent location usually reserved solely through the governors office  business executives from across Georgia gathered to trumpet their support for the bill. Representatives spanning industries like manufacturing, agriculture, health care and trucking spoke about the growing cost of doing business in Georgia, arguing that large jury settlements and baseless lawsuits were leading to inflated insurance premiums that threatened their prosperity.

Charles Tarbutton. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Georgias trucking companies are being run off of the proverbial road by Georgias imbalanced civil justice system, said Charles Tarbutton, the president and CEO of the Sandersville-based trucking company B-H Transfer, adding that his company was currently facing a dozen lawsuits.

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Ive heard many times over the last several weeks, this is really about big corporations versus the little guy, Tarbutton continued. I urge the members of the House to reject that fallacy. I speak on behalf of those 75,000 truck drivers in Georgia. We are the little guys.

Kemp has previously argued that sweeping policy changes are needed to bring down insurance costs for businesses throughout the state, vowing to bring back lawmakers for a special session if he felt they came up short in delivering meaningful, impactful changes. A top Kemp aide also appeared on the Atlanta Journal-Constitutions Politically Georgia talk show before the bill appeared on the Senate floor, threatening to use the governors substantial leadership committee campaign war chest to back primary challengers for any Republicans who voted against the bill or supported unfriendly amendments.

But at a second press conference Thursday, held later that same day on the opposite side of the building, members of the growing opposition to SB 68 voiced their objections, arguing that the legislation would restrict survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking from being able to hold bad actors accountable.

Michal Roseberry. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Noticing and acting are two very different things, said Michal Roseberry, a human trafficking survivor and activist who said hotel employees actively ignored the abuse she endured at the hands of her pimp.

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Hotels like the one where she was abused, she added, were complicit, and that makes them responsible. This bill would allow these very businesses to walk away without any consequences. It would take away one of the only forms of justice survivors have left: The ability to hold these businesses that enabled our abuse accountable.

Victims advocates also raised concern about a provision that would allow trials to be bifurcated, or split into multiple stages, arguing that it would be retraumatizing for survivors of violence and abuse to have to provide testimony multiple times. They also urged lawmakers to add an amendment to the bill that would carve out a few exemptions for survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking, as well as for children and elderly plaintiffs.

Despite the uncertainty, House Speaker Jon Burns, a Newington Republican, said he expects to see a vote on the bill in a committee meeting next week.

Were doing exactly what we said we would do, Burns said when asked about the delay in passing SB 68. We do what the House does when a bill comes over from the Senate: were speaking to the Senate, were speaking to the governor. Were ensuring that we have all the information on the table.

Correction: Michal Roseberrys name was spelled incorrectly in an earlier version of this story.
Less than a week after the Oklahoma Supreme Court paused state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters attempt to spend millions in taxpayer money on so-called Trump Bibles, the plaintiffs in that lawsuit are asking the court to stop a Bible-donation plan implemented by Walters.

Walters said last week hes partnering with country music artist Lee Greenwood on a nationwide campaign to encourage donations of Bibles to Oklahoma classrooms. That announcement came after the Oklahoma Senate nixed a $3 million budget request by Walters agency, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, to buy Bibles.

A news release from Walters agency said Greenwood and his network would facilitate the donation of Bibles to state classrooms as part of a Bibles Back in School Campaign. The release encouraged individual and corporate partners to buy a Bible at www.BiblesforOklahoma.com to donate to the state Education Department.

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The website indicated the cost of a Trump Bible is $59.99. The website tells people to give money for the Bibles because GOD, CHRISTIANITY AND MORAL VALUES ARE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

In a filing made Wednesday, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit  known as Walke v. Walters  asked the court to issue an order prohibiting Walters and other state officials from taking any action to implement the Bibles Back in School Campaign and from otherwise distributing Bibles to public schools.

The costs of these outlandish actions by our State Superintendent continue to climb and he shows no signs of slowing, said Colleen McCarty, the executive director of the Tulsa-based Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, one of the legal groups representing the more than 30 Oklahomans who sued Walters. Were facing a budget shortfall and Oklahomans simply cannot afford these stunts for much longer. Oklahomans need a leader who will maintain the rule of law and educate our kids.

Walters responded by claiming it's "no surprise that the same left-wing groups pushing state-sponsored atheism are attacking our work to get Bibles back in classrooms. Theyve spent years trying to erase Bibles from our schools, and they cant stand seeing parents and educators fighting back."

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Walters issued a Bible-teaching mandate for Oklahoma schools last June and has been persistent in attempting to get Bibles into classrooms. But its not just any Bible Walters is pushing. Twice, his agency has created request for proposals to purchase 55,000 Bibles appeared to be written for a specific copy of the Bible: Greenwoods "God Bless the USA" edition of the Bible, which has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

That specific Bible includes all the non-biblical documents  the U.S. Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights  listed on the original request for proposals.

The plaintiffs sued Walters, the state Education Department, the state Board of Education and the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services on Oct. 17 over the mandate and the attempts by Walters and the agency to purchase Bibles with public money.

On Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court stayed the second request for proposals for Bibles and another already issued for Bible-based curriculum for Oklahoma classrooms.

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The OMES had asked the court to order it to stop working on processing the two requests for proposals, or RFPs, from the state Education Department until the court issues a final decision. The agency had told the plaintiffs it was legally obligated to proceed with processing the RFPs until a court directive ordering it to do otherwise is issued.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters' Bible-donation plan for Oklahoma schools draws a challenge
President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to prop up a January executive order ending birthright citizenship in the United States.

The order, which would stop the practice of granting citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants and other noncitizens born in the U.S., was all but laughed out of court by a federal judge that month. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour called the novel interpretation of the law blatantly unconstitutional while issuing a temporary restraining order on the Trump administration. Coughenour was one of three federal judges to put a pause on the policy.

The emergency application from the Trump administration asks the high court to restrict the scope of nationwide stays on the orders implementation, citing Justice Clarence Thomass 2018 claim that universal injunctions were legally and historically dubious.

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Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current Administration, attorneys for the Trump administration wrote, hoping the conservative-controlled Supreme Court would declare that enough is enough and check the judiciarys own power to rein in the executive branch.

The court has proven to be unpredictable in Trump cases, throwing several wrenches into the administration's more blatant schemes. And the concept of birthright citizenship for all people born on American soil has much deeper roots than the Project 2025 platform.

Birthright citizenship is older than the United States

Birthright citizenship has been formally codified in the Constitution for over 150 years, but the concept dates back to long before the nation's founding.

University of Virginia Professor Amanda Frost traced the pre-14th Amendment foundations of birthright citizenship in an article for the Yale Journal of Law and Humanities last year.

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Common law doctrine [of citizenship by birth] was the law of the land until it was erroneously rejected by the Supreme Court in its 1857 decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, which declared that no person of African descent, slave or free, could be a U.S. citizen, Frost wrote.

The antebellum doctrine of rights at birth was present in the laws of at least six northern states, laying the groundwork for a post-Civil War amendment. Incompatible statutes on the question of citizenship were finally resolved after the abolition of slavery and the ratification of the 14th Amendment.

SCOTUS has long supported the 14th Amendment

The most sweeping of the Reconstruction Amendments, the 14th Amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision, which held that Black Americans werent entitled to citizenship at birth. The amendment explicitly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and has been held to grant unconditional citizenship to those born on US soil since 1898.

That year, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that an American-born son of two Chinese nationals was entitled to American citizenship despite laws barring Chinese individuals from the country.

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For the majority, Justice Horace Gray ruled that the 14th Amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory including all children here born of resident aliens, clarifying that Wong was a citizen.

The Supreme Courts finding has been the law of the land since, with Congress occasionally broadening the scope of citizenship based on the courts ruling. Lawmakers granted citizenship to all Native Americans in 1924, after the court had ruled decades before that people born on reservations were not entitled to citizenship.

"Either a crazy theory or a dishonest interpretation"

Experts agree that the text of the 14th Amendment is clear, and that Trumps interpretation doesn't pass muster. Harvard Law School professor Gerald Neuman defended citizenship for all people born in the United States in a January interview with Harvard Law Today.

The argument is either a crazy theory or dishonest interpretation of the Constitution, Neuman said, adding that an executive order was also insufficient to augment constitutional law. The president has no authority to change the citizenship rule at all the merits are clear. Theres only one reasonable answer to this.

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Beyond questions of constitutionality, state officials fear the change would create devastating logistical crises. Officials from at least 24 states signed on to an amicus brief in support of New Jerseys challenge to the executive order last month, saying the change would "cause administrative confusion...and immeasurable harm to individuals."

Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute told Salon last year that excluding certain American-born children from citizenship would create a multigenerational class of people who are excluded from full rights.

"Denying people that legal status, even if they're born in the United States, would put people in a much more legally vulnerable, economically vulnerable position," Gelatt said.

It is unclear whether the Supreme Court will give in to the presidents fringe interpretation, though the court recently narrowly ruled against the Trump administrations illegal impoundment of $2 billion in Congressionally approved foreign aid.

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At least one expert thinks justices wouldnt go so far. UCLA Professor Hiroshi Motomura told Salon last year that birthright citizenship was even more sacred than other rights this court has placed on the chopping block.

Even though people say that the court has become more conservative, this would be even further in the direction of trying to overturn the past than we've seen, he told Salon. This goes way beyond overruling Roe v. Wade. I think that was a radical move, but this is no comparison. This is quite a bit more of a rethinking of what the country is even about.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  An arraignment date is set for the suspect in a murder that took place in Sioux City over four decades ago.

Thomas Popp, 62, is set to have an arraignment on March 28 at the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center. Court documents indicate hes been ordered to appear in person.

Siouxlander a person of interest in Dominican disappearance

Popp is facing one count of first-degree murder. Hes accused of killing Terri McCauley more than 41 years ago. She disappeared from a parking lot in Sioux City back in Sept. 1983. McCauleys body was located days later near 33rd and Pavonia Streets.

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Popp is currently being held in the Woodbury County Jail on a $3 million bond.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A suspect has been arrested in connection to a 2-month old who was severely injured during a domestic disturbance in Abilene Thursday morning.

Precious Lee Reed has been booked into the Taylor County Jail for Injury to Child with Intentional Serious Bodily Injury/Mental following incident at an apartment complex on the 2800 block of S 25th Street.

Officers received multiple calls about a domestic disturbance at the apartment complex, and when they arrived, they found a 2-month-old child suffering from severe injuries.

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This child was rushed to the hospital then airlifted to the metroplex due to the severity of the injuries.

At the time of the incident, police did expect the child to survive but the childs current condition has not been disclosed.

Details on the incident, including Reeds relationship to the child, have not been disclosed.

Reed remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

No further information is available at this time.

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BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI)  A Cranston man has been arrested in connection with an alleged fundraising scheme in Barrington.

Edward Lima, 54, was charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses/personation under $1,500.

He pleaded no contest and was given a one-year suspended sentence and probation.

BACKGROUND: Barrington police investigate company hired to raise money for union

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said on Feb. 21, the administrator of Temple Habonim reported a suspicious fundraising solicitation.

Edward Lima (Courtesy: Barrington Police Department)

Temple officials said the company claimed some of the money raised would benefit the Lane family  Christine Lane and her son Spencer were killed in the midair collision in Washington, D.C., last month.

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According to a police report, Lima was working for TCI America and assigned to raise money for the police union.

Lima was never authorized by anyone to ask for donations for the Lane family or authorized to use the Lane family name, a police report stated.

Temple Habonim was one of four establishments Lima reached out to asking for donations. Two did send donation checks, but police said they will be fully reimbursed.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Portland Police Bureau is asking for the publics help in locating a suspect in connection to a deadly shooting that happened in Old Town back in July 2024.

Jose L. Galindo-Maldonado was identified as the shooting victim in an Old Town homicide in Portland. July 12, 2024 (courtesy Portland Police Bureau).

The shooting happened on July 5, with officers responding to Northwest 3rd Avenue and Northwest Everett Street. They found 35-year-old Jose L. Galindo-Maldonado badly hurt. He was later pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.

Tigard Tesla dealership shot for second time

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The suspect is still at large. Now police are releasing a photo of the suspect in hopes of locating him with the help of the public.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Portland police or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Oregon.

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Mar. 13A man chasing and shooting at another before dying in a crash led police to discover the death of a woman at a Darke County house Thursday.

According to the Darke County Sheriff's Office, dispatchers received a 911 call at 2:23 p.m. from a man saying that he had been shot by a friend of his at a residence in the 2500 block of Ohio 571 in Washington Twp. west of Greenville. The man said that his friend was chasing him in a vehicle and shooting at him as they drove northbound on Coletown-Lightsville Road.

Deputies and Union City police both started to respond to the area, the sheriff's office said.

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As the chase continued, the suspect rammed the caller's vehicle multiple times, eventually causing both to crash into a field.

The suspect's SUV rolled multiple times, and he was thrown from the vehicle.

Union City police arrived on the scene soon after the crash and called for Union City Fire and EMS and Careflight to respond.

Emergency crews found the suspect in the field, unconscious and not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Medics treated the victim at the scene, and CareFlight flew him to Miami Valley Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

While emergency crews responded to the scene, the sheriff's office said that other deputies responded to the suspect's residence on Ohio 571 where the initial shooting occurred.

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Deputies found a dead woman in the house after a search. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

The sheriff's office said that deputies, detectives and investigators from the Darke County Coroner's Office are investigating both scenes, and they believe that the shooting of the woman was related to the suspect chasing and shooting at the 911 caller.

The department added that they don't believe there is any further danger to the public, and more information would be released as it becomes available.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A suspect accused of shooting and injuring a student on Southern Universitys campus was arrested in Texas on Thursday.

Semaj Joiner, 23, was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm on school property, attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentalities. Joiner was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Fort Worth, Texas.

I would like to thank the Louisiana State Police Apprehension Team, U.S. Marshals Services, Baton Rouge Police Department for collaborating with SUPD to help bring this suspect into custody, Southern University Police Department Chief Joycelyn Johnson said. The public has also been very supportive in this case.

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A student was taken to a hospital after the shooting. A university spokesperson previously said the victim was expected to make a full recovery.

The campus was placed on lockdown after a shooting was reported at Jones Hall around 7 p.m. on March 2. An arrest warrant was issued for Joiner on March 5.

An affidavit states Joiner and the victim contacted each other through a social media app and agreed to meet for a haircut. Joiner reportedly pulled out a gun and cocked it. Detectives said a shot was fired after a physical struggle over money owed.

Joiner will be extradited to Louisiana for prosecution.

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Baton Rouge Police sees increase in youth violent crimes

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PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A Shapingba Hotpot Carnival was held here on Friday to promote cultural exchange, trade and tourism between China and Cambodia.

Shapingba is a major district in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Several Chongqing hotpot enterprises showcased their brands, allowing scores of visitors to experience an authentic taste of Chongqing's culinary culture.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the carnival, Ly Thuch, a Cambodian senior minister in charge of special missions, said the Shapingba Hotpot Carnival serves as a vital platform to further promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meas Sreynich, a sophomore at the Asia Euro University, said it was impressive to use cuisine as a medium to deepen Cambodia-China friendship under the BRI.

"I'm really happy to taste the flavor of Chongqing hotpot," the 20-year-old student said.

Pann Vuthy, a senior at Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh, said the carnival allowed Cambodian hotpot lovers to taste the distinctive flavors of Shapingba.

"The event today is really good because it serves as a bridge of cultural exchange between Cambodia and China," the 23-year-old student said. 
Surveillance footage captured a suspected drunken driver crash into a tree at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to flip on its side right outside the Greendale Police Department.

Greendale police shared the video to its Facebook page Thursday night.

The crash occurred Monday right outside the Greendale police station on Northway near West Grange Avenue.

Police said officers had to break the windshield to reach the driver and firefighters extricated her from the wreckage.

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"The cause? Drunk driving," police said.

"Thankfully, no one else was hurt, but this could have ended much worse. The driver was arrested for OWI, and the video speaks for itself  impaired driving puts everyone at risk.

"Please, make the right choice. Dont drink and drive. Call a friend, use a rideshare, or find a safe way home. One bad decision isnt worth your life  or someone elses."

Wisconsin has long had one of the country's highest drunken driving rates. State data from 2022 shows about a third of all traffic-related deaths were due to "impaired driving." That same year, 184 people were killed and 3,556 people were injured in impaired-driving crashes.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Suspected drunken driver crashes outside Greendale Police Department
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A circuit court judge granted bond Friday to the suspended sheriff and former supervisor of Williamsburg County who are facing public corruption charges.

Suspended Sheriff Stephen R. Gardner and former county supervisor Tiffany Cooks were indicted by a state grand jury on March 12 for their roles in an alleged scheme to embezzle government funds to pay the sheriff more than his allotted salary.

Both were given a $100,000 personal recognizance bond and must surrender their passports. The judge also ordered they have no contact with the sheriffs department or county staff.

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According to the South Carolina attorney generals office, Gardner and Cooks participated in a scheme to improperly pay thousands of dollars of government funds to Gardner, and avoid taxes or withholdings on the amounts paid, by routing the government money to Gardner under the guise of checks written to a third party.

Specifically, prosecutors alleged Friday that Gardner misdirected thousands of dollars in funds allocated to the county through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with Cooks help over a six-month period in 2022.

That was money that was supposed to help smaller communities and governments during the COVID crisis to sort of survive, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters said, noting that Gardner was earning a six-figure salary as sheriff.

According to Waters, the scheme worked by funneling cash through a friend of the sheriffs who was doing landscaping work for the county. Gardner would send timesheets containing the contractors work hours to Cooks, who would then request checks from the county treasurer.

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When Supervisor Cooks would send an email to staff and the treasurer to get these checks cut from the ARPA account, she would not only include the time this individual actually worked but an additional, much larger amount supposedly for different things like equipment use or equipment rental or things like that, Waters said.

Waters said the contractor ultimately cashed about $37,000 in county checks, much of which went directly to the sheriff.

Gardner faces criminal conspiracy, misconduct in office, Ethics Act violations, acceptance of rebates or extra compensation, and money laundering charges.

Cooks faces conspiracy, misconduct in office, Ethics Act violations, embezzlement, and money laundering charges.

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Defense attorneys did not comment on the specific allegations during Fridays hearing but maintained that neither of their clients was a flight risk nor presented a danger to the community.

Governor McMaster suspended Gardner shortly after the indictment was handed down Thursday. The governor appointed Clemson Wright Jr., a SLED special agent and former Williamsburg Co. deputy, to serve in the interim.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
ZURICH (Reuters) - The Swiss government said on Friday Martin Pfister will be the country's new defence minister when Viola Amherd steps down at the end of the month.

Separately, the government said it had approved a memorandum of understanding to step up defence cooperation with Singapore which would allow the two to deepen collaboration on research, development, innovation and defence procurement.

(Writing by Dave Graham, editing by John Revill)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Syria's foreign minister made his first visit to Iraq since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, and called on Baghdad to reopen the border between the two countries that it had shut in the wake of the revolt that toppled him.

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the aim of Friday's visit was to enhance trade between the two countries, and reopening the border would be a fundamental step in doing so.

Iraq, which battled Islamic State fighters that captured territory on both sides of the border from 2014-2017, shut the frontier on security grounds following the revolt that toppled Assad.

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Shibani said that Damascus was ready to cooperate with Baghdad in combating Islamic State, adding that "Syria's security is integral to Iraq's security".

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also stressed the importance of international coordination to fight Islamic State.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Muayad Kenany; Writing by Enas Alashray; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Khalil Ashawi and Mahmoud Hasano

HMEIMIM, Syria (Reuters) - Some of the Syrians who sought sanctuary at a Russian air base from sectarian killings are trickling home to devastated villages. Many others remain inside, fearing for their lives.

Thousands of people have been sheltering at the Hmeimin air base since violence swept Syria's coastal region last week, when predominantly Alawite towns and villages were targeted in attacks and hundreds were killed.

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Rana Boushieh, 34, said she headed for the base with her family after fleeing her home in the Alawite village of al-Sanobar. They had been awoken by gunfire, she said, and first fled to another area of the village before escaping with other residents to Hmeimin, 11 km (seven miles) away.

She returned to Sanobar on Thursday, encouraged by her brother who told her the situation was calm and with an escort from government security forces. Others were scared to leave.

"Honestly, there is definitely fear, but God willing, things will get better, God willing," she said.

The violence spiralled last week after Syria's Sunni Islamist-led authorities said their security forces came under attack by militants loyal to the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, whose Alawite family come from the coastal region.

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The attack unleashed widespread killings targeting Alawites - the worst bloodshed since Assad was toppled in December after 14 years of war. Interim President Ahmed Sharaa, an al Qaeda leader before he cut ties to the group in 2016, has said those responsible will be punished, including his own allies if necessary.

Some Alawites fled to neighbouring Lebanon.

In the Syrian coastal region, Reuters journalists saw many homes and shops torched and looted, and villages largely deserted, during a visit to the area on Thursday, on which they were accompanied by government security personnel.

One man, who had just returned to Sanobar, took the journalists to a house where he said he had found the bodies of his brother and nephew. He declined to be named out of fear for his safety.

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The name of a Sunni Arab armed group aligned with the government had been written in graffiti on walls in several places.

"You brought this upon yourselves," declared one slogan.

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that about 9,000 people were seeking refuge at Hmeimim, established as a Russian air base in 2015 when Moscow entered the Syrian war on Assad's side.

Russia is trying to build relations with the new Syrian leadership and the futures of the Hmeimim base and Russia's naval base at Tartous remain unclear.

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Ahmed Abdel Rahman, a government security official, said 1,500 people were sheltering at the air base, which he had visited "in coordination with our Russian friends".

Echoing other statements by the authorities on the violence, he said government security forces had been attacked by remnants of the Assad authorities and that after this, "unruly groups and gangs entered the area and began carrying out acts of sabotage", forcing residents to seek refuge at the air base.

"We are currently working to secure the area from remnants of the former regime and vandalizing gangs in order to ensure the families' safe departure to their homes and villages," he said.

Government security forces were heavily deployed outside the base as a Russian warplane flew overhead. One family left the base in the back of a flat-back truck.

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Falak Issa, 60, was leaving the air base to return to her village, al-Qalaya. She urged international intervention to protect the people and the Alawite community.

"What happened is all kinds of shells, bombs, machine guns that you can think of, all kinds of weapons. We were terrified, truly terrified in every sense of the word," she said.

(Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Editors note: Soldiers interviewed for this article are identified only by their first name, callsign, or nickname due to security reasons.

William, a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran, has come to Ukraine to join the Ukrainian military in its fight against Russian aggression just days after his contract with the U.S. military ended in March.

The artillerymans original plan was to come here in summer, but as the new U.S. President Donald Trump made a dramatic U-turn in Ukraine policy, the need to travel to the war-torn country felt more urgent.

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It's frustrating to sit around doing nothing when you know you can do something right, William told the Kyiv Independent a day before leaving for Ukraine.

William says he has felt drawn to Ukraine ever since the 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution in Kyiv. As a high school student in Tennessee, he was moved by the Ukrainian uprising against a pro-Russian, anti-Western regime.

He is among the many Americans who have decided to join the Ukrainian army during the full-scale invasion, especially after the heated exchange between Trump, his Vice President JD Vance and President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office on Feb. 28. In the following week, the U.S. abruptly suspended its military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine  before resuming it this week. However, the U.S. increasing alignment with Russia continues to cast doubt on the future of its support for Ukraine.

One of the most elite Ukrainian units accepting foreign volunteers received a massive spike of applications, according to an international serviceman involved in recruiting. The source, who spoke anonymously due to his units regulations, said that a few thousand applications came in after the Oval Office meeting, with a significant amount of guys expressing outrage and shock over what has been happening with the shift in American policy.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Another recruit, Ron, who was previously deployed in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, said he contacted the Ukrainian military as soon as Trump took office and the U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing bans were set forth. Feeling embarrassed by my country, the American exit in supporting Ukraine sealed it for me to come fight in Ukraine, the 35-year-old Colorado native explained.

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I'm a patriot. I love my country. But the people who are in charge of it right now are destroying it, just destroying what it should stand for, Ron told the Kyiv Independent a month before his departure for Ukraine.

It's an absolute shame to me. I just can't sit by and watch it happen anymore, especially when the people of Ukraine are so freaking brave, and they're doing such great work with the limited equipment we have given them.

While Ron said he was shocked that Trump was reelected as the president, he, like some other American recruits, also cautiously hoped that maybe he would actually do the right thing on Ukraine.

But that first month of him in the office just completely shattered any illusion of that for me, Ron said.

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Read also: He betrayed every one of us  US soldiers in Ukraine speak out after Trumps military aid halt

Hes just selfish and only wants quick fixes, Ron added, referring to the U.S. trying to pressure Ukraine into a rushed peace deal to end the war at any cost. Trump has pledged to end the war quickly, resuming the long-frozen diplomacy with Russia and priding himself on having a very close relationship with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Trumps America-first policy has also left European nations on alert. Media reports have suggested that he is considering a dramatic shift in the U.S.s involvement in NATO, refusing to defend another member state as part of Article 5 if it doesnt meet the defense spending threshold.

Worried that the U.S. could eventually completely abandon Europe, Ron said he decided that he needs to do his part to avoid what he believes could be a general war in Europe with Russia in the near future.

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A former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout, who goes by his callsign Juggernaut, also said he felt sick to the stomach after seeing the U.S. decreasing its support for Ukraine despite Russias horrific war crimes against civilians across the country.

He finished his seven-year contract with the U.S. Army a week after Trumps inauguration. He came over to Ukraine in February and is currently awaiting training with a Ukrainian unit.

Although he voted for Trump in 2024, the 28-year-old Hawaii resident said he felt really disappointed in his leadership even though he understands the America-first policy.

We only have so long on this earth, and worrying about ourselves isnt going to bring us any gratification at the end of our lives, Juggernaut told the Kyiv Independent from eastern Ukraine.

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Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

He said that his fear of coming here and dying for no reason faded when he arrived in Ukraine and saw first-hand what the country and its people were going through.

I kind of stopped thinking like that because I'm a spiritual person, and it made me sick to my stomach, the idea of Russians taking over this country and these people here suffering even more than they already have, Juggernaut said.

A 40-year-old father and lawyer from Texas, who introduced himself as Esquire, is another recruit waiting in Kyiv to join the Ukrainian military. While he has no prior army experience, he said he made the decision to enlist because he did not want to live for the rest of his days knowing he was a coward.

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Esquire wonders if his two kids and his wife, who begged him not to go, would ever forgive him for making what everyone back home believed would be a meaningful sacrifice, but he stressed that he could not just watch the world turn upside down.

I feel betrayed, sickened, and like my country is no longer what I thought it was, Esquire told the Kyiv Independent at a cafe in Kyiv.

I mourn my country like I mourn a dead friend.







Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BISHKEK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will resume air traffic after a four-year break. This was announced during a joint statement by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon following bilateral talks in Bishkek on Thursday.

"I would like to note with satisfaction the resumption of air travel, and I hope that bus routes will also be resumed soon, allowing our citizens to communicate with each other," Japarov said.

Rahmon specified that the first flights on the Dushanbe-Bishkek and Bishkek-Dushanbe routes will take place on Friday, March 14. Additionally, according to the head of Tajikistan, Bishkek-Khujand flights are also planned.

Kyrgyzstan imposed restrictions on entry and exit for citizens of Tajikistan, as well as transit through its territory, following the border conflict that occurred in the spring of 2021 between the two countries.

In addition, after the signing of the border agreement, a ceremony was held to resume the operation of two checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border, which were also closed after the conflict.

The leaders of the two states called the signing of the agreement a historic event. A total of 16 documents were signed, aimed at increasing Kyrgyz-Tajik cooperation. 
The Miami shippers list of 134 items headed for the Caribbean looked pretty tame: tires, bicycles, refrigerators and mattresses.

But buried inside the container were a military-grade Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle with silencer and an Uzi machine gun, along with dozens of other high-powered weapons and tens of thousands of bullets of different calibers.

The shipment, which left the Miami River on Feb. 13 and was seized last week at the Haina Oriental Port just outside of Santo Domingo, wasnt destined for the delivery in the Dominican Republic. It was in transit to Haiti, according to shipping documents obtained by the Miami Herald.

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As Haitis powerful criminal gangs expand their influence and carry out some of the worst massacres in recent memory, they are increasingly tapping into supply lines of military-grade and higher-caliber weapons provided by smugglers in Florida and other states who charge significant markups for their illicit overseas sales. The traffickers are purchasing thousands of illegal firearms in the United States, while employing alternative smuggling routes and export tactics, including hiding weapons and ammunition in fuel canisters and air compressors to sneak them out of U.S. ports in violation of both a U.S. and United Nations arms embargo on Haiti.

The smugglers shipping destinations and firearms customers may ultimately be in Haiti, but they have shifted their focus from exporting to the embattled capital of Port-au-Prince to more remote locations in the country and to the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares a porous 243-mile border on the island of Hispaniola.

As the gangs have gotten a lot of control over border areas, I am not surprised to see that weapons are coming through those places, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and security expert who follows Haiti. All traffickers want to have as diverse routes as possible, and they are very adaptive in responding to particular routes or particular smuggling methods being suppressed.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic seized a military grade .50 caliber sniper rifle along with other firearms and 36,000 cartridges on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from a Miami shipment destined for Haiti. The seizure was made at the Port of Haina, D.R.

William ONeill, the United Nations independent human rights expert on Haiti, said that the fastest, quickest way to dismantle the gangs in Haiti would be to stop the flow of weapons, especially ammunition.

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Theres not a gun or bullet manufactured in Haiti, he said as he addressed the spiraling security crisis this week during a press conference. Haitians obviously need to do more on their side. The Dominicans need to do more on their side.

And we in the United States need to do much more, because a lot of the guns that are coming via or through the Dominican Republic originate in Florida or elsewhere in the United States.

Statistics bear that out. According to the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security, which regulates weapons exports from the U.S. to foreign countries, about half of all firearms-export investigations have been concentrated in the Caribbean region since 2000. And, more than half of the weapons recovered from crimes in the Caribbean between 2017 and 2021 were originally purchased from federally licensed firearms dealers in Florida, according to a 2024 report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Dominican seizures

Twice in the last three months, authorities in the Dominican Republic have made seizures of illicit firearms at the Haina port, south of Santo Domingo and popular among freight consolidation companies that combine smaller shipments from multiple people in the diaspora sending goods to their families, and delivering them door-to-door.

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The seizures have come to underscore, not just how Dominicans are cracking down on illicit arms, but how the popular tourist destination is being used not only to dodge Haitian customs duties on the other side of the border but to traffic Haiti-bound weapons.

In January, the Directorate General of Customs discovered a cache of 85 firearms including AK-47s and Glock pistols; 83 firearm parts and eight firearms accessories hidden in sealed compressor tanks that were shipped from Brooklyn, New York, a senior Dominican customs official confirmed to the Herald on Wednesday. All of them were imported via this shipping method, the official said.

According to other sources, the weapons were headed to Belladere, a border town in Haitis Central Plateau that is quickly emerging as a hub for illegal weapons imports.

Last week, another lethal arsenal supply was discovered when X-ray scanners revealed discrepancies in the images and a physical inspection was then conducted. Along with military-grade rifles capable of piercing through armored vehicles and airplanes, Dominican authorities found 22 other firearms, including Glock pistols, and 36,000 bullets of various calibers. There were also rifle magazines, 9 mm magazines and a .50 caliber rifle magazine.

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The discoveries were made as several court cases in Florida show that traffickers are using all kinds of methods to move guns through the Dominican Republic and seaports outside of Port-au-Prince, where gangs are now in control of up to 90% of the capital. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime acknowledges that despite the presence of an armed international force in Haiti and the global arms embargo that were extended last year, Haitian gangs are still being heavily armed.

Despite the reinforcement of the arms embargo, weapons and ammunition trafficking continue to flow into Haiti and into the hands of gangs, Ghada Waly, the head of the U.N. drug office, told the Security Council in January, the same day that Dominican customs made the discovery of the Brooklyn shipment during a routine inspection.

Waly said reports suggest that not only are Haitian gangs acquiring high-caliber firearms and ammunition, but they now possess multiple high-powered, long-range Barrett M82A1 .50 caliber sniper rifles, used in war. Weapons trafficking routes to Haiti have also been shifting at both the source and destination, she said.

Jean Robert Casimir, who once served on the security team of a former Haiti National Police chief, was arrested in December after U.S. investigators traced two semi-automatic AR-15 assault weapons back to him. He smuggled guns to his native Haiti in air compressors.

Between October and January, the U.N. drug office found that firearms seizures in the U.S. linked to Haiti were primarily reported in Port Everglades, and not Miami. And in Haiti, most seizures were reported in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, and not Port-au-Prince.

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This may suggest that successful interdiction efforts have caused traffickers to explore other routes, Waly said.

Dominican customs officials say since 2021 theyve routinely been using high-tech, non-intrusive X-rays at the Haina port to crackdown on illicit goods. Haiti doesnt have the technology, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, only uses the scanner when they have suspicions or tips that shipments may have illicit items.

Beefed up Dominican surveillance

The recent seizures, the Dominican official said, reflect an unprecedented strengthening of customs surveillance and controls in the Dominican Republic.

Over the past four years, the Directorate General of Customs, DGA, has undergone a historic transformation, achieving record numbers in the fight against smuggling and organized crime, he said. Firearms and ammunition smuggling poses a serious national security threat. Therefore, Dominican customs have intensified their collaboration with national and international agencies, raising control and detection standards to combat this crime more effectively.

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These constant and strategic efforts have positioned the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in the fight against illicit trade while ensuring legitimate commerce, making the country not only a logistics hub but also a secure hub.

Two days after the latest discovery at the port in Haina, Dominican authorities arrested Urbano Eugenio Garcia and Maximo Perez Beriguete, in connection with the seized arsenal that included 17 high-caliber guns. The men, owners of a transport company, have been automatically detained for one year in a lock-up while prosecutors continued to investigate the case.

According to Diario Libre, the two defendants attorney, Luis Matos, questioned the courts decision. His clients, he argued, were useful fools who operating a transport company. Its very unlikely that they knew what was inside the container, Matos is quoted as saying.

Garcias Miami-based company, Eugenio Trading, is listed on documents as the shipper. Beriguete, according to Dominican media, is the one who received the containers in the Dominican Republic in order to send them to Haiti. Both men reportedly live in the south of the Dominican Republic near Belladere in Haiti, where last weeks shipment and the one from January were headed.

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Late Thursday, Belladere resident Guitho Senat, who is listed on the shipping documents as the receiver of the cargo in Haiti, was arrested in the nearby city of Hinche for arms trafficking, Lional Lazarre, said a spokesman for the Haiti National Police. A Haitian woman and business owner in her 50s, is also wanted in connection with the illicit shipment.

Our message is clear: the Dominican Republic is not and will not be a channel for arms trafficking, the Dominican customs official said. We will continue leading this fight with determination to ensure safe trade.

Emerging contraband route

On the surface, the Haina port incidents appear to be a run of the mill arms-trafficking effort. But in Haiti, where some have been increasingly alarmed by an uptick in contraband flowing into the country across the land border with the Dominican Republic, its anything but usual.

It is part of an emerging trend, Haitians say: merchandise is arriving in transit in the Dominican Republic and then transferred from shipping containers onto trucks that are then driven across the border to Haiti, where they are sometimes escorted by Haitian police. The practice not only allows importers to avoid paying customs duties on goods as they cross the poorly patrolled border, but it allows weapons smugglers to move firearms, several individuals aware of the practice say.

Over the past two years, Ricardo Fermin Sune-Giron, 34, and his co-conspirators smuggled thousands of firearms to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, according to federal prosecutors. On Tuesday, March 11, Sune-Giron was sentenced to 14 years in prisons.

A Haitian official, who asked for anonymity in order to speak freely about the practice, cited a flash point at Port-au-Princes government seaport in July of 2022 when Haitian customs officers seized a cache of weapons hidden in containers marked for the Episcopal Church of Haiti that had left from Port Everglades. Several Church officials were arrested and the incident led to more scrutiny at the Port-au-Prince port, which the official said pushed traffickers to use remote ports to smuggle weapons.

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They realized that it was going to be difficult for them to enter with guns and ammunition, said the official. When they realized they would get arrested, they then went to Cap-Haitien.

But then Haitian authorities began making seizures at that port, and even arrested a customs supervisor after they found more than two dozen handguns and assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition hidden in boxes in a April 2024 shipment arriving from Port Everglades. Amid a crackdown by customs and anti-drug trafficking police at the Cap-Haitien seaport, protests broke out and Haitis customs office temporarily halted operations there.

They finally relaxed, the official said about traffickers who, after no longer being able to hold on, then started to use the in transit option through the frontier.

The increased use of that option, the official noted, coincided with last years kidnapping of two Filipino crew members off a cargo ship and string of brazen gangs attacks targeting ships calling on the government port in Port-au-Prince. In response, several maritime lines canceled or paused shipments into Haiti while others rerouted cargo to the Dominican Republic where the goods were later transported by road into Haiti.

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You will see that its a very well organized network, the official said. For me, they planned that well so they could force open the route.

Haitis porous border lacks scanners, drones

Haitian officials say they do not have an accounting of how much the government is being defrauded by goods moving through the frontier, much less how much of it may also include stashes of illegal weapons. But they estimate its a lot of contraband, at the very least, after stopping several vehicles with cargo, including a recent seizure of a 40-foot container with contraband that crossed the Haiti-Dominican land border and was being escorted by Haitian police officers into Port-au-Prince.

Last year, Haitis customs office asked the then-Finance Minister Ketleen Florestal to shut down the transit route by issuing an interdiction against products disembarking in the Dominican Republic. But the measure wasnt taken. Florestal, who was moved to the planning ministry in the cabinet shakeup last fall, acknowledged in an interview Thursday on Port-au-Princes Magik9 radio station that illicit trafficking is a huge problem and said she had taken steps to mount a task force to address the contraband crossing the border before leaving the ministry.

Over the past two years, Ricardo Fermin Sune-Giron, 34, and his co-conspirators smuggled thousands of firearms to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, according to federal prosecutors. On Tuesday, March 11, Sune-Giron was sentenced to 14 years in prisons.

ONeill, the U.N. independent human rights expert on Haiti, said Haitis unguarded borders are a huge problem. There are only 300 Haitian police officers, for example, assigned to frontier and they lack everything from bodies to equipment.

Theyre begging for scanners. They need more drones so they could at least do surveillance, said ONeill, who raised concerns about the border during his visit to Haiti last week. The Haitian state is losing billions of dollars in revenue, because theres a lot of contraband coming into the country thats never paying any duties or taxes, and because they often use the unofficial crossings.

How can you have a safe country if youre not sure whats coming in or out? Same thing by sea, a lot of little boats are coming in and out of Haiti, and also little airplanes that land, and thats been for years, he said.

Florida connections in weapons flow

In the past year, the United States has poured more than $600 million into an international armed force in Haiti to help the fight against surging gangs. The money has gone into the deployment of about 1,000 foreign police and some military personnel, armored vehicles and night goggles.

But despite the heightened crackdown, gangs continue to sow chaos as they tightened their grip on the capital and parts of the neighboring Artibonite region, also located next door to the Central Plateau.

Their access to powerful weapons and ammunition plays a major part in their dominant status. Recent online postings by gang leaders show them brandishing the Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle and bragging about arming members with recently acquired weapons.

Also striking: several court cases in Florida highlight the extent to which criminal networks operate to funnel weapons to Haiti and its menacing gangs.

On Tuesday, a Guatemalan who had been illegally living in the U.S. under a fake identity was sentenced to 14 years in prison in Tampa federal court after pleading guilty to international firearms trafficking charges. Over the past two years, Ricardo Fermin Sune-Giron, 34, and his co-conspirators smuggled thousands of firearms to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, according to prosecutors.

Over the past two years, Ricardo Fermin Sune-Giron, 34, and his co-conspirators smuggled thousands of firearms to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, according to federal prosecutors. On Tuesday, March 11, Sune-Giron was sentenced to 14 years in prisons.

Sune-Giron obtained the weapons by recruiting straw purchasers to illegally buy firearms  including Glocks, rifles and AK-47s  from federally licensed firearms stores across Central Florida and from private dealers, according to the facts spelled out in his plea agreement. He then sold the weapons to others on the black market.

Those individuals were the persons who would primarily package the firearms and have them sent abroad, Sune-Girons lawyer admitted in court papers, while seeking a lower sentence for his client. He was aware the destination of these firearms was primarily to be the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Eight of the firearms trafficked by his network were later recovered at crime scenes in the Dominican Republic, prosecutors said.

Another case shows the ability of firearms traffickers to infiltrate law enforcement: St. Cloud police officer Michael Adrian Nieto, 31, is facing a maximum of five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to dealing in firearms without a license.

According to a plea agreement, Nieto repeatedly purchased and resold firearms to traffickers. Among others, Nieto supplied an Orlando group that smuggled hundreds of weapons and Chinese-made machine gun-conversion devices to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti, according to prosecutors in Tampa.

The groups leader, Ernesto Vazquez, 23, also purchased weapons from an unlicensed supplier, Derick Yamir Perez Diaz, 22, and a federally licensed dealer, Matthew Easton, 35. All three have pleaded guilty. Perez Diaz was sentenced last month to 11 years in prison; the others await sentencing.

Guns hidden in air compressors

In South Florida, a former Haitian national police officer was recently accused of playing a leading role in a Florida-Haiti weapons trafficking operation. Jean Robert Casimir, 52, who once served on the security team of a former Haiti National Police chief, was arrested in December after U.S. investigators traced two semi-automatic AR-15 assault weapons back to him.

Casimir, who is being held in a federal lock-up, pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy defrauding the United States, export violations and weapons smuggling in February and awaits trial.

In the same case, it was also disclosed by prosecutors in a court filing that they were probing allegations that Casimir schemed to make money for himself and the Peoples Republic of China through the unlawful taking of information from the Federal Reserve Board in the United States.

His defense attorney, Alfred Guillaume, declined to comment on Thursday.

The investigation into Casimir took off after he was detained last August at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International upon a return trip from Haiti, court records show.

Customs and Border Protection agents questioned Casimir about his weapons exports, and he admitted to smuggling firearms to Haiti by packing them in boxes and delivering them to the crew of a boat that disembarked in a port in Miragoane, south of Port-au-Prince, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit by Homeland Security Investigations.

But he lied about the frequency of his trafficking activities, low balling the number of firearms that he smuggled, the affidavit says.

Jean Robert Casimir, who once served on the security team of a former Haiti National Police chief, was arrested in December after U.S. investigators traced two semi-automatic AR-15 assault weapons back to him. He smuggled guns to his native Haiti in air compressors.

Agents seized both his Apple iPhones and uncovered significant numbers of photos, videos, audio recordings, and text messages relating to the purchase of firearms in the U.S. and the sale of firearms in Haiti, the affidavit says.

The records show the purchase of at least 87 firearms over the course of at least 30 separate transactions, of the type that generally match the firearms in the photographs law enforcement has viewed of the weapons in Haiti.

Casimir denied selling firearms to gang members but provided an explanation about how some of his firearms ended up with Haiti street gangs. He claimed that an employee of his was attacked by a gang while transporting firearms and several firearms were stolen by the gang during this robbery.

The affidavit not only shows Casimir evading scrutiny of his weapons shipments into Haiti by sending them to a port outside of the capital, but in order to conceal the guns he hid them in air tanks of two large air compressors, according to iPhone videos he sent showing crews cutting them open.

The series of videos appears to show that an angle grinder was used to cut the tanks in half, the affidavit says. Inside the tanks were duct tape-wrapped packages in the shape of firearms and firearm magazines. The tanks also contained boxes that could contain firearms, ammunition, magazines, or firearms parts.

In fact, Casimir shipped multiple weapons to Haiti this way, agents said. In one instance, a shipper sent him a voice message in English and Creole complaining that he shipped compressors all the time and his tanks were unusually heavy.

Let me know what else is in the boxes ... how I have to deal with this shit? the shipper said, asking if he needed to use discretion and hide things.

Minutes later, Casimir responded with a voice message in Haitian Creole: the air compressors have custom motor conversions and are destined for a project in Haiti for a group who repairs tires.
March 14 (UPI) -- Taiwan must implement "proactive measures" to thwart China's use of its democracy against it, said President Lai Ching-te amid increased efforts by Beijing to undermine the sovereignty of the self-government island.

During a press conference Thursday following a high-level security meeting, Lai outlined 17 major strategies to protect Taiwan against China's threats.

"We have no choice but to take even more proactive measures," he said.

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"It is time we adopt proper preventive measures, enhance our democratic resilience and national security and protect our cherished free and democratic way of life."

Despite Taiwan having never been a part of the People's Republic of China, which was founded in 1949, Beijing sees the island of 23 million as a breakaway province and has vowed to take it back by force if necessary.

China in recent years has been ramping up its destabilizing efforts in Taiwan.

Lai told reporters during the press conference that China has been exerting its influence on current and former military personnel to spy on their homeland for Beijing, encouraging Taiwanese businesses and workers to seek out the mainland and entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for permanent residence "in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese people's sense of national identity."

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Among the preventive measures Lai mentioned were increased oversight and monitoring of travelers and workers to China and Chinese coming to Taiwan. He said Chinese nationals applying for permanent residence must relinquish their existing household registration, passport and must not hold dual status.

Because there has been an increase in military infiltration issues, Lai called for several legal amendments including punishments for military personel who express "loyalty to the enemy."

"China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan's freedom, diversity and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy and subvert us from within," he said.

"As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon."

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China was quick to respond by accusing Lai of seeking personal gain, without providing proof, while saying he was "acting against the tide of history."

"We sternly warn Lai Ching-te and his administration: those who play with fire will only burn themselves," Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement.

"Those who forget their roots have never met a good end; those who betray their country will be despised by the people and judged by history; those who engage in 'Taiwan independence' separatism will be doomed to destruction; and those who act against the will of the people and defy global norms will bring about their own downfall."
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Tampa teenager was arrested after police said she brought a loaded handgun to her high school on Thursday.

The Tampa Police Department said a student told the school resource officer at Middleton High School that a 15-year-old girl had the gun in her possession.

During an administrative search, the SRO found a loaded .22 caliber handgun.

(Tampa Police Department)

Police said the girl did not make any threats toward the school, staff members or other students.

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The safety of our students is our top priority, said Chief Lee Bercaw. Bringing a firearm onto school property is a serious offense that will not be tolerated. We commend the student who came forward and the swift action of our School Resource Officer.

The girl was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center. She was charged with possession of a weapon on school property.

This quick resolution reinforces the fact that strong partnerships between a vigilant student, school officials, and an engaged School Resource Officer keep our school campuses safe and that situations are addressed immediately, Bercaw said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)Finding the perfect prom or wedding dress is an exciting moment, but this season, shoppers may find the price a little higher than last. Rising tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico add unexpected costs, and bridal store owners are preparing for these price increases.

At Spybaby Bridal and Prom, every dress has its own story. From sparkly gowns to lace-trimmed dresses, theres something for every bride and prom-goer.

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But President and Stylist Maire Adornato says the cost of those dresses is rising, which was the hot topic at the Chicago Bridal Market show last weekend.

They are definitely a little bit concerned about it, said Adornato, But the reality of it is that weve already been paying a 7% tariff on imports coming in from China, in addition to additional tariffs from Canadian imports and Mexico as well.

HOW TO AVOID THE EXTRA COST RIGHT NOW?

For customers who are looking to save, Adornato recommends buying right from the rack as it will not incur that additional tariff charge.

Those pieces are not a part of the increase tariff inventory, so this is a wonderful opportunity to avoid the tariff situation, she explained.

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But a custom dress will cost morenot only for the fabric but also for the extra tariff.

We saw 10% at the beginning of February, in addition to 7%, but now that April 2 is coming up, were planning on seeing additional tariffs as well. Whether that comes to fruition or not, were not sure of that, said Adornato.

WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEARS SEASON?

Prices could continue to rise for next seasons formal events, but Adornato suggests purchasing your dress now in advance to save money.

It might not be a bad idea if you like two dresses, and you have senior ball next year, grab two, she said in response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Taylor and the state Department of Environmental Protection plan to use $265,000-plus in federal funding to tear down a century-old, fire-damaged building at the former Taylor Colliery.

The Taylor South Main project involves removing an approximately 6,400-square-foot boiler building, which has been on the site since the early 1900s, DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said in an email. The abandoned building is considered a hazardous equipment & facility problem-type Abandoned Mine Land feature, qualifying it as the second highest priority because of evidence of trespassing, trash, graffiti and a recent fire, Connolly said.

The DEP announced its intent to submit the project for grant funding to the U.S. Department of the Interiors Office of Surface Mining, according to a public notice from the agency last month. Removing the building will eliminate the public health and safety hazards associated with unreclaimed abandoned mine sites, according to the notice.

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The project cost is $265,620; it is an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-funded project through the Abandoned Mine Lands and Abandoned Mine Drainage Grant Program, Connolly said. The money has been allocated to the project, she said.

In 2010, the DEPs Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation completed a $1.4 million project to reclaim 85 acres of the former 150-acre colliery that once employed nearly 700 people, removing dangerous mine spoil piles and embankments, vertical mine shafts, hazardous mining equipment and structural debris left from former coal mining operations, according to a site history on Taylors website. A section of Keyser Creek, which flows through the eastern portion of the site, was also reconstructed and stabilized after it was impacted by heavy amounts of sedimentation from red ash materials, according to the borough. The creek stabilization improved water quality while alleviating some stormwater issues, according to the borough.

The previous reclamation project entailed removing remnants of the Moffat Breaker, which was a heap of concrete and steel at the time, said assistant borough Manager Dan Zeleniak, who is also the chairman of the Development Authority of the Borough of Taylor, which owns the land. Crews also graded the property to remove high walls  deep pits from strip mining  and removed a 30- to 40-foot-tall wall of railroad ties that was used to store clean coal, he said.

The reclamation work left behind the former boiler building, Zeleniak said. At the time, borough officials thought someone might want to come in and restore the building, but doing so would have likely cost millions of dollars, he said.

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On July 4, the building caught fire after someone lit off fireworks inside it, Zeleniak said.

The roof was already in very bad shape even 20 years ago, he said.

It was a dangerous situation for our Fire Department, Zeleniak said. They were very concerned.

Firefighters raised those concerns with borough council and the development authority, suggesting the borough remove the building, he said.

Zeleniak believes there is asbestos that will have to be removed and properly disposed of from the building. The basement will also have to be removed and backfilled, he said.

Taylor officials have tried to find a buyer for the land for years, even applying less restrictive zoning to it in 2018.

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The property has no infrastructure, lacking sewer, water and electricity, Zeleniak said. Access to the property is also difficult, so removing the building is taking it off the plate of a potential developer, he said.

We would love to be able to sell this land to some development, whatever that may be, and having this building there on the property, for anybody, its an impediment to them, Zeleniak said. Anything that we have the ability to try to do to make that land a little bit better, it makes it easier for us to try to put it back into the public hands.

A fire-damaged boiler building at the former Taylor Colliery off of North Washington Street in Taylor is slated for demolition, as seen Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)A fire-damaged boiler building at the former Taylor Colliery off of North Washington Street in Taylor is slated for demolition, as seen Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)A fire-damaged boiler building at the former Taylor Colliery off of North Washington Street in Taylor is slated for demolition, as seen Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)A fire-damaged boiler building at the former Taylor Colliery off of North Washington Street in Taylor is slated for demolition, as seen Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)A fire-damaged boiler building at the former Taylor Colliery off of North Washington Street in Taylor is slated for demolition, as seen Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into the death of an inmate in Rutherford County.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office, the inmate died shortly after arriving to the booking area of the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center Tuesday night.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh called in the TBI to assist with the investigation.

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The identity of the inmate has not been released.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) posted a Silver Alert Friday afternoon for a man with a medical condition who went missing from White House, but that alert has since been canceled.

According to officials, 61-year-old Rickey Lee Smith was last seen leaving his home in White House the morning of Friday, March 14 wearing a white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and gray and red house shoes.

Silver Alert issued for man missing from Nashville

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Authorities said Smith has a medical condition that could have impaired his ability to return safely without help.

Less than an hour after posting the Silver Alert, the TBI announced Smith had been found safe.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

No additional details have been released about the circumstances surrounding Smiths disappearance or his discovery.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The Duck River needs millions of dollars and years to find a balance for a growing need for water in Middle Tennessee with the river's health, a state official said. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

It will take hundreds of millions of dollars and several years to get the Duck River  dubbed a scenic treasure by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee  to balance a growing need for water and the rivers health, Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers said Tuesday.

Lees proposed budget includes a total $124.5 million in one-time funds to jumpstart that process.

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The Duck River is the most ecologically diverse freshwater river in North America, and has been increasingly taxed by drought and the growing water needs of Middle Tennessee. Lee pledged to include funding to address water supply issues in a fall executive order dedicated to preserving the Duck River and serving the regions industry and residents.

In his State of the State Address, Lee said his budget earmarked $100 million to create a regional water supply strategy that will solve this problem once and for all.

Salyers chairs the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, a 19-member advisory group created through Lees executive order to provide recommendations to the governor and state lawmakers. The group met for the first time last week.

Salyers referred to the proposed $100 million allocation as incentive money to encourage the regional utility partnerships in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservations budget presentation to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee Tuesday.

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It will be put out much like (American Rescue Plan Act) funds were, for incentivization around regionalization, he said. It could be used (for) a pipeline from the Cumberland or Tennessee River to really solve the problem.

Lees executive order directs the department to evaluate large-scale engineering projects for cost and feasibility.

The Tennessee General Assembly would need to approve any plans for such a pipeline, but past attempts to push the idea through the legislature have been unsuccessful.

TDECs proposed budget also includes $24.5 million for other projects related to the Duck River. Engineering design and hydraulic modeling of the river would receive $20 million, Salyers said. Remaining funds would be used to facilitate cooperation among water utility districts and communities, and $2 million would go toward matching funds for a $6 million grant the department is seeking for a habitat conservation plan in the upper Duck River watershed.

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Collierville Republican Rep. Kevin Vaughan specifically called out the $20 million price tag for design and modeling.

Thats a lot of studying, Vaughan said.

Salyers said the water supply strategy for the Duck River will serve as a template for addressing water supply issues elsewhere in the state, including areas on the plateau of Sequatchie Valley.

Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, and a developer, denied he would benefit from a bill that would benefit developers. The bill has been remanded to summer study, effectively killing it in the 113th General Assembly. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The Duck River is not the only place, he said. Its the most imminent of the locations where we have those needs.

TDECs proposed budget also includes funding for three new state parks: Dry Branch, located at the intersection of Perry, Hickman and Lewis counties; a park at the current Cherokee Removal Memorial Park in Meigs County; and what could be the states first blueway park along the Clinch River in East Tennessee.

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The budget seeks funding to fully staff two of the nine new state parks that have already been approved.

An additional $6.2 million would be used to eliminate deferred maintenance in Tennessees existing parks and properties. This includes shoreline stabilization at three parks  two in Chattanooga and one at Paris Landing  which have suffered from erosion and disrepair.

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered an incident at the casino downtown involving a man leading a federal group overseeing Cleveland police.

About 2:30 a.m. on a night in January, an off-duty Cleveland police officer called for back-up at the JACK Cleveland Casino.

The call involved an encounter with Karl Racine, head of the Cleveland Police Monitoring Group. Members of that group earn up to $750 an hour overseeing reform in Cleveland police.

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Police radio traffic showed an officer reporting, I got a male refusing to leave.

Security encountered him first. They were requesting him to leave, Cleveland Police Union President Andy Gasiewski said. He didnt use an ID, he said, hey, Im here with the Department of Justice. Im a monitor, and, let me show you who I am (by going on his phone and trying to pull it up on the website).

Medina County schools add cameras directly linked to sheriffs office

The casino would not release any security video to the I-Team, and the city said there is no police body camera video.

Police radio indicated Racine ultimately left, walking away before on-duty officers arrived.

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A police radio recording also showed the off-duty officer saying, A Mr. Karl Racine was here pretty (intoxicated) refusing to leave. He has now left outside of the building.

To be clear, no charges were filed. The I-Team reached out to Racine. And over two days, his office sent us two statements.

Having flown into Cleveland that evening, I was looking for somewhere to have a late dinner and was told the Casino was one of the few places still serving food. I sought entry to have a bite to eat, but was denied entry, and returned to my hotel, Racine said.

I sought entry to have a bite to eat, but was denied entry, and returned to my hotel. I am confident that I comported myself respectfully and appropriately with the casino employees and the off-duty officer. Indeed, that is the reason I questioned why I was being denied admission, he added.

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Racine also referred to bringing this up to Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd.

I raised the incident with the Chief of Police during a regularly scheduled meeting and chose not to proceed with a formal complaint, his statements also said.

A statement from the chief said, in part, Mr. Racine was asked if he wished to file a formal complaint. He declined, and no further action was taken.

4th teen identified in deadly Cleveland crash

Racine also explained not pursuing the matter.

I chose not to file a complaint because I did not want this interaction to be a distraction from the important work we are doing, Racine wrote.

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Last month, the I-Team went one-on-one with Racine. His group has overseen Cleveland police for a decade, now earning up to $750 an hour. Even U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has reacted to our reporting, and he is calling for an end to the oversight.

The police department today, in every way, is policing itself, Racine said last month.

Then, why do we need you? the I-Team asked.

Well, we are here as a check and balance, Racine responded.

Councilman Brian Kazy reacted to the casino incident, saying, this concerns us. This concerns us a lot.

Kazy has been a watchdog overseeing the monitoring team billing. He now wants to know more about what happened at the casino.

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This is something the judge needs to hear too, Kazy said. This, just isnt the city of Cleveland City Council. This is also the Department of Justice that should be looking into this.

Police radio traffic showed the incident ended with the off-duty officer saying, he has left. I just want to make sure he does not come back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(ECNS) -- Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, has once again made headlines, both for venture capital and its booming population.

In 2024, the citys permanent population surpassed 10 million, making it the fourth in the Yangtze River Delta, one of China's most economically vibrant regions, to reach this milestone, following Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.

Photo shows Hefei citizens. (Photo:China News Service/Han Suyuan)

In the same year, Hefeis GDP hit 1.35 trillion yuan (about $190 billion), ranking 19th among Chinese cities.

Once having no major railways due to economic struggles, the city has achieved both a trillion-yuan GDP and a population exceeding 10 million. What has it, known for its strong presence in venture capital, done right? And what development strategy lies behind its success?

Economic expansion and talent influx create a positive cycle for population growth

Hefei is now actively competing with top-tier cities for talent. In 2024, it launched targeted recruitment initiatives in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and aerospace information.

To attract top talent, the city dispatched 13 specialized teams to 14 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian, engaging with 36 top universities including Tsinghua University and Fudan University.

Increasing talent enter key industries to boost the citys economy, and growing development continues to attract more.

According to the local government, nearly 90 percent of the citys new residents in 2024 were from migration, with a net population increase of 131,000, accounting for 87.9 percent of its total permanent population growth.

Venture capital mindset drives industrial growth

Hefeis rise is closely tied to its strategic investment-driven approach, which has fueled the emergence of new industries and generated significant spillover effects.

In 2008, despite financial constraints, the city made a bold decision to invest in BOE Technology Group, an Internet of Things company, establishing Chinas first sixth-generation liquid crystal display panel production line. This move was controversial at the time, but it ultimately transformed Hefei into a national leader in the display industry.

Today, the city hosts over 180 display-related companies, employs nearly 40,000 people, and boasts a fully integrated industrial supply chain.

Building on this success, Hefei continued its investment-driven strategy by attracting CXMT, which manufactures dynamic random-access memory chips, to develop its semiconductor sector.

In the automotive industry, the city placed high-stakes bets on NIO, a Chinese multinational automobile manufacturer, and introduced BYD, accelerating the rapid growth of its new energy vehicle sector.

Hefeis venture capital logic is straightforward: target strategic emerging industries, make decisive investments at critical moments, and leverage industrial chain expansion to achieve scale effects.

This investment-led attraction and production model has not only driven economic growth but also created substantial employment opportunities, solidifying the citys position as a rising economic powerhouse.

Hefeis milestone of a trillion-yuan GDP and a 10-million population is not just a marker of urban development but a starting point for even greater ambitions. As the city continues to grow, enhancing public services and maintaining quality of life will become critical challenges that require careful planning and innovation.

More than just reaching milestones, the citys true success lies in its ability to keep evolving, innovating, and exploring new paths for the future.


Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in a courtroom of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands, March 14, 2025. Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the ICC here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link. The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc. (ICC/Handout via Xinhua)

THE HAGUE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link.

The initial hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc.

Motoc explained that the former president was allowed to follow the hearing remotely from the ICC Detention Center because he had just made a long flight journey involving a considerable time difference. The court proceeded to confirm his identity.

Duterte's lawyer, Salvador Medialdea, said at The Hague-based court that his client had been "abducted from his country."

"He was summarily transported to The Hague. To us lawyers, this would be called an extrajudicial rendition. To the less legally inclined, it's a pure and simple kidnapping," he said.

He also said that Duterte was experiencing "debilitating medical issues."

"Other than to identify himself, my client is not able to contribute anything to this hearing," he stated.

At the end of Friday's hearing, the court scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing to commence on Sept. 23 this year.

The confirmation of charges procedure determines whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds that the accused committed the alleged crimes. If the charges are wholly or partially upheld, the case will proceed to a Trial Chamber for the next phase, "the trial", according to ICC.

Duterte, 79, was detained on Tuesday morning upon his return to Manila from an overseas trip, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC over his controversial "war on drugs" campaign, a move he has challenged.

He was subsequently transferred to ICC custody on Wednesday after being flown from Manila to the Netherlands. 

This photo taken on March 14, 2025 shows an outside view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the ICC here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link.

The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

This photo taken on March 14, 2025 shows a view of a courtroom in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the ICC here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link.

The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc. (ICC/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 14, 2025 shows an outside view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend in person his initial appearance hearing at the ICC here on Friday afternoon but appeared via video link.

The hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, was delayed for some 30 minutes. The Chamber is composed of three judges, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A suspect charged for the 2023 murder of 16-year-old Gay Mee Paw in Owensboro plead guilty on Friday.

Jeremiah Byrd, 18, plead guilty to the charge of murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a minor. A plea deal filed to the Daviess County Circuit Court recommends a sentence of 25 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 23.

Previous: Suspect arraigned in Gaymee Paw homicide

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Authorities say Paw was found with a gunshot wound to the head near Ben Hawes Park in Owensboro on June 21, 2023. Paw was a student at Owensboro Public Schools.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
En La Mira de Los Traficantes - Telemundo Texas

Noticias Telemundo Texas, one of Telemundo Station Group's free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, will air investigative special En La Mira de Los Traficantes on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16.

En La Mira de Los Traficantes, which is produced by Telemundo 48 El Paso (KTDO), follows investigative journalist Josue Esquivel as he embeds with law enforcement and uncovers how organized crime traffics drugs and people between El Paso and Juarez, Mexico.

The special gives viewers an in-depth look at the criminal tactics used in border operations, featuring: Secret tunnels beneath the Rio Grande, used to smuggle drugs and people across the U.S.-Mexico border. Surveillance networks and informants, including how local residents are recruited as lookouts and transporters for organized crime. Border Patrol operations, highlighting some of the most dangerous encounters agents face while confronting human smugglers, known as Coyotes.

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With exclusive footage and first-hand reporting, En La Mira de Los Traficantes offers viewers an unprecedented look at the harsh realities of border crime and law enforcement efforts to combat it.

You can watch the show on Noticias Telemundo Texas FAST Channel on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT.

The show will also air on Telemundo Station Group's free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels Noticias Telemundo California, Noticias Telemundo Florida, Noticias Telemundo Noreste, next weekend with dates and times TBA.
A view of the Teller County Sheriff's Office. (Google Maps)

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell will run for Colorado governor as a Republican candidate in 2026.

Mikesell filed his affidavit declaring his candidacy Wednesday. His campaign website says Colorado is in crisis, highlighting issues including the state budget, water, housing, mental health and immigration.

Our policies will bring Coloradoans together not divide them, Mikesells candidacy announcement says. I will sign laws brought to my desk that fix problems and will veto laws that impact on our freedoms or seek to take away local control and our rights.

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Mikesell was the last county sheriff in Colorado to have a so-called 287(g) agreement with federal authorities allowing his office to detain people on civil immigration violations after the Colorado Legislature passed a law banning the practice.

The agreement allowed deputies in the sheriffs department to make immigration-related arrests for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement after undergoing a four-week immigration law training.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado sued Mikesell in 2019 challenging his offices continued engagement with ICE, and the two parties entered a joint agreement concluding the years-long case at the end of January. It allowed Mikesell to continue to operate under the 287(g) agreement, but with specific directions on what deputies working with ICE could and could not do.

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The Republican primary for governor will be a crowded race, with candidates including state Sen. Mark Baisley, state Rep. Scott Bottoms, Brighton Fire Chief Brycen Garrison, third-time candidate Jason Clark, former 5th Congressional District candidate Joshua Griffin, Stevan Gess, Jon Gray-Ginsberg, Alexander Mugatu and Jim Rundberg.

Mikesell said Colorado needs a new direction to get our Colorado back. He described himself as a moderate Republican, but said he wont back away from 2nd Amendment rights. He also said the state budget and water management are big concerns for him, as well as mental health and immigration.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is the only Democrat to have announced his candidacy for governor so far. Other potential Democratic candidates include Secretary of State Jena Griswold, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow and former U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.

A Republican has not been elected governor in Colorado since 2002.

Editors note: This story was updated at 1:04 p.m., March 18, 2025, to include comment from Mikesell.

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Tennessee authorities fear there may be more landowners who are theft victims after police say a local man targeted and stole timber from at least two farms in Robertson County.

The Robertson County Sheriffs Office said its Agriculture Crimes Unit arrested Ricky Shearon Winn, 44, Monday in connection with the theft of valuable Black Walnut timber.

Black Walnut trees are native to central and eastern North America and are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves in the fall unlike evergreen trees, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

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The trees are prized for their strong, dark brown hardwood and edible nuts, and their numbers are dwindling, the department says.

"The number of large individuals remaining in the landscape is extremely low," the National Park Service reports.

Robertson County Sheriff Michael Van Dyke explained that one of the farmers targeted in the county's theft case planted his Black Walnut trees 30 years ago.

It was "when he first purchased the farm to provide retirement income for himself and his family," Van Dyke said in a news release. "They are now gone. It is deplorable that someone would not only violate and steal someone's property but also take away their livelihood.

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"These types of actions have no place in our county and will not be tolerated."

The case got its start in Robertson County on Feb. 5, when Agricultural Crimes Detective Terry Morris received a report of stolen Black Walnut timber from a farm on the Red River.

During the investigation, officials found a second farm on the Red River that had Black Walnut timber stolen.

Police say Winn cut the trees down, pulled them to the Red River with a wench and floated them down the river at night to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency boat ramp in Adams.

The trees were then loaded on a trailer and taken to Clarksville, where they were sold to a lumber dealer, the release said.

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Winn has been booked into the Robertson County Detention Facility and was being held on $55,000 bond.

He's expected in General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. on March 18 and faces several charges in connection with the case, including two counts of theft of property over $2,500, two counts of vandalism and two counts of criminal trespass.

Homeowners around the Red River and in Robertson and Montgomery Counties are asked to check their properties for missing trees.

Anyone who feels they may be a victim of timber theft is asked to call Agricultural Crimes Detective Terry Morris at 615-382-6288.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee farms see timber thefts: Why authorities think more were hit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The population of Tennessee has already increased by more than 2 million over the last 30 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, new research shows there are still plenty of people across the country eager to move to the Volunteer State.

The research, conducted by CabinetSelect, analyzed the average number of monthly Google searches for terms related to moving to the top five most populous cities in each state, with search terms including move to Dallas and Las Vegas home prices, according to a statement sent by the companys digital PR agency. The states with the highest total average monthly search volumes were deemed the most desirable relocation destinations.

Tennessee population boom largely driven by people moving from other states, research finds

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The release said Texas took the top spot with 133,633 average monthly Google searches for terms related to moving to its top five most populous cities. Florida ranked second, with Americans looking up terms related to moving there an average of 96,968 times per month, and California was right at its heels with 96,479 searches. North Carolina came in fourth with 88,168 average monthly searches across the U.S.

Tennessee rounded out the top five with 78,773 average monthly Google searches. According to the statement, the Volunteer States most popular city among Americans is Knoxville, which people look up an average of 26,528 times per month.

New York came in sixth, with an average monthly search volume of 78,646, per the release. It was followed by Nevada with an average of 77,060 Google searches per month; Arizona with 76,982 searches; and Georgia with 75,069 searches.

Kentucky wrapped up the top 10, with 66,858 searches per month, on average. The statement identified Lexington as the most popular city in the Bluegrass State based on the monthly average of 25,478 people looking up terms related to moving there.

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| Check out more lists and rankings from across Tennessee 

The full ranking of the most desirable states for moving is listed below:

Rank State Total average monthly search volume 1 Texas 133,633 2 Florida 96,968 3 California 96,479 4 North Carolina 88,168 5 Tennessee 78,773 6 New York 78,646 7 Nevada 77,060 8 Arizona 76,982 9 Georgia 75,069 10 Kentucky 66,858 11 Oklahoma 64,980 12 Alabama 64,002 13 Oregon 60,750 14 South Carolina 60,013 15 Kansas 58,647 16 Montana 55,958 17 Ohio 54,323 18 Minnesota 53,814 19 Illinois 53,751 20 Iowa 53,581 21 New Mexico 52,051 22 Colorado 49,053 23 Michigan 48,907 24 Pennsylvania 47,610 25 Nebraska 47,552 26 Washington 41,452 27 Idaho 40,865 28 South Dakota 38,982 29 Indiana 37,329 30 Maryland 36,848 31 Wyoming 36,418 32 Wisconsin 35,009 33 Alaska 34,188 34 Louisiana 33,908 35 North Dakota 33,242 36 New Hampshire 33,217 37 Mississippi 32,643 38 Massachusetts 32,623 39 Virginia 31,408 40 Missouri 26,115 41 West Virginia 24,142 42 Utah 23,992 43 Maine 22,528 44 New Jersey 18,591 45 Rhode Island 15,113 46 Connecticut 11,525 47 Vermont 10,830 48 Arkansas 9,076 49 Delaware 7,153 50 Hawaii 4,983

It is fascinating to see which states Americans are most eager to relocate to. With a concentration of Southern states in the ranking, its clear that this region is a popular choice among Americans looking to move, a spokesperson from CabinetSelect said in the release. Each state and city has its own unique appeal, and in a country as diverse as ours, there is a perfect state for everybody.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Tesla's message to the U.S. Trade Representative is notable because the company's chief executive, Elon Musk, right, is a close ally of President Trump and leads efforts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to downsize the federal government. (Brandon Bell / Associated Press)

Elon Musk's electric vehicle company Tesla has joined several other American businesses in raising concerns over retaliatory tariffs that could result from a trade war fueled by President Trump.

In an unsigned letter on Tesla letterhead addressed to the U.S. trade representative, Tesla warned that Trump's actions to "address unfair trade practices" could "inadvertently harm U.S. companies."

Read more: 'I've been betrayed.' Tesla drivers are pushing back on Elon Musk

Trump imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico in an effort to alleviate the "threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs," according to a White House fact sheet. The tariffs have triggered a trade war that threatens to raise the cost of a number of consumer goods.

Earlier this month, a trade group representing nearly all major automakers except Tesla said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico could lead to drastic price hikes and supply chain disruptions, Reuters reported.

Tesla's letter, posted on the U.S. trade representative's website, said that past U.S. tariff actions have led to increased costs for domestic manufacturing and increased tariffs on EVs exported to foreign countries.

"U.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions," the letter from Tesla said. "Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions."

A representative of Austin, Texas-based Tesla could not be immediately reached for comment.

Tesla's message to the U.S. trade representative is notable because the company's chief executive, Musk, is a close Trump ally and is leading efforts to downsize the federal government. In a show of support for Musk and Tesla this week, Trump purchased a new red Model S in an event on the White House lawn.

Tesla's stock, which has plummeted 34% since January, received a boost after Trump's vehicle purchase and was up nearly 4% at the end of the day Friday, closing at $249.98.

The letter comes as some Tesla owners are protesting Musk's political actions by selling their vehicles or adding anti-Musk bumper stickers to their rides.

Some politicians and celebrities, including Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, have publicly shared plans to get rid of their Tesla vehicles.

Read more: California businesses are reeling from Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs

Tesla facilities in the United States support more than 70,000 employees and are responsible for billions of dollars of economic activity each year, the letter said. The company has multiple manufacturing sites in California, including an assembly plant in Fremont and a "megafactory" in Lathrop.
Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline camp near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on Nov. 30, 2016. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A jury of nine early next week will decide the $300 million case accusing Greenpeace of concocting a scheme to undermine the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The environmental group is on trial in Morton County District Court over claims that it incited illegal acts by protesters in North Dakota that cost the developer of the pipeline millions in alleged property damages, lost revenue and other unexpected costs. Energy Transfer also claims Greenpeace waged a misinformation campaign against the company in an effort to stop the project.

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Greenpeace was one of many activist groups involved in the demonstrations, which took place in 2016 and 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, and drew thousands of attendees. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe started the protests in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, which it sees as an affront to tribal sovereignty and a pollution threat.

More Dakota Access Pipeline coverage

Greenpeace denies all of Energy Transfers claims and has called the lawsuit an underhanded effort to hurt the environmental movement.

The environmental group wrapped up its testimony on Thursday in the trial that began Feb. 24. Closing arguments are expected to take place Monday. After that, the jury will have to weigh several claims.

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For one, jurors will decide if Greenpeace is liable for trespassing, nuisance and depriving Energy Transfer of its property. Theyll also have to make a decision as to whether the organization aided and abetted others to do the same.

Six employees of Greenpeaces U.S. affiliate went to the protests, according to evidence shown in court. Energy Transfer claims Greenpeace personnel trespassed on its land, vandalized its equipment and deliberately blocked construction crews from working.

The environmental group also provided supplies, training and intel to Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, witnesses testified during the trial. Energy Transfer attorneys say their evidence suggests that protesters used these resources to engage in criminal behavior against the pipeline.

Greenpeace has countered that Energy Transfer has presented no proof directly linking it to any illegal acts by demonstrators, and that its involvement in the protests was peripheral.

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Greenpeace USA isnt the only Greenpeace organization named in the lawsuit. Two others  Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund  are also defendants. Both say they never had any employees visit the protests, nor provided any money to the cause.

Energy Transfer says that the three groups are inextricably linked and are all responsible for the alleged damages.

The company also accuses Greenpeace of publishing nine defamatory statements about the Dakota Access Pipeline.

These statements fall into three categories:

That the Dakota Access Pipeline goes through tribal land;

That Energy Transfer deliberately destroyed sacred cultural sites during the pipelines construction; and

That protesters faced violence by law enforcement and private security hired by Energy Transfer.

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The jury will consider whether the statements are false and whether they were published by Greenpeace. If they decide yes, the jurors would also have to weigh whether Greenpeace knew the statements were false or showed reckless disregard for the truth in publishing them. The jury would also have to conclude that Energy Transfer suffered an injury from the statements.

Over the course of the trial, Energy Transfer attorneys underlined that many Greenpeace employees did not reach out to company representatives or law enforcement to get their perspectives before making the statements.

Current and former employees for Greenpeace who testified in the case maintained that the statements originated with Standing Rock leaders and people on the ground at the protests, and that they had no reason to doubt the claims at the time they wrote about them. Many said they still stand by the statements.

Greenpeace has also argued that countless other organizations  including media outlets and other activist groups  circulated the claims well before the environmental group did.

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Most of the statements were issued or co-signed by Greenpeace USA. Greenpeace International was only involved in two of the nine statements, both of which came from an open letter published on Nov. 30, 2016 urging banks to divest from the Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace Fund says it had nothing to do with any of the nine statements.

Energy Transfer also says the on-the-ground damages it claims resulted from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, as well as the alleged defamatory statements, hurt its business relationships.

The company alleges that Greenpeaces actions delayed the completion of the pipeline, forcing it to lose out on revenue. It also claims that Greenpeace caused banks to pull their support for Energy Transfer, causing it to incur unexpected financing costs.

Energy Transfer accuses all three Greenpeace defendants of coordinating with one another in order to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  This week Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummonds office announced the multi-county grand jury indictment of Texas megachurch founder Robert Preston Morris.

According to Drummonds Office, Morris who resigned last summer as senior pastor of Gateway Church faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child stemming from incidents that date back to the 1980s.

Drummond noted, Morris in December of 1982 was a traveling evangelist visiting in Hominy with the family of the alleged victim, who was 12 at the time. The indictment alleges Morris sexual misconduct began that Christmas spanning four years.

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Missing Grady County man found dead, officials say

There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children, said Attorney General Gentner Drummond. This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done.

The statute of limitations is not applicable in this case. Drummond says, Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma.

This story is developing.

The-State-of-Oklahoma-vs.-Robert-Preston-MorrisDownload

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A total lunar eclipse is happening tonight, and if cloudiness isn't an issue, everyone should be able to see it.

Rhode Island is in the path of totality for the upcoming eclipse. The entire Western hemisphere will have a view, according to the website Date and Time.

The is the first time a lunar eclipse has been visible over Rhode Island since 2022.

Will weather hamper the skyward spectacle?

Here's what to know.

What's the forecast tonight?

The National Weather Service branch in Norton is forecasting a relatively cloudy night with the possibility of light rain showers in Southern New England.

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The National Weather Service noted in its forecaster's discussion that clouds aren't expected to clear out completely until later on Friday, March 14.

But all people will need is a quick break in the clouds to see the eclipse.

What time should you look for the eclipse?

Its peak viewing time is 2:55 a.m. on March 14, but it can be seen earlier that night (on March 13) as well.

Here's a schedule of how it will happen, according to NASA:

11:57 p.m. EST: You can see the eclipse starting when the penumbral phase begins as the moon enter the outer part of the shadow and begins to subtly dim.

1:09 a.m. : A partial eclipse begins as the moon enters Earth's umbra and starts to darken. To the naked eye, the moon should look like a bite is being taken out of the lunar disk.

2:26 a.m. : Totality occurs when the entire moon is under the umbra. This is when the reddish hues of the "blood moon" will be on display.

3:31 a.m. : As the moon exits the umbra, the red color will fade and another bite-like display, this time on the other side of the moon, will appear.

6 a.m.: The entire process should end by this time as the moon slowly exits the Earth's penumbra.

A view of a total lunar eclipse blood moon, which can be see in Massachusetts tonight, weather permitting.

Will there be a 'blood moon' tonight?

Yes, there will be, as it is with every total lunar eclipse.

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During a lunar eclipse, the moon typically takes on a "rusty" hue.

Space.com explained on its website that during a total lunar eclipse, "The moon is fully in Earth's shadow. At the same time, a little bit of light from Earth's sunrises and sunsets (on the disk of the planet) falls on the surface of the moon. Because the light waves are stretched out, they look red. When this red light strikes the moon's surface, it also appears red."

The blood moon will look large in the sky, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. That's because of what's called a moon illusion.

NASA explained a moon illusion is "where the moon appears larger when it's near the horizon than when it's higher in the sky."

Will it be possible to see a 'moonbow' during the lunar eclipse?

A moonbow is is "a rare rainbow-like light display caused by moonlight refracting through water droplets in the air. Also known as a lunar rainbow, moonbows are usually faint and appear white to the naked eye," according to the Dark Sky International website.

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It's possible the eclipse will present a chance to see one.

The best time to look for the moonbow is right after sunset on March 14 when the sky goes dark, according to Dark Sky International.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

According to NASA, another total lunar eclipse won't be visible in the U.S. until March 2026.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Lunar Eclipse 2025: Here's when to see it, weather forecast
ALMATY, March 14 (Xinhua) - The fourth annual meeting of the Ulttyq Qurultay, or National Congress, has commenced in Kazakhstan with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kazinform news agency reported on Friday.

The Ulttyq Qurultay is a consultative and advisory body under the President of Kazakhstan, serving as a platform for dialogue between the government and citizens. President Tokayev signed the decree establishing the Ulttyq Qurultay on June 15, 2022. The body includes one representative from each regional public council.

This year, the meeting is taking place in the Burabay resort area in Akmola Region.

"Members of the Ulttyq Qurultay play a significant role in the country's modernization, uniting citizens around common constructive goals. From its inception, this platform has symbolized renewal, setting new standards for public dialogue," Tokayev stated.

The president also emphasized that where there is mutual understanding and respect, harmony will always prevail. In his view, this is the core mission of the Ulttyq Qurultay. 
THOMASVILLE, N.C. (WGHP)  About two weeks ago, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shut down a Thomasville day care amid allegations of abuse.

State investigators visit licensed day cares across the state on a regular basis, but how often are licenses taken away?

Surry County officials respond to deadly carbon monoxide exposure

It is rare. Across the entire state of North Carolina, there were 20 licenses suspended or revoked this year, which is the highest the state has seen in the last four years. Closer to home, across the counties in the Piedmont Triad, there have been a total of four. Thats tied with last year for the most in the last four years.

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While the numbers arent alarming, its a reminder for parents to always do their research.

From what our experience is, I am just being really thorough. I am really nervous as a mom to send my son anywhere, Chasity Small said.

She sent her son Lukah to Kid City Day Care last month and claims he came home with bruises and cuts on his face, back and neck.

He is recovering. The day care is still a sensitive subject for us  Overall, I think my boy is getting back to his healthy little self, Small said.

For now, friends and family have been watching him during the day, but Small knows its time to get him back to day care.

Resources Available For Parents

This has been a great help, Small said.

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She is talking about the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education website.

It is an amazing resource, Small said.

The website allows anyone to look at all licensed child care facilities.

I research that day care, and it pulls up all violations  There is a number if there is open violations to call, Small said.

If the violations are not fixed immediately, the state can deny, suspend, terminate or revoke their license.

In the case of KCDC, the state took emergency action. The suspension at KCDC is still in place until all the court proceedings are done. The owner told FOX8 a few weeks ago that she never plans to reopen.

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If I would have went to this website before, Lukah would have never went to that day care, Small said.

She has a different approach this time around.

We are on waitlists. We are kind of waiting for a call and for something to come open, Small said.

She also drops by day cares unannounced.

I am finding it better for me to show up and ask for their availability versus them expecting me to come because I want to get an idea what it is like when I am not around, Small said.

The state has similar unannounced visits they do. She hopes it is enough to prevent another situation like hers from happening again.

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I know that the state has their own procedures and policies, but something has to be done because  This facility probably should have been shut down years ago, Small said.

In the past year before KCDC was shut down, they did have some violations.

Not all teachers were CPR certified, diaper changing surfaces were not kept free of storage and some kids of different ages were grouped together.

Court Appearances

Two of the women arrested for the alleged child abuse and assault were in Davidson County Court on Thursday, including Faye Burchett and Hayley Dalhover.

Burchett is the owner OF KCDC and is accused of lying to detectives about the cameras working.

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Court documents say the video footage shows the child abuse, and Burchett is accused of dropping the child on the floor a few times. Her case was continued in court, and she is due back in court in June.

Hayley Dalhover is still in custody and is expected to have a bond motion next week.

She is accused of also lying about the incident to police. Court documents accuse Dalhover of slapping a childs face multiple times and twisting his arm.

Shiela Walker is the final suspect.

Walker is expected back in court at the end of this month. Court documents accuse her of lying to police about the incident and smacking a child multiple times with a slender wooden stick.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Staff at a federal Quad Cities area prison are worried about how an impending government shutdown will have an impact on them.

Jon Zumkehr

FCI Thomson has the highest vacancy rate of any stand-alone federal prison in the country, with more than 130 job openings. Staffing has been a problem for years.

But a spokesperson on Thursday told Our Quad Cities News that with the removal of retention and recruitment bonuses, its even more difficult to fill positions.

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Since prison staff members are federal law enforcement, they are required to continue working during a government shutdown, even though they wont get paid.

A lot of my staff are getting second jobs, have a second job right now, and now we have a government shut down where they wont be able to pay their bills, said Jon Zumkehr, union president. Theyre going to have to go to daycare providers and say,Hey, I cant pay it but here is an IOU. That doesnt work in real life.

We want Congress to come together, work together, pass a budget, and actually focus on funding the Federal Bureau of Prisons at what we should be at.

The deadline to prevent a government shutdown is Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Thornton Police Department is working with the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers to try and get answers in the deaths of two residents in February.

The case under investigation began as a reported structure fire at about 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the 16000 block of Columbine Street in the Orchard Farms neighborhood. Inside the home, investigators found the bodies of 58-year-old Kendra Anderson and 55-year-old Chad Anderson.

Residents evacuated from multifamily complex: West Metro Fire Rescue

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Police said the pair both had apparent gunshot wounds. Further investigation led to the incident being classified as a double homicide, and the finding that the house fire had been intentionally set.

Also inside the home were two dogs, which police said were also dead. In February, the agency said it was waiting for necropsies of the dogs to learn more about their deaths.

We understand the concern this has caused in our community, and we are doing everything we can to support the Anderson family while also working tirelessly to find answers and bring whoever is responsible to justice, the police department said.

The agency added that it has no information that suggests the incident was anything other than isolated.

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The police department is asking anyone with information to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Three more Milwaukee Public Schools buildings will temporarily close Monday to students and staff because of "significant lead hazards" that were identified during inspections by the city Health Department this week, according to a letter addressed to families and staff Thursday.

The schools that will close are Fernwood Montessori School, Frances Brock Starms Early Childhood Center and Robert M. LaFollette School, according to the joint letter from the city Health Department and school district.

"These closures are necessary to allow for comprehensive remediation and cleaning efforts to ensure a safe environment for students and staff," the letter states. "While we understand that these changes are disruptive, they are critical steps to protecting the health of students and staff in MPS buildings."

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Exactly when the schools will reopen was not immediately clear.

"MHD will continue to work closely with MPS to conduct inspections, oversee remediation efforts, and determine safe reopening timelines for each impacted school," the letter states.

A free lead screening clinic on Saturday will now be open to students at those three schools in addition to students from the four other MPS schools previously identified as having lead hazards.

The announcement comes just as the first school to be closed due to lead hazards  Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies in Bay View  reopens after nearly two weeks. In that case, students and staff were relocated to another school while work to address lead hazards was taking place.

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No amount of lead is safe, especially for children.

The district's buildings are 82 years old on average, and lead-based paint was widely used in construction projects until its ban in 1978.

Frances Brock Starms Early Childhood Center in Milwaukee will be temporarily closed so lead hazards can be addressed.

The closures of three more schools, with others still under review, marks a further deepening of the crisis that has taken hold of the district since the beginning of the year.

The Health Department previously found lead hazards at four MPS schools  Trowbridge along with Golda Meir Lower Campus, Albert E. Kagel School and Maryland Avenue Montessori  and ordered the district to make corrections.

Closing MPS schools among buildings proactively assessed for lead

Fernwood, Starms and LaFollette are on the list of schools where Health Department officials last week said they would be proactively conducting visual assessments for lead paint degradation, with the priority being on the oldest buildings with the youngest students.

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Small children and children with developmental needs who are prone to putting their hands in their mouths are particularly at risk for exposure to lead.

Fernwood has students in 3-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade. Starms' students are between 3-year-old kindergarten and 5-year-old kindergarten. LaFollette's students are between 4-year-old kindergarten and eighth grade.

Fernwood Montessori School in Milwaukee will be temporarily closed so lead hazards can be addressed.

In contrast to the previous four schools, the Health Department's assessment of these additional schools was not prompted by students who were either confirmed or suspected to have been lead poisoned at school.

The other schools being proactively assessed are:

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Hopkins Lloyd Community School

Brown Street Academy

Anna F. Doerfler School

H. W. Longfellow School

Westside Academy

Auer Avenue School

Benjamin Franklin School

At Fernwood, unsafe lead work led to closure

A separate letter to Fernwood parents noted unsafe remediation work as a reason for the school's closure.

"Based on unsafe remediation work observed and elevated dust lead levels detected in previously remediated areas, MHDs position is that the school must close and undergo remediation to ensure the safety of students and staff, effective Monday, March 17," the letter states.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.

This story was updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Three more MPS buildings to temporarily close due to lead hazards
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  Three former South Carolina Department of Corrections employees have pleaded guilty to trafficking and distributing drugs within prisons.

37-year-old Kevin Leroy Howard pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamines, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, misconduct in office, and providing contraband to inmates, according to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office. Howard was a correctional officer at Tyger River Correctional Institution, and was initially arrested July 2023 after he was caught bringing cylinders filled with drugs into the department. Howard was sentenced to a total of four years in prison.

In a separate case, two other corrections officers pleaded guilty to misconduct in the office, and allowing contraband to enter the institution. These officers were identified as Lieutenant Dontai D. Park and Sergeant Brandon C. Taylor at McCormick Correctional Institution. Both officers were sentenced to seven years in prison, and have been banned from seeking employment as law enforcement.

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These cases were part of the states Gatekeeper investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Maricopa County starting at 4:18 p.m. March 13. The warning expires at 5 p.m. March 13.

A severe thunderstorm was located over Fiesta Mall, or near Gilbert, moving east at 15 mph, with 60 mph wind gusts. Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page.

Tips for driving in the rain

The Arizona Department of Transportation provided the following safety tips for driving in the rain:

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Inspect windshield wipers and replace them if necessary prior to expected rainfall.

Turn on the headlights.

Reduce speeds.

Avoid sudden braking on wet pavement.

Create a "space cushion" between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Avoid areas where water has pooled in travel lanes.

How to protect yourself from lightning strikes

Here are lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service:

Pay attention to the weather. If you see big blue clouds, otherwise known as thunderheads, go inside. These types of clouds could mean a thunderstorm is coming.

Get in a building with plumbing and wiring. If lightning strikes the building, the lightning will be conducted around and into the ground.

Stay in your car. A vehicle will give you protection as electricity from lightning will pass through the vehicle's structure instead of hitting you.

Get off open water. A boat out on the water is likely to be the most prominent object and you could be struck.

Do not shower or bathe. If lightning hits your pipes, it could be conducted into the water in your bath or shower.

Do not use electric appliances with plugs or cords. Wireless cellphones are OK, as are laptops that are connected to Wi-Fi but not plugged in.

Follow the 30-30 rule. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning bolt, that means the thunderstorm's distance is threatening. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder to go out. That gives the storm enough time to move away or dissipate.

You dont have to be near a storm to get struck. Lightning strikes can easily travel 10 miles or more. A record lightning flash in Oklahoma in 2007 traveled nearly 200 miles. Seek shelter if you hear thunder.

Do not shelter under a tree. If lightning strikes the tree, the ground charge from the strike could travel into you.

Don't huddle in a group. If you are outdoors with friends or family during a thunderstorm, don't all clump together. Keeping separation could reduce the number of people injured if lightning strikes.

This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Thunderstorm warning issued for Maricopa County
The full extent of Vladimir Putins desire for peace appeared to be on show yesterday in a joint press conference with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko: absent, unless it is precisely to his liking.

Having stated that he was in favour of a short-term ceasefire brokered by the US, the Kremlin autocrat appeared to lay out caveats: Kyivs soldiers in Kursk, he implied, should surrender rather than be withdrawn. No ceasefire would apply in that territory. And he seemed to wish for Kyiv to halt mobilisations during any ceasefire.

In other words, if there is to be a ceasefire, Putin seems only willing to countenance it on terms calculated to leave Ukraine at a severe disadvantage should hostilities resume.

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This would clearly be intolerable. President Donald Trumps statement that Putins words were promising but not complete was itself a considerable understatement, and his threat to devastate the Russian economy should Putin fail to agree to terms is beginning to gain in relevance.

It is a regrettable fact that much of the burden of this policy would fall on Europe, which has continued to import large quantities of Russian fossil fuels, and to turn something of a blind eye to sales via third countries. It is also unavoidable. If EU leaders intend to match their fine words on defence with action, then it starts here: with tightening their belts, and doing the right thing, rather than continuing to fuel Russias war engine.

Having failed to adequately stand up to Russia in 2014, resist the lure of cheap gas subsequently, or act with speed in 2022, it is time for Europe to get its house in order. Rearmament must be matched with economic pressure to cage the Russian bear.

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WELLSBORO, Pa. (WETM)  The online giving campaign Raise the Region is approaching its remaining hours. Organizations around Tioga County, Pennsylvania, are using the campaign to raise money for causes theyve chosen to allocate money to.

The campaign started around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, and is expected to continue through Thursday, March 13 until midnight. Library Director Leslie Wishard at The Green Free Library stated how donations were slowly coming in from the beginning of the campaign but steadily increased as the second day approached. The library plans to use the money raised for a new furnace.

This year, we raised a little over $2,600. Our goal is $4,000 towards a new furnace, said Wishard. Weve been averaging about $4,000 every year, so were hoping well make it at least that much this year.

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Tioga County, Pa nonprofits to participate in 30-hour online giving campaign

Hamilton-Gibson Productions aims to use its funds for a variety of causes tailored towards community art performances, childrens theatre camps, choir groups, theatre performances and more. Business Manager Beverly Dochstader at Hamilton-Gibson Productions said they hope to meet their goal of $15,000.

Im pleasantly surprised and happy with our results so far. Were at around $6,000 but thats less than last year, but the days not over, said Dochstader.

In addition, Highland Chocolates plans to use its funds for website improvement for customer outreach and to replace employee uniforms. According to Operations Manager Erin Roupp, if their goal of $10,000 it would allow them flexibility to acquire new items in the future.

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We are actually also looking at possibly purchasing a freeze-dried candy machine, but thats something that would be a luxury, so we would have to reach our $10,000 goal in order to make that happen, Roupp said.

Anybody who wants to donate to help any of the organizations can click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  TJC police are searching for an individual after a student reported being a victim of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday.

Diboll PD looking for missing woman believed to be in danger

The victim alerted police on Thursday at 1:10 p.m., two days after the incident occurred, and said he had been approached while at the library near the quiet room. The suspect asked to speak with him in a quiet room.

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The student and the suspect went into the quiet room where they talked, TJC PD said. After a period of time, the student went to leave and the suspect pulled a knife from a front pocket, held it to the students neck area and said we are not finished talking.'

The student and suspect then sat down and finished their conversation.

Longview company lays off 68 employees due to extensive facility issues

The student reported the incident to authorities after he believed he had seen the suspect on campus at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. After the report, TJC officers searched the area and could not find anyone matching the suspects description.

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Officials said the suspect is a 6-foot, 1-inch Black man with a stocky build in his mid to late 20s, with an afro and has a tattoo on his neck, possibly of a flower. The suspect was last seen wearing great sweat pants and an unknown color shirt.

Anyone with any potential information is asked to contact the TJC Police Department at 903-510-2800. Information can also be reported at the police station located at 1025 South Baxter Avenue.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A drone attack on Friday morning caused damage to residential properties in various parts of Moscow without reports of casualties, media reported.

RIA Novosti quoted emergency services as saying that a drone strike damaged the roof of a high-rise residential building in west Moscow. Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene. But no injuries have been reported. Preliminary information indicates that the drone struck the overhanging section of the building's roof.

TASS said debris from another drone fell onto a private house in a cottage settlement in the New Moscow region. Emergency services confirmed that part of the attic floor and an exterior wall sustained damage. Additionally, three cars and an all-terrain vehicle were affected by the impact.

Earlier in the morning, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that air defense forces had shot down four drones flying toward the city. 
Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on March 14, according to the Tribunes archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 81 degrees (2012)

Low temperature: 7 degrees (1993)

Precipitation: 1.62 inches (1944)

Snowfall: 8.4 inches (1904)

1933: Albert Einstein visited Chicago on his 54th birthday. During a talk given at The Standard Club, the physicist told the crowd theres never been a time when scientific problems were so terribly interesting.

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It was a return trip for Einstein, who had stopped at Chicagos Union Station on his way from Pasadena, California, to New York.

He didnt spend much time talking shop, the Tribune reported in 1931. He spoke mostly to a delegation of peace advocates and gave his attention to Yvonne, the small daughter of the Frank Lloyd Wrights, who visited the Einsteins in their compartment.

1996: The Tribune began publishing on the Internet.

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Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com
Mar. 14There are eight more days for legislators to craft law in the 2025 regular session. Here are a few debates and bills to watch out for on Friday, March 14, and a recap of Thursday.

Medical malpractice: Medical malpractice changes, Senate Bill 176, are first on the agenda for Senate Health and Public Affairs in the afternoon. The committee debated the bill Wednesday but didn't vote on it.

Cellphones in school: The House Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 11, an anti-distraction measure, in the morning. It would require New Mexico school districts to adopt policies around cellphones and other wireless communications devices in schools.

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Thursday recap

Lowrider license plates: A bill creating a New Mexico lowrider capital of the world special license plate passed the Senate on a 40-0 vote. Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Espanola, danced to the song "Low Rider" by War before a vote on the bill, Senate Bill 327, and said the license plates could be a source of community pride for Rio Arriba County residents.

Slot Canyon Riverlands: Southern New Mexico residents could look forward to a new state park should House Bill 219 get through the Senate and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The proposal to develop Broad Canyon Ranch, about 20 miles north of Las Cruces, as a state park with camping passed the House floor.

CTE: The House passed two bills encouraging technical education, including the creation of a structural timber grading certification program, House Bill 553, and studying career and technical education programs in the state, House Bill 433.

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Where the bills stand

SB176: Must pass the Senate Health and Public Affairs, Senate Judiciary and Senate Finance committees, then the full Senate, then House committees and the full House, then the governor's desk.

SB11: Passed the Senate. Must pass the House Education and House Judiciary Committees, then the full House, then the governor's desk.

SB327: Passed the Senate. Awaiting House committee assignments, then must pass the full House, then the governor's desk.

HB219, HB433, HB533: Passed the House. Awaiting Senate committee assignments, then must pass the full Senate, then Lujan Grisham.
TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA)  Crews are on the scene of a house fire in Tolono that happened inside a house that also caught fire yesterday.

The house is located on County Road 1350 East. Duncan Hughes, the son of the homeowner, estimated that the home caught fire around 4:30 a.m. and it was fully engulfed when a WCIA reporter arrived on the scene.

Prep work has started for Bismarck new fire station

Firefighters from Tolono, Homer, Sidney, Broadlands, St. Joseph, Pesotum and Sadorus were there to put out the new fire. Neighbors said they believe the original fire was caused by an electrical fault or malfunction.

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The homeowner told WCIA he was hoping to visit with family elsewhere, but is now dealing with the loss of his home, which was severely damaged.

There was originally a fire earlier today and we thought it had gotten put out, Hughes said. But around 4:30 (a.m.) Id say, my younger brother woke me up saying that it was on fire again and so I came up here.

One issue that firefighters are facing Friday morning is water supply. Keith Schafroth, the Chief of the Philo Fire Protection District, said firefighters are worried about the impacts that will have on the danger of fire as the day goes on.

Obviously being rural, not having a hydrant or shuttling in water with it, Schafroth said. (Flames were) coming out all the windows. There was no entry, so bigger hand lines were used, two-and-a-half (inch). And were going through water faster than we could get it out here.

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WEATHER NOW: Severe weather expected Friday after sunset, with 70+ mph gusts and threat for tornadoes on the table

Because with the high winds coming this afternoon, I dont want embers blowing across the county, starting something somewhere else, Schaforth added.

It took firefighters about an hour to fully extinguish the fire Friday morning, but the home was damage to the point that it is uninhabitable. No one was hurt, however.

The Village of Tolono is currently under a burn ban as a result of those high winds Schaforth mentioned. The Villages of Clinton and Rantoul, along with all of Ford and Iroquois Counties, are also under burn bans for Friday.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
In one of its very last legislative acts, the outgoing German parliament will probably be able to vote on a massive infrastructure and defence package next week, following a top court ruling.

The Federal Constitutional Court on Friday rejected several urgent applications against the planned special sessions of the outoing Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

The parties behind the court filing said it was undemocratic for the old Bundestag to decide on the package when the new Bundestag has already been voted in.

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The applications were unfounded, the court ruled. As long as the new Bundestag has not been constituted, the old one still has its full powers, the court said. According to the Basic Law, the electoral term of the outgoing Bundestag only ends when the new Bundestag convenes, the court confirmed.

Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, controversially plans to push the legislation through next week, before the first session of the new lower house of parliament, because he faced not having enough votes in the new parliament to get the package passed.

National elections in February changed the balance of power in the Bundestag, but the new lawmakers will only take their seats on March 25.

The court rejected several complaints against the special sessions including from the far-right Alternative for Germany party - which will be the second-largest power in the new Bundestag - and The Left party.

In a reaction, the parliamentary managing director of the Left Party, Christian Gorke, called the way in which the financial package was decided "unworthy of the German Bundestag."
WASHINGTON  Top House Democrats on Friday threw Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) under the bus after he announced he would help House Republicans pass their extreme spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Incredibly, Schumers longtime House counterpart, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), publicly lashed him for setting up a false choice between the GOPs bill and a shutdown, emphasizing that Democrats have long been pushing for another option: passing a short-term bill to simply keep the government funded at its current levels in order to buy more time for lawmakers to hash out a longer-term, bipartisan spending package.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America, Pelosi said in a statement. Lets be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.

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The federal government was set to run out of money at midnight, and the Senate was weighing two bad options: vote for the GOP bill that already passed in the House and that would give President Donald Trump and his billionaire buddy, Elon Musk, new legal authority to decide how to spend taxpayer money, or let the government shut down.

Ultimately, the Republican bill passed Friday evening with the help of 10 Democratic senators, including Schumer.

House Democrats overwhelmingly rejected the GOP bill earlier this week, given its draconian cuts to things like health care, veterans benefits and NIH cancer research. The bill, which funds the government through Sept. 30, also gives Trump unchecked power to move around billions of dollars in federal money  a power that some Democrats fear he could use to enrich himself or Musk, or to strip money from Democrat-led states.

A Senate Democratic aide gave some examples of how Trump could abuse this new power granted by the GOPs bill: He could potentially divert millions of dollars within the Federal Aviation Administrations budget to Starlink, Musks satellite company. Trump could also move millions of dollars provided by the Great American Outdoors Act, which supports projects on federal lands, from California to a deep red state like Idaho.

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If we go through this shutdown, we can at least force Republicans back to the table, said this Democratic aide, who requested speaking on background to avoid getting his boss in trouble. Any legislative outcome will be better than something drafted solely by House Republicans.

The aide added, This is the card to play here, if were willing to play the card and stand up and have this fight.

Most Democratic senators agreed with House Democrats, saying hell no to the Republican bill. But Schumer unexpectedly announced Wednesday that hed help pass it because he wants to avoid a government shutdown, and on Friday, he followed through with it.

Hes drawn loud criticism from within his party for days, but remarkably, hes now facing fire from close allies in the House.

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In her statement, Pelosi hailed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for his courageous rejection of this false choice and called on Democratic senators to listen to the women in their caucus. She specifically referred to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), their partys top appropriators in each chamber. They have put forward a bill to fund the government at its current levels for four more weeks.

America has experienced a Trump shutdown before  but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse, Pelosi said of the GOPs bill. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way.

During a Friday press conference, Jeffries repeatedly dodged questions about whether he has confidence in Schumer amid the funding fight. He ignored the question a couple of times and later accused reporters of engaging in parlor games by pressing him to answer it.

The message he really wanted to send was that House Democrats are united against the GOP bill and ready to fight Trump and Republicans over it  a spirit not exactly unifying Democratic senators.

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Our general view is we do not want to shut down the government. But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown, Jeffries said. And we will win that showdown, because we stand on the side of the American people.

Has Schumer acquiesced to Trump? one reporter asked.

Thats a question that is best addressed by the Senate, Jeffries said. The vote hasnt taken place yet. The House Democrats position is very clear.
The Trump administration is removing the Internal Revenue Service's top attorney, according to two sources familiar with the move, amid an internal debate over sharing confidential taxpayer information with other government agencies.

Acting IRS chief counsel William Paul is set to be demoted to his previous role, and replaced by Andrew De Mello, another IRS attorney who was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the inspector general of the Department of Education during his first term, the sources said.

PHOTO: A sign for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seen outside its building on Feb. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

MORE: IRS layoffs underway around the country as millions prepare to file taxes

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Paul was promoted to replace outgoing chief counsel Marjorie Rollinson in January.

His demotion at IRS headquarters comes as representatives of the Department of Government Efficiency have been working to secure agreements with other agencies to use and share taxpayer information across the government, to help with issues including the vetting of federal benefit payments and immigration information.

Section 6103 of the federal tax code requires the IRS keep individual taxpayer information confidential with certain exceptions, and some within the agency have raised privacy concerns about the proposals pushed by DOGE representatives for access to and the sharing of IRS data.

The Treasury Department and a spokesperson for the IRS did not respond to requests for comment.

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MORE: Here are all the agencies that Elon Musk and DOGE have been trying to dismantle so far

The IRS is also expected to lose approximately 20% of its workforce -- or roughly 18,000 jobs -- by May 15 as part of staff cuts directed by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, two sources familiar with the plans told ABC News.

That figure includes the probationary workers already dismissed and IRS workers who accepted the administration's 'buyout' offer over email.

On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to rehire the fired workers at the IRS and five other agencies, though the administration has filed a notice to appeal the ruling.

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The agency's taxpayer services and compliance departments are expected to lose thousands of workers in what could be the first of several waves of firings, one of the sources said.

Top lawyer at IRS removed amid DOGE push for taxpayer information: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Author Mark Aylwin Thomas shows Chinese edition of his books "Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg" during a launch event at London Book Fair, in London, Britain, March 12, 2025. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chinese and British publishers hosted a series of events to pay tribute to the victory at the ongoing London Book Fair. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chinese and British publishers hosted a series of events to pay tribute to the victory at the ongoing London Book Fair.

On Wednesday, a launch event was held for the Chinese edition of "Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg," a biography of the British journalist who gave his life to support China's war against Japanese aggression decades ago.

The book, which includes Hogg's letters and journalistic works, offers a fuller picture of his early life and his journey as a reporter in China, documenting both the war and social life. It also highlights his efforts to support the Chinese people during the war, particularly his role in founding a school for war orphans in Shaanxi.

Mark Aylwin Thomas, author of the book and nephew of the late Hogg, said at the launch that the translated edition gives Chinese readers the opportunity to learn more about the "extraordinary person" who "loved and respected his fellow human beings regardless of race, belief or cultural differences, striving selflessly with compassion for a common positive goal."

Chen Guangyao from People's Publishing House, the book's publisher, said that Hogg's story serves as a historical testament to the friendship between China and Britain. He expressed hope that the Chinese edition will further strengthen this friendship and contribute to promoting world peace and development.

Along with the book, five other publications themed around the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression were also unveiled on Wednesday during the three-day book fair.

Speaking with Xinhua after a seminar where Chinese and British writers and scholars shared stories and insights on the bonds forged between the two countries during the war, Hugo de Burgh, director of China UK Creative Industries at Goldsmiths, University of London, emphasized the importance of helping younger generations "understand the dangers and the terrible suffering caused by conflict and war."

He added that "responsible publishers" play a crucial role in reminding people of the "positive aspects of our relationships" that emerged from the shared experiences of war and hardship.

In addition, a special screening of "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" was held during the book fair. The documentary is about the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war by Chinese fishermen during World War II. 

Author Mark Aylwin Thomas shows Chinese edition of his books "Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg" during a launch event at London Book Fair, in London, Britain, March 12, 2025. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chinese and British publishers hosted a series of events to pay tribute to the victory at the ongoing London Book Fair. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on March 12, 2025 shows books themed around the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression at London Book Fair, in London, Britain. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chinese and British publishers hosted a series of events to pay tribute to the victory at the ongoing London Book Fair. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
By Daphne Psaledakis

LA MALBAIE, Canada (Reuters) -G7 foreign ministers took a tough stance on China on Friday, stepping up language on Taiwan and omitting some conciliatory references from past statements, including to "one China" policies.

A statement by ministers meeting in Canada mirrored a February Japan-U.S. statement in condemning "coercion" toward Taiwan, language that heartened Taipei in its increasingly tense standoffs with Beijing.

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Compared to a G7 foreign ministers' statement in November, the statement added members' concerns over China's nuclear buildup, although it omitted references to their concerns about Beijing's human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.

Also missing were references stressing the desire for "constructive and stable relations with China" and recognizing the "importance of direct and candid engagement to express concerns and manage differences."

The statement dropped past reassurances, recently stated in November, that there is "no change in the basic position of the G7 members on Taiwan, including stated One-China policies," as well as that the G7 is "not decoupling or turning inwards" and recognizing the importance of China in global trade.

The so-called one China policy, which recognizes Beijing as the official government of China and ensures that ties with Taipei remain unofficial, has been the bedrock of Western dealings with China and Taiwan for decades. The omission is sure to be a significant concern for Beijing.

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Referring again to Taiwan, a self-governed island China claims as its own, the statement said the ministers "encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues and reiterated their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion."

The G7 statements "ignore facts and China's solemn position, grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, and blatantly smear China," a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Canada said in a statement.

China "resolutely opposes the G7's misdeeds of harming China's sovereignty," the spokesperson said, adding that "the key to upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait lies in abiding by the one-China principle."

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba introduced the reference to "coercion" in the context of stepped-up Chinese military pressure against Taiwan at a summit last month.

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Trump has installed China hawks in key positions in his administration although his exact approach toward Beijing remains unclear and his administration has been discussing a possible summit soon with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Still focusing on China, the G7 foreign ministers, who have been meeting in the remote tourist town of La Malbaie, Canada, this week, said they were seriously concerned by the situations in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Addressing China's actions against the Philippines and Vietnam, they expressed concern over the increasing use of "dangerous maneuvers and water cannons" and efforts to restrict freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

The members also expressed concern about China's non-market policies and practices, saying these were leading to harmful over-capacity and market distortions. They called on Beijing to refrain from adopting export control measures that could lead to significant supply chain disruptions.

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In response, the Chinese Embassy in Canada said the Asia-Pacific region is "not a chessboard for geopolitical rivalries", and urged the G7 to "abandon the Cold War mentality and stop creating bloc confrontation and fueling tensions in the region."

The embassy also rejects the G7's "groundless" accusations of China's over-capacity and market distortions, saying "it is precisely the G7 members that have politicized and weaponized economic and trade issues."

(Reporting by John Irish and Daphne Psaledakis in La Malbaie, Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom in Washington and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Rod Nickel and Jacqueline Wong)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A tourist stabbed more than two dozen times on a city bus has filed a lawsuit against the transit authority as it gets aggressive at cutting down crime across its system.

Video shows Devinski Tunggadewa, 27, stabbing Joseph Lopez, of California, during a ride in June 2024, prosecutors said. Tunggadewa faces charges for allegedly stabbing Lopez on one bus and then stabbing two men on another bus before battering a casino employee.

The stabbing follows several high-profile incidents on Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada buses the 8 News Now Investigators covered in 2023. That year, prosecutors charged a man with murder for allegedly stabbing a 30-year-old man 33 times inside a bus, killing him. The 8 News Now Investigators discovered the driver did not stop for nearly four minutes as the incident progressed.

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That year, amid contract negotiations, the union representing bus drivers authorized a strike, citing ongoing safety concerns.

There is a fire

You can only see smoke so many times until you know there is a fire, said Lopezs attorney, Don Paradiso. Safety has been an issue on RTC buses in this city for a very long time.

Lopez and his fiance decided to ride the bus to head back to their hotel from Downtown Las Vegas. Videos the 8 News Now Investigators obtained show the pair on the packed double-decker bus on June 21 as Tunggadewa sat nearby.

Tunggadewa appears to talk to himself as he waives around a knife for several minutes, the video shows.

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The assailant has the stabbing instrument out in his hand for quite some time, Paradiso said. Its clearly visible.

Video shows Devinski Tunggadewa, 27, stabbing Joseph Lopez, of California, during a ride in June 2024, prosecutors said. (KLAS)

Within minutes, Tunggadewa leaps out of his seat and stabs Lopez about 27 times, Lopezs lawsuit claims and prosecutors allege.



All my client did is look up to see him, Paradiso said. They made eye contact, and that was when he was stabbed multiple times.

A witness to that stabbing told police Tunggadewa was sitting alone and appeared to be talking to himself, documents said. At one point, Tunggadewa said, You [expletive] making eye contact with me, Ill [expletive] you up, documents said. He then chased Lopezs fiance through the bus before running away, police said.

In the second series of stabbings on a second bus, which happened on Fremont Street near 10th Street, Tunggadewa allegedly became angry when a passenger noted Tunggadewa was spitting on the floor, documents said. Tunggadewa allegedly stabbed two people on that bus, including to the victims faces.

Prosecutors say video shows Devinski Tunggadewa waiving around a knife on an RTC bus. (KLAS)

Tunggadewa then allegedly approached a person working at the Circa Resort & Casino as he tried to enter a cocktail bar. The employee noted Tunggadewas hands were covered in blood. Tunggadewa then allegedly hit the employee in the head and ran off.

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Officers later found Tunggadewa walking in the area with a utility knife in his hand, police said.

During Tunggadewas initial court appearances, judges denied setting bail. Last July, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood set bail at $1 million. Last September, a Clark County grand jury indicted Tunggadewa on charges including attempted murder. Clark County District Court Judge Jerry Wiese then kept Tunggadewas bail at $1 million per prosecutors request, documents said.

Lopezs lawsuit claims RTC failed to protect passengers like Lopez  who lost his ability to walk in the aftermath and continues to recover from his injuries, Paradiso said.

What would that security look like? 8 News Now Investigator David Charns asked Paradiso.

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There should probably be a security guard on the buses, especially on the busier routes at all times, Paradiso said, highlighting the surveillance video showing Tunggadewa waiving around the knife for several minutes before the attack.

How many times as a community are we going to see these types of things happening and say to ourselves, You know what, theres a pattern here and the people that are in charge and are supposed to be keeping us safe while were riding public transportation are not listening, he said.

RTC responds

In the wake of the violent crimes in 2023, including the murder, RTC added more security guards. The agency has since switched security contractors, adding more than 300 armed guards to the system, according to Tom Atteberry, RTCs senior director for safety and security operations.

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One assault is too many, Atteberry said.

Atteberry took over the position in the fall of 2023.

From fiscal year 2023 to 2024, passenger-on-passenger incidents dropped more than 40 percent, according to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. (KLAS)

It is safe to say that RTC has learned from these past major incidents? Charns asked Atteberry.

I think that weve grown, and weve gotten better, Atteberry said.

The more than 300 armed officers patrol the buses at a cost of $23 million, Atteberry said. There are also roving officers who can respond to incidents closest to them. Atteberry said the agency also increased patrol sectors to decrease response times.

From a safety security standpoint at the RTC, weve completely hit reset, Atteberry said.

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The agency is also looking toward innovation. In addition to the ability to look at live cameras inside buses, last year, it launched a system that allows surveillance cameras on buildings to detect guns. If the system detects a weapon, a person at an operations center can alert law enforcement.

ZeroEyes analyst Mario Hernandez demonstrates the use of artificial intelligence with surveillance cameras to identify visible guns at the companys operations center, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Conshohocken, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Atteberry was hopeful that technology could expand to include detecting weapons out in the open  like the knife in Lopezs attack.

From fiscal year 2023 to 2024, passenger-on-passenger incidents dropped more than 40 percent, Atteberry said. Drivers are also tightening up on fare evaders, believing that the simple action of keeping them off buses is aiding in the decrease.

We dont refuse rides to anyone. Its public transportation, Atteberry said. What we have to do is have the best security in place and have eyes on and if the bus driver sees something get security over there right away.

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The agency continues the sentiment that it is a microcosm of society.

Youre moving over 52 million people a year on these buses, you are going to have some incidents, Atteberry said. Our job is to keep the numbers low and to quickly respond when there is an incident to help out any way we can.

Had anyone simply acted sooner, this probably would not have happened, Paradiso said about the attack on his client. The whole purpose of security is to act as a deterrent and to be an active set of eyes.

Bus drivers told the 8 News Now Investigators that they continue to fear for their safety. Several highlighted an unprovoked stabbing from February. The drivers said they hope to see more armed security on buses as RTC works to bring newer technology online.

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Assembly Bill 361, a proposal from Democratic Assem. Linda Hunt, would require Nevada bus operators to implement certain safety procedures to protect drivers. Key parts of the proposal include the barrier installation and signage to alert passengers about potential criminal penalties. The safety measures would be required on any transit vehicle that requires a commercial drivers license.

Passenger-on-operator assaults have remained steady in Clark County over the past several years, according to data the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. In fiscal year 2022, the Regional Transportation Commission recorded 32 assaults. In 2023, the number was 35.

In 2024, the number of passenger-on-operator assaults number dipped slightly to 26.

Tunggadewas trial was scheduled to begin this summer.

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Trader Joes recalls 61K sparkling water bottles  heres why

(NEXSTAR)  This week, Trader Joes announced a recall of two lots of the popular Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, a non-Trader Joes branded item, which the grocery giant sells. The recalled glass water bottles are being recalled over concerns they can crack, causing risk of cuts or slashes.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the German-owned Gerolsteiner is recalling about 61,500 bottles. Customers are advised to stop using the bottles immediately.

Cicadas return in 2025: Which states will see them?

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, sold at Trader Joes across the U.S., is being recalled (Courtesy of USCPSC)

The recalled bottles were sold at Trader Joes stores between December 2024 and January 2025 in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. They cost about $3.

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Heres how to identify the recalled bottles:

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

750ml glass bottle(s)

Features a red, white and blue label on the front of the bottles bearing the brand name Gerolsteiner

Lot number(s): 11/28/2024 L and/or 11/27/2024 L.

The bottles were sold individually and in cases of 15.

There have been no reports of injuries so far, according to the recall.

Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee and say the canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain

Customers should return the recalled bottles to the store of purchase for a full refund, Gerolsteiner says. Per the recall, customers will not be asked for proof of purchase but will need to return the recalled bottles in order to receive the refund, either in cash or credit.

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For more information, visit the USCPSC or the Trader Joes recalls page. Consumers with questions or concerns can also contact Gerolsteiner online or by phone Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET at (800) 777-0633.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
CHICAGO  St. Baldricks is the ultimate show of solidarity. Often times the rigors of cancer fighting treatments leads to patients losing their hair. So out of an abundance of empathy, supporters knowns as shave-ees pledge in a mission of mercy to lose their locks and raise money.

The Streamwood Fire Department did earlier this week in honor of Austin Fox. Austin is an 18 year cancer survivor. His dad is a firefighter and its his dads 22nd year shaving.

More from the WGN Morning News St Patricks Day Extravaganza!

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In WGNs Patrick Elwoods hometown of Evergreen Park, friends and neighbors are rallying for 12-year-old Patrick Juarez who has an aggressive type of soft tissue cancer.

The money raised will go to seven research hospitals right in Chicago and the suburbs.

This is Pats 21st year of going bald. His wife Katie and sons Marty and Grady joined in. His daughter Kallista has battled brain tumors in the form of Cushings Disease several times since 2015.

And in the last few months his sister Peggy has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemo.

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More News, Weather and Headlines at wgntv.com

Cancer cure rates at the kids level are around 80% overall, but many loved ones are losing their battles.

With the recent cuts to funding by the Trump Administration to the National Institutes of Health, which underwrites cancer research at hospitals and universities across the country, privately funded charities like Baldricks have taken on an even more important role.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas man indicted Wednesday on charges of trafficking and forced labor involving three Cuban immigrants faces a May 19 trial, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Rafael Juan Mitjans, 50, is accused of confiscating passports, immigration documents and other identification from three victims with the intent to restrict the victims ability to move and travel in order to maintain the labor and services of the victims, according to a Friday news release.

Mitjans is also accused of lying to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that he would provide the victims with basic living needs, including money each month, a room with a bed, television, desk, and laptop, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and three meals per day. He knew the statements on the immigration forms were false.

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Few other details were available about the allegations of domestic servitude or the identities of the victims. The incident occurred starting around Sept. 20, 2023, until July 31, 2024. Metro police and Clark County School District police were involved in the investigation, according to the news release.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Wednesday charging Mitjans with three counts of forced labor, three counts of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor, and three counts of false statements on immigration documents. A jury trial has been scheduled before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II on May 19, 2025. Mitjans made his initial court appearance on Thursday before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler

Mitjans faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Homeland Securitys acting Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes, Jr. made the announcement.

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A Maryland family is mourning the tragic loss of a ten-year-old girl who they describe as the familys light. Minka Aisha Greene was an otherwise healthy and active student. So when her mother, Kymesha Greene White, noticed her low energy and lack of appetite around the end of January, she said she grew concerned about her daughter.

We noticed her behavior changed because she normally doesnt get sick. This was like her first time getting sick, White told DC News Now.

White says she took her daughter to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with the flu. Minka, who had not received the flu vaccine this year, was sent home and told to take ibuprofen and rest. But when she continued to complain of headaches, Minkas parents took her back to the emergency room, where doctors gave her fluids and again, sent her home to rest.

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Then, on the morning of February 6, Minkas mother was horrified to find her daughter in bed vomiting. As she tried to bathe her, White said Minka told her she couldnt feel her legs.

Minkas mother told the Capitol Heights Daily Voice that her condition seemed to be getting worse on the way to the hospital, as one of her eyes rolled back in her head and her tongue fluttered uncontrollably. By the time they got to the hospital, Minka had stopped breathing and was unable to be revived. According to the Daily Mail, her symptoms were the result of severe brain inflammation caused by the flu.

That was the last time I carried her, the last time I held her in my arms. I will cherish that for the rest of my life, Minkas father, David White, told DC News Now.

Kymesha Greene White hopes her familys tragedy will encourage other parents to advocate for their children in the hospital and doctors office.

Get your child checked out, she told Fox 5 DC. Dont stop just because the doctors say its just the flu.

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Mar. 14A 56-year-old transient, Ronnie Wayne Lee, was sentenced last week to serve time in the Montana State Prison after he admitted to his involvement in a police chase last year.

Lee, who was held in the Lincoln County Detention Center before being taken to the facility in Deer Lodge, received a 5-year sentence, with three suspended, March 3 from District Judge Matt Cuffe for pleading guilty to criminal endangerment.

Lee also received one year in the county jail, to be served concurrently, after pleading guilty to fleeing from police. Lee was ordered to pay $2,000 fines and costs. He did receive credit for serving 109 days in the jail.

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Misdemeanor charges of obstruction of a police officer and reckless driving were dropped following a Jan. 3 plea deal between the county and public defender Scott B. Johnson.

Lee did not make a statement prior to his sentencing.

According to the probable cause statement by county Sheriff's Office deputy Andrew Smith, he was on patrol shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, on U.S. 2 near Spruce St. when he saw a blue Chevy Silverado driving east. He followed the truck as it turned west onto Spruce St. and checked the license plate through dispatch.

After turning east on Larch St. without using a turn signal, the truck failed to stop at the stop sign as it returned to U.S. 2, headed south. The deputy followed the truck and turned on his lights as the truck speeded up and changed lanes without signaling.

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Smith reported the truck crossed into the other lanes as it passed Bowen Hill Road and drove in the emergency lane at 75 miles per hour. While passing Saverite South, Smith reported a vehicle driving north and was nearly involved in a head-on collision with the Silverado, missing it by a few feet, while traveling an estimated 85 mph.

Smith reported the truck forced another northbound vehicle off the highway, again nearly causing a head-on collision. The truck then came to an abrupt stop with the man jumping out as the truck still moved.

After a foot chase, Smith arrested the man and identified him as Lee by his Iowa ID. Dispatch reported Lee's California driver's license was expired and that he didn't possess a license to operate anywhere else.

Dispatch also reported the truck was registered to a dead man.

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Smith said when he asked Lee if he had a driver's license or insurance, the accused replied, "no." The deputy also reported Lee told him he bought the truck from a man who first bought the truck from the dead man.

Lee had faced a maximum 10-year term in the Montana State Prison.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Michigan Senate voted unanimously Thursday to pass a bill that would designate the Mackinac Bridge as a key facilitymaking trespassing on it a felony under state law.

This essential and iconic structure is an identifying symbol of our state, said Mich. Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. We have had some concerning situations in recent history, and this designation would have helped greatly with the prosecution of bad actors.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority says that some troubling incidents have happened on the bridge recently, including people climbing towers to take photos and a bomb threat that disrupted travel for hours.

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SB 71 would change that, making it illegal to trespass on parts of Mighty Mac not designated for public use. Doing so would land you with a felony charge punishable by up to four years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

This isnt the first time the state legislature has tried to pass similar bills. In 2022, the Authority passed a resolution supporting HB-5315, which would have designated the Mackinac Bridge and other bridges in the state as key facilities. This bill was passed by the state House 99-6 in 2022, but later stalled in the Senate.

The bill will now head to the Michigan House for consideration. You can read the bill as it passed the Senate below.

2025-SEBS-0071Download

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Jury selection is underway in New London for a former Navy command master chief from Waterford charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old relative.

Joshua Sturgill, 48, with a last known address on Braman Road, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Sturgill held the rank of command master chief at the time of his arrest and, according to his Navy profile, is a former director of Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton.

Sturgill was relieved of his duties as the command master chief of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., two days after his Aug. 29, 2023, arrest by Waterford police and was administratively reassigned to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. A Navy spokesman could not immediately provide information Thursday about Sturgills current status with the Navy. He joined the Navy in 1995.

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Police had spent several months investigating the case of suspected child abuse after they were notified by the state Department of Children and Families on March 8, 2023. Sturgills relative said she was sexually assaulted between September and December of 2022 during a visit to his Waterford home, according to police reports.

The relative said Sturgill sexually assaulted her on a couch in his home and described being scared, and kind of frozen, when it was happening, police reports show. Sturgills wife was in a bedroom at the time of the alleged assault, and the young relative told police that Sturgill had pulled away from her when his wife emerged from the bedroom but resumed the sexual assault when his wife went back to the bedroom, police reports show.

The victim eventually told Sturgill that she wanted to go to bed. The victim then left the living room and hid in the bathroom for the rest of the night, the police reports state. On a subsequent visit from Sturgill at the victims home, Sturgill asked the victim if she wanted to do what they did before again in the future. The victim said no, and Sturgill acted disappointed.

Police said the relative alleged behavior by Sturgill, such as sexually inappropriate touches, unwanted comments and photos, that police described as grooming.

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Sturgill is represented by attorneys Bryan Fiengo and Sam Nassetta, both of whom were in New London Superior Court on Thursday picking potential jurors for a trial scheduled to start Monday. The case will be heard before Judge Elizabeth C. Leaming and is being prosecuted by Assistant States Attorney Marissa Goldberg.

Nassetta, in a pretrial motion, sought the girls mental health treatment records, educational records and prescribed drug history as part of Sturgills defense.

Here, some or all of the Complainants mental health conditions and suspected prescription drug use are relevant to challenge her ability to accurately perceive, understand and recount events and relate the truth, the motion reads.

Nassetta declined comment on any specifics in the case but said he planned to let the evidence speak for itself. Nassetta said Sturgill absolutely maintains his innocence.

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Both of the charges Sturgill faces are Class B felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison each. A conviction of second-degree sexual assault also carries a mandatory minimum sentence of nine months in prison for a conviction.

g.smith@theday.com
BELFAST (Reuters) - The trial for historical sex offences of Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and his wife Eleanor has been delayed by at least eight weeks as she is unwell, a court heard on Friday.

The timing of the trial will now be reviewed at a hearing on May 16, Newry Crown Court heard.

Donaldson, one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, stepped down suddenly as head of the British region's largest unionist party in March 2024 after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature.

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He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency towards a child. The charges relate to two complainants and the events allegedly took place between 1985 and 2008.

Eleanor Donaldson, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape, is currently not fit to stand trial, her lawyer told the court.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

(This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by Sarah Young)
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he saw "good signals" toward finalizing a 30-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

While meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump offered guarded optimism when he was asked by reporters about Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement earlier in the day.

"He (Putin) put out a very promising statement but it wasn't complete," Trump said. "Now we're going to see whether or not Russia's there. And if they're not, it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world."

Earlier on Thursday, Putin told reporters that Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine but nuances exist.

Responding to Putin's statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian leader is setting many preconditions to delay the ceasefire for as long as possible.

In the Oval Office, Trump said the United States had discussed with Ukraine possible concessions as part of a peace agreement.

"We've been discussing with Ukraine land and pieces of land that would be kept and lost, and all of the other elements of a final agreement," Trump said.

Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Moscow to meet with Putin and discuss the ceasefire proposal.

"It doesn't mean anything until we hear what the final outcome is, but they have very serious discussions going on right now with President Putin and others, and hopefully they all want to end this nightmare," Trump said, adding that he hopes to speak to Putin soon. 
Kambria Siyuja always felt like the smartest kid in Supai, Arizona.

Raised by educators in this tribal village at the base of the Grand Canyon, she started kindergarten a little ahead of her peers. Her teachers at Havasupai Elementary School often asked Siyuja to tutor younger students and sometimes even let her run their classrooms. She graduated valedictorian of her class.

But once she left the K-8 school at the top of her grade, Siyuja stopped feeling so smart.

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"I didn't know math or basic formulas," she said. "Typing and tech? Nonexistent."

Siyuja, now 22, wiped tears from her face as she sat alongside her mother and grandmother  the educators of the family  one afternoon last year in the Havasupai Tribal Council chambers. The trio wept as they recalled Siyuja's move as a teenager to a private boarding school 150 miles away in Sedona, Arizona, which she'd chosen to attend because the federal agency that runs Havasupai Elementary, the only school in her village, provides no options for high school.

Once there, however, Siyuja discovered how little she'd learned at the Supai school. She had only superficial familiarity with state and U.S. history, and knew none of the literature her peers had read years earlier. She was the only freshman who'd never taken pre-algebra.

Last year, eight years after Siyuja graduated, the K-8 school still did not offer pre-algebra, a course that most U.S. public school students take in seventh or eighth grade, if not earlier. It had no textbooks for math, science or social studies. The school's remoteness  on a 518-acre reservation the government forcibly relocated the Havasupai people to more than 150 years ago  makes it a challenge to staff, and chronic turnover required the few educators who remained to teach multiple grades at once. Only 3 percent of students test proficiently in either English language arts or math.

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"I know they struggle a lot because of how few resources we have down here," said Siyuja of Supai, which visitors must reach either by an 8-mile hike or helicopter. "But what are they teaching here?"

In 2017, six Havasupai families sued the federal government, alleging that the Bureau of Indian Education, which operates Havasupai Elementary and is housed within the Interior Department, deprived their children of their federal right to an education. The tribe, in a brief supporting the lawsuit, argued that the bureau had allowed Havasupai Elementary to become "the worst school in a deplorable BIE system" and that court intervention was required to protect students from the agency.

The families eventually secured two historic settlements that fueled hopes across Indian Country that true reform might finally improve outcomes both in Supai and perhaps also at BIE schools throughout the U.S.

So far, the settlements have brought new staff to Supai, and the BIE had to reconstitute the school board. Teachers now must use lesson plans, and they finally have a curriculum to use in English, science and math classes. A new principal pledged to stay longer than a school year.

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"We now have some teachers and some repairs to the building that are being done," said Dinolene Kaska, a mother to three former students and a new school board member. "It has been a long time just to get to this point."

The legal wins followed an effort to reform the BIE as a whole. In 2014, federal officials unveiled a sweeping plan to overhaul the beleaguered bureau, which had long struggled to deliver better student outcomes with anemic funding. If the BIE were a state, the schools it operates would rank at or very near the bottom of any list for academic achievement.

But in the past decade, and after a nearly doubling of its budget, the BIE has finally started to make some progress. Graduation rates have improved, staff vacancies are down and the bureau built its own data system to track and support student achievement across its 183 campuses in 23 different states. Now, those milestones could be at risk.

President Donald Trump, in his seismic restructuring of the federal government, laid off thousands of workers that will trigger deep cuts to the BIE, among other agencies that work directly on Indian Country. The White House in January also issued an executive order to turn the BIE into a school choice program, draining the bureau of funding and, according to some advocates in Washington, D.C., threatening the government's long-established trust responsibility to tribal nations. It also remains unclear how the policy would benefit families in isolated communities like Supai where other schooling options are scant or nonexistent.

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"Tribes in rural areas don't have a lot of school choice," said Quinton Roman Nose, executive director of the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly, a nonprofit that works with tribal education agencies. "For Native students, that's not a good model. I don't think it's going to work for so many."

Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said the Trump administration's actions are devastating. "What Trump is doing to the federal government isn't just reckless  it's arson," he said in a statement to The Hechinger Report. "We will do everything we can to ensure that this manufactured chaos does not have lasting impacts on our trust and treaty responsibilities to Native communities."

Last fall, as conservative critics called for dismantling the BIE and converting its funding into vouchers, longtime director Tony Dearman defended the bureau. He also pitched a new, five-year strategic direction that will emphasize tribal sovereignty and cultural education  both promises the bureau made in its reform agenda more than a decade ago.

"We have really built the capacity of the BIE," Dearman said. "It's just taken a while. Anything in the government does."

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Still, he insisted that the BIE could fulfill the government's obligation to deliver a quality education to tribal nations. "I truly believe that we can handle the trust responsibility with the support from Congress through appropriations," Dearman said.

For decades, the Department of the Interior, which manages natural resources and wildlife, placed control of schools on tribal reservations within its Bureau of Indian Affairs. The agency oversees law and justice across Indian Country, as well as agriculture, infrastructure, economic development and tribal governance. The agency's poor management of schools, meanwhile, had been well documented, and in 2006, an internal shakeup resulted in the creation of the BIE.

Almost from the start, the new bureau faced criticism

In 2008, the Government Accountability Office dinged the BIE for stumbling in its early implementation of the No Child Left Behind education law. A year later, the Nation's Report Card found Native students in traditional public schools performed much better than those in BIE schools. (About 92 percent of Native students attend traditional public schools and 8 percent attend BIE schools.) Senators scolded the bureau after only 1 in 4 of its schools could meet the new federal education standards. A 2011 report, "Broken Promises, Broken Schools," cataloged the deterioration of BIE schools, estimating it would cost $1.3 billion to bring every educational facility to an "acceptable" condition.

In 2013, then-Interior Secretary Sally Jewell assembled a study group to diagnose the root causes of academic failures in BIE schools. A year later, the group released the Blueprint for Reform. At its unveiling, Arne Duncan, then the federal education secretary, had damning words for why the BIE needed to change, calling it "the epitome of broken" and "utterly bankrupt."

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The blueprint, issued through a formal secretarial order, called for dramatically restructuring the BIE over two years, starting with its management of tribally controlled schools. In 1988, as part of a renewed focus on tribal sovereignty, Congress had created a grant program to help tribes take control of their respective BIE schools, and as of 2014, a full two-thirds of campuses had already converted.

The 70-page blueprint proposed transforming the agency from a top-down operator of schools into more of an educational services and support center. It would create a division within the BIE to focus on assisting principals with the day-to-day operation of schools. New regional directors and offices would oversee tribally controlled schools, BIE-operated campuses and schools on the sprawling Navajo Nation.

The plan also pitched the addition of "school support solutions teams" at each regional office that would assist with teacher and principal recruitment, school facilities, financial management and technology. A new Office of Sovereignty and Indian Education would help tribes convert their schools to local control and encourage them to shape culture and language classes. Other proposed changes included allowing tribes to tie staff pay to student performance and creating incentives to replicate successful tribally controlled schools.

The study group, however, did not address whether the bureau needed additional funding to pull off the reforms. And without additional funding, the BIE faced deep cuts as budget negotiations pressured then-President Barack Obama to require all federal agencies to reduce their spending by 20 percent.

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That essentially tasked the BIE with achieving a turnaround of its failing schools with a fifth less funding. By the time of the blueprint, those cuts were already phasing in: Between 2011 and 2014, for example, the number of full-time administrators located on or near Indian reservations to oversee school spending fell from 22 to 13, leaving the remaining staff to still split 64 reservations among them.

"It was a terrible set up," said one former top agency official who worked at the BIE during the blueprint's release. The official, like many of the more than 75 interviewed by The Hechinger Report for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the DOI's large role in tribal communities and worries that criticizing the agency could cost them jobs or contracts.

Famous for its turquoise waterfalls  Havasupai means "people of the blue-green water"  Supai village greets visitors at the banks of Havasu Creek

The creek and waterfalls feed a hidden canyon oasis here. Trees bursting with blooms of apricot and pomegranate offer much-welcome shade for backpacking tourists and the mules carrying their gear. Tribal elders wind their way through Supai's unmarked dusty roads as children on the preschool playground shield their eyes from sand swirling around the adjacent helipad. Benches, some made from milk crates, ring the town square at the front gate of Havasupai Elementary.

Eight years ago, lawyer Alexis DeLaCruz sat on one of those benches in Supai town square. She had recently started working at the Native American Disability Law Center, a firm based in Farmington, New Mexico, that represents Native Americans with disabilities. The firm had recently hosted a training on special education law for parents, and several from Supai, incensed about their kids' education, traveled out of the canyon to attend. They convinced DeLaCruz and two colleagues to book a helicopter ride into the village to hear directly from parents about their experiences with the BIE.

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Parents described how their children couldn't tell the difference between North and South America and, despite BIE regulations requiring Native culture in all curriculum areas, the students never had a class in Havasupai culture, history or language. Because of a teacher shortage, children learned in classes that combined students from three or even four grades. The school had 10 principals in as many years. The BIE closed Havasupai Elementary for nearly a month in 2015 because of insufficient staffing.

Siyuja, who graduated from the school in 2016, remembered cooks and janitors stepping in as teachers  and then having to leave class midday to check on school lunch or plumbing problems.

Until Siyuja reached the fourth grade, Havasupai Elementary, which serves about 80 students, had two tribal members on staff. They led culture and language classes, and Siyuja still owns a copy of the Havasupai dictionary they gifted her as a child. But then they left, and most of the other teachers soon followed, during the 2011-12 school year, she recalled.

That's when Obama tasked federal agencies with cutting a fifth of their administrative budgets, hollowing out the BIE's ability to support its schools. In Supai, the already revolving door of educators suddenly started spinning much faster, Siyuja said.

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"We were just in this constant loop of relearning the same thing over and over," she said.

It wasn't until college, at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, where Siyuja chose to study education, that she learned it was not normal for a school to lump so many grades together in one classroom. "That's one of the major big no-nos," she said. (In an email, a BIE spokesperson said, "Many schools implement multi-grade instruction as an intentional and effective educational model," particularly in rural and remote locations, "to enhance individualized learning, maximize resources and promote peer collaboration.")

Matt Stensland for The Hechinger Report

Fighting For Native American Children

In January 2017, nine students from six families sued the BIE and the Interior Department, naming as defendants Dearman, Jewell  who did not respond to interview requests  her deputy assistant secretary and the Havasupai Elementary School principal. The lawsuit listed all plaintiffs under pseudonyms to protect their identity, and the two families involved in the lawsuit who spoke with The Hechinger Report for this story asked to remain anonymous even after the settlements were signed. Some of the students still attend BIE schools, and parents remain worried about exposing any of their children's privacy, even as adults.

The families hinged their case on a well-established federal right to education for Native American children.

There is no federal right to education in the Constitution, according to a landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision. But for Native Americans, congressional statutes, executive orders, treaties and other Supreme Court opinions dating back virtually to this nation's founding have cemented education as a major component of the government's trust responsibility  a set of legal and moral obligations to protect tribal sovereignty and generally look out for the welfare of tribal members. In 1972, lawmakers made it even more clear with the Indian Education Act, which says that the "federal government has the sole responsibility for the operation and financial support" of tribal schools. They also required the BIA  the BIE had not yet been established  to work with tribes to create a system of schools of "the highest quality." To this day, the BIE pitches itself as a provider of a "world class education."

DeLaCruz, not long after filing the Havasupai case, started imagining what impact it could have beyond that tiny community.

"Most cases in our legal system end in money," she said. "This isn't the same calculus. We're weighing what we think we can get in place that won't just make a difference for students now but frankly for generations to come."

The lead plaintiff in the case was a sixth grader described in the lawsuit as Stephen C. Diagnosed with ADHD, he had never received counseling as mandated in his Individualized Education Program, or IEP, a legal document detailing the interventions and supports that a student with a disability will get from their school. None of the fifth grade teachers the school hired stayed more than two weeks, the lawsuit said, and Stephen C. was taught in a combined sixth, seventh and eighth grade class.

His teacher's attention split among kids across three grades, Stephen C. started to act out. The school sent him home three to four times a week for behavior issues related to his disability, the lawsuit alleged. Even as an eighth grader, he could barely read or write.

In its friend-of-the-court brief, the Havasupai Tribe said its "people have been isolated at the bottom of one of the world's most rugged canyons and for more than a century have been forced to depend on the federal government to educate their children.

"Although the days of forced removal and assimilation are over," the brief continued, "the BIE is still failing its students."

The federal government did not entirely dispute the claims of Stephen C. and his co-plaintiffs

The BIE and DOI, in June 2017, formally petitioned the U.S. District Court of Arizona to dismiss the case, arguing that the students couldn't prove the BIE failed or refused to comply with its regulations for what counts as a "basic" education. Also, by that point Stephen C. and four other plaintiffs all had graduated or transferred from Havasupai Elementary, making them ineligible to pursue compensatory educational services, according to the government.

But Lisa Olson, an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, also acknowledged the BIE's shortcomings.

"We are not saying there's no accountability here. We are just saying that it's for Congress and the executive to resolve these problems," Olson said during a November 2019 hearing before U.S. District Judge Steven Logan. "The agency doesn't dispute that its efforts have been unsatisfactory and they have fallen short."

Olson asked Logan to consider the many challenges of providing instruction in Supai: There was no funding for an agency helicopter to transport teachers in and out, for example, and new hires often failed their background checks or took other positions before the FBI checks were completed.

"There's nothing we can do to change that," she said.

Logan seemed unmoved. "So what you are basically saying, counsel, is it is the problem of the parents, and they need to make better decisions about where they have children so they can be properly educated?" he said. Olson responded, saying, "It is not the parents' fault, but we need the cooperation of the parents and the community." She continued, "I'm saying that BIE is doing its best and tries to enlist the support of parents and the tribe."The families also presented a secondary argument  that the complex trauma of Native American children qualifies them for services and protections of the sort that are guaranteed for students with disabilities. They argued that exposure to adversity  specifically, the long-lasting trauma from this nation's official policy to separate Native children from their families in order to eradicate their cultures and seize tribal land  limited their ability to access the benefits of a public education. To this day, Havasupai families must ship their children away to attend high school, often in other states, and the BIE has no plans to open one in the canyon.

The government warned Logan against following that line of logic, cautioning that it would set a dangerous precedent linking childhood adversity to a student's ability to learn. The families filed their lawsuit under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in federal programs. It does not include adversity or trauma on its list of qualifying conditions, and its applicable regulations expressly note that social disadvantage, such as homelessness or family violence, do not count as impairments, the government noted.

Expanding that definition would threaten to impose "unwieldy" obligations on high-poverty schools across the U.S., the government's attorneys argued.

"The alleged 'forced relocation, loss of homes, families and culture,' and poverty within the Havasupai community  do not constitute a physical or mental impairment," the motion to dismiss reads.

In August 2020, the federal court issued a mixed decision. Logan allowed the case to continue for students with disabilities. The families also persuaded the court that complex trauma  including interaction with juvenile justice systems, extreme poverty and a denial of access to education  qualifies as a protected disability in the rehabilitation law. But he dismissed the general education claims, deciding that the older students, including Stephen C., had aged out of the school and no potential remedy would be precise enough for a court to enforce.

Matt Stensland for The Hechinger Report

A Path of Broken Promises

The Havasupai families cheered Logan's ruling, but only in part. As they continued to pursue the special education claims, the Havasupai families challenged his decision to dismiss the rest of the case. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which includes Arizona, heard their arguments in February 2022.

"The agency is attempting to comply," Laura Myron, a Justice Department attorney, told the judges. There are, she added, "numerous, practical obstacles to operating a school at the bottom of the Grand Canyon."

Kathryn Eidmann, president and CEO of Public Counsel, a pro bono public interest law firm, represented the Havasupai families and argued that their ancestors never chose to permanently live in such an isolated location. The government restricted the tribe to the reservation to make way for Grand Canyon National Park.

"The obstacles that the government is pointing to that make compliance hard are entirely problems of the government's own making," Eidmann said.

In a short five-page decision, the 9th Circuit panel allowed the older students to continue their lawsuit against the BIE. They clarified that judges  namely, Logan  could indeed compel an agency to comply with its own regulations.

The three judges also ruled that the students could seek monetary compensation for the educational services they never received.

Tara Ford, also a pro bono attorney on the Stephen C. case, said at the time that the ruling would reverberate across Indian Country: "Students who have been harmed by the Bureau of Indian Education's broken promises now have a path to hold the federal government accountable for its failures."

By then, the students and government had settled the special education claims. Their deal provided each student with $20,000 for compensatory services and required the BIE to follow anti-discrimination provisions of the Rehabilitation Act while creating its first-ever complaint process for parents to challenge suspected discrimination. After the 9th Circuit ruling, however, negotiations to settle the rest of the Stephen C. case stretched beyond a year.

The eventual deal, signed in May 2023, established an $850,000 compensatory education fund for any student who attended Havasupai Elementary since 2011. The BIE estimates about 215 kids could qualify to use that money, meaning each child would receive roughly $4,000, less than some families had hoped for. It also agreed to pay stipends to help recruit and retain teachers in Supai, build additional housing for staff and hire a cultural instructor from the community. The BIE also had to form a new school board.

A year after the case closed, Breanna Bollig, a fellow at the California Tribal Families Coalition, wrote in a legal publication that it could change Native education far beyond Supai.

"The BIE could be held accountable at every other BIE school through similar lawsuits," Bollig wrote. "Perhaps the federal right to education for Indian children can even be used to improve inadequate and inequitable state public schools that Indian children attend."

Billy Vides stopped counting at 19

That's how many principals he worked with in his first three years as a teacher at Havasupai Elementary. He stayed two more years, submitting his resignation in June.

A longtime educator in Phoenix public schools, Vides first heard of Supai from a pair of grandmothers at an early learning conference. He had considered retiring, but knew he would miss working with kids. Vides searched online for Havasupai, bookmarked an article calling it "America's Worst Tribal School" and sent in his application.

"I wanted to make a difference," he said.

The BIE hired Vides in 2019 as a kindergarten and first grade teacher. On his first day, the interim principal assigned him to a combined kindergarten, first, third and fourth grade class. The ages didn't mix well, he said, and the older kids bullied and sometimes assaulted the younger children.

Joy Van Est, a special education teacher who quit in June, said many of her students' IEPs had not been updated for several years. It took her four months, the entirety of her tenure there, to update every child's support plan.

As part of the settlement, an independent monitor every six months must visit Supai and inspect whether the BIE has complied with its own regulations at the school. The monitor must review 104 specific requirements covering student-to-teacher ratios, curriculum taught in each subject, textbooks, grading rules and more. In its first report following a January 2024 visit, the monitor found the bureau in violation of 72 of those requirements.

Bureau of Indian Affars, Bureau of Indian Education // The Hechinger Report

A School and Students Without Tools or Teachers

The school had a curriculum for just one subject  English language arts  and no textbooks for math, science and social studies, the compliance report reads. Teachers used no lesson plans, in any subject, and the school had no librarian. Only one tribal member taught at the school, leading culture and language classes once a week for 45 minutes.

The compliance officer granted the BIE some credit for hiring a school counselor and physical education teacher. However, once-a-week P.E. classes only happened if the part-time teacher could catch a helicopter flight. The counselor started in November 2023, but staff shortages required her to cover teachers' classrooms too often for her to do any counseling work, the compliance officer found.

The compliance report seemed to have some impact: In the spring, the BIE went on a hiring spree to replenish the beleaguered staff in Supai. A second counselor and special education teacher  Van Est  plus a few additional teachers meant Havasupai Elementary was fully staffed for the first time in years.

A more recent work plan for the school, updated in December, documented further changes: The bureau hired enough staff to meet class size caps. Teachers now submit weekly lesson plans, and the school selected a curriculum and purchased computers for all grades.

The recent recruits include Hoai-My Winder, the school's new principal. Winder had been working for the Department of Defense, as an administrator at an elementary school in Japan. She previously taught and worked as an assistant principal in Las Vegas, where her family settled after fleeing Vietnam during the fall of Saigon.

Day Six!" Winder hollered one afternoon this past May as she entered the spiked gates that separate Havasupai Elementary from the rest of the village. It was her tally of the number of days she'd been principal  both at Havasupai Elementary and ever.

While her husband unpacked boxes in their new home, Winder took inventory at her new school. She discovered 40-year-old math textbooks on classroom shelves. Havasupai teachers at some point had created a Supai dictionary and draft curriculum for language instruction; Winder found it collecting dust in a box.

As she met with parents and tribal members during her first week, ahead of the eighth grade graduation ceremony that afternoon, Winder repeated a pledge to stay at Havasupai Elementary for at least five years, maybe 10.

Felicia Siyuja, the longtime school secretary, stood next to Winder as families packed into the cafeteria for the ceremony. As the aroma of frybread wafted from the kitchen, Siyuja tapped the mic before addressing the 13 students sitting in the front row.

"I also want to apologize," she told the soon-to-be freshmen. "All the teachers and principals rotating for all these years. It was hard for me as a grown-up. I can't imagine how it was for you."

Aside from Winder and her supervisor, the BIE would not allow The Hechinger Report to interview school staff on the record. But six current or former Havasupai teachers, most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, placed blame on the bureau for Havasupai Elementary's dysfunction.

"The BIE is the problem," said one teacher. "The BIE lacks humility."

The educator, who now works at another BIE school, said he never received cultural training to prepare him for working with Native children and families. Several colleagues resigned before winter break his first year in Supai, making him the most veteran teacher on staff.

"I had no curriculum. No student names, no mentor, no oversight or guidance," he said. "You don't want to be yet another teacher who comes and goes. After three years, it gets old. It's just exhausting."

In a Feb. 10 email, a BIE spokesperson wrote that cultural training, including language preservation, had been scheduled for later that month.

Van Est, who joined the bureau specifically to support its mission of uplifting tribal communities, said last summer that she no longer believed it was capable of doing that job. "The entity that has most recently oppressed the Havasupai people is making absolutely no effort to use education as a tool for repair, as a gold mine for building their future," she said.

The BIE blames Havasupai Elementary School's isolation and lack of housing for its troubles

Even before the Stephen C. lawsuit, the BIE offered lucrative stipends to lure educators to Supai. It also guarantees housing, in theory, but in a pinch has forced teachers to room together. And a recent hiring spree, to satisfy the settlement, has made housing even tighter.

Dearman said a recent housing needs analysis determined the BIE now needs 30 beds in Supai, but has only 12. One teacher simply didn't return to their position this fall when the bureau couldn't secure housing for more than a few weeks.

"That puts a major strain on us being able to keep staff there," Dearman said about the housing shortage. "We have housing needs at other locations as well. However, Havasupai is so isolated that if you're not able to stay in our quarters there, there's no other options."

He said that it's hard for some educators to uproot their lives to live in Supai. "It's a difficult place to come in and out of. It really is," Dearman said.

Poverty surrounds many BIE schools on tribal reservations, largely as a result of former government policies to eradicate Native peoples. In Supai, nearly 40 percent of the tribe lives in poverty, almost four times the national average. Tourism provides an economic bedrock for the Havasupai economy, though many families rely on government assistance.

Vides, the teacher, struggled with his decision to quit. His wife had remained 300 miles away in Phoenix, raising their 3-year-old daughter without him. He missed a lot of her firsts, and felt torn between her and the Havasupai children.

"It was difficult. I was grieving for the future of these students," Vides said.

"Either the system is continually broken," he added, "or the system is working successfully to slowly eradicate this tribe."

Long before Trump's executive order in January, some conservatives had pushed school choice as a solution to the BIE's troubles. In 2016, the right-wing Heritage Foundation proposed turning the BIE into an education savings account, or ESA, which would grant families a portion of their child's per-pupil funding to spend on private school tuition, home-school supplies and other educational expenses. That same year, the late Arizona Sen. John McCain introduced legislation offering ESAs equal to 90 percent of what the BIE spends on each student.

The bill didn't advance, but Heritage resurrected the idea last year in its Project 2025 transition plan for the next president. Notably, the conservative think tank  despite citing the BIE's poor track record as justification for converting much of its funding into vouchers  also proposed granting it even more authority over the education of all Native American students, in all U.S. public schools.

In his January order, Trump required the BIE to identify "any available mechanisms" for families to tap federal funding for private and faith-based schools, as well as to report on the performance of its schools and identify alternatives for families to consider. The agency has until April to submit its plan, for implementation this fall. The White House did not respond to several requests for comment.

In certain tribal communities across Arizona, some parents have started to consider opting out of the BIE system. The state passed a universal school voucher program in 2022, giving any family who wants roughly $7,400 to spend on private or parochial schools or other options. Christian academies on the Gila River Indian Community, a reservation near Phoenix, have already used the program to recruit students.

But in Supai, some residents worry the ESA option is meaningless. The closest private schools, in Kingman, are more than two hours away. Internet access in the village is virtually nonexistent, a hurdle for any parents trying to teach their kids at home.

The National Indian Education Association, an advocacy group, has yet to issue a position on Trump's order but said in a statement that it's "closely monitoring" potential impact on cultural preservation and access to education for Native students. In the past, the group has said BIE is the best option to fulfill the federal government's responsibility to educate Native students. It blames its poor results on Congress  the branch of government holding the purse strings.

"The BIE in general, they just have a difficult time," said Roman Nose, with the national group for tribal education departments. He noted that Department of Defense schools  the only other K-12 system run by the federal government  receive more funding. And Roman Nose worried how the recent federal layoffs and school choice proposal could further erode BIE's ability to fulfill the trust responsibility.

The BIE lost dozens of employees in the recent layoffs, sources told ICT. Among those laid off were approximately 30 from non-school positions in the BIE agency offices, excluding kindergarten through 12th grade schools.

"There won't be any progress made during this administration," Roman Nose said. "It's a difficult job, but these are treaty obligations."

Dearman, the bureau's longtime director, insisted that the BIE could fulfill the government's obligation to deliver a quality education to tribal nations.

Under his leadership, the BIE has secured some financial wins for its schools. Lawmakers now funnel about $235 million into the bureau for school construction  it has asked for more than $400 million  and $150 million for replacing older campuses, according to the agency. Counselors and teachers now make the same amount as their counterparts in Department of Defense schools. And Dearman, a longtime champion of early childhood education, has expanded the bureau's popular preschool program into more schools.

Matt Stensland for The Hechinger ReportPhoto showing traditional beadwork decorates an eighth grader's graduation cap at a Havasupai Elementary School ceremon

Steps Toward Improvement in an Unknown Future

Graduation rates have also climbed. Last year, according to the bureau, 75 percent of its high schoolers earned a diploma on time  a 31 percentage point jump since 2014 and slightly above the national average for Native American students. As of 2021, the last time the BIE reported achievement data, 17 percent of students tested on grade level in English language arts, and 11 percent in math. For three states where the BIE runs two-thirds of its schools, students have posted 8 percentage point increases on English exams and 13-point increases on math exams since 2016, according to the bureau.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, which has tracked the BIE's "systemic management weaknesses" since 2013, recently reported that it had achieved substantial progress on school construction and safety. The bureau's oversight of special education, distance learning and school spending remain open problems, the GAO found, while also noting in its report  released just days before Trump's recent layoffs  that meager staffing "has been a challenge for BIE for over a decade."

DeLaCruz left the Native American Disability Law Center in October to work on education litigation for the Tulalip Tribe in northern Washington state. A little more than a year after closing the Havasupai case, she hesitated to call either settlement a win.

Still, she noted in an email that the creation of a school board at Havasupai Elementary had been a big step forward: "The fact there is a community-led School Board to ask questions and voice concerns to the BIE is vital to improving education at Havasupai Elementary School."

Following footsteps in a new direction

The morning after the eighth grade graduation ceremony, Kambria Siyuja walked past her old elementary school as the sun crawled over the rust-red walls of Supai Canyon.

She greeted parents dropping off their sleepy toddlers at the federal Head Start preschool. Siyuja has worked there every summer break in college, hoping to decide whether to pursue a job in early learning or teaching down the road, at Havasupai Elementary.

Her grandmother, Bernadine Jones, attended Havasupai Day School in the 1960s, when it only offered K-2 classes, before attending and graduating from a Phoenix high school. She eventually returned to Supai and taught at her old school and the village preschool for 20 years. Siyuja's mother teaches at the tribal Head Start program.

Academically, Siyuja finally feels prepared to be a teacher.

"It's really weird taking a class in college and learning stuff they should have taught me at that elementary school," she said. "Now I'm really able to understand math, and also teach math."

This winter, Siyuja returned home for break with big news. Not only had she finally finished remedial math and qualified for a math class this past semester that would earn her full college credit, she'd passed it, receiving a B.

Siyuja also recently learned she qualified for about $3,500 from the Stephen C. settlement. She said she had planned to use the money to pay for her spring semester of college, but as of February, had not heard back from a BIE representative about the payment.

She graduates from Fort Lewis College, the former site of a notorious Indian boarding school, in 2026.

Despite her misgivings about the BIE, she said she views becoming an educator at the school as the best way possible to help her community. "I just want the younger kids to have a much better education than we got."

This story also appeared in ICT

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
UPDATE @ 12:45 p.m. (March 14):

The body of a helicopter pilot was recovered after the chopper crashed into a reservoir near Akron early Friday morning, according to CBS affiliate WOIO-TV in Cleveland.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The pilot was the only person aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration. The identity of the pilot has not yet been released, according to WOIO-TV.

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Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have identified the pilot as Anthony Jones, 52, of North Royalton, WOIO reported.

The crash happened around 7 a.m. after the helicopter hit a power line, sending the chopper into the Mogadore Reservoir. The reservoir is located in Portage County about 12 miles east of Akron.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash.

TRENDING STORIES:

Additional details were not available. Well continue to update this story as we learn more.

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When respected Palm Beach County attorney Jane Kreusler-Walsh and her five siblings in 2019 announced that they believed the wrong man had been convicted of their fathers murder, they expected their voices would sway those who have the power to right a decades-long wrong.

Instead, in what is likely the final chapter of Mark Hermans long and strange journey to prove he wasnt involved in the 1976 shotgun slaying of Palm Beach oil executive Richard Kreusler, state prosecutors rejected his request to be exonerated.

We are unable to assist you at this time, as your claims of innocence cannot be substantiated, the Palm Beach County State Attorneys Office wrote Herman, 79, in late December, weeks before the 49th anniversary of Kreuslers death.

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Murder in Palm Beach: Victims children decide cops got the wrong man

State attorney's office sends Mark Herman a form letter

The form letter, which inflamed Herman and the Kreusler family, was far less than what Herman should have received. According to the rules of the Conviction Review Unit, Herman was supposed to receive an explanation of how prosecutors arrived at their decision.

It wasnt until Feb. 10, after the rule was pointed out to them, that prosecutors released the so-called investigative report. Before she was elected state attorney in November, Alexcia Cox headed the unit.

However, while prosecutors released the report to The Palm Beach Post, they didnt send it to Herman. Office spokesperson Marc Freeman said the unit has never followed the rule. Further, he said it will be changed so those seeking to clear their names in the future will never fully know why their requests were denied.

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Unlike many who insist they were wrongfully convicted, Hermans claims have been backed by high-powered officials. In 1992, after three of the four witnesses who testified against Herman said they lied, Gov. Lawton Chiles and the state Cabinet commuted his sentence. Herman was released after 14 years in prison.

But, he wasnt pardoned. The murder conviction is still on his record. Both Herman and the Kreuslers hoped county prosecutors would finally right what they believe is a grievous wrong. They say there is little evidence that Herman shot the 47-year-old politically connected businessman when he answered the door of his Palm Beach home.

The decision of the unit was not completely unexpected. Unlike those that operate in all metropolitan areas in Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward and Hillsborough counties, Palm Beach County prosecutors have never reversed a conviction.

I dont think they did anything. I could be wrong, said appellate lawyer Kreusler-Walsh, the oldest of the siblings.

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The report, written by investigator John Boyle, breaks no new ground.

Richard Kreusler (top left), a politically connected oil distributor, got up to answer the doorbell at his Palm Beach home on the evening of Jan. 16, 1976. He asked who it was. The answer was three shotgun blasts through the window and door. Mark Herman (bottom left), a karate instructor and low-level drug dealer, was convicted of first-degree murder largely on the testimony of four felons. Now he is seeking a full pardon.

It rehashes the decades of controversy surrounding the conviction of the popular West Palm Beach karate instructor, who had had many run-ins with police.

Although the Kreuslers sent prosecutors a detailed report of their research into their fathers slaying, Boyle didnt explore the familys contention that Kreuslers death was linked to his lucrative gas station business.

Instead, Boyle summarizes Hermans 1978 trial, quotes liberally from appellate court decisions and newspaper articles. He said developing leads was nearly impossible because most of the key players are dead  a contention the family disputes.

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The reality at the end of this lengthy review is clear," Boyle wrote. "There is no new information to pursue, there are no new leads (to) follow, and there is no reason to believe Mark Herman did not get what he deserved for the murder of Richard Kreusler."

Little mention was made of three convicted criminals who went on national television in 1982 and told "20/20" reporter Geraldo Rivera that they lied when they told investigators and Herman's jury that he confessed to the killing. All received lenient plea deals.

What the flow-through tea bag heir said

Dexter Coffin III (right), heir to the flow-through teabag fortune, gave prosecutors what he said was Herman's signed confession. He later recanted. Gerry Denono, already convicted of two murders and facing the electric chair for a third, also claimed Herman confessed but never recanted. Denono was spared the death penalty after his testimony in the trial.

The fourth, self-proclaimed Mafia hitman Gerald Denono, never recanted. Instead, he escaped the death penalty after being convicted of three murders. He was handed a life sentence.

No mention is made of Ronnie Gates, Hermans sometime friend and partner in crime who worked as a bodyguard to insurance magnate John D. MacArthur. Herman became a prime suspect after Gates told police that Herman admitted he had shot a big, blond-haired guy in Palm Beach.

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Like flow-through tea bag heir Dexter Coffin, who met Herman in the county jail after being accused of selling a $115,000 yacht he didn't own, Gates claimed Herman shot Kreusler by mistake.

In testimony he later recanted, Coffin said Herman told him that his real target was Billy Glocker, whose parents lived next door. Hopped up on drugs, Herman said he went to the wrong house. Herman was angry at Glocker for stiffing him in a drug deal, Coffin said.

But in the same "20/20" episode, Glocker claimed he never bought drugs from Herman. Gates told Rivera that he lied to police about Hermans involvement in Kreuslers death.

Boyle also made scant mention of a former prosecutor who investigated the murder after Hermans conviction.

Former prosecutor concluded Herman was innocent

Joel Weissman, who left the state attorneys office in 1979 days after completing his investigaton into Herman's conviction, said he was convinced someone else killed Kreusler. His report, like all of the evidence the state attorneys office once had, was destroyed.

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But, in an interview with The Palm Beach Post, Weissman was adamant. Herman didnt do it. At the least, Herman should have received a new trial, said Weissman, now one of the countys top divorce lawyers.

One person wrongfully convicted hurts the entire society. This person happens to be Mark Herman, Weissman said. Hes not the ideal candidate for a person to say he was wrongfully convicted because hes done some bad things in his life. But at that particular moment, he did not.

Attorney Jack Scarola, who prosecuted Herman then built a career as one of the countys leading personal injury lawyers, has a different view.

He acknowledges the controversy that still surrounds what was one of the most salacious and closely watched trials in county history  one of the first in the nation to be televised.

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But, he said, the jury was well aware that those who testified against Herman were accused criminals who were trying to escape lengthy prison sentences.

In my closing argument, there was an absolute acknowledgment of the fact that the state was forced to rely on the testimony of people who were inherently unreliable and incredible, he said.

Despite that, the 12-member jury voted unanimously to convict Herman.

And there has been no evidence presented to my knowledge that could establish that Mark Herman was not guilty, he said.

Kreusler family did a lot of investigating

Unlike the state attorneys office, the Kreuslers have hundreds of reports about their fathers murder.

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Long before they decided Herman didnt kill their father, they got paperwork from Palm Beach police, the courthouse, Hermans attorney and his private investigator.

They also have statements taken by Weissman during his investigation and what they believe was his final report to then-State Attorney David Bludworth.

With mountains of documents, the Kreuslers developed strong suspicions about the real motive of their fathers killer. They insist some of the players or at least their family members who might have information are still alive.

To make sense of what happened, the family investigated not just their fathers death but every aspect of his life.

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When we started, my mother, Patti and I, we were willing to accept whatever we found, Kathleen Kelly said of her familys investigation. We looked at every deal, everything that ever took place.

Gas station operators ran bolita games

They learned that days before the shooting, their father canceled a lease on an Amoco gas station he owned in Greenacres. He had discovered that the operators had cultivated a lucrative sideline running bolita games, a Cuban version of what is known as the numbers racket.

Kreusler went to the station to cancel the lease, Kelly said. On Jan. 12, he signed the letter. Four days later, on Jan. 16, Dad was shot, she said. It cant be a coincidence.

It wasnt a small neighborhood bolita game, according to statements Weissman took. It was high stakes.

John Crotty, who hung out at the gas station and worked on his car at a nearby body shop, told Weissman payoffs of $10,000, $20,000 or even $100,000 were routine.

Crotty, a small-time criminal who was sent to prison on burglary charges months after the murder, said people at the station wanted Kreusler dead.

What it all broke down to is that Richard Kreusler held the contract on this station and he was trying to take the contract away for some reason, Crotty said during a sworn statement to Weissman. That's why they brought the man in from Miami to get rid of him because they had someone in the company who would renew that contract if Kreusler wasn't in the way."

Weissman said he came to believe that Kreusler was the target of a contract killing. But he dismissed Crottys man from Miami theory. Instead, he said he believed Crotty was one of the hired guns.

Witnesses told him Crotty owned a shotgun and on the night of the murder bought reloaded bullets similar to two recovered from Kreuslers lawn. Crottys girlfriend told Weissman that he disappeared for a couple of days after Kreuslers murder. When he returned, he was flush with cash.

In his final report, Weissman said Herman was involved, but he said he never believed it.

The chief investigators came into my office and said you need to place in the report that Herman was there. The boss wants it this way, Weissman said. Im 28 years old. I am not 75 years old. As I sit here today, I was as frightened as you could possibly be, suggesting that one of our esteemed colleagues may have been mistaken.

So, he changed his report and named Crotty as Hermans accomplice. But, he never changed his mind.

I was convinced that Mr. Herman was not the perpetrator of the homicide of Richard Kreusler, he said.

In a 1986 letter to Gov. Bob Graham as the Cabinet considered clemency, Weissman said he believed Crottys accomplice  and the likely shooter  was another man who hung out at the gas station.

Like the family, he said he also believed that Kreusler's discovery of the gambling operation led to his death.

I was told about these bolita operations from these witnesses that that was one of the reasons for the homicide of Mr. Kreusler, he said. No question in my mind about that bolita operation  that people who were involved in that process were very concerned that his disclosure would cause great difficulty.

But, Weissman said, what haunts him was another discovery he made during his seven-month investigation. Crotty made a similar statement to Chief Assistant State Attorney Ken Selvig before Hermans trial. Selvig, who died in 2006, didnt share it with Herman's defense attorney, Weissman said.

The lapse was a serious violation of legal procedure, he said. It should have spurred Bludworth to support Herman's request for a new trial.

Scarola bristled at the suggestion that anyone, much less Selvig, hid evidence that would have helped Herman prove his innocence.

Thats absurd. Its absurd for multiple reasons, Scarola said. First and foremost is, Ken Selvig was one of the most highly respected assistant state attorneys in the history of the office. He was a person of absolute integrity. He understood his professional responsibilities and to my knowledge, carried them out consistently and scrupulously.

In his recent report, investigator Boyle said Selvig told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel that he investigated Crottys claims. But, Selvig said, they didnt check out. Selvig told the paper that he never investigated Crotty as a possible suspect.

"It would be unusual to think if Crotty had done the crime, he would have come forward with the information he did," Boyle concluded.

But, Weissman insisted, whether or not Crottys statement was true, the agency was obligated to turn it over to Hermans attorney, Alfonso Sepe, who has since died.

In the nearly 50 years since Hermans conviction, Scarola said no one has suggested that rules were broken.

It wasnt in Weissmans report. And, Scarola said, Weissman never raised the issue to him privately.

A Brady violation is a big deal, Scarola said, using the legal term for withholding evidence from the defense. I would certainly have thought that if any public official had concluded there was a Brady violation, that is something I would have heard about. Its news to me.

It's hard to reverse a conviction

Home (left) of slain Richard Kreusler adjacent to the Glocker residence.

Official misconduct is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

In a 2020 study, it found that 54% of the 2,400 people who were exonerated between 1989 and 2019 were victims of wrongdoing by police, prosecutors or judges.

Since 2020, the number of people exonerated has grown to 3,659 nationwide, including 96 in Florida. Official misconduct, including witness tampering and concealing or fabricating evidence, has consistently been a top reason for wrongful convictions, the registry has said.

Advances in DNA technology have become a powerful tool for those wrongfully accused, defense attorneys said.

Mark Herman the day he was released from Avon Park Correctional Institution in Sebring when the governor commuted his sentence to time served. He holds the sign he carried at his first time in court.

DNA is low-hanging fruit, said West Palm Beach attorney Donnie Murrell, a board member of the Innocence Project of Florida. The general population has such faith in DNA that it carries the day.

Nationally, the Innocence Project says roughly 80% of its 252 clients were exonerated after more robust DNA testing proved they were innocent. Murrell said the numbers are similar in Florida.

However, in Hermans case, there was no DNA evidence. Only two spent shell casings were found. Kreusler died 13 days after being shot, and he never identified his killer.

Murrell said people are rarely exonerated after key witnesses recant.

Judges cast a jaundiced eye on recantations, Murrell said. The unanswerable question becomes: Were they lying when they testified or are they lying now, he said.

Mark Herman, now 74, lives in Phoenix today with his third wife, his high school sweetheart. Together, they have five children and a passel of grandkids.

Kreusler's daughters are kept outside at Herman's hearing

The Kreuslers and Herman know time is running out.

When Patti Kreusler Ceravolo saw Herman in October, after he flew from his longtime home in Arizona to meet with the Conviction Review Unit, she was stunned.

Several years before, he was vibrant. Now, approaching 80, he walked with a cane. He lost track of his thoughts. Sometimes, he fell asleep in the middle of a sentence.

It was heartbreaking, she said. He was in bad shape.

She had asked to sit with Herman when he fielded questions from investigators. The office signed off on her request, emails show.

Richard Kreusler's children: Suzie Andrews (left to right), Patti Kreusler Ceravolo, Bobby Kreusler, Betsy Fiorentino, Kathy Kelly, Jane Kreusler-Walsh

But, when she arrived at the state attorneys office with her sister, a prosecutor said they would have to stay outside. Typically, outsiders arent allowed to listen in when interviews are conducted, Kreusler-Walsh said the prosecutor explained.

Well, I dont think its usual for the victims family to appear with the accused, Kreusler-Walsh replied.

While incensed, both she and Ceravolo agreed to stay outside while Herman spent two hours answering questions.

In a letter to the family after the meeting, prosecutors disputed Kreusler-Walshs account. "We did not restrict or prevent anyone from entering our office," they said in a letter signed "The Conviction Review Unit.

The meeting was emblematic of the way the family has been treated, the sisters said.

When you look at every facet of this, the entire thing, it stinks, it truly stinks, Ceravolo said. Nothing was above board.

County prosecutors were their last hope. In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly decided that the Board of Executive Clemency would no longer hear requests from anyone convicted of murder, attempted murder or felony sex crimes.

I dont know what we can do to help this man, Kreusler-Walsh said.

Herman said he is hoping an attorney will take his case. Im not going to let it go, he said.

He said he doesnt want his son to continue to live under the shadow of having a father who is a convicted killer.

But, he admitted, he doesnt know what he can do to prove his innocence.

Its a classic Catch 22 situation, he said. They ask me, Who did it? he said. I dont know, but I know it wasnt me.

The Kreuslers voice similar sentiments.

Our goal isnt to solve the murder, Kreusler-Walsh said. Our goal is to get Mark Herman a pardon.

Her sister, Kelly, agreed. Nothing can change our lives, but it can certainly change Mark Hermans life and the lives of his family members, she said.

Still, they said, the journey that began when shotgun blasts tore through their family home, has been fraught with disappointment and deceit.

Its excruciating, Ceravolo said. He didnt deserve this. Its a miscarriage of justice. Its just not how our criminal justice system is supposed to work.

Jane Musgrave, a former veteran Palm Beach Post courts reporter, retired in 2022.

(This story was changed to correct an inaccuracy.)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 1976 Palm Beach murder: Kreusler family wants pardon for man convicted
Even as President Donald Trump and government-demolition czar Elon Musk appear to actively favor Russias interests amid discussions of how to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has struck a studiously neutral posture. Rubio has suggested that any peaceful resolution must take into account Ukraines interests and their ability to prosper as a nation.

But now Rubios State Department may have pulled a behind-the-scenes maneuver that appears tilted toward Russias interests and could anger Ukraine and its backers in the United States, leading to more questions about the departments neutrality in the standoff.

The State Department has quietly terminated a contract that was in the process of transferring evidence of alleged Russian abductions of Ukrainian childrena potential war crimeto law enforcement officials in Europe, two people familiar with the situation tell The New Republic.

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The nixed award could make it harder to continue tracking down the kidnapped Ukrainian kids and complicate efforts to seek accountability for the abductions, says one of the sources, who has direct knowledge of the ongoing operation.

One of Ukraines central demands for any peace deal is the return of Ukrainian children who have allegedly been the victims of a Russian program of coerced adoption. Russia has claimed this program is a humanitarian one that benevolently adopts Ukrainian kids and makes them citizens. But under President Biden, the State Department strongly condemned it as the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukraines children to camps promoting indoctrination in Russia.

Indeed, as The New York Times reported, Russia has not just transferred children from Ukrainian orphanages to Russian camps; it has also taken kids whose relatives want them back. The Times noted that the abductees number in the thousands, and concluded: This mass transfer of children is a potential war crime.

The contract is extremely sensitive, because it involves the tracking of some of these abducted children. With this award, which was initially granted several years ago and renewed in late 2023, the State Department has been underwriting work by the Yale School of Public Healths Humanitarian Research Lab, which has been using highly sophisticated tools, such as satellite imagery and analysis of open-source technology and biometric data, to identify and locate the abducted kids.

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This Yale labs work had already made international news. Last December, the lab released an explosive report identifying 314 abducted Ukrainian children who had been placed in a systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering.

The reportwhich the labs executive director, Nathaniel Raymond, presented before the United Nations Security Councilconcluded that this may constitute crimes against humanity under customary international law. The labs work has been shared with the International Criminal Court in connection with its recent charges that Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, committed war crimes against the kidnapped kids.

The Yale lab had also transferred names and dossiers on the abducted kids it had located to Ukrainian authorities. But the underlying evidencethe hard digital documentation of kids movements and locations, compiled with sophisticated technologiesstill needs to be transferred to Europol, the European Unions law enforcement arm, the source with direct knowledge of the operation says.

This transfer to Europol has been interrupted by the Trump-Rubio State Departments cancellation of the award, according to that source and a Democratic congressional aide with knowledge of the contract. This sort of tracking involves extremely complex and technologically sophisticated work, and the evidence itselfwhich is essential to proving the abductionsis highly complicated and must be moved via secure channels.

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But now the transfer wont happen, potentially making it harder to ultimately track down and bring back the kids and less likely that the repatriations happen at all, the first source tells me. In a statement,* Yale confirmed the contracts cancellation but declined to comment directly on the State Departments decision.

This will frustrate Ukraines supporters in the United States, because Ukraine wants the abducted kids to be returned as part of any peaceful resolution of the war. Indeed, Americas own position is nominally similar to this: Rubio himself recently declared that the fate of the abducted children is one of the issues to unravel in order to end this conflict. But nixing the contract could thwart that.

Ukraine has been demanding the return of thousands of children who the Russians kidnapped, said former Congressman Tom Malinowski, who worked on Ukraine issues as an official in the Obama administrations State Department and then in Congress. The Trump administration has agreed with Ukraine that its an essential goal. It makes no sense for them to say that and then stop work on tracking the whereabouts of these kids.

On top of all that, this could frustrate efforts to reunite some of these kids with their families, the British news source The i Paper pointed out, in a piece that first reported many details about the stalled program. On another front, Reuters reports that ongoing Trump administration funding freezes are defunding other efforts by Ukraine to investigate and document Russian war crimes, ones that had previously been funded by the U.S.

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Meanwhile, Trump has installed Pete Marocco at the State Department, where he is overseeing the destruction of the U.S. Agency for International Development by gutting its funding and canceling thousands of its contracts. This has been loudly cheered by Russia, which hates USAIDs promotion of democracy abroad. And ProPublica reports that in 2018, Marocco met abroad with Bosnian Serb separatist and Christian nationalist leaders aligned with Russia, in defiance of then U.S. policy.

Then theres the spectacle of Trump and Vice President JD Vance upbraiding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office. After that blowup, Trump suspended U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine that has been vital to its self-defense against the Russian invasion, in what some observers read as a sign that the U.S. is now all but fully aligned with Russian interests in the conflict, though Trump reinstated it after Ukraine signaled openness to peace talks.

Its unclear who ordered the cancellation of the contract involving abducted children. Its likely that some Democrats in Congressand possibly a few scattered Republicans, as wellwill now demand clarity from the State Department about the fate of this program. Its plausible the administration could reinstate it, as happened with the intelligence-sharing effort.

But nonetheless, the saga is another data point demonstrating that Rubio will struggle to maintain a position of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as long as hes a member of the Trump administration.

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Americans may take different positions about how to resolve this conflict, but Im confident that every American, Republican or Democrat, understands why Ukrainian parents would fight to get their children back, Malinowski said. Achieving that is essential to peace.

*This piece has been updated to include Yale Universitys response.
Coal mining in southern Montana (Photo by Larry Mayer | Getty Images).

Job cuts, tariffs  and in Montana, coal  may be the most visible evidence of the stark differences between the Biden administration and Donald J. Trumps second term as president. In just a matter of weeks, the Trump administration has switched directions completely and now says it will open up at least one large tract of federal land to more coal production.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement released its decision on leasing federal coal tracts near the Spring Creek Mine in Decker, relying heavily on a presidential executive order, while abandoning environmental concerns.

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Last year, the Biden administration had announced that it would be halting much coal leasing in eastern Montana, and had made steps toward stopping coal leasing on federal tracts of land due to concerns about climate change.

However, Trumps executive order, EO 14154, which was better known as Unleashing American Energy, rescinded the work of years of study and prioritizing pollution and climate impacts above energy production. That led the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to change direction, which will allow the Decker mine to access an additional 39.9 million tons of coal  work that could keep the mine operational for as many as another 16 years, according to the 24-page decision.

Montanas all-Republican Congressional delegation cheered the decision in a joint press release.

Todays decision to approve the federal mining plan modification for Spring Creek Mine illustrates this administrations unwavering commitment to unleashing American energy. After years of foot dragging from Bidens Department of the Interior, Big Horn Countys mining community can finally breathe a sigh of relief. I thank Secretary (Doug) Burgum and his team for their expeditious review that will extend the life of the mine by 16 years and my fellow delegation members for their hard work to make Montana mining great again, said Rep. Troy Downing, whose Congressional district includes Decker.

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However, while the decision aligns with the Trump administrations energy policies, it may not be the final word in the coal controversy. Environmental groups had previously challenged the first Trump administrations approval of the project, saying that the agency had not properly conducted an environmental impact statement which took into account the environmental impacts of more coal. Federal district court judge Susan P. Watters ultimately agreed with those groups and ordered the agency to complete the environmental evaluation, which it did.

The new record of decision says that it has now incorporated those findings in its latest environmental impact statement, which includes concerns about the social costs of carbon that encompass evidence of rising global temperatures, increased fire and more potent natural disasters. However, the agency also dismissed those concerns, saying that Trumps executive order and the National Environmental Policy Act which governs permit approval only requires the environmental impacts to be disclosed, but doesnt mandate action in those areas.

The social costs of carbon was an economic model and concept being formulated by a group of federal employees across different departments that developed models which quantified the effects of carbon and methane on the climate and in turn, on the economy. The Trump administration withdrew and rescinded all of the work, conclusions and policies of that group on the first day of his presidency via executive order.

The calculation of the social cost of carbon is marked by logical deficiencies, a poor bases in empirical science, politicization and the absence of a foundation in legislation, the executive order said. Its abuse arbitrarily slows regulatory decisions and, by rendering the United States economy internationally uncompetitive, encourages a greater human impact on the environment by affording less efficient foreign energy producers a greater share of the global energy and natural resource market.

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In the closing days of the Biden administration, it had recommended not approving the leases on the federal tracts of land, leaving the Spring Creek Mine to mine from other private and public tracts. The Biden administration and the final environmental impact statement agreed not allowing more mining was preferable because it would cause the least amount of adverse environmental effects from the production or combustion of the remaining (Spring Creek) tracts of coal.

But after Trump took office and released a new executive order, the Office of Surface Mining switched courses.

The No Action alternative was not selected for OSMREs recommendation decision because it does not meet the purpose and need, and it does not align with current national policy to encourage energy exploration and production on federal lands and waters, the decision said.

Federal officials also defended the decision, saying environmental justice was not the only consideration required to make a decision, something the Biden administration had said as recently as April 2023.

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To reach its decision OSMRE considered only the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements necessary for approval of the mining plan modification, it said.

The Spring Creek Mine, located in Decker, 32 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming, is owned by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company.
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - U.S. agencies are defying a court order blocking President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at businesses and organizations that contract with the federal government, groups suing over the ban said in a court filing on Thursday.

The groups, along with the city of Baltimore, told U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Maryland that federal agencies are continuing to threaten contractors with loss of funding if they do not sign contracts with anti-DEI language, despite the judge's order last month barring enforcement of the policy while the lawsuit proceeds.

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They said contractors' experiences were corroborated by a report on Wednesday by the magazine Rolling Stone that Trump administration officials are explicitly telling staff that Abelson's order is "irrelevant" and to continue enforcing the anti-DEI policy.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Abelson, who was appointed by Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, scheduled a telephone status conference on the matter for 3:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) on Friday.

The lawsuit was brought by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United and the city of Baltimore. They argue that the anti-DEI policy violates their freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

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Trump, a Republican, said in his executive order that DEI policies are discriminatory and violate federal civil rights law.

Along with directing federal agencies to eliminate diversity programs, Trump also barred federal contractors, which include many of the largest U.S. companies, from having them. And he told the U.S. Justice Department and other agencies to identify businesses, schools and nonprofits that may be unlawfully discriminating through DEI policies.

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Leigh Jones and Christopher Cushing)
Two Ohio public universities are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for the second time in one week, this time for allegedly not ending the use of racial preferences in their graduate programs.

The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights opened investigations into 45 universities Friday, including Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati, for allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The department claimed universities that partnered with The Ph.D. Project violated their civil rights' obligations to end the use of race-based decision making.

The Ph.D. Project, according to the National Postdoctoral Association, is a nonprofit organization that encourages Black, Hispanic and Native American professionals to earn business doctorate degrees.

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The U.S. Department of Education claims that partnering with such an organization is a civil right violation because it "limits eligibility based on the race of participants."

More: Trump administration warns Ohio State, UC to address antisemitism or risk federal funding

"Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a release. "Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment."

The department cited the "Dear Colleague" letter sent on Feb. 14, in which it gave schools an ultimatum: Eliminate "race-based decision-making" from their campuses by the end of the month or risk losing federal funding.

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Schools were told to stop considering race in "decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life," according to the letter. Additional guidance sent by the department on March 1, however, said colleges wouldn't immediately lose federal funding if it thinks theyve broken anti-discrimination laws

Ohio State University at the intersection of W. Lane Ave. and Neil Ave., photographed on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. [Dispatch\Fred Squillante]

The department launched an additional investigation into six other universities for allegedly awarding "impermissible race-based scholarships" and one university for allegedly administering a program that segregates students based on race.

"Ohio State does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected class, and our PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants," Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said.

Study up on education news: Subscribe to The Dispatch's weekly education newsletter Extra Credit

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More detailed information about Ohio State's involvement with The Ph.D. Project was not immediately available Friday afternoon.

The University of Cincinnati did not immediately respond to The Dispatch's request for comment.

This is the second time this week that the Trump administration has called out universities about alleged civil rights violations. The department sent letters to dozens of universities Monday, including Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati, warning they could face consequences if they fail to protect Jewish students under federal civil rights law.

An old fountain sits next to the University of Cincinnati (UC) Arts & Sciences Hall on Thursday, June 29, 2023, on UC campus in Cincinnati.

Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here.

shendrix@dispatch.com

@sheridan120

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Dept. of Education probes Ohio universities over Ph.D. Project
The Trump administration on Thursday pressured Columbia University to make several major reforms, describing its demands as a precondition for potentially restoring the universitys federal funding, as more federal agents showed up on its campus to search two student rooms.

Last week, the Trump administration announced it was pulling about $400 million in federal grants and contracts from the university, accusing it of failing to protect its Jewish students during peaceful pro-Palestinian protests on campus last year.

In a letter addressed to interim President Katrina Armstrong, the administration said it was following up to outline the immediate next steps that we regard as a precondition for formal negotiations regarding Columbia Universitys continued financial relationship with the United States government.

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The letter, signed by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education and the General Services Administration, demands that all changes be completed by close of business March 20.

We expect your immediate compliance with these critical next steps, it states.

The Trump administration says the university must enforce disciplinary proceedings for actions in the spring of 2024 when peaceful student demonstrators took over common areas to protest Israels war in Gaza.

Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension, the letter underlines.

Prior to receiving the letter, Columbia on Thursday said it has expelled or suspended some students who occupied Hamilton Hall during the protests. The University Judicial Board, which the Trump administration wants to abolish, held hearings for each student, The Associated Press said.

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The Trump administration is also calling on the university to centralize all disciplinary processes under the Office of the President, ban masks that are intended to conceal identity or intimidate others, with exceptions for religious and health reasons, and present an action plan to hold all student groups accountable.

Recognized student groups and individuals operating as constituent members of, or providing support for, unrecognized groups engaged in violations of University policy must be held accountable through formal investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and expulsion as appropriate, it said.

The letter also demands that Columbia formalizes and promulgates a definition for antisemitism.

Anti-Zionist discrimination against Jews in areas unrelated to Israel or [the] Middle East must be addressed, it said.

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The Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department would also be placed under academic receivership for a minimum of five years, meaning faculty would no longer be in charge of the department, if the administration gets its way.

The letter also asks that the academic institution empower Columbia security with full law enforcement authority, reform its admissions policy and enact rules to prevent disruption on campus.

A spokesperson for the university said Columbia is reviewing the message.

We are committed at all times to advancing our mission, supporting our students, and addressing all forms of discrimination and hatred on our campus, they told The New York Times.

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The letter basically says, Well destroy Columbia unless you destroy it first,Jameel Jaffer, the director of Columbias Knight First Amendment Institute, wrote on Bluesky.

Meanwhile, in a university-wide email on Thursday evening, Armstrong said she was heartbroken to inform community members that federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security with judicial search warrants scoured two student rooms Thursday night.

No one was arrested or detained, Armstrong said. No items were removed, and no further action was taken.

Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil at his university-owned apartment, threatened to revoke his green card and moved him to a Louisiana ICE facility.

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Khalil has since sued Columbia to prevent the university from providing a list of student activists names to lawmakers in Washington.

Related...
The Trump administration has sent a letter to Columbia Universitys interim president and board of trustees that includes a list of demands the school must meet if it wants the administration to reverse its cancellation of $400 million in federal funds Columbia was authorized to receive.

The letter, sent Thursday, is an ultimatum that demands Columbia make changes and impose policies to align it with the MAGA movements political views. It is essentially a ransom note, outlining steps Columbia must take as a precondition for formal negotiations on restoring the millions in government funding the university had been awarded.

Among the steps the administration demands is that Columbia place its Middle East, South Asian and African Studies Department under academic receivership, which would effectively give control over the program to a chair outside of Columbias faculty  a move that smacks of textbook racism. But the administrations list of demands goes much further, requiring that Columbia:

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hand out expulsions or multiyear suspensions to demonstrators who participated in pro-Palestinian protests inside Hamilton Hall last year. (The university appears to have already taken steps in this direction.)

abolish its University Judicial Board and centralize all disciplinary processes, including expulsions and suspensions, under the university president.

ban masks intended to conceal identity or intimidate others, and require any masked individuals to display their Columbia ID.

adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism the administration formally adopted in Trumps first term and has revived in his second.

institute time, place, and manner rules, which are basically restrictions around protests.

empower its security with full law enforcement authority, including authorizing the arrest and removal of agitators who foster an unsafe or hostile work or study environment.

develop a plan to investigate and punish student groups engaged in violations of University policy  like some forms of protest, perhaps.

reform its admissions processes, which as already undergone homogenizing changes in response to the Supreme Courts ruling against racially conscious admissions policies.

Read the administration's letter below:

BREAKING: The government has delivered its demands to Columbia, including:



-Placing discipline under the president



-A mask ban



-Adopting IHRA or similar



-Placing the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under academic receivership



-Admissions reform pic.twitter.com/hKenK5WQlm  Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) March 13, 2025

The executive director of Columbias Knight First Amendment Institute, Jameel Jaffer, condemned the letter as part of an effort to "subjugate universities to official power in a statement on Friday.

This authoritarian power-grab at Columbia aligns with a broader conservative push to impose its political will on American universities, which Vice President JD Vance has previously called the enemy. The Trump administration recently opened dozens of investigations into universities it claims are running diversity programs that discriminate against white and Asian students.

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And the administration recently arrested and is attempting to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University student who engaged in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus last year.

Trumps administration is treating American campuses, which foster curiosity and independent thought, just as his vice president described them  as the enemy. In this culture war, it appears as though Columbia University is going to be the administrations first hostage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
This photo taken on March 11, 2025 shows posters of Greenland's parliamentary election candidates in Aasiaat, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Photo by Zhang Quanwei/Xinhua)

The NATO chief said any discussion about Trump's attempts to acquire Greenland is outside of his purview and he doesn't want to drag NATO in that.

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he believes the United States would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, U.S. news outlets reported.

Trump expressed confidence the United States would annex the large island, even suggesting the head of the NATO alliance could be a key player in facilitating the acquisition, The Hill reported.

"I think it will happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during the meeting, said the report.

In response, Rutte said that any discussion about Trump's attempts to acquire Greenland is outside of his purview and he doesn't want to drag NATO in that, the report stated.

Since early this year, Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to obtain Greenland, even suggesting the possibility of using force.

Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark with Greenlanders given Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy. 
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The Trump administration on Friday moved to dismiss lawsuits against Iowa and Oklahoma brought by the Biden administrations Department of Justice, which challenged the states' immigration laws making it a crime for someone to be in the state if they are in the U.S. illegally.

Republican governors and lawmakers across the country had accused then-President Joe Biden of failing to enforce federal immigration law and manage the southern border.

In response, Iowa and Oklahoma enacted similar laws that let state and local officials arrest and charge people who have outstanding deportation orders or who previously were removed from or denied admission to the U.S. Both laws followed one enacted in Texas.

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The Biden administration sued Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma over the respective laws. Texas' more expansive law was in effect for only a few confusing hours last March before a federal appeals court put it on hold.

The Iowa and Oklahoma laws have themselves been on hold while courts consider whether they unconstitutionally usurp federal immigration authority.

The Biden administration's absurd opposition to (Oklahoma's law) was particularly frustrating since it was the White House's gross negligence on border security that had made the state law so necessary in the first place, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement on Friday.

Trump ran for office on a pledge to crack down on illegal immigration and deport many who are living in the U.S. illegally, promises he acted on with executive orders during his first week in office that conflicted with the prior administration's legal position in the two cases.

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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird described the Trump administration's move to dismiss a major victory for Iowans.

"Today, President Trump, again, proved that he has Iowas back and showcased his commitment to Making America Safe Again by dropping Bidens ridiculous lawsuit, Bird said in a statement.

An immigrant rights group also sued Iowa last May over its law, but the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently issued a decision that complicates the legal battle now that the Trump administration has withdrawn the federal governments complaint.

The appellate court said the lawsuit filed by Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice should be dismissed by the district court judge, arguing the U.S. v. Iowa lawsuit made it moot. Rita Bettis Austen, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said in a statement Friday they intended to continue fighting to keep Iowa's law from taking effect.

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With today's DOJ filing, we remain steadfast in our commitment to working to keep this harmful law from being enforced in Iowa, Bettis Austen said.

Lawyers representing Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice in February filed a petition for rehearing with the appellate court.

___

Associated Press reporter Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.

___

This story corrects the name of the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. Its Rita Bettis Austen, not Rita Bettis Austin.
US President Donald Trump has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of encircled Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian region of Kursk.

"At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position," Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social on Friday.

He went on to say that he had asked Putin to spare their lives to prevent a massacre.

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It was not clear from the post how Trump delivered this message. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, spoke to Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday evening.

In recent days, Moscow's troops have pushed back the Ukrainian bridgehead in the Kursk region. The Russian military said the remaining Ukrainians had been encircled.

However, there has been no confirmation from Kiev and Moscow's information cannot be independently verified.
(Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration said it was optimistic about the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine even as President Vladimir Putin appeared to reject US calls for immediate halt to the violence.

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Instead the Russian leader demanded Ukraine to order troops who had occupied land in the Kursk region to surrender. That was in response to a plea from President Donald Trump to spare the lives of what he said were thousands of Ukrainian troops who were in a very bad and vulnerable position.

While Russian troops have rapidly regained ground in Kursk following a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August, Ukraines General Staff called reports of the alleged encirclement untrue and blamed Russia for spreading them for political purposes.

Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X. He is doing everything possible to ensure that diplomacy fails.

The latest back and forth left unclear the fate of Trumps demand for a quick agreement on a temporary ceasefire. US officials had said they hoped fighting would stop within days after Ukraine - pressured by a suspension in US intelligence and military support - agreed to the idea earlier this week. But Putin has balked, saying he needs more details on the plan as his troops are advancing across the front.

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Looking to ramp up the pressure on Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an X post Tuesday that Russia must accept the ceasefire proposal.

Abuses must stop, he wrote. So must delaying statements.

Trump dispatched US envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for talks this week about next steps. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Witkoff was on his way back and the expectation was the US side would convene over the weekend to discuss how to proceed.

Well examine the Russian position more closely and the president will then determine what the next steps are, Rubio told reporters. I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. But by the same token, we continue to recognize this is a difficult and complex situation.

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Trump  who has enjoyed a warm relationship with Putin dating back to his first administration  also expressed optimism that Russia will ultimately agree to his proposal. US officials have already said its unrealistic for Ukraine to expect it will get all its territory back.

But Trumps post to Truth Social on Friday morning raised questions about his understanding of the conditions on the battlefield. He urged Putin to spare Ukrainian soldiers who he said were surrounded.

Trump didnt say what he was referring to, and a White House spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for clarification. But Putin subsequently said that he would respond to Trumps call by sparing the lives of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region if they laid down their arms, according to state media.

To implement the US Presidents call efficiently, the military and political leadership of Ukraine needs to make a corresponding order to its military to lay down their arms and surrender, Putin said.

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The complete expulsion of Ukrainian forces would deal a blow to Kyiv, which had hoped to use Russian territory it captured as a potential bargaining chip in the peace talks sought by Trump. And Zelenskiy said that while Ukraines troops fighting on Russias territory face enormous pressure, their presence has helped the military to hold defenses at home.

The Kursk incursion has slowed down the advance of Vladimir Putins troops toward large cities like Kharkiv and Sumy and smaller Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Zelenskiy said.

Earlier Friday, the Kremlin said Putin had asked Witkoff to convey messages to Trump ahead of a possible phone call between the two leaders.

Additional information was provided to the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday, according to the Interfax news agency. Putin asked Witkoff to convey information and additional messages to President Trump.

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A decision on a phone call between Trump and Putin will be made once Witkoff has relayed the information from the talks, and both sides understand the need for a discussion, Peskov said, without giving further details. There are reasons for cautious optimism about prospects for a ceasefire, he added, according to Interfax.

--With assistance from Greg Sullivan and Volodymyr Verbianyi.

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The battle between President Trump and a prominent Washington law firm has taken a new turn this week, as a judge intervenes to pause Trumps actions.

The controversy kicked off when Trump targeted the firm, Perkins Coie, in an executive order.

But all sides agree that the issue is much broader.

To the critics, Trump is seeking to intimidate the legal community, discouraging them from representing his opponents. To his supporters, Trump is taking justifiable action over past shady behavior.

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As is so often the case with the current president, the episode hearkens back to the 2016 presidential election.

So whats going on?

What did Trump do?

On March 6, the president issued an executive order with Perkins Coie in its crosshairs. An order aimed at one private company is highly unusual.

The text of the order began by hitting the firm for allegedly engaging in dishonest and dangerous activity over a period of decades.

The president went on to assert that notably, in 2016 while representing failed Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS, which then manufactured a false dossier designed to steal an election.

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This is a reference to the infamous Steele dossier.

Trump also hit out at the firm for working with activist donors including George Soros, the billionaire funder of many liberal causes. And the president objected to Perkins Coie allegedly running discriminatory fellowships and hiring practices, by which he appeared to mean policies intended to encourage diversity.

Trump sought a series of restrictive moves in response: the suspension of security clearances for anybody working for Perkins Coie; a prohibition on government goods, services or facilities being supplied for the firms use; and the termination of any government contracts with the firm.

He also proposed a broader investigation into large law firms and whether their pro-diversity policies had the effect of discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender.

What is the backstory?

Perkins Coie did indeed represent Clintons 2016 campaign  and, during that process, it did indeed hire Fusion GPS, an investigative firm, to dig into then-candidate Trump.

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Such behavior is not unusual, per se. Political campaigns retain law firms, and the mining of opposition research is standard practice.

The situation here becomes more murky because Fusion GPS hired Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer, to investigate Trumps ties with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.

The resulting Steele dossier contained lurid allegations suggesting Trump could be compromised by Russian intelligence  allegations that were never substantiated but drove enormous amounts of adverse media coverage.

Adding to the controversy, a lawyer for Perkins Coie who represented the Clinton campaign, Michael Sussmann, was indicted in 2021 on a charge of lying to the FBI about another element of alleged links between Russia and Trump.

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That said, the production of the Steele dossier was at least at one remove from Perkins Coie.

Sussmann, for his part, was acquitted at trial.

In a legal filing responding to Trumps executive order, the firm noted, in reference to another attorney Marc Elias, that the lawyer who led the representation of the 2016 Clinton presidential campaign is no longer employed by Perkins Coie and has not been for years.

The firm also argued Trump was being driven by a desire for vengeance, outlining its record of winning all but one of dozens of challenges brought by the Trump campaign seeking to overturn the 2020 election results.

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The firm also noted that Trump, in a personal capacity, had filed a suit against the firm alleging it had conspired illegally with the Clinton campaign in 2016  and that his case was dismissed.

What does the firm say about Trumps order?

In its filing seeking to block Trumps order, the law firm assailed the presidents demands as an unconstitutional assault.

Perkins Coie also contended that the executive order does not even try to disguise its retaliatory purpose. It noted Trumps campaign trail promises to go after his opponents.

But the filing also asserted that the firms business was being directly  and immediately  imperiled by Trumps order.

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It said that multiple clients had terminated their relationship with Perkins Coie in the days after the order, that many of its largest clients compete for government contracts, and that the order was causing reputational and financial harm that, if allowed to stand, jeopardizes the very existence of the Firm.

Perkins Coie employs about 1,200 attorneys and an even larger support staff.

What did the judge do?

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell granted the temporary restraining order against Trump that Perkins Coie had sought.

Howell was scathing in her assessment of the Trump move, arguing that the order appears to be an instance of President Trump using taxpayer dollars [and] government resources to pursue what is a wholly personal vendetta.

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She also suggested the order violated the First Amendment and said that no president could justifiably bring the federal government down on his political opponents.

Just as importantly, perhaps, Howell rang a warning bell about the orders implications for the legal community writ large.

I am sure that many in the legal profession are watching in horror at what Perkins Coie is going through here, she said. The order casts a chilling harm of blizzard proportions across the legal profession.

Of course, Howells order is an interim one.

The underlying issues in the case will now be argued in court.

What has the reaction been?

Attorneys representing the Trump administration have argued that Perkins Coie is exaggerating the dangers, seeing bogey men where none exist.

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Meanwhile, other high-profile figures have weighed in, not only on Perkins Coies behalf but to warn about what they see as the broader dangers.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D)  a frequent Trump foe  wrote on social media that the Trump order was unacceptable and could have a chilling effect on the entire legal profession.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- Guatemala is betting on reintegrating deportees from the US, leveraging their overseas work experience to match them with local jobs. Donald Trumps rhetoric about the people being sent back is making that plan harder.

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In anticipation of more arrivals  Trump has pledged mass deportations and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has promised to receive 40% more flights  the government has been looking for a giant welcome center where officials can conduct in-depth interviews and match people with training opportunities.

But a deal with a nearby industrial park fell through, and half a dozen other landlords have turned the government away, according to director of immigration Danilo Rivera. Local business owners and communities believe Trump when he says he is only deporting criminals, Rivera said in an interview.

Its unfortunate, said Rivera, who also wants to build a shelter where migrants can stay for a couple of nights when they return. They are afraid to rent us the space because they have the perception that returning migrants are criminals and something bad will happen to their properties or in their neighborhoods.

US officials have repeatedly talked about illegal alien criminals when describing people targeted by the administrations immigration crackdown.

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About 43% of the almost 33,000 people arrested by US Immigration Customs and Enforcement since Trump took office are convicted criminals, according to Mar. 13 data from the US Department of Homeland Security. Of those arrested, 1,155  about 3.5%  were gang members and 39 were known or suspected terrorists, the department said, without providing a breakdown of other charges.

The Trump administration has amplified or expanded what they mean by criminal, said Ariel Ruiz, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. Just the simple fact of being without status in the US for DHS would label someone as being a criminal.

In the absence of a privately owned option, the Guatemalan government is considering converting an old state-owned train station into a welcome center, or using part of a public park named after the countrys first Olympic medal winner  Parque Erick Barrondo  thats further away from the airport.

We arent saying that migrants are saints, but that migrants are hardworking people, said Rivera. For those who have a criminal record, may they be judged like any citizen and have their due process respected.

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For now, deported Guatemalans are arriving back in the country via the same place that the government has used for years: an Air Force base just across the runway from the main international airport in Guatemala City. Against the backdrop of a brightly colored mural depicting volcanos and colonial houses, authorities give new arrivals a bag of snacks and offer free phone calls, transportation to a bus terminal and a currency exchange.

We want to welcome you to your home, theyre told.

Thats where Lorenzo Gonzalez touched down last month to start his life over in Guatemala.

The 24-year-old left his hometown of Quetzaltenango in 2021, crossing the US border with the help of a coyote and joining his family in Minnesota.

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He found a job as a construction worker earning roughly $200 a day, a sum that would take weeks to earn in Guatemala. But during an ICE raid last month on a gas station in Minneapolis, Gonzalez was found without proper paperwork. He had previously been deported for attempting to enter the US illegally, and was again sent back home. This time, he said, hes planning to stay in Guatemala.

Im not going back again, not during this government, Gonzalez said, referring to the Trump administration. We all live in constant fear of deportation. At least here I feel free.

At his reentry interview, Gonzalez told authorities about his construction experience and was told that theyd contact him about relevant opportunities.

If the governments welcome program  dubbed as the Homecoming  works, he could be offered a spot at a local trade school to train for a professional certificate that Guatemalan employers will accept.

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Hopefully I can find a job and build a better future here, he said.

The plan, launched in January ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is designed to ease the return for the tens of thousands of Guatemalans who are sent home each year. One partnership with Guatemala Citys municipal fire department has already trained and hired 50 people, and the governments emergency management agency is looking for forest firefighters.

As countries across Central and South America prepare for an influx of returning migrants, Guatemalas Homecoming could provide a blueprint for how they rejoin the local economy. A similar program was launched in 2013 as US deportations reached a record high under President Barack Obama, but the department in charge of executing it at the foreign ministry lacked funding and went years without a director.

This time, the initiative falls under the umbrella of the immigration institute, a larger department with a bigger budget. The institute has been gathering data on migrants and is looking to expand operations, Rivera said. A partnership with the office of the vice president should help broaden its scope.

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Officials also are in talks with the countrys chambers of agriculture, construction and restaurants to find more job opportunities: most returning migrants have experience in those industries, according to government data, and restaurants like Wendys and local chain San Martin have said they need cooks and servers.

Even as countries plan for more arrivals, its not yet clear if the Trump administration will be able to meet its own targets for mass deportations. ICE has arrested almost 33,000 people since Trump took office, but the pace of deportations had fallen below the governments targets and Trump removed the acting ICE director in February amid frustrations that removals werent happening fast enough.

Through March 10, Guatemala had received 67 flights of deportees, according to government data that doesnt break down the number of charter flights and military planes. Rivera has said he expects the frequency to increase over the next few months.

What we are experiencing here is great uncertainty, Rivera said.

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Anti-migrant sentiment in Guatemala grew during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the US continued to deport people  some of whom tested positive for the virus on arrival  even as it restricted inbound flights to curb the spread, said Ruiz at the Migration Policy Institute. Thats being compounded now that the Trump administration is amplifying the idea that deportees are dangerous criminals.

Theres always been an antagonistic take on returnees to Guatemala from some sectors in the Guatemala public, and you are seeing that potentially come up again, he said. The administrations rhetoric has made it difficult to disassociate between high-end crimes and low-end administrative crimes, he added, including people who might only have a violation for breaking immigration rules.

On top of locals fears, the government also faces the challenge of convincing migrants to start over in Guatemala where wages are significantly lower than in the US. Guatemala increased its minimum wage to about $450 a month starting this year, but that compares to a US federal minimum wage of about $1,218 per month  and most states pay much more.

Roughly 70% of Guatemalans work informally and more than half the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Many of the countrys migrants hail from rural agricultural areas where development has lagged urban centers.

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Horacio Morales, 45, had been living in Florida for eight years before he was sent back to Guatemala in late February. Hed been evading a deportation order so he could keep working and pay off some debts.

I had a lot of economic needs, debts I had to pay that I couldnt pay, so I had to move around and work, he said as he arrived in Guatemala City. He now plans to reconnect with his kids, parents and siblings and ask God for a job in order to live, he said.

The difference in earnings is also what drove Ana Morelia Vasquez to leave her home. At 17 years old, she migrated to Mexico from Guatemala in search of higher paying jobs. Four years later, she moved with her family to Gordon Township, Minnesota, where she spent seven years working in a packing facility.

She was deported in February, with no work experience in Guatemala and only extended family members. After deboarding the Global X flight, she planned to call a friend of her sisters to see if she could spend the night there. The shock still hadnt worn off, she said.

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Its hard to leave everything behind. I had everything there: house; car; family, she said. There, you work, you earn and you can have your things. Not here.

Poor employment prospects have long been one of the main drivers of migration from Guatemala, especially among younger workers. But the government now hopes that an uptick in tourism could provide jobs for a significant number of those returning. More than 3 million international tourists visited the country in 2024, up 15% from the previous year, according to the Guatemalan Tourism Institute, after a coordinated campaign to promote it to Americans and European travelers.

Those who speak English will be a good fit for the industry, President Arevalo said in a speech following Rubios visit.

You arent alone, Arevalo said. The remittances you have sent have not only supported your families, but they have been a critical element to sustain the Guatemalan economy. We must prepare opportunities so you can apply your talents, he said.

For 27-year-old Edy Morente, that sounds like a good plan.

Morente spent 11 years living in Faribault, Minnesota, with his parents and siblings. He studied English in high school and took a few college classes before working at a warehouse for grocery store Aldi Inc.

He was arrested for fist fighting in 2024 and accepted deportation instead of appealing the case, he said. Arriving on Feb. 18 as one of 122 migrants on a Global X plane, he said hed like to use his English to find a job at a hotel or restaurant.

Im happy and sad at the same time, he said. My family is there, but this is my home country.

--With assistance from Ellen M Gilmer.

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ONE OF THE GREAT HEARTBREAKS of the Trump era for me is seeing my expertise as an Africa analyst become relevant for understanding political trends in America. For example, when I read Jonathan Rauchs essay on Trumps aspiring patrimonialism, a political system in which personalist rule stands in for state institutions, I nodded in recognition of one of the continents dominant political features.

As I was waiting for police to respond to a bomb threat at the Principles First conference last month in Washington, D.C.the source of which is yet to be determinedI thought of yet another growing parallel: What technically would be called informal security forces but what I, during my time as a CIA Africa analyst, colloquially called guys.

When assessing risks to a countrys political stability or the endurance of a dictators power, one of my first questions was always, Does he have guys? They can be anything from a hyper-loyal faction of regular security forces to a specially commissioned presidential guard recruited from a particular ethnic group to a rag-tag gang of young men armed on the cheap and on the down-low. Most recently, they could include hired mercenaries from Russia or other countries.

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Most successful African political leaders in less-than-democratic systems have guys, from current dictators to wannabe dictators. Any dictator worth his salt will cultivate independent armed factions to counter any threats from the military or other potential challengers guys. Such groups have the added potential advantage of preserving the reputation of formal security forces in the eyes of the international community. Even popular opposition politicians whose followers are willing to suffer violencesuch as Zimbabwes Morgan Tsvangirai, whose followers were killed with impunity during the 2008 electionhave little chance of achieving power without a security force that can at least wage an insurgency against a dictatorial regime.

Sudans former dictator, Omar al-Bashir, created the janjaweed in the early 2000s in an ultimately failed effort to distance his regime from genocide in Darfur (the janjaweed became the Rapid Security Forces, which eventually joined with the military to depose Bashir; now the two forces are waging a brutal civil war against each other).

Across the border, South Sudan is awash in militias formed by various aspirants for President Salva Kiirs job. Kiir himself has both formal and informal security forces that bolster his regime. Determining which of his opponents has how many armed men is a key component of assessing Kiirs future.

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The late dictator of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, had his Presidential Guard but he also had his mob of war veterans who terrorized his opposition in exchange for license to forcibly seize whatever farms they wanted. This collapsed the Zimbabwean economy but effectively shored up Mugabes regime. He was eventually done in by the regular military, which he mistakenly thought he had on lock.

Politicians in Kenyas increasingly democratic political scene have long used ethnic gangs to intimidate and interfere with opponents; former President Daniel arap Moi expertly wielded such groups to help him stay in power through the 1990s as the country transitioned to multiparty democracy.

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A FEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW Trump term have me wondering if were heading into a new era of guys that goes beyond the relentless online attacks on Trumps opponents. Weve seen their like in the past in the United Statesthe urban gangs who helped enforce political machines and the KKKs reign of terror in the South come to mindbut I cant think of an example in which such groups acted on behalf of the president himself.

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The most obvious blinking red light is Trumps mass pardon of the January 6th insurrectionists, including members of organized militias such as the Oath Keepers, the Three Percenters, and the Thugs Formerly Known as the Proud Boys (a court recently awarded their name to a black church they vandalized). Fresh out of jail, Enrique Tarrio showed up at the Principles First conference last month to menace former police officers Harry Dunn, Michael Fanone, Aquilino Gonell, and Daniel Hodges, who have been outspoken about their experiences fighting the mob on January 6th and who have been the targets of constant harassment ever since. In his remarks at the conference, Fanone bluntly stated the danger of these criminals pardoning as permission to commit more political violence on Trumps behalf, calling them Trumps brownshirts.

I was similarly horrified by reports that Elon Musks private security force now has federal law enforcement authority via the U.S. Marshals Service. While the marshals sometimes contract with private security companies, Musks political power, not to mention his egregious conflicts of interest, makes the apparent deputization of his team highly unusual and dangerous. Its unknown how many officers are now de facto federal agents, but that point seems irrelevant. The larger concern is that he has an established entry point, and he certainly has the financial means, to essentially create an alternative security force that might be used to keep Trumpor himselfin power. How seriously will Elons guys take whatever oath to the Constitution they may have sworn?

Trumps and Elons guys are apparently not limited to just D.C. An Idaho woman was reportedly roughly removed from a town hall meeting by unidentified men who appeared to be private security guards deputized by the local sheriff. Subsequent reporting revealed that the men, who did not show badges or wear uniforms, were employees of a company called LEAR Asset Management. The apparently political use of private security companies threatens civil liberties and democratic activity. Sheriffs and police chiefs are responsible to the voters; private security details are not.

The United States open gun market adds an element that isnt present in Africa. In almost all African nations, owning firearms is illegal or strictly regulated and economically prohibitive for most ordinary people, despite a robust black market. Politicians and other monied people are needed to build armed groups, and they usually retain some control over them, although its often weak and fleeting. But here in America, its easy and within the means of almost everyone to obtain a firearm. Even without direct involvement by political leaders or wealthy sponsors, its quite feasible to form a militia and threaten political violenceespecially if they can be pardoned or law enforcement can be coopted, ordered, or influenced to look the other way.

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In Africa, guys are essential for maintaining patrimonial systems, so of course the guys benefit as well. Being a militia member is one of the lower rungs on the patrimonial employment ladder. In America, we are unlikely to see technicalspickup trucks jury-rigged to carry machine gunsfilled with young men patrolling the streets as they do in places like Somalia or Darfur. We are, for now, still a society of laws and institutions.

What we see may be nothing most of the time, but instead, we may sense an invisible force field of menace that is hard to define, easily denied, but increasingly feared. And that may be enough. Unlike many Africans, who sadly have little to lose, most Americans are entrenched in formal economic, political, and social systems. They have jobs, possessions, reputations, and economic and physical security that they would like to keep. I doubt it will take as many guys here to accomplish the authoritarian aims of our new breed of political leaders.

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President Donald Trump on Friday walked into the Department of Justice and labeled his courtroom opponents scum, judges corrupt and the prosecutors who investigated him deranged.

With the DOJ logo directly behind him, Trump called his political opponents lawbreakers and said others should be sent to prison.

These are people that are bad people, really bad people, the president said in a rambling speech that lasted more than an hour.

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While condemning officials who directed the military's withdrawal from Afghanistan and repeating his false claims about the 2020 election being stolen, Trump said: The people who did this to us should go to jail.

In remarks that were by turns dark, exultant and pugnacious, Trump vowed to remake the Justice Department and retaliate against his enemies, some of whom he called "thugs."

It was, even by Trumps standards, a stunning show of disregard for decades of tradition observed by his predecessors, who worried about politicizing or appearing to exert too much control over the nations most powerful law enforcement agency. Trump, instead, called himself the chief law enforcement officer in our country and accused the DOJs prior leadership of doing everything within their power to prevent him from becoming the president.

Trump charged the DOJ with spying on his campaign, raiding his home, persecuting his family, staff and supporters, launching one hoax and disinformation campaign after the other and breaking the law on a colossal scale, making clear the glee he has taken in undermining the departments typical independence and wielding it to achieve the White Houses objectives.

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First, we must be honest about the lies and the abuses that have occurred within these walls, Trump said. Unfortunately in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations. They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people.

Those days, Trump said, are over, and they are never going to come back. He added that he would demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred.

While any presidential visit to the Justice Department is a rarity, Trump repeatedly breached other norms in his remarks as he slammed former officials, unleashed attacks on private attorneys, and touted his vote tallies in last years election.

Its a campaign by the same scum youve been dealing with for years, Trump said of the lawyers and officials who have targeted him. We will expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government. ... We will restore the scales of justice in our country.

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The president sought to recast his fraught history with the department  most notably the two federal criminal cases he faced last year, one on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the other for refusing to return a hoard of classified documents after he left office in 2021. Trump also bragged about revoking the security clearance of deranged Jack Smith, the special counsel who indicted him in those cases. (Smith and the Justice Department abandoned both cases after Trump won reelection last year.).

Trump boasted about pardoning hundreds of political prisoners who have been grossly mistreated, referring to the people convicted in connection with the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. And he said there was no better day than when he fired James Comey, the presidents first-term FBI director who investigated the 2016 Trump campaigns ties to Russia.

What theyve ripped down is incalculable, Trump said of the departments leaders under the Biden administration.

Trump critics said his decision to come to the Justice Department to deliver such strident attacks was the real source of damage to the departments traditions and its morale.

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No president has ever given a speech at the Department of Justice like that, where he railed against his political foes and summoned up an agenda for totally political, partisan prosecution, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said. It was an absolute desecration of the culture and history of the Department of Justice.

Raskin also ridiculed Trumps description of those charged in the Capitol riot as political prisoners. He called the insurrectionists today political prisoners, like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn or Nelson Mandela. What a joke, the lawmaker said.

Trump also used his visit to offer an effusive tribute to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who issued a ruling that tossed out the classified documents case against him. Prosecutors were appealing that decision when Trump prevailed at the polls last November.

The case against me was bullshit and she correctly dismissed it, he said.

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Noting that he had appointed her but did not know her personally, Trump praised Cannon as brilliant and credited her for standing her ground under withering criticism from the media and legal pundits. She was very courageous and it only made her angry, the president said. They were hitting her so hard it was hard to watch.  She was the absolute model of what a judge should be.

And he said the Supreme Courts six conservative justices are treated unbelievably badly by Democrats opposing Trumps agenda.

Attorney General Pam Bondi introduced Trump by pledging that she and others at the department are fully engaged in his mission.

We will never stop fighting for him and for our country, she said.

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Before the president arrived, the audience heard from two other prominent Trump appointees at DOJ: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. Both did their best to fire up the crowd by declaring that DOJ is heeding Trumps call to get tough on criminals and undocumented immigrants.

Despite Trumps repeated and bitter denunciations of his critics, at times Friday he appeared to say that he does not intend to instruct his appointees how to target his opponents but instead plans to trust them to use their judgment to achieve his goals.

I dont do it. They do it, the president said, adding later that he might not return to the department again during his presidency.

Toward the end of his speech, Trump quoted an unlikely source.

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Etched onto the walls of this building are the words English philosopher John Locke said: Where law ends, tyranny begins, Trump said. And I see that.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misidentified the people whom Trump said should go to prison.
The Trump administration is massively rolling back environmental protection policies, accelerating an already heated race to the bottom.

Trump's appointed Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin announced 31 regulatory changes  allegedly the "biggest deregulatory action in US history"  in an apparent effort to maximize the amount of harmful pollution generated in the United States.

The changes include the removal of emissions limits for existing gas and coal-fired power plants and a rollback of limits set on toxic metal emissions of coal plants. The EPA is also looking to loosen Biden-era rules limiting the amount of hazardous metals, including mercury and arsenic, that can be released into wastewater from power plants.

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The agency is also planning to reconsider air quality standards, vehicle emissions standards, and rules aimed at reducing the release of hydrofluorocarbons.

In all, the Trump administration has declared war on decades of scientific evidence warning of an environmental and climate crisis that's already hitting. It's a self-defeating rollback that could have dire consequences for the country and planet.

It could also prove incredibly unpopular. According to a recent update to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication's Climate Opinion Maps, most Americans support at least some environmental regulation, including support for renewable energy research.

But to Trump's EPA, more pollution and global warming is a win for the average American  despite the considerable threats to human health, loss of land, and debilitating extreme weather events.

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"We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more," Zeldin said in a statement.

The Trump administration has declared war on climate change and has been actively trying to eliminate any evidence of the ongoing climate crisis.

Earlier this year, the USDA scrubbed any mention of "climate change" from its website. Grants for climate research have also since been pulled.

Trump himself has called climate change a "hoax" and called to "drill, baby, drill" at his 2024 presidential campaign events.

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His administration's naked efforts to line the pockets of oil and gas executives have never been more explicit. Last year, Trump promised that any "person or company" investing $1 billion or more in the US would "receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental [sic] approvals."

The utterance was greeted with an outpouring of excitement by Tesla CEO and richest person in the world Elon Musk, who called the move "awesome" in spite of a previous public commitment to environmentalism.

The latest gutting of EPA environmental rules follows confusion regarding purported mass layoffs at the agency. After Trump announced the EPA would reduce its staff by 65 percent, a White House spokesperson had to clarify later that the figure was concerning spending cuts, not staffing levels.

At the time, however, Zeldin promised to gut the agency later.

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"We dont need to be spending all that money that went through the EPA last year, Zeldin told Fox News last month. "We dont want it. We dont need it. The American public needs it and we need to balance the budget."

Unsurprisingly, the science community was shocked by the EPA's complete disregard for common sense.

"The Trump administrations ignorance is trumped only by its malice toward the planet," Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute legal director Jason Rylander told The Guardian. "Come hell or high water, raging fires and deadly heatwaves, Trump and his cronies are bent on putting polluter profits ahead of peoples lives."

"Zeldins EPA is dragging America back to the days before the Clean Air Act, when people were dying from pollution," Moms Clean Air Force director Dominique Browning added. "This is unacceptable. And shameful. We will oppose with all our hearts to protect our children from this cruel, monstrous action."

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To former EPA officials, it's a dark day.

"Today marks the most disastrous day in EPA history," said Obama-era EPA administrator Gina McCarthy in a statement. "Rolling these rules back is not just a disgrace, its a threat to all of us."

More on environmental policy: Elon Musk Gloats as Trump Announces Billionaires Will Be Exempt From Normal Environmental Rules
NEW YORK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 people were arrested after staging a sit-in at the Trump Tower in New York City to protest the detention of a pro-Palestinian student activist.

According to the New York Police Department, around 150 individuals dressed in civilian attire entered the Trump Tower -- U.S. President Donald Trump's New York residence and a property of the Trump Organization -- shortly before noon. Once inside, they removed their outer layers to reveal red T-shirts bearing pro-Palestinian slogans and began a sit-in. Footage from the scene captured protesters seated in the lobby, clapping and chanting "Free Palestine."

The demonstration was organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that identifies itself as "the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world." The organization has previously led protests at New York Grand Central Station.

The police raided the place and made fast arrests of 98 people, according to John Chell, chief of department with New York City Police Department (NYPD).

"Within 10 minutes, we started responding here from the police department. Within 40 minutes, 50 minutes, we started making arrests. We ended up making 98 arrests of people trespassing, obstructing governmental administration in this building," said Chell.

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by U.S. federal immigration agents on Saturday for his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the Columbia University in New York City.

Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and U.S. green card holder, was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at his university-owned apartment. He was one of the leading activists in student protests in April 2024 at the Columbia University against Israel's actions in Gaza, a movement that soon spread to college campuses across the country.

Trump vowed to revoke Khalil's green card and deport him, aligning with the new administration's intensified stance against what it perceives as rising anti-Semitism.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump wrote, "If you support terrorism ... your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here."

New York federal judge Jesse Furman blocked any immediate effort to deport Khalil until his attorneys and the federal government appear in court.

On Thursday, Khalil sued the Columbia University and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to block the school from sharing student disciplinary records. The committee had threatened federal funding cuts if the university failed to comply.

Last Friday, the Trump administration canceled 400 million U.S. dollars in federal funding for the Columbia University on anti-Semitic grounds and opened a review of more universities.

Khalil has not been charged with any crime but remains detained in an immigration center in Louisiana. His attorney claims the U.S. government is "retaliating" against him for advocating for Palestinians, arguing that his detention violates his right to free speech.

His arrest signals an escalation of the Trump administration's crackdown on protests, which officials have labeled antisemitic and a threat to Jewish students' safety.

Protests for Khalil's release have spread across New York, reflecting tensions over the administration's stance on anti-Semitism, immigration, and the Middle East within the week.

On Monday, demonstrators marched from Washington Square Park to City Hall, leading to multiple arrests. Rallies also took place at the Columbia University's Upper West campus. 
U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration held "productive discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he urged him to "spare" surrounded Ukrainian troops, he wrote in a Truth Social post on March 14.

"At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position," Trump wrote, without providing any evidence.

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all."

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A day before, Putin said that Russia is prepared to accept a U.S.-backed 30-day-long ceasefire but demanded that Ukraine halt mobilization, military training, and foreign aid deliveries.

Putin also mentioned Russia's breakthrough in Kursk Oblast, claiming that the ceasefire would be beneficial for Ukraine. Moscow claimed on March 12 to have retaken over 86% of seized territories in the region, including a key town of Sudzha, captured by Ukrainian troops at the start of the Kursk incursion in August 2024.



"(In case of) complete physical blockade, (Ukrainian soldiers) will have only two options: surrender or die," Putin said.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged on March 12 the "difficult situation" in the region but said that Ukraine will hold the defenses "as long as reasonable and necessary."

Earlier, Syryskyi said that there was no threat of encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast.

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Trump's statement comes as the president's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow on March 13 and met with Putin late in the evening, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed.

He said that Russia has sent "additional signals" to Trump regarding a proposed ceasefire through Witkoff. Previously, the U.S. president called Putin's remarks "very promising" but said they were "not complete," adding he is open to meeting with the Russian leader.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joins Morning Joe to discuss meeting with President Trump in the White House on Thursday.
President Trump on Friday congratulated Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) for opting to vote to advance the House-Republican drafted six-month government funding bill, despite pushback from liberal colleagues.

Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took guts and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights, Trump wrote on Trump Social.

He continued, Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning! DJT

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Schumer surprised Washington on Thursday when he announced on the Senate floor that he would vote to advance the funding bill, providing crucial political cover to Senate Democratic centrists after a tense internal debate over whether to vote for the bill to keep the government open. The deadline to avert a government shutdown is 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Schumer acknowledged in his announcement that the House bill is very bad but warned a government shutdown would produce a far worse result. He argued a shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

Schumer, a day prior, told Republicans there werent enough votes to pass the House bill and called for a clean CR to provide a one-month extension. But, Republican senators rejected the idea of a 30-day government funding stopgap, arguing the House had already left town ahead of the Friday deadline.

Senate Democratic liberals and progressive activists were pressuring centrists to defeat the House bill, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who argued it would give Trump and Musk a blank check to spend your taxpayer money however they want.

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Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), urged supporters on social media to call Democratic senators and ask them to vote NO on Cloture and NO on the Republican spending bill.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Jan. 21, 2025, the incoming Trump administration imposed a communications freeze on U.S. health agencies until a presidential appointee could review them. That meant long-standing meetings designed to allocate grant money to medical research were canceled without indication they would be rescheduled. One of those meetings concerned cancer research.

The communications freeze was set to last at least until Feb. 1, 2025, but effectively lasted until Feb. 26, when the administration partially lifted it.

On Jan. 27, 2027, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, imposed a blanket freeze of "agency grant, loan, and other assistance programs" on all government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, which fund medical research.

Despite a federal court order that placed a temporary restraining order on the government-wide funding freeze on Jan. 30, 2025, the administration did not resume funding. The same judge then granted a motion to enforce the TRO on Feb. 10, 2025.

On Feb 7, 2025, the NIH quietly published new guidance for indirect costs allotted in grants, capping them at 15%. This change also applied to existing grants. In response, 22 states sued and obtained an injunction on this new guidance from a federal court in Massachusetts on March 5, 2025.

On March 6, 2025, the NIH announced it would "centralize" grant-review meetings to "improve efficiency and strengthen integrity." People familiar with the situation argued that the move would further slow grant funding.

While the administration did not stop research, these moves sowed concern in the research community and disrupted research funding.

As U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term, directives his administration imposed on government agencies whose mission it is to promote health and research fueled rumors that he had defunded cancer research. While that wasn't exactly true, his new guidance did effectively end funding for some medical research.

For example, the day after Trump spoke before Congress on March 4, 2025, one user posted on X that the president had "stopped child cancer research" (archived):

Trump literally stopped child cancer research. You people are f*ck*ng demons pic.twitter.com/6Nggs8eo72  evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) March 5, 2025

Those claims had been spreading for weeks. Someone else had posted (archived) on X on Jan. 22, 2025, that stopping cancer research would be "sociopathic":

Stopping NIH studies on cancer research is some real sociopathic super villain sh*t. https://t.co/dcEuBMSIUI  David DeWitt (@DC_DeWitt) January 23, 2025

Further, Snopes readers had searched on our site whether it was true that Trump had stopped cancer research. Meanwhile on X, a user posted (archived) that one of their friends, who had skin cancer, was about to start a clinical trial after other treatments had failed, and the trial had now been canceled:

A friend of mine has skin cancer and was about to start a clinical trial at MD Anderson after his other treatments did not work.



Trump's decision to temporarily halt funding for medical research also applies to clinical trials.



His treatment is now canceled. pic.twitter.com/7L8cxrwND5  Eric Koch (@EricDKoch) January 24, 2025

A GoFundMe page for the skin cancer patient claimed:

All my appointments at MD Anderson for next week have been canceled. This as a result from the new White House administration's decision to temporarily halt funding for medical research, This also applies to clinical trials, like the one I was scheduled to start soon.

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Another variation of the claim appeared on Facebook and Reddit, alleging Trump had shut down "the majority of research funding."

The claim followed reports that meetings of researchers at the National Institutes of Health had been canceled. In these meetings, known as review-panel or study-section meetings and advisory councils, experts of any given discipline get together to decide which research projects will receive grants from the agency. These meetings are often scheduled a year in advance, with sometimes dozens of participants, which means they can be difficult to reschedule. Canceling these meetings without rescheduling them can result in a research funding freeze.

Indeed, meeting cancellations began after a memo from the Department of Health and Human Services that ordered a freeze on all communications (including meetings) and reports from health agencies, including the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, until a presidential appointee could review them:

Refrain from publicly issuing any documents (e.g., regulation, guidance, notice, grant announcement) or communication (e.g., social media, websites, press releases, and communication using listservs) until it has been reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee," through February 1.

In short, the Trump administration did pause those meetings until an appointee could review them, until at least Feb. 1, 2025. At the time, the Senate had not yet confirmed Trump's appointee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the White House replied:

HHS has issued a pause on mass communications and public appearances that are not directly related to emergencies or critical to preserving health. This is a short pause to allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization. There are exceptions for announcements that HHS divisions believe are mission critical, but they will be made on a case by case basis.

We contacted the agency for more clarifications on the rationale behind the review panel meeting freeze, and we did not receive a response.

Communications and travel freezes

Communications freezes during presidential transitions have happened in the past, though the length of this pause was unprecedented. For example, for the first time since it started publishing it in 1961, the CDC failed to put out its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Indeed, a visit to its main page and a check of its past issues showed that it had been published every Thursday since at least 1982, except for Jan. 23 and Jan. 30, 2025.

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As HHS ordered the communications freeze, a Jan. 22, 2025, email from Glenda Conroy, director of the NIH Office of Financial Management, ordered that all travel be "suspended" immediately and indefinitely. This travel ban affected all NIH-sponsored travel, including for professional meetings and conferences where many scientists were due to make presentations.

But some grant-review meetings occurred over video, so the travel ban alone did not explain why grant meetings were halted.

Several people on social media platforms including Bluesky and Reddit made similar claims to the ones above. For example, a user posted on Bluesky on Jan. 22, 2025, an exchange in which people said review panel meetings had been abruptly ended as the members of the panel discussed grants:

(Bluesky / @medickimw.bsky.social)

The posts read:

Original post: Colleague of mine just got back from zoom study section saying the SRO [scientific review officer] shut down the meeting while they were in the middle of discussing grants, saying some executive order wouldn't let them continue. l'm just wondering if anyone else has any info on this. At first it sounded like "diversity" initiatives might have been a factor, but now I'm wondering if there's a wider freeze. Any other tips out there? Response: My colleague was in a virtual study section that was similarly shut down by the SRO (perhaps the same one, or this is a wider issue). Someone followed up via email that the SRO was a DEI hire and was placed on leave immediately today so the meeting had to end. This is bananas.

Science Magazine published a report on Jan. 22, 2025, according to which at least one meeting had been cut short and another had been canceled moments before it was due to start:

Today, for example, officials halted midstream a training workshop for junior scientists, called off a workshop on adolescent learning minutes before it was to begin, and canceled meetings of two advisory councils. Panels that were scheduled to review grant proposals also received eleventh-hour word that they wouldn't be meeting.

Scientists reported meeting cancellations

Further, several scientists who sat on panels confirmed directly that either the grant-review meetings or pre-meetings they were meant to attend had been canceled. For example, Erin Rich, an associate professor in neurology at New York University, posted on Bluesky:

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(Bluesky / @erinlrich.bsky.social)

Rich's assertion was confirmed by Luke Remage-Healy of the University of Massachusetts, in a reply:

(Bluesky / @healeylab.bsky.social)

Esther Choo, an emergency physician from the Oregon Health & Science University, posted something similar on Jan. 22, 2025:

(Bluesky / @choo.bsky.social)

Searching the calendar for study-section meetings on the NIH website, we found two different study-section meetings listed for January: one titled "Biobehavioral Medicine and Health Outcomes Study Section" and another titled "Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems Study Section."

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With an annual budget of $47 billion, the NIH is the world's largest funder of research in the medical and behavioral sciences. The cancellation or delay of study-section meetings, which dole out grant money to promising studies in those areas, worried scientists that crucial research may be delayed or abandoned for lack of funding.

For example, Chrystal Starbird, a cancer researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, posted on Bluesky on Jan. 22 that the study-section meeting in which she was supposed to take part had been canceled, with what she expected would be negative consequences on "critical cancer research":

(Bluesky / @drstarbird.bsky.social)

In a direct message on Bluesky, Starbird told Snopes her meeting was scheduled to take place on Jan. 30 and 31, and that she had received no further information as to whether it might be rescheduled. The meeting was going to be virtual, requiring no travel.

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However, the communications freeze was lifted partially on Feb. 26, 2025, after Kennedy was confirmed as health secretary. The pause had impacted 16,000 grants applications, or about $1.5 billion in NIH funding, according to an NPR report.

Funding freeze, cost cap, and federal court decisions

Meanwhile, on Jan. 27, 2025, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued a memo imposing a blanket freeze of "agency grant, loan, and other assistance programs" on all government agencies. This also impacted the NIH's ability to distribute grant money. Shortly after this, U.S. Federal Judge John McConnell, Jr., in Maryland, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the funding freeze.

However, due to the freeze on communications, the government still withheld grant money weeks after the TRO. As the federal government failed to comply with the order, McConnell on Feb. 10, 2025, granted the plaintiffs' motion to enforce the TRO. Those plaintiffs included more than 20 states and the District of Columbia.

The States have presented evidence in this motion that the Defendants in some cases have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds. [] The broad categorical and sweeping freeze of federal funds is, as the Court found, likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of this country. These pauses in funding violate the plain text of the TRO.

Separately, on Feb. 7, 2025, the NIH issued new guidance on indirect costs for grants. Published late on a Friday, the guidance capped such costs to 15% of the amount of the grants. According to a congressional research paper, "indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project and that maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research." Effective the following Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, this cost cap would apply to all new grants, and also to all existing grants. According to the same paper, in 2023 indirect costs represented 27.8% of grants awarded, or $9.4 billion. A social media post by the NIH estimated that this new guidance would save the agency $4 billion a year (archived):

Last year, $9B of the $35B that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted for research was used for administrative overhead, what is known as indirect costs. Today, NIH lowered the maximum indirect cost rate research institutions can charge the government to 15%, above pic.twitter.com/FSUYpEGKsr  NIH (@NIH) February 7, 2025

This near-halving of indirect costs might affect research that had already been receiving funding by the NIH. While a lump sum is awarded to a project upon approval, the money is often doled out once a year, upon review of an annual progress report. Research teams that had already negotiated grant amounts to carry our their work may have to slow or shutter their projects.

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In response, 22 states sued the federal government. On March 5, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Massachusetts, granted their motion for a nationwide preliminary injunction on this indirect-cost cap.

"The imminent risk of halting life-saving clinical trials, disrupting the development of innovative medical research and treatment, and shuttering of research facilities, without regard for current patient care, warranted the issuance of a nationwide temporary restraining order to maintain the status quo, until the matter could be fully addressed before the Court," Kelley wrote in the decision.

NIH implements new rules

Early in March 2025, the NIH began to implement changes. First, it reportedly instructed its staff to award grants only to applications that aligned with the administration's priorities, according to a report by Nature (archived). "NIH will no longer prioritize research and research training programs that focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)," an internal NIH document obtained by Nature read. This effectively terminated NIH-funded studies related to LGBTQ+ people, for example.

Secondly, on March 6, the NIH announced it would centralize all grant reviews to the Center for Scientific Review "to improve efficiency and strengthen integrity." While 78% of grant applications go through the CSR, about 22% go through NIH Institutes and Centers. This is because some grant applications require specific expertise for review. Scientific review officers who organize such meetings need to have a deep understanding of the topic of research in order to recruit reviewers, for example. Further, the grant review schedules were different between the CSR and IC, so the existing system allowed NIH staff to spread the workload.

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For this and other reasons, scientists worried that the new system would slow grants, and therefore research projects. "Eighty percent of grants already go through CSR, but it would have to ramp up quickly," Choo of Oregon Health & Science University said in a direct message on Bluesky. "And so far all the admin has done is break processes, not improve them."

Others expressed concern that centralizing all grant reviews might derail research for political goals. For example, someone said on Bluesky (archived):

(Bluesky / @altnih4science.bsky.social)

As for the claim that the pause had resulted in clinical trials being halted at MD Anderson, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung replied that was false (archived):

Wrong. There is no pause on research. Stop lying. https://t.co/sVUXFlNI2T  Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) January 24, 2025

Contacted by email, the cancer center in Texas replied that "all active and enrolling clinical trials at MD Anderson remain ongoing."

Sources:

Home Page for MMWR | MMWR. 15 Jan. 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index.html.

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MMWR Weekly: Past Volumes (1982-2024) | MMWR. 6 Jan. 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk/wk_pvol.html.

Review Dates. https://www.csr.nih.gov/RevPanelsAndDates/RevDates.aspx. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Kelley, Angel. Massachusetts, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities v. NIH. 1:25-cv-10338-AK, 5 Mar. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.280590/gov.uscourts.mad.280590.105.0_1.pdf.

Kozlov, Max. 'Revealed: NIH Research Grants Still Frozen despite Lawsuits Challenging Trump Order'. Nature, vol. 638, no. 8052, Feb. 2025, pp. 87071. www.nature.com, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00540-2.

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Kozlov, Max, and Smriti Mallapaty. 'Exclusive: NIH to Terminate Hundreds of Active Research Grants'. Nature, Mar. 2025. www.nature.com, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00703-1.

McConnell, Jr., John. Temporary Restraining Order. 1:25-cv-00039-JJM-PAS, 30 Jan. 2025, https://www.rid.uscourts.gov/sites/rid/files/proposed%20TRO.pdf.

---. 25-cv-39-JJM-PAS, 10 Feb. 2025, https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.58912/gov.uscourts.rid.58912.96.0_5.pdf.

'NIH Centralizes Peer Review to Improve Efficiency and Strengthen Integrity'. National Institutes of Health (NIH), 6 Mar. 2025, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-centralizes-peer-review-improve-efficiency-strengthen-integrity.

NIH Indirect Costs Policy for Research Grants: Recent Developments. 3 Mar. 2025, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12516#:~:text=On%20February%207%2C%202025%2C%20the,to%20any%20new%20grant%20awards.

NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-068.html#_ftnref2. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.

Raymond, Nate, and Nate Raymond. 'US Judge Bars Trump Administration from Cutting NIH Research Funding'. Reuters, 5 Mar. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-judge-bars-trump-administration-cutting-nih-research-funding-2025-03-05/.

Simmons-Duffin, Selena. 'RFK Jr. Confirmed as Trump's Health Secretary, over Democrats' Loud Objections'. NPR, 13 Feb. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294591/rfk-jr-trump-health-human-services-hhs-vaccines.

Stein, Rob. 'NIH Partially Lifts Freeze on Funding Process for Medical Research'. NPR, 26 Feb. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/26/g-s1-50920/trump-nih-funding-freeze-medical-research.

Vaeth, Matthew. Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial AssistancePrograms. U.S. OMB, 27 Jan. 2025, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25506191-omb-memo-1-27/.

Yanny, Anna Marie. 'Trump Administration Delays Wisconsin Research Funds by Withholding, Canceling Review Meetings'. WPR, 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.wpr.org/news/trump-administration-delays-federal-research-dollars-wisconsin-nih.
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow a partial implementation of its plan to end birthright citizenship while legal battles play out.

In a series of emergency filings, acting solicitor general Sarah Harris asked the Supreme Court to restrict universal injunctions issued by lower courts in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington that have blocked attempts to end birthright citizenship throughout the country.

Instead, Harris argued, justices should allow the administrations plan to take effect for everyone except the parties involved in the lawsuits to block the end of birthright citizenship.

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Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current Administration, Harris wrote . That sharp rise in universal injunctions stops the Executive Branch from performing its constitutional functions before any courts fully examine the merits of those actions, and threatens to swamp this Courts emergency docket.

A view of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, U.S. June 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo / REUTERS

Trump signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship on his first day back in office as part of his administrations sweeping crackdown on immigration.

Judge John Coughenour in Washington, one of the three who blocked the order, described the plan as blatantly unconstitutional. Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland said it conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-year-old binding Supreme Court precedent and runs counter to our nations 250-year history of citizenship by birth.

The 14th amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

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The administration argued in its emergency appeals that the clause should not extend to children of unauthorized migrants, who they say are not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. government. This argument has largely been rejected by legal scholars and conflicts with Supreme Court precedent.

That policy of near-universal birthright citizenship has created strong incentives for illegal immigration, Harris said. And it has raised national-security concerns by extending U.S. citizenship to persons who lack meaningful ties to the country.
On Friday, another stunning sign of the complete White House takeover of the Justice Department arrived: President Donald Trump delivered a speech to DOJs staff, declaring his intent to go after rogue actors and corrupt forces from the previous administration, the press, and in American society, and to transform a Justice Department that, he contended, had been weaponized against him.

Presidential visits to DOJ headquarters are rare, and this one hit distinctly Trumpian notes, at times sounding like a campaign-trail rally. At one point, he even denounced particular individuals, naming a lawyer who worked at a non-profit good government group and describing him as scum. He railed against the press, and told the assembled DOJ staff that CNN and MSNBCs coverage of his administration was, in his opinion, illegal.

The disjointed speech focused at times on crime during the Biden regime and the oft-invoked, false claim that the 2020 election was rigged. But it primarily pushed on his claims that the DOJ, in investigating him over the last decade, surrendered to both weaponization and corruption. He would now, he claimed, ensure that it would restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.

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That, for Trump, meant retribution: He proceeded to lay out his plan for retaliation against some of the people who he claimed are responsible for the lies and abuses of the former administrations Justice Department.

Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations, he said. They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people.

He then said that he demanded full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred, vowing to expose the egregious misconduct of rogue actors within the department.

From the start of his administration, Trump has made good on his campaign-trail vow to punish his perceived enemies  indeed, going further and moving faster than many expected, installing loyalists into various leadership positions within the department. Some of those allies have launched investigations into the DOJs investigations of Trump, and have forced out those who have balked at their demands.
The Department of Education announced Monday that 60 colleges and universities could face potential enforcement actions if they didnt step up to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and education opportunities.

On that list of 60 institutions were the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa  both of which told the Tampa Bay Times they had not received the letters after the department made its announcement on Tuesday.

Despite the ominous warnings of enforcement actions, the letters themselves contain no concrete allegations, no specific changes the schools must make and no mention of the potential punishments if they dont.

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USF is under investigation for alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color and national origin. But the school was informed of that complaint in February 2024, and has been fully cooperating with the review, which is ongoing, said spokesperson Althea Johnson.

Importantly, in its communication with USF, the U.S. Department of Education has stated that opening an investigation in no way implies that a determination has been made on the merits of the complaint, she added.

So why send a letter at all?

The prior administration remained tepid, either reaching toothless resolution agreements with schools or allowing complaints to accumulate, wrote Craig Trainor, the Departments Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. I write to remind you of your legal obligations under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act.

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Its not unheard of for different administrations to focus on different areas of enforcement, said Robert Shibley, special council for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Under the Obama administration, the Department in 2011 sent a formal letter to federally funded institutions outlining its updated interpretation of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.

The statistics on sexual violence are both deeply troubling and a call to action for the nation, the department wrote. The 19-page letter, since rescinded under Trump, clearly communicated that this would be the departments priority, Shibley said.

These kinds of shot-across-the-bow letters arent new, Shibley said. But the education department under former President Joe Biden had already communicated that antisemitic discrimination was a priority in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

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This letter is just turning up the volume and focusing the message on these 60 institutions, Shibley said.

The incident that landed the University of Tampa on that list occurred in September 2023, roughly a month before the Oct. 7 attack, said spokesperson Eric Cardenas.

The incident was resolved through the student conduct process, he said. The university has fully complied with the (U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights) review to date.

Floridas public universities, including USF, were quick to adopt stricter campus protest rules in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack.

The school now prohibits protests past 5 p.m. and asks for preapproval to host events on campus.

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You can say whatever you want about Israel, pro or con, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at an April 2024 press conference. What you dont have a right to do is commandeer property. You dont have a right to harass individual students or faculty members.

The state has also signaled support for Trumps executive order instructing immigration officials to deport student protesters who voiced criticism of Israel as the conflict in Gaza intensified.

It is a privilege for foreign students to attend universities in Florida or any other state in the country, said State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. Those who break the law or pose a threat to the safety and security of U.S. citizens should be concerned about losing the privilege of being in America.

The question of how to distinguish speech that is critical of Israel from speech that is antisemitic has always posed a problem in higher education, Shibley said.

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I sometimes question whether its even possible, he said.

But the Department of Educations letter did nothing to clarify that distinction, and unlike the Obama administrations 2011 letter on Title IX complaints, it failed to outline the departments expectation for enforcement.

If 100 people are carrying signs one day its a protest and protected, but what if youre person 101 and someone complains that now its a hostile environment, do you have the same rights as the first 100 people? Shibley said. When schools have to deal with this kind of uncertainty, this invisible threshold, the natural reaction is to just shut it all down.

Ian Hodgson is an education reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, working in partnership with Open Campus.
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trumps vision of protecting the US with a Golden Dome missile-defense system drew more than 360 company concept papers that Pentagon analysts are studying as they rush to come up with a workable plan as early as the next fiscal year.

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Trump has compared the idea in his Jan. 27 executive order to Israels Iron Dome system, which defends a much smaller country, and to President Ronald Reagans unfulfilled quest for a space-based missile defense system that was widely known as Star Wars.

Options are due to the White House by early April. Once we finally get the table slap that says this is the path were going on, we are prepared to start moving on Day One, Air Force Lieutenant General Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said in an interview.

We still need cash, we still need funding, Collins added. The executive order called for us to bring forward the architecture options, implementation plans and a coordinated Defense Department and Office of Management and Budget plan to fund it all.

The cost is unknown. Dov Zakheim, who was Pentagon comptroller under President George W. Bush, estimated in a recent editorial that the project could cost as much as $100 billion annually through 2030. The sheer size of a system to cover the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii is just one of many logistical challenges the Pentagon is asking for company advice to solve.

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Collins said a classified Industry Day last month drew 560 representatives from 182 companies and 13 Defense Department agencies. Topics in industry abstracts ranged from supply chain management to terrestrial sensor improvements. They also touched on the most controversial and least proven technology  space-based interceptors that would require new satellite designs.

Citing classification guidelines, Collins declined to name any companies that have made initial pitches for a role in the project, which has drawn interest well beyond the old-line defense contractors.

Startups Idea

Ursa Major, a startup, was part of six teams that have submitted abstracts and briefed the Missile Defense Agency on the companys work on rocket motors and on its Draper hypersonic engine, Chief Executive Officer Dan Jablonsky said in an interview.

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Jablonsky said the Draper engine, which is configured to use storable liquid fuel, could be prepositioned on Pacific islands, ships or vehicles to allow US forces to respond rapidly to enemy strikes. He said the engine also could be stored in space for 10 years to support space-based interceptors.

Praising the agency for moving speedily, Jablonsky said the Pentagons customary prescriptive approach would mean two or three years of studies and them telling you exactly what to build. And they dont know what they need yet. But if industry brings a capability that fits a need and fits a purpose, why not just take that and write the requirements around that?

One measure of the new projects scale: Since 2002, the Missile Defense Agency has spent more than $194 billion, including $10.4 billion for fiscal year 2022, to equip operational commanders with the current, less ambitious system intended to detect, track and destroy a limited number of incoming North Korean or Iranian ballistic missiles, the Government Accountability Office said in a 2023 report. The agencys full fiscal 2025 request is $10.4 billion.

We are in full planning mode, General Michael Guetlein, Space Force vice chief of space operations, told a Reagan Institute innovation conference this month. Without a doubt, our biggest challenge is going to be organization, behavior and culture, he said, because Golden Dome will rival the magnitude of the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb.

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Flash: American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver International Airport, passengers evacuated with no injuries reported -- media
President Trump is expected to invoke an 18th century law giving him wartime powers to deport migrants en masse.

He intends to apply the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as soon as Friday, multiple sources have confirmed to CNN.

The law would grant the president sweeping power to target and deport undocumented immigrants while sidestepping the immigrant court system, which is facing huge case backlogs. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that immigration detention has been maxed out.

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Designed to be used during wartime or in the event of an invasion from a foreign nation, the act has only been invoked three times in U.S. historymost recently by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

According to CNN, Trumps primary target is Tren de Aragua (TDA), a Venezuelan crime group operating in the U.S. that was recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

But legal experts argue that it will be difficult for Trump to legally justify invoking the law in the absence of a military attack or foreign invasion.

There is no military invasion or military predatory incursion being perpetrated by an actual foreign nation or government, Katherine Yon Ebright of the Brennan Center at New York University told CNN, noting that its invocation would be challenged as an abuse of a wartime authority.

A U.S. Air Force flight deporting immigrants arrives in Honduras on January 31, 2025. / Jorge Salvador Cabrera/Getty Images

Trump has long expressed his intention to use the act in his push for mass deportations, pledging to do so during his campaign and his second inaugural address.

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By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to US soil, including our cities and inner cities, Trump stated in January.

The law was invoked during both World War I and World War II to deport thousands of German, Austro-Hungarian, Italian, and Japanese nationals. Critics note that it has a long history of being used to target individuals based on their identity rather than any proven threat to national security.
Liz Oyer served as Pardon Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice from April 2022 to March 2025.

Throughout American history and regardless of presidential politics, the mission of the Department of Justice has been to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. All Americans should be concerned that the politically appointed leaders of the Department are now waging an aggressive campaign to rid the institution of nonpartisan experts in favor of political loyalists willing to place the presidents personal interests ahead of these shared values. My recent firing by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is just one example, but it bears examination if we are going to reverse this dangerous and destructive trajectory before it is too late.

On March 7, Blanche sent me a three-sentence memo ending my tenure as the Justice Departments Pardon Attorney. Blanche didnt deliver the termination memo to me personally. Instead, he sent two security officers  who looked positively ill over the task  to execute his orders. Ive never met Blanche. Hes never said why he fired me. But he swears it had nothing to do with the fact that I refused to facilitate a political favor for a friend of his boss and biggest client, President Donald Trump.

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The top three officials in the Department of Justice  Blanche, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove  all landed their powerful positions after serving as personal attorneys to President Trump. They were paid to do the presidents bidding and gained access and influence in the process. So perhaps it is not surprising that they view the department and its 115,000 employees as President Trumps personal law firm. On her first day in office, Bondi issued a memo putting the entire DOJ workforce on notice that we are all now the presidents lawyers.

We have since been warned, both explicitly and by example, that if we do not faithfully and zealously do the presidents bidding, we will be rooted out and silenced. This is classic bullying, by a team who learned from the best. We have not, at any point, been asked for our input, valued for our expertise, or recognized for our service to the country. Instead, the Departments leadership is running though the roster of career employees in search of those whose nonpolitical status can be exploited to wrap a veneer of legitimacy around decisions that are, in reality, political transactions.

No one has told me why I was fired. But the notice was delivered hours after I declined to recommend reinstating the gun rights of a famous friend of the president, the actor Mel Gibson, who has a history of violence against women. In 2011, Gibson pleaded guilty to battering his former romantic partner, who reported that he hit her while holding their baby and broke her teeth. Gibson is also known for a 2006 incident in which he unleashed an antisemitic tirade on a police officer who arrested him for drunken driving. Shortly after I informed the deputy attorney generals staff that I could not recommend rearming this particular bully, I received my termination notice.

I chose to share this story publicly because it is part of a pervasive and dangerous phenomenon happening throughout the Department of Justice. Through unchecked bullying, the political leaders of the department are forcing out career staff, ripping away ethical guardrails, and offering priority access to government benefits to loyalists and friends. I am deeply concerned that the institution created to uphold our laws and protect our civil rights is being destroyed from within by those entrusted to protect it.

Liz Oyer speaking to incarcerated people and staff about applying for clemency at the federal prison in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on April 23, 2024.

When I went public, Blanche clapped back with just the type of response you would expect from someone who has no principled position to rest on.

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He said, Former employees who violate their ethical duties by making false accusations on press tours will not be tolerated. This former employees version of events is false  her decision to voice this erroneous accusation about her dismissal is in direct violation of her ethical duties as an attorney and is a shameful distraction from our critical mission to prosecute violent crime, enforce our nations immigration laws, and make America safe again.

This is a classic bullys response. It has three elements: He lies (calling my story false though he knows otherwise). He threatens (using the vague but ominous language will not be tolerated). And then he dresses me down by asserting the moral high ground (calling my conduct a shameful distraction from the principled and important matters he claims to be working on). What a guy.

Bizarrely, Blanche accuses me of lying despite the fact that DOJ possesses the memos and emails telling the whole story. Two of Blanches senior aides have their fingerprints all over these exchanges. I, on the other hand, have access to nothing to defend myself  a convenient result of my firing. This is yet another bullying tactic: eliminate defenses by cutting off access to resources (which, here, are just the facts).

Perhaps because lies and threats have become standard fare of the current DOJ, the last piece of Blanches statement is the most shocking. Blanche is chillingly dismissive of the concern that the department is moving too quickly to put guns into the hands of convicted domestic abusers, calling it a distraction. This is hard to reconcile with Blanches purported concerns about violent crime and public safety. Nearly half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by an intimate partner, and more than 50 percent of those killings are by firearm. An abusers access to a gun makes it five times more likely that a domestic violence victim will be killed.

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I would say, Mr. Blanche, that what is shameful is using the justice system to do political favors for celebrities and friends. I would say that what is shameful is marginalizing the career employees who are working in earnest to keep our country safe and to protect our civil rights. I would say, Mr. Blanche, that the shame is on you.

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You may have seen the headline Thursday that two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired government workers. This was, certainly, a defeat in court for President Trump and Elon Musk. But it was a lot more than that.

It was a royal spanking. One judge in particular shredded the administrations arguments and humiliated the lawyer who was arguing the governments case, all but openly calling her a liar. And it was something else too: a great example of the opposition working for the millions of people who are counting on it.

Lets start with the sum and substance of the judges orders. Some 25,000 federal employees will be back at work Monday. One judges order covers the employees at the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. The other covers those at Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the General Services Administration, the Small Business Administration, and USAID.

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Im not exactly sure which employees that leaves out. But the two injunctions leave in a hell of a lot of people, people despised and excoriated by Trump and Musk and idiots like Linda McMahon, who called her terminations at the Education Department a humanitarian thing and says she took care to keep the good people. She has no business running this departmentshe once lied about having a bachelors degree in education. (Remember when that might have mattered to a few U.S. senators? Remember when a president wouldnt even have nominated such a person?)

The judges rulings leave in the people McMahon heave-hoed. They leave in the people at the agency (USAID) Musk called a criminal enterprise. They leave in everyone at the hated consumer protection bureau. They leave in everyone at the IRS (under the Treasury Department). All of them were unfairly mocked and marginalized, and all of them are back on the job.

Granted, these are temporary injunctions, which last just a couple weeks. Well have to see where it goes after that. But if the way the arguments unfolded Thursday is any indication, especially in Judge William Alsups San Francisco courtroom, the administration has a long way to go in making arguments the court will find credible.

Alsup more than once called the governments arguments a sham. At one point, he said to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Helland: I tend to doubt that youre telling me the truth. At another, observing that Helland had no witnesses testifying in support of his case, Alsup said: You will not bring the people here to be cross-examined. Youre afraid to do so, because  it would reveal the truth. This is the U.S. District Court. Ive been practicing or serving in this court for over 50 years, and I know how we get to the truth.

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It was no picnic for the administration in the other courtroom, either. Judge James K. Bredar in Maryland quoted Musks line about moving fast and breaking things, saying: Move fast? Fine. Break things? If that involves breaking the law, then that becomes problematic.

Complete repudiation. And its hardly in just these two courtrooms. Earlier this week, a third (!) federal appeals court ruled against the administrations efforts to end birthright citizenship. And this week isnt unusual. On February 25 alone, the administration lost three cases: on the attempted freezing of federal grants and loans, on the payment of foreign-aid-related money to government contractors, and on refugee admissions and funding.

Spank, spank, spank, spank, and spank. The law is kicking their asses. And its happening because a lot of people are standing up and making it happen. With respect to the cases heard by Alsup and Bredar, its Democratic state attorneys general who brought these suits.

When liberals take the measure of the opposition, they tend to zoom their mental camera in to a very narrow field of view. Theres a lot of complaining right now about Chuck Schumers decision to let the House GOPs spending resolution have the eight Democratic votes it needs to pass the Senate.

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Dont get me wrong, I think Schumer made the wrong decisiona defensive and feeble decision of the sort Ive seen Democrats make far too many times in my life. Theyre always thinking of reasons why they shouldnt throw caution to the wind and try something bold. Blocking the resolution would have carried risks, and yes; a shutdown might have resulted in even more harm to the American people. But rank-and-file Democrats are pretty tired of watching their partys leaders mothball their fortitude like this.

The good news, though, is that the resistance isnt limited to what happens in the halls of Congress. Its in the hands of those attorneys general. Its in the hands of governors (at least those who arent inviting Steve Bannon onto their podcasts). Its in the hands of a range of nonprofit litigators who are in many cases, trust me, probably risking their funding and/or their 501(c)3 status, considering whos in charge of the IRS.

And its in the hands of millions of people who are enraged. If youre not watching Rachel Maddows show on MSNBC these days, you should. Every night, toward the beginning, she offers a sampling of that days protests and actions around the countryof which there are many all over the country, including in red states and towns. People are registering their shock and disgust at whats going on.

Cast your gaze a little more widely. The resistance is, in fact, strong, and as the madness multiplies, its just going to get stronger.

This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here.
Elon Musk leaps on stage with President Donald Trump. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Heres an assignment for the conservative politicians and activists who keep telling us that President Trump and his sidekick Elon Musks massive federal budget cuts are quote making American great again: take a few minutes to check out the history of the federal budget deficit.

As a quick review reveals, it was a Democratic administration that last tamed the deficit.

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During the last three years of the administration of President Bill Clinton 1998, 99, 2000 thanks to a healthy economy and slightly higher taxes on the rich the U.S. actually ran significant budget surpluses.

At the time, the U.S. was even making headway in paying off the national debt.

But you know what happened next. President Bush and a GOP congress commenced a tax slashing binge that Democrats never mustered the guts or votes to reverse in earnest, and its been a river of red ink ever since.

The bottom line: Making America great again when it comes to the federal budget deficit is a fine idea, but Trump and Musk are ignoring history and barking up the wrong tree.

For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield.
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Elon Musk made news this week when he said his next target for spending cuts are the big federal entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security.

The waste and fraud in entitlement spending, which is all of the  most of the federal spending is entitlements, that is the big one to eliminate, the tycoon and top White House adviser said in a Fox News interview that aired Monday. Thats the half trillion, maybe six, 700 billion a year.

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The statement was confusing, and sparked an instant debate over exactly what Musk intended to eliminate. But even if you give him the most generous interpretation, that hes simply eying somewhere between $500 and $700 billion in annual savings from entitlements, you might be alarmed. And understandably so.

Combined annual spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security was a bit more than $3 trillion last year. Additional mandatory spending, a category that includes programs like food assistance, was about another $1 trillion. Do the math and Musks pledge would work out to cutting these programs by at least 12% and probably a lot more, which would be well beyond any reasonable definition of waste or fraud.

There is not $500 to $700 billion of waste in benefit programs every single year  that number is absurdly large, Bobby Kogan, a longtime Democratic budget analyst now at the Center for American Progress, told me this week. There is no way to achieve that level of savings without cutting real benefits to real people.

That doesnt mean programs like Medicare are as efficient as they could be, Kogan made clear, or that going after waste is a bad idea. As it happens, one particularly inviting target was also in the news this week  although neither Musk nor his putative boss, President Donald Trump, have expressed interest in going after it.

The Right Place To Look For Waste In Medicare

That target is Medicare Advantage, the private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare.

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Medicare Advantage dates back to the 1990s, amid a serious debate in Washington over whether to transform Medicare from a single government health insurance program into a voucher scheme. The idea was that beneficiaries would choose from among a set of private plans, using a government-provided voucher that might or might not be enough to cover the costs.

Most Democrats wanted nothing to do with that. But plenty were open to the idea of creating a private insurance option, on the theory that some seniors and people with disabilities might like the choice  and that the competition would spur innovation or, at least, help to drive down costs. (Similar thinking was behind the original design of the Affordable Care Act.)

Among those who supported the idea was then-President Bill Clinton, who signed off on an initial version called Medicare+Choice. Since then, the program has grown and evolved into the Medicare Advantage system, through which more than half of Medicare beneficiaries now get their health coverage.

The allure is not hard to understand. Medicare Advantage plans frequently offer extra services and benefits, which historically have included everything from eyeglasses (something traditional Medicare still doesnt cover) to health club memberships. That can make the plans seem like a better deal.

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But critics have long said the plans also have an unfair advantage, citing research showing they attract healthier beneficiaries with predictably lower medical expenses. More recently, research has focused on the way insurers can game the payment systems in ways that get them extra money from the federal government.

Just how pervasive these practices are, and whether they are even legal, has been the subject of long-running debate. Insurers, their trade groups and their allies maintain they are paid appropriately. Their plans are so popular, insurers say, because their greater efficiency allows them to offer more for less.

The governments own accountants have consistently disagreed  up to and including this week, when the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) in its annual report said that the federal government was spending 20% more per Medicare Advantage beneficiary, relative to what it would have cost if that beneficiary had stayed in traditional Medicare.

Eliminating that differential could yield $80 billion in annual savings, or maybe even more according to the Congressional Budget Office. In theory, that would make it a perfect target for the kind of cost-cutting Musk and Trump have said they are trying to pursue.

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Medicare Advantage was supposed to save the government money, veteran health care journalist Merrill Goozner noted in a recent edition of his newsletter, GoozNews. Isnt it time for taxpayers to earn a return on the two decades of overpayments to the private insurance companies that manage a growing share of Medicare?

The Right Way To Cut That Waste In Medicare

Going after Medicare Advantage is far from an impossible task. But it would require legislative skill and attention to policy detail  not to mention raw political courage and an enthusiasm for government-provided insurance  that neither Musk nor Trump has shown so far.

Insurers would warn (as they do already) that cutting their payments would force them to scale back on benefits, or even to pull out of markets altogether. Thats bound to scare seniors already on Medicare Advantage, not to mention any members of Congress dependent on contributions from the insurance industry  or those who might fear attack ads insurers could finance.

But the insurance companies have their own political vulnerabilities, given all the reports of their limiting or denying treatments on questionable grounds, especially in Medicare Advantage. In fact, this is widely thought to be one reason they tend to attract healthier beneficiaries: People with more serious medical needs dont trust the insurers to pay for medically necessary care.

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A determined Trump administration could certainly find plenty of allies  not just on the pro-consumer left, but even on the pro-business right. Among the organizations that have endorsed Medicare Advantage payment reductions (as part of a broader scheme to encourage more enrollment) is the right-leaning Paragon Institute, whose co-founder and president is former Trump White House adviser Brian Blase.

And there are ways to cut Medicare Advantage while insulating enrollees, according to Tricia Neuman, senior vice president at the health care research organization KFF.

Gradual reductions in Medicare Advantage payments could be phased in to minimize the impact on enrollees, Neuman, who may know as much about Medicare as anybody on the planet, told me this week. The Medicare Advantage market today is fairly robust with multiple insurers competing in markets across the country, offering dozens of plans to enrollees. If payments are scaled back, insurers would have stronger incentives to find efficiencies so they could continue to attract and retain enrollees.

But all that assumes that Trump and Musk have their eyes on waste in the entitlement programs, rather than simply the entitlements themselves. And the fine-tuned, policy-aware political approach doesnt seem to jibe with the Trump/Musk agenda, which has taken a chainsaw as the metaphorical emblem of its approach to slashing so-called waste.

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Some of it is a showmans sensibility, of the kind that appeals to the publicity-hungry Trump and Musk  like appointing Mehmet Oz, a TV-famous doctor with a history of promoting Medicare Advantage, to oversee all of Medicare. And some of it is short-sighted destruction of the very things that would, ironically, help identify the fraud they claim to be targeting.

Take for example the other piece of health care news the administration made this week. As first reported here at HuffPost, on Tuesday HHS announced that it is closing six regional legal offices, reducing their number from 10 to four.

The attorneys who work in these branches are basically the in-house lawyers for the department, manning the front line for legal battles around standards, violations, and yes, fraud. Their advice is critical in guiding the way the department deals with issues like enforcement of quality standards for nursing homes and billing issues with hospitals.

HHS says the streamlined division can provide the same geographic support for regional HHS offices at lower operating costs. Sam Bagenstos, a University of Michigan law professor who led that division during the Biden years, was skeptical. Firing all these lawyers wont promote efficiency, Bagnestos told me after the news broke. It will just cause needless harm.
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The idea that millions of dead Americans are receiving Social Security checks is shocking, and bolsters the argument that the federal bureaucracy needs radical change to combat waste and fraud. Theres one big problem: No evidence exists that its true.

Despite being told by agency staff last month that this claim has no basis in fact, Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have continued to use the talking point as a pretext to attack Americas highest-spending government program. Musk seems to have gotten this idea from a list of Social Security recipients who did not have a death date attached to their record. Agency employees reportedly explained to Musks DOGE team in February that the list of impossibly ancient individuals they found were not necessarily receiving benefits (the lack of death dates was related to an outdated system).

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And yet, in his speech to Congress last week, Trump stated: Believe it or not, government databases list 4.7 million Social Security members from people aged 100 to 109 years old. He said the list includes 3.5 million people from ages 140 to 149, among other 100-plus age ranges, and that money is being paid to many of them, and were searching right now. In an interview with Fox Business on Monday, Musk discussed the existence of 20 million people who are definitely dead, marked as alive in the Social Security database. And DOGE has dispatched 10 employees to try to find evidence of the claims that dead Americans are receiving checks, according to documents filed in court on Wednesday.

Musk and Trump have long maintained that they do not plan to attack Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the major entitlement programs. But their repeated claims that rampant fraud exists within these entitlement systems undermine those assurances. In his Fox interview on Monday, Musk said, Waste and fraud in entitlement spendingwhich is most of the federal spending, is entitlementsso thats like the big one to eliminate. Thats the sort of half trillion, maybe $600, $700 billion a year. Some observers interpreted this confusing sentence to mean that Musk wants to cut the entitlement programs themselves. But the Trump administration quickly downplayed Musks comments, insisting that the federal government will continue to protect such programs and suggesting that Musk had been talking about the need to eliminate fraud in the programs, not about axing them. What kind of a person doesnt support eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending? the White House asked in a press release.

The White Houses question would be a lot easier to answer if Musk, who has called Social Security a Ponzi scheme, wasnt wildly overestimating the amount of fraud in entitlement programs. Musk is claiming waste in these programs on the order of hundreds of billions of dollars a year, but a 2024 Social Security Administration report found that the agency lost closer to $70 billion total in improper payments from 2015 to 2022, which accounts for about 1 percent of Social Security payments. Leland Dudek, a mid-level civil servant elevated to temporarily lead Social Security after being put on administrative leave for sharing information with DOGE, pushed back last week on the idea that the agency is overrun with fraud and that dead people older than 100 are getting payments, ProPublica reported after obtaining a recording of a closed-door meeting. DOGEs false claim about dead people receiving benefits got in front of us, one of Dudeks deputies reportedly said, but its a victory that youre not seeing more [misinformation], because they are being educated. (Dudek did not respond to ProPublicas request for comment.)

Some 7 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits for more than 90 percent of their income, and 54 million individuals and their dependents receive retirement payments from the agency. Even if Musk doesnt eliminate the agency, his tinkering could still affect all of those Americans lives. On Wednesday, DOGE dialed back its plans to cut off much of Social Securitys phone services (a commonly used alternative to its online programs, particularly for elderly and disabled Americans), though it still plans to restrict recipients ability to change bank-deposit information over the phone.

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In recent weeks, confusion has rippled through the Social Security workforce and the public; many people drop off forms in person, but office closures could disrupt that. According to ProPublica, several IT contracts have been cut or scaled back, and several employees reported that their tech systems are crashing every day. Thousands of jobs are being cut, including in regional field offices, and the entire Social Security staff has been offered buyouts (today is the deadline for workers to take them). Martin OMalley, a former commissioner of the agency, has warned that the workforce reductions that DOGE is seeking at Social Security could trigger system collapse and an interruption of benefits within the next one to three months.

In going anywhere near Social Securityin saying the agencys name in the same sentence as the word eliminateMusk is venturing further than any presidential administration has in recent decades. Entitlement benefits are extremely popular, and cutting the programs has long been a nonstarter. When George W. Bush raised the idea of partially privatizing entitlements in 2005, the proposal died before it could make it to a vote in the House or Senate.

The DOGE plan to cut $1 trillion in spending while leaving entitlements, which make up the bulk of the federal budget, alone always seemed implausible. In the November Wall Street Journal op-ed announcing the DOGE initiative, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (who is no longer part of DOGE) wrote that those who say we cant meaningfully close the federal deficit without taking aim at entitlement programs are deflecting attention from the sheer magnitude of waste, fraud and abuse that DOGE aims to address. But until theres clear evidence that this magnitude of fraud exists within Social Security, such claims enable Musk to poke at what was previously untouchable.

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Todays News

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats will support a Republican-led short-term funding bill to help avoid a government shutdown. A federal judge ruled that probationary employees fired by 18 federal agencies must be temporarily rehired. Mark Carney was sworn in as Canadas prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau as the Liberals leader.

Dispatches

Atlantic Intelligence : The Trump administration is embracing AI. Work is being automated, people are losing their jobs, and its not at all clear that any of this will make the government more efficient, Damon Beres writes.

The Books Briefing: Half a decade on, we now have at least a small body of literary work that takes on COVID, Maya Chung writes.

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Evening Read

Id Had Jobs Before, but None Like This

By Graydon Carter

I stayed with my aunt the first night and reported to the railroads headquarters at 7 oclock the next morning with a duffel bag of my belongings: a few pairs of shorts, jeans, a jacket, a couple of shirts, a pair of Kodiak work boots, and some Richard Brautigan and Jack Kerouac books, acceptable reading matter for a pseudo-sophisticate of the time. The Symington Yard was one of the largest rail yards in the world. On some days, it held 7,000 boxcars. Half that many moved in and out on a single day. Like many other young men my age, I was slim, unmuscled, and soft. In the hall where they interviewed and inspected the candidates for line work, I blanched as I looked over a large poster that showed the outline of a male body and the prices the railroad paid if you lost a part of it. As I recall, legs brought you $750 apiece. Arms were $500. A foot brought a mere $250. In Canadian dollars.

Read the full article.

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Music Box Films

Watch. The film Eephus (in select theaters) is a slow movie in the best possible way, David Sims writes.

Read. Novels about womens communities tend toward utopian coexistence or ruthless backbiting. The Unworthy does something more interesting, Hillary Kelly writes.

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Stephanie Bai contributed to this newsletter.

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Article originally published at The Atlantic
President Donald Trumps high-profile effort to transfer migrants from the United States to the Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is being buffeted by concerns inside and outside his administration over living conditions there and the arduous, expensive process of making it a suitable site for deportees.

Last month, the administration took the unprecedented step of sending migrants to Guantanamo Bay on US military aircraft, sparking fierce backlash from immigrant advocates and prompting a lawsuit from immigrant advocacy groups. The last flight by military aircraft to Guantanamo Bay was March 1, a US official told CNN, and there are no DOD flights to the base expected in the coming days.

As of Thursday, there were no migrants detained at the Naval base, and 40 people were flown back to the US this week, the official said. CNN reported in February that plans to house migrants in tents were being halted amid concerns the structures didnt meet detention standards required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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Amid those stumbles, the administration has already spent roughly $16 million on the operation, according to Democrat Rep. Sara Jacobs, who visited the base last week as part of a congressional delegation visit.

What we saw really was that there is very low capacity there, and its really expensive, and I could see no operational reasons for using Guantanamo Bay for immigration detention, Jacobs told CNN. It was clearly just because Donald Trump liked the optics.

The Defense Department declined to comment for this article and referred further questions to ICE. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

Legal challenges have been filed to the administrations plans for Guantanamo, but on Friday, a federal judge rejected requests for emergency intervention in a lawsuit dealing with the legality of using the military base for immigration detention. In a second case, the judge zeroed in on issues detainees have had accessing legal counsel there. The rulings from US District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump-appointee, hung largely on the fact that there are currently no immigrants with final removal orders being held at the base, though he signaled that the challengers might have other issues in their case.

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Still, Nichols said there were serious questions about whether the administration had the authority to use Guantanamo for immigration detention purposes and made clear that some of the plaintiffs  10 immigrants being detained in the US with final removal orders who feared they could be transferred to Guantanamo  would be able to file new requests for quick judicial intervention if they were transferred to the base.

For weeks, federal agencies including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have scrambled to execute on Trumps direction to prepare to house up to 30,000 migrants  though the base can barely accommodate a fraction of that number. The current capacity is 225 people, according to Jacobs.

Juan Lopez-Vega, ICE official who oversees the operations at Guantanamo, recently said in court records that a total of 290 migrants from multiple countries had been transferred to the base.

In late February, the administration deported 177 Venezuelan migrants  who were held in Guantanamo Bay after being transferred from the US  to Venezuela.

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The US official told CNN that DOD and DHS recently signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing each departments role and DODs support to ICE at Guantanamo.

Another US official described the facility as not a primary course of action, saying instead that officials are looking more intently at using US military bases to house migrants.

The use of Guantanamo has also been cited in plans to detain migrants deemed to be dangerous, like members of criminal organizations including the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, one source said. The second US official also said it was likely the Naval base could be used for detaining cartel members. Tren de Aragua was recently designated a foreign terrorist organization and is the primary target for the expected use of a sweeping wartime authority.

But one of the sticking points facing officials has been trying to meet rigorous ICE detention standards, which outline requirements for facilities holding immigrants, and trepidation among contractors given the logistical challenges, one source said.

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Jacobs told CNN that of the money spent by DOD, $3.1 million was spent solely on setting up tent structures, which ultimately were not in use and still not operational. As of now, the tents that were set up at the Naval base are expected to be left up for potential use during hurricane season, the second US official said.

Aside from the tents, Camp VI  the detention facility at Guantanamo  consists of single-person cells with toilets and sinks and has daily access to a communal day room, whereas the already-existing Migrant Operations Center is outfitted dormitory-style and allows outdoor recreation, according to court documents describing the facilities.

Conditions at the facilities have come under scrutiny. Some detainees have refused meals, which has led to weight loss, the US military officer overseeing the task force in charge of detention operations at Guantanamo Bay, Lt. Col. Robert Green, said in court documents. Green also said a restraint chair was used six times on February 28  each time because of Venezuelan detainees who were engaging in self-harm.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Angelica Franganillo-Diaz and Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.

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By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administrations policy of deporting some foreign nationals who participate in pro-Palestinian protests is unconstitutional, lawyers for a detained Columbia University student said.

In their first filing since U.S. authorities articulated the legal basis for arresting Mahmoud Khalil, his lawyers urged U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan to immediately release him from immigration detention because his free speech rights were violated.

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The governments unlawful policy of targeting noncitizens for arrest and removal based on protected speech isviewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment, Khalils lawyers, led by Amy Belsher of the New York Civil Liberties Foundation, wrote in a Thursday night court filing.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department, which is representing the government in court, said in a statement, "Being in the United States as a non-citizen is a privilege, not a right ... Mahmoud wont be missed.

Khalils case has become a flashpoint in Republican President Donald Trumps pledge to deport some participants in the pro-Palestinian protests that swept U.S. college campuses after militant group Hamas October 2023 attack and Israels subsequent military campaign.

Earlier this week, Justice Department lawyers representing the government said Khalil, 30, was subject to deportation because Secretary of State Marco Rubio had determined that his presence or activities in the country could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

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The provision the government cited in justifying Rubio's ability to declare Khalil deportable is part of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act and has rarely been invoked, legal experts have said, meaning there is little precedent for courts to turn to in determining its constitutionality. Khalils lawyers said that statute was not meant to silence dissent.

The government did not elaborate in court papers on how Khalil could harm U.S. foreign policy. Trump, without evidence, has accused him of supporting Hamas, and Rubio told reporters earlier this week that noncitizen protesters who disrupt campus life should have their visas revoked.

In their filing, Khalil's lawyers sought to push back on the Trump administration's portrayal of their client. They called him a "mediator and negotiator" and pointed to a spring 2024 interview with CNN in which he said, "I believe that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined."

Khalil, who is of Palestinian descent and became a U.S. lawful permanent resident last year, was arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents on Saturday night at his university residence in Manhattan. The government said he was then brought to an immigration detention center in New Jersey and later flown to Louisiana, where he is currently being held.

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Furman has temporarily blocked Khalils deportation while his lawyers challenge to the legality of his arrest, known as a habeas corpus petition, plays out. Even before the block, there was no indication the student activists deportation was imminent.

In a court filing on Friday, Khalil's lawyers said they planned to file a further motion later in the day asking Furman to grant him bail. They said if he continues to be detained, he could miss the birth of his first child. Khalil's wife, an American citizen, is eight months pregnant.

EPICENTER OF PROTESTS

Khalil's case could ultimately test where courts draw the line between protected speech guaranteed to citizens and noncitizens alike under the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment, and the executive branchs view that some protests in the U.S. can undermine foreign policy.

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Columbia, the epicenter of anti-Israel protests at dozens of U.S. college campuses last spring, has become a prime target of the Trump administration, which has accused it of an inadequate response to antisemitism on campus and allowing Jewish students to be intimidated.

Protest organizers say criticism of Israels military assault on Gaza is being wrongly conflated with antisemitism.

Last week, the federal government canceled about $400 million in grants and contracts to Columbia because of what it described as antisemitism.

On Thursday, Department of Homeland Security agents searched two student residences at Columbia pursuant to judicial warrants, its president said, though no one was arrested and no items were removed. The university has expelled some students who occupied a university building during a protest last spring.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul and Nick Zieminski)
Chuck Schumers spineless flip on passing the House GOP funding bill has made him Trumps new favorite Democrata dreadful look for the Senate minority leader.

On Thursday, Schumer announced he would vote to pass the GOPs budget bill that would keep the government funded through September and avoid a government shutdown, despite signaling that he wouldnt pass the bill the day before.

Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thingTook guts and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming, Trump posted on Truth Social Friday morning.

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Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning! Trump added.

The bill, which narrowly passed in the Republican-led House this week, is a disaster, and all but one House Democrat voted against it. It would gut funding for health care and homeless shelters, increase military spending, fund mass deportation, and codify Trumps plan to dismantle the federal government.

Schumer is on board, arguing that a shutdown would be worse than passing the bill because it would give Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.

Its not really a decision, its a Hobsons choice, Schumer said Thursday. Either proceed with the bill before us, or risk Donald Trump throwing America into the chaos of a shutdown. This, in my view, is no choice at all.

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The shocking announcement has Democrats from left to center seething, and many are pushing for Representative Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez to take Schumers seat.

Trump, though, couldnt be happier. Hes one step closer to funding his outrageous plans for autocracy, and Schumer could help him get there.
Donald Trump controls the White House. Republicans control the House of Representatives and the Senate. As the president and his administration disassemble the federal government, the shred of power Democrats still have is the Senate filibuster, which they could use on Friday to block the Republican continuing resolution to keep the government open.

Theyre not going to do that, though.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) made clear on Thursday that he will vote in favor of the GOPs plan, which gives Trump and Elon Musk the power to raid congressionally appropriated taxpayer money. Schumers reasoning, as he outlined in an op-ed for The New York Times, is that Trump and Musk could inflict maximum damage in a shutdown, which would give them wide-ranging authority to deem whole agencies, programs, and personnel nonessential, furloughing staff members with no promise they would ever be rehired.

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Trump is pleased. Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took guts and courage! he wrote Friday on Truth Social. The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning! DJT

Trump and Musk are already deeming whole agencies, programs, and personnel nonessential. They have fired tens of thousands of federal workers with no basis, and are plotting additional massive reductions in force. They have also moved to claw back funds appropriated by Congress, a strategy known as impoundment, which is a direct challenge to the power of the purse the Constitution grants to Congress. The Trump administration and Republicans have made clear that the GOPs continuing resolution would allow the president to keep impounding funds, which is why all but one House Democrat opposed the spending bill.

Schumers decision to allow the measure through is not going over well  to say the least  with scores of his colleagues venting their frustration that the partys leader is abdicating what little power the party still has by allowing Trump and Republicans to keep the government open on their own terms, and continue Trump and Musks slash-and-burn approach. If you do nothing, you sit back and say its gonna be terrible  and thats right, a shutdown will be terrible  but our job is to put the onus on the Republican president, the Republican House, the Republican Senate, the people who control the government, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Thursday night on MSNBC. They are responsible.

Sanders is one of several Democratic senators who said on Thursday that they will vote against the Republican CR. Republicans only need the vote of seven or eight Democratic senators to get to the 60 votes they need to pass the CR, though, and its more than likely at least that many will follow Schumers lead and agree to the GOPs terms to fund the government.

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The Senate will vote for the CR on Friday after nearly every House Democrat voted against it earlier this week. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) usually present a united, establishment-approved front  but not this time. We strongly oppose the partisan and harmful Republican spending bill, Jeffries wrote Thursday night, noting that Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy while taking a chainsaw to social services in order to fund a tax cut for the wealthy. We will not be complicit, Jeffries wrote.

Jeffries sentiment has been echoed by the rest of the House Democratic caucus, perhaps most pointedly by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who described deep sense of outrage and betrayal while speaking to reporters on Thursday. She elaborated during an appearance on CNN. The strength of our leadership in this moment is going to demonstrate the strength of our caucus, she said. I cannot urge enough how bad of an idea it is to empower and enable Donald Trump and Elon Musk in this moment. It is as dangerous as it is reckless.

CNN later reported about how Ocasio-Cortez is rallying an opposition to Schumer, and that Democrats are privately encouraging her to run against Schumer to replace him in the Senate. Schumer is not up for reelection until 2028, but the indignation at Schumers decision is roiling across social media, as well, and in liberal advocacy groups, with Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of Indivisible, deeming it the Schumer surrender, per Politico.

Republicans have also been responding to the Democratic leaders decision to greenlight the spending bill. Schumer caved. Trump won, the House Judiciary GOP wrote on X. Incredible.

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A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)



Director Sarah Viola is ready to thrill audiences once again at The Stuttgart Theater Center as she ushers the audience into her world of early 20th-century London with an exceptionally talented cast of ladies and gentlemen.

A well chosen and technically challenging piece, A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder navigates audiences through the life changing events of middle class Monty (Dave Wilson) as he learns he has ties to the wealthy DYsquith family.

Destined to lose his love Sibella (Leah Wall), due to financial expectations, Monty takes on an ambitious journey in order to keep her love and eventually falls into the affections of another. Will this love triangle become deadly?

A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)



Wilsons charming performance of Monty is seamless and smooth, effortlessly threaded from scene to the scene as he glides through interactions with his talented fellow cast members.

As we watch Monty strive to secure a better station for himself in the name of love, we are introduced to the eccentric aristocratic family of the DYsauiths. All nine characters in this family are performed by the talented TSgt Aaron Vonderhaar. Yes, all nine! While a cat may have nine lives, Vonderhaars nine cleverly distinguished characters are not so lucky. Time and time again they fight fate and we watch them succumb to their timely demise amidst clever sets and talented actors.

A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)



As delightful voices and harmonies soar through the theater sharing hysterical lyrics in such songs as I Dont Understand the Poor and Poison in my Pocket, one cannot miss the glorious operatic soprano vocals of Phoebe (Erica Page).

The live orchestra, under the music direction of Alan Buxkemper, keeps the audience on track as they learn how the once extensive family tree of the DYsquiths is, indeed, dwindling down to a twig.

Enjoy this extraordinary production as you are carried through a satirical adventure with twists, turns and a zest of murder guaranteed to make you continuously chortle and gaffaw.

Performance Dates

March 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 9, 2025 at 3 p.m.

March 14, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 16, 2025 at 3 p.m.

March 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 22, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

March 23, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Reservations

Reserve tickets by emailing the Ticket Reservation Form to usarmy.stuttgart.imcom.mbx.theatre-center@army.mil

You can also make reservations by callinh the Theater Office (Tues.-Fri. 12:30-17:30), at 0711-729-3055, or DSN 421-3055.
Tariffs may not have been a kitchen table issue before President Donald Trump made them a central tenet of his campaign, and now, his second term. But Trumps catch-all strategy for solving Americas economic woes has sowed chaos in recent weeks, sending markets into free fall, souring relationships with trade partners, and perhaps hurting the very members of American industry hes purportedly advocating for.

Trumps reasoning for levying duties on China, Mexico, Canada, the European Union and the world at large has varied, but it comes back to one key message: manufacture in the U.S., and you wont get taxed. If you dont make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and, in some cases, a rather large one, hes said.

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But according to U.S. manufacturersthe actual boots on the groundthe math isnt that simple.

From seeing higher prices on essential, foreign-made inputs like buttons and trims to waning goodwill from consumers outside the U.S., loss of business from sectors hit hard by duties and rising prices from offshore suppliers, the impacts of Trumps tariff plan have been wide-rangingand most of the proposed duties, China aside, havent even gone into effect yet.

Theres probably been about a 20-percent increase in interest in domestic production, but it still comes down to dollars and cents. I always say people shop with their wallets, not their patriotism, Mitch Gambert, CEO and owner of Gambert Shirtmakers in Newark, N.J., told Sourcing Journal.

While brands and retailers are scrambling to identify alternate sourcing in case new tariffsretaliatory or reciprocaldo take effect, Gambert said interest doesnt always translate to purchase orders, at least not yet. Longtime partner Nordstrom has indicated a desire to scale up its business with the manufacturer as a means of expanding its close-to-home sourcing, but those talks are ongoing.

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The tariffs are definitely impacting my business more negatively than positively right now as a domestic manufacturer, Gambert said. The custom and wholesale shirting outfit is running into trouble servicing its existing client base due to the 20-percent duties on China-made goods and threats of duties on Canadian products.

Buttons are, in essence, a finished product, but they are an essential part of my raw materials, he explained. When the first 10 percent was added to the Chinese duties, the Chinese added an additional 8-percent price hike [on buttons], so my prices went up 18 percent. Thats already translated to a $5,400 increase on each order of 5,000 buttons that the supplier has placed since February.

Tariffs have never helped me, Gambert continued. The group sources its woven cotton fabrics from a jobber in Canadaan intermediary wholesaler that brings in textiles from across the globe, selling them to manufacturers in right-sized quantities so they dont have to purchase reams of fabric they dont need.

Gambert Shirtmakers in Newark, N.J.

We buy some fabrics that they import from Italy, from South Korea, from Chinaa breadth of options Gambert Shirtmakers would not be able to purchase directly on its own. But when Trump began ramping up his tariff talk, the Canadian firm imposed a 33-percent surcharge on all shipments to cover the new duties and shipping costs. The decision forced Gambert to cull 50 fabric options from the companys portfolio immediately and cancel already-placed orders.

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Tariffs for woven cottons were introduced in the 1800s, and the purpose of the tariffs was to protect American woven mills. Right now, to date, there are like three active woven cotton mills that I could even buy from domestically, and they dont even support an array of fabrics that I would need for my client base, he said.

My frustration with the tariffs is that theyre applied to what we term raw materials, like yarn; we just have no access to American made products. It would be amazing to be able to make a completely vertical American shirt, but its just not possible.

An even more daunting purchase for U.S. manufacturers in 2025 is machinery, much of which is sourced from Asia or Europe. With advanced equipment often costing companies tens of thousands of dollars, a 15-percent, 20-percent or 25-percent duty increase could be cost-prohibitive, not just a headache.

So Im the one who gets hit with that. My retail base are the ones who are going to get hit with it, who are then going to pass it on to the consumers, Gambert said.

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Alexa Roberti, director of sales for Rochester, N.Y. custom suiting and apparel company Adrian Jules, also bemoaned the forthcoming price increases that her family-owned business will face on necessary equipment.

All our machines are coming from Germany or China. I cant see a U.S. company investing in coming up with a similar sewing machine and doing that within a time frame that would make sense for us to even pivot, she said.

Some of the groups machines cost between $50,000 and $200,000. Added duties represent a huge chunk for us to digest that did not exist a year ago.

The 70-person operation, which makes mens and womens suiting and tailored garments, sells private-label goods to New York City brick-and-mortars and also runs its own custom suiting shops.

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According to Roberti, The tariffs have placed a lot of ambiguity on our business.

On the one hand, weve had a lot of interest from retailers and boutique stores that dont currently carry domestic-made products, and theyve reached out to us or signed up with us because theyre anticipating tariffs that may level the playing field between a domestic suit versus an offshore suit, she explained. But on the other hand, we do get certain raw materials like our canvassing from Canada, and fabric we import to make our clothing from Italy. So, were also anticipating the cost of our raw materials going up.

The companys headquarters in Rochester, N.Y.

Canvas, she explained, is the heart of a tailored garment, sandwiched between a suits outer fabric and its lining. Its not like we can just say, All right, this canvas has gone up 25 percent, lets just use something from another country. Even if we needed to change our supply strategy, its months and months of R & D to make sure that we maintain quality, she added.

The firms European fabric suppliers began raising prices in anticipation of new tariffs back in January.

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For anything we import from Europe, there was pretty much a blanket, Were raising our prices. This is what they are. Theres really no negotiation, she said, noting that suppliers have tacked on an average of 5 percent to 15 percent. But when it comes to Canada, who we do some business with, theyve been more flexible. Until those partners are sure what the trade landscape will look like, theyre proceeding with business as usual.

But its fast coming, Roberti said. Were going to probably see price increases that well absorb part of, and then well have to have some tough conversations with our customers about increased costs due to the raw materials.

Adrian Jules is loathe to jack up prices for its retail partners, and is determined to absorb as much of the impact as it can. We dont want to affect our customers. We dont want to have to raise prices, she stressed.

The tariff turmoil has had some positive impacts for the Rochester manufacturer, though. Roberti said theres been a definite pickup in interest from clients or prospects interested in developing American sourcing options. I wouldnt say were fielding calls all day, but I would say its noticeable. Its multiple inquiries a week. Some days were getting three, four or five inquiries in a day since mid-February, she added.

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Still, its hard to count on those probing phone calls as evidence of a real upturn when the trade environment is so volatile that policies change almost daily.

We just want to know what is going to stick. The hardest part is the uncertainty, Roberti said. If [the tariffs] do stick, and there happens to be a continued interest in domestic manufacturing, then I know I should hire some more staff, some more seamstresses and sewers. But if its going to be 25 percent this week, and then 10 percent next week, and then no tariffs the week after, its really hard to plan.

The sales director said if Adrian Jules doesnt get some concrete direction from the administration in the next two to four weeks, well start really exploring all options to either drive costs down, keep costs the same, or come up with a more solid plan with our clients to pivot to a new pricing structure.

Everythings in a holding pattern right now, echoed Mitch Cahn, owner and president of Unionwear, a Newark, N.J.-based manufacturer of hats, bags, promotional products and military gear.

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While the manufacturer doesnt rely on imported inputs, the mercurial nature of a market waiting with bated breath for the next tweet from the Oval Office has caused some pullback from clients, including the federal government.

We have not made sales yet because of the tariffs, and I think uncertainty is a big reason for that, he said. In fact, Because of the uncertainty, people are not ordering anything.

The mostly-B2B business services American companies like auto and appliance makers with promotional products, political campaigns with hats (like the Harris-Walz camo style rolled out during the 2024 presidential race), and U.S. defense agencies with gear and uniforms. But those companies, some of them impacted by tariffs themselves, along with the government, which is facing mass job cuts and a potential shutdown, are watching their balance sheets hawkishly now.

We have definitely seen a slowdown in orders from these [government] agencies, he said. I dont remember a time where this has happened, ever. I have not seen anything like this, where [the government] is not submitting purchase orders that have happened every year for at least 10 years because they want to hold on to their budgets.

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Unionwears business is more tied to the politics and policies of the moment than it has been in years past, even on the commercial side. The group attended a trade show in January for promotional products and saw 300 percent more than our usual number of inquiries at a show weve been doing for decades, Cahn said. It has to be from the tariffs; there really cant be much else.

The tariffs, if theyre expanded and maintained, could have a big impact on a small manufacturing business. But Cahn is dubious that even a sustained, aggressive tariff strategy would prompt companies to move a meaningful portion of their business to the U.S.especially if the duties are eventually lifted and it becomes cheaper and easier to revert back to old sourcing habits.

I dont see companies necessarily investing in domestic manufacturing if they think that all of Trumps plans are going to get wiped outif the Democrats retake the House in a tremendous fashion during the midterm elections, for example, he added. Four years is not enough, I think, to have a huge impact on domestic textile manufacturing.

Meanwhile, there are potential impacts that no ones talking about yet, Cahn said. For example, if the tariffs get up to a point where theres really a chill in international trade, thats just going to bring [ocean] shipping costs down, because theres going to be all this excess capacity in shipping, he said.

Thats going to mitigate any of the effect that the tariffs are going to have, if it gets to that point. Companies facing heightened duties on offshore goods would see savings in logistics costs, and it might still be cheaper to source from Asia than from New Jersey, he pointed out.

Another thing is that there was really some positive movement towards nearshoring that its been happening since the pandemic; this has put an absolute freeze on that, Cahn added. Whos going to move their production to Central or South America when a new sourcing locale could get hit with a tariff like a bolt of lightning tomorrow?

With a robust co-production chain taking shape in the Western Hemisphere, a slowdown in the closer-to-home sourcing trend would hurt, not help, American producers.

There is a path for a company like ours to see a net benefit from tariffs, Cahn said. But if increasing the tariffs is cutting your nose off to spite your face, thats not sustainable.
President Donald Trump visited the Justice Department on Friday -- a move that comes as he has sought to assert control over the nation's top law enforcement agency that brought two historic prosecutions against him, which were thwarted by his 2024 election victory.

"As we begin a proud new chapter in the chronicles of America, justice is really is something we're turning the page on for a long years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals," Trump said to the crowd. "And we are restoring fair, equal and impartial justice under the Constitution or rule of law. And you're the people that are doing it.

"Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the earth," he added.

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MORE: Trump, addressing DOJ attorneys, says that those who fight him in court are 'scum'

He used the setting to repeat his now-familiar accusation that the Justice Department was "weaponized" to attack him.

"We must be honest about the lies and abuses that have occurred within these walls. Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated that trust and goodwill built up over generations," he said. "They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025. (ABC News)

"Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice," continued Trump, who became a convicted felon in May 2024 after he was found guilty on 34 felony counts in New York. "But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back. They're never coming back. So now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred."

PHOTO: FBI Director Kash Patel and Emil Bove Acting Deputy Attorney General of the United States listen to President Donald Trump speak at the Department of Justice in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

The rare visit marks Trump's first time inside the walls of the Robert F. Kennedy building as president, and as such his first since crowds of his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 and were subsequently charged by the DOJ, and follows nearly a decade's worth of conflict that have proven to be the ultimate stress test for the Justice Department's post-Watergate norms intended to preserve independence from the White House.

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Trump himself faced four criminal court cases, but all remaining charges were dropped when he was elected president -- but not because the cases lacked merits -- allowing him to avoid serious consequences. The president denied all the allegations and said the cases were politically motivated.

The opening weeks of Trump's presidency have been a time of unprecedented upheaval for the DOJ, as Trump's political leadership immediately moved to reassign or oust career officials who served in senior criminal and national security roles across multiple administrations.

MORE: Trump expected to invoke wartime Alien Enemies Act to carry out mass deportations: Sources

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi arrive to speak at the Department of Justice in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Dozens of prosecutors who worked on investigations stemming from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol were fired, as well as DOJ and FBI officials who worked on former special counsel Jack Smith's investigations of Trump.

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An effort by the department to drop its criminal corruption case against New York City Mayor Adams resulted in a dramatic standoff leading to multiple resignations by prosecutors and other top officials who described the arrangement as a clear "quid pro quo" to secure Adams' cooperation with the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement efforts.

However, in the very same speech in which the president griped about his own prosecutions, he suggested that his predecessor should be jailed for the way his administration handled the Afghanistan withdrawal.

"What a shame. The way we got out, I think it was the most humiliating time in the history of our country," he said. "The way it happened. Not that we were getting out because we wanted to get out, but we would have gotten out with dignity and strength. And what a difference a rigged and crooked election had on our country, when you think about it. And the people who did this to us should go to jail, they should go to jail. So, I just want to say, God bless America because we have to say God bless. We're lucky we're still here."

PHOTO: The FBI seal outside the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building, Nov. 8, 2024, in Washington. (Aaron M. Sprecher/AP)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed Trump's remarks on Fox News, saying that it will be focused on "restoring law and order," but she added that he might also discuss "ending the weaponization of justice."

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"Donald Trump will go to the Department of Justice to visit with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Kash Patel to give a speech not just to the Department of Justice but to the American people about Donald Trump's intention to restore a justice department that is truly focused on fighting crime and restoring law and order in American communities," Leavitt said on Fox News.

She also previewed the remarks when asked by reporters at the White House on Friday morning, saying that Trump will be joined by families who have lost children "at the hands of illegal migrant criminals" and because of "illegal Chinese fentanyl."

In remarks Thursday to reporters at the White House, Trump said his speech a thet DOJ would "set out" his "vision" for the department through the rest of his tenure.

"I think we have unbelievable people, and all I'm going to do is set out my vision. It's going to be their vision, really, but it's my ideas," he said. "We want to have justice, and we want to have -- we want to have safety in our cities as well as our communities. And we'll be talking about immigration. We'll be talking about a lot of things."

PHOTO: Special Counsel Jack Smith speaks at his offices in Washington, June 9, 2023. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Nearly every top appointee for the department previously represented Trump as a defense attorney in either an official or personal capacity, a reflection of Trump's expectation for loyalty from a department that he has said he believes stymied his first term and was later "weaponized" against him after leaving office.

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While Attorney General Pam Bondi told senators in her confirmation hearing she would "not politicize" her office, her opening weeks, critics argue, have been marked with politically charged statements repeatedly emphasizing her loyalty to Trump.

MORE: AG Bondi gets extended deadline to recommend killing gun control policies: DOJ

"I've never seen this before, and we all adore Donald Trump and we want to protect him and fight for his agenda," Bondi said in an interview with Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

In another interview early this month, Bondi said she was still working to "root out" officials at the department who she said "despise Donald Trump."

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In one of her first directives following her confirmation, Bondi ordered DOJ officials to "zealously defend" the interests of the presidency and threatened discipline or termination for any attorney who refused to sign onto legal arguments put forward by political leadership.

"When Department of Justice attorneys, for example, refuse to advance good-faith arguments by declining to appear in court or sign briefs, it undermines the constitutional order and deprives the President of the benefit of his lawyers," the directive stated.

Trump's visit to DOJ is his first to any government agency since taking office, though it's not without precedent. The last visit by a sitting American president to the building was when former President Barack Obama attended a departure ceremony in 2015 for Eric Holder -- for a retirement ceremony honoring his time as attorney general.

ABC News' Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.

Trump rails against prosecutions, touts Jan. 6 hostages in visit to Justice Department originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to amplify false claims about the state of the war in Ukraine on social media.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said his administration spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, adding that he was optimistic the three-year conflict would soon be over.

We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end, Trump wrote.

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While Trump seemed to suggest he had a direct conversation with Putin, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified Putin had so far only spoken with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff who traveled to Moscow this week.

In his social media post, Trump also appeared to amplify a falsehood promoted by the Kremlin.

AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION, he wrote. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared.

Trump appeared to be referencing Russias claims it has encircled troops in its Kursk region. While Russian forces have made advances there, reversing some of Ukraines gains over the summer, both Kyiv and independent analysts have questioned the claims, according to The New York Times.

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Ukraines General Staff said such reports are false and are being created by the Russians for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

Witkoffs visit to Russia followed a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire to the war, which Ukraine has already approved. Putin on Thursday said he supported the idea in principle but said more details would need to be hashed out for him to formally back the plan.

Putin also seemed to indicate he would want all Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender as part of the truce, the Times noted.

Meanwhile, a CNN poll released Friday showed that the majority of Americans disapprove of Trumps handling of the war in Ukraine and doubt he will succeed in bringing lasting peace to the region.
President Trump said he strongly requested that Russian President Vladimir Putin spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers surrounded by Russian troops, in a statement posted to his social media site.

Trump described good and productive discussions between U.S. officials and the Russian leader, part of his effort to secure a ceasefire and halt fighting over three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion against Ukraine.

There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end  BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!

Trumps remarks come after his top envoy for negotiations Steve Witkoff left Moscow without an immediate agreement from Russia to halt fighting, and in particular, as Russian forces advance against Ukrainian troops on a key front in the Russian territory of Kursk.

Ukraines top commander denied earlier this week that Ukrainian troops were being encircled in Kursk, Reuters reported, but said they were adopting better defensive positions.

But Putin made a show of force by visiting Kursk on Wednesday and threatened that any Ukrainian troops encircled by Russian forces would have two choices to surrender or die.

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Putin then received Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy for negotiations, on Thursday and discussed the U.S.-proposal for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to the proposal, which includes a 30-day truce, a halt on missile and drone attacks and operations in the Black Sea and freezing the 600 mile-long front line.

Putin asked Witkoff to give additional messages to Trump, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

There are certainly some grounds for cautious optimism, Peskov said of the ceasefire proposal, according to the Associated Press. A lot still needs to be done, but the president has shown solidarity with President Trumps position.

Russian forces have advanced against Ukrainian forces in the Russian territory of Kursk, a small pocket of land that Ukraine captured in an audacious operation that more firmly brought the war directly onto Russian territory. Along with Russian gains there, Russian forces have made incremental progress on the front lines.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday there is a "very good chance" the war between Russia and Ukraine can end after Washington had "productive" discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

He added that he had requested that Putin spare the lives of "completely surrounded" Ukrainian troops, apparently referring to Ukrainian forces being pushed back out of the Kursk region, their only foothold on Russian territory.

"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

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White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later told reporters that Trump had not spoken with Putin on Thursday, but that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had.

Witkoff had a long meeting with Putin in Moscow on Thursday night, according to a source briefed on the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had used the meeting to convey "signals" to Trump through Witkoff. He said Russia and the U.S. would work out the timing of a phone call between their presidents once Witkoff had briefed Trump.

The U.S. president has said he wants Moscow and Kyiv to agree a swift ceasefire to pause fighting in a conflict which he has warned has the potential to spiral into World War Three and has already cost many lives on both sides.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Katharine Jackson and Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Don Durfee and Kevin Liffey)
(Bloomberg) -- Harvard University is imposing a temporary freeze on hiring faculty. Columbia University is grappling with cuts to $400 million in federal funding. California Institute of Technology is leaving postdoctoral positions unfilled. A University of Washington researcher is wondering about a climate and health grant after a government site was taken offline.

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These are just some of the disruptions that resulted from President Donald Trumps sweeping changes to the federal government. Though the private sector has historically provided more funding for research and development in the US, experts say, Trumps mass firings and freezing of billions of dollars appropriated by Congress could have ripple effects on the US scientific enterprise for years to come.

Many personnel and financial cuts are being made under the banner of streamlining government  an idea championed by billionaire Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency  while some funding cancellations and threats are tied to allegations of antisemitism on campus. Several of these moves have been challenged in court, and the implementation of some have been put on hold. But research has already been halted in some places and thrust others into limbo, according to interviews with more than 25 professors, graduate students, other academic researchers, and experts across the public, private and non-profit sectors.

The cutbacks risk slowing the pipeline of US-grown science talent, experts warn. And should Congress enshrine them, it would radically alter a system thats allowed the US to become a world-leading hub for research since World War II. (This is possible in the short-term spending legislation under debate as a possible government shutdown looms or in the next longer-term budget).

This is an ecosystem that benefits everyone and has kept the US at the forefront, Fiona Harrison, the chair of Caltechs division of physics, mathematics and astronomy, writes in an email. The situation is jeopardizing our Nations ability to stay at the forefront of science and engineering by reducing or eliminating a generation of young technical talent, she adds.

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The government has been an essential source of data for fields from weather to health. Investment in the National Weather Service (NWS) and its support functions, for example, has enabled the growth of a commercial weather forecasting industry.

Those systems generate at least $85 billion in economic benefits, or more than 20 times what the government spends, according to Jeffrey Lazo, an independent economist who tracks the value of US forecasting services. Without the federal data and observations, it would be very difficult to say there would be any private weather enterprise, he says.

Due to recent firings and voluntary departures of hundreds of people at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the NWS, three local forecasting offices have cut back on collecting basic data, with one site in Kotzebue, Alaska, discontinuing weather balloon launches altogether.

The remote launch sites are where some of the most valuable data comes from, says John Dean, co-founder of AI weather forecasting startup WindBorne Systems. Losing these observations means that our forecast quality will degrade.

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The company  which collects data using its own weather balloons  is talking with the NOAA about how it can fill newly created gaps, Dean says. The agency confirmed it was in touch with the startup, adding the matter is still under review at NWS.

In February, the National Institutes of Health said it was slashing rates to 15% for overhead in grants, which awardees can use to cover the indirect costs of everything from building maintenance to tech support. The institute commonly covers more than half of those costs. While a Massachusetts district court judge put a hold on cuts last week, the potential change is weighing on researchers.

Every day, theres something new and something I was not ready for and my colleagues werent ready for, says Alexandra Tate, a University of Chicago sociologist and lecturer. She has two NIH grant proposals, worth nearly $650,000 combined, in limbo. I dont know where my careers going from here.

Grant cancellations at other agencies are already leading to job losses.

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The Social Security Administration notified researchers at a consortium of six academic centers that their multi-year grant worth more than $70 million was abruptly canceled on Feb. 20, according to Teresa Ghilarducci, a researcher impacted by the grant cancellation and chair of the economic department at the New School in New York City. (She is a former columnist at Bloomberg Opinion.)

This canceled grant  which funded research into retirement that informed federal policymaking  has impacted the work of more than 50 people at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including the termination of five senior researchers, says Ghilarducci, who anticipates more job losses at the other centers.

The White House, Social Security Administration and Department of Health and Human Services didnt respond to requests for comment.

As individual researchers wrestle with funding restrictions, US universities are responding by limiting spending in ways that will impact operations over the coming calendar years.

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Harvard, Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have all recently announced hiring freezes. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins University is cutting almost 2,000 positions globally and about 250 in the US following the termination of more than $800 million in US Agency for International Development grants. The university is the top recipient of research funding and NIH money.

At the same time, schools are facing even more pressure from the Trump administration. On Friday, the administration ramped up its investigations in alleged racial discrimination, focusing on 45 schools. That's in addition to the 60 separate investigations into institutions to see if they are violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by failing to protect Jewish students.

This is not one standard deviation away from normal. This is not even two standard deviations away from normal. This is way out on the extreme, says Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a computer scientist at Brown University and an assistant director in former President Joe Bidens Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Researchers at the start of their careers are particularly vulnerable. West Virginia University says its limiting admission to health science doctoral programs due to unforeseen budgetary challenges. Citing uncertainties with funding and high acceptance rates, Iowa State University says some departments have rescinded offers to graduate students who hadnt formally accepted their spots.

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Unfortunately, the full force of the Trump cuts on science were only evident after we sent offers to grad students, says Harrison, the Caltech chair. While the university wont rescind offers, she says, we will very likely be drastically reducing admissions next year and may even not admit any graduate students at all in many areas of science and math.

The US economy has been intimately tied to the science enterprise since World War II. The Federal Bank of Dallas estimates that the rate of return for non-defense government research and development over the past 80 years ranges between 150% and 300%, suggesting that this federal funding effectively pays for itself over time.

While the private sector provides the largest share of R&D funding in the US, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the federal government provides a crucial backstop, including for science with no immediate hope of commercialization. The private sector would feel the impact of losing basic research in areas that they do not and cannot fund themselves, warns Diane Souvaine, a computer scientist at Tufts University and former NSF board chair. We would miss out on key areas and run the risk of technological surprise if there is too much federal pullback.

A drop in graduate students would also result in a shallower pool of experts for the biotech industry to hire, says Northwestern University stem cell biologist and NIH grant recipient Carole LaBonne.

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As uncertainty grips US research institutions, other countries are trying to poach American talent. At least one French university is pitching itself as a safe place for science. China, too, has been ramping up recruitment.

We are already seeing China advertise for fired scientists to move and work there, says California Representative Zoe Lofgren, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, in an emailed statement.

We would be utterly foolish if we decided to give up the preeminence that we have had in scientific research, says Shirley Tilghman, a former Princeton University president and molecular biologist.

(Adds paragraph 19 to include details on investigations into universities.)

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A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Columbia University Is Ground Zero For Trump Extortion

If you still harbored any doubt that President Trumps ongoing attack on Columbia University  a private institution  is drawn straight from the authoritarian playbook, then the latest development should be clarifying.

The Trump administration  specifically the Department of Education, HHS, and GSA  sent a letter yesterday to Columbia attempting to extort an array of concessions in how the university is run before it may consider restoring some $400 million in frozen federal funding.

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Imposing an arbitrary March 20 deadline, the Trump administration demanded that Columbia complete a laundry list of internal restructurings, policy changes, and submissions to federal authority. Among the most alarming demands: put the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department in what it calls academic receivership for at least five years.

If Columbia complies by the deadline, then and only then will the Trump administration open a conversation about immediate and long-term structural reforms at the university. If its not clear, it sure should be: Even if Columbia submits to this extortion letter, it doesnt get federal funding restored. It merely sets itself up for a later round of bullying, exorbitant demands, and more extortion.

The extortion letter came the same day DHS agents executed search warrants at the residences of two Columbia students. According to the sources, it was part of the Trump administrations crackdown on individuals it has described as espousing the views of Hamas and threatening the safety of Jewish students, ABC News reported.

This all transpired as Columbia graduate and pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil remained in federal detention as the Trump administration attempts to deport him even though hes a legal permanent resident. His lawyers amended their filings as they obtained new information about his detainment. In an interview with NPR, a top DHS official could not articulate what wrongdoing Khalil was being accused of.

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Meanwhile, The Atlantic reported that the Trump administration had targeted at least one other person at the same time as Khalil:

It turns out Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified a second individual to be deported, and included that person alongside Khalil in a March 7 letter to the Department of Homeland Security. Both were identified in the letter as legal permanent residents, The Atlantic has learned.  The officials did not disclose the name of the second green-card holder, and did not know whether the person is a current or former Columbia student, or had been singled out for some other reason. The person has not been arrested yet, the U.S. official said.

The Trump administrations bullying of a private university is being done under the guise of rooting out antisemitism. But the real authoritarian move here is to bring higher education under the thumb of the president. Columbias not the only example, but its the most extreme.

So far, Americas leading universities have remained virtually silent in the face of this authoritarian assault on institutions of higher education, the Harvard student newspaper editorialized.

Biggest Anti-Purge Developments Yet

Two federal judges on opposite coasts threw up big stop signs Thursday to President Trumps mass purges of government workers.

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In the morning, a clearly irate U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco ordered purged probationary employees to be reinstated. His order covered the Defense, Treasury, Energy, Interior, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments.

Later in the day, U.S. District Judge James Bredar of Maryland issued an even broader order to reinstate probationary employees at 18 major agencies, ruling that the government hadnt followed the proper procedures for layoffs.

The Purges

Govt Wide : Government agencies had a deadline yesterday to submit plans to the White House for a mass reduction of the federal workforce but few details on those plans have been made public.

IRS : DOGE officials instructed the acting IRS commissioner to eliminate 18,141 jobs across the agency by May 15, according to records obtained by the WaPo.

Collateral Damage: Johns Hopkins University will cut more than 2,000 workers in the United States and abroad funded by federal aid.

Doge Watch

The Trump administration sacked the top lawyer at the IRS in a clash over getting access to the agencys highly sensitive data to use to deport immigrants. William Paul, a career employee, had been serving as the acting chief counsel at the IRS since the end of Bidens term.

Elon Musk visited the National Security Agency on Wednesday to meet with its leadership on staff reductions and operations.

The AP has obtained a list of which government office leases will be canceled this year and when.

Trump II Clown Show

The Trump White House withdrew the nomination of former Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) to head the CDC because he was apparently too anti-vax for some senators and not ready for primetime. Weldon learned his nomination was being withdrawn from a WSJ reporter while en route to his Senate confirmation hearing.

Govt Shutdown Watch: Senate Expected To Pass CR Today

The GOP-controlled Senate is expected to pass a continuing resolution today before the midnight deadline for a traditional government shutdown. While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declined to lead a filibuster, its still unclear how many Democratic senators will ultimately vote for the CR itself on a straight up-or-down simple majority vote. TPMs liveblog yesterday offered a good window into a fluid day on the Hill. Our team is back at it today and you can follow them here. Meanwhile, the nontraditional Trump-Musk government shutdown continues apace.

Raskin Asks DOJ IG To Investigate Ed Martin

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has sent a nine-page broadside against acting D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin to the Department of Justices inspector general requesting that he open an investigation into Martins outrageous conduct.

Jan. 6 Never Ends

As if to demonstrate that he has brought the Justice Department to heel, President Trump is heading to Main Justice today for a triumphant speech in the buildings Great Hall.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee in DC, is the first judge to reject outright the Trump DOJs position that the Jan. 6 pardons covered crimes committed after that date.

Newsmax revealed publicly for the first time that it paid $40 million in the September settlement of Smartmatics defamation lawsuit against it arising from the right-wing outlets coverage of the 2020 election.

Nothing To See Here

The White House halted the FBI background checks of dozens of top Trump staffers because they deemed them too intrusive and quietly turned the vetting over to the Pentagon, ABC News reports.

IMPORTANT

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning a sweeping overhaul of the judge advocate generals corps to make the US military less restricted by the laws of armed conflict, The Guardian reports.

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As part of that effort, The Guardian notes: Hegseth on Friday commissioned his personal lawyer and former naval officer Tim Parlatore as a navy commander to oversee the effort carrying the weight and authority of the defense secretarys office.

Parlatore, who was part of the Trumps personal legal team back in 2023, posted pictures on LinkedIn of his swearing-in last week by Hegseth.

Planning Underway For Trumps Panama Canal Extortion

NBC News:

U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to the less likely option of U.S. troops seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said. Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much Panamanian security forces agree to partner with the United States.

Have A Good Weekend

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President Donald Trump urged a Department of Justice crowd to launch investigations into Democrats, prominent nonprofits filing lawsuits against his administration and multiple news organizations.

Speaking in the main hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Friday, Trump claimed his 2024 election victory had given us a mandate for a far reaching investigation ... into the corruption of our system by Democrats and vowed to expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government and expose their egregious crimes and severe misconduct.

Its going to be legendary, he said in a rare speech by a president at the department.

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Almost immediately after beginning his speech, Trump leveled an attack on Americas courts for having allowed prosecutors to charge him with multiple crimes committed during and after his first term. He praised his two former defense attorneys who now serve in high ranking roles in the department, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, for having had to work under some of the most corrupt judges as they labored to keep him from facing any consequences for multiple felonies he was charged with by two federal grand juries and state grand juries in Georgia and New York.

They never they were not shy, they fought. They weren't afraid, and they were brilliant, he said.

President Donald trump gave a rare address at the Department of Justice on Friday (AFP via Getty Images)

Trump also claimed that the department had allowed a corrupt group of hacks within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations by having weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people during criminal investigations into him.

But Trump told the audience of political appointees and supporters that those sorts of investigations, which he called abuses, would never happen again.

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They tried to turn America into a corrupt communist and third world country. But in the end, the thugs failed and the truth won, he said.

Since winning the 2024 election, Trump and his aides have moved quickly to stock the DOJs top ranks with loyalists without regard to qualification and have effectively sidelined anyone who played a role in the failed prosecutions of the president or the sweeping investigation into the 2021 riot Trump fomented at the U.S. Capitol in a last-ditch attempt to remain in office following his loss to Joe Biden in 2020.

His remarks, delivered in the departments cavernous great hall, came following an introduction by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who described Trump as the greatest president in the history of our country and said she and the rest of her department were proud to work at the directive of Donald Trump.

Bondis statement represented a break from decades of work by attorneys general under both parties to make clear that the Department of Justice is independent from the White House and does not operate based on political considerations.

Almost immediately after beginning his speech, Trump leveled an attack on Americas courts for having allowed prosecutors to charge him with multiple crimes committed during and after his first term (Getty Images)

But Trump, who described himself  not Bondi  as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, has been intent on erasing any such niceties about the nations law enforcement apparatus as he has sought to implement what he has described as retribution against the Democratic Party and the deep state of nonpartisan civil servants who staff the justice system.

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While he attacked most of the judges whod presided over the felony cases brought against him as corrupt, he singled out for praise Aileen Cannon, the Florida federal judge who hed appointed just before leaving office, for having dismissed the charges hed faced for having allegedly unlawfully retained national defense information at his Florida home after leaving the presidency in 2021.

He said Cannon had not reacted to criticism from Democrats and accused other judges who have ruled against him and his administration of bowing to public pressure to deliver negative rulings in cases involving him or his policies.

It's very sad what they do to the Supreme Court and all of a lot of the judges that I had, if you look at them, they take tremendous abuse in the New York Times and The Washington Post, all of the different networks. They take such abuse. And honestly, they're very simply, they're afraid of bad publicity. They don't want bad publicity. And it's truly interference in my opinion, and it should be illegal, and it probably is illegal in some form, he said.

It's a campaign, and it's by the same scum that you have been dealing with for years, like guys like Andrew Weissman, deranged Jack Smith. There's a guy named Norm Eisen. I don't even know what he looks like. His name is Norm Eisen of [Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility ]. He's been after me for nine years now. CREW is a charitable organization and and the reason I'm saying this ... is I'm only going to get one chance to say this, but these are bad people.

Trump was introduced by Attorney General Pam Bondi who described Trump as the greatest president in the history of our country and said she and the rest of her department were proud to work at the directive of Donald Trump. (Getty Images)

Trump called for the department to crack down on Eisen as well as other groups bringing lawsuits against him - while taking another shot at the media.

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They're not legitimate people. They're horrible people, they're scum. And you have to know that ... And I believe that CNN and [MSNBC] who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And in my opinion, they're really corrupt and they're illegal. What they do is illegal, he said.

He continued attacking the countrys free press, telling the audience of prosecutors that these networks and these newspapers were really no different than a highly paid political operative.

It has to stop. It has to be illegal. Its influencing law ... and it just cannot be legal  I don't believe it's legal, and they do it in total coordination with each other.
Red smear of matte lipstick isolated on white background. (Artem Mykhailichenko-Adobe Stock)



What do Egyptians, witches, royalty, WWII, celebrities and Chileans have in common?

Signature, beautiful, bold rouge lips.

Ancient and Royal Origins

Red lips have been donned since 3500 B.C. In ancient Mesopotamia, Queen Pubai used a mixture of crushed red rocks and white lead to stain her lips as a way to differentiate herself from her subjects and show her status in power. As with most iconic things, red lips became a trend and archeologists have since discovered many Sumerian aristocrats buried with the concoction stored in cockle shells.

In ancient Egypt, Queen Cleopatra favored crimson lips which she made from crushed cochineal bugs mixed with resin. Many lipsticks today still use ground beetles for coloring. It is said that she wore the crimson shade because she found it beautifying, but also as a representation of her affluence. Both her male and female subjects wore a slightly more diluted red ochre on their lips, made from ground stones.

Cleopatra, Ancient Egypt (Maria Ma - Adobe Stock (AI-generated) )



Beauty isnt always glamorous, a concoction of red dye, crocodile droppings and sheep sweat was used in ancient Greece to make lipstick. It was required by law to be worn by Greek sex workers so that they werent mistaken for true ladies. The government regulation made this the first negative use of lipstick.

Like the Egyptians, in ancient Rome, both men and women sported red lips to indicate their social standing. Although, beauty and status came at a price. Ingredients to create distinctive shades included ochre, iron ore, lead, mercury and arsenic. The lower class fared better in the end as they often used more affordable wine for coloring rather than poisonous ingredients.

In ancient China, lipsticks had protective qualities, made from beeswax, oils and plant pigments as well as blood or vermillion for coloring. Patterns like one big red dot to the lower lip in the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty, or a cherry blossom pattern in the Tang Dynasty were common. It was believed red lips appeased the gods; however, it also signified a persons own spirit and well-being.

The Middle Ages

Queen Elizabeth I was a believer in the power of red lipstick possessing the ability to repel malevolent spirits. Egg whites, fig milk, gum arabic and cochineals made up her custom red hue. It is even said she was buried with half an inch of it painted on her lips. Her belief in lipstick having powerful magic during the Tudor and Elizabethan periods led to many ladies of the court donning it as well.

National Portrait Gallery, side by side portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, as middle aged and a young woman in coronation robes (Spiroview Inc. - Adobe Stock)



However, it started to attract the attention of the church which heavily associated red lips with immorality and evil. During the early Renaissance a common sin confession was the use of red lipstick. England eventually passed a law outlawing the use of makeup to deceive a man into marrying a woman. If the law was broken, the offender was tried as a witch. Wearing red lipstick during this time was considered defying social expectations and considered rebellious.

The Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Womans suffrage celebration on American postage stamp (Silvio - Adobe Stock)



In the early 1900s, during the suffragette movement, a bold red lip was worn as a symbol of intelligence and independence. The hue was feminine and brazen. It became part of womens uniform in their fight for the right to vote.

In 1915, the lipstick tube was created by Maurice Levy and by 1920, the more accessible cosmetic became popular again. In correspondence with movements of the time, the bright shade announced to the world, We wont stay in the shadows.

World War II

In a statement against fascism and Hitler more specifically, as he famously hated red lips, red lipstick became a symbol of victory, optimism and moralea vital part of the war effort. Phrases like beauty is your duty were coined and considered an act of patriotism. In the early 1940s, Elizabeth Arden, a famous makeup artist, was asked to create a lipstick designed for women servicemembers. She named it Montezuma Red. It perfectly matched the red piping and chevrons on womens military uniforms. The lipstick, along with matching nail polish and rouge was issued to military members in an official kit.

We Can Do It Rosie the Riveter (War Production Co-Ordinating Committee, United States Creator, World Digital Library)



As the popularity of the shade spread, the public sought a shade of their own and thus Victory Red was created so all could honor their country. You may have noticed in illustrations of Rosie the Riveter that she has cherry-daubed lips. This was intentional as the cultural icon was used to recruit and embolden American female factory workers.

Modern Day

Since World War II, the red lip has remained iconic. Celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe made it a staple of that old Hollywood glam look that is still desired today. Modern-day celebrities continue to sport the radiating look, especially at red carpet events and because of that many people desire their own perfect shade of red.

Besames 1941 Victory Red is a universally flattering reproduction of the red lipstick once issued to military women, and it comes in a beautiful vintage gold tube.

Tube of red lipstick (hadjanebia - Adobe Stock )



Even now, scarlet lips are still worn as a symbol of strength. In 2015, during a protest to have the prime minister removed, a Macedonian woman symbolically used a police shield as a mirror to apply her lipstick then kissed the shield leaving behind a print of her red lips. In 2018, Nicaraguan men and women wore it as a protest to the nations dictatorship. In 2019, thousands of Chileans wore it to refute sexual violence.
Donald Trump has told Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops surrounded by Russian forces in Kursk.

It came after Putin said on Thursday that Ukrainian troops in the region, which was invaded by Kyiv last summer, had two choices: Surrender or die.

The US and Russia are locked in talks over a temporary truce to which Ukraine has already agreed.

Mr Trump said we had very good and productive discussions in Moscow, where Steve Witkoff, the presidents envoy, met the Russian leader.

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The US president said Kyivs troops were in a very bad and vulnerable position and he strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared.

This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War Two, he said.

It has been confirmed the two leaders did not speak directly.

Ukraine denied its troops were encircled, and intelligence briefings suggest the forces are under pressure but not trapped.

Germany on Friday criticised Russias response to the US-proposed ceasefire and accused Moscow of delaying peace while Putins forces gained ground in Kursk.

Russia claims to have taken back 29 settlements in the region since last week following a rapid counter-offensive.

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It was a pincer movement aimed at surrounding thousands of Ukrainian troops, though Kyivs top commander denied this week that his troops had been encircled.

Sources inside the Ukrainian government said they believed Russias breakthrough in Kursk was a consequence of the US pausing intelligence-sharing.

Moscow said this week it had retaken Sudzha, a key town seven miles from the Ukrainian border.

At the time of last years surprise incursion, Kyiv said it had crossed the border into Russia to protect Sumy, a Ukrainian border region that had faced heavy bombardment from Russia.

Russian soldiers in Sudzha - Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, also hoped to retain control of land in Kursk as a bargaining chip in future peace negotiations.

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Now, after months of pressure from Russian forces  and their North Korean allies  Ukraine only holds around 30 per cent of the land it initially seized.

Some Ukrainian troops are angry that commanders did not order them to withdraw weeks ago, when it would have been safer.

One soldier told the Associated Press they were unsure how commanders were going to evacuate the region because all supply chains have been disrupted.

Ukraine now holds just a sliver of territory in Kursk along the Sumy border, meaning attention has shifted to building up defences to prevent a Russian incursion into the northern region.

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Russia claimed on Friday to have taken at least one village in Sumy.

Putin visited Kursk for the first time since Ukraines summer incursion on Wednesday, dressed in full military fatigues.

While the Kremlin said Putins choice of clothing related to the cold and windy weather, analysts suggested it may have been a conscious display of strength after the US and Ukraine agreed upon a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

Svitlana Chunikhina, vice-president of the Association of Political Psychologists in Kyiv, told Al Jazeera the uniform was designed to emphasise how indifferent he is to all these peace initiatives and how he is determined to fight on and win.

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During his visit to Kursk, Putin claimed Ukrainian soldiers had been cut off, saying they would be treated as terrorists.

And if a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways  to surrender or die, he said.

A German foreign ministry spokesman said of the Russian stance on peace talks: It will come as no surprise that the federal government views this critically.

One can only speak of a delaying tactic, at best, regarding a ceasefire, when such an offer is backed up by such conditions and provisions, one must certainly ask whether there is a serious interest in working toward a lasting ceasefire and a solution.

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The Trump administration is preparing to reinstate the controversial travel ban that sparked airport chaos and an international backlash during his first presidency, with suggestions that as many as 41 countries could be affected.

On Jan 20, 2025, Trump instructed his cabinet to compile a list of countries with insufficient vetting and screening processes which should be considered for a new travel ban.

Here is everything you need to know about Trumps revived travel ban, how a new colour-graded system could work, and how the travel ban could affect British citizens.

What happened in the first Trump travel ban?

During his first presidency, Donald Trump passed a series of executive orders with the aim of restricting citizens of certain nations from entering the United States.

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The travel ban sparked disruption at airports (some people had already landed in the United States when they learnt they were barred from entry) and numerous protests.

The policy received a series of legal challenges and underwent two major revisions. The Supreme Court eventually upheld Trumps travel ban in 2018, impacting nationals arriving into the US from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea.

In previous iterations, nationals from Chad, Sudan, Iraq and Venezuela were also targeted. During his first term as president Trump also tightened up immigration rules for nationals arriving from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria and Tanzania.

When Joe Biden was inaugurated in January 2021, he revoked most of Trumps travel bans. The only one that remained was a reverse travel ban prohibiting American citizens from visiting North Korea.

Why was the Trump travel ban controversial?

The travel ban was criticised as most of the affected countries were majority-Muslim nations, leading to the policy being called a Muslim travel ban.

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Critics say that an anti-Islamic principle underlies Trumps politics. Donald Trump made immigration a focus during his first election campaign, during which he said that the travel bans would keep radical terrorists from entering the US.

During his first presidency, Donald Trump sought to ban citizens of certain nations from entering the United States - REUTERS

In 2015, Donald Trump said he would strongly consider shutting down mosques in the United States in response to terror attacks in Paris. Following a terror attack in Barcelona, Trump responded with a tweet citing a (debunked) story about an American army general who executed Muslim insurgents with bullets dripped in pig blood.

During his second presidential election campaign, Trump said: Remember the famous travel ban? We didnt take people from certain areas of the world. Were not taking them from infested countries.

On the flip side, Trump proposed Muslims for Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, and in September 2015, he told CNN: I love the Muslims, I think theyre great people.

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Amnesty International described the travel ban introduced during Trumps first term as a licence to discriminate, disguised as a national security measure.

Is the Trump travel ban coming back?

Trump promised to restore the travel ban on day one of his presidency, which did not happen, but he is making moves to reinstate the policy.

On Jan 20, the president issued an executive order directing his cabinet to draft a list of countries for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.

He ordered that list to be compiled within 60 days, meaning we should know more about Trumps second travel ban in late March.

Which countries will be banned?

No official list has been issued, and when probed on which countries could be targeted by a fresh travel ban, President Trump responded: Wouldnt that be a stupid thing for me to say?

Pakistan and Afghanistan will likely be included in any ban, according to reports - E+

A draft memo seen by Reuters and the New York Times suggests that the list will be split into three separate groups affecting 41 countries. The strictest tier is expected to include Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among other countries. The second, orange group could see partial suspensions, impacting things like tourist and student visas. It is understood this group could include Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan.

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A final yellow group is expected to feature around 26 countries including Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan among others. These countries could see a partial travel suspension if their governments do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days.

Will the Trump travel ban affect British citizens?

The Trump travel ban in its first iteration only applied to nationals of the named countries, planning to travel in from that country. So if you were an Iranian citizen, or an Iranian citizen with dual UK nationality, travelling to the United States from the UK, you would not be subject to the travel ban. Likewise, if you were a British citizen hoping to enter the US from Tehran, you would not be turned away (but in both instances, you would have to apply for a full visa, as below).

Do passport stamps from certain countries complicate entry to the US?

The United States prevents British citizens from applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver if they have visited certain countries since March 2011. These are Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia (including Somaliland), Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

This, however, is not linked to the Trump travel ban. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act was signed by Barack Obama in 2015. You also cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have been to Cuba since January 12, 2021, after Donald Trump designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

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If you have travelled to these countries, it is not impossible to enter the United States, but it does mean you need to apply for a full US visa. You will also need to apply for a full visa if you are a UK citizen with dual nationality with Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea or Sudan, regardless of whether you have been present in that country since March 2011.

You can apply for an ESTA (valid for up to 90 days of travel) online for the price of $21 (16.20). To get a visa, you will need to attend an appointment at the US embassy and pay $185 (142.80) during the application stage.

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Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old with leukemia and a rare genetic disease that has caused a tumor in his left eye, was medevaced Wednesday from Cuba to the Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in Miami, after overcoming bureaucratic obstacles and the reluctance of the Cuban government.

Last month, 79-year-old Martha Beatriz Roque, a prominent dissident and former political prisoner, who received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department in absentia last year, was finally allowed to come to Miami by Cuban authorities because she needed medical treatment after falling gravely ill.

Support for the Cuban people through cooperation in such humanitarian cases has been a central tenet of U.S. policy under several administrations. Under current versions of a Trump administration plan to ban Cubans from entering the United States, people like Ortiz and Roque would have never made it to Miami  likely dying on the Communist-run island.

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The immigration restrictions now on the table would impose an absolute ban on entry by Cuba and Venezuelan nationals, regardless of what country the live in, with no exceptions for the elderly, the sick or harassed dissidents, sources familiar with on-going discussions told the Miami Herald  trapping them in dictatorships recently labeled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as enemies of humanity.

The plan  still being crafted by Stephen Miller, a key advisor to President Donald Trump and architect of his mass deportation plan  would also extend similar but slightly less harsh restrictions on Haitian nationals and, sources say, potentially extend to other Caribbean nations.

Before Trump took office, his team had approached several Caribbean governments to accept undocumented migrants from the U.S. whose nations refused to allow them to be returned. Travel bans on those island nations potentially could be used as bargaining chips in negotiations to accept deportees.

The extreme travel ban policies emerging from the White House have been largely kept from Congress so far but will likely pose a major dilemma for many South Florida politicians, whose communities have large populations of constituents with deep ties to the targeted counties.

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The plan for an extended travel ban is one of several initiatives sparked by a presidential executive order that mandates the State Department and other federal agencies to come up with a list of countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.

Trump administration weighs barring Cubans, Haitians from U.S. as part of new travel ban

The new plan is likely being crafted based on a previous ban version upheld by the Supreme Court, experts say. While the administration appears to be wanting to avoid past legal mistakes in its previous versions during Trumps first mandate, court challenges are still expected. Cubans and Venezuelans, in particular, might sue due to the absence of waivers, arguing that their foreign relatives are suffering the consequences of the ban, said David Weinstein, a former Miami-Dade state and federal prosecutor.

The question will be whos on the list. Are there exceptions in this new executive order for categories of foreign nationals? And is there a waiver program? Weinstein said.

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In previous versions enacted during the first Trump administration, a procedure to request waivers was put in place  even if few were granted. The working version would sharply narrow options to appeal.

The sources said Cubans or Venezuelans living in third countries with a second citizenship might avoid the prohibition. Haitian nationals, already living in a country torn apart by gang violence, political turmoil and one of the worst humanitarian crises in the region, might be able to petition for entry, but the overwhelming majority would be prevented from entering regardless of where they live.

The U.S. is the biggest funder of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, which the current administration has agreed to continue providing funds to until at least September to help Haitis police fight deadly gangs. The ban would certainly raise questions about U.S. policy going forward could potentially create a pressure valve prompting Haitians to take to the sea as they have done during past crises.

No timeline has been given for the rollout of the travel restriction plan but it is expected soon, several sources have told the Miami Herald after being alerted to discussions that are even being kept from members of Congress.

A political pressure point?

The bans, at least as sources have outlined them to date, will directly affect many in South Florida with relatives in the targeted countries. That will place members of the Miami congressional delegation, the Cuban American Republicans Mario Diaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez, in a difficult position, having to oppose a Trump administration with little tolerance for critics or support a policy that will hurt many in the community they represent, said Eduardo Gamarra, a political science professor at Florida International University.

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While Florida has become a solid Republican state, and the administration might discount the risks of enacting its immigration agenda, he said those issues might have an electoral effect in the coming midterms.

I think that concern does exist, Gamarra said. It also depends on who the Democrats nominate as their candidate and how the campaigns are conducted. But going back to that old adage that all politics is local, issues like these, because theyre so personal, can clearly have an electoral impact.

Salazar is the chair of the Houses Western Hemisphere foreign affairs subcommittee. But her office and Gimenezs both said they had no information about the travel ban discussions, highlighting how secretively the plans authors have been working so far. Diaz-Balarts office did not immediately reply to a comment request.

Other immigration initiatives have already caused concern in South Florida, including the cancellation of a popular humanitarian parole program created by the Biden administration and temporary deportation protections for Venezuelans. In a poll with Cuban Americans in South Florida conducted by Florida International University last year, the humanitarian parole program, benefiting Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, received strong support crossing party lines with 72% of respondents expressing approval.

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The FIU polls, conducted every two years, have consistently shown that most Cuban Americans in South Florida support family reunification, travel and other policies to help relatives on the island, at the same time they expressed support for sanctions on the Cuban government.

Gamarra said that even if most Cuban Americans and many Venezuelans are Trump supporters, they might view the administrations policies differently if the issue becomes personal.

We are seeing this in surveys and focus groups, Gamarra said. When we ask, are you in favor of mass deportation? The answer yes. What if your cousin or brother is being deported? Then they say no. Theres that differentiation. They support the larger policy, but when its personal, they no longer want to support that policy.

When policies become personal, you are likely going to see a wave of opposition, like we are seeing with the removal of TPS for Venezuelans, he added.

Migration accords with Cuba in limbo?

A travel ban suspending all visa issuance for Cubans could also undermine a Trump administration goal to have Havana continue to accept Cuban deportees.

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Because it would also violate the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords, a series of bilateral agreements that date back to 1984, the ban will make it less likely for Cuban authorities to cooperate. Under the accords, the U.S. government committed to issue 20,000 travel documents annually (visas or parole) for Cubans to emigrate legally to the United States. The first Trump administration only met that threshold in 2017.

U.S. immigration authorities have considered Cuba a recalcitrant country that does not accept all the nationals they want to deport. On Wednesday evening, vice foreign minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said his government was open to accepting deportees but under the terms of the current accords.

We find it absurd and unfair that the United States is threatening to deport this large number of Cubans en masse, especially when there are migration agreements that have worked well in the past, he said.
With Palm Beach resident Donald Trump's return to the White House, Palm Beach County once again is experiencing the effects of presidential-level flight restrictions imposed during each of his visits to his Mar-a-Lago Club.

The VIP-level temporary flight restrictions issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for presidential travel  any president, to any location in the United States  include a set of rules for aviators to follow.

When they don't follow those rules, it can lead to penalties for the pilot  and an interesting experience for those on the ground, who may be able to spot F-16 fighter jets rushing to intercept a wayward plane.

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Here are five things to know about the flight restrictions for Trump's visits to Palm Beach.

What are temporary flight restrictions?

The FAA uses temporary flight restrictions to restrict how aircraft operate over certain areas.

The restrictions can be issued for purposes such as firefighting or rescue operations; security purposes, including to protect the president, vice president and dignitaries; safety reasons like gas spills or volcanic eruptions; space operations; and national defense, according to the FAA.

The "VIP movement" flight restrictions issued for Trump's visits to Palm Beach include two rings of protection.

President Donald Trump arrives aboard Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach on Feb. 7.

The inner ring is a 10 nautical mile radius where most flights are banned with the exception of approved law enforcement and air ambulance or other emergency flights, and regularly scheduled cargo and commercial passenger jets, according to FAA advisories. All emergency operations have to coordinate with air traffic control before take-off.

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More movement is allowed with the 30 nm radius area, or outer ring, of the temporary flight restrictions. Aircraft can pass through but "not loiter," FAA advisories say. All aircraft that do pass through the outer ring must have a specific flight plan filed with air traffic control, which will issue the plane a code. The pilot has to stay in contact with air traffic control throughout their time passing through the restricted area, the FAA says.

Where can people find more information about temporary flight restrictions?

There are two primary places where people can look for temporary flight restrictions.

The first is the FAA's TFR website, where the agency lists every temporary flight restriction along with links to details.

Pilots also can check the latest Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, on another FAA website, the Federal NOTAM System.

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The FAA issues airspace notices for anything that could affect flight operations, including air shows, military exercises and airport construction, the agency said.

The FAA advises pilots to check 25 nautical miles to either side of a flight's route to make sure they are aware of all notices in the area.

As of March 13, there are flight restrictions in Florida ahead of Trump's next visit to Palm Beach, planned space operations around Cape Canaveral this weekend, activity around Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville and long-standing restrictions in the airspace over Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.

Temporary flight restrictions and NOTAMs are also posted to the FAA's social media accounts, particularly the FAA Safety Briefing account on X, formerly known as Twitter, which can be found as @FAASafetyBrief.

What happens when pilots violate temporary flight restrictions?

The FAA investigates all reported temporary flight restriction violations. Pilots who violate TFRs can face sanctions ranging from warnings or fines to certificate suspensions or revocations. The sanction depends on the circumstances of the violation.

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When a pilot violates the restrictions and does not respond via radio to air traffic control, North American Aerospace Defense Command sends F-16 fighter jets to intercept that plane.

The fighter jet will pass the plane on the pilot's left side about 500 feet away while rocking its wings, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

The jets may also release flares to get a pilot's attention, NORAD said.

How many civilian planes have been intercepted near Mar-a-Lago by NORAD F-16s since Trump took office?

NORAD has sent jets to investigate more than 20 "tracks of interest" in the Palm Beach area since Trump took office Jan. 20, the agency said in a news release.

The most recent happened about 1:15 p.m. March 9, NORAD said.

Twice in the past 48 hours, F-16 fighter jets from the Continental U.S. NORAD region responded to a general aviation aircraft over Palm Beach, FL, violating the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). Pilots, please check NOTAMs! #WeHaveTheWatch https://t.co/kwx4MvT7x6  North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) March 9, 2025

Is there a map of temporary flight restrictions?

The FAA posts flight restrictions in a list and as a map. The map displays all types of temporary flight restrictions and shows the radius around each protected area.

Click here to see the map of current temporary flight restrictions.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: What to know about flight restrictions when Trump visits Palm Beach
Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, has held talks with Russia in Moscow. Following his visit, he is returning to the United States to discuss the results of the meeting with Trump.

Source: US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz in an interview with Fox News

Quote: "I've spoken to my counterpart, special envoy Witkoff, who is out there, and bringing things back for us to evaluate and for President Trump to make decisions on next steps."

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Details: Waltz stated that the details of the talks are not being disclosed at this time. He said that Washington is assessing the prospects for resolving the war between Russia and Ukraine with "cautious optimism".

He said after Witkoff returns to the United States, the situation will be analysed and discussed with President Donald Trump, who will make decisions on the next steps.

"I am not going to announce or negotiate anything on national television, certainly not ahead of the president [Trump]," Waltz emphasised.

Background:

Following the talks in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on 11 March, Ukraine said it is willing to implement a 30-day ceasefire, provided that Russia also adheres to it.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington will submit a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine to Russia and said he hopes Russia will accept it.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Moscow agrees with the proposal to suspend hostilities in Ukraine, but there are many questions that need to be answered within the framework of such a ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump claimed that Putin had made a "pretty positive" statement, but it hadn't been complete.

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U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was excluded from peace talks between Russia and the United States after the Kremlin said it did not want him present, NBC News reported on March 13, citing U.S. and Russian officials.

Although Kellogg was appointed by Trump to negotiate an end to Russia's war, he has been notably absent from the recent peace talks in Jeddah and Riyadh. According to a Russian official that spoke to NBC News, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin did not want Kellogg included in the peace talks because he is perceived as being too sympathetic to Ukraine.

Kellogg previously co-authored a peace plan that would freeze the front line in Ukraine, take NATO accession off the table for an extended period, and partially lift sanctions imposed on Russia. His peace proposals also call for continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine as well as strong security guarantees to Kyiv to prevent further Russian aggression.

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Kellogg previously visited Kyiv in late February for discussions with Ukrainian officials, but has since not been involved in a U.S. delegation in talks with Russia.

Notably, Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has emerged as a key negotiator with Russia. Witkoff, who previously traveled to Russia to negotiate the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, arrived in Moscow on March 13 to discuss the 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine proposed by the U.S.

According to experts who spoke with the Kyiv Independent last month, Kellogg may still have a role to play, particularly regarding U.S.-Europe relations. However, others suspect that Kellogg may have been fully sidelined and will no longer be involved in brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Washington during the talks in Jeddah on March 11, provided that Russia did as well. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 13 Russia is ready to agree to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine but demands guarantees that Kyiv will not mobilize or train troops, nor receive military aid during it.

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Read also: BREAKING: Putin ready for ceasefire but demands guarantees depriving Ukraine of aid

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Friday that she would be cracking down on intelligence leaks.

Gabbard announced in a post on X that the ODNI was aware of several leaks within the intelligence community to publications including NBC News, HuffPost, and The Washington Post, among others.

Our nations Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated, Gabbard wrote.

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Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or accountability. That ends now. We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community and will hold them accountable.

Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such, Gabbard wrote in a separate post.

Gabbards list of (what are considered by the right to be) liberal publications signals that her office intends to focus on targeting leaks to publications that report rigorously and critically on Donald Trumps administration.

Her threat to crack down on leaks exists within the greater context of threats made against the media by the Trump administration. After Trump entered the White House in January, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it would investigate NPR and PBS. Project 2025, the authoritarian playbook for Trumps second administration, called for the government to strip noncommercial education stations of their federal funding and licenses.

Of course, Trumps targets extend beyond liberal publications to any news outlet that dares undermine his mandate. On Thursday, Trump railed against The Wall Street Journal after it reported that business leaders were only pretending to love his disastrous tariffs sinking the stock market.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkeys foreign minister said Friday that Ankara is closely monitoring an agreement between the Syrian government and a U.S-backed Kurdish-led armed group, expressing concern over potential future threats to Turkeys security.

Hakan Fidan, speaking in an interview with the Turkish TV100 channel, said Turkey had relayed its concerns to Syrian officials in a sudden visit to Syria on Thursday.

If there is an agreement signed with good intentions, let it be done, but there may be some problems or mines planted for the future, he said. We as Turkey are monitoring these very closely.

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The agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, into the Syrian government followed fierce clashes that erupted last week between government security forces and gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar Assad.

Fidan said Turkey does not see the deal as granting autonomy to the SDF. No one should feel like a minority but should feel like they are a special part of a greater prosperity by benefiting from equal opportunities, he said.

The SDF is a U.S.-backed Kurdish military alliance in northeastern Syria that has a presence in most of the territory in that part of the country.

Turkey designates the SDF and its primary component the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, as terrorist organizations because of their links to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party.

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Addressing a question about whether the YPG and SDF could be integrated into the Syrian army without laying down their arms, Fidan said the issue had been discussed with Syria's new leaders, including interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Turkey's top intelligence officials were also present and that Turkey would remain vigilant in assessing any progress on the issue.

Fidan said al-Sharaa assured him that the articles in the deal would call for the YPG to be fully integrated into the Syrian army.

Al-Sharaa "actually said that the current articles (are aligned with Turkish interests)." ... The agreement made will completely include the YPG in the army," Fidan said.

Essentially, what we have been saying from the very beginning is this: The new Syrian administration must take the initiative to end the YPG occupation and piracy, Fidan said, referring to the continued presence of the group in the area.

Fidan added that Turkey will keep a close watch on developments, stressing that life should return to normal for all communities in Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Christians and Alawites.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  The Turkish Cypriot leader in the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island of Cyprus is toeing Ankara's line and doesn't really speak for the local community there, an activist group said.

The accusations came after Sener Elcil of the newly formed Patriotic Turkish Cypriot Movement, a network of nongovernmental organizations and leftist parties, met with the islands Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

Cyprus was divided when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island in 1974, following a failed, Athens junta-backed coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the islands northern third.

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Although Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, only the Greek Cypriot south, where the internationally recognized government is seated, enjoys full membership benefits.

Elcin's movement says the island's Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar follows Turkey's directives for partitioning Cyprus into two states.

Turkish Cypriots urgently need an internationally negotiated deal to safeguard their distinct identity as inhabitants of the island because theyre being overwhelmed by a continuous population transfer from neighboring Turkey, he said.

"Tatar is representing Turkey also because he is behaving like a civil servant of Turkey, Elcil said.

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The meeting with Christodoulides came ahead of a United Nations-led meeting next week in Geneva bringing together the rival Cypriot leaders, the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, and Britain's envoy for Europe to scope out chances of resuming formal peace talks.

U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres will host the two-day gathering, which starts Monday, in hopes of breathing new life in the Cyprus peace process that has been in hiatus for nearly eight years, after the last round of negotiations collapsed amid much acrimony.

No major breakthrough is expected in Geneva, but officials say they are looking for a positive outcome that would inject some momentum in the peace process.

Tatar has repeatedly said he would go to Geneva to rally for a two-state deal, claiming that the old model of resolving one of the worlds most intractable disputes  a federation made up of Greek and Turkish speaking zones  is no longer valid after decades of failure.

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Greek Cypriots insist any deal that entrenches the islands partition is a non-starter as it contravenes long-held U.N. resolutions endorsing a federation.

They also reject a Turkish and Turkish Cypriot demand for a permanent Turkish troop presence and military intervention rights under any accord, as well as a giving the minority Turkish Cypriots veto power over all federal-level government decisions.

Elcil colleague in the movement, Izzet Izcan, said the majority of Turkish Cypriots believe a federation is the only solution for Cyprus.

Tatar is up for reelection in the local vote in the northern part of Cyprus in October and Elcil said he is concerned it will be an easy win, with the influx of new residents of the north from Turkey  voters who will likely cast their ballots according to Ankaras wishes.
How China tackles pollution in its third-largest freshwater lake in 30 years

Xinhua) 08:14, March 14, 2025

NANJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Taihu, China's third-largest freshwater lake, lies in the country's manufacturing heartland and has seen its water quality improve to its best level in 30 years, once again demonstrating China's resolve to protect ecology as it pursues economic and social development.

Since 2007, the population of the Taihu Lake basin has increased by nearly 7 million, the region's total economic output has expanded 3.6-fold. It now accounts for 10 percent of China's total GDP. Meanwhile, the lake's water quality has improved from Grade V -- the lowest level in China's five-tier water quality rating system -- to Grade III, which means it is now classed as "fairly good."

Restoring large lakes that suffer from eutrophication is a global challenge, but the experience of Taihu has proved that it is possible.

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2024 shows the scenery of the Yuantouzhu scenic spot of the Taihu Lake, in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

CLEANING LAKE WATER

Taihu, which spans 2,338 square kilometers, is located in the Yangtze River Delta region, one of China's most industrialized and densely populated areas. As an important water source for 17 million people in east China, it has a history of pollution, most notably since the 1990s due to rapid industrialization and urbanization in the region.

In May 2007, a severe outbreak of blue-green algae in the waters of Wuxi City in Jiangsu Province disrupted the drinking water supply for over 1 million residents, earning Taihu the grim reputation of being the region's "sewage sink."

Shinichiro Matsuzaki, a researcher at Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, said that Taihu's ecosystem had been trapped in a "vicious cycle of decline." What he did not expect, however, was how swiftly China not only halted further deterioration but also set the lake on the fast track to recovery.

One of the most critical steps to reducing internal pollution is large-scale dredging. Over the past two decades, approximately 55 million cubic meters of silt have been removed from Taihu Lake through various methods.

Tourists feed red-billed gulls at the Yuantouzhu scenic spot of the Taihu Lake, in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 29, 2024. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)

Taihu Star, an intelligent dredging vessel, was put into operation in March 2024. It uses advanced spiral cutter technology to extract and separate sediment, processing up to 5,000 cubic meters daily.

Jiangsu has been implementing a package of pollution control measures since 2007, putting pressure on phosphorus-related enterprises near the lake to reduce discharge, and promoting the collection and treatment of wastewater, among other measures. It has shut down or restructured nearly 60,000 pollutive factories.

To manage wastewater resulting from its growing population, the government has built 32,000 kilometers of sewage pipelines, equivalent to 80 percent of Earth's equatorial circumference. This extensive infrastructure has significantly reduced the amount of household pollution that enters the lake.

This photo taken on March 13, 2021 shows a morning view of the Yuantouzhu scenic spot of the Taihu Lake, in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Additionally, large-scale wetland restoration projects have strengthened the lake's natural resilience. More than 30 ecological buffer zones and 190 wetland conservation areas have been established.

In September 2024, Jiangsu's Department of Ecology and Environment launched an intelligent online platform, which monitors the water quality of Taihu Lake using automated monitoring data from over 400 locations, as well as information from more than 40,000 pollution sources.

With satellite imagery streaming in real-time, drones deployed on scheduled checks and artificial intelligence assigning tasks, the platform provides critical support for algae bloom monitoring, pollution source tracing, the issuance of water quality alerts, and ecological compensation mechanisms.

Last summer, the average area of the lake's blue-green algae bloom dropped 15.8 percent year on year, and the average density dropped 17.5 percent, according to the department.

Staff members work at a semiconductor company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

UPGRADED INDUSTRIES

Strict environmental measures did not hinder economic development in the region, but spurred industrial transformation through scientific and efficient management.

In 2024, high-tech industries accounted for over half of the total output of industrial firms above the designated size in three major cities of Jiangsu: Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou. Suzhou's biopharmaceutical sector exceeded 240 billion yuan (about 33.46 billion U.S. dollars), Wuxi's semiconductor industry contributed more than 10 percent of national production, and Changzhou emerged as a major hub for new energy industries.

Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

"The Taihu experience demonstrates that with the right policies and firm commitment, even large, shallow lakes can be effectively restored, and economic development and ecological protection can reinforce each other," said Jiang Wei, director of Jiangsu's Department of Ecology and Environment.

"Taihu Lake stands out as a benchmark for large-scale eutrophic lake restoration," said Zhu Guangwei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology. "Its transition from a 'green soup' to clear waters is an extraordinary achievement that brings invaluable lessons for the world."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
At the invitation of Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang, Kazakhstans First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar will visit China and the two leaders will co-chair the 12th Meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee on March 18.



Xinhua News Agency: According to what we have learned, the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue was held today and a joint statement was issued. In your view, what impact will this meeting have on the resumption of dialogue and negotiation? How does China see the prospect of a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue?



Mao Ning: Deputy foreign ministers of China, Russia and Iran held a meeting in Beijing. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the heads of delegations to the meeting and put forward Chinas five-point proposition on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The three parties had an in-depth exchange of views on the Iranian nuclear issue and issued a joint statement. They reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue remains the only viable and practical option and called on relevant parties to abandon sanction, pressure and threat of force and refrain from any action that may escalate the situation. The three parties reiterated the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China and Russia welcomed Irans reiteration that its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and supported Iran in continuing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and stressed the need to respect Irans right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Iranian nuclear issue is facing a serious situation and once again at a crossroads. The Beijing meeting is a useful effort by China, Russia and Iran in seeking to advance the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. Sanction, pressuring and threat of force lead nowhere, whereas dialogue and consultation provides the right way forward. We call on parties to step up communication and dialogue and accumulate enabling conditions for talks and negotiations to resume at an early date.

China stands ready to work with other parties for a just, balanced and sustainable resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international non-proliferation regime and promote international and regional peace and stability.

China News Service: On March 13, the presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a state border treaty, resolving their border issue once and for all. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: China congratulates Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on the signing of a state border treaty, and highly commends the two presidents crucial role in seeking the peaceful settlement of the border issue through consultation. This is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

As both countries friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, China stands ready to work with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to continue to advance good-neighborliness and friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation across the board so as to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

AFP: Another question on the Iranian nuclear issue. Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said today that China, Russia and Iran stressed it is necessary to end all illicit unilateral sanctions. What is Chinas position on U.S. sanctions on Iran?

Mao Ning: China always opposes illicit unilateral sanctions. Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu has shared Chinas position, and we have distributed the joint statement on the Beijing meeting, which you may refer to.

CCTV: According to reports, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministries said in their statements released on Thursday that they had completed negotiations on the draft of a peace agreement, which is expected to end nearly four decades of dispute between the two countries. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: China is glad to see positive progress in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries are important nations in Transcaucasia and Chinas good friends and good partners. China sincerely hopes the two countries can settle differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and contribute to lasting peace, development and prosperity in the region.

China Daily: We noted that the Report on the Work of the Government mentions new concepts such as embodied AI and gazelle companies. It says that we need to develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions and accelerate the development of a modernized industrial system. Whats your comment?



Mao Ning: The new concepts that you mentioned are the very examples of new quality productive forces. The new quality productive forces are those driven by technological and industrial innovation. New is what makes them different from other productive forces. Large-scale AI model, quantum computer, humanoid robot, and unmanned new energy vehicle all bring out the charm of the new quality productive forces. China actively explores new energy, new material and new technology, and develops new quality productive forces through technological innovation. The new quality productive forces also speed up the transition from old growth drivers into new ones, enhance the efficiency of resource allocation, promote industrial transformation and upgrade, and offer fresh impetus to high-quality development.

Chinas new quality productive forces are also integrated into global industrial, supply, and value chains. Chinese companies have taken advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart network and other new technologies and products to the global market, offering more choices to the world. China also shares with other countries, developing countries in particular, progress in technological innovation, and galvanizes the green transition and industrial upgrade in relevant countries.

The new quality productive forces empower China and enrich the world. As China goes forward, new quality productive forces will be important drivers for growth.

Bloomberg: The EUs top diplomat Kallas said that China is laughing at U.S. trade wars, including Americas 200 percent tariff on European wine, for example. Can you respond?



Mao Ning: We have stressed on multiple occasions that tariff wars and trade wars have no winners. We have no comment on how the U.S. and the EU get along, but we oppose directing the issue at China. Both the U.S. and the EU are important economies in the world. They have a responsibility to uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, rather than deflecting the tension on someone else.

Bloomberg: Putin has proposed holding talks with Trump on the proposed temporary ceasefire on Ukraine. Can you give us Chinas viewpoint?

Mao Ning: We noted the reports. On the Ukraine crisis, China has all along followed the four points proposed by President Xi Jinping on what must be done, namely, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. We hope relevant parties will reach a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and accepted by all the parties concerned through dialogue and negotiation. China stands ready to work with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and realizing lasting peace.

AFP: In 2023, a Chinese professor at the Kobe Gakuin University in Japan went missing when visiting his relatives in China. The university said today that he returned to Japan in January this year. There is speculation that Chinese authorities had detained him for suspected espionage. Can you share more about the case?

Mao Ning: Im not familiar with the specifics you mentioned.

AFP: The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that the China export licenses of hundreds of abattoirs in the U.S. are due to expire this weekend. It says that China Customs has not responded to requests for these licenses to renew. So is China letting these licenses lapse deliberately as part of ongoing trade tension between China and the U.S.?

Mao Ning: Im not familiar with the specifics you mentioned and would refer you to competent Chinese authorities.
By David French, Isla Binnie and Mrinalika Roy

(Reuters) - Dealmakers expect 2025 to be a bumper year for mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. power industry, with a voracious appetite for assets as the sector gears up to meet massive demand growth from data centers for artificial intelligence.

Record power demand and dizzying projections for electricity consumption for AI have made power generation and infrastructure assets, and companies which own them, attractive to energy companies, private equity and other institutional investors.

The biggest growth in the sector in generations has already fueled a deal bonanza in the first months of the year, according to a dozen industry and financial sources who spoke to Reuters. The sources included several attendees at the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.

In January and February, there were 27 U.S. power deals worth a combined $36.4 billion, headlined by Constellation Energy's $16.4 billion acquisition of Calpine. This surpasses, both by value and volume, the first two months of every year barring one during the last 20 years, according to data from LSEG.

Busy power sector deal-making is in contrast to the overall market for M&A, which recorded its weakest start since the global financial crisis, amid market volatility and uncertainty over the Trump administration's policies and what they mean for the economy.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an energy emergency to facilitate the build out in the power sector, calling it "an immediate and pressing priority for the protection of the United States' national and economic security."

Opportunities are significant and stretch across the power sector, said Kathleen Lawler, managing director at investment firm KKR.

"I don't think we have ever been busier," said Lawler.

KKR and Canadian pension fund PSP Investments agreed in January to buy a 20% stake in some of American Electric Power's transmission network for $2.8 billion.

DEMAND

Strong price increases have boosted power companies' shares, meaning they can do bigger transactions or give up less of the company to clinch a stock-fueled deal. Even with stock market falls in recent days, independent power producers Vistra, Constellation and NRG Energy are trading between 82% and 220% higher than the start of 2024.

Potential acquirers may be emboldened too by the reaction of Constellation investors to the Calpine deal. Constellation's share price rallied 25% on the day of the announcement - when typically buyers trade lower when announcing a large deal funded by the issuance of shares to the seller. That is because the share issuance dilutes existing shareholder positions.
By Ahmed Aboulenein and Michael Erman

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician and former Republican Senate candidate nominated by President Donald Trump to oversee government health insurance programs, said on Friday he would not commit to opposing cuts to Medicaid, which provides health care to many poor Americans.

Oz, who has never held public office, appeared before the Senate Finance Committee over his confirmation as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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CMS is a wide-reaching agency with annual spending of $2.6 trillion that oversees health insurance for more than half of Americans, many of whom are covered by Medicaid, a joint federal and state program. Republicans say they hope to cut federal spending in the program.

"Medicaid is the number one expense item in most states, consuming 30% of those state budgets, and that's crowding out essential services like schools and public safety that many of you spent your careers trying to develop," Oz said in his opening statement before the committee.

He said he was in favor of work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

Oz, 64, gained national prominence as a cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality, hosting "The Dr. Oz Show" for over a decade, where he dispensed medical advice and, at times, controversial health recommendations.

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He is likely to be confirmed. Republicans control the Senate and have been largely supportive of Oz, who in 2022 ran with Trump's endorsement as the Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania and lost. Republicans have backed nearly all Trump's nominees.

Yesterday, the White House withdrew Trump's nomination of Dave Weldon, a physician who has criticized vaccines, to run the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a surprise move shortly before his scheduled Senate confirmation hearing.

Oz would head Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older or who have disabilities, oversee Medicaid, the state-based health insurance program for low-income people, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, for low-income children and pregnant women.

He would also run the main program for income-based government-subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

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Collectively these programs provide coverage for almost 172 million people, government data shows.

Oz would also be responsible for the ongoing implementation of Medicare drug price negotiations, a key provision of former President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act aimed at lowering prescription drug costs.

"President Trump's been very clear on this. We want to reduce the cost of medications to our government and to the American people. That's not happening right now. We can do better," said Oz. He later said he would use the negotiation program to lower costs - and continue defending it in court.

Oz also pledged to go after wrongful health insurance practices called upcoding, where insurers charge for more expensive care than was actually provided.

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"This will be one of the topics that is relatively enjoyable to go after, because I think we have bipartisan support," he said.

(Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington, Additional reporting by Michael Erman and Amina Niasse in New York; Editing by Nia Williams and David Gregorio)
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Two individuals were arrested by the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office after two separate traffic stops lead to the seizure of a large amount of drugs.

Joseph Ellis, 47, and Joseph Carey, 34, were both charged and taken into custody.

According to the sheriffs office, deputies conducted a traffic stop on US Highway 87 on March 14 around 11:56 p.m. During the stop, deputies developed caused to search the vehicle. Ellis of Eden was taken into custody and charged with possession of marijuana between two ounces and 4 ounces and possession of a controlled substance penalty group two less than 400 grams for an approximated 350 grams of THC that was located.

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Ellis bond is set at $12,500.

On March 15, the sheriffs office reported that deputies conducted a traffic stop at around 3:29 a.m. south of Grape Creek on US Highway 87. Deputies arrested Carey of San Antonio and charged him with possession of marijuana between 4 ounces 5 pounds. He was also charged possession of a controlled substance in penalty group two under 400 grams.

Carey does not have a bond posted at the time of publication.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Two people were arrested in Miami County after police discovered multiple drugs during a traffic stop.

I cant breathe: Video shows KCPD officer arresting man in grocer

Officers with the Osawatomie Police Department arrested two people on March 4 after smelling marijuana in the individuals car during a traffic stop near US 169 highway.

An Osawatomie K-9 unit assisted in locating additional drugs in the individuals car, including methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia, according to police.

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Charges filed in deadly shooting outside Kansas City QuikTrip

Police reported nearly 13 pounds of marijuana as well as 9.58 grams of methamphetamine.

Teens attack Strawberry Hill ice cream shop manager, suspects in custody

The two people are now facing multiple charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp affixed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
MENDON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Officials from the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests have announced the closures of two cliff sites due to peregrine nesting.

The full Rattlesnake Cliff Area in Salisbury and the Mount Horrid / Great Cliff Area in Rochester will close again to the public on Saturday, March 15. These sites will not reopen until August 1.

Why nesting peregrines keep some Vermont cliff tops and overlooks closed

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During their breeding season, peregrines are sensitive to humans. The Forest Service asks that hikers adhere to closure signs and rules. Disturbing these nesting grounds can result in a 6 month jail sentence and a $5,000 fine.

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Two Ivy League schools are among 51 universities and colleges under investigation for alleged discrimination against white and Asian students.

The education department announced the new investigations on Friday, after issuing a memo warning Americas schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the colour of their skin, Linda McMahon, the education secretary, said in a statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

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Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from under-represented groups study for business degrees with the goal of diversifying the industry.

Department officials said the group limits eligibility based on race, and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

College accused of segregation

The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The PhD project was contacted for comment by the Associated Press.

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Six other colleges are being investigated for awarding impermissible race-based scholarships, the department said, and another is accused of running a programme that segregates students on the basis of race.

Those seven are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota, the University of South Florida and the University of Tulsa School of Medicine.

The department did not say which of the seven was being investigated for allegations of segregation.

The Feb 14 memo from Donald Trumps administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

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That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

In the memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, had said schools and colleges diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline.

The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.

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ROMNEY, WV (WVNS)  Two Maryland men were arrested in West Virginia for multiple crimes after an investigation that involved stolen trucks.

According to a press release, 43-year-old Johnathan Church, of Goldsboro, Maryland, and 43-year-old Jarel Schaefer, of Denton, Maryland, were arrested and charged with grand larceny, possession of stolen property, felon in possession of firearms, conspiracy, and fugitive from justice.

Alleged break-in results in shooting death of woman in Mercer County

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The press release stated that on Saturday, March 1, 2025, members of the West Virginia State Police investigated a Chevrolet 2500 Frontier Communications truck, that was stolen from the Romney area of Hampshire County.

Follow up investigations were held in Pennsylvania and Maryland due to the GPS in the stolen truck pinging in the area of Bedford, Pennsylvania. Members of the West Virginia State Police received a report about a stolen GMC Sierra truck on Friday, March 7, 2025 that was around 0.25 miles away from the stolen Frontier truck.

A member of the west Virginia State Police was informed by the Cumberland, Maryland City Police on Saturday, March 8, 2025 stating that they found the stolen GMC truck pulling a trailer that was stolen from Cumberland.

30-year-old Lindsey Teresi, of Cumberland, Maryland, was the driver of the truck, and was arrested by law enforcement officers while a man drove away from the scene in the stolen frontier truck with a trailer. The GMC truck was given back to the owner.

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Ohio woman sentenced for federal drug crime

According to the press release, deputies in Hampshire County found the stolen Frontier truck on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at a campground in an area west of Romney. Members of the West Virginia State carried out a search warrant at the campground and found a stolen camper where Church and Schaefer were staying.

Law enforcement officers also found suspected stolen side-by-side, a suspected stolen trailer, generators, 11 firearms, including pistols, an illegal AR-15, and other rifles at the campground. The press release from the West Virginia State Police stated that the value of the stolen items that were recovered was around $70,000.

The ATF and BCI were contacted and will help with the investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two men who had warrants were arrested after a traffic stop in Senatobia, Mississippi.

On Mar. 12, at around 4 p.m., Senatobia Police initiated a traffic stop on Highway 55 due to careless driving.

After police made contact with the people in the vehicle, it was determined that the driver had an outstanding warrant from another agency, and the passenger had an active felony warrant out from another agency.

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MS gas line issue leaves thousands without service, 3 injured

While police were getting the passenger out of the vehicle to detain him, the passenger fled on foot from Highway 55 and towards the businesses located on Norfleet Drive.

According to SPD, while the suspect fled police, he threw down a firearm that was located and determined to have an illegal switch attached to it.

Police said that they apprehended the passenger near First Security Bank in the parking lot of Senatobia Plaza without incident. The driver was placed into custody for narcotics and other traffic charges on the scene of the traffic stop.

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WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Waco District held a presentation at the Greater Waco Chamber to update the public on the ongoing My35 Waco South project, a major expansion of the I-35 corridor set to continue through 2029.

The presentation, aimed at informing local residents and commuters about the multi-year construction project, detailed what drivers can expect over the coming months and years. Public Information Officer Jake Smith shared insights into the scale of the project, which is designed to improve traffic flow and increase capacity on one of the states busiest highways.

Were excited to deliver a project thats going to serve Waco, and the people who travel through it for years to come, Smith said. A big portion of this project is going to deliver on capacity. Were adding two main lanes to the interstate, meaning there will be four lanes on each side of I-35.

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As Texas continues to grow, Smith emphasized that Central Texas must adapt to the rising demand for infrastructure. Over the next few months, construction crews will focus on frontage road and utility work. The first major traffic shift is expected to take place this summer when northbound traffic will be moved to the southbound side of I-35, a shift designed to keep the project on track.

Community members in attendance, like Scott Gruenberger, expressed their understanding of the potential impact on daily commutes but appreciated the efforts to keep the public informed.

It certainly is going to impact the commute downtown, but I feel that the websites very informative and its going to allow people to plan and hopefully have something together so they can plan their daily commutes, said Gruenberger.

The construction project spans from South Loop 340 to 12th Street and is set to continue until early 2029. TxDOT urges drivers to remain vigilant, pay attention to construction signs, watch for workers, and be patient as traffic congestion increases during the project.

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As the project moves forward, local residents and travelers are encouraged to stay updated through the TxDOT website and other resources provided by the agency.

For more information and updates on the project click here.

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A U.S. appeals court has once again upheld Floridas 2018 law barring people under age 21 from buying long guns, rejecting a challenge by the National Rifle Association. But Floridas attorney general says that if the case is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, his office wont defend it.

The entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied the legal challenge by the gun rights organization on Friday, two years after a three-judge panel similarly rejected the legal challenge. The Florida Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott signed the law shortly after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 17 people.

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There have been several attempts since then to repeal the law in the Florida Legislature, and a similar proposal is advancing this session in the Florida House.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated his support for overturning the law and, shortly after the ruling was announced Attorney General James Uthmeier, until recently the governors chief of staff, announced his position on a Supreme Court appeal.

Notwithstanding CA11s opinion today, I believe restricting the right of law-abiding adults to purchase firearms is unconstitutional, Uthmeier said on X, adding that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reached the same conclusion.

Men and women old enough to fight and die for our country should be able to purchase firearms to defend themselves and their families, Uthmeier said.

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The Fifth Circuit ruled in January that the federal law banning federal firearms licensees from selling handguns to individuals aged 18 to 20 is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The U.S. Border Patrols Big Bend Sector marks a historic milestone with the birth of a new horse, the first horse ever born into a horse patrol detachment.

The foal, named Dolly, is the first horse born into Border Patrols 100-year history, the department said in a news release on Thursday, March 13.

Dolly was born on March 9 to her mother, Juanita, at the Sierra Blanca U.S. Border Patrol Station in Sierra Blanca, Texas. That is almost 100 miles east of El Paso.

According to Border Patrol, the name Dolly was selected from a list of names submitted by students from Sierra Blanca Independent School District.

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This is a remarkable moment for the U.S. Border Patrol, Chief Patrol Agent Lloyd M. Easterling said. Dolly is the first foal ever born to a U.S. Border Patrol horse and she represents the potential of our program. We are equally proud that the community had a hand in naming her.

According to the agency, horses are an essential asset to Border Patrol agents in traversing the terrain around the Big Bend Sector.

Horses provide a strategic advantage in remote areas by helping agents track, detect and interdict illegal activity while also strengthening the connection between Border Patrol and local communities, according to Border Patrol.

Dolly and Juanita are being closely monitored to ensure that Dolly grows strong and healthy, the agency said.

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Border Patrol says Dolly will begin her journey with the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Station to potentially join the agencys equine stable.

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By Ananya Mariam Rajesh

(Reuters) -American Eagle Outfitters forecast annual revenue below expectations on Wednesday, becoming the latest U.S. apparel maker to signal a demand slowdown for clothing and accessories as well as a hit to margins from President Donald Trump's tariffs on China.

Shares of the Aerie activewear brand maker fell 5% in extended trading.

Apparel makers and retailers such as Walmart and Target have struck cautious expectations for the year as an uncertain economy, burdened by Trump's seesaw tariff announcements, has turned shoppers discerning on buying non-essential items.

"Entering 2025, the first quarter is off to a slower start than expected, reflecting less robust demand and colder weather," said CEO Jay Schottenstein.

In early March, Abercrombie & Fitch also flagged a weaker start to 2025.

American Eagle expects fiscal 2025 revenue to decline in the low-single digit percentage range, while analysts were expecting a 2.97% rise to $5.49 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company sees annual operating income to be in the range of $360 million to $375 million, compared to $427 million in 2024.

CFO Michael Mathias noted on the post-earnings call that tariffs would have an adverse impact of $5 million to $10 million.

In March, Trump increased tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20% from the previous 10% levy, further fueling a trade war expected to raise prices of products in the United States.

"We're also actively working to further diversify our supply chain to mitigate tariffs," Mathias said.

He added the company is working to make imports from China in the single-digit percentage range towards the back half of this year, from the current high-teens percentage.

Its quarterly revenue fell 4.4% to $1.61 billion, compared to estimates of $1.60 billion. Profit per share of 54 cents came ahead of expectations of 50 cents.

"AEO represents yet another company posting a solid holiday quarter but opting to guide cautiously in light of the uncertainty in the market, echoing the general theme seen across retail earnings this cycle," BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has welcomed the birth of the first foal in the agency's mission to use horses to patrol the rugged terrain in its Big Bend, Texas, sector.

Dolly is the first horse born into the agency's Big Bend sector in its 100-year history and will be added to the sector's stable of patrol horses. She stands out among the other horses thanks to one blue eye. She is stabled with her mother, Juanita, in Sierra Blanca, about 100 east of El Paso.

"Dolly's arrival represents a significant milestone in the Border Patrol's longstanding tradition of using horses to patrol rugged terrain along the U.S.-Mexico border," Border Patrol said in a statement.

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Dolly will be raised to help patrol the border region in areas that vehicles cannot reach due to the topography, helping agents track, detect and uncover illegal activity while also strengthening the connection between Border Patrol and local communities, it said.

The name was selected from a list supplied by students in the Sierra Blanca Independent School District, local media reported.
A man who served more than three decades in prison for murder was arrested Friday in connection with a home invasion in Norwich in October and an incident last month when a mans neck was slashed, officials said.

Ronnie Hinton, 52, was taken into custody at his residence on Roathe Street around 5:30 a.m., according to the Norwich Police Department.

Police said they were assisted in the apprehension by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Connecticut State Police BSI East Joint Task Force.

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The U.S. Marshals Service said police held two warrants for Hintons arrest. One of them stemmed from a home invasion and assault on Broadway Street on Oct. 19, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service said. The warrant charges Hinton with home invasion, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, second-degree kidnapping and sale of narcotics, according to police.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Hinton was interviewed by police investigators about the home invasion allegations and was found to be on parole with a GPS ankle monitor. About 20 minutes after the interview, he allegedly cut off his GPS bracelet, and the Department of Corrections issued a warrant for his arrest.

The second warrant stemmed from an incident on Feb. 24 on Franklin Street where officers responded to a report of an individual who was attacked with a knife, the U.S. Marshals Service said. The victim suffered a laceration to his neck and was taken to an area hospital where he was stabilized.

After Norwich police identified Hinton as the assailant and another warrant was issued, the police requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend him, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

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Police said Hinton was being held on $1 million bond. He also had a remand to custody order issued by his parole officer.

According to authorities, Hinton has a long history of violence and was released from prison in 2023 after serving 33 years for murder. He was expected to face a judge on Friday.

According to Courant archives, Hinton was convicted of killing three young men during a gang-related shootout in Hartfords North End in October 1989. A jury found that Hinton had ambushed the three with a shotgun. Hinton had argued self-defense. He was charged with capital felony but spared the death penalty because he was under 18.
Grand Coulee Dam in Washington is one of dozens of dams in the Columbia River Basin generating hydroelectricity. The river's upstream flows are controlled in part by the Canadian government, under an agreement that is hitting turbulence under President Donald Trump. (Courtesy of Bureau of Reclamation)

The U.S. has paused negotiations with Canada on a keystone management plan that governs flood control, water supply and hydropower in the shared Columbia River Basin as President Donald Trump escalates his trade war and threats to Canadas sovereignty.

British Columbias energy ministry said in a news release this week that Trump administration officials notified them they would pause and review their engagement with Canada on final updates to the 61-year-old Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. Department of State did not respond to questions from the Capital Chronicle by Thursday evening.

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British Columbias minister in charge of Columbia River Treaty negotiations is holding a virtual public forum on issues presented by the pause March 25.

Under the terms of the treaty, Canada controls the flow of the northwests largest river from its headwaters in British Columbia, ensuring enough water is sent downstream to meet U.S. hydropower needs.

Canada also provides water storage that helps prevent flooding, supports irrigation and protects fish habitat. In exchange, Canada is entitled to some of the hydropower generated by the Bonneville Power Administrations 31 Columbia River Basin dams.

The Bonneville Power Administration, in charge of marketing the hydroelectricity produced by the U.S. dams, directed Capital Chronicle questions about the pause to the U.S. State Department. The Columbia River Basin and the dams within it generate 40% of the United States hydropower, irrigate $8 billion in crops and carry 42 million tons of commercial cargo every year.

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Barbara Cosens, a professor emerita at the University of Idaho College of Law and an expert on water law, said a breakdown of the treaty will be harder on the U.S. than Canada.

If the two parties really get in a tit-for-tat over this river, Canada is the winner, Cosens said. Theres a saying in water law that says: Its better to be upstream with a shovel than downstream with a right, because you can just stop that water.

A map of all Columbia River Basin dams. (Illustration courtesy of the Bonneville Power Administration)

Modernization on pause

Columbia River Treaty, first ratified in 1964, was set to expire late last year. In July 2024, Biden administration officials and Canadian officials reached a tentative agreement, under which Canada would receive less hydropower from the U.S., but would get more flexibility when it comes to water storage. Canada would also receive over $37 million in direct payments from the U.S. under that agreement.

But Biden officials could not get the tentative agreement finalized and in front of the U.S. Senate for a vote before Trump took office. Instead, a series of interim agreements have extended, for several years, certain provisions of the 2024 treaty updates.

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Those interim agreements are non-negotiable, according to John Wagner, an environmental policy professor at the University of British Columbia and an expert on the Columbia River Treaty.

Trump cannot just pause these because they were approved by an exchange of notes between Canada and U.S. governments before Trump took office, Wagner said in an email.

But if Trump and administration officials decide not to resume negotiations on a final agreement, Wagner said, (it) will be dead in the water.

Among updates to the Columbia River Treaty being negotiated were more engagement on decision making with tribal governments and more investment in fish habitat and recovering threatened salmon populations in the basin.

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Joseph Bogaard, executive director at the Washington-based nonprofit Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, said the updates werent perfect, but worsening relations between Canada and the U.S. over the basin will hurt people and fish.

If were not working together, were not collaborating, were not finding ways forward together, its going to lead to bad outcomes for both countries. And certainly salmon are going to be increasingly a casualty, and the health of the river will be a casualty of those broken down negotiations and broken down relationships if that occurs, Bogaard said.

If the U.S. misses deadlines for negotiating a final agreement, the earlier 61-year-old treaty would be reinstated, with no resolution to the issues the updates were meant to solve. If either nation decides to terminate the treaty, it will set off a 10-year process of dissolving the nations co-management infrastructure.

Another way of putting it is: our two nations, which share a long border together and share the Columbia Basin watershed, are going to best be served in the near term and over the long term by healthy, collaborative, constructive, reciprocal relationships, Bogaard said, And that tradition, it seems, is sort of in peril at the moment.

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Construction of the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington began in 1933 and was completed in 1942. It is the largest hydropower producer in the U.S. and also part of the Columbia Basin Project, irrigating more than 600,000 acres. (Courtesy of the Bureau of Reclamation)

The U.S. has paused negotiations with Canada on a keystone management plan that governs flood control, water supply and hydropower in the shared Columbia River Basin as President Donald Trump escalates his trade war and threats to Canadas sovereignty.

British Columbias energy ministry said in a news release this week that Trump administration officials notified them they would pause and review their engagement with Canada on final updates to the 61-year-old Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. Department of State did not respond to questions from the Capital Chronicle by Thursday evening.

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British Columbias minister in charge of Columbia River Treaty negotiations is holding a virtual public forum on issues presented by the pause March 25.

Under the terms of the treaty, Canada controls the flow of the Northwests largest river from its headwaters in British Columbia, ensuring enough water is sent downstream to meet U.S. hydropower needs.

Canada also provides water storage that helps prevent flooding, supports irrigation and protects fish habitat. In exchange, Canada is entitled to some of the hydropower generated by the Bonneville Power Administrations 31 Columbia River Basin dams.

The Bonneville Power Administration, in charge of marketing the hydroelectricity produced by the U.S. dams, directed Capital Chronicle questions about the pause to the U.S. State Department. The Columbia River Basin and the dams within it generate 40% of the United States hydropower, irrigate $8 billion in crops and carry 42 million tons of commercial cargo every year.

A map of all Columbia River Basin dams in the Pacific Northwest. (Illustration courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Barbara Cosens, a professor emerita at the University of Idaho College of Law and an expert on water law, said a breakdown of the treaty will be harder on the U.S. than Canada.

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If the two parties really get in a tit-for-tat over this river, Canada is the winner, Cosens said. Theres a saying in water law that says: Its better to be upstream with a shovel than downstream with a right, because you can just stop that water.

A history of negotiations between the U.S., Canada on the Columbia River Treaty

The Columbia River Treaty, first ratified in 1964, was set to expire late last year. In July 2024, Biden administration officials and Canadian officials reached a tentative agreement, under which Canada would receive less hydropower from the U.S., but would get more flexibility when it comes to water storage. Canada would also receive over $37 million in direct payments from the U.S. under that agreement.

But Biden officials could not get the tentative agreement finalized and in front of the U.S. Senate for a vote before Trump took office. Instead, a series of interim agreements have extended, for several years, certain provisions of the 2024 treaty updates.

Those interim agreements are non-negotiable, according to John Wagner, an environmental policy professor at the University of British Columbia and an expert on the Columbia River Treaty.

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Trump cannot just pause these because they were approved by an exchange of notes between Canada and U.S. governments before Trump took office, Wagner said in an email.

But if Trump and administration officials decide not to resume negotiations on a final agreement, Wagner said, (it) will be dead in the water.

Among updates to the Columbia River Treaty being negotiated were more engagement on decision making with tribal governments and more investment in fish habitat and recovering threatened salmon populations in the basin.

Joseph Bogaard, executive director at the Washington-based nonprofit Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, said the updates werent perfect, but worsening relations between Canada and the U.S. over the basin will hurt people and fish.

Advertisement Advertisement

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If were not working together, were not collaborating, were not finding ways forward together. Its going to lead to bad outcomes for both countries. And certainly salmon are going to be increasingly a casualty, and the health of the river will be a casualty of those broken down negotiations and broken down relationships if that occurs, Bogaard said.

If the U.S. misses deadlines for negotiating a final agreement, the earlier 61-year-old treaty would be reinstated, with no resolution to the issues the updates were meant to solve. If either nation decides to terminate the treaty, it will set off a 10-year process of dissolving the nations co-management infrastructure.

Another way of putting it is: our two nations, which share a long border together and share the Columbia Basin watershed, are going to best be served in the near term and over the long term by healthy, collaborative, constructive, reciprocal relationships, Bogaard said, And that tradition, it seems, is sort of in peril at the moment.

Oregon Capital Chronicle, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  A University of Illinois student is facing a misdemeanor charge, in addition to an original felony charge, for her role in pro-Palestine protests on campus last April.

This makes 18-year-old Yafa Issas case more similar to the several other defendants charged from the protests. Issas lawyer said she was part of a group who set up a symbolic tent encampment to show solidarity with the refugees of Gaza.

Judge denies motion to dismiss mob action charge for U of I student protestor

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Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz said nine people were charged after a U of I Police investigation into the protests.

She also said, in many cases, defendants were charged with both the felony mob action charge and with misdemeanor resisting a peace officer. The newer misdemeanor charge against Issa could work in her favor if her case plays out similarly to other defendants who faced the same charges.

There have been already two people who plead guilty, and the agreement in those cases was they plead guilty to the misdemeanor resisting case, Rietz said. The minimum sentence for resisting is, generally speaking, 100 hours of public service work and court costs, so those two people who plead guilty accepted that agreement for conditional discharge and public service work, and in exchange we dismissed the felony count.

The felony charge carries a punishment of up to three years in prison. Like Rietz said, of the nine people charged, two plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge in exchange for dismissal of the felony charge.

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She said one person had their case dismissed after reviewing U of I police evidence, public service involvement and taking accountability for their actions.

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(Bloomberg) -- The UK announced it would provide loans totaling 2 billion ($2.6 billion) to allied governments to buy from British defense companies, the latest move by a European nation to boost investment in military capabilities under pressure from President Donald Trump.

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UK Export Finances direct lending capacity would be raised to 10 billion from 8 billion, with the extra money being targeted toward British defense firms exporting missiles, aircraft and armored vehicles, the Treasury said in an emailed statement.

The uplift would be a central pillar of the governments upcoming Defense Industrial Strategy, according to the statement.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will travel to Scotland to make the announcement. This increase to UKEFs lending capability is our Industrial Strategy in action, bolstering our defence industry and supply chains, creating jobs and driving growth across the UK, she said.

Scotland hosts facilities of several UK defense companies including BAE Systems and Babcock.

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LONDON (AP)  The British economy unexpectedly shrank during January, piling pressure on Treasury chief Rachel Reeves before a key statement about the state of the public finances later this month.

Official figures Friday showed that the economy, the world's sixth-largest, saw output drop by 0.1% during the month, in contrast to expectations for a modest increase and December's solid 0.4% gain.

The Office of National Statistics said the weak performance was largely due to bad weather affecting the manufacturing and construction sectors, despite a solid performance by the services sector, which accounts for around 80% of the British economy.

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Though monthly figures are notoriously volatile and prone to future revision, the decline puts in sharp relief the struggles the Labour government, elected last July after 14 years in opposition, is having in generating growth.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said raising the U.K.'s economic growth is his governments number one priority over the next five years. Since the global financial crisis in 2008-9, the British economy's growth performance has been historically lackluster.

Starmer has pledged to boost living standards and generate funds for cash-starved public services. With growth proving elusive, the partys popularity has fallen sharply since its election victory in July.

Critics say Treasury chief Reeves has been partly responsible for the economic slowdown since Labour returned to power, because she was overly gloomy when taking on her role and increased taxes, particularly on businesses.

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After the January figures, she vowed to turn around the poor performance of more than a decade and that the government will go further and faster in promoting policies to boost growth.

In recent weeks, Reeves has set out plans to boost longer-term growth, such as backing a third runway at Londons Heathrow Airport. She has also pledged to create a Silicon Valley-like technology hub between the two university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as a reset of the U.K.s post-Brexit economic relations with the European Union. She has also pointed to the growth benefits of the recently announced ramp-up in defense spending.

The monthly decline is an uncomfortable backdrop for Reeves before she delivers a budget statement to Parliament on March 26. Because growth isn't generating the tax revenues hoped and borrowing rates remain relatively high, she is expected to announce a package of spending cuts in order to meet her fiscal rules.

Mel Stride, the Treasury spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, branded the government a growth killer, blaming tax rises and proposed changes to employment rights.
LONDON (Reuters) -British police said on Friday they have charged the Russian captain of a container ship that crashed into a U.S. tanker earlier this week with manslaughter and gross negligence.

The 59-year-old Vladimir Motin was captain of the Portuguese-flagged Solong that hit the Stena Immaculate tanker, carrying military jet fuel, at close to full speed on Monday.

Motin has been remanded in police custody, and will appear at Hull Magistrates Court on Saturday, the police said.

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One crew member, 38-year old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, died, Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said, while 36 other crew members survived and were brought to shore.

The collision caused huge fires and explosions, and spilled jet fuel into the sea. Initial concerns of an environmental disaster subsided as assessments showed the jet fuel had mostly burned off and there was no sign of other leaks from either ship.

Salvage companies boarded the two vessels on Thursday and were carrying out initial damage assessments, the coastguard said. In an update on Friday, it said there were only small periodic pockets of fire, which were not causing "undue concern".

Police said extensive lines of inquiry were continuing but it was taking time given the vessels were still at sea and there were a large number of witnesses involved.

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Russia's embassy in London said in a statement shared on messaging platform Telegram that it had a "detailed telephone conversation" with the captain on Thursday, and that he was feeling well.

The embassy said it was also in close contact with British authorities. The incident comes at a time of fraught relations between London and Moscow.

Five Russian citizens were on board the container vessel, TASS has said, citing the embassy.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Sam Tabahriti and Gursimran Kaur; Editing by Catarina Demony and Rosalba O'Brien)
Formally a brigadier general, Oleksandr Potiy is today tasked with guarding Ukraine on the civilian side  far from the battlefield but right at the front line of Russias cyber war.

Potiy is in camo fatigues when he addresses the crowd of IT workers and foreign investors for the keynote address at the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum that took place on March 11-12.

Our priority is a departure from the traditional schema of a KSZI, Potiy tells the Kyiv Independent in an interview on the conferences sidelines, referring to a Soviet acronym for information defense that had a reputation of being corrupt. We totally changed the approach.

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In December, Potiy took charge of Derzhspetszvyazku, or the State Service of Special Communications. The agency guards the Ukrainian governments digital infrastructure.

Its a job thats grown massively in the four years since Potiy first joined the agency, which now has a headcount of 1,300. Russia has long been a breeding ground for some of the most aggressive hackers in the world. As an overture to the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, those hackers launched a salvo of cyber attacks at Ukraine, one that continues to the present day.

Despite systems  including massive telecomms networks  going down periodically, Ukraine has remained remarkably steadfast in the face of this assault.

The agency monitors and tracks upwards of 3,000 attacks each year on the Ukrainian civil government alone  not including the military, whose digital security falls to the Defense Ministry and intelligence agencies. The most recent report for the first half of 2024 counts among major threats a DDoS gang going by From Russia with Love and another cyber gang based in Russian-occupied Luhansk who factually are traitors, per the report.

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Those are in addition to hacking groups long associated with Russian intelligence and General Staff like Sandworm and Armageddon.

Attacks have included a spear-phishing campaign that used QR codes to short-circuit Signal  increasingly a go-to messenger for Ukrainians seeking security away from Russian-originated Telegram  and link hostile devices that government officials are unaware are reading their classified or private comms.

The aggregate figure of the most recent report notes a significant increase in the total number of attacks but a merciful decline in those defined as critical from 31 to 3.

Nonetheless, Ukraine needs a new training and certification scheme, Potiy said, ambitiously aiming at fostering a new generation of cyber security specialists, tens of thousands if not more, with solid jobs within Ukraine. It is one of his core ambitions for his first year in charge of the agency.

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We have educational institutions that turn out cybersecurity specialists who could provide services, Potiy continued. But theres no job market.

Aside from a simple mass of professional cybersecurers, Potiy aims to distribute the authorities  decentralization, in other words. Centralization is one of the cardinal sins of cybersecurity, one that was likely responsible for a collapse in government data that rattled Ukraine in December.

The agency is taking as a model for a new regional network of cyber offices the European Unions National Coordination Centers.

An overarching goal of the Ukrainian government is the harmonization of its practices with EU law  preparation for eventually joining the union. At the conference, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with a number of European counter-parties, entailing some fairly vague concepts of cooperation.

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Part of what that translates to in practice is data-sharing from the agency to the West on the cyberattacks they face, Potiy explains.

We have obtained unique experience, which today can prove useful to partners from around the world, Potiy told the crowd at the conferences opening.

The Ukrainian cyber dataset is potentially extremely valuable for Western cybersecurity agencies, as many of the attacks Russian hackers are launching against Ukraine today are easy enough to replicate on Western systems tomorrow.

Speaking on what turned into the last day of frozen U.S. weapons aid and intel sharing with Ukraine, Potiy noted that the agency had not stopped providing its network of data to analogous Western cyber agencies, including the American CISA.

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We have a very tight relationship with our American partners and friends, Potiy said. We, as competent technical professionals, are still working with them like we worked before.

In addition to its cyber duties, by an odd set of circumstances at the wars outset, the agency ended up holding the purse strings for Ukraines drone purchases. It retains, today, a budget of Hr 65 billion  just over $1.5 billion.

Potiys own ascension in December was part of a scandal in which anti-corruption activists raised alarms that the new office would stop publishing information on those drone purchases, including cost and quantity, on Ukraines public platform for government acquisitions, Prozorro.

Everythings done in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine, including acquisitions going through Prozorro, said Potiy. When asked if that was going to change, Potiy answered, Its established procedure.

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Read also: Russian hackers target Signal accounts in growing espionage effort

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Ukraines military was forced on Friday to dismiss Donald Trumps claim that thousands of its troops were encircled in Russias Kursk region as false.

Its general staff instead accused Russia of fabricating reports for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners, while Volodymyr Zelensky said Vladimir Putin was lying about the battlefield situation.

Putin claimed on Thursday night that his forces had encircled thousands of Ukrainians in the western Kursk region, which Ukraine invaded in August, warning they would have to surrender or die.

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His words were seized upon by Mr Trump, who made an appeal to the Russian president to spare their lives.

At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position, the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform.

This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II, Mr Trump warned.

Russian reports fabricated

His comments prompted a direct response from the Ukrainian military, which insisted its soldiers had regrouped but were at no threat of being surrounded.

Reports of the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false and fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners, the general staff wrote online.

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Open-source intelligence analysts confirmed Kyivs claim, saying no current evidence suggested the troops were at risk of encirclement.

Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield, he is lying about the casualties, the Ukrainian president said later in a speech to mark Military Volunteer Day.

Although Mr Trump has not spoken to Putin directly, his envoy Steve Witkoff met the Russian leader in Moscow on Thursday night to discuss the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has agreed to.

The US and Russia had very good and productive discussions in Moscow, Mr Trump said, despite repeated claims by the Ukrainian president that Putin is sabotaging diplomacy by setting unacceptable conditions for a truce.

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Ukraines 10,000-strong force has been withdrawing from Russias southern Kursk region in recent days in the face of a rapid Russian counteroffensive.

Kyiv had hoped holding onto Russian territory would provide a significant bargaining chip in any future peace negotiations, but the position became increasingly untenable as Russia threw up to 60,000 troops into the fight.

Ukraine now retains barely 77 square miles in the border region, down from 500 square miles at the peak of the incursion last summer, according to the Russian military.

We are sympathetic to President Trumps call, Putin said later on Friday as he pledged to guarantee the safety of Kyivs troops in Kursk if they surrendered. Dmitry Medvedev, his ally, warned they would be mercilessly destroyed if they failed to put down their arms.

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Putin does have a history of offering safe passage to encircled enemy troops before launching an ambush against them.

In 2014, Russian forces offered a corridor for Ukrainian troops to leave entrapment during the Battle of Ilovaisk, in eastern Ukraine, before attacking them.

07:32 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

07:29 PM GMT

Russia strikes Zelenskys hometown with missile

A Russian missile struck a residential area in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih late on Friday, injuring four people, the regional governor said.

Governor Serhiy Lysak posted images showing damage to a building which appeared to house a number of businesses, with reports a busy restaurant was hit.

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Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the citys military administration, warned people to remain inside shelters because of the danger of a repeat strike at the site, a recurring Russian practice.

Kryvyi Rih, Volodymyr Zelenskys home town, has been the target of repeated attacks in the three-year-old war against Russia.

A Russian missile attack on Wednesday killed one person and damaged an infrastructure facility, high-rise apartment blocks and administrative buildings.

06:55 PM GMT

Pictured: Ukrainians march in Kyiv for Military Volunteer Day

Activists of nationalist youth groups march in Kyiv to mark the annual Ukrainian Volunteer Day on March 14 - AFP

Volodymyr Zelensky made a speech in which he accused Vladimir Putin of lying about the situation on the battlefield - AP

06:43 PM GMT

Nato chief says relations with Moscow will be normalised - but not now

Mark Rutte, Secretary-General of Nato, said that relations between Europe and Russia are likely to be restored after the war in Ukraine, but first Moscow must be pressured into negotiations.

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In an interview with Bloomberg published on Friday, Mr Rutte said: First of all, you have to maintain the pressure on the Russians to make sure that they do whatever is necessary. Thats why we have to sanctions, and lets not be naive about the Russians.

He then argued that peace negotiations will be a long process, but that they hopefully end with Europe and the US mending its ties with Russia.

And I think it is normal if the war would have stopped for Europe to somehow step by step  and also for the US  step by step to restore normal relations with the Russians, we are absolutely not there yet, he added.

06:23 PM GMT

Anti-Russian activist shot dead in Odesa

A prominent anti-Russian activist was shot dead in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday, with officials suggesting Russian involvement.

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Demian Ganul, 31, was a right-wing nationalist activist who led and took part in several anti-Russia protests, including violent clashes with counter-protestors in May 2014.

The incident is qualified as a premeditated murder committed by order, national police said on Telegram.

The Security Service said a 46-year-old military deserter had been detained as a suspect.

Possible motives for the crime are being investigated, it said, adding that it had not ruled out a contract killing or a Russian trace to the murder.

06:09 PM GMT

Listen to todays Daily T episode with the latest on Ukraine

05:52 PM GMT

Moscows delaying tactics must end, Macron says

Emmanuel Macron said that Russias delaying tactics over a ceasefire in Ukraine must stop.

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The French president, who spoke to Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky today, is the latest of Ukraines allies calling on Vladimir Putin to accept the truce proposal, saying: Russian aggression in Ukraine must end.

Mr Macron will join Sir Keir and other world leaders for a virtual meeting to build on the coalition of the willing, a group of countries pledging their support to Ukraine.

05:42 PM GMT

Medvedev: Ukraines troops in Kursk will be destroyed if they dont surrender

Dmitry Medvedev, Russias former president, said that Ukrainian troops remaining in the Kursk region of Russia will be mercilessly destroyed if they continue to fight.

Vladimir Putin earlier responded to Donald Trumps request to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk, saying that Russia would guarantee their safety if they surrendered.

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Medvedev posted online that this was a humane gesture but the flip side for Ukraine was that if they refuse to lay down their arms, they will all be methodically and mercilessly destroyed.

He said the coming hours would show what choice Kyiv would make.

05:29 PM GMT

Russia is retaking Kursk from Ukraine - heres how

05:15 PM GMT

Putin tells Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will guarantee the safety of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region if they surrender.

I would like to emphasise that if they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation, Russian media quoted Putin as saying.

The Russian president went on to say that Ukrainian authorities should instruct troops in the Russian region, which was invaded by Kyiv last year, to lay down their arms.

His comments came after Donald Trump appealed to him to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops completely surrounded by Russian forces in Kursk. Kyiv has denied his claim.

04:53 PM GMT

Zelenksy acknowledges Kursk situation is difficult

Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that the situation in Kursk, where Ukrainian troops have been pushed back by a rapid Russian offensive, is difficult.

The situation in the Kursk region is obviously very difficult, the Ukrainian president admitted.

He went on to defend the Kursk incursion, which Ukraine launched last year, saying that it had eased pressure across the frontline because Russia had been forced to relocate troops to defend the region.

The Russian counteroffensive in Kursk has retaken much of the land Ukraine originally captured, denying Kyiv vital leverage over Moscow in any potential peace talks.

04:17 PM GMT

Rubio: Are we moving towards peace or is this a delay tactic?

Marco Rubio said it is still unclear whether both Ukraine and Russia are moving towards peace.

The question is is not how long [until a truce is agreed] but are we actually moving towards a ceasefire or is this a delay tactic? he said during a press briefing.

We will know sooner or later. We are not there yet, but we will get there.

04:10 PM GMT

Rubio cautiously optimistic about Ukraine ceasefire

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic about reaching a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Speaking at the G7 talks in Canada, he said: Theres a lot of work there, a lot of work that remains to be done, but theres reason to be cautiously optimistic.

We are some steps closer to ending this war and bringing peace, he said, adding that the situation remains difficult and complex.

04:07 PM GMT

Zelensky calls on allies to ensure Russia ready to end war

Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraines allies to make sure Russia is ready to end the conflict.

And we believe it is our partners responsibility to ensure that Russia is ready to end the war  not to look for reasons why it should continue for more weeks, months, or years, but to end it, he wrote on X.

Putin will not end the war on his own. But the strength of America is enough to make it happen.

And we believe it is our partners' responsibility to ensure that Russia is ready to end the war  not to look for reasons why it should continue for more weeks, months, or years, but to end it. Putin will not end the war on his own. But the strength of America is enough to make  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 14, 2025

03:44 PM GMT

Analysis: Is there an ulterior motive behind Trumps appeal to Putin?

Why has Donald Trump just posted that thousands of Ukrainian troops are surrounded in Kursk?

It will not be because of his own intelligence briefings. According to the Ukrainian general staff, and a raft of open-source intelligence analysts, Kyivs army is on the back foot in Kursk - but far from encircled nor, as the president put it, at risk of an imminent massacre.

The likeliest source of the information appears to be Vladimir Putin, who last night held one-to-one talks with Steve Witkoff, the presidents go-to negotiator. Earlier on Thursday, Putin claimed the exact same thing Mr Trump is now broadcasting, with the full urgency of his all-caps style, on Truth Social.

One explanation is that the president is simply naive, or not reading the briefings provided to him by his own intelligence agencies (it emerged during his first term that he was not an avid reader of such materials). But it is also possible that the presidents Truth Social post will form part of his negotiating strategy.

When Putin does spare the lives of the troops Mr Trump can present it as a concession on the Russian presidents part, casting the agreement as akin to avoiding a 21st-century Stalingrad.

This could make it easier to agree to the extreme demands Putin laid out yesterday if a 30-day ceasefire is to be reached.

03:34 PM GMT

US still deciding on terms of Ukraine minerals deal

Washington is still deciding on the terms required to sign a rare earth minerals deal with Kyiv, Ukraines deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna said.

The long-contested deal would see the US gain access to Ukraines valuable resources as part of an investment fund set up for the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

The agreement is ready. There are no changes in the text, Ms Stefanishyna told reporters on Friday. The American side has not decided yet on the terms on which they want to sign it. Ukraine is ready to sign.

03:26 PM GMT

Pictured: Russian soldier raises a flag on a Kursk home

A Russian soldier places flag on the roof of a house in a part of the Kursk region retaken by Moscows forces on March 14 - REUTERS

03:10 PM GMT

Ukraine denies Trumps claim its troops encircled in Kursk

Ukraines military rejected Donald Trumps claims that it troops are encircled in Russias Kursk region as false.

Instead, Ukraines General Staff claimed its troops had pulled back to more favourable positions and that there is no threat of our units being encircled.

Defence analysts have also questioned Mr Trumps assessment of the situation, arguing that while Ukrainian forces have retreated in areas, they are not at risk of being encircled.

03:05 PM GMT

No call between Trump and Putin yesterday

Karoline Leavitt has confirmed there was no call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin yesterday.

Mr Trump earlier today posted on Truth Social that we had very good and productive discussions with Putin on Thursday, which it is now clear was in reference to US envoy Steve Witkoffs meeting with the Russian leader in Moscow.

Donald Trump said good progress had been made on US-Russian talks over a ceasefire

02:53 PM GMT

Musk cuts team finding Ukrainian children stolen by Russia

A specialist US team involved in helping to rescue Ukrainian children stolen by Russia has reportedly had its funding slashed as part of Elon Musks government spending cuts.

The US government had been funding a team at Yale University who were using open source technology to trace children forcibly removed from Ukraine and help repatriate them.

However, the unit had its funding paused by Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), despite helping to successfully reunite families after passing information to Ukrainian authorities, according to the i paper.

Cutting the Yale Humanitarian Research Labs work could harm Kyivs abilities to find and return other deported children.

Ukraine estimates over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia as part of a campaign of unlawful deportation.

Elon Musks DOGE is accused of cutting aid to a US team helping to find lost Ukrainian children - AP

02:36 PM GMT

Zelensky: Russias ceasefire conditions intended to prolong war

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russias attempts to set up conditions for the proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine only complicate and drag out the process.

Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down, the Ukrainian leader said on X after a call with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, cardinal Pietro Parolin.

02:09 PM GMT

The situation in Kursk

Russia claims to have taken back 29 settlements in its western Kursk region, which was invaded by Ukraine last August.

The counter-offensive was launched by Vladimir Putins forces from Sudzha last week, seven miles inside Russia, while simultaneously crossing the border into Ukraines Sumy region.

It was a pincer movement aimed at surrounding thousands of Ukrainian troops.

Ukraine had been hoping to hold onto the Russian territory it seized last August as a potential bargaining chip that could be traded away in any negotiations with Moscow.

Sources inside the Ukrainian government said they believed Russias breakthrough in Kursk is a direct consequence of the US pausing intelligence sharing.

01:59 PM GMT

Not yet clear if Trump and Putin have spoken

Donald Trump has said he requested strongly that Vladimir Putin spare the lives of Ukrainian troops who remain in Kursk.

But it is not clear if the two leaders had yet spoken over the phone.

Both the Kremlin and the White House have said a call would likely take place soon.

01:44 PM GMT

In full: Trump tells Putin to spare lives of Ukrainians in Kursk

01:11 PM GMT

Russian troops dismiss ceasefire with Ukraine

Russian soldiers have dismissed the idea of a ceasefire with Ukraine.

One Russian serviceman told the Moscow Times that a pause in fighting would give Kyiv an opportunity to improve tactical positions.

Everyone [in the army] considers a temporary ceasefire complete nonsense, theres no other option at the front, the soldier said.

Another expressed doubts about whether a ceasefire would lead to a long-term solution.

No one expects to be back home by the summer, the Russian soldier said.

Russian troops walk between the ruins of Sudzha, which had been held by Ukraine since last August - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

12:46 PM GMT

Trump: Many more will die without ceasefire

Donald Trump has said many more people will die if a ceasefire and final deal with Russia isnt signed.

There would have been NO WAR if I were President. It just, 100%, would not have happened, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

12:22 PM GMT

G7 threatens new sanctions on Russia

G7 nations have emphasised the need for robust security arrangements to ensure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, warning Moscow it could face further sanctions if it does not agree.

G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully, the G7 nations - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US - said in a final draft statement seen by Reuters.

The draft, approved by senior diplomats, still needs a green light from ministers, G7 officials said.

They emphasised that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression, they said.

11:56 AM GMT

JD Vance casts doubt on US moving nukes to Poland

JD Vance has said he would be shocked if Donald Trump agreed to move US nukes to Poland.

It follows Andrzej Duda, the Polish president, raising the prospect in a meeting with Mr Trump earlier this month.

Speaking to Fox News, Mr Vance said: I havent talked to the president about that particular issue, but I would be shocked if he was supportive of nuclear weapons extending further east into Europe.

It also comes after Mr Duda renewed calls for the move on Thursday.

The borders of NATO moved east in 1999, so 26 years later, there should also be a shift of the NATO infrastructure east. For me, this is obvious, he said.

Russia did not even hesitate when they were relocating their nuclear weapons into Belarus, he said, adding: They didnt ask anyones permission.

11:31 AM GMT

Pictured: Ukraine test new military vehicle in Zaporizhzhia

Ukrainian soldiers testing an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at a military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region - Shutterstock

11:18 AM GMT

Russia retakes 29 settlements in Kursk

Russias troops have recaptured 29 settlements in Kursk in the past week and took control of the village of Novenke in Ukraines adjacent Sumy region, Moscow has said.

Russia launched a sharp push to drive Ukrainian forces out of Kursk last week, where Kyiv took control of about 100 settlements in a surprise invasion of Russia last August.

11:02 AM GMT

Ukraine attacks Moscow hours after Trump envoy leaves for Baku

Ukraine launched its latest drone attack against Moscow after 6am on Thursday, about four hours after Steve Witkoff left the Russian capital for Baku.

Mr Witkoffs plane left Moscows Vnukovo Airport at 2am, according to FlightRadar. Meanwhile, footage capturing a Ukrainian drone smashing into a residential building was filmed at 6.43am.

It is not exactly clear why Mr Witkoff is in Baku.

10:48 AM GMT

Russian defence company to boost missile production by 60%

A Russian defence company will boost missile and artillery weapon production by 60% this year.

Production levels will also be 170% higher than 2023, the Kalashnikov Concern defence company said in a press release.

Russias defence spending has increased so fast that it now outperforms all European countries combined.

10:20 AM GMT

Kremlin sets up Trump-Putin phone call

The Kremlin is lining up a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader spoke with a senior US official last night.

Steve Witkoff travelled to Moscow for talks with Putin on Thursday, creating grounds for cautious optimism, the Kremlin said.

Once Mr Witkoff has relayed Russias position to Mr Trump, a phone call will be arranged, a spokesman said.

09:52 AM GMT

Kremlin cautiously optimistic after Putin-Witkoff meeting

The Kremlin has said it is cautiously optimistic after Vladimir Putin held talks with one of Donald Trumps most senior advisers yesterday.

Steve Witkoff flew to Moscow for late night talks with the Russian president on Thursday after he rejected Washingtons proposal for a 30-day truce with Ukraine.

Putin generally agrees with Mr Trumps position but theres a lot of work to do, a Kremlin spokesman said, adding that the two leaders will speak over the phone once Mr Witkoff returns to the US.

09:46 AM GMT

Russia continues Kursk advance

Russian forces have captured another village in Kursk, according to the countrys defence ministry.

Troops took the village of Goncharovka, one of only a handful of settlements still under Ukrainian control in the Russian border region.

Russia has posted footage of soliders inside Kursk following their counteroffensive - Xinhua News Agency / eyevine

09:34 AM GMT

Ukraine developing plans to monitor ceasefire

Ukraine has begun forming team to develop ways to monitor any possible ceasefire, Ukraines foreign minister has said.

We have already begun to form a national team that will develop appropriate procedures to properly monitor a possible ceasefire, Andrii Sybiha told journalists this morning.

09:04 AM GMT

Finland jails Russian for life over Ukraine war crimes

A Finnish court has sentenced a Russian neo-Nazi to life in prison for war crimes in Ukraine in 2014, including disfiguring a wounded Ukrainian soldier.

The Helsinki district court found Vojislav Torden, a commander of the Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich, guilty of four different war crimes committed in eastern Ukraine.

08:38 AM GMT

Pictured: Hospital in Kharkiv hit in Russian drone attack

Firefighters tackle a blaze at a civilian hospital following a Russian drone attack in Zolochiv, Kharkiv - Ukrainian Emergency Service

08:19 AM GMT

Putin believes Trump is weak, secret intelligence documents say

Vladimir Putin believes Donald Trump is weak and open to manipulation, according to a European intelligence official.

The official told the Washington Post that if a permanent ceasefire is implemented, Russia will likely continue to attack Ukraine using hybrid measures, as occurred following the 2014 invasion of Crimea.

Meanwhile, US intelligence officials told the newspaper that Putin remained determined to gain full control of Ukraine, despite Mr Trumps push for peace.

The president desperately wants a deal, one official said. And the Russians are showing no signs of relenting. Theyre ramping up their demands.

Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint news conference with Alexander Lukashenko following their talks at the Kremlin - AP

07:53 AM GMT

Russia stepping up attacks on Sumy

Russian forces have stepped up efforts to invade Ukraines northern Sumy region, according to local authorities.

Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the Sumy regional administration, said enemy subversive groups have been trying to enter practically across the whole stretch of the border.

Their actions have intensified. The Russian army has deployed serious reserves there. Thats why theres going to be a lot of shelling in the border areas, he told Ukrainian TV.

The attacks on Sumy comes as Russia continues to push Ukrainian forces back in Kursk, which borders the northern Ukrainian region.

When Ukraine invaded Kursk last year, part of the reason was to protect Sumy from Russian attacks, according to Ukraine.

07:28 AM GMT

Putin speaks with Saudi crown prince

Vladimir Putin spoke with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, overnight.

Saudi Arabias de facto ruler told the Russian president that he supported all initiatives to end the war in Ukraine, after US officials proposed a 30-day ceasefire following talks in Jeddah.

The Saudi leader reaffirmed his countrys commitment to facilitating dialogue and supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a political resolution in the call, according to a foreign ministry spokesman.

07:11 AM GMT

Putins response to the Ukraine ceasefire deal is a red flag

Vladimir Putin had three options: accept Ukraines ceasefire offer, but surrender momentum on the battlefield; reject it and risk antagonising Donald Trump; or try to drag things out so he can continue fighting as long as possible.

He has chosen option three.

By praising the US president and the idea of stopping the war, he hopes to stay in Mr Trumps good books. But his immediate raising of nuances to discuss should be a red flag.

This is a classic Russian negotiating tactic  as any diplomat who has been in a room with Sergei Lavrov will tell you.

By breaking every proposal down into an infinite number of constituent parts, he will attempt to appear co-operative while playing for time, bogging down the talks, and trying to use facts on the ground to squeeze out the maximum possible concessions.

So Mr Trump and his cabinet now face a test of nerve and credibility.

07:02 AM GMT

US resumes shipment of long-range bombs to Ukraine

The US is set to resume shipments of long-range bombs known as ground-launched small diameter bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine.

The bombs have been upgraded to better counter Russian jamming, sources told Reuters.

The supplies will arrive amid reports that Kyivs supply of similarly-ranged ATACMS has been depleted.

06:54 AM GMT

Zelensky attacks Putins predictable response to US truce proposal

Volodymyr Zelensky has attacked Vladimir Putins highly predictable response to a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians, the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address.

Mr Zelenksy said Ukraine was ready to work quickly and constructively to bring about an end to the war.

We are not setting conditions that complicate the processRussia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia, he said.

They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day.

06:49 AM GMT

Ukraine strikes Moscow with drone attack after Putin rejects ceasefire

Ukraine attacked Moscow with drones overnight the morning after Vladimir Putin rejected a temporary ceasefire mediated by the US.

Russian air defences repelled four drones which were flying towards the capital, according to Sergei Sobyanin, the citys mayor. Mr Sobyanin said there was little damage and no casualties.

However, footage showed the moment a drone smashed into the side of a residential building in Moscow.

It was the second time Moscow had been targeted in a drone attack this week, with Ukrainian drones smashing into residential buildings on Tuesday morning, hours before peace talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia.

The attacks are thought to be a show of strength by Ukraine, which has offered a temporary truce on long-range strikes to lay the ground for talks on ending the war permanently.

Drones also attacked Moscow and the Moscow region again. As a result of Russian air defense operations, residential buildings were damaged. pic.twitter.com/rIH0CF77zm  MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) March 14, 2025

06:46 AM GMT

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
More new share offerings from Chinese firms are headed for the Hong Kong stock exchange, which analysts predict will return to being the world's top initial public offering (IPO) venue this year.

Lens Technology, Apple's iPhone glass supplier, said on Thursday that its board approved a plan to list in Hong Kong. It did not disclose details. The Shenzhen-listed firm would join a slew of mainland-listed companies eyeing listings in the city amid improved stock market sentiment and regulatory support.

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle (EV) unit of Shenzhen-listed Changan Automobile, is reportedly considering a US$1 billion Hong Kong IPO. Changan said that while there are plans for Avatr to spin-off for a listing, no specific implementation plans are in place yet, according to mainland media reports.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said at a tech forum on Wednesday that Hong Kong IPOs could raise between US$17 billion and US$20 billion this year, in line with forecasts from Deloitte and PwC. Last year, IPO proceeds in the city added up to US$11 billion, ranking fourth globally. The city was the world's top IPO venue seven times between 2009 and 2019.

Lens said its Hong Kong listing would "advance the company's global strategic layout, enhance its international brand image and boost overall competitiveness", according to its filing.

The company has well-known clients in the consumer electronics and smart car industries, including Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Tesla, BYD and Meta Platforms. Nearly 68 per cent of its total sales derived from overseas in 2023 and 82 per cent in 2022.

Founder Zhou Qunfei ranked 26th in Forbes' 2024 list of China's 100 richest people. Her current net worth is estimated at US$12 billion, and her company has a market capitalisation of around 130 billion yuan (US$18 billion).

A total of 25 mainland-listed companies applied for Hong Kong listings since 2024, surpassing the average yearly number of such cases from 2016 to 2023, which was five, analysts at CGS International said in a note.

An electric vehicle made by Avatr Technology, a unit of Shenzhen-listed Changan Automobile is pictured in an undated file photo. Photo: Handout alt=An electric vehicle made by Avatr Technology, a unit of Shenzhen-listed Changan Automobile is pictured in an undated file photo. Photo: Handout>
Ukraine and the EU took steps to deepen cooperation in cybersecurity as Russian hybrid attacks aiming to undermine support for Kyiv and flame tensions across the continent continue to rise.

Ukraine and Europes cybersecurity agencies signed a memorandum of understanding at the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum this week to support joint research, innovation, and EU-funded projects in cross-border cybersecurity projects.

The European Cybersecurity Competence Center, which is responsible for Europe's cybersecurity development, manages billions in EU funding through the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programs.

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While Ukraine faces participation restrictions as a non-EU member, Kyiv hopes the memorandum will kickstart bringing the two even closer together in the field of cybersecurity.

"We expect that we will be able to involve Ukrainian businesses in these support programs, enabling them to interact more effectively with European businesses and develop together," Serhii Prokopenko, deputy head of cybersecurity at Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, told the Kyiv Independent.

Russian hybrid operations in Europe are becoming more frequent and aggressive, especially since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, the EBU Investigative Journalism Network recently reported, citing 20 government, military, and intelligence officials from 10 countries.

We see an increased Russian risk appetite  and when I say risk, I mean not risk to them; risk to us, risk to our economies, to the safety of our citizens, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber James Appathurai told EBU.

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Russian cyber and hybrid attacks on Ukraine in the rear, that is, beyond the battlefield, as well as against European partners to undermine support for Kyiv, are (from) the same threat actors, so technical exchange allows us to plan together," said Prokopenko.

Prokopenko told the Kyiv Independent that he met with ECCC Director Luca Tagliaretti and agreed to coordinate a working plan soon. "The memorandum serves as a framework agreement enabling both sides to begin practical cooperation," said Prokopenko.

He also hopes Ukrainian government institutions, universities, and businesses will be able to participate in the programs made available through EU funding. The EU's Cyber Solidarity Act is currently enlisting companies for incident response, which Ukrainian firms are hoping to join.

"Ukraine's rapid development of military tech and artificial intelligence, all these innovative things emerging in Ukraine against the backdrop of the war, are also of interest to Europeans, and we will also interact with them in this direction," he said.

Reforming cybersecurity to meet EU membership requirements

In November 2023, Ukraine signed an agreement with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. The agreement required special approval from the European Commission as it was the first time the ENISA engaged with a non-EU country.

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"This demonstrates that Europe is expecting us, that we're intensifying and deepening cooperation. While we cannot yet become a full member, we're already being seen as future members, and then we won't need to go through this stage," Serhii Prokopenko said.

As part of the agreement, Ukraine now collaborates with ENISA on cybersecurity threats, regularly meeting with the European side to exchange threat analytics.

Serhii Prokopenko, deputy head of cybersecurity at Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, at the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 11, 2025. (Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum)

A key aspect of this partnership is aligning Ukrainian legislation with the NIS 2 Directive, which regulates cybersecurity across Europe. Prokopenko describes it as "a complex law," whose norms partners are currently helping Ukraine to "properly interpret."

As part of its EU accession process, Ukraine is updating its 2021 cybersecurity strategy to align with European standards.

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"As EU candidates, we will adopt European best practices and develop a new strategy taking these requirements into account because we are EU candidates, and we must comply," Serhii Prokopenko said.

Ukraines cybersecurity agency is in the process of auditing its current strategies, but Prokopenko expects that Ukraine will have a draft of the new strategy aligned with European standards within this year or next.

Launching cyber troops

Ukraine is also working on establishing cyber troops, according to Prokopenko. Several draft laws in Ukraine's parliament propose the creation of dedicated cyber military units, with the most likely scenario placing them within the armed forces.

Plans to create Cyber Forces existed before the full-scale war, but priorities shifted due to Russia's invasion. "Everything already exists, but we need legal status," Prokopenko said.

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Besides protecting critical infrastructure, cyber troops would conduct offensive or counter-offensive cyber operations.

Currently, only Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Forces officially acknowledge conducting cyber attacks, periodically publishing information about attacks on infrastructure in Russia.

Prokopenko says that European practices will help protect Ukrainian infrastructure from Russian hacker attacks.

"Critical infrastructure consists of IT, office networks, and industrial networks that interact with sensors and control technological processes. For IT, the general approaches are more or less the same for everyone. Still, for specific systems, such as in energy or water supply, specific protocols and steps are prescribed for rapid detection and effective threat response," he said.

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Under an earlier cybersecurity strategy, Ukraine anticipated the Russian threat but focused on deterrence, said Prokopenko.

"We are now in an active phase of war and, accordingly, we need to conduct more active operations," he added.

Read also: Regardless of Trumps Ukraine peace deal, war with West is foundational to Putins rule, experts say

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KYIV (Reuters) - Kyiv has begun examining how to monitor any ceasefire along the frontline of its war with Russia, which runs for over 1,300 km (800 miles), Ukraine's foreign minister said on Friday, as a survey suggested half its citizens oppose ceding land for quick peace.

U.S. President Donald Trump is urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire proposal that Washington negotiated with Ukraine.

Putin on Thursday welcomed the plan in principle but laid out a list of conditions, suggesting there would be no rapid agreement from Moscow, and prompting scepticism in Kyiv.

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"In order to avoid possible provocations from the Russian side, we need to be prepared," Andrii Sybiha told journalists on Friday, announcing that a team would be set up to consider how to monitor any truce.

On Thursday, he had posted on X that "Putin seeks to continue the war. The rest of his words are just a smokescreen", echoing the response of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Sybiha was part of the Ukrainian delegation that met with American representatives in Saudi Arabia and said Kyiv supported Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the full-scale invasion launched by Russia three years ago.

He said the monitoring would be complex, recalling Ukraine's negative experience with truces under the German- and French-backed Minsk process with the insurgency that Russia backed in eastern Ukraine from 2014 onward. Russia now controls around a fifth of Ukraine.

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In a survey published on Friday by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 50% of respondents opposed ceding any territory in exchange for peace and a guarantee of independence, compared to 51% in December, while 39% were in favour.

(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Alison Williams and Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 14 that Ukrainian soldiers must surrender in Kursk Oblast after U.S. President Donald Trump's request to "spare" the troops he claimed are surrounded.

The General Staff said that Ukrainian units "have regrouped, moved to more favorable defense lines, and are completing their assigned tasks" in Kursk Oblast.

Speaking during a meeting of Russia's Security Council, Putin claimed that some Ukrainian troops "are blocked" in the embattled Russian region.

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"In order to effectively implement the U.S. president's call, an appropriate order from Ukraine's military and political leadership to its military units is necessary," Putin said.

Neither Trump nor Putin provided evidence that Ukrainian troops are currently surrounded at any location.

The Russian president claimed that Moscow "will guarantee life and decent treatment in accordance with international law" to captured Ukrainian soldiers.

This claim is at odds with reports about Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). There have been multiple accounts of Ukrainian POWs being tortured or killed while in Russian captivity.

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The POWs that returned from Russian captivity as part of prisoner exchanges required medical attention after facing food deprivation and beatings by Russian prison guards.

A Ukrainian soldier who was previously held captive by Russian forces shows a picture of himself prior to captivity while undergoing rehabilitation in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on June 6, 2024. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

As of mid-December 2024, Kyiv has also found that 177 captured Ukrainian soldiers were executed on the spot while attempting to surrender. Instances of summary executions have been reported in Kursk Oblast as well.

President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on March 14 that the Kursk operation "has completed its task." He said that Ukraine was able to stabilize the situation near Pokrovsk as well.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged on March 12 the "difficult situation" in the region but said that Ukraine will hold the defenses "as long as reasonable and necessary."

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Ukraine launched the cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially seizing around 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. Since then, Russian forces, reinforced by North Korean troops, have steadily pushed back against Ukrainian forces.

Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

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The fate of Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories was discussed with the U.S. during the talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on March 14.

Zelensky's comments come days after Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire put forth by the U.S. during the negotiations in Jeddah. Russian President Vladimir Putin placed demands in order to begin talks on a possible ceasefire that included guarantees to not mobilize or train new troops, nor receive military aid during from the West.

Previously, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Ukraine-U.S. talks included discussions about potential "territorial concessions" as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia.

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According to Zelensky, discussions of the territories were not part of the meeting's agenda. He reiterated that Ukraine will not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia under a potential future peace agreement with Moscow.

"The American side goes into details. For example, the city of Enerhodar... You can't just say: here's the (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power) Plant, and the city is separate. I believe that the issue of territories is the most difficult one after the issue of establishing a ceasefire," Zelensky said.

Control over the nuclear plant in occupied Enerhodar was discussed during U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The largest nuclear plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Enerhodar, has been under Russian occupation since 2022. While the facility remains under Russian control, it is not currently generating electricity.

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Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly urged Russia to withdraw its troops from the plant. Throughout its occupation, the plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

Russian forces currently occupy roughly 20% of Ukraine, from where reports of systematic repression, torture, and forced deportations regularly emerge.

Read also: Conditions for Ukraines surrender  Why Putins demands for ceasefire make no sense

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Key developments on March 14:

Kyiv says Ukrainian troops 'regrouped' in Kursk Oblast, deny encirclement

Ukrainian drones strike Russian gas facilities, missile depot, source claims

Ukrainian drones strike Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, governor says

Putin still seeks control over Ukraine despite US peace efforts, WP reports

Ukraine, US discuss fate of Russian-occupied territories, Zelensky says

Ukraine's General Staff on March 14 denied claims that Ukrainian troops were encircled in Kursk Oblast amid Russia's ongoing offensive in the region.

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The General Staff said that Russia had been reporting an alleged encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast "for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners."

The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said that his administration held "productive discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 13, during which he urged him to "spare" surrounded Ukrainian troops.

"At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position," Trump wrote, without providing any evidence.

Speaking during a meeting of Russia's Security Council, Putin claimed on March 14 that some Ukrainian troops "are blocked" in the embattled Russian region.

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Following Trump's remarks, he said that Ukrainian soldiers must surrender in Kursk Oblast.

Neither Trump nor Putin provided evidence that Ukrainian troops are currently surrounded at any location.

"The units have regrouped, moved to more favorable defense lines and are completing their assigned tasks in Kursk Oblast," the General Staff said. "There is no threat of encirclement of our units."

"Our soldiers are repelling the enemy's offensive and inflicting effective fire damage from all types of weapons."

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these reports.

Later in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on March 14 that the Kursk operation "has completed its task." He said that Ukraine was able to stabilize the situation near Pokrovsk as well.

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Read also: Conditions for Ukraines surrender  Why Putins demands for ceasefire make no sense

Ukrainian drones strike Russian gas facilities, air defense missile depot, source claims

Drones launched by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck two gas compressor stations and a warehouse storing missiles for Russia's S-300/S-400 air defense systems, an intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent on March 14.

The long-range drones targeted gas compressor stations in Russia's Tambov and Saratov oblasts, according to the source.

Another strike reportedly hit a missile depot near the village of Radkovka in Belgorod Oblast, triggering a detonation of stored ammunition.

"The SBU conducted another successful special operation on enemy territory, causing significant damage to Russia's budget and reducing its ability to finance and sustain the war," the source said.

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The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.

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Ukrainian drones strike Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, governor says

Ukrainian drones struck the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 14, setting fire to a gasoline storage tank, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratiev said.

"The area of the fire is more than 1,000 square meters, and emergency services are working," Kondratiev wrote on Telegram, claiming there were no casualties.

Russian pro-government media outlet Mash reported that the fire was caused by debris from a downed drone. Eyewitnesses reportedly heard a series explosions over several minutes.

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The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Kyiv has not commented on the attack.

The Tuapse oil refinery, with an annual processing capacity of 12 million tons, plays a key role in supplying fuel to the Russian military. Following an earlier strike, the facility underwent an emergency shutdown in May 2024.

Read also: Putin sent additional signals to Trump on ceasefire proposal, Kremlin says

Putin still seeks control over Ukraine despite US peace efforts, WP reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his maximalist goal of controlling Ukraine, despite U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire, the Washington Post (WP) reported on March 13, citing sources familiar with classified U.S. intelligence reports.

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Putin has a "long-standing desire to restore Mother Russia'" and remains determined to assert power over Kyiv, one official said commenting on the U.S. intelligence assessment circulated among President Donald Trump's administration on March 6.

Some officials reportedly believe that even if Russia agrees to a temporary truce, Moscow will use the pause to rearm, violate the agreement, and create provocations to blame on Ukraine.

Moscow views Trump as weak, lacking a basic set of principles, and potentially open to manipulation, a European intelligence official told WP, citing fresh intelligence.

If a permanent ceasefire is reached, Russia is likely to revert to the "hybrid" or non-military tactics it used to undermine Ukraine before its full-scale invasion in 2022, the official added.

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U.S. officials are reportedly cautious in assessing what peace terms Putin might agree to, but see no indication that he has backed down from his demand to bring Kyiv into Russia's sphere of influence.

Ukraine, US discuss fate of Russian-occupied territories, Zelensky says

The fate of Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories was discussed with the U.S. during the talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on March 14.

Zelensky's comments come days after Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire put forth by the U.S. during the negotiations in Jeddah. Russian President Vladimir Putin placed demands in order to begin talks on a possible ceasefire that included guarantees to not mobilize or train new troops, nor receive military aid during from the West.

Previously, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Ukraine-U.S. talks included discussions about potential "territorial concessions" as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia.

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According to Zelensky, discussions of the territories were not part of the meeting's agenda. He reiterated that Ukraine will not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia under a potential future peace agreement with Moscow.

"The American side goes into details. For example, the city of Enerhodar... You can't just say: here's the (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power) Plant, and the city is separate. I believe that the issue of territories is the most difficult one after the issue of establishing a ceasefire," Zelensky said.

Control over the nuclear plant in occupied Enerhodar was discussed during U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump said.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

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Read also: With Putin demanding new concessions for a ceasefire, all eyes are on Trumps next move

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The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has denied reports that Ukrainian units in Russias Kursk Oblast are encircled, as Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have claimed.

Source: a statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "Reports of the enemy's alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units in Kursk Oblast are untrue and are being created by the Russians for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners.

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The situation has not changed significantly over the past day. Combat operations are ongoing in the operational area of the Kursk military grouping."

Details: The statement said that Ukraines defence forces units have regrouped and "moved to more favourable defence lines".

"Our soldiers are repelling the enemy's offensive actions and inflicting effective fire damage on them using all types of weapons. There have been 13 combat clashes on the Kursk front since the beginning of the day. There is no threat of encirclement of our units," the statement said.

Update: General Staff spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovii told Ukrainska Pravda that this is not the first time the Russian propaganda machine has spread disinformation about the encirclement of a large number of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast.

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For example, on 25 October 2024, Putin claimed that 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been surrounded in Kursk Oblast. "Both then and now, this is an outright fake and wishful thinking in the absence of their ability to achieve the 'desired' outcome," Lykhovii added.

Background:

Trump said on 14 March that he had had productive discussions with Putin. At the same time, he claimed that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position".

Putin made a similar statement to the media on Thursday.

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ANKARA (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Ukraine saw Turkey as a partner in security guarantees for his country, and added that Kyiv was ready to ratify a free trade agreement between the states.

NATO member Turkey has balanced ties with Kyiv and Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has maintained good ties with both, supporting Ukraine militarily and backing its territorial integrity, while refusing to join sanctions on Russia.

As Europe scrambles to bolster its own defence and security, while seeking guarantees for Kyiv under any possible ceasefire deal with Moscow urged by Washington, Turkey has emerged as a key potential security partner.

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On Thursday, Zelenskiy met Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli in Kyiv, and discussed bilateral ties, cooperation in drone production, and Turkish firms' involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction.

"It is important that Turkish businesses are already present in Ukraine. Our country appreciates this, as well as Turkiye's support and assistance, particularly the supply of Bayraktar drones," Zelenskiy said on X.

"Ukraine considers Turkiye one of its strategic partners, as well as a partner in terms of security guarantees, and is ready to ratify the Free Trade Agreement with Turkiye during President (Tayyip) Erdogan's upcoming visit," he added, without specifying when he would visit.

Bolat and Yumakli also attended the first meeting of a task force between Turkey and Ukraine for the reconstruction of the country after the war.

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Bolat said on X the meeting was attended by more than 20 companies in Turkey's contracting and technical consultancy sectors as well as Ukrainian state and private sector representatives involved in the countrys reconstruction.

He said Turkish contractors were ready to share their experience and knowledge for future projects.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Gerry Doyle)
Editor's note: This is a developing story that is being updated.

Ukrainian activist Demyan Hanul was shot dead in central Odesa, the National Police reported on March 14.

Hanul, 31, was a well-known public figure, blogger, and founder of the Street Front NGO. He participated in the EuroMaidan Revolution and the May 2 clashes against pro-Russian forces in Odesa.

The activist had been active in rallies supporting Ukraine, charity fundraisers for the military, and campaigns to dismantle Soviet and imperial monuments.

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The shooter fled the scene, and police have launched an investigation. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said he is taking personal control of the case, adding that a top investigative team from the National Police is en route to Odesa.

"An investigative team of the best officers has been formed with the central office of the National Police and has already left for Odesa. A regiment of the National Police has also been sent to Odesa," he said during an hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.

Pro-Russian media Tipichanya Odesa initially reported that the shooter was a man in military uniform. Klymenko denied this information.

"Operatives and police investigators are working to identify the shooter and arrest him," Klymenko added.

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Hanul had previously reported threats against his life. In July 2024, he claimed Russian sources had leaked personal information about his relatives and that a $10,000 bounty was offered for an attack on him.

Read also: Finland sentences Russian neo-Nazi mercenary Yan Petrovsky to life for war crimes in Ukraine

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Drones launched by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck two gas compressor stations and a warehouse storing missiles for Russia's S-300/S-400 air defense systems, a security source told the Kyiv Independent on March 14.

The long-range drones targeted gas compressor stations in Russia's Tambov and Saratov oblasts, according to the source.

Another strike reportedly hit a missile depot near the village of Radkovka in Belgorod Oblast, triggering a detonation of stored ammunition.

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"The SBU conducted another successful special operation on enemy territory, causing significant damage to Russia's budget and reducing its ability to finance and sustain the war," the source said.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.

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The S-300 and S-400 systems are Russia's primary long-range air defense weapons, capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.

Ukraine targets Russian gas compressor stations to disrupt energy exports, a key source of revenue for Moscows war effort.

Ukraine has consistently targeted Russia's fossil fuel and military infrastructure to weaken its ability to sustain prolonged aggression. Overnight on March 14, Ukrainian drones also hit the Tuapse oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, setting fire to a gasoline storage tank.

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Russian pro-government media outlet Mash claimed the fire was caused by debris from a downed drone, while eyewitnesses reported hearing a series of explosions.

Read also: Putin still seeks control over Ukraine despite US peace efforts, WP reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian drones struck the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 14, setting fire to a gasoline storage tank, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratiev said.

"The area of the fire is more than 1,000 square meters, and emergency services are working," Kondratiev wrote on Telegram, claiming there were no casualties.

Russian pro-government media outlet Mash reported that the fire was caused by debris from a downed drone. Eyewitnesses reportedly heard a series explosions over several minutes.

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The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Kyiv has not commented on the attack.

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The Tuapse oil refinery, with an annual processing capacity of 12 million tons, plays a key role in supplying fuel to the Russian military. Following an earlier strike, the facility underwent an emergency shutdown in May.

Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russian fossil fuel infrastructure, seeking to disrupt revenue streams that fund Moscow's war effort.

Ukrainian forces regularly conduct long-range drone strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russia.

Earlier this week, 74 drones were shot down on approach to Moscow in the early hours of March 11, authorities claimed, marking the largest drone attack against Russia's capital during the full-scale war.

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Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces had intercepted a massive strike of 337 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including 91 over Moscow Oblast, 126 over Kursk Oblast, 38 over Bryansk Oblast, and others over the Belgorod, Ryazan, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Oryol, Voronezh, and Nizhny Novgorod regions.

This is the largest number of drones launched against Russia in a single attack during the entire full-scale war.

The strike took place as Ukrainian and U.S. delegations were about to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss possible peace terms with Russia.

Read also: US to resume shipping long-range bombs to Ukraine, Reuters reports

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By Selena Li

HONG KONG (Reuters) -BlackRock has hired Yu Beihua, formerly head of AXA's China fund joint venture, as the new boss of its China business, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as the U.S. asset manager continues an overhaul of the unit to improve performance.

Both sources declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, declined to comment.

Yu will replace Chen Jian, the second general manager for the China business since the first general manager Chi Zhang left in February 2024.

Yu's appointment follows a revamp of BlackRock's Chinese operations over the past four years, which saw some senior executives either leave or be replaced, according to the sources.

Recent departures included Hong Xia, deputy general manager overseeing sales and marketing, who resigned last month, and Lu Wenjie, the most senior investment executive at the China business, who left the Shanghai unit last June to join BlackRock's Hong Kong operations.

BlackRock manages $11.6 trillion of assets globally.

Assets under management at its Shanghai-based China fund unit nearly halved from the end of 2021 to 3.6 billion yuan ($496.82 million) as of last June, but then rebounded to 12.3 billion yuan by the end of December, company disclosures show, as Beijing's economic support measures helped the investment performance improve.

($1 = 7.2425 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee, Susan Fenton and Louise Heavens)
CONWAY, Ark.  The U.S. is looking to put an end to a three-year war between Russia and Ukraine with a limited-time ceasefire agreement on the table. A woman who was born in Ukraine but works in Conway says she has helped refugees with their transition and despite talks of the agreement, theres still uncertainty for the future.

The U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire is in discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin who said he agreed in principle to the ceasefire but emphasized terms are yet to be worked out. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy already gave his approval of the ceasefire proposal.

Putin agrees in principle with proposal for Ukraine ceasefire and says more discussions are needed

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On Thursday, Trump reiterated he was ready to talk with Putin and underscored the importance of time.

He put out a very promising statement, but it wasnt complete and, yes, Id love to meet with him or talk to him, but we have to get it over with fast. You know, everyday people are being killed, he said.

Ukrainian Kateryna Pitchford, who works as a professor at a college in Conway, says shes proud to have her American citizenship and since the war, shes been able to help Ukrainian refugees in their transition to Arkansas.

Were trying to build a connection, Pitchford said. Theres four refugees that live in Conway and two more who used to live in Mountain Home.

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As the agreement discussion takes place, Pitchford sees that the writing in the agreement should be specific and has everyones signature.

Just words are not a guarantee, it needs to be all spelled out in writing and signed by all parties, she said.

Trump signals cautious optimism on Russia accepting Ukraine ceasefire

She said theres a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the ceasefire and what it could potentially mean for refugees.

Some dont have guarantees with their visa, will the visa expire, will they (refugees) have to go back, and will they have a home to go back to, some have been bombed, she said.

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She said there are still many questions on the outcome of Ukraine and what the future there will look like.

If you will give up that land that was occupied, what about all the people who lost their lives fighting for it and if you dont give up how long can go, Pitchford said.

Pitchford is hoping for peace.

Definitely the Ukrainian hope is for the restoration, sovereignty, and peace. Also, the return of Ukrainian land, Pitchford said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Two Ukrainian drone firms, both partnered with American companies, are among those now set to demonstrate long-range one-way designs to the U.S. military as part of a project called Artemis. The effort is focused primarily on exploring kamikaze drones with extended range that are resistant to GPS jamming/spoofing and electronic warfare threats. This is a clear reflection of key trends observed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced today that it had awarded four contracts under Artemis for the production of prototype drone designs that will then be evaluated under operationally relevant conditions, hopefully well before the end of the year. Two of those deals went to U.S. drone makers Aerovironment and Dragoon Technologies. The other two went to U.S. software firms Auterion and Swan, both of which are paired with unnamed Ukrainian drone companies. Now a decade old, DIU is tasked with helping the U.S. military leverage new and improved commercial technologies to meet various requirements.

Aerovironments Switchblade 600, examples of which have been supplied to the US And Ukrainian armed forces, are among that companys existing portfolio of kamikaze drones. Aerovironment

DIU is partnering with the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S) to execute a FY24 [Fiscal Year 2024] Budget line item directing operational testing of platforms in relevant Electronic Warfare (EW) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments, according to a DIU press release. Congressional direction for this effort had a goal to provide loitering munitions capable of operation in an electromagnetic contested environment, at a price point that allows for mass deployment.

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DIU says it, together with A&S, evaluated 165 proposals for Artemis over the past four months before settling on the final group to proceed to the operational evaluation phase.

Flight demonstrations to verify stated capabilities of down-selected companies have already occurred, according to the DIU release. In order to have a successful prototype by the end of FY 2025, the next step is meeting an aggressive testing and integration schedule to complete prototyping and demonstrate success by the end of May 2025.

DIU has not provided any details about actual drone designs that are now set to be demonstrated under Artemis, but it has provided a set of core requirements. The final Artemis capabilities will be ground-launched, affordable one-way UAS platforms that operate at ranges from 50-300 km+ [31-186+ miles], launch quickly and expeditiously, navigate at low altitudes, carry a variety of payloads, are rapidly updatable and upgradable, and functional in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent and low-bandwidth and Global Navigation Satellite System denied environments, according to todays release.

One of Dragoon Technologies existing drone designs. Dragoon Technologies

It is also worth noting here that the line between longer-range kamikaze drones and traditional cruise missiles is becoming increasingly blurry. An uncrewed system meeting DIUs Artemis requirements, which include the ability to carry a variety of payloads, could be adapted to other roles, including acting as a decoy while carrying an electronic warfare system. Loitering munitions can also have inherent secondary surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

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Aerovironments Switchblade 600 loitering munition already meets at least some of the DIU requirements based on publicly available information. Aerovironment is a major supplier already of kamikaze drones and other uncrewed aerial systems to the U.S. military and other armed forces globally, including that of Ukraine. Just last year, the company secured a contract from the U.S. Army for Switchblade 300s and 600s valued at nearly $1 billion.

Dragoon Technologies has also previously received multiple smaller contracts from the U.S. military and other U.S. government agencies for the development of relevant low-cost/single-use drone capabilities.

Without knowing the identities of the Ukrainian companies involved, it is impossible to say what their designs might look like, but firms in that country have already demonstrated a wide array of longer-range one-way drones in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This includes propeller and jet engine powered types, as well as ones converted from crewed civilian light aircraft. Many of these types have maximum ranges well beyond what DIU says it is looking for with Artemis, and have been used to good effect on airbases, oil and natural gas infrastructure, and other strategic targets deep inside Russia.

According to Russian media, Ukraine has launched another drone attack on the Russian airbase in Pskov.



Footage shared by Russian outlet BAZA appears to show heavy small arms and anti aircraft fire in the vicinity of the airbase. pic.twitter.com/cgsz6P0qBs  Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) August 31, 2023

#BREAKING Ukraine attacked Alabuga, Republic of Tatarstan (Russia) with kamikaze aircraft for the first time.



The strike hit a dormitory on the territory of the Alabuga special economic zone, and two people were injured.



This is where Russia produces Shahed-136 kamikaze UAVs. pic.twitter.com/eJnOEpSela  Clash Report (@clashreport) April 2, 2024

#BREAKING: Explosions and fire at the Novokuibyshevsk Refinery in Samara Oblast of Russia, in what appears to be yet another Ukrainian drone strike on Russian oil infrastructure.



Novokuibyshevsk is located around 900km from the border with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/EEnMjqQzOO  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) March 23, 2024

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The war in Ukraine has also underscored the threats posed by GPS jamming/spoofing and electronic warfare on modern battlefields, especially against drones. Russian forces have been notably successful in disrupting Ukraines employment of Western-supplied precision munitions that use GPS-assisted guidance.

Though DIUs announcement today does not explicitly mention the conflict in Ukraine, it does say that the Project Artemis goals are directly tied to observations of current real world combat conditions as well as feedback from end users across the DoD on what capabilities may be needed in this space to face near peer threat capabilities around the world.

Artemis also reflects larger concerns within the U.S. military about the adequacy of current stocks of longer-range munitions and the ability to relatively quickly and affordably replenish them. Lower-cost standoff munitions in particular are increasingly seen as a critical way to bolster existing stockpiles ahead of a potential high-end fight, especially one in the Pacific against China, and to help sustain that inventory during a protracted conflict. Expanding the available supplier base for such munitions beyond traditional defense contractors is also viewed as a key element of these efforts.

We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range, UAS platforms with the potential to maximize operational flexibility for the Joint force, Trent Emeneker, the program manager for Artemis at DIU, said in a statement today. This was the intent of Congress direction to rethink how to get capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale that can deliver much faster than traditional Programs of Record.

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DIU has a separate effort underway in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force called the Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV), which is similar in some respects to Artemis, but is focused on demonstrating designs that could evolve into low-cost cruise missiles.

The Anduril Barracuda-500M, one of the designs now being developed under the Enterprise Test Vehicle program. Anduril

U.S. military officials have also highlighted the potential value of long-range one-way attack drones for smaller allies and partners.

What weve seen with Ukraine and Russia [is] that theres a lot of cheap systems that enable the exquisite and we have countries here in NATO that would be happy to build those  because they cant afford the exquisite stuff, Air Force Gen. James Hecker said during a virtual talk hosted by the Air & Space Forces Associations (AFA) Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies last July. And that can be complementary to the exquisite and, sometimes, it can actually do the mission by itself.

And then you throw in the high-low mix, where now I can take 15 countries that really couldnt afford and couldnt help a whole lot within NATO with exquisite stuff, now they can purchase one-way UAVs that can make the exquisite better or sometimes even do the mission, Hecker, who was and still is head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA), as well as NATOs Allied Air Command, added at that time.

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If nothing else, DIUs Artemis project, which will now test one-way drone designs from Ukrainian firms, underscores the significant impact that conflict continues to have on military trends globally.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Two Russian gas compressor stations and an S-300/S-400 missile depot in Russia have been hit by Ukrainian Security Service (SSU) drones.

Source: an Ukrainska Pravda source

Details: The source reports that long-range SSU drones paid a visit to the Davydovskaya gas compressor stations (Tambov Oblast) and the Novopetrovskaya gas compressor station (Saratov Oblast) the other day.

Video from Russian social media shows drones hitting industrial equipment at the stations and powerful explosions.

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The SSU drones also hit a field depot containing missiles for S-300/S-400 systems near Radkovka (Belgorod Oblast). The strike initiated the active detonation of the ammunition.

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Ten Russian troops have been killed in a special operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast, carried out by soldiers from the 6th Ranger Regiment of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces.

Source: press service for Ukraine's Special Operations Forces

Details: The press service stressed that meticulous planning and strong cohesion among Ukrainian soldiers enabled them to successfully raid Russian positions. They effectively cleared the Russian militarys dugouts, leaving no chance for resistance.

As a result of the raid, Ukrainian troops also seized weapons and special equipment as trophies, the press service reported.

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Background: Ukraine's General Staff denied claims suggesting that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in Kursk Oblast, as previously asserted by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

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By Michael Holden and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that Western allies other than the U.S. were stepping up preparations to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, with defence chiefs set to firm up "robust plans" next week.

Starmer hosted a virtual meeting to marshal more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire deal being pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and to gather commitments to help secure any agreement - something Trump has made clear he expects Europe to take on.

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Around two dozen leaders took part, including those from Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Australia, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and NATO's secretary general - but not the U.S.

Starmer said the "coalition of the willing" had reaffirmed its commitment both to helping Ukraine resist Russia's three-year-old invasion and to securing any ceasefire that emerges from Trump's overtures to Russia.

While Russia has welcomed the ceasefire proposal in principle, it has also set conditions that essentially restate its war aims, suggesting that any agreement will not come quickly.

Starmer told reporters: "We agreed we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine, and keep tightening restrictions on Russia's economy to weaken Putin's war machine and bring him to the table."

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Jolted into action by Trump's refusal to keep underwriting Europe's and Ukraine's security, other Western countries have been forced to step up.

"Our militaries will meet on Thursday this week here in the United Kingdom to put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine's future security," Starmer said.

"President Trump has offered Putin the way forward to a lasting peace. Now we must make this a reality."

Britain and France both say they could send peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was also open to requests.

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE CEASEFIRE STILL APPEARS FAR OFF

Even if a truce is agreed, though, much remains unclear, including the details of the U.S. position.

Zelenskiy said he had underlined Ukraine's need for security guarantees, including the stationing of foreign troops.

Yet Russia insists it will not accept Western forces on Ukrainian soil.

And Starmer has said that, to deter Putin from attacking again, there must be a security "backstop" from a reluctant Washington, whose forces, weaponry and logistics are the backbone of the Western NATO alliance.

"We are talking to the U.S. on a daily basis," he said.

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Trump said on Friday there was a "very good chance" the war could come to an end after his envoy met with Putin in Moscow.

Kyiv rejects Putin's demands, though: that Ukraine drop ambitions to join NATO and limit the size of its army, and that Russia take control of the whole of four Ukrainian regions it claims as its own.

Zelenskiy said the issue of territory was "complicated" and should be discussed later. He also said Kyiv would never recognise occupied territory as Russian.

Trump has said Ukraine is unlikely to get all its land back, but on Friday the U.S. backed a G7 communique that reaffirmed support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity.

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The foreign ministers of the seven big Western powers also "underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression".

Starmer said Putin's response was not good enough but that, sooner or later, he would have to negotiate.

"Russia doesnt give the impression of wanting peace in earnest," French President Emmanuel Macron said after the meeting, adding that Russia was only intensifying its assault.

"President Putin wants to obtain everything - then negotiate. If we want peace, Russia must respond clearly and pressure must be clear, in coordination with the U.S., in order to reach a ceasefire."

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Michael Holden, Dan Peleschuk, Michel Rose and Kirsty Needham; Editing by Susan Fenton and Kevin Liffey)
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP)  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday described humanitarian aid cuts by the United States and countries in Europe to Bangladesh, where thousands of Rohingya refugees are located, as "a crime.

Guterres was on a four-day visit to Bangladesh where he is assessing the plight of more than 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar whose future remained uncertain over possible aid cuts soon. Every year, he chooses a Muslim country to visit during the holy month of Ramadan.

He said that Bangladesh's southern coastal district of Cox's Bazar, where most of the Rohingya have been sheltered, is ground zero for the impact of the budget cuts on people in desperate need.

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Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, including more than 700,000 who arrived in 2017, have lived in Bangladesh for decades. About 70,000 others crossed the border from Myanmar in 2024 when, during fighting with the military junta, the opposition force known as the Arakan Army effectively took over the Rakhine state where Rohingya were displaced.

The U.N. will do everything possible to arrange adequate funding for the Rohingya refugees after the recent announcement of dramatic aid cuts by the U.S. and other countries in Europe, Guterres said. The U.N.'s food agency recently said it would have no option but to cut food aid by half for the Rohingya starting next month if they fail to arrange adequate funds to feed them.

In a meeting with Bangladeshs interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus in the capital, Dhaka, Guterres expressed his concern over Western nations decision to boost defense spending while humanitarian aid is squeezed across the world.

(Aid) cuts are a crime, the U.N. chief was quoted as telling Yunus by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha agency during Fridays meeting.

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Worries surfaced in recent weeks in dozens of camps for Rohingya refugees in Bangladeshs southern coastal district of Coxs Bazar and elsewhere over fears of aid cuts following Washingtons decision to close operations. A large portion of the millions of dollars needed for supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh had come from the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.

Bangladesh had said the halt of international aid money would stop other projects in the country but that funding for Rohingya refugees would continue to flow.

A letter from the U.N.'s World Food Program earlier this month said cuts to food rations could take effect starting next month at Coxs Bazar, home to dozens of camps housing Rohingya refugees. The WFP said the food rations could be reduced to $6, from the current $12.50 per month, unless adequate funding is secured.

WFP spokesperson Kun Li said recently if the WFP is unable to secure sufficient funding  $81 million to sustain operations through the end of the year, including $15 million needed for April  it will have to reduce rations starting next month.

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The interim government in Bangladesh hopes the visit will boost international efforts to mobilize aid for the Rohingya refugees and attract new global attention to their crisis.

A feeling of frustration

Yunus, who came to power in August after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from office in a mass uprising, used his meeting with Guterres to seek U.N. support for the dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland in the western Rakhine state in Myanmar. He also asked Guterres to mobilize adequate food and humanitarian assistance for the refugees.

We are trying to raise attention of the plight of the Rohingya people. The world should know how they are suffering. There is a feeling of frustration, Yunus was quoted as saying.

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Guterres and Yunus left Dhaka to visit camps in Coxs Bazar district where the leaders met with refugees and learned about their plights.

In a media briefing later Friday, Guterres said he will call on the international community to give urgent support to the refugees.

We cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingya, he said. I will be reaching out to all countries that can support us to ensure that sufficient funds are made available, so people do not suffer even more  or, in some cases, lose their lives."

Repatriation is ultimate solution

Guterres said that Rohingya refugees want to go home  Myanmar is their homeland.

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My message to all parties in Myanmar is clear: exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and prevent further incitement of communal tension and violence  paving the way for democracy to take root and to create conditions for Rohingya to be able to go back home as they all want," he said.

The U.S. has been the top donor to Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees, providing the U.N. with emergency food and nutrition assistance. The U.S. usually provides almost half of the aid money spent on the humanitarian response to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which amounted to about $300 million in 2024.

Bangladesh says repatriation of the refugees to Myanmar is the ultimate solution. The Buddhist-majority Myanmar has been accused in an international court of genocide against Rohingya. Complexities over verification and other diplomatic and political issues have made the future of the refugees bleak.

___

Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to urgently provide humanitarian support for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims living in dire conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

These people desperately need support to live with dignity here in Bangladesh, Guterres told reporters on Friday during his visit to a Rohingya refugee camp in the south-eastern district of Coxs Bazar.

Condemning recent cuts in humanitarian aid by Western nations, the UN chief described the reductions as a "crime" and pledged to engage with countries to secure sufficient funding.

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Guterres, who arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday for a four-day official visit, travelled to the camps to witness first-hand the hardships faced by the Rohingya community. He also talked to Rohingya women, community leaders and members of the aid agencies at the camp.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya gathered at a locally organized rally during his visit, holding placards, including one that read: UN, take us back home.

In a show of solidarity, Guterres along with Bangladeshs interim administration chief Muhammad Yunus, participated in an iftar - the evening meal breaking the daily fast during Ramadan - alongside refugees.

Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims in sprawling camps in Coxs Bazar and on Bhasan Char, an offshore island in the Bay of Bengal. They fled violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, with over 750,000 Rohingya crossing the border after a brutal military crackdown in August 2017. All of them rely entirely on humanitarian assistance.

Earlier this month, the UN's World Food Programme warned that without adequate funding, food rations could be cut from $12.50 to just $6 per person per month.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to urgently provide humanitarian support for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims living in dire conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps.

These people desperately need support to live with dignity here in Bangladesh, Guterres told reporters on Friday during his visit to a Rohingya refugee camp in the south-eastern district of Coxs Bazar.

Condemning recent cuts in humanitarian aid by Western nations, the UN chief described the reductions as a "crime" and pledged to engage with countries to secure sufficient funding.

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Guterres, who arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday for a four-day official visit, travelled to the camps to witness first-hand the hardships faced by the Rohingya community. He also talked to Rohingya women, community leaders and members of the aid agencies at the camp.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya gathered at a locally organized rally during his visit, holding placards, including one that read: UN, take us back home.

In a show of solidarity, Guterres along with Bangladeshs interim administration chief Muhammad Yunus, participated in an iftar - the evening meal breaking the daily fast during Ramadan - alongside refugees.

Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims in sprawling camps in Coxs Bazar and on Bhasan Char, an offshore island in the Bay of Bengal. They fled violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, with over 750,000 Rohingya crossing the border after a brutal military crackdown in August 2017. All of them rely entirely on humanitarian assistance.

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Earlier this month, the UN's World Food Programme warned that without adequate funding, food rations could be cut from $12.50 to just $6 per person per month.

Guterres expressed concern over the recent aid reductions by the United States and several European nations, stressing that the situation is becoming increasingly dire.

"As a result, we are now facing the need to reduce food rations in these camps," he said, vowing to do "everything possible to prevent that from happening."
United Nations-backed human rights experts on Thursday accused Israel of the systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence in its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The allegations came in one of the most extensive reports of its kind on the issue since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel ignited the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the Human Rights Council, a U.N.-backed body that commissioned the team of independent experts, as an anti-Israel circus that has long been exposed as an antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant body. His statement did not address the findings themselves.

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The findings by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which seeks to document in minute detail the allegations and evidence of crimes to bolster accountability for perpetrators, could be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court or in other jurisdictions to try to bring justice to victims and their relatives.

In its report released Thursday, the commission examined the widespread destruction of Gaza, the use of heavy explosives in civilian areas and Israeli attacks on hospitals and health facilities. It said all three led to disproportionate violence against women and children.

The commission documented a range of violations perpetrated against Palestinian women, men, girls and boys and accused Israeli security forces of rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. Israel denies any systematic abuse of prisoners and says it takes action when there are violations.

Our report finds that Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination, Chris Sidoti, a member of the commission, told reporters in Geneva.

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Israels mission in Geneva rejected the allegations and accused the commission of relying on second-hand, single, uncorroborated sources. Since the commission was set up in 2021  long before the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel  Israel has refused to cooperate with it, accusing the investigative team and the council of bias.

Commission member Sidoti said the report also concludes that Israel has carried out genocidal acts through the systematic destruction of sexual and reproductive health care facilities.

The commission stopped short of accusing Israel of genocide, as some advocacy groups and other rights experts have. Israel, which was established in the wake of the Nazi Holocaust and is home to many survivors and their families, has vigorously denied such allegations.

Israel says it took extraordinary measures to avoid harming civilians in the 15-month war, which has been paused by a fragile ceasefire. It blames civilian deaths and destruction on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas. Israeli forces carried out a number of raids on hospitals, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, allegations denied by Palestinian health officials.

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Pointing to the report, a Hamas statement urged international courts to prosecute Israels leaders.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accusing them of war crimes, which they deny. The court also issued a warrant in November for Hamas military leader, but the militants have since confirmed that he was killed.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.

Israeli authorities, citing eyewitness accounts and other evidence, have accused Hamas-led militants of widespread rape and sexual violence. Israeli experts who have treated former hostages say some were subjected to physical and sexual abuse in captivity.

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A U.N. envoy last year reported reasonable grounds to believe such allegations.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the commission held public hearings with victims, lawyers, advocacy groups and others whose accounts were included in the report.

The commission was not considering allegations of sexual, gender-based and other violence committed against Israelis during the Oct. 7 attack or against hostages in Gaza, but reported on the issue last year.

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By Nivedita Balu

TORONTO (Reuters) -CIBC announced on Thursday that its CEO Victor Dodig would retire in October and be replaced by Harry Culham, the head of the Canadian bank's capital markets division.

Culham will serve as chief operating officer as of April 1 and take over as CEO on November 1, Canada's fifth-largest lender said.

As part of CIBC's executive shakeup in September, Culham took on additional responsibility to oversee the bank's global asset management business and enterprise strategy, along with CIBC's Caribbean business.

Culham will become CEO during a challenging time for big Canadian banks amid economic uncertainties due to the trade war between the U.S. and Canada.

"I understand risk quite well. (It is) one of my strengths ... We're not worried," Culham said in an interview with Reuters.

"We can control the controls, and we think we're good at that. We went through COVID, we've been through other ups and downs."

Culham joined CIBC in Vancouver as an intern, participating in its graduate programs. He held senior banking roles in Europe and Asia before rejoining CIBC in 2008. He became the head of the capital markets unit in 2015.

"We are surprised at the announcement as we thought (Dodig) might remain as CEO a couple of years longer," said Darko Mihelic, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets.

Mihelic said Culham brings "solid experience" in capital markets that will be beneficial to the bank even though his personal and commercial banking experience is relatively limited.

CIBC's shares were down about 1.2% on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The big five Canadian banks recently raked in large profits from their wealth and capital market segments, which typically are fee-based and high-margin businesses, while expanding their businesses in the U.S.

CIBC has focused on growing its mass affluent and private wealth franchise in Canada and the U.S while building its digital footprint in Canada and growing its capital markets unit.

"I'm really focused on the bank overall ... I don't see the strategy changing," Culham said.

Dodig, who has been CEO for more than a decade, oversaw the expansion of CIBC's U.S. footprint. Under his leadership, it also added new clients in Canada through the purchase of Costco's Canadian credit card portfolio.

Its U.S. commercial lending book, however, faced challenges in 2023 due to higher exposure to the troubled U.S. office space than its peers, but it has taken steps to reduce the impact.

(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Chris Reese and Paul Simao)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United Nations Security Council has agreed to a statement condemning widespread violence in Syria's coastal region and calling on Syria's interim authorities to protect all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion, diplomats said on Thursday.

The Russian and U.S.-drafted presidential statement is due to be formally adopted on Friday, the diplomats said. Such statements are agreed by consensus. It comes after the 15-member council met behind closed doors on Syria on Monday.

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Several days of violent clashes in Syria's coastal region pitted loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against the country's new Islamist rulers. A war monitoring group said more than 1,000 people had been killed.

Entire families including women and children were killed in Tartus and Latakia - where members of Assad's minority Alawite sect lived - as part of a series of sectarian killings by rival groups, the U.N human rights office said on Tuesday.

"The Security Council calls on the interim authorities to protect all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion," reads the statement, seen by Reuters. "Syria's interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these mass killings accountable."

Syria's interim President Ahmed Sharaa said mass killings of members of Assad's minority sect were a threat to his mission to unite the country, and promised to punish those responsible, including his own allies if necessary.

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"The Security Council welcomes the Syrian interim authorities' public condemnation of instances of violence and calls for further measures to prevent its recurrence," reads the council statement.

It also "reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and calls on all States to respect these principles and to refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize Syria."

The statement did not identify any countries. However since Assad was ousted in December, Israel has carried out extensive airstrikes on Syrian military bases and moved forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria, in what it has said was a defensive and indefinite measure.

The Security Council statement also stresses the importance of countering terrorism in Syria and expresses "grave concern over the acute threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters," urging Syria to take "decisive measures to address the threat."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Kanishka Singh and Christopher Cushing)
BANGKOK (AP)  The United Nations food agency said on Friday that more than 1 million people in the war-torn nation of Myanmar will be cut off from food assistance due to critical funding shortfalls.

A statement released by the World Food Program said that most food rations currently distributed in Myanmar will be cut off in April, even as the country faces a desperate humanitarian crisis caused by bitter fighting between the military government and powerful militias opposed to its rule. The WFP said it would need $60 million to continue food assistance in Myanmar and called on its partners to identify additional funding.

It was not immediately clear if the WFPs decision was directly related to the Trump administration's recent moves to stop most foreign aid and dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, which have had wide-ranging effects on humanitarian efforts around the globe.

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U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked whether the Myanmar funding cuts were a result of the U.S. cuts, told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York: It's all co-mingled, stressing that the U.S. is a big funder of WFP.

He said all U.N. agencies are actively engaging with U.S. authorities to explain to them the damage  the immediate damage that's been done.

A 90-day freeze on foreign assistance programs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump has led to other cuts in services for refugees from Myanmar, including the shutdown of hospital care in camps in neighboring Thailand where more than 100,000 are living, according to activists and Thai officials.

The U.S. has been a core contributor in the food security and livelihood sector in Myanmar, and there was already a shortfall last year with humanitarian needs only about 40% funded, said a senior leader in the aid sector based in Asia, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the issue.

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The new cuts, she said, have created a devastating situation, forcing NGOs to abandon many programs, hitting vulnerable populations like people with disabilities, women and children the hardest, she said.

The lifesaving work must continue, she said. Its just not possible for us to stop that because if we stop it means people will not survive. But the funding gap were facing has forced us to close programs that are the lifeline, I think, for many people, in Myanmar.

The nationwide armed conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

In Fridays statement, the WFP said 15.2 million people, nearly one-third of the total population, are unable to meet their minimum daily food needs, and some 2.3 million face emergency levels of hunger.

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The WFP said it will only be able to assist 35,000 of the most vulnerable people, including children under the age of 5, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with disabilities.

The impending cuts will have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable communities across the country, many of whom depend entirely on WFPs support to survive, said Michael Dunford, WFPs Representative and Country Director in Myanmar. WFP remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Myanmar, but more immediate funding is crucial to continue reaching those in need.

The WFP said the cuts will also impact almost 100,000 internally displaced people, including Rohingya communities in camps in Myanmars western state of Rakhine, who will have no access to food without WFP assistance.

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority, have long been persecuted in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. More than 700,000 have fled from Myanmar to refugee camps in Bangladesh since August 2017, when the military launched a clearance operation against the minority in response to attacks by a rebel group.

More than 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, confined to squalid displacement camps, in addition to those living in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh. Still, more have fled toward Bangladesh and elsewhere in recent months as violence surged again when a group called the Arakan Army started fighting against Myanmars security forces.
President Donald Trump is underwater on everything when it comes to his approval ratings, a Fox News host declared Thursday.

Jessica Tarlov pointed to a new Quinnipiac poll released this week that found 53 percent of voters disapprove of the presidents second term performance.

Voters responded to questions about trade policies with China and Canada, immigration issues, foreign policies, military issues and Trumps handling of the economy and federal workforce.

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Since the start of his second term, the stock market has been tumbling, thousands of federal workers are unemployed and Trump has threatened chaos with the countrys strongest trade partners.

The Democratic messaging actually has been going pretty well, Tarlov said on The Five, despite another recent poll that showed Democrats dont have a handle on their response to Trumps policies. So, talking about theyre trying to cut your healthcare while giving tax breaks to the rich.

Theres over 50 percent disapproval of Trump himself, how hes handling the economy, how hes handling the federal workforce, how hes handling Ukraine-Russia, how hes handling trade with Mexico, how hes handling trade with Canada, Tarlov said. So basically, hes underwater on everything.

Trumps polling has struggled since before his joint session of Congress address on March 4. Another Quinnipiac poll from last month determined 45 percent approved of Trumps performance and 49 percent disapproved.

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Meanwhile, a similar CNN poll released this week found 54 percent of voters disapprove of Trump, while 45 percent approve. One Reuters poll determined voters thought Trumps economic policies had become too erratic.

Tarlov blamed part of Trumps failing poll numbers on recent town halls held by both Democrat and Republican congressional members, in which thousands attended to get clarity on the Trump administrations new policies, particularly those pertaining to cutting swaths of the federal workforce.

On the Republican side, social media videos have shown members coming under fire for supporting the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with making the cuts.

And we know about the Republicans having town halls and then having to run away or asking questions like, What do you think of DOGE? and expecting people to say something positive and then they are screaming, Tarlov said.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson has baselessly suggested angry community members are paid actors.

Just this week, North Carolina Republican Representative Chuck Edwards was confronted by angry constituents demanding to know how he could justify cutting parts of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. He was booed and ultimately escorted out of the meeting.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the Idaho Legislature's powerful budget committee, meets daily during the legislative session. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

The Idaho Legislature will likely miss its goal of adjourning the 2025 legislative session March 21 because the powerful joint budget committee has yet to set more than a dozen budgets for different state agencies and departments.

As of Thursday, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, had not set fiscal year 2026 budget enhancements for the states two largest budgets  the Medicaid budget and the K-12 public school budgets.



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Those two budgets arent the only budgets awaiting action from JFAC, the budget committee that sets every budget for every state agency and department.

According to state documents provided to JFAC co-chairs Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, and Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, there are at least a dozen other remaining budgets for JFAC as of Thursday:

Colleges and universities

Idaho Transportation Department

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Idaho State Tax Commission

Idaho State Historical Society

Idaho State Department of Education

Vocational Rehabilitation

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Idaho State Police and Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training

Executive Office of the Governor

Idaho Department of Water Resources

Millennium Fund

Office of the State Public Defender

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Under new budget procedures JFAC implemented over the past two years or so, JFAC splits budgets into two parts. First, JFAC passed bare-bones maintenance of operations budgets that are simply intended to keep the lights on for state agencies. Those maintenance budgets are a stripped down version of the budget set last year that remove all the one-time spending and the new funding requests. JFAC set all the maintenance budgets on Jan. 17.

Under JFACs new budget procedures, new spending requests and other items are classified as budget enhancements and voted on separately. The fiscal year 2026 budget enhancements are what legislators are waiting on JFAC to set.



Idaho Legislatures budget committee co-chair says more must be done to negotiate on enhancements

In addition to the list above, there may be other budget enhancements to consider as well. In recent days, the Idaho Senate killed the 2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho State Liquor Division, and the Idaho House of Representatives killed 2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho Department of Finance.

At the end of Thursdays JFAC meeting, Grow waved a piece of paper around that contained a long list of many of the same unfinished budgets printed above.

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Here is a list, Grow said to JFAC members. You cant see it, but you can see theres a lot of bills here that need to be done. Weve got a ton of work to do, and we cant go home  nobody can go home  until we get these done. So the more we can do to negotiate and come to a consensus so we can move them along here in JFAC, the better off we will all be so we can get the bills to the House and the Senate, and everybody will be happy  happy  that someday we will sine die.

Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee co-chairman C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, (left) receives printed materials from a Senate page at the committees meeting on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Sine die is the Latin phrase legislative leaders use when they adjourn without scheduling a day to return, signaling the end of the annual legislative session.

JFAC is not scheduled to take up the Medicaid or K-12 public school budgets during its budget-setting meeting scheduled for Friday, meaning budget-setting will continue into next week at a minimum.

Republican legislative leaders set a nonbinding target date to adjourn the session March 21  a week from Friday.

Some Republicans doubt Legislature can adjourn by March 21



But with the budget yet to be set, two prominent Republican legislators cast doubt on the March 21 goal.

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I dont think we can make the 21st (of March), but I remain hopeful for the following Friday, Horman said Thursday morning.

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Other legislators were less optimistic.

House State Affairs Committee Chairman Brent Crane, R-Nampa, told the Sun on Thursday he expects the Idaho Legislature will adjourn for the year sine die in mid-April  or the end of April if things get really bad.

Crane said legislators are waiting on JFAC to set the budget.

Once thats done, youre going to see things go move pretty quick, Crane said.

A longstanding general rule of thumb in the Idaho State Capitol is that it takes about two weeks after JFAC finishes setting the budget to wrap up a legislative session. That time period accounts for the time it takes staffers to draft the budget bills and for both legislative chambers to consider and pass all the budgets.

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However, once the budget bills are physically drafted and sent to the floor, legislative leaders can then work quickly to suspend rules and vote on bills.

In addition to setting the budget, there is at least one other consideration before adjourning for the year.

For the past several years, legislative leaders have taken a roughly five-day recess after the final budgets and bills pass in order to see if Gov. Brad Little vetoes any late session bills. Going at recess instead of immediately adjourning preserves the Idaho Legislatures ability to return to session and attempt to override any potential vetoes.

Idaho state lawmakers continue to introduce new legislation



Meanwhile, with budget-setting still underway, legislators continue to introduce new bills daily. On Thursday, House committees had a combined total of six new bills up for introduction.

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On Thursday, Grow gave JFAC members a pep talk. Grow began by telling JFAC members they have a lot of work to do and mentioned that Thursdays agenda  which indicated it had been amended seven times  was light.

As you notice, thats a very lean agenda that we had for today for voting, and that is our challenge, that our work groups need time, Grow said. Work groups need to get us motions that we can vote on.

Work groups are smaller sub groups of JFAC that are assigned to work on specific budgets and develop budget motions to bring to the full committee to vote on.

There are work groups assigned to budgets relating to health and human services, natural resources, education and so on.

Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel contributed to this story.

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A pastor accused of felony statutory sexual offenses with a child has died, investigators confirmed Friday.

PAST COVERAGE: Union County pastor accused of sex offenses with victim under 15

The Union County Sheriffs Office began investigating Waymon Jordan Sr., of Waxhaw, last month after a report of a child sex assault.

The death investigation at his church began Friday afternoon. There is no foul play and no threat to the public, the sheriffs office stated.

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Details on how Jordan died have not been released.

Jordan is accused of crimes that go back to 2022.

He was a pastor at and founded the Greater Blessed Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Waxhaw. He was there for over 30 years.

VIDEO: Waxhaw doctor accused of illegally prescribing, distributing drug used to treat opioid addiction












LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Police said an airline passenger faces charges after he punched a United Airlines gate agent Thursday night.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police officers responded to the incident at Gate D12 at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Thats where they say Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, Md. assaulted the United Airlines gate agent. Members of the airports authoritys fire and rescue department took the gate agent to the hospital for treatment.

Virginia woman wins $5 million on lottery scratcher

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Someone who was at the gate posted video of the encounter on the X platform. The video shows a man punching the gate agent in the face, dropping him to the floor. The post on X states: Angry guy at Dulles airport tries to get on a fully booked plane and knocks out the flight agent.:

Crittenden faces charges of assault and disorderly conduct.

United Media Relations provided DCNewsNow.com with a statement that said, in part: The passenger involved has been banned from future travel on United.

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A sunset over the Denny Chimes on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Thursday June 20, 2024. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights said Friday that UA was one of seven schools under investigation for allegedly offering impermissible race-based scholarships and engaging in race-based segregation. The department did not share the specific allegations against the university. (Will McLelland/Alabama Reflector)

The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said Friday that the University of Alabama was under investigation by the Office for Civil Rights for allegedly offering impermissible race-based scholarships and engaging in race-based segregation.

UA was one of seven universities facing the allegations. The OCR also accused 45 other universities of engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

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Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release.

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Messages seeking comment were left with OCR and UA on Friday. OCR did not say in the release which scholarships are classified as race-based or provide any examples of race-based segregation by the University of Alabama. A list of undergraduate scholarships offered at UA does not include any with explicit racial components.

Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights in the OCR, sent a letter to universities on Feb. 14 to reiterate schools civil rights obligations to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities. The letter claimed that American educational institutions have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students.

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The letter from the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights called the existence of systemic and structural racism a false premise.

Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify themparticularly during the last four yearsunder the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline, the letter said.

The University of Alabama closed dedicated spaces for its Black Student Union and an LGBTQ+ resource center last year after the state passed a law banning publicly-funded DEI programs and the teaching of so-called divisive concepts. UA professors and students at the University of Alabama Birmingham have sued to overturn the law, saying it violates their due process and free speech rights.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  The University of Hawaii (UH) is bracing for potential job losses and significant funding cuts following recent changes in federal policies.

UH President Wendy Hensel addressed these concerns during an open forum held today, where she discussed how the new federal directives could impact the university systems 10 campuses across the state.

Lawmakers drill UH President and Board on budget requests

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The university operates on a budget of $1.3 billion, with $636 million coming from the state, $410 million from tuition, and $370 million from federal funding.

However, Hensel warned that with the new federal policies in place, as many as 2,500 jobs could be at risk. This represents a significant portion of the universitys 16,000 employees.

In addition to potential job cuts, critical programs could be affected, including technical training at community colleges, initiatives serving Native Hawaiians, and biomedical research efforts.

Hensel emphasized that biomedical research, which often leads the way in drug development, vaccine creation, and disease prevention, is especially at risk.

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We dont want to quantify whats going to happen with biomedical research, but clearly its at risk, Hensel said.

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Nobody predicted, that I know of, that we would be having this kind of conversation. This is the kind of research thats usually at the top of the list. But if the NIH cap going forward persists, it will have serious implications for our biomedical research.

Biomedical research at UH includes critical work in testing new drugs, developing vaccines, and finding ways to prevent or cure diseasesefforts that could be severely hindered by the loss of federal funding.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

To provide ongoing updates and support during this uncertain time, UH has launched a Federal Policy Update Resource Page to keep students, faculty, and staff informed about developments and to offer guidance on how to navigate the changes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
By Anton Bridge and Abigail Summerville

TOKYO/NEW YORK (Reuters) -Alimentation Couche-Tard could bolster its $47-billion offer for Seven & i if the Japanese firm became more cooperative and revealed more financial information, the founder of the Canadian retailer said on Thursday.

Couche-Tard Chairman Alain Bouchard's remarks at the first press conference in Japan since his company launched its bid in August herald a change of strategy in response to what it called months of stonewalling by the 7-Eleven convenience store owner.

Seven & i offered a frosty reception to the deal, saying it would face antitrust scrutiny in the United States. Last week it appointed a new CEO and laid out a restructuring plan as an alternative.

The Quebec-based Circle-K convenience store owner, which had largely avoided the limelight since launching the bid, changed its approach on Thursday, to make its case in front of about 120 journalists, most of them Japanese, and an array of cameras.

"We may be able to enhance our proposal through (due) diligence as we form a greater understanding of the opportunity," Bouchard said. "Unfortunately we havent had access to anything."

Seven & i will not consider sharing confidential information with its competitor until Couche-Tard presents a more detailed divestiture plan to meet expected U.S. antitrust concerns that identifies specific stores, a timeframe and a credible buyer, a source familiar with the matter said this week.

"Couche-Tard did not talk about any specific solutions that would address our concerns about the U.S. antitrust issues that we have raised," Seven & i said after Thursday's conference.

Two of Seven & i's independent directors resigned on Wednesday, a development one shareholder, U.S.-based Artisan Partners, called a "sign of dysfunction" at Seven & i.

Artisan has repeatedly urged the Japanese company to engage more actively with Couche-Tard.

The Canadian firm had offered to pay $18.19 per share in Seven & i, or a premium of roughly 22% over the Japanese company's closing share price of 2,207 yen ($14.90) on Thursday.

Bouchard ruled out the prospect of a hostile takeover.

Couche-Tard submitted a yen-denominated bid in January that was largely the same as its earlier dollar-based bid, Chief Executive Alex Miller said on Thursday.

A successful deal would be the biggest foreign buyout in Japanese history.

JAPANESE CONCERNS

Originally a U.S. import, 7-Eleven was brought to Japan in 1973 by Seven & i's late founder Masatoshi Ito, who turned it into a popular destination with fresh sandwiches, rice balls and neat rows of boxed lunches. When the U.S. owner of 7-Eleven went bankrupt in 1991, the Japanese retailer took over.
The University of Kentucky is on a list of schools being investigated by the Trump administration for alleged civil rights violations. UK's Main Building houses the UK president's and other offices. (Photo by Mark Cornelison | UK Photo)

FRANKFORT  The University of Kentucky is one of 45 higher education institutions under federal investigation for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights announced Friday.

The office announced investigations of seven other schools for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation.

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President Donald Trumps newly appointed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon cited efforts to reorient civil rights enforcement and ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin, McMahon said in a statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

The investigations follow a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter from the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights to institutions putting them on notice that they must cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and other programs and activities.

UK is the only Kentucky institution on the list. UK spokesperson Kristi Willett said in an email the university was aware of the press release announcing the investigations.

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We are aware of the release this morning from the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. We have not received any official notification of this review, Willet said. However, the university complies with both the constitution and Title VI. Our graduate programs are open to all qualified applicants. We will continue to monitor and review this issue, cooperate with any official inquiries and, as always, comply with the law.

The release from the Education Department cites allegations that the schools violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with The Ph.D. Project, which it calls an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.

According to the Ph.D. Projects website the organization has helped more than 1,500 people earn doctoral degrees since its founding in 1994 and has more than 240 students in Ph.D. programs as part of its mission to diversify workplaces and broaden the pipeline of business leaders.

The federal announcement comes as Kentuckys Republican-controlled legislature has voted to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the states public universities and colleges. The legislation would prohibit universities and colleges from awarding scholarships while considering an individuals religion, race, sex, color, or national origin.

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Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is expected to veto the anti-DEI bill but the Republican supermajority can easily override his veto.

Last August, UK announced it was disbanding its Office for Institutional Diversity without firing anyone amid pressure from Republicans in Frankfort.

At that time, President Eli Capilouto said that we share the value that out of many people, we are one community. But weve also listened to policymakers and heard many of their questions about whether we appear partisan or political on the issues of our day.

Universities being investigated for alleged race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs

Arizona State University  Main Campus

Boise State University

Cal Poly Humboldt

California State University  San Bernadino

Carnegie Mellon University

Clemson University

Cornell University

Duke University

Emory University

George Mason University

Georgetown University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Montana State University-Bozeman

New York University (NYU)

Rice University

Rutgers University

The Ohio State University  Main Campus

Towson University

Tulane University

University of Arkansas  Fayetteville

University of California-Berkeley

University of Chicago

University of Cincinnati  Main Campus

University of Colorado  Colorado Springs

University of Delaware

University of Kansas

University of Kentucky

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of New Mexico  Main Campus

University of North Dakota  Main Campus

University of North Texas  Denton

University of Notre Dame

University of NV  Las Vegas

University of Oregon

University of Rhode Island

University of Utah

University of Washington-Seattle

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wyoming

Vanderbilt University

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Yale University

Under investigation for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation

Grand Valley State University

Ithaca College

New England College of Optometry

University of Alabama

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

University of South Florida

University of Oklahoma, Tulsa School of Community Medicine

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The U.S. Department of Education announced on Friday that it is opening investigations into two Texas universities for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

The department says it is investigating allegations that the University of North Texas-Denton and Rice University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by partnering with the PhD Project, an organization that provides insights and networking opportunities to doctoral business students.

Forty-three other universities throughout the country are under investigation for this. An additional six schools are being investigated for allegedly awarding impermissible race-based scholarships and one for administering a program that segregated students of different races.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination.

In recent weeks, the agency has launched investigations into universities for antisemitic harassment and sex discrimination while at the same time laying off nearly half its workforce. This includes more than 60 Texas-based employees, including 25 who worked as attorneys specializing in civil rights, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment, McMahon said in a statement on Friday.

In January, conservative activist Christopher Rufo shared an emailed exchange between professors at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University in College Station. They were discussing attending a PhD Project conference on March 20 in Chicago. Rufo obtained the emails via a Texas Public Information Act request and shared them on the social media platform X. The post prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to threaten the job of A&M President Mark Welsh III, who later said the school would not be participating in the conference.

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Eight other Texas public universities who had been listed as the organizations partners followed suit, either pulling out of the conference or disavowing the PhD Project. They were: Texas Tech University; the University of Houston; the University of North Texas; University of Texas at Austin; University of Texas at Dallas; University of Texas at El Paso; University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley; and University of Texas at San Antonio.

A University of North Texas spokesperson said at that time that it had actually discontinued its affiliation with PhD Project in early 2024. The university is working with them to remove our name from the list of partners.

The University of North Texas maintained on Friday that it is not affiliated with the PhD Project and said it is fully cooperating with the investigation. Rice University declined to comment. The DOE did not immediately respond on Friday to questions about how it selected which universities to investigate for partnering with the PhD Project.

On Friday, Rice and Baylor universities were listed on the PhD Projects website as partners. Baylor University is not under investigation.

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Baylor was an exhibitor at a conference several years ago, but that was the extent of Baylors involvement/relationship, said Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president of media and public relations.

Rufo and Abbott contended in January that public universities who participated in the PhD Projects conference were violating the states ban on diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programs and training. But the ban, which passed two years ago, exempts student recruitment, which is why the professors at Texas A&M had planned to go.

The PhD Project appears to have scrubbed language from the About Us section page of its website amid the controversy in Texas.

The organization described itself as being founded with the goal of diversifying corporate America by diversifying the role models in the front of classrooms. It said it had increased the number of historically underrepresented business professors in the U.S. from 294 in 1994 to over 1,700 today, according to a Jan. 14 capture on the Internet Archive.

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Now, its website states that its goal is simply to create more role models in the front of business classrooms. On Friday afternoon, a statement sent to The Texas Tribune said the organization opened its membership application this year to everyone who shares that vision.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

Disclosure: Baylor University, Rice University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Houston and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

We cant wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more.

Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025.

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The University of Oregon is now among more than 50 universities being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning Americas schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

St. Helens superintendent resigns amid sex abuse scandal

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U.S. Secretary of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said these investigations are working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination.

She added this also comes after the agency launched Title VI investigations into institutions where alleged antisemitic harassment has been reported  such as Portland State University  and investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination.

Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes, McMahon continued. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.

Washington Sen. Murray slams Trump admin for taking wrecking ball to NOAA

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Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

The Feb. 14 memo from Trumps administration was a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

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The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators.

When reached for comment, the University of Oregon released the statement below:

We take this complaint seriously. We have recently reviewed all of our practices and believe that the University of Oregon is in compliance with the law. We have continued to review policies and practices in light of the Administrations Executive Orders and look forward to working with the Office for Civil Rights to resolve this complaint.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The University of Utah is counted among 45 American universities under investigation by the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights for allegedly using racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.

In a Friday release, the Department of Education (DOE) said the investigation comes amid allegations that the University of Utah and the other 44 institutions have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) by partnering with The Ph.D. Project, an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.

The Ph.D. Project is a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world, according to The Associated Press.

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Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

The University of Utah released a statement Friday afternoon in response to the DOE investigation:

The University of Utah is aware of the investigation into U.S. colleges and universities who have worked with The Ph.D. Project to make advanced business education accessible to students from underrepresented groups.

We will respond to federal investigators in the course of the investigation.

In an accompanying media advisory, the university noted it transformed the way it engages with students and the community last year in response to a new Utah law ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts on Utah campuses.

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These changes included closing identity-based cultural centers, reassigning staff and changing the way student services are delivered, so they are available to all students, regardless of their personal identity characteristics(as defined in state law).

Fridays news of the DOEs investigation  which includes many of the most elite colleges in the country  comes days after the agency announced that 60 higher education institutions were being investigated for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

No Utah schools are part of that nationwide investigation.

Newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Friday that the DOE is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination.

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The agency has already launched Title VI investigations into institutions where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported and Title IX investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination, McMahon said. Todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes

Students, she added, must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin.

We will not yield on this commitment.

Besides the University of Utah, the schools under investigation for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs are a veritable whos who of storied academic institutions, including:

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Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California-Berkeley, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, Vanderbilt and Yale.

Meanwhile, the DOE is also investigating six universities for allegedly awarding impermissible race-based scholarships and one university for allegedly administering a program that segregates students on the basis of race.

No Utah schools are included in that investigation.

The Dear Colleague Letter

Last month, the DOEs Office for Civil Rights sent a letter to educational institutions receiving federal funding.

According to Fridays DOE release, the Dear Colleague Letter clarified that, pursuant to federal anti-discrimination law, they must cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and other programs and activities.

The University of Utahs Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office is pictured in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Signed by the DOEs Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor, the letter began, saying discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is illegal and morally reprehensible.

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Accordingly, I write to clarify and reaffirm the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education.

Trainors letter goes on to say that, in recent years, American educational institutions have discriminated against students on the basis of race  including white and Asian students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income families.

Such educational institutions, the letter added, have embraced pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination have emanated throughout every facet of academia.

Colleges, universities and K-12 schools, the letter alleges, have routinely used race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming.

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In a shameful echo of a darker period in this countrys history, many American schools and universities even encourage segregation by race at graduation ceremonies and in dormitories and other facilities, the letter states.

Trainor also writes that educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon systemic and structural racism while advancing discriminatory policies and practices.

Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them  particularly during the last four years  under the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion  smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline, according to the letter.

Trainors letter concludes saying the DOE will not tolerate overt and covert racial discrimination in American educational institutions.

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The law is clear, the letter added. Treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent,

He signs off near the bottom of his letter with a warning:

Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding.

The letter is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits say the memo is too vague and violates the free speech rights of educators, the AP reported.

DOE responds to alleged campus antisemitism

Earlier this week, the DOEs Office of Civil Rights sent letters to 60 colleges and universities warning of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations under the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus.

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No Utah schools were included on that letter list.

Students with the Gaza Solidarity Encampment block the entrance of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University after taking over it, April 30, 2024, in New York. | Marco Postigo Storel

The letters, the release noted, are addressed to all U.S. universities that are presently under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better, said McMahon.

U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.

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The list of schools receiving letters is broad, and includes several of the countrys most storied and powerful higher education institutions  including Johns Hopkins University, Stanford, Brown, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Wisconsin (Madison), and Yale.

In February, the DOEs Office for Civil Rights said five colleges  Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, the University of California (Berkeley) and the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)  were under direct investigation following reports of widespread antisemitic harassment.

And earlier this month, $400 million in federal grants and contracts to New Yorks Columbia University were canceled due to the schools continued inaction to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
Students walk on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in September 2024. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The University of Nebraska at Omaha is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for race-exclusionary practices in its graduate programs, the agency announced Friday.

The Education Department memo accuses UNO and 44 other universities of race-exclusionary practices. Seven other colleges and universities are being investigated for alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation.

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Fridays announcement comes after last months department memo said schools and universities could lose federal funding over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or other areas of student life.

The federal agency alleges that UNO and 44 other universities violated Title VI by partnering with the Ph.D. Project because the non-profit limits eligibility based on the race of participants.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

UNO officials said in a statement that they are aware of the Department of Educations investigation and will cooperate with the departments Office of Civil Rights and are committed to following all non-discrimination laws.

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The Trump Administration has prioritized ending several diversity, equity, and inclusion programs with executive orders. Republican-led states have passed laws banning DEI initiatives in higher education.

Nebraska State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City has proposed legislation banning Nebraska colleges from having DEI offices or programs. Legislative Bill 552 has a hearing in the Education Committee next week.

The University of Nebraska system has dealt with controversy around DEI in previous years, including criticism from Gov. Jim Pillen, a former NU regent, and multiple state senators.

While the Education Departments memo from last month is being challenged in federal lawsuits for being too vague and violating the free speech rights of educators, colleges around the country have already closed diversity offices in compliance, including UNO.

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UNO closed its diversity office last month and also eliminated two staff positions. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion in August, as the Examiner and the Daily Nebraskan reported.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) ripped Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday after he said hed vote to advance a GOP-backed funding bill, abandoning his plans to filibuster the legislation in a move that likely will avoid a government shutdown.

I believe thats a tremendous mistake, Ocasio-Cortez told CNNs Jake Tapper, who asked about Schumers new plan and why she thinks its wrong to allow for a simple majority vote.

Ocasio-Cortez pressed that Americans are up in arms over Elon Musk, adding that the continuing resolution codifies the billionaires chaotic cuts.

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She described the legislation as an extreme spending bill that sacrifices and completely eliminates congressional authority.

This turns the federal government into a slush fund for Donald Trump and Elon Musk, she said of the deeply partisan legislation.

And so to me, it is almost unthinkable why Senate Democrats would vote to hand the few pieces of leverage that we have away for free when weve been sent here to protect Social Security, protect Medicaid and protect Medicare.

Ocasio-Cortez was among a number of members of her party  moderates and progressives alike  who blasted Schumer over the move to back the bill, which all but one House Democrat voted against when it passed on Tuesday.

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Schumer, in a speech on the Senate floor, said Trump and Musk would have carte blanche to destroy vital government services under a shutdown as he argued in favor of siding with a very bad continuing resolution instead prior to Fridays funding deadline.

Schumer was called out by MSNBCs Chris Hayes later in the day after he agreed with the host, who referred to an unconstitutional assault on the government right now.

There is, these guys are the worst, and weve got to fight them every step of the way , said Schumer as Hayes scoffed.

But theyre saying youre not fighting, Hayes interjected.

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The congresswoman, in remarks to reporters, pointed to House Democrats who won Trump-held districts and walked the plank to defend Americans only to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Musk.

She later declared on her X account that virtually every House Democrat from a Trump-won district was part of the new left.

Ocasio-Cortez, in a post to her BlueSky account, questioned Senate Democrats who convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to the left and therefore ignorable.

Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes, she wrote.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson appealed to President Donald Trump in a series of posts on X/Twitter on Thursday evening, asking him to give us back our history.

Hendersons posts come after the African American History, Hispanic American History, and Womens History categories were delisted from the Notable Graves section on Arlington National Cemeterys website.

Above: The list of Notable Graves as seen on Nov. 7, 2024 (left) compared to how it appears on March 7, 2025 (right) (Images courtesy: Wayback Machine Internet Archive and Arlington National Cemetery)

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The removed categories can still be found through a Google search or by putting in the right URL as of March 7, but they are no longer easily located on the Arlington National Cemetery website. Among those graves that were affected by the change was that of Seraph Young, a prominent Utahn who became the first woman to vote in America under an equal suffrage law.

Henderson called Young an integral part of Utahs state history. She said the now-historic moment was immortalized with a giant mural that overlooks the House chamber in Utahs Capitol Building, presiding over lawmakers today.

Bye Felicia?: Salt Lake City not elaborating on report claiming Sundance may leave over pride flag bill

She is now one of the many women who have been deleted with a click of a mouse, Henderson said. Mr. President, this is not the way. Give us back our history.

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Youngs grave was added to the list of notable graves as a part of Womens History under Trumps first term in September 2020. She was listed after a ceremony introducing a new gravestone that corrected a misspelling of her name.

We dont celebrate these women because they are women. We celebrate them because of who they were, what they did, what they overcame, and what they mean to us, Henderson said. They shouldnt be deleted simply because they are women.

Henderson said many of the womens stories listed in the Womens History section of the website were salvaged from the dustbin of time. She said they had been brushed off and shined light on stories that deserve to be told and remembered.

Let us rejoice in and be inspired by the successes and failures, hopes and dreams, fears and acts of courage of our foremothers. They have been forgotten for too long, Henderson said.

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President Trump has not yet made a public comment responding to Henderson.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
By Humeyra Pamuk and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo

WASHINGTON/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The U.S. has is expelling South Africa's ambassador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, calling the envoy a "race-baiting politician" who hates President Donald Trump.

Ties have slumped since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and its genocide case against Washington's ally Israel at the International Court of Justice.

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"South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country," Rubio said on Friday in a post on X about the rare barring of a nation's top diplomat.

"Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @Potus (Trump)."

In statements from its presidency and international relations department, South Africa called the move regrettable but said it remained committed to building mutually beneficial relations and would address the matter via diplomatic channels.

Rubio reposted an article from right-wing website Breitbart that quoted the envoy as saying that Trump was leading a white supremacist movement. He must depart by March 21, a State Department spokesperson said on Saturday.

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Reuters was unable to contact Rasool or confirm his whereabouts.

News website Semafor reported this week that Rasool has failed to secure routine meetings with State Department officials and key Republican party figures since Trump, a Republican, took office in January,

The U.S. is reviewing its South Africa policy, the State Department spokesperson added, citing the land policy, South Africa's growing ties with countries like Russia and Iran and "aggressive positions" toward the U.S. and allies.

TIES AT 'LOWEST POINT'

"The US / South Africa relationship has now reached its lowest point," said Patrick Gaspard, a former U.S. ambassador to South Africa. "There's too much at stake to not work towards the repair of this partnership."

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Rasool presented his credentials to then-President Joe Biden on January 13, a week before Trump took office, according to the embassy's website, for a second stint in Washington.

Trump has said, without citing evidence, that "South Africa is confiscating land" and that "certain classes of people" are being treated "very badly."

South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who is close to Trump, has said white South Africans have been the victims of "racist ownership laws."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a bill in January aimed at making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, in some cases without compensating the owner.

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Ramaphosa has defended the policy as evening out racial disparities in ownership in the Black-majority nation and said the government had not confiscated any land.

Trump has offered to resettle white South African farmers and their families as refugees. The State Department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and has begun implementing the plan, the State Department spokesperson said, adding that initial interviews were underway.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo in Johannesburg; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, William Mallard and Andrew Cawthorne)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The US Department of Agriculture is slashing two federal programs that support local food banks and schools.

The USDAs decision to cut these programs has caused more than $1 billion in federal spending to come to a halt. This comes at a time when food banks, pantries and schools are seeing an increased need.

Local school districts are expressing concern over the recent announcement from the US Department of Agriculture. The department decided to cut $660 million to the Local Food for Schools program.

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Springfield Public Schools tells 22News that this funding allowed them to prioritize purchasing from local farms, which typically comes at a higher cost than wholesale purchasing. In a statement to 22News, the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools Dr. Sonia Dinnall said, while we are disappointed that the funding that helped us source food locally is dissolving, we want to reassure families that there will be no change to the quality, variety, or cost of school meals, said Dr. Dinnall.

Dinnall goes on to say, without it, we will continue serving fresh and nutritious meals but will source some items from regions other than local farms. For example, instead of purchasing potatoes from a variety of local farms, we may now source them from a single wholesaler, such as Idaho Potatoes.Our dedication to nutritious meals remains strong, and we will continue seeking ways to support local farms whenever possible.

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program is also being cut, which was expected to provide about $500 million to local food banks. The Martin Luther King Jr Family Services Springfield President, Shannon M. Rudde, also sending us a statement that reads, These are our neighbors, people we see and interact with daily, and we have already had to make difficult decisions due to the overwhelming demand at our pantry. This is not the time to cut back. We will collaborate with other food providers to advocate for a more strategic and sustainable path forward, said Rudder.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is expected to not be affected by the cuts to the Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. But they told 22News, theyre looking forward to working with the congressional delegation to make this a permanent program in the upcoming debates of the US Farm Bill to help other food banks who are experiencing the cuts.

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There is also potential worry of a government shutdown leading to cuts in SNAP benefits, creating a greater need for food assistance.

Well, you know, life is already really difficult for a lot of people. You know, prices for basic needs are high still. Especially housing and food. And everyone is feeling the pinch. Working families and modest incomes, said Executive Director for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Andrew Morehouse.

Lorraines Soup Kitchen and Pantry in Chicopee, that served more than 35,000 meals last year alone, also showing concern. Were hoping this doesnt happen. Yes. Because, you know, I mean, its not only us. Its all over the country that this is going to happen. So its going to be huge, said Lorraines Soup Kitchen & Pantry Executive Director, Kim Caisse.

Congress must pass a bill to fund the federal government before midnight on Friday, otherwise the government will be forced to shut down immediately.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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By Paul Sandle

LONDON (Reuters) -Meal delivery company Deliveroo has pushed back its margin growth forecast after a slower than expected recovery in consumer confidence, spurring a drop in shares on Thursday that wiped out a year's worth of gains.

That was despite the British company, which competes with Just Eat and Uber Eats, reporting its first year of statutory profit and positive cash flow.

It made a profit of 2.9 million pounds ($3.8 million) last year versus a loss of 31.8 million pounds in 2023. Core earnings were at the top end of guidance at 129.6 million pounds.

However, Chief Executive Will Shu said he had expected the consumer environment to recover "a bit faster" when he set the target in 2023 to expand the core earnings margin to 4% "by 2026", with further potential upside beyond.

Deliveroo now expects margin growth to accelerate "from 2026", reaching 4% in the medium term.

"The consumer market since our capital markets event hasn't been the smoothest," Shu said in an interview.

Shares in the group fell 9% in early deals, wiping out gains from the previous 12 months.

Jefferies analysts said the new margin timeline was "a blemish" but that analysts' consensus forecast "was already far behind the old timeline".

Shu, who founded Deliveroo 12 years ago, said growth in gross transaction value - a key performance measure - had picked up in the second half of 2024 and order growth in its biggest market, Britain and Ireland, had accelerated every quarter.

"Q1 trading has been good," he said. "We don't see any differences from the latter part of last year into Q1."

He said Deliveroo could continue to grow "by focusing on the levers in our control", including focusing on value and its tiered membership programmes.

Deliveroo said on Monday it would leave Hong Kong after nine years, selling some assets to Delivery Hero's foodpanda.

Shu said Hong Kong was "by far the most promiscuous market in terms of user behaviour and the most discount-led", adding that the reasons for the exit were "very market specific".

The departure will leave Deliveroo in seven international markets as well as Britain and Ireland.

Deliveroo had already reported in January a 6% rise in GTV in 2024.

($1 = 0.7723 pounds)

(Reporting by Paul Sandle. Editing by Sarah Young and Mark Potter)
The University of Oklahoma's School of Community Medicine in Tulsa is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for alleged race-based scholarships and segregation.

Announced Friday, the federal office opened investigations into 45 universities under Title VI after it sent letters to schools on Feb. 14 to "end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities."

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the education department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to protect students from discrimination.

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"The agency has already launched Title VI investigations into institutions where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported and Title IX investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination; todays announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes, McMahon said. Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.

More: State officials wait and see how layoffs at federal education agency will affect Oklahoma

OCR is investigating 45 universities for "allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs," along with six universities, including OU-TU School of Community Medicine, for alleged "race-based scholarships and race-based segregation."

"We are aware of the announcement from the Department of Education and are looking into the matter," an OU spokesperson said in a statement.

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The announcement comes after nearly half of the federal education department's staff was slashed earlier this week, costing its civil rights office 243 workers, shutting down seven regional offices. Those soon-to-be-shuttered field offices were in Dallas, which oversees Oklahoma, New York City, Cleveland, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia.

At the same time, President Donald Trump is considering an executive order attempting to dismantle the agency entirely  although the agency could not close unless Congress decides to take that action.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Feds investigate OU-Tulsa medical school for 'race-based scholarships'
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Senior members of the European Unions executive arm and US officials spoke on Friday to explore ways to move forward after US President Donald Trumps metals tariffs prompted a trade war.

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EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic spoke with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to improve the understanding of each others position, the European official said.

Theres a lot of work ahead but lets stay focused and explore the best ways to move forward in the right direction, Sefcovic said in a social media post.

Sefcovics call with his American counterparts came after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in a massive escalation of the trade war between the longstanding allies. The decision was shortly followed by the announcement of the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, for additional tariffs targeting as much as 26 billion of US products.

While EU officials had hoped to enter into negotiations with the US following the implementation of the metal duties, Trump further escalated tensions by threatening to impose a 200% tariff on wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages from the EU unless Brussels removes the announced tariffs, most of them expected to enter into force in mid-April.

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In addition, EU officials are preparing additional measures to response to another round of US so-called reciprocal tariffs in just three weeks. Trump officials plan to apply an across-the-board rate to each country, based on a calculation of their own tariffs and other trade barriers, such as digital taxes or value-added levies.

Trump has also pledged separate sectoral tariffs on industries including autos, lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and copper.

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(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on Friday, advising consumers against inhaling products containing nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'laughing gas,' due to potentially serious side effects, including death.

Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that leads to euphoria, relaxation, and dissociation from reality when inhaled.

The gas is used for various legitimate medical, industrial, and commercial purposes, such as being a propellant in whipped cream dispensers and water siphons.

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It is available in compact, affordable cartridges that are easily accessible and sold under various brand names, including Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, and Miami Magic.

The FDA cautioned against the improper use of these products in any canister, tank, or charger size, as misuse could result in severe health issues, including blood clots, loss of consciousness, paralysis, psychiatric disorders, and even death.

The regulator said that it is monitoring reports of adverse events following the inhalation of nitrous oxide products and will take appropriate actions, although it did not provide specific details.

In 2023, Britain banned the recreational use and possession of nitrous oxide, saying it fueled nuisance behavior and posed a health hazard.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
Republicans in the US House of Representatives plan to introduce a bill on Friday to block Chinese citizens from getting student visas, citing their potential to serve as spies for Beijing, and adding fresh fuel to a debate about attracting needed foreign talent while addressing national security concerns.

Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia, a first-term congressman, is the sponsor of the "Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act", which would halt issuance of student or research visas for all Chinese nationals.

The bill, which goes further than most previous attempts to restrict Chinese students, would have to pass the full House and Senate before it could be signed into law.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

As yet, it has no confirmed cosponsors. According to Fox News, expected supporters include Republican Representatives Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Brandon Gill of Texas and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.

Moore's legislation comes as US President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly weighing a new travel ban for citizens from a select group of countries, though there is no indication yet that China is on that list.

International students have come under fire in the early weeks of the new Trump administration. On Thursday, demonstrators entered Trump Tower in Manhattan to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the US whom the Trump administration wants to deport over his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University.

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Chinese citizens make up the second largest group of foreign students in the US, after Indian nationals. In the 2023-24 academic year, 277,398 Chinese students were in the US, a figure that has steadily declined since the 2019-20 school year.

"While many of these visa holders came here to study, far too many also served as intelligence gatherers or paid spies for the CCP," Moore wrote in a column in Newsweek last month.

To bolster his claim, Moore cited the case of five Chinese students at the University of Michigan who were charged in October with misleading authorities about their activities near a remote military site.

"We cannot eliminate this threat by simply devoting more time and money to the visa vetting process," he continued, saying that the US could not accurately flag the espionage risk of Chinese nationals because "many who enter the United States with pure intentions are later recruited or coerced by the CCP".

US Representative Riley Moore. Republican of West Virginia, is the sponsor of the Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act. Photo: Getty Images via AFP alt=US Representative Riley Moore. Republican of West Virginia, is the sponsor of the Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act. Photo: Getty Images via AFP>

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Both Democrats and Republicans have sounded alarm in recent years about the role that non-traditional agents like students and researchers can play in gathering intelligence about sensitive information or technologies. But Republicans have been the primary advocates for blanket bans on Chinese students.

In Project 2025, the blueprint by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank for a second Trump administration, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is asked to work with the State Department to "eliminate or significantly reduce the number of visas issued to foreign students from enemy nations".

In 2020, during his first term, Trump signed a proclamation that led to the cancellation of over 1,000 visas for Chinese nationals deemed "high-risk graduate students and research scholars".

Moore's bill does not differentiate between a student's field or level of study. It targets the three main types of US study visas - F, J and M visas - which are used, respectively, for studying at US universities and English language institutes; exchanges at the high school and university level; and non-academic and vocational training or study.

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Other recent legislation, such as bills introduced by Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, have targeted graduate-level students or researchers from China and those focused on science, computer science, engineering, maths and other "STEM" fields.

Opponents of broad bans argue that the benefits of academic input and exchange brought by Chinese students outweigh the risk of espionage.

"Basic educational exchange is a foundation for US-China relations," said Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, the senior Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, in response to Moore's bill.

"These visa restrictions are overly broad and damaging to the many Chinese students who hope to study at the best universities in the world," he said, adding that research security "must be achieved with a scalpel, not a bludgeon".

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Representative Grace Meng, a New York Democrat who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said on Thursday that banning only Chinese students was "xenophobic and wrong-headed".

"We cannot give in to fearmongering tactics that will restrict the freedoms and economic opportunities that make America the envy of the world," she added.

"We strongly reject this move to paint all Chinese students as a threat," said John Yang, head of Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Photo: Handout alt="We strongly reject this move to paint all Chinese students as a threat," said John Yang, head of Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Photo: Handout>

Previous bills to block Chinese students have failed to become law and drawn strong criticism from Asian-American groups.

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"It is unconscionable to suggest limiting the fields of study or remove visa options for all students from China," said John Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, in 2020, after a proposal by Cotton to restrict visas for Chinese students.

Reacting to Moore's bill, Yang said on Thursday: "We strongly reject this move to paint all Chinese students as a threat and caution against racial profiling based on geography and not fact."

Yet concerns about the security risk posed by Chinese students, particularly in STEM, had been voiced at the highest levels of government even during the Joe Biden administration.

In June, Kurt Campbell, then the deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration, said he would like to see more Chinese students coming "to study the humanities and social sciences, not particle physics".

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In terms of STEM subjects, Campbell said he wanted to see "much larger numbers of Indian students".

Meanwhile, some students from China who had obtained visas complained about facing intensified scrutiny and deportation upon entering the US. China's embassy and consulates in the US launched several formal protests over the matter last year.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
US intelligence believes that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his desire to control Ukraine, despite the Trump administration's efforts to stop the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Washington Post, which spoke to people familiar with classified US intelligence reports

Details: US intelligence reports, including those published earlier this month, cast doubt on whether Putin is willing to end the war against Ukraine.

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One of the classified assessments, circulated among members of the Trump administration and dated 6 March, states that Putin remains determined to gain control over Kyiv.

Some current and former US officials told the publication that even if Putin agrees to a temporary truce, he will use it to regroup and rearm his forces. They believe that Russia is likely to violate the terms of an agreement by staging a provocation and blaming Ukraine for it.

Other officials say intelligence assessments remain cautious about the conditions under which Putin might agree to peace. However, they acknowledge that there are no signs that he has abandoned his demand to bring Ukraine into Russias sphere of influence.

It is unclear whether the intelligence report from 6 March was conveyed to Trump, but a source told The Washington Post that it concerns a type of information that is traditionally brought to the presidents attention.

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According to another source, some US assessments of Putins intransigence appear to irritate Trump. Trump and his aides have recently raised the possibility of imposing new tough sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to end the war. They did not specify what these sanctions would entail, though on Wednesday 12 March Trump said they "could be devastating".

Meanwhile, a European intelligence official, citing fresh intelligence data, stated that officials in Moscow consider Trump to be weak, lacking a fundamental set of principles and susceptible to manipulation.

The European intelligence representative noted that if a permanent ceasefire is reached, Moscow is likely to return to the "hybrid" or non-military means of undermining Ukraine which it employed before the full-scale invasion in 2022.

The official said these methods include economic and diplomatic coercion, infiltration of Ukrainian elites, business circles, security services and armed forces, as well as influence through the Russian church in Ukraine.

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"The 2022 invasion happened because the hybrid tools did not bring results," the European official stated.

Background:

On 13 March, Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire. Without rejecting it outright, he hinted that Moscow might put forward its own conditions for any agreement.

Earlier, the administration of US President Donald Trump did not extend a sanctions loophole that previously allowed transactions with Russian banks related to energy payments.

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Judges in two US states ordered thousands of fired federal employees to have their jobs reinstated Thursday, in the most significant blow yet to the efforts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government.

A district judge in Maryland agreed with 20 Democratic-led states that in firing probationary employees en masse, 18 agencies had violated regulations that require layoffs for government employees to be personalized and come with advance notice.

His order applies to agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Agency for International Development.

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In California, another district judge found Thursday that terminations across six agencies were ordered by the Office of Personnel Managements acting director, who lacked the authority to carry out such layoffs.

The Trump administration has already appealed the California ruling, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the decision an absurd and unconstitutional order that the administration would fight.

At least 24,000 probationary employees have been fired since Trump took office, according to the Maryland lawsuit, though it is unclear how many of those will be returning to their posts.
By Tom Sims and Alexander Hubner

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank on Thursday labelled the auto sector as a key risk, a bleak warning from Germany's largest lender as the nation lines up big spending in defence and infrastructure.

The bank pointed to potential U.S. tariffs, a challenging economy, a slow transition to electric vehicles, and competition from China.

Deutsche, which disclosed the issue in its annual report, said the sector poses a "growing risk" to the bank's auto and supplier portfolio and is being "monitored closely".

Germany is home to some of the world's most renowned carmakers, including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. Volkswagen this week foreast another challenging year.

Investors have nevertheless recently become more optimistic about Deutsche Bank's prospects after top German politicians agreed to a spending plan for defence and infrastructure that could boost the sluggish economy.

The bank's shares have soared.

"Defence can be a huge impulse, positive impulse for the economy," the bank's CEO Christian Sewing said in a recent podcast.

In its annual report, Deutsche Bank forecast increased revenue this year at its investment bank and three other main business units, putting a brave face on 2025 prospects despite a a still weak economy at home and the car industry's woes.

The outlook is the bank's most detailed projection yet for its performance in 2025.

Last year also saw revenue gains, but an overall drop in profit, amid significant rises in bonuses and banker pay that was also disclosed in Thursday's report for the first time.

This year is crucial for CEO Sewing, who is striving to meet a series of ambitious profit and cost targets he has set for the once-troubled bank. Some analysts have been sceptical that Deutsche will reach all its goals.

The U.S. economy may slow slightly, while euro zone growth may accelerate. "But Germany is expected to lag behind," Deutsche said.

Another key risk the bank has identified in previous years has been its exposure to the commercial real estate industry. Deutsche said problems still exist but that the sector is geared stabilise.

Deutsche's additional alert on the auto sector's weakness is a new development.

Deutsche said that the grim outlook for cars has had limited impact on its portfolio so far, which accounts for some 1.5% of its overall loans.

($1 = 0.9190 euros)

(Reporting by Tom Sims and Alexander Huebner, Editing by Rachel More and Tomasz Janowski)
By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration official overseeing the dismantling of the main U.S. foreign aid agency proposed phasing out help for crisis-torn Lebanon and the Rohingya, the world's largest stateless population, according to an email reviewed by Reuters.

Written on February 16 by Peter Marocco, the acting USAID deputy administrator, the email provides a window into some of the thinking behind the administration's drive to terminate aid programs that it does not believe benefit the U.S.

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In it, Marocco appeared to want the Rohingya and Lebanon to express their gratitude for U.S. support, saying the U.S. "should procure some type of consideration or good faith from the recipient populations to the American people."

The email directed Tim Meisburger, the head of USAID's humanitarian affairs bureau, to draft an Action memo drawing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's attention to the odd dependency of Lebanon and the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar on U.S. aid.

It should outline options for how we recommend, immediately, sending the signal, that though we have compassion, people had the warning on November 5, and things will have to change," Marocco wrote, referring to Trump's 2024 re-election.

"Please propose the best method and timeline of weening this dependency and what we might seek, from them  or partners. Nothing is owed, he wrote, apparently meaning an absence of any U.S. obligation to provide further support.

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A source with knowledge of the issue confirmed the authenticity of the email and that Marocco sought to phase out aid to the Rohingya and Lebanon.

Marocco "is not convinced these people need more aid," the source said.

The State Department declined to comment. Marocco and Meisburger did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reuters could not determine whether Meisburger sent the requested memo to Rubio or how much U.S. aid continues to flow to Lebanon or the more than 1 million Rohingyas who have fled violent persecution in Myanmar that the U.S. in 2022 declared a genocide.

The United States provides military, humanitarian and other assistance to Lebanon.

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Marocco sent the email as he and billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency were launching a drive to shrink USAID and merge its remnants into the State Department.

They have fired hundreds of staff and contractors and terminated billions of dollars in services on which tens of millions of people around the world depend. Rubio on Monday said more than 80% of all USAID programs have been canceled.

ROHINGYA AID COVERED BY WAIVER

The drive began hours after Trump took office on January 20, with the Republican president ordering a 90-day freeze on all foreign assistance pending reviews of whether aid programs conformed with his America First foreign policy.

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Food aid for the Rohingya and Lebanon was shielded by a waiver from the freeze for emergency food aid issued by Rubio on February 24, the source said.

Four days later, Rubio granted a waiver for all life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance, supplies and reasonable administrative costs as necessary to deliver such aid.

The U.S. has been the largest provider of aid to the Rohingya refugees, contributing nearly $2.4 billion since 2017, according to a State Department website.

More than 1 million Rohingyas live in squalid camps in the Coxs Bazar district of Bangladesh, which borders Myanmar, and according to the U.N. refugee agency, 95% of Rohingya households depend on humanitarian assistance.

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Others have sought refuge in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Thailand and elsewhere.

The United Nations earlier this month warned it will have to cut monthly food rations to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 next month, unless it can raise more funds.

Visiting Cox's Bazar on Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the U.N. will do all it can to help prevent cuts to the refugees' rations.

Lebanon has been rocked by a series of crises, including an influx of refugees from Syria, political paralysis, a financial collapse, a blast that devastated Beirut's port and fighting that erupted in October 2023 between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement that uprooted tens of thousands.

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The U.S. long has viewed Lebanon's stability as critical to that of the region and sought to counter the influence that Iran has exerted there through Hezbollah, part of Tehran's Axis of Resistance against Israel.

To that end, successive Democratic and Republican presidents, including Trump in his first term, have approved since 2001 more than $5.5 billion in humanitarian, military and other aid for Lebanon, according to a USAID website.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
The United States plans to resume deliveries of high-precision GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) bombs to Ukraine, upgraded to counter Russian electronic warfare systems.

Source: Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the situation

Detail: Reuters sources report that GLSDB bombs could return to the battlefield in the coming days, as there are already stockpiles of them in Europe. The Ukrainian military last used them several months ago.

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The previous GLSDB bombs that Ukraine received were vulnerable to Russian electronic warfare systems, preventing them from effectively hitting targets. In response, 19 test launches of upgraded versions have been conducted in recent weeks to improve their resistance to jamming systems.

For reference: GLSDBs are high-precision guided munitions with a range of 100 miles (161km), combining a GBU-39 aerial bomb with an M26 rocket engine. They enable Ukraine to strike Russian logistics centres and ammunition depots beyond the line of contact.

These munitions were procured during the administration of former US President Joe Biden as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

Background:

Associated Press, citing a US official and a Ukrainian MP, stated that Ukraine had likely run out of all long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles.

The US official stated that the United States had provided Ukraine with fewer than 40 of these missiles in total and that Ukraine had run out of them by the end of January.

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By Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on Friday against officials from Thailand, a U.S. ally, for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where Washington says the members of the Muslim group will face persecution.

The U.S. is "committed to combating China's efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances," the State Department said in a statement.

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The move appeared intended to discourage Thailand and other countries from such deportations.

While the United States has imposed sanctions in the past on Thailand, including by suspending military aid after military coups, and has targeted Thai individuals and companies for violating sanctions on third countries, a leading Southeast Asia expert said he could not recall sanctions on Thai government officials, who were not named in Rubio's announcement.

Thailand's February deportation of the Uyghurs, held in detention for a decade, came despite warnings from United Nations human rights experts that they were at risk of torture, ill-treatment and "irreparable harm" if returned.

Reuters reported this month that Canada and the United States offered to resettle 48 ethnic Uyghurs, but Bangkok feared upsetting China.

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"I am immediately implementing this policy by taking steps to impose visa restrictions on current and former officials for the Government of Thailand responsible for, or complicit in, the forced return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand on February 27," Rubio said in his statement.

"In light of China's longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we call on governments around the world not to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China," Rubio said, adding that the restrictions could extend to family members of those sanctioned.

Thailand responded on Saturday that it had received reassurances from China "over the safety of the Uyghurs and will continue to follow up on the well-being of this group."

"Thailand has always upheld a long tradition of humanitarianism, particularly in providing assistance to displaced persons," the Thai foreign ministry said, adding that it values the "the long-standing and close treaty alliance with the United States."

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This week, the European Parliament also condemned Thailand over the deportations, calling on the EU to use free trade agreement negotiations as leverage to stop future such moves.

Murray Hiebert, an expert with the Southeast Asia program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he could not recall past U.S. sanctions against Thai government officials.

He said Thailand can be sensitive to criticism, but its reaction could be tempered by President Donald Trump's tariff threats against countries that have large trade surpluses with Washington.

"They might want to lay low," he said. "They already have a target on their back by having the 11th-largest trade surplus with the U.S... It's not clear Thailand is out of the woods yet when Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs in early April."

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Analysts say Washington has avoided taking tougher measures against Thailand in the past due to concerns that this might push its long-time ally closer to China.

The Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs advocacy group commended Rubio's move and the Trump administration in a statement, saying it "sends a strong message that those who enable the Chinese Communist Partys human rights abuses will face consequences for their crimes."

Rubio, who was a staunch advocate for Uyghurs as a U.S. senator, has reiterated that Beijing's treatment of the group had amounted to "genocide and crimes against humanity," a designation the U.S. first made in the waning hours of President Donald Trump's first term in 2021.

China denies allegations of abuse and forced labor toward Uyghurs, arguing it has established "vocational training centers" in recent years to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism.

(Reporting by Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom; Additional reporting by Chayut Setboonsaring in Bangkok; Editing by Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis and William Mallard)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes there are "reasons to be cautiously optimistic" regarding the negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Source: the Guardian, citing Rubio in a statement on 14 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rubio described the meeting between US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin in Moscow as very positive and productive.

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"Well examine the Russian position more closely and the president will then determine what the next steps are. Suffice it to say, I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic," he said.

Rubio noted that "we continue to recognise this is a difficult and complex situation" and stressed that "it will not be easy, it will not be simple, but we certainly feel like were at least some steps closer to ending this war and bringing peace".

"Obviously, we will see what Russia and others are willing to do. Its not just Russia, obviously, it has to be acceptable to Ukraine," he added.

He added that more information would be available when Witkoff returns, after which there would be an opportunity to meet and discuss the matter, with the final decision on the next steps resting with the president.

Background:

On 13 March, Witkoff visited Moscow. The Kremlin stated that "additional signals" had been transmitted to Trump through him.

On the same day, Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, neither rejecting it outright nor accepting it, but suggesting that Moscow might set its own conditions.

Trump said Putin had made a promising statement but insisted it was incomplete. He also said that if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, it would be "a very disappointing moment for the world".

On 14 March, Trump announced that Washington had had "very good and productive discussions" with Putin.

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After voters in Utah County approved a split of the states largest school district in November, the Utah County Commission released the first map of the new proposed district boundaries on Wednesday.

The Alpine School District and Utah County Commission initially planned on splitting the district into two parts, but after Election Day voters agreed that splitting the district was the way to go, the plan was later updated to divide the district three ways.

The plans were presented during a meeting on Wednesday, where the commission presented each of the three new areas and where their boundaries would be.

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Redistricting Committee Chairman Mac Sims presented the plans, which were created with the hope of keeping the city communities together in each district. He said the boundary choices were made based on population data from 2023.

Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner argued the amount of growth in the area in 2024 and available census data could lead to another redistricting problem years later. Sims and others present echoed her concern, saying its something to consider.

I think ironically having the timing being halfway through a census is difficult because we dont have the most accurate data, particularly in a county that is the fastest growing county in the state, she said.

Gardner said 43% of the states growth in 2024 was in Utah County alone, which was backed by data from the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

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That makes it difficult but at the same time were halfway to a census which means in four years were gonna redistrict this.

Ultimately, the commission applauded the committee and Sims efforts in creating the boundaries, saying he considered more than just the math of the population totals  he researched how he could keep students and families close to the communities they were already a part of.

The feedback from the stakeholders I think is invaluable to show, you know, where Lindon says, Were fine being over (a larger number of students)  we want to be together. Those are the type of things that the math brain wouldnt have done, so I think the balanced approach was really good, Gardner said.

The commission said the names of the new districts are just what theyre being referred to as of now, and are not finalized.

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The north district, referred to currently as the Central District includes:

Lehi

American Fork

Highland

Cedar Hills

Alpine

Draper

One of the challenges faced with creating the Central district was making sure the cities kept their communities together.

Obviously, Lehi is kind of the elephant in the room, theyve got the largest population, they have just over half the population in the district, Sims said during the meeting. As we looked at this, one of the challenges that we really had was, if youre familiar with the geographics (sic) of that area, Highland kind of sits in the middle of everybody.

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Sims added that Highland is very concerned with not being divided up.

So, one of the things that was really worked on, for the Central (district) particularly, is, how did we make it so that as many of the cities were as unified together in the seats they had as possible, Sims said. And so, we really worked hard to, specifically, to try to help Highland accomplish that.

Number three on the Central district map is Highland, which Sims said includes part of Lehi.

The proposed Lake Mountain District, also referred to as the West District, sits west of the Utah Lake and will include:

Eagle Mountain

Saratoga Springs

Cedar Fort

Fairfield

Some of the things to note about this is this particular area, Sims said in Wednesdays meeting . The west has basically three areas that have some potential growth coming and was identified in our discussions.

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Specifically, Sims said that areas one, five and six located on the map have the potential to grow.

The proposed Timpanogos District, or South District, will include:

Orem

Pleasant Grove

Lindon

Vineyard

Plans for Timpanogos District were created with similar goals in mind  keeping the community together  according to Sims.

Response

The city of Orem commented ahead of the meeting, saying it looked forward to hearing more financial details about the split, and encouraged its residents to get involved.

Our childrens education is one of the most important priorities for Orems elected officials. We are completely engaged in this reconfiguration study process and will work diligently with the other stakeholders to make sure Orems needs are well represented, a prepared statement from Orem officials said. We look forward to seeing more financial details as soon as possible so that we can properly evaluate all potential options. We encourage all Orem residents to get involved and make sure their voices are heard.

The commissioners said in Wednesdays meeting that a survey would soon be added to the countys website where the community can submit feedback on the proposed maps. The new district plans will then be voted on during the commissions public meeting on March 26.
At the age of 15, Lu Ann Cooper became the fourth wife of her 23-year-old cousin as part of the Kingston polygamous group in Utah.

Now, as the president of Hope After Polygamy, Cooper said a bill passed during the 2025 legislative session could have helped to prevent situations like hers and others mentioned in a recent lawsuit against the Kingston family and its associated Davis County Cooperative Society and Latter Day Church of Christ.

On Jan. 22, Kathrine Nichols, another former member of the Kingston Clan, or the Order, filed a lawsuit against the Latter Day Church of Christ; its leader, Paul Elden Kingston; and Nichols ex-husband, Daniel Charles Kingston, who is also her uncle and Paul Elden Kingstons son.

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The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges the sex trafficking of underage order members, rape and abuse. The legal filing claims that Nichols, who was 16 at the time of her marriage, was forced to choose between three of her uncles to marry  with Daniel Charles Kingston, age 19, being the youngest.

Nichols was married to Kingston in 2021, becoming his third wife, after multiple marriage ceremonies in multiple states, the lawsuit alleges. The couples marriage was annulled in 2023 by a Utah court.

The legal action taken by Nichols is one in a series of lawsuits against the Kingston family, including, most recently, allegations filed in 2022 by 10 former members of the Kingston group also alleging sexual abuse and exploitation.

It is a problem within polygamy in the state of Utah, Cooper said. I would hope that this bill would help situations that are in that lawsuit not happen in Utah or not happen at all.

What does Utahs SB76 do?

SB76, which is currently awaiting the governors signature, would prohibit a juvenile court from authorizing the marriage of a minor if there is an age difference between the parties of more than four years.

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Current law allows a 16- or 17-year-old to marry someone up to seven years older than them with the signed consent of the minors parent or guardian.

The bill, which passed both chambers unanimously, would also require a 72-hour waiting period before the juvenile court can issue the authorization to give the parties more time to reconsider, according to bill sponsor Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City.

I really wanted to do whatever I could to try to tighten up that space where kids could potentially be subject to predatory behavior, Plumb told the Deseret News on Thursday.

Senate Minority Assistant Whip Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, talks to members of the media during the first day of the 2025 legislative session in the Senate Minority Caucus room at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

While the bill does not specifically target polygamy, Plumb said that the isolation of polygamous religious communities can make coercive underage marriages more likely.

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The Legislature has addressed the problem of underage marriages multiple times in recent years.

In 2019, lawmakers backed a bill that originally would have eliminated child marriages entirely but was narrowed to only outlaw marriages of 15-year-olds and to require parental permission for those under 18.

Since the bill passed, the number of annual youth marriages in Utah has only increased, Plumb told committee members in January, going from 10 in 2019, to 34 in 2020, 30 in 2021, 42 in 2022, and 39 in 2023.

During hearings, a representative of the American Academy of Pediatrics said that youth marriage is sometimes used to cover up statutory rape or human trafficking.

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Rep. Grant Miller, D-Salt Lake City, who is an attorney, questioned the wisdom of letting minors enter into what will likely be one of the most serious contracts of their lives before they are 18 and framed youth marriages as a potential loophole to absolve someone of felonious sexual crime.

Plumb, as with her Democratic colleagues, said she would prefer to ban youth marriages completely. For now, Plumb said, her bill will provide guardrails for minors in harmful relationships or in religious communities where their freedom to choose is constrained.

How has marriage policy changed?

Former Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell lobbied on behalf of Plumbs bill after serving as the original sponsor of the 2019 law.

When we talk about human trafficking, you have to get serious and know that the greatest amount of human trafficking is right here in our state with people under the guise of religion marrying off 13- and 14-year-old girls, Howell told committee members.

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In a conversation with the Deseret News, Howell said there are likely thousands of families still practicing polygamy within the state. Cases of underage polygamous marriage continue to be frequent, frequent, frequent, he said.

The Legislature approved several other measures that could impact the practice of polygamy in Utah, according to Howell, including bills that would enhance penalties for human trafficking and clarify the process of reporting child labor.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice Presiednt JD Vance said on Thursday he would be shocked if President Donald Trump wanted nuclear weapons extending further east into Europe.

Vance was responding to a question about Poland's president calling on the U.S. to transfer nuclear weapons to its territory as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.

"I haven't talked to the President about that particular issue, but I would be shocked if he was supportive of nuclear weapons extending further east into Europe," he said during an interview on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle."

(Reporting by Jasper Ward)
(Bloomberg) -- Vice President JD Vance said he expected President Donald Trump to wrap up a deal for TikTok and keep the popular video-sharing app operating in the US ahead of a deadline next month.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I think satisfies our national security concerns, allows there to be a distinct American TikTok enterprise, Vance, who is helping run negotiations for the forced sale, told NBC News in an interview Friday.

Whether its through an extension, or whether its through actually just getting the deal in place satisfies the national security concerns, I think were going to be in a place where we can say TikTok is operational, and its also operational in a way thats protective of Americans data privacy and Americas national security, he added.

Vance did not provide any details on the participants in negotiations to purchase the app. Trump earlier this week said he is in talks with four different potential buyers for TikToks US business and that a deal could come soon. The president did not identify those contenders or say which was he was leaning in looking to close the deal.

The app, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., faces an April 5 deadline to strike a deal for its US operations or be banned from the country under a bipartisan law passed during the Biden administration. The US is by far its most important market  ByteDance operates a sister service, Douyin, at home in China  and TikTok US was estimated to be worth as much as $50 billion last year. Still, theres skepticism around whether ByteDance or Beijing would approve a sale of US operations.

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Trump once sought to ban TikTok himself, but has become a cheerleader for the popular video sharing app, which he credits with helping his 2024 presidential campaign bolster its outreach to younger voters. He has already extended the deadline for a sale once and indicated he is open to doing so again, but said he believes a deal is possible.

Vance suggested that some of the paperwork might push the process over the deadline, but he was hopeful the administration would not need to seek another extension.

I think that the outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done, he said.

Wed like to get it done without the extension, Vance added. The deal itself will be very clear, but actually creating those thousands and thousands of pages of legal documents, thats the one thing that I worry could slip.

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The public bidders to date include a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, another featuring tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley and YouTube star MrBeast, and a merger offer by San Francisco-based Perplexity AI.

Trump has also floated Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellisons name. TikTok has worked with Oracle on the hosting of its US users data. Officials have also evaluated a scenario where billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk acquires TikTok in the US. Musk, who already owns the X social-media network, has said he is not interested.

Trump has said he believes the US should be granted a 50% stake in the company as a condition.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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2025 Bloomberg L.P.
By Sabrina Valle

(Reuters) -Mallinckrodt and Endo, drugmakers which recently emerged from bankruptcy after a wave of U.S. opioid lawsuits, announced plans Thursday to join forces in a deal valued at $6.7 billion.

Mallinckrodt Chief Executive Siggi Olafsson said the companies' operations and products complement each other. With large manufacturing facilities in the U.S., he said the combined company could actually see some benefit from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported goods.

"We saw (tariffs), in a way, as an opportunity," Olafsson told Reuters, adding that the companies have a manufacturing base in the U.S. for many key products. "That helps us."

Endo shareholders will get $80 million in cash and own 49.9% of the combined company, while Mallinckrodt shareholders will own the rest for an enterprise value of $6.7 billion, the companies said on Thursday.

The merger transforms two companies, previously at risk of closure due to declining revenue and lawsuits on their highly addictive opioid drugs, into a U.S.-focused entity specializing in generic drugs, urology, and various autoimmune and rare diseases, set to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

TRUMP EFFECT

Deals between companies with strong U.S. bases have some protection from the whipsaw policy announcements coming out of Trump administration that have been roiling markets and disrupting M&A activity, four top healthcare bankers told Reuters this week.

Those announcements include Food and Drug Administration firings potentially slowing drug approvals as well as a promised crackdown on drug prices that could reduce revenue projections and company valuations, they say. The uncertainty is making CEOs more hesitant to pursue big deals, the bankers added.

Olafsson, the future CEO of the merged company, said that a robust U.S. manufacturing base will help the business to grow amid fierce competition from more than 200 generic drug makers. U.S. production also gives the combined company an advantage in an era in which disruptions like COVID-19 pandemic caused Asian product shortages.

"It's a very crowded market," he said, adding he considers many of the generic products sold in pharmacies already "extremely low cost."

The deal is expected close in the second half of 2025.

The merged company will primarily operate in the U.S., with support in Europe, India, Australia, and Japan, and around 5,700 employees.

OPIOIDS

Both the companies sell generic treatments including highly-regulated drugs such as opioids which once played a bigger role on their sales.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  In an announcement from the Federal Trade Commission this week, two tech support companies will pay $26 million to settle charges that they bilked money from consumers by duping them into buying computer repair services.

With the imposter scheme, kind of the new take on it that weve been noticing, theyre much more elaborate, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attorney Sammi Nachtigal said. Impersonating businesses and government officials, and its that combination that really puts people to make these decisions that they shouldnt otherwise make. They let their guard down because they actually think theyre talking to a legitimate business person.

Thats what apparently happened in this case. The FTC said Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited tricked consumers with phony threats, using fake Microsoft Windows pop-ups, stating that a victims computer system was infected with viruses. They then urged consumers to scan their devices to avoid more damage.

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The very same thing happened to a Columbus woman who called Better Call 4 back in 2022. She chose to remain anonymous but told us how it happened to her. She said a pop-up message just appeared on her computer.

You call the number, they said.. the gentleman said that he was from Microsoft, the woman said.

She told us that man told her that her personal information had been compromised and money would begin to disappear from her bank account; in order to put it back, she needed to buy gift cards.

She did and it cost her $8,500.

The woman never saw that money again, but according to the FTC, anyone affected by these companies will.

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On March 13 and 14, the FTC will send 736,375 payments to eligible consumers. If youre one of them, the agency will send you an email, then a payment, via PayPal.

This case is just part of many the FTC is working on to protect consumers from scams. In 2024 alone, the agency secured more than $337 million in refunds for victims of fraudulent businesses, which is why consumers are encouraged to report scams like this.

So, if were getting enough reports about this type of practice or this scam in particular, and were seeing that grow, were getting a lot of complaints about it, were going to look into it, Nachtigal said.

A reminder that the FTC will never require payment or personal account details to process refunds.

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If you receive a refund, the only action you need to take is to redeem that payment within 30 days.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Victoria Derbyshire could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu when the BBC unleashed sweeping cutbacks on Newsnight in late 2023. It came just three years after her own eponymous current affairs show was axed in a previous round of cuts.

I thought, OK, Ive been through this once. Im still alive. I want to protect my mental health, she says.

I understand why they did it, but I also felt Newsnight is such a big brand for the BBC and for audiences, with such a legacy, amazing stories broken and interviews done, that theres always a determination in me. Its like, OK, Im still going to be part of this, so I am going to work really hard to try and make this work.

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The cost-saving measures gutted Newsnight, paring back the nightly news show to 30 minutes. Derbyshire has since taken over as lead presenter, fronting the slimmed-down format since May.

Born and raised in Bury, Lancashire, 56-year-old Victoria Derbyshire has earned a reputation for impartiality

Yet far from fading into insignificance as many had feared, Newsnight has gained a new lease of life. Spurred on by a packed evening news agenda in the second age of Donald Trump, audience numbers are on the rise and the programme is tapping into a new generation of viewers on social media.

It is a glimmer of hope at the BBC, where morale is under siege from seemingly endless cost-cutting. Could Newsnight provide the blueprint for a BBC that must do more with less?

For staff at the corporation, recent years have felt like death by a thousand cuts. Few parts of the sprawling corporation have been left unscathed as Tim Davie, the director general, tries to eke out savings to plug a 500m financial black hole.

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Yet no cost-cutting measure has triggered a public outcry quite like Newsnight. In November 2023, the BBC announced its flagship investigative programme would be trimmed down by 10 minutes and relaunched as a platform for interviews and debates. More than half of the programmes jobs were axed in an effort to save 7.5m.

The move sparked a backlash from high-profile figures including Emily Maitlis and Mark Urban, two former presenters of the show. Once the bosses send out a signal they dont really *care* about a flagship investigative news programme  the guests and the audience start to wonder why they should, Maitlis wrote on Twitter.

Changes to Newsnight sparked a backlash from high-profile figures including Emily Maitlis, a former presenter - Jane Barlow/PA

Critics predicted that Newsnights watered-down format would spell the end of its investigative reporting, embodied by Jeremy Paxmans indefatigable interview style and, more recently, Maitliss explosive Prince Andrew exclusive.

In reality, the result has been quite different. Newsnights seven-day average audience has risen by almost a third since the new format was introduced, attracting around half a million viewers. That compares with fewer than 300,000 in 2020.

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This success can in part be pinned on the news agenda. A confluence of major world events including the re-election of Trump and the Ukraine war mean that Newsnight has had no shortage of significant stories to focus on each weekday evening. Trumps Oval Office bust-up with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, provided Newsnight with its biggest recent audience, with 1.1m people tuning in live and on iPlayer.

Like probably a lot of news programmes, weve absolutely benefitted from a UK election, the election of President Trump and his decisions on an almost daily basis  which are often made at 7, 8, 9, 10pm GMT  which means we are perfectly placed and flexible because were live for 30 minutes to bring that analysis to our viewers, says Derbyshire.

But other factors are at play, too. In the age of social media, headlines and opinions abound but the kind of thoughtful analysis provided by Newsnight is in short supply.

The BBCs own research found that Newsnights viewers valued analysis and high-profile interviews most highly. For Derbyshire, this is quite different from the opinion-led programming that can be found on channels such as GB News.

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The idea of sort of setting up those fake rows, I dont think its particularly valuable, she says.

It might be for some outlets, thats entirely up to them. But if the point of what we do is to bring  hopefully  intelligent analysis, to add value to the news of the day with a wide-ranging list of guests who know what theyre talking about, I think were doing that on an almost nightly basis.

Newsnights investigative reporting was embodied by Jeremy Paxmans indefatigable interview style - Jeff Overs/BBC/Getty Images

Scott Bryan, the TV critic and broadcaster, says: I think it makes perfect sense in that if youve watched the News at Ten and you already know what the headlines are because youve been reading about them all day, having people discussing it in a really pacey format is now the perfect round end to the day.

I think it really has in its own way become appointment-to-view, because it feels lively and it feels quite fresh in its current format.

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Sam McAlister, the former Newsnight producer who secured the Prince Andrew interview, says: I think many people, myself included, were concerned that the new format was basically a death knell for Newsnight and I could not be more thrilled to see it soaring and improving, reaching new audiences and continuing to thrive.

Credit to Derbyshire

Some of the credit should go to Derbyshire. Born and raised in Bury, Lancashire, the 56-year-old journalist is a recognisable and trusted figure. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Derbyshire appeared on an ITV series to raise awareness of cancer and money for charity. Her fame was further propelled by a stint on ITV reality show Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2020.

She has earned a reputation for impartiality  an important antidote for Newsnight after Maitlis was found to have broken editorial rules in a monologue about Dominic Cummings in 2020. Though robust, Derbyshire argues she is not trying to catch out her guests.

It doesnt matter who it is  I will do my prep, Ill do my research, read, Ill watch all the interviews theyve done, she says. I dont think I ask gotcha questions. I dont think the questions I ask are particularly difficult.

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Newsnight has also been commended for turning the spotlight back on the BBC, hosting an interview with Amanda Abbington about the Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal and an exclusive with ghostwriter Shannon Kyle on allegations of sexual harassment against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. This capacity for introspection is particularly important given the furore over the BBCs decision to shelve a Newsnight report into sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile in 2011.

Patrick Barwise, a media expert and co-author of The War Against the BBC, says: It does seem to me that Victoria Derbyshire does hold power to account without being seen as stupidly confrontational, and that is a difficult thing to get right.

Bryan adds: She really makes the most out of those 30 minutes and puts people on the spot in the best journalistic tradition.

The social media weapon

Newsnight has also begun to deploy a new weapon: TikTok. This has largely been driven by Derbyshire, who started using the Chinese social media app after realising it was where her two teenage sons were consuming all their news.

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They were coming into the kitchen saying, Oh, did you know that XYZ? And I was like, Where did you get that from? Because its not true, she says.

So then I started thinking, OK, I want to go on TikTok because theres obviously a demand. Theyre teenagers, they want to know whats happening in the world.

Victoria Derbyshires exchange with Jeremy Clarkson racked up 18m views across digital platforms - Aaron Chown/PA

The Newsnight presenter has almost half a million followers on TikTok and regularly pulls in millions of views with short clips outlining the main stories of the day or giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the studio. Since the start of the year, the programmes posts have racked up over 50m views on social media.

Newsnight has also repackaged some of its major interviews for YouTube in a further effort to reach younger viewers. Derbyshires spiky exchange with former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson at last years farmers protests racked up 18m views across digital platforms.

The critics

While the resurgence of Newsnight has attracted praise  Derbyshire says both Jonathan Dimbleby and Andrew Neil have got in touch to offer their compliments  not everyone is a fan. Writing in The Telegraph this week, Roger Mosey, the former head of BBC TV News, branded the new format cheaper and coarser.

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Critics argue that the BBC has not given Newsnight a facelift so much as performed reconstructive surgery on it.

Newsnight once prided itself on setting the news agenda and has picked up scores of gongs over the decades, most recently for the Prince Andrew interview, which spawned two rival dramatisations on Netflix and Amazon Prime. The idea that the programme could win such awards in its current format is, detractors say, for the birds.

Emily Maitliss interview with Prince Andrew spawned a dramatisation on Netflix starring Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell - Netflix

McAlister says: I do still think it would be extraordinarily hard to have the resources to try and pursue an interview like the Prince Andrew interview in the current climate.

There just doesnt seem to be the capacity to do so, so I ask myself the question: if I had been at Newsnight now could I have made that interview happen? And I just dont know the answer.

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The BBC argues that it will continue to produce investigative journalism across its schedule more widely, while Derbyshire insists she is still pursuing the big scoops.

Im really competitive. I want to break stories, she says. Obviously, were a way smaller team. It might take a little bit longer, we might collaborate with another part of BBC News, which is a good thing. So thats part of it, definitely, any journalist wants to do that.

Doing more with less

More broadly, though, Newsnights improbable comeback provides an important lesson for BBC bosses at a time of turmoil for the public service broadcaster.

Staff at the BBC are under attack from a deluge of cuts, most recently the axing of 130 jobs from the World Service. More cuts are expected as bosses scramble to find 700m of savings to offset rising costs and a sharp decline in the BBCs funding in real terms. Discussions with the Government about the licence fee model are now under way, casting further uncertainty on the broadcasters future.

Kirsty Wark stepped back last summer following three decades on Newsnight - Jeff Overs/BBC/PA

This means the BBC has been forced to do more with less  and Newsnight could provide the inspiration. Barwise says a lack of money is the Achilles heel of the BBC, adding that Davie should hold up Newsnight as an example of what can be done in straitened times.

[The BBC] should be doing across the board the sort of thing its done with Newsnight, which is with reduced resources to meet audience needs better without compromising quality, he says. Its a very simple thing to say, but actually doing it is of course going to be very challenging.

While Newsnights star is rising, bosses are not complacent. Executives have discussed producing specials that would push high-profile interviews into primetime slots. I dont regard us as a BBC Two late night news show, says Derbyshire. We live beyond that.

After the departure of Kirsty Wark, who stepped back last summer following three decades on Newsnight, programme bosses are now looking for a presenter to helm the show alongside Derbyshire. What kind of candidate is she hoping for?

Bright, intelligent, clever, but a lightness of touch, which I think is useful at that time of night when people have had a hard day, she says. A little bit of humour always goes down well.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Get ready for an unforgettable night celebrating the blood moon lunar eclipse with a great option to see it. WakeUp2Days Chris Latronic went live in Waikiki with preview.

How, where to see total lunar eclipse tonight on each Hawaii island

Celebrating St. Patricks Day at the Black Shamrock Tavern

He met up with Stargazers Of Hawaii owner, Nick Bradley to learn more about this rare celestial event & how you can see through 3 of his state-of-the-art telescopes for free.

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Tonights Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse is the first total lunar eclipse since 2022. At the Prince Waikikis Cosmics & Cocktails event, you can enjoy spectacular views of the eclipse while savoring signature cocktails on the Muliwai Deck, and vibe with DJ Compose.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Free parking after purchase of a drink.

March 13th  Sunset at 6:40 PM, followed by DJ Compose at 6:45 PM.

Lunar Eclipse Schedule:

 Partial Eclipse: 7:09 PM  8:26 PM

 Total Eclipse (moon is red): 8:26 PM  9:31 PM

 Partial Eclipse: 9:31 PM  10:47 PM

WHERE: Prince Waikiki Hinana Bar / Pool Deck, 100 Holomoana St, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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PRICE: Complementary and open to the public. Enjoy a 2.5-hour parking validation (self-parking) with any purchase from Hinana Bar or 100 Sails.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
When I was in my early 30s, my dad bought a ranch in Nevadas Big Smoky Valley, so named because a haze often sits above it. My cousins had grown up on a ranch there, where they had attended a K-12 high school with a graduating class that averaged about four students. I went on several 50-mile hikes as a Boy Scout in the Toiyabes, a majestic range that towers over the valley.

I had just moved back to the West after grad school in New York, and I persuaded my dad to let me accompany him and the other real cowboys on the fall cattle drive, where they pushed their herd from the meadows and streams of the Toiyabes down to the ranch for the winter. I was gobsmacked by the size of the ranch  three million acres (the legendary King Ranch in Texas is one third the size)  and wondered how my dad and his partners managed it all. He explained that they didnt own most of it. Only 14,000 acres were deeded; the rest belonged to the federal government.

Growing up in the West, I knew how most people felt about the feds owning public lands. If my dad had anything to say about the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service controlling most of this ranch, I figured it wouldnt be positive.

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I was wrong. The BLM and the Forest Service were good stewards of the land, he said. On top of that, the arrangement gave him and his partners access to far more land to graze their cattle than they would be able to afford otherwise, and it kept the land open to the public. What if one rancher bought it all and Boy Scouts couldnt hike the Toiyabes as I had, or ATV enthusiasts couldnt zoom around on the old mining trails?

My dad did have his complaints, however. Environmentalists didnt want cattle on the ranges at all, and as a result, agents at the BLM and the Forest Service told him they spent most of the agencies funding fighting off lawsuits that never went anywhere. Wouldnt it make more sense to use that money to do the job Congress had intended: to find a balance between preservation, recreation and business interests?

In the years since, Ive reported on these tensions from time to time. Ive talked to ranchers and farmers in Monticello and Blanding, near the Bears Ears National Monument, who oppose federal control of public lands. And Ive talked to conservationists and Native American leaders who say the idea of the state managing public lands is simply a path to privatization.

I was just a few years old during the original Sagebrush Rebellion. There werent any standoffs, or seizures of federal property; it played out in state legislatures and courtrooms, primarily in Nevada and Utah  a response to the federal governments tightening grip on public lands.

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Now, nearly 50 years later, that seed has taken root again. This month, in our annual State of the West issue, we explore what we at the magazine have dubbed Sagebrush Rebellion 2.0, an effort led by Utah to once again attempt to wrest control of public lands from the federal government. The motivations behind this new push echo the original rebellion  frustration with federal oversight, a belief that local control would mean better stewardship, and an insistence that Washington doesnt understand the realities of life in the West. But there is one crucial difference, according to an exclusive Deseret Magazine poll by HarrisX: Utahns, by and large, dont want these lands sold off or developed. They want them to remain public  open for recreation, for hunting, for the wide, unfenced freedom that defines this region. I found one of the findings of the poll particularly striking: Most people support state control of public lands  but not if it means privatization. That distinction is critical. It signals a shift in the way people see this debate, moving away from the old government vs. industry framework and toward something more nuanced.

The first Sagebrush Rebellion ultimately faded, but its ideas never really died. What happens in this new chapter will depend on how Utah navigates the complexities of control, conservation and commerce. It will also depend on how we, as residents of this vast and complicated place, define what it means to be stewards of the land we call home.

This story appears in the March 2025 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The future of Wedgewood Houston has started taking shape.

The Wedgewood Village will be a massive mixed-use development transforming a Nashville neighborhood. Developers held a meeting with residents to give more insight into the process.

The buildings are actually taking shape now; you can see the architecture and the thought thats gone into the architecture, resident and co-founder of WeHo Social, Earnest Morgan, said.

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NOVEMBER 2024: Wedgewood Village to include new music venue among retail, restaurants

The Wedgewood Houston Village has already started bringing new energy to the area, reflecting its motto: If youre independent, industrious or innovative, you are in good company.

[They are] really focused on: how do we make things affordable for the folks that live here in Wedgewood-Houston? Morgan explained. Something for workers  so if you work in an office in Wedgewood-Houston, making sure that you have a place to park, making sure youve got a place that you can maybe do some things while youre on your break.

A community meeting with the developers revealed even more details about the village  including new tenants and businesses  as the moldings of the buildings quickly rise up. The village will feature six different buildings, each bringing its own flair to the area.

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[They are] doing a really good job of just trying to recruit the right types of businesses here; its really services, so services that can support the people that live here, Morgan said.

As of publication, the names of the retailers and restaurants that will fill those spaces is still being announced.

At 440 Chestnut Street, youll find a 4,500-seat state-of-the-art music venue. Next door, a new building will feature 140,000 square feet of office space and 16,500 square feet of ground-floor restaurant and retail space above a structured parking lot.

Nearby 515 Houston Street will be home to a four-story mixed use building with Japanese and Italian restaurants. Additionally, 507 Houston Street will also have office spaces and retail shops.

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The four-story building at 448 Humphreys Street will feature ground-floor retail and restaurant space, while 445 Humphreys Street will have a residential building with 240 units. The residental building will also feature above street-level retail and dining spaces.

When we talk about economic impact, the music venue in particular will always have catering and will always have all the things that go along with all the things that you think of when someones having a convention or concert, Morgan said.

Former stadium scoreboard stands as Wedgewood-Houston landmark

SNAP, a Wedgewood Houston community group, told News 2:

AJC has worked closely with SNAP from the beginning of this project to help empower residents, enhance quality of life, and promote the integrity of the Wedgewood Houston community. We are excited to see Wedgewood Village progress and take shape in the neighborhood!  SNAP Board

A special feature to the village will be the Leon Loop, named in honor of the propertys former owners: Nashville-based rock band Kings of Leon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Beach NAACP released a statement after reports of alleged racial harassment occurring at Kellam High School.

Report: Kellam student received racist harassment from other students

In a letter sent out to the community on Thursday, a Kellam High School student allegedly received racist harassment from a group of other students at the school. The Virginia Beach NAACP stated they were deeply disturbed by the news.

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The Virginia Beach Branch of the NAACP President Dr. Eric Majette issued the following statement:

The rise in emboldened racist behavior in recent years is alarming and unacceptable. Racism should have no place in our schools, our communities, or anywhere in society. It is especially troubling that our youth must continue to endure the painful reality of discrimination. The Virginia Beach NAACP is committed to ensuring that all residents, especially African Americans, can live without fear or undue anxiety due to the color of their skin.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and look forward to the findings of the ongoing investigation by Virginia Beach Public Schools. We call upon school administrators, educators, and community leaders to take decisive action in addressing these incidents and fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, and accountability.

In the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Virginia Beach NAACP remains steadfast in our fight against injustice and racism, recognizing its continued threat to justice everywhere. We also echo the call for unity made by Malcolm X in January 1965, underscoring the painful reality that nearly six decades later, this struggle persists.

The Virginia Beach NAACP demands that Virginia Beach Public Schools uphold its commitment to equity and justice by implementing stronger measures to prevent and address racism in our educational institutions. We will not stand by while our children suffer the consequences of intolerance.

The involved students are being disciplined in accordance to the school divisions code of student conduct. The school district reiterated its zero tolerance policy for racial discrimination and harassment.

Macie Allen, Public Information Officer for the Commonwealths Attorneys Office in Virginia Beach released a statement regarding potential criminal charges following the incident at Kellam High School:

The situation that occurred at Kellam High School is reprehensible. We understand that people believe the actions of these students should be punished criminally. A thorough investigation was conducted by the Virginia Beach Police Department and reviewed by the Commonwealths Attorneys Office. The Office has determined that this behavior doesnt rise to the level of a crime under Virginia statutes. Its important to note that Virginias hate crime statute is not a punitive statute but rather provides the definition of hate crime that can then be used to escalate punishment under other criminal statutes. Macie Allen

Virginia representatives are also weighing in on the incident.

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This kind of racist behavior is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our public schools or anywhere in the Commonwealth, said Delegate Michael Feggans. The fear-inducing actions taken by the group of students against a vulnerable fellow classmate on school grounds were disgusting and reprehensible. I commend the Kellam High School teacher who intervened immediately to protect the student from further harm and appreciate the school administrations quick response to this incident. I have full confidence in Kellam High School Principal Dr. Ryan Schubart and Virginia Beach Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Robertson to ensure this situation is addressed properly and that our schools remain welcoming to all.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(Reuters) -Mallinckrodt and Endo are exploring a potential merger that could be valued at about $7 billion, person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

A deal could likely be announced as soon as Thursday, the person said. The two companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Both Mallinckrodt and Endo have in the recent years faced lawsuits for their alleged role in the U.S. opioid epidemic. While Mallinckrodt emerged from its second bankruptcy in November 2023, Endo returned last year.

The drugmakers are discussing the terms of a transaction that would give each of them roughly 50% ownership of the combined entity, Bloomberg News, which first reported the deal, said, adding the company is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Mallinckrodt, which makes branded and generic drugs, first filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to its high debt, litigation over its allegedly deceptive marketing of highly addictive generic opioids and disputes over its drug pricing.

As part of its second restructuring, the company was able to trim $1 billion from its previously agreed opioid settlement, that resolved about 3,000 lawsuits.

Endo used to manufacture and sell a long-acting opioid painkiller called Opana ER, which was withdrawn in 2017 after the U.S. FDA said its benefit did not outweigh public health risks associated with opioid abuse.

The drugmaker, which began its bankruptcy process in 2022, agreed to pay about $600 million in settlements to states and people afflicted by the opioid crisis and to stop promoting opioids to prescribers.

(Reporting by Anirban Sen in New York and Bhanvi Satija, Sneha S K in Bengaluru ; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said a federal judge sentenced a businessman from Virginia to 78 months in prison after he caused a $4.5 million loss to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and signifcant damage to his investors.

Federal prosecutors said Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, Va. owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller.

Rahim was accused of not paying taxes withheld from his employees paychecks to the IRS or not filing quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings from 2015 to 2021.

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United Airlines gate agent punched in face at Dulles International Airport; passenger arrested

Additionally, investigators said between October 2020 and October 2012 Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS tried to collect the unpaid taxes, he submitted a false statement that left out valuable assets he owned including:

A helicopter

A Bentley

A Lamborghini

Real estate in Great Falls

Roughlty two weeks after the IRS reid to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife.

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Prosecutros said he paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts including more than $889,000 that he put towards his mortgages and more than $669,000 that he used to buy or lease cars, including three Lamborghinis. Rahim also withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank.

Investigators said Rahim had not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 even though he earned more than $34 million in gross income.

In all the loss to the IRS was nearly $4.5 million.

ICE operation in Northern Virginia leads to arrests of more than 200 people in US illegally

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The DOJ said Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by copying Rahims supposed trading activities that he posted on the app Discord. The department said in a news release:

Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades.

Rahim offered a lifetime membership to which customers received access to Rahims private Discord channel, some of his products, and his in-office trading days.

Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming Well hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often. Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients funds in eight months.

The DOJ noted that Rahim used social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord to induce people to subscribe to his products. adding that he tried to entice customers by telling them he was extremely wealthy and traded millions of dollars, posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini.

Rat infestation at Cleveland Park apartment complex prompts safety concerns

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The department said Rahim posted false information online and on social meda stating that he beat the stock market every day, promising extreme profit margins. The DOJ said the reality was Rahim did not post his trades that lost money and that he had more than $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022. Rahim did not make millions in the market during that timeframe.

Prosecutors said as part of his fraud scheme, Rahim created at least 20 Discord user profiles, posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding his own posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

Besides serving his prison sentence, Rahim agreed to forfeit more than $1.3 million and has to pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

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When local companies in the Puget Sound region have cut jobs in the past, bitterness generally has been directed at the employer, not the employees.

One expert explained why thats not whats happening today when it comes to federal workers.

Kathleen Cook is a professor and practicum director in the Department of Psychology at Seattle University. In an interview Wednesday with The News Tribune, she said its not surprising the public response to federal layoffs is more reactionary than what youd see in private-sector firings.

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Normally, when theres a layoff, its a layoff driven by a business decision, and that business decision, the particular business, rarely has a particular value embedded in it, she said.

In this situation, they arent layoffs in the sense of the way weve always thought of them. Now all these things have been conflated with particular ideologies, particular values, particular statements of what and how the world should be.

On Wednesday, President Trump was asked in an Oval Office news conference if he felt responsible for so many federal workers losing their jobs.

Sure I do. I feel very badly ... but many of them dont work at all. Many of them never showed up to work, NBC News reported.

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Were keeping the best people, he added.

That sentiment has carried over to social media, with responses to news coverage of firings often split between anger over the cuts and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, and dismissiveness that the workers deserve any sympathy at all.

In the meantime, career federal employees are facing difficult choices about their futures, much like anyone facing a layoff, but with ongoing court battles to preserve their jobs and public polarization over their fate.

On Thursday, a federal judge in California ordered thousands of probationary workers reinstated at the Departments of Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy and Interior, calling the governments supportive declarations in the case a sham.

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The order noted that other reduction in force orders remained legal while extending a restraining order blocking Office of Personnel Management from further mass firings.

The Trump administration vowed Thursday to contest the order, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the order absurd and unconstitutional.

A separate ruling late Thursday by a Maryland U.S. district judge also temporarily restrained the government from any planned workforce reductions across 18 agencies, including the Department of Education.

Social media fanning flames

Cook said social media doesnt offer respite, as opposed to previous decades when government reductions likely would have occurred without much fanfare.

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I would say that social media certainly fans the flames, she said, with opposing sides amplifying what they think the cuts represent and elected officials adding to the fire.

No way are (federal workers) being treated as individuals in this situation, rather its their representation of the other, the out group, to their critics, she said.

Cook said ultimately its not about individual workers.

When you take time to tell the story of a fired individual, explain that the person across the street ... is the reason they got that check, or they were able to get a passport, or whatever it is, theyll be like, Oh, I dont mean them, Cook noted.

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She described negative feedback loops, such as what followed the killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson, as people losing sight of how much of their life is tethered to the society, the communal structure and common good that weve all agreed upon to make.

Its like a miasma of vitriol and blame that is looking for a place to land.

Uncertain futures and fighting stereotypes

On Thursday, fired workers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington state described their current situation.

The former workers were tied to various facets of monitoring fish populations and fisheries oversight in the region, each specialized in their own particular field.

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Rebecca Howard was a former research fish biologist at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. She said a career in marine science was something shed worked toward since childhood.

Howards work involved assessing Alaskas populations of shellfish and ground fish, and she said she considered it her dream job.

I have been working toward a career in marine science since I was a child, and the indiscriminate firing of federal employees not only affects my career, it also jeopardizes the work that NOAA Fisheries does at the Alaska Fishery Science Center, she said.

The news conference was part of Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murrays continuing series of virtual events featuring fired federal workers from Washington state telling their stories to news reporters.

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Mark Baltzell is a former fishery management specialist who worked with states and tribes on the management of fisheries for salmon and steelhead on the West Coast. He is based in the Olympia area.

Describing himself as a single dad supporting a teenage daughter and two dogs, Baltzell said he was given 68 minutes to pack my office and walk away.

I have a great support system and a group of friends and a lot of people in the salmon industry that are supportive, he said. I feel pretty supported, but I know a lot of my colleagues arent.

On Tuesday, a disabled veteran responded to a question during another Murray-organized news conference. The question sought reaction to people who have contended disabled veterans cant do the work or might not even show up to work.

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To hear all these remarks about their service, not being of quality ... is just disrespectful and really disheartening for us in the workforce looking at one another every day as we work hard, work extra long hours, work overtime on weekends, just to make sure that we are meeting our quotas, said Future Zhou, Army veteran and former inventory-management specialist with VA Puget Sound.

For somebody to go on the news and say that were incompetent or that were lazy is just completely false, Zhou added.

John Horn is a professor of practice in economics at Washington Universitys Olin Business School in St. Louis. Horn warned in an interview with PBS News published this week that negative framing of federal workers by public officials could affect their future employment.

The federal government, DOGE in particular, is framing this as, These are the worst workers, these are the unproductive workers. These are the people that dont provide any value to the government, he told PBS. He added, Theyre doing a job, and that job is something which isnt as immediately noticeable to us, but it matters.

Tough transition and ESD help

Workplace columnist, author and blogger Lynne Curry recently wrote that federal workers were facing unexpected hostility from the private sector.

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Curry wrote, While many fired federal workers expect empathy from their new colleagues, they may not find it. Federal employees kept their salaries, pensions, and health insurance during the pandemic, while private sector workers lost their jobs or had their salaries cut.

Curry noted that a shift from public to private sector work also could bring culture shock to longtime government workers used to process and documentation rather than profits and speed. Curry also noted they could face lengthy searches for their next job, competing with private sector workers over a limited number of openings for white-collar work.

Amid all the turbulence, some outside assistance is starting to kick in.

Washington state has approximately 76,000 federal employees, according to the latest Quarterly Census of Employment Wages data. The states Employment Security Department reported last week that an average of 25 claims per day had been filed with the state by former federal workers the last 21 days, including weekends.

ESD announced Thursday that it would co-host three webinars in March, April and May. The webinars aim to help federal workers who were laid off, facing a furlough or expecting a workforce reduction, according to the announcement, featuring information on available unemployment benefits and re-employment resources. (Links to register for the webinars can be found at ESDs website.)

ESD said the webinars are part of the states rapid response efforts for large layoffs, in a collaboration with state and local agencies.

The former NOAA employees were asked at Thursdays news conference whether theyd want to return to their jobs if offered. While expressing concerns over future firings, each indicated theyd like to return.

Prior to receiving my termination notice ... I was kind of just waiting for that email to come, and so being put back in that stressful situation is not something I would look forward to, said Howard.

But this is what I wanted to do with my career. And so I would take it back.
Vladimir Putin said Ukraine must surrender after President Donald Trump urged the Russian leader to spare the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, following ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Russia in Moscow.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Thursday's discussions with Russia "very good and productive" and said there is a "very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

He also claimed that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded.

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"AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION," he said.

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," he added.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Mar. 13, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump seemed to be referring to the sticking point in Russia's Kursk region, something Putin has discussed as an issue in the talks. He also appeared to echo remarks Putin made in response to the U.S.-Ukraine ceasefire proposal on Thursday that Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk -- a scenario Ukraine strongly denied.

Putin responded to Trump's remarks on Friday, saying the soldiers need to surrender to be spared.

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"[In] the event of a ceasefire and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and a worthy treatment in accordance with the norms of international law and the laws of the Russian Federation," he said.

MORE: Several Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight just 2 miles away from Kremlin, Russia says

Ukraine pushed back Friday against the claims that its troops are surrounded in the Kursk region, where Putin this week ordered forces to "destroy" all Ukrainian formations remaining in the contested border region.

"The reports about the supposed 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units in the Kursk region are false and are being fabricated by the Russians for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners," the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said in a statement on Friday.

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"The threat of encirclement of our units is absent," it added.

PHOTO: In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, March 14, 2025, Russian soldiers patrol an area in the Kursk region of Russia after it was taken over by Russian troops. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

The statement comes a day after Putin referred to an "encirclement" in the Kursk region while remarking on the U.S.-Ukraine ceasefire proposal.

"We are for it. But there is a nuance," Putin said of a 30-day ceasefire during a press briefing. "First, what are we going to do with the encirclement in the Kursk region?"

He said the situation in Kursk is "completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation," and that it would be "very good for the Ukrainian side to reach a truce for at least 30 days."

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered Friday that Putin is "lying" about the conflict and is blocking any diplomatic efforts to end the war.

"Putin is lying about the real situation on the battlefield, he is lying about the casualties, he is lying about the true state of his economy, which has been damaged by his foolish imperial ambitions, and he is doing everything possible to ensure that diplomacy fails," he said.

"Putin cannot exit this war because that would leave him with nothing," he continued. "That is why he is now doing everything he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions right from the start even before a ceasefire."

The claim that Ukrainian forces are surrounded was also shot down by defense analyst Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment who focuses on the Russian and Ukrainian militaries, who called it "simply untrue."

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MORE: Putin demands Kursk total victory ahead of Moscow talks with Trump envoy

George Barros, the Russian team lead for the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War, also reacted on X to Trump's remarks, saying, "Available evidence from the battlefield does not indicate any Russian encirclements of Ukrainian forces at scale, and certainly not by the thousands."

Ukrainian forces pushed into Kursk last August in a surprise offensive, seizing the town of Sudzha and surrounding villages. Kyiv's troops have repelled months of Russian counteroffensives, but recent weeks have seen their salient crumble and Russian forces retake significant ground.

During a visit to a command center in Kursk on Wednesday while clad in military fatigues, Putin said, "Your task is to completely destroy the enemy, which has entrenched itself in the Kursk region and is still conducting warfare here, and fully liberate the Kursk region's territory within the shortest possible time."

PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin Putin visits a command point for the Kursk group of troops involved in the counteroffensive in the Kursk region, Mar. 12, 2025. (Kremlin.Ru/AFP via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Russian troops raised their flags over central Sudzha in Kursk as Ukrainian forces hurriedly retreated toward the shared border.

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Russian advances to the border in the Kursk Oblast appeared to have slowed on Thursday compared to recent days, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War.

The general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said Friday that the situation "has not undergone significant changes over the past day," and that troops are "regrouping" and have withdrawn to "more advantageous defense lines."

"Our soldiers are repelling enemy offensive actions and delivering effective fire damage with all types of weapons," it said.

Russian officials have indicated they will not engage in peace negotiations while any of Kursk remains under Ukrainian control.

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Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine -- a step leaders in Kyiv and Washington, D.C., hope will facilitate a larger peace deal to end Russia's three-year-old invasion of its neighbor.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there is "reason to be cautiously optimistic" about a ceasefire and said Putin and Trump now need to talk. The timing of that conversation will be determined once Witkoff reports to Trump, he said.

Vladimir Putin says Ukraine must surrender after Donald Trump calls for soldiers to be spared originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
With over 60,000 Native voters in Wisconsin, and recent presidential elections being decided by far fewer votes, community leaders are raising awareness about the impact Indigenous people can have on the upcoming state Supreme Court justice election.

At a March 11 voter turnout event at the Forest County Potawatomi campus in Milwaukee, community leaders emphasized the election's significance, highlighting issues like voter suppression and Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline on tribal lands.

"These events are important so we can get the word out to the community, especially the Milwaukee Native community, which is the largest Native community in the state," said Anne Egan-Waukau, a Menominee member, and communications manager and organizer with Wisconsin Native Vote, which helped organize the event. "They do make a difference in getting more people out to vote."

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Organizers for Wisconsin Native Vote, which is part of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, report that the efforts have helped increase voter turnout in Native communities in the state. For example, voter turnout in the 2023 election on the Red Cliff Reservation increased by 130% compared to April, 2019, while turnout on the Menominee Reservation also rose by 75%.

A Vote for the 7th Generation hat is seen at a community luncheon featuring Allison Neswood, senior attorney for Native American Rights Fund, hosted by the Wisconsin Native Vote and the Indian Council of the Elderly on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at the Indian Council of the Elderly in Milwaukee, Wis.

Although Indian Country cases are often heard in federal court, state Supreme Court election is crucial for Indigenous peoples, said Allison Neswood, a Navajo member and senior attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, a non-partisan group that defends tribal rights.

Its really important to let these candidates know that Indian Country is paying attention to what theyre doing, Neswood said.

Here are a few reasons why Wisconsin state elections matter for Indigenous peoples.

Voter suppression is top of mind for Indigenous people

While many conservatives are pushing for people to have IDs with valid addresses to be eligible to vote, Neswood explained that many Natives who live on reservations dont have addresses.

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With most reservations located in remote, rural areas, many Indigenous people lack reliable internet access, complicating voter registration, Neswood said. Additionally, long travel distances to polling locations, coupled with transportation barriers and economic hardship, make it difficult for many on reservations to vote.

Local courts look at these voting regulations and whether they discriminate, Neswood said.

And while tribal ID is a valid form of identification for voting, some election judges have been known to question them at the polls.

Enbridges Line 5 oil pipeline remains a controversial issue

Neswood said the state Supreme Court will likely play a major role in the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's fight against Enbridges Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin.

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The pipeline currently passes through the Bands reservation. The Band has since sued to have it removed. In June 2023, a federal judge ruled the company was trespassing, as the easement expired over a decade ago. As per court order, the pipeline must be removed or rerouted by June 2026.

Enbridge has proposed rerouting the Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Bands land. But the proposed reroute would still be near the reservation, and the Band fears that an oil spill would affect the waters and land the Band depends on.

Allison Neswood, senior attorney for Native American Rights Fund, speaks about the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline at a community luncheon hosted by the Wisconsin Native Vote and the Indian Council of the Elderly on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at the Indian Council of the Elderly in Milwaukee, Wis.

Neswood explained that state judges could be involved in the permitting process of the pipeline.

Its really important for judges to understand this is about the future of the Bands people and continued existence, Neswood said.

State judges may play a key role in continue to uphold Indian Child Welfare Act

Neswood noted that state judges may play a role in ensuring adopted Indigenous children are placed in Indigenous homes, as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act.

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Passed in 1978, the act was created in response to the disproportionately high number of Indigenous children being removed from their homes and placed with non-Indigenous families, based on the belief that they would be better off. However, this practice led to thousands of children losing connection with their culture and heritage.

A recent challenge to the act argued that it discriminated based on race, but tribal lawyers successfully defended it, emphasizing that the act is grounded in tribal sovereignty, not race.

I believe the special interest groups behind the challenge will regroup, especially in state courts, Neswood said.

Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox

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Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why Wisconsin state Supreme Court race matters for Native voters
A Waitrose wine expert has claimed his right to free speech has been infringed after he was suspended for supporting Reform on social media and sharing a Matt cartoon from The Telegraph.

Ben Woods, from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, said he is facing disciplinary proceedings over around 30 posts on the social media site.

He said these included a repost of a Matt cartoon, and another post where he asked If a referendum was held tomorrow, would you vote to close the borders?

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Mr Woods claimed he is being subjected to an internal investigation and disciplinary process and has been sold out by the grocer. Writing on X, he added: My employer Waitrose are treating me unfairly because I support Donald Trump and Reform.

He claimed that Waitrose had searched his posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, for any they feel are suspicious, which in reality means anything that doesnt [fit] the woke orthodoxy.

I don't normally talk about private matters but I need too today, I have been suspended by my employer and they are trying to silence me because of my beliefs.



I stand with freedom of speech for everyone!https://t.co/XSiDYjwZw4  Benonwine (@benonwine) March 13, 2025

The worker, who is employed on the Henley stores wine counter and describes himself online as anti left and anti woke, said in a blog post: I believe to try to appease the left wing mob, Waitrose have investigated my X timeline in order to find any they feel are suspicious...

They have even accused me of having the smell of alcohol on my breath, without thinking that I work on the wine tasting counter. They say they never knowingly undersell, but I believe they have sold me out.

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Waitrose want to discipline me for around 30 tweets, which I believe are simply an expression of my conservative, patriotic values. For example, one of my tweets is a Telegraph cartoon, in which a teacher at parents evening says that your son is falling behind in Sex Education. He could only name 47 of the 100 different genders.

Mr Woods made the claims on a fundraising page, where he is seeking thousands of pounds for legal fees. He said the supermarket took action after one of his posts  where he suggested that the King should dissolve Parliament and order a new general election  was promoted by Elon Musk.

His other posts include a message of support for the far-Right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed in October after admitting to 10 breaches of a High Court injunction that barred him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.

Mr Woods did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

If a referendum was held tomorrow, would you vote to close the borders?



YES OR NO? pic.twitter.com/0YJmaB5uYR  Benonwine (@benonwine) December 3, 2024

The Free Speech Union claimed there was a wider crackdown by employers on staff expressing opinions. It said: The Free Speech Union has been supporting Ben to date throughout this process. He is one of 260 ordinary people were assisting right now who are being punished for their opinions.

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Weve seen a spate of supermarket workers being investigated and penalised for their entirely lawful beliefs in the last few months alone. Supermarkets have no business snooping on the lawful political views of their employees.

Waitrose declined to comment on the specifics of the case.

A spokesman said: We would never discuss individuals so Im afraid no further comments will be made.

The supermarket is understood to have detailed people policies which are in place to safeguard the welfare of all its workers. In the UK, employment laws protect workers from being unfairly dismissed for expressing political opinion.

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John Lewis, the owner of Waitrose, laid out its social media policy in previous tribunal documents. It said any worker who identifies themselves as one of its employees must not post anything which can be considered bullying, harassing, or discriminatory towards any individual or group of individuals.

It is not the first time that the partnership has been struck by controversy over its political positions. Last year, it faced a backlash for publishing a staff magazine which advises parents on how to find breast binders for trans children.

The controversy is the latest in a series of cases where individuals have claimed they are facing action in their workplace for expressing views.

Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed that a housing officer was sacked for being a Reform UK candidate and reposting a Matt cartoon from The Telegraph.

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According to legal filings, bosses cited the links to Reform and the reposting of a Telegraph cartoon as grounds for his unsuitability for the 37,000 a year job.

In the case, which remains ongoing, Hightown Housing Association denied that Mr Poursaeedi was sacked for his political views but has admitted his position with Reform was not compatible with a customer-facing role.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Oklahoma social studies academic standards, already a subject of much controversy during their development, now are in the spotlight again, for an item apparently slipped in by Republican state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters just before they were approved by the state Board of Education.

The key question is what, if anything, will the Republican-dominated Legislature do about it?

The new version of one section of the standards says high school students should Identify discrepancies in 2020 elections results by looking at graphs and other information, including the sudden halting of ballot-counting in select cities in key battleground states, the security risks of mail-in balloting, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters, and the unprecedented contradiction of bellwether county trends.

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President Donald Trump falsely claimed former President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election and has continued to make those assertions, although no court has agreed with him. No mention of any election dispute, which was first reported by online news site NonDoc, appeared in the draft version of the updated Oklahoma social studies standards, released Dec. 19.

The proposed standards were already controversial because of the dozens of mentions of the Bible and Christianity within them, as well as the membership of the executive review committee that oversaw the process. That committee included the co-founder of the conservative nonprofit PragerU, a representative from the conservative American Enterprise Institute and the president of another conservative group, the Heritage Foundation, along with multiple other conservative voices. Only three of the people on the executive committee have ever lived in Oklahoma.

The overhaul of the standards came despite a 2021 report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative nonprofit education think tank, that placed Oklahoma tied for seventh nationally in a rating of state standards for civics and U.S. history. Those standards are currently used by Oklahoma schools.

The draft version of the new standards was updated after a public-comment period, but the updated version did not appear to have been posted publicly before Februarys state Board of Education meeting, when they were on the agenda to be considered.

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When the updated standards were presented during that meeting, no mention was made of the multiple references to the Bible and Christianity included in the standards, or of any reference to Trump or the 2020 election.

Gov. Kevin Stitt had appointed three new board members in mid-February  after the release of the draft standards  and their first meeting was Feb. 27. In that meeting, Walters pushed hard for immediate approval of the updated standards, but new board member Ryan Deatherage said he hadnt had time to read them and asked for a delay  a few days, a few weeks or even a month  to familiarize himself with what he was being asked to approve. Walters didnt budge.

"We've been working on these for over a year. They've been available to the public for months," Walters said at the time. "The Legislature will start a review process. We are getting close to a deadline that if we delay very long, we could be hindering that."

Walters insisted that the legislative deadline meant the board had to approve the standards in February, and the general counsel for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Michael Beason, backed him up. However, state statutes say that the standards must be submitted to legislative leaders prior to the last 30 days of the legislative session. For practical purposes, that means the end of April or the beginning of May, since the Legislature can meet until the end of May.

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Deatherage told The Oklahoman, I was disappointed that we were misled.  Im just going to say that I was disappointed the way that was handled.

Deatherage said he would be speaking with members of both the House and Senate education committees about what happened.

The vote Walters wanted, he got, and the standards passed 5-1  with Deatherage voting no  and moved on to the Legislature. They go first to the speaker of the House, Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and the Senate president pro tempore, Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle.

The Oklahoman asked Walters' office when the election dispute language was added and why updated standards didn't appear to be publicly available before February's board meeting. The Oklahoman also asked why Walters was so adamant about a vote on the standards being held in February, given the apparent April deadline.Walters' spokesperson, Grace Kim, did not answer the questions, but instead sent the following statement from Walters:

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The left has hijacked our education system. We have teachers outright teaching our kids to hate our country and our leaders. Not in Oklahoma. In teaching our standards, we believe in giving the next generation the ability to think for themselves rather than accepting radical positions on the election outcome as it is reported by the media.

Legislature has multiple options on how to handle proposed standards

State law says that, By adoption of a joint resolution, the Legislature shall approve the standards, disapprove the standards in whole or in part, amend the standards in whole or in part or disapprove the standards in whole or in part with instructions to the State Board of Education.

If the joint resolution is vetoed by the governor and the veto hasnt been overridden, the standards are deemed to be approved. The same would apply if the Legislature fails to adopt a joint resolution within 30 legislative days following the submission of the standards.

Asked about the standards Thursday, Hilbert said, Before I would commit one way or another on the standards, I would want to read them first. He didnt offer an opinion on the new wording of the standards.

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Paxton, similarly, was cautious in his comments. He did say he would include the entire Senate in the conversation.

All of us, Paxton said. The caucuses will get together, along with the minority party. We all participate in this. If we decide to put it on the floor for a vote to approve or disapprove, it would take 25 members of the Senate in order to disapprove that, so we would have to include everybody in that discussion.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said they were concerned by the insertion of the 2020 election language into the social studies standards.

I do not believe that there were discrepancies (in the election), Munson said. Its clearly an angle that the state superintendent is more on the right of the Republican party. Its misinformation that they continue to spread about the 2020 election. Its appalling that they keep talking about this when theres proof and facts over and over again that there were no discrepancies. Joe Biden was the president of the United States.

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In terms of the rules being in our hands, we will have to apply pressure to House leadership  to hear those rules.

Contributing: Staff writers Scott Carter and Jordan Gerard

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during the State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Jan., 28, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters slips stolen 2020 presidential election claims into OK social studies standards
He pardoned them all. Photo by Alex Kent/States Newsroom.

Minnesota Senate Republicans have a chance to stand up for the rule of law and defend the honorable work of U.S. Capitol police officers by supporting a resolution condemning the Trump pardon of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

Based on the behavior of GOP members of the Senate judiciary committee, I wouldnt get your hopes up for the full Senate vote on Senate Resolution 15.

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Sen. Torrey Westrom, R-Alexandria, voted against it, which was admirable in its honesty, even if his rationale was a classic of the false equivalency genre, citing Joe Bidens pardons. Sen. Warren Limmer passed on voting, as did Sen. Bruce Anderson, while Sens. John Howe and Michael Kreun were absent.

More than 140 police officers were injured on Jan. 6. Judiciary committee members saw some of those injuries in a video that Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, showed at the hearing. Four officers would later take their own lives; officer Brian Sicknick, who was attacked by the mob, died of natural causes, but the medical examiner said that all that transpired played a role in his condition.

Limmer, a Maple Grove Republican who has chaired the committee and had a career as a correctional officer before politics, is close to the police lobby. Here he is posting to Facebook after meeting with the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association: They need help with recruitment and retention, and that the rule of law will be applied by prosecutors and judges. These men and women do amazing work to keep us safe and they deserve our support!

Not when it comes to the travesty of Jan. 6 and Trumps pardons, however.

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Heres what Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara wrote in the Star Tribune: The violence carried out against police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the U.S. Capitol  an attack fueled by anger, hatred and conspiracy theories  has left scars not only on those who were present, but on the entire law enforcement community.

During the Wednesday hearing, Limmer gave a tour de force of evasions and excuses for why he would take the cowardly route and pass on voting.

The pardon happened a couple of months ago.

Old news!

I havent gotten a single call from anyone in my district regarding the pardon.

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No one cares!

With all the other issues, I find this to be somewhat of a distraction.

Lets talk about something else!

I find the governors comments [about our country being stolen by Nazis and fascists] to be as insulting as the hurtful scenes I see on the film.

!?!?!

Speaking of fascists, I can understand why Limmer wouldnt want to talk about the pardon of Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys. He had been convicted of seditious conspiracy and was serving a 22-year sentence.

Heres what Tarrio told Alex Jones upon his release: The people who did this, they need to feel the heat, they need to be put behind bars, and they need to be prosecuted, Tarrio said. Success is going to be retribution, he added. We gotta do everything in our power to make sure that the next four years sets us up for the next 100 years.

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That sounds ominous.

As CNN reported, other pardon recipients included Devlyn Thompson, who hit a police officer with a metal baton, and Robert Palmer, a Florida man who attacked police with a fire extinguisher, a wooden plank and a pole.

Before he took office, Vice President JD Vance said obviously anyone who committed violence on Jan. 6 shouldnt be pardoned.

Nevermind!

Among the more distressing consequences of the 2024 election  among many  is the attempted erasure of history. Trump will likely never face any consequences for his crimes or trial for his many other alleged crimes.

The pardons are another attempt to obliterate the events of Jan. 6, when a mob tried to overturn a free and fair election and depose the republic.

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Erasing the past would exploit Americas greatest civic sin, which is amnesia, although ignorance is the less charitable word for it.

People dont even remember the outrages of the first Trump administration, let alone, say, Iraq or Vietnam.

Is Latz scoring political points here? Of course, and so what? He should be applauded for forcing the Minnesota Senate on the record and using his position to remind Minnesotans about the outrageous pardons.

As for Limmer, the Trump era has taught us repeatedly that honor and dignity  to paraphrase the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  can never be taken from us, senator, only freely surrendered.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
This is your reminder that St. Patricks Day is Monday, March 17, meaning its time to finalize those pub crawl plans or make those treats for your kids classroom party.

About 61% of American consumers are planning to celebrate the holiday. If you want to join in the fun of partaking in some St. Pattys Day-themed treats without spending a lot of green, you dont need to look to the end of the rainbow for a good deal.

Heres a roundup of some of the promotions U.S. restaurants and fast food locations are offering in honor of the holiday.

Panera Breads serving up a Pot of Gold

No rainbow? No problem. Panera will have a Pot of Gold right on its menu, which features a green version of its famous sourdough bread bowl filled with its signature mac and cheese. The restaurant said the first-of-its-kind dish will only be available in limited quantities on March 16 and March 17 in the greater St. Louis, Boston, New York City and Chicago markets.

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Panera fans who arent lucky enough to find a Pot of Gold at their location can enter for a chance to win free Panera mac and cheese for a year. Participants can text the word LUCKY to 31261 between March 16 and March 21 to enter for a chance to win. MyPanera members nationwide can receive $2 off any size mac and cheese on March 16 and 17.

Wear green for a free Krispy Kreme

Customers who wear green to Krispy Kreme locations, either in-store or in the drive-through, can get one free O'riginal Glazed Doughnut from March 15 through March 17. The O'riginal Glazed Doughnut is the chains famous Original Glazed Doughnut but dyed green.

Additionally, customers can enjoy a limited-edition St. Pattys doughnut collection featuring four festive flavors: Pot of Gold, Over the Rainbow, St. Pattys Swirl and Choco-Shenanigans.

A little Taste o Luck is all you need!  Our St. Patricks Day doughnuts are heregolden, sweet, and ready to bring you all the lucky vibes.



 Pot of Gold

 Over the Rainbow

 Choco- Shenanigans

 St. Patty's Swirl #Stpattys #StPatricks pic.twitter.com/fdl5kQAtwq  Krispy Kreme (@krispykreme) March 10, 2025

Free onion rings at Burger King

Royal Perks members can get free onion rings, any size, with at least a $1 purchase only on March 17. In addition, the fast food chains combos promotion lets customers have it their way and offers free fries upgrades to Chicken Fries, Mozzarella Fries or Churro Fries through April 11.

Whats St. Pattys without corned beef? Arbys has the meats.

Customers can get a free corned beef reuben sandwich with a minimum $15 purchase. Make note that the deal is only through Sunday, March 16.

Caniacs can enjoy a free drink at Raising Canes

Caniac Club members can get a free Leprechaun Lemonade on March 17 at participating locations.

Jack in the Box celebrates with a trio of festive drinks

The chain posted on social media that customers can get a free Lucky Mint Trio drink with a $5 minimum order on the app during Saint Patricks Day weekend. Flavors include the Oreo mint shake, mint twisted soda or the Oreo mint mocha sweet cream iced coffee.

A fan favorite is back at DQ. Yas, Queen!

For the first time in five years, Dairy Queens mint Oreo Blizzard has emerged from the depths of the freezer and is back on the menu for a limited time for St. Pattys Day.

Charity donation made with the purchase of a McDonalds Shamrock Shake

Last but not least, the OG of Saint Patricks Day-themed fast food. The iconic mint green Shamrock Shake is back for a limited time. Its made of vanilla soft-serve ice cream blended with the McDonalds minty Shamrock Shake syrup, topped with light whipped cream. For every Shamrock Shake purchase, 25 cents will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities through March 23.
By Aleksandar Vasovic

BELGRADE (Reuters) -Thousands of protesters, mainly students, descended on Serbia's capital on Friday ahead of a planned weekend of massive anti-government rallies, many travelling hundreds of miles on foot or by bike.

President Aleksandar Vucic said he had asked police to show restraint, but to detain troublemakers. "The state ... will do everything to secure peace. Those who endanger peace will be arrested," he told a news conference.

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Thousands of people cheered and waved Serbian flags as student columns started entering Belgrade city centre. Hundreds of bikers, parked near the parliament building, revved their engines in support. Cars honked as they drove by.

Supporters, including students from Belgrade, laid out a red carpet for the arriving protesters along the main Terazije boulevard.

"Belgraders, liberators have arrived," said Angelina, 19, a student from the northern city of Zrenjanin.

The rallies are expected to be the biggest in decades. Near daily student protests began in December following the deaths of 15 people when a roof at a railway station collapsed on November 1 in the northern city of Novi Sad, a disaster opponents blame on corruption under Vucic.

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Authorities expect anywhere between 60,000 and 80,000 protesters to arrive to the capital, Vucic said. Organisers say they expect many more.

Students, teachers, farmers, and workers have joined the demonstrations in a major challenge to Vucic, a populist, in power for 12 years as prime minister or president.

Throngs of Vucic loyalists have arrived in Belgrade this week to camp near his office in the centre of the city. They brought tractors overnight to surround their camp.

Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said police would intervene in case of violence.

Last December, students issued a set of demands that included the release of documents related to the railway station disaster and accountability for those responsible.

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Prosecutors have charged 13 people over the disaster, and the government has announced an anti-corruption campaign. Vucevic and two ministers have also resigned.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Peter Graff and Andrew Heavens)
By Nazrin Abdul



Baku, Azerbaijan, has firmly established itself as a key global platform for discussing crucial geopolitical, economic, and environmental issues. This reflects the growing trust and confidence that international states place in Azerbaijan's role in shaping world events. The country's strategic position and its ability to host significant global events further underscore its increasing importance in global affairs.

In November 2023, Baku successfully hosted the UN Climate Change Conference, establishing itself as a mediator for global environmental policy decisions that will impact humanity's future. Now, in March 2025, Azerbaijan once again takes center stage with the 12th edition of the Global Baku Forum, a high-level event that gathers leaders and experts from around the world to exchange ideas on pressing global challenges. The theme of this years forum, Rethinking the World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities, reflects the need for fresh perspectives in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Global Baku Forum: A vital platform for dialogue

The Global Baku Forum has become an annual occasion for critical discussions on the worlds most urgent issues. The forums significance lies not only in its rich discussions but also in the diversity of participants it attracts. With more than 300 prominent leaders from over 60 countries, including former presidents, prime ministers, heads of international agencies, and former ministers, the event offers a unique platform for dialogue across generations of political leadership.

This year, the forum will address an array of global challenges, including shifts in the global geopolitical order, multilateralism, the ongoing global health crisis, and regional stability. Discussions will also touch upon global initiatives such as COP29 and how countries can jointly work towards sustainable development and recovery. The gathering of such a wide array of experts and decision-makers in Baku demonstrates Azerbaijans growing role as a bridge between East and West, North and South, and its ability to foster dialogue on vital global issues.

Azerbaijans role in global leadership

Azerbaijan's growing influence on the world stage was emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev in his opening remarks at the forum. The President highlighted Azerbaijans leadership role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), underscoring the countrys commitment to neutrality, peace, and multilateral cooperation. Under Azerbaijans chairmanship of the NAM, the country played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing humanitarian assistance to more than 80 countries. This reflects Azerbaijans broader foreign policy strategy of maintaining active, positive relationships with both the Global South and the Global North.

The NAMs founding principles, which advocate for non-alignment during global geopolitical conflicts, align closely with Azerbaijans approach to global issues. Azerbaijans ability to mediate and provide assistance during the pandemic exemplifies the countrys dedication to peace, stability, and development, particularly in times of crisis. In extending its chairmanship of the NAM until 2023, Azerbaijan reinforced its commitment to these principles, leveraging its position to promote dialogue and cooperation among nations.

Energy leadership: A cornerstone of Azerbaijans influence

Azerbaijans role as an energy supplier has also been a critical aspect of its international stature. President Aliyev spoke at length about the country's responsible management of its energy resources, notably in relation to Azerbaijans role in the global energy market. The country has emerged as a reliable energy supplier, exporting natural gas to 12 European countries through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a key component of the Southern Gas Corridor. The Presidents remarks at the forum on Azerbaijans energy exports, including future plans to expand gas supplies, highlight the countrys central role in European energy security.

The successful hosting of COP29 in Baku further cemented Azerbaijan's reputation as a responsible energy producer committed to sustainable energy solutions. Despite some Western media criticism surrounding the event, President Aliyev emphasized that the decision to hold COP29 in Baku was a testament to the countrys significant contributions to global energy policy and environmental sustainability. This reinforces Azerbaijans growing role not only as an energy supplier but also as a responsible actor in global environmental governance.

Azerbaijans diplomatic outreach: Strengthening regional ties

Beyond energy, Azerbaijan has also fostered strong diplomatic relations with countries participating in the forum. President Aliyev underscored the longstanding economic and infrastructural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Albania, as well as broader efforts to strengthen ties with other regional and global players. Albanian President Bayram Begaj echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the fields of economy and infrastructure for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In a similar vein, the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, praised the Global Baku Forum for becoming a vital platform for sharing ideas and addressing regional and international issues. The Forums importance is especially pronounced in 2025, a year that many view as a pivotal moment of transition for the world. Siljanovska-Davkova noted that multilateralism is increasingly giving way to polarization, underscoring the urgent need for platforms like the Global Baku Forum to facilitate dialogue and collaboration on overcoming global challenges.

Looking ahead: A hub for multilateral cooperation

The 12th Global Baku Forum is a testament to Azerbaijans growing influence in shaping the global discourse. As the world grapples with numerous geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges, the forum provides a vital space for leaders and experts to reflect on the evolving global order and explore opportunities for cooperation.

Azerbaijans role as a facilitator of dialogue and multilateral cooperation is becoming ever more prominent. As the country continues to lead discussions on global challengesfrom energy security and climate change to regional stabilityit is clear that Azerbaijan is not only a key player in its region but also an influential actor on the world stage. The Global Baku Forum serves as a crucial reminder that, despite the polarization seen in other areas of global politics, there remains an urgent need for dialogue and collective action to tackle the worlds most pressing issues.
By Elisa Martinuzzi and Tatiana Bautzer

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup plans to dramatically reduce its reliance on information technology contractors and hire thousands of employees for IT as the lender grapples with regulatory punishments over data governance and deficient controls.

Citigroup's head of technology Tim Ryan told staff in recent weeks that the bank aims to cut back external contractors to 20% of those working in IT from the current 50%, according to an internal presentation to employees seen by Reuters. The briefing did not give a precise time horizon for the changes.

As part of the overhaul, Citi will replenish the ranks by hiring more staff, and aims to have 50,000 employees in technology, up from 48,000 in 2024, the presentation showed.

"Citi is growing our internal technology capabilities to support our strategy to improve safety and soundness, enable revenue growth and drive efficiencies," Citi said in a statement to Reuters.

The latest details of the IT revamp, reported here for the first time, show how Citi is attempting to meet regulatory demands that the bank improve risk management and data governance.

Ryan joined Citi from PwC in June last year, just weeks before the bank was fined $136 million by regulators for making insufficient progress on longstanding data management problems.

Finance chief Mark Mason in January said Citi is investing more to address its data issues. The lender cut its closely-watched profitability target for 2026 as it tackles rising regulatory expenses.

In one example of its IT challenges, the lender referenced a $22.9 million "recent fraud event" related to the work of external contractors, the presentation showed.

The $22.9 million also included legitimate work, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who declined to specify the amount. The person asked for anonymity to discuss the issue publicly.

While small for a bank that earned $12.7 billion in 2024, the fraud is another indication of the scale of Citi's hurdles as it aims to reduce its reliance on external workers.

"In the rare instances that we detect any fraudulent activity, whether internally or by a vendor, we take immediate action to hold those responsible accountable for their actions," Citi said.

Citi had warned some employees in September about fraud and unethical behavior and said it was considering tighter scrutiny of contractors.

The lender could cut the current number of external suppliers to 50 from 144, the briefing shows, and the bank over time plans to increase the percentage of workers in higher cost locations. Places it considers high cost include New Jersey, New York and Irving, U.S., while it identifies as low-cost locations such as Chennai, India, Belfast, UK, and Warsaw, Poland.
Warren police released Thursday portions of a 911 call and some body-worn camera video from a fatal officer-involved shooting earlier in the week, indicating officers were warned the man would use a knife that he had on them, that they repeatedly yelled for him to get on the ground and he said to "shoot me."

The police commissioner, who has been on the job a few months, said the incident shows the crossroads of mental health and domestic violence, two issues that communities and police departments across the country are struggling to deal with.

"This incident was tragic on so many levels," Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said during a news conference at police headquarters, adding police "don't take this lightly."

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Kenneth Beno, 41, of Warren, died after officers fired six shots, with four of them hitting him in the upper body, Police Lt. John Gajewski said.

Hawkins said one officer used a Taser on Beno, but it wasn't effective. Two other officers then fired their firearms. Another officer also was at the scene.

The four officers, who were not named, are on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Hawkins said no criminal charges have been filed. He did not know whether any of the officers had been involved in prior officer-involved shootings or had any prior discipline.

Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins, center, and Lt. John Gajewski answer questions during a news conference March 13, 2025, at Warren police headquarters regarding a fatal officer-involved shooting on March 10, 2025.

Hawkins said the department will handle the investigation internally instead of handing it off to another law enforcement agency. He said the department has the resources and expertise to do it and it's within best practices of agencies accredited within the state. He said the department is one of 15 agencies in the state accredited by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

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When asked whether this was a death-by-suicide or death-by-cop situation, Hawkins said: "It certainly looks like it."

Police released a timeline of the events that culminated with the shooting at about 10:15 p.m. Monday at the train tracks near George Merrill Drive and Lorna Avenue. Portions of video from some of the officers' body-worn cameras was shown during the news conference, but the fatal shooting was not shown.

Police said they received a 911 call about 9:58 p.m. from a female in the 27000 block of Railroad, which is near Van Dyke and 11 Mile. She said she believed her ex-boyfriend was armed with a knife, possibly hiding under the bed. She told dispatch he had a pocket knife and "he will pull it on your officers," according to the portion of the 911 call that was released.

More: Officials: Former Detroit police officer charged in fatal accident in Roseville

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More: Man with an ice pick fatally shot by Warren police, sparking questions

The knife that Warren police said a city man had when he was fatally shot by officers March 10, 2025. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance. This is a photo of a screengrab from a video presentation during police's March 13, 2025 news conference on the shooting.

As officers arrived, she told dispatch that he was running down the railroad tracks toward 12 Mile. A dispatcher is heard providing a description of the suspect and "he did state that he will pull a knife on officers."

An officer is heard saying the suspect is pulling the knife. An officer also is yelling for the suspect to get on the ground, adding twice for him to get "on your belly!" according to one of the body-worn camera video pieces shown.

Police said the suspect disobeys the commands, yells that he has a knife and to "shoot me."

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Officers are heard repeatedly in the body-worn camera videos telling the suspect to "get on the ground," but he continues walking. Officers can be heard saying "drop the knife" and "Taser, Taser, Taser" with what appears to be a Taser then being deployed.

Police said the Taser was ineffective, the suspect continued to advance and was shot. They said two of the officers walked backward as the suspect advanced. The suspect died of his injuries at a local hospital, police said. No one else was hurt.

Hawkins said when officers first saw the suspect, he was about 100 feet away from them. He was about 12 feet from them when officers fired.

"We stand by our officers in this case," Hawkins said, adding it's an "unfortunate use of force," but said officers had "no choice but to protect themselves from harm from this person."

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Police said Beno had warrants in Macomb County Circuit Court and 37th District Court for assaulting police, domestic violence and disorderly conduct. They also said he has convictions for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and domestic violence.

Police said there have been numerous police contacts with Beno, including domestic violence-related calls for service and mental health-related contacts, some of which involved suicidal attempts or statements that required officers to petition him for mental health treatment at area hospitals.

Hawkins said weeks before the shooting, the department looked at data related to violent crime in the city. He said it found that over half of the aggravated assaults were felony assaults in the last two years, with a domestic violence nexus. Almost 70% of homicides, he said, had a domestic violence nexus during this period of time.

Last year, he said, police responded to more than 1,500 calls for service involving people who have mental illness. This year, he said, the department has responded to more than 270 calls for service involving people with some sort of mental health challenge, about four calls per day.

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Hawkins said the force is in the infancy stages of a program to help people in the community and the police department regarding domestic violence. It also has begun the process of developing a crisis intervention team program that eventually will train all of the force's officers on how to interact with people who have mental health challenges.

Officers also started emotional intelligence training earlier this year to help them recognize, understand and manage their own emotions and understand those of others, including the community they serve.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Warren PD: Man with knife who was fatally shot told officers to 'shoot me'
(Photo by Kameleon007/iStock Getty Images Plus)

Tucked away in a corner of Washingtons Yakima Valley is the small town of Sunnyside, made up of roughly 17,000 residents, a majority of whom are Latino and some lack legal status.

In January, shortly after President Donald Trump took office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raised fear in the local immigrant community when they arrested two people in the parking lot of Fiesta Foods, the largest Latino grocery in town.

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Local leaders later held a meeting to address some of these concerns. In that public meeting, a person who claimed to be a bounty hunter said ICE would soon use bail bond agents to arrest people in the U.S. without legal authorization and pay them $1,000 for every arrest made.

Washington lawmakers have since introduced Senate Bill 5714, which seeks to prevent bail bond agents from enforcing civil immigration warrants and sharing a defendants immigration status with anyone outside their business.

It would expand the list of unprofessional conduct for the agents to include those activities and enable the Department of Licensing to enforce disciplinary action if agents are found to be in violation.

The bill passed the Senate last week with bipartisan support and will next be heard in the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee.

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Its needed because sometimes people can operate right on the boundaries and clarification of boundaries can help ensure that everyone knows exactly what they are and exactly what will happen if folks step over them, said the bills sponsor, Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma.

A bail bond agency is a business that sells and issues bonds to guarantee a criminal defendant will appear in court. The agents are not considered law enforcement officers and they must be licensed by the states Department of Licensing.

Agents are subject to discipline by the department for unprofessional conduct. Consequences can include revoked or suspended licenses, probation or fines.

I really dislike seeing people acting as law enforcement when they are not truly law enforcement, said Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. Theyre pretty much a glorified bill collector is what a bail bond recovery agent appears to be.

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For weeks after the incident in Sunnyside, stores were emptier than usual, employees didnt come to work, and kids didnt show up to school, said Mike Gonzalez, the city manager. He said while things have gotten better, people are still worried.

In a small town like Sunnyside, this can affect the local economy. If fewer people are out making purchases, sales taxes can decline and that can eventually undermine services.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, the Legislature looked into awarding a $1,000 bounty for tips resulting in the arrest of an immigrant without legal authorization to be in the U.S. The bill would also have allowed for bounty hunters or bail bond agents to track down people identified using the information. This Missouri bill failed to move forward.

ICE did not respond to a request for comment about whether they plan to use bail bond agents to enforce immigration law.

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Were going to just make it crystal clear that sharing information and collaborating, whether that is contracting or any other form of collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is outside the scope of professional conduct, Trudeau said.

The person who made the comments at the public meeting in Sunnyside was not a bail bond agent, Torres and the Washington State Bail Agents Association confirmed.

In written testimony to the Senate Law and Justice Committee, the president of the association, Courtney Wimer, said bail bond agents do not currently have authority to get involved in immigration enforcement.

Gonzalez still has concerns. The problem is when theres dollars to be made, people will try to make the money and in this particular case I think its particularly egregious to target individuals to make money off them because of their immigration status.

We need to eradicate these types of endeavors, he added.
WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  Washington Grade School District 52 leaders are making their case for a new elementary school, urging voters to approve a referendum on the April 1 ballot.

School leaders said the Lincoln Grade School, built in 1949, is in bad shape. It has poor air quality and ventilation, limited accessibility and small classrooms. They said it would cost more to renovate the school than to build a new, modern one.

Were at a point were at a critical point where we have to fix the building according to health, fire and safety codes, said Superintendent Pat Minasian. He was joined by Lincoln Grade School Principal Heather Bowman and Codi Conway, director of curriculum and instruction at District 52, as they made their case for a new school in front of dozens of residents.

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The new $23 million school would be built next to Washington Middle School, creating a single campus to connect students with everything they need. Right now, food served at Lincoln is brought over from the middle school.

Rendering of proposed campus with new elementary school

To pay for it, the school district need voters to approve a $20 million bond. The rest is covered by school district reserves earmarked for the construction project.

Lindsay Dam, speech pathologist at Lincoln Grade School and parent of a student at WMS, said the current learning conditions are not ideal for students.

When it rains, we get water in the room. The hallways are pretty crowded. I do some work in the hallways, and theyre quite busy, she said. I think its very needed at this time. Ive been working in this building for nine years, so Ive gotten to see the space issues that we have and the maintenance issues that just arent stopping anytime. And as a parent also, I would love to see more space available for the students.

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Now, if this proposal sounds familiar, its because it is. Minasian said a similar referendum failed two years ago. So this time around, they are hosting these community nights to drum up support from voters.

I think overall its been a positive review. We have heard a lot of good things about how this is essential for our kids to thrive in an environment thats more of a 21st century learning environment. Weve had a lot of positive feedback, and as you can see tonight, weve had some questions and great questions, he said.

But the big question  what does it mean for you, the taxpayer?

Washington residents will see a small property tax increase to pay for the $20 million bond. If your home costs $200,000, Minasian said you can expect to pay an extra $300, or $25 a month.

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Even if the referendum doesnt pass, Minasian said homeowners can still expect a larger property tax bill.

So those bonds would be non-referendum in order to do something that we need to bring the building up to code and renovate and remodel. We feel that over the long haul, it could be about the same increase or impact on our taxes as we work on building a brand-new building, he said.

Dam agreed, saying the new school will actually cost taxpayers less in the long run.

Its always a good idea to invest in the future. Were going to end up spending money no matter what, whether it be to get a new building or to spend the money for all of the repairs that are going to be necessary in the future. We could end up spending more money that way, she said.

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If the referendum does pass, school leaders expect construction to begin April 2026. The new school would be ready for the 2027-2028 school year.

The Consolidated Election is April 1. Early voting in Washington Township starts Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Amid the Trump administrations efforts to slash the federal workforce, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) is speaking out against mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

According to Murrays office, 650 NOAA employees have been dismissed by the Trump administration, with another round of job cuts expected to hit another 1,000 employees, or 10% of the agencys workforce.

During a virtual press conference on Thursday, Murray spoke with former NOAA employees based in Washington, where more than 700 NOAA workers were employed, providing storm warnings, and weather forecasts and protecting marine resources.

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DONT MISS: Oregon USDA scientist fears chilling effect after Trump admin layoffs hit Hood River research facility

NOAA scientists play a crucial role protecting our waters, oceans, and our fisheries. The Puget Sound, the Columbia River, they all rely on NOAA. In Washington state, salmon are not just a pillar of our economyand of the seafood industry that is so prominent in our stateit is also a way of life for our communities, for our Tribes, and its part of our state identity, So NOAAs work could not be more important when it comes to that, Murray said during the press conference.

This work is make or breaknot just for Washington state, but for our entire country. So, it is beyond alarming to me that right now, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are choosing break and taking a wrecking ball to NOAA offices, Murray warned, noting the administration is also shutting down NOAA buildings, including one in Port Angeles.

During the press conference, former NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad  who lost his job amid the mass firings  said, The firings, facilities closures, and program terminations currently ongoing by this Administration are misguided, ill-informed, often illegal, and just plain stupid actions. They will also cause great harm. In short, this is All cost, no benefit.'

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Another former NOAA employee, Mark Baltzell  a fisheries management specialist in Olympia  highlighted the economic impact the firings will have in the Pacific Northwest.

Our branch is small but mighty. Our work is responsible for regulatory oversight of salmon and steelhead fisheries occurring in the (Exclusive Economic Zone) o the West Coast, the Columbia River, and Puget Sound. An additional significant portion of our work involves implementing the relevant chapters Pacific Salmon Treaty. The work that my branch conducts enables hundreds of millions in economic activity around salmon fisheries coast-wide, Baltzell said.

Im here because I care. I care about the people and communities that are impacted by reduced or closed fisheries that my work supported. I care about the devastating eects a diminished NOAA may have on Washingtonians and Americans across our country. I care about the tens of millions of dollars in federal money that is funneled through NOAA for salmon recovery, monitoring, hatchery improvements, and supporting fisheries that is in danger of going away. I care because I was in an agency loaded with people who care and were devoted because they believed in the science and the mission. I care because I am a grandpa and a fisherman, and I want to ensure these resources are perpetuated for the generations following me. Gutting NOAA and the federal government puts all those things that I care about at risk, he continued.

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Based in Seattle, Dennis Jaszka  a 26-year NOAA veteran who worked as an investigative support technician for the Alaska Division  said his work was essential to the Office of Law Enforcements work to ensure the safety of fisheries observers.

While the Alaska Division is spread throughout coastal Alaska, the observer operations staff is mostly located in Seattle. Therefore, one of my main roles was to be the point of contact for enforcement officers. Having an enforcement representative in Seattle is essential to connect people and ensure fisheries observers are familiar with the enforcement arm of NMFS, Jaszka explained.

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Without a person to represent and connect law enforcement to the observers in Seattle, NMFS loses an opportunity to continue building rapport with observers. Support staff will have no contact with an individual who can answer compliance-related questions. This will result in an excess of complaints being filed. Additionally, the task of reviewing, vetting, and sending documents falls on others who already have a high workload. The whole point of my job was to streamline and educate people in a very proactive way, Jaszka said.

NOAA is one of several federal agencies impacted by mass firings, including efforts to purge the workforce under the Education Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Credit: Joshua Sunberg via Instagram

The engine of an American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday, forcing passengers to evacuate.

Video shared on social media captured the Boeing 737-800 erupting in flames and thick black smoke billowing above the tarmac.

The American Airlines flight 1006 was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth when it was diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations, the FAA said.

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In a statement, American Airlines said the aircraft experienced an engine-related issue upon landing at the airport at 5.15pm local time (11.15pm GMT).

All 172 passengers and six crew members on board evacuated and six passengers were later taken to hospital for further evaluation.

Footage showed passengers standing on the planes wing as ladders and slides were used to help them disembark safely.

Credit: @flynnstone

Ground staff were also seen rushing to the tarmac to extinguish the blaze.

We thank our crew members, (Denver) team and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, the airline said in a statement.

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Denver International Airport said no one was injured in the incident.

Passengers were evacuated and the slides were deployed, the airport said.

The FAA said it would investigate the incident. Boeing declined to comment, referring queries to American Airlines and investigators.

The plane, which is 13 years old according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, was equipped with two CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran.

The engine fire follows a spate of aviation accidents this year, including the American Airlines jet that crashed with a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington DC, killing 67 people on board both aircraft in the deadliest plane crash in the US since 2001.

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Meanwhile in Philadelphia, just days after that deadly crash, seven people died after a medical jet plunged to the ground and burst into flames.

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Amy Acton became one of Ohios most prominent and most divisive figures, offering medical guidance to steer decisions made by Governor Mike DeWine.

Today, she is running as a Democrat to replace DeWine when his term ends next year. On Thursday, she shared priorities from her campaign with FOX 8 and reflected back on the pandemic five years later.

As a physician, Acton said she decided to run for political office in part because people across the state have been so open with her sharing their concerns.

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I had the privilege of serving Ohio, obviously, during one of the biggest crises weve endured. And in that I formed a bond with Ohioans, she said.

Medina County schools add cameras directly linked to sheriffs office

Everywhere I go, Ohioans come up and they share with me their stories. What theyre struggling with and sometimes even their ideas for how we can make things better. You know, Im running for governor because I refuse to look the other way while people are struggling in this state, she continued.

Acton said state has continued going back on nearly every measure over the time Ive been alive in Ohio.

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A lot of that is due to special interests, bad actors in the statehouse and Ohioans are telling me its time for a change.

Asked to identify specific areas where she feels Ohio is going backwards, Acton said there are several.

For instance, we used to live long lives as compared to other states. Right now, we are at the bottom of the barrel, like on health measures. We dont live as long and healthy lives as even our neighboring states, she said. We used to be the best in education, in public education. We invented public education in this state. Now, were looking at folks trying to defund that, even though we had a bipartisan agreement on how to fund our schools and, you know, my life was saved by a public school. So this is something very dear to me.

Our growth and (Gross Domestic Product) is 45th right now, and our biggest export is young people. Acton continued. Im a doctor. Im not a politician and Im a problem solver. Though you saw me very live on air, sort of people got to see that work firsthand. But also, Im a public servant and problems dont really care if youre a Democrat or a Republican. They just need solved.

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Regarding the pandemic Dr. Acton reacted to Pew research that shows 79% of Democrats believe public health officials response was excellent or good, whereas only 35% of Republicans agree.

Its one of the travesties, I think, that I have seen in my career that this would have become a political issue. First of all, theres no one who has gone unscathed in COVID, and it was truly an honor of a lifetime to serve in that moment. Im so proud of what Ohioans did, said Acton. A lot of people dont realize that the mortality rate, if you went in the ICU in March of 2020, your chance of dying was 50% in some places, and by June that had dropped to 5%. So, Im so proud because we flatten the curve in Ohio.

We have data that shows that we were able to save a lot of lives and keep frontline people protected, she added. But also we opened faster because we took swift and decisive action.

During that time, demonstrators on at least three occasions picketed outside of Actons home. She said that was not why she resigned her position.

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Ohio company recalls 15,000 cases of oyster crackers

The press kind of got it wrong. There was a lot of talk that I had stepped down because of protest stories, but that wasnt quite true, she said. The actual story was that we had had protesters all along from March on, quite honestly, and weve had issues with security. But the reason I stepped down is because we were getting political pressure from both the White House and the Speaker of the House and in our state House ultimately wanting to do orders for special interests. These orders were quarantine orders. They were 150 years of quarantine power given to the doctor so that it wouldnt be political.

Demonstrators were upset over masking, closing schools and those who rejected vaccines referred to them as the jab.

It should never have become a politicized thing. In a weird way, we all had a had a common enemy and thats where leadership comes in, Acton said. Im very proud of the work we did in this administration that, with Governor DeWine, it was an honor because theres people that have no idea the feeling of 11.7 million lives and you dont want to lose one person. And that is the pace at which we fought this.

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Acton is the only declared Democrat as of now running in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

Ohio Attorney General David Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy are already running as Republicans with Ramaswamy having already been given the endorsement of President Trump.

Acton realizes she is running in a state that has been solidly red, with a Republican majority in the state legislature and among the highest elected offices in the state.

However, she believes Ohioans interests are not partisan.

I think thats what Ohioans are telling me they want. They want people who put their best interests first and are doing the work that they sent us there to do, Acton said. Ohio, where we went Obama twice, we went Trump twice. You know, I believe we are still a state that is very pragmatic, that we love common sense.

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I come to this as truly a public servant who spent my whole life whole life working on issues. The hardest issues we face that we can only solve collectively. Thats my specialty of prevention. Its about solving the things that give us the opportunity to reach our full potential, she continued. When we reach our full potential and every Ohioan deserves that, they deserve to be able to live in a safe neighborhood and get a great education, have a good job and have a wonderful, wonderful quality of life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The family of a teacher who refuses to use a transgender students preferred pronouns were forcibly removed from a Washington DC gala they gatecrashed to confront Irelands prime minister.

Security led away three members of the Burke family after they burst onto the floor of the Ireland Funds dinner, which was attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, to protest the teachers imprisonment.

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Enoch Burke was jailed for a third time in Ireland in September for breaching a court order to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath where he once taught.

The evangelical Christian has spent more than 500 days in jail over three separate stints for contempt, and been fined, after repeatedly breaching the injunction.

Footage from Thursday night shows Burkes mother Martina and two of his siblings  Ammi and Isaac  shouting as they are dragged away by security.

Security eject Enoch Burkes family from the gala - Niall Carson/PA

Ammi Burke is pulled by a security officer as she is escorted out of the building - Niall Carson/PA

Mr Martin had finished speaking 15 minutes before the family crashed the gala, an annual event in the US capital ahead of St Patricks Day.

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Elon Musk, Donald Trumps close ally, shared his support for Burke on social media.

My belief is male and female, God made them male and female, Burke told the court last year.

He also claimed teachers were being commanded to force transgenderism on students.

Burke, who teaches German and history, was outraged after being told to call a transitioning student by their preferred name and the pronoun they.

Enoch Burke was jailed for a third time in Ireland in September

Despite his suspension, he would turn up at the school for meetings or simply to sit in an empty classroom declaring he was ready to teach, which led to an injunction being sought and granted.

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Burke is still being paid his salary after he appealed the schools decision to sack him in January 2023.

People have a right to protest in proper way

This month Court Justice David Nolan gave the Attorney General permission to bring an application later this month to appoint a receiver over Burkes teaching salary, to deduct the outstanding 79,100 he owes in fines.

On March 8, Mr Musk wrote wow as he retweeted a post that falsely claimed Burke was being stripped of his salary after refusing to use they/them pronouns for a transgender student.

Mr Martin said it had been regrettable that the Burke family disrupted the gala dinner, but said he did not think it significantly impacted the event.

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I think it was regrettable that incident happened, he said.

People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way to attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish-American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.

Mr Martin said he had been very clear, in respect to the rights of transgender people.

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Four astronauts rocketed into orbit Friday evening on their way to the International Space Station.

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov lifted off at 7:03 p.m. ET from NASAs Kennedy Space Center, roaring into pristine blue skies over Florida roughly 48 hours after a first launch attempt was scrubbed.

This mission is a testament of what humans can achieve when we work together. Go Crew-10, Ayers radioed to mission control in the final minutes of a smooth countdown.

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The flight, a mission known as Crew-10, was part of NASAs regular rotation of crew members to and from the space station. But it has attracted more attention than usual because it means NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally closing in on their long-awaited flight back to Earth.

Crew-10 mission Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi at the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday.

Williams and Wilmore have been in the spotlight for months because of the unusual circumstances of their time in orbit. The pair was expected to stay at the space station for just a week as part of the first crewed test flight of Boeings Starliner spacecraft in June, but problems with the vehicle forced them to remain at the orbiting outpost.

The new crew will relieve Williams, Wilmore and two others  NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov  who are wrapping up a roughly six-month stint at the space station.

The Crew-10 astronauts rode into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Roughly 10 minutes after liftoff, the boosters reusable first stage successfully returned to Earth, landing back at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

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It was an honor flying with you this evening, SpaceXs flight director radioed to the crew in orbit. We wish you well on your journey and give Crew-9 our best.

The Crew-10 astronauts will now spend more than 28 hours in low-Earth orbit journeying to the space station. They are expected to arrive at the orbiting outpost late on Saturday. After that, the outgoing crew could depart as early as Wednesday, March 19, according to NASA.

The space station has seen the arrival of more than 270 people. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived on June 6.

The scrubbed launch attempt this week added to the drama of the situation. It was called off on Wednesday with just over 40 minutes remaining on the countdown clock, because of an issue with one of the ground systems at the launch pad. The four astronauts were already strapped inside the Dragon capsule when the decision was made.

The Crew-10 group is made up of a mix of veterans and first-timers. McClain and Onishi will be visiting the space station for the second time, while Ayers and Peskov are on their first spaceflight. All four astronauts share a common background as pilots.

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Their arrival at the space station will kick off a handover period that typically lasts a couple days to allow the new crew members to get trained and up to speed on science experiments, maintenance work and other projects at the station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday.

After that, Williams, Wilmore, Hague and Gorbunov will travel home in the SpaceX Dragon capsule that Hague and Gorbunov flew to the space station in September. Two seats were purposely kept empty so that their colleagues could later hitch a ride back to Earth.

The Starliner spacecraft that Williams and Wilmore flew to space encountered several issues in June as it docked with the orbiting lab. After months of investigation and tests, NASA decided to bring the Starliner craft back to Earth with no one aboard and have the astronaut duo wait for a ride on a SpaceX vehicle instead.

Their unexpectedly long stay in low-Earth orbit has recently become a political talking point. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have both made unsubstantiated claims that the Biden administration held up the flight back to Earth for political reasons. Trump also said recently that he had tasked Musk with bringing the astronauts home. However, NASA has planned to use a SpaceX vehicle for their return journey since it was announced in August.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
House Democratic leaders are slated to hold a press conference as their counterparts in the Senate face down a nail-biter vote on government funding.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and his leadership team have urged Senate Democrats to hold firm and block a GOP-written six-month stopgap funding bill that passed the House earlier this week. The measure needs eight Democratic votes to overcome the Senate filibuster.

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Thursday he would vote to advance the measure, infuriating liberals in both chambers and House Democrats from across the ideological spectrum, who voted almost unanimously against the bill when it passed the lower chamber.

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Still, a number of swing state Democrats in the Senate have vowed to oppose the bill. Government funding expires at midnight if Congress isnt able to pass a stopgap.

The press conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

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Credit: Cory Vaillancourt/The Smoky Mountain News

A Republican town hall descended into chaos after a military veteran interrupted proceedings with an expletive-laden rant against Doge cuts.

North Carolina Representative Chuck Edwards found himself on the receiving end of voters fury on Thursday evening as another Republican town hall transformed into a shouting match.

Rep Edwards announced he was proud to vote for a House budget resolution when the crowd started booing and jeering.

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And you wonder why folks dont want to do these town halls? Rep Edwards quipped.

A man who identified himself as a veteran responded by yelling: You have nothing to say but lies.

Youre lying. Im a veteran, you dont give a fk about me.

A man shouts at Rep Chuck Edwards during a congressional town hall meeting - Sean Rayford

As security guards approached the man, he rose to his feet and gesticulated wildly, shouting: You dont get to take away our rights.

Four officers then surrounded the man and led him from his seat as he continued with his profane rant.

F--- you, he shouted as he was escorted from the auditorium, while members of the crowd shouted and cheered.

You dont get to take away our rights, he yelled repeatedly. You dont get to do this.

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The confrontation came after Mike Johnson, the House speaker, earlier this month encouraged Republican lawmakers to skip in-person town halls following a series of clashes with constituents over Elon Musks Doge cuts to the federal government.

In one instance, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall walked out of an event after audience members booed and heckled him about the prospect of job cuts impacting military veterans.

The Trump administration has announced it is scrapping over 80,000 jobs at the agency, prompting fears that services that veterans rely on could be under threat.

Mr Johnson claimed that voters who confronted GOP lawmakers last month were paid by the Democrats.

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Theyre professional protesters, Mr Johnson said. So why would we give them a forum to do that right now?

Rep Edwards was subjected to a near-constant barrage of jeers and expletives during Thursdays town hall, which lasted an hour and a half.

About 300 people were crammed into the college auditorium in Asheville, which is a deep-blue enclave in Republican North Carolina.

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By Michael S. Derby

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve has broken this year with its long-standing practice of releasing an annual preview of its finances for the preceding year.

The U.S. central bank has released a preliminary statement detailing its annual profit or loss in early January since at least 2006, but has yet to release the numbers for 2024. The preliminary statement is later updated with a finalized and audited version.

A Fed spokesperson said the audited version of the financial statement will be released later this month.

For the vast majority of the time the Fed has disclosed its finances, it has generated a profit, often a big one. But that changed in 2023, when the independent federal agency swung to a record loss, or "net negative income" as described in its statements. For 2023 the loss was a record $114.3 billion, after net positive income of $58.8 billion in 2022.

Fed officials have long said its earnings situation has no effect on its monetary policy or operations. But some observers have long feared Fed losses, even as they're driven by a system set up by Congress, could create political friction.

Although that has yet to happen in a significant fashion, the push by U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government could heighten the risk. Government agencies were facing a deadline on Thursday to submit proposals for widescale reductions in their workforces.

Under Fed Chair Jerome Powell's leadership, the central bank has had a fraught relationship with Trump, even though it was the Republican president who elevated Powell to the role during his first term in the White House.

Peter Conti-Brown, a financial regulation professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, said a major challenge facing the Fed "is to manage the demands of political accountability with the fact that those who will make those demands have little regard for central bank independence."

"The Fed," he said, "is subject to a searing and motivated external attack from current advisers to the president who seem to be spoiling for a fight and would launch it with even minor provocation."

MONEY MANAGEMENT

The Fed is required by law to hand back to the U.S. Treasury any net earnings after covering its expenses. The central bank earns money primarily from the interest income derived from the bonds it owns, purchased as part of its monetary policy and market stabilization work. It also gets paid to provide services to the financial sector, although that income stream is dwarfed by its bond income.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Two stranded hikers were rescued from Conklin Gully in Naples on Tuesday.

The Ontario County High Angle Rope team, along with fire crews from Naples, Bristol, and Honeoye, sent rescuers down to bring both subjects back up.

According to the DEC, the two hikers were evaluated by Naples Ambulance. Neither of them were injured.

You can watch the rescue in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A water main break is affecting Drake Universitys campus.

The university sent out a Bulldog Alert shortly before 6:00 a.m. Friday to inform students and staff of the issue. It said the City of Des Moines notified them of a water main break and all water in the Quads will be off. Hot water is off campuswide, but hot showers will be available for students at the Bell Center.

Heart of Iowa prepares for closure, program member worries about future

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Drake said the water is expected to be out until 3:00 p.m.

Des Moines Water Works website shows an emergency outage due to a water main break affecting customers on Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 29th Street. Water may be off or throttled down in the area due to the issue.

Metro news

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Mar. 13WATERTOWN  A Watertown man was charged by city police on Wednesday with making a terroristic threat after he allegedly posted a picture of handguns on Facebook with statements referencing shooting city police officers.

A news release and subsequent arrest report states that Jesse M. Balk, 33, of Mill Street, posted on Facebook that "whatever pig pulled me into the jeep by my neck is gonna lose his family simple as that."

City police further allege that Balk posted a photo of a handgun with the caption "extort this pigs" and a video named "We Will (expletive) Kill You" and captioned it "You got my court date I got your addresses. Lets play."

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A deposition by Detective Scott J. Freeman stated that in the video Balk said, "This message goes out to the police department of Watertown, NY. If I ever, and I mean ever, get pulled over, thrown on the floor for zero reason again, made to walk home 3 miles in this weather again, your entire department, and anyone in it, dead. I'm not (expletive) around anymore. You know where I live. I'll be waiting at my residence, happily waiting at my residence, you (expletive) pigs. Come and get me."

Freeman's deposition further states that Balk was arrested on March 8 after "a lawful traffic stop" and is recorded on body cameras making threats of mass harm to members of the department, including threatening to shoot officers.

The deposition states that Balk said "January 16, 2004, 26 cops got shot in Texas. That ain't nothin' to what Watertown is gonna experience."

Police further state that Balk also threatened police officers' families.

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Freeman also states in the deposition that Balk posted a photo of a handgun, which he does not have a permit for.

As a result, Balk was charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony, and second-degree aggravated harassment.

Balk was arraigned in Jefferson County Court, Centralized Arraignment Part, and held on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, or a $20,000 partially secured bond and was remanded to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building.

City police say they were assisted in the investigation by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team and the North Country Crime Analysis Center.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A sigh of relief for many people in Mobile as several WAVE Transit buses resumed their routes.

Earlier this week, bus drivers walked off the job to protest what they call unfair treatment.

WEATHER ALERT: Severe storms likely Saturday into Saturday night

LaTasha Williams has been using the WAVE transit system for two years.

She was surprised when the bus that takes her to work never showed up at her stop Tuesday on University Boulevard.

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I take it every day to work, Williams said. I got up, and I was at the bus stop, and I just waited for hours and hours. It never showed.

The bus never came because the driver was among the roughly 30 drivers who walked off the job, which shut down several routes.

Williams is disabled and said the service disruption made it hard to get around and made her feel neglected.

Its like they look over me, Williams said. And it takes an offense on me. And it takes an effect on me. And I feel like I should be able to get on that map bus and be able to ride.

Mobile District 2 City Councilman William Carroll explained how essential public transportation is for his district and the impacts of the walkout.

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My neighbors that live either right behind me or down the street from me use the wave transit system just about every day, Carroll said. Some of the neighbors provided rides and neighbors provided rides and people that knew these people and see them every day probably provided a few rides until the buses could get going again.

Federal funding cuts hit Feeding the Gulf Coast food bank

The bus drivers hope the temporary break brought awareness to their concerns, which include wanting better protection against harassment and better maintenance of the buses.

Meanwhile, people like Williams are glad their main way of getting around town is back up and running.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
(Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Douglas County Sheriff Daniel Coverley on Wednesday stood by his decision to participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcements controversial 287(g) program, which uses local agencies to carry out immigration enforcement.

This is just one tool I get to use to get those people who are committing crimes in my community and who I do not want in my community, he told lawmakers on the Senate Committee on Government Affairs, which requested a presentation about his departments involvement with ICE. If theyre not supposed to be there to begin with, then this is a way to remove them.

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Coverley added that most of the immigration holds his agency has are on people committing serious crimes.

He told lawmakers that, while immigration is primarily the responsibility of the federal government, he believes local law enforcement agencies have a role to play.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office opted into whats known as a warrant service officer agreement, one of three types of agreements that fall under 287(g). The agreement allows local law enforcement officers to help with investigations of migrants already arrested and booked into their local jails, and it allows them to execute civil immigration warrants within their jails.

Coverley emphasized that location restriction, noting that officers are not going out into the community and profiling people based on their ethnicity, nor are they asking victims of crime or witnesses their immigration status.

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The only time this comes into play is when youve been arrested and charged with a crime and are booked into our jail, he said.

Still, the agreement represents the agency being willing to take a more participatory role than what is current practice.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office already informs ICE whenever someone foreign born is booked in their jail, according to Coverley.

It is up to them whether or not they put a hold on them or what they want done, he added.

The new agreement standardizes the process, the office has said.

Douglas County, whose county seat of Minden is about 15 miles south of Carson City, has a population of nearly 50,000, of whom about 80% are white and 13% Hispanic.

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Coverley told lawmakers Douglas County Sheriffs Office had 20 people who ICE requested holds or detainers on last year. Of those people, nine were picked up by ICE and five had their detainers removed by ICE, indicating the federal authorities did not want to pick them up. Four people were transferred to prison for local charges and two were transferred to other jurisdictions. The ICE detainers would go with the prisoner to those other facilities.

In 2023, the agency had 14 ICE detainers. Of those, six were picked up by ICE, five were transferred to prison as a result of their local charges, and three had their detainers removed by ICE.

Coverley told lawmakers the new 287(g) program isnt in effect yet because we havent had the training.

That training, which will be completed online, is expected to take place within the next month or so and will involve five of his departments officers working within the Douglas County Jail.

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The training will tell officers how (they) are to determine their immigration status and what to do from that point, said Coverley.

Theres really no way to screw this up, he told lawmakers. We book somebody in. We call ICE and say Hey, we think this guy or person is possibly here illegally. Do you want to do anything? They say no, we do not or they say yes, we do. Thats all it is. Were not violating anybodys rights or anything. Were just asking questions based on what we think may be a possibility.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office is one of two law enforcement agencies in Nevada listed as participating in ICEs 287(g) warrant service officer program. The other is Mineral County Sheriffs Office, which signed an agreement in mid-February, according to an ICE spreadsheet listing all participating agencies.

Mineral County Sheriffs Office is also listed as having a pending application for participation in whats known as the task force program, which involves local law enforcement conducting immigration investigations and enforcement in the community.

Task force agreements with ICE were discontinued in 2012 during the Obama administration after a 2011 Department of Justice investigation found widespread racial profiling and other discrimination against Latinos in an Arizona task force. The Trump administration, as part of its aggressive mass deportation plans, has reestablished the program. More than 140 local law enforcement agencies across the country are now listed by ICE as participating.

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In February, Douglas County Sheriffs Office was listed by ICE as a participant of the 287(g) task force program, but days after media coverage about the agreement issued a statement saying it had not signed onto that program.

Coverley acknowledged the issue Wednesday, telling lawmakers there was some confusion.

Initially an agreement was signed with ICE for the task force officer program, he acknowledged. That has since been rescinded and corrected. There was some confusion on my part and on the information we got from ICE.

He did not elaborate further.

The task force component of ICEs 287(g) program is the most controversial, but migrant rights advocates warn that any type of participatory agreement between local law enforcement and the federal agency will have a chilling effect. Studies have suggested immigrant populations are significantly less likely to report crimes if they know law enforcement works with ICE.

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When asked on Wednesday if the relationship between the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and ICE may change over time, Coverley responded that is always a possibility.

Everything is driven by whos in the White House, he said. The immigration activity and involvement with local law enforcement has changed since the last president to the president we have now and that could change again in another four years.

Statelines Tim Henderson contributed to this article.
Wendy Williams sent a firm four-word message to the judge and the guardian who are in control of her affairs: Get off my neck!

The former talk show host told off the authorities behind her conservatorship during a pretaped phone interview that aired on Fridays episode of The View.

Williams comments came a few days after she dropped a note reading, Help! Wendy! from the fifth story of a New York assisted-living facility.

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After New York police showed up, Williams was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital for an independent cognitive examination.

Williams has been under a guardianship with Sabrina Morrissey, a court-appointed caregiver, since 2022. However, a caregiver not associated with the guardianship ordered Mondays hospital visit to determine if Williams claims of being held prisoner have validity, according to TMZ.

She previously compared living in the facility to being trapped in a prison during an interview in January with The Breakfast Club.

On Fridays episode of The View, things got tense after co-host Sunny Hostin read a statement from Morrisseys lawyer.

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The statement said the conservatorship was set up by a judge that declared [Williams] legally incapacitated after a diagnosis of frontal temporal dementia.

Williams was diagnosed with dementia and aphasia in February 2024 but has disputed that shes cognitively impaired.

They say I have incapacitation, she said on the Friday show. I do not.

The attorney statement Hostin read also disputed Williams claim that she is being kept from seeing family members and asserted that she is receiving excellent medical care.

After reading the statement, Hostin pointed out that Williams helped her get started in media and asked her old friend how she kept her spirits up with everything going on in her life.

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Williams, who sounded lucid throughout the interview, said that shes been doing important things all of her life before suggesting that the judge and guardian arent really seeing things from her perspective.

These two people dont look like me, they dont dress like me, they dont talk like me, they dont act like me, she said. And I venture to say they will never be me.

She added that she needs them to get off my neck!

Williams said that she needs a new guardian and that once she gets that guardian, she will get out of the guardianship.

Related...
Wendy Williams discussed the latest on her recent hospital visit and her guardianship with "The View" this week.

In an interview that aired Friday, Williams told "The View" co-hosts that she needed a "breath of fresh air" when, according to sources, she was taken by ambulance Monday from an assisted living facility in Midtown Manhattan to Mount Sinai West hospital.

"I just needed a breath of fresh air. I needed to see the doctors," Williams told host Joy Behar about her decision to go to the hospital.

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"While I was at the hospital, I also got blood drawn for my thyroid, but most importantly, at the hospital, it was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation. Which I don't have it," she added.

Williams has been in a court-ordered guardianship since 2022. In February 2024, a press release from Williams and her medical team revealed that Williams was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is a neurodegenerative disorder that is "characterized by loss of intellectual functions, such as memory problems, impaired abstract thinking, reasoning, and executive function, that are severe enough to hamper activities of daily living," according to StatPearls, an online library published in the National Library of Medicine.

There is currently no cure for FTD, according to the National Institute on Aging, and no treatments to slow or stop its progression. However, there are ways to help manage symptoms, the agency states.

PHOTO: In this Feb. 15, 2023, file photo, Wendy Williams attends an event in New York. (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE)

Primary progressive aphasia is a neurological syndrome that "affects a person's ability to use language to communicate," according to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a database from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. "This includes loss of ability to understand or express speech," the center states.

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Primary progressive aphasia "is a specific type" of FTD, GARD states, and is "caused by a loss of tissue (atrophy) in the area of the brain that is responsible for producing language."

Williams spoke on Friday about her past struggles with substance abuse, saying she is "easily going on with my life alcohol free" these days.

Persistent alcohol use can also result in irreversible neurodegenerative damage. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences in 2021 found that "excessive alcohol use often produces both structural and functional deficits in neural circuits," which can in turn "contribute to a host of rare neurodegenerative diseases."

The study authors also noted that "a history of alcohol abuse can also lead to alcohol-induced dementia, in which alcohol exposure is the primary etiological factor." Alcohol-related brain damage and frontal lobe dementia both cause personality changes, impulsivity, and executive dysfunction, but alcohol-related damage may sometimes improve with abstinence and nutrition, while frontal lobe dementia is progressive and irreversible, according to studies.

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Wendy Williams diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, frontotemporal dementia

After visiting the hospital on Monday, Williams said she had dinner with her niece, who had flown in to visit her, before returning to her assisted living facility. "Why am I here ... where people don't remember anything?" she asked, referring to her current living area on the memory unit floor.

"I stay in the bedroom the majority of the time," she said, adding that she is not permitted to have friends visit her without permission.

A statement from the lawyer for Williams' guardian provided to TMZ on March 11 was read to Williams on "The View." The statement said the guardianship was created by a judge who declared Williams legally incapacitated after a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

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The lawyer claimed Williams has not been kept from her family and she is receiving excellent medical care.

"I'm a college-educated woman, I'm a globally international person from radio to television. I've been doing important things all of my life," she said, referencing her guardian and judge. "I need them to ... get off my neck."

Ginalisa Monterroso, a health care advocate who joined the interview with Williams, explained the guardianship first came about to protect Williams' money.

"I didn't mind it at that time ... but at this point in my life, I want to terminate [the] guardianship and move on with my life, if that's possible at all," Williams added.

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Wendy Williams taken to hospital from her assisted living facility in Manhattan: Sources

In response to Williams' recent media appearances, in which she says she is not incapacitated, her guardian sent a letter to the court requesting that Williams have another comprehensive evaluation to assess her mental capacity. That request was granted by the judge in early March and the results are expected sometime this spring.

The former talk show host also revealed Friday that her iconic purple chair, used on "The Wendy Williams Show" is currently in storage and will remain hers for life.

Wendy Williams talks guardianship, gives health update on 'The View' originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
One word was all it took for three Arizona school districts to lose millions of dollars in federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Education has pulled $16 million in grants from the Osborn, Avondale, and Gadsden districts, following the Trump administrations push to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies from schools.

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Tom Horne, Arizonas Superintendent of Public Instruction, believes it could come down to the use of the word equity in the grant title. "[The U.S. Department of Education has] been doing a lot quickly. So they just been doing word searches. I think it would be helpful to [the educational institutions to] take the word out and ask for the money back," Horne told 12news.

Ed Hermes, a member of the Osborn School District Governing Board, also told 12news, "Now to have the rug pulled out from under us, we're left reeling, and frankly, trying to find answers."

This has nothing to do with DEI

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching awarded the money in 2023 to be distributed over three years. Part of whats known as the AZ PRIME grant (Arizona Prioritizing Recruitment/Retention and Induction to Maximize Equity), the money is intended to support teacher recruitment, retention, and funding gaps serving high-need student populations in the state. The grant funds districts to strengthen systems of support for classroom teaching, [to] build instructional leadership capacity for school leaders, and [to] raise student achievement, the institute states on its website.

Maricopa County Schools also lost a similar federal grant for several Valley schools.

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An email sent to the Osborn School District by Joshua Barnett, the CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, said:

The Acting Secretary of Education has determined that it is a priority of the Department of Education to eliminate discrimination in all forms of education across the United States The AZ PRIME grant was found to be inconsistent with these priorities, as it either promotes or participates in DEI initiatives that conflict with the Departments policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education.

On its website, the U.S. Department of Education includes cancellation of ongoing DEI training and service contracts which total over $2.6 million as one of the actions taken by the Trump administration.

However, while the AZ PRIME grant includes the word equity, and while the National Institute For Excellence in Teaching did state in its press release that, this project will increase the effectiveness of each districts ability to recruit, develop, support, and retain diverse educators to promote educational equity and more effectively reach underserved students, in practice, the money awarded wasnt even meant for DEI hiring initiatives or to hire teachers based on race.

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Read more: An alarming 97% of older Americans are carrying debt into retirement  heres why and 4 simple things you can do if youre stuck in the same situation

"This has nothing to do with DEI. It has to do with a grant that we received, a competitive grant because the U.S. Department of Education saw that we needed this funding," Hermes said. "We don't get funded enough here in Arizona for our public education. So we needed, and we've been relying on, this grant to fill those gaps."

Losing these funds has left the districts desperately looking for alternative revenue to cover teacher pay for the rest of the year.

Osborn School District is tapping into its contingency funds, trying to secure $250,000 just to bridge the gap for the remainder of the school year.

Impact of losing grant money

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching plans to appeal the decision, according to an email sent to the three affected Arizona school districts.

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The impact of losing grant money is substantial for the schools involved. In addition to losing crucial funds for teacher recruitment and retention, the cutbacks could also result in reduced support for students in underserved and high-needs areas, which could ultimately impact student achievement in the longer run.

We made a promise to our kids, and unlike the federal government, we dont break those promises, Hermes said.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Mar. 14A police investigation into injuries suffered in July by three infants at a top-rated Huber Heights child care center shows a lack of documentation, lapses in leadership and improper state reporting, according to records obtained by the Dayton Daily News.

One employee at the center of the investigation, who has since been fired, is facing one misdemeanor charge.

Anna's Early Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center, 5833 Shull Road, still has a gold Step Up to Quality rating from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth following state inspections after the police investigation began.

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"I felt like we had failed our child by putting him in day care," said the father of a 5-month-old boy allegedly "tossed" into a crib, causing him to vomit several times, with blood mixing in.

"We were in shock. We didn't think anyone was capable of doing something so terrible to a little baby," said the child's mother, who this news outlet agreed not to identify to protect the baby's identity.

The boy's father said what galls him is that after seeing concerning reports on Facebook, before learning their son was a victim, they spoke to the center director. She told them the allegations were false and that they passed state inspections despite allegedly knowing there was an unreported abuse accusation involving their son.

Before their child was allegedly injured on July 30, police had already started an investigation into another allegation of abuse at the center.

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The parents pulled their little boy out of care at the center in mid-October after news of a police investigation came to light. Less than two weeks later, a detective investigating the infant injuries informed the child's parents that a staff member reported witnessing their child being mistreated.

State inspections, criminal charges

State records say the Early Beginnings had two state inspections in the months since the Huber Heights Police Division started investigating the center for multiple infants getting injured  two requiring surgery.

An inspection in October in response to a complaint asked the center to address a determination a staff member used "cruel, harsh, unusual, or extreme techniques." State records say the center was directed to provide training and submit a corrective action plan, which has not been done.

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An inspection in February identified no serious issues, but three noncompliances related to staff education and record keeping.

After both inspections, state inspectors found the center "partially compliant" with state rules and allowed to maintain its top rating.

The February inspection came weeks after Jessica Nicole Matthews, 47, of Huber Heights, was charged with endangering children in Montgomery County Municipal Court  Eastern Division. She pleaded not guilty during her Feb. 4 arraignment and is next scheduled to appear March 27 for a pretrial hearing.

"This matter was reviewed with the Huber Heights Police Division. After review of the investigation, it was determined that there was not enough evidence at that time to approve and charge any felony crime," the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement to this news outlet.

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"As in any case, if additional information or evidence becomes available, the detectives would then submit that to our office for further review."

Matthews' attorney did not return a request for comment.

Police investigation

The Dayton Daily News obtained more than 50 pages of records of the Huber Heights police investigation of the center using Ohio public records laws.

Those records say Huber Heights police opened an investigation after they were notified July 17 that an 11-week-old boy was taken by Troy medics to Dayton Children's Hospital, where he was found to have a brain bleed in addition to blood in his urine, vomiting and bruising on his arms.

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The child's mother reported there was nothing suspicious before she took him to the day care. He was in care there four days. On July 15, she noted that he was lethargic and not acting normal, but she thought he had a virus. The next day she contacted a medical office, but because he did not have a fever, she was told to not bring him in, according to the report.

During the ongoing investigation into the Troy child's case, Huber Heights police were alerted to a second infant with head injuries who attended the same day care center.

A routine checkup at the end of July at a pediatrician's office revealed a 6-month-old Tipp City girl had an enlarged head. After a scheduled ultrasound showed fluid on the brain, the infant was referred Aug. 15 to the Dayton Children's ER for a CT scan, which found two brain bleeds that were considered suspicious, the police report stated.

Both infants required surgical treatment and hospital stays. There are no criminal charges connected to either of these incidents, though one of the families has sued the center, Matthews and other unnamed Early Beginnings staff. The company has not responded to the lawsuit in court, but issued a statement pledging transparency and "upholding the highest standards of care and safety."

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Complaints, concerns

One employee's name came up over and over when investigators interviewed current and former Early Beginnings staff. However, the now-former director of the center told police the first two times they spoke that she was unaware of any problems with that staff member, Matthews.

According to the police report, employees said Matthews was "rough" with toddlers and would raise her voice and grab their arms while seated. They also said she often appeared agitated or negative toward the infants. They described her picking up infants too roughly, sometimes grabbing them by the shoulders and yanking them out of cribs or saying "unprofessional things" when frustrated by infants who would not stop crying, the report stated.

A former employee said she brought this up to the director multiple times. There was no discipline nor any notations in Matthews' personnel file of any conversations or complaints received.

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The investigation also uncovered a troubled employment history for Matthews, who passed the required criminal background checks.

Although Matthews told police she had 13 years of day care experience, plus had worked with special-needs adults, she did not list any prior employers on her application. She denied being fired from a prior day care, but a detective determined she was fired under negative terms, the report stated.

During the investigation, a staff member reported to police that she saw Matthews cause an injury to a child and that she reported it to the center director but that nothing happened.

A state licensing inspector on Oct. 25 told police that if this was found to be true, that the day care would be marked for a violation, "however, they wouldn't be shut down," the police report stated.

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July 30 incident

The employee said she was assisting other teachers with restroom breaks and was in the infant room July 30 when Matthews' co-teacher took a short break.

The worker said she saw Matthews changing a crying boy's diaper at a changing table. She began to read a chart and as she looked up, she said Matthews "tossed" the 5-month-old boy into his crib. The baby vomited and cried. He threw up at least twice more, with blood mixed in the last time, the report stated.

The other infant caregiver returned by the time the baby threw up the second time, telling police that at the mention of the word blood, Matthews immediately said, "I didn't do anything."

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The assisting employee told another staff member and then reported it to the director, who asked her to write a statement, which she said she did.

The director later asked Matthews to do a report, but the lead teacher, who was not in the room at the time of the incident, did it for her, noting a "scrape/scratch/mouth/teeth" injury that did not document vomiting. She told police she wrote that the baby was scratching at his mouth while sucking on his pacifier, causing him to cut his lip because she believed that is what happened. She also said she completed the report because if Matthews didn't want to do something, she wouldn't.

The employee who witnessed the incident and another staff member corroborated that the director was made aware and that a statement was written.

Director 'aware' of allegation

In Ohio, day care employees are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report suspected child abuse or endangerment. No one has been charged with failing to report in connection to the investigation at Early Beginnings.

A DCY investigator said there was no notification to the state or children services about the July 30 incident.

Also, the statement was not in Matthews' personnel file or the infant's file and would have been included in documents they were ordered to turn over in relation to a search order signed by a judge.

"(The director) was aware of an allegation of an employee tossed an infant into their crib, the infant immediately began to vomit, one time even having blood in his vomit, and there was no documentation at all of this in Jessica or (the infant's) file from either the Huber center or the central office," the report stated.

The director said the original written statement was likely somewhere in her office but she did not know where. She told police during an earlier interview that she did not believe the incident was that bad and that the employee was "overdramatic."

Company responds

A regional director for Early Beginnings told police that had she been aware of the incidents at the time that Matthews would have been fired immediately, and that steps had already been taken to make sure something like this did not happen again. Messages seeking comment and information about the specific procedures implemented were left with the corporate office.

The parents of the Troy infant filed a lawsuit last week in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court against Early Beginnings, Matthews and other current or former employees. Early Beginnings issued a statement in response to media inquiries.

"The safety, wellbeing, and development of the children in our care remain our highest priorities," the statement says.

"We understand that this situation may raise concerns, and we remain committed to transparency and maintaining the trust of our families. While we are unable to provide further details due to the ongoing legal process, we want to emphasize our dedication to upholding the highest standards of care and safety."

The statement says the company can't comment on personnel matters "due to privacy concerns."
The Federal Trade Commission asked a federal judge on Wednesday to delay a trial in a case accusing Amazon of using deceptive practices in its Prime subscription program, citing staffing and budgetary challenges at the government agency.

Jonathan Cohen, a lawyer for the FTC, made the request before U.S. District Judge John Chun, who is overseeing the legal proceedings from a 2023 lawsuit the commission filed against the e-commerce giant in Washington state.

Our resource constraints are severe and really unique to this moment, Cohen said during a status hearing on Wednesday. We have lost employees in the agency, in our division and on the case team.

When the judge asked if the agencys challenges were due to recent cuts in the federal government, Cohen said it was, adding that some employees chose to leave the FTC following the Fork in the road email sent by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency in January. Staff members who resigned for other reasons also have not been replaced due to a government hiring freeze, he said.

The Amazon trial had been scheduled to start in September. The FTC is seeking to relax some of the deadlines in the case and a delay akin to a two-month continuance. The agency does not want to move the trial back more than a couple of months, Cohen said.

Currently, the agency's legal team is racing at considerable cost to meet a late April deadline for discovery while at the same time dealing with restrictive rules on purchasing court documents and travel, Cohen explained.

Other factors could hamper staffers' preparations for the trial, he said. In April, FTC employees will have to spend time packing up and vacating their office building so they can potentially move into an abandoned USAID facility, Cohen said.

Chun, the judge, asked how things are going to be different in two months with the issues the agency is experiencing.

Cohen responded by saying he cannot guarantee if things wont be even worse.

But there are a lot of reasons to believe ... we have been through the brunt of it, at least for a while, he said.

During the hearing, John Hueston, an attorney representing Amazon, pushed back on the agency's request. He said most of the FTC attorneys assigned to the Amazon case were still employed by the agency.

Even in the case of staff turnover, the government still lacks the grounds to seek a delay since changes in legal teams happen often, Hueston argued. Amazon executives and trial lawyers already cleared their schedules for a September trial, and the company has wanted to clear its name for more than two years, he said.
WEST PALM BEACH  Part of Interstate 95's Belvedere Road exit will close for three nights next week, Florida transportation officials said Friday afternoon.

Workers will close the southbound entrance ramp to I-95 from Belvedere Road Tuesday at 9 p.m. until Wednesday at 5 a.m., the Florida Department of Transportation said. The southbound exit off ramp will close Wednesday and Thursday nights, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., FDOT said.

Drivers near Belvedere Road who want to get on the southbound ramp Tuesday night should instead leave the highway from Southern Boulevard, FDOT said. Southbound I-95 drivers who want to get off at Belvedere Road should instead exit at Okeechobee Boulevard, FDOT said.

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More: Half of Lake Worth bridge to Palm Beach closed because of malfunction. When will it reopen?

Plans show where the Florida Department of Transportation will close the Interstate 95 exit for Belvedere Road during the nights of March 18 to 20, 2025.

The Palm Beach International Airport connection to I-95 will remain open.

Workers are closing the Belvedere Road exit and entrance ramps to install tubes meant to protect big electric cables, called bridge-mounted conduits.

Plans show where the Florida Department of Transportation will close the Interstate 95 exit for Belvedere Road during the nights of March 18 to 20, 2025.

Chris Persaud is the transportation reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at cpersaud@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: This West Palm Beach I-95 exit will close for three nights next week
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  Despite its size, West Virginia has its fair share of bestselling authors, but only a small handful of them have been lucky enough to see their books adapted to the big screen.

That being said, there might be more than you think: at least eight movies have been released that were adapted from books written by a West Virginia author, along with one Netflix television series.

Homer Hickam, October Sky  1999

Homer Hickam, who is from Coalwood, West Virginia in McDowell County, said on his website that the original story about his dream to become a rocket scientist started out as an article in Air & Space Magazine in 1994, but was later expanded upon into a full-length book.

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Easily the most well-known movie on this list, October Sky is an adaptation of Hickams novel Rocket Boys, published in 1998, with the movie premiering only five months later in February of 1999, with Jake Gyllenhaal playing the role of Homer Hickam.

FILE  Author Homer Hickam, left, who wrote the book Rocket Boys among others, and Jake Gyllenhaal, the actor who played Hickam in the film version of the book, called October Sky, pose at the premiere of the film in Universal City, Calif., in this Feb. 11, 1999 file photo. (AP Photo/John Hayes, File)

In 2021, 12 News was able to speak with Hickam during a visit to a Mountaineer Middle School, who said the state prepared him for life in many ways, and the obstacles he overcame living in West Virginia were a vital part of that preparation.

My message is that its great to be a West Virginian. Youve got advantages that you dont even know about. You had to overcome obstacles your whole life and thats going to help you out throughout life, Hickam said during the interview. I just want young people to be proud of who they are and recognize what a great state that theyre from, and youre gonna go out there in the world full of common sense and knowing you can overcome obstacles.

You can watch 12 News 2021 interview with Hickam below.

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Coincidentally, there is also an Indian television series also called Rocket Boys, but the story is unrelated to Hickams book and covers the events that led to India becoming a nuclear power.

Edward Ashton, Mickey 17  2025

Going from the most famous adaptation to the most recent, Edward Ashtons book Mickey 7 was recently adapted as Mickey 17 and hit theaters on March 7, 2025, three years after the book was first published in February 2022.

Ashton, who grew up in Fairmont, said in a recent interview with 12 News that he was really glad to be able to call [himself] a West Virginian, and was heavily influenced by two of his English teachers at Fairmont Senior High School.

The movie itself stars multiple copies of Robert Pattinson, who is perhaps best known for his roles in Twilight, Harry Potter and The Batman. The film was directed by South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, whose previous movies include Parasite and Snowpiercer (2013).

Davis Grubb, The Night of the Hunter  1955

The first book written by a West Virginia author to be adapted into a movie was written by Davis Grubb, a Moundsville native.

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The Night of the Hunter, was published in 1953 and adapted into a movie just two years later. The book follows the actions of Henry Powell, who is based on the real West Virginia serial killer, Harry Powers. Powers, also known as the Lonely Hearts Killer or West Virginia Bluebeard, would assume false identities and form relationships with widows before inevitably killing them after they had withdrawn money from their own bank accounts. Powers killed at least five women this way.

West Virginias serial killers and how they were caught

The Night of the Hunter was also adapted into a made-for-TV movie in 1991, with Grubb credited as one of the writers on the production and Richard Chamberlain cast in the role of Harry Powers.

American actors Shelley Winters and Robert Mitchum on the set of The Night of the Hunter, based on the novel by Davis Grubb and directed by Charles Laughton. (Photo by United Artists/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Davis Grubb, Fools Parade  1971

Grubbs 1969 book Fools Parade was also adapted into a movie.

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Starring Jimmy Stewart and featuring Kurt Russell, George Kennedy and Anne Baxter, Fools Parade follows a crew of recently released inmates who are attempting to cash in on their prison savings while simultaneously being pursued for the money by a corrupt prison guard.

Stephen Coonts, Flight of the Intruder  1991

Starring William Dafoe, Danny Glover, Brad Johnson and Rosanna Arquette, Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts tells the story of American naval pilot Jake Grafton during the Vietnam War.

According to his website, Coonts was born in Buckhannon in 1946 and attended West Virginia University before joining the U.S. Navy. Flight of the Intruder was his first novel and was published by the Naval Institute Press in 1986, getting adapted to the big screen five years later.

Flight of the Intruder or Le vol de lIntruder 1991 directed by John Milius. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images)

Carlene Thompson, Noir Comme Le Souvenir  1995

Carlene Thompson was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and although she has lived in many states during her life, she has returned to live in Point Pleasant on more than one occasion.

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Noir Comme Le Souvenir is a French film adaptation of her first book Black For Remembrance a mystery and suspense novel. According to Thompsons biography page on her website, Thompsons favorite kinds of stories to write are book-length psychological mysteries with a bit of romance, and has written 19 books between 1991 and 2022.

Carlene Thompson, Tu Es Si Joli Ce Soir  2014

Thompsons 1995 book The Way You Look Tonight was adapted to film in 2014 by a French filmmaker named Jean-Pierre Mocky, the same person who adapted her first book Black For Remembrance almost 20 years earlier.

Mocky has his own website dedicated to his extensive work in the French film industry that even has some on-set photos and recordings from the production of Tu Es Si Joli Ce Soir.

John Temple, American Pain  2022

Perhaps the most poignant movie on this list is the documentary adaptation of John Temples American Pain, a book that deeply explores the causes and effects of the opioid crisis that continues to impact the lives of thousands of West Virginians and many more people nationwide.

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Although not currently living in West Virginia, Temple lived in Morgantown for many years and worked as a professor at West Virginia University when American Pain was published in 2015.

John Knowles, A Separate Peace  1972, 2004

John Knowles, who was born in Fairmont, released his best known work A Separate Peace in 1959. This coming of age story was actually adapted into a movie two separate times, once in 1972 by director Larry Peerce, and again in 2004 by director Peter Yates.

Craig Johnson, Longmire series  2011-2017

Although not technically a movie, Craig Johnsons long-running Longmire book series has been adapted to television for a total of six seasons and can currently be watched on Paramount+.

Although he currently lives in Wyoming, Johnson is originally from Huntington and continues to write books in his Longmire Mystery series, which currently has more than 20 books in total. His latest entry Return to Sender, is expected to release on May 27, 2025.

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If you know of any books written by West Virginia authors that have been adapted to the screen and dont see them on this list, you can email the author of this article at sgorski2@wboy.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
The West Virginia House of Delegates chamber. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

The West Virginia Supreme Court has ruled against state Democrats in one of their challenges over a seat in the House of Delegates. In an order issued Thursday, the court dismissed one of the two lawsuits the party filed against Gov. Patrick Morrisey after he filled the seat of Joseph de Soto.

De Soto won the election last year in the 91st district as a Republican, but registered as a Democrat shortly before he was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and several other delegates.

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Morrisey appointed Ian Masters, an attorney and gun rights activist, to fill the seat for the 91st district, which represents a part of Berkeley County.

Del. Mike Pushkin, chair of the state Democratic Party, and Berkeley County resident Jill Michaels filed the lawsuit against Morrisey.

They argued that House Republicans, who voted to vacate de Sotos seat, didnt follow the proper constitutional procedure and that there was legal precedent that the seat should go to Democrats due to de Sotos party switch. They asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue, naming Morrisey in the filing.

In the order Thursday, the court said the Democrats failed to give a 30-day notice of suit that is required by lawsuit of those who file suit against a government agency.

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The petitioners failed to satisfy the thirty-day notice requirement pursuant to West Virginia Code  55-17-3(a)(1) because the petition at issue is against a governmental agency and does not fall within an exception to the thirty-day pre-suit notice requirement, the order says. With limited exception, West Virginia Code  55-17-3(a)(1) requires at least thirty days notice prior to instituting an action against a governmental agency.

The lawsuit the court addressed Thursday named only Morrisey. Another lawsuit is pending. The remaining lawsuit listed Morrisey and House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw. An attorney for Hanshaw filed a notice of automatic stay, which delays lawsuits against lawmakers during a regular or special session, according to reporting by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, introduced legislation to clarify how vacancies are filled when someone is elected under one party and then switches parties.

Ive seen a lot of tomfoolery played with people switching parties, Garcia told West Virginia MetroNews. And I dont think thats right. When the people decide, the people decide.

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The senate is expected to vote on Senate Bill 586 next week.

In a statement Thursday, Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said the party is waiting on official correspondence about the ruling from the Supreme Court before it decides on next steps but said the court had every ability and responsibility to expedite this case to clarify for the people of West Virginia how our citizen Legislature should be composed.

Todays announcement, that we have yet to actually see, is just another political hurdle, the statement said. The citizens of South Berkeley and West Virginia deserve better than this.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBOY)  The West Virginia Department of Health has issued a notice after a measles outbreak was confirmed at Washington Dulles International Airport last week, which it says West Virginians may have been exposed to.

A release from the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health said that the case was confirmed on March 5 in a Maryland resident returning from international travel. The person was in Terminal A and used transportation between the main terminal and the baggage claim area between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Do you need a measles booster amid rising cases?

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West Virginia has yet to have a confirmed case of measles amid rising cases in Texas and parts of Europe. Officials said that if you were at the above-listed locations on the day and time of and if youve never had a measles vaccine, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately and watch for symptoms until March 26.

Dulles International Airports only nonstop flight to West Virginia serves Morgantown, which performs trips multiple times a day.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
LITTLETON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Beginning as early as 1978 and potentially lasting until 1992, the bodies of multiple women were located off of several highways in the United States, all sharing one unique traitred or reddish hair. One of the confirmed victims was a West Virginia resident, 28-year-old Lisa Ann Jarvis, also known as Lisa Ann Nichols and Lisa Ann Fuller.

In 1984, Jarvis was found dead in Arkansas and was described as having strawberry blonde hair. While other confirmed victims were found in Tennessee and Kentucky, its possible the killer also made a stop in Wetzel County, West Virginia.

On Feb. 13, 1983, an elderly couple contacted law enforcement to report what they first thought was a mannequin that had been thrown over a hill along US Route 250 in Littleton, West Virginia, as the area was known for illegal trash dumping. This mannequin turned out to be the body of a woman, and a possible victim of the Redhead Murders.

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The woman has remained unidentified since, and is known today only as the Wetzel County Jane Doe. According to The Doe Network, the woman had been dead for two or three days, but had only recently been moved to the area, as snow had fallen in previous days and there was no snow on her body. Fresh tracks and footprints were also found near the body.

5 of West Virginias most disturbing unsolved mysteries

A possible witness was subjected to forensic hypnosis and described a white male in his 40s who stood at roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall. An unnamed additional suspect was already serving a life sentence, but he could not be prosecuted without the victim being identified. A cause of death could not be determined and strangulation was excluded as a possible cause as there were no ligature marks or bruising on her neck, but suffocation could not be ruled out.

Wetzel County Jane Doe Sketch (TheDoeNetwork)

Wetzel County Jane Doe Sketch (TheDoeNetwork)

Wetzel County Jane Doe Sketch (TheDoeNetwork, Richard M. Vulgamore)

The Jane Doe was described as having auburn, medium length hair and possibly brown eyes, standing at around 5 feet 5 inches tall and being between 30-45 years old. She had a scar on her index finger, double pierced ears and orange painted toenails. She had also recently been fitted for dentures, and may have been seen at a bar in Wheeling before her death. No clothing, jewelry or personal items were found. She was not suspected of being linked to the Redhead Murders until 2 years later.

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In 2018, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation linked the late Jerry Leon Johns to one of the Redhead Murder victims, Tina Marie McKenney Farmer. Johns was already serving time in prison for the aggravated kidnapping and assault of a woman who resembled Tina Farmer, which he was convicted of in 1987. He died while in custody in December of 2015.

Although these deaths have been linked together by many, it has never been confirmed that they are connected. Law enforcement from multiple states noted that the cases had several dissimilarities between them in addition to the similarities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Whataburger is proposing the construction of a new location in Crossville on Genesis Road, across the street from Buc-ees and just north of Advanced Auto Parts.

Crossville Mayor RJ Crawford mentioned it during Tuesday nights Crossville City Council meeting just after Ethan Hadleys Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce report.

Weve got some breaking news. We just found out that Whataburger has submitted a site plan, which will be going to the planning commission. Is it this month or next month? Crawford asked.

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This month, Crossville City Manager Valerie Hale said.

 So were excited to be welcoming Whataburger to our town  So, you all are the first to know. Were excited, Crawford said.

In a written statement to the Crossville Chronicle, Hadley said, The addition of Whataburger along the Genesis Road corridor is the latest indication of the increasing awareness among the retail sector in the ongoing growth of our community.

According to the site plan submitted to the planning commission, there will be one driveway along Genesis Road and another to the rear along Donnelly Place.

The site plan shows a proposed water connection to the front to an existing 8-inch water line that crosses Genesis Road.

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The city has agreed to terminate that line so Whataburger can shift their driveway south, which would have put their driveway over the existing water line. There must have been a miscommunication between them and their engineers. The development agency as well as their civil engineers have been made aware of the needed change in water connection. The developer of Genesis Plaza installed a water and sewer tap along Donnelly Place, to the rear. Also, the current site plan does not show the plan for a storm water structure. They should be on the final civil plans, the citys planning report states.

The citys planning staff has recommended approval of the site plan contingent upon the Tennessee Department of Transportation driveway permit, the change in water line connection, any required stormwater permits and the change in proposed water connection.

According to Whataburger it has 25 locations in Tennessee and the Crossville location will be the farthest east location in Tennessee. Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, the company boasts a systemwide revenue of more than $4 billion annually across its 16-state footprint and over 1,090 restaurants. Whataburger has 51,000 employees and is celebrating its 75th year in business with intentions of further expansion. Most Whataburger restaurants are open 24/7 364 days a year and are closed on Christmas Day.

The Crossville Planning Commission meets Thursday, March 20, at noon in Crossville City Hall and will discuss and consider the site plan.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Math enthusiasts around the world, from college students to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day, which is March 14 or 3/14  the first three digits of an infinite number with many practical uses.

Many people will mark the day with a slice of pie  sweet, savory or even pizza.

Simply put, pi is a mathematical constant that expresses the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter. It figures into numerous formulas used in physics, astronomy, engineering and other fields, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Babylon and China.

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Pi Day itself dates to 1988, when physicist Larry Shaw began celebrations at the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco. The holiday didnt really gain national recognition until two decades later. In 2009, Congress designated every March 14 to be the big day  in the hopes of spurring more interest in math and science. Fittingly enough, the day is also Albert Einsteins birthday.

Heres a little more about the holidays origin and how its celebrated today.

What is pi?

Pi can calculate the circumference of a circle by measuring the diameter  the distance straight across the circles middle  and multiplying that by the 3.14-plus number.

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It is considered a constant number and it is also infinite, meaning it is mathematically irrational. Long before computers, historic scientists such as Isaac Newton spent many hours calculating decimal places by hand. Today, using sophisticated computers, researchers have come up with trillions of digits for pi, but there is no end.

Why is it called pi?

It wasnt given its name until 1706, when Welsh mathematician William Jones began using the Greek symbol for the number.

Why that letter? Its the first Greek letter in the words periphery and perimeter, and pi is the ratio of a circles periphery  or circumference  to its diameter.

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What are some practical uses?

The number is key to accurately pointing an antenna toward a satellite. It helps figure out everything from the size of a massive cylinder needed in refinery equipment to the size of paper rolls used in printers.

Pi is also useful in determining the necessary scale of a tank that serves heating and air conditioning systems in buildings of various sizes.

NASA uses pi on a daily basis. Its key to calculating orbits, the positions of planets and other celestial bodies, elements of rocket propulsion, spacecraft communication and even the correct deployment of parachutes when a vehicle splashes down on Earth or lands on Mars.

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Using just nine digits of pi, scientists can calculate the Earths circumference so accurately it errs by only about a quarter of an inch (0.6 centimeters) for every 25,000 miles (about 40,000 kilometers).

It's not just math, though

Every year the San Francisco museum that coined the holiday organizes events, including a parade around a circular plaque, called the Pi Shrine, 3.14 times  and then, of course, festivities with lots of pie.

Across the country, many events now take place on college campuses. At Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, Florida, students in the Jupiter Mathematics Club are hosting a Pi Day Extravaganza with a raffle to hit math professors with a pie, along with a contest for who can memorize the most digits of pi.

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Restaurants across the country, including some pizza chains, also offer $3.14 specials on Pi Day.

NASA holds its annual Pi Day Challenge online, offering plenty of games and puzzles, some directly from the space agencys own playbook, such as calculating the orbit of an asteroid or the distance a moon rover would need to travel each day to survey a certain lunar area.

What about Einstein?

Possibly the worlds best-known scientist, Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Germany. The infinite number of pi was used in many of his breakthrough theories and now Pi Day gives the world another reason to celebrate his achievements.

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In a bit of math symmetry, famed physicist Stephen Hawking died on March 14, 2018, at age 76. Still, pi is not a perfect number. He once had this to say:

One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesnt exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.

___

Associated Press reporter Stephany Matat contributed to this report from West Palm Beach, Florida.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A new study has been published that examines each state and how their healthcare for women compare.

Hawaii is ranked #2 for womens overall health in the United States. That puts us just behind Massachusetts.

This ranking is based on a study that looked at 18 different metrics to compare the 50 states. These metrics included things like health care policies, safety and living standards, such as life expectancy and access to health care.

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The study also showed that Hawaii excels in many areas and highlighted that Hawaii is one of the best places for women to live and thrive.

One of the key factors that contributed to Hawaiis high ranking is its health and living standards. We were scored as the best in the nation. This includes a high life expectancy for women, fewer women without health insurance and a high percentage of women who report having good health.

Hawaii also performs well in areas like physical activity levels and preventive health care, which includes screenings for breast cancer and cervical cancer.

When it comes to health care policies and support systems, Hawaii ranks in the top 5. This means the state has good access to womens hospitals, offers better overall health care options and has a higher percentage of women with personal health care providers.

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Another positive for Hawaii is that fewer women in the state report not being able to afford a doctors visit compared to other states.

Hawaii is also a safer place for women to live. While it ranks 10th for safety overall, its ranking for domestic violence support services and health care policies is quite strong, and this contributes to a lower rate of women who face violence or abuse.

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The states suicide and depression rates are also lower than in many other states, which is a positive sign for overall well-being.

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In addition to its great ranking, Hawaii stands out because of its approach to supporting women. The state has a wide variety of charities and wellness programs, and its health care system focuses on keeping women healthy through preventive care and easy access to health services.

These factors make Hawaii one of the top places in the U.S. for womens health.

Heres a list of the standout points about Hawaii from the study on womens health:

Overall rank: #2 for womens health in the U.S., just behind Massachusetts. Health and living standards: Ranked #1 for Health & Living Standards, meaning women in Hawaii have excellent life expectancy and good overall health.

Hawaii has a high percentage of women who report having good or better health.

The state also performs well in physical activity and preventive health care, like screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Health care policies and support systems: Ranked #4 in this category, indicating strong health care options for women.

Access to womens hospitals and health care providers is good.

Fewer women in Hawaii report being unable to afford doctors visits compared to other states. Safety: Hawaii ranks #10 for safety, with low rates of domestic violence and good support services available.

The suicide and depression rates for women are lower than many other states. Support services: Hawaii ranks highly for domestic violence support services, helping ensure women have the help they need in crisis situations. Affordable health care: Hawaii does well in providing affordable health care, with fewer women unable to afford a doctors visit compared to other states.

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You can click here to read the full report.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Hawaiis strong rankings in these categories highlight the state as a leader in supporting womens health and well-being.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Get ready for an amazing night sky event in Hawaii! On March 13 and 14, we have the opportunity to see and experience a total lunar eclipse.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into Earths shadow and turns a reddish-orange color, which is why its often referred to as a Blood Moon.

10 facts about Obamas $18M Hawaii beachfront mansion

The cool part? You dont need any special tools to see it. All you have to do is step outside; get in a dark place, away from bright city lights; and look to the heavens. If you have binoculars or a telescope, thatll make the view even better.

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This lunar eclipse will be visible from the Western Hemisphere, which includes Hawaii this time around.

Why does the Moon turn red?

To understand this phenomenon, weve got to talk about a bit of science. As sunlight passes through Earths atmosphere, blue light scatters away (this is why the sky is blue). Meanwhile, the red light bends toward the Moon and gives it that eerie glow. Its like seeing all of Earths sunrises and sunsets at once.

Small steps, big returns: 5 things to know for financial success in Hawaii

Where and when to watch

This lunar eclipse will be visible across the Western Hemisphere, including Hawaii and much of the Americas. The eclipse will occur overnight. At that time, the Moon will start in the constellation Leo and later move into Virgo; so, you may have the opportunity also to spot Jupiter and Mars nearby.

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Where Hawaiis ranks in womens healthcare

The eclipse will reach its totality between 8:26 p.m and 9:31 p.m.

On Oahu

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association is hosting Pouli Ka Mahina  Total Lunar Eclipse at Sandy Beach Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Click here to register.

You can also view from Kapiolani Park, Leahi (Diamond Head), Waikiki Beach (click here for info), Lanikai Beach and Kakaako Waterfront Beach Park in Honolulu.

the eclipse will reach its totality between 8:26 p.m. and 9:21 p.m.

On Hawaii Island

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

In Hilo, you can join the Gemini Base Facility to experience the eclipse. Its BYO chairs and snacks. Click here for more information.

On Maui

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

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There are no scheduled events listed online.

On Kauai

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

There are no scheduled events listed online.

On Molokai

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

There are no scheduled events listed online.

On Lanai

Weather is forecasting clouds on the windward sides of the islands; so, it is advised to view from the leeward sides.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

There are no scheduled events listed online.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Geely Auto has officially introduced the next-generation SUV, the Geely EX5, to the Australia and New Zealand markets, expanding its international presence.

The launch, is a part of Geely's 2030 Vision, marks the completion of Geely's product rollout across five continents.

The company established a subsidiary in Australia last year, focusing on integrating local dealers, suppliers, and partners.

By the end of this year, Geely plans to open 24 dealer outlets in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) market, aiming for over 100 as business progresses.

The EX5 model features new energy technologies, such as the Short Blade Battery Technology and the 11-in-1 Intelligent Electric Drive.

Geely said that EX5 has recorded sales of 12,000 units in the mainland China market in the first month following its launch. Cumulative deliveries have surpassed 100,000 units in over seven months.

Internationally, the company secured orders for EX5 in Thailand and Indonesia and interest in other markets.

Geely is set to launch eight new energy vehicle (NEV) models based on its GEA architecture over the next three years, aiming to strengthen its international market position.

Geely Automotive International Corporation (GAIC) vice-president Evin Ye said: We sincerely hope that the outstanding quality and performance of the EX5 will win over Australian and New Zealand consumers, becoming a trusted companion for daily travel and exciting journeys.

Furthermore, the company has introduced GEELY  GO, a global user brand, to foster a community among its 17 million users worldwide.

Geely Auto Group CEO Jerry Gan said: This year, we will further accelerate our globalization layout and introduce high-value products to markets such as the UK, Brazil and South Africa.

By the end of 2025, we project that, the number of Geely sales and service outlets will surpass 1,100, to provide global consumers with a more convenient and efficient service experience, while helping Geely's continued growth and long-term development in the international market.

Last week, Geely launched the Geely Global App, a new mobile platform developed to improve vehicle management for owners of EX5 model.

The app is designed to provide a more intelligent and accessible ownership experience for its global customer base.

"Geely launches EX5 in Australia and NZ" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

It only takes the gentle brush of a hand or slow glide of a boat to trigger the sparkling blue-green light of bioluminescent plankton, or phytoplankton. The dinoflagellates  single-celled phytoplankton that produce oxygen in water  emit a sparkling cold light when agitated as a protection mechanism.

This unpredictable category of glowing marine life, however, is known to play a ruthless game of right place, right time with those eager to observe it. Occurring predominantly in the deep waters of the worlds oceans, and only rarely on shallow coastlines, the phenomenon requires warm, calm and windless waters, as well as low-lit new moon nights, to ensure particularly memorable displays.

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Due to the fragility of the phytoplankton, scientists recommend observing the spectacle from a distance. The silver lining? If one blue tide washes ashore, its likely to stay for another night or two. From Australia to Wales, here are the best places to witness bioluminescent tides yourself.

Puerto Rico, Caribbean

Theres no denying that Puerto Ricos Mosquito Bay is the worlds brightest bioluminescent bay  it was officially recognised as such by Guinness World Records in 2006. A designated natural reserve, its mangrove-fed abundance of dinoflagellates doubled in 2017, after Hurricane Maria overwhelmed Puerto Rican shores. With its ideal low-light conditions, the bay is a true sight to behold, hosting the breathtaking underwater show year-round.

Equally as captivating are Fajardos canal-like Laguna Grande, close to the capital San Juan, and La Parguera, located in Lajas, which is the only Puerto Rican bio bay where motorboats and swimming are allowed.

New South Wales, Australia

Jervis Bay, along the southern coast of New South Wales, is known for its sweeping beaches, the aptly named White Sands Walk and first-class whale-watching  the national park really has it all, including phytoplankton. Covering 39sq miles, Jervis Bay has several locations where this magical lightshow has lit up the waters in the past. Informed guesses would point towards Barfleur Beach or Blenheim Beach, where the bioluminescence typically blooms between May and August. However, if the right weather conditions prevail, it can be seen year-round  locals news is the best source of information to catch potential blooms.

Jarvis Bay in New South Wales is Australia's likeliest location for bioluminescent tides to occur. Photograph by Gergo Rugli, Getty Images

Krabi, Thailand

When it comes to dazzling blue waves, the Thai province of Krabi in the southwest of the country is another great destination to visit. Home to shallow waters, mangrove forests and coral reefs, the coastal areas of Krabi provide the perfect conditions for dinoflagellates to thrive. The provinces tourism board runs seven island sunset and plankton tours and even advises on which dates to target for the ultimate glow experience. A good rule of thumb, however, is to make the journey between November and May when theres little to no rainfall. Staying on the western side of Railay Beach, one of the most popular sites for bioluminescence, is another way to witness the maritime lightshow right from your bungalow.

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(Inspired by White Lotus? Here are the Thai islands to visit.)

Matsu Islands, Taiwan

While bioluminescent plankton has many nicknames across the globe, the Taiwanese version is perhaps the most evocative. On Taiwans Matsu Islands, located just a few miles shy of the eastern coast of China, the glowing microalgae are known as blue tears and are said to be spotted in higher concentrations during the short window from April to June. Beigan, in the north of the island group, houses one of two local airports and offers the highest success rate of seeing the glowing tides. Boat tours around Qiaozi Village and Beigans western shores leave every day at dusk, and while bioluminescence is never guaranteed, most visitors are lucky enough to see the brightly lit waves.

Beigan, in the north of this Taiwanese island group, offers the highest success rate of seeing the glowing tides. Photograph by Sean3810, Getty Images

Oaxaca, Mexico

Theres already a very specific list of conditions needed for bioluminescence to occur, but in Puerto Escondidos Laguna Manialtepec, another crucial factor must cooperate. Its only during the rainy season in June and July, when the lagoon connects to the ocean on Mexicos western coast in Oaxaca, that the plankton can seek refuge in the tangled mangrove riverscape. Once there, however, the calm and warm waters prove perfect for hosting twinkling ripples in the pitch dark. Most boat tours leave for the lagoon at 1am, but the sleepless night is worth it  youll also be able to look out for the native crocodiles lining the canals edge.

California, US

Most of Californias beaches are already breathtaking by day, but stay after dark and the show could continue with blue, sparkling sand and water. At San Diegos Mission Bay and Newport Beach, flare ups of bioluminescent plankton have recently increased from ever few years to three years in a row. Last years unprecedented waves captured social media attention with the help of local creator Patrick Coyne, who partnered up with Newport Whale Watching to offer impromptu boat tours on lit-up nights. While October and November proved to be by far the most active months, its difficult to predict if this lucky run will repeat itself in years to come. Those willing to take the risk, though, might just be rewarded with sapphire-bright beaches.

Southern Californian coast has unexpectedly enjoyed bioluminescent tides for three years in a row. Photograph by FPLV, Getty Images

Wales, UK

Perhaps the most unlikely of locations for sparkling tides to wash ashore is the rocky and windswept coast of Wales. Granted, the likelihood of stumbling across this natural phenomenon, which seems to have a tropical preference, is significantly lower here, yet nowhere near nil. In recent years, and most likely due to climate change, nighthawks have spotted blooms of bioluminescent plankton here  Dunvegan Bay in the northwest and Angleseys Penmon Point are likely locations to spot high concentrations during mid to late June. Should luck be on your side, skip a stone across the surface and admire the otherworldly glow cascade out into the open sea.

To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
An agent honored by Donald Trump during his address to Congress in 2019 was one of the officers who arrested Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, according to attorneys for the Columbia University student and lawful permanent resident who is now facing deportation for his role in pro-Palestine campus protests.

When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Khalils biometrics after his arrest, an agent said the White House is requesting an update, lawyers wrote in a court filing in Manhattan on Thursday.

After a brief court appearance this week, Khalils attorneys are now asking a judge to bring Khalil back to New York after he was moved to a detention center in Louisiana, and for an order that blocks the Trump administration from similarly threatening noncitizens from removal from the country over support for Palestine.

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Following a series of statements from U.S. officials  and the president himself  attacking Khalil, who has not been charged with committing any crime, lawyers argue that the Trump administration has violated Khalils First Amendment rights with a targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protester because of his constitutionally protected speech.

Protesters outside federal court in Manhattan on March 12 demanded his release from detention over what attorneys are calling unconstitutional retaliation in response to his pro-Palestine advocacy (REUTERS)

The new filing updates an earlier petition to the court to challenge his initial arrest, which has sparked international outcry and fears that the administration is moving to crush political dissidents, starting with campus demonstrations against Israels devastating campaign in Gaza and U.S. support.

Lawyers with Trumps Department of Justice admit that their attempt to deport Khalil is based only on Secretary of State Marco Rubio having reasonable grounds to believe that his presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences, despite being a lawful permanent resident with a green card. On Wednesday, Rubio accused Khalil of engaging in antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization, echoing previous statements by Trump. Khalils lawyers have called those assertions false.

Khalil, who is Palestinian, grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. He entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 to pursue a masters degree in public administration, which he completed last year. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025.

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He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. His wife, a U.S. citizen, is eight months pregnant.

Khalil has called Israels actions in Gaza a genocide and criticized Columbia University for, in his view, financing and in other ways facilitating such violence, his attorneys wrote.

He is committed to peaceful protest and being a voice for his people, they wrote.

The filing quotes an interview Khalil gave to CNN during campus demonstrations, telling a reporter that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand and you cannot achieve one without the other. He also called the student movement a movement for social justice and freedom and equality for everyone.

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On March 7, following months of public scrutiny, he told Columbias interim president in an email that he cannot sleep and he fears ICE or a dangerous individual might come to my home.

The following night, plainclothes agents followed Khalil and his wife into the lobby of an apartment building and identified themselves as Department of Homeland Security officers, and two other officers approached from inside the building, the filing states. They never produced a warrant, according to his attorneys.

Khalil called his attorney Amy Greer, who then spoke to agent Elvin Hernandez, who was hailed by Trump as one of the nations law enforcement heroes in his state of the union address in 2019.

Homeland Security agent Elvin Hernandez was honored by Donald Trump during his state of the union address in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

Hernandez told her Khalils student visa and green card were being revoked and he was being taken to an ICE field office in Manhattan, then hung up, according to the filing.

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Khalils wife then showed an agent his green card, the filing states. The agent looked confused when he saw the documents and said, He has a green card to the individual with whom he was on the phone, and Mr. Khalils wife heard the agent repeat that they were being ordered to bring Mr. Khalil in anyway, according to Khalils lawyers.

The agents threatened that Khalils wife would also be arrested if she did not comply, the complaint says.

While in custody, Khalil was repeatedly denied a lawyer when he asked to speak with one, according to his attorneys. He spent the night at a detention center in New Jersey waiting to be processed and was then sent back to New York and put on a plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport the next day on March 9.

Khalil was put on an American Airlines flight around 2:45 p.m. to Dallas, Texas, during which he saw an agent receive a message that said he cannot have a phone call, according to his lawyers.

Khalil will remain in detention in a Louisiana facility as a legal battle plays out to determine if he will be deported from the United States (Getty Images)

He spent roughly four hours in Dallas and was then placed on another American Airlines flight to Louisiana. He arrived there at roughly 1 a.m. March 10 and was driven in handcuffs and shackles to a detention center in Jena.

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There, when he told agents that he has an ulcer and needs to take his medication for it every day, he didnt receive any until the next evening, according to his attorneys.

Throughout this process, Mr. Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped, attorneys wrote. He was reminded of prior experience fleeing arbitrary detention in Syria and forced disappearance of his friends in Syria in 2013. It was shortly after this that Mr. Khalil left Syria. At no time throughout this process did any of the agents identify themselves.

He is worried about the wellbeing of his wife and their unborn child and is very concerned about the possibility he will not be there for his childs birth, his lawyers wrote. He also was set to start a new job next month and now fears the loss of income and lack of health insurance for his family, they said.

In remarks outside federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, attorney Ramzi Kassem with the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) project at CUNY School of Law called the governments grounds for revoking Khalils green card absolutely unprecedented.

It cannot be the case that you can be disappeared at night, off the streets of New York city, simply because the current administration in the White House dislikes what you have to say, he said.
By James Oliphant and Nathan Layne

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration gave no sign on Friday of diverting from its plan for a second wave of mass firings and budget cuts across the U.S. government after two federal court rulings ordered the reinstatement of thousands of workers.

Even so, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged on Friday that mistakes had been made during the downsizing process, which has moved at breakneck speed since Trump took office in January.

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Federal agencies had faced a Thursday deadline to submit large-scale reorganization plans as part of Trump's push to radically remake the federal bureaucracy, a task he has largely left to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

So far, the DOGE effort has produced potential cuts of more than 100,000 jobs across the 2.3 million-member federal civilian workforce, the freezing of foreign aid, and the cancellation of thousands of programs and contracts.

DOGE's approach at times has been so scattershot that key federal employees such as those who oversee the country's nuclear stockpile and scientists combating bird flu have been fired and recalled.

At the same time, financial markets have been rattled by the economic risks posed by a global trade war being waged by Trump. Stock markets have fallen dramatically over the past two weeks, wiping out $5 trillion in value over concerns that Trump's policies could lead to a recession, although Wall Street stocks were higher on Friday.

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Vance said on Friday that Musk's DOGE has made mistakes at times and defended most federal employees as hard-working.

"Elon himself has said that sometimes you do something, you make a mistake, and then you undo the mistake. I'm accepting of mistakes," Vance said in an interview with NBC News.

"I also think you have to quickly correct those mistakes. But I'm also very aware of the fact that there are a lot of good people who work in the government  a lot of people who are doing a very good job," Vance said. "And we want to try to preserve as much of what works in government as possible, while eliminating what doesn't work."

Rulings in federal courts in California and Maryland on Thursday ordered some agencies to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who had been dismissed in recent weeks.

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The White House, calling the judges partisan activists, vowed to fight back. The California ruling has already been appealed, and the administration has asked the judge to pause implementation of his ruling pending the outcome.

"This injunction is entirely unconstitutional," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday. "You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States."

With Musk, the world's richest man at his side, Trump signed an executive order on February 11 directing all agencies to "promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force," using a legal term commonly referred to as RIF to denote mass layoffs.

A subsequent memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management said plans should include "a significant reduction" of full-time staff, cuts to real estate, a smaller budget, and the elimination of functions not mandated by law.

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IRS CUTS

The Internal Revenue Service, the tax-collecting agency that has long been a target of scorn for Republicans, is planning to eliminate 20% to 25% of its workforce by May 15, according to a person briefed on the agency's plans. The IRS had about 100,000 workers when Trump took office, meaning up to 25,000 are set to lose their jobs.

The 20% to 25% target includes the roughly 5,000 IRS employees who took a buyout last month and potentially 7,000 probationary workers who were fired, though court rulings on Thursday could lead to the reinstatement of probationary staff, the person said.

The planned job cuts are being described internally as the first phase of the agency's efforts to reduce career workers, the person briefed on the matter said, indicating there could be additional cuts after May 15.

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The Trump administration has yet to give a total of how many people it has fired, but Reuters reporting on internal memos, public statements and other sources add up to more than 100,000 people fired or offered buyouts, with the Department of Veterans Affairs alone aiming to cut more than 80,000 workers.

COURT CHALLENGES

Several agencies have offered employees lump-sum payments to voluntarily retire early, which could help the agencies avoid legal complications inherent in the RIF process that unions have vowed to fight in court.

Court rulings on the layoffs have had mixed results but Thursday's decisions in California and Maryland marked the largest legal setback yet for the administration.

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U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ruled that probationary workers, typically those with less than two years on the job, should be reinstated at the departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior and Treasury.

After Alsup's ruling was handed down, U.S. District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore directed the administration to reinstate tens of thousands of federal workers.

Bredar agreed with 20 Democratic-led states that 18 agencies that had fired probationary employees en masse in recent weeks violated regulations governing the process for laying off federal workers.

(Reporting by James Oliphant in Washington and Nathan Layne in New York; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Scott Malone, Leslie Adler and Rosalba O'Brien)
NEW YORK  The White House sought real-time updates on the status of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil after his arrest by Homeland Security agents who stonewalled his lawyers until he was on the way to rural Louisiana, the Columbia University graduate students legal team said in new court filings.

In an amended complaint in Manhattan Federal Court challenging the lawfulness of his detention, Khalils lawyers shed light on the speed at which agents moved to transport him out of New York in a tumultuous 16-hour stretch after he was detained at around 8:35 p.m. Saturday after returning from dinner with his pregnant wife.

It detailed how the feds expressed confusion when Khalil presented documents showing his lawful status as a permanent resident to agents who had been awaiting his return at his university apartment, prompting an officer to tell someone on the phone that he has a green card, before saying that he was being detained anyway.

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The Trump administration has not accused Khalil of breaking any laws but says his participation in campus protests against Israeli military activity in Gaza and Columbias investment ties to Israel make him a terrorist sympathizer. They have cited an obscure provision in a 1952 law that empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio to order anyone deported whose presence he deems a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

Immediately after his arrest, as he was brought to 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan for processing, Khalil heard an agent telling another taking his biometrics that the White House is requesting an update, according to his lawyers.

In contrast, they said they couldnt contact him for days until Manhattan Federal Judge Jesse Furman ordered them to be permitted to do so Wednesday. Furman has temporarily halted Khalils removal while he considers his lawyers bid to have him released.

Khalil was transported from New York to a privately owned detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, at 3:20 a.m. and driven to Kennedy Airport the following morning. At 2:45 p.m. Sunday, he was put on a plane to Dallas for a connecting flight to Louisiana.

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Hes since been sleeping in a bunker without a pillow or blanket, according to his lawyers, and waited some three days to be given the medication he needs for an ulcer.

The government has argued that Khalils habeas corpus petition shouldnt be handled in the Southern District of New York because he had been transported to New Jersey about an hour before it was filed at 4:41 a.m. Sunday.

In filings Wednesday, they said it should be transferred to Louisiana as New Jersey never acquired jurisdiction in the eight or so hours he was there, unbeknownst to his attorneys. If it were moved to Louisiana, his lawyers would be required to direct any challenges to court orders to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, among the most conservative in the country.

Khalils attorneys, in Thursdays filing, said the online system to track detainees in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officially placed him at Federal Plaza in Manhattan when they brought their filing.

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The grandson of Palestinians who was born in a Syrian refugee camp, Khalil completed his masters program at Columbias School of International Affairs in December and has been set to graduate in May. He played a prominent role in the student-led demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza last year, chosen to facilitate negotiations between staff and students based on his previous work at a British Embassy and the U.N., which his lawyers noted in the filing.

In addition to being a green card holder, Khalil is married to a U.S. citizen. His arrest and detainment on ideological grounds have sparked nationwide protests and alarm on both sides of the political spectrum about the future of free speech under Trump.

In the wake of Khalils arrest, Trump posted on his Truth Social website that he would be the first of many. He and other administration officials have described any opposition to Israels government as antisemitic, with Trump frequently using the word Palestinian as a slur, including this week against Jewish Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer.

Khalil has denied characterizations being repeated by top Trump administration officials that his calls for a ceasefire and criticism of the Israeli regime amount to antisemitism and support for Hamas, which the U.S. designates a terrorist group.

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(As) a Palestinian student, I believe that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand and you cannot achieve one without the other, he told CNN in September.

Khalils attorneys are expected to speak with reporters later Friday for an update on his status.

_____
The White House on Friday vowed to appeal the federal court rulings that required the Trump administration to reinstate probationary government employees who judges said were fired unlawfully at several agencies.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the injunction was entirely unconstitutional and said the administration would respond aggressively.

Fighting back by appealing. Fighting back by using the full weight of the White Houses counsels office, Leavitt said.

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Federal judges in both Maryland and Northern California district courts issued orders Thursday halting the mass dismissals.

U.S. District Judge William Alsups ruling Thursday required the government to reinstate probationary employees fired Feb. 13-14 at the Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury departments.

A second ruling from U.S. District Judge James Bredar was even broader, temporarily reinstating probationary employees at 18 federal agencies.

In this case, the government conducted massive layoffs, but it gave no advance notice. It claims it wasnt required to because, it says, it dismissed each one of these thousands of probationary employees for performance or other individualized reasons, wrote Bredar, an appointee of former President Obama.

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On the record before the Court, this isnt true. There were no individualized assessments of employees. They were all just fired. Collectively, he added.

Leavitt accused the low level judges of usurping executive power.

And as the executive of the executive branch, the president has the ability to hire or fire, and you have these lower-level judges who are trying to block this presidents agenda. Its very clear, she told reporters.

The case was one of multiple ongoing lawsuits challenging the mass terminations of probationary workers  who are usually in their first or second year in a new role  which has been part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.

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Leavitt said that in February alone, there were 15 injunctions imposed on the administrations actions, compared to 14 injunctions during three years of the Biden administration, citing data the Harvard Law Review published in April 2024.

Leavitt also argued that judges ruling against the Trump administrations agenda are activists and partisan.

Its very clear that there are judicial activists throughout our judicial branch who are trying to block this presidents executive authority. We are going to fight back, she said. All of the indictments, all of these injunctions have always been unconstitutional and unfair. They are led by partisan activists.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met Thursday with President Donald Trump at the White House, following up on a conversation she had with him in the nation's capital last month.

"I had a productive meeting at the White House today with President Trump where we discussed bringing good paying jobs to Michigan," Whitmer told the Free Press in a statement. "We also discussed tariffs, the importance of keeping our Great Lakes clean and safe, and additional defense investments in the state.

"Im grateful for his time today and Ill always work as hard as I can with anyone for the state of Michigan and its people," she added.

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Whitmer didn't provide any additional information about the meeting or what was said. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the discussion.

The meeting comes at a time when Michigan and the auto industry that plays such a large role in the state's economy are facing what could be the devastating effects of the president's proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico. While those tariffs have mostly been suspended until early April, there are still deep concerns that the ones already in effect on aluminum and steel could have a disproportionate impact on the state and its manufacturing base.

The auto industry has deeply integrated supply chain lines throughout Mexico and Canada and is the second largest importer of all the states because of that.

While in D.C., Whitmer also participated in an event with other swing state governors as part of the House Democratic Caucus retreat, according to a source with knowledge of the panel who was not authorized to speak publicly. The governor aimed to "shed some light on her success leading a purple state and what Democrats can learn from her election victories," the source said.

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On Wednesday, speaking with reporters in Livonia, Whitmer had some of her strongest words to date about the Trump administration's tariff proposals and cost-cutting measures announced throughout the federal government, raising concerns that plans to reduce the Department of Education's workforce by half and impose "indiscriminate" tariffs on allies is going to hurt Michigan families and workers and drive up costs.

More: S&P Global says auto industry has 1 week before massive production halt due to tariffs

More: Whitmer blasts policy moves by Trump administration on tariffs and education

Trump has argued that tariffs are needed to make trade more fair for the U.S. and is also using them as leverage to push Canada and Mexico to combat illegal immigration into the U.S. and reduce the flow of illegal drugs. Both countries, as well as others worldwide, have promised to raise tariffs of their own, increasing the likelihood of a trade war. Stock market indices in the U.S. have plummeted in recent weeks as Trump has threatened and imposed tariffs.

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Whitmer was in the Washington, D.C. area to be part of a panel of governors speaking to U.S. House Democrats at a retreat in Leesburg, Virginia. Others on the panel included Democratic Govs. Josh Shapiro, of Pennsylvania, and Andy Beshear, of Kentucky.

In February, Whitmer, who campaigned against Trump as he ran for reelection last year and was a frequent foil of his during his first term in office, sat next to the Republican president at a White House dinner held as part of a National Governors Association conference. Whitmer said at the time that the two spoke then about Michigan's priorities and had agreed to have a meeting later to talk more.

While some Democratic governors have taken a much more aggressive public posture toward Trump and the actions he has taken in his second term, Whitmer, who has been talked about by some pundits as a possible presidential candidate herself in the future, has noted that Trump won Michigan and it is her responsibility to try to find common ground with his administration to further state interests.

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer meets with Trump at White House, discusses tariffs
To this day, there is only one American-built monument located in any German military cemetery and it stems from a rare act of battlefield compassion. As Nazi Germany fought for its life in a battle now known as a meat grinder, a German officer heard the cries of a wounded American soldier trapped in a minefield  and then rushed out to try and save him.

1944 was not a great year for Nazi Germany. Berlin and other German cities were being pounded day and night by Allied air campaigns. The Allies controlled all major sea lanes. The Reich was losing ground on the Eastern Front and in Italy as massive Allied forces landed in both Normandy and on Frances Mediterranean coast. By September of that year, the Germans were fighting on their home territory in the West and were determined to hold it.

Nowhere is this determination more apparent than the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. It would go down in history as the longest battle fought on German soil during World War II and the second-longest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army (the 1942 Battle of Bataan was only four days longer). Ernest Hemingway, covering the battle for Colliers Magazine, would later write: Whoever survived Hurtgenwald must have had a guardian angel on each of his shoulders,

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The Americans were trying to keep German forces occupied at Hurtgen Forest to prevent them from reinforcing against the Allied attack on Aachen some 16 miles away. The Germans, conversely, were trying to inflict as many casualties on the Allies as possible and prevent them from penetrating the Siegfried Line.

Notations on the photo state Just before entering Hurtgen Forest  2nd SEC  2nd Plat  A few members of 2nd Platoon, Reconnaissance Company, 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion  November 1944. T/5 James Lee on right. Public Domain.

Although Aachen would fall to the Allies, the Germans were successful in inflicting casualties on the advancing Americans at Hurtgen Forest. The battle raged on for three months, and the attacking Americans took upwards of 55,000 casualties in that time. By November, the U.S. VII Corps was ready to make a push through the northern part of the forest and clear the way to the Rur River. The 22nd Infantry Regiment would be in the VII Corps southern flank. What they didnt know was that although the enemy was understrength, they were well reinforced and ready for an attack. The 22nd encountered heavy resistance before that phase of the battle ever even began.

German Lt. Friedrich Lengfeld was in command of one of the 2nd Company of the Fusiliers Battalion, defending the area from the 22nds advance. At just 23 years old, his unit had suffered heavy casualties as well. On the morning of Nov. 12, 1944, he could hear a wounded American soldier calling for help. He ordered his men not to shoot if the Americans sent help, but they never did. The wounded man cried for aid for hours. Lengfeld decided he would do something about it, so he organized a squad to reach the man.

The man, it turned out, was wounded in the middle of the Wilde Sau minefield, one of the largest, built to protect the Siegfried Line. Lengfeld alone proceeded toward the wounded man, but stepped on a mine. The explosion and fragmentation shredded his leg and peppered his body. Within eight hours, the lieutenant was dead. No one knows what happened to the wounded American. The entire incident was recorded by Hubert Gees, Lengfelds communications runner. In 1994, Gees story inspired members of the 22nd United States Infantry Society to erect a monument for the German at the entrance to the military cemetery in Hurtgen, one dedicated to the officer who gave his life to render aid to an enemy soldier. The inscription begins with the words:

No man hath greater love than he who layeth down his life for his enemy.
What started as a feast day in Ireland has evolved into one of the largest celebrations in the United States.

St. Patrick's Day, which occurs on Monday, will bring parades and celebrations to the country over the weekend, including Memphis. In honor of the holiday, here is a glimpse into the history behind how the celebration came to its modern form.

Here is the history behind St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick's Day in Memphis

Though Memphis is not known as a hub for Irish people, several Irish pubs and restaurants exist throughout town. Numerous events are also happening over the weekend leading up to the Irish holiday on Monday. From dining out to a parade to parties and cookie decorating, Memphis is getting green this weekend.

St. Patrick's Day spiritual meaning

While millions of people worldwide celebrate St. Patrick's Day for fun, the holiday is religious for Irish people globally.

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St. Patrick's Day is the feast day for St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Irish citizens celebrate the day by attending church to honor the saint who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century.

It's celebrated on March 17 annually to honor St. Patrick's death date.

Who was St. Patrick?

According to History.com, St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. He was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave when he was 16. St. Patrick escaped years later but returned to Ireland to convert the country to Christianity.

St. Patrick is well-known for introducing the concept of the Holy Trinity using the three leaves of the native Irish clover.

When was the first St. Patrick's Day celebration?

St. Patrick's Day celebrations were not popular until Irish immigrants made it a nonreligious holiday. According to the History Channel, the first recorded celebration took place on March 17, 1601, in the Spanish colony of what would become St. Augustine, Florida.

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Boston held its first celebration parade in 1737, followed by New York in 1762.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What is St. Patrick's Day's spiritual meaning and why we celebrate
The News

Three Democratic senators are retiring in blue-leaning swing states ahead of the 2026 midterms. And the party doesnt sound too worried about it.

Even as Republicans promise to make New Hampshire, Minnesota and Michigan into battles next year, Senate Democrats said this week that retiring incumbents in those states would give them good opportunities to elect younger and more diverse candidates.

How can I be someone who just replaced my senior senator and not think that its a good idea? said Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who replaced ex-Sen. Debbie Stabenow this year. Shes working to ensure Democrats hold her fellow Michigander Gary Peters seat after he exits next year.

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Only in the US Senate could it be radical to retire at 66 years old, right? Slotkin quipped of Peters.

Its an apt moment to consider new recruits for the caucus run by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, whos feeling an onslaught of grassroots frustration over his decision to not pick a government funding fight with President Donald Trump.

Schumer will have to defend the seats being vacated by Peters, Sen. Tina Smith in Minnesota and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire  at 78, the oldest of the three Democrats whove opted to retire.

The three-term Shaheen told Semafor she was cognizant of not wanting to be here if I were in a position that I could no longer do a good job for New Hampshire and do a good job for the country. Republicans may have tried to make her age an issue if she ran again, though former Senate campaigns chief Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said she would have had a very strong chance of winning again.

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A poll conducted last month for the conservative news site NHJournal found 60% of likely voters, including 49% of Democrats, were concerned about Shaheens age if she sought a new term. The same poll put former GOP Gov. Chris Sununu ahead of Shaheen in a potential match-up; one day before her announcement, Sununu told the Washington Times that he might run for the seat, because she is very vulnerable and very beatable.

Former Sen. Scott Brown, who lost to Shaheen in 2014, also met with Senate Republicans this week.

Democrats now see Rep. Chris Pappas, 44, as the likeliest candidate to replace Shaheen; hed also defuse the age issue in the race. In Michigan and Minnesota, leading candidates include two younger women: state Sen. Mallory McMorrow in the former and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in the latter.

You look at some of the candidates in these different states that are considering it, [and] thats a lot of exciting young energy that I think can really help the Democratic Party, said New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim, 42, who challenged disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez last year after he was indicted on bribery charges.

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The Democratic caucus on the House side, its older than the Republican side, Kim added. I think its the same on the Senate side as well.

The partys retirements are unlikely to stop with the three senators who have already announced. Illinois Democrats also expect Sen. Dick Durbin, 80, to leave at the end of this term, though he has not announced his plans. Former GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., 83, is also retiring after next year.

The View From Republicans

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott celebrated Shaheens retirement, and the committee shared a memo that suggested the state was shifting right  Republicans gained ground even as Donald Trump lost it last year.

Yet GOP strategist Jim Merrill, who is not working with any candidate, said that Shaheen might have been more vulnerable than a new candidate.

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Given what happened with Biden last year, and the fact that shed be 80 if she won again, the age question was coming up, he said. Shaheen wasnt holding town halls, wasnt having many interactions with voters. A campaign against her would have highlighted her energy and engagement, and that wont happen now.



Burgess and Davids View

Theres ample reason to believe Democrats can hold New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota  even with the retirements of Peters, Smith and Shaheen. This isnt like the crisis Democrats faced last year in West Virginia, which instantly turned red when former Sen. Joe Manchin retired.

Manchin was the last electable Democrat in a state racing to the right; by contrast, Republicans havent won a Senate race in New Hampshire since 2010, and its been far longer in Minnesota and Michigan.

The Biden debacle is still rippling through Democratic politics, but it was one of many crises driven by aging politicians that the party faced  and ignored  for most of last year. The late California Sen. Dianne Feinsteins decline caused repeated problems, from her botched questioning of now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett to her bungling of allegations against now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

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In the House, two elderly Democrats died this year after campaigning with cancer diagnoses. The subsequent deaths of Sylvester Turner and Raul Grijalava will make it easier for the House GOP to move legislation for months, until their states can hold special elections for their safe seats.

Notably, Shaheen was showing no Feinstein-like signs of decline or illness, which also contributed to two elderly House Democrats (Jerry Nadler and David Scott) losing their prime committee spots to younger challengers earlier this year.

But Democrats interest in electing forty-somethings to replace her as well as the Peters and Smith shows a healthy desire to move beyond the Biden experience.

And it represents one more chink in the armor of decorum that protected the late Robert Byrd and Thad Cochran, who won their final terms despite being too feeble to fulfill them.





Notable
By Gianluca Semeraro

MILAN (Reuters) -Italy's biggest insurer Generali reported on Thursday a record profit for 2024, ahead of a key shareholder vote next month on the reappointment of CEO Philippe Donnet.

The insurer, historically a bulwark of Italy's financial system, also said it could step up purchases of domestic government bonds, which may be significant as it seeks to win Italian government approval for its planned tie-up with France's Natixis Investment Managers.

Generali said its growing life portfolio could warrant larger Italian government bond holdings, which it holds as reserves against liabilities.

Generali held 35.6 billion euros ($38.67 billion) in Italian BTP bonds at the end of 2024.

"Our BTP portfolio is linked to our insurance liabilities in Italy, and it will always be the case," Donnet told analysts.

Jefferies analysts said they expected "the stock of BTPs will grow with reserves, but the proportion of assets allocated will not."

Generali's role as a large buyer of domestic bonds has raised concerns in Rome about the tie-up with BPCE-owned Natixis. The government wants further guarantees that Generali will remain in full control of allocating savings collected in the country, sources have told Reuters.

The tie-up has also drawn criticism from two major shareholders: construction tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone and Delfin, the holding company of late Ray-Ban owner Leonardo Del Vecchio.

The two shareholders are also at odds with Mediobanca, Generali's biggest investor, over the makeup of the insurer's board and are set to face off at the annual general meeting on April 24.

Three years ago, with backing from Mediobanca, Donnet overcame a challenge to his leadership brought by Caltagirone and Delfin.

This time, after considering possible replacements, Caltagirone is not planning to back an alternative CEO candidate, sources have told Reuters, but the AGM vote could still produce a fractured board.

In a move with implications for Generali, Mediobanca has become a takeover target for state-backed Banca Monte dei Paschi, which since November has Caltagirone and Delfin among its shareholders.

Generali said its adjusted net profit rose 5.4% to 3.77 billion euros last year, while operating profit, a key figure for analysts, increased 8.2% to 7.3 billion euros.

Both figures set new records for the insurer and were in line with the company-provided analyst consensus.

"When I arrived, Generali's market capitalisation was 15 billion euros, now it's 50 billion euros," Donnet said. "The growth path is not over."
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit meant to improve West Virginia's foster care system, saying the federal courts can't solve the problem and placing the blame with West Virginia state government. (Getty Images)

What role should the courts play in reforming government institutions that violate constitutional rights? If a recent court order dismissing a class action against West Virginias foster care system for lack of standing prevails, the answer is that courts should remain in the gallery. An article by Amelia Ferrell Knisely explains the circumstances surrounding the dismissal well. Yet what is most surprising is the line of reasoning pursued in the dismissal order, what it means for the children stuck in the states broken foster care system, and what it might mean for the future of institutional reform litigation.

Lets start with how the courts order specifically impacts children in foster care. In light of the dismissal, the court directs the plaintiffs to seek relief at the ballot box and reminds them that its not the judiciarys duty to protect people from their political decisions. What the court does not mention is that the youngest plaintiff was 2 when the complaint was filed. It will be around a decade before he receives the right to vote. Suggesting the ballot box seems hardly practical.

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Why do the plaintiffs lack standing? The order rightly reasons that standing requires a redressable injury, an injury that a court can correct. The court notes that it cannot administer state institutions, hire state employees or write state budgets. It hastens to add that it cannot redistribute state resources. The court sees these examples as interventions that would violate the separation of powers. In the courts mind, these are ways a court cannot provide redress. These are fair concerns. It is certainly within the public interest to guard the separation of powers, a bedrock principle of the Constitution. But the court determines its role is even more limited.

Routinely, institutional reform litigation involves setting standards. For instance, its difficult to picture how a court could go about addressing prison overcrowding problems without standard setting. In the dismissed class action, the plaintiffs ask the court to mandate West Virginias Department of Human Services to make certain that children in the system are adequately monitored and that caseworkers are appropriately trained.

Although these requests seem reasonable enough, the court remarkably concludes that these requests are ungrantable because requiring caseworkers to be appropriately trained, for example, would require the court to define appropriate for the institution, and that would involve the court in administration. With this same reasoning, the court rules out most of the relief sought. This reasoning, furthermore, seems to imply that all standard-setting institutional reform litigation is unconstitutional.

The court wrongly presumes that definitions are equally strict. A court could surely define appropriate in a broad manner, to not encroach upon institutional administration. Suppose a court decided to order DoHS to adequately train caseworkers and defined adequate as to a level that decreases the frequency of constitutional rights violations. Presumably, this definition would not curtail DoHSs policy-making autonomy.

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An order with this definition rules out only two actions. It precludes DoHS from maintaining the current training regime and it prevents DoHS from designing a regime that would escalate the frequency of rights violations. It leaves policy writing to the institution. The court would then reassess DoHS at a later date. Theres a great difference between requiring adequate training and writing the training manual.

Even if we grant that a court defining terms like adequate and appropriate slightly impacts the autonomy of institutions, concluding that courts cannot intervene seems imprudent. Such a conclusion creates an entire class of constitutional rights violations that are only redressable with majority support. Imagine a state institution that regularly violates the constitutional rights of religious minorities. The violations are concrete and traceable to the institution. However, because the violations are not traceable to a discrete source, the court reasons that redress is beyond its power. This leaves the ballot box, which is no recourse for a group in the minority.

Undoubtedly, the separation of powers is a principle to defend, but I worry this dismissal goes too far. Although institutional reform litigation might demand precision and seem quixotic at times, there is certainly a role for the judiciary to play in protecting the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable. The courts must make their entrances and exits on the stage rather than remaining in the gallery. Providing redress while upholding the separation of powers might prove an arduous task. When the courts struggle, I urge them to continue.

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Canada plans to put between six and 12 new submarines into service, with the first replacement to be delivered by 2035, and the French Naval Group is vying for the contract.
Ten Senate Democrats joined Republicans on Friday to pass a funding bill and narrowly avert a federal government shutdown, just hours before the deadline.

The outcome saved Black Americans  who are overrepresented among federal workers  from bearing the brunt of the furloughs, diminished services, and general chaos that likely would have ensued during a shutdown. But the funding bill that Congress adopted also contains some bitter medicine for Black America.

The bill cuts some $13 billion in nondefense spending, reducing spending for workforce training and treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues.

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In addition, the bill could slash $1.1 billion of the approved Washington, D.C., budget, devastating the heavily Black citys services, though the Senate passed a separate bill on Friday that would nullify this cut if the House passes it.

Heres what you need to know about the near shutdown.

Why were Democrats divided over the spending bill?

Democrats were deeply divided over how to respond to the Republican-sponsored spending bill. As disruptive as a shutdown wouldve been, many voters wanted Senate Democrats to oppose the legislation, which passed the House on Tuesday with one Democratic vote (Rep. Jared Golden of Maine).

They pointed out that the bill lacks specific funding directives and would essentially give President Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to further decimate the federal workforce.

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Democratic supporters of the bill argued that not passing it  and allowing the government to shut down  would only help Trump to make more drastic and arbitrary cuts to the federal workforce.

When does a shutdown happen?

Before a fiscal year begins, Congress is required to pass a bill to fund ongoing federal government programs and operations. That process, however, often crumbles. When it does, Congress passes a shorter-term bill  a continuing resolution  to keep the government funded. The most recent one expired this week; Congress was negotiating a bill to keep the government funded and open through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

A shutdown occurs when those negotiations fail.

Though essential employees  think law enforcement officers and air traffic controllers  remain on the job, most federal workers are furloughed until the impasse ends. And none are paid until lawmakers cut a deal. This situation strains the finances of people who live paycheck to paycheck, though in this instance, many voters felt that the bill was bad enough to warrant a shutdown.

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Notably, senior citizens continue to receive their Social Security payments, since the program is considered mandatory spending and isnt funded via short-term appropriations bills, as economists told CNN in 2023.

How could a shutdown impact Black federal workers?

Black workers are overrepresented in the federal government, making up 13% of the total U.S. population, but nearly 20% of the federal workforce.

In the short term, the effects of a shutdown on government services might not have been too noticeable to the wider public, explained Michael Neal, a senior fellow in the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute. But if the government closed for several weeks or more, Americans would have really started to see the impact.

When the government shutters, Black federal employees struggle more than their white peers to replace their missing income.

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In my experience, there are far fewer African Americans in the higher grades, Cheryl Monroe, who launched her federal employment career at the Internal Revenue Service in 1987, told The Associated Press in 2019.

White people have the more lucrative jobs in the government, she added. They are able to save, able to put money away for six months or a years worth of salary. Its harder for Black people. Were always starting at the bottom.

Not only would Black workers have been hit the hardest, but they also wouldnt have had as much savings, on average, to replace their lost income, Neal said, referring to the fact that Black households have less emergency savings than their white counterparts.

On average, white households have $8,100 in liquid assets, while Black households have $1,500, according to 2019 data. Further, fewer Black households say that they can get money from family or friends during a crisis.

Why are Black Americans overrepresented among federal workers?

Since Franklin D. Roosevelt, nearly every president has issued executive orders or enacted laws that have together expanded federal worker and contractor protections against discrimination and created affirmative action programs to boost diversity in the federal workforce and confront the countrys legacy of anti-Black racism.

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Because of these efforts, Black Americans have seen public service employment [open] up economic opportunities for good, well-paid jobs, wrote Farah Z. Ahmad, a former senior policy analyst at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, in a 2013 report. The competitive pay scales of government employment have lifted generations of Black people into the middle class.

Have shutdowns happened before?

The federal government has shut down 21 times, according to a USA Today review. Though the country has seen these events before, the threat of them has become more regular over the past decade.

This greater frequency stems in part from the fact that lawmakers  especially Republican lawmakers  have embraced shutdowns as a tool for political obstruction and campaigning, as Voxs Li Zhou explained in 2021.

Before 2013, she said, a shutdown hadnt occurred in more than 10 years. But following the rise of the Tea Party movement during former President Barack Obamas first term, Republican legislators used the tactic to rail against the Affordable Care Act.

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In the process, GOP lawmakers successfully made their opposition to the law clear, though they eventually caved and funding for the ACA passed. That opposition became an important part of the partys midterm messaging in 2014, however, a year in which they successfully regained control of the Senate and kept the House, she wrote.

Neal told Capital B that he wonders how ballooning unpredictability might affect Black workers, whove long seen federal employment as something of a haven from the hiring discrimination that can plague the private sector.

It used to be that a federal government job was a safe job, he explained. People gave up the really high levels of income that they could get in the private sector in exchange for the stability and better quality of life that federal employment offered.

But if youre starting to see greater volatility  one moment youre working, the next youre furloughed and not sure when your next paycheck is coming  that might make people pause, Neal said. They might ask if a federal government job is actually going to give them the lifestyle theyre looking for.

The post Federal Spending Bill Contains Bitter Medicine for Black Americans appeared first on Capital B News.
Sebago, Maine  You know you're in Maine when the pancakes come hot off a 100-year-old wood stove. But drill into Alan Greene's eighth-generation maple syrup operation in the town of Sebago, and you'll find it doesn't run as smoothly as it used to.

"The last 10 years, we are definitely becoming warmer earlier," said Greene, who runs Greene Maple Farms. "We're not getting the cold and the gradual warm-up. We're getting warm-up, warm-up, warm-up, with deep freezes in between."

It's been a cold winter in Maine so far this year. But across the country, over time, climate change has warmed winters by an average of 4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the nonprofit Climate Central.

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The coldest parts of the country are warming the fastest. Portland, Maine, now experiences 22 more warm winter days  classified as temperatures above normal  that in it did in 1970, per Climate Central.

This means the sap flows much earlier, and gets boiled earlier, than what Greene's father recorded in his annual syrup log when he ran operations.

"So in 1971, the year I was bornthe first time he boiled, was March 21st," Greene explained. "We've finished our season on March 21st some years now...he was just starting."

Maple syrup is America's original sweetener. European settlers learned to collect it from Native Americans. It's a practice that goes back centuries. But now, within a span of decades, it's all changing for the $1.5 billion industry.

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Projections show the prime range of sugar maple habitat shifting northward, where it is cooler. Jason Lilley, a professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine, says the state's maple trees are "absolutely" under stress from climate change.

"I just don't want producers to be going out of business, and to see this industry start to decline," Lilley said. "We can't just sit around and watch this happen."

Instead, Lilley says, some producers are exploring different varieties of trees and actively thinning their forests, which gives trees more space to grow. They are also using plastic tubing and vacuum systems that are always on standby for early flowing sap.

Producers, like Greene, agree using technology to adapt to the ongoing changes might help maple syrup production to continue in the state.

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"The technology has come about while climate change has been pushing us, and they're a good blend," Greene said. "They're working together. I think we need to be paying attention and be prepared for it. For those who aren't, I think it's gonna cost them down the road."



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Senate passes short-term funding bill, averting a government shutdown

Hundreds of muscle car drivers rally around bullied Alabama boy
In 2023, a small website called The Dallas Express picked up a startling allegation: Texas Rep. Kay Granger, one of the most powerful GOP members of Congress, was struggling with dementia.

The publication actually got a tip from a senior staffer in her office that she was having issues, said Chris Putnam, the Express CEO. They got the date and location for her visiting the Brain Institute and had a reporter there and got eyes on her. They didn't get a photograph of her.

There wasnt enough to go on. But the next year, the idea was still around, even though Granger had stepped down from chairing the Appropriations Committee and wasnt running again. When the publication was unable to reach the Fort Worth Republican for a story, Putnam said, I checked roll call, and I saw that she hadnt cast a vote since early July.

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What followed, according to Putnam, was basic journalistic shoe-leather. He dispatched a reporter to Grangers district office and found the place all but abandoned  something confirmed by a call to the property manager. I started making some calls personally to some of the folks that I know in the area, he said. And sure enough, we were tipped off about where she was.







The tip: For months, shed been living in an assisted-living facility in Texas that also includes memory care. A reporter was sent to the facility. We fully expected them to just basically escort him out, Putnam said. But no, they sent a representative out and they acknowledged it.

The story broke inDecember, shortly before Grangers long-planned retirement, and was confirmed several days later by Grangers son, who acknowledged dementia issues in aDallas Morning Newsinterview. As the news ricocheted around the political world, a Texas website with an editorial staff of 10 was credited with a massive scoop  while the Capitol Hill press corps was pilloried for supposedly taking its eye off the ball.

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Given that the U.S. Capitol is one of the few buildings in America where the reporting corps hasnt been totally devastated, it was a confounding miss. Granger wasnt a nobody. Shed been in office for over a quarter-century, and had been the top Republican on the Appropriations committee until last April. Her face was familiar both to her colleagues and the reporters who roam outside the House chamber. Curiosity might also have been triggered by the fact that shed voluntarily stepped aside from a plum position that most members of Congress would have to have pried from their hands.

There were also at least some opportunities for journalists to find out what was happening. Granger may have been absent from votes, but she briefly returned to the Hill for a retirement salute to her last November, well into the period where her son acknowledged dementia issues and just a month before the Express story broke.

At the chummy event, speakers included House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, as well as Democrats Rosa DeLauro and Nita Lowey. Nobody mentioned anything awry when Granger, still an elected official, reappeared not for an important vote but for a laudatory send-off. During the tribute, Granger sat and looked on as her official portrait as a former Appropriations Committee chair was unveiled before a large audience of congressional colleagues and staffers.

Or, as reporters call them, sources.

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And its not like the proximate issue was unknown. Between Joe Biden and Dianne Feinstein, the conversation about elderly and possibly impaired politicians was already roiling Washington, which ought to have pricked up peoples radar.

But even without the details of cognitive health  which are dicey to report on because even impaired people have good days, because political allies are often in denial, and because actual doctors wont talk  it seemed odd: Just how did a 2,000-member strong press corps allow a well-known lawmaker to vanish from the scene for months? Its the kind of omission that fuels the endemic distrust toward Washington and the news media.

In the movie version, the whole thing would play like a David-and-Goliath journalism story. While the entitled congressional press corps twiddles its thumbs in Washington, a plucky local news site bravely digs up an outrage that powerful insiders have kept from the public. Cue the Oscars!



In fact, the story of how the congressional media missed the story and the obscure hometown site broke the news is a bit more complicated than that. The Dallas Express is not exactly your central casting team of underdog hometown nobodies: Its a website run by Putnam, a politically wired conservative who once ran a primary campaign against Granger from the right. For another thing, Hill reporters are nobodys idea of lazy Beltway swells. Its an impossibly competitive 24-hour battle for scoops without much time for thumb-twiddling.

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Instead of a fable about idealistic outsiders beating entitled insiders, the story of this failure is also about what kind of outlets cover the Hill now, what kind have receded, and how this dynamic shapes the political conversation.

The basic change: Politics- or policy-centric outlets with a national focus have established major footholds. But theres been a hollowing out of the hometown outlets who once sent reporters to Washington with orders to watchdog their local lawmaker, whether or not that lawmaker was a big shot.

Our number used to be in the hundreds, said Nick Grube, the Washington correspondent for Honolulu Civil Beat and the president of the Regional Reporters Association, which represents Beltway reporters for local outlets around the country. Now were in the dozens.





The decline has been going on for some time and is often discussed  like the simultaneous drop-off in reporters covering local governments  as a problem for American democracy. Which it is. But for dishy scandals in Washington, it also has created a capacity problem: With fewer reporters dedicated to tracking back-bench legislators or regional obsessions, the media has lost some of the first-alert mechanisms that would flag potential headline-grabbers.

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Instead, the new normal has much more rigorous coverage of leadership  and a much easier opportunity for congressional small fries to go unnoticed. Its not that no obscure misdemeanants can be caught by the current press setup: Im pretty sure my bosses at POLITICO would have been very happy for me or any other colleague to have the scoop. But in a press corps without the local outlets that dedicate reporters to specific delegations, its all that much less likely.

Consider a story from earlier in Grubes tenure as the only reporter in Washington focused on covering the Capitols two senators and two representatives from Hawaii. Coming off parental leave in 2022, Grube returned to work after a three-month absence. He immediately began walking the humble footpath of his four-lawmaker beat.





But in the office of Democratic Rep. Kai Kahele, things seemed off. My first day back, I pop into every members office and saying, Hello, Im back. And his people start obfuscating.

According to Grubes reporting, Kahele hadnt been in Washington for months. Subsequent stories about his whereabouts  hed earned income from a part-time airline job and spent the months laying groundwork for a gubernatorial run  led to more reporting that ultimately prompted an ethics investigation, which concluded that he may have misused official resources for campaign purposes.

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The thing was, no one else cared about the story, Grube told me. But in Hawaii it mattered. After his initial reporting, that changed, and the Kahele story was picked up in the national media. Yet without the unglamorous questions from a front-line beat reporter, the story would not have acquired enough details to be interesting beyond the Aloha State.

The story has some obvious similarities to the Granger story, and one big difference: Grubes beat involves just four members. The paper in Grangers native Fort Worth, by contrast, no longer has a full-time D.C. reporter. And the big outlet in nearby Dallas has shrunk its own presence precipitously. (Grangers son, who had acknowledged her struggles following the initial reports, declined further comment when I reached out.)







The Dallas Morning News, I would argue, probably would have noticed that and done a story about that a few years ago, before the bureau went down to one, said Todd Gillman, who ran the bureau as its staff plummeted. When Gillman first arrived, he said, there were 11 journalists, and he knew his job was to cover the entire Texas contingent on the Hill, not just Dallas half of the metroplex region. I got dinged on my annual review if I hadnt mentioned every single member of the Texas delegation at least once over the course of a year, Gillman told me. By the time he left, there was just one, with a job that involved not just Congress but also the White House and everything else happening around D.C. Youre certainly not paying attention to everybody in the delegation.

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With that obligation gone, individual members can do all sorts of stuff under the radar, Gillman said. Good, bad, venal, self-serving, extremist. Gillman knows what hes talking about: Today, he leads the Washington newsroom for Arizona State Universitys Cronkite journalism school, whose student reporters, he said, are the only full-time journalists covering Washington for an Arizona outlet.

Its confounding that a robust media contingent like the one that covers Congress cant create a structure for paying attention to the relative nobodies among the 535 people who legislate for the United States. After all, according to the most recent congressional directories, more than 2,200 journalists have credentials to cover the Capitol.





But even in this relatively well-staffed environment, chasing down random individual members, or obsessing over the priorities of far-flung constituents, doesnt line up with the business needs of the outlets that have thrived in the 21st century congressional media world.

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National outlets are going to focus on Congress as a whole, meaning the power players who run it and the major issues before it, with a dash of coverage for the occasional high-profile backbencher. The ideological outlets are going to focus on policing their own side against softness, or maybe sticking it to the big-name lawmakers on the other side. And the policy outlets are going to get granular on lawmakers who deal with whatever the publication is about, like finance or aviation.

If Granger had still been the Appropriations Committee chair when she stopped showing up for votes, its hard to imagine that it would have gone unnoticed. But because shed stepped back from that crucially powerful job, the most energetic attention was elsewhere. That doesnt change the fact that reporters for all kinds of outlets might have asked questions about age earlier, when she was in a more powerful position  and didnt, in ways that mirrored other recent elderly politician controversies.

Once she stopped voting, there were even fewer eyes on her. Theres a lot of capacity in this ecosystem, but not a lot of financial incentive to cover members just because theyre there. Or, as it happens, not there.

The good news is that, after the Biden years, its a lot less likely that a Granger-type situation would go uncovered. Thats because the issue of aging pols has been elevated to an important national subject, meaning even the most obscure lawmakers senior moment could potentially be a story.

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But for stories that dont involve something officially newsy, theres little sign that the Granger story has led to any change in big-newsroom protocols that would make up for the decline of local outlets that actually bird-dog backbenchers.

They're never going to pay close attention, said Gillman. The most extreme cases of misconduct or wackiness are going to draw the attention of the national players, but the more medium-level cases of iffy behavior or venality or wackiness are probably not going to get attention unless it involves somebody who is in leadership or otherwise extremely high profile.

Instead, philanthropically funded outlets may be left to do what the free market cannot. Grubes Hawaii outlet and Gillmans project with the Cronkite School are nonprofits whose funding enables them to do the local-delegation work once done by no-longer-profitable hometown papers. And the Allbritton Journalism Institute last month announced the launch of the Washington Bureau Initiative, underwritten by a $500,000 grant from Google and money from several other charitable outfits. The initiative funds Washington reporters who work with nonprofit newsrooms covering Oklahoma, Louisiana, San Diego and Stockton, California, among other places. The reporters, the institute says, will focus on lawmakers from their regions and on federal issues important to their respective hometowns.

Another place thats hoping to add a Washington reporter: The Dallas Express. Its less unusual, of course, for a politically engaged publication to have muscle in the Beltway. But Putnam said that the marching orders wont be to churn out Trump coverage.

Absolutely it would be, Hey, let's go focus on what our people are doing, he said, referring to Dallas-area pols. We have relationships with all of them. We have some characters here.


There were certainly reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the prospect of peace in Ukraine, the Kremlin said Friday, after President Donald Trumps envoy met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The comments by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov after Putin met with Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff echoed those of the Russian president, who said Thursday that he in theory accepted the ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine  but only on terms tantamount to a victory over Ukraine.

It was an emphatic "yes, but."

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We agree with the proposals to stop the hostilities, Putin said in a speech. But only if it leads to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday.

That term  root causes  is a reference to long-held Russian grievances about what it sees as NATOs eastward expansion. Western officials and analysts reject this, saying Putin wants to subjugate Ukraine, drawing it into Russias sphere of influence and away from its European tilt.

Despite flirting with the Trump administration, there is little evidence Putin has shifted from his core war goals: cementing his land grabs in Ukraine and stopping it from ever joining NATO. Even so, Trump on Thursday called Putin's remark a promising statement.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump called his administration's discussions with Putin "very good and productive," expressing optimism "that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end."

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Switching to all caps, Trump highlighted the stakes of the ceasefire, while positioning himself as a peacemaker by noting that thousands of Ukrainian troops are "completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position."

"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!" he added.

Many officials and experts across Ukraine and Europe are far less impressed.

During his nightly address Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putins words manipulative.

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"Putin often does this  he does not say no directly, but he does it in such a way that practically everything only delays it and makes normal decisions impossible, he said, adding, Putin, of course, is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians.

Indeed, hours after Putin spoke, his military fired 27 drones at Ukraine overnight into Friday, Ukraine's Armed Forces said.

Some were shot down, according to Ukraine's military, but one hit a civilian hospital in the western village of Zolochiv, setting fire to the building and injuring one staff member.

In the southern city of Kherson, NBC News found a scene of destruction after Russia's latest bombing, which occurs most nights.

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Rescue workers were clearing rubble and fixing power lines in a residential area where several homes were blown apart in what they said was a Russian glide bomb attack the day before.

Mykola Vorobjovskii, 69, said he was inside his house when it was destroyed.

Putin is a liar, Vorobjovskii told NBC News, choking back tears as he stood next to the wreckage of his home. He calls black white and white black. He said he is liberating Ukraine. He liberated me from my house, job and car.

Some Western experts believe the Russian leader is in a tight spot and that his evasive response was an attempt to balance two competing realities.

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First, the Kremlin has no reason to accept a truce unless it delivers him a favorable outcome; and second, he wants to achieve a settlement with the White House while it is led by a president amenable to Moscow, said Jonathan Eyal, a director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London.

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, left, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 18.

Its not in Putins interest to get a ceasefire now," Eyal said Friday. "However, he cannot afford to annoy the American president, and expose and humiliate him with an outright rejection.

The deal on offer to Putin is not going to improve, Eyal said, adding that the Russian president has got an amazing opportunity to return to the global stage and [escape] from his isolation  with the help of the United States, he added. So hes got to try to grab this deal without making too many concessions on Ukraine, and thats his dilemma.

Officials in Kyiv will be hoping to use Putins evasive response to help convince their American colleagues that the Kremlin dictator is not genuinely interested in ending the war, wrote Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, a Ukrainian think tank.

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While Putin may entertain a truce with terms favorable to Moscow, he will not accept an independent Ukrainian state on Russias border, Bielieskov wrote for the Atlantic Council.

This does not mean that current U.S.-led peace efforts are entirely futile, but it is vital to recognize that freezing the conflict along the current front lines will not be enough to end the war.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Social media influencer Sam Jones is currently drawing intense criticism after a video of her picking up a baby wombat and taking it away from its mother in Australia went viral on Instagram. Many have called out Jones for her behavior, given that wombats are a critically endangered species.

So, heres everything you need to know regarding the recent controversy surrounding the popular internet personality.

Heres why Sam Jones is facing backlash after Australia trip

A recent video online featuring the social media influencer saw her grabbing an infant wombat by the road, after which she paced to her car, leaving behind the animals concerned mother. The man filming Sam Jones reacted to the situation by laughing and saying, Look at the mother, its chasing after her!

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Moreover, Jones relayed her excitement by stating, I caught a baby wombat. During this, the infant marsupial struggled to escape her grasp. She also added a caption to the now-deleted video, which read, My dream of holding a wombat has been realized! Baby and mom slowly waddled back off together into the bush.

The internet personality also took time to respond to the backlash in the comment section of her post. She wrote, The [wombat] baby was carefully held for one minute in total and then released back to mom. They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed. I dont ever capture wildlife that will be harmed by my doing so, as per BBC.

The resultant criticism has led to Sam Jones making her Instagram account, which boasts a follower count of around 92,000, private. In her bio, she has even stated that she is a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist. Meanwhile, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has conveyed that immigration officers are currently reviewing Jones visa.

Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, Ill be surprised if she even bothers, said Burke in a statement to BBC. This development comes after a petition was filed on Change.org, demanding Jones deportation. At the time of writing, the appeal has garnered over 31,000 signatures.

Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon.net.

The post Why Is Sam Jones Facing Backlash? Baby Wombat Incident Explained appeared first on Mandatory.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  After the most destructive wildfire in state history devastated the Ruidoso area this past summer, lawmakers are pushing legislation to protect New Mexico communities from future fires. A bipartisan bill, SB 33, is making its way through the legislative session, which would create a program for wildfire prevention.

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Lawmakers sponsoring the bill say the next big fire is coming and we need to be ready. Wildfires are a part of New Mexico history, they are here to stay. Its not a matter of if but when the next wildfire will occur, said Representative Anita Gonzales (D-Las Vegas).

In the last three years, New Mexico has had two of its largest wildfires ever, the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire near Las Vegas in 2022, and the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso in 2024. Now, lawmakers are proposing legislation to help prevent the same scale of destruction in at-risk areas.

The Wildfire Prepared Act is a bipartisan Senate bill, that aims to create a task force made up of experts who will identify high-risk areas, plan out tree thinning, and create buffer zones to protect homes. They make this to where our local firefighters can get in there and do good work and pull some of the fuels out to where theyre not burning as intense as they normally do, said Representative Harlan Vincent, (R-Ruidoso Downs).

The bill also creates a program offering grants to property owners for structural changes to make their homes and businesses more fire-resistant. A big concern right now for my area as well as others that have been impacted is insurance, home insurance, business insurance, and just the availability of it. and the best way to do that is to reduce risk so that insurance will come back to the table, said Rep. Gonzales.

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On Thursday, two other bills were debated in committee dealing with buffer zones to curb wildfire spread (HB 175) and funding for fire suppression & preparedness (HB 191), both advancing unanimously. Representative Anita Gonzales says this shows lawmakers are putting this issue at the forefront.

Just making our state wildfire ready, building preparedness and just making sure that were on the right path so that what happened to my community can be mitigated for any other community in the future, said Rep. Gonzales.

We all learned from our lessons, and this is a lesson learned and what were trying to do is just get better, said Rep. Vincent.

The Wildfire Prepared Act needs to clear one more committee and the House floor before heading to the governors desk. The bill would take effect immediately to help the state prepare for the upcoming fire season.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Its been a fantastic week weather-wise, but as we near the weekend, you do need to be weather aware. Were expecting windy, warm conditions today, with a chance of severe weather moving in late tonight.

This afternoon, were looking at near-record high temperatures, with a high of 80 possible. The record for Indianapolis on this date is 81, set back in 2012.

Winds will pick up later today, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph or higher as we head into tonight and Saturday. A Wind Advisory is in effect for central Indiana starting at 5 p.m. today and lasting through 4 p.m. Saturday.

All week, weve been monitoring the potential for severe weather, and the threat is still on track for tonight into Saturday. A line of storms is expected to move across the state overnight. The highest threat for severe weather is focused on Illinois, where tornadoes, including long-tracked tornadoes, are more likely.

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However, central Indiana is still in the mix, with our main concern being damaging winds but a few tornadoes here cant be ruled out either. This will likely arrive in central Indiana after midnight and continue into early Saturday morning, so be sure to have a way to get weather alerts while you sleep on Friday night! Check back for updates this evening on any changes to the timing of this system.

Saturday afternoon and evening will stay active for many, especially in the southeastern part of the state. Strong storms and heavy rain are still a possibility.

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Then, colder air moves in on Sunday, with highs dipping into the 40s. The cooldown is short-lived. Next week brings a warm-up, including a sunny, mild St. Patricks Day. We could see temperatures around 70 by Tuesday. Another system will bring rain, storms, and another round of colder air late next week.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTTV CBS4Indy.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Thursday Utah! Its been another breezy day with clouds thickening up.

Areas of heavy mountain snow are developing across our mountains where Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the mountain spine of Utah including the Southern Wasatch, Western Uintas, and southern mountains. These locations will likely see between 1 to 2 feet of snow from this system.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the northern Wasatch mountains, where 6 to 12 inches of snow will be possible.

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Scattered valley rain showers will become more widespread and heavier as we move through Thursday afternoon. This dynamic cold front will bring with it some pockets of instability, so isolated rumbles of thunder cant be ruled out with heavier showers this afternoon.

The main band of precipitation arrives Thursday afternoon into the evening hours bringing heavy valley rain and heavy mountain snow. The cold front should move through the Wasatch Front between 6 to 7 p.m. with rain quickly changing to a burst of heavy wet snow for the valley floors late Thursday evening through about midnight.

During this time, valley locations could pick up 1 to 3 inches of snow combined with rapidly dropping temps. Difficult travel will be possible for our Thursday evening for the Valleys and Thursday into Friday for the mountains.

By Friday morning most areas should be drying out, but lake effect or lake enhancement snow could develop for areas downwind of the Great Salt Lake. This would put a potential narrow snow band in portions of Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake Valley areas.

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The snow should mostly taper off during the day on Friday with some peeks of sunshine and temperatures warming into the lower 40s across the north, and near 50 for southern Utah.

A quick-moving wave will move into the Beehive state late Friday night into Saturday bringing another round of light snow. This system will not be as strong are impressive as our prior storm, but the temperatures will be colder and this means a much better chance for anything that does fall, to be in the form of all snow. Highs on Saturday will be in the lower 40s north, and mid 50s south.

The best chance for precipitation with this system will be some rain showers Friday night in St. George, otherwise, it will be mainly a northern and central event during the day Saturday.

We will be in between storm systems Sunday into Monday, but look for gusty south winds to return to the state. Highs on Sunday will be in the mid to upper 50s, with highs in southern Utah climbing into the mid-60s.

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Monday will feature increasing clouds with highs climbing to near-60 along the Wasatch Front, with highs nearing 70 across SW Utah.

The warmth and dryness will not last long, as our next storm system arrives on Tuesday bringing another big cool down, and the chance for valley rain changing to snow into Tuesday night.

Overall, the active and cooler pattern will continue through most of next week. Be sure to stay with your 4Warn Weather team for updates.

Well keep you posted on the latest information in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

Wind advisories for western Utah thru 6pm

Winter Storm Warnings in effect for mtns

Winter Weather Advisories for THU PM commute

Heavy mountain snowfall

Valleys will see rain Thursday to snow into Friday

Lake effect snow possible Fri AM for commute (SL Valley)

Next system Friday PM into Sat

Another state-wide storm next week

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
When former President Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders in January before leaving office, he reignited attention to the unjust sentencing disparities born from the "War on Drugs" policies that continue to harm thousands of Wisconsinites decades later.

Chief among these relics is the Thurmond Amendment, a draconian policy that enforces a lifetime of punishment by denying Fair Housing protections to individuals convicted of drug distribution, no matter how much time has passed or how much theyve rebuilt their lives.

Imagine making a mistake as a young adult and getting mixed up with drugs. After serving your sentence, maturing, and working hard to rebuild your life, youre ready to start fresh. Only to discover years later that a single conviction legally locks you out of housing opportunities indefinitely. Some landlords wont return your calls. Others deny your application outright, regardless of your income, credit score, or rental history.

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Opinion: Providing services to released inmates cuts recidivism and boosts life prospects

This is the reality for over 50,000 Wisconsinites living under the shadow of the Thurmond Amendment. These individuals and their families often face a lifetime sentence for low-level offenses involving small quantities of drugs.

Same barrier doesn't exist for people convicted of violent crimes

Take the case of Stacey Smiter, a Wisconsin resident convicted of marijuana distribution. For years, Stacey faced rejection in the housing market or was forced to pay exorbitant security deposits solely because of his record. His punishment didnt end with his sentence  it extended into every corner of his life as he struggled to secure stable housing for his family.

Ironically, had Stacey been convicted of a violent crime, he would not face this legal barrier.

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In 2016, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance requiring landlords to consider criminal records in the context of other factors, such as rental, credit, and employment history. However, the Thurmond Amendment excludes drug distribution convictions from these protections, creating a loophole that leaves individuals like Stacey permanently locked out of fair housing opportunities.

The impact of the Thurmond Amendment in Wisconsin is staggering. Since its enactment in 1988, over 50,000 people in the state have been convicted of drug distribution offenses, many involving minor amounts of drugs. Eleven percent of all drug convictions in Wisconsin are for marijuana, and 81% of cocaine convictions involve small amounts tied to personal use. Many of these individuals, had they been charged in todays political environment, would have faced simple possession charges and retained their Fair Housing protections.

The laws effects are also deeply inequitable. Black Wisconsinites are 12 times more likely than white residents to receive a drug distribution conviction. For amounts as small as three grams or less, that disparity rises to 15 times. By denying stable housing, the Thurmond Amendment perpetuates cycles of poverty, recidivism, and family instability  all while offering no measurable benefit to public safety.

Housing the foundation of stability and opportunity

Housing is the foundation of stability and opportunity. In todays historically tight housing market, denying families protections based on decades-old convictionswhile ignoring standard measures of risk like credit score or rental history  isnt just bad policy. Its an unjustified barrier to economic mobility that harms individuals, families, and communities alike.

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Thankfully, theres reason for optimism.

Reforming this issue has strong support from industry leaders such as the Rental Apartment Association of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Realtors. Both groups have endorsed repealing the Thurmond Amendment, recognizing that the law harms individuals who have paid their debt to society without benefiting the housing market. As the Rental Apartment Association noted:

"Good renters deserve options in the rental market that align with their family's needs and wants. If a tenant qualifies for an apartment based on income, rental, and credit history, they should not be denied housing simply because of a conviction from decades ago."

Repealing the Thurmond Amendment would also align with bipartisan efforts like the First Step Act, signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, and the Fair Chance Act, co-sponsored by Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson.

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Opinion: Doctors battle misinformation. RFK Jr. is wrong  and measles may only be start.

Policies that show reforming punitive laws can promote second chances without compromising community safety.

Now is the time for Wisconsin legislators on Capitol Hill to act. By removing this unnecessary and discriminatory barrier, we can ensure that people like Stacey Smiter are judged not by their past mistakes but by their current record of responsibility. Stable housing is not just essential for individualsit strengthens families, supports economic growth, and builds stronger communities for all Wisconsinites.

Shannon Ross is the CEO of The Community and Co-founder of Paradigm Shyft. Yusuf Dahl is the CEO of the Century Promise, the past president of the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin and is currently leading the national effort to repeal the Thurmond Amendment

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Decades old convictions prevent many from securing housing | Opinion
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has denied a petition for review by members of the St. Croix Scenic Coalition in the Osceola Bluffs development case.

The order, issued Thursday, means that the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruling is final, and developers can proceed with plans to build a 99-unit apartment complex in Osceola on the bluffs of the St. Croix River.

We are pleased with the courts decision and look forward to moving ahead with the Osceola Bluffs development, Village Administrator Devin Swanberg said in a statement. This project represents significant economic and community benefits for the Village, and were excited to take the next steps.

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Forest Lake-based developer Gaughan Cos. plans to build a new apartment complex on site of the former Osceola Medical Center, located at 301 River St., which has been vacant for more than 15 years.

Its been pencils down for 19 months, said Dan Hebert, the companys senior vice president of commercial accounts. I am working on the project again as of today. My best guess would be (groundbreaking) sometime in 2025. We need more time to sort things out. We are very excited.

The St. Croix Scenic Coalition in December asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review a November decision by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals stating that the St. Croix Scenic Coalition did not have standing to challenge the Village of Osceolas approval of the apartment complex.

The appellate court reversed a Polk County Circuit Court judges ruling in April 2024 that the proposed Osceola Bluffs Development violated state St. Croix River protections and impedes views along the river bluffs. The appellate court also instructed the circuit court to dismiss a petition challenging the Villages approval of the development.

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The Supreme Courts decision essentially freezes out private citizens from objecting to variances and conditional use permits to developers, said Einar E. Hanson, an attorney and board member of the Wild Rivers Conservancy.

Ironically, because the decision is based on standing, the Wis. circuit courts decision that the city of Osceola improperly granted zoning permissions for this development has not been reviewed on its merits, Hanson said.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  The woman accused of torturing and killing her adopted daughter appeared in court for the first time on Thursday, March 13.

This latest case has shocked the community and raised urgent questions about the alarming rise in cases of extreme child cruelty.

Lawmakers to hear bill that would make torture a felony

Sina Pili appeared before a judge, shackled and silent, as her attorney entered a plea of not guilty.

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Several of her family members were in the courtroom, some in tears as they left, declining to make any statements.

Pili was indicted for what prosecutors said was a pattern of severe physical abuse of her 11-year-old Azaeliyuah Pili Ah You, who was found unresponsive at home in December 2023.

According to police, she had deep bruises covering her face and body and later died at the hospital.

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Pilis arrest follows on the heels of notorious child abuse cases such as Peter Boy Kema, Isabella Kalua, Geanna Bradley and most recently, Sarai Perez-Riviera.

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City prosecutors said the seeming rise in severe child abuse cases may be due to more awareness and education.

The FBI recently released their behavioral analysis report to provide research on such cases, including crimes against children.

Child abuse has been on the radar for so many years but now we have more expansive training on what torture looks like, said Tiffany Kaeo, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

Woman arrested in connection to manslaughter of adopted child

Others are calling for increased support for youth in the child welfare system.

A bill in the legislature would provide an attorney for foster children and a bill making torture a felony was recently approved by a House committee.

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Pili, who worked at Kahuku High and Intermediate as a mental health student counselor until she was arrested last week, has been placed on leave.

The Department of Education said there have been no complaints or previous investigations against her.

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The judge ruled that Sina Pili will remain in custody without bail. Her trial has been scheduled for May 12.

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Note: This video is from February 2025.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  Nearly half a year after a mother of five was struck and killed while walking home from work in St. Louis County, an Illinois woman is in custody.

On Aug. 23, 34-year-old Jessica Przygoda went to a bar and pub on Big Bend Boulevard, allegedly tracking her ex-husband through her sons location. She left shortly after her ex-husband did, and began driving on Meramec Station Road in a white Ford Edge, officials said.

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While driving along the road, Przygoda struck 31-year-old Julisa Cannon, who was walking home after her shift at Pizza Hut. Cannon was about a mile from her Valley Park apartment. She didnt make it halfway.

Cannon was transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

At the time of the hit-and-run, Cannons teen daughter was tracking her phone, watching her location.

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Everything just went down, Stephanie Joshua, Cannons mother, told FOX 2 in February. The 14-year-old (daughter) is wondering, Why is my mom still standing here? Why is she still standing here?

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Doorbell video obtained by FOX 2 shows the vehicle. You can hear the sound and then see the car continue like nothing happened.

Przygoda continued driving southbound on Interstate 44 when one of her tires became disabled, according to the probable cause statement. MoDOT workers went up to Przygodas car on the shoulder of the highway when they noticed fresh damage on the front passenger side consistent with the earlier pedestrian strike.

Friends picked up Przygoda and drove her home to Edwardsville, Illinois.

Flock cameras detected the white Ford Edge vehicle leaving the scene. When officers conducted a search warrant, they located strands of hair stuck in the windshield on the passenger side that matched Cannons hair color. Additionally, phone records displayed Przygodas locations were consistent with the time of the crash and Flock camera information.

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Przygoda is charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident (resulting in death). She is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 21-year-old woman is now facing charges related to a deadly crash involving a pedestrian in Aspen in December, although police say she did not cause the crash.

The Aspen Police Department said the crash happened at about 10:51 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2024, on Highway 82 in the eastbound lane near the Aspen Country Inn, where the victim lived.

Suspected DUI driver arrested after deadly wrong-way crash on I-70

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Lisa Sabatka, 33, was hit by a car operated by Andrea Canales, 21, of Glenwood Springs, according to Aspen police. Canales allegedly left the scene of the crash and headed east into Aspen, leaving Sabatka lying unconscious in the center median turn lane, where she was found by Aspen firefighters who were responding to an unrelated structure fire.

Sabatka was transported to Aspen Valley Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m., according to the police department. The agency said her blood alcohol level was 0.286, which is nearly six times the legal limit for drivers in Colorado.

At about midnight, while officers were still there investigating the crash, Canales reportedly returned to the scene, accompanied by a male she had picked up in Aspen after the crash. Police said she was cooperative with the investigation.

The Aspen Police Department, in coordination with The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Pitkin County Coroners Office, Colorado State Patrol and 9th Judicial District Attorneys Office, obtained search warrants for Canales blood, her phone data, her passenger and the decedent, and also searched the vehicle and vehicle data, as well as the iCloud data for Sabatkas phone.

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The police department said that Canales blood analysis was returned on March 5, showing she was not under the influence while behind the wheel. Police said that speed was not a factor, there was no indication of distracted driving based on cellphone data, and Sabatka was last seen leaving a bus that was headed east toward Aspen.

Heres when Colorado ski areas close for the 2025 season

The Aspen Police Department said it filed charges against Canales of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with evidence.

The standard for determining fault in a crash is finding the first harmful event, and in this case, that was the pedestrian being in the roadway, said lead Aspen Police Department Investigator Lauren Turner in a release.

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Aspen police said that forensic pathologist Dr. Robert Kurtzman found the manner of death as accident, and the interval between the crash and death was minutes caused by multiple blunt force injuries.'

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
An El Monte woman who was arrested by immigration officers is back home with her adult daughter who is battling a rare bone cancer.

A judge agreed to allow Yolanda Perez to be released on bond. Perez, 50, is the primary caregiver for her ailing daughter. The Mexican national, who is in the country illegally, was released Tuesday after posting a $1,500 bond following an immigration hearing in San Diego, according to the womans attorney, David Acalin.

Acalin said Perez was arrested Feb. 24 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at her El Monte home to arrest her son, Jonathan Tejeda, who is also in the country illegally and had been convicted of nonviolent crimes, including petty theft, possession of a controlled substance and stolen mail.

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He had a colorful past," Acalin said, "but hes cleaned up his life in the past few years.

Acalin said Perez was detained when she questioned agents about why they were arresting her son. He said they inquired about her immigration status, which led to their discovery that she had been convicted of petty theft in 2005.

The attorney said Perez had stolen food to feed her family and that she paid a fine and completed probation for it and never went to jail.

Her arrest by ICE agents, which was first reported by NBC 4, sparked outrage in the community because she had been caring for her daughter.

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Acalin said the daughter, 21-year-old Xitlali Tejeda, has been fighting conventional osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that limits her ability to move. He said she uses a wheelchair but, more importantly, relies on her mother to care for her and take her to doctor appointments.

Shes already missed a chemo treatment or two because of whats happened, he said.

At Tuesday's hearing, Acalin told the judge about the daughters condition and how her mother, who had been in the country for more than 20 years, was caring for her 24/7.

Read more: Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow some birthright citizenship restrictions

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He said he expected the Department of Homeland Security prosecutor to let the judge decide whether Perez could post bond. Instead, he said, the prosecutor spent about 20 minutes arguing against her release.

Very vigorously claiming that my client was a flight risk, the caretaker of an adult daughter with cancer, and that she was a person of bad moral character because of the shoplifting that happened 20 years ago.

Acalin said he was speechless.

If this was not the case where they would show a little compassion, then there is no case where theyre going to show that, he said.

Acalin said he and the family were grateful that the federal judge granted her release. He said hes requesting that the case be moved to Los Angeles, a process that could take weeks.

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Until then, he said, Perez will remain by her daughters side.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn.  A local security company says Memphis Shelby County Schools cut a check for $34,000 with your taxpayer money for their services. Except, the owner said she doesnt know where that money went since she never provided any services to the district.

When you cannot trust your local government, who can you trust? Kim Watkins said.

Watkins is the proud owner of Certified Defenders of America. Its a female, minority owned, small security business in Memphis that provides services for private companies, and the city, county, and federal government.

To help land those local government contracts, Watkins goes through a certification process with the City of Memphis to prove shes female and minority owned as well as a small business.

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The certification means she can participate in equal business opportunity and small business enterprise programs. It also allows her company to be listed in the Memphis Shelby County Schools certified vendor database.

That means that when they put out a bid solicitation, you are able to bid on it, Watkins explained. I have not signed a contract with [MSCS] though.

Thats why this next part caught her eye.

The timeline: Feagins fired within months

When she logged on to the citys portal in the fall of 2023 to recertify her business, she took a screen shot of what she saw.

Her company, Certified Defenders of America, had been added to one of the largest contracts with Memphis Shelby County Schools.

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Back in 2021, the district signed over its bus services to First Student for $129 million.

It seemed Watkins company had been listed as a subcontractor, which means First Student had reported hiring them to help with some part of their plan.

When I looked at it, I said, We have not signed a contract or a subcontract with Memphis Shelby County Schools or First Student,' she said.

Then she noticed the citys portal noted MSCS cut a check to First Student for her services. The total was more than $34,000.

She wondered how another company could get a check for a hire they never made?

Weve never spoken with First Student. We were never utilized by First Student. First Student never called us, she said. How can we be added as a subcontractor without being contacted first? Without signing a contract with First Student?

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Watkins asked just that to the compliance officer listed on the contract. Eventually, she had a conference call with the district and the bus company.

She played the conversation she recorded. For legal reasons, we cant play her audio, but we can tell you what was said.

A First Student representative apologized to Watkins for the error and blamed miscommunication.

MSCS added, What [First Student is] doing is adding additional vendors and further explained First Student is getting credit for utilizing minority vendors as additional vendors for the contract.

What she said was, well, Ms. Watkins, they get credit for adding minority vendors, Watkins told WREG Investigators as the audio came to an end.

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In a statement, First Student said in part, its committed to supporting Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and has consistently made good faith efforts to engage with MWBE providers. It went on to state, it explored a potential subcontracting opportunity with Certified Defenders of America but ultimately decided not to move forward. The District was notified accordingly, and no compliance credit was received in connection with this matter.

First Student didnt answer our questions about that $34,000 payment Watkins saw listed. Its unclear if they received it, and if it was returned to MSCS if they did.

We sent several emails to MSCS, but they all went unanswered. Weve submitted open records requests to hopefully find out more.

Some wonder if money spent on superintendent saga could have been better spent

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The lack of concern is disturbing. Thats whats disturbing. The lack of concern, Watkins said.

She said she asked MSCS about the money multiple times and has spent months following up. She even contacted board members and other local, state, and federal politicians.

Im just kind of confused as far as why no one has bothered to reach back out to me, she said.

Watkins says shes a product of MSCS and felt compelled to reach out to us after watching everything unfold within MSCS these past few months.

Corruption. Misrepresentation. Fraud. Thats how I feel, she said. The trust is gone.

Watkins says she finally heard back from MSCS last week. A day after we emailed them for a comment. Theyve asked for a meeting.

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Watkins did tell us right now, she doesnt feel comfortable meeting with the district or entering any contracts.

She said she has contacted the Tennessee Comptrollers Office and reported the incident. Shes since handed over all of her evidence to state investigators and also reported what happened to the feds.

State confirms MSCS received grant funds at center of Feagins termination

First Student and MSCS emailed WREG the following joint statement Friday:

First Student and MSCS take SBE utilization goals very seriously. Throughout the term of its contract with the District, First Student has worked closely with MSCS and exercised good faith efforts to ensure utilization of SBE providers. First Student has never been given or accepted payment by MSCS for Certified Defenders of America or any other vendor that did not provide subcontracted services. Both First Student and MSCS strongly disagree with the conclusions drawn in your news report.

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As First Student and MSCS have individually and previously communicated to Ms. Watkins, in 2023, as part of First Students ongoing good-faith efforts to utilize SBEs, First Student requested prior approval from the District to pursue a subcontract with Certified Defenders of America. However, this request was made in error by a First Student employee who did not realize that First Student had already contracted with another security vendor. First Student promptly notified the District of the error, and the District removed Certified Defenders of America from its system. Ms. Watkins acknowledged receiving and understanding this explanation previously via email and expressed appreciation for the clarification.

First Student never entered into any subcontract with Certified Defenders of America. The District has not paid First Student for any Certified Defenders of America services, and First Student has never received any compliance credit or payment from the District with respect to Certified Defenders of America. Any representations to the contrary are simply untrue. A total payment to First Student in the amount of $34,779.92 for the month of July 2023 was partially distributed to a number of approved subcontractors, none of which was Certified Defenders of America.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Atlanta Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a woman injured.

Police say at 9:51 p.m., they responded to 3764 Rockfort Place in southwest Atlanta to a person shot call.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When they arrived, police say they found a 29-year-woman with a gunshot wound to her back.

The woman was alert, conscious and breathing was taken to the hospital for treatment.

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Motive for the shooting has not been established. The investigation is ongoing.

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Supporters flocked toward Yemi Mobolade, Colorado Springs first Black mayor, when he was in the running following what appeared to be a serious racial threat. However, the threat in question may have been less of a threat and more of a cruel campaign strategy, police say.

Deanna West pleaded guilty in Denver federal court to the 2023 incident. Prosecutors claim West was one of three conspirators who staged a cross burning and sent photos and videos of it to the news and local organizations as if it was an attack targeting Mobolade, NBC reports.

Wests plea says the motive behind the hate crime hoax was to gather sympathy points for Mobolades campaign, painting him as the victim of racial violence and sparking outrage on his behalf.

Photo: KOAA News5

The report says one of the alleged conspirators messaged Mobolade ahead of the incident saying they were mobilizing their squadron in defense and for the final push in the end. Court documents also say the two had a five-minute conversation following the cross-burning.

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While Mobolade he did indeed win the May 2023 election after the hoax went viral, he denied having any knowledge of the incident.

Attorneys for Wests co-defendants claimed their actions were the likes of political theater and were protected by their First Amendment rights to free speech, the report says. They also argued that no one was threatened by the cross burning as only the defendants bore witness to it.

That argument didnt help West any given she was charged with conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States and using instrumentalities of interstate commerce to maliciously convey false information to intimidate someone by means of fire, per KOAA News5.

West faces a maximum of five years in prison. Her two buddies are still awaiting trial, the report says.

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By Linda Pasquini and Isabel Demetz

(Reuters) -Hugo Boss warned on Thursday of a further weakening in consumer confidence in the United States and China, sending its shares down as much as 5%, as the upmarket fashion label forecast 2025 sales broadly in line with last year's level.

The company is the latest to warn about slowing consumer demand amid potential damage from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade wars.

Hugo Boss is closely monitoring developments in tariff policy, CEO Daniel Grieder said on a call with journalists, adding it was too early to quantify the potential impact on business.

The group has reduced the share of its global sourcing and production volume from China in recent years to 7% from more than 20% a few years ago, its annual report shows.

Grieder flagged risks to the business from uncertainties in China and the U.S., as well as global trade tensions, saying a hit to demand was already visible in the current quarter.

"We expect a muted first quarter performance, trending somewhat below our full-year top-line guidance range," he added.

Hugo Boss forecast annual sales of 4.2 billion to 4.4 billion euros ($4.57 billion to $4.79 billion), equivalent to between a 2% fall and a 2% rise, following 3% growth to 4.3 billion euros in 2024.

After an initial rise, the company's shares dropped as much as 5% following the management's downbeat comments. The stock was again in positive territory at 1002 GMT.

Hugo Boss has sought to boost the popularity of its brand through selected marketing investments, while increasing profits by limiting costs, despite weakening consumer demand.

It expects full-year earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to rise between 5% and 22% to 380 million to 440 million euros, compared to a 12% decline to 361 million euros last year.

Grieder said the company's targets to reach 5 billion euros in revenue and a 12% EBIT were doable, but declined to give a timeline.

($1 = 0.9189 euros)

(Reporting by Linda Pasquini and Isabel Demetz in Gdansk. Editing by Milla Nissi and Mark Potter)
A woman was struck and killed by an SUV Thursday night as she tried to help a dog on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, troopers said.

The 25-year-old Tampa woman was driving south Dale Mabry near Idlewild Avenue about 10:25 p.m. when she saw a dog and stopped to help the animal, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

As the woman approached the dog, a 69-year-old Tampa man driving a Toyota RAV 4 struck them both, troopers said. The woman and the dog died at the scene.

The Highway Patrol did not the release the names of either driver.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Two San Francisco women received more than $500,000 in public welfare benefits while they operated a fake childcare center and lived in subsidized housing, prosecutors said.

Maggie Pasigan, 49, and her girlfriend, 47-year-old Daisy Avalos, are now facing charges including grand theft, welfare fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, according to the district attorneys office.

Avalos is a city employee, the DAs office said. The couple appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty.

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District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said, My office will take action to ensure the integrity of our benefits systems and seek to hold those accountable who would defraud the system for their own personal gain.

Pasigan and Avalos falsely claimed that they provided childcare and early childhood education services for 17 kids, prosecutors said. A two-month-long investigation into Pasigan and Avalos revealed the children did not exist, prosecutors said.

They received over $30,000 every month in childcare subsidies from a nonprofit organization contracted by the City of San Francisco, according to the DAs office.

Pasigan and Avalos are domestic partners, according to the DAs office. The San Francisco Human Services Agency became suspicious in 2023 when they discovered that Pasigan never disclosed the fact that Avalos was a city employee who earned regular income, and she was Pasigans partner, according to the DAs office.

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Such income would have disqualified the household for public benefits, which are intended to assist only low-income families, the DAs office wrote.

The defendants fraudulent actions diverted over $375,000 in taxpayer funds from multiple

federal programs, including HUD-assisted housing programs designed to provide safe and

affordable housing for low-income families, said Robert Lawler of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.

Investigators conducted surveillance for months of the couples childcare center. Prosecutors said there was no evidence of any children being present, dropped off, or picked up.

In total, the couples conspiracy and fraud swindled more than $500,000 in public benefits from San Francisco, according to investigators.

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Thursday is last day to drive along SFs Great Highway

Jenkins said, I would like to thank the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the San Francisco Human Services Agency, and the San Francisco Housing Authority for their hard work and collaboration in this case with San Francisco Police and the San Francisco Sheriffs Office to expose this fraud.

Pasigan and Avalos next court appearance is scheduled for April 22.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) --- Imagine a world without Marie Curies groundbreaking research in radioactivity, Rosalind Franklins crucial role in the discovery of DNA, or Ada Lovelaces visionary work in computer programming. These women, and countless others, dared to dream big, pushing the boundaries of knowledge. For Womens History Month, we celebrate the women whose discoveries paved the way for modern medicine and technology.

From space, to medicine, our workplace and our home, women inventors have impacted who we were and who we are now. For instance, anytime you type a command on your computer, you can thank programming pioneer Grace Hopper. She spoke code decades before most of us had ever heard of the word.

In the field of medicine, the cataract surgery you may need in the future, was created by ophthalmologist Patricia Bath. She developed the laser that quickly and painlessly dissolves cataracts.

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Famous chef Julia Child created more than a great souffle. She invented shark repellent. Before her cooking days, Child was part of the OSS, a government agency that would later become the CIA

The first security camera was invented by Marie Van Brittan Brown in the 60s. She was worried about the rising crime rate in her neighborhood in Queens and decided to do something about it.

It was in 1965 that Stephanie Kwolek developed a new fiber that was five times stronger than steel. Kevlar is now used in everything from bullet proof vests, helmets and racing sales.

It was a trip to a snowy NYC that led Alabama native Mary Anderson to come up with the idea for windshield wipers. And these are just a few of the females who have dared to dream and end up changing all of our lives.

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Women were also behind the invention of glass aquariums, outdoor fire escapes, collapsible life rafts, the first commercially successful dishwasher, disposable diapers, and the electric refrigerator, to name just a few.

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It looks like its straight out of a comic book, but BiVACOR is a real, functioning titanium heart. The metal device is ultimately intended as a replacement for human donor organs, but was first utilized last year as a stopgap for hospital patients awaiting transplants. According to its creators and St. Vincents Hospital representatives in Sydney, Australia, the groundbreaking invention recently marked a major milestone: a man survived for over 100 days with his BiVACOR implant, and was even temporarily discharged from the medical facility with it still pumping blood inside him.

The titanium devices underlying principles were first envisioned in 2001 by a biomedical engineer named Daniel Timms. Timms, a plumbers son, started by mimicking a human circulatory system using hardware store pipes and valves, but over the next 25 years, developed what would become BiVACOR. The end-result works without any actual valves and relies on a single moving part. This magnetically levitating rotor spins between two chambers while never coming into contact with the titanium frame itself, and thus eliminates the risk of gradual corrosion or malfunctions. The entire device weighs less than 1.5 lbs, and is powered by an external battery located on the abdomen. Its also small enough to fit inside both men and women, as well as children as young as 12 years old. Research also suggests BiVOCAR can support an adult during strenuous exercise.

In 2024, doctors in the US and Australia made history by successfully installing the roughly fist-sized pump in a total of five patients. One of them, a man in his 40s dealing with severe heart failure, could only manage to walk a few feet before losing his breath. In the weeks following the six-hour procedure, however, the patient regained enough strength and mobility to leave the hospital until a donor heart became available. He returned to receive his human transplant in early March, and is now recovering, according to a March 12 announcement from St. Vincents Hospital.

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Heart failure kills almost 5,000 Australians every year. Weve worked towards this moment for years and were enormously proud to have been the first team in Australia to carry out this procedure, Paul Jansz, a heart surgeon involved in the procedure, said in a separate statement.

BiVACOR isnt commercially available yet, but four more devices are being readied for use in Australia by the end of 2025. In the future, these titanium hearts may not just serve as temporary tools, but instead offer longterm and perhaps even permanent replacements.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Four different fire departments came together in Champaign Thursday afternoon when a controlled burn turned into a large field fire.

The fire burned more than ten acres of a cut cornfield.

Tolono house fire reignites Friday morning

It is a very windy day out, so it wouldnt take much of an ember to be hiding out there to get kicked up and start another fire again, said Champaign Fire Captain Brian Ball.

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The fire broke out near the intersection of Rising and Windsor Roads.

Champaign fire officials said soft ground made it difficult for crews to get out to the burning area. They ended up calling for help from Cornbelt, Bondville, and Seymour through mutual aid. Those three departments brought brush trucks to the scene.

Ball said brush trucks are lighter than your typical fire engine and are designed to combat these types of fires.

Then they bring their brush trucks out. Much smaller, bright light, and much lighter, they are made for working in the fields for these types of fires, Ball said. And so they went out and they put the fire out pretty quickly, and we set up a water supply so that we could refill their water tanks. And in about an hour and a half, we had roughly ten acres of burned vegetation extinguished.

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Prep work has started for Bismarck new fire station

The Champaign Fire Department said the wind kept the fire away from nearby structures, and no one was hurt. However, they said that if the wind had shifted 180, the damage could have been much worse.

Several departments and counties across Central Illinois also issued burn bans ahead of the weekend winds. That includes all 21 departments in Iroquois County and the entirety of Ford County.

The Tolono Fire Protection District issued a burn ban for Wednesday and today. Meanwhile, the Clinton Fire Department says their burn ban will remain in effect until Saturday morning. And Friday morning, the Village of Rantoul added a burn ban effective until further notice.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Del. Jordan Maynor, R-Raleigh, pushes his colleagues in the West Virginia House to vote for House Bill 2719, legislation that would have allowed for corporations in the state to directly donate to political campaigns and politicians on Thursday, March 13, 2025 in Charleston, W.Va. With more than half the bodys voting Republicans joining Democrats, the bill was rejected by lawmakers 54-41. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

The West Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a bill that would have allowed businesses and corporations in the state to directly donate up to $2,800  and potentially more, according to statements  to political candidates.

With five members absent and not voting, the body voted 54-41 against House Bill 2719. It was the first time this session that a majority of Republicans in the House sided with Democrats against legislation and the first bill in either chamber this year to be denied through a floor vote.

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HB 2719 would have removed language in state code that barred corporations, membership organizations and businesses from donating directly to political candidates. The proposed code would have allowed any business incorporated by the West Virginia Secretary of States Office to give up to $2,800 to a candidate per an election cycle. There were no limits included in the proposed code on how many businesses owned by one person would have been able to donate politically. Through the legislation, business owners could have given the maximum amount of money to candidates multiple times by donating through their businesses, individual giving and political action committees.

Those who supported the legislation said it would increase transparency for corporate political giving in the state as, for the first time, money given by businesses would be listed and made public through financial disclosures instead of being siphoned through a Political Action Committee or Super PAC (often referred to as dark money since there is no way to see where the money comes from). Any funds given by corporations would have also still needed to meet limits set in state code.

Del. Jordan Maynor, R-Raleigh, serves as vice chair of the House Judiciary committee and was a sponsor of the legislation. While eight legislators in total spoke on HB 2719 Thursday, Maynor was one of only two lawmakers to urge passage of the bill before it died.

All the bluster were hearing about how this opens us up to more money in politics  [corporations] can do that right now, except there is no transparency with what they give now because they give to big money political action committees that are in the dark, Maynor said. This is a transparency bill  When youre going through campaign finance reports, it shows  because its transparent  the businesses that gave to your campaign and that support you.

W.Va. House Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell

But the majority who voted down the legislation held deep concerns about how the bill would inject more money into politics, giving wider influence to those who could afford to buy favor and interest versus those who couldnt but would be forced to live with the consequences.

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This is precisely the direction that we should not be going. No one at home wants more money in politics, said House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. We have this fascination with money and greed. What happens is, we dont get elected officials based upon merit or what they can do  because its a rich mans game. Thats all it is. So effectively, were not representing the people at home because [elections are] going to the highest bidder.

Del. Henry Dillion, R-Wayne

Del. Henry Dillon, R-Wayne, said the proposed bill wasnt the kind that his constituents sent him to Charleston to pass. Even more, he said, it would be insulting to approve legislation that gives corporations and wealthy people more of a say in who is elected to represent them than the majority of residents who are often struggling to stay afloat.

We were sent here to help the average voter, constituents in our districts for who $2,800 toward politics  they cant even begin to afford to part with that type of money, Dillon said. And yet were going to open up new avenues for people who have ample resources, virtually unlimited resources, to influence our elections?  Is this going to make life better for our constituents?

Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, said during questioning on the floor from Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, that originally, there was a $250 limit on corporate giving in the bill. But that cap had to be removed from the proposed bill, Hornby said, as we must treat everybody the same in campaign finance code.

Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley

Hornby  who is the lead sponsor of the bill  is listed by the Secretary of State as the incorporator of numerous media and communications companies in West Virginia, though several are currently out of compliance or have had their registrations revoked by the SOS due to a failure to file annual reports. He said while he generally tries to stay out of elections through his businesses, he believed a political candidate should be able to have a business support them.

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When asked by Pushkin who pushed for the introduction and passage of this legislation  citizen-led lobbying groups, certain businesses, a corporation or anyone else  Hornbys answer was brief.

Nobody asked for this, he said.

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The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would allow some people to vote in municipalities they don't live in. A polling station at Edgewood Summit in Charleston, W.Va., during the 2024 primary election. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch)

Certain West Virginia residents would be able to vote in municipal elections where they dont live under a bill state lawmakers are considering.

House Bill 2381 was before the House Judiciarys subcommittee on legal services Friday morning. The subcommittee referred it on to the main Judiciary Committee for consideration.

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Under the bill, a nonresident who lives within the county where the municipality is located would be eligible to vote in a city election if:

Theyve paid city fees or charges in the last year.

They have owned property there for at least 60 consecutive days prior to applying to vote in the election.

They own at least 25% of a business that has paid business and occupation tax or privilege tax in that municipality within the last year of the election.

During a committee hearing about the bill last week, Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, said the bill would ensure that business owners who contribute to a municipality by paying fees, owning property or owning a business have a say in local governance.

Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley

House Bill 2381 presents the opportunity to ensure that municipal elections reflect the voices of those who are financially invested in the communities they help sustain, Hornby said, reading from a prepared statement in place of the bills lead sponsor, Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia. This bill is about fairness. It recognizes that many West Virginia citizens who live outside of a municipality still contribute to its economic and civic life, whether through paying municipal service fees, owning property or running businesses that generate tax revenue. These individuals play a vital role in shaping the cities and towns around them.

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Nonresidents would be limited to voting on citywide issues and at-large positions, and could not vote for ward or district representatives, Hornby said. Nonresident voters would apply to vote through the clerk of the county and provide documentation of their property ownership, business stake or municipal fee payment, he said.

Michelle Holly, the acting president of the West Virginia County Clerks Association, testified last week that the bill would be logistically almost impossible for clerks to implement in a secure and private way.

West Virginias gold standard for registering you to vote is based on where you lay your head at night. So our whole entire system is set up on addresses, Holly said. Thats how we place you in your precinct. Thats how we know who your delegate is, who your senator is  whether or not you live in city limits.

During the meeting Friday, Del. Keith Marple, R-Harrison, spoke against the bill, saying hed heard from several municipalities, mayors and citizens that they opposed the legislation.

Del. Keith Marple, R-Harrison

They strongly oppose this bill, that people not living in their community are going to come in and take over their city government, and its going to ruin their city, he said. And people that live in a municipality will have no control over their own village, their own town, their own city. I strongly oppose this.

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The House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a bill that would have allowed businesses and corporations in the state to directly donate up to $2,800 to political candidates. Delegates voted 54-41 against House Bill 2719.

The legal services subcommittee on Friday also advanced legislation that would require voters to present photo identification to poll workers when voting. House Bill 3016 is one of Secretary of State Kris Warners legislative priorities for this session.

The integrity of our processes, systems and personnel is at the heart of our voter confidence. The names of deceased people, convicted felons and out of state citizens will continue to be removed from the voter rolls, Warner told reporters during the West Virginia Press Associations Legislative Lookahead event last month. This session Ill support the implementation of photo ID for voters and work tirelessly to ensure every eligible citizen will have the right and opportunity to vote.

The bill would repeal current sections of law that allows voters to present nonphoto identification, including hunting and fishing licenses, credit cards and utility bills.

Kris Warner, the executive director of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, won the Republican primary for Secretary of State on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Courtesy photo)

The bill would also require that people who are legal noncitizens of the country be issued drivers licenses that include identification as noncitizens so that the drivers licenses may not be used to fraudulently vote. State code requires that registered voters be U.S. citizens and legal residents of the state and county where theyre voting.

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Bill sponsor Del. Erica Moore, R-Roane said she expects the Judiciary Committee to make changes to the bill when it takes it up, including possible changes to how the IDs are labeled noncitizen.

Putting noncitizen on a persons photo may give someone viewing the ID the wrong impression that the person is in the country illegally, she said.

Del. Erica Moore, R-Roane

We know as legislators that theyre not going to get an ID unless theyre a legal noncitizen here, and theyve they have a visa, theyre here for work, possibly as an example, and they might have a drivers license for five years while theyre here doing what theyve been approved to do in the United States, Moore said. The general public, however, may not understand it that way. And so, seeing noncitizen might give somebody the idea that theyre here illegally, and we wouldnt want to target anyone or have them have undue stress because of that.

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia is against the bill, saying its among the bills that lawmakers are considering that would further restrict voting in the state.

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HB 3016 is designed to intimidate already vulnerable populations and preserve the status quo by depressing voter turnout, Communications director Billy Wolfe said in an email Voters should take note that elected leaders are spending their limited time in session preserving their own hold on power and picking on visitors to our country rather than fixing our 50th-in-the-nation education system or getting southern West Virginians much-needed flood relief.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Wyandotte County Election Office announced this week it has officially launched a design contest for Future Voter and I Voted stickers.

The design contest is for Wyandotte County middle and high school students.

A total lunar eclipse and blood moon will be visible in March: How and when to watch

The election office will be accepting submissions both in-person and online until Friday, May 9 at 5 p.m.

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The winning design will be distributed during this years election cycle, according to the election office.

We believe this contest will not only inspire students to engage in the democratic process but will also give them an opportunity to learn more about elections and civic responsibility  planting the seeds for future voters, Wyandotte County Election Commissioner Michael Abbott said.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

To learn more about how to be eligible and how to submit designs, see here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
CHEYENNE  The Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare launched a grant program in January to expand child care access across the state. Due to an overwhelming response  more than 45 applications in the first month alone  the program is adjusting its next application timeline.

The grant program, administered by the Wyoming Community Foundation, offers funding up to $10,000 per applicant. Initially planned as a bi-monthly award process, the high volume of applications has prompted the group to adjust its timeline to better support applicants. The next grant application will reopen April 1 and will close on April 30.

In its first round of funding, the Working Group granted approximately $72,000 to 10 providers. The program is a collaborative effort of the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative, Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), the Wyoming Department of Health, the Wyoming Womens Foundation at the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) with additional funding support provided by the John P. Ellbogen Foundation.

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Response to this grant program confirms what weve long known  Wyoming families are struggling to find reliable child care, said Roxanne OConnor, DFS Support Services Division administrator. This funding is a positive step in helping providers open or expand so that they can offer necessary support to working families, but we know theres still more work to do.

In Wyoming, especially rural parts of the state, child care is often unreliable. This creates hardships for families, businesses and communities. Wyoming has lost nearly 200 child care providers in the past decade, dropping from 721 in 2014 to 527 in December 2024. This grant program aims to help reverse that trend.

The group will use the additional time between rounds to thoroughly review applications and connect providers with additional resources, including business planning, accounting, budgeting and professional development support. WYCF anticipates grantmaking will continue on a quarterly basis or until funds are fully spent.

We want to make sure providers dont just open their doors but that they provide excellent care and thrive long term, said Nikki Baldwin, director of the University of Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network. Thats why were pairing this funding with additional resources.

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The network offers peer support and professional development resources for providers. Applicants are also connected to business planning resources through the Wyoming Womens Business Center and Wyoming Small Business Development Center.

Priority will be given to applicants serving communities with limited or no existing child care options and to home-based providers seeking start-up support. However, funding will also be considered for child care entities aiming to expand access in their area or increase enrollment capacity.

To apply, or for application questions, visit wycf.org/childcare-grant/ or contact Micah Richardson at micah@wycf.org.

The Interagency Working Group on Childcare consists of numerous nonprofit partners and state agencies. To engage with the group, please contact Kristin Fong at kristin.fong@wyo.gov.
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)  The Yeshiva Academy in Longmeadow kicked off its two-day celebration of the Jewish Holiday, Purim, with a celebration of live music.

The holiday highlights the victory Jewish people achieved over 2,000 years ago in the land of Persia, when there was a plan to eradicate them.

This two-day holiday is a celebration of their survival. As Jews, were part of the broader community, says Rabbi Lavy Kosofsky. Its also important to hold onto our tradition, onto our faith, onto our observancesthis is what keeps us strong throughout all the generations.

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The Yeshiva Academy will continue the festivities Friday with an 80s-style New York deli dinner, live music, a costume contest, and a performance from students who attend the school.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Mercedes-Benz plans to equip its smart driving vehicles, intended for global markets, with China's Hesai Technology light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, reported Reuters a person with direct knowledge.

The move marks the first foreign automaker incorporating Chinese-made LiDAR technology into vehicles intended for sale outside of China.

The collaboration is set against a backdrop of escalating trade tensions, particularly as the US seeks to limit the use of Chinese components in vehicles produced by international manufacturers.

The decision by Mercedes was made after several months of consideration, taking into account the various legal and geopolitical risks involved.

Hesai said it has signed an "exclusive multi-year" contract with an undisclosed European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the supply its ultra-long-range lidar technology for a comprehensive range of models, including both fuel vehicles and new energy vehicles.

This long-term cooperation project is expected to extend through 2030.

Hesai co-founder and CEO Li Yifan said: This long-term cooperation project is not only a high recognition of the ultimate performance and excellent quality of Hesai, but also a powerful proof of the strength of Hesai's products.

This fully demonstrates that our products can meet the stringent standards of the world's top automotive OEMs, and also demonstrate the customer's firm confidence in our future development. We are proud to be able to harness the innovative LiDAR technology to power future mobility, which will play a key role in traditional fuel and electric vehicle platforms.

To meet the growing demand, Hesai is ramping up its manufacturing efforts, expanding two production lines in China, reported the news agency.

The expansion will increase the annual production capacity of over two million units within this year.

Hesai is also establishing production lines overseas with the aim of commencing operations as early as next year.

This move is intended to address concerns related to tariffs and logistics for clients outside of China.

Recently, Reuters reported that Mercedes-Benz signed an agreement with its works council to initiate staff buy-outs and halve planned salary increases.

This move comes as the automaker strives to boost its financial performance amidst a challenging industry landscape.

"Mercedes-Benz selects Hesai LiDAR sensors for global smart cars" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Lawmakers in New York have proposed a new bill that would make it illegal to mount weapons to robots or drones. That is of course, unless the people operating those weaponized machines happen to work with law enforcement or the military. If passed, the Responsible Robotics Act would make New York the first state to ban weaponized robots for civilians, at a time when government spending on autonomous and semi-autonomous police technology is on the rise.

The bill specifically bans the sale, transfer, modification, operation, or equipping of robots or drones with mounted weapons. Prohibited weapons include firearms, stun guns, chemical agents, lasers, and explosives. These restrictions would apply to both remote-controlled machines and those that rely on sensors and AI to operate autonomously. The legislation also prohibits civilians from using a robot to physically restrain a person. Violators could face penalties ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.

New York officials discussed the proposal during a press conference in the state capital earlier this week. Spot, a quadruped robot from Boston Dynamics that is currently used by the New York City Police Department, paced around as officials spoke. Lawmakers said the bill was partly inspired by public backlash over social media videos showing robots and drones equipped with flamethrowers and other weapons.

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Mounting weapons to robots or drones that are remotely or autonomously operated, widely available to the public, and capable of navigating within locations where people live and work, raises new risks of harm and serious ethical issues, the bills authors write. The development and use of such weaponized robots will also harm public trust in the technology in ways that

damage the tremendous benefits they will bring to society.

Cops and contractors get a pass

Those new restrictions notably do not apply to defense industrial companies working with the U.S. Department of Defense or some local law enforcement, though the latter is still expected to disclose whenever it deploys one of these robots. Government officials are also permitted to use weapon-mounted robots for explosive disposal or the destruction of property if they perceive an imminent threat to human life. Law enforcement must still obtain a warrant to deploy a weaponized robot in any situation where a warrant would typically be required. In theory, this should prevent armed robots from entering homes or apartments without probable cause.

A Boston Dynamics spokesperson told Popular Science the company supports the legislation and believes the best uses for its Spot robots are those that keep people out of harms way and help resolve dangerous situations. The company went on to say that all of its customers are required to comply with its terms and conditions of sale, which prohibit any attempted weaponization of the robot.

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In general, we encourage all police departments utilizing the robot to be clear and transparent with their communities in outlining specific situations where the robot will be used, and we strongly suggest that departments publicly post their detailed deployment policies and procedures on their websites, the spokesperson said.

Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn told Popular Science that while he sees the legislation as an important step, he believes more must be done to combat the growing use of robot surveillance by police. STOP regularly publishes reports and statements criticizing law enforcements expanding surveillance practices.

The growing pressure to move drone weaponry from the battlefield to our backyards is terrifying and we need to make it clear that its illegal to transform these increasingly ubiquitous devices into lethal long arms of the law, Fox Cahn said.

Similar legislation advanced in Massachusetts last year also seeks to prohibit weaponized robots, with exceptions for defense contractors and law enforcement bomb squads. But several states are attempting to go a step further. A proposed bill in Montana would bar anyone, including local police, from equipping robots with guns, swords, or other weapons. Another bill in Rhode Island aims to prevent law enforcement from acquiring robot dogs and drones, whether they are armed or not. None of these bills have passed.

Police forces are ramping up robot spending

The bill comes amid an uptick in spending on robotics and other policing technology by New York law enforcement. In 2023, the NYPD signed a new contract with Boston Dynamics worth an estimated $750,000 to bring its Spot robot dog back to the city. This followed the departments earlier $94,000 Spot contract, which was cut short after it sparked backlash when it was reportedly deployed to respond to a home invasion in the Bronx. Since then, the NYPD has deployed small aerial drones on numerous occasions to surveil sites of reported gunshots and robberies. The drones have also been used to monitor large public gatherings for signs of disruptions. Police briefly displayed a Knightscope K5 mobile surveillance robot to monitor subways but ended that program following criticism from advocates, some of whom referred to it as a trash can on wheels. The NYPD has also reportedly spent $222,000 on small, two-wheeled throw bots, which can be sent into dangerous areas for reconnaissance.

https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/1645857539190398976

And New York isnt alone. Police departments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Honolulu, and many others have all increased spending on robots in recent years. Back in 2016, police in Dallas made history by using a robot strapped with explosives to kill a suspected shooter for the first time. More recently, lawmakers in San Francisco and Oakland have considered the possibility of using armed robots to engage targets. In Oakland, city officials discussed attaching a shotgun to a four-wheeled robot. While their future is unknown, armed robots are likely here to stay.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron the technical aspects of controlling the "silence" on the front and possible next diplomatic steps.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 14 March

Quote: "Today I spoke with French President Macron. Emmanuel, as always, knows all the details and offers good ideas.

We analysed the current state of diplomacy and available opportunities. We discussed the technical aspects of controlling the silence, possible next steps in diplomacy and in protecting our people, our Europe."

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Details: Zelenskyy also announced a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: "I want to inform [him  ed.] about our position regarding the silence and our readiness for swift and honest diplomacy to end the war."

Background:

Macron stated that Russia must accept the US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

On Thursday 13 March, Putin stated that Russia was open to the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine but emphasised that it must lead to a lasting peace.

He outlined several key questions that would need to be addressed as part of such a ceasefire agreement, particularly whether Ukraine will continue to mobilise troops and receive weapons, how issues of monitoring and verification will be handled, and who will determine violations along the 2,000-km front line.

Zelenskyy believes that Putin is presenting additional conditions for the cessation of hostilities, which he sees as an indication that Putin does not genuinely want to end the war.

Zelenskyy dismissed Russian leader Vladimir Putin's claims that he is willing to agree to a ceasefire as "bravado" and said he believes Russia will strive to drag out the peace process

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that Ukraine's defence forces have achieved the Kursk operation's principal objective of drawing Russian soldiers away from the cities of Pokrovsk and Sumy and the Kharkiv front.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "The situation in Kursk Oblast is understandably very difficult. The objective of the Kursk operation was to divert enemy forces from Pokrovsk, the Kharkiv front and Sumy. Our soldiers are absolutely heroic  they have taken a heavy blow.

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The first objective was to ease the pressure on the Kharkiv front. They [the Russians  ed.] moved as many of their troops as possible from there to Kursk. Then they started withdrawing forces from the Eastern front but did not abandon their main objective  Pokrovsk. We understood all of this."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the situation on the Pokrovsk and Kharkiv fronts has been stabilised thanks to the Kursk operation.

The president also thanked the soldiers for their efforts in the Kursk operation, stating that it had fulfilled its mission.

Quote: "I believe it has accomplished its objective. I think the situation on the Pokrovsk front is now stable, and it will be very difficult [for the Russians  ed.] to find another opportunity to occupy Pokrovsk."

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Background: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has denied reports that Ukrainian units in Russias Kursk Oblast are encircled, as Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have claimed.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the key tools for monitoring a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine would be satellites and joint intelligence, including drones.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "I believe that the following steps can be used to track violations: The first step is a satellite; the second is intelligence, namely collaborative intelligence between the US and Ukraine."

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Details: Zelenskyy added that reconnaissance drones could also be used for monitoring.

He believes that the risk of a renewed invasion could be prevented by additional assistance, which he described as "an additional force that should be deployed at key points in Ukraine  on water, in the air and so on."

Zelenskyy stated that air defence protection has to be ensured at 100% during a ceasefire.

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The framework agreement on mineral resources between Ukraine and the United States is already prepared, with the next step being the development of a detailed document with specific figures.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists, as reported by RBC-Ukraine

Details: The president explained that a framework agreement on mineral resources is in place, and the next stage will involve drafting a detailed agreement with concrete figures and percentages, which will then be submitted for approval in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament).

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Quote: "This plan has not changed, and the sequence of actions remains the same," Zelenskyy clarified.

Additionally, he noted that Russia has no intention of developing deep mineral extraction, and its claims of readiness do not indicate actual plans for action.

Meanwhile, Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, explained at the Forbes Ukraine summit that the text of the mineral resources agreement has been agreed upon with the US and has remained unchanged since previous negotiations.

Forbes Ukraine reports, citing Stefanishyna, the next step is the preparation of an agreement on an Investment Fund, which will outline specific economic parameters and commitments.

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Background:

The previous subsoil agreement involved the creation of a commercial fund, in which the USA would have 100% control and Ukraine would allocate funds to it.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not intend to recognise an agreement under which Ukraine would owe the United States US$500 billion. He also stated that the mere presence of American businesses in Ukraine would not guarantee security.

On 28 February, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump failed to sign a minerals deal.

However, Ukraine expects to sign an agreement with the United States to create a joint investment fund, the signing of which was disrupted on 28 February.

Olha Stefanishyna stated that the agreement between Ukraine and the United States does not provide for the transfer of subsoil use rights or any property rights.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the issue of territories was discussed during talks with the US delegation in Saudi Arabia, despite not being on the meetings agenda.

Source: Suspilne, citing Zelenskyy at a meeting with journalists on Friday 14 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said that "the US side goes into details and substance". He cited the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast as an example.

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"You can't just say: here's the plant [the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant  ed.], and the city is separate. I believe that the issue of territories is the most difficult one after the issue of establishing a ceasefire," he said.

The Ukrainian president also stressed that all partners know Ukraine's position: the occupied territories are never to be recognised as Russian.

Background:

Following the talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 11 March, Ukraine said it is willing to implement a 30-day ceasefire, provided that Russia also adheres to it.

On Thursday 13 March, Putin responded cautiously to the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, neither rejecting it outright nor accepting it, but suggesting that Moscow might set its own conditions.

US President Donald Trump said Putins statement was "promising but not complete". He also said that if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, it would be "a very disappointing moment for the world".

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What is the best internet provider in Concord?

When I was growing up in Concord and Kannapolis, we didnt have internet -- home internet wasnt really a thing yet, except for early AOL. By the time I moved to Charlotte and later across the southern state border, AT&T and Time Warner Cable (now Spectrum) had become the areas two dominant providers. Others, like Kinetic, my top pick for the best internet provider in Concord, followed shortly after. Now, Concord residents have plenty of options to choose from.

Kinetic stands out in Concord for its wide-ranging availability of fiber-optic internet, fast speeds and favorable service terms, including unlimited data and no contract requirements. But not everyone in Concord is serviceable for Kinetic. If Kinetic isn't available at your address, Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet and, more recently, Google Fiber are solid alternatives.

Best internet service providers in Concord

The best internet provider for your Concord home will depend on whats available in your area and what youre looking for. I lean towards the high-speed, high-value fiber plans from Kinetic, but if youre looking for a low-cost wireless alternative, T-Mobile may be your best option. Spectrum is also a solid choice, particularly if you want to bundle internet and TV service together. And virtually no provider can compare to Google Fiber when it comes to gig service. Youll find more details about each provider, including Concord availability, pricing and service details, below.

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Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.

All internet providers in Concord

The providers listed above arent the only ones you may come across in Concord, just the ones Id recommend most and consider first if I were back in my hometown. Heres a look at all your possible, practical options for internet service in Concord, North Carolina.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Best Concord ISP honorable mentions

These providers are also technically available in Concord, but lack the availability or value to be included with CNETs picks of the best.

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AT&T Fiber: Coverage from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County spills over into Concord, but not by much. Those just north of Concord Mills are most likely to be eligible for service, but if youre any further north into Cabarrus County, look to Kinetic or possibly Google Fiber for fiber internet.

Kinetic (DSL): As mentioned above, most Concord residents can get Kinetic internet service, but not all will be eligible for fiber. Those who cant get fiber will have to rely on Kinetics DSL network, which is actually better than most. Speeds of 50Mbps to 200Mbps are possible depending on where you live, and the no-contract, unlimited data service starts at just $40 a month.

Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon is another popular option for 5G home internet service, but its Concord coverage isnt as good as T-Mobile. If you can get service, expect max download speeds ranging from 50 to 300Mbps starting at $50 a month or 85 to 1,000 starting at $70. Verizon wireless customers can get discounts on home internet with qualifying mobile plans.

Satellite internet: For rural areas -- and I know there are still some in Concord despite how much the area has changed in the last decade -- satellite internet may be the only option for broadband. HughesNet, Starlink and Viasat offer service throughout Concord and Cabarrus County, though pricing is high while speeds and data allowances are low (though Starlink may offer some relief to the speed and data drawbacks). Id recommend making sure no other options are available before resorting to satellite internet.

Rick Lanier/Getty Images

Internet pricing in Concord

The average starting price for internet (excluding satellite) in Concord is $51 a month. That's not exactly cheap internet, but Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber bring the average up.

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Between the three largest Concord ISPs -- Kinetic, T-Mobile and Spectrum -- the average starting price is around $43 a month assuming no mobile discounts from T-Mobile or Spectrum. Thats lower than the average starting cost for internet in Charlotte, and select plans from Spectrum may be priced lower in Concord than Charlotte thanks to the local competition from Kinetic.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Internet speeds in Concord

Concord had a median download speed of about 379Mbps in the most recent speed test data from Ookla. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Thats higher than the state average (315Mbps) and the national average (274Mbps). Google Fiber showed the fastest speed range, 250 to 371Mbps, but its important to note the providers lowest speed tier is 1,000Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Recap of Concord internet providers

For the most part, home internet options in Concord are as good as anywhere. I consider Kinetic by Windstream to be the best provider in the area thanks to its broad fiber coverage and competitive pricing, but the best Concord ISP for your home will depend on your specific needs and address. Google Fiber, Spectrum and T-Mobile are also decent choices in their own right, so its important to explore and compare all your internet options before deciding which is best for you.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Concord

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, its impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So whats our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

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But it doesnt end there. We go to the FCCs website to check our data and ensure were considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?

Do customers get decent value for what they're paying?

Are customers happy with their service?

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to yes on all three are the ones we recommend.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Concord internet providers FAQs

Is internet in Concord any good?

Median download speeds in Concord are higher than the state and national averages, according to recent Ookla speed test data. Additionally, starting prices for home internet are lower than in many surrounding areas, including Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

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Kinetic is arguably the best options for low-cost, high-speed internet in Concord as it offers max download speeds of 500Mbps starting at $40 a month.

Does Concord have fiber internet?

Yes. Fiber internet is available to approximately 74% of Concord residences. Kinetic by Windstream is the largest fiber provider in Concord, though Google Fiber has a growing fiber presence in the area as well.

Is AT&T internet available in Concord?

Yes, but only to less than 5% of homes, according to the FCC. AT&T Fiber coverage from neighboring Mecklenburg County extends slightly into Cabarrus County just north of Concord Mills, but is otherwise unavailable in Concord.

Is Kinetic or Spectrum better?

The better provider will come down to the available connection type. Kinetics fiber internet service will be the better value, though the cost may be slightly higher depending on the plan you choose and if you rent your router. On the other hand, Spectrum delivers faster max speeds and greater value compared to Kinetics DSL service. For a more in-depth comparison, see my breakdown of Spectrum versus Kinetic.
By Amanda Stephenson and Paul Carsten

CALGARY (Reuters) -Oil prices fell over 1% on Thursday as markets weighed macroeconomic concerns, including the risk that tariff wars between the U.S. and other countries could hurt global demand as well as uncertainty stemming from a U.S. proposal for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire.

Brent futures settled $1.07, or 1.5%, lower at $69.88 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.13, or 1.7%, to $66.55 a barrel.

The International Energy Agency reported that global oil supply could exceed demand by around 600,000 barrels per day this year, with global demand now expected to rise by just 1.03 million bpd, off last month's forecast by 70,000 bpd.

The report cited deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, including escalating trade tensions.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap a 200% tariff on wine, cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe, opening a new front in a global trade war and sparking investor worries about stiffer trade barriers around the world's largest consumer market.

Trade tensions have rattled investors, consumers and business confidence. U.S. stock indexes fell, dragging down oil market sentiment despite favorable fundamentals such as government data showing tighter-than-expected oil and fuel inventories, said Phil Flynn senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

"It's creating this push-pull dynamic," Flynn said. "Do we focus on supply and demand, which still looks pretty bullish, or do we focus on tariffs?"

The tariffs situation is the major factor weighing on the market's perception of oil demand growth in 2025, said Andrew Lipow, president of Houston-based Lipow Oil Associates.

"The expectation is that the tariffs and retaliatory tariffs are going to ultimately impact the consumer," Lipow said.

Also on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow agreed with U.S. proposals to stop fighting but any ceasefire should lead to a lasting peace and address root causes of the conflict.

The market is weighing the potential for a short-term ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, though UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said he "remains skeptical" that this would boost the availability of Russian oil.

With Trump's stated commitment to cheaper oil, Citi analysts said their outlook for Brent by the second half of 2025 is $60 a barrel.

On Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said Kazakhstan led a sizeable jump in February crude output by OPEC+. The producer group seeks to enforce adherence to agreed output targets, even as it intends to unwind production cuts.
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Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674.

This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Dr. Jordann Loehr and Reilly Bealer present signatures in support of establishing a public hospital district in the Lower Valley to the county auditor's office on Friday, Jan. 27.
Orient Overseas (International) Ltd. (OOIL) announced robust financial results for 2024 driven by its OOCL ocean container business, with profit attributable to equity holders reaching $2.58 billion, up from $1.37 billion in 2023.

The Hong Kong-based company owned by Chinas Cosco Shipping reported revenue increased to $10.7 billion for calendar 2024 from $8.34 billion in 2023. Operating profit rose to $2.62 billion from $1.41 billion, while earnings per share grew to $3.90 from $2.07.

OOIL (0316.HK) will recommend a dividend of $1.32 per share at its annual meeting in May.

The OOCL container transport and logistics segment drove the strong performance, with profit before tax of $2.64 billion. The company said that it benefited from continued recovery in global trade, though market dynamics remained complex.

The liner operator took delivery of seven new large container vessels in 2024 and chartered six 13,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) vessels for future deployment. It strengthened cooperation with Ocean Alliance partners Cosco, CMA CGM of France and Taiwans Evergreen Marine, the largest such agreement in maritime shipping.

While the outlook remains uncertain, we are well-prepared to embrace opportunities and respond to challenges, said OOIL Chairman Wan Min, in a release. We will consistently fulfill our commitment to customers and offer high-quality, reliable services.

Looking ahead, OOIL noted potential headwinds including geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and industry overcapacity concerns. Major shipping lines have yet to return to the Red Sea-Suez Canal route where Houthi rebels based in Yemen targeted violent attacks at merchant shipping throughout 2024. Diversions of ships from Asia to Europe, the Mediterranean and the United States on longer voyages around Africas Cape of Good Hope took some capacity out of the market, added to regional congestion and drove up rates. But the specter of a Red Sea reopening along with deployment of new tonnage are already challenging carriers hopes to implement general rate increases.

However, the company expressed confidence in its dual-brand strategy with Cosco, operational efficiency and ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

The company will hold its annual general meeting on May 15. The final dividend, if approved, will be paid on June 27 to shareholders of record as of May 28.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Arrival of worlds largest car carrier marks Texas ports gateway strategy

US opening investigation into container shipping choke points
Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley.
By Elnur Enveroglu



In recent days, Armenia has shown increased eagerness to quickly conclude a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. However, actions from Yerevan have yet to reflect this sense of urgency, signaling a gap between rhetoric and reality.

For instance, last week, Armenia took a sudden turn towards military rearmament, shifting its focus during a visit to India. As tensions rise, the government's calls for peace in Yerevan are increasingly being seen as superficial, undermining the potential for genuine progress toward lasting peace.

Armenia has insisted that the draft documents for peace are final, yet according to Bakus stance, the conclusion of the text does not necessarily equate to the signing of a peace agreement. This is a reasonable and logical position. Armenia should not assume that everything can be wrapped up simply on paper, nor should it expect that unresolved obligations will be ignored. A question arises, however: What does Armenia think of its constitution's preamble? After all, the declaration of independence remains in force and is yet to be addressed.

Interestingly, without awaiting an official response from Baku, Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already begun asking about the time and place for the agreements signing, seemingly trying to corner Azerbaijan into a decision. As has often been the case, Yerevan continues to celebrate, while Baku is left uninformed of a ceremony. The Armenian government speaks of restoring relations with both Turkiye and Azerbaijan on two fronts, yet the core issue remains unaddressed: What is the purpose of rearming an occupying state after thirty years?

On the same day, the 12th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Azerbaijans capital, where President Ilham Aliyev addressed the opening session. In his speech, President Aliyev made several key points, including a condemnation of Armenia's rearmament and the countries who still support it in this way. When analyzing these comments, it is clear that Armenias acquisition of the most advanced weaponry poses a real threat to the region, particularly to Azerbaijan, which has only recently liberated its territory from Armenia's occupation.

For those who still consider this an unjust concern, a closer examination of the crimes committed by Armenian forces in Garabagh is recommended. It is no coincidence that the Baku Military Court continues to prosecute Armenian war criminals. Despite the criminals own confessions, Yerevan, with the support of Armenian lobbyists, continues to demand their release. Unfortunately, some European Parliament members, swayed by bribery, have also supported these demands.

In his speech, President Aliyev also made several other clear assertions. Armenias constitution must be amended, and its territorial claims against Azerbaijan must end. Armenia must compensate Azerbaijan for the crimes it committed on Azerbaijani soil. The atrocities of Khojaly and other acts of violence cannot be forgotten.

The presidents rightful demands have hopefully reached the ears of the French government, the European Union Parliament, and other policymakers. As for Armenia, Baku has one more proposal: instead of labeling the ongoing court proceedings a "sham," Yerevan should collaborate with the courts in Baku and hand over those suspected of committing crimes against humanity, who are currently in Armenia.

Without this, the mere agreement on a 15-point document does not automatically mean its signing will follow.
SRV, a Finnish developer, and Asuntosaatio, a residential property owner, have signed a 10m ($10.8m) contract to construct 50 residential units in the Martensbro area of Espoo, Finland.

Martensbro, situated centrally in Espoonlahti opposite Lippulaiva, is poised for development, with SRV holding a planning reservation for numerous blocks in the vicinity.

The proposed eight-storey apartment building will comprise a total of 50 right-of-occupancy units, with half of these designed as larger family homes.

The project emphasises adaptability, offering the possibility to combine residential units and business premises in the future.

Construction work is scheduled to commence in early 2025, with an estimated completion date in late 2026.

This fixed-price contract will be included in SRV's order backlog for the first quarter of 2025.

SRV Helsinki metropolitan area senior vice-president for housing Jorma Seppa said: We have been developing the area in collaboration with the city for a long time, and now, with the contract with Asuntosaatio, we can start construction work on the first project in the area.

Almost 500 apartments will be built in the first block of the area. SRV is currently also planning developer-contracted housing projects in the area, and the block will be built with private financing for owner-occupied and rental apartments.

Asuntosaatio development director Turkka Keravuori said: "It is great to be able to participate in the development of a new residential area in Espoo. A complex of several blocks has been planned for the area, and [the] right-of-occupancy building of Asuntosaatio will be the first new development in Martensbro.

"The project excellently supports our goal of building affordable and comfortable housing with good transport connections."

Last month, SRV confirmed a construction contract for the Nissniku House, a multipurpose building in Kirkkonummi, Finland.

"SRV signs contract to build 50 residential units in Espoo, Finland" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Allison Lampert and Dan Catchpole

(Reuters) - Tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries in retaliation have prompted some business jet buyers to try to rush deliveries or add contract clauses to protect themselves from the duties, as the aviation sector braces for higher costs of planemaking materials, industry experts said.

Canada and the European Union hit back on Wednesday with retaliatory duties against the United States after the White House introduced 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum, metals, which are used to make planes.

The U.S. may impose additional tariffs in April on Mexico and Canada.

Makers of private or business jets, such as Canada's Bombardier, General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace and Textron, have seen their order backlogs grow on demand from wealthy travelers and corporate clients.

While commercial planemakers such as Boeing and Airbus, and large aerospace suppliers, have not warned of any major impact on aircraft production and deliveries, tariffs that have pressured financial markets are creating uncertainty for investors and buyers.

Bombardier did not provide guidance this year due to the tariff threat, while some trade groups have flagged concerns that a drawn-out trade war would hit a globally integrated aerospace supply chain.

Amanda Applegate, a partner at Soar Aviation Law, said she has seen some buyers of non-American private jets located outside the country add clauses to protect themselves from higher costs if their purchases get hit with tariffs.

Others are trying to close deals quickly, before further tariffs hit. One European buyer of a U.S. private jet has been trying to rush a transaction, said Katie DeLuca, a partner at Florida-based law firm Harper Meyer.

"That is what I've been seeing in that area, that rush transaction, get it exported, get it into Europe before a potential issue will arise," DeLuca told a Tuesday webinar held by the National Business Aviation Association.

DeLuca added she has also seen a transaction in which a U.S. buyer tried to terminate a deal with a non-U.S. seller for a used Canadian aircraft based abroad.

A Bombardier spokesperson said its parts are distributed from Chicago and its planes can be delivered to customers in the U.S. without incurring tariffs in the world's largest market for private planes, as the company is compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal.

A U.S. tariff exemption on USMCA-compliant goods from Mexico and Canada is set to end in April.

PARTS COSTS

The Aerospace Industries Association and a coalition including U.S. airlines and business jet manufacturers have raised alarm over tariffs hitting the industry's supply chain, which produces critical parts.
Amid all the international criticism levelled at Hungary since the start of the war and accusations of "an anti-Ukraine policy", it is little appreciated that Hungary is the only European Union member state that has established and runs Ukrainian-language schools for refugee children living here, an official of the foreign ministry said.

The Hungarian government always considered it natural that "we must help the country afflicted by conflict", Levente Magyar said at an international conference organised by the Hungarian Interchurch Aid concerning Hungary's aid activities.



"So we immediately opened the Hungary-Ukraine border and 13 million crossings have been registered, while many tens of thousands of Ukrainians have decided to stay here," he added.



He said the Hungarian foreign minister personally took aid shipments to Ukraine two days after the Russian attack and assessed how Hungary could help. Magyar added that he personally visited Ukraine twelve times, including four visits to Kiyv.



Magyar added that Hungary has also extended medical aid to wounded soldiers and to children who have arrived "in the hundreds", while one thousand Ukrainians each year have been offered scholarships to study at Hungarian universities.



He expressed hope that the war would end soon and added that Hungary would not neglect Ukrainians who needed help, even after the war ends.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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The world of Dune: Part Two is one of monumental scale, intricate details, and breath-taking audio-visual storytelling - all elements that demand the highest level of technical craftsmanship.

The films wins for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound at the Academy Awards highlight not just the artistry behind its production, but also the people who made it possible.



If one takes a look at the crew behind Dune: Part Two, its clear that Hungarian professionals played a key role in crafting the films stunning digital environments, motion capture sequences, and finely tuned soundscapes.



From on-set visual effects coordination to complex 3D modeling and sound recording, Hungarys technical workforce contributed at every stage, helping director Denis Villeneuve realize the immersive world of Arrakis.



A Filmmaking Culture Rooted in Precision and Craft



Hungarys impact on Hollywood productions goes beyond just providing locationsits about the quality of workbeing produced. The country has built a reputation for its highly skilled VFX artists, sound engineers, cinematographers, and production designers, who bring a meticulous, solution-driven approach to complex filmmaking challenges.



Working on Dune: Part Two meant executing sequences that blended practical effects with digital enhancements seamlessly, requiring expertise in LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, compositing, and motion capture.



The films award-winning sound design, with its immersive desert winds and deep, otherworldly tones, was also supported by Hungarian sound professionals, who worked both on set and in post-production.



These achievements are the result of decades of experience. Hungarian crews have long been known for their ability to work efficiently under demanding conditions, adapting to the needs of big-budget, technically complex productions.



This is why Hollywoods biggest directors - from Denis Villeneuve to Ridley Scottkeep returning to Hungary, not just for its locations, but for the people who bring their stories to life.



Origo Studios: A Hub for Technical Excellence



While the talent is Hungarys greatest filmmaking asset, world-class facilities provide the necessary infrastructure to execute large-scale projects. Origo Studios Budapest, where both recent Dune films were produced, offers some of the most advanced soundstages and post-production capabilities in Europe, making it an ideal setting for technical innovation in filmmaking.



From large-scale practical set construction to cutting-edge visual effects workflows, Origo serves as a hub where Hungarian professionals and international crews collaborate to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. With multiple Oscar-winning films on its resume, the studio has become synonymous with high-level technical filmmaking, reinforcing Hungarys role as a global leader in visual and sound production.



The Future of Hungary in Global Filmmaking



Hungary has proven time and again that its not just a place to shootits a place to create. The success of Dune: Part Two follows a pattern established by other major productions like Dune: Part One, Blade Runner 2049, and The Brutalist, all of which showcased Hungarys technical expertise on the world stage.



As Hollywood continues to demand bigger, more immersive cinematic experiences, Hungary is poised to play an even larger role in shaping the future of filmmaking. With its highly skilled professionals, innovative studios, and a deep-rooted culture of cinematic craftsmanship, the country has solidified itself as a go-to destination for films that require technical excellencenot just as a location, but as an integral part of the filmmaking process itself.



With Dune: Part Two now an Oscar-winning testament to Hungarys strength in VFX and sound, the industrys message is clear: Hungary isnt just helping Hollywood make moviesits helping Hollywood make better movies.





Denis Villeneuve Confirms Dune: Messiah is in Early Development







After the critical and audience acclaim of Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that work on Dune: Messiah is officially underway. However, the production faces potential challenges due to overlapping schedules with the second season of Dune: Prophecy, a spin-off series also set to film at Budapests Origo Studios this year.



With two massive Dune projects sharing the same facilities, logistical and scheduling conflicts could complicate the ambitious production timeline.



Speaking at the Saturn Awards, Villeneuve shared his motivations for returning to Arrakis sooner than expected, despite initially being uncertain about revisiting the desert planet:



Chanis heart is broken, and its the beginning of the Holy War and thats where we left, so in a way, Id say its quite similar. I was expecting to do something else before, but frankly, thats the inspiration that came to my mind as I took a break this summer and was going back and finishing the story. I was really moved by the way Part Two was received by cinephiles around the world, and I felt an appetite and a desire to see more and a responsibility to finish that story.



Villeneuves statement confirms that Dune: Messiah will pick up 12 years after the events of Dune: Part Two, though he has hinted at addressing the narrative gaps between the films. Fans can expect the continuation of Paul Atreides story and the exploration of the consequences of his actions, as the Holy War looms large in the storyline.



Dune: Part Two, filmed at Origo Studios in Budapest, became one of the biggest films of 2024, earning higher scores than its predecessor on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it garnered only five Oscar nominations, significantly fewer than Dune: Part One, which won six Academy Awards.



This discrepancy has sparked discussions among fans and industry insiders, especially since Villeneuve was notably overlooked for a Best Director nomination.



Production on Dune: Messiah is expected to begin earlier than anticipated, but the conflicting schedules with Dune: Prophecy raise questions about how both projects will navigate shared resources. Balancing the production needs of a sprawling cinematic sequel alongside a high-budget television series may require creative solutions to ensure both projects maintain their ambitious standards.



With Dune establishing itself as one of the most significant sci-fi series of recent years, Villeneuves commitment to Messiah promises to further expand the universe of Arrakis and deepen the epic sagas legacy.



As pre-production progresses, fans can look forward to more updates about the highly anticipated continuation of the Dune franchise, even as the production team navigates these unique challenges.



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Revamped Hungarian universities have made big strides forwards in the global rankings, the culture and innovation ministry said.

The statement said that the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 included twelve Hungarian universities, three of which have improved their previous positions in five broad subject areas while five universities have improved in individual subjects.



In addition to previous rankings, eight Hungarian universities have gained positions in new individual subjects, it added.



The statement cited Balazs Hanko, the minister, as saying that "the success of renewed Hungarian universities strengthens the country, the nation, and offers a true programme of competitiveness."



"The key to their success is institutional autonomy, their predictable and flexible operations and cooperation with economic players, despite Brussels interfering as a counter-party to [their] interests," he added.



"No matter what winds blow from Brussels, we will not give up our targets included in the Universities 2030 programme, which is to ensure that at least one Hungarian university should be in the global top 100 and more in the European top 100 by the year 2030," he added.



The statement said the government's aim was to ensure that instead of competing with each other, Hungarian universities should stand their ground internationally.



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The first lunar eclipse of 2025 is set to take place on March 14, coinciding with the festival of Holi. This celestial event, referred to as Chandra Grahan in Hindi, has captivated people for centuries. Across cultures, lunar eclipses hold deep spiritual and astrological significance, with many believing they can influence human life and natural events.

When and Where to Watch the Lunar Eclipse

The total lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025, will cause the Moon to take on a reddish hue, a phenomenon commonly known as the Blood Moon. However, this spectacle will not be visible from India. Instead, people in America, Western Europe, and regions around the Atlantic Ocean will have the chance to witness it.

Later in the year, another lunar eclipse is expected on September 7-8, 2025. Reports indicate that this one will be visible from India, giving skywatchers an opportunity to experience the astronomical event firsthand.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Lunar eclipses hold both scientific and spiritual importance. The March eclipse aligns with Holi, a festival that marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Such rare coincidences between celestial events and cultural celebrations often hold special meaning.

Since the March eclipse will not be visible in India, the Sutak Kaala period considered inauspicious in Hindu traditionswill not be observed. However, during the September lunar eclipse, many may follow traditional customs associated with such events.

In Hindu beliefs, lunar eclipses are seen as powerful cosmic occurrences. Many regard them as a time for spiritual reflection, meditation, and transformation. Astrologers often associate eclipses with personal growth and realignment.

The September eclipse, which will be visible from India, is likely to attract interest from both astronomers and spiritual seekers. More details on its exact timing will be available as the date approaches.
Maharashtra News: Dubbing the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) rule in Maharashtra worse than that of Aurangzeb, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that farmers in the state were dying because of the saffron party.

He claimed that farmers, unemployed people, and women are committing suicides in the state. Its been 400 years since Aurangzeb was buried. Forget him. Are farmers in Maharashtra committing suicide due to Aurangzeb? They are doing it because of you," he said. Attacking the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, Raut said, If the Mughal ruler committed atrocities, then what is the government doing? he asked.

BJP leads the ruling Mahayuti coalition, also comprising the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and Ajit Pawars NCP, in the state. Farmers are committing suicide. BJP's tenure is worse than that of Aurangzeb, Raut stated. Raut was responding to a question on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss remarks that everyone feels Mughal ruler Aurangzebs tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar should be removed.

But it has to be done under legal purview, as the previous Congress regime put the site under the Archaeological Survey of India's protection, Fadnavis had said. BJP's Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had sought the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

(With PTI Inputs)
Abohar: Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint intelligence operation with State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka, foiled a smuggling attempt along the border and apprehended two Indian smugglers with arms & ammunition, a senior officer said. The arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation at a farmhouse in the Abohar district, the BSF's Public Relations Officer (PRO) said in an official statement.

"Acting on diligently developed intelligence input, BSF troops and SSOC Fazilka launched an extensive joint search operation, and at about 02:30 pm the troops apprehended 2 Indian smugglers along with 2 Pistols, 23 live Rounds (9 mm), 2 Magazines and 1 bike from a farm house in Abohar district," the PRO (Punjab Frontier) added. "The apprehended smugglers are residents of Abohar and are presently in the custody of local Police for detailed questioning to find their forward and backward linkages," the PRO said.

Earlier on Thursday, BSF and Punjab Police recovered over 500 grams of heroin from the Tarn Taran border area, officials said. According to officials, the recovery was made during a joint search operation following specific intelligence about the presence of a suspected packet in the border district.

"On March 13, 2025, based on specific information regarding the presence of a suspected packet in the border area of district Tarn Taran, BSF troops in collaboration with Punjab Police carried out an extensive search operation in the suspected area," the BSF said earlier.
India At UN: India has once again slammed Pakistan for its habit of making unjustified references to Jammu and Kashmir, saying that this will not validate Islamabads claim and nor will it justify their practice of cross-border terrorism.

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York, Parvathaneni Harish made these remarks while delivering India's statement at the meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Lashing out at Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, Parvathaneni Harish said, "As is their habit, the former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Frequent references will neither validate their claim nor justify their practice of cross-border terrorism." He further stated that Pakistan's fanatical mindset was well-known and that the reality will not change nevertheless, and Jammu and Kashmir will remain an integral part of India.

"The fanatical mindset of this nation is well known, as is also its record of bigotry. Such efforts will not change the reality that Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always be an integral part of India," he said.

He further stated, "We have recently witnessed a disturbing rise in violence targeting places of worship and religious communities. This can only be countered by sustained commitment and concrete action from all member states to the principle of equal respect for all faiths. All countries must commit to equal treatment of all their citizens and not practice policies that promote religious discrimination. We must also ensure that the education system does not perpetuate stereotypes or encourage bigotry. As we observe this day, let us remember that the fight against Islamophobia is inseparable from the broader struggle against religious discrimination in all its forms, as was correctly envisaged in the 1981 declaration. Let us work towards a future where every individual, regardless of their faith, can live with dignity, security and respect..."

#WATCH | Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York, Parvathaneni Harish, says, "As it is their habit, the former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Frequent references pic.twitter.com/zH6FEa0KBc  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

There have been several occasions in the past when India has lashed out at Pakistan over the Kashmir issue on the global stage, echoing that it will always remain an integral part of India and not even an inch of land will be compromised.

(With agency Inputs)
President Trump said Monday that Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman would be the central bank's new vice chair for supervision, tapping a former Kansas banking commissioner as the Feds top banking cop.

Bowman could take oversight of giant US banks in a new direction as the Trump administration makes it clear it wants to lift constraints on lenders and overhaul a regulatory framework put in place following the 2008 financial crisis.

"Our Economy has been mismanaged for the past four years, and it is time for a change," Trump said in a social media post Monday. "Miki has the 'know-how' to get it done. I am confident we will achieve Economic heights never before seen in our Nations History."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has flagged that changes are coming to how Washington regulates banks, citing "backward-looking" policies designed to address the failures of the 2008 financial crisis and the need for better coordination among bank oversight agencies.

"We need our financial regulators singing in unison from the same song sheet," he said in a speech earlier this month, citing "a broken supervisory culture."

Bowman has signaled that she could be in favor of some changes. She opposed some of the proposals put forward by the former vice chair for supervision, Michael Barr, including a new set of controversial capital rules that would have required lenders to set aside greater buffers for future losses.

The requirements are based on an international set of capital requirements known as Basel III imposed in the decade following the 2008 financial crisis.

Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman in 2019. REUTES/Ann Saphir  REUTERS / Reuters

Banks have been fighting this US proposal for the last year in an aggressive public campaign and even dropped hints about suing regulators if they dont get their way.

Bowman has argued that the plan needed "substantive changes" and that an increase in capital requirements at the scale proposed by regulators could significantly harm the economy.

She wanted the Fed to tailor capital requirements to a banks size and risk profile as the regulator does now, arguing that she hasnt seen compelling evidence that changing this approach would bolster the banking system.

Banks appear to be in favor of her appointment, which still requires Senate confirmation.

I'd be excited to see Miki Bowman appointed," Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said in a Fox News interview last week. "I think the industry would be excited."

Rob Nichols, CEO of the American Bankers Association, said Monday that "Bowman has been a thoughtful, principled voice for sensible regulatory and monetary policy and someone who understands the important role that banks of all sizes play in our financial system and our economy."
A tragic incident took place in Gujarat's Vadodara, in which a woman died in an accident after a four-wheeler collided with a two-wheeler in Gujarat's Vadodara, police said on Friday.

The police have confirmed that the accused driver has been apprehended, stating that the incident was a case of drunk driving.

"A 4-wheeler rammed into a 2-wheeler and one woman died in the accident. The accused driver has been caught. Police are conducting further probe...this is a case of drunk driving," Joint CP Leena Patil said, ANI reported.

Further details are awaited.
As the entire nation celebrates the Holi festival, spreading the message of brotherhood and unity. Soldiers posted in Kashmir, be it Sashastra Seema Bal or Border Security Forces (BSF), and also the Indian Army or CRPF personnel stationed in the Kashmir Valley, despite being away from home, ensure to celebrate this vibrant festival with full fervor.

The SSB unit in the Kashmir Division, responsible for maintaining peace in the region, organized Holi celebrations for troops stationed at the Batamaloo Headquarters in the Srinagar district. SSB Jawans from various parts of the country were observed celebrating the festival of colors together, embodying a sense of camaraderie akin to family. Such festivals break down hierarchical barriers, fostering unity among all participants.

SSB CO 10th battalion said, Our security personnel are on duty. See, this is paradise. Today, this Holi festival is celebrated across the country. I wish all countrymen on this festival. Our force has all religious people. It sends a message of brotherhood. We are all enjoying this rain.

The celebrations, attended by soldiers of all religious backgrounds and their families, exemplified camaraderie among troops and conveyed a message of unity to the citizens of the country. Vijay Dikshit, SSB officer, said, You see how Holi is being celebrated, we people from across the country and we work like a family we all are celebrating this festival together we are away from family but this is our family and we dont miss our family , there is equality all religion people are together working and celebrating.

Another soldier, Rohan Sahu, said, We enjoyed a lot today. Its the festival of colours. There is no distinction; its a family; let all have happiness; Holi is a festival of colours SSB officer Shri Ram Jakad said, To have a function on a festival is very necessary, and we dont miss our family.

Similar celebrations were held for soldiers of the Indian Army, CRPF, and Border Security Forces across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including at border outposts. SSB officers and soldiers extended their best wishes for Holi to the nation, accompanied by musical performances and dancing, showcasing the joyous spirit of the Holi festival.

Holi, celebrated over two days in North India, marks the victory of good over evil and heralds the arrival of spring. The festival fosters inclusivity, humanity, and the onset of a joyous season, celebrated through rituals like Holika Dahan and Holi Milan.
Kerala Lottery Results Friday 14-03-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-423" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-423, March 14, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Nirmal NR-423" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Nirmal NR-423 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-423 results today.

Kerala Lottery Result 14-03-2025 March: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR-423 Draw

LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: NS 379448

LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: NY 710712

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: 1) NN 417779 (ALAPPUZHA)

2) NO 146207 (PALAKKAD)

3) NP 860875 (PATTAMBI)

4) NR 656122 (THIRUR)

5) NS 863856 (THIRUR)

6) NT 759958 (KOTTAYAM)

7) NU 880221 (PAYYANUR)

8) NV 430788 (KOLLAM)

9) NW 408066 (ERNAKULAM)

10) NX 326448 (CHITTUR)

11) NY 457055 (IRINJALAKUDA)

12) NZ 659862 (PUNALUR)

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE:

NN 379448

NO 379448

NP 379448

NR 379448

NT 379448

NU 379448

NV 379448

NW 379448

NX 379448

NY 379448

NZ 379448

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0300 0364 1712 1998 2543 2795 3197 3631 3869 5167 5222 5762 6229 8232 8410 8560 8997 9161

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0061 0243 0277 0627 1435 1526 1549 1902 2059 2097 2377 2634 2864 3468 4006 5124 5537 5718 5867 6426 6492 6585 6691 7026 7319 7598 7716 8010 8113 8153 8346 8474 8857 8956 9129 9248

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0480 0533 0668 0687 1126 1205 1291 1377 1505 1679 1790 1816 2239 2249 2313 2453 2499 2589 2699 2781 2797 2832 2926 2928 3079 3233 3413 3527 3572 3629 3655 3767 3821 3872 3943 4203 4389 4496 4613 4728 4948 4965 4979 4992 5012 5142 5230 5266 5659 5663 6193 6196 6216 6475 6611 6622 6697 6703 6751 6852 6995 7113 7120 7175 7336 7500 7679 7723 7799 7802 8007 8537 8593 8617 8767 8882 9054 9609 9745

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0058 0208 0446 0507 0565 0621 0721 0776 0888 0919 1228 1407 1458 1610 1696 1718 1729 1767 1848 1944 1957 2019 2148 2165 2183 2212 2225 2230 2319 2363 2720 2761 2902 3093 3159 3170 3177 3237 3619 3745 3852 3896 3921 4090 4103 4363 4366 4402 4615 4723 5009 5075 5123 5194 5376 5393 5478 5571 5612 5615 5750 5768 5959 6001 6019 6191 6199 6323 6350 6410 6446 6558 6560 6563 6614 6812 7117 7201 7285 7291 7349 7396 7402 7469 7478 7488 7567 7580 7857 7920 7938 8003 8054 8205 8212 8373 8406 8533 8564 8609 8647 8683 8723 8833 8840 8940 8951 8967 8989 9062 9132 9145 9149 9213 9298 9352 9390 9532 9610 9719 9871 9917

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 14-03-2025 March: NIRMAL NR-423 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs

2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs

3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000

4th Prize: Rs. 2,000

5th Prize: Rs. 1,000

6th Prize: Rs. 500

7th Prize: Rs. 200

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

(NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.)
Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: There seems to be no respite in sight for Kannada actor Ranya Rao as the Economic Offences Court on Friday rejected her bail application in the gold smuggling case. Meanwhile the second accused in the smuggling case, Tarun Konduru, filed a bail application in the Economic Offences court. His bail application will be heard tomorrow at 3 p.m.

The smuggling case against Rao pertains to the seizure of gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from the actor at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Day after the seizure, the officials said, searches were conducted at her residence where gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash were recovered.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao's bail application was rejected in the Economic Offences Court in a gold smuggling case.



The second accused in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, Tarun Konduru, filed a bail application in the Economic Offences court. His bail application will be heard  ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025

The latest develoipemnt in the case came a day after the Karnataka government withdrew its order directing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe possible lapses and dereliction of duty by police officers at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in connection with actor Ranya Raos gold smuggling case. The CID probe order was issued on Monday night.

A subsequent order on Wednesday withdrawing the CID investigation stated that Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta is already probing the possible role of Ranya's stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-rank officer, in the case. Ramachandra Rao is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Gupta's inquiry will focus on the facts and circumstances leading to the misuse of protocol-related facilities and Rao's involvement in the case.

(With agency inputs)
An American Airlines flight carrying 178 people caught fire on the tarmac at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening, forcing passengers to evacuate in a chaotic scene. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, had made an emergency landing after experiencing engine trouble mid-flight, CBS News reported.

Shortly after landing and while taxiing to the gate, one of its engines caught fire, prompting passengers to escape by climbing out onto the wing before emergency crews arrived. Airport officials later confirmed that 12 passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while the fire was quickly extinguished.

The incident occurred just before 6 pm Mountain Time when American Airlines Flight 1006, which had taken off from Colorado Springs Airport and was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, was diverted to Denver due to reported engine vibrations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed in a statement that the crew had identified the issue mid-air, prompting the emergency landing. Upon landing, as the aircraft taxied toward the terminal, one of the engines ignited, forcing an emergency evacuation using the plane's inflatable slides. The FAA noted that it would conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether the issue originated mid-flight or after the plane had landed, reported CBS News.

American Airlines also released a statement regarding the incident, clarifying that the aircraft had encountered an "engine-related issue" after touching down in Denver. According to the airline, all 172 passengers and six crew members on board safely exited the aircraft and were being transported to the terminal. The plane came to a stop at Gate C38 in Concourse C, where emergency response teams acted swiftly to put out the fire.

Footage shared on social media captured the frightening moments as flames erupted from the aircraft while thick smoke billowed into the air. Videos also showed passengers hastily climbing onto the wing of the plane to escape the growing fire. A spokesperson for the airport told CBS News that firefighters had the situation under control within minutes of the initial reports of fire.

A family member of one of the passengers told CBS News Colorado that all luggage was removed from the aircraft, and affected travellers were being rebooked for a replacement flight scheduled to depart Denver for Dallas at 1 am local time on Friday. American Airlines later confirmed that a new aircraft and crew had been dispatched to complete the journey.
The district president of a Shiv Sena group has been shot dead here while a boy was injured in the attack, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when the outfit's district unit president, Mangat Rai Manga, was buying milk, according to PTI Videos.

Three unknown persons fired at him around 10 pm, but the bullet missed Manga and hit the 12-year-old boy, police said, adding that Manga immediately fled the area on a two-wheeler, chased by the assailants.

During the chase, the attackers fired at Manga again, this time successfully, and fled the spot.

Manga was taken to a hospital by police, where he was declared 'brought dead' by doctors. The injured child was initially admitted to the Moga Civil Hospital and later referred to another hospital for better treatment, according to an official.

Police said they are verifying which Shiv Sena outfit Manga was associated with.

Right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Shakti's national president Joginder Sharma said, "We got to know that some miscreants shot Manga dead. As soon as we got the information, we reached the hospital."

Manga's daughter told PTI Videos that her father left the house at around 8 pm on Thursday to get milk. "At 11 pm, someone informed us that my father was shot dead. We want justice and will do whatever we have to do for that," she said.

In another incident here, three motorcycle riders entered a salon in Bagiana Basti around 9 pm for a haircut and fired two shots at the owner, Devender Kumar. One bullet hit Kumar in the leg, and he was taken to Moga Civil Hospital for treatment and later referred to another hospital.

DSP City Ravinder Singh said the firing took place at two places on Thursday night.

"A salon owner was injured in Bagean Basti. In another incident, Mangat Rai Manga was shot dead on Stadium Road, and an 11-year-old boy was injured when the miscreants opened fire. Manga's body has been kept in the mortuary of the civil hospital and an investigation has been initiated in the case," he told PTI Videos.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, while presenting the states Budget for 2025-26 on Friday, announced the establishment of a new airport in the Rameswaram area of the Ramanathapuram district.

This initiative aims to boost tourism in South Tamil Nadu and contribute to the economic development of the region.

To revive Tamil Nadus maritime heritage and position the state as a global hub for shipbuilding, the Finance Minister introduced the Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025.

This policy focusses on fostering investment and innovation in ship and boat design, ship hull fabrication, and ship engine production.

The growth of this industry is expected to generate 30,000 jobs in districts such as Cuddalore and Thoothukudi, while also supporting the development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

In an effort to strengthen the life sciences ecosystem and establish Tamil Nadu as a leader in emerging fields such as biosimilars and therapeutics, the government will develop a state-of-the-art bioscience park near Chennai.

This park will feature world-class infrastructure, including common testing centres, laboratories, and other advanced technological facilities necessary for manufacturing high-value-added products.

Additionally, the park will offer plug-and-play manufacturing facilities to encourage investments in the sector. For the Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce Department, the government has allocated Rs 3,915 crore in the Budget Estimates for 2025-26.

Continuing its commitment to showcasing Tamil Nadus rich cultural heritage, the state government has planned archaeological excavations at several locations, including Keezhadi (Sivaganga district), Pattanamarudur (Thoothukudi district), Karivalamvanthanallur (Tenkasi district), Nagapattinam (Nagapattinam district), Manikkollai (Cuddalore district), Adichanur (Kallakurichi district), Vellalur (Coimbatore district) and Thelunganur (Salem district).

Expanding the search for the ancient Tamil cultural identity, excavations will also be carried out in neighbouring states, including Palur in Odisha, Vengi in Andhra Pradesh, and Maski in Karnataka.

The Finance Minister also announced a Rs 1 crore prize for the World Tamil Olympiad. Additionally, the state will support the translation of the Thirukkural into 45 languages worldwide, further promoting Tamil literature and philosophy on the global stage.

With these strategic initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government aims to drive economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and position the state as a leader in multiple industries.
Chennai: After his much-celebrated Symphony performance in London, legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Tamil Nadu CM appreciated Ilaiyaraaja for his achievement.

MK Stalin posted the pictures with Ilaiyaraaja on X, "The musician @ilaiyaraaja, who has returned from a record-breaking trip to London #Symphony , met me in person to congratulate me on my trip and thank me. On behalf of the government, we have decided to celebrate his half-century journey in film music! This festival will be celebrated with the participation of fans living in the Raja's music kingdom!," the caption reads.

Legendary music Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja returned to Chennai on March 10 after his much-celebrated Symphony performance in London. His homecoming was nothing short of grand, as he was warmly received at the Chennai Airport by a host of political and cultural figures, including Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thenarasu, BJP State Vice President Karu Nagarajan, and VCK functionary Vanni Arasu.

On behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, Minister Thangam Thenarasu welcomed the maestro, acknowledging his contribution to Indian and global music.

BJP's Karu Nagarajan, and VCK's Vanni Arasu, also extended their heartfelt greetings to Ilaiyaraaja, celebrating his exceptional career.

Speaking to the media, IIlaiyaraaja thanked his supporters, especially his fans in London. "Thanks to everyone. You all sent me off with smiling faces, which made the event hugely successful. The love I received from the fans during the Symphony was overwhelming. Every moment there was filled with appreciation from the audience," he said.

Ilaiyaraaja, widely regarded as one of the greatest music composers in India, is renowned for his work in Tamil and Telugu cinema.

His illustrious career spans over four decades, during which he composed music for more than a thousand films, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

Born as R Gnanathesikan in 1943 in the village of Pannaipuram, Theni district, Ilaiyaraaja began his journey in music at a young age.

His compositions have not only enchanted listeners but also often delivered strong political messages, capturing the essence of social events and celebrations.

His unique musical style combines folk rhythms with classical techniques, making him a trendsetter in South Indian cinema.

The maestro's creations have stood the test of time, continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Some of his most iconic songs include 'Machana Pathingala' from 'Annakili (1975)' This song marked the beginning of Ilaiyaraaja's musical journey, blending folk rhythms with contemporary film music. Its melodic charm remains beloved by generations.

'Metti Oli Kaatrodu' from 'Metti (1980)': This song, sung by Janaki, continues to mesmerize listeners with its enchanting lyrics and melody.

'Thenpaandi Cheemayile' from 'Nayagan (1987)' : A timeless classic from a legendary film, the song's deep emotional impact has made it unforgettable for listeners.

'Janani Janani' from 'Thaai Moogambhigai (1982)' : A highly revered devotional song, it became an anthem of faith during the 1980s, still cherished by devotees today.

'Uravugal Thodarkathai' from 'Aval Appadithan (1978)' : This song, sung by K. J. Yesudas, continues to touch hearts with its melody, showcasing Ilaiyaraaja's mastery over emotion-laden music.

Ilaiyaraaja's music has influenced the film industry and deeply impacted the cultural and emotional fabric of Indian society.

His compositions speak to universal human emotions, capturing everything from joy to sorrow, all while preserving the rich traditions of Tamil and South Indian music.
New Delhi: India has emerged as the leading investor in Londons ambitious new "growth plan," which aims to boost the city's economy and generate an additional 27 billion pounds in tax revenue.

According to reports, this revenue will be used to support essential public services across London and the UK.

The plan, unveiled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and growth agency London & Partners, seeks to increase productivity by 2 per cent annually over the next ten years.

The report added that if successful, this could make London's economy 107 billion pounds larger by 2035.

India has shown strong economic engagement with London over the past three years.

It surpassed the United States to become the city's largest FDI contributor in 2022-23, a trend that continued in 2023-24.

According to Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, Indian technology companies have been expanding their operations in London at a rapid pace.

She also noted that Indian students and tourists have become a major part of London's international community.

Official data for 2023-24 shows that 38,625 Indian students were studying in London, a significant rise over the past decade.

Their share of all international students in the city has grown from under 5 per cent to over 20 per cent.

Mark Hertlien, Chair of the International Network at London Higher, welcomed this trend and said Indian students create lasting connections between the two nations.

The business sector has also seen a strong Indian presence.

Ashish Devalekar, a senior executive at Indian IT giant Mphasis, highlighted London's importance as a global innovation hub.

He mentioned that Mphasis has been expanding its operations in London and plans to double its workforce through its newly opened London Innovation Hub.

This centre will focus on advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

The London growth plan has been developed in collaboration with businesses, trade unions, and local communities.

It aims to revive productivity, which has remained stagnant since the 2008 global financial crisis.

The plan focuses on developing skilled talent, supporting business innovation, improving housing and infrastructure, and strengthening London's local high streets.
Four worshippers, including a senior cleric, were injured when a bomb exploded during Friday prayers at a mosque in northwest Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.

District Police Officer Asif Bahader said an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at Maulana Abdul Aziz Mosque in South Waziristan, injuring Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) district chief Maulana Abdullah Nadeem, among others.

The official said the device was planted in the mosques pulpit.

He said rescuers immediately arrived at the site, and the injured were being moved to the district hospital in Wana.

The police have also reached the site and are collecting evidence, he said. Further investigation is underway.

Mosques, particularly during Friday prayers when large congregations gather, have been targeted in the province in the past as well.

Last month, six people, including JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, were killed and 15 injured when a suicide blast ripped through the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in the province.
A rendering of the Volkswagen PowerCo plant in St. Thomas.

Volkswagen Group battery unit PowerCo is forging ahead with construction on its cell-manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ont., but the trade war roiling the North American auto market leaves the plant exposed to possible tariffs, according to the automakers top leadership.

Group CEO Oliver Blume said construction plans for the plant are on schedule, but signalled that tariffs present a risk, given the plant in the city midway between Toronto and Windsor will supply VW assembly plants in the United States.

We have to see how this all plays out  and face up to what will happen, Blume told reporters through an interpreter March 11, as the group reported its 2024 results.

Blume did not directly address a question on whether the company could reconsider the siting decision made in April 2023. The roughly 350-acre (140 hectare) site for the $7-billion (CND) battery plant has been fully prepped for construction but work on the plant itself has not begun.

Read more: Live updates on tariff news and impacts

Interactive map: Auto manufacturing sites in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico

Blume said the company expects the highly integrated nature of the North American auto sector will be a significant factor as the trade situation develops.

PowerCo Canada would not elaborate on Blumes comments about the impact tariffs could have on St. Thomas.

In a March 12 statement, spokesperson Tegan Versolatto said the St. Thomas battery plant is a strategic, long-term investment with strong fundamentals, and we are confident in its potential to drive economic growth and create skilled jobs in Canada.

Start of battery production in St. Thomas fixed, but ramp up delayed

VW Group CFO Arno Antlitz told reporters March 11 that the company still plans to start production in St. Thomas in 2027, in line with its original plans. But with EV sales lagging expectations, PowerCo will ramp up capacity at the plant more slowly.

Such a factory is not a kind of monolithic thing. You invest into blocks per factory. A block has 18 or 20 gigawatt-hours, Antlitz told reporters through an interpreter.

In St. Thomas  as well as at its upcoming plant in Valencia, Spain  PowerCo will delay work on an unspecified number of production blocks because we are planning less electric cars, Antlitz said.

Battery output at PowerCos first cell plant in Salzgitter, Germany, is scheduled to start this year.

The plant planned for Ontario, meantime, is the companys largest. At full capacity it is expected to have a half-dozen production blocks and produce 90 GWh of battery cells annually. Originally, the company planned to have all six battery-cell lines up and running by mid-2028.
BEIJING: Defence officials of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will hold a two-day meeting in Qingdao city of China later this month to discuss future security cooperation between the member states, an official said on Friday. "The first meeting of international military cooperation organs of the SCO member states for 2025 will be held in Qingdao city of east China's Shandong province from March 26 to 27," Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence (MND), told a media briefing here.

He said the representatives from defence ministries of the Shanghai SCO member states and its secretariat will attend the meeting and exchange views on future defence and security cooperation. SCO comprises ten member states -- China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.

SCO has a strong counter terrorism mechanism called Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS). China is due to hold this year's SCO leaders' summit. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the media here on March 7 that the summit will be held in the Chinese port city of Tianjin in autumn this year.

As the rotating president, China is putting together more than 100 events in political, security, economic and people-to-people fields under the slogan of Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move, Wang said. We will take real actions to carry forward the Shanghai spirit and promote SCO development, he said.
US President Donald Trump, during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, expressed confidence that the United States would annex Greenland, stating that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte could play a key role in facilitating the acquisition.

During a meeting with Rutte, Trump told reporters that the US needs Greenland for "international security" and hinted at upcoming discussions on the issue.

"Well, I think it'll happen. And I'm just thinking, I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security, international. We have a lot of our favourite players, you know, cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful. And we'll be talking to you," Trump said, turning to Rutte. "It's a very appropriate, really a very appropriate question."

While acknowledging China's and Russia's increasing presence in the Arctic, Rutte distanced NATO from any discussions about Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.

"When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the US, I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion because I don't want to drag NATO in that," Rutte said.

He added, "When it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are totally right. The Chinese are now using these routes. We know that the Russians are rearming. We know we have a lack of icebreakers. So, the fact that seven outside Russia, there are seven Arctic countries working together on this under US leadership. It's very important to make sure that that region, that part of the world, stays safe, and we know things are changing there, and we have to be there."

On March 10, Trump threatened to take control of Greenland. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, he stated that while the US supported Greenland's right to determine its own future, it could also choose to join the US if desired.

(With ANI Inputs)
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had very good and productive discussions with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin pertaining to putting an end to the Ukraine war. Expressing optimism that there is a very good chance of the conflict coming to an end soon," Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of troops in Kyiv who were "completely surrounded."

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, the US President remarked that Ukrainian troops are in a vulnerable position, and if Moscow continues to attack, it could result in a horrific massacre. "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

"But, at this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!," he further stated.

Trump's phone conversation with Putin comes days after Washington proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has accepted the deal, and Putin has also agreed to it in principle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public comments on Ukraine's willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, thanking world leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for their efforts in addressing the conflict.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin stated that Russia supports proposals to cease hostilities, but "proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis."

When asked about Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, Putin said, "As for Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course. But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and give it a lot of their time. We are grateful to all of them for that because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission - the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life."

He further added, "We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis."

He also mentioned the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Ukraine's willingness for a ceasefire was likely shaped by American pressure.

"Now, on Ukraine's readiness to cease the hostilities. You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here," Putin said.

On March 11, Ukraine expressed its willingness to accept the US proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," which could be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, contingent on Russia's acceptance and simultaneous implementation.

(With ANI inputs)
On his last day in office, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a farewell message to the country, vowing to always remain "unapologetically and boldly" Canadian.

In a video posted on X with the caption, "Hey Canada, one last thing," Trudeau expressed his pride in the nation and its people. "I am so proud of Canadians. I am proud to have served the country so full of people who stand up for what's right, rise to every occasion, always have each others' backs, when it matters the most," he said.

"This may be my last day here in this office, but I will always be boldly and unapologetically Canadian. My only ask is no matter what the world throws at us, you always be the same," he added.

Trudeau's departure comes as Mark Carney takes the helm of the Liberal Party and prepares to take oath as Canada's 24th Prime Minister on Friday.

Canada's Governor General Mary Simon's office has said the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister and members of the Canadian ministry will take place in the Rideau Hall ballroom at 11 am EDT.

On his first day as Liberal leader, Carney met Trudeau at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss the length of a transition period. By the end of the day, Carney stated the changeover would be "seamless" and "quick," CTV News reported.

In the days since, Carney has been holding meetings with key officials in Ottawa and beyond, and work has been done behind the scenes to execute the transition of power, both from a bureaucratic and a security standpoint.

The report stated citing a spokesperson, that the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England has divested all his assets into a blind trust. Trudeau would visit the governor general on Friday and officially tender his resignation. Then, Carney would take oaths of office and allegiance.

Carney will assume office at a time when polling shows the Conservatives and Liberals neck-in-neck amid Canadians' rising concerns over ties between Canada and the US. The same polling indicates Trudeau will be officially ending his tenure as Canada's PM, with his favorability at a 12-month high.

In his final speech as Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau highlighted the 'achievements' of the Liberal Party over the past decade while looking towards the future, hours ahead of the announcement of his successor as the leader of his party, as reported by CBC News.

In his speech at the Liberal Leadership Convention, Trudeau said, "I am damn proud of what we've done over these past 10 years for the middle class and the people working hard to join it."

Trudeau told the crowd that "there is a responsibility to ensure that Canada stays the best country on Earth! In one of his last speeches as Liberal leader and Canada's PM, he urged his supporters to keep fighting for Canada as hard as they can, CBC News reported.

"Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Even Canada is not a given," he warned. "None of those happened by accident. None of them will continue without effort."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of manipulating the ceasefire proposal, stating that Moscow is crowding the idea with preconditions designed to delay or derail progress.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin's highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines--at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it." He argued that while Ukraine has accepted the US-backed proposal for an unconditional ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air, Russia continues to create obstacles to avoid a resolution.

Zelenskyy asserted that Putin is reluctant to admit his desire to continue the war and is instead using tactics to complicate negotiations. "Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians. That's why, in Moscow, they are surrounding the ceasefire idea with such preconditions that it either fails or gets dragged out for as long as possible. Putin does this often--he doesn't say 'no' outright, but he drags things out and makes reasonable solutions impossible. We see this as yet another round of Russian manipulation," he said. He stressed that Ukraine is not imposing any conditions that would complicate the process and that only Russia is delaying progress.

"There was a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire--in the air, at sea, and on the front lines. We in Ukraine accepted this proposal. We have heard from the American side that there is readiness to organise monitoring and verification. And this is absolutely feasible--with American and European capabilities. And during the ceasefire, to prepare answers to all questions about long-term security and a real, lasting peace, and to put a plan to end the war on the table," Zelenskyy added. He reaffirmed Ukraine's willingness to work swiftly and constructively, emphasising that discussions with US and European representatives had already taken place and that global allies were aware of Ukraine's position.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts to resolve the conflict. Speaking at a press conference alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin stated that Russia was open to ceasing hostilities but insisted that any halt in fighting must lead to "long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis."

He suggested that Ukraine's willingness to negotiate might have been influenced by US pressure, saying, "On the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground."

Zelenskyy, however, dismissed Russia's approach as obstructionist, stating, "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process--Russia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia. They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day." He called for an increase in international pressure on Moscow, emphasising the need for effective sanctions. "Now is the time to increase pressure on him. Sanctions must be applied--ones that will work. We will continue working with our American and European partners and with everyone in the world who wants peace--to force Russia to end this war."

On March 11, Ukraine formally agreed to an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," which could be extended by mutual agreement and was contingent on Russia's acceptance. The proposal, which was discussed in US-Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was welcomed by President Trump, who emphasised the importance of ending the war. "Soldiers of both Russia and Ukraine are being killed in this horrible war," Trump said, expressing hope that Russia would also agree to the ceasefire.

India has also reiterated its support for diplomatic negotiations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that India's stance is not neutral but "on the side of peace." PM Modi emphasised that he had personally engaged with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders and reaffirmed that war could not be resolved on the battlefield. "I have said that 'this is not a time of war' in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table," he said. PM Modi also welcomed Trump's peace efforts, expressing hope for a swift resolution.

Last year, PM Modi travelled to Russia and Ukraine, meeting with both leaders and reiterating India's willingness to play an active role in peace efforts. During discussions with Zelenskyy, he reaffirmed India's position that a resolution must come through diplomacy and dialogue. The conflict, which has persisted since February 2022, continues to draw international efforts toward de-escalation, but with both sides maintaining deep-seated disagreements, a lasting peace remains uncertain.
Chinese officials met with Walmart to discuss the pressure the retailer was exerting on suppliers to lower their prices to offset cost increases from tariffs. Walmart has the leverage with suppliers to get them to lower prices, but even that can only go so far. If Walmart succeeds in keeping prices lower than its competitors, it could come out ahead, even if consumers become highly price-conscious.

Officials from Chinas Ministry of Commerce met with Walmart executives Tuesday to discuss reports the retailer had pressured Chinese suppliers to lower their prices after Trump's tariffs on China kicked in.

First reported in Chinese state media, the talks between the Ministry of Commerce and Walmart came as U.S. companies attempt to navigate recently imposed tariffs. Walmart is reportedly requesting suppliers bear the brunt of cost increases caused by tariffs. But that proposition appears unpalatable to Beijing. Chinese officials appear to be loath to accept a scenario in which their own suppliers are forced to cut prices because of tariffs imposed by the U.S.

Chinese suppliers and the government will not take tariffs lightly, as weve witnessed the past few days, said Keith Hartley, CEO of supply-chain software startup LevaData, told Fortune in an email.

The tariffs come at a time when trade relations between the U.S. and China are particularly tense. Last month, President Trump announced sweeping 20% tariffs on Chinese imports, and on Wednesday, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from China. While the ties between China and the U.S. might be fraying, Chinese consumers love the mega retailer, with its business abroad soaring.

To mitigate rising costs from its Chinese suppliers, Walmart will use its size as America's largest retailer to apply leverage during price talks, according to Noah Rohr, an equity analyst at Morningstar who covers Walmart.

Walmart is in an enviable position; they do have the ability to negotiate with suppliers in a pretty tough fashion, Rohr told Fortune. "Their scale gives them bargaining power when dealing with suppliers.

Chinese officials sought a meeting with Walmart leaders after Bloomberg reported last week the company had told suppliers to cut their prices by as much as 10% per round of tariffs. Walmart, which sells virtually every type of product, still has a large number of Chinese suppliers. About 80% of Walmarts suppliers are in China, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing. They supply the company with everything from clothes to household appliances to some food items. But even a company as strong and well-positioned as Walmart will find it nearly impossible to avoid passing along some price increases to consumers. Walmart will still likely try to keep its trademark low prices, though.
By Nazrin Abdul



British company bp is planning to explore new oil fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, Azernews reports, citing bp's Head of Exploration and Production, Gordon Birrell, as he said in an interview with Reuters.

"We are pursuing a number of exciting opportunities in Azerbaijan, from further development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) and Shah Deniz fields under existing production sharing agreements to accessing discovered resources and exploration opportunities. This remains a very active area for us to invest in production," G. Birrell emphasized.

It should be noted that bp is increasing its oil and gas business expenses while reducing expenses in its low-carbon divisions as part of its updated strategy announced last month.

As reported, bp launched a seismic survey program using new 4-dimensional (4D) high-precision seabed nodes in the ACG field starting January 20, 2024. In terms of the area to be surveyed, the total cost of the work, and the duration of the project, this is the largest seismic data collection program BP has ever undertaken worldwide.

This program aims to study the "Balakhani" and "Fasila" blocks, the current productive layers of the ACG field, which will allow detailed information to be obtained about their architecture and fluid contact dynamics.
Colorado's cannabis testing loopholes have led to consumers being deceived about the safety of the products they buy, with some labs exploiting loopholes to manipulate test results.
Speaking to a supportive crowd of over 11,000 people packed into an arena in Greeley on Friday, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she wanted to deliver a message to the city's Republican congressman, freshman Rep. Gabe Evans.
Flanked by supporters, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib, at lectern, accepts the nomination for a second two-year term at the party's biennial state central committee reorganization meeting on Saturday, March 8, in a lecture hall on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. Murib won reelection over two challengers by a wide margin.
Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday made it easier for plaintiffs to bolster their civil claims by concluding attorneys are not forbidden from using allegations in other litigation in their own complaints.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell will join the 2026 Colorado gubernatorial race in hopes of taking the place of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who was elected to the office in 2018 and is term-limited. Story, page 4

Jason Mikesell
Former Sen. Alan Simpson, who bridged partisan gaps with his quick wit, dies at 93
Not many people can say they made it to their 102nd birthday, but World War II Navy veteran Edmund Talley can.
An American Airlines plane caught fire after landing at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening, prompting an emergency evacuation.

American Airlines Flight 1006 was en route from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported engine vibrations, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft with the tail number N885NN left the Colorado Springs airport at 4:37 p.m. before being diverted to Denver, according to FlightAware. It landed safely at 5:15 p.m. local time before taxiing to the gate.

While taxiing, an engine caught fire, prompting passengers to evacuate using emergency slides, according to FAA officials. Airport ground crews quickly extinguished the flames, officials said.

As of Thursday night, 12 of the flight's 172 passengers were transported to area hospitals with "minor injuries", a DIA spokesperson told the Denver Gazette.

The FAA is investigating the cause of the engine fire and the reported vibrations.

Joshua Sunberg posted on Instagram, saying, Fire at Denver Airport on American Airlines! Ground crews worked fast and got it out quick. Saw passengers flee through the smoke.

A separate video on social media showed smoke pouring from the plane and people standing on the airplane's wing.

"Oh, what happened?" a girl could be heard saying.

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"It's on fire," an adult male responded.

In the video, people could be seen emerging out of the plane's door and walking onto the wing. Some of the passengers could be seen carrying bags.

On the ground, some crew members raced to reach the plane's wing with a ladder.

In a statement, American Airlines said that all 172 passengers and six crew members deplaned safely and were relocated to the terminal.

We thank our crew members, DEN team, and first responders for their quick and decisive action with the safety of everyone on board and on the ground as the priority, the airline said.

The country has seen a recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls stoking fears about air travel, though flying remains a very safe mode of transport.

The midair collision that killed 67 near Washington D.C. last month was the worst disaster. But there was also the plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto, the fiery plane crash in Philadelphia and a plane crash in Alaska that killed 10, as well as two small planes that collided in Arizona. Those all came before the scary moment in Chicago, when a Southwest Airlines plane had to abort its landing to avoid crashing into another plane crossing the runway. A plane landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport also had to perform a go-around maneuver to avoid getting too close to another aircraft departing from the same runway.

Thats not to mention the time when a Japan Airlines plane clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport, or the security concerns that arose after stowaways were found dead inside the wheel wells of two planes and aboard two other flights. In addition, a United Airlines plane caught fire during takeoff at the Houston airport and a passenger opened an emergency exit door on a plane while it was taxiing for takeoff in Boston.

This is a developing story. Denver Gazette news partner 9News and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
By Laman Ismayilova

In Baku, extensive preparations are underway for Novruz holiday.

A series of large-scale festive events and concert programs have been organized across all districts of the capital, featuring vibrant participation from the community.

Celebrations for Novruz were held in the courtyards of the Nizami and Nasimi districts, which were landscaped through the dedicated efforts of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva as part of the "Our Yard" project.

The festivities brought together residents, including elders and families of martyrs and veterans, who embraced the holiday spirit with immense joy.

The celebrations featured musical performances by artists, captivating displays from tightrope walkers, and lively interactions with Novruz characters-Kosa, Kechal, and Bahar gizi (the Spring Maiden), who danced with the community around the festive bonfire.

It is noteworthy that in recent years, nearly 400 courtyards have been revitalized in the capital and handed over to local residents for their enjoyment.

In anticipation of Novruz, these beautifully landscaped neighborhoods have been adorned with festive decorations, tables laden with sweets, and the traditional symbol of the holidaysamani.
Colorado Springs police are searching for a suspect they say shot at an occupied vehicle Thursday in the 7700 block of Forest Meadows Avenue.

Around 1:45 p.m., officers responded to the area where they came in contact with two victims  both of whom were uninjured, according to an online blotter entry.

The initial investigation revealed that the victims were allegedly followed to their residence by a silver Toyota SUV.

While the victims were sitting in their vehicle in the driveway, a passenger from the Toyota allegedly fired at least three rounds from a firearm.

The investigation is currently ongoing.
The evacuation order for the Meridian fire was at 9:30 p.m. Thursday night as fire crews gained 70% containment, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced.

The fire is now estimated to be 2,500 acres, down from the over 3,000 it encompassed earlier in the day, according to the office. Smoky air and some flame in hot spots will remain throughout the evening.

The Red Cross shelters will close due to the order being lifted, the office added, though they advised residents not to return to the area if they do not feel comfortable. Colorado Highway 94 also reopened at 9:30 p.m.

Law enforcement and fire resources will remain on the scene throughout the night.

The grass fire east of Colorado Springs near Schriever Space Force Base swept across more than 3,000 acres (revised down from an initial 4,000-acre estimate) of rolling prairie grass Thursday, forcing area residents to evacuate.

The fire started about 1 p.m. and has officially been named the Meridian fire, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. It reportedly started southeast of the South Meridian Road and Drennan Road intersection.

The fire initially triggered mandatory evacuations for an unknown number of area residents. The sheriff's department said the mandatory evacuations were downgraded to voluntary evacuations, as part of its 6 p.m. update.

The initial evacuation zone included homes along Gusty Bluffs Point and Meridian Road to the south of Hwy. 94 and Franceville Coal Mine Road, and east to the border of the Schriever Space Force Base. Additional evacuation orders were given for some residents north of Hwy. 94 as well, between North Blaney Road to South Peyton Highway too.

The fire also closed Hwy. 94 between Marksheffel and Curtis roads at 3:20 p.m.

Schriever Space Force Base sent home all non-mission essential personnel and closed its west gate, said Steve Brady, who oversees community engagement and command information. The 24/7 missions at the base such as GPS operations were not impacted.

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The fire had not crossed Curtis Road around 4 p.m. And Brady said he was optimistic that the base would not be threatened.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," he said.

Three firefighters and one firetruck from the Schriever Fire Department responded to the scene through a mutual aid agreement, according to a news release from Schriever Space Force Base shortly before 5 p.m.

Schriever's north gate remained closed to allow for emergency response actions.

Base residents were notified that evacuation was not required. Officials said Schriever was not under threat from the fire late in the afternoon.

Colorado Springs Airport officials late Thursday afternoon said access to the airport and flight schedules had not been affected by the Meridian fire.

Unconfirmed scanner information placed the fire originating in the 4100 block of Hammer Ranch Road, to the east of Meridian. Officials have not listed a potential cause of the fire, or confirmed the origin point.

Firefighters from Ellicott and Yoder were seen on-scene assisting with the blaze.

El Paso County and other parts of southeastern Colorado are under a red flag warning because of high fire danger, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. Westerly winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are expected. The forecast high Thursday for Colorado Springs is 65 degrees, more than 10 degrees above average, according to Gazette news partner KOAA and the National Weather Service.
WASHINGTON  More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude White and Asian American students.

The list includes the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, according to a Friday news release from the U.S. Department of Education.

The announcement comes one month after the department issued a memo, warning Americas schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. We will not yield on this commitment.

Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from certain groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.

Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.

Our campus was notified late Thursday that the U.S. Department of Education is investigating a complaint regarding our College of Business use of a faculty recruiting platform, hosted by The PhD Project, confirmed UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet. At this point, we believe we have only used this platform to advertise open faculty positions, one tool of many our college uses to recruit qualified faculty. Like universities across the country, we use various platforms to seek and recruit the best teaching and research talent for our students.

We are in the process of gathering additional information about this complaint and will comply with the request from the department in a timely manner. We want to say clearly, however, that UCCS does not discriminate in its recruitment or hiring practices.

The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities, such as Arizona State and Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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A message sent to the PhD Project was not immediately returned.

Six other colleges are being investigated for awarding impermissible race-based scholarships, the department said, and another is accused of running a program that segregates students on the basis of race.

Those seven are: Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, the New England College of Optometry, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota, the University of South Florida and the University of Tulsa School of Medicine.

The department did not say which of the seven is being investigated for allegations of segregation.

The Feb. 15 memo from the Education Department is a sweeping expansion of a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

That decision focused on admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, but the Education Department said it will interpret the decision to forbid race-based policies in any aspect of education, both in K-12 schools and higher education.

In the memo, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said schools and colleges diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have been smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline.

The memo is being challenged in federal lawsuits from the nations two largest teachers unions. The suits said the memo is too vague and it violates the free speech rights of educators.

The Denver Gazette and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
The United Kingdom has appointed its first-ever defense attache to Azerbaijan, marking a significant milestone in the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries, Azernews reports, citing a post shared by the British Embassy in Azerbaijan on its official "X" platform.

Commander Lieutenant Gavin Tarbard has been appointed as the first resident defense attache of the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan. This historic appointment underscores the growing partnership between the two nations and is expected to enhance collaboration in defense and security matters.

In a statement, the embassy expressed, "We are delighted to announce the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Gavin Tarbard as the first British resident Defence Attache in Azerbaijan. This historic milestone reflects the growing strength of the British- Azerbaijani partnership and will enhance our defence and security cooperation.."
Towering Wyoming politician called 'one of the finest public servants ever to have graced our nations capital'
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
WASHINGTON  The Senate passed a six-month spending bill Friday hours before a government shutdown, sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

The essentially party-line vote, 54-46, didn't give the full picture of Democratic angst over how to confront the Trump administration as its Department of Government Efficiency fires federal workers and dismantles operations. Democrats argued over whether to fight even risking a shutdown and fumed that Republicans drafted a measure that included little of their input, shortchanging health care, housing and other priorities.

In the end, enough of the Democratic senators decided a government shutdown would be even worse, and backed Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer's strategy to allow the bill to come forward.

A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive, Schumer said. Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.

Democrats were confronted with two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue. All told, 10 Democrats voted to break the partys filibuster. On final passage, two Democrats supported the bill, and one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposed it.

Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but abruptly switched course and made clear on the eve of voting that he would not allow a government shutdown. His move outraged many in the party who want to fight the Trump agenda, but gave senators room to side with Republicans and allow the continuing resolution, often described as a CR, to advance.

Democrats from all corners looked to pressure senators to kill the bill. House members wrote letters, posted on social media and held news conferences in the hours before the vote.

"The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican dysfunction and chaos," said a letter from 66 House Democrats to Schumer.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and his team dashed back to the Capitol urging senators to block the bill and negotiate a true compromise with Republicans.

Some Democrats also argued that Republicans would take the blame for a shutdown, given they controlled all the levers of power in Congress and the White House.

"If you refuse to put forward an offer that includes any Democratic input and you don't get Democratic votes, that's on Republicans," said Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In contrast, Schumer picked up a nod of support from Trump himself, who just a day earlier geared up to blame Democrats for a shutdown.

"Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing  Took 'guts' and courage!" the president posted on his social media account.

Schumer acknowledged the difficult choice, but insisted Democrats would not allow a government shutdown.

Congress was unable to pass the annual appropriations bills designed to fund the government, so they've resorted to passing short-term extensions instead. The legislation before the Senate was the third such continuing resolution for the current fiscal year, now nearly half over.

The legislation funds the federal government through the end of September. It would trim nondefense spending by about $13 billion from the prior year and increase defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.

The Republican-led House passed the spending bill Tuesday and then adjourned, leaving senators with a decision to either take it or leave it.

While Democrats pushed for a vote on a fourth short-term extension, GOP leadership made clear that option was a nonstarter.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and others made the case that any blame for a shutdown would fall squarely on Democrats. "Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they're going to shut down the government," he said.

Progressive groups urged Democratic lawmakers to insist on the 30-day extension and oppose the spending bill, saying business as usual must not continue.

But Schumer said Trump would seize more power during a shutdown, because it would give the administration the ability to deem whole agencies, programs and personnel nonessential, furloughing staff with no promise they would ever be rehired.

Spending bills typically come with specific funding directives for key programs, but hundreds of those directives fall away under the continuing resolution passed by the House. So the administration will have more leeway to decide where the money goes.

For example, a Democratic memo said the bill would allow the administration to steer money away from combating fentanyl and instead use it on mass deportation initiatives.

Democrats also object to clawing back $20 billion in special IRS funding, on top of the $20 billion rescission approved during Joe Biden's presidency.

Senators also unanimously approved a separate bill to fix a provision in the package that would have required the District of Columbia to revert to 2024 budget levels, a cut of about $1.1 billion, even though the district raises most of its own money. The bill, which now goes to House, would allow spending at 2025 levels.

The spending bill the Senate approved is separate from the GOP effort to extend tax cuts for individuals passed in Trump's first term and to partially pay for them with spending cuts elsewhere in government. That package will be developed in months ahead.
The peace treaty is ready, and Armenia is ready to sign it right now... This was the reaction of official Yerevan, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister of Armenia, to the statement by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on the completion of work on the text of the peace treaty. On the sidelines of the XII Global Baku Forum, Bayramov said that the negotiation process on the text of the peace treaty with Armenia has already been completed. A few days ago, he noted, the Armenian side announced through appropriate channels that it had accepted Baku's proposals on the two remaining uncoordinated points of the document.

After this statement, the Armenian Foreign Ministry happily stated that the peace treaty was ready for signing, and Armenia had taken a low start in wanting to start consultations with Azerbaijan on the timing and place of signing the agreement." He hastened to reassure his subjects, pointing out that both points in question relate to the period after the agreement enters into force. Earlier, speaking about the uncoordinated points of the document, Pashinyan mentioned among them the issue of the presence of the EU mission on the borders. It should be understood that Armenia stopped resisting, realizing that it still has nowhere to go. And the new geopolitical situation is not developing in favor of France and Co.

Well, at first glance, it may seem that the issue has been resolved and all that remains is to put signatures so that peace in the region can come. But everything is not as simple as Yerevan wants to think. In fact, the completion of work on the text does not automatically mean that the document is ready for signing. Because Azerbaijan still has questions for the Armenian side, the solution of which by Yerevan requires political will and foresight.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister, making optimistic statements, tried to ignore the second part of the words of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister. But he wasn't just talking about finishing the text. Continuing his response to journalists' questions, he said: "As a next step, the Azerbaijani side expects that the remaining claims to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan will be eliminated through changes in the Constitution of Armenia and other normative legal acts."

These words change everything and show that the completion of work on the text does not mean the completion of work on the peace treaty as a whole. Azerbaijan and Armenia are not equal partners, so Baku should sign peace with Yerevan without preconditions. And the preconditions set by the Azerbaijani side are, I must say, very sparing. In reality, Armenia has accumulated a lot of debts to Azerbaijan, and they will have to be repaid. Not immediately, but in stages, but you have to. And we should start with the legislative basis of Armenian separatism and extremism. And Baku cannot expect that everything will be resolved by itself in the future. Our neighbor has not earned trust and has not yet proved that he has changed.

Speaking at the opening of the Global Baku Forum, President Ilham Aliyev outlined the problem very clearly. He said that the level of trust in Armenia is close to zero, and therefore not a single word of it is trusted in Azerbaijan. These, he noted, are not the people we can trust, including today's government.

"Again, everything they say has no meaning for us. We need documents, we need papers. We need to ensure that their Constitution does not contain any territorial claims against Azerbaijan. They are still present there. We need the OSCE Minsk Group to be dissolved. This is our message to Armenia, and we declare that there is no logic in preserving the Minsk Group. It was created to resolve the Karabakh issue. This issue has been resolved today. Armenia recognizes Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan. Why don't they join us and submit a joint statement to the OSCE on the dissolution of the organization? They don't want to. Thus, they want to keep "part of their positions" on the ground, on our territory, now, of course, virtually," the head of state said.

By making a statement, the Armenian Foreign Ministry wants to show that the ball is already definitively on Baku's side, and if peace is not signed now, all condemning eyes will have to be directed at Azerbaijan. And no one will have any more questions for Armenia, because, they say, she agreed to the conditions of the Azerbaijani side "in the name of peace." The Armenian diplomatic department must think that they have made a very clever move and driven Baku into a dead end. Meanwhile, the signing of peace between the two countries after one of them occupied and destroyed the territories of the other for thirty years, organized ethnic cleansing, destroyed its heritage, cannot be carried out on the basis of a document of only 15 points. The peace treaty outlines the obligations of the parties in accordance with internationally accepted procedures. But besides that, there are still a lot of other issues that also need to be resolved.

So Yerevan jumped to conclusions.

In his speech at the Forum, the Azerbaijani leader recalled the crimes of the Armenian barbarians on our land and stressed that we cannot and will not forget the years of occupation and the suffering of the Azerbaijani people caused by the Armenian occupation and aggression, and we will not forget the Khojaly genocide.

"We need peace in the South Caucasus, and that is why Azerbaijan initiated the peace process. Actually, Azerbaijan is even the author of the draft peace agreement, which is currently being discussed between Azerbaijan and Armenia and has been largely agreed upon. That is, most of the points of the agreement have already been agreed upon," President Ilham Aliyev stressed.

"Basically, it's been agreed" - these words of the President should sober up the "optimists" from Ararat Mirzoyan's office, who are already trying on peacemakers' awards. "Basically" means that Azerbaijan does not consider the peace process completed. There is also the issue of the Constitution, which is very difficult for Pashinyan, but he will have to solve it. There's no getting away from it. There is a question of compensation for the damage caused. If it is not included in the text of the contract, it does not mean that all debts have been paid. There remains the issue of Armenia's militarization, the issue of external influence on this country, and attempts by Yerevan's patrons to portray Armenians as victims of aggression and Azerbaijanis as occupiers. And these attempts are being quite successfully promoted by the lobby in the European parliaments. Until Yerevan stops all this, peace in the region will remain under threat.

And, again, there is a question of trust. More precisely, distrust. As President Ilham Aliyev said, "We have a good memory. We all remember how the current Armenian government behaved before the Second Karabakh War. We all remember the statements of the Armenian leader, who said that "Karabakh is Armenia," and this was said in Khankendi. We all remember how he behaved in the occupied city of Shusha. You can find it on the internet. It's a very interesting video. Today, some European bureaucrats are trying to present Armenia as a "dove of peace." But they forget about the previous actions of the current government. They forgot that our towns and villages were shelled during the Second Karabakh War. More than 100 civilians have become victims of missile strikes, including those using the Iskander-M missile, which is effectively banned for export. And we still have not received an answer to the question of how the Armenian army managed to get the Iskander-M. Once again, this missile is banned for export in Russia. And those who do not believe my words can see the Iskander-M firsthand in our Military Trophy Park, which is located 5-10 minutes away from here," Ilham Aliyev said at the opening of the Global Forum.

As you can see, there are still enough problems. Armenia has inflicted too much harm on the Azerbaijani people to get off with one 15-point paper.
" " Keep the polish on your nails and off your jeans. Mariia Demchenko / Getty Images

Spilling nail polish on your favorite outfit can feel like a disaster, but don't panic! Whether it's a fresh nail polish spill or dried nail polish, the right approach can help lift the stain without ruining your clothes.

You can learn how to get nail polish out of clothes with just a few simple household items. That way, your nail polish bottle will be a source of joy instead of a trigger for anxiety.

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The key to successful nail polish stain removal is acting quickly and using the right method for the type of fabric. While delicate fabrics require extra care, you can treat most stains with nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol or even dish soap. Follow these steps to treat nail polish stains effectively.
By Akbar Novruz



Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Haluk Bayraktar, Director General of the Turkish defense company Baykar, during his visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The meeting focused on enhancing joint production through technological innovations and expanding military-technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Both sides exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of defense collaboration.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Hasanov awarded Haluk Bayraktar the "For Services in the Field of Military Cooperation" medal, recognizing his contributions to strengthening defense ties between the two countries.
The implementation of Humanforces suite of solutions has played a central role in more than halving SCCQs employee turnover during the past four years, from 40% to 17%, with some facilities reporting rates as low as 4-5%.

SCCQ has been providing aged care services to Australians for more than 40 years, and employs more than 1,300 staff, serving approximately 2,300 people across 13 aged care homes and five retirement villages. It also offers home care services to more than 1,250 people across metropolitan and regional Queensland.

The Aged Care sector has been under huge pressure in recent years due to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, as well as persistent staff shortages. SCCQ recognised the need to modernise its workforce management processes to overcome these challenges.

Southern Cross Care Queenslands previous rostering system was at end of life. It hadnt kept up with the growth in our organisation and the changes in our industry explained Adam Priest, Head of People and Culture at SCCQ.

We wanted to reduce the administrative burden on our managers, who were spending most of their days trying to fill shifts, swapping rosters around, and creating future rosters. The introduction of Humanforce [spanning workforce management, HR and wellbeing solutions] has played a big part in how weve managed to reduce our turnover rate by more than half.

The introduction of Humanforce spanning workforce workforce management, HR and wellbeing solutions has played a big part in how weve

managed to reduce our turnover rate by more than half.

The integration of Humanforces comprehensive suite, particularly the Work App, Time & Attendance, Rostering & Scheduling, and Wellbeing, has transformed SCCQs approach to workforce management and the employee experience. The organisations employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), a key measure of staff

Through automated processes, real-time visibility, and easy access to key information, SCCQ has streamlined operations and empowered staff with greater flexibility and control over their work schedules. Humanforces Rostering & Scheduling solution is playing a key role, transforming SCCQs rostering processes and delivering significant organisational time savings

In our first pay fortnight just at one of our sites alone, there were over 300 shifts that were filled by pushing out available shifts through the mobile app, said Priest. Thats 300 shifts that someone didnt need to make phone calls for and we didnt need to look for agency workers. In addition, our staff were able to pick shifts that they wanted rather than shifts that we were begging them to do. It has resulted in a significant reduction in time to fill shifts.

Theres also been time saved in the processing of timesheets, thanks to easier verification that someone rostered to work has shown up on time and stayed for the time expected of them. This has resulted in more than 80% of all the shifts and timesheets completed at SCCQ  thats thousands of shifts each fortnight  being automatically approved.

Clayton Pyne, CEO of Humanforce, commented, Our partnership with Southern Cross Care Queensland is a testament to how technology can revolutionise workforce management in complex sectors like aged care. By providing intuitive solutions that address industry-specific frontline worker challenges, we are helping organisations like Southern Cross Care Queensland deliver better outcomes for their employees and, ultimately, their aged care residents. We are proud to support them on their journey to improve workforce engagement, compliance, and operational efficiency.

With Humanforces Wellbeing solution, SCCQ can offer a range of financial wellbeing tools, including perks & benefits, savings support and critical financial education to employees. This includes the ability to provide workers with early access to earned wages  a feature that is used by 60-70% of their staff.

Adam Priest noted, I think Humanforce is best at providing staff with access to the information they need in an intuitive way via the app. Staff have loved the flexibility to be paid when they want to be paid or when they need to be paid. It has made a huge difference to their financial wellbeing.

If a staff member needs extra funds for a particular event and theyve already worked several shifts, they can jump on the Thrive app and have a percentage of those funds transferred straight away, instead of waiting until pay day, Priest concluded.

About Humanforce

Humanforce provides the market leading, employee-centred, intelligent and compliant HCM suite for frontline and flexible workforces, offering highly configurable, best-in-one WFM, HR, Payroll, Wellbeing and Talent - without compromise. Our vision is to make work easier and life better by focusing on the employee experience (EX), and the efficiency and optimisation of businesses.

Founded in 2002, Humanforce has a 2300-strong customer base and heading towards one million employees under management, across a wide range of industries including Aged Care, Childcare, Healthcare, Retail, Hospitality, Events & Stadia, Local Government and more. Today, we have offices across Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Philippines and USA.

Customers include Story House Early Learning, Flight Centre, Southern Cross Care Qld, Howard Smith Wharves, Manchester City and more. https://humanforce.com

About Southern Cross Care

Southern Cross Care Queensland (SCCQ), a Catholic not-for-profit organization, was established over 40 years ago by the Knights of the Southern Cross to address the needs of the aging population. With a staff of over 1,300, SCCQ provides compassionate care and support to over 2,300 individuals
A senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, Daniel Keylin, released Thursday a scathing official statement in which he accuses local Democratic parties and left-wing, anti-Trump activist groups of organizing protests where he said threats have been made at Tilllis congressional offices.

Keylin also used the lengthy statement to chastise the media for not reporting on  and not calling out  what he calls threats, harassment, attempted intimidation and verbal abuse from unstable individuals who dont agree with (Tillis) political views.

Besides the senator, Keylin said those affected include staff at his local and national offices and even his family.

The statement includes images of written and links to voice messages sent to Tillis' offices.

Tillis Greensboro office, U.S. Sen. Ted Budds Advance office, and local offices of other North Carolinas congressional delegation members, have been sites of constituent protests.

The protests are serving as public measuring sticks of the early months of the Trump administration.

They are attracting dozens of constituents urging that town halls with their representative attending so they can vent their frustration with the Trump administrations gutting of federal government agencies and workforces.

Tilliss office released a statement March 11 in which it said a number of left wing activists were shamefully disruptive and disorderly in a center that hosts our office, a mental health crisis center, and numerous other medical offices.

Keylins statement fleshes out those sentiments.

Democrat officials with the Forsyth County and Guilford County parties, as well as the N.C. Democratic Party, could not be reached immediately for comment on the Keylin letter.

Tillis staffer perspective

Some reporters have asked if Senator Tillis will attend, Keylin wrote.

I hope all members of the media will take a moment to read this memo, watch the included video and read the included letter allegedly written by a protester sent to Tlllis Greenville office that made threats to Tillis staff members.

After doing so, I imagine anyone with a modicum of sanity would understand what a silly question that is, Keylin said. You are free to use the letter and audio recording moving forward.

Keylin acknowledged that Democratic parties and established left-wing political groups protesting a Republican member of Congress is nothing new and what he is considered as not newsworthy.

What is newsworthy is the volume of threats and harassment directed at members of Congress and their staff is the new normal and indicative of a much larger problem with the political discourse in our country.

Keylin referenced the two assassination attempts on then-president candidate Donald Trump, as well as threats made on Tillis in 2022 and 2023, the latter an expatriate was arrested and charged by the U.S. Justice Department upon his return to the U.S. after threatening to kill Tillis and cut the hands off his staffers.

Keylin did not indicate the political affiliations of those making the threats in 2022 and 2023.

Keylin said the letter writer insisted this should not be considered a threat, then went on to declare that Senator Tillis staff members are sacrificial lambs who signed up to be his shield, and implied they would soon be subject to the violence of angry mobs unless they resign.

When things get really bad, people are going to stop calling and writing. Theyre going to start coming in, and theyre going to be coming in filled with rage that youre [sic] boss took the food out of their kids mouths, or that he destroyed the ACA.And you signed up to be his shield.

Resign, please resign, or find a Groupon for self-defense class because Americas transition to oligarchy is going to be a wild ride for us peons.

Keylin also mentioned that Tillis Greensboro office is located next to a mental health care center and other medical offices.

That didnt stop these left-wing activists from moving their protest indoors causing a loud disturbance for these vital medical providers, Keylin wrote.

So, common decency towards fellow North Carolinians who have nothing to do with President Trump or Senator Tillis was already thrown out of the window.

Keylin claims efforts to allow protesters to sign a guest book went fine until a group of about 50 angry individuals splintered off and remained after the others left.

They angrily yanked and attempted to open the offices locked door, yelling at Tillis staff to open it: Come back, we see you! Open the door! and reminding the staff they had no way to exit their office.

We will not make any apologies for prioritizing the safety and security of our staff.

As part of chastising the media, Keylin said in a separate note that if youre one of the media outlets doing stories about partisan groups organizing political events, when was the last time you did a story on the constituent services Senator Tillis offers and has delivered on, if ever?

To reporters in North Carolina: instead of asking a ridiculous question lacking self-awareness like why on earth a Republican senator wouldnt attend a partisan political event hosted and organized by Democratic parties and left-wing groups, perhaps instead direct some questions to those groups themselves.

Constituents perspective

Media reports, including from the Journal and News & Record, have indicated that most constituents want to express their desire to speak with their representative and share written commentary.

Anne Jones, a Winston-Salem resident, told the Journal that she was exercising her rights of free speech and assembly with a group of dissatisfied voters at a peaceful protest March 7 at Tillis Greensboro office.

What annoyed Jones is misrepresenting the nature of her dissent and that of others while she was trying to hand-deliver a letter signed by some 250 Winston-Salem residents outlining their concerns about whats happening in Washington.

Cordial staff members, Jones said, greeted them, accepted the letter and said theyd make sure Tillis got it. No outrage, no bad language. Just concerned constituents sharing our feelings with our senator.

Everyone is concerned that our senator is in lockstep with Trump, Jones wrote. That he may not be listening to us.  We are protesting because we need to capture his attention.

Yet, Tillis office objected that the March 6 gathering in Greensboro contained protesters shouting out Town hall! Town hall!, and What is Thom afraid of? among other chants.

After roughly 20 minutes outside Tillis office, Bill Menius, a 74-year-old Greensboro resident who led the group of protesters into the building, said they were being forced off the premises.

So either we leave or, we last long enough, well get arrested, Menius told some of his fellow demonstrators. I would suggest you leave. Shortly after that, the protesters began to disperse, apparently without incident.

One of the officers on scene, Lt. H.J. Velez, told a protester the landlord had wanted them off the property.

When asked about the police response to the protest, Patrick DeSota, the departments public information coordinator, said in an email: I do not have any information on any threats being made, but as with any property, if the property owner requests that someone not be on their property and they continue to do so, they could face trespassing charges.

Other perspectives

Tillis has a responsibility to represent all North Carolinians to the best of his ability and in keeping with his best judgment and conscience, said John Quinterno, principal with South by North Strategies Ltd., a Chapel Hill research company specializing in economic and social policy.

"As a statewide elected official, he has a responsibility to listen to all of his constituents  Republican, Democrat and independent. Those who support him and those who do not. He also is ultimately accountable to those constituents via the ballot box.

"That doesn't mean he has to agree with all of those individuals, but they have the right to express their views to their elected officials and shouldn't be ignored or silenced by him or his staff."

Quinterno said the first 50 days of the Trump administration "have been marked by extraordinary actions that have upended the lives of many individuals and communities for no clear reason and without any real concern for the consequences."

"Tillis has supported many of these choices in his public statements, if not his actual votes in Congress. His constituents have every right to make their views known  whether that is through writing or calling his offices, speaking at public events like town halls, picketing an office, sharing their concerns with neighbors, or publishing their thoughts in local media or on social media.

"Belittling critics, dismissing them as unhinged, referencing supposed conspiracy theories, and avoiding them are not evidence of an elected leader confident in his actions," Quinterno said.
Nothing new. No surprises. The European Parliament is as predictable as the weather.

On Thursday, March 13, an "urgent resolution" was adopted in Strasbourg concerning the Armenians on trial in Baku. 523 MEPs voted "For" this outrage, only 3 risked voting "against" and 84 more abstained.

I would like to know who these three decent people are, who, in the face of universal hysteria, dared to say "no" to violations of international law. And the abstainers can be welcomed. It is clear that it is not easy to go against the system, but the fact that they did not participate in the shameful vote suggests that all is not lost for Europe.

The main discussions around the project unfolded the day before. This time, a document in defense of war criminals became a product of European diversity. All the previous efforts of the pro-Armenian circles in this direction did not yield any results, but the European Parliament could not but once again express its "fi" to us, taking into account the inexhaustible solvency of the Armenian Diaspora.

It was interesting to learn that the European Parliament, it turns out, has a permanent rapporteur on Armenian affairs. It seems that Armenia is of such great importance to Europe that a special and permanent speaker has been allocated for it. However, this speaker has never dealt with the affairs of Armenia, as a rule, focusing all his efforts on the affairs of Azerbaijan. It would be more correct to call this position "permanent Rapporteur on ensuring the interests of Armenia", it would be more honest. Reports on Armenia within the walls of the EP are devoted exclusively to such and such Azerbaijan. So during the discussions, Miriam Lexman, Permanent Rapporteur on Armenian Affairs, was zealous in attacking Baku, delving into its internal affairs, which have nothing to do with Armenian affairs. Seizing the microphone, this lady intimidated the already terrified "new Turan" and "offensive of Islam" MEPs with colorful descriptions of the "torments" of the Armenian separatists. The speaker all but scratched her face in ecstasy, which is a pity, it would have given drama to her calls for the European Union to immediately cease all cooperation with Azerbaijan, "face the truth and act in accordance with our values and principles."

And what are these values and principles? The main values professed by today's European Parliament are racism, Islamophobia and Turkophobia. Plus, there are many other phobias and complexes generated by arrogance and contempt for the East. Speaking of European values that had to be saved in Azerbaijan for some reason, the Armenophiles are trying to break into someone else's monastery with their own rules. Separatism, terrorism and extremism have been and remain crimes in Azerbaijan, and the topic of human rights plays a secondary role here. The trial is not against those whose rights have been violated, but against those who have violated the rights of hundreds of thousands of other people for thirty years. So if we consider the thesis of human rights in this context, it is only in this perspective. The topic of human rights in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has a right to exist only in relation to the rights of Azerbaijanis.

They demand a tough stance from the European Union, arguing that "gas purchased in Baku cannot be more important than human rights and European values." Oh my God, those values again... Values and principles? Aren't these the values that the new US president is now sweeping out of Western politics? For a very long time, these principles have determined the EU's attitude towards other countries. Speaking of rights. Nazi Breivik, who killed 77 people, lives in a three-room cell with all the comforts, having better conditions than many other prisoners who committed ten times less evil. The scoundrel is surrounded by numerous defenders of his rights, who, based on demagoguery about human rights, ensured that he served his sentence comfortably. The maniac uses these "values and principles" to the fullest, constantly sending out complaints about the conditions of his detention and seeking even greater improvement through human rights defenders. The families and friends of Breivik's victims are horrified by the defenders' attempts to secure his early release. It's hard to believe, but the relatives of the students who were shot by the maniac also had to organize the protection of their rights, because the killer, it turns out, also has all sorts of rights that courts and law enforcement officers are running around with. The murderer of 77 innocent young men and women, who is sitting in the courts, may well be released ahead of time. But of course, he has rights.

These are the rights and principles that the European Parliament protects, which the European Union uses as a whipping stick when it cannot voice any claims on its own. But this is unacceptable for Azerbaijan.

In an atmosphere of general psychosis, European Commission Commissioner Jorgensen tried to introduce a peacemaking note and divert the conversation a little by talking about the peace process. Nevertheless, he stated that "the EU's relations with Azerbaijan are based on principles that both sides commit to adhere to. First of all, it is respect for human rights and the rule of law." Really? In fact, relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are not based on otherworldly principles, but on mutual interests and energy security, which our country helps to ensure for Europe. Interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State is not included in this list. That's what the European Commissioner had to say.

The persons on trial in Baku are not "political leaders" or "martyrs of the faith," but people who have committed specific grave crimes, which they themselves admit to in their testimony. The cases under consideration have exclusively criminal content, but in no way political and, moreover, not religious. The trial in Baku is not a political process, not an action against representatives of another denomination. By the way, as the debate in the European Parliament over the latest lampoon against Azerbaijan has shown, Armenia, the Armenians and their supporters have no other tools left to put pressure on Baku, except for the notorious "Christian factor." It has been used quite often in order to arouse hatred of Azerbaijan and all its actions among the xenophobic masses of Europe. Armenia, which had previously insisted that the Karabakh conflict had no religious overtones, now diligently supports this narrative in order to keep public opinion around its interests.

So far, Armenia really likes that it has put Armenian interests above European ones in the EP, that it is already possible to compile a multi-volume book from anti-Azerbaijani resolutions, that the European Peace Foundation is ready to throw millions on weapons and stand up for Armenian criminals. Armenians are also very impressed that during the thirty years of the Karabakh conflict and the five post-war years, no one in Europe raised the issue of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis, genocide committed by Armenia and unprecedented vandalism.

I must say that European structures, and especially the European Parliament, pay too much attention to Azerbaijan. Apparently, they simply have nothing to do, or MEPs are not paid extra to discuss the problems of the countries of Europe itself. Meanwhile, Europe has a lot of problems that it should address. And Azerbaijan will sort out its own somehow. In accordance with their own values and principles, their own legislation and their own Criminal Code.
Omaha law enforcement officials and family members of victims killed by young offenders asked a committee of Nebraska lawmakers Thursday to advance a proposed law that would allow the state to jail children as young as 11 years old.

Introduced by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston as part of Republican Gov. Jim Pillen's 2025 policy agenda, the proposed law would reduce the minimum age police can detain a child in Nebraska from 13 years old to 11, when the child's detention is recommended by a probation offer and agreed to by a judge.

The bill (LB556) would also allow prosecutors to file charges in adult court against defendants as young as 12 who are accused of some felony crimes, including murder, assault, sexual assault, robbery, burglary and certain drugs and weapons charges. Under current law, children must be at least 14 years old for prosecutors to charge them in adult court.

That change  which won the backing of Douglas County's top prosecutor and sheriff, as well as the Omaha police union, at a public hearing Thursday afternoon  could pave the way for children as young as 12 to be sentenced to decades in prison.

But Riepe and the law enforcement officials who urged the Legislature's Judiciary Committee to back his proposal Thursday insisted the bill does not mean "they're going to go down to the Lincoln prison."

"It's just to protect them and their families and to protect their neighbors and to protect everybody else," Riepe said Thursday, suggesting the changed law would only be used to detain young children for "a day or two"  though nothing in the legislation dictates how long children could be jailed as they await juvenile court proceedings.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, a longtime prosecutor who consulted with Riepe before he drafted the bill, told lawmakers that felony cases against child defendants in Nebraska's most populous counties have "gone up pretty consistently over the years," but acknowledged very few of those cases have involved children younger than 13.

State reports detailing juvenile crime statistics indicate that there was a 42% increase in felony cases brought against defendants of any age in Douglas County Juvenile Court from 2017 to 2023.

There has also been an increase in children charged with felonies in adult court in Douglas County since 2017, but a majority of those cases involve 17-year-old defendants. Less than 18% of cases filed against child defendants in adult and juvenile court in 2023 involved children younger than 14.

"As far as 11-year-olds, there's been zero (felony cases) this year," Kleine said. "There was zero in '23. There was one in '22. So what I'm saying is there's not a lot."

"So why are we dropping (the age restrictions) then?" Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney asked.

"Because, unfortunately we're seeing younger  I never thought we would see," Kleine said, before citing two 13-year-old defendants accused of first-degree murder in Omaha in recent years. "I never thought we'd see people that young."

Patrick Dempsey, an Omaha police detective who testified in support of the bill Thursday on behalf of the city's police union, also acknowledged that crimes committed by middle school-aged children remain uncommon, but youths who do fall into that category have "serious trauma that needs to be addressed."

"Releasing him back into a home that is unstable or an environment that put him into that situation in the first place only harms that kid as well," he said.

While law enforcement officials who testified cast the proposal as one meant to help child defendants as much as anyone, others who backed the proposal categorized it as a necessary tough-on-crime shift.

"We can't keep babysitting these kids  or these killers," said Alicia Sexton, whose son, Alon Reed, was killed by a 13-year-old in 2022, two days after the teen had been arrested and released for driving a stolen car.

"These young offenders  killers  need to be dealt with," Sexton said. "And they need to be locked up. If they have to build a new penitentiary, then that's what they need to do."

Both Kleine and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson both referenced an 11-year-old who was among six children accused in a fatal shooting in August as they urged lawmakers to advance to Riepe's proposal.

The 11-year-old, who was not suspected of shooting the 64-year-old victim, faced a dozen felony charges in juvenile court, including first-degree murder. But prosecutors dismissed the charges against him this month after he was found incompetent to stand trial.

"I get a little confused why you use that example, then, of an 11-year-old," Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington told claim, referencing the dismissal. "Have there been other 11-year-olds?"

"No," Kleine said. "But it is an 11-year-old who was involved in  you know, there's a video."

The Judiciary Committee took no immediate action on the bill, which faced opposition from community activists, advocacy groups and researchers at Thursday's hourslong hearing.
By Qabil Ashirov



Azerbaijans Ambassador to Germany, Nasimi Aghayev, visited the Saarland region of Germany from March 10-11 to strengthen bilateral ties. During his visit, Ambassador Aghayev held meetings with leading figures in the fields of politics, business, and academia from Saarland to further develop the relationship between Azerbaijan and Germany, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Embassy.

The Embassy noted that Aghayev began his visit by meeting with Saarlands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economics, Innovation, Digitalization, and Energy, Jurgen Barke. In this meeting, Aghayev provided information on Azerbaijans economic potential, emphasizing the vast investment opportunities available for Saarland companies in Azerbaijan. The discussions also covered trade relations, new areas of collaboration, and joint projects.

Next, the Ambassador met with Frank Tome, the CEO of the Saarland Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The discussions focused on the factors that make Azerbaijan an attractive investment destination. Particularly, the opportunities for cooperation in Azerbaijan's rapidly growing economic sectors, as well as large-scale projects in the energy and transportation sectors, were explored.

The visit continued with a meeting with Professor Dominik Brodowski, Vice President for International Relations and Europe at Saarland University, and Professor Mark Bungener, Director of the European Institute. Ambassador Aghayev, who earned a Master's degree in European Law from Saarland Universitys European Institute between 2003-2005, highlighted the long-standing academic ties between Azerbaijan and the university. It was noted that 41 Azerbaijani students are currently studying at Saarland University, with 12 of them enrolled in the European Institute. The meeting also focused on expanding collaboration between Saarland University and Azerbaijani universities.

At the end of his visit, Ambassador Aghayev met with Azerbaijani students studying at the European Institute. He listened to their experiences and emphasized the important role the younger generation plays in strengthening Azerbaijan-Germany relations.
Air China launches nonstop service from Beijing to Washington, D.C.

Global Times) 08:18, March 14, 2025

(Photo/Courtesy of Air China)

Starting from Thursday, China's flag airline Air China has adjusted its flight route between Beijing and Washington, D.C., officially launching a nonstop service with the use of Boeing 747 aircraft, according to an announcement from the airline's official WeChat account.

This move not only enhances Air China's competitiveness but also brings tangible benefits to passengers from both countries, an industry insider said.

Flight CA817 will depart from Beijing at 12:30 PM, arriving at Washington Dulles Airport at 3:10 PM (local time) on Tuesdays and Saturdays, according to the announcement.

Previously, flights between Beijing and Washington had layovers in Los Angeles. The nonstop flights are expected to significantly reduce travel time and enhance overall journey comfort, it said.

The launch of the nonstop Beijing-Washington service marks another significant step in Air China's efforts to optimize its international network. The airline aims to provide passengers with more efficient travel options while enhancing connectivity between China and the US, said the company.

Given the ongoing economic ties between China and the US, direct services remain a critical component of global air connectivity. "The direct flights between the two cities will give a boost to people-to-people exchanges while meeting economic and trade demand," Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The adjustment also appears to be a timely response to competition in the aviation market, further solidifying Air China's position in the trans-Pacific routes between China and North America, the industry observer said.

Air China resumed its Beijing-Washington route on November 21, 2023, with flights operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. At the same time, the airline has also increased its Beijing-Los Angeles route to three weekly flights, according to traveldaily.cn.

Air China's latest flight adjustment comes after United Airlines revealed plans to launch a direct service connecting Los Angeles International Airport with Beijing Capital International Airport beginning in May this year. It will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.

According to United Airlines' website, the first flight between Los Angeles and Beijing is scheduled for May 1, 2025.

As China and the US have established close links in a variety of areas, including economics and tourism, the flights will further ease connectivity between people in both countries and boost economic and cultural exchanges.

As the global aviation industry continues to recover, airlines are actively adjusting their networks to align with market dynamics. This decision by Air China represents a calculated response to shifting travel patterns, reinforcing the importance of direct, high-capacity routes in international travel, Wang said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
And no, not a psychiatrist, but an optometrist. The French President welcomed the approval of the peace agreement text between Baku and Yerevan. It's funny when you consider that it was thanks to Macron that the process was delayed several times and almost collapsed.

But even more interesting is Macron's ostentatious naivety. He, quote, "sees no obstacles now" to signing.

Yeah, of course! There is an obstacle, and a big one.

My friend, the text can be ready for a month or even a year, but no one will sign anything until Armenia amends its constitution. No amount of answers can change this situation.
From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.

Imagine you are at a business meeting.

You have just presented a plan to your business partners. They want to give suggestions for how to make your plan better.

The conversation might sound like this:

A: I really like your plan!

B: Yes, it's pretty good  but it needs a little revising.

A: Of course , you did a very good job. But you might need to consider a few more points.

B: Yes, it will probably be more effective if you highlight the staffing requirements and expand on the budget.

Whether you like business or not, this conversation gives you important grammar information that you can use in just about any situation.

In particular, the exchange offers examples of some of the most important adverbs that you will hear in everyday speech.

This week, we will explore special adverbs that increase or decrease the force of a statement. These adverbs are sometimes called amplifiers or downtoners.*

What are adverbs? What are amplifiers?

Adverbs are words that modify, or change, the meaning of adjectives, verbs, and sometimes entire sentences. They are often used to show time, a way of doing something, place, or degree  a measure of something.

Some kinds of adverbs act as amplifiers. The word amplify means to make something stronger. So these amplifiers make the meaning of an adjective or sentence stronger.

In American English, amplifiers have three common uses: increasing intensity, expressing certainty and showing precision. This information comes from Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber, two experts on English grammar.

Words such as really and very are among the most common that increase the intensity of a statement. They usually modify an adjective.

Take the adjective good, for example. Imagine you are trying some food that your friends cooked.

Perhaps you want to tell them, "This food is good."

You could increase the intensity of your statement by using the word very:

"This food is very good."

You could express certainty by using an amplifier such as definitely:

"This is definitely the best food I've ever had."

Or you could use an amplifier to show precision:

"At exactly 5:13 p.m. on February 6th, I ate the best food I've ever had in my life!"

What are downtoners?

Other kinds of adverbs act as downtoners. Downtoners are the opposite of amplifiers. They reduce the force of a statement or express doubt. In other words, they set the tone of a statement. You can remember the term 'downtoner' by thinking about what it does: toning down a statement.

Downtoners have three common functions: reducing intensity, expressing doubt or showing imprecision. Three common downtoners in conversational English are pretty, maybe and probably, say Conrad and Biber.

How can you use downtoners to change the meaning of the statement?

Take our earlier example: "This food is good."

If you wanted to reduce the intensity of your statement, you could say:

"This food is pretty good."

You could show doubt, even raise questions, by saying:

"This is maybe the best food I've ever had."

Or,

"This is probably the best food I've ever had."

These statements express someones opinion about the food. But they are not as strong as the example sentences that use amplifiers. In other words, saying "This food is pretty good" is not as forceful as saying, "This food is really good."

Amplifiers and downtoners in a conversation

So what does this discussion of food have to do with the exchange we heard at the beginning of this report?

Let's think back to the business conversation:

A: I really like your plan!

B: Yes, it's pretty good  but it needs a little revising.

A: Of course , you did a very good job, but you might need to consider a few more points.

B: Yes, it will probably be more effective if you highlight the staffing requirements and expand on the budget.

You might notice that one of the speakers uses amplifiers such as really and very. She is using these words to give more force to her statement. She is probably more excited about the business plan.

The second speaker uses downtoners  the words pretty and probably, for example. So you might suspect that he is more guarded about the plan. Maybe he has doubts that the new plan will be better.

The amplifiers and downtoners they use are also among the most common ones that you will hear in American English. These words are useful in a number of settings. They are polite and acceptable in almost any situation.

Amplifiers and downtoners in writing

Remember this: the amplifiers and downtoners we have discussed today are common in conversation.

Different amplifiers and downtoners are more common in writing. For example, you are more likely to read words such as indeed, certainly, or approximately than you are to hear them in everyday conversation.

If you use these amplifiers and downtoners in conversation, your speech will take on a very official sound. While that might be a good idea in a formal presentation or speech, it might not be the best choice for an everyday conversation.

Amplifiers and downtoners are not always necessary to use in a sentence. But when you see or hear them, you are getting information about the thoughts and feelings of another person. You are learning about how strongly they feel about something.

And that's the end of this really long report!

I'm Jill Robbins.

And I'm John Russell.

*These are also often called qualifiers.

John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

revise  v. to make changes especially to correct or improve (something)

staff  n. the people who make a business or organization do what it does

amplifier  n. (grammar) an adverb that increases the force of a statement

downtoner  n. (grammar) an adverb that decreases the force of a statement

function  n. the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used

conversation  n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people

highlight  v. to direct attention to (someone or something)

grammar  n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language

particular  n. special or unusual

adverb  n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree

certainty  n. something that is certain : a fact about which there is no doubt

precision  n. exactness or accuracy

imprecision  n. the opposite of precision

doubt  n. a feeling of being uncertain or unsure about something

tone  n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing

polite  adj. having or showing good manners or respect for other people
Canadas Alimentation Couche-Tard reaffirmed yesterday that it is determined to acquire Seven & i Holdings, although the operator of Japans top convenience store chain has rejected its offer.

We are continuing to pursue a friendly, mutually agreeable transaction, the chairman and founder of Alimentation Couche-Tard, Alain Bouchard, told reporters in Tokyo.

Bouchard stressed that his company was pursuing a friendly transaction, not a hostile takeover. He reiterated his promise to retain local management, saying the merger would be good for 7-Elevens business.

The chain has more than 20,000 stores nationwide and more than 80,000 outlets around the world, serving an estimated 63 million customers a day, according to Tokyo-based Seven & i Holdings Co.

In rejecting the Canadian companys offer, Seven & i Holdings said it intends to boost its own corporate value. It also has raised antitrust concerns that it says will come up in the U.S.

Seven & i appointed a new chief executive this month and announced a share buyback and said it will sell its supermarket subsidiary to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital, to help boost its value and fend off the acquisition. MDT/AP
By Alimat Aliyeva

In a time when the future of the Volkswagen Group appears uncertain, the company is reportedly open to participating in the production of weapons and military equipment. This was stated by the CEO of the auto giant, Oliver Blume, as quoted by ZDF.

Blume clarified that a final decision on this matter has not yet been made, but emphasized that the company is fundamentally open to exploring such possibilities. He also mentioned that Volkswagen has not yet had detailed discussions with representatives of the defense industry. However, he highlighted that VW possesses many resources and capabilities that could be relevant in the context of military production.

In 2024, the Volkswagen Group experienced a 15% drop in operating profit. A sharp decline in sales in both the European and Chinese markets forced the company to significantly scale back production capacity. This financial downturn has led the company to explore various avenues, including potentially diversifying into the defense sector, to stabilize its business and ensure its future growth.

Volkswagen's openness to entering the defense industry could mark a significant shift for the company, traditionally focused on automotive manufacturing. This move would align with broader trends in the global market, where some companies have expanded their operations to include military production amid rising geopolitical tensions. However, it remains to be seen how VW's leadership will navigate the complexities of such a transition, including balancing its core automotive business with potential involvement in the defense sector.

As Volkswagen contemplates these changes, the company's future direction will be closely watched, as it reflects not only the shifting dynamics of the global automotive industry but also the evolving role of corporations in responding to national security needs.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai reaffirmed the citys commitment to national development and economic diversification in his address at yesterdays briefing session, organized by the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macau.

The session aimed to share new policies and aspirations set out in the 2025 Two Sessions, which he attended at the National Peoples Congress.

In his speech, published by the Government Information Bureau yesterday, Sam expressed confidence in the SARs future, citing support from Beijing for the regions economic growth, international engagement, and deeper integration into national development.

Sam emphasized the importance of improving government efficiency, announcing measures to strengthen coordination across departments.

Six leadership and working groups have been established to focus on key areas, including administrative reform, infrastructure development, and legal coordination.

He also underscored plans to streamline administrative licensing, reduce bureaucratic delays, and improve government services.

Public servants, particularly senior officials, were urged to adopt a forward-thinking approach and uphold integrity in governance.

I would like to put forward the following requirements to all public service workers, especially middle and senior managers, said Hou.

They should have a long-term vision, act pragmatically, and have a sense of responsibility, solidarity, and integrity; in particular, they should consider the relationship between the proper performance of their own duties and innovation and reform, liberalize their thinking, and innovate courageously, he added.

Advancing Macau-Hengqin integration

For Sam, the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin remains a top priority. The CE outlined plans to accelerate the zones construction while ensuring legal and regulatory alignment with the citys system.

The construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is a top priority responsibility and duty of this government, said Sam.

Efforts will focus on attracting global businesses, integrating industries, and enhancing infrastructure links.

The aim is to create an environment conducive to business growth and facilitate employment opportunities for Macau residents.

Economic diversification and long-term growth

Sam also stressed the need to accelerate economic diversification. He called for increased investment in emerging industries, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and optimization of the business environment.

He highlighted that the domestic and external environment of the citys economic development is complex and volatile, and that structural problems of Macaus domestic economy persist.

The economic cycle is changing, consumption patterns and social classes are undergoing changes, the post-epidemic recovery momentum has slowed down, and financial revenues in the current year may not be as high as expected, he said.

Therefore, it is necessary to carefully assess the future economic situation. While consolidating the momentum of economic recovery, we must make more efforts to promote adequate diversification of the economy, address the imbalance in domestic economic development, and prevent and mitigate potential risks, he added.

Enhancing social well-being

In his speech, Sam also reaffirmed the governments commitment to social welfare, prioritizing policies that support the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged groups. Measures will also be taken to ensure stable employment and improve the overall quality of life for residents, he said.

Sam also pledged that employment rights and social justice remain key focus areas, with the government aiming to create sustainable opportunities and better living conditions for the population.

We will continue to pay attention to and better promote employment, effectively safeguard the rights and interests of the residents in employment, ensure basic conditions for their well-being, and promote social justice, and make every effort to create a better life for the residents, he said. Staff Reporter
US President Donald Trump threw a curve ball at China by linking the fentanyl issue to his tariffs on imports. The Chinese government is swinging back.

First it issued a report detailing its efforts to control the illegal trade in fentanyl, specifically the ingredients for the opioid that are made in China. Then, the Chinese foreign minister blasted the U.S. for responding to Beijings goodwill with tariffs. And this week, Chinese officials expressed their indignation at a rare background briefing with journalists.

In the spirit of humanity, China assisted the U.S. in various ways, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told journalists last week in an annual appearance before the media. The U.S. should not meet good with evil or even impose arbitrary tariffs. No responsible major country should do that.

Trump cited the fentanyl issue as the reason for imposing a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports in early February, on top of any existing duties. He doubled that to 20% earlier this month. He also has cited fentanyl, along with other reasons, for imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

What Trump is saying

In his executive order on the first 10% tariff, Trump accused China of subsidizing chemical companies to export fentanyl and related precursor chemicals and of providing a safe haven for Chinese criminal organizations that launder the revenues from the opioid trade.

Its not unusual for the Chinese government to subsidize industries, and the precursor chemicals are also used to make legal painkillers. But some of the production finds it way to Mexican drug cartels who make fentanyl and send it to the United States.

Despite multiple attempts to resolve this crisis at its root source through bilateral dialogue, PRC officials have failed to follow through with the decisive actions needed to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known criminal cartels, the statement said.

Chinas response

The Chinese government hit back both times Trump imposed tariffs with its own duties on selected U.S. products and other measures aimed at American companies. Analysts have described the response as a measured one designed to try to avoid an escalation of the trade war, which could deal a blow to an already sluggish Chinese economy.

The governments report on its fentanyl-related actions said that China and the U.S. have held multiple high-level meetings since early last year to promote cooperation, and that its Narcotics Control Bureau holds regular exchanges with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

China is committed to cooperation, the report said, but firmly opposes the U.S. imposition of unlawful sanctions and unreasonable pressure on China on the pretext of responding to fentanyl-related issues.

From Biden to Trump

Under former President Joe Biden, cooperation on fentanyl was relaunched in early 2024 after falling victim to geopolitics in 2022. In August of that year, a visit to Taiwan by a top U.S. legislator, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, angered China, and the government responded by cutting off talks on a range of issues including drug control.

A rapprochement in late 2023, negotiated over several months, led to a meeting on fentanyl in January of last year. Drug enforcement, like climate, was held up as an area where the two countries could cooperate despite growing differences and their military, economic and technological competition.

Now Trump, back in the White House after a four-year hiatus, is trying to shift the playing field in the U.S.-China relationship. So far, China has indicated it wont blink.

If the American side goes further down this wrong path, we will fight to the end, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said last week. MDT/AP
The Judiciary Police (PJ) have detained four mainland Chinese men suspected of a series of aggravated thefts targeting local residents, resulting in losses exceeding MOP208,000. The suspects allegedly used fake keys to break into homes and were apprehended following a months-long investigation.

The victims include an elderly male and two middle-aged individuals, all residents of Macau. The detainees, identified as four mainland residents aged 33, 39, 40, and 48, were arrested.

The first victim suffered a loss of MOP50,000, while the second and third victims collectively lost MOP158,000. Notably, police found no signs of forced entry, indicating that the perpetrators accessed the units with fake keys.

Following an investigation, police identified and arrested two suspects on Tuesday.

These individuals had previously scouted the building on November 29 and 30, 2024, testing doors to select their targets.

On December 2, they allegedly returned to execute the theft, with one suspect knocking on doors to ensure the units were empty before using a fake key to enter. After the theft, they fled to mainland China.

On the day of the arrests, the remaining two suspects were intercepted at the Border Gate while attempting to leave Macau.

One was found in possession of valuable items, including watches and MOP48,000 in various currencies, along with a tool used for robbery.

Further investigation revealed that the four suspects targeted a tenement building in the Areia Preta District, where they robbed the second and third victims, contributing to the total MOP158,000 in stolen property.

Yesterday, police tracked the remaining suspects to a high-rise building, where they were discovered in a stairwell. Although no additional thefts were confirmed, authorities believe the four men are part of the same criminal group.

Victoria Chan
The Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macau held a briefing yesterday to convey the spirit of the National Two Sessions.

The event featured key speakers including Edmond Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai; and Liaison Office Director Zheng Xinchong.

Over 240 officials and representatives attended the briefing.

Director Zheng emphasized the nature of this years Two Sessions describing them as a grand gathering of unity and action. He articulated that the outcomes of these sessions are intended to propel Chinas modernization and national rejuvenation efforts.

Zheng highlighted President Xi Jinpings participation in three discussions that focused on pivotal topics such as economic development, education, and national security.

Chinas path to modernization is now an irreversible historical trend, Zheng stated.

During the session, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, engaged with Macau delegates.

They acknowledged the progress achieved by the Special Administrative Region (SAR) and encouraged further contributions towards national security and economic diversification. Zheng reiterated, Macau plays a unique role and must make special contributions to the countrys development.

The official outlined three main priorities for implementing the spirit of the Two Sessions: strengthening confidence in Chinas modernization, understanding global challenges, and ensuring effective execution of policies.

He urged attendees to recognize and seize historical opportunities, advocating for determination and unwavering confidence in moving forward.

Moreover, the director called upon participants to take the initiative in promoting the messages from the Two Sessions. This includes implementing central policies, supporting the SAR government, and fostering a social consensus.

We are all players, insiders, and leaders in Macaus development, he concluded, emphasizing the collective responsibility of those in attendance.

The briefing served as a platform for reinforcing the importance of alignment with national goals and the active role that Macau is expected to play in the context of Chinas development strategy. Staff Reporter
The Public Security Police (PSP)raided a unit in a building on R. de Evora in Taipa earlier this week, suspected of operating as an illegal hostel. This action followed posts on a social media platform that raised concerns about tourists staying in illegal hostels.

A middle-aged mainland man, believed to be running the illegal establishment, was arrested and transferred to the PSPs Immigration Control Department for further processing.

During the raid, police discovered over a dozen beds in the unit and found seven mainland men and women staying there.

Upon questioning, a mainland man admitted to renting the unit for HKD9,000 per month and subletting beds for daily rates ranging from HKD80 to HKD100.

The man, in his 50s, was suspected of running an illegal hotel and was handed over to the department for processing due to activities inconsistent with his tourist visa status. Authorities also suspected illegal accommodation practices and immediately informed the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

After an investigation, the MGTO confirmed the unit was an illegal hotel and sealed it off. LV
The police have issued a warning about phishing websites impersonating Macau Pass to steal personal and credit card information. Scammers have been posting fake messages on Facebook, falsely claiming that for MOP17, users can get a Macau Pass card for unlimited public transport rides for three months. The fraudulent posts contain pishing links designed to steal financial details for unauthorized transactions. Macau Pass has confirmed the messages are fake, and the Monetary Authority of Macao urges the public to stay vigilant.

Related
Sands China Ltd. has launched a bilingual publication, In Search of Its Roots  An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens, showcasing the historic Macay streets cultural and historical significance.

Compiled by local professionals, the book captures the transformation of Rua das Estalagens through stories and illustrations, offering insights into its heritage.

Supported by the SAR Government and Cultural Affairs Bureau, the book has been archived in public libraries and distributed to schools to educate future generations.

Sands China has also contributed to the streets revitalization through initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme and a shopfront beautification project with the Macau Artist Society.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, Sands Chinas executive vice chairman, emphasized the companys commitment to preserving Macaos heritage while supporting local businesses.

These initiatives aim to strengthen community connections, promote cultural appreciation, and revitalize Rua das Estalagens as a vibrant part of the citys history.
They crossed oceans to get to the U.S., fleeing conflict, religious persecution, poverty and government crackdowns in countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Cameroon, China, Pakistan and Iran.

After flying to Central and South America, they bused through countries where they didnt speak the language and walked through unfamiliar jungle to get to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Within days, they were detained and put on military aircraft that flew nearly 300 of them to Panama as U.S. President Donald Trump sought to accelerate deportations to more complicated destinations.

Panama was supposed to be a stopover. But for those unwilling to return home  mostly out of well-founded fear  Panama sent them to a guarded camp without access to lawyers in the same Darien jungle many had crossed months earlier on their way north.

Over the past week, under legal pressure, the Panamanian government dropped them off at a bus station in the capital with 30 days to figure out where they will go next.

It feels like the whole world is crushing down on me. Its like everything is stopping, said Isha Len, a 29-year-old from Cameroon. I risked everything, my life, everything, crossing the Darien Gap, just to be sent back.

Here are the stories that some of the deportees told The Associated Press:

Isha Len, 29, Cameroon

After conflict broke out in her small town, Len crossed Cameroon by car and minibus, then a fisherman friend carried her four hours by boat to Nigeria.

Len, a schoolteacher, flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she said authorities detained her for a month in the airport. From there, she wound north through South America by bus, following other migrants until they reached the Darien Gap.

She walked days through the dangerous jungle that divides Colombia and Panama before boarding buses that carried her through Central America. After being kidnapped for days by a gang in Guatemala, she crossed into southern Mexico, where she took a boat along the Pacific coast to evade authorities. After she landed, she rode eight hours to Mexico City, continuing on by bus and car to Tijuana.

She crossed the U.S. border and presented herself to American authorities.

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, 27, Iran

Artemis Ghasemzadeh left her country in January, fleeing after converting from Islam to Christianity  something that could cost Ghasemzadeh her life in Iran. She flew to Dubai, where she stayed two weeks and then took a flight to South Korea.

From there she flew to Mexico City, staying there for three weeks before going to Tijuana. She crossed the U.S. border on Feb. 9, and was detained for five days, including her birthday.

For changing your religion, your punishment is death, she said. We dont know what will happen.

Wang Qiu, 53, China

Wang Qiu said he left home after he was imprisoned for three years for speaking out about democracy and human rights issues.

He flew from Beijing to Cuba, then to the small South American country of Suriname. From there, he traveled by land: through Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, before trekking through the Darien Gap.

He moved up through Central America and Mexico before being detained after crossing into the U.S. in San Diego.

Qamar Abdi, 19, Somalia

Qamar Abdi, left for the U.S. on Aug. 17, due to warfare between the government and militants of al-Shabab, which the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist group.

She hopped from buses to shared cars for nearly a month until she reached South Africa. From there, she flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and spent the next six months riding buses north.

When she arrived at the northern tip of Colombia, she traveled six days through the Darien Gap, landing in Panama on New Years Day.

She took buses to the southern Mexican border city of Tapachula, where she was temporarily kidnapped and robbed by a gang. To avoid immigration authorities, she traveled hours packed on a boat with other migrants along Mexicos Pacific coast, then took a bus to Mexico City. She spent two weeks there before driving to Tijuana, where she crossed into the U.S.

Ebrahim Ghezelgechi, 36, Iran

Ebrahim Ghezelgechi fled Iran with his wife, Sahar; 10-year-old daughter, Aylin; and 11-year-old son, Sam, on Nov. 21.

The family flew to Brazil, then to Panama and finally Nicaragua. From there, they took buses north to Guatemala, then crossed into southern Mexico by boat. They rode on top of trains and in buses and vans to get to Tijuana.

After Mexico authorities sent them back to the southern part of the country, they took a plane to the resort area of Los Cabos. There, they were detained, had their passports taken and were sent back south again.

They tried getting north a number of times, punted back by Mexican authorities, before eventually paying a driver to take them to Tijuana.

After crossing into the U.S., they were detained in San Diego for a week.

Samin Haider, 21, Pakistan

Samin Haider left for Dubai in 2023 after violence surged in his region of Parachinar, which borders Afghanistan and has been plagued for decades by conflicts between Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities.

Haider was there for 1 1/2 years before the United Arab Emirates canceled visas for Pakistanis.

Haider then flew to Mexico and traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border with the hopes of seeking asylum.

Now deported to Panama, he still hopes to reach the U.S.

Elham Ghaedi, 29, Iran

Elham Ghaedi left on Oct. 21, flying to Brazil and then to Venezuelas capital Caracas.

She traveled to Colombia, where took a bus north and then walked five days through the Darien Gap.

She stayed 15 days in a migrant camp in southern Panama before taking a bus through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and to Mexicos southern border. There, migration authorities detained her for six days.

She traveled north to Mexico City, where she spent a month, before boarding a flight to Tijuana. U.S. authorities detained her when she crossed to San Diego.

Hayatullah Omagh, 29, Afghanistan

Omagh fled Afghanistan in 2022 after the takeover of the Taliban because he identified as an atheist and was part of an ethnic minority, something that could put his life in danger.

He first went to Pakistan, where he got a visa for six months, and struggled to get a new one due to his Afghani passport.

He then went to Iran and worked there for 1 1/2 years. But the country wouldnt accept him as a refugee.

He managed to get a visa to Brazil, which offered a number of Afghan people refuge after the rise of the Taliban, and flew to Sao Paulo in 2024.

Hoping to reunite with friends and family in the U.S., Omagh paid smugglers to move him north through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. He trekked through the Darien Gap, then took buses north through Central America to southern Mexico.

Mexican authorities detained him and dropped him back in southern Mexico a few times before he managed to take a flight to Mexico City and later to the U.S., where he was detained.

After so much time, Ive lost hope, he said. MATIAS DELACROIX & MEGAN JANETSKY, PANAMA CITY, MDT/AP
The two-year-old girl from Macau, critically injured in last months gas explosion at a Taichung department store, has passed away last week, becoming the fifth fatality in the incident, the Health Bureau (SSM)announced early yesterday.

The child suffered severe head trauma in the February 13 blast at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Taichung.

She was part of a family of seven visiting Taiwan, two of whomher grandparentsdied at the scene. The family was struck by flying debris while walking past the building during the explosion.

The blast occurred during renovation work on the 12th floor of the complex, triggered by a gas leak while replacing an LPG cylinder.

After receiving initial critical care in Taiwan, the toddler was airlifted to Macau on February 26 for further treatment.

In a statement, the SSM expressed grief over the childs death and extended condolences to the bereaved family. SSM has also provided psychological support and counseling to her family. Local media reported that the family of each victim will receive approximately MOP2.67million in compensation, including condolence payments, insurance claims, and other forms of restitution.

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office is investigating the incident for potential manslaughter, public endangerment, and negligent injury charges.

So far, 33 witnesses have been questioned, but no defendants have been named. Authorities noted the complexity of the explosion site, stating that a fire scene identification report must be completed to fully reconstruct the incident.

Victoria Chan
In the middle of March, the Sauk Creek Greenway is a muddy wilderness among the urban sprawl of Madisons Far West Side. Come spring, this tangle of branches will fill in with green, and people and wildlife will seek shade and solace here throughout the summer.

But there are problems lurking in the greenway, which follows Sauk Creek as it flows north from near Mineral Point Road to Old Sauk Road.

With limited access for work crews to get in with heavy equipment, its been tough for Madisons stormwater utility, a subset of the citys Engineering Division, to maintain. The native hardwood trees that once commanded the area, including oaks, are being stifled by less-welcome invasive species. The banks of the meandering creek are eroding, and ponds meant to collect stormwater arent keeping up, causing sediment and nutrients that fuel harmful algae blooms to flow into Lake Mendota.

While it may also serve as a recreational space, city ordinances define a greenway as an open area of land, the primary purpose of which is ... storm drainage.

On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a 100-page plan for the corridor that outlines the restoration work that will take place within about a third of the greenways nearly 35 acres over the next several years. Priorities include stabilizing the banks of the creek to prevent further erosion, increasing maintenance access to the creek and the sanitary sewer that runs through the area, removing invasive species and planting native ones. The work will be paid for by the stormwater charge on city municipal services bills.

The plan did not come easily. Area residents have long treasured this wooded refuge, and many dont want to see it change.

In all, the city devoted almost 3,000 Engineering Division staff hours and spent well over $300,000 on the plan, including $162,800 spent on consultants. Thats between three and 10 times more staff hours than the Engineering Division has committed to other recent planning efforts, including pre-design work for the Lake Mendota Drive reconstruction, which took 778 hours, and the creation of the Warner Lagoon Water Quality Plan, which took 640 hours.

Between late 2023 and early 2025, the division held six public meetings and four focus groups, put out a lengthy survey and, upon neighbors request, hosted two walkthroughs of the greenway.

I feel like the city came up with a really thoughtful plan that we tried to explain in advance and get buy-in, said Jojo OBrien, a stormwater engineer who has led the Engineering Divisions planning for the greenway.

But members of Friends of Sauk Creek, a coalition of neighbors formed years ago in an effort to shape the future of the greenway, said the citys outreach was inadequate and the plan goes too far.

Im disappointed, said Jayne Meyer, a member of the group who lives across the street from the greenway and said she felt unheard throughout the design process.

I think we worked very hard with the city and some of the engineers to try to mitigate environmental concerns that we had with it, Meyer said. And what it appears to me is that they had their plan, and even though they worked at what seemed like public engagement, after we met with them each time, they went back to their plan.

When city staff first approached the community in 2018 about improving the function of the greenway, they came in with a more engineered, robust concept, OBrien said.

Weve scaled back significantly from that, and we think weve put the community in the driving seat, OBrien said. But when you dont have answers to every question, it leaves gaps where people are able to come up with answers that are some of their worst fears.

A fight over thousands of trees

The citys focus in 2018 was on stabilizing the banks of the creek and gathering feedback on a proposed paved north-south bike path through the greenway  and working out what to do about the more than 2,000 buckthorn and box elder trees that it said were disrupting the rest of the greenways ecosystem.

The community was very concerned, OBrien said. Many neighbors objected to the path and wanted to have more input on the rest of the plan. They were worried about the number of people that would come into the greenway and the impacts that construction would have on their properties and wildlife. Above all else, they were worried about the fate of the greenways roughly 5,600 trees.

Then, that August, western Madison flooded. Engineering Division staff put the greenway planning on hold so they could conduct a study of the Pheasant Branch Watershed and identify ways to reduce flood risk upstream and downstream of the greenway.

By the time they returned in 2023 with a bigger planning area and a wider range of options for the community to consider, the Friends of Sauk Creek group was already a few years old, and its members had clear ideas about what they wanted  and what they didnt  in the greenway.

The overarching goal of the group is to preserve the character of the green space which currently exists, read the introduction to a list of concerns that the group sent to the city in late 2019. That concern is focused on both aesthetics and the importance of providing habitat for the large variety of birds and mammals that are found in the area. We believe it is also important to maintain a green space that is to some degree wild in character as opposed to fundamentally altering the existing character of what is an unusual and valuable part of our neighborhood and our city.

In mid-2022, the group began putting up yard signs that read, City cutting down 1000s of trees in Greenway! The signs asked people to help save the woods and directed them to the Friends of Sauk Creek website and Facebook page.

OBrien said the groups claim was false.

When we do introduce high-level concepts, we dont have a way of estimating the impacts, OBrien said. The city tried to communicate what information it had and didnt have as the plan developed, she said, but staff didnt always have the answers.

People are upset that were removing thousands of trees, she said. And its not like we can say, No, were removing 500 trees. Its just like, No, we dont know how many trees were removing.

With additional design work and permitting required before construction can begin, the number of tree removals still hasnt been determined, OBrien said. Nor has the cost of construction, which will be determined during each design phase.

Jenny Iskandar, a leader of Friends of Sauk Creek whose property connects to the greenway, called the citys outreach all window dressing.

Weve had a very consistent message for six years, she said. Were worried about the trees, were worried about the nature, were worried about the animals that are living back there. And were just all falling on deaf ears. Theyre just not listening to us.

Invasive species and bike paths

The Sauk Creek Corridor Plan recommends minimally invasive, environmentally sensitive improvements to the greenway. The Engineering Division plans to divide the work into three phases, with bank stabilization and the addition of crossings and gravel access paths starting in the southern half and then moving to the northern half, followed by reconstruction of the stormwater ponds.

An ecological assessment of the greenway found that while mature oaks are plentiful, young oaks are scarce, and without intervention, the greenway is on track to become a less biodiverse, less ecologically functional space, the plan said. It directs the city to preserve as many mature native trees as possible, plant more of them and remove invasive species, all to encourage oak regeneration and expand wildlife habitat. Responses to that part of the plan have been mixed.

That woods is overrun with invasives, and needs management, and needs to have a new generation of canopy trees promoted, said Si Widstrand, a retired Parks Division planner who lives nearby and participated in the planning process for the greenway. I dont think we should turn over to the next generation a woods full of invasive species that does not support our native wildlife.

For Friends of Sauk Creek, invasive species were a sticking point. Some members were reluctant to see any healthy trees removed, native or otherwise.

Invasive species also turn carbon into oxygen, said Nino Amato, a member of Friends of Sauk Creek who is running for City Council in the 19th District, north and east of the greenway.

Paving a bike path through the greenway was another source of controversy. The city scrapped the proposed north-south path in response to opposition from community members. Then it mulled an east-west path, consistent with a recently approved West Area Plan, ultimately opting not to build it as part of the stormwater project but not ruling it out entirely.

Now youre going to take down all these trees to put a bike path in, when the area is surrounded by bike paths? Amato said of the citys proposals. We wanted all the bike paths eliminated because we want the current natural road thats in there.

Members of the group said they werent necessarily against the city adding more maintenance access. But some questioned whether the gravel paths shown in the plan were really just bike paths in disguise.

They took it out, but they kind of have put it back in, said Jenny Iskandar, a leader of Friends of Sauk Creek whose property connects to the greenway.

Craig Weinhold of Madison Bikes, which advocates for bicycle access, said the groups statements about the impacts of bike paths were concerning.

The last thing we want to do is to be equated with with tree removals unnecessarily, Weinhold said. Every person who can bike on a trip, that saves trees, that saves carbon, that saves pollution.

The right use of resources?

The City Council approved the plan unanimously and with little discussion.

A principal purpose for this project is to improve downstream quality, said Ald. John Guequierre, 19th District, just before the vote. And guess where downstream is. District 19, right across Old Sauk Road.

Madison recently spent $1 million to dredge Wexford Pond to the northeast to remove sediment that has accumulated from the erosion in the greenway. The dredging disrupted the whole neighborhood for the better part of a year, Guequierre said.

Weve got other watersheds that need attention, he said. We need to be able to capture those available engineering hours to pay attention to other things that are also very important.

Amato, who is running for Guequierres seat, said the city could have saved a lot of that time and money if it had followed his groups recommendations from late 2019, which included minimizing tree loss, removing some invasive species, keeping the stream channel narrow and taking out the bike path.

They never sat down with us, he said. They ignored us.

But others who live near the greenway feel that for the most part, the city got it right.

They listened to the surveys. They didnt necessarily listen to the loudest voices in the room, Widstrand said. People can continue to voice their concerns, which is fine, but I think Engineering responded more to the science that they had access to and to the surveys of the people that were involved in the process.

Brian Chapman, who lives on the greenway and said he has spent a lot of time removing invasive species himself, said that while he wishes the city would have done more during the planning process to reassure community members who were worried about what would happen to the greenway, he is supportive of the final plan.

I think the city, under the circumstances, has done about as much as they can to maintain it as a natural space, Chapman said. Is that going to satisfy everyone? No.

But Chapman believes, he said, that the money put into the planning effort was well spent.
By Qabil Ashirov



In a court session held today at the Baku Military Court, accused Bako Sahakyan revealed that arms and ammunition were brought into the occupied territories of Garabagh from Armenia.

Sahakyan made these statements while responding to questions from prosecutors during his defense. He further elaborated on the military salaries paid to soldiers in the occupied region, stating that "the budget" and "army" of Garabagh did not include such expenses.

"All military expenditures, including salaries and soldier provisions, were directly funded by Armenias budget. These were not related to the credits allocated to us," he clarified.

The trial continues for citizens of the Republic of Armenia, who are being accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international law. These crimes include the preparation and execution of aggressive war, genocide, and the violation of wartime laws and rules. The accused individuals are also charged with terrorism, financing terrorism, and the unlawful seizure and maintenance of power.
Tension over staffing allocations that has percolated between Madison teachers and administration for the last few weeks bubbled over last week and may flare up again at the Madison School Board meeting on Monday.

At issue is the districts annual exercise to decide how many teachers and staff members each school gets, called allocation. The district tells principals how many staff members each school gets, and the principals then decide how the school will use them.

When that information was shared a few weeks ago, though, at least some teachers were surprised to learn that their schools were losing teaching positions  especially given that Madison voters passed two referendums in November, a $507 million referendum to improve and replace buildings and a $100 million operating referendum to pay for things like staffing and curriculum.

At last Mondays School Board meeting, Madison Teachers Inc. President Michael Jones called the referendums a bait and switch.

I should have known better than to trust a district that spent the equivalent of multiple educators annual salary on school logos and rebranding that no one asked for, Jones told the board, referring to recent efforts to redesign mascots and logos for the citys four high schools. I sincerely apologize to my membership and my neighbors for trusting district leaders to do the right thing the first time when given a chance.

No teachers are losing their jobs due to allocations or budget cuts, district spokesperson Ian Folger said.

That doesnt mean, however, that all teachers get to stay where they are or that programs wont be cut. If, for example, the district decides that School A needs one fewer teacher next year and School B needs one more, that wouldnt show up as the loss of a teacher on the districts bottom line. But it would still mean a teacher may have to move from one school to the other, a significant change for the teacher and the schools.

Percentage-wise, these are really small changes, board member Laura Simkin said of the allocation changes. But I think impact-wise and emotionally, they feel really big.

Superintendent Joe Gothard said the referendums, plus the fact that the district didnt reallocate positions last year due to the financial uncertainty over whether the referendums would pass, led to confusion.

You put those two things side by side, I can understand why theres this huge disconnect in what we try to accomplish during allocation and why it has people feeling the way that it does, he said.

Whats affected?

Its not clear what staffing will look like for the 2025-26 school year. According to the administration, the plan calls for:

A net reduction of 11 full-time staff positions at the citys high schools, with one teacher position being added, for a total of 311 positions, plus single-digit reductions in administrative and special education staff. One of the factors influencing high school staffing, Gothard said, is that next years ninth-grade class is significantly smaller than the 2025 class of graduating seniors.

A net reduction of three full-time staff at elementary schools, with teacher positions dropping from 759 to 744.4 full-time equivalents. There also will be a reduction in education assistants and increases in special education staff.

A net increase of 20 full-time staff in the middle schools, with the number of teaching positions increasing from 305 to 319 due to a projected increase in enrollment. Four staff members will be added for multilingual programs and administrative positions.

But districtwide numbers can mask significant impacts that may be felt at any one school.

Prior to Mondays School Board decision, flyers had been circulating around the high schools for days decrying anticipated cuts and urging supporters to contact the School Board in protest.

West is Being Gutted, reads one. West High School, along with all the other MMSD schools, are facing detrimental Cuts. These positions are crucial to ensure our schools are student-centered and meet the needs of our community.

East (High School) is losing the equivalent of 7.4 full-time staff positions, but our enrollment is likely to remain about the same, reads a flyer circulated in that school community. That includes losing at least one position each from English, Social Studies, Science, and Math  the core academic departments.

One email circulating among Memorial High School families focused on the music program noting that, while 132 additional students have requested to join performing ensembles for the 2025-26 school year, a 29% increase, the music teacher allocation is decreasing, by the equivalent of one-fifth of a full-time employee.

Proposed charter high school 'fundamentally misaligns' with district, Madison board member says It's a familiar approach for the district and board to take, given Madison schools have fought against other proposed charter schools in the past.

Asked to see the enrollment projections the district used to allocate staff, Folger told the Wisconsin State Journal earlier this week the district has not yet publicly released that data.

As of about 1 p.m. Friday, the School Board hadnt been told how many staff are being allocated to each school and what the enrollment projections are, board member Nicki Vander Muelen said in an email.

Teachers and board members Monday decried an overall lack of transparency in the allocation process.

I didnt hear by what process a principal evaluates all the people in the building on this rubric principals use to make staffing decisions, School Board member Blair Mosner Feltham said, what goes into that, how that gets done, and I think thats super important. As far as I understand, people are not allowed to see their rubric. As far as I understand, people have never been allowed to see the rubric, period. And that feels to me like a big ick.

Whats next?

Gothard challenged the board to issue guidance to change how the administration approaches staff allocation. Board members, who are typically not involved in the process, declined to do so but noted there were problems with how administration communicated the issue.

Is there a way to do this without making people feel disposable? board member Maia Pearson asked.

The flyers complaining about the changes called for people to contact board members and attend both last weeks board meeting and another on Monday, although its unclear what action the School Board might take.

Jones, the union president, did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week from the State Journal.

However, multiple people at the last board meeting, including teachers and board members, called for better communication.

I think we need to restore the school front-facing cuts right now, a lot of them, because right now Ive got a lot of panicked teachers, I got a lot of panicked staff, who are going ... How am I going to pay my mortgage, how am I going to do this? Vander Muelen said.

What is clear is that, even with an extra $100 million coming in property taxes over the next four years, adding about $30 million in revenue this year, the districts financial woes arent over.

Administrators are projecting a $22 million shortfall for the 2024-25 school year, most of that in staffing expenses, which are the largest part of the districts budget.

Prior to the referendum vote in November, the district had outlined some upcoming budget challenges. Those include about $12.4 million to keep 110 positions that had been funded by federal pandemic relief money that is now gone and a 4.12% wage increase promised to MTI members, which will cost $13.3 million.

The district also is projecting that health care costs will grow by $8 million to $12 million next year.
Hours before Filer precinct committeeman Adrian Arp was scheduled to introduce a resolution to the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee on Wednesday night opposing an Article V convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution, the Idaho Legislature made his point moot.

Got some great news, Arp told the group Wednesday night at Twin Falls County West. Idaho is protecting the Constitution.

Earlier that day, the Idaho House voted 27-42 to oppose House Concurrent Resolution 10, which would have laid out the process for Idahos representation at an Article V convention of the states.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution created two ways to make amendments. Congress has passed all 27 amendments by a two-thirds majority, but theres another process that has never before been used in this country.

Two-thirds of the state legislatures can call for a constitutional convention and any amendments must then be ratified by three-fourths of those state legislatures.

A Texas-based nonprofit, the Convention of States Foundation, has argued in favor of a constitutional convention to limit the power of the federal government.

The group published a blog post Wednesday, calling the Idaho Legislatures vote a disappointing setback. The state had a historic opportunity, the post states, to curb federal spending, power and terms of office.

Arp said he receives weekly letters from the Convention of States Foundation, but he doesnt support their arguments.

Their reasoning is not valid, Arp said. And they seem to have an ulterior motive, and that is to just somehow get their hands on the Constitution.

The resolution Arp introduced on Wednesday quoted former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, who wrote in a 1988 letter that there would be no way to effectively to limit or muzzle the actions of a constitutional convention.

In other words, Arp told the Twin Falls Republicans, it would be a runaway convention.

Earlier this month, several Magic Valley legislators stated their opinions on an Article V convention at a town hall at CSI. Nearly all of them were not in favor of the idea.

I honestly do not trust elected officials to go and make a change for the positive on our Constitution, Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, said.

A convention would be a pandoras box, said Rep. Clint Hostetler, R-Twin Falls, which he could not support.

We have everything already in our Constitution, Hostetler said. We have the ability to do all the things that we want to be done and if we cant get it done now, what does changing our most fundamental document do to improve that?

Three other legislators  Sen. Ron Taylor, D-Hailey, Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, and Rep. Mike Pohanka, R-Jerome  said they would vote no.

To me, its a sacred document that I dont want to mess with, Pohanka said.

This issue has come up in the Legislature nearly every year, said Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, and he was against it for the first four or five years.

Ive watched the federal government be out of control, Clow said. And so Ive kind of come to the conclusion that if an Article V call to the states comes to the floor then I would vote for it.

Clow voted against HCR 10. Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield, and Rep. Clay Handy, R-Burley, were the only two aye votes in the Magic Valley in support of the resolution that would create a commission to represent Idaho at an Article V convention.

At the town hall, Miller said he cant support a convention of states.

States created the federal government and I think that they saw this as the states saving the union from the federal government, Miller said. But the way this is designed, Congress can set the rules and so this really doesnt come from the states, so at this point I cant support it.

The debate over an Article V convention is far from over. The blog post from the Convention of States Foundation says this wont be the last the Idaho House hears from us.

This is a time to celebrate the Idaho Legislature for doing the right thing, Arp said, but the issue will probably come back next session.

Im almost certain next year, like the Groundhog Day movie, Arp said, well be back here with the same  theyll have some new arguments.
On March 8, ICE agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestine activist. Thugs dragged him off in front of his wife, who is eight months pregnant, and transferred him to a detention center in Louisiana where he was initially prevented from speaking to his lawyer in private. Khalil holds a green card, legally entitling him to live and work in the US, as well as the right to be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence, and local jurisdictions. Nonetheless, the Trump administration seeks to deport him for the crime of exercising his First Amendment right to oppose Israeli and American imperialism.

[Originally published at communistusa.org]

Trump wants to make an example of Khalil and send a stark warning to the rest of the pro-Palestine movement: we will crush youno matter what it takes. As Trump posted on social media, This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it.

To justify this repression, Trump and his cronies are regurgitating hackneyed slanders equating Palestine solidarity with antisemitism. In reality, protests demanding an end to Israels US-backed genocidal slaughter of the Palestinian people have nothing whatsoever to do with hatred of Jewish people and, indeed, have attracted the support of many Jewish students and workers.

Escalating the issue

Khalils arrest follows a series of demonstrations at Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate, which began in late February and faced violent repression from the NYPD. Khalil was one of the students who negotiated with the administration and played an active role in Columbias Palestine solidarity encampment in April 2024.

On March 8, Trump announced that he would pull $400 million in federal funds from Columbia. By some strange coincidence, ICE agents showed up at Khalils door that same evening / Image: Gage Skidmore, Flickr

With both the capitalist state and college administrations on their side, campus Zionists have become increasingly brazen in their attackscalling ICE on international students who engage in pro-Palestine activity in the hope of getting their visas revoked.

As The Forward reported, there are a thousand connections between Zionist students at elite universities like Columbia and the ruling class, including the state apparatus:

Ross Glick, a pro-Israel activist who previously shared a list of campus protesters with federal immigration authorities, said that he was in Washington, DC for meetings with members of Congress during the Barnard library demonstration and discussed Khalil with aides to Senators Ted Cruz [R] and John Fetterman [D] who promised to escalate the issue. He said that some members of Columbias board had also reported Khalil to officials.

The issue apparently escalated all the way to the White House. Six days after the protest at Barnard, Trump posted: All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. This was no empty threat. On March 8, he officially announced that his administration would pull $400 million in federal funds from Columbia. By some strange coincidence, ICE agents showed up at Khalils door that same evening.

Ironically, not long before his arrest, Khalil sent emails to Columbias president asking for a guarantee of protection, since Zionist fanatics had been threatening to have him deported. He lived in Columbia housing, and ICE would only have been able to enter university property with the administrations permission. That same administration has been eerily silent since Khalil was dragged off. But we dont need to wait for an official press release to get their response to his appealsthey replied through ICE.

Freedom of speech

ICE is a tool to terrorize the working class. Bosses use the threat of ICE and deportation to discourage undocumented immigrant workers from organizing and fighting back against their exploitation. Now, the ruling class is using ICE to intimidate and silence legally admitted international students.

Technically, ICE cannot arrest, apprehend, or deport a legal permanent resident like Khalil. That decision can only be made by a judge and, in theory, can only be done if the person has committed a crime. The legal fig leaf for Khalils detention is an obscure statute stating that the Secretary of State can deport any alien who poses a threat to American foreign policy interests. This cynical justification cannot hide the fact that persecuting Khalil for his political activity is a blatant violation of the First Amendment, which is supposed to ban any law abridging the freedom of speech.

There is no other way they can spin it. As Trumps border tsar, Tom Homan expressed it: When you are on campusesI hear freedom of speech, freedom of speech, freedom of speechcan you stand at a movie theater and yell Fire? Can you slander? Free speech has limitations.

What are these limitations? Bourgeois democracy is nothing other than the dictatorship of the capitalists in democratic form. Under this system, freedom of speech means you can say whatever you wantas long as what you say doesnt threaten the interests of the bourgeoisie.

There are no permanent rights or protections for the working class under bourgeois law, even when it comes to something as basic to bourgeois democracy as freedom of speech. As the Greek philosopher Anacharsis said in the 6th century BCE, so must we say today: Laws are like spiders webs; they catch the weak and poor, but are torn to pieces by the rich and powerful.

Trumpist posturing

The Trumpists have posed as steadfast defenders of free speech against woke liberal censorship. In Munich last month, JD Vance criticized European leaders for limiting the free expression of right-wing populist parties, like Germanys AfD. Across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat, he said, just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite.

JD Vance criticized European leaders for limiting the free expression of right-wing populist parties, like Germanys AfD: Across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat / Image: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

The Khalil case exposes this lie. Liberals like Biden gave hypocritical homilies about freedom of speech and assemblywhile sending armed goons to crush peaceful student protesters. Trump and his gang, far from doing precisely the opposite, are posing as defenders of democratic rights while infringing on the basic rights of the Palestine solidarity movement.

Like the rest of his class, Trump stands behind Netanyahu and the Zionist regimeAmericas most reliable ally in the Middle Eastand is just as determined as his liberal predecessor to squash any resistance to American imperialism.

Billionaire pressure

This latest attack is the culmination of a process that has been evolving on campuses for years. Even before Israels most recent invasion of Gaza, billionaires were pressing universities to take harsher measures against Palestinian student clubs.

After October 7, 2023, billionaires conspired in private group chats to pressure local governments to suppress campus movements and leveraged their large donations to get universities like Harvard and Columbia to suppress Palestine solidarity activists like never before.

After the encampments, university administrators spent all summer plotting their revenge. They ensured that when students came back to campus, they would face draconian measures. Campuses were militarized. Freedom of speech was severely curtailed, and pro-Palestine students and professors were suspended, expelled, or fired.

And still, they couldnt manage to fully contain the students anger. Protests continued into the 202425 academic year, despite heavy police repression, doxxing, revocations of student visas, and more.

Nevertheless, the pro-Palestine movement is relatively weak at present when compared to the initial outpouring of anger after October ,7 or the height of the encampment movement last spring. With fewer people engaged in the struggle, the ruling class sees an opportunity to try to snuff it out.

They know that the class rage simmering beneath the surface of society will, sooner or later, come to a boil. The capitalists want to strengthen the repressive apparatus of their state as much as they can in advance of future class battles. Trump is the vehicle for fulfilling this need. He is willing to do whatever it takes to silence pro-Palestine studentsincluding using ICE as a blunt instrument to attack their right to freedom of speech.

Fight back against a new McCarthyist witch hunt

Universities are a microcosm of wider society. The Palestine solidarity movement is only one expression of the growing rage felt by young people who see no future under capitalism.

As the class struggle intensifies, the bourgeoisie will be forced to lift the veil further and reveal the naked violence of their class rule. This process is discrediting all capitalist institutions. Universities, once seen as beacons of free inquiry, are now exposed for what they always were: profit-driven businesses and bastions of capitalist ideology.

If Trump gets his way, Khalil will be the first victim of this new McCarthyist witch hunt. Repression might have the desired effect in the short run, but the pressure inside universities will only build up, leading the way to larger and more convulsive expressions of the class struggle on campuses.

To fight the witch hunt and defend our basic rights, students must fightnot only for freedom of speech, but ultimately, for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. To succeed, they must link up with the broader working class. This requires a revolutionary communist party organized on and off campus that can expose the historical impasse of this rotten system and point the way forward to a genuinely free world.
During a visit to South Africa on Thursday March 13, European Union leaders pledged an investment package of 4.7 billion ($5.10 billion), reinforcing their commitment to strengthening ties with Africas most advanced economy.

The announcement comes at a time when both the EU and South Africa find themselves at odds with the United States, marking a significant shift in international relations. The visit coincided with South Africas Presidency of the G20, a Summit that has seen limited engagement from U.S. officials.

The strained relations with the U.S. stem from President Donald Trumps controversial foreign policy decisions, including his pivot towards Russia amid the Ukraine war and his pro-Israel stance, which has clashed with South Africas stance on the Israel-Palestine issue. Additionally, the U.S. has intervened in domestic politics in both Europe and South Africa, criticising Europes handling of immigration issues and reducing aid to South Africa due to its efforts to address racial land inequality. In contrast, the EU aims to improve its relationship with South Africa, which has remained neutral on Russias actions in Ukraine, refraining from outright condemnation of President Vladimir Putin.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking alongside European Council President Antonio Costa in Cape Town, emphasised South Africas crucial role in the global arena as a representative of the Global South. She highlighted Europes interest in supporting South Africas transition to a low-carbon economy and its industrial growth, particularly in sectors like clean hydrogen, where South Africas abundant resources could play a pivotal role. President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the support, stressing the importance of a mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and Europe, especially at a time when multilateralism is facing challenges from rising nationalism.
Tropical Cyclone Jude swept through southern Africa this week, causing significant damage across Malawi and Mozambique. The storm made landfall in northern Mozambique early on Sunday, before moving across southern Malawi, where heavy rains persisted from Monday to Wednesday March 11. While no fatalities have been reported, the cyclone left thousands of people homeless, with some areas suffering power outages and severe flooding. Relief efforts have been hindered by washed-out roads, making it difficult for aid agencies to reach all affected regions.

According to preliminary assessments from Malawis Department of Disaster Management Affairs, over 11,000 people have been affected, with many losing their crops, homes, and property to the floods. The cyclone displaced more than 3,000 people, who have been moved to evacuation camps. Although there were no deaths, 15 people, including two children aged 5 and 8, were injured by collapsing buildings. Efforts to rescue three people missing after their boat capsized in a flooded river are still underway in Malawis Nsanje and Phalombe districts.

In Mozambique, the storm has disrupted relief operations, especially in Nampula province, where main roads, bridges, and culverts have been washed away, making it difficult to access affected communities. The United Nations and local agencies have been working to deliver aid where possible, with the World Food Programme distributing supplies in Malawis Mulanje district. However, both countries continue to face challenges as floodwaters recede and recovery efforts unfold. Cyclone Jude marks the third such storm to impact Mozambique in recent months, following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi.
Namibia has reported its first case of cholera in a decade, marking the end of a long period free from the disease, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on March 13.

The case, involving a 55-year-old woman from the northwest Kunene region, was confirmed after she presented symptoms of diarrhea. Fortunately, the patient has since recovered and was discharged from hospital. Health officials have expressed concern over the confirmation of the case, seeing it as a significant alert for the countrys health system.

Africa CDC Director Jean Kaseya explained that the womans location near the border with Angola could help explain the case, as cholera has been rampant in the neighbouring country since January, with an outbreak resulting in 237 deaths from 6,564 reported cases. However, the Namibian patient had not travelled outside the country recently. Despite the decline in cases in Angola, the disease continues to pose a serious threat, and Kaseya highlighted the need for continued vigilance and reinforced responses to prevent further spread.

Cholera, which spreads through contaminated water and food, can be fatal within hours without treatment, particularly affecting young children under five. Access to clean water and sanitation is vital to preventing the spread, alongside vaccination efforts. The World Health Organization reported a 12% decrease in cholera cases across Africa in 2024, although deaths rose slightly by 3.1%. In response to the ongoing outbreak in Angola, the Africa CDC has sent 2,000 doses of oral cholera vaccines to the country and called for additional resources to support vaccination efforts.
In a pioneering move for Egypts financial landscape, Compass Capital and CI Capital have joined forces to establish the countrys first onshore private equity fund, C3 Capital Fund 1.

Designed to support economic growth through private investment in public equity (PIPE), the fund aims to address liquidity challenges within Egypts capital markets. By adopting an active shareholder approach, C3 Capital Fund 1 will focus on investing in shares listed on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), providing companies with enhanced access to capital and stimulating broader market activity.

The funds first close on 2 March, following regulatory clearance from Egypts Financial Regulatory Authority, raised EGP 1.8 billion (USD 35 million) from a mix of institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The final close is anticipated to bring the total to EGP 3 billion (USD 59 million). Legal counsel for the funds sponsors was provided by Zaki Hashem & Partners, while institutional investors, including Commercial International Bank and Banque Misr, were advised by Zulficar & Partners. CI Investment Banking played a crucial role as the financial adviser on the transaction.

The launch of C3 Capital Fund 1 comes at a critical time for Egypts capital markets, where there is a notable disconnect between operational performance and market valuations. According to Ahmed Hussin, CEO and fund manager of C3 for Fund Management, the market is trading at a significant discount compared to private valuations, creating a unique opportunity for the fund to unlock hidden value. By applying a private equity strategy to publicly listed companies, the fund aims to bridge this gap, providing much-needed liquidity and fostering long-term growth in Egypts economy.
At least ten people have been killed and 23 others wounded in a shelling attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on residential areas and a shelter centre in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reported the attack on Wednesday March 12, highlighting the escalating violence as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. The shelling targeted various neighbourhoods and a shelter with 37 120-mm artillery shells, according to the SAFs 6th Infantry Division.

The attack resulted in the deaths of ten civilians, including a three-year-old child, while 23 others sustained injuries, some of which were severe enough to require hospital treatment. The SAF condemned the RSFs actions, calling them an escalation of crimes against civilians. In addition to the artillery fire, the RSF launched drone strikes targeting key sites within El Fasher, although the SAFs air defences successfully shot down the drones.

Since the outbreak of hostilities between the SAF and RSF in mid-April 2023, Sudan has been devastated by widespread violence, with over 29,600 lives lost and more than 15 million people displaced, according to estimates from the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration. The city of El Fasher has been a hotspot for intense fighting since May 10, 2023, and the recent attack marks another grim chapter in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Autism diagnoses have skyrocketedfrom a rare condition to a common reality for 1 in 36 children.

The dramatic rise has drawn national attention, including from President Donald Trump, who recently questioned the surge during a joint address to Congress. Trump said "not long ago" cases were only "1 in 10,000," perhaps referring to a 1970 study by Darold A. Treffert.

While some see cause for concern, Northeastern University experts also point to better awareness and earlier diagnoses as contributing factors to the increase in numbers.

After all, they say, much is still being learned about autism, which was only officially recognized by Congress as a disability in 1990.

Public awareness and understanding

"I think this reflects a healthy trend of increased public awareness and also increased understanding and societal awareness of autism," says Zhenghan Qi, a Northeastern University assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

"The biggest change is that we've gotten much better at screening and identifying kids," says Laurel Gabard-Durnam, director of Northeastern's PINE (Plasticity in Neurodevelopment) Lab.

In addition, "We've changed the criteria for what it means to have autism," she says. "We've since acknowledged that it's a spectrum. So some of this is just labeling differences."

What is autism and when was it discovered?

Autism is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate and learn, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

First described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943, symptoms of autism typically appear in the first two years of life and include delayed language skills, avoidance of eye contact, obsessive interests and unusual body movements such as rocking or flapping hands.

"Since then, our understanding of what autism is has changed a lot," says Qi, who directs the Language Acquisition and Brain Laboratory (QLab) and uses neuroimaging to study language development in children with autism.

What are some autism milestones?

Qi says the most recent change happened in 2013, when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness, Fifth Edition identified Asperger's syndrome as a type of high-functioning autism, among other changes.

In addition, clinicians now recognize that people with other disorders can have autism as well as Down syndrome and attention deficit disorder, which further expands the ranks of people with autism, Qi says.

She says the increase in autism numbers can also be attributed to a growing recognition that the disorder occurs among people from different ethnicities and cultures.

"The majority of research before 2000 and in the beginning of the 21st century was mostly from the middle class and white population," she says.

How are autism cases diagnosed?

There also is heightened awareness that girls as well as boys can have autism, although boys are still four times as likely to receive an autism diagnosis.

The researchers say inherited genetic mutations, older parents and improved survival rates for pre-term babies also contribute to autism rates, but more needs to be understood about the root causes of the brain disorder.

"Some of the risk factors have changed alongside the fact that we're doing a better job finding (cases) and screening," Gabard-Durnam says.

"On the whole, we're doing a much better job at identifying kids earlier as we get better instruments for doing the screening and as we get a more refined sense of what is worrying and what is not on some of these different measures," she says.

"With autism, there's no blood test. There's not an objective marker. Ultimately it comes down to a human judgment call based on screening criteria," she says. "So we really depend on physicians and screening centers to identify folks."

Universal screening recommended

In 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended universal screening for autism at 18 and 24 months so that children could receive the type of early intervention services that can make a difference in their education and lives.

"Screening is increasingly becoming standardized," Gabard-Durnam says. "It will depend a bit on your state. One reason we think we're doing a better job at identifying folks is we see state level differences in autism prevalence."

"This tells us in states where they are taking a more uniform approach to early screening we are finding these kids, and in states that are taking a less robust screening approach they are missing individuals," she says.

Checklist of traits for parents

Screening tools include the M-CHAT-R/F, or Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up, which was based on a test revised in 2009, and the POSI, for Parental Observation of Social Interaction, which was first published in 2013.

Providing a checklist of traits for parents to look for is important because it leads to children getting services at an early age that will help them succeed in school and in life, Qi says.

"Early intervention is absolutely the key," she says.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center's ASAPH survey, February 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located H5N1 bird flu virus in samples of raw, or unpasteurized, milk in tests in four states in April 2024, and bird flu has been detected in commercially sold raw milk, many Americans do not know that consuming raw milk and its products poses greater health risks than consuming pasteurized milk and its products, especially for children. Consuming raw milk can expose one to Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Listeria, and Brucellaand, potentially, H5N1 bird flu.

A majority of U.S. adults (56%) knows that drinking raw milk from cows, sheep, or goats is less safe than drinking pasteurized milk. But over 4 in 10 Americans either are not sure (25%), think raw milk is "just as safe to drink" as pasteurized milk (12%) or think it is "safer to drink" (6%), according to a recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The findings are statistically unchanged from APPC's July 2024 survey. Almost a third of people (32%) know that drinking raw milk increases a person's risk of foodborne illness, though 14% think it has no effect and 51% are not sure.

The survey, conducted Jan. 30 to Feb. 10, 2025, among more than 1,700 empaneled U.S. adults, also finds that two-thirds (66%) do not know that children are more vulnerable than adults to getting sick from the viruses and bacteria that can occur in raw milk.

"Consuming raw milk and raw milk products can make you sick and pasteurization reduces the risk of milk-borne illness," said Patrick E. Jamieson, director of APPC's Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute. "Looking for the pasteurization label before buying or consuming milk or milk products such as cheese is good practice."

Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center's ASAPH survey, February 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center

Bird flu

As of March 10, 2025, 70 confirmed U.S. cases of H5 bird flu have been detected in people in 13 states, nearly all from exposure to infected poultry or dairy herds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One death from bird flu has been reported, involving a patient in Louisiana. To date there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission.

From January 2022 through March 11, 2025, bird flu has been detected in nearly a thousand dairy herds in 17 states, and it has affected over 166 million poultry and wild aquatic birds, covering all states. Globally, according to the World Health Organization, from Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 12, 2024, "954 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus were reported from 24 countries. Of these 954 cases, 464 were fatal."

Researchers have found that mice can be infected with bird flu by drinking raw milk. Although the FDA does not currently know whether H5N1 can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw milk, a study with mice suggests that the virus in "untreated milk can infect susceptible animals that consume it." The National Institutes of Health says this suggests "that drinking raw milk may pose a risk of transmission to people."

Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center's ASAPH survey, February 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center

Raw milk and bird flu

Bird flu in raw milk: The vast majority of U.S. adults do not know that bird flu has been detected to date only in raw milk, not pasteurized milk. Just 17% know that bird flu has been found only in raw milk. Two percent incorrectly say bird flu has been found only in pasteurized milk, 7% say it has been found in both, 7% say it has been found in neither, and over two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) are not sure.

Raw milk and your chances of getting bird flu: Almost a quarter of people (22%) say drinking raw milk increases the chances you will get H5N1 or bird flu, up from 15% in July 2024, though this is unchanged from November 2024. An equal number (22%) say drinking raw milk has no effect one way or the other on whether you will get bird flu, though fewer people believe that today than in November 2024 (35%). Over half of those surveyed (53%) are not sure what effect drinking raw milk has on getting bird flu, up from 43% in November 2024.

The FDA has said that by heating milk to a specific temperature for a time pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses, and that pasteurization will inactivate the bird flu virus if it is present in raw milk.

Source: Annenberg Public Policy Center's ASAPH survey, February 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center

Raw milk and health claims

APPC's survey, which included non-milk drinkers, finds a small proportion of respondents (4%) who report having consumed raw or unpasteurized milk in the past 12 months, unchanged from our July 2024 survey. Another 2% were not sure whether they had consumed raw milk.

Survey respondents are equally split between those who say raw milk has more nutrients than pasteurized milk (28%) and those who say it has about the same amount of nutrients (28%). Forty percent are not sure. The FDA says pasteurization kills pathogens in raw milk "without any significant impact on milk nutritional quality."

Promoters of raw milk have made many claims about its health benefitsbut the FDA has categorized a number of them as misconceptions, as is explained here (current as of March 5, 2025). Though minorities believe in these claims, the survey finds that many more peopleabout half of U.S. adults or moreare not sure whether the claims are true or false:

Bone thinning (osteoporosis): About 1 in 4 people (26%) believe that raw milk is "about as effective" as pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis, although 10% incorrectly believe raw milk is more effective and 59% are unsure. The FDA says raw milk is not more effective than pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis.

Lactose intolerance: 40% believe that it is false to say that regularly consuming raw, unpasteurized milk cures lactose intolerance. But 10% incorrectly say this is true and 50% are not sure. The FDA says raw milk does not cure lactose intolerance.

Asthma: 39% believe it is false to say that regularly consuming raw milk reduces the symptoms of asthma, but 7% believe it is true and 54% are not sure. The FDA says that raw milk does not cure or treat asthma and allergy.

Immune system: 30% believe it is false to say that regularly consuming raw milk enhances the human immune system, but 23% think it is true and 47% are not sure. The FDA says raw milk "is not an immune system building food and is particularly unsafe for children," who are usually more vulnerable to pathogens in raw milk than adults.

Children's vulnerability to sickness: About a third (35%) know that children are typically more vulnerable than adults to getting sick from the viruses and bacteria that can occur in raw milk. But 5% incorrectly think they are less vulnerable, 16% think they are "about as vulnerable," and 45% are not sure.

Government regulation of raw milk

The FDA has prohibited the interstate sale of raw milk since 1987, but 30 states in the United States allow its sale in some form, according to the FDA. Survey respondents were asked for their views on government regulation of raw milk sales and sellers:

Interstate raw milk sales: Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (24%) favor the interstate sale of raw milk, and a slightly larger group (28%) opposes it, statistically unchanged from September 2024. Nearly half of respondents either are not sure (18%) or neither favor nor oppose it (29%).

Raw milk sales within a state: Nearly a quarter (24%) favor the unrestricted sale of raw milk in the state in which they live, and another quarter (25%) say the sale of raw milk should be banned, except for farmers selling from their own dairy herds on their own land. Fourteen percent say the sale of raw milk should be banned in their states, and 37% are not sure.

Government intrusion: Nearly a third (32%) agree that federal government regulations of raw unpasteurized milk are "another example of unnecessary government intrusion in people's lives," while a like number (34%) disagree. A third (33%) neither agree nor disagree.

The rights of raw milk sellers: A quarter (25%) agree that state laws prohibiting the sale of raw milk violate the constitutional rights of raw milk sellers, while a third (34%) disagree, and 41% neither agree nor disagree. (Asked of a random half-sample.)

Warning labels: Over half (56%) do not think that state laws requiring labels on raw milk containers warning about the risks of consuming raw milk violate the constitutional rights of raw milk sellers, while 14% think the state laws do violate their rights. Nearly a third (30%) neither agree nor disagree. (Asked of a random half-sample.)

USDA testing of raw milk: Asked in how many of the states the U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing raw milk for bird flu virus, 74% are not sure. Two percent say "none," and a quarter of those surveyed say either "some" (10%), "most" (9%), or "all" (5%). As of Jan. 8, 2025, the USDA says its National Milk Testing Strategy has enrolled 28 states, accounting for nearly 65% of the nation's milk production.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have studied the impact of two brain areas on the nature of memory content. The team from the Department of Neurophysiology showed in rats how the so-called locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area permanently alter brain activity in the hippocampus region, which is crucial for the formation of memory.

The two areas compete with each other for influence to determine, for example, in what way emotionally charged and meaningful experiences are stored. Dr. Hardy Hagena and Professor Denise Manahan-Vaughan conducted the study using optogenetics. In the process, they genetically modified rats so that certain nerve cells could be activated or deactivated with light.

They published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The basis of learning

Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline play a decisive role in information processing. They can permanently change the ability of nerve cells to communicate; this is known as synaptic plasticity, which in turn provides the cellular basis for memory formation.

Long-term potentiation increases the ability of the relevant synapses to communicate, while long-term depression of synaptic transmission reduces the activity of certain synapses in the hippocampus. This makes it possible to store and update experiences.

The locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area release neurotransmitters into the hippocampus, where learning processes take place. Until now, it was not fully understood to what extent these regions play a role in synaptic plasticity and, consequently, in learning processes.

What has been established is that the ventral tegmental area is important for reward and aversion reactions, whereas the locus coeruleus is crucial for the perception of novel stimuli and therefore controls attention.

How does the hippocampus affect memory formation?

Hagena and Manahan-Vaughan recorded the activity of synapses in the hippocampus of rodents. The animals were genetically modified in such a way that the activity of certain cells of the locus coeruleus and the ventral tegmental area could be either inhibited or stimulated with light.

Activation of the ventral tegmental area resulted in long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. The opposite was the case when the locus coeruleus was activated.

When the researchers inactivated the ventral tegmental area in behavioral experiments, long-term potentiation in the hippocampus was suppressed during the exploration of a new environment. Conversely, when they inactivated the locus coeruleus, long-term depression was inhibited during the exploration of environmental features.

The hippocampus can process different aspects of spatial information through long-term potentiation and long-term depression. The researchers have now identified the physiological process that controls these changes in synaptic plasticity.

"We were surprised that the effects were so specific," concludes Hardy Hagena.

"The fact that the ventral tegmental area and the locus coeruleus induce these two different types of synaptic plasticity provides us with an insight into how motivation and attention influence synaptic responses relative to their relevance and the current memory content."

More information: Hardy Hagena et al, Oppositional and competitive instigation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by the VTA and locus coeruleus, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402356122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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COVID-19 vaccination in early pregnancy (20 weeks of gestation) is not associated with increased prevalence of major structural birth defects, according to a study published online March 14 in Pediatrics.

Stacey L. Rowe, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the University of San Francisco, and colleagues compared the prevalence of major structural birth defects by COVID-19 vaccination status and compared the prevalence by brand (Moderna mRNA-1273 versus Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2) in a claims-based cohort study. Pregnancies ending in a live birth were captured among people with an estimated last menstrual period between Aug. 15, 2021, and Dec. 24, 2021.

The researchers identified 1,248 major structural birth defects among 78,052 pregnancies: 1,049 in unvaccinated people and 199 in vaccinated people (160.6 and 156.4 per 10,000 live births, respectively). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of major structural birth defects based on COVID-19 vaccination status.

No change was seen in the findings by insurance providers, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during pregnancy, or concomitant administration of other maternal vaccines. Among vaccinated people, no differences were seen in the prevalence of birth defects by brand.

"Our findings align with other comparable studies and provide reassurance to potential vaccinees and vaccine providers considering COVID-19 vaccination early in pregnancy," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Moderna and Pfizer.

More information: Stacey L. Rowe et al, COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy and Major Structural Birth Defects, Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-069778 Journal information: Pediatrics

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Experts are hopeful the Australian Government's promised ban on life insurers discriminating based on genetic test results is one step closer, with the Treasury consultation on the legislation's design ending this week.

Over 100 community organizations have endorsed a consultation submission led by Monash University researchers, representing wide collaboration and consensus between a broad range of stakeholders.

These include genetic health professionals, other researchers, consumer support groups, health and financial services advocacy organizations, professional member organizations and others.

Monash University researcher Dr. Jane Tiller led the study that underpinned the government's initial consultation on this issue, and managed the joint submission.

Following the recommendations of the report led by Dr. Tiller and colleague, Professor Paul Lacaze, the Australian Government announced in September 2024 that it would legislate to ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting.

Dr. Tiller said the recent consultation had been a good opportunity to document the views and expectations of the broader community regarding the ban's operation.

"The ban must be robust enough to protect Australians and give them the confidence to have genetic testing, knowing they are safe from life insurance discrimination," she said.

"We have heard concerns from community groups that life insurers may try to avoid the ban by using information such as ongoing medical care data to infer genetic status and future disease risk.

"Patients are nervous about whether the ban will really protect them, and reports from other countries such as Canada indicate that this risk must be addressed by our legislation. The submission covers these and other important considerations for policy-makers in turning this commitment into enforceable law."

Dr. Tiller said there had been some concerns regarding the impact of the coming election on the likelihood that the ban will be passed as promised.

She said during Senate Estimates hearings in February, the Treasury faced questions regarding delays in progressing the promised legislation. Treasury representatives confirmed that Treasury would continue to work towards developing an exposure draft of the legislation during caretaker mode.

"We were disappointed that the government did not introduce the legislation in this term, as promised," Dr. Tiller said. "I have heard reports of people delaying genetic testing while they wait for the promised legislation, who are now anxious it will never become a reality.

"Given its bipartisan support, this reform should be prioritized immediately after the election. The consultation process is an indication that the government intends to keep on working towards the ban.

"We are now calling on both the government and the Opposition to commit to introducing legislation in the first 100 days of the new Parliament, to give Australians certainty about this urgent protection."

More information: Jane Tiller, Joint submission to the Treasury consultation re design of the ban on the use of adverse genetic testing results in life insurance, Monash University (2025). DOI: 10.26180/28551068
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Virginia Tech infectious disease epidemiologist Lisa M. Lee explains why new measles cases are being reported around the country, not just in Texas, despite the illness being declared eliminated in the U.S. in the early 2000s due to rigorous vaccine uptake.

What factors have contributed to the recent measles outbreak, and why is it spreading so quickly?

"Measles is back because of falling vaccination rates. The side effects of the vaccine are mild and temporaryquite different from the devastating complications of the disease itself," Lee said.

In Texas, measles is surging due to lack of vaccinations among children; 94% of cases in the outbreak are among people not or unknown to be vaccinated. As parents hesitated to vaccinate, children were left vulnerable to this fast-spreading and extremely contagious disease," Lee said.

The virus is transmitted through the airwhen someone with measles talks, sings, coughs, or sneezes, others can breathe it in and become infected, Lee said.

"It can take months to contain an outbreak. Measles is far more contagious than the COVID-19 virus. A single infected person can transmit the disease to nearly 20 others if they are unprotected by vaccination or prior infection."

Why should we take measles seriously?

"Measles is a deadly, vaccine-preventable disease. One to three of every 1,000 children infected will die. Many others will experience debilitating complications, including ear infections leading to permanent hearing loss, vision loss, and even inflammation of the brain. In rare cases, there are long-term complications that can be fatal up to 10 years after illness," Lee said.

How effective is the measles vaccine, and what percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity?

"To prevent outbreaks, at least 95% of a community must be fully vaccinated against measles," Lee emphasized.

The measles vaccine is a two-dose series:

The first dose is recommended at 12 months.

The second dose follows between ages 4 and 6.

"Together, these two doses are 97% effective. Even having just the first in the series provides about 93% protection."

What actions should communities and individuals take now?

"The most effective way to stop the spread of measles is full vaccination coverage," Lee said.

Parents: "If you've delayed vaccinating your child, now is an excellent time to talk with the child's doctor to begin the vaccine series."

Adults: "If you were never vaccinated and have not had measles, it's not too late to get protected and help prevent your own complications, as well as prevent spreading the disease to those most vulnerablechildren and people with weakened immune systems."

Communities: "Local health leaders should work together to promote vaccine access and education to ensure at least 95% coverage."
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Johns Hopkins University is cutting jobs in the United States as well as 44 other countries.

Prestigious US university Johns Hopkins said Thursday it will lay off more than 2,000 employees around the world in the aftermath of the Trump administration's massive reduction in foreign aid funds.

"This is a difficult day for our entire community. The termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work," the leading scientific institution said.

The university is based in Baltimore, Maryland's largest city an hour's drive north of the US capital, but is eliminating at least 1,975 jobs in projects across 44 countries and 247 jobs in the United States.

New US President Donald Trump and his senior advisor, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, have embarked on a campaign to slash federal spending, targeting in particular support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for foreign aid, research and development.

Johns Hopkins University is one of the institutions hardest hit by these drastic reductions. In early March, its president Ronald Daniels explained in a message to students and professors that federal money accounted for nearly half of the backing it funds received last year.

Referring to a "historical relationship" between the "first American research university" and the government, he warned that students, researchers and professors would see damage to programs designed to improve health, hygiene and medicine across the world.

Drinking water

Thursday's announcement confirmed that the cuts hit the university's medical school and school of public health as well as Jhpiego, a global non-profit organization founded more than 50 years ago and which works to improve health in countries worldwide.

"Johns Hopkins is immensely proud of the work done by our colleagues in Jhpiego, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine to care for mothers and infants, fight disease, provide clean drinking water, and advance countless other critical, life-saving efforts around the world," the university said.

The university receives roughly $1 billion annually in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is currently running 600 clinical trials, according to The New York Times, which added that Hopkins is one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging such cuts.

USAID, the largest funding agency for Jhpiego, distributes humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.

Trump, whose appointees are dismantling the humanitarian agency, signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to allow time to assess expenses. Critics warn that slashing USAID work will endanger millions of lives.

 2025 AFP
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Some 23% of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 between 2021 and 2023 developed long COVID, and in more than half of them the symptoms persisted for two years. These are the main conclusions of a study conducted by ISGlobal in collaboration with the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), as part of the European END-VOC project.

The risk of developing long COVID depends on several factors, according to results published in BMC Medicine.

After overcoming an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, some people develop long COVID. It manifests itself with symptoms that persist for at least three months, including respiratory, neurological, digestive or general symptoms, such as fatigue and exhaustion. Most studies of long COVID have been conducted in a clinical context, which may not fully capture its impact on the general population.

"A population-based cohort study allowed us to better estimate the magnitude of long COVID and identify risk and protective factors," explains Manolis Kogevinas, ISGlobal researcher and lead author of the study.

The study followed 2,764 adults from the COVICAT cohort, a population-based study designed to characterize the health impact of the pandemic on the population of Catalonia. Participants completed three questionnairesin 2020, 2021 and 2023and provided blood samples and medical records.

Risk and prevention factors

"Being a woman, having experienced a severe COVID-19 infection and having a pre-existing chronic disease such as asthma are clear risk factors," says Marianna Karachaliou, co-author of the study and researcher at ISGlobal.

"In addition, we observed that people with obesity and high levels of IgG antibodies prior to vaccination were more likely to develop long COVID," she adds. The latter factor may reflect hyperactivation of the immune system after the initial infection, which in some cases may contribute to the persistence of long-term symptoms.

The analysis also identified protective factors that could reduce the risk of developing the condition. These include vaccination before infection and a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular physical activity and adequate sleep.

In addition, the risk was lower in people who were infected after the omicron variant became dominant. This could be explained by the tendency for infections to be milder or by greater general immunity to COVID-19.

Three subtypes of long COVID

Based on the symptoms reported by the participants and their medical records, the researchers identified three clinical subtypes of long COVID.

They were classified according to whether the symptoms were neurological and musculoskeletal, respiratory, or severe and involved multiple organs. In addition, the researchers found that 56% of people with long COVID were still experiencing symptoms two years later.

"Our results show that a significant percentage of the population has long COVID, which in some cases affects their quality of life," says Judith Garcia-Aymerich, ISGlobal researcher and last author of the study.

"Establishing collaborations with other countries will be key to understanding whether these findings can be extrapolated to other populations," she concludes.

"On the fifth anniversary of COVID-19, significant progress has been made in understanding the disease. However, as this study shows, the pandemic's impact on mental health, work, and quality of life remains profound. While this research is a step forward, much remains to be done to fully understand this invisible illness," says Rafael de Cid, scientific director of GCAT at IGTP.

"The COVICAT cohort has been instrumental in advancing research, and we need to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of volunteers and the Blood and Tissue Bank team, particularly during the challenging times of 2020," he adds.

More information: Kogevinas, M. et al. Risk, Determinants and Persistence of long-COVID in a Population-Based Cohort Study in Catalonia. BMC Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-025-03974-7 Journal information: BMC Medicine
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Leading UCSF physician-scientists are developing targeted treatments, earlier diagnostics, and helping to solve tuberculosis biggest mystery. Credit: UC San Francisco

Consumption, phthisis, the white plaguea killer by any other name, tuberculosis (TB) has stalked humanity since at least the ice age. Today, the diseasepassed from those who are actively sick to others through airborne dropletsis the leading infectious disease killer globally.

Still, for decades, the fight against TB has been frozen in time, even as the bacteria that causes it has become more resistant. The world's only TB vaccine protects young infants and children but dates back to Prohibition.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) support has enabled scientists from UC San Francisco and others from around the country to chart a new course. Three UCSF experts break down some of the biggest developments in the field and the promise that lies ahead.

Treatment: The Goldilocks era? Shorter, kinder and more efficient

For decades, TB treatment was long and painful. Roughly 1 in 8 cases of TB globally are resistant to standard medicine. Until just a few years ago, treating these cases involved handfuls of daily pills for two years or longer, including months of regular injections. Medicines left many nauseous and vomiting, and some with permanent hearing loss and kidney damage. Even then, cure was not assured. Today, the worst forms of TB can be cured with just three or four drugs taken orally in six months.

Similarly, the treatment time for drug-susceptible TB has nearly halved, dropping to just fourthanks to a landmark 2021 study co-led by UCSF scientists. The work followed in the footsteps of School of Pharmacy professor Rada Savic, Ph.D. A co-director of the UCSF Center for Tuberculosis, Savic pioneered pharmacology studies that were among the first to suggest it was possible to shave months off treatment without compromising care.

And a quicker cure is a more effective cure, explains UCSF's Institute for Global Health Sciences Executive Director Payam Nahid, MD, MPH.

"People are more likely to finish shorter treatment courses, which makes them more effective and guards against the development of drug resistance," he says. "Symptoms improve more quickly and people become less infectious sooner, reducing new infections."

Earlier this year, Nahid helped develop new American TB guidelines to make shorter treatment available to more people. These guidelines are now being used to fight the current Kansas TB outbreak.

And even better cures are on the horizon, Nahid says. The pipeline for experimental drugs is larger than ever and features entirely new types of medicines.

"The ultimate ambition is to get to regimens that are weeks, not months, long, and offer patients more treatment options so that medicines work for their lives."

Part of this, Nahid predicts, will be a shift towards a Goldilocks, or "just right" approach to treatment.

"An enormous amount of work at UCSF has shown that the world is currently treating many patients with tuberculosis with regimens and durations that are needed to cure the minority 20% who have severe forms of the disease," he continues. "Eighty percent could actually be treated with much shorter regimen and possibly even fewer drugs. I think more of that differentiation will emerge in the next five years."

Diagnosis: Leveraging advances made during COVID-19 pandemic

Imagine a room full of rows of technicians perched at lab benches and hunched over microscopes. For hours on end, these microscopists peer through their lenses looking for TB's tell-tale rod-shaped bacteria on tiny blue-stained test samples to diagnose TB.

In more than half of TB diagnostic units in high-burden countries, this is what TB testing looks like. It's not too different from how TB was first discovered more than a century ago, explains UCSF Center for TB's Adithya Cattamanchi, MD. Cattamanchi is also UC Irvine's division chief of pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine.

Other forms of testing need sophisticated laboratories or expensive molecular diagnostics not always available. All of them require patients to cough up phlegm from deep within their lungs for sampling, which is nearly impossible for children and the very sick. It's why millions of people go undiagnosed each year.

"TB can be a debilitating illness: The longer it goes undiagnosed, the more delays there are in treatment, the more damage it causes to the lungs," he tells UCSF News. "Many TB survivors live with chronic lung disease even after being cured."

Cattamanchi is working with scientists at UCSF and partners around the world to revolutionize TB testing to, one day, put fast and reliable TB testing within communities' reach.

"We're leveraging the diagnostic advances made during COVID for TB, in particular, easy-to-use and low-cost swab-based molecular testing," he explains. "We've identified best practice methods for collecting and processing swabs. Now, we're working with product developers to adapt those for their testing platforms."

UCSF researchers, including Cattamanchi, are also investigating how to improve existing experimental urine-based tests and, eventually, develop TB blood tests.

TB's great mystery: Why some people get sick and not others

TB illness may seem like a game of chance. Although many people are exposed to the bacteria that cause TB each year, only about 1 in 10 get sick. No one really knows why.

Assistant Professor of Medicine Sara Suliman, Ph.D., MPH, is working to solve this mystery. The answer lies partly in what scientists call biomarkersor measurable, biological changes in our bodies that can be used to diagnose illness, predict disease progression or gauge a vaccine response.

"The question that my lab is trying to answer is twofold: One, can we find biomarkers that could act almost like a crystal ball to tell us who among the people exposed to TB is at high risk of developing the disease," Suliman explains. "The second is that we can use that to develop an intervention to reduce that risk."

Currently, medicine cures TB with antibiotics that kill the bacteria itself. The discovery of a TB biomarker could pave the way for treatments focused not on the germs but instead us, so that our immune system can better control the infection. And it will help usher in a new era in stratified care.

"Stratified medicine, which groups similar patients, is one step before precision medicine, or care based on the individual," she says. "My dream is to move away from this one-size-fits-all approach and towards an understanding that there are different types of TB patients who would benefit from different types of treatment."

Provided by University of California
Thousands of fired federal workers dismissed from their jobs on Feb. 14 could be reinstated after two federal judges on opposite sides of the U.S. ruled on Thursday that the mass firings violated federal law.

The first ruling came in a lawsuit brought by a group of federal worker labor unions and various nonprofits against the federal Office of Personnel Management under President Donald Trump, which on Feb. 13 ordered a slew of federal departments and agencies to fire their probationary workers  that is, workers who were new to their positions and therefore in a one- or two-year probationary period. Most workers were notified Feb. 14 that they were fired effective that day.

In the U.S. Forest Service alone, the firings eliminated about 3,400 workers nationwide, including 360 or so in the agency's Region 1, which covers Montana, the northern Idaho Panhandle, North Dakota and northwest South Dakota. Most of those workers, about 300, were in Montana.

Terri Anderson, the top labor union official representing employees in Region 1, gathered tallies of fired workers by forest in Montana last month in response to a request from the Missoulian. By Anderson's count, these are how many positions were eliminated:

60 on the Kootenai

50 on the Lolo

40, at least, on the Flathead

40 on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge

30 on the Bitterroot

38 on the Helena-Lewis & Clark

Workers on the Custer-Gallatin aren't under a collective bargaining agreement, so Anderson didn't have their numbers, but a Feb. 27 letter from the Custer-Gallatin Working Group to Montana's congressional delegation stated 36 workers were fired.

Anderson said workers were also fired from the Region 1 headquarters office in Missoula.

On Thursday, Judge William Alsup, a senior federal district court judge for the Northern District of California, ruled that the firings were illegal. Alsup was appointed in 1999 by then-President Bill Clinton.

In a ruling read verbally from the bench, he said that the Office of Personnel Management lacked the legal authority to fire employees of other departments and agencies. That authority lies solely with officials in those departments and agencies, he said. He ordered the agencies to reinstate the fired employees.

The firings, he said, were "a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements." Alsup also remarked on the generic form letters sent to terminated employees, which cited supposed poor performance as reason for dismissal, despite many employees' positive performance reviews.

Such terminations  supposedly for poor performance  prevented workers from collecting unemployment benefits, he noted, and would reflect poorly on them in future job applications.

Contact us Are you a current or former federal worker who has been affected by DOGE cuts or other executive actions? We want to hear from you. Contact the Missoulian at newsdesk@missoulian.com.

"It is sad  a sad day  when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance," he said, "when they know good and well thats a lie."

He added: "That should not have been done in our country."

Later on Thursday, a second federal judge  U.S. District Court Judge James Bredar in Baltimore  also found the mass firings to be illegal. His finding came in a lawsuit brought by 19 states and the District of Columbia. His order called for a 14-day stay on the firings of probationary employees from federal departments and agencies except for OPM, the Department of Defense and the National Archives and Records. Bredar was appointed in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama.

About 24,000 probationary workers were estimated to have been summarily dismissed without prior notice in the mid-February OPM-directed cuts. Bredar cited a lack of prior notice to employees as one way the firings violated federal law.

Alsup stressed that government departments, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and agencies within them, like the Forest Service, can reduce their workforces, but they must follow Reduction in Force procedures outlined in federal law.

In a Reduction in Force, agency officials sort workers with similar or identical jobs into groups. They then rank the employees within those groups by factors including performance reviews, length of employment at an agency, whether an employee is in a probationary period or not, and any prior military service. Positions are then eliminated from the bottom up, beginning with the lowest-ranked workers.

The U.S. Department of Education is beginning a Reduction in Force and other federal agencies are expected to embark on the process in coming weeks and months.

"Congress, in the Reduction in Force Act, makes it clear that an agency can engage in a Reduction in Force," Alsup said. "So I want everyone to be completely aware that if an agency decides to do a Reduction in Force, it can do so, so long as it complies with the several requirements of the Reduction in Force Act."

Previously, on March 5, federal Merit Systems Protection Board Chair Cathy Harris ordered that the roughly 5,000 or 6,000 fired USDA employees be reinstated for 45 days, or until April 18, while she came to a determination on whether it was legal for the government to fire them without previously documenting their alleged poor performance.

Alsup's order was broader and more significant: It applied to all fired probationary employees across six departments of federal government  Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs  and it came from a federal court rather than a quasi-judicial oversight board. Also, it ordered the permanent reversal of the firings, rather than simply putting them on hold for 45 days. Alsup also extended a restraining order he had placed on OPM that prevents the agency from ordering any more firings.

In a statement Friday on the MSPB order, Congressman Ryan Zinke, a Republican representing western Montana and a former Secretary of the Interior during the first Trump administration, mischaracterized OPM's firings last month as a "reduction in force," despite the action taking place  apparently illegally  outside the constraints of the Reduction in Force Act. He blamed former President Joe Biden for the firings and said DOGE should instead target "overpaid lawyers, biologists and environmental zealots and the top-heavy bureaucracy."

It was not clear Thursday whether the Trump administration  specifically, his appointees who run federal departments and agencies  would comply with Alsup's order to reinstate fired workers. The Trump administration already has refused to comply with other court orders directing it to continue funding some federal grants and foreign aid programs.

After Harris' March 5 order from the MSPB, longtime Forest Service employees who remained at the agency told the Missoulian on March 7 that fired workers had not returned. The workers spoke to the Missoulian on the condition of anonymity because they said they feared retaliation for discussing the topic under their names.

An attorney representing the labor unions told the Times that the USDA placed some fired worked onto paid leave in response to the MSPB order but had not restored them to their jobs.

However, on Tuesday, the USDA released a brief statement saying that the agency would comply with Harris' 45-day reinstatement order. Fired workers would be given back pay from their firing date, the agency said, and would be placed back on the agency payroll.

USDA "will work quickly to develop a phased plan for return-to-duty," the agency stated, "and while those plans materialize, all probationary employees will be paid."

On Wednesday, Charles Ezell, the Trump-appointed acting head of OPM, backed out of appearing at Thursday's hearing in the lawsuit against OPM. The mid-February firings were coordinated in part by Ezell's chief of staff, Amanda Scales. Scales came to OPM from xAI, an artificial intelligence owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Much of the communication from OPM to departments and agencies about workforce reduction instructed officials to communicate with OPM via Scales, according to official memos viewed by the Missoulian.

Trump tapped Musk, an immigrant from South Africa and the world's wealthiest person, to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The "department" is not actually a congressionally created federal department, but rather an office within the White House tasked with reducing the federal workforce and reining in federal spending.

The Trump administration and other defenders of the mass firings portrayed the axed workers as all being new to their departments or agencies. But many fired employees were longtime employees who had recently moved to new jobs or had been promoted, and thus were in a probationary period for their new position.

Trump, Musk and officials in the administration have said the cuts in both staff and funding, and the recently announced closures of some federal facilities, are moves to decrease government spending and make the government more efficient. They have said the cuts target wasteful programs that are unnecessary, or that were part of the agenda of the Biden administration. Dismissed workers, they argue, were not necessary to the core missions of agencies they were terminated from.

The lawsuit against Ezell and OPM was filed Feb. 19 by the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; AFGE Local 1216; United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals AFSCME, AFL-CIO; AFGE Local 2110; Main Street Alliance; Coalition to Protect America's National Parks; Western Watersheds Project; Vote Vets Action Fund; and Common Defense Civic Engagement.

In an amended complaint filed Feb. 23, the groups stated that "Congress, not OPM, controls and authorizes federal employment and related spending by the federal administrative agencies, and Congress has determined that each agency is responsible for managing its own employees. OPM lacks the constitutional, statutory, or regulatory authority to order federal agencies to terminate employees in this fashion."
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen tooted Deputy President Kithure Kindikis horn in Meru, urging the local community and Kenyans at large to support him.

Speaking at a public event in Meru, Murkomen dismissed the notion that Kindikis political rise is hindered by the size of his ethnic community. He asserted that Kindikis leadership potential is not defined by tribal affiliations.

Jesus Christ was born to a carpenter, and many dismissed him as insignificant. The challenges facing the Meru people are the same as those affecting other Kenyans. So why should anyone spread lies to turn people against the government? Lets stand together and allow Deputy President Kindiki and President William Ruto to fulfill their promises, Murkomen said.

He credited Kindikis leadership journey to the groundwork laid by Meru elders, including veteran politician Kiraitu Murungi.

Kindiki is reaping the seeds planted by your elders, such as Kiraitu Murungi. Now, those efforts are starting to bear fruit. It is possible for him to lead this country once we stop tribal politics, he added.

Reflecting on his personal connection with Kindiki, Murkomen recalled their time together at university, where Kindiki was his lecturer.

I worked with Kindiki when he was a senator, and I know he is God-fearing. His name is Abraham, a son of Reverend Daniel. He is hardworking, humble, and focused. He was my lecturer. He cannot be swayed into sideshows of fighting the President, he said.

Murkomen also dismissed Gachaguas claims that the government is plotting to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome, insisting that the Judiciarys independence remains intact.

We believe in the Judiciary, and I want to assure you that the government will not interfere with its operations or remove Chief Justice Koome. I will personally ensure her security and support her success in office. Dont be deceived by those spreading propaganda, he stated.
Police have launched an intense crackdown to arrest suspects following a wave of violent robberies that terrorized innocent pedestrians along Thika Highway on March 11, 2025 following President William Rutos tour of Mathare as part of his Nairobi region tour.

During the operation, officers arrested John Junior Oginga, who allegedly attacked and robbed a victim of an Oppo A77S mobile phone worth Ksh28,000. Oginga, armed with a knife during the incident, was apprehended along Thika Highway and taken to Pangani Police Station.

In a separate raid in Mathare Area 4, police arrested seven suspects linked to a series of robberies targeting pedestrians. Officers identified the suspects as Jared Nyanza, Darlin Lande, Daniel Okombe, Mike Robert, Elvis Otieno, Reagan Omondi, and Mathenge Gachiri. The group allegedly stole mobile phones and other valuables from multiple victims.

During the arrests, police recovered seven brand-new shirts suspected to be stolen property. The suspects were taken to Muthaiga Police Station, where they were processed before being arraigned in court.

Authorities have vowed to intensify their crackdown and track down more individuals involved in these criminal activities. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.

Police Officers have intensified their crackdown to bring to justice additional suspects involved in these criminal acts, the DCI said.
President William Ruto has ordered the free issuance of National Identification (ID) cards to all Kenyans aged 18 and above, reversing a previously gazetted fee hike that had raised the cost for first-time applicants from Ksh100 to Ksh300 in 2024.

Speaking at Ayany in Kibra on Thursday, during the final day of his four-day working tour of Nairobi County, Ruto directed all government registration agencies to implement the directive immediately. He emphasized that no Kenyan should be denied an ID card or required to pay for it.

I want to announce here in Kibra today that IDs will now be issued free of charge, Ruto declared.

He also ordered an end to any form of discriminatory questioning based on applicants backgrounds.

I have said that matters of ID be issued without any discrimination. Every citizen should be given an ID card without discrimination, Ruto asserted.

The presidents directive came after Kibra MP Mwalimu Peter Orero appealed to him during the rally, highlighting the plight of thousands of Nubian community members who had struggled to obtain ID cards due to stringent requirements.

Orero urged Ruto to formalize the directive through a gazette notice, similar to an earlier order for ID applications in the North Eastern region.

Last month, Ruto also disbanded ID vetting committees in 22 counties along national borders, aiming to eliminate years of discrimination, corruption, and delays in the registration process.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, along with a group of prominent African political figures, faced an unexpected roadblock when they were denied entry into Angola.

The delegation, invited by Angolas main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), had planned to attend the two-day meeting in Luanda. However, upon arrival, Angolan immigration officials stopped them in their tracks.

Senator Sifuna expressed his frustration, noting on X, UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!

Safely back in Addis after being kicked out of Angola. I thank the Kenyan Mission in Luanda led by Amb. Joyce Mmaitsi. You guys are great. However over 20 leaders from various countries are still detained. 9 Tanzanias, 5 from Botswana 3 from Lesotho, 2 Malawians, 1 from eSwatini,  Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) March 13, 2025

Tundu Lissu, Tanzanias opposition leader, echoed this sentiment, calling the situation unacceptable. He highlighted how over twenty senior leaders from across southern Africa were being held up by Angolan immigration authorities.

The delegation included some high-profile names: a First Vice President from Tanzania, a former President of Botswana, and a former Prime Minister of Lesotho, among others. Representatives from countries like Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Germany, the USA, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mozambique were also part of this group.

Lissu took the opportunity to remind everyone of Tanzanias historic support for Angolas independence movement and its stance against apartheid in Southern Africa during the 1970s and 80s. Tanzania hosted Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto and his MPLA fighters in their early years of struggle. As SADC members, Tanzanians dont need visas to enter Angola, he pointed out, clearly frustrated by the incident.

UNITA had done its homework before the visit, submitting a formal request for border visas and assuring through its Office Director, Lucas Tomas Kanutula, that the party would take full responsibility for the delegations stay.

Despite these preparations, the group was turned away, and the Angolan government has yet to provide an official explanation for their actions.
In a win against drug trafficking, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested three individuals in Kaloleni, Kilifi County. This operation, carried out on Thursday, March 13, saw law enforcement officers raid a home in Birya Village. There, they discovered six sacks packed with cannabis sativa, commonly known as bhang.

The DCI revealed that the bhang was intended for Bamburi, but thanks to the quick intervention of the police, the illegal operation was stopped in its tracks. The raid uncovered six sacks stuffed with cannabis sativa, believed to be en route to Bamburi before the interception thwarted the plans, stated the DCI.

This success was largely due to a timely tip-off from alert citizens, which allowed detectives to catch the suspects in the act. Investigations are still ongoing as authorities seek to uncover further details. Detectives from DCI Kaloleni have apprehended three drug traffickers and seized six sacks brimming with bhang, thanks to a tip from vigilant members of the public, the detective indicated.

ARREST OF TRAFFICKERS Detectives from DCI Kaloleni have apprehended three drug traffickers and seized six sacks brimming with bhang, thanks to a tip from vigilant members of the public. The suspects, Juma Nyiro Wanje, Wanje Nyiro Wanje, and Francis Arome Chiringa, were caught pic.twitter.com/6A67FsgKhI  DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) March 13, 2025

The raid took place at the home of one of the suspects, where all three were found in the midst of preparing the bhang for transport. Acting on the intelligence, the detectives swooped into Birya Village, Kaloleni Sub-County, where the trio was operating out of the suspects home, confirmed the DCI.

This operation follows a recent major crackdown in which the DCI destroyed Ksh297 million worth of heroin and cocaine. Over 99 kg of heroin and 997 grams of cocaine were incinerated at the Bamburi Cement facility on February 22, under the watchful eyes of judicial and law enforcement authorities.

Over 99kg of heroin seized in a series of anti-drug crackdowns in the coastal region have been destroyed by burning in an exercise witnessed by the court, ODPP, government chemist, and top police command in the region, noted the DCI.
A tragic accident on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway has claimed the lives of 12 people early Friday morning. The crash happened at the notorious Migaa black spot, where a trailer carrying coffee seeds lost control and collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu. The matatu was carrying 11 passengers at the time.

Reports indicate the trailers brakes failed, leading to this devastating collision. The matatu was left in ruins, with shattered windows and flattened tires, showing just how severe the impact was.

Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Nakuru Disaster Management team, rushed to the scene to help. Despite their quick response, all passengers in the matatu were pronounced dead at the site. The trailer, which was headed to Eldoret, also sustained significant damage.

The crash caused major traffic jams on this busy highway, forcing drivers to find other routes. Police quickly closed off the area to begin investigating what exactly led to the accident.

Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri shared that the victims included nine men, four women, and a child, highlighting the wide-reaching impact of this tragedy. He urged drivers to be extra careful around the Migaa black spot, known for frequent accidents.

This incident is sadly reminiscent of another tragedy last August, where 14 people died and 36 were injured in a similar accident involving a Coast Bus. These recurring accidents highlight the urgent need for better safety measures in the area.
SIUs Morton-Kenney Lecture examines the relationship of religion, politics

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Paul A. Djupe, a political science professor and chair of data for political research at Denison University, will present the spring 2025 Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture on Thursday, March 20, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Djupe will discuss the complex relationship of religion and politics at 6 p.m. in Student Center Ballroom B. The free, public lecture will also include a Q&A. The lecture is hosted by the political science program in the School of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology within the College of Liberal Arts and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. A reception is planned from 5 to 6 p.m. Registration to attend the lecture is not required but is recommended.

Djupes work explores the intersection of religion and politics in the United States, with a focus on political participation, clergy influence and social networks. He has authored and co-authored numerous books and articles on these topics and is a frequent contributor to national discussions on religions role in democracy.

Dr. Djupe is among the most innovative scholars studying the connection between religion and politics in the United States, said Darren Sherkat, a professor in sociology at SIU Carbondale. His research goes beyond the simple descriptions and associations that populate the burgeoning field of Christian nationalism.

Djupe has been at Denison University since 1999. He earned his masters and doctoral degrees in political science from Washington University in St. Louis and his bachelors degree in political science and philosophy from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Dr. Djupes work stands out because of his attention to the ground-level commitments linked to Christian nationalism, Sherkat said. His use of novel questionnaires allows him to operationalize specific commitments to Christian dominion over politics, culture, education and other realms of social life. Dr. Djupe is also studious of the theological and institutional foundations of Christian nationalism.

The Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture Series is one of the signature lecture series organized by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, John Shaw, institute director, said.

We take great pride in bringing leading scholars, journalists and practitioners to SIU Carbondale for consequential and timely lectures and policy discussions. These lectures are essential elements in our spring and fall programs, he said.

The late Jerome Mileur, an SIU alumnus, established the series in 1995 in honor of two of his political science professors who inspired him as a student  Ward Morton and David Kenney. Originally from Murphysboro, Mileur was a professor emeritus in political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

For more information, contact the School of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology at sapss@siu.edu or 618-453-3166.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the recent transfer to judges, calling it "unconstitutional and unlawful," The Express Tribune reported. The petition, submitted under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, argues that the transfer notification breaches the independence of the judiciary. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has urged the court to declare the notification null and void. The federal government and the registrars of the high courts in Lahore, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad have been mentioned as respondents in the case, The Express Tribune reported. Through the petition, Imran Khan has requested a directive from the Supreme Court to ensure compliance with legal precedents, including the landmark Al-Jehad Trust case, which set guidelines for judicial appointments and transfers. The petition emphasised that judicial transfers must follow constitutional principles and must not be influenced by external pressures. It also requested a strict observance of judicial autonomy, The Express Tribune reported. The challenge comes amid rising tensions between PTI and the government, with the judiciary often at the centre of political controversies. According to legal experts, the case could test the Supreme Court''s view on judicial independence. Imran Khan''s legal team stated that the decision could affect fair trials and judicial neutrality, urging the apex court to intervene immediately. In February, the judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to challenge the rejection of their representation. In the representation, the IHC judges requested the restoration of the IHC''s previous seniority structure. They also requested the annulment of the decision issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who had dismissed the representation. Previously, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had upheld the placement of three transferred judges to the Islamabad High Court from three other high courts, keeping their rankings at the second, ninth and 12th positions in the seniority list. The five IHC judges challenged the new seniority list. The chief justice said that the transferred judges need not take a fresh oath and that their seniority would be counted from the date of their first oath in the high court. Accordingly, the IHC judges'' seniority list will remain unchanged. On February 1, the strength of the judges at the IHC rose with the transfer of Justice Sarfaraz Dogar from the Lahore High Court (LHC), Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro from the Sindh High Court and Justice Muhammad Asif from the Balochistan High Court. On February 4, a revised seniority list was issued, which named Justice Sarfaraz Dogar as the senior puisne judge, followed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani as the second senior-most judge and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb in the third position. Justice Tariq Jahangiri was in fourth place, Justice Babar Sattar fifth, Justice Sardar Ishaq Khan sixth, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir seventh, Justice Suman Riffat Imtiaz eighth, Justice Soomro ninth, Justice Azam Khan 10th, Justice Muhammad Asif 11th and Justice Inam Amin Minhas 12th, as per the report. After the seniority list, Justice Kayani, Justice Jahangiri, Justice Sattar, Justice Khan, and Justice Imtiaz submitted a representation to the chief justice requesting that he not consider Justice Dogar an IHC judge until he took the oath as required under Article 194 of the Constitution. The five judges said Justice Dogar had been sworn in as an LHC judge. However, he is already mentioned as an IHC Judge in the IHC''s seniority list. They requested that the chief justice resolve the matter before the JCP meeting. The IHC chief justice rejected the representation and directed the IHC registrar''s office to tell all five judges about his decision on the representation, according to sources. (ANI)
Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement, has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killings of Nizam Baloch and Shahnawaz, the son of Muhammad Hayat, who were executed by state-supported death squads in Balochistan. In a post on X, Paank stated, "Nizam Baloch was forcibly disappeared in Buleda Gille Tehsil, Kech District, and his lifeless body was discovered bearing clear signs of torture and execution. Similarly, Shahnawaz, a resident of Gomazi, was shot dead by an armed death squad in Tump, as part of the ongoing wave of targeted killings in the region. These incidents reflect the systematic campaign of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, where young Baloch civilians are being killed with impunity." https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1899862457327182245 Paank has called for a transparent and impartial investigation into both killings and demands immediate accountability for the perpetrators, including state security forces. The organization also urges the dismantling of state-supported death squads, which it holds responsible for targeted killings across Balochistan. Paank further emphasized, "The international community must take urgent action to hold Pakistan accountable for these grave human rights violations. The systematic persecution of the Baloch people must end, and justice must be served for all victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings." Meanwhile, reports suggest that Pakistani security forces have recently arrested two individuals in Pasni tehsil, Gwadar, Balochistan, whose current whereabouts remain unknown. According to The Balochistan Post, another incident occurred on March 6, when Pakistani forces allegedly apprehended a man named Dawood, son of Abdul Qadir, while he was performing Isha prayers at a mosque in the Sari Koran area of Panjgur. This incident has fueled further protests against enforced disappearances in the region. The abduction and killing of Baloch individuals continue to be a major human rights concern. The Baloch community remains subject to persecution by state security forces, with an alarming increase in disappearances and executions that have sparked fear and unrest across the region. (ANI)
PRNewswire Taipei [Taiwan], March 14: The Asia-Pacific Space Community Council (APSCC), the largest and most influential satellite industry alliance in Asia, has celebrated over 30 years of leadership, continuously connecting space and satellite professionals across the Asia-Pacific region. APSCC's members span various sectors, including communications, Earth observation, satellite services, and emerging space technologies, serving as a key platform for industry leaders to exchange insights on policy, technology, and innovation. As a unified voice, APSCC actively advocates for policies, regulations, and technical advancements aimed at strengthening and expanding the development of the space industry in the region. APSCC's First Invitation to Taiwan, Promoting Regional Cooperation and Innovative Development For the first time, APSCC is being invited by Ubiqconn to hold its annual conference in Taiwan, which carries special significance for the satellite industry in Taiwan. This event will provide local enterprises with valuable opportunities for international exchange, helping them move towards global markets and showcasing Ubiqconn's commitment to enhancing Taiwan's position in the satellite industry. Ubiqconn, as a leading satellite solutions provider, is proud to be one of only two members of APSCC in the Taiwan region and will serve as the main co-host for the APSCC 2025 conference scheduled for November 4th - 6th, 2025, in Taipei. This conference will showcase Ubiqconn's innovative technologies in satellite communications and offer the latest collaboration and exchange opportunities for the satellite industry. Ubiqconn Drives Taiwan's Satellite Industry Forward at APSCC 2025 Conference Ubiqconn is dedicated to promoting the development of Taiwan's satellite industry. The hosting of the APSCC 2025 conference will provide Taiwanese satellite industry manufacturers with a platform to connect with international counterparts, facilitating the exploration of global satellite market opportunities. The event will gather industry experts, technology leaders, and policymakers from around the world, allowing participants to share the latest insights, technological trends, and best practices to foster exchange and collaboration. Ubiqconn believes that through collaborative efforts, a solid foundation for the continued growth and innovation of Taiwan's satellite industry will be established, contributing to further developments in Asia's global satellite landscape. About Ubiqconn Technology Ubiqconn Technology is a leading provider of rugged mobile solutions, focusing on key industries such as satellite communication, agriculture, logistics, maritime, transportation, and government projects. We are committed to delivering value-added ODM/OEM services to critical enterprises and startups across various vertical markets, while also providing innovative solutions through our own brand, RuggON. Ubiqconn Technology is dedicated to listening to customer needs and thinking from the client's perspective. Upholding the vision of "Seamless Connectivity," we strive to design solutions that effectively address customer pain points. We connect with industries, users, materials, supply chains, and ecosystems, executing agile go-to-market operations to help our clients realize their visions. For more information, please visit our website: www.ubiqconn.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
On Thursday, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant jointly launched the auction of 13 Exploration Licence blocks, covering critical minerals such as Rare Earth Elements (REE), Zinc, Diamond, Copper, and Platinum Group Elements (PGE).

"This initiative, facilitated through a transparent online bidding process, is set to accelerate systematic mineral exploration, enhance private sector participation, and reduce import dependency," said the Ministry of Mines in a statement.

Highlighting the significance of this moment, G Kishan Reddy stated that this reform will accelerate the discovery of critical and deep-seated minerals, boost investor confidence, and pave the way for a self-reliant, future-ready mineral ecosystem aligned with India's clean energy and industrial ambitions.

"For the first time, India is opening up systematic early-stage exploration through a structured and transparent auction process," the Union minister said, as per the statement.

Goa Chief Minister lauded the government's reformative steps, stating that his state has a rich mining legacy.

"...we are committed to responsible, technology-driven mineral development. These reforms will not only unlock India's mineral potential but also create new opportunities for sustainable mining," said the chief minister.

Secretary, Ministry of Mines, VL Kantha Rao emphasized that this auction marks a pivotal step in India's journey towards mineral self-reliance.

The integration of AI-driven exploration techniques and private-sector participation will play a crucial role in unlocking the nation's vast mineral resources.

The Ministry is committed to ensuring the timely operationalization of these blocks to meet the growing demand for critical minerals.

As part of the event in Goa, a hackathon on "Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence" was inaugurated by Union Minister Reddy and Chief Minister Sawant.

The initiative aims to leverage AI-driven techniques and geoscience data to identify new mineral-rich zones, particularly concealed and deep-seated deposits.

Participants will develop AI models utilizing datasets such as geophysics, geochemistry, remote sensing, and borehole data, focusing on critical minerals like REE, Ni-PGE, and Copper. (ANI)
"Our approach will be guided by 'India First', 'Viksit Bharat' and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," the Commerce Minister wrote on his X timeline, sharing a photograph of the meeting.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in the US last week. His visit to the US followed US President Donald Trump and PM Modi's plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025.

The two leaders had committed to designating senior representatives to advance these negotiations.

During the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders resolved to expand trade and investment to make their citizens more prosperous, nations stronger, economies more innovative, and supply chains more resilient.

They resolved to deepen the US-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. To this end, the leaders set a bold new goal for bilateral trade - "Mission 500" - aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.

Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that the United States will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to ensure fair trade.

The US has on various occasions said India has some of the highest tariffs in the world and that this will require a rethink.

The US trade secretary Howard Lutnick said recently that he was keen in negotiating a broad-based trade agreement with India, taking into account the entire trade relationship rather than individual products.

Speaking virtually at the India Today Conclave last week, Lutnick acknowledged that finding a mutually beneficial solution would require understanding and cooperation from both sides. (ANI)
The 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' actress was spotted at the restaurant with her friend Kunal Goomer.

She donned a body-hugging black dress for the night out.

She wished the paps 'Happy Holi' and posed for the shutterbugs on the staircase of the restaurant. She celebrated Holi with the media by applying gulal and playfully throwing colors.

The actress looked beautiful in her black dress as she posed for the paparazzi. She also carried an orange purse for the visit.

Ameesha was joined by her friends for the outing. The actress has been spotted numerous times in the past with Kunal Goomer.

The actress who broke out to fame with 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' made a comeback in 2023 with the film 'Gadar 2.'

Helmed by Anil Sharma, 'Gadar 2' is a sequel to the hit film which was released in theatres in 2001. Sunny Deol played the role of Tara, a truck driver, while Ameesha Patel played Sakina in the film that was set during the partition of India in 1947. (ANI)
Extending festive greetings to her fans, Kriti on Friday took to Instagram and shared a colourful picture with Dhanush and producer Aanand L Rai.

"Lights . Camera . HOLI! Rang chaahe kum ho, ISHQ bohot hai! #TereIshkMein @aanandlrai @dhanushkraja," she captioned the post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHK1XK0z1Fj/?hl=en

Recently, at IIFA 2025, Kriti expressed her happiness on being a part of the film.

She said , "It's a beautiful film--something I haven't done before. Love stories are my favorite genre, and Anand sir does them so well and uniquely. Working with Dhanush for the first time is also very exciting."

Last year, while announcing the film on Raanjhanaa's 10th anniversary, Rai said in a statement, "There couldn't be a more perfect day to unveil our next venture, 'Tere Ishk Mein,' with Dhanush. 'Raanjhanaa' holds a special place in my heart, and the love and adoration it continues to receive from fans worldwide is truly heartwarming."

Rai also dropped an intriguing promo for the film.

The video has Dhanush running in dark alleys with a Molotov cocktail in his hand. At the end of his monologue, he says, "Pichli baar toh Kundan tha, maan gaya. Par iss baar Shankar ko kaise rokoge? (Last time it was Kundan, he agreed. But how will you stop Shankar this time?)"

Dhanush also expressed excitement about the film.

"Har har Mahadev... My next Hindi film," he tweeted. (ANI)
Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini left the audience mesmerized with her Odissi and Kathak dance performances at the Vrindavan Mahotsav. The annual event, organised by renowned flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, was held in Bhubeneshwar on Friday as part of the Holi celebration. Puri MP and BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra was also present at the event. As a token of respect, Patra presented a silver filigree artwork of Lord Jagannath to Hema Malini. Dressed in a stunning yellow costume, the Sholay actress left the attendees spellbound with her graceful expressions and elegant dance movements. Ahead of her performance, Hema Malini, on Thursday, while speaking to ANI, shared her experience about visiting Odisha and also expressed her happiness about being part of the festival and her strong connection with the state. "I am here on the occasion of Holi. I have a show here tomorrow at the annual function of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Gurukul. It is celebrated on Holi every year. They have invited me this year, so I have come to perform here. Ratikant ji (Guru Ratikant Mohapatra) has invited me to Sri Sri University," Malini told ANI. "He is a good friend of mine. We have known each other for years. We have had a good relationship with Kelucharan Mohapatra. I always feel good whenever I come to Odisha... There is a lot of greenery here. It is a very calm and peaceful place... The day after tomorrow, I will go to Jagannath Puri and have the darshan of Lord Jagannath before heading to Mumbai..." she added. (ANI)
Screenwriter Biplab Goswami, who hails from Tripura, is basking in the glory of his impressive win at the IIFA 2025 awards for 'Laapataa Ladies'. On Friday, he met Chief Minister Manik Saha at a special function, where he was felicitated for his remarkable achievement. Saha took to his X account and lauded the writer, who bagged IIFA award for Best Original Story. "Today, felicitated Tripura's esteemed screenwriter, Shri Biplab Goswami, celebrated for his remarkable work in Laapataa Ladies, at a special function. Recently bestowed with the prestigious IIFA Award, Shri Goswami's brilliance in storytelling continues to earn well-deserved recognition. His exceptional talent is a source of inspiration, and I firmly believe that his journey will ignite the aspirations of budding writers across the state," he wrote. https://x.com/DrManikSaha2/status/1900555701749223773 On his win, Biplab told ANI, "My journey started here; I was born and raised in Tripura. Then, I pursued my studies in the film and television industry at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in West Bengal. After that, I worked there for a long time, and later I started working in Mumbai, which I still do. This has been a source of great happiness and satisfaction for me. Today, I have been felicitated by the Government of Tripura and ICA, with the honour being presented by Honorable Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, which is a matter of great joy for me. It is an emotional moment because I belong to this place. My journey began here, with the dream of becoming a film writer, director, and filmmaker from a young age. This is a truly wonderful feeling, and I am very happy today." The 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards was held last weekend in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Leading the pack of winners was 'Laapataa Ladies,' which captivated audiences and critics alike with its heartfelt storytelling and standout performances. The film, directed by Kiran Rao, was awarded the coveted Best Picture trophy, marking a remarkable achievement for the team behind it. Nitanshi Goel was named Best Actress for her exceptional portrayal of Phool Kumari in 'Laapataa Ladies.' Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan bagged the trophy for Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Male) for 'Laapataa Ladies'. Pratibha Ranta took home the award for Best Debut at IIFA. (ANI)
Born in 1933, Tatwawad dedicated his entire life to the RSS and made a mark by furthering its global outreach.

According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi stated that Dr. Shankar Rao Tatwawadi Ji would be remembered for his extensive contribution to nation-building and India's cultural regeneration.

"I consider myself fortunate to have interacted with him on several occasions, both in India and overseas. His ideological clarity and meticulous style of working always stood out," PM Modi said.

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1900198518461260025

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Pained by the passing away of Dr. Shankar Rao Tatwawadi Ji. He will be remembered for his extensive contribution to nation-building and India's cultural regeneration. He dedicated himself to RSS and made a mark by furthering its global outreach. He was also a distinguished scholar, always encouraging a spirit of enquiry among the youth. Students and scholars fondly recall his association with BHU. His various passions included science, Sanskrit and spirituality."

He added, "I consider myself fortunate to have interacted with him on several occasions, both in India and overseas. His ideological clarity and meticulous style of working always stood out. Om Shanti."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute, calling Tatwawadi's passing an irreplaceable loss for society.

https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1900128364259864782

"Pained by the demise of senior Sangh Pracharak Dr. Shankar Rao Tatwawadi Ji. As the International Coordinator of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Tatwawadi ji expanded the footprints of the glorious heritage of the Sangh, and as a renowned scholar in pharmaceutics, he left a lasting legacy among the innumerable students he nurtured," Shah wrote in a post on X.

"His passing away is an irreplaceable loss for the society," he added. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday accused the previous BJP-led government of corruption in the 'Him-Care' scheme, saying that funds were misused through fraudulent billing. He also said that the state government is restructuring the scheme to improve its effectiveness and ensure transparency. "BJP has lost its ability to bear the truth. A lot of corruption has taken place in Him-Care. I came to know that in private hospitals, out of Rs 350 crore, some funds are still pending, while Rs 190 crore has already been disbursed. In government hospitals, out of Rs 530 crore, Rs 350 crore has been paid. The state government funded this scheme, and we found fraudulent billing where payments were made despite the absence of facilities. Now, we have limited private hospital coverage to dialysis only," CM Sukhu said. The Chief Minister emphasized that schemes should directly benefit people without intermediaries. "Him-Care is a good scheme, but it was not implemented effectively. The health sector has deteriorated. Our government has completed two years, and many medical facilities are unavailable in government hospitals. We are investigating the reasons behind this and are reworking the Him-Care scheme. The opposition should stand with us as we work on the state's healthcare system," he added. The BJP government, under then-Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, launched the Him-Care Scheme in 2019 to provide health insurance coverage to families excluded from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Jai Ram Thakur had said the state government spent about Rs 100 crore on various schemes to ensure treatment for the poor and provide better health facilities to the people. (ANI)
Former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), G Satheesh Reddy, met with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at the state Secretariat to discuss the 'vast investment opportunities in the defence in the state,' a release said on Thursday. According to a release, Reddy presented an overview of the industrial development opportunities in various parts of the state, particularly in the defence sector. G Satheesh Reddy, along with 50 aspiring industrialists, expressed his willingness to support the establishment of industries in the state and sought the state government's support in this endeavour. CM Naidu also responded positively to the presentation and promised swift approvals, necessary infrastructure, and land allocation for the projects. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath and Amalapuram MP Harish were also present at the meeting, the release added. Meanwhile, on Thursday, taking steps towards skill development, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft for skill development among youth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technology. Representatives from Microsoft and from the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation entered into the MoU to this effect in the presence of the Minister for IT, Electronics and Education, Nara Lokesh, at the State Secretariat. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said the major objective of this agreement is to develop basic skills in AI and advanced technologies in vocational education among secondary school children and youth to produce skilled personnel required for IT-based and other industries in the State. Nara Lokesh said that as per this agreement, Microsoft will impart skill development training to over two lakh youths in just one year. Lokesh asserted further, "This Microsoft training will help the youth grab the opportunities emerging globally in AI and advanced technology and get jobs." According to the statement, Microsoft will impart training in AI and cloud computing to 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from 50 rural engineering colleges in the state. (ANI)
Manipur Police have arrested a person for his involvement in collecting money on behalf of the proscribed outfit KCP (Apunba). The accused has been identified as Yumnam Premjit Meitei (54 years), a resident of Kakwa Laiphrakpam Leikai, Imphal West. He was arrested on March 12. https://x.com/manipur_police/status/1900358043873009836 In a post on X, the Manipur Police stated, "On 12.03.2025, Manipur Police arrested one person, namely Yumnam Premjit Meitei (54 years) of Kakwa Laiphrakpam Leikai, Imphal West, from a furniture shop located at Kakwa Asem Leikai. He was involved in the collection of money for KCP (Apunba) from vehicles carrying timbers." One mobile handset, a side bag containing two receipt books, one Aadhaar card, and one seal were recovered from his possession, according to the Manipur Police. On Monday, Manipur Police and security forces conducted search operations, leading to several arrests and weapons seizures, as per the information from Manipur Police. Security forces arrested two members of the KYKL group from Wangoo Sabal under Kumb-PS, Bishnupur District. The arrested individuals were Pukhrambam Damol Singh (39) and Athokpam Surchandra Singh Khaba, alias Rabichandra (42). Two mobile phones and one Aadhaar card each were seized from their possession. On the same day, the police also arrested an active member of UPPK (United People's Party of Kanglepak), Ningombam Bonbon Singh Shamu (45), from Kerao Wangkhem, Ngartyan Chingkhong, under Irilbung-PS, Imphal East District. He was involved in extortion and arms transportation. Authorities recovered a .32 pistol with a magazine and eight live rounds of .32 ammunition from him. Ethnic violence has plagued the northeastern state since May 2023, sparked by clashes during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) protesting the demand to include the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. On February 13, President's Rule was imposed in Manipur after a report was received from the state governor. The highest number of arms were surrendered in Imphal West district, with 349 firearms and 5,764 rounds of ammunition surrendered in Imphal East. In Imphal West, 115 grenades were surrendered, the highest number, and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered. Governor Bhalla had initially set a seven-day deadline for the surrender of looted and illegal arms, which was later extended to March 6. The government is now in the process of identifying the surrendered weapons and matching them with the details of arms that were looted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured Parliament that the government would provide all necessary assistance to support Manipur's economic recovery. A supplementary demand for grants worth Rs 1,861 crore has been placed to aid the state's rebuilding efforts. "We are providing all the potential assistance to support a faster recovery of the (Manipur) economy. For Manipur, I (would) like to put for consideration for all members we will continuously support so that the recovery is faster," she said on March 11. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartiest greetings to countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. In her X post, Murmu wrote, "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love, and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. Come, on this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity, and happiness." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. The festival of Holi has begun across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil." In Mathura and Vrindavan, famous for their grand Holi celebrations, devotees began the traditional rituals, including the famous Lathmar Holi. Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi witnessed enthusiastic crowds smearing each other with colors and enjoying festive treats like gujiya and thandai. Authorities have deployed security personnel in major cities to ensure peaceful celebrations. Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed. The festival of colors also follows a Hindu mythology, where Demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. (ANI)
BJP President J P Nadda on Friday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Holi, wishing that the festival of colours brings enthusiasm, joy and happiness to people's lives. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1900364017887306124 In a post on X, Nadda said, "I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all my countrymen on the occasion of Holi. I wish that this sacred festival of colours brings enthusiasm, joy, and happiness to your lives. May you all be filled with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings of the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended greetings on the vibrant occasion of Holi on Friday and prayed for the happiness and health of the public. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colors of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!" posted Rajnath Singh on X. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended Holi greetings to all, urging people to protect the environment, maintain cleanliness, use natural colours, and conserve water during the celebrations. "Let's celebrate Holi this time by taking a pledge of environmental protection and cleanliness. Use natural colours and do water conservation," CM Dhami said. On the occasion Chief Minister Dhami also prayed that the festival of colours fill people's lives with happiness, harmony and prosperity. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1900367093473959996 "I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of joy and happiness, Holi. I pray to God that this festival of colours fills your lives with countless colours of happiness, harmony and prosperity," CM Dhami said on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended his wishes for a joyous and prosperous Holi, praying to Lord Shri Ram for happiness and harmony. In his message, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the significance of Holi as a symbol of unity, which inspires people to follow the path of harmony with love and goodwill. https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/1900336997144944926 "Wishing you all a joyous and auspicious Holi filled with colours, excitement, enthusiasm and vigour. The festival of Holi is a messenger of unity, which inspires us to walk on the path of harmony with love and goodwill. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that this festival fills your life with vibrant colours of happiness, prosperity and new enthusiasm," CM Yogi said on X. (ANI)
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood offered prayers at Jhandewalan Temple, on the occasion of Holi on Friday. The Delhi Minister could be seen performing the holy rituals and jalabhishek (water offering) at the Shivalinga in the temple premises along with his family. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood extended greetings of Holi and said, "I prayed on the occasion of Holi and for everyone in Delhi. Under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, we are committed to having a clean and beautiful Delhi." Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also wished everyone on the auspicious occasion of Holi, "Infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire country on the sacred festival of colours, Holi. May this festival of colours, Holi, bring countless happiness, immense love and harmony in your life." "This festival is not just a celebration of colours, but a living symbol of the victory of truth, strong bonds of relationships and mutual brotherhood. Let us all celebrate this festival in a safe, harmonious and environmentally sensitive manner. Respect each other, fill every heart with the colours of love and harmony, and together move towards a prosperous, happy Delhi," posted Rekha Gupta on X. As the country begins to mark the festival of color and celebrate the occasion in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his greetings on the vibrant occasion of Holi on Friday and prayed for the happiness and health of the public. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colors of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!" posted Rajnath Singh on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath applied gulal to calves and cows at Gorakhnath temple on Friday on the occasion of Holi. Additionally, people have begun enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (colored powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. The festival of Holi began across the country on Thursday, with Choti Holi. People come together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conveyed her infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire nation on the festival of Holi on Friday. In her message, she expressed her hope that this vibrant festival of colors would bring countless happiness, immense love, and harmony to everyone's life. "Infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire country on the sacred festival of colours, Holi. May this festival of colours, Holi, bring countless happiness, immense love and harmony in your life. This festival is not just a celebration of colours, but a living symbol of the victory of truth, strong bonds of relationships and mutual brotherhood," posted Gupta on X. She further urged people to celebrate Holi in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally conscious manner, stressing the importance of respecting one another and spreading love. "Let us all celebrate this festival in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally sensitive manner. Respect each other, fill every heart with the colors of love and harmony, and together move towards a prosperous, happy Delhi," she added. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister also attended 'Holi Mangal Milan' at the BJP's office on Friday. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Virendraa Sachdeva celebrated Holi at the party office on Friday. He celebrated the festival of colors by applying gulal to party workers in the BJP office. Sachdeva said that the excitement and happiness are different in this year's holi as the BJP government has been formed in the national capital. "We celebrate Holi everywhere, but this time, the excitement and happiness are different as the BJP government has been formed in Delhi under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. As the country began to celebrate the festival of colors in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended greetings on the vibrant occasion of Holi and prayed for the happiness and health of the people. In his message, he expressed his hope that the festival would fill everyone's life with the colors of joy and good health and encouraged everyone to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm while ensuring safety. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colors of happiness and good health; this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colors of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!" posted Rajnath Singh on X. (ANI)
Several BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh celebrated the Holi festival with great fervor and enthusiasm. The celebrations were marked by music, dancing, and a strong sense of camaraderie, reflecting the cultural significance of Holi. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Holi, emphasizing the harmony prevailing amidst the celebrations. "I extend my best wishes to all on the occasion of Holi, which is being celebrated with great enthusiasm. It's the month of Ramzan as well. We are all celebrating the festivals together, and nothing will happen in Uttar Pradesh. Everything is peaceful here," he said. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also conveyed his Holi greetings, taking a dig at the opposition. "I extend my best wishes to all on the occasion of Holi... There is no tension this day but only in the minds of the people of the opposition. I extend my greetings to them as well. Holi and Friday prayers will be celebrated peacefully. There is no problem anywhere but in the mind of Akhilesh Yadav. I invite him as well to have some gujiya today,' he said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Satish Gautam, speaking on the festival, highlighted its significance in fostering unity and positivity. "My greeting on the occasion of Holi... The colours remove all suffering and bring new energy... People from a certain community have issues with these colours, but these colours are pure... On this festival, years-long fights come to an end...," he said. The festival of Holi has begun across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil." (ANI)
Amidst Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Circle Officer Anuj Chowdhary led a flag march along with other police personnel to ensure the law and order situation in the district. The circle officer Chaudhary said that the police are monitoring the situation through foot patrolling and drone surveillance. "We are conducting foot-patrolling and drone surveillance", he told ANI on Friday. Other than police, paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal, whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the district. Earlier, Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Barq urged people of all the communities to maintain peace and harmony ahead of the Jumma and Holi celebrations. He appealed to Hindus to celebrate Holi with enthusiasm while being mindful of mosques and requested Muslims to offer prayers at nearby mosques and avoid areas where the festival of colours is being celebrated if they prefer. Posting his appeal on social media yesterday, Rehman wrote, "I request everyone that the holy month of Ramzan Sharif is going on, and tomorrow is Friday. It is also the festival of Holi. I request the Muslim brothers to offer prayers at the nearest mosque and avoid going to a place where colours are thrown. I also request the Hindu brothers to celebrate their festival with joy and enthusiasm while taking care of our mosques and people." Rehman emphasized that his call for peace was not out of fear of the police but to promote communal harmony and the progress of the city. "I appeal to both communities not to do anything that hurts anyone's sentiments. I am saying this not out of fear of the police, administration, or government but for the sake of mutual brotherhood, peace and the progress of the city, state and country," he wrote. (ANI)
On Tuesday, robotic teams entered the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel for search and rescue operations for the trapped workers. 110 rescue personnel, along with Anvi Robo experts, entered the tunnel to carry out the operations.

Rescue teams have removed the body of one worker from inside the tunnel on March 10.

Following the incident, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed condolences over the death of the worker, identified as Gurpreet Singh, an official statement from Telangana CMO read.

Chief Minister Reddy also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakhs for the kin of the deceased.

On March 9, Telangana Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that robotic technology had been deployed to accelerate the ongoing rescue operations at the SLBC tunnel near Domalapenta in the Nagarkurnool district, where eight workers were trapped.

Calling the incident a national disaster, he emphasised that the state government is utilizing the best global technology to overcome the challenges in the final stretch of the 14-kilometre-long tunnel.

On March 6, two cadaver dogs from the Kerala Police and their handlers were brought to assist in the rescue operations at the Telangana tunnel collapse site.

On February 22, a three-meter section of the roof of an under-construction stretch of the SLBC tunnel collapsed at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta in the Nagarkurnool district in Telangana. The collapse occurred just four days after construction work had resumed following a lengthy hiatus. While some workers managed to escape, eight got trapped. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Holi with people who arrived at his residence and extended greetings of Holi and Ramzan on Friday. Rajnath Singh joined in the festive spirit as he embraced the people who had come to call on him with colours and tried his hand on a drum at the Holi celebration at his residence in Delhi. In a message to the nation on the festival of Holi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, the country is advancing rapidly. A sense of confidence has emerged in people across the country. A sense of confidence has emerged in people across the country. There is enthusiasm among people, the spirit of doing something. This festival of Holi brings joy. On this occasion, I extend greetings to the countrymen. People should live in harmony, this is what we hope for," said Rajnath Singh. Earlier in the day, Singh posted on X, "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colors of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath applied gulal to calves and cows at Gorakhnath temple on Friday on the occasion of Holi. CM Yogi joined devotees at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur to celebrate the festival of Holi. The Chief Minister participated in singing traditional 'phag songs' and performed puja and aarti at the site of Holika Dahan within the temple premises, marking the beginning of the vibrant Holi festivities. In a similar spirit, several BJP leaders enthusiastically celebrated the Holi festival, embracing the festival of colours. Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed. The festival of colors also follows a Hindu mythology, where Demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. (ANI)
Both the DMK leaders met the Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Chief MK Stalin.

In a post on X, Rajan said that the proposed delimitation exercise is an undeniable assault on federalism and the rightful representation of our states.

He further claimed that the Kerala Chief Minister expressed his strong solidarity with Tamil Nadu on this issue.

"On behalf of Hon'ble Chief Minister Thiru. @mkstalin, I, along with Hon'ble MP (South Chennai) Dr. @ThamizhachiTh, met with Hon'ble Kerala Chief Minister Thiru. @pinarayivijayan in Thiruvananthapuram today," he said on X.

"We extended our Chief Minister's invitation for the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting to be held in Chennai on March 22, 2025, to collectively oppose the unfair delimitation exercise--an undeniable assault on federalism and the rightful representation of our states," he added.

"The Kerala Chief Minister expressed his strong solidarity with Tamil Nadu on this issue and assured his full support in our collective fight to uphold democratic values and safeguard the rights of our people," the Tamil Nadu CM stated.

https://x.com/ptrmadurai/status/1900430932559225266

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has called for a meeting of Chief ministers and various state leaders from different political parties regarding the proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies on March 22 in Chennai.

The Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been protesting against the Central government's three-language formula in the national education policy and the delimitation.

Stalin has called for a united political front against the proposed delimitation exercise, urging various parties to join forces in opposing what he termed a "blatant assault on federalism." (ANI)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attended the Holi celebrations at the party office in Saifai, Uttar Pradesh. Other party leaders and fellow workers joined Akhilesh. A huge crowd had come to the party office take part in the celebrations, along with Akhilesh Yadav. Earlier today, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath joined the devotees at the Gorakhnath temple to celebrate Holi and sing the traditional 'phage' songs. CM Yogi also performed puja and aarti at the site of Holika Dahan within the temple premises, marking the beginning of the vibrant Holi festivities. CM Yogi emphasised the importance of national unity while addressing a gathering on Friday. He stated that India can only develop when its people are united. He added that no power in the world would be able to prevent India from becoming a developed nation if it is united. "Sanatan Dharma has only one proclamation, and that proclamation is that where there is Dharma, there will be victory. Modi has given a resolution of developed India to the country. India can develop only when it is united, if it is united then it will be the best, if it is the best then no power in the world will be able to stop it from becoming developed. Therefore, all our efforts should be dedicated to the nation. The message of Holi is simple: this country will remain united only through unity", Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a gathering in Gorakhpur on Friday. Chief Minister Yogi said that the strength of Sanatan Dharma lies in our faith, and the soul of that faith is in our festivals. "The tradition of festivals and celebrations is something that no other country or religion possesses, as rich as the tradition of Sanatan Dharma. The strength of Sanatan Dharma lies in our faith, and the soul of that faith is in our festivals. Through these festivals, India will progress. From the north to the south, and from the east to the west of the country, the people of India get the opportunity to join these celebrations with enthusiasm and joy," CM Yogi said. CM Yogi stated that those who criticized Sanatan Dharma have seen its and India's strength through the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, where over 66 crore people took a holy dip without discrimination. "Those who criticized Sanatan Dharma have witnessed its strength and India strength through the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. More than 66 crore people took a holy dip without any discrimination. The world was astonished to see such an unusual sight. Those who thought Hindus were divided based on caste should see this," CM Yogi said. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated Holi at his residence in Dehradun on Friday. Dhami interacted with the public while celebrating Holi and went to Raj Bhawan to extend his greetings to Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retired). Dhami said that the state is celebrating Holi and Phool Dei together. He added that it marks the end of winters after which the snow melts and it marks the beginning of good weather. "The state is celebrating both Holi and Phool Dei together. When the winters end and snow melts, it marks the beginning of good weather in the state... I extend my greetings to all on this auspicious occasion", Pushkar Singh Dhami said to the reporters on Friday. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and others extended their wishes on the auspicious occasion of Holi. President Murmu shared a post on her official 'X' handle and extended wishes on Holi. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness", her 'X' post read. PM Modi also wished the nation on the occasion of Holi and wrote on 'X'. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen", he wrote on 'X'. People have been enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (colored powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. The festival of Holi began across the country on Thursday with Choti Holi. People come together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)
Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma shared his heartfelt wishes on Holi and said that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the BJP will work towards transforming the national capital into a cleaner and more beautiful city. "I extend my best wishes to the countrymen and the people of Delhi on the occasion of Holi. May the festival of colours bring happiness into your lives. We (BJP) will make Delhi a beautiful city. You'll see a bigger change in Yamuna in two to three years. We will treat polluted water before it gets mixed with the Yamuna. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision will come to Delhi," Verma told media persons. Touching upon the nation's diversity, Verma emphasised the importance of respecting all religions, saying, "Be it Ramzan or Holi, this country is of diversity, people who live here believe in god, and all religions must be respected. We should celebrate all the festivals with peace and love." Verma also took a subtle dig at AAP leaders, recalling his past advice when they were jailed, saying, "When those people (AAP leaders) used to be jailed in Tihar, I asked them to do some 'pranayam' so that their capacity to live there (in jail) could be increased." The Delhi Minister celebrated Holi with party workers and the public at his residence on Friday. Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conveyed her infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire nation on the festival of Holi. In her message, she expressed her hope that this vibrant festival of colors would bring countless happiness, immense love, and harmony to everyone's life. "Infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire country on the sacred festival of colours, Holi. May this festival of colours, Holi, bring countless happiness, immense love and harmony in your life. This festival is not just a celebration of colours, but a living symbol of the victory of truth, strong bonds of relationships and mutual brotherhood," posted Gupta on X. She further urged people to celebrate Holi in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally conscious manner, stressing the importance of respecting one another and spreading love. "Let us all celebrate this festival in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally sensitive manner. Respect each other, fill every heart with the colors of love and harmony, and together move towards a prosperous, happy Delhi," she added. Delhi Chief Minister also attended 'Holi Mangal Milan' at the BJP's office on Friday. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Virendraa Sachdeva celebrated Holi at the party office on Friday. He celebrated the festival of colors by applying gulal to party workers in the BJP office. Sachdeva said that the excitement and happiness are different in this year's holi as the BJP government has been formed in the national capital. "We celebrate Holi everywhere, but this time, the excitement and happiness are different as the BJP government has been formed in Delhi under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. In a similar spirit, several BJP leaders enthusiastically celebrated the Holi festival, embracing the festival of colours. Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed. The festival of colors also follows a Hindu mythology, where Demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. (ANI)
In Darjeeling, West Bengal, BSF personnel at Border Outposts (BOPs) along the India-Bangladesh border marked the occasion, with Inspector General Suryakant Sharma stating, "All the personnel here are involved in the security of the country. I extend my best wishes to them and their families. I know their families are a thousand miles apart, but the entire country is with them."

Meanwhile, in Punjab's Amritsar, BSF personnel along the India-Pakistan border joined locals in Holi celebrations, fostering community ties.

Similarly, in Tripura's Tarapur under Mohanpur Subdivision, BSF personnel stationed along the India-Bangladesh border also participated in the festivities, maintaining vigil while embracing the festival's spirit.

The festival of Holi has been celebrated across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities.

From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil."

In Mathura and Vrindavan, famous for their grand Holi celebrations, devotees began the traditional rituals, including the famous Lathmar Holi.

Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi witnessed enthusiastic crowds smearing each other with colors and enjoying festive treats like gujiya and thandai. Authorities have deployed security personnel in major cities to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed.

The festival of colors also follows a Hindu mythology, where Demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday accused Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin of spreading baseless rumours about the three-language policy and other issues to divert attention from ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on TASMAC and liquor-supplying companies in Tamil Nadu. In a post on X, BJP leader Amit Malaviya said, "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is spreading baseless rumours about the three-language policy, NEP, delimitation, and the removal of the Rs symbol from the budget document to distract the public from the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on TASMAC, the Liquor Minister, and liquor-supplying companies in Tamil Nadu." https://x.com/amitmalviya/status/1900434077431586868 Malaviya claimed that the ED has unearthed documents revealing bribes worth Rs 1,000 crore and asked Stalin to reveal who received the illegal payments. "The ED has uncovered documents from distilleries revealing the generation of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 1,000 crores, paid as kickbacks. The DMK has been exploiting common people to fill its party coffers by manipulating the system, and MK Stalin owes the public an explanation regarding who received these kickbacks. Given these developments and the massive corruption under his watch, it is becoming increasingly untenable for him to continue as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister," Malaviya said in the post. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan said she has written to Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker to urge the state government to respond on the alleged scam. "ED's investigation into TASMAC has uncovered unaccounted cash transactions worth Rs1,000 crore, exposing manipulated tenders and massive financial irregularities. Have written to the Hon'ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, urging the state government to respond under Rule 55," she posted on X. Tamil Nadu Excise Minister Senthil Balaji however denied allegations of Rs 1,000 crore corruption, stating there is no basis for the claim and no room for malpractices in the TASMAC tender. "In the name of searches, the ED has conducted searches but has not mentioned in their press release the year the FIR was registered. They have created a scene as if mistakes have happened in TASMAC recruitment. For the past four years, the bar tender has been online only. Without any basis, they have accused us of Rs 1,000 crore of corruption. There is no room for malpractices in the TASMAC tender," Balaji said. On March 6, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Chennai, conducted search operations at various premises across many districts of Tamil Nadu under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for various offences related to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and its associated entities/persons. (ANI)
Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda national president shared his heartfelt wishes for a joyful Holi, celebrating the spirit of togetherness that the festival represents and reiterated the government's commitment to inclusivity and progress, giving the message of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. Speaking to the media, Nadda said, "My greetings to everyone on the occasion of Holi. Holi, a festival of the combination of colours, gives a message of unity. I wish everyone happy Holi and pray for the development of the country." Nadda also expressed his optimism about the nation's growth, affirming that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is progressing towards becoming a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). He reiterated the government's commitment to inclusivity and progress, adding, "We are moving towards Viksit Bharat under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and want to give the message of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas today." Union Minister JP Nadda, who was seen smeared in colours, celebrated Holi with his family and party workers at his residence in Delhi. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Holi with people who arrived at his residence and extended greetings of Holi and Ramzan on Friday. Rajnath Singh joined in the festive spirit as he embraced the people who had come to call on him with colours and tried his hand on a drum at the Holi celebration at his residence in Delhi. In a message to the nation on the festival of Holi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, the country is advancing rapidly. A sense of confidence has emerged in people across the country. A sense of confidence has emerged in people across the country. There is enthusiasm among people, the spirit of doing something. This festival of Holi brings joy. On this occasion, I extend greetings to the countrymen. People should live in harmony, this is what we hope for," said Rajnath Singh. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined devotees at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur to celebrate the festival of Holi. The Chief Minister participated in singing traditional 'phag songs' and performed puja and aarti at the site of Holika Dahan within the temple premises, marking the beginning of the vibrant Holi festivities. In a similar spirit, several BJP leaders enthusiastically celebrated the Holi festival, embracing the festival of colours. Several BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh celebrated the Holi festival with great fervor and enthusiasm. The celebrations were marked by music, dancing, and a strong sense of camaraderie, reflecting the cultural significance of Holi. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Holi, emphasizing the harmony prevailing amidst the celebrations. The festival of Holi is being celebrated across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil." (ANI)
West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Friday pointed out that Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have coincided this year and encouraged everyone to follow their faith and celebrate together. Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have come together. This is the culture of India. Everyone should follow their faith and celebrate together." This year, Holi festivities have coincided with the Friday prayer during the month of Ramzan. A large number of people gathered at Shree Shyam Mandir, Ghusuri in Howrah to celebrate Holi, while the transgender community also celebrated the festival in Kolkata. As the country marked the festival of colour and celebrated the occasion in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended greetings on the vibrant occasion of Holi on Friday and prayed for the happiness and health of the public. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. This festival, a symbol of joy, happiness and new energy, may fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health, this is my wish. May your Holi be joyful and safe! Best wishes to you on the vibrant festival of Holi! May the colors of joy, enthusiasm and new energy fill your life with happiness and health. Have a wonderful and safe Holi!" posted Rajnath Singh on X. (ANI)
The incident involved Train No. 12111, which was en route from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Amravati.

According to Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Central Railway, the accident occurred around 4:30 am when a truck crossed the railway track at a closed location, colliding with the train. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, the incident caused a disruption to rail traffic in the area.

The truck collided with the Mumbai-Amravati Express at Bodwad Railway Station in the Bhusawal division, between the Bhusawal and Badnera sections.

"This morning today, in the Bhusawal division at Bodwad Station, train no. 12111, which was running from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Amravati, had an incident. A truck had unauthorisedly crossed the track at a location which was closed...There has been no injury...But because of this incident, there has been disruption to the traffic and the traffic has now been restored and trains are being run. The incident happened around 4.30 am, and the traffic has now been restored." the spokesperson stated.

Railway authorities acted swiftly to address the situation, and train services have since resumed normal operations. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta shared her gratitude for the love and support from the public, stating that her role as the Chief Minister fills her with pride and pledged to paint the picture of the capital city with the colours of happiness and prosperity. Gupta highlighted her vision for the capital, focusing on progress and prosperity, and reaffirmed the importance of her leadership in achieving a brighter future for the people of Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Rekha Gupta said, "We're getting the love of people, but today, being the CM, it makes me proud. My responsibility is to paint the picture of Delhi with the colours of happiness and prosperity and make Delhi progressive under the leadership of PM Modi." The Chief Minister was seen celebrating Holi with locals in Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh. Gupta held a water gun and could be seen sharing embraces and smearing colours. Earlier in the day, Rekha Gupta conveyed her infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire nation on the festival of Holi. In her message, she expressed her hope that this vibrant festival of colors would bring countless happiness, immense love, and harmony to everyone's life. She further urged people to celebrate Holi in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally conscious manner, stressing the importance of respecting one another and spreading love. Delhi Chief Minister also attended 'Holi Mangal Milan' at the BJP's office on Friday. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Virendraa Sachdeva celebrated Holi at the party office on Friday. He celebrated the festival of colors by applying gulal to party workers in the BJP office. Sachdeva said that the excitement and happiness are different in this year's holi as the BJP government has been formed in the national capital. The festival of Holi is being celebrated across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil." (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu celebrated the festival of colors, Holi, at his official residence in Shimla. He was joined by his cabinet colleagues and Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh for the festivities. The leaders exchanged greetings, smeared colors on each other, and extended their best wishes to the people of the state. Speaking to ANI, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his heartfelt wishes on the occasion and said, "I extend my warmest greetings to everyone on this vibrant festival of colors. Holi signifies joy, unity, and new beginnings. I hope that this festival brings prosperity and happiness to every household in Himachal and across the country. PCC President Pratibha Singh also joined the celebrations at the Chief Minister's residence. Extending her greetings, she said, "I wish all the people of Himachal Pradesh a very happy Holi. May this festival bring colors of happiness, peace, and prosperity to every home." Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh also conveyed his best wishes to the state's people. "On this auspicious occasion of Holi, I extend my greetings to everyone. Let us work together for the development of our state and ensure a brighter future for all", he said. The festival of Holi, celebrated with great enthusiasm across Himachal Pradesh, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The presence of top leaders in the celebrations underscored a spirit of camaraderie and unity within the state's leadership. The government hopes that the spirit of Holi will inspire collective efforts towards progress and prosperity. Earlier, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi extended his wishes on the occasion of Holi and shared a post on his official 'X' handle. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the holy festival of Holi. May this festival of colours bring new enthusiasm, new excitement and lots of happiness in your life", Rahul Gandhi's 'X' post read. People across the country have been enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (colored powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Friday stated that the party has received "very" positive feedback from different Chief Ministers and leaders across the country regarding the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. Speaking to ANI, the Tamil Nadu MP stated that the Chief Ministers and leaders are happy that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has taken up this initiative. She claimed that delimitation based on population will hurt many states, including those in the south and the northeast. "We have received very positive feedback from different Chief Ministers and leaders across the country. They are very positive and very happy that CM MK Stalin has taken up this initiative because delimitation based on population will hurt many states, especially southern states, as well as states like Punjab and those in the northeast," Kanimozhi said. "So, many people are worried, and leaders across the country are concerned about it. They are very happy that our CM has taken up this initiative," she added. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has called for a meeting of Chief Ministers and various state leaders from different political parties regarding the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies on March 22 in Chennai. DMK representatives are visiting different states to extend invitations to the Chief Ministers and leaders of other political parties in the state. In line with this, Tamil Nadu Minister P. Thiaga Rajan and South Chennai MP Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian on Friday extended an invitation to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting to be held in Chennai on March 22 to collectively oppose the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. Both DMK leaders met Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. The Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been protesting against the Central government's three-language formula in the national education policy and the delimitation. Stalin has called for a united political front against the proposed delimitation exercise, urging various parties to join forces in opposing what he termed a "blatant assault on federalism". (ANI)
Two people were caught selling prohibited drugs in a car at Jodi Road, Narayananagar, Doddakkallasandra, of the Konanakunte Police Station in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The police rushed to the scene after getting information from the informant and took the two accused into custody after performing the raid. A case was registered against the two accused under the NDPS Act in the Konanakunte Police Station. The two arrested persons were interrogated, and they confessed that they had committed this act by an unknown person from the state of Odisha with the intention of making a high profit by bringing the narcotic ganja and Ashish oil at a low price and selling it to the public at a high price. The police seized 3 kg 44 g ashish oil and 122 g ganga from the two accused, whose total value was Rs 46,10,000. The car used in the crime was also seized. Both accused were produced before the Court on March 13, after which they were sent into judicial custody. This operation was conducted under the guidance of Lokesh Jagalasar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Division, Bangalore City, under the leadership of Girish, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Subramanyapura Sub-Division, Police Inspector Papanna.M of Konanakunte Police Station and the team of officers/staff succeeded in cracking this case. Earlier, the Anti Narcotics Squad of City Crime Brach (CCB) raided a godown near the Kalasipalya Police Station and arrested a person who was storing tobacco products without warning the customers about the ill effects of tobacco consumption and recovered Rs 45,00,000 from him. The Anti Narcotics Squad succeeded in confiscating the tobacco products of the company Hans and Ganesh. The seized goods and the accused have been handed over to the station officials of Kalasipalya Police Station, who will take legal action against him and file a report on the matter. The search for the other two absconding accused in this case is in progress. On the same day, CCB's anti-narcotics police received definite information from the informant. In the information, it was stated that the accused was selling prohibited drugs like MDMA crystal & Ganja in Ram Rao Layout playground parking space of Katthariguppe under Channammakere Achukattu police station. On the basis of this information, CCB officers and staff rushed to the place informed by the informant and arrested one person. 55.20 grams of MDMA crystal and 1 kg of 905 grams of ganja were seized from his possession. And a used car was seized. The total value of which is Rs 10.50,000 The seized goods and the accused have been handed over to the station officials of Channammakere Achukattu police station for legal action, along with the report. A team of officers and staff of the CCB Anti-Narcotics Squad has successfully carried out these operations. (ANI)
London Book Fair highlights collaboration, technological shifts in publishing

Xinhua) 08:22, March 14, 2025

A man reads at a booth displaying China-themed books at London Book Fair in London, Britain, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This year, over 50 Chinese publishers and book trade companies presented over 4,000 high-quality titles at the book fair.

LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 London Book Fair (LBF) concluded on Thursday, with publishing insiders emphasizing international collaborations and industry trends shaping the future.

During the three-day event, more than 30,000 publishing professionals and 1,000 exhibitors across the world showcased flagship titles, signed deals, and engaged in discussions on key industry topics.

Gareth Rapley, former director of the LBF, said that strong participants at this international event will create better opportunities for the industry worldwide. He also highlighted China's prominent presence at the fair and its growth across all publishing aspects, from book releases to print solutions.

This photo taken on March 12, 2025 shows books themed around the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression at London Book Fair, in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This year, over 50 Chinese publishers and book trade companies presented over 4,000 high-quality titles, showcasing co-publishing results or exploring new international cooperation partnerships. They also held 40 activities, including book launches, copyright signings, and reader seminars, underscoring China's commitment to global literary dialogues.

Glyn Jones from Elsevier told Xinhua that the company plans to translate and publish several Chinese titles on applied technology, such as green hydrogen production and intelligent vehicles.

He said it's "only natural" to publish books from China, as the country is "leading the world" in crucial technological advancement.

China-themed mini books are seen at London Book Fair in London, Britain, March 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Beyond book themes, emerging technologies are also reshaping how publishers navigate future opportunities and challenges. At the fair, industry insiders told Xinhua that AI is assisting in tasks such as developing marketing strategies and producing audiobooks, enabling publishers to improve efficiency and focus more on creativity.

"AI will never replace humans," said Martin Liu, chief operating officer and publisher at LID Publishing, emphasizing that the "nuances and subtleties" in books will always require a "human touch and human creativity" to reach their full potential.

Amid the evolving global publishing landscape, Richard Charkin, former president of the International Publishers Association, told Xinhua that publishers must act as a "gatekeeper and purveyor" of quality information, especially as AI-driven content raises growing concerns over information reliability and copyright protection.

Despite technological shifts that complicate current and future trends, Charkin stressed that publishers must remain steadfast in their one fundamental role -- connecting writers and readers.

An exhibitor attends London Book Fair in London, Britain, March 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Congress MP Imran Masood celebrated Holi at his residence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday and said he was doing so to spread a message of love. Speaking to ANI, Masood said, "For the first time, there was an attempt to sow discord in the country through the colours of Holi. I am celebrating Holi to present a message of love. This is the culture of the country, and we celebrate all the festivals together." Earlier today, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attended the Holi celebrations at the party office in Saifai, Uttar Pradesh. Other party leaders and fellow workers joined Akhilesh. A huge crowd had come to the party office take part in the celebrations, along with Akhilesh Yadav. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath joined the devotees at the Gorakhnath temple to celebrate Holi and sing the traditional 'phage' songs. Chief Minister Yogi also performed puja and aarti at the site of Holika Dahan within the temple premises, marking the beginning of the vibrant Holi festivities. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also participated in Holi celebrations at Ravindra Bhavan in Sankhali. Visuals showed people dancing and enjoying the celebrations at Ravindra Bhavan. Holi, the festival of colours, is being celebrated across the country and people are celebrating the occasion with harmony and joy. Meanwhile, Border Security Force (BSF) jawans posted at India's borders celebrated Holi and enjoyed the festival along with their duty. The festival of Holi is being celebrated across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colours, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil." In Mathura and Vrindavan, famous for their grand Holi celebrations, devotees began the traditional rituals, including the famous Lathmar Holi. Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi witnessed enthusiastic crowds smearing each other with colours and enjoying festive treats like gujiya and thandai. Authorities have deployed security personnel in major cities to ensure peaceful celebrations. Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed. The festival of colours also follows Hindu mythology, where Demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. (ANI)
Swathi, who worked as a nurse at a hospital in Ranebennur, had been reported missing at the Hirekerur police station on March 3. Her body was discovered on March 6 near the Tungabhadra River in the Fatehpur village of Ranebennur Taluk, Haveri District.

Initially, Halegari police treated the case as an unidentified body and conducted a post-mortem examination, but later confirmed it was a case of murder.

Swathi's mother, Shashirekha, filed a missing person complaint on March 7 after searching for her daughter. Upon being shown the body's photographs, Swati's family identified her.

On Social media the murder was given a communal twist. Following this, social media posts under the hashtag "Justice for Swathi" began circulating, with allegations linking the case to communal tensions.

However, Haveri Superintendent of Police (SP) Ansukumar clarified that the murder was not related to any communal issue. He stated that the three accused killed Swati due to personal reasons.

A key suspect, Nayaz, has been arrested, and police teams have been formed to apprehend the remaining two accused. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
In a detailed explanation of the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) proposal, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai outlined the significant benefits of aligning elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies on Friday. Annamalai underscored a 2017 NITI Aayog analysis that examined the economic potential of One Nation, One Election, suggesting that it would encourage regional parties to think nationally and national parties to think regionally, fostering greater national cohesion in a multi-lingual and culturally diverse India. He emphasised that One Nation, One Election is not just about the elections themselves but about the complex logistics involved in conducting them efficiently across a vast and diverse country like India. Annamalai pointed to the challenges faced during elections, mentioning instances where EVM machines were transported in difficult terrains or carried by personnel through dense Naxal-affected areas. "There is a mission behind it," he said, acknowledging the dedication of India's security forces in ensuring elections are conducted across the country, often in inaccessible areas. "One Nation, One Election is not about elections alone, it is also about elections alone, it is the dynamics behind the conduct of elections, how we as a country conduct elections, because it is not an ordinary task. Every time we see EVM machines going in elephants, at some places in Uttarakhand we have seen people going carrying EVM machines in their bags because they have to go to an inaccessible terrain. We have seen our brave personnel from the CRPF, central armed forces, paramilitary forces, travelling into dense naxal affected areas, conducting elections. There is a mission behind it," he said. The BJP leader traced the roots of the One Nation, One Election concept back to 1932, citing the Franchise Committee Report that advocated for a single electoral roll. He referred to several key reports and committees over the years that have called for simultaneous elections, including the 1983 Election Commission's inaugural report and the Law Commission's 1999 report, which emphasised the importance of One Nation, One Election to reduce confusion caused by multiple elections. Annamalai also referenced a 2017 NITI Aayog analysis that examined the economic potential of One Nation, One Election, suggesting that it would encourage regional parties to think nationally and vice versa, fostering greater national cohesion in a multi-lingual and culturally diverse India. Further strengthening his argument, Annamalai pointed to the broad political support for One Nation, One Election, citing the 2019 all-party meeting where 16 out of 19 parties supported the idea, including BJP, NCP, YSRCP, JDU, BJD, BRS, and LJP. "This is not a concept we are discussing today," he asserted, "it began in 1932, and through multiple discussions over time, there is a growing consensus to move towards One Nation, One Election." His remarks highlight One Nation, One Election as a long-discussed concept with substantial backing, underscoring its importance for India's democratic and administrative future. Earlier on Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 'One Nation One Election' has requested to depose senior counsel Harish Salve and Attorney General of India, R Venkataraman in its next meeting on March 17 to seek legal suggestions. After the meeting of the JPC on 'One Nation, One Election' concluded on Tuesday, Committee Chairman PP Chaudhary said that every member is working in the national interest. PP Chaudhary also informed that former CJI Ranjan Gogoi and former Delhi HC CJ Rajendra Menon attended the meeting and addressed the questions of all members across all parties. "Two experts attended the meeting, former CJI Ranjan Gogoi and former Delhi HC CJ Rajendra Menon. They gave a presentation and all the members of all parties asked questions with great interest... Every member of the JPC is working in the national interest," PP Chaudhary said."I am sure we will work for 'One Nation One Election' in the national interest. All doubts are being cleared through discussions and deliberation," he said. Speaking about the meeting, BJP and JPC member Bhartruhari Mahtab said, "We had a fruitful discussion in the JPC and Justice Gogoi and Justice Menon elucidated the legal viewpoints." In the last JPC meeting on February 25, many leaders questioned the "affordability and practicality" of holding simultaneous elections across the country. Some MPs also alleged that the move was designed to benefit the ruling party rather than strengthen democratic processes. Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chairperson of the Law Commission and Judicial Member of Lokpal, who was present during the session, faced pointed questions from multiple MPs. They sought clarity on whether the proposed legislation would favour the ruling party and undermine the electoral process. In response, Justice Awasthi defended the bill, stating that it aimed to bring electoral stability, though concerns about potential bias persisted. The Constitution Amendment Bill on One Nation, One Election, currently under review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, proposes aligning the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Several opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, have opposed the bill. The government argues that synchronising electoral timelines will help address logistical challenges, reduce costs, and minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections. The recommendations of the High-Level Committee Report on Simultaneous Elections were accepted by the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024. The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the 'One Nation One Election' bill was held on January 8. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde celebrated Holi at his residence in Thane. Several Shiv Sena leaders and supporters accompanied Shinde. The Maharashtra Deputy CM shared some glimpses of him celebrating Holi with his family members on his official 'X' handle. "Let's go colorful now. Let the waves of money rise endlessly... Dispelling sadness and disappointment. Let's celebrate the seven colors today...On the occasion of the Dhulivandan festival, I celebrated the festival of Dhuli Vandana with my family at my residence in #tthaanne today by throwing natural colors", Eknath Shinde's 'X' post caption read. Eknath Shinde also spoke to the media and stated that Holi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in all parts of the state. "Holi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm... We have been showering happiness for the last two and a half years in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and I are working to make the state happier. I extend my best wishes to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah; I have also extended my greetings to them on the phone...", Shinde said while speaking to reporters. Earlier, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis took his official 'X' handle and extended his wishes on the occasion of Holi. "Wishing everyone a joyful and vibrant Dhulivandan! Celebrating the colours of innovation and progress, shaping Maharashtra's bright future", Fadnavis's 'X' post read. People have been enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (colored powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. The festival of Holi began across the country on Thursday with Choti Holi. People come together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav celebrated Holi at his residence on Friday. On this occasion, Madhya Pradesh CM said, "I extend my best wishes to the people of the state and the country on the occasion of Holi..." The MP CM, seen smeared in colors, celebrated Holi with his family and party workers at his residence in Bhopal. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined devotees at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur to celebrate the festival of Holi. The Chief Minister participated in singing traditional 'phag songs' and performed puja and aarti at the site of Holika Dahan within the temple premises, marking the beginning of the vibrant Holi festivities. As the country celebrated the festival of color and celebrated the occasion in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. The festival of Holi is being celebrated across the country, with people coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil." (ANI)
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood extended Holi greetings and participated in a Holi Milan programme in Janakpuri on Friday, celebrating the festival with residents. Speaking to ANI, Sood said, "My greetings to the people of Delhi on the occasion of Holi... I pray that God gives us strength to serve the people of Delhi in the best way." Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conveyed her best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire nation for the festival of Holi. In her message, she expressed her hope that this vibrant festival of colors would bring happiness, immense love, and harmony to everyone's life. "Infinite best wishes to the people of Delhi and the entire country on the sacred festival of colours, Holi. May this festival of colours, Holi, bring countless happiness, immense love and harmony in your life. This festival is not just a celebration of colours, but a living symbol of the victory of truth, strong bonds of relationships and mutual brotherhood," posted Gupta on X. She further urged people to celebrate Holi in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally conscious manner, stressing the importance of respecting one another and spreading love. "Let us all celebrate this festival in a safe, harmonious, and environmentally sensitive manner. Respect each other, fill every heart with the colors of love and harmony, and together move towards a prosperous, happy Delhi," she added. As the country began to celebrate the festival of colors in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)
The SSB soldiers celebrated the festival by applying colours to each other and dancing.

Holi was also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jammu's Udhampur, Poonch, and Dooda districts.

In the Doda district, People threw 'gulaal' at each other and danced as they celebrated the festival of colours.

DIG Udhampur Reasi Range, Rayees Mohammad Bhat, highlighted that festivals are celebrated with harmony in India.

"In India, festivals are always celebrated with harmony...We will continue to spread the message of brotherhood..."," he told ANI.

Udhampur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amod Ashok told ANI that various locations have been fortified and the administration is keeping an eye on anti-social elements.

"Police have been deployed in large numbers and checking is also being done at various locations to keep a check on anti-social elements".

He also extended wishes to everyone on the occasion of the Holi.

"I extend best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Holi, and we should celebrate the festival with peace and harmony," SSP Ashok added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival.

"I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X.

"Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim on Friday said he wanted to reiterate Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal that people should be happy for celebrations of different festivals and added that those who indulge in communal hatred should change their mindset for the sake of a united country. Hakim said, "Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says that people may have different religions, but everyone should be happy for each other. Ramzan also belongs to Hindus, and Holi also belongs to Muslims. All of us will celebrate Holi. All the colours mix together to form one colour, which is India. We are praying to God that those two or four people who are making mistakes also change their mind today." Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee took to X to post her greetings on Holi. "Please accept my best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Holi. On this festival of peace, harmony and goodwill, I pray to God that despite the diversity of caste, race, religion and language, we should get coloured in the colours of mutual brotherhood and humanity on the festival of Holi," her post in Hindi read. West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have fallen on the same day, on Friday, and encouraged everyone to follow their faith and celebrate together. Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "Roza, Iftaar, Thandai, and Holi have come together. This is the culture of India. Everyone should follow their faith and celebrate together." This year, Holi festivities have coincided with the Friday prayer during the month of Ramzan. A large number of people gathered at Shree Shyam Mandir, Ghusuri in Howrah to celebrate Holi, while the transgender community also celebrated the festival in Kolkata. As the country marked the festival of colours and celebrated the occasion in harmony and joy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings for the festival and prayed for joy and happiness in the lives of the countrymen. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the auspicious occasion of Holi on Friday. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)
The CM also organised a Holi Sneh Milan program at his residence.

Taking to social media X, he wrote in a post, "On the special occasion of Holi, the great festival of enthusiasm, joy and excitement, heartfelt wishes and greetings of the festival of colours were sent to the loved ones in the Holi Sneh Milan programme organised at the Chief Minister's residence today.

It is my prayer that this festival of colours may fill the lives of all the people of the state with various colours of happiness, prosperity and well-being."

State's Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa also celebrated the festival of colors Holi at his residence and extended greetings on the occasion.

He also stated that the government is working to make 'Viksit Rajasthan' a reality, further stating that everyone should celebrate the festival with peace and harmony.

Speaking to ANI, the Deputy CM said "I extend best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Holi. The state government is working to make 'Viksit Rajasthan...' We all should celebrate the festival with peace and harmony.

Foreign tourists in Jaipur embraced the spirit of the festival and participated in celebrations with the locals.

People gathered in the streets, smeared colours on each other and danced to festive music.

The energy and inclusivity of the festival left a lasting impression on visitors, who expressed their appreciation for the warmth and hospitality they received.

On March 13, the state celebrated 'Holika Dahan' with bonfire lighting and rituals.

Chaitanya Raj Singh, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Jaisalmer took part in the celebrations, singing traditional songs and performing prayers while showering people with gulaal.

Several state leaders also attended Holika Dahan ceremonies. (ANI)
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended Holi greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh. A gathering of Congress leaders, party workers, and residents of Shimla joined the celebrations at Oak Over, where they exchanged greetings. Later, Sukhu, along with Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, State Congress President Pratibha Singh, Health Minister Col (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and MLAs Sanjay Awasthy and Kamlesh Thakur visited Raj Bhawan to convey Holi wishes to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. CM Sukhu also celebrated the festival of colours at his official residence in Shimla. Speaking to ANI, CM Sukhu expressed his heartfelt wishes on the occasion and said, "I extend my warmest greetings to everyone on this vibrant festival of colours. Holi signifies joy, unity, and new beginnings. I hope this festival brings prosperity and happiness to every household in Himachal and across the country. PCC President Pratibha Singh also joined the celebrations at the Chief Minister's residence. Extending her greetings, she said, "I wish all the people of Himachal Pradesh a very happy Holi. May this festival bring colours of happiness, peace, and prosperity to every home." Earlier, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi extended his wishes on the occasion of Holi and shared a post on his official 'X' handle. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the holy festival of Holi. May this festival of colours bring new enthusiasm, new excitement and lots of happiness in your life", Rahul Gandhi's 'X' post read. People across the country have been enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (coloured powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colours, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. (ANI)
Amid Holi celebrations in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan Ashram President Swami Chidanand Saraswati urged the people to break the barrier of discrimination, and hatred and get soaked in the colours of love. He was speaking on the occasion of Holi and International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh where dignitaries from 75 countries have arrived and celebrated Holi on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, "Today is Holi. This is a festival of faith and belief. People of 75 countries celebrated Holi here. Everyone united even though they speak different languages and belong to different colour complexion. There is no barrier. This is Holi. We should before for each other on Holi and for the nation. We should break the walls that create discrimination, remove the hatred, soak ourselves in the colours of love, the colour of love and affection is the most enduring." He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to spread the message of peace throughout the world. "Today we have seen the message of peace at the International Yoga Festival in the presence of dignitaries from 75 countries," he added. Earlier Swami Chidanand Saraswati called on people to respect each other's religions. Speaking to ANI, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said, "People from nearly 75 countries are present here at the ashram to experience the unique culture of India. Be the best version of yourself. There is no need to change your religion, but at the same time, ensure you respect each other's religion. 'Thoda samay aage piche ho jaye to hone dijiye, khud ko aage piche mat kijiye (Let it be if there's a little delay or difference in time, but don't let yourself fall behind or ahead)." Meanwhile, tourists in Mumbai and Jaipur joined locals in celebrating Holi, experiencing the festival of colours for the first time. At Marine Drive in Mumbai, a tourist from London shared in excitement: Many visitors, initially in India for business or travel, were delighted to witness the vibrant festivities first-hand. (ANI)
"I extend best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Holi," he told reporters.

During his stay in Vijayawada, the Union Minister also distributed sweets to the children and wished them a happy Holi.

In a message on the social media platform X, the Union Minister also prayed for the country's unity and goodwill.

https://x.com/arjunrammeghwal/status/1900366237433237569

"I pray to God that this festival dedicated to love, joy, and happiness may further deepen the colours of our unity and goodwill, " he said. "May the life of all of you be filled with the colours of happiness, peace and prosperity."

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival.

"I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X.

"Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," President Murmu said on X. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh police recently raided the an apartment building in the Malhour locality of Lucknow and booked its owner, his business partner and other associates under various sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Foreigners Act of 1946 for allegedly renting apartments to foreign nationals without a proper rent agreement. Acting on confidential information based on complaints regarding suspicious activities in the apartments, the Chinhat police police conducted a raid with female police personnel and body-worn cameras and found 10 foreign nationals, all women, residing in the apartment flats. According to the complaint, the foreign nationals were allowed to stay in the apartment on rent without informing the local police and administration. Upon reaching the site, the police discovered the passports and visas of several women from abroad living here in six different apartments without a proper rent agreement. When asked to show the rent agreement, a Thai woman managed to produce a copy before the police, according to the complaint. However, the rest of the foreign nationals residing in the apartments were unable to do so. Police directed the apartment owner to provide complete information regarding the stay of foreign nationals residing in them. However, the landlord failed to provide rent agreements, and the process of submitting Form C within 24 hours of the arrival of foreign nationals was also not completed, which is a violation of mandated regulations under the Foreigners Act of 1946. As per the complaint, the owner was informed that he had accommodated foreign women without written notice. He was directed to furnish complete information regarding the foreign nationals lodged in the apartment but he failed to provide any rent agreement for the foreign nationals in his flat. The complaint further stated that the owner also did not fill up Form C through the online portal within 24 hours under the Foreigner Registration Rule. The police have registered a case under Sections 61, 318(4) of BNS, 7(1) and 14A of the Foreigners Act 1946, and section 5 of the Foreigners Registration Act 1939. (ANI)
This year, Holi is being celebrated on March 14.

Inspector General Suryakant Sharma extended best wishes to the BSF personnel and their families who live thousands of miles apart.

"All the personnel here are involved in the security of the country; I extend my best wishes to them and their family. I know their families are a thousand miles apart, but the entire country is with them," Sharma told ANI.

Meanwhile, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) soldiers celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The security forces celebrated the festival by applying colours to each other and dancing together.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival.

"I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X.

"Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colours of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)
The seizure comes after the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under Spear Corps launched intelligence-based operations in the hills and valley districts of Chandel, Imphal West, Kakching, and Thoubal between March 12 and 13.

The security forces also destroyed bunkers in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur.

The major seizure occurred in Laijang, Chandel district, where the security forces personnel recovered 36 weapons, including 23 improvised mortars (Pompi), three AK-series rifles, one INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle, one carbine, two muzzle-loaded rifles, one .303 rifle, five pistols, along with ammunition and other war-like stores.

In Thoubal district, a joint search operation by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police resulted in the seizure of seven weapons, including two 9mm carbines, one 12-bore rifle, one single-bore barrel rifle (SBBL), and three pistols.

Another operation in Singjamei of Imphal West district led to the recovery of one mortar, one 12-bore rifle, and one pistol. Meanwhile, in Wangoo of Kakching district, security forces recovered four weapons, comprising one carbine, one .303 rifle, and two single-barrel rifles.

The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police.

Earlier, the Manipur police and security officials conducted various search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts, the police said on Friday.

During their ongoing security operations, the security agencies recovered various arms, ammunition, rifles, and bulletproof jackets. These included one bolt-action 303 rifle with magazine, 10 INSAS LMG magazines, one INSAS rifle magazine, 13 bulletproof helmets, and six bulletproof jackets.

In a detailed post on 'X', the Manipur police briefly described the items seized during the security operations.

"Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. During the search operation, the following items were recovered. i.01(one) Bolt action .303 Rifle with Magazine, 10(ten) nos. of INSAS LMG Magazine, 01(one) INSAS Rifle Magazine, 13(thirteen) nos. of BP Helmet and 06(six) nos. of BP Jacket covers from Pukhao Shantipur hill areas under Sagolmang-PS, Imphal East District", the post read. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday handed over a Pakistani national to the Pakistan Rangers at the International Boundary (IB) in the Amritsar district of Punjab. The individual had inadvertently crossed into Indian territory the previous day, as per the Border Security Force (BSF) statement. BSF personnel noticed suspicious movement near the border adjacent to Mullakot village in the Amritsar district on Thursday evening. The troops swiftly apprehended the individual upon unauthorised entry into Indian territory. Following a detailed inquiry by BSF and intelligence agencies, it was determined that the Pakistani national had crossed the IB unknowingly. A search of his belongings revealed no suspicious items apart from personal effects. On Friday, the BSF and Pakistan Rangers convened a flag meeting at the latter's request. During the discussions, Indian officials raised concerns over Pakistani authorities' failure to prevent such unauthorised crossings. Subsequently, around 4:30 pm, the detained Pakistani citizen was repatriated on humanitarian grounds as a goodwill gesture. The BSF reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strict vigilance along the border while upholding humanitarian considerations in appropriate cases. On March 8, in a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) apprehended two drug smugglers near the Amritsar border, officials said. The operation, based on intelligence from the BSF intelligence wing, marked the second successful joint operation of the day. According to BSF (Punjab Frontier) PRO, the authorities set up an ambush when they noticed two suspected persons coming on motorcycles at around 2:20 PM. After a brief chase, one of the smugglers was captured while the other managed to escape. As this happened, the authorities recovered one packet of suspected heroin weighing 506 grams, a smartphone, three ATM cards, and a Bajaj Platina motorcycle from the apprehended smuggler. The packet that had narcotics was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, and a steel ring was attached to it, indicating that the consignment was dropped by a Pakistani drone. The apprehended smuggler has been identified as a resident of Saidpur Village in Amritsar. This successful apprehension and recovery took place near Village Jasraur, under the jurisdiction of Bhindi Saidan police station. (ANI)
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted at the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar celebrated Holi with their families on Friday. BSF DIG Sachindra Singh Chandel assured that the jawans are patrolling the borders to let the country celebrate the festival of colours with joy. "Every festival is celebrated by BSF with full enthusiasm and joy... You can see the enthusiasm of our jawans... We want to tell our countrymen that we are deployed on the border to keep you safe so you can celebrate every festival comfortably...," Chandel told ANI Earlier in the day, BSF personnel deployed at Border Outposts (BOPs) along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Darjeeling district celebrated Holi. Inspector General Suryakant Sharma extended best wishes to the BSF personnel and their families. "...All the personnel here are involved in the security of the country; I extend my best wishes to them and their family... I know their families are a thousand miles apart, but the entire country is with them...", Sharma told ANI. While, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) soldiers celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The security forces celebrated the festival by applying colours and dancing with each other. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi on X. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India's precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," posted President Murmu on X. (ANI)
A 19-year-old sharpshooter linked to 'Naveen Bali and Himanshu Bhau gang' has been arrested by the special cell of Delhi police, officials said, adding that Deepak alias Rohit Mundlana was allegedly tasked to eliminate a member of rival 'Gogi gang' to avenge the murder of Tillu Tajpuriya. The accused, Deepak, was arrested in Delhi's Rohini area and belongs to the Sonipat district in Haryana. The police seized two firearms and four live cartridges from the accused after a cursory search. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Arms Act. A team from the special cell, led by Inspector Anuj Nautiyal and Inspector Chandan Kumar and supervised by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rahul Kumar Singh, received intelligence about newly recruited sharpshooters. Acting swiftly, officers set up a trap near Japanese Park, located in sector 12 of Rohini, where he was expected to meet an associate before carrying out the killing. He was apprehended before executing the attack. Mundlana, an eighth-class dropout, was drawn into the Naveen Bali-Himanshu Bhau gang in 2023 after getting influenced by its members in Haryana's Jhajjar. His association with the syndicate intensified as he used to follow gangsters from the Naveen Bali and Himanshu Bhau gang on social media, showing his keenness to join their gang. According to police, his violent tendencies stemmed from a 2022 incident where he felt humiliated after being unable to defend his parents during a scuffle with neighbours. This event led him to seek entry into a criminal gang. Being in constant touch with gang members, around 15 days back, Mundlana was assigned the task of killing a member of the Gogi gang in revenge for Tillu Tajpuriya's murder. With gang violence and targeted killings on the rise in Delhi-NCR, the special cell had been tracking the activities of sharpshooters linked to various crime syndicates. Intelligence suggested that the Naveen Bali and Himanshu Bhau gang was planning revenge for the murder of Tillu Tajpuriya, and some members had been assigned to eliminate a Gogi gang rival in outer Delhi. Mundlana was allegedly provided with two weapons and four cartridges for the task. On March 4, 2025, he arrived in Rohini to execute the attack, as per orders from his gang leaders. (ANI)
Maharashtra Police launched a drive to check drunk driving cases in Pune amid Holi celebrations on Friday. DCP Traffic Amol Zende said, "Check posts have been set up at 91 places across the city, police personnel and traffic police officers are present there. The main purpose of this is to keep a check on drunk driving cases so that there is no accident. 5000 police personnel and 500 officers have been placed for this work." Earlier Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde celebrated Holi at his residence in Thane. Several Shiv Sena leaders and supporters accompanied Shinde. The Maharashtra Deputy CM shared some glimpses of him celebrating Holi with his family members on his official 'X' handle. "Let's go colorful now. Let the waves of money rise endlessly... Dispelling sadness and disappointment. Let's celebrate the seven colors today...On the occasion of the Dhulivandan festival, I celebrated the festival of Dhuli Vandana with my family at my residence in #tthaanne today by throwing natural colors", Eknath Shinde's 'X' post caption read. Eknath Shinde also spoke to the media and stated that Holi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in all parts of the state. "Holi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm... We have been showering happiness for the last two and a half years in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and I are working to make the state happier. I extend my best wishes to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah; I have also extended my greetings to them on the phone...", Shinde said while speaking to reporters. Earlier, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis took his official 'X' handle and extended his wishes on the occasion of Holi. "Wishing everyone a joyful and vibrant Dhulivandan! Celebrating the colours of innovation and progress, shaping Maharashtra's bright future", Fadnavis's 'X' post read. People have been enthusiastically celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi by applying gulaal (colored powder) on each other and dancing joyously. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a time when people come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the joy of life. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Friday condemned the alleged attack on former Congress MLA Bambar Thakur in front of his residence, calling it a "very unfortunate" incident. Further, he said that strict action would be taken in the matter. Speaking to ANI, Agnihotri said, "This is a very unfortunate incident. The law and order situation in Himachal is very good, and I am sure the accused will not escape. Strict action will be taken in this matter." Earlier in the day, the Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that instructions had been given to concerned authorities to find the accused in the alleged attack on former Bilaspur MLA Bambar Thakur in front of his residence. Further, he said that the former MLA insisted on being treated at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital. Speaking to ANI, Sukhu said "I have given instructions to concerned authorities to identify the accused. I have talked to Bambar Singh and asked him to go to AIIMS but he insisted on being treated at IGMC. I have asked the Deputy Commissioner to make the necessary arrangements. "The former MLA was injured during the alleged firing incident, as per police officials.Two other people, including his Personal Security Officer (PSO), were also injured in the attack, Bilaspur Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Dhawan said. "Ex MLA Bambar Thakur and two people were injured during the alleged firing in Bilaspur; PSO Sanjay was referred to AIIMS, and Ex MLA at IGMC Bilaspur," the SP said.More details are awaited. Leader of opposition and BJP leader Jairam Thakur said that incidents like these show the collapse of law and order in the state." The shooting incident in Bilaspur is extremely sad. Such incidents make it clear that the law and order situation in the state has completely collapsed. I hope that whoever is guilty of this shooting incident will be caught by the law as soon as possible. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the people injured in this shooting incident," he said. (ANI)
In a significant milestone for Tripura's skill development and international employment initiatives, several nursing candidates from the state have secured prestigious jobs in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program, an official statement said. Acording to a release, this achievement has been made possible through the Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Tripura, in collaboration with NSDC International. The SSW program, established under a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of India and the Government of Japan, allows Indian professionals to work in Japan with long-term employment opportunities. As part of this initiative, selected candidates undergo a full-time, nine-month residential Japanese language and nursing training program in Greater Noida. Upon successfully clearing the required exams and interviews, they are placed in Japan with lucrative salary packages, the statement said. Director of Industry and Commerce Government of Tripura MD Sajjad P said, "It is often said in Tripura that unemployment is very high, but if we take a closer look, unemployment is not the issue--opportunities are abundant. The task of finding these opportunities and reaching them to the unemployed lies with the government. Our Chief Minister has paid attention to this issue and has discussed it on social media and other platforms, emphasizing the need for jobs for the students and unemployed youth of Tripura." "Through programs like NM and GNM, we are sending students to Japan for skill development. This year, we have sent many students from Tripura, and next year, we plan to send another 60 students. This is a great opportunity for those who have completed ANM and GNM in Tripura, and also for those who have done B.Sc Nursing. I encourage everyone to recognize that there are many opportunities here, and they can apply for them," he said. So far, 21 nursing candidates from Tripura have been mobilized for language training in Delhi, out of which three candidates--Diptanu Sarkar (Dhaleswar, Agartala), Trishna Sarkar (Udaipur, Gomati), and Taniya Das (Konaban)--have already started their careers in Japan with a monthly salary exceeding INR 1 lakh. Additionally, six more candidates are set to join them in July 2025. Among the upcoming departures, Priyanka Deb will be heading to Japan in April 2025, while Priyanka Mahajan, Sajjadur Rahaman, Jannat Begum, Parsomi Betu, and Suparna Sarkar will be leaving in July 2025. They will also receive salaries exceeding INR 1 lakh per month, the statement added. Priyanka Deb, a job holder said, "I completed my nursing course. After attending multiple counseling sessions, I moved to Delhi to pursue a Japanese language course. After completing the course, I returned home on January 31st. I also received an offer letter for a job in a city in Japan." The North Eastern Council has provided financial support for this initiative, covering the cost of training, travel, and other necessary expenses. The Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Tripura, has played a key role in ensuring that aspiring nurses from the state can access global employment opportunities without financial burden. This initiative has set a new benchmark for international job placements in Tripura, providing youth with global career prospects and financial stability. The success of these nursing candidates highlights Tripura's growing role in the global workforce and paves the way for future employment opportunities abroad. (ANI)
Amid the controversy over the Tamil Nadu government replacing the rupee symbol in the state budget with the Tamil symbol 'Ru,' Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday dismissed it as a "non-issue." Instead, he highlighted the "discrimination" faced by Tamil Nadu from the central government. He alleged that funds for education and rural development in Tamil Nadu had been stopped by the Centre and called for an end to such treatment. "It is a non-issue, which the BJP wants to take up. The important thing is the way Tamil Nadu has been discriminated against by the central government. The funds for education and rural development have stopped for Tamil Nadu. Many projects are being stopped. This discrimination against Tamil Nadu must end," Tagore said. His reaction comes after the Tamil Nadu government introduced a new rupee logo, sparking controversy. Chief Minister MK Stalin had earlier released a video showcasing the logo for the 2025-26 budget, in which the national currency symbol (a mix of Devanagari and Roman letters) was replaced with the Tamil alphabet 'Ru.' Speaking about the alleged TASMAC scam, Tagore criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accusing it of acting on the "ridiculous" statements made by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. He also claimed that the ED was taking orders from the BJP headquarters and urged the courts to intervene. "Whatever Annamalai speaks, ED is giving it in writing on a piece of paper, which is ridiculous. This kind of approach of using ED and CBI should not be allowed. Courts must intervene. ED offices have become compromised offices, which are taking orders from the BJP headquarters. ED is working as an agent of Annamalai," Tagore added. Meanwhile, Annamalai launched a scathing attack on state minister V Senthil Balaji, labelling him as the "kingpin" who remains involved in "every single scam." Standing firm on his sources, Annamalai claimed that the TASMAC scam was over a thousand crore rupees while questioning the moral right of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Balaji to continue in his post as the minister. "I have my sources. I believe (the corruption) is over a thousand crore (rupees). Senthil Balaji is involved in every single scam. He is the kingpin. Supreme Court has questioned if he has the moral right to stay a Minister," Annamalai told reporters. Labelling Balaji as the "liquor minister", the BJP leader said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin restored Balaji as the minister as soon as he was released from jail. The TASMAC scam is bigger than the Delhi liquor scam, Annamalai asserted. The Chief Minister kept Senthil Balaji's post warm and gave it back to him as soon as he came out of jail. He is in no position to talk about political probity. I call Senthil Balaji, the liquor minister. This scam (TASMAC) is bigger than Chhattisgarh and Delhi (liquor scams)," he added. His reaction comes following raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and liquor-supplying companies in the state, after which Balaji denied the charges and stated that the state government would face this legally. "ED have alleged Rs 1,000 crore corruption without any basis. Before ED, one person made an accusation of a scam worth Rs 1,000 crore, and ED also said the same in their statement. People are aware that there are thousands of meanings behind this. The government will face the ED searches on TASMAC legally," the minister said. "Everything is transparent as far as TASMAC is concerned. As far as purchase is concerned, it would be done by calculating the average of the last three months of brand purchase. By taking the average of the last three years and the last month's purchase, TASMAC will give them a purchase order. So, we have not shown any discount to anyone on giving purchase orders. Everything is transparent. There is no room for any malpractices in TASMAC, and the government will face ED searches legally," he added. The minister claimed that there had been no policy changes in TASMAC functioning. ED, Chennai, conducted search operations at various premises across many districts of Tamil Nadu under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for various offences related to TASMAC and its associated entities/persons, according to an official statement from the Central agency. In a post on X, ED said, "ED, Chennai has conducted search operations at various premises across many districts of Tamil Nadu on 06.03.2025 under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for various offences related to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) and its associated entities/persons. During the search operations, various incriminating documents were recovered and seized." (ANI)
The festival of colours, Holi, was celebrated across the country, and Jumma namaz (Friday prayers) were also held peacefully. Authorities fortified sensitive areas to monitor antisocial elements in parts of the country. This year, Holi was celebrated on March 14, coinciding with the Friday prayers in the month of Ramzan. In pictures, devotees were seen offering prayers at Delhi''s Jama Masjid on the occasion of the second Jumma of Ramzan, which commenced on March 2 and will end with Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of month-long fasting. Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh witnessed peaceful Holi celebrations amid tight security. Friday prayers were also performed peacefully at the Shahi Jama Masjid here. Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra said that the processions celebrating the festivities were carried out peacefully, as everyone cooperated, which sent a message of peace. "Along with Holi, the Jumma namaz was performed peacefully. We have managed to celebrate both things peacefully. The processions were also carried out peacefully. Everyone cooperated. This gives the message that peace remains in Sambhal. Force was deployed to manage the crowd and maintain peace. Everything happened properly," SDM Mishra told ANI. After participating in a Holi Milan program in Gorakhpur, CM Yogi reflected that the country suffered slavery for hundreds of years and has witnessed faith being hurt by invaders. "The country has suffered slavery for a long time. It has suffered slavery for hundreds of years and has seen faith being hurt by invaders. The country has seen how forces try to stop festivals like Holi and Diwali and obstruct events like Maha Kumbh, but no one has been able to stop this tradition; it is continuing uninterrupted," CM Yogi said, without naming anyone. His remarks came amid a row after West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government had reportedly banned Holi celebrations at Santiniketan''s Sonajhuri Haat. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stressed the importance of national unity, stating that India can only develop when its people are united. He added that no power in the world would be able to prevent India from becoming a developed nation if it is united. Addressing the public in Gorakhpur on the occasion of Holi, CM Yogi said, "Sanatan Dharma has only one proclamation, and that proclamation is that where there is Dharma, there will be victory. Modi has given a resolution of developed India to the country. India can develop only when it is united, if it is united then it will be the best, if it is the best then no power in the world will be able to stop it from becoming developed. Therefore, all our efforts should be dedicated to the nation. The message of Holi is simple: this country will remain united only through unity." Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings for the festival. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival, filled with joy and happiness, will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone''s life and will also deepen the colors of unity among the countrymen," posted PM on X. President Droupadi Murmu also greeted everybody on the occasion of Holi. "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India''s precious cultural heritage. On this auspicious occasion, let us all together pledge to fill the lives of all the children of Mother India with the colors of continuous progress, prosperity and happiness," Murmu posted on X. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi extended his wishes on the occasion of Holi and shared a post on his official ''X'' handle. "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the holy festival of Holi. May this festival of colours bring new enthusiasm, new excitement and lots of happiness in your life", Rahul Gandhi said. Holi, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The celebration is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, where a bonfire is lit to mark the death of Holika, a symbol of evil and a special Puja to burn evil spirits is performed. (ANI)
A federal judge has directed six federal agencies to "immediately" reinstate probationary employees who were sacked in February as part of the Trump administration's effort to reduce the federal workforce, CNN reported. The judge called the move a "sham." In a preliminary injunction issued from the bench on Thursday, US District Judge William Alsup directed the departments of Veterans Affairs, Energy, Interior, Agriculture, Defence and Treasury to rehire the affected employees. The judge said that he might extend the order to other federal agencies at a later time. Alsup, appointed by former US President Bill Clinton, said that he has issued the ruling as he believes the Office of Personnel Management unlawfully ordered the agencies earlier this year to lay off the probationary employees, who generally have been on the job for less than a year, CNN reported. He said, "The court finds that Office of Personnel Management did direct all agencies to terminate probationary employees with the exception of mission critical employees," rejecting arguments from the Justice Department that OPM merely issued "guidance" to the agencies that then led to the firings. The judge said the order is effective immediately. He said, "This is the order, and it counts." The judge's ruling came in a case filed by labour unions and others challenging OPM's role in the firings, which impacted thousands of employees and sent shockwaves to various federal agencies. Alsup was highly critical of the administration's justification for firing the employees. OPM had provided agencies with a template termination letter that mentioned the employee's "performance" as the reason they were being let go. However, the judge stressed that the rationale was the government's attempt to end federal law creating specific rules for shrinking the federal workforce. The judge said, "The reason that OPM wanted to put this based on performance was at least in part in my judgment a gimmick to avoid the Reductions in Force Act." He said, "Because the law always allows you to fire somebody for performance." He called it a "sad day" when the government would sack some good employees and say it was done on the basis of performance "when they know good and well that's a lie." He added, "That should not have been done in our country. It was a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements." Federal probationary employees typically serve in their positions for one year. However, some jobs have a two-year probationary period, as reported by CNN. The employees may be new to the federal workforce. However, they could have been promoted or shifted to a different agency. Alsup's ruling comes at a time when the Trump administration has been making efforts to reduce the number of federal employees, a key priority that has been central to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. The Trump administration has been targeting probationary workers as they have fewer job protections and can be dismissed more easily. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that the United States would annex Greenland, emphasizing that North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte could play a key role in facilitating the acquisition. Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Rutte at the White House on Thursday (local time), Trump said the US needs Greenland for "international security" and hinted at future discussions on the matter. "Well, I think it'll happen. And I'm just thinking, I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security, international. We have a lot of our favourite players, you know, cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful. And we'll be talking to you," Trump said, turning to Rutte. "It's a very appropriate, really a very appropriate question." While acknowledging China and Russia's growing presence in the Arctic, Rutte distanced NATO from any discussion regarding Trump's attempts to acquire Greenland. "When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the US, I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion because I don't want to drag NATO in that," Rutte said. He added, "When it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are totally right. The Chinese are now using these routes. We know that the Russians are rearming. We know we have a lack of icebreakers. So, the fact that seven outside Russia, there are seven Arctic countries working together on this under US leadership. It's very important to make sure that that region, that part of the world, stays safe, and we know things are changing there, and we have to be there." On March 10, Trump threatened to take over Greenland. In a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that the US supported Greenland's right to determine their own future, but it could also join the US if they wanted. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland's right to determine their own future. We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II. We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH -- And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!" For months, Trump has pushed the idea of the US acquiring Greenland. Prior to assuming office on January 20, he refused to rule out potential military action to annex Greenland. When Trump was asked whether he could assure the world that as the US tries to get control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, it was not going to use military or economic coercion? He replied, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this -- we need them for economic security," CBS News reported. (ANI)
Talks between Afghan and Pakistani jirgas to resolve the 19-day Torkham border dispute collapsed after the Afghan delegation walked out, accusing Pakistan of not taking the talks seriously, Geo News reported, citing sources. According to sources, the dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan started nearly three weeks back when Afghan forces began making structures in Pakistani territory near the Torkham border, Geo News reported, citing The News. Pakistan raised objections over the construction of structures by Afghan forces, leading to increasing tensions and the suspension of trade and cross-border movement. The closure of the border has disrupted businesses and impacted travellers on both sides. Four days ago, Pakistan and Afghanistan established jirgas, comprising tribal elders, businessmen, and officials, to address the issue. During the first meeting held two days ago, the two delegations agreed to a ceasefire and further talks to address the construction and restore border operations. The ceasefire has been upheld since the initial talks. After consulting Taliban authorities in Kabul and Jalalabad, the Afghan delegation, led by Afghan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Younus Mohmand, returned to the Torkham border for negotiations. The meeting between the two nations' delegations was expected to determine the next steps for reopening the border and resolving the dispute. However, the Afghan delegation accused Pakistan of expanding its delegation list without prior consultation. The Afghan jirga waited for two hours, however, it ultimately decided to leave without holding negotiations with Pakistan. The Afghan delegation travelled back to Kabul and accused Pakistan's jirga of undermining serious negotiations, Geo News reported. Pakistani jirga leader and Federation of Chambers of Commerce adviser Sayed Jawad Hussain Kazmi acknowledged the Afghan delegation's concerns and said that the delegation's expansion was not communicated properly. He said that Pakistan had originally given a list of 17 members. However, the Afghan delegation was not sent another list containing more than 50 additional names. Kazmi termed the Torkham border dispute a critical issue impacting economic stability, trade and diplomatic ties between the two nations. He stressed that dialogue remained the only way to resolve the issue and assured that efforts would be made to bring the Afghan delegation back to the negotiating table. He said that Pakistani officials continued to remain in touch with their Afghan counterparts throughout the day. However, by the time communication was re-established, the Afghan jirga had already returned to Kabul. The Torkham border remains shut, causing financial losses to traders and hardships for travellers stranded on both sides of the border. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for national unity and dialogue against terrorism in the country following the hijacking of a Jaffar Express train in Balochistan's Bolan district, the Dawn News reported. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the train, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar and carrying 440 passengers, was ambushed by rebels of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). They opened fire on the train and held the passengers' hostage, prompting the security forces to initiate an operation that lasted two days. PM Shehbaz called for Pakistan's entire political leadership to sit down together with the military leadership to discuss the challenges that the country was facing. "One challenge, in my view, is that there should have been complete unity on this [incident], but unfortunately, there is a gap," he was quoted as saying. Earlier, in what is seen as a political reach out by the ruling PMLN government, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that the ruling alliance was ready to invite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the all-parties conference on terrorism. Speaking on Geo News, the Defence minister said: "We are ready to invite PTI to the APC, but they [PTI] should also attend the meeting unconditionally." On Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistani military had claimed that security forces had ended the siege, killing all 33 rebels and rescuing every hostage aboard the train. However, the Pakistani Army have not released any photographs or video of the "successful operation". The rebel BLA on the other hand claims that the ISPR was covering up defeat. Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA, insisted that "the battle is still ongoing across multiple fronts." Baloch claimed that the Pakistani army has "neither achieved victory on the battlefield nor managed to save its hostage personnel." He accused the state of "abandoning its own soldiers" and leaving them "to die as hostages." Released passengers who reached Quetta told Pakistani media that BLA fighters voluntarily freed women, children, and elderly individuals soon after seizing the train. The BLA has also challenged Pakistani authorities to allow independent journalists and impartial observers into the conflict zone. The group contends the army's reluctance to permit such access demonstrates its "defeat." (ANI)
Leaders of the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) have accused Turbat University's administration of using police and Frontier Corps (FC) forces to intimidate students protesting recent disciplinary measures and the suppression of student activism on campus, as reported by the Balochistan Post. The protest, which has been ongoing for two days, was sparked by students' demands for a review of disciplinary committee decisions related to the setup of a book stall and concerns over the harassment and profiling of Baloch students. The Balochistan Post cited that on March 12, after a protest rally, students staged a sit-in outside the university's administration block. However, the administration failed to engage with the protesters or address their grievances. In response to the administration's indifference, the students intensified their protest the next morning by blocking the administration gate. BSAC leaders claim that when university officials finally met with the students, rather than listening to their concerns, they issued threats of serious consequences and intimidation involving police and FC personnel, the Balochistan Post reported. BSAC leaders lamented, "We believe that for a long time, the suppression of student politics in Balochistan and the effort to keep Baloch students away from education reflect state policies and attitudes." On the evening of March 13, Turbat University's official social media account announced the rustication of one student and the suspension of five others, warning that force would be used to end the protest if students did not disperse. BSAC condemned these actions, calling them unjust and an example of "administrative hypocrisy" towards students, the Balochistan Post reported. The committee further accused the university of attempting to silence political activity on campus, which they deemed "completely unacceptable." In a strong response, BSAC rejected the university's threats and vowed to continue their protest. They stated that the administration's actions had only revealed its true intentions, undermining any claim of a commitment to education or goodwill toward the Baloch people. The students insisted that their protest would persist until the university revoked its statement, accepted their demands, and reviewed the disciplinary decisions. BSAC also added two new demands: the immediate reinstatement of students whose admissions were canceled or who had been suspended, and an official apology from the university on its social media platforms for the alleged false accusations against the students, the Balochistan Post reported. The group called on students, faculty, and the general public in Kech to support the protest and stand against what they described as oppressive university policies aimed at suppressing student voices. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of manipulating the ceasefire proposal, stating that Moscow is crowding the idea with preconditions designed to delay or derail progress. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin's highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines--at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it." He argued that while Ukraine has accepted the US-backed proposal for an unconditional ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air, Russia continues to create obstacles to avoid a resolution. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1900287013557002393 Zelenskyy asserted that Putin is reluctant to admit his desire to continue the war and is instead using tactics to complicate negotiations. "Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians. That's why, in Moscow, they are surrounding the ceasefire idea with such preconditions that it either fails or gets dragged out for as long as possible. Putin does this often--he doesn't say 'no' outright, but he drags things out and makes reasonable solutions impossible. We see this as yet another round of Russian manipulation," he said. He stressed that Ukraine is not imposing any conditions that would complicate the process and that only Russia is delaying progress. "There was a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire--in the air, at sea, and on the front lines. We in Ukraine accepted this proposal. We have heard from the American side that there is readiness to organise monitoring and verification. And this is absolutely feasible--with American and European capabilities. And during the ceasefire, to prepare answers to all questions about long-term security and a real, lasting peace, and to put a plan to end the war on the table," Zelenskyy added. He reaffirmed Ukraine's willingness to work swiftly and constructively, emphasising that discussions with US and European representatives had already taken place and that global allies were aware of Ukraine's position. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts to resolve the conflict. Speaking at a press conference alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin stated that Russia was open to ceasing hostilities but insisted that any halt in fighting must lead to "long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis." He suggested that Ukraine's willingness to negotiate might have been influenced by US pressure, saying, "On the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground." Zelenskyy, however, dismissed Russia's approach as obstructionist, stating, "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process--Russia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia. They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day." He called for an increase in international pressure on Moscow, emphasising the need for effective sanctions. "Now is the time to increase pressure on him. Sanctions must be applied--ones that will work. We will continue working with our American and European partners and with everyone in the world who wants peace--to force Russia to end this war." On March 11, Ukraine formally agreed to an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," which could be extended by mutual agreement and was contingent on Russia's acceptance. The proposal, which was discussed in US-Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was welcomed by President Trump, who emphasised the importance of ending the war. "Soldiers of both Russia and Ukraine are being killed in this horrible war," Trump said, expressing hope that Russia would also agree to the ceasefire. India has also reiterated its support for diplomatic negotiations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that India's stance is not neutral but "on the side of peace." PM Modi emphasised that he had personally engaged with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders and reaffirmed that war could not be resolved on the battlefield. "I have said that 'this is not a time of war' in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table," he said. PM Modi also welcomed Trump's peace efforts, expressing hope for a swift resolution. Last year, PM Modi travelled to Russia and Ukraine, meeting with both leaders and reiterating India's willingness to play an active role in peace efforts. During discussions with Zelenskyy, he reaffirmed India's position that a resolution must come through diplomacy and dialogue. The conflict, which has persisted since February 2022, continues to draw international efforts toward de-escalation, but with both sides maintaining deep-seated disagreements, a lasting peace remains uncertain. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Keith Kellogg, has been excluded from high-level discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to a report in NBC News. The news outlet, citing a Russian official, said that Kellog did not attend the US-Russia summit in Riyadh on February 18 because Russian President Vladimir Putin thought the "former American general was too pro-Ukraine." The 80-year-old Kellog, who was confirmed as Trump's envoy for the Russia-Ukraine peace in January, was also not present on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia for a meeting between US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a Ukrainian delegation. Ukraine agreed to a Trump administration proposal for a 30-day pause in fighting after the high-level talks, provided Moscow also committed to the plan. On Thursday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and a US delegation landed in Moscow to discuss a settlement to the Ukraine conflict. Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, Putin said at a news conference that he agreed "with the proposals to stop the hostilities" but that there were issues that needed to be discussed. He added that he may need to "have a phone call with Trump" as per Russian state news agency TASS. Russia will determine the next steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine "based on how the situation on the ground evolves," Putin was cited as saying. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, accused Putin of manipulating the ceasefire proposal, stating that Moscow is crowding the idea with preconditions designed to delay or derail progress. US President Trump, speaking in the Oval Office after meeting with NATO Secretary John Bolton, said that the Kremlin would face reprisals in the form of "devastating" financial penalties if it spurned the ceasefire proposal. Trump on Thursday speaking in the Oval Office after meeting with NATO secretary said that the Kremlin would face reprisals in the form of "devastating" financial penalties if it spurned the ceasefire proposal. (ANI)
A lawmaker from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has proposed an amendment that would impose penalties on Taiwanese individuals collaborating with Chinese political groups to undermine the country's dignity, Taipei Times reported. The proposal comes in response to recent incidents where online influencers have shared pro-China content, raising concerns about the influence of Chinese propaganda. Legislator Chiu Chih-wei has put forward an amendment to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. Under the proposed changes, individuals working with groups affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to create content that threatens Taiwan's sovereignty or democratic freedoms would face a fine of NTD 50,000, Taipei Times reported. Chiu explained that current laws are too vague, as they only penalise direct collaboration with the CCP. He noted that while Taiwanese citizens traveling to China are prohibited from endangering national security, they can still "echo" CCP propaganda without facing legal consequences. The proposed amendment seeks to specify actions that would be prohibited for individuals traveling to China, including working with political, military, or administrative groups that pose a threat to Taiwan's sovereignty. It would also ban advocating for the overthrow or alteration of Taiwan's democratic Constitution, Taipei Times reported. Chiu further suggested increasing the penalties outlined in Article 91 of the act, which currently start below NTD 10,000. He argued that raising the fines would strengthen deterrence. Additionally, he proposed that penalties be applied for each violation, preventing loopholes that could allow offenders to evade consequences, Taipei Times reported. The legislator stated that several other lawmakers supported the amendment, and a draft has already been submitted to the Legislative Yuan. He emphasised that clearer legal definitions would ensure better compliance while reaffirming Taiwan's sovereignty and preventing China from exploiting legal ambiguities to undermine the government. Recently, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defence confirmed a media report stating that a retired Air Force major had disclosed classified documents to Chinese intelligence agents, according to the Taipei Times. (ANI)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh's interim government and its people, acknowledging their hospitality as he arrived for a four-day visit, the Daily Star reported. https://x.com/antonioguterres/status/1900417998709498215 In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres stated, "I thank Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the interim government and the people of Bangladesh for their warm welcome. As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, you can count on the UN to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all." During his visit, Guterres is expected to urge the international community to step up humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya men, women, and children who have endured immense suffering. His spokesperson emphasised this during a media briefing early today, reinforcing the UN's commitment to supporting the refugees and addressing their ongoing plight. Upon his arrival in Bangladesh yesterday afternoon, Guterres met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna. Their discussions focused on the country's reform initiatives, humanitarian efforts, and Bangladesh's collaboration with the UN in addressing critical issues. Earlier today, Guterres was also called upon by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and High Representative of the Chief Adviser on Rohingya and Priority Matters, Khalilur Rahman, at Hotel InterContinental. Their meeting further underscored the urgency of resolving the Rohingya crisis and securing international support. Guterres and Yunus will travel together to Cox's Bazar, where they will visit the Rohingya refugee camps. The Secretary-General will engage with Rohingya refugees who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar and interact with host communities that have been providing them shelter. The delegation will also share iftar with the refugees, recognising their resilience during the holy month of Ramadan., the Daily Star reported. On Saturday, Guterres is scheduled to visit a photo exhibition at the UN office in Dhaka, meet with youth and civil society representatives, and hold a joint press conference with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. He will conclude his visit with an iftar hosted by the Chief Adviser before departing Dhaka on March 16. (ANI)
China, Russia and Iran have called for an end of all "illegal and unilateral sanctions" and urged for abandoning "threats of force" against Tehran, as per a joint statement, following talks between the three countries in Beijing on Friday. The meeting between the three countries comes after Iran rejected the US proposal to restart nuclear negotiations. In a joint statement released today, the three countries said diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on "mutual respect" were the "only effective and viable options" for addressing the issue of Iran's nuclear programme. "The three countries emphasised the need to end all illegal unilateral sanctions. Relevant parties should address root causes, abandon sanctions, pressure tactics and threats of force," the statement released by Chinese state media Global Times read. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi participated in the talks. "The parties emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2231 [in support of the Iran nuclear deal], including adherence to the outlined timeline, and called on the parties concerned to refrain from actions that could escalate the situation and instead create conditions conducive to diplomatic efforts," Ma Zhaoxu, who chaired the meeting, said at a news conference as per a report in TASS. A day before the trilateral meeting, China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi and said, as per the Global Times, that China is willing to work with Iran to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the United States' claim that it is ready to negotiate with Iran is aimed at deceiving world public opinion. Khamenei said Iran would not negotiate with the US because it would not help resolve any problems. Earlier in a Fox News interview, US President Donald Trump said that he had personally written to Khamenei asking to talk. On Thursday, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, in an interview with a local newspaper cited by state media IRNA, said that Tehran will demonstrate to Washington that its "maximum pressure" policy is ineffective and that Tehran seeks equal conditions for holding talks. After assuming office as US president for the second time, Trump signed an executive order resuming the maximum pressure policy, saying he would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and will use military force if Tehran fails to make a deal on its nuclear program with Washington. During his first term as president in 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of an international deal in which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. Trump had then imposed new economic restrictions on Iran, to which Tehran responded a year later by violating the deal's nuclear curbs. The deal officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was clinched in 2015 after years of talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries namely the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany. On Wednesday, addressing students in Tehran, the Ayotollah responded to the US's claims that it would not allow Iran to attain nuclear weapons. "If we had intended to build nuclear weapons, America would not have been able to stop us," the Iranian leader said, emphasizing that it is because of Iran's own will to neither possess nor seek such weapons. (ANI)
At Marine Drive in Mumbai, a tourist from London shared in excitement: "I came here for some work but I also got to enjoy Holi for the first time. It is a great experience and everyone is really welcoming." Many visitors, initially in India for business or travel, were delighted to witness the vibrant festivities first-hand.

Tourists in Jaipur also embraced the spirit of Holi, participating in the celebrations with locals. People gathered in the streets, smearing colours on each other and dancing to festive music.

The energy and inclusivity of the festival left a lasting impression on visitors, who expressed their appreciation for the warmth and hospitality they received.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador to India and Bhutan, ONO Keiichi, extended his Holi greetings on X.

https://x.com/JapanAmbIndia/status/1900381755468873961

He shared a joyful message: "Holi Hai! We celebrated the festival of colours at the Embassy of Japan in India, embracing joy, unity, and friendship. Wishing everyone a Happy Holi!" His post reflected the festival's broader cultural significance and the bonds it fosters across nations. (ANI)
Diplomats from around the world joined in celebrating Holi, sharing festive greetings and participating in the joyous occasion. Embassies and consulates took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their admiration for the vibrant festival, emphasising the spirit of unity and cultural exchange. Philip Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Bhutan, shared his wishes - "Wishing all my Indian friends a colourful and happy Holi!" https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/1900395715932885357 The German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann, extended warm wishes, posting, "Happy Holi to all of you, from the German Embassy!" https://x.com/AmbAckermann/status/1900395632273314121 Similarly, the Israeli Embassy shared its enthusiasm, stating, "We LOVE Holi. Watch our diplomats celebrate Holi." The festival's infectious energy was felt across diplomatic circles, as officials embraced the tradition with excitement. https://x.com/IsraelinIndia/status/1900389393661382918 Kobbi Shoshani, Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, Mumbai, highlighted the authenticity of the celebration in his post, saying, "Celebrating Holi in 'Indian'... not Bollywood way. Also Happy Purim." https://x.com/KobbiShoshani/status/1900071877881803170 Meanwhile, Naor Gilon, former Israeli Ambassador to India, fondly recalled past Holi celebrations, writing, "There are many things that we miss about India. Playing Holi is undoubtedly high on our list. Happy Holi to all our Indian friends." https://x.com/NaorGilon/status/1900094351960612960 ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India and Bhutan, also joined in the festivities, sharing, "Holi Hai! We celebrated the festival of colours at the Embassy of Japan in India, embracing joy, unity, and friendship. Wishing everyone a Happy Holi!" https://x.com/JapanAmbIndia/status/1900381755468873961 The French Embassy in India further added to the celebrations by engaging its staff, posting, "Happy Holi! We asked colleagues what thrills them the most about this festival, and this is what they had to say!" https://x.com/FranceinIndia/status/1899982263435284679 (ANI)
"Warm welcome to FM Arzu Rana Deuba of Nepal as she arrives in New Delhi for Raisina Dialogue 2025," Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1900474343735599304

Deuba offered prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand and Basukinath Temple there on Wednesday.

"I have reached Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand, India, and have offered prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham as well as at the Basukinath Temple located there. For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone, including the temple management committee and the main priest of the temple."

https://x.com/Arzuranadeuba/status/1899784352483233845

Deuba on Monday embarked on a visit to India for a religious visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal announced.

"Following her visit to Jharkhand, Minister Rana will attend the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, scheduled for March 17 to 19," the Foreign Ministry mentioned in the release.

The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.

The event, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs, will be attended by world leaders, including Prime Ministers and foreign ministers from various countries. Rana is set to address the dialogue as part of his official engagement. Additionally, she is expected to undergo a follow-up health check-up during his visit.

Rana was seen off at Tribhuvan International Airport by Amrit Bahadur Rai, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other high-ranking ministry officials.

Earlier, Rana was on an official visit to India from August 18 to 22, 2024, at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. At the time, she held bilateral talks on August 19, 2024, that covered the full range of the India-Nepal bilateral partnership. (ANI)
The Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI) in a statement condemned the mosque blast that occurred earlier on Friday. The party demanded government interference in bringing the law and order situation under control, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. "JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemns mosque blast in South Waziristan. The holy month of Ramadan and the sanctity of the mosque were violated. The explosion is regrettable and condemnable. The government and institutions need to take the nation into confidence regarding the law and order situation, especially in KP and Balochistan. Important issues like unrest in KP and Balochistan are ignored in both houses of parliament. May Allah grant Maulana Abdullah Nadeem and the other injured a speedy recovery," the party said in a post on X. https://x.com/juipakofficial/status/1900519587763876104 Earlier on Friday, a bomb exploded at a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan during Friday prayers, injuring Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) district chief Abdullah Nadeem and three others, Dawn reported, citing a police official. District Police Officer Asif Bahader told Dawn that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast occurred at 1:45 pm (local time) at Maulana Abdul Aziz Mosque on Azam Warsak Bypass Road, with the device planted in the mosque's pulpit. "In the explosion, Abdullah Nadeem, the district chief of JUI, was seriously wounded," he said. Three others, also belonging to the JUI, have sustained minor injuries. The injured were identified as Rehmanullah, Mullah Noor, and Shah Behran, Dawn reported, quoting a statement issued by the police. Bahader added that all injured individuals had been taken to the District Headquarters Hospital for immediate medical assistance. "The police have also reached the site of the blast and are collecting evidence," he said, adding "Further investigation is underway." Mosques, particularly during The party demanded government interference in bringing the law and order situation under control, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.Friday prayerThe party demanded government interference in bringing the law and order situation under control, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.s when large congregations gather, have been targeted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past as well. Last month, six people, including JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, were killed and 15 injured when a suicide blast ripped through the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in KP's Nowshera district. (ANI)
The rape of a child in Bangladesh has cast a shadow over the celebrations of the Hindu festival of colours on Friday. The festival, which is traditionally celebrated with great pomp and ceremony across the country, has been subdued due to the cloud of rape incident. An eight-year-old girl died on March 13 after being allegedly raped. The incident sparked outrage and protests across Bangladesh. Aditi Das, who came to celebrate the Festival at the Ramna Kali Temple located in the heart of the capital Dhaka, said, "We are celebrating the Colour Festival in Bangladesh. It brings peace, harmony, and liberal mentality for us. We want a liberal country. We want a liberal Bangladesh, Happy Holi!". "Actually, we are celebrating here today, but we are sad. A little girl died. She was brutally raped and she died. We are sad about her. I wish that the rapist should be punished," she added. Speaking to ANI, Aditi said, "Our thinking, our mentality should change. It all about our upbringing, our social circumstances, social environment everything. So we should change our mentality". Aditi said she feels free to celebrate her religious festivals in Muslim majority Bangladesh of 170 million people, but "sometimes they get interrupted". Hundreds of men and women of all ages celebrated the Festival of Colours by dancing, singing, and applying colours at the Ramana Kali Temple. A student from Government Titumir College in Dhaka said, "This festival is called the colour festival. This day our Lord Radha and Krishna celebrated at Boikunthadham, that's why we called it Holi. In Bangla we called it Doljatra - Suvo Doljatra. We celebrate this festival in gratitude to our Lord Krishna and Radha." "I first celebrated the festival during my childhood when I was one or two years. In my childhood I celebrated more rather than I celebrated this time," she told ANI. Swasti Kundo, a national award-winning dancer of Bangladesh, said, "Holi Festival is called Dol Utsab in Bengali. Through this colour, everyone's sorrows are removed". (ANI)
UK Conservative MP Bob Blackman extended Holi wishes in the House while narrating the lore that goes behind the festival of colours. The Padma awardee further jested, advising the first-timers to avoid going to the celebration wearing business outfits, as the colours do not come off later! "Tomorrow is Holi, where Hindus throughout the world will celebrate the deliverance of Vishnu (actually Prahlad) from Holika. Where Holika was the evil witch who was consumed by fire," he said yesterday. His further comments evoked laughter from all listeners, as he advised them on clothing to be worn during the festival. "Now for colleagues who are first time going to Holi festivals, I recommend you don't wear business attire, because colours will be thrown, you'll be coated in various different colours and I would advise you that you probably won't be able to clean the clothes afterwards," he said. "Yesterday, I wished everyone celebrating a Happy Holi in the chamber! I also advised my fellow parliamentarians attending Holi festivals to not wear business attire to truly enjoy the festival of colours!" https://x.com/BobBlackman/status/1900472495683117369 Blackman also said that the festival celebrates the eternal love of Radha and Krishna and signifies the triumph of good over evil. "Happy Holi to everyone celebrating in Harrow East and around the world! Holi, the Festival of Colours, celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna and signifies the triumph of good over evil! May this Festival of Colours bring joy and happiness in your life!" https://x.com/BobBlackman/status/1900468190746206307 According to Hindu mythology, Demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her, sat on fire with Prahlad on her lap but was burnt to death while Prahlad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Vishnu. (ANI)
Jeeyand Baloch, Spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army, a Baloch rebel organisation, said in a statement that despite an ultimatum given to the Pakistani forces, they did not heed to it, resulting in the death of 214 hostages. The Baloch rebel organisation claimed that they gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistan. "Baloch Liberation Army had given the Pakistani army a 48-hour ultimatum to exchange prisoners of war, which was the last chance for the occupying army to save the lives of its personnel. However, Pakistan displaying its traditional stubbornness and military arrogance not only avoided serious negotiations but also turned a blind eye to the ground realities. As a result of this stubbornness all 214 hostages have been executed," the statement claimed. The rebel organisation further claimed that they have always acted as per the international law, but the stubbornness of Pakistan forced them to act thus. "BLA has always acted in accordance with the principles of war and international law but the Pakistani state preferred to use its personnel as fuel for war instead of saving their lives. The enemy had to pay the price for this stubbornness in the form of the execution of 214 personnel," as per the statement. "BLA pays tribute to the 12 freedom fighters martyred in this battle, who made an unforgettable sacrifice against the enemy. On Wednesday night, three freedom fighters were martyred while last night, four more freedom fighters were martyred in combat. Additionally, five Fidayeen of the Majeed Brigade sacrificed their lives dealing the enemy a defeat that will always be remembered in history," the statement read. As per the statement, the rebels killed the hostages and then themselves, while also killing Pakistani state soldiers. "In the Operation Darra-e-Bolan battle Fidayeen trapped the enemy in a devastating ambush and delivered a decisive blow. Fidayeen locked some hostage military personnel in special bogies and took up positions while other freedom fighters managed to take the remaining hostages to a safe location. When the Zarar Company of Pakistani SSG commandos arrived to rescue the hostages locked in the bogies of the Jaffar Express Fidayeen surrounded and attacked them fiercely. In this battle which lasted for several hours, SSG commandos suffered heavy casualties while the hostages were also executed. Fidayeen fought till the last bullet, inflicting a decisive blow on the enemy and achieving martyrdom by following the philosophy of the last bullet, firing their final shot on themselves," the statement claimed. The rebels claimed that the state was now trying to purportedly show the bodies of the dead rebels as their success. "Now occupying army is trying in vain to present the bodies of these Fidayeen as a "success" despite the fact that their mission was never to return alive but to fight until the last bullet. Despite all its military and intelligence superiority the army failed to rescue the hostages. Moreover, those whom the Pakistani state is portraying as "rescued" were actually released by the BLA on the first day granted safe passage under the rules of war," as per the statement's claims. The rebels later said that the battle was not over, and had intensified. It said that the rebels were still targeting the state forces. "This battle is not over yet but has intensified. Baloch freedom fighters are continuously targeting the occupying army with ambushes in different areas and the enemy is still struggling to even retrieve the bodies of its fallen personnel. With every passing moment the superiority of the BLA is becoming more and more evident," the statement claimed. The rebel organisation stated that they will reveal further information about their operation after it will be over. "Baloch Liberation Army will release details about Operation Darra-e-Bolan to the media after the operation is completed. The battle is still ongoing," the statement added. Meanwhile, on Thursday, ISPR Pakistan DG Lt Gen Sharif Chaudhry said that the Jaffar Express clearance operation, launched after the train's hijacking in Balochistan, was complete. He added that all rebels, 33 in all, at the site of the attack had been killed. (ANI)
During the gathering, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed exchanged Ramadan greetings with attendees, extending his best wishes for their health and happiness during the blessed month.

In return, the attendees expressed their heartfelt wishes for the UAE's continued prosperity, hoping that this holy occasion would bring further progress and well-being to the UAE's leadership, government, and people.

The attendees also exchanged cordial discussions on the importance of exchanging visits and strengthening bonds, reflecting the authentic values of Emirati society--especially in the Year of Community, which emphasises reinforcing social bonds.

The banquet was attended by several Sheikhs, senior officials, and dignitaries from across the UAE. (ANI/WAM)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 14 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the announcement by the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on concluding peace negotiations, and expressed hope that this historic step would consolidate bridges of communication, dialogue, and stability, to achieve development for both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and across the Caucas region. Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, underscored that the UAE supports all measures agreed upon by the two countries to enhance security and peace at the regional and international levels, and consolidate a settlement that initiates a new period of sustainable and constructive cooperation. Nusseibeh underscored that the UAE has deep-rooted relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan and is committed to bolstering cooperation between them to achieve mutual interests. (ANI/WAM)
The ceremony featured field demonstrations, where graduates showcased their tactical and field skills in handling various security scenarios, reflecting their high level of training and operational readiness.

After the event, the Commander of the National Guard honoured the top-performing graduates and congratulated all participants on their successful completion of the courses.

He emphasised the importance of continuous development and skill enhancement to keep pace with evolving challenges and changes, ultimately strengthening readiness and efficiency in safeguarding the nation and its achievements. (ANI/WAM)
Canada's Liberal Party leader Mark Carney was on Friday sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country, replacing Justin Trudeau, Al Jazeera reported. Carney, the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, took the oath of office in both French and English. As per Al Jazeera, the economist and former central banker, Carney succeeds Trudeau amid soaring tensions over US President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats against Canada. "Today, we're building a government that meets the moment. Canadians expect action -- and that's what this team will deliver. A smaller, experienced cabinet that moves faster, secures our economy, and protects Canada's future," Carney said in a post on X. https://x.com/MarkJCarney/status/1900562496441717139 "Right now, we're building a government that will deliver what our country needs most. We're going to protect Canadians during this crisis and build a stronger economy for the future," Carney said. https://x.com/MarkJCarney/status/1900301460572627079 Opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has hit out at Carney over the past several weeks by likening him to Trudeau and his government's most unpopular policies. Carney served as an economic adviser to the Trudeau, but he was never an elected member of the Parliament of Canada. In a post on X, shortly after Carney was sworn in, Poilievre said most of the new prime minister's cabinet served under Trudeau as well. https://x.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1900574730135941151 "A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal," the Conservative leader said. Earlier, echoing Trudeau, Carney has said US tariffs on Canadian goods are "unjustified", Al Jazeera reported. Speaking to reporters at a steel plant in Ontario on Wednesday - the day 25 per cent US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium came into effect - Carney said his government would seek to jumpstart talks with the Trump administration. "We are ready to sit down with the Americans, with the US government," Carney said. "I'm ready to sit down with President Trump at the appropriate time, under a position where there's respect for Canadian sovereignty and we're working for a common approach, a much more comprehensive approach for trade." He said Canadian and American workers would "be better off when the greatest economic and security partnership in the world is renewed", as per Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York, Parvathaneni Harish on Thursday (local time) delivered India's statement at the meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In his speech, he highlighted the unjustified claim by Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir, saying that their frequent references will not validate their claim on the region. "As is their habit, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Frequent references will neither validate their claim, nor justify their practice of cross-border terrorism," he said. Harish further said that Pakistan's fanatical mindset was well-known, and that the reality will not change nevertheless, and Jammu and Kashmir will remain an integral part of India. "The fanatical mindset of this nation is well known, as also its record of bigotry. Such efforts will not change the reality that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be an integral part of India," he said. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations said that Harish during his speech said, India was a land of pluralism, and was home to over 200 million Muslims. "PR Parvathaneni Harish delivered India's statement at the meeting to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. He highlighted: India is a land of diversity and pluralism. With over 200 million, India is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. India stands united with the UN membership in condemning incidents of religious intolerance against Muslims," he said. https://x.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/1900591971250385143 "It is imperative to recognise that religious discrimination is a broader challenge that affects followers of all faiths. The path to meaningful progress lies in acknowledging that religio-phobia in its various forms threatens the fabric of our diverse, global society," his statement added Harish further said that deliberation on religion-related issues must unite people, and not divide. "There is a need to work towards a future where every individual, regardless of their faith, can live with dignity, security, and respect. Any deliberation on issues of faith must seek to unite, not divide," he added. (ANI)
The United States has presented a "bridge" proposal to extend the Israel-Hamas ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, allowing time to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict, the White House said in a statement. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Council official Eric Tager presented the proposal in Qatar on Wednesday, according to a statement from their offices. "On Wednesday evening in Doha, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and National Security Council Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa Eric Trager presented a "bridge" proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, and allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire," the statement read. The proposal calls for Hamas to continue releasing hostages in exchange for prisoners based on a previously established formula. It also extends the phase-1 ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza. "Under the "bridge" proposal, Hamas would release living hostages in exchange for prisoners in accordance with previous formulas; the phase-one ceasefire would be extended to enable the resumption of significant humanitarian assistance; and the U.S. would work towards a durable solution to this intractable conflict during the extended ceasefire period," the statement read. Witkoff emphasized that mediators, including Qatar and Hamas, have made it clear to Hamas that the "bridge" proposal must be implemented soon. "Through our Qatari and Egyptian partners, Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this 'bridge' would have to be implemented soon- and that dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately," he said. Witkoff criticized Hamas for publically claiming flexibility in ceasefire negotiations while privately making impractical demands. "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire. Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not. Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes," he said. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) accused former President Joe Biden's administration of turning the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a "Department of Injustice" and added that "those days are over." Trump made these remarks at the Department of Justice following a series of terminations and resignations of Biden-era judges, attorneys, and other officials under the new administration. "Our predecessor turned the Department of Justice into a Department of Injustice, but I stand before you to declare that those days are over, and they are never coming back. And now, as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of our country, I will insist upon and demand accountability for all the wrongs and abuse that have occurred," Trump said. He claimed that these abuses included how investigators "spied on my campaign, launched one hoax and disinformation operation after another." "They persecuted my family, staff and supporters; raided my home, Mar-a-Lago; and did everything within their power to prevent me from becoming the president of the United States," Trump said. Trump vowed to "clean up" Washington, tackle crime, and curb illegal immigration. He also said that he didn't want other world leaders, including Indian PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, to witness the city's "tension, graffiti, and broken barriers." "We are cleaning up our city, this great capital, we are not going to have crime, we are going to take graffiti down, we have already taken tents down, we are working with administration...PM Modi of India, French President, UK PM, they all came to see me...when they came, I didn't want them to see tension, graffiti, broken barriers...we are going to do that for the city," Trump said. Last Month, Trump announced his decision to terminate all remaining "Biden-era" US attorneys, citing the "politicisation" of the Department of Justice over the past four years. Trump emphasised the need to "clean house" and restore confidence in the justice system, asserting that a fair justice system is essential for America's "golden age" to thrive. (ANI)
Following the Jaffar Express train hijacking by Baloch Rebel groups, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that terrorists along with their enablers and facilitators, would be challenged both inside and outside the country, Dawn reported. Addressing a press conference on the incident, Chaudhary said, "Terrorists will be dealt with as they deserve, as those who drag innocent people out of buses and slaughter them, a group that divides people by ethnicity, have no connection to Baloch [ethnicity] or Islam." "We will deal with them as they deserve. We will take them on, their facilitators, their abettors, whether inside Pakistan or outside Pakistan," he added. Meanwhile, Baloch rebels have claimed to kill 214 hostages and blamed Pakistan's "stubbornness" and "avoidance of negotiations" despite a 48-hour ultimatum. Jeeyand Baloch, Spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army, a Baloch rebel organisation, said in a statement that despite an ultimatum given to the Pakistani forces, they did not heed to it, resulting in the death of 214 hostages. "Baloch Liberation Army had given the Pakistani army a 48-hour ultimatum to exchange prisoners of war, which was the last chance for the occupying army to save the lives of its personnel. However, Pakistan, displaying its traditional stubbornness and military arrogance, not only avoided serious negotiations but also turned a blind eye to the ground realities. As a result of this stubbornness, all 214 hostages have been executed," the statement claimed. The rebel organisation further claimed that they have always acted as per the international law, but the stubbornness of Pakistan forced them to act thus. "BLA has always acted in accordance with the principles of war and international law, but the Pakistani state preferred to use its personnel as fuel for war instead of saving their lives. The enemy had to pay the price for this stubbornness in the form of the execution of 214 personnel," as per the statement. On Thursday, ISPR Pakistan DG Lt. Gen. Sharif Chaudhry said that the Jaffar Express clearance operation, launched after the train's hijacking in Balochistan, was complete. He added that all rebels, 33 in all, at the site of the attack had been killed. (ANI)
Mar 14 (News On Japan) - A delivery ceremony was held for the 'Raigei,' one of Japans largest submarines, built at a cost of approximately 702 billion yen.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries handed over the vessel to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The submarine measures approximately 84 meters in length and has a displacement of 3,000 tons. Construction began in March 2021, and it is equipped with a propulsion system that combines a diesel engine and lithium-ion batteries.

A parliamentary vice minister of defense expressed expectations for the submarines role on the front lines of national defense. The 'Raigei' has been assigned to the JMSDFs First Submarine Squadron under the Kure District Headquarters in Hiroshima Prefecture, where it will be engaged in maritime security operations.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
Algerian authorities suspended consular cooperation with France in its consulates of Nice, Marseille, and Montpellier, amid a worsening diplomatic crisis that led the French interior minister to call for banning entry to the Algerian nomenklatura.

The Algerian escalatory move came in a series of provocations including the refusal to admit Algerian nationals who have been deported by France for violating local laws.

Interior minister Bruno Rottailleaux has been calling on France to take a tough stance against Algeria including banning Algerian airlines, scrapping the 1968 deals giving Algerians preferential treatment in settling in France, and denying entry to holders of diplomatic passports.

The latter move could deal a blow to the private interests of the Algerian political class. Journalist in exile Abdou Semmar said some 10,000 people in Algeria have diplomatic passports, a privilege that has been given to regime members even if they had no diplomatic role.

Algerias refusal to cooperate on migration with France came in retaliation for Paris support for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory.

Among the victims of the Paris-Algiers crisis was dual national novelist Boualem Sansal, who spent four months in arbitrary detention for mentioning in an interview in France the colonial origins of Algerias current borders at Moroccos expense.
The head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, has revealed on March 13 that 16 million children in Sudan are suffering immensely due to the ongoing civil war, facing daily threats of violence, starvation, disease, and sexual assault.

Speaking at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, Russell described how the conflict is occurring right at the doorsteps of childrens homes, schools, and hospitals across Sudans cities, towns, and villages. She highlighted the particular vulnerability of children under five, with over 1.3 million living in famine hotspots and another 3 million at risk of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue, as the countrys health system continues to collapse.

Russell also reported a disturbing rise in sexual violence, with 221 cases of rape against children in nine of Sudans 18 states last year, two-thirds of which were girls. In 16 of the cases, the children were under five years old, including four babies under the age of one. While calling for an end to the hostilities, she emphasised that the trauma experienced by these children would not end with the signing of a ceasefire or peace agreement. The scars they carry will require ongoing care and support to heal, she stated, underscoring the long-term impact on their lives.

Christopher Lockyear, the head of Doctors Without Borders, corroborated these harrowing accounts, revealing that his teams had treated 385 survivors of sexual violence last year, many of whom were under the age of five. He described the situation in Sudan as catastrophic and lamented that calls for an end to the war have gone unanswered, with civilians continuing to endure violence, displacement, and deprivation. Both Russell and Lockyear urged the U.N. Security Council to press the warring factions to allow unimpeded aid access, as UNICEF seeks $1 billion to provide critical support to millions of children in the country.

Aid officials have also decried the ongoing war as creating the largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis in the world.

More than 30 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population, are expected to require humanitarian aid this year. The warring parties are accused of blocking aid deliveries, exacerbating the suffering of civilians, and hindering relief efforts. Both the RSF and the SAF have denied these accusations, with the RSF attributing the actions to rogue elements and pledging to investigate, while Sudans U.N. ambassador defended the Governments commitment to civilian protection.

The crisis has led to severe food shortages, with famine affecting at least five locations in Sudan.
Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed toward renewed warfare, regional officials warn, threatening another humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. Such a conflict would involve two of the continents largest military forces and potentially draw in additional regional powers.

The alarming developments would effectively destroy the historic peace agreement that marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough in 2019. Experts caution that renewed hostilities would create yet another crisis in a region where millions already face humanitarian challenges amid funding shortfalls.

At any moment war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out, warned General Tsadkan Gebretensae, vice president in Tigrays interim administration. The tensions stem from the aftermath of the devastating 2020-2022 Tigray conflict, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Complicating matters, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front split into rival factions last yearone administering Tigray with federal approval and another in opposition. This week, the dissident faction seized control of the northern town of Adigrat, prompting Getachew Reda, head of Tigrays interim administration, to request government intervention.

What concerns me is that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they dont believe in, Reda stated during a recent press conference.

Military movements by both nations signal escalating tensions. Eritrea reportedly ordered nationwide mobilization in February, while Ethiopia has deployed troops toward the border region this month, according to multiple diplomatic sources.

The deteriorating situation represents dry tinder waiting for a match, according to former regional envoys, who view the prospect of war as increasingly realistic given the historical animosities and recent geopolitical maneuvering in the strategically vital Red Sea region.
Commander of Libyas Counter Terrorism Force (CTF), Major General Mohammed Al-Zein, held in Tripoli earlier this week a meeting with a visiting high-level British delegation that focused on means of bolstering security collaboration between the two countries.

The CTF highlighted, in a statement, that the purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral security cooperation and share expertise in the field of counterterrorism. Both parties explored various avenues to strengthen security capabilities, with a particular focus on improving joint coordination mechanisms. This collaboration is seen as a crucial step towards furthering efforts to combat terrorism and instability in the region.

The meeting underscores the growing commitment between Libya and the UK to work together in addressing counterterrorism challenges, with both sides eager to develop a comprehensive and coordinated response to security threats.

The CTF highlighted that the purpose of the meeting was to enhance bilateral security cooperation and share expertise in the field of counterterrorism. Both parties explored various avenues to strengthen security capabilities, with a particular focus on improving joint coordination mechanisms. This collaboration is seen as a crucial step towards furthering efforts to combat terrorism and instability in the region.

The meeting underscores the growing commitment between Libya and the UK to work together in addressing counterterrorism challenges, with both sides eager to develop a comprehensive and coordinated response to security threats.
Students stage a walkout protest at Columbia University to condemn the presence of ICE agents on campus and call for the release of Mahmoud Khalil. Photo: Dana Edwards/Reuters

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security announced it has arrested a second Columbia University student as part of the Trump administrations long-promised crackdown on college protests against the war in Gaza. The move comes just days after federal agents arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at the university and a green-card holder who led protests there last year.

In a press release, the DHS said Leqaa Kordia was arrested for overstaying her student visa. The agency said her visa had been terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance. The DHS said Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, had previously been arrested last April for taking part in Gaza protests on Columbias campus.

The agency also said another Columbia student, Ranjani Srinivasan, self-deported. According to the DHS, Srinivasan, an Indian national, entered the U.S. on a student visa to attend Columbia as a doctoral student studying urban planning but had her visa revoked this month. The agency also released a video it claims shows Srinivasan using the Customs and Border Protection Home app to self-deport.

Echoing the rhetoric of President Donald Trump, the DHS claims without evidence that the two students arrested were supporters of Hamas, at one point misspelling the organizations name as Hammas in the press release. It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self-deport, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that this round of student-visa revocations will not be the last. In the days to come, you should expect more visas will be revoked as we identify people that we should have never allowed in, he said, according to Reuters.

As Trump has moved to quell college protests since taking office, his administration has continued to escalate its actions against Columbia. On Thursday, Katrina Armstrong, the universitys interim president, said DHS agents with judicially approved warrants had searched two student residences on campus. No one was arrested or detained. No items were removed, and no further action was taken, she said.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated Friday that the searches were part of an investigation into whether Columbia was hiding students who were in the country unlawfully. Just last night, we worked with the Department of Homeland Security to execute search warrants from an investigation into Columbia University for harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus, Blanche said, per the Associated Press. That investigation is ongoing, and we are also looking at whether Columbias handling of earlier incidents violated civil rights laws and included terrorism crimes.

Last week, the federal government announced it would be revoking $400 million in grants and contracts from Columbia, alleging the university has failed to address antisemitism on its campus. The administration then laid out additional steps for Columbia to potentially get those funds back, calling for enforcement of its disciplinary policies, a mask ban, and immediately placing its Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies Department under academic receivership.

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Photo: Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

Eric Adams is more than happy to be the Justice Departments yo-yo. Keep me on a string, bounce me back and forth, do what you will, the mayors legal position goes, just so long as you dismiss my indictment and dont bring it back.

This remains the key point of contention as we play out the endgame of the Adams legal saga. Its now all but certain the Adams indictment will be dismissed, as both he and the new Justice Department leadership have requested. The only remaining question is whether the Trump administration can keep Adams dangling as its well-placed institutional plaything.

Quick recap: The U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York in September 2024 indicted Adams for bribery, conspiracy, and federal election crimes primarily related to his acceptance of financial benefits from Turkish nationals in return for official favors. The case seemed sound, if not quite overwhelming; a trial jury could have come out either way.

But when the Trump administration took over in early 2025, acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove  former SDNY prosecutor and, more recently, Trumps criminal defense lawyer  ordered the SDNY to dismiss the indictment. Bove acknowledged that he had reached his conclusion without assessing the strength of the evidence or the legal theories on which the case is based. Rather, the new DOJ honcho explained, the prosecution unduly restricted Mayor Adamss ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime in New York City, in furtherance of the presidents policy priorities.

Theres the crux of the problem: For the first time in modern history  perhaps ever  federal prosecutors explicitly gave a criminal defendant a free pass because he promised to support the presidents political agenda. The SDNYs conservative, Trump-administration-appointed acting U.S. attorney, Danielle Sassoon, sharply rejected Boves crooked order and resigned instead. I cannot agree to seek a dismissal driven by improper considerations, she wrote. At least a half-dozen other experienced prosecutors at the SDNY and Justice Department headquarters followed Sassoon out the door in protest.

Last month, Judge Dale Ho called the parties into court to discuss the DOJs unusual request; the federal rules of criminal procedure provide that a prosecutor must obtain leave of court  the judges permission  to dismiss an indictment. The judge asked probing questions of Bove, who confirmed that the DOJs decision was predicated on Adamss support for Trumps policy agenda  yet denied that there had been any quid pro quo between the parties. We are indeed rewarding Adams because of his political support and assistance, Bove explained, but not in (explicit) exchange for it. Its a mighty-thin tightrope.

At one ominous moment, Judge Ho asked whether a similar prosecution-for-politics calculation would apply to other cases involving public officials. Yes, absolutely, Bove confirmed. Apparently, this prosecution-for-politics approach will serve as a prototype for the new Trump DOJ. Wonderful news for all public officials: If you get indicted, you can always wriggle out of it by endorsing some unrelated Trump policy initiative.

Recognizing that he had heard only from one side  Bove, Adams, and the defense team all heartily agreed on a dismissal, but Sassoon and other dissenters had no voice in the courtroom  Judge Ho took an unusual (but not unprecedented or unwarranted) step. He appointed Paul Clement, a respected conservative who served as U.S. solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration, to study and report back on the knotty legal questions around whether and under what circumstances a judge must accept a request by the DOJ to dismiss an indictment.

Clement has now filed his report, and it is entirely sensible and well-supported in the law and logic. He concludes that neither the courts nor the citizenry can compel the executive to initiate a criminal prosecution, and judges are constitutionally powerless to compel the government to proceed with a case that it wants to dismiss. Clement explains persuasively that, like it or not, it would violate core separation-of-powers principles for a judge to force prosecutors to carry on with a prosecution against the will of the executive branch.

But, critically, Clement concludes that the law does allow a judge to determine whether the DOJ can dismiss a case without prejudice (meaning the case can be refiled in the future) or with prejudice (meaning the case is dead for all time).

Thats particularly important here, given that the DOJ insists that the Adams indictment be dismissed without prejudice. The Trump administrations plain intent is to keep the New York City mayor in line on immigration (and perhaps other) issues with a built-in enforcement mechanism for if he strays. Witness the Fox News cringefest wherein Trump border czar Tom Homan crowed, If he doesnt come through, Ill be back in New York City, and we wont be sittin on the couch, Ill be in his office, up his, up his butt, sayin, What the hell, where is the agreement we came to? Adams overlaughed nervously as Homan batted around his new plaything on national TV.

Clement called out the precise problem posed by the DOJs proposal to keep Adams dangling: A dismissal without prejudice creates a palpable sense that the prosecution  could be renewed, a prospect that hangs like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the accused. Thus, Clement concluded, the Adams indictment should be dismissed with prejudice, ending the prosecution permanently and preventing the DOJ from resuscitating its case. Perversely (but probably correctly, legally), the law dictates that Adams must receive an even more valuable gift (dismissal with prejudice) than the one Bove initially meant to confer (dismissal without prejudice). Its good to be the mayor.

We should hear from the judge any day now, and I expect him to follow Clements recommendation and dismiss the indictment with prejudice, effectively cutting the string that the DOJ wouldve used to bounce Adams back and forth. But the whole saga reveals something deeper and more disturbing.

Adams was willing to do absolutely anything necessary to escape the consequences of an indictment, including kissing up to the president, conforming the citys policies to please him and then offering himself up to the administration as a willing and pliable political operative moving forward. And the Justice Department was not content merely to reward Adams for his sycophancy. Rather, the Trump administration insisted on keeping control of the mayor, even beyond the end of the criminal case, by dangling the threat of a new prosecution.

If Judge Ho follows Clements counsel and ends the case with prejudice, then at least the prospective political damage will be mitigated and Adams  and, by extension, the city he manages  wont remain completely in hock to the Trump administration. In a saga that has torpedoed the integrity of both Adams and the Justice Department, its a small but vital consolation.

This article will also appear in the free CAFE Brief newsletter. You can find more analysis of law and politics from Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, Joyce Vance, and other CAFE contributors at cafe.com.
What does Hakeem Jeffries think of Chuck Schumer now? Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

For the record, Im usually disinclined to promote the hoary Democrats in Disarray narrative whereby the Democratic Party is to blame for whatever nightmarish actions Republicans generally, or Donald Trump specifically, choose to pursue. Thats particularly true right now when Democrats have so little actual power and Republicans have so little interest in following laws and the Constitution, much less precedents for fair play and bipartisanship. So it really makes no sense to accuse the powerless minority party of allowing the assault on the federal government and the separation of powers being undertaken by the president, his OMB director, and his tech-bro sidekick. If congressional Republicans had even a shred of integrity or courage, Senate Democrats would not have been placed in the position this week of deciding whether its better to let the government shut down than to let it be gutted by Trump, Vought, and Musk.

Having said all that, Senate Democrats did have a strategic choice to make this week, and based on Chuck Schumers op-ed in the New York Times explaining his decision to get out of the way and let the House-passed spending bill come to the floor, he made it some time ago. Nothing in his series of rationalizations was new. If, indeed, a shutdown would be the best distraction Donald Trump could ask for from his awful agenda, while enabling the administration to exert even more unbridled power over federal programs and personnel, that was true a week ago or a month ago as well. So Schumers big mistake was leading Senate Democrats right up to the brink of a collision with the administration and the GOP, and then surrendering after drawing enormous attention to his partys fecklessness.

This doesnt just look bad and feel bad for Democrats demanding that their leaders do something to stop the Trump locomotive: It also gives the supreme bully in the White House incentive to keep bullying them, as Josh Marshall points out in his postmortem on the debacle:

[P]eople who get hit and abused and take it tend to get hit and abused again and again. Thats all the more true with Donald Trump, a man who can only see the world through the prism of the dominating and the dominated. It is a great folly to imagine that such an abject acquiescence wont drive him to up the ante.

The reality is that this spending measure was the only leverage point congressional Democrats had this year (unless Republicans are stupid enough not to wrap the debt-limit increase the government must soon have in a budget reconciliation bill that cannot be filibustered). Everyone has known that since the new administration and the new Congress took office in January. If a government shutdown was intolerable, then Democrats should have taken it off the table long before the House voted on a CR. Punchbowl News got it right:

Lets be blunt here: Democrats picked a fight they couldnt win and caved without getting anything in return. 

Heres the lesson from this episode: When you have no cards, fold them early.

Instead, Democrats have taken a defeat and turned it into a debacle. House and Senate Democrats are divided from each other, and a majority of Senate Democrats are all but shaking their fists at their own leader, who did in fact lead them down a blind alley. While perhaps the federal courts will rein in the reign of terror presently underway in Washington (or perhaps they wont), congressional Democrats must now become resigned to laying the groundwork for a midterm election that seems a long time away and hoping something is left of the edifice of a beneficent federal government built by their predecessors from the New Deal to the Great Society to Obamacare. Theres a good chance a decisive majority of the general public will eventually recoil from the misrule of the Trump administration and its supine allies in Congress and across the country. But at this point, elected Democrats are going to have to prove they should be trusted to lead the opposition.
Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and permanent legal resident, should horrify anyone who cares about the First Amendment in the United States of America. Khalil has not been accused of breaking any laws: He simply led raucous protests at Columbia against Israels war in Gaza. A federal judge has ordered the government not to remove Khalil from the United States while his case is pending. We will see what happens next.

The Trump administration has not been subtle about its intentions. A White House official, speaking anonymously to the Free Press, told the right-leaning media organization that Khalils arrest would be a blueprint for other actions. Khalil is a threat to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States, said the official. The allegation here is not that he was breaking the law.

He was mobilizing support for Hamas and spreading antisemitism in a way that is contrary to the foreign policy of the U.S.

Democrats have largely denounced the arrest, which is gratifying. Republicans have either cheered for Khalils deportation or gone silent. A select number of pro-Israel hawks, like former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who is now running for mayor, have said little. A smaller segment of Democrats, fiercely supportive of Israel, have been satisfied to see the government take drastic action against an individual they believe is an antisemite and a menace to other students.

But even if being pro-Palestine or anti-Israel could be fully equated with antisemitism  the Jewish people are more than one nation-state in the Middle East  it would be absurd and dangerous to arrest and try to deport someone over political beliefs they espouse. Theres no evidence Khalil is partnering with Hamas to try to overthrow the United States. If somehow Khalil had a literal link to Hamas, it wouldnt be much different than the Irish Americans who supported the ferociously violent IRA for decades. Or, more shockingly to most people today, the millions who backed Nelson Mandela, who remained on a U.S. terrorist watch list until 2008.

As disturbing and authoritarian as Donald Trumps crackdown on nonviolent college protesters remains, it tragically belongs to a rich American tradition. For more than a century, presidents and federal law enforcement have abused their power to menace activists, typically on the left. Woodrow Wilsons Palmer Raids inaugurated the first Red Scare in the late 1910s, and J. Edgar Hoovers FBI harassed, spied on, and infiltrated leftist and civil-rights organizations for many decades. The CIAs Operation CHAOS, less well-known than the FBIs notorious COINTELPRO, extensively surveilled antiwar, civil-rights, and womens-liberation organizations, holding files on thousands of American citizens.

Deportation as a political weapon is not new, either. In the early years of the Great Depression, during the presidency of Herbert Hoover, more than a million people of Mexican descent were forcibly sent to Mexico. As many as 60 percent were American citizens, and they were targeted under the nativist assumption that they were responsible for stealing jobs that the stock-market crash had bled away.

After 9/11, George W. Bush continued to expel immigrants under the auspices of the War on Terror. A 16-year-old girl who had emigrated from Bangladesh at the age of 5 was deported when the FBI found she was visiting an internet chat room containing sermons from a London imam encouraging suicide bombing. Federal authorities also wielded the threat of deportation to force immigrants to become informants. One 24-year-old Moroccan permanent resident who had immigrated legally was blocked from returning to the U.S. and had his green card suspended; he was threatened with detention if he did not inform against alleged terrorists.

None of this is to excuse what the Trump administration is seeking to do to Khalil and many other activists who are merely exercising their speech rights. Its merely to underscore that the American government has walked this dark and potentially bloody road before. On the issue of Israel, whats become clear is that the traditional  and more benign  approach of lusty support and soft propaganda through trips like Birthright (I briefly considered, and then turned down, such a free foray to Israel in college) have given way to furious suppression of any and all dissent. In the long run, much of this will backfire on American Jews who hope to inculcate an affection for the Jewish State in young people.

Rather than perceive any hope or glory in Zionism, these young people will associate it with the federal governments harassment of nonviolent activists. Any students targeted for deportation will be turned into martyrs for their cause. The generation gap around Israel will only swell. While a majority of Americans remain strongly supportive of Israel and Zionism broadly, younger voters are much more sympathetic to the Palestinians than prior generations. Their views are unlikely to shift with age, especially as the religious right continues to exert great sway over Israeli politics and the bipartisan consensus around unconditionally backing Israel breaks down.

In the short term, pro-Israel hawks will be successful in the United States because they have Trump on their side and colleges are terrified of losing federal funding. They see Trump freezing grants to Columbia and wealthy donors demanding fresh investigations into antisemitism on college campuses that conflate the genuine article with advocacy for dying Gazans. Activists have every reason to worry as college administrators seek to clamp down on political organizing. But what they should also take heart in is the fact that the median American teenager with a social conscience is going to look on at the Khalil arrest with great horror.

For pro-Israel hawks who dream of converting the young American masses to their cause, who hope to make Palestinian activism anathema to all that is right and true, all of this does the opposite. To any sane American, arresting and deporting Khalil is indefensible. Whatever overreach pro-Palestinian activists can be accused of  virtually all of it boils down to language and little more  none of it compares to the boot heel of the federal government crashing down on the people who legally live here. This is what Trumpism looks like.
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Ive spent nearly a decade reporting and podcasting about theme parks, yet figuring out what to pack for my childs first Disney trip nearly broke me. Balancing the logistics of hopping between parks, a dizzying array of restaurants and hotels, and digital skip-the-line programs is complicated enough without adding nap times and peanut-butter puffs to the mix. After dozens of trips to Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Ive refined my process and discovered that the trick to staying organized is to embrace the chaos  because there are better ways to spend your vacation than reorganizing your diaper bag.

Obviously, every family and every kid will have different needs, so youll have to decide for yourself whether schlepping stuff like reusable drinking straws is a personal necessity (Disney only has paper ones). But there are a few things  beyond the more obvious basics, like a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, Band-Aids, and comfortable shoes  that I dont skip.

The stroller

Though I have flown from L.A. to Orlando with my baby in a Doona, it cant hold nearly enough stuff for a day in the parks. Avoid Disneys own rental strollers; they are basically hard plastic on wheels without much storage and dont recline, so they are terrible for naps.

For my first Disney World trip with a baby, I rented a (Strategist-approved) Baby Jogger City Mini from one of the plethora of Orlando rental companies that will deliver strollers (and sometimes other gear like cribs) directly to you or your hotel. Rental strollers are a super-convenient option, especially if you dont need one at the airport; most of the available models are lightweight jogging strollers, come with a rain cover in case of inclement weather, and easily meet Disneys stroller-size guidelines. But I was so happy with how my Zoe Tour folded and maneuvered on day trips to Disneyland that it now comes with me on every Florida adventure, too. The brand also has a travel version that fits in airplane overhead compartments.

The bags

Be prepared to unpack and/or fold your stroller multiple times per day  especially if youre relying primarily on Disney transit, which almost always requires you to quickly collapse your stroller as you board. The key is to have a system of bags that will let you keep the most important stuff close at hand while quickly emptying the under-seat storage basket and removing anything thats hanging from the back of the handle.

Disney is full of stroller parking lots, so while youre at shows, meeting Mickey Mouse, or inside a restaurant, youll be away from most of your stuff. Fanny packs are ideal for keeping your phone and wallet on you at all times, but especially while wearing a baby carrier and maneuvering your way in and out of ride vehicles. Any brand will do, but Im partial to Stoney Clover Lane for its adorable Disney patterns and customization  plus, it was founded by a friend. The jumbo size is roomy enough for snacks, toys and anything else  emergency diapers, prayers  you may need while waiting it out for Peter Pans Flight.

I bring a bunch of different styles of Baggu so that I can group items by category, and I pack a few extras for holding souvenirs or anything I might need to quickly contain as we exit the park  its less stressful to reset everything back at the hotel. As a bonus, the colorful patterns help me identify my stroller when getting off a ride better than any decorative nameplate.

Everything else

Carabiner-style stroller hooks will let you hang an assortment of Baggus, wet bags, reusable water bottles, and anything else with a handle directly onto your stroller while youre in the park. You can remove them  while keeping those items clipped together to carry separately  anytime you have to fold your stroller.

Related to the last: Ponchos or other packable rain gear.

Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Universal Stroller Snack Tray $30 $30 Even if you dont typically use one, Id add a stroller snack tray; high chairs at Disney parks tend to be significantly lower than tables, so I feed my child in her stroller more often than not. (Again, get whatever fits your stroller, or make sure your rental includes one.) $30 at Amazon Buy $30 at Amazon Buy

If youll be at Disney during the warmer months, game out your cooling plan before you leave. Lots of what to pack for Disney Facebook threads will recommend cooling towels, but fans dont get your shirt wet. Consider a clip-on fan for your stroller and a handheld fan or neck fan for yourself.

Depending on your child(ren)s exact age and ability  or willingness  to walk versus being held when youre standing in line for a ride, sitting on the bus, or hanging out anywhere else where you cant push them in a stroller, a baby carrier that you can wear with your fanny pack and quickly stash in a Baggu or your strollers storage basket is a crucial tool for saving your arms and back.

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The investigation into compliance issues at South Smiths Station Elementary School continues with the principal still on leave, Lee County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard said.

For the second consecutive Lee County Board of Education meeting, Howard and the board faced criticism from the public regarding the investigation into the alleged issues at the school. Howard said the investigation should be concluded this week.

The goal is not to let people go. The goal is not to have teachers be on edge, but the goal is to make sure that we're in compliance with state law and board policy, Howard said following the meeting. If we're not, we have to do corrections.

In January, Lee County Schools placed South Smiths Station Elementary School Principal Teresa Phillips on paid administrative leave as an investigation began into compliance issues. Amy Long has been named the interim principal at South while Phillips is on leave.

We are out of compliance at South. Under the Alabama Literacy Act and Alabama Numeracy Act, the state board and the state legislation passed certain curriculum that we must use. And in our investigation and our findings, we have quite a bit of teachers not following state approved curriculum, Howard said.

Howard said an example would be supplanting versus supplementing. He said supplanting is where a teacher would replace something in the curriculum with something unapproved. In supplementing, Howard said a teacher uses something to add to the curriculum to make it better. Howard said the state approves what curriculum schools use in both scenarios and that if what is approved is not used, then the school is out of compliance. He said the LCBOE policy aligns with what the state approves.

When asked if it was a specific curriculum, Howard said the curriculum was acquired by the teachers on their own and used on their own without permission. He said Bailey Education Group has been brought in to perform an audit of the curriculum to determine how far out of compliance the school is.

On Tuesday, a teacher and a community member signed up to speak before the school board. The first speaker was Amy Skoglund, a third-grade teacher at South Smiths Station Elementary School.

Skoglund said she has wanted to be a teacher since she was in the third grade, and that being a great teacher goes beyond just the curriculum.

Every school and teacher both has room to grow, but with the treatment we've received this year, you're going to lose amazing teachers, Skoglund said. This whole fiasco has me questioning everything. Please ask yourselves, what school environment would you want for your child to learn in, or your son and daughter to work at?

Following Skoglund was community member Carol Childs who said she moved to Smiths Station with her parents 53 years ago.

Childs said she is a member of the 1979 graduating class, has had three children graduate from Smiths Station and has grandchildren attending multiple elementary schools. Childs said she feels a sense of community when she walks through the halls of their schools.

I have been in and out of the elementary schools that they attend and have gotten to know staff at those schools. I can't imagine this principal or any of these teachers at South putting their jobs on the line by not following state-chosen curriculum, Childs said.

Childs also voiced support for Phillips, calling her outstanding in her role as principal.

After the meeting, Howard said that the issues are not widespread in Lee County and that they found quite a bit of irregularities at one school.

We appreciate everybody's response, and we can't talk about personnel matters openly. But the investigation will be concluded soon, and we'll know exactly what we need to correct moving forward, Howard said.

What is next for South Smiths and Lee County Schools

On Tuesday, Howard said Bailey Education Group has been at South Smiths Station Elementary investigating for three-and-a-half weeks and is expected to complete the investigation this week.

Howard said he expects to have a meeting on Friday to discuss the full findings of the investigation.

Then we'll be taking the information that we know about individual teachers and what curriculum they're using. And then our human resources department will then speak with those teachers to determine why they were using curriculum that was not approved, Howard said.

Howard said those discussions are expected to begin next week. He said he would not divulge the identities of the teachers because they have a right to confidentiality.
National COSH Warns of Dangerous Legislation in Kentucky

Kentuckys HB 398 threatens to weaken workplace safety protections, putting workers at risk nationwide.

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) is raising urgent concerns about Kentuckys proposed House Bill 398 (HB 398), legislation that threatens to dismantle essential workplace safety protections in a state already grappling with alarmingly high workplace fatality rates  5.0 per 100,000 workers, significantly above the national average of 3.5. The implications of this bill extend far beyond Kentucky, potentially setting a precedent that could undermine worker safety standards nationwide.

"This bill undermines essential protections that are crucial for keeping workers safe and healthy," said Jessica E. Martinez, Executive Director of National COSH. "We cannot allow legislation that places the lives of workers at risk and fosters an environment where speaking out against unsafe conditions is not only discouraged but also dangerous. What happens in Kentucky can set a troubling precedent for workers everywhere."

Key Provisions of HB 398:

Restricting State Enforcement  Prohibits Kentucky from enforcing safety regulations that exceed federal standards, lowering the bar for workplace safety.

Prohibits Kentucky from enforcing safety regulations that exceed federal standards, lowering the bar for workplace safety. Revealing Worker Identities  Mandates the disclosure of the identities of workers who file complaints, discouraging reports of unsafe conditions due to fear of retaliation.

Mandates the disclosure of the identities of workers who file complaints, discouraging reports of unsafe conditions due to fear of retaliation. Financial Liabilities on the State  Allows courts to impose penalties on the Department of Workplace Standards for enforcing safety laws, deterring necessary regulatory actions.

Allows courts to impose penalties on the Department of Workplace Standards for enforcing safety laws, deterring necessary regulatory actions. Limiting Retaliation Claims  Shortens the timeframe for workers to file complaints and for the state to issue citations, making it harder to hold employers accountable.

Shortens the timeframe for workers to file complaints and for the state to issue citations, making it harder to hold employers accountable. Restricting Third-Party Inspections  Prevents third parties, such as family members and advocacy groups, from requesting inspections on behalf of workers, limiting external support.

Prevents third parties, such as family members and advocacy groups, from requesting inspections on behalf of workers, limiting external support. Confusing Representation During Inspections  Creates ambiguity around who can serve as a third-party representative during inspections, restricting effective advocacy.

Kentucky has historically maintained occupational safety and health standards that exceed federal requirements, tailored to protect its workforce effectively. However, HB 398 threatens to dismantle these essential safeguards.

"Weakening OSHA deprives agencies of the resources they need to protect health and safety, leaving workers vulnerable," Martinez stated. "This legislation cultivates a climate of fear, allowing employers to neglect critical safety measures. The repercussions of this bill will be felt beyond Kentucky, endangering workers across the country."

Kentuckys Alarming Workplace Fatality Rates:

In 2023, Kentucky recorded 100 work-related fatalities, a rate of 5.0 per 100,000 workers  far exceeding the national average of 3.5. This concerning statistic, particularly in the construction and transportation sectors, underscores the urgent need for stronger safety regulations, not the weakened standards proposed by HB 398.

National COSH urges Kentucky legislators to reject HB 398 and instead focus on strengthening protections that empower workers to report hazards without fear of retaliation. Implementing measures that support a culture of safety is essential to safeguarding the lives of Kentuckys workers.

"If this were to happen, it would set a bad example for the entire country, and we hope that no state considers proposing such a policy," Martinez emphasized. "We cannot afford to let such policies take root in any state. The safety of workers in Kentucky is a matter of national importance."
Oil and gas drillers are bracing for the effects of the latest round of tariffs that President Trump has adopted in his attempts to revive domestic industries and punish U.S. trade partners for what he sees as unfair treatment for years. Luckily, the effect is unlikely to be all that serious.

The latest targets of Trumps tariff offensive were steel and aluminumboth critical metals for the oil and gas industry. The president slapped an import tariff of 25% on all steel and aluminum entering the United States, angering the European Union, which threatened counter-tariffs, saying that Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers, per European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Many disagree with Trumps approach to trade policy and many support it, sharing the perception that U.S. manufacturers have been short-changed by trade partners for decades. For oil and gas drillers, however, the new import tariffs on steel and aluminum would mean higher costs at a time when oil prices are depressed.

Related: Saudi Aramco, IEA Chiefs Clash In Houston Over The Future Of Oil

About 14% of what we buy, it comes from countries that will be impacted by tariffs, Andy Hendricks, the chief executive of Patterson-UTI, which is among the biggest providers of drilling equipment, told Reuters. If you layer on tariffs, it could affect us in the low single digits in terms of our costs going up for what we do.

Single-digit does not sound like a lot, and the effect of tariffs is further mitigated by the fact that U.S. drilling equipment and services providers do not import all of the hot-rolled steel and aluminum they need. Per Wood Mackenzie figures, U.S. drillers imported some 40% of the so-called oil country tubular goods they needed last year. This year, just 16% of that total imported volume came from Canada and Mexico as sector players anticipated the tariff offensive. As part of that anticipation, they stocked up on OCTG from Canada and Mexico ahead of the tariffs.

Opinions on the impact of tariffs differ, however. Rystad Energy, for instance, expects the import duties to have a double-digit effect on costs in the oil and gas industry, raising them by an estimated 15%, or $890 per ton of OCTG. S&P Global Commodity Insights agrees. It's probably going to be harder for service companies in 2025 to maintain their activity levels and their pricing, Enverus principal analyst for OFS Intelligence Mark Chapman told Reuters.

That, however, is a small part of drillers total costs, strengthening the perception that the ultimate impact of tariffs on the oilfield services industry will be manageable. OCTGs represent about 8.5% of drilling and completion costs for onshore wells in the Lower 48 states. So if prices rose by 25%, about 2.1% would be added to well costs, Wood Mackenzie analyst Nathan Nemeth told Reuters.

Yet American steel producers are set to benefit from the tariffs, which is what the purpose of the exercise is, after all. Ultimately, the idea is to become more self-reliant rather than reliant on external suppliers of key goods. Theoretically, protectionism makes sense. In practice, last time Trump imposed tariffs in steel and aluminum imports, so many exemptions followed after heavy lobbying from heavy steel users that the tariffs basically became useless. Interestingly, when President Biden took office after Trumps first term, he did not cancel the tariffs. Instead, he set quotas for imports above which the tariffs would apply, demonstrating a milder version of Trumps protectionism.

The oilfield services industry did not collapse in 2018 when Trump introduced his first tariffs on steel and aluminum, and chances are it will not collapse now, either. There will probably be exemptions from the current tariff regime, and there may be tweaks to it in order to shield domestic industries from the worst of the fallout until the market self-regulates.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The prediction contrasts with the IEA's bearish outlook, which forecasts a potential oversupply in the oil market.

Novak emphasizes OPEC+'s flexibility, stating they are prepared to reverse the supply increase if market imbalances occur.

Russia predicts a rise in global oil demand during the summer driving season, supporting OPEC+'s decision to increase supply from April.

The next few months will see an increase in global oil demand as fuel consumption will rise in the summer driving season, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Reuters, adding that this expected rebound was factored in OPEC+s decision to begin adding supply to the market from April.

Oil demand will grow during the driving season, said Novak, who is Russias top oil official and represents the country at the OPEC+ talks and meetings.

Last week, Novak said that OPEC+ could reverse the oil production increase after April if market imbalances occur. The group could always play in the other direction if necessary to stabilize the market, the official added.

OPEC+ decided to begin easing the cuts in April 2025, due to expectations of seasonal growth in oil demand with the start of the spring and summer road trips, according to the Russian deputy prime minister.

Currently, there is a case to restore some supply, due to rising demand in the spring, Novak said last week.

However, OPEC+ will monitor the market and if it finds balances tipping to oversupply we can always play in the other direction, the Russian official added.

OPEC itself sees robust oil demand growth for both 2025 and 2026. The cartel left its demand outlook unchanged in its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) this week. OPEC sees global oil demand growing by 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in each of 2025 and 2026.

The International Energy Agencys monthly report, however, was bearish, as it has been typical of the IEA on oil demand for several years. The Paris-based agency expects growth in global oil demand to be just over 1 million bpd this year, reaching 103.9 million bpd.

While this would be an acceleration from the estimated 830,000 bpd growth in 2024, the IEA predicts in its current balances that global oil supply may exceed demand by around 600,000 bpd this year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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In Gaza, things are getting messier by the minute, and not just on the ground. Accusations are flying around the MIddle East that Jared Kushners Affinity Partners investment firm (backed by Saudi, Qatari, UAE money) is the largest shareholder in an Israeli company connected to illegal West Bank settlements (and in the Syrian Golan Heights and Jerusalem), making it appear as if the prime mediator in a peace deal calling for Palestinian resettlement is already making money off unsanctioned Palestinian resettlement. We have not conducted an independent investigation into the rumors, but note they could have some negative impact on the stuttering peace deal. While many were surprised that Trump invited Hamas to the White House

Syrias interim president has signed a constitutional declaration in a step towards hoped-for stability post-Assad, but that stability still remains elusive. This week, pro-Assad Allawites in the coastal region ambushed and attacked Syrian security forces, leading to a massacre of hundreds of people, forcing the Allawites to flee across the border into Lebanon, risking that countrys fragile security, as well. With Syrias new interim leaders struggling to keep the lid on power, an Israeli air strike on Damascus did little to contribute any calm. The strike in the capital citys outskirts hit a residential building that the Israelis claimed was being used by a Palestinian military group as a command center.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

Syrias interim president has signed a constitutional declaration in a step towards hoped-for stability post-Assad, but that stability still remains elusive. This week, pro-Assad Allawites in the coastal region ambushed and attacked Syrian security forces, leading to a massacre of hundreds of people, forcing the Allawites to flee across the border into Lebanon, risking that countrys fragile security, as well. With Syrias new interim leaders struggling to keep the lid on power, an Israeli air strike on Damascus did little to contribute any calm. The strike in the capital citys outskirts hit a residential building that the Israelis claimed was being used by a Palestinian military group as a command center.

In Gaza, things are getting messier by the minute, and not just on the ground. Accusations are flying around the MIddle East that Jared Kushners Affinity Partners investment firm (backed by Saudi, Qatari, UAE money) is the largest shareholder in an Israeli company connected to illegal West Bank settlements (and in the Syrian Golan Heights and Jerusalem), making it appear as if the prime mediator in a peace deal calling for Palestinian resettlement is already making money off unsanctioned Palestinian resettlement. We have not conducted an independent investigation into the rumors, but note they could have some negative impact on the stuttering peace deal. While many were surprised that Trump invited Hamas to the White House (largely unheard of to invite a terrorist group to DC), some immediate tension was relieved when Trump made a complete reversal on his plan, stating that nobody is expelling Palestinians from Gaza.

We are seeing and hearing dangerous indications of the rise of talk of the division of Iraq into separate Shia, Sunni and Kurd autonomous regions, with some Shia forces discussing how they would plan to monopolize the newly divided countrys oil. This discourse, which appears to be gaining momentum of late, is largely fomented and fed by Iran. Tehran would be able to control Iraq if it could divide the country and separate the largest powerthe Shia and then marginalize the Sunnis and Kurds and strip them of oil wealth. Because Iran has sway with Iraqs Shia, this would tip the balance of external power forces away from the U.S., leaving Iran as the dominant force.

Discovery & Development

NNPC and First E&P have struck a significant hydrocarbon discovery in Nigerias shallow-water Songhai field, located in OML 85. The well, spudded in November 2024, reached 8,883 feet MD and encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs, logging over 1,000 feet of pay with strong reservoir quality. This find is expected to boost First E&Ps production, which already stands at 57,000 bopd across OML 83 and 85. Further testing and development planning are underway, while Nigeria continues pushing decarbonization efforts, including a 96% reduction in gas flaring at OML 85s Madu field.

BW Energy has made a significant oil discovery on the Bourdon prospect in Gabons Dussafu License, confirming a 34-meter oil pay within a 45-meter hydrocarbon column in the Gamba formation. The Norve jack-up rig drilled the well to 4,135 meters, making this the largest hydrocarbon column found in the license to date. The discovery allows BW Energy to book additional reserves not included in its 2024 estimates, with plans to evaluate a second sidetrack for further appraisal. The company is considering a new development cluster based on its MaBoMo facility blueprint, given Bourdon's proximity to existing infrastructure.

SOCAR, BP, and Israels NewMed Energy are set to finalize a work plan this month for offshore gas exploration in Israeli waters, following their 2023 license award for blocks near the Leviathan field. Progress had been delayed due to the Israel-Hamas war, but SOCAR is now sending a delegation to sign a deal acquiring a 10% stake in the Tamar reservoir. The consortiums license is for an initial three-year exploration period, with potential extensions up to seven years based on drilling results.

CNOOC has announced a major oil and gas discovery in Chinas Beibu Gulf Basin, marking a breakthrough in Paleozoic buried hill exploration. The Weizhou 10-5 field, drilled to 15,879 feet, encountered a 928-foot pay zone, with test results indicating daily output of 13.2 million cubic feet of gas and 800 barrels of oil. The company continues expanding production, including its Bozhong 26-6 project in Bohai Bay, which integrates CO? reinjection for enhanced recovery and emissions reduction.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

Whitecap Resources and Veren are merging in a $10.4B all-share deal, creating Canadas largest light oil-focused producer with 370,000 boepd output. The combined company will dominate the Kaybob Duvernay and Alberta Montney plays, producing 220,000 boepd from unconventional assets and holding 1.5 million acres in Alberta. Veren shareholders will receive 1.05 Whitecap shares per share held, and Whitecaps leadership team will remain in place. The deal, set to close by May 30, 2025, highlights a trend of strategic, non-oil sands M&A activity in Canadas energy sector.

Serica Energy and EnQuest are in merger talks, with Serica highlighting potential benefits like greater scale, diversification, and synergies. The deal would likely see EnQuest acquiring Serica in a reverse takeover, with Serica shareholders receiving capital returns and holding a majority stake in the combined entity. North Sea producers continue to struggle under the 78% tax burden from the UKs Energy Profits Levy, which has been blamed for job losses and reduced investment. EnQuest has until April 4 to make a formal offer or walk away, while also expanding overseas, including a 68M deal for Harbour Energys Vietnam assets.
The peace agreement comes after decades of conflict, including the Second Karabakh War, and follows a period of heightened tensions and hardline rhetoric from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has expressed satisfaction with the draft treaty but has stated that certain prerequisites, including amendments to Armenia's constitution and abolishing the Minsk Group, must be met before signing.

Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the text of the peace agreement with Azerbaijan has been agreed upon, with Yerevan accepting Azerbaijani proposals on key sticking points.

Armenia and Azerbaijan appear to have resolved their differences on two negotiating points, clearing the way for the signing of a peace agreement that would end more than 35 years of conflict.

Armenias Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced March 13 that the text of the Peace Agreement has been agreed upon. The statement added that Yerevan had accepted Azerbaijani proposals on the two sticking points that had delayed finalization of the draft treaty for months. The statement did not provide further details concerning the settlement of the contentious provisions.

The Peace Agreement is ready for signing, the Armenian statement announced. The Republic of Armenia is prepared to initiate consultations with the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the time and venue for the signing of the Agreement.

The two sticking points reportedly concerned an Azerbaijani demand that Armenia amend the countrys constitution to clearly recognize Bakus sovereignty over Nagorno Karabakh, and Bakus desire for unhindered land access across Armenian territory connecting the Azerbaijani mainland to the Nakhchivan exclave.

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry, in its own statement issued on March 13, expressed satisfaction with the draft treaty, but added that several pre-conditions needed to be met before Azerbaijani officials would sign the pact.

The first prerequisite to allow the signing of the negotiated text is Yerevans adoption of an amendment to Armenias constitution to eliminate the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry statement. The second is Armenias consent to abolish the obsolete and dysfunctional Minsk Group and related structures of the OSCE.

The Minsk Group, led by the United States, Russia and France, was established in 1992 to oversee the peace process, but the entitys influence waned in recent years. The draft peace treaty was negotiated largely outside of the Minsk Group framework, amid Azerbaijani claims that it was biased toward Armenia.

We are ready to continue the bilateral dialogue on these and other issues related to the normalization process between the two countries, the Azerbaijani statement added.

In the months preceding the sudden announcement that the peace treaty text has been finalized, bilateral relations had taken a nosedive, raising doubts about a settlement over the near term. Azerbaijans position on a land connection between the mainland and Nakhchivan significantly hardened, and Bakus rhetoric became increasingly belligerent. It now seems that the hardline approach may have nudged Armenia  which suffered a disastrous defeat in the Second Karabakh War, resulting in Bakus reconquest of Karabkah in late 2023  into making concessions that Azerbaijan sought on the treatys sticking points.

By Eurasianet.org

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The US imposed new sanctions on Iran's Oil Minister and a shadow fleet while President Trump sent a letter to Tehran urging a resumption of nuclear talks.

A sanctions expert advised against lifting sanctions as a precursor to negotiations with Iran, stating it would be a concession for a talk rather than for actual action.

China, Russia, and Iran met in Beijing and called for an end to US sanctions on Tehran, emphasizing the need to eliminate the root causes of the current situation.

China, Russia, and Iran demanded an end to Washington's "illegal, unilateral sanctions" on Tehran, after three-party talks on the Iranian nuclear issue in Beijing on March 14.

But a leading sanctions expert involved in past nuclear talks with Iran says lifting sanctions as a precursor to negotiations is neither likely nor advisable.

The meeting included Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

"We conducted in-depth exchanges of views on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. We emphasized the necessity of ending all illegal unilateral sanctions," Ma said after the talks concluded.

"The relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force," he added.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who welcomed the Iranian and Russian diplomats ahead of the meeting, was set to have his own meeting with them later during the day.

The Iranian position has been that it will not negotiate with the Trump as long as his "maximum pressure" campaign is in force and sanctions in place.

"I don't think there's any likelihood the Trump administration is going to drop sanctions against Iran just to talk. I wouldn't advise him to," said Richard Nephew, the lead sanctions expert for the US negotiating team that clinched a landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

"At the end of the day, that's a concession for a talk, as opposed to a concession for actual action," he added.

Tehran and Moscow have strengthened relations in recent years as Iran's disputes with the United States have mounted. Both nations have had close ties to China.

Moscow, which is engaged in efforts to normalize relations with Washington, has offered to mediate talks between the United States and the Islamic republic.

Both China and Russia have benefited from Iran's stand-off with the United States. China has been buying Iranian oil at a sharp discount while Russia has been using Iranian drones against Ukraine. But if tension with the United States spirals, it may have consequences that both Moscow and Beijing would want to avoid.

"I'm not sure that the Russians or the Chinese each have an interest in a deal. I think they have an interest in not having a bigger crisis," Nephew said.

This week, the three countries conducted naval drills in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in a show of force in the tense Middle East, with participating ships stopping at Iran's Chabahar Port.

Attention on Iran's nuclear issues has intensified in recent days after US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to Tehran urging a resumption of nuclear talks and warning of possible military action if Iran refused.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on March 13 said it would conduct a "thorough assessment" before responding to Trump's letter.

"The letter was received last night and is currently being reviewed," spokesman Esmail Baqaei was quoted by the official IRNA news agency, adding: "A decision on how to respond will be made after a thorough assessment."

Trump, during his first term, quit the nuclear deal, which had imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. Trump said the accord was not strong enough to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and he accused Tehran of fomenting extremist violence in the region -- a charge denied by Iran.

China, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany had also signed the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

Following the US withdrawal in 2018, Tehran eventually started expanding its nuclear program, while efforts to reach a new accord through indirect talks have failed. Tehran claims its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Iran has floated the possibility of resuming indirect talks, but Nephew dismissed its viability.

"To be clear, I think indirect talks have been a disaster. It has been both a strategic mistake...as well as something that actually limits the possibility of negotiations being successful," he said, adding that Trump's letter was unlikely to change the Iranian position.

Meanwhile, the United States said on March 13 that it was sanctioning Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and a number of Hong Kong-flagged ships that are part of a shadow fleet "on which Iran depends to deliver its oil" to China. Tehran blasted the move, calling it "'hypocrisy."

By RFE/RL

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Some state-controlled Chinese refiners have reduced purchases of Russian oil loadings for March as they assess the risks of dealing with sanctioned entities and wait for more clarity about a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and potential U.S. sanctions relief on Russias oil trade.

State-owned refining giant China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec, as well as Zhenhua Oil, have suspended purchases of Russian crude oil loading this month, amid concerns over secondary sanctions, trade sources with knowledge of the plans told Reuters on Friday.

Oil giants PetroChina and CNOOC continue to buy Russian oil for March loadings, but at reduced rates, according to some of the Reuters sources.

While state oil firms in China either halt or reduce Russian oil volumes, at least for now, the independent refiners in China, which prefer to buy cheaper Russian and Iranian oil, are picking up the slack.

Chinese oil majors have adopted a more cautious approach toward Russian grades following the U.S. sanctions, Emma Li, senior market analyst at Vortexa, wrote in an analysis this week.

Even when transported via non-sanctioned tankers, their ESPO Blend purchases were limited. Market sources indicate that some state-owned companies have completely halted Russian crude purchases in March after scaling back in February, Li added.

Chinese state majors refraining from Russian oil has dampened demand not only for ESPO, but also for other Russian crude grades, including Urals and Arctic crude, according to the analyst.

The independent refiners, for their part, boosted purchases of Russias Far East flagship ESPO Blend and more February-loading cargoes were delivered to the Shandong and Jiangsu provinces, primarily to teapot refiners, Vortexa has estimated. In January, the independent refiners preferred to reduce runs rather than seek alternative barrels amid uncertainties surrounding ESPO supply, Li noted.

A massive reshuffle of tankers allows non-sanctioned vessels to pick up trade with Russian and Iranian oil, which will result in a rebound in Chinas imports of cheaper crude from the two producers in March, from a two-year low in February, analysts and traders have told Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A new round of sanctions targeting Irans oil industry and the countrys oil minister boosted oil prices earlier today, offsetting the negative effect of the International Energy Agencys latest monthly report, released Thursday.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $70.33 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $67.02 per barrel, slightly up on both Thursday and the beginning of the weekly session.

The IEA said in the March edition of its Oil Market Report that global oil supply was 600,000 bpd higher than demand so far this year, thanks to stronger U.S. production and weaker demand. The report followed OPECs latest update, which revealed an increase in the groups total production despite the commitment to caps aimed at supporting global prices.

The United States is currently producing at record highs and is forecast to be the largest source of supply growth in 2025," the IEA said, adding that The latest round of sanctions on Russia and Iran has yet to significantly disrupt loadings, even as some buyers have scaled back purchases.

The agency also revised down its demand growth forecast for 2025 by 70,000 bpd to 1.03 million barrels daily, which further pressured prices before the news of the fresh Iran sanctions broke.

The U.S. Treasury announced the sanctions on Thursday, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that The Iranian regime continues to use the proceeds from the nations vast oil resources to advance its narrow, alarming self-interests at the expense of the Iranian people. Treasury will fight and disrupt any attempts by the regime to fund its destabilizing activities and further its dangerous agenda.

As a result, prices rebounded earlier today in anticipation of supply disruptions in the OPEC member, which has been exempted from the production cuts due to the U.S. sanctions.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Petronas has launched a process to potentially sell its interest in a Vaca Muerta joint venture which would see Malaysias national oil and gas firm exit the Argentinian shale region, sources with knowledge of the matter have told Bloomberg.

Petronas has already held discussions with a potential buyer about a sale of its 50% stake in La Amarga Chica joint venture with Argentinas state oil and gas firm YPF, according to one of Bloombergs sources.

If the sale goes through, Petronas would exit Vaca Muerta, becoming the latest major oil firm to have quit the Argentinean shale business.

Petronas struck a strategic alliance with YPF back in 2014 through its partnership in the La Amarga Chica project, as part of its growth strategy in the Americas.

However, at the end of last year, the Malaysian state firm ended its participation in a project to develop LNG export capacity in Argentina, as part of a deal between Shell and YPF to work on the $50 billion Argentina LNG project.

In the past months, several major international companies have either sold or started testing the waters for a sale of interests in Vaca Muerta.

Exxon in October struck a deal with Argentinian Pluspetrol for the sale of the supermajors assets in the Vaca Muerta shale play.

Norways energy major Equinor has reportedly held early talks to sell stakes in Argentinian shale operations to YPF, its joint venture partner in the assets.

Equinor, which entered Argentina in the 2010s, has both offshore and onshore interests in the South American country.

Onshore, the Norwegian oil and gas major holds interests in one exploration license and one producing block in the prolific Vaca Muerta shale formation.

Frances TotalEnergies confirmed this week that it was studying the sale of its Vaca Muerta assets.

If we obtain the same price that ExxonMobil was paid, we are prepared to sell, TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne said at the CERAWeek conference in Houston.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia is increasingly using cryptocurrencies in its oil trade with top clients China and India amid U.S. sanctions, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources, who said Russian oil traders were using the cryptocurrencies to facilitate the conversion of yuans and rupees into rubles.

For now, the amount of oil traded with cryptocurrencies is a small portion of Russias total, the sources told Reuters, but it is growing. Russias total oil trade last year amounted to $912 billion, according to the International Energy Agency.

Cryptocurrencies have become a favored way to circumvent sanctions, with Iran and Venezuela also tapping the international trade settlement potential of the digital currencies in the context of U.S. sanctions.

One of Reuters sources explained the mechanism of the trade as involving a buyer paying for a cargo to a middleman company in, say, yuan, which is deposited in an offshore account. The middleman converts the yuan into cryptocurrency and transfers that to another account. Then the sum gets transferred to a third account in Russia where it is converted into rubles. It is a complicated mechanism that proves demand for oil is healthy enough to go to the troubles of all these conversions to get a cargo.

According to one of the sources, just one Russian oil trading entitys monthly volumes are in the tens of millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, it appears that the sanctions on Russias oil industry are starting to lose their effectiveness, as sanctioned tankers begin to load again, according to Bloombergs Julian Lee. The columnist reported this week that three sanctioned tankers loaded the countrys flagship East Siberia Pacific Ocean grade and set off from the Far Eastern port of Nakhodka. More tankers were also departing from the oil port, Lee added, citing satellite imaging data. Tankers were previously idled at the port due to the sanctions.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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American and Vietnamese companies signed this week several agreements in the energy and minerals sectors estimated to be worth $4.15 billion, as the Southeast Asian country looks to avoid U.S. tariffs and boost cooperation with U.S. firms.

Vietnams Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien visited the United States this week and held talks with the US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer to advance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Vietnamese state media reported.

Vietnams consistent policy is to build harmonious, sustainable, stable, and mutually-beneficial economic and trade ties with the US, the Vietnamese minister was quoted as saying.

Vietnam has no intention to create any barriers that could harm the USs workers or economic and national security, the minister added.

The U.S.-Vietnamese agreements included PetroVietnam Gas Corporation signing long-term LNG contracts with Conoco Phillips and Excelerate Energy, Viet Nam News reported.

Among the other deals, Binh S?n Refining and Petrochemical JSC partnered with Kellogg Brown & Root for a study on sustainable aviation fuel, while PetroVietnam Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GE Vernova for gas-fired power plant equipment.

Masan Group signed a MoU with the US International Development Finance Corporation for financial support in deep mineral processing projects.

Fuel trader Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) and top US ethanol suppliers US Grains Council (USGC), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy (GROWTH) agreed to boost biofuels trade.

The agreements are valued at $4.15 billion, according to a PetroVietnam Power statement cited by Reuters.

Vietnam is also pushing for the U.S. to recognize its economy as a market economy and remove the non-market economy status.

This would be a significant decision, reflecting the status of our comprehensive strategic partnership, Trade Minister Dien was quoted as saying by Vietnams state media.

U.S. Trade Representative Greer said, Vietnam needs to take stronger measures to further open its market and improve the trade balance between our two countries.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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BLOOMINGTON  Amid a flurry of immigration policy changes since President Donald Trump took office, Bloomington city leaders say their commitment to residents' safety remains unwavering regardless of immigration status.

State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, joined representatives from The Immigration Project, Not in Our Town Bloomington-Normal and the Bloomington Police Department on Thursday evening to address concerns that residents have about the near-constant changes to immigration law and how that information is presented in both mainstream and social media.

"A lot of times people get in these sort of echo chambers and bubbles that they sort of, just, read the news that's coming from the sort of angle that ... whoever wants them to see," Chung said before the forum began. "It's really hard to break through that."

Addressing the group, Chung said this year's state budget is tighter than in recent years.

"But, you know, we're going to see what we can do to continue that support and make Illinois a welcoming state, as it always has been. ... Your input is very important to me as we are crafting our budget, as we're sort of laying out our priorities as a state," Chung said. "Please reach out, because then I can take that back (to Springfield) as budget talks continue."

Police worry crimes could go unreported

Bloomington Police Sgt. Kiel Nowers began his portion by outlining a 10-point joint commitment from City Manager Jeff Jurgens and Police Chief Jamal Simington to residents' safety regardless of immigration status.

"Building and maintaining strong relationships with all residents is essential to our mission," Nowers said. That includes ensuring members of the immigrant community feel safe reporting crimes, he added.

"As a police officer, one of my biggest fears with all that's going on here right now is that (immigrants are) going to be even less likely to come to report crimes," Nowers said. "We already know that domestic violence, sexual assault are two of the most underreported crimes that we have out there. They're going to be so much less likely to come forward now, and we need them to."

Every law enforcement agency in the State of Illinois is bound by the TRUST Act, passed in 2017 and signed into law by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, Nowers said.

The TRUST Act guides how Illinois law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

It generally prohibits local and state authorities from disclosing a person's immigration status to ICE or executing an ICE warrant, which is administrative in nature and not a criminal warrant, Nowers said.

If there is evidence of a criminal act, though, BPD will cooperate with federal immigration authorities as they are mandated, he said.

"If they came to us and they had a warrant signed by a judge ... for a robbery suspect (or) murder suspect, something like that, of course we're going to cooperate with them, just like we would anyone else," he said.

Nowers emphasized the 10th and final point of Jurgens' and Simington's joint statement, called "The Message to Immigrant Residents."

"Regardless of immigration status, everyone in Bloomington deserves to feel safe and supported. BPD will continue working to ensure that all residents can live free from fear and contribute to a safe and thriving community," he said.

Pathway to immigration is narrowing

Since Trump's inauguration Jan. 20, there have been 183 changes to immigration policy as of Thursday night, said Charlotte Alvarez, executive director of The Immigration Project.

"We, really, are seeing this intentional, narrowing restriction of immigration legal pathways," said Alvarez, who translated her own remarks and those of the other speakers into Spanish throughout Thursday's event.

"So the pathways that have existed are getting narrower and more treacherous and intentionally restricted for people, (so they) fall through the cracks or are not be able to achieve stability and permanency in the United States," she said.

One of the most significant changes concerns communication between ICE, which seeks to remove immigrants without proper documents, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, where people legally navigate the citizenship and residency process, she said.

Prior to Trump's inauguration, the two agencies did not operate in tandem as that might discourage immigrants without proper documents from continuing to work with the Citizenship and Immigration Service, Alvarez said.

"This administration is breaking down those barriers ... and (some immigrants are) worried because now all that information is with USCIS, and they're worried that that will be information shared with ICE."

However, in the face of continuing attacks from the federal level, Chung said she could not support such a stance that attacks immigrants.

"For me, coming from immigrant parents ... I'm not going to be the type of person to denounce immigration and people who are coming here to find a better way of life. It's just not who I am. It's not how I'm built," she said.
NORMAL  At age 4, Normal native Jaclyn Lord loved dressing up in her grandmother's gowns and jewelry, and even made her cousins participate in fashion shows.

In kindergarten, Lord was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. "I'm going to be a fashion designer," she replied. So, she started designing her own clothes, until middle school, when she realized it may be more difficult than she thought to make and sew her garments.

Come high school, Lord went to her counselor because she knew she wanted to be in the fashion industry, but wondered what other avenues she could explore. "What about the business side of fashion?" the counselor asked.

"And I was like, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. He was like, you can be a fashion buyer," Lord said. "And basically, what a fashion buyer is  you choose all of the inventory from different manufacturers, different brands, different vendors, and you put it in their store so that they can sell it."

Lord had been working at TJ Maxx for about four years and was introduced to the company's internship program, which allowed her the opportunity to be a buyer for the store. Lord then thought she could do this for herself, as she's always been into entrepreneurship programs.

Lord, now 25, opened her women's clothing boutique, Jacqlour, at 119 E. Beaufort St. in Normal on May 25, 2024  her golden birthday.

Jacqlour is one of several women-owned businesses The Pantagraph will be featuring this month in recognition of Womens History Month.

The store had started as an online-only business in February 2023, as Lord wanted to see how the business model would work before opening a storefront. Before Jacqlour came to fruition, Lord pursued her degree in fashion merchandising at Heartland Community College and then went on to Kent State University in Ohio.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, she was only on Kent's campus for seven months. She returned for a semester as a senior and applied to the school's fashion studio program in New York.

"So, I got accepted, went to New York, lived in Manhattan for five months, came back, and then I was like, I want to open up a boutique in New York," Lord said. "But I was like, let me just start in Bloomington-Normal."

Lord said she's always loved uptown Normal, as she lived five minutes away and would visit every single day to ride her bike and look at all the shops and people. She felt it was the perfect match for her store, as she already knew the community and liked to be involved there.

Additionally, she felt she had a good sense, being next to Illinois State University's campus, what the college girls like to wear.

Jacqlour sells trendy and affordable apparel, accessories, shoes and more from top-quality vendors, with a goal to provide comfortable, versatile, durable and aesthetically pleasing styles. Lord said her target audience is women ages 16 to 28 who want to stay ahead of trends, whether it be street wear, club-wear or everyday basics.

Lord said she chooses inventory based on what her customers are interested in and what events are going on in the community, which she believes has been the key to her success so far. For example, the store carries ISU apparel for students, seasonal clothing, and clothing for holidays like Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

"So really, just me, my team, getting to know who our customers are and connecting with them. I also do a bunch of networking. I always tell other small businesses, 'Hey, if you want to collab with me, I'm open to anything,'" she said. "We can help market your brand, sort of benefit the both of us ... just putting yourself out there, getting to know more people and trying new things."

One such collaboration is with Nautical Bowls, also in uptown Normal: Every month, Jacqlour customers get a code for 10% off each time they visit Nautical Bowls.

Jacqlour also has an upcoming partnership with Shmacked Pasta Bar, a Bloomington-based caterer, which will offer free samples of gourmet mac and cheese during Jacqlour's St. Patrick's Day Party from 3-7 p.m. this Saturday, after the Sharin' of the Green Parade. There will be Lucky Charms cereal and chances for customers to win discounts, too. The store will have green shirts, accessories and other lucky-themed apparel for the festivities.

Lord likes to use social media to show off Jaclour's clothing. She works with models to show how the clothes look on different body types and the different ways items can be worn or styled. She even makes funny Instagram reels that people can easily relate to or that follow trends.

As a member of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Lord has talked with other women in the community who are part of Women in Business at ISU or the Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals. She said she likes to talk with other women business owners about what they do differently or how they deal with certain situations, and explore how they can help each other.

"Don't be afraid to try new things, like get yourself out there ... it's kind of like a confidence, for sure, role," Lord said.

She also encourages women to look into resources and grants available for women-owned and minority-owned businesses, and watch out for seminars geared toward women in business.

As for the future, Lord said she wants to continue to grow her business on social media, start a rewards program and email marketing, and perhaps open another Jacqlour location and manufacture her own clothing.

Her ultimate dream, she said, is to go back to New York and open a store there.

IF YOU GO What: Jacqlour Where: 119 E. Beaufort St., Normal Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 12-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday Online: jacqlour.com and facebook.com/jacqlour
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This image shows AWE data combined from two of the instrument's passes over the United States. The red and orange wave-structures show increases in brightness (or radiance) in infrared light produced by airglow in Earth's atmosphere. Credit: NASA/AWE/Ludger Scherliess

Following the 3,000th orbit of NASA's AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment) aboard the International Space Station, researchers publicly released the mission's first trove of scientific data, crucial to investigating how and why subtle changes in Earth's atmosphere cause disturbances, as well as how these atmospheric disturbances impact technological systems on the ground and in space.

"We've released the first 3,000 orbits of data collected by the AWE instrument in space and transmitted back to Earth," said Ludger Scherliess, principal investigator for the mission and physics professor at Utah State University. "This is a view of atmospheric gravity waves never captured before."

Available online, the data release contains more than five million individual images of nighttime airglow and atmospheric gravity wave observations collected by the instrument's four cameras, as well as derived temperature and airglow intensity swaths of the ambient air and the waves.

"AWE is providing incredible images and data to further understand what we only first observed less than a decade ago," said Esayas Shume, AWE program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We are thrilled to share this influential data set with the larger scientific community and look forward to what will be discovered."

Atmospheric gravity waves occur naturally in Earth's atmosphere and are formed by Earth's weather and topography. Scientists have studied the enigmatic phenomena for years, but mainly from a few select sites on Earth's surface.

"With data from AWE, we can now begin near-global measurements and studies of the waves and their energy and momentum on scales from tens to hundreds and even thousands of kilometers," Scherliess said. "This opens a whole new chapter in this field of research."

Data from AWE will also provide insight into how terrestrial and space weather interactions affect satellite communications, and navigation, and tracking.

"We've become very dependent on satellites for applications we use every day, including GPS navigation," Scherliess said. "AWE is an attempt to bring science about atmospheric gravity waves into focus, and to use that information to better predict space weather that can disrupt satellite communications. We will work closely with our collaborators to better understand how these observed gravity waves impact space weather."

The tuba-shaped AWE instrument, known as the Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper or AMTM, consists of four identical telescopes. It is mounted to the exterior of the International Space Station, where it has a view of Earth.

As the space station orbits Earth, the AMTM's telescopes capture 7,000-mile-long swaths of the planet's surface, recording images of atmospheric gravity waves as they move from the lower atmosphere into space. The AMTM measures and records the brightness of light at specific wavelengths, which can be used to create air and wave temperature maps. These maps can reveal the energy of these waves and how they are moving through the atmosphere.

To analyze the data and make it publicly available, AWE researchers and students at USU developed new software to tackle challenges that had never been encountered before.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

"Reflections from clouds and the ground can obscure some of the images, and we want to make sure the data provide clear, precise images of the power transported by the waves," Scherliess said. "We also need to make sure the images coming from the four separate AWE telescopes on the mapper are aligned correctly. Further, we need to ensure stray light reflections coming off the solar panels of the space station, along with moonlight and city lights, are not masking the observations."

As the scientists move forward with the mission, they'll investigate how gravity wave activity changes with seasons around the globe. Scherliess looks forward to seeing how the global science community will use the AWE observations.

"Data collected through this mission provides unprecedented insight into the role of weather on the ground on space weather," he said.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A Michigan resident in the western part of the Upper Peninsula recently discovered something not seen in Michigan for more than a centurycougar cubs in the wild.

State biologists on Wednesday confirmed the sighting of two spotted cubs, believed to be 7 to 9 weeks old. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, found and photographed the cubs on private land in Ontonagon County.

Cougars were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s, said Brian Roell, a large carnivore specialist for the Department of Natural Resources who led the team that identified the cubs.

"It's pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states," said Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. "It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It's something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this."

The cubs were seen without their mother on March 6 and haven't been spotted since. Cougar cubs are highly dependent on their mothers and generally stay with them for the first two years of life, Roell said.

"Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now," Roell said. "We don't know where they are or if they're even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel."

Cougars are native to Michigan, and there have been 132 verified sightings of adult cougars in the state, according to the DNR. Most are believed to be "transient," having dispersed into Michigan from western states. All cougars found in Michigan and tested by the DNR have been males.

Cougars are on Michigan's list of endangered mammals, so it's illegal to hunt or harass them, including trying to locate their den, Roell said. It's also illegal to trespass on private property, such as where the cubs were found.

2025 The Detroit News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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NASA duo Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stuck aboard the ISS since June after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing on its maiden crewed flight developed propulsion issues and was deemed unfit to fly them back.

A pair of stranded astronauts will be one step closer to finally coming home when the next crew launches for the International Space Station on Friday.

NASA and SpaceX are aiming for liftoff at 7:03 pm (2303 GMT) of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft on the Crew-10 mission, after a technical issue with ground systems prevented launch on Wednesday.

Crew-10 carries an international four-member team set to carry out science experiments on the orbital labbut the greater interest comes from the fact that their arrival enables others to depart.

NASA duo Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, veteran astronauts and ex-Navy pilots, have been stuck aboard the ISS since June after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing on its maiden crewed flight developed propulsion issues and was deemed unfit to fly them back.

The Starliner instead returned empty, without experiencing further major issues.

What was meant to have been a days-long trip for Wilmore and Williams has now lasted beyond nine months.

Their stay has been longer than the standard ISS rotation for astronauts of roughly six monthsbut still much shorter than the US space record of 371 days set by NASA astronaut Frank Rubio from 2022-2023, or the world record held by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 continuous days aboard the Mir space station from 1994-1995.

Still, the unexpected nature of their prolonged stay away from their familiesthey had to receive additional clothing and personal care items because they hadn't packed enoughhas garnered interest and sympathy.

It's also become something of a political flashpoint of late, as President Donald Trump and his close advisor, Elon Muskwho leads SpaceXhave suggested that former president Joe Biden "abandoned" the pair intentionally and rejected a plan to bring them back sooner.

The arrival of the Crew-10 mission will allow Wilmore and Williams to depart the ISS.

'Maybe they love each other'

That claim caused uproar in the space community, especially since Musk did not provide any specifics.

The plan for the duo's return has been unchanged ever since they were reassigned to SpaceX's Crew-9, which arrived in September aboard another Dragon carrying only two crew membersinstead of the usual fourto make room for Wilmore and Williams.

Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen pointed this out on X, only for Musk to taunt him with a slur for mentally disabled people.

Some retired astronauts rushed to Mogensen's defensewhile Wilmore appeared to back Musk, saying his comments must have been "factual" even though he was not privy to any details.

Trump himself has been making waves for his bizarre comments, referring to Williams, a decorated former Naval captain, as "the woman with the wild hair" and even suggesting the two may have fallen in love.

"They've been left up thereI hope they like each other, maybe they love each other, I don't know," he said during a recent White House press conference.

Only once the Crew-10 spaceship arrives can the Crew-9 spaceship leave. Handover periods generally last a few days, and an earlier plan would have seen Crew-9 depart on Sunday for splashdown off the Florida coastthough it's not clear if that timeline is still feasible.

Along with Wilmore and Williams, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will also be aboard the returning Dragon capsule.

Space remains an area of cooperation between the United States and Russia despite the Ukraine conflict, with cosmonauts traveling to the ISS aboard SpaceX Crew Dragons and astronauts doing the same via Soyuz capsules launched from Kazakhstan.

The Crew-10 team consists of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi, and Russia's Kirill Peskov.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

EU countries agreed to push forward with plans to ease current restrictions on some gene-edited cropsa move backed by farmer groups but opposed by environmentalists.

Representatives for the bloc's 27 nations endorsed, with a few changes, a European Commission proposal aiming at allowing broader use of plants obtained by so-called new genomic techniques (NGTs).

"The proposal aims to boost innovation and sustainability within the agrifood sector, while contributing to food security and reducing external dependencies," the European Council said in a statement.

The council will now have to negotiate the final text with the European Parliament, with labeling and patenting expected to be among the most contentious issues.

Plans to relax the current rules on genetically modified organisms (GMO) were first put forward by the commission in 2023.

Proponents say some NGTs only speed up genetic modifications that could have come about naturally or through traditional cross-breeding proceduresthus warranting looser regulation.

The commission argued NGTs could help grow crops that require fewer pesticides, are better adapted to climate change and need less water.

The idea was broadly backed last year by the EU parliament, which voted in favor of the creation of two categories of NGT plants.

NGT 1 plantsconsidered to be equivalent to their naturally occurring varietieswould be freed from authorizations, labeling and monitoring rules for GMOs.

All other NGT plants would fall into the NGT 2 category, which would mostly remain under the GMO restrictions.

Thorny debate

On Friday member states agreed on the substance of the proposal, with a few amendments.

These include allowing member states to ban cultivation of NGT 2 on their territory and creating an "expert group" on the effect of patents on NGT plants.

The proposal was passed with a narrow majority, according to diplomats.

It was decried by environmental groups, which have said deregulation favors big corporations and ignores potential dangers to the environment.

"EU governments have voted on the side of a handful of big corporations' profits, instead of protecting farmers and consumers' right to transparency and safety," said Mute Schimpf of Friends of the Earth Europe.

"They have slashed regulatory oversight to zero and eliminated liability for untested new GMOs, gambling on empty promises for plants that don't even exist yet."

But Pan-European farmers' group Copa-Cogeca hailed the decision.

It "could revitalize European seed production and offer new opportunities to farmers and cooperatives by providing access to crop varieties that are more resistant to droughts and diseases, while improving yields and reducing input use," the group said.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Science has already proven that sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome were often painted in warm colors, and now a Danish study has revealed that some were also perfumed.

"A white marble statue was not intended to be perceived as a statue in stone. It was supposed to resemble a real god or goddess," the author of the study, Cecilie Brons, told the Danish scientific website Videnskab on Friday.

The archaeologist and curator at the Copenhagen museum Glyptotek made the discovery after immersing herself in the works of Roman writers such as Cicero and inscriptions on ancient Greek temples.

"Perfume and perfumed oils are often mentioned as part of the 'decoration' that was applied to religious cult statues in antiquity," she said.

Cicero for example spoke of a ritual treatment of a statue of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the forest and animals in Greek mythology, in the Sicilian city of Segesta which was anointed with ointment and fragrant oils.

In Delos, in Greece, inscriptions in temples reveal that some statues were maintained by rubbing them with rose-scented perfume.

Admiring a statue during antiquity was "not just a visual experience, but also an olfactory one," Brons concluded in her study, published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology.

Previous research has found traces of pigments from long-faded paint on ancient Greek and Roman statues, showing that works long assumed to be white were in fact highly colorful.

 2025 AFP
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Tourists walk in front of the Tuco glacier in Huascaran National Park during a tour called the "Route of climate change" in Huaraz, Peru, Aug. 12, 2016. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File

As a crucial climate lawsuit heads to trial in Germany next week, experts say the case brought by Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against German energy giant RWE could set a significant precedent in the fight to hold major polluters accountable for climate change.

"This is one of the first cases of its kinda case brought by someone directly affected by climate change against a major greenhouse gas emitterthat has made it all the way to trial," said Noah Walker-Crawford, a research fellow at the London School of Economics and an adviser to the non-profit Germanwatch, which has been advising Lliuya.

Lliuya's lawsuit against RWE argues that the company's historical greenhouse gas emissions have fueled global warming, accelerating glacial melt above his hometown of Huaraz, Peru. As a result, Lake Palcacocha has swelled to dangerous levels, threatening the community with the risk of catastrophic flooding.

RWE, which has never operated in Peru, denies legal responsibility, arguing that climate change is a global issue caused by many contributors.

Concern over melting glaciers

"It's very sad and painful to see the glaciers melting," Lliuya, 45, told Associated Press in a video call from Germany. "There is a lot of concern from people in my community about the future, about the issue of water, because all the rivers that come down from the mountains are used for farming."

Walker-Crawford said of all these cases around the world, this is the one that's gone the furthest.

"It has already set a partial precedent in that the courts found it admissible in 2017, which means that the judges said the case is solid in legal terms," he said. "Now, the court is hearing evidence, and we'll see whether the company's responsibility can be proven in this specific case."

Sebastien Duyck, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, says the reason why the case is so significant is not the decision itself or the amount of damages sought, but the precedent it would set.

"If we could use tort law to say that any fossil fuel corporation that has contributed significantly to climate change can be held liable for climate-related costs in proportion to their emissions, it could open the door for many similar cases worldwide," he said.

Case could be a 'game changer'

The case could be "a game changer", according to Murray Worthy, from Zero Carbon Analytics, a research group on climate change.

"This case is absolutely crucial," Worthy said. "While this is just one case focused on this one place in Peru, the wider implications are huge. The costs and damages from climate change could run to tens of trillions of dollars a year, and if fossil fuel companies at large are found to be responsible for those and need to pay those costs, it would completely change the finances and outlook for the entire fossil fuel industry."

RWE is one of Germany's largest energy companies, historically recognized as a major producer of electricity from fossil fuels.

RWE says the lawsuit is legally inadmissible and that it sets a dangerous precedent by holding individual emitters accountable for global climate change.

"In our view, there is no legal basis for holding individual issuers liable for global phenomena such as climate change. Due to the large number of global emissions of greenhouse gases from both natural and human sources, as well as the complexity of the climate, it is not possible, in our opinion, to legally attribute specific effects of climate change to a single issuer," the company said in response to questions posed by AP.

The company insists climate solutions should be addressed through state and international policies, not the courts.

Walker-Crawford said the court is entering the evidence-gathering phase, examining whether Lliuya's home actually faces a significant risk of flooding.

"If the court decides that the risk is high enough, it will then assess whether RWE's emissions can be scientifically linked to that risk," he said.

Regardless of the case's final outcome, Walker-Crawford said it's likely to reinforce the legal foundation for future lawsuits.

"Even if the specific risk in this case isn't deemed high enough, the precedent that companies can be held liable for their climate impacts would still stand," he said.

The case's outcome could also have financial repercussions.

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Climate litigation could impact financial markets

"We're already starting to see the impact of climate litigation on financial markets," Walker-Crawford said. "Research has shown that when climate cases against corporations move past major hurdles, it negatively affects the stock market value of the companies being sued. Investors are starting to take note of the significant financial liability climate litigation can pose."

Lliuya, who also works as a mountain guide for tourists, said he started the lawsuit with little hope. Ten years on, that hope has grown.

"When the German judges visited my home and the lake in 2022, it gave me hopehope that our voices were being heard and that justice might be possible," he said. "Whatever the outcome, we have come a long way and I feel good about that," he said.

The hearing will begin Monday.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

With sea traffic set to rise in a warming Arctic, researchers are helping sailors plot a safer course through sea ice and icebergs thanks to more reliable satellite-based forecasts.

Nicolas "Niko" Dubreuil, a veteran polar explorer with over three decades of experience in the Arctic, knows first-hand the dangers of navigating the region's icy landscapes.

In 2001, while trekking on an icepack in Greenland, he suffered a severe fall, sustaining major injuries. Instead of being deterred though, the experience left him captivated by the Arctic.

"I adopted the Greenlandic motto 'Only time and ice are masters' and decided to leave my life in France, relocate to a small village in northern Greenland, and learn the traditional Greenlandic way of living," he said.

Today, from Kullorsuaq, a village in northern Greenland, Dubreuil runs a bespoke tour operator service offering expeditions for tourists, film crews and scientists wanting to learn more about sea ice and icebergs.

One of Dubreuil's latest adventures involves training hunters from the area to plant GPS probes on icebergs. Their unique skills and knowledge of the ice are being used to assist a team led by fellow Frenchman Laurent Bertino, a mathematician at the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC) in Bergen, Norway.

These exploits are part of an ambitious initiative aimed at making it safer for ships to navigate the Arctic seas.

Iceberg warnings

The Arctic is undergoing significant changes due to climate change, with rising temperatures leading to declining sea ice coverage, thinner ice, and increased glacier calving, leading to more icebergs.

Over the past few decades, satellite observations have shown that Arctic summer sea ice has been shrinking at a rate of about 13% per decade, with 2023 ranking among the lowest extents on record. The greatest danger to ships is in the spring and summer, when ice sheets fracture and drift, creating hazardous sheets of floating ice called ice floes.

In a partnership that includes the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Mercator Ocean International, the Italian National Research Council, the Technical University of Istanbul and the Danish Meteorological Institute, NERSC is coordinating an international research effort called ACCIBERG that will run from January 2023 to December 2026.

Accurate forecasting

The ACCIBERG team is monitoring sea ice and icebergs across the Arctic using satellite data from the Copernicus network. These satellites also provide ocean and wave information, which is integrated into forecasting models to predict iceberg drift.

Their goal is to significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of navigational information for shipping in the Arctic region by developing two freely available forecasting prototypes. One provides sea ice forecasts from days to months ahead with indications of uncertainty, and the second is able to provide an iceberg trajectory forecast computed on demand. The GPS tags on icebergs will be used to improve the forecast model.

One of the biggest challenges is delivering timely and accurate forecasts to ships at sea. Currently, onshore teams often send image files via emaila cumbersome process, especially given the limited internet connectivity in remote Arctic waters.

"The only information for sailors on board ships is satellite data from two or three days ago. That's useful, but the situation can change fast because their safety relies on crew members having the time and expertise to interpret it," said Bertino.

Shipping route expansion

By improving probabilistic forecasting, the ACCIBERG team hopes to provide sailors with clearer risk assessments and better windows for safe passage. They are working closely with end users, such as the Norwegian and Greenland Ice Service, to refine and test these technologies.

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Keld Qvistgaard is a senior ice specialist with the Greenland Ice Service, a specialized division within the Danish Meteorological Institute that focuses on monitoring and analyzing sea ice conditions around Greenland. He is an active partner in the ACCIBERG team.

"Shipping is increasing, and user needs and requirements are also changing. There is a huge need for advancing technologies for ice monitoring and forecasting," he said.

Research from the Arctic Council suggests a 37% increase in shipping over the past decade, with projections indicating further growth by 2050 as melting ice opens new routes.

Three passagesthe North-West Passage (via Greenland and Canada), the Northern Sea Route (via Russia) and the Transpolar Sea Route (via Iceland)each offer potentially faster and cheaper cargo transport.

Yet Arctic navigation remains treacherous. Even with the assistance of icebreakersmassive steel-hulled ships designed to cut through iceunexpected conditions can pose serious risks.

In November 2021, an unusual weather event in the East Siberian Sea triggered an early and intense sea ice formation known as a rapid refreeze. Over 20 vessels became trapped in thick pack ice, requiring a long and expensive rescue operation.

"The Arctic navigation season is much longer today than 20 years ago. It is also much more variable," said Bertino.

Navigating the future

Beyond improving existing products from the Copernicus Marine and Climate Change Services, the ACCIBERG team is also developing new open-source forecasting software.

In the future, these forecasts could be incorporated into digital navigation systems to further enhance Arctic safety in close cooperation with the Copernicus Arctic Hub.

Officially launched in October 2023, the Copernicus Arctic Hub serves as a centralized platform providing access to a wide range of data and information on the Arctic to support evidence-based decision-making and sustainable management practices.

For now, though, Bertino sees the benefits of improved forecasting extending beyond commercial shipping.

"It's not just about economicsit's about supporting the people who live and work in the Arctic," he said.

It's a sentiment echoed by his compatriot, Niko Dubreuil, back in Greenland where drifting icebergs also pose a real danger to local communities. This is part of the reason that they are happy to be able to actively contribute by placing beacons on the icebergs.

"This project is not just about technology, it's about the people who live in these regions, the scientists working to make navigation safer, and the tourists who learn about the significance of the environment. We're all connected in this effort," he said.

This article was originally published in Horizon the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.
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Sharks are often observed with hooks, scars or other evidence of encounters with fisherman. This Caribbean reef shark was spotted in the Bahamas with a wire leader hanging from her mouth. It has been illegal to catch sharks in the Bahamas since 2011. Credit: Shane Gross

Despite the fear they may inspire in humans, sharks have far more reason to fear us. Nearly one-third of sharks are threatened with extinction globally, mostly as a result of fishing.

A team led by researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that mandates to release captured sharks won't be enough to prevent the continued decline of these important ocean predators. These findings, published in Fish & Fisheries, highlight the importance of monitoring shark populations and combining different strategies for managing their numbers.

Some sharks are targeted by fisheries, but the pressure extends beyond these species. "More than half of sharks that are caught and killed in fisheries are captured incidentally and then discarded," explained Darcy Bradley, co-author of the study and adjunct faculty at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and lead scientist at The Nature Conservancy.

Some species are protected by retention bans, issued by regional fisheries management organizations, which require fishermen to release an individual they catch rather than keep it. Currently, 17 oceanic shark species are covered by a retention ban to protect them from incidental catch in tuna fisheries.

The team had a simple question in mind. "For all shark species that we know are caught in fisheries, how many are dead by the time they are landed or soon after release as a result of capture?" said co-lead author Allie Caughman, a doctoral candidate at the Bren School. They were also curious how certain regulations affected shark survival after.

The authors collated available data from more than 150 published papers and reports that have measured shark mortality upon hauling (at-vessel) or soon after release (post-release). The literature spanned nearly 150 different shark species caught by different fishing gears. Using this information, they could estimate mortality rates for an additional 341 shark species incidentally captured by longlines or gillnets but for which empirical data wasn't available.

Small sharks and several threatened species were the most likely to die after being caught. These included thresher sharks and hammerheads. Mortality was also higher for smaller species, those that occur in deeper waters and those that rely on constant swimming to breathe.

"Mortality was surprisingly high for some species such as smoothhound sharks, ranging from 30 to 65%," said co-lead author Leonardo Feitosa, also a doctoral candidate at the Bren School." Deep-water species, like sleeper sharks, also fared poorly, likely due to the trauma of the extreme pressure change.

Policy simulations showed that retention bans could reduce shark mortality three-fold, on average, but that this wasn't enough to reduce mortality to sustainable fishing levels for already heavily fished species, like mako and silky sharks.

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"Retention bans are a beneficial first step towards addressing shark overfishing," said Bradley, "but they need to be complemented with other strategies, such as area-based fishing restrictions, catch quotas and fishing gear requirements to sustain populations for many shark species."

Bans are most likely to benefit species with faster reproductive rateslike blue sharks, bonnetheads and angel sharksbecause their populations tend to recover faster. The blue shark is actually the most heavily fished species worldwide. "While it is highly unlikely that retention bans will ever be implemented for such a commercially important species, our results show that this could be a relatively simple and impactful strategy if it becomes necessary to sustain populations," Feitosa said,

For other sharks, maintaining healthy populations will require additional strategies. Methods to reduce catch rates to begin withsuch as banning the use of steel wire on longlinescould complement retention bans. Spatial regulations could also help bolster shark populations, such as closing off shark nurseries and pupping grounds.

Assembling this study also highlighted the need for more data on mortality rates for other cartilaginous fishes, like stingrays, skates and chimaeras. "Fifty-seven percent of cartilaginous fishes threatened with extinction in the world are not sharks," Caughman explained. The team couldn't include these groups in the paper due to the dearth of data.

Members of the team from The Nature Conservancy are currently meeting with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission's scientific staff to collaborate on this issue. This work will help to advance and inform those dialogues as they work to identify the suite of appropriate strategies required to advance shark conservation.

More information: Leonardo Manir Feitosa et al, Retention Bans Are Beneficial but Insufficient to Stop Shark Overfishing, Fish and Fisheries (2025). DOI: 10.1111/faf.12892 Journal information: Fish and Fisheries
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The full moon, also known as the "blood moon," is seen in Mexico City.

Stargazers across a swath of the world marveled at a dramatic red "blood moon" during a rare total lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday morning.

The celestial spectacle was visible in the Americas and Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as in the westernmost parts of Europe and Africa.

The phenomenon happens when the sun, Earth and moon line up, causing our planet to cast a giant shadow across its satellite.

But as the Earth's shadow crept across the moon, it did not entirely blot out its white glowinstead the moon glowed a reddish color.

This is because the only sunlight that reaches the moon is "bent and scattered" as it goes through Earth's atmosphere, said Daniel Brown, an astronomer at Britain's Nottingham Trent University.

It is similar to how the light can become pink or red during sunrises or sunsets on Earth, he added.

The more clouds and dust there are in Earth's atmosphere, the redder the moon appears.

Brown called the lunar eclipse, which will last around six hours, "an amazing way to see the solar system in action".

The period when the moon is completely in Earth's shadowcalled the totalitylasts just over an hour.

This event has been dubbed the "blood worm moon", after one of the names given to March full moons by some Native Americans.

A man photographs the 'blood moon' with his phone through a telescope in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on March 14, 2025.

'Inspire us'

In North America, the moon started to look like a bite was being taken out of it from 1:09 am Eastern Time (0509 GMT), with the totality from 2:26 am to 3:31 am, according to NASA.

In France, the totality is from 7:26 am to 8:31 am local time (0626-0731 GMT), according to the French Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Ephemeris Calculation.

Only the most western parts of Europe, such as France's Brittany region, will get any chance to see the totality before the moon sets.

People in New Zealand have the opposite problem, with the eclipse only partially visible as the moon rose.

Brown dislikes the term "blood moon", saying it has a negative connotation and "originates from a misinformed theory of the end of the world".

But not all societies took a negative view of these celestial shows.

A partial lunar eclipse is seen during the 'Blood Moon' lunar eclipse above Los Angeles, California.

Infographic with a world map showing the visible zones for the total lunar eclipse, when the moon appears red-orange, from late night March 13 to early morning March 14, according to NASA.

Scientists watch the moon in Santiago.

Some people in Africa traditionally viewed a lunar eclipse as a conflict between the sun and moon that could be resolved by people "demonstrating on Earth how we work together" and laying old feuds aside, Brown said.

He called it "an amazing story that should inspire us all".

Solar eclipse soon

It is the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, but there will be another one this September.

Thursday's event is a "Micromoon", meaning the moon is the farthest away it gets from Earth, making it appear about seven percent smaller than normal, according to the website Earthsky.

This is the opposite of a "Supermoon", as was seen during 2022's lunar eclipse.

Some stargazers will be in for another treat later this montha partial solar eclipse, which is when the moon blocks out the sun's light on Earth.

This eclipse will be visible on March 29 in eastern Canada, parts of Europe, northern Russia and northwest Africa.

Viewing even a partial solar eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous, and people are advised to use special eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors.

 2025 AFP
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Violence is forcing women in Northern Ireland into homelessness, a new report from Heriot-Watt University has found. Credit: Heriot-Watt University

Violence is trapping women across Northern Ireland in cycles of trauma and homelessness, with some facing further abuse in temporary accommodation, despite moving there to find a place of safety.

The research from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh was commissioned by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. It is based on in-depth interviews with women with lived experience of violence over five areas of Northern Ireland.

The areas include Belfast and Derry, one smaller urban area in County Down, and two more rural areas of County Antrim and County Fermanagh. The report also covers findings from focus groups with frontline workers and senior key stakeholders.

Shockingly, the report found that victims often face abuse from multiple perpetrators, including intimate partners, extended family members, strangers, and in some cases, paramilitary violence. This combination of threats creates deep challenges for women seeking safety in Northern Ireland communities.

Women in rural areas face particular isolation, with limited access to support services and increased vulnerability to abuse. The research highlighted how perpetrators exploit this isolation, with one woman describing: "You get caught up because it happens incrementally. It gets a bit worse, just a little bit, and then just a bit more every time, it becomes your influence. You're constantly hearing them all the time, especially when they isolate you from your friends."

Despite seeking protection through Northern Ireland's criminal and civil justice systems, many women were failed by inconsistent police responses and faced significant challenges in securing and enforcing protection orders.

A participant explained, "Even though I have that protection order, he and two of his friends came round with hatchets. He actually came through my window, and I phoned the police and said, 'Look, I have a protection order right here,' and it took them over two hours to come."

The report also found stark evidence that many women are forced to leave their homes due to abuse, resulting in homelessness, even when they held legal tenancy or ownership rights. Post-separation harassment meant that many women had to flee again and again, leading to repeat episodes of homelessness.

Temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland, including B&Bs and hostels, were found to have regularly failed to provide adequate safety. Women reported feeling re-traumatized in these settings, particularly in mixed-gender facilities, finding themselves vulnerable to the same dangers they had tried to escape. Due to feeling unsafe, some women choose to sleep rough.

The research also revealed how substance use acts as a coping mechanism for the trauma of abuse, creating additional barriers for some women to accessing essential support.

Women who used substances were often excluded from mainstream temporary accommodation services and pushed toward acutely harmful forms of homelessness, including night shelters and rough sleeping, where they were often exposed to extreme violence and abuse.

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Dr. Lynne McMordie is from the Institute for Social Policy, Equalities and Housing Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University. She said, "This research reveals profound failings in how we respond to women experiencing violence in Northern Ireland.

"The intersection of domestic abuse, paramilitary threats, and isolationespecially for women living in more rural areascreates unique challenges that our current systems are failing to address adequately.

"For too long, the focus has been on expecting women to remove themselves from violent situations, but this leads to huge financial challenges and loss of housing security. There is a stubborn presumption that women will need to flee their homes if they are escaping abuse. However, time and again, women's attempts to find a place of safety are undermined by systems that should protect them but instead leave them exposed to further harm.

Dawn Shackels, Director of Programs at Community Foundation Northern Ireland, said, "The findings of this important study shine a much-needed light on the ongoing failures within our systems to protect women who are survivors of violence and abuse. It is deeply concerning to see how women in Northern Ireland are caught in a relentless cycle of trauma, abuse, and homelessnessoften while seeking refuge from violence.

"We echo the study's recommendations and call for urgent action from all levels of government to ensure that women's safety, dignity, and right to secure housing are prioritized. The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland stands ready to work with our partners to support these vital changes and to ensure that no woman ever has to choose between staying with an abuser or living on the streets."

The study makes several Northern Ireland-specific recommendations, including that the Department of Justice should strengthen protections for women facing violence by ensuring rapid police responses and accessible protection orders that allow women to remain safely in their homes.
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View of the former Kakhovka reservoir bottom near the village of Novovorontsovka after the drainage. The sign says: "Swimming is forbidden!" And "Attention! Mines!" Credit: Ivan Antipenko

Water is misused as a weapon when infrastructure and water resources are deliberately destroyed in armed conflicts. Water resources and infrastructure are also affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine: In June 2023, the Kakhovka Dam, which held water from one of Europe's largest reservoirs, collapsed as a result of military damage.

Researchers led by the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) have published a study on the ecological consequences of the dam collapse in the journal Science.

While much attention has been paid to the immediate economic, social and political consequences of the flooding, the results show that the toxic contamination of the exposed sediments of the former reservoir bed poses a long-term threat to that has been largely overlooked.

"In modern warfare, rivers continue to be used not only as the frontlines, but increasingly as weapons," said IGB researcher Dr. Oleksandra Shumilova, lead author of the study.

In Ukraine, dams on the Irpen, Oskil and Inhulets rivers have been deliberately destroyed since 2022, and the power plants of several other large reservoirs have been damaged.

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam was the most dramatic event, attracting the attention of the international community and the scientific community. Its reservoir, located at the downstream end of the Dnipro reservoir cascade, stored 18 cubic kilometers of water used for multiple purposes, including water supply, agriculture and industry.

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam led to the draining of the reservoir, causing flooding downstream and polluting the freshwater and marine environment. An international research team investigated the ecological impact of the dam's destruction.

"The task was not trivial, however, as the scale of the impact exceeded all known dam failures and targeted dam removal projects by several orders of magnitude. This was further complicated by restrictions on field observations and measurements due to the ongoing combat," said IGB researcher Dr. Alexander Sukhodolov, co-lead author of the study.

Catastrophic flood

Damage to the dam led to the release of 16.4 cubic kilometers of water into the Dnipro-Bug estuary and then into the Black Sea, which continued for two weeks. Overall, 110,000 people and 60,000 buildings were affected.

The researchers performed numerical modeling of flow hydrodynamics for the area downstream of the dam at the maximum of flood: Strong turbulence developed between the floodplain and the main channel, leading to the washing out of reed-belt vegetation, with debris scattered 250 kilometers along the coastline.

The flood created a freshwater plume with high concentrations of pollutants which, as it spread across the Black Sea shelf, reduced salinity and affected benthic organisms.

Toxic time bomb

Upstream of the dam, an area of 1,944 square kilometers of the reservoir bottom was suddenly exposed. To put this in perspective, this is about 80% of the area of Luxembourg.

The results of the study highlight an overlooked problemthe exposed sediment will act as a long-term source of heavy metal pollution.

Since the 1950s, the Kakhovka reservoir has accumulated about 1.31.7 cubic kilometers of fine silt eroded from the banks. This giant sponge has accumulated pollutants from industrial and agricultural areas in the Dnipro catchment.

According to estimates based on pre-disaster field sediment sampling combined with post-disaster remote sensing results, the exposed sediments are contaminated with approximately 83.3 thousand tons of highly toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and nickel. The researchers also draw parallels with the potential dangers posed by aging dams.

"Our analysis suggests that less than 1% of the reservoir's sediments are likely to have been released during the drainage process. Surface runoff and seasonal flooding can lead to erosion of contaminated soils and increase the concentration of pollutants in river waters and in temporarily flooded areas," said co-author Dr. Natalia Osadcha from the Hydrometeorological Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

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Nature returns quickly

Within the former reservoir, the river has returned to its historic course, although some large ponds have formed. Scientists were concerned about what would happen over such a large area.

"Understanding how the ecosystem recovers after extreme events is a task for predictive ecology and can be understood from the basic principles of self-organization," explained Shumilova.

The period when the reservoir was drained in June coincided with the period of seed dispersal by typical riparian plants such as willows and poplars.

Prior to drainage, seeds settled on the surface of the water and were then transported long distances by the ebbing water and trapped in cracks in the sediment. Within three months, about 18% of the former reservoir bed was covered by pioneer vegetation, which also showed extremely high growth rates.

The results suggest that floodplain vegetation equivalent to 80% of an undammed ecosystem can be expected within five years.

"The lessons learned from the case of the Kakhovka reservoir in Ukraine are valuable for understanding ecosystem processes in rivers with planned dam removals, which are now being addressed in Europe and the U.S.," commented IGB researcher Prof. Hans-Peter Grossart, a senior author of the study.

"In addition, the framework developed provides insights into how unexpected dam failures can be assessed and what tools and approaches are available. This is important to consider in view of the aging of dams and related water infrastructure."

While the war continues, discussions have begun among decision-makers, scientists and water experts about the future of the Kakhovka dam. Opinions differ on whether the dam should be rebuilt: without it, the river's ecosystem would quickly return to its pre-dam state, but heavy metals could spread through food webs.

The authors suggest that the release of pollutants could be controlled by building two temporary barriers, 15 kilometers long, separating the main channel from the two largest wetlands.

Any plans to restore Ukraine's conflict-damaged water ecosystems depend on an end to the war, but there remains a significant risk of new missile attacks on dams in the Dnipro and Dniester cascades.

"If more dams are attacked, the consequences for people and the environment could be catastrophic, as the collapse of the Kakhovka dam showed. The protection of dams in areas affected by military activities should be a priority of international law, as conflict-related dam failures can have far-reaching and long-term environmental consequences," concludes Dr. Shumilova.

An early warning of the potential dangers associated with the destruction of large dams and reservoirs in Ukraine was given by IGB scientists in an article published in Nature Sustainability, which assessed the military impact and threats after the first three months of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict.

Not surprisingly, when the Kakhovka dam collapsed, the research team was asked to comment on the ecological consequences of this disaster. To address these challenges, the IGB initiative group organized a workshop that brought together leading scientists from Ukrainian research institutions and scientists from Germany, the U.S., the Netherlands, Turkey and Argentina.

Having a team with different expertise and perspectives allowed us to develop a methodological framework to link field observations, remote sensing, numerical and analytical modeling to gain a better understanding of the spatio-temporal scales of this disaster and to outline trends in the recovery of damaged ecosystems.

More information: O. Shumilova et al, Environmental effects of the Kakhovka Dam destruction by warfare in Ukraine, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adn8655 Journal information: Nature Sustainability , Science

Provided by Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The smoke from fires that blaze through the wildland-urban interface (WUI) has far greater health impacts than smoke from wildfires in remote areas, new research finds.

The study, published in Science Advances, estimates that emissions from WUI fires are proportionately about three times more likely to lead to annual premature deaths than emissions from wildfires in general. This is because the fires, and their associated emissions, are far closer to populated areas.

The work was conducted by an international team of researchers, led by scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR). The study drew on a database of WUI fires and advanced computer modeling techniques.

"Even though the emissions of WUI fires are relatively small globally, the health impacts are proportionately large because they're closer to human populations," said NSF NCAR scientist Wenfu Tang, the lead author. "Pollutants emitted by WUI fires, such as particulate matter and the precursors to ozone, are more harmful because they're not dispersing across hundreds or thousands of miles."

The spread of WUI fires

The wildland-urban interface is the geographic area where wildland vegetation and developed land come together or intermingle. WUI areas have been expanding on all populated continents and now constitute about 5% of the world's land area, excluding Antarctica.

With this expansion have come devastating fires. Some of the deadliest WUI blazes in recent years include the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Australia that directly killed 173 people, the 2018 Attica fires in Greece that killed 104, and the 2023 Lahaina Fire in Hawaii that killed 100.

At the beginning of 2025, a disastrous outbreak of fires in Southern California burned an estimated 16,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, with estimates of financial losses ranging up to $250 billion or higher.

A previous study led by Tang used satellite observations and machine learning techniques to show that the fraction of global fires that occur in WUI areas has increased significantly this century.

Building on that work, Tang and her colleagues wanted to estimate the health effects of the fire emissions beyond the immediate deaths. Certain pollutants associated with smoke, such as fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, are especially harmful to cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

The researchers turned to an advanced NSF NCARbased computer model, the Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols (MUSICA), to simulate pollutants from fires. Their modeling included carbon monoxide chemical tracers, which enabled them to estimate the sources of emissions and differentiate between wildland and WUI fires.

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They also used a dataset of WUI fires in the last two decades worldwide, which Tang and her colleagues developed last year.

To compare emissions of WUI fires with those from wildland fires, the researchers simulated four scenarios. These consisted of: no fires, both WUI and wildland fires, WUI fires only, and wildland fires only. The difference between all fires and just wildland fires indicated the impacts of WUI fire emissions.

The results showed that WUI fire emissions constituted 3.1% of all fire emissions across the six populated continents in 2020. However, the fractional contribution of WUI fire emissions to premature deaths was 8.8% of all fire emissions because of how many people were affected by smoke from WUI fires.

The numbers varied by continent depending on the proximity of dense populations to WUI fires. In North America, for example, WUI fires represented 6% of all fires and 9.3% of premature deaths from emissions. In Europe, however, those numbers were 11.4% and 13.7%, respectively.

A critical factor that Tang wants to examine next is the difference in emissions from wildland fires that consume trees and other vegetation as opposed to WUI fires that burn down structures that often contain additional toxic substances. The smoke from different burned materials may have widely varying impacts on human health.

"It is very important to have an emission inventory that explicitly accounts for the burning of structures," Tang said. "We need to know what is being burned in order to determine what is going up in smoke."

More information: Wenfu Tang et al, Disproportionately large impacts of wildland-urban interface fire emissions on global air quality and human health, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr2616. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr2616 Journal information: Science Advances
Multiple trade and economic exchanges highlight commitment to cooperation

08:28, March 14, 2025 By Ma Jingjing, Wang Wenwen ( Global Times

China continues to strengthen economic and trade exchanges with other countries despite growing unilateralism and protectionism from certain Western countries, with multiple events held overseas recently including the UK, Brazil and Germany to promote trade cooperation.

The 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo UK roadshow was held in London on Wednesday (UK time), according to a domestic news site people.cn reported on Thursday.

Yu Jianlong, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said in his speech that China and the UK are expanding cooperation in sectors including financial services, clean energy, and artificial intelligence, with new cooperation models and growth points continuously emerging. During the roadshow, multiple UK companies, including Standard Chartered and AstraZeneca, signed letters of intent to attend the expo in July, according to the report.

In addition, organized by the government of East China's Shandong Province, a Conference on Economic and Commercial Exchange and Cooperation was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, attracting more than 300 officials and business representatives from both countries, China News Service reported on Thursday.

In Sao Paulo, Shandong reached trade and investment cooperation intention agreements in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, green development, and low-carbon emissions, according to the report.

From March 4 to 7 (German time), Zhou Hongbo, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Nanjing Municipal Committee, in East China's Jiangsu Province, led a delegation to Germany for the "Visit Germany, Choose Nanjing" business events, during which they held economic and trade cooperation promotions to advance key projects and attract new investments, according to the Nanjing government website.

The strengthened economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries came as China stressed its firm commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up and stabilizing foreign trade and foreign investment during the just-concluded two sessions.

"Regardless of changes in the external environment, we should remain steadfast in our commitment to opening-up," said the Government Work Report. "We should steadily expand institutional opening-up and take the initiative to open wider and advance unilateral opening-up in a well-ordered way, to promote reform and development through greater openness."

"Taking the initiative to open wider and advancing unilateral opening-up reflect China's increased confidence and represent an important mark in the country's high-level opening-up," Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce and executive deputy director of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, told the Global Times on Thursday.

With the global eastward shift of talent, capital and technology, not only China's coastal regions but central and western regions are likely to attract more foreign enterprises, Wei said.

Ning Feng, president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), said at a roadshow for the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Thursday that more than 220,000 square meters of exhibition space has already been reserved, accounting for more than 60 percent of the planned exhibition space, fully showcasing the confidence in China's economic development and enthusiasm in the expo of all parties, according to media reports.

As of the end of 2024, the cumulative number of foreign-invested enterprises in China stood at approximately 1.24 million, with the actual use of foreign capital reaching 20.6 trillion yuan ($2.85 trillion). In 2024, nearly 60,000 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, up 9.9 percent year-on-year, official data showed.

"Statistics show that China remains an ideal destination for foreign investment, and many foreign companies are optimistic about China's growth prospects," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.

Partnering with China will bring more opportunities. No matter how the external environment may evolve, China remains firmly committed to high-standard opening up and always welcomes companies from all countries to keep investing in China and explore the Chinese market to enjoy benefits and development together, Mao said.

"As a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions, China's commitment to opening-up, increasing imports of high-quality goods and services, attracting foreign investment and fostering an open business environment will continue to drive China's economic growth," Ahmed Moustafa, director of the Asia Center for Studies and Translation in Egypt, told the Global Times.

The country's greater market, comprehensive industrial support system, abundant labor force and talent pool provide unique advantages that can drive economic growth and enhance global cooperation, Moustafa said.

Despite external challenges, China's foreign trade demonstrated a solid performance, structural improvement, and resilience in the first two months of 2025, with exports up 3.4 percent year-on-year to 3.88 trillion yuan.

"Compared with other countries, China's foreign trade has unique characteristics - relatively complete industrial chains and a huge domestic market - ensuring that the country's foreign trade maintains strong resilience and potential amid the complex international situation in 2025," Wei said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
People enjoy an ice slide at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The market size of the ice and snow economy in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, reached 266.17 billion yuan (about 37.1 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, of which the output of ice and snow tourism was 182.33 billion yuan, said the provincial bureau of statistics.

During the 2024-2025 winter season, Heilongjiang received 135 million domestic and overseas tourists, up 18.5 percent compared with last year's winter season. Tourist spending also increased by 30.7 percent.

Heilongjiang has taken the lead nationally in establishing a statistical monitoring system for the ice and snow economy this year. Over the past few months, the provincial bureau of statistics collected and sorted data related to the sector with the coordination of departments in taxation, cultural tourism, sports, transportation, agriculture and rural areas and industry and information.

The bureau also carried out a survey on more than 200 key tourism projects in seven categories in the province, including major scenic spots, shopping districts, ice and snow amusement parks, ski resorts, museums, cultural and art galleries, morning and night markets, involving nearly 40,000 business entities.

"The data fully reflected the development results of Heilongjiang as the place to practice the idea that 'ice and snow are also are invaluable assets'," said Yan Huijun, deputy head of the bureau.

The purpose of establishing the statistical monitoring system in the province is to better provide decision-making reference points for promoting the development of the ice and snow economy, Yan said.

With its abundant ice and snow resources, Heilongjiang has successfully cultivated well-known ice and snow tourism brands such as Harbin Ice-Snow World and "Snow Town" in recent years.

China has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop its ice and snow economy as a new economic driver, targeting a total market size of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to a guideline released by the State Council in 2024.
GLENS FALLS  The Glens Falls man accused in a 2024 murder of a woman in a Schenectady motel is expected to get a new attorney ahead of his July trial.

Corydon R. Carlton, 41, of Glens Falls, is facing one count of second-degree murder, a class A-1 felony, in the murder case of 49-year-old Renee Stratton last summer. Schenectady Police were dispatched to 927 State St. in Schenectady around 4:18 a.m. the morning of July 21 to reports of an unresponsive woman in room 131. Court Documents allege that Carlton murdered her on, about or between July 20 and July 21, 2024.

Carlton appeared in Schenectady County Court Thursday, represented by Senior Assistant Public Defender at Schenectady County, Michelle Walton.

Schenectady County Judge, Matthew Sypniewski, is presiding over Carltons case. Sypniewski told Carlton that after discussions with the attorneys, there may be a conflict of interest between Walton and one of the potential witnesses in this case.

The court was notified early on that there was the potential for a witness conflict in the case, Sypniewski said. Which could prohibit them from going forward as counsel. After discussing it briefly, with the attorneys, the District Attorney does in fact agree that there is a conflict.

Sypniewski said the court would potentially assign the case to the Conflict Defenders Office going forward, and would relieve the Public Defender from the case.

Put simply Mr. Carlton, it does not look as it, at this time, as if the Public Defender, Ms. Walton is going to represent you going forward, Sypniewski said.

Carltons case is scheduled to go to trial July 28, 2025. Sypniewski said this gives a new attorney enough time to become familiar with and get up to speed with this case.

Ill make sure that attorney has enough time to work with you, Sypniewski said. Thats the stage where were at. Were going to have to make sure that the conflict defender is capable of coming on board, if not, well take the next steps as necessary. So I do want to do this sooner rather than later.

Carlton is scheduled to appear in Schenectady County Court again about his representation Thursday, March 21. He is also facing two lesser charges in Schenectady City Court from his July 21 arrest, one count of aggravated harassment and one of petit larceny, both are considered misdemeanors under New York law.

Police reported that the officers secured the scene the morning of July 21, 2024 and began gathering information and attempted life-saving measures. Schenectady Fire Department Paramedics also responded to the scene. Stratton was declared deceased a short time later. The Schenectady Police Department reported in a press release in August 2024 that Strattons death was considered suspicious in nature, and through investigation by Schenectady Police Detectives, was determined to be a homicide due to injuries sustained from blunt force.

Carlton has a previous criminal history which has also grabbed media attention. In 2011 he was sentenced to serve time in state prison for crimes related to the theft of a stolen .22-caliber handgun. When he was 23, in 2007, he made headlines when he jumped out of the second story window of the Clearview Motel in South Glens Falls in an attempt to escape the police. He had previously tried to outrun law enforcement in January 2006, when his attempted to run from Saratoga Springs Police who were seeking him on a parole violation warrant. The pursuit ended when off-duty police chief from Plattsburgh happened to be passing by and grabbed him. At that time, Carlton had just gotten out of state prison after serving a sentence for burglary.

Police: Man jumped from window in attempt to evade arrest SOUTH GLENS FALLS - A man's jump from a second-story motel window to escape police didn't wo

Man receives 3- to 6-year state prison sentence in Pottersville gun case QUEENSBURY -- An Albany County man who possessed stolen guns at a home in Pottersville last 
NORTHFIELD  Mary Burns and her two teenage children were among more than 300 people protesting Thursday at the office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew against potential cuts to Medicaid and other social programs.

We are the face of Medicaid right now, said Burns, of Mays Landing. I lost 90% of my employment and depend on Medicaid and SNAP (New Jerseys Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

She is in her last year of a masters degree program in social work at Stockton University, she said, but cant start a new job as a social worker until she gets her degree.

Van Drew, R-2nd, was at work in Washington, D.C., so not present to see the protest.

Its important to protest when so much is going on, and people are trying to stop the protesting, said Burns daughter Rita Stefanik, 15.

Most in the crowd lining Tilton Road near Burton Avenue were of the baby boom generation, and many said they heard about it through municipal Democratic clubs and Indivisible chapters.

I disseminated the day and time to my club, said Linwood Municipal Democratic Chair Brian Stein, who was collecting information from people willing to help with get-out-the-vote efforts.

But one Van Drew representative claimed some protesters were paid.

Van Drew votes to keep government open while budget study continues Rep. Jeff Van Drew voted for a continuing resolution Tuesday to keep the federal government open so services continue while President Donald Trump and Congress work on longer-term budget issues, he said.

Hey, after the last four years of Joe Biden you cant blame anyone for traveling from as far away as Camden and even Bergen counties, especially when they are getting paid $250 just to wave signs in front of Congressman Van Drews office for an hour, said Van Drews campaign manager and director of political affairs Ron Filan. We hope those who came to visit us today will at least spend some of this money in our wonderful local restaurants and businesses.

Helen Duda of Cape May Indivisible, who said she was the main organizer of the protest, said no one was paid.

Oh my gosh no! she said in response to texted questions about payment. And not one was from out of state! The vast majority were Van Drew constituents.

She called the allegation shameful.

Other progressive groups participating included Move On and Action Together chapters from across South Jersey, Duda said.

People need this outlet. They feel so overwhelmed and helpless, Duda said. South Jersey has a lot of needs. Van Drew could do so much good. ... He should be out there screaming bloody murder (against cutting social programs).

In addition to signs defending Medicaid, people carried signs criticizing President Donald Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency job cuts, and calling on Van Drew to hold in-person town halls.

We welcome any opportunity for those we represent to peacefully express their opinions, said a statement from Van Drews office in response to the event. The Sherriffs Office was present at the protest because our office received a threat, and the person responsible has not yet been found.

At the request of the Northfield Chief of Police, our office staff was asked to leave the building. ... We apologize to the businesses in our building that had to close early because of the situation.

Van Drews office also said it will read and consider all forms, letters and messages left at the office by protesters or others.

We are committed to hearing from and representing every voice in our community, the statement said.

He voted against us. Thats what brought me out today, said Kate Cooper, of Lower Township, a member of Cape May Indivisible, about Van Drews Feb. 13 vote in favor of a budget resolution to cut $880 million from programs overseen by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has the Medicaid program in its purview.

Critics say the only way that committee can get to such large cuts is to reduce the Medicaid program that provides health insurance to lower-income people.

Van Drew has promised to fight any cuts to Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security, other than rooting out waste, fraud or abuse.

But several people at the rally expressed skepticism about that promise, citing his party change in 2019 from Democratic to Republican  which they see as breaking a promise to Democrats who supported him for decades.

A lot of people here gave money to him as a Democrat, said Diane Stefani, of Margate.

Medicaid vital to new Republicans in working class, Van Drew says U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew said this week that he and other Republicans will protect Medicaid from attempts to increase New Jersey's share of the cost, as well as from broader cuts.

She said she was there mainly to protest Trumps policies.

Its more about Trumps policies and Van Drew following the orders of the king, Stefani said.

He swore his undying loyalty (to Trump), said Susen Shapiro, of Galloway Township, referring to Van Drews statement in the Oval Office in 2019, when he announced his party switch.

Protesters praised the police and sheriffs officers who stopped traffic on the four-lane Tilton Road so people could cross, and generally kept order.

The chief and I both agree, we welcome people following their constitutional right to protest, said Atlantic County Sheriff Joe ODonoghue.

This is what it should be, a peaceful protest, said Northfield police Chief Mark VonColln.

Im young. I cant vote yet, but this is my future, said Hannah Gradel, 17, of Swedesboro, Gloucester County, one of a handful of younger people there. This is amazing. It makes me so happy and hopeful there are so many people who care.
People visit a "Tiangong" humanoid robot at the Beijng World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The world's first universal embodied artificial intelligence (AI) platform that supports multiple body types and scenarios was launched in Beijing Wednesday. It was expected to accelerate the integration of smart technologies into real world and the development of robotics, autonomous driving, and human-machine interaction.



The platform, dubbed "Huisi Kaiwu," was developed by Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robots, which was jointly established by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Beijing Municipal Government, as well as enterprises and research institutions in the robotics sector.

Embodied AI integrates AI into physical bodies such as robots to enable them to perceive, learn and dynamically interact with the environment like humans. Relying on computation and logical reasoning, it can continuously learn, adapt and complete tasks by perception, action and environmental feedback, thus improving autonomy and practical application in real world.

In addition to humanoid robots, other hardware with interactive capabilities, such as autonomous driving vehicles and wearable devices, can also serve as bodies of embodied AI.

According to Tang Jian, the chief technical officer of the center, it is vital for a humanoid robot to have a "brain," the part capable of natural interaction, spatial perception, understanding of intention, hierarchical planning, and error reflection.

Equally important is a "cerebellum" that can achieve functions such as grasping, skill breakdown and error handling, and is responsible for tasks like full-body control, bimanual collaboration, stable walking and mobile navigation.

The robot can first have its tasks planned by the "brain," then order the "cerebellum" to execute specific actions, and pass the execution feedback back to the "brain," forming a task loop to complete autonomous decision-making and motion execution in complex environments.

Xiong Youjun, the general manager of the center, said that embodied AI is still in its infancy. The industry is in need of a universal intelligent platform that is compatible with different body types and scenarios, and can perform general tasks.

At a launch event on Wednesday, the platform demonstrated real-machine operations in four scenarios: industrial sorting, blocks building, desktop cleaning, and logistics packaging. Through various means such as voice interaction and direct connection via an APP, users can easily interact with the robots.

For example, in the industrial sorting task, the operator directly connected through the HuiSi KaiWu APP, while robotic arms accurately interpreted the voice commands and completed the sorting operation through bimanual collaboration.

Tang said that the "APP plus robot" model packages complex technical capabilities such as reasoning, planning and skill invocation into simple procedures, lowering the threshold for users. Meanwhile, the platform supports the rapid addition of customized models and skills, which can flexibly meet the needs of different scenarios and provide convenient, efficient and intelligent solutions for industrial automation.

The platform can achieve whole-process intelligence from task comprehension to execution. It is capable of processing complex tasks in multiple scenarios and can be compatible with various types of bodies, including robotic arms, wheeled robots, and humanoid robots, he added.

The development of embodied AI has been highlighted in this year's government work report.

Previously disclosed MIIT plans show that China aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025, with plans to have a secure, reliable industrial and supply chain system by 2027, when related products will be deeply integrated into the real economy.
Dry and unfrozen soils along the Mississippi River and its tributaries in Iowa and Illinois have soaked up recent rain.

That, combined with little to no snowpack remaining up north, means the risk of flooding on the Mississippi River is still low this spring, according to a Thursday National Weather Service briefing.

"We'll see some chances of precipitation coming across our area, however, given the current drought and near below normal stream flow, there's still a lot of room in the streams to receive that rainfall in there to prevent flooding," said Tim Gross, a National Weather Service meteorologist and hydro team member.

Gross said the Mississippi River from Dubuque to Gregory Landing has a below 50% chance of any level of flooding this spring under current conditions.

Just one point out of 400 in the Northern Central River Forecast Center has a 50% chance or above chance of reaching moderate flood stage  the Wapsipinicon River at DeWitt.

Gross cautioned, however, that could change. The main factor for any spring flooding in the area will be the amount and timing of precipitation, Gross said.

Temperatures have averaged near normal this winter overall, even with a colder than normal February, he said.

Precipitation locally as well as upstream has been below normal. It was the 9th driest winter for Dubuque and 5th driest February for Burlington.

"Needless to say, we haven't had a lot of precipitation," Gross said.

In March, the area received about an inch of rainfall, with some local highs closer to 2 inches of rain. But that rain did not translate to any flooding.

"We just saw within-bank rises," Gross said. "There was no river flooding that occurred, mainly because when the rain fell, it was a very steady rain. It wasn't heavy rainfall rates. Soils were already dry and we're starting to see a thaw in our frost depth in the first three to six inches of soil, allowing the moisture to be infiltrated into the soil, thus reducing the runoff into the river."

With warmer temperatures in March, snow disappeared from the area and northern states, except for Minnesota and Wisconsin around Lake Superior. Normally, heavy snowpack poses the biggest risk for spring Mississippi River flooding.

While the frost depth in the Quad-Cities and northern Iowa and Illinois is down to about nothing, the frozen ground has still been 15-30 inches deep in Wisconsin and Minnesota. That could contribute to flooding if northern states receive heavy rain that frozen soils can't absorb.

Just in recent days, however, Wisconsin and Minnesota are starting to see a few inches thaw layer, Gross said, which would allow for more water infiltration into the soil.

Soils have ranged from abnormally dry to severe drought conditions across eastern Iowa and western Illinois, Gross said.

"Despite that recent rain, we are still seeing below normal soil moisture across our area," Gross said. "Likely another contributing factor of why we didn't see any flooding occur, especially along and east of the Mississippi River."

Rain is on the horizon for Friday, too. Those dry soils will mean more capacity for rain to be absorbed into the ground.

"Farmers really would like to have some more rain, I'm sure, to increase that soil moisture and help improve the conditions across the area," Gross said.

Stream flow has trended about normal in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, Gross said. Ice has melted, broken up and moved downstream, so Gross said the weather service has seen some rises on ice-prone rivers such as the Rock River, Wapsipinicon River and the Skunk River, in particular.

"But since they were already low to start with, these were just within-bank rises," Gross said. "The ice has steadily moved downstream and melted as it kept on getting closer to the confluence of the Mississippi."

The National Weather Service has forecast storm systems to move through Friday, and Gross said eastern Iowa and western Illinois should see one to two systems every week for the final two weeks of March.

"The storms tomorrow are going to be moving very fast, so the precipitation amounts that are going to drop are not going to be that much because the storms are going to be only about 15 minutes duration at any one location," Gross said.
 Flash

This photo taken on March 11, 2025 shows posters of Greenland's parliamentary election candidates in Aasiaat, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. [Photo/Xinhua]

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he believes the United States would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, U.S. news outlets reported.

Trump expressed confidence the United States would annex the large island, even suggesting the head of the NATO alliance could be a key player in facilitating the acquisition, The Hill reported.

"I think it will happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during the meeting, said the report.

In response, Rutte said that any discussion about Trump's attempts to acquire Greenland is outside of his purview and he doesn't want to drag NATO in that, the report stated.

Trump also said "Denmark's very far away" from Greenland, despite being part of that country's kingdom, The Associated Press reported.

"A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. They say they have rights to it," Trump said in the Oval Office, adding that "I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually," according to the report.

Trump noted that the United States already has a military presence in Greenland and, "Maybe you'll see more and more soldiers going there," the report added.

Since early this year, Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to obtain Greenland, even suggesting the possibility of using force.

Acknowledging the uncertainty sparked by Trump's moves, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark's position earlier this month, emphasizing that Greenland's future is solely for its people to decide.

Greenland's opposition Demokraatit (Democrats) party won Tuesday's parliamentary election, according to preliminary data released by the Central Election Committee on Wednesday. The party favors a gradual move toward independence from Denmark and has criticized Trump's threat to annex Greenland.

Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark with Greenlanders given Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy.
Bitterroot Valley residents rallied in support of federal workers at a special City of Hamilton Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, March 12.

The Committee of the Whole meeting, held in the auditorium of Hamilton Middle School, boasted over 100 attendees, with over 25 of those in attendance sharing public testimony with the committee. The committee, although far removed from direct influence on federal decision making, said that the meeting was an opportunity for discussion about the impacts of federal cuts on the county and motioned to continue discussions on possible courses of action at their next city council meeting.

At tonights meeting we are gathering information regarding the potential federal employment cuts, and their impact to our local economy and community, said City Council Chair Robin Pruitt to the crowded theater. We appreciate any and all suggestions that might assist the committee in determining whether there are any recommendations or action items to forward to the council meeting for decision.

The meeting adjourned after nearly two hours of public comment from a diverse cast of local nonprofit employees, business owners, forest service staff, retired scientists and concerned citizens. A majority of speakers implored the committee and community members to take action to protect federal workers and federal funds from eradication.

My concern is the ripple effect, said Kiersten Schmitt. The effect of what this president has chosen to do to our tiny towns.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administrations slashing of federal funding and large scale layoffs are slated to further strain resources like government grants for local businesses, funding for public education, veteran services and more. In Ravalli County, loss of federal funding and employment at Rocky Mountain Laboratories and the Bitterroot National Forest Service has already begun to adversely impact some local businesses, said Mary Casper, owner of the City Center Motel in Hamilton.

Last year we had about $15,000 in reservations for visitors to the lab (Rocky Mountain Laboratories) for various programs and learning opportunities and things like that, Casper told the Ravalli Republic. There are certain departments in the lab that like to have their guests stay with us because were downtown and were walkable to the lab and now we dont have it. Its not there.

Casper said that because of travel bans enforced on the National Institute of Health in February, the City Center Motel lost revenue after Rocky Mountain Labs staff cancelled their usual reservations or didnt make them at all.

We had $5,000 on the books for this spring and within three days of the first round of NIH travel bans those reservations were cancelled, Casper said. The other $10,000 is reservations that would typically be on the books that just arent made.

Council members read a letter sent to them by Casper at the March 12 meeting, which echoed the same sentiment and examined the broader impacts on the Ravalli County economy.

This figure does not include the additional economic impact on other local businesses that depend on visitor spending, reads Caspers letter. In addition to our revenue losses, each traveler has an available $68 per day Meals and Incidentals Expenses to spend at restaurants, and other establishments in the local economy.

Another letter received by the committee was from Executive Director at the Bitterroot Water Partnership, Heather Barber, who expressed serious concern regarding the Office of Management and Budget federal funding freeze.

The federal funding freeze and staffing reductions at USDA, which have gutted local agency staffing, will severely undermine ongoing restoration projects aimed at mitigating wildfire risk, restoring habitats, improving watershed health and addressing invasive species management, reads the letter from the local nonprofit. Furthermore, these cuts will negatively affect the work of local organizations like the Bitterroot Water Partnership In addition to tremendous local support, federal funding is another significant portion of our budget.

According to Barbers letter, depletion of federal funds would cripple the partnerships ability to organize restoration efforts and hire local contractors.

Barber urged the Hamilton City Council to voice their concerns and advocate for the local restoration of funding for the Bitterroot National Forest staff and other federal funds.

Other attendees emphasized the importance of RML and Bitterroot National Forest staff within the county and implored council members to do all that they could to reinstate job positions and federal funds.

You are our voices, said former Ravalli County Attorney George Corn. You could be talking to other towns and get the towns talking. That would really get congressional attention and thats what I think is really necessary to get our senators and representatives to respond to it. And to get the governors attention. The legislatures in session. There are special things you could get in front of the legislature for.

These people who work there are part of our community and have been for a really really long time. Whats happening to RML and the Bitterroot National Forest is not normal and it is not ok, said Peter Vantine. Ask for our help if you need it. For example, if the previous actions dont get timely relief, I would urge you to go to D.C. yourselves. Im happy to donate frequent flyer miles for a ticket for you to get there.

A majority of speakers, although worried about the future of federal funding depletion, said they were confident in the strength of the Bitterroot Valleys community and resilience in the face of hardship.

I think a lot of people right now have some hopeless feelings about whats going on in our country, said Ravalli County resident Edward Ryan. Seeing people coming up here tonight and speaking has given me a lot of hope for our community and our future as a whole and as a country. I think that as a community we can definitely weather this storm and come out on top.

Others repeated the sentiment.

This is the strength right here. Community is the strength, said Clare Ann Harff, Executive Director of Ravalli County nonprofit MAPS. Obviously we want to continue to support you all (committee of the whole members) in your roles in any way.

Council members had mixed opinions on the urgency of action required. Council member Darwin Ernst said the Hamilton City Council shouldnt act until they have more data.

I want to make sure that I have as much data as I can and I know we have more data to gather before we make a really good decision on how we can move forward, Ernst said. I know that some of the things you told us to do will be things we can do.

Council member Jenny West expressed a more urgent interest in taking action, saying that she thought that city officials should be an example and get moving. West received two rounds of applause from those in attendance during her statement.

I would like to get facts for sure, West said. But I also think theres a sense of urgency I really think we need to get a letter written and get some facts and be an example for our community because we are special. We have science and the forest here and a ton of federal employees and so I think that we can sit here and keep doing this, but I think we need to get moving and moving in the right direction.

The committee ultimately motioned to continue discussion on gathering additional facts and statistics regarding federal funding cuts and layoffs, as well as reaching out to other communities and Ravalli County commissioners at their next city council meeting on Tuesday, March 18.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Bitterroot Water Partnership may not be able to afford rent at their downtown office due to the federal funding freeze. The Ravalli Republic regrets this error.
As congressional Republicans eye $230 billion in cuts to the farm budget that funds food stamps, Tamika Spears of Richmond worries how shes going to feed her three children if her $262-a-month Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit gets cut again  or goes away.

Sate Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, is thinking about how or if the state can make up difference if Congress asks states to pick up some of the cost of a nearly 9-decade-old part of the social safety net, one that has been a path out of poverty for millions.

It is difficult to feed the family, because everybody eats differently, said Spears, who relies on Medicaid because of a disability and struggles to pay rent, electricity and other bills.

And to be honest, you can go to the store now and you can get like, 40 items, and thats going to be $150. Theres 30 days in a month, and $262 is not going to carry over, she said.

I have to pull from this bill, or pull from that bill, just to make sure I have enough food to maintain for the month.

In the Richmond area, 37,555 city residents receive SNAP benefits, 37,061 in Henrico County, 31,112 in Chesterfield County and 6,070 in Hanover County.

Locke remembers worries like that  and remembers that getting help with getting groceries can be a first step out of poverty.

Its my story. Growing up, I remember food stamps when they were paper, you know, because that was me, she said.

So you know, I resent ... folks going around saying ... people really arent in need, because people are in need, Locke said.

And its the responsibility of us in positions to make these decisions to ensure that those who are in need get the resources that they are entitled to ... and it is not that 1% ... who are getting these tax breaks that congressional Republicans spending cuts are meant to pay for, she said.

Republicans on Capitol Hill and in Virginia say Americans voted for spending cuts and lower taxes in 2024.

Taxes, however, will not be only a Capitol Hill issue if federal spending cuts hit SNAP, Locke said. She serves on the Senate Finance Committee and is one of the conferees who negotiate a compromise between Senate and House versions of the state budget.

State legislators are also going to have to rethink who pays how much to cover public services in Virginia that rely on federal funds, she said. These range from SNAP benefits that some 828,000 Virginians rely upon, to Medicaid, which pays for health care for low-income Virginians and people with disabilities, to the money that helps pay for state highways and transportation improvements.

U.S. Rep. Glenn T. Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has said the farm budget will not cut SNAP benefits. The budget resolution sets 10-year goals, without detailing specific cuts.

But Congress could ask states to pick up part of the bill for SNAP, so the national total might stay the same, but the cost to the federal budget would go down.

If even the lowest sum for state contributions for SNAP benefits  5% of what is now the $1.77 billion a year cost of Virginians SNAP benefits  goes through, it would blow a $352 million hole in the states two-year budget, Locke said.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington think tank that researches and advocates on state and federal spending and tax initiatives, says there has been talk in Washington of 10% or 25% state contributions, summing up several news reports out of Capitol Hill.

Over the recent budget resolutions 10-year time frame, that would translate to somewhere between $1.67 billion and $4.19 billion that Virginia would have to pick up just to maintain the current benefit, the center estimated.

Del. Bonita Anthony, D-Norfolk, a member of the House of Delegates tax-writing Finance Committee as well as the Virginia Commission to End Hunger, said that even requiring the state to pick up 5% of the bill could force Virginia to make painful cuts to SNAP benefits.

And, she said, it would have impacts beyond just the more than 800,000 who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. She said the program, which comes under the federal agriculture budget, supports farmers as well as lower-income families.

SNAP is not just a safety net, she said. This is not just about numbers, right? It is about people.

Anthony said that from 2015 to 2019, SNAP lifted an average of 104,000 Virginians out of poverty, including 42,000 children.

Cutting these benefits will (mean) more children going to bed hungry, more seniors struggling to make ends meet, and more families forced to choose between food, rent or medicine, she said.
A Republican congressman who represents much of the Richmond suburbs is questioning the Trump administrations gutting of the federal education department and urging congressional oversight.

The U.S. Department of Education this week laid off more than 1,300 of its employees  a prelude to President Donald Trumps intention to dismantle the department.

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in supporting state and local education systems across the country. Id like to see some reforms that would ensure decisions regarding student needs are made closer to home, and while making the government more efficient is a good thing, I think theres a more compassionate way to go about this, said Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, in a statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Thursday afternoon.

Major policy changes, such as the elimination of a federal department, must be thoroughly examined through the legislative process in Congress, where representatives can debate and vote on these significant issues, said Wittman, an 18-year congressional veteran whose district includes the western parts of Henrico and Chesterfield counties and eastern Hanover County.

With this weeks eliminations in the education department plus earlier buyouts and early retirements, the department is about half the size it was when Trump took office nearly two months ago.

Some of the biggest cuts were to the departments Federal Student Aid office, the Office for Civil Rights and the departments research and statistics arm that runs the test known as the Nations Report Card.

I dont know how you protect students civil rights if half of the department is cut, said Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, in an interview.

I dont know how you process financial aid payments, loans, grants, scholarships ... if you cut half the workforce, said McClellan, whose district is based in the city of Richmond and eastern Chesterfield and Henrico.

There are a significant number of students in Virginia who, if they do not have federal financial aid, they dont go to college. Thats especially true for first-generation students. A lot of them go to (Virginia Commonwealth University). A lot of them go to Virginia Union or Virginia State.

Virginia investigations

Through its Office for Civil Rights, which lost 243 employees this week, the education department conducts investigations and issues guidance on how civil rights laws should be applied, such as for students with disabilities.

There are 575 open investigations into Virginia schools, according to OCR, and more than half of those pending investigations are on the basis of disability discrimination. There are 20 pending OCR investigations into Chesterfield Public Schools, 17 in Henrico, seven in Richmond and seven in Hanover, with each division having ongoing disability investigations. The investigations also include racial harassment cases in Hanover and Henrico counties.

The office has traditionally focused on disability rights cases, but it has increasingly handled complaints of sex and race discrimination.

You dont know what civil rights in any given moment are going to be violated, McClellan said. Any allegation that someones civil rights are being violated in schools is deserving of investigation. How are they going to investigate  whether its a transgender student or a student with a disability or a Black student, how are they going to be able to investigate and make a determination of that force of the Civil Rights Act if half the office is gone?

A Virginia Department of Education employee, who would not identify themselves, said in an emailed statement on Thursday: At this time, the Virginia Department of Education has not experienced any changes from the staffing reductions at (the U.S.) Department of Education.

The state education department did not make state Superintendent Lisa Coons available for an interview with the newspaper.

Deep funding cuts to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute for Education Sciences cast uncertainty over the future of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated student assessment known as the Nations Report Card.

Gov. Glenn Youngkins education platform has largely centered around the NAEP assessment and Virginias performance. NAEP is the only exam that provides a direct, apples-to-apples comparison of student achievement across all states.

The Youngkin administration has repeatedly said it wants to close what it calls the honesty gap on state tests by matching cut scores, the number of questions a student needs to get right in order to pass, on Virginias state tests to the cut scores on the NAEP.

Asked about the education department cuts, specifically to the departments arm that runs NAEP, Youngkin spokesman Peter Finocchio said: President Trumps efforts are designed to restore power to states and parents and help schools focus on student success and achievement and targeting resources to the students who need the most help.

There are ample opportunities to make our nations education data and research infrastructure more robust, efficient and effective so that everyone knows what works.
 Flash

This photo posted on the Kremlin website on March 12, 2025 shows Russian President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting at a military command center in the Kursk region. [Photo/Kremlin Press Office handout via Xinhua]

Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, but nuances exist, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

"We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be one that would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis," Putin said at a press conference with visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin noted the difficulty in monitoring ceasefire violations along the 2,000 km contact line of the conflict and raised the issue that Ukraine might use the temporary ceasefire for mobilization and weapons supplies.

He mentioned the nuance regarding the Kursk region, where Russian forces have been pushing back Ukrainian forces following their surprise cross-border attack in August 2024.

"As for the situation on the ground..., it is changing rapidly," Putin said, noting Russian forces' recapture of the key town of Sudzha in Kursk on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the day that the Russian operation in Kursk had entered its final stage.

Putin said he might call Trump to discuss the issues.

Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict and reach acceptable agreements based on the situation "on the ground," the president said.

Ukraine on Tuesday signaled its readiness to accept a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, according to their joint statement.

The statement also said the truce could be extended by mutual agreement, adding that "the United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace."
With the clock ticking toward a potential federal government shutdown at midnight, Virginias two senators say they will not support a stopgap spending plan that Republicans in the House of Representatives adopted to run the government for the next six months instead of passing a full budget.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who faces reelection next year, and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who just won a third term in November, said Thursday that they strongly oppose the continuing resolution that the House adopted on Tuesday before leaving town.

The Virginia senators stance puts them at odds with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who said on the floor on Thursday night that he will vote for the stopgap. He said he thinks a potential shutdown would be worse than what he called the House GOPs very bad bill.

Warner and Kaine argued instead for a 30-day stopgap spending bill that Senate Democrats proposed to allow time to adopt a full budget instead of extending a short-term funding solution through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. The government is already operating on a continuing resolution Congress adopted in December that will expire on Friday.

We should just do a normal budget, Kaine said during a media briefing on Thursday. If we just vote on the House CR, we will have done something that we have never done, which is operate the government for a year on a continuing resolution.

The choice isnt between catastrophic and half-assed  I mean, we can do something better, he said.

Warner, talking to media later on Thursday, was not confident that Democrats would persuade enough Republicans to vote for the 30-day spending bill. But he said he will not support the House proposal because of the damage it would do to services for military veterans, ship construction and repair at shipyards in Hampton Roads, and what he called a gratuitous, mean-spirited cut of $1.1 billion in spending by the District of Columbia midway through the citys budget year.

Those cuts to the D.C. budget would come from funding for police officers, teachers and public transit, including the Washington Metro system serving Northern Virginia, he said.

If you have those kinds of cuts, youre going to have cutbacks (in service) at Metro, he said.

House votes

The House adopted the stopgap budget resolution by a 217-213 margin on Tuesday, with only one Democrat voting yes and one Republican voting no. All six Democrats in Virginias delegation voted no, and all five Republicans voted yes.

Rep. John McGuire, R-5th, newly elected in a district that includes part of Hanover County and outlying counties in the Richmond area, declared his support for President Trumps vision for the country and endorsed the attacks on federal spending and employees by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which Trump ally Elon Musk is leading.

McGuire and Rep. Ben Cline, R-6th, are members of the fledgling DOGE Caucus in the House. McGuire said he supports taking a tactical approach when stopping the taxpayer-funded gravy train and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, who represents parts of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties, called funding the government a constitutional duty, although he acknowledged that he does not think a continuing resolution is the best way to do it.

A continuing resolution is not what I wanted, but shutting down the government is irresponsible and wastes taxpayer dollars, Wittman said after the vote on Tuesday. I remain committed to fixing our broken government funding process, which is why Ive continued to introduce legislation to prevent Congress from resorting to these completely avoidable crisis situations.

But Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who represents Richmond and much of the surrounding area, said she voted against handing a blank check to Elon Musk and the Trump administration to continue traumatizing federal workers and raiding essential government services in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

Many House and Senate Republicans asserted that Senate Democrats would be responsible if there is a government shutdown.

Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, posted on X that If Senate Democrats vote to shut down the government, our servicemembers will be forced to work without pay. Kiggans touted her Pay Our Troops Act that would ensure they get paid in a shutdown.

Budget bill

House Republicans proposed the lengthy stopgap funding measure to set the stage for a massive budget reconciliation bill that would pay for tax cuts by increasing the national debt by trillions of dollars and making deep reductions in spending on domestic programs. Democrats assert that those cuts would inevitably slash funding to states for Medicaid and other safety net programs.

With statewide elections in Virginia this year, Democrats are focusing on the pain that Musks slash-and-burn approach to cost-cutting is inflicting on federal workers, contractors and other businesses that depend on them in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and other parts of the state. DOGE has already fired an estimated 300,000 federal workers, most of them probationary employees whom a federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration to reinstate.

What I have heard from Virginians of every stripe, particularly our federal workforce is, You need to stand up to this, in many ways, unlawful activity,  Warner said.

Among them are federal contractors, who are a major driver to the economy of Northern Virginia and the state budget. The U.S. Supreme Court this month upheld a lower court order to require the Trump administration to pay $2 billion to contractors for the U.S. Agency for International Development for work they had already performed under existing contracts.

I think the contractor community is terrified, Warner said.

Kaine, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Department of Defense officials have acknowledged that the House stopgap spending bill would harm national defense, including maintenance of U.S. Navy ships and submarines in Hampton Roads shipyards.

They all say the House (continuing resolution) will hurt national security, he said.

Both senators also said adopting the House spending resolution would reinforce the administrations assault on the federal government, which Musk has celebrated by waving a mock chainsaw at a rally.

It would keep the chainsaw massacre going with Elon Musk and Donald Trump, Kaine said.

Warner also questioned whether Trump would honor what Congress decides, having already flouted its power of the purse under Article I of the U.S Constitution.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, this is going to continue to be a rocky period, he said. If Virginians and Americans dont like that, they need to remember whos responsible.
State looking to create sargassum centre to recoup some of the $2 billion spent each year on containment

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (Sema) says they are seeking financing for a comprehensive sargassum centre. The centre will be used to help the state earn back some of the $2 billion (dollars) it spends each season on sargassum containment.

Central Playa del Carmen beach area 2025.

Oscar Rebora Aguilar, the head of the Environment and Climate Change Commission of the 18th Legislature of Congress for Quintana Roo, says the state is looking to make better use of the sargassum that washes up on the coast each year.

Although there was no mass arrival of sargassum during 2024, a larger amount is expected for 2025. Already this year, sargassum collection this season is double what it was during the same time last year.

With that, Rebora Aguilar says given the cost of dealing with sargassum, Sema (Ecologia y Medio Ambiente) is seeking funds for a Comprehensive Center for Sanitation and Circular Economy of Sargassum to make better use of the macro algae and thus obtain an economic benefit.

He says the money generated for a Centro Integral de Saneamiento y Economia Circular del Sargazo en Quintana Roo would be used to continue acquiring more equipment and tools for the containment of sargassum.

Oscar Rebora Aguilar, center speaking, says the state is looking to recoup some of the money spent

It is one of the major phenomena that has affected the states economy. There are studies by the Inter-American Development Bank that show the cost to the state is around 11.6 percent of the local Gross Domestic Product, which means it costs approximately $2 billion dollars a year to contain.

Cancun began its daily beach cleaning early this year. Photo: March 2025.

That is in addition to the losses we have had in hotel occupancy rates and is why the Governor is instructing us on how to address it by taking it to a circular economy council.

Rebora Aguilar says the state is also looking at having the first biogas plant using sargassum, one of the projects presented for possible sargassum use.

Part of the states cost is the employment of hundreds of workers to manually comb beaches each day.

Photo: Plays del Carmen March 2025.

There are various projects that propose the use of sargassum in different industries. There is one by hoteliers for jet fuel, there are entrepreneurs who can make bags and bricks, but we have gone for a model with economic profitability.

The one with most acceptable market and that will generate beneficial income for the state is the comprehensive center. Studies show that we can have a biogas station, fertilizers and we could enter into a carbon credit scheme, so we are looking for financing, he explained.

The acquiring of heavy machinery also adds to the states sargassum removal expenses. Photo: Cancun March 2025.

He says that some pilot tests are already being carried out in the northern area, and that now, they are waiting for responses from funding sources with which they have a close relationship. Countries that have expressed interest include France, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands.
 Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he saw "good signals" toward finalizing a 30-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

While meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump offered guarded optimism when he was asked by reporters about Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement earlier in the day.

"He (Putin) put out a very promising statement but it wasn't complete," Trump said. "Now we're going to see whether or not Russia's there. And if they're not, it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world."

Earlier on Thursday, Putin told reporters that Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine but nuances exist.

Responding to Putin's statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian leader is setting many preconditions to delay the ceasefire for as long as possible.

In the Oval Office, Trump said the United States had discussed with Ukraine possible concessions as part of a peace agreement.

"We've been discussing with Ukraine land and pieces of land that would be kept and lost, and all of the other elements of a final agreement," Trump said.

Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Moscow to meet with Putin and discuss the ceasefire proposal.

"It doesn't mean anything until we hear what the final outcome is, but they have very serious discussions going on right now with President Putin and others, and hopefully they all want to end this nightmare," Trump said, adding that he hopes to speak to Putin soon.
Good Job is Slates advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. Its anonymous!

Dear Good Job,

I have a co-worker who has terrible flatulence. He is an absolute misery to be around as a result.

He comes through our floor at least three or four times a day and afterward, the place stinks like a broken septic tank. The rub is that hes also the head of our department and twice a week our team is required to meet with him to give updates on productivity and other things. These meetings usually are around an hour long, and by the time they are over Im nearly sick. My other colleagues are similarly at the end of their ropes. Aside from trying to sneak some Beano into his coffee, what are our options here?

Waiting to Inhale

Dear Waiting,

How much unnecessary suffering have human beings endured because were squeamish about butt stuff? Being that gassy must be uncomfortable for your co-worker, even if COVID ruined his sense of smell. He might have lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, or another condition that he could manage but isnt. Even if his flatulence isnt fully treatable, he should be more considerate about your shared air.

So where does that leave you? Team meetings where people update their managers on productivity are often  unproductive. You could suggest reducing the number of meetings or converting them to shared documents or emails. You could ask to have your meetings outdoors or in an open area. Explain that carbon dioxide concentration rises quickly in a closed conference room, and everybody thinks better in fresh air. When meetings cant be avoided, you can anoint your upper lip with Vicks VapoRub, scented Chapstick, or mint oil, like some medical students do when theyre dissecting cadavers.

But at some point, somebodys gotta talk to him. Does he have a friend at the office who could say, sympathetically, that hes noticed your co-worker is having some gastrointestinal problems? Digestion is messy and nothing to be ashamed of. Your gassy co-worker might be embarrassed, but a kind word might encourage him to get screened for whatever is causing hisand yourdistress.

Laura

Classic Prudie

I use Facebook pretty much exclusively for a local hobby group, and recently had a weird interaction that flowed over to real life. I posted a giveaway and Ann was one of the people who replied; I chose her randomly. In her message, Ann expressed some confusion about where I live (there are a few different cities in this area, and Im nearest to one but have the address of another). It became apparent that she wouldnt be willing to come get the giveaway. I told her that was fine, waited for her to respond to that message, and followed up with another person. After the item was picked up, I blocked Ann, which is not at all uncommon for me
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

Going on vacation should be relaxing, but lately, thoughts of where to go and what to pack have been unceremoniously replaced with fear of flying. This is not unexpected given there have been several air accidents in the first months of 2025. And while commercial air transport is extremely safe, what is making people squeamish has little to do with numbers. Rather it is based on two notions about flying that are as firmly held as they are false.

The first is that airplane accidents are not survivable. This misconception is the result of the lack of coverage when accidents end with zero fatalities. But low- to no-casualty events are the most common of air accidents: Between 2010 and 2020 there were an average of 29 accidents a year, according to National Transportation Safety Board. In only two of those years, 2010 and 2013, were people killed in any of them.

So while many people hear the phrase air accident and imagine flying into the side of a mountain, plunging into an ice-clogged river, or bursting into flames midair, those horrible events really are the outliers.

If the numbers alleviate your worries even a smidgen, then it is time to disarm the second fallacy about flying: that theres nothing you can do should things go wrong on your flight. Because there are actually plenty of things you have control over.

There are obvious reasons why we, as passengers, feel we cede so much control when flying. To travel by air is to move in a highly restricted environment, and be told where to go, what to do, and when to do it. So circumscribed is our behavior that airline employees sometimes refer to passengers as self-loading cargo. Claiming agency over anything at all seems downright revolutionary. And yet, in any unlikely event that disrupts that environment, the prepared jet-setter can shine using the same techniques that have helped pilots, flight attendants, and other passengers who have experienced the big Uh-oh! and survived to tell about it.

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Former Navy Lt. Greg Fletcher was the pilot during one of the internets more curious air accidents in November 1973. While flying a Navy transport plane across a remote region of Iceland, he lost both engines in an ice storm and had to land on a desolate beach on the countrys frigid southern coast. The plane remains where it landed to this day, and is a popular tourist attraction (maybe helped by its appearance in the Justin Bieber music video Ill Show You). Bieber may have made it famous, but it is Fletcher who deserves the applause. By spotting the beach through a brief break in the clouds, he was able to get an unpowered airplane on the ground with all seven people on the flight surviving. (One pilot took a wound to the head, but everyone else was unharmed.)

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Today, Fletcher credits the successful outcome to the simple concept of paying attention to what is going on around you. Situational awareness is one of the most critical factors in aviation. Period, Fletcher said. If you are a flight crew, or as a passenger, you have a responsibility to be situationally aware.

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This means finding out where the exits are in case you need them in a hurry and spotting any potential obstacles, like baggage on the floor, or sleeping or intoxicated seatmates. It also means making a plan for how you will deal with those things if you need to.

Knowing whats going on outside the plane is also key during takeoff, approach, and landing. More than half of all accidents occur during these phases of flight. Obliviousness will seriously slow your reaction time, so during these times, window shades should be up and noise-canceling headphones and sleep masks set aside.

Maintaining awareness lets travelers plan their responses should things go wrong. Jerry Schemmel, a play-by-play announcer for the Colorado Rockies, knows that well, because he had a life-changing experience on a United Flight in 1989, when he was 29 years old.

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People dont survive plane crashes, thats what I thought, Schemmel told me. Following the loss of all flight controls on the DC-10 Schemmel was on, pilots were able to get the plane on the ground in a cornfield near the Sioux City, Iowa, airport, though on impact, the fuselage broke into four pieces. Of the 296 people on board, 112 were killed, but 184 survivedmostly those who were seated away from where the plane had split apart.

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Schemmel was in Row 23, hanging upside down, when the plane came to a halt. But after freeing himself and running into the field, he returned to the smoke-filled cabin to help others. He heard a baby crying and found an 11-month-old girl who had been tossed on impact into an overhead bin.

During the 40 minutes between the emergency and the landing, Schemmel said flight attendants talked to the passengers about what to do and what to expect, making them feel capable. All of us were so confident we knew everything we needed to know before we crashed, Schemmel told me.

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We were told what was going to happen. We got ourselves ready. The knowledge, the preparation, the thinking through itthat is what paid off.

What about those who died? Their legacy is embedded in the airplanes you fly on now, in significant and effective improvements in seats and cabin materials that have made them more protective on impact and in case of fire.

Im no flight attendant, though several years ago for a news story I spent a week training at the Emirates Academy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. That experience, and 25 years as an air-safety specialist, leads me to add my own tips to the guidance above.

Dont wear leggings.

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Whether youre rocking a $100 pair of Sweaty Bettys or an $8 pair from Target, these chemically produced fibers get hot enough to melt into your skin. The Federal Aviation Administration in 1999 recommended that garments made of cotton, wool, leather, and yes, even denim were preferable over synthetics. I wouldnt trust every bit of fashion advice from 1999, but this tip remains true today.

Wear sensible shoes.

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And keep them on for takeoff and landing. While fatalities are rare in air accidents, there are plenty of instances where passengers need to get off the plane fast, and it wont be pretty. The ground could be cold, wet, icy, or hot, or covered in glass, fuel, or airplane debris. Youll want your shoes on for all of that. Since heels can puncture the evacuation slide, opt for flats with a substantial sole that are easy to get off and on.

Any seat is a safe seat if youre buckled in.

People often ask me what the safest seat on a plane is. There is little to show that location matters. It is demonstrably true, however, that there is lifesaving magic in the seat, the belt, and the structure holding it all to the floor. It is a system designed and tested with your survivability, if not your comfort, in mind. Buckle up and stay that way throughout the flight and you will be protecting yourselfand not a creating an additional hazard by freestyle moshing into those around you during turbulence or an accident.

Get a handle on your gadget.

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Many travelers worry about turbulence, but pilots fret most about smoke and fire. This is especially true now that everyone on a plane is toting multiple lithium ionpowered devices. Incidents of smoke and fire emanating from passenger devices have quadrupled over the past 10 years, according to the FAA. On a flight to Miami last summer, a laptop in a carry-on bag started smoking, causing the evacuation of the flight while it was still at the gate; three passengers were injured.

Charging them, dropping them, or even getting them wet could cause the batteries to get hot and smoke or catch fire. So always pay attention to your device and the devices around you.

One extra tip? Wear your phone on a lanyard while in flight. It wont drop between the seats or get lost. And youll have it when you landhowever you land.
Netflix is often full of crap. Netflix is also where I just watched Adolescence, a new four-episode miniseries that, in addition to topping the streamers charts, is some of the best television of the year. This British import, written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, is about a crime: A 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller, has been accused of stabbing a classmate to death. Each episode is a one-shotdone in a single take, in an immersive style that feels alternately hectic and unbearably intimate. Each episode bites at the question How did Jamie get here? from a different angle. But the shows only nominally about an investigation into the means, motive, and execution of the crime in questionat its core, Adolescence is about a whole lot more than that.

TV about the internets effects on kids can be hard to pull off, and this show runs the risk of looking like issue television, something thats only for people who already care about what children are doing online. But these four episodes have more to say than almost any recent work of television about the making of the modern selfthe way our personalities and offline histories tangle up with online life, making it harder and harder to understand peoples motivations and actions. Because it has unflinching regard for the impossibility of this conundrum, Adolescence inflicts a mood of subtle devastation thats very difficult to shake, even long after youve finished watching the series.

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Episode 1 starts in a way that consumers of crime fiction would find familiar. The camera follows the officers who go into the Miller family home and arrest Jamie the morning after the crime. They drive him to the station, book him, get him a solicitor, take his DNA, and inform him of the evidence against him. His familyhis weathered plumber father, Eddie, played by the excellent, gruff Graham; stay-at-home mum, Manda (Christine Tremarco); and older sister, Lisa (Amelie Pease)seems straightforwardly supportive, nothing but stunned by the accusations. Jamie, played with terrifying efficacy by the total newcomer Owen Cooper, cries in the van on the way to the station, asking over and over for his dad as the camera focuses on the back of his head, where dark brown hair curls on his tender young neck. You feel like there must be some mistakebut Detective Inspector Bascombe (Ashley Walters), who put together the case, and whos the point-of-view character for much of the episode, seems quite competent, and hes sure he has the right kid. You see at the end of the episode that he has good reason.

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DI Bascombe, with his partner Detective Sergeant Frank (Faye Marsay), are our guides in the second episode, set a few days later and located entirely in Jamies school, where they go to ask kids questions about the relationship between the victim and the accused. The school is a crowded, raucous place, full of agitation produced by the recent news of the death of a schoolmate. The halls are overstuffed with fighting, yelling kids in uniform and teachers who do nothing but press play on videos and scream at students for using their phones. Because DI Bascombe also has a kid in this schoola bullied kid, who often tries to fake sickness to get out of attendingand its the detectives broad shoulders that the camera is following down the dingy halls, you really sop up the intensifying unease. (Where, you see him wondering, am I sending my kid?) No teacher, and neither of the cops, can connect with any student in this school. Its a building seething with failure.

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The problem at the school could be shorthandedly identified as being about the internet: The teachers dont understand the kids online lives; the kids scorn the teachers as being totally out of it. When the concept of the manosphere comes up between the cops, after DI Bascombes son helps him interpret some emojis that the victim used in a comment on one of Jamies Instagram posts, DS Frank says, Sure, Ive heard of that  Andrew Tate?the exact kind of reaction a concerned older person who looks in on this world from the outside might have. But the kids have gotten things so tangled up, deploying these concepts to hurt one another with utmost cruelty, that the adults have no hope of parsing it.

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The third episodethe series standout, and one youre going to want to set aside time to watch without any distraction, from start to finishconfines itself mostly to one room in a detention facility, where a young psychologist (Erin Doherty) interviews Jamie so she can write a pretrial report. Cooper, in a display of acting sophisticated for someone so young, ratchets between sweet youthful cheer, anger, confusion, and back to anger. As Jamie describes what happened between him and the victim online, he drops in lines that sounds like @-replies on a toxic Twitter threaddescribing a leaked nude of the victims chest shared with every boy in the class, he cruelly calls her a bit flatnot my type, before going on to explain that he tried to ask her out, given that she had been socially reduced by the experience and he thought she might feel vulnerable enough to say yes. I thought you said she wasnt your type? the psychologist, keeping a perfect poker face, gently asks.

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The hardest stretch of this conversation comes when Jamie tries to get the psychologist to say whether or not she thinks hes handsome, attempting to crack into her professional facade. Is he doing this honestly, to connect with her, to understand her as a person? Or is this more manosphere stuffis he talking this way because he picked up the idea that men and women can be assigned values based on their attractiveness, and those values will determine all of their future interactions? The havoc this eugenic idea has wreaked in his life, we can see, is infinite. But Adolescence doesnt let you off the hook. During a break from the conversation, the camera follows the psychologist into the booth of a security guard, where she politely answers his overeager, borderline flirtatious questions while looking at footage of Jamie. By showing us the mismatch between this beautiful young professional and the homelier, pockmarked security guard, who tells her he hates his job, Adolescence asks: Is Jamie right, though? Is the world really just cruel?

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Related From Slate What if the Manson Murders Werent What We Thought? Read More

In the final episode, the series returns to the Miller family, who we havent seen on screen since the first installment. On the fathers 50th birthday, the family, now reduced to three, makes plans for a small celebration. But the fathers van has been vandalized by local kids, and they go to a hardware store to buy solvent to remove the paint. On the way there, with the camera positioned at the top of the windshield capturing the trio sitting across the front of the van, they try for normalcy, with the parents telling a tag-team story about how they first started dating when they were about Jamies age. Even that memory is bittersweet, as we silently realize that the ordinary humiliations of the parents youthEddie slipping and falling in front of everyone at a school danceresulted only in good memories, not simmering resentments. The question hangs in the air: Why did the parents pass through this portal, while Jamie got stuck?

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The fragile good mood gets ripped apart when the family arrives at the store and encounters a worker who confides in the father that he recognizes him. Im on your sons side  Ive seen the pictures of her, so youve got my support  You should crowdfund for a lawyer, theres a lot of us, the guy confides, as the two stand in a quiet aisle. Eddie slowly descends into barely concealed fury and panic, a mood Stephen Graham is an expert at conveying. Here, too, the questions pile up: Was it Eddies latent anger that, in turn, made Jamie so angry? Was it Eddie, who tried to make his art-loving son over into an athlete, who did this? Was it Manda, who let Jamie disappear into his bedroom after school and stay up late, doing who-knows-what on the computer that still looms in the corner of his bedroom, where we finish the series with Eddie on the twin bed, weeping for his absent son?

The great strength of Adolescence is that there is no one answer. Fear porn about kids online socialization is not the entirety of this showAdolescence is far from just some TV adaptation of The Anxious Generation, though parents may certainly emerge from a watch newly determined to strip their children of all access to the internet. Adolescence is about the fracturing of society, and the way that kids transitioning between childhood and adulthood see it for what it isand make up their own stories to explain it, for better or for worse.
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U.S. District Judge William Alsup delivered a furious rebuke to the Trump administration over its mass purge of civil servants during an extraordinary hearing in San Francisco on Thursday. Alsup condemned the terminations of thousands of probationary workers as a sham designed to circumvent the law, accused the Justice Department of filing a bogus declaration, and declared in open court that he felt misled by dishonest government lawyers. He closed the hearing with a sweeping order compelling the administration to rehire thousands of workers whom it had unlawfully laid off.

On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed Alsups extraordinary hearing, and what it signified with respect to the ongoing efforts to rein in lawlessness in federal courts. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: Lets start with the will he/wont he soap-opera drama here. Judge Alsup summoned Charles Ezell, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, to show up to testify in federal court on Thursday under threat of sanctions. He did not show up. Mark, you and I have been waiting for meaningful sanctions. Is this the conflict between Trump lackeys and the courts weve been waiting for?

Mark Joseph Stern: The answer is yes and no. And to explain why, let me expand on the wild background here. Judge Alsup is overseeing this big case that challenges Trumps mass firings of probationary civil servantspeople whove been in their current positions for less than a year. Theres a mountain of evidence that the Office of Personnel Management directed these firings. There is further evidence that the acting director of OPM, Charles Ezell, was in charge of forcing agencies to lay off tens of thousands of employees. Yet when unions and organizations filed suitarguing, correctly, that OPM has no authority to mandate layoffsthe government responded with a declaration from Ezell in which he claimed he did not order a single firing. In fact, he insisted that, under his watch, OPM did not order any purges.

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That declaration was the only evidence the government put forth that OPM was not directing the mass layoffs. So the plaintiffs told Alsup they wanted to cross-examine Ezell in court because, according to their evidence, he wasnt telling the truth. Alsup agreed and summoned Ezell to court. But he didnt show up on Thursday. The big question was: What would the judge do? The good news is that Alsup absolutely chewed out the Justice Department and, by extension, Ezell. He sounded furious. From the bench, he said this: The government has tried to frustrate the judges ability to get at the truth of what happened here and set forth a sham declaration, then withdrew it, then substituted another. Thats not the way it works in the U.S. District Court.

Related From Slate Whats the Deal With Amy Coney Barrett Lately? Read More

Yet Alsup did not impose sanctions. Instead, the Justice Department voluntarily pulled Ezells declarationwhich now looks a lot like perjuryand Alsup accepted that. He has now given the plaintiffs permission to depose somebody else, a DOGE guy named Noah Peters, and well see if the government allows that to happen. It is satisfying to hear a judge bring down the hammer like this, but its also unfortunate that real sanctions and contempt were not brought to the table.

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I think I file this under Two steps forward, one step back. Because we have been waiting for judges to evince anger and frustration, and were really starting to see that in courtrooms. Weve seen it from Judge Coughenour, and from Judge Howell on Wednesday. Now weve seen it from Judge Alsup. I think the words sham and sham declaration are really important, and Id like to read a little more from the judge on Thursday morning. He said from the bench:

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You will not bring the people in here to be cross-examined. Youre afraid to do so because you know cross-examination would reveal the truth. This is the U.S. District Court. Whenever you submit declarations, those people should be submitted to the cross-examination, just like the plaintiffs side should be. Then we get at the truth.  I tend to doubt that youre telling me the truth whenever we hear all the evidence eventually. Why cant you bring your people in to be cross-examined or deposed at their convenience? I said two hours for Mr. Ezell. A deposition at his convenience. And you withdrew his declaration rather than do that? Come on. Thats a sham. It upsets me, I want you to know that. Ive been practicing in this court for over 50 years and I know how we get at the truth. And youre not helping me get at the truth. Youre giving me press releases, sham documents. Im getting mad.

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So yes, hes really mad. And I know a lot of people were hoping hed issue sanctions. But hes saying two things that seem important: One, youre lying to me, and two, we cant do this jurisprudential project and test the truth if you dont bring me something that can be verified as truth.

I would also say, in Judge Alsups defense, that he then moved on to give the plaintiffs something they wanted even more than sanctions, which is a decision in their favor. At the end of the hearing, he ordered the government to rehire thousands of probationary employees that it had unlawfully fired at six major federal agencies. He ruled that the government was lying when it claimed to lay off all these workers based on their performance. And he said it was a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well thats a lie. That order means that, at least for now, the government is obligated to rehire many of these people who were wrongly laid off and falsely accused of underperformance.

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Thenand this is technical but really importantJudge Alsup said that he was going to revisit a decision he had made earlier in this litigation, in which he told the union plaintiffs that they couldnt get relief from his court because they had to channel their grievances through specific federal agencies: the Office of Special Counsel, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority. That decision had limited his jurisdiction over the case. But on Thursday, he noted that Trump has kneecapped all of those agencies and illegally fired their leaders. Trump fired Hampton Dellinger, the special counsel, and he removed leaders of the MSPB and the FLRA. Courts have ordered those individuals to be put back in place at the MSPB and FLRA, but their orders are tied up on appeal.

So the reality is that, as Alsup put it, the channel that Congress created for workers grievances has been ruined. He ordered more briefing on this topic, but I think its pretty clear that hes going to say these employees dont have to futilely take their claims to an agency that has been totally paralyzed by Trump. Instead, he will consider their claims. And that will put the plaintiffs on stronger grounds for standing and harm and a broader remedy. Its also important because it would really strike a blow against the catch-22 in which the Trump administration has tried to trap the civil servants and unions. The administration illegally laid off all of these workers, then simultaneously made it impossible for them to object to their illegal terminations by hobbling the agencies that were designed to protect them. Judge Alsup sees this more clearly than any other judge to consider the issue; he said he was misled by the government about the efficacy of these agencies. He knows theres funny business going on here and he has reached the limit of his tolerance for it.

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It is a change from what we saw in the first couple weeks of this administration. Alsup is willing to move outside the claims the Justice Department keeps making to say, I know why you fired the probationary employees. I know this wasnt done on a case-by-case basis on their merits. And by the same token, it matters that hes saying I will not give up jurisdiction if all the entities that might otherwise have jurisdiction have been hobbled. I think that shows a willingness to live with one foot in the real world and one foot on the bench. I know we might have liked to see real consequences for shoddy lawyering and big lying, but I think its consequential that Judge Alsup is now willing to say: I see what youre doing here, and Im not going to play along.
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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020, tens of thousands of apartments in New York City suddenly became available as residents fled the city in droves. All of a sudden, one of the worlds most competitive rental markets found itself with very few renters.

Things totally changed, Cash Jordan, a licensed real estate broker in the city, said in an interview with the trade publication the Real Deal. Renters were in high demand. There are just so many empty apartments, and the supply and demand just flip-flopped.

To survive as a realtor in this unprecedented market, Jordan got creative. He started posting several times a week, to his YouTube account, videos of himself walking through his listings. The footage often opened with b-roll from around the neighborhood, followed by introductions to hidden neighborhood gems, like coffee shops or restaurants. During these virtual showings, he injected lighthearted commentary, sometimes even poking fun at an apartments cramped closet or tiny bathroom.

But five years since he posted his first virtual showing video and almost two decades since he moved here, Jordanwho was one of New York Citys most well-known realtors on YouTube, promoting the dream of living herehas now become one of its most vocal critics. Once innocuous videos, such as Living in a Tiny Box-Apartment on an NYC Roof or SEE a $2,900 Brooklyn PENTHOUSE with ROOF DECK and a BALCONY, have given way to clickbait titles like NYC is Now So Dangerous  Nobody Can Live Here, NYC Installs Cameras  To Tax Trump Supporters, and Venezuelan Gang Invades Manhattan  As NYC Collapses.

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Equally misleading are his preview thumbnails, which now exclusively feature images that appear to have been created by generative A.I. tools to depict throngs of gangs or rioters flooding every corner of the city, evoking scenes reminiscent of The Walking Dead rather than bustling Midtown Manhattan.

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While surprising, Jordans heel turn is just one example of a larger trend of creators taking advantage of social media algorithms that reward sensationalism and fearmongering over facts. Since YouTube is now one of the most popular sources of news in America, the site has become a target for creators and news influencers like Jordan to leverage their platforms and parlay them into lucrative sponsorship dealsat the expense of their audiences and the truth.

Fundamentally, this is all about the algorithm, Claire Wardle, an associate professor at Cornell University and a leading expert on misinformation and user-generated content, told Slate. In many ways, these videos emulated Trumps remarks, Fox News, or One America News. But this is not Trump or the Murdochs, but just a dude who may have figured out a way to maybe make a ton of money.

Jordan did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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In recent months, Jordan has landed multiple brand sponsorships, from a large personal-injury law firm to a local moving company. Meanwhile, his channel has ballooned to more than 1.2 million subscribers at the time of reporting, a number that surpasses many local TV stations and outlets on YouTube. But instead of providing news grounded in facts, Jordan wields his megaphone to falsely portray New York as a real-life Gotham City. His stories cite migrants overwhelming the city, criminals running amok in the subways, and homeless people destroying its beloved public parks, claims that have led some tourists to question whether they should reconsider their plans to visit and others to wonder if its safe to take the subway at all. Some original fans have lamented that this once fun and informative property channel has become a hub for demonstrably untrue claims about New York City, with some accusing Jordan of grifting and capitalizing on the age-old fear of the crime-ridden urban center.

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Jordan has found a successful niche by sensationalizing crime and chaos in one of the worlds most populated and frequently visited cities. Since he posted the first series of videos on these topics starting in late 2023, engagement of his videos have soared, leading his subscriber number to double within a year. Many of his videos now garner more than a million views.

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His rise in popularity may provide another example of how technology and profit motives enable misinformation to spread easily. Americans are increasingly being misled not by Macedonian teens or the Russian intelligence service, but by creators who see a viable business model in simply amplifying misleading narratives and reinforcing division in an already deeply polarized society.

For example, Jordans relentless fearmongering about subway safety and alternative transportationincluding the ongoing plan to expand protected bike lanes throughout the five boroughsnot only is misleading online but may have bolstered arguments from local and national politicians against initiatives aimed at making commuting safer and reducing car reliance. In 2024 vehicle collisions resulted in 251 fatalities, including 147 pedestrians and cyclists, while 10 people lost their lives on the subway.

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In recent years, social media platforms have either drastically loosened their moderation policies or eliminated fact-checking altogether in the United States, reverting to an approach before QAnon memes and Plandemic videos flooded the internet. That wave of disinformation helped fuel the violent Jan. 6 riots, during which thousands of extreme supporters of Donald Trump used these same platforms to mobilize and attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

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Critics have long argued that social media platforms dont just enable misinformation but incentivize it, rewarding misleading content by sharing ad revenue with creators and providing features that help them sell merchandise or collect donations from fans. Take Tim Pool as an example. The former Occupy Wall Street livestreamer turned alt-right talking head has frequently hosted supporters of QAnon, Stop the Steal, and other conspiracy theories on his shows over the yearsand has in the past four years taken in more than $1.3 million in fan donations on YouTube alone.

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To be fair, not all news influencers profit from misinformation and polarization. But a Pew Research study from last fall found that some of the most popular news influencers in the United States are disproportionately male and tend to be more right-leaning politically. And thats why many postelection pundits hypothesized that Joe Rogan and other prominent podcast bros have helped rehabilitate Trump and expand his reach, while negative content about Kamala Harris from news influencers was twice as likely to be critical, according to Pew. But the opportunity to profit from advertising revenue and sponsorship money has also attracted side hustlers just like Jordan, who hope to generate income outside their full-time jobs.

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Also of concern, as some social media users have noticed, is the proliferation of so-called faceless accounts. These are creators who have learned that they can rack up views on YouTube by repurposing highly partisan culture-war materialoften from cable networks and right-wing influencersinto news clips. On some occasions, these faceless creators have openly boasted about their monetization strategies and how they use A.I. tools to generate thumbnails and titles and even automate their entire workflow.

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7 million views a month, one such creator boasted in an X post, in which they also claimed that they earned tens of thousands of dollars from multiple YouTube channels specializing in anti-woke content such as When Elon Musk DESTROYED a Woke Reporter  and ALL Celebrity & Liberal Meltdowns As Trump WINS ELECTION.

Combating this misinformation used to be the responsibility of the platforms themselves. However, due to recent content moderation policy changes and attitude shifts in Big Tech in the wake of the 2024 election, these platforms are largely shirking these dutiesleaving their users to fend for themselves.

Related From Slate I Spent a Day Looking Only at What Donald Trump Fans See Online. Sure Does Look Nice From Here. Read More

In 2020 you might have asked the platforms to do more. But were in a different era now, Wardle said. She added that the issue is exacerbated by emerging technology such as A.I. As such, shes concerned that the information environment is only becoming more polluted and that the public will have a much harder time accessing quality information.

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To spot false news or A.I.generated visual content, media literacy experts and fact-checkers often advise readers to look out for vague or overly exaggerated language, inconsistencies in images such as mismatched shadows or unnatural proportions, and visuals that appear almost too perfect to be real. And if readers decide to share content on social media, they recommend verifying the context and tracing the original source to ensure accuracy.

Hannah Covington, of the News Literacy Project, told Slate that its crucial to be able to understand what credibility looks like and recognize it in action.

These are digital survival skills,  she added.

Still, stronger moderation and algorithmic oversight by social media companies is essential to curb misinformation on their own platforms. But with Big Tech in the U.S. moving in the exact opposite direction, spreading misinformation is going to get a lot easierwhile spotting it gets a whole lot harder.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250314/30-day-ceasefire-push-putin-seeks-long-term-peace-zelensky-wants-war-and-trump-stuck-in-the-middle-1121639177.html

30-Day Ceasefire Push: Putin Seeks Long-Term Peace, Zelensky Wants War and Trump Stuck in the Middle

30-Day Ceasefire Push: Putin Seeks Long-Term Peace, Zelensky Wants War and Trump Stuck in the Middle

Sputnik International

Russia's president has expressed interest in Trumps 30-day ceasefire idea, but cited important nuances that must be accounted for first, since Volodymyr Zelensky has opposed peace at every turn. Heres the evidence of their divergent approaches.

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1. Fate of Kursk CauldronPutin: What will we do about the incursion zone in Kursk region? If we stopped military operations for 30 days, what would this mean? That all [enemy forces] would just walk out without a fight?Zelensky: Our troops in Kursk region continue to carry out their tasks.2. Respite for Ukraines Mobilization Campaign?Putin: How will these 30 days be used? To ensure the continued forced mobilization in Ukraine?Zelensky aide Podolyak and Rada Defense Committee chairman Kostenko: Ceasefire WONT stop mobilization, WONT end martial law, and WONT trigger elections.3. Handling of Potential Violations (Armed Attacks, Incursions, Missile Strikes)Putin: Who will be able to determine where and who has violated a possible agreement on a ceasefire across a 2,000 km front?Zelensky: Complained to Trump last month, claiming Russia violated ceasefires 25 times since 2014.4. Verification of measures related to mobilization, supply of weaponsPutin: How will issues of control and verification be handled  how will they guarantee that nothing like this will happen?Zelensky: Even if a ceasefire turns into something more, Ukraine will not recognize the loss of territory to Russia. This is the biggest red line.5. Fundamentally diverging attitudes toward peacePutin: The very idea is great, I think is correct, and we of course support it. We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.Zelensky: Now we have all heard from Russia very predictable, very manipulative words from Putin in response to the idea of quiet on the front  he is actually preparing a refusal.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250313/ex-pentagon-analyst-on-putins-message-us-cant-solve-ukraines-peace-with-a-magic-wand-1121636181.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250704/russias-special-military-operation-in-ukraine-and-how-it-is-progressing-1105665248.html

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Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

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Ilya Tsukanov

what is 30-day ukraine ceasefire offer, will russia accept 30-day ceasefire, does zelensky want to continue the war, will 30-day ceasefire end the war
Despite going off as the longest shot on the board at 64-1, Jazzville returned victorious in the $20,000 Pop Up Series final for pacing fillies and mares on Thursday, March 13 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, yielding a high price ticket of $129.40.

Leaving the gate in post two with Trevor Henry in tow, the Shayne Barrington student got away fourth as Rambaran Rose (Tyler Borth) dictated the opening quarter in :27.3. The field was immediately divided in two from the start with three parked out, including Lisas All In (Tyler Jones), who took over through the :56.3 half and 1:26.2 three-quarters. With the outer flow shuffling the order around, Jazzville was pushed back to seventh on the pylons at the half.

Jazzville threw her name into the ring going towards the three-quarters, sitting seventh on the outside. Stablemate and race favourite Horizon Seelster (Bob McClure) worked her way three-wide at the third quarter panel and turning for home, she faced her barnmate in a race for home. Down to the wire, Jazzville put in the better work to score by a half length over Horizon Seelster in 1:55.2. Del Diggity (Brett MacDonald) worked her way into the blanket finish, grabbing the show spot.

Jazzville is a five-year-old daughter of Huntsville and the Bettors Delight mare Orchestra Bluechip owned by Ronnie MacLean and Susanne MacKeigan. She won her first race in seven tries this year and her fifth career race from 45 starts. The mark lowered her previous career best from a 1:58.1 mile at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway. Jazzville now shows $29,555 earned.

Head Honcho won the $20,000 Pop-Up Series final for pacing horses and geldings, following the pocket trip.

Piloted by Tyler Jones, Head Honcho secured early position in second on the pylons. Flying Art A (Trevor Henry) and Dirty Lil Piglet (James MacDonald) tussled early for the lead as the panels read :28.1 and :57.4, but favoured Dirty Lil Piglet prevailed to command the timer. After the 1:26.3 three-quarters, Head Honcho positioned himself for the score, chasing down Dirty Lil Piglet and going on to win by two lengths in 1:55. Dirty Lil Piglet had to settle for second and Bring Your Fire (Tyler Borth) finished third.

In his debut for trainer Joseph Squires and owner Martin Kuepfer, the six-year-old gelded son of Control The Moment and the Art Major mare Dani Hanover recorded his second win of the year in six starts. A winner of $132,445 in his career, Head Honcho won his 12th race from 67 starts.

In the $13,000 Pop-Up consolation, Cereal Killer (Tyler Borth) maneuvered a pocket trip to victory in 1:55 by a length over Fiscal Policy (James MacDonald) and Winwithawhisper (Billy Davis). Courtney Robson owns and trains Cereal Killer ($12.50), a seven-year-old gelded son of Toucam Sam-Alcars Xit.

In the $13,000 Pop-Up consolation for fillies and mares, Missy Rocks (Tyler Jones) soared from seventh to first by a half length in 1:56.2 over Beth (Billy Davis Jr.) and Velocity Impetuous (Tyler Borth). Pamela Goodale trains Missy Rocks ($6.40), a daughter of Pet Rock-The Mistress.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
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China will host the first meeting of International Military Cooperation Organs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States for 2025 on March 26 and 27, a defense spokesperson said Friday.

The meeting will be held in Qingdao in Shandong Province, east China, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference.

Representatives from defense ministries of the SCO member states and the SCO secretariat will attend the meeting to exchange views on future defense and security cooperation, Zhang said.
Surrounded by his family at University Hospital, longtime harness racing industry participant Paul D. Smith of Woodstock, Ont. passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 11 at the age of 81.

Beloved spouse and best friend of Kathy for 25 years. Lovingly remembered by his children David (Gretchen), Tim (Anna), Scott (Carrie), Chelsea (Andrew), Jessica (Evan) and Connor (Riley), his grandchildren Hannah (Andrew), Chloe (Tanner), Gabriel, Madyson, Evan, Oliver, Vivie, Dawson and Beckham and great grandchildren Veronica and Myles.

Paul will be missed dearly by his siblings Judi, John (Barb), Brian and sister-in-law Phyllis and is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and his extended horse family at Dreamfair Stables. Predeceased by his parents Jack Smith and Beverley Smith, siblings Gary and Karen, brother-in-law Gerry and niece Shannon.

Paul loved life, family and horses. He was happiest when he was at the barn or the horse races. His passion and dedication showed in his daily trips to the barn to do chores, jog and train the horses. He took great pride in his many accomplishments over the years and was always happy to share stories and visit with others that shared his love of horses.

In keeping with Pauls expressed wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or service. Everyone who knew Paul is welcome to leave personal condolences, share favourite memories and photos. Donations in memory of Paul can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and may be made directly with the charity or by contacting Ostranders Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell St, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) who have been entrusted by the family.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at University Hospital for their exceptional care and unwavering support during Pauls time with them. Their compassion and kindness brought comfort during a difficult time.

Goodbye, my family and friends. Its been a great ride for me.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Paul Smith.
The Port of Longview is beginning a switch to renewable diesel  and at a cost reported to be negligible to what its currently spends on conventional diesel.

The Port of Longview board of commissioners were briefed on the recommended switch to renewable diesel fuel during an update on its climate action strategy Wednesday at the public ports regular meeting.

Port of Longview staff recommended the switch to R99 or 99% renewable fuel following a presentation that showed minimal cost differences from a local fuel supplier  within a 1% variation from traditional fuel  and significant benefits.

Amy Boyd, environmental manager for the Port of Longview called the presentation a pretty big step forward in our climate action strategy, first adopted by the commissioners in November 2023.

Dale Lewis, the Port of Longviews director of external affairs, said when reached by email Wednesday that the renewable diesel will be phased in starting now. No votes were needed at the Wednesday meeting because commissioners already approved the ports climate action strategy.

The study

When looking at its carbon emissions for 2024, more than three-quarters stemmed from mobile combustion: with 14% being on-road combustion engines and 64% occurring offroad. Boyd told commissioners the port explored three avenues towards reducing that impact: electrification, gas-electric hybridization or renewable fuels.

We preferred renewable fuel usage because its a drop-in fuel thats chemically identical to petroleum products, Boyd said.

Renewable diesel is made from fats and oils such as soybean or canola oil and is processed to be chemically identical to diesel fuel derived from petroleum, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It differs from whats known as biodiesel in that renewable diesel meets United States standards from ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, and thus the renewable fuel can be blended and mixed with petroleum diesel.

Port staff informed commissioners that the fuel standard would also mean it could transition without emptying its tanks.

Renewable diesel burns cleaner than petroleum diesel, according to the DOE. It cites a National Renewable Energy Laboratory study showing that the fuel emits lower carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions than petroleum diesel.

Boyd tasked operations procurement and environmental teams to look into the renewable fuel. She described the benefits as significant.

What we are looking at is a 77% reduction year-over-year if we adopt renewable fuels for the entire fleet  which is possible, Boyd said.

Local vendor

Larry Landgraver, the equipment and fleet manager at the Port of Longview, presented to the commissioners the results of a request for proposals issued last fall that compared pricing for all fuels, which included some 97,000 gallons of diesel  92,000 gallons dyed and 5,000 clear  in conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel compared to renewable diesel.

We see that pricing is within 1% variation of traditional fuel right now, and actually the taxes are a little bit lower on renewable diesel, Landgraver said, adding that it really is a drop-in fuel.

We dont have to clear out our tanks, we can make the switch to renewable diesel, we can also go back to traditional diesel at any time, the diesel is actually supported by a local vendor for our supplier here ... the fuel is actually stored in Longview and is readily available at anytime that we need them, Landgraver added.

The switch is supported by labor and port staff, according to slides in the report.

Because Wilcox and Flegel sells renewable fuel in Longview, Landgraver said another advantage is that the port was further able to negotiate the waiving of delivery fees with the local vendor.

Commissioner Allan Erickson, who attended the meeting remotely from Washington, D.C. as part of a lobbying trip with the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, said he was shocked that the pricing was so favorable, but voiced concerns about the fuels costs later on. Erickson mentioned that he is hearing much about renewable diesel especially for rail applications.

I question the long-term availability of the product in terms of all the competition for using it, Erickson said. Are you convinced that this is going to continue to be readily available to us  and particularly at these prices?

Landgraver said they can go back-and-forth as needed.

If it doesnt become available or the price becomes too high ... we can do that at any time, Landgraver said. We do have that flexibility if anything happens in the future, but as of right now it is readily available for us to use at the amount that we need to use here to support our operations.

Erickson gave kudos to the port staff for finding a solution at a really competitive price.

I look forward to utilizing this and what a great opportunity it is for us to reduce our carbon footprint and continue our environmental pathway forward, Erickson said.

Commissioner Evan Jones concurred, praising staff and telling them to keep kicking ass.
 Flash

A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday urged Japan to draw lessons from history and exercise prudence in the field of military security.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a media inquiry concerning Japan's disclosure of its development of a new ballistic missile with a range of 3,000 kilometers.

In recent years, Japan has moved further down the path of military expansion, which is dangerous and goes against the will of the people, Zhang said.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Zhang urged the Japanese side to do more for regional peace and stability, and to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.

He was also asked about a Japanese vessel's recent navigation in the Taiwan Strait, as well as Japanese defense officials' recent remarks on "serious concerns" about Chinese military activities near Japan.

"We firmly oppose any country stirring up trouble in the Taiwan Strait, undermining China's sovereignty and security, or sending erroneous signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," Zhang said.

He also voiced firm opposition to Japan's groundless accusations concerning China's regular military exercises.

The activities of the Chinese military in relevant maritime and airspace areas are legitimate, reasonable and beyond reproach. They are entirely in line with international law and international practices, the spokesperson said.
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Overview of the heat treatment process, demonstrated with a screen printed PEDOT:PSS pattern on fabric that remains stable after washing in detergent. Credit: Advanced Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202415827

Recent advances in the field of materials science have opened new possibilities for the fabrication of bioelectronics, devices designed to be worn or implanted in the human body. Bioelectronics can help to track or support the function of organs, tissues and cells, which can contribute to the prevention and treatment of various diseases.

A promising material for the fabrication of bioelectronics is PEDOT:PSS, a polymer known for its high electrical conductivity, flexibility and compatibility with biological tissues. Despite its advantageous properties, PEDOT:PSS is known to gradually dissolve in biological fluids, a limitation that has so far been counteracted using chemical compounds and processes.

Researchers at Stanford University, the University of Cambridge and Rice University recently uncovered an easier and potentially safer strategy to stabilize this bio-compatible polymer using heat. Their proposed thermal treatment, outlined in the journal Advanced Materials, was found to make PEDOT:PSS films stable in water without the need for any chemical additives.

"This work started out from a serendipitous discovery during the course of my previous research, where I was using the responsive polymer, PEDOT:PSS to make shape-changing photonic devices," Siddharth Doshi, co-first author of the paper, told Tech Xplore.

"I noticed that films of PEDOT:PSS that I'd accidentally baked at higher than usual temperatures didn't dissolve in water. This was a huge surprise, as PEDOT:PSS is a widely studied conductive polymer, and to get around the fact that it delaminates in water, hundreds of bioelectronics papers use chemical cross-linkers to stabilize their devices."

After making this surprising observation as part of their earlier research, Doshi, co-first author Margaux Forner and their colleagues set out to explore the possibility that heating up PEDOT:PSS films could also stabilize them in fluids. In addition, they wished to determine what exactly happened when the films were heated above certain temperatures, how this heating process affected their properties and whether a heat-based approach could replace existing chemical stabilization processes.

"The key advantage of our approach is its simplicityyou can simply heat up films of commercial, unmodified PEDOT:PSS on a hot-plate between 150C and 200C for 2 mins, and it no longer dissolves in water," explained Doshi. "It works on different substrates, including stretchable plastics and even different fabrics, and avoids many of the complications of chemical crosslinkers, which affect the conductivity and reliability of the films."

The heat treatment devised by the researchers could also enable the direct patterning of PEDOT:PSS simply by applying heat to specific sites on the films and thus removing the need for complex lithography techniques. As part of their study, Doshi and his colleagues also demonstrated the 3D printing of PEDOT:PSS at the micro-scale, using a focused femtosecond laser beam.

"The PEDOT:PSS absorbs strongly at the near-infrared laser wavelength we used, which causes local heating," said Doshi. "Through layer-by-layer scanning of a focused laser spot, we could locally stabilize 3D patterns within the film which remain even after the unexposed parts of the film are washed away in water. As a nice additional benefit, this gives us an environmentally friendly way to pattern this material, using only water for processing instead of other toxic solvents."

The initial tests run by the researchers yielded very promising results. Ultimately, their heat-based approach was found to make PEDOT:PSS films stable in water, while also improving their performance.

Layer-by-layer exposure to a focused femtosecond laser beam allows for microscale-3D printing of unmodified PEDOT:PSS. Credit: Advanced Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202415827

"Heat-treated bioelectronic devices such as transistors, spinal cord stimulators and electrocorticography (ECoG) arrays were easier to fabricate, more reliable, and equally high performing. And they proved to be robust in chronic in vivo experiments, maintaining stability for over 20 days post-implantation," said Margaux Forner, Ph.D. student from the University of Cambridge and co-first author on the paper.

"Notably, the film maintained excellent electrical performance when stretched, highlighting its potential for resilient bioelectronic devices both inside and outside the body."

"Our characterization suggests that heat-treatment drives phase separation of PEDOT and PSS-rich regions, helping stabilize the polymer blend by creating a network of a water-insoluble, PEDOT-rich phase," added Scott Keene, Assistant Professor at Rice University and the senior author of the paper. "In addition to making the polymer water-stable, we found that phase separation improves both the conductivity and capacitance of our films, two critical parameters for bioelectronic devices."

In addition, the simple heat-based treatment introduced by Doshi and his colleagues could be easily integrated with existing manufacturing processes. In the future, it could thus simplify the development of various PEDOT:PSS-based devices, including bioelectronics, as well as wearable electronics and electronic skins.

"We are also really excited about the ability to 3D-print the polymers at the microscale," said Doshi. "This has been a major goal for the community, as writing this functional material in 3D could let you interface with the 3D world of biology. Typically, this is done by combining PEDOT:PSS with different photo-sensitive binders or resins; however, these additions affect the properties of the material or are challenging to scale down to micron-length scales."

The researchers have successfully used their heat-based approach to create complex 3D structures, including blocks, textured surfaces and sculptural test-pieces with curves, bevels and recesses, made of PEDOT:PSS. They achieved this using femtosecond laser patterning, but it could eventually also be attained using other laser-based methods.

The researchers hope that other materials scientists and engineers will start experimenting with their thermal treatment and using it to stabilize PEDOT:PSS films without relying on chemical processes. In the future, their newly introduced approach could facilitate the use of these films for the development of implantable devices and other devices that are meant to be resistant to water or other fluids.

"One direction for future research will be to explore new ways to interface with the 3D world of biology through functional cell-interfaces," said Doshi. "We are also interested in going back to our original motivation of exploring new ways of fabricating PEDOT:PSS, which is in making switchable 3D photonic devices that use the electro-optic tunability of PEDOT:PSS to dynamically change their optical properties.

"There is a lot of interest in the field of micro and nano-optics for devices that change their functionality on demand, and 3D devices could have a lot of advantages over 2D devices that have been most widely explored to date."

In their next studies, Doshi and his colleagues also plan to further investigate the fundamental mechanisms underpinning the stabilization of PEDOT:PSS when it is heated above 150C for over two minutes. To do this, they will employ advanced imaging and material characterization techniques.

"Techniques like in-situ transmission electron microscopy or in-situ X-ray diffraction could let us visualize what is exactly happening to the PEDOT and PSS chains and the overall microstructure of the material in real-time," added Doshi.

More information: Doshi, Forner et al, Thermal Processing Creates WaterStable PEDOT:PSS Films for Bioelectronics, Advanced Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202415827 Journal information: Advanced Materials

 2025 Science X Network
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BMW joins other German automakers in reporting sharply lower profits amid a choppy transition to electric vehicles and slowing demand in key market China.

German premium carmaker BMW warned Friday of continued challenges in 2025 from trade tensions and weak demand in China after reporting a plunge in profits last year.

For 2024, the group's net profit fell 37 percent to 7.7 billion euros ($8.3 billion) while revenues were down over eight percent to 142.4 billion euros.

The Munich-headquartered group joins other German automakers in reporting sharply lower profits amid a choppy transition to electric vehicles and slowing demand in key market China.

BMW said it expected earnings before taxes in 2025 to be at the same subdued level as in 2024, while warning that much depended on rapidly changing trade policies.

"The continued challenging situation in China and tariff increases... are expected to provide headwinds," the carmaker said in a statement.

As part of his aggressive trade policy, US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit the European Union with 25-percent duties, which could hammer the region's automakers.

He also hit Canada and Mexico with tariffs before partially rolling them back, including a temporary exemption to most auto imports after an outcry from US carmakers.

US tariffs on Canada and Mexico could also hit European carmakers, as the region's auto supply chain is highly integrated.

BMW said its latest guidance takes into the account of tariff moves made so far and warned that further increases in duties "could have a negative impact."

Weakness in China, where European automakers have been struggling to compete with local rivals like BYD, was a major drag on BMW's 2024 earnings.

Vehicle deliveries in China were down 13.4 percent last year, while total deliveries of BMW group, which also includes Mini and Rolls-Royce, fell four percent.

 2025 AFP
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Agrivoltaics integrates solar power generation with agriculture. Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) are exploring different scenarios to optimize both the photovoltaic panel positioning and the underlying crops. A pilot project in Nussbach will contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of agrivoltaic systems on apple orchards and the surrounding environment. Credit: Journal of Photonics for Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1117/1.JPE.15.032703

Agrivoltaic systems, which combine solar power generation with agricultural practices, offer a promising solution to the growing demand for both renewable energy and food production. By integrating solar panels with crops, these systems not only address the land use conflict between agriculture and energy production, but they also provide important benefits such as reducing crop water stress and offering protection against extreme weather events.

In addition, agrivoltaics can contribute to biodiversity by providing pollinator habitats and forage production. For ecosystems in water-scarce regions, these systems have been shown to increase flower production and delay blooming, which supports late-season pollinators. Research also shows that solar panels can perform better in agrivoltaic systems, thanks to the microclimate created underneath them.

As agrivoltaic systems become an increasingly important part of the global energy transition, the need for tailored tracking strategies to optimize their performance is growing. Horizontal single-axis tracker (HSAT) systems, which adjust the angle of solar panels throughout the day to track the sun, offer significant potential in this regard.

Effective control of panel positioning helps balance the dual objectives of maximizing energy generation and preserving agricultural yields. Such optimization is particularly relevant as agrivoltaic systems need to meet yield loss thresholds in order to qualify for subsidies, thus improving their economic viability.

A recent study published in the Journal of Photonics for Energy provides valuable insights into how solar panel positioning can be optimized to achieve this balance. The research focuses on a case study of apple orchards in southwestern Germany, but the findings are broadly applicable to various agricultural settings.

The study proposes a new methodology for dynamically optimizing solar panel positioning based on the light needs of crops. Unlike traditional shading strategies, which are based on general guidelines or structures like hail nets, this new approach uses specific irradiation targets to meet the precise light requirements of different crop varieties. The research team ran simulations using a custom tool called APyV to assess how varying solar panel positions would impact light availability for the crops.

APyV uses advanced ray tracing techniques to evaluate the distribution of solar radiation and its impact on both the photovoltaic panels and the underlying crops. The tool automates design optimization of agrivoltaic systems based on key performance indicators, the interface with different crop models, and the integrated simulation of specialty crops. It allows direct calculation of the light received by the crop and a more accurate simulation of its impact on the overall agrivoltaic system.

The results of the case study revealed that with tailored solar panel control, 91% of the light needed for the apple trees was delivered over the course of the year, with only a moderate 20% reduction in solar energy production. However, the study also identified periods when the light requirements of the apple trees were not fully met, indicating the challenges of achieving optimal crop and energy performance simultaneously. Despite these limitations, the study lays a strong foundation for future research, which is already underway.

According to corresponding author Maddelena Bruno, who is leading the study as a doctoral candidate at Fraunhofer ISE, "Our study shows that the combination of solar energy and farming can be enhanced by smart PV-trackers that adjust the position of solar panels based on weather conditions, crop types, and their growth stages. This approach ensures an optimal balance between light available for photosynthesis and light available for electricity production."

Bruno notes that the proposed irradiation targets and tracking strategy are to be field-tested during the current growing season in Nussbach, providing an opportunity to validate or challenge the reported results. These field tests will contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of the impact of agrivoltaic systems on apple orchards and the surrounding environment.

Ultimately, this research will provide critical insights that can guide the optimization of agrivoltaic systems, making them more effective in balancing agricultural productivity and renewable energy generation while supporting the ongoing energy transition.

More information: Maddalena Bruno et al, Enhancing agrivoltaic synergies through optimized tracking strategies, Journal of Photonics for Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1117/1.JPE.15.032703
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn reported on Friday a lower-than-expected net profit for 2024 as consumer electronic gadgets underperformed, although demand for its artificial intelligence servers remained robust.

The world's largest contract electronics manufacturer has been moving beyond assembling devices such as Apple's iPhones into areas ranging from electric vehicles to AI servers.

The company said full-year net profit rose seven percent to NT$152.7 billion (US$4.6 billion).

That compares with an average forecast of NT$159.4 billion, according to a Bloomberg News survey of analysts.

Full-year revenue rose 11 percent to NT$6.9 trillion, beating the market forecast of NT$6.8 trillion.

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, has been riding a wave of global demand for generative AI in recent years.

The company reported a "strong performance" in its AI server business, with revenue up 150 percent, according to documents released ahead of an earnings call with analysts.

This year would be the "Year of AI," the company said, with shipments increasing in every quarter.

The earnings announcement comes as US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs against major trading partners including China, Canada and Mexico, igniting trade wars and causing markets to fall.

While Foxconn has plants around the world, the bulk of its operations is based in China, which has been hit by 20 percent levies on products shipped to the United States.

Foxconn is building a mega-AI server plant in Mexico, which a local official told Bloomberg recently would be completed in a year despite Trump's tariff threats.

The $900 million assembly plant near Guadalajara will become the world's largest to be powered by Nvidia's GB200 AI chips, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said.

Foxconn has also been in the spotlight over potential cooperation with Japanese automaker Nissan after its merger talks with rival Honda fell through in February.

Chairman Young Liu said previously that Foxconn was open to buying French auto giant Renault's stake in Nissan and was looking into a cooperation with Nissan, not a merger.

Foxconn has been looking to expand into the Japanese EV market and Liu said last month the company would announce "good news" in EVs within one or two months.

 2025 AFP